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China to deepen medical, healthcare reform in 2024

Xinhua) 08:42, June 24, 2024

A nurse works at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a hospital in Suqian City, east China's Jiangsu Province, May 12, 2024. (Photo by Xu Changliang/Xinhua)

BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) -- As part of its efforts to deepen reform of medical and healthcare systems, China will act to deliver better and easier access to public medical and healthcare services, especially at the primary level, and reduce patients' financial burdens this year.

At a national conference on China's health development and deepening healthcare reform that ended Sunday, policymakers and practitioners discussed topics including public hospital reforms, drug supply, and medical insurance.

China has released a list of healthcare reform tasks for 2024, proposing measures concerning public healthcare services, the development of public hospitals, and drug reform.

The country will continue enhancing its public healthcare service capacity at the primary level, deepen reform of the payment system at public hospitals, and improve its healthcare insurance systems to better meet people's needs and reduce their medical costs, according to the document.

This year's reform will also give more weight to matters such as medical technological progress, multi-tiered diagnosis and treatment, and digitalized services, said Zhu Hongbiao, an official with the National Health Commission, at the conference.

Addressing the problem of high medical expenditures has been an important part of China's medical and healthcare reform. To that end, China has launched nine rounds of bulk drug procurement programs since 2018 and gradually expanded the price reform of medical services.

It is expected that the bulk purchase program will cover 500 medications this year, and pilot price reforms of medical services will be carried out in three provincial-level regions, according to health authorities.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Karnataka Minister for Large, Medium Industries, and Infrastructure Development MB Patil on Monday met with representatives of global companies during a strategic business tour to Japan. The discussions highlighted opportunities for enhancing infrastructure, digital solutions, and sustainability initiatives, reinforcing a shared commitment to advancing mutual interests and fostering long-term partnerships, said an official release. The Karnataka government's delegation led by the minister focused on attracting investments to the state and fostering a strong business environment for India. According to the officials the meetings of Day 1 focused on exploring potential collaborations and strategic investments in Karnataka, emphasizing the importance of leveraging each companies' expertise and innovation to drive economic growth and development in the region. Patil convened with key representatives from Nissin Foods, including Ryota Kawawa, General Manager of the Corporate Management Division, Michiko Kakuchi, Manager of the Corporate Management Division, and Kaya Tanii, Sustainability Strategy Lead of the Corporate Planning Division. Nissin Foods, with a 23-year presence in India, has seen significant sales and profit increases over the past three years and potential for further growth with government support. Patil suggested Bangalore as a hub for expansion, aiding both domestic growth and exports, and expressed interest in Nissin's plans, offering support through food parks in Dharwad and Bijapur, which emphasize the complete food processing value chain and are in proximity to Maharashtra. Nissin has shifted its strategy in the last three years to focus on the mid-premium segment, which has led to increased consumption and better margins. While there are no immediate investment plans, potential expansion is anticipated in the next 3-5 years. The discussion also covered post-COVID shifts towards e-commerce and quick commerce, the rise of millennials and Gen Z as key consumer demographics, and the emergence of niche D2C brands. The Minister invited Nissin Foods to the Global Investors Meet (GIM) and emphasized the importance of marketing to the young population and the role of the Food Tech Research Institute in promoting research. Additionally, Nissin's innovations in food convenience technology and potential introductions to the Indian market were highlighted. The conversation also touched on sustainability certifications, including FSSAI, organic certifications, Agmark for product sustainability, and GreenCo for manufacturing process sustainability. Minister Patil engaged in a discussion with key representatives from Hitachi, including Bharat Kaushal, Managing Director of Hitachi India & Corporate Officer of Hitachi, Ltd.; Kazuhisa Kaneko, General Manager of the Government Relations Group, Hitachi, Ltd.; Yushi Akiyama, Chief Operating Officer of Hitachi India; Kunio Kubota, Senior Manager of the Government Relations Group, Hitachi, Ltd.; and Asami Higai, Assistant Manager of the Government Relations Group, Hitachi, Ltd. This highlighted the importance of partnerships and leveraging existing infrastructure. Hitachi showcased their long-lasting and efficient engineering products, some functioning for over 50 years. Additionally, they discussed the potential of quantum computing for improving energy efficiency and their joint venture with the Indian government on cybersecurity. The delegation acknowledged the significant shift towards digital services in India, particularly in financial services. Hitachi is exploring further opportunities in this domain. Minister Patil engaged in a strategic discussion with Joji Tagawa, Nissan Senior Vice President, and Frank Torres, President of Nissan India, focusing on potential collaborations and expansion of Nissan's electric vehicle initiatives in Karnataka. The meeting emphasized their global presence, commitment to governments, and the 'Nissan Ambition 2030' vision which focuses on expanding electric mobility. Highlighting that vehicles produced by Nissan India are exported to over 120 countries, the Minister suggested Karnataka as a future EV export hub. Discussions included Nissan's sustainability activities, advanced electric vehicle technology, and new battery developments in Yokohama, with the potential to leverage Karnataka's upcoming Exide gigafactory. Cooperation in hybrid car technology was also explored, aligning with Karnataka's upcoming clean mobility policy and attractive incentives for EV strategies. The identified EV cluster in Tumkuru, along the CBIC corridor, was proposed as an ideal site for Nissan due to its strategic location near metro cities. The meeting also acknowledged Nissan's pioneering role in electric vehicles since 1947 and their recent advancements in mass production of EVs. A presentation on Nissan's business in India highlighted their focus on electrification, renovation, and a new high-tech car. Patil emphasized Karnataka's strong R&D ecosystem, which includes a robust network of Japanese companies and a commitment to sustainability, presenting opportunities for Nissan in both manufacturing and design. (ANI)
The gold, weighing 1.666 Kilograms, was valued at Rs 1.19 crores, the official said.

The passenger arrived from Singapore to Trichy.

"Based on specific intelligence, officers of AIU and DRI Trichy detected 1.666 kg of 24K Gold valued at Rs.1.19 crore concealed in an electric circular saw brought by a Male PAX as checked-in luggage. Pax traveled from Singapore to Trichy on June 24. Further investigation is under progress", said the official.

More details are awaited.

Earlier this month, officers of the Air Intelligence Unit at Tamil Nadu's Trichy airport seized 1024 grams of 24K gold valued at Rs 73.32 lakh from a passenger.

They said that the passengers had been arrested.

PlayUnmuteFullscreen"Based on specific intelligence, officers of AIU, Trichy Airport seized 1024 grams of 24K gold valued at Rs 73.32 lakh extracted from gold in paste form concealed by a passenger in his rectum. Passenger has been arrested and further investigation is in progress," officials said. (ANI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday directed the Pune Police Commissioner to initiate strict action against illegal pubs and bars in Pune, an official statement from the Chief Minister's Office said. CM Shinde also instructed the Police Commissioner to bulldoze all structures that are against the building rules. "CM Eknath Shinde spoke to the CP Pune and directed him to initiate strict action against illegal pubs and bulldoze all structures that are against the building rules. He also directed the police to initiate renewed action against drug peddlers to make Pune a drug-free city", said the official release. This comes amid the outrage in Pune city over a viral video of a bar that showed minors consuming drugs in the bar's washroom during a late-night party. Earlier today, the Pune Police raided and sealed a popular bar in the city for allegedly serving drugs to minors, sparking outrage and leading to the suspension of four police officials for dereliction of duty. The police have suspended one Assistant Police Inspector, one Police Inspector, and two constables attached to Shivaji Nagar Police Station. The police have also arrested 8 people in the case. The operation was carried out at the Liquid Leisure Lounge (L3) located in the posh Fergusson College Road area after a video surfaced on social media showing underage boys consuming drugs in the bar's washroom during a late-night party. Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar ordered an immediate probe into the matter, leading to a late-night raid on the establishment. Police teams conducted a thorough search of the premises and sealed the bar early the next day. The owner of L3, Santosh Kamthe, franchisee Ravi Maheshwari, manager Manas Malik, two staffers, and three others were arrested in connection with the case and produced before a Pune Magistrate court and later sent to police custody till June 29 by the court. Furthermore, four police officials, including a police inspector and an assistant police inspector, and two constables were also suspended for allegedly turning a blind eye to the illegal activities taking place at the bar, which fell within their jurisdiction. The incident has sparked outrage among residents in Pune, with many demanding stricter enforcement of laws and regulations to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The police have assured that they will continue to crack down on establishments engaging in illegal activities and uphold the safety and well-being of minors in the city. A local right-wing group Patit Paawan also vandalised the exterior of the bar. (ANI)
Assam Police have arrested five persons in connection with the gang rape of a minor girl in the state's Udalguri district. The arrested persons were identified as Mustaq Ahmed, Mohidul Islam, Hafijul Ali, Saddam Ali and Ehsan Ahmed, police said. Pushkin Jain, Superintendent of Police of Udalguri district said that, police arrested all five accused. "Following the incident all our officers including myself started investigation on ground. We came to know that, on June 22 evening when a minor girl along with her friends were returning from Mazbat area, a gang of five persons raped the minor girl. We have already arrested all five accused from Mazbat, Dhekiajuli and Dalgaon area. We had already conducted medical examination of the victim girl and her health condition is stable and she is safe," Pushkin Jain said. Following the incident angry mob torched the houses of two accused. "Following the incident some local people and organisations staged protest and law and order situation arose, but we immediately controlled the situation. I appeal to the public don't take law into one's hands and maintain communal harmony and we will investigate the case properly with public cooperation. Our further investigation is on," Pushkin Jain said. On the other hand, Assam Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah on Monday visited Udalguri and took stock the situation. The Assam Minister said that, on the instructions of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, he reached Udalguri and took full stock of the "inhuman" incident that occurred on June 22. "Further, engaged with the representatives of various parties, the local residents and the district administration to understand the entire incident. Conveyed our deepest condolences to the family of the victim and promised full support from our Government for her swift recovery and providing justice to them via all possible measures including setting up of Fast Track Courts. Udalguri police has arrested all the five accused within 24 hours and proceeded with legal proceedings," Jayanta Malla Baruah said. (ANI)
Three people were injured after an LPG cylinder exploded in a residential building in Delhi's Uttam Nagar area, the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) officials said on Monday. The incident took place at around 2:30 pm in Uttam Nagar's Sanjay Enclave. Upon receiving the information, the fire department acted swiftly and immediately rushed to the spot. According to the fire official, "The information about the fire in Sanjay Enclave of Uttam Nagar was received at around 2.30 pm, after which fire tenders were sent to control the fire. After about 2 hours of hard work, the fire was completely controlled. When the team reached there, it was found that the LPG cylinder of the house had exploded. At present, the reasons are being investigated." "Out of three injured people injured, one was admitted to the Safdarjung Hospital, while the other two were discharged after primary treatment," he added. Meanwhile, a team of police officials from the Bindapur police station also reached the spot and evacuated the building. During the investigation, it was found that a woman named Suman along with her son Nakul (18) was residing on the second floor of the building. Due to a blast of gas cylinder, the building caught fire and the wall of the building also collapsed. Nakul got injured and he has already been shifted to hospital. Further investigation is underway. On Saturday, two people were killed in an explosion at a fireball manufacturing factory in the Daulatabad Industrial Area of Gurugram, officials said. 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 the 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 are 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 hospitals before we reached here," Kumar said. (ANI)
The Karnataka health department issued a notification order on Monday that no artificial colours should be used in the preparation of kebabs including vegetarian, chicken, fish and others. Rule 59 of the Food Safety and Quality Act-2006 is punishable with imprisonment from 7 years to life term and a fine up to Rs 10 lakhs Penalty. It has been reported in the media and by the public that the quality of kebabs being sold across the state is poor due to artificial colouring, which is causing adverse effects on public health. Against this backdrop, 39 samples of kebabs sold across the state were collected tested and analyzed in Karnataka laboratories, and the result was that sunset yellow and carmosine artificial colors are unsafe and hazardous to health, the release said. In March, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao banned the food colouring agent, Rhodamine-B which is widely used in dishes such as 'Gobi Manchurian' and cotton candy. Addressing the rising concerns over the presence of harmful chemicals in various food items, the health minister said, "We have done a special drive on the gobi manchurian dish and found that harmful Rhodamine-B is being used to make the dish. It is a health-hazardous colouring agent." Pointing out the risks posed by unsafe food practices, Gundurao said, "Many samples were tested positive for Rhodamine-B. Tartrazine, Carmoisine and Sunset Yellow were some of the other artificial colours found in the samples." "Stringent action will be taken against restaurants that are found to be using such chemicals for food preparation," he said. (ANI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday met the parents of the two engineers who died in the Pune Porsche crash case and assured them the guilty would not be spared. Shinde met Omprakash Awadhiya, father of Anish Koshta, and Suresh Koshta, father of Ashwini Koshta, and consoled them. He said that the incident was unfortunate and the culprits would be severely punished. CM Eknath Shinde spoke to the Commissioner of Police ( CP) Pune and directed him to initiate strict action against illegal pubs and bulldoze all structures which are against the building rules. He also directed the police to initiate renewed action against drug peddlers to make Pune a drug-free city, CMO said in a press statement. Even though the minor accused in the accident has been released, Shinde assured that the case has been taken up again for investigation. He also clarified that the case will be fast-tracked. The Chief Minister stated on his 'X' handle, "We fully understand the grief caused by the sudden death of one's young children. So, we decided to provide Rs 10 lakh each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund as a special consideration to the families of their two deceased children." Shinde added that the government is making efforts to track down all the culprits and ensure that they are punished. On this occasion, the Youth Sena Secretary Kiran Sali and other relatives of the deceased were present. The two IT professionals, who were travelling on a bike died on May 19 at 2.30 am after a car allegedly driven by a drunk 17-year-old boy crashed into them. The investigation unfolded like a bag of worms as his kin allegedly tried to obliterate the evidences against him. On June 21, the Pune district court granted bail to Vishal Agarwal, the father of the accused teenager in the primary case where he was booked under Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. But, his 77-year-old grandfather is still in judicial custody for allegedly forcing the driver to take responsibility for the crime on behalf of his grandson. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Monday and discussed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, 'Very pleased to meet UAE FM @ABZayed today in Abu Dhabi. Productive and deep conversations on our ever growing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Appreciated the discussion and his insights on regional and global issues." The India-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership was initiated during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to UAE on 16-17 August 2015. In 2022, India and the UAE signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during a virtual summit between PM Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. S Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to UAE, participated in the 10th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Abu Dhabi. Jaishankar, along with Indian Ambassador to UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, led the Yoga Day celebrations at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "Joined international yoga enthusiasts @LouvreAbuDhabi as we celebrate the #InternationalDayofYoga 2024 in the UAE." [{f5e97fdd-bb76-4a97-983d-fa93750bd2c0:intradmin/ANI-20240623204153.jpg}] In his remarks before performing Yoga, Jaishankar noted that Yoga is an Indian tradition but it has now become a truly universal practice. He stated that International Day of Yoga has acted as a motivation, as a magnet, as a method of really gathering people, spreading the practice, actually in a way keeping the planet happier, healthier, more connected. Jaishankar said, "I am really very happy to be able to join so many of you today in Abu Dhabi. I happen to be here today and I heard about the event and I agree with you that Yoga is an Indian tradition but I think it has now become a truly universal practice." "We are very pleased to see in the last 10 years how the International Day of Yoga has acted as a motivation, as a magnet, as a method of really gathering people, spreading the practice, actually in a way keeping the planet happier, healthier, more connected. So, it's really for me a great pleasure to join you all this evening," he added. He also visited the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. He said that the temple is a true cultural bridge between India and the UAE. Following his visit to the temple, Jaishankar in a post on X wrote, "Blessed to visit the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi today. A visible symbol of India-UAE friendship, it radiates a positive message to the world and is a true cultural bridge between our two countries." The majestic BAPS temple, which is the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on February 14. Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence for the UAE, Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan, was also present at the inauguration. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that "this visit will provide an opportunity to review the entire spectrum of comprehensive strategic partnerships between India and UAE and regional and global developments." (ANI)
As many as 10 people were injured in a shooting incident in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday morning (local time), USA Today reported. Police reached the site of the shooting in the Short North area of the city at 2:28 am (local time). The police found six victims at the site. Later, they were informed that four other people were taken to hospitals, USA Today reported, citing a press release from the Columbus Police Department. The injured victims were undergoing treatment in three different hospitals. One of the victims, a man, is in critical condition, USA Today reported, citing NBC4. According to the release, all the victims are expected to survive. The victims include two juveniles while others are adults, USA Today reported, citing Columbus Dispatch. Police are looking for a vehicle, that they believe was involved in the shooting. Police have issued two numbers that the people can contact if they have information regarding the shooting. In a post on X, Columbus Division of Police wrote, "Detectives need your help locating this vehicle involved in a shooting this morning in the 1100 blk of N. High St., where 10 people were shot. The vehicle is believed to be a white, 4-door Honda Civic with tinted windows." One person was killed and seven others were injured in a shooting outside a nightclub in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday (local time), CNN reported, citing police.First responders found two people injured with gunshot wounds when they reached the spot outside H20 Lounge at 12:47 am (local time), according to the Louisville Police Metro Department's statement. Later, one of the victims, a man, was pronounced dead.The police said the second person was taken to hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries. Later, medical staff reported that another six victims, all adults, reached area hospitals for treatment after the shooting. According to Aaron Ellis, a public information officer with the police department, all six people were shot. The police said, "Those injuries are believed to be non-life threatening." The police did not mention any information about the suspect and it's unclear how many people opened fire or what caused the shooting.Police said, "The relationship of the victims, if any, is not known at this time," adding that the shooting remains under investigation. (ANI)
The Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) organized a victory celebration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third term at the Indian Gymkhana Club in Osterley, London. BJP leader Smriti Irani attended the event. Upon her arrival at the venue, BJP supporters welcomed Smriti Irani. She even posed for pictures with them. Around 500 people gathered to hear Smriti Irani's speech at the event, showcasing strong support and enthusiasm for the BJP and its leadership, according to the OFBJP press release. In her address, Smriti Irani commended the president of the OFBJP UK and emphasized unity among Indians, according to the press release. She highlighted the growth of the BJP in the UK over the past few years and discussed the global impact and influence of Prime Minister Modi and his government. She appreciated the efforts of OFBJP UK President Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat. She emphasised unity among Indians, regardless of their political affiliations, stating, "We should not mock the others as they just don't want our heads but they want India on their platter." Highlighting the efforts made by PM Narendra Modi, "This is a prime minister who has seen in his village, poor women defecating in the open and he built toilets for, for 110 million poor Indian families. This is a prime minister that was told Chaiwala Kabi Pridhan, Mantri, Nahi Ban Sakta (Tea seller cannot become PM). But this is the prime minister that gave impetus to every youngster in India to say that if you want to become somebody, do not be subjugated to the will of those who only have money but may not have talent." "This is a prime minister who knew that poor women in families, just to save for a rainy day, would take crumpled notes and shove it in bottles which had flour or rice, all because they wanted to save money. Women who, if their husbands or their sons wanted to do something of their own, would give away their gold, one bangle, one earring only so that their families could live with Swabhimaan. This is a prime minister who made sure that he opened bank accounts for 500 million Indians. And to be fair to him, while we applaud him in absentia, it was never a part of his manifesto," she added. She noted that building toilets for the poor was not a part of political discourse in 2014. She said that PM Modi built the toilets as he meant it when he said "I will be harbinger of change." Smriti Irani said, "So, when Vijay(The Foreign in-charge of BJP Worldwide Vijay Chauthaiwale) stands here to say thankyou for your support and your contribution, they are not mere words, but the resounding claps will not be limited to this room. They will reach that Prime Minister, who is mocked by the opposition. Why? Because he built roads? This is the prime minister who, at the age of 73, is humiliated by a man who was born in a political family with a golden spoon and who keeps discovering India even over the age of 50. But don't mock them.I say don't. For they come together because what they want on a platter is not just our heads." "India, don't mock them, for they will find friends who will want nothing less than pull India down. Don't mock them, for they don't celebrate when we become the fifth largest economy. They don't support us when we say we want to be the third-largest economy. Don't mock them for they'd rather burn our homes down only so that they could burn down the legacy of Prime Minister Modi. They will cut the nose to spite the face. We know that. Don't mock them. Be aware of them. For they want, like I said, not our heads, not a piece of the pie. They want our country on a platter," she added. Calling on people to stand resolutely with PM Modi and BJP, Smriti Irani said, "So today, while we celebrate, I being a quintessential Indian woman, when the midst of all the glory and all the guts so points out, be watchful, be mindful, I say this today that every time they mock India, remember it's people like you who came together and built it brick by brick." "Every time they mock our way of life, remember it is people like you with the tilak on the forehead that kept that way of life alive. So today as we come together to tell Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party that you stand resolutely with them. Remember, you stand not with just a political party. You stand not with just a way of life. You stand resolutely with India," she added. The Foreign in-charge of BJP Worldwide Vijay Chauthaiwale and Shishir Bajoria, who oversees international affairs and media relations for BJP also attended the event. Speaking to ANI, BJP member Hina Gupta said, "We all are here, you know, hearing Smriti Irani. It's such a matter of proud. So much proud, so many people have welcomed us. I am very happy to see this. Our Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, is loved and respected by everyone. So many people are eager to listen to Smriti Irani. So many people are welcoming her. It is a matter of immense proud. No matter where people are, whether they are Indians or not, whether they are in India or not, they are connected with their roots, their affinity with their country politics, the people who are doing good for their country, I am feeling happy and proud to see this. Harini Sampath from BJP Karnataka team stated that they started preparations for celebrations when the elections were announced as they were confident about PM Modi's win. She said, "We've been preparing for the success of BJP and this event for quite sometime. The moment elections were announced we started preparing for the celebration when we knew Modiiji will come back with an astounding success. We did quite a lot of events in the past. So, this victory celebration makes it even more, you know celebratory and fun and much needed here. Smriti Iraniji is here." Sampath added, "She gave a wonderful speech about how it is a moment of celebration and what all Modi ji has achieved for us in this last ten years and what he is going to achieve for us in the next five years, 10 years, 15 years. We know that Modi ji is coming back again in the next five years. We are looking forward to celebratory event after five years in a bigger venue with a bigger success." Speaking about BJP's win in elections, BJP leader Sanket said, "today we all gathered here to celebrate the victory of BJP and NDA with the alliance government, which they have came for the third time. Honestly speaking, down the line here, there are elections right now in the UK. And even there were elections in India." "We can see the massive difference when it comes to the issue which is currently raised here in this country that a minority has started becoming a majority and that is a concerned issue right now here while in India we have tried and we are trying our best to cover the democracy and to protect the democracy and this is a tight slap on those people who are blaming EVM and I see our democracy is alive still," he added. BJP leader Deepak Patel said, "I have been here in UK, London for the last 18 years and the job that I have been given by the BJP Gujarat Convener for the last 4 weeks. In the elections, we also campaigned for the seat of the parliament of Ahmedabad, Surat, and other cities of the world. We worked there for a month. We have done so many activities from the UK to make Modiji's pit-board. And our efforts will continue from here in London. We are with you, Modiji." Coming to India's election results, the counting of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was held on June 4. According to the Election Commission of India, the BJP won 240 seats. Combining the numbers of BJP ally parties, the number went comfortably above the halfway mark needed to form a government. President Droupadi Murmu administered the Oath of Office and Secrecy to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other members of his Union Council of Ministers at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 9. (ANI)
New York [US], June 24 (ANI/WAM): The United Arab Emirates has signed an agreement with the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to provide emergency food assistance to populations affected by the crisis in Sudan and South Sudan. This includes refugees, host communities, internally displaced people, and returnees impacted by the war. The agreement, formalised between the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and WFP, was signed on the behalf of the UAE by Sultan Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister for International Development Affairs, and on the behalf of WFP by Matthew Nims, Director of Washington Office, and in the presence of Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, and Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, at a special ceremony at the UAE Mission to the UN in New York. 17.7 million people in Sudan and 7.1 million in South Sudan facing acute food insecurity as a result of war in Sudan. To help alleviate this crisis, UAE has committed a total of US$25 million in aid: USD 20 million for Sudan and US$5 million for South Sudan. Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, said, "WFP welcomes all pledges towards our lifesaving food operations in Sudan. With this contribution, we will be able to assist vulnerable people who are at risk of sliding into famine." This contribution is part of UAE's USD 70 million commitment announced in April at the "International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and Neighbouring Countries" to UN agencies and humanitarian organisations to alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Lana Zaki Nusseibeh stated, "With widespread hunger in Sudan and neighbouring countries, our partnership with WFP will assist those most vulnerable facing the devastating ramifications of this war. We cannot allow another famine to unfold in Sudan. The long-term impacts of famine, particularly on children, are incalculable. This is a call to action to halt famine in its tracks." (ANI/WAM)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the occasion of the 12th Passport Seva Divas emphasised that the ministry has rendered 1.65 crore passport-related services to Indian citizens in 2023 and over 14 lakh visa applications were submitted monthly. Extending his greetings to all passport authorities in India and abroad, Jaishankar said that the Ministry of External Affairs, along with the Central Passport Organisation, has been marking this occasion and renewing our commitment to provide passport and related services to citizens of India in a timely, reliable, accessible, transparent and efficient manner. "It gives me great pleasure to join all our passport-issuing authorities in India and abroad on the occasion of the 12th Passport Seva Divas," he said in a post on X. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1805086314586591691 EAM further noted that the year 2023 witnessed a commendable annual growth of nearly 15 per cent in passports and other related services. "I am happy to note that in 2023, the Ministry rendered 1.65 Crore passport-related services to our citizens. The year 2023 noticed a commendable annual growth of nearly 15 per cent in passport and other related services. The monthly submission of applications crossed 14 Lakh mark in 2023," he said. He also committed to delivering the next level of citizen experience by leveraging the power of the latest technologies. "As we commemorate the Passport Seva Divas today, we continue our commitment to deliver the next level of citizen experience by leveraging the power of the latest technologies combined with a dynamic and motivated workforce," he said in his post. Jaishankar added that the ministry has so far operationalized 440 Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSKs) to reach out to our citizens at their doorsteps. Together with the existing 93 Passport Seva Kendras, there are now a total of 533 Passport Processing Kendras and 37 Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) in India, Jaishankar mentioned. "For providing a similar service delivery experience to our citizens abroad, the Ministry has successfully integrated the passport issuance systems in 187 of our Missions/Posts abroad," he added. Moreover, the ministry is continuously working with States/UTS police to reduce the time taken for police verification to further improve the passport delivery ecosystem. The mPassport Police App has been initiated at 25 states and UTs, covering 9000 Police Stations. The Paspsort Seva System has also been successfully integrated with the DigiLocker system to facilitate paperless documentation process. "Our Government is committed in ensuring that Passports serve as crucial travel documents that significantly impact a country's development by way of facilitating international trade and investment, boosting tourism, enhancing global mobility, education and skills development, diplomatic relations, security and regulation, legal identity and for crisis management such as evacuation and assistance," Jaishankar stated. Emphasising that toda, there is widespread recognition in the country and abroad that the passport delivery program is one of the services of the government, he said that it has improved significantly, and is very much appreciated by the average citizen as a model of efficient service delivery. "I congratulate today both Team MEA and Team CPO in this regard. I am sure they will continue to meet the expectations of the citizens. I wish success to all stakeholders in this Project. Happy Passport Seva Divas!," Jaishankar stated. (ANI)
On the 39th anniversary of the Air India Kanishka bombing, a tragic event perpetrated by Khalistani terrorists that resulted in the deaths of 329 innocent people, Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman emphasised the importance of supporting the victims and opposing those who want to commit terrorism. This tragedy took place on June 23, 1985. While speaking to ANI, Daniel Bordman spoke about the memorial event that took place in Queen's Park in Canada for people who lost their lives during this tragic incident and said, "329 innocent people were murdered, 280 of whom were Canadian citizens. The Canadian establishment and institutions have failed these families multiple times." The Canadian journalist emphasised the significance of attending, and supporting the event and noted the participation of former political prisoners from Iran who had experienced terrorism and extremism themselves, underscoring the importance of standing with victims' families. "So I felt it was important to go out and support, help, and promote the event and bring different communities out there. There were tonnes of Jews there, and the grassroots Jewish community really did a great job there," Bordman said. "They were former political prisoners from the Islamic Republic of Iran who faced terrorism and extremism. They came out to show support. So it was a really important thing to stand with the victims' families because the victims of terrorism are the victims of terrorism, but the terrorists are not the victims of terrorism," he added. In response to recent events surrounding the memorial service, a Canadian journalist has spoken out against actions by Khalistani supporters. He recounted how, following the announcement of a memorial, Khalistani groups scheduled their own event earlier to deliberately disrupt proceedings. "However, when it was announced that we were going to have a memorial at 12, the Khalistanis announced that they were going to have a memorial half an hour earlier at 11:30. And they were there to essentially disrupt and make a nuisance of things," he told ANI. "When the Khalistanis came to disturb and interrupt that service, I felt it was important to stand up against them," the journalist remarked, highlighting the need to support victims of terrorism while unequivocally opposing those who seek to perpetrate such acts. We have to support the victims of terrorism but also oppose those who want to commit terrorism. Standing up to evil is, is I think, an important part of what we do today," Daniel Bordman added. In response to a question from ANI about the presence of Khalistani protesters at the event, a Canadian journalist described witnessing their actions firsthand. "They came with their Khalistani flags and aimed to disrupt the memorial site," the journalist explained. Upon noticing their setup, the journalist immediately took action, approaching them to convey that their actions amounted to incitement and intimidation. The journalist also mentioned recording the incident to document the disruption and inform law enforcement. "And you know, they came there with their Khalistani flags, and they wanted to come to the memorial site. So, as soon as I saw them setting up--there's a video of me--I went there to confront them and let them know what they're doing. I know what they're doing, put it on there and tell the police that, what they're doing is incitement and intimidation," Bordman told ANI. The Canadian journalist clarified that the Khalistani protesters falsely claimed to have a permit and described the protesters' tactics of attempting to set up as close as possible to the memorial site in order to provoke conflict and harassment incrementally. "Again, they were lying. They claimed that they had a permit, but they didn't have a permit. They wanted to set up, and they were trying to set up basically as close to the memorial as they could and come in and really start pushing because that's just one of the tactics that extremists use: sort of inch by inch by inch but closer, forcing conflict, and then harassing. So it was important for us to sort of set a red line and let the police know what they're there to do." Daniel Bordman said. "So once we got the police on hand, they did move the Khalistanis a good distance away from the memorial site. We wouldn't be intimidated. They backed off after their initial push and went to do their nonsense further away," he added. (ANI)
Indian consulate in Houston expressed deep sorrow on Monday over the tragic death of Indian national Gopi Krishna Dasari, who was killed in a robbery shooting at Pleasant Grove, Dallas. https://x.com/cgihou/status/1804974197862735920 In a post on X, the consulate offered sincere condolences to the family members and also said that they are in touch with local family members and extending all possible assistance. "Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic demise of Indian National Gopi Krishna Dasari, in a robbery shooting incident at Pleasant Grove, Dallas, Tx We offer our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased," the Indian consulate in Houston said on X. "@cgihou is in touch with local family member & extending all possible assistance including through Indian Associations," the post added. Gopikrishna Dasari, originally from Yazali in Karlapalem Mandal of Bapatla district, Andhra Pradesh, tragically lost his life in a shooting incident at a store in Dallas, a city in Texas. The assailant approached him at the counter on Saturday afternoon and fired at him with a gun, causing severe injuries. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Gopikrishna succumbed to his injuries on Sunday while undergoing treatment. He had been residing in the United States for the past 11 months and was employed at a supermarket in Arkansas. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also expressed grief on Dasari's demise and said that the state government will extend every possible support to bring back the mortal remains. https://x.com/ncbn/status/1804825473949544494 In a post on X, the Andhra CM said: "Deeply saddened to learn that a young Dasari Gopikrishna from Bapatla has succumbed to injuries sustained in a shooting incident in Texas, USA." "I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family and assure them that the GoAP will extend every possible support to help bring him home. We firmly stand by the family and pray for them to find strength through this difficult time," he added. Senior BJP leader Muralidhar Rao also expressed his grief at the incident "I am deeply saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Dasari Gopikrishna from Bapatla due to a shooting incident in Texas, USA. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family. Rest assured, the Government of Andhra Pradesh will provide all necessary support to bring him back home. We stand firmly with the family during this tough time and pray that they find the strength to cope with their loss." (ANI)
The situation regarding the treatment of Uyghurs in China is deeply concerning and has raised serious allegations of human rights abuses, including forced organ harvesting. In March, during a US congressional committee hearing, experts had claimed that Chinese authorities had gathered genetic information from the Muslim Uyghur minority, with the aim of supporting a forced organ transplant programme targeted at attracting Muslim medical tourists from Gulf states. In a post on X, Uyghur-American politician Salih Hudayar stated, "China has inaugurated a "Children's Organ Transplant Centre." As part of the Uyghur genocide, China has been harvesting Uyghurs' organs and selling them as "halal organs." Since 2014, nearly a million Uyghur children have been forcibly separated from their families. Is this another step in China's ongoing Uyghur Genocide and notorious organ harvesting practices?" https://x.com/SalihHudayar/status/1805025456921673913 There have been allegations and reports from various sources, including human rights organisations and testimonies from individuals, suggesting that Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim minorities in Xinjiang have faced severe repression, including forced labour, mass detention, and possibly forced organ harvesting. These claims are serious and demand thorough investigation and accountability. According to the Minnesota-based non-profit organisation 'World Without Genocide', Uyghurs are reportedly being killed for their organs to meet the demands of a lucrative transplant industry valued at approximately USD 1 billion annually. These allegations are serious and have been raised by various human rights organizations, investigative journalists, and testimonies from individuals who claim to have been affected or have knowledge of such practices. However, due to the secretive nature of the Chinese government and limited independent access to Xinjiang, verifying these claims with concrete evidence remains challenging. International bodies and governments have called for investigations into these allegations, emphasising the need for transparency and accountability from Chinese authorities. Advocacy groups continue to monitor the situation closely and push for international scrutiny to ensure the protection of human rights and dignity for all individuals affected. (ANI)
According to the details, the court heard the case against PTI leaders, including Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Azam Swati, Zartaj Gul, Zain Qureshi and former party leader Fawad Chaudhry.

The police failed to present the records of four cases and witnesses in court, on which the judge expressed annoyance with the investigation officer.

The court granted bail to all the defendants due to a lack of evidence against them, as reported by ARY News.

The Anti-Terrorism Court delivered its verdict against the 51 accused in the May 9 riots cases in March.

Judge Natasha Naseem Supra of the ATC Court heard the case and mentioned the charges against each of the accused, who were identified as workers affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

The judge further sentenced each of the 51 defendants to five years of imprisonment under various provisions.

However, last month, while responding to critics targeting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for planning and executing May 9 protests, Omar Ayub Khan, called the incident "a conspiracy to target party founder Imran Khan," Geo News reported.

The May 9 events refer to violent protests that erupted after PTI founder Imran Khan was arrested from the premises of Islamabad High Court in a corruption case in 2023.

The protests were held in remote and major cities of Pakistan as the party workers were furious due to their chairman's arrest, with Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad summoning the armed forces to ensure law and order, reported ARY News.

Moreover, army installations, including the Corps Commander's house in Lahore, also came under attack during the protests by PTI workers.

Notably, PTI founder Imran Khan has been named as the main accused in all the May 9 riots cases, ARY News reported. (ANI)
The Ministry of National Defence said that it detected 23 Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels around Taiwan between 6 am on Sunday and 6 am on Monday (local time), Taiwan News reported. According to the MND, of the 23 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, 19 crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the northern, southwestern, and eastern sectors of the country's air defence identification zone (ADIZ). In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor the PLA activity, as per Taiwan News. On June 23, the Ministry of National Defence tracked 15 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels encircling it. According to Taiwan News, so far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 324 times and naval/coast guard vessels 190 times. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of gray zone tactics by incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan. Grey zone tactics are defined as "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resorting to direct and sizable use of force." This latest incident adds to a series of similar provocations by China in recent months. China has increased its military activities around Taiwan, including regular air and naval incursions into ADIZ. Taiwan has long been a contentious issue in China's foreign policy. China continues to assert its sovereignty over Taiwan, considers it a part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. Meanwhile, in a recent incident, a Chinese rocket carrying a satellite passed over south Taiwan on Saturday, Taiwan's Ministry of Defence (MND) said, and the Central News Agency (CNA) Taiwan reported. The Chinese rocket was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China's Sichuan at 3 pm (local time), CNA reported. According to Taiwan's MND, the rocket had already left Earth's atmosphere when it passed over Taiwan. Taiwan's MND said it had been closely monitoring the launch and tracking the real-time information through the intelligence and surveillance systems. It had alerted the people about the imminent launch on Friday, according to CNA report. (ANI)
For the past week, Balochistan's Turbat has been a poignant scene of resilience and anguish. Every day, families gather under the scorching sun, holding pictures of their missing relatives and pleading for their safe return. This sit-in has garnered widespread attention and solidarity from across Balochistan and beyond. In a post on X, Baloch Yakjehti Committee stated, "The sit-in protest in Turbat city has continued for the past seven days. The families of forcibly disappeared Baloch individuals have been protesting in the scorching weather of Turbat for their missing loved ones. Enforced disappearances remain one of the manifestations of the Baloch genocide by the state." https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1804927070797013430 The BYC denounced the state's alleged efforts to harm individuals who have been forcibly disappeared and to inflict psychological anguish upon their families. Further, it argued that these actions are intended to undermine Baloch society through oppressive tactics, which it classified as grave violations of human rights. BYC stated, "With a clear intent to physically harm the forcibly disappeared individuals and psychologically disturb their families, the state is deliberately trying to destroy Baloch society with such oppressive practices, which is a crime and a violation of human rights." The BYC stressed that when individuals are subjected to enforced disappearances and their families later engage in peaceful protests, they experience feelings of abandonment, hopelessness, and despair. BYC stated, "When an individual disappears, and later on, when their families protest peacefully, they are left abandoned, hopeless, and in despair. These entire circumstances constitute a single reality: the state is directly committing genocide against the Baloch people. Ignoring these families and not addressing their legitimate demands is a denial of the state's brutal practices." The issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan remains a deeply troubling and longstanding human rights concern, drawing international attention due to its humanitarian impact and implications for regional stability. Enforced disappearances occur when individuals are arrested, detained, or abducted by state authorities or their agents, often without any legal process or acknowledgment of their whereabouts. The practice of enforced disappearances has been linked primarily to government security forces and intelligence agencies. The targets are often activists, journalists, students, and anyone perceived as challenging state authority or advocating for Baloch rights and autonomy. Once they disappear, individuals are frequently held in undisclosed locations, where they are reportedly subjected to torture, inhumane treatment, and sometimes extrajudicial execution. (ANI)
The Chimera JP Morgan Global Kukuk ETF will track the performance of the JP Morgan Global Investment Grade Sukuk Index using a sampling strategy.

The index currently includes over 70 liquid, USD-denominated Sukuk instruments across several global markets. The ETF is structured to include prominent investment-grade sovereign, quasi-sovereign, and corporate Sukuk issuers.

Investors can subscribe through six Authorised Participants as well as through the ADX eIPO investor portal from 24th June.

Abdulla Salem Alnuaimi, Group CEO of ADX, said, "We welcome the launch of the Chimera J.P. Morgan Global Sukuk ETF. Upon listing, this will be the 14th ETF on the exchange and second fixed income ETF. This ETF offers direct access to local, regional, and global fixed income markets, meeting increasing investor demand for stable investment opportunities."

Sherif Salem, Partner and Head of Public Markets at Lunate, commented, "Lunate's Chimera J.P. Morgan Global Sukuk ETF is a unique product that will provide clients with access to a diversified portfolio of global Shariah-compliant corporate and government Sukuks. This marks our second fixed-income ETF launch this year and the 16th on UAE stock markets."

The ETF will be managed by Lunate Capital LLC, which is licenced by the SCA as a management company. BNY will act as the ETFs' global custodian.

Authorised Participants for the Fund are International Securities, EFG-Hermes, Arqaam Securities, FAB Securities, Daman Securities, and BHM Capital. (ANI/WAM)
A senior citizen was brutally assaulted by a group of drug users after confronting them about openly using drugs outside his residence, ARY News reported. According to details, the victim attempted to stop the youths from engaging in drug activity in front of his home, which provoked the youths, resulting in severe violence against the elderly man. The assaulted citizen, whose identity has not been disclosed, has filed a formal complaint at the Korangi Industrial Area police station, seeking legal action against the perpetrators, as per ARY News. This incident highlights the rising issue of drug abuse in Pakistan, particularly the increasing use of Ice, also known as crystal methamphetamine, in recent years. According to ARY News, crystal meth is a highly addictive and potent stimulant that can have devastating effects on individuals and society as a whole. The usage of ice in Pakistan has been particularly prevalent among the younger generation. The drug is often seen as a party drug that can enhance energy, alertness, and confidence, making it appealing to young people looking for a quick high. The ease of access to ice, as well as its relatively low cost compared to other drugs, has contributed to its popularity among young Pakistanis. Meanwhile, incidents of human smuggling are also on the rise in Pakistan. Recently, one person was arrested in Lahore on charges of smuggling people outside the country The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Human Trafficking Circle made the arrest on Sunday of the person identified as Azhar. Authorities have also recovered seven Pakistani passports, six Computerised National Identity Cards (CNIC), and various counterfeit stamps from the suspect. Earlier this month, the FIA arrested another suspect involved in human trafficking and visa fraud in Mirpur Khas. The suspect, Maqsood, allegedly deceived a citizen by promising a work visa for Portugal and took Rs 1,000,000. After the arrest, an investigation began to uncover more details and catch other accomplices. ( ANI)
During a session of Pakistan's national assembly, Khawaja Asif, the country's defence minister, acknowledged that minorities are facing targeted violence in the name of religion. Expressing concern over the daily killings of minorities, Khawaja stated, "Every day, minorities are being killed. They are not safe under the guise of Islam. I want to address the issue of minority safety, but the opposition is blocking my efforts. Pakistan is facing global embarrassment." Asif emphasised that no religious minorities, including smaller sects within Islam, are safe in Pakistan, despite constitutional protections. Asif called for a resolution to safeguard minorities, highlighting that many victims of violence had no connection to blasphemy allegations but were targeted due to personal vendettas. He said, "Even smaller Muslim sects are not safe in Pakistan, which is a disgraceful situation. We intend to propose a resolution to protect minorities. While our constitution guarantees minority rights, there are incidents of violence occurring across various locations. Those who have been killed so far did not have any evidence linking them to blasphemy; rather, these killings seem to stem from personal vendettas." According to HRCP and Human Rights Watch reports, Hindus, Sikhs, and other minorities in Pakistan continue to face challenges such as forced conversions, kidnappings, killings, and attacks on their places of worship. The situation remains precarious, with incidents reported across various regions. Moreover, the Ahmadiyya community faces severe persecution, including legal restrictions on their religious practices, hate speech, and violent attacks. They continue to be targeted due to their religious beliefs, with incidents reported nationwide. Similarly, Christians face discrimination in employment, education, and blasphemy accusations leading to mob violence and attacks on churches. The community remains vulnerable to societal and legal persecution. The legal framework in Pakistan discriminates against religious minorities, contributing to their marginalisation and vulnerability. Laws such as the blasphemy laws are frequently misused to target minorities, leading to arbitrary arrests, violence, and societal ostracization. (ANI)
Fahab Hameed Kiyani, a resident of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, who was arrested during protests in May while demanding subsided wheat flour and electricity, has decried torture in jail and lamented that demands have not been fulfilled so far despite promises. Kiyani said that there was no such FIR filed against them (protesters), however, they were kept in closed rooms and were not allowed to meet anyone. "For six days, we were tortured. We were kept in closed rooms, and were not allowed to move around and meet anyone (inside the prison). We did no crime, there was no FIR against us. Until now our issues have not been resolved," he said. Kiyani added that they were arrested for alleged murder of the police official killed during clashes. "A lot of activists have not been released yet, who have been framed under bogus charges. They are in jail under section 302 for alleged murder of the police official killed in clashes. But in fact, the police have mentioned in the FIR that they were arrested half an hour before the death of the police personnel," Fahad Hameed Kiyani said. Kiyani criticised the government's stance, noting that they haven't delivered on promises of subsidized flour and free electricity. He said, "The establishment is adamant. It has not given the provisions of subsidized flour and free electricity. In fact, instead of our right to free electricity, they have not even given us the subsidy of Rs 3-5 per unit which they promised." The activist highlighted a resurgence of dissatisfaction regarding their demands. The locals in PoJK said that they are fed up of Pakistan government and the stooge authorities in the region, which only fill their treasuries through heavy taxes, while they continue to suffer for even basic amenities. During the massive demonstrations in May, three protesters and one security official were also killed in clashes. An alliance of civil rights group called off the protests following several days of turmoil as Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a grant of 24 billion rupees to help meet most of their demands. Activists, however, have now raised concern over inaction to provide subsidies and any sort of relief. (ANI)
Citing details, ARY News reported that former federal minister and Senator, Abbas Khan Afridi, announced on Sunday to quit PML-N as well as politics.

"I am quitting PML-N as well as politics," he said. He further added that he will not join any political party in the future, as his politics ended with his leader, Nawaz Sharif, according to ARY News.

Abbas Khan Afridi, as a PML-N candidate, ran for elections in 2024 from Kohat. Pointing to the political scenario of Pakistan, he said that politics in the country is based on lies, and only hypocrites are capable of holding public office.

ECP findings show that Shehryar Afridi, the independent candidate supported by the PTI, won the seat of NA-35 with 128,491 votes, 71,307 more than the next-place candidate, Abbas Khan Afridi of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), who received 57,184 votes, according to ARY News.

Before this, he was Nawaz Sharif's third-term federal minister for textiles.

In 2013, Abbas Afridi ranked as the second highest tax payer in the nation. (ANI)
United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) senior leaders gathered at Tarar Khel in Sudhanoti district of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and staged a sit-in, expressing solidarity with the Awami Action Committee and called on Pakistan to free all detained activists and refrain from using force against peaceful protesters. The UKPNP leaders included Sardar Tania, Sardar Afraiz Shaheen, Sajjad Inqalabi, and Sardar Rizwan among others. Several Kashmiri activists in PoJK have been arrested following violent protests in May when normalcy returned only after the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a coalition of civil rights groups, ended their demonstration. These demonstrations, among the most significant and intense in recent years, were fueled by widespread dissatisfaction with Pakistani government policies on essential services like high electricity tariffs, reduced wheat subsidies, and overall lack of development. The situation escalated after local leaders were preemptively detained by Pakistani police on May 11 to prevent their planned march to Muzaffarabad, the regional capital. This heavy-handed response, combined with existing grievances, turned the protests into a major crisis, highlighting deep-rooted frustrations with Pakistan's governance in the region and its historical policies. Recently, activists from the JAAC organised a large protest in PoJK's Pallandri tehsil to condemn the harsh treatment, use of force, and arrests of Kashmiri activists. They demanded the immediate and unconditional release of those detained. These arrests have sparked outrage locally and drawn attention from human rights groups. The reasons behind these detentions vary, from political dissent to advocating for Kashmiri rights, highlighting broader concerns about freedom of expression and civil liberties in the area. JAAC's protests represent significant expressions of dissent and activism against perceived injustices. Being a political organization advocating various causes, JAAC has mobilized residents to voice their grievances through demonstrations and rallies. The detention of Kashmiri activists is part of a wider pattern of human rights violations in the region, where activists, journalists, and political opponents critical of the government often face harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests. Moreover, allegations of media censorship and restrictions have also surfaced in PoJK. (ANI)
Following China's threat to impose the death penalty on "diehard" advocates of Taiwan independence, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Monday emphasised that democracy is not a crime, rather, autocracy is, reported Focus Taiwan. The Taiwan president in a press event said, "I want to stress that democracy is not a crime, whereas autocracy is," when asked for his views on a new set of guidelines in China that permit the death sentence for those deemed to be "diehard" advocates of Taiwan independence. Lai further said that China has no right nor jurisdiction to punish Taiwanese people for expressing their opinions or stances, Focus Taiwan reported. "According to China's logic, not supporting unification equates to supporting Taiwan's independence. So whether you are for Taiwan, the Republic of China, or the Republic of China, Taiwan, in their eyes, these all mean supporting Taiwan independence," Lai added. Lai stressed that only Chinese Unification Promotion Party in Taiwan is the only party that is not for Taiwan's independence according to China's logic. "There is only one party in Taiwan that is not for Taiwan independence [according to China's logic], and that is the Chinese Unification Promotion Party," he said, adding that it is for this reason that the ruling and opposition parties should all work together and demonstrate solidarity, as reported by Focus Taiwan. Lai further called on China to accept the existence of Taiwan and engage in exchanges with Taiwan's legal government democratically elected by the Taiwanese people. "This is the only way to protect the welfare of those on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Any other path means the relationship between Taiwan and China will deteriorate," the president said. He also expressed condolences to those impacted by the deadly rain in southern China and said he hopes post-disaster reconstruction goes well, reported Focus Taiwan. Earlier on Friday, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) denounced the Chinese guideline threatening to punish "diehard" advocates of Taiwan independence with the death penalty, calling the move detrimental to bilateral people-to-people exchanges, Central News Agency (CNA) reported. In a press release, the MAC called the guideline laid out by Chinese officials earlier that day "regrettable" and described it as provocative and harmful to exchanges between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. "The Beijing authorities have no jurisdiction over Taiwan," stated the MAC, the leading 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 advised Taiwanese residents in China or contemplating travel there to exercise caution, according to CNA report. (ANI)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], June 24 (ANI/WAM): The Department of Energy (DoE) launched a summer readiness awareness campaign about petroleum and gas systems safety and security in Abu Dhabi. The campaign's objective is to promote safety standards, best practices, and the new regulatory requirements of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The summer readiness campaign aims to enhance the safe use of petroleum products and promote a culture of safety awareness across the commercial, industrial, and residential sectors, particularly for anyone using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) daily. As part of this initiative, the DoE teams will engage with gas operators, establishments, and individuals over the summer months to raise awareness of safety standards, offer support, and increase awareness about the importance of compliance with the new regulations. The summer campaign will include visits to restaurants, shopping malls, hotels, palaces, residential apartment buildings, villas, storage facilities, and large plants. To kick off the campaign, the DoE Acting Director-General of Regulatory Affairs, Dr. Saif Saeed Al Qubaisi, visited Al Khalidiya Mall and Al Bateen Park Villas and Buildings in Abu Dhabi to inspect their central gas systems and offer support on complying with safety standards. Dr Al Qubaisi said, "Safety is our top priority. One of the key objectives of this campaign is to reach as many stakeholders as possible. By engaging our stakeholders in person, we hope to build relationships, provide guidance on the new standards, and ensure that operators are complying with them." During the inspections, Ahmed Alsayed Mohamed Alsheebani, the DoE's Acting Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs for the Petroleum Products Sector, urged all sector operators and establishments to reach out to the DoE for any clarifications regarding regulations, the permitting system, and safety standards. He emphasised, "We are here to promote public safety," and reiterated "We are ready to support in every way and assist all with becoming compliant". The DoE was recently mandated to regulate all aspects of trading petroleum products (for all non-ADNOC private operators) in the Emirate. As part of the mandate, the DoE is working on building a unified permit platform to govern and monitor trading activities of petroleum products and unify standards. Alsheebani explained, "Effectively, we are consolidating and streamlining the petroleum products sector codes (starting with LPG) and collaborating with relevant Abu Dhabi partners to ensure a safer, sustainable, more environmentally friendly sector." The DoE's proactive approach to working collaboratively with the petroleum products ecosystem and other Abu Dhabi enforcement partners on creating a culture of compliance reflects its broader commitment to driving a safe, secure, and sustainable supply of energy and water in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Alsheebani emphasised that the intention of our regulatory framework was to ease doing business safely and effectively across all petroleum products in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the interest of public safety and our environment. "We cannot do this alone. We are working with all relevant stakeholders, partners and communities in the petroleum products sector ecosystem in the emirate to raise awareness of the standards and best practices. This is the focus our summer readiness campaign and site inspections," he concluded. (ANI/WAM)
India and the US held discussions on the co-production of American javelin missiles in India to meet the requirements of the Indian military. The discussions on the joint production of the missiles took place recently during a high-level visit from the US to India, defence sources told ANI. India and the US have been discussing expanding their cooperation, including joint production of military equipment. Sources said the requirement of the Army for the latest anti-tank guided missiles is quite significant and the force had to acquire a limited number of Israeli Spike ATGMs under emergency procurement to meet its requirements. The requirement for third-generation ATGMs has been there for a long time and attempts to acquire the weapon systems through a global route have not been successful. The work of acquiring the ATGMs through the Indigenous route is ongoing, as the Defence Research and Development Organisation is also going to carry out trials of its Man-Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile (MP-ATGM) soon to meet the requirements of the Army, the defence officials said. The Indian MPATGM Weapon System has been field evaluated in different flight configurations several times with the objective of proving the technology's superiority. The system consists of the MPATGM, Launcher, Target Acquisition System, and Fire Control Unit. The Indian forces are looking at shoulder-fired missile systems that are less in weight and can be carried in difficult terrain by troops without engaging too many of them to carry it, the sources said. The sources said the Indian partner for joint production of the missile system would be identified at a later stage, as discussions have just started. The American side had earlier also showcased the capability of the Javelin missiles to the Indian side but the project did not materialise. Javelin is developed and produced jointly by American defence majors Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. The missiles have been sold to various partner countries by the US and have seen action in multiple past and ongoing conflicts. (ANI)
In a social media post on X, Baloch Yakjehti Committee, stated, "Bahadur, son of Basheer Ahmed, is a resident of Pasni in the Gwadar district. He is a student in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Karachi. During his Eid break, he returned to Pasni. Yesterday evening, Sunday, he was forcibly disappeared by security agencies from his hometown Pasni"

https://x.com/BalochYakjehtiC/status/1805152957757071773

Following this incident, BYC announced that Bahadur's family initiated a sit-in protest at Pasni Zero-Point today, blocking the Makran Coastal Highway. They called on the people of Pasni to stand in solidarity with the family and oppose enforced disappearances.

https://x.com/BYCKech/status/1805170148703137980

BYC also urged journalists to attend an important press conference at the D.C. office in Kech district, coinciding with the 8th day of the ongoing sit-in protest. For several days, families whose relatives are reportedly missing from different areas of Turbat have been staging a sit-in to demand their safe return.

The Pakistani government views Baloch students, particularly those involved in activism or advocating for Baloch rights, as potential threats to national security and stability.

This perception has reportedly led to numerous instances of harassment, enforced disappearances, and other forms of repression, specifically targeting Baloch students and activists.

Human rights organisations and activists extensively document cases where Baloch activists are allegedly abducted, disappear, and later found deceased in remote areas under suspicious circumstances, accusing state authorities or associated groups of extrajudicial killings.

Pakistan constantly rejects accusations of extrajudicial killings, including those involving Baloch individuals.

The government contends that casualties during security operations are justified actions against insurgents and terrorists, not intentional executions. Pakistani officials assert that allegations of extrajudicial killings are frequently politically driven or rooted in misinformation, underscoring the challenges of counterterrorism efforts and safeguarding security, especially in areas like Balochistan.

However, despite Pakistan's stance, the international community maintains a divergent view supported by documented evidence.

Pakistan's actions have prompted significant international human rights concerns, with accusations of systematic discrimination and suppression of Baloch perspectives and rights within Pakistan.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions and complexities in ethnic relations and civil liberties in the country. (ANI)
The MoU was signed during the official state visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on June 22.

Both the colleges impart training to officers of tri-services, preparing them for higher staff and command responsibilities. Moreover, they share a common ethos, training curriculum and methodology and face similar challenges. Accordingly, they further decided to collaborate and signed the MoU, for further enhancing bilateral engagements.

This MoU will assist in enhancing professional acumen, provide deep insight into strategic affairs, assist in sharing best practices and expertise as well as augment the academic capabilities of student officers and faculty members.

It will also facilitate the conduct of training packages, joint seminars, faculty exchanges, and reciprocal instructor visits to name a few.

On June 21, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina arrived in India on a two-day State visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This was the first incoming bilateral State visit after PM Modi assumed office for the third consecutive term following the Lok Sabha elections. Notably, Sheikh Hasina was among the global leaders who attended the swearing-in ceremony of PM Modi on June 9.

India and Bangladesh have reiterated their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, secure, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.

The two nations pledged to co-lead the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and cooperate to mitigate disaster risks.

They also pledged to work together on global platforms to promote their common interests, particularly those of the Global South. (ANI)
Abu Dhabi [UAE], June 24 (ANI/WAM): In partnership with the prestigious MICHELIN Guide, Abu Dhabi is set to showcase its gastronomic prowess through a series of bespoke content highlighting the eclectic array of incredible dining experiences in the emirate, coinciding with the 2024 edition of the MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi. Spearheaded by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), this initiative aligns with the emirate's broader efforts to further elevate the destination as an international hub for culture and hospitality. Published by the French tyre company Michelin, the MICHELIN Guide is widely regarded as the foremost authority on fine dining. Established in 1900, the Guide awards MICHELIN Stars - the most prestigious award in the world of gastronomy - to exceptional restaurants, with three MICHELIN Stars representing the highest accolade. The Guide currently operates in more than 40 destinations and features over 16,000 restaurants, alongside 5,000 hotels in 120 destinations, celebrating culinary excellence and promoting outstanding dining experiences. This year, the MICHELIN Guide will publish three lists curated by their famously anonymous inspectors, highlighting the best of Abu Dhabi's diverse selection of must-try eateries. Special MICHELIN Guide content will also highlight the unique aesthetics found in Abu Dhabi restaurants and produce a detailed exploration of traditional Emirati dishes. The Guide will also be producing videos that explore Emirati gastronomic culture and customs, the special relationship that exists between a chef and local date producer, and an itinerary for tourists visiting the emirate, providing insights into the best places to stay, eat and explore. Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director-General for Tourism, DCT Abu Dhabi, said, "Abu Dhabi is emerging as a gastronomic hotspot, offering an array of flavours and dining experiences that appeal to both the Abu Dhabi community and global visitors to the emirate. Through our strategic alliance with the MICHELIN Guide, we are showcasing our culinary diversity and raising awareness of Abu Dhabi's status as a must-visit foodie destination. Our mission extends beyond traditional dining, as we champion culinary talent and foster a vibrant food and hospitality sector that embraces our rich heritage while pushing the boundaries of gastronomic creativity and excellence." This year, the MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi shines light on some of the best and most creative culinary experiences in the region, including four MICHELIN-starred restaurants, each bringing together a unique harmony of flavours as well as masterful chef's techniques. Erth became the first Emirati restaurant in the world to receive one MICHELIN Star, alongside 99 Sushi Bar, Hakkasan and Talea by Antonio Guida, which all retained their Star distinctions. The MICHELIN Guide Abu Dhabi 2024 also honours six restaurants offering good quality food for good value with the Bib Gourmand distinction, with newcomers Al Mrzab and Oii joining Almayass, Beirut Sur Mer, Otoro and t'azal. Furthermore, the 2024 selection also recognises an additional 35 selected restaurants. Last year, DCT Abu Dhabi introduced the Culinary Development Programme, aimed at attracting top culinary brands to the UAE capital over a period of five years. It will also establish a culinary school to support recruitment and training, offering core curriculum and new degree programmes in maritime sustainability and food security. The upcoming content published under the MICHELIN Guide is another stepping stone in the journey to enrich Abu Dhabi's culinary landscape. (ANI/WAM)
TOKYO, June 24 (Xinhua) -- A death threat has been sent to the election office of Renho, a candidate in the July 7 Tokyo gubernatorial election, local media reported on Monday.

A lawyer for Renho, a former member of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber of Japan's parliament, filed a report on the death threat to police on Sunday, Jiji Press reported, citing sources including the police station.

A fax message which included threats such as "I have obtained sulfuric acid, and I will attack lawmakers of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and their families," "I will repeatedly stab Renho to death with a knife" and "I will set up explosives and detonate them on June 24," was sent to Renho's election office in the Kita-aoyama district of Minato Ward in Tokyo on Sunday morning, the report said.

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the case as suspected intimidation.

Renho has given up her role as a House of Councillors member to run in the gubernatorial race. The 56-year-old was in her fourth term in the upper house and was first elected in 2004 to represent her former constituency in Tokyo. 
Activist Mahrang Baloch took to social media platform X to deliver a stark and urgent message about the escalating crisis in Balochistan. In her post, Mahrang stated, "The state of Pakistan is intensifying its policy of Baloch genocide. Enforced disappearances are a significant part of this policy, with the state forcibly disappearing Baloch people. Recently, two cases of mutilated bodies of enforced disappearance victims have been reported in Panjgur and Soorab, Balochistan." She further stated, "The Baloch people are continuously protesting against this genocide. Today marks the 9th day of the Baloch Missing Persons family sit-in in Turbat. The extrajudicial killings of Baloch missing persons have created fear among the victims families. Balochistan has become the worst region for human rights. I appeal to human rights organizations to raise their voices against these violations and hold the state of Pakistan accountable at the international forum". https://x.com/MahrangBaloch_/status/1805170510017257762?t=moCjeuR-mRAFNxq22Qs5Ag&s=08 Mahrang Baloch is a prominent activist known for her advocacy on behalf of the Baloch people, specifically addressing human rights abuses and political injustices in Balochistan. She has strongly condemned what she views as systematic oppression faced by the Baloch community, including allegations of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and other violence reportedly committed by state authorities. Through her influential presence on social media platforms, Mahrang sheds light on the enduring and troubling situation in Balochistan. This region, characterized by its rugged landscapes and cultural diversity, has unfortunately also been plagued by persistent conflict and severe human rights violations. Among the most alarming abuses documented in Balochistan is the widespread practice of enforced disappearances. This involves the abduction of individuals, often activists, journalists, and intellectuals, by state security forces or unknown groups, with many cases remaining unresolved and causing profound distress for their families. Additionally, there have been numerous reports of extrajudicial killings where individuals are allegedly executed by security forces without undergoing proper legal procedures. These incidents primarily target individuals suspected of separatist activities, yet there are frequent claims that innocent civilians become unintended casualties of such operations. (ANI)
The Sarlahi District Court on Monday convicted "Buddha Boy," aka Ram Bahadur Bomjan, on charges of raping a minor, court officials confirmed. Dubbed "Buddha Boy" in early 2005, the controversial spiritual leader was arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal from the outskirts of the capital Kathmandu and taken to Sarlahi on January 10, earlier this year. "The District Court, Sarlahi, has convicted him of sexual misconduct against a minor. The Court will deliver its verdict in the case on July 1," Court Official Sadan Adhikari confirmed to ANI over the phone. The 34-year-old, originally named Ram Lal Bomjan, who since 2005 has been known as "Buddha Boy," or the reincarnation of Gautam Buddha, is charged with rape and forceful disappearance at various police stations in the Himalayan nation. Bomjan came to the attention of the public in 2005 after he claimed to have meditated for months without food, water, or sleep. Soon after his meditation, he set up ashrams in Bara, Sarlahi, Sindhupalchowk, and Sindhuli Districts. Earlier in July 2020, the District Court in Sarlahi registered a case of sexual exploitation filed by a minor female disciple (aged 15 at the time). As per the charge sheet, the incident took place at the ashram in Pattharkot, Sarlahi. Soon after the filing of the complaint, the Police discovered that four of his disciples had also gone missing from his ashram. In June 2020, a joint team from CIB, Bagmati Provincial Police, and District Police Offices in Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, and Sarlahi conducted a raid at his ashram in Pairey, Sindhuli, but could not locate him. The victim accused Bomjan of rape at night on August 4, 2016. The minor also stated that she kept it hidden after receiving threats from Bomjan to not relay the incident to others otherwise will face the consequences. Worshipped and regarded as the reincarnation of Gautam Buddha, Bomjan had a significant number of disciples but was on the run since early 2020. Complaint was filed against him for sexual exploitation by female disciples. A local news portal, Setopati.com, reported the incident in a series that unearthed the incidents that took place inside the ashrams of a claimed spiritual leader. Apart from the sexual exploitation charges, the dubbed "Buddha Boy" also has been charged with the disappearance of five people--his disciples in different districts. A local news portal, Setopati.com, reported the incident in a series that unearthed the incidents that took place inside the ashrams of a claimed spiritual leader. (ANI)
Amid Israel's ongoing war with Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the nation is prepared to pause the ongoing fight, in exchange for a partial deal for the return of hostages in Gaza, but the "war will not end" until Hamas is destroyed, according to The Times of Israel. Netanyahu added that as Israel gets ready for a possible all-out war with Lebanon's Hezbollah, which has been stepping up its cross-border strikes on Israel, the intense battle phase in the Gaza Strip is also winding down. This was Netanyahu's first interview with a Hebrew media outlet since Hamas's terror attack on October 7. He was speaking on Channel 14. On being asked if Israel was prepared for an agreement with Hamas, Netanyahu said, "No. I'm not prepared to end the war and leave Hamas standing. I am prepared to do a partial deal; that's no secret, that would return some of the people to us," according to The Times of Israel. "But we are obligated to continue the fighting after a pause to complete our goal of destroying Hamas," he told Channel 14's "The Patriots" program. "I'm not prepared to give up on that," he asserted. MK Gadi Eisenkot, a former observer of the war cabinet, stated on Monday that the war cabinet's choices were contradicted by Netanyahu's remarks. There were only two possibilities available to someone sitting in the cabinet: a thorough deal in three stages or a full deal all at once. Given that the war cabinet made a unanimous consensus on this, Netanyahu's claim of a "partial deal" is in conflict with their conclusions, reported The Times of Israel. Along with Benny Gantz, the leader of his National Unity party, Eisenkot resigned from government two weeks ago. He told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee that Netanyahu's comments had "emotionally disturbed" the families of the hostages and "critically damaged Israel's resilience." "Perhaps it was a slip of the tongue," he continued. The conflict in Gaza escalated after the October 7 attack by Hamas, where about 2,500 terrorists breached the border into Israel from the Gaza Strip, leading to casualties and the seizure of hostages. Israel has characterised its Gaza offensive as targeting Hamas' infrastructure with the goal of eliminating the entire terror group while making efforts to minimise civilian casualties. (ANI)
The incident, which notably took place on Sunday night at the Gatcombe Park estate, resulted in her getting injured.

"The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and a concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening," Buckingham Palace said in a statement Monday.

"Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery," the statement added.

The palace officials, according to the New York Post, said that King Charles had been informed about the incident.

The monarch "joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery," the statement concluded, as per the New York Post.

It is reported that on Sunday night, while taking a stroll around the royal residence's grounds, the 73-year-old Princess Royal was injured by a horse. She had minor head wounds from the encounter that are consistent with being struck by a horse's head or legs. (ANI)
Dubai [UAE], June 24 (ANI/WAM): Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs has expressed the UAE's solidarity with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and has offered the UAE leadership's deepest sympathy to Jordan's leadership over the deaths and injuries of several soldiers, in an accident involving military trucks as part of a relief and humanitarian aid convoy enroute to the Gaza Strip. He expressed his sincere condolences to the government and people of Jordan, and to the families of the victims of this tragedy, as well as his wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed commended the efforts of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in supporting the brotherly Palestinians and the people of the Gaza Strip to confront the difficult humanitarian conditions. Furthermore, His Highness reaffirmed the UAE's position on the significance of intensifying endeavours by the international community to facilitate the safe and unhindered delivery of critical humanitarian aid to civilians in the Strip. (ANI/WAM)
Quad is notably a diplomatic partnership among Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, committed to supporting an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.

In a post on X, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, wrote, "Third meeting of the Quad Policy Planners' Working Group held in New Delhi today."

"Meeting discussed key priorities of the Indo-Pacific region and ideas for the future of the Quad," he added.

https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1805203872740483442

Quad is notably a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States committed to supporting an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.

Since regrouping in 2017, the Quad has announced the creation of six working groups that focus on a variety of policies and initiatives.

Earlier in 2023, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Hiroshima for the fifth convening of the Quad Leaders' Summit.

The positive and practical agenda of Quad is focused on delivering outcomes for the Indo-Pacific, in response to the region's priorities and most pressing challenges, including health security, climate change, infrastructure, critical and emerging technology, cyber security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, space, maritime security, countering disinformation, and counter-terrorism. (ANI)
The founder of Art of Living and PM Benediktsson also discussed about the current situation in Europe, informed a press release.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was received by Iceland PM Benediktsson, following which the two held bilateral meeting.

"Their meeting focused on the current peace situation in Europe, the need to address mental health issues, and on the importance of putting individual wellbeing at the core for societal prosperity," the release stated.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar shared about the work of the Art of Living Foundation that uses time-tested meditation and breathing techniques to help individuals get rid of stress, tension and anxiety, and facilitates overall physical and mental wellbeing.

He also spoke about how the Art of Living is rehabilitating prisoners and gang members in Denmark with the 'Breathe Smart' programme to reduce the cycle of violence and drug addiction among offenders, which promotes inner peace and a sense of care for one another.

As part of the meeting, The Art of Living founder also commended PM Benediktsson for Iceland's contribution to combating climate change, emphasising that nearly 100 per cent of Iceland's electricity production comes from renewable sources.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar visited Iceland following meetings and keynote speeches at events at the United Nations in Geneva, and prior to travelling further to public events in the United States, the release added. (ANI)
Israel eliminated terrorist Muhammad Salah, who was responsible for projects and development in Hamas' Weapons Manufacturing Headquarters, the Israel Defence Forces said on Monday. The operation by Israeli Air Force came following IDF intelligence. Salah was part of a project to develop strategic weaponry for the Hamas terrorist organisation, and he commanded a number of Hamas terrorist squads that worked on developing weapons, according to IDF. https://x.com/IAFsite/status/1805131157685600436 The IDF are carrying out the "intelligence-based, targeted operations" in the Rafah area, and during targeted raids, large amounts of weapons was located by the troops. IDF also dismantled the launchers that were being used to fire at IDF troops during the war in the Tel al-Sultan area in Gaza. In addition, over the past day, IDF troops eliminated a number of armed terrorists who posed a threat to them, and the troops dismantled several tunnel shafts in the Rafah area. IDF troops are continuing their operational activity in central Gaza. They have identified several terrorists who were operating in the area and eliminated them in a drone strike. The Israeli Air Force also struck numerous terror targets in the Gaza Strip, including tunnel shafts, armed terrorist squads, and additional terrorist infrastructure, the statement added. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday, that Israel is prepared to pause the ongoing fight, in exchange for a partial deal for the return of hostages in Gaza, but the "war will not end" until Hamas is destroyed, according to The Times of Israel. Netanyahu added that as Israel gets ready for a possible all-out war with Lebanon's Hezbollah, which has been stepping up its cross-border strikes on Israel, the intense battle phase in the Gaza Strip is also winding down. The conflict in Gaza escalated after the October 7 attack by Hamas, where about 2,500 terrorists breached the border into Israel from the Gaza Strip, leading to casualties and the seizure of hostages. Israel has characterised its Gaza offensive as targeting Hamas' infrastructure with the goal of eliminating the entire terror group while making efforts to minimise civilian casualties. (ANI)
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa asked why did Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) "committed suicide" by deciding to merge with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) following the February 8 elections, Geo News reported. CJP Isa's remarks came during a hearing of the petition filed by the SIC, which is an ally of the PTI, against the Peshawar High Court's (PHC) verdict denying reserved seats for women and minorities in the national and provincial assemblies. A full court 13-member bench, headed by CJP Isa, also comprised of Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Muneeb Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha A Malik, Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Shahid Waheed, Justice Irfan Saadat Khan and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan. "Why did the independent candidates leave PTI when it is a political party? Why did you commit suicide by joining another party which goes against your arguments?" asked the chief justice. The CJP said that had the independent candidates stayed with the PTI, there would have been no problem today. Following today's proceedings, the Supreme Court said PTI leader Kanwal Shuzab's counsel Salman Akram Raja and SIC counsel Faisal Siddiqui have completed their arguments in the case. Notably, the PTI-backed independent candidates who emerged victorious in the February 8 elections had joined the SIC in a bid to claim seats reserved for minorities and women, Geo News reported. However, this did not help the Imran Khan-founded party as the election commission did not allocate reserved seats to the SIC, citing its failure to submit its list of candidates. PTI had then approached the Peshawar High Court on the said issue wherein the court upheld the electoral body's decision. Earlier in April, SIC chief Sahibzada Hamid Raza, along with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly speaker, moved the SC seeking setting aside of the PHC verdict and the allocation of 67 women and 11 minority seats in the assemblies. In May, a three-member SC bench headed by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, including Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Athar Minallah, suspended the PHC verdict. It then referred the matter to the judges' committee for the formation of a larger bench since the matter required constitutional interpretation. The Election Commission of Pakistan, last week submitted its response to the apex court, saying the SIC does not qualify for reserved seats as the political party doesn't allow non-Muslims to be a part of it, as reported by Geo News. The ECP informed the top court that the reserved seats cannot be allotted to the SIC as the party did not submit the list of candidates before the January 24 deadline. (ANI)
Akron Public Schools appears ready to join the statewide legal fight against vouchers.

The school board on Monday will vote on a resolution to join the Ohio Coalition for Equity & Adequacy of School Funding, which has filed a lawsuit against the state for its EdChoice voucher program.

That program was expanded this year to allow nearly all students to receive vouchers to attend private schools, not just those who are low-income.

Akron school board member Barbara Sykes addresses board members during a special meeting March 20.

The coalition, which also fought successfully for a new formula to determine funding amounts for schools in Ohio, has about 250 districts as members. Several are from Summit County: Barberton, Nordonia, Cuyahoga Falls, Twinsburg, Springfield, Hudson and Woodridge. Upper Arlington's school board just voted to join this month as well, despite a letter from Lt. Gov. John Husted, who lives in the Upper Arlington district near Columbus, encouraging them not to.

The lawsuit is currently slated for a Nov. 4 trial date.

Proponents of the EdChoice expansion say it offers every child the chance to choose their school and to seek a better education from a private entity if they so choose. Opponents say it drains money from public schools without the guarantee of a better education, and that expanding the program has mostly benefited students who were already in private schools.

The Akron school board previously considered getting involved in the legal efforts about three years ago but did not vote on the matter. The board heard presentations from two related groups: the Ohio Coalition for Equity & Adequacy of School Funding and Vouchers Hurt Ohio.

This year, new board member Barbara Sykes brought up the issue again, suggesting the board should be more involved in fighting the expansion of vouchers in the state.

Board President Diana Autry said she was glad Sykes brought it back to the forefront.

"When I was first running for the board, it was one of those things that I was actually interested in supporting, and it just didn't seem to be the will of the board at that time," Autry said about joining the coalition. "The fact that she brought it back up, I was happy that we were giving it some more attention."

Joining the coalition costs districts $2 per student, per year. For Akron, that will be an annual cost just shy of $40,000. But the district has been losing more students to EdChoice vouchers each year. In the 2023-24 school year, 2,428 students within Akron's boundaries used an EdChoice voucher to attend a private school, according to a presentation the board saw in March.

Autry said she understands the district is in a hard financial position right now and that the board just voted to ask the public for a levy this fall. She called joining a coalition a "small investment" that should let the public know the district is fighting for more money from the state so less has to come from levies.

"It kind of aligns with what we're doing here in Akron in terms of getting people to understand the importance of public education, and it's a public good for all of us that is at risk," Autry said. "With us being such a large district, it's even more important here in Akron with the number of students we serve who depend on us."

Sykes said she was initially disappointed to hear Akron wasn't already a member of the group behind the lawsuit, and she is hoping board members on Monday support becoming one.

"This was a program that was supposed to be for disadvantaged students and schools that were not meeting the state standards in educating children," Sykes said, "and now it has just grown to everyone, regardless of what's happening in their system, can receive money from the public."

Sykes said she believes there is power in numbers, especially when adding a bigger district like Akron to the list of those supporting the lawsuit.

"I think it's important for Akron to join in, especially with the levy, to show we are doing everything we can to bring money into the system and keep money into the system," she said.

Contact education reporter Jennifer Pignolet at jpignolet@thebeaconjournal.com, at 330-996-3216 or on Twitter @JenPignolet.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron school board to vote on joining EdChoice voucher lawsuit
HANOI, June 24 (Xinhua) -- The State Bank of Vietnam has decided to allow commercial banks to reschedule the debt repayment period and maintain the debt group for certain sectors for an additional six months, Vietnam News Agency reported Monday.

The decision will hold until the end of the year, rather than as previously agreed, expiring at the end of this month to support struggling businesses, said the central bank.

Tran Duc Thuc from Ho Chi Minh City University said bad debt would increase in 2024 when corporate bonds come to maturity. The sale of assets is also difficult, so firms do not have money to service debt or to pay bonds.

If banks are not allowed to extend the payment deadline of existing debts, the debts will be transferred to an even more poorly functioning debt group, he said.

The credit growth of the Vietnamese banking system increased 3.79 percent as of June 14 against the end of 2023, according to the central bank.

According to the Vietnamese government's targets, credit growth by the end of the second quarter of 2024 is set to reach 5-6 percent and 15-16 percent for the whole year. 
Billboard comparing Trump to Castro coming down  to be featured on the side of a truck

A billboard that compared former President Donald Trump to the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro is coming down near the Palmetto Expressway.

Now, itll be rolling down the road alongside South Florida drivers instead.

The billboard, which went up on Monday, drew backlash from some members of Miamis Cuban community for likening Trump to a dictator. Critics said the parallel was historically inaccurate and an affront to exiles.

Claude Taylor  the founder of Mad Dog PAC, the political-action committee behind the original billboard  told the Miami Herald the Castro message will be taken down and replaced on Saturday with a new image showing Trump in an orange jumpsuit, a judges gavel swinging down opposite to him, with the words Convicted Felon towering above the scene.

The Castro-Trump billboard will be replaced in South Florida by one identical to this one displayed in Las Vegas, Nevada.

READ MORE: No to dictators, no to Trump: Billboard on Palmetto draws outrage, agreement in Miami

A jury in New York found Trump guilty last month of 34 felony charges related to hush-money payments to a porn star with whom he allegedly had an affair. The former president claims hes the victim of a political witch hunt, while his critics have seized on the convictions to argue hes unfit to hold the office that he is trying to regain this year.

The advertisement likening Trump to Castro, meanwhile, will be featured on the side of a box truck that will drive around the Miami area through the weekend, Taylor said. That same truck will then head to Atlanta ahead of the first presidential debate between Trump and President Joe Biden on Thursday, June 27, Taylor said.

The Castro billboard is coming down, and the convicted-felon billboard is going up, Taylor said. And Ive got a new billboard truck with the same message hitting Miami. Itll be on the streets tomorrow.

U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, a Republican from Miami, said in a written statement she had been in touch with Lamar Advertising, the company that owns the billboard space, and that its vice president and general manager for South Florida had notified her they would be removing it promptly.

The truth forces them to adopt this measure. I am glad that they are doing the right thing and showing solidarity with the pain and suffering of the Cuban community in exile, said Salazar, who is Cuban American.

Not on my Loteria card

Not all Hispanic Republicans were angry about the billboard.

Cubans shutting down the freeway in protest over billboards comparing Trump to Castro wasnt on my Loteria card but Im here for all of it! Mike Madrid, a GOP political consultant and co-founder of the anti-Trump group The Lincoln Project, posted on X.

Meanwhile, some Democrats and detractors of the presumptive Republican nominee praised the ad, saying there is a resemblance between Trump and the late Cuban dictator, who brought communism to Cuba in the late 1950s.

The same bad faith MAGA Cubans losing their minds over this accurate billboard message  citing the offense of comparing Fidel to Trump  are the same MAGA hypocrites who were dead silent when MAGA @marcorubio absurdly compared our U.S. justice system to Castros regime show trials, Miami Democratic pollster Fernand Amandi said on X.

He was referring to comments that Rubio, a U.S. senator from Florida, made on Fox News comparing Trumps criminal case to trials of former officials of the government of former Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. Many of them were then executed by the Castro regime.

The billboard is the latest example of how the politics and histories of Miamis immigrants are a key part of domestic politics in South Florida. Local and national politicians appealing to Miamis communities often use words, images and comparisons that are familiar to them. That includes Democrats calling Trump a caudillo  a stereotypical Latin American strongman  or Republicans accusing Biden for being socialist in the style of left-wing Latin American leaders.

On Friday afternoon, Salazar informed her constituents via social media that the advertising company had told her the Castro billboard would be removed at midnight that day.
Gov. Kim Reynolds spoke about the state's flood emergency response and recovery efforts during a news conference at the State Emergency Operations Center in Johnston June 23, 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Gov. Kim Reynolds said Sunday she has submitted a request for an expedited presidential major disaster declaration as northwestern Iowa communities continue to face floods and storm damages.

The governor requested aid for 22 counties through the Federal Emergency Management Agencys Public Assistance Program. She also requested aid through FEMAs Individual Assistance Program and disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration for nine counties. Heavy rainfall has caused flooding in northwest and north central Iowa, raising river levels above those in 1993 historic floods.

Aid requested for these counties

Reynolds requested FEMA Public Assistance Program activation for Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Floyd, Hancock, Humboldt, Kossuth, Lyon, OBrien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sioux, Webster, Winnebago, Woodbury, Worth and Wright counties.

Additionally, she requested FEMA Individual Assistance Program and SBA disaster loans activation for Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Lyon, OBrien, Osceola, Plymouth and Sioux counties

At a news conference in State Emergency Operations Center in Johnston, Reynolds said she is seeking federal assistance for Iowans impacted by these floods as state and local officials continue to work on emergency management and rescue services in affected communities this weekend.

The request comes roughly a month after President Joe Biden approved federal disaster assistance for Iowa communities impacted by tornadoes  most notably Greenfield and Minden.

Its been an intense couple of days, its been an intense  month and a half, to be quite honest, Reynolds said. People are working around that clock, and information  it just changes by the hour. Its just very, very fluid. So were going to do everything we can to continue to keep Iowans updated in the days to come. I think its just really important to stop and recognize the heroic effort thats happening on the ground.

Damage estimates still mounting

Reynolds said that she has been in contact with Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell, who joined her in Greenfield following the May tornado, to speak about federal assistance for the floods. In the letter submitted to Biden, costs were estimated at more than $8 million  but Iowa Emergency Management Director John Benson said at the news conference that the total extent of costs and damages will likely be higher than currently estimated.

Please understand we are only two days since this flood has really broke, so the concept of dollar-related damages is truthfully unattainable at this point, Benson said. Were looking to determine what are the major impacts in terms of destroyed homes, major homes  and I could, right now, I cant even tell you the damages for example to the secondary road systems in the state. Those are going to be extensive.

Reynolds said that so far, 1,900 properties have been impacted with hundreds destroyed by the water damages. Additionally, thousands of people have been evacuated from flood areas, with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources conducting 250 water rescues.

Many cities and areas are still without power, and multiple shelters have been set up across the state to help families and individuals displaced by the severe weather.

In addition to emergency management services, agency directors with the Iowa Department of Public Safety and Health and Human Services talked about their staff efforts to transport medicine, food and other essential supplies across the state as Iowans faced the sudden natural disaster.

Efforts to deal with flooding in northwest Iowa are ongoing  but Benson said Iowans need to stay prepared for further severe weather.

This is, as the governor correctly noted, this is a very serious flood we are in right now, he said. And it is not going to cease; it is going to blossom across the state.

Donna Dubberke, meteorologist-in-charge at the Des Moines National Weather Service predicted that further heavy rainfall could spur more floods in the next week across the state. In the next week to 10 days, there may be heavier rainfall in the eastern and central areas of Iowa, she said, that is something to watch very closely.

Theres a lot of parts, moving pieces here, and a lot of things going on, Dubberke said. And unfortunately we just have to wait and see how the rain lays out and so we can know exactly how its going to impact the river system.

Officials urged Iowans to ensure they have go bags ready with needed medicine, documents and other supplies ready in case they need to leave their residences. In addition, Reynolds and others emphasized the importance of obeying evacuation orders and to not drive on roads that are blocked off due to flooding.

Watch for information about how to donate

For people who want to donate or send assistance to communities that have been impacted by the flooding, Benson said to wait  and that emergency services will be putting out information on the correct venues for donations in the coming days. To ensure that money is not going to scams, he suggested looking at the Iowa disaster recovery website in the coming days.

Communities will need help as they and state officials shift from emergency response to recovery, he said.

We recognize, irrespective of the disaster, if its a tornado or a flood, its a long haul to get back on your feet, Benson said. And so that becomes a long process. Were talking months, years.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that Gov. Kim Reynolds has requested FEMA public assistance aid for 22 Iowa counties.

The post Governor requests federal aid after severe flooding in northwest Iowa appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
India may be supplying weapons to Israel for its war in Gaza as a way of returning the favour for Israeli assistance during the 1999 war with Pakistan, according to a former envoy.

Daniel Carmon who served as Israels ambassador to India from 2014 to 2018 made the comments in an interview to leading Israeli publication Ynetnews.

His comments came amid reports that India has been supplying drones and munitions for Israels military campaign to eradicate Hamas. India has neither confirmed nor denied the reports.

The Indians always remind us that Israel was there for them during the Kargil war. Israel was one of the few countries that stood by them and provided them with weapons, Mr Carmon said.

The Indians dont forget this and might now be returning the favour, he said.

Mr Carmon was referring to the brief high-altitude war between India and Pakistan in the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir between May and July 1999. During that period Israel helped India by providing crucial military supplies and equipment, including precision-guided munitions and surveillance drones.

A girl cries as children carrying dummy bodies take part in a demonstration to express their solidarity with the Palestinians, in Chennai (AFP via Getty Images)

In May, Spain refused to allow ships carrying arms to Israel from India to call at its ports, the countrys foreign minister said, in keeping with its commitment not to contribute to war.

In February, a number of Indian media reports said Delhi had supplied Israel with advanced Hermes 900 drones manufactured in Hyderabad. The drones were produced at a facility originally set up by the Israeli military to supply the Indian military, but the reports said 20 drones were converted to be used by the Israeli Defence Forces after Israels own supplies ran low.

Student activists display placards and shout slogans against the war in Gaza and to show solidarity with the Palestinian people during a protest in New Delhi, India (AP)

India has refrained from directly calling out Israel for its actions in Gaza and longstanding ties between the two countries have strengthened under the Narendra Modi government. The Indian foreign ministry has called for a ceasefire to be agreed, however, as well as expressing its support for a two-state solution.

Claims that India is exporting weapons to Israel have triggered protests back home, amid concern among the Indian public about supporting a military campaign that has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu began the operation against Hamas following the 7 October terror attack that killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 captive.

India has been open about another form of support for Israel  recruiting and dispatching thousands of workers to bolster Israels economy after the Netanyahu government banned tens of thousands of Palestinian workers.
Mississippi authorities shared with reporters Monday the state's collaborative efforts in the Louisiana abduction case that ended with one 4-year-old girl found dead in Mississippi.

The announcement came during a Monday press conference at the Mississippi Department of Public Safety headquarters.

Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell said with the help of state, federal and local law enforcements in and across the state, authorities were able to bring suspects closer to justice.

"We're blessed in this state to have law enforcement that's been working together (and) improving relationships over the last four years. I know that when an incident like this occurs, we all come together to solve these types of crimes," Tindell said.

Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade speaks of the cooperative efforts of both Mississippi and Louisiana law enforcement and a determination to prosecute Daniel Callihan, 36, and his alleged accomplice, 32-year-old Victoria Cox during a news conference in Jackson on Monday. Callihan and Cox are in custody for the killing of 35-year-old Callie Brunett in Tangipahoa Parish, La., and the abduction of her daughters Erin Brunett, 4, and Jalie Brunett, 6. Jalie Burnett was found alive, but the body of Erin Brunett was found in a wooded area of south Jackson.

Daniel Callihan, 36, of Tangipahoa Parish, is accused of abducting 4-year-old Erin Brunett and her 6-year-old sister Jalie Brunnet from their Loranger, Louisiana, home and bringing them to Mississippi.

According to authorities, both girls were found in the woods near the 3900 block of Boozier Drive in South Jackson  more than 120 miles away from Loranger. Police said Jalie was found alive, but Erin was found dead.

Callihan is also suspected of killing the girls' 35-year-old mother, Callie Brunett, in Loranger earlier this month. Police identified 32-year-old Victoria Cox as an accomplice to Callihan.

Callihan from MS to LA: Man accused of killing, abducting young girls to be extradited to Louisiana

Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said Callihan and Cox are both booked for capital murder and sexual battery. Callihan is expected to be extradited to Louisiana.

"Daniel Callahan and Victoria Cox brought horror and unthinkable terror to the City of Jackson. These individuals were a threat to those kids, which means they were a threat to all of our children. What I saw the woods is something you never want to see as a chief and as a father," Wade said Monday. "We will hold these individual accountable. Let me repeat, we will hold these individuals accountable for their actions."

According to law enforcement officials, authorities are not ruling out if this incident is a part of a broader network of human trafficking due to police finding evidence of small animal cages at the location on Boozier Drive.

Attorney General Lynn Fitch speaks about cooperation with state, local and Louisiana law enforcement regarding the prosecution of Daniel Callihan, 36, and his alleged accomplice, 32-year-old Victoria Cox during a news conference in Jackson on Monday. Callihan and Cox are in custody for the killing of 35-year-old Callie Brunett in Tangipahoa Parish, La., and the abduction of her daughters Erin Brunett, 4, and Jalie Brunett, 6. Jalie Burnett was found alive, but the body Erin Brunett was found in a wooded area of south Jackson.

It's 'imprinted in my head' Jackson police chief observes small cages and small wire enclosures in killing, abduction of young LA girls

Attorney General Lynn Fitch, who was also in attendance, stated "no family should have to endure" what the Brunett family has.

"I know we'll all hold our children a little closer, a little tighter in recent days to come," Fitch said. "Children should never be exploited."

According to law enforcement officials, the following agencies had involvement in this case  the Jackson Police Department, Mississippi Attorney General's Office, U.S. Marshals, Jackson FBI, U.S. Attorney's Office, Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Capitol Police, NBI; Mississippi Highway Patrol, Rankin County Sheriff's Office, Hind's County Sheriff's Office, Byram PD, Louisiana State Police, Hind's County District Attorney's Office, and Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS authorities on LA-MS abduction, killing of young LA girls
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.

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BEIRUT  Thousands of fighters from Iran-backed groups in the Middle East are ready to come to Lebanon to join with the militant Hezbollah group in its battle with Israel if the simmering conflict escalates into a full-blown war, officials with Iran-backed factions and analysts say.

Almost daily exchanges of fire have occurred along Lebanons frontier with northern Israel since fighters from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip staged a bloody assault on southern Israel in early October that set off a war in Gaza.

The situation to the north worsened this month after an Israeli airstrike killed a senior Hezbollah military commander in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah retaliated by firing hundreds of rockets and explosive drones into northern Israel.

Israeli officials have threatened a military offensive in Lebanon if there is no negotiated end to push Hezbollah away from the border.



Over the past decade, Iran-backed fighters from Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan fought together in Syrias 13-year conflict, helping tip the balance in favor of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Officials from Iran-backed groups say they could also join together again against Israel.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a speech Wednesday that militant leaders from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and other countries have previously offered to send tens of thousands of fighters to help Hezbollah, but he said the group already has more than 100,000 fighters.

We told them, thank you, but we are overwhelmed by the numbers we have, Nasrallah said.

Nasrallah said the battle in its current form is using only a portion of Hezbollahs manpower, an apparent reference to the specialized fighters who fire missiles and drones.

But that could change in the event of an all-out war. Nasrallah hinted at that possibility in a speech in 2017 in which he said fighters from Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistan will be partners of such a war.

Officials from Lebanese and Iraqi groups backed by Iran say Iran-backed fighters from around the region will join in if war erupts on the the Lebanon-Israel border. Thousands of such fighters are already deployed in Syria and could easily slip through the porous and unmarked border.

Some of the groups have already staged attacks on Israel and its allies since the Israel-Hamas war started Oct. 7. The groups from the so-called axis of resistance say they are using a unity of arenas strategy and they will only stop fighting when Israel ends its offensive in Gaza against their ally, Hamas.

We will be (fighting) shoulder to shoulder with Hezbollah if an all-out war breaks out, one official with an Iran-backed group in Iraq told The Associated Press in Baghdad, insisting on speaking anonymously to discuss military matters. He refused to give further details.

The official, along with another from Iraq, said some advisers from Iraq are already in Lebanon.

An official with a Lebanese Iran-backed group, also insisting on anonymity, said fighters from Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces, Afghanistans Fatimiyoun, Pakistan Zeinabiyoun and the Iran-backed rebel group in Yemen known as Houthis could come to Lebanon to take part in a war.

Qassim Qassir, an expert on Hezbollah, agreed the current fighting is mostly based on high technology such as firing missiles and does not need a large number of fighters. But if a war broke out and lasted for a long period, Hezbollah might need support from outside Lebanon, he said.

Hinting to this matter could be (a message) that these are cards that could be used, he said.

Israel is also aware of the possible influx of foreign fighters.

Eran Etzion, former head of policy planning for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a panel discussion hosted by the Washington-based Middle East Institute on Thursday that he sees a high probability of a multi-front war.

He said there could be intervention by the Houthis and Iraqi militias and a massive flow of jihadists from (places) including Afghanistan, Pakistan into Lebanon and into Syrian areas bordering Israel.

Daniel Hagari, Israels military spokesman, said in a televised statement this past week that since Hezbollah started its attacks on Israel on Oct. 8, it has fired more than 5,000 rockets, anti-tank missiles and drones toward Israel.

Hezbollahs increasing aggression is bringing us to the brink of what could be a wider escalation, one that could have devastating consequences for Lebanon and the entire region, Hagari said. Israel will continue fighting against Irans axis of evil on all fronts.

Hezbollah officials have said they dont want an all-out war with Israel but if it happens they are ready.

We have taken a decision that any expansion, no matter how limited it is, will be faced with an expansion that deters such a move and inflicts heavy Israeli losses, Hezbollahs deputy leader, Naim Kassem, said in a speech this past week.

The U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, and the commander of the U.N. peacekeeping force deployed along Lebanons southern border, Lt. Gen. Aroldo Lazaro, said in a joint statement that the danger of miscalculation leading to a sudden and wider conflict is very real.

The last large-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah occurred in the summer of 2006, when the two fought a 34-day war that killed about 1,200 people in Lebanon and 140 in Israel.

Since the latest run of clashes began, more than 400 people have been killed in Lebanon, the vast majority of them fighters but including 70 civilians and non-combatants. On the Israeli side, 16 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed. Tens of thousands have been displaced on both sides of the border.

Qassir, the analyst, said that if foreign fighters did join in, it would help them that they fought together in Syria in the past.

There is a common military language between the forces of axis of resistance and this is very important in fighting a joint battle, he said.
The decision to launch accession talks this week is a big day for Ukraine, the deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration said.

This is the utmost will of the Ukrainian people. And this is the irreversibility. And youve seen Ukrainians stand up for their choice, Olga Stefanishyna stated in an interview in Kyiv on Sunday.

It was her first interview since being appointed chief negotiator for EU accession.

EU member countries agreed on Friday to start entry talks with Ukraine and Moldova  overcoming vocal opposition from Hungary, which takes over the EUs rotating presidency on 1 July.

The process of joining varies for each country but could take years. Turkey started its accession talks almost two decades ago and is still waiting for full membership.

'Historic step'

Stefanishyna, who will head the opening of accession talks in Luxembourg on Tuesday, will be joined by several top government officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to give a speech at the launch ceremony, but Stefanishyna did not elaborate on whether he would do so in person or online.

Zelenskyy described Fridays decision as a historic step, adding in an online post: Generations of our people are realising their European dream." Ukraine is returning to Europe.

A survey of opinion polling by the European Parliament earlier this year suggested that EU citizens broadly back Ukraines membership bid but are less supportive of fast-tracking the process.

Ukraine, Stefanishyna said, was not seeking special treatment.

Ukraine is moving fast, she said, without skipping any elements of the process (and) without asking (for) any discount.

Russia has used economic pressure and, ultimately, military force to try and reverse the aspirations of its former Soviet neighbour to join Western alliances it regards as hostile.

Deadly protests a decade ago demanded that the government stick to a pledge to forge closer ties with the EU and put the country on a collision course with Russia.

Its a big day for everybody, said Stefanishyna, who frequently showed emotion while describing the integration process. It has been around two years since Ukraine applied for membership. The war is still raging on, but the accession is starting right now.

Stefanishyna, a 38-year-old lawyer who has worked in civil service and government positions since her early twenties, will lead Ukraines 35-member delegation for negotiations with the EU.

Ukraine 'crazy and obsessed' with EU aspirations

In 2019, Ukraine changed its constitution to include those aspirations and formally applied to join the EU on 28 February 2022  mere days after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Bordering EU members Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, Ukraine would overtake France to become the largest member of the bloc if it joined, shifting its centre of gravity further eastward.

Together with Moldova, its in a long line with other candidates  Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Georgia and Turkey  some with membership aspirations spanning decades.

Ukraine is hoping to join by 2030.

While praised for making progress since its application, Ukraine must carry out dozens of institutional and legal reforms required for membership. The daunting list is led by steps to combat corruption and includes broad reforms to public administration, the judiciary, and market rules.

More than 1000 people in Ukraine are already involved in the accession process, which will take place without a summer break.

The next half a year will be crucial for our key negotiators, she said, adding that Ukraine needs to come up with a clear reform roadmap.

The accession process and Ukraines membership is the top priority of our president, she said. Ukraine is a bit crazy and obsessed with the EU accession process.
Village on Ukraine's doorstep set to become NATO's biggest European air base as Putin vows to go 'until the end' in the war

Village on Ukraine's doorstep set to become NATO's biggest European air base as Putin vows to go 'until the end' in the war

Romania's Mihail Kogalniceanu air base is set to become NATO's largest base in Europe.

A major expansion is expected to allow the base to support 10,000 NATO personnel and their families.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently vowed to go "until the end" in the war in Ukraine.

An air base roughly 12 miles from the Black Sea coast and 180 miles from the key port city of Odesa in southern Ukraine is poised to become NATO's largest base in Europe.

A $2.7 billion project began earlier this year to transform the Mihail Kogalniceanu air base in Romania.

The base, which has been used by the US military since 1999, is set to become the size of a small city, with the capacity to host 10,000 NATO personnel and their families, Euro News Romania previously reported.

Nicolae Cretu, the commander of the air base, told the outlet that the expanded facility would require "maintenance hangars, fuel stores, ammunition, equipment, aviation technical materials, simulators, feeding facilities, accommodation."

"Everything that is needed to support the operation and missions of a base of this size," he said.

A squadron of Romanian F-16 fighter jets recently bought from Norway, as well as MQ-9 Reaper drones, were expected to arrive at the base soon, the BBC reported Sunday.

NATO announced earlier this month that seven Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets had also landed at the base on June 3 to carry out "training and real-world sorties along the eastern flank on the Black Sea coast."

"For two months the Finnish jets are joining a Royal Air Force Typhoon detachment and will be doing quick-reaction alert duty and flying alongside them and Romanian F-16s collectively securing NATO airspace and assuring the Romanian population," Lt Cl Rami Lindstrom, the first commander of the Finnish detachment at the base, said.

Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter planes. AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru

The US presence at the base is also stepping up, Flt. Lt. Charlie Tagg, a pilot with the UK's Royal Air Force, told the BBC, adding that there was "a lot more infrastructure, accommodation, people, and equipment."

Dorin Popescu, a geopolitical analyst, previously told Euro News: "The Mihail Kogalniceanu base will become the most important permanent NATO military structure in the immediate vicinity of the conflict in southern Ukraine."

"Let's not imagine that this conflict will end this year in 2025 or in 2026," he said. "It's a long-term conflict."

Some Russian politicians have issued stark warnings over the project, with Andrey Klimov, the deputy chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, previously warning that it was a "threat" to Bucharest.

"If the Romanians like it, it's their business, of course, but the NATO suicide club drags ordinary civilians into such adventures that can end very badly for their families and children," he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. ALEXANDER NEMENOV via Getty

Russian President Vladimir Putin justified his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in part by saying that NATO had been aggressively expanding ever closer toward Russia over the past few decades, and he has long warned against further expansion.

In spite of his rhetoric, NATO has continued to creep further eastward, with Finland joining NATO in April of last year and Sweden joining this past March.

Putin this week issued fresh threats to the West, vowing to go "until the end" in the war with Ukraine.

Defeat in Ukraine, Putin said, would mean "the end of the 1,000-year history of the Russian state," adding: "Isn't it better to go all the way, until the end?"

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A new addition is coming to 5th Street this summer. The Yard on Fifth Street, set to open in late summer at 801 5th Street, will occupy the former Fifth and Federal Station location, which closed in April 2022.

Mekio Cashwell Kelliher and her mother, LaRhonda Cashwell, who previously worked for the federal government and the Postal Service are teaming up to open the new business.

Will Patterson is another partner and Regina Rose-Smith and Linda Williams are contributors.

We dont have a background in restaurant experience. We were kind of just inspired to want to come back home and start a business, Kelliher explained. Were originally from Madison Heights and Amherst, and graduates of Amherst County High School. After spending years in Colorado, we wanted to return to our community.

The Yard will feature Southern Comfort food, with a menu centered around soul food and barbecue favorites such as macaroni and cheese, collard greens and traditional BBQ dishes.

It also hopes to become a community gathering space with live music and events.

Walter Cashwell, Kellihers uncle, has been working to revive the building, which has been sitting vacant for two years. When the previous owners shut down Fifth and Federal, they left everything.

When we walked in, there wasnt a lot of work needed to be done, thanks to Walter, Kelliher said. The property had been devalued and sitting vacant for two years so we hope to breathe new life into it.

The design of The Yard will focus heavily on live music, creating a space where people can unite and enjoy common interests.

Music tends to unite everyone, Kelliher said. We want to create a space where people can enjoy music and each others company.

Plans include installing turf to make the yard the focal point, creating a flexible dining space that can be used year-round. The vision is to transform the negative memories associated with the previously vacant space into positive experiences for the community.

Fifth and Federal Station opened in 2017 but closed in 2022 after the owner supported a tweet from-then Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. showing a picture of a face mask with the blackface photo from Gov. Northams yearbook page on it.

On May 31 and June 1, 2020, a crowd gathered outside Fifth & Federal Station following the May 25, 2020, death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. The riots were partly in response to a social media post from the restaurants owner that many found to be racially insensitive.

Kelliher is particularly excited about contributing to the historical significance of 5th Street.

Fifth Street was historically black and Im excited to be a minority-owned business giving back to the community and returning to our roots, she said.

The Yard is part of the Launch LYH program, which Kelliher said has provided valuable resources and support to her family.

The program has been phenomenal, teaching us how to run a business, develop a business plan, and prepare a Shark Tank-style pitch, she said.

Ashley Kershner, executive director of the Downtown Lynchburg Association, said the opening of The Yard on Fifth will be is a significant moment for Downtown Lynchburgs 5th Street Historic Corridor.

Not only will it add a new amenity to the area, the restaurant represents a powerful symbol of healing and progress in a building with divisive history, she said. We believe the Yard on 5th it will be a catalyst for unity and community gathering and will help shape the future of 5th Street. We are so proud to support this important project.

The Yard has plans to offer live music every Thursday through Saturday.

Were excited to come home and be part of the community, Kelliher said. We want this to be a meeting space for everyone.
FUKUOKA, Jun 24 (News On Japan) - The series 'Sonaeru,' which focuses on disaster preparedness, brings attention to an incident from July 2023 when record-breaking rainfall in Fukuoka Prefecture's Kurume City triggered a massive landslide in the Minoo Mountains, resulting in one fatality. This region faced a similar disaster 300 years ago, with historical documents offering clues on how to prepare for such unexpected events.

In Take-no district of Tanushimaru Town, debris from the landslide is still piled high, and damaged rooftops remain unrepaired as the area braces for another rainy season.

The landslide that struck Tanushimaru Town in July 2023 engulfed several homes at the base of the Minoo Mountains, leading to one man's death. Residents, stunned by the scale of the disaster, echoed sentiments of disbelief.

Affected Residents:

"We never imagined this could happen."

"We never thought our home would be hit by a landslide."

"The idea that the entire valley could be buried was inconceivable."

The disaster extended beyond designated landslide warning zones, highlighting the unexpected nature of such events. Interestingly, this was not the first time the area faced such devastation.

Koji Nishiyama, Associate Professor, Kyushu University Graduate School of Engineering: "A similar event occurred almost 300 years ago in this very area."

Associate Professor Koji Nishiyama has been studying "Kueyama Monogatari," an ancient document detailing a massive landslide in the Minoo Mountains in 1720 (Kyoho 5), which claimed over 50 lives.

Nishiyama: "The document describes rocks and water flowing down, with Tokumura and Takenomura being the hardest hit. Many narrowly escaped with their lives. The affected areas in the historical account are almost identical to those hit by the recent disaster."

Nishiyama also points out similarities in the extent of the damage between the past and present landslides.

Nishiyama: "Takenomura, now Take-no district, was affected in both instances, with the landslide spreading beyond current warning zones."

As history repeats itself after 300 years, the question arises: were the lessons from the past utilized in modern disaster preparedness?

On June 19th, a disaster preparedness workshop was held at a local elementary school in Take-no district, with Nishiyama highlighting the dangers of relying too heavily on personal experience.

Nishiyama: "A human life spans only 80 to 90 years, but disasters in the same location can occur once every few hundred years. This means people often lack direct experience, leading to shock when such events happen."

He emphasized the importance of passing down lessons learned from disasters to future generations.

Local Resident: "Last years disaster made it clear that we never know when such events might occur. Evacuating quickly and ensuring family safety is paramount."

Nishiyama: "Understanding the types of disasters that have occurred in the region and assessing risks, such as the presence of rivers or mountains nearby, is crucial for future preparedness."

By learning and sharing regional history, communities can better prepare for unexpected disasters. As the rainy season approaches, these lessons could be vital for safeguarding lives.

Source: FBS
WELLINGTON, June 24 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's total exports were valued at 7.2 billion NZ dollars (4.4 billion U.S. dollars) in May, a record high for monthly exports, according to the statistics department Stats NZ on Monday.

The previous high for monthly exports was 6.95 billion NZ dollars (4.25 billion U.S. dollars) in May 2023, Stats NZ said.

"May months are typically a peak time for exports, being the height of the fruit season, and strong periods for meat, dairy, and vegetable exports," Stats NZ international trade manager Alasdair Allen said.

The rise in exports in May, which was 202 million NZ dollars (123.44 million U.S. dollars), was led by an increase in exports to the United States, up 255 million NZ dollars (155.83 million U.S. dollars) from May 2023 to 1 billion NZ dollars (610 million U.S. dollars), Allen said.

This was a record number for monthly exports to the United States, New Zealand's second-biggest export market, with an annual value of 8.8 billion NZ dollars (5.38 billion U.S. dollars) for the year ending May 2024, he said.

China was New Zealand's number one market for exports, with an annual value of 17.9 billion NZ dollars (10.94 billion U.S. dollars) for the year ending May 2024, he added.

Leading the rise in exports to the United States was beef, up 31 percent in May 2024 from May 2023, statistics show. 
SHIZUOKA, Jun 24 (News On Japan) - In response to a surge in foreign tourists taking risks from Fujisan Yume-no-Ohashi to snap the iconic mountain, new safety measures have been implemented including a 1.8-meter-high fence along a 400-meter stretch of the median strip.

Fujisan Yume-no-Ohashi, located in Fujishi, Shizuoka Prefecture, saw an influx of foreign tourists on June 23rd despite the cloudy weather.

A tourist from China remarked, "I came here just to see Fujisan, but unfortunately, I wasn't lucky with the weather."

The main attraction for these tourists is the breathtaking view of Fujisan from the bridge. Photos and videos taken from under the bridge, with the stairs in the frame, have gone viral on social media, creating the illusion of climbing Fujisan and drawing crowds of foreigners. However, this popularity has led to new problems.

On June 20th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism installed a 1.8-meter-high fence along a 400-meter stretch of the median strip. This measure was taken in response to repeated incidents of tourists crossing the road and taking photos on the median, posing significant safety risks.

Fujisan Yume-no-Ohashi is a single-lane national highway, and its wide road width and median strip have made it prone to unruly behavior.

A tourist from South Korea commented, "It's natural for people to come to famous tourist spots, but when it becomes this dangerous, a fence is necessary."

Thanks to the fence, no one attempted to enter the median strip during our visit. However, some tourists still engaged in dangerous behavior, such as stepping onto the roadway for photos or sitting on the pedestrian barriers to take pictures.

Local residents have expressed their concerns, with one saying, "You can take beautiful photos without crossing over."

Black Curtain with Smartphone-sized Holes at Convenience Store

Another measure to curb nuisance behavior related to Fujisan viewing has been implemented in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture. A black curtain was installed across from a convenience store to prevent dangerous crossings and littering by foreign tourists aiming to photograph Fujisan over the store.

A month after the curtain was put up, its effectiveness is being questioned. Although the curtain blocks most of the view, small holes have been poked through, seemingly by fingers, and larger holes have appeared.

A security guard noted, "This hole wasn't here two days ago. There were some small holes, but this large one is new. I was surprised to find it this morning; it's big enough to fit a smartphone."

Despite additional measures, such as QR codes directing tourists to other photo spots, the town has not been able to completely eradicate nuisance behavior.

The security guard added, "Even when we say 'No,' they just say 'Sorry, sorry,' and it ends there. I think the nuisance behavior has decreased, but not significantly."

Source: ANN
HOKKAIDO, Jun 24 (News On Japan) - In Hokkaido, where bear attacks on cattle have been frequent, stray dogs exhibit wolf-like behavior have now become a serious issue. On June 19, footage captured in Shunan, Yamaguchi Prefecture, showed a stray dog rushing out aggressively towards an already formed pack. This region has been plagued by the problem of stray dogs for around 20 years due to uncontrolled breeding.

In April, stray dogs were also sighted in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. The issue has now become a nationwide concern.

Since last month, a series of incidents occurred in Betsukai Town, Hokkaido. Six cows were killed by packs of stray dogs at four closely located farms. A farmer who suffered losses last month shared his experience:

"A farmer who suffered losses last month said, 'I heard the cows making a commotion and realized something was wrong. When the workers entered the barn, the dogs ran away. Upon checking the site, we found the cows injured.'"

In this town, just a week before the stray dog attacks, a calf was attacked by a bear. Now, the farmers must be cautious of both bears and stray dogs.

"Previously, we only had bear incidents, but this is the first time we're dealing with stray dogs," the farmer added.

On June 16, four cows were killed by a pack of stray dogs at the farm of dairy farmer Maejima, who had not previously considered stray dogs a threat.

Maejima said, "I was hoping the bears wouldn't attack, but when we checked the site, we found dog tracks and bite marks that were clearly not from a bear. It was undoubtedly stray dogs."

Eyewitnesses report that the stray dogs are about the size of medium-sized dogs. The farmers are shocked by the unprecedented situation of cows, several times the size of the dogs, being attacked.

"When I first heard about it, I couldn't believe stray dogs could cause so much damage. It's as if they've turned into wolves," Maejima said.

Animal researcher Punk Machida commented, "The purpose of the attacks is likely predation. If the dogs are of a certain size, they possess strength comparable to wolves. The repeated cattle attacks suggest it's the same pack of stray dogs."

Machida added, "The dogs might have found hunting enjoyable or discovered that cow meat is tasty. There are benefits to them, which is why they continue. It is crucial to manage the situation to prevent habitual or escalated attacks in the future."

Source: ANN
TOKYO, Jun 24 (News On Japan) - The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has launched an investigation following death threats sent to the office of former House of Councillors member Renho, who is running for the Tokyo gubernatorial election.

According to investigators, on the morning of June 23, faxes containing threats were received at Renho's campaign office and various locations associated with the Constitutional Democratic Party. The faxes included statements such as "I have acquired sulfuric acid. I will attack members of the Constitutional Democratic Party and their families," "I will stab Renho to death," and "I have planted explosives to detonate on June 24."

Renho has filed a police report, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has begun an investigation on suspicion of intimidation.

Additionally, 19 election posters of a specific political group were found torn in Kabukicho, Shinjuku Ward, and 24 posters of the same group were found removed in Daiba, Minato Ward.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is investigating these incidents as violations of the Public Offices Election Act.

Source: FNN
Jun 25 (News On Japan) - Former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has hinted at a potential leadership change within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the upcoming September election, subtly suggesting Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's replacement.

During an online program by Bungei Shunju on June 23, Suga commented on Kishidas leadership: Many ordinary citizens feel distrust as the Prime Minister has not addressed the issues concerning factions, similar to other factions.

When asked about the need for a new leader in the LDP election, Suga responded, I believe so. Its the best opportunity to make the public understand the LDPs vision for renewal.

Calls for Kishidas resignation are also coming from other quarters. Hiroki Tokunaga, a young lawmaker from the Motegi faction, who has only been elected once, has openly voiced his opinion on the matter.

LDPs Tokunaga stated on June 22, Prime Minister Kishida should not lightly talk about re-election. He should reconsider and instead open new doors for the LDP. I hope he will serve as a bridge to new leadership.

This kind of criticism from a first-term lawmaker towards a ten-term Prime Minister is becoming more frequent among younger members of the former Motegi and Aso factions.

When asked about his bold stance, Tokunaga explained, I often hear such sentiments in casual conversations among fellow parliamentarians. I dont feel that Ive gone too far. The criticism suggesting I was pushed to say this or that its election-driven is surprisingly minimal.

A poll by Hodo Station reveals varied opinions within the LDP on who should be the next Prime Minister. While Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegis name is mentioned, he stated that the response to the election will be dealt with during the parliamentary recess.

LDP Secretary-General Motegi commented, I want to think about it thoroughly over the summer.

Amid these discussions, there are whispers among younger and mid-level lawmakers about supporting Takayuki Kobayashi, a former finance bureaucrat and four-term Lower House member. Kobayashi, who served as the Minister of Economic Security in the first Kishida Cabinet, is highly regarded for his expertise in foreign and security policies and his practical capabilities.

LDPs Kobayashi expressed his gratitude for the support, saying, I am thankful for the voices from my fellow lawmakers encouraging me to run in the leadership election. For now, I am focused on enhancing my capabilities as a politician.

As the LDP leadership election approaches, various ambitions are surfacing. However, a Kishida faction member remains confident about the Prime Ministers re-election.

Kishida will be re-elected without any political turmoil. He hasnt done anything wrong to warrant calls for responsibility, a Kishida faction insider commented.

Source: ANN
KYOTO, Jun 25 (News On Japan) - A dramatic rescue took place near JR Inari Station in Kyoto on June 23rd, captured by a motorcycle's dashcam. The footage shows a railroad crossing with the barrier down, and an elderly woman lying on the tracks.

The situation was described by the videographer: "I felt a bit anxious as I saw someone entering the crossing with the barrier down. It was a brave action."

Around 8 AM, the woman had collapsed inside the crossing and appeared unable to stand, possibly due to losing consciousness.

A man on a motorcycle, visible on the left side of the footage, noticed the unusual situation. He pressed the emergency stop button and raised his right hand to alert the train crew.

During this time, another person jumped over the barrier and ran to assist the fallen woman. The motorcyclist who pressed the emergency button also joined the rescue effort. With the help of JR staff, they successfully carried the woman out of the crossing.

The videographer praised the rescuers' bravery: "I was frozen in place. It's amazing how quickly they pressed the emergency button and acted."

The police later took the woman into protective custody. She regained consciousness and was found to have no significant injuries.

Source: FNN
OSAKA, Jun 25 (News On Japan) - Over 20 million yen in damages are suspected from a series of robbery incidents involving forced intoxication.

On June 22, five women, including 40-year-old Chinese national Chunyu Dong, the manager of the "Monica" bar in Osaka's Kitashinchi district, were arrested on suspicion of robbery and other charges. Dong and her accomplices allegedly rendered a male customer in his 40s unconscious by making him consume alcohol in April, stealing approximately 60,000 yen in cash from his wallet, and fraudulently charging about 80,000 yen to his credit card.

The investigation began following numerous complaints to the police. The complaints detailed incidents where customers were aggressively lured into bars, intoxicated by hostesses with strong alcohol, and later discovered unauthorized credit card charges.

Including related bars, there have been around 60 such complaints over the past two years, with total damages estimated to exceed 20 million yen.

One victim recounted that he had no memory after drinking two highballs, and a high alcohol concentration of about 1 mg per liter was detected in his breath.

The police have not disclosed whether Dong and her accomplices have admitted to the charges.

Source: MBS
Jun 25 (News On Japan) - The trailer for the third installment of the musical comedy series, "Professor Okano's High School Concerto," featuring Kensuke Takahashi, Shin Tamura, and Ryoki Miyama, has been released. This film follows the adventures of students and their supervising professor as they navigate various upheavals.

The plot centers around a new transfer student, rumored to have a violent past at his previous school, who clashes with the school's top elite student over the affections of the school's beloved nurse. The film is directed and written by Kyonari Konno, who has helmed the entire series.

Kensuke Takahashi, known for his role in the "Aki Wants to Eat with Haru" series, plays the transfer student. Shin Tamura, noted for his performances in the stage adaptation of "My Hero Academia The 'Ultra' Stage," portrays the elite student. Yoichi Okano, who has appeared in every installment of the series, reprises his role as Professor Okano, now a high school teacher.

Source: 
WELLINGTON, June 24 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government is currently progressing with a pilot military-style academy program to address youth crime, with criticizers saying punitive measures would label young offenders for life.

The academy, based at the youth justice facility in Palmerston North in the North Island, will be run for 10 young people already in youth justice facilities and feature a three-month residence stage, followed by a nine-month community phase, Children's Minister Karen Chhour said on Sunday.

Participants will follow a specially created curriculum and syllabus, with daily activities to support their health, learning and well-being, Chhour said, adding this will include military-style activities.

However, Chief Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad warned on Monday that using punitive measures to combat youth crime could see young offenders labeled for life.

The government is introducing a new declaration for young offenders to ensure that they face tougher consequences and are better supported to turn their lives around, according to a government statement.

The establishment of a Young Serious Offender (YSO) declaration will provide more options for the Youth Court and police to hold serious and persistent young offenders accountable, and make powerful interventions to improve their lives, which supports the government's target to reduce serious repeat youth offending by 15 percent, it said.

YSOs could be sent to the new military-style academy, subjected to a greater use of electronic and judicial monitoring, and police will have the power to arrest a young person without warrant for non-compliance with conditions of an order or a breach of their bail conditions, Chhour said.

However, Achmad said government plans for a new YSO category were not the answer to reducing youth crime, and would not build safer communities.

A Youth Court judge will have the final say on declaring someone a YSO, and a young person will be eligible if they are 14- to 17-year-old, have had two offenses punishable by imprisonment of 10 years or more proven in court, are assessed as being likely to reoffend, with previous interventions having proven unsuccessful, Chhour said. 
By Bashir Bello, Kano

Kano State Judicial Service Commission has on Monday taken disciplinary actions against three magistrate judges by recalling them from judicial duties for alleged misconduct.

The Commission in a statement by the Spokesperson of Kano State Judiciary, Baba Jibo Ibrahim said Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama of Magistrate Court No 29 is recalled from the bench and relieved of all judicial duties effective immediately, while Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir with Magistrate Court No 48 and Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh Minjibir with Magistrate court 60 were recalled from their judicial duties for one year respectively.

The Commission also issued a strong warning to Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir with the Appeals Department of the High Court and deferred his promotion for one year.

According to the statement, The Kano State Judicial Service Commission at its 72nd meeting held on the 11th June 2024, has taken disciplinary actions against Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama, magistrate Court No 29, Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir, magistrate Court No 48 and Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir of Appeal section, High Court kano.

Sequel to the findings of the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee ( JPCC ) in respect to three petitions filed and investigated upon against Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama, the commission has adopted the recommendations of the JPCC which conducted a thorough investigation on the matters and equally examined the chief magistrates response came up with the findings that her actions amounts to gross- misconduct i.e making an order to GT Bank to transfer money in the petitioners account already frozen, into her personal account which she clearly admitted in her response. The JPCC in the second petition also found elements amounting to Judicial bias in handling matters by the chief magistrate while in the third petition her conduct was despicable of a judicial officer where her worship was found receiving case and making order to the police even before the case was directed to her. Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama is recalled from the bench and relieved of all judicial duties effective immediately.

Following the review of the circumstance surrounding the handling of the case between Commissioner of Police Vs Abubakar Salisu, by Rabi Abdulkadir, Senior Magistrate Court No. 48, the Commission found the actions of the Senior Magistrate to amount to Judicial recklessness and therefore the Commission has resolved to recall the Magistrate and relieved her from judicial duties for a period of one calendar year. She has been instructed to cease all duties at Magistrate Court No. 48.

The JSC also considered the investigation report on the alleged misconduct of Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir of the Appeals Department of the High Court.

The report confirmed that Mr. Nasir received payments of fees meant for court records into his personal account, which constitutes serious misconduct.

Consequently, the Commission Issued a Strong Warning to Abdu Nasir and also deferred his promotion for one year.

The commission also at its 73rd meeting held on 20th June 2024, deliberated on the petitions received against chief magistrate court 60 manned by Tijjani Saleh Minjibir. The response to the queries issued were found unsatisfactory.

The commission viewed the actions of the chief magistrate to amount to serious misconduct and judicial recklessness and unanimously took the decision to recall Tijjani Saleh Minjibir from judicial duties for a period of one year effective immediately. He is to cease all judicial activities and report to the High Court Head quarters for posting.

The commission will continue to apply the appropriate sanctions against any erring staff particularly those saddled with judicial responsibilities in order to safe guard the integrity and accountability of the judicial system and maintain the confidence of the public.

These disciplinary actions underscore the Judicial Service Commissions commitment to maintaining highest standards of judicial conduct and ensuring the integrity of the legal system, the statement however reads.
Tinubu and Shehu sani

By Ikenna Ngere

Former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, has alleged that the recent visit by certain prominent Northern politicians to former President Muhammadu Buhari was an attempt to undermine President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Naija News reports that the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday, visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State.

It was learnt that the two held a closed-door meeting in the company of some associates, including the immediate past governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, now a senator representing Sokoto South.

Similarly, former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, paid a visit to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State

In response to the recent visitation, Sani described the move as an effort to regroup Northern political forces for the next general election, predicting that it would ultimately fail.

Sani criticized the attempt to revive Buharis political influence and mobilize support, cautioning against stirring Arewa sentiment without regard for the potential chaos it could cause.

On his verified Facebook page, Sani remarked that Buhari, who led Nigeria for eight years, left the North in a worse state than he found it, and that it is too soon for people to forget this reality.

He wrote, The recent visits by some prominent Northern politicians to Daura appear to be the usual Eid homage, but looking deeper and beyond the facade, its surreptitiously a new attempt to build a strong northern alliance using ex-President Buhari as a rallying point to challenge and evict President Tinubus government in 2027.

Its a regrouping of Northern political forces for the next general election. A project that will eventually kiss the dust.

They want to resurrect Buharis political charm, fanaticism, and mobilize the gullible to another hollow and bewildering end. They want to stock up and light up the Arewa sentiment without considering the inferno it would eventually generate.

By the time he left power, poverty and insecurity were at their peak more than at any time in Nigerias history.

They had power and wasted it; what do they want to do with it again?

Sani emphasized that a Southerner has been in power for just one year, and it is too early for Northern elites to start plotting.

He noted that the South did not undertake such actions against Buhari during his tenure. Sani warned that these efforts could destabilize Nigerias fragile unity and damage the democratic process.

He condemned the Northern politicians obsession with power, stating that opposition to Tinubus policies and administration is a democratic right, but inciting Northern sentiments for political gain is a perilous venture.

A Southerner has been in power for just one year. Its too early for the desperate and power-hungry northern elite to start plotting. The South never did that to Buhari. Their intended action has the capacity to ruin the democratic process and wreck the fragile unity of the country when the South is awakened to this reality.

Their obsession with power is condemnable. Opposition to Tinubu from the point of policies, promises, and programs of his administration is a democratic right of any Nigerian. People have the right to speak and criticize the government.

But attempts to whip up Northern sentiments to achieve their political ends is a dangerous political experiment and expedition at this material time. No serious southerner challenged Buhari for eight years; these power-drunk Northern politicians are dragging the region into a new political journey through a landmine.

Buharis reign ensured nepotistic placement, installation, and dominance of Northerners at strategic positions of authority and power for eight years. Results had shown that they only enriched themselves, pillaged the economy of the country, and pauperized our country.

The Daura homage of the disgruntled and the obsessed will fail. Our people in the North should reject these faces and their plots.

They have nothing to offer. From the abandoned Baro Port, Ajaokuta, Lake Chad Basin refilling, and Mambilla hydropower, they failed. They came to power when the North was in the hands of terrorists and left it in the joint hands of terrorists and bandits. The Northern Talakawa should reject their antics, he said.
By Enioluwa Adeniyi

Salman Dogo Garba has taken over as the Commissioner of Police in Kano State, amidst the emirate tussle in the state.

Naija News reports that Garba, upon his assumption of office, assured his readiness to ensure adequate security of lives and property.

Speaking during a farewell ceremony held at the Officers Mess, Bompai Kano, organised in honour of the former Commissioner of Police, Husani Gumel, who was promoted to AIG, the new CP solicited the support and cooperation of the Officers and Men of the Kano Police Command and the general public.

In his remarks, the outgoing CP appreciated the officers and men of the Kano State Command for the tremendous support they accorded to him during his tenure as the CP, stressing that was the reason behind his success in Kano.

AIG Gumel urged Offices and Men to give the new CP all the needed support to enable him to achieve the set objectives.

Naija News understands that the ex-Commissioner of Police in the state recently disobeyed the directive of the state Governor, Abba Yusuf, to evict the dethroned Emir, Ado Bayero, from the Nasarawa palace.

Gumel, rather than evict the emir, provided more security for the safety of the dethroned Emir and Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Rwanda is ready to fight with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) if necessary, its President Paul Kagame has declared in response to the accusations from Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi who had claimed that Rwanda was orchestrating genocide in eastern DRC.

In a recent exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, Kagame discussed the growing tensions in his countrys relations with neighboring DRC. He declared Rwandas readiness to go to war with the DRC, if necessary. This comes after Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of orchestrating a genocide in the DRCs eastern regions. Kagame responded by accusing his Congolese counterpart of promoting a genocidal ideology aimed at Congolese Tutsis. We are ready to fightWe are not afraid of anything, he said. Kagame also refused to confirm the presence of Rwandan soldiers in the DRC, emphasizing the need to address the root causes of regional tensions.

The decades-long conflict in DRCs east has produced one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises, with over 100 armed groups, including the infamous M23 rebels, fighting in the mineral-rich region.

These statements underscore the rising tensions between both countries and highlight the challenges facing Kagame as he is preparing for a fourth term in the upcoming 15 July presidential election. The 66-year-old politician, Rwandas de facto ruler since the end of the 1994 genocide, has been praised for the countrys economic recovery but faces criticism over rights abuses and stifling opposition.
Mauritania has overtaken Senegal as the main departure point for those taking on the perilous Atlantic crossing to the Spains Canary Islands, during which more than 5,000 people died in the first five months of this year.

95% of migrants who try to reach Spain by sea do so on Atlantic Ocean crossings from West and Northwest Africa to the Canary Islands, a new report on the worlds deadliest migration route reveals. Mauritania has overtaken Senegal as the main departure point, representing 3,600 of the deaths for the first four months of this year, according to the report from Caminando Fronteras, or Walking Borders, a collective dedicated to protecting migrant communities.

As the New Humanitarian (formerly IRIN News) reported, arrivals in this Spanish archipelago have soared by a whooping 700% in the first five months of 2024 over the same period in 2023.

Some 83% of the 7,270 people who arrived in the Canary Islands in January 2024  a 1,184% increase compared to the same month in 2023  left from Mauritania. Currently, most migrants are departing from Mauritania with different profiles. Were seeing a significant increase in the number of women, as well as younger migrants and a wider range of nationalities from the Sahel region, Helena Maleno, the director of Ca-minando Fronteras said. Were also witnessing a concerning rise in the number of disappearances along this route.

Experts say that this shift in the migration route from Senegal to Mauritania is largely due to the EU strategy of partnering with third countries to try to reduce migration along particular routes. When a route is shut, another one opens up, Sani Ladan, a Madrid-based migration expert said.
king Mohammed VI, Chairman of Al-quds Committee, ordered the delivery of 40 tons of medical aid in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, Moroccos foreign ministry said.

The shipment will follow the same unprecedented route as the aid sent in March.

In March, Morocco was the first nation to use the Kerem Shalom border crossing to send aid to Gazans.

The aid is composed of medicine to treat burns and fractures as well as surgery equipment and is designed for children and adults alike, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The King paid for a large portion of the aid, the statement said.

The medical aid is part of a long tradition of active solidarity with Palestine, and reflects the kings personal involvement and unwavering support for the Palestinian people.

It also evidences the effectiveness of the Al-Quds Committee and Bayt Mal Al Quds, propelled by a vision of peace and focused on effective and concrete support for the Palestinians.

Besides, the Shipment of the aid via land shows that the resumption of relations with Israel serves peace and the interests of the Palestinian people and demonstrates, if need be, that Morocco has always used its leverage and networks to promote the interests of the Palestinians and peace for all the peoples of the region, contrary to Algeria which voices verbal indignation without undertaking any tangible solidarity act. Algerians loudly proclaim their hollow slogans, words overbidding but take no practical action to genuinely back the Palestinians.
Police in Pakistan on Sunday (June 23) arrested a Christian under blasphemy laws as part of his siblings effort to retaliate against him over a property dispute, sources said.

The arrest came the same day a key government minister admitted on the floor of the National Assembly that the state has failed to protect religious minorities in Pakistan against false blasphemy accusations.

Officers from the Okara A-Division Police Station arrested Chand Shamaun, 26, from his home in Christian Colony in Okara District, Punjab Province, in response to a dispute he had with his siblings over his share in their ancestral house the previous night, said area Christian leader Younis Chauhan.

Chauhan said that he was present with other Christians when Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mehr Yousaf arrived with other officers.

The police asked us if we knew anything about a Quran desecration incident in the colony, Chauhan told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. When we told them that no such incident had occurred, DSP Yousaf told me to take them to Chand Shamauns house. On reaching the place, the police arrested Chands elder brother Zeeshan Shamaun, who was sleeping at the time.

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Chand Shamaun arrived and he was also taken into custody, he said.

Chauhan said that when area residents asked police why they were arresting the two brothers, Yousaf said they had received information that Chand Shamaun had desecrated the Quran.

We told the police that though the siblings often quarreled over their share in property, no blasphemy had been committed, Chauhan said. The DSP assured us that the brothers would be prosecuted under sections 147 and 151 of the Pakistan Penal Code for disturbing public peace, and they could obtain bail from the court on Monday.

A few hours later, however, they were surprised when eight to 10 police vehicles arrived and cordoned off the streets leading to Chand Shamauns house, he said.

It was then we came to know that police had registered a First Information Report [FIR] against Chand under Section 295-A [of Pakistans blasphemy statutes] and Section 9 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997, he said.

Section 295-A prescribes imprisonment of up to 10 years for deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. Section 9 of the ATA 1997 relates to acts intended or likely to stir up sectarian hatred and is punishable with imprisonment of up to seven years.

Chauhan said that several Christian families upon seeing the police deployment locked their homes and left the colony, fearing that the blasphemy allegation could provoke violent protests by Islamist groups.

Fortunately, there were no protests in the city, and residents have started returning to their homes, he said.

Chand Shamaun works as an ambulance driver and has two minor children, he said. His brother Zeeshan was still in police custody at this writing. Their family members could not be reached for comment.

Abraham Daniel, bishop of the Baptist Church in Sahiwal, criticized police for registering a false FIR against the Christian.

The FIR registered on the complaint of a police Sub-Inspector Haider Ali states that he and five other policemen were standing outside the District Headquarters Hospital Okara when Chand Shamaun came there and started shouting that he would burn the Quran because of his differences with Zeeshan and his sister Zunaira, who had converted to Islam some time ago, Daniel told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

According to Ali, when the police tried to arrest Chand Shamaun, he fled on foot to Christian Colony, he said.

I believe that the allegation brought against Chand is based on police mala fide, Daniel said. They turned a family dispute into a religious incident when in fact no blasphemy had been committed.

He said he regretted that blasphemy laws were being blatantly misused against Christians in Pakistan.

False blasphemy allegations and cases have become a norm here, he said. The situation has reached the point where entire neighborhoods are abandoned merely on the basis of accusation. The case against Chand is a cause of concern because the complainant is not a private individual but a police officer who apparently concocted the incident.

Minorities Unsafe

Also on Sunday, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said in an address to a special session of the National Assembly that he regretted surging incidents of mob violence against religious minorities in Pakistan.

Minorities are being murdered daily, Asif said. No religious minority is safe in Pakistan. Even the smaller sects of the Muslims are not safe.

The minister said treasury members wanted to bring a resolution in the House in support of the religious minorities.

Our Constitution provides protection to the minorities, but practically we are seeing them being murdered in Swat, Sargodha and Faisalabad, he said. This is a matter of concern and embarrassment [for the nation].

One June 20 a mob in the Madyan police station in Swat District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province lynched a Muslim resident of Sialkot. Police had detained Muhammad Suleman for alleged desecration of the Quran. The mob not only killed him but set his body on fire, along with the police station and an official vehicle.

On May 25, a frenzied Muslim mob, including women and children beat a 74-year-old Christian, Nazeer Masih Gill, with stones and sticks after a local rival accused him of burning pages of the Quran. The mob also set fire to Gills shoe factory and house. He underwent two head surgeries but succumbed to his wounds nine days later, on June 3.

Blasphemy charges were not proven against any of those people, Asif told the House.

We must ensure the safety of our minority brothers and sisters, he said. They have as much right to live in this country as the majority. Pakistan belongs to all Pakistanis, regardless of whether they are Muslim, Christian, Sikh, or of any other faith. Our Constitution guarantees full protection to minorities.

Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar later read a resolution emphasizing that the right to life is the most cherished right enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.

This House takes serious notice of the recent mob lynching of our citizens accused of offenses in Swat and Sargodha, Tarar read. It is noted that such incidents have recently increased in different parts of the country.

The resolution further urged the federal and provincial governments to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, including religious minorities and other vulnerable segments of society.

The National Assembly thus specifically called for the provincial governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab to take immediate and necessary measures to identify, investigate and prosecute those involved in these incidents under the relevant laws.

Furthermore, the House expressed the expectation that the courts would ensure immediate and speedy justice in these cases, underscoring the need for swift legal action to prevent future occurrences of such tragic events, the resolution concluded.

Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year.
Photo: Kirk A. Bado

Poor old Abe Lincoln cant even keep his head in the afterlife. With triple-digit temperatures threatening Washington, D.C., a six-foot wax re-creation of the Lincoln Memorial hasnt fared so well  Abes head was nearly melting off in the heat. As the sun caused the president to slouch dramatically into his chair, a picture of the artwork took off on social media, where people riffed on Lincolns tired, extremely relatable new posture. Also, there were sex jokes.

As the sculpture gained new life online, I spoke with the artist who made it. Over the phone, University of Richmond assistant professor of art Sandy Williams IV discussed the wax piece, its surprise meltdown, and its gleeful reception on social media.

So this is the second time youve installed this work  called 40 Acres: Camp Barker  at Garrison Elementary School in Washington, D.C. Both times it has melted in an unexpected way, right?

The first one we made had like a hundred wicks. It was not meant for people to light them all at once, but before we had our unveiling and explained the intended community engagement, people found the sculpture without any sort of prompt. They just noticed it had wicks, then they lit all of the wicks and left it melting for days. So when we came back to have the unveiling, it was already half melted and headless. We were asked to recast and make a second version that only had ten wicks. So the first one was installed in September 2023 and then the second was installed in February 2024.

This time, it went relatively unchanged for months. In the second version, we had little signs that said to only light one or two wicks and blow them out when youre done. We only had ten wicks and there was only so much those ten wicks could melt. It weighs 3,000 pounds. The wax is rated by the company as having a congealing point of 140 degrees. I previously had joked that when our climate gets bad enough to where we are living in an environment where the ambient heat melts these sculptures, thats when this work becomes an environmental artwork. I didnt know that was going to be this summer.

Over the weekend, there have been a ton of jokes about Lincolns posture as he melts. To me, it looks like that classic Maxell ad with the guy getting blown away by the speaker. Other people have joked that hes just overwhelmed by the heat. But the most common riff is that he is receiving oral sex. I was wondering what your reaction to that is.

I was reminded of the reception to Hank Willis Thomass new Martin Luther King monument. I dont know, people like sex jokes.

Im excited. I dont think Ive had an artwork receive this much feedback before. So while thats not the first place I would go with a reading of whats happening with the sculpture, Im really fixated on the environmental implications that this project is now unviable in this climate. But Im here for it.

My methodology around the work is that I put love into making these projects and present them as a sort of gift to the community. Im hands-off on the authorship of its form or its reading. And what is fun about wax is that you can never really anticipate how its going to melt. I could never get it to melt in that way where hes falling backward. And yeah, I thought one comment was like, This is me after I get home from work or This is me in the Zoom meeting that could have been an email. I think its funny the way an image can be so viral and have so many different meme interpretations.

It looks like Lincolns right leg is a little detached. Is there an internal structure to the sculpture, like some sort of metal skeleton that keeps the sections together?

The leg is another funny story where someone took it, then brought it back a week later. I accepted that as a thing that happened to the sculpture. It mysteriously came back, but its hard to pop it back in the same way.

Could you describe the original intention of the piece, and is there any tension between that vision and how people ran with it online?

This artwork is part of the Wax Monument series Ive been doing since 2017. Thats really when I started getting interested in the landscape of public memorials and how they interact with our community. For this work, we chose Garrison Elementary School because it sits on top of Camp Barker, which was a Civil Warera freedmens community that we often dont learn about. I think we learned this history that Lincoln freed the slaves, but we arent taught what happened to the early freed communities, the injustices of that period of Reconstruction, and the concept of reparations.

I have no qualms with wherever people take it. I think that is what public artwork is about. Thats what I think love most about public art. The thing that makes me most uncomfortable and the thing I love the most is that I never know whats going to happen and its totally outside of my control. Usually in my more studio practice when Im presenting at a gallery, I never have those same opportunities to be surprised.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Jamaal Bowman has decided to close out his race for the Democratic nomination in New Yorks 16th Congressional District by running as if his opponent is named AIPAC. At a weekend rally, he shouted, Were going to show fucking AIPAC the power of the motherfucking South Bronx (which is where the rally was held, but its not part of his district).

One explanation for this peculiar strategic choice is that Bowman is trying to boost his base by heightening its ideological and socioeconomic fault lines to the point that it would propel him outside its geographic boundaries. Another is that Bowman, who was found in the last poll to be trailing by 17 points, grasps his imminent defeat and is already positioning himself for a job at a professional protest organization by branding AIPAC as the author of his defeat.

But the theory that makes the most sense to me is Bowman has simply gotten so carried away with the logic of progressive-movement politics that hes lost all sight of the practical opportunities to build an electoral coalition rooted in the liberal side of the intra-Jewish debate. (This is also the broad theory of the case suggested by Daniel Marans in his outstanding reported analysis of the race.)

The role of AIPAC, a pro-Israel lobbying organization, has dominated coverage of the race between Bowman and current Westchester county executive George Latimer. And it is true that AIPAC has ploughed a fortune into the race in hopes of defeating Bowman, who has staked out increasingly hostile positions since October 7.

But AIPAC also spent heavily against Bowman when he first ran and won, unseating longtime Israel champion Elliot Engel in 2020. The same reason Bowman overcame the impact of AIPAC spending four years ago, but faces an uphill struggle to do so now, is that he has moved significantly to the left on Israel. As a result of that continued shift, he drew an attractive challenger, Latimer, into the race, compounding his challenge.

The easiest way to measure the change is that in 2020, Bowman had J Streets endorsement. J Street is a liberal pro-Israel group that has a fraction of AIPACs budget and also lacks its decades of institutional ties to the Jewish community. But J Street, which believes in the two-state solution and assigns Israels government a large share of the blame for its failure to materialize, represents a significant and growing share of Jewish opinion.

This year, J Street withdrew its endorsement of Bowman. That devastating move followed a series of comments Bowman had made that aligned himself with left-wing protesters rather than with liberal Zionists. The final straw was Bowmans appearance with Norman Finkelstein, a hyperbolic critic of Israel and author of The Holocaust Industry: Reflections on the Exploitation of Jewish Suffering. That episode, which Bowman did apologize for, followed a long string of comments, including a podcast where he stated, The money to Israel is part of supporting another settler colonial project, which Israel is. The phrase settler colonial project evokes an antisemitic left-wing theory.

The tragedy of Bowmans alienation from liberal Jewish opinion is that he squandered what was once a viable opportunity to recast the communitys political orientation.

Despite its budget, AIPACs claim to represent Jewish opinion is truly vulnerable. Many American Jews, like a vocal minority of Israel Jews, consider Benjamin Netanyahus one-state project a threat to Israels long-term survival. AIPAC supports the position of whatever government is in power in Israel, a method that definitionally excludes the possibility that Israels own government might pose a threat to itself. In the past, when Labor and Likud regularly traded power in Israel, AIPACs ecumenical stance made it somewhat agnostic on whether Israel should pursue peace with the Palestinians. The rights grip on the Israeli electorate over the past 15 years has turned AIPAC into a functionally conservative organization.

The political opportunity Bowman seized four years ago, and has now squandered, was to position himself as an advocate of J Streetstyle liberal Zionism. That is a viable niche in the Jewish community. But running against AIPAC and J Street is a formula for giving up on the Jewish vote.

One rough comparison would be how Black voters approach affirmative action. The communitys opinion is more splintered than one might think based on the position of advocacy organizations  slightly more than half of Black Americans approved of the Supreme Court ruling striking down racial preferences in admissions. A Democrat who opposed racial preferences could probably compete for Black votes if they had other ties to the community to fall back on. A candidate who was obsessed with the evils of affirmative action, and tried to turn the race into a referendum on quotas, probably couldnt. Liberal Jews who disagree with AIPAC are going to suspect that somebody who treats AIPAC as the greatest force for evil in the world is harboring deeper levels of hostility toward their community.

Bowman is a flawed candidate whos made a series of weird statements and infamously pulled a fire alarm in Congress for reasons hes struggled to explain but that appeared to be a ham-handed attempt to delay a vote. But Latimer, for all his polish, has hardly run a perfect race. His awkward characterizations of Bowmans identity politics (Does he have an obvious ethnic benefit? Yes.) sound dated.

Latimer also committed what would in ordinary circumstances be a deadly gaffe when he came out against any tax increase on the rich. Here Latimer adopted a stance that is unpopular not just with Democratic-primary voters but the entire electorate. But despite making some efforts to exploit this wedge in their debate, Bowman has chosen instead to focus on AIPAC.

Bowman seems almost to crave political martyrdom. But if he does lose, it would be more accurate to attribute his demise to political suicide.
Photo: Hannah Beier/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Donald Trump has hurled many insults at his Democratic rival, President Joe Biden, in an attempt to see what sticks. Hes tried to paint Biden as so feeble that hes in need of a cognitive test and also as the mastermind of a deep government conspiracy against Trumps political campaign.

Over the weekend, Trump pivoted back to a line he hadnt employed in a while, suggesting that Biden will use drugs to enhance his performance. Right now, Crooked Joes gone to a log cabin to study, to prepare. No, hes sleeping now cause they want to get him good and strong. So, a little before debate time, he gets a shot in the ass. They want to strengthen him up, he said during a Saturday rally at Temple Universitys Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. I say, hell come out all jacked up.

Trump took it a step further and suggested with no evidence that Biden could be using illegal substances, pointing to the small amount of cocaine that was discovered in the White House complex last summer. Whatever happened to all that cocaine that was missing a month ago from the White House? he mused.

On Monday, Trump raised the idea of the two of them being tested for drugs. DRUG TEST FOR CROOKED JOE BIDEN??? I WOULD, ALSO, IMMEDIATELY AGREE TO ONE!!!, he posted on social media.

Its a distinct change in tactic that suggests that Trump and his team are wary of setting the bar too low for Biden ahead of their long-anticipated showdown. But its not new. Before Bidens State of the Union in February, Republicans made a point of lowering expectations, pointing to the presidents age and energy levels. In contrast, Biden ultimately gave a strong, full-throated, and at times combative speech that was largely well-received by pundits. Trump would later allege the president was on drugs during the primetime address. Hes previously suggested a drug test for Biden during the 2020 debates and for his opponent Hillary Clinton over their 2016 face-offs.

Aside from floating unverified allegations, Trump did acknowledge that he would soon be facing an experienced debater in Biden. During an appearance on the All-In podcast last week, Trump made reference to Bidens lauded debate performance against Republican vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan in 2012, saying he destroyed Ryan. I assume hes going to be somebody that will be a worthy debater. I dont want to underestimate him, he said.

The two candidates have taken a fair number of shots at the other while working out the scheduling of their future debates. In a video message in May, Biden tried to bait Trump into agreeing to two one-on-one debates, quipping that he heard he was free on Wednesdays, a reference to Trumps court schedule for his hush-money trial.

Trump agreed to debate Biden in June and September, responding in a TruthSocial post, Crooked Joe Biden is the WORST debater I have ever faced - He cant put two sentences together!
And his PR team is now trying heavily to smear the cop as being an asshole for pulling locals over and being too over eager to give out traffic citations. Yes, ACAB, but in this case, JTAB (Justin Timberlakes Are Bastards) for drinking and driving.

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They are not going to win over the public by showing this dude is not intimidated by rich people. lmao

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1 martini and 20 nose beers

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And some



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Im in public and cant listen to this but Im saving for later

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MTE



He could have only had one drink but who knows what other shit he was on. That's the bad deal on bartenders sometimes, you're not a doc and so you're watching body language, slurring, etc. But I think many bartenders serving only one drink wouldn't know if the dude was on some shit.



On the flip side, the bartender is probably worried they'll get sacked and might have lied and over served him/ didn't realize he was already under the influence and trying to save their ass. I've known too many bartenders that see a celeb and give them whatever in hopes of a big tip.

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this is such heavy handed PR work lmao

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I wonder how much the 'tip' was. You know the one given the day after.

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exactly what I was thinking and going to rhethorically ask... how much did he get paid.... for real...

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Even if he did have one martini, something was causing his impaired driving.

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Entitlement and coke.

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Undigested mediocrity and repeated unaccountability

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The stress of the tourthe world tourand my tour I mean cocaineand by world tour I mean that good Colombian shit.

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Bartender can lie. He could have been drinking somewhere else or on drugs

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One martini three shots and four beers.

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I read that witnesses claimed he was drinking from other peoples glasses.

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like my grandma

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Seriously do celebs not pregame?

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I agree. He/she could be saving their own ass from getting in trouble. I've seen it too often that they get all star struck and give the celeb what they want in hopes of a big tip. I've had a few bartenders do this with regular customers and over-serve until that person is falling down drunk. Granted, they were fired real quick too.



At the same time, it could be hard to tell if Mayo was on drugs or anything else prior to the martini. OR if he was drinking his friends drink or his friends were getting drinks for him.



We have a dram law here in Utah where the establishment and employee can be sued if the drunk person hurts themselves or others while intoxicated. Cutting assholes off isn't fun but should be done no matter who they are. Granted, I love cutting assholes off. I'm happy to be that bitch.

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Sure, Jan 

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I would imagine that thy would get in some sort of trouble for overserving? I can see why they would make a statement like this, plus he could have drank a lot more elsewhere and just got "a lil something for the road" at the hotel. Not sure if people still do this bullshit but back when I used to club/barhop there was always a mad dash to the bar during last call with people wanting one last drink.

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yeah a lot of people seem to be interpreting this as a timberlake defense but it sounds more CYA to me (no snark there, would hate for this guy to get in trouble for someone elses shitty decisions)

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Right? Hes not going to say he served him 8 drinks and then the valet handed him his keys and let him go on his merry way.

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I agree, but imo they can just check the cctv from that night

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Yeah a bar can be sued for letting someone get too fucked up and especially letting them drive home. People always forget that.

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Dram Laws if the state uses them. We do in Utah. The employee and establishment can get their asses sued, fined and possibly lose their liquor license (which is a death sentence for any food/bev in Mormonville).



Had a bartender who couldn't tell a fake id (the kid looked YOUNG) and got him so intoxicated, he was denied boarding the plane. He was shocked when he was fired. Like, bro? Are you serious? The kid was barely 19.



We were cited only because we canned his ass and reported him to the state (he can't serve alcohol for approx 7 years in Utah)

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So you served him one martini, doesn't mean he didn't do or drink other shit from other people, my good dude.

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Yeah wasn't it reported that he stole someone else's drink from the table over?

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Yeah, someone reportedly said Justin thats my drink!



They sure are trying it.

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Well its prob bc alcohol doesnt mix well with truvada !

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and the poppers and molly!

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this isnt sus at all

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I was quick to believe that fake tweet because I was distracted when I read it and ALSO because I dont have any problems believing this man had other things in his system. Or maybe he pre-gamed and it hit him all at once.



Theres just no way he had one regular martini.

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one martini ain't negating that pound of coke he inhaled buddy

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It doesn't really matter how many drinks he had. He was impaired, warned and still kept driving.



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Edited at 2024-06-24 02:54 am (UTC)

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The inclusion of white Michelle Williams! Heeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

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Hearing Michelle say this is truly one of the highlights of my life lmao

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It still makes me laugh every single time!

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i sometimes randomly que up spotify, browse the audiobook and hit play on this chapter. it soothes me.

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Barely a couple of years ago, setting climate targets and emission reduction plans was de rigueur in the business world. There was a veritable race to out-target competitors in order to win the hearts, minds, and wallets of customers and investors. Now, this has all changed.

Last week, the Energy Institutes Statistical Review of World Energy showed global emissions are still on the rise while the total share of alternative energy sources dubbed renewable in the global mix remained minuscule. Overall energy demand also rose, as did oil demand specifically.

The findings of the Energy Institute were hardly a surprise. Still, some in the corporate world may have been surprised after so many years of promises from climate NGOs that ESG investing is the way forward and that relying on hydrocarbons was very yesterday and very unsustainableand unprofitable.

In just a few short years, ESG investing failed to live up to the hype, wind and solar developers suffered a massive stock crash because of a surge in production costs, and EV makers got themselves into a bind with fewer and fewer people enthusiastic about their products. While this was happening, corporations found out their climate targets were quite often unrealistic. So they started revising them or straight out dropping them.

Related: U.S. Remains The Worlds Most Attractive Renewables Market

The Financial Times published an overview of the trend recently, noting that the revisions and cancelations of climate targets had been motivated by political and regulatory developmentsor the lack thereof. Another common complaint among business executives, it appears, was the absence of sufficient government support, commonly called subsidies.

That last point seems especially noteworthy because governments in Europe and the United States, where most of those climate-ambitious corporations are based, are being rather generous with their subsidies for the transition to a low-emission economic model. Still, this has not been enough for these corporations to meet their targets, including severing ties with polluting sectors, as the FT put it, which in most cases means the energy industry.

Everyone got swept up in a wave of enthusiasm, the head of sustainable investing research at Dutch asset manager Robeco, Rachel Whittaker, told the FT. The reality is not so easy. Indeed, reality has repeatedly demonstrated that there is quite a gap between setting emission reduction goals on paper and actually reducing these emissions, whether through actual cuts in activity or through the purchase of carbon offsets.

The latter have come into the spotlight following reports showing that they consistently fail to live up to their promise, casting a shadow over the whole emission-cutting push, of which these offsets were to be a bigand lucrativepart, according to transition champions such as John Kerry.

Then, there is the problem of actual emission reduction through cuts in activity. Shell was ordered by a court in the Netherlands to do just that after an environmentalist group sued the company and won a couple of years ago. Shell appealed and this year reversed its transition plans that indeed featured shrinking production of oil and gas. The decision, announced by CEO Wael Sawan, caused a stir in the media and likely satisfaction among investors as demand for oil and gas remained robust while Shells low-carbon ventures were falling short of expectations, just like BPs, which also did a U-turn on its transition plans shortly before CEO Bernard Looney was ousted.

Banks supposed to be cutting the amount of business they do with the oil and gas industry have been slow in effecting these cuts, for the most part. There have been some, such as French Credit Agricole, which have announced plans to sever all ties with hydrocarbon-producing businesses, but most have, despite their emission pledges, remained invested in the energy industry. This has been for the simple reason that these investments have been profitable, unlike many in the low-emissions segment of the industry spectrum.

There are also all those companies from various industries that have simply discovered their targets were more hopeful than realistic. Now, they are going on impossible amid the regulatory push from governments in the West aimed at preventing so-called greenwashing or making false statements about emission reduction activities.

Because of that push, a lot of companies are having second thoughts about their climate targets because they may be unable to prove they are indeed making progress towards their targets. And thats because the so-called reporting standards rely on emission reporting methods that the FT called frustrating guesswork.

Canada recently gave the world a taste of what taking this to extremes looks like when it passed a law essentially banning companies from making any claims about emission reduction unless they have sound proof that these claims are factual. The oil and gas industry reacted by removing all content from industry group websites and slamming the government for the vague definitions in the law that would make providing this proof of climate progress well-nigh impossible while opening the door to lawsuits for climate activists.

The business world is going back on its climate commitments after it discovered there is a big difference between hopes and ambitions, on the one hand, and physical reality, on the other. As governments double down on their own climate planswhich depend on the business world playing alongwe might see an even greater divide between the two.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Russian firms shipped tens of thousands of tons of wheat and peas out of occupied parts of Ukraine in 2023 to EU member Spain, NATO member Turkey, and Azerbaijan, the investigative unit of RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service, Schemes, and its partners have found.



Similar amounts of barley and corn reached Moscow allies Iran and Syria, which have an established track record of buying Ukrainian grain appropriated by Russia, Schemes, the Ukrainian hacker group KibOrg, the Belarusian Investigative Center, and Vyortska, an independent Russian-language media outlet, determined in an investigation based on official Russian documents and other sources.



At least 6.4 million tons of wheat alone were harvested from Russian-occupied Crimea and Russian-held parts of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhya regions in 2023, according to satellite estimates by NASAs Harvest program, which tracks food-security threats. SeaKrime, a nongovernmental Ukrainian project that tracks Russias illegal grain shipments from Ukraine, has reported that 2 million tons of that harvest were shipped abroad from Crimeas ports.



Such sales undermine Ukraines war-battered economy and provide Russia with revenue to finance the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year.



For 2023, Schemes and its partners documented Russian sales of nearly 35,000 tons of wheat, barley, corn, and peas from the Kherson region and Crimea at discounted customs rates.

Hacked documents from Khersons occupation administrators, leaked Russian customs data, and information from the online trade database Import Genius confirmed the role of at least four Russian companies  Agro-Fregat, Pallada, Sim-Trans Group, and TD Fregat  in these transactions.

One of these companies, Pallada, has a remote connection to the general contractor for construction of a massive residential complex on Russias Black Sea coast known as Putins palace.



Though Russian customs and occupation-administration documents show that the products came from the Kherson region and Crimea, rather than from Russia, whether the buyers ever questioned the origins of the products they were purchasing is unclear. None agreed to discuss the matter.



How It Works



The Kherson region, part of Ukraines breadbasket, boasted a record harvest of 3.1 million tons of grain in 2021  a bounty that attracted Russian firms once Russian forces occupied parts of the southern region in 2022.



Satellite data in 2022 showed trucks traveling from Kherson and the neighboring Zaporizhzhya region, also partially Russian-occupied, to Crimea for shipment abroad.



In 2023, Russian companies shipped an estimated 6.2 million euros ($6.7 million) worth of agricultural products from the Kherson region at discounted Russian customs rates or duty-free, according to Russian customs data and contracts from the occupation administration.



Volodymyr Saldo, an ex-mayor of the city of Kherson who is the top occupation official in the Russian-held part of the region, has the power to approve or reject the decisions of a commission that assigns these discounts.

In 2023, about a dozen Russian companies applied for the special rates.



The commissions decisions enabled Schemes and its partners to trace Russian companies illegal sales of Khersons agricultural products abroad.



European Union



Since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union has banned over 91.2 million euros ($97.6 million) worth of Russian imports but has avoided barring Russian-EU trade in food and health products in order not to harm the Russian population, an EU explainer states.

That spells opportunity for Russias Agro-Fregat, a wholesale agricultural exporter, whose train cars RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service has photographed in Crimea. In a 2022 article, Oleksiy Makeyev, a Ukrainian Foreign Ministry special envoy on sanctions, denounced Agro-Fregat, based in southwestern Russias Rostov region, and seven other Russian firms for exporting stolen grain from Ukraine.



Peas also make up that portfolio. Russian export data shows that, in September 2023, Agro-Fregat sent, as part of a 4,500-ton shipment to Spain, nearly 2,674 tons of peas from the Crimean port of Sevastopol. Agro-Fregat has been receiving Russian quality certifications for Crimean peas since 2022, according to Russias Federal Accreditation Service.



In 2022-23, Spain ranked as the second-largest importer of peas exported by Russia after Turkey, the Russian news agency Interfax reported.



A cargo manifest obtained by SeaKrime, a section of the Myrotvorets group, identified Agro-Fregats Spanish customer as Cereales Y Harinas Garsan S.L., a company in Spains southeastern city of Lorca that says it distributes foodstuffs to 12 countries.



Cereales Y Harinas Garsan did not respond to a request for comment. In a May 25 phone call with Schemes, Agro-Fregat CEO Dmitry Lapkin denied any knowledge of shipments from the Kherson region.



Turkey, Too



But Agro-Fregat routinely exports from the Kherson region: In June and July 2023, it requested permission from the commission to export 25,000 tons of wheat and meslin, a mixture of cereals and legumes, at discounted rates. The buyer, according to occupation administration documents, was the Turkish company Velar Tarim Sanayi ve Tic. A.S (Velar), headquartered in the city of Adana.



Turkey, which exports military goods to Ukraine, ranked in 2022-23 as the main importer of grain exported by Russia, according to agribusiness consultants APK-Inform.



At least 9,554 tons of the wheat and meslin for Velar, according to a Russian government itinerary confirmed by tracking by MarineTraffic, a shipping intelligence site, traveled on August 7, 2023, from Crimeas Sevastopol Bay to Russias Port Kavkaz on the Kerch Strait on board the Alfa M, and thence, two days later, on to Turkeys Mediterranean port of Mersin on board the St. Olga.



Velar did not respond to questions about this shipment.



Azerbaijan



Turkeys South Caucasus ally Azerbaijan, which has close ties with Moscow, has described itself as a loyal and dear friend to Ukraine. It also is a regular customer for Russian-expropriated wheat from Ukraine.



Wheat imports classified as Russian, in fact, narrowly outranked petroleum products in 2022 as Azerbaijans main Russian import, valued at $294 million, according to the trade data site OEC.



The Moscow-based Sim-Trans Group describes itself as one of the top three wheat exporters to Azerbaijan. In 2023, it exported the ruble equivalent of just under $410,000 worth of grain, according to an official Russian foreign trade database, to the Baku-registered company Diba.



The origin of all these wheat shipments is unclear. But in 2023, Sim-Trans Group received permission from the commission to send Diba up to 2,200 tons of grain from Kherson, occupation-administration documents show.



Sim-Trans Group did not answer phone calls about this shipment. Diba did not respond to requests for comment.



Iran And Syria



One Russian company, Pallada, LLC, which sent at least 15,400 tons of Kherson barley under a discounted Russian customs rate in 2023 to Irans Persian Gulf port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, has a distant connection to sanctioned Croatian businessman Kresimir Filipovic, who Russian media have reported was involved in the construction of a luxury estate in Gelendzhik on Russias Black Sea coast that was allegedly built for Russian President Vladimir Putin.



Pallada was registered as a grain wholesaler in the southwestern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don a few weeks before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.



Its minority owner is Megapolis-Invest, a Russian corporate management firm that previously controlled a company, Waveform Investments, formerly majority owned by Filipovic, according to the business database KonturFocus.

The independent media outlet Proyekt has identified a Filipovic-owned business, Velesstroi, as the general contractor for construction of Putins palace.



The extent of Filipovics involvement in Pallada, if any, is unclear.



The firms majority owner, according to the Russian business registry SBIS, is Sergei Kuznetsov, a 47-year-old Muscovite.



Kuznetsov did not respond to Vyorstkas May 31 question via Telegram about whether he is Palladas nominal owner in favor of Megapolis-Invest and Filipovic.



Another Russian exporter, the Moscow-based TD Fregat LLC, also declined to comment. In May 2023, it received a customs-duty discount on 3,000 tons of Kherson corn as part of an 8,000-ton export from Crimea to the Syrian port of Latakia.



TD Fregat, which says it specializes in complex operations in the grain industry, did not respond to a request for elaboration.

By RFE/RL

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The year-long efforts of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to acquire German chemicals firm Covestro moved a step closer to a successful conclusion after Covestro said on Monday it had decided to enter into concrete negotiations with Adnoc and open its books for due diligence on a proposed $12.5 billion (11.7 billion euros) deal.

Covestros board has decided to enter into these talks with ADNOC regarding a potential transaction after Abu Dhabis state energy firm has raised its offer.

Starting point for the negotiations is a possible offer price of  62 per Covestro share that Adnoc has indicated to Covestro, which is subject, among other things, to the results of the confirmatory due diligence and agreement on the content of an investment agreement, the German firm said.

We have made good progress in our discussions with Adnoc. Therefore, we have decided to enter into concrete transaction negotiations with Adnoc, Markus Steilemann, CEO of Covestro, said in a statement.

There is no certainty that a deal would be reached, Covestro said.

A spokesperson for ADNOC told Reuters, commenting on Covestro's decision,

We look forward to jointly working with Covestro to swiftly progress due diligence for this important transaction.

The offer of 62 euros ($66.62) per share is ADNOCs final offer, the spokesperson told Reuters.

ADNOC first approached Covestro a year ago. In September 2023, Covestro launched open-ended talks with the Abu Dhabi firm.

ADNOC is pursuing deals to expand in international markets, including in petrochemicals, as the major oil producers in the Middle East are keen to expand the markets for their oil and products and lock in future demand.

But last month, ADNOC terminated talks to buy a stake in Brazils petrochemicals company Braskem from its controlling company Novonor.

At the end of last year, the state oil giant of the United Arab Emirates proposed a non-binding offer to buy a stake in Braskem, in an offer implying an equity value of $2.14 billion (10.5 billion Brazilian reals) for Novonors 38.3% stake in the Brazilian company.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The international oil companies operating in Nigeria are seeking to undermine the operations and profit margins of Africas largest refinery, Dangote, by asking for high premiums for domestically produced crude, a senior official at the Dangote refinery has told local media.

The Dangote Refinery in Nigeria, Africas biggest, began the production of fuels in January 2024, marking the start-up of the refinery that has seen years of delays.

Now a senior official accuses the multinational companies operating in the country of plotting to bankrupt the refinery.

While the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) are trying their best to allocate the crude for us, the IOCs are deliberately and willfully frustrating our efforts to buy the local crude, Devakumar Edwin, Vice President, Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), told Nigerian media this weekend.

It seems that the IOCs objective is to ensure that our Petroleum Refinery fails. It is either they are deliberately asking for ridiculous/humongous premium or, they simply state that crude is not available, Nigerias newspapers quoted Edwin as saying.

The refinery had to pay $6 per barrel above the market price at one point, the official added.

It appears that the objective of the IOCs is to ensure that Nigeria remains a country which exports crude oil and imports refined petroleum products, Edwin was also quoted as saying.

The Dangote refinery, which has a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), is expected to meet 100% of Nigerias demand for all refined petroleum products and have a surplus of each of the products for export.

The refinery expects to export diesel to customers in Europe, as well as gasoline to Latin American and African markets. However, production of Euro V gasoline, the gasoline complying with Europes emissions standards, is not expected to be produced until late 2024, according to analysts at Facts Global Energy.

Aliko Dangote, Africas richest man, is looking to set up a trading firm that would handle crude supply for the new mega refinery in Nigeria, Reuters reported in March, citing multiple sources with knowledge of the plans.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The European Union adopted on Monday a new sanctions package against Russia, targeting Russian LNG projects and shipments for the first time and looking to curb Moscows use of the so-called dark fleet to circumvent the price caps on Russian crude and oil products.

The EU member states approved today the 14th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. The EUs latest sanction measures target high-value sectors of the Russian economy, like energy, finance, and trade, and make it ever more difficult to circumvent EU sanctions, the EU said in a statement.

The EU will ban reloading services of Russian LNG in EU territory for the purpose of transshipment operations to third countries, after a transition period of 9 months. This covers both ship-to-ship transfers and ship-to-shore transfers, as well as re-loading operations, and does not affect import but only re-export to third countries via the EU, the bloc said.

Trans-shipment of LNG within the EU has been a widespread practice so far, although the volumes dont represent a large part of Russias LNG exports.

The EU, however, is stopping short of outright banning imports of Russian LNG, as it did with oil and oil products. [if !supportLineBreakNewLine] [endif]

To further try to restrict Russian LNG revenues, the EU also agreed to prohibit new investments, as well as the provision of goods, technology, and services for the completion of LNG projects under construction, such as Arctic LNG 2 and Murmansk LNG.

Moreover, the package now bans the import of Russian LNG into specific import terminals that are not connected to the EU gas pipeline network.

The EU also placed 27 vessels on a sanctions list in a new measure targeting the dark fleet which circumvents the EU and Price Cap Coalition's caps, while adopting deceptive shipping practices in complete disregard of international standards.

The 14th package of sanctions demonstrates our unity in supporting Ukraine and seeking to limit Russias criminal activities against Ukrainians, including efforts to circumvent EU measures, said Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Three days of mourning have begun in Russias predominantly Muslim Republic of Dagestan after a spate of terror attacks on Sunday (June 23) left a Russian Orthodox priest, three other civilians and at least 15 police officers dead, Russian officials said.

The assailants attacked a Russian Orthodox church in the coastal city of Derbent and another in the Dagestan capital, Makhachkala. Also attacked in Derbent was a synagogue, and both the church building and the synagogue reportedly caught fire.

Another synagogue was reportedly set on fire in Makhachkala.

Russias Investigative Committee said in a statement that five of the assailants, described as terrorists, were killed, while Sergey Melikov, head of the Dagestan Republic, said at least six militants were killed.

Dagestan Interior Ministry spokeswoman Gayana Gariyeva reportedly told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency that a 66-year-old Russian Orthodox priest was slain. The BBC named the priest as the Rev. Nikolai Kotelnikov, who served the parish in Derbent for more than 40 years. The Washington Post reported that he led the Church of Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Derbent.

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According to the information I received, Father Nikolay was killed in the church in Derbent, they slit his throat. He was 66-years-old and very ill, Shamil Khadulaev, chairman of Dagestans Public Monitoring Commission, reportedly said.

Members of the priests family witnessed the killing, according to Russian newspaper Izvestia. He left behind his wife, three children and grandchildren.

The assailants reportedly opened fire at the church building and synagogue at 6 p.m. Officials said they escaped in a white Volkswagen Polo car. Videos published online after the attack show the synagogue ablaze.

At nearly the same time in Makhachkala, another Russian Orthodox church was attacked, and 15 police officers were killed. A synagogue was also attacked in Makhachkala, according to a statement from the Russian Jewish Congress (RJC).

TASS reported that a security guard was killed in a shootout at the cathedral in Makhachkala, where 19 people had locked themselves inside, according to CNN. They have since been safely evacuated, TASS reported, citing the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Dagestan.

A member of the national guard was also reported slain, and 12 law enforcement officers were injured.

This is a day of tragedy for Dagestan and the whole country, posted Sergei Melikov, governor of the Dagestan region, on the Telegram messaging app. We understand who is behind the organization of the terrorist attacks and what goal they pursued.

The governor, however, gave no further details, according to Reuters. He vowed that law enforcement would continue the search until all of the gunmen were identified. Russias National Anti-Terrorist Committee reportedly described the attacks in the predominantly Muslim region with a history of armed militancy as terrorist acts. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Security force launched a manhunt to find the assailants of the attacks, which happened about 128 kilometers (80 miles) apart. State media in Russia claimed that two detained attackers were sons linked to the head of central Dagestans Sergokala District, according to Reuters.

Dagestans Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia said it was investigating the circumstances and persons involved in the terrorist attacks.

Tonight in Derbent and Makhachkala, unknown people made attempts to destabilize the public situation, Melikov reportedly said on Sunday (June 23). Dagestan police officers stood in their way.

Located at Russias southernmost point, Dagestan is a mountainous region with 40 ethnicities bordering Georgia and Azerbaijan. Official figures say the population is 3.2 million, the vast majority Sunni Muslims.

Russian has long fought an Islamist insurgency in the Muslim-majority North Caucasus, including many Dagestanis who left to join the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on a Moscow concert venue in March that killed 137 people. Muslim extremists have often attacked Christian and Jewish sites in Dagestan; in 2018, gunman opened fire on member of a church in Kizlyar, killing five women.
Yemens Houthis have claimed a joint operation with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq attacking Israeli ships at the port of Haifa, Al Jazeera has reported, citing a statement by a senior Houthi official.

In a Twitter post, the director of the office of the spokesman for the Houthi armed forces wrote that there were actually two attacks carried out by the Houthis and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. One of these targeted ships at Haifa port while the other targeted a vessel in the Mediterranean. The shipthe Shorthorn Expresswas en route to the port of Haifa.

According to Yahya Sarees statement on television, the attacks were prompted by the four vessels at Haifa port violating a ban that the Houthi authorities had announced previously on Israel-linked ships entering Palestinian ports.

Meanwhile, the UKs Maritime Trade Operations reported that the Houthis had struck yet another merchant vessel in Yemeni waters on Sunday.

The Master of a merchant vessel reports being hit by uncrewed aerial system, resulting in damage to the vessel. All crew members are reported safe, and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call, UKMTO said.

The Houthis began attacking ships in the Red Sea in November, calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and pledging to continue targeting ships in the Red Sea until Israel stopped bombing Gaza.

The attacks on the key waterway between Europe and Asia caused a massive rerouting of vessels around Africa, making journeys between the two continents longer and more expensive, and messing up maritime schedules.

The U.S. has been looking to deter the Houthis from attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea and has carried out many strikes against Houthi missiles and drones in areas in Yemen controlled by the Iran-aligned group.

At the end of May, the Houthis expanded their reach and hit six vessels in three seas, the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. Prior to this, the Houthis had not managed to reach as far as the Mediterranean, which is a rather troubling development for the West.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Saudi Arabia has signed a $1.5-billion deal with Siemens Energy for two gas-fired power plants that will produce electricity for the Kingdom as soon as 2026, with full operations to begin the following year, Gulf media reported on Monday. Siemens will supply the key components for the Taiba 2 and Qassim 2 power plants to be built in Saudi Arabias western and central regions, providing approximately 2,000 megawatts of electricity as the Kingdom seeks to change up its energy mix. China Energy International Group is Siemens contracting partner for the power plant project.The deal also includes a 25-year maintenance contract for Siemens. The Taiba and Qassim power plants, once built, will be among the largest and most efficient steam turbine power plants in the world, replacing a heavily oil-reliant structure.

"Saudi Arabia is driving forward its vision 2030 to transform the Kingdom into a pioneering economic location. The new gas-fired power plants will provide reliable energy supply and contribute to the sustainable and future-oriented development of the country. Our Siemens Energy local service hub in Dammam will make an important contribution in expanding and localizing technology and competencies in the Kingdom, Trade Arabia quoted Karim Amin, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens Energy, as saying on Monday.

The Kingdom plans to spend $10 billion overall to expand its Master Gas System, laying new pipelines and upgrading operating systems in an attempt to make the shift from crude oil to natural gas. The two new gas-powered plants will save the country an estimated 60% in carbon dioxide emissions compared to oil-powered plants, according to The National news outlet.

In the third-quarter of last year, Saudi oil giant Aramco launched a partnership with Siemens to develop a small-scale direct air capture test unit for managing carbon dioxide emissions. Aramco is hoping to use captured CO2 from the air in the production of lower carbon synthetic fuels, through two flagship demonstration projects in NEOM in the countrys northwest, and in Spain, according to the Aramco website.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Twenty-two workers were killed in a fire that followed a series of explosions at a lithium battery factory just outside of Seoul, South Korea on Monday, with authorities not yet clear on what caused the disaster.

Citing a local fire official, the Associated Press reported that the fire started when battery cells exploded inside the warehouse, though authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion.

The victims were reportedly foreign workers, the majority of whom are Chinese laborers.

The blaze started at 10:30 a.m. local time and was extinguished in six hours, Reuters reports.

"The fact that there were so many casualties when this was on only the second floor is because of the toxic materials and not so much because of burns," Reuters quoted Park Chul-wan at Seojeong University as saying.

South Korea is a key producer of lithium-ion batteries and a leading exporter. The company, Aricell, manufactures lithium batteries for sensors and radio communication devices.

Company executives can be held accountable, with prison terms, in South Korea for fatal industrial accidents based on new legislation passed two years ago, according to Reuters.

Lithium-ion batteries are energy-dense, with highly flammable materials that could lead to fire, explosion, radiation, heat and chemical exposure. They can develop thermal runways that lead to high temperatures causing batteries to vent combustible gas or to ignite, though some experts argue that these occurrences are extremely rare.

In February, a fire broke out in a warehouse storing lithium-ion batteries in southern France, causing no casualties, but requiring 70 firefighters to extinguish.

In late May, the New York State Senate passed a legislative package to enhance safety standards for lithium-ion batteries following a series of public safety incidents. At the same time, the U.S. House approved legislation in May mandating federal safety standards for lithium-ion batteries to prevent fires.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Mexicos newest refinery, the long-delayed Olmeca processing facility with a planned capacity of 340,000 barrels per day (bpd), is unlikely to be ready to produce commercial quantities of fuels by the end of this year, five sources familiar with the operations told Reuters on Monday.

The Olmeca refinery, also known as Dos Bocas, is a flagship project of outgoing Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who sought to reduce Mexicos dependence on fuel imports from the United States.

The refinery, however, has seen multiple delays and budget overruns and is now estimated to have needed double the initial budgeted investment. Initially budgeted at $8 billion, the refinery went into significant cost overruns, with the price tag to date standing at some $18 billion and the start date still unclear.

Olmeca is set to boost Mexicos current refining capacity by about 20%, but this will not happen in Lopez Obradors term in office, according to Reuters sources. Lopez Obradors successor, President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum, will take office on October 1 and will see the refinery begin commercial production of fuels.

Just last week, Pemexs chief executive Octavio Romero said that the refinery would begin crude oil processing in the second half of this year. The facility is expected to significantly enhance the company's domestic processing capabilities, with a target to process 163,000 bpd by the end of the year. This forms part of a broader strategy to increase Pemex's overall refining capacity to 1.44 million bpd. The refinery is expected to produce a significant portion of its output in diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel. By September, just before President Lopez Obrador leaves office, the refinery aims to ramp up its production to 274,000 bpd.

However, Reuters sources say that it would be impossible for the new refinery to meet these goals and that the progress toward start-up was exaggerated ahead of the presidential election early this month.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Japanese trading major Mitsui has acquired more shale acreage in Texas as it seeks to expand its presence in the prolific region.

The asset, dubbed Tatonka, was sold by two private companiesSabana LLC and Vanna LLC, Mitsui said in a news release. It also noted that the asset has access to the Gulf Coast industrial area including export terminals for liquefied natural gas and ammonia production facilities.

In the U.S., where demand for natural gas is expected to increase due to the start-up of new LNG projects and growth in demand for electricity, Mitsui is also promoting liquefaction and export of U.S. natural gas to global markets, and methanol production businesses using natural gas as feedstock, the company also said.

U.S. LNG has become a magnet for energy investors in light of forecasts predicting robust demand growth for natural gas in the coming years, despite a push against the cleanest burning hydrocarbon.

Saudi Aramco was also recently reported to be interested in entering U.S. LNG with a stake in a project at the planning stage and a long-term offtake contract with the operator of another facility.

The project Aramco eyes a stake in is Tellurians troubled Driftwood LNG facility, which has been plagued by delays, with the company saying earlier this year it planned to make the final investment decision on the project by the end of 2024.

The Driftwood project has a price tag of some $25 billion, of which Tellurian has already spent around $1 billion, with construction at around 30% of completion.

Driftwood LNG will comprise five liquefaction trains, with the first phase of development to add 11 million tons of LNG annually to the U.S. total. Currently, LNG export facilities in the United States have a combined operating capacity under real-world operating conditions of 11.4 billion cubic feet daily, the EIA said in its Annual Energy Outlook last year.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Enbridge is teaming up with a consortium of First Nations to develop a wind power project in Canadas Saskatchewan province in the first Indigenous partnership in renewables for the Canadian pipeline giant.

Enbridge and Six Nations Energy Development LP (Six Nations)  a newly-created consortium of Cowessess First Nation, George Gordon First Nation, Kahkewistahaw First Nation, Metis Nation-Saskatchewan, Pasqua First Nation, and White Bear First Nations  plan to advance the 200-megawatt Seven Stars Energy Project. The wind power project is expected to produce enough emissions-free electricity to support the annual energy needs of more than 100,000 Saskatchewan homes, Enbridge said on Monday.

The financial participation of the partners will be partially supported by loan guarantees of up to US$73 million (C$100 million) from the Saskatchewan Indigenous Investment Finance Corporation (SIIFC). The First Nation and Metis partners have an opportunity to buy at least 30% of the wind power project.

The partners target the project to be operational in 2027, subject to finalizing commercial agreements, securing the necessary environmental and regulatory approvals, and meeting investment criteria.

Enbridge is working toward securing a long-term power purchase agreement with SaskPower to support final investment decisions, anticipated in 2025.

The pipeline firm says it has invested US$7 billion (about C$10 billion) in renewables since its initial investment in a wind farm in 2002. Enbridges renewable energy projects  either operating or under construction  have the capacity to generate 5,261 megawatts (MW) gross of zero-emission energy, or 2,345 MW net to the company. The pipeline firm has invested so far in 23 wind farms, 14 solar energy operations, one geothermal project, and one power transmission project.

Early this year, a top Enbridge executive told Reuters that the company plans to boost its presence in offshore wind in Europe but will shy away from investments in the United States, where escalating costs and supply chain problems have been plaguing projects.

Enbridge, whose main business is oil and liquids transportation via pipeline, generates around 3% of its core earnings from its renewables business.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Canadas newly expanded Trans Mountain pipeline is now prompting American refiners on the West Coast to swap more expensive Iraqi crude with cheaper Canadian crude, Reuters reports, chalking up a 7X increase in June volumes.

The western U.S. states of California and Washington will be importing 150,000 barrels per day of Canadian crude in June, for a seven-fold increase, while Iraqi crude exports to U.S. West Coast refiners will drop from 76,000 bpd in May to just over 3,500 bpd in June, according to figures cited by Reuters.

The U.S. West Coast and Asian markets are expected to be the two top destinations for the crude now flowing through the expanded pipeline in Canada.

The new figures follow recently aired concerns by West Coast refiners of the high sulfur and acidity content and high vapor pressure that characterized the initial crude flows through the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline in Canada, Reuters reported earlier in June, citing unnamed sources.

In May, Canadian Natural Resources and U.S. firms Valero and Chevron filed complaints with the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) asking the limits to the Total Acid Number (TAN) and vapor pressure specifications on the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMX) be narrowed.

After years of delay, the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMX) went into operation last month, expanding access to markets for Canadian oil producers by tripling the capacity of the original pipeline to 890,000 barrels per day (bpd) from 300,000 bpd to carry crude from Albertas oil sands to British Columbia on the Pacific Coast.

The Federal Government of Canada bought TMX from Kinder Morgan back in 2018, together with related pipeline and terminal assets. That cost the federal government $3.3 billion (C$4.5 billion) at the time. Since then, the costs for the pipeline expansion have soared to nearly $23 billion (C$30.9 billion).

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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(Okinawa soba)

In Japan, everybody loves noodles, and Okinawans are no different. In fact, theyve got their own regional strand of the classic Asian cuisine  Okinawa soba. Its not only a local favorite, but the dish of choice for many visitors who come in search of a true taste of Okinawa.

The uninitiated may think Okinawa soba is some mere local take on those Japanese buckwheat noodles that can be slurped in just about any other corner of the country. But theyre wrong. This is a whole different dish.

Called suba in the local dialect, Okinawa soba is made from wheat flour instead of sobako, or buckwheat, like its counterpart from up north. The noodle is a little flatter and thicker compare to Chinese noodles. The color ranges from white to light yellow. As the matter of fact, the shape and the style of Okinawa soba noodles vary from island to island within the prefecture. For example, the Yaeyama Islands soba noodles tend to have a slight circular cross shape.

The soup is flavored with seaweed, bonito flakes and pork, which is cooked for many hours and very carefully skimmed.

Standard toppings include fish cake, green onion and a thick slice of stewed pork belly (san-mai niku) or pork rib (soki); while the dish is usually garnished with red pickled ginger. Boiled pigs feet, or tebichi, and pork cartilage are also popular toppings. Want an extra kick to your soba? Add some koregusu, a popular condiment made of hot-chili-infused local awamori liquor.

Each Okinawa soba restaurant has its own variation of broth and toppings, such as tofu, giblets or fried vegetables. In many restaurants, you can ask for a mix of various toppings according to preference to make your own original bowl of Okinawa soba. Prices usually vary between 500 to 800 yen ($3.70 to $5.92).

Its so tasty, and the tender pork belly soaked in rich broth just melts in your mouth. The meat is well braised until tender enough to be cut by chopstick. The boiled noodle is chewy and goes well with the soup. It is addictive. It is loved so much, in fact, that more than 190,000 bowls are consumed each day in Okinawa, according to the Okinawa Fresh Noodle Cooperative Association.

Okinawa soba is very unique because the soup is a combination of Chinese influenced broth made from pork and Japanese influenced broth made from bonito (dried fish flakes), says Atsunori Sunagawa, executive secretary of the cooperative. Today, people dont make home-made Okinawa soba much because the noodles and soup can be purchase at grocery stores  and there are more than 300 restaurants that specialize in it.

It is said that the local love affair with noodles started in the early 1500s when they were first imported from China to the Ryukyu Kingdom. During the Meiji Era (1868-1912), they began gaining popularity, but were still considered a luxury food. Over time, however, the growing popularity of noodles gave birth to the local version that Okinawans of all ages today have come to know and love. How much?

Consider this: Every year for the past decade and a half, Okinawa has been celebrating Okinawa Soba-no-Hi, or Okinawa Soba Day on Oct. 17. On this auspicious day, events honoring all things soba take place throughout Okinawa. Some shops even handout soba free of change. Soba restaurants tout special menu items and discounts; and an estimated 2,000 other eateries showcase soba on their menus for Okinawa Soba Day. But why wait till October?

Okinawa soba restaurants are almost everywhere in Okinawa. It is quick, inexpensive and tasty. Get your bowl of authentic Okinawa soba  for a true taste of Okinawa!

For more on Okinawas soba story (in Japanese), visit here.

So(ba), whats in a name?

There is more to how Okinawa soba got its name than just its place of origin.

Not long after the postwar reversion of Okinawa to the Japanese government in 1972, the mainland organization governing fair trade claims insisted that, according to its rules, Okinawan soba could not be sold as soba because it did not meet the minimum criteria.

According to Japans Fair Trade Commission, soba noodles must be comprised of at least 30 percent buckwheat. Traditional Okinawan-made soba noodles, however, have always been made with 100 percent wheat.

Many Okinawans protested the rule. In a bid to protect their traditional dish as well as livelihoods, Okinawa soba producers and the Okinawa Noodle Makers Union fought to have it changed. After lengthy negotiations, the Japanese government finally agreed to a compromise: It could be called, and hence sold, under the special name of Okinawa soba.

Oct. 17, 1978 was the day that Okinawa soba was finally, officially endorsed. Okinawans, not only celebrated the day as a victory, they made it a local holiday to honor the traditional dish and promote the local industry.

Okinawa Soba-no-Hi, or Okinawa Soba Day has been celebrated throughout the prefecture on Oct. 17 ever since.

Know your noodles: Names of local soba favorites

Okinawa Soba

(Usually) Pork Belly & Soba Noodles

Soki Soba

Pork Rib & Soba Noodles

Tebichi Soba

Pigs Feet & Soba Noodles

Nakami Soba Pork Cartilage & Soba Noodles

Yasai Soba

Vegetables & Soba Noodles

Yushi Tofu Soba

Tofu Curd & Soba Noodles

* Yushi tofu is coagulated, unformed Okinawa-style tofu (Shima tofu) that is eaten warm. Similar to oboro tofu in other parts of Japan, its favored for its rich soy taste. This tofu served in soba noodles, it is a popular dish on Okinawa.

Have a side of Jushi

Jushi is a rice dish prepared with a choice of ingredients, including pork and vegetables and is often served as a side dish with Okinawa soba. Each restaurant uses their own original broth to cook the rice. Fuchiba jushi is jushi with fushiba, or mugwort leaves.
(Okinawa)

For a mere freckle on the map, Okinawa enjoys enormous popularity. And despite the land and people being grossly burdened by decades of conflict, like the native prehistoric Sago Palm, the Japanese regions culture and spirit continue to thrive.

It is believed that many Okinawan traditions have stemmed from China around 600 years ago. Despite this claim, Okinawans are very proud of the unique qualities that distinguish them from the mainland.

If youre planning on trekking to the island when you can travel again, here's five things to consider:

1. Rare Island Pig

Things are a little topsy-turvy when it comes to pork production in Okinawa. The mystical black Berkshire island pig must have been created from the healthier of heavens, because despite its thicker-than-average fat, its significantly lower in cholesterol than other pork products, while containing increased levels of collagen and sweetness. Its buttery texture is likened to marbled beef, and chefs praise its versatility: every part of the animal can be used in cooking, from mimiga (ear) to nakami (intestine) and tebichi (trotter). However, most diners go straight for the ribs. Rafute is a popular rib dish which involves stewing the meat in soy sauce, miso, and awamori (a rice-based Okinawan liquor). The most famous dish among tourists is the soki soba, a boneless pork rib dish served with wheat soba and locally grown mozuku seaweed.

Visit Nakamurasoba for lunch or dinner, a no-frills restaurant situated on the coast in Onna-son that specializes in soba. But expect to wait among crowds of hungry diners during peak hours.

2. Nature Transforms to Art

The origin and history of each Okinawan craft is as diverse as the present-day artists who practice it.

The clusters of unglazed pottery lining sidewalks in each village are said to be typically Okinawan. However, this popular earthy style was introduced by the Chinese in the 16th century. Later, the art form of glass-melting prospered post-WWII. Both clay- and glasswares are commonly purchased as take-home souvenirs and gifts, and many glass factories offer lessons for the craftier among us.

Check out Tsuboya-odori and Heiwa-dori shopping avenue, located in the center of Naha City. Here you can find traditional fabrics, instruments, and handmade arts and crafts. If you need a starting marker, head for a pottery store called Garb Domingo.

3. Unforgettable Underwater Encounters

If youve never scuba dived before, get ready to check it off your list in Okinawa. Taking an introductory dive facilitated by one of the many dive centers dotted along the coast will give you a rare look at some of Japans most spectacularly-colored sea creatures.

Not only does the west coast possess one of the only three blue grottos known to exist in the world, but it also offers intrepid divers the opportunity to swim alongside feeding whale sharks.

Each dive site is highly diverse in marine life and topography, establishing Okinawas coastline as an expansive exhibition of natures finest.

Naoaki Ueno of Dive Center Isles in Onna-son is one of few instructors capable of adequately explaining all safety considerations and dive options, in English and Japanese. Having dived across the world over 5,000 times, he makes divers feel informed and comfortable. Uncertified divers can book an introductory dive with Nao to see the whale sharks and blue grotto.

4. Inflatable Hotel Facilities

The Japanese are known for their adoration of arcade games and persistence toward skill-based activities. Its no surprise, then, that Okinawa offers an abundance of water-based activities at most hotel-operated beaches.

Stop at any one of the privately-run northern beaches and youre likely to see vibrantly-colored objects floating atop the emerald green water. This includes jet skis, inflatable bananas or donuts, windsurfers, paragliders, pedalos, wakeboarders, waterskiers, and enough inflatable animal-shaped sun lounges to fill a zoo.

Stop and visit Manza and Ikei beaches. The horizon line at Manza Beach is obscured by a huge inflated obstacle course, where children and adults can buy a day pass to bounce, slide, and climb to their hearts content. Ikei Beach is located on a small island accessible by a road bridge. Make sure you take some change for entry fee and snorkel hire, as the netted swimming area encases a stunning array of colorful fish.

5. The Twang of Three Strings

Okinawans are so proud of their regional instrument, the three-stringed sanshin, that youll be hard-pressed to make it out of the airport without hearing its distinct twang infiltrating otherwise silent waiting areas. Traditional favorites trickle from inconspicuous speakers in restaurants, shops, and even popular outdoor shopping strips, making the sanshin the sound of Okinawa.

For those interested in seeing this ubiquitous, snakeskin-covered island treasure, there are many izakayas with scheduled evening performances situated around the tourist hubs. Check out the Paikaji restaurant in Naha City.
Younger Christian scientists have a crucial role in knocking down the zombies of atheism amid a clear trend revealing Generation Z is waking up to believe in a relationship between faith and science, according to scientist and apologist Sharon Dirckx.

She spoke on the subject of Explaining God Away: Christian Belief in a Scientific World, a plenary session held at the European Leadership Forum 2024 in Wisla, Poland on May 28.

Dirckx serves as an adjunct lecturer at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics in Oxford, England. She has a PhD in brain imaging from the University of Cambridge and is a well-known apologist.

Dirckx said that think-tank Theos commissioned a Communicate Research poll 15 years ago, which recorded 42 percent of U.K. adults agreeing with a statement from atheist scientist Richard Dawkins made in a 1996 speech to the American Humanist Association that faith is one of the worlds great evils, comparable to the Smallpox virus but harder to eradicate.

At the time, Dawkins said he felt greatly encouraged at the poll, adding that our whole consciousness-raising effort is succeeding. However, the poll was redone more recently using the same question and that figure has dropped dramatically to 20 percent, according to Dirckx.

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Opinions on science and God are changing and they are actually changing most rapidly amongst young people amongst Generation Z depending on which part of the side of the Atlantic you are from, said Dirckx.

People born between 1997 and 2012 are in strong disagreement with the statement that you can't be a good scientist and be religious, she added.

Isn't that encouraging? Young people actually think differently about this. That's going to shape how we talk about this in all of the different settings that we're in, its going to shape all kinds of things.

Dirckx encouraged younger scientists with a Christian faith to focus on their research, to gain a reputation in your field but also to speak into the debate about belief in God and science: The work is not finished yet. The landscape is shifting, but we still need people to chip away at the wall and to bounce down the zombies.

She believed that the intellectual landscape questioning the balance between faith and science had shifted, and opined that even Dawkins had become more conciliatory in his views.

The apologist said people needed to know that intellectualism did not require a choice between spirituality and the material laws of nature, within the understanding that God, as revealed in the books of the Bible, created the Universe.

It's so interesting that the landscape has shifted. In the ancient world, the physical world was explained in spiritual terms, natural phenomena was explained in terms of divine action, the action of the gods of nature. But now in the modern world, we're trying to explain the spiritual world purely in physical terms, but those terms are not sufficient.

Dirckx, with a professional interest in brain studies, referenced the study of neurotheology, looking at the intersection of neuroscience and theology. For example, examining what happens inside the brain when we pray.

Dirckx said the sum total of all that generates the conscious you involves more than non-conscious neurons. She queried how the latter can generate a conscious mind.

She acknowledged the mind growing problem was not a new scientific quandary  it has been discussed since ancient times. In her opinion though, consciousness does not involve merely having a brain.

Yes, we have a brain thankfully with all of its neurons and chemicals and electrical activity and hormones, but we also have a mind with its thoughts and feelings and emotions and memories. There's a you and you have an inner life, you have a self and there's a me, and actually measuring activity and your brain doesn't access that for us.

Dirckx gave an imaginary example of someone wanting to study the experience of attendees at the leadership forum. She recalled moments from last years event such as people singing in worship with different languages, a very powerful moment of international unity.

Scientific studies could use materialistic methods to examine the experience, such as an MRI scan or EEG tests recording brain activity. Those would reveal data from the brain but not give the proper living experience of attending the event: meeting old friends, attending workshops, hearing teaching, praying and crying together.

We can measure all the data we like from your brain but that can't tell us what it's like to be you. And that is why material processes are not enough to capture the human mind.

Dirckx emphasized that Christianity formed the basis for modern scientific discovery in the western world. She said that in the time of the Roman Empire a volcanic eruption would be interpreted as the god Vulcan venting his anger.

Scientists now would explain it as merely natural effects of pressure changes in the Earth.

And so some spiritual explanations have been overtaken by scientific ones and that has led to the perception that [not] just some spiritual explanations are irrelevant, but all spiritual explanations are irrelevant. But that is not the case.

She used an illustration for comparison that the existence of Jeff Bezos, executive chairman and founder of Amazon did not conflict with the processes, procedures, and website that undergird Amazon.

And it's no different with God and science, or faith and irrationality. The truth is everybody has faith in something. Everyone trusts something or someone and we never exercise that faith in an unthinking way. We always exercise our faith or trust on the basis of the evidence to support it.

We trust people in our lives that have a proven track record. We have a low level of trust if we've been let down. And it's the same with Jesus. When people put their faith in Jesus in the first century, it was not an irrational blind leap into the dark.

It was a response to this living, breathing, thinking, amazing, extraordinary person who treats people like no one else had ever seen and people [felt] safe on that basis. And of course they do that today through all the different ways in which we see God at work in the world, and on the basis of the reliability of scripture as well, and on miracles.
BLOOMINGTON  The Station Saloon in Bloomington is hosting a Polynesian dance show this week.

Kamokunani Hula Halau, a Polynesian dance school in Bloomington, will perform 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 28 at The Station Saloon, 1611 Morrissey Drive.

Tickets for the show are $7 per person.

Owner and Kumu Hula, or master hula teacher, Johnette Kamokunani Palumbo has danced for more than 40 years and taught Polynesian dance for more than 30. This will be the first time students from the Polynesian dance school, located at 107 E. Chestnut St. Suite 101 in Bloomington, will perform outside of the school in Bloomington-Normal.

The dance studio is inside the Bloomington Creativity Center and offers a variety of dance classes, including Hawaiian, Tahitian and other dance styles, welcome to ages 5 to 99. The first class is free.

For more information, visit kamokunanihulahalau.com or call 815-985-9807.

The best U.S. summer music festivals in 2024 The best U.S. summer music festivals in 2024
Absa Ghanas Head of SME, Agency Banking, and Partnerships, Audrey Abakah, has called on women to share ideas, connect with one another, and forge the right partnerships to build sustainable businesses across the continent.



She made these remarks during the Absa Inspire Me Conference 2024 held in Nairobi, Kenya.



In 2021, Audrey Abakah led the process to conceptualise and implement the first Absa Inspire Me Conference in Ghana - an initiative aimed at supporting and empowering women-led SMEs.



This years event took place in Kenya and attracted delegates from Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Mauritius, and Uganda, alongside representatives from ITC SheTrades Hubs across Africa and the UK.



In her address, Audrey Abakah emphasised the transformative role of women in business: At Absa, we believe that empowering women is not just about individual success. It is about societal transformation. It is about job creation and poverty alleviation. That is why our Womens Banking Proposition is uniquely designed to support women financially, strengthen their capacity, and create network and access to market platforms like the Inspire Me Conference.



The conferences key objectives focused on empowering women entrepreneurs to access new markets, providing networking opportunities, and creating a platform for direct contact with potential buyers and partners from across Africa and the UK. These goals were highlighted during various sessions featuring a mix of local and international business leaders.









For the 2024 conference, Absa Bank Ghana partnered with the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Ghana Enterprise Agency, Anglogold Ashanti (Obuasi Mine), and the Organisation of Women in International Trade (OWIT). T



hese partners played a pivotal role by sending 30 delegates from diverse industries such as Health & Beauty, Floral, Arts and Crafts, Confections, and Health to Nairobi.



The collaboration aimed to equip these delegates to sustainably operate their businesses and connect them with prominent businesses in Kenya, facilitating potential partnerships and business deals.



The conference featured engaging sessions on topics such as accessing finance and sustainable economic development.



It also featured inspiring addresses by Absa Ghanas Interim Managing Director, Adolph Kpegah, and his Kenyan counterpart Abdi Mohamed, Kenyas Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade & Industry Hon. Rebecca Miano, Kenyas Presidents Advisor on Womens Rights Hon. Harriet Chiggai, among other leaders and entrepreneurs.



The success of this years event sets a hopeful precedent for future conferences and ongoing support programs by Absa to nurture the potential of women entrepreneurs across Africa.



Audrey Abakah concluded, Absa is unwavering in its commitment to supporting women in business by providing platforms like what you are witnessing this morning, bridging the gaps, and unlocking the boundless potential of women entrepreneurs across Africa.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Board Chairman of Bills Micro-credit Limited, Richard Nii-Armah Quaye, has acknowledged founder of the defunct UT Bank, Captain Prince Kofi Amoabeng.



According to the prolific businessman, Prince Kofi Amoabeng and his UT Financial Services provided him with a loan of GHc7k in the early stages of his establishment.



Delivering his address at the 15th anniversary celebration of Bills Micro-credit, formerly Quick Credit, Richard Nii-Armah Quaye thanked his fellow businessman for lending his company the money.



Captain, thank you so much. I want everyone to know that the first loan our company took was GHC 7000 and it was from UT Financial Services, he said, attracting applause from the audience.



Bills Micro-credit celebrated its 15th Anniversary on Thursday, May 20, with a plush dinner at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra.



Overall best staff, Charles Sampson, was presented with a brand new Hyundai Tucson vehicle and a cash prize of GHC 200k by Bills Board Chairman, Richard Nii-Armah Quaye, for his long service and commitment.



Fourteen other workers of Bills Micro-credit formerly, Quick Credit, were each gifted a brand new Toyota Vitz vehicle while 5 selected workers were specially rewarded with GHC 200k cash prize each.



Fifteen dedicated customers of Bills received 55-inch TV set each plus interest-free loans of up to GHc100k for every customer.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) has launched Over-The-Counter Market trading to give rural banks and small and medium enterprises the platform to raise capital through trading of securities that are not listed on the bourse.



The move is a significant step towards expanding financial inclusion across the country.



Managing Director of the GSE, Abena Amoah expressed confidence that the product will support the growth of the capital market.



She called on small business owners to take advantage of the platform to seek affordable funding to expand their operations.



We believe that as a stock market, this platform is needed to encourage small businesses and the community banks to raise funds and also for shareholders to offload shares smoothly. This is a step in the right direction to support growth and expansion, she said.



She explained that the platform is part of the general master plan by the Securities and Exchange Commission, together with the Ghana Stock Exchange to grow the countrys capital market.



According to her, the Over-The-Counter Market is expected to attract all the rural and community banks which are not listed on the stock exchange to have an opportunity to trade their shares.



Ms. Amoah disclosed that the initiative will strengthen the operations of the banks as well as give investors more options.



Chief Executive for the ARB Apex Bank, Alex Kwasi Awuah welcomed the development and described it as an opportune moment for rural banks to raise patient capital.



As community and rural banks, you know we are not listed on the stock market but we need investors to support our operations so we can serve our rural folks. This is a good opportunity for many of us. We believe this will help strengthen us, he said.



All the rural and community banks are expected to register and be part of the new platform.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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In a heartwarming display of community support, the Women's Network for Peace Ghana (WNPG) has made a generous donation of educational items to Icon International School, ahead of the upcoming Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) organized by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).



The donation, which included mathematical sets, pens, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, long rulers, whiteboard markers, A4 sheets and more was presented to the school's headmaster, Mr. Vitus Naako, at a special ceremony held in Accra in the Adenta municipality.



The initiative, spearheaded by the President of WNPG, Ms. Diana Oppong Mensah, aims to support the students of Icon International School as they prepare to take on the BECE examinations, a crucial milestone in their academic journey.



"As an organization committed to promoting peace and empowering communities, we believe that education is the foundation for a brighter future," said Ms. Oppong Mensah. "By providing these essential educational materials, we hope to alleviate the burden on both the students and the school, and give them the tools they need to excel in their exams."



Mr. Naako, the grateful headmaster of Icon International School, expressed his appreciation for the timely gesture. "We are truly grateful to the Women's Network for Peace Ghana for this generous donation. These items will go a long way in supporting our students as they prepare for the BECE examinations. It is heartening to see the community come together to invest in the education of our young people."



The BECE examinations, scheduled to commence in July, are a crucial stepping stone for Ghanaian students, as they transition from primary to secondary education. The examinations test students' knowledge and skills in core subjects, laying the foundation for their future academic and professional pursuits.



The donation from the Women's Network for Peace Ghana is a testament to the organization's commitment to empowering communities and making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people. By providing the necessary educational resources, they are not only supporting the students of Icon International School but also contributing to the broader goal of improving educational outcomes in Ghana.



As the students of Icon International School embark on their BECE examinations, they can take comfort in the knowledge that they have the support of the local community, represented by the Women's Network for Peace Ghana. This act of generosity is a shining example of how collaborative efforts can positively influence the educational landscape and create a brighter future for all.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Senior Chinese legislator urges closer cooperation between legislative bodies of China, Russia

Xinhua) 08:44, June 24, 2024

MOSCOW, June 23 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of the Russian State Duma, Peng Qinghua, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, led a Chinese delegation to visit Russia from Wednesday to Sunday.

During the visit, Peng met with Chairman of the Russian State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and Federation Council Deputy Speaker Konstantin Kosachev, and co-chaired the second meeting of the joint working group of the China-Russia committee for parliamentary cooperation with Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma Alexander Babakov.

Peng noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia. Under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, China-Russia relations continued to develop at a high level.

Cooperation between legislative bodies of the two countries constitutes an important part of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, said Peng, stressing that China is ready to work with Russia to fully utilize the joint working group and other mechanisms and platforms to give full play to the unique advantages and significant roles of the legislative bodies of both countries, constantly consolidate political mutual trust, tap the potential for cooperation, and promote the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations.

The Russian side said that it is willing to take the implementation of the consensus reached by the two heads of state as a guiding principle, further expand the areas of cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries, and contribute to deepening Russia-China comprehensive strategic coordination and to enhancing the friendship between the two peoples.

Members of the joint working group from both sides exchanged views on law-making in key areas of mutual concern.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Soprano Rachel Willis-Srensen hit a lot of high notes when she delivered a stellar performance of the Song to the Moon, from Dvorak's Rusalka, while riding a hot air balloon.

Willis-Srensen gave the impromptu performance during her recent birthday trip to turkey. She hopped on a hot air balloon early in the morning in Cappadocia, known for its balloon rides, and delivered the aria at 1,300 m.

Willis-Srensen said in a Facebook post that, "even though I am always traveling, I actually very rarely have time for an actual vacation!"

Song to the Moon is the most famous aria in Antonin Dvorak's Rusalka-an opera about a wood nymph who falls in love with a human Prince, and makes a deal with a witch to win his affections. The Prince later rejects Rusalka after being cursed by a jealous Foreign Princess, but he seeks her out again, and asks for a kiss even though it leads to his death. In the first act, before tragedy befalls the couple, Rusalka sings the famous aria to the moon, asking it to tell the Prince of her love.

Known for her broad repertoire-described as ranging from Mozart to Wagner-Willis-Srensen is no stranger to Rusalka, having sung the lead role with the San Francisco Opera in 2019. Initially slated to play the Wagnerian Foreign Princess, Willis-Srensen said that the multiple rejections gave her greater appreciation for the role of Rusalka: "I've never related more to a character than to this weird character that is not a human. As I was going through it, I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I have felt all of these feelings: the rejection, the self-loathing.'"

Rusalka's arias have since become a regular part of her repertoire: she sang Song to the Moon during the famous solar eclipse that happened earlier this year.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has assured that this year's Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) will come off as scheduled.



According to the Public Relations Officer of WAEC, John Kapi, in an interview with Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, about 90 percent of preparations by the Council is done.



He therefore is optimistic that the BECE will be written by the students.



WAEC expects government to pay over 90 million cedis to conduct the exams.



According to reports, WAEC has received only GH2.3 million out of GH95.83 million which, to them, is not enough to organize the exams scheduled to begin on Monday, July 8 to July 15.



The examining body is demanding at least 50 percent payment of the total amount to commence the exams.



Due to this, there were fears that the BECE may be canceled but Mr. John Kapi has allayed these fears, stating "we have done the preparations...We can indeed do it. The printing and stationery are all ready".







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The President of the Ghana HIV/AIDS Network, Mr. Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin, has highlighted the lack of government funding for public education as a major factor contributing to the rise in HIV infections.



According to him, for over a decade, the Global Fund supported HIV prevention advocacy. However, the number of infections continued to increase, prompting the Global Fund to shift its focus to drug procurement, leaving the government responsible for advocacy funding.



Mr. Ortsin noted that since the Global Fund ceased funding advocacy efforts, the Ghanaian government has failed to allocate the necessary resources to educate the public about HIV. This lack of funding has left a significant gap in public awareness and education, which is crucial in preventing the spread of the virus.



Speaking to Peace FM News, he explained that the government had committed to establishing a national HIV/AIDS fund as far back as 2016 to support the AIDS Commission and various NGOs in their advocacy efforts.

Unfortunately, this fund is still not operational, exacerbating the challenges faced by organizations working to combat HIV.



Mr. Ortsin also pointed out a worrying trend among the youth, who are increasingly engaging in unprotected sex.



This behavior is significantly contributing to the rising number of infections. He stressed the urgent need for renewed educational campaigns and government support to address these issues and curb the spread of HIV.



Mr. Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin further explained that stigma and discrimination are preventing people from seeking treatment from health professionals.



He, therefore, urges people with the infection to ignore such stigma and take their medication, as it leads to the dormancy of the disease and prevents further spread.

Source: Sika Ayim/Peace FM Newsroom









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former Member of Parliament for Manhyia North, Collins Amankwah has partly blamed the latest statistics by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) that over 7 million Ghanaians face poverty in the country on the behavior of the populace towards one another.



According to him, the individualistic attitude of Ghanaians largely contributes to this figure.



Nearly one out of every four Ghanaians have no or limited access to health care, education, employment and also live in poor conditions, a report released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed.



This constitutes 24.3 percent of Ghanaians which is over 7.31 million people said to experience multidimensional poverty, facing deprivations in health care, education, employment and living conditions.



Unemployment contributes the most to Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) at 32.6 percent, followed by poor living conditions (27.9%), poor access to healthcare (21.7%) and the lack of education (17.8%).



Collins Amankwah noted on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show that this situation will be ameliorated when the nation returns to the communal family setting where each person cares for the other.



Listen to his full submissions below:





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin is calling on the State to pay teachers a well deserving remuneration for their hardwork.



According to him the role of the teacher in a comprehensive quality education cannot be over emphasized.



He said teachers need to be motivated well to give up their very best even though they're doing well under the current circumstances.



Addressing a durbar of the Chiefs and people of the Benkum division of Akyem Abuakwa State at Begoro, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin called on the government to act fast on teacher remuneration.



He acknowledged that the free Senior High School Education introduced by the Akufo-Addo government is one of the biggest investments which affords every Ghanaian child a free education to the secondary school level.



However, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin underscores the importance of addressing some few challenges hindering the success of the program.



He advocates for enough classroom, furniture, beds and other facilities that would make learning more convenient for the school children.



Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin called on the Government to motivate teachers and pay them well.



"The future of our children is dependent on quality education and skills development. Today, every Ghanaian child has the means to free SHS education. We must note that, it's not just about passing through the school. There must be quality education. If you provide all the amenities and you don't pay the teacher well, it affects the children's education," Okyenhene stressed.



Be A Servant Leader



Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin also called on leaders to serve in humility and respect.



According to the Okyenhene, throughout history, there is no single rich or great leader who died and was buried with his riches but the lives that they impact lives on till eternity.



"There is no rich man in the world who has been buried with his fleet of cars or houses. The memories they leave in the lives of others and their communities rather stays for life," Osagyefo noted.



He added that a great leader is the one who leaves an indelible legacy for generations unborn.



"There is power in humility, there is authority in humility, we don't use power to enrich ourselves, we use power to serve diligently. The greatest currency is humility and service," he said.



The Benkum Divisional durbar is the second out of the five divisional royal durbar's schedule to be held in honor of Okyenhene's 25th Anniversary celebration on the accession to the Ofori Panin stool under the theme: "25 years of Sustainable Leadership and Service to Humanity".



History of The Benkum Division:



Benkum is the second largest division within the Akyem Abuakwa State structure. It has over 300

towns and villages.



Within the Akyem Abuakwa state hierarchy, the Benkumhene otherwise known as the Fanteakwahene is the commander and chief of the left wing of the army with his permanent residence at Begoro, the capital of the division.



The Benkum Division occupies a very large area of land. It was the bastion of the western division of the Akyem Abuakwa Army.



In ancient times, the Western part of Akyem Abuakwa state was more exposed to hostile states than any other division.



The Benkum Division shares borders with Asante, the Kwahu, the Akwamu, Krobo and parts of the Volta Region.



The Benkumhene dress and coronet the same as Nifahene. Both are equal in rank.



In parades, the Benkumhene is the third to the Adontenhene.



The Benkumhene belongs to the Royal Asona clan.



The principal chiefs in this division are the Odauhene of Osenase and Otwereso.



He is equal in rank to the Benkumhene and share all things equally.



The Benkumhene and Begorohene however takes precedence in all matters, civil and military and he is the acknowledged head of the division.



The rest are chief of Apinaman, the chief of Osino, otherwise known as Mumuadu Sei, the chief of Suhum, Amanase, Sawirako, Apedwa among others.























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Over 60 employee volunteers from telecommunications giant, Telecel Ghana in partnership with Forestry Commission joined forces with young students from Luom Basic Schools and Ghana International School (GIS) to plant thousands of seedlings to replace lost forest cover at the Chipa Tributary Forest Reserve in Agomeda.



As a way of furthering Telecel Ghanas commitment to environmental sustainability and in line with the Green Ghana agenda, senior management, and employee volunteers dedicated their day to reforestation for a greener future.



Chief Executive Officer of Telecel Ghana, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai emphasised the importance of collective action to increase green cover and protect the environment. She said, "As a telco that operates with a purpose, this annual initiative is our contribution to sustaining the environment,



she added, As part of our ESG strategy, we continue to partner with various stakeholders such as the Forestry Commission to create a sustainable environment for people and animals. This year, our employees, together with the school children are planting over 5000 seedlings to preserve the Chipa Tributary Forest Reserve.



Gazetted as a reserve in 1968, the Chipa Tributary Forest Reserve in Agomeda in the Greater Accra Region serves as a habitat for animals and conserves the tributary that flows into the Dawhenya Dam. However, forestry officials reported that bushfires and firewood harvesting have destroyed around 50 hectares out of the reserve's total 2,410 hectares.



Mrs. Winifred Ohene-Wiafe, Manager for the Tema-Ada Forest District said, We need more trees to offset the effect of urbanisation which has led to more buildings being put up and the depletion of trees in our cities. Tree planting is a worthy course so I will encourage every individual and institution to partake in reforestation to improve our environment.



For Michela, a third-year secondary student of GIS, this is her first planting experience, and it has sparked an interest in reforestation.



Tree planting is important as it helps to restore areas that are depleted. Its been a fun experience planting together with employees of Telecel Ghana and other students to improve air and environment quality. Im excited that I am being part of making an impact.



Ernest, a basic nine pupil and member of the Wildlife Club at the Luom Presbyterian School, located in one of the reserves host communities, believes the tree planting exercise will help address climate change. "Theres a saying that when the last tree dies, the last man dies.



Joining to plant trees today will help purify the air we breathe and absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. I advise other young people to plant trees to reduce global warming and the impact of climate change.

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A high court in Namibia declared two colonial-era laws that criminalised same-sex acts between men unconstitutional on Friday, in a landmark win for the LGBTQ community in the southern African country.



The case was brought by Namibian activist Friedel Dausab with the support of British-based non-governmental organisation Human Dignity Trust.



Dausab told Reuters he was "just happy" after the court's decision. "It's a great day for Namibia," he said. "It won't be a crime to love anymore."



Consensual same-sex activity is prohibited in more than half of 54 African countries, according to ILGA, an international organisation supporting LGBTQ rights.



"This victory also brings much-needed and renewed energy to other decriminalisation efforts across Africa," said Tea Braun, chief executive of the Human Dignity Trust.



Rights campaigners say that, while convictions under the laws on "sodomy" and "unnatural sexual offences" were relatively rare in Namibia, they have perpetuated discrimination against the LGBTQ community and made gay men live in fear of arrest.



John Nakuta, a law professor at the University of Namibia, said the court's order can be appealed by the Namibian government within 21 days.



Namibia inherited the laws when it gained independence from South Africa in 1990, though same-sex acts between men were initially criminalised under colonial rule.



South Africa has since decriminalised same-sex sexual activity and is the only country on the African continent to allow LGBTQ couples to adopt children, marry and enter civil unions.



Last year, Uganda enacted one of the world's harshest anti-LGBTQ laws, which included the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality", despite widespread condemnations from the West.



LGBTQ supporters gathered outside the court carrying banners that read, "Get the law out of my love life", and "Peace, Love, Unity", told Reuters they were overjoyed.



Omar van Reenen, co-founder of the Namibia Equal Rights Movement, welcomed the court's judgment and said the LGBTQ community in Namibia could finally feel like equal citizens.



"The message that the court sent today is that we have every right to belong and exist in this country and that the constitution protects us," said van Reenen.

Source: Reuters









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The Minerals Commission has refuted allegations made by the Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi, Yusif Sulemana, against the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel A. Jinapor, accusing him of granting mining concessions to foreign entities without proper consultation.



In a press statement issued on Monday, June 24, the Commission described these allegations as baseless, asserting they should not be coming from a lawmaker.



The Commission emphasized that according to the Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176), no mineral rights can be granted without consulting the relevant persons and institutions affected by the mineral operations.



Upon receiving an application for a mineral right, the Commission publishes a notice in the Gazette and serves copies to the relevant landowner, Chief, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly (MMDA), as well as other interested groups and stakeholders, allowing them to raise any concerns.



The Commission urged the public to disregard the false narrative being propagated by the MP.



Yusif Sulemana had accused Minister Jinapor and the Minerals Commission of bypassing proper consultation processes, which he claimed led to heightened tensions in the Bole-Bamboi constituency.



He further alleged that some NPP executives were assaulted by soldiers guarding the mining sites.



It is an issue that we are all worried about. Its on record that from the beginning of our constituency, that is Bamboi, and to the end of it, has plenty of mineral companies on both the right and left sides of the road and so of course, we have some galamsey activities going on there.



Unfortunately, from February to date, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has allocated the lands to over 7 large scale miners and the problem was that there was no proper stakeholder consultations. And so the youth are there and they will see heavy equipment coming to take over what they are doing and that is where the clash is coming from," he alleged.



However, the Minerals Commission's statement reiterated its commitment to following legal and regulatory procedures in granting mineral rights, ensuring all relevant parties are consulted and allowed to voice their concerns.



"The attention of the Minerals Commission (the Commission) has been drawn to publications in a section of the media, attributed to the Member of Parliament for the Bole-Bamboi Constituency, Yusif Sulemana, accusing the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission of granting mining concessions to foreigners without proper consultations. The said accusations, claims and/or allegations are false, baseless and unfounded."



"The Commission wishes to state, categorically, that in accordance with the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) and the Minerals and Mining (Licensing) Regulations, 2012 (L.I. 2176), no mineral right is granted without consultation with the relevant persons and institutions to be affected by the mineral operation."



"Upon receipt of an application for a mineral right, notice of the application is published in the Gazette, and copies served on the relevant landowner, Chief, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly (MMDA), as well as other interested groups and stakeholders, to enable them to raise any concerns they may have," an excerpt of the statement said.







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Ghana is set to host the prestigious SDGs Action Summit 2024 under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Co-Chair of the UN Secretary General's Emeritus Group of SDGs Advocates.



The Summit, themed "From Mid-Point to Success - Recommitting, Scaling Up, and Accelerating Action on the SDGs," will convene on the 2nd and 3rd of July this year.



Announced during a press launch on Monday, June 24, 2024, organized by the SDGs Advisory Unit at the Office of the President, the event unveiled key details of the Summit and highlighted its crucial role in advancing sustainable development goals across Africa.



Special Advisor to President Akufo-Addo on the SDGs, Dr. Eugene Owusu, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the complex challenges facing Africa in achieving the SDGs. He cited climate change, regional conflicts, the enduring impacts of COVID-19, governance issues, and global governance structures as significant barriers.



Ghana is positioned to play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges through the SDGs framework, Dr. Owusu remarked. We have abundant opportunities within the SDGs to foster inclusive and sustainable development, ensuring global peace, stability, prosperity, and environmental sustainability.



The Summit, inspired by President Akufo-Addos leadership and his role as co-chair of the Emeritus Group of SDGs Advocates, aims to catalyze renewed commitment towards SDGs implementation. It precedes the UN Summit of the Future, signaling Ghanas proactive stance in driving global discussions and actions on sustainable development.



United Nations Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani, also spoke at the launch, highlighting the critical need for increased development finance to bolster SDGs initiatives. He stressed the urgency of accelerated efforts to meet the 2030 targets, cautioning against the severe consequences of inaction.



Partners such as the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) echoed the call for concerted action, emphasizing the Summits role in mobilizing stakeholders and forging partnerships to achieve tangible progress.



The SDGs Action Summit 2024 promises to unite global leaders, policymakers, and advocates including His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, business leader Patricia Poku-Diaby, and SDGs Advocate Hindou Ibrahim. Their participation underscores the collective commitment required to transform aspirations into impactful realities.

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Two opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs disrupted proceedings in Parliament last Friday, by insisting on being heard on a motion that had already been adopted by the House.



Yusif Sulemana of Bole-Bamboi and Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed essentially held the House hostage, compelling the Presiding Speaker, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, to suspend the proceedings for about an hour.



Following the Houses adoption of the motion on the urgency of the National Service Authority Bill, the two rabble-rousers from the Minority side rose to challenge the decision.



The angry MPs disrupted proceedings by shouting across the aisle that the bill did not require urgent attention as there were more important matters, including the GH95.83 million needed to be released by the government for the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) to organise the 2024 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).



Are you challenging my decision? Andrew Asiamah Amoako, Second Deputy Speaker, inquired before suspending the House, adding that he wished to engage with the leaders of the House.



The Bole-Bamboi MP raised the issue of quorum when he did not get his way, but he later withdrew his application when the House reconvened.



Meanwhile, the Committee on Education has requested that Parliament consider the National Service Authority Bill, 2024, under a certificate of urgency.



Among the reasons mentioned is that the present NSS framework limits the agencys ability to undertake certain initiatives.



According to the Committee, a parallel agency in the Gambia has indicated that it will collaborate with the NSS to replicate the scheme in that country as part of a World Bank programme.



The MPs stated that if the bill is passed, the new NSS will have legal authority to conduct specific operations.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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The Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, demonstrated his expertise in finding sustainable solutions to Ghana's energy needs on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, when he addressed questions from Minority Members of Parliament (MPs) regarding power rationing and electricity cuts experienced in some parts of the country a couple of weeks ago.



Dr. Prempeh, affectionately called Napo, told legislators at a plenary sitting that the energy sector under his watch had not plunged into crisis, warranting load-shedding due to power outages.



He explained that the power outages experienced two months ago were not due to a power crisis but rather unforeseen factors such as rapid population growth and increased business setups.



For instance, Dr. Prempeh noted that areas like East Legon, initially planned as residential districts, have transformed into business hubs, overloading existing power lines and transformers.



This surge in demand, combined with an unexpected gas leak at Cen Power resulting in an instant power loss of 340 Mega Watts and maintenance at Amandi Power Plant, led to power outages. GRIDCo also requested emergency outages in some areas, exacerbating the situation.



These incidents were unplanned, making it impossible for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to announce a scheduled load-shedding program, he emphasized.



"Mr. Speaker, a myriad of factors caused power outages in different parts of the country at different times. ECG couldn't have announced a load-shedding program because most incidents were unplanned," he noted.



Dr. Prempeh made these remarks in response to an urgent question from the NDC MP for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Etse Dafeamekpor, on behalf of the NDC MP for Tamale North, Alhassan S. Suhuyini, who was absent. Dafeamekpor asked if the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) had been load-shedding power and if not, why the power outages occurred.



Despite providing clarity, some Minority MPs pressed for more information on the current power situation, as the original question referred to the situation two months prior. Dr. Prempeh maintained that the ECG is not undertaking a scheduled load-shedding program but will address any challenges that arise to ensure stable power distribution.







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Chicago has re-opened Anish Kapoor's famous sculpture, Cloud Gate-nicknamed The Bean-after nearly a year of construction.

Located at the Grainger Plaza of Chicago's Millennium Park, where it serves as the centerpiece, The Bean was mostly fenced off from tourists last August as part of a larger construction and renovation project for the 20th anniversary of Millennium Park. Construction was led by the Chicago Department of Fleet and Facility Management.

include "new stairs, accessible ramps, paver replacement, a waterproofing system and accessibility upgrades to Grainger Plaza." Landscaping improvements will continue around the Plaza in the coming months, but will not restrict access to Kapoor's sculpture.

The Bean's reopening was initially scheduled for April, but had to be moved to the end of June.

Kapoor's design for The Bean was the winner of a competition. Although some experts believed the design was untenable, the exhibit was opened in full in 2006, after it was unveiled in incomplete form two years pior. The sculpture is made up of 168 steel pipes welded together into its now-famous bean shape, measures 33 feet high and 66 feet long, and weighs 100 tons. Its highly reflective surface, inspired by liquid mercury, has made it popular for tourist selfies. City officials referenced this in an annoncement, saying: "Visitors can once again have full access to Chicago's iconic Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor. Come back and get your #selfie!

The Bean's reopening comes ahead of Millennium Park's 20th anniversary celebrations, scheduled to kick off on July 18.
Ghanaian social media influencer, actress and chef known as Shugatiti has said that she hasnt been in the church in seven years for some reasons many may consider unacceptable, frivolous or even mischievous.



Hear her: Its been over seven years now. Church is a place they practice favoritism and sin is plentiful. If you go there, the instrumentalists want to sleep with you. The pastors want to sleep with you. Everybody wants to sleep with you. And if you dont give in to them nobody talks to you.



Those kinds of words put me off. Thats why I dont like going to church, I dont want to see those things. So, right now, if I need something I just pray and fast about it, and I get it, she added.



Shugatiti isnt exact a virgin or a green-eyed shy girl next door, shes renowned for sexy demeanor and outlandishly sensual lifestyle and steeze. As an actress, she has starred in many erotic movies and showing off some skin, to her, is as natural as the sun in the day.







Source: vanguard









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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Archaeologists made an intriguing find this week at Michigan's Colonial Michilimackinac, Mackinac State Historic Parks officials said, an 18th century brass trade ring.

Researchers with the archaeological program at the Mackinaw City museum identified the piece as a trade good sometimes known as a "Jesuit Ring," parks officials announced in a press release.

"It's incredibly exciting," Dominick Miller, chief of marketing for Mackinac State Historic Parks, told The Detroit News.

The archaeologists' latest find was an exciting moment at the museum, where public visitors were watching the discovery next to the site, he said.

Archaeologists talked over the find and explained to visitors how significant it was, Miller added.

The research team encounters artifacts often, but the public and team were still enthusiastic about the discovery, he said.

The artifacts were originally referred to as "Jesuit rings" because people at the time associated them with Catholic missionaries to the area, which was then a thriving trade hub, Miller said.

The ring is remarkable for being in particularly good shape, he said.

Part of the joy of finding the pieces is getting the opportunity to humanize people who lived at the site before, Miller said.

Researchers found the ring among 1781 demolition rubble at House E of the museum's Southeast Rowhouse, according to the release.

A trader named Charles Henri Desjardins de Rupallay de Gonneville and another English trader once lived in the house, according to the museum website and release.

The museum features a reconstructed fort and fur trading village with costumed interpreters to immerse visitors in an historical experience.

The archaeology dig, which is at the center of the space, has been active and available to the public for observation since 1959, Miller said.

Researchers have found many other items at the site, including a lead seal dating between 1717 and 1769, a brass sleeve button, another "Jesuit" trade ring and a brass serpentine sideplate for a British trade gun, according to the release.

2024 www.detroitnews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Firefighters battle a blaze in the Pantanal.

Regional authorities in Brazil on Monday declared a state of emergency as the Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetlands, faces "out of control fires," according to a decree.

The surge of fires before the peak of the dry season has raised alarm for the Pantanal, which extends into Bolivia and Paraguay and is home to a rich array of wildlife, including the world's highest density of jaguars.

The six-month state of emergency was declared by the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, home to much of the wetlands in Brazil.

Experts say the blazes are a result of a harsh drought and deliberate fires set to expand agricultural land into the forest that burn out of control.

According to environmental satellite data from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 627,000 hectares of the Pantanal have already gone up in flames since the start of the year.

The Pantanal, a region slightly bigger than England, experienced its worst year for fires in 2020, when 30 percent of the wetlands were affected.

So far this year, there are 33 percent more fires than seen over the same period in 2020.

"Does this mean that the Pantanal will burn more than in 2020? Not necessarily, but it will depend directly on authorities who will have to mobilize maximum resources to prevent a tragedy like we saw in 2020," Gustavo Figueiroa, director of the SOS Pantanal NGO, said in a video on Instagram.

 2024 AFP
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Over the past several years, California's 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 Newsom's 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 organizationswhich included the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Farm Bureau Federation and more than 30 other groups representing growers and water supplierssaid the bill was "too restrictive and may impede ways to achieve groundwater sustainability."

Kristopher Anderson, a legislative advocate for the Association 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, a Democrat, who introduced the bill, said it was intended to address a significant loophole in California's 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."

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 morehundreds of new high-capacity wellsin areas that have significant land subsidence."

Bennett has introduced similar legislation three times. He said the bill's 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 wouldn't 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 Newsom's 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."

The report said residents in parts of Fresno, Madera and Tulare counties told state officials they're 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.

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 wasn't enough to convince opponents. Fresno County supervisors called the bill an "attempt to fundamentally redirect groundwater management" from the original intent of the state's 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."

Experts shared differing opinions about the legislation.

"I think it's critically important," said Jay Famiglietti, a hydrologist and professor at Arizona State University's 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 California's 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.

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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People living near two Lake County industries could face significantly greater risks of developing certain cancers, according to a new federal study based on monitoring of ethylene oxide pollution in surrounding neighborhoods.

Emissions of the highly toxic gas from Vantage Specialty Chemicals in Gurnee were responsible for long-term cancer risks up to 20 times higher than federal guidelines, the report found.

Three miles away, in the southwest corner of Waukegan, the risks posed by Medline Industries' pollution were up to 10 times greater than one cancer case among 10,000 people exposedthe highest rate federal officials consider acceptable.

The study, released June 21 by an arm of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a snapshot of potential dangers.

Air quality testing near Vantage and Medline during 2019 and 2020 detected spikes of ethylene oxide, also known as EtO, when the wind blew away from the facilities toward homes and apartments. Both companies reported emitting substantially larger quantities of the gas in previous years, suggesting the risks to long-time residents could be even higher than the study estimated.

"It's unfortunate we will never know much EtO we've been exposed to," said Celeste Flores, a Gurnee resident who grew up in the area and now lives a mile from Medline and about 2 miles from Vantage.

Changes in state law and permitting, prompted in part by Chicago Tribune reporting, required both companies to begin dramatically reducing EtO emissions in 2019.

Medline's emissions are limited to 150 pounds a year, down from 3,058 pounds in 2014 and 8,638 pounds in 1999. Vantage, which emitted 6,421 pounds of EtO in 2014, is now limited to 110 pounds a year.

More recent monitoring in areas near Medline show EtO concentrations in the air are declining but there are still lingering cancer risks for close neighbors, the study found. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry said it could not determine the current risk for people living near Vantage because monitoring near the plant ended in May 2020. More testing is recommended.

Vantage did not respond to a request for comment. A Medline spokeswoman declined to comment until the company's executives review the findings.

Four years in the making, the federal study is the latest documentation of health hazards that chemical manufacturers and sterilization companies have spent decades attempting to downplay, if not outright deny exist.

The first study detailing how EtO causes genetic mutations was published in 1948. During the 1970s, animal studies confirmed its powerful ability to scramble DNA could trigger cancers.

After two rounds of independent peer review, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declared in 2016 there is essentially no safe level of exposure to the toxic gas.

EPA researchers relied in part on a study of more than 18,000 workers at sterilization plants similar to the one operated by Medline in Waukegan. The worker study linked ethylene oxide exposure to breast cancer, leukemia and lymphomas.

In their conclusions about the latest research, federal officials cautioned it is impossible to connect inhaling EtO to individual cancers in Lake County given the normal risks everyone faces. But the chemical is so potent it could take as little as a year of exposure to industrial emissions to increase long-term cancer risks, the study concluded.

About 7,000 people live within a mile of Vantage. Another 6,000 live that close to Medline.

Anyone concerned about health damages should consult their physician, said the ATSDR, which has published an online briefing to help guide diagnosis and treatment. The agency will host a public forum from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep, 3106 Belvidere Road, Waukegan.

Federal health officials said limited and intermittent air quality testing in 2019 and 2020 prevented them from determining if EtO emissions from Vantage and Medline posed health risks farther away from the facilities.

By contrast, EPA officials said in 2019 that ethylene oxide pollution from the now-closed Sterigenics sterilization plant in west suburban Willowbrook increased the risk of developing cancer for people living as far as 25 miles away.

The findings prompted neighbors and elected officials to demand that Sterigenics leave town, which it eventually did.

A different type of intervention prevented other communities from getting the same treatment.

On multiple occasions, the EPA's inspector general reported in 2021, former President Donald Trump's appointees in Washington ordered the agency's Chicago office to dramatically scale back efforts to understand the dangers of ethylene oxide in the Midwest, including in Gurnee and Waukegan.

Flores and other Lake County activists couldn't help but notice other differences between the two situations.

Neighbors of the shuttered Willowbrook plant are predominantly white and upper-middle class, while neighborhoods near the Gurnee and Waukegan facilities include larger numbers of Latino and Black residents with lower median incomes.

"I'm glad this study is finally out so we can help educate the community," Flores said. "But it shouldn't have taken this long."

2024 Chicago Tribune. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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The more that people know about gene editing, the more likely they are to feel it is safe to use in agriculture and medicine, according to a survey of more than 4,500 people across the United States.

While there is a technical difference between "gene editing" and "genetic modification," also known as transgenics, people often lump the two biotechnologies together as genetic engineering. Gene editing does not introduce new biology to a genotype like gene modification.

Brandon McFadden, Tyson Endowed Chair in Food Policy Economics for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, was the lead author of a peer-reviewed study to find out more about the opinions of consumers in the United States on the safety of gene editing in agricultural and medical fields.

The research, which analyzed surveys taken in 2021 and 2022, was published in Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology this year.

"People who have heard or read a lot about gene editing generally have a favorable opinion about using it for agricultural or medical purposes," McFadden said. "So, people who are less familiar with gene editing are likelier to think it is unsafe."

The study, McFadden noted, showed that people who are not as familiar with gene editing are more likely to think it is unsafe, and they require more evidence to change their minds. That evidence could come from either more studies or time without a negative outcome.

The surveys showed that, on average, people with a negative opinion of gene editing's safety need around 100 studies, or 20 years, to improve their opinion about the safety of gene editing.

However, McFadden noted that many people may never change their minds about the safety of gene editing. More than 10% of respondents stated that no amount of research or time without an adverse outcome would improve their opinion about the safety of gene editing for agriculture and medical products.

Co-author Kathryn A. Stofer, research associate professor in the agricultural education and communication department for UF/IFAS, said the results were enlightening on multiple levels and opens more avenues of research.

"The study sets us up to test explicit messages about the number of studies or years of research on this technology that might help alleviate concerns about safety and support the benefits," Stofer said.

Kevin M. Folta, UF/IFAS professor in the horticultural sciences department, said better perceptions of gene editing are associated with awareness of biotechnology.

"That means scientists need to be engaging in conversations about the successes, like how sickle cell disease may be curable in the next few years," Folta said. "We used to think that providing more evidence didn't change opinions, but this work shows maybe we can change public perception if we effectively share the good things we can do with gene editing."

Difference in gene editing and genetic modification

Gene editing is "the process of precisely changing or deleting a few 'letters' of DNA," the researchers explained in the study. This is different from genetic modification, also known as transgenics, which introduces new biology to a genome.

Both gene editing and gene modification are used in agriculture to develop plant varieties that are more drought tolerant and disease resistant in less time than traditional breeding techniques. The study notes that a lack of proactive public dialogue surrounding the primary introduction of genetically modified organisms "did irreparable damage to the emerging scientific field of genetic engineering," and that the continued expansion of gene editing in the agricultural and medical fields has led many to call for "broad public dialogue" about the technology.

Gene editing in the medical field is also known as "gene therapy" and aims to treat and cure disease or make the body better able to fight disease.

According to the Mayo Clinic, gene therapy "holds promise as a treatment for a wide range of diseases, such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, heart disease, diabetes, hemophilia and AIDS." Research cited in the McFadden study showed that public opinion on gene editing in the medical field was more supportive for therapeutic uses than aversion for non-disease uses that are cosmetic.

Public opinion varies

Data were collected during two time periods using surveys distributed online by Qualtrics to samples of U.S. adults. The Institutional Review Board at the University of Delaware approved both surveys. Collecting data from two samples allowed researchers to examine the stability of results across groups of respondents and time.

Recent research on public opinion toward the use of biotechnology in agriculture has focused on differences in opinions between the use of gene editing and genetic modification. McFadden noted that studies published in 2019 and 2020 concluded that the public generally supports gene editing in agriculture more than genetic modification.

However, the objective of the new study was to explore U.S. public opinion about gene editing in the agricultural and medical fields. Another goal of the study was to provide more insight into the relationship between opinions about the safety of gene editing and the potential impact to improve opinions about safety.

Public acceptance seems to be associated with whether the gene editing is done for medical or agricultural purposes. The study noted that when participants in U.S. focus groups were asked what they thought about when hearing the words "gene editing," the medical field was discussed more frequently and extensively than agriculture.

Researchers pointed out that in 2018 there was an announcement of gene-edited twins in China that increased public awareness of medical applications. Public aversion to the use of related biotechnology in agriculture has also been well-documented, McFadden added, despite support from the scientific community.

For example, he pointed to a 2014 Pew Research survey of U.S. adults and researchers affiliated with the American Association for the Advancement of Science estimating that 88% of its members agreed that genetically modified foods were safe to consume compared to only 37% of adults.

Results from the study indicate that people in the U.S. who are familiar with gene editing, or do not hold a negative opinion about safety, required less evidence to improve opinions about the safety of gene editing. On average, respondents in both samples were more familiar with gene editing in agriculture and more likely to have a positive opinion about its use in agriculture than for medical purposes.

"When we have a negative opinion about something, we should maybe ask ourselves what would cause us to change our minds," McFadden said.

More information: Brandon R. McFadden et al, U.S. public opinion about the safety of gene editing in the agriculture and medical fields and the amount of evidence needed to improve opinions, Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (2024). DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1340398

Provided by University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
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If you're in some spots in Biscayne Bay during the weekend, you might be greeted with an unpleasant sight: dead fish floating on the surface.

That's the unfortunate aftermath of the relentless rain that South Florida experienced last weekand 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 county's 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. It's 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 Waterkeeper's 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 aren't 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. It's 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 18days after the region was swamped by up to 20 inches of rain in spots, including Northeast Miami-Dade.

Climate change isn't 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."

2024 Miami Herald. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Non-Indigenous scientists increasingly realize that Indigenous data are key to solving today's environmental challenges.

Indigenous Peoples have generated and cared for data for millennia, passing down knowledge through traditions like storytelling, art and language. This knowledge is crucial to Indigenous ways of life, including the sustainable stewardship of ecosystems.

With partnerships between non-Indigenous scientists and Indigenous knowledge holders proliferating, incorporating Indigenous data sovereignty (IDS)the right of Indigenous Peoples to govern the collection, ownership and application of their datais vital for successful collaborations and conservation.

Science and Indigenous data

Non-Indigenous scientists have a troubling track record of unethical research practices.

Examples of treating Indigenous knowledge holders as research subjects are common and often lead to exploitation, mistrust and ongoing power imbalances that persist today. For instance, Indigenous datawhich includes information about an Indigenous Nation and its land, resources, demographic data, education levels, sacred land maps, songs, social media, and beyondmay be used without proper acknowledgement constituting the theft and exploitation of Indigenous knowledge and resources.

Transparent collaborations between external researchers and Indigenous Peoples are a positive development. However, collaborations can also place pressures on Indigenous knowledge holders and communities. These pressures can compound stresses upon communities who are at the same time also dealing with the legacies of violent colonial dispossession and navigating environmental harms and injustices largely not of their own making.

Indigenous rights to data sovereignty are recognized by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). UNDRIP is further affirmed as federal law through Canada's United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and encoded as provincial law in B.C. through the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

A panel discussion on Indigenous data sovereignty produced by the National Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis.

Growing recognition that Indigenous data can inform environmental stewardship has only added to pressures on Indigenous knowledge holders and communities to publicize their data. Meanwhile, the open data and big data movementswhich aim to make data widely accessible and combine data from various sources to address societal issuesis simultaneously pressuring Nations to release control.

While open data offers benefits like accountability and broader analyses, it also puts Indigenous Peoples' control over their data at risk.

Exclusion of Indigenous data from data-sets marginalizes Indigenous communities, while inclusion without proper guidance perpetuates biases and removes data from their cultural contexts. Initiatives like the First Nations Principles of OCAP and the CARE Principles integrate Indigenous perspectives into data governance and offer a path toward aligning open data practices with Indigenous sovereignty.

IDS in British Columbia

Efforts to protect wild Pacific salmon populations in B.C. demonstrate the importance of IDS for conservation.

Pacific salmon are essential for healthy ecosystems and hold deep cultural significance for Indigenous Peoples across Western Canada. Threats to salmon, spanning freshwater and marine habitats, are complex and diverse.

For millennia before colonization, many First Nations in B.C. utilized data to manage salmon fisheries sustainably. Today, the reliance on industry data by government regulators like Fisheries and Oceans Canada poses risks to salmon populations and undermines Indigenous stewardship.

In June 2022, we were a part of an online webinar hosted by the Watershed Futures Initiative at Simon Fraser University that brought together First Nations knowledge holders and technical staff to discuss these challenges in the context of wild Pacific salmon in B.C.

The findings of this event were recently published in Facets and include potential steps for First Nations governments to take in asserting sovereignty over their data. Additionally, there are also recommendations that external researchers can follow to ensure they respect IDS and maintain ethical data management.

For example, First Nations may want to create steps or policies for external researchers or neighboring Nations to follow when requesting access to their data or territories. Nations may also want to create tools supporting data collection, management and dissemination, or consider using outside tools to help manage data.

Meanwhile, non-Indigenous researchers must educate themselves about IDS, engage with First Nations before planning research or monitoring, and avoid making assumptions about ownership and data management. They can also find ways to direct funding and resources to Nations and advocate for changing policies within and beyond their organizations or institutions.

To support these efforts, we created an Indigenous Data Sovereignty toolkit with links for further reading, third-party tools for data management, template data agreements and more.

Moving forward

Indigenous Peoples are global leaders in environmental justice and conservation, yet discussions about collaborative research often overlooks the importance of IDS. Meanwhile, the push for open data policies may disregard Indigenous rights and undermine efforts to protect Indigenous data.

We call for greater consideration of IDS in research, conservation and governance arrangements. Scientists must integrate IDS into research partnerships to support Indigenous sovereignty and facilitate more successful conservation outcomes. At the same time, Crown decision-makers must establish governance agreements with Nations that respect and value Indigenous data sovereignty.

IDS is imperative for equitable and sustainable conservation efforts, paving the way for a future where ecosystems flourish, wildlife thrives and communities prosper.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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On the supercomputers at the National Supercomputer Center at Linkoping University, researchers simulate how atoms in different materials behave. Data from such simulations is made available worldwide via the OPTIMADE standard to train future AI models for materials research. From left: Oskar Andersson, doctoral student, and Rickard Armiento, associate professor. Credit: Magnus Johansson/Linkoping University

Artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating the development of new materials. A prerequisite for AI in materials research is large-scale use and exchange of data on materials, which is facilitated by a broad international standard. A major international collaboration now presents an extended version of the OPTIMADE standard.

New technologies in areas such as energy and sustainability involving batteries, solar cells, LED lighting and biodegradable materials require new materials. Many researchers around the world are working to create materials that have not existed before. But there are major challenges in creating materials with the exact properties required, such as not containing environmentally hazardous substances and at the same time being durable enough to not break down.

"We're now seeing an explosive development where researchers in materials science are adopting AI methods from other fields and also developing their own models to use in materials research. Using AI to predict properties of different materials opens up completely new possibilities," says Rickard Armiento, associate professor at the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM) at Linkoping University in Sweden.

Today, many demanding simulations are performed on supercomputers that describe how electrons move in materials, which gives rise to different material properties. These advanced calculations yield large amounts of data that can be used to train machine learning models.

These AI models can then immediately predict the responses to new calculations that have not yet been made, and by extension predict the properties of new materials. But huge amounts of data are required to train the models.

"We're moving into an era where we want to train models on all data that exist," says Armiento.

Data from large-scale simulations, and general data about materials, are collected in large databases. Over time, many such databases have emerged from different research groups and projects, like isolated islands in the sea. They work differently and often use properties that are defined in different ways.

"Researchers at universities or in industry who want to map materials on a large scale or want to train an AI model must retrieve information from these databases. Therefore, a standard is needed so that users can communicate with all these data libraries and understand the information they receive," says Gian-Marco Rignanese, professor at the Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences at UCLouvain in Belgium.

The OPTIMADE (Open databases integration for materials design) standard has been developed over the past eight years. Behind this standard is a large international network with over 30 institutions worldwide and large materials databases in Europe and the U.S.. The aim is to give users easier access to both leading and lesser-known materials databases.

A new version of the standard, v1.2, is now being released, and is described in an article titled "Developments and applications of the OPTIMADE API for materials discovery, design, and data exchange" and published in the journal Digital Discovery.

One of the biggest changes in the new version is a greatly enhanced possibility to accurately describe different material properties and other data using common, well-founded definitions.

The international collaboration spans the EU, the UK, the US, Mexico, Japan and China together with institutions such as Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), University of California Berkeley, University of Cambridge, Northwestern University, Duke University, Paul Scherrer Institut, and Johns Hopkins University.

More information: Matthew Evans et al, Developments and applications of the OPTIMADE API for materials discovery, design, and data exchange, Digital Discovery (2024). DOI: 10.1039/D4DD00039K
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Conceptual diagram showing an ultrafast photoemission electron microscope. The optical path is briefly drawn, with the beam propagating through optical elements such as a fractional mirror (BS), a reflector (mirror), and an attenuator (ND) to finally reach the sample surface. The figure illustrates infrared wavelength light for pumping, and extreme ultraviolet light can be used to excite the surface to produce spillover electrons for detection, while the delay stage (DL) can be adjusted the provide the entire system with a femtosecond to nanosecond time resolution capability. Credit: International Journal of Mechanical System Dynamics (2023). DOI: 10.1002/msd2.12081. Reproduced under terms of the CC-BY license.87 Copyright 2021, The Authors, published by AIP. BS, beam splitter; DL, delay line; FW, filter wheel; G, grating; HF, hollow fiber; HWP, half wave plate; L, lens; M, reflective mirror; ND, neutral density filters; P, periscope; PEEM, photoemission electron microscope; PH, pinhole module containing an EUV scintillator; T1, first toroidal mirror; T2, second toroidal mirror 2; V, valve; VBS, vacuum beam splitter.

A study has unlocked new dimensions in understanding the ultrafast processes of charge and energy transfer at the microscale. The research delves into the dynamics of microscopic particles, providing insights that could revolutionize semiconductor and electronic device development.

Understanding the dynamic behavior of microscopic particles is crucial for advancing technologies in various fields, including electronics and materials science. Traditional imaging techniques often fall short in capturing these rapid processes. Given these challenges, there is a pressing need to develop advanced imaging methods that offer high spatial and temporal resolution to uncover the intricacies of electron and lattice dynamics in materials.

A team from the Beijing Institute of Technology, including researchers from the Laser Micro/Nano Fabrication Laboratory, published a comprehensive review on ultrafast electron microscopy (UEM) in the International Journal of Mechanical System Dynamics. This review explores the principles and applications of Electron Microscopy (TR-PEEM), Scanning Ultrafast Electron Microscopy (SUEM), and Ultrafast Transmission Electron Microscopy (UTEM), highlighting their capabilities in studying ultrafast processes in materials.

The review discusses three main UEM techniques: Time-Resolved Photoemission TR-PEEM, SUEM, and UTEM. TR-PEEM utilizes an electron microscope to image the distribution of photoelectron emissions on surfaces, revealing electron energy distribution and surface plasmon dynamics, and has been used to study heterogeneous interfacial electron transfer and ultrafast electron transport in single-crystal materials.

SUEM combines scanning electron microscopy with ultrafast laser pulses to achieve high spatial and temporal resolution, allowing for the observation of carrier dynamics in silicon materials, pn junction interfaces, and the effects of defect modifications on semiconductor nanowires. This technique is instrumental in understanding the carrier properties influenced by defects, doping, and surface orientation in single crystals.

UTEM offers multiple imaging modes, including real-space, inverse-space, and energy-space, to study lattice dynamics and phase transitions, revealing stress propagation in two-dimensional materials, martensitic phase transformations in metals, and the melting and crystallization processes under destructive excitation.

"Ultrafast electron microscopy represents a significant advancement in our ability to visualize and understand rapid processes at the atomic scale. The insights gained from these techniques are crucial for the development of future technologies in electronics and materials science," said Professor Lan Jiang, a leading researcher in the field from Beijing Institute of Technology.

The advancements in UEM techniques have broad implications for scientific research and industrial applications. By providing detailed insights into ultrafast electron and lattice dynamics, these methods can guide the development of advanced semiconductors, optoelectronic devices, and efficient photocatalysts. Furthermore, the ability to observe real-time processes at the atomic level opens new avenues for exploring fundamental physics, chemistry, and materials science, ultimately driving innovation in various high-tech industries.

More information: Yiling Lian et al, Probing electron and lattice dynamics by ultrafast electron microscopy: Principles and applications, International Journal of Mechanical System Dynamics (2023). DOI: 10.1002/msd2.12081

Provided by Maximum Academic Press
Fiance of RINO Maricopa County attorney Rachel Mitchell reportedly caught using crude language on X By Rachel Alexander

web posted June 24, 2024 The reported fiance of Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, a RINO who represented the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors twice asking for sanctions against Kari Lake, appears to have used his X account for crude attacks. One of the requests was so bad that the judge, who has repeatedly ruled against Lake, denied it. A source very familiar with Mitchell and her fiance, who prefers to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, told me that Mitchell's fiance is named Paul Stout and he ran the former X account @AZJayPaul, which attacked people using crude language, with considerable insider knowledge about the Maricopa County Attorney's Office (MCAO). Vladimir Gagic , a conservative attorney who believes he was targeted by the State Bar of Arizona coincidentally after he tangled with MCAO as a public defender, was attacked by the account numerous times and compiled several screenshots of the posts as his suspicions mounted, before the account was deleted. Gagic posted on X that when the account first started attacking him, "he had his full name [Paul Stout] in profile then later took it down. He has a Facebook page, same profile pic and all love for @Rachel1Mitchell ." Gagic told me, "Based on the posts from that account coming after me, I thought it was a county employee, doing it on taxpayer time. He just knew too much. His motivation for coming after me was weird, because I was just some random person replying to Rachel Mitchell on X. I had only a handful of followers." What set off the biggest warning bells for Gagic was when the account mentioned inside information that few would have known about unless they knew high-level information at MCAO. In early January, someone posted on X about attending the annual NAACP conference in Phoenix. Gagic commented , "why wasn't @Rachel1Mitchell @marcoattorney or Joel @AZStateBar or any single judge from @courtpio or @AZCourts there? Oh that's right What a stupid question." Even though Gagic had not directed his post at @AZJayPaul, the account responded , "The County Attorney's Office sponsored a table and was present at this event. You're making yourself look foolish." Gagic said very few people would have known this information. In another post directed at Gagic, the account said, "Interesting use of your filthy grammar. Can you explain why your client cold-cocked you in the courtroom?" referring to an incident where the criminal defendant Gagic was assigned to represent as a public defender, who was being prosecuted for biting a corrections officer, punched him during a court hearing. The account posted a video of the punching incident in another post . The account added a post that said, "Says the disgraced and suspended AZ lawyer." Gagic's law license was suspended for a year after the tussle with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office over their treatment of one of his clients, who he believed was innocent. There were a couple more posts by the account similar to those. When Gagic criticized Mitchell for using the office as a platform to run for another office, the account responded by linking to the Arizona bar's disciplinary opinion against Gagic. Another post by the account in February said , "Quit inflaming the community even more. Did you listen to County Attorney Rachel Mitchell's press conference? She said they are lining up their ducks and justice will be served. You're making things worse for the victims who don't deserve your nonsense." Gagic asked, "Why is @Rachel1Mitchell paid surrogate/state employee, @AZJayPaul, taunting victims of violence threatening even more violence to stop" In another post , Gagic said directed at the account, "quite disturbing that a state employee would so casually threaten aggravated assault." @AZJayPaul responded, "Time to change your diaper little baby boy! Is mama home to rock you to sleep?" Many of the posts by the account consisted of fawning praise for Mitchell. "There is no one better qualified to be the Maricopa County Attorney than Rachel Mitchell," he lavished . "No one!" Gagic believes Stout may have worked for the Arizona Department of Child Safety, since he discovered an employee with the same name there. He put in a complaint to the agency about the account's threatening language towards him, which he said was ignored. Gagic said Stout's Facebook page has also now coincidentally disappeared. Gagic, whose law license was suspended for a year but not allowed a trial, which he believes is due to corruption , told me that the legal corruption here is worse than what he fled in his former Yugoslavia. His family moved to Sweden in the 1970s, but were threatened by the Yugoslavian secret police, known as the Udba. They were told if they did not return to the country or spy on other Yugoslavian immigrants, their children would be killed. They refused to cave and eventually moved to the U.S. "At least they threatened you to your face," Gagic said. "Here it's cowardly, they engage in corruption against you secretly behind your back." I asked Stout for comment, through a phone number provided by the anonymous source, but it was ignored. Mitchell is facing a tough primary race against conservative Gina Godbehere , who was also a longtime prosecutor with MCAO. Conservatives have rallied around Godbehere, citing Mitchell's close ties to the corrupt Maricopa County Supervisors. Godbehere, who has a reputation as a tough-on-crime prosecutor, has extensively criticized Mitchell for lenient policies on crime, and said that "Diversion is being offered at unprecedented rates to serious felons, even when victims object.  My opponent continues to downgrade an alarming number of felony cases and send them to the cities for misdemeanor prosecution." Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home
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Reuters recently published the bombshell report that in the spring of 2020, the US military began a social media disinformation campaign in the Philippines that aimed to undermine China's influence in the country by casting doubt on the effectiveness of the COVID relief aid China had delivered.

Under the pithy slogan #Chinaangvirus (#ChinaIsTheVirus), these fake accounts explicitly and repeatedly doubted the effectiveness of China's Sinovac COVID vaccine, in some cases calling the vaccine "fake." In others, it suggested that the virus's origin in China was all the evidence needed to be suspicious of the vaccine, whose origin was also in China.

The logic may be elusive, but the sentiment seemed to resonate. At least, the Philippines struggled mightily with vaccination uptake initially, with only about a third of the population taking up the vaccine over the first eight months of its distribution.

This wasn't the only such campaign. From its operations hub in Tampa, Florida, the military psychological operations team reportedly expanded its horizons to the Middle East and Central Asia. In these cases, it amplified the rumor that the COVID vaccines from both China and Russia contained pork gelatin. More than 150 Facebook and Twitter accounts repeated variations on the same message: Sinovac and Sputnik V were not halal. Do not get the vaccine.

As expected and, indeed, as appropriate, nearly everyone asked to comment on this story condemned the action, citing both the immediate deleterious effect this campaign may have had on COVID illness severity and death rates during the pandemic and its wider effect of fomenting vaccine hesitancy more broadly.

Though some expressed shock that the US would opt for such a campaign, others pointed out that we'd seen this scenario beforeand recently.

Not the first time

In 2011, a CIA-run operation was launched intending to confirm the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden by collecting DNA from his family compound in a suburb of Abbottabad, Pakistan. But it was so poorly disguised as a hepatitis B vaccination campaign that suspicions were immediately raised.

Not only did vaccinators fail to return with the vaccine's required second dose, but the campaign quickly moved on from a relatively poor area of the city, where hep B vaccination was a reasonable undertaking, to the wealthier suburb where Bin Laden lived, an altogether unlikely locale for a hepatitis B vaccination drive.

Scenarios like these surely drive vaccine hesitancy. Sometimes they even seed violence.

In the wake of the CIA's sham vaccination campaign, the Taliban issued a fatwa against vaccination programs, and various localities in their jurisdiction prevented vaccination teams from entering.

As Lawrence Gostin, an American law professor, has described, vaccination campaign workers in the area (often women) were attacked and even killed.

Under pressure from public health leaders, the CIA agreed in 2014 never again to use vaccine programs as a cover. Perhaps the Pentagon didn't get the memo. Although, even if it had, it seems likely that those directing the COVID vaccine disinformation campaign would have gone ahead, anyway.

According to military news outlets, the Pentagon "stands by" its activities. Its justification is that the campaign was merely a response to China's own disinformation campaign, which suggested that America was responsible for the virus's spread.

This admission makes clear a context that is crucial to understanding the significance of such interventions. Globally, vaccines have long had a political significance that is so potent that it almost trumps their significance as agents of health prevention.

From the days of the 19th-century European empires, vaccines were lauded for their effectiveness as agents of colonialism. They afforded an easy way to introduce "western" medicine into colonial holdings, displacing indigenous health traditions as they also reinforced a dependency between colonizer and colonized.

Vaccine diplomacy

By the 20th century, and especially during the cold war period, "vaccine diplomacy" rendered a similar relationship, now not between colonized and colonizer but between so-called "client states" and the behemoths of the geopolitical orderchief among them the US and Soviet Union.

Though vaccine diplomacy has positive valences, as an antidote, for example, to vaccine nationalism, it has an explicit dark side, where the price for receiving vaccines on the part of a client state is "policy concessions and favorable geopolitical reconfigurations."

During the 1958 smallpox epidemic in Pakistan, both the US and USSR rushed to provide aid. No doubt humanitarianism played a role, but at stake were also the geopolitical advantages that a foothold there would bring. Vaccines often came with a hefty price tag.

And that's what we've seen over the COVID era as well, as Russia and China especially raced to supply vaccines "in exchange," as one commentator put it, "for favorable foreign-policy concessions."

This is quite clearly the context that best explains the Pentagon's actions in the Philippines, where the US read China as courting the Philippines with COVID aid. As a critical military base of operations for the US, precisely for its nearness to China, this was deemed unacceptable.

The heightened attention to dis- and misinformation in recent years has rendered the significance of the Pentagon's disinformation campaign, like the CIA's sham vaccination drive, too narrowly. Vaccine hesitancy is poorly defined in these contexts when it is glossed in terms of dis- or misinformation, in terms of conspiracy theories and in terms of science or medical literacy.

The long history of vaccines in the global context has instead established vaccines as just one more potent example of the injustices that the yawning power imbalances of the global order have wrought.

After all, vaccine hesitancy in Pakistan didn't begin with the CIA's sham campaign just as vaccine hesitancy in the Philippines did not start with America's disinformation campaign. If we want to start to make a dent in global vaccine confidence, we need to take a much longer view.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Katherine Scahill (fourth from right) and other newly ordained female monks return from alms rounds in the neighborhood near the monastery. Credit: Katherine Scahill

Katherine Scahill, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Music, has always been interested in the overlap of music and mindfulness. She grew up playing the violin, and, as an undergraduate at Wesleyan University, first began exploring that intersection in compositions she created while studying with experimental composer Alvin Lucier. Meanwhile, another Wesleyan mentor, Jan Willis, a professor of religion, introduced her to the female monastic movement in Thai Buddhism.

"One of the things I kept coming back to was how music can put you in a certain state of flow and get you out of a narrow sense of self. Through this broader interest in music and mindfulness, I started to become curious about how Buddhist practitioners use sound as an aspect of mindfulness," Scahill says.

It was during her master's program in religion from the Yale Divinity School and Institute of Sacred Music when her current project took flight, centering the importance of chant to female monastic training.

Scahill's dissertation, "The gendered politics of religious authority in Thai Buddhism: Voice, embodiment, and sonic efficacy in the movement for female monastic ordination," is based on ethnographic fieldwork with three communities of female Buddhist monks (bhikkhunis) in Thailand.

Drawing on the fields of religious studies and music studies, her dissertation investigates the sonic practices bhikkhunis employ to establish alternate channels of recognition, given that women's ordination is not accepted at a national level.

Scahill's Penn advisor Jim Sykes characterizes her work as pioneering. "I believe Katherine's dissertation will radically transform the disciplines of sound studies, voice studies, and Theravada Buddhist studies," Sykes says.

"Through fieldwork conducted at monasteries in Thailand, Katherine's dissertation challenges conventional Western understandings of the voice, agency, and subjectivity, as well as the idea that Theravada Buddhist is a 'silent' religion. Instead, Katherine centers the importance of chant to monastic training, particularly with regards to bodily discipline."

Scahill's research looks at the chanting and teaching traditions of bhikkhunis, the order of female monks that was started by the Buddha. The Buddha ordained women as monastics in his time, but some of the lineages over the 2,500 years since have died out.

In the Theravada Buddhist schoolmainly practiced in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodiathe order of bhikkhunis died out and was never revived. There's a narrative that once the lineage becomes extinct, it cannot be revived, that, in the absence of bhikkhunis, only the Buddha himself could ordain new orders Scahill says. "This is one of the arguments used against ordaining female monks," she says.

Scahill says that in Sri Lanka, some bhikkhu (male monks) supported the ordination of women, and in 1998 20 women from Sri Lanka were ordained. This opened the way for women in other countries to start contemplating whether the lineage could be revived in their country, and, if it couldn't, then they could travel to Sri Lanka to make it happen.

That's how the first bhikkhuni in Thailand, Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni, was ordained as a samaneri (novice) in 2001 and as a bhikkhuni in 2003.

"She traveled to Sri Lanka to be ordained and made news when she came back to Thailand; she wasn't welcomed with open arms in all sectors," Scahill says. Contrary to what her opponents say, Venerable Dhammananda's position is that she's reviving and strengthening Buddhism in Thai society.

Following Venerable Dhammananda's ordination, other Thai women, such as Venerable Nandayani Bhikkhuni, also ordained in Sri Lanka and have since established bhikkhuni monasteries throughout Thailand.

Scahill first met Venerable Dhammananda during a Skype interview while working on her master's degree. "She was happy to do an interview," Scahill says. "I was interested in hearing how their chanting traditions both reflect and produce this revival, while at the same time creating new traditions."

Since then, Scahill has traveled to Thailand and stayed at Venerable Dhammananda's monastery, Wat Songdhammakalyani, in 2018 and 2019. During longer-term fieldwork in 202223, she returned to this monastery as well as Nirodharam Bhikkhuni Aram in Chiang Mai and Thippayasathantham Bhikkhuni Aram in Songkhla.

"By staying in residence at three monasteries, I observed how morning and evening chanting sessions were a vital piece of monastic education and practice. The chanting is in a combination of Thai and Pali, the scriptural language used in Theravada Buddhism that is related to Sanskrit," she says.

One thing she notes is that in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, one of the ethical precepts that monks undertake is not to sing or play musical instruments. "That's why I tend to talk about sound and voice rather than music in terms of chanting. They wouldn't call it music, and it might give the wrong impression."

What she found is that the sound can be used as a technique of bringing the mind back to the present because the melodies and prayers that they use are repeated regularly in community practice.

She says, "While you are there, you're not listening to Spotify. In keeping with the precepts, in general, you're not consuming a lot of media. What I found on a personal level was that throughout the day, phrases from the chanting in Pali or in Thai would start to pop up in my mind, both the sound and the meaning."

There are about 300,000 male monks in Thailand, and they have a revered status in Thai society, Scahill says. "Chanting styles differ regionally and by monastic school. On a national level, however, the sound of these bhikkhu chanting has become closely associated with the way that Thai Buddhism sounds."

She says Thai bhikkhunis draw on these traditions, but, because they were ordained in Sri Lanka, they are influenced by Sri Lankan chanting styles and repertoire. Bhikkhuni in Thailand have also reused material from the past to formulate their tradition in the present.

"For instance, Venerable Dhammananda took Pali verses about 13 enlightened bhikkhunis praised by the Buddha for their remarkable qualities and created a chant, which she recorded," Scahill says.

"This was about 20 years ago when she first ordained. Now it's part of the repertoire that they do every week. Thippayasathantham Bhikkhuni Aram in southern Thailand, which traces their lineage through Venerable Dhammananda, has also incorporated this chant. So, they are taking scripture that was old and making it new for their purposes."

While living in Thailand from 2022 to 2023, Scahill took part in an opportunity to be temporarily ordained as a novice monk at Wat Songdhammakalyani to better inform her research. "That was a very intense experience," she says.

She and 20 other women underwent training and preparation for months prior to the nine days of temporary ordination.

"As part of the ordination, you shave your head, and you have to learn how to wear the robes," she says, noting the particular way the outer robe must be folded and wrapped around the body.

As a temporarily ordained novice, she went out to represent the temple in the local neighborhood, participating in chants as part of alms rounds. She then had the chance to offer a blessing. "Going through that process helped me realize, 'Wow, this is a lot to take on.'"

Scahill says that she wants the discourse around bhikkhunis to not just stop at the idea of whether these women should be allowed to become monks or not because she says it misses all the nuance of why they are doing the work.

"A lot has been written about that at this point. Now, they're doing their thing, and so let's look at how they are doing it. What are the mechanisms by which they're creating community? What are the mechanisms by which they're sustaining that practice and that movement over the last 20 years and into the third decade of their revival in Thailand?"

Scahill says there's a lot of misrepresentation of the female monks in mainstream media coverage, portraying them as feminists fighting for equality of women, as rebels fighting the power. When you go to the temples and stay there, she says, while you find that some of the outcomes of more liberal feminist projects may overlap with pieces of what the bhikkhunis are doing, the motivation is quite different.

Their motivation "is not to fight for women's equality," Scahill says, "but to have a road to practice what the Buddha taught. We need to take what they are doing on their terms."
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Optical and particle observations by the DMSP satellites in both hemispheres. (A) UV image from the SSUSI onboard the DMSP F17 satellite in the Northern Hemisphere (B) UV image from the SSUSI onboard the DMSP F17 satellite in the Southern Hemisphere (C and D) Energy-time spectrogram of ions (C) and electrons (D) taken by the particle instruments onboard the DMSP F17 satellite during the interval plotted in (A). (E and F) Energy-time spectrogram of ions (E) and electrons (F) taken by the particle instruments onboards the DMSP F17 satellite during the interval plotted in (B). Credit: Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn5276

A small team of astronomers affiliated with several institutions in Japan, working with a pair of colleagues in the U.S., has solved the mystery of the unusually smooth aurora that appeared in the Arctic sky in December of 2022.

In their paper published in Science Advances, the group describes how they pored over both ground-based data and satellite observations recorded during the event and what they learned by doing so.

In December of 2020, a ground-based camera in Norway recorded what was described at the time as a remarkable auroral event in the night skyone that spanned 4,000 kilometers across the polar cap. It was deemed as unusually smooth and covered much more of the night sky than is normal.

For two years its source remained a mystery. In this new study, the research team has finally determined the conditions that led to the unusual event.

The team studied camera images of the event and then compared them with satellite imagery from 75 magnetic latitudes. In so doing, they found a supra-thermal electron stream that came from the sun's corona, in emission patterns that looked remarkably like images that have been captured of polar rain auroraewhere electrons traveling from the sun's corona travel through the Earth's atmosphere above one of the polar regions.

Convinced that they were on to something, they did some more researchthis time looking into why the aurora was able to last so long. They found that the unique event had occurred during an unusually calm period of solar wind.

As the polar rain aurorae filled up the night sky that December, the solar wind density dropped to as low as 0.5 cm-3something that almost never happens. The research team notes that polar rain aurorae are typically invisible to the naked eye. The reason the one that occurred in 2022 could be seen by a regular camera was due to the lack of solar wind.

The study of auroras, it has been noted, has been greatly assisted by citizen scientiststhey were, for example, instrumental in solving the source of purple lights that appeared over the Canadian sky in 2016.

More information: Keisuke Hosokawa et al, Exceptionally gigantic aurora in the polar cap on a day when the solar wind almost disappeared, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn5276 Journal information: Science Advances

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Model of proton decay. Credit: Wikipedia/Cjean42; Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license

Does proton decay exist and how do we search for it? This is what a recently submitted study to the arXiv preprint server hopes to address as a team of international researchers investigate a concept of using samples from the moon to search for evidence of proton decay, which remains a hypothetical type of particle decay that has yet to be observed and continues to elude particle physicists.

This study holds the potential to help solve one of the longstanding mysteries in all of physics, as it could enable new studies into deep-level and the laws of nature, overall.

Here, Universe Today discusses this research with Dr. Patrick Stengel, who is a postdoctoral fellow in the Cosmology Group at INFN Ferrara Division, regarding the motivation behind the study, significant results, significance of searching for proton decay, implications for confirming the existence of proton decay, and turning their concept into reality. Therefore, what is the motivation behind the study?

Dr. Stengel tells Universe Today this research started around 2018 with lead author, Dr. Sebastian Baum, and other scientists regarding the use of paleo-detectors, which is a proposed method to examine particles that span vast periods of geological timeframes.

This led to discussions with study co-author, Dr. Joshua Spitzwho became interested in paleo-detectors after several papers examined their potential to search for dark matterand one of Dr. Spitz's Ph.D. students, regarding how paleo-detectors could be used to discover the existence of proton decay. However, the team published a study discussing how finding proton decay on Earth wasn't possible due to atmospheric neutrinos.

"About one year after finishing atmospheric neutrino paper, Spitz suggested we consider mineral samples from the moon," Dr. Stengel tells Universe Today. "Due to the lack of an atmosphere, the cosmic ray-induced neutrino flux on the moon is highly suppressed compared to the Earth. The corresponding suppression of the cosmic ray-induced neutrino interactions in paleo-detectors allows for a search for proton decay to at least be feasible in principle."

For the study, the researchers proposed a hypothetical concept using paleo-detectors that would involve collecting mineral samples from more than 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) beneath the lunar surface and analyzing them for presence of proton decay, either on the moon itself or back on Earth.

The researchers note these lunar paleo-detector samples could yield proton lifetimes up to 1034 years. For context, the age of the universe is approximately 13.7 x 109 years. Therefore, what are the most significant results from this study?

Dr. Stengel tells Universe Today, "For a lunar mineral sample which is both sufficiently radiopure to mitigate radiogenic backgrounds and buried at sufficient depths for shielding from other cosmic ray backgrounds, we show that the sensitivity of paleo-detectors to proton decay could in principle be competitive with next-generation conventional proton decay experiments."

As noted, proton decay continues to be a hypothetical type of particle decay and was first proposed in 1967 by the Soviet physicist and Nobel Prize laureate, Dr. Andrei Sakharov. As its name implies, proton decay is hypothesized to occur when protons decays into particle smaller than an atom, also called subatomic particles.

As noted by this recent study and various previous studies, proton decay has yet to be discovered or observed. However, it is hypothesized to have the potential for better understanding our universe and the origin of life with quantum tunneling being proposed as a process of proton decay.

Therefore, what is the significance of searching for proton decay, and what implications could its existence have for science, and specifically the field of particle physics, overall?

Dr. Stengel tells Universe Today, "Proton decay is a generic prediction of particle physics theories beyond the Standard Model (SM). In particular, proton decay could be one of the only low energy predictions of so-called Grand Unified Theories (GUTs), which attempt to combine all of the forces which mediate SM interactions into one force at very high energies. Physicists have been designing and building experiments to look for proton decay for over 50 years."

Dr. Stengel continues, "The discovery of proton decay, whether in a mineral detector or a more conventional experiment, would have incredible implications for science in general and particle physics in particular. Such a discovery would be the first confirmation of particle physics beyond the SM. Depending on how well the proton decay signal could be characterized, we could learn something about the fundamental theory of nature."

As noted, the hypothetical concept proposed by this study using paleo-detectors to detect proton decay on the moon would require collecting samples at least 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) beneath the lunar surface. For context, the deepest humans have ever collected samples from beneath the lunar surface was just under 300 centimeters (118 inches) with the drill core samples obtained from the Apollo 17 astronauts.

On Earth, the deepest human-made hole is the Kola Superdeep Borehole in northern Russia and measures approximately 12.3 kilometers (7.6 miles) in true vertical depth, along with requiring several holes to be drilled and several years to achieve. While the study notes the proposed concept using paleo-detectors on the moon is "clearly futuristic," what steps are required to take this concept from futuristic to realistic?

Dr. Stengel tells Universe Today, "As we are careful not to stray too far from our respective areas of expertise related to particle physics, we chose not to speculate much at all about the actual logistics of performing such an experiment on the moon. However, we also thought that this concept was timely as various scientific agencies across different countries are considering a return to the moon and planning for broad program of experiments."

Dr. Stengel continues, "As you mention, the mineral samples would need to be extracted from at least about 5 km deep in the lunar crust. Thus, there would need to be a drilling rig delivered to and operated on the moon which is capable of reaching such depths. While this logistical challenge seems daunting, we point out that, e.g., NASA envisions sufficiently large payloads eventually being delivered to the moon as part of the Artemis program."

As noted, this study comes as NASA's Artemis program plans to return astronauts to the lunar surface for the first time in more than 50 years with the goal of landing the first woman and person of color on the lunar surface, as well. Additionally, as scientific interest in paleo-detectors continues to grow, the concept proposed in this study could prove to be scientifically beneficial for not only discovering proton decay, but for us better understanding our place in the universe. Finally, it turns out that only a small sample will be necessary to make this proposed concept worth it.

Dr. Stengel tells Universe Today, "Due to the exposure of paleo-detectors to proton decay over billion-year timescales, only one kilogram of target material is necessary to be competitive with conventional experiments. In combination with the scientific motivation and the recent push towards returning humans to the moon for scientific endeavors, we think paleo-detectors could represent the final frontier in the search for proton decay."

More information: Sebastian Baum et al, The Final Frontier for Proton Decay, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2405.15845 Journal information: arXiv
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Credit: NASA

For the last seven decades, astrophysicists have theorized the existence of "kugelblitze," black holes caused by extremely high concentrations of light.

These special black holes, they speculated, might be linked to astronomical phenomena such as dark matter, and have even been suggested as the power source of hypothetical spaceship engines in the far future.

However, new theoretical physics research by a team of researchers at the University of Waterloo and Universidad Complutense de Madrid demonstrates that kugelblitze are impossible in our current universe. Their research, titled "No black holes from light," is published on the arXiv preprint server and is forthcoming in Physical Review Letters.

"The most commonly known black holes are those caused by enormous concentrations of regular matter collapsing under its own gravity," said Eduardo Martin-Martinez, who is a professor of applied mathematics and mathematical physics and affiliate of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.

"Because, in Einstein's theory of general relativity, any kind of energy curves space-time, it has been long speculated that an enormous concentration of energy in the form of light might lead to a similar collapse. However, this prediction was made without considering quantum effects."

The team built a mathematical model, taking into account quantum effects, that demonstrated that the concentration of light required to create kugelblitze would be tens of orders of magnitude greater than that observed in quasars, the brightest objects in our universe.

"Long before you could reach that intensity of light, certain quantum effects would occur first," said Jose Polo-Gomez, a Ph.D. candidate in applied mathematics and quantum information. "That strong of a concentration of light would lead to the spontaneous creation of particles like electron-positron pairs, which would move very quickly away from the area."

Though the conditions necessary to achieve such an effect are impossible to test on earth using current technology, the team can be confident in the accuracy of their predictions because they rely on the same mathematical and scientific principles that power positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

"A way to understand this phenomenon is to think of the annihilation of matter and antimatter, like what happens during PET scans. Electrons, and their antiparticles (positrons) can annihilate each other and disintegrate into pairs of photons, or light 'particles,'" Martin-Martinez said.

"Our results are a consequence of the phenomenon called 'vacuum polarization' and the Schwinger effect, and while explaining them in a few words can be challenging, a helpful way of thinking about it is this: The phenomenon we've predicted that would prevent the creation of black holes from light is in many ways like the opposite of the matter-antimatter disintegration phenomenon that happens in a PET scan. When there is a large concentration of photons they can disintegrate into electron-positron pairs, which are quickly scattered away taking the energy with them and preventing the gravitational collapse."

While the impossibility of kugelblitze may be disappointing for astrophysicists, the discovery is an important achievement in the kind of fundamental physics research enabled by the partnership between applied mathematics, the Perimeter Institute, and the Institute for Quantum Computing at Waterloo.

"While these discoveries may not have known applications right now, we are laying the groundwork for our descendants' technological innovations," said Polo-Gomez. "The science behind PET scan machines was once just as theoretical, and now there's one in every hospital."
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The SOAR Telescope on Cerro Pachon in Chile. Credit: NOIRLab

Using an instrument on the 4.1-meter Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope, researchers have obtained the first astronomical spectrum using skipper charge-coupled devices (CCDs).

The results were presented on June 16 at the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation meeting in Japan by Edgar Marrufo Villalpando, a physics Ph.D. candidate at the University of Chicago and a Fermilab DOE Graduate Instrumentation Research Award Fellow.

"This is a major milestone for skipper-CCD technology," said Alex Drlica-Wagner, a cosmologist at the U.S. Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, who led the project. "It helps to retire the perceived risks for using this technology in the future, which is vitally important for future DOE cosmology projects."

This is an important achievement for a project conceived and initiated through the Laboratory Directed Research and Development program at Fermilab in collaboration with NSF's NOIRLab detector group. LDRD is a national program sponsored by the DOE that allows national laboratories to internally fund research and development projects that explore new ideas or concepts.

CCDs were invented in the United States in 1969, and forty years later scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their achievement. The devices are two-dimensional arrays of light-sensitive pixels that convert incoming photons into electrons. Conventional CCDs are the image sensors first used in digital cameras, and they remain the standard for many scientific imaging applications, such as astronomy, though their precision is limited by electronic noise.

Cosmologists seek to understand the mysterious nature of dark matter and dark energy by studying the distributions of stars and galaxies. To do this, they need advanced technology that can see fainter, more distant astronomical objects with as little noise as possible.

Existing CCD technology can make these measurements, but take a long time or is less efficient. So, astrophysicists must either increase the signali.e., by investing more time on the world's largest telescopesor decrease the electronic noise.

Skipper CCDs were introduced in 1990 to reduce electronic noise to levels that allow the measurement of individual photons. They do this by taking multiple measurements of interesting pixels and skipping the rest. This strategy enables skipper CCDs to increase the precision of measurements in interesting regions of the image while reducing total readout time.

In 2017, scientists pioneered the use of skipper CCDs for dark matter experiments such as SENSEI and OSCURA, but the new presentation showed the first time the technology was used to observe the night sky and collect astronomical data.

On March 31 and April 9, the researchers used skipper CCDs in the SOAR Integral Field Spectrograph to collect astronomical spectra from a galaxy cluster, two distant quasars, a galaxy with bright emission lines, and a star that is potentially associated with a dark-matter-dominated ultra-faint galaxy. In a first for astrophysical CCD observations, they achieved sub-electron readout noise and counted individual photons at optical wavelengths.

"What's incredible is that these photons traveled to our detectors from objects billions of light-years away, and we could measure each one individually," said Marrufo Villalpando.

Researchers are analyzing data from these first observations, and the next scheduled run for the skipper-CCD instrument on the SOAR Telescope is in July 2024.

"Many decades have passed since the skipper was born, so I was surprised to see the technology come to life again many decades later," said Jim Janesick, inventor of the skipper CCD and a distinguished engineer at SRI International, a research institute based in California. "The noise results are amazing. I fell off my seat when I saw the very clean data."

With the first successful demonstration of skipper-CCD technology for astrophysics, scientists are already working to improve it. The next generation of skipper CCDs, developed by Fermilab and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, is 16 times faster than current devices. These new devices will greatly reduce readout time, and researchers have already begun testing them in the laboratory.

The next generation of skipper CCDs has been identified for use in future DOE cosmology efforts, such as the spectroscopic experiments DESI-II and Spec-S5, recommended by the recent U.S. particle physics planning process. In addition, NASA is considering skipper CCDs for the forthcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory that will attempt to detect earth-like planets around sun-like stars.

"I'm looking forward to seeing where these detectors might end up," said Marrufo Villalpando, who joined the program in 2019. "People are using them for amazing things all over; their utility ranges from particle physics to cosmology. It's a very versatile and useful technology."

The project was a close collaboration among physicists, astronomers and engineers at Fermilab, UChicago, the National Science Foundation's NOIRLab, DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the National Astrophysical Laboratory of Brazil.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

State wildlife officials have now killed a total of 180 brown bears on Southwest Alaska caribou calving grounds in just over a year as part of a contested strategy to restore the renowned Mulchatna herd.

Shooting from a helicopter between May 10 and June 5, Alaska Department of Fish and Game employees killed 81 brown bears and 15 wolves they spotted across 530 square miles of tundra, officials said this month.

In 2023, the first year of the program, state employees killed 94 brown bears including some cubs, five black bears and five wolves.

State wildlife officials say killing bears feeding on newborn calves is a last-ditch attempt to shore up a herd that has declined from a peak of 200,000 animals in 1997 to just over 13,000 today. The state halted all hunting of Mulchatna caribou in 2021 with a goal of reaching a herd size of 30,000 to 80,000 animals.

Wildlife officials now say the strategy is working: Calf-cow ratios used to measure summer calf survival nearly doubled last fall compared to a 10-year average, according to a June 14 Department of Fish and Game advisory.

"Based on last fall, I anticipate we're going to see another pretty strong showing of calves pretty quickly," said Ryan Scott, the state's top wildlife official.

But the new data comes amid ongoing questions in the scientific community about the role predators play when it comes to caribou survival compared to other factors like disease and access to the low-growing lichens the animals eat.

When the Alaska Board of Game first approved the bear kill in 2022 as an expansion of an existing wolf control program that wasn't working, Fish and Game biologists who studied the Mulchatna herd called malnutrition and infection bigger factors in caribou declines than predators.

Even now, two years into the project, the state still doesn't appear to have data that establishes killing bears will definitively boost caribou numbers, according to several retired biologists interviewed for this story.

The improved calf-cow ratios announced this month may reflect a population recovering from brucellosis, a disease that can lower calf survival, rather than the effect of fewer bears, said Ken Whitten, a former Fish and Game wildlife biologist living in Fairbanks.

Whitten said the state's own data indicated that bear predation was not a serious problem for newborn caribou, "especially for the western segment of the herd, which is where the control occurred."

The state's bear-kill numbers this month also come amid growing questions about the role climate change may be playing in the collapse of caribou populations in North America, including Alaska's Western Arctic and other herds, including the Mulchatna.

Jim Dau, a Kotzebue-based caribou biologist who retired from the Department of Fish and Game in 2016, said the concern among his peers is that a "really aggressive" predator removal program was enacted without knowing how many bears move through the area or just what's driving the herd declines.

"The overriding concern for me is how climate change is affecting caribou worldwide," Dau said. "If we just continue to throw our time and resources into hacking out bears and wolves, we could be missing a lot of other things."

Dau said he's seen winter rains that freeze snow into a crust that animals can't penetrate to vegetation below, as well as brushy shrubs replacing the low-growing lichen on which caribou rely.

Scott, director of the state's Division of Wildlife Conservation, said he agrees climate change is probably affecting many Alaska caribou herds, including the Mulchatna population, in those ways.

There's "very little we can do to impact that in a positive way," he said. "But we know that bears and wolves eat the calves and it's the one lever that we can pull to try to make a positive impact."

Fish and Game wasn't able to put radio collars on newborn calves last year to track and study them closelya point of contention with predator control criticsbut have collared 42 calves this year, Scott said. The agency is also trying to learn more about what led to the deaths of calves that didn't survive, he said.

According to this month's advisory, wildlife officials are also conducting nutritional research and disease monitoring "to determine if further bear and wolf reductions during spring calving are warranted to further improve calf survival and herd growth."

The predator control program is authorized through 2028. The state intends to conduct it for at least one more year, Scott said.

The Mulchatna program cost nearly $309,200 last year, officials say. An estimate for this year's program wasn't available this week.

Wildlife officials say that they are operating under a mandate from the state's "intensive management" law that requires action when caribou numbers drop below a certain level.

The Mulchatna range includes the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge and villages in the Bristol Bay area. State officials say residents in 48 communities depend on the herd for food.

Resolutions at last year's Alaska Federation of Natives conference included support for Mulchatna predator control. The Association of Village Council Presidents, which represents 56 federally recognized tribes, sent the Board of Game a letter last fall supporting "all possible measures to protect the herd" including predator control and limiting hunting to subsistence only.

This month, state wildlife officials said bear and wolf populations are "healthy" in Western Alaska and prior research indicates "a full recovery to pretreatment levels" within a few years.

Whitten, the retired biologist, called that contention "pretty much speculation" because bears don't reproduce fast enough for a population to recover that rapidly, though new bears can move into the area.

"As to what the long-term effects are, how quickly bears will recover within this area, those are things we don't know," he said.

2024 Anchorage Daily News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Climate activists Just Stop Oil launched a protest at Stonehenge, the 5,000-year-old stone monument in southern England, a day before thousands of people planned to gather there to celebrate the summer solstice.

Two members of the group sprayed three of the standing stones with an orange powder made from cornflour to draw attention to their campaign and its demands: that the UK government commit to ending the extraction and burning of oil, gas and coal by 2030.

Much like other protests by Just Stop Oil, which have included throwing paintand sometimes tomato soupat protected paintings in galleries, the Stonehenge action has been lambasted for threatening that which people hold dear: cultural heritage and national identity.

Politicians, archaeologists and heritage enthusiasts have condemned Just Stop Oil for supposedly endangering the stones. Some have even called for prison sentenceswhich could happen, as the Unesco World Heritage Site is protected by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act (1979). Lichen species growing on the stones are also protected under the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The backlash demonstrates how heritage sites such as Stonehenge hold a sacred place for many and generate an almost desperate desire for rigid preservation. But Stonehenge and its landscape are dynamic features that forever shift and change. They have been beset by wars, roadworks and countless solstice gatherings. The stones were touched by thousands of hands before a barrier was installed and still bear the footfall of millions of visitors. They have withstood several interventions by archaeologists, who have hoisted the stones upright and replaced the lintels. In fact, all of the stones painted by Just Stop Oil21, 22 and 23have been re-erected or consolidated during the 20th century.

This is also not the first time the stones have been vandalized. As well as graffiti carved into some of them, the stones have often been the stage for political protests. The slogan "ban the bomb", referring to the call for nuclear disarmament, was sprayed across nine stones in 1961. The Stonehenge landscape will survive this protest by Just Stop Oil.

The real threat to Stonehenge

What Stonehenge may not withstand is climate change. The UK is set to experience warmer, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers, as well as an increase in the occurrence and severity of extreme weather which will include high winds and flooding. This will have an impact on the stones and their landscape, exacerbating erosion of the faces of the stones caused by freezing and thawing while much wetter or much drier soil undermines their stability.

There are 70 species of lichen growing on the stones, some of which are rare for the surrounding Salisbury plain. But drier summers brought about by climate change may deteriorate the environment required for these species to thrive.

While Just Stop Oil's protest at Stonehenge has generated outrage, there is silence over the cumulative and ongoing effects of climate change upon this and other heritage sites. There is little to no public uproar about climate change posing one of the biggest challenges to cultural landscapes, buried archaeology and the built environment. Without immediate and drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, we will witness the loss and change of beloved heritage sites which will in turn affect our economy, way of life and sense of place.

Beneath it all, a fear of loss

Heritage and climate change have a complex relationship. Climate change affects, and will continue to affect, heritagebut the reverse is also true. Heritage can encourage climate action. My research has demonstrated that greater awareness of heritage loss can raise consciousness of the climate crisis and prompt action.

This is in part due to the emotional attachment people have to local and national heritage sites, and even those in other countries. When climate change and heritage meet during these protests, it is incredibly emotive. The visceral response to the protest at Stonehenge reveals our fear of loss and change, but this can act as a catalyst for climate action too. Just Stop Oil's protest appears to have highlighted a collective fear of losing revered heritage, yet the conversation about it has overlooked the main instigator.

The orange cornflour has been washed away by the charity English Heritage, which reports no visible damage. But climate change will continue to threaten Stonehenge, its wider landscape and the rare lichen living on the stones. We must channel our concern over potential damage to Stonehenge towards the real threats facing heritage sites.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Q16. To what extent if at all would you support or oppose the following proposals as means of funding major changes to our economy and lifestyles? Credit: Earth for All Survey 2024, Ipsos

A new survey of adult citizens in 18 of the world's largest economies has revealed majority support for tax reforms and broader political and economic reform. (Not all questions were asked in China, as indicated when findings reference 17 G20 countries.)

Around two-thirds (68%) of citizens across 17 G20 countries surveyed back a wealth tax on wealthy people as a means of funding major changes to our economy and lifestyle, with only 11% opposed, while 70% support higher rates of income tax on wealthy people, and 69% favor higher tax rates on large businesses, according to the survey conducted by Ipsos.

Support for a wealth tax on wealthy people is highest in Indonesia (86%), Turkey (78%), the UK (77%) and India (74%). Support is lowest in Saudi Arabia (54%), and Argentina (54%), but still over half the respondents surveyed. In the United States, France and Germany, around two in three of those surveyed support a wealth tax on wealthy people (67%, 67% and 68% respectively).

Results also show that when thinking about climate change and protecting nature, 71% of citizens in 18 G20 countries surveyed believe the world needs to act immediately, within a decade to reduce carbon emissions from electricity, transport, food, industry and buildings. This rises to 91% of Mexicans, 83% of South Africans and 81% of Brazilians surveyed. This belief is lowestbut still over half of respondentsin Saudi Arabia (52%), Japan (53%), the United States (62%) and Italy (62%).

The findings come as finance ministers from G20 countries, including the United States, China, and India, prepare to meet in Brazil this July. For the first time, a wealth tax is on the agenda as these nations deliberate on strategies to address economic and environmental challenges.

The survey, commissioned by Earth4All and the Global Commons Alliance, explored support for economic and political transformation in 18 of the G20 nations.

The survey highlighted broad support for using additional tax revenues to fund policy proposals to changes to our economy and lifestyles. Key areas with strong support include green energy initiatives, universal health care and strengthening workers' rights. Even less popular proposals, such as universal basic income and investment in citizens' assemblies to strengthen democracy, attract support from about half of respondents.

Owen Gaffney, co-lead of the Earth4All initiative, stated, "The message to politicians could not be clearer. The vast majority of people we surveyed in the world's largest economies believe major immediate action is needed this decade to tackle climate change and protect nature. At the same time, many feel the economy is not working for them and want political and economic reform. It's possible this may well help explain the rise in populist leaders."

"Our survey results provide a clear mandate from those across the G20 countries surveyed: redistribute wealth. Greater equality will build stronger democracies to drive a fair transformation for a more stable planet."

Thinking about climate change and protecting nature, how quickly do you think the world needs to take major action to reduce carbon emissions from electricity, transport, food, industry, and buildings? Credit: Earth for All Survey 2024, Ipsos

Jane Madgwick, Executive Director at the Global Commons Alliance, echoed this urgency, saying, "Science demands a giant leap to address the planetary crisis, climate change and to protect nature. And 71% of citizens in 18 G20 countries surveyed support immediate action within the next decade to reduce carbon emissions."

In 17 G20 countries surveyed, a majority of people believe economies should move beyond a singular focus on economic growth.

68% of those across 17 G20 countries surveyed agree that the way their country's economy works should prioritize the health and well-being of people and nature rather than focusing solely on profit and increasing wealth. Furthermore, 62% agree that a country's economic success should be measured by the health and well-being of its citizens, not how fast the economy is growing.

Trust in government is low, with only 39% of people in 17 G20 countries surveyed believing their government can be trusted to make decisions for the benefit of the majority of people, and just 37% trusting their government to make long-term decisions that will benefit the majority of people 20 or 30 years from now.

There is a notable demand for reform of national and global political and economic systems. In the 17 G20 countries surveyed, 65% of respondents believe their national political system needs major changes (36%) or to be completely reformed (29%). A similar proportion (67%) feel the same about their country's economic system (41% that it needs major changes and 27% that it needs to be completely reformed).

Sandrine Dixson-Decleve, executive chair of Earth4All and co-president of the Club of Rome said, "This survey proves once again that the majority of citizens across G20 countries believe it is time for an economy that delivers greater well-being, more climate solutions and less inequality. But the results also show a lack of trust in government, especially in Europe. With the recent European elections moving towards the radical right, we need to hold governments accountable to introduce an economy that services people and planet at the same time."

The survey also asked whether people are optimistic or pessimistic about their future. On average, 62% of people in 18 G20 countries surveyed are optimistic about their own future. However, only 44% feel positive about their country's future, while 38% are optimistic about the future of the world. Participants in emerging economies like Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, and India, along with those in China and Saudi Arabia are the most optimistic while participants in Europe and those in Japan and South Korea tend to be less optimistic.

Provided by The Club of Rome
CPS Energy President and CEO Rudy Garza speaks during a recent meeting with the Express-News Editorial Board. He won a 13.2% pay raise Monday from the city-owned utility. Robin Jerstad/Contributor

CPS Energy President and CEO Rudy Garza is getting a 13.2% raise  the first since he was named to the position in 2022  pushing his annual salary to $742,000.

The move was unanimously approved Monday by the city-owned utilitys board.

Trustees agreed Garzas base pay is less than what execs in comparable positions in the industry are paid. One complained its too low even with the raise and expressed concern it could keep other CPS executives' pay too low, making it a bigger challenge to retain them.

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Garza could also receive payouts of as much as 10%, which CPS is calling retention payments, at the end of his current contract. The payments  essentially a bonus  are to be based on Garzas performance and his good standing with the company.

Hes doing a great job and hes underpaid for the job he is doing today, trustee Willis Mackey said in announcing the boards decision.

Garza said the pay change indicated his team is reaching its benchmarks, adding that the board approached his salary the way the utility sets pay across the organization: by comparing it to compensation at comparable public power companies.

They could have tried to tried to market match me to 100% to the top of the public power space and they didnt do that, he said. They did it to the median, which I think is fair.  Our community has pushed back on incentive pay. I cant be tone deaf to that.

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Mayor Ron Nirenberg, whos also a CPS trustee, said the move was another step toward ensuring San Antonio residents have reliable electric service.

Rudy Garza and his team deserve an immense amount of credit for bringing this utility back to a solid position from the darkness of 2021, he said, referring to the aftermath of the deadly winter storm of February 2021 that led to statewide blackouts and deepening debt for CPS and other companies. Its not a small feat.

He said the companys financial position and its ability to serve its customers were in question under previous leadership.

We are caretaking this organization on behalf of the million-plus residents who are served  in the midst of probably the most uncertain time in the history for the energy industry, Nirenberg said.

Comparing pay

Trustees said they used third-party data on other utilities in determining the increase.

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Looking at more than a dozen comparable companies across the industry, including for-profit and municipal utilities, Mr. Garzas salary is a fraction of the average for CEOs, Mackey said.

The Salt River Project in Arizona had about 212,000 more customers than CPS in 2023 and was paying its CEO $1.2 million. Nearby Austin Energy, which had about 300,000 fewer customers than CPS in 2023, pays its top utility position about $475,000.

Locally, trustees at the San Antonio Water System last June gave its CEO a 15% raise to $593,838. Recently, they added a $133,000 bonus.

Garza has led the utility since September 2022, when he was hired after serving as interim president and CEO since November 2021. He was given a three-year contract, which runs to Jan. 1, 2026, and a $655,000 annual wage.

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He replaced Paula Gold-Williams, who resigned amid political and financial fallout in the wake of the February 2021 winter storm.

CPS ended its bonus program for all employees in 2020, a move Garza has endorsed and upheld through his tenure.

Bonus pay for CPS chief executive became controversial under Gold-Williams, who earned a base salary of more than $400,000 but could receive $1 million including a bonus if she met certain goals each year.

Compresses compensation

Trustee John Steen has long been a harsh critic of Garzas decision not to bring back incentives. He says its one of the reasons CPS lost seven of its highest ranking executives in recent years.

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Our senior leadership team members are remarkably underpaid, Steen said. So, I support boosting the compensation to the CEO position. However, even when its increased, itll still be inadequate and that inadequacy compresses the compensation of every other member of the senior leadership team.

After Mondays meeting, Garza pushed back on Steens conclusion. Yes, salary plays a role, he said, but so does the fact executives might be making a career change or opting to retire.

I feel great about our retention, Garza said. Every organization is going to lose executives.

Still, a new incentive program isnt off the table.

Garza said he is continuing conversations with his staff about what kind of incentive structure could work. He said its been a challenge to come to a consensus and is still exploring options.
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




Kathmandu, Nepal, June 24, 2024: Sun Weidong, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of China, is arriving here in Kathmandu today to participate in the 16th meeting of the Nepal-China Diplomatic Consultative Mechanism that is going to kick off from Tuesday.





According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the meeting is being held between the delegate members between the two neighboring countries. Nepalese delegation is being led by Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal while Chinese delegation will be led by Sun.





It is said that the meeting will be held focusing on bilateral relations between Nepal and China, as well as areas of cooperation.




Looking for a new experience this summer?

You can now walk up and rent a vintage-style, retro boat at Rocketts Landing, no boating license required.

Sea Suite Cruises has launched Retro Boat Rentals RVA, where customers can captain their own vintage jet age boats with up to four other passengers.

The new venture has two classic fiberglass runabout boats from the 1958-1963 era whose motors have been updated to run on electric energy instead of gasoline. Max speed on the boats is 10 miles per hour, which makes it safe for the average driver age 21 and over, the owners said.

Each boat can seat up to four people and boaters can bring their own food and beverages, such as beer, wine, seltzers, canned cocktails, and champagne. Hard alcohol is not permitted and the driver is not allowed to drink while driving the boat.

The boats can be rented out in intervals of one hour and thirty minutes for $150 Monday-Thursday and $200 Friday-Sunday.

Sea Suite Cruises began its operations in Richmond in 2022 with Paddle Club RVA and Tiki Club RVA.

The company was founded in Arlington in 2018 by best friends Jack Walten and Jack Maher, who met in preschool. After a few years working in corporate Washington D.C., they decided to brainstorm a business venture, and Sea Suite Cruises was born.

They began in Arlington by chartering pontoon paddle boats, and now, six years later, they have operations in Richmond, D.C., Baltimore and Annapolis, Maryland. They began with one boat, and now operate 17 across all locations.

We originally thought it was going to be a side-hustle, co-owner and co-founder of Sea Suite Cruises Jack Walten said. But it just started taking off and it kind of created a life of its own.

After the companys expansion into Richmond, both Walten and Maher quit their jobs to be full-time business owners.

Walten said it was friends who attended Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) who told them about a gap in the boat chartering market in Richmond that made them take the leap and expand.

We came down and there was no real commercial activity here, he said.

The most recent expansion into vintage boats will give clients the opportunity to captain the boat themselves, instead of simply being a passenger like on other Sea Suite Cruises.

Theyre very unique, Walten said. A lot of people dont have the experience of driving a boat, but these are very safe for what they are. They dont go over ten miles per hour, which is why you can rent them with just a drivers license, and you have to be 21.

Another driving force behind the companys decision to introduce Retro Boats is sustainability.

Instead of relying on gasoline, all of Retro Boats vessels are powered by electricity.

Thats something we have in mind, trying to be a more sustainable company, Walten said. Having the electric concept is something unique.

Eventually, he added, Sea Suites Cruises would like to convert all their boats to electrical energy.

Sea Suites Cruises appeals to all sorts of clientele, Walten said. They have hosted family parties, bachelorette parties, birthday parties and corporate events on their Paddle Club RVA and Tiki Club RVA boats, which hold up to 20 and 30 guests respectively. There are options to book the whole vessel or buy individual tickets. Tiki Club RVA and Paddle Club RVA tickets cost $50 per person on weekdays and $60 per person on weekends. Each excursion lasts one hour and forty-five minutes.

To book a cruise, customers can visit Sea Suite Cruises online at seasuitecruises.com.

More boat rentals Kingfish Boat Rentals also rent pontoon boats by the hour out of Kingsland Marina in Henrico County. Kingfish Boat Rentals have been operating since 2022. Prices run around $255 to $435 for a two to four hour rental. More information at: (804) 399-9881 or www.kingfishboatrentals.com

PHOTOS: Retro Boat Rentals RVA
A cell phone SIM card still in its packaging is seen in this file photo. Such cards, which connect a digital device like a phone or internet "hot spot" to a service provider, are at the heart of a settlement reached with a New Braunfels company. Kelvin Chan/Associated Press file photo New Braunfels-based Nomad Internet and its owners have agreed to pay up to $8 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the Texas Attorney General's Office. boonchai wedmakawand/Getty Images

A New Braunfels internet service company and its owners have agreed to pay as much as $8 million to settle a Texas attorney generals lawsuit that accused them of operating an illegal scheme targeting customers in rural areas.

The Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Attorney Generals Office sued Nomad Internet in April 2023, accusing the company of being involved in a multimillion-dollar scheme targeting internet users in rural areas.

The lawsuit alleged Nomad Internet and three owner/operators  Jessica Garza; her husband, Homero Garza; and Alan Harsom  of using unlawful and deceptive trade practices.

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Nomad Internet would acquire large quantities of SIM cards from legitimate wireless internet providers, reprogram those SIM cards to avoid detection, and then repackage the telecommunication equipment for resale to unsuspecting consumers, according to the attorney generals office.

A SIM  short for subscriber identity module  is a smart card carrying an ID number and personal data that connects a digital device to a service provider.

The states lawsuit alleged Nomad Internet and its operators misrepresented their relationship with the legitimate wireless internet providers, inducing consumers to purchase expensive monthly internet service plans. Upon detection of their unauthorized use, the legitimate wireless internet providers terminated the SIM cards, leaving consumers without internet access.

The lawsuit alleged that internet service provider Verizon conducted an undercover operation in which its employees posed as customers, used Nomad Internets website to sign up for its Verizon-backed plan, and received illegal SIM cards and devices to use with the cards. Verizon said the defendants attempted to conceal the deception by covering the Verizon label on the SIM cards using black markers.

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The settlement requires Nomad Internet to pay $2 million in refunds to roughly 20,000 customers, $1 million in legal fees and $2 million in other civil penalties. If the company or its agents violate the terms of the agreement, they will have to pay an additional $3 million in civil penalties, according to the settlement agreement.

Within 60 days of the settlement agreement, Nomad Internet is also required to provide a list of all customers who could be eligible for refunds. That would include customers between Jan. 1, 2020, and Nov. 30, 2022, who requested a replacement SIM card or returned a SIM card to defendants because it was not working and were not previously fully refunded all membership fees and monthly payments for any telecommunication services, according to the settlement.

The settlement also places a lien on an office property at 30665 U.S. 281 in Bulverde. The property, which is valued at $2.9 million by the Comal Appraisal District, is owned by JAPPA and JAGA Management, a limited liability company connected to Nomad Internets ownership. Nomad Internets website lists its mailing address as 1308 Common St., Suite 205, in New Braunfels.

This settlement ensures that the company will be deterred from any deceptive trade practices in the future. Fortunately, we were also able to return millions of dollars to harmed customers, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a written statement.

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The settlement does not include any admission of wrongdoing by Nomad Internet or its owners. In a statement posted on its website, the company said Nomad Internet has adamantly denied the accusations in the lawsuit and continues to do so.

In light of the no-fault agreement, Nomad Internet has reaffirmed its commitment to expand efforts to bridge the digital divide in America with cutting-edge, customer-centric tech products, the companys statement said.

On its website, Nomad Internet says: We launched in 2017 with the mission to serve the underserved, bringing people in rural communities and RV parks reliable access to the internet.

In a statement issued in April 2023, it said it has been an authorized reseller of Verizon internet services since November 2022.

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On Monday, Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, tasked President Joe Biden to take action to address controversial changes around the U.S. Postal Service.

In a letter shared with the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Spanberger urged Biden to fill a final vacancy on the Postal Services Board of Governors.

The board is a nine-person panel that oversees Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a Donald Trump appointee who has made drastic changes to the American mail service since his appointment in 2020.

Under the tenure of the current Postmaster General, the American people have seen our most beloved federal agency grossly mismanaged, undermined, and nearly destroyed, Spanberger wrote in her letter to the president.

Spanbergers letter cites reporting from The Times-Dispatch, which found that Virginia had the worst delivery rate for first-class mail in the country, a result of consolidation efforts connected to a long-term overhaul of the Postal Service, a project initiated by DeJoy known as Delivering for America.

Delivering for America involves significant consolidation and closure of many American post offices. DeJoy has defended the plan as necessary, saying that he knows of no other way to make the agency financially solvent.

The Postal Service has run at a loss for years, requiring significant bailouts from Congress. The most recent bailout  a $50 billion stimulus  was authorized by Congress in 2022.

Richmond postal operations were the first in the country to receive an overhaul. Those changes took effect in July 2023 and were followed by months of complaints by Virginia residents regarding late, missing and stolen mail.

In early April, an audit from the Postal Services internal watchdog agency highlighted shortcomings in the rollout of Delivering for America. Organizational issues had actually ballooned costs in the form of overtime expenses, auditors wrote.

The auditors also expressed doubt that the reforms would lead to the financial savings promised by DeJoy.

More recently, Virginias mail delivery has improved marginally. It is no longer the last in the country, having ceded that position to the mail delivery region of Atlanta. Virginia is now only third-worst in the country.

These findings further underscore the need for a fully staffed governing body to conduct proper oversight of USPS operations, seriously consider Postmaster DeJoys fitness for his role, and be prepared to vote on changes in leadership, should that be necessary, said Spanberger, who is running to be the next governor of Virginia.

Unlike other Cabinet positions, the postmaster general is not under the direct control of the sitting president. The board is the only agency with the power to hire and fire the postmaster general.

Two seats recently became vacant when two other appointee terms expired in December.

In late February, Biden nominated former Labor Department Secretary Marty Walsh to fill one of those vacancies. Walsh has not yet been approved by the U.S. Senate. His appointment was lauded by the National Association of Letter Carriers, a Postal Service union that welcomed him as a great friend of letter carriers.

Spanberger is asking the president to swiftly nominate a member to fill the final vacancy.

Of the seven sitting members, five are Biden appointees and two are Trump appointees. Federal laws prohibit more than five governors from belonging to one political party.

The board is currently chaired by Trump appointee Roman Martinez.

10 cooling solutions for hot home offices 1. Retro Desk Fan 2. Portable USB Air Conditioner 3. Cooling Seat Cushion 4. Portable Cooling Neck Air Conditioner 5. Smart Tower Fan 6. Clip-on USB Fan 7. Quiet Bladeless Fan 8. Gel Ice Pack 9. Pivot Personal Air Circulator 10. Wrist Ice Wraps
Cancun attacker arrested after dropping I.D. during sexual assault

Cancun, Q.R.  A Cancun man wanted for the sexual assault of a pedestrian has been captured. Gimel Zaddy N was taken into police custody after a Cancun judge issued a warrant for his arrest.

According to the police statement, on June 10 of this year, the woman, a pedestrian, was walking to a bus stop when the man is alleged to have overpowered her and sexually assaulted her.

The pair reportedly struggled at which time the man ran toward his parked motorcycle, accidentally dropping a piece of identification along the way. The victim picked it up, realizing the photo was the same man who had attacked her.

After filing a complaint with local authorities, Gimel Zaddy N, was picked up by Investigative Police. Authorities did not say if the attack was random or if the attacker knew his victim.
More rain in the forecast with the arrival of two tropical waves

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  State government officials have released a report warning Quintana Roo residents of more rain. Meteorologists say two more tropical waves are forecast to move over the region in coming days.

Authorities say two tropical waves will produce more rain for the Yucatan Peninsula. Photo: June 23, 2024.

Governor Mara Lezama says on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, two tropical waves will travel through the Yucatan Peninsula and interact with the monsoon trough, causing more rain and wind.

On Sunday evening, Riviera Maya was hit with intense rains that left ferry terminals temporarily shut. While ports have since been reopened for ferry passengers, there are still restrictions in place for small boats.

Lezama reported that to date, across the state, officials have located 86 sinkholes and 318 potholes. She also reported that classes for both public and private schools have reopened in the south after a week of closures.

So far, 86 sinkholes have been reported around the state due to the heavy rains. This sinkhole was located outside a school in Chetumal.

Tourists continue to enjoy their vacation despite the rain. Photo: June 23, 2024.

Free tow truck services are still available for residents with waterlogged vehicles and the Executive Secretariat continues to support occupants of flooded homes with minor bilge pumps to clean them.

Playa del Carmen continues to be hit with heavy rains leaving many streets impassable as was the case again Sunday night.

Photo: June 23, 2024.

In view of the presence of rain and strong winds Sunday, the Municipal Government headed by Mayor Atenea Gomez Ricalde, is keeping the Storm Operation active to promptly address the flooding and provide assistance to the population that requires it.

Intense rain was reported in Isla Mujeres again Sunday morning. Photo: June 23, 2024.

In this operation, the Civil Protection and Fire Department coordinates work with the Environment and Ecology, Public Services and Citizen Security departments, acting in a timely manner so that the impacts are minimal in both areas of the municipality.

City service vehicles have been out clearing clogged Tulum streets. Photo: June 21, 2024.

Among the actions carried out through the Storm Operation are the cleaning of grates in streets and avenues, the collection of garbage, pruning of trees and vegetation and the monitoring of vulnerable areas, the Government of Isla Mujeres posted Sunday.

Crews were out pumping flooded Isla Mujeres streets Sunday.

Photo: Ayuntamiento de Isla Mujeres June 23, 2024.

Government aid is still being provided to affected residents. Approximately 100 Army personnel in 15 trucks continue to assist with the delivery of boxes of basic food items as well as replacement appliances that include fridges, stoves and mattresses.

Lezama reported that 350 National Guard elements and 20 vehicles continue to offer assistance in addition to 225 Navy personnel in 11 vehicles. To date, Mexicos military have evacuated 397 people from flooded homes.

Cozumel Mayor (center with umbrella) is seen touring flooded areas Friday.

On Sunday, State Civil Protection reported in close collaboration with elements of the Conagua Clima, we are responding to reports of flooding after the heavy rains recorded Sunday in the streets of the Island of Holbox.

Isla Holbox is also feeling the impact of the ongoing heavy rains. Photo: Coordinacion Estatal de Proteccion Civil QRoo June 23, 2024.

Civil Protection are part of the ongoing support team who have helped (to date) pump 81,700 cubic meters of water in Chetumal and 14,832 cubic meters in Holbox. More rain is expected with the passing of two tropical waves.

Visitors enjoy the scene at Playa Delfines in the Cancun Hotel Zone. Photo: June 22, 2024

On Monday morning, State Civil Protection said the monsoon trough that extends close to the coasts of the southern Mexican Pacific, a low pressure channel over the Yucatan Peninsula and the approach of a tropical wave to the south of the Peninsula, will maintain over the State of Quintana Roo partly cloudy skies during the course of the day with intervals of showers with heavy rains accompanied by electrical activity over the state.

Men work to pump a flooded street on Holbox Sunday. Photo: Coordinacion Estatal de Proteccion Civil QRoo June 23, 2024.

The environment will be hot and muggy during the day and warm in the early morning and at dawn. The wind will remain from the southeast with gusts of 40 to 60 km/h.
CHRISTIANSBURG  Virginia failed for a second time Monday to win an early dismissal of a lawsuit that accuses the state of illegally withdrawing from a regional clean air program.

Circuit Judge Randall Lowe denied a request by the Virginia Attorney Generals Office to throw out the lawsuit, filed last year in Floyd County, that challenges a decision by two state agencies to leave the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Lowes rulings on preliminary motions  which were essentially the same as those made by another judge who later recused himself over a potential conflict of interest  moved the case toward a final decision.

I believe we need to get to the merits and get a ruling, Lowe said in scheduling a Sept. 16 hearing on the ultimate issues.

The lawsuit, filed by the Floyd-based Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, alleges that the State Air Pollution Control Board and the Department of Environmental Quality acted illegally last year in pulling out of RGGI, at the behest of Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

RGGI is a market-based coalition of 11 eastern states that aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants to fight climate change. Utilities that operate the plants must purchase an allowance for every ton of greenhouse gas they release. The allowances are then sold through RGGI auctions, often to other power providers or investors, with the proceeds being used for state flood control and energy efficiency programs.

The number of allowances is reduced over time, with the goal of pushing utilities to cut their carbon emissions and rely more on renewable energy.

More than $650 million was generated by the program between the time Virginia entered the initiative, through a law passed by General Assembly in 2020, to when it exited at the end of last year.

The Association of Energy Conservation Professionals, a trade group for the non-profit organizations that received RGGI money to weatherize low-income homes, argues in the lawsuit that only the legislature  not the governor or executive agencies  can revisit the question of Virginias participation.

Nathaniel Benforado, an attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center who represented the association, said it was pleased with the outcome of Mondays hearing.

Lowes decision allows this case to move forward and will ensure the administrations decision to leave RGGI  which we have repeatedly alleged is unlawful  will be reviewed by a court, Benforado said in a statement. We look forward to the next steps in this action and will work as expeditiously as possible to get Virginia back in RGGI.

Assistant Attorney General Thomas Sanford argued that the association lacked standing to bring the lawsuit because it never received the now-discontinued funding generated by RGGI, although its members did.

Sanford also defended the air boards decision, saying that RGGI does not motivate Appalachian Power Co. and Dominion Energy to reduce their carbon emissions because state law allows them to pass the cost of purchasing allowances on to their ratepayers.

The result is massive costs and minimal, if any, benefits, Sanford said.

Although Lowe dismissed one of the claims made by the association, his ruling preserves the bulk of the case: allegations that the air board and DEQ lacked the authority to leave RGGI, and that they failed to provide substantial evidence in support of the decision.

Lowe also denied the associations request for an order that would have returned Virginia to the RGGI while the case is pending.

Filed in Fairfax County Circuit Court a year ago by four environmental organizations, the lawsuit has moved slowly.

A Fairfax judge ruled that three of the groups lacked standing in dismissing their claims. He then transferred the remainder of the case to Floyd County, where the association is based.

In February, Floyd County Judge Mike Fleenor denied the first round of motions filed by the state seeking dismissal of the lawsuit. But three weeks later, he recused himself  saying that his ownership of stock in Appalachians parent company created at least the appearance of a conflict of interest.

The Virginia Supreme Court then appointed Lowe, a retired judge from Abingdon, to preside over the case.
CENTENARY, S.C.  More than a dozen middle school and high school students participated in a two-week Aviation STEM Camp to Creek Bridge STEM Academy presented by Mullins pilot Taj Troy.

STEM Facilitator Kim Stone said the aviation camp provided students with a great experience learning how to build rockets, fly drones and visit the Florence County Airport.

Troy is the founder and owner of Propel Aviation Center LLC based in Newberry and Columbia. His experience includes flying fighter jets with the South Carolina National Guard and commercial planes for more than 20 years.

We want to expose, educate hopefully stimulate these kids to pursue careers in aviation, Troy said. It doesnt mean I want them all to be pilots. We want to expose kids to give them an opportunity.

Troy utilizes aviation STEM to stimulate, educate and motivate youth. Working in parallel with Propel Aviation Center, access to aircraft, airports and hangars help provide a hands-on education.

We do a building block phase, Troy said. We start from rockets and the basic aerodynamics of the rockets. They build and fly their own rockets then they build and fly their own drones then they go into flight simulation to be able to take-off and land an airplane and then our cornerstone is taking them out to the airport so they can see the commercial aviation at one time.

Troy said the students got a behind-the-scenes look and learn of other jobs like air traffic controller, engineers, ground staff and maintenance technicians.

Its a critical part of our department of transportation, Troy said. They got to see everything that goes on at a commercial airport.

Troy said his investment in flight simulators teaches the start of every pilot operating a single engine airplane.

We want to stimulate them and see it something they can do, Troy said. We have the flight school in Columbia and Newberry and this is the outreach part of it taking aviation out to the schools.

Rising junior Desmond Drew said he enjoyed flying drones.

The drones were easy because by the time I got home I was already doing tricks with them, he said.

Troy said he plans to organize his camp at additional schools.

Were definitely going to be back next summer and were trying to do something with Bethel Word Church in Mullins and invite the county to do some vacation bible flight school, Troy said. Everybody has a part to give back to the community. Ive been looking forward to this all year long.
Marisela Cadena and Andrew Munoz met around 2013 at this Subway restaurant where they both worked. He killed her Feb. 28, 2020, at a Subway on the South Side. Taylor Pettaway / Staff Marisela Cadena, 43. Courtesy SAPD body cam footage from February 2020 shows Marisela Cadena, right, filing an official complaint against her ex-boyfriend Andrew Munoz, whom she said he was stalking her. Munoz later killed Cadena, shooting her twice inside the restaurant. Courtesy of SAPD

A San Antonio Subway franchisee has filed for bankruptcy after an appeals court left the company on the hook for a nearly $3 million arbitration award in the 2020 murder of a restaurant manager.

River Sub LLC didnt offer details in its Chapter 11 petition about what led to Thursdays filing. But it came just eight days after San Antonios 4th Court of Appeals affirmed state District Judge Marisa Flores ruling upholding the $2.97 million arbitration award to the heirs of former Subway manager Marisela Cadena.

She was working at a South Side Subway the morning of Feb. 28, 2020, when abusive ex-boyfriend Andrew Munoz killed her and then himself. She was 43. Less than two weeks earlier, Munoz had kidnapped her at gunpoint and threatened to have a friend kill her and harm her children if she notified police.

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Cadenas family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against River Sub in 2021. They alleged that Cadenas manager refused her request to transfer to another restaurant where Munoz couldnt find her and failed to add security measures, resulting in her murder while she worked alone.

River Sub, which operates 48 Subway locations, was able to take the dispute to arbitration under the contract Cadena signed as part of her employment.

Arbitrator Carlos Cortez, a former judge in Dallas, issued a written award in favor of the family in April 2023. He found that while Munoz, the assailant, shares the overwhelming percentage of responsibility for Cadenas death, but for respondents negligent acts and omissions, Cadena would not have been murdered.

River Sub sought to set aside the arbitration award, alleging that Facebook posts by Cortez and their subsequent concealment reflected his partiality and bias. Despite the companys request, Flores entered a final judgment confirming the award.

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The company then appealed on grounds that Cortezs social media posts  allegedly critical of State Farm Insurance and its defense attorneys  created a reasonable impression of the Arbitrators disdain for insurance defense lawyers.

On June 12, a three-judge panel of the 4th Court of Appeals found that State Farm and the law firm had no connection to River Subs arbitration case.

Therefore, the arbitrators failure to disclose information regarding partiality or bias against these unrelated subjects is trivial with respect to this arbitration proceeding, the panel said.

Frivolous filing

River Subs bankruptcy filing creates an automatic stay  essentially an injunction against creditors pursuing litigation against a debtor or the debtors property.

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San Antonio attorney Mark Fassold, who represents the plaintiffs, said he expects that River Sub will seek an order in bankruptcy court releasing it from liability  a move hed challenge.

River Sub egregiously failed to protect Marisela Cadena, its longtime and loyal employee, by refusing to allow her to transfer to a different Subway store so that she might hide from her abusive ex-boyfriend  and the arbitrator rightly held River Sub liable, Fassold said in an email. Ironically, River Sub now appears to have no problem trying to hide its assets through yet another frivolous court filing, this time in bankruptcy court.

He added that the company claimed months ago that it would be able to pay his clients next-to-nothing while continuing to operate its nearly forty-eight Subway stores by leveraging the power of bankruptcy court.

Ray Battaglia, a San Antonio bankruptcy lawyer representing River Sub, didnt respond to requests for comment.

Cadenas case was explored in a 2021 San Antonio Express-News series on domestic violence.

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Insurance claim

After the arbitrators ruling, River Subs insurer filed a federal lawsuit in San Antonio asking the court to declare that it had no duty to indemnify the company for the judgment. In January, after the parties filed an agreed motion, U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam issued an order finding that there was no coverage under the policy for any claims asserted by Cadenas family.

In its skeleton bankruptcy petition, which didnt include information on its creditors, River Sub reported assets and liabilities each in the range of $1 million to $10 million.

The bankruptcy papers were signed by Cathy Amato, a River Sub manager and owner. Amato, ex-wife of SWBC Chairman and co-founder Charlie Amato, launched River Sub with co-owners Martha Jordan and Richard Riley in 1991. They each own about one-third of River Sub through other companies.

The franchisee expanded to a peak of 69 locations in 2012 but shed sites because of restaurant saturation and the coronavirus pandemic, Cathy Amato said in a court filing.

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River Sub posted a net loss of more than $149,000 on about $12 million in revenue in the first five months of this year, a filing shows. It has 173 full-time and 281 part-time employees.

A bankruptcy court hearing is scheduled for Thursday on River Subs emergency motions, including a request for an order authorizing it to pay employees wages prior to the bankruptcy and another request for an order prohibiting utilities from altering or discontinuing service.
CORRECTIONVILLE, Iowa -- Record flooding on the Little Sioux River Monday forced dozens of Correctionville residents to escape the rising waters.

About 30 homes in close proximity to the swollen river had to be evacuated, Sgt. Steve Griebel, an Iowa Department of Natural Resources conservation officer, said during a news conference Monday at Western Iowa Tech Community College's Security Institute.

Red Cross shelters were opened at River Valley Community Center and at the south gym at River Valley High School.

The city is closed to non-residents, Correctionville Mayor Ken Bauer announced Monday afternoon. Check points will be staffed by law enforcement.

A curfew is in place from 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. During curfew hours, no re-entry will be allowed, even for residents.

Nearly 450 MidAmerican Energy customers in the Woodbury County also lost power Monday morning. By 4 p.m., electricity had been restored to 325 customers, leaving 235 still without power, according to the utility's online outage page.

The power loss temporarily knocked out the city's sewer lift station, according to the Correctionville Facebook page. The city encouraged residents to restrict water use to avoid overloading the wastewater system, as water levels reached never before.

"Please restrict your water usage to not overload the sewer system," the city urged residents. "We are reaching new levels that has never been seen in the city before."

The Little Sioux River, swollen by heavy upstream rains and runoffs in recent days, crested at 31 feet at 1 p.m. Monday, toppling the previous high of 29.3 feet.

Major roads leading to the city remained closed, as the Iowa Department of Transportation rerouted traffic on Highways 20 and 31.

For westbound motorists on Highway 20, the detour turned south on Highway 59 to Ida Grove. Eastbound motorists are being redirected to Minnesota Avenue.

Water lapped over Highway 31 where it intersects with 160th Street in Correctionville. Water also washed over Highway 31 near Anthon, Griebel said.

The flooding also swamped Correctionville's Copeland Park and Woodbury County's Little Sioux Park.

For the second straight night, Mayor Ken Bauer enacted a curfew overnight Monday, from 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. During the curfew hours, residents who leave will not be allowed to reenter.

In a news release Monday afternoon, Bauer emphasized the city of 746 is closed to non-residents.

"These actions are being implemented for the safety and security of our residents," the mayor said.

Journal managing editor Dave Dreeszen contributed to this story.
Annasofia Scheve covers trending news for the Express-News. She can be reached at Annasofia.Scheve@express-news.net.

Annasofia has bachelor's degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Missouri. She is an Ohio native, and wrote for Cincinnati Magazine and the Cincinnati Enquirer before joining the Express-News in 2023.
What record global heat means for breaching the 1.5C warming limit

Posted on 24 June 2024 by Zeke Hausfather

This is a re-post from Carbon Brief

Global temperatures in 2023 blew past expectations to set the warmest year on record, even topping 1.5C in one of the main datasets.

This warmth has continued into 2024, meaning that this year is also on track to potentially pass 1.5C in one or more datasets.

Crossing 1.5C in one or even two years is not the same as exceeding the 1.5C limit under the Paris Agreement. The goal is generally considered to refer to long-term warming, rather than annual temperatures that include the short-term influence of natural fluctuations in the climate, such as El Nino.

Nonetheless, recent warming has led to renewed debate around whether the world might imminently pass the 1.5C Paris Agreement limit  sooner than climate scientists and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have previously estimated.

Here, Carbon Brief provides an updated analysis of when the world will likely exceed the Paris 1.5C limit (in a scenario where emissions are not rapidly cut), using both the latest global surface temperature data and climate model simulations.

The findings show that, while the best estimate for crossing 1.5C has moved up by approximately two years compared to Carbon Briefs earlier 2020 analysis, it remains most likely to happen in the late 2020s or early 2030s  rather than in the next few years.

Understanding global temperature targets

Human emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gasses have substantially warmed the planet over the past 150 years. On top of this human-driven warming, there is year-to-year natural variability largely associated with El Nino and La Nina events.

A big El Nino or La Nina event can result in global temperatures up to 0.2C warmer or cooler, respectively, than they would otherwise be.

As the world has been warming by around 0.2C per decade, a large El Nino event can represent an early look at what typical global temperatures will be a decade in the future. Or, to put it another way, human emissions are adding a permanent super-El Ninos worth of heat to the climate system each decade.

In the 2015 Paris Agreement, the international community agreed to limit warming to well-below 2C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5C. While there is no set definition for the time period against which the goal is measured, it is generally interpreted to refer to long-term, human-driven warming.

For example, the IPCCs recently completed sixth assessment report (AR6) uses the midpoint of a 20-year period as a way to avoid overinterpreting short-term natural variability.

While a useful approach, this definition has the unfortunate side-effect that scientists will not know for sure that the world passed 1.5C until 10 years after it has happened.

This has led the community to propose a number of alternative approaches, such as Carbon Briefs 2020 analysis and a 2023 Nature commentary by Prof Richard Betts and colleagues at the UK Met Office.

An updated approach for determining exceedance

Here, Carbon Brief provides an update to our 2020 analysis of both observations and the latest generation of climate models to assess when the world will likely pass the 1.5C limit across different surface temperature datasets.

While the IPCCs 20-year average is one approach to remove short-term variability, it comes with the important downside of not being able to extend up to the present day. An alternative approach is a smoothed average using a local regression (LOWESS).

LOWESS provides an estimated value at each point in time based on a weighting where nearby points are given the highest weights and those further away are given less weight. It is an approach commonly used in timeseries analysis that can account for changes in the behaviour of data over time without assuming it is linear.

However, LOWESS approaches still require a choice on the part of the user; namely, how many nearby points should be considered when determining the smoothed average. The figure below shows three potential options that could be used: a window of the nearest 10 years, 20 years or 30 years around each point.

The data shown are a composite average of four different global surface temperature records  NASAs GISTEMP; NOAAs GlobalTemp; Hadley/UEAs HadCRUT5; and Berkeley Earth  that extend back into the 1800s.

Annual global mean surface temperatures from a composite average of NASAs GISTEMP, NOAAs GlobalTemp, Hadley/UEAs HadCRUT5, and Berkeley Earth (black dots) along with LOWESS fits using 10-year, 20-year, and 30-year windows. Chart by Carbon Brief.

In this case, both 20-year and 30-year windows show similar long-term changes in temperature, while a shorter 10-year window does not fully remove short-term variability associated with El Nino and La Nina events.

For this analysis, Carbon Brief selected a 30-year window for removing natural variability, though a 20-year window would have given nearly identical results. (As discussed above, there are a number of alternative approaches that could be used. These are assessed in the UK Met Offices Climate Dashboard, though they all give comparable results to the LOWESS approach used here.)

To determine when the world will pass 1.5C and 2C, Carbon Brief combines smoothed averages of both observed temperatures and climate model projections.

The observed temperatures are used to determine the level of warming to date  1.3C in the composite average  while climate models are used to assess the range of possible warming into the future. This approach has an advantage over just using climate models as it avoids any historical mismatch between modelled and real-world temperatures.

The figure below shows the combined smoothed average from the observations and climate models, with the climate models normalised to the observations in 2023. Global temperatures are assessed to be 1.3C in 2023, with a wide range of possible future warming determined by the spread in warming after 2023 across 37 different climate models in the CMIP6 ensemble using the SSP2-4.5 current-policy-type scenario.

Annual global average surface temperatures from the composite average (black dots) along the 30-year LOWESS fit (black line), combined with 37 CMIP6 models smoothed using the same 30-year LOWESS fit. Models and observations are aligned using the smoothed average values for 2023. Chart by Carbon Brief.

This approach suggests that the world will pass 1.5C around the year 2030 (representing the 50th percentile, or central estimate, of all the model runs), with a range of anywhere from 2028 (5th percentile) up to 2036 (95th percentile).

Similarly, the world will pass 2C around the year 2048, with a range of 2040 to 2062 across all models assessed.

The figure below shows distribution of exceedance years (that is, the year in which the target is exceeded) across all of the different CMIP6 models. The width of the plot indicates the portion of models that show the temperature limit passed in a given year  the wider the plot, the more agreement across the models.

Violin plot showing the distribution of exceedance years across CMIP6 models for 1.5C and 2C. The width of the plot indicates the portion of models that show the temperature limit passed in a given year. Each violin plot also shows a box plot including the median and interquartile range shown. Chart by Carbon Brief.

The results are broadly similar to Carbon Briefs 2020 analysis, though the best estimate of when the world will pass 1.5C has moved up from 2032 to 2030, reflecting both a higher estimate of warming to date (including the development of HadCRUT5) and an inclusion of more CMIP6 model runs than were available at the time.

The 5th and 95th percentile has narrowed to 2028-36 compared to 2026-42 in the 2020 analysis, showing the impact of three additional years of data on reducing the resulting model spread.

Sensitivity to the choice of datasets

While the averaging of different datasets into a composite average follows the approach used in the IPCC AR6 and by the WMO, it somewhat obscures important differences in estimates of warming since pre-industrial times across different research groups.

While the long-term warming the world has experienced in the composite average is 1.3C as of 2023 (similar to the results in the new Forster et al study), applying the same LOWESS smoothing approach to each individual record yields fairly different results, ranging from as low as 1.22C to 1.41C across the four different groups:

Composite Average: 1.30C

Berkeley Earth: 1.41C

HadCRUT5: 1.30C

NASA GISTEMP: 1.24C

NOAA GlobalTemp: 1.22C

These differences reflect a number of factors, including what land station data is included in each record, the ocean sea surface temperature datasets used and how different groups fill in the gaps between observations  particularly in the early part of the record when station data is more sparse.

The table below gives the resulting 1.5C exceedance years when Carbon Briefs approach is applied to each different temperature record:

Projected year of 1.5C breach Dataset 50th percentile 5th percentile 95th percentile Composite 2030 2028 2036 Berkeley Earth 2027 2025 2031 HadCRUT5 2030 2028 2036 NASA GISTEMP 2032 2029 2040 NOAA GlobalTemp 2033 2030 2041

Using the Berkeley Earth record gives a central estimate of passing 1.5C as early as 2027 (ranging from 2025 to 2031), while NOAA gives an estimate as late as 2033 (2030 to 2041).

Similarly, here are the results for the 2C exceedance year:

Projected year of 2C breach Dataset 50th percentile 5th percentile 95th percentile Composite 2048 2040 2062 Berkeley Earth 2045 2037 2056 HadCRUT5 2048 2040 2062 NASA GISTEMP 2050 2041 2067 NOAA GlobalTemp 2051 2042 2068

It is worth noting that there is no correct answer as to the best surface temperature record to use. Rather, the range of results across the different records represent real uncertainty around when the world will pass 1.5C and 2C.

Other approaches get similar results

This analysis is far from the first time the scientific community has asked when the world will pass various climate limits or how to best calculate the level of warming the world has experienced to date.

Copernicus/ECMWF provide a regularly updated global temperature trend monitor that uses a more simple approach  a linear trend over the past 30 years  to assess when global temperatures will likely exceed 1.5C in their ERA5 dataset.

Monthly average global surface temperatures in the ERA5 reanalysis product, along with their estimated 1.5C exceedance date based on a linear trend. From Copernicus/ECMWF.

This approach gives a slightly later date, 2033, than the climate model-based approach Carbon Brief uses. This reflects the fact that most models anticipate a modest acceleration in the rate of warming that might not be fully captured using a linear trend over the past 30 years.

An alternative approach to determining when the world will pass 1.5C is to use the assessed warming projections developed for AR6. These assessed warming projections more closely match observed temperatures than the full CMIP6 ensemble.

They also provide a narrower range of future warming than the full set of CMIP6, as they give less weight to hot models in CMIP6 that are inconsistent with the IPCCs assessment of the likely range of climate sensitivity.

Annual global average surface temperatures from the composite average (black dots) along the 30-year LOWESS fit (red line), combined the AR6 assessed warming projection for SSP2-4.5 as published and without any baseline alignment. Chart by Carbon Brief.

In addition, AR6 features an estimate of 1.5C exceedance dates based on the ScenarioMIP assessment of CMIP6 models (and previously covered by Carbon Brief here).

These three different approaches are compared to Carbon Briefs new assessment in the table below:

Approach 1.5C exceedance year Carbon Brief (Composite, SSP2-4.5) 2030 (2028 to 2036) Copernicus 2033 AR6 Assessed Warming (SSP2-4.5) 2031 (2024 to 2043) AR6 ScenarioMIP (SSP2-4.5) 2030 (2021 to 2046)

Both AR6 approaches include a wider range than the Carbon Brief approach as they rely on models that have differing estimates of current global temperatures relative to pre-industrial.

For example, the AR6 assessed warming projections give a best estimate of 2023 global temperatures (in the absence of short-term natural variability) as 1.31C, with a range from as low as 1.15C to as high as 1.48C. However, these are comparable to the range of warming to date (1.22C to 1.41C) across the different surface temperature records.

There is no single best way to assess when the world will likely pass 1.5C. But both Carbon Briefs approach and those of other groups all agree it will most likely happen in the late 2020s or early 2030s in a world (SSP2-4.5) where global emissions remain around current levels.
The makeover scene from The Princess Diaries scarred a generation of curly-haired kids who watched as Mia Thermopolis mane broke a brush. Anyone regularly shopping in the natural hair aisle knows, however, that Mia just needed a good leave-in conditioner and some clarifying shampoo. Ditto for Hermione Granger.

The Mias and Hermiones of the worldwhite people with curls that seem unmanageableare turning to Black hair care products like Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Hair Oil, which went viral and flew off of shelves last year. Black hair care products are typically made for people with curly and textured hair, whereas mainstream brands often use ingredients that arent conducive to caring for those hair types. In the past, curl-friendly and not curl-friendly were separated into de facto Black and white categories, but the wave of hair education on TikTok has blurred the boundary between the two.

The few companies that do target Black hair types are often in short supply. Now, Black-owned hair care brands face the paradox of developing new formulations and marketing geared toward those with looser curl textures or maintaining smaller product lines targeted to their most loyal consumers.

Time and time again weve seen Black brands appear to shift away from this consumer base in order to capture a wider market share, Ibi Meier-Oruitemeka, founder of the Afro Hair & Skin Co., said. I understand why businesses often feel the need to diversify or expand their market. But if everyone caters to everyone, then quality and efficacy are undoubtedly affected.

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Black hair and the Black hair care industry have always been inextricable from racism. In particular, Black people with coarser curl textures tend to be the most underserved by brands and are most impacted by texturism. Black people face discrimination at work for wearing their natural hair, and drugstore chains have locked up hair care products aimed at Black women and other women of color. Thats on top of years of structural pressure normalizing perms, Jheri curls, and relaxers, and the ensuing natural hair movement, which encouraged Black people to embrace their natural hair texture.

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But since the days of Madam C.J. Walker, the entrepreneur who became Americas first self-made female millionaire by selling hair care products for Black women, the Black hair care industry has proved to be profitable. Black consumers have grown it into a massive market, estimated to be worth about $4.5 billion by 2034. And Black-owned companies market share in the general hair care space hit $2.5 billion in 2021, according to marketing intelligence agency Mintel.

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Companies say to themselves that the market is too small for us to waste our time on Black people and people of color, Marcus Collins, a marketing professor at the University of Michigan, told Slate. But theyre not considering the network of those consumers. Everything that is popular started as small, subcultural, or niche.

White consumers embracing hair care products geared toward Black people is a relatively new phenomenon. Its been two decades since the Curly Girl Method entered the lexicon, and TikTok is now replete with white users testing out products from Black-owned brands like Camille Rose and Flora & Curl, showing off how well they work on their own curls.

Case in point: After Alix Earle, a white influencer with nearly 7 million TikTok followers, endorsed the Mielle hair oil in a December 2022 video, the product immediately went viral and sold out in drugstores around the country, to the frustration of many Black consumers who couldnt access a product theyd relied on for years. Months later, Procter & Gamble bought the brand, following in the footsteps of companies like Unilever and LOreal, which acquired Black-owned brands after they grew popular (SheaMoisture and Carols Daughter, respectively). Many former loyalists of these brands decry the post-acquisition formulas. Those customers then go elsewhere.

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When a [company like] P&G buys a brand, its normally with the intention to grow it, increase distribution, and potentially leverage brand heat to create new products, Marie Driscoll, a retail analyst, said.

White consumers interest in these brands will likely grow, meaning these types of acquisitions will only become more common. And it means that brands will likely change their marketing strategies, Meier-Oruitemeka said.

You can see evidence for this when looking at keyword trends, she said. The current hair trends are dictated by how people search, and there has definitely been a huge change in our understanding and application of the term curly, which was once a catch-all term for almost all hair that wasnt straight.

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Black-owned brands have also been reaching out to a more diverse array of users through TikTok, sponsoring non-Black creators and commissioning them for user-generated content, aka UGC. Melanin Haircare founder Whitney White said the brand made sure to choose influencers that represented each demographic that we naturally see within our organically shared content.* That means including white creators, too.

While the marketing strategies might be reconfigured, the products themselves dont necessarily need to change once the company changes hands. Collins points to Bevel, a grooming brand designed for men of color, as a line of products that actually improved after its P&G acquisition.

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Bevel still pays mind to the people that theyre serving, so Bevel still feels like theyre talking to me, he said, citing Bevels expansion to razors designed for coarse and curly hair, as well as a partnership with Nas, as examples.

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As long as the products workno matter who or what company holds the keys to the brandpeople will continue to buy them. For any company trying to corner a niche market, that should be a unifying principle.

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Accommodating white and non-Black consumers doesnt have to mean that Black-owned hair care brands estrange their original audience, said Stephanie Scott-Bradshaw, CEO of the PR agency First and Last. Hair care brands should target every demographic of consumer that their products work for.

Take Beyonces recently debuted hair care line, Cecred. Its packaging is fairly generic: simple black-and-white bottles and text with no images. The brands Instagram showcases models of different racial backgrounds and hair textures. But Cecred makes a concerted effort to highlight its Black-owned origins in its media coverage.

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The packaging on Skimdo products is similarly minimalist, and the brand name itself doesnt reference its Black-owned roots. Kimberley Cowans, a mixed-race Black woman, founded the company 10 years ago, and early versions of the products were geared toward people with looser curl textures like her own. The brands Instagram feed features models from a range of racial backgrounds and with a variety of curl types.

I center people of color while demonstrating that all textures can and are welcome to use the products, Cowans said of her marketing strategy. She added that for better or worse, companies that start small and specific will eventually want to embrace as many types of customers as possible.

Related From Slate Theres a Perfect New Term for What Women Have Known About Their Hair for Years Read More

When a large company buys a small brand, the investors can dictate the budgets and the return you need to make, and that unfortunately [can] mean cheaper formulations, she said.

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That can often mean white consumers become the priority: Growing interest among them, in addition to pricey raw materials, means companies will likely pursue weaker formulations made with looser hair textures in mind. Thats at the expense of people with tighter curls, Cowans said; specifically, Black people with 4C hair.

Its the same logic the cosmetics industry had with darker-skinned people, she said, which is that making products for them costs more money.

But let me tell you, its worth it to include them, she said. If you look at the spending power of Black people in the beauty industry? Its enormous. We should be serving them because its financially gratifying and also important for humanity.
It hasnt been the easiest couple of years for Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert.

Her image as an attention-seeking conspiracy theorist nearly cost Boebert her congressional seat in the 2022 midterms. She won reelection in a Republican district that year by a mere 546 votes. To avoid a rematch and spare her career, she relocated to a new, even redder district on the other side of the Continental Divide for 2024. In her personal life, she got divorced, a process that wasnt pretty, and her eldest son was arrested not long after making Boebert a grandmother. Boeberts postdivorce dating life made its own set of headlines after a particularly handsy outing to the Beetlejuice musical.

But Boebert may just get away with it all. If the polling is anywhere near correct, shes set to cruise to a primary win on Tuesday night on her new turf.

How did we get here?

Boeberts days were numbered in her old district. After coming out of nowhere to nearly defeat her in 2022, Democrat Adam Frisch had announced that he would challenge her again in Colorados 3rd District, covering the states Western Slope and extending east along its southern border. Frisch would not suffer from a lack of funds as he tried once again to take out an MSNBC archvillain. He has raised more than $13 million this cycle, an unfathomable amount for a former Aspen City Council member in an R+7 district. Boebert, with her own national profile, was raising a fair share in her own right, but Frisch was blowing her numbers out of the water quarter after quarter in 2023.

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Facing this tidal wave of cash, Boebert announced late last year that she would swap mountains for plains and run in Colorados 4th District, on the other side of the state, in an open seat vacated by retiring Rep. Ken Buck. She described this act of moving to a safer Republican district as a matter of self-sacrifice.

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Since the first day I ran for public office, I promised I would do whatever it takes to stop the socialists and the communists from taking over our country, she said in a Dec. 27 Facebook video. That means staying in the fight. But it also means not allowing Hollywood elites and progressive money groups to buy the 3rd District, a seat that they have no business owning. I will not allow dark money that is directed at destroying me personally to steal this seat. Its not fair to the 3rd District and the conservatives there who have fought so hard for our victories.

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Saying that shed become too toxic to keep the 3rd District for Republicans was a reasonable explanation for why she wouldnt run for reelection there. Her explanation that moving to a new part of the state would give her and her children a fresh start following a difficult year too made sense. What she would have to find a way to explain, though, was why she deserved to represent this new part of the statean entirely separate biomein Congress, aside from paycheck continuity.

Given that Buck had already announced his plan not to run again a couple of months before Boeberts switch, the race was already full of candidates who were ready and eager to slam Boeberts carpetbagging. Among them were state House Minority Leader Mike Lynch, County Commissioner and former state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, conservative talk radio host Deborah Flora, state Rep. Richard Holtorf, and former state Rep. Ted Harvey.

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Despite Boeberts own unserious reputation, though, her competitors had problems of their own. Lynch had to quit his leadership post in the Statehouse after a 2022 drunk driving arrest surfaced. Harvey was under scrutiny for allegations of having run a scam PAC that had spent an unusually high amount of its funds raised on operating expenses. Holtorf, who once was in such a hurry to cast a vote against abortion rights that he dropped his gun on the Capitols marble floor, revealed that he had once paid for a girlfriends abortion. (He also said that he had once had another beautiful woman whom hed impregnated but that the child had been put up for adoption.) In a January debate, six of nine candidates raised their hands when asked whether theyd been arrested, and Boebert and Lynch gave each other a high-five. In other words, groping a date at Beetlejuice: The Musical wasnt that atypical of a Sunday night by the fields standards.

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Boebert had a few other notable advantages over her competitors. Her fundraising numbers, which were a pittance compared to Frischs in the old district, were well above those of the primary competition in the new district. Donald Trump endorsed her. And she won the prized top line on the ballot at a local GOP assembly in April.

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Related From Slate This Junior Congressman Thinks He Knows How Biden Can Win. Will Anyone Listen? Read More

At least as importantly as all that, though, is that the field never consolidated around a single candidate with the best chance to take on Boebert. The prime opportunity for that came in March, after Buck announced that he would be leaving Congress early instead of at the end of the year. This triggered a special election, also to be held this Tuesday, for the remainder of Bucks term. Boebert opted not to run in that special election and instead to finish out her term in the 3rd District. That gave the other candidates a shot to earn a leg up in the primary by appearing on the ballot as both a primary candidate and the special election candidate. Instead, local party officials selected a placeholder candidate, Greg Lopez, for the special election. Sonnenberg came in a narrow second.

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And so the polling in the six-way field looks the way that it does. A survey from earlier this month from Kaplan Strategies found Boebert at 40 percent, with no other candidate above 5 percent and many more undecided. Its the celebrity vs. the unidentifiable blob.

Boebert had switched to this more conservative district believing shed finally be free of general election worries and the avalanche of money from Hollywood elites and the socialists and communists. But there is no escaping from the libs cash. While Frischs fundraising numbers have slowed since Boebert left the 3rd District, Democrats in the 4th Districtwho are not supposed to have any chance whatsoeverhave seen theirs rise. Just one Democratic primary contender, retired Marine Ike McCorkle, raised $462,000 between April and mid-June. He outraised Boebert by more than $100,000.

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McCorkle was Democrats nominee in the 4th District the past two cycles, and in neither case did he come within 20 points of Ken Buck. Now, Lauren Boebert is no Ken Buck. Since unseating an incumbent in the 2020 Republican primary, she hasnt stopped making headlines for her antics. Minutes into her first term, she made a video about why shed carry her Glock into the Capitol. She repeatedly cracked a joke about Rep. Ilhan Omar being a terrorist. She obviously was all over QAnon. And yet, even for all of the embarrassment she courts, her districts GOP lean should be enough to carry her.

But if this one is also too close for comfort in the end? There wont be a redder place in Colorado for Boebert to turn to.
People in the small town of Marshall, Texas, first noticed the billboard on a sweltering summer Friday in 2020. Posted on the stretch of U.S. 59 near the local high school, it declared: Abortion Is a Blessing.

Marshall mobilized quickly. Within a week, vandals had stripped the billboards display, Facebook groups had held prayer protests, and anti-abortion activists were planning counter billboards (Abortion Is NOT a Blessing). Within a month, city officials in neighboring Carthage were considering laws banning future offensive advertising.

Few beyond the local papers took notice. At the time, national reproductive health journalism was devoted to tracking the anti-abortion record of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett and the use of pandemic power by some state governors to restrict abortions. But in June 2022, the high court stripped the constitutional right to abortion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. Without widespread national or state-level protections, abortion access was back up for debate. There was a new local emphasis on the problem: Those trying to preserve access suddenly found themselves in city halls and county courts across the country, trying to limit the intense harms being imposed on pregnant people in their communities. This required new attentionand strategyfrom abortion-access advocates.

Texas has always been an anti-abortion hot spot. Long before Dobbs, it had infamously imposed more abortion restrictions than almost any other state. Abortion-seeking Texans (often low-income, and often women of color) had already been forced to drive more than 240 miles to get the procedure done outside Texas or else give birth in a state ranked last in health coverage and 29th in maternal health, according to recent reporting of 44 states outcomes.

But all these recent victories havent satisfied anti-abortion crusaders. Theyre now looking to the convergence of state courts, county laws, and city ordinances to further restrict abortion care. One set of hyperlocal restrictions polices pregnant peoples use of roads. In the past year, four rural Texas counties (Lubbock, Cochran, Mitchell, and Goliad) have joined cities like Odessa and Little River-Academy to pass ordinances banning the use of public roads to transport abortion seekers out of the state. Votes on similar city measures are likely on the way.

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These travel laws are a legal nightmare, pitting the well-established federal constitutional right to interstate travel against states strong intrastate regulatory powers. Enforcement is equally fraught, with travel restriction laws deputizing private citizens to sue others helping a person seek an out-of-state abortion.

Citizen-enforced travel restrictions erode a pregnant persons sense of belonging and community support. There is a long history of weaponizing reports made by a nosy neighbor, a suspicious nurse, or an abusive ex to control pregnant people. Texas neighbor-against-neighbor playbook poses special risks in rural areas with small communities and long driving times. For residents of those towns, making a trip to see family, participate in a bachelorette weekend in Santa Fe, or pay a visit to an out-of-state medical specialist while pregnant could all lead to accusations of abortion seeking. That could be held against you should you lose (or end) the pregnancy. Local travel restrictionseven if they arent widely enforcedisolate and stigmatize pregnant people.

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Restrictions on the mobility of pregnant people have expanded off the road and onto campus. This month, two University of Texas professors filed suit challenging Biden administration Title IX rules and guidance that protect pregnant students. Backed by Texas attorney general, the professors said they would refuse to excuse absences for students seeking elective abortions stemming from voluntary sexual intercourse. Those familiar with attendance-based grading immediately recognized the fraught choices this could force on a student in need of abortion care: Stay put on campus and risk your health, seek care and risk your grade, or tell your economics professor all about your pregnancy. New, creative abortion restrictions pin pregnant people in place.

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Local abortion restrictions are also reviving previously dormant legal debates, like whether fetuses are people. Fetal personhood is the legal term behind the anti-abortion slogan Abortion Is Murder. The theory goes that fetuses are people deserving of full legal protections, so abortion is legally and morally condemnableno matter how young the mother, how violent the conception, or how medically risky the pregnancy. At its extreme, the pro-life theory could justify capital punishment for those who perform abortions.

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Legal personhood has long been a popular concept on the religious right, with some of its elements already used to penalize pregnant people Still, the theory had not gained widespread legal acceptance and had generally been absent from Texas headlines. That is, until Dallas sheriffs deputies ticketed Brandy Bottone for driving alone in an HOV lane. When questioned about her solo driving, Bottone pointed to her pregnant belly. She argued that under Texas law, post-Dobbs, there were two people in that car. A local judge dismissed the tickets.

The story sparked a round of attempts to pass profetal personhood state legislation and illustrates how quickly such arguments could gain steam in Texas more than 450 state district courts, 500 county courts, and 900 municipal courts charged with interpreting local law. Texas federal and higher state courts have already paved the way. Amarillo-based federal Judge Matthew Kacsmaryks opinion suspending Food and Drug Administrationapproved abortion medications seemed to mirror the fetal personhood playbook when it decried the drugs ability to kill an unborn human. The U.S. Supreme Court just overruled this, but that decision is not the end of the attempt to ban the drug. Similarly, Texas Supreme Court recently protected anti-abortion activists efforts to lobby a small town to become a sanctuary city for the unborn, where abortion would be labeled an act of murder and thus de facto banned. If fetal personhood theories catch on further, pregnant Texans could find their fetuses prioritized over themselves in contexts ranging from traffic court to doctors offices.

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The states local abortion battles make clear that Dobbs is pushing the frontiers of abortion fights out of state and national contexts and closer and closer to pregnant peoples daily lives. And its not just Texas. Increasingly local anti-abortion regulations are popping up throughout the more than 40 states with restrictive abortion laws. Four state supreme courts have recently grappled with their state abortion laws, including a still-pending case in New Mexico over local restrictions. Fetal personhood concepts underlie local courts treatment of pregnancy criminalization all over the country, including in traditionally liberal states. These local and state legal processes have national implications, since anti-abortion movements build legal playbooks from the local level up.

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This all points to the need for more local strategies to preserve abortion access. Well-known national abortion access organizations generally focus on national lawsuits, federal policies, and (more recently) state constitution claims. Of course, anyone concerned about protecting abortion access post-Dobbs should continue to support national and state efforts. However, preserving abortion rights also needs a bottom-up approach. Local laws are now one of the prime arenas for these fights, and the other side has a head start.

Further, the most recent waves of local abortion restrictions operate by isolating pregnant people within their communitiesso advocacy options need to instead focus on forming connections. Individuals and organizations alike should recognize the connections between abortion and other local reproductive justice topics. When a county district attorney charges a pregnant woman when she is shot, a state appellate court keeps a pregnant woman in jail to protect her pregnancy, city health clinics close, or school boards implement abstinence-only sex education, pregnant people suffer similar losses to their autonomy and health (their own and that of the fetus).

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Connecting through shared information also strengthens local abortion access. First, people in abortion-restricting localities should track attempts to police pregnant peoplesuch information could form a record for potential litigation against the restrictive laws. Additionally, cities where abortion remains legal can continue to broadly communicate that information. Legal academics too can continue to pick at the knot of local, state, and national abortion access laws currently tying the hands of abortion-access advocates wary of legal liability. And finally, organizations in embattled localities should continue to find creative ways to share messages reducing abortion stigma and connecting pregnant people to reproductive health resources. Some may do so even by funding billboards, as the abortion access group Lilith Fund did in Marshall, Texas.

The past few years of abortion headlines have pointed our attention up the Supreme Court steps and to national abortion debates. But the future of abortion access lies in East Texas short-lived billboards. Abortion may be a blessing, but because of new, hyperlocal restrictions, it is more embattled than ever.
The Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will decide whether states have the constitutional authority to prohibit gender-affirming care for minors. Its decision, expected next term, will determine the fate of laws in more than two dozen states that severely restrict or even criminalize transgender minors access to health care. More broadly, the ruling will establish whether laws targeting the rights of transgender children and adults are constitutionally suspect.

There is, as always, a chance that the Supreme Court could issue a surprise decision that mandates equality for trans Americans and their families. But it appears more likely that the court will greenlight bans on gender-affirming care for minors. In the process, the conservative justices could devastate rights for all transgender people in the process, stripping away constitutional protections throughout the country. It is fitting that the court took up this case on the second anniversary of Dobbs. The next civil rights showdown, with existential stakes for equal citizenship regardless of sex or gender identity, has begun.

U.S. v. Skrmetti, the case that SCOTUS granted on Monday, is a challenge to a Tennessee law that bars health care professionals from providing certain kinds of medicines to minors. The statute forbids puberty-suppressing drugs known as puberty blockers as well as cross-sex hormone therapy, explicitly on the basis of sex. These treatments are the standard of care for children experiencing gender dysphoria endorsed by leading medical associations. Tennessees ban was part of a spate of legislation promoted by Republicans to mandate its narrow definition of gender by, in part, erasing transgender peoples existence. It was accompanied by legislation banning many drag performances, which were deemed to be child abuse by the bills sponsor; and it was followed up by a novel measure penalizing adults who assist or recruit Tennessee minors who travel out of state for gender-affirming care. Red states around the country are racing to enact similarly draconian laws.

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Last year, a group of transgender minors and their parents sued to block Tennessees health care ban, arguing that it violates their rights under the 14th Amendment. The plaintiffs raised two theories: First, the parents argued that the state ban infringed on their right, secured under the due process clause, to make medical decisions for their children; and second, the minors argued that the ban discriminated against them on the basis of sex in violation of the equal protection clause. A three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit shot down their claims by a 21 vote, finding no violation of the 14th Amendment. The 6th Circuit held that the due process clause does not protect the parents because there is no deeply rooted right to secure gender-affirming care for ones offspring, and that the equal protection clause is not offended because the law at issue does not actually constitute sex discrimination.

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Both the U.S. Department of Justice and the ACLU litigated this case in the 6th Circuit, and both asked SCOTUS to review the lower courts decision. Yet, oddly, the Supreme Court granted only the Department of Justices petition on Monday. That choice is important, because the DOJ made only one of the plaintiffs two arguments: the equal protection claim that Tennessees ban discriminates on the basis of sex. That course of action seems to have flowed from a quirk in the statute that permits the Justice Departments intervention exclusively with regard to equal protection, not due process.

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The Supreme Court, though, may well have wanted to tee up Skrmetti as an equal protection case, excising the question about parents liberty interests under the due process clause. Thats because the big question that has divided the lower courts is whether anti-trans discrimination constitutes a form of sex discrimination. The Supreme Court has long held that, under the 14th Amendment, laws that discriminate on the basis of sex receive heightened scrutiny and must be supported by an exceedingly persuasive justification. So Skrmetti asks: When states target trans people for disfavored treatment, do they engage in sex-based discrimination? If the answer is yesas the 4th, 7th, and 9th U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals have foundthen courts must stringently assess anti-trans legislation for an exceedingly persuasive justification. If the answer is noas the 6th and 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals have foundthen courts can pretty much rubber-stamp overt discrimination against transgender people. (Some liberal courts have also held that transgender people constitute their own suspect class that triggers heightened scrutiny, though the odds of SCOTUS embracing this position are vanishingly small.)

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Related From Slate Neil Gorsuch Handed Down a Historic Victory for LGBTQ Rights (2020) Read More

In other words, theres even more at stake in Skrmetti than the future of bans on gender-affirming care for minors (and adults, who now face similar restrictions in many jurisdictions). Every day, red states innovate new ways to trammel the liberties of transgender adults and children, passing laws or filing lawsuits that limit their ability to play sports, use public bathrooms, live in safe homes, avoid discrimination in school and the workplace, perform onstage, hold public office, and even vote. The list goes on and on. If there is a broad decision from the Supreme Court in Skrmetti holding that anti-trans laws trigger heightened scrutiny under the equal protection clause, then all these measures are constitutionally suspect. A broad decision the other way will require lower courts to uphold most if not all of these laws, effectively abolishing most constitutional protections for transgender people.

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There is cause for some very cautious optimism. In 2020s Bostock v. Clayton County, the Supreme Court ruled that it is impossible to discriminate against a person for being transgender without discriminating against that individual based on sex. Notably, though, the court was interpreting a statute, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, rather than a constitutional provision. Justice Neil Gorsuch authored Bostock, and Chief Justice John Roberts joined him along with the courts liberals. Roberts and Gorsuch, of course, remain on the court, and there are still three liberal justices. So it is conceivable that a five-justice majority could apply Bostocks reasoning to the equal protection context.

Indeed, on a more balanced court, it would seem to be a no-brainer that the logic of Bostock extends to the 14th Amendment. Anti-trans legislation punishes an individual for failing to adhere to the sex they were assigned at birth and curtails their rights accordingly. When states single out transgender people because they are trans, they are necessarily classifying them on the basis of sex. Tennessees health care ban illustrates this fact: Doctors may prescribe testosterone to a cisgender boy, but not a transgender boy who was assigned female at birththeir sex at birth determines whether they may obtain the medication. The same is true of restrictions on adult health care: West Virginias Medicaid program, for example, covers breast-reduction surgery for cisgender men (who have excess tissue), but not transgender men assigned female at birth (who have gender dysphoria). As the 4th Circuit held, this distinction creates an unconstitutional regime based on sex.

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Yet other courts have reached the opposite conclusion, often fueled by the Supreme Courts reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022s Dobbs decision. In Dobbs, the court warned against the acknowledgment of any constitutional right that is not deeply rooted in the nations history and tradition. It also arguably cut back the equal protection clauses protections against sex discrimination, narrowing the definition of gender-based discrimination. Conservative judges have seized upon these passages to Dobbs-ify the law of equality, refusing to protect transgender rights because they did not exist in the 18th and 19th centuries. And this Supreme Court is disinclined toward respecting, let alone expanding, LGBTQ+ rights. Moreover, Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett have already signaled their skepticism that health care bans for trans minors are unconstitutional.

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Both the Department of Justice and the ACLU urged the Supreme Court to take up Skrmetti because they had no other choice: The proliferation of these stringent laws leaves SCOTUS as the last, best hope of relief. These lawyers made the tough call knowing the risks of an adverse decision, which would wipe out pro-trans precedents in the 4th, 7th, and 9th Circuits that cover deep-red states like South Carolina, Indiana, and Idaho. It is possible, though, to make the case that five justices may see the unconstitutional foundations of Tennessees law for what it is: discrimination against transgender people that is inherently rooted in sex-based bias. But as ever, it is a safer bet that this extraordinarily conservative court will not stick its neck out to vindicate the rights of the vulnerable.
Children's art gallery director says review does not fall under institution's scope.

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The scientific board of the Bibiana Revue magazine published by the childrens art gallery Bibiana is stepping down.

According to editor-in-chief Eva Andrejcakova, the magazine planned to include a review of a children's book dealing with the topic of non-binary and transgender people. The Slovak version of the book is called "Stava sa Elu", which translates into Becoming Elu.

However, Bibiana director Petra Flach refused to publish the review, reports SITA newswire. The board accused her of censorship.

Flach, Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova's friend, insists that the move was not censorship, but a responsible decision in regards to the scope of the institution dedicated to children, children's literature and the education of children through art, and that sexual education and changing gender does not fall under that scope.

According to her, it was a done deal, expected to agree with it and not comment on anything. She says that this is a sensitive topic that needs to be approached with respect and proposes an open discussion, taking into account the views of psychologists and experts.

"I do not oppose or forbid the Bibiana Revue providing an expert space on this topic. But I want to know why we want to talk about this topic in an art magazine," explained Flach.

Flach has no experience in cultural management. Like Simkovicova, who is notorious for her homophobic and anti-immigration views, Flach shared disinformation posts on her social media page in the past.

In May, the culture minister criticised some of the titles that have been awarded as the Most Beautiful Books of Slovakia. One of these books focused on respectful communication with LGBT+ people.
Sprudge readers are no strangers to the wonderful Copenhagen coffee scene. Weve featured this citys epic cafe culture not once but twice on Sprudge, first in a 2018 guide and then again in a 2023 guide. But that wasnt enough for Klaus Thomsen, of the influential Copenhagen coffee brand Coffee Collective. He reached out to Sprudge earlier this year to let us know that there was even more great coffee worth being featured on Sprudge.

Who are we to disagree? And so in a very special pre-World Of Coffee feature to help support the coffee itineraries of thirsty travelers from near and far, we sat down with Klaus Thomsen himself to discuss his personal picks for where to visit in Copenhagen. Read on for several cafes across the city, plus a collection of top bakeries.

Coffee Collective  7 locations + Collective Bakery

@coffeecollectif

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Thomsen recommends you check out his own Coffee Collective cafes while youre in town for World of Coffee. But when asked about which cafe in particular he recommends, he suggested you visit all seven!

Its hard, Thomsen tells Sprudge. Its like picking between your kids, you know? We really made an effort to try and give people a good excuse to visit all of our locations. The company will be offering a full slate of WOC programming throughout the week.

But surely there must be one or two cafes that are most worth visiting? The two downtown locations are easier to get to, Thomsen says. Jgersborggade is where we started our business and its got a cool neighborhood vibe, with lots of really cool places to visit. Its not like visiting a Brooklyn-style coffee shop anywhere in the world; it feels like Copenhagen. And itll be featuring an all-Kenyan menu during WOC which should be very interesting.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prolog Coffee (@prologcoffee.cph)

Prolog  2 locations

@prologcoffee.cph

I think Copenhagen has an amazing coffee scene, says Thomsen. Prolog are a little less known and very local. Its just two guys who have been in the industry for a while, and they only have two small coffee shops, but theyre super nice guys and I think a lot of people will like how small and immediate it feels. It reminds me a little bit of when we started 17 years ago, which was the last time this event was held in Copenhagen.

April Coffee  2 locations

@aprilcoffeecph

I like the Ryesgade location best, the original one, says Klaus Thomsen. A lot of people will make it to their new shop downtown as well. You have their shop and one of the La Cabra shops and one of our shops in a five minute triangle downtown, and thats the golden circle tour of coffee shops right there.

La Cabra  1 location

@lacabracoffee

La Cabra has become really big now, says Klaus, they want to expand globally.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Darcys Kaffe (@darcyskaffe)

Darcys Kaffe

@darcyskaffe

Darcys is one of the most popular multi-roaster cafes in Copenhagen, and one of the first as well. Theyve been good at promoting the idea of the multi roaster cafe, serving roasters like Sey, DAK, and a number of UK roasters as well. They do really amazing baked goods and small breakfast & lunch things too. Its a very cozy place, a baristas go-to place.

Wild Horses  2 locations

@wildhorsescph

The guy who owns this had a shop in Berlin; hes originally from Australia, and he used to work for Darcys before opening his own place in a sort of remote area of Copenhagen where there wasnt anything. Darcys has gained such a good traction for local people and its become a favoriteits a very personal sort of cafe, a multi-roaster focused on Berlin and other countries.

Kaffedepartementet

@kaffedepartementet

This is a small micro roaster in an up-and-coming area of town where visitors probably wouldnt have gone ten years ago. I think this is a great coffee shop, very fun, with just one location.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by HipHop (@hiphop.cph)

Hip Hop

@hiphop.cph

From a former Prolog employee and roaster who opened his own tiny little shop. Its very hip-hop inside, with just an espresso machine and two chairs. Its in a posh old ladies area called Frederiksberg, but it works really well. Its a fun vibe.

Orsa Coffee

@orsacoffee

One of the newest places in Copenhagen. This spot was started by two baristas, and its really goodtheyre a multi-roaster located in downtown.

Democratic

@democraticcoffeebar

This is one the places thats been around for quite a while, and theyre famous for making homemade croissants made in the shop. They also roast themselves. Great cafe!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Artisan Copenhagen (@theartisancph)

The Artisan

@theartisancph

This is run by two guysone from Peru, the other from Denmarkand they only serve Peruvian coffees, which can be quite good. I think this spot is a little overlooked, and they roast everything in-house on a one kilo roaster made in Copenhagen.

Additional recommendations from Klaus Thomsen:

Hans, Yellow Bird, Social Brew, Det Vide His.

Bakery recommendations from Klaus Thomsen:
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240623/terrorists-targeted-2-orthodox-churches-synagogue-police-in-dagestan-1119084077.html

Terrorists Targeted 2 Orthodox Churches, Synagogue, Police in Dagestan

Terrorists Targeted 2 Orthodox Churches, Synagogue, Police in Dagestan

Sputnik International

Armed attacks in Russia's Dagestan on Sunday targeted two Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a traffic police post in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala, Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee told Sputnik, adding that there was a church priest among the victims.

2024-06-23T23:18+0000

2024-06-23T23:18+0000

2024-06-24T01:18+0000

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"This evening, armed attacks were carried out against two Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a traffic police post in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala. As a result of the terrorist attacks, according to preliminary information, a priest of a Russian Orthodox Church and police officers were killed. Law enforcement agencies are taking all necessary measures to search for and apprehend the criminals," the committee said. Later in the day, the chair of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia's Public Council, Boruch Gorin, told Sputnik that another synagogue, located in Makhachkala, had also been set on fire by the attackers. The Russian Jewish Congress confirmed this information. In October 2023, a crowd of people stormed a ramp at the Makhachkala Airport after the landing of a passenger plane from Tel Aviv. The rioters were allegedly looking for Israeli citizens on board the aircraft amid the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Police officers arrived at the scene to stop the protesters. As a result of the clashes, over 20 people were injured and over 10 people with minor injuries sought outpatient medical care, the Russian Health Ministry said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240623/synagogue-church-road-patrol-post-attacked-in-russias-dagestan-casualties-reported-1119080532.html

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Jacob Beltran covers crime, breaking news and general assignments for the Express-News. He can be reached at jbeltran@express-news.net.

A San Antonio native, Jacob began his journalism career in 2010. He's worked for the student-run newspaper for San Antonio College, The Ranger, and for Texas A&M University-San Antonio, The Mesquite.

He enjoys video games, photography and exploring during his free time.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240623/why-article-5-wont-save-ukraine-if-kiev-joins-nato-1119079025.html

Why Article 5 Won't Save Ukraine if Kiev Joins NATO

Why Article 5 Won't Save Ukraine if Kiev Joins NATO

Sputnik International

The Kiev regime still strives to join NATO but its membership in the alliance wouldn't guarantee it more assistance then it enjoys today, even if the much-touted Article 5 is invoked.

2024-06-23T22:04+0000

2024-06-23T22:04+0000

2024-06-24T01:05+0000

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As NATO members prepare to celebrate the alliance's 75th anniversary in Washington next month, the US and key allies including the UK and Germany are debating how strongly to commit to Ukraine's NATO bid. Washington and Berlin rejected a European plan to provide Ukraine with an "irreversible" path to the organization earlier this week, instead offering a "lighter commitment" with no concrete timeline, according to British newspaper The Telegraph.The Kiev regime has repeatedly urged the West to accept it into NATO. However, even if Ukraine were admitted, it would not be guaranteed NATO boots on the ground or greater assistance than it already receives.What's Article 5 Really About?It is widely believed that Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty unquestionably commits NATO members to provide military support should one of them be attacked. In reality it doesn't, according to US academics, legal experts and lawmakers.Article 5 reads: "The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them . . . shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defense recognized by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking . . . such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area."But Article 11 further explains that the treaty's "provisions [shall be] carried out by the Parties in accordance with their respective constitutional processes."The treaty's language actually means that it's up to NATO member-states and their respective legislatures to determine whether and how to come to the rescue of their peers.The political scientists draw attention to the fact that whereas the treaty envisions the possibility of using military force in the event of an external attack it "does not include a clear definition of what an 'armed attack' actually is." Previously that allowed NATO to argue that a violent act against a member wasn't necessarily "enough" to define it as an "armed attack," the academics note.According to Reiter and Greenhill, NATO members "have only formally invoked Article 5 once" in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, helping Washington patrol its skies from mid-October 2001 to mid-May 2002.Nonetheless most NATO member states chose not to send troops to Afghanistan when the US declared war on the Taliban*. The academics point out that NATO states who didn't join Washington's "war on terror" were neither seen as breaking the alliance's treaty nor sanctioned or ejected from the alliance.Additionally, NATO members have also used the issue of geography to stay out of their peers' conflicts, according to the academics. Thus when the UK and Argentina went to war over the Falkland Islands in 1982, the US and other NATO states referred to the fact that the treaty provides for restoring and maintaining security in "the North Atlantic area." The Falkland Islands  also known as the Islas Malvinas  are a South Atlantic archipelago.NATO's Article 5 Doesn't Override Congress' War PowersLast June, Senator Rand Paul addressed the issue of Article 5's common defense provision to underscore that "an attack on one is an attack on all" does not automatically trigger a US military response.The senator condemned those he claimed deceive the public about what America's commitments under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty really are.On December 6, 2023, US President Joe Biden urged American lawmakers to green-light a US aid package for Ukraine by claiming that otherwise "we'll have something that we don't seek and that we don't have today: American troops fighting Russian troops  American troops fighting Russian troops if [Russia] moves into other parts of NATO." Moscow has resolutely rejected the idea of attacking any NATO member state as absurd. However, even if such a scenario occurred, it would be up to US lawmakers, not President Biden, to decide whether the US would put boots on the ground to protect its ally.The institute clarifies that under the 1973 War Powers Resolution congressional authorization to use force "shall not be inferred . . . from any treaty heretofore or hereafter ratified." It draws attention to the fact that then US President George W. Bush sought congressional authorization for the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War in line with the resolution's provision.Can Ukraine Receive More Aid by Joining NATO?The BCJ highlights that if Article 5 is invoked any NATO member state "may decide that instead of responding with force, it will send military equipment to NATO allies or impose sanctions" on their adversary.In fact, this type of assistance for Ukraine is already underway: NATO states are sending military equipment to the Kiev regime and using unilateral sanctions against Russia and its allies. Furthermore, according to multiple leaks, there are NATO Special Operations forces deployed on the ground in Ukraine. The alliance is expanding its involvement in the conflict despite Ukraine not being a member.Still, it is hard to imagine what more the Kiev regime hopes to get from its Western allies by joining NATO given they do not seem willing to die for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron's February call to not rule out putting NATO boots on the ground was met with little if any enthusiasm from the alliance's member states.* under UN sanctions for terrorism

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240621/west-expects-conflict-to-end-in-ukraine-out-of-nato-russia-retaining-gains---reports-1119049701.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240621/hungary-opts-out-of-natos-planned-military-mission-in-ukraine---orban-1119046092.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240527/us-military-experts-nato-cant-take-on-russia-or-prevent-ukraines-defeat-1118654569.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240623/ukraine-pressures-us-to-permit-deep-strikes-into-russia-using-atacms-missiles-1119075041.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/desperate-ukraine-needs-massive-debt-bailout--report-1119083622.html

Desperate Ukraine Needs Massive Debt Bailout  Report

Desperate Ukraine Needs Massive Debt Bailout  Report

Sputnik International

Private debt forgiveness is the only response to the countrys bleak economic situation, according to the broadsheet.

2024-06-24T03:02+0000

2024-06-24T03:02+0000

2024-06-24T04:32+0000

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volodymyr zelensky

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With Kievs gloomy financial prospects showing no sign of improving, one British newspaper is insisting that Western bondholders must forgive a substantial portion of the countrys arrears.Doing so is a tricky juggling act, the papers editorial board observed, claiming substantial Western investment would be needed as the country rebuilds.At stake in current negotiations is $20 billion owed to private bondholders, just a small portion of the governments $152 billion in overall outstanding debt.Ukraines debt payments have been paused since the outbreak of the Russo-Ukraine conflict but are scheduled to resume in August. A recent G7-backed deal to reduce the amount owed by 60% was rejected by investors last week, who counteroffered a 20% write-down.Washingtons sabotage of efforts to end the war was finally acknowledged by The New York Times and other mainstream outlets earlier this month.The editorial proposes three options for Ukraine  a default, another pause of payments, and continued insistence on a more significant debt reduction. Another pause would see the interest on the debt continue to balloon, while a default would further damage the countrys reputation and distract from the countrys efforts on the battlefield as Moscow appears poised to deliver a knockout blow.Kiev was widely acknowledged as a perilous environment for foreign investors for decades before the current conflagration, with British newspaper The Guardian calling Ukraine the most corrupt nation in Europe. Corruption has remained endemic among government officials since the countrys independence from the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Last year, defense minister Oleksii Reznikov was fired after millions of dollars of fraud was uncovered in procurement deals for the country's armed forces.Ukraine has meanwhile relied on aid from Western countries merely to continue funding basic government services, a fact that has created controversy as increasing numbers of Americans tell pollsters they believe the US is spending too much money propping up the Kiev regime.Controversial investment firms like BlackRock and JPMorganChase are set to receive billions of dollars in profit from reconstruction efforts, with Ukraines indebtedness set to perpetuate Western influence in the country for years to come.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231121/it-keeps-growing-and-growing-ukraines-national-debt-in-decade-since-maidan-coup-1115115204.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/corrupt-dealings-spanish-drug-gangs-armed-with-black-market-weapons-from-ukraine-1118854629.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240330/ukraine-being-destroyed-from-within-by-zelensky-government-corruption--ex-diplomat-1117647839.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/eu-council-says-approves-14th-package-of-sanctions-against-russia-1119092252.html

EU Council Approves 14th Package of Sanctions Against Russia

EU Council Approves 14th Package of Sanctions Against Russia

Sputnik International

The EU Council said on Monday that it had approved the 14th package of sanctions against Russia.

2024-06-24T07:45+0000

2024-06-24T07:45+0000

2024-06-24T08:08+0000

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"The Council adopted today a 14th package of economic and individual restrictive measures dealing a further blow to [Russian President Vladimir] Putins regime and those who perpetuate his illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine," the EU Council said in a statement. The new package expands personal restrictions to include 116 individuals and organizations "responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine," the statement read. The EU also banned companies from using the "System for Transfer of Financial Messages" (SPFS), a specialized financial messaging service developed by Russia's Central Bank "to neutralise the effect of restrictive measures." "In view of the continued Russian attempts to interfere with the democratic processes in the EU and undermine its democratic foundations, including through influence campaigns and the promotion of disinformation, the Council decided that political parties and foundations, non-governmental organisations, including think tanks, or media service providers in the EU, will no longer be allowed to accept funding coming from the Russian state and its proxies," the statement read. The EU has also imposed sanctions against the "shadow fleet" of Russia, "specific vessels contributing to Russias warfare against Ukraine," targeting 27 vessels, as well as expanded restrictions against the import of helium from Russia and the export of manganese ore, plastics, electronics. Additionally, EU Council will be required to take measures to ensure that their third-country subsidiaries do not violate European sanctions or "take part in any activities resulting in an outcome that the sanctions seek to prevent." "The Council added 61 new entities to the list of those directly supporting Russias military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine. They will be subject to tighter export restrictions concerning dual use goods and technologies, as well as goods and technology which might contribute to the technological enhancement of Russias defence and security sector. Some of these entities are located in third countries (China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates)," the statement read.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240615/embassy-in-london-on-new-sanctions-against-russia-us-is-ultimate-beneficiary-1118972543.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/iran-to-help-russia-investigate-terrorist-attack-in-dagestan-if-needed---russian-diplomat-1119108453.html

Iran to Help Russia Investigate Terrorist Attack in Dagestan If Needed - Russian Diplomat

Iran to Help Russia Investigate Terrorist Attack in Dagestan If Needed - Russian Diplomat

Sputnik International

The authorities of Iran are ready to provide assistance in the investigation of the terrorist attacks in Russia's Dagestan if necessary, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told Sputnik.

2024-06-24T16:58+0000

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On Sunday evening, gunmen opened fire at two churches, two synagogues and a traffic police post in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala in Dagestan, prompting a counterterrorist operation. Twenty people died in the gun attack, including 15 police officers and four civilians. Five assailants were killed. "I am sure that if such a need arises, our friends in Iran will provide us with the necessary assistance. As for our cooperation in the counterterrorism sphere, it is successfully developing both through special services and through the Security Council," Rudenko said.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/israel-hezbollah-war-could-deal-final-blow-to-bidens-election-odds-1119094802.html

Israel-Hezbollah War Could Deal Final Blow to Biden's Election Odds

Israel-Hezbollah War Could Deal Final Blow to Biden's Election Odds

Sputnik International

An Israeli invasion of Lebanon could deal a blow to US President Joe Biden's chances in the November elections, international observers say, noting rising tensions in the Middle East.

2024-06-24T12:49+0000

2024-06-24T12:49+0000

2024-06-24T12:49+0000

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US and European mainstream media are reporting "a growing fear" of an all-out war between Israel and Lebanon.Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shi'ite resistance movement, have dramatically escalated since Tel Aviv's invasion of Rafah, a southern Gaza region bordering Egypt.Hezbollah has repeatedly warned Israel against expanding military actions against the Palestinian territory.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on June 23 that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would be moved to the country's northern border to confront Hezbollah. Washington has reportedly been cautioning Tel Aviv against a new conflict.Team Biden has good reasons to get worried about Israel's confrontation with Hezbollah for two major reasons, according to international observers.The first concern is that Israel may sustain serious damage, given the resistance group's military capabilities.According to Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the group has 100,000 guerillas ready to fight. Many of them gained combat experience against against ISIS* and other jihadist groups in Syria.Hezbollah is also believed to have an arsenal of 150,000-200,000 missiles. Most recently the group has begun successfully using kamikaze drones and other unmanned vehicles against Israeli border positions.Research by the Israeli Reichman University Institute for Counter-Terrorism indicates that Hezbollah could fire up to 3,000 missiles a day and overwhelm Israel's air defenses.Stockpiles of Iron Dome and David's Sling missiles would be depleted within a few days of the combat, leaving Israel exposed to a massive barrage of rockets and drones from Hezbollah and its regional allies.The scenario described by the institute demonstrates that Israel is completely unprepared for a possible repeat of the 2006 Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon.The second worry is that the US would be drawn into an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah. That is likely to deal a tremendous blow to President Joe Biden's election odds, according to Dr. Michelle Bentley, director of the Centre for International Security at Royal Holloway University of London.Biden now finds himself between a rock and a hard place: while Republicans and pro-Israel Democrats are pressing him to aid Tel Aviv, progressive Democrats condemn Israel for "ethnic cleansing" in the Gaza Strip.Biden's electoral base, which includes young Democrat voters, black people, Arab and Muslim Americans has grown disenchanted with the US president over his failure to force Israel into a ceasefire in Gaza and continued military aid to the IDF.According to the British academic, US citizens and world leaders see a potential conflict between Tel Aviv and Hezbollah as part of the ongoing Israel-Palestine crisis.By June 24, 61 percent of Americans disapproved of Joe Biden's handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with only 31 percent approving of the president's strategy, according to polling aggregator RealClearPolitics (RCP). Biden's rival, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, is leading the incumbent president in most national and state polls.*terrorist group banned in Russia

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240613/israels-all-out-war-with-hezbollah-what-us-thinks-about-scenario-1118925997.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/us-wont-be-able-to-help-israel-in-broader-hezbollah-war-warns-air-force-general-1119087511.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/israel-cant-win-all-out-war-against-lebanons-hezbollah-heres-why-1118878260.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/majority-of-israelis-cannot-sympathize-with-gazans-despite-seeing-images-of-destruction---report-1119083399.html

Majority of Israelis Cannot Sympathize With Gazans, Despite Seeing Images of Destruction - Report

Majority of Israelis Cannot Sympathize With Gazans, Despite Seeing Images of Destruction - Report

Sputnik International

Many Israelis, no matter their political affiliation, are blaming Hamas for the humanitarian crises in Gaza, a report published by the New York Times on Sunday said.

2024-06-24T03:14+0000

2024-06-24T03:14+0000

2024-06-24T05:13+0000

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tel aviv

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Many Israelis, no matter their political affiliation, are blaming Hamas for the humanitarian crises in Gaza, a report published by the New York Times on Sunday said. The war in Gaza has displaced a majority of the population, resulting in the deaths of more than 37,000 people.But despite the suffering of those living in Gaza, many Israelis blame Hamas for October 7, when the group's gunmen stormed across the border and killed about 1,200 and took 250 or more hostage, said Israeli officials. The report claims that it was the deadliest day for Jews since the holocaust.Many also see Gazas civilians as complicit, at least ideologically, in the atrocities of Oct. 7, saying that they brought Hamas to power in the first place, in Palestinian elections in 2006.However, for years the governments led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did their best to undermine the leadership of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and simultaneously advance the power and control of Hamas for fear of Palestine establishing a Palestinian state, The Times of Israel reported. By propping up the terrorist group, Israel essentially created their own enemy responsible for the October 7 attacks.Most of the time, Israeli policy was to treat the Palestinian Authority as a burden and Hamas as an asset, The Times of Israel writes.And according to a nonpartisan research group, Arab Barometer, a 2023 survey showed that 44% of Gazans said they had no trust at all of Hamas authorities, while just 29% expressed either a a great deal or quite a lot of trust in their government. And 72% of respondents said they believed there was a large or medium amount of corruption in the government. The research for the poll, which began on September 28, 2023, ended on October 8, 2023.Rachel Riemer, 72, who is a longtime resident of the liberal, left-leaning village Urim, said that during a previous conflict she had donated blankets for the children of Gaza. But she says this time, she cant pity them.The indifference to the suffering of Palestinians is being seen through a lens of what occurred during the Holocaust in Europe, Avi Shilon, an Israeli historian in Tel Aviv, explained to the New York Times.Mainstream Israeli news media does not highlight Gazan civilian death tolls or their suffering, but focuses instead on the funerals and profiles of Israeli Defense Force (IDF) soldiers who have died in the war. However, a poll from The Israel Democracy Institute found that 68% of Arab respondents and 87% of Jewish respondents reported having seen a few or many pictures or videos of the widespread destruction in Gaza.A majority of Israelis have also agreed to ignore US demands on its conduct in the war, even as the US has given more aid to Israel than any other nation since World War II, a separate poll conducted by The Israel Democracy Institute found in late December. The poll found that about 21% of Arab Israelis and 75% of Jewish Israelis said they think Israel should ignore US demands to reduce heavy bombing in populous areas."Since October 7 of last year the death toll from Israeli aggression has grown to 37,551 and 85,911 people were injured. Over the past 24 hours the occupation forces have committed three mass killings of families in the Gaza Strip that left 101 dead and 169 injured," the Gaza Health Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240618/dreadful-horrible-unspeakable-gaza-war-to-surge-even-after-cabinet-dissolved-1119000265.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/reform-uk-party-leader-accuses-boris-johnson-of-hypocrisy-over-ukraine-1119105788.html

Reform UK Party Leader Accuses Boris Johnson of Hypocrisy Over Ukraine

Reform UK Party Leader Accuses Boris Johnson of Hypocrisy Over Ukraine

Sputnik International

The leader of the right-wing Reform UK party, Nigel Farage, accused former Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday of being "a liar and a hypocrite" over his contradicting statements on Ukraine.

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nigel farage

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Farage said that NATO and the European Union's eastward enlargement provoked the conflict in Ukraine, prompting a barrage of criticism, including from Johnson, who had notoriously talked Kiev out of signing a peace pact with Moscow in the spring of 2022, according to Ukraine's former chief negotiator with Russia, David Arakhamia. "Boris, you are a liar and a hypocrite. I am glad you are no longer Prime Minister of this country," Farage wrote on social media, responding to Johnson's comments on his article on the Ukrainian crisis, published in The Telegraph last Saturday. Farage posted two photographs of news headlines that referred to Johnson's statements on Ukraine. One of them is dated May 10, 2016 and the other February 28, 2022. Both cite Johnson's blaming the EU for the 2014 crisis in Ukraine, although the former UK leader has completely changed his rhetoric since then.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240615/nyt-claims-to-reveal-2022-russia-ukraine-peace-drafts-key-details-and-missed-opportunities-1118975487.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/russia-belarus-to-contribute-to-formation-of-new-security-architecture---statement-1119106500.html

Russia, Belarus to Contribute to Formation of New Security Architecture - Statement

Russia, Belarus to Contribute to Formation of New Security Architecture - Statement

Sputnik International

Minsk and Moscow are considering contributing to the formation of a new sustainable international security architecture, the parameters of which should be the rules of conflict-free coexistence, the joint statement of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik, published on Monday, read.

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"Minsk and Moscow consider promoting the formation of a new sustainable architecture of international security as one of the key foreign policy objectives... The parameters of such a system should be the product of open and inclusive negotiations on the rules of conflict-free coexistence based on the principles of equality and indivisibility of security, as well as recognition of the realities of multipolarity and mandatory mutual consideration of the interests of all parties involved," the document read. Russia and Belarus condemn West's actions to escalate the situation in Europe, the joint statement read. In addition, Minsk and Moscow are in favor of promoting the initiatives in UN aimed at countering sanctions as a way of political blackmail, the joint statement said.The two countries are also seeking to improve the Collective Security Treaty Organization's (CSTO) foreign policy coordination and promoting the organization's observer and partner status."We are aimed at further improving foreign policy coordination within the Organization, expanding its interaction with other international organizations, as well as actively promoting the status of an observer and partner of the CSTO," the ministers' joint statement read.Minsk and Moscow are making efforts to improve the mechanisms to counter new threats to the security of CIS countries, the statement said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240614/putins-eurasia-security-proposal-is-kind-gesture-that-europeans-should-grasp---1118956878.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/russia-fully-aware-who-is-behind-sevastopol-missile-attack---kremlin-1119093464.html

Russia Fully Aware Who is Behind Sevastopol Missile Attack - Kremlin

Russia Fully Aware Who is Behind Sevastopol Missile Attack - Kremlin

Sputnik International

On Sunday, the Ukrainian armed forces attacked Sevastopol, using US-made ATACMS missiles with cluster warheads, four of which were shot down and one deflected and exploded over Sevastopol in Crimea, Russia. The attack killed at least four people and injured more than 150 others.

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dmitry peskov

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army tactical missile system (atacms)

deadly ukrainian attack on sevastopol

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The Kremlin considers a missile attack by the Ukrainian armed forces on Sevastopol barbaric and knows who stands behind it, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.Here, you could turn to your colleagues in the media," he added. "Simply ask my colleagues, the press secretaries [of state leaders] in Europe, and especially in Washington, why their government is killing Russian children. He warned that US involvement in the conflict resulting in Russian civilian casualties will inevitably have consequences.On June 23 at 12:15 PM local time, Sevastopol was deliberately targeted by five US-made ATACMS (Army TACtical Missile System) rockets armed with cluster bomblets. Russian air defenses intercepted four of the missiles, but the explosion of the fifth missile's cluster warhead in the air caused numerous civilian casualties in Sevastopol.According to the latest reports, 151 people sustained varying degrees of injuries, with 82 hospitalized, including 27 children, six of whom are in critical condition. Four people died, including two children. Monday has been declared a Day of Mourning in Sevastopol and the Republic of Crimea.Peskov was also asked if the Crimea missile attack and a terrorist attack in Dagestan were connected. The spokesman replied that it is too early to discuss this.Russia has not received messages of condolences from unfriendly countries after the attack, the spokesman said.Unknown gunmen opened fire at two churches, a synagogue and a traffic police station in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala, prompting authorities to launch a counterterrorist operation on Sunday evening.Fifteen police officers and four civilians, including an Orthodox priest, were known to be killed in the terrorist attacks in Dagestan, the Investigative Committee of Russia said on Monday. Police eliminated six gunmen involved in the attacks, Dagestan head Sergei Melikov said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/scott-ritter-on-ukraines-shelling-of-sevastopol-its-direct-attack-on-russia-by-us-and-nato-1119086081.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240623/terrorists-targeted-2-orthodox-churches-synagogue-police-in-dagestan-1119084077.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/russian-forces-pummel-odessa-warehouse-holding-western-made-missiles--1119091491.html

Russian Forces Pummel Odessa Warehouse Holding Western-Made Missiles

Russian Forces Pummel Odessa Warehouse Holding Western-Made Missiles

Sputnik International

The strike came in the area of the heavy crane building plant "Krayan", where there was a warehouse with Western-made missiles, coordinator of the Nikolaev underground Sergei Lebedev told Sputnik.

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russia's special operation in ukraine

sergei lebedev

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russia

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"The strike took place in Odessa, at the site of the Krayan heavy crane factory. The plant had a warehouse with new missiles supplied by Western countries. The strike was carried out around eight in the morning, Odessa residents reported a powerful blast and a plume of black smoke," Lebedev said.He also provided photographic and video evidence of a large, dark column of smoke. About ten foreign mercenaries were hit by Russian forces near the factory in Odessa, Lebedev added. He noted that the attack was carried out by two Kalibr missiles, while Ukrainian air defenses failed to respond.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240505/russian-forces-destroy-warehouse-of-western-missiles-near-odessa-1118272453.html

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Actor and comedian Reginald Ballard, right, who played Bruh Man in the sitcom Martin, poses with Anthony Cubit and his winning sandwich during the filming of the first episode of Ballards show Searching for the Perfect Sammich at Friendship Baptist Church on Saturday. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer Anthony Cubit, with Smoke Ring King BBQ, holds his Pointe de Poitrine Royal sandwich, garnished with 24-karat gold flakes, and judged to be the winner of actor and comedian Reginald Ballards first episode of Searching for the Perfect Sammich at Friendship Baptist Church on Saturday. Ballard played Bruh Man in the sitcom Martin. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer Actor and comedian Reginald Ballard, center, who played Bruh Man in the sitcom Martin, stands with Chef Angelo Gordon, right, and Dee Gordon of Jamaica Jamaica Cuisine during the filming of the first episode of his show Searching for the Perfect Sammich at Friendship Baptist Church on Saturday. Gordons Jerk Burger sandwich finished tied for second place on the show. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer Actor and comedian Reginald Ballard, right, with Judy Jeffries of Js Eatery, whose TNT sandwich  Texas toast with smoked meatloaf with a drizzle of mild sauce and macaroni and cheese topped with another slice of Texas toast  tied for second place during the filming of Ballards first episode of Searching for the Perfect Sammich at Friendship Baptist Church on Saturday. Ballard played Bruh Man in the sitcom Martin. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer Actor and comedian Reginald Ballard, second from left, who played Bruh Man in the sitcom Martin, tries to decide the winner between the three finalist sandwiches while filming the first episode of his show Searching for the Perfect Sammich at Friendship Baptist Church on Saturday. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer The winning sandwich, Pointe de Poitrine Royal, made by Anthony Cubit of Smoke Ring Kink BBQ is pictured in actor and comedian Reginald Ballards first episode of Searching for the Perfect Sammich at Friendship Baptist Church on Saturday. The sandwich features Cubits signature smoked brisket, Caribbean pepper slaw and Django sauce, made with a jerk mango and ghost pepper coulis, on a black brioche bun and garnished with 24-karat gold flakes Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer Actor and comedian Reginald Ballard, who played Bruh Man in the sitcom Martin, points to one of three finalists, the Jerk Burger made by Angelo and Dee Gordon, right, while filming the first episode of his show Searching for the Perfect Sammich at Friendship Baptist Church on Saturday. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer Actor and comedian Reginald Ballard, second from left, who played Bruh Man in the sitcom Martin, has fun picking between three finalist sandwiches while filming the first episode of his show Searching for the Perfect Sammich at Friendship Baptist Church on Saturday. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer

In the early 90s, the off-the-wall character Bruh Man entered TV viewers hearts  and homes  through Martin Lawrences sitcom, Martin.

Actor and comedian Reginald Ballard played the neighbor from the fifth floor whod surprise Lawrence, slipping through a window like a ninja to make a sammich (sandwich).

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An exasperated Martin would erupt into a frenzy with a Youve got to be kidding me as the unconcerned visitor plopped a jumble of food between slices of bread, slathered with mayo and mustard. Then hed leave the same way he came in, through the window.

Last weekend, Ballard brought a more purposeful demeanor to San Antonio as he launched a show called Bruh Man is Searching for the Perfect Sammich.

The contest and winners will be featured in the shows first episode on the African American Network. Laura Thompson, CEO of TAAN TV, said the show will travel to different cities in search of the perfect sandwich. Their second stop is Killeen in July.

It means a lot that he would take time out to uplift African American small restaurants, Thompson said. Were super excited to help restaurants in San Antonio get the exposure they deservedly need.

On Saturday morning, TAAN TV filmed Ballard as he tasted and judged the top sandwiches from seven contestants outside of Friendship Baptist Church on the East Side.

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Executive chef Anthony Cubit, from Smoke Ring King BBQ, won first place with his Pointe de Poitrine Royal, a burger with smoked brisket and 24-karat flakes of gold.

It feels awesome, Cubit said. I feel like its the sandwich that Bruh Man was supposed to be making.

Jamaica Jamaica Cuisine and Js Eatery tied for second place. Rick Draper, a culinary student at St. Philips College, won the Peoples Choice award.

The show is the brainchild of Vance Bradford, chief operating officer of TAAN TV.

Bradford said everyone gravitates toward Ballards outlandish character. Bradford has known his friend for more than 20 years, since his early days doing stand-up at clubs across the country and overseas.

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On Saturday, guests snapped photos with Ballard as he mingled and chatted with chefs and health care representatives. Tiffany Jones-Smith, president and CEO of the Texas Kidney Foundation, said Ballard is also its spokesperson.

Ballard appeared in 13 episodes as Martins aloof neighbor from the fifth floor. Though hes known for slipping into Martins apartment without permission and raiding the refrigerator, he said theres one thing viewers never saw: Bruh Man eating a sandwich.

You never saw me take a bite of anything on the show, Ballard said. It was an illusion. Its like when I stepped out on the fire escape, I was on stage.

His television credits include The Parkers, ER, NCIS and The Bernie Mac Show. His movie appearances include Menace II Society and Horrible Bosses.

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ALSO READ: Social media influencers with thousands of followers shine spotlight on local restaurants

During his audition for Martin, the casting director asked Ballard to do something different. Ballard tapped into a Texas drawl and got the part on the spot. He recalled that his part didnt have a name, and the executive producer put Brother Man on the script as a placeholder.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/russian-foreign-ministry-summons-us-ambassador-over-attack-on-sevastopol-1119093785.html

Russian Foreign Ministry Summons US Ambassador Over Attack on Sevastopol

Russian Foreign Ministry Summons US Ambassador Over Attack on Sevastopol

Sputnik International

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that it had summoned US Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy to express a demarche in connection with Kiev's missile attack on Sevastopol.

2024-06-24T09:51+0000

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sevastopol

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army tactical missile system (atacms)

kiev

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deadly ukrainian attack on sevastopol

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"During a conversation at the Russian Foreign Ministry on June 24 with the summoned head of the US diplomatic mission in Russia, Lynne Tracy, a demarche was made in connection with the new bloody crime of the Kiev regime, sponsored and armed by Washington, which launched a targeted missile attack on the civilian population of Sevastopol, accompanied by numerous casualties, including children," the ministry said in a statement. Washingtons actions encouraging the pro-Nazi authorities of Ukraine to take military action will not go unpunished, the ministry said, adding that there will be response measures. The United States bears equal responsibility with Kiev for the missile strike on the civilian population of Sevastopol, the statement read.On Sunday, the Ukrainian armed forces attacked Sevastopol, using US-made ATACMS missiles with cluster warheads, four of which were shot down and one deflected and exploded over the city. The attack killed at least four people and injured more than 150 others.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240623/why-us-and-ukraine-deliberately-chose-russias-sevastopol-for-terror-attack-1119081063.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/ukraine-broke-international-law-with-cluster-bomb-attack-on-sevastopol---un-human-rights-watchdog-1119103510.html

Ukraine Broke International Law With Cluster Bomb Attack on Sevastopol - UN Human Rights Watchdog

Ukraine Broke International Law With Cluster Bomb Attack on Sevastopol - UN Human Rights Watchdog

Sputnik International

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) told Sputnik on Monday that the organization is aware of the attacks on a beach in Sevastopol and is verifying the information.

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sevastopol

ukraine

russian federation

un human rights office (ohchr)

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army tactical missile system (atacms)

deadly ukrainian attack on sevastopol

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"We have seen the reports about a large number of casualties, including, disturbingly, many children, in an attack in Sevastopol on Sunday, and that local authorities have issued statements that these casualties resulted from the use of cluster munitions. We are trying to verify as much information as we can about this incident, including the number of civilian casualties and the weapon used. We do not have access to the Crimean peninsula, despite repeated requests," the UN agency said. While the use of cluster munitions is not per se prohibited under international humanitarian law, "it is the consistent position of the UN Human Rights Office that their use in populated areas is incompatible with fundamental principles of international humanitarian law governing the conduct of hostilities," the agency added. On Sunday, the Ukrainian armed forces attacked Sevastopol, using US-made ATACMS missiles with cluster warheads, four of which were shot down and one deflected and exploded over the city. The attack killed at least four people and injured more than 150 others.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/russia-fully-aware-who-is-behind-sevastopol-missile-attack---kremlin-1119093464.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/us-escalated-ukraine-conflict-on-new-level-by-facilitating-terror-strike-on-sevastopol-1119106898.html

US Escalated Ukraine Conflict on New Level by Facilitating Terror Strike on Sevastopol

US Escalated Ukraine Conflict on New Level by Facilitating Terror Strike on Sevastopol

Sputnik International

A US RQ-4 Global Hawk drone was in the airspace over the Black Sea southeast of Crimea at the time of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' attack on Sevastopol using cluster-armed ATACMS missiles.

2024-06-24T16:50+0000

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Washington's involvement in the Ukrainian missile strike on Sevastopol is undeniable, given that it was conducted with the US-made ATACMS missiles programmed by American specialists, while a US RQ-4 Global Hawk reconnaissance drone was operating near Crimea that day, Russia's Foreign Ministry stated on June 24.The expert said it was "highly likely the Global Hawk was providing reconnaissance, targeting information and potentially guidance information for the ATACMS itself."On Sunday at 12:15 pm local time, Ukraine attacked the Russian city of Sevastopol with five ATACMS missiles equipped with cluster bomblets. Russian air defenses intercepted four missiles, but the explosion of the fifth cluster warhead led to the death of four civilians with 153 more injured, according to local authroirties.The US government admitted in October 2023 that it had covertly provided Ukraine with a model of ATACMS with a range 165 kilometers. Longer-range ATACMS, capable of striking targets at a distance of up to 300 kilometers, were secretly included in the $300 million aid package and delivered to Ukraine in April.Both ATACMS variants have cluster warheads, prohibited by the international Convention on Cluster Munitions  which the US declined to sign.In May, Politico reported that after Ukraine received ATACMS missiles, it also expressed interest in obtaining MQ-9 Reaper spy drones from the US, stressing that it needs new surveillance capabilities to strike Russian targets "deep behind the front lines."EurasianTimes commentators suggested that "with the acquisition of the 300-kilometer-range variant of ATACMS, the thinking in Ukraine is that pairing it with an established unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) is the only way to attain some gains in the large artillery and ground systems-centric war."The Defense Post also reported that US-made ATACMS and MQ-9 Reapers "could work in tandem in Ukraine, with the Reaper collecting target information and the ATACMS ensuring precision strikes."The US has repeatedly refused to provide its sophisticated drone systems to Ukraine, fearing that they would be shot down and captured by Russian forces. But the Pentagon and its NATO allies have manned electronic intelligence planes and surveillance drones constantly circling over the Black Sea, south of Crimea.The military expert emphasized that Ukrainian attacks deep inside Russia cannot affect the balance of power on the battlefield in the zone of special military operation.He argued that the strike on Sevastopol was aimed at the civilian population to prompt "some type of concern there, to provoke some type of uprising or dissatisfaction with the government.""Targeting the Russian population, we've got some dream here of some of the neocons that are very influential, of overthrowing the government and dismantling Russia," Rasmussen said. "We've heard comments from both the EU as well as US leadership, senior leaders regarding that. So it's just based on their discussions. Is that rhetoric? Perhaps. But there are ulterior motives in this and it's beyond the battlefield itself."The expert expects that Washington would play down the recent slaughter of civilians in Sevastopol as 'collateral damage', but the problem remains that the US not only provided Ukraine with long-range weaponry but is "actually facilitating the use of it."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/ukraine-broke-international-law-with-cluster-bomb-attack-on-sevastopol---un-human-rights-watchdog-1119103510.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/russian-foreign-ministry-summons-us-ambassador-over-attack-on-sevastopol-1119093785.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/us-involvement-in-sevastopol-attack-is-undeniable---russian-foreign-ministry-1119104859.html

US Involvement in Sevastopol Attack is Undeniable - Russian Foreign Ministry

US Involvement in Sevastopol Attack is Undeniable - Russian Foreign Ministry

Sputnik International

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that US involvement in the missile strike on Sevastopol is beyond doubt, claiming that Washington and its allies have established a neo-Nazi regime in Kiev.

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"On June 23, the Kiev regime, with the support of the US and their satellites, committed yet another monstrous terrorist crime against the peaceful population of Russia," the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. The ministry stressed that all targeting for ATACMS missiles programmed by US specialists using their own country's satellite reconnaissance data, while a US RQ-4 Global Hawk reconnaissance drone was operating near Crimea that day."Washington and its satellites created and nurtured a neo-Nazi regime in Kiev, actively fostering and supporting their Ukrainian puppets, leading them in a war against Russia, and inciting them to commit acts of international terrorism and the murder of peaceful Russian citizens, including using one of the most inhumane types of weapons  cluster munitions," it said."A response to this crime will surely follow," the ministry assured.Ukraine fired five US-supplied long-range ATACMS missiles with cluster warheads at the Crimean port city early on Sunday afternoon. Four missiles were shot down while the fifth exploded over the city, killing at least four people, including two children, and injuring 153 others.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/russian-foreign-ministry-summons-us-ambassador-over-attack-on-sevastopol-1119093785.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/us-wont-be-able-to-help-israel-in-broader-hezbollah-war-warns-air-force-general-1119087511.html

US Wont Be Able to Help Israel in 'Broader Hezbollah War', Warns Air Force General

US Wont Be Able to Help Israel in 'Broader Hezbollah War', Warns Air Force General

Sputnik International

The US wont be able to help Israel defend itself against a broader Hezbollah war, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. CQ Brown told reporters on Sunday.

2024-06-24T05:42+0000

2024-06-24T05:42+0000

2024-06-24T06:11+0000

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The United States wont be able to help Israel defend itself against a broader Hezbollah war, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. CQ Brown told reporters on Sunday.A full-blown Israeli military offensive into Lebanon, in his opinion, would risk triggering a broader war that would entail a strong Iranian response in defense of Hezbollah. Iran, said the general, would be more inclined to support Hezbollah, in case it felt that the Lebanese militant group was "being significantly threatened. An escalation of such a level could put US forces in the region in danger, added Brown.According to Brown, the US is engaged in talks with Israeli leaders in a bid to warn them of the consequences of a wider conflict. Washingtons principal message is to think about the second order of effect of any type of operation into Lebanon, and how that might play out and how it impacts not just the region, but how it impacts our forces in regions as well.US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had reportedly raised similar concerns in a telephone conversation with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant in a recent phone call.The issue is expected to be discussed during Gallants visit to Washington for meetings with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and other senior US officials.After US President Joe Bidens senior adviser, Amos Hochstein, met with officials in Lebanon and Israel last week, he told reporters in Beirut on Tuesday that it was a very serious situation.Given the amount of rocket fire weve seen going from both sides of the border, weve certainly been concerned about that situation, and both publicly and privately have been urging all parties to restore calm along that border, and again, to seek a diplomatic solution, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said last week.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the phase of intense fighting in the Gaza Strips Rafah was winding down, and the IDF would be readying itself to potentially face Lebanons Hezbollah.After the end of the intense phase, Israel will redeploy some forces to the north primarily for defensive purposes, the PM said in a Channel 14 interview. Netanyahu voiced hope for a diplomatic solution but added that, We will meet this challenge too. We can fight on several fronts, we are prepared for this.He doubled down on the need for a deal with Hezbollah to ensure that its forces are not on the border. It will include the physical distancing of Hezbollah from the border, and we will need to enforce it We are committed to returning the residents of the north to their homes, he added.The Biden administration has been voicing concern about a scenario in which the current bilateral tensions between Israel and Lebanon escalate into an "all-out war," Axios reported earlier in June citing unnamed American officials. The White House fears that Israel could start a war with Hezbollah "without a clear strategy or consideration of the full implications of a wider conflict." Ever since Netanyahu began indicating that he was ready to expand the Gaza conflict into Lebanon against Hezbollah, a chorus of voices began warning that the Lebanese group is far stronger than Hamas and has access to an array of sophisticated missiles and rockets that would be able to overwhelm Israels air and missile defense network. Furthermore, political and military observers have warned that Israel would be unable to completely isolate Lebanon, and Hezbollah would be able to receive support from abroad if Tel Aviv were to invade.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/west-losing-war-with-russia-both-militarily-morally---slovak-deputy-speaker-1119112420.html

West Losing War With Russia Both Militarily, Morally - Slovak Deputy Speaker

West Losing War With Russia Both Militarily, Morally - Slovak Deputy Speaker

Sputnik International

The West is losing its war against Russia militarily, morally and politically, while "warmongers" keep getting defeated at the ballot box, Slovak Deputy Parliament Speaker Lubos Blaha said on Monday.

2024-06-24T21:40+0000

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"Let's face it: the West is losing the war against Russia. Militarily, politically and morally. You don't need to do anything special, just grab some popcorn and watch the warmongers in the West lose, watch their own peoples rebel against them, watch neoliberalism fall to the bottom. Finally," Blaha, who is also a member of the ruling leftist Smer party, wrote on Telegram. Slovakia is on the right side of history, on the side of peace, patriotism and social justice, the lawmaker added. Western liberals face a reckoning for "spreading hatred against Russia," with President Emmanuel Macrons centrists trailing the opposition ahead of the snap elections and Donald Trump leading President Joe Biden in the United States, Blaha highlighted. The ruling parties in several European states failed to win the recent European Parliament elections. In France, the right-wing National Rally finished well ahead of Macron's centrist coalition. In Germany, the center-left SDP of Chancellor Olaf Scholz came third after the opposition Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) bloc and the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD). On Sunday, the Ukrainian armed forces attacked Sevastopol, the largest city on the Crimean Peninsula, using US-supplied ATACMS missiles with cluster warheads, four of which were shot down, while the fifth exploded over the city, killing four people, including two children, and injuring 153 others.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/us-escalated-ukraine-conflict-on-new-level-by-facilitating-terror-strike-on-sevastopol-1119106898.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/why-israel-is-unprepared-for-war-with-hezbollah--1119110100.html

Why Israel is Unprepared for War With Hezbollah

Why Israel is Unprepared for War With Hezbollah

Sputnik International

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the country's Channel 14 Television that Tel Aviv is ready to move some forces to the north to confront Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah. Could Tel Aviv wage a war on two fronts?

2024-06-24T19:31+0000

2024-06-24T19:31+0000

2024-06-24T19:41+0000

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hassan nasrallah

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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah fighters have increasingly exchanged strikes across Lebanons southern border since the beginning of Tel Aviv's Gaza war launched over Hamas' attack on October 7 2023.Hezbollah has repeatedly warned it would step up military actions unless Israel stops killing Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip.Hezbollah has intensified attacks over Israel's Rafah invasion.Last week Hezbollah Secretary General Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah played down Israel's threats to launch an all-out war against the resistance group, warning that it has a 100,000-strong military force capable of waging military actions against Israel in all three domains  land, air and sea. Nasrallah added that the movement does not want a "total war" with Israel and called for a complete and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.Hezbollah released a nine-minute video last week, filmed from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which penetrated Israeli air defenses and returned to Lebanese airspace without being detected. The footage shows sensitive civilian and military locations in and around Haifa, one of Israel's largest cities.According to some estimates, Hezbollah has up to 150,000-200,000 rockets and missiles and has also mastered the use of unmanned vehicles.But Dr. Hasan Selim Ozertem, an Ankara-based security and political analyst, told Sputnik that a repeat of the Israeli invasions in 1982 and 2006 would bring "catastrophe" to southern Lebanon.While conceding that the Israeli military capabilities are "very strong and very high," Trombetta expressed doubts about Tel Aviv's chances of succeeding in a war against Hezbollah.The Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) published analysis in March describing how a potential Israel-Hezbollah conflict in 2024 could be more challenging for Tel Aviv than the 2006 Israeli-Lebanese war.The think-tank drew attention to the fact that Hezbollah has for years built upon its successful 2006 tactics of "decentralizing its command and control and reorganizing to force the IDF into more urbanized terrain where [Hezbollah] fighters can take advantage of concealed, fortified positions."Hezbollah has beefed up its military stockpiles with new weapons over the past 18 years. It has also gained extensive military experience during the war against ISIS* and other Islamist terrorists in Syria and has had "access to capabilities and competencies used by conventional armies."The CSIS also noted that the geography of southern Lebanon offers advantages for Hezbollah guerrillas, including positions on rocky hills where they can hide and fire rockets, unmanned aircraft systems and anti-tank guided missiles at Israeli positions on the border.The Israeli Reichman University Institute for Counter-Terrorism assumes that Hezbollah could fire up to 3,000 missiles a day and overwhelm Israel's air defenses.The researchers warned that intensive attacks would deplete the Israeli stockpiles of surface-to-air missiles within a few days of combat, exposing the nation to further Hezbollah missile and drone attacks. They argued that Tel Aviv is unprepared for an all-out war with the resistance force.*terrorist group banned in Russia and many other countries

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240624/us-wont-be-able-to-help-israel-in-broader-hezbollah-war-warns-air-force-general-1119087511.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240608/israel-cant-win-all-out-war-against-lebanons-hezbollah-heres-why-1118878260.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240609/gaza-to-look-like-playground-compared-to-lebanon-if-israel-hezbollah-standoff-spirals-1118881563.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240613/israels-all-out-war-with-hezbollah-what-us-thinks-about-scenario-1118925997.html

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Trainer Kevin Hildebrandt and driver Nathan Sobey teamed up with Sams Jizzy Jet to kick off The Track On 2 meet with a bang and the duo continued to dominate the Opening Day's harness racing action on Sunday, June 23.

Hildebrandt kicked off a training triple on the eight-race card with Sams Jizzy Jet in the opener as the maiden-breaking sophomore came from off-the-pace to prevail in 1:58.4 by half a length over Happy Little Lill, Lifesabouttogetgood and favourite Downwiththesandman. Winning his 10th career start for Hildebrandt and co-owner Katie MacLennan, the Toucam Sam gelding pulled off the big 17-1 upset and returned $37.70 for a $2 win ticket.

Hildebrandt's next starter was his homebred four-year-old Andreoli Hanover mare, AK Black Badger ($6.60), who equalled her lifetime mark of 1:57.3 in the third race when she prevailed by a quarter-length over race leader Alpine Billy with favoured Vanyla Beanz third. Hildebrandt's leasee Ima Moma Boy ($15.90) was up next in race five for the Manitoba horseman and the seven-year-old Vertical Horizon gelding collared popular pacesetter Promising Flight in 1:56.3. Sobey also drove that pair.

Sobey won four of the first five races, with his streak interrupted by Track On 2's defending driving and training champion Dave Kelly in the $5,300 featured conditioned pace when Lunch Pail Guy ($4) rallied three-wide off cover into the stretch and emerged victorious as the five-horse field spread across the track in a sprint to the finish. Sent postward as the even-money favourite, Lunch Pail Guy prevailed in a career-best 1:56.1 by half a length over outside closers Avas Baby Angel and Outlawstaythecourse. The four-year-old gelded son of Santanna Blue Chip is owned by Kelly, Paul MacDonald and Randy Smith.

Live harness racing continues at Track On 2 next Saturday, June 29 with post time set for 4:15 p.m.

Racing will then be held every Sunday until the meet finale on Sept. 15, with Friday and Saturday cards added for the first two weeks in September. Post time will be 1:10 p.m. for all cards except the two Fridays in September when racing starts at 4:15 p.m. Click here to view the full race date calendar.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - The Track On 2.

(Standardbred Canada)
Winbak Farm has reported the retired trotting stallion Holy Guacamolie, 3, 1:54.2s; 1:52.3 ($270,804) passed away on June 11, 2024 at the age of 24.

Holy Guacamolie was a retired stallion residing at Winbak Farm of Maryland at the time of his passing.

Holy Guacamolie was bred by Winbak Farm and raced in partnership with our good business friends, Carl and Rod Allen, said Joe Thomson, Winbak Farm Owner. He was a fast and handsome son of Conway Hall.

During his stallion career, Holy Guacamolie stood in Ontario, Indiana and Maryland. He stood his last season in 2017 at Winbak Farm of Maryland.

Holy Guacamolies offspring averaged $74,696 per starter and were highlighted by Holy Halibut, 3, 1:56.1f; 1:51.3f ($413,983), Princess Pablano, 2, Q2:02.2f; 3, 1:55.1f, 1:54.1f ($384,459), Cook Off, 2, 2:03.2f; 3, 1:57.4s; 1:55s ($190,108), Chips, 3, 1:54.2s ($183,448), Gespacho, 1:57.1f ($166,818), Holy Molie Maggie, 3, 1:57s ($164,559), Maryland Sire Stakes final winner Holy Trout, 2, 1:59.4f; 3, 1:57f ($135,406), and New Favorite, 2, 2:02.1f; 3, Q1:58.4h; 1:57.1f ($115,047).

Holy Guacamolie is the grand-sire of 2023 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund final winner Trout Master, 2, 1:59.1f -23 ($93,958).

Holy Guacamolie was able to live out his golden years on the same farm where he was born, said Jack Burke, Winbak Farm General Manager. Holy Guacamolie will be missed by the Winbak Farm team.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Holy Guacamolie.

(With files from Winbak Farm)
Maxine Cohen describes the conditions leading up to the Holocaust to students from Kennedy High School on May 15, 2012. Photo by Tom Reel TOM REEL/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS A quote from Maxine Cohen, co-founder of the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio, hangs on the wall at the entrance of the museum, which is located inside the Jewish Federation of San Antonio building on Northwest Military Highway. The museum opened its doors to the public at its current location in May 2000. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News An exhibition featuring pictures of and quotes from Holocaust survivors hangs on the wall of the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio, located on the second floor of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Campus at 12500 N.W. Military Highway. The museum is free and open to the public on Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News A statue inspired by a poem titled The Last Butterfly, is displayed on the balcony outside of the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News A display of triangular and star armband patches hangs on a wall at the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio. The museum is free and open to the public on Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Becky Hoag points out a framed picture of Holocaust survivor Sam Rosenzweig, left, and his father, left, who was killed in a concentration camp, at the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio located inside the Jewish Federation building on June 11. Rosenzweig died on July 24, 2008, at the age of 87. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Maxine Cohen (center, holding flowers) gets a hug from Alexis Macias,11, at the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio Thursday May 27, 2010. Students from Navarro Intermediate School in Geronimo, Texas honored Cohen who is retiring, for her years of service with the museum. The stuents also toured the museum and met with a Holocaust survivor. JOHN DAVENPORT/jdavenport@express-news.net JOHN DAVENPORT/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

Maxine Cohens words are etched into clear glass jutting from the wall of history, greeting thousands of visitors to the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio.

The Holocaust is our legacy. We forget it at our peril, said Cohen, co-founding museum director. If we choose to learn from it, we may use it as a torch to light the path to a better world where all of us see ourselves in the face of strangers.

Her words underscore years of using the atrocities of genocide to teach people from all walks of life compassion and tolerance. Images of bravery and resistance line circular walls. The Survivor wall features stories of 75 Holocaust survivors who settled in San Antonio. Accompanying the narratives are accounts of liberators and upstanders who risked their lives to save others.

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A visitor watches a video of Holocaust survivors sharing personal stories during a visit to the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio on June 11. The museum is free and open to the public on Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Nearly 50 years ago, the museums beginnings started with an appeal. An administrator from the North East Independent School District requested a high school educational unit from the Jewish Federation of San Antonio. Cohen, Phyllis Braverman and Paula Kaufman accepted the challenge.

The trio created the Holocaust History Project, a World War II studies supplement. It was the first educational model in Texas to teach students about the Holocaust. The free program included a classroom visit with a Holocaust survivor, a teachers manual, a session with a trained facilitator and a specially created documentary film.

Supporters said without Cohen, the curriculum wouldnt exist in San Antonio.

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Leslie Met, director of the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio, shared stories on June 11 about the museums co-founder Maxine Cohen and its ongoing mission of educating the public about Jewish history. Cohen died on March 31, a day after her 95th birthday. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

The museum was designed strictly to have the education program and be able to bring students out of the classroom here to have a different type of experience as opposed to just a classroom lesson, museum director Leslie Davis Met said. It was a space to memorialize, remember and teach.

Cohen died on March 31, one day after her 95th birthday. Carrying on her legacy is an honor for Met, docent and former education director Becky Hoag and Cohens family  theyre continuing the story of the woman called a pioneer in Holocaust education.

In 1975, Cohen relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, to San Antonio with her family. She volunteered in the Jewish community and then became director of the Jewish Federations Community Relations Council, sharing her passion for civic engagement and social justice.

Maxine Cohen, founding director of the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio, is remembered as a pioneer in Holocaust education. Photo courtesy of the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio

Not many knew Cohen also was a published author of short fiction, a classically trained pianist and a renowned pastry chef. Shed greet visitors to her home with fresh brownies and cookies and a hearty, Hey kid, come on in!

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Cohens educational program remains the foundation of the curriculum and presentations at the 24-year-old museum. The museum offers docent-led tours for students and adults and continuing education for the community. Children of Holocaust survivors share their loved ones stories.

The museum also partnered with the San Antonio Police Department and Bexar County Sheriffs Office. Cadets in training must take part in the program before graduating. Sessions include discussing the role of police in Nazi Germany and the cadets place in todays democratic society.

ALSO READ: San Antonio teens tour the world with Students of Service nonprofit

Reliving memories was hard for survivors. Many preferred to move on with their lives and shelter their communities from atrocities theyd experienced.

A visitor takes a closer look at the exhibitions hanging in the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio on June 11, 2024. The museum is free and open to the public on Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

But Cohen wanted to honor their legacy. She had a unique ability to relate to survivors and weave their testimonies into museum and school presentations. Their stories humanized events of the Holocaust with a lasting impact, not possible by a presenter or volunteer. Rivka Ledor and her brother Sam Rosensweig were the first survivors to speak.

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In 2004, Lisa Barry and Traci Brodbeck, teachers with Navarro Intermediate School in Geronimo, created Pennies for the Persecuted to teach fifth-graders about tolerance.

They want to know why we have to learn history, Barry said. Well, because history repeats itself unless youre wise to keep it from happening.

Students began collecting thousands of pennies to donate to the museum. During their sixth annual museum visit, the class presented Cohen with a $200 check for the Jewish Federation. The check equaled 20,000 pennies. Students and teachers thanked Cohen with a bouquet of yellow mums for allowing them to tour the museum, which was reserved for high school students at the time.

An exhibition featuring pictures of and quotes from Holocaust survivors hangs on the wall of the Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio, located on the second floor of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Campus at 12500 N.W. Military Highway. The museum is free and open to the public on Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Survivor Rose Sherman Williams spoke to the children about her ordeal that began in 1938 when she was 12 years old  the same age as many of the students. She tugged the sleeve of her red sweater to reveal A15049 tattooed on her arm  the number she answered to while imprisoned at the Auschwitz and Bergen-Belson concentration camps.

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She recalled being forced from her home in Radom, Poland, to a ghetto crammed with 35,000 people. Williams remembered the crack of the gunshot when a soldier shot her grandmother, who tried to help a mother and child beside her. She hoped the children never felt the range of emotions shed endured.

These stories are what drives it home through all human beings, Met said.

Becky Hoag points out pictures and quotes from Holocaust survivors who had a connection to San Antonio inside the Holocaust Memorial Museum on June 11. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

Docents and staff members ask one question at the end of tours: Now that you know, what will you do? One student wrote, Always remember the lives that were lost in the holocaust. As the guest speaker said, if you have a choice between life and death, always choose life and never give up. Never forget, you choose your path.

In 1981, Cohen became Hoags mentor. Hoag said Cohen broadened her world view like no other. From the first three-day seminar at Clark High School, Cohen connected with her English class, delving into why Holocaust education was important. When Hoag retired in 2007, Cohen encouraged her to train at the museum, where she was director of education and still volunteers.

The Holocaust Memorial Museum of San Antonio is located on the second floor of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Jewish Campus at 12500 N.W. Military Highway. The museum is free and open to the public on Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

She was a born teacher, writer and historian, Hoag said. The perfect person at the right time to create all this.

About the author A 22-year veteran of the Air Force, Vincent T. Davis embarked on a second career as a journalist and found his calling. Observing and listening across San Antonio, he finds intriguing tales to tell about everyday people. He shares his stories with Express-News subscribers every Monday morning.

In 2010, Cohen retired as director, remaining as Chair Emeritus. Still, three weeks before her passing, she gathered staff and docents to discuss how to present the current curriculum in todays world. Cohen talked about how the rise in antisemitism, hate, prejudice and bigotry mirrors the dark period that centers the curriculum.

Met said theres still a need to teach people that 6 million Jews and more than 12 million people lost their lives during the Holocaust because of how they loved, how they worshipped, the color of their skin and the need to stand up for the rights of their neighbors.
It was a soft launch over the weekend for Longviews inaugural Tacos and Tequila event.

Event organizer Rusty Hoyle said Monday that the two-day festival in R.A. Long Park fell short of the attendance goals his company CraftNation had for the weekend. But Hoyle said it was a good showing to build from and they are still interested in making Tacos and Tequila a recurring attraction in Longview.

Were not a fly-by-night company, Hoyle said. Were looking for the right home for us to have our second festival, and if this is it, that would be wonderful.

CraftNation has run the Craft Beer and Wine Festival in Vancouver for the last 11 years and began work last year to try out a new festival in Longview.

Hoyle tapped some local vendors to fill out the events tent spaces and pulled from the network of regular vendors hed worked with in the region.

The park drew in a steady flow of people over its two nights but the park was never packed. Part of the issue may have been competition from other summer events happening on Saturday, including a Summer Solstice market in downtown Longview and a Mud Day for kids held by Longview Parks and Recreation.

Hoyle said the positive takeaways were the great location in the park, not having issues with people drinking heavily, and good turnout for the food vendors.

We had a few hiccups right before we opened but it was spectacular, co-organizer Shari Hoyle said on Saturday.

The most consistent lines during the weekend were heading into the parks gazebo, where a set of tables were set up to serve margaritas. Beer was available from a handful of regional vendors at carts across the park but the tequila drinks were mixed on-site by Craft Nation staff after they could not find an outside liquor sponsor.

CraftNation had originally proposed that the event would use pre-mixed margaritas in kegs. The Hoyles were told by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board in the spring that wouldnt be allowed, forcing them to get a new exemption from the Longview City Council.

The tacos side of the event was made up of four vendors from across Southwest Washington, including Kalamas up-and-coming Birrieria La Vaquita taco spot.

One of the smaller food tents was set up by Vancouvers C&J BBQ House, with one flat-top grill to make tacos and tamales for visitors. Danika Delicia said the crowd Friday night was vibrant. Delicia chose to be in Longview all day Saturday instead of the Vancouver Farmers Market to try attracting a new crowd.

Its all good exposure for us, because we get to know the people that are in your community. We reach to them here and theyll give us good word of mouth, Delicia said.

Part of the pitch Hoyle gave the Longview City Council while asking for a special permit was that the event would also support a local nonprofit. The event ended up partnering with the Kelso Rotary Club to help raise money for the new ADA-accessible playground being built at Lads & Lassies Park.

Hoyle said they will know later this week how much money would be donated to the Kelso Rotary.
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Schematic of an example network with distributed energy resources (DERs) both with and without grid-forming ability, and sectionalizing/tie switches. Credit: Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49207-y

University of Texas at Dallas researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model that could help electrical grids prevent power outages by automatically rerouting electricity in milliseconds.

The UT Dallas researchers, who collaborated with engineers at the University at Buffalo in New York, demonstrated the automated system in a study published online June 4 in Nature Communications.

The approach is an early example of "self-healing grid" technology, which uses AI to detect and repair problems such as outages autonomously and without human intervention when issues occur, such as storm-damaged power lines.

The North American grid is an extensive, complex network of transmission and distribution lines, generation facilities and transformers that distributes electricity from power sources to consumers.

Using various scenarios in a test network, the researchers demonstrated that their solution can automatically identify alternative routes to transfer electricity to users before an outage occurs. AI has the advantage of speed: The system can automatically reroute electrical flow in milliseconds, while current human-controlled processes to determine alternate paths could take from minutes to hours.

From left: Dr. Yulia Gel, Dr. Jie Zhang and electrical engineering doctoral student Roshni Anna Jacob demonstrated that their artificial intelligence system can automatically identify alternative power routes and then transfer electricity to users within milliseconds before an outage occurs. Credit: University of Texas at Dallas

"Our goal is to find the optimal path to send power to the majority of users as quickly as possible," said Dr. Jie Zhang, associate professor of mechanical engineering in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. "But more research is needed before this system can be implemented."

Zhang, who is co-corresponding author of the study, and his colleagues used technology that applies machine learning to graphs in order to map the complex relationships between entities that make up a power distribution network. Graph machine learning involves describing a network's topology, the way the various components are arranged in relation to each other and how electricity moves through the system.

Network topology also may play a critical role in applying AI to solve problems in other complex systems, such as critical infrastructure and ecosystems, said study co-author Dr. Yulia Gel, professor of mathematical sciences in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

"In this interdisciplinary project, by leveraging our team expertise in power systems, mathematics and machine learning, we explored how we can systematically describe various interdependencies in the distribution systems using graph abstractions," Gel said. "We then investigated how the underlying network topology, integrated into the reinforcement learning framework, can be used for more efficient outage management in the power distribution system."

The researchers' approach relies on reinforcement learning that makes the best decisions to achieve optimal results. Led by co-corresponding author Dr. Souma Chowdhury, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, University at Buffalo researchers focused on the reinforcement learning aspect of the project.

If electricity is blocked due to line faults, the system is able to reconfigure using switches and draw power from available sources in close proximity, such as from large-scale solar panels or batteries on a university campus or business, said Roshni Anna Jacob, a UTD electrical engineering doctoral student and the paper's co-first author.

"You can leverage those power generators to supply electricity in a specific area," Jacob said.

After focusing on preventing outages, the researchers will aim to develop similar technology to repair and restore the grid after a power disruption.

More information: Roshni Anna Jacob et al, Real-time outage management in active distribution networks using reinforcement learning over graphs, Nature Communications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49207-y Journal information: Nature Communications
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Editing a model based on a source and destination prompt. The edit generalizes to related prompts (green), leaving unrelated ones unaffected (gray). Credit: Hadas Orgad et al

Image generator modelssystems that produce new images based on textual descriptionshave become a common and well-known phenomenon in the past year. Their continuous improvement, largely relying on developments in the field of artificial intelligence, makes them an important resource in various fields.

To achieve good results, these models are trained on vast amounts of image-text pairsfor example, matching the text "picture of a dog" to a picture of a dog, repeated millions of times. Through this training, the model learns to generate original images of dogs.

However, as noted by Hadas Orgad, a doctoral student from the Henry and Marilyn Taub Faculty of Computer Science, and Bahjat Kawar a graduate of the same Faculty, "since these models are trained on a lot of data from the real world, they acquire and internalize assumptions about the world during the training process.

"Some of these assumptions are useful, for example, 'the sky is blue,' and they allow us to obtain beautiful images even with short and simple descriptions. On the other hand, the model also encodes incorrect or irrelevant assumptions about the world, as well as societal biases. For example, if we ask Stable Diffusion (a very popular image generator) for a picture of a CEO, we will only get pictures of women in 4% of cases."

Another problem these models face is the significant number of changes occurring in the world around us. The models cannot adapt to the changes after the training process.

As Dana Arad, also a doctoral student at the Taub Faculty of Computer Science, explains, "during their training process, models also learn a lot of factual knowledge about the world. For example, models learn the identities of heads of state, presidents, and even actors who portrayed popular characters in TV series.

"Such models are no longer updated after their training process, so if we ask a model today to generate a picture of the President of the United States, we might still reasonably receive a picture of Donald Trump, who of course has not been the president in recent years. We wanted to develop an efficient way to update the information without relying on expensive actions."

The "traditional" solution to these problems is constant data correction by the user, retraining, or fine-tuning. However, these fixes incur high costs financially, in terms of workload, in terms of result quality, and in environmental aspects (due to the longer operation of computer servers). Additionally, implementing these methods does not guarantee control over unwanted assumptions or new assumptions that may arise. "Therefore," they explain, "we would like a precise method to control the assumptions that the model encodes."

The methods developed by the doctoral students under the guidance of Dr. Yonatan Belinkov address this need. The first method, developed by Orgad and Kawar and called TIME (Text-to-Image Model Editing), allows for the quick and efficient correction of biases and assumptions.

The reason for this is that the correction does not require fine-tuning, retraining, or changing the language model and altering the text interpretation tools, but only a partial re-editing of around 1.95% of the model's parameters. Moreover, the same editing process is performed in less than a second.

In ongoing research based on TIME, called UCE, which has been developed in collaboration with Northeastern and MIT universities, they proposed a way to control a variety of undesirable ethical behaviors of the modelsuch as copyright infringement or social biasesby removing unwanted associations from the model such as offensive content or artistic styles of different artists.

Another method, developed subsequently by Arad and Orgad, is called ReFACT. It offers a different algorithm for parameter editing and achieves more precise results.

ReFACT edits an even smaller percentage of the model's parametersonly 0.25%and manages to perform a wider variety of edits, even in cases where previous methods failed. It does so while maintaining the quality of the images and the facts and assumptions of the model that we want to preserve.

The methods receive inputs from the user regarding a fact or assumption they want to edit. For example, in cases of implicit assumptions, the method receives a "source" on which the model bases implicit assumptions (e.g., "red roses" by default the model assumes red roses) and a "target" that describes the same circumstances but with the desired features (e.g., "blue roses").

When wanting to use the method for role editing, the method receives an editing request (e.g., "President of the United States") and then a "source" and "target" ("Donald Trump" and "Joe Biden," respectively). The researchers collected about 200 works and assumptions on which they tested the editing methods and showed that these are efficient methods for updating information and correcting biases.

TIME was presented in October 2023 at the ICCV conference, a conference in the field of computer vision and machine learning. UCE was recently presented at the WACV conference.

ReFACT was presented in Mexico at the NAACL conference, a conference in natural language processing research.
China's reusable carrier rocket completes first 10-km VTOL test

Xinhua) 08:46, June 24, 2024

JIUQUAN, June 23 (Xinhua) -- China's reusable carrier rocket successfully completed a 10-km vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) flight test at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Sunday.

It marks the country's largest VTOL flight test for a reusable carrier rocket, and also the first application of its domestically developed deep variable-thrust liquid oxygen-methane (LOX/Methane) engine on a 10-km return flight.

Developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, the carrier rocket features a 3.8-meter diameter rocket body, powered by three 70-tonne LOX/Methane engines and equipped with a full-size landing buffer system.

The rocket achieved vertical soft landing at a fixed point through take-off, ascent and variable-thrust descent. The test fully verified the rocket's VTOL configuration, heavy-load landing buffer technology, reusable propulsion technology with high and strong variable thrust, and high-precision landing navigation and control technology.

The test has laid a technical foundation for the maiden flight of a four-meter class reusable carrier rocket, which is scheduled for 2025.

The VTOL capability is an improvement on the rocket's original shape, aiming to make its first stage reusable. This innovation is aimed at enhancing the efficiency of launch vehicles and saving spaceflight costs.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association President Joe Jones shakes hands with Deputy City Attorney Deborah Klein ahead of contract negotiation talks at the Municipal Plaza building on Monday, June 24, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

The city of San Antonio has budged a little after two tense months of stalemate over firefighters next labor contract.

The main sticking point has been pay.

City negotiators on Monday increased their compensation proposal  slightly  offering to increase firefighters base pay by $2,400, followed by a 14.5% wage increase over a three-year period. Their previous offer was a 21.68% increase spread out over five years after the same $2,400 initial pay bump.

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San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association President Joe Jones looks over a proposal during contract negotiations at the Municipal Plaza building on Monday, June 24, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Bargaining Committee Chair Billy Hacker, right, confers with San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association Chief Negotiator Rick Poulson, left, during contract negotiations at the Municipal Plaza building on Monday, June 24, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Human Resources Director Renee Frieda looks over paperwork during contract negotiations with the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association at the Municipal Plaza building on Monday, June 24, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Under the citys latest offer, entry-level firefighters would earn $69,077 annually by Oct. 1, 2026, which is the start of the citys fiscal year.

Thats up from the $68,554 they would have earned by that same time under the citys previous proposal.

Early in Mondays negotiation session, Deputy City Manager Maria Villagomez said the city was optimistic it could reach a tentative agreement with the firefighters union by August by focusing on base pay as a core of these negotiations.

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The unions five-year contract expires Dec. 31.

Monday was the first time the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association and the city had met at the bargaining table since May 3, when talks broke down over differences in pay.

City Attorney Andy Segovia stands after contract negotiations with the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association goes into caucus at the Municipal Plaza building on Monday, June 24, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

What we finally see from the city is that theyre finally actually moving, association President Joe Jones told reporters after Mondays bargaining session. Theyre finally actually negotiating. Hopefully theyre listening to us.

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The citys latest counteroffer is still far short of the unions latest pay offer, from April, which would boost pay 12% on top of a $14,000 increase to base wages. Under that proposal, entry-level firefighters would earn $80,128 by Oct. 1, 2026.

The firefighters union is looking to make up for lost wages that resulted from the binding labor contract that a panel of arbitrators hammered out in early 2020. The union didnt fare as well in the resulting contract as it had hoped for  even though the decision to enter into arbitration was the unions. It came after a years-long stalemate between then-City Manager Sheryl Sculley and Chris Steele, the union president at the time.

On Monday, the union revised their proposal to a $2,400 increase to base wages followed by a 27% increase spread out over the length of the contract. Under that proposal, entry-level firefighters would earn $77,645 by Oct. 1, 2026.

Deputy City Manager Maria Villagomez addresses the group during contract negotiations with the San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association at the Municipal Plaza building on Monday, June 24, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

In the two months since the city and union last met, nearly half of the 11-member City Council has raised concerns about city staff providing little information about the contract talks  including how the cost of the unions proposal could affect next years city budget.

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After City Attorney Andy Segovia refused to allow the council to meet in closed-door session on May 8 to discuss the negotiations, five council members demanded that City Manager Erik Walsh schedule such a meeting to review Segovias fitness for the job.

After that May 15 meeting, Walsh reaffirmed his complete confidence in Segovia, though he said he would relay council members concerns to Segovia.

Since then, council has been quiet about both their thoughts on Segovia and the status of the contract negotiations.

The cost of the new city salary proposal is around $70.6 million over three years.

The unions April 19 recent proposal would cost $203 million  and thats before taking into account its proposed switch to a 24-hour on, 72-hour off schedule from the 24-hour on, 48-hour off schedule. Such a move would require hiring more than 400 new firefighters, the city has said.

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The cost of the unions latest proposal wasnt available, but Billy Hacker, who chairs the unions bargaining committee, said it would cut down more than $50 million.

San Antonio Fire Investigator Joe Alderete III watches contract negotiations at the Municipal Plaza building on Monday, June 24, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

The city stipulated Monday that its new wage offer is contingent upon the union dropping the shift-change plan from its proposal.

The union agreed, but not without Jones first criticizing city negotiators for not seeking to understand why the union wanted to move to a 24/72 shift. That move would reduce firefighters work week from 52 hours to 42 hours, which is how much paramedics work.

Firefighters workload has sharply increased since 2015, with fire station construction failing to keep up with San Antonios population growth, Jones said.

The wear and tear takes its toll on firefighters  takes its toll on their bodies, takes its toll mentally and it also takes its toll on our family units, quite frankly, he said. You are increasing the pressure substantially on your firefighters who are already too few in number for a city our size.

So the fourth shift was to try and relieve some of the pressure, strain and struggle on your firefighter,s and instead of listening to us, you immediately moved to cost it against us, he added.

Villagomez said the city believes the union's proposed shift schedule wouldnt address Jones' concerns, but did not elaborate.

The union did get a small victory on Monday when the city agreed to work out a three-year contract, a term sought by the union, instead of a more standard five-year agreement.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

For four years, Jacob Hilton worked for one of the most influential startups in the Bay AreaOpenAI. His research helped test and improve the truthfulness of AI models such as ChatGPT. He believes artificial intelligence can benefit society, but he also recognizes the serious risks if the technology is left unchecked.

Hilton was among 13 current and former OpenAI and Google employees who this month signed an open letter that called for more whistleblower protections, citing broad confidentiality agreements as problematic.

"The basic situation is that employees, the people closest to the technology, they're also the ones with the most to lose from being retaliated against for speaking up," says Hilton, 33, now a researcher at the nonprofit Alignment Research Center, who lives in Berkeley, California.

California legislators are rushing to address such concerns through roughly 50 AI-related bills, many of which aim to place safeguards around the rapidly evolving technology, which lawmakers say could cause societal harm.

However, groups representing large tech companies argue that the proposed legislation could stifle innovation and creativity, causing California to lose its competitive edge and dramatically change how AI is developed in the state.

The effects of artificial intelligence on employment, society and culture are wide reaching, and that's reflected in the number of bills circulating the Legislature. They cover a range of AI-related fears, including job replacement, data security and racial discrimination.

One bill, co-sponsored by the Teamsters, aims to mandate human oversight on driverless heavy-duty trucks. A bill backed by the Service Employees International Union attempts to ban the automation or replacement of jobs by AI systems at call centers that provide public benefit services, such as Medi-Cal. Another bill, written by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, would require companies developing large AI models to do safety testing.

The plethora of bills come after politicians were criticized for not cracking down hard enough on social media companies until it was too late. During the Biden administration, federal and state Democrats have become more aggressive in going after big tech firms.

"We've seen with other technologies that we don't do anything until well after there's a big problem," Wiener said. "Social media had contributed many good things to society ... but we know there have been significant downsides to social media, and we did nothing to reduce or to mitigate those harms. And now we're playing catch-up. I prefer not to play catch-up."

The push comes as AI tools are quickly progressing. They read bedtime stories to children, sort drive-through orders at fast food locations and help make music videos. While some tech enthusiasts enthuse about AI's potential benefits, others fear job losses and safety issues.

"It caught almost everybody by surprise, including many of the experts, in how rapidly (the tech is) progressing," said Dan Hendrycks, director of the San Francisco-based nonprofit Center for AI Safety. "If we just delay and don't do anything for several years, then we may be waiting until it's too late."

Wiener's bill, SB1047, which is backed by the Center for AI Safety, calls for companies building large AI models to conduct safety testing and have the ability to turn off models that they directly control.

The bill's proponents say it would protect against situations such as AI being used to create biological weapons or shut down the electrical grid, for example. The bill also would require AI companies to implement ways for employees to file anonymous concerns. The state attorney general could sue to enforce safety rules.

"Very powerful technology brings both benefits and risks, and I want to make sure that the benefits of AI profoundly outweigh the risks," Wiener said.

Opponents of the bill, including TechNet, a trade group that counts tech companies including Meta, Google and OpenAI among its members, say policymakers should move cautiously. Meta and OpenAI did not return a request for comment. Google declined to comment.

"Moving too quickly has its own sort of consequences, potentially stifling and tamping down some of the benefits that can come with this technology," said Dylan Hoffman, executive director for California and the Southwest for TechNet.

The bill passed the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee on Tuesday and will next go to the Assembly Judiciary Committee and Assembly Appropriations Committee, and if it passes, to the Assembly floor.

Proponents of Wiener's bill say they're responding to the public's wishes. In a poll of 800 potential voters in California commissioned by the Center for AI Safety Action Fund, 86% of participants said it was an important priority for the state to develop AI safety regulations. According to the poll, 77% of participants supported the proposal to subject AI systems to safety testing.

"The status quo right now is that, when it comes to safety and security, we're relying on voluntary public commitments made by these companies," said Hilton, the former OpenAI employee. "But part of the problem is that there isn't a good accountability mechanism."

Another bill with sweeping implications for workplaces is AB 2930, which seeks to prevent "algorithmic discrimination," or when automated systems put certain people at a disadvantage based on their race, gender or sexual orientation when it comes to hiring, pay and termination.

"We see example after example in the AI space where outputs are biased," said Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, D-Orinda.

The anti-discrimination bill failed in last year's legislative session, with major opposition from tech companies. Reintroduced this year, the measure initially had backing from high-profile tech companies Workday and Microsoft, although they have wavered in their support, expressing concerns over amendments that would put more responsibility on firms developing AI products to curb bias.

"Usually, you don't have industries saying, 'Regulate me,' but various communities don't trust AI, and what this effort is trying to do is build trust in these AI systems, which I think is really beneficial for industry," Bauer-Kahan said.

Some labor and data privacy advocates worry that language in the proposed anti-discrimination legislation is too weak. Opponents say it's too broad.

Chandler Morse, head of public policy at Workday, said the company supports AB 2930 as introduced. "We are currently evaluating our position on the new amendments," Morse said.

Microsoft declined to comment.

The threat of AI is also a rallying cry for Hollywood unions. The Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists negotiated AI protections for their members during last year's strikes, but the risks of the tech go beyond the scope of union contracts, said actors guild National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.

"We need public policy to catch up and to start putting these norms in place so that there is less of a Wild West kind of environment going on with AI," Crabtree-Ireland said.

SAG-AFTRA has helped draft three federal bills related to deepfakes (misleading images and videos often involving celebrity likenesses), along with two measures in California, including AB 2602, that would strengthen worker control over use of their digital image. The legislation, if approved, would require that workers be represented by their union or legal counsel for agreements involving AI-generated likenesses to be legally binding.

Tech companies urge caution against overregulation. Todd O'Boyle, of the tech industry group Chamber of Progress, said California AI companies may opt to move elsewhere if government oversight becomes overbearing. It's important for legislators to "not let fears of speculative harms drive policymaking when we've got this transformative, technological innovation that stands to create so much prosperity in its earliest days," he said.

When regulations are put in place, it's hard to roll them back, warned Aaron Levie, chief executive of the Redwood City, California-based cloud computing company Box, which is incorporating AI into its products.

"We need to actually have more powerful models that do even more and are more capable," Levie said, "and then let's start to assess the risk incrementally from there."

But Crabtree-Ireland said tech companies are trying to slow-roll regulation by making the issues seem more complicated than they are and by saying they need to be solved in one comprehensive public policy proposal.

"We reject that completely," Crabtree-Ireland said. "We don't think everything about AI has to be solved all at once."

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

A group that claims to have hacked CDK Global, the software provider to thousands of car dealerships in North America, has demanded tens of millions of dollars in ransom, according to a person familiar with the matter.

CDK is planning to make the payment, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The hacking group behind the attack is believed to be based in eastern Europe, the person said. In the early days of any ransomware attack, discussions are fluid, and the situation could change.

CDK didn't respond to multiple requests for comment on June 21.

Since CDK discovered the breach and shut off systems on June 19, chaos has ensued at many of the roughly 15,000 car dealerships that it counts as clients. CDK's core producta suite of software tools referred to as a dealership management system, or DMSunderpins virtually every element of auto retailers' day-to-day business. So the outage hampered sales, interrupted repairs and delayed deliveries across an industry that topped $1.2 trillion in U.S. sales last year. The disruptions also are hitting amid an end-of-quarter sales push.

"It's just mass chaos at this point," Diana Lee, the chief executive officer of Constellation, a marketing agency that works with auto dealerships across the U.S., said on Bloomberg Television. "The dealer's required to actually run a DMS for sales, service, parts, for every single functionalityeven stocking a vehicle, you can't do it without the DMS system. So it is a disaster."

CDK had briefly restored some services for a few hours on June 19, but was forced to deactivate them following a second cyberattack. On Thursday, the company warned dealers that their systems likely will not be available for several days.

A demand in the tens of millions of dollars comes after hackers sought $50 million from a lab services company at the center of an ongoing ransomware attack that's caused outages in London hospitals. UnitedHealth Group Inc., the largest medical insurer in the U.S., acknowledged earlier this year it paid hackers a $22 million extortion fee.

CDK hasn't said who or which entity is behind the intrusion, but it issued a warning to customers Thursday evening, saying that outside parties are reaching out to customers, attempting to capitalize on the confusion.

"We are aware that bad actors are contacting our customers, posing as members or affiliates of CDK, trying to obtain system access," the company said. "CDK associates are not contacting customers for access to their environment or systems. Please only respond to known CDK employees and communications."

There are only a handful of DMS companies for dealers to choose from after decades of consolidation within this corner of the car-retailing industry. As a result, thousands of stores are highly reliant on CDK's services to line up financing and insurance, manage inventory of vehicles and parts, and complete sales and repairs.

The car dealer Sonic Automotive Inc., which uses CDK to support critical dealership operations, said disruptions caused by the cyberattack are likely to have a "negative impact" on its operations until its systems have recovered, according to a Friday filing. Sonic hasn't determined if the attack will have a material impact on its finances, and it has reopened all of its dealerships with workaround solutions to limit disruption, the company said.

CDK's parent, Brookfield Business Partners LP, had its worst trading day since Octoberplunging 5.7% on Thursdayand extended its decline Friday. Shares in dealer groups AutoNation Inc., Group 1 Automotive Inc. and Sonic Automotive Inc. also slumped.

2024 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Tech giants have been targeted by the EU for a number of allegedly unfair practices.

The European Union warned Apple on Monday that its App Store is breaching its digital competition rules, placing the iPhone maker at risk of billions of dollars in fines.

It is the latest in a years-long battle between Brussels and giant tech firms, covering subjects from data privacy to disinformation.

Stifling competition

Brussels has doled out over 10 billion euros in fines to tech firms for abusing their dominant market positions.

The latest threat for Apple comes three months after the bloc hit the California firm with a 1.8-billion-euro ($1.9 billion) penalty for preventing European users from accessing information about cheaper music streaming services.

Among big tech firms, only Google has faced a bigger single antitrust finemore than four billion euros in 2018 for using its Android mobile operating system to promote its search engine.

Google has also incurred billion-plus fines for abusing its power in the online shopping and advertising sectors.

The European Commission, the EU's executive, recommended last year that Google should sell parts of its business and could face a fine of up to 10 percent of its global revenue if it fails to comply.

Privacy

Ireland issues the stiffest fines on data privacy as the laws are enforced by local regulators and Dublin hosts the European offices of several big tech firms.

The Irish regulator handed TikTok a 345-million-euro penalty for mishandling children's data last September just months after it hit Meta with a record fine of 1.2 billion euros for illegally transferring personal data between Europe and the United States.

Luxembourg had previously held the record for data fines after it slapped Amazon with a 746-million-euro penalty in 2021.

Taxation

The EU has had little success in getting tech companies to pay more taxes in Europe, where they are accused of funneling profits into low-tax economies like Ireland and Luxembourg.

In one of the most notorious cases, the European Commission in 2016 ordered Apple to pay Ireland more than a decade in back taxes13 billion eurosafter ruling a sweetheart deal with the government was illegal.

But EU judges overturned the decision saying there was no evidence the company had broken the rules, a decision the commission has been trying to reverse ever since.

The commission is also fighting to reverse another court loss, after judges overruled its order for Amazon to repay 250 million euros in back taxes to Luxembourg.

Disinformation, hate speech

Web platforms have long faced accusations of failing to combat hate speech, disinformation and piracy.

The EU passed the Digital Services Act last year, which is designed to force companies to tackle these issues or face fines of up to six percent of their global turnover.

Already the bloc has begun to show how the DSA might be applied, opening probes on Facebook and Instagram for failing to tackle election-related disinformation.

The bloc has also warned Microsoft that the falsehoods generated by its AI search could fall foul of the DSA.

Paying for news

Google and other online platforms have also been accused of making billions from news without sharing the revenue with those who gather it.

To tackle this, the EU created a form of copyright called "neighboring rights" that allows print media to demand compensation for using their content.

France has been a test case for the rules and after initial resistance Google and Facebook both agreed to pay some French media for articles shown in web searches.

 2024 AFP
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Kyle Reed led a team testing an ORNL-made, hardy new type of transistor in the reactor pool as it glows with radiation at The Ohio State University Nuclear Reactor laboratory. Credit: Michael Huson/The Ohio State University

The safety and efficiency of a large, complex nuclear reactor can be enhanced by hardware as simple as a tiny sensor that monitors a cooling system. That's why researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory are working to make those basic sensors more accurate by pairing them with electronics that can withstand the intense radiation inside a reactor.

The ORNL research team recently met with unexpectedly high success using a gallium nitride semiconductor for sensor electronics. A transistor made with the material maintained operations near the core of a nuclear reactor operated by research partner The Ohio State University.

Gallium nitride, a wide-bandgap semiconductor, had previously been tested against the ionizing radiation encountered when rockets hurtle through space. Devices with wide-bandgap semiconductors can operate at much higher frequencies, temperatures and irradiation rates. But gallium nitride had not faced the even more intense radiation of neutron bombardment.

"We are showing it is great for this neutron environment," said lead researcher Kyle Reed, a member of the Sensors and Electronics group at ORNL.

That could offer a big boost for equipment monitoring in nuclear facilities. The information gathered by sensors provides early warnings about wear and tear on equipment, allowing timely maintenance to avoid broader equipment failures that cause reactor downtime. Currently, this sensing data is processed from a distance, through yards of cable connected to electronics with silicon-based transistors.

"Our work makes measuring the conditions inside an operating nuclear reactor more robust and accurate," Reed said. "When you have lengthy cables, you end up with a lot of noise, which can interfere with the accuracy of the sensor information. By placing electronics closer to a sensor, you increase its accuracy and precision." To meet that goal, scientists need to develop electronics that can better tolerate radiation.

Kyle Reed and Dianne Ezell of ORNL gather data about the performance of a sensor transistor as it is tested against the radiation within the reactor pool behind them at The Ohio State University Nuclear Reactor Laboratory. Credit: Michael Huson/The Ohio State University

Researchers irradiated gallium nitride transistors for three days at temperatures up to 125 degrees Celsius close to the core of The Ohio State University Research Reactor.

"We fully expected to kill the transistors on the third day, and they survived," Reed said. The team pushed the transistors all the way to the reactor's safety threshold: seven hours at 90% power.

The gallium nitride transistors were able to handle at least 100 times higher accumulated dose of radiation than a standard silicon device, said researcher Dianne Ezell, leader of ORNL's Nuclear and Extreme Environment Measurements group and a member of the transistor research team.

She said the transistor material must be capable of surviving at least five years, the normal maintenance window, in the pool of a nuclear reactor. After the research team exposed the gallium nitride device to days of much higher radiation levels within the core itself, they concluded that the transistors would exceed that requirement.

This is an important technical advance as attention turns from the large-scale existing fleet of nuclear energy plants to microreactors that could generate from tens to hundreds of megawatts of power. Although these novel reactor designs are still in the development and licensing stage, their potential portability could allow them to be deployed on the back of a truck to a military or disaster zone.

Advanced reactors are being designed to operate at higher temperatures using different forms of fuel. Because microreactors will be so compact, all the operating components, including the sensors, will have to be able to function in the radiation field, Ezell said. Gallium nitride transistors could be the key.

A wire-bonded die consisting of over 20 gallium nitride high-electron mobility transistors, seen here under a microscope, could be used in nuclear sensing equipment because of its high resistance to radiation. Credit: Kyle Reed/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

Ohio State researchers built devices of different designs and sizes to meet specifications set by ORNL, and then the team compared their responses to radiation, finding that larger devices seemed less susceptible to radiation damage. Ohio State is now developing computer models to project how various circuit designs will perform under different temperatures and radiation levels.

Reed said the radiation testing at Ohio State showed that heat seemed to be more harmful to the gallium nitride than radiation, so the research team wants to measure how gallium nitride reacts to heat alone.

"Since the ultimate goal is to design circuits with these materials, once we understand the temperature and radiation effects, we can compensate for them in the circuit design," Reed said.

Better nuclear monitoring means increased safety and reduced operating costs, Ezell noted. "Hundreds of thousands of dollars are lost every day a reactor is shut down," she said. "If we're going to make nuclear economically competitive with other energy industries, we've got to keep our costs low." Plus, reducing the frequency of maintenance reduces human safety risks. "You're able to avoid putting people in harsh radiation environments or handling radioactive material as often," Ezell added.

Although gallium nitride has been commercially available for around a decade, it's not widely used, Reed said.

"We're opening up different side avenues for using gallium nitride, so we can start to create a more reasonable market demand for investment, research and workforce development for subclasses of electronics beyond consumer-grade," Reed said.

In the long run, researchers would like to demonstrate that gallium nitride circuits could be used to transmit data from sensors wirelessly. The material is already used for devices that support radio frequency applications, like cell phones, and for power electronics.

ORNL researchers, staff and interns including Nance Ericson, Brett Witherspoon, Craig Gray, Emma Brown, Adam Buchalter, Caleb Damron and former intern Kevin Deng also contributed to the project.
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The "SnailLoad" loophole is based on combining the latency of internet connections with the fingerprinting of online content. Credit: IAIK - TU Graz

Internet users leave many traces on websites and online services. Measures such as firewalls, VPN connections and browser privacy modes are in place to ensure a certain level of data protection. However, a newly discovered security loophole allows bypassing all of these protective measures.

Computer scientists from the Institute of Applied Information Processing and Communication Technology (IAIK) at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) were able to track users' online activities in detail simply by monitoring fluctuations in the speed of their internet connection. No malicious code is required to exploit this vulnerability, known as "SnailLoad," and the data traffic does not need to be intercepted. All types of end devices and internet connections are affected.

The researchers have published their work in a paper titled "SnailLoad: Exploiting Remote Network Latency Measurements without JavaScript."

Attackers track latency fluctuations in the internet connection via file transfer

Attackers only need to have had direct contact with the victim on a single occasion beforehand. On that occasion, the victim downloads a basically harmless, small file from the attacker's server without realizing itfor example, while visiting a website or watching an advertising video.

As this file does not contain any malicious code, it cannot be recognized by security software. The transfer of this file is extremely slow, providing the attacker with continuous information about the latency variation of the victim's internet connection. In further steps, this information is used to reconstruct the victim's online activity.

'SnailLoad' combines latency data with fingerprinting of online content

"When the victim accesses a website, watches an online video or speaks to someone via video, the latency of the internet connection fluctuates in a specific pattern that depends on the particular content being used," says Stefan Gast from the IAIK. This is because all online content has a unique fingerprint: For efficient transmission, online content is divided into small data packages that are sent one after the other from the host server to the user. The pattern of the number and size of these data packages is unique for each piece of online contentlike a human fingerprint.

The researchers collected the fingerprints of a limited number of YouTube videos and popular websites in advance for testing purposes. When the test subjects used these videos and websites, the researchers were able to recognize this through the corresponding latency fluctuations.

"However, the attack would also work the other way round," says Daniel Gruss from the IAIK. "Attackers first measure the pattern of latency fluctuations when a victim is online and then search for online content with the matching fingerprint."

Slow internet connections make it easier for attackers

When spying on test subjects who were watching videos, the researchers achieved a success rate of up to 98%.

"The higher the data volume of the videos and the slower the victims' internet connection, the better the success rate," says Gruss. Consequently, the success rate for spying on basic websites dropped to around 63%.

"However, if attackers feed their machine learning models with more data than we did in our test, these values will certainly increase," says Gruss.

Loophole virtually impossible to close

"Closing this security gap is difficult. The only option would be for providers to artificially slow down their customers' internet connections in a randomized pattern," says Gruss. However, this would lead to noticeable delays for time-critical applications such as video conferences, live streams or online computer games.

The team led by Gast and Gruss has set up a website describing SnailLoad in detail. They will present the scientific paper on the loophole at the conferences Black Hat U.S. 2024 and USENIX Security Symposium.

More information: Stefan Gast et al, SnailLoad: Exploiting Remote Network Latency Measurements without JavaScript (2024)
Stewart maintains that he and the woman officer were in a consensual affair, that she never said no to him and that nothing in her behavior indicated she wasnt a willing participant. Prosecutors contend that given the vast power differential, the woman had no choice but to submit to Stewart's advances.

In an opening statement to the jury Monday, Lt. Col. Pete Havern, Air Force special trial counsel, said the encounter occurred after a gathering in a guest residence at Altus during a night of heavy drinking. After two airmen departed the gathering, the female officer found herself alone with Stewart.

As she began to talk about her family and showed him photos, Stewart moved closer and began kissing her, Havern told the jury.

She seems to be kissing him back, Haven said, adding that Stewart took the woman's hand and led her to bed.

I havent showered, she told him, according to the prosecutor.

Havern said Stewart replied, I dont care."

Havern said evidence would show the encounter was not consensual. Stewart's defense team, however, said they would demonstrate that the officer consented to have sex with Stewart.
The number of elementary school students who received a zero on their state standardized essay test questions increased by about 20% from 2023. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

The number of elementary school students who received a zero on their state standardized essay test questions this spring increased by about 20% from last year.

Among all third- to eighth-graders, just over 35% received no credit on essay questions this year compared with about 30% last year on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, according to data available through the Texas Education Agency. Thats a raw increase of nearly 140,000 students.

Houston- and San Antonio-area school districts closely followed the statewide trends, although Houston-area students received slightly fewer zeroes than the statewide rates, while San Antonio students received slightly more.

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The Texas Education Agency attributed the spike in zeroes to a more difficult essay portion this year. But some public school leaders say the increase raises questions about the agencys new use of an automated computer model to grade students STAAR essay responses. Teachers and parents have raised concerns that the automated grading system will discourage creativity in writing style or improperly grade responses.

Were trying to do the sense-making when we look at a student who scored a four versus a student who scored a zero, and it makes no sense to us, said Teresa Silva, Edgewood ISDs senior director of teaching and learning. When youre putting in that hard work and youre rubbing up against an unknown system and structure from the state, its difficult to navigate.

The essay is one part of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, known as STAAR. Statewide, the percentage of students who approached grade level across subjects was generally close to last years rates, except for a 4-percentage-point decline in English I. The essay portions are graded on a scale from zero to 10.

Low test scores can bring down a school districts overall performance rating and push students into mandated summer schools.

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Officials from TEA said the new automated scoring system, which was rolled out earlier this year, worked properly.

They checked it for accuracy each day during the grading period, they said, and the automated scores were in line with what human graders assigned. The overall increase in zeroes is primarily a result of that section of the test being harder than it was the year before, officials said.

Although each STAAR test is designed to be the same overall level of difficulty year over year, one section within a test might be relatively harder than another. TEA officials said the increase in zeroes showed that the essay questions were especially difficult this year, while other sections of the test were slightly easier to make up for it.

They said the essay questions themselves would be made public in August. Parents and schools already can view their students responses and grades to check for any issues.

Although the number of zeroes actually decreased slightly among third- and fourth-graders, among fifth-graders the increase was especially steep: A quarter of all students received zeroes on written response questions last year, while about half did this year. More than three-quarters of special education fifth-graders received zeroes this year on their essay questions, an increase from 58% in 2023.

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The TEA rolled out the controversial automated grading system alongside a revamped version of the state standardized test, which includes far more essay and short written response questions across additional grade levels. Rather than asking students to write about a general topic, students are asked a specific question about a given quotation or passage. State officials estimated they saved between $15 million and $20 million by moving away from human graders.

The number of zeroes increased sharply last December with the first round of automated essay grading.

Texas Education Agency officials said this was because many students who take STAAR tests in December are retaking them after failing. The agency also said the state had revised its grading rubric for essay questions so that off-topic answers would receive no credit. Previously, if a student wrote anything at all  including their own name  they would receive at least a point or two.

But the new grading rubric was in effect during last springs testing cycle, making this years results a chance to see whether the initial rise in zeroes continued.

In addition to the increase in zeroes, there were slightly more students who received perfect 10 scores than the year before, said Carin Adermann, director of testing at Northside ISD.

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There are so many changes that I just think its an oversimplification to say we had more zeroes or more 10s just because of the automated scoring system, she said. We are assessing writing in a different way than we had for decades and it only started two years ago.

Adermann and two other staff members drove to Austin after the December 2023 test results were released to review the scores that the computer system graded as zeroes. They sifted through the responses, seeking answers that had been too harshly graded by the computer system so they could ask TEA to rescore them.

Honestly, we had trouble finding some because we felt they were graded fairly, Adermann said. Their grammar could be correct, their spelling could be correct, but if they didnt respond to what they were asked to, theyre not going to get any points.

Melissa Manno contributed to this report.
Anthony Franze is a native Texan and very passionate about covering any weather that is thrown at him. He can be reached at anthony.franze@express-news.net.

Anthony earned a degree in Meteorology from Valparaiso University in 2017. He has worked as a broadcast meteorologist for six years, one at NBC Montana and the next five at NewsWest 9 in Midland before joining the Express-News in July 2023.

In his free time, Anthony enjoys watching sports, checking out local restaurants and breweries, and getting outside whenever the heat allows for it. If you have any story ideas, questions about the weather or restaurant suggestions, drop him a line.
Former President Donald Trump has told supporters that the United States education system would emulate that of socialist-leaning Norway if he's elected president.

If Trump makes it back to the White House he plans to shut down the U.S. Department of Education and turn over the entire system to the states, he noted in his address Saturday at the conservative Christian Faith & Freedom Coalition's "Road to Majority" conference in Washington, D.C.

"It will be beautiful ... like Norway," he insisted. "Norway has a great education system."

Norways education system has:

- universal Pre-K

- inclusivity programs

- green, outdoor play areas

- tuition free universities

- 8th highest teachers pay in the world

- generous funding to provide high quality education



Trump supports none of those things. https://t.co/fBTLXNBiGd  Melanie D'Arrigo (@DarrigoMelanie) June 23, 2024

Norway, which has a mixed economy that combines elements of capitalism with a strong welfare state, has a publicly funded schools system that offers free education at all levels, including universities.

Norway's system reflects the country's commitment to a comprehensive welfare state, aiming to ensure equal access to education for all citizens. Private schools are relatively uncommon.

Norway also has a high tax rate that has fluctuated between 40% and 45% of GDP since the 1970s to fund its social services, including education, which is significantly higher than in the U.S.

Trump slashed taxes to the wealthy and corporations when he was in the White House, so it's unclear how Trump would fund a Norwegian-like education system in the U.S.
Parviz Jamalov, a graduate student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and current Fulbright Scholar, is calling Grand Island home for a summer internship with the City of Grand Islands communications department, and hes ready to share some of his worldly experience.

Jamalov will present a special adult cultural program, The Land of Mountains & Legends: Discovering the Hidden Wonders of Tajikistan, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, at the Grand Island Public Library.

Join him for this enchanting talk that unveils the rich tapestry of Tajikistan, a landlocked country in Central Asia, the City noted in a press release. Once a vital part of the historic Silk Road, Tajikistan boasts more than just stunning landscape. Experience the culture, history and natural beauty of a country where every whisper, river and peak tells a unique story.

Jamalov comes to Grand Island an already-experienced communication specialist, storyteller and educator with 14 years of experience in public speaking and knowledge-sharing. He graduated summa cum laude from the Russian-Tajik Slavonic University in 2013, earning a Bachelors Degree in Journalism.

In 2009 as a senior in high school, Jamalov won the Gold Medal in the National Russian Language Olympiad, showcasing proficiency and excellence in language skills at a national level. Professionally, he has worked as the Press & Public Affairs Officer and Projects Manager at the British Embassy in Dushanbe (Tajikistan) over the past six years. As part of his job, he planned and executed numerous highly effective awareness campaigns and projects including U.K. Governments flagship Chevening Scholarship Program and the BBCs Green Planet Climate Awareness Campaign.

As a community leader, Jamalov organized the first independent TED Talk event in the history of Tajikistan in 2012, bringing together the nations brightest minds on one stage. Hes also been the recipient of the Youth Ambassador for Peace Award by the Universal Peace Federation for outstanding efforts to empower the youth of Tajikistan.

In total, Jamalov has delivered 295 talks, presentations, seminars and workshops on diverse topics and has acted as an MC or a moderator at big events in Tajikistan including G5 Startup Forum, Go Viral Central Asia, Startup Choihona, PEAK Demo Days, UN Youth Day, U.S. Alumni Network Alumni Conferences, BBC Green Planet Screening events and more.

For more information, contact Library Director Celine Swan at celines@gilibrary.org or by calling 308-385-5333.
Vietnam Prime Minister arrives in China for 4-day trip, third in one year

By Tri Duc Mon, June 24, 2024 | 5:02 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrived in Dalian city, Liaoning province, China on Monday for a working trip from June 24 to 27, his third visit to China in a year.

During the four-day stay, PM Chinh will attend the 15th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also his second attendance at the event in a row.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrives in Liaoning province, China, on June 24, 2024. Photo courtesy of the government's news portal.

The visit is made at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab. Under the theme of Next Frontiers for Growth, the WEF event will feature 1,600 delegates from about 80 economies.

At the WEF event, PM Chinh is set to deliver a speech, join WEF founder Klaus Schwab to chair dialogues with businesses, chair a talk with innovative businesses, and have bilateral meetings with global leaders and business executives.

In 2023, Pham Minh Chinh visited China on June 25-28 to attend the WEF in Tianjin and then on September 16-19 to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO).

Besides, during the working trip, Chinh and his delegation will conduct bilateral activities with China to maintain high-level strategic exchanges, strengthen political trust, materialize the high-level common perceptions and the two joint statements reached during the recent visits by the two Communist parties' leaders  Xi Jinping and Nguyen Phu Trong.

The activities will focus on cross-border railway connectivity, border economic cooperation, exports via the official channel, high-quality investment attraction, sustainable tourism, and skilled personnel training.

After his arrival in China, the government head had meetings with executives of Chinas state-owned locomotive manufacturer CRRC Corporation Limited (CRRC) and state-owned Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina).
A 40-year-old Denmark man was shot and killed in the early morning hours on Sunday, according to Bamberg County Coroner Wallace Hicks Jr.

Hicks identified the slain man as Quinton Banks.

Banks was shot at least once, Hicks said.

The shooting occurred just after 12 a.m. in front of an apartment building on White Lane, Hicks said.

An autopsy was planned in Newberry.

Denmark Police Chief Leroy Grimes said officers were dispatched to White Lane after someone reported that a person had been shot.

When officers arrived, they saw a man down and covered on the sidewalk, Grimes said.

Officers noticed the man wasnt breathing and called for EMS, but the man had died.

The police department then contacted the S.C. Law Enforcement Division to investigate the case.

SLED has not responded to a request for additional information.
(TBTCO) - Gia xang dau trong nuoc hom nay (10/10) uoc du bao co the uoc ieu chinh tang manh. Theo o, gia xang trong nuoc co the tang tu 950 - 1.250 ong/lit; gia dau diesel co kha nang tang khoang 820 - 1.050 ong/lit. Tren thi truong the gioi, gia dau giam sau khi du lieu cua Hoa Ky cho thay luong dau tho du tru tang, nhung muc giam bi han che boi rui ro gian oan nguon cung cua Iran do xung ot Trung ong va con bao Milton o Hoa Ky.
(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...
Bank Al Habib Pakistan and Global Money Exchange Co are set to begin their remittance collaboration to bring about substantial benefits to the Pakistani diaspora in Oman.

This collaboration will further strengthen the economy of Pakistan by promoting remittances through legal channels, a statement said.

A large number of Pakistani nationals are residing in Oman and this strategic alliance, combined with the largest branch network of Global Money Exchange and Bank Al Habib Pakistan will benefit the Pakistani community, and enhance the remittance process, ensuring that funds sent by Pakistani expatriates reach their families swiftly, securely, and at the best exchange rates, it said.

Global Money Exchanges 'Global Freedom' online funds transfer facility, along with a user-friendly mobile app, will enhance the enhance remittance process, making it more accessible and convenient for users enabling them to send money from the comfort of their homes, reducing reliance on traditional methods, and enhancing the efficiency of services.

Bank Al Habib Pakistan and Global Money Exchange Co appreciate the role of His Excellency Muhammad Imran Ali Chaudhary, the Ambassador of Pakistan to Oman, in actively assisting the community and promoting the use of legal channels for remittances, the statement added.

Bank Al Habib was incorporated as a public limited company in October 1991 and started banking operations in 1992. It is now one of the leading banks in Pakistan, known for its high level of customer service. It has a strong network of over 1100+ branches and sub-branches in more than 440 cities across the country. It also has a wholesale branch in Bahrain and Malaysia and representative offices in China, UAE, Turkey, and Kenya.

Global Money Exchange Company is the a leading money exchange establishment in Oman, specialising in remittances and currency exchange services. It has grown from a single branch entity in 2002 to one of the largest exchange company in terms of branch network, with 62 branches.  TradeArabia News Service
Thousands of Iran-backed foreign fighters are reportedly poised to join forces with Hezbollah if its ongoing conflict with Israel along the Lebanese border escalates into all-out war.



"We will be shoulder to shoulder with Hezbollah," an official with an Iran-backed militia in Iraq told the Associated Press for a report Saturday.



Another official with an Iran-backed group in Lebanon also said members of Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces, Afghanistan's Fatimiyoun, Pakistan's Zeinabiyoun and Yemen's Houthi rebels could all travel to Lebanon to wage war against Israel.



Some of the groups have already launched attacks against Israel and its allies since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted on Oct. 7, AP said.



United Nations officials, including the commander of peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, warned earlier this month that they were "deeply concerned" by the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

"The danger of miscalculation leading to a sudden and wider conflict is very real," Maj. Gen. Aroldo Lazaro and Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the U.N. special coordinator for Lebanon, said in a joint statement on June 15, Reuters reported at the time.



Large numbers of foreign fighters are already deployed in Syria and could easily slip into Lebanon across the porous and unmarked border between the two countries, AP said.



In a speech Wednesday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said militant leaders from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and other countries have offered to send tens of thousands of fighters to help Hezbollah.



But he said Hezbollah already had more than 100,000 fighters, adding, "We told them, thank you, but we are overwhelmed by the numbers we have."



Qassim Qassir, an expert on Hezbollah, told AP that the combat being waged now primarily involved firing missiles and didn't require an influx of militants.



But if a protracted war were to erupt, Hezbollah might need outside help, he said.



More than 400 people have been killed in Lebanon and since Hezbollah started attacking Israel on Oct. 8, launching what an Israeli military last week has grown to more than 5,000 rockets, anti-tank missiles and drones.



The vast majority of the Lebanese casualties were Hezbollah fighters but 70 casualties involved civilians and noncombatants, AP said.



On the Israeli side, 16 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed, and tens of thousands have been displaced on both sides of the border.



the vast majority of them fighters but including 70 civilians and non-combatants. On the Israeli side, 16 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed. Tens of thousands of residents have fled their homes on both sides of the border.



Israel and Hezbollah last engaged in large-scale combat in summer of 2006, when they fought a 34-day war that killed about 1,200 people in Lebanon and 140 in Israel.
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), one of the worlds largest aluminium smelters, yesterday (June 22) achieved a remarkable safety milestone clocking 20 million working hours without a Lost Time Injury (LTI).

This achievement underscores Alba's unwavering dedication to prioritising the safety and well-being of its workforce.

CEO Ali Al Baqali, expressing his pride on the feat, said: "Alba's commitment to safety extends far beyond simply achieving impressive numbers. This milestone reflects a deep-rooted safety culture in every facet of our operations."

"This culture prioritizes risk mitigation, ongoing training, and fostering a collaborative environment where safety is everyone's responsibility," he stated.

"We are confident that the unwavering commitment of our entire team  employees and contractors alike  will continue to propel us forward to reach greater Safety milestones," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
BITS Pilani Dubai Campus (BPDC) has witnessed a notable increase in campus placements for students specialising in core engineering fields such as chemical, civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering.

This rise reflects broader global trends signalling a renewed demand for core engineering roles, underscoring the UAE's emphasis on industrial expansion and economic diversification, the institution said.

Recent analyses from the World Economic Forum and Deloitte forecast a sustained rise in engineering positions, particularly in chemical and civil engineering, driven by global imperatives like sustainable development and infrastructure modernisation. BPDC's achievement in student placements reflects this international outlook, it said.

Over the past two years, BPDC has achieved a job placement rate exceeding 90% for graduates in chemical and civil engineering. This achievement can be attributed to several factors including BPDCs partnerships with industry leaders, practical skills gained through internships and its Industry Readiness Program. Career fairs and placement drives are also held, which are essential for seamless integration into the workforce for students, a statement said.

While the demand for IT and Computer Science professionals remains robust, the increase in placements for traditional engineering graduates underscores the UAE's balanced growth strategy. This approach leverages both technological advancements and traditional industrial strengths, it said.

"At BPDC, we are proud to see our engineering graduates thriving in the job market. Our commitment to providing industry-relevant education and robust career support has paid off, as evidenced by our high placement rates," said Professor Srinivasan Madapusi, Director of BITS Pilani Dubai Campus.

"Seeing the global resurgence in core engineering jobs mirrored at BPDC reaffirms our efforts in preparing students for the evolving job market. Our strategic initiatives and strong industry ties have been crucial in achieving this success," added Abdul Razzak, Manager of Career Services at BPDC.  TradeArabia News Service
King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, represented by its strategic partner Saudi Global Ports (SGP), the operator of the two container terminals at the port, has received three quay cranes (QC) with automated operation capabilities and three rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTG), a report said, citing the port authorities.

According to the release, this brings the total number of QCs to 18 and of RTGs to 50, and contributes both to boosting the port's infrastructure and to efficiently and easily handle giant ships, Saudi Press Agency, said.

It also aligns with SGP's commitment to developing King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam into a competitive and sustainable global hub, in accordance with the SR7 billion commercial outsourcing contracts signed with the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani).

The new cranes can reach at least 25 rows, according to the release, which "helps in accommodating advanced and large ships with full productivity and high efficiency".

SGP cooperates with Mawani to boost its operations by honing cadres' skills in the use of modern cranes. This is bound to strengthen Saudi ports and Saudi Arabia's growing role in the global logistics services chain, in line with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which aims to solidify the Kingdom's standing as a global logistics hub bridging three continents, said the release.

The release added that outsourcing projects at King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam contributes to providing more than 4,000 job opportunities, which supports the efforts exerted by the Saudi Ports Authority to improve the ports and logistics sector, increase the reliability of supply chains, boost national imports and exports, and improve the Kingdom's ranking in international indices.
Leading Indian business conglomerate Essar Group is awaiting the final approvals from Saudi authorities to build a low-carbon steel plant in the kingdom at a total investment of $4.5 billion, reported Press Trust of India, citing a top official.

"We still haven't got all the final approvals," revealed Prashant Ruia, the Director of Essar Capital, which manages the group's portfolio of investments.

The work on the project will start after receiving all the necessary approvals, Ruia said, adding the company already has a 1,000-acre land set for the multibillion-dollar project.

This will be Essar Group's first steel project outside India. The metals-to-infrastructure conglomerate earlier owned and operated an integrated steel plant in Hazira, Gujarat, which it lost to ArcelorMittal in an insolvency battle.

The Essar plant will take three to three-and-a-half years to build and once operational it will meet the domestic steel demand, he stated.

"Saudi Arabia is going through a large growth phase, a large part of steel today is getting imported into Saudi Arabia. So this is basically a domestic plant," said Ruia in the interview with PTI.

The oil-rich kingdom is eyeing becoming an electric vehicle manufacturing hub, manufacturing more than 3 lakh cars annually by 2030.

Essar, he stated, was looking to tap into the demand for steel for such cars as well as for other consumer goods industry.

Indian business conglomerate, which turned debt-free two years back after selling some infrastructure assets, is investing in decarbonisation projects and green mobility to fuel the next growth phase, said the PTI report.

The approvals are expected anytime now, and once we get it, work will begin on the 4 million tonne per annum steel plant along with port facilities, stated Ruia.

The plant will integrate gas-based direct reduced iron (DRI) and electric arc furnace (EAF) technology to cater primarily to local needs of Saudi Arabia.

Essar also plans to invest in constructing two dedicated berths at Ras Al Khair port, exclusively for its steel project, he added.
Covestro, a global manufacturing leader in raw materials has recently partnered with Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology backbone of Alibaba Group. This collaboration stands as a testament to the urgent need and transformative potential of sustainable practices of manufacturing industries.

Driven by a shared commitment to sustainability, Covestro and Alibaba Cloud have joined forces to revolutionize supply chain transparency and carbon footprint management across the Asian region.

Under this partnership, Covestro is committed to providing sustainable plastic solutions, accompanied by comprehensive carbon footprint data. The initiative underscores the proactive approach to enhancing product lifecycle sustainability, from raw material extraction to end-consumer use. Whereas Alibaba Cloud's Energy Expert platform, powered by artificial intelligence and blockchain technology, plays a pivotal role in enabling precise carbon accounting and material traceability throughout the supply chain.

Lily Wang, Global Head of Engineering Plastics Business Entity at Covestro, said: "As a leader in sustainable material innovation, Covestro is steadfast in promoting circularity and climate neutrality. Our collaboration with Alibaba Cloud signifies a major stride towards realizing these ambitions. Together, we empower industries to achieve greater transparency in their supply chains, fostering trust among eco-conscious consumers and propelling sectors towards a greener future."

William Xiong, Vice President of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, said: "We take pride in partnering with Covestro to pioneer sustainable solutions that drive positive environmental impact. Through our advanced cloud infrastructure and expertise in sustainability technology, we enable partners across the value chain to trace materials with unprecedented transparency and efficiency. This collaboration exemplifies the profound impact of technology in advancing sustainability goals and shaping a more resilient future."

The combined solutions proposed by the two parties have already been applied in the consumer products industry. For example, Covestro worked with Nongfu Spring, China's biggest beverage manufacturer, to recycle its 19-litre water barrels into post-consumer recycled polycarbonate. KACO, a niche stationary business in China, used the substance to make gel pens.

Through Alibaba Cloud Energy Expert's carbon emission accounting and digital tools, consumers can scan a QR code on the pens' packaging to trace the material's origin, see a detailed breakdown of the carbon footprint at each stage in the production chain, and see how many carbon emissions have been reduced compared to virgin materials.
Bahrains Labour Fund (Tamkeen) has aided the career progression 170 Bahraini employees at Delmon Poultry Company.

Tamkeen's support comes as part of the wage increment programme, which covers the full cost of the employees' salary increase, up to 20%, for a duration of two years.

The programme contributes to supporting the career development of national talent and encourages organisations to increase the wages of their employees to motivate and retain them.

New hatchery

Delmon Poultry Company is a public shareholding company established in 1980, aiming to provide local products with the highest quality international standards and measures. Recently, the company has expanded by opening a new hatchery which is expected to double production capacity by 40%.

Delmon Poultry Company is considered one of the prominent contributors to food security in Bahrain falling under the manufacturing sector, which is the second-largest contributor to the national economy among the non-oil sectors after the financial sector. The sector has witnessed many developments and initiatives, most notably the Industrial Sector Strategy (2022-2026) as well as the national strategy to achieve food security in the kingdom.

"Supporting local factories is at the forefront of Tamkeen's interests as part of the strategy to develop the manufacturing sector, which is one of the most important contributors to the national economy, having contributed 13% to the GDP last year, said Tamkeen Chief Executive, Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez.

More jobs

Accordingly, this support directly aligns with our objectives of creating more job opportunities for local talent, enhancing their career development, and increasing this sector's contribution to the national economy."

Hussain Falah, Chief Administrative & Financial Officer, said: "Tamkeen's support programmes are a catalyst for Bahraini companies interested in developing and retaining their employees across various fields, especially within the vastly growing manufacturing sector.

Through this support, we were able to increase the wages of local talent at our company, thus rewarding their performance and contributing to their career progression.

This will aid us to expand our operations by doubling the production capacity shortly.

Three pillars

Last year, Tamkeen supported Delmon Poultry Company by funding a technological equipment, the first of its kind in the GCC region, which gave the company the opportunity to advance and grow in the field of food security. This initiative aligns with Tamkeens strategic objectives for 2024, focused on economic impact and the private sector under three pillars: increasing economic participation through new employment opportunities for new entrants, expanding career development opportunities available to the Bahraini workforce, and further developing the private sector by supporting enterprises and boosting productivity and the adoption of technology. --TradeArabia News Service
Tohoku Epson Corporation, a Group company of Seiko Epson Corporation, will invest approximately 5.1-billion yen ($31.95 million) on the construction of a new factory for inkjet printheads.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held for the new factory, which will be built on the premises of Tohoku Epson. Construction began on June 15, 2024, and completion in September 2025. The investment in the new facility is projected to approximately quadruple Tohoku Epson's current printhead production capacity.

Epson's printing solutions business provides products and services based on original Micro Piezo inkjet technology to customers in the office, home, commercial and industrial markets.

Sustained global demand

The company expects to see sustained global demand for inkjet printers based on current growth in high-speed units for the office and on continued demand for high-capacity ink tank printers for the home and office in emerging markets and North America.

Demand for commercial and industrial inkjet printers is increasing along with a technology shift from analog to digital in sectors where the printing media is not paper, such as digital textile printing. Moreover, many commercial and industrial inkjet printers use PrecisionCore MicroTFP printheads.

These printheads can be flexibly adapted for different applications by assembling MicroTFP print chips in various combinations.

Epson expects further growth in the use of PrecisionCore printheads in commercial and industrial printers as well as in inkjet multifunction printers with high-speed lineheads.

Epson robots

Tohoku Epson began manufacturing printheads (CHIPS heads) in 1995 and launched volume production of PrecisionCore printheads in June 2013 on a fully automated assembly line that makes extensive use of Epson robots. It has been accumulating expertise in printhead production and building a solid base of production technology, increasing its competitive advantage as a domestic production site.

The new factory building will employ a newly engineered process that will save manpower and space, with minimising in-process inventory, automated transfer robots, and efficient layout reducing the workload on personnel. We will respond to the challenges faced by the manufacturing industry, and realise a factory of the future that is both more efficient and easier to work in.

This is the first new building at Tohoku Epson since the construction of a semiconductor fabrication facility in 1997. To limit noise and ensure safety in the vicinity of the site, the company will shorten the construction period by pouring the concrete floor in winter instead of stopping work. As a corporate citizen rooted in the local community, Tohoku Epson aims to have this factory contribute to the development and harmony of the local community.--TradeArabia News Service
Companies with higher gender diversity are 21% more likely to post above-average profitability making it vital for companies to tap the potential within the society and work towards gender-equality in the workplace, statistics show.

In response to this, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Oman Association of Chartered Public Accountants (OACPA) held the Women In Finance: Stories from the Top event in Muscat, Oman recently, with over 90 delegates in attendance.

Women reinvest up to 90% of their income back into their families and communities, compared to 30-40% for men. This reinvestment plays a crucial role in lifting communities out of poverty and driving social progress. These insights remind us of the broader impact of empowering women in finance and leadership roles.

Beacon for all

Women in Finance: Stories from the Top is not just a title; it's a call to action. Its a beacon for all of us to gather, to share, and to learn from the experiences of those who have climbed the ladder and reached remarkable heights, said Fazeela Gopalani, Head of Eurasia and Middle East, ACCA.

Women in finance and leadership roles are not just participants in the industry, they are trailblazers, innovators, and role models. They demonstrate that leadership is not confined to a single mould but is diverse, multifaceted, and enriched by the unique perspectives that women bring to the table, Gopalani added.

Of the worlds 500 biggest businesses, only 41 are led by women CEOs, according to Catalyst.

In the Middle East, ACCA has been a catalyst for change, fostering crucial conversations, organising impactful events, and establishing the Women in Finance Forum. These events provide an open landscape where ideas flow freely and opportunities for women in finance flourish. ACCAs commitment is not just a statement, but a series of steps, events, and conversations that collectively form a mosaic of progress.

Valuable insights

Delegates heard from top industry leaders, participated in engaging Q&A sessions, and networked with peers from across the region, all of which provided valuable insights and inspiration.

Speakers included Ralph Khoury, Chief Financial Officer for Nissan United across the AMIEO Region; Sabrina Al Bakri, CFO of OQ; Balqees Sulieman Al Hassani, President of Knowledge Oman; Maha Mohammed Alhabsi, CEO of AI Tech Academy; Fathiya Sloum Rashid Al Maskari, Treasurer of OACPA and Training Director of ACFE Oman Chapter; ACCAs Oman members advisory committee and OACPA members.

In Oman, we have witnessed remarkable progress with women taking on significant roles in various sectors. The commitment of organisations like OACPA to promote and support women in finance is truly commendable. They have not only provided a platform for women to excel but have also been instrumental in driving policy changes that favour gender parity, Gopalani said.--TradeArabia News Service
Ferrari has announced the opening of its new E-Building, the factory that will produce internal combustion engined cars, hybrids and the auto brand's first electric model, in the Italian city of Maranello.

Rectangular in shape and 25 metres high, the new building is in harmony with the landscape and surrounding buildings and is recognisable for a facade with a tailor-made, highly efficient skin.

Through the e-building, Ferrari is enhancing its production flexibility in line with its strategy of prioritising revenue quality over quantity.

The plant also reflects the principle of technological neutrality, as it will house the production and development of internal combustion engines, hybrid engines and new electric motors, each capable of delivering Ferrari's signature driving excitement.

The e-building was inaugurated by Italian President Sergio Mattarella in the presence of Ferrari Chairman John Elkann, Vice Chairman Piero Ferrari, CEO Benedetto Vigna and other company representatives.

"We are honoured to have President Mattarella with us for the inauguration of the e-building, a plant that combines the centrality of the people in the workplace with respect for the environment," commented Ferrari's President, John Elkann.

"Investing in our territory is essential to prepare ourselves for Ferrari's future with confidence and confirms our commitment to Italian excellence and to our country," he added.

The integration of the production of the entire range in a single building will allow Ferrari to reorganise and reallocate all production activities more efficiently among its existing facilities in Maranello, increasing its ability to adapt quickly to production needs.

The e-building, a facility equipped with state-of-the-art technology, will also produce the strategic electrical components that are highly relevant to differentiating Ferrari's technology and performance: high-voltage batteries, electric motors and axles.

The building, designed to achieve the highest levels of energy performance, is powered  among other sources  by more than 3,000 solar panels installed on the roof that produce 1.3 MW.

With the shutdown of the trigeneration plant, scheduled for the end of the year, the building will be powered entirely by renewable energy, generated from both internal and external sources with a guarantee of origin.

Several cutting-edge solutions have been adopted to reuse energy and rainwater in the production cycle. For example, more than 60 per cent of the energy used for battery and motor testing will be recovered in accumulators and redirected to power new processes.

The plant was built north of the Ferrari campus, which is being expanded. The area was acquired and redeveloped without additional land consumption by replacing obsolete and energy-dispersive industrial structures.

According to Ferrari, the training and well-being of workers was a priority in the design of the building, which houses a dedicated training space.

The training path for people selected for the new lines began two years ago, with the aim of delving into the skills and processes that are needed for the new systems and products, as well as strengthening knowledge related to the electric motor.

In full continuity and synergy with the mechanical and electronic skills that have always been Ferrari's heritage, additional competencies, for example in chemistry and battery assembly production processes, have been developed.

The e-building is a confirmation of Ferrari's central role in the local industrial landscape  a role reinforced by continuous investments made in tune with the specific needs of the local community.

The integration of the building into the urban context was perfected through an urban redevelopment of more than 100,000 sq m and a redesign of the road infrastructure. In fact, a road serving the site and a 1.5-km bike path connected to the towns network have also been built.

The exterior facades and main interior spaces of the e-building were designed by MCA  Mario Cucinella Architects, a firm at the forefront of the development of sustainable solutions and urban regeneration, in synergy with the Ferrari team.-TradeArabia News Service
Antaisolar and Bahra Electric have reached an agreement to establish a joint venture (JV) company and factory in Jeddah, SaudiArabia.

It marks a milestone in Antaisolars expansion into the MiddleEast, positioning the new factory as a critical manufacturing and service hub for the region, providing solar trackers and mounting structures.

With strong existence of Bahra and having its own 500,000 sq m factory in Jeddah, the JV factory is aiming to reach 8GW/annum by 2025, 15GW/annum by 2026 and 24GW/annum by 2027 respectively.

This new company will focus on maximising local content and tackle utility-scale project challenges from design, manufacturing to logistics and maintenance.

Bahra Electric said its joint venture is established with the aim of highly influential partners and mutual benefit and reciprocity.

The co-operation reflects China-based Antaisolar and Bahras commitment to innovation, client satisfaction, and contributions to the economy and environment.
Police praised a 23-year-old hero mom Sunday and announced the death of a fourth victim in an Arkansas mass shooting in what officials have branded a "completely random, senseless act."

Ellen Shrum, 81, died Saturday of her wounds after the shooter, armed with a 12-gauge shotgun and pistol, began "firing indiscriminantly" at a Mad Butcher grocery store in the small community of Fordyce south of Little Rock, according to police.

Another victim was nurse Callie Weems, who had a new baby girl at home and stopped to aid a wounded shopper at the store when she was killed, police said.

"Instead of fleeing the store, she stopped to render aid in one of the most selfless acts I've ever seen," Arkansas State Police Director Mike Hagar said at a news conference Sunday.

The last conversation Weems had with her mom was to celebrate sleeping in until 9 a.m. the morning of the shooting for the first time since the birth of her baby girl, Ivy, 10 months ago, her mother, Ellen Browning, told the Associated Press.

"I bet you feel like a new mom," Browning said she texted back.

When Browning later tried to reach her daughter after news of the shooting "she didn't answer," Browing told KARK-TV.

Browning was also close to another victim, 50-year-old logger Rob Sturgis, whom she fondly described to the AP as "country as cornbread" and a loving dad to his daughter.

Also killed was Shirley Taylor, 62, who was described to KTHV by her daughter Angela Atchley, as the "rock" of her family b

The victims appear to all have been "targets of opportunity," Hagar said, with no relationship to the suspected gunman, 44-year-old Travis Eugene Posey of New Edinburg, who was arrested at the scene.

A total of 15 people, including Posey, were shot at the store, police said.

It was at least the third mass shooting at a U.S. grocery in the last three years, and the 234 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Another mass shooting earlier this month at a Michigan splash park for kids that injured nine also 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.
QatarEnergy has entered into a long-term agreement to supply Eneos Corporation, a prominent refining and petrochemical company based in Japan, with up to 9 million tons of Naphtha over 10 years starting July 2024.

In remarks on this occasion, Saad Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy said, This agreement builds on our successful and long-standing relationship with one of our valued Japanese partners. We look forward to creating more value and opportunities for the mutual benefit of both parties and to further strengthen our partnership.

This agreement is the largest and longest commitment in more than a decade of collaborations between the two companies.

Eneos Corporation is the largest refining and petrochemical company in Japan and is wholly owned by Eneos Holdings.

The Japanese conglomerate has been in the business of refining, manufacturing, and selling of petroleum products for over 135 years since it was established in 1888 under the name of Nippon Oil Corporation. --OGN/TradeArabia News Service
Siemens Energy has been awarded a 25-year contract by Saudi Arabia for two power plants, Taiba 2 and Qassim 2, worth $1.5 billion.

The two combined-cycle power plants will be connected to the grid in simple cycle mode in 2026 and permanently operated as a combined cycle power plant one year later.

The plants will be built in the western and central regions of Saudi Arabia, using Siemens Energy's gas and steam turbines to generate around 2,000 megawatts of electricity.

Taiba 2 and Qassim 2, two of the world's largest, modern, and efficient combined-cycle power plants, will be built in the western and central regions of Saudi Arabia over the next few years.

Siemens Energys gas turbines (HL-class), in combination with steam turbines and generators, will generate approx. 2,000 megawatts of electricity at each site. EPC and contracting partner for Siemens Energy is China Energy International Group.

Karim Amin, Member of the Managing Board of Siemens Energy and responsible for the Business Area of Gas Services: "Saudi Arabia is driving forward its vision 2030 to transform the Kingdom into a pioneering economic location. The new gas-fired power plants will provide reliable energy supply and contribute to the sustainable and future-oriented development of the country. Our Siemens Energy local service hub in Dammam will make an important contribution in expanding and localizing technology and competencies in the Kingdom.

The new power plants will provide additional energy for the country's growing population and booming economy and replace parts of Saudi Arabia's existing aging power plant fleet, some of which rely on oil as an energy source.

The new plants will save up to 60 percent of CO2 compared with oil-fueled power plants. They will also be compatible with the Kingdoms energy strategy which calls for the construction of CO2 capture and storage facilities in the medium term, to enable a carbon-neutral energy supply.-OGN/GC TradeArabia News Service
Czechia, renowned for its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, and cultural treasures, is now emerging as a premier destination for medical tourism.

With a commitment to excellence in healthcare, competitive pricing, and comprehensive patient services, Czechia said there is a chance for international travellers to discover exceptional medical care.

Healthcare facilities in Czechia, both public and private, adhere to rigorous standards of quality and safety.

Regular inspections and national patient surveys ensure that certified hospitals and clinics consistently deliver superior care. International patients benefit from seamless services starting from initial consultations to post-procedure recovery, facilitated by specialised agencies or directly through selected clinics.

Barbara Andelova, International Marketing Manager - New Markets, CzechTourism, said: Our country combines cutting-edge medical technology with a warm welcome for visitors seeking top-tier healthcare.

We offer a holistic approach to medical tourism, integrating advanced treatments with the rejuvenating power of our renowned spa culture."

Specialties such as assisted reproduction, neonatology, cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, plastic surgery, dentistry, and eye surgery highlight the country's diverse medical expertise.

Spas play a crucial role in the holistic care provided, aiding in pre-operative preparations and post-operative recuperation. The synergy between medical treatments and spa care is particularly beneficial in fields such as cardiology, orthopaedics, and neurology.

Plastic surgery, dentistry, and eye surgery not only address aesthetic concerns but also offer significant health benefits. Early detection programs in oncology exemplify the Czech Republic's proactive approach to healthcare, significantly increasing the success rates of treatments.

The Peat Spa of Trebon are specialists in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system and offer a wide range of both therapeutic and relaxation stays in the houses of Bertas and Aurora Spa. Just a few days of relaxation may make you will feel fit again.

Enjoying your holiday along with walks in the beautiful setting of the historic town in combination with the effects of the spa procedures is the treat you can reward yourself or your family members.  TradeArabia News Service
Turkish Airlines was named the Best Airline in Europe by Skytrax on the prestigious 2024 World Airline Awards, also known as the Oscars of the aviation industry.

Held in London at the Fairmont Windsor Park on June 24, 2024, the flag carrier also won two other top awards at the ceremony  World's Best Business Class Catering and Best Airline in Southern Europe.

Based on results from the independent surveys carried out by Skytrax, Turkish Airlines has been named best airline both in Europe and Southern Europe.

These awards highlight the carriers exceptional service quality across its extensive network, underscoring the airline's dedication to providing a seamless and comfortable travel experience for its passengers.

Continuing to set the benchmark for in-flight dining and offering passengers an unforgettable gastronomic journey above the clouds, Turkish Airlines has secured the World's Best Business Class Catering award.

Receiving the awards at the ceremony, Bilal Eksi, CEO of Turkish Airlines, said: We are delighted to receive these prestigious awards from Skytrax. Being named the Best Airline in Europe and in Southern Europe, and receiving recognition for our business class catering excellence is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team.

As the Turkish Airlines family, we would like to thank our valued passengers, who deemed us worthy of these wonderful awards, and the Skytrax team, who put this evaluation into practice. With Turkish hospitality in our DNA, we remain committed to delivering an unmatched travel experience to our passengers and will continue to innovate and enhance our services.

Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, said: "We congratulate Turkish Airlines on being named the Best Airline in Europe, which for the ninth time is a remarkable achievement in such a competitive region, and demonstrates that they are a customer favourite.

Turkish Airlines repeated earlier year successes by winning the award for the Worlds Best Business Class Catering and the airline and its catering partner Turkish DO&CO should be very proud of this success."

With the addition of Melbourne route in March 2024, the national flag carriers network has expanded to six continents.

The airline said it is also committed to sustainability in aviation, undertaking various projects to create a better world for future generations.  TradeArabia News Service
Etihad Airways has commenced services from Abu Dhabi to Al Qassim in Saudi Arabia, marking the first flight ever flight to the province in the heart of the kingdom.

The new route is Etihads fourth destination to the kingdom, and offers guests four non-stop flights per week.

This service will enhance connectivity between KSA and the rest of the world through Abu Dhabi.

Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said: As we celebrate the newest addition to our growing global network, we also reaffirm our commitment to the Saudi market as we mark 20 years of connecting Abu Dhabi with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

With the increasing demand for air travel to the promising business and tourism market in KSA, we are excited to launch flights to Al Qassim, a significant cultural and commercial centre.

By establishing this air link, we aim to meet the increasing demand and provide our guests with convenient access to Abu Dhabi and seamless connectivity to our extensive global network, while delivering a remarkable flying experience.

The flights will be operated with aircraft from the Airbus A320 family, offering Etihads award-winning service to guests in both Business and Economy cabins.  TradeArabia News Service
A man in Casper faces charges of child endangerment, strangulation and domestic battery after his partner alleged he had tried to strangle her while she was holding their baby. Tray Jacob Powell was arrested on Thursday after police received a call reporting he choked his partner after she had tried to leave their residence, according to an affidavit. It also said his partner told police that their infant child was on the couch between them as Powell assaulted her. Though the child was not assaulted, the affidavit said both the partner and infant were transported to Banner Wyoming Medical Center.
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The mother of the suspect in the double murder of Tara Geeta Ramsaroop and her infant daught
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed not to back any deal to end the Gaza war, stating that he would only agree to a "partial" cease-fire and sparking an uproar from the families of the hostages held by Hamas.

Netanyahu told a conservative, pro-Netanyahu TV station on Sunday that he was "prepared to make a partial deal that will return to us some of the people."

"But we are committed to continuing the war after a pause in order to complete the goal of eliminating Hamas," he emphasized. "I'm not willing to give up on that."

The prime minister's comments are consistent with his previous terms for a deal but come at a critical time, as Israel and Hamas drift further apart over the latest cease-fire proposal.

Netanyahu's remarks are in stark contrast to the agreement that President Joe Biden outlined last month, which some had dubbed "Netanyahu's deal."

The three-phased plan would lead to the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for the freedom hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Hamas has said it will not release the remaining hostages unless there's a permanent cease-fire and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Netanyahu, however, has insisted that Israel remains committed to destroying Hamas' military and any possibility of governing the territory.

In a statement late Sunday after Netanyahu's TV interview, the Palestinian militant group said his position was "in contrast" to what the U.S. administration said that Israel approved.

The families of hostages are becoming impatient with Netanyahu, seeing his hesitation to move forward on a deal as politically motivated.

A group representing the families criticized Netanyahu's remarks, viewing them as Israel's rejection of the latest cease-fire proposal.

"This is an abandonment of the 120 hostages and a violation of the state's moral duty toward its citizens," it said, noting that it held Netanyahu responsible for returning all the captives.
Years before confessed serial killer Joshua Wade was found dead in his Alaska prison cell, he was being sentenced to life in prison, and told the families of his victims in the courtroom he deserved "much worse" than he was getting.



Wade, 44, a serial killer who admitted to killing two women and three men in Alaska between 2004 and 2007, was found dead in his prison cell on June 14.

Indiana Department of Correction confirmed Wade died in Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. DOC spokesperson Brandi Pahl told PEOPLE that Wade was "found unresponsive in his cell."

"Despite life-saving measures being performed, he was pronounced dead," Pahl said, adding that an autopsy will be administered.

Though Wade was convicted of state and federal charges in Alaska, he was transferred to an Indiana prison in 2014 after accepting a deal with both state and federal prosecutors.

According to a 2014 press release from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wade confessed to murdering Anchorage-area woman Della Brown in 2000 when he was 20 years old; however, he was only convicted of witness tampering and was acquitted of the murder and sexual assault charges.

Following probation for the witness tampering case in 2007, he kidnapped and murdered Mindy Schloss, a nurse practitioner, and his neighbor in the Sand Lake neighborhood of Anchorage.

In 2009, Wade pleaded guilty to carjacking and killing Schloss.

Wade would later confess to Anchorage police and FBI agents that he killed two other men in 1994 and 1999, as well as another man on the same night he murdered Della Brown in 2000.

Investigators believe the men he murdered in the 1990s were 38-year-old John Michael Martin, when Wade was 14 years old, and 30-year-old Henry Ongtowasruk.

Wade was sentenced to 99 years in prison by an Alaska state court, and a federal court sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

At the state sentencing, he addressed the families of the two women, saying, "I deserve much worse. I'm sorry."

During a tense exchange in federal court with US District Court Judge Ralph Beistline, Wade attempted to apologize once more, but Beistline quickly shut him down.

"What an evil thing you've done," Beistline told him.

"What kind of person could take pleasure in the random destruction of another life?"

Responding to Beistline calling him selfish and a coward, Wade snapped at the judge.

"Don't push it, man," he said.

In the years that followed, many experts have cited his killings as an example of the high number of violent crimes against Alaska Natives.

Wade's cause of death was not released.
A 47-year-old man was shot and killed during a traffic dispute with another driver Friday evening on Tucson's south side, police said.

The shooting happened about 5:45 p.m. Friday when two armed motorists argued "over an incident that occurred in the roadway" while they were stopped at a red light near South 12th Avenue and West Ajo Way, police said Sunday evening in a news release.

One of the drivers, an unidentified 21-year-old man, fired his gun, mortally wounding Eliseo German, the release said. German was later declared dead at the scene.

The 21-year-old driver called 911 after the shooting and was located by police nearby, the release said.

The investigation continues. Once completed, it will be presented to the Pima County Attorneys Office for review, the release said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 9-1-1 or 88-CRIME, the anonymous tip line.

It was the second killing in a Tucson-area road rage incident in the last week.

On Thursday, a 77-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder in a fatal road-rage shooting on Tucson's southwest side.

And on Saturday, a 53-year-old man was shot and killed in a road rage incident in Sierra Vista.
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

Re: the June 4 article I regret supporting Conover; I endorse Jette.

Recently, my former colleague on the Board of Supervisors, Sharon Bronson, submitted an op-ed about our County Attorney Laura Conover. Bronsons allegations are a surprise, and do not align with any of my observations of our Pima County Attorney Conovers leadership.

It is important to remember that voters elected Conover in 2020 because they wanted change. After having the same administration/leadership for several decades, Conover was tasked with overhauling decades of Tough-on-Crime policies that had decimated our neighborhoods, produced no marked results, and at the highest taxpayer cost. Having directed in a juvenile diversion program for 26 years, I was and remain in full support of much-needed reforms because I watched for decades the harm that these policies of the Pima County Attorneys Office did to our community and our families.

Upon becoming chair, I thought it was important to meet with the County Attorneys Office weekly to review the agenda and ensure that our meetings meet all legal requirements. As a board, we are a client of Attorney Laura Conover, and it is completely uncalled for that a former Supervisor speak on behalf of the board that we are not satisfied with our legal representation. These kinds of attacks are unbecoming and create unwarranted concern from the public as to the professionalism we have experienced working with Laura Conover as Pima County Attorney.

Conover has promised dramatic changes to an institution in great need of modernization, and she is delivering. To understand the shift, one only has to look at how she describes her position as The Peoples Attorney. Taking a closer look at who that makes uncomfortable and it is clear old guard ways of thinking are challenging her. Her determination and passion to get her employees a living wage, especially in light of the CAs office not having an office-wide pay raise since 1997, is critical in building retention. Considering the boards efforts to address all 7,000 county employees wages through the passage of the class and compensation study were aimed at recruiting and retaining in all departments, this issue is countywide. It is worth noting that Bronson voted against efforts to raise county employees to livable wages.

All in all, in our first term serving the constituents of Pima County, I have had a strong relationship with County Attorney Conover and am confident in her and her teams efforts serving our community, and hope she continues her efforts into the future. While Mike Jette may be registered as a Democrat today, his background as a federal prosecutor for nearly two decades should concern those of us who want criminal justice reform. Let us continue the path forward and re-elect Laura Conover for Pima County Attorney.
A pioneer Oklahoman was on a hunting trip with two friends in 1905 when his two Kentucky wolfhounds chased after a wolf and disappeared, leading to the accidental discovery of oil on farmland owned by a Creek Indian named Ida Glenn.

Charles F. Colcord, who died in 1934 at the age of 75, frequently told about that hunting trip and the later search by Frank Chesley and Robert T. Galbreath for the dogs. While searching for the dogs, which he found, Chesley discovered a spot where oil was seeping from some rocks.

The accidental discovery was in much the same manner as television's Clampett family did some 50 years later in the television sitcom, "Beverly Hillbillies."

Chesley and Galbreath organized the Creek Oil Co. with Colcord and J.O. Mitchell and the group drilled a discovery well, the site protected by armed guards to keep others from getting too close.

On Nov. 22, they hit the first oil gusher in what would soon be known as the "Glenn Pool," the richest ever discovered up to that time. The Glenn Pool discovery well 12 miles south of Tulsa began gushing oil at 5 a.m. Nov. 22, 1905, and triggered the oil boom in Oklahoma.

Within months, the Glenn Pool field was producing more oil than the entire state of Texas. It drew thousands of people to the state, spawned a string of major oil companies and turned Tulsa into the "oil capital of the world."

The discovery set off a boom of growth for the area, bringing in hordes of people: lease buyers, producers, millionaires, laborers, tool suppliers, drunks, swindlers and newspeople.

Daily production soon exceeded 120,000 barrels. It wasn't Colcord's first venture into the oil business. After Dr. Fred Clinton and Dr. J.C.W. Bland drilled a successful well in 1901 north of Red Fork, 2,500 people were attracted to the area, including Colcord and Galbreath who had been partners in a real estate business.

Colcord and Galbreath organized the Red Fork Oil and Gas Co. and drilled the first wells in the town limits of Red Fork, Clinton recalled years later. Colcord later drilled in Healdton, Loco and Duncan fields before oil was found in the Glenn Pool.

Colcord used his Glenn Pool profits to build Oklahoma's first skyscraper, a 12-story building in Oklahoma City, that he envisioned as a hotel -- and that's what it became 96 years later. When he built the building in 1910, it was the first steel-reinforced building in Oklahoma and was used as an office building until last October when Tulsa developer Paul Coury of Tulsa remodeled it as a boutique hotel similar to his Ambassador Hotel in Tulsa.

Colcord wanted the steel reinforcement because he had seen the devastation to buildings in San Francisco following the 1906 earthquake. Born in Kentucky, Colcord moved to Texas with his parents as a child and later lived in dugouts in the Cherokee Outlet for several years while helping his father in a cattle business.

Colcord later told about helping two men bury two men who had been killed in a fight with Indians. After covering the bodies in a common grave, one of the others said someone should offer a prayer.

"All three of us were uneducated cowboys who had had no chance to attend church services, so none of us knew what to say or do."

The others declined to say anything and insisted that Colcord "say something."

"I took off my hat and raised my face to the skies as I said, 'God, take care of these poor boys.' Such was the prayer that I offered."

Colcord bought a team of horses and a wagon for $66 and made the run into Oklahoma Territory April 22, 1889. He traded his horses and wagon for a shack and a lot in Oklahoma City that became Lot 1, Block 1.

Colcord served as Oklahoma City's police chief for several years and later was Oklahoma County's first sheriff. He was appointed as a U.S. marshal by President Grover Cleveland. Colcord also made the run into the Cherokee Outlet and staked a claim in Perry where he also built a house. He was involved in the move of the state seal from Guthrie to Oklahoma City in 1910 and served as chairman of the finance committee for building a new capitol on North Lincoln Avenue.

Colcord died in 1934 at his ranch in Delaware County near the town of Colcord that was named for him. A 1935 Chronicles of Oklahoma article called Colcord the "First Citizen of Oklahoma."

He had served in many civic organizations, including president of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, and was president of the Oklahoma Historical Society from 1926 until his death.

Photograph research by Rachele Vaughan

Gene Curtis 581-8304

Gene Curtis is a former managing editor of the Tulsa World.

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A Bartlesville man has been arrested and charged in southwestern Missouri after a fatal stabbing at a vacation property Saturday.

McDonald County prosecutors filed a second-degree murder charge against Garrett Sumter, 32.

Authorities responded around 12:30 a.m. Saturday after Sumter reportedly fled the scene of the homicide in the Minnow Springs area of Noel, Missouri.

Investigators said someone was fatally stabbed as a group of friends were vacationing together. Sumter was located by Missouri state troopers a short distance from the homicide scene and was taken into custody without incident, according to the McDonald County Sheriff's Office.

The victim's name has not yet been provided.

Sumter remains held without bail in the McDonald County jail.

The Tulsa World is where your story lives
At least 22 workers were killed when multiple lithium-ion batteries exploded in a South Korean battery factory Monday morning, sparking a ferocious fire that spewed highly toxic gas as flames tore through the plant.



The batteries that blew up around 10:30 a.m. were being stored in a warehouse that held 35,000 cells in the industrial city of Hwaesong, about 25 miles south of Seoul, according to Reuters.



The fire spread within 15 seconds and the victims likely died after just one or two breaths, said Gyeonggi province fire official Cho Sun-ho.



Aerial video reportedly showed explosions rolling through the factory and massive plumes of white smoke coming from the ruins.



Live TV coverage also showed firefighters spraying water on the building, large chunks of which appeared to have been blown out into the street, Reuters said.



Parts of the upper level also collapsed.



It took about six hours for firefighters to bring the blaze under control.



The intensity of the fire made it hard for rescuers to identify the dead, who included 18 Chinese nationals, two South Koreans and a Laotian, Hwaseong fire official Kim Jin-young told reporters, citing factory owner Aricell.



The company's website was down and Reuters said calls to its offices went unanswered.



Most of the foreign workers were temporary hires who were probably unfamiliar with the factory's layout, the provincial fire official said.



South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the scene and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min called on local authorities to prevent any hazardous chemicals from contaminating the surrounding area.
Three Cambodian enterprises -- Chaktomuk Campuchia, Sok Theara, and Global Green Energy -- have been permitted to supply sand to highway projects in southern Vietnam.

The three companies received licenses from Cambodias Ministry of Mines and Energy to extract 1.39 billion tonnes of sand from the Mekong and Bassac Rivers.

Amid a scarcity of resources for highway projects in Vietnam's southern region, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha recently tasked the Ministry of Transport with identifying a solution for addressing backfill material requests.

Ha also instructed the Ministry of Transport to work with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to efficiently oversee the sourcing of backfill materials for each project, ensuring continuous progress on local highways.

He also directed the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, investors, and project owners to study the feasibility of importing sand.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Cambodia boasts sand reserves in the billions of tonnes, much of which is sourced from the Mekong and Bassac Rivers.

Chaktomuk Campuchia, Sok Theara, and Global Green Energy are currently the three companies permitted by the Cambodian government to mine sand from these two rivers.

Chaktomuk Campuchias permit allows the company to exploit three sand mines in the Mekong River at distances of 18km, 22km, and 45km from the Vinh Xuong Border Gate in Vietnams An Giang Province.

Approximately 680 million cubic meters of sand are stored in these three mines.

Chaktomuk Campuchia currently exports between 40,000 and 60,000 cubic meters of sand per day to a customer base of 15-20 Vietnamese enterprises.

Similarly, Global Green Energy, which was granted licenses to exploit mines with potential reserves of over 500 million cubic meters of sand, sells about 10,000 cubic meters per day to 2-3 Vietnamese businesses.

Although Sok Theara has been authorized to extract from a mine with over 200 million cubic meters of reserves, the company has not yet exported to Vietnam.

Buoy No. 0 at the Vinh Xuong International River Border Gate is the primary hub for the sand trade between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Cambodian enterprises have exported approximately 23.6 million tonnes of sand to Vietnam since 2021.

According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, Cambodia's sand reserves are sufficient to supply the short- and long-term demands of Vietnam's southern region.

Sand scarcity

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment reports that the Ring Road 3 project will require approximately 9.3 million cubic meters of sand, with around six million cubic meters needed for work packages scheduled for completion in 2024.

Domestic companies have already been committed to providing seven million cubic meters of the needed sand.

The eastern North-South Expressway project, linking Can Tho City and Ca Mau Province in the Mekong Delta, will need approximately 19 million cubic meters of sand for fill materials.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the provinces of An Giang, Dong Thap, and Vinh Long have been committed to supplying around 16 million cubic meters, leaving a shortfall of three million cubic meters.

The first segment of the highway, stretching from Chau Doc to Can Tho to Soc Trang, is expected to require 9.3 million cubic meters of sand.

Currently, 5.9 million cubic meters have been pledged, resulting in a deficit of 3.4 million cubic meters.

Similarly, for component two, which passes through Can Tho, 5.3 million cubic meters of sand are still needed.

Component three, traversing Hau Giang, will require six million cubic meters, with 3.4 million cubic meters yet to be sourced.

In contrast, component four has met its demand of approximately 7.5 million cubic meters of sand.

The Cao Lanh-An Huu expressway project will need around 3.5 million cubic meters of sand, with three million cubic meters already committed, leaving a shortfall of 0.5 million cubic meters.

For the My An-Cao Lanh expressway project in Dong Thap Province, the provincial administration has pledged to provide sufficient sand for it.

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Masan Group, a leading enterprise in the consumer retail industry in Vietnam, has rejected a rumor that South Koreas SK Group has divested its nine-percent stake in the Vietnamese firm.

Earlier, a South Korean newspaper reported that SK Group has exercised a put option (the right to sell shares) to sell nine percent of its stake in Masan Group in Vietnam.

Masan affirmed that the information was inaccurate, saying, To date, SK has not exercised the put option.

The two companies are in the final stage of an orderly and market-based process for SK Group to reduce its stake at Masan Group, targeting professional pre-identified investors who are familiar with Masans business operations, subject to optimal market conditions, according to the Vietnamese firm.

This process is designed to protect and maximize the interests of the shareholders of both companies, it added.

In 2018, SK Group, the third-largest group in South Korea, invested US$450 million in Masan Group and became the latters largest foreign investor.

In September last year, rumors that SK Group wanted to sell its shares in Masan captured the attention of stock investors in Vietnam.

At a meeting with investors last month, Danny Le, CEO of Masan Group, stated that the group would continue its partnership with SK Group.

He informed that SK Group's reduction of its stake in Masan Group would span 24 months.

Le emphasized SK Group's commitment to long-term investments in Vietnam and urged investors not to sell their shares.

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Four Vietnamese citizens have been charged for their involvement in a series of computer intrusions that caused victim companies to collectively suffer more than US$71 million in losses during the 2018-21 period.

They included Ta Van Tai, also known as 'Quynh Hoa' and 'Bich Thuy;' Nguyen Viet Quoc, aka 'Tien Nguyen;' Nguyen Trang Xuyen; and Nguyen Van Truong, aka 'Chung Nguyen,' according to an indictment released by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Jersey on Thursday last week.

The indictment showed that these Vietnamese were members of a sophisticated international cybercrime group known as FIN9.

The defendants were accused of hacking the computer networks of victim companies throughout the U.S. and using their access to steal or attempt to steal non-public information, employee benefits, and funds from at least May 2018 through October 2021.

For example, the defendants faced charges for breaching employee benefit programs operated by their victims and redirecting digital perks, like gift cards, to accounts under their control.

They also stole gift card information stored on the computer networks of certain victims.

The defendants caused their victims to suffer losses of more than $71 million.

However smart these hackers believe they are at disguising themselves, these members of the FIN9 group couldnt conceal their exfiltration of data from their victims companies," said FBI  Newark special agent in charge James E. Dennehy.

According to the indictment, Tai, Xuyen, and Truong sold stolen gift cards to third parties, including through an account registered with a fake name on a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency marketplace, in order to conceal and disguise the source of the stolen money.

FBI Newarks Cyber Task Force and our law enforcement partners use precision and innovative techniques to expose these people for what they are  simple thieves," Dennehy said.

We ask any business or company facing a similar attack to reach out to us immediately to protect your systems and to stop these criminals from moving on to the next victim."

Tai, Quoc, Xuyen, and Truong were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit fraud, extortion, and related activity in connection with computers; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud; and two counts of intentional damage to a protected computer.

If convicted, they face up to five years in prison for the conspiracy to commit fraud, extortion, and related activity in connection with computers; up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to commit wire fraud; and up to 10 years in prison on each count of intentional damage to a protected computer.

Tai, Xuyen, and Truong were also charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a mandatory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Tai and Quoc were indicted for one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive term of two years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit identity fraud, which is punishable by a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

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Read what is in the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh left Hanoi on Monday morning for the 15th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian City, Liaoning Province, China, and working sessions there from June 24 to 27.

Society

-- Police in Hanoi on Sunday evening announced the dismantling of an illegal drug operation, seizing over 207,085 grams of heroin, 112,052 grams of methamphetamine, a military gun, 23 bullets, and various related items and documents, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Business

-- Vietnam has become the top garment exporter to the U.S., surpassing China and Bangladesh, with a total revenue of US$6 billion from January to May, according to the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex).

-- The Peoples Committee of the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong has approved a starting price of approximately VND36.5 billion ($1.43 million) for a 10-year lease of the Thuy Ta restaurant land, situated on an island in the iconic Xuan Huong Lake in Da Lat City.

-- The budget revenue of the Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department from imported automobiles in the first half of this year is estimated to have decreased significantly by 51.78 percent compared to the same period in 2023, amounting to a drop of up to VND5.9 trillion ($231.76 million).

-- The Central Highlands provinces raised several concerns regarding mineral planning, highlighting how these issues have led to economic stagnation in the region during a conference in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province on Sunday.

Education

-- Prof. Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh, who has Vietnamese heritage and works at University College London in the UK, was officially elected as an academician of Academia Europaea in late April, the Vietnam News Agency reported on Monday morning.

Lifestyle

-- Animated Pixar movie 'Inside Out 2' has achieved a revenue milestone of VND50 billion ($1.96 million) in Vietnam within two weeks of its release.

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Images of a couple's wedding in Can Tho City, southern Vietnam, have gone viral on social media. The couple delighted guests by recreating their parents wedding from the past.

The groom, Ngo Van Thuan, 28, and his bride, Dang Thi Ngoc Ha, 23, donned outfits in the style of the 1990s on their big day. Ha wore makeup in the old school.

Their wedding also featured a motorcycle that was popular in southern Vietnam in the 1990s.

Thuan told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that he wanted his wedding to be special, so he spent efforts looking for ideas.

He suddenly thought of the wedding of his wife's parents. At the time, Ha's mother wore a long veil, a red ao dai (Vietnam's traditional long gown) with yellow patterns, a lace cape, and golden necklaces.

Meanwhile, her father donned a shiny, silver-gray suit.

The wedding gate was made from coconut leaves and available fruits and vegetables.

Their wedding clothes are similar to those of the brides parents. Photo: Supplied

Thuan got his wifes agreement on the themed wedding.

However, the couple did not notify their family members and neighbors of their decision to surprise them.

Their friends supported and enthusiastically responded to their idea.

The couple found a wedding dress store that had dresses from the 2000s and chose one similar to their mothers outfit.

Guests at their wedding were excited about and praised their idea, the groom said.

The bride wears makeup and ao dai in the style of the past. Photo: Supplied

He added that his wedding was one of the first in his hometown to use coconut leaf-based wedding gates in modern times.

Through the wedding, I wanted to recreate the atmosphere of weddings from the past. Whenever I look at old photos, I always feel nostalgic, he said.

Thuan advised other couples who wish to recreate traditional weddings to prepare with their friends and start looking for clothes early.

The bride shared that she and her husband married after eight years together, facing no obstacles in their relationship due to the strong support from both families.

She hopes their wedding concept will inspire others to come up with unique ideas for their own weddings.

The groom used a motorcycle from the 1990s in their wedding procession ceremony. Photo: Supplied

A screenshot from a video shows the groom singing a song as a gift to his wife.

The wedding featured a lotto show. Photo: Supplied

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Operating on Sundays, Bac Ha Market in Bac Ha Town under the namesake district in the northern Vietnamese province of Lao Cai is increasingly popular and attractive to locals and tourists due to a wide range of items sold there, with live-streamed sales of dogs being the highlight.

By marketing and selling dogs online, live streamers pocket millions of Vietnamese dong for each market session. (VND1 million = US$39)

Bac Ha Market runs every Sunday morning in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam.

Locals in Bac Ha Town bring their agricultural products and animals to the market for sale each Sunday, contributing to making the market busier amid the peace of the upland region.

To prepare for their sales at the market in the heart of Bac Ha Town, some 70 kilometers from the provincial capital city of Lao Cai, many vendors from ethnic minority groups, such as Mong, Tay, Dao, and Phu La, start transporting their vegetables and fruits to the venue on Saturday nights.

Bac Ha Market vendors sell a wide array of items, mainly farm produce, in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam.

Notably, the area of selling cattle and poultry is seen as a magnet to market-goers, giving the so-called largest dog trading session in Vietnam.

Hundreds of adorable dogs in all sizes and full of colors are put on sale at the market every Sunday.

Besides, these canines are sold online and shipped to other localities nationwide.

Hoang Trung Hieu, a resident of Ta Chai Commune in Bac Ha District, sells dozens of dogs via a live stream on Sunday morning. He is hired as a live streamer to sell dogs.

Hieu shared that he is paid VND100,000-200,000 (US$3.9 - $7.8) for each order.

Each dog costs from hundreds of dong to tens of millions of dong.

Among these dogs, Bac Ha and Hmong bobtail dogs are the most expensive as they are two of Vietnam's four great national dogs.

Dogs sold online at Bac Ha Market in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam

Last weekend, Thai Thi Giang and her family from Nghe An Province in north-central Vietnam traveled to Lao Cai Province and visited Bac Ha Market due to its popularity.

This market has the most dogs Ive seen. Its bustling, and the locals are friendly, Giang remarked.

I'll select and buy an adorable dog to keep as a memorable pet, she added, noting that Bac Ha Market comes highly recommended.

An area selling dogs attracts children at Bac Ha Market in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam

Hundreds of dogs in all sizes are put on sale at Bac Ha Market in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam every Sunday.

Charlise, a French tourist, shared her feeling that Bac Ha Market was one of the best stops during her first trip to Vietnam.

I am so impressed by the market session as it features the beauty of local culture and people are friendly," Charlise said.

I like the color of their traditional costumes.

This season, the market offers pears and plums, along with a variety of rice, noodle products, and vegetables.

The market features numerous sections for brocade items, food, fruits, and vegetables, among other goods.

Hoang Xuan Luyen, a vendor with 20 years of experience at the market, noted that it has evolved over the years. Once simple, it is now larger and better equipped.

He observed that an influx of tourists has made the market busier every Sunday.

Despite the changes, the market continues to serve as a hub for cultural exchange and local trading, Luyen said.

Bac Ha Market in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam also acts as a place for cultural exchange.

Each dog is priced from hundreds of Vietnamese dong to tens of millions of dong via live streams at Bac Ha Market in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam.

Adorable dogs are put on sale at Bac Ha Market in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam.

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When Celine Dion was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, she was forced to retreat from the spotlight. Tuesday on Prime Video.

MasterChef Australia

Megafauna: What Killed Australias Giants?

Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge

Dateline

Under Investigation
There were some top names up for awards in Sundays Logie nominations.

Its particularly pleasing to see, for instance young actors such as Imi Mbedla & Ava Caryofyllis from Bay of Fires, and Felix Cameron and Lee Tiger Halley from Boy Swallows Universe up for Best New Talent. Cameron will win that race, and very probably upstage the adults in Best Lead Actor in a Drama as well.

But in any awards nominations there are always those who have missed out

Readers lamented the absence of The Cheap Seats, The 1% Club, Neighbours, Tipping Point from the nominations, plus various favourite faces.

Im a little shocked Sam Pang is not nominated given he is on two networks and was lauded for hosting last year. TVT readers have voted him favourite male for three years running now. If he was in the running for Gold I reckon hed take it out.

Five Bedrooms has never been nominated in the Popular Drama category so are now absent, neither has Bump -although it probably wasnt their strongest seasons.

Bay of Fires, however, definitely deserved a nod in the Drama series category, it was even ABCs most popular drama in 2023. Marta Dusseldorp also was worthy of a nomination, but the judges have given a nod to an American playing an Australian, instead of an Australian playing an Australian.

Leah Purcell was nominated for supporting actress in The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, but not as a lead in High Country, which debuted just before the closing date.

Its great to see Michelle Lim Davidson nominated for supporting actress for The Newsreader, but a shame no nod for Marg Downey and William McInnes in supporting categories.

Janet Andrewartha is a big omission in the supporting category for her powerful performance in Safe Home.

But alas, there will always be those who miss out (Im sure Im forgetting some to acknowledge even here!).

You can vote for the Logies at tvweeklogies.com.au

Who will win the Gold Logie? Andy Lee

Asher Keddie

Julia Morris

Larry Emdur

Robert Irwin

Sonia Kruger

Tony Armstrong

Not sure View Results


Experts upbeat about win-win cooperation on solar industries between China, Europe

08:52, June 24, 2024 By Che Yunlong, Huang Yan ( Xinhua

MUNICH, Germany, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Cooperation between Chinese and European solar industries is a "win-win" situation, said experts and business representatives from the photovoltaic (PV) industry during the just-concluded Intersolar Europe exhibition, the largest and most influential PV industry event in Europe.

The exhibition, held alongside three other trade fairs from Wednesday to Friday in Munich, focused on energy transition.

Approximately 3,000 exhibitors showcased their latest products and solutions in areas such as PV modules, energy storage systems, and charging infrastructure. The event attracted around 111,000 trade visitors from across the globe.

Markus Elsaesser, founder and CEO of the exhibition organizer German Solar Promotion GmbH, noted that 976 Chinese exhibitors participated in this year's event, making China the largest participant for the first time since the exhibition's inception, followed by Germany with 934 exhibitors.

INNOVATIVE GREEN BOOSTER

Besides inverters and energy storage systems, solar panels are a main part of PV products and comprise numerous solar cell units, the core component converting light energy into electricity.

At the exhibition, Chinese company LONGI Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (LONGI) announced it had broken a record by raising the photoelectric conversion efficiency of its commercial-sized silicon-perovskite tandem solar cells to 30.1 percent, and is expected to own the technical ability for mass production in the next few years.

The technical breakthrough by LONGI epitomizes China's innovative advancements in the solar industry.

Elsaesser said he has seen a lot of innovations at the exhibition every year, which have benefited the decarbonization of the industry and society in Europe and the world. "And that was very much driven by Chinese manufacturers, as their global market share is very high," he added.

According to the latest report on the global market outlook in the PV industry released by SolarPower Europe, an association for the European PV sector, Germany installed 15 GW of new PV capacity in 2023, increasing more than 100 percent year-on-year and ranking fourth in terms of new-added capacity globally.

European countries including Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands also recorded growth and were listed among the top 10 PV markets in 2023. As of last year, 14 of the 31 countries with a total PV installed capacity exceeding 1 GW are in the European Union.

Given an unprecedented scale of growth in the PV industry, "it needs to be highlighted that most of this global market expansion was driven by and in China," said the report. "Without China's strong solar investments in deployment, the solar sector's growth would have been much more modest," it added.

At the exhibition booth of Chinese company JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd. (JA Solar), solar panels of various powers and sizes attracted visitors and trade partners. According to the booth staff, these PV products by this company have been used in most European countries, covering a wide range of application scenarios from private houses to large factories and supermarkets.

Zhu Daocheng, vice president of JA Solar, told Xinhua that based on the overall agenda of the global energy transition, the Chinese PV industry will play an increasingly important role in the European renewable energy market.

"I am confident that, together with other Chinese companies, we could continue to perform well in the European solar market," he said.

WIN-WIN COOPERATION

Elsaesser views the cooperation between Chinese and European solar industries as a "win-win" situation.

While noting China has built up a complete value chain in its PV industry from the raw materials to the final products on a big scale, he said the country has helped Europe and even the world to get the competitive products they need for green transition goals.

Chinese companies can also deepen their business in Europe through further cooperation like local production. "Therefore, I think it is good to have cooperation and not to raise any barriers between countries and regions," Elsaesser added.

In the view of Qu Shuaiyuan, CEO of the Beny New Energy GmbH headquartered in China, a number of European countries like Germany, France, and Spain are gifted with plenty of sunshine and have huge demands and potential for solar power utilization given the large number of single-family houses in these countries. The company has expanded its market in Europe through deepening cooperation with business partners in these countries to provide solar systems and solutions for balconies and roofs of local houses.

According to reports released this week by the German Solar Association, more than 60 percent of private house owners in Germany have shown interest in investing in a solar power system. The association noted that the PV industry in Germany is experiencing a special economic boom in the area of residential solar power, as well as "a small energy revolution on domestic balconies."

"Although this kind of distributed solar device in a single family can generate limited power, the cumulative volume of countless families in Europe is considerable," said Qu.

German company Axitec Energy is a leading solar module provider in Europe. It has cooperated with Chinese manufacturers for years by producing PV products in China and serving the European continent.

Cristina Lovato, marketing manager at Axitec Energy, said that with its value chain advantages, China's PV industry has helped promote green transition in Europe.

Dennis She, vice president of LONGI, said in an interview with Xinhua during the exhibition that he is optimistic about the continued participation and contribution of Chinese companies in the European renewable energy market through cooperation.

"Europe is committed to achieving the goal of energy transition, and related Chinese companies, with their expertise and experience, could provide high-quality PV solutions for Europe and help boost its renewable energy development through international cooperation and joint efforts," She said.

(Xinhua reporter Li Hanlin also contributed to the story.)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A pro-Palestinian protest condemned by President Joe Biden that reportedly blocked access to a Los Angeles synagogue Monday turned bloody when violent clashes erupted between the activists and counterdemonstrators who showed up waving Israeli flags.

A video clip posted on social media showed fistfights and scuffles in middle of West Pico Boulevard, down the block from the Adas Torah synagogue where scores of people faced off Sunday morning.

They're beating up Jewish women in LA in broad daylight now.



Why? Because of a country thousands of miles away, or so they'll tell you.



It's not about Israel or even about zionism. These are dormant genocidal urges that they finally see an outlet for. pic.twitter.com/yqK73jIMJg      (@NiohBerg) June 23, 2024

The violence left one young man, identified only as an Israel supporter, with blood streaming down his face and on his shirt.

A video clip appeared to show cops removing at least two pro-Palestinian protesters from an SUV near the scene, according to the Los Angeles Times.

One unidentified person was arrested for allegedly carrying a "spiked flag," the LA Times said, citing a police spokesperson who didn't provide additional details.

The incident reportedly unfolded after the pro-Palestinian protesters began gathering outside the synagogue around 11 a.m.

Biden said in a post on X that he was "appalled by the scenes outside of the synagogue. Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American," he added.

Im appalled by the scenes outside of Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles. Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American.



Americans have a right to peaceful protest. But blocking access to a house of worship  and engaging in violence  President Biden (@POTUS) June 24, 2024

Mayor Karen Bass called the incident "abhorrent" and said that "blocking access to a place of worship is unacceptable."

"I want to be clear that Los Angeles will not be a harbor for antisemitism and violence," she said in a statement posted on social media. "Those responsible for either will be found and held accountable."

Bass also said she had ordered increased police patrols in the area and at houses of worship across the city.

Todays violence in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood today was abhorrent, and blocking access to a place of worship is unacceptable. Ive called on LAPD to provide additional patrols in the Pico-Robertson community as well as outside of houses of worship throughout the city. Ill  Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) June 24, 2024

Other elected officials also condemned the violence, with Gov. Gavin Newsom calling the clashes "appalling."

"There is no excuse for targeting a house of worship. Such antisemitic hatred has no place in California," he wrote on social media.

The violence echoed clashes that took place at the University of California at Los Angeles on May 1 when counterdemonstrators tried to tear down an encampment set up by pro-Palestinian protesters.
Sidra Fatima, TwoCircles.net

Lucknow: On a humid afternoon in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, Maulana Shanshah Naqvi, a distinguished Shia scholar from Pakistan, addressed a crowd at Asafi Masjid on June 10 with fervour and passion. His hour-long speech passionately advocated for unity between Shias and Sunnis  a perennial theme resonating through the centuries-old arches.

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Sunni meri jaan hai, Shia meri aabru (Sunnis are my life, while Shias are my dignity), proclaimed the noted cleric, reminding followers of the two sects, Islam teaches us peace and brotherhood. In these challenging times, our strength lies in unity.

This call for unity holds particular significance in Lucknow, a city with a history marked by sectarian tensions between the two groups. As the city of one of Indias most populous states and a spiritual centre of subcontinental Shiism, Lucknow has witnessed more Sunni-Shia violence over the past century than any other Indian city.

The roots of this conflict date back to 1905, marked by the citys first recorded riot. Since then, sectarian violence has primarily flared during Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, which holds profound significance for Shiite across the world.

Muharram commemorates the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. During these two months of Shia ritual mourning, Muharram and Safar, life in the old city of Lucknow comes to a standstill annually. While religious differences generally take a back seat in daily life, it becomes more pronounced during Muharram, often leading to conflicts within the Muslim community. Traditionally, Muharram in Lucknow exacerbates existing schisms, which can escalate into violence triggered by seemingly minor incidents like a thrown rock.

Syed Ali Haider, a 24-year-old journalist, explained the origins of this conflict, saying, In the late 1980s, the concept of tabbara (a doctrine to consider enemies of God as enemies) gained traction in Lucknow. A few Shia clerics were accused of using loudspeakers during their speeches, which created friction between the two communities. In response, Sunnis too began organising juloos (procession) to counter Shia gatherings. It often led to clashes and disruptions. Over time, these incidents grew more frequent, with members of both communities occasionally resorting to exchanging heated words, sometimes resulting in serious altercations.

The cycle of violence, he said, can also be viewed through the lens of political motivations encouraged by governments.

The population of Shias in Lucknow roughly stands somewhere between 1.5 to 2 lakh, comprising about 2-3% of the states total population. Despite being a minority, the community wields significant historical and cultural influence in the city, owing to the Nawabs who governed Lucknow during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Quamar Ashraf, a media analyst, working for the United Nations agencies, further explained, Despite theological differences between Shia Ilm-e Kalam (interpretation) and Sunni Ilm-e Kalam, everyday life and cultural practices of both communities were deeply intertwined, influenced by Sufism and mysticism. Sunnis also observed Muharram and participated in religious events honouring Prophet Muhammads family, especially Imam Hassan and Hussain. However, the Gulf oil imbroglio not only financially empowered the majority Sunni population, but also facilitated the spread of Wahhabi Islam, which historically harbours animosity towards Iran due to theological and political differences between Arabs and Iranians.

He said the Gulf oil imbroglio changed not only the financial dynamics of Lucknow, it also promoted the spread of the Wahhabi ideology. This introduced an alternate set of theological interpretations far removed from the more syncretic and mysticism-influenced practices prevalent among Indian Muslims.

This shift exacerbated theological differences between Shias and Sunnis, particularly among religious scholars who debated on religious matters more frequently, he added.

Sectarian Divide and Political Advantage

Raphael Susewind, a political anthropologist renowned for his studies on Muslim belonging and electoral dynamics in Lucknow, elucidates the strategic underpinnings of sectarian violence: Some argue that accentuating ones Muslim identity over Shia or Sunni affiliations can serve as a mediator in such situations.

Given that a significant number of Muslim candidates identify as Sunni, Shiite voters often hesitate to support them, perceiving Sunni identity as overshadowing broader Muslim unity. This division is seen as advantageous to the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), exploiting a fragmented Muslim electorate that lacks cohesive political influence.

Having witnessed a lifetime in the midst of sectarian unrest, I have discerned a pattern  these conflicts frequently coincide with election cycles. Politicians frequently exploit sectarian divisions for electoral gains, knowing that tensions between Shias and Sunnis can polarise votes within the Muslim community, reflected a 57-year-old female Shia scholar, who resides at Hussainabad.

Appeal for Harmony

Against this backdrop, Maulana Shahanshahs call for unity emerges as not just timely but imperative. His message resonated deeply with individuals like Butool Zehra, a masters student at the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Amidst rising Islamophobia nationwide, it is crucial for both communities to present a unified front. They must engage politically as a cohesive force to challenge those who exploit divisions between them for political gains, she remarked.

She stressed the urgency of bridging the divide between the groups, stating, We must diminish the schism through intellectual discourse and scholarly debates, rather than undermining each others identities.

Invoking legendary writer and playwright Saadat Hasan Manto who had once said, I am enough of a Muslim to be killed, Zehra said a murderous mob only identifies a Muslim, not a Sunni or Shia.

Both communities must adopt this perspective to survive. Internal divisions within Islam paint an unfavourable picture and undermine the unity of the Ummah (community), where mutual support should prevail. By embracing these principles, we can contribute to countering the pervasive Islamophobic narratives worldwide, she concluded.

Hamza Ahmad, a resident of Uttar Pradeshs Moradabad district, expressed similar sentiments. In our society, people heed the ulama (Islamic scholars) greatly. If Shia and Sunni individuals come together at gatherings and social events, they will realise how alike they are, he observed, adding, In todays political climate, the majority treats both communities equally. If we unite and dispel misconceptions, it would significantly strengthen our bond.

In the era of social media, clerics like Maulana Shahanshah wield even greater influence. Their leadership among Muslims plays a pivotal role in uniting disparate segments of the community. We need more leaders like Shahanshah Naqvi to lead this initiative, he emphasised.

Imran Abbas, a local business owner in Hussainabad, stressed on the need to make religious gatherings of both sects more inclusive. I may not be educated, but I have witnessed enough to say that if we set aside our differences and stand united, we can create a safer and more stable environment for our children  setting a unified example for them, he said.

Rather than focusing on the causes of conflict, according to him, both Shiite and Sunnis should attend gatherings organised by both sects. Unity fosters stability, which is crucial for both economic progress and communal harmony.

Maulana Kalbe Sadiq, a noted Islamic scholar, devoted significant effort to foster peaceful coexistence of Shias and Sunnis and Hindus and Muslims. And therefore, he was widely respected by both groups. In numerous speeches, he emphasised the commonalities between the sects and urged mutual respect and understanding.

Similarly, Shahanshah Naqvi, in his recent addresses, underscored the urgency of unity in the face of external challenges.

I grew up surrounded by various myths that were dispelled as I delved deeper into reading. The narratives ingrained in childrens minds contribute to the divisions we see today. It is crucial to explore both sides of history before forming any opinions, remarked Alfiya Azeem Khan, a 21-year-old Sunni Muslim and recent graduate.

A New Era Dawns in Lucknow?

In a city with a tumultuous history of sectarian strife, these peaceful times offer an opportunity for introspection and optimism. The words of Maulana Shahanshah and the endeavours of other religious leaders resonate deeply within the community  urging a departure from a past marked by division.

Syed Ahmad Unais Nadwi, a 32-year-old Sunni Islamic scholar, emphasised that efforts toward unity are not recent. Efforts to bridge the gap between both the sects have been ongoing for a long time. The establishment of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, for instance, largely led by Ahle-Sunnat and Jamaat-e-Deoband, has made significant strides by integrating Shias into its leadership positions. Maulana Kalbe Sadiq played a pivotal role in the formation of this esteemed forum where both sects collaborate under one umbrella, he said.

In his 32 years of life, he said, he has observed that despite conflicts, the two communities consistently unite against external threats. Many Sunni scholars have tirelessly worked to foster peace between Shias and Sunnis. Addressing internal conflicts can prevent external forces from dividing the Muslim community, which faces persecution not only in India but globally, he said.

Lucknows narrative is one of coexistence amidst challenges, striking a delicate balance between tradition and progress. Within these voices  and others like them  lies the promise of unity and harmony, guiding the city towards an evolving future.

For now, as long as the ideology of Hindutva persists, the unity between these two sects will continue to strengthen, commented Ashraf, the senior journalist.
Atika Sayeed, TwoCircles.net

Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent public addresses have notably steered clear of any mention of Muslims, a departure from his past rhetoric where Muslim-related topics featured intermittently. This shift warrants thorough examination due to its potential implications for Indias democratic landscape.

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During Modis previous electoral campaigns, he frequently employed divisive language that portrayed Muslims as a privileged minority group. This strategy aimed to consolidate support from other vulnerable communities by fostering a sense of marginalization, despite the availability of ample resources and opportunities. However, in his current speeches, a noticeable shift away from this approach is evident.

Following the announcement of the Lok Sabha election results, his rhetoric has increasingly focused on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) rather than emphasizing his personal role. During a recent NDA Parliamentary Party meeting on June 7, he referenced the alliance 60 times across four speeches, markedly reducing mentions of himself in the third person.

This stands in contrast to his earlier campaign rallies, where he frequently referred to himself in the third person alongside phrases like the Modi government or Modi ki guarantee, amounting to 29 mentions in just four speeches.

This shift in language underscores the evolving political landscape, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) increasingly leans on its NDA partners following an election outcome that did not secure an independent majority. After the 2019 elections, in which the BJP won 303 seats, Modi predominantly focused on his party in his victory speech, mentioning the alliance only three times.

However, in recent addresses to party workers, acknowledging the BJPs reduced strength to around 240 seats, he mentioned BJP seven times and NDA 16 times.

He refrained from discussing Muslims during his reelection speech, having secured another term with fewer votes than previously. During the campaign, he often portrayed Muslims in India as a group benefiting from special privileges compared to economically disadvantaged communities.

The ruling partys manifesto heavily relied on Modi ki guarantee, a phrase frequently used by the prime minister in numerous public addresses. However, following the election results, he has phased out this phrase and now emphasizes the guarantee provided by the NDA instead.

In his first speech after the election results, Modi referred to his second term on June 4, stating, The second term of the NDA has been transformed into a guarantee of development and legacy in 2024. With this guarantee, we reached every corner of the country to seek the blessings of the people. Today, the NDA has been blessed for the third time.

He also shifted the strategic focus to the NDA, a theme initially emphasized by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in his victory speech in 2019. He acknowledged his senior colleagues in the BJP before extending gratitude to NDA allies for their contributions to the success.

Contrary to earlier approaches, Modi highlighted the alliance at the outset of his June 4 speech, celebrating the outcomes as a victory for the NDA. Specifically, he praised the performance of the Janata Dal (United) led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidus Telugu Desam Party as critical allies in sustaining the government at the Centre.

In his speech at the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting on June 7, Modi once again highlighted Naidu and Kumar. During the event, he emphasized the importance of consensus over mere majority.

While a majority is essential for governments based on democratic principles, consensus is equally crucial in a diverse country like ours. I assure the citizens that regardless of electoral outcomes, our responsibility remains to strive towards consensus, he stated.

Another notable shift in his post-election addresses is a significant reduction in self-referential rhetoric. In the four rallies he addressed in Hoshiarpur (Punjab), Mayurbhanj and Kendrapara (Odisha) and Mathurapur (West Bengal) leading up to the campaigns conclusion on May 30, he referred to himself in the third person 29 times.

He made 12 self-references in Kendrapara alone, attributing their partys success to himself, stating, The greater number of BJP MLAs elected leads to Modi gaining more power.

Since the election results on June 4, Modi has addressed people four times: at the party headquarters, at the NDA Parliamentary Party meeting, at a media briefing the same day while staking claim to form the government and at the Prime Ministers Office on June 10. His self-references were limited to his speech at the party headquarters.

Addressing party workers, Modi acknowledged their hard work and dedication in the sweltering weather, which fueled his own efforts. He emphasized working 18 hours daily, matching their tenacity and envisioned a collective effort towards Indias development. He promised that his third term would usher in significant decisions for the nation, marking a new era of progress.

In his election campaign, he repeatedly alleged, without substantiation, that the Oppositions INDIA bloc would transfer reservations allocated to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backward Class (OBC) to Muslims if they came to power. He also criticized states governed by the Opposition for including Islamic communities under the OBC category, a practice he claimed has been ongoing for decades.

Post-election, Modi has refrained from making explicit references to Muslims, while BJPs allies have been more vocal on this issue. Naidus Telugu Desam Party indicated its commitment to maintaining the 4% reservation for Muslim OBCs in Andhra Pradesh, while Janata Dal (United) affirmed it would not support any anti-Muslim initiatives.

In summary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recently adopted a nuanced shift in his communication strategy, demonstrating his adeptness in navigating the complex modern political landscape. This evolving communication approach blends traditional rhetoric with contemporary methods of message dissemination, reflecting a deep understanding of Indias ever-changing political and social dynamics.

The key driver behind this transformation is his adeptness at crafting messages that resonate across all segments of society, leveraging socio-cultural symbols and historical events amplified through technology. His communication channels include public speeches, where he blends emotional narratives with deliberate ambiguity to broaden his appeal and subtly advance his agenda.

Modi emerges as a unifying figure capable of bridging ideological divides, fostering national cohesion and positioning himself at the forefront of shared national goals and progress.

Furthermore, Modi effectively harnesses technology to revolutionize political communication, leveraging various platforms to circumvent traditional information barriers. Direct engagement through social networks enables him to communicate directly with millions, bypassing intermediaries like publishers. This direct approach not only broadens his support base but also allows him to swiftly counter any criticisms, solidifying his influence over public opinion.

The prime ministers shift in tone also reflects his deep understanding of global dynamics and Indias evolving role on the world stage. By linking domestic issues with international concerns such as economic growth, environmental protection and technological advancements, Modi strategically positions India as a forward-thinking and knowledgeable global player. This alignment not only enhances Indias international image but also reinforces trust and confidence among local citizens in his leadership abilities.

Furthermore, Modi strategically employs symbolic gestures during his public addresses to create impactful and memorable moments. Whether through large-scale events or symbolic actions, these gestures serve to amplify his messages and solidify his standing in the public consciousness.

This underscores that Modis current communication strategy goes beyond mere persuasion; it aims to craft a cohesive narrative that supports his broader political objectives. By shaping this narrative, he influences public perception, electoral outcomes and strengthens his support base.

It is crucial to acknowledge that this intricate rhetorical strategy faces criticism, with some arguing that the emphasis on spectacle and symbolism can overshadow substantive policy discussions, raising concerns about effective governance. Additionally, his meticulously planned communication style prompts questions about his genuine engagement with the public versus mere pretense.

In conclusion, Prime Minister Narendra Modis current communication tactics represent a significant and nuanced evolution in political rhetoric. By blending traditional methods with contemporary approaches, focusing on inclusivity and unity, leveraging digital platforms and maintaining consistent local and global communication, he has crafted a formidable conversational style. This strategy not only enhances his personal stature within Indian politics but also sets a benchmark for contemporary political communication.

As India navigates its complex socio-political landscape, the impact and evolution of Modis speaking style will undoubtedly be closely scrutinized by analysts.
Sidra Fatima, TwoCircles.net

Nahan (Himachal Pradesh): On June 19, a day after Eid al-Adha, a garment shop in the Himachal Pradesh city of Nahan was vandalized and looted allegedly by Hindutva groups. This followed after the shop owners WhatsApp status featured photos of an animal sacrifice. Despite police presence, a mob forcibly entered the shop, threw out clothes and chanted slogans like Ek Hi Nara, Ek Hi Naam, Jai Shri Ram, Jai Shri Ram (One slogan, One name, Victory to Lord Rama, Victory to Lord Rama). The police intervention came only after significant damage had been inflicted on the shop.

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The incident began on June 18 when groups such as the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP  a right-wing student organisation affiliated to the Hindu supremacist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and the Traders Association stirred unrest in the town.

These groups issued warnings to shop owners and residents not to lease their premises to Muslims from outside and demanded immediate eviction of Muslim tenants. They also filed a police complaint, alleging their religious sentiments were offended by the photographs and demanded strict action against the shopkeeper.

On June 19, these organizations called for a town shutdown and gathered in large numbers at the local market.

A video depicting the looting went viral, sparking widespread criticism on social media. Many have accused the state government and its police of complicity in the violence.

Radhika Govindrajan, an author and anthropologist at the University of Washington, pointed out the apparent complicity of the state, noting that the police stood by and watched the mobs actions.

Anti-Muslim violence has sadly become all too common across the Central Himalayas. The states complicity is glaringly evident in the video where the police merely stood aside while the mob ran amok, the author posted on microblogging site X.

Fatima Khan, a journalist who analysed the incident, remarked on the intense communal anger she witnessed in parts of Himachal Pradesh during recent elections. Men sitting in groups calmly would start to froth from the mouth, repeating rhetoric typical of anti-Muslim WhatsApp messages, she said, describing the incident as fueled by anti-Muslim sentiments.

Addressing the issue at a press conference, Bobby Khan, head of the Nahan-based Muslim group Anjuman Islamia, condemned the organizations for spreading hatred among Nahans residents. He stated, Four to five shops were vandalized, and over a dozen people left town out of fear. This is India, where everyone has the right to operate their business anywhere. How can you call for Muslims to be removed from Himachal? What about their livelihoods? How will they support their families?

Adding to the voices of concern, a resident of Saharanpur (who chose to remain anonymous), a relative of one of the shopkeepers in Nahan, shared her distress, My brother lived alone in the city to earn a living and support our family. He returned home a few days before Eid al-Adha, and now we are too scared to let him go back. His shop was our sole source of income. We have been fearing something like this could happen any time given the rising tensions. If he returns, he could be robbed, harmed or vandalized simply because he is Muslim. He has a wife and children to care for. How do we manage now? How can we live in constant fear for our lives? Our livelihood has been destroyed, and we feel abandoned and unsafe.

In the aftermath of these events, new information has come to light. Contrary to the mobs claims, a police investigation revealed that Javed, the shop owner, had sacrificed a buffalo, which is legally permissible in Uttar Pradesh.

Mohammed Zubair, a fact-checker and co-founder of AltNews, exposed the disinformation spread by right-wing online accounts that incited the attack under false pretenses. Despite the revelation, Javed has been charged by the police for posting a photo of the sacrificed animal, accused of stirring communal sentiments due to the graphic nature of the image. The superintendent of police in Shamli (UP) confirmed to the media that the animal sacrifice was lawful and that the photo was misinterpreted, leading to the filing of the FIR against Javed.

The image shared on social media was somewhat disturbing, hence an FIR has been lodged for inciting communal sentiments, he told reporters. Javed was subsequently arrested by the Shamli police on June 22, based on the FIR against him.

Social media users are holding the Himachal government and police accountable for allowing the violence to occur, while criticism is also directed at the ruling Congress party for its perceived inaction. This incident has highlighted escalating communal tensions and the dangers of misinformation on social harmony.
By Peter Hobson and Emma Rumney

CANBERRA/LONDON (Reuters) - Hit with Chinese tariffs, Australia's wine industry struggled to offset the impact of falling exports despite scrambling to build new markets, source grapes from elsewhere and seek government help, industry executives said.

That indicates what may be to come for food- and drink-producing sectors caught up in an EU-China trade dispute that threatens to complicate their access to the critical Chinese market.

Though the EU's winemakers are not part of the current spat, its pork and brandy sectors fear they could be hit with retaliatory measures from Beijing after the bloc imposed tariffs of up to 38% on Chinese-made electric vehicles.

Australian sectors faced similar curbs after the country's calls for an inquiry into the origins of COVID-19 led to Chinese import restrictions on a range of its products. The first tariffs on wine were introduced in November 2020.

While most industries were able to find alternative - albeit often less profitable - markets, the Australian wine industry lost market share, key relationships and profits after China imposed tariffs of up to 218%.

Famous for its cheap reds and pricier bottles from regions like the Clare and Barossa valleys, Australia was the world's fifth-largest wine exporter and China its most valuable export market. The move all but wiped out exports worth $800 million a year.

While some larger players with production outside Australia, such as Treasury Wine Estates, fared better, Australia's wine exports in 2023 were worth 34% less than in 2019, according to Australian trade data.

A key lesson for wine makers like William Dong, CEO of DMG Fine Wine, is not to rely too much on China again.

"Never make the same mistake," he said. "We want to dance with China, but we don't want to go all in with them."

DMG, whose brands include Handpicked and House of Arras, tripled production from outside Australia to sell in China and increased its market share in the U.S. and southeast Asia following the tariffs, Dong said.

It recouped some lost business, but its sales remained 30% lower than before 2020, he said. "We were not as profitable as we used to be."

NO SUCCESS STORY

Tariffs, which were lifted this year, came at a time when the Australian wine industry faced global oversupply, falling consumption and COVID-19.

While they were in place, Australian wine production shrank, stockpiles ballooned to more than two billion litres, and grape growers began destroying millions of unprofitable vines.

Story continues

Other industries such as barley, blocked by China in 2020, fared better at finding new markets but often had to settle for lower sale prices. Three executives and two people at industry associations said Australian wine makers resisted price cuts because they damage value long-term.

Treasury Wine Estates was able to sell wines from outside Australia in China and began sourcing grapes from Chinese growers to get around tariffs. Penfolds, one of its brands popular in China, had higher net revenues in 2023 than before the tariffs.

CEO Tim Ford told investors last week that the company was entering the post-tariff era as a "stronger and more diversified global business".

Not all the strategies open to Australian winemakers can be easily adopted by EU industries under threat of tariffs.

China's EU brandy imports, for example, are dominated by French cognac, which cannot be produced anywhere but the Cognac region in France.

Such industries can diversify their sales. But building new markets takes time, Australian winemakers say.

The industry turned to the government for help with expansion, with Canberra paying for wine marketers to help companies establish trade relationships in other nations.

Bigger shipments to South Korea and Thailand helped lift the value of Australian wine exports to Asian countries outside China to $470 million in 2023 from $300 million in 2021, Australian trade data show.

But overall, wine makers had mixed success in building sales, said Lee McLean, CEO of industry body Australian Grape & Wine. "Our story is not a particularly successful one," he said.

Companies like Taylors Wines, a family-owned winery in the Clare Valley in South Australia that used to sell a third of its exports in China under its Wakefield brand, have been forced to scale back their operations.

Managing director Mitchell Taylor said wresting back lost market share will not be easy.

French, Chilean and domestic wine makers expanded in China while companies like his lost trading relationships and laid off staff in the country, Taylor continued.

"If we ever get back to the level we had, it will take a long time."

(Reporting by Peter Hobson in Canberra and Emma Rumney in London; Editing by Jan Harvey)
President Biden and Donald Trump are going to debate for the first time in the 2024 presidential election before they officially have the nomination from their political parties.

A second debate is set for Sept. 10, 2024 on ABC.

The Democratic president and his Republican predecessor debated previously leading up to the 2020 election. This will be the first time a sitting president has debated a prior president.

Here is what you need to know about the debate.

When is the presidential debate?

The debate is on Thursday at 9 p.m. on CNN. It is scheduled to last 90 minutes. The candidates will face off in a studio in Atlanta and there will be no audience.

What are the presidential debate rules?

CNN says Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will host the questioning. Trump and Biden will have their microphones muted except when it is their turn it is to speak, according to the network.

Candidates will be given a pen, a notepad and water but they can not bring any pre-written notes or props.

How will the debate work?

There will be no opening statements from candidates. The debate will begin with introductions and then the first question.

Candidates will have two minutes to respond to questions. The other will have a minute to respond to the answer followed by a response to the rebuttals.

How will candidates know their time is up at the debate?

There will be red lights visible to the candidates. They will flash when they have five seconds left to talk and turn solid red when their time has expired, according to the Washington Post.

Will there be any breaks during the debate?

There are two scheduled commercial breaks during the debate. The rules do not allow the campaign staff to interact with the candidates during the breaks. The exact length of the breaks was not known but traditional TV commercial blocks generally run around three minutes.

How will the debate end?

After the final question is answered, each candidate will be given two minutes to make a closing statement. Trump will go last after Biden won a coin flip to choose which podium position he wanted. Biden chose the right side of the stage.
BERLIN/PARIS (Reuters) - France, Germany and Poland announced plans on Monday to join forces to buy longer-range precision weapons to fill a gap in European arsenals that they say has been exposed by Russia's war in Ukraine.

The defence ministers from the three countries said they would set up a mechanism to procure "deep precision strike weapons" such as cruise missiles, which other European powers could join.

Cruise missiles with a range of several hundred kilometres have seen a huge revival since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Moscow launching cross-border strikes and Kyiv seeking to hit back at targets inside Russian territory.

"Deep precision strike weapons are a serious capability gap in Europe," German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said after meeting his French and Polish counterparts in Paris - the first session of the so-called Weimar triangle grouping at that level since 2015.

"Until the (NATO) summit in Washington, we aim to bring together a group of like-minded European countries who agree to plug this gap in the medium to long term," Pistorius added.

The first formal step would be the group signing of a letter of intent at that NATO summit in July, he said.

France's Defence Minister, Sebastien Lecornu, said the letter aimed to assess what longer-range capabilities countries and companies had.

Unlike ballistic missiles, cruise missiles fly low over the ground, making them harder to detect by radar.

Europe's existing stocks of cruise missiles include relatively old and expensive systems such as Britain's Storm Shadow, France's Scalp and Germany's Taurus.

There have been divisions over whether to supply them to Ukraine amid fears that strikes deep into Russian territory with European-sourced weapons could escalate the war into a regional conflict.

Berlin has rejected demands to send the Taurus to Ukraine while London and Paris have supplied Kyiv with their cruise missiles.

In January, France pledged to increase deliveries of the Scalp, which can travel 250 km, knowing that they could be used to hit targets inside Russia.

(Reporting by Sabine Siebold and John Irish; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Trump visits the U.S.-Mexico border at Eagle Pass

FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Trump visits the U.S.-Mexico border at Eagle Pass

By Ted Hesson and Kristina Cooke

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden heads into a crucial debate with rival Donald Trump this week armed with new immigration and border policies that his backers hope will boost his standing among skeptical voters.

Biden announced two major policy moves in June that seek to address migration challenges and woo the electorate: an asylum ban to cut illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border and a sweeping legalization for long-term residents married to U.S. citizens.

The two policies - one aimed at turning away new migrants and the other focused on legalizing hundreds of thousands already here - illustrate the political tightrope that Biden has walked as he competes for another term in the White House.

Record numbers of migrants have been caught illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border during Biden's presidency and immigration has emerged as a top voter concern ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

Biden, a Democrat, has toughened his approach to border enforcement in the face of criticism from Trump, a Republican who adopted hardline policies in his 2017-2021 presidency and has vowed a vast immigration crackdown if reelected.

On immigration policy, registered voters prefer Trump over Biden by a 17 percentage point margin, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll in mid-May. The issue is sure to feature when the two candidates face off in their debate on Thursday in Atlanta.

Earlier this year, Biden pushed Congress to pass a bipartisan Senate border security bill but Republicans rejected the effort in February after Trump came out in opposition.

Biden rolled out a new policy on June 4 that barred most migrants illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border from seeking asylum, saying the executive action was needed to reduce illegal immigration in the absence of legislation.

The policy aims to quickly deport migrants arriving at the border to their home countries or back to Mexico instead of releasing them in the U.S. where they might wait years to resolve their case in court.

The number of migrants caught crossing has dropped in recent weeks although U.S. officials say it is too soon to gauge whether the trend will continue.

While the clampdown on the border was driven by polling data that showed most Americans want tighter controls, the White House has also looked at other polls showing what it believes is an opportunity to mobilize Latino voters with pro-immigrant action, two sources familiar with the matter said.

The polls included one by the advocacy group Immigration Hub that showed a move to legalize spouses of U.S. citizens would have strong support among voters, especially Latinos, one of the sources said.

The polls - along with a push from Democrats and advocates - encouraged Biden to offer a path to citizenship to some 500,000 spouses of U.S. citizens, the majority of whom were long-term U.S. residents from Mexico, they said.

Matt Barreto, a Biden campaign pollster who conducted the Immigration Hub survey, said Americans view migrants at the border differently than long-term residents and want both border enforcement and fair treatment for those living and working in their communities for years.

"When it comes up in focus groups and we say, 'What about the person who cleans your house? What about the person who takes care of your children or your elderly mother?'" Barreto said. "They love them."

DEPORTATIONS

Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt last week criticized the new Biden program and pointed to voter support for deportations. A Reuters/Ipsos poll in May found over half of U.S. voters backed deportations of most or all immigrants in the U.S. illegally.

"On Day One back in the White House, President Trump will begin the largest criminal deportation operation of illegal immigrants and restore the rule of law," she said.

Trump has signaled openness to skilled, legal migration. He said on a podcast last week that all foreigners graduating from U.S. colleges should receive permanent residence, also known as a green card.

Trump's campaign said afterward that only after "the most aggressive vetting process in U.S. history" would "the most skilled graduates who can make significant contributions to America" be able to stay.

Meanwhile, Latino community organizers said the new Biden legalization for spouses could help re-engage some Latino voters.

Mi Familia Vota, a nonpartisan organization that operates in 10 states including the battleground states of Arizona, Nevada and Georgia, said it would highlight Biden's spouse legalization effort in voter outreach.

Hector Sanchez Barba, the group's executive director, said the initiative was significant.

"This is a big deal for the Latino community," he said.

(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington and Kristina Cooke in San Francisco; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
By Michael Holden

LONDON (Reuters) -Princess Anne, King Charles' younger sister, is in hospital after suffering a head injury on Sunday, Buckingham Palace said, adding the royal was expected to make a full recovery from the incident which was believed to have involved a horse.

The palace said on Monday that the 73-year-old, the only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth, had suffered minor injuries and a concussion following the incident, and was now recovering at Southmead Hospital in Bristol, west England.

"Her royal highness is recovering well, is in a comfortable condition and is being kept in hospital as a precautionary measure for further observation," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

The princess had been walking in the grounds of Gatcombe Park estate where her home is located when she suffered minor injuries to her head, a royal source said.

The source said there were horses in the vicinity and her medical team said the head injuries were consistent with impact from a horse's head or legs.

Her husband, Tim Laurence, accompanied Anne to hospital and her two children, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, were also on the estate at the time.

"The king has been kept closely informed and joins the whole royal family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to the princess for a speedy recovery," the Buckingham Palace statement said.

The princess is expected to return home this week, but her upcoming engagements have been postponed and Anne will not fly to Canada as planned at the end of the week, the source said.

However, the official state visit of Japanese Emperor Naruhito and his wife, hosted by King Charles, will go ahead as planned, starting on Tuesday.

LATEST ROYAL SETBACK

Anne's hospitalisation is the latest health setback suffered by the British royals this year.

The king returned to public engagements in April as he undergoes treatment for cancer, while Kate, the Princess of Wales and wife of heir Prince William, is having preventative chemotherapy. She was only well enough to make her first public appearance of the year earlier this month.

Polls repeatedly show Anne is one of the most popular members of the royal family, and is also credited with being the hardest working.

"Everyone in the country is immensely fond of Her Royal Highness," Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on X. "We're all sending her our best wishes for a swift recovery."

Like her late mother, Anne's love of horses is well-documented and she won a gold medal in the 1971 European Eventing Championship, while she competed at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games as a member of the British Equestrian team, becoming the first royal Olympian in the process.

She suffered a bad fall during the competition, but got back on her horse to complete the course, saying afterwards that the concussion she suffered meant she remembered nothing about what happened.

"I was going very well. I don't remember anything else," she said afterwards.

"Her mantra for life is very much if you fall, get back up and try again," daughter Zara told a TV documentary to mark her mother's 70th birthday.

(Reporting by Sarah Young and Michael Holden, Editing by Kylie MacLellan, Angus MacSwan and Alex Richardson)
LONDON (Reuters) - Former nurse Lucy Letby, convicted last year of murdering seven babies and trying to kill six others, told an English court on Monday that she had never harmed or intended to harm a child in her care.

Letby, 34, was found guilty last August of the multiple murders while she was working as a nurse in the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital in Chester, northern England, between June 2015 and June 2016.

The former nurse is on trial at Manchester Crown Court charged with one count of attempted murder of a further baby girl, known as Child K, in February 2016. The original jury had been unable to reach a verdict on the allegation.

Giving evidence on Monday, Letby was asked by her defence lawyer Ben Myers if she had attempted to kill Child K.

"No," she replied, further denying she had intended to do the baby any harm.

Asked if she accepted she had ever intended harming any baby in her care given her convictions, Letby firmly replied: "No, I don't."

Child K was born prematurely at 25 weeks and was connected to a ventilator and other machines monitoring her heart rate and oxygen levels.

Shortly after the birth, while other staff were absent, the prosecution say senior doctor Ravi Jayaram entered the room where she was being looked after to find the baby's breathing tube dislodged, alarms which should have sounded had become disabled, and Letby standing there "doing nothing".

Prosecutor Nick Johnson has told the court that on two further occasions that night Letby interfered with the breathing tube after being "caught virtually red-handed" to give the impression there was a particular problem with the baby.

Quizzed about the incident, Letby repeatedly denied that she had displaced the breathing tube, and said she had no recollection of events of the night.

She also said she could not recall researching the baby's name on Facebook two years later or why she would have done it.

In his questioning Johnson said Letby had denied being the sort of person who would kill babies but she was just that, saying to her that she killed seven babies on the hospital unit.

"No I didn't," she replied.

The trial continues.

(Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by Barbara Lewis)
By John Irish and Tassilo Hummel

PARIS (Reuters) -France's far-right leader Jordan Bardella on Monday sought to reassure European allies over his commitment to Ukraine and readiness to stand up to Russia if he became prime minister, but made clear where his government's support for Kyiv would stop.

Bardella's National Rally (RN) party, which opponents accuse of being too soft on Russia, looks set to win the most votes in snap parliamentary elections coming up on June 30 and July 7 and could form France's next government.

That has raised concerns in Kyiv and other European capitals that France's support for Ukraine - steadfast under President Emmanuel Macron - could weaken given conflicting signals National Rally has been sending since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

In recent months, Macron's government has sent long-range missiles that can reach Russian territory, promised warplanes and called for European countries to send military personnel to Ukraine to train its troops.

"I do not intend to call into question the commitments made by France on the international scene and harm our credibility at a time of war at Europe's door," Bardella said.

But unlike Macron, who has been ambiguous on how far Paris could go in its commitment to Ukraine, Bardella said there was a line his government would not cross.

"While I'm in favour of continuing to support Ukraine with logistics and defence equipment, my red line remains long-range missiles or any military equipment that could lead to escalation, by which I mean anything that could directly hit Russian cities," he said.

Sending French troops to Ukraine would also be off limits, he said.

While Macron would remain in charge of defence and foreign policy even with RN in power, he would need parliament's backing to finance any aid to Ukraine in the next budget due in autumn. RN could also block or delay any future weapons transfers because they need approval from the prime minister and the relevant ministers.

As part of its 10-year security guarantee pact with Ukraine agreed in March, Paris said it would provide up to 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in military aid to Ukraine in 2024, but that pact was not ratified by parliament.

RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE

Separately, speaking alongside his German and Polish counterparts in Paris, Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said the RN had repeatedly changed its stance on Ukraine to the point of contradicting itself and what Bardella said about defensive assistance could be open to interpretation.

"It needs clarity. If the RN is changing its opinion on Ukraine, then do it now," said Lecornu.

He said delivering long-range missiles or howitzers was the least France could do for Ukraine to protect its own security in the face of the danger Russia presented.

Bardella last week backtracked on a promise to leave NATO's integrated military command saying it was unthinkable while Europe was at war.

His party's stance towards Russia is under scrutiny because its likely candidate at the next presidential election and former far-right leader, Marine Le Pen, has in the past expressed her admiration of President Vladimir Putin.

Moscow has long courted leaders on Europe's political far right and is keen to exploit any signs of division in Europe that could weaken support for Ukraine.

Macron, whose centrist party was trounced by the RN in European elections two weeks ago, accuses the party of reliance on Moscow, which makes it incapable of defending France's interests.

Bardella, however, on Monday acknowledged Russia was a threat.

"I see Russia as a multi-dimensional threat both for France and Europe," Bardella said. "Russia is challenging French interests today. It has been doing so for months, for years in our historical sphere of influence in Africa, in the Black Sea and in our overseas territories," he said.

"I will be extremely vigilant to any attempted interference by Russia but also by any other states or powers in the world."

(Additional reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Writing by Estelle Shirbon and John IrishEditing by Tomasz Janowski)
Israel strikes kill at least 11 in Gaza, tanks push further into Rafah

Funeral of director of ambulance and emergency services Al-Jaafarwi, who was killed in an Israeli strike, in Gaza City

Funeral of director of ambulance and emergency services Al-Jaafarwi, who was killed in an Israeli strike, in Gaza City

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) -Two Israeli air strikes targeting aid supplies killed at least 11 Palestinians in Gaza on Monday, medics said, as Israeli tanks pushed deeper into Rafah in the south and fought their way back into areas in the north they had already subdued months ago.

One strike at a food distribution centre in Gaza City, near the Shati historic refugee camp, killed three people. Another, near Bani Suhaila town in the southern Gaza Strip, killed at least eight, including guards who accompany aid trucks, the medics said.

There was no immediate comment from Israel, which denies attacking aid efforts and accuses militants of causing harm to civilians by operating among them.

Overnight, an Israeli air strike at a medical clinic in Gaza City killed the director of Gaza's Ambulance and Emergency Department, the enclave's health ministry said. Israel's military said that strike had killed a senior Hamas armed commander.

The health ministry said the killing of Hani al-Jaafarawi brought the number of medical staff killed by Israeli fire since Oct. 7 to 500. At least 300 others have so far been detained.

In a statement, the Israeli military said the strike targeted Mohammad Salah, who it said was responsible for developing Hamas weaponry.

NO CEASEFIRE ACCORD

More than eight months into the fighting, international mediation backed by the United States has so far failed to bring a ceasefire agreement. Hamas says any agreement must end the war, while Israel says it will agree only temporary pauses in fighting until Hamas is eradicated.

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he remained committed to a proposed ceasefire and hostage deal, announced by U.S. President Joe Biden in May.

"We are committed to the Israeli proposal that President Biden welcomed. Our position has not changed. The second thing, which does not contradict the first, we will not end the war until we eliminate Hamas," Netanyahu said in a speech to parliament.

In Rafah, near the border with Egypt, Israeli forces which had taken control of the eastern, southern and central parts of the city pursued their raid into the western and northern areas, said residents, describing heavy fighting.

On Sunday, residents had said Israeli tanks had advanced to the edge of the Mawasi displaced persons' camp in the northwest of Rafah, forcing many families to leave northward to Khan Younis and to Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, the only city in the enclave where tanks have not yet invaded.

"The situation in Tel Al-Sultan, in western Rafah, remains very dangerous. Drones and Israeli snipers are hunting people who try to check on their houses, and tanks continue to take over areas overseeing Al-Mawasi further west," Bassam, a resident of Rafah, told Reuters via a chat app.

The Israeli military said forces continued "intelligence-based targeted operations" in Rafah, locating weapons and rocket launchers and killing militants "who posed threats to them."

In the north of the enclave, where Israel had said its forces completed operations months ago, residents said tanks had pushed back into Gaza City's Zeitoun suburb and were pounding several areas there.

In Deir al-Balah, now the last refuge for many thousands of Gazans following the assault on Rafah, medics at a clinic were trying to treat malnutrition in children and measure the extent of hunger stalking the Strip.

"With the displacement, communities are settling in new locations that do not have access to clean water, or there is not adequate access to food," said Muaamar Said, a doctor with aid group International Medical Corps. "We fear there are more cases being missed."

NETANYAHU SAYS INTENSE FIGHTING COULD END SOON

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 Israeli offensive in retaliation has killed almost 37,600 people, according to Palestinian health authorities, and has left Gaza in ruins.

Since early May, fighting has focused on Rafah, on Gaza's southern edge where around half of the enclave's 2.3 million people had been sheltering after fleeing other areas.

Netanyahu said the phase of intense fighting against Hamas would end "very soon".

In an interview with Israel's channel 14, he said forces based in Gaza would be freed to move to the north, where Israel has warned of a potential full-blown war against Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, which has struck the border region in what it says is solidarity with the Palestinians.

"After the intense phase is finished, we will have the possibility to move part of the forces north. And we will do this," Netanyahu said.

The interview was Netanyahu's first since the start of the war in a television format he has favoured in election campaigns.

The remarks showed that Netanyahu was using ceasefire negotiations only as a stalling tactic while combat continues, Ezzat El-Reshiq, a senior Hamas political official who lives in exile, said in a statement.

(Reporting and writing by Nidal al-MughrabiAdditional reporting by Maayan Lubell in JerusalemEditing by Peter Graff and Sharon Singleton)
By Mohammad Salem

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (Reuters) -Medics in Gaza said on Monday they were working to step up screening of young children for severe malnutrition amid fears that hunger is spreading as people flee to new areas.

Aid group International Medical Corps (IMC) and partners are planning to reach more than 200,000 children under five-years-old as part of a "Find and Treat" campaign over coming months, one of its doctors, Munawwar Said, told Reuters by phone.

"With the displacement, communities are settling in new locations that do not have access to clean water, or there is not adequate access to food," he said. "We fear there are more cases being missed."

Over the weekend, families were already coming into an IMC clinic in the central city of Deir al-Balah, opened after the agency said it had to shut down two centres in the southern city of Rafah due to insecurity.

Five-year-old Jana Ayad had weighed just 9 kilograms when she arrived, suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting, Nutrition Officer Raghda Ibrahim Qeshta told Reuters as she carefully held the child.

"My daughter was dying in front of me," said Nasma Ayad as she sat next to the bed. "I didn't know what to do."

Jana had started putting on some weight after treatment, medics said, but she was still painfully thin with her ribs showing as she lay listlessly in her bunny pyjamas.

Staff can gauge nutrition levels by measuring the circumference of children's arms. During a Reuters cameraman's short visit at least two of the measurements were in the yellow band, indicating a risk of malnutrition. IMC data so far shows the most vulnerable are babies and infants up to two-years-old.

A group of U.N.-led aid agencies estimates that around 7% of Gazan children may be acutely malnourished, compared with 0.8% before the Israel-Hamas conflict began on Oct. 7.

Until now the worst of severe hunger has been in the north, with a U.N.-backed report warning of imminent famine in March.

But aid workers worry it could spread to central and southern areas due to the upheaval around Rafah that has displaced more than 1 million people and constrained supply flows through southern corridors.

More than 37,600 Palestinians have been killed during Israel's military offensive in Gaza, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Israel began the operation after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

It says it has expanded efforts to facilitate aid flows into Gaza and blames international aid agencies for distribution problems inside the enclave.

(Writing and additional reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Activists posing outside the High Court in Namibia after a ban on same-sex activity was overturned. They are holding flags and signs with messages of support. Via X - @EqualNamibia

In a historic ruling passed on Friday, June 21, the High Court in Namibia overturned a colonial-era ban on same-sex activity in a victory for LGBTQ+ campaigners in the country.

Sexual intercourse between consenting men was criminalised in Namibia under colonial-era laws banning sodomy and unnatural sexual offences, which the country inherited when it gained independence from South Africa in 1990. While the ban on same-sex activity was rarely enforced, activists said that it perpetuated anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment in Namibia and contributed to discrimination and violence against the community.

In June 2022, LGBTQ+ activist Friedel Laurentius Dausab filed a case against the laws, arguing that they 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.

Dausab was assisted by the Human Dignity Trust (HDT), an organisation that works in jurisdictions around the world to challenge laws where consensual same-sex intimacy is banned. Dausabs case was heard by the High Court in Namibia in October 2023, while the judgement came last Friday.

The decision of the Namibia High Court to overturn laws related to sodomy and decriminalise consensual same sex-sexual conduct, is a victory for love, equality and human rights. pic.twitter.com/bMGhn3Z3yK  Amnesty International (@amnesty) June 21, 2024

The three High Court judges ruled that the ban on same-sex intimacy amounted to unfair discrimination under Namibias constitutional law, given that consensual sexual conduct was not criminalised if it was between a man and a woman.

What threat does a gay man pose to society, and who must be protected against him? the decision asked. We are of the firm view that the enforcement of private moral views of a section of a community (even if they form the majority of that community), which are based to a large extent on nothing more than prejudice, cannot qualify as such a legitimate purpose.

Dausab welcomed the favourable ruling, saying: I feel elated. Im so happy. This really is a landmark judgment, not just for me, but for our democracy.

He added, Im sitting next to my mum and were hoping that this message filters through to all families, so that kids are no longer estranged.

Friedel Dausab, our freedom fighter. Thank you for your dedication to our democracy and for inspiring us to pursue our happiness as born-free queer Namibians. We stand on your shoulders.  pic.twitter.com/YSa8hocqkd  Equal Namibia (@EqualNamibia) June 22, 2024

Human Dignity Trusts Chief Executive, Tea Braun, also commented on the judgement, saying: 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.

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 recognised, but also bring much needed and renewed energy to other decriminalisation efforts across Africa.

Neighbouring countries South Africa and Angola also decriminalised consensual same-sex activity in 1998 and 2021, respectively.

The post Namibia High Court overturns ban on same-sex activity in historic ruling appeared first on GCN.
Yehor Sobolev, Ukrainian serviceman and 2014 pro-EU mass demonstrations attendee, takes part in interview with Reuters in Kyiv

By Dan Peleschuk

KYIV (Reuters) - A veteran of Ukraine's 2014 revolution who is now fighting Russian forces, Yehor Sobolev knows the price of Kyiv's decade-long drive to join the European Union as well as anyone.

Having backed tough reforms as a lawmaker after the pro-democracy uprising 10 years ago, he says he will look on proudly from the front as formal accession talks open on Tuesday.

"We Ukrainians know how to fulfil our dreams," said the 47-year-old deputy commander of a special army unit.

The launch of talks, though largely ceremonial, is an important step for a nation that has spilled blood and pushed through the reforms required in its pursuit of EU membership.

"Ukraine is returning to Europe, where it has belonged for centuries, as a full-fledged member of the European community," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday.

Kyiv filed its request to join the EU days after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. It sees membership as validation of its fight to embrace European values.

It now faces a lengthy path to accession, and needs to overhaul a bureaucracy still riddled with vestiges of Soviet days.

The task will be complicated by the war with Russia that has no end in sight, with Ukrainian towns and cities under constant threat of Russian air strikes that have killed many civilians as well as soldiers, forced millions from their homes and damaged critical and energy infrastructure.

In many ways, Sobolev's story is a picture of Ukraine's trajectory over the past decade.

He was a prominent figure in the Maidan revolution that toppled a Russia-backed leader after protests triggered by him breaking a promise to develop closer ties with the EU.

Sobolev later worked on legislation that formed the foundation of Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure, central to securing financial aid and backing for Kyiv's integration with the EU.

He also co-authored a law aimed at erasing traces of Ukraine's Soviet legacy and Russian influence by paving the way for the renaming of thousands of streets, towns and cities, and the removal of monuments.

In 2021, Sobolev donned a uniform and rose from a rank-and-file Ukrainian soldier to officer, as Russia broadened a war that Kyiv says began in 2014 after Moscow seized the Crimea peninsula and fuelled an insurgency in the east.

"The top corrupt officials that we dealt with on the Maidan are the same kinds of leaders of the 'Russian world' like (President Vladimir) Putin," he said.

"So for me it's one war."

LONG ROAD AHEAD

The accession talks are expected to start at a ministerial meeting in Luxembourg on Tuesday, days before Hungary, which has closer ties to Russia than other member states, takes over the EU's six-month rotating presidency.

Ukraine cleared initial hurdles to accession in December by showing progress in fighting corruption and rebuilding its judiciary, among other areas the EU considers fundamental.

Now it must map out a more detailed plan to achieve lasting results that will be measured by a range of benchmarks, said Leonid Litra of the New Europe Centre, a think tank in Kyiv.

It will later move on to fields ranging from agriculture and taxation to tackling climate change.

"If you want to have a merit-based and predictable process, you need to get a very clear to-do list," he said.

Sobolev, a father of four, knows the road ahead will not be easy, citing old mentalities that are still firmly rooted in some parts of government.

But Ukrainians are likely become "much more serious students" of good governance as the prospect of joining the 27-nation bloc comes closer into focus, he said.

"In this sense, war forces a society to grow up," he said.

(Reporting by Dan Peleschuk, Editing by Tom Balmforth and Timothy Heritage)
A fundraiser created for the family of five that were tortured during a horrific home invasion in North Carolina earlier this month has surpassed its $15,000 goal.

Mayra Morales-Scott, the sister of victim Maricela Morales, set up a GoFundMe to help the family deal with medical costs as they attempt to rebuild their lives.

Morales-Scott revealed that her sister, brother-in-law, and their three children are suffering physically, emotionally, and mentally as a result of the terrifying ordeal.

"This GoFundMe campaign is to help the Morales family with health care costs as a result of what they experienced, to purchase items that can be replaced, and to assist with anything they need to support them in navigating this traumatic and invasive event," wrote Morales-Scott.

Authorities are still investigating why the family was targeted so viciously.

The robbers stole a cache of items after torturing the two parents and three young children for hours by savagely heating up knives and using them to burn their flesh.

After thoroughly ransacking the home, the criminals fled the scene in two stolen vehicles.

Residents on the usually sleepy North Carolina street remain on edge as the suspects are still at large.
(Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the new chief of Ukraine's state guard service to clear its ranks of people discrediting it after two of its officers were accused of plotting to assassinate senior officials.

The state security service (SBU) said last month that it had caught two guard service colonels accused of cooperating with Russia to plot the assassination of Zelenskiy and other officials, including military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov.

The guard service provides security for various governement officials.

Introducing Colonel Oleksiy Morozov to the staff on Monday, Zelenskiy said his main task was to ensure that only those who see their future tied with Ukraine join the agency - his first comments since the agents were arrested.

"And, of course, the agency must be cleared of anyone who chooses not Ukraine for themselves or discredits the state guard service," he said on Telegram.

Zelenskiy dismissed Morozov's predecessor Serhiy Rud in May, two days after the SBU detained agency employees who it said worked for Russia's Federal Security Service and leaked classified information. There was no comment from Moscow.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
Indigenous People of Palestine and its Real Owners

Jews have no right over the land of Palestine. The reason behind it is that this land was given to the Israelites; when they, under the guidance of Allahs Prophets (Peace be upon them!), raised the flag of the Oneness of Allah and remained steadfast on Oneness. When they deviated then their disgrace and humiliation started

Monday June 24, 2024 11:13 AM , Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi

Reality of the Promised Land

Today's Jews, or so-called Children of Israel, have occupied Palestine on the basis of their baseless claim. They claim that they are the real owners of Palestine. It is their belief that Allah, the Almighty, promised the land of Palestine to Sayyiduna Ibrahim (Aleihis Salam!). That is why the Jews call the land of Palestine "The Promised Land".

Then they connect their history with the land of Palestine in the ways that that land was given to their great grandfather Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS), once upon a time the Jews were found at that land, their ancestors ruled there for a long period of time, their temple was built at the same land, Dawood (AS) was buried there, their holy wall known as "The Wailing Wall" is located in the western side of Al-Aqsa Mosque, they have their spiritual relation with this land, that land is sacred for them and so on.

In today's world, just as the followers of different ideologies, views and civilizations have the freedom to express their thoughts, views and beliefs, in the same way, Jews also have the right and freedom to express their views, thoughts and beliefs. But they dont have the right to impose their beliefs and ideas on others and make them binding on them. The believers of any religion, on the basis of their thoughts and beliefs, including Jews, dont have the right to expel a nation from their homes, occupy their places of worship, their heritage, grab their lands, usurp their houses and shops to build the houses there to hand them over to the followers of their own religion and beliefs. If one does so, it is a crime morally, socially and legally.

The Jews believe that Allah promised the land of Palestine to Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS), based on the following texts:

The Lord had said to Abram, Go from your country, your people and your fathers household to the land I will show you. (Genesis: 12:1)

Also that:

Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, To your offspring I will give this land. (Genesis: 12:7)

In addition to the above texts, referring to some other texts found in the Torah, the Jews call Palestine the "Promised Land" and they assert that they have their right on it.

Regarding the reality of the Promised Land, the Pope of the Christians is of the opinion that the promise is very dubious. Christian scholars believe that the promise in the Bible is subject to many conditions. But the Jews disobeyed Allah, they didnt fulfill those conditions and started misdeeds at that land. Therefore, Allah punished the Jews and now this promise no longer has any significance. (For details, see: Al-Quds Qadhiyyah Kalli Muslim by Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, pp. 76-80)

Refusal of Israelites to Enter Palestine and Punishment

Undoubtedly the Israelites were stubborn, rebellious and miserable people. They disobeyed Sayyiduna Musa (PBUH) not only after him, but also during his lifetime and refused to obey Allah's commandments.

Their conditions in Egypt were not favorable. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, enslaved them. They spent a period of 430 years in Egypt in great suffering. Then there came a time, when Allah the Almighty drowned Pharaoh and his army and ordered the Israelites to go and settle in Palestine, which was destined for them. (But it doesnt mean that Allah Almighty made Palestine the "Promised Land" for them forever and they will always live in Palestine, as they assert.)

At that time, Palestine was ruled by a nation called Amalek. The nation was infidel. The Israelites, therefore, had been ordered to fight against them. Allah had promised that the Israelites would be victorious in the fight. According to this order, Sayyiduna Musa (AS) left for Palestine. When these people reached close to Palestine, they came to know that the Amalekites are of huge size, very strong and unusual people. As a result, the Israelites were afraid of the defeat and forgot that Allah had promised them the victory over them and His promise will be fulfilled. However, they refused to enter Palestine and were punished for it. When Sayyiduna Musa (AS) told them to walk towards Palestine; see what they replied him: They said:

O Musa, we shall never enter it, in any case, so long as they are there. So go, you and your Lord, and fight. As for us, we are sitting right here. (Al-Maaidah: 24)

Allah Almighty punished the Israelites, because of this disobedience and silly reply. The punishment was that they were banned from entering Palestine for 40 years. They wandered in a small area of the Sinai desert, the wilderness of Teeh. There was no way forward, nor to go back to Egypt. They would walk whole day long, when it is evening, they would reach the same spot, from where they started off in the morning. The Holy Quran speaks:

He (Allah) said, This (land) is prohibited to them for forty years. They shall be wandering around the earth. So, do not grieve for the sinning people. (Al-Maaidah: 26)

The Holy Quran has described the refusal of the Israelites to enter Palestine, their disobedience and the punishment given to them in these two verses.

Israelites didnt Own Even a Piece of Land in Palestine for 700 Years

It is worth mentioning, from the time of the migration of Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS), the time of Sayyiduna Ishaq (AS), then the time of Yaqub (AS), then his migration to Egypt with his family members, then following 430 years later, their returning back to Palestine and wandering as punishment for 40 years in the plain of the Sinai desert, that's a long period of almost "Seven Hundred years".

According to the explanation of the Torah, during this period, the Israelites didnt own even a single piece of the land in Palestine. It is an important question, if Palestine is the "promised land" for them; why couldnt they own even a single piece of land in Palestine for such a long time?

The reason behind it is that they used to come and go as travellers and strangers and they used to take refuge in Palestine when needed. It is a fact that a traveller doesnt become the owner of the place where he travels to or takes refuge in. (Al-Quds Qadhiyyah Kallu Muslim, pp: 50-51)

Palestine doesnt belong to Jews

Jews have no right over the land of Palestine. The reason behind it is that this land was given to the Israelites; when they, under the guidance of Allahs Prophets (Peace be upon them!), raised the flag of the Oneness of Allah and remained steadfast on Oneness. When they deviated from the message of Allah and His Prophets, alter the divine message, killed the Prophets (PBUT) and spread corruption on the earth; then their disgrace and humiliation started.

They were expelled from Palestine in humiliation. They were enslaved by some of the rulers of that time and were thrown out of Baitul Maqdis. It was a kind of chastisement that was given to them at that time. Keeping all these points in mind, it becomes clear that Palestine doesnt belong to Jews.

Muslims are the True Followers of Ibrahim (AS)

After Sayyiduna Muhammad (SAWS) being blessed with the prophet-hood, Muslims are the true flag bearers of the Oneness of Allah and the true inheritors of the prophetic legacy. Muslims are the only Ummah that believes in the Oneness of Allah and conveys the messages and teachings of Prophets (PBUT) to the people. Inviting them towards Islam is actually a continuation and extension of the preaching of Sayyiduna Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaq, Yaqub, Musa, Yusha, Dawood, Sulaiman, Isaa and other prophets (PBUT).

So, following the deviation of the Israelites from the messages of these prophets, now the Muslims are the most deserving of their inheritance. It is important to note here that the land of Palestine was not given to the Israelites, because they belonged to a particular race, tribe or family. Therefore the issue of claiming the right over the land of Palestine is not related to family. Rather, it is related to the following the paths, methods and messages of these prophets.

Now, Muslims believe that the mission of these Prophets (PBUT) is the mission of Muslims, their preaching work is the work of Muslims, their history is the history of Muslims, their legacy is the legacy of Muslims and the opportunity which was given by Allah to the descendants of Ibrahim (PBUH) and their followers to rule that land, now the Muslims are more deserving of that opportunity; because today the real followers of Sayyiduna Ibrahim (PBUH) are Muslims. Those who call themselves the children of Israel today arent the true followers of Sayyiduna Ibrahim (PBUH). Allah says:

Ibrahim was neither a Jew nor a Christian. But he was upright, a Muslim, and was not one of those who associate partners with Allah. The closest of people to Ibrahim are those who followed him, and this prophet, and those who believe; and Allah is the Guardian of all believers. (Aal Imraan: 67-68)

Under the commentary of the above verse is written:

"Jews used to say that Ibrahim (Peace be upon him!) had been a Jew; therefore, we cannot leave Judaism. The Christians used to call Ibrahim (PBUH) a Christian. Both of these claims were clearly contrary to rationality and the historical facts; since Judaism and Christianity came into existence centuries after Ibrahim (PBUH). "The Glorious Quran has warned against this ignorance and stated that the fact based on the principle is that Ibrahim (PBUH) was the flag bearer of monotheism and he hated polytheism. If you really want to adopt the model of Ibrahim (AS), then hold on to the religion of the monotheism towards which Muhammad (SAWS), the Messenger of Allah is calling." (Aasaan Tafsire Qur'an, Part I, p: 247)

Here is another verse of the Glorious Qur'an and lets see what Prophet Ibrahim and Ya'qub (PBUT) had exhorted to their children, then lets ponder over whether today's Jews are acting upon their exhortation. The Holy Quraan speaks:

And Ibrahim exhorted the same to his sons, and so did Yaqub (Jacob): My sons, Allah has certainly chosen for you the Faith. So, let not death overtake you but as Muslims. (Al-Baqarah: 132)

Entitlement to the Leadership of Ibrahim (AS)

Lets recite one more verse of the Holy Qur'an and lets reflect that to deserve the leadership and legacy of Ibrahim (AS), is it enough to be from his progeny or is it necessary to follow his good model? The Holy Quran speaks:

When his Lord put Ibrahim to a test with certain Words, and he fulfilled them, He said, I am going to make you an Imam for the people. He said, And from among my progeny? He replied, My promise does not extend to the unjust. (Al-Baqarah: 124)

Under the commentary of the above verse is mentioned:

"..... The second point is that Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) had two sons, Sayyiduna Ishaq (AS) and Sayyiduna Ismail (AS). Sayyiduna Ishaq (AS) had a son Yaqub whose another name was Israel. Before Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) being blessed with Prophet-hood, the chain of prophet-hood was going on among his descendants (Israelites), that is why they thought that only they had the right to lead the whole world. "No prophet can come in any other family who is obligatory for them to follow. Removing such misunderstanding, the Glorious Quran has made it clear here that the position of religious leadership is not a mandatory inheritance of any family as Ibrahim (AS) was told regarding it in clear words. "When Allah Ta'ala tested him in various ways and it was proved that he was always ready to make the great sacrifice at every command of Allah Ta'ala, he was thrown into the fire for his belief in monotheism, he was forced to leave his homeland, he was ordered to leave his wife and newborn child alone in the dry valley of Makkah and he continued to make all these sacrifices without hesitation, then the Exalted Allah announced to bless him with the leadership of the whole world. "On the same occasion, when he (Ibrahim AS) asked about his offspring; so it was clearly stated that those among them who are oppressors, i.e. who oppressed themselves by disobeying Allah Almighty, will not deserve this position. After testing the Israelites for centuries, it has been proven that they arent worthy to be given the religious leadership of the entire humanity until the Day of Judgment. "Therefore, the last and final Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) is being sent from another son of Ibrahim (AS) i.e. among the descendants of Sayyiduna Ismail (AS) for whom Ibrahim (AS) had prayed to be sent from the people of Makkah. Now, since the religious leadership is being transferred, now the Qiblah is also going to be changed to that House of Allah (Kabah), which was built by Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) and his son Sayyiduna Ismail (AS). (Aasaan Tarjamye Quraan: V: 1, P.: 94)

By this commentary, it is clearly understood that Allah, the Almighty, informed Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) that "leadership" will not be given to those who are oppressors and disobedient from among his progeny and family.

Today, those who call themselves from among the children of Israel are disobedient to the divine decree; whereas Muslims are the Ummah that follows the command of Allah; therefore, the Muslims will be entitled to his leadership.

Arab Muslims are also Descendants of Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS)

If it is assumed that the promise that Allah made to Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) is also extended to the people from his progeny. Then it is wrong for the Israelites to grab it for themselves. Because Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) had an older son, Sayyiduna Ismail (AS) as well. Based on this assumption, the descendants of Sayyiduna Ismail (AS) also deserved the promise that was made to Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS).

Then all those Arabs, who are from the descendants of Ismail, through their great grandfather Adnan, are also entitled to this promise. The Quraish tribe of Makkah is from the same family of Adnan and Sayyiduna Muhammad (SAWS) is also from the same Quraish tribe and today's Muslims follow Muhammad (SAWS).

It is also very interesting to know that the land of Palestine was promised to Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) at the time when only Sayyiduna Ismail (AS) was born among his children and this promise was made to him at the time of the purification of Ismail (AS). Sayyiduna Ishaq (AS) was born following 14 years of Ismails birth. From this point of view, the Arabs are more deserving of this promise than the Israelites; because Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) is the ancestor of the Arabs also through Ismail (AS).

Not only this, Quraan too has presented Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) as the father of all Muslims:

Struggle for (seeking the pleasure of) Allah, a struggle that is owed to Him. He has chosen you and did not impose any hardship on you in the religion, the faith of your father Ibrahim. He (Allah) named you as Muslims earlier and also in this (Quran),.... (Al-Hajj: 78)

Arabs are Indigenous People of Palestine

As far as governing the land of Palestine is concerned; so the rule of the Israelites had been in Palestine for a short period and its most important period is the regime of Sayyiduna Sulaiman (AS).

As the rule of Muslims over Palestine; so it goes back to the period of Sayyiduna Umar (RA)s Caliphate i.e. from 636 to about 1917. During this long period, the Crusaders ruled for 88 years. After subtracting this period of 88 years, the Muslims ruled Palestine for about twelve centuries.

It is also worth mentioning that a large number of Jews migrated from Palestine in 135 AD. When Palestine came under the Islamic Caliphate, there was no any Jew there. Thus, for about 18 centuries, Jews had no connection with Palestine; while the Arabs were and are still the inhabitants of Palestine. They had been before the Jews came to Palestine, they stayed with them, even after Jews migrated, Arabs had been there and they are still in Palestine.

It was just in the early 20th century, during the period of the British Mandate on Palestine that a conspiracy began to bring Jews from other countries to settle in Palestine. Arab people had and have been living in Palestine for almost four and a half thousand years and they never migrated to any place leaving their homeland Palestine. So, the Arabs are the indigenous people and the real owners of Palestine.

When, in 1948, the occupying Zionist state was established, the Zionists crossed all limits of oppression and tyranny and forced a large number of Palestinians to migrate. These migrants of 1948, havent given up their rights even today. Rather, they are waiting for the opportunity to return to Palestine.

Today's Jews have nothing to do with Israel and Palestine

In accordance with the historical view point, it is an important question, are today's Jews the same children of Israel whose forefather was Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS)? The short answer to this question is in "Negative".

This is because the research of some researchers and historians is that more than 80% of today's Jews have no connection with Israel or Palestine. Among them is a Jewish historian such as Arthur Koestler. He has written a book: The Thirteenth Tribe: The Khazar Empire and its Heritage. This book was published in 1976 AD. Koestler, the author of the book, has proved that the Ashkenazi Jews are descended from the Khazar people. This book makes the point that "Ashkenazi Jews" are not descended from the ancient Israelites. Rather, they belong to the Khazar, an ancient Tatar Turkic people.

It is Koestler's research that the Khazar people converted to Judaism in the 8th century. When, in the 12th and 13th centuries, the Khazar Empire was collapsing, these people migrated to Eastern Europe and southern Russia. So, if they are looking for their real homeland, they should go to South Russia. (Al-Qadhiyyah Al-Filastiniyyah Khalfiyyatuhaa Al-Tarikhiyyah Wa Tatawwuratuhaa Al-Muaasirah -The Palestine Issue: Historical Background and Contemporary Developments- by Prof. Dr. Mohsen Mohammad Saleh, P. 27)

Conclusion

The gist of this article is that the Jewish claim that Palestine is the Promised Land is irrelevant according to the Christian scholars. The Israelites were rebellious and disobedient people, they disobeyed Allah, His Prophets and Allah punished them. Allah Ta'ala gave the land of Palestine to the Israelites at the time when they were the flag bearers of monotheism under the leadership of Prophets (PBUT) and when they disobeyed Allah, they didnt deserve the land.

After the prophet-hood of Muhammad (SAWS), Muslims are the true flag bearers of the Oneness of Allah. So, they are the true inheritors of the prophetic legacy and the land of Palestine. It is not necessary to be descendants of Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) in order to be entitled to his leadership and legacy. Rather, it is necessary to follow his footsteps.

Just as Sayyiduna Ibrahim (AS) is the ancestor of the Israelites, so is he for the Arabs who are descendants of Ismail (AS). Palestine was ruled by the Israelites for a short period; while the Muslims ruled about 12 centuries.

Today, those who claim to be Jews, more than 80 percent of them arent from the children of Israel; rather, they belong to the "Khazar," an ancient Tatar Turkic nation who converted to Judaism in the 8th century.

The descendants of the Canaanites, i.e. the Arabs, are the indigenous people and real owners of Palestine; because they have been living in Palestine for four and a half thousand years.

[The writer, Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi, works for Moon Rays Trust School, Zambia, Africa.]





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Madhya Pradesh to include Ram, Krishna in school and college curricula

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has declared that the teachings about Hindu lords Ram and Krishna are to be included in the school and higher education curricula of Madhya Pradesh

Monday June 24, 2024 8:26 PM , Pervez Bari

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has declared that the teachings about Hindu lords Ram and Krishna are to be included in the school and higher education curricula of Madhya Pradesh.

He announced this during a state-level celebration held for Yoga Day in Bhopal while talking with media-persons.

Sources said a committee of experts will be formed to prepare this new curriculum, which the state plans to introduce in the next academic year.

After attending the Yoga Day ceremony, when the CM interacted with the media, he pointed out that the state government has initiated two projects concerning the tracks of Hindu lords Ram and Krishna in Madhya Pradesh.

"The majority of these areas have been chosen by the government to be built around Lord Ram and Lord Krishnas travels and turn into pilgrimage centres", he said. "This initiative marks a substantial shift in the educational approach of Madhya Pradesh, emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage and spiritual teachings in shaping young minds", he added.

'Include other religions too'

Commenting on Chief Minister's announcement, former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh, said that lords Ram and Krishna are iconographic figures and their ideals should definitely constitute part of education in schools. But he also wanted the state to introduce knowledge about other religions in schools and colleges.

According to media reports, Digvijay Singh said that teachings related to Ram and Krishna should be taught in the society for the people to learn.

But, he pointed out that the indispensability of the teachings from other religious gurus as well as Lord Ram, and Lord Krishna.

"Religious teachings about Guru Nanak, Jesus and Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) should also be studied in schools", Singh said.

He expressed his views regarding the suggestions and principles that saints from various religions should convey.

Religious teachings in schools and colleges

Discussions regarding integrating religious teachings into curricula remain an emergent issue and a topic that invites discussions about the relationship between cultural pasts and secular education in India.

Throughout the discussions about religious diversity in schools, stakeholders debate over how various religions and their teachings can be incorporated into the system and how people of different faiths can be accepted and treated equally.

India, also known as Bharat, is a Union of States. It is a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic with a parliamentary system of government. With the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution of India enacted in 1976, the Preamble to the Constitution asserted that India is a Secular nation. However, the Supreme Court of India in the 1994 case S. R. Bommai v. Union of India established the fact that India was Secular since the formation of the republic.

Secularism means separating government from religion which simply means that the government of India should not follow or favour any particular religion rather every religion should be favoured equally.





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Nigeria needs Centralized Hajj Operating System: CSO

Independent Hajj Reporters, (IHR), a civil society organization (cso), has called on the National Assembly to amend the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Act to ensure a cohesive and effective Hajj operating system in Nigeria.

Monday June 24, 2024 12:18 PM , ummid.com News Network

Abuja: Given the noticeable gaps in both policy and its implementation in terms of service delivery, Independent Hajj Reporters, (IHR) a civil society organization which monitors and reports Hajj in Nigeria has called on the National Assembly to amend the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Act to ensure a cohesive and effective hajj operating system in the country.

IHR in a statement on Monday, signed by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad in Makkah, Saudi Arabia said the call also becomes necessary because of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajjs adjustment of Hajj policy and calendar of events  which is a detailed approved guideline for all Hajj participating countries.

Nigeria is the 5th largest Hajj country and the first in Africa with an allocation of 95,000 slots.

Nigeria is the only country out of the Top 10 Hajj participating countries which includes Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, Morocco and Malaysia that does not operate a centralized system.

"We operate a three-tier system in Nigeria (Federal, State and Local Governments). All the countries mentioned above have a unified and central control hajj administration with a coordinating unit at zones, so they found it easy to run 5 to 6-year hajj rolling plans", the IHR said.

Local Government Pilgrims officers do Pilgrims Registration under the control of state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards. Thereafter the State Pilgrims boards deposited such funds in their respective accounts before it will be moved to the NAHCON operational account on request  all within one Hajj calendar year.

Management of Hajj operations is strictly time-limited to start thinking of continuing with these time-consuming bureaucracies.

"We support an advocacy for improved services to our dear pilgrims but the recent calls for the decentralisation of NAHCON and devolving powers to the states would be a very wrong move, the IHR said.

The CSO further said, For example, the new calendar of activities released by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah recently scheduled 4th September for the kickoff of arrangements for the 2025 Hajj (Hajj 1446 H)."

By virtue of diplomatic protocol, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj only relates with National Hajj missions not regional bodies. Decentralisation as being touted will allow 36 states' pilgrims welfare boards and agencies to send 36 different delegations to Saudi Arabia (the first in the History of Hajj operation) to liaise with Saudi Arabia (host country) on Hajj plans. 36 states will also sign different hajj memorandum of understanding with one country.

On service delivery, NAHCON controls Airlines and accommodation in Madina. In the last few years, Nigerian pilgrims have been housed in a 4-star hotel within the vicinity or 5 minutes walk close to the Prophet's Mosque.

On the other hand, States are responsible for choosing their accommodation in Makkah. This year for example, our team currently in Saudi Arabia observes that Niger state pilgrims accommodation is located in an isolated area, far away from the holy Mosque, this invariably denies quite a number of the pilgrims the opportunity to observe their obligatory prayers at the Haram.

Also, registration of pilgrims starts from the local governments after which the funds are transferred to state pilgrims boards before being transferred to NAHCON.

There are allegations that most of the delays experienced every single year, that affects the smooth operations of the Hajj, including this year is as a result of the failure of some state boards to remit their collected fares to NAHCON in time because governors have used the monies for other purposes and are being awaited to make refunds.

We, therefore, call on the National Assembly to make it possible for pilgrims to pay their deposits directly to NAHCON (where the funds will end up anyway) so that the commission can in turn meet its obligations in time and avoid a situation where the entire operation will be put in jeopardy", the IHR said.

This, we believe, is also the best way to truly hold the commission to account in case of any service failure, IHR said.





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HA NOI  The Viet Nam Maritime Administration (Vinamarine) has called for efforts to minimise impacts of skyrocketing sea freight costs on imports and exports.

Vinamarines statistics show that global container shipping fees have increased by 12 per cent, while costs on routes from Asia to Europe have risen by 11-14 per cent.

International container shipping rates have increased by more than 70 per cent over the same period last year and by more than 110 per cent compared to the time before the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are fears that the lack of empty containers, disruptions caused by Red Sea conflicts and rising transport demands could push up sea freight rates to the records set during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rates tend to increase rapidly and even change within a day, according to Pham Quoc Long, President of Viet Nam Ship Agents, Brokers and Maritime Services Providers Association.

Previously, shipping lines normally quoted container freight rates for a period of 15-30 days but now they only quote for a week.

Current rates are double but are still five times lower than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Long said that the biggest impact was on small businesses that sign short-term charter contracts, but since most enterprises in Viet Nam were small or medium sized, they were bearing the brunt of price increases. Viet Nams charterers should join together to gather goods so that they could have better positions in negotiation with carriers, he said.

Most recently the Ministry of Transport asked Vinamarine to work with port companies, associations and shipping lines to figure out problems and offer possible solutions.

Vinamarine has asked supervision to be enhanced on the collection of port services charges and surcharges in addition to container shipping fees.

Efforts also need to be enhanced to prevent congestion at ports, ensure the supply of empty containers and speed up the release of goods.

Vinamarine also urged enterprises to increase cooperation to develop production and transportation plans together as base to negotiate long-term contracts with carriers so that the impacts from fluctuating freight rates can be mitigated.  VNS
Ly Ly Cao

HA NOI  Viet Nam is expected to see robust growth in the next 5 -10 years, opening more investment opportunities for foreign investors, including ones from Singapore, in all sectors, said insiders.

On Saturday, NTU Alumni Regional Conference 2024, an annual event organised by Singapore-based Nanyang Technological University, was held in Ha Noi.

The event brought together distinguished speakers who are renowned leaders in business, public service and academia from Viet Nam, Singapore and other ASEAN countries. This years conference centered around the theme "Economic Growth, AI and Innovation.

Attending the event, Singapore Ambassador to Viet Nam Jaya Ratnam highlighted the strong collaboration between the two countries across all sectors.

We cooperate across almost every area, including trade, defence, security, culture, food and politics and of course have strong people-to-people relationships, so we are well represented here, he said.

There is so much more we can do together. As both countries have progressed over the past few decades, our needs and aspirations have evolved. Hence, our preoccupation in recent years with deepening and widening the scope of cooperation in the digital and green arenas.

At the conference, speakers were all positive about the growth potential of Viet Nam.

Nguyen uc Hung Linh, co-founder and chief advisor of Think Future Consultancy, said that Viet Nam is going to experience strong development over the next 5 - 10 years as it has established itself as a major manufacturing hub, particularly for electronics.

Samsung, which accounts for nearly 25 per cent of Viet Nams exports, continues to expand its operations, while the shift of manufacturing bases from China to Viet Nam due to trade tensions further bolsters this sector, Linh said.

The participation of Viet Nam in multiple free trade agreements (FTAs) is also a significant growth driver, as these agreements reduce tariffs and open new markets for Vietnamese goods, he added.

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are expected to boost Viet Nams GDP by 1.32 per cent and 4.9 per cent by 2030, respectively. The European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) is projected to increase the countrys exports to the worlds largest trading bloc by 42.7 per cent by 2025.

Sharing the same thought, Pham Quoc Anh, CEO of Pacifico Energy Vietnam, said that Viet Nam has a good foundation for growing businesses, such as a young population, the willingness to accept new ideas and a wide spread of the Internet.

Viet Nams young population is a significant asset, with a median age of around 32 years and a labour force participation rate of 77 per cent. A World Bank study suggests that Viet Nams demographic transition could add 1.5 per cent to annual GDP growth over the next decade.

These are also advantages for luring foreign investors into Viet Nam in the future, Quoc Anh said, adding that green energy, manufacturing and logistics are industries attracting more interest as Viet Nam is targeting the green growth.

Speaking to Viet Nam News, Hung Linh of Think Future Consultancy said that huge opportunities are also seen in the tourism industry.

"The Governments tourism strategy aims to make tourism a spearhead economic sector by 2030, contributing 12-14 per cent of GDP. Efforts to develop sustainable tourism and diversify offerings will likely boost this sector."

Meanwhile, Chu Viet Cuong, Board Director of Vietjet Air, believed that the room in Viet Nams aviation industry is still very large and investors can find opportunities through joint ventures.

However, he also pointed out some weaknesses that the country needs to improve on quickly.

We are no longer in the era of cheap labour costs and large land funds. Now we need more skilled workers for the new industries. On the other hand, we also need to create a clear and transparent environment for enterprises, he said.  VNS
Julian Onderdonk's "A Field of Bluebonnets, San Antonio," 1921, will be auctioned in Dallas. Heritage Auctions Artist Julian Onderdonk, circa 1910, grew up in San Antonio. Courtesy of the Witte Museum.

Kathy Brinkley and her son, Jared Brinkley, have never seen a field of bluebonnets in bloom. Nor did they know that bluebonnet paintings were a thing.

Thats right, theyre not from Texas. (Apologies to Lyle Lovett.)

Nearly 100 years after it came into their family, the Brinkleys are hoping someone from the Lone Star State will appreciate Julian Onderdonks 1921 painting A Field of Bluebonnets, San Antonio for what, until recently, they didnt know it was: A gem by the artist who is often called the father of the bluebonnet school.

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Two other Onderdonk paintings and works by a stellar list of more contemporary regional artists also will be available during Heritage Auctions Texas Art Signature Auction in Dallas June 29.

A Field of Bluebonnets, San Antonio is classic Onderdonk, painted at the height of his career, in 1921, the same year Kathy Brinkleys mother, Carlotta Preston, was born in Chicago. Someone from Texas sent the new painting to the Prestons to commemorate their daughters birth. Those specifics have been lost to time; Brinkley doesnt remember whether it was sent by a friend or someone in her grandparents extended family.

Onderdonk, born in San Antonio in 1882 to a family of painters, took his first lessons from his father, then attended the Art Students League in New York and studied with the great American Impressionist William Merritt Chase, who specialized in plein air painting. A master colorist, Onderdonk excelled at landscapes in general but became enamored with springs bluebonnets after he brought his young family back home to San Antonio in 1909.

He died at the height of his success, at age 40, in 1922.

Unlike so many of the Texas artists who paint more realistic landscapes featuring the beloved spring bloomers, Onderdonks Impressionist canvases can be truly about the bluebonnets, their intense color, and the sensation you get from standing in a field of them. His luminous cloudy skies, distant trees and fog-shrouded horizon are secondary to the flowers in A Field of Bluebonnets, San Antonio. Near the paintings center, a caliche road leads the eyes further in, making you think that blue glow stretches for miles.

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Onderdonks work became so popular in Texas, Joskes department store sold prints of his paintings. Those are now collectible themselves.

His original paintings have sold for as much as half a million dollars at auction.

Carlotta Preston didnt know any of this, but she kept her painting throughout her life  through a move with her husband to California in 1952 and, decades later, when she moved into her daughters home near Seattle.

The painting almost got away that last time, when she realized someone had loaded her heirloom into a truck headed for Goodwill. Were a small family, Jared Brinkley says. Theres been sort of a history of enthusiasm  to scale down and get rid of things.

He and his mother couldn't have guessed the paintings value.

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It was just, this has been in the family forever, and its pretty. And it was hers. She was absolutely adamant that it was too pretty to surrender to Goodwill, and the truck had to be unloaded to retrieve it," Kathy Brinkley says.

Her sentimental attachment to the object grew after her mother died in 2004. In the nearly two decades since, the Onderdonk has had a place of honor in her dining room.

Still, she never thought to research the signature on the front of the canvas until she got enthusiastic about spring cleaning during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. She took the painting off the wall to dust it and, for the first time, noticed the handwritten title and date on the back.

When she learned about Onderdonk and bluebonnet paintings online, she was surprised, to say the least.

Now in her 70s, she has lately been labeling meaningful possessions for the day Jared inherits them, so hell know what not to toss. He and his wife have no kids. They live in a small home, with taste that leans toward pop culture. Fine art has never been much on their radar, and even if it was, the Onderdonk painting is not their style. With no one else to leave it to, Kathy and Jared decided maybe it was time send Carlottas painting "home" to Texas.

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The timing was right for Heritage's Texas art auction. It can go where it was meant to be, he said.

The canvas has a tiny pinhole puncture and faint areas of hairline craquelure, a network of fine cracks common to old oil paintings. The upper right corner buckles a tad. About what you would expect for a 100-year-old painting that hasnt been conserved, says Atlee Phillips, the director of the Texas art department at Heritage. It basically needs to be cleaned and varnished.

She conservatively estimates its value at $30,000-$50,000, although she expects the painting will sell for much more.

This is one where the bidding could get really intense, Phillips says.

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Most of Onderdonks larger paintings are held by museums, and this one, while small, has the excitement of being a new discovery  so fresh to the market that even the author of the Onderdonk catalogue raisonne (the official, complete list of an artists work) didnt know the Brinkleys painting existed until they brought it forward. Now its been authenticated and added to the list.
HCM CITY  Bayer and the Viet Nams National Agricultural Extension Center (NAEC) have received the Public-Private Partnership of the Year award at the GovMedia Conference & Awards 2024 for its ForwardFarming Initiative.

The ForwardFarming Initiative is a joint project between Bayer Vietnam and NAEC under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to promote sustainable rice cultivation practices in Viet Nam. The award serves as a motivation for Bayer Vietnam to expand its ForwardFarming Initiative to contribute to the sustainable development of rice production in the country.

Viet Nam is pursuing an ambitious plan to become a global agricultural powerhouse by 2030. However, traditional rice cultivation practices prevalent in Viet Nam are not sustainable from an environmental and economic standpoint. Smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Viet Nams rice production, often adopt outdated techniques that are not only ineffective but also greatly increase greenhouse gas emissions.

The ForwardFarming Initiative was launched in September 2023 through a three-year partnership between Bayer Vietnam and NAEC, with the participation of various partners in the rice production value chain, including Provincial Agricultural Service Centres, Mekong Delta Rice Institute, Binh ien Fertiliser Joint Stock Company, Saigon Kim Trading Service Company Limited Hong, Vietnam Rice Company Limited (Vinarice), and others. Its overarching goal is to help Vietnamese farmers strengthen rice yields while mitigating environmental impacts.

Specifically, the initiative has delivered significant and consistent results across three crop seasons, with a 13.5 per cent increase in yield and reductions in inputs, water usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and early indications of soil quality improvements compared to traditional practices.

According to the Mekong Delta Rice Institute, the model has significantly improved plant growth, soil quality, and water savings of up to 50 per cent compared to conventional rice farming methods. Importantly, greenhouse gas emissions were also reduced by 24.7 per cent. These outcomes contribute perfectly to improving the output and quality of Vietnamese rice for export and to supporting farmers in building resilient farms.

Additionally, the project has engaged with numerous key stakeholders in the rice production value chain to extend its reach to over 4,500 rice growers, providing training on sustainable farming practices, the safe use of crop protection solutions, and climate change mitigation strategies in agriculture.

"We are grateful for our partnership with NAEC and the dedication of all stakeholders involved in ForwardFarming," said Mateus Barros, cluster head of Crop Science Division, East Asia & Pakistan, Bayer. "This recognition serves as an inspiration for us to leverage our 30 years of experience in Viet Nam, fostering collaboration with more partners across the rice value chain, driving innovation, and placing special emphasis on regenerative farming practices, in order to make a positive and enduring impact in the agricultural sector."

Moving forward, Bayer Vietnam and NAEC have laid out several future plans to advance the ForwardFarming initiative. Ongoing work will focus on conducting further research and evaluations to more effectively decrease greenhouse gas emissions and boost rice quality. The partner network will be expanded to reach more farmers in the Mekong Delta region. This aims to improve the livelihoods of farming communities while also supporting the VietnamGovernment's target of establishing 1 million hectares of sustainable, high-quality, and low-emission rice cultivation in the Mekong Delta region.
Compiled by Mai Linh

HA NOI  Livestreaming is being scrutinised to discover the best methods of increasing tax management to ensure fairness and transparency in the online retail market.

With huge revenues, livestreaming on social media platforms and e-commerce platforms has emerged as a robust trend in the commercial marketplace, however managing it remains a challenge.

At a question-and-answer session of the National Assembly for Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien earlier this month, delegate o Tri Nghia expressed his concerns.

There were livestream sessions with revenues reaching hundreds of billions ong, Nghia said, adding that it was imperative that the process was properly managed.

On June 5, the General Department of Taxation sent an official dispatch to ask local tax departments to carry out comprehensive inspections of tax declarations and payments, as well as the use of e-invoices by organisations, individuals and business households operating on e-commerce platforms.

The inspections will also cover organisations and individuals participating in affiliate marketing and livestreaming.

In another decisive move, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on June 6 signed Official Dispatch No 56/C-TTg to ask for the management of e-commerce and business on digital platforms to be enhanced. The PM told the Ministry of Finance to increase inspections on livestreams and strictly handle any violations.

At a conference on tax management on e-commere, the PM asked the Ministry of Finance to submit to the Government amendments to regulations on e-invoices for e-commerce and livestream transactions, stressing that there are still losses in tax collections from livestream and e-commerce.

Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen uc Chi, speaking at the Governments meeting on June 1, said that people making revenue from livestreaming must declare and pay personal income tax. Business households must also pay taxes following the established regulations.

Potential market needs proper management

In China, the worlds top livestream market, the sector's size nearly tripled in the 2019-20 period, according to reports of Statista. Chinas video streaming market was estimated at US$695 billion in 2023, contributing significantly to the $2.2 trillion e-commerce revenue.

Research by e-Marketer showed that Southeast Asia is a robust livestream market with an annual growth rate of 33 per cent. TechCrunch forecast the global livestream market to reach $55 billion in 2026, demonstrating that if Viet Nam has proper policies, there will be significant opportunities to promote the development of livestream industry.

Findings by Statista showed that Viet Nams e-commerce industry might expand at 29 per cent to reach $39 billion in 2025.

There are on average 2.5 million livestream sessions each month in Viet Nam featuring more than 50,000 sellers.

Vietnamese consumers also tended to shop on livestream with each spending up to 13 hours each week in livestream shopping.

According to market data research company NielsenIQ, 95 per cent of customers shopping online made purchases via livestream in the first quarter of 2024.

In May, a mega live event on TikTok by a couple attracted significant notice with a revenue hitting VN100 billion after 17 hours. In early June, the couple set the target of VN150 billion in revenue for a livestream session but reached only VN80 billion after 40 hours.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade forecast e-commerce revenue in Viet Nam will reach $30.5 billion in 2025.

There have been no specific statistics for revenues from livestreaming, but McKinsey&Company said that livestreams could make up for up to 20 per cent of e-commerce revenue by early 2026.

The livestreaming market has potential and will continue to develop but it is necessary to develop appropriate management policies to create a fair business environment and harmonise benefits of all relevant parties.

Livestream market has huge potential, but it is necessary to develop appropriate management policies to ensure a fair business environment and harmonise the benefits of all relevant parties, experts say.

Enhance tax management

According to Nguyen Ngoc Tu from Ha Noi University of Business and Technology, the policies must be raised to ensure tax fairness with detailed regulations for tax declarations and payments to prevent tax losses.

Nguyen Duy Vi, director of communication services company Buzi, said that if livestream is considered to be a new sales promotion channel, it would be necessary to have a separate management agency specialising in managing livestream.

Punishments must be developed to handle violations and strong enough to prevent further wrongdoings with the focus on ensuring quality of products sold in livestream sessions.

With regard to the requirement that e-invoice must be issued for every e-commerce and livestream purchases, Phan Phuong Nam from the Law University of HCM City, said that e-invoice would help improve tax management, but it was necessary to provide detailed guidance so that individual live streamers know how to declare and pay tax.

In order to ask individual sellers to issue e-invoices, amendments to laws would be necessary in which the legal status of business households and individuals must be clarified, Le Duy Binh, director of Economica Viet Nam said.

According to Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, Director of Tax Management of Small and Medium Enterprises, Household Businesses and Individuals under the General Department of Taxation, the tax management on livestreaming has been enhanced to ensure transparency towards a fair business environment.

The tax management agencies basically verified revenues of business households and individuals from their online business, she said.

The tax watchdog would provide support to business households and individuals with revenues from e-commerce and livestream to declare and pay taxes following the established regulations.  VNS
HCM CITY  HCM Citys cultural authorities are working to support private museums as part of their efforts to build a museum system to boost local tourism.

The city has six private museums and each offers a unique theme.

They include the Wax Museum of Vietnamese Artists, known informally as Madame Tussauds Viet Nam, featuring more than 100 life-size wax models of Vietnamese artists working in theatre, film, and music. Another is FITO Museum of Vietnamese Traditional Medicine, a 600sq.m museum of 18 rooms, which displays more than 3,000 objects used by herbalists in traditional Vietnamese medicine dating back to the Stone Age, including equipment and materials.

Private museums have changed their way of doing business and are attracting more local and foreign visitors.

The city should focus on supporting private museums and creating long-term policies on key factors such as land funds and taxes, said Huynh Ngoc Van, director of the private Ao Dai Museum in District 9.

Vans museum opened in 2014 to share the history of ao dai (traditional long dress) with foreign visitors and future local generations and increase their awareness of traditional fashion.

The museum displays 500 ao dai designs dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries and their subsequent evolution.

It displays ao dai owned by theatre icons such as Peoples Artists Kim Cuong and Bach Tuyet, considered gurus of cai luong (reformed opera).

Others include garments owned by national heroine Nguyen Thi inh, the first woman major general in the Viet Nam People's Army, and former deputy president Nguyen Thi Binh.

After ten years, the museum has organized many ao dai fashion shows and photo and painting exhibitions capturing Vietnamese culture and lifestyles.

It attracted more than 44,000 visitors last year.

Our activities aim to introduce Vietnamese culture and lifestyle and promote the images of Vietnamese women, said Van, adding that her staff has worked to focus on the value and benefits their museum brings to the development of the society much more than profits.

The citys museums have attracted more than 3 million visitors in the first ten months of 2023, double the amount compared to the same period of last year, reported the citys Department of Culture and Information.

The number of foreign visitors was around 250,000.

Museums organised 105 exhibitions and showcases, and many online displays featuring the countrys history and culture in different periods.

Last year, the Quang San Art Museum - the first private art museum  opened in Thu uc City.

It displays more than 1,000 works of Vietnamese fine arts in many periods of the country, which have been collected by Nguyen Thieu Quang and his family over many years.

Private museums are gradually becoming attractive tourist sites where education and research intersect to shape the collective knowledge of the community, spanning everything from art and history to science and technology, said Le Tu Cam, chairwoman of the citys Cultural Heritage Association.

Cam promises her association in co-operation with partners will work closer with local authorities to help private museums upgrade and improve their businesses. VNS
HCM CITY  Non Denomme (Unnamed) is the theme of an art and sound installation exhibition by French artist Tanguy Sevat-Denuet which is opening at the HCM City Southern Womens Museum.

The exhibition is an exploration of identities through art and dialogue about an intimate subject of the family sphere which is unnamed in the public space.

It features concerns of young generations who are striving to understand their family history, but facing the loss of those who kept the memory of the family story.

The project also shows how identity is built in the 21st century, and ways to pass on French-Vietnamese heritage to newest generations.

The exhibition allows visitors to follow the rustling of voices, the joy, and the laughter of generations when entering the museum.

Sevat-Denuets Non Denomme project is the result of a two-month residency at Villa Saigon, an art residency program launched by the French Institute of Viet Nam in HCM City aimed at artists or collectives of French nationality or residing in France who are professionally engaged in contemporary creation.

Sevat-Denuet is from Reunion Island and is self-taught in many different fields.

He has researched multi-dimensional approaches to conveying history, combining historical knowledge and artistic creation, and transmitting appropriate information in public spaces.

The exhibition will open until June 30. The museum is at 202 Vo Thi Sau Street in District 3. VNS
BAC GIANG A conference to promote the sale of Danh Mountain ginseng in both domestic and international markets has taken place at Lien Chung Commune, Tan Yen District in the northern province of Bac Giang.

The conference served as a platform to introduce the origins, quality, cultivation and processing methods of the renowned Danh Mountain ginseng.

It also provided an opportunity for domestic and international businesses and traders to connect with producers, explore partnership opportunities and sign sales contracts.

Danh Mountain ginseng is one of the most valued medicinal plants of Tan Yen District. The local People's Committee has directed efforts to develop, enhance the value and establish it as a distinctive local product.

This plant is renowned for its exceptional quality, said to be on par with Korean ginseng. According to locals, Danh Mountain ginseng was even a tribute item presented to the emperors and it is believed to have healing properties that could treat the eye ailments of Emperor Tu uc's mother.

Tan Yen District currently has around 125 hectares of Danh Mountain ginseng under cultivation, located across the communes of Viet Lap, Lien Chung, and Cao Thuong Town.

In 2024, the district is expected to harvest about 30 tonnes of ginseng roots and over 60 tonnes of flowers, across a season which occurs annually from August 15 to September 30.

The Danh Mountain ginseng has been leveraged to create a wide array of processed products, including fresh ginseng flowers and roots, ginseng tea, ginseng-infused shampoo, dissolvable ginseng powder and ginseng wine.

Such products are now being distributed and sold through major retail channels such as Mega Market, the Go supermarket chain, the Shopee ecommerce platform, as well as through pharmaceutical companies, confectioners and energy drink manufacturers.

According to Ngo Quoc Hung, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Tan Yen District, the Danh Mountain ginseng, boasts exceptional quality, nutritional value and can be trusted by discerning consumers.

The locality has pledged to create the most favourable conditions to support local ginseng growers, as well as domestic and international enterprises and traders involved in the harvesting, processing and marketing of Danh Mountain ginseng.

They will also provide the best possible logistical and support services and ensure public security, traffic safety and the delivery of other essential services.

According to Dr ong Thi Kim Cuc, Deputy Director of the High-Tech Biology Experiment Centre at the Vietnam Agricultural Genetics Institute, the quality of Danh Mountain ginseng is closely tied to the age of the plants.

The key chemical constituents identified in the ginseng samples include saponins, flavonoids, organic acids, amino acids and saccharides.

Notably, its saponin content is comparable to that of Korean ginseng and for seven or eight year old Danh ginseng plants, the saponin levels are actually 1.5 times higher its Korean counterparts.

David Tran, the ASEAN Regional Director of the US-based Ibenetor Group, expressed the company's enthusiasm to collaborate on commercialising products derived from Danh Mountain ginseng.

He cited the scientific research confirming the exceptionally high saponin content in Danh Mountain ginseng. This, he noted, presents significant opportunities to develop a wide range of highly nutritious and health-promoting products from this premium ginseng variety.

Ibenetor, as a leading global health and wellness company, is eager to work with local partners to bring Bac Giang's specialty to consumers in Viet Nam as well as international markets.

The company is particularly targeting the ASEAN region and the US as key focus areas for the distribution and sale of Danh Mountain ginseng-based products.

The conference brought forward several key recommendations to further develop and promote Bac Giangs medicinal specialty, like establishing concentrated cultivation areas to optimise production, ramping up promotional efforts across various media and social media platforms and linking up individual growers, cooperatives and domestic/international enterprises.

Other recommendations included providing training to local farmers on best practices for ginseng cultivation and care, with a focus on organic production with community-based tourism.

VNS
Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Huy Tang talks about the mutual relationship between Viet Nam and Cambodia on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

How do you assess the relations between Cambodia and Viet Nam over recent years?

Since Viet Nam and Cambodia established diplomatic relations (on June 24, 1967) it can be proudly affirmed that their relations have been forged, overcoming many challenges, and are now developing increasingly deeply, practically and effectively, with outstanding achievements across the following areas:

- The political-diplomatic relationship has been continuously developing, playing a key role in guiding and coordinating the overall relationship between the two countries. High-level leadership meetings and exchanges between the two countries have taken place regularly in various forms, through which many strategic agreements and orientations for overall cooperation have been reached, while difficulties and obstacles to promoting comprehensive cooperation in all fields have also been promptly addressed.

The two sides always highly appreciate the mutual assistance in the past, as well as the present, affirming respect for and full implementation of the signed agreements and treaties, and a desire and determination to build everlasting solidarity and friendship.

The Vietnamese leadership has affirmed: 'The destiny of the two peoples cannot be separated, this is a truth from historical reality'.

After forming his government, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet chose Viet Nam as the second country, the first ASEAN country, to make an official visit to, demonstrating the importance placed on our friendly neighbourly cooperation.

The two sides have also frequently coordinated closely in foreign affairs activities, conducting political consultations, sharing timely information and supporting each other at international and regional forums.

- Defence and security cooperation is an important pillar in the bilateral relationship and is deepening and becoming ever more effective. The two sides coordinate in order to maintain political stability, to protect national defence and security and support development in each country and continue to effectively implement the five-year cooperation protocol, as well as the annual cooperation plan between the Ministry of National Defence of Viet Nam with the Ministry of National Defence of Cambodia and the Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Interior of Cambodia.

The two sides regularly exchange information, share experiences, prevent activities of hostile forces, strengthen coordination in joint patrols, maintain security, order, rescue and relief efforts in all border areas, on land and at sea, build, strengthen and manage the border, security belts and maintain peace, stability and safeguard national sovereignty, order and safety in the border areas. They also continue to search for, recover and repatriate the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who were sacrificed in Cambodia and renovate the Viet Nam-Cambodia Friendship Monuments.

It can be said that security and defence cooperation, along with foreign affairs, have contributed to maintaining a peaceful, secure and stable environment for the development of each country, contributing to maintaining peace, stability and cooperative development both regionally and globally.

- Economic, trade, investment and science-technology cooperation has also seen positive developments. The two sides have proactively implemented the agreements and the understandings reached at the meetings of the Joint Committee on Economic, Cultural and Science-Technology Cooperation and the Conference on Cooperation and Development of Border Provinces, they have strengthened guidance, inspection and timely exchange of information to resolve difficulties and bottlenecks in order to promote cooperation.

- Education, training and human resource development are fields that the two sides pay special attention to, considering them as strategically important factors that actively contribute to consolidating and strengthening long-term friendly relations. Every year, Viet Nam grants hundreds of short and longer term scholarships to Cambodian students and Cambodia also provides 35 scholarships to Vietnamese students.

- The relations between the various ministries, departments, the National Assemblies and organisations have continued to be strengthened and become more substantive. The two sides have exchanged delegations, shared experiences and supported each other, the local authorities with common border areas have continued to expand the construction of infrastructure, provide healthcare, train and develop human resources and ensure security, order and safety in the border areas.

What do you think about the prospect for the development of the economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Viet Nam and Cambodia?

Both Viet Nam and Cambodia are making efforts to recover and develop a sustainable economy. Cambodias GDP growth is forecast to reach about six per cent and Viet Nams around five per cent this year, placing them among the countries with the highest GDP growth in the ASEAN region.

I believe that the Viet Nam-Cambodia relationship is developing well across all fields, with enhanced political trust between the two countries. The leaders of the two countries clearly see the significance and importance of economic cooperation and are determined to continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of cooperation in this field.

During the visit of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadey Hun Manet to Viet Nam in December 2023, the two sides agreed to work to bring the bilateral trade volume between the two countries to US$20 billion as soon as possible.

In terms of investment, Viet Nam is currently the largest investor in ASEAN and is among the top 10 countries and territories with the largest direct investment in Cambodia, with 208 effective projects and a total registered capital of $2.91 billion.

The governments of the two countries have signed a series of agreements and MOUs such as the Border Trade Agreement (11/2022), an Agreement to Promote Bilateral Trade for the 2023-2024 period, an MOU on Tourism Cooperation (2023-2028), a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and Cambodias issuance of a new Investment Law Implementing Regulation (26/6/2023). These will provide a favourable foundation to promote economic cooperation.

What are recommendations for future cooperation between Viet Nam and Cambodia?

In addition to the political-diplomatic, national defence-security and other cooperation areas, the two sides still have room and many opportunities to expand potential complementary fields. With the determined policy of comprehensive and robust reform by the 7th term Cambodian government, it will open up favourable conditions and investment opportunities.

To realise the commitments of the senior leaders of the two countries on economic, trade and investment, both Viet Nam and Cambodia need to continue to effectively implement the agreements, MoUs and other understandings signed between the two countries on economic matters. To effectively implement the decisions and commitments of the senior leaders of the two countries, the results of the Joint Committee meetings and the Border Province Cooperation Conferences, further exploit the potential for cooperation between the border provinces, increase border trade and promote tourism.

The two sides also need to continue to promote the connectivity of road infrastructure such as the Phnom Penh - Bavet expressway connecting to Moc Bai - HCM City and air transport connectivity by encouraging Vietnamese and Cambodian airlines to open flights to tourist destinations in the two countries such as Van on, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk, as well as rail connectivity.

In addition, they should quickly establish a 'Viet Nam-Laos-Cambodia Tourism Cooperation Mechanism', diversify tourism forms and cooperate in the fields of green and clean science and technology, export processing industry, high technology and medical cooperation.

The two sides also need to pay attention to education, especially for the younger generations, about the fine traditional relationship between the two nations.

This will ensure that they clearly see the position and importance of the relationship between the two countries, thereby raising their sense of responsibility in preserving and nurturing the relationship of 'Good neighbours, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability' between Viet Nam and Cambodia, so that this relationship will continue to blossom and bear fruit for the happiness of the people of the two countries and the longevity of the two nations. VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh left Ha Noi on June 24 morning for the 15th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian city, Liaoning province of China, and working sessions there from June 24-27.

The trip is made at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab.

PM Chinh is accompanied by some ministers, the Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, and other representatives of ministries, agencies, and localities.

Themed "Next Frontiers for Growth", the meeting will gather 1,600 delegates from nearly 80 countries and regions, according to the WEFs website.

It will harness collective insights to identify and advance new models of sustainable and equitable growth, with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation.

Chinh is among the few government heads who have been invited by the WEF and host China to attend the event for two consecutive years.

This demonstrates the importance they attach to Vietnams position and role in and contributions to global economic growth, as well as its development vision for the future economy.

The meeting also offers an opportunity for the Southeast Asian nation to promote its achievements in developing and stabilising the macro-economy, and its development priorities and orientations.

While in China, PM Chinh and his entourage are scheduled to carry out bilateral activities with China to maintain high-level strategic exchanges, strengthen political trust, materialise the high-level common perceptions and the two joint statements reached during the recent visits by the two Party chiefs, and promote practical cooperation with new progress, especially in the areas where Viet Nam has needs such as cross-border railway connection, border economic cooperation, its exports via the official channel, high-quality investment attraction, sustainable tourism, and high-quality personnel training. VNS
TEL AVIV  The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel on Sunday warned Vietnamese citizens living there to increase safety and security measures due to the recent increased risk of a full-scale conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah force on the northern border with Lebanon.

From June 11, hundreds of missiles have been fired and drones launched leading to serious losses in terms of life and property, and causing fires that devastated many areas in northern Israel.

Israel has also increased its offensive activities on Lebanese territory, the embassy said in a statement.

It held that the international community has warned that the recent increase in scale and intensity of mutual attacks and retaliation by the two sides may lead to the risk of a full-blown conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

In order to ensure utmost safety for Vietnamese citizens, the embassy advised the them to regularly check news on reputable local media sites, while minimising travelling to areas with a low level of security and safety as well as zones at risk of attacks by the Hezbollah force, especially northern Israel, strictly complying with regulations and instructions on security and safety measures of the local government and proactively preparing plans to ensure safety for themselves and their family.

The embassy also recommended that the Vietnamese community keep a close contact with the embassy, and provided its phone numbers and email addresses for the community in case of emergency and seeking support and information about citizen protection plans.

Since October 2023, nearly 400 people have died in Lebanon and 28 in Israel. Both sides have recently released strong statements, showing the risk of a full-blown conflict. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned on June 21 that one rash move  one miscalculation could trigger a catastrophe of a new war.  VNS
BEIJING  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrived in Dalian city, Chinas Liaoning province on June 24 for the 15th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting of the New Champions and working sessions in the country from June 24 to 27.

The PM was met at the airport by Liaoning Vice Governor Jin Guowei, Chinese Ambassador to Viet Nam Xiong Bo, Vice Mayor of Dalian Leng Xuefeng, and Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai.

PM Chinh will attend and deliver speeches at the meetings sessions, co-chair a dialogue with leaders of WEFs corporations with WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab, chair a forum with innovative enterprises, and have bilateral meetings with state leaders, international organisations, and WEF businesses.

He will also have talks and meetings with Chinese high-ranking leaders, hold working sessions with several Chinese economic organisations and corporations, and meet with staff of the Vietnamese representative offices in the country.

Chinhs working trip aims at concretising the foreign policy of the 13th National Party Congress on enhancing and elevating the countrys multilateral foreign affairs towards 2030, helping deepen the Viet Nam  China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, as well as build a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, and the sound relations with WEF. VNS
MOSCOW  Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a letter of thanks to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong and State President To Lam after his state visit to Viet Nam on June 19-20.

"Our talks were truly constructive and productive. I am confident that the implementation of the achieved bilateral agreements will help to further strengthen the relations of comprehensive strategic partnership," says the translated version by TASS news agency of Putin's message posted on the Kremlins website.

"I expect that active joint work on key issues on the bilateral and international agenda will be continued," Putin said.

He thanked the Vietnamese leadership for a warm welcome and unforgettable hospitality, affirming that the trip gave him the kindest impressions.

I wish you good health and new achievements for the benefit of the friendly Vietnamese people," Putin added.  VNS
Raspberry-flavored boba anchors the V-shaped glass holding a lychee martini. A single sage leaf floats atop a tropical-themed daiquiri. Theres carrot juice mixed into a mezcal drink.

These are not typical steakhouse cocktail orders, at least not at Pappas Bros Steakhouse. Here, customers have come to rely on (and love) tradition at the nearly three-decades-old Houston favorite.

Pappas is known for its attentive service and textbook cooking more than as a happy hour destination or one of the citys top bars. But the classic steakhouse recently rolled out seven new cocktails for the summer and its the most significant overhaul of the drink menu since the pandemic.

Oliver Brooks leads the cocktail programs across the Pappas restaurants

Oliver Brooks, Pappas corporate mixologist, spearheaded the new cocktail menu, which riffs on classics and adds some creative touches in a steakhouse setting where ice-cold martinis and Old Fashioneds are the norm.

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The steakhouse hadnt had much refreshing, Brooks said. I wanted to make steakhouse cocktails relevant and modern.

The 38-year-old Brooks, who helped land Pappas first chef-driven restaurant Littles Oyster Bar on Esquire magazines best bars list, brings an impressive resume: He started his career at Pappadeaux inside George Bush Intercontinental and stayed for 14 years. He also worked behind the bar at Better Luck Tomorrow, Squable and March before rejoining Pappas to open Littles last year.

Steakhouses in general are legacy establishments that can feel kind of stuck in time, Brooks said. We really focused on cocktails that were new but still friendly and familiar.

Below, Brooks explains each of the new cocktails served at Pappas Bros Steakhouse in the Galleria and downtown.

Charlie Foxtrot

Charlie Foxtrot, a tequila drinks, is one of seven new cocktails at Pappas Bros Steakhouse Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

This one is a riff on the tiki classic known as the Jet Pilot, which typically calls for three different types of rums.

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I love rum, but this is Texas and tequila is king, Brooks said.

Instead, the Charlie Foxtrot  a nod to the military slang referring to a chaotic situation but also unprintable term  calls for tequila shaken with ingredients like grapefruit juice, absinthe and a touch of cinnamon.

If you close your eyes a little, its kind of like a Paloma, Brooks added.

Dancing Debutante

The Dancing Debutante, a gin drink, is one of seven new cocktails at Pappas Bros Steakhouse Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Brooks said he wanted to rethink the Waltzing Matilda, a drink which normally calls for ingredients such as sauvignon blanc, passion fruit and gin.

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I wanted to reimagine it for the American South, Brooks said of the Dancing Debutante ($18).

Pappas variation calls for fresh peaches, which the bartenders cut up and soak with sugar, mint and vermouth until the fruit becomes translucent.

Ginger beer tops off this super light refreshing cocktail, which can also be made without alcohol ($12).

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Kiwi Daiquiri

The Kiwi Daiquiri crafted is one of seven new cocktails at Pappas Bros Steakhouse Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Cocktails calling for the use of fresh fruit have proven popular at Pappas Bros Steakhouse.

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A strawberry basil martini, for example, is one of the cocktails the restaurant continues to offer even after the new menu debuted during the past month.

The kiwi and some pineapple get swapped in for much of the sugar used in this classic drink. Its also garnished with a sage leaf for a green note to balance the sweetness.

When Brooks develops a new cocktail list, he often looks to reinvent time-tested recipes. The Kiwi Daiquiri ($18) is described as dry, tart and tropical.

But you dont want to change things so drastically that people dont want to drink it, he said.

Leave the Cannoli

Leave the Cannoli is one of seven new cocktails at Pappas Bros Steakhouse Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

Theres a line in the Godfather that Brooks turned to for this cocktail: Leave the gun, take the cannoli.

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The sugary cocktail named after the cult film felt like it gave steakhouse vibes, but this version ($20) replaces the usual amaretto with a coconut black tea. Theres also marsala wine thats been washed with ricotta.

It certainly has a place at the end of the meal, Brooks said. But its also good at the beginning.

Lychee Martini

A lychee martini with raspberry boba at Pappas Bros Steakhouse

This cocktail that was trendy in the '90s and early aughts is the best seller so far among Pappas new cocktail offerings.

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Brooks wanted to get creative with this drink ($18), so he added in boba filled with raspberry liquid juice to complement the vodka (made from wheat and pineapple in Hawaii) along with a smidgen of lychee liqueur.

Its meant to be playful, Brooks said. People can be serious at a steakhouse and this is a contrast.

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Mrs. Robinson

The Mrs.Robinson, a spin on the classic Lemon Drop martini, is one of seven new cocktails at Pappas Bros Steakhouse Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

This cocktail is an example of how Brooks balanced the legacy of the steakhouse, where customers want the true-and-tried favorites, but presented it in a new light.

The Mrs. Robinson ($18), which is named after a song by the Simon & Garfunkel but was covered by a band called the Lemonheads, is based on the classic lemondrop martini. Pappas bartenders use a dryer house limoncello with a craft vodka and a chamomile sugar rim helps enhance the floral notes.

Wascally Rabbit

Wascally Wabbit, a mezcal drink, is one of seven new cocktails at Pappas Bros Steakhouse Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

An obvious reference to Bugs Bunny, the Wascally Rabbit ($20) was one of the riskier cocktails Brooks tackled for the menu.

Its also one of his favorites. The easy-to-drink cocktail draws on elements of the margarita and Screwdriver. Theres the punch of tequila and mezcal, but its also balanced out by the carrot, orange and fennel ingredients. A savory salt  made with black sesame, sumac, oregano and thyme  is rolled on the rim.
HCM CITY  Viet Nam's search teams located and collected the remains of 184 martyrs in Laos over the last dry season, with nine identified by name and hometown, a meeting of the special joint task forces of the Vietnamese and Lao governments has been told.

At the meeting on Monday in HCM City, which was the 29th time the two sides had met, officials discussed the search, collection and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who died in Laos during wartime.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General and the head of the Vietnamese task force Vo Minh Luong, spoke of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, States and people of Viet Nam and Laos. Together they have formed the foundation for their development and standing on the international stage, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

In response, Deputy Minister of National Defence and head of the Lao task force Senior Lieutenant General Thongloi Silivong, affirmed that the Lao Party, Government, army, and people always remember and appreciate the Vietnamese sides significant support for the country in its past struggle for national independence and current phase of national construction and development.

As heard at the meeting, the nations special task forces and local authorities have regularly coordinated to promptly resolve any challenges in the organisation and execution of the search and repatriation mission. The Lao side assisted Viet Nams search teams in all activities and encouraged locals to provide details about possible burial sites.

Viet Nam and Laos agreed that across the 2024-25 dry season, they will collaborate until no further information about burial sites is available. Additionally, efforts will be intensified to promote and encourage the citizens of both countries to provide information about the martyrs and their graves, with their special task forces and provincial military commands tasked with conducting regular exchanges. VNS
HA NOI  President To Lam affirmed that Viet Nam always stands side by side with Cuba in all circumstances while he received Cuban Ambassador to Viet Nam Orlando Nicolas Hernandez Guillen in Ha Noi.

During the reception, Lam said that the Party, State and Government of Vietnam value the special traditional relationship with Cuba as both a comrade and a brother.

Lam expressed his delight to see that the two countries growing relations, with strong and comprehensive developments in the complex world situation.

Viet Nam always believes that under the wise leadership of the Communist Party of Cuba and the solidarity, efforts and strong will of Cuban people, Cuba will continue to firmly defend the achievements of the revolution and make new achievements in all aspects on the path of building a socialist country, Lam said.

To promote the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, the President suggested maintaining the exchange of delegations and contacts at high level, and close coordination in effectively realising high-level agreements and existing cooperation mechanisms.

The two sides should work closely together in devising activities to celebrate the 65th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties next year (December 2, 1960  2025), the leader noted.

The President also hoped that the two sides will effectively implement agricultural development cooperation programmes, promote bilateral economic-trade-investment relations, as well as expand cooperation to other areas of their strengths.

President To Lam expressed his belief that the ambassador will continue to make important and practical contributions during his term to enhancing the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Cuba, bilaterally and multilaterally.

For his part, the Cuban diplomat said that Cuba is always proud of Viet Nam's development and the international community's recognition of the country.

In Cuba's development efforts over the past years, there have always been the companionship and support, both materially and spiritually, of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, he said, thanking Viet Nam for its help in agricultural development cooperation programmes, contributing to ensuring food security for Cuba.

Cuba is ready to share and cooperate with Viet Nam in biotechnology, one of its strengths, he stressed.  VNS
DALIAN  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed Viet Nam and China continue to cooperate to improve customs clearance efficiency, upgrade border gate infrastructure and study smart border gates while holding talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Dalian City, Chinas Liaoning Province on Monday.

The two leaders kept each other updated on the situation of each Party and each country, especially firming up the achievements and high-level common perceptions reached during the historic visits of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in 2022 and General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping in 2023.

Looking back at the bilateral cooperation. the two agreed that there have been numerous notable developments and a strengthening of political trust in the relationship between the two parties and their respective countries. Various new cooperation mechanisms in important fields have been established. Strategic connections, especially traffic connections, have been boosted.

Both leaders conveyed their happiness with the bilateral trade cooperation, pointing out that Chinese investment in Viet Nam has expanded significantly, tourism has rebounded and local-to-local cooperation and people-to-people exchanges are strong.

PM Chinh affirmed that Viet Nam considers developing relations with China an objective requirement, strategic choice and top priority in its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification.

Prime Minister Li Qiang emphasised that China prioritises Viet Nam in its comprehensive foreign policy towards its neighbours and supports Viet Nam in its efforts to modernise, industrialise the country and uphold its role in the international community.

The two sides pledged to promote the effective implementation of the Viet Nam-China Joint Declaration on continuing, deepening and elevating the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and building a Viet Nam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

They agreed to expand cooperation in key areas such as diplomacy, national defence and security and build a land border of peace, stability, cooperation and development.

The two leaders also agreed to control disagreements, maintain peace and stability at sea, while strengthening coordination at international and regional forums.

Chinh proposed the two sides accelerate transport infrastructure connection, especially research to promote the construction of standard gauge railways such as Lao Cai - Ha Noi - Hai Phong, Lang Son - Ha Noi and Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong lines.

He expressed his wish that Viet Nam and China will soon sign the protocol and complete market opening procedures for Vietnamese frozen durian and fresh coconut.

He also hoped China will open markets for other Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products, including citrus fruits, avocados, custard apples, passion fruit, livestock and poultry.

He also proposed deepening cooperation in finance, banking, science, technology, education, culture, tourism, digital transformation and hi-tech agriculture.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang affirmed his readiness to deepen the Viet Nam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

He said China will further open the market for Vietnamese goods, especially Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products and high-quality fruits, as well as create favourable conditions for quarantine and customs clearance of goods.

China is ready to coordinate on promoting the resolution of institutional and policy barriers, so that the two countries' trade relations continue to grow sustainably and achieve new results, he said.

The Chinese leader proposed the two countries strengthen strategic connections, especially in infrastructure and transportation, economy, trade and investment, especially in production, manufacturing, agriculture, maintaining supply chains and production chains, and vocational training.

He hoped the two countries will make their partnership increasingly effective and substantive, reaching the new level.

The PMs also compared notes on maritime issues, and shared the view on the importance of managing disagreements and maintenance of peace and stability in the East Sea (known internationally as the South China).

PM Chinh proposed the two sides strictly implement the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues, respect international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and respect each other's lawful rights and interests.

He recommended that both parties work to improve the efficacy of maritime negotiation mechanisms, appropriately address the issue of fishing boats, and maintain effective situational control at sea.

The Vietnamese government leader affirmed support for China to promote its increasingly important and active role in the region and the world, suggesting that the two sides strengthen coordination and cooperation at regional and international forums, especially within the framework of the World Trade Organisation, APEC, ASEM and ASEAN.  VNS
PHNOM PENH  A delegation of the Vietnamese Embassy and representative agencies in Cambodia, led by Ambassador Nguyen Huy Tang, on Monday came to congratulate Cambodias Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on the occasion of the 57th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (June 24, 1967 - 2024).

On behalf of leaders of the Cambodian ministry, Secretary of State Ung Rachana received the delegation.

Tang congratulated and highly evaluated Cambodia's achievements and development in recent times, especially over the past 45 years since the country overthrew the Pol Pot genocidal regime.

Tang appreciated the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Cambodia. For the last 57 years, the two countries have overcome challenges, constantly deepened their cooperation in all fields from politics, security, defence, economy, culture, education-training, science-technology to collaboration between ministries, localities and people-to-people exchanges.

The Vietnamese diplomat emphasised that the two countries diplomatic sectors have greatly contributed to the achievements.

He expressed his confidence that in the coming time, the two ministries of foreign affairs will continue to cooperate closely with each other both in bilateral and multilateral frameworks to enhance the prestige and position of the two countries on the international stage.

For his part, Ung Rachana congratulated Viet Nam on its outstanding achievements in domestic and foreign affairs, as well as its strong economic development. He affirmed that Viet Nam is always active and plays an increasing role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and in the world.

He agreed with Tang on the need for the two sides to continue uniting together and cooperating closely to defeat all plots of hostile forces against the two countries and Viet Nam-Cambodia relations.

The Cambodian official also agreed that the two sides should continue to maintain mutual support and assistance at multilateral forums.

He affirmed that he will continue to create favourable conditions for the Embassy and representative agencies of Viet Nam in Cambodia to successfully complete their duties.

Ung Rachana suggested the two sides coordinate to well arrange visits by senior leaders of the two countries, as well as well organising the 21st meeting of the Viet Nam-Cambodia Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation in Cambodia.  VNS
CAIRO  The Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt and Lebanon on June 24 warned Vietnamese citizens who are working and living in Lebanon not to travel to unsafe areas or crowded places in the context of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah force.

According to the embassy, there are currently eight Vietnamese citizens living in Lebanon, mainly in the capital of Beirut and surrounding areas. The lives of the Vietnamese citizens here are temporarily unaffected by the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Since the outbreak of tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the embassy has regularly kept in touch with the Vietnamese citizens in Lebanon and learned that their lives are still going on normally.

The embassy has devised plans in case tensions escalate and is ready to coordinate with relevant agencies to carry out the evacuation or citizen protection if needed. It will continue to closely monitor, regularly contact and encourage the citizens and request the Honorary Consul to follow the situation and promptly make a report in case of emergencies.

The Vietnamese citizens living in Lebanon or their relatives can contact the Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt and Lebanon through the hotline +20 102 613 9869, or the Honorary Consular Office of Viet Nam in Lebanon +961 70 229 300 in case they need help.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel on Sunday also issued a similar warning, urging Vietnamese citizens in the northern border with Lebanon to increase safety and security measures in the wake of the fighting.  VNS
LIAONING  Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Monday hosted separate receptions for leaders of some leading Chinese businesses operating in the field of infrastructure in Dalian City in Chinas Liaoning Province.

The meetings took place as part of the PMs trip to China to attend the 15th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting of the New Champions and working sessions in the country from June 24 to 27.

Meeting Chairman of the Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock Co. Ltd. (CRRC) Sun Rongkun, PM Chinh called on the company to join in infrastructure development in Viet Nam, especially large-scale projects and inter-regional and urban railways.

Briefing the PM on the operations of the stated-own enterprise which specialises in producing locomotives, urban rail vehicles, express trains and new energy locomotives, Sun said its products have been exported to 32 countries, including Viet Nam.

CRRC wishes to continue providing railway products for Viet Nam, and cooperate in the production of rail transport and new energy products in the country, he said.

In particular, CRRC wants to cooperate in inter-regional, inter-provincial and urban railway projects in the Southeast Asian nation, especially urban railway lines in Ha Noi and HCM City, he said.

Mentioning the Viet Nam-China joint statement on continuing deepening and elevating the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and building a Viet Nam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, issued in December 2023, PM Chinh said the two sides agreed to promote standard-gauge railway connectivity across the shared border.

Viet Nam is working to boost railway transport in the new situation, he said, calling on China, including CRRC, to support and cooperate with the country in the industry, step up science-technology transfer, develop human resources, and provide finance for the country in the effort.

The Vietnamese Government always creates favourable conditions for businesses, including those from China, to operate effectively and sustainably and in line with legal regulations in the country, the leader pledged.

At the meeting with Wang Xiaojun, Deputy General Manager of the Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), PM Chinh suggested the business maintain and expand its cooperation and investment in Viet Nam to the field of renewable energy, and infrastructure, particularly transport infrastructure.

According to Wang, PowerChina has operated in Viet Nam in the sphere of energy since 2000 with many big projects, and it is interested in pumped storage hydropower projects, wind power projects in the northern region, integrated LNG projects, and infrastructure, particularly transport infrastructure in the Southeast Asian country.

Lauding impressive cooperation outcomes between the Chinese firm and its Vietnamese partners, PM Chinh said Viet Nam is perfecting relevant institutions and expressed his hope that PowerChina will cooperate with the country in energy, especially renewable energy.

He also suggested the corporation join hands with Vietnamese partners to implement large-scale infrastructure projects in the country, and transfer solutions, administration experience, cutting-edge technologies, and new economic models.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Transport conducted a field survey on the feasibility of importing construction sand from Cambodia to Viet Nam.

According to the results, Cambodia's sand reserves can adequately meet the long-term construction and reclamation needs of the southern provinces of Viet Nam.

Statistics show that Cambodia is currently exporting approximately 50,000 to 60,000 cubic metres of sand to Viet Nam every day. The Cambodian government supports free market trading of sand, does not intervene in pricing and will issue certificates of origin. It also requires proper licences, tax payments and adherence to regulations for sand extraction, transportation and export.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade recommended that the government assign the Ministry of Transport to lead and coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to review and determine the total demand and quantity of sand needed by Vietnamese enterprises and construction contractors. This will enable proactive negotiations with Cambodian companies for sand purchase contracts in accordance with the regulations of both countries.

Currently, Cambodia has granted extraction and export licences to only three domestic companies (foreign companies are not permitted to extract sand). Among these, Chaktomuk Cambodia Company exports around 40,000 to 60,000 cubic metres of sand daily to about 15 to 20 Vietnamese companies. Sok Theara Company, which has a sand mine reserve of over 200 million cubic metres, has not yet exported sand to Viet Nam. Global Green Energy Company supplies approximately 10,000 cubic metres per day to two or three Vietnamese companies.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Cambodia is ready to issue certificates of origin for sand purchased in Cambodia to minimise fraud and smuggling.

In early April, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha chaired a meeting in Ho Chi Minh City with relevant ministries, sectors and localities to discuss the situation of sand materials for the foundation of the Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 project.

During the meeting, the Ministry of Transport stated that from 2021-2025, the Mekong Delta and Southeast regions were implementing 21 expressway and key traffic component projects. The total demand for road embankment materials for these projects would be nearly 77 million cubic metres, including about 7 million cubic metres of soil and nearly 70 million cubic metres of sand.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the demand for sand for the foundation of Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3 is approximately 9.3 million cubic metres, with about six million cubic metres needed in 2024 alone. Currently, the amount of sand from domestic mines committed to the project is about seven million cubic metres leaving a shortfall of about 2.3 million cubic metres.

The Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association reported that Cambodia was willing to export about 100 million cubic metres of sand to Viet Nam within one year. Therefore, the Deputy Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Industry and Trade to report on the results of negotiations for importing construction and foundation sand from Cambodia for consideration and decision.  VNS
HA NOI - In recent years, Ha Noi's agriculture sector has promoted synchronous mechanisation in rice production and formed many quality commodity rice production areas, on a concentrated scale, aimed at export.

According to the data from the Ha Noi Agricultural Extension Centre, Ha Noi currently has an annual rice growing area of about 160,000 hectares, and is one of the provinces and cities with a large rice growing area in the north.

In order to encourage farmers and cooperatives to actively apply mechanisation in agricultural production, especially synchronous mechanisation in rice production, on June 26, in Nam Phong Commune, Phu Xuyen District, Ha Noi's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development organised the "Good Crop Transplanter Operator of 2024" contest.

Its aim is to create a platform for farmers to exchange their knowledge and learn from others experience and new technical advances, contributing to agricultural productivity and agricultural product quality improvement, as well as to sustainable agricultural development.

According to Vu Thi Huong, the Director of the Ha Noi Agricultural Extension Centre, the "Good Crop Transplanter Operator of 2024" contest has ten teams from different districts such as Phu Xuyen, Ung Hoa, Thuong Tin, etc.

Each team consists of five people participating in operating rice transplanters on an area of 1,800 square metres, equivalent to five acres. The organising committee selected rice varieties based on needs, soil, and local farming practices and provided seedling trays for transplanters for each competing team.

During the competition, each team must ensure that they follow the judges' scoring criteria such as the uniformity between rows of transplanted rice (the distance between rice clusters); the precision ratio of transplanted rice clusters; the planting depth and the completion time.

The 50 contestants are all farmers directly involved in agricultural production. They have deep understanding of science and technology, a lot of creative farming work experience and are exemplary faces representing hundreds of diligent and creative farmers in Ha Noi City.

Nguyen Van Thang from Nam Phong Commune said: "I learned about this contest through information from the Ha Noi Agricultural Extension Centre.

"This year, Nam Phong Commune was chosen as the pilot commune to apply the machine transplanting model, promising to increase productivity and rice yield. Through this contest, I hope this model will be further replicated in agricultural production in Ha Noi."

Nguyen Manh Phuong, Deputy Director of the city's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development added: "The contest provides a chance for farmers to directly experience machine planting, thereby helping them see the optimal effectiveness of this method, which is liberating labour, reducing costs, increasing production efficiency and protecting the environment. The contest also gives farmers access to new science and technology, thereby gradually changing their production methods.

"For the citys agriculture sector, this brings about a solution to gradually remove the difficulties of labour shortage for agricultural production in rural areas, promoting mechanisation to become a key factor in Ha Noi's agricultural production."

Phuong also said: "Recently, Ha Noi's agriculture sector has focused on supporting and encouraging farmers to apply synchronous mechanisation in rice production, with priority given to the mechanisation of sowing and transplanting.

"In addition, the city's agriculture sector also supports farmers in bringing new rice varieties with high yield, good quality, and adaptation to climate change into production, increasing the proportion of high-quality rice to meet consumer expectations and aim for export."

In the future, the agriculture sector will step up propaganda, promotion, building and strengthening chains of rice production and consumption, promoting trade and product consumption to attract domestic and international investors to sign consumption contracts with cooperatives, contributing to improving the value of rice grains, as well as increasing the income of farmers in Ha Noi.

The city's agriculture sector also identified this as one of the key tasks to increase economic value from rice growing, pulling farmers back to the fields, ensuring food security and enhancing the city's rice brand.

In addition, the citys agriculture sector will continue to bring high-quality rice varieties into production. In particular, in the period of 2021-2025, Ha Noi strives to have its high-quality rice seed structure reach over 80 per cent of the cultivated area, forming three to five domestic and rice export chains. -- VNS
QUANG NINH  In the early hours of April 2, Viet Nam-Sweden Uong Bi Hospital received a patient diagnosed with brain death due to a tragic traffic accident in the north-eastern province of Quang Ninh.

Following a conclusive diagnosis by the Brain Death Diagnosis Council, after three evaluations and with the family's consent for organ donation, the hospital swiftly devised a multi-organ retrieval plan.

The hospital collaborated closely with the National Organ Transplant Coordination Centre and other transplant centres nationwide to review and compile a list of recipients for the donated organs.

Tran Anh Cuong, director of the hospital talked to the Nhan dan (The People) newspaper about the meticulous planning and preparations, including all the transportation logistics for the organs, in order for a successful overnight retrieval surgery.

The surgery, which involved 120 medical staff, including doctors, nurses and technicians, divided into multiple teams, he said.

Leading transplant centres in the country, such as 108 Military Central Hospital, Viet Nam  Germany Hospital and Hue Central Hospital, also sent doctors across to Quang Ninh to assist.

Nguyen Trong Dien, director of Quang Ninh Province's Health Department said This is the first time organ retrieval has been performed at a provincial hospital, with the organs then sent to various transplant centres across the country, the furthest distance to Hue Central Hospital."

The organ retrieval was more successful than anticipated with support from leading Vietnamese experts, the mobilisation of local healthcare resources in the province and the dedication of the entire surgical team.

New life

Among the seven organ recipients was Nguyen Thanh Tung, an 11-year-old boy from ai Yen Ward, Ha Long City, who received a kidney.

Tung, who was also suffering from stage-2 heart failure and faced a high risk of death, was fortunate to receive a compatible kidney for transplantation.

His mother, Pham Thi Bich Thao said her son was given a second chance at life thanks to the donated kidney, which had adapted well to his body. His health had improved significantly and he continued to receive regular check-ups.

My family is very grateful to the donor, she said.

Associate Professor ong Van He, director of the National Organ Transplant Coordination Centre said that the event marked a significant milestone in expanding the organ donation and transplant network at district and provincial levels.

If the model is successful, it will increase the availability of organs, providing more opportunities to save lives, he said.

Provincial transplant centre

Organ and tissue transplantation is the last resort for treating chronic and severe illnesses where organs are irreversibly damaged, such as chronic kidney failure, liver, heart, marrow and corneal failure.

However, the concept of organ donation remains a sensitive issue for many people, making public awareness and advocacy crucial to changing perceptions.

Since July 2023, the province's Health Department has partnered with the National Organ Transplant Coordination Centre to organise training programmes to enhance counselling and advocacy for organ donation.

Prior to this, in 2019, the department established the Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplant Advisory Team.

The department directed three major hospitals, Quang Ninh General Hospital, Bai Chay Hospital and Viet Nam-Sweden Uong Bi Hospital, to develop specialised techniques for organ transplantation and establish brain death diagnosis councils.

The provincial hospitals have collaborated with the National Organ Transplant Coordination Centre to hold training sessions on "enhancing counselling and advocacy for posthumous organ donation" and to proactively mobilise transplantable organs locally.

The province's healthcare sector has formed two brain death diagnosis councils and actively trained doctors to prepare for organ transplantation.

Over 50 doctors and nurses have participated in hands-on training at central hospitals.

Cuong said that the hospital was developing seven key areas of medical treatment, including organ transplantation.

The hospital had sent 40 doctors and nurses from various fields for training and technical transfer to implement organ transplantation within the province.

Recently, the Quang Ninh Organ and Tissue Donation Advocacy Association was established, launching a campaign to register for organ and tissue donation to save lives.

The provinces healthcare sector has also conducted numerous awareness campaigns and encouraged all medical staff in the province to register as organ donors.

Bui Manh Hung, deputy director of the provincial Health Department and president of the Quang Ninh Organ and Tissue Donation Advocacy Association said to date, all medical units in the province had joined the organ and tissue donation network and encouraged their staff to participate.

We hope the noble act of registering as donors among medical professionals will inspire the community, raising awareness and promoting organ donation to save lives, he said.

Quang Ninh is the first locality with a provincial-level medical facility performing organ retrieval on-site so far.

It not only demonstrates the local health sectors commitment to actively participating in the national organ donation and transplant network, but also showcases the capability of local medical staff to adopt and implement advanced medical techniques. VNS
HCM CITY  Authorities in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta are seeking to increase the number of people covered by the Governments health insurance.

The delta, comprising 12 provinces and Can Tho, has boosted advocacy to encourage people to participate in health insurance.

Tieu Minh Duong, deputy director of the Can Tho Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, said his agency had sought to enhance public awareness of the need for and benefits of social and health insurance.

Last month the city launched an event to advocate voluntary participation in social and health insurance, including a motorbike parade.

The city had 1.07 million people with health insurance as of the end of April, or 90 per cent of its population, and aims to get another 11,234 sign up this year.

In Long An Province, authorities have regularly undertaken advocacy activities to make people understand the benefits and responsibilities related to health insurance.

The province is improving healthcare services, especially for insured people, and has 186 clinics and hospitals that provide them with healthcare.

Its number of examinations under insurance cover increased from 2.2 million in 2009 to 2.4 million last year.

The provinces 93.2 per cent of its population, or more than 1.6 million people, are insured.

Nguyen Thanh Hai, deputy standing secretary of the Long An Party Committee, said the quality of treatment for insured people at clinics and hospitals, especially at the grassroots levels, should be enhanced.

Support

The Delta region has a number of policies to help people access health insurance and financial support for people, especially the poor, to buy it.

Tra Vinh Province has adopted resolutions to provide free health insurance to near-poor people, farmers with average incomes, students, and other needy people.

It has improved the quality of healthcare for insured people, and this has helped reduce the number of patients that require to be transferred from local facilities to higher-level ones for treatment.

It aims to have 100 per cent of its population covered by health insurance by 2030 compared to 95.8 per cent now.

Lam Minh ang, deputy secretary of the Tra Vinh Party Committee, has urged commune party and peoples committees to work with district-level social insurance agencies to expand the number of people covered by health insurance.

The province's Department of Education and Training should step up advocacy and encourage students to acquire health insurance, he said.

An Giang Province subsidised health insurance costs by 30 per cent for near-poor people and 70 per cent for ethnic students in 2020-22.

All students now have health insurance.

The rate of insured people in the province increased from just 43 per cent in 2009 to 92 per cent last year.

Le Van Nung, deputy secretary of the province's Party Committee, has instructed localities to financially help people buy health insurance.

Localities should implement health insurance policies well and create favourable conditions for people to access them, he said.

An Giang targets 95 per cent of its population having health insurance by next year.  VNS
Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center and its academic affiliate, Baylor College of Medicine, have agreed to pay a $15 million settlement after a whistleblower said doctors for years relied on unqualified medical residents to perform key aspects of risky heart surgeries, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Federal officials on Monday revealed sweeping allegations against three prominent Houston heart surgeons, accusing them of using unqualified trainees to perform thousands of surgeries simultaneously over seven years  a practice that harmed patients, inflated their own compensation and created a $150 million windfall for their vaunted institution in the process, according to court documents.

Drs. Joseph Coselli, Joseph Lamelas and David Ott allegedly left medical residents and fellows in operating rooms, alone and without patients knowledge, during critical moments of complex heart surgeries from 2013 to 2020 at Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center, according to a federal whistleblower lawsuit unsealed Monday. The practice allowed them to perform two and sometimes three heart procedures at the same time, then fraudulently bill the government for all the operations, according to the lawsuit, which was filed by the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Southern District of Texas.

Their hospital and its academic affiliate, Baylor College of Medicine, were aware of the practice and supported them by supplying trainees and operating rooms, the lawsuit said. St. Lukes, Baylor and a medical practice group, Surgical Associates of Texas P.A., agreed to pay $15 million to settle the alleged violations of the false claims act and records laws.

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The charges were dismissed as part of the agreement, and none of the defendants were found guilty.

In a statement, Baylor College of Medicine General Counsel Robert Corrigan Jr. said the school did not violate federal law or regulations and that no patients were harmed.

The College decided to amicably resolve the dispute prior to a trial on the merits after considering the cost and expense incurred by Baylor to date, and anticipated future costs and expenses, including attorneys fees, Corrigan Jr. said.

St. Lukes issued a similar statement, saying the claims are strictly allegations. The hospital remains committed to complying with all CMS regulations.

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Coselli, Lamelas and Surgical Associates of Texas P.A. could not be reached for comment. Ott disputed the allegations when reached by phone on Monday.

We have proven, using hospital records and operating room timelines, that I was in the operating rooms and did the operations that I claimed and, therefore, have done nothing wrong, he said.

An internal review of patient deaths found that at least four patients died under Otts care during scheduled overlapping surgeries, according to the lawsuit. Officials were aware of broader problems, the lawsuit said. With each physician rushing from one surgery to the next, patients were under anesthesia for longer and suffered excessive internal bleeding that required re-opening their chest, the lawsuit said. Heart valve sutures came loose, the lawsuit said, and surgeries needed to be redone.

Ten other Baylor surgeons performed concurrent surgeries but not at the level of the three physician defendants, according to the lawsuit.

The allegations are the latest blow to the storied legacies of Baylor and St. Lukes, where in 1968, Dr. Denton Cooley performed what he said was the first successful human heart transplant in the country. The hospital has continuously touted itself as among the best in the country for cardiac surgery. In 2018, a Chronicle investigation found a high rate of deaths and complications following heart transplants at St. Lukes. Later stories uncovered other issues with more common heart surgeries.

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid cut off funding for the transplant program in 2018 before allowing payments again in 2020.

Ott, 77, succeeded Cooley in 2014 as chief surgeon of the Texas Heart Institute, which is affiliated with St. Lukes. He announced his retirement in 2018 amid the Chronicle investigation, having performed more than 20,000 heart and vascular procedures, according to earlier reports.

Coselli, 71, is currently a professor and executive vice chair in the department of surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. Hes an internationally acclaimed expert in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery.

Lamelas, 63, a well-known expert in minimally invasive heart surgery, is chief of the division of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He worked for two years at Baylor after joining as associate chief of cardiac surgery in 2017.

The allegations against the three physicians, originally filed under seal in 2019, stem from a whistleblower who was identified in court documents as Dr. Jeffrey Morgan. Morgan took over as director of the hospitals transplant program in 2016 but was replaced in 2018, according to earlier reports. He could not be immediately reached for comment Monday.

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A key part of the lawsuit alleges that the physicians compensation was tied to their surgical volumes. Their compensation package was some four-times higher than the average for their specialty in Houston, reaching over $2 million each year, according to the lawsuit. Together, they performed more than 5,000 overlapping surgeries, with those cases alone boosting revenue for the hospital by $150 million, the lawsuit alleged.

According to the lawsuit, their cardiac surgery volume was two to four times higher than the average number of procedures performed by cardiac surgeons in America.

In short, the teaching physicians churned through as many cardiac surgeries as possible to generate revenue for Baylor, regulations be damned, and were rewarded with lavish compensation, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit provides several specific examples of all three surgeons scheduled for simultaneous surgeries. At one point in 2018, Coselli was scheduled to perform more than 32 hours of surgery in a 16-hour period.

Federal officials said each surgeon attested in medical records that they were present for the entirety of the surgeries, which were complex procedures involving opening the patients chest and placing them on a heart-lung machine. These included coronary artery bypass grafts, valve repairs and aortic repair procedures.

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Patients entrusted these surgeons with their lives  submitting to operations where one missed cut is the difference between life and death, said U.S. Attorney Alamdar Hamdani in a news release. Allegedly, the patients were unaware their doctor was leaving for another operating room. This settlement reaffirms the importance of Medicare requirements governing surgeon presence and ensuring that no physician  no matter how prominent or successful  can skirt around the rules.

In its news release, the $15 million sum was described as the largest settlement to date involving concurrent surgeries. Morgan will receive $3,075,000, according to court documents.
HA NOI The Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs has proposed that the Government issue a decree raising the standard allowance for individuals who contributed to the revolution from VN2.05 million (US$80) to VN2.78 million ($109) per month, an increase of 35.7 per cent.

The adjustment is set to take effect from 1 July this year.

The ministry said the new standard allowance was reported to the Politburo by the Government.

In terms of the nursing care benefits for individuals who contributed to the revolution, within the decree, the ministry submitted the increase to start from 1 January 2025 rather than 1 July this year.

The reasoning is to ensure uniformity in benefit disbursement throughout this year, necessitating the adjustment from the start of 2025.

At a regular meeting of the ministry earlier this month, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs ao Ngoc Dung said the ministry was focusing on drafting three decrees concerning regional minimum wages, pensions , and payment guidance for contributors and social protection beneficiaries.

Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra also said that according to the Government's proposal, millions of people would receive a 15 per cent increase in pensions and social insurance benefits from 1 July.

The adjustments to pensions, social insurance benefits and allowances for those who contributed to the revolution, were being implemented concurrently to ensure coherence with Resolution No. 28 of the 12th Party Central Committee and current legal regulations, she said.

To facilitate the policies, the Government has requested permission to expand the use of wage reform savings from both central and local budgets.

Beneficiaries of the revolutionary contributor allowances include those who engaged in revolutionary activities before 1 January 1945; those engaged in revolutionary activities from 1 January 1945 to the August Revolution in 1945; martyrs; Vietnamese heroic mothers; heroes of the Peoples Armed Forces; labour heroes during the resistance; wounded soldiers and those receiving equivalent benefits; war invalids; individuals affected by toxic chemicals during the resistance; resistance fighters, national defenders and international duty performers captured and imprisoned by the enemy; resistance participants for national liberation, defence and international duty; relatives of revolutionary contributors.  VNS
HCM CITY  Four Vietnamese individuals have been charged in the US for their alleged involvement in cyber attacks that resulted in losses exceeding US$71 million for victim companies.

The accused members, known as part of the Vietnamese cybercrime organisation FIN9, are said to have orchestrated sophisticated hacking schemes targeting networks throughout the US between May 2018 and October 2021.

The indicted individuals are Ta Van Tai (also recognised as Quynh Hoa and Bich Thuy), Nguyen Viet Quoc (referred to as Tien Nguyen), Nguyen Trang Xuyen, and Nguyen Van Truong (also known as "Chung Nguyen").

Through tactics such as phishing campaigns and supply chain attacks, the group allegedly gained unauthorised entry into the computer systems of targeted companies.

Once inside, they reportedly extracted confidential information, employee benefits, and monetary assets, resulting in significant financial repercussions.

The cybercriminals exploited their access to divert digital employee benefits, such as gift cards, to their own accounts.

In addition, they pilfered personal data and credit card information from both employees and customers of the infiltrated companies.

To conceal their identities, the defendants purportedly utilised stolen data to establish online profiles and engage in transactions, including the sale of stolen gift cards on cryptocurrency platforms.

They face charges such as conspiracy to commit fraud, extortion, and computer-related activities, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, intentional harm to a protected computer, conspiracy to engage in money laundering, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to perpetrate identity fraud.

The penalties for these crimes span from a maximum of five years to a mandatory 20-year prison sentence, depending on the offense.  VNS
HA NOI  Sending workers to work abroad had many positive changes in the first six months this year, however, fraud in the export of labour still occurred, said managers.

Pham Viet Huong, Deputy Director of the Department of Overseas Labour (DOLAB) under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), said that in the first six months of the year, the number of Vietnamese workers sent to work abroad under contracts had increased.

By June 19, more than 78,000 people went to work in another country, reaching 62.4 per cent of the years plan.

However fraud in the sector was still too frequent, was complex and sophisticated, he said.

Scammers often take advantage of some people's eagerness to quickly go abroad to defraud and appropriate their money.

Most recently, in mid-May, the MoLISA warned that a number of organisations and individuals were impersonating legitimate work agencies.

They pretended that they had been selected by the MoLISA and Australian Government to take workers to work in the Australian agriculture sector.

To try and prevent the problem, the MoLISA requested localities to give sufficient information and education to people to be vigilant against swindlers.

Huong said that along with coordination with media agencies to warn about the issue, the DOLAB also gave warnings about online frauds.

"In addition to educating them on legal regulations, we inform workers arising problems to reduce negative issues, thereby raising their awareness and minimising fraud, said Huong.

Another common fraud came from organisations and individuals promising workers to help them pass the Korean language exam so that they would be sure to go to Korea to work.

Pham Ngoc Lan, Deputy Director of the Overseas Labour Centre said: "Workers desire to find ways to pass the Korean language exam is a common need. But the programme that we are implementing is very transparent and fair for all workers. Therefore, no individual or organisation can improperly interfere."

To avoid falling into scams, workers are first asked to arm themselves with all the relevant information.

They should contact businesses that are licensed to send workers abroad at their official phone numbers and websites posted on the enterprises' licences and on the DOLABs website www.dolab.gov.vn.

The workers can also get information from the website of the Overseas Labour Centre at www.colab.gov.vn.  VNS
HA NOI  Denmark will continue to help the Ministry of Health improve the quality of examination and treatment of chronic diseases, especially diabetes, towards a better quality of life for patients in Viet Nam as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed on June 24.

The cooperation will be jointly implemented by the health ministrys Medical Services Administration (MSA), with technical support from the Danish Embassy in Viet Nam and professional and financial support from the Vietnam Pediatric Association and Novo Nordisk Vietnam from June 2024 to June 2026.

The programme will focus activities on facilitating knowledge exchange, strengthening medical training, information exchange and experience sharing on non-communicable diseases, especially diabetes and obesity and developing and updating medical professional guidelines and addressing treatment gaps.

To improve medical capacity for all levels, including non-communicable disease prevention, the MSA has coordinated with the Danish Embassy in Viet Nam on a programme for medical training.

The programme has achieved remarkable results in improving the capacity of 4,500 general and specialised doctors nationwide on diabetes and obesity. The cooperation helped develop professional guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes, non-communicable diseases in the context of COVID-19, obesity and type 1 diabetes.

It also helped build a website to educate patients and the public about diabetes, developing educational materials and organising valuable online consultation sessions on non-communicable diseases for people.

Diabetes is a public health threat worldwide as well as in Viet Nam. According to statistics from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), in 2021, there are an estimated 537 million adults in the world living with diabetes. This number is expected to increase to 783 million people by 2045. However, up to half of people with diabetes are undiagnosed and many people are living with type 2 diabetes without being aware of their condition.

Type 1 diabetes accounts for 90 per cent of diabetes in children. In Viet Nam, there is currently no complete data on the epidemiology of type 1 diabetes in children. Data from children's tertiary hospitals shows that there are nearly 2,000 children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, an increasing number nationwide over the past seven years, according to the Ministry of Health.  VNS
VIENTIANE  The Nguyen Du Lao-Vietnamese bilingual language school in Vientiane held a ceremony on June 24 to close the 2023-2024 school year.

Besides the schools teachers, students and their parents, the ceremony also saw the attendance of representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos, the Vietnamese General Association in Laos, the Vietnamese peoples association in Vientiane and Lao agencies.

Principal of the school Sivanhueang Phengkhammay said that the ceremony was also a farewell to 12th graders, most of them had attended the school for years.

She hoped that the students will become good citizens and make contributions to the country.

In the 2023-2024 school year, the school reaped achievements. The number of students with excellent/good performance is higher than that of previous years. The schools students got three first prizes, one second prize and two third prizes at the districts contests together with many good results that helped realise the schools plan and increase its reputation.

The school is a place for children of Vietnamese expatriates in Vientiane to study after the Lao national curriculum along with the Vietnamese language.

In 2005, Vietnam offered over US$500,000 in funding to build the school. Currently, it has 66 teachers and over 1,000 students from kindergarten to the 12th grade. The Vietnamese students account for about 30%.

Bui Thi Oanh, a 12th grader, said that she has had many good memories at the school where she studied and joined activities with friends and teachers.

She said the school is a symbol of the Lao-Vietnam solidarity and nurtures dreams of many generations of students of the two countries.  VNA/VNS
Bui Huy Son, director of the Department of Planning and Finance, said that the export turnover in the first half of the year was estimated at $188.97 billion, up 13.8 per cent on year.

The main export group is the processing and manufacturing industry, estimated at almost $160 billion, accounting for 84.63 per cent of total export turnover.

Agricultural products continue to be a bright spot in export growth, increasing by 18.8 per cent on year (that in the same period last year decreased by 2.3 per cent), total export turnover is estimated at $18.21 billion in the first half of 2024.

Fruits and vegetables in the first half of 2024 reached $3.4 billion, up 28 per cent on year. Durian, dragon fruit, banana, and longan have greatly contributed to fruit and vegetable export growth.

Also, according to the MoIT, in the first half of the year, the total import-export turnover is estimated at nearly $370 billion, up 16 per cent on year. The trade balance continues to be in surplus at $8.4 billion.

Nguyen Duc Hung Linh, consulting director of Think Future Consultancy, said that thanks to the recovery of exports, Vietnam's GDP in the first quarter of 2024 increased to 5.66 per cent (compared to an increase of 3.32 per cent in the first quarter of 2023).

The number of applications for unemployment benefits in the first quarter of 2024 also decreased to 168,000, the lowest number in 10 quarters, reflecting the improvement in the employment sector and business activities of enterprises.

The openness of Vietnam's economy is large. According to the World Bank, Vietnam's export value of goods and services is equivalent to 94 per cent of GDP, ranking 14th in the world.

Of Vietnam's total exports, goods exports account for 82 per cent of GDP. Service exports, mainly tourism and transport, account for 12 per cent of GDP. Two other important components of economic growth are retail sales of goods and services and investment, including private investment, public investment, and foreign direct investment (FDI), accounting for only 61 and 33 per cent of GDP, respectively.

Exports are the direct driving force and makes the biggest impact on Vietnam's economic growth. Linh said, "In 2018 and 2019, Vietnam reported GDP growth of over 7 per cent, the highest level over the last 10 years. Exports in these years increased by 13.2 and 8.4 per cent, respectively. In 2023, when exports decreased by 4.6 per cent, GDP only reached 5 per cent."

As the most important driving force of the economy, Vietnam's exports are greatly dependent on the needs of developed economies. Currently, the United States, EU, South Korea, and Japan account for 53 per cent of Vietnam's export value. The decline in exports to these markets has reduced total exports and slowed down Vietnam's economic growth. In 2023, exports to the US dropped by 11.3 per cent, the EU decreased by 6.7 per cent, both South Korea and Japan went down by 3.7 per cent.

In 2024, developed economies are regaining positive growth momentum, which is forecast to grow at 1.7 per cent in 2024 and 1.8 per cent in 2025 (compared to 1.6 per cent in 2023). The World Trade Organization predicts that global goods trade will increase by 2.6 and 3.3 per cent in 2024 and 2025, respectively, after decreasing by 1.2 per cent in 2023.

Improved purchasing power in developed countries has impacted Vietnam's economy. Exports of goods in the first five months of 2024 increased by 15.2 per cent, while that in the same period in 2023 decreased by 11.7 per cent. Exports to the US, EU, South Korea and Japan returned to growing well, reaching 22.3, 16.1, 10.9, and 3.2 per cent, respectively.

In addition to positive signs, economic experts say that import-export activities are growing well but still face many challenges because increased export turnover contributed to the rise in prices (especially agricultural products and energy), the raise in transportation costs, and price increases of USD.

Moreover, import and export activities continue to depend on some markets, products and FDI. Some key export products of Vietnam to major markets continue being at risk from trade defence investigations and related technical barriers related to the environment, sustainable development, and green transformation.

In the second half of 2024, the MoIT believes that imports and exports will be favourable as existing free trade agreements continue to have a positive impact, maintaining Vietnam's advantage in trade, and investment activities. But the global economy is entering a new period with many risks, challenges, and unpredictability, increasing competition in Vietnam's chief export markets.

FTA quality improvement promotes exports: Experts Enhancing the quality of the 16 free trade agreements (FTA) that Vietnam has signed with partners will be a helpful measure to aid domestic firms in facilitating exports in the coming time, according to experts.

ESG is vital for exporters Businesses, especially exporters, must embrace environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies or face losing out on trade, according to Nguyen Dinh Tho, general director of the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Natural Resources and Environment (ISPONRE).

Shipping costs continue to climb Rising logistics costs are eroding profits and forcing exporters to freeze orders, as well as revealing inadequacies in the management of foreign shipping companies operating in the waters of Vietnam.
Israel's Iron Dome air defence system has been activated to intercept missiles from the Hezbollah force in Lebanon. (Photo: VNA)

Tel Aviv  The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel on June 23 warned Vietnamese citizens here to increase safety and security measures in the context of the recent increased risk of a full-scale conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah force on the northern border with Lebanon.

From June 11, force has fired hundreds of missiles and launched drones, leading to serious losses in terms of life and property, and causing fires that devastated many areas in northern Israel, while Israel has also increased its offensive activities on Lebanese territory, the embassy said in a statement.

It held that the international community has warned that the recent increase in scale and intensity of mutual attacks and retaliation by the two sides may lead to the risk of a full-blown conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

In the face of this situation, in order to ensure utmost safety for Vietnamese citizens, the embassy advised the them to regularly update news on reputable local media, while minimising travelling to areas with a low level of security and safety as well as zones at risk of attacks by the Hezbollah force, especially northern Israel, strictly complying with regulations and instructions on security and safety measures of the local government, and proactively preparing plans to ensure safety for themselves and their family.

The embassy also recommended that the Vietnamese community keep a close contact with the embassy, and provided its phone numbers and email addresses for the community in case of emergency and seeking support and information about citizen protection plans.

Since October 2023, nearly 400 people have died in Lebanon and 28 in Israel. Particularly, both sides have recently released tough statements, showing the risk of a full-blown conflict. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned on June 21 that one rash move  one miscalculation could trigger a catastrophe of a new war.

Vietnamese community in Israel remains safe: embassy The Vietnamese community in Israel remains safe more than one month after conflicts broke out in Israel, heard an online meeting on November 11 connecting Vietnamese citizens living across Israel with media agencies in Vietnam.

Israeli free trade pact to build on existing ties A bilateral free deal between Vietnam and Israel, slated for ratification early this year, is expected to provide new trade and investment opportunities for the two nations currently seeking to expand their agricultural development cooperation.
A publication released earlier in June by FiinGroup said that Vietnams modern warehousing industry is witnessing strong expansion by foreign investors. Warehousing remains the most attractive segment in Vietnams logistics industry thanks to strong commercial, manufacturing, and retail activities, it said.

There are dozens of warehousing-related projects planned over the next few years, Photo: Shutterstock

Hai Khieu, director and head of Market Research and Consulting Division at FiinGroup, said that modern warehouse supply in Vietnam has seen strong growth with a compound annual growth rate for 2020-2023 of 23 per cent.

Both local and foreign investors are now aggressively developing logistics infrastructures, especially modern warehouses in Vietnam, to incentivitise from the rising demand of manufacturing giants, modern trade retail chains, and logistics companies as well as solid trade activities, Khieu said.

The modern warehouse market in Vietnam has recorded active participation of both local and foreign investors with mega facilities. The most active players include Mapletree, SLP, JD Property, Gemadept, and Transimex.

Figures from FiinGroup depicted that Mapletree, a real estate development, investment, and management company headquartered in Singapore, and BW Industrial Development, a joint venture between Warburg Pincus and Becamex IDC, are leading the development in Vietnams modern warehousing industry. They and SLP, an industrial and logistics infrastructure developer, account for 46 per cent of the total area.

Mapletree has been expanding its warehouse portfolio aggressively in Vietnam with mega logistic hubs in Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, and Binh Duong provinces, with each of these hubs containing 12-24 warehouses.

BW Industrial is operating over nine million square metres of industrial land in prime locations under control across 50 projects in 12 provinces in Vietnam, focusing on developing for-rent modern warehouses and light industrial to capture the outsized growth opportunities of manufacturing, increasing domestic consumption, and the rapid growth of e-commerce.

Fion Ng, COO of BW, told the online Mingtiandi 2024 APAC Logistics Forum on June 18 that the demand for factory rentals is sustainable, which bodes well for future logistics growth.

We leased a record high last year with 500,000sq.m of new factory space alone, excluding renewals. Additionally, our leasing space for the first five months of this year is 30 per cent higher compared to the same period last year, said Ng.

As of Q4 2023, BW Industrial has secured equity commitments of more than $1 billion from its investors and partners and has formed strategic partnerships with global manufacturers as well as e-commerce and logistics players for one of the fastest-growing markets in Asia.

Meanwhile, since its establishment in 2020, SLP has an investment portfolio of nine modern logistics facilities comprising nearly one million sq.m. It also has an additional 920,000sq.m gross floor area in the pipeline, focusing on Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Elsewhere, domestic investors include ICD ST, NPL Logistics, and Gemadept are utilising the ecosystem of seaports, shipping, and logistics to provide comprehensive services to customers.

FiinGroup recorded 25 upcoming projects for the 2024-2027 period, with an additional net leasable area of around 1.9 million sq.m. With the recovery of the economy and increasing demand for high-quality storage solutions, Khieu of FiinGroup forecasts that Vietnams warehousing sector will continue to entice significant investment.

Key focus areas will include expanding cold storage capacity, enhancing technological infrastructure, and ensuring compliance with international standards, Khieu said.

According to FiinGroup, logistics, industrial, and retail are the top end-use customer segments, supported by the growth of e-commerce trend and restructuring of global supply chains.

Key growth drivers would be the national master plans aimed at expanding industrial park land to allure investments from regions such as Long An, Dong Nai, Bac Giang, and others, as well as rapid e-commerce growth.

These components encompass transportation, inventory management, cold storage, and warehouse management, Khieu added.

Factory and warehouse project set to draw foreign investors to Bac Ninh Industrial property developer KCN Vietnam Group JSC (KCN Vietnam) broke ground on a factory and warehouse project in Thuan Thanh III Industrial Park on April 17 in the northern province of Bac Ninh.
Julien Nha Vinh Nguyen, country head of Thai logistics and industrial zone (IZ) developer WHA Vietnam, told VIR last week that the companys sustainability development priorities were incorporated into its business strategy, in line with the UNs Sustainable Development Goals and its net-zero target by 2050.

Smart industrial zone concepts are based on international-standard quality design and infrastructure, photo Le Toan

In particular, WHA IZs differentiate with the WHA Smart Eco IZ concept based on the international standard quality of design and infrastructure, reliability of utilities, and environmental care, integrating use of Industry 4.0 technologies, Nguyen said.

Some examples of WHA Smart Eco IZ features in the central province of Nghe An include a unique biological system for its central wastewater treatment facility that does not use chemicals and is environmentally friendly; a centralised control room that can track real time and control environmental parameters such as air and wastewater quality; and energy efficiency measures by use of renewable energy sources such as solar power and LED lighting.

For social criteria, Nghe An WHA IZ has to date attracted over $1.2 billion of foreign investment from high-value industries, including some of the largest electronics manufacturers in the world. It results in significant job creation and higher income levels with skills development.

Our efforts extend to actively supporting community development through charitable activities and infrastructure projects such as building schools and roads. Furthermore, we provide scholarships to students in schools and universities, ensuring access to quality education, Nguyen said.

For example, WHA designs flood protection system after exhaustive analysis of historical hydrological data to prevent flood risks to WHA IZ Nghe An as well as nearby villages.

Meanwhile, Truong Khac Nguyen Minh, deputy general director of KCN Vietnam, another IZ developer in Vietnam, said one of the biggest challenges in environmental factors that many industrial developers face is infrastructure, such as outdated waste treatment system.

Thus, if we want to form eco-industrial areas, industrial real estate investors have to build from the beginning as it is not easy to convert existing parks into eco-industrial ones, Minh said.

For secondary industrial real estate developers, KCN Vietnam hopes that they can be supported in infrastructure investment costs from government and local authorities, and thereby be able to offer more incentives to investors and business owners.

KCN so far has nine industrial property development projects located in Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Haiphong, Dong Nai, and Long An provinces, with total capital of around $300 million.

Sustainability initiatives are becoming increasingly important in Southeast Asia, driven by both tenant demand and government policies.

According to a report on navigating Southeast Asias economic growth released last week by Cushman & Wakefield, factors such as green building certification, quality, and sustainability considerations are becoming key decision factors for businesses looking to expand their presence in the region.

One of the heads of a prominent tech company shared that sustainability is a business imperative, and many companies have made commitments in this regard. But beyond that, occupiers are looking at an entire ecosystem and how well the workplace can enable and enhance employee experience, said Wong Huey Feng, head of Integrated Portfolio Management at Cushman & Wakefield Southeast Asia.

More investment expected within industrial property Industrial property has been one of the hottest segments for mergers and acquisitions over the last two years. Bich Ngoc spoke with Marco Forster, head of ASEAN Advisory at Dezan Shira & Associates, on his assessment of the sector.

Industrial property to heat up as it takes on neighbours Although it was the segment achieving the best growth in property in 2023, industrial real estate is forecast to face many uphill battles in 2024.

Industrial real estate market thriving on FDI flow: insiders Despite formidable challenges for the real estate market in 2023, industrial property market has stood out as a bright spot that has maintained its growth momentum on the back of the foreign direct investment (FDI) flow, according to insiders.
Pioneering this change are digital twins, virtual replicas used for system optimisation, and immersive training methods powered by AR and virtual reality. Siemens ASEAN & Vietnam CEO Pham Thai Lai talked with VIRs Thanh Dat about how the company has been leading this wave of change, and about the emerging trends in the industrial metaverse and their profound implications on industrial future.

Siemens ASEAN & Vietnam CEO Pham Thai Lai

Could you demystify the concept of the industrial metaverse?

The industrial metaverse is a sector of the metaverse that focuses on mapping and simulating real-world machines, factories, cities, transportation networks, and other highly complex systems. It enables participants to create fully immersive, interactive, persistent, and synchronous representations and simulations of the real world in real-time.

Existing and emerging technologies such as digital twins, AI and machine learning, extended reality, blockchain, and cloud and edge computing will be the building blocks of the industrial metaverse. These technologies will converge to create a powerful interface between the real and digital worlds, forming something greater than the sum of its parts.

According to our global president and CEO Roland Busch, the industrial metaverse will be a place where we innovate at the speed of software. It will offer enormous potential to transform our economies and industries.

What competitive edge does the industrial metaverse offer to businesses?

The industrial metaverse will revolutionise the way work is done, but it will also unlock significant new value for business and societies. By allowing businesses to model, prototype, and test dozens, hundreds, or millions of design iterations in real time and in an immersive, physics-based environment before committing physical and human resources to a project, industrial metaverse tools will usher in a new era of solving real-world problems digitally.

Embracing the industrial metaverse early and strategically can catapult businesses into a realm of unprecedented opportunities. It paves the way for a new paradigm of value creation, where intangibles like creativity, innovation, and collaborative thinking take centre stage. The seamless integration between the real and virtual worlds offers a more accessible and cost-effective way of working.

Moreover, the resource efficiencies enabled by industrial metaverse solutions can enhance business competitiveness and drive progress towards sustainability and resilience goals.

Digital twins are revolutionising the automotive industry

Can the industrial metaverse be a game-changer in promoting sustainability?

The industrial metaverse can be absolutely a powerful tool in promoting sustainability. It enables companies to utilise resources more efficiently, reduce waste, and develop greener solutions. By employing virtual simulations and digital twins, companies can make sustainable decisions in real time and anticipate environmental impacts even before physical resources are utilised.

According to Accenture, even todays digital twins could help save around 7.5 billion gigatonnes of CO2 over a decade. To ensure the sustainability of the industrial metaverse itself, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and transparent carbon accounting are critical, given the high energy demands of the underlying data centres.

What strategic steps should companies take to harness the benefits of the industrial metaverse?

To fully leverage the industrial metaverse, companies need to invest significantly in research, development, technology deployment, and employee education and training. Digitisation strategies should foster openness and collaboration, both within the company and with external partners. Active participation in robust ecosystems is increasingly crucial to unlock the full benefits of the metaverse. Furthermore, its essential to prepare and empower employees for the digital world. The synergy of AI and simulation can create better employment opportunities and open up new avenues for innovation and growth.

How does the concept of digital twins contribute to the development and functionality of the industrial metaverse?

Digital twins and the industrial metaverse are closely intertwined. Digital twins serve as the foundation of the industrial metaverse, enhancing decision-making, enabling real-time replication and simulation, promoting interconnectivity and efficiency, and facilitating immersive experiences.

This convergence between digital twins and the metaverse brings significant value to businesses by eliminating the limitations and risks inherent in the physical world, thereby unlocking new opportunities.

Could you share some examples of exciting projects at Siemens that are already leveraging the power of the industrial metaverse, with digital twins at their core?

Siemens has several exciting projects that reaping benefits from the industrial metaverse. For example, Siemens is utilising digital twins to reduce building emissions by 50 per cent, enhance operational efficiency by 35 per cent, and increase human productivity by 20 per cent.

Another example is Siemens Digital Native Factory in Nanjing of China. The entire factory was simulated with a digital twin, which optimised the building, and detected and mitigated potential problems at an early stage. Planning errors, both small and big, which in the past would cost a lot of money and a lot of time, were completely avoided. And we continue to use the power of simulation during operations. The true benefit of this digital plant: manufacturing capacity increased by 200 per cent and productivity by 20 per cent.

Notably is the collaboration between Siemens, Nvidia, and AWS. This trio is constructing gigafactories for FREYR Battery in Norway and the US. They are leveraging the industrial metaverse to optimise plant design, operation, and efficiency, thereby increasing the availability of high-performance, affordable electric vehicles batteries and energy storage systems. This collaboration also accelerates the transformation of the automotive industry and power grids.

Last but not least, by utilising remote reality these technologies, industrial workers and engineers can access complex machinery, perform maintenance, or engage in new product development from any location. This capability already exists to some extent today with virtual commissioning, as demonstrated during the pandemic when installations of new solutions were conducted remotely worldwide.

How can policies shape the future of the industrial metaverse?

Policies play a pivotal role in shaping the industrial metaverse. It necessitates substantial investment in basic research and seamless knowledge transfer between universities and companies. Creating a competitive environment for investment is crucial to support digital transformation. This includes implementing competitive tax policies and investing in digital infrastructure, such as 5G and potentially 6G networks. Policies should promote regulations that cater to the needs of the business-to-business sector and allow for the free exchange of data while preventing market dominance through open standards.

In closing, Siemens regards digital twins as a crucial part of the industrial metaverse, offering a platform for experiential learning and problem-solving, simulating real-world systems, and driving transformative changes across various sectors. Through strategic alliances, Siemens is poised to augment the capabilities of the industrial metaverse and propel industrial automation to new heights.

Siemens to train human resources for Vietnam's chip and semiconductor industry Saigon High-Tech Park (SHTP) and Siemens Electronic Design Automation (Siemens EDA) signed a cooperation agreement on February 27 to train human resources in the semiconductor chip industry in Vietnam.

Siemens holds first Data Centre Day in Vietnam Siemens Vietnam on April 9 held Vietnam Data Centre Day in Hanoi, attracting more than 130 delegates including industry experts, thought leaders, technology providers, and government representatives.
The Harding Street house where Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas were killed in a botched narcotics raid, photographed on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, in Houston. Former HPD officers Gerald Goines and Steven Bryant, along with Patricia Garcia, a neighbor of Tuttle and Nicholas, were taken into custody today and charged with a variety of federal crimes. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer The Harding Street house where Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas were killed in a botched narcotics raid, photographed on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, in Houston. Former HPD officers Gerald Goines and Steven Bryant, along with Patricia Garcia, a neighbor of Tuttle and Nicholas, were taken into custody today and charged with a variety of federal crimes. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Seventeen bullet holes can be seen on the front entrance of 7815 Harding Street, where five Houston Police officers were shot while serving a warrant Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019, in Houston. Godofredo A. Vasquez/Staff photographer

A Harris County judge quashed indictments against several former Houston police officers involving an alleged overtime scheme uncovered during the Harding Street raid investigation.

The judge on Monday ruled the 2021 indictments against nine officers were overly vague to the point that lawyers could go to trial in September without knowing the punishment range for the charges. She granted the motion to quash the engaging in organized criminal activity indictments, effectively ending some of the charges against the officers as most of them took up an entire row in the 482nd District Court.

Some of the officers remain charged with tampering with governmental records and theft.

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Judge Veronica Nelson made a similar ruling in March when she ended a pair of felony murder indictments against veteran police officer Gerald Goines, who has since left the department, when his attorneys made similar arguments. Prosecutors in both cases stood by their indictments.

MORE ON GERALD GOINES: Ex-Houston cop Gerald Goines routinely lied during drug buys for a decade, court rules

The Harris County District Attorneys Office took Goines case back to a grand jury, resulting in a differently worded indictment that will be used at his trial, with jury selection slated to begin this week before testimony starts in September.

Prosecutors intend to do the same for the officers cases, District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a statement.

The defendants have had (five and a half) years to raise objections about lack of notice, Ogg said. We believe they have a firm grasp of the charges and know exactly what theyre charged with. However, due to the judges ruling, we will return the cases to a Harris County grand jury.

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The officers were indicted in the wake of the Pecan Park drug raid that left two civilians, Dennis Tuttle, 59, and Rhogena Nicholas, 58, dead in an exchange of gunfire. The fallout of the raid led to charge of felony murder and other offenses against Goines, as well as legal precedent declaring him a bad actor who routinely lied in drug cases. The charges related to the alleged overtime scheme followed.

The accused officers are Hodgie Armstrong, Nadeem Ashraf, Felipe Gallegos, Cedell Lovings, Griff Maxwell, Frank Medina, Oscar Pardo, Clemente Reyna and Thomas Wood.

In court, the judge questioned both sides about the degree of the felonies that the officers were charged with. None of the parties could agree.

Ed McClees, attorney for Wood, blamed the state statute for being poorly written and contributing to the confusion.

If youre going to trial on a case, you need to know what the punishment range is, McClees said.

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He noted the significance that the same judge has quashed indictments in cases for Goines and now his own client. He contends Oggs office rushed to indict the officers.

I think what this shows is the ready, fire, aim nature that this investigation took, McClees said. There was a rush to get indictments to take advantage of certain political climates back at the time that these were charged. In doing so, the were a lot of details that were overlooked or neglected by the DAs office had they done a thorough investigation.

Doug Griffith, head of the Houston Police Officers Union, joined the officers, all of whom are free on bond, in court and embraced and shook hands with many of them after the judges decision.

Griffith said said he hopes for an opportunity to testify once another grand jury convenes in the case.

I have presented the DAs office with everything they need to prove that this was not an offense, there was zero intent and there was zero theft or fraud, Griffith said, adding that he handed over his account of the departments standard time card practices months ago. I have been told by the DA herself that I would be allowed to testify if they take it to a grand jury again.

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He said retired police Chief Troy Finner agreed with him at the time that the officers acted in a way that was a pattern of practice at the time.
According to Maeil Business Newspaper, SK Group (SK) has exercised a put option (the right to sell shares) to sell 9 per cent of its stake in Masan Group. Masan stated that this is false report. To date, SK has not exercised the put option.

The two companies are in the final stage of an orderly and market-based process for SK Group to reduce their stakes in Masan Group, targeting professional pre-identified investors who are familiar with MSNs business operations, subject to optimal market conditions. This process is designed to protect and maximise the interests of the shareholders of both companies.

SK became a shareholder in Masan Group in 2018, investing approximately $450 million to acquire a 9.5 per cent stake in Masan Group.

In mid-November 2021, SK Group, through its subsidiary SK Southeast Asia Investment, purchased a 16.3 per cent stake in WinCommerce for $410 million as part of its strategic partnership with Masan Group.

By November, SK Group further invested $340 million to acquire a 4.9 per cent stake in The CrownX, resulting in Masan and SK holding 85 per cent and 4.9 per cent stakes, respectively, in The CrownX.

Currently, SK Investment Vina I holds 131.9 million MSN shares, equivalent to a 9.22 per cent stake,

As reported by Maeil Business Newspaper, SK Group will sell its investment stake in the Vietnamese giant to secure more than 1 trillion won ($720 million) in funds. SK Group, which is speeding up its business reorganisation, has disposed of non-mainstream investment assets to secure cash flows.

SK Group has exercised a put option (the right to sell shares) to sell 9 per cent of its stake in Masan Group and is currently finalising the sale negotiations. The amount invested at the time in 2018 was $450 million, and the principal and interest will be recovered by the end of this year. Masan Group is the second-largest distributor in the Vietnamese business community.

During a meeting with institutional investors on May 9, Danny Le, CEO of Masan Group said, "SK Group would not conduct a mass sale of Masan Groups MSN shares."

We will continue to collaborate with SK Group as partners, alongside their role as shareholders. SK also holds stakes in The CrownX and WinCommerce and is committed to long-term investment in Vietnam. Therefore, Masan Group and SK plan a phased divestment over 24 months, mitigating concerns of a sell-off impacting share prices, he said.

Masan Group honoured in Fortunes Southeast Asia 500 rankings Masan Group has made its way into Fortunes Southeast Asia 500 rankings for 2024 thanks to its impressive business performance and strategy.
There are currently complex investment processes, leading to long preparation time and potential implementation risks

Last week at a workshop in Hanoi, Mark Hutchinson, director and chair of the Southeast Asia Taskforce at the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), said that Vietnam had only developed intertidal wind projects near the coast, and no real offshore wind (OSW) ventures had been started.

According to Hutchinson, an OSW scheme takes 6-8 years to set up, and thus the first potential pilot project may not be ready until 2032.

Under the first draft pilot mechanism for OSW regulations, the GWEC and our members encouraged collaboration with experienced developers. The industry supports the move to competitive procurement for several reasons, mainly because of its transparency. A transparent, competitive procurement process will push OSW forward in Vietnam, Hutchinson said.

The key suggestions to speed up progress mentioned at the workshop included implementing a simple remuneration mechanism for initial pilots, developing a streamlined permitting process, a robust marine spatial planning and site allocation approach, defining a clear auction timeline, and enhancing power purchase agreement bankability to engage international finance.

Bui Van Thinh, chairman of Binh Thuan Wind and Solar Power Association, said, There is a lack of regulations, policies, spatial planning, and price policies for electricity. Electricity is increasingly lacking, but electricity projects cannot be implemented. Investors can generate electricity, but are concerned about prices.

The cost of wind power production has decreased sharply, from about 25 US cents per kWh more than 10 years ago to about 10 US cents per kWh today, and it may decrease to 6 US cents per kWh in the future.

Nguyen Hoang Anh of Vietnam Electricity (EVN) said that building a power transmission system for OSW initiatives was difficult due to electricity regulations, and the national marine spatial master plan for this decade has not been approved.

There is no planning for underground cable routes connecting such power projects. There are complex investment processes, leading to long preparation times and potential risks during implementation, and lack of regulations on investment in OSW projects in general. There is no clear and transparent mechanism for power prices or principles to regulate the field, he said.

Meanwhile, an energy outlook report released by EVN and its Renewable Energy Authority, in conjunction with the Danish Energy Agency and the Danish Embassy, noted that in the net-zero scenario, OSW capacity will expand to 84GW by 2050.

Crafting the necessary framework to roll out the planned pilot schemes for OSW is therefore a prerequisite to achieve the targets stated in Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8) and beyond, considering the long planning and construction time needed, it said.

This includes implementing adequate regulations and guidelines including marine spatial planning, a price framework, and a clear permitting process to ensure speed of implementation, said Rasmus Munch Srensen, advisor for the Danish Energy Partnership Programme for 2021-2025. At the same time, it is important to conduct an analysis of grid point connections, build needed seaport infrastructure, and ensure a skilled workforce.

Pilot projects, as outlined under the PDP8, should be progressed as soon as possible to build the necessary experience, mitigate and minimise risks and costs, and increase confidence for investors, Srensen added.

Marine spatial planning proposals are expected to be submitted to the National Assembly before the end of June. Previously, in April, the Ministry of Industry and Trade submitted a draft proposal for the pilot mechanism of related projects, which involves an energy steering committee that was established in November 2023 to oversee related ventures.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to add 215GW of offshore wind power generation capacity between now and 2033, and China will be responsible for three-quarters of the figure, according to the latest estimates by GWEC.

Based on the GWEC Market Intelligence data released in June, Taiwan will account for 7 per cent of the new installations, and South Korea for 5 per cent. Japan, Vietnam, and India will be responsible for 3 per cent.

Juan Frias, head, Offshore Wind Auctions and Cost Engineering, OWC A two-stage model is proposed for Vietnam to consider a review of the legal framework. In a one-stage competition model, exclusivity over survey rights and the offtake are awarded simultaneously. This fixes the electricity tariff at a very early stage in the development process. In Vietnam, as in other early-stage markets, there are major uncertainties around development timelines, supply chain availability, financing conditions, and costs. These pose major risks to the business cases of investors. In a competitive selection process, these issues could lead to very high-risk or delayed projects. Both situations would diminish public and political support for OSW and erode the confidence of financiers. The key objectives of the competitive selection model proposed for Vietnam will ensure the most transparent, reasonable, and comparable auction criteria, and give confidence to investors on future opportunities. However, there is no one-size-fits-all tendering scheme for related projects, as competitive selection processes are market-specific. Denzel Eades, managing director Pioneer International Consulting The Vietnamese government needs to focus on quickly promoting OSW power policies, as the regulatory framework in Vietnam remains underdeveloped. The goal to have the first projects put into commercial operation by 2030 is becoming more and more difficult. The process of developing legal regulations and legal frameworks takes a long time, on average 2-3 years, and a new law may need to be promulgated. In addition, because many related regulations overlap between different ministries and government agencies, close coordination between relevant agencies is extremely important. With current common challenges, achieving the 2030 targets will require great effort and quick actions from the government. In Vietnam, the investor selection process applicable to OSW has also not been clarified. Competitive tendering for large-scale power projects has been unsuccessful, and those subject to bidding require a state-issued pre-feasibility study and state-assisted land clearance. Specific requirements for the selection of investors have not been determined and the authorities responsible for investor selection are subject to review.

Dutch firm extends partnership with PTSC G&S to support Vietnam's offshore wind sector Dutch offshore survey firm Fugro announced on March that it has extended its MoU with Vietnam's PTSC Geos & Subsea Services Co., Ltd (PTSC G&S) to meet Vietnams strong demand for geophysical, geotechnical and metocean data services.
An African swine fever outbreak was detected in Tien Phong commune, Quang Yen town, Quang Ninh province (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has urged four provinces of Bac Kan, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, and Hoa Binh to implement rigorous measures against African swine fever.

Since early 2024, the disease has severely impacted all eight districts in Bac Kan, resulting in the culling of nearly 10,000 pigs, accounting for over 40 per cent of the national total.

In Lang Son, the fever affects 10 districts, with almost 4,000 pigs culled, or about 17 per cent of the national figure.

Quang Ninh has seen outbreaks in 23 communes, with nearly 1,600 pigs culled.

Hoa Binh has reported outbreaks in 18 communes, resulting in the culling of nearly 1,300 pigs.

Following these outbreaks, the Veterinary Department identified several causes contributing to the disease's spread, including delayed reporting about the disease at district and provincial levels and inadequate implementation of prevention measures.

Despite available vaccines, less than 1 per cent of pigs nationwide have been vaccinated.

In response, the MARD has instructed provincial committees to declare outbreaks, focus on prevention measures, and allocate resources for disinfection and containment efforts.

They are also to enforce strict sanitation and disinfection protocols in affected areas.

Localities are required to guide livestock farmers to rigorously enforce daily sanitation practices, including disinfection using lime powder and chemicals in and around their breeding areas. They are also ensuring that households and breeding facilities affected by the disease thoroughly disinfect to eliminate pathogens and prevent further spread.

Provinces are conducting reviews and mandating all personnel engaged in epidemic prevention to adhere strictly to personal protective measures, sanitation protocols, and disinfection procedures to prevent disease transmission during the handling, transportation, and disposal of infected pigs.

The provinces are urged to allocate funds for vaccinating livestock against diseases and enhance veterinary capacities, ensure timely reporting, and disseminate information on disease prevention and vaccine use.

Swine fever vaccines approved for nationwide use The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) on July 24 issued a document guiding the use of vaccines against African swine fever (ASF) nationwide.

Made-in-Vietnam African swine fever vaccines exported to five countries Vietnam has successfully produced and officially exported African swine fever vaccine of AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company to five countries, including Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Myanmar.
Hanoi - One person was killed and two others went missing following a flood in Parigi Moutong regency, Central Sulawesi province in Indonesia, the country's national disaster management agency reported on June 23.

Abdul Muhari, the agencys spokesperson, said the flood washed away a bridge, cut off a village and affected 120 households. It also damaged houses, forcing some villagers to take shelter at the local government headquarters.

The Indonesian Agency for Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysics forecasts that heavy rain will last until June 24.

Indonesia needs 25 billion USD to build renewable energy grid Indonesia's state-owned electricity company (PLN) said that it needs 25 billion USD to build a transmission grid connecting renewable energy sources across the country, also known as a green super grid. The project will create a 50,000 km transmission network connecting many areas across the country.
During last weeks state visit to Vietnam by Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he met with the countrys top leaders, both nations released a joint statement highlighting a future cooperation orientation covering many sectors, with importance attached to more economic cooperation.

Both nations will facilitate the expansion of ties in trade, investment, and finance-credit in line with international laws and the two countries legal regulation, with an aim to boost goods exchanges in balance and to effectively exploit the advantages of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union, read the joint statement.

Vietnam and Russia also affirmed the strong need to increase their mutual investment flows into their respective territories in the sectors of natural mineral exploitation and processing, industry, agriculture, mechanics, and energy. A list of prioritised projects will be determined by a joint high-level taskforce.

President Putin said he supports Vietnams proposal on a plan to soon implement some Russian iconic large-scale projects about infrastructure, railway, train, metro line, and renewable energy in the Southeast Asian nation.

Especially, both nations stated that they will continue cooperating in the framework of the existing oil and gas projects and new ones, including the supply and processing of crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) for Vietnam.

Favourable conditions and support are to be created for the expansion of operations of Vietnamese oil and gas companies in Russia and of Russian oil and gas companies in Vietnams continental shelf in line with the laws of Vietnam and Russia, and international laws as well, read the joint statement.

Energy is still a strategically important sector in the two countries bilateral cooperation. The joint venture Vietsovpetro has been exploiting oil in Vietnams continental shelf over the past more than 40 years, with high effectiveness, said President Putin. The volume of oil produced by Vietsovpetro over the past years has exceeded 250 million tonnes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi, Photo:Thach Bac

Expanding capacity

The Russian leader added that the joint venture Rusvietpetro established in 2008 is also successfully operating in Russias Nenets autonomous okrug. Facing difficulties in the extreme north, Rusvietpetro has exploited over 35 million tonnes of oil. Meanwhile, Gazprom is exploiting gas in Vietnam. Another Russian giant, Novatek, is also planning to implement LNG in Vietnam.

Novatek has inked a memorandum on cooperation with PetroVietnam, while Zarubezhneft has obtained a licence to develop Block 11.2 on Vietnams continental shelf.

Also, hydroelectric power generation company RusHydro intends to help expand the capacity of hydroelectric power stations on Vietnamese rivers. According to the Russian president, a joint Russian-Vietnamese project to construct a 1,000MW offshore wind power plant in the south-central province of Binh Thuan has been added to the eighth Power Development Plan.

Vietnams Ministry of Industry and Trade and Russias Ministry of Energy recently conducted a review of all bilateral energy and oil and gas projects, while also agreeing on a new major cooperation orientation. The two ministries have also inked the revised protocols for an inter-governmental agreement on operation of Vietsovpetro and Rusvietpetro.

Vietnam and Russia also take into account the potential cooperation in atomic energy, with strong determination raised to implement a project to build a nuclear technology science centre in Vietnam.

The two countries last week signed 11 documents aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in many sectors such as energy, transport, higher education, transport, justice, customs, finance, and science and technology.

Over the past years, Vietnam and Russia have been exploring more measures to boost their investment and trade ties. For example, Vietnam and the Russian Direct Investment Fund are seeking to increase investment cooperation, including the funds plan to promote and support direct investment between the two countries, and also with third nations.

The fund is Russias $10 billion sovereign wealth fund, established in 2011 by the Russian government to make investments in leading companies in high-growth sectors of the Russian economy.

According to a priority list for jointly implemented Vietnam-Russia projects, there are 17 already approved by both countries. They will be implemented in the sectors of oil and gas, transport, agriculture, electricity, construction, industry, and high technology. Vietnam and Russia are devising a roadmap for the deployment of these projects.

We hope that Vietnamese investors will be more active in boosting investment in Russia. For instance, TH Group is taking advantage of opportunities in our country to develop a gigantic milk processing project, President Putin said.

Currently, Vietnamese investors are investing in 25 Russian projects, registered at nearly $3 billion.

Contributing to ties

TH Group is Vietnams biggest investor in Russia in the agricultural sector, with a gigantic $2.7 billion high-tech centralised dairy farming and processing complex.

At present, two farms have been put into operation, with the total number of dairy cows being over 6,000. Another farm is under construction in Moscow and a milk processing factory is being completed in Kaluga province.

In May, TH Group also commenced construction of a $216.7 million high-tech centralised dairy farming and milk processing project in the far eastern region of Russia. This project includes a 6,000-cow farm, a 250-tonne-of-milk-per-day factory, and a material area of 13,000 hectares. We want to contribute to the Vietnam-Russia trade and investment ties flourishing, said Ngo Minh Hai, chairman of TH Groups Board of Members. We commit to speeding up the construction so that the project can become operational by late 2027.

Early this year, an air route to Russias far eastern region was initiated in a bid to develop tourism, trade, and investment ties.

According to the Vietnamese Embassy to Russia, the Russian economy is now in need of importing a large volume of goods, and it is willing to purchase more of goods from Vietnam.

The General Department of Vietnam Customs reported that total export-import turnover between Vietnam and Russia reached $3.63 billion in 2023, including $1.74 billion earned by Vietnams exports  up 12 per cent on-year.

Vietnams main exports to Russia include seafood, vegetables, fruits, nuts, coffee, tea, pepper, rice, handicrafts, rubber, wood furniture, footwear and electronics. Vietnam imports from Russia large amounts of wheat, fertiliser, oil and chemicals, pharmaceutical supplies, steel and heavy machinery.

Dang Minh Khoi, Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia In 2012, Vietnam and Russia forged a comprehensive strategic partnership. In 2015, Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union inked a free trade agreement, facilitating the development of the mutual economic-trade and investment cooperation. After this deal took effect in 2016, bilateral trade strongly developed, sitting at $5.5 billion in 2021, up 90 per cent against 2016. However, since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out, the worlds political-economic situation becoming complicated had a negative impact on the economic-trade ties between Russia and Vietnam. Together with shared efforts of authorised agencies and the business communities of both nations, difficulties in transportation and payment have gradually been removed, creating a clear change in export and import activities. In 2023, bilateral trade turnover increased 3.6 per cent over 2022. In the first five months of this year, the turnover hit approximately $2 billion, up 52 per cent on-year. Many groups of Vietnamese key exports such as agro-aquatic products, garments, and machinery and equipment continued their high increases in Russia. Meanwhile, Vietnam also raises import of many products from Russia, such as coal, fertiliser, mechanical, and foodstuffs. The traditional cooperation in oil and gas has continued being maintained and strengthened, with two typical enterprises including Vietsovpetro and Rusvietpetro operating effectively. The investment ties in other fields such as foodstuff processing, and automobile manufacturing and assembly are also developing. Over the past time, Vietnam and Russia are also gradually resuming cooperation in other sectors which were interrupted by the pandemic. Early this year, both nations re-opened a direct air route between Moscow and Ho Chi Minh City, with a frequency of three flights a week. At present, both countries have loosened visa regulations for their respective citizens. Since August 2023, Vietnamese citizens have been able to apply for an e-visa into Russia with a simple process. Meanwhile, Russian tourists have also been able to stay in Vietnam visa free within 45 days. These are favourable conditions for enterprises of both nations to recover and boost tourism and trade cooperation in the coming time. Over the past few years, in defiance of numerous difficulties due to sanctions and embargoes from the western countries, Russia has continued to maintain its relatively high economic growth, becoming the worlds fourth-largest economy as calculated based on the purchasing power. Given that, in addition to tradition cooperation sectors, Vietnamese enterprises have many opportunities to increase cooperation with Russian partners in the sectors of industry, high technology, IT, e-commerce, and pharmacy. It is suggested that businesses of the two countries further strengthen trade promotion and partake in specialised exhibitions in Russia and Vietnam in order to seek more partners and forge business and investment relationships.

Vietnam and Russias strong energy Vietnam and Russia are warming up bilateral economic cooperation. Ngoc Linh reports.

Vietnam and Russia open doors for heightened cooperation Vietnamese and Russian companies are increasing cooperation and more and more opportunities are opening to Vietnamese and Russian enterprises to form mutually beneficial partnerships.

Tri An hydropower plant  Landmark in Vietnam-Russia friendship The traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia, and Tri An Hydropower Plant  a landmark in the bilateral relationship  were highlighted at a meeting in the southern province of Dong Nai on June 18.

Commitments made for expansion of Russian ties Vietnam and Russia are seeking out ways to beef up their trade and investment ties which are on the rise, with the Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement serving as a big driver.
Singapore warns of money laundering risks in areas, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

Hanoi  As a business, financial and trade hub, Singapore is vulnerable to being misused as a conduit to launder illicit funds derived from fraud committed abroad, said the Singapores Money Laundering National Risk Assessment (ML NRA).

The document, jointly launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore on June 20, identified fraud, especially cyber-enabled fraud, as the highest foreign money laundering threat.

Organised crime, corruption, tax crimes, and illegal trade activities are among major money laundering threats to Singapore.

Moreover, the banking sector is most vulnerable to money laundering as criminals often use bank channels to transfer illicit funds.

It is also noted that digital payment token service providers are increasingly involved in money laundering in Singapore.

Singaporean authorities affirmed that their anti-money laundering efforts will keep pace with the identified risks.

They also urged financial institutions, non-financial businesses and professions take reference from the updated ML NRA in assessing their risks and enhance their controls accordingly.

Singapore closes beaches in Sentosa due to oil spill Beaches on Singapore's top resort island of Sentosa were closed on June 15 because of an oil spill at a nearby port, local authorities said.

Malaysia, Singapore expected to become global hi-tech hubs The Malaysia-Singapore Special Economic Zone and the proposed Johor-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) that will be finalised by both countries can have a positive impact on the relationship between the two neighbours, said economic analyst Dr. Oh Ei Sun.
Thai customers inspecting Vietnamese lychees

The event was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung, trade counselor Le Huu Phuc, Central Retail Corporation's management team, and many Thai consumers.

Hung said that the event demonstrated the efforts of Central Retail and Vietnamese agencies in promoting Vietnamese products in the Thai market,

"Vietnam and Thailand are major trading partners, so facilitating Vietnam's exports to Thailand is crucial, as it aims to achieve the goal of $25 billion in bilateral trade by 2025, as agreed upon by the two countries' leaders. We are delighted to see high-quality Vietnamese lychees showcased at this event and believe that the quality of Vietnamese products meets the needs of Thai customers," Hung said.

Due to unfavourable weather conditions this year, lychee production in Bac Giang province has significantly decreased, reaching only about 30 per cent compared to last year. This has led to an increase in the purchase price of lychees and logistics costs. However, Central Retail has tried keeping the selling price similar to last year to promote Vietnamese lychees and build trust among Thai consumers.

With an attractive promotional price of 299 baht/kg ($8), reduced from 399 baht, it creates better conditions for Thai consumers to easily purchase, experience, and actively support Vietnamese lychees.

Jariya Chirathivat, executive vice president - business development of Central Group, said that Central Food Retail, with its Tops supermarket chain, a business unit under Central Retail Corporation, was proud to source the best food and ingredients from around the world.

"With the Vietnamese lychee season at its peak of sweetness and ripeness, Tops is organising the Vietnamese Lychee Event, lasting from mid-June to early July at 32 Tops Food Hall and Tops Market stores across Thailand, introducing high-quality and flavourful Vietnamese lychees to Thai consumers. This is the seventh consecutive year Tops has promoted Vietnamese lychees in Thailand," she said. "As a leading retail group, Central Group contributes to strengthening trade relations between Vietnam and Thailand through trade promotion efforts, and introducing Vietnamese products for distribution in Central Retail's retail system is our top priority."

Paul Le, vice president of Central Retail in Vietnam, said that to successfully export Bac Giang lychees to the Thai market, they had selected the best quality lychees, then adjusted the packaging and cold storage methods to be most suitable for export.

"With increasingly improved cold storage and packaging management, we believe Vietnamese lychees will soon be exported to many countries worldwide. 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," he said.

In 2017, after many efforts to promote the export of lychees to Thailand, the first batch of Bac Giang lychees was exported to the Thai market and received positive interest from Thai consumers when shopping at Tops supermarkets and Tops Food Hall. Since then, Thai consumers have gradually become accustomed to buying in-season lychees from Vietnam.

Thai authorities encourage businesses to expand presence in Vietnam's retail market The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), a division of the Thai Ministry of Commerce, has urged Thai entrepreneurs to carefully examine the potential of harnessing Vietnam's thriving retail market.

Top five source markets for Vietnam s tourism sector this winter Online travel agency Booking.com recently announced the top 5 source markets for Vietnams tourism sector this winter.

Thai investors bolster operation in Vietnam in 2024 Vietnam continues to be a magnet for Thai investors who are spreading their wings to the neighbouring country to tap into lucrative opportunities.

Thai largest retailer to pour over 1.4 billion USD in Vietnam Central Retail Corporation (CRC), the largest retailer of Thailand, has announced its biggest investment in Vietnam at 50 billion baht (1.45 billion USD) in the 2023-2027 period to accelerate its market presence in the country.
The shortlists will include the Top 50 Most Innovative Enterprises Vietnam (VIE50) and the Top 10 Most Innovative Enterprises Vietnam (VIE10) in key economic sectors, and the Top 100 Innovative, Creative and Effective Products and Services.

This is the second consecutive year that businesses have been honoured based on results from Viet Research.

Viet Research representatives have stated that all the firms on the list have applied innovation and creativity in their operational models, product and service design, and management approaches. This has led to enhanced business efficiency, more established market positions, and contributed to the overall development of the country.

A quick survey of the businesses on the VIE50 and VIE10 lists reveals that a substantial 86 per cent of them consider innovation and creativity to be a crucial key to future growth, with the majority focussed on product and service innovation, as well as process improvement.

In addition, over 70 per cent of the surveyed businesses also indicated that they expect to increase their budget for innovation and creativity in the next two years.

These efforts have helped products originating from Vietnam integrate into global supply chains more easily, as evidenced by sustained export growth. Furthermore, these efforts have played a crucial role in elevating Vietnam's brand positioning to the rest of the world.

Within the framework of the event, both domestic and international experts will share insights on the importance of innovation and creativity in unlocking development potential and shaping the future generation of businesses. Associated Professor Dr. Vu Minh Khuong at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (National University of Singapore) will discuss the prerequisites for fostering business innovation and creativity.

Meanwhile, Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, director of the Institute for Brand and Competitiveness Strategy and Advisory Council of Viet Research, will present a paper concerning digital transformation, green transformation, and the development potential of businesses in Vietnam's current economic climate.

Innovation is a core factor for the long-term success of any enterprise. Creative strategies enable businesses on the VIE50 and VIE10 to stay ahead of their competitive counterparts, adapt to evolving market conditions, and meet the increasing demands of customers.
Franklin Pena, one of the two men accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, is led out of the courtroom after bail was set for $10 million on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Houston. Pena and another man, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, are charged with capital murder over the girl's death. They're accused of leading her under a bridge in north Houston, and then strangling her. Her body was found June 17 in the bayou near the 400 West Rankin Road. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Citing a capital murder suspects astronomical risk of fleeing Harris County if he was released back into public before a trial, Harris County District Court Judge Josh Hill on Monday set an equally high cash hurdle.

Hill ordered Franklin Pena, one of the two men accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, be held on $10 million bond.

The unusually high bail amount came amid public pressure from Mayor John Whitmire and others for Pena and his co-defendant, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, to be held without bond indefinitely.

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A combination of Texas law and choices by Harris County prosecutors prevented that, Hill said during a methodical lead-up to his bond decision inside the 232nd District Court Monday morning.

Hill said that because Pena was facing a potential life sentence if found guilty, he didnt believe a lower bond could ensure the man could be trusted to come back.

Those are incredibly high stakes, which I think also cut against any assurances that ensure you would return to court, Hill said.

Alexis Nungaray, the mother of Jocelyn Nungaray, speaks about her daughter during a news conference after Franklin Pena, one of the two men accused of killing the 12-year-old girl, appeared in court on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Houston. Pena was ordered held on $10 million bail as he, and another man, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, are charged with capital murder over the girl's death. They're accused of leading her under a bridge in north Houston, and then strangling her. Her body was found June 17 in the bayou near the 400 West Rankin Road. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

First appearance

Tiffany Carmona, left, walks from a news conference with Alexis Nungaray, the mother of Jocelyn Nungaray, after speaking about her daughter during a news conference after Franklin Pena, one of the two men accused of killing the 12-year-old girl, appeared in court on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Houston. Pena was ordered held on $10 million bail as he, and another man, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, are charged with capital murder over the girl's death. They're accused of leading her under a bridge in north Houston, and then strangling her. Her body was found June 17 in the bayou near the 400 West Rankin Road. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Alexis Nungaray, the mother of Jocelyn Nungaray holds a rosary after speaking about her daughter during a news conference after Franklin Pena, one of the two men accused of killing the 12-year-old girl, appeared in court on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Houston. Pena was ordered held on $10 million bail as he, and another man, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, are charged with capital murder over the girl's death. They're accused of leading her under a bridge in north Houston, and then strangling her. Her body was found June 17 in the bayou near the 400 West Rankin Road. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Alexis Nungaray, the mother of Jocelyn Nungaray, center right, is embraced by Tiffany Carmona, left, and Jackie Major, far right, after speaking about her daughter during a news conference after Franklin Pena, one of the two men accused of killing the 12-year-old girl, appeared in court on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Houston. Pena was ordered held on $10 million bail as he, and another man, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, are charged with capital murder over the girl's death. They're accused of leading her under a bridge in north Houston, and then strangling her. Her body was found June 17 in the bayou near the 400 West Rankin Road. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Alexis Nungaray, the mother of Jocelyn Nungaray, center, is embraced by Tiffany Carmona, left, and Jackie Major after speaking about her daughter during a news conference after Franklin Pena, one of the two men accused of killing the 12-year-old girl, appeared in court on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Houston. Pena was ordered held on $10 million bail as he, and another man, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, are charged with capital murder over the girl's death. They're accused of leading her under a bridge in north Houston, and then strangling her. Her body was found June 17 in the bayou near the 400 West Rankin Road. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Franklin Pena appears in the 232nd District Criminal Court on Monday, June 24, 2024. Pena is one of two men charged with capital murder over the death of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray. Pena was held on $10 million bail by a District Judge Josh Hill. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer District Attorney Kim Ogg speaks to the media during a news conference after Franklin Pena, one of the two men accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, appears in court on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Houston. Pena was ordered held on $10 million bail as he, and another man, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, are charged with capital murder over the girl's death. They're accused of leading her under a bridge in north Houston, and then strangling her. Her body was found June 17 in the bayou near the 400 West Rankin Road. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Alexis Nungaray, the mother of Jocelyn Nungaray, leaves the courtroom after Franklin Pena, one of the two men accused of killing the 12-year-old girl, appeared in court on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Houston. Pena was ordered held on $10 million bail as he, and another man, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, are charged with capital murder over the girl's death. They're accused of leading her under a bridge in north Houston, and then strangling her. Her body was found June 17 in the bayou near the 400 West Rankin Road. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Franklin Pena, one of the two men accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, leaves the courtroom after bail was set for $10 million on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Houston. Pena and another man, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, are charged with capital murder over the girl's death. They're accused of leading her under a bridge in north Houston, and then strangling her. Her body was found June 17 in the bayou near the 400 West Rankin Road. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Pena was making his first court appearance since being arrested at an apartment complex in north Houston on Thursday. Martinez-Rangel is expected to appear before Hill on Tuesday.

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The roommates are accused of strangling Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl who authorities said snuck out of her familys apartment on the night of June 16 and encountered the two men at a 7-11 convenience store near the intersection of Rankin and Kuykendahl roads.

The men allegedly asked Jocelyn for directions and walked with her to a bridge near the 400 block of Rankin Road. The men then assaulted her there, pulling down her pants, and binding her hands before strangling her and leaving her body in the bayou, prosecutors said.

During the bail hearing, Harris County Assistant District Attorney Megan Long said Pena had told police he kissed Jocelyn, but blamed other parts of the assault and her death on Martinez-Rangel.

After Jocelyns body was found by a passerby, Pena allegedly approached his boss at a construction company and asked for money to help him get out of town, Long said. The boss instead contacted police, Long said.

Franklin Pena, one of the two men accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, appears in court before Judge Josh Hill on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Houston. Pena was ordered held on $10 million bail as he, and another man, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, are charged with capital murder over the girl's death. They're accused of leading her under a bridge in north Houston, and then strangling her. Her body was found June 17 in the bayou near the 400 West Rankin Road. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Flight risk

Hill cited Penas alleged attempts to flee as one of the reasons for setting the high bail amount.

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After asking for a $1 million bond shortly after their arrest last week, prosecutors increased their request to $5 million on Monday.

Prosecutors said Pena  a Venezuelan national who entered the country without permission  had few ties with the community. Given that, the brutality of Jocelyns death and potential punishments he faced, the DAs office asked for the higher bail.

Danny Werlinger, Penas defense attorney, asked for a $1 million bail and noted that even if Pena could raise that amount, he would still likely stay in custody because of a hold placed on his release by federal immigration authorities.

Pena in May was stopped by Border Patrol agents near El Paso, and briefly held in custody before being released with orders to appear before an immigration judge. Hes lived in Houston for a little over a month, Long said.

Hill said he was prevented by state law from automatically denying a cash bail because of the charge levied against Pena. Capital murder of a person older than 10 years old and younger than 15 years old is not punishable by the death penalty, and therefore not eligible for holding someone without bail, Hill said.

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Pena is being represented by two court-appointed defense attorneys  Lisa Andrews and Werlinger  who were assigned the case by Judge Susan Brown, the administrative judge for the Houston region.

We are going to represent him just as we are going to represent every other defendant that comes into our offices, Werlinger, a former Harris County prosecutor, said after the hearing. Our purpose is to make sure our clients constitutional rights are going to be upheld.

The case could take years to resolve, Werlinger said.

Family of Jocelyn Nungaray comfort each other as Franklin Pena, one of the two men accused of killing the 12-year-old girl, appears in court on Monday, June 24, 2024 in Houston. Pena was ordered held on $10 million bail as he, and another man, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, are charged with capital murder over the girl's death. They're accused of leading her under a bridge in north Houston, and then strangling her. Her body was found June 17 in the bayou near the 400 West Rankin Road. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

Death penalty

Pena didnt speak during the hearing. Wearing a yellow jumpsuit, he listened to the proceedings with the help of a translator.

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Jocleyns family, including her mother, Alexis Nungaray, filled two long benches in the courtroom and were mostly silent as Long described the evidence against Pena.

Nine sheriffs office deputies watched over the gallery as the hearing went on.

Speaking in a news conference after the hearing, Alexis Nungaray said Jocelyn was her first child, who she gave birth to when she was 15 years old.

"She had such a bright future ahead of her, and I know she was going to go very far." Nungaray said. "These monsters took that opportunity from her and from her family."

District Attorney Kim Ogg said it was possible that prosecutors could bring different capital murder charges against Pena and Martinez-Rangel, if evidence is uncovered that they sexually assaulted Jocelyn or if prosecutors could prove the men kidnapped her. Those charges could make them eligible for the death penalty, Ogg said.

We look forward to the results of the tests that are being run on the evidence in the case, Ogg said. Make no mistake, this is a horrific crime. When we take charges, its based on the evidence we have at the moment.

Jocelyns murder has drawn attention from, among other people, former President Donald Trump, who used her death as a basis of a political attack on President Joe Biden over immigration and crime.

Ogg said that she trusted Long and the other prosecutor in the DAs homicide division, which she said was designed to handle high profile cases and bring them to trial
WATERLOO  Nine area veterans were awarded Quilts of Valor during a Saturday ceremony in Waterloo.

It was the second such event for the Cedar Valley chapter of the national quilting organization. Evan Curly Hultman, who started his military career at age 17 at the tail end of World War II and worked his way up to the rank of major general with decades of service, was one of the esteemed recipients.

Its a great honor and remembrance of all the work and sacrifice and good will of each of these members, Hultman said

Quilts of Valor pairs veterans who were touched by war with comforters produced by volunteers.

During Saturdays ceremony at the American Legion Post No.138 on Commercial Street, organizers read the recipients backgrounds one-by-one and then draped the cloth masterpieces over their shoulders to the applause of family and friends in the audience.

Each quilt is unique, said Kim Latusick of Cedar Valley Quilts of Valor. Each one is at least 60 by 80 inches, and the creators can make up their own designs.

Saturdays examples included many red-white-and-blue variations, some with swatches featuring military aircraft, others featuring portraits of the nations founding fathers.

In addition to Hultman, this rounds recipients included:

Charles Wubbena, Navy.

Mary Corwin, Air Force.

Leeroy Howard, Navy.

Eric Plummer, Navy.

Francis Moore, Navy.

Gerald Rasmussen, Marines.

Michael Butler, Air Force.

Jerome Palas, Army.

The national Quilts of Valor organization has been around since 2003.

The Cedar Valley groups first ceremony was in September 2023, and because of the time and effort required to create a quilt, the September quilts were produced by the Newton, Iowa, chapter.

Saturdays quilts were created by members of the New Hampton group, each pieced by Dee Larkin and machined by Brenda Speicher, Olivia Humphreys, Kathy Frederick, Suzanne Keeling and Connie H.

Latusick said the next round will be in November to coincide with Veterans Day and will include the first quilts made by the Cedar Valley group.

Nominations for a quilt can be made through the organizations website at qovf.org .
CEDAR FALLS  River levels continue to rise in the Cedar Valley, pushing rivers into flood stage, according to the National Weather Service.

As of Monday morning, the National Weather Service had a flood warning in effect for the Cedar River at Waterloo, Janesville, and the Shell Rock River at Shell Rock for Black Hawk, Butler and Bremer Counties.

The Cedar River at Cedar Falls was 89.5 feet and climbing as of 1:45 p.m. Monday and is expected to crest at 92.9 feet Tuesday night in moderate flood stage.

Flood stage at that location is 89 feet.

In downtown Waterloo, the Cedar River was at 10.8 feet Monday afternoon and it is expected to crest at 14.8 feet on Tuesday night in the minor flooding stage. Flood stage at that location is 13 feet.

In Janesville, the Cedar was at 10.4 feet and forecast to crest at 14.3 feet Tuesday in minor flood stage. Flood stage there is 13 feet.

In Shell Rock, the Shell Rock River crested Monday morning at 12.9 feet in minor flood stage, according to the National Weather Service, and the water level is expected to drop.

In Waverly, the Cedar River was at 9.9 feet. Flood stage is at 12 feet.

Black Hawk County Park north of Cedar Falls is underwater, and George Wyth State Park in Waterloo is closed due to the flooding. The Fletcher Avenue floodgates in Waterloo are closed.

Charles City is experiencing major flooding, according to the National Weather Service. The Cedar River there crested Monday morning at 21.5 feet. It is now falling and expected to be below flood stage on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

Initial flood stage in Charles City is 12 feet.

The National Weather Service warns residents to be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding.

Additional thunderstorm chances are forecast Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Thunderstorm chances return to the forecast Thursday through Saturday.

PHOTOS: Flooding moves downstream to Jefferson and North Sioux City Jefferson flooding Jefferson flooding Sioux City flooding Jefferson flooding Jefferson flooding Jefferson flooding Floyd River flood waters Jefferson flooding Jefferson flooding North Sioux City flooding Jefferson flooding VIDEO: Volunteers fill sandbags in Jefferson Severe Weather Iowa Severe Weather Iowa
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Houston Independent School District Superintendent F. Mike Miles gives a presentation to school principals during the last principals training of the school year Tuesday, May 14, 2024 in Houston. Miles has this monthly training with all principals in the school district. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Despite being appointed or elected to their roles, more than one-third of the members of Houston ISDs District Advisory Committee have largely not attended the organizations meetings so far this year, according to a Houston Chronicle review of meeting minutes.

HISDs District Advisory Committee is responsible for reviewing the district's educational plans, goals, programs and performance objectives, according to board policy and state law. The committee of teachers, parents and community members also provides advice and input to state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles and other district leaders in monthly meetings.

However, more than 20 people on the 60-member committee have largely stopped attending the organizations meetings after the committee voted to advance HISDs District of Innovation plan in November, leading committee leaders to begin discussions with members over whether to make changes to informal committee expectations or board policy to improve member attendance.

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Celeste Barretto Milligan, the co-chair of the DAC and an HISD parent, said members are selected to engage and advise district leaders and serve as representatives for their community, but they cant do that if they dont show up to meetings. She and several other DAC members have said all members should at least be attending the majority of meetings.

Members of the Houston ISD's District Advisory Committee meet at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in Houston. The committee met to vote on becoming a District of Innovation, which, if approved by the school board in December, would exempt HISD from several education-related state laws. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer Members of the Houston ISD's District Advisory Committee meet at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in Houston. The committee voted to approve the district becoming a District of Innovation, which, if approved by the school board in December, would exempt HISD from several education-related state laws. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

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While seeking perfect attendance is neither reasonable nor necessary, I think having a strong commitment to being present and actually finding a way to be present is the only way that you can actually serve those roles, Barretto Milligan said. If and when you choose to be elected or appointed to the DAC, then you're implicitly and explicitly making a commitment to be present.

HISD board policy outlines requirements for the composition of the committee and election procedures, but it does not outline any formal requirements for individual DAC members, including whether they need to attend meetings or contribute to the committee after being appointed or elected.

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While the policy states that elected members who leave the district can be replaced by the runner-up in the election, the policies do not outline any way to remove appointed members or elected members who remain employed with the district before their term ends. It also does not include any criteria that would justify a removal, such as a lack of attendance at meetings.

The district expanded the committee from 39 to 60 members in September, although each meeting in 2024 has had only about 30 attendees. Miles appoints approximately one-third of the members to the committee, the board of managers appoints one-third and HISD employees elect the remaining members  all of whom serve two-year terms.

Nearly every DAC member attended the committee's meetings in November, where they voted 41-11 in favor of approving HISDs DOI plan after the district made certain modifications in response to member feedback. The plan allows the district to exempt itself from seven state education laws, including ones requiring it to start the school year in late August and obtain waivers every year from the Texas Education Agency to hire uncertified high school teachers.

Since then, the committee has held five monthly meetings, where its members have discussed topics such as teacher evaluations, staff retention and the districts school choice process with HISD leaders, including Miles. According to meeting minutes, 11 members have attended only one of the past five meetings and 10 people have attended zero.

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Of those 21 members, the superintendent appointed six, the school board appointed five and HISD employees elected the remaining 10. Nearly all of the largely absent appointed members voted in favor of DOI, while almost all of the elected members voted against the plan or did not attend the DOI vote.

During the committees meeting June 14, several DAC members expressed support for taking action to improve member attendance, such as regularly reaching out to absent members or setting an expectation to attend 70% of meetings, but they did not reach a conclusion on the specific actions to take.

However, Brad Wray, an HISD middle school teacher and elected DAC member, told the Chronicle that he doesnt necessarily feel that members  particularly those who have been appointed  need to attend meetings. He said he feels like the committee is not as legitimate after the state takeover and the districts expansion of the committee.

We do have a role to inform people in the committee and the general public, but I don't blame (elected members for missing meetings) because going to DAC meetings and speaking up does put a target on your back, said Wray, who has attended nearly every DAC meeting. It's easier just to keep your mouth shut or just skip the meetings rather than risk retribution for disagreeing.

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Daniel Santos, an elected DAC member and the vice president of HISDs largest teachers union, has attended only one of the five most recent DAC meetings. Santos, who voted against the DOI designation, said he felt like his input has been ignored or dismissed on the committee since the state takeover of the district.

I have attended DAC meetings in the past before the state takeover, and they were meaningful, and the discussions were informative and open to other perspectives, said Santos, who is not returning to HISD next year. Since the takeover, and since the DAC composition changed, the conversations have been meaningless.

STAAR RESULTS: HISD makes improvements on standardized tests as state results largely decline

Several of the other members of the DAC who have not attended any meetings in 2024 could not be reached for comment, and multiple others did not respond to requests about why they had not shown up to meetings this year.

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Kari Feinberg, HISDs deputy chief of staff and DAC facilitator, said the committee is still in the early stages of deciding how to address a lack of attendance from members and plans to take the next few months to decide how to address the issue.
Russia is getting very tired of the USA targeting civilians intentionally. Yesterday, a beach full of swimmers was attacked and yes plenty of videos of the attack and it was intentional and by the USA

The missiles Ukraine are using are USA guided only and that means all targeting and guidance is pure USA only and most likely USA is pulling the trigger so to say. Russia is getting mad and the USA will pay

The number one terrorist country is the USA

Update: Moscows ambassador Anatoly Antonov has told the press: The administration demonstratively supports the crimes of the Kiev regime. It took the side of international terrorism, and condones attacks on civilians by Banderas adherents, the Ambassador stated. It is obvious to policymakers in Washington that cluster munitions in ATACMS missiles cannot be launched without the participation of American specialists and support from US intelligence. It is no coincidence that enemy drones are circling over the Black Sea almost every day, he added. All this indicates the death of Americas pseudo-humane foreign policy in the bloody swamp of the Ukrainian crisis, the diplomat said.

Get ready

WtR

 Answer of the Russian Ambassador to the USA A.I. Antonov to a media question

: Dear Anatoly Ivanovich, how would you comment on the lack of reaction from US official authorities to the attack by ATACMS missiles on civilians in Crimea?

 A.I. Antonov : The administration demonstratively supports the crimes of the Kiev regime. She took the side of international terrorism. Condones Banderas attacks on civilians.

 There is no justification for the bloody acts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The crimes were committed purposefully during the concentration of the maximum number of Russians on the shore. The bandits did not even hesitate to kill women and children on a Christian holiday revered by all.

 Washingtons attempts to silence the terrible crime against Russian citizens are causing anger and indignation. Americans cannot sit overseas and escape responsibility for the blood and tears of innocent people.

 The supply of American weapons to Bandera puppets, granting them the right to attack civilians only testifies to the desire of the local authorities to continue the war, regardless of human casualties. It is obvious to policymakers in Washington that cluster munitions in ATACMS missiles cannot be launched without the participation of American specialists and support from US intelligence. It is no coincidence that enemy drones circle over the Black Sea almost every day.

 All this indicates the death of Americas pseudo-humane foreign policy in the bloody swamp of the Ukrainian crisis. It becomes almost impossible for Russophobes to justify their direct involvement in the conflict in the post-Soviet space.

 We express our sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of those killed and wounded in todays terrorist attack. We wish a speedy recovery to the injured. We are confident that the Nazis will receive a harsh response at the front. And not only.



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On the first day of June, a studio in the Northrup King Building filled with sound as a room full of workshop participants unleashed their voices.

It was the first day of the McKnight International Choreographer Residency, a monthlong program that brings an international choreographer to Minnesota to engage with the dance community in a series of events and develop a new work along with a local partner.

The "Sound and Body" workshop at the art complex in northeast Minneapolis was conducted by this year's resident choreographer, Meryl Zaytoun Murman, a Lebanese American who's based in Thessaloniki, Greece. At the workshop, she guided a diverse group of dancers in exercises that explored the connection between voice and sound. Murman had the participants undulating, releasing and moving their energy as they explored the connection between different points in their bodies, and between their bodies and the floor.

"It's not like singing words, it's raw sound," the choreographer explained about the work. Her practice draws on training she received in Greece, where sound and movement tap into the subconscious. It's grounded in internal approaches to movement, like the Feldenkrais Method, and the Alexander Technique, to technique styles that connect the mind and body and promote physical awareness. She also incorporates aspects of qigong, an Eastern way of breathing and physical exercises.

"It's really potent medicine," she said.

Murman held a second workshop, also in Minneapolis, called "Embody Palestine," which she co-led with Twin Cities-based choreographer Leila Awadallah.

Then, Murman headed to Winona, to work with another Lebanese American, Sharon Mansur. Mansur first moved to Winona to take a faculty position in dance at Winona State University.

"I was interested in a new adventure," she recalled. "When I came to interview in Winona, the bluffs reminded me a lot of western Massachusetts, and I fell in love with the area."

These days, Mansur runs the Cedar Tree Project, a group that aims to support and amplify artists from Southwest Asia and northern Africa. She and Murman met a few years ago through a panel discussion about Arab American dance. Last year, they teamed up to create a movie with help from Forecast Public Art, a nonprofit organization that supports public art projects through grants. The film employs Murman's work with voice and movement as it explores the two artists' cultural connections.

"We went into the studio, but we also went out to beaches and forests," Murman said. "(Mansur's) uninhibited. She makes interesting, uncanny choices, which I enjoy."

The 10-minute film, called "NeitherHEREnorTHERE," was screened in February as part of the Frozen River Film Festival in Winona, and last week as part of an evening of film and discussion at the Winona Arts Center. Mansur said it offered an opportunity for the two artists to talk about the Arab diaspora, as well as gender and sexuality within that topic.

Dana Kassel, director of the McKnight Fellowship Program, said she and Mansur had been talking about a possible partnership since 2019. "The way we do this is we typically locate the partner first, and we talk about a region of the world that would be interesting," Kassel said.

For Mansur, Kassel said, it was clear a great fit would be to find an international choreographer from the Middle East or Northern Africa. Normally, the program involves a research trip to search for the right artist, but world events got in the way. Eventually, Mansur proposed Murman, who, though she was American, had spent many years abroad  including in Ukraine for an extended period, as well as Greece.

"I feel like (Murman) has an international perspective and reach to her work that still made it unique to bring to the Twin Cities and to Winona," Kassel said.

During Murman's residency, she has been working with Mansur and a group of interdisciplinary artists from the Cedar Tree Project on a new piece centered on the Mississippi River as well as their ongoing conversations around migration, family, world events including the war in Gaza and the ongoing crisis in Lebanon, and about living in Arab-centered bodies.

It's also going to look at the ancient relationship shared between water and women from Southwest Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. "There are ancient rituals that connected the erotic feminine energy with ecological repair," Merman said.

The culminating performance, supported by Theatre du Mississippi, takes place at the Prairie Island Campground, a setting that draws weekend visitors, people who fish, and those who camp throughout the summer. There, the five members of the Cedar Tree Project who have a mix of movement experiences, as well as other practices in poetry and visual art  will work to create a ritualistic performance. The site-specific, outdoor work takes place at sunset. A planned performance on June 25 and 26 has been postponed due to high water on the Mississippi River.

For Mansur, having time and space to gather with the group of women that have come together for the project feels healing and nurturing.

"It's a mix of choreography and improvisation, but like any good improvisation, it has that idea of showing up being present, and letting go of expectations and really seeing and honoring what emerges," she said.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Civil liberties groups filed a lawsuit Monday to block Louisianas new law that requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom.

Opponents of the measure, which was signed into law by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry last week, had long warned of an impending lawsuit to fight the legislation that they say is unconstitutional.

Plaintiffs in the suit include parents of Louisiana public school children, represented by attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

The lawsuit seeks a court declaration that the new law, referred to in the lawsuit as HB 71, violates First Amendment clauses forbidding government establishment of religion and guaranteeing religious liberty. It also seeks an order prohibiting the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.

The states main interest in passing H.B. 71 was to impose religious beliefs on public-school children, regardless of the harm to students and families, the lawsuit sayd. "The laws primary sponsor and author, Representative Dodie Horton, proclaimed during debate over the bill that it 'seeks to have a display of Gods law in the classroom for children to see what He says is right and what He says is wrong.'"

Defendants include state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley, members of the state education board and some local school boards.

Under the new law, all public K-12 classrooms and state-funded universities will be required to display a poster-sized version of the Ten Commandments in large, easily readable font" next year.

Opponents argue that the law is a violation of separation of church and state and that the display will isolate students, especially those who are not Christian. Proponents say the measure is not solely religious, but that it has historical significance. In the language of the law, the Ten Commandments are foundational documents of our state and national government.

The Ten Commandments has long been at the center of lawsuits across the nation.

In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a similar Kentucky law violated the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution, which says Congress can make no law respecting an establishment of religion. The high court found that the law had no secular purpose but rather served a plainly religious purpose.

In a more recent ruling, the Supreme Court held in 2005 that such displays in a pair of Kentucky courthouses violated the Constitution. At the same time, the court upheld a Ten Commandments marker on the grounds of the Texas state Capitol in Austin. Those were 5-4 decisions, but the courts makeup has changed, with a 6-3 conservative majority now.

Other states, including Texas, Oklahoma and Utah, have attempted to pass requirements that the schools display the Ten Commandments. However, with threats of legal battles, none has the mandate in place except for Louisiana.

The posters in Louisiana, which will be paired with a four-paragraph context statement describing how the Ten Commandments were a prominent part of public education for almost three centuries, must be in place in classrooms by the start of 2025.

The controversial law, in a state ensconced in the Bible Belt, comes during a new era of conservative leadership in Louisiana under Landry, who replaced two-term Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards in January. The GOP holds a supermajority in the Legislature, and Republicans hold every statewide elected position, paving the way for lawmakers to push through a conservative agenda.

McGill reported from New Orleans.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the plaintiffs are represented by lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation

(Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.)
Thursday was World Refugee Day which is an international holiday that honors and supports stepping up efforts to protect and support refugees.

On Sunday, the Northern Nevada International Center held its annual festival to celebrate the hundreds of refugees in the region.

It was very lively with hundreds of refugees and volunteers gathering at Miguel Ribera Park.

Many companies were providing resources for anyone who may need them.

Over 850 refugees from Afghanistan, Syria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central America, Latin America and Ukraine are in the region.

At the event, a few of them even performed live songs from their homeland.

For refugees that recently graduated from high school, there were companies offering possible internships and opportunities just for them.

"Every day, 365 days a year they integrate into our society but today is when we actually learn about them," said Executive Director for the Northern Nevada International Center, Carina Black. "So, we have Ukrainian dancing we have Congolese dancing, so we get to celebrate who they are for just one day."

"Refugees and immigrants improve the fabric of our community and these individuals are working relatively low paying jobs in our casinos and our industries and logistics and they're becoming part of our fabric," said Black.
Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles, left, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath, and Brandon Dickerson, principal, right, speak during a visit at Kashmere High School, 6900 Wileyvale Rd., Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, in Houston. Melissa Phillip/Staff Photographer

The Texas Education Agency replaced one of two state-appointed conservators Monday after they stepped down from their role overseeing Houston ISDs efforts to improve special education compliance and services to students.

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath told HISDs state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles and Board of Managers president Audrey Momanaee in a letter Monday that, effective immediately, Lesa Shocklee, the state-appointed monitor of Austin ISDs special education program, has replaced conservator Molly Cordeau, due to her resignation after more than three years in the role.

Shocklee, the former executive director of special services for Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, will serve as the lead special education conservator, where shell be responsible for overseeing HISDs efforts to improve its services for students. She will also continue her separate role monitoring AISDs compliance with state-mandated changes to its special education department.

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Katherine Seals, a retired special education administrator, will remain as HISDs other special education conservator, and Doris Delaney, a former administrator at Aldine ISD, will continue to serve as the districtwide conservator, Morath wrote.

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The TEA appointed two conservators  Molly Cordeau and Fred Shafer  in December 2020 to oversee HISDs progress improving special education services after the years of long-standing problems with the districts services for disabled students, including a lack of compliance with state and federal regulations.

Morath replaced Shafer, the former executive director of special education for Katy ISD, in September 2021 after he stepped down. Cordeau, a former director of special education services at the Region 4 Education Service Center, will leave her role Friday, although the letter did not outline the reason for her departure.

The special education conservators write monthly reports that outline HISDs progress with identification and interventions for special education students. They also have the authority to direct, approve or disapprove an action of the Board of Managers, superintendent and campus principals, according to the TEA.

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According to the conservators May report, HISD is still falling short of several of its goals and mandatory legal standards, but it has made progress this year in meeting its goals and several state and federally mandated deadlines. Morath wrote that the conservators work so far has been outstanding, although important work remains to be done with special education in HISD.
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Yemen's Houthis claim responsibility for attacking 2 cargo ships

Xinhua) 09:29, June 24, 2024

SANAA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group on Sunday claimed responsibility for attacking two cargo ships in the Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean.

"The naval forces of our armed forces carried out a second targeting operation for the ship TRANSWORLD NAVIGATOR in the Red Sea with an unmanned boat, which resulted in a direct hit on the ship," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

"The missile force of our armed forces carried out an operation targeting the ship STOLT SEQUOIA in the Indian Ocean with several cruise missiles, and the operation achieved its objectives successfully," he said.

The attacks come in response to what Houthi claimed their owner companies' violation of the group's entry ban into Israeli ports, according to the spokesman.

Speaking of the U.S. aircraft carrier Eisenhower, which had just left the region, Yahya claimed that a series of Houthi attacks drove the vessel away.

He reiterated that his group's attacks would continue until Israel stops its war in the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip.

Earlier in the day, a Yemeni government official told Xinhua that the merchant vessel TRANSWORLD NAVIGATOR, flying the Liberian flag, was struck twice by the Houthi group successively on Saturday in the Gulf of Aden, and on early Sunday, in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen's port city of Hodeidah.

The official said the ship was damaged but was still proceeding to its destination with no injuries reported from the crew.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed receiving a report of an incident approximately 65 nautical miles west of Hodeidah.

The UKMTO's statement indicated that the master of a merchant vessel reported an impact from an uncrewed aerial system, which resulted in ship damage. All crew members were reported safe, and the ship was said to be proceeding to its next port of call.

These attacks are part of a broader campaign by the Houthis, which began in November 2023, targeting ships in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The group claims to be targeting vessels associated with Israel or en route to Israeli ports, citing the ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip as justification.

The ongoing conflict along the vital shipping lanes of the Red Sea and surrounding waters continues to raise concerns about maritime security and global trade implications.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A dual language program teacher is teaching fourth grade science on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023 at Gregg Elementary School in Houston. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Some Houston ISD parents said they've struggled to navigate summer school with little or late communication from the district, inciting some confusion after a tumultuous first school year under state-appointed leadership.

Some parents said they made many phone calls to learn whether their child was enrolled, which campuses summer school would be at, and whether there would be bus service. This year's summer school, which started Monday, looks different than years past, with an adjusted calendar and a handful of campuses hosting multiple schools.

Parent Ivette Melendez-Vela  whose seventh grader attended Baylor College of Medicine Biotech Academy at Rusk  said parents pieced together "like a jigsaw puzzle" that Rusk wouldn't be hosting summer school.

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She found out the last week of school that Fleming Middle School would host. She was later directed between schools for questions about potentially transferring host schools.

To Melendez-Vela, this was much of the same communication pattern she saw during the school year.

"I understand you can't call every single parent because there's thousands of us, but there needs to be a more clearer and concise communication between the school and the district itself," Melendez-Vela said. "Because it's very, very evident that there's a real big problem in communication between the district and the schools themselves."

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She signed her seventh grader up for summer school bus transportation, which was important to her given the distance to Fleming and because she has other children at home. Rusk called her the Friday before summer school's start and told her there would be no bus transportation to Fleming. Confused, she called the district's Family Connections Center. She said she was transferred around until a higher-up informed her there would be transportation.

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Melendez-Vela said she and her daughter arrived just before 7 a.m. Monday at Rusk and, after waiting, called the district about the vehicle's estimated arrival time. The bus came at about 8:15 a.m., making her daughter late on the first day of summer classes. Melendez-Vela said she has been calling the district's transportation services every day this week before drop-off and pick-up to inquire about bus whereabouts.

The start of summer school follows robocalls and persistent emails telling many parents their children were required to attend summer school. Those messages left many confused and frustrated on which child the generic messages were referring to, as well as why, since their children met attendance and grade requirements for promotion.

As of Friday morning, the district's webpage on Summer School has the 2023 list of summer school campuses and no contact information for questions except for the special education office's phone number  with what appears to be the wrong area code  and email. HISD said it would correct the phone number.

HISD said parents were notified of summer school enrollment and location via letter, final report card and phone calls. Location letters were sent in May, according to the district's statement.

Jessica Campos, a Community Voices for Public Education parent advocate against the state takeover, said she didn't receive summer school location information but knew her daughter would need to attend due to grades.

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Campos knew there would be host schools this year but didn't know what school to call. So she called the district the morning of June 11 to ask where summer school would be and for a list of campuses. She said she was transferred about five times, and the last person said they would have someone call her back.

That night, someone with the district called to say Campos' daughter, a DeBakey High School student, would go to Lamar High School and declined to provide a list of campuses. Campos was surprised by the call's timing, which she said was at around 9:30 p.m.

District leadership and more resources to support staff members are needed to answer parents' questions, River Oaks Elementary School parent Garet Robinson said.

He estimated he left somewhere "in the neighborhood of 15 to 20 voicemails" to confirm his son's enrollment. Closer to summer school's start date, and after phone conversations and emails, Robinson was able to inch closer to the answer.

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"Very nice, very good people," Robinson said of HISD staff members he spoke with. "I've got no problem with any of the people that are attempting to fill the gaps and run things, but it does seem to me there's a lack of resources for them. They don't have the capacities that they had several years ago."

A lead administrator called Robinson at 4:15 p.m. the Friday before school's start to confirm enrollment.

Robinson feels concern for children who don't have a proactive advocate and for parents unable to make multiple calls to the district because they are working jobs they can't easily step away from.

Acknowledging the district's budget shortfall, Robinson said there should be an online dashboard where families can check if their children successfully enrolled in summer school.

"Honestly, (at the district) they're running on methods and methodologies from the '90s and early 2000s," Robinson said, adding that this was not the fault of people who are boots-on-the-ground serving district families. "This is higher-level executives and lead administrators within the district that need to be thinking three-dimensionally about this."

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An HISD spokesperson wrote in a June 25 email that parents should call their summer school campuses for questions. Parents may also call the parent center at 713-556-7121 or email summerschool@houstonisd.org. Parents can call their summer school campus or email transportationsummerschool@houstonisd.org for bus transportation questions. To report their child is sick, a parent should call their campus to report the absence and send a note upon the student's return.

The district had a few campuses host summer school "to ensure effective use of financial resources" based on projected enrollment, according to HISD's June 25 comment.
It is estimated that 73% of global digital ad spending will be programmatically purchased in 2024, making fraud prevention a top priority for advertisers. Fraudulent websites that deceive ad platforms into believing they are legitimate pose significant risks, making it crucial for advertisers to ensure their ads dont inadvertently support or appear alongside misleading, inappropriate, or false content. Despite the implementation of sophisticated brand safety solutions, the dynamic and often opaque nature of the online ecosystem continues to present unique challenges.

Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University recently conducted a study to assess the frequency with which ads are placed on websites that disseminate misleading stories, as well as advertisers awareness of this issue. Their findings revealed that between 2019 and 2021, two-thirds of advertisers purchased ads on sites identified by media watchdogs NewsGuard and the Global Disinformation Index as consistently publishing false or misleading content.

Adgully seeks to unravel this serious issue in this two-part series, exploring how advertisers navigate the complex terrain of brand safety, the limitations of current solutions, and the innovative strategies being employed to safeguard brand integrity in a world where misinformation is just a click away.

The efficacy of brand safety tools

Advertisers face multiple challenges in ensuring their ads do not appear on sites that publish misleading or false content, despite using brand safety solutions. And it is important for advertisers to manage programmatic advertising to ensure their ads do not appear on websites that distribute misleading or false information.

Experts say that the nature of the online world is fundamentally dynamic, rendering brand safety tools ineffective at times.

Despite utilizing brand safety solutions, advertisers face several specific challenges in ensuring their ads do not appear on sites that publish misleading or false content, points out Bhavesh Talreja, Founder and CEO, Globale Media.

The dynamic nature of online content means that a site considered safe yesterday might start publishing misleading content today, making it difficult for brand safety tools to keep up. Imperfect detection algorithms, which rely heavily on machine learning, can fail to detect nuanced or sophisticated misleading content, leading to false negatives. Additionally, automated tools may misinterpret the context in which certain keywords or phrases are used, causing ads to be placed on sites with misleading or false content. Sites that publish such content continuously evolve their tactics to bypass detection mechanisms, making it a constant challenge for brand safety solutions to stay ahead. Blocklists, another common tool, often have a limited scope and may not cover all problematic websites, especially as new sites can emerge quickly. Finally, the automated nature of programmatic advertising means that ads are bought and placed in real-time across a vast network of sites, making manual monitoring and control of ad placements difficult, he says.

According to Talreja, to better manage programmatic advertising and ensure ads do not appear on websites that distribute misleading or false information, advertisers can adopt several strategies including enhanced vendor collaboration involving working closely with ad-tech vendors to demand robust and regularly updated brand safety solutions and ensuring they have stringent policies and technologies to detect and block misleading content.

Talreja points out that layered brand safety measures, including pre-bid filtering, post-bid monitoring, and third-party verification services, provide a multi-layered approach to effectively identify and block inappropriate sites.

Maintaining and regularly updating custom blocklists of known misleading sites and developing allow lists of trusted sites can also help. Shifting towards more sophisticated contextual targeting that understands content nuances beyond simple keyword matching reduces the risk of ads appearing alongside misleading content. Human oversight and manual reviews are necessary to complement automation, ensuring regular audits of ad placements. Transparent reporting and analytics provide insights into ad placements, helping identify patterns and potential risks, which allows for strategic adjustments. Additionally, continuous education and awareness about the latest trends and tactics used by misleading sites keep the marketing and advertising teams vigilant and proactive, Talreja explains.

Advertisers face several challenges in ensuring their ads do not appear on sites that publish misleading or false content, even when using brand safety solutions, points out Adam Smart, Director of Product (Gaming) at AppsFlyer.

One major issue, according to Smart, is the lack of control over where ads are shown. He reckons that some advertising networks are not completely transparent about the origins of their traffic, making it difficult for advertisers to ensure their ads are placed safely.

Additionally, while brand safety tools exist, they often prioritize driving traffic and installs without guaranteeing brand safety. These tools can be expensive and are not always 100% effective. Advertisers must also avoid negative associations for their brand, such as being linked to gambling sites or other inappropriate content. Think of Disney or any other brand that advertises content for children  they dont want to be associated with websites for adult content, says Adam Smart.

According to him, the digital advertising ecosystem is complex, with numerous networks and companies involved, making it challenging to track ad spend and ensure appropriate placements. Moreover, with the rise of kids' apps and other platforms, there is a growing need for advertisers to self-police and be aware of the categories and sources where their ads appear.

Of the many challenges which advertisers face, one I particularly would mention is due to the vastness of the web; its difficult to comprehensively monitor the placements or appearance of ads, that too manually, says Sajid Shaikh, Group Account Manager - Media, SoCheers.

Hence, Shaikh adds, to thoroughly manage and ensure that ads do not appear on websites that distribute misleading or false information, advertisers can opt to:

Use Blacklists and Whitelists: Platforms allow for excluding entire categories, topics from ad spending, which can be particularly helpful. Another option is whitelisting, which is important if your product is sensitive. This will give a list of approved and rather than denied sites.

Platforms allow for excluding entire categories, topics from ad spending, which can be particularly helpful. Another option is whitelisting, which is important if your product is sensitive. This will give a list of approved and rather than denied sites. Work with trusted publishers: To protect your brand and know exactly where your ads appear, make sure that the DSP (Demand Side Platform) only works with trusted and authorised publishers.

Ranjit Thind, Director of Media and Tech, Asymmetrique, agrees that advertisers face several challenges in ensuring their ads do not appear on sites with misleading or false content, despite using brand safety solutions.

The dynamic nature of web content is one such issue, as it changes frequently and becomes difficult to track and update in real time. Additionally, the current brand safety algorithms are imperfect and may lead to false negatives or false positives. The automated nature of programmatic advertising involves multiple intermediaries and real-time bidding, which can result in less control over where ads are placed. Moreover, some websites appear legitimate but later switch to misleading content, evading initial safety checks, points out Ranjit Thind.

So what are the solutions? To better manage programmatic advertising, Thind explains, advertisers can implement several strategies.

Regularly updating blocklists and conducting audits help identify and remove ads from problematic sites. Developing advanced AI and machine learning models can improve the detection of misleading content. Stringent whitelisting processes and maintaining updated blacklists provide more control over where ads are placed. Finally, enhancing transparency in the ad supply chain ensures advertisers know where their ads are served, reducing the risk of ads appearing on misleading or false content, he adds.

Abhishek Tiwari, Global Business Head, NetSetGo Media, points out that there are several issues that advertisers encounter when trying to avoid their ads appearing on sites that spread fake news and other misinformation even when using brand safety solutions.

A major challenge is the vast number of websites and the fact that the content on the Internet is constantly updating. Moreover, there are some other misleading sites that may look like real news sites and therefore can deceive brand safety tools into accepting such sites. An advice for advertisers to improve their management of programmatic advertising is to employ multiple levels of brand safety solutions, such as, whitelisting approach, utilizing sophisticated AI-based content filtering and monitoring of ads, explains Tiwari.

(Tomorrow, Part 2 of the report will analyse how advertisers can better manage programmatic advertising to ensure their ads do not appear on problematic websites. Additionally, we will explore the steps ad tech vendors can take to proactively prevent ads from being served on disreputable sites. And much more...)
Every individual, irrespective of gender, deserves effortless respect and support to lead a fulfilling life. With this belief at its core, BIG FM, one of India's leading radio networks, proudly announces the second season of its distinctive property - PRIDEntity. An initiative promoting inclusivity towards LGBTQIA+ community, it aims to deepen the conversation around queer issues, through a series of thought-provoking and engaging programs. Helmed by RJ Rani, the show will engage with members from the community through an array of curated activities highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusivity in our society.

In 2018, the Supreme Court's landmark decision to decriminalise same-sex relationships in India opened new pathways for the queer community to live freely. Despite this progress, the community continues to face non-inclusive behaviour and biases not only in their personal life but also professionally. PRIDEntity Season 2 will delve into various topics such as workplace inclusion, family relations, romantic intricacies, legal rights and much more. The show will also explore the personal journeys of community members under the theme Unique Aspects of Life. In the final week, the focus will shift to addressing misconceptions, with guests sharing insights to help improve understanding and support for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

The first season of PRIDEntity sparked meaningful conversations on queer openness and resonated with over 200 million listeners. This year, it aims to elevate engagement with an Anonymous AMA (Ask Me Anything) segment, encouraging informative dialogue throughout the show, where listeners can pose questions and concerns without revealing their identities. Esteemed guests, including experts and celebrities, will address these inquiries from a diverse audience.

Speaking on the campaign, Sunil Kumaran, COO, commented, Keeping in line with our brand philosophy of Dhun Badal Ke Toh Dekho, PRIDEntity aims to encourage listeners to see LGBTQIA+ community with a fresh, more inclusive perspective. While Season 1 garnered an amazing response, with Season 2 we are going back to the basics, educating the masses on all aspects of the queer life. By sparking intriguing conversations around the rainbow community, we look forward to promoting the cultural change and progress.

Furthermore, PRIDEntity Season 2 will air across 45 markets and will feature 20+ guests from the community, offering real-life stories that showcase their challenges and triumphs.
In conversation with Adgully, Srishti Sharma, Brand Representative for DEWARS Whisky, Bacardi India, shares the intricate process of curating innovative premium whisky experiences tailored for discerning consumers. DEWARS, renowned as the Worlds Most Awarded Blended Scotch, places consumer insights at the core of their strategy, especially in a booming whisky market like India. The evolution of the Indian whisky consumers preferences towards elevated drinking experiences has paved the way for DEWARS to craft unique and memorable events, particularly for occasions like World Whisky Day. Sharma shares details about these events, highlighting the blend of traditional craftsmanship with modern creativity, and the integration of cultural elements that resonate deeply with Indian consumers. She also sheds light on the strategies employed to elevate premium whisky experiences and the vital role of consumer feedback in shaping future events.

Could you walk us through the process of curating these innovative whisky experiences for World Whisky Day? What are some of the key elements you focus on to ensure these events are unique and memorable?

At DEWARS, we keep consumers at the heart of everything we do & lean on consumer insights to develop engaging programs for our discerning consumers. India has grown into one of the largest global whisky markets in recent years, & Scotch is considered the epitome of whiskies. We have further seen the preferences of the new age Indian whisky consumer trend towards discovering new elevated drinking experiences. Thus, we saw an opportunity with World Whisky Day to introduce consumers to a unique way to experience DEWAR'S as the Worlds Most Awarded Blended Scotch.

Following this approach, this May we introduced an extensive lineup of experiences to celebrate World Whisky Day, offering consumers an elevated experience of whisky appreciation with DEWARS. Our array of novel experiences included bespoke blending sessions, an exclusive DEWARS Double Double Dinner, highball nights, bar takeovers, and jazz nights, which showcased the versatility of DEWARS whisky blends and their associated drinking experiences.

The first in this series was an expert-guided whisky appreciation session held at New Delhis iconic artisanal bar Sidecar, a three-time #1 Ranked Bar on the Indias 30 Best Bars list. We also hosted the exclusive, invite only DEWARS Double Double Dinner, where attendees had the chance to sample a variety of whisky creations made with the super-premium DEWARS Double Double range, alongside specially curated food menu pairings. We further organised bar takeovers and jazz evenings to bring together DEWARS distinct flavours with unique cultural settings at partner locations across the country, ensuring each event was a genuine reflection of the artistry that defines our brand. Together, we curated a series of over 15 unique experiential events across Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Jaipur, and Gurgaon, that captured the spirit of World Whisky Day for our Indian audiences.

How does DEWARS blend traditional craftsmanship with modern creativity in these events? Could you provide some specific examples from the experiences?

At our experiential events, we curated a variety of immersive experiences that allowed attendees to appreciate the over 100-year-old tradition of DEWARS blended Scotch whisky. One of the most innovative of these experiences is the DEWARS whisky appreciation sessions, which enable attendees to immerse themselves in the art of whisky blending and appreciate the nuances of whiskies with different characteristics and flavour notes that resonate with their palate. Led by our Brand Ambassadors, these sessions guide attendees through the rich legacy of DEWAR'S Scotch and educate them on the various types of whiskies.

We also highlighted DEWARS luxury collection, the Double Double range (Aged 21, 27, 32 years) through a curated paired dinner experience, to highlight the complexity of the whisky. Through a marriage of culinary artistry with DEWARS whisky notes, we took attendees on a harmonious tasting journey over the course of the exclusive evening.

What strategies does DEWARS employ to elevate premium whisky experiences in India, and how do these strategies cater to the evolving tastes and preferences of Indian consumers?

As we often mention, adopting a consumer-centric mindset is essential to our planning process. Weve noted that the tastes and preferences of Indian consumers have actively been evolving when it comes to the whisky segment in recent years, as Indians choose to drink less but drink better and move towards choosing more premium whiskies for an elevated drinking experience.

Over the past two years, weve crafted a variety of premium whisky experiences tailored specifically for this new age Indian consumer, aligning with their evolving cultural tastes. Our approach goes beyond traditional whisky tastings, and offers rich curated experiences that provide a holistic and fulfilling drinking experience. These experiences incorporate unique and unconventional ingredients and sensorial elements to enhance whisky appreciation, while also integrating cultural nuances such as music, art, and culinary offerings into the journey. Through this combination, we aim to elevate the overall experience and connect with the diverse and evolving passion points of whisky enthusiasts in India.

How do you incorporate cultural elements into these events to make them resonate more with Indian consumers? For instance, what inspired the idea of pairing jazz music with whisky?

Our experiences are designed with a deep understanding of consumer preferences and cultural connections. We use these insights to craft innovative and premium experiential programs that truly stand out in India's whisky culture. In 2024, we are leveraging the classic connection between jazz and whisky through dedicated jazz evenings at one of our premium partner outlets, which appeal not only to existing whisky enthusiasts, but also serve as an interesting introductory space for new whisky consumers to explore and indulge in the shared interests of music and premium spirits. By bringing together these relevant cultural touchpoints, we are creating a suite of DEWARS events that each have a multifaceted significance and appeal to audiences.

Could you elaborate on the different consumer touchpoints DEWARS has explored so far? Which touchpoints have been the most effective in engaging with Indian consumers?

We have explored a variety of popular as well as niche consumer touchpoints through DEWARS experiential activations, including experiential art, visual art, theatrical and musical performances, jazz music, and most recently, whisky appreciation experiences.

Additionally, we also host intimate dinners, where guests can experience the fine blend of DEWARS with specially curated cuisines. Each of these resonate with different sections of our audience, while also inviting other whisky enthusiasts to explore these new areas of interest.

What insights have you gathered about Indian consumers preferences through these curated events? How do these insights influence your future strategies?

The feedback and response to the various types of DEWARS activations helps us learn a lot about consumer preferences. Through our various programs hosted at our partner outlets across India, we are able to better understand and connect to consumers in their preferred spaces. The insights we gain from our programs help us not only improve our plans for the future, but also let us identify new areas we can explore to conceptualise innovative whisky experiences for our consumers.

How important is consumer feedback in shaping the future of DEWARS events? Can you share an example where consumer feedback led to a significant change or innovation in your events?

Consumer feedback is essential to our efforts, since consumers remain at the heart of everything we do. We carry out consumer surveys and observe ongoing trends to understand what consumers are looking for with regards to their drinking experiences, which allows us to understand and cater to those needs. In this manner, we are able to bring DEWARS and its associated drinking experience as the Worlds Most Awarded Blended Scotch to the right audiences in ways that resonate with them, and learn from their response for our future activities.
Swiss Military, a pioneering name synonymous with quality and innovation in the travel gear industry, has once again raised the bar with its latest offerings for 2024. In an exclusive interview with Adgully, Anuj Sawhney, Managing Director, Swiss Military, delves into the inspiration behind the new additions and the brand's steadfast strategies for meeting the ever-evolving demands of consumers. From meticulous craftsmanship to a keen focus on sustainability and affordability, Swiss Military continues to redefine the travel gear landscape with its commitment to excellence.

Could you tell us about the latest SKUs introduced by the Swiss Military for this year? What inspired these additions to your product lineup?

Swiss Military is thrilled to introduce a new luggage range for 2024, each meticulously crafted to meet our customers' evolving needs and preferences. The new SKU expansion for this year is focused within the South India Market via our new vendor associations, in keeping with our commitment to be easily available to our customers everywhere. The innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction we strive for is not just in our product inventory but also in our retail formating. Our designs have time and again been revolutionised to encapsulate all of the travel needs and convenience always at the fore of all our brand activities. The Maze, Horizon, and Edge are our polypropylene hard care products, like the trolley bags and suitcases, that offer durability, functionality, and contemporary design elements tailored to modern lifestyles in India. Our polycarbonate products, such as Vector, Arctic, Sapphire, and Kinetic , embody Swiss Military's dedication to precision engineering and performance excellence. Our soft products, like duffel bags, Mercury and Honey , also prioritise comfort, versatility, and style.

Each addition to our product lineup reflects extensive research, customer feedback, and market insights, ensuring that Swiss Military continues to deliver exceptional value and meet the diverse needs of our discerning customers.

What are some of the key trends that you are noticing in travel gear preferences this year, especially among Gen Z and millennials?

The Swiss Military has observed several key trends in travel gear preferences, particularly among Gen Z and millennials that are touted to be a pragmatic, socially conscious, and trend-focused generation. As we approach the summer and spring travel season and the increase in travel demand, especially after periods of restrictions, consumers are seeking cabin-sized (20") and larger-sized (28") luggage options to accommodate their travel needs effectively.

Moreover, there is a growing emphasis on unique designs and vibrant colours, reflecting individual style preferences and the desire for standout products. Gen Z, in particular, gravitates towards travel gear that makes a statement and reflects their personality. In the trolley bags, products like Maze, Edge, and Kinetic from Swiss Military's lineup are well-positioned to meet these evolving preferences, offering not only functional features, but also contemporary designs that resonate with younger consumers.

By staying attuned to these trends and incorporating innovative designs and colours into our product offerings, Swiss Military aims to provide Gen Z and millennials with travel gear that not only meets their practical needs but also aligns with their sense of style and individuality.

How does the Swiss Military cater to the needs and preferences of Gen Z travellers who prioritise affordability without compromising on style and design?

Swiss Military is dedicated to catering to the needs and preferences of Gen Z travellers who prioritise affordability without compromising on style and design. Our products are strategically positioned in the Indian market under the banner of Affordable Luxury, offering high-quality craftsmanship and contemporary design at accessible price points.

Key products from travel gear are Star, Maze, Edge, Kinetic, and Sapphire have been meticulously designed to not only meet the functional requirements of Gen Z travellers, but also align with their budget constraints. These products boast innovative features, durable construction, and modern aesthetics, ensuring that affordability does not equate to sacrificing quality or style.

Combining affordability with luxury, Swiss Military enables Gen Z travellers to express their individuality and style without breaking the bank. Our commitment to delivering value-driven products empowers young consumers to confidently embark on their travel adventures, knowing they have access to reliable and stylish gear that enhances their travel experience.

In the competitive landscape of the travel gear industry, what marketing initiatives has Swiss Military undertaken to differentiate itself and connect with its target audience effectively?

Swiss Military has strategically undertaken various marketing initiatives to distinguish itself and forge strong connections with its target audience in the competitive landscape of the travel gear industry. Central to our approach is the concept of Affordable Luxury, wherein we offer products that blend high-quality craftsmanship and premium design at accessible price points. This positioning sets Swiss Military apart from competitors, enticing customers with the allure of luxury without the exorbitant price tag.

Moreover, we emphasise our commitment to providing value for money, ensuring that customers perceive their purchases as smart investments. Swiss Militarys products are characterised by their international design aesthetics, appealing to diverse consumers with varied style preferences. By incorporating modern and stylish design elements into our offerings, we attract attention and stand out in the market. The overall look and feel of Swiss Military products play a crucial role in differentiating the brand, with a focus on creating items that not only perform well, but also exude sophistication and elegance, enhancing the overall customer experience.

Through these strategic marketing initiatives, we effectively differentiate ourselves in the travel gear industry and cultivate meaningful connections with our target audience, positioning ourselves as a preferred choice for our customers seeking affordable luxury and value-driven products with international design appeal.

How do you perceive the evolving consumer behaviour within the travel gear market, and how does Swiss Military adapt its strategies to meet changing demands and preferences?

As the travel gear market evolves, it extends beyond mere functionality to encompass elements of fashion and style. This shift is evident in the changing product segmentation, where traditional colours are being replaced by vibrant hues and pastel tones, coupled with innovative designs and advanced technology. Drawing from our international experience and exposure, we recognise these shifting consumer preferences and are poised to introduce similar trends to the Indian market.

We aim to offer value-added propositions alongside fashionable and technologically advanced products, aligning with the evolving demands of modern consumers. By staying attuned to changing consumer behaviour and market trends, we adapt our strategies to ensure our offerings remain relevant and appealing to our target audience. This proactive approach enables us to maintain our competitive edge and effectively meet the evolving demands and preferences within the dynamic travel gear industry.

Could you shed light on Swiss Militarys approach to allocating advertising spends across various channels and platforms to maximise reach and engagement with potential customers?

Swiss Military adopts a balanced approach to allocating advertising spending across various channels and platforms to maximise reach and engagement with potential customers. Recognising the importance of both online and offline channels, we ensure that our advertising budget is evenly distributed between the two. This approach allows us to effectively target customers across different segments and cater to their diverse preferences.

The allocation of advertising spending is guided by seasonality and the specific requirements of each channel. For instance, during peak travel seasons or festive periods, we may allocate a higher proportion of our budget to online channels to capitalise on increased online shopping activity. Conversely, during offline retail events or promotional campaigns, the focus may shift towards offline channels to drive foot traffic and enhance brand visibility in physical stores.

With the rise of digital media consumption, how does the Swiss Military leverage online platforms and social media to engage with its audience and drive brand awareness and loyalty?

Swiss Military recognises the significance of digital media consumption and strategically leverages online platforms and social media channels to engage with its audience and drive brand awareness and loyalty. Over the past two years, we have actively invested in digital media advertising, recognising it as a fast and effective medium to reach a broad audience. Moving forward, Swiss Military has ambitious plans further to enhance its presence and activities on digital media platforms.

Through targeted advertising campaigns, engaging content, and interactive social media posts, Swiss Military aims to create meaningful connections with its audience online. By leveraging digital platforms vast reach and targeting capabilities, we can effectively reach potential customers across demographics and geographic locations. Additionally, Swiss Military utilises social media channels to foster a sense of community among its followers, encouraging interaction, feedback, and brand advocacy.

In an era of heightened environmental consciousness, how does the Swiss Military integrate sustainability into its product offerings and marketing messages to resonate with environmentally conscious consumers?

Swiss Military places a strong emphasis on sustainability, both in its product offerings and marketing messages, to resonate with environmentally conscious consumers. We have integrated eco-friendly materials and practices into our product line-up, showcased in the EKOSWISS range, including products made from recycled PET materials, micro-modal, and bamboo cotton fabrics. These initiatives align with our commitment to reducing plastic waste, promoting a circular economy, and appealing to modern consumers who prioritise sustainability.

In our marketing messages, we highlight our dedication to sustainability, emphasising the eco-friendly features of our products and our broader commitment to environmental stewardship. Swiss Military communicates its sustainability efforts through various communication channels, including advertising campaigns, social media posts, and product packaging, to build trust and loyalty among environmentally conscious consumers.

By integrating sustainability into both its product offerings and marketing messages, Swiss Military not only meets the growing demand for eco-friendly products, but also aligns itself with the values and preferences of environmentally conscious consumers. This approach contributes to the brand's positive reputation and fosters long-term relationships with consumers who prioritise sustainability in their purchasing decisions.

As consumers increasingly seek personalised experiences, how does Swiss Military tailor its marketing efforts and product offerings to cater to individual preferences and needs within the travel gear market?

Swiss Military tailors its marketing efforts and product offerings to cater to individual preferences and needs within the travel gear market by prioritising customer-centricity and innovation. Through extensive market research and customer feedback, the brand identifies emerging trends and evolving consumer preferences, allowing it to develop products that resonate with individual needs and desires.

In its marketing efforts, Swiss Military emphasises the value proposition of its products, highlighting features that address specific pain points or desires of travellers. By leveraging digital channels and data analytics, we personalise marketing messages and promotions to target different market segments effectively. Whether through targeted advertising campaigns, personalised email marketing, or interactive social media content, Swiss Military strives to create meaningful connections with consumers and provide them with relevant and timely information.

Moreover, Swiss Military continuously innovates its product offerings to meet the diverse needs of individual travellers. Introducing new designs, materials, and functionalities ensures that our products remain relevant and desirable in a rapidly evolving market. Whether its lightweight and durable luggage for frequent flyers or versatile backpacks for adventure travellers, Swiss Militarys product range caters to a wide range of preferences and needs.
The Dunes Sagebrush Lizard was listed as an endangered species this spring. As Texas prepared to push back, the Feds delayed defining which critical habitat would be protected. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The endangered dunes sagebrush lizard, which is at home in territory like that around these pumpjacks in Crane, is again causing a stir among Texas bureaucrats and politicians. Bloomberg file photo

The tiny dunes sagebrush lizard may blend in with the mounds of sand peppering the oil-rich Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico, but its recently approved status as an endangered species has attracted conspicuous pushback.

I like Senator (Ted) Cruzs statement on that: They make good boots, Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian said Tuesday during the commissions monthly meeting, laughing. He is one of three commissioners who regulate the states oil and gas industry.

Christian and his two colleagues, Christi Craddick and Jim Wright, voted unanimously during the meeting to refer the reptilian matter to the office of Attorney General Ken Paxton, who will decide whether to sue the federal government.

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The commissions decision Tuesday contributes to mounting pressure against a final decision from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last month to list the lizard as endangered. Rep. August Pfluger, a Republican whose district stretches from Killeen to Odessa, called for a congressional review in an effort to nullify the decision.

Controversy over whether or not to list the small, sand-colored lizard among species worthy of protection has simmered since the fracking boom gripped West Texas in the early 2000s and transformed the basin into one of the most prolific oil fields on the planet as it prompted panic from environmentalists. The expansion of oil extraction in the Permian and the rise in sand mining there for fracking have chopped up the lizards limited habitat.

THE WIND-UP: Feds delay deadline as rare Permian Basin lizard is again pitched for endangered list

Its not just the act of drilling an oil well, its all the roads and infrastructure that carve up the landscape in a process that we call habitat fragmentation, said Lee Fitzgerald, a herpetologist at Texas A&M who has studied the species.

If enough of its habitat is divided, the lizard, which exists only in the Permian, could go extinct. A 2023 analysis by the Fish and Wildlife Service found 47% of the lizards habitat is fragmented enough to make the species functionally extinct, while 6% is in high enough condition to support robust, interconnected populations.

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The dunes where the lizards evolved make up just under 4% of the oil-rich Permian Basin landscape, Fitzgerald said, and they cannot be restored once destroyed.

Trade groups representing the oil and gas industry have expressed concern about the move to protect the lizard, arguing that its classification could jeopardize oil and gas jobs in an area that is dependent on the industry. Companies that extract oil and gas employed roughly 64,000 people in the Permian Basin as of December, according to Karr Ingham, a petroleum economist for the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers. The industry also supports at least 225,000 additional jobs indirectly, he said.

COMPETING NEED FOR SAND: West Texas fracking causes such demand for sand. The mining industry has gone mobile to produce it

Ingham said he is concerned about what habitat protection could mean for the industry.

I dont think that it stands to completely upend an entire economy out there, Ingham said, but it could certainly upend the industry in a more-narrowly defined geographic region.

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Working around protected habitats could cause logistical challenges, said Thomas Jacob, Rystads senior vice president and head of global oil field services. But he said the impacts are generally expected to be minimal.

The industry has known since 2017, when sand mines used to support fracking were beginning to crop up in the Permian, that it was possible they would need to maneuver around lizard habitat, Jacob said.

This isnt something thats just popped up out of the blue, Jacob said. The companies have been able to think through what this means for their business and how they can mitigate any issues that would arise.

Classification timeline

After the dunes sagebrush lizard was last proposed for the endangered species list in 2010, tensions between the lizards advocates and the oil and gas industry led Texas officials and industry groups to self-regulation. They developed voluntary conservation agreements with landowners and convinced the wildlife service not to list the lizard.

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The agency said last year that those agreements had failed to protect any specific sections of the lizards habitat long-term; environmentalists including the Center for Biological Diversitys Michael Robinson called them toothless. But proponents of self-regulation, such as Permian Basin Petroleum Association President Ben Shepperd said the agency should have stuck with the proven, effective conservation efforts already in place.

Federal conservation efforts had begun years earlier: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service first said the species was in need of protection in 1982. The lizards fate sat on the shelf until 2001, when the agency said the lizards inclusion would be a high priority due to the magnitude and immediacy of the threats to the species.

MORE ENDANGERED: Texas fish among 21 extinct animals removed from federal endangered species list

Species can wait about 12 years between their first consideration and final federal endangered listing, according to a peer-reviewed study published in Biological Conservation, making the dunes sagebrush lizards decades-long timeline an outlier.

The final rule said the government might take an extra year to issue a critical habitat designation, the part of the process where factors such as economics can be considered. According to federal law, a listing itself cannot.

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The federal government had not yet defined the lizards critical habitat, the final rule stated, because it was still in the process of assessing the information needed to analyze the impacts of the designation.
LOreal Paris proudly showcases its revolutionary CGI Out-of-Home (OOH) campaign, See Life in Panorama, starring global icon Kendall Jenner. This innovative creative is a part of the larger launch campaign of the much-anticipated Panorama Mascara in India, a global bestseller that makes eyes appear up to 1.4 times bigger.

The 'See Life in Panorama' campaign highlights the products promise of bigger looking eyes by taking over larger-than-life touchpoints! This innovative CGI is integrated on a cluster of billboards at vibrant neighborhood of Bandra Turner Road followed by other physical billboard displays in other prominent locations in Mumbai such as Worli Sea Link, Juhu Tara Road, & Goregaon West driving strong cues of luxury.

The CGI aims to bring out the concept in a way that is larger than life itself, a one- of-its- kind, phygital integration with an actual physical billboard enhanced through digital amplification. This concept is strongly based on reaction that CGI video leaves viewers questioning, "Was it real?"

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3VeP6Il_SKg

This OOH campaign vividly illustrates the mascaras advanced formula that captures every lash, ensuring they are beautifully coated and defined. Enhanced with LOreal Paris exclusive 5% STRETCHFLEX COMPLEX technology, the campaign emphasizes the products ability to volumize every lash for a fully fanned-out, panoramic effect.

Conceptualized and executed by Tonic Worldwide & Posterscope India, the CGI OOH campaign is a visual feast that brings the Panorama Mascara to life in a spectacular way.

Dario Zizzi, General Manager of L'Oreal Paris India, expressed his excitement, stating, We are thrilled to unveil this innovative OOH campaign to launch the gold-star Panorama Mascara in India. Panorama Mascara, all wrapped in its glossy gold packaging is here to give a luxurious experience to all our consumers, with every coat. With the launch of this campaign, we aim to set new benchmarks for product & marketing innovation because we believe - youre worth it!

Experience the magic of the See Life in Panorama campaign at Turner Road in Bandra, Mumbai, and discover more about this exciting new mascara offering, now available in India.

Panorama Mascara by L'Oreal Paris, priced at INR 999, is available to shop at ecommerce platforms like Nykaa, Myntra and modern trade counters like Lifestyle, Shoppers Stop & Nykaa on Trend.
Reacting to the blocking of carriage of signals of Sakshi TV (a member of NBDA) and three other news broadcasters  TV9, NTV and 10TV  by the Cable TV Operators Association of Andhra Pradesh, the News Broadcasters & Digital Authority (NBDA) has alleged that no reasons have been attributed for blocking the signals of these channels, which is contrary to the TRAI regulations.

As reported earlier, viewers in Andhra Pradesh can no longer access these channels through traditional cable services, leaving direct-to-home (DTH) platforms as the only alternative.

Also read:

Major Telugu news channels suspended in Andhra Pradesh

It is alleged that the action taken against the channels is in connection with their reporting criticizing the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which defeated the incumbent Yuvajana Sramika Rythu (YSR) Congress Party in state-level elections.

NBDA has stated that the step taken by a few cable operators is not in the interest of broadcasters, the media nor the public and sets a dangerous precedent. Political parties must recognise that broadcasters have the freedom to decide what to telecast and such editorial freedom cannot be subject to any interference. Such interference would lead to the media losing its independence and it would result in the violation of Article 19(1)(a), and Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India. Boycott of channels is not the way forward and alludes to a threat to the freedom of the press, the Authority maintained.

NBDA warned that such arbitrary action has far reaching consequences on the business of the broadcasters, causing substantial daily losses while also significantly impacting the viewership adversely, thereby affecting the channel/s ratings and consequently the advertisement revenue. This situation also has long-term implications on the relationship between the broadcasters and the advertisers.

NBDA requested the newly elected Government of Andhra Pradesh to strive to uphold the principles of a free and independent press and ensure that all broadcasters can operate without interference. The publics right to access diverse sources of news is fundamental to a healthy democracy, and any attempts to silence the media must be swiftly addressed and rectified, it added.

NBDA sought the intervention of the Government of Andhra Pradesh to urge the cable operators to review its stand and avoid a situation of confrontation which is neither in the interest of the stakeholders nor in public interest.
Neude, that has reimagined milk in skincare, has signed actor Sreeleela as its brand ambassador for its Hi-Glazer line. With this association the brand aims to consolidate its presence in the South Indian market and banking on the actors fame in the region to drive sales.

Furthermore, Sreeleela, known for her charm, versatility, and vibrant persona, perfectly embodies the essence of Neude's Hi-Glazersdynamic, witty, and effortlessly curating their eclectic lives with grace and joy.

Elated Sreeleela says, "'Having grown up using milk as a part of my skincare routine, I am excited about Neude's innovations with the science of milk, and I've been enjoying using Neude's high-performing products, perfectly suited for todays skincare needs. I'm excited about the collaboration with this new-age skincare brand, and I look forward to the journey ahead."



Sreeleela's favorite Neude products include the FaceTime Instant Glow Mask with Yogurt & Kojic Acid, Sunstoppable SPF45 3-in-1 Sunscreen, Sleep On It Overnight Goat Milk and Cica Mask, and the Lactic Acid + Bakuchiol Skinheritance Body Serum. The actor will endorse the brands supercharge milk's natural benefits with innovative, high performing actives, creating skincare solutions that enhance and rejuvenate.



Prashanth Potluri, CEO of Southbay Talent, remarked, "We are ecstatic to have Sreeleela join forces with Southbay Talent for this exciting collaboration with Neude Skin. An alliance of this nature with a strategic investment via Rana Daggubatis Spirit Media ties brand Neude's ethos with Sreeleela's star power, forging an exciting new chapter in Sreeleela's and Neude's journey."



Aayshya Jhunjhunwala and Advay Jhunjhunwala, Founders of Neude, said, "At Neude, we are excited to welcome Sreeleela into our world of Hi-Glazers. Sreeleela's dynamism along with her lively and spirited personality that resonates extremely well with the brand, and we look forward to a successful collaboration."



Neude's originality stems from the age-old benefits of milk. By breaking down milk to its core molecules and powering it with new-age actives. Neude has created a line of products that nourish, exfoliate, and even out the skin tone while strengthening skin barrier. This Supercharged Milk Revolution promises Hi-Glaze skindewy, hydrated, and radiantly healthy
Adgullys AG Talk brings unfiltered insights and thoughts of CEOs, MDs and CMOs, who have been leading the marketing landscape, and in fact, also laying the ground rules to keep up with the transformative times.

In April this year, The Godrej family announced an ownership realignment of their shareholdings in the Godrej Companies. Godrej Enterprises Group (GEG) comprises of Godrej & Boyce (G&B) and its affiliates will now be controlled by Jamshyd Godrej, Chairperson and Managing Director, Nyrika Holkar, Executive Director, and their immediate families. Godrej Industries Group (GIG), which includes the listed companies, Godrej Industries, Godrej Consumer Products, Godrej Properties, Godrej Agrovet and Astec Lifesciences will have Nadir Godrej as Chairperson and will be controlled by Adi Godrej, Nadir Godrej, and their immediate families.

Godrej Capital is the financial services division of the Godrej Group and is a subsidiary of Godrej Industries. It is also the holding company for Godrej Housing Finance & Godrej Finance. Godrej Capital has a digital-first approach with a keen focus on product innovation driven by customer-centricity. It offers home loans, business loans, and loans against property. The brand has the focus on building a sustainable retail financial services business in India which is long-term, supported by the 126-year-old legacy of excellence and trust of the Godrej Group.

Godrej Capital recently launched the #IssLoanMeinLoadNahi, Design Your EMI, and #GrowthKiUdaan campaigns under the leadership of their CMO, Nalin Jain. In this exclusive Ag Talk interaction with Adgully, Nalin Jain, Chief Marketing Officer, Godrej Capital, spoke at length about these campaigns, the key strategies implemented at Godrej Capital to enhance customer satisfaction, and how to leverage digital assets to drive innovation. He also spoke about how Godrej Capital ensures a cohesive fit between PR and marketing efforts, future marketing initiatives or campaigns planned to further strengthen Godrej Capitals market position, and more.

How did your previous roles in operations, customer experience, and digital assets prepare you for your current role as Chief Marketing Officer at Godrej Capital?

With nearly 18 years in the Financial Services Industry, my journey has been diverse, encompassing leadership roles in banks, insurance, and non-banking financial companies. I started at Standard Chartered, where I ventured into Asset Sales and later launched distribution channels at ICICI Lombard. At Citibank, I spearheaded Liabilities Acquisition in Mumbai, which gave me valuable insights into customer acquisition and retention.

Joining ING Vysya Bank, I undertook roles in Assets cross-selling, Trade & FX, and pioneered Financial Inclusion initiatives. During the ING Vysya-Kotak Mahindra merger, I managed diverse responsibilities, including launching new products and heading customer experience. This period was instrumental in honing my skills in managing complex transitions and enhancing customer satisfaction.

Transitioning to IDFC FIRST Bank, I steered large-scale customer service delivery and digital transformation projects, further solidifying my expertise in creating seamless digital experiences for customers. These roles collectively equipped me with a comprehensive skill set in operations, customer experience, and digital assets.

Now, at Godrej Capital, as Chief Customer and Marketing Officer, I orchestrate Operations, Customer Experience, Marketing, Service Delivery, and Digital Assets. My extensive industry expertise allows me to drive integrated marketing strategies that align business goals with customer needs, fostering engagement and loyalty. My career in the Financial Services Industry has provided me with the tools to lead customer-centric initiatives and drive excellence and innovation at Godrej Capital.

Could you tell us about the objectives and outcomes of the #IssLoanMeinLoadNahi and #GrowthKiUdaan campaigns? How have these campaigns impacted customer engagement and brand perception?

The #IssLoanMeinLoadNahi campaign aimed to showcase the simplicity and benefits of Godrej Capitals Business Loans, featuring flexible repayment options, zero collateral, and quick loan sanctions. Theres a common belief that a loan is a burden; we wanted to debunk this myth by showing that loans, with customer-centric solutions, can be tools for business growth. The campaigns objective was to increase brand awareness, and it received over 1.5 million views on YouTube with significant social media engagement. As a result, our business loans soon crossed the Rs 1,000-crore AUM mark and currently stand at Rs 1,300 crore AUM.

The #GrowthKiUdaan campaign focused on empowering MSMEs through our Nirmaan initiative, connecting them with specialized service partners. This campaigns success in resonating with our audience has significantly enhanced our brand perception as a key supporter of business growth and success.

Additionally, we also worked on the #LimitlessGrowth campaign that was released around Womens Day and was designed to celebrate and support women entrepreneurs. The campaign has been instrumental in highlighting our commitment to inclusive growth. By providing tailored financial solutions and recognizing the contributions of women in business, this campaign strengthened our engagement with female entrepreneurs.

Together, these campaigns have not only boosted customer engagement, but also solidified Godrej Capitals reputation as a customer-focused and socially responsible financial partner.

Given your extensive background in customer experience, what key strategies have you implemented at Godrej Capital to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty?

At Godrej Capital, customer obsession is one of our core values. We have adopted a customer-centric approach, prioritizing the enhancement of our digital platforms for a seamless user experience. Our service delivery channels are optimized for quick and effective issue resolution, and we maintain proactive communication to keep customers informed and engaged. Our 24x7 chatbot is always available to answer customer queries, further ensuring convenience.

Additionally, we have implemented programs like BizRewards, offering rewards for timely EMI payments. We also focus on employee training to ensure knowledgeable and empowered customer interactions. These strategies have contributed to us achieving an industry-best NPS score, reinforcing our commitment to providing exceptional service and fostering long-term relationships.

How have you leveraged digital assets to drive innovation and improve service delivery at Godrej Capital?

Godrej Capital is a digital-first company. Leveraging digital assets has been central to our strategy for driving innovation and enhancing service delivery. We've made significant strides in integrating technology into our operations to provide seamless and efficient services to our customers.

One of our primary initiatives has been the development and implementation of a robust digital platform that caters to various customer needs. This platform enables customers to effortlessly manage their accounts online, while self-service options streamline the request and resolution process. The convenience and accessibility have significantly reduced the time and effort required for loan processing, resulting in a more satisfying customer experience.

Moreover, our digital initiatives extend to internal processes as well. We have implemented advanced CRM systems and automated workflows to streamline operations and improve efficiency. This has not only reduced operational costs but also enabled our teams to focus more on delivering exceptional customer service.

In conclusion, our commitment to leveraging digital assets has driven significant innovation at Godrej Capital. By continuously evolving our digital capabilities, we aim to provide superior service delivery and maintain our position as a leader in the financial sector. Our focus remains on creating a seamless and personalized experience for our customers, ensuring their financial well-being and satisfaction.

As a storyteller and overseer of PR activities, how do you ensure a cohesive fit between PR and marketing efforts at Godrej Capital?

Storytelling is at the heart of all our marketing efforts. We believe in telling authentic and compelling stories that resonate with our audience. Whether it is through social media posts or marketing content, we ensure that our storytelling is consistent and aligned with our brands voice and values. This cohesive storytelling builds trust and strengthens our brand identity. To add to that, a cohesive fit between PR and marketing efforts is crucial for maintaining a consistent brand narrative and maximizing our outreach effectiveness. Our approach mainly centres around alignment, integration, and collaboration.

Firstly, alignment is key. We ensure that our PR and marketing strategies are closely aligned with our overarching business goals and brand values. This alignment is achieved through regular strategy evaluation to define our messaging, target audience, and objectives. By setting common goals and a unified vision, we ensure that every campaign and communication reflects the essence of Godrej Capital.

Integration is another critical aspect. We integrate our PR and marketing efforts to create a seamless and synergistic approach. This means that our PR activities are not just reactive but are strategically planned to complement our marketing campaigns. For example, when launching a new product or service, our marketing team focuses on creating awareness and demand through various channels, while our PR team works on securing media coverage, arranging interviews, and sharing compelling stories that highlight the products benefits and innovation. This integrated approach amplifies our message and ensures that our audience receives a consistent and reinforcing narrative across all touchpoints.

We have established cross-functional teams that work together on projects from inception to execution. This collaboration ensures that everyone is on the same page, and it allows us to leverage the unique strengths of each team. By combining these strengths, we can create more impactful and cohesive campaigns.

Under your leadership, what are the future marketing initiatives or campaigns you plan to launch to further strengthen Godrej Capitals market position?

At Godrej Capital, we are committed to continuously evolving our marketing strategies to strengthen our market position and better serve our customers. We have several exciting initiatives and campaigns lined up for the year aimed at enhancing our brand presence, engaging our audience, and driving business growth.

We are actively working on the expansion of our digital footprint. This year we aim to strengthen our position as an MSME lender. In line with this plan, we are working on a comprehensive digital marketing campaign highlighting our commitment towards businesses. This campaign is tailored for business owners, aiming to increase brand awareness across our serviceable locations. Additionally, we are also working on improving our website for a more user-friendly experience.

On the business front, we are working on understanding and meeting the unique needs of different regions, connecting with our audience on a deeper level and supporting local businesses and communities.

Our future marketing initiatives are aligned towards brand awareness, business objectives, digital innovation, content excellence, and customer experience. By focusing on these areas, we are confident in strengthening our market position and creating meaningful, lasting relationships with our customers.
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research

Bern, 24.06.2024 - The EFTA states and Chile signed the protocol of amendment to modernise the free trade agreement in Geneva on 24 June. Switzerland is thus continuing its successful free trade policy and strengthening the competitiveness of the economy.

On the margins of the EFTA Ministerial Conference, the ministers of the four EFTA states Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway signed the protocol of amendment to modernise the free trade agreement (FTA) between EFTA and Chile in a meeting chaired by Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin.

The FTA between the EFTA states and Chile has been in force since 2004. Compared to Switzerland's more recent FTAs, it had gaps in several areas, which is why the EFTA states and Chile began negotiations in 2019 to modernise the existing agreement. The negotiations were successfully concluded at the beginning of the year.

The modernised agreement largely corresponds to the more recent EFTA FTAs concluded with third countries. In future, almost all Swiss exports to Chile will be duty-free (99.99%). Provisions on trade and sustainable development, financial services, SMEs and e-commerce have been added. In addition, it guarantees the protection of important Swiss geographical indications. It also covers all intellectual property rights and their enforcement, which further improves the legal framework and economic operators' ability to plan.

Chile is an important trading partner for Switzerland in Latin America. Since the free trade agreement came into force, bilateral trade in goods has grown steadily and reached a volume of CHF 1 billion in 2023. Trade in services has also grown over the years and amounted to around CHF 500 million in 2022. Swiss investments in Chile have also recorded growth. The Swiss private sector is present in Chile in various sectors and employs around 19,000 people.

The modernised agreement will enter into force once the internal approval processes have been completed.

Address for enquiries

EAER Information Service, Tel. +41 58 462 20 07, info@gs-wbf.admin.ch

Publisher

Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research

http://www.wbf.admin.ch




A black bear snuck into a concession stand at Anakeesta Adventure Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, startling employees. pic.twitter.com/HerJoHUaI2  ABC News (@ABC) June 24, 2024

An employee at a popular Gatlinburg, Tenn., attraction had a scare when she had a run-in with a black bear Thursday.

Around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, a bear entered an open door of a concession stand called the Bear Can at Anakeesta, a theme park in Gatlinburg, per WVLT. The employee looked to be taking out the trash. The bear was exiting when the employee returned to the stand.

The bear was then exiting through that employee entrance, at which point it encountered a worker entering the concession stand, startling both the employee and animal, officials said, per the report. At that point, the bear and employee made brief physical contact.

A representative for the city of Gatlinburg told TMZ the employee declined medical treatment.

Eyewitnesses told TMZ, a patron claimed management locked huge gates at the exit and held people for roughly 30 minutes before they eventually let them leave.

A representative for Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency told TMZ will be euthanized if caught.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
Tamayo Perry, a surfer, lifeguard and actor who held roles in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and Blue Crush, died on Sunday after being attacked by a shark in Hawaii, the BBC reported. He was 49.

According to the Associated Press, Honolulu Ocean Safety and the citys emergency services responded around 1 p.m. to a call regarding a man who appeared to have suffered from several shark bites near Malaekahana Beach on Oahus North Shore. Perry was then brought to shore by paramedics via jet ski and pronounced dead at the scene.

Perry was a lifeguard loved by all, Honolulu Ocean Safety acting chief Kurt Lager said during a press conference, according to the AP.

Hes well known on the North Shore. Hes a professional surfer known worldwide, Lager said. Tamayos personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more.

Perry was also an actor, having held small roles in 2011s fourth Pirates of the Caribbean film, On Stranger Tides, as well as Blue Crush (2002) and Hawaii Five-O (2011).

He had been working as a lifeguard since July 2016, the AP reported, and had been professionally surfing for over a decade.

Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi called Perrys death a tragic loss during a press conference, according to the BBC. Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected, he said, adding that he grew up right over here and was just a great member of our Ocean Safety team.

Shark warning posters were put up in the area following the attack, Ocean Safety officials said.

He is survived by his wife, Emilia Perry.

 2024 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
The man pointed a gun at Charles Williams Jr. and commanded, Get on the floor. The moment every bank cashier feared had arrived. Two other men Williams hadnt recognized  dressed in rough-looking clothing like farmers or laborers from out in the county  had approached the caged window at the Bank of Columbia, about 90 minutes after it opened, at 10 a.m. on Jan. 17, 1958. They asked for change for a five-dollar bill and distracted Williams while the third man came behind the window with his gun, according to Columbia, Ala., historian David Hunter.

No customers were inside the bank when the men entered. Mornings were often slow at a bank in a town the size of Columbia, which was home to about 780 folks, a 20-minute drive from the busy hub of Dothan. By Friday afternoon, business would likely pick up, with people needing to deposit paychecks or wanting cash for the weekend. The only other people in the bank that morning were bank president Walter Oakley, and Oakleys wife Florrie, who served as the banks bookkeeper. Their offices were in the back of the building. Oakley later told authorities none of the men wore masks.
A mass shooting in Alabama early Sunday morning happened at a party in a Montgomery neighborhood where possibly more than 1,000 people had gathered.

Mayor Steven Reed and Acting Chief John Hall spoke about the shooting late Sunday afternoon, calling the shooting that injured 13 people  nine of whom were shot  heinous and senseless.

Im not proud to be standing here today talking about another issue of gun violence in our city, Reed said. This senseless act is something that should not happen.

This is something very serious and were concerned about those who have been injured, the mayor said. Our sympathies go out to them and their families, but weve got to make sure that in our city, theres a greater appreciation for life, a greater appreciation for conflict resolution, a greater appreciation for de-escalating situations without pulling guns.

This cannot continue to happen. We will not stand for it, Reed said. This senseless violence just has to stop.

Hall said police at 1:48 a.m. received a call of shots fired in the North Pass community, which is off Coliseum Boulevard. In two minutes, the acting chief said, they received updated information that someone had been injured.

The first Montgomery police officers arrived on the scene at 1:55, seven minutes after being alerted to unfolding situation.

When officers arrived, they found two victims wounded on the scene. The victims  an adult female and a juvenile male  had non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and were taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Eleven additional victims were taken via private vehicles to area hospitals. Of those, Hall said, seven had gunshot wounds for a total of nine people shot, three were struck by vehicles fleeing the chaos, and one was hit with flying glass.

The seven gunshot victims that showed up at hospital included three adult males, two adult females and two additional juvenile males.

One woman and two men were hit by vehicles, the person injured by glass was also an adult female.

None of the injuries are life-threatening.

Hall said the shooting happened at an unpermitted party, meaning it was going beyond someones personal property, spilling out into multiple properties and into the street. That requires a permit, he said.

Police recovered more than 350 spent shell casings on the scene. Authorities have not yet determined how many guns were fired.

Were working closely with federal and state partners, Hall said. Theyve been assisting us since early on in this case and will continue assisting us.

Hall said police were aware the large gathering was taking place.

We do everything we can when we know these things are going on, Hall said.

Last night was a busy night, he said. We did have a homicide shortly before that, a robbery shortly before that and another shooting shortly before that.

We have to move our officers from location to location because when we deal with violence, I cant send a solo officer in there, he said. We have to go in numbers, so we do have to move things around.

He said police need to community to let them know when things are happening, and where.

While nothing may be going on when we drive through, that doesnt mean it isnt going to happen, he said. This has happened in the past  they say its going to happen at 10 p.m. and it doesnt. It happens at 1 a.m.

I cant leave someone there, he said. For the safety of the city weve got to move our officers so that they can continue to stop other things in the city.

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed and Acting police Chief John Hall speak about a mass shooting that happened at a party on June 23, 2024, leaving 13 people injured.(Carol Robinson)

Reed said there are too many outlets for people to get assistance without resorting to gun violence.

It impacts too many innocent lives in our community, he said. The fact that were here today for what occurred overnight with multiple people shot and hundreds of rounds being found at the scene is discouraging, its disappointing, but its also frustrating.

It infuriates all of us here who are working for a safer community, the mayor said. We will leave no stone unturned and are looking at best practices and implementing those as we speak.

Reed said the community needs to get involved, that law enforcement cannot carry the burden alone.

Those who know what happened need to come and let us know who was involved and why they were involved, he said. You cannot expect to be in a safer community if you are part of the problem.

I call on those that were there last night in the North Pass community who know something, say something because next time you dont know if it will be you or someone you love who may be a victim of gun violence, Reed said.

The FBI, ATF and State Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the probe. No arrests have been announced.

ATF Resident Agent in Charge Jennifer Conway said multiple investigators and agencies are working the case.

We have resources that we can bring to the table that we will not be specific on today that we will solve these heinous crimes, Conway said. Although you make think nothings going on, just because you cant see doesnt mean its not going on.

I promise you, if you are responsible for this, stand down because we are coming for those who did it. We may know who did it, she said. But we will make sure that our cases are as solid as can be so that when the case is finally brought to justice, that you will not get out again.

Montgomery City Councilwoman Julie Turner Beard released a statement about the mass shooting,

I am deeply saddened and outraged by the recent surge in senseless acts of violence that have plagued our beloved city and communities, Beard said. This wave of criminality is not just an assault on the peace and safety of our neighborhoods, but an affront to the very essence of our community values.

Let me be clear: these acts of violence are intolerable and unacceptable. They are perpetrated by individuals who have no regard for human life, no respect for the law, and no consideration for the suffering they inflict on innocent families and communities, she said. The residents of Montgomery deserve better.

Reed addressed the gun problem in the city, and nationwide.

The sheer amount of men and women who are carrying and using automatic rifles in this city is unacceptable, he said. These rifles arent designed for streets and neighborhoods.

There is responsibility at state and federal levels to assist in what weve been trying to do for years, which is take the guns out of the hands of people who should not have them, much less automatic rifles that can let off as many rounds in a second as we just heard in the last 24 hours, he said.

I understand why some of our citizens dont feel safe, the mayor said. I want them to understand were working day and night, and in our dreams, making sure were utilizing the best resources and the best ideas to make this a safer city.
A 16-year-old boy drowned Sunday at Cheaha Lake in east Alabama.

The Cleburne County Sheriffs Office was dispatched to the lake at 11 a.m. At the time of the 911 call, units were notified that the teen boy was swimming in the designated swimming area, became distressed, went under the water and never returned to the surface.

A short time later, the teen was found near where he was last seen and was recovered by rescue squad units on scene and was pronounced dead on the scene by Cleburne County Coroner, Adam Downs.

Downs identified the boy as Thatcher Rigsby. He lived in Lincoln.

The coroner said Thatchers body is being sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science for autopsy to determine the officials cause of death. No foul play is suspected.

These types of calls are not always easy for the first responders and especially for the family and friends of the deceased, said Sheriff Jon Daniel. Our prayers are with the family of this young man and the agencies who came out and assisted today.

Multiple agencies assisted in the search and recovery including Cleburne County EMS, Cleburne County Coroners Office, Hollis Fire & Rescue, Alabama State Parks Law Enforcement Division, Oxford Police Department Aviation Unit, Clay County Dispatch, Lineville Police Department, Clay County Sheriffs Department, Shinbone Fire Department, Clay County Rescue Squad, Clay County Coroners Office, Randolph County Rescue Squad, and the Cheaha State Park staff.
Marissa Teijo, 71, of El Paso makes history as the oldest contestant to compete for the Miss Texas crown. Marissa Teijo

A Texas woman made history by becoming the oldest contestant to compete in the Miss Texas USA pageant.

El Paso resident Marissa Teijo, 71, was among 100 contestants competing for the crown in this year's Miss Texas held at the Hilton Post Oak Hotel in Houston Saturday. She said on Instagram that Bazaar Model Management CEO Jackie Garcia-Martinez convinced and encouraged her to participate in the "fabulous new adventure."

"I knew I would be competing against many young gorgeous women who had competed in many contests and were already local title holders, and I was used to being a winner," she said in a statement to the Chronicle. "At first I said, 'no,' but after several discussions with Jackie, I began to realize I could do it and inspire older ladies and young ones too that there is beauty at any age if you lead a healthy and active lifestyle."

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THE WOODLANDS PAVILION SHOW: Ms. Lauryn Hill and The Fugees will perform their classic albums

During her pageant journey, Teijo said that she worked with Bazaar team member and local beauty queen Sofia Terrazas for routine and runway walk practice. Personal trainer Saulo Escalante helped with her food intake and workouts, Teijo said on Instagram. She also increased her weight training and cardio intensity.

"There were many other preparations I had to accomplish such as acquiring sponsors, picking out a pageant dress, an opening number dress, a swimsuit, the correct shoes and an interview outfit," Teijo said in a statement.

Teijo caught the attention of many online who encouraged and rooted for her. Local businesses, including Donald Frank Laks, Azul Medspa, The Marketing Hunters, Fab Fit Activewear, Aracely Gonzalez, Juciery Plus, Smart Muscle, Intoxicated by Make Up, Marco Carmona, Jackie Martinez and Bazaar Model Management also sponsored her participation.

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"Thank you to all my sponsors, your support has meant so much to me," Teijo wrote in another post. "All of your donations have made my participation in the Miss Texas USA possible."

On the day of the pageant, Teijo attended orientation and practice, which she said was grueling, but she was more than excited to show the results of her hard work. She said the gowns, dresses, swimsuits and shoes from all of the contestants were beautiful and the contestants themselves were sweet and friendly.

The best part for her was the positive reception from the audience during the runway.

"At the final show, I was surprised to receive the loudest cheers and applause, and that is when I realized I had made a difference in many people's lives. Young women came up to me too to congratulate me and also tell me, 'You are goals,'" Teijo said.

Marissa Teijo, 71, of El Paso makes history as the oldest contestant to compete for the Miss Texas crown. Bazaar Model Management Marissa Teijo, 71, of El Paso makes history as the oldest contestant to compete for the Miss Texas crown. Bazaar Model Management

Although Teijo didn't win the pageant, she was met with positive comments from women who said she inspired them to start a fitness program. She added her family wants to live a more healthy lifestyle.

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"Overall, I believe my goal in entering the pageant was achieved and I can truly say it was an amazing fairytale experience, one that I never ever dreamed I would be experiencing," she said. "Looking beautiful is secondary because fitness and healthy living are the best defenses against aging."

Teijo was also among the several diverse women who were representing El Paso under the Bazaar Model Management, Garcia-Martinez said to the El Paso Times.

"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," Garcia-Martinez told the outlet.

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This came after the Miss Universe Pageant organization lifted several restrictions to include all ages, married, divorced and pregnant women into the competition. R'Bonney Gabriel, 30, who represented the U.S. in the Miss Universe 2022 pageant, is the oldest contestant to win. Alejandra Rodriguez, 60, was also crowned Miss Universe Buenos Aires this year.
A new poll shows while the upcoming presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump is close, the presumptive Republican nominee far outpaces his Democratic rival among a key group of voters.

ActiVotes June 21 poll shows Trump ahead of Biden by 3.2% (51.6% to 48.4%) in a two-way matchup. In a three-way race between Trump, Biden and Robert Kennedy Jr., Trumps lead falls to 1.6%.

READ MORE: Biden vs. Trump: When is first presidential debate? Why will mics be muted?

But perhaps the most concerning figure for the Biden camp is Trumps performance among independents in a two-candidate race. As expected, Biden is the preferred pick for 92% of Democrats, with Trump the choice for 94% of Republicans, the poll showed. Among Independents, however, Trump held a commanding lead  61% to 39%.

The poll showed Trump was the strongest among rural voters, older voters and men. Biden outpolled his challenger among urban voters, younger voters and women. Trump won white voters in the poll while Biden won Black voters, though pollsters point out his 83% vote share among African-Americans is smaller than seen in 2020. Latino vote was split evenly.

When Kennedy was factored in, Trumps percentage among Independents fell to 47% but still outpaced Biden at 28% and Kennedy at 25%. Kennedy polled best among those 18-29 and among Black voters.

The ActiVote poll was conducted June 5-21 among 2,029 likely voters with a margin of error of 2.2%.
A man convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in the 1990 slaying of a Homewood woman who was found bound, beaten, raped, and stabbed with her throat slit was granted a new trial but has now pleaded guilty.

Steven Alan Petric, 62, was convicted in 2009 in the brutal death of 23-year-old Toni Lim.

The Alabama Court of Appeals four years ago affirmed a lower court ruling granting a new trial for the Death Row prisoner based upon claims of ineffective representation at trial.

Petric last year was offered a sentence of life with the possibility of parole in exchange for a guilty plea but rejected that offer and said he wanted to take his chances with a jury  again.

Today, Petric appeared before Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Michael Streety and entered his plead of guilty to intentional murder.

Streety sentenced Petric to 28 years in prison. Lims family was at the hearing and supported the plea.

Petric received credit for time served from his official arrest date in 2007. He will likely be eligible for parole within a year, but prosecutors and family will work each time to oppose release.

Without parole, Petric could be free in 2035.

The passage of time is never friendly to the state in a criminal prosecution. When our office successfully prosecuted Steven Petric in 2009, the case was nearly 20 years old, Jefferson County Deputy District Attorneys Neal Zarzour and Misty Reynolds said in a statement to AL.com.

The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals upheld both the guilty verdict and death sentence, prosecutors said. Nevertheless, almost a decade after the original conviction, a former Circuit Court Judge who publicly opposed the death penalty granted the defendant a new trial.

This obviously put the state in an extremely difficult position, trying to prosecute a homicide that is now almost 35 years old, the statement continued.

Multiple key witnesses from the case are now dead, and there are others whose whereabouts are unknown.

In discussing these challenges with Tonis family, everyone agreed that the goal of holding Steven Petric accountable for Tonis murder overrode the risk of trial, prosecutors said. This plea accomplishes that goal.

For the first time ever, Zarzour and Reynolds said, Petric had to acknowledge that he intentionally caused Lims death by stabbing her with a knife. He maintained his innocence until today, saying he had only consensual sex with Lim.

He can no longer deny his brutal actions, and he will have time to reflect on that as he sits in the penitentiary as a convicted murderer with no further right to an appeal, they said.

Make no mistake, Petric deserved every bit of the original sentence he received in 2009, according to prosecutors.

Tonis family has been dealing with this trauma since March of 1990. Finally, they can have some closure knowing that her killer has admitted his guilt and will remain in prison for the foreseeable future.

Petric was represented by lawyers Scott Brower, Wendell Sheffield, and Anthony Bowling.

Lim, a student and employee of Sammys strip club on Valley Avenue, was discovered slain on March 9, 1990, inside her Raleigh Villas apartment that she shared with a roommate.

The roommate found Lims body when she returned from work about 8 p.m.

The roommate, Martha Milinda Higginbotham, previously testified there was no forced entry at the apartment and that Lim had told her that a man named Steven was going to help her fix the brakes on her car.

Higginbotham also said that a man named Steven sometimes gave Lim a ride home from school.

When Lim was found lying on her bed in her apartment, her body was covered with a blanket and her head was covered with a pillow.

An autopsy showed she had suffered a stab wound to the back of her neck and a large cut across her throat. She was wearing only a shirt and a bra.

A blood-soaked t-shirt was tied loosely around her neck.

Her hands were tied behind her back with pantyhose. Court records show an exercise rope was tied tightly around her right wrist and the rope extended down to her ankles, which were bound by the rope.

The rope was tied in such a way that it would tighten if Lims legs were straightened.

Lims case went unsolved for more than a decade, until 2006 when a routine submission of his DNA to a national database matched DNA found at the scene of Lims death.

At the time Homewood police charged Petric with Lims murder, he was serving a 26-year prison sentence for armed robbery in Illinois.

During his Alabama trial, prosecutors portrayed a pattern by Petric of attacking women at knifepoint before stealing their wedding rings.

Several women came forward to say he attacked them in the early 1990s.

Jurors in the Birmingham trial heard about two other attacks on women in 1994 in Illinois that prosecutors attributed to Petric, one fatal and one non-fatal.

The judge barred testimony in the trial about three other attacks against women, two in the Birmingham area and one in Illinois. Petric has a criminal history dating back to 1979.

The Alabama jury convicted Petric in August 2009.

Jefferson County Circuit Judge Bill Cole sentenced Petric to die by lethal injection. Petric had this to say at the time:

I know it is customary for the defendant to ask the family for mercy, but how can I? Im not guilty.

In February 2018, then Jefferson County Circuit Judge Tracie Todd overturned Petrics conviction.

Todd, twice suspended from the bench since 2021 and convicted of violating judicial ethics, resigned last year.

According to deathpenaltyinfo.org, prosecutors said DNA evidence from semen and cigarette butts linked Petric to the crime, and they presented extensive evidence arguing that Petric had raped and murdered the woman he had been dating in Illinois.

Todd ruled that Charles Salvagio, Petrics first attorney, had unreasonably failed to investigate the Illinois case and failed to rebut the prosecutions claims by showing that the jury there had acquitted Petric after video footage showed he had been elsewhere when those crimes were committed.

The court further found that Salvagio, who died in 2020, had unreasonably promised the jury during his opening statement that the defense would show that another man who knew the victim had committed a similar murder, without having reviewed the record of the other case.

At the close of the prosecutions case against Petric, the defense was provided with a DNA report that cleared the alternate suspect of the other murder, leaving counsel without a defense.

State prosecutors appealed Todds ruling, but the Alabama Criminal Court of Appeals on Aug. 14, 2020, granted Petric a new trial and ordered Petric brought back to the Jefferson County Jail to be held until the conclusion of his new trial.

Petric was booked back into the county lockup on Feb. 3, 2022, and remains held, awaiting transfer back to state prison.
Former Atlanta multimillionaires and reality television stars Todd and Julie Chrisley have lost their bid to overturn their convictions on bank fraud and federal tax evasion charges, for which they are serving 12 and seven-year prison sentences, respectively.

The Atlanta-based federal appeals court upheld the Chrisleys convictions Friday. It ordered an Atlanta trial judge to resentence Julie Chrisley, saying the judge did not clarify why Julie Chrisley was held accountable for all the money that banks allegedly lost as a result of the couples fraud.

We affirm the district court on all issues except for the loss amount attributed to Julie, the appeals court said. We vacate Julies sentence and remand solely for the district court to make the factual findings and calculations necessary to determine loss, restitution, and forfeiture as to Julie and to resentence her accordingly.

See also: Ex-Auburn player targeted in alleged murder-for-hire scheme dating reality star

The husband and wife, who were the stars of reality television show Chrisley Knows Best, were jointly ordered to pay $17.2 million in restitution after being found guilty of fraudulently obtaining $36 million in bank loans and hiding millions of dollars in income to avoid paying federal taxes.

Their attorney argued in April that Todd Chrisley, 56, who was found guilty of eight charges, should be acquitted on two tax-related charges and granted a new trial on the remaining counts. He claimed the jury heard false testimony and saw evidence from an illegal warehouse raid.

Julie Chrisley, 51, wanted to be acquitted on five bank fraud charges and resentenced on five other counts. She fought the $17.2 million restitution that both Chrisleys were ordered to pay and a related $17.2 million forfeiture ruling allowing prosecutors to take their property.

Peter Tarantino, the couples former accountant, also wanted his convictions to be overturned. Tarantino was prosecuted alongside the Chrisleys and sought a new trial, having been found guilty of three tax evasion-related charges, for which he was sentenced to three years in prison and fined $35,000.

Tarantinos convictions and sentence were also upheld Friday.

The Chrisleys got rich working in real estate and landed a reality television show about their family in late 2013. Cameras followed them around Roswell and Alpharetta before they moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2016. They were indicted in August 2019.

At the Chrisleys sentencing in November 2022, prosecutors slammed their apparent greed, saying they were already raking in more than $600,000 a month when they fraudulently obtained $36 million in bank loans over several years. From 2006, the couple deceived almost a dozen banks, many of which were community banks in the Atlanta area, the federal government alleged. The 29 loans at issue helped put three banks into receivership, records show.

The Chrisleys blamed the bank fraud on a former manager of their Atlanta-based real estate business, Mark Braddock, who was the governments key informant and witness in the case. He received immunity from prosecution.

The Chrisleys tax evasion convictions related to their failure to timely file federal tax returns and pay outstanding taxes over several years. Prosecutors said they used the company through which they received millions of dollars from their television show to hide Todd Chrisleys income so the IRS couldnt collect his outstanding taxes.

Todd Chrisley had walked away from more than $20 million in bank loan debt when he filed for bankruptcy in 2012, prosecutors said. They claimed he owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal taxes dating back to 2009.

By the time the Chrisleys were sentenced, they had paid the federal taxes they owed.

During sentencing, the trial judge said she couldnt ignore the couples egregious greed and flamboyance, after watching a clip from their television show in which Todd Chrisley boasted about their 30,000-square-foot house north of Atlanta and yearly clothing bill in excess of $300,000.

The couple were separately investigated by the Georgia Department of Revenue over their state taxes. The department settled its tax evasion case against them in 2019.

The Chrisleys recently settled for $1 million a civil case they brought against a department official in relation to the states investigation. In April, a Georgia jury ordered Todd Chrisley to pay $755,000 to another department investigator whom he slandered in podcasts and on social media.

The couples prison sentences began in January 2023. Todd Chrisley is in a minimum security prison in Pensacola, Florida. Julie Chrisley is in a prison facility in Lexington, Kentucky.

2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Florence police say a man broke into a home Saturday and injured two elderly women who needed hospitalization.

Michael Kirkland Jr., 34, of Florence, has been charged with burglary, sodomy, robbery and assault, all in the first degree. He is being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Center without bail, pending an Aniahs Law hearing.

According to police, officers were called to a home in the 400 block of Howell Street at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Inside the home were two people with multiple injuries.

A 79-year-old female was transported to UAB Hospital by AirEvac, and a 76-year-old female was taken to North Alabama Medical Center. Both victims remain hospitalized.

Police said Kirkland was arrested after officers reviewed video from a doorbell camera of a suspect leaving the home. They also recovered evidence connecting Kirkland to the incident.

This is still an ongoing investigation, and additional charges are pending.
Authorities have released the name of a masked man killed Friday during a suspected robbery in Birminghams Avondale community.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the slain man as Rufus Jermaine Brock. He was 34 and lived in Birmingham.

Police initially reported two men were killed, but coroners officials on Monday said they have only been made aware of one homicide from the incident.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald also said Monday that the second man who was believed dead was revived at UAB Hospital. His condition is unknown.

In all, three people were shot  two of them wearing black nylon masks and a third who is believed to have been a victim of robbery at the hands of the two masked men. His injuries werent life-threatening.

Multiple shots rang out about 11 a.m. Friday in the 4400 block of Fifth Avenue South. That location is the Oak Tree Apartments.

Brock was pronounced dead in the parking lot at 11:34 a.m., on the ground next to a work van, still wearing a black mask.

The two others were rushed to UAB Hospital.

We believe all of this stemmed from a robbery gone wrong, Fitzgerald said on the scene.

He said detectives dont believe Fridays robbery attempt was a crime of opportunity  the person being robbed was likely targeted.

At least 13 shots were fired.

The deadly shooting happened about 11 a.m. Friday in the 4300 block of Fifth Avenue South.(Carol Robinson)

These are two men in 90-degree weather wearing ski masks, Fitzgerald said. You tell us what you think they were up to. Thats what were dealing with.

Fitzgerald said the narrative so far this summer has been broad daylight crimes.

This just goes to show you the level of carelessness the criminal element has, he said. Avondale Park is just walking distance.

Fitzgerald said if the victims were in fact committing a crime, its important to note that those things dont always go as planned.

This comes from a place of love: Young men, we live in Alabama where everybody has a gun, he said. Before you think you can get the drop on somebody, just remember that other person you think may be a victim, it doesnt always turn out that way.

Weve had seven justifiable homicides in 2024, he said.

There have been 73 homicides in the city so far this year. Of those, seven have been ruled justifiable and therefore arent deemed criminal.

In all of Jefferson County, there have been 96 homicides, including the 73 in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
The Alabama State Bar has created a website intended to help people get legal help and understand key information about the court system regardless of their income or educational level.

The new online platform, Justice4AL.com, is easy to navigate and directs people to services in their geographical area, according to a press release from the State Bar.

We recognize the significant barriers that many Alabamians face when it comes to finding and accessing legal assistance, said Alabama State Bar Past President Brannon Buck, who led the development and start of Justice4AL.com. Our goal is to empower individuals to navigate the legal landscape with confidence and ease, regardless of their financial situation or educational background.

The State Bar noted that more than one million Alabamians live below the poverty line. It said people can use the new platform to obtain legal help with problems such as collections disputes, neglectful landlords, wills, child support and custody issues, and in other areas.

In addition to connecting people with those who can provide legal aid, Justice4AL.com has information about courthouses, court personnel, and relevant legal procedures, helping people advocate for their rights and interests.

By providing free legal resources and information, we hope to promote equity, fairness, and justice for all residents of Alabama, Buck said.
The family of a Huntsville man shot to death last week is saying that he was called an ethnic slur shortly before his assailant fired four shots at him at the pool in an apartment complex.

The family of Jose Federico Hernandez, 23, is attempting to raise money to have him buried in Mexico, which was his wish, according to a GoFundMe page.

John Albert Torres, 19, was arrested on June 15.

Huntsville police said the arrest stemmed from a shooting following a verbal argument at an apartment pool. A family member was called and came to the pool, and the argument escalated to a physical altercation, which led to the shooting.

The victim was shot to death with a 9 mm handgun, according to court documents.

According to the familys GoFundMe page, the shooting stemmed from Hernandez being Mexican.

John Albert Torres made it his decision to end Jose Hernandez life with no mercy, a statement on the GoFundMe page reads. Torres cold heartily gunned down a son, brother, uncle and a friend to many. Jose wasnt murdered in private, he was murdered in a public area with 30+ people around who are all now living with trauma and or fear.

According to the family, Hernandez was at the pool when two women related to Torres told him to speak English, and You better get out the pool before your back gets even more wetter.

The verbal argument escalated, according to the family, until Torres came out and shot Hernandez four times - wounding him in the leg, the arm, the abdomen and the head, according to the family.

Jose was only 23 years old with a birthday coming in July, he would have been 24. He came to the U.S. 3 years ago looking for a better life and not to mention his mother and other siblings were living in the U.S. already, he came to be with them. Jose is remembered by many and many are hurting, the page states.

A preliminary hearing is set for July 3 at 1:30 p.m.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin on Monday announced a reorganization of some of the top leaders in the department.

Assistant Police Chief LaQuaylin Parhm Mack and Deputy Chief Shelia Frazier-Finney will no longer serve in those roles, according to the mayors office.

It was not immediately clear if either woman would remain with the department and, if so, in what role.

Both the positions of Assistant Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Investigative Operations have been vacated, Woodfins press release stated. The mayor wishes to thank Assistant Chief LaQuaylin Parhm Mack and Deputy Chief Shelia Frazier-Finney for their dedicated service in these positions.

Efforts to reach the mayors office for additional information were unsuccessful.

Parhm Mack was named assistant chief in 2021 under former Chief Patrick Smith. She was only the second assistant chief in the departments history, a position created in 2019.

It does not appear authorities plan to hire anyone else to fill that role.

Frazier-Finney has 27 years with the department and has held numerous positions, including captain of the Community Safety Partnership Division.

Assistant Police Chief LaQuaylin Parhm Mack(BPD)

Woodfin announced Lt. Rodarius Mauldin as the new deputy chief of administration, a position previously handled by the assistant chief.

Mauldin, who was Parhm Macks executive assistant, will begin his new position immediately.

Mauldin began his law enforcement career in 2005 with the Alabama Board of Pardons and Parole, where he served as a probation officer and investigator.

He joined the Birmingham Police Department in 2010, serving in various capacities over the years including as a patrol officer, community project coordinator, dignitary protection, detective, and public information officer.

Woodfins press release said Mauldin played a significant role while assigned to the Hiring and Recruiting Unit.

The deputy chief of administration is a newly created role in the departments command staff.

Deputy Chief Shelia Frazier-Finney(BPD)

Mauldin will join Chief of Police Scott Thurmond, Deputy Chief of Special Operations Michael Pickett, and Deputy Chief of Patrol Operations Onree Pruitt.

The deputy chief of investigative operations  Frazier-Finneys former position - will be announced at a later date.

The states largest Fraternal Order of Police recently announced it was considering a vote of no confidence in the leadership of the Birmingham Police Department.

The FOP Lodge #1 consists of between 1,350 to 1,400 members - 80 to 90 percent of those from Birminghams force.

FOP Vice President Lawrence Billups, at news conference two weeks ago, said a motion was made on June 4 to consider a full-body vote, citing lack of leadership, low morale, and other issues.

We are not getting the leadership we deserve nor are the citizens of Birmingham, Billups said.

FOP President Deangelo Hall said on June13 that The FOP has engaged in positive and meaningful discussion with the Birmingham Mayors Office and city leadership regarding the challenges police officers are facing. We remain committed to promoting improved working conditions and ensuring officer safety. We will continue to advocate in these efforts provide the very best protection to the citizens of Birmingham.

This story will be updated if more information becomes available.
Philosophical materialism is defined in the online Encyclopedia Britannica as the view that all facts (including facts about the human mind and will and the course of human history) are causally dependent upon physical processes, or even reducible to them. This philosophy can be explained as being based on the idea that physical matter is all that exists, or that physical matter is reality. This form of philosophy is also called physicalism. It is commonly associated with atheism, although some argue that there is no necessary connection between them. It is, however, conceptually difficult to imagine any form of theism in a purely material universe.

How is this related to transgender identity? One of the notions that is sometimes heard in discussions of transgender identity is that a person claims to have been born into the wrong body. This immediately distinguishes the person from the body and is directly in conflict with the fundamental idea of philosophical materialism. Any person saying this implicitly considers the body to be separate from the person. This requires some form of nonphysical existence of the person apart from the body, or else the two cannot be so distinguished.

To a materialist, the body is the person, and there is nothing else apart from the body. There is no soul (Greek psyche, from which the word psychology, or study of the soul, is derived), and there is no spirit or spiritual realm. In other words, to a philosophical materialist, a person cannot be born into the wrong body, because the body is the person and there is no person with a soul or spirit apart from the body. How can a person claim to be born into the wrong body if the person is only the material body and nothing more?

If there is no reality beyond the physical, then the statement of being born into the wrong body is evidence of a malfunction of the body. If the mind is purely an outcome of the chemistry and physics of matter, and if there is no soul or spiritual existence of a person apart from the body, then such thoughts have no explanation and no meaning and are certainly wrong (by definition). They might be considered to constitute some form of what is traditionally called mental illness, if that can even exist in a materialistic reality.

Anyone who seriously claims that they are in the wrong body should be required to explain their beliefs about human existence in order to justify their evidently metaphysical claim. Is there a non corporeal existence of the person? If there is a reality beyond the physical, then there are many implications for human existence beyond gender identity. Perhaps there is a need to explore the nature of this reality to clarify the thoughts and feelings related to gender using a sort of comprehensive approach rather than accepting them without question.

Strict philosophical materialism reduces all experiences of human existence to absurdity. If all thoughts and actions are automatic and machine-like, being governed in a strict cause-and-effect pattern according to the material laws of chemistry and physics, then our thinking and feeling and deciding are all simply illusions. That would mean that we are not actually thinking at all, but that thoughts are automatically generated and are not under conscious human control. We have apparent consciousness and believe that we are in control of our thoughts, but none of that is real. The brain is constantly generating storms of chemical and electrical impulses that we experience as thoughts, but we are merely observers and not controllers of those thoughts. The same would be true for feelings and decision-making, and for all actions that result from the imaginary thinking, feeling, and decision-making processes.

In this hypothetical scenario of reality, all activities related to so-called science and philosophy are illusions also. Reason and logic would be illusions. If the entire universe simply runs as a giant, meaningless, purposeless machine based on material laws, including human existence as a very small part of the machine, then everything is reduced to a mechanical absurdity. The writing of this article would be one inevitable outcome of the grand universal machine, and not be due to the choice and consideration and ability of a human being with free will. The reading of this article at the present moment would also be the compelled activity of a soulless automaton who might have the illusion that reading it is by conscious choice.

In a purely materialistic world, a person with some transgender identity cannot possibly make any choice about that identity, or about anything else whatsoever. Any apparent disagreement concerning any aspect of gender identity by another person would also be impossible to control. The political discussions and arguments about related issues of medical care and policies and laws would all be automatic as well. It would all be one huge, complex machine producing predetermined outcomes at every step without any ability to influence the course of events. We would all effectively be only spectators in every bit of our own personal experience of existence.

So, to conclude, is transgender identity consistent with reality? Being born into the wrong body is incompatible with a materialistic universe, but so is essentially every aspect of our human existence. If the person is distinct from the body, then what is the nature of this dualistic or pluralistic reality? What is the fundamental substance of nature? What is a self-consistent philosophy for a transgender person? These are essential questions to answer. If we live in a materialistic universe, then we do not have any control, even over ourselves, and nothing really matters anyway. If reality is not purely materialistic, then we have a responsibility to seek the answers and live accordingly.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
WorldSprings spa and wellness center offers guests body treatments, facials, saunas and outdoor mineral soaking pools. WorldSprings

The spa and wellness center offers guests body treatments, facials, and outdoor mineral soaking pools, according to the WorldSprings website.

The first, approximately $55 million, 9-acre resort is set to open near Dallas this month, according to the WorldSprings website.

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The pools are based on global destinations known for their mineral waters, such as the Dead Sea and Banjar hot springs in Balihence the name WorldSprings, according to the WorldSprings website.

WorldSprings has adults-only and all-ages sections; children 4 or younger are not allowed to in the mineral pools, the website says.

The Houston location would be at 13704 Park Row Drive, Houston, according to the TDLR listing. Projects are required to be registered with the State of Texas to ensure accessibility and functionality for people with disabilities.

The estimated cost of the new, 44,000-square foot spa complex is $40 million.

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Construction is expected to begin on Sept. 1, 2024, and finish by November of next year.
Louisiana governor Jeff Landry signed legislation June 20 to require the posting of the Ten Commandments in the Bayou State.

If you listened to the mainstream media, the caricature of what happened goes something like this: shrimp po-boy yahoos from Louisiana dont understand separation of church and state and want to force the Ten Commandments into peoples faces. Opportunistic Republican Governor Landry wants to use this as a red-meat culture war issue to turn Louisiana even redder.

The only thing thats simplistic is that explanation.

First of all, the Ten Commandments are hardly marginal to American life. The United States originated as a Western country, which means it drew the inspiration of its culture and laws from Athens, Rome, and Jerusalem. Yes, Jerusalem, because the reality that we call the Judeo-Christian ethos fundamentally transformed Athens and Rome. Pretending otherwise is just lying about where our history and culture come from.

No other religious doctrines played a similarly central role in creating Americas cultural and legal identity. You cant say the Five Pillars of Islam exercised that role. Neither is that true for Confuciuss Analects or Hindu Upanishads. Those, too, are historical facts.

But the Ten Commandments are hardly some sectarian doctrine. The Ten Commandments are also expressions of what we call natural law  i.e., those basic moral principles that any normally functioning human being knows. Dont kill, dont cheat, dont steal, dont lie, dont covet, respect your parents  these are not eccentric Jewish or Christian doctrines. They are also recognized as the spine and backbone of our laws and ethics.

(That also, by the way, includes the idea that there is an Ultimate Being above and beyond me, who in justice deserves my reverence  namely, Commandments I-III).

Second, the First Amendment protects free exercise of religion. Says it right there in the document (which doesnt say anything about walls of separation). The first right listed in the First Amendment is freedom of religion (not freedom from religion). The no establishment clause simply means no particular denomination should be legally privileged by the government. It does not mean the government must pretend religion does not exist, that it is a pestilence to be fumigated from public life, or that Americans need to pretend they are atheists to take part in public affairs. Some liberals would like you to believe that, but they shouldnt establish their secular religion using the First Amendment.

Incidentally, right after protecting freedom of religion, the First Amendment immediately protects freedom of speech. How have we managed to allow that constitutional protection to get twisted from the right to speak freely to a justification to prohibit any mention of religion in public life or public schools? Why do the same people likely to hyperventilate about censorship of graphic books about oral sex in school libraries or not reading Genderqueer in class the same folks who would go apoplectic if anybody read the Bible there? Why is the Bible (the place the Ten Commandments are found  Exodus 20, Deuteronomy 5) the one book that is practically banned on school premises? As an honest question, how many school libraries actually even have a copy of the Bible on the shelves (and not just in non-circulating reference), or have they pre-emptively removed it?

Third, the Louisiana school Commandments controversy is hardly just about protecting kids religious freedom (since most of their self-appointed guardians probably think religion is a baneful influence, anyway). Its also another aspect of the modern parental rights revolution, the growing demand  especially post-COVID and in the wake of woke  to determine what their children are taught. Thats why this battle is so pitched: defenders of the public school monopoly know that whats at stake is whether parents and their values will control schools or the elites and their social engineering. Why is it that every ideological trend is included in the modern American classroom except the traditional Judeo-Christian perspective?

Fourth, one reason the Ten Commandments may be off-limits is they embody moral absolutes. Thou shalt not... period. The idea that there are some things that might always be wrong could be a novel idea to many students (and perhaps not a few teachers). What might be even more unsettling is that those moral absolutes will collide with the de facto relativism of the diverse classroom, perhaps stimulating real thinking on the part of some perspicacious kid who asks, Well, why do my mom and my pastor and my Sunday School teacher say I shouldnt have sex before Im married, but you and that book say its an option to be considered? Not only might a student be challenged to consider the possibility of a moral code that is not as flexible as Jello, but it could also flush out into the open the implicit, unspoken dictatorship of relativism (to steal Pope Benedict XVIs term) reigning in so many schools. That, in turn, could get more parents involved and asking, What exactly are you teaching my kids? Given the primacy of parents as a childs first and best teachers, that wouldnt be bad; given the professional groups and woke social engineers whose oxen might be gored, that would be terrible. A permanent copy of the Ten Commandments in the classroom, offering its message to successive generations, will keep those questions permanently in the public eye.

Fifth, nobody (except maybe David French at the New York Times thinks the Ten Commandments are magic. Maybe most students will ignore them. But there are a lot of things in the school curriculum that kids ignore (sometimes attesting to their smarts). And there are a lot of things we douse pupils with over the 11 or so years of compulsory education, many of which are forgotten. But we do it anyway, out of conviction that some things will stick, that some things someday will be remembered and prove useful. Wouldnt the Ten Commandments  even as a piece of secular knowledge  fit in that category? So why do some folks want to ban them?

Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain.
Nothing more clearly exposes how European countries have submitted to their Islamic masters than what happened after a Muslim gang rape in Hamburg. This is the Wests future unless it starts pushing back now.

Hamburg is Germanys second-largest city, a place the Romans first noted as existing in the 2nd century. (I phrased that carefully because it may have existed as a German tribal region long before it came to Roman notice.) By 808, Charlemagne had built a castle to defend it against raiding Slavs. During the Middle Ages, it became an important North Atlantic trading city, and it was a player (on the Protestant side) in the 30 years war.

After the 1848 Revolution, Hamburg adopted several classically liberal policies, such as freedom of the press, assembly, and association. It was, of course, an enthusiastically Nazi city during WWII, and it paid the price for embracing genocidal, antisemitic totalitarianism because the Allies bombed the Hell out of it. After the war, though, with Allied help, it became one of the great European industrial cities. Now, though, having failed to learn the lessons of WWII, it is again becoming a genocidal, antisemitic, totalitarian city.

Image: Muslim men on the march in Hamburg. X screen grab.

Thats not entirely Hamburgs fault. The fault lies in the fact that, after WWII, Germans became so self-abnegatory that they thought it would be a good idea to abandon the good parts of their heritage and, instead, become a welcome mat for Muslim immigrants. (This was helped by the fact that, as good socialists, Germans stopped having babies, so they needed Muslim labor.)

The early Muslim immigrants were Turks, so they were somewhat Westernized, and they came as a mostly controllable trickle, not an overwhelming flood. However, thanks to Angela Merkels insane decision in 2015 to open Europe to the Muslim world (something that should have stopped at the Gates of Vienna in 2015), Europe did not get civilized Turks. It got fanatics from Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, North Africa, and other countries utterly opposed to Western mores and deeply committed to jihad.

Currently, Hamburg has the largest Afghan community in Germany. Overall, Hamburgs Muslim population is about 8%. This is a bad deal for Hamburgs women, given Muslim mens rape propensities.

According to Michael Haltmans 2010 summary of Dr. Hammonds famous analysis of patterns of Muslim immigration, when Muslims are nearly 10% of the population, they will already have worked to get the ruling government to allow them to rule themselves...under Sharia, and they tend to increase lawlessness as a means of complaint about their conditions. As if to demonstrate the truth behind these conclusions, two months ago, Hamburgs Muslims were on the march:

NEW - Islamists march in Hamburg for a caliphate in Germany.pic.twitter.com/A6AYTLyOBV  Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) April 27, 2024

Sreams of Allahu Akbar Echo Throughout Germany!



Hordes of Muslims March Through Hamburg, Demanding a Caliphate in Germany and Media to Abide by Sharia



Mobilizing the Umma (the global Muslim community) to establish their Islamic Civilization is their admitted goal.



Today in pic.twitter.com/B07C7LqIjz  Amy Mek (@AmyMek) April 27, 2024

This subtle pressureyield now before we kill youis working. A truly horrific report has emerged from Hamburg, where gang rapists got a pass, while someone who dared to complain got prison:

A 20-year-old woman in Hamburg, Germany, has been sent to prison after making hateful remarks towards a migrant who was involved in the gang rape of a child. The woman is just one of 140 people being investigated for making harmful comments towards the rapists. The horrific assault took place in 2020, and involved multiple groups of migrant men independently attacking a 14-year-old girl in Hamburgs Stadtpark over the course of one night. [snip] The sperm of nine of the men, however, had been successfully recovered from the girls body. Five of the men were in possession of German passports, while the remainder were not citizens of Germany. Among those charged, none were of German heritage. The rapists were identified as a Pole, an Egyptian, a Libyan, a Kuwaiti, an Iranian, an Armenian, an Afghan, a Syrian, and a Montenegrin. [snip] However, despite DNA and WhatsApp evidence, eight of the nine men convicted walked free with probation and spent no time in prison at all. The ninth was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison without parole. [snip] Angered by the news of the case, a 20-year-old woman from Hamburg messaged the number through WhatsApp. The unnamed woman called him a dishonorable rapist pig and a disgusting miscarriage. She added: Arent you ashamed when you look in the mirror? The targeted rapist then reported the woman to police, and she was charged with sending him insulting messages. The woman has now been convicted and sentenced to a weekend in prison for her remarks  meaning that she will have spent more time in jail than 8 of the 9 rapists. [snip] Authorities in Hamburg are reportedly investigating 140 people for offenses related to issuing insult, threats, or other detriment towards the Stadtpark predators.

(I've excised the details of the rape and the trial, but you can read more here.)

In the Muslim world, a dhimmi is a non-Muslim resident in a Muslim state. Dhimmis are second-class citizens with severely limited rights. The raped girl and the outspoken woman are dhimmis. The raping Muslims are their overlords. The window to push back against the state of things is closing.

Meanwhile, here in America, Biden wants to import Gaza residents. Think about those new residents, as well as the existing illegal aliens who are already raping and killing Americans. If you think it cant happen here, think again:

Angry mob looking for Jews.

Germany 1938?

Nope, Los Angeles 2024 pic.twitter.com/pITCTXaJFo  Jewish Lumber King  (@EzraDrissman) June 24, 2024

Then, decide how that will affect your vote in November.
See also Dhimmitude in Germany, where rapists go free and their critics go to jail by Andrea Widburg.

If they couldnt enrich their home nations, how are they supposed to enrich ours?

To preface, for the sake of clarity, Im of course speaking in generalities and not definitivesoverwhelming generalizations but generalizations nonethelessand third world Muslim migrants, particularly the imports from Afghanistan, have no intention of assimilating and adopting the culture of the West; heres the latest case illustrating exactly that, from Amy Meks new report at the RAIR Foundation:

In a heartbreaking honor killing in Worms, Germany, the police have arrested the Islamic parents of a 15-year-old Muslim girl after her body was found along the Rhine River. The Afghan parents are suspected of murdering their daughter because they disapproved of her Western lifestyle, raising suspicions of an Islamic honor killing.

Now, what that Western lifestyle really looked like for this young girl still living under the roof of Islamist-minded parents Im not so sure, but I imagine her offense was likely something as rational as declining to veil herself in a head-to-toe tablecloth, or rejecting matrimonial demands from middle-aged men, or maybe a close cousin; Meks piece also cites previous European-linked honor killings for reference, which all happened to be related to arranged marriages, which look like?

For context, after Joe Bidens criminal withdrawal from Afghanistan, CNN captured a disturbing series of eventsan Afghan man selling his precious little nine-year-old daughter as a bride to an old man. See below, if you have the stomach for it:

Now, I dont care what happens, no circumstances would ever find me handing my child over to a pedophile for sexual exploitationbut Im also a Westerner, with deeply-embedded Judeo-Christian beliefs, which I wholeheartedly and unequivocally assert make for a vastly superior moral ethic and culture.

And, just a week or so ago I covered a story in which a 25-year-old man talked about his upcoming marriage to a 10-year-old girl, and the benefits of buying and marrying a childit afforded him the privilege of acting out his pedophilic preferences in a judgment-free zone, though thats of course not how he acknowledged it.

Was the young girl in Germany protesting something like the above stories? While Westerners wouldnt see that as justification to murder someone, third world Muslim migrants apparently do.

What a disgusting and despicable culture that finds pedophilia, bacha bazi, child marriage, and honor killings acceptable, but Westernization worthy of capital punishment. This is just another reminder that the Muslim hordes, from the darkest corners of the earth, have no intention to adopt the ways of the Westtheyre here to conquer it, and us.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license.
You may remember that the DoJ dropped the "documents" prosecution of President Biden because, to be charitable, Special Counsel Robert Hur concluded that he was a nice old man with a bad memory. He committed the crime, but the DoJ activated the "....well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory defense.

Maybe the American public is not so charitable about the man with the last word on nuclear weapons. This is from NBC:

NBC national affairs analyst John Heilemann on Friday said President Joe Bidens campaigns largest concern is that persuading certain voters the president is competent may be a lost cause. Bidens cognitive capabilities have repeatedly been raised as a possible problem, with NBC political analyst Elise Jordan earlier on Friday saying voters tell her they will be tuning into the upcoming presidential debate to make sure that hes up to the task of being president. Heilemann on Morning Joe said the campaigns deepest fear is that there may be no solution to persuading voters who have stubborn concerns about the president, based in part on an interview he conducted with Biden campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon.

Tuning in to see if the President is up to the task? Is that real or what? I've seen every debate since Ford vs Carter and I don't remember anything like this. Yes, some would say that people were concerned about President Reagan after the first debate but that's nothing compared to this. No one, as I recall, was concerned that the Gipper was freezing or telling imagined stories about this or that.

President Biden's chief problem is that our eyes tell us a different story. I don't have to be a doctor or psychiatrist to know that there is a problem. It does not help that President Biden is in the middle of some real disasters, from the border to Afghanistan and rampant crime in our cities. And to make matters worse, he looks oblivious to the events.

Does he know what's going on? It's not a cheap shot when it comes to President Biden.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Gage Skidmore
Last week, James OKeefe published an undercover video that saw a long-time Disney insider explain that Disney will no longer hire white men in its corporate offices. This week, James Woods published on X two graphics based upon data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showing that its not just Disney that is discriminating against whites. Instead, whites are being frozen out of the corporate labor market.

As of the 2020 Census, before Joe Bidens frantic efforts to import millions of non-white people into America, self-identified whites made up 57.84% of the population. As was to be expected, whites also make up an average of 58% of all people with college degrees, ranging from associates degrees to doctorates.

Given white peoples representation in the overall population and their matching representation with academic credentialism, one would think that theyd appear in corporate hiring in the same ratio...that is, around 57-58% of corporate hires.

Image by drobotdean.

However, the first inkling we had that this wasnt the case came last week when James OKeefe published an undercover interview with Michael Giordano, a Senior Vice President and Team Leader for 20th Century Television, a division of The Walt Disney Company. Giordano freely admitted that Disney simply wont hire white people...or, more specifically, white men:

BREAKING: Senior Vice President at The Walt Disney Company details discriminatory hiring practices: "Nobody else is going to tell you this, but they're not considering any white males for the job," says Michael Giordano, a Vice President of Business affairs, "theres no way were pic.twitter.com/IMOsFOLKro  James O'Keefe (@JamesOKeefeIII) June 20, 2024

During the video, Giordano explained that Disneys policy, which can be both explicit and implicit, is often that theres no way were hiring a white man for this.

But hey! Thats just one guy, and he was trying to impress a date. Guys looking for sex will say just about anything, right?

Thats certainly a defense Disney could make, but the defense runs headlong into some more general US Labor Department statistics about corporate hiring in the United States. This information comes courtesy of James Wood:

The source for this is the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics pic.twitter.com/OgCijjOGXq  James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) June 24, 2024

The top graphic actually originated with a September 2023 article at Bloomberg, which provides more information about the data:

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission requires companies with 100 or more employees to report their workforce demographics every year. Bloomberg obtained 2020 and 2021 data for 88 S&P 100 companies and calculated overall US job growth at those firms. In total, they increased their US workforces by 323,094 people in 2021, the first year after the Black Lives Matter protests  and the most recent year for which this data exists. The overall job growth included 20,524 White workers. The other 302,570 jobs  or 94% of the headcount increase  went to people of color. (Emphasis in original.)

I urge you to check out the Bloomberg article because the animated graphics really make the point.

As many of you have probably noticed, the data come from 2021, but do you honestly think anything has changed since then? Under Democrat leadership, whether in politics, media, academia, or popular culture, this is the direction in which America is going.

This direction, incidentally, is a disastrously bad idea. When I look at a situation in which a powerful minority discriminates hard against the majority, I can think of dozens of situations in which the majority eventually has enough. Sometimes, that moment happens peaceably. Too often, tragically, it does not (e.g., Rwanda).

Hiring based on race is also a terrible idea because Americas greatness is tied to being a meritocracy. Sure, we havent necessarily achieved this perfect ideal over the years, with some eras being worse than others, but the principle is absolutely right: Hire the best people for the job and encourage up-and-coming generations, regardless of race, color, creed, etc., to be the best. That will truly Make America Great Again.
In a sparsely reported story, pro-Hamas thugs have launched an organized attack on Jews in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles, just outside Beverly Hills, hunting Jewish residents down where they live, beating many, and preventing them from entering their own synagogue for religious observances.

According to City News Service, whose story was just seven paragraphs long:

Scattered violence and fist fights broke out Sunday between Palestinian supporters and supporters of Israel in the Pico-Robertson area of Los Angeles, where police in riot gear attempted to restore order. The trouble began at 10:52 a.m. in the 9000 block of Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles Police Department Officer Tony Im told City News Service. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators had gathered in front of the Abas Torah synagogue at 9040 W. Pico Blvd. and were met with counter-demonstrators, some carrying Israeli flags. Heated verbal confrontations grew physical shortly thereafter, with several scuffles occurring in streets throughout the neighborhood. Video from the scene showed punches being thrown and some people wielding the handles of protest signs as weapons.

How this differs from terrorism is unknown.

Take a look at the videos:

Video of Jew hunting in Los Angeles a few hours ago after the attack on the synagogue



The 1930s have arrived in America



 pic.twitter.com/dnZgUJJJvs  Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) June 24, 2024

Antisemitic mob in Los Angeles beats a Jewish woman in broad daylight



Never Again is NOW, damnit pic.twitter.com/NdvnVqWPPk  John Hasson (@SonofHas) June 23, 2024

Angry mob looking for Jews.

Germany 1938?

Nope, Los Angeles 2024 pic.twitter.com/pITCTXaJFo  Jewish Lumber King  (@EzraDrissman) June 24, 2024

There was a pogrom yesterday in Los Angeles, California. In 2024.



Im gonna repeat that for those in the back.



There was a pogrom yesterday in Los Angeles, California. In 2024.



Remember a while back when we warned that the anti Israel rhetoric was going to lead to violence pic.twitter.com/2NnhZHh0QM  Hillel Fuld (@HilzFuld) June 24, 2024

How that could get as sparse of coverage as it's gotten is strange, indeed.

Here they were stopping Jewish people from going to their weekly religious observances on the Sabbath at their synagogues:

BREAKING:



Anti-Israel protesters are physically attacking Jews in front of a synagogue in Los Angeles



 pic.twitter.com/FQHC2k7Ygp  Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) June 23, 2024

More Jew-hate here.

The Jewish community of Los Angeles stand together to protect a Jewish owned restaurant from being vandalized by Pro-Hamas terrorists in a modern day pogrom.



Wheres the LAPD? They were told by Mayor Karen Bass to stand down and not protect Jews.



pic.twitter.com/IeewXDitdK  The Persian Jewess (@persianjewess) June 24, 2024

It's shocking, an escalation of previous attacks in the area -- see here, here and here. It's shocking to me because I lived there, I know exactly where this happened, walking distance from my old apartment on Olympic Boulevard on the next parallel artery, the widely traveled Pico Boulevard where large numbers of Jewish groceries, restaurants, second-hand shops, bakeries, religious items stores and synagogues are located. I've voted in two of those synagogues, which on election days became polling places.

The organized thuggery, according to this account from a local would-be politician, is the result of pro-Hamas antifa-type dirtbags who had been engaged in turning UCLA into a pigpen up the road a few months back.

Today is a dark stain in the history of Los Angeles.



Violent extremists who proudly praise Hamas and Hezbollah marched outside an Orthodox synagogue in Americas most heavily Jewish neighborhood outside of New York - where my kids go to school, where my family worships1/  Sam Yebri (@samyebri) June 23, 2024

This represents the most serious escalation of antisemitic attacks since they started in the area about three years ago.

There are claims the police were ordered to stand down, while officials in every instance offered mealy mouthed condemnations. Here's the mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass:

Todays violence in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood today was abhorrent, and blocking access to a place of worship is unacceptable. Ive called on LAPD to provide additional patrols in the Pico-Robertson community as well as outside of houses of worship throughout the city. Ill  Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) June 24, 2024

Unacceptable, she says, like a teacher scolding children for chewing gum in class.

There also was the governor of California, Gavin Newsom:

The violent clashes outside the Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles are appalling.



There is no excuse for targeting a house of worship. Such antisemitic hatred has no place in California.  California Governor (@CAgovernor) June 24, 2024

Yebri noted that they were late to the party:

Thank you @RickChavezZbur, the first and only elected official in California to condemn this attempted pogrom in Los Angeles. The silence of all the other cowardly feckless terrorist-coddling elected officials in California is deafening. https://t.co/BNZw5rHyVW  Sam Yebri (@samyebri) June 24, 2024

This act is getting old, while the thugs are noticing the pattern and stepping it up.

They always say they will do better next time, but now that this is about the fifth time, they never do.

Now we have pogrom-like barbarism, in one of the great Jewish-American cities of America, the importation of alien ideas put into action while authorities stand around like arthropods.

It's disgusting. And one can only hope that they put a stop to this, or a federal government under a newly sworn in President Trump will have to instead. They need to make examples of these Jew-hating thugs.

Image: Twitter video screen shot




What kind of a political leader sends members of his own party on a wild goose chase to find out whether their party leader was a Russian spy while sitting on a phony dossier full of lies and not telling them?

Well, we now know the answer: Former House Speaker Paul Ryan.

I've defended him for a long time and have never been a Ryan-hater, but this is not a pretty picture.

According to Roll Call:

GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger and a longtime aide to Speaker Paul D. Ryan each were given an early look at the final report added to the infamous Steele dossier, court documents in a lawsuit against BuzzFeed News show. Christopher Steele, the former British intelligence agent who compiled the unsubstantiated research booklet in 2016 about Donald Trumps connections to Russia before he became president, gave the report to Kinzinger and Jonathan Burks, Ryans longtime chief of staff, after he completed it on Dec. 13, 2016, according to the court memo. In addition to Kinzinger and Burks, Steele also handed off the 17th and final report of his dossier, Report 166, to a longtime associate of Sen. John McCain and the top Russia expert on President Barack Obamas National Security Council.

That's from a court case involving a Russian who says he was smeared by the documents, which of course, were leaked to the press -- but not the investigators.

According to Kash Patel, who, along with Rep. Devin Nunes, both of whom had to get to the bottom of this without the documents Ryan had, just the haze of allegations in the press, speaking with Steve Bannon on one of his broadcasts:

STEVE BANNON: I've got two tweets about you about my beat down of Paul Ryan the other day about talking about character and you know Trump's lacks character. You brought two brutal tweets up about Paul Ryan's character related to the Steele dossier that has not gotten anywhere near the exposure it is. Tell me what you got brother.



KASH PATEL, TRUMP ADVISER: Hey Steve, great to be with you. Thanks. Remember in 2016, let's rewind the tape. It was Russia collusion, Russia collusion, Russia collusion. And then speaker Paul Ryan enlisted me and Devin Nunes to investigate the Russia collusion. Nobody knew what the Steele dossier was in 2016. They had already gone to the federal court and unlawfully surveilled Donald Trump with it.



But what we didn't find out until after we completed our investigation in 2018 was that the speaker, Paul Ryan, who charged us with investigating Russiagate was the first guy to ever get a copy of the Steele dossier in 2016. He never told us. He still never admitted it. It finally was admitted in a British court where Christopher Steele was being sued. Just think about it, Steve. We could have asked, where did you get it? Who did you get it from? How was it paid for? All of these secrets could have come out under this man's very investigation, but he rigged it from the beginning. So I'm done listening to lectures about the new conservative brand that is Paul Ryan. And anytime he wants to debate me, I'm all in. He charged us with an investigation that he rigged because he didn't want Donald Trump to succeed. He kneecapped him from the beginning.

The issue is important because Ryan knew the partisan origins of the Steele Dossier and chose to not reveal that to the investigators. He preferred that the investigators get caught up in the document and in his mind, hopefully come up with the conclusion that the sleazy allegations were true, and not Russian drunkard stuff which is apparently how the invented trash got put together.

In 2020, New York Post found:

Now it turns out that the biggest political scandal of the century was sourced almost entirely to a man with a history of public drunkenness who did little besides traffic in debunked gossip. The breathless attacks on Trump, as well as the FBIs spying on his campaign, were largely sourced to the dubious Steele Dossier. The author of the dossier was former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, but its long been known that Steele relied on a primary sub-source to supply him with the substance behind the wild allegations that Trump was engaged in a well-developed conspiracy of cooperation with the Kremlin. Recently declassified FBI information and reporting by my colleague at RealClearInvestigations, Eric Felten, confirms the identity of the source as a 42-year-old Russian national living in America named Igor Danchenko. The FBI memo recounting the agencys meetings with Danchenko confirms that the Steele Dossier was sourced with little more than Danchenko gossiping with childhood friends back in Russia  not exactly high-level sources in the know. Some of Danchenkos most prominent allegations, such as the dossiers claim that Trump lawyer Michael Cohen visited Prague to meet Russian intel operatives, have been subsequently disproven.

All that for the tens of thousands of dollars Democrats paid in order to get the Steele Dossier, in order to distribute it to the press, and apparently people like Ryan, who decided to use members of his own party to go on the goose chase to undermine Trump.

What a sleazy, snaky thing for a party member to do to members of his own party.

And this guy now wants to speak at the Republican National Convention this summer, Mr. Loyalty to ... the Democrats who wanted to destroy Trump. Where's his apology? Anybody who'd let that guy in the room would deserve what he gets.

Meanwhile, maybe he ought to explain to the Fox News board why he instigated this dishonest witch hunt, given that truthfulness is an important thing in the news industry. Maybe he has an honest explanation, but I can't see it with the information out now.

Is anyone going to demand that this guy explain himself? He was right there from the get-go in that swampy extended harassment campaign against President Trump as he assumed his first term. We all know how that extended -- and morphed into a monster. Did that help his party? Or did it help the socialists and Democrats? How does Ryan live with himself?

Image: Gage Skidmore, via Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED
Apple has become the first company to be charged under the European Unions Digital Markets Act (DMA). The European lawmakers found the iPhone maker non-compliant with their app store rules. It allegedly doesnt allow app developers to freely steer users to offers outside its App Store. The European Commission has sent a formal warning to the company over the matter. The EU also launched a fresh investigation into Apples support for third-party iOS app marketplaces.

The EU charged Apple with violating DMA rules for app stores

The DMA is the EUs new law aimed at identifying and regulating digital gatekeepers so the market is fairer and more contestable for all players, big and small. The so-called six gatekeepersApple, Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), Meta, and ByteDance (TikTok)were given until March 2024 to comply with the new rules. Among those is a rule that makes third-party developers more independent in choosing payment avenues and installation sources for their apps.

Developers can steer users to other platforms with better offers, and the gatekeepers cant stop them. They also cant levy any fee on developers for doing so. However, Apple didnt fully comply with this rule. While it did open up the App Store to outside stores and payment avenues, the company tried to play smart. First, it froze Fortnite and Epics developer accounts for steering users away. And when it lifted the ban, the iPhone maker charged a 27% commission on transactions.

Of course, European lawmakers were watching this and promptly charged Apple under the DMA. Our preliminary position is that Apple does not fully allow steering, said Margrethe Vestager, the head of competition policy in Europe. Steering is key to ensure that app developers are less dependent on gatekeepers app stores and for consumers to be aware of better offers. Apple has until March 2025 to respond to the EUs allegations, which is a long time to make amendments.

If Apple still doesnt comply with the EUs DMA rules, it faces a fine of up to 10% of its annual worldwide revenue. Based on last years earnings, the fine would amount to $38 billion. The fine amount increases to 20% of the annual revenue if a company is charged with repeat infringements. Time will tell how Apple will respond. The EU previously fined the company 1.84 billion (approx. $2 billion) for similar anti-steering practices in an antitrust case pre-dating the DMA.

Apple is also facing a fresh investigation from the European watchdog

Apple has another case looming over its head in Europe. The EU is investigating its policies for third-party iOS app stores. The primary focus is on the companys Core Technology Fee, which requires outside app stores and apps to pay a 0.50 fee per installation. Apple also makes users pass through a laborious multi-step process to install third-party marketplaces and apps from those marketplaces. All the while, it shows various warnings to try and restrict users to its App Store.

Additionally, the EU is looking into Apples various eligibility requirements for developers to be able to offer third-party app stores. The developers community and consumers are eager to offer alternatives to the App Store. We will investigate to ensure Apple does not undermine these efforts, said Vestager. Apple, meanwhile, recently blamed the DMAs regulatory uncertainties for delaying the launch of its AI features in Europe. The firm says the EUs interoperability requirements are a threat to privacy and security.
If you were hoping to see full-frame camera sensors on smartphones at some point soon, well, dont hold your breath. Sony just clarified things by saying that it wont happen, at least not anytime soon.

Sony makes is clear that smartphones wont get full-frame cameras at least not in this decade

In a presentation by the company, which is titled Imaging and Seeing Solutions Segment, Sony demonstrated the evolution of smartphones in videography, and how its connected to the sensors. This presentation was presented by the Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporations Director, President, and CEO, Terushi Shimizu.

For this decade, up until 2030, Sonys president exponential growth in mobile video shooting. It was clarified that the industry has to focus on sub-cameras to improve smartphone videography.

In that presentation, five characteristics were highlighted for mobile camera performance. Those characteristics are Sensitivity/Noise, Dynamic range, Power consumption, Resolution, and Readout speed.

Still images are excellent, Sony believes, but videos need work

Sony did highlight that as far as photography goes, the quality of smartphone cameras comes close to the human eye thanks to large sensors and AI. In some cases its even possible to surpass that point, says Sony.

The videos, on the other hand, are a completely different beast. Sony sees room for performance. Sony believes that video quality is left behind compared to still imagery, as real-time performance is required. Video performance is more directly related to the image sensors.

In one of the slides Sony shared, the elevation of sensor size through the years was shown. It shows the growth of sensor sizes in the main and sub-cameras on smartphones from 2019 to 2023.

Weve reached a limit in terms of sensor size, at least until 2030

As part of that slide, Sony makes it clear that weve basically reached a limit in terms of sensor size, at least until 2030 for smartphones, of course. Improvements from this point on, up until at least 2030, will be based on AI, more or less.

Why is that the case? Well, other than the physical size of large sensors, those camera sensors also need more cooling. Thats not so easy to achieve in such a small body (smartphones). So, dont hold your breath for full-frame sensors, at least not anytime soon.
Dangerous heat is possible Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Heat index values, which provide a "feels like" version of actual air temperatures that account for the smothering effect of high humidity on the body, will range from 105 to 110 degrees. National Weather Service

Looking ahead to the work week, Houstons weather appears to be back to its typical summer form: Hot as a backyard grill and humid as a sauna.

The good news is that the latest tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico careened into the eastern coast of Mexico on Sunday, likely breaking up hundreds of miles away from Southeast Texas.

The bad news, though, is that Houston still faces the threat of rising summer heat made worse by elevated humidity, making even 95-degree afternoon highs feel at least 10 degrees hotter.

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Tropical disturbance in the Gulf

As of Sunday afternoon, the center of a tropical disturbance in the western Gulf of Mexico was about 20 miles southeast of La Pesca, Mexico, a coastal town about 150 miles south of the Rio Grande. National Hurricane Center forecasters said disorganized showers and thunderstorms continue with the broad area of low atmospheric pressure. But the chances of the system becoming a tropical cyclone were at 20% and dropping.

The National Weather Service's extended outlook includes heat index values in the triple-digits and dew points consistently in the 70s, signaling high humidity. National Weather Service

Monday forecast

Closer to home, we instead have an area of high pressure in the middle to upper levels of the atmosphere that will foster summer heat and limit rain chances in Southeast Texas, the National Weather Service said in a forecast bulletin Sunday.

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Temperatures in Houston on Monday will start at a balmy 78 degrees around daybreak before soaring past 90 by 11 a.m. and peaking at 96 in the afternoon. Temps wont retreat into the 80s until after sunset.

In this weather satellite photo of Texas taken Sunday morning, the southern tip of the state is obscured by clouds churned up by a tropical disturbance that was moving inland from the Gulf of Mexico. A moisture-rich tropical air mass flowing in from the coast will drive up humidity levels in Houston this week. NOAA/National Weather Service

A moisture-rich tropical air mass flowing in from the coast will drive up humidity levels. One indicator of high humidity is the dew point temperature, or the cooling point when the air is 100% saturated with water vapor. Air gets noticeably sticky and muggy when dew points are anywhere above 65 degrees. This week, dew points will stay between 73 and 77 degrees.

Although the humid air will allow for a persistent but slim 20% chance of rain, it also will amplify the Houston heat. Paired with a dew point of 74 degrees, that afternoon high of 96 will have a heat index value (or feels like temperature) of 107 degrees.

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Typically, the National Weather Service in Houston would issue a heat advisory, a public alert about dangerous levels of heat, if heat index values rise to 108 degrees or higher. Although such readings could be widespread enough to warrant a heat advisory on Monday, forecasters said the heat risk through early next week will be moderate (level 3 out of 5) for most people participating in low-impact, leisurely outdoor activities.

However, those participating in strenuous outdoor activities may feel major (level 4 out of 5) heat stress, the weather service warned. If you plan to spent time outdoors, remember to drink plenty of fluids, wear lightweight clothing and avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.

Tuesdays forecast and beyond

Houstons forecast for Tuesday matches Monday with a 20% chance of rain after 1 p.m. on an otherwise sunny day. Like Monday, a especially high dew point of 76 degrees, signaling elevated humidity levels, will be paired with an afternoon high of 95 degrees. But that temperature will feel 14 degrees hotter and more like 109 degrees.

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There will not be much of a pattern change through next weekend, so you know what that means: Hot and humid weather persists, weather service meteorologist Jimmy Fowler wrote in his long-term forecast Sunday. A ridge of high pressure aloft and moist southerly flow at the surface will help keep high temperatures in the mid- to upper 90s all week long for most inland locations, and upper 80s to low 90s along the immediate coast.

Nighttime relief from the heat will be hard to come by, as overnight lows will be in the mid- to upper 70s for inland locations, and upper 70s to low 80s along the coast, Fowler said.

Factor in the humidity during the daytime hours, max heat index values will be in the 105 to 110 range all week, so heat advisories will likely be needed, he added.

Fowler found an oasis of hope for heat relief in this bleak extended forecast, though.

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The one break from the heat will be the daily chances of sea breeze/daytime heating-induced showers and thunderstorms each afternoon, he said. Whereever these storms pop up, they will likely help cool the temperatures down by at least a few degrees.
The latest monthly Pixel security update revealed a vulnerability that could be exploited, and that has even worried the US government. Officials were urged to update their phones within a maximum of 10 days or stop using them.

The US government warns federal employees to update their Pixel devices or stop using them

The vulnerability in question is listed as CVE-2024-32896. It could go unnoticed in normal situations, but Google added a note giving it special importance. The note says: There are indications that CVE-2024-32896 may be under limited, targeted exploitation. The entry is listed as High Severity.

Google has not revealed more specific details about the vulnerability. However, the US government warned all federal employees that Android Pixel contains an unspecified vulnerability in the firmware that allows for privilege escalation. The term privilege escalation refers to the fact that exploiting the vulnerability potentially allows the capture or access of the data of the attacked person.

Its noteworthy that the vulnerability that is worrying the U.S. government is a zero-day exploit. This means that it was already present for a while but had not been detected by the OS developer or phone manufacturer. Therefore, there was no patch available yet to fix it.

Fix available with the QPR3 update

Its noteworthy that, for Google Pixel devices, the fix is available with the latest Android 14 QPR3 (June) update. So, it is recommended that all Pixel device users update their devices if they have not already done so. That said, the GrapheneOS team says that the vulnerability could also be present in Android devices from other brands. However, the fix for them will be available with Android 15.

It is very unlikely that your device will be the target of an attack using the CVE-2024-32896 vulnerability. After all, Google is using the term limited, targeted exploitation, in the listing. However, it never hurts to keep your mobile device up-to-date in terms of security. You can update your Pixel device by going to Settings > System > Software Updates.
Google is all set to bring its Gemini AI to teen students using their school accounts. The brands latest artificial intelligence-powered chatbot was already available for students using personal accounts, apart from millions of other users. However, the search titan is now making Gemini available to all teen students using Google Workspace for Education.

Googles Gemini AI tech will be available to teen students across 100 countries soon

During the ISTE 2024 education conference, Google revealed that Gemini models will soon be available for all students with school accounts. The company said that Gemini is coming to teenagers through their Google Workspace for Education-issued accounts. Its AI chatbot will be available initially in English in more than 100 countries across the globe.

In a blog post, Google announced the Workspace for Education (school) account administrators will be able to enable Gemini on these accounts. The company also mentioned that Gemini on these accounts will add extra data protection for all education users free of charge.

Google Gemini for students in schools offers an additional level of data security

Besides, the company emphasizes that it will not use data from chat on these accounts to improve its Gemini AI models. To be specific, the data generated from school accounts wouldnt be reviewed by anyone. Also, it will not be shared with other institutions.

Notably, Google claims that Gemini is tuned to identify content thats inappropriate for teen users. It also has various guardrails to prevent inappropriate responses, such as illegal or age-gated substances, from appearing in results.

Notably, Gemini for students will automatically run a double-check response feature for fact-based questions to help them develop information literacy and critical thinking skills.

Google is also launching the Read Along in Classroom feature globally

Google has also announced that it is launching the Read Along in Classroom feature globally in the near future. Thanks to the feature, students across the world will be able to practice their reading skills in English. The feature will soon also provide additional support in a students native language. Additional language support will be limited to Spanish at the start. It will support more languages in the coming months.

Furthermore, the company has announced that a version of Google Vids without generative AI will be available to students/teachers. It will be offered on the Google Workspace for Education Plus accounts.
Huawei made it clear that it plans to ditch Android altogether. The company revealed its plans to focus on its own OS a while back, and that OS is now official. Huawei announced HarmonyOS NEXT, its Android-free OS.

Huawei made HarmonyOS NEXT official during HDC 2024

This announcement was made at Huaweis annual developer conference, HDC 2024. HarmonyOS NEXT not only ditches Android but the Linux kernel as well. Huawei obviously wants to step away from the US software in every way, shape, and form. Thats not surprising considering how much damage the US has done to the company via various bans and limitations.

HarmonyOS NEXT uses a fully independent architecture built around Huaweis Hongmeng kernel and system. This entire OS is made from the ground up, says Huawei. The company also says that this system architecture delivers a 30% improvement in overall machine performance and a 20% reduction in power consumption.

The company is looking for beta testers in its homeland

As part of the OS announcement, Huawei said that its looking for beta testers. It is also looking for developers to develop apps. The stable version of HarmonyOS NEXT is confirmed to come with the Huawei Mate 70 series in Q4 this year.

Huawei said that HarmonyOS NEXT can bridge the gap between different devices. In other words, it can be used on various different devices, including phones, smartwatches, tablets, cars, and more.

It also comes with App Continuation feature. You can basically start a video call on one device, and simply jump on the other while continuing that same video call. Thats just one example, of course. The same goes for transferring documents from one device to the other, its seamless.

AI is a part of the equation, of course

AI was also mentioned during Huaweis presentation, of course. Its the buzzword these days. Huawei does call it Harmony Intelligence, however. AI unlocks a number of features in HarmonyOS NEXT.

Those features are AIGC Image generation, AI sound repair, Xiaoyi Sees the World and AI-powered controls. The AIGC image generation can create images from line drawings, color existing photos, or enlarge them.

AI sound repair can assist people with speech disorders. Xiaoyi Sees the World is made for visually impaired users. It uses AI to read pictures by describing their content aloud. Xiaoyi is Huaweis smart assistant, by the way, which is also getting smarter in HarmonyOS NEXT.

Security is Huaweis top priority, and HarmonyOS NEXT is coming to global markets too

Security is the companys top priority. HarmonyOS NEXT introduces the new Start Shield security architecture. It is designed to keep user data safe, says the company. It does use strict app vetting, multi-device data encryption, hardware-level encryption, and permission control.

Do note that all of this was announced in China, and its for the Chinese market. Huawei does plan to offer HarmonyOS NEXT with its global devices as well, were just not sure when.
In 2017, Motorola launched a smart object tracker called the Moto Tag. Seven years later, the company is gearing up to introduce an upgraded version, seemingly with the same name. The new model has already received a few regulatory certifications, hinting at an imminent launch. The FCC also recently certified it, further supporting the theory.

The FCC clears Motorolas Moto Tag for launch

The Federal Communications Commission certified the Moto Tag with the model number XT2445-1, which we have seen in other certifications in the past. As usual, the listing doesnt reveal a massive amount of details about the upcoming smart tracker. However, we got a confirmation that it will feature a standard button watch battery bearing the identifier CR2032.

Most smart trackers use this commonly available lithium battery. This ensures that you wont have problems finding a replacement battery once the original one drains out (these batteries arent rechargeable). The CR2032 battery boasts a rated capacity of 210mAh and a rated voltage of 3V. It may not seem much, but it is big enough to power the tracker for months before you need to replace it.

Of course, the battery life will depend on how often you use the product and the connectivity method. The Moto Tag boasts Bluetooth LE and Ultra Wideband (UWB) connectivity options, with the latter being more power-hungry. It is more effective in finding lost objects, though. You get granular tracking support compared to Bluetooth. Its nice that Motorola is offering both technologies.

The FCC listing doesnt reveal anything else about the Moto Tag. Theres no mention of Find My Device support. However, Google recently said that Motorola is preparing a smart tracker with support for its crowd-sourced network that uses Android phones to locate lost objects or trackers. The search giant said the device will debut later this year. This is a massive hint at the Moto Tag being that product.

Motorola has a major launch event scheduled for June 25

Motorola has yet to announce a launch date for the Moto Tag. It hasnt even teased any such product. However, the firm has a major launch event scheduled for Tuesday, i.e., June 25, in China. It is expected to unveil the Razr 50 series foldables at the event. There is no reason why the Moto Tag wont debut alongside the new foldables. Thankfully, we wont have to keep guessing for much longer. Stay tuned for more from Tomorrows Motorola event.
A worker installs a new row of Bitcoin mining machines at the Riot Platforms facility in Rockdale, Texas, on October 9, 2021. MARK FELIX/AFP / AFP via Getty Images

Gov. Greg Abbott is nobodys idea of a tech bro, but 10 years ago he saw great potential in the fledgling cryptocurrency industry.

During his first run for governor in 2014, Abbott became one of the first Texas political candidates to accept campaign donations in bitcoin, a pioneering virtual currency. While some viewed the announcement as a political stunt, a way for Abbott to appeal to Libertarian-minded voters who flocked to crypto in part because it was decentralized and unregulated, the partnership made sense on paper. Heck, decentralized and unregulated describes the governing philosophy of Texas Republicans, at least when it suits them.

Enter Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. While Patrick has also had public flirtations with cryptocurrency  in October 2021 he put together a working group to make Texas a heavyweight in the technology  his was apparently a fleeting romance. Last week, Patrick blasted data centers and crypto miners on social media as culprits for ERCOTs soaring power demand projections, which could now reach 152 gigawatts by the end of the decade  enough to power 15 cities the size of New York on a hot day. That would nearly double the record 85.5 gigawatts of demand the grid set last summer, and require expensive transmission upgrades, with costs partly shouldered by rate increases for residential customers.

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We want data centers, but it cant be the Wild Wild West of data centers and crypto miners crashing our grid and turning the lights off, Patrick wrote.

Patrick is right on this one. At the very least, Texas shouldnt give tax breaks and incentives to an industry thats increasing costs and risks for everyday consumers and businesses. Our grid is shaky enough as it is, and crypto miners pushing our electricity demand to the brink deserve extra scrutiny.

Cryptocurrency miners require massive amounts of electricity to operate their warehouses of computer servers. Instead of a few trusted bankers keeping track of transactions, cryptocurrencies rely on a ledger maintained by many different computers across a network. In the case of bitcoin, the process also requires solving mathematical puzzles by guessing billions of sequences of code per second. The reward for doing this work, known as mining, is a digital coin worth tens of thousands of dollars. Unlike other large consumers, which require 24/7 power generation, crypto miners are flexible energy users, meaning they can quickly ramp down their power during periods of peak demand.

Knowing this, Abbott identified crypto miners and the Texas grid as a match made in heaven. Let the miners pay for power generation most of the year and then turn off when summer highs hit and the rest of us are cranking up our air-conditioning. The crypto companies can make a killing doing this, either by selling electricity they bought in advance back to the wholesale market managed by ERCOT, or by getting paid to reduce consumption when grid conditions get tight.

During a June 12 Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee hearing, Brian Morgenstern, the head of public policy for Riot, tried to persuade lawmakers that the company was actually performing a public good by toggling their power usage during peak demand.

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That peak demand time where theres some stress, were one of the only businesses  were the most flexible, were the cheapest  to give that power back when its needed, Morgenstern said, likening the powering of their mining operation to a dimmer switch.

In reality, dimming their power is hardly an act of generosity  the miners get paid handsomely for it.

During the record-breaking heat wave of August 2023, companies such as Riot, which owns bitcoin mining facilities in Rockdale and Corsicana, made more money last August from the ERCOT market than from producing actual bitcoins. Riot earned $24 million from selling electricity they bought in advance on the wholesale market, and another $7 million for ramping down its power usage when demand was high. This arrangement puts crypto miners in control of the dimmer switch, forcing us to trust that they will willingly power down, even if bitcoin prices peak at the same time as our power demand.

Meanwhile, ordinary consumers were asked to cut down on air-conditioning without any incentive. On top of that, were already footing the bills for property tax breaks for industrial energy hogs, new transmission lines, low-cost loans for natural gas plants, unused reserve power for the grid and bailouts for utilities after the Winter Storm Uri failures.

There are currently 2,900 megawatts of crypto miners operating in Texas today  enough to power the entire city of Austin for one day  according to the Texas Blockchain Council, an industry trade organization. Texas' crypto mines make up nearly one-third of the computing power for the nations bitcoin network, more than any other state. By 2030, ERCOT COO Woody Rickerson told lawmakers he expects the grid to support as much as 11 gigawatts of crypto load.

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While thats a small portion of the projected future demand growth, in a state that can barely keep the lights on as is, every kilowatt of additional energy should draw intense scrutiny, particularly from sources with such dubious societal benefit. A 2021 study from the Government Accountability Office found that crypto has been central to the rise of drug sales in the U.S., specifically fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Another report found that virtual currency is a commonly accepted payment by sex traffickers. Some are owned and run by Chinese companies, raising national security concerns about cyber attacks against regional grids.

To Patricks credit, the state Senate, which he leads, tried to rein in crypto miners' during the last legislative session. The Senate unanimously approved a bill that would have prohibited digital currency mining facilities from receiving property tax breaks and capped the number of facilities that can enroll in ERCOTs demand response programs. While this bill failed to get a floor vote in the House, we hope Patrick will help revive it during the next session.

It would also be nice if ERCOT had any idea how many crypto miners were operating in Texas. Until a law change last September, miners werent even legally required to register their operations. During a separate hearing in the House State Affairs Committee, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas called on lawmakers to give more visibility to what these large loads are doing, by allowing the grid manager to track and control their loads, rather than let the miners' switch off the power when its most profitable for them.

Whether Abbott would sign any of these bills is an open question. His office did not respond to the editorial board when asked whether his wholehearted embrace of crypto has changed. It may come down to whether Abbott is willing to buck Donald Trump. The presumptive Republican nominee recently boasted about his love for crypto in a social media post, and hosted crypto mining executives at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida recently, including Morgenstern, the Riot lobbyist.

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Fiona Harvey appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored. (Talk TV)

Fiona Harvey, who says she is the "real life Martha" from Netflix's Baby Reindeer, has to disguise herself in public, her lawyer Richard Roth told Yahoo.

"This woman has really been shattered," Roth says. "She received death threats. She is worried to go out and buy groceries. She has to walk around in a mask, totally in disguise so she doesn't have to deal with it."

This is one of the most important reasons why Roth has decided to take on Harvey's lawsuit and battle it out with Netflix, one of the biggest streaming services in the world.

Baby Reindeer tells the dark, twisted story of failed comedian Donny Dunn (Richard Gadd) who is stalked by middle-aged woman Martha Scott (Jessica Gunning) after a simple act of kindness. The show got 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and was an instant success after Netflix claimed "it is a true story", although Gadd later told The Guardian that some of the events in the story were "tweaked slightly to create dramatic climaxes".

Read more

Harvey is suing Netflix for 135million. The lawsuit filed in California accused the streaming platform of defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, gross negligence and violations of her right of publicity. Netflix responded to say: "We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadds right to tell his story."

Jessica Gunning as Martha in Baby Reindeer. (Netflix/Everett Collection) (Everett Collection, Everett Collection Inc)

But Roth claimed: "It's so rewarding to represent Fiona because this woman has been so defamed and so publicly humiliated that I want to make it right. I have a tremendous amount of self satisfaction and in championing her cause because she really needs someone to say 'that's not fair' and 'it's not right'."

Fiona Harvey is a 'torn woman'

The lawyer representing Fiona Harvey, Richard Roth, recently appeared on Good Morning Britain. (ITV screengrab) (ITV screengrab)

Baby Reindeer took the world by storm and as a result, the lawyer said Harvey is a "torn woman". Reflecting, Roth said that Harvey's life as she once knew it  regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit  has changed forever.

"This woman was never in the limelight and she was thrust into the limelight because of Netflix," he said. "She was not a celebrity."

He added: "Unequivocally this has changed her life. She's never gonna be a private citizen for the rest of her life. I think it's very, very negative. The reason why she came out and did Piers Morgan was because she was getting all these death threats and she wanted to set the record straight.

"People knew who she was before she even came out and everyone knows who she is. It's terrible for that to happen to you. It's a major, major scar that she will always be carrying."

While Roth acknowledged Harvey has "some issues" and is "for lack of a better word, a vulnerable person", he noted she is also intelligent. He added: "She's a very bright woman. She really is very smart. She's got a law degree. [If this goes to court] She will take the stand and Richard Gadd will take the stand and we battle it out."

Fiona Harvey has a strong case against Netflix, says lawyer

Baby Reindeer shows Donny (Richard Gadd) and Martha (Jessica Gunning) at the pub. (Netflix) (Ed Miller/Netflix)

Other than giving the character the name Martha, Roth claimed Netflix did nothing to disguise his client Harvey in the Baby Reindeer series. "They made it very, very easy to find out who Martha is," he said.

He suggested: "They could have made her Italian, they could have made her thin, they could have changed her accent, they could have changed the name of the bar. They could have used different, different tweets. It didn't have be 'hang my curtains'. It could be hold my drapes, right?"

"Don't make it so easy to find out who she is," he said. "And that's what really, that makes us a strong case."

'Netflix should apologise and pay out significant money'

As a consequence, the lawyer claimed his client is "entitled to significant money" as well as an apology.

In Baby Reindeer, the character Martha  who Harvey says is based on her  is sentenced to nine months behind bars and is also handed a five-year restraining order after leaving threatening voicemails for Donny. Gadd told The Times that the situation in real life had been "resolved" and that he "didn't want to throw someone who was that level of mentally unwell in prison".

Richard Gadd wrote Baby Reindeer and also is the lead actor. (Netflix)

Roth pointed out Harvey has no criminal convictions and said, "When you say someone's a convicted felon, that's a pretty serious statement".

He added: "A real apology and significant money for Fiona is really the only answer because you can't undo what has happened. I mean, the old saying is you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube. It's out there and it's very bothersome that Netflix really had no regard for her."

Roth admitted himself that Baby Reindeer is a "good piece of art" and a "very dark story" but it should tell the truth because it claims at the beginning: "This is a true story." He said: "It's so outrageous that they could just say this is a true story when there's just so much of it that's false."

Fiona Harvey's lawyer asks for your help

The Hawley Arms in Camden, London. (Getty) (Neil Mockford via Getty Images)

In a bid to get to the truth, the lawyer is calling for witnesses to come forward after an unnamed former barmaid who worked alongside Gadd at the Hawley Arms in Camden told The Daily Mail that Harvey was "targeted as a joke". It is his hope to "understand what exactly went down" between Harvey and Gadd in 2015.

He said: "I would like people who have personal knowledge of this case to contact me, like the barmaid who was working at the bar. I would love to know who this barmaid is because there are people that were present during a lot of the alleged occurrences.

"So if Fiona is sitting at a bar and allegedly saying something, doing something, I'd imagine that they weren't the only ones in there. The barmaid had some pretty negative things to say about Richard Gadd and the bar."

Fiona Harvey's lawyer shares biggest challenge

Fiona Harvey was interviewed by Piers Morgan in the UK for his YouTube channel Uncensored. (YouTube grab) (YouTube)

For Roth, the biggest challenge he faces is that Harvey lives here in the UK while he is based in New York City. "I've been doing this for over 40 years. I'm very familiar with everything that Netflix may throw at us," he said.

He added: "She is across the pond, as we say, and so there's times where I'd love to just sit with her and talk to her and everything. Listen, we've come a long way, everything is zoom now.

"I think the biggest challenge is that she is not local. I've had cases with people who aren't local also but there's always a personal level that is not as close when you have to zoom and talk on the phone all the time."

Yahoo has reached out to Netflix for comment.
A family of swans decided to call a quiet English town home, and Shrewsbury residents welcomed them with open arms. The mom, dad, and 5 little ones roam the town, making themselves right at home. Residents want to keep them all safe, and even putting up signs warning motorists to slow down for swan crossing.

ABC News shared the video on Thursday, June 20th. It shows the family in various parts of town, just like they own the place. The adorable swan cygnets (the name for baby swans) can be seen exploring the area, looking for food and being curious just like all babies are. They're so cute!

This is such a sweet story! ABC News commenters agreed. One commenter pointed out, "Respecting life and loving nature." @Flawsome Tara shared, "Mother Nature is amazingly beautiful!!!" @HR said it best, "How it should be in real life, anywhere in this world."

Related: Spoiled Baby Swan Hitches a Ride on His Mom Instead of Swimming With Siblings

Cool Facts About Swans

Swans are gorgeous birds that mate for life. It all starts with a courtship dance, a beautiful dance that includes synchronized movements, head bobbing, and graceful displays of affection. The dance is the beginning of the couple's bonding, reinforced through mutual preening, where partners groom each others feathers as a sign of affection and care.

Next comes the triumph ceremony, where the male displays his dominance by arching his neck and flapping his wings to show potential rivals that the female is spoken for. It also displays the male swans strength and determination to protect his mate. The actual mating process is quick, and once completed, the two start their new life together.

Now that the couple is expecting, they begin looking for perfect spot to build their new nest where their babies will be born. These nests are always built near a body of water, and together the couple finds reeds, twigs, and feathers to form the nest. Soon after, the female lays her eggs. Mother swans typically lay 4-10 eggs knowing that not all of the cygnets will survive. Both parents spend time protecting and incubating the eggs over the next month. When the babies hatch, both parents are responsible for protecting and raising their brood. This will happen all over again each mating cycle, which is typically between the months of March and May.

While cygnets can leave their parents as early as four months after birth, it's more typical that they stay for eight to twelve months. They rely on their parents for protection, especially when they are foraging for their own food (which they start doing on their own at a very young age.) By the time they are a year old, their gray feathers turn into the gorgeous white feathers that we all know and love.

Survival rate in the first year for cygnets is only at about 50 percent. I sure hope these little ones survive and grow up to be as gorgeous as their parents!

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
Farage says he would never, ever defend Putin as he ramps up row with Johnson

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he would never, ever defend Russian President Vladimir Putin, as he ramped up his row with former prime minister Boris Johnson.

At a campaign rally in Kent on Monday, Mr Farage unveiled a blown-up poster of the i newspapers front page from May 10 2016 with the headline Boris blames EU for war in Ukraine.

On Friday Mr Farage told the BBCs The Panorama Interviews programme that we provoked this war, in reference to countries in eastern Europe signing up to Nato and the European Union, and Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Writing in the Telegraph on Saturday, he urged readers not to blame him for telling the truth about Putins war.

Mr Johnson shared the article on X, formerly Twitter, calling Mr Farages views morally repugnant.

Referring to the Telegraph article, he wrote: This is nauseating historical drivel and more Kremlin propaganda.

In Kent on Monday, Mr Farage said he had been more far-sighted in predicting a war in Ukraine, telling the crowd: This has been turned into Farage makes outrageous statement, Farage defends Putin  well, Ive done none of those things.

I would never, ever defend Putin and I think his behaviour in Ukraine and elsewhere has been reprehensible.

But if were going to think towards a peace at some time in the not too distant future, perhaps it might be helpful to understand what went wrong in the first place.

As he unveiled the poster of the headline referring to Mr Johnson from the top deck of the Reform battle bus, Mr Farage said he was alone in predicting the war in Ukraine, adding: I cant take those words away and nor would I want to.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage unveils the poster from the top deck of Reform UKs battle bus while on the campaign trail in Maidstone, Kent (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Turning his fire on the former prime minister, Mr Farage said: Well, perhaps its Boris Johnson thats morally repugnant and not me, I dont know. But can you see the sheer level of hypocrisy? Can you see the nonsense of all of this?

He added: This man will go down as the worst prime minister of modern times. A man who betrayed an 80-seat majority. Who opened the door to mass immigration? Boris Johnson. Who betrayed the will of Brexit voters? It was Boris Johnson. He pretended to be a Conservative but he governed as a Green.

The Reform UK leader went on: Theres been precious little debate on defence, precious little debate about the state of our armed forces, precious little debate about how little we still do in this country for our veterans, and precious, precious almost no debate on foreign policy.

He added: I have no doubt that the world is in a more dangerous place right now than its been at any point since the Cuban missile crisis over 60 years ago.

A couple of years back we would have thought war on a global scale was inconceivable, but we now all, dont we, harbour that doubt and that worry at the back of our minds?

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage poses for a selfie with a supporter at an election rally in Maidstone, Kent (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Later in his speech, Mr Farage did an impression of former US president Donald Trump, now a convicted criminal, whom he described as a friend of mine.

Mr Trump has spoked favourably about Mr Putin in the past and has threatened to cut US aid to Ukraine.

Mr Farage said: Unless we start to build up our size, America will stop taking us seriously, Nato will stop taking us seriously and the world will be a more dangerous place.

You dont get peace through weakness. You get peace through strength. You get peace through deterrence, and that matters.

I hardly need tell you the catastrophic failures weve seen under President (Joe) Biden. The withdrawal from Afghanistan, the handing of it back over to the Taliban after 20 years, was a sign of weakness that was seen by Putin, a sign of weakness that is increasingly being seen by China.

Home Secretary James Cleverly accused Mr Farage of echoing Putins vile justification for the brutal invasion of Ukraine and shadow defence secretary John Healey said Mr Farage is a Putin apologist who should never be trusted with our nations security.

The loudest cheers for Nigel Farage at the Reform UK election rally were for his comments on immigration (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

However, the Reform leader got the loudest cheers from his supporters as he discussed the partys defining policy area  immigration.

After highlighting small boat crossings in the Channel, he said: Remember, I went out four years ago, again and again, into the Channel to highlight what was going on, to say you might as well put a sign on the White Cliffs of Dover saying Everyone welcome.

He added: I warned that huge numbers would come, I even said there might be an invasion, which is of course the rudest word you could possibly use in BBC land, but now, 4,000 boats and 128,000 people later, it does look like its been an invasion to me  and its mostly young men.
Warmer weather and likely heatwaves forecast for parts of the UK this week offer a welcome boost to the hospitality sector after a drizzly spring saw footfall wane, industry leaders have said.

Temperatures in London are forecast to hit peaks of 31C on Wednesday, with much of south-east England basking in the mid-20s for the first half of the week.

It marks a break from the rainy spring, which saw 32% more rainfall than the average in England and Wales according to the Met Office, and hampered businesses reliant on tourism or high street foot traffic.

One veteran ice cream seller, known to her customers in West Sussex as Mrs Whippy, welcomed the wonderful news of warmer weather.

The warmer weather this week marks a break from the rainy Spring, which saw 32% more rainfall than the average in England and Wales according to the Met Office (Peter Byrne/PA)

Katy Alston told the PA news agency: It has a massive impact.

It starts from the forecasting, so in the last couple of weeks weve seen weather forecasting for some pretty grey, damp, miserable weather.

Actually, where we are on the south coast, it hasnt been that bad  the difficulty is people watch the forecast and make their plans for the day.

Ms Alston has been in the ice cream trade for 20 years and runs Pinks Parlour near the beach in Bognor Regis, West Sussex.

She continued: The wonderful thing is, at the moment, the forecasting is this really hot weather.

What we notice, once the weathers good, is everyone goes into holiday mode  so they eat ice cream, they come out, they spend longer out.

The footfall for just a takeaway cone goes from probably 1% to 100%, the former Ice Cream Alliance president added.

People go into holiday mode and eat lots of ice cream when the weather is good, Katy Alston said (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Oli Claydon, a Met Office spokesperson, said it wont be sunshine for everyone, but will still be warm even where there is cloud cover during the week.

We might see the occasional shower in parts of Northern Ireland and Scotland, where there will be a little bit of cloud through (Tuesday), but otherwise clearer skies in the South East and thats where were going to see the highest temperatures, he added.

The heatwave threshold is met when a location records at least three consecutive days with maximum temperatures exceeding a designated value, according to the Met Office.

This is 25C for most of the UK, but rises to 28C in London and its surrounding area, where temperatures are typically higher.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said sunshine and warm weather meant pubs sell more beer.

She added: The last period of sustained warm sunnier weather way back in September last year saw average increased sales of almost 20% and this is crucial for both brewers and pubs after the more challenging winter months and recent wet weather.

A hot week is expected in some places, with temperatures peaking on Wednesday or Thursday It won't be hot and sunny everywhere, however pic.twitter.com/EyuCMU5eae  Met Office (@metoffice) June 23, 2024

Jenni Matthews, head of marketing and insights at MRI Software, said independent retailers and high street businesses such as pubs and restaurants are particularly reliant on the increased footfall caused by warmer weather.

With warmer weather, its normally the high streets that tend to benefit because theyre outdoor retail destinations and people want to make the most of the weather, she said.

And I think whats so impactful about last week and what weve got coming up this week, is that weve also got the Euros, we have the Taylor Swift concert in London, and they both contributed to footfall massively within high streets last week.

Data released by the real estate company on Friday showed an average footfall increase of 5.5% when compared with the week before as high street activity shot up by 11.8%.

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of trade body UKHospitality, said: The weather often plays an important role in peoples decision-making and the current spell of warm weather will be a welcome boost for hospitality venues across the country, with people keen to get out and make the most of the sunshine.

Businesses across the sector will be hoping for a strong summer to offset the impact of the ever-rising cost burden that they are facing, she added.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat-health alerts for most of England, warning the warm conditions could pose a risk to vulnerable individuals.

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said sunshine meant pubs sell more beer (Lynne Cameron/PA)

However, the heat is only expected to last until Wednesday with heavy showers, thunderstorms and persistent rain possibly returning in the west as the week goes on.

There will be a little bit of rain and cloud through Thursday, Mr Claydon said.

But itll actually be quite pleasant, although temperatures will still be a little cooler and closer to average  the weather will still be fine and there will be a lot of dry weather around.

Ms Alston said there is very little predictability when selling ice creams and challenging periods of poor weather meant she has to capitalise on the warm weather while it lasts.

Ms Matthews suggested it was important businesses keep on top of unseasonal weather patterns which can influence consumer behaviour.

She added: If high streets know that theyre going to have a wet week, they know footfall is going to be down, and they can actually prepare for that in terms of staffing, in terms of operational planning in their shop  all of those things.
Leading doctors plan to launch legal action against the medical regulator amid rising concerns about the use of physician associates.

The British Medical Association said it needed to take action before the uncontrolled experiment of the use of medical associate professions (MAPs) before it leads to more unintended patient harm.

The union said it plans to bring legal action against the General Medical Council (GMC) over the way it plans to regulate MAPs.

Emily Chesterton died in November 2022 (Family Handout/PA)

It said that there is a dangerous blurring of lines for patients between doctors and assistant roles.

MAPs have been under increased scrutiny following the death of Emily Chesterton in November 2022.

The 30-year-old had been under the impression that she was seeing a GP, but was actually seen twice by a PA who failed on both occasions to spot that her leg pain and breathlessness was a blood clot, which ultimately travelled to her lungs.

Leading medics, including the Royal College of GPs and the BMA, have called for a halt of the recruitment of physician associates while concerns are addressed.

From December 2024, the GMC will become the regulator for physician associates and anaesthesia associates  known as Medical Associate Professions (MAPs).

Professor Philip Banfield, chairman of the council at the BMA, told the unions annual meeting in Belfast: Today I want to announce that we are taking legal action against the GMC.

Were taking this action because of the dangerous blurring of the lines between doctors and MAPs specifically with challenging their frankly unsafe use of the term medical professionals when theyre referring to people who are not doctors.

This legal action is supported by our colleagues, the grassroots movement Anaesthetists United who will be pursuing a complimentary legal challenge.

We have had enough of the Government and the NHS leadership eroding our profession.

We are standing up for both doctors and patients to block this ill thought through project before it leads to more unintended patient harm.

Its not too late to row back from this uncontrolled experiment in dumbing down the medical skills and expertise available to our patients.

The BMA has previously argued that the GMC is not the right regulator for MAPs, arguing that the move will undermine and devalue the medical profession while confusing patients.

The BMAs letter before action says it is seeking to challenge the GMCs decision to apply its central guidance for doctors  Good Medical Practice  equally to physician associates and anaesthesia associates once they are regulated by the council.

The BMA is also contesting the GMCs use of the term medical professionals as a collective description for doctors, physician associates and anaesthesia associates.

The association is seeking to bring the legal claim against the GMC over its use of this term which it says should only be used to refer to qualified doctors.

Once the legal challenge is filed at the High Court, the BMA will need to be given the go-ahead by a judge for the claim to be considered at a full hearing.

Professor Banfield later added: PAs are not doctors, and we have seen the tragic consequences of what happens when this is not made clear to patients.

Everyone has the right to know who the healthcare professional they are seeing is and what they are qualified to do  and crucially, not to do.

Doctors are the medical profession. To describe any other staff as medical professionals not only undermines doctors and the rigorous training journey they have been on, but also confuses patients, who rightly associate the two terms as one and the same.

The central and solemn responsibility of the GMC is to protect the public from those who are not registered qualified doctors, pretending to be doctors.

It has become increasingly clear that broadening the term medical professionals to include those without medical degrees has had the effect of making this task far harder, when recent experience has now shown that this represents a dangerous blurring of this critical distinction.

Dr Richard Marks, co-founder of Anaesthetists United, added: Doctors and their patients are united over their opposition to the outgoing Governments plans for replacing doctors with Associates. Taking legal action seems to be the only way forward.

A GMC spokesperson said: In 2019 the General Medical Council was asked by the four UK governments to take on regulation of physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs).

Earlier this year legislation introducing the regulation of PAs and AAs was passed by the UK and Scottish Parliaments. This means that we will start to regulate PAs and AAs from the end of the year.

Regulation will help to assure patients, colleagues and employers that PAs and AAs are safe to practise and can be held to account if serious concerns are raised.

As a multi-professional regulator, we will recognise and regulate doctors, PAs and AAs as three distinct professions.

PAs and AAs dont have the same knowledge, skills and expertise as doctors. They are not doctors but they can, and do, play important roles within multidisciplinary teams when appropriate and effective clinical governance and supervision are in place.

We know from several years of ongoing engagement with patients and the public, doctors and stakeholders that they do expect PAs and AAs will, like doctors, work to high professional standards.

We will continue to work with patients, professionals, royal colleges, the BMA and others towards the delivery of safe and effective regulation for these groups.

We note the BMAs correspondence on a range of issues and further note that no legal proceedings have been issued at this stage.

Meanwhile, delegates at the BMA annual representative meeting also passed a motion which called for a public enquiry into reports that MAPs have worked outside of their competence.

They also said that MAPs working in GP surgeries or hospitals must not prescribe or see undifferentiated patients and that the union should demand that MAPS are not used as a substitute for doctors and insists on a pause in recruitment and deployment of PAs.

Presenting the motion, Dr Samuel Parker told delegates: Tragically, patients have died.

It takes 10 years to fully train a GP, in contrast it takes two years for a PA.

No one would board a plane flown by a pilot who (had) 20% training, so why push under-qualified MAPs on to NHS patients.

He highlighted a job advert for a locum PA in general practice offering a salary of 90,000 per annum.

Dr Parker added: Doctors are not luddites, trying to prevent progress, MAPs is simply no replacement for qualified medical professionals and you must not be complicit in this patient safety scandal.

Responding to the passing of the motion, Prof Banfield, said: We have made clear that PAs should never be a substitute for doctors and have demanded a pause in their recruitment until it can be made clear that they can be integrated into medical teams safely. Today the conference clearly backed that position.

There is a clear call for more transparency and accountability about the way MAPs are working. The new government, NHSE, and Royal Colleges are all going to have to step up and show how they will deal with the dangers of employing MAPs unsafely.

An NHS England spokesperson said: The NHS has been clear that medical associate professions are not a substitute for doctors but are trained roles to support doctors to do their jobs with appropriate supervision.

Last month, the NHS issued guidance on the appropriate deployment of these roles.
Some people wouldn't even try to have a pet in the city, while one woman in Melbourne, Australia has a whole darn baby lamb. Erin frequently shares her city adventures with her lamb, Dusty, online. And she recently explained how the two of them came to be the ultimate city folks.

Erin jokingly calls Dusty her "roommate," but there's a whole lot of truth in the descriptor.

The woman is definitely aware of how unusual her living situation is. There's not many people who keep a lamb in the city. Which is why she took the time to explain Dusty's origin story in a new video online.

Related: Pet Lambs' Adorable 'Crimes' are Too Cute to Prosecute For

"Back home my dad's a farmer," she explained in the voiceover. "While checking the mob he found this little guy abandoned at just a day old."

Without his mom around, poor Dusty had no milk. Erin took it upon herself to care for the lamb, but when she had to go back to Melbourne for work she made an usual decision  she brought Dusty with. Eventually, Dusty will return to the pasture. But for now he gets a taste of a different slice of life.

Commenters were here for these unlikely roommates. " There is a cartoon called 'Sheep in the Big City,'" joked one commenter. "Tell Dusty that I love him," someone else pleaded. While someone else suggested a new destination for Dusty, "Lil' man needs to see the beach!" they urged. "Omg if you ever need a pet sitter, I love lambs," volunteered another person.

Best Pets for Apartment Living

Caring for a baby lamb might not be in the cards for every animal lover, especially if you live in a city. But if you're itching to bring home a fur-child, here are some better options that can adapt to apartment living easily.

Dogs are a common choice for a reason. Small pups that don't need lots of exercise make perfect city pets. And they offer so much love to their owners too.

Cats are another popular option for a reason. They never need a walk or to head to the great outdoors, making them a good choice for urban living.

Lizards can be another good companion. Sure, you might not be able to cuddle them like a dog or cat, but lizards are very cool and need very little space.

Hamsters are so tiny they can fit pretty much everywhere. Just get them a nicely sized cage and they'll be as happy as can be.

The important thing to keep in mind when picking out a city pet is to keep it small. Animals that don't need to roam or wander will do well in a one or two bedroom. So have no fear, no matter what your living situation is you can always have a pet.

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
Kamala Harris embraces Kate Cox, who was denied an abortion last year, in College Park, Maryland, on 24 June. Photograph: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris marked the second anniversary of the US supreme court ruling that overturned Roe v Wade with forceful campaign statements that laid the blame squarely on Donald Trump for ending the national right to abortion.

In a video released on Monday, Biden pledged to restore the right to an abortion and protect American freedom if he is re-elected.

The video, along with a campaign event headlined by the vice-president, came two years to the day since the courts decision in Dobbs v Jackson Womens Health Organization reversed nearly half a century of guaranteed federal abortion rights, and reflect the centrality of abortion in Bidens presidential campaign.

In College Park, Maryland, Harris took the stage to chants of four more years. In her remarks, Harris laid out what she said were the stakes for abortion access if Trump is re-elected.

Understand as much harm as he has already caused, a second Trump term would be even worse, she said. His friends in the United States Congress are trying to pass a national ban that would outlaw abortion in every single state  in states like New York and California, and even right here in Maryland.

Nodding to her background as a prosecutor, Harris called Trumps attack on womens reproductive rights premeditated and said he has not denied, much less shown remorse, for his actions.

In the case of the stealing of reproductive freedom from the women of America, Donald Trump is guilty, she said.

Harris called Republicans who have passed state-level bans Trumps accomplices and warned that he would go even further by curtailing access to contraception and IVF.

"Enough with the gaslighting," Harris says of Trump's wavering stance on abortion.  Lauren Gambino (@laurenegambino) June 24, 2024

Pointing to the statistic that one in three American women live in a state with abortion restrictions, she said: Today our daughters know fewer rights than their grandmothers. This is a healthcare crisis, and we all know who to blame: Donald Trump.

Kate Cox, the Texas woman who was denied an abortion under the states near-total ban last year despite a fatal fetal anomaly, introduced Harris in Maryland.

My state chose to drive me out of my home, my community, away from my children and my doctors, rather than to let me access care, she said. I will never again miss an opportunity to vote. I will cast my ballot in every election like my life depends on it.

Cox ultimately left Texas to receive care. Growing emotional from the stage on Monday, she shared that she is pregnant again, expecting a child in January. The crowd erupted in applause. I hope that by then, when we welcome our baby into the world, we will have a world led by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, she said.

You are a hero of this movement, Harris told Cox.

In Bidens video, the president, too, placed the responsibility for reversing abortion rights on Trump, quoting him boasting about the decision and taking credit for putting three conservative justices on the court.

Heres what Donald Trump says about your freedom: After 50 years of failure, with nobody coming even close, I was able to kill Roe v Wade, Biden says, quoting a Trump statement last year.

Donald Trump is proud to have overturned Roe v. Wade.



We know what will happen if he gets another four years in the White House: Hell try to ban the right to choose nationwide.



This November, we must stop him. pic.twitter.com/Pj4a0uFA8b  Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 24, 2024

Two years ago, the supreme court justices that Trump handpicked helped overturn Roe v Wade, Biden continues. Decades of progress shattered just because the last guy got four years in the White House.

Were up against extremism. Send me back to the White House and Ill fight like hell to restore Roe v Wade and protect American freedom.

The offensive comes amid polling evidence that with consistently weak approval ratings for Biden, concerns over reproductive rights represent Democrats best hope of retaining the White House in November.

Since Roe v Wade was overthrown in 2022, ballot measures in several states  including ones that tend to vote Republican  have upheld or enshrined abortion rights locally, signalling that the issue has popular resonance particularly among female voters.

On Friday, a group of Montana abortion rights supporters became the latest to announce that they had secured enough signatures to hold a November ballot measure asking voters to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution. Although that measure has not yet been confirmed by state officials, voters in roughly a dozen states are expected to weigh in directly on abortion rights this year, including in battleground states such as Nevada and Arizona.

Democrats are hoping that these measures will boost turnout in their favor.

Several groups  including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Freedom for All  announced on Monday a $100m Abortion Access Now campaign across several states.

Since Roe fell, Biden has frequently promised to codify Roes protections into law. Although his administration has issued executive orders aimed at boosting access to reproductive healthcare, including contraception, as well as defended abortion access in two supreme court cases this year, Biden cannot re-establish a federal right to abortion without congressional support. Congress has repeatedly failed to pass the Womens Health Protection Act, a bill that blocks states from totally banning abortion before fetal viability, or the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb.

In a call with reporters on Monday, White House officials declined to reveal any plans for future abortion-related executive actions. Jennifer Klein, assistant to the president and director of the Gender Policy Council, also acknowledged that, if the supreme court rules against the Biden administration in a highly anticipated case over emergency abortions, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited.

Trump has sought to backpedal on his stance in recent months, telling congressional Republicans in a meeting on Capitol Hill this month that the matter should be left to the states and warning them against pursuing a national ban.
Boris Johnson has criticised Farage for his comments about the war in Ukraine - Alberto Pezzali/AP

Boris Johnson has accused Nigel Farage of spreading Kremlin propaganda over his comments about the war in Ukraine.

Mr Farage sparked a backlash last week after he argued the ever-eastward expansion of Nato and the EU had given Vladimir Putin a reason to justify his invasion.

The Reform UK leader doubled down on his comments in an article for The Sunday Telegraph, in which he condemned Putins actions as immoral, outrageous and indefensible but insisted he had been consistently right and honest about the conflict.

He added: If you poke the Russian bear with a stick, dont be surprised if he responds.

Nigel Farage suggested the West provoked Russia's invasion of Ukraine in a BBC interview with Nick Robinson - JEFF OVERS/BBC

Responding to the article on X, Mr Johnson said: This is nauseating ahistorical drivel and more Kremlin propaganda. Nobody provoked Putin. Nobody poked the bear with a stick.

The people of Ukraine voted overwhelmingly in 1991 to be a sovereign and independent country. They were perfectly entitled to seek both Nato and EU membership.

There is only one person responsible for Russian aggression against Ukraine  both in 2014 and 2022  and that is Putin. To try to spread the blame is morally repugnant and parroting Putins lies.

Mr Johnson, who was prime minister when Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine took place in February 2022, said Volodymyr Zelenskys country can and will defeat Russia and that it would be bizarre to weaken Western support.

He added: The problem in the last 30 years has not been Western provocation but Western weakness in the face of Russian aggression - a weakness exemplified by this article.

This is nauseating ahistorical drivel and more Kremlin propaganda. Nobody provoked Putin. Nobody 'poked the bear with a stick'. The people of Ukraine voted overwhelmingly in 1991 to be a sovereign and independent country. They were perfectly entitled to seek both NATO and EU  Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) June 23, 2024

Responding to Mr Johnsons criticisms, Mr Farage told The Telegraph: I predicted what happened in Ukraine, and I alone predicted what happened in Ukraine. I regret to say that I was right.

But guess what, in 2016 Boris Johnson said the EU caused the war in Ukraine by expanding. So what kind of hypocrite is this man? It sums up the Conservative Party  no principle, no real policy, just short-term changing of views with the wind.

I have been utterly consistent, Ive never changed my view, Ive been the only British figure that had foreign policy right. These people are just not fit to govern.

Mr Johnson drew criticism during the Brexit referendum in 2016 by dismissing the European Union as a force for instability and claiming its defence policy was directly linked to Russian actions in Crimea.

If you want an example of EU policy-making on the hoof and EU pretensions to running defence policy that have caused real trouble, then look at what has happened in the Ukraine, he said.

All the EU can do in this question, in my view, is cause confusion.

Commenting further on X on Monday morning, the Reform leader said: Boris, you are a liar and a hypocrite. I am glad you are no longer prime minister of this country.

Pub bore

Ben Wallace, who was Mr Johnsons defence secretary, last weekend branded Mr Farage as a pub bore over his claims about the conflict.

Richard Holden, the Conservative Party chairman, posted a photograph of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan alongside a screenshot of Mr Farage appearing on Russia Today in 2018.

Conservatives have always been on the side of the people who told the USSR to tear down the Berlin Wall.

Others side [with] the KGB officers who worked for the Soviet dictatorship. Your vote is precious, use it wisely.

The Reform leader was last week speaking in a BBC Panorama interview with Nick Robinson with his view echoing arguments that have also been made by Donald Trump, the former US president and one of Mr Farages friends.

The comments also came as a significant departure from those given by other British political leaders on the conflict, with Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer siding overwhelmingly with Nato and Ukraine.

The Labour leader condemned Mr Farage at the weekend, while the Prime Minister said in Scotland on Monday morning: You all heard what Nigel Farage said about Ukraine.

That plays into Putins hands. That kind of appeasement is dangerous for Britains security, the security of our allies that rely on us and will only embolden Putin.

Reform has surged to second place and overtaken the Tories in a number of opinion polls conducted since Mr Farages surprise return to frontline politics earlier this month.

As well as coming back to lead the insurgent Right-of-centre party, replacing Richard Tice, he is also standing as a candidate in the Essex constituency of Clacton.

Read the latest election polls
Visitors walk past a monument of the Ten Commandments outside the Capitol, Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Austin, Texas. Paul Weber/AP

Classroom Commandments

Regarding Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says Texas should have been first to put Ten Commandments in public schools, (June 21): Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom. This is not a problem. The problem is that they should be posted in every politician's office and then trying to get the politicians to follow them.

Derryl York, Houston

Kids in America are in serious need of moral guidance. A decade ago, I would have opposed the Ten Commandments display in Louisiana, but not now. Let's inject a dose of patriotism into these classrooms, as well!

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Scott R. Hammond, Houston

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When I was in elementary school in the '60s, there was only one guiding principle posted in our classrooms and hallways, and that was the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

This rule has been quoted in various ways by almost every religion for centuries, and it sums up what is necessary to maintain basic humanity and consideration toward others. I know that the Golden Rule has left a lasting impression on me, and on so many others, no matter our religious beliefs.

John Kachelmeyer, Sugar Land

I think it amusing that Donald Trump wants to put the Ten Commandments in every classroom. I wonder if Trump wants to include the ones that say thou shall not commit adultery, thou shall not bear false witness (means lying), thou shall put no other gods before me (like money), thou shall not steal.

Tim Kavulla, Houston

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Louisiana is requiring all schools to post the Ten Commandments in an easily readable font in all classrooms, and Lt. Gov. Patrick wants Texas to do the same. What a great idea!

Now the kids can play the Ten Commandments Game.

How many commandments have our candidates for president broken? By my count, Trump has broken eight or nine. What if you break some (like bearing false witness against thy neighbor) many, many times? Adultery? How many can you break and not be your partys candidate for president?

Maybe what the children will learn from seeing this list is that the Ten Commandments are not important; that a person can lie repeatedly, be repeatedly accused of sexual assault and harassment, reportedly commit adultery several times, defraud people, covet lots of things, stoke violence, seem to worship money and fame, and people  even congressional leaders and some clergy  dont care.

Behavior speaks much louder than words.

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Sarah Burnett, Houston

Most Americans who are in their 60s and older grew up, especially in the South, saying the Pledge of Allegiance and seeing the Ten Commandments daily.

I look at the Congress and other leaders, and it appears that posting those commandments, not recommendations, and making that pledge, not consideration, had little or no effect on the way they live or the examples they set.

Adultery seems to be optional, and bearing false witness is the theme of the day. Needless to say, stealing and coveting aren't far behind.

If the reason for this groundswell of concern for good behavior is real, let's begin to see it manifest in behavior that people will admire and want their children to follow.

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We have living proof, in the elders and leaders who surround us, that posting and forcing recitation doesn't work. So what is the point?

Patricia Garris, Spring

Profiles in weariness?

Regarding Houston City Council approves landmark settlement to resolve yearslong dispute with firefighters, (June 18): As I read about City Councils vote to approve the new firefighters' contract, there seemed to be a recurring theme, as several muttered some version of Well, this doesnt appear to be a very good deal for the city and its residents, but dagnabbit, these negotiations have been going on for a long time so I guess we need to approve something.

Profiles in courage, this was not.

David Bradley, Spring

Jail time

Regarding Houston police sent the wrong man to jail. His mom spent 6 weeks trying to free him, (June 17): Thank you for the illuminating article about the case of mistaken identity where the author fairly pointed out how the police and the suspect initially made mistakes that led to his incarceration.

I feel the real criminal involved is Jabon Barretts court-appointed attorney, Jerome Godinich, who never saw his client, according to the piece, let him rot in jail for months and then had the temerity to bill the county for 6.7 hours of his precious time! Now that's a crime!

The true hero here is Barretts mother. Without her perseverance, Barrett may still be in jail. Godinich never met with her either!
Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii ruins, near Naples. Photograph: SimonSkafar/Getty Images/iStockphoto

A British man has died of a suspected heart attack after ascending to the crater of Mount Vesuvius during a family holiday.

The tourist, named by Italian media as Mark John Irwin, died on Sunday after climbing the volcano near Naples, in southern Italy, during the visit with his wife and two children.

The 56-year-old was treated with a defibrillator brought by local guides for 40 minutes, it was reported. Irwin had travelled to Italy from his home in the US.

A spokesperson for the UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: We are assisting the family of a British man who died in Italy and are in contact with the local authorities.

Paolo Cappelli, president of an association of mountain guides who work on the 1,132 metre high volcano, told the Telegraph: He was right up at the summit when he collapsed. His wife told us that he had had an operation on his heart two or three months ago. We think he may have had a heart attack.

Related: Greek island searches for missing tourists intensify amid hiking deaths

Its very sad. It is pretty rare for this to happen on Vesuvius. We have one death every one or two years, which is not much considering the fact that about 3,000 people climb to the top of the volcano each day.

Italy has been in the midst of a heatwave in the past few days that has seen many parts of the country sweltering in temperatures of up to 40C. The high temperatures have spread across southern Europe and resulted in the death of six tourists in Greece, including a 68-year-old German man in the Sougia region of Crete.

Rescuers are searching for two missing French women, aged 73 and 64, on the island of Sikinos and a 59-year-old American man on Amorgos.
Dental floss is among the list of products intentionally containing forever chemicals that will be banned. Photograph: Patrick Jelen/Getty Images/Westend61

A new law coming into effect in Colorado in July is banning everyday products that intentionally contain toxic forever chemicals, including clothes, cookware, menstruation products, dental floss and ski wax  unless they can be made safer.

Under the legislation, which takes effect on 1 July, many products using per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances  or PFAS chemicals linked to cancer risk, lower fertility and developmental delays  will be prohibited starting in 2026.

By 2028, Colorado will also ban the sale of all PFAS-treated clothes, backpacks and waterproof outdoor apparel. The law will also require companies selling PFAS-coated clothing to attach disclosure labels.

The initial draft of state senate bill 81, introduced in 2022, included a full ban on PFAS beginning in 2032. But that measure was written out after facing opposition.

Colorado has already passed a measure requiring companies to phase out PFAS in carpets, furniture, cosmetics, juvenile products, some food packaging and those used in oil and gas production.

The incoming laws diluted version illustrates the challenges lawmakers have in regulating chemicals that are used to make products waterproof, nonstick or resistant to staining. Manufacturers say the products, at best, will take time to make with a safer replacement  or at worst, are not yet possible to get made in such fashion.

The American Chemistry Council said the bill before its dilution would have created severe disruption for Coloradoans as well as undercut the compromises that were reached in 2022 PFAS legislation. The council said the original bill would have created broad, sweeping bans before that law [had] even been implemented.

But the trade group later said that it appreciated the efforts of Colorado lawmakers to take a more focused approach to the issue, adding: Policymakers at both the state and federal levels seem to be recognizing that it is not scientifically accurate to group all fluoro chemistry together and that there are critical, safe uses of this chemistry.

Gretchen Salter  an adviser with Safer States, a group that says Colorado is one of 28 states to adopt policies on PFAS  told the Denver Post in March: The more we look for PFAS, the more we find. That makes regulating PFAS really tricky because it is in so many things.

But the new law does not account for PFAS that are already in the environment. Colorado recently found that 29 of more than 2,000 water treatment facilities in the state do not meet new federal limits on PFAS levels of four parts per trillion.

The ubiquity of forever chemicals was illustrated recently by a study that found microplastics in penises for the first time, raising questions about a potential role in erectile dysfunction. The revelation comes after the pollutants were recently found in every human placenta tested in a study, leaving the researchers worried about the potential health impacts on developing foetuses.

In Colorado, state senator Lisa Cutter, one of the sponsors of the new law there, has said she still wants a complete ban on PFAS but acknowledges the problems. As much as I want PFAS to go away forever and forever, there are going to be some difficult pivots, she told the outlet.

They include balancing the potential cost to consumers in making products PFAS-free. Cutter told CBS News that it was really hard challenging lobbying groups that spent a lot of money ensuring that these chemicals can continue being put into our products and make profits.

Cutter said had been accused of stifling innovation and industry. She said she believed companies could be successful while also looking out for the communities they serve.

Certainly, there are cases where its not plausible right away to gravitate away from them, but we need to be moving in that direction, Cutter said. Our community shouldnt have to pay the price for their health.
According to a coastguard spokesman, the woman slipped and fell 60-70ft at Winspit Quarry - KEVIN BRITLAND/ALAMY

An elderly rambler plunged 70ft to her death in front of her husband, while walking the South West Coast Path.

The woman, who was in her 80s, lost her balance and tumbled onto hard ground at Winspit Quarry, Dorset.

The abandoned quarry has previously been used as filming location for Doctor Who and for the first series of Andor, the Disney+ Star Wars prequel. However, filming for the second season had to be cancelled last year, owing to concerns that parts of the quarry were unstable.

The woman was walking with her husband when she slipped and went over a sheer drop near Worth Matravers, Purbeck.

Police, an ambulance service, three fire crews, three coastguard teams and the coastguard helicopter were sent to the coastal area after the alarm was raised.

However, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene at about 2.30pm on Saturday.

She came from Poole and her family has been notified. The Dorset coroner has also been informed. Police confirmed that her death was not being treated as suspicious.

A coastguard spokesman said: She was walking with her husband along the South West Coast Path when she slipped and fell 60-70ft at Winspit Quarry onto hard ground.

I believe they were regular walkers and the path is a couple of metres from the edge.

The ground is good and solid there so it appears to be a tragic accident.

Worth Matravers, which is four miles west of Swanage, is located a short distance from the cliffs. The coastal beauty spots of Chapmans Pool and St Aldhelms Head are nearby.

Winspit Quarry, although abandoned, remains a popular filming location - GRAHAM HUNT/BNPS

A Dorset Police spokesman said that they received a report at 2.03pm on Saturday from the ambulance service relating to a woman in need of medical attention in the area of Winspit Road at Worth Matravers.

Officers attended and, very sadly, the woman, aged in her 80s and from Poole, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The death is not being treated as suspicious. The womans family has been notified and the coroner has been informed.

Our thoughts are with the womans family and loved ones at this very difficult time.

A spokesman for Swanage Fire Station said: One crew was sent to Worth Matravers for a multi-agency incident involving a person falling from height.

Unfortunately, the person passed away on scene and thoughts are with their family at this time.

Winspit Quarry was used as a quarry for Purbeck stone from the 18th century until 1940. During the Second World War, it was used as a military defence site and then opened to the public after the war. The site is now owned by the National Trust.
Lukas McClish, 34, was rescued from the Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek, California after 10 days - KSBW/SLV Steve

An American hiker who was lost in the wilderness for 10 days has described how he drank water from his boot, foraged for wild berries and was followed by a mountain lion.

Lukas McClish had only intended to go for a three-hour hike when he lost his bearings in Big Basin Redwood State Park in California.

He set out for the walk on June 11 from his home in the town of Boulder Creek but was only reported missing by his family five days later when he failed to attend a dinner.

The 34-year-old was ill-equipped for such a long time wandering through the forest  he said he had just a small torch and a Leatherman multipurpose tool.

I didnt bring anything because I thought I was doing a three-hour hike, he said.

Gallon of water every day

Once Mr McClish realised he was lost in the forested area, which lies south of San Francisco, he tried to walk back to civilisation.

I kind of just hiked. Each day, I go up a canyon, down a canyon to the next waterfall, sit down by the waterfall, drink water out of my boot. I made sure I drank at least a gallon of water every day.

He claimed at one point that he was followed by a mountain lion.

Despite the powerful predator occasionally attacking humans, Mr McClish said he was unfazed by its presence.

I had a mountain lion that was following me, but it was cool. It kept its distance.

At night, he said he slept on a bed of wet leaves, and during the day he shouted for help.

Mr McClish hugs his family after being rescued - KSBW/SLV Steve

A large rescue operation, involving drones and around 300 emergency personnel, was launched.

Mr McClish was eventually found in a remote canyon when two state park rangers, who had a sniffer dog with them, heard his cries for help.

When he emerged from the forest, he was shirtless, grimy and wild-haired.

He hugged his mother in relief and looked to be on the verge of tears.

The 34-year-old was amazed to find that so many people had been looking for him. It was really humbling. It was an awesome experience.

Mr McClish suffered no serious injuries but was very hungry, saying he had craved burritos and taco bowls.

Thats what I thought about every day when, after the first five days, I started to kind of realise that I might be in over my head.

Mr McClish suffered no serious injuries but was very hungry - KSBW/SLV Steve

He said that while he enjoyed walking in the woods, he wont be venturing back out again any time soon. I did enough hiking for probably the whole rest of the year.

Mark Bingham, a local fire service officer, said Mr McClishs ability to survive in the forest was impressive.

About 10 days he survived in the wilderness, drinking out of the creek and eating wild berries. He did have a minor injury.

But for the most part, he was disoriented and surviving off the land, which is pretty impressive to say what a tough individual he is.
Rishi Sunak in plea for unity - KEN JACK/GETTY IMAGES

Rishi Sunak has argued Scottish independence will be dead for a generation if the SNP is routed in next weeks general election.

The Prime Minister warned that the SNP meeting its target of winning a majority of the 57 seats in Scotland would be treated as a mandate to carry on campaigning for independence for the next five years.

Speaking in Edinburgh on Monday at the launch of the Scottish Tory manifesto, he said the election was the opportunity to end the decade of division since the 2014 independence referendum and put independence on the backburner.

But Mr Sunak said this would only happen if the SNP was routed and lose big and argued that voting Tory was the best way to achieve this.

He said the SNP being crushed at the ballot box would send a clear message to First Minister John Swinney that voters wanted him to focus on their priorities and not constitutional monomania.

Mr Sunak also savaged the SNP as the great pretenders in the North East of Scotland, saying they claim to support North Sea oil and gas while opposing every new development.

Mandate for independence

Warning voters in the area they cannot trust the Nationalists, he warned they would put radical environmentalism ahead of pragmatism and livelihoods.

Similarly, he argued that Sir Keir Starmer would sell out Scotlands fishing industry in exchange for a new trade deal with the EU.

The Prime Ministers intervention during the final full week of campaigning came after the SNP manifesto urged Scots to vote for the party for an independent Scotland.

Mr Swinney argued that the SNP winning a majority of Scottish seats would intensify pressure on the UK Government to allow another independence referendum.

However, he claimed that the SNP would still have a mandate for independence if it is routed at the ballot box, based on the 2021 Holyrood election result.

First Minister John Swinney talks to next generation - WATTIE CHEUNG

A series of polls has found the SNP is on course to lose well over half of the 48 seats it won in the 2019 general election, with Labour again having the largest number of Scottish MPs.

The Scottish Tories are focused on holding their six seats, and are hoping to make gains in up to six other SNP-held constituencies.

Referring to independence, Mr Sunak said a vote for the Tories was a vote to put this issue to bed, to move past these tired and stale arguments and to go forward united and together.

He told supporters: July 4 is Scotlands chance to end the decade of division, to put independence on the backburner for a generation, to get back to the issues that really matter to communities up and down this country.

But that can only happen if the SNP routed, if they not just lose some seats but the SNP lose big. Both he and Mr Ross refused to be drawn on how many MPs the SNP would have to lose to meet their definition of routed.

Mr Sunak also warned disillusioned Tory voters against backing Reform UK, saying: They are not on the side of who you think they are.

Five key pledges

Reform are standing candidates here in Scotland that are pro-independence and anti-monarchy. And you all heard what Nigel Farage said about Ukraine.

He launched the manifesto alongside Douglas Ross, the outgoing Scottish Tory leader, who is standing in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.

The document made five key pledges  repairing the roads, ending long NHS waits, restoring our schools, making Scotland safer, and cutting your tax.

Ian Murray, Labours shadow Scottish secretary, said: Douglas Ross and Rishi Sunak are hoping Scots will suddenly forget the last 14 years where a Tory government crashed the economy, sent mortgages and prices soaring and partied during the pandemic.

Richard Thomson, the SNP candidate for Gordon and Buchan, said: After 14 years of disaster after disaster from Westminster, its clear the Tories obsession with the SNP is all they have left.
Labour's plans to make it easier to change gender would create "loopholes for predators", Kemi Badenoch has warned - Christopher Pledger

Labours plans to make it easier to change gender would create loopholes for predators, Kemi Badenoch has warned.

Transgender people are currently required to submit evidence that they have lived as their preferred gender for two years in order to obtain a gender recognition certificate.

But Sir Keir Starmers party plans to overhaul the process if it wins the general election next week, claiming the current system is intrusive and outdated.

The need to provide two years of proof would be replaced with an effective cooling-off period that would last for the same amount of time, The Times first reported.

Labour would also scrap a panel of doctors and lawyers that currently approves gender recognition certificates, with a single specialist doctor able to sign off on applications.

Puts women at risk

Ms Badenoch, the equalities minister, said: These proposals unravel all the protections in the current system designed to protect women and girls.

This change creates more loopholes for predators and bad-faith actors to infiltrate women-only spaces and put us at risk. Labour has never understood or cared about this issue or the vulnerable women impacted by their policies.

As JK Rowling, a Labour supporter herself, has said, Labour shows a dismissive and often offensive approach to the concerns of women, illustrated by the contempt with which they treat their own MPs like Rosie Duffield.

Labours promise of change is definitely change for the worse.

The intervention by JK Rowling last week saw the Harry Potter author accuse Sir Keir of abandoning women who are concerned about gender ideology.

Ms Rowling said he took a dismissive and often offensive attitude towards feminists and this means she will struggle to support his party, despite backing it in the past.

Ms Duffield, who has represented Canterbury since 2015, is a gender-critical Labour candidate who was investigated by the party over transphobia allegations before being cleared earlier this year.

She has received death threats for insisting on the importance of biological sex and has been critical of her treatment by the party, claiming she has not received enough support.

Last week, Sir Keir agreed with his predecessor Sir Tony Blair that a woman has a vagina and a man has a penis in a strengthening of his previous position.

The Labour manifesto, which was published earlier this month, reads: We will modernise, simplify, and reform the intrusive and outdated gender recognition law to a new process.

We will remove indignities for trans people who deserve recognition and acceptance; whilst retaining the need for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria from a specialist doctor, enabling access to the healthcare pathway.

The dossier also committed to banning all forms of conversion therapy despite fears this could stop children who are questioning their gender from getting help.

Bridget Phillipson, the shadow education secretary, on Sunday suggested Labour would scrap government guidance which bans children from being taught that there are more than two genders.

A spokesman for Sir Keirs party said: Labour will modernise, simplify and reform the intrusive and outdated gender recognition law to a new process.

We will remove indignities for trans people who deserve recognition and acceptance; while retaining the need for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria from a specialist doctor, enabling access to the healthcare pathway.

Britain is a reasonable and tolerant society where most people know that there are a small number of individuals who do not identify with the gender that they were born into.

Labours plans will protect single-sex spaces, treat everybody with respect and dignity, maintain the existing two-year time frame for gender recognition, and ensure that robust provisions are in place to protect legitimate applications.

Read the latest election polls
The power outage at Manchester Airport says so much about the state of this country's critical infrastructure - Phil Noble/Reuters

We live in a world of depressing unaccountability.

Elected officials are either too quick to blame someone else  anyone else, if they have to  or refuse to acknowledge that a problem exists, even when presented with the facts.

Fake news has gone mainstream.

Meanwhile, too many senior business figures choose to hide behind an army of ludicrously well-paid spinners, who deflect and obstruct at every turn.

So there was something extremely refreshing about the decision of Chris Woodroofe, Manchester Airport boss, to face the music over the weekend as bedlam quickly descended on Britains third biggest airport following a major power outage.

Standing outside the main terminal offering his sincere apologies to every single passenger impacted by what has gone on, Mr Woodroofes actions were a lesson in real leadership that many of our public figures would do well to learn from.

His words will have helped to quell the anger of hundreds of holidaymakers left stranded, which is probably about the best that can be hoped for in a situation like this.

What they wont do is dampen concerns about the crumbling fabric of Britain.

Sunday's travel woes in the North West shine an unflattering light on the power grid - Chris Shaw/Reuters

Power cuts are usually associated with developing nations that either cant pay their bills or have failed to invest sufficiently in basic infrastructure because the corrupt ruling elites have spent everyones taxes on marble palaces and Rolls-Royce cars.

Perhaps the incident at Manchester Airport was nothing more than an aberration  a genuine one-off electrical fault quickly repaired and unlikely to be repeated any time soon.

Yet it says so much about the state of this countrys critical infrastructure that questions will inevitably be asked about whether the meltdown at Manchester is representative of a wider malaise sweeping the UK.

Its as though nothing works anymore.

So much of the fundamental physical structures and essential facilities that underpin any civilised society are outdated and neglected, and there doesnt seem to be any plan to improve things.

The speed with which Manchester Airport was gripped by chaos is a reminder of how fragile our transport system has become.

It is genuinely alarming.

Too many roads are either gridlocked or in a state of shocking disrepair. Rail remains a bad joke.

Held to ransom by politically-driven union barons, commuters have endured years of constant delays and cancellations, while travelling on overcrowded trains is now the norm rather than the exception.

We used to boast first-class airports but many now lack the capacity or staff to cope with demand, and are hopelessly over-reliant on outdated technology and systems.

Heathrow has been crying out for a third runway for decades, yet seems no closer to the sort of expansion that would enable it to keep up with more plucky overseas rivals.

Britains infrastructure deficit seems particularly pronounced in the north, a predicament not helped by Rishi Sunaks decision to cancel the Manchester leg of HS2.

The move prompted Manchester Airport to tear up its long-term growth forecasts from 60 million passengers a year to 50 million by 2040.

Sundays travel woes in the North West also shine an unflattering light on the power grid.

Airports are like small cities in terms of the power they consume and the number of people that pass through them.

In this day and age, their operations should be bullet-proof, not susceptible to devastating supply failures.

Manchester Airport says the outage lasted just a few minutes, yet that was all it took for every vital component to malfunction with catastrophic consequences from the processing of boarding cards to baggage screening.

More than 60 departures  equivalent to a quarter of all flights taking off from the airport  were cancelled, along with 50 inbound flights. Scores of others were rerouted.

Mr Woodroofe has likened the loss of its power supply to ripping the plug out of your computer without shutting it down properly. But why did it happen? Was there back-up power? And if so, was it not working properly?

Even after power was restored the baggage system remained inoperable leaving hundreds of suitcases piled in front of check-in desks.

An afternoon of inexcusable calamity, was capped by a blackout that plunged the airport into darkness.

Once again, questions about the reliability of a creaking and outdated grid are unavoidable, particularly with demand poised to rocket.

Is it fit for a world in which electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and renewables are set to proliferate, or is it likely to be quickly overwhelmed?

Greg Jackson, the Octopus Energy founder, has said the National Grid is not fit for purpose.

Octopus Energy founder Greg Jackson argues that the National Grid is 'not fit for purpose' - Jeff Gilbert

Disgruntled holidaymakers are also entitled to ask whether they are merely the latest casualties of the hot financial model adopted across so many vital British assets whereby absentee shareholders prioritise self-interest over the interests of customers.

With more benign ownership, Thames Water would probably not be facing nationalisation.

Manchester Airport is owned by a club of Greater Manchesters 10 councils, together with Australian investment fund IFM Investors. They also own Stansted and East Midlands.

The consortium hasnt paid a dividend since before Covid.

But before the pandemic grounded air travel, payments had been generous and several council leaders have spoken of a reliance on the payouts.

In 2019, shareholders shared a 110m windfall. In 2015, the total was 93m.

Could that money have been better spent ensuring Manchester was more resilient?

There is a lot for an incoming government to fix but a top priority must be rebooting our overloaded infrastructure.
Nick Mason, the Tory party's chief data officer, Craig Williams, an aide to the PM, and Laura Saunders, a Tory candidate have all been swept up in the betting investigation

Scotland Yard has been accused of leaking the identities of Tories implicated in the general election betting scandal.

The Telegraph has also been told that a further five police officers are currently under investigation by the Gambling Commission, the industry watchdog, for placing bets on the date of the general election.

A source close to the Cabinet Office said it was suspected that the identities of Conservative candidates and officials had been leaked from within the Metropolitan Police, Britains biggest force.

While the identities of Tories accused of placing bets have been made public, the extent of the alleged involvement of police officers in placing bets had not until now.

One of Rishi Sunaks close protection officers has already been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over alleged bets placed on the timing of the election, but police are braced for further arrests.

The claims threaten to drag the Met into the political controversy that has engulfed Mr Sunaks election campaign.

The source said Scotland Yard was officially informed of the date of the election prior to the Prime Ministers public announcement for logistical purposes, and to ensure security was already in place at the start of the campaign.

It is also claimed that the Gambling Commission passed on names of suspects to the Metropolitan Police prior to their identities being made public in leaks to newspapers and the BBC, with police informed when an inquiry was launched by the commission.

The source close to the Cabinet Office said the Gambling Commission had been ruled out as the source of leaks.

Names of senior Tories implicated in the scandal, including Craig Williams, one of the PMs closest aides, who has apologised for a huge error of judgment, and Tony Lee, the Conservative Partys director of campaigning who has taken a leave of absence in the middle of the election, were shared with the media.

Nick Mason, the partys chief data officer, has also stepped aside temporarily.

Tony Lee, the Conservative Party's director of campaigning has taken a leave of absence over the investigation. He is married to Ms Saunders

The source told The Telegraph: We know that the Met was made aware of the election date in advance of it being called by Rishi. We are also pretty sure these leaks are not coming from the Gambling Commission.

But the commission has passed on names to the police of people suspected of betting irregularities and we believe that the identities are going into the public domain after that has happened.

The source added: The commission is telling the Met and then almost instantly these names are finding their way to journalists. The suspicion very much is its the Met [thats leaking].

If it emerges that police had leaked names of suspects, the implications could be disastrous. The force may be accused of interfering with the outcome of the election itself.

The Gambling Commission, which has no power to arrest suspects, acknowledges that it works closely with police forces after it has gathered evidence.

It also declined to say whether the names that have appeared in the public domain had already been passed to the Me for help with its inquiries.

A spokesman for the Gambling Commission said: We cannot comment in this case when information was passed over to the police.

In a statement, a Scotland Yard spokesman said: The Met is not currently carrying out any other criminal investigations relating to alleged betting offences linked to the election. We continue to liaise with the Gambling Commission and are assessing information that they have provided.

On Monday, Mr Sunak, who has ordered an internal inquiry to run separately to the Gambling Commission investigation, said he was incredibly angry when I learned about the allegations, as everybody would be when they would hear about something like that.

He said he was not aware of any other Tory candidates being investigated but stressed that any internal inquiries by the Conservative Party must not compromise the integrity of a police and other investigations.

Self-inflicted distraction

He also appeared to clear the commission of leaking suspects names, adding: [The Gambling Commission] dont talk about the individuals that they are investigating What I can tell you is I am not aware of any other candidate that they are looking at.

Mr Sunak has resisted withdrawing the whip from election candidates allegedly involved in placing bets, including Mr Williams and Laura Saunders, the Tory candidate for Bristol North West, who is married to Mr Lee.

On Monday, Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative candidate for Bournemouth East and a former minister, said the scandal was a deeply unhelpful, self-inflicted distraction and suggested Mr Sunak should have suspended those being investigated.

Sir Keir Starmer, the the Labour leader, said Mr Sunaks parallel investigation showed a total failure of leadership, adding: Hes announced an investigation, an investigation designed for one purpose, which is to knock this in the long grass to the other side of the election.

The desperation over this betting story thats going around  it goes to the heart of what the Tories have become when their first instinct in relation to a general election is not how to serve the country, how do I get the message out, its how quickly can I get to the bookies and make some money.

Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, weighed into the row, accusing the Conservatives of seeming to resemble something of an organised betting ring. Mr Farage predicted that the allegations will get worse.

A Met spokesman said: The allegations that the Met has leaked information are simply untrue.
Smuggler and trafficking gangs have run rings round the Tories - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Small boat crossings are undermining our border security and putting lives at risk  12,000 people have arrived already this year, the highest number of spring crossings on record.

Rishi Sunaks policies are clearly not working, and are making the chaos worse. Its time for change.

After 14 years of Conservative government, the asylum system is broken, criminal smuggling gangs have been allowed to take hold along the Channel and Britains borders have been badly undermined.

All ministers have offered are headlinegrabbing gimmicks and empty promises. We cant carry on like this. Instead of more rhetoric, we need a serious plan.

No one should be making these dangerous boat crossings. Five years ago, barely a handful of these flimsy dinghies crossed the sea. But smuggler and trafficking gangs have run rings round the Tories.

An entire criminal industry has been allowed to make a fortune putting lives at risk in the Channel, running their networks, back through France, with supply chains through transit countries from Bulgaria to Germany, and operations from the money markets of Istanbul to the hills of Kurdistan. They have become increasingly violent and exploitative, and they will keep on operating with impunity unless we act.

Yet instead of a proper strategy to go after the gangs or tackle some of these problems at source, ministers have spent two years running a failing and extortionate Rwanda scheme.

Every three or four months, they claim they are about to send flights. Instead, all theyve sent is 300 million and two volunteers. No one believes it is a deterrent  and it certainly isnt deterring the gangs.

If Rishi Sunak believed the Rwanda scheme would work, he wouldnt have called an election before getting a single flight off the ground. The whole policy is a con. Capacity is capped, and even if they sent flights it will only ever cover one per cent of asylum seekers. More people arrived in a single day last week than Rwanda could take in an entire year.

Meanwhile there is no plan at all for the 99 per cent, who under Conservative policy can just stay in the UK and in asylum accommodation indefinitely.

Labour wont govern by gimmick. Well take the money from the failing Rwanda scheme and use it to boost Britains border security instead, creating a new border security command with 1,000 new cross-border police, intelligence officers and investigators and new counter-terror powers, to pursue and smash the criminal gangs.

We will build security partnerships with other European police forces to go after the criminals and their supply chains, stopping boats reaching the French coast in the first place.

Instead of an increasing backlog where people stay permanently in taxpayer-funded hotels at a staggering 8 million a day, Labour will clear the Conservatives backlog, fast track cases from safe countries, end the asylum hotels and fix the chaos in the asylum system  saving billions of pounds.

Well restore credibility to the asylum system and ensure rules are enforced. Shockingly, returns have collapsed by a staggering 40 per cent since the Tories came to power. All their rhetoric hasnt worked  its time for a practical plan. No more Tory gimmicks  its time to get a grip.

Yvette Cooper is the shadow home secretary
Children waiting to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen in Khan Younis in June. Photograph: Hatem Khaled/Reuters

More than half of households in Gaza have had to sell or swap their clothes to be able to buy food, the UN is to report, as a high risk of famine remains across the whole of the territory after a new round of violence in recent weeks.

The latest Special Snapshot of Gaza from the UNs hunger monitoring system, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), that will be published on Tuesday also says that one in five of the population  more than 495,000 people  are now facing catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity involving an extreme lack of food, starvation, and exhaustion.

The IPC said that in March and April, the amount of food deliveries and nutrition services reaching northern Gaza sharply increased, likely averting a famine there and helping to improve conditions in the southern parts of the territory.

But in recent weeks, the situation had started deteriorating again following renewed hostilities and a high risk of famine persists across the whole of the Gaza Strip as long as conflict continues and humanitarian access is restricted, a draft report obtained by the Guardian says.

More than half [of households] also reported that, often, they do not have any food to eat in the house, and over 20% go entire days and nights without eating. The recent trajectory is negative and highly unstable. Should this continue, the improvements seen in April could be rapidly reversed.

The warning comes despite months of US pressure on Israel to do more to facilitate aid efforts, the installation of a $230m US-built pier that has been beset by problems and repeated airdrops by multiple countries that aid agencies say are insufficient to meet vital needs.

Israel invaded Gaza after Hamass attack in October, in which Palestinian militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted about 250. The war has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, which does not say how many were civilians or fighters.

Israel imposed a complete siege on the territory at the start of the war and has only gradually eased it under pressure from Washington. The war has destroyed most of Gazas capacity to produce its own food.

New crossings allowing aid into northern Gaza slightly improved access to food supplies there from May. But in the south, the crisis deepened after an Israeli military push into Rafah choked off the main entry routes for humanitarian assistance.

The IPC has so far stopped short of the rare move of declaring a famine, a term which, when used by food and emergency aid professionals, has a strict technical definition, with three conditions that must be met in a specific area. The agencys famine review panel, an external body which would normally confirm or reject initial findings of a famine, has said there is not enough data to do either. Research was blocked by conflict and humanitarian access constraints, it said.

Stage 5 hunger, which affects 22% of Gazas current population, is equivalent to famine, but the IPC declares an entire area to be in famine only when 20% of households have an extreme lack of food, 30% of children suffer from acute malnutrition and at least two adults or four children per 10,000 people die daily.

The UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, has said Israeli restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza may amount to the war crime of deliberate starvation. Entry into Gaza is controlled by Israeli authorities, movements require military permission, roads are damaged by rubble, fuel is in short supply and power and communications networks barely function.

Israel says it allows hundreds of trucks to enter through multiple crossings on a near-daily basis and blames UN agencies for not distributing it, saying containers are stacking up at Kerem Shalom, Gazas main cargo terminal. Israeli officials accuse Hamas of diverting aid meant for civilians to military purposes, a charge the group denies.

UN agencies and aid groups say they often cannot access Kerem Shalom because of fighting and that Israeli restrictions, difficulties coordinating with the army and the collapse of law and order greatly hinder their work. They say it is impossible to address the crisis without a complete ceasefire

The US has rallied international support behind a proposal that would lead to the release of the remaining hostages and a permanent ceasefire, but neither Israel nor Hamas have fully embraced it.

A food security report earlier in June said that months of extreme hunger in Gaza had already killed many Palestinians and caused permanent damage to children through malnutrition. The US-based famine early warning system network (Fews Net) said it was possible, if not likely that famine began in northern Gaza in April.

Two UN organisations said more than 1 million people were expected to face death and starvation by mid-July. The World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization also warned of the toll hunger is taking even without a declaration of famine in their Hunger Hotspots report on global food insecurity

A joint statement this week from the EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, and the EU crisis coordinator, Janez Lenarcic, said: The crisis in Gaza has reached another breaking point  The delivery of any meaningful humanitarian assistance inside Gaza has become almost impossible and the very fabric of civil society is unraveling.

Ahead of the release of the IPC report on Gaza, Kate Phillips-Barrasso, vice-president of global policy and advocacy at Mercy Corps, said: People are enduring subhuman conditions resorting to desperate measures like boiling weeds, eating animal feed, and exchanging clothes for money to stave off hunger and keep their children alive.

The humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly, and the spectre of famine continues to hang over Gaza  Humanitarian aid is limited  The international community must apply relentless pressure to achieve a ceasefire and ensure sustained humanitarian access now. The population cannot endure these hardships any longer.
Former President Donald Trump speaks to a crowd as he makes a campaign stop on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, in Houston. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer

In a June 15 speech at "The People's Convention" in Detroit, Trump said, "Joe Biden is out the other day trying to claim that crime is down. But actually, crime is way up. They dont report crime properly anymore, as you probably have heard. Crooked Joe is citing statistics that no longer include data from 30% of the country, including the biggest and most violent cities."

PolitiFact ruling: False. This was never quite accurate, but its been wrong since 2022 and going forward.

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Discussion

Asked for evidence of Trumps missing 30% claim, Republican National Committee spokesperson Anna Kelly did not directly address the statistic, saying instead that "in most cities, homicide rates remain higher than pre-pandemic levels" and that "63% of Americans believe that crime is a serious issue."

Trumps comments follow the FBIs June 10 release of preliminary data showing that during the first three months of 2024, violent crime fell 15.2% compared with the same period in 2023. Within that category, murders declined 26.4%, reported rapes decreased 25.7%, aggravated assaults declined by 12.5% and robberies fell 17.8%.

The report followed other data releases showing crimes downward trend. An independent analysis by crime data analysis company AH Datalytics projected that murders will have dropped by 10% from 2022  the last year for which full FBI data is available  to 2023. The company projected an additional 18% decline by the end of 2024, based on current trends.

Trumps point echoed claims by allies on social media that FBI crime statistics are meaningless because many police departments, including those in New York and Los Angeles, did not submit data, leaving their crimes uncounted.

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However, experts in crime statistics say that such claims are wrong on several levels.

Although the FBI did finalize a methodological change in 2021 that left that years data with an unusually wide margin of uncertainty, those problems were fixed beginning in 2022.

Also, the FBI estimates crime patterns for any missing cities using data from cities of similar size  and it did that in 2021 as well; no city was truly "missing" from the data. Finally, the general patterns for the FBIs 2021 figures align with data that has been collected independently of the FBI.

This argument is a "convenient boogeyman, but it's not an accurate one," said Jeff Asher, AH Datalytics co-founder.

The FBI changed the way police departments report crime, requiring that they shift to the new National Incident-Based Reporting System for 2021 data collection.

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When the 2021 data-collection process was complete, the information submitted to the FBI reflected data covering about 65% of the nations population. This meant that about 35% of the population was not covered that year, including such major cities as New York City and Los Angeles.

To make up for the absence of that 35%, the FBI followed its standard procedure: It replaced the missing data with estimates, using data from comparable cities. This estimation made the 2021 data as complete as it could be under the circumstances, but experts caution that was not an ideal fix.

In a typical year, the FBI collects from 90% to 99% of the data it needs, Asher said. So, most of the time, estimating the missing data "isn't a big deal. But with the coverage suddenly dropping to 65%," he said, "it mattered in 2021."

For 2021, the range of uncertainty  essentially the margin of error  for the murder rate was -7% to +17%, and for violent crime overall, it was between -12% and +11%, Asher said. That compares with close to zero uncertainty for a typical year other than 2021.

As a result, Asher and other crime statistics experts caution against reading too much into the 2021 data.

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"Its true that the 2021 numbers were particularly underwhelming because of the low response rate," said James Alan Fox, a Northeastern University criminologist.

The issue of data being compromised because of low response rates as it was in 2021 hasnt occurred since.

For the 2022 data  the last full year of FBI data released  the agency allowed police departments to report either using the new or old system for filing data. That got coverage rates back up to about 94% of the nations population, in line with all recent years other than 2021. And the indications for 2023 and 2024 look like the coverage rates for those years will be similarly high as well, experts said.

So, the problems that hampered the FBI data in 2021 are a one-time issue that hasnt been repeated.

New York and Los Angeles were among cities that submitted data in 2022, he said. For 2023, New York submitted data using the new National Incident-Based Reporting System and Los Angeles is expected to submit through the old system as it continues to transition its processes.

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Even if New York hadnt been reflected in FBI data, Trump would be wrong to lump it in with the nations "most violent cities," said Ernesto Lopez, a research specialist with the Council on Criminal Justice. New York "tends to have a lower homicide rate compared to other major cities, so that is not likely an issue," Lopez said.

The FBI reports "have always been incomplete" to some degree, "but that does not mean they are misleading as to trends," added Candace McCoy, a professor emerita at John Jay College of the City University of New York. The FBI report, she said, remains "the best measure available of crime nationwide."
Jay Slater's family havereleased a blurry image of a figure they believe could be the missing teenager

Jay Slaters father has said he is in a living hell as the search for the missing teenager enters its second week.

Warren Slater has been putting up missing posters in the town of Santiago del Teide, Tenerife, as he appealed for anyone who had seen his 19-year-old son to come forward.

Speaking in Tenerife on Monday, he said: I just want him to be found, simple. I just want my son back, end of. What more is there, its been a week now, a week of nothing, so somebody somewhere must have found out something. Somebody.

It is a living hell. Unless youre going through it, you cannot explain.

The search for the Lancashire teenager, now in its eighth day, has focused on the mountain village of Masca, near to where his phone last pinged.

His family has released a CCTV image captured last Monday evening of a figure walking through Santiago del Teide, a town a few miles away.

Although blurry, they believe it could be Mr Slater, which would mean he was alive 10 hours after he was last heard from. The Guardia Civil has not confirmed the sighting but told The Telegraph that nothing has been ruled out.

The CCTV image of a figure, who could be Jay Slater, walking through Santiago del Teide

Mr Slater was last heard from on Monday morning when he phoned a friend and said 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.

His father said: Please, please, please  if anybody knows anything, just come forward and help us. I dont know if anything untoward has happened to Jay. One minute he is here, next minute hes disappeared.

Second, I dont believe hes still on that mountain. The police have put every effort into finding him. Its bleak and barren. The authorities have done everything they can in the search  everybody is up there looking for him.

Warren Slater has appealed for anyone who had seen his son to come forward - Geoff Pugh for The Telegraph

Mr Slater travelled to Tenerife with two friends to attend the NRG music festival on Sunday June 16. He left the festival between 3am and 6am in the car of the 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 to which he had travelled, came across the teenager standing at a nearby bus stop.

He asked when the next bus was to Los Cristianos, the resort area where he had been staying, and she said 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 one 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.

GoFundMe page

Jays mother Debbie Duncan, 55, thanked donors on Monday as a GoFundMe page called Get Jay Slater home had raised more than 34,000.

She wrote on the page: We have not yet withdrawn any funds and are currently covering the expenses, such as the trip to Tenerife and accommodation, ourselves.

The funds will remain on hold with GoFundMe until we post a further update on this page [on GoFundMe]. We are extremely worried and are doing everything we can to find Jay.

Please continue to share our fundraiser far and wide. Your support means the world to us, and we are grateful for any help you can provide.

Meanwhile, the construction company that employs Mr Slater said he was being misrepresented online, with conspiracy theories having been posted on a Facebook group. Some speculated that Mr Slater had been kidnapped, while others suggested he was hiding.

PH Build, which employs him as an apprentice bricklayer, said: Jay has been with us since he left school, and is liked by all. Hes a valued member of our team and we stand by him.

The picture being painted of him is just not true. The fact is hes a 19-year-old lad missing in a foreign country. He needs to be back home where he belongs. Come on Jay, we are all praying for you.
Queen Elizabeth had no intention of travelling at 50mph inside a bulletproof car on her 1975 trip to Japan - Nik Wheeler/Corbis via g Getty Images

General elections are hardly famous for diplomatic exchanges. But Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer are sure to learn some lessons in pragmatism when Emperor Naruhito officially begins his state visit on 25 June. What will they talk about if they attend the formal banquet at Buckingham Palace, as they are both expected to do, and at which they will perhaps be just a few seats apart?

Naruhitos unexpected love of the Thames Barrier  he studied the history of cargo-carrying on the river during his spell at Oxford University  will surely appeal.

But the manner in which the British and Japanese royal families have rebuilt bridges after the deep scars of the Second World War might be a more illuminating place to start.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrive at Haneda airport before their departure for Britain - YUICHI YAMAZAKI/AFP

Those scars  the result of Japans crimes across the Asia-Pacific and the cruel treatment of British prisoners of war  had left a legacy of resentment that lasted long after the hostilities officially ceased in 1945. The pressure was on the young Queen Elizabeth II to restore good relations.

Though she rose to the occasion, making huge progress during her reign, the reconciliation was gradual to say the least. In fact, when official diplomatic relations were restored in 1952, proceedings nearly fell at the first hurdle  over the Emperors Garter star.

When the new British Ambassador, Sir Esler Dening, presented his credentials to Emperor Hirohito, the Emperors household asked the British Foreign Office if he should wear what they called his Garter rosette when he received the ambassador. The BFO said they preferred that this question had not been asked in the first place, given that Hirohito had of course picked the wrong side to align with during the war. The exchange also highlighted what a delicate issue Garter honours had become.

Esler Dening - Alamy

To rewind: its a tradition for Japanese Emperors to be made British Knights of the Garter. By 1952, three had had the honour: Emperor Mutsuhito, who was appointed in 1906 in recognition of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1902; Emperor Yoshihito in 1912, and his son, Emperor Hirohito in 1928.

Emperor Mutsuhito, who was lucky to be appointed in the first place, had never actually left Japan, and Edward VII did not want him to have it because Mutsuhito was a non-Christian monarch. But Edward changed his mind after Japans 1905 victory over Russia, and sent Prince Arthur of Connaught to Tokyo on a Garter mission to present the Emperor with the insignia. Back then this journey was no trifle: it took Arthur a month to sail from Marseilles to Yokohama to ask Mutsuhito to accept the highest mark of friendship and esteem which it is in His Majestys power to bestow. The Emperor was so delighted by the honour that he broke tradition and personally received him at the Imperial Palace.

Yoshihito made it out as far as Korea, but his disabilities and sickly disposition prevented him from much else. His son Hirohito, meanwhile, was much more used to overseas visits. Hed already visited Britain as part of a European tour in 1921, when he was a rather shy Crown Prince (the Duke of Windsor, as the Prince of Wales, visited Japan the following year). After Hirohito succeeded as Emperor in 1926 he was appointed to the Garter, which was the cue for another long trip from England to Japan (this time by Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester) to invest him. But during the Second World War, Hirohito was regarded as an enemy alien, and his Garter banner was removed from St Georges Chapel and placed in the vaults.

Did he know of his demotion? Surely Dening would have maintained a dignified silence when he was pitching his ambassadorial services in 1952. But the missing banner did cause minor concern ahead of Crown Prince Akihitos visit to represent his father at the 1953 Coronation. Luckily, when he laid a wreath in St Georges Chapel in honour of Queen Mary, who had lately died, he did not notice the absence of the Imperial banner. Instead, his mind was on more youthful pursuits: during his visit, he was keen to go racing and attend Wimbledon. Ever the astute hostess, the Queen duly invited him to the Derby.

Crown Prince Akihito (centre) was the guest of honour at the Japan-British Society's annual dinner in 1953 - Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

In those early post-war days, the bridge of cordiality that was slowly being built between Japan and Britain was as fragile as kintsugi porcelain. A more important step towards reconciliation was needed, and that came in 1961 when Elizabeth IIs cousin, Princess Alexandra, visited Japan. She was accompanied by her mothers private secretary, Sir Philip Hay, who had been a prisoner of war in the Far East, as a result of which he suffered recurring malaria. Princess Alexandra found the Japanese very friendly but received letters asking why she had gone, since their families had suffered so gravely.

She told me that she gave him a bottom scraper, an unfortunately named device used for trawling the sea bed. He was a marine biologist, having written several books on the subject and collected these objects. Perhaps this inspired his grandsons interest. Whatever the Emperor made of his aquatic gift, he was undoubtedly more pleased by the fact that, during her visit, he was allowed to wear his Garter star.

During these and subsequent years, Princess Chichibu, the Emperors sister-in-law, worked tirelessly to improve Anglo-Japanese relations. Her father had been Japanese Ambassador to Britain and she had been born in Walton on Thames. With her husband, Prince Chichibu, she had attended the 1937 Coronation. She became Patron of the Japan-British Society in Tokyo and had a prominent role during Princess Margarets visit for British Week in 1969. At the time, Prince William of Gloucester even served at the British Embassy.

In 1970 King Charles III (as Prince of Wales) visited Japan, and the following year marked the first ever state visit by a Japanese Emperor to Britain when Hirohito landed on our shores once more. When he accepted Queen Elizabeth IIs invitation, he addressed her as Madam My Sister and signed it Your Majestys Good Brother.

He added in his letter: I once visited your country when I was the Crown Prince and have always cherished the pleasant memories of it.

Charles being escorted by guides and dignitaries as he visits Nijo Castle in Kyoto during his 1970 trip to Japan - Rolls Press/Popperfoto via Getty Images

It was enough to restore his full diplomatic standing: he was quietly reinstated into the Order of the Garter, and a new banner raised over his stall. The British newspapers were less forgiving: Private Eye produced a particularly disparaging front cover, and David Walker, at the Foreign Office, wrote that his impression was that the press became more hostile as the visit wore on. The public made their feelings known too: though the Emperors arrival at Victoria passed off smoothly, a man was arrested in the Mall for a mild incident, and a protester dug up the tree the Emperor planted at Kew. Many more favourable column inches were devoted to the visit in the Japanese press, but the British Ambassador conceded: the misdeeds of the past still remain alive.

The return state visit by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1975 was a game-changer, however. As part of it, the Queen wanted to drive through Tokyo in an open convertible Cadillac. But Sir Fred Warner, the British Ambassador, was aware that there was a tradition in Japan of political assassination and that the Japanese police had a proper fear for the Queens safety. President Gerald Ford had visited shortly before and had been guarded by an astonishing 160,000 Japanese police, and, as Warner put it, might as well have been wearing a cloak of invisibility.

The original plan for the Queen was that everywhere she went she should be driven at 50mph in a car with dark bullet-proof glass. Unsurprisingly, this held no appeal for her: the Queen got her way and what became known as the Open Car Drive passed into Japanese history. Since it passed off well, the Japanese police emerged as heroes of the plan.

Queen Elizabeth II took part in a 'open car drive' on her state visit to Japan in 1975 - PA

The effect was that the Emperor, who led a somewhat cloistered existence, was impressed by the openness of the British Royal family. The members of the Imperial family felt that a window had been thrown open and a gust of fresh air let into their lives. On both sides, the overwhelming view was that the Queens visit, with its innovative approach to visibility, had marked a significant step towards reconciliation and renewal of old friendships.

Prince Philip played his part too, making a virtue of lying by omission. During the state visit he was frequently asked: Your first visit to Japan? Yes, he said. In truth he had been in Japan in 1945 at the time of the Japanese surrender.

When Emperor Hirohito died in 1989, Prince Philip volunteered to represent the Queen, feeling he was the right person to do so, since he had served in the war and did not mind any criticism that might come.

A decade later, in 1998, it was Hirohitos son Akihitos turn to pay a state visit to Britain. But this time the press were more pro-actively hostile: one TV station sent a car down to the house of a former POW to film him looking at his photos from the war. They also took him by car to the Mall to film him setting fire to a Japanese flag  directing the cameras so that the state procession could be seen passing behind him. This was despite the fact that Emperor Akihito, unlike his father, had played no part in the Second World War.

Akihito was given the Garter on his visit. Naruhito will also receive it on his. Hes an Anglophile, having attended Oxfords Merton College between 1983 and 1985. During that time, while studying the waterways of Britain, he wrote: The name of the Thames conjures up in me feelings of affection and nostalgia transcending distance and time.

The Emperor and Empress last visited the UK for the funeral of Elizabeth II in September 2022 - Bernat Armangue/Pool AP

In 2006, King Charles wrote of the close friendship between the United Kingdom and Japan which is reflected in the solid bond between the Imperial and Royal Families.

This visit will further cement that bond  something that the Emperor will reflect on when he privately visits St Georges Chapel at Windsor on June 27 to lay a wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II. There, the Garter banner of his father will be above his stall, and the stallplates of his predecessors in their stalls  a permanent record of years of growing friendship.
Rishi Sunak took part in The Sun's 'Never Mind the Ballots' election showdown - DAN CHARITY/PA

A debate hosted by the Sun? Most appropriate for a heatwave  and the event started so well. Never Mind the Ballots presenter Harry Cole  so jubilantly Tory, with wild hair and blazing eyes, you could imagine him driving a Rolls in goggles  drew the running order from a tombola.

But there were no page three stunners and the press wasnt even allowed in the studio. We were guided by Sun security to a small, stuffy room on the 17th floor to watch the interviews via a dodgy feed on a projector. Bring back Sam Fox, I say.

Three-two-one: the screen lit up with Harrys big happy face. From the NHS to crime to potholes, Prime Minster, why is Britain no longer working?

Rishi launched into his standard tough times defence; the gambling scandal came up. I was incredibly angry, he said  and crackle, crackle, the feed broke down. Panic among the journalists; the tech crew ran in. Can you see what this looks like? we heard Harry say to Rishi  but the press sadly could not.

Sir Keir Starmer was also grilled, as part of the debate - PA/DAN CHARITY

Judging that it was best to switch from the live feed to watching on YouTube, a techie put Google on the projector and searched for Sun and YouTube - only to bring up dozens of videos on the physics of the giant orb radiating thick heat through the windows. Next: terms and conditions. Angry click: agree all! Rishi re-appeared in time to say I sense peoples frustrations  and the room cheered.

This was one of the PMs better performances, because hes learning to challenge audiences that pose absurd problems he cannot fix. One university student was worried about renting into his 40s. His expectations seem a little high; Im not sure its the states job to guarantee every graduate a terrace house in Putney.

Next up, Sir Keir  and Harry put the screws on. You once said Jeremy Corbyn was great; now you cant stand him. So which is it?

I never thought Labour would win in 2019, he said, followed by I have fundamentally changed the party. Keir seems to regard this achievement as an answer to literally every question imaginable.

Whats the price of milk, Sir Keir?

I have fundamentally changed the party.

And whats the capital of Botswana?

I have fundamentally changed the party.

Never Mind the Ballots is hosted by The Sun's Harry Cole - DAN CHARITY/PA

When he uttered the magic phrase for the billionth time, the screen froze and a circle appeared in the centre, rotating. Breaking the silence of the press room, I asked: Is that Keir buffering, or the video?

The special feature presentation ended; beer was released into the viewing room like a bracing cold shower  and Harry swaggered by, wine glass in hand, to bask in well-earned adulation. He was followed by Gillian Keegan, here to spin for a government that seems to have given up. Rishi said earlier, If Im your prime minister, the flights will go to Rwanda  forgetting that he is our PM and has been for a while.

Give us a giggle, Gillian, we said; tell us a joke.

How does Keir Starmer energise a room? she asked. He leaves it.
A photo from X of the Dagestan attack, taken by Sulaiman Ahmed

On Sunday evening, the North Caucasus region of Dagestan was rocked by a series of brutal terrorist attacks. Gunmen opened fire in a synagogue in Derbent, graphically slit the throat of Russian Orthodox priest Father Nikolay, and attacked Jewish and Christian houses of worship in Dagestans largest city Makhachkala. These brutal crimes claimed the lives of at least 15 people, including police officers.

The Kremlins reaction to these terrorist attacks was  as one might predict  fiercely conspiratorial. The narrative that outside forces were promoting inter-ethnic and religious discord within Russia circulated. Dagestani State Duma Deputy Abulkhakim Gadzhiev explicitly accused Ukraine and NATOs intelligence agencies of perpetrating the attack.

These conspiracies were wholly predictable, but deflected blame from the ultimate culprit: President Vladimir Putins brutal war against Ukraine.

Since the Russian military levelled Chechnyas capital Grozny in response to the 1999 Moscow apartment bombings, Putin has framed himself as a decisive leader against the threat of Islamist terrorism. This narrative undergirded Putins legacy of restoring order in Russia after the 1990s transition-era organised crime wave and separatist wars. Putins social compact, which traded personal freedom for security, kept him in power even as oil prices plunged, and an economic malaise ensued.

Over the past year, this cardinal feature of Putins legacy has disintegrated in spectacular fashion. Exactly twelve months ago today, Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhins ultranationalist legion occupied Rostov-on-Don and rapidly marched towards Moscow. The Kremlin decapitated this challenge by negotiating Prigozhins stand-down and almost certainly assassinating him. But the old threat of Islamist terrorism merely took its place.

The Islamic State- Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), which is headquartered in Afghanistan and Pakistan, carried out the March 2024 Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow that killed 145 people. Now terrorists from ISISs North Caucasus branch Wilayat Kavkaz have likely carried out the latest harrowing attacks in Dagestan.

Why has the Ukraine War smashed the illusion of security in Russia?

Putins thirst for totalitarian control has distracted the FSB from its counter-terrorism responsibilities and reduced its efficiency as a security organ. As Russian troops rolled into Ukraine in February 2022, the FSB became preoccupied with running filtration camps to test the loyalties of Ukrainians in the occupied territories. After Russias humiliating defeats in Kharkiv and Kherson in late 2022, Putin tasked the FSB with intensified crackdowns on foreign intelligence agencies and traitors.

To prove the point, a vocal minority of Russians decried the FSBs redirection of focus. After the Crocus City attack, Russian journalist Kirill Martynov scathingly criticised the FSB for focusing on LGBT extremists and dismissing warnings from Western intelligence agencies that an attack was imminent. Russian opposition activist Ivan Zhdanov claimed that the FSBs obsession with surveilling Russians and punishing anti-war dissidents destroyed its effectiveness. The Russian state media, naturally, deflected from these criticisms by redirecting public anger towards Ukraine. This allowed the FSB leadership to weather the storm of its repeated intelligence failures and remain intact.

The FSBs abdication of responsibility has coincided with the worsening of grievances in Russias under-privileged ethnic minority regions. Dagestan is one of the worst victims of the Ukraine Wars unequal burdens. By early May 2022, Dagestan had the highest casualty rate of any Russian region. Independent investigations revealed that at least 130 Dagestanis had perished. By April 2023, that figure had risen to at least 806 and the families of Dagestani men who died in the field struggled to secure compensation from the Kremlin.

Dagestans creation of the Caspi volunteer battalion, which mobilised men over the age of 40, ensures that conscription rates vastly outstrip those in Moscow and St. Petersburg. These steep casualty rates have coincided with a worsening economic crisis in Dagestan. Due to the dominance of oligarchic clans, 70 per cent of Dagestans budget comes from Russian federal subsidies. This is the highest figure of any Russian region.

While the Dagestani authorities claim that fighting in Ukraine is good for Russias future, many desperate young men do not agree. In a viral September 2022 video, one Dagestani man resisting mobilisation declared We dont even have a present. What future are you talking about? As repression silenced the 2,000-strong legion of anti-mobilisation protesters in Dagestan, the appeal of political violence, radicalisation, and terrorism, has grown.

After the latest terrorist attacks, introspection is the appropriate response for the Kremlin. In Putins Russia, however, introspection is sadly punishable by prison and death. Deflection reigns supreme. But for how much longer?

Samuel Ramani is an Associate Fellow at the University of Oxford, specialising in international relations
The Russian space-tracking and communications centre in flames

Huge fires were recorded by satellites at the scene of a suspected Ukrainian ATACMS strike on a Russian-controlled space control centre in Crimea.

Photographs taken by Nasas Firms fire-monitoring system picked up two distinct large blazes near the NIP-16 space communications complex in the village of Vitino, on the occupied peninsulas western coast.

Separate satellite images captured by Sentinel appeared to back up claims of large-scale blazes on the grounds of the site.

The details emerged after reports of Ukrainian forces launching multiple US-supplied ATACMS in the direction of Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014.

Footage shared on social media appeared to show four Ukrainian M270 rocket launchers firing eight missiles into the night sky on Sunday night.

Shortly afterwards, Crimean Wind, a local channel on the Telegram messaging app, shared a separate video that suggested that the space communications centre had been hit during the ATACMS raid.

Other channels shared reports from locals claiming to have heard loud explosions and reports of ambulances being dispatched to the area.

The complex is known to house systems for deep space communications that support manned and robotic space missions.

It had reportedly been struck by an air-launched British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missile in a raid in December last year.

There are understood to be other Russian military installations positioned in the area.

Open source researchers on social media suggested a Krasukha electronic warfare radar jammer had been positioned on the complex.

Ukraine has significantly ramped-up its long-range attacks against Russian targets in Crimea since the US secretly donated an unspecified number of ATACMS.

The medium-range ballistic missiles are fired from ground launchers, such as Himars, with the more powerful models supplied to Kyiv capable of hitting targets close to 190 miles away with conventional or cluster munition warheads.

Russian authorities have not commented on the latest strikes, while Kyiv has also refrained from claiming responsibility.

Ukrainian officials are waiting for a battle damage assessment before confirming the attack, The Telegraph understands.

Cloud cover over Crimea has made it hard for satellite images to be taken of any potential damage.

It was only possible to depict burns on the grass in the first low-resolution photographs captured and released on social media.

The Telegraph was not able to independently verify any damage.

Warning of consequences

The Kremlin on Monday warned there would be consequences for America, as it accused Washington of being directly involved in deadly strikes on the occupied peninsula.

Of course, the involvement of the United States of America in hostilities, direct involvement in hostilities that result in the death of Russian civilians, this, of course, cannot but have consequences, spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying.

What exactly  time will tell.

Russia claimed to have intercepted four of five ATACMS reportedly fired in the direction of Belbek airfield, which Russia uses to launch fighter jets that regularly target civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.

A fifth was said to have detonated mid-air after being struck by air defences, with falling shrapnel killing four people and injuring 151 on a beach on the ground.

Footage showed bathers flying from beaches as loud explosions rang out above.

A report by the Russian state-owned Tass news agency said Lynn Tracy, the US ambassador to Moscow, had been summoned by the foreign ministry in response to the alleged attacks.

Ukraine did not comment on the attacks.
Gavin Plumb (right) at Chelmsford Crown Court - Elizabeth Cook/PA

A security guard accused of planning to rape and murder Holly Willoughby previously tried to tie up two teenage girls with rope and tape, a court heard.

Gavin Plumb, 37, of Harlow, Essex, previously tried to kidnap women from trains and was convicted for falsely imprisoning two 16-year-old girls in a Woolworths store.

The court heard how Plumb unwittingly told an undercover officer of the sentence he received for the latter offence.

I got sixteen months. Our justice system is s--- tbh, he allegedly said.

He also told the individual how he was handed a suspended sentence for trying to abduct two air hostesses on a train.

Plumb is accused of hatching a plot to kidnap, rape and solicit the murder of Willoughby, the former This Morning presenter.

Opening his trial at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, Alison Morgan KC, prosecuting, told of how he had real life experience of violence towards women.

Ms Morgan detailed how Plumb committed two offences of attempted kidnapping involving two female victims.

The first in August 2006 involved the defendant approaching a woman on a train and sitting opposite her.

He then showed her a note which read: I have got a gun. All you have to do is keep quiet. Do what I say. So just stand up and get off at the next stop with me. Dont cry or make a sound. Dont stop me from touching you because I wont hurt you. If you do all of this, no one will get hurt but if you dont I am going to shoot you and myself and everyone else.

Ms Morgan told of how the victim began to cry, prompting others to come over and Plumb to tear up the note and flee at the next stop.

Two days later, he adopted a similar approach with another woman on a train - this time armed with an imitation firearm.

The jury was told how Plumb spent 'many hours' planning an attack on the presenter

Two years later, Ms Morgan told of how Plumb had attempted to tie up two 16-year-old girls in a Woolworths stock room in 2008.

Plumb had been working at the retailer at the time.

The barrister said the incidents showed Plumb knew what it would take to terrify and overpower a woman.

The court also heard that Plumb told would-be conspirators in the alleged plot to kidnap and rape Willoughby of his previous convictions.

Discussing conversations he had with an undercover police officer online, Ms Morgan said that after being asked if it was his first time, the defendant said: No its not, I just didnt plan it last time. I just went for it and f---ed up.

The jury was told how Plumb spent many hours planning an attack on the presenter and discussed with others online about how he would break into her home, sexually assault and then murder her.

In one instance, prosecutors say Plumb sent an individual an image of a dungeon-type room that he described as big enough for a bed, prompting the recipient to observe that screams would not be heard for miles.

The jury was told how his schemes were curtailed in October last year when he unwittingly recruited a US-based undercover police officer to assist him with the attack.

Plumb was unaware that the person he was talking to, who used the online alias David Nelson, was a police officer and not a like-minded abductor, the court heard.

Willoughby stepped down from presenting duties last October - Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Upon Plumbs arrest, police discovered two sealed bottles of chloroform and a folder entitled Holly on his phone which contained 10,322 images of the presenter.

The court was also told how Plumb ordered four packets of 400 heavy duty metal cable ties and sent a video of what he described as his kit laid out on a bed, which included handcuffs, the cable ties, a ball gag and rope.

Defendants plans were graphic

Ms Morgan told the court: The defendants plans as to what he would do to Holly Willoughby were graphic and were obviously sexually motivated.

They were real to him and were based on an obsession with Ms Willoughby that had developed over a number of years.

She added: The prosecutions case is that this defendants online discussions reveal his real intention to carry out a plot to kidnap Holly Willoughby from her family home; to take her to a location where she would be raped repeatedly, before the defendant then intended to kill her.

The jury heard Plumb began planning to attack the mother of three as early as 2021, but had been frustrated by others who had not offered him a proper commitment to carry out the attack.

In December 2021 Plumb is alleged to have discussed his plans with an individual known only as Marc.

Ms Morgan told the jury that by this time, Plumb had already identified where Willoughby lived and told Marc how he had used Google Earth to look at potential entry routes of her address.

The pair went on to discuss how they might get closer to Willoughby, with Plumb telling Marc in 2022: I passed my SIA [Security Industry Authority] licence so I might try to use it to be her security.

Ms Morgan also told of how Plumb had suggested trying to get on to a tour of the ITV studios where Willoughby was still working as a This Morning presenter at the time.

Deep fake pornography images

The defendant also shared deep fake pornography images of Holly Willoughby. The barrister said these images were created by others online using her face, putting it onto the body of another female to give images of her in pornographic situations.

In one voice note played to the jury Plumb described his plan to use chloroform to stupify Willoughby and her husband before the pair would pick out outfits for her we like.

One voice message said: Were then going to force her to make a video that she came with us under her own free will... so that covers us.

However, the jury was told Marc never went ahead with the pairs plans.

Yet a post Plumb shared on an online group called Abduct lovers was spotted by an undercover police officer who was based in the Owatonna Police Department on Oct 3.

Under the alias BigBear341987, Plumb posted an image of Willoughby standing in front of a prize wheel and wrote of how he had a s--- load of info on her.

Fearing for the womans safety, the officer began engaging in a conversation with Plumb, who told him about how he knew what time Willoughby got up in the morning and that she didnt have CCTV at home.

Detailing his plans, Plumb allegedly told the officer that the TV presenters throat would be slit and her body disposed of in a lake.

He also insisted that he was definitely serious about his plans and responded with s--- its actually happening when the pair discussed booking flights for Nelson to come to the UK and participate in the kidnap, rape and murder that very month.

She is a fantasy of mine

Following his exchanges with Plumb, the undercover officer contacted officers from the FBI and Metropolitan Police Service.

Officers attended Plumbs home in Harlow, Essex, to arrest him on Oct 4.

When he was told that the allegations he was facing were related to a conspiracy to kidnap Willoughby, Plumb told an officer: Im not gonna lie. She is a fantasy of mine.

Ms Morgan said: There can be no sensible doubt but that this defendant was obsessed with Holly Willoughby for some time leading up to these allegations in October 2023.

Indeed thats exactly what he said to the police officers when they arrested him. That obsession went beyond fantasy.

He spent hours planning an attack on Holly Willoughby that involved violence, rape and ultimately... murder.

Plumb went on to give no comment responses when interviewed at a police station and denies all charges.

The trial continues.

Willoughby, 43, announced in October last year that she was stepping down from This Morning after 14 years.

She said in a social media post at the time that I have to make this decision for me and my family.

The presenter has since hosted Dancing On Ice 2024 and will present a Netflix show, to be released next year, in which adventurer Bear Grylls hunts down celebrities in the jungle.
A Midsummer Night's Dream at Garsington - Alastair Muir

I have struggled with Benjamin Brittens A Midsummer Nights Dream. It is not because of the music, which has a warmth rare in Britten from this phase of his life. (His next major work was his War Requiem, whose abrasiveness is more typical). But A Midsummer Nights Dream, in inhabiting its own sound-world, evokes other difficulties. Brittens erstwhile friend W H Auden, who had fallen out with him not least because he began to find some of Brittens music artificial, pretentious and what we might today call exclusive, described the work as Dreadful! Pure Kensington.



One assumes he meant written for a social elite who were intellectually undemanding, but knew that a setting of Shakespeare by Britains most adulated composer would fit well with their idea of themselves.



Premiered in 1960, the opera was a collaboration between Britten and his partner Peter Pears after Myfanwy Piper, who wrote libretti for some of the composers other works and who had been asked to do it, became fed up with Pears muscling in with his own ideas: so she left him to it. Only six words of the entire text are not Shakespeares, so Pears cannot be faulted for his faithfulness to the Bard. Heavy cuts had to be made if the finished opera were not to end up even longer than any of Wagners, but all the features of the play that are admired are there  notably the play within the play.



Pears normally took the lead male role in any of Brittens works for voice, but in this case chose to play Flute, one of the Mechanicals, who is then incarnated as Thisby, and thus has an opportunity for some transvestism. The lead role of Oberon was written for Alfred Deller, the celebrated counter-tenor, which has been another obstacle to my enjoyment of the work: one either likes the counter-tenor voice or one does not, and Im afraid I do not. That is manifestly a failing in me, as is the biggest obstacle of all: which is that, like all Shakespeares comedies, I find the play itself about as funny as a lobotomy  but then our conception of humour, and sense of what is comical, have changed profoundly since 1596.



My opinion of the opera has been revised upwards by the magnificent performance now being presented at Garsington, in a production by Netia Jones, starring Iestyn Davies as Oberon and Lucy Crowe as Tytania. It runs until July 19 and if you are lucky you may be able to get tickets still. Davies has such a commanding stage presence that even those like me who struggle to enjoy the sound of the counter-tenor cannot but admire him. The entire cast display an enthusiasm and exuberance that it is hard to imagine could be surpassed.

Jerone Marsh-Reid as Puck - Alastair Muir

Garsington, which is developing rapidly as a highly successful arts hub, has its own youth company, and its members play a chorus of fairies  and do so to perfection. The composer would have approved of the naturalness of the childrens voices, of a quality familiar from his own recordings and blissfully lacking that overtrained sound that robs a childs voice of any personality.



There are other highly commendable performances in this cast, notably James Way as the cross-dressing Flute, who came closer than anyone to achieving a genuine comic effect as well as having a fine voice. Two other Mechanicals  John Savournin as a resonant Quince, and particularly Richard Burkhard as Bottom, whose immaculate acting skills matched his voice  also stood out. Among the four lovers the most compelling was Camilla Harris as Helena, who filled the auditorium with her voice and charisma and has the talent to have a stunning future. Douglas Boyd, Garsingtons artistic director, conducted the Philharmonia sensitively, ensuring that the entire musical component was judged to perfection. It is always dangerous to call anything flawless, but this production seemed to be just that.



That achievement owes much to the design, also undertaken by Netia Jones. In the first act, the back of the stage was open to the elements so one felt one was in woodland. A stage that sloped down towards the audience made us all feel involved; and there were entertaining moments such as a tree impaled on a grand piano (or was it the other way round?) for no reason at all. If you see only one opera this summer, see this one.
Knife crime nationally rose 7.2 per cent to nearly 50,000 offences in 2023 - JUSTIN TALLIS/GETTY IMAGES

Sir Keir Starmer will hold a national summit on knife crime every year to hold law enforcement and technology companies to account on behalf of victims.

The Labour leader said the partys aim to halve knife crime incidents within a decade would be a moral mission at the heart of an incoming Labour government.

He also pledged to bring families of victims and survivors of knife attacks into a cross-government coalition of government ministers, councils and tech firms so that their voices can be heard.

Shawn Seesahai was murdered in a park in Wolverhampton by two 12-year-old boys - WEST MIDLANDS POLICE

Knife crime is an issue above and beyond party politics, he said ahead of a meeting on Tuesday with victims families where he will set out Labours policy.

For the parents grieving sons and daughters who never came home, action to end this scourge cannot wait. Far too often we hear the same stories from grieving families who have been subject to these brutal murders carried out by children.

It is our duty as political leaders of all stripes to work together to end knife crime and keep our young people safe.

Cutting knife crime will be a moral mission for the next Labour government. Our new cross-government coalition will put knife crime victims and their families at the heart of government, working with us to take the strongest action in a generation to end this tragic crime.

It comes as knife crime nationally has risen by 7.2 per cent to nearly 50,000 offences, close to the past record high of 51,200, according to the Office for National Statistics. One in four police forces including the West Midlands and the Metropolitan Police recorded their highest-ever knife crime rates in 2023.

It follows the conviction of two 12-year-old boys for the knife murder of Shawn Seesahai, 19, in a Wolverhampton park in November last year. They are thought to be the youngest killers convicted since the murder of the toddler James Bulger in Merseyside in 1993 by the 11-year-olds Robert Thompson and Jon Venables.

Sir Keir has pledged that no young person caught with a knife will escape sanction under Labour such as jail, tagging, curfew, fine or behavioural contracts.

Under its Young Futures programme, every area will be expected to identify the young people most at risk of being drawn into violent crime, with a package of support that responds to the challenges they are facing.

Labours manifesto also pledged new laws that would result in tech firm executives facing up to two years in jail if banned zombie knives and machetes were sold on their platforms. The party plans to extend the list of banned weapons.

The measures would be similar to those in the Online Safety Act by holding executives personally to account through tough sanctions if their firms flout rules on sales of ninja swords, zombie-style blades and machetes.

Chris Philp, the policing minister, said: When Keir Starmer was in charge of the Crown Prosecution Service, convictions for weapon possession fell, and knife crime has risen by 20 per cent in Labour-run London.

The choice at the election is clear: cracking down on crime with Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives, or back to square one with Keir Starmer and the same old Labour who consistently fail to tackle crime.
Keir Starmer has defended serving in Jeremy Corbyns shadow cabinet, saying he wanted to help preserve the Labour party and that he always knew there was going to be a day after.

Speaking in separate interviews hosted by the Sun newspaper that included questions from a watching audience, Rishi Sunak and Starmer underwent at times difficult interrogations, including over migration and the NHS.

Both party leaders were quick to dismiss the record of their predecessors. Rishi Sunak said Liz Trusss economic policy was badly mistaken and claimed that a Starmer-led government would create similar fiscal instability. Starmer meanwhile gave his fullest answer yet as to why he had endorsed Corbyn in the 2019 election when he did not believe in him, and why he did not quit to serve on the backbenches as some colleagues had.

Everybody then took a decision about what they did, how we dealt with this, he said. I felt that on issues such as Brexit, which I thought were going to define us for decades to come, leaders are temporary, but political parties are permanent, but it was important to have a voice in the shadow cabinet.

It meant that I could challenge on antisemitism, and it meant that the Labour party never veered from its position on things that are fundamental, like Nato, he said.

The entire Corbyn period was, Starmer said, very difficult for me and for my party, but he had to look towards the future.

I knew there would be a day after, where we needed to pick it up, to say to the electorate: In 2019, we got this wrong, and rebuild  we were all working to that end, he said. Everybody knew there was always going to be a day after, when we would have the opportunity for a new party, and to make sure our party was there to face the future.

Sunak sought to argue that Labour would be as damaging to the economy as Truss, as he was challenged about the impact of the short-serving prime minister.

Asked if he felt some responsibility for inflicting Liz Truss on the voters, Sunak stressed that he had fought Truss for the Conservative leadership and warned against her plans.

I was right then, when I warned about Liz Truss. Thats why all of you can trust me now, he said. I have also warned about the damage that Keir Starmer would do to our economy. I was saying something that no one wanted to hear, but I was saying it because I believed it. And Im telling you again now, it all seems a bit familiar.

If Keir Starmer is your prime minister, the economy is going to suffer and all of you are going to suffer. I dont want to see that happen.

In another pointed remark, Sunak argued that Labours decision to scrap the Rwanda deportation plan for asylum seekers would see a rush in arrivals.

Those illegal migrants will not be on planes to Rwanda, he said. They will be out on our streets, putting pressure on public services  and by the way, I can tell you now they are queueing up in Calais, waiting for a Starmer government so they can come here and stay here.

Rishi Sunak stopped off in Chelsea after the debate to deliver a brief stump speech to Tory activists. Greg Hands, a trade minister and former Tory chair who was elected with a 11,000 majority in 2019, is seeking re-election in the west London seat.

Sunak told local activists he was not blind to peoples frustrations with me, with our party, but said this election is not a referendum on me. He said Keir Starmer had changed his mind on every major position that he has taken, including just the other day U-turning on his U-turning about supporting Jeremy Corbyn and accused the Labour leader of threatening the security of women with his policy on transgender rights.
In this image provided by the U.S. Army, soldiers, from the 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment of the 18th Field Artillery Brigade out of Fort Bragg N.C., conduct live fire testing at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., on Dec. 14, 2021 - John Hamilton/White Sands Missile Range

Today, we bring you updates from the battle front, analyse suspected Ukrainian Atacms strike on a Russian space control centre in Crimea and we discuss this weekends terrorist violence in Russias Dagestan region.

Listen to Ukraine: the Latest, The Telegraphs daily podcast, using the audio player at the top of this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app.

War in Ukraine is reshaping our world. Every weekday The Telegraphs top journalists analyse the invasion from all angles - military, humanitarian, political, economic, historical - and tell you what you need to know to stay updated.

With over 70 million listens, our Ukraine: The Latest podcast is your go-to source for all the latest analysis, live reaction and correspondents reporting on the ground. We have been broadcasting ever since the full-scale invasion began.

Ukraine: The Latests regular contributors are:

David Knowles

David is Head of Audio Development at The Telegraph, where he has worked for over three years. He has reported from across Ukraine during the full-scale invasion.

Dominic Nicholls

Dom is Associate Editor (Defence) at The Telegraph, having joined in 2018. He previously served for 23 years in the British Army, in tank and helicopter units. He had operational deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland.

Francis Dearnley

Francis is Assistant Comment Editor at The Telegraph. Prior to working as a journalist, he was chief of staff to the Chair of the Prime Ministers Policy Board at the Houses of Parliament in London. He studied History at Cambridge University and on the podcast explores how the past shines a light on the latest diplomatic, political, and strategic developments.

They are also regularly joined by Telegraph reporters and correspondents around the world, including Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent), James Kilner, (Foreign Correspondent and Editor of the Central Asia & the South Caucasus Bulletin), Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent), Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent), Colin Freeman (Foreign Correspondent), Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor), and Tony Diver (US Editor).
Apple and Meta are reportedly in talks to further improve Apple Intelligence for iPhones and other devices, as The Wall Street Journal reported.

Both tech giants are looking at the possibility of integrating Meta's generative AI model into Apple's newest AI venture.

Read Also : Apple Briefly Outranks Microsoft as Most Valuable Company After WWDC AI Reveals

Apple Plans Improvement for Apple Intelligence

Apple officially introduced its stand on the AI race during the annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) last June 10. The event centered on Apple's upgrade through its own generative AI model, including improved Siri and iOS 18 features.

Meta and other companies are reportedly eyeing to capitalize on Apple's distribution through iPhones. The first generation of Apple Intelligence is focused on improving simple tasks for users.

According to Apple, the company is planning to expand its capabilities for more complex and specific tasks. Google, Anthropic, and Perplexity are also reportedly discussing with Apple to integrate their generative AI to Apple Intelligence.

Apple Intelligence Welcomes First Partner OpenAI

Prior to WWDC, several reports revealed that Apple and OpenAI were forming a partnership. The event confirmed that Apple is integrating ChatGPT functions into iOS 18, iPadOS, and macOS Sequoia.

OpenAI is now offering a free version of ChatGPT on updated Apple OS through Apple Intelligence. Subscribers of premium and business tiers can also link their ChatGPT account to their device.

Gene Munster, an Apple analyst, claimed that around 10 to 20 percent of Apple users are likely to pay for a premium AI service like ChatGPT. If proven, OpenAI is likely to gain billions of dollars out of its partnership with Apple.

Apart from OpenAI, the companies have yet to finalize the deal. The overall impact of partnering with Apple bears an unclear detail to the financial aspect of other companies at the moment.
Nine stations of Sydneys planned 19-station City and Southwest metro train line are due to open in August. Photograph: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

The city section of Sydneys new metro rail line is set to open in August, with the driverless trains racing through a new harbour tunnel at speeds of 100km/h, with passengers to feel like theyre flying, the premier says.

The Minns government announced on Monday that the private operator of the line had begun testing a full-service timetable. If it receives regulatory approval, the nine-station section from Chatswood through the central business district to Sydenham will open to the public on a weekend in August.

Work on the rest of the planned metro rail line, to run from Bankstown to Sydenham, will close the popular T3 line for a year for conversion. Commuters will have to take buses to Sydenham to access the metro.

The Bankstown to Sydenham closure will begin only once there is a high level of reliability on the newly-opened city section of the line, the New South Wales transport minister, Jo Haylen, said on Monday.

Network tests of the driverless trains and stations have been running since April 2023 and have included 9,800 hours of the total of 11,000 hours of required testing along the 51.5km line.

They replicate emergency exercises to test responses to unplanned situations, and involve about 1,000 people in simulated scenarios such as trains stopped in tunnels, passenger evacuations and drills involving emergency services.

Related: Sydney to Melbourne in four hours: meet the man who seriously believes in high-speed rail for Australia

The government says once the project is complete metro passengers will get from Martin Place to Waterloo in six minutes, from Sydenham to Macquarie University in 33 minutes, and from Chatswood to Central in 15 minutes.

Services will run at least every four minutes during peak periods.

The premier, Chris Minns, travelled from Martin Place station to Crows Nest for a press conference on Monday morning with Haylen. The trip  with officials and reporters  took just over eight minutes.

Minns said he expected commuters to enjoy the new speeds  particularly in the tunnel under the harbour where trains have clocked 100km/h in testing.

We were flying, Minns said. Its safe, but its quick, and that means you can move from North Sydney to the heart of the city in  three minutes, he said.

[Its a] very, very quick trip. Far, far faster than braving the car or walking in or using a bike, so we expect a lot of people to be using this transport. Its a game changer.

Minns said the new metro stations would allow more housing in existing suburbs.

These metro lines are part of a city-shaping public transport project that will support more housing for a generation of young people who have been locked out of homes for too long, he said.

If we are going to address the housing crisis, we have to build homes near public transport like this and thats exactly what were doing.

The Sydney Metro chief executive, Peter Regan, said the line would have capacity for up to 40,000 passengers an hour. The speed of the trains is going to be quite a surprise to people and how quickly you can move between stations, Regan said.

Minns said the new stations  which dont have extra parking  would act as a magnet attracting commuters.

Haylen said there were no plans to establish new bus routes to metro stations in the suburbs for residents living nearby but not within walking distance.

Instead, existing bus routes will be tweaked to make sure we are providing as many services as possible for people to be able to access these new metro services.

The government also announced that tunnelling on the new 23km metro line at the new Western Sydney airport has been competed  with work now beginning on tracklaying and the construction of six new stations. The line is due to open in 2026.

The testing of a full timetable comes a month after the Waterloo station was handed over to Metro Trains Sydney, a private consortium led by Hong Kongs MTR Corporation, which will operate the line.

Six other new stations are to be handed over including Martin Place, Gadigal and Victoria Cross.
Sunbathers flocked to Brighton beach on Monday as the weather hotted up - Stephen Lock/i-Images

A skin expert has said people sunbathing topless makes him want to call the police, as the UK recorded the hottest day of the year so far on Monday.

The Met Office said the hottest temperature recorded on Monday was 28.3C in Wisley, Surrey, with further warmer weather and likely heatwaves forecast for parts of the UK this week.

Temperatures could reach 32C (90F) in parts of the country by Wednesday, prompting the UK Health Security Agency to issue a yellow alert for risks to vulnerable people.

Dr Kazeem Salako, a dermatologist at Northampton General Hospital, told the BBC he feared for people who spend time in the heat without sunscreen.

He jokingly said that, when he sees people stripping off, I feel like calling the police or something and compared sunbathing without protection to suicide.

A heatwave is defined by three or more days of very hot temperatures, ranging from 28C in London to 25C in other parts of the country.

The British Red Cross has warned people to avoid activities in the middle of the day, and look out for signs of heatstroke.

Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and getting worse because of climate change, and that makes the need to recognise the risks all the more important as we are out enjoying the warmer weather this summer, William Spencer, the climate and first aid product manager at the British Red Cross, said.

High temperatures make it harder for the body to cool itself, and we all need to take care to manage the health risks of heat.

Retailers and hospitality businesses have welcomed the warmer weather after a damp May and a chilly start to June.

Emma McClarkin, the chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said its members expected to sell more beer.

The last period of sustained warm and sunny weather in September last year saw average increased sales of almost 20 per cent, and this is crucial for both brewers and pubs after the more challenging winter months and recent wet weather, she added.

However, the hot, dry spell is only expected to continue uninterrupted until Wednesday, when heavy showers, thunderstorms and persistent rain could return in parts of the country.
Security forces cordoned off roads with armoured vehicles during a counter-terror operation against gunmen who killed at least 16 people across Russias Dagestan region.

The terror threat was officially declared over on Monday after officials said six of the gunmen were killed in shootouts in Makhachkala and Derbent, two major cities in the mainly Muslim region on the Caspian Sea.

The terrorists attacked a synagogue and a church in each of the cities with rifles and Molotov cocktails on Sunday.

Dagestans regional governor declared the beginning three days of mourning on Monday following the killings of an Orthodox priest, multiple police officers and several others in the attack.

Following the neutralisation of the threats to the lives and health of citizens, it was decided to end the anti-terrorist operation in Dagestan from 0515 GMT, Russias National Antiterrorism Committee said.

It was not immediately clear how many were killed in the attacks, but Sergei Melikov, Dagestans governor, said on Sunday: More than 15 police officers fell victim to todays terrorist attack.

The gunmen also brutally murdered a priest, Nikolai Kotelnikov, according to a spokesman for Russias Orthodox Church. He was the only confirmed civilian victim from Sundays attack, but Mr Melikov was quoted as saying several civilians had also been killed.

Russian Orthodox priest Nikolai Kotelnikov was killed in the attacks on Sunday

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks in the volatile region in southern Russia.

In Derbent, the attackers torched a synagogue after shooting and killing the police officers guarding it, the Russian Jewish Congress said.

In nearby Makhachkala, the regions administrative capital, the attackers opened fire on a traffic police post, as well as the citys Cathedral of the Assumption and a synagogue.

Footage shared online by Dagestans interior ministry showed gunmen moving through the city, opening fire and forcing people from their cars.

The gunmen moved through the two cities opening fire and burned a synagogue to the ground - east2west news

The attacks highlighted the mounting ethnic and religious tensions in Russia, especially in the Caucasus region. It came after four gunmen killed 145 people at a Moscow concert hall in March, in an attack claimed by the Islamic State.

Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, said it was no coincidence that the attack on Sunday took place as Orthodox Christians observed Pentecost.

We see that the enemy is not giving up on attempts to destroy interreligious peace and harmony within our society, Kirill, who is sanctioned by the UK because of his support for Vladimir Putin, said in a statement.

Sergei Melikov, the Degestan governor seen here visiting the attacked Derbent synagogue, has declared three days of mourning - Reuters

There was no official confirmation by the Russian authorities of who they believe was behind the attack in Dagestan. We understand who is behind the organisation of the terrorist attacks and what goal they pursued, Mr Melikov said.

Several Russian state media outlets reported that two of the gunmen were sons of a regional official, and that they had been detained by investigators.

Dagestan was hit by an Islamist insurgency in the 2000s, spilling over from neighbouring Chechnya, with Russian security forces moving aggressively to combat extremists in the region.

As with the recent attack in Moscow, some Russian officials and politicians blamed the West for the latest violence.
A woman attempts to keep cool with a wet bandanna in Austin, Texas, July 2023. Thousands died from heat related causes that year amid widespread power grid problems. This year may be even hotter - Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP

The summer weather in Texas has been fairly mild so far this June, with temperatures well below the near-record heat seen last year in one of the warmest summers in recent decades. But Texans would do well to prepare as best they can for much hotter weather  and worse, potential power grid interruptions at the same time  soon to come.

In recent testimony to the state legislature, grid managers at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) told policymakers the state faces up to a 16 per cent chance of rolling blackouts in the depths of the August summer heat. That warning comes as no surprise to Texans like me, who remember last August, when ERCOT was forced to put out voluntary power conservation requests to consumers and businesses on what seemed like almost a daily basis. Its an inconvenience to which many Texans have grown accustomed in recent years as the states grid, overloaded with unpredictable, intermittent wind and solar capacity, has trended increasingly into an unstable state.

The grids main weakness, a lack of adequate dispatchable thermal reserve capacity, has been well understood since 2011, when a major winter storm  comparable to February 2021s Winter Storm Uri  caused days-long blackouts. But the lingering problem was largely ignored by power generation companies, which focused on building new wind and solar capacity to take advantage of an array of state and federal subsidies.

Following the devastation and more than 300 deaths caused by Uri, the 2021 legislature invoked significant reforms, including major revamps at both ERCOT and the states Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Unfortunately, the elephant in the living room  the lack of adequate thermal capacity, which in Texas means natural gas generation  was left lingering until 2023, when Lt. Governor Dan Patrick led the effort to create the Texas Energy Fund, a $5 billion fund designed to provide low interest loans and other incentives specifically for the development of new natural gas capacity.

The response to the TEF has been overwhelming, attracting 125 applications to build almost 56,000 MW of additional gas generation in the state, far more than the states goal of seeing 10,000 MW of gas capacity by 2029. But just days after that strong response to the TEF was announced, legislators were put on notice that they may need to consider expanding the program when they convene next January for their 2025 session.

In June 12 testimony before the Senate Energy and Commerce Committee, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas informed policymakers that the agencys previous estimate that the grids generation capacity would need to expand from its current 85,000 MW to 110,000 MW by 2030 has been revised. To account for added demands from rapidly expanding AI technology and Bitcoin mining operations, the Texas grid will need to expand by about 75 per cent to a whopping 150,000 MW in just the next 6 years.

Were talking a magnitude of 10 to 30 times the energy use for an AI data centre versus a traditional one, so the impact is really significant, Vegas said. How many are coming? Thats still to be determined.

In a post on X-was-Twitter, Lt. Governor Patrick called Vegass testimony shocking and questioned why legislators were only now being informed of the issue. He also took aim at AI companies and Bitcoin miners, saying they produce very few jobs compared to the incredible demands they place on our grid.

For policymakers and regulators at the PUC, this means that the estimated need for another 10,000 MW of reserve thermal capacity envisioned under the TEF, along with most other assumptions theyve worked under, is already woefully out of date.

Warren Buffets Berkshire Hathaway firm brought a proposal in the 2021 legislative session for the state to allocate $10 billion to help fund the rapid buildout of 10,000 MW of new natural gas capacity. Senate Bill 3, passed by the state Senate late in the session, contained language based on that proposal. Unfortunately, that language was stripped out of the bill by members of the House State Affairs Committee.

Had that language remained in, it is likely that construction of some or all of that much-needed dispatchable thermal capacity would already be underway. Instead, with the grids needs more urgent now than ever, policymakers are left scratching their heads wondering what other shocks to the system await them around the next corner.

In the meantime, Texans are left to hope and pray ERCOT can find a way to keep their A/Cs running during the oppressive heat of August. Its a dire situation thats been created by decades of poor state and federal public policy. Expecting it now to be fixed by good public policy almost feels like the definition of insanity, but here we are.
The Avtorska Shkola Boyko school in Kharkiv suffered an airstrike with a Russian UMPK KAB 250 guided bomb.

Two people jumped to their deaths from the top floors of a burning building linked to the production of Russian weaponry, and at least six others have died in the fire, state-owned Tass news agency reported.

The blaze broke out on Monday at the nine-storey Platan research institute building in the town of Fryazino, a scientific hub in the suburbs of Moscow that falls under US sanctions for producing parts for fighter jets and nuclear launches.

It follows a string of sabotage attempts inside Russia and in Europe targeting firms linked to the war effort on both sides of the conflict.

Footage showed a high-rise block ravaged by flames, with smoke billowing out. Close-up images showed workers who appeared to be trapped as the flames grew higher.

Andrei Vorobyov, Moscows regional governor, said one person had been rescued from the inferno. He later added: It is known for sure that while trying to escape, two men jumped out of the window  unfortunately, they died.

Footage showed people smashing windows as they tried to escape the flames rising from the first floor.

People were seen smashing windows as they tried to escape

The Caution News Telegram channel published footage of a man waving to rescuers from a window of the burning building.

One of the victims, a 34-year-old man, is in serious condition in intensive care he was connected to a ventilator, Mr Vorobyov said. Two firefighters sought medical attention due to combustion poisoning.

The official later added: The fate of the two women who were on the eighth floor is being clarified. There is one person in the hospital  a 34-year-old man, now on a ventilator.

Platan, a producer of electronic components for Russias ministry of defence, has been under US sanctions since June 2022 for producing what Washington described as pigments and dyestuff used by the armed forces.

An archived version of its website suggests the institute has produced parts for Russian fighter jets, nuclear launch munitions, its advanced S-400 air-defence system and various guided munitions.

But Roselectronica, part of the Rostec defence conglomerate, sought to distance themselves from the building, saying its Platan research institute had not been based there since the 1990s, according to Tass news agency.

Currently, a significant part of Platans premises is leased, an anonymous source told the outlet.

In particular, theres a recording studio, shops, communication companies, a bank, construction companies and others. The fire could have started in one of the rented premises.

Its report, citing an employee of Express Tech Service, which rents an office on the sixth floor of the building, said the fire had started there.

Mr Vorobyov said the blaze had been triggered by oxygen tanks belonging to one of the 30 companies that is based in the building.

More than 130 people and 50 pieces were involved in the effort to extinguish the blaze that had spread to 5,000 square metres by 7.30pm Moscow time, he added.

The nine-storey Platan research institute building near Moscow was ravaged by flames - AFP

The blaze was the latest in a string of unexplained fires at facilities linked to Russias armed forces since Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Recently, a fire broke out at the Moscow-based Sukhoi Design Bureau, which is responsible for the production of many of the countrys most advanced military jets.

In April, a blaze was reported at the Avangard military plant, the only known producer of S-300 surface-to-air missiles.

Ukraine has never claimed credit for these incidents, although Kyivs spy chief, Major-General Kyrylo Budanov, has admitted to sanctioning covert operations inside Russia.

Last year, he said acts of sabotage were almost 100 per cent by citizens of the Russian Federation.

Russia has also taken to carrying out overseas raids on Nato countries that have supported Ukraine.

Mysterious fires at a warehouse in east London, an Ikea in Lithuania and a shopping centre in Poland triggered warnings from Western officials of state-backed sabotage.

A large fire at an arms factory in Berlin last month was likely caused by Russians trying to disrupt weapon deliveries to Kyiv, intelligence officials believe.

06:50 PM BST

Thats all for now

Thanks for following our coverage today. This live blog is now closed.

06:49 PM BST

Unconfirmed reports: Seven dead in fire

Baza, a Telegram channel with links to the Russian security services, reports that at least seven people were killed in the research building fire outside Moscow. The claim has not been independently verified.

06:34 PM BST

Criminal investigations begin into fire

Andrey Vorobyov said that an investigative team is on the scene in Fryazino and working to establish the cause of the fire.

A criminal case has been opened. The prosecutors office is establishing the circumstances of the fire, he said.

06:16 PM BST

Moscow Governor: Two women were on floor where fire broke out

The fate of two women who were on the eighth floor of the research building when it burst into flames is currently unknown, Moscows governor has said.

Andrey Vorobyov said that a 34-year-old man had been taken to hospital and was on a ventilator.

The fire has spread to 5,000 square metres and could engulf the entire building, Mr Vorobyov wrote on Telegram, adding that oxygen tanks had triggered explosions and caused ceilings to collapse.

There is an elevator shaft in the central part of the building, he said. The ducts were positioned in such a way that they accelerated the fire.

06:05 PM BST

Fire is now localised, according to reports

The fire at the research centre near Moscow is being contained, according to Russian media. Local news wires, citing the Ministry of Emergency Situations, say that it has been localised.

However, this appeared to be contradicted by Andrey Vorobyov, the governor of Moscow, who recently said there was a threat of the fire spreading to the entire building.

06:02 PM BST

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the live blog if youre just joining us. Benedict Smith here. Well continue to bring you all the latest updates from the fire at the research centre near Moscow.

05:42 PM BST

Burning building linked to Western-sanctioned research institute

The eight-storey building that is currently burning near Moscow is linked to a Western-sanctioned scientific research institute in the Moscow region, according to local authorities.

Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, said the fire had engulfed a building belonging to the Platan research institute.

Platan, a producer of defence electronics, has been under US sanctions since June 2022 for producing and distributing pigments and dyestuff used by the military, according to the Moscow Times.

Roselectronica, the electronics components producer that is part of the defence conglomerate Rostec, told the state-run Tass news agency that its Platan research institute has not been based in the burning building since it became private property in the 1990s.

05:31 PM BST

Watch: People seen trapped inside floors engulfed by flames and smoke

05:25 PM BST

Blaze started by gas cylinder explosion, Tass reports

Tass, the state-run Russian news agency, has reported that the blaze at a research centre near Moscow was caused by the explosion of a gas cylinder.

The agency said that an emergency management service reported an explosion inside the building, and said it was caused by a gas cylinder.

At least eight people have died in the fire, which is raging across an estimated 4,500 square meters of the building between the fifth and seventh floors.

03:56 PM BST

Pictured: Emergency services at the Moscow defence building fire

Fire and smoke billow from a burning research building in Fryazino near Moscow, June 24 - GOVERNOR OF MOSCOW REGION/REUTERS

03:41 PM BST

Hungary looking to challenge EU over frozen Russian assets

Hungarys foreign minister has said a legal team in Brussels is looking for ways of challenging an EU decision to use funds from frozen Russian assets to buy weapons for Ukraine.

The statement came after Josep Borrell, the EUs foreign policy chief, said the bloc would use a legal loophole to overturn Hungarys veto on the plan.

This money cannot get stuck, it has to be used and we have a legal procedure to avoid any kind of blockage, Mr Borrell said at a press briefing in Luxembourg.

On Monday, EU member states approved a 1.4 billion (1.2 billion) lethal aid package for Kyiv, using the assets. Mr Borrell said it would be released as early as next week and added that a second tranche of 1.1 billion (930 million) was being readied.

03:07 PM BST

Zelensky orders SBU purge after assassination plots

Volymyr Zelensky has ordered the new head of Ukraines security service (SBU) to clear out those not committed to Ukraine and who discredit the agency.

The Ukrainian president made the comments while introducing Colonel Oleksiy Morozov to staff on Monday. Mr Morozov had been named as the new head of the service on Friday.

The move comes after the SBU said in May that it had caught two of its serving officers cooperating with Russia and plotting the assassination of Mr Zelensky and other leading officials.

01:51 PM BST

MoD marks 1 year since Prigozhins march on Moscow

The Ministry of Defence has marked one year since Yevgeny Prigozhin, the now deceased former leader of the Wagner Group, led his private army in a march on Moscow against the Russian military leadership.

Prigozhin initially promised that he would go to the end and that his soldiers would destroy everything that gets in the way. However, the march was stood down down after Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, brokered a truce between the Kremlin and the then Wagner leader.

Prigozhin died in a mysterious plane crash two months after his attempted coup.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine  24 June 2024.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/rdsFLqcOYi #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/HpAAGY69My  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) June 24, 2024

01:13 PM BST

63-year-old woman killed in Russian strike on key Donetsk town

A Russian strike on the town of Toretsk killed a 63-year-old woman and injured a 64-year-old man, local officials said.

The city came under attack around 10am today, Vadym Filashkin, the regional governor said, adding that a house was hit and the wounded man had been taken to hospital.

Toretsk is a strategically important town in the Bakhmut region of Donetsk and only around six miles from Shumy, which was reportedly captured by Russian forces on Friday.

Mr Filashkin has urged remaining residents to flee, writing do not risk your life and health! Evacuate! on his Telegram channel.

12:36 PM BST

Russian missile strike kills 4 in Pokrovsk

A Russian missile strike on the eastern Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk killed four people and injured over 30 others, the regions governor said.

Local media reports that two children age 12 and 13 were severely injured.

According to regional officials, Russia attacked the town with two Iskander missiles, destroying one house and damaging a a further 16.

Pokrovsk is around 40 miles from the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk and around 19 miles from the villages of Novooleksandrivka and Yevhenivka, where fierce fighting is ongoing.

12:08 PM BST

Russia summons US ambassador over Sevastopol missile strike

Russia has summoned the US ambassador to its foreign ministry over what it said was Washingtons responsibility for a Ukrainian missile strike that hit a Sevastopol beach on Sunday and killed at least four people, including two children.

The incident occurred after Russian air defence intercepted the missiles, spraying shrapnel over sunbathers on a beach close to a Russian air base.

The Russian foreign ministry said it told Lynne Tracy, the US envoy, that Washington bears equal responsibility with the Kyiv regime for this atrocity and that the strike would not go unpunished.

Moscow claimed on Saturday that Western personnel are responsible for the intelligence, guidance and target setting for Atacms missiles.

The US has previously said that Ukraine can only use US-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets deeper inside Russia if it is acting in self-defence.

11:55 AM BST

Explainer: The Crimean space communications centre

The NIP-16 space communications complex, which Ukraine is thought to have hit with an Atacms missile strike, is a Soviet-era facility that can extend communications 186 million miles into deep space.

It was abandoned by Russia in 1992 after the collapse of the USSR, however Moscow regained control of the centre after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and placed it under the command of its Aerospace Defence Forces.

It is said to be particularly important for military satellite communications, as Crimeas location and clear weather expands the range of transmissions.

11:41 AM BST

Pictured: Fires at site of suspected Ukrainian Atacms strike on Russian space control centre

Ukrainian is said to have struck the Russian NIP-16 space tracking and communication center in Vitino, Crimea with Atacms missiles - X

10:42 AM BST

Pictured: Smoke billows from buildings after Russian strike on Odesa

Local residents stand at the site of a Russian missile strike on Odesa, June 24 - Serhii Smolientsev/REUTERS

Firefighters work at the site of the Odesa strike, June 24 - REUTERS

10:15 AM BST

EU cracks down on Russias shadow fleet

We reported earlier that the EU had agreed a new round of sanctions against Russia (see our post at 9:01am).

Further details of the package have now emerged, including a crack down on Russias shadow fleet of oil tankers sneaking Moscows oil and ammunition to ports across the world.

The Kremlin has used its shadow fleet of aging ships, which lack proper insurance and have opaque ownership, to circumvent the sanctions regime.

Now, however, the EU said it intends to make identifying and designating the ships easier, adding that 27 vessels have already been listed.

The move comes after the UK issued the first sanctions on the shadow fleet, also known as the dark fleet, in early June.

09:44 AM BST

Pictured: The aftermath of a Russian strike on a Kharkiv school

The Avtorska Shkola Boyko school in Kharkiv, which was hit by a Russian UMPK KAB 250 guided bomb on June 23 - Jose Hernandez/Shutterstock/Shutterstock

09:35 AM BST

Ukrainian security service arrests Russian mole

Ukraine has arrested a mole in its armed forces who passed on information to Russia, Kyivs state security service (SBU) has said.

The SBU alleges that the man provided details of Ukraines border fortifications with Belarus, as well as coordinates for military storage facilities, to his Russian handlers.

Kremlin agents promised the man safe passage to Russian-controlled regions of Ukraine, the SBU said.

A photo released by the security service shows the accused in Ukrainian military uniform being led by the arm by two masked SBU officers.

The man is currently in custody charged with treason and faces life in prison if convicted, the SBU said.

09:01 AM BST

EU agrees new sanctions against Russia

The EU on Monday agreed a new package of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

The blocs 14th round of sanctions against Moscow includes a ban on reloading Russian liquefied natural gas in the EU for further shipment to third countries.

It also offers the EU more tools to crack down on circumvention of sanctions, as well as targeting an additional 116 Russian individuals and entities.

Josep Borrell, the EUs top diplomat, said: The 14th package of sanctions demonstrates our unity in supporting Ukraine and seeking to limit Russias criminal activities against Ukrainians, including efforts to circumvent EU measures.

08:52 AM BST

Ukraine denies that Russia has taken contested village

The Ukrainian 110th Separate Mechanised Brigade has denied reports that Russian forces have captured the village of Novooleksandrivka.

In a statement issued early on Monday, the Brigade said that claims of the settlements capture do not correspond with reality.

The military acknowledged that a significant part of Novooleksandrivka had been occupied, but that Russian forces do not fully control the village.

The comments came after information published by Deep State UA, a Ukrainian open-source intelligence network, indicated that the settlement had fallen to Moscows troops.

Novooleksandrivka is on the Pokrovsk front, which has seen intense fighting in recent days. On Sunday morning, Ukraines general staff said that the area had accounted for over half of all combat actions recorded over the previous 24 hours.

08:32 AM BST

Russian strike injures 3 in Odesa

A Russian strike on Ukraines southern city of Odesa hit civilian infrastructure and injured at least three people on Monday morning, Oleh Kiper, the regions governor, said.

A 19-year-old boy and two middle-aged men were taken to hospital, Mr Kiper added

Ukraines interior ministry published pictures of a massive cloud of smoke rising from the site, where emergency services were working to put out a fire.

The air force had warned the citys residents of the threat of incoming missiles before the explosions sounded.
Pirates Of The Caribbean film series star Tamayo Perry has died following a shark attack in Hawaii.

The actor, also known for The Bridge, Blue Crush and Hawaii Five-0, was surfing at Malaekahana Beach on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, when he died on Sunday afternoon.

Local emergency services said they were called at 1pm to a person being fatally injured by a shark and used a jet ski to retrieve Perrys body from the ocean.

Honolulu Ocean Safety acting chief Kurt Lager told a press conference that Perry was a lifeguard and professional surfer loved by all, who was known throughout the world and in Oahus North Shore.

Tamayos personality was infectious, and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more, he added.

Our condolences go out to Tamayos family.

In Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth in the series, also starring Penelope Cruz and Johnny Depp, Perry portrayed one of the buccaneers.

He had also been seen in Lost, which was filmed in Oahu, and Charlies Angels: Full Throttle.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi called Perrys death a tragic loss.

He added: Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected, (he) grew up right over here, and just a great member of our ocean safety team.

So you get a call like this on a Sunday afternoon, its just really hard to imagine.

Mayor Blangiardi also called on the public and press to honour and respect Perrys family while they are dealing with their loss.
The royal family has a lifelong love of horses, with the Princess Royal competing at eventing in the Olympics and Zara Tindall winning a silver medal in London 2012.

Anne learnt to ride as a young child, with her mother the late Queen passing on her fascination with all things equestrian, and her father Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, and brother the King both skilled horsemen and polo players.

But the Windsors close connection with horses has led to injuries in the past  mostly while riding, unlike Anne who was said to have been walking on her estate when she suffered concussion and minor injuries, consistent with impact from a horses head or legs.

The princess falls from Stevie B at the Badminton Horse Trials in 1982 (PA)

Anne had several falls while competing as a showjumper.

In 1976, she was knocked unconscious and cracked a vertebra when she was thrown from her mothers horse Candlewick while competing in the Portman Horse Trials in Dorset.

She suffered concussion and later said she could remember nothing about the incident.

Her daughter Zara was knocked unconscious when she fell from her horse in 2004 when she was competing in horse trials at Lulworth in Dorset and the animal, Ardfield Magic Star, started playing up, with both falling on their heads.

She was taken to hospital as a precaution and x-rayed, and later driven home by Anne.

Zara on Ardfield Magic Star at the Bramham International Horse Trials in 2006, two years after she was knocked unconscious after falling from the same horse (John Giles/PA)

Charles, as the Prince of Wales, has suffered the most horse-related injuries over the years.

He needed six stitches and was left with a two-inch scar on his face after being thrown and kicked by his polo pony in 1980.

On another occasion, he was hit in the throat, causing him to lose his voice for 10 days.

He broke his right arm in 1990 in a fall during a polo match and broke a rib when he tumbled from his horse in a hunting accident in 1998.

Charles also fractured a small bone in his shoulder after falling off his horse during a fox hunt in June 2001.

Prince Harry playing polo with his father the then Prince of Wales for Highgrove in an exhibition match against Cirencester Park (Barry Batchelor/PA)

A few months later in August 2001, he was knocked unconscious when his horse threw him from its back during a polo match.

The prince swallowed his tongue after landing awkwardly on the grass at Cirencester Polo Club after a goalmouth skirmish in the charity game.

He was stretchered off and taken by ambulance to hospital as a precautionary measure.

In January 1994, the late Queen broke her wrist in a riding fall  but climbed back on her horse and rode home unaware she had suffered anything more than a bruise.

The Queen with her arm in a sling after she was injured as she fell from a horse in 1994 (Fiona Hanson/PA)

She suffered the fracture to her left wrist as she thrust her arm out when she fell riding on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

The same year she was treated in hospital after a horse kicked grit into her eye as she rode in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The Queen is thought to have been in some discomfort before a doctor cleaned the eye out at the King Edward VIIs Hospital.

The Duke of Sussex  a keen polo player  was chucked off his pony during the first chukka of a charity match in New York in 2010 but dusted himself off unscathed and remounted.
Fergus Burke hopes that by successfully filling the biggest boots in English rugby he will realise his ambitions of playing on the international stage.

Burke has been recruited by Saracens to replace Racing 92-bound Owen Farrell, the former England captain who has been instrumental in helping the club win six Gallagher Premiership and three European titles.

The 24-year-old arrives in north London with a strong pedigree, having served as understudy to All Blacks fly-half Richie Mounga at the Canterbury Crusaders.

And, although he has represented New Zealands under-20 side, he has targeted playing for England or Scotland, with both scenarios possible through an English mother whose father is Scottish.

He's   Welcome to Saracens, Fergus Burke #YourSaracens pic.twitter.com/mXkAQG3uaK  Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) April 2, 2024

I have big ambitions to play international rugby. First things first, I need to come over here and play well for Saracens and whatever happens in that space happens. Its exciting, Burke said.

Offering inspiration to Saracens new playmaker is seeing the impact made by Taine Plumtree of Wales and Englands Ethan Roots and Chandler Cunningham-South, each of whom left New Zealand when their professional careers were in their infancy.

I havent spoken to Taine, but he was in my under-20s team and he has done awesome. Lots of boys have come over here and made it work, Burke said.

You look at Ethan Roots and Chandler and boys like that. Its exciting. Its a different challenge and I am looking forward to it.

Burkes priority is settling in at Saracens, where he has the challenge of shaping a future without Farrell, but he at least has experience of replacing a modern great.

Ive been through something similar this year, although Ive been injured a bit, with Richie Mounga leaving the Crusaders, he said.

Im my own player, but I have ultimate respect for what Owens done at Saracens and he will probably go down as the greatest ever.

Its awesome and Im looking forward to joining the club. I havent spoken to Owen, but Im sure Ill pick up with him at some point.
Rishi Sunak has claimed Labour would make the UK the soft-touch illegal migration capital of the world as the Tories highlighted their plans to cut illegal and legal immigration.

The Prime Minister stepped up attacks on Sir Keir Starmers proposals to curb migration which the Conservatives claimed would let thousands more into the UK each year.

He criticised what he called Sir Keirs illegal migration amnesty and sweetheart deal with the EU in a desperate bid to reduce Labours stubborn double-digit poll lead ahead of the July 4 General Election.

The Conservatives reiterated their pledges to halt illegal migration, including running a regular rhythm of flights to Rwanda to provide an effective deterrent, starting in July, until the boats are stopped.

But the Opposition hit back that instead of the gimmicks, Labour will get a grip on the issue and accused the Tories of desperately inventing lies about their policies.

It comes as the number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel hit a new record for the first six months of a calendar year  at 12,901.

The tally of crossings since Mr Sunak, who promised to stop the boats, became Prime Minister in October 2022 is fast approaching 50,000.

The Tories also vowed to bring into force the Illegal Migration Act, which became law last year, stop illegal migrants from bringing spurious claims to stop their removal, and return more people with no right to be in the UK to their own country.

On cutting legal migration, the party repeated its plans to introduce a cap on the number of work visas and allowing Parliament to vote on where the limit should be set.

If re-elected, the Tories would commission the independent Migration Advisory Committee to recommend an annual level, and automatically hike the salary threshold for skilled workers and the family income requirement in line with inflation.

Net migration  the difference between the number of people legally arriving in the UK and leaving  hit 685,000 last year, more than three times higher than the figure at the time of the last election when the Conservatives promised to cut overall numbers in their 2019 manifesto.

Mr Sunak said: Migration is too high and the Conservatives have a clear plan to get it down. Labour would rip up our plan on day one by scrapping the Rwanda scheme, despite countries across Europe looking to it themselves to deal with their own migration pressures.

Labours only alternative is an illegal migration amnesty and sweetheart deal with the EU that would see Britain taking even more illegal migrants from the continent  the opposite of what Britain needs.

So thats the clear choice at this election  the Conservatives who have shown they will take the bold action necessary to break the model of the smuggling gangs and stop the boats, and Labour who would make us the soft-touch illegal migration capital of the world and take us back to square one.

Home Secretary James Cleverly added that Labour would send immigration soaring, saying: The Labour Party have got a complete vacuum where their policies should be. Their big idea is for a border command that already exists.

Sir Keir Starmers party has pledged in its manifesto to axe the multimillion-pound stalled plan to send migrants to Rwanda and use the money to pay for a new security border command.

If elected, Labour would launch the unit with hundreds of new specialist investigators, vowing to use counter-terror powers to smash criminal boat gangs in a bid to curb Channel crossings.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been keen to challenge Tory claims of being soft on immigration (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The party would also seek a new security agreement with the EU to ensure access to real-time intelligence so police can work with European counterparts.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: The Tories so-called plan is more of the same chaotic failures and desperate lies  they are trying to take the country for fools.

Small boat crossings have hit 50,000 on Rishi Sunaks watch and net migration has trebled since the last election.

The extortionate Rwanda scheme has been running two years and just two volunteers have been sent. Rishi Sunaks promises and policies are all just a total con. All they are offering is more of the same failed approach while desperately inventing lies about Labour.

Labour will set up a new Border Security Command with new counter terror powers and hundreds of additional cross-border police and investigators to smash criminal smuggler gangs.

We will put a stop to the Tories asylum hotel amnesty by clearing the backlog with a new Returns and Enforcement Unit to return those with no right to be here.

Labour will link visa controls to new workforce plans and training requirements to tackle skills shortages and bring net migration down.

Mr Sunak is not expected to hit the campaign trail on Tuesday, when his prime ministerial duties will see him focus on the state visit of the Japanese emperor and empress.
A woman has been fined 1,400 after she admitted making thousands of pounds from selling elephant ivory on eBay.

Joyce Bell, 67, sold about 100 items made with ivory from elephant tusks on the online auction site over a number of years, making a total of 6,412.

When she was arrested in December 2022, she initially claimed the items were costume jewellery and other goods made from bovine bone, and that she had not been selling them for profit.

However, in May 2024, she pleaded guilty to the sale of ivory in 2022 in breach of the Ivory Act, which came into force the same year.

This is understood to be the first conviction in Scotland under the Ivory Act, which brought in a near-total ban on the import, export and dealing of items containing elephant ivory.

She also admitted fraudulently evading export duties by failing to obtain export licences for goods being shipped overseas.

At Dundee Sheriff Court on Monday, Sheriff George Way acknowledged it was Bells first offence, and that she seemed to be genuinely remorseful for her actions.

He also said she didnt quite realise the implications of the trade in ivory. It has many other ramifications but that might not always be obvious when dealing in bits and pieces.

He added: At the end of the day, the trade in these items is generated by money. If they werent valuable to some people, then, there wouldnt be the illegal trade, and there wouldnt be the poaching and the horrible things we know about.

He ordered Bell, who is from Dundee, to pay a 1,400 fine plus tax and a victim surcharge of 75.

Bell, dressed in a white blouse, showed no reaction as the sentence was handed down.

At the previous hearing in May, prosecutor Karon Rollo explained that Bell first came to the attention of the authorities in March 2022 when Border Force staff at Heathrow Airport became suspicious that packages she was sending to China contained elephant ivory.

She was arrested in December 2022 following an investigation by the National Wildlife Crime Unit, which found she had used multiple eBay accounts to sell the items.

Ms Rollo told the court that when advertising the items, Bell photographed them with a set of scales, which would have told collectors that the items were ivory rather than bovine bone, as ivory is much heavier.

She also said that following her arrest Bell admitted receiving letters from customs advising her she needed export licences for the packages she was sending overseas, but that she had ignored them.

The prices she was recording on the packages she was sending were also found to be far lower than what the goods had actually sold for.

Bell was fined 1,400 after pleading guilty to offences under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 and Ivory Act 2018.

Iain Batho, who leads for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Services wildlife and economic crime unit, said: In this case, whilst the actions of Joyce Bell may seem remote from the suffering of elephants in the wild, the two are directly linked.

Without an illegal ivory market driving demand for such items, there would be no need for the ongoing harm being caused to wild elephants.

COPFS takes offences committed under the Ivory Act seriously and action will be taken against those who choose to engage in such conduct, where there is sufficient evidence of a crime and where it is in the overall public interest to do so.

The result in this case is a testament to the collaborative working between COPFS, Police Scotland, the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit and the UK Border Force Agency.
A Florida family is currently seeking damages from NASA after space debris from the International Space Station hit their home last March.

In a press release from the Otero family's legal representative, the family is seeking financial compensation from the business, emotional/mental, property damages the space debris has caused to the family.

Family attorney Mica Nguyen Worthy stated that the incident provides a "real-life example" of the consequences of the space debris crashing back into Earth and putting danger to human lives.

The disputed ISS space debris crashed into the Otero family home in Naples, Florida, on March 8, leaving a "sizable hole from the roof through the sub-flooring." Nobody was reportedly hurt in the incident.

NASA later claimed the space debris to be part of its flight support equipment needed to mount batteries on the ISS.

The case is expected to create a legal precedent over NASA's future actions toward space debris, especially with the ISS nearing its expiration date.

NASA Prepares for the ISS's Costly Retirement

With the rest of the ISS soon expected to crash back on Earth, NASA is now preparing for the high cost needed to prevent any facility and people from being affected by the return trip.

The space station is planned to crash at an isolated area in the Pacific Ocean, requiring NASA scientists to accurately predict the ISS's trajectory as it de-orbits into the Earth's atmosphere.

Calculating the space debris that may depart from the station as it burns up in the atmosphere would be another challenge, especially now that it has been confirmed that even small debris could survive the crash.

NASA estimated that retiring the station, as well as recovering all debris from the ocean, would cost the agency nearly $1 billion.

NASA is set to retire the ISS in 2030, over thirty years since it was first launched to become the first space laboratory in 1998.

Also Read : NASA Says Retiring the ISS Could Cost Almost $1 Billion

NASA Opens Path for Private-Owned Space Stations

As the space agency prepares to decommission the ISS, NASA has already declared plans to give private businesses to launch their own space stations in the future.

The new approach to space research and travel follows the agencies' earlier efforts to reduce expenses from the US government, including its partnership with Boeing and SpaceX for its Artemis missions.

As of writing, only the ISS and China's Tiagngong Space Station are the operational space laboratories currently orbiting Earth.
Thirteen people have been injured after a mass shooting at a party in Alabama over the weekend.

The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning in the citys capital of Montgomery.

The Montgomery Police Department said it received a 911 call about the incident at about 1:48 a.m.

It took officers seven minutes to arrive on scene from the time of the call. Upon arrival, police found two gunshot victims with non-life-threatening injuries. They were transported to a local hospital.

Montgomery police said an additional 11 people were hurt and traveled to medical facilities in personal vehicles. Some of the injured were hit by gunfire and others were hurt amid the chaos as people fled the scene.

A total of nine people suffered gunshot wounds, three were hit by vehicles as they fled the scene, and one was hit by flying glass.

Police found more than 350 shell casings at the scene.

MPDs acting chief of police John Hall said that the party was unpermitted. It happened at a personal property and spilled out onto other properties along the street.

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed spoke out in a press conference, calling the incident infuriating and a senseless act.

These events cannot continue to happen. We will not stand for it. We will not be satisfied until we are doing everything at the local, state, and federal level to find those who are part of these continued incidents, said the mayor.

Reed said while law enforcement and other agencies are doing their part, it is also on members of the community to speak up.

Next time you dont know it if itll be you, or someone you love, or someone you know, thatll be a victim of gun violence, Reed said, encouraging those with information to come forward.

Police have not yet identified any suspects in the case but are continuing to gather information.

In a press conference, special agent Jennifer Conway with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms alluded to the fact that police may know who is responsible but will not stop until they have undeniable evidence to convict.

An investigation remains ongoing.
Judge Reinhold is sharing the story behind why his career may have been stunted.

The actor, who stars alongside Eddie Murphy in the "Beverly Hills Cop" franchise, said his attempt at a leading role in the film "Vice Versa" was squashed due to a figurative "executive murder plot."

Reinhold, 67, told Vanity Fair in a profile published June 13 that the 1988 "body-swap" film with Fred Savage was destroyed at the box office due to similar movies coming out at the time, as well as behind-the-scenes moves by former Columbia Pictures CEO David Puttnam.

"It was basically an executive murder plot. David Puttnam, who produced 'Chariots of Fire,' became the head of Columbia Pictures, and we all loved him because he was a creative and he had done indies," he said. "The downside with David was he wanted to bring the price of lead actors down, but make the backend profits real."

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Judge Reinhold, who stars in the "Beverly Hills Cop" franchise alongside Eddie Murphy, recalled the 1980s film that he feels sidelined his career.

Puttnam was CEO for 15 months, from June 1986 to September 1987.

He continued: "I believed him. I really did. And he wasnt, unfortunately, around long enough to prove that formula."

"Vice Versa" follows a divorced executive and his 11-year-old son as they encounter a mysterious Tibetan skull. The skull releases a magical power that causes the two to switch bodies.

As noted in Vanity Fair, the film came amid a slate of age-change movies, including "Like Father Like Son" in 1987, and "Big" and "18 Again!" in 1988.

"What happened was Dudley Moore and Kirk Cameron's 'Like Father Like Son.' Tri-Star Pictures threw that movie into production while we were already shooting," said Reinhold. "And Coca-Cola owned both companies. When I started the film, I knew that that was a risk to be so closely identified with the other ones. I know that it was a premise that had been done before. I didn't know about the Dudley Moore movie."

The "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" actor went on to star in "The Santa Clause" series and made guest appearances on "Ellen," "Monk" and "Arrested Development," and many television films.

Reinhold starred in every installment of the "Beverly Hills Cop" franchise, including a 2013 TV movie.

He revives his role as Billy Rosewood in Netflix's upcoming "Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F" film, streaming July 3.

Hitting the big screen in 1984, the original "Beverly Hills Cop" catapulted Murphy into superstardom. The classic buddy-cop action comedy spurred two sequels, all starring Murphy as the titular street-smart cop who came to California from Detroit to investigate crime and corruption.

"Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley" reunites Murphy and Reinhold with franchise co-stars John Ashton, Paul Reiser and Bronson Pinchot. New to the franchise are stars including Kevin Bacon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Taylour Paige.

Contributing: Sarah Al-Arshani and Eric Lagatta

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Beverly Hills Cop star Judge Reinhold recalls film that shelved career
By Vivian Sequera and Deisy Buitrago

CARACAS (Reuters) - The Colombian government and the Segunda Marquetalia armed group began peace talks on Monday, part of President Gustavo Petro's efforts to end 60 years of war in his country.

Segunda Marquetalia is a dissident faction of the now-demobilized Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels whose leaders initially agreed to a 2016 peace deal, but returned to arms citing unfulfilled promises three years later.

The initial round of talks in Caracas, Venezuela, will last through June 29.

The Segunda Marquetalia has already had the experience of a peace deal not being correctly implemented, the head of its negotiating team Walter Mendoza said, referring to the 2016 FARC deal.

"Overcoming this situation is in the hands of the state and all its institutions and in particular of the current government," Mendoza said.

The head of the government's negotiating team Armando Novoa told Reuters earlier this month that Colombia hopes to sign and begin to implement a peace deal with the 1,751-member Segunda Marquetalia before Petro leaves office in just over two years.

"We cannot begin from zero, it would be a historic error," Novoa said in his opening remarks.

Novoa has said he hopes that the talks will move more quickly because some of Segunda Marquetalia's leadership participated in the FARC talks.

Petro's efforts to stop the conflict, which has killed at least 450,000 people, have faced significant setbacks.

The government is holding separate talks with National Liberation Army rebels - though there have been repeated moments of crisis between the two sides, - and the Estado Mayor Central armed group, a former FARC faction that never signed the 2016 deal and a majority of whose units have rejected dialogue.

Segunda Marquetalia leader Luciano Marin, better known by his nom de guerre Ivan Marquez, said the group was willing to contribute to a joint goal of peace in Colombia.

Marquez was thought killed last year, but the Colombian government confirmed in May that a video showing him was real.

(This story has been refiled to fix the spelling of Armando Novoa's surname in paragraphs 7 and 8)

(Reporting by Vivian Sequera and Deisy Buitrago; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
Grim the Finnish Lapphund lives in Svalbard, Norway, with his owner Cecilia Blomdahl

Cecilia Blomdahl Grim the Finnish Lapphund enjoying the outdoors in Svalbard, Norway

Grim is a Finnish Lapphund who lives in Svalbard, Norway, with his owner Cecilia Blomdahl

The pair have over 3.9 followers on social media, where they post about living near the North Pole

In Svalbard, Grim experiences weeks of polar day and polar night, periods with 24/7 sunshine and no sunshine at all

Grim the Finnish Lapphund lives an arctic dog's dream, enjoying the 24/7 snow and sunshine of polar day in Svalbard, Norway.

If Grim's furry face looks familiar, it might be because the 9-year-old dog is the canine star of owner Cecilia Blomdahl's social media accounts. Between Instagram and TikTok, the pair have over 3.9 million followers.

Blomdahl was inspired to start posting about her life in Svalbardan archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Poleafter taking a minute to absorb her unique surroundings while walking with Grim during polar night. Polar night is a months-long period in the winter when Svalbard receives no sunlight.

"It's polar night, it's 3:00 p.m., and it's pitch black, and the Northern Lights are dancing across the sky. We don't have any streetlights or anything out here, so if we turn off our headlights, it's just pitch black and the Northern Lights. And it was absolutely gorgeous," Blomdahl recalls to PEOPLE while speaking about her recent partnership with Peet's Coffee. "And we passed by some polar bear tracks, and I'm like, 'Where do I live?'"

Cecilia Blomdahl Grim the Finnish Lapphund

Blomdahl decided to make a "talkative TikTok" about the moment, posted it to her account, where she had only a few other posts, and went to bed.

"I woke up, and it had gone so viral," Blomdahl says. The clip now has over 9.1 million views.

She embraced others' interest in the Svalbard style of living and started posting regularly about her life near the North Pole.

"It's fun to share where you live and teach people about a different place," she says.

Soon, a lucky individual will experience the thrilling beauty of Svalbard with Blomdahl and Grim as their guides. The duo has teamed up with Peet's to celebrate the brand's Bright Collection with the Peet's Bright Contest. The winner will get a trip for two to Svalbard in August when the village is experiencing polar day, meaning 24/7 sunshine, making it one of the brightest places on Earth. The contest is accepting submissions through June 28.

"We're really looking forward to that. We're going to see walruses. It's my favorite place; there's a walrus colony, so we'll take the lucky winners to go there," Blomdahl says. "We will be sipping coffee and looking at the walruses."

While Blomdahl shares her daily life on her social media accounts  including her morning walks with a coffee in hand  she says it's Grim who's become the celebrity.

Cecilia Blomdahl Cecilia Blomdahl

"When I meet people in the village, they can ask me to hold the camera because they want me to take a photo of them with Grim. It's the best thing," the dog mom says of the pooch's fame.

The Arctic may seem like a strange home for a canine, but Grim is built for the locale. According to the American Kennel Club, Finnish Lapphunds like Grim were bred to be reindeer herders with thick, weatherproof coats.

Related: Man Notices Dog Following Him While on Vacation in Puerto Rico, Realizes He Can't Leave Her Behind (Exclusive)

Grim adores having a chilly winter wonderland year-round, especially during polar day.

"During polar day, the world is his oyster. He wants to be outside, wants to live outside," Blomdahl shares.

Even better than polar day is the "sunny winter" weather of March in Svalbard.

Cecilia Blomdahl Grim on a walk in Svalbard, Norway

"I've noticed that he loves polar day, but he is also a snow dog, so I don't think he loves the sun and warmth. For him, six degrees Celcius is very warm," the pet parent explains.

In March, "it's cold, but it's also sunny. I think that's when he's living his best life: winter dog deluxe," she adds.

Related: Couple Goes Viral Living on Boat with Two Dogs. What Happens When Pups Have to Go to the Bathroom? (Exclusive)

Grim does face a few obstacles in his life that are foreign to other pets. Blomdahl always carries a firearm when she walks Grim, so she is prepared to scare off polar bears.

Blomdahl says Grim has not come "face-to-face close" with a polar bear yet, but he saw one near their house while outside several weeks ago.

Cecilia Blomdahl Svalbard, Norway

"He didn't bark. He came inside straight away. He came to the door and asked to go inside, and that tells me everything I need to know. That means that he understands," the proud owner says of Grim's reaction to the bear.

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.

While only one winner will get the trip to Svalbard to meet Blomdahl and Grim in person, anyone can get to know the pair better on social media. Blomdahl hopes these interactions leave people smiling.

"I love that a dog can give people so much joy. People can just love watching him," she says.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
The suspect in a mass shooting at a grocery store in Arkansas was armed with a pistol, a 12-gauge shotgun and had a bandolier with dozens of extra shotgun rounds, authorities said.

It was one of at least 14 mass shootings in the US since Friday, including one in Ohio, in which 10 people  including two minors  were shot.

The US has suffered at least 247 mass shootings in just the past six months, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines mass shootings as those in which four or more victims are shot. In recent weeks, gunfire erupted at a Michigan splash pad, a Texas Juneteenth celebration and a Massachusetts car meetup, among other seemingly innocuous locations.

The suspect in the Arkansas grocery store shooting, Travis Eugene Posey, 44, allegedly opened fire at the Mad Butcher in Fordyce on Friday, killing four people ages 23 to 81 and wounding nine others.

The suspect arrived at the Mad Butcher armed, Secretary of Public Safety and Director of Arkansas State Police Mike Hagar said. We believe that most, if not all the rounds, fired by the suspect were from the shotgun.

Authorities believe the suspect immediately began engaging victims in the parking lot after exiting his truck and then proceeded into the store, Hagar said.

The Arkansas State Police named Travis Eugene Posey, 44, as the suspect in Friday's shootings in Fordyce. - Ouachita County Sheriff's Office

Once inside the grocery store, the suspect was firing indiscriminately at both customers and employees, Hagar said.

Law enforcement responded to the shooting around 11:30 a.m. and exchanged gunfire with the suspect, Arkansas State Police said.

Officers arrived less than three minutes from the time the first shot was fired, Hagar said. When law enforcement arrived on scene, the suspect exited the store, and the officers redirected his attention towards them, he said.

He immediately engaged in a firefight with law enforcement, where they were able to stop the threat, Hagar said.

Posey was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement and taken to the Ouachita County Detention Center, state police said in a release.

Posey is expected to be charged with four counts of capital murder, with additional charges pending, Arkansas State Police said in a news release. He is set to appear in court Monday, Dallas County prosecutor Eric Marks said.

The suspects motive is not yet clear, Hagar said, noting that his criminal history is very limited  if there is any at all.

It was not clear whether Posey had retained legal counsel.

Victims include an infants mother and a selfless great-grandparent

The four people killed in the shooting were identified as Callie Weems, 23; Roy Sturgis, 50; Shirley Taylor, 62; and Ellen Shrum, 81.

Weems, the youngest victim, leaves behind her 10-month-old daughter Ivy, according to a GoFundMe page set up by family friends to help with her funeral expenses.

Callie Weems, 23, was the youngest victim killed in the mass shooting at a grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, on June 21. - Obtained by CNN

Callies life was tragically took yesterday way (too) soon, reads the campaign, verified by GoFundMe.

With Ivy being left behind this is a great way for Helen (Callies mother) to also do something for her future. She loved her child and everyone witnessed her being a phenomenal mom. Pray for Helen, Ivy and family the days to come will be the hardest.

The young victims mother, Helen Browning, is also mourning the death of another victim. She said Sturgis, a logger and a loving father, was part of her extended family, the Associated Press reported.

Roy was as country as cornbread, Browning told The Associated Press. He lived a simple life. He was a simple man.

Grocery store shooting victim Roy Sturgis, 50, originally from Kingsland, Arkansas, leaves behind his daughter Hanna Sturgis and step-son Braydon Pennington, according to his online obituary. - From Benton Funeral Home

The oldest victim, Ellen Janie Shrum, leaves behind her husband of 63 years, their three children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who knew her lovingly as Grammie.

She was completely selfless, her son, Tait Shrum, told CNN. She didnt have a selfish bone in her body.

Janie Shrum was a devoted Christian and served as a foster parent for several children. An avid gardener, she always shared what she canned, baked and cooked with others.

Ellen "Janie" Shrum was killed and leaves behind a husband and three children. - Courtesy Shrum Family

Love was the key to life for her, her daughter, Teresa Shrum Crutchfield said. She wanted to share that love with others.

Early on in her retirement, Janie Shrum worked as a cashier for a few months at the Mad Butcher  the store where the mass shooting happened.

When she retired she couldnt stay retired, Tait said. She needed that connection with people, thats where she got her happiness.

Taylors daughter, Angela Atchley, told CNN her mother loved her family and kids and was the hardest working woman I know.

Shirley Kay Taylor, 63, was one of the victims of the shooting in Fordyce, Arkansas at the Mad Butcher. - Angela Atchley

We are completely lost, Atchley said.

In addition to the victims killed, seven civilians ages 20 to 65 years were injured by gunfire. Four of them were still hospitalized as of Sunday, including a woman who is in critical condition, Arkansas State Police said.

Two police officers were also shot and wounded, authorities said, including a Fordyce police officer who was released from a hospital Saturday evening.

I can tell you from what weve seen that there appears to be no personal connection to the shooter of any of the victims, Hagar said. He simply started engaging victims indiscriminately  just as targets of opportunity.

Mama, pinch me. This cant be real

Law enforcement officers work the scene of the mass shooting at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, Arkansas, on Friday. - Colin Murphey/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/AP

Katrina Doherty was shopping for dinner with her 18-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son when she thought she heard the sound of something falling.

Then she saw glass shatter and someone drop to the ground. Thats when she knew gunfire had erupted.

Not finding an escape route, Doherty and others followed two store employees and darted into a freezer. The 39-year-old mother said she heard about nine or 10 rounds before making it into the icy shelter.

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.

Outside, David Rodriguez was pulling into a gas station when he heard pops. At first, he thought they were fireworks. Then he noticed the grocery stores front windows were broken  as if they had been shot open by gunfire, Rodriguez said.

Panicked shoppers then sprinted out of the store as gunfire rang out in rapid succession, Rodriguez said.

Inside the stores freezer, frigid customers and employees couldnt call 911 because there was no service, Doherty said. Her son started to cry, but we finally got him calmed down because I didnt want the shooter to hear, she told CNN.

At one point, one of the employees inside the freezer opened the door, but promptly closed it after seeing a dead body immediately outside, Doherty said. The door remained shut until one of the workers heard police outside, and those in the freezer were escorted out.

More mass shootings tend to unfold in summer months, with July 4 and 5 marking a peak over roughly the last decade. Heat, experts say, can elevate discomfort and aggression  a potential catalyst for violence at a time kids are out of school and warmer weather drives more people outdoors in a country with more guns than people.

CNNs Taylor Galgano, Zoe Sottile, Sharif Paget, Justin Lear and Paradise Afshar contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way, and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities.

Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations.

This week we have Wild Rumpus Books in Minneapolis, Minnesota!

Whats your stores story?

Wild Rumpus Books is an independent bookstore in Minneapolis, Minnesota that opened in 1992.

Founded in 1992, Wild Rumpus is a specialty store dedicated to children's and young adult literature and is home to a small menagerie of animals. In 2017, the store was the first children's specialty store to win Publishers Weekly's Bookstore of the Year award. After celebrating the store's 30th anniversary in 2022, founding owner Collette Morgan told staff of her goal to retire, so in January 2024, she sold the store to four employees, making the store an employee-owned, queer-owned business, led by a team of women and nonbinary booksellers.

What makes your independent bookstore unique?

Of course, Wild Rumpus is known as a place to find great books and get recommendations from expert booksellers, but our family of store pets is also a major draw. The store is currently home to two Manx cats (Booker T and Eartha Kitt), two chinchillas (Caldecott and Newbery), a dove (Mo), a cockatiel (Dave), a crested gecko (Stinky Cheese Man), and an aquarium of fish, which are hidden behind the bathroom mirror and only visible with the room's lights off.

Eartha Kitt, one of two Manx cats at Wild Rumpus Books in Minneapolis. The bookstore is also has two chinchillas (Caldecott and Newbery), a dove (Mo), a cockatiel (Dave), a crested gecko (Stinky Cheese Man), and an aquarium of fish.

One thing we hear every day is some variation of, "I came here as a kid and now I'm bringing my own kids!" It's incredibly meaningful that we have been part of people's lives for so long and continue to be a place they come to find joy, delight, whimsy and learning. We take the business of fun very seriously! (And yes, we do carry some books for adults, so parents can find their next read, too!)

What's your favorite section in your store?

There are lots of ways to answer this question! In addition to sections devoted to picture books, middle grade, and young adult fiction, we also have sections dedicated to nonfiction and specific interests, from poetry, dance, music, and art, to history, science, sports, and nature.

Our world language section features books in Spanish, French, Japanese, Chinese, and Anishinaabe, among others.

We also have a section on death and grieving, so families can navigate even the most difficult conversations in ways that are age appropriate and sensitive.

Our Spooky Shed (a structure built into the store) is home to mysteries and spooky books for all ages, keeping the Halloween spirit alive (or undead?) year-round.

What book do you love to recommend to customers and why?

Ask any Rumpian and you'll get a different answer! But Raj Haldar's "Word Travelers" series is a particular favorite. The books are exciting mysteries and all of the clues are based on English words borrowed from other languages. They're such a fun celebration of word nerdery, and Raj is such a kind and energetic speaker.

We're also huge fans of Anne Ursu, a local middle grade author whose books tackle weighty topics like chronic illness, cultural power, and misogyny with humor, sensitivity, and excellent storytelling. Her latest book "Not Quite A Ghost" is terrific.

What book do you think deserves more attention and why?

Ari Tison's "Saints of the Household" has received many well-deserved accolades, but should get many more! It's a moving story about two brothers navigating the aftermath of violence in their small town. Tison doesn't offer easy answers, but shows readers that cycles of violence can be broken through the difficult work of healing.

What are some of your store's upcoming events, programs, or partnerships you would like to share?

Storytime at Wild Rumpus Books in Minneapolis, Minnesota is fun for the whole family.

We host a popular weekly story time (Tuesdays at 10:30am) and regular events with authors. We've launched our summer reading challenge, a popular program to keep kids reading and challenging themselves throughout summer. We're also relaunching our YA book club, since many longtime members of our younger book clubs are ready to make the leap. The young readers in these book clubs are some of the smartest, funniest, coolest, and kindest kids on the planet, and their enthusiasm and honesty regularly reminds us why we love our job.

Finally, we will once again partner with the Minnesota Streetcar Museum to host monthly PJ Party on the Trolley events in June, July, and August (plus a Halloween-themed series in October).

Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important?

Independent bookstores are a place where a community defines its values and priorities. Shopping at a children's specialty store (even buying books for grown ups here) supports a robust community of readers who are dedicated to giving children the tools they need to grow and learn and play in safe, loving environments. Shopping here ensures that we have the resources to bring authors to schools, giving students the opportunity to see their lives and faces reflected in the pages of books and in the authors who write them.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Inside Wild Rumpus Books, the bookstore with pet cats and chinchillas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the intense phase of the war with Hamas (in Gaza) is about to end, and that the militarys focus could then shift to Israels northern border with Lebanon, where fighting with the Iran-backed group Hezbollah has intensified in recent weeks.

Netanyahu, however, vowed that Israel would continue operating in Gaza until the militant group Hamas was eliminated.

It doesnt mean that the war is going to end, but the war in its current stage is going to end in Rafah. This is true. We will continue mowing the grass later, Netanyahu told Channel 14 Television in his first one-on-one interview with local Israeli media since October 7.

More than a million Palestinians were taking shelter in Rafah before Israel started its air and ground operation in the southern Gazan city, defying calls from the international community not to proceed. Around 800,000 people have since been displaced from Rafah, where conditions have been described by the United Nations food agency as apocalyptic.

The citys border crossing with Egypt  a vital entry point for humanitarian aid  has remained closed since the Israeli military seized it early last month.

And international pressure on Israels actions in Gaza have mounted since it started its operation in Rafah. Last month, the UNs top court ordered Israel to immediately halt its controversial military operation there, calling the humanitarian situation disastrous.

Netanyahu also weighed in on the ongoing negotiations to end the war, saying he was ready to make a partial deal with Hamas to return some hostages still being held captive in Gaza, but reiterating his position that the war will still continue after a ceasefire to achieve the goal of eliminating Hamas.

Im not ready to give that up, Netanyahu said.

Netanyahus comments were at odds with the aims of a broader proposal outlined by US President Joe Biden last month. That plan, which the US has said is an Israeli one, sets out conditions intended to lead to the eventual release of all remaining hostages, in return for a permanent ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Israeli opposition politician Gadi Eisenkot said Netanyahus remarks about a partial deal contradicted the wishes of the countrys recently-disbanded war cabinet, of which Eisenkot was a member.

A deal in one step, the so-called all for all, or a complete deal in three steps. The cabinet voted unanimously on this. Thats why the Prime Ministers statement about a partial deal is against the war cabinets decision, Eisenkot told the Knesset Foreign Affairs Committee on Monday. I think this requires clarification in light of the turmoil it causes to the families of the hostages.

Eisenkot, who  along with centrist opposition figure Benny Gantz  resigned from the war cabinet the week before Netanyahu dissolved it, said the remarks had damaged Israels war objectives.

The damage is of course the failure to realize the goals of the war, and it is a fatal damage to the national strength of the State of Israel, he said. There are soldiers who are fighting now because they have war goals to return the hostages and therefore I think that an immediate clarification by the Prime Minister is required as to what he meant.

In a short statement issued after his interview Sunday, Netanyahus office sought to clarify his comments, saying Hamas opposes a deal, not Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu has made it clear that we will not leave Gaza until we return all 120 of our hostages, living and deceased, it said.

Seeking to row back his explosive comments even further, Netanyahu on Monday told the Knesset: We are committed to the Israeli proposal that President Biden welcomed. Our position has not changed.

The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters condemned any suggestion of a withdrawal without securing the return of all hostages. The end of the fighting in the Gaza Strip, without the release of the hostages, is an unprecedented national failure and a failure to meet the goals of the war, the Forum said in a statement on Monday.

The prime minister has faced nationwide protests in Israel calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of all hostages. On Saturday, families of the hostages took part in the ongoing anti-government protests, including in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Herzliya, Caesarea, Raanana, Beer Sheva, Kiryat Gat and the town of Pardes Hanna-Karkur. Many protesters demanded the government accept the hostage release deal.

Cracks also appear to be deepening between the Israeli government and its military. Netanyahu has come under increasing pressure from members of his government and Israels allies, including the United States, to devise a strategy for the post-war governance of Gaza after Israels devastating bombardment of the isolated enclave.

In response to the prime ministers comments, Hamas said the words used by Netanyahu show that he is only looking for a partial agreement and not an end to the war in Gaza.

Netanyahus positions are a clear confirmation of his rejection of the recent Security Council resolution, and the proposals of US President Joe Biden, Hamas said in a statement.

Hamas continues to insist that any agreement include, a clear affirmation of a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Shifting north

Netanyahu also told Channel 14 Television that after the end of the intense phase, we will have the possibility to shift some of the power north, and we will do it.

First of all, for protection purposes, and secondly, to bring our residents home as well. If we can do it politically, that would be great. If not, we will do it in another way, but we will bring everyone back home  all the residents of the north and the south, he added.

Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Islamist movement with one of the most powerful paramilitary forces in the Middle East, has been carrying out deadly attacks from southern Lebanon targeting areas in northern Israel since October 8, the day after the Hamas attacks on Israel.

Israel has responded to Hezbollahs attacks with strikes that have killed Hezbollah militants, among them senior commanders.

Tens of thousands of Israelis have been evacuated from their homes in northern Israel due to ongoing conflict. Villages across southern Lebanon have also emptied.

The increase in cross-border attacks in recent weeks has intensified concerns about the possible outbreak of another full-fledged conflict in the Middle East.

Israeli officials have told the US they were planning to shift resources from southern Gaza to northern Israel in preparation for a possible offensive against the group, US officials told CNN on Wednesday. The implications of a wider war between Israel and Hezbollah could be devastating, a senior US official previously told CNN.

US officials have serious concerns that in the event of a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah, as the Iran-backed militant group could overwhelm Israels air defenses in the north  including the much-vaunted Iron Dome air defense system.

Netanyahu was also asked in the interview if his solution to ending the conflict with Hezbollah was via agreement or war.

The prime minister responded, Look, if there is an agreement, it will be an agreement according to our terms. Our terms are not ending the war, leaving Gaza, and leaving Hamas intact. I refuse to leave Hamas intact. We need to eliminate them.

Israel launched its war in Gaza following the Hamas attacks of October 7, when militants killed about 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages. Since then, the Israeli campaign has killed more than 37,000 people, according to the ministry of health in Gaza.

This breaking news story has been updated.

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As the Israel-Hamas war continues, negotiations have stalled to secure the release of hostages taken by the terrorist organization, and Israeli forces continue to launch incursions in the southern Gazan town of Rafah ahead of a possible large-scale invasion.





Latest Developments





Jun 25, 11:54 AM

Over 10,000 people need medical evacuation out of Gaza

Over 10,000 people need to be evacuated from Gaza to receive medical care due to the deteriorating conditions at hospitals in Gaza, according to the World Health Organization.



Among them are five children -- four cancer patients and one child with second-degree burns -- who were transferred Monday from Al-Ahli Hospital to Nasser Medical Complex, where they will stay for treatment until theyre able to leave Gaza, the WHO said.





Jun 25, 10:49 AM

Israel's top court rules state must draft ultra-Orthodox into IDF

Israels top court has ruled the state must draft the ultra-Orthodox into the Israel Defense Forces.



The move is a blow to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government.



Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said, "Draft exemptions for the ultra-Orthodox are illegal. The defense minister must uphold the law and issue conscription orders to tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox youth who have so far evaded military service."





Jun 25, 6:25 AM

14 killed in IDF strikes on 2 Gaza schools, Gaza officials say

The Israel Defense Forces overnight conducted airstrikes on two schools where internally displaced people were sheltering in Gaza City, killing 14 people according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.



The IDF said the strikes were on "terrorists operating inside two structures" and that the targets were "terrorists involved in holding hostages.

PHOTO: Men and children search through debris in the yard of the Asma school run by the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, in the Shati camp for Palestinian refugees, in the aftermath of overnight Israeli bombardment on June 25, 2024. (Omar Al-qattaa/AFP via Getty Images)

An IDF statement said that "aerial surveillance checks, precise munitions, and additional intelligence measures were all used in order to mitigate harm to civilians."



Video filmed by a civil defense first responder at the Abdel Fattah Hamoud school in central Gaza City appears to show an unconscious girl being pulled from flaming rubble at one school. Burns appear to cover much of her body.



According to the Ministry of Health, eight people were killed in that strike, including five children.



-ABC News Victoria Beaule





Jun 24, 4:38 PM

Netanyahu says hes committed to Israeli deal proposal that Biden presented

While addressing Israel's parliament on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he remains "committed" to the Israeli hostage/cease-fire proposal that President Joe Biden had presented.



"Will not end the war until we return all the abductees -- 120 abductees -- both the living and the dead. We are committed to the Israeli proposal that President Biden welcomed. Our position has not changed," Netanyahu said.

PHOTO: A Palestinian child walks with a stuffed bear recovered from the rubble of a destroyed building following Israeli bombardment in Khan Yunis, June 21, 2024. (Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty Images)

He added, "We will not end the war until we eliminate Hamas and until we return the residents of the south and the north safely to their homes.  [And] we will thwart Iran's intentions to destroy us."

Senior Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya told Al Jazeera on Monday evening that "Netanyahu's statements confirmed our view that he does not want a cease-fire or the return of [Israeli] prisoners.  Netanyahu's real stance is that he wants to retrieve his prisoners and continue the war."

"We are ready for genuine negotiations if Netanyahu adheres to the principles outlined by President Biden," he said. "We are ready for negotiations that achieve a cessation of aggression and a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip."

PHOTO: A Palestinian walks among the rubble of damaged buildings, which were destroyed during Israel's military offensive, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, June 12, 2024. (Mahmoud Issa/Reuters)

-ABC News Will Gretsky





Jun 24, 4:25 PM

Number of children missing, separated from families in Gaza may be as high as 21,000: Report

The number of children who are missing or separated from their families in Gaza may be as many as 21,000, according to humanitarian aid group Save the Children.

PHOTO: A Palestinian boy carrying his prayer mat, walks to join the morning the Eid al-Adha prayer in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on the first day of the Muslim holiday marking the end of the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, on June 16, 2024. (Bashar Taleb/AFP via Getty Images)

This organization -- which has been providing support for Palestinian children in the region since 1953 -- reports that likely 17,000 children are unaccompanied and separated, and another 4,000 children are likely buried under the rubble based on data from the United Nations and the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza.

"Children who are missing but living are vulnerable, face grave protection risks and must be found. They must be protected and reunited with their families," said Save the Childrens Regional Director for the Middle East Jeremy Stoner. "For the children who have been killed, their deaths must be formally marked, their families informed, burial rites respected, and accountability sought."

Click here to read more.

PHOTO: A Palestinian boy sits as people search the rubble of the Harb family home destroyed in overnight Israeli strikes in al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, June 18, 2024. (Bashar Taleb/AFP via Getty Images)

-ABC News Kiara Alfonseca





Jun 24, 4:13 PM

Blinken meets with Israels defense minister

State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said Secretary of State Antony Blinken is emphasizing several points in his ongoing meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday afternoon.

PHOTO: Israeli medics attend the funeral of Israeli soldier Omer Smadja, 25, killed amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip, at a military cemetery in Netanya, June 21, 2024. (Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images)

"No. 1, our ongoing commitment to Israel's security," Miller said. "No. 2, the importance of Israel developing robust, realistic plans for the day after the conflict, plans that include a path towards governance, towards security, towards reconstruction."

"He's going to emphasize the need to avoid further escalation of the conflict, and then he will, as always, emphasize the need to improve humanitarian access [in Gaza], where we have seen somewhat of a slowdown in access in the south," Miller continued, adding that Blinken hoped to hear "concrete commitments from [Gallant] to work on that problem."

PHOTO: Palestinians ride in the back of a pickup truck in a displacement area the al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, June 20, 2024. (Bashar Taleb/AFP via Getty Images)

-ABC News Shannon Crawford





Jun 24, 2:28 PM

Pentagon: Only the 1 shipment of 2,000-pound bombs has been delayed

Following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus comments alleging a U.S. slowdown in military aid to Israel, the Pentagon continues to say that only the one shipment of 2,000-pound bombs has been suspended.



"Again, just to clarify, we have paused one shipment to Israel," Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters on Monday.

PHOTO: An Israeli military armored vehicle rolls in an area bordering the Gaza Strip, June 9, 2024. (Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images)

"Everything else continues to flow on schedule as normal. It is not diminished," he said.



Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who is in Washington, D.C., for meetings with U.S. officials, will meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon on Tuesday, Ryder said.



-ABC News Luis Martinez





Jun 24, 12:09 PM

IDF 'approaching the point' of dismantling Hamas' Rafah Brigade

The Israeli military said it is winding down the intensity of fighting in the Rafah area of Gaza.



"We are clearly approaching the point where we can say we have dismantled [Hamas] Rafah Brigade, that it is defeated not in the sense that there are no more terrorists, but in the sense that it can no longer function as a fighting unit," the IDF chief of the general staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, said Sunday night. "It has suffered many casualties, and you will ensure until the completion of the mission here, to eliminate as many terrorists and destroy as much terrorist infrastructure as possible going forward."



-ABC News Will Gretsky





Jun 24, 11:32 AM

Looting, smuggling hindering delivery of aid in Gaza: UNRWA chief

"Gaza has been decimated" and life there is a "living hell," Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said in an address to other U.N. officials on Monday.

PHOTO: A Palestinian woman stands near the damaged windows of a classroom in a UNRWA school, after the air strike on a neighboring house to the school in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 21, 2024. (Mohammed Salem/Reuters)

He said the breakdown of civil order and "catastrophic levels of hunger" have caused looting and smuggling that are hindering the delivery of aid.

"Children are dying of malnutrition and dehydration, while food and clean water wait in trucks," he said.

PHOTO: A woman and a girl react following an Israeli strike that hit a tent camp, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Al-Mawasi area in western Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 21, 2024. (Mohammed Salem/Reuters)

Lazzarini also provided an update on the allegations that UNRWA staff members were involved in Hamas Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel.



He said out of 19 cases assigned to be investigated: one has been closed and the staffer was reinstated; four were suspended due to insufficient evidence; and 14 investigations are ongoing.



-ABC News Guy Davies





Jun 23, 6:41 PM

Israeli airstrike kills 8 people in Gaza City: Gaza Ministry of Health

Eight people were killed Sunday in an Israeli airstrike on the UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.



The IDF said they were targeting Hamas infrastructure and took measures to reduce risk to civilians.



Witnesses told Reuters that the site was used to distribute coupons for aid and distribute water. Video shows a destroyed building and people moving bodies away from the rubble.



-ABC News' Victoria Beaule, Jordana Miller and Sami Zyara

Click here to read the rest of the blog.
Rainfall continues to batter southern China

09:44, June 24, 2024 By Zhao Ruinan ( China Daily

Cars pass through a flooded section of the downtown area of Shexian county in Huangshan, Anhui province, on Sunday. Huangshan was struck by a second round of heavy rainstorms on Sunday as intense rainfall continued to pound the region. (Photo by Du Yu / Xinhua)

Torrential rainfall continued to lash parts of southern China on Sunday, triggering mudslides and flash floods in provinces such as Jiangxi and Hunan, where more than 10 people died.

Weather forecasters have warned that the downpours will further intensify in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River this week.

Two people died in a house collapse in a township in the city of Jiujiang, Jiangxi, while eight were killed in Hunan when a mudslide flattened four houses in a village in the province's Xinhuang Dong autonomous county, China Central Television and Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday.

Flooding in a township in Huaihua, Hunan, also caused one death on Sunday, while another person was reported missing, CCTV reported.

Heavy downpours battered the northwestern parts of Jiangxi starting on Saturday, with 14 monitoring stations in three counties reporting "severe rainfall", according to local authorities.

Yang Xiaoxiao, an official at Jiangxi's flooding and drought prevention department, emphasized the importance of focusing on the safety of embankments during heavy rains and called for increasing crews and the frequency of patrols.

According to the Hunan Meteorological Bureau, 184 townships in the province experienced heavy downpours over the weekend.

On Sunday morning, the National Meteorological Center issued an orange alert for rainstorms, with vast regions in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River expected to witness heavy rainfall until Monday afternoon. China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.

The China Meteorological Administration raised the national emergency response level from three to two on Sunday. The country also has a four-tier emergency response system, with level one being the most severe.

Meteorological experts warned that the overlapping of heavy rainfall areas increases the risks of flooding, geological disasters, and waterlogging in urban and rural areas of several provinces such as Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, and Anhui.

On Saturday night, Shexian county in Huangshan, Anhui, sounded a red alert for mountain floods, which are natural disasters caused by surge flooding in mountain streams and gorges. The alert prompted emergency evacuation and relocation of people living in low-lying areas and along rivers.

Feng Deliao, a police officer at the rural Jiekou Police Station in Shexian, who was busy helping villagers relocate on Sunday afternoon, said the station, which serves four townships, had sent 12 of its 14 officers to assist in flood relief efforts.

Affected residents were urged to either move in with relatives in safe areas or relocate to disaster relief camps set up by the local government in schools.

The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management mobilized multiple departments to analyze the current situation of heavy rainfall and previous drought conditions.

The analysis indicates that the intensity of rainfall in southern coastal regions is noticeably weakening, but regions in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the Jianghuai area are experiencing heavier downpours. Such a situation could easily trigger waterlogging or flooding in provinces that were previously experiencing drought, such as Hubei, Anhui, and Jiangsu.

In stark contrast to "severe rainfall" in central regions, parts of southern China that were previously affected by rainfall disasters are gradually returning to normal, the analysis said.

Repair work is currently underway in flood-hit areas of Meizhou, Guangdong province, where at least 38 people died in catastrophic flooding in the city's Pingyuan county over the past week.

Communication networks have been restored to pre-disaster levels in Meizhou, but parts of roadways and electricity and water supply lines are still being repaired. The power supply had been fully restored in 21 out of 33 flood-hit townships in the area, as of 6 pm Saturday.

By Saturday afternoon, water and power supplies were fully restored in all flood-affected villages in Longyan, Fujian province.

The flood control and drought relief headquarters in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, withdrew its level four emergency response to flood control as heavy rains in the city ceased and the water in all rivers dropped below their warning levels.

On Saturday morning, the scenic section of the Lijiang River in Guilin resumed operation, with 37 sightseeing boats carrying over 3,700 visitors, essentially returning to pre-flood levels of operation, local media Guilin Daily reported.

Zhu Lixin in Hefei contributed to this story.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
TikTok filters are the hottest trend to boost views and engagement on the platform right now. It comes as no surprise that the feature will be used to spread advocacies to other social media users and even raise funds.

Here are just some of the active "for a cause" filters people can support by just watching, sharing with others, and even using to donate directly to the struggling communities they represent:

Palestine Flag Filter

One of the numerous "for a cause" filters that have surfaced with the rise of pro-Palestine activism on TikTok, the Palestine Flag filter helps struggling Palestinian families that are still stuck in Gaza receive the necessary needs to survive.

More than a fund-raising campaign, the filter also helps keep discussions about the Palestinian plight as the region enters its eight months of continuous attack from Israel.

Also Read : Are Online Protests Still Effective Today?

Haiti Awareness Filter

Similar to the pro-Palestinian cause, many users on the platform have also started advocating awareness and support for freeing Haiti amid increasing political unrest in the country.

Unlike most of the Palestine TikTok filters active today, the Haiti Awareness filters have more freedom to discuss the people and its culture without being harassed online, allowing people to freely discuss the topic directly and promote it on other people's "For You" pages.

Filter for Sudan

Calls to end the civil war in Sudan have increased over the past year as international organizations called out against the foreign actors' intervention in the conflict and the release of the remaining trapped families in the war-torn country.

Many content creators, many of which started delving into political campaigns on their accounts last October, have since also started bringing more information towards a peaceful resolution in Sudan.

Free Congo Filter

Sudan is not the only country currently embroiled in a civil war. In fact, many countries in Southeast Africa are facing decades-old political conflicts amid militant groups and foreign actors enflaming the tension.

From the creators of the Palestine flag and watermelon filters, a new "Free Congo" fundraising campaign has grown over the past months to help end the conflict in the country and support affected families through donations and other necessities.
For much of her life, Vivian Maier was something of a mystery. Her photographic talent went largely unrecognized because she kept her work a secret from most of the people who knew her, including the New York and Chicago families she worked for as a live-in nanny and caregiver. Maier only printed a tiny fraction of the hundreds of thousands of images of bustling city life she snapped with her Rolleiflex and Leica cameras over some five decades, and showed them to almost no one, instead amassing boxes and boxes of negatives and unprocessed film.

Her fame came about posthumously, and only because the contents of her Chicago storge lockers were sold off at auction in 2007, after she had stopped paying the rent.

Vivian Maier the mystery, the discovery, and the work  those three parts together are difficult to separate, said Anne Morin, curator of the touring exhibition Vivian Maier: Unseen Work, which opened 31 May at Fotografiska New York, the American outpost of the Swedish contemporary photography museum.

A crying child, photographed by Vivian Maier in Grenoble, France, in 1959. - Vivian Maier/Courtesy Fotografiska New York

A previously unseen portrait Maier shot in Chicago in 1957. - Vivian Maier/Courtesy Fotografiska New York

Visitors take in photographs on display at Fotografiska's Vivian Maier Unseen Work in New York. - Leandro Justen/Courtesy Fotografiska New York

The show, which runs through 29 September, does not attempt to unravel the puzzle of Maiers life, however, instead focusing on the work itself, with more than 200 photographs on display, including about 50 vintage prints made by Maier. Morin places her work on the same level as that of renowned street photographers like Robert Frank and Diane Arbus, and worthy of a place in the history of photography. Nobody doubts that, Morin told CNN. The work is strong and Maier had a marvelous eye. And in 10 years, we could do another completely different show  she has more than enough material to bring to the table.

A father and child photographed in Central Park, New York, in 1959. - Vivian Maier/Courtesy Fotografiska New York

The exhibition is also a homecoming of sorts for Maier, who was born in New York to a family of French and German immigrants. She started capturing street scenes in the city as a young woman in the 1950s, first borrowing her mothers Kodak Brownie box camera and then buying her own professional-grade Rollieflex, which she taught herself to use. Her confidence and skill in finding the right moment to snap the shutter is evident even in these early works, in which Maier zeroed in on the unique characters and situations that make up city life: Men snoring open-mouthed on park benches; a balloon from the Central Park Zoo floating to hide a doting fathers face as his baby reaches towards him.

But while Maier was known to use commercial studios in New York to have her film processed, she never seems to have made a serious effort to exhibit or sell her work. Maiers return to New York as a popular icon is a big thing not only for women, but also for all the artists who are working and are never recognized and never have the opportunity to be seen, to be shared, to exist, Morin said. It is never late to repair history.

New York is in many ways, the heart of photography history in America, said Sophie Wright, the museums director. So its amazing now to be in a position to be bringing Vivian back to that world. Shes a rediscovered, important voice of 20th-century photography. Wright added that Maiers photographs were taken with so much thought and care and lack of self-consciousness  theres no audience in mind. In a way, its pure, artistic expression for her.

Fotografiska's exhibition in New York marks a homecoming of sorts for Vivian Maier, and her legacy. - Leandro Justen/Courtesy Fotografiska New York

Maier's work on display at the exhibition, which also features other personal belongings from her storage lockers. - Dario Lasagni/Courtesy Fotografiska New York

The fascination surrounding Maier's photography both celebrates and belies the well-curated anonymity of her work. - Dario Lasagni/Courtesy Fotografiska New York

Maiers name and work first captured the public imagination in 2009, the same year she died in Chicago, after the collector and amateur historian John Maloof shared scans of her work on the photo-sharing website Flickr. He was seeking advice on what to do with the thousands of negatives, prints and undeveloped rolls of film he had acquired over the past two years, after stumbling across Maiers work at the auctions of her storage lockers.

Photographers and critics immediately remarked on Maiers well balanced compositions, and her incisive and often humorous view of the people and places she came across, not just in New York, but also Chicago, where she moved in 1956 and spent most of her adult life, as well as the far flung locations she visited on vacations, from California to Europe and Asia. In 2011, Maloof published a book, Vivian Maier: Street Photographer, and with the filmmaker Charlie Siskel co-directed the 2013 documentary Finding Vivian Maier, which was nominated for an Academy Award.

A number of other gallery shows and biographies have also debuted in the years since as well as a legal tussle over Maiers estate, which is now overseen by Chicagos Cook County Probate Court, and with which Maloof has signed an agreement to display and sell her work. (While Maier did not have any children of her own to inherit her estate, 10 potential heirs in Europe have been found among her extended family, and the court is looking into whether her brother Carl, who died in a psychiatric hospital in 1977, might have had any children.) The publics appetite for Maier hasnt diminished, however. When the current exhibition was on display at the Musee du Luxembourg in Paris in 2021, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 213,000 people attended over its four-month run. The opening preview in New York on 30 May had over 600 visitors.

Despite her immense popularity, some museums have been slow to accept her work, even those that have major photography collections. Wright attributes this caution over Maiers work to the fact that she did not make many prints herself. Theres a reticence to be seen to be driving a narrative for the work thats not the artists, she explained, as well as a nervousness around the politics of her situation as a woman who was vulnerable in her later years. (At the end of her life, as her hoarding led to her losing caretaking jobs, Maier was believed to have been facing homelessness, until two of her former charges, Lane and Matthew Gensburg, paid for an apartment for her to live in, and later a nursing home.)

In a self-portrait featured in Vivian Maier Unseen Work," the photographer lenses herself in profile, reflected in a hand mirror. - Leandro Justen/Courtesy Fotografiska New York

Maloof and the photography dealer Howard Greenberg, who represents his extensive collection, acknowledge the concerns around posthumous printing of Maiers work, and during a talk at the exhibition opening, said that led to their decision to only create uncropped, direct reproductions from her negatives. In the show, there are many instances where these later prints are displayed next to the ones Maier made herself, showing how she chose to focus on certain elements in a scene.

Maiers presence can also be felt in the exhibition through audio recordings she made interviewing the children she cared for to encourage their critical thinking, which were also found in her storage lockers. They are played throughout the galleries. But the most persistent reminders of the artist behind these works are the numerous self-portraits she took, often as reflections in mirrored and glass surfaces, or simply as her shadow cast on the ground or a wall.

The beating heart of the work is the self-representation, Morin said, and it is these works she sees resonating the most with todays audiences. Everybody says, Oh, my God, Vivian was the godmother of the selfie. But its different, the curator continued. Maiers self-portraits are a stubborn insistence in declaring her independence and identity, at a time when women, and especially domestic workers like her, were ignored and marginalized. She wanted to record that, Morin said, imagining Maier as saying: Im here at this moment. No one will erase my face. I exist and I have the proof.

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Two US astronauts abandoned plans to exit the International Space Station to conduct maintenance on Monday due to a spacesuit malfunction.

NASA officials called off the spacewalk because of a water leak in the cooling unit of one of the astronauts spacesuits.

The leak, which affected the suit donned by NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, sprang up just after the suits were transferred to battery power just before they exited the space station.

The cooling unit on the spacesuits are designed to keep the wearers at a comfortable temperature while carrying out their work. Dyson and her crewmate Mike Barratt were set to remove a faulty electronics box from a communications antenna on the space stations exterior.

Right now, Im comfortable, but I do feel a little warm, Dyson was heard saying on a live stream of the event after the spacewalk was called off around 9 a.m. ET.

Dyson later expressed concern that the water leak may have affected electrical connectors.

Theres still water shooting out, Dyson said at one point. We can assume that water got into that connector, electrical connector.

NASA then worked to get Dyson back inside the space station from the airlock, the gateway to the space stations exterior, while her suit remained on battery power.

The crew was not in danger at any point during the incident, according to NASA.

The spacewalk was set to kick off Monday morning and last about 6.5 hours, according to NASA.

The delayed spacewalk is only the latest in a string of setbacks around operations on the International Space Station in recent weeks.

This marks the second spacewalk in recent days that has been abruptly called off due to spacesuit issues.

Officials called off a spacewalk slated for June 13, which included Dyson and Matthew Dominick, because of a spacesuit discomfort issue with Dominicks spacesuit. NASA declined to provide more details about the issue to protect the astronauts privacy.

In addition to the aborted Monday spacewalk, the federal agency has been aiming to carry out another on July 2  before giving Boeings Starliner capsule the green light to undock from the orbiting laboratory and make its return home.

The Starliner spacecraft has been on its first crewed test flight to the space station. But the vehicle encountered several key issues during the first leg of its trip, including springing helium leaks and experiencing thruster outages, that have delayed its return.

Its not yet clear whether the decision to call off Mondays spacewalk will further delay Starliners return.

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Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) indicated she will keep her role as governor over a spot in the Trump administration should he win reelection in November.

When asked in an interview with Talk Business & Politics last week if she would accept a role in the Trump administration, if asked, Sanders said, I love the job I have. Im excited to be back in Arkansas.

I think were doing really great things and I look forward to keeping this job for the next six and a half years, Sanders said, suggesting she plans to run for reelection in 2026.

Sanders, who is serving her first term as governor of the Bear State, served as White House press secretary under Trump from 2017 to 2019. She is currently the youngest governor in the country.

She has been a longtime supporter of Trump, defending the former president in the wake of criticism. She endorsed Trumps reelection bid last November but noted earlier this year she is not interested in being vetted for the former presidents vice-presidential pick.

Ive been a strong advocate for the president since the early 2016 campaign when I worked for him, Sanders said. Ive been an outspoken supporter; I think there are very few people that youll find that have been probably as publicly supportive of this president than I have. I feel very confident hes going to win in November. Im proud of the fact that I get to stand and support him.

Sanders noted she believes the upcoming presidential race is a very different election, given both candidates have served time in the Oval Office.

It feels the same to me maybe in some ways, but you have two people who have now actually served as president and they have very clear records of what they have done in the office, not just what theyve talked about, but what theyve actually done, she told Talk Business & Politics and Capitol View, which aired the interview Sunday.

The governor also spoke about her focus on reducing her states income tax to zero, with state lawmakers completing a special session called by Sanders last week to refuse the top personal income and corporate income tax rates.

People are generally happy when theyre paying less taxes, so thats a big win, and when youre competing with Texas on one side, Tennessee on the other, and even the other surrounding states that had a lower tax rate prior to the tax cuts we passed this week, it makes it harder for businesses to want to come in because their employees arent going to make as much money for how much theyre paying them, Sanders said. So, its a great recruiting tool.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CORRECTION: A May fundraising email by former President Trumps campaign mentioned him being tortured in the Fulton County jail. Due to an editing error, a previous version of this story included incorrect information.

Former President Trumps campaign in a Monday fundraising email criticized his treatment at the Fulton County Jail in Georgia, saying he was tortured while getting his historic mug shot at the jail.

Trump has frequently sought to raise funds from the mug shot, and the email that mentioned the torture was sent out to promote coffee mugs featuring Trumps mug shot.

I want you to remember what they did to me. They tortured me in the Fulton County Jail, and TOOK MY MUGSHOT. So guess what? I put it on a mug for the WHOLE WORLD TO SEE! the fundraising email said.

Trump surrendered last August to the Fulton County Jail, a stipulation of his criminal indictment in Georgia, where he faces 13 counts stemming from his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Upon arriving to the jail in a presidential-style motorcade, Trump was booked, fingerprinted and photographed for a mug shot. The process took about 20 minutes and made Trump the first U.S. president in history, past or present, known to have their mug shot taken.

The same email for the coffee mugs was also sent by the Trump campaign in May. It also included the language on torture.

Trump has repeatedly seized on his arrest and mug shot and began selling merchandise shortly after the booking. The merchandise included T-shirts, mugs, koozies and bumper stickers that featured his mug shot and the phrase Never surrender.

The former president and 18 others were indicted in Georgia last August over allegations they were involved in a scheme to illegally attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Four defendants have pleaded guilty following deals with prosecutors, while Trump and others have pleaded not guilty.

Trumps case in Georgia is one of four criminal cases he has been charged in, including one the former president was convicted in last month in New York. He was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with reimbursements made for a hush money payment made ahead of the 2016 election.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The body of a woman believed to be a missing 50-year-old hiker was found Monday, a day after she went missing on a trail in a wilderness area in San Diego, according to police.

The hiker, identified by police as Diem Le Nguyen, vanished Sunday morning after she became separated from her hiking group of about 100 people while on the Nighthawk Trail in Black Mountain Open Space Park in the Rancho Penasquitos area of north San Diego, according to the San Diego Police Department.

A search helicopter spotted a body Monday morning in the area Nguyen was hiking in, police said.

Police said they could not immediately confirm if the body discovered Monday is Nguyen and are waiting for the results of an autopsy. However, police said the search and rescue mission has now switched to a medical examination.

PHOTO: The San Diego Police Department released this photo of 50-year-old Diem Le Nguyen, who went missing Sunday, June 23, 2024, while hiking in a wilderness area near San Diego, California. (The San Diego Police Department via X)

Nguyen set out about 8 a.m. PT on the hike with a group, police said. The group made it about halfway up the mountain before many decided to turn around and head back down because of the heat, Lt. Daniel Meyer, a spokesman for the San Diego Police Department said at a news conference Monday.

Nguyen decided to continue the hike to the peak of the mountain on her own, Meyer said.

Meyer said that just after 10 a.m., Nguyen called relatives in distress from the end of the trail, "stating that she was very hot and needed water." That was the last time anyone heard from her, Meyer said.

MORE: 'It's a miracle': Hiker survives 1,000-foot tumble from Hawaii hiking trail

Around 11:30 a.m. Sunday, police responded to the scene and a search-and-rescue operation was launched, including the deployment of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department helicopter crew.

PHOTO: The San Diego Police Department released this photo of 50-year-old Diem Le Nguyen, who went missing Sunday, June 23, 2024, while hiking in a wilderness area near San Diego, California. (The San Diego Police Department via X)

A photo taken on the trail Sunday of Nguyen flashing a peace sign and standing next to a trailhead sign was released by police on X.

Police officials had asked for the public's help in finding Nguyen, requesting that anyone with information about her whereabouts call 911 immediately.

MORE: Video Missing hiker rescued after 10 days

Nguyen and her group were hiking in high temperatures that enveloped the San Diego area over the weekend. The National Weather Service had issued a heat advisory for the area, where temperatures soared into the low 90s on Sunday.

Police said some members of the hiking group turned back because of the heat, but Nguyen was determined to reach the summit of the 4,048-foot-tall Black Mountain.

When she disappeared, Nguyen was dressed in a black shirt with a pink heart on the front, black pants, a brown hat, sunglasses and a backpack, according to police.

MORE: 5 years after dramatic rescue, hiker reflects on being lost in Hawaii forest for 17 days

As the search for Nguyen continued Monday, another California hiker said he was thankful to be alive after getting lost on a hike in the Santa Cruz Mountains of Northern California and spending 10 days in the wilderness before search and rescue crews found him last week.

Luke McClish, 34, of Boulder Creek, California, said he set out on June 11 for what he thought would be a short hike without informing anyone of his plans. Five days later, his family reported him missing when he failed to show up at a Father's Day dinner. When he was found at the bottom of a ravine on Thursday, McClish told rescuers he lost 30 pounds over the 10 days he was missing and survived by drinking a gallon of creek water every day.

Body found during search for missing hiker in San Diego: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And the annual Worlds Ugliest Dog contest unearthed some true diamonds in the ruff on Friday when it was held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California.

Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese, was crowned the winner and collected the $5,000 prize after five previous attempts.

He was a fan favorite  hes kind of like the bridesmaid and never the bride, judge Fiona Ma told the Associated Press. He really tugged at our heart strings and deserved to win.

As a puppy, Wild Thang contracted a virus that almost killed him and left him with permanent damage. His teeth never developed, so his tongue flops out, and his right front leg paddles all the time.

Rome, a 14-year-old pug, walks the red carpet during the annual World's Ugliest Dog contest. He came second. - Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images

Hes never had a hair cut so that is the way he is and (his owner) shaves his stomach and he likes to sleep on ice packs, Ma added. He is just a sweet dog  I was just holding him and he loves to be held and cuddled. Thats part of it, these rescue dogs, they just need forever homes, so please adopt, dont shop.

The contest is not about making fun of the dogs, organizers stressed, but having fun with some wonderful characters and showing the world that these dogs are really beautiful!

Daisy Mae came in third place. - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

A 14-year-old, one-eyed pug named Rome snagged second place, making his first appearance in the competition. He has retired to the Pug Hotel Senior Sanctuary in California, where, despite his bowed legs, he loves to tippy tap dance with his feet to express his joy for life, his biography read.

Like many of the dogs in this competition, he makes a big contribution to the community  visiting hospice patients and taking part in the 2023 Wheeling Pug Relay team, which raises money to buy wheelchairs for dogs.

Ozzie likes to take care of foster kittens. - Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Wild Thang, meanwhile, has helped raise money to evacuate seven of his fellow Pekingese from Ukraine, and another competitor, Ozzie  a 10-year-old terrier mix  visits senior centers and takes care of foster kittens.

Most of the dogs in the contest have been rescued, including third place Daisy Mae who, over the years, has lost much of her hair, teeth and vision but has gained in friends, confidence, and so much spunk, her biography read.

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Almost a year after Nullify was chosen as one of 10 start-ups from Australia and New Zealand to take part in an accelerator focused on generative AI, the start-up is now servicing large AWS customers across the country.

Nullify works with organisations to incorporate AI agents into application security teams to independently carry out multiple levels of product security work. The start-up aims to ensure organisations can lower the risk to their organisations security.

Shan Kulkarni, co-founder and CEO of Nullify, told ARN that the accelerator program helped the start-up deepen its technical investments, specifically its AI stack. It also helped Nullify gear up for its seed fundraiser, which it had successfully executed after the accelerator.

Its helped us get more value out of the AWS relationship, said Kulkarni. On the technical side, when we wrapped up the program, it was when we were about to go to San Francisco to raise our seed round and some of who we did, some of the AWS folks running the accelerator helped connect us to investors.

Being an AWS partner has helped Nullify access AWS security solutions architects who help the start-up make technology decisions with customers and manage AI risks well for them.

I think when we could show Nullify performing work that human security engineers would have to do manually, whether it was telling developers how to fix their security vulnerabilities or explaining to developers why this is something you need to fix, that was probably the most enjoyable part, he said.

Currently, Nullify is in product-building mode and is anticipated to raise a funding round within the next six months.

Our headcount is growing quite rapidly, and were hiring lots of engineers mainly on the AI side but also in full stack, said Kulkarni. Our go-to-market has been growing organically and were excited to be showing the world that we can build Australia can build really impressive enterprise software products from right here. Off the back of that, Nullify has raised a $5.2 million seed round.

Kulkarni said thats hard to do if youre an Australian start-up with only a few networks in the US.

Were very well capitalised, he said. We have great investors and we have Australian enterprises taking a chance on us, giving us their trust and being a part of our journey.

While Nullifys journey has been mostly positive, its attempt to build AI to automate in Australia has had its challenges.

Skills shortages leading to AI

According to Kulkarni, Sydney has a positive environment for building an AI engineering ecosystem, claiming that its hard to capture AI engineering talent, but its improving.

I think when Atlassian hit a similar mark in its journey, it had a similar problem to us when they had to hire a bunch of cloud people, and they just eventually, at some point, just had to go to America, he said. There just werent those sorts of people in Australia.

But it seems, because of skill shortages, its generally becoming more acceptable for humans to work with AI, he said. At the recent RSA conference, many security leaders said, I would love AI power to help my security team do more with less resources.

Kulkarni also said that Nullify wants to contribute to shaping the future of defenders with AI and has an enterprise security team working alongside AI to create secure environments.

Theres a real arms race happening, said Kulkarni. Hacker groups are starting to use AI to perform more sophisticated attacks  using AI to craft malware payloads or perform automated reconnaissance automated attacks.

Balancing the scales of defence

There needs to be a balance of the scales, with attackers already using AI to get the upper hand, Kulkarni said.

Were bridging that skill shortage, he said. I guess, democratising breaking that talent shortage and digitising that security talent by giving enterprises a product they can use to build those capabilities without being restrained by the inability to hire the right security engineers.

Kulkarni said this was becoming critical as he claimed the last few high-profile data breaches often came from either not correctly managing risk on the software supply chain side or not having effective controls around building securely.

Nullify has a novel approach in that were not just trying to introduce more issues, but were trying to reduce the total amount of security work, he said. The novel approach of using AI to perform a lot of the reasoning like a human would and being really, really developer experience focused helped Australian enterprises trust us more.

Kulkarni clarified that Nullifys not claiming to do all these crazy things that no one else can do just using AI, with the business being very cognisant about using AI to automate workflows that are traditionally manual and human-intensive.

We are a cyber security company, but obviously, its an AI-powered cyber security company, he added. The security community is now receptive to having AI add value to workflows.
(Photo : Pexels/Photo by Anete Lusina)

Reuters reported on Sunday that CDK Global's efforts to restore auto dealers' systems nationwide are now underway following the cyberattack with a ransom demand.

While CDK is actively investigating the shutdown following two cyber incidents that caused its systems to come to a halt, the company has not disclosed the identity of those responsible for the incidents. According to previous reports by Bloomberg, CDK was negotiating with a hacker group based in Eastern Europe, demanding tens of millions of dollars in ransom to resolve the outage.

The software provider to car dealerships in North America is reportedly considering paying the ransom demanded by the hacker group, but discussions could still change, according to a Bloomberg report citing a source familiar with the situation.

CDK's Effort to Restore Dealer Management System (DMS)

The retail software provider expects it will take several days for its software to resume full functionality following a system outage that has affected nearly 15,000 car dealerships across North America since Wednesday. The company, whose software dealerships rely on for scheduling and record management, has started the process of restoring its systems. A spokesperson for CDK informed CNN on Saturday that they are actively communicating with customers and offering alternative methods for conducting business.

CDK's dealer management system (DMS) acts as a centralized hub where businesses monitor their operations. Its retail tools empower dealerships to conduct transactions seamlessly, whether online or within physical showrooms.

READ ALSO: Change Healthcare Attacked by Ransomware, Causing Outages Disrupting Clerical and Reimbursement Systems

Dealerships depend on the DMS for essential functions such as sales, service, parts, and vehicle stocking. Hence, operating without the DMS system is "Just mass chaos at this point," Diana Lee, chief executive officer of Constellation, a marketing agency collaborating with auto dealerships across the U.S., described the situation on Bloomberg Television.

While CDK spokesperson Lisa Finney did not disclose the number of dealerships affected when questioned, the company's website indicates over 15,000 retail locations throughout North America.

System Shutdown Across Dealership Operations

The cyber outage at CDK has disrupted software management tools and severely impacted operations at car dealerships across the U.S. Despite taking the precaution of shutting down most of its systems on Wednesday, another cyberattack was detected again, prompting the subsequent closure of the system despite being restored later that afternoon, as communicated in a letter sent to customers. As a continued precautionary measure to safeguard customers, CDK once again proactively shuts down most of its systems as the company currently evaluates the overall impact of the situation and seeks advice from external third-party experts, the letter reads.

CDK did not initially provide an estimated timeframe for when its systems would be fully operational again. Dealerships continued to experience issues with CDK systems throughout Friday and Saturday, and on Sunday, CDK indicated in an email statement to Reuters that it anticipated the restoration process would span several days.

RELATED ARTICLE: CDK Global Suffers Cyberattack, Shuts Down Thousands of Auto Dealerships Amid Ongoing Investigations

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Netanyahu patriarchs and Church leaders protest the decision of several municipalities to impose the Arnona. The dispute concerns Tel Aviv, Ramle, Nazareth and Jerusalem. The leaders express "deep concern": just as the world is following the ongoing conflict with apprehension, intolerance towards the Christian presence in the Holy Land is growing.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews) - In the shadow of the conflict in Gaza, there are numerous fronts of tension and confrontation within Israel, from the escalation of attacks by Jewish settlers in the Palestinian Territories to the "war" on property taxes (and not) with the Christian denominations of the Holy Land.

This long-standing problem has recently registered a new chapter: the heads of the various Churches in Jerusalem have signed a document in which they express their firm opposition to the municipality's decision to impose municipal taxes (Arnona) on the property of the Churches.

In the joint statement, released yesterday on behalf of the Patriarchs and Christian leaders, the leaders express "deep concern" over the decision, which ends up contradicting "centuries" of historical agreements between the Churches and civil authorities and represents a "coordinated attack" on the Christian presence in the Holy Land by initiating "tax proceedings".

"We declare that such a measure," the Christian leaders state in the document, "undermines the sacred character of Jerusalem and jeopardises the Church's ability to carry out its ministry in this land on behalf of its communities and Churches around the world".

Moreover, in the note patriarchs and leaders underline the "significant contributions" of the various Christian organisations active in Jerusalem, including investments in "schools, hospitals, homes for the elderly and facilities for the disadvantaged".

The civil authorities "have historically recognised and respected" this effort for its valuable contribution to the entire community, including Jews and Muslims.

The church leaders asked the Jerusalem municipality to withdraw the decision and maintain the historically sanctioned status quo. Signing the letter are Card. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins; Theophilos III, of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate; Nourhan Manougian, of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Patriarchate; Brother Francis Patton, ofm, Custos of the Holy Land; Bishop Ibrahim Sani Azar, of the Lutheran Evangelical Church in Jordan and the Holy Land; Georges Dankaye', of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate.

The Christian leaders stressed the importance of maintaining the "sacred character" of Jerusalem and "protecting" the churches' ability to carry out the ministries entrusted to them.

The age-old issue of taxes on Christian property in the Holy Land, long the focus of difficult talks between representatives of Israel and the Vatican, is still unresolved. In Israel, places of worship and monasteries are exempt from paying levies and property taxes. However, in recent years, the government and local administrations have equated some ecclesiastical realities that offer board and lodging, especially to pilgrims, to real commercial activities such as hotels, bars and restaurants.

This clashhas seen phases of deep tension, culminating on 25 February 2018 in the decision by the Armenian Patriarch Manougian, the Greek Orthodox Theophilos III and the Custodian of the Holy Land Brother Francis Patton to temporarily close the basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in protest (in the photo: a moment of that protest).

The source of tension was a draft law on the expropriation of land belonging to churches and the request of the then mayor to pay years of taxes, in contravention of status quo agreements. In February last year, the municipality had also blocked the accounts of the (pontifical) Notre Dame Institute in Jerusalem, triggering a further front of confrontation between the parties.

Christians are a tiny minority, less than 2% of the population of Israel and the territories, consisting mainly of Israeli Arabs and Palestinians.

The letter sent to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week states that in recent months municipalities in Tel Aviv, Ramle, Nazareth and Jerusalem have issued warning letters or initiated legal action over alleged tax debts. While Israeli officials have tried to dismiss the disagreement as a routine financial matter, the churches say the move upsets the centuries-old status quo and is a reflection of the growing intolerance towards the Christian presence in Israel and the West Bank.

"At this time," they write, "when the whole world, and the Christian world in particular, is constantly following events in Israel, we are once again dealing with an attempt by the authorities to drive the Christian presence out of the Holy Land.

Interviewed by theAssociated Press, the Jerusalem municipality says that the church has not submitted the necessary requests for tax exemption in recent years and "a dialogue is underway to collect debts" related to "commercial properties" in their possession. No comment from the other municipalities.
Today's news: Tension in New Caledonia re-ignites after independence leader is extradited to France; Lottery ticket sales in China increased by almost 20%; The Dalai Lama in the USA for surgery; Bahrain and Iran meet to re-establish diplomatic relations.

RUSSIA

In the Russian Republic of Dagestan, a series of coordinated attacks by Islamist militias struck several churches and a synagogue last night, killing at least 15 people, including police officers, an Orthodox priest and some civilians. The attacks targeted the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala on the occasion of the Orthodox feast of Pentecost. Dagestan has a long history of militia attacks carried out by Islamist militias.

NEW CALEDONIA

Pro-independence demonstrators returned to burn police vehicles and block roads in New Caledonia, following the extradition of protest leader Christian Tein to France. The French High Commission in Noumea said protesters set fire to the town hall in the municipality of Koumac and destroyed some areas in Paita. The protests began in May after France voted to approve reforms to allow thousands of French residents who have lived in the territory for at least 10 years to vote.

CHINA

In the first quarter, sales of all types of domestic lotteries exceeded 149.5 billion yuan (.6 billion) in China, up 19.7% year-on-year, according to data from the Ministry of Finance. By comparison, in the first quarter, the national general budget revenue stood at 6.1 trillion yuan, down 2.3% year-on-year. According to many observers, the increase is due to the fact that many young people are seeking a shortcut to wealth in the context of China's post-pandemic economic recovery.

TIBET-UNITED STATES

The Dalai Lama was greeted in New Jersey by thousands of Tibetans chanting and waving flags as he arrived in the United States yesterday for knee surgery. It was the first trip abroad since November 2018 by the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader who lives in exile in Dharamsala, northern India.

SOUTH KOREA

Two large local government-run hospitals in Seoul have estimated the economic damage caused by the prolonged strike by resident doctors at 90 billion won (more than 60 million euros) if the clash is not resolved by the end of the year. The protest caused a drop of more than 20% in bed utilisation, while the number of outpatients decreased by more than 10%. Despite the strong opposition of the doctors, the government confirmed late last month the increase of admission quotas of about 1,500 students for medical schools, the measure for which the current residents have been striking since February.

BAHREIN-IRAN

Bahrain and Iran have agreed to begin talks aimed at restoring diplomatic relations between the two countries, following a meeting between their respective foreign ministers in Tehran, the Bahraini Foreign Ministry said. The meeting took place on Sunday during al-Zayani's visit to Iran, where he is attending the Asian Cooperation Dialogue summit. Manama suspended relations with Tehran in 2016 after tensions between Bahrain's ally Saudi Arabia and Iran.

UZBEKISTAN

In Uzbekistan, the construction of an atomic energy plant near Lake Tuzkan in the Dzizzak region, 55 km from the border with Kazakhstan, sponsored by Russia's Rosatom near population centres for more than 3 million people in Simkent and the Turkestan region, a project that has been in preparation since 2017, has begun.
The three-storey Aricell plant in Hwaseong caught fire this morning, causes still unknown. Some 22 people are confirmed dead, mostly from China, but many are still missing. Firefighting crews struggled with the blaze because of burning lithium batteries. The government held an emergency meeting.

Rome (AsiaNews/Agencies)  At least 22 people have died in a fire that broke out around 10.30 am today following a powerful explosion at the Aricell lithium battery factory in Hwaseong, 45 kilometres south of Seoul.

It is feared that the number of deaths could rise further since 23 people are also missing. Most of the dead are from China, but one is from Laos, the fire department reported.

The blaze spread rapidly as the battery cells inside exploded continuously, making it hard for rescuers to enter the premises and search. At least 35,000 batteries are believed to be inside the plant.

One worker had already died earlier in the day, before the fire spread, after going into cardiac arrest after being taken to hospital, while three others were injured.

The exact number of workers at the plant is unknown since that days roster was destroyed.

It took firefighters about four hours to bring the inferno under control, before anyone could enter the premises to look for bodies.

Fire crews struggled to extinguish the blaze using traditional methods because of the difficulty in putting out burning lithium batteries; those made by Aricell are designed for sensors and radio communication devices.

The fire gutted the three-storey, reinforced concrete building that covered a total area of about 2,300 square metres. The causes for the deflagration remain unknown.

Early footage at the start of the tragedy shows small explosions and sparks. In the live broadcast, firefighters are seen spraying the damaged steel and concrete building.

Parts of the upper floor could be seen collapsing, with large chunks of the building blown into the street by a loud explosion. Aerial footage shows huge plumes of smoke rising into the sky above the factory.

Yonhap news agency reports that a witness, who escaped from the second floor of the plant, told the Hwaseong Fire Station that an explosive combustion occurred in one lithium battery cell at the time of the fire, setting off an explosion.

Another witness told Reuters that he saw firefighters take out the bodies of up to six workers unable to flee due to the speed at which the flames spread.

A total of 48 workers were employed at the Hwaseong factory, according to Aricell.

This afternoon, the government convened an emergency meeting at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters to discuss measures to minimise casualties.

At the meeting, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min asked all relevant government agencies and local authorities to mobilise all available resources and personnel to extinguish the fire and rescue survivors.

Earlier, President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed Minister Lee to mobilise all available manpower and equipment to search for and rescue the missing people.

This incident puts the spotlight back on occupational safety in South Korea, one of the worlds leading industrial economies.

In recent years, South Korean authorities have worked on improving the situation, caused mainly by widespread negligence in the past.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

At least 20 people were killed in a coordinated and extremely violent Islamist attack against two churches and a synagogue in Derbent and Makhachkala, North Caucasus. A 66-year-old clergyman was killed in church in front of his parishioners on the day of Pentecost. Two sons of Sergokalinsky District chief are among the attackers shot dead, while the father was arrested by Russias Federal Security Service (FSB).

Makhachkala (AsiaNews)  In Dagestan, one of the most troubled republics in Russias North Caucasus, two Orthodox churches and a synagogue were attacked simultaneously yesterday evening in Derbent and the capital Makhachkala.

Some 20 people were killed, including 15 police officers, as well as a 66-year-old archpriest (Protoiereus), Fr Nikolai Kotelnikov, pastor of the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin of God in Derbent.

The clergyman, who served the local community for 40 years, had his throat cut in front of his parishioners on the day of Pentecost. A security guard at the other Orthodox church also lost his life in the attack.

This morning, Dagestan Head Sergey Melikov said that "the anti-terrorist operation has ended," with six terrorists killed, while more accomplices and participants are being sought. Meanwhile, the counter-terrorism operation regime (KTO)[*] remains in place.

The unknown gunmen, thought to be linked to the Islamic State (IS) group, opened fire with automatic weapons on both the churches and the synagogue. In the latter case, they set the building on fire shouting "Allah is great!".

Another group of terrorists attacked a traffic police station, while another incident involving a police car was reported in Sertokala, a village near Derbent.

According to the TASS agency, two of attackers were identified as Osman and Adil Omarov, sons of the head of the Sergokalinsky District, Magomed Omarov, while Interfax claimed a nephew of the latter was also involved.

All three young men were killed in shootouts with police, while the older Omarov was arrested and is being question by the FSB.[]

Three days of mourning were declared (24, 25 and 26 June) for the victims of the attacks in Makhachkala and Derbent.

On Facebook, journalist Vladimir Sevrinovskiy remembered Father Nikolai, who "belonged to a Cossack family from the Sunzhenskye district, a term that in Soviet times was applied to part of the Gorsky population in the North Caucasus. He was born in a Stanitsa, a Cossack host in Chechnya. He helped everyone as much as he could, never trying to deceive people. He told Muslims that he would help them too, even if he couldn't baptise them, and if they wanted to change their religion, they better go somewhere else.

In Derbent, local radical Islamists had already targeted the church with acts of violence and intimidation, but no incidents had occurred for quite a while.

Father Nikolai visited mosques and the synagogue from time to time to maintain good relations between various communities.

The citys synagogue was torched. A spokesman for the Patriarch of Moscow, Vladimir Legoyda, said that it is not enough to condemn such barbaric and dastardly actions, society and the state must do everything possible to definitively exclude the possibility of these bursts of terrorism, whatever the motives that push people to carry out these acts.

He added that attacking men of the cloth and sacred buildings of any religion is not justifiable in any way; they are spaces where peace must reign and people can approach God in silence and in inner and outer calm, without fear of offence or violence from anywhere.

The Patriarch of Moscow Kirill celebrated a funeral litany for the soul of Father Nikolai Kotelnikov, and the priests of the Orthodox eparchy of Makhachkala offered their support to the family of the murdered priest and to all those who were victims of the attack.

[*]    ().

[] Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (    ).
by Steve Suwannarat

Thailand and Malaysia are the latest two nations to express interest in the China-sponsored global forum. According to Premier Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur, the decision to join has already been made. More cautious are the Philippines and Vietnam, which fear a further strengthening of Beijing's political hegemony also in maritime disputes.

Bangkok (AsiaNews) - A growing number of Asean countries are considering joining the Brics or have expressed an interest in doing so in the future. While Laos and Myanmar had already declared their interest last year, in January the head of Indonesian diplomacy, Retno Marsudi, indicated that Jakarta is assessing the possible benefits of joining the Brics, while Vietnam is only "closely monitoring the path of entry" for now.

A formal request was reportedly made in the second half of June by the Thai Foreign Ministry. And Malaysia openly expressed its intention to join the group on 16 June, only three days before Li Qiang's visit, the first by a Chinese premier since 2015. A decision also emphasised by the head of the Malaysian government, Anwar Ibrahim, who, interviewed by the Chinese news portal Guancha, confirmed that 'the decision has been made' and that the procedures will be started soon.

Other governments of the ten members of Asean, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, have so far expressed themselves more cautiously with two of the founders, the Philippines and Vietnam, remaining at the window. Among the reasons, also shared by others and by many experts, is the fear that accession will lead to excessive dependence on the interests of the major partners and in particular of China, which is able to impose a large part of the choices and directions.

A weight that is by no means balanced by the economic consistency of the other co-founders in 2002 (Brazil, India and Russia) and of the new accessions, starting with South Africa in 2010 to which Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates have also been added since 1 January of this year. While the combined GDP of the members is currently worth USD 28,500 billion (around 28 per cent of the world economy), China alone is worth USD 18,500 billion. But it is also its strategic prominence, the extent of its interests and a powerful military apparatus that make China's needs a priority for the entire bloc, which in turn - with closer relations also mediated for many by ideological interests - seems from the outside to welcome Beijing's leadership with few distinctions.

The possibility of taking its potential to a higher level in 'an alternative circuit of global governance leadership', as suggested by Alan Chong, professor at the Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, attracts many. But in a time as full of unknowns and tensions as the current one, the risk is that the Asean countries - territorially close to the People's Republic of China and connected at various levels to its economy - will not be able to oppose territorial claims that, in addition to Taiwan and areas of the East China Sea, also include much of the South China Sea, an area of specific economic interest for many South-East Asian nations.
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24 June 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

In a significant development for energy cooperation in Southeast Europe, the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) has commenced natural gas supplies to Bulgarian industrial enterprises. This move marks a pivotal step towards enhancing Bulgaria's energy security and deepening economic relations between the two nations.

The initiation of natural gas deliveries follows a bilateral agreement between Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, underscoring their commitment to broadening collaboration within the energy sector. Signed in Baku on May 8, this agreement outlines various avenues for cooperation, including the expansion of SOCAR's commercial footprint in the European gas market. The recent supply arrangement, facilitated in partnership with Bulgarian companies M-Gas and Assarel Medet, is part of SOCAR's strategic initiative to strengthen its presence in Europe.

The commencement of gas supplies on June 21 is underpinned by a memorandum of cooperation signed between SOCAR and Assarel Medet. This memorandum not only facilitates industrial gasification projects in Bulgaria but also underscores Azerbaijan's role as a reliable energy partner in the region. The gasification efforts are poised to benefit several Bulgarian cities and industrial facilities, thereby bolstering local infrastructure and enhancing energy accessibility.

Bulgaria, which has been receiving Azerbaijani gas since January 2021, is expected to see its annual supply increase to 1.5 billion cubic meters by 2024. This steady escalation reflects the growing demand for Azerbaijani natural gas in Bulgaria's energy mix, contributing to diversification and resilience in the country's energy supply chain.

The strategic implications of this partnership extend beyond immediate energy security. By integrating Azerbaijani gas into its energy matrix, Bulgaria not only mitigates dependency risks but also aligns with broader European Union energy objectives of diversification and sustainability. Furthermore, Azerbaijan benefits from expanded market access and reinforces its position as a pivotal energy supplier in Europe.

This collaborative effort exemplifies the mutually beneficial nature of energy partnerships, where Azerbaijan's resource wealth meets Bulgaria's strategic energy needs. As both countries navigate the complexities of the global energy landscape, their cooperation sets a precedent for regional integration and economic resilience.

The ongoing gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria underscore a burgeoning alliance in energy cooperation. With mutual commitments to enhancing energy security and advancing economic ties, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria are poised to reap substantial benefits from their strategic partnership in the years to come.

By leveraging their respective strengths and shared goals, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria pave the way for sustainable development and resilience in Europe's evolving energy markets.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
24 June 2024 16:44 (UTC+04:00)

By Zara Araz

Azerbaijan, a nation historically reliant on its oil sector, is poised to accelerate the development of its non-oil economy, targeting a robust growth rate exceeding 5.5% of GDP by 2024. This ambitious goal was underscored by Tahir Mirkishili, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament Committee on Economic Policy, Industry, and Entrepreneurship, during the recent "5th Exhibition for the Promotion of Local Companies" in Baku.

The strategic shift towards diversification comes amidst a backdrop of progressive economic policies aimed at fostering a conducive environment for private sector expansion. Mirkishili emphasised the critical role of legislative support in empowering local enterprises to thrive in a modern, competitive landscape. He highlighted the importance of a comprehensive legal framework and adherence to fair competition practices to bolster entrepreneurial activities effectively.

Supporting these sentiments, Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Mammadov highlighted significant strides in transitioning towards a green economy. The upcoming COP29, scheduled to be held in Baku this November, marks a pivotal moment. President Ilham Aliyev's declaration of 2024 as the 'Green World Solidarity Year' aligns with global efforts to mitigate climate change and underscores Azerbaijan's commitment to sustainable development.

The hosting of COP29 not only positions Baku at the forefront of global climate discussions but also catalyses further initiatives towards green and innovative transformations within the private sector. This strategic alignment with international sustainability goals not only enhances Azerbaijan's global standing but also opens new avenues for economic growth and investment.

The Azerbaijani government's proactive stance in supporting entrepreneurship through modern organisational models has yielded tangible economic benefits. The private sector, now a cornerstone of Azerbaijan's economic fabric, has significantly contributed to the diversification of the economy, boosted employment, and expanded foreign trade opportunities.

Moreover, Azerbaijan's journey towards economic diversification is underpinned by its strategic vision to embrace innovation and adaptability. The state's ongoing support for entrepreneurs underscores its commitment to fostering a dynamic business environment capable of responding to global challenges while seizing emerging opportunities.

Looking ahead, Azerbaijan's economic strategy is set to capitalize on the momentum generated by COP29 and the 'Green World Solidarity Year.' By enhancing sustainability and embracing technological advancements, Azerbaijan aims to cultivate high-value economic drivers that propel long-term growth and prosperity.

Azerbaijan's proactive measures in advancing its non-oil sector underscore a commitment to sustainable economic development. With robust legislative backing and strategic international engagements like COP29, Azerbaijan is poised to redefine its economic landscape, offering promising opportunities for domestic entrepreneurs and global investors alike. As the nation prepares to host COP29, all eyes turn to Bakua city primed not just for global climate leadership but also as a hub of innovation and economic dynamism in the region.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
24 June 2024 13:03 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

The Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, which is celebrating its 106th anniversary, has more than a century of experience and combat professionalism. For the first time, the creation of the Azerbaijan National Army was commenced with the decree dated June 26, 1918, and General Samad Bey Mehmandarov was appointed as the head of our first army on December 25. In a short time, the National Army, together with the Caucasian Islamic Army of the Ottoman state, saved Baku and the surrounding areas from the Armenian-Bolshevik occupation.

Finally, Azerbaijan, which fell into the grips of Soviet Bolshevism for almost a century, is regaining its strength. On May 22, 1998, according to the decree of the late President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, National Leader Heydar Aliyev, June 26 was declared the Day of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, which has been among the strongest armies in the South Caucasus since the first day of its establishment, are capable of performing any task at a high level even today.

Certainly, the continuation of the century-long tradition is related to the modern and strong army-building policy of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev.

In the 1990s, the Azerbaijani army plunged into the First Garabagh Battle in a scattered and fragmented form. At that time, although the fighting spirit of the Azerbaijani soldiers was high, the supply of weapons and the discipline in the army were not satisfactory. In order to have a strong army, a powerful and visionary leader was needed.

Armenia was not aware of the potential of the Azerbaijani army, which was able to perfectly reshape itself in 30 years. The Armenian army attacking the Azerbaijani territories in 2020 seems to have not disintegrated from the mood of 30 years ago. The 44-day war and the professionalism and bravery of our Armed Forces in the anti-terror operation taught Armenia a hard lesson.

The behaviour of the Azerbaijani Army in accordance with international humanitarian requirementsin this context, the 44-day war, subsequent operations, and the last anti-terrorist operationnot harming the civilian population and taking necessary steps to protect it, clearly demonstrate its professionalism in a special manner. In many wars today, the brutal treatment of children, the elderly, and civilians, as well as disregard for the principles of war and humanitarian rules, are rampant.

Armenia's missile attacks on the cities of Ganja and Barda in the Second Garabagh War and the killing of civilians was a violation of the international rules of military operations, even worse than a terrorist attack.

When Armenia occupied Garabagh, it held military parades in Khankandi, which is today Azerbaijan, and tried to show off itself as a strong army in the world. However, during the 44-day war, the Armenian military units, who threw down their weapons and ran away from the battlefield, once again demonstrated their policy of invasion.

All this clearly confirms that the Azerbaijani Army is not an army of parades, but a strong, professional army that has a say and has confirmed itself in war and real combat operations.

The Azerbaijan Army sets an example for the whole world, both in terms of conducting military operations and solving humanitarian issues. Today, the Azerbaijani army is one of the armies that has high professionalism in military exercises held within the framework of NATO trainings, Turkic-speaking countries, the Pakistani army, and many other internationally recognised military organisations. It's no secret that our army once served as part of the peacekeeping contingent in Afghanistan and several other countries and has acquired a lot of military professionalism.

Today, the Azerbaijani army is celebrating its 106th anniversary, and on this occasion, the entire Azerbaijani people are deeply grateful to our brave army and its founder, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

Long live the Azerbaijani army! Long live the people of Azerbaijan! And long live the Supreme Commander-in-Chief!

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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
24 June 2024 12:22 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

"AzerEnergy" OJSC has applied to two foreign companies to purchase carbon certificates for seven small hydroelectric power stations located in Kalbajar and Lachin, Azernews reports, citing "AzerEnergy" OJSC.

"Chirag-1", "Chirag-2", "Soyugbulag", "Qamishli", and "Meydan" in Kalbajar district, as well as "Mirik" and "Garykishlaq" small hydropower plants in Lachin district, were addressed earlier this year. This was done in collaboration between "AzerEnergy" OJSC and "SOCAR Trading" to obtain carbon certificates and participate in the voluntary carbon credits market.

The applications for the seven small hydropower plants were reviewed by the "Global Carbon Council" in Qatar and the "Gold Standard" in Switzerland, and field audits were scheduled as part of the registration process. An audit company was engaged to conduct these field audits, which were carried out by an expert visiting Azerbaijan for three days starting on June 10.

It is projected that the operation of these seven small hydroelectric power stations, currently in the registration process, will prevent the emission of 45,000 to 50,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually.

This project, set to be implemented in recently liberated territories, represents one of Azerbaijan's initial ventures in the voluntary carbon credits market.

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24 June 2024 13:25 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

130 million manat will be spent on the construction of residential buildings in Dovletyarli village of Fuzuli, Azernews reports.

The public legal entity "Restoration, Construction, and Management Service in Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend regions" has announced a tender.

The tender includes the procurement of individual residential buildings, non-residential buildings, on-site engineering communication systems (water, sewerage, gas lines, electricity, and communication network), internal roads, and sidewalks in Fuzuli region, Dovletyarli village.

The estimated cost is 129,650,280 manats."

In Azerbaijan, particularly in regions affected by recent conflicts, such as Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend, significant efforts are underway to reconstruct and develop infrastructure and housing. The public legal entity responsible for these efforts is the "Restoration, Construction and Management Service in Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend regions." This entity oversees various projects aimed at rebuilding residential and non-residential buildings, as well as essential infrastructure like water, sewerage, gas lines, electricity, communication networks, internal roads, and sidewalks.

The latest initiative focuses on the construction of residential buildings in Dovletyarli village, located in the Fuzuli region. The tender announced by the Restoration, Construction, and Management Service outlines plans to procure individual residential buildings and other necessary facilities in the village. The estimated budget allocated for this project amounts to 129,650,280 manats, demonstrating the scale and importance of the reconstruction efforts in this area.

These efforts are part of broader reconstruction and rehabilitation initiatives in Azerbaijan's liberated territories following the cessation of hostilities in the region. The goal is to restore normalcy, improve living conditions, and support the return and resettlement of displaced populations to their homes.

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24 June 2024 14:07 (UTC+04:00)

"4.2 million manats have been paid to the state budget over 4 years due to environmental violations."

Azernews reports that Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev made this announcement during the Scientific-Practical Conference on 'The Role of Awareness and Law Enforcement Measures in Strengthening the Environment' held in Khankendi.

He emphasised that the unanimous decision to host the prestigious 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 29) in Azerbaijan reflects the international community's profound respect and trust in Azerbaijan. This decision underscores Azerbaijan's commitment to environmental protection and climate change prevention at national, regional, and global levels.

"As prosecutors, we must act accordingly. The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan, along with other entities, has conducted in-depth specialised work to combat environmental violations, raise awareness, and prevent such infractions."

"Since its establishment in 2020, the Department of Non-Prosecution of Criminal Proceedings and district prosecutors' assistants have investigated 701 cases and initiated 407 criminal proceedings. This effort has resulted in 4,193,168 manats being paid to the state budget."

"In total, 418 cases of administrative offences were filed against individuals, 530 against officials, and 84 against legal entities, with many related to environmental violations."

"In accordance with Azerbaijan's Law on the Prosecutor's Office, 229 notices were issued to relevant organisations or officials for correcting law violations, and 197 official warnings were issued to prevent future infractions."

"Beyond prosecution and compensation for damages, the General Prosecutor's Office is establishing the ECOLEAD platform in collaboration with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Baku State University, and relevant NGOs. This platform aims to educate, prevent, and rehabilitate, while facilitating collaboration among environmental protection experts and enhancing international cooperation."

"The Prosecutor General highlighted that the ECOLEAD platform will focus on investigating environmental crimes through joint efforts of prosecutors, ecologists, higher education institutions, and NGOs, with components such as 'ECOLAB,' 'Ecoclinic,' and 'Cerima Park - Nature's Revenge.'"

"The platform will serve as a unified initiative to research solutions for post-conflict environmental issues in Garabagh and Eastern Zangazur economic regions, engage stakeholders in preventing and resolving environmental violations, and improve interdisciplinary dialogue in environmental matters."

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24 June 2024 15:04 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

A parliamentary session will be held in Azerbaijan within the framework of COP29, the local MP Kamal Jafarov said during a scientific-practical conference themed "The role of educational and law enforcement activities in strengthening the environment" held in Khankendi city today, Azernews reports.

According to him, attention to climate change is one of the most important and urgent challenges at the moment.

"This challenge necessitates national and global efforts. Azerbaijan, as a reliable and responsible member of the international community, contributes to the fight against the effects of climate change.

In the context of measures being implemented in this area, holding COP29 is a vivid example of the national and global recognition of Azerbaijan's efforts in combating climate change," he emphasized.

The MP pointed out that the Azerbaijani parliament also has important tasks within the framework of the COP29 International Conference.

"Undoubtedly, the participation of all members of the international community in this process is crucial to achieving our goals.

The Azerbaijani parliament, in cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, plans to organise a parliamentary session within the framework of COP29. This event will give parliamentarians the opportunity to engage in a broad exchange of views and determine the steps they can take in the fight against climate change. Thus, the meeting will provide a parliamentary contribution to multilateral actions to combat climate change," Jafarov added.

To note, this November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the centre of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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24 June 2024 10:17 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

On the eve of June 26 (Armed Forces Day), media tours to the types of troops of the Azerbaijani Army were organised for media representatives, Azernews reports.

As part of the media tours, media representatives got acquainted with the organisation of personnels service and combat activities, as well as with social-living conditions and material-technical supply.

Media representatives also visited one of the military units stationed in the liberated territories and met with servicemen serving here.

The servicemen expressed satisfaction with the conditions created as a result of the attention and care of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mr. Ilham Aliyev, and highlighted their pride in serving in the Azerbaijan Army.

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24 June 2024 11:39 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

The administrative building of the prosecutor's office in Azerbaijan's liberated Khankendi is being commissioned today, Azernews reports.

The ceremonial event is being held in this regard. The Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan, Kamran Aliyev, heads of the General Prosecutor's Office, MPs, chairmen of NGOs, and other public representatives attended the event.

Khankendi is an ancient Azerbaijani land founded by Panahali Khan. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the 1920s, an autonomous region was created here without any legal, political or demographic grounds. After that, the problems of the Azerbaijani people began. As a result, in the late 1980s, Armenia declared war on Azerbaijan, supported the separatists, committed genocide and other heinous crimes against Azerbaijani people, and regrettably achieved their sordid aspirations. They believed that they would be able to keep these lands under occupation forever.

As a result of the Second Garabagh War in 2020, Azerbaijani sovereignty was established over the city of Khankendi, and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan was restored.

As part of the Great Return program, today, Azerbaijanis live in the liberated Garabagh, holding their heads high. This year, the former IDPs return to Khankendi and other cities, including Khojaly, Shusha, Jabrayil, and Kalbadjar.

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24 June 2024 11:45 (UTC+04:00)

The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has expressed condolences to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, over terror attacks in Dagestan, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

"Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,

I am deeply shocked by the news of the deaths of civilians and law enforcement officers as a result of terrorist acts committed in Dagestan.

We strongly condemn these bloody crimes and support the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism.

On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and myself, I extend my sincere condolences to you, the families, and loved ones of the victims, and wish a speedy recovery to all those injured.

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 24 June 2024"

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24 June 2024 19:56 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

Yesterday's terrorist attack in Dagestan caused unrest in the Caucasus region. The sudden incident not only worried the public, but also drew the attention of many political think tanks to the region. According to experts, Armenia, whose relations with Russia have been tarnished since the Second Garabagh War, and Washington, which has strained relations with Moscow due to the Kremlin's increased nuclear threat, are cited as references among the suspects behind the terrorist attack.

In order to deeply investigate the issue, we learned the opinion of political expert Tofig Abbasov. In his statement to Azernews, he said that the world's superpowers are trying to create new problems for each other.

"Essentially, all these processes stem from one thing: the intensifying struggle between superpowers on the international stage. As a result, each side is trying to create new problems for the other," the expert said.

Abbasov explained the West's approach to Russia.

"It is no secret that there are two approaches to Russia globally, especially in the West. One group of states aims to bring Russia to its knees and dismantle it. The other group seeks to weaken Russia so that a more compliant government emerges, aligned with Western interests," he said.

Regarding Russia's vulnerabilities, Abbasov pointed to the North Caucasus.

"Those aiming to destabilise Russia view the North Caucasus as its Achilles' heel. The West seeks to turn this region into a hub of revolution and military sensitivity," the political analyst said.

He noted that President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to North Korea is linked to these developments.

"Putin's visit to North Korea serves as a unique response to the US. It underscores that if Western countries escalate weapon supplies to Ukraine, Russia will respond in the Far East and Pacific regions," Abbasov said.

Abbasov also discussed Russia-North Korea relations.

"It's significant that Moscow and Pyongyang are forging a strategic military partnership. North Korea supports Russia in rocket technology, while Russia shares nuclear expertise with North Korea," he emphasised.

The analyst highlighted Russia's strained ties with Armenia.

"In Russia-Armenia relations, both Washington and Brussels aim to undermine Russia, particularly in the Caucasus. However, even if Armenia engages in this role, it lacks the capacity to handle it," the expert said.

He assessed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's efforts to stabilise Armenia.

"Armenia currently lacks effective leadership. Pashinyan confronts the church on one front and challenges diaspora organisations on the other. He asserts that Armenia's future should be determined by the official Yerevan, yet his ability to exert influence remains limited," the political analyst emphasised.

Abbasov explained how Washington utilises Armenia.

"The US and the West covet Armenia's territory more than its people. These dynamics may shift post-November, pending US elections, clarifying their stance on the Caucasus," he underlined.

The analyst stressed terrorism's utility in destabilising sensitive regions like the South Caucasus.

"The South Caucasus is highly volatile, making large-scale global plans unnecessary. Terrorism serves as a tool to spread widespread fear in the region. The recent events in Dagestan, particularly targeting religious sites, threaten stability," Abbasov stressed.

He also acknowledged Russia's authority in the Caucasus.

"Nevertheless, Russia maintains a robust military presence in the south, notably in the North Caucasus and Dagestan. During the recent events in Dagestan, Federal Security Service units effectively countered the attackers and restored order. Consequently, these events will draw the central government's attention to the Caucasus, intensifying local military operations," Abbasov concluded.

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24 June 2024 17:18 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijans Constitutional Court held a plenary session on Monday, Azernews reports, citing AZERTAC.

In accordance with Clause 1 of Part III of Article 130 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Article 7.1 of the Law "On the Constitutional Court", and based on the Decision of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 1174-VIQR dated June 21, 2024, "On appeal to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the scheduling of early elections to the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan", the session has accepted for review the request of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan regarding the compliance of the dissolution of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the scheduling of early parliamentary elections.

The request will be reviewed with the participation of the parties at the plenary session of the Constitutional Court scheduled for June 27 at 10:00.

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24 June 2024 17:44 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

The Cooperation Forum of Azerbaijani NGOs kicked off today at the Congress Centre in Zangilan district, co-organized by the Agency for State Support of Non-Governmental Organisations and the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony, the executive director of the Agency for State Support of Non-Governmental Organizations, Aygun Aliyeva, pointed out that the forum was organised within the framework of the Green World Solidarity Year and highlighted that about 200 public associations participated in the meeting.

The Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan districts, which are included in the Eastern Zangazur economic region, Vahid Hajiyev, made a broad presentation about the restoration and construction works carried out in Eastern Zangazur, and highly appreciated the holding of the NGO forum in Zangilan for the first time in the liberated territories.

Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum, Ramil Iskanderli, said that detailed analyses are being implemented to effectively use the opportunities of NGOs.

The forum will last 2 days with panel discussions.

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24 June 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

An anti-terrorist operation regime has been implemented in Dagestan, and measures are currently being taken to neutralize the militants who set fire to the church and synagogue. According to Azernews, the Russian National Anti-Terrorism Committee has released information about this.

"In order to ensure the safety of citizens, prevent terrorist crimes, and arrest persons involved in an armed attack, the head of the Russian FSB department for Dagestan decided to conduct an anti-terrorist operation," the information reads.

Currently, measures are being taken to search for and neutralize the armed persons who set fire to the church and synagogue buildings in Makhachkala and Darbend.

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24 June 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will provide $25 million to improve food security in Somalia, Azernews reports, citing the institution

The funding will be used to restore critical infrastructure for smallholder farmers and promote climate-friendly agriculture in Jouhar, Hirshabelle, Somalia.

The project will support Somali farmers by providing flood protection and reliable irrigation, enabling more productive use of land.

In parallel, a project was launched in the same city on June 6, which is expected to improve access to water for 370,000 people in five provinces, reduce the risk of flooding for 1.5 million people, and mitigate the effects of drought for 1.65 million people.

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24 June 2024 20:21 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Turkiye plans to tighten regulatory and control measures related to the cryptocurrency market, Azernews reports.

The relevant proposals are reflected in the draft law "On Amendments to the Law on Financial Markets of Turkiye", which will be considered today at a meeting of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye.

According to the bill, from now on, services for crypto accounts will be provided only with the official permission of the Turkish Financial Markets Supervision Authority (SPK).

Individuals and legal entities that ignore the requirements of the law will bear maximum responsibility under the new rules. They face imprisonment for a term of 3 to 5 years or a large fine.

At the same time, all individuals and organizations working in the cryptocurrency market with information from the state will have to pay one percent of the annual profit to the budgets of the SEC and the same amount to the budgets of the Scientific and Technical Research Council. Turkiye (TUBITAK) by the end of May each year.

Three months after the changes in the country's legislation come into force, the activities of all foreign individuals and institutions providing crypto asset services will be banned in Turkiye.

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24 June 2024 21:19 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The DPRK authorities do not rule out that they can show the potential of their new means of deterrence in response to the demonstration of force by the United States and the Republic of Korea. This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Defense of the DPRK, Kim Gang Il, Azernews reports.

"The United States and the Republic of Korea are resorting to a show of force right in front of us, this is a very dangerous game and an adventure," the deputy minister warned. "The DPRK fully reserves the opportunity to show all its deterrence forces, including new ones, in response to provocative attempts by the United States and the Republic of Korea - fanatics of confrontation - and condemns these attempts in the strongest terms," the statement said.

Kim Gang Il cited as an example the arrival of the American nuclear aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt in Busan on June 22, US and Republic of Korea aviation exercises, including on June 5, when the American B-1B strategic bomber used the JDAM bomb during training for the first time since 2017, as well as Air Force exercises on June 17-20 involving a "flying battery" AC-130J. Kim Gang Il also recalled the meeting of the advisory group on nuclear planning of the United States and the Republic of Korea.

"The United States and its henchmen, whose congenital diseases include malicious hostility and suspiciousness, in response to the normal development of relations between friendly sovereign states, show symptoms similar to an epileptic seizure," the deputy minister believes. According to him, the Republic of Korea and the United States are engaged in "dangerous ostentatious behavior, spewing abuse from their dirty mouths."

"They dragged their nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the Korean peninsula across the Pacific Ocean to our gates, certainly not to "repair" or "celebrate" the American-South Korean alliance," Kim Gang Il said. On June 19, Russia and the DPRK signed a comprehensive strategic partnership Agreement, which implies military assistance in in the case of a defensive war.

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24 June 2024 21:50 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The Polish authorities have significantly reduced the issuance of visas to foreigners in 2024 compared to 2023, Azernews reports.

According to the country's foreign ministry, Poland has issued more than 98 thousand work visas since the beginning of 2024, in particular to citizens of Belarus, Ukraine and Georgia, while 248 thousand such visas were issued in 2023.

The new Polish authorities canceled the Poland Business Harbour priority visa program, which was actively used by IT specialists.

Warsaw has practically suspended the issuance of humanitarian visas: since the beginning of the year, only 542 such visas have been issued, while last year the Polish authorities approved the issuance of more than 4.5 thousand humanitarian visas.

In addition, the Polish Foreign Ministry decided from June 1 to increase to 135 euros the amount of the visa fee for a category D visa that allows you to stay in the country for more than three months. This is 45 euros more expensive than the standard fee for Schengen visas.

It should be noted that Poland was one of the leaders in the EU in issuing visas during the rule of the Law and Justice Party. In 2020-2022. Warsaw has issued almost 2 million work visas.

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Dr. Ronny Jackson, former White House physician to both Obama and Trump, has called for drug testing Biden and also Trump before and after the debate. After seeing "jacked up Joe" at the State of the Union address, the doctor beleives that Biden was administered performance enhancing drugs. For a fair debate, if that is done at the presidential debate, the public needs to know it.

https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2024/06/24/gop-rep-jackson-biden-team-probably-experimenting-with-dosing-at-camp-david-to-treat-presidents-cognition/

Of course, Biden is not going to agree to that, but the fact that he refuses should by itself tell Americans what is going on. Trump should voluntarily take a drug test, announce it during the debate, and challenge Biden to give an immediate blood sample so he could be tested. Trump should challenge Biden on the matter openly.

On his radio program this morning, WTIB's Henry Hinton lamented that the debate would be "three against one" in that the two CNN "moderators" are in reality part of Team Biden. Both Jake Tapper and Dana Bash are very partisan liberal Democrats and do not disguise their bias. Having that pair as "moderators" is little different than having Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi as "moderators" would be.

If they get as blatant as a previous Democrat / "moderator" did, Trump should call them out on it in the debate as he did in that instance. In the lead up to the debate, Republicans should call attention to the heavily biased "moderators" to at least put pressure on them to be somewhat objective. Jake Tapper, for example has compared Trump to Hitler more than once. How can he possibly be considered a fair moderator?

The Trump campaign is already doing that but big media tries to silence them. When a Trump campaign spokeswoman was on CNN to talk about the debate, she was abruptly taken off the air when she brought up the history of bias of Tapper and Bash.

https://nypost.com/2024/06/24/us-news/cnn-pulls-plug-on-trump-spokesperson-just-days-before-network-set-to-host-first-presidential-debate/

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/06/fake-news-cnn-cuts-trump-spox-after-she/

https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2024/06/24/whoopi-goldberg-cnn-cutting-trump-spox-mid-interview-was-so-good/

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/06/24/trump-campaigns-karoline-leavitt-its-shocking-how-triggering-the-truth-is-to-cnn/

https://redstate.com/tladuke/2024/06/24/cnn-is-trying-to-make-sure-they-do-their-part-in-protecting-joe-biden-during-this-thursday-debate-n2175908

https://redstate.com/levon/2024/06/24/flashback-compilation-of-jake-tapper-comparing-trump-to-hitler-n2175900

Biden stole a march on Trump on this election's debate by issuing an ultimatum while Trump was tied up in the Stalin Show Trial in Manhattan that kept Trump from having much negotiating room without appearing to chicken out on the debate. Biden's handlers were clever in putting Trump in a box on who would handle the debates, put it is just another example of the election interference generated by Soros con man Alvin Bragg.

Trying to make the presidential debate honest was one of the few things that Ronna Romney McDaniel did right while she was at RNC. The Presidential Debate Commission had been notorious for selecting liberal pro-Democrat "moderators" for past presidential debates, and she spearheaded a move to reject their participation in the 2024 debates. However, with Biden now dictating the terms, using the Trump trial to do it, has put the GOP out of the frying pan into the fire.

Moderators controlling questions is more a serial interview than a debate, and it is especailly egregious when the "moderators" are biased to one side. A much better format would be to use the gold standard of American political debates, the Lincoln-Douglas debates. In those, each candidate propounded an equal number of questions, which was a fair and balanced process. Indeed, those debates had no moderator at all.
Here are five physician fraud lawsuits Becker's has reported on since June 10:

1. David Young, MD, a physician from Fredericksburg, Texas, was convicted for submitting more than $70 million in fraudulent claims for orthotic braces and generic tests. Dr. Young submitted tests for more than 13,000 beneficiaries, receiving $475,000 in illegal kickbacks.

2. William McMiller, MD, a physician in Oak Park, Ill., was sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in a $1.2 million Medicaid fraud scheme. Dr. McMiller owned Dr. Bill's Learning Center and offered tutoring services as well as clinical therapy and psychiatric services. He submitted numerous claims to the Illinois Medicaid program for psychotherapy and medical services that weren't provided.

3. Former Alabama physician Francene Aretha Gayle, MD, pleaded guilty in federal court alongside her wife for her role in a $2.3 million fraud scheme involving illegal opioid prescription. The pair billed payers millions of dollars for patient visits that Dr. Gayle was supposed to have conducted but were instead conducted by other clinic staff. These patients were also allegedly given opioid prescriptions pre-signed by Dr. Gayle.

4. Gustavo Kinrys, MD, a Natick, Mass., psychiatrist, was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison for a $19 million Medicare and private insurance fraud scheme. Between January 2015 and December 2018, Dr. Kinrys sought and received $19 million in reimbursements for unrendered services. As part of the scheme, he billed Medicare and private insurers $10.6 million for thousands of transcranial magnetic stimulation sessions he never provided.

5. New York City-based ophthalmologist Sheldon Rabin, MD, and his ophthalmology practice will pay $2.4 million to resolve allegations he submitted claims for medically unnecessary procedures, among other allegations, in violation of the False Claims Act. From 2013 to 2016, Dr. Rabin and his practice billed Medicare and Medicaid for procedures, tests and other services that were either unnecessary or could not have been performed because the ophthalmologist was not in his office.
A physician in Kennebunk, Maine, has been convicted of illegally distributing controlled substances, including oxycodone, hydromorphone and fentanyl.

Merideth Norris, DO, distributed controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of practice, according to a June 21 news release from the Justice Department.

Dr. Norris prescribed these substances despite patients suffering from opioid use disorder and appeared to be diverting the drugs. She was warned on numerous occasions, including by pharmacies and insurers, and eventually Walmart pharmacies issued a nationwide ban on filling prescriptions written by Dr. Norris.

Dr. Norris was convicted of 15 counts of unlawfully distributing controlled substances and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count.
The highest-paid executives of Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, parent company of ASC chain United Surgical Partners International, saw a base salary jump but a total compensation decline.

Here is what the two highest-paid Tenet executives earned since 2019:

Saum Sutaria, MD, CEO and executive chair

2023: $18.5 million, including a base salary of $1.5 million

2022: $24.3 million, including a base salary of $1.4 million

2021: $18.7 million, including a base salary of $1.15 million

2020: $8.58 million, including a base salary of $1 million

2019: $8.6 million, including a base salary of $961,539

Dan Cancelmi, CFO and executive vice president

(Sun Park became CFO in 2024)

2023: $9.3 million, including a base salary of $750,000

2022: $3.6 million, including a base salary of $750,000

2021: $9.4 million, including a base salary of $686,575

2020: $7.2 million, including a base salary of $641,385

2019: $5.1 million, including a base salary of $618,000

2018: $3 million, including a base salary of $618,000
HHS is warning the healthcare sector about a ransomware group that has been stepping up its attacks on the industry and recently disrupted hospital operations in the U.K.

The Qilin ransomware-as-a-service organization, initially launched as Agenda in 2022, likely originates from Russia and has attacked at least 15 healthcare and public health organizations worldwide since October 2022, according to the June 18 notice from HHS' Office of Information Security and Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center. The group uses "spear phishing" and looks for vulnerabilities in remote monitoring and management programs, and is known for committing "double extortion," or demanding money in return for not leaking data.

Most recently, the group reportedly demanded $50 million in ransom from a U.K.-based pathology services company in a June cyberattack that impeded operations at London hospitals. That is far above Qilin's typical ransom demand in 2023 of $50,000 to $800,000, according to the HHS notice.

In the U.S, the group has targeted healthcare organizations with revenues from $6 million to $40 million in states including Indiana, Florida, Ohio, Georgia, Minnesota, Nevada, and Arizona, HHS said.

The FBI advises such mitigation efforts as reviewing for new or unrecognized user accounts, regularly backing up data offline, and making sure antivirus programs haven't been unexpectedly turned off.
Mark Klein will become the new chief communications and marketing officer of Mountain View, Calif.-based El Camino Health on July 15.

In this role, Mr. Klein will oversee El Camino Health's marketing, communications and brand strategy, according to a June 24 news release from the health system.

Prior to joining El Camino Health, Mr. Klein served as senior vice president of communications and public affairs at San Francisco-based Dignity Health, which merged with Catholic Health Initiatives in 2019 to form Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health, where he spearheaded a rebranding campaign.
Valley Health System in Paramus, N.J., has named K. Nadeem Ahmed, MD, as its chief medical information officer, New Jersey Business Magazine reported June 24.

Most recently, Dr. Ahmed was the global chief medical information officer for Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

He is also widely known for his expertise in effectively implementing multidisciplinary strategies for the successful deployment of electronic health record systems and consulting with hospitals as a physician executive.
Ann Lurie, a renowned philanthropist for which the Chicago-based Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital is named, has died at 79, the Chicago Tribune reported June 24.

Ms. Lurie was pronounced dead June 24 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago after battling the aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma.

Children's Memorial Hospital was renamed Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago in June 2012 following a $100 million gift to the hospital from Ms. Lurie, which is still the largest donation in the hospital's 142-year history, it confirmed to Becker's. The hospital is also where the two, Ann and Robert, met when she was working there as a pediatric intensive care nurse, according to the Tribune.

"With profound sadness, I share that Ann Lurie passed away this morning, June 24, 2024," Tom Shanley, MD, president and CEO of Lurie Children's shared with Becker's. "Her unwavering dedication and generous contributions to our organization touched countless lives and will continue to be a source of inspiration to us all, and her absence will be deeply felt."

Ms. Lurie's husband, Robert, died in 1990 following a battle with cancer, and left his wife and six children with a $425 million estate.

Since then, the Lurie estate has donated hundreds of millions in funding to medical services, research, pediatric medical services, education, the arts and more.

Ms. Lurie was very involved with the hospital in the 1990s and 2000s. She served as a member of its Hospital, Research Institute, and Foundation boards as well as the first Distinguished Lifetime Director of the Medical Center Board, Dr. Shanley confirmed to Becker's.

"Words cannot adequately convey the sadness we share with Anns family and friends and all those she touched across Chicago and far beyond," Dr. Shanley said. "Lurie Children's will forever be grateful to Ann for creating a legacy that allows us to provide the highest quality, most compassionate care for patients and families across Chicagoland and beyond. Ann's life inspires us all to embrace the power of her mantra to 'do a good deed daily.'"
Massachusetts lawmakers are taking aim at real estate investment trusts amid Dallas-based Steward Health Care's ongoing financial troubles.

In response to Steward's bankruptcy filing in May, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a sweeping healthcare oversight bill that includes a provision to ban hospitals from leasing their main campuses from real estate investment trusts, known as REITs, Bloomberg reported June 24. Massachusetts House Speaker Ronald Mariano has called the bill, "the most significant healthcare oversight and cost-containment legislation in more than a decade."

The proposed legislation  which passed the House in a 154 to 1 vote  excludes existing leases and would preserve the ability for hospitals to seek other real estate financing sources, though they would be required to share more information about lease agreements as part of the licensing process with the state government.

The move comes amid uncertainty over the future of Steward's eight hospitals in Massachusetts. The health system's landlord, Medical Properties Trust, is one of the world's largest hospital real estate owners. Cerberus Capital Management, the private equity firm that founded Steward, sold the system's hospital properties to Medical Properties Trust in 2016. Massachusetts lawmakers who introduced the bill have said the sale-leaseback deal triggered Steward's financial downfall.

Real estate experts are divided on whether banning REITs alone from owning hospital property would do much to solve or prevent challenges like those faced by Steward. One expert who spoke to Bloomberg called the provision in the proposed Massachusetts law "odd and miss informed."

"If a hospital has a poor operating model, that is a much riskier problem than the fact that it owes rent to a REIT every year," said Jacques Gordon, PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for Real Estate.

Michael Rodrigues, chairman of the Massachusetts Senate Ways and Means committee, previously said he wants to, "take for-profit, equity-based companies out of the healthcare system," though he was not commenting directly on whether he would support the bill.

Bloomberg reported that representatives for Steward, MPT, and Cerberus did not respond to its requests for comment.

Earlier this month, Steward received approval from a U.S. bankruptcy judge to sell its 31 hospitals and its physician group, Stewardship Health, though questions remain surrounding what will happen if some of its hospitals do not receive bids during auctions set for June 24 and Aug. 12. Medical Properties Trust has said it does not have plans to fund hospitals that don't receive bids.

More updates on Steward's ongoing financial saga can be found here.
The Supreme Court has agreed to assess the constitutionality of Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for people younger than 18, The Washington Post reported June 24.

The justices will review a lower appeals court's decision to uphold Tennessee's law, which prevents minors from receiving puberty blockers and hormones. After the September ruling, an anonymous group of transgender youths and their families appealed the decision, arguing the law violates the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause, according to NBC News.

Oral arguments are slated to occur in the Supreme Court's next term, which starts in October and runs until June 2025.

The case will mark the first time the high court considers whether restrictions on gender-affirming care violate the Constitution. To date, 23 states have passed such bans, according to the Post.
From a Texas physician convicted in a $70 million scheme to an Illinois physician getting an eight-year prison sentence for a $1.2 million scheme, here are 10 healthcare billing fraud cases Becker's has reported since June 7:

1. A Chicago-based healthcare company and its former owners agreed to pay $2 million to settle allegations that it submitted false claims to Medicare and Medicaid.

2. The CEO of medical device company Stimwave was sentenced to six years in prison for helping create and sell fake components for chronic pain devices implanted in patients. The scheme cost Medicare and other insurers thousands of dollars in reimbursements for inoperable devices.

3. A physician from Fredericksburg, Texas, was convicted by a jury for causing the submission of more than $70 million in fraudulent healthcare claims.

4. An Illinois physician was sentenced to eight years in prison for a more than $1.2 million Medicaid fraud scheme.

5. Paul Mansour, a pharmacist and co-owner of Best Buy Drugs in Sierra Madre, Calif., was sentenced to two years in prison after entering a guilty plea for billing more than $1 million in fraudulent claims for prescription drugs that were never given to patients.

6. A former physician who owned three clinics in Alabama and her wife pleaded guilty to their roles in a $2.3 million scheme.

7. CityMD agreed to pay the federal government $12 million to settle fraud allegations related to COVID-19 tests.

8. A psychiatrist in Wellesley, Mass., was sentenced to prison for charges related to a scheme that defrauded Medicare and private insurers of more than $19 million.

9. A lab owner from Morton Grove, Ill. is accused of submitting more than $60 million in false claims to Medicare as part of COVID-19 testing fraud scheme.

10. A California sleep clinic owner was sentenced to 46 months in prison for submitting more than $1.5 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare and Medi-Cal.
The International Council of Nurses, an organization of more than 130 national nurses associations, is warning about some high-income countries recruiting nurses from vulnerable countries with critical health worker shortages.

"Despite shared ethical codes and calls to curb this practice, aggressive nurse recruitment is growing, with clear evidence of harmful impacts exacerbating deep-seated health inequalities worldwide," the International Council of Nurses said in a June 20 news release.

The organization represents 28 million nurses worldwide, according to its website. The organization called on world leaders who are part of G20, an intergovernmental forum, to make nurse migration and this recruiting issue a priority at their November meeting.

ICN President Pamela Cipriano, PhD, is advocating for a temporary freeze on recruiting nurses from countries with severe nursing shortages and fragile health systems. At the same time, the American Association of International Healthcare Recruitment is asking Congress to safeguard unused green cards for nurses as the industry worries about a potential nurse visa freeze.

The ICN did not name which high-income countries are engaging in unethical recruitment practices, but the organization called these strategies "unsustainable" and a "short-sighted solution."
North Carolina and New York are among states weighing bans on public mask wearing amid heightened tension surrounding protests on the Israel-Hamas conflict. While lawmakers say such measures wouldn't target medical mask wearing, critics are skeptical about the practicality of a health exception, The Washington Post reported June 24.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently said she is considering a measure to ban face masks on the city's subway system. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper recently vetoed legislation to criminalize public mask wearing, which Republican lawmakers are poised to overturn. The bans would target "bad actors" engaging in criminal or threatening behavior by making it illegal to conceal their identity, lawmakers and supporters of mask restrictions say.

Lawmakers say proposals to criminalize public mask wearing include exceptions for immune compromised individuals and others aiming to avoid contracting respiratory viruses, though critics say enforcing such an exception would be impractical.

"I don't understand when there's a political protest exactly how the authorities plan to sort out those who are wearing masks for health purposes versus those who are wearing masks to protect their identity," Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst at the American Civil Liberties Union, told the news outlet. "It really sets up a situation where we are likely to see selective enforcement against protesters that authorities don't like."

Physicians, including former U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams, MD, have opposed the proposed bans, saying they will adversely affect people with immunocompromising conditions.

In the 1940s and 1950s, many states implemented laws against masking, in part to prevent Ku Klux Klan members from shielding their identity. At least 18 states and Washington, D.C., still have such laws on the books, many of which were put on pause during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Medical supply distributor Concordance Healthcare Solutions said Rush University System for Health is piloting the healthcare industry's first supply chain cloud-based platform, which connects providers, suppliers and distributors.

Concordance launched the platform, called Surgence, in 2023. Chicago-based Rush was one of Concordance's first customers to use the service, the company said in a June 21 news release.

Rush has signed an agreement with Concordance to "continue toward their goal of reducing costs [and] improving efficiency," the release said.
Nurses in Ohio are asking state lawmakers to amend a proposed bill to increase the legal penalties associated with using bodily fluids as a weapon against healthcare workers, according to the Dayton Daily News.

The current proposed legislation, HB 452, is designed to address hospital safety. It would mandate that hospitals use a team, including their healthcare employees, to develop a plan to prevent workplace violence and manage aggressive behaviors. The bill also would require hospitals to establish a system for reporting incidents of workplace violence, and require an employee trained in de-escalation procedures to be present on psychiatric and emergency units.

There have been three hearings regarding HB 452 in the Ohio House Public Health Policy Committee. During a recent hearing, Rick Lucas, BSN, RN, a critical care and rapid response nurse at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical in Columbus, and president and executive director of the Ohio Nurses Association, advocated for the amendment regarding bodily fluids.

"While many of our first responders, law enforcement partners, and corrections employees have protections for this type of disgusting and potentially deadly behavior, too often health professionals are told that it is just part of the job," Mr. Lucas told the committee, according to a transcript the union provided to Becker's. "I am here to tell you that having someone use blood, saliva, urine, feces, semen, sputum, or vomit as a weapon against healthcare providers is not part of the job. That is called assault and should be criminally charged as a felony in the fifth degree."

He added that these actions also "pose severe health risks, including the transmission of infectious diseases. By amending this bill to increase the criminal penalty for the use of bodily fluids as weapons, we can do what is necessary to protect healthcare workers from both physical harm and psychological trauma, ensuring a safer working environment."

Jacinta Tucker, RN, a nurse in the intensive care unit at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital in Dover, Ohio, and an ONA member, echoed Mr. Lucas during the hearing.

She said amending the proposed bill to increase the legal penalties associated with using bodily fluids as a weapon should include "outlining specific penalties and procedural requirements for offenders, such as mandatory health testing and potential financial liability for testing costs."

State Rep. Beth Liston questioned how harsher penalties could affect patients who may have dementia or a severe mental illness, according to the Daily News.

"I really struggle with saying an elderly demented or delirious person who's critically ill should be charged with a felony for lashing out when strapped down," Ms. Liston said, according to the publication.

Union representatives provided assurance that harsher penalties would not be used universally and are focused on those who commit these acts willingly, the Daily News reported.

A fourth hearing on the Ohio bill with the committee is scheduled for June 26.
About seven years ago, Arthur Jenkins, III, MD, left his post at New York City-based Mount Sinai to open his own private practice.

Dr. Jenkins was part of Mount Sinai's orthopedic and neurosurgery faculty from 2001 to 2017.

He discussed his own transition to private practice with Becker's and the questions spine surgeons should ask themselves before opening their own businesses.

Note: This conversation was lightly edited for clarity and length.

Question: You established your own practice after working with Mount Sinai. What was your tipping point that encouraged you to take the leap and establish your own practice?

Dr. Arthur Jenkins: I greatly enjoyed the time I spent at Mount Sinai, but I did feel that I was not really getting the support to take the department and the division in the direction I wanted. As one of the largest names in the hospital and in spine surgery at the time, I really felt that I had a voice, I had a lot of clinical and research experience, and there were more things I wanted to do with that. There seemed to be a general sense of, "We expect the spine surgeons to do the heavy lifting financially and we want the other subtypes of our surgery to be the research area." I didn't think that was the way I wanted to finish up my career.

I had been thinking for a long time about when it would be appropriate for me to step outside the academic boundaries and do it on my own, or whether it was to join somebody else or join another academic group that maybe had a different vision.

In some cases, it's a more personal time that may be the straw that breaks the camel's back. For me, it was an opportunity to take a little bit more time with my family and focus on some family items. It would be hard for me to remain a full-time faculty member with the time commitment that I had to put into it at the time. So it was just the right timing for me.

Q: What advice do you have, do you have for spine surgeons considering opening their own practice? Is there anything you wish you had known in hindsight?

AJ: There is no kidding yourself with this move. You either are going to make it or you're not. There's more practices that are selling back to hospitals than going private at this time. It is definitely against the tide to go private right now.

Having said that, if you can honestly answer these questions to the affirmative with a strong "Yes."

Do you have the experience or the expertise to do this on your own? If not, join somebody else. If you want to leave where you are, you can join somebody else and maybe not be the boss, but you have to make sure that you have the reputation and the experience to do it all, and or to know that you're only going to do one area and you'll have the volume to keep it up.

The volume is the second part. You have to look very honestly at where your patients are coming from, and if they're coming from other doctors within your existing network, some of whom you don't necessarily know well, they're not going to come once you leave.

Do you have the interest? Start with the interest in actually running the whole show by yourself. That means not just the financial aspects of managing, looking at spreadsheets and understanding balance sheets and what a profit and loss statement shows, and what the projections are and how important it is to follow that regularly looking at your collections. But you also have to do the administration. You are the boss, so you're also the chief administrative officer and you're also the chief HR officer. So you have to be prepared to settle everything for petty squabbles to, you know, understand when to hire or fire.

Do I have the experience to do all of those as well? Maybe you've never run a business before. You've never run a group. You've never had people who work for you. Be honest about that, because that is harder than it looks. In many cases, it's the people who work for you that are so critical to making your practice successful or failure.

Do you have the money in the bank to start your own practice and survive for a minimum of six months or more? You're going to have a down payment on a space. You have to put money down one way or another for a security deposit or first month's rent depending on where you're going, you're also going to have to manage your own malpractice insurance independently. You're going to have a lot of expenses, and it takes a lot of money to start a practice on your own.

What is your business model? Are you going to be another me too physician and keep doing what you're doing as an in-network doctor? Are you already an out-of-network doctor or do you want to transition? Are you going to focus on one particular type of procedure? But those are really very important questions that every prospective independent spine surgeon has to ask himself.

In hindsight, what would I tell myself seven years ago before I went into private practice? Not everyone who says they can help you are good at what they're doing or have your best interest at heart. Be very skeptical. Check out the bonafides. You want to hire slowly and fire quickly if an employee isn't not working out. Make sure you have all your ducks in order before you open your doors. Make sure if you're going to be in Medicare, that your Medicare application is completely set up before you start.

That's the advice I would have. Make sure you can have all your ducks in order. Make sure you have a mentor. Make sure you have somebody who doesn't feel threatened by you, but would want to help you. Definitely make sure that you have the stomach for it because it is a lot of work.
Five spine and orthopedic surgeons earned honors in the second quarter of 2024.

1. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons named Steven Glassman, MD, an honorary member, a spokesperson for Norton Medical Group said. Dr. Glassman, of Louisville, Ky.-based Norton Leatherman Spine, is the first person to earn the award since 2007. The honor recognized him for his work to pave collaboration among orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons.

2. Marc Levine, MD, earned the 2024 DeGroote Award from the Medical Society of New Jersey. Dr. Levine, director of orthopedic spine surgery at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, was recognized for his service in the medical profession.

3. Michael Ciccotti, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, was honored by the Philadelphia Phillies for 30 years of working with the team. Dr. Ciccotti, who is retiring from this role with the team, spent 25 of those 30 years as head team physician and medical director. He received a custom-framed glove that includes accolades of the players he cared for. This is the first time the team gave a keepsake glove to a non-player.

4. Drew Spencer, MD, medical director of neurosurgery at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital in Palos Heights, Ill., has received the inaugural St. George Foundation Distinguished Physician Award for neurosurgery. The award recognizes physicians who achieve both personal and professional excellence in the field of neurosurgery.

5. Steven B. Haas, MD, chief of the knee service at New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery, was honored by the hospital for his work, along with radiology chair Hollis Potter, MD.
Union calls for election candidates to attend rally and speak up for staff

A protest is planned for Portadown against the loss of 300 jobs at GlenDimplex's location in the town

An emergency rally against the planned loss of 300 jobs at a major Co Armagh factory has been announced for this week.

Workers at the GlenDimplex factory in Portadown are to hold a protest outside St Marks Church in the town centre on Friday after the company announced its intention to close the site in the next two years.

GlenDimplex, which is an Irish electrical goods firm, did not respond when asked about the planned rally. Unite the Union, which represents the staff at the Portadown factory, said it is calling on all the candidates for Upper Bann in the upcoming General Election to attend and address the rally.

Staff from the GlenDimplex facility in Newry also plan to attend the rally.

GlenDimplex plans to move the manufacturing that currently takes place at the Portadown site to Lithuania, and said the site closures were the result of a transition to focus on low carbon electric heating and ventilation solutions for homes and businesses. Founded by Irish businessman Martin Naughton, Glen Dimplex announced in February that it would make 300 redundancies Ireland-wide between late 2024 and 2026.

They said they were cutting site numbers from five sites to three, with the Portadown operation closing down, though they also said they were investing heavily in other sites, including its Newry facility.

In a statement at the time of the announcement, GlenDimplex said it would invest around 25m into its Newry site, turning it into a centre for the manufacture of zero carbon, renewable heating solutions, including heat pumps.

But it added: Panel and storage heating manufacturing will transfer from the groups sites in Newry and Portadown to its existing manufacturing site in Lithuania. Under this proposal, the Portadown site will close, most likely in 2025, with some staff redeploying to Newry whose operations will also evolve significantly.

A spokesperson added: Subject to the outcome of a staff consultation process, up to 300 net redundancies are expected between late 2024 and 2026.

Union sources say that staff at the Portadown facility were shocked by the announcement of the job losses, only finding out about them from press reports.

The Belfast Telegraph understands there is still no precise date provided for the job losses, although staff have been told they are unlikely to occur before December 31, 2025. The union also feels the firm has not been as forthcoming with information as they would have liked during the negotiation process following the job loss announcement.

Unite regional officer Neil Moore said: The Upper Bann area faces another unacceptable jobs threat with the prospect of GlenDimplex shuttering its site in Portadown and offshoring production to Lithuania. We simply cannot afford to lose good quality union jobs. Workers want to know how it can be so easy for businesses to simply offshore production  destroying livelihoods  all in the interest of making even bigger profits?

Unite is organising this rally to hear what answers the politicians can offer. Do they back political intervention to save jobs? Will they end the offshoring race-to-the-bottom? What will they do to secure good union jobs in Upper Bann?

We need immediate action to secure this areas long and proud tradition of manufacturing.

Glen Electric, part of GlenDimplex, was ranked 14th in the 2024 Belfast Telegraph Top 100 Companies, with an annual a turnover of 761.1m and a pre-tax profit of 27.1m.
Minister found guilty of putting 1k donation in his own pocket

Woman told court that cheque was donation to the church after the death of her husband

Rev Adrian McLaughlin. Pic: Kevin Scott

Paul Higgins Mon 24 Jun 2024 at 22:04







The reputation of a Church of Ireland rector has been irrevocably tarnished after a jury convicted him of taking a 1,000 donation from a grieving widow to line his own pockets.
Aristocrat's U-turn as Earl to consider handing over Lough Neagh to public for free

The aristocrat previously said he would sell it but not give it away

Lough Neagh campaigner Padraig Cairns (left) and the Earl of Shaftesbury (right)

Amy Cochrane Mon 24 Jun 2024 at 07:16

The Earl of Shaftesbury  who owns the bed and banks of Lough Neagh  has said he is now considering handing over part of the lough for free.
Weve already had a candidate in England urging constituents not to vote for them in the General Election, and now weve had one here admitting they have no hope of making it to Westminsters green benches.
Detectives have launched an attempted murder investigation after shotgun pellets were fired into a house in Ballygowan on Saturday night. Pic: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.

A 44-year-old man is due to appear in court charged with a number of offences after a woman in her 60s was struck by shotgun pellets in Co Down at the weekend.

Police said he has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and criminal damage.

He is due to appear before Newtownards Magistrates Court tomorrow, June 25.

As is usual procedure all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

The attack happened late on Saturday night.

Detective Sergeant Bell said previously: "Police received a report that at around 11pm on Saturday, a woman was struck on her head and back with a number of shotgun pellets, which were fired through the window of a house in the Brae Grove area.

"We are continuing to appeal to anyone who has any information, dashcam or CCTV footage relating to this incident to call Police on 101 quoting reference 1815 22/06/24.

"We would also appeal to anyone who noticed a white van acting suspiciously in the area over the last week to get in touch."

The shotgun was fired through the window of a property in the Brae Grove area at around 11pm.

PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Kerry Brennan said on Sunday that a man, who was also in the house at the time, was uninjured.

We believe the male suspect made off in a white Transit style van, she said.

We are lucky that we are not investigating a murder this morning, there is no place in society for criminals who risk the safety of our community by bring firearms onto our streets.
General views of the former H Block Maze/Long Kesh site near Lisburn in Northern Ireland (Niall Carson/PA)

The potential of the former Maze prison site must be matched by political action to kick-start its full redevelopment, the First Minister has said.

Michelle ONeill revealed she and deputy First Minister Emma Little Pengelly are set to meet with the board of the development corporation tasked with transforming the Maze/Long Kesh to discuss a way forward.

The derelict paramilitary prison only compromises part of the huge 347 acre site near Lisburn that falls under the remit of the Maze Long Kesh Development Corporation, which was established in 2011.

General views of the former H Blocks at the Maze/Long Kesh site near Lisburn (Niall Carson/PA)

While there has been some development  most significantly the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society becoming an anchor tenant and moving the annual Balmoral Show to the venue  the wider transformation of the site has been stalled for over a decade.

The Ulster Aviation Society and the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance also operate out of the site.

The full regeneration plan hit the buffers in 2013 when former DUP first minister Peter Robinson blocked efforts to build a peace centre as part of the redevelopment of the sprawling grounds which once housed the high-security jail and were gifted to the Northern Ireland Executive by the UK Government.

The prison held paramilitary inmates during the Troubles and was the location for republican hunger strikes in 1981 in which 10 died, including Bobby Sands.

Mr Robinsons move came amid unionist concerns about the symbolism of building a peace centre on the site of the prison.

A political impasse has continued since. In 2019 the corporation said it was setting aside the plan for the peace centre as it focused on progressing the wider redevelopment.

A disused watch tower at the old paramilitary prison (Niall Carson/PA)

The corporation has said the site has the potential to generate 5,000 jobs and deliver more than 300 million of investment through social and economic regeneration.

Sinn Fein vice president Ms ONeill told the Assembly on Monday that she wanted to work with her DUP partner-in-government, Ms Little-Pengelly, to realise the sites potential.

It has great potential in itself but also can be an economic driver, not just for Lagan Valley, but for the whole region, she said.

The site has immense potential as an economic hub with around one million people living within 30 minutes of it, and it occupies a strategic location on the key transport corridor (M1).

The three existing tenants on the site deliver unique and varied activities but illustrate what really can be achieved.

She added: We must build on the common ground that we all share and that is to realise the potential of the site for the benefit of all and we are absolutely committed to working with the development corporation to achieve that.

Ms ONeill was responding to an Assembly question from party colleague Colm Gildernew.

We need to match the potential of the site with a similar level of ambition and, as I said, the site has such enormous potential for business, for housing, for recreation, for learning, for sport, for us all, said the First Minister.

I want to see the site developed in the same way that we have seen with the regeneration of other sites, particularly if you look at the Ebrington site (in Londonderry) and the Crumlin Road Gaol (in Belfast).

You can see all those things that have opened up to be really inclusive spaces and are the building blocks for a shared society, so in terms of the next steps the deputy First Minister and I have accepted an invitation to meet the board to take stock of the current position, to hear their thoughts on the development of a roadmap for the site. And thats going to inform how we proceed.

The scale of the investment will be huge for sure, but the cost of doing nothing is even greater.

We dont want to see any more delays. I think a regenerated MLK (Maze/Long Kesh) site will work for everyone. And I want to work with the deputy First Minister to see that happening.
The Conservatives and Labour have been accused by the Institute for Fiscal Studies of a conspiracy of silence over the financial challenges facing the country after the election.

 Black marks for the manifestos

There comes a point in every election campaign when  like schoolchildren submitting their homework for marking  the parties have to endure the wonks at the IFS running the rule over their manifesto tax and spending pledges to see if their sums add up.

And to say that headmaster Paul Johnson was unimpressed would be an understatement  could do better did not begin to cover it as both the Tories and Labour received a caning for failing to come clean about the scale of the challenges facing whoever gets to form the next government.

 Quote of the day

He gave short shrift to claims their manifestos were fully costed, bluntly warning that a ballooning welfare bill and the rising cost of government borrowing would leave the parties with a stark choice  raise taxes by more than they have said they would or cut public services.

Add in low growth and the after-effects of the pandemic and the energy price crisis and youve got a pretty toxic mix for the public finances, he said.

That means the government needs to collect more in tax and other revenues than it spends on everything apart from that debt interest bill. Thats not necessarily a recipe for a happy electorate.

If the smaller parties sitting at the back of the class thought they could avoid the headmasters beady eye, they were swiftly disabused of the notion.

Reform UK and the Greens were taken to task for boasting of much bigger numbers and very exciting radical policies safe in the knowledge they would never be called upon to deliver them, but nevertheless still helping to poison the political debate.

It makes the other parties look feeble when you say We could do all this stuff. They cant, Mr Johnson said.

 Badenochs leadership talk

With polls continuing to point to a Conservative defeat on July 4, there are further signs that senior figures in the party are beginning to look to what happens the day after.

Kemi Badenoch said leadership talk should wait until after polling day (Peter Nicholls/PA)

Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, seen as a potential frontrunner to replace Rishi Sunak if he loses, hinted at her continuing ambitions for the top job, saying that after the election would be the time to talk about leadership things.

Ms Badenoch, who stood unsuccessfully for the leadership after Boris Johnson was forced out in 2022, insisted that she was focused on defeating Labour  at least for now.

The fact of the matter is, I stood and I lost. And what terrifies me now is not not becoming leader, it is seeing Labour come in, she said when asked about her leadership hopes.

We need to focus on this election. The choice is going to be between us or between them. Be afraid if it is them, is all I would say. And we will talk about leadership things after an election, but not before.

 Picture of the day

Nigel Farage campaigning in Kent on the top deck of an open top bus (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

 At least Im in the clear, says Sunak

Rishi Sunaks efforts to get the Tories faltering campaign back on track continue to be dogged by the polling day betting scandal.

Over the weekend it emerged that another senior Conservative official was facing questions over bets placed on a July election in the days before the Prime Minister announced he was going to the country.

It took to four the number of individuals now implicated in the allegations being probed by the Gambling Commission  including two of the partys candidates now standing for election.

Rishi Sunak at the launch of the Scottish Conservative manifesto in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA)

With the opposition parties pressing the Tories to come clean on just how widely the commission is investigating, Mr Sunak was able to reassure journalists that there was at least one person in the clear: himself.

The Prime Minister said that in all his time as an MP he had never placed a bet on politics and that his family was similarly in the clear.

(The Gambling Commission) dont talk about the individuals that they are investigating, he told reporters on the campaign trail in Edinburgh.

What I can tell you is I am not aware of any other candidate that they are looking at.

Senior Tories remain deeply unhappy at the way the controversy continues to overshadow their campaign efforts, with former defence minister Tobias Ellwood warning it was a deeply unhelpful, self-inflicted distraction which could cost them seats.

 Farages Boris grudge

Nigel Farage has long nursed a sense of grievance that Boris Johnson has never given him the credit he believes he deserves for securing the Brexit vote in the 2016 referendum.

In the 2019 general election he stood down Brexit Party (as Reform UK was then known) candidates in seats being defended by the Tories, helping clear the way for a Conservative landslide.

And yet he received nary a phone call  let alone an invitation to drop round to No 10 for a cuppa  from the former prime minister.

So he seems to have been particularly stung when Mr Johnson joined the attack on his controversial claim that the West was responsible for provoking Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine, branding his comments morally repugnant and more Kremlin propaganda.

Mr Farage hit back calling him a liar and a hypocrite and producing a blown up poster of the i newspapers front page from May 2016, with the headline Boris blames EU for war in Ukraine.

Perhaps its Boris Johnson thats morally repugnant and not me, I dont know. But can you see the sheer level of hypocrisy? he said. This man will go down as the worst prime minister of modern times.

Meanwhile the former head of the Army, General Lord Dannatt, became the latest senior figure to criticise the Reform leaders remarks, saying: As far as Im concerned, Nigel Farage doesnt have a point worth listening to about anything.

 Hunts faux pas

Jeremy Hunt could be one of the biggest casualties on the night if the pollsters predictions of a Labour landslide prove to be correct.

Jeremy Hunt hurriedly deleted social media post (James Manning/PA)

The pressure on the Chancellor from the Liberal Democrats in the redrawn seat of Godalming and Ash may account for his blunder in sharing online a picture of his wife with a pen hovering over his name on her postal ballot paper.

The posting  with the caption Marriage safe  got the wifes vote  was hurriedly deleted after it was pointed out that guidance from the Electoral Commission made clear it was potentially an offence to share how someone else voted.

These laws are enforced by the police, a commission spokesman said sternly.

 Social media moment

Labour capitalised on the Tories troubles by posting numerous social media posts related to the ongoing betting scandal.

One TikTok featuring a series of memes reads the British public when they hear of more Tory scandals over a close-up of a cartoon face with the text disappointed but not surprised.

A post on X, formerly Twitter, shows a teenager with veins bulging on his face, captioned Tories trying not to break the rules they make.

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 What the polls are saying

Two opinion polls have been published in the past 24 hours, both of which show Labour well ahead of the Conservatives and Reform in third place.

Savanta gives Labour a 23-percentage point lead, while the latest poll by Opinium puts the party 20 points ahead.

(PA Graphics)

An average of all polls with survey work completed during the seven days to June 24 puts Labour on 40%, 20 points ahead of the Conservatives on 20%, followed by Reform UK on 18%, the Liberal Democrats on 11% and the Greens on 6%.

Reform is up on the figures for the previous week, while Labour and the Tories are both down.

 Whats happening tomorrow

Home Secretary James Cleverly and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper go head-to-head in a debate on immigration.

Mr Sunak is expected to take time off the campaign trail for the state visit of Emperor Naruhito of Japan.
The Prince and Princess of Wales leaving Cirencester Hospital after Charles broke his arm in 1990 (David Jones/PA)

The royal family has a lifelong love of horses, with the Princess Royal competing at eventing in the Olympics and Zara Tindall winning a silver medal in London 2012.

Anne learnt to ride as a young child, with her mother the late Queen passing on her fascination with all things equestrian, and her father Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, and brother the King both skilled horsemen and polo players.

But the Windsors close connection with horses has led to injuries in the past  mostly while riding, unlike Anne who was said to have been walking on her estate when she suffered concussion and minor injuries, consistent with impact from a horses head or legs.

The princess falls from Stevie B at the Badminton Horse Trials in 1982 (PA)

Anne had several falls while competing as a showjumper.

In 1976, she was knocked unconscious and cracked a vertebra when she was thrown from her mothers horse Candlewick while competing in the Portman Horse Trials in Dorset.

She suffered concussion and later said she could remember nothing about the incident.

Her daughter Zara was knocked unconscious when she fell from her horse in 2004 when she was competing in horse trials at Lulworth in Dorset and the animal, Ardfield Magic Star, started playing up, with both falling on their heads.

She was taken to hospital as a precaution and x-rayed, and later driven home by Anne.

Zara on Ardfield Magic Star at the Bramham International Horse Trials in 2006, two years after she was knocked unconscious after falling from the same horse (John Giles/PA)

Charles, as the Prince of Wales, has suffered the most horse-related injuries over the years.

He needed six stitches and was left with a two-inch scar on his face after being thrown and kicked by his polo pony in 1980.

On another occasion, he was hit in the throat, causing him to lose his voice for 10 days.

He broke his right arm in 1990 in a fall during a polo match and broke a rib when he tumbled from his horse in a hunting accident in 1998.

Charles also fractured a small bone in his shoulder after falling off his horse during a fox hunt in June 2001.

Prince Harry playing polo with his father the then Prince of Wales for Highgrove in an exhibition match against Cirencester Park (Barry Batchelor/PA)

A few months later in August 2001, he was knocked unconscious when his horse threw him from its back during a polo match.

The prince swallowed his tongue after landing awkwardly on the grass at Cirencester Polo Club after a goalmouth skirmish in the charity game.

He was stretchered off and taken by ambulance to hospital as a precautionary measure.

In January 1994, the late Queen broke her wrist in a riding fall  but climbed back on her horse and rode home unaware she had suffered anything more than a bruise.

The Queen with her arm in a sling after she was injured as she fell from a horse in 1994 (Fiona Hanson/PA)

She suffered the fracture to her left wrist as she thrust her arm out when she fell riding on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

The same year she was treated in hospital after a horse kicked grit into her eye as she rode in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The Queen is thought to have been in some discomfort before a doctor cleaned the eye out at the King Edward VIIs Hospital.

The Duke of Sussex  a keen polo player  was chucked off his pony during the first chukka of a charity match in New York in 2010 but dusted himself off unscathed and remounted.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a meeting with representatives of the nighttime economy in central London, while on the General Election campaign trail (PA)

Rishi Sunak will warn that it would take decades to recover from the disaster of a Labour government as he seeks to rally Tories to fight for every vote in the closing stages of the General Election campaign.

The Prime Minister will tell activists they have just 10 days to take our message to every corner of the United Kingdom before polls open on July 4.

With the Conservatives still around 20 points behind in the polls and after a bruising few days dominated by allegations about alleged insider betting, Mr Sunak will urge Tories not to surrender to Sir Keir Starmers party.

The Prime Minister will launch the Scottish Tory manifesto and address a campaign event in London at the start of the last full week of campaigning.

His latest intervention comes with him under pressure from within the Conservative Party to take a tougher stance against those being investigated by the Gambling Commission for betting on the election date.

According to extracts of his speech briefed to the Daily Mail, Mr Sunak will say: We have 10 days to take our message to every corner of the United Kingdom.

To make the argument that this country needs lower taxes, not 2,000 more taxes for every working family.

To make the case that a Labour government would be bad for our country, and an unchecked Labour government would be a disaster from which it would take decades to recover.

(PA Graphics)

Labour has repeatedly denied Tory claims that it is planning to increase taxes on working families.

But Mr Sunak will say: When a politician wont tell you what they are going to do, it means that they know you wont like it.

All their evasions tell you is that they are going to whack up council tax and a bunch of other taxes.

And one thing we know about Keir Starmer is that he has no problem going back on his promises. His career is a story of commitments dropped as soon as they became too difficult to keep.

I tell you this: once you have handed Keir Starmer and Labour a blank cheque, you wont be able to get it back.

In an attempt to boost Tory morale, Mr Sunak will say: Dont surrender to Labour. Fight for every vote, fight for our values, fight for our vision of Britain.

The Conservative campaign has been plunged into a deeper crisis by the gambling controversy, with the partys chief data officer Nick Mason understood to be taking a leave of absence amid claims he placed bets on the election date.

Director of campaigning Tony Lee has also taken a leave of absence, while Mr Lees would-be MP wife Laura Saunders and fellow candidate Craig Williams, who was a parliamentary aide to the Prime Minister, are also under investigation by the Gambling Commission.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said he was not aware of any ministers caught up in the betting row (Lucy North/PA)

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris faced questions about how wide the inquiry might go as he was sent out on the airwaves for a faltering broadcast round on Monday morning.

The minister said it would be wrong to suggest somebody is guilty until proven innocent when asked why the Prime Minister would not take what former defence minister Tobias Ellwood called robust action.

Asked whether Mr Sunak should ask Mr Williams when he placed his bet, the Northern Ireland Secretary told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: It wouldnt surprise me in the slightest if that conversation has been had, but you asked me if I knew, and I dont.

He suggested the Conservative Party does not know whether the Tory candidate had insider knowledge when he placed his bet or whether it was just a hunch.

Theres both a principle point and a practical point there, Mr Heaton-Harris told LBC when asked why Mr Williams had not had party backing withdrawn pending the inquiry.

It needs to be determined whether or not he had prior knowledge.

Asked how damaging the scandal was, he said: Its not great because we should be talking about how were going to lower taxes and how were going to lower immigration.

Mr Ellwood on Monday joined a growing chorus of senior Tory voices calling for the Prime Minister to take action over the allegations.

The Conservative candidate for Bournemouth East said the inquiries were a deeply unhelpful, self-inflicted distraction and suggested Mr Sunak should have suspended those being investigated.

Ministers have been pressed on whether members of Cabinet could be involved after the Prime Minister repeatedly refused to say whether he could confirm his top team would not face allegations.

Asked if ministers had bet on the date, Home Secretary James Cleverly told the BBC: Not to my knowledge.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove compared the impact of the row with the Partygate scandal.

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.

Mr Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer will face questions from Sun readers on Monday afternoon in the latest set piece of the election campaign.

Labour is set to focus on health issues, raising concerns about DIY dentistry because of a lack of NHS treatment.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: Its virtually impossible to get a dentist appointment after 14 years of Conservative neglect.

People are resorting to pulling their own teeth out  DIY dentistry should be the stuff of Charles Dickens books, not Britain in 2024.
Jaydon Beckford was found dead days after he is believed to have accidentally shot his friend, an inquest has heard. (West Midlands Police/PA)

A teenager may have shot his childhood friend in the head when the gun went off inadvertently before he fatally shot himself, an inquest has heard.

Jaydon Beckford, 17, was found dead near a canal in Birmingham on November 10 last year, five days after he is believed to have shot his friend Diego Henry, 16, who died in hospital on November 7.

An inquest into the death of Diego, who was described by his mother Donna Johnson as having an infectious laugh that would light up the room, heard on Monday that the pair had known each other since primary school and were good friends.

The pair had been with another friend at the home Jaydon shared with his mother in Lighthorne Avenue, Ladywood, on November 5 when Diego was shot in the left side of his head.

In a statement, Jaydons mother Leah Hussain described Diego, from Hockley, as a beautiful boy who, on arriving at their home that morning, had given her a hug and said hello auntie before he went into the lounge with Jaydon and the other friend.

She said she heard them laughing and chatting in the lounge before she fell asleep and was later woken by a bang at around 12.30pm which she initially thought may have been a neighbour setting off a firework until she heard the other friend shout phone an ambulance.

She described walking into the living room in the maisonette and seeing Diego slumped in a chair, while the other friend, who was not named during the inquest, looked shell-shocked and her son was not there.

While emergency services arrived and gave Diego cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the inquest heard that Jaydon was seen on CCTV running away towards the citys canal system with his right hand in his pocket.

As Diego was rushed to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, Jaydon and the other friend were being treated as suspects for attempted murder which was upgraded to murder after Diegos life support was turned off two days later.

Ballistics expert Huw Griffiths said the trajectory of the bullet, which had entered the left side of Diegos temple and lodged in the right side of his brain, would have been difficult to achieve had he shot himself, but added he could not rule out that the injury was self-inflicted.

In an interview with police, the other friend at the scene of the shooting gave a prepared statement saying he was good friends with Diego and Jaydon and the trio had been getting on well before he heard a loud bang and Diego fell to the floor.

He said he was not in custody, control or possession of the firearm and did not encourage anyone to shoot Diego.

While he called 999 after Diego was shot, the friend did not remain at the scene until the ambulance service arrived, but also did not attempt to hide or get rid of his clothing, area coroner James Bennett said at Birmingham Coroners Court.

Detective Sergeant David Newson of West Midlands Police told the inquest that while the friend was initially arrested, based on the evidence, he was no longer being treated as a suspect but as a witness.

He said: Jaydon was being treated as a suspect and police were actively searching for him.

There is no evidence that after Jaydon left his home, he was in contact with anyone else.

He was found near the canal on November 10 deceased. Underneath his body was a handgun, a revolver.

Expert evidence indicated that Jaydon had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, but the bullet had exited his body and was never found.

Describing what he believed happened, Det Sgt Newson said: All three boys were in the living room and Jaydon had discharged the gun at Diego and it caused the fatal injury.

We came to the view that there wasnt evidence to link the third friend to the shooting of Diego. Jaydon was more likely the perpetrator of the act.

There is no evidence there was any animosity between them. The working hypothesis was that it was accidental discharge.

Mr Bennett said: It does seem to me that on the balance of probabilities, the evidence supports the gun going off inadvertently and it was not malicious.

There is a degree of uncertainty about what exactly happened, so I think it is best if I simply return a conclusion that Diegos death was the consequence of a single gunshot wound to the head.

In a statement read to the court, Ms Johnson, who was in court with her two daughters, said she was heartbroken at the loss of her youngest child, who went to City Academy and was hoping to pursue a construction apprenticeship.

It said: He lit up the room with his dancing, his jokes and his infectious laugh and would be remembered for his love of music.

He enjoyed expressing himself through music, he would write tracks and spend time in the recording studio. His family describe him as having manners and respect.

An inquest into the death of Jaydon is expected to be heard at the same court on Thursday.
Twenty people have died after a fire at a lithium battery factory near South Koreas capital, according to reports.

The Yonhap news agency said 20 bodies had been found at the facility in Hwaseong, just south of Seoul.

Earlier, local fire official Kim Jin-young said rescue efforts were under way at the factory.

Twenty bodies were recovered (Yonhap via AP)

Foreign nationals had been reported missing, including Chinese citizens.

Mr Kim said the mobile phone signals of the missing people had been tracked from the second floor of the plant.

South Korean media reported about 67 people were working at the factory before the fire occurred.
The US ambassador was summoned over what Moscow says was the use of US-made advanced missiles in occupied Crimea (US army via AP)

The Russian foreign ministry has summoned the American ambassador to protest against what it says was the use of US-made advanced missiles in a Ukrainian attack on Russian-annexed Crimea that reportedly killed four people and wounded more than 150.

Washington has effectively become a party to the war on Ukraines side, the ministry said, adding: Retaliatory measures will certainly follow.

There was no immediate comment from US or Ukrainian officials. The Associated Press could not independently verify Russias claims about the missiles used.

Kyivs forces have relied heavily on Western-supplied weaponry since Russias invasion more than three years ago.

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The military aid has been crucial in allowing Ukraine to hold the Kremlins army at bay, with few major changes along the 620-mile front line in eastern and southern Ukraine for many months.

Some Western countries have hesitated over providing more  and more sophisticated  help for Kyivs army because of concerns about potentially provoking the Kremlin.

But as Ukraine has at times struggled to hold the line against Russias bigger and better-equipped military, Western leaders have gradually relented and granted more support.

In the latest key development, the Pentagon said last week that Ukraines military is being allowed to use longer-range missiles provided by America to strike targets inside Russia if it is acting in self-defence.

Since the outset of the war, the US had maintained a policy of not allowing Ukraine to use the weapons it provided to hit targets on Russian soil for fear of further escalating the conflict.

Crimea, which Russian annexed from Ukraine in 2014 in a move that most of the world rejected as unlawful, long had been declared a fair target for Ukraine by its Western allies.

Russian authorities said that the dead in Sundays attack included two children who were hit by falling debris from Ukrainian missiles that were shot down over a coastal area in Sevastopol, a port city in Crimea. It said cluster munitions, which critics say harm more civilians than combatants, were also used.

Russia said the missiles were US-made ATACMS, a long-range, guided missile. It summoned US Ambassador Lynne Tracy to the foreign ministry.

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The targeting and mission input for such missile attacks is carried out by US military experts, the ministry statement alleged, saying the United States bears equal responsibility for this outrage with the Ukrainian authorities.

It went on to say that allowing strikes deep inside the Russian territory will not be left unanswered.

Meanwhile, the Russian defence ministry reported striking a major logistical hub of the Ukrainian military that held Western-supplied missiles and other weapons.

It said the strike was carried out by warplanes, drones, ground-launched missiles and artillery. The ministry did not name its location.

Meanwhile, the European Union has slapped new sanctions on Russia, targeting Moscows shadow fleet of tankers moving liquefied natural gas (LNG) through Europe as well as several companies.

In a statement issued at a meeting of EU foreign ministers, the bloc said that it will forbid reloading services of Russian LNG in EU territory for the purpose of trans-shipment operations to third countries.

The EU estimates that about four-to-six billion cubic meters (141 billion-212 billion cubic feet) of Russian LNG was shipped to third countries via EU ports last year.

Russia is accused of attempting to evade sanctions by the use of a so-called ghost fleet (Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russia is suspected of running a ghost fleet to evade sanctions and keep up the flow of energy earnings so that it can finance the war.

The measures will target ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore transfers as well as reloading operations.

It also involves a crackdown on the re-export of LNG to third countries via the EU, plus a ban on new investments to help Russia complete LNG projects it is working on.

A total of 61 new entities  often companies, banks, agencies and other organisations  were added to the EUs list, including a number of them in China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

Many are accused of circumventing the blocs sanctions or providing sensitive equipment to Russia.

Around 50 more officials are also being targeted with asset freezes, as well as travel bans.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, as well as scores of legislators and several oligarchs are among more than 1,700 people already listed by the EU.

The more than 400 entities previously hit include companies working in the military, aviation, shipbuilding and machine sectors, the Wagner mercenary group, political parties and banks.

Around 210 billion euro (177 billion) worth of Russian Central Bank assets are blocked in the EU.
Natasha OBrien case shows far right only care about safety of Irish women when it suits

True colours shown during protest over leniency of sentence handed to serving Irish soldier who attacked a woman on a Limerick street

Natasha O'Brien addresses a protest in Limerick. Photo: Eamon Ward

Allison Morris Mon 24 Jun 2024 at 07:58

Thousands of people took to the streets in protest on Saturday over the leniency of a sentence handed to a serving Irish soldier who attacked a woman on a Limerick street.
Courtney denies any links to criminality

Convicted killer and West Belfast UDA boss Mo Courtney has been blamed for trying to extort cash from a local pensioner who runs an online granny bingo.

Loyalist sources say the terror chief fined the organiser of a popular illegal online game 10,000 and ordered her to pay him 100 per week protection money.

The demand came after Courtney, who denies any links to criminality, accused the woman of bringing Catholics onto the Shankill Road in Belfast.

A spokesman for the veteran UDA man said: Mr Courtney has no knowledge of the incidents as described and rejects any allegations that he is involved in criminality in any form.

The online bingo game is unlicensed and therefore illegal, meaning the organiser has not been able to lodge a complaint with the PSNI.

The woman has previously been targeted in a UDA robbery and a car belonging to a nationalist friend was set alight near her home earlier this year.

What is granny bingo?

What is the role of Mo Courtney?

Just how much of a grip does he have on the West Belfast UDA?

Olivia Peden is joined by Sunday Lifes Ciaran Barnes.
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We know that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was highly favored, as detailed in Luke 1:28, and she received Gods grace. The term highly favored comes from one Greek word that means much grace. Grace is an unmerited favor, a blessing we receive despite the fact that we dont deserve it. Mary needed Gods grace and a Savior like the rest of us do. She herself understood this, as she declared that her spirit rejoices in God, her Savior, in Luke 1:47. By Gods grace, the Virgin Mary recognized she needed the Savior. The Bible doesnt say that Mary was anyone but a regular human whom God chose to use extraordinarily.

Simultaneously, Mary was a sinful human who needed Christ as her Savior, as we all do. The Virgin Mary didnt have an immaculate conception, and the Bible doesnt suggest that the birth was anything but a standard human birth. She was a virgin when she gave birth to Christ, but she wasnt a virgin permanently. The concept of the perpetual virginity of Mary is unbiblical. In Matthew 1:25, we read that Joseph didnt have a union with Mary until she gave birth to Christ. The word until indicates that Mary and Joseph didnt have sexual relations after Jesus was born, and Mary stayed a virgin until Jesus birth, but later, Joseph and Mary had several other children together. Jesus had four brothers: Joseph, James, Judas, and Simon, as we read in Matthew 13:55.

Jesus also had half-sisters, although theyre not numbered or named. God graced and blessed Mary by giving her several children, which was accepted as the clearest indication of Gods blessing on a woman in that culture. One time, when Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd said the womb that bore Him was blessed, as were the breasts that nursed Him. There wasnt a better chance for Jesus to proclaim that Mary was worthy of adoration and praise. How did Jesus respond? He said that those who hear the word of God and observe it are blessed. According to Him, obeying Gods Word was more important than being the woman who gave birth to Christ. Nowhere in the Bible does Jesus or anyone direct any glory, praise, or adoration toward Mary. In Luke 1:42-44, Elizabeth, Marys relative, praised her, but it was based on the blessing of giving birth to the Savior.

Its not based on any natural glory in Mary. In fact, Mary spoke a song of praise to God after this, admiring His mindfulness to those of humble state and His faithfulness and mercy, as detailed in Luke 1:46-55. Many think that Mary was one of Lukes sources when he wrote his gospel and Luke accounts the angel Gabriel visiting Mary and telling her she would birth the Savior. Mary didnt know how that would happen since she was a virgin. When Gabriel told her the Holy Spirit would conceive the child, she answered, saying she was the Lords servant. She responded with belief and a willingness to follow Gods plan.

Was Mary sinless?

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a blessed and godly woman, but she wasnt without sin. Jesus was the only person without sin. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, we read that Jesus had no sin, but the same couldnt be said for Mary or anyone else. Christ is fully human, but Hes also fully God, as we read in John 1:1. Hes the Lamb of God without defect or blemish, a title and description that no one else can claim. As an ordinary person, ordinarily born into the world, Mary wasnt without sin. Romans 3:23 says that all have fallen short of Gods glory and sinned, and theres nothing in the Bible that suggests that Mary was an exception to the rule. The apostle John said that if we say were without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth isnt in us. If we confess our sins, Hes faithful and will forgive our sins, as detailed in 1 John 1:8-10.

In that passage, the we includes Mary, the mother of Jesus. To say Mary is without sin is an example of deceit. To help reinforce their teaching that Mary was sinless, the Roman Catholic Church invented the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, formally recognized as Catholic doctrine in 1854. According to this teaching, from her very conception in her mothers womb, Mary was preserved from all stains of the original sin, which means Mary had no sinful nature. This doctrine is neither necessary nor biblical. The virgin-born Christ was free from the stains of the original sin, but His mother, grandmother, or great-grandmother didnt need to be. How far back would we have to go to ensure Jesus perfection if it was necessary for Mary to be sinless?

Instead of teaching that Mary was sinless, the Bible provides evidence that she was a regular person with a normal persons need for salvation. In Marys humble, praise-filled prayer in Luke 1, she says that her spirit rejoiced in God. If she were sinless, she wouldnt have needed a Savior. In John 2:4, Mary receives a gentle rebuke from Jesus, which hardly seems right if she were sinless. Catholicism also says that the reference to Mary being highly favored and one whose verse makes such a claim. Its possible to know Gods favor and be blessed without being sinless. Catholic teaching also says Mary is full of grace, but that phrase is only found twice in the Bible.

Neither time is it in reference to Mary. In John 1:14, Jesus is said to be full of grace, and so is Stephen, as detailed in Acts 6:8. The respect of Mary in Catholicism and other religious systems has led to the claim that Mary was sinless. Other biblical doctrines have also cropped around the perspective of a sinless Mary. The idea that Mary was a lasting virgin, that she hears and answers our prayers, shares in our redemption, and that shes a mediator of grace, to name a few. Those who praise a sinless Mary are being led astray from pure and sincere devotion to Christ.
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Jerusalem is where the church started. In Acts 1:8, Jesus told His disciples to preach the gospel worldwide but to start at Jerusalem. In His grace, God extended the offer of forgiveness to the very people who were most responsible for Jesus death. He granted the very city where Christ was crucified the honor of becoming the churchs birthplace. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came to live in the disciples gathered in Jerusalem and in His power, the church started.

After Jesus resurrection and ascension, the gospel started to spread, and believers came together in various cities. These gatherings were called churches, and the church in Jerusalem was the group of believers who lived there. The first record of these churches comes in the book of Acts, which follows the apostles journey, particularly Paul, as they evangelize the world, ministering to the churches in several places. The apostles wrote letters, or epistles, to these said churches. For example, Ephesians is a letter to the believers gathered in Ephesus. The church in Jerusalem played a remarkable role in the conversion of the Jewish religious leader Saul. Following his conversion, Saul was given a new name and became the apostle Paul.

Before this, Saul was persecuting the church at Jerusalem so much that the believers were forced to flee to other towns, as detailed in Acts 8:1. He was also directly involved with Stephens execution, the first Christian martyr. Stephen was a deacon in the church and one of those who suffered there. Even as believers left persecution, the apostles stayed, and Jerusalem became a home base for the Jewish church for years. Another notable event linked with the church in Jerusalem is Peters vision of the Gentiles obtaining salvation. In Joppa, Peter had a vision about unclean animals under Jewish law, and God told him to eat and kill said animals. The message was that God declared these animals and pagan Gentiles to be clean now.

The Jews in the church shouldnt be scared to accept Gentile believers into the church because, in Jesus, all are made clean. God had accepted the Gentiles. This new thought process was immediately put to the test as Peter was called to a Roman centurions home, who believed in Jesus along with his entire household, as detailed in Acts 10. Peter shared these events with the church in Jerusalem, as the Jewish believers there were skeptical at first. However, Peter told them he had witnessed a genuine conversion of those Gentiles along with a sign, as detailed in Acts 11:15. The church at Jerusalem then accepted the belief that Gentiles were brothers in Christ.

Why is Jerusalem known as the City of David?

In the Old Testament, the first time Jerusalem was called the City of David is found in 2 Samuel 5:7. In this story, David was made king of the entire nation of Israel and led his army to take Jerusalem from the Jebusites. After he won the city, David took residence in the fortress, calling it the City of David. He built up the area surrounding it from the terraces inward and became more powerful because God was with him. Although Jerusalem was already a city, it became known as the City of David after David defeated it. During his reign, David molded it into a more significant urban area. Later, the ark was brought to Jerusalem, and David made plans for a temple to be built under the direction of Solomon, his son.

The phrase City of David is used to describe Jerusalem 45 times in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the phrase is found twice, although it refers to Bethlehem, where David was born. The practice of naming a city by its leaders name was common in the ancient Mediterranean world. Heshbon was the city of Sihon, named after its king, and 1 Samuel 15:5 refers to the city of Amalek. Some cities took the name of their founder or a local deity. Jerusalem has been known as the City of David for over 3,000 years as God has continued to keep the memory of David alive for generations. Theres also a close association between King David and Jesus, the son of David, as detailed in Matthew 1:1. Both were born in Bethelem and died in Jerusalem, coming from obscurity to be kings.

Revelation 22:16 reminds us that Jesus was a descendant of David from the tribe of Judah, where David first reigned. In fact, the City of David is where Jesus is to reign in the future. In the final chapters of the Bible, we read of a new Jerusalem, where Gods people will reign eternally, marking the earthly City of David with eternal honor.

Should Christians go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem?

A pilgrimage is a journey to a place considered sacred as an act of religious devotion. If at all possible, Muslims are required to make a pilgrimage to Mecca, Muhammeds birthplace, as part of their religious duty as Muslims and as a way of helping ensure paradise for themselves. Christianity doesnt have these requirements, and any act performed for the purposes of ensuring eternal life for ourselves is wrong, including making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. In Titus 3:5, we read that God saved us but not on the basis of our righteous deeds. He saved us according to His mercy and the washing and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

Many Christians desire to trip to Israel to see the place we read about in the Bible. Visiting the temple ruins, Bethlehem, and the empty tomb can be spiritually impacting. With the relative ease of modern transportation, this trip is attainable for many and thousands of people travel to the Holy Land annually. However, some see their trip to Jerusalem as a pilgrimage on par with a Muslims voyage to Mecca, but when we see Jerusalem that way, were entering dangerous territory. When we remove or add anything from Christs finished work in purchasing our salvation, were guilty of perverting the gospel. A pilgrimage to Jerusalem wont change one thing about our standing with God, according to Ephesians 2:8-9.
Violence has continued in New Caledonia despite France sending hundreds more police and troops.

Christian Tein, head of New Caledonias pro-independence activist group CCAT, or Cellule de Coordination des Actions de Terrain, is pictured at a CCAT general assembly in Bourail, New Caledonia on June 14, 2024.

Renewed protests have erupted in New Caledonia after indigenous Kanak independence activists that French authorities blame for last months riots were arrested and some transferred to pre-trial detention in France.

Frances High Commission to the Pacific island territory on Monday said there had been a night of agitation and unrest in the capital Noumea and in other parts of the French overseas territory. Protestors set fire to police buildings and vehicles and private cars, it said.

New Caledonia has been rocked by unrest for more than a month after pro-independence activists rioted in response to a proposed constitutional change that would dilute the voting power of indigenous Kanaks.

Nine people have died, dozens were injured and businesses were torched, causing substantial financial losses, during the unrest that began in mid-May.

Noumea public prosecutor Yves Dupas, in an interview Sunday with New Caledonias Radio Rhythm Bleu, said seven of the 11 people arrested in recent days, including protest leader Christian Tein, were transferred on the weekend to a variety of prisons in France.

Indeed they are dispersed but I also want to say they are not placed in solitary confinement at this stage, Dupas said.

The accused were taken on a chartered flight from New Caledonia to France and their removal was necessary to ensure the judicial process is carried out calmly and without undue pressure, he said.

They face charges of being part of an organized criminal conspiracy to carry out theft, arson and destruction and of complicity in attempted murder, according to Dupas.

The arrested activists are members of CCAT  the French acronym of Cellule de Coordination des Actions de Terrain or Field Action Coordination Cell  which is a part of the broader Kanak independence movement.

Kanaks are about 40% of New Caledonias 270,000 people but are marginalized in their own land  they have lower incomes and poorer health than Europeans who make up a third of the population and occupy most positions of power in the territory.

Burnt out cars are seen on the Plum Pass, an important traffic route through Mont-Dore in New Caledonia on June 10, 2024, after deadly riots hit the French territory. [Theo Rouby/AFP]

Last months unrest was the worst political violence in the Pacific territory located between Australia and Fiji since the 1980s. The riots erupted May 12 as the lower house of Frances parliament debated and subsequently approved a constitutional amendment to unfreeze New Caledonias electoral roll, which would give the vote to thousands of French immigrants.

Final approval of the amendment requires a joint sitting of Frances lower house. French President Emmanuel Macron said such efforts should be suspended following his call earlier this month for a snap general election in France.

Frances control of New Caledonia gives the European nation a significant security and diplomatic role in the Pacific at a time when the United States, Australia and other Western countries are pushing back against Chinas inroads in the region. New Caledonia also has valuable nickel deposits that are among the worlds largest.

Pierre Ortent, a lawyer for Tein, said the decision to remove his client from New Caledonia came out of the blue and he has launched an appeal.

We learned of this after the decision had been made. So we were surprised and stupefied. We've already appealed the decision. It will be decided by the Court of Appeal, Ortent said Saturday in an AFPTV video.

Id say hes not serene, but hes determined. Hes thinking about it, and quite simply, hes already preparing his defense, in other words, fighting to win his case in court, Ortent said.

Dupas, in his radio interview, said investigations are continuing, but appeared to play down the possibility that elected members of New Caledonias pro-independence Congress would be arrested.
I can sleep more soundly at night, former Sen. Leila de Lima said after a Metro Manila court ruled in her favor.

Leila de Lima, a former Philippine senator and human rights campaigner, acknowledges supporters after all remaining criminal charges against her were dropped, outside a court in Muntinlupa, suburban Manila, on June 24, 2024.

A Philippine court on Monday cleared Leila de Lima, a former senator and critic of ex-President Rodrigo Dutertes anti-narcotics campaign, in the third and final drug case filed against her by his administration, ending her years-long legal battle.

The decision was handed down by the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (Branch 206), the same court that granted her bail last November and paved the way for her release after more than six years in jail.

Outside the courtroom afterwards, De Lima told reporters she felt free and vindicated.

I feel relieved and happy and I can sleep more soundly at night, de Lima said.

The senator had been incarcerated on drug-related charges, which she described as a political vendetta by Duterte for her criticism of his administrations war on drugs  a campaign that left some 8,000 people dead during his time in office (2016-22). Rights activists say the number could be much higher.

In its ruling on Monday, the court agreed with the defenses contention of insufficient evidence to warrant a conviction. Under the Rules on Criminal Procedure, the decision to dismiss the case was equivalent to an acquittal.

De Lima had criticized Duterte, who is under investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the thousands of officer-involved killings under his administrations war on illegal drugs.

Im just one of the victims. Thousands have died in the deadly drug war, she said.

Duterte and his spokespeople did not immediately respond to BenarNews requests for comment.

Prosecutor Ramoncito Ocampo said they were studying whether a motion for reconsideration would be filed.

It is still premature on our part, we have still yet to read the decision ... but it is still to be discussed, Ocampo said.

Supporters celebrate after all remaining criminal charges against former Philippine senator and human rights campaigner Leila de Lima were dropped, outside a court in Muntinlupa, suburban Manila, on June 24, 2024. [Jam Sta Rosa/AFP]

De Limas allies welcomed Mondays decision, which overturned what they said was a clear case of vendetta by Duterte.

Justice finally prevails for former Senator Leila de Lima, said Edcel Lagman, an opposition ally at the House of Representatives. Her innocence has been upheld. Her indomitable spirit has conquered the vileness of malicious prosecution.

While the courts decision was good news, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who had staunchly stuck with de Lima during her years in jail, said relevant authorities should now go after her accusers.

False charges compromise not only the accuseds reputation but also the integrity of our legal system, Hontiveros told reporters. We call upon the authorities to pursue and hold accountable those who have perpetuated these unfounded allegations. Justice must be served, and those who have wronged her and our legal system must face the consequences of their actions.

Carlos Conde, a senior researcher for the New York-based Human Rights Watch, called the decision a sweet vindication for de Lima and the many victims of injustice.

Dutertes successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., should now move towards proving to the world that he is serious about defending human rights, Conde said.

His administration should cooperate with the investigation by the ICC into alleged crimes against humanity against Rodrigo Duterte, Conde said. He should work to achieve meaningful progress in the investigation and prosecution of extrajudicial killings that happened under Duterte  killings that, unfortunately, are still happening under his watch.

Then-Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during the annual State of the Nation address at the House of Representatives in Metro Manila, July 26, 2021. [Lisa Marie David/Pool/AFP]

Marcos, Dutertes successor as president, has repeatedly said that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines. But in May, the justice department said it was preparing a briefer for Marcos in case the international court did issue an arrest warrant against Duterte.

The Duterte administration had filed three cases against de Lima, accusing her of receiving payoffs from drug traffickers when she served as justice secretary between 2010 and 2015.

After key government witnesses recanted their earlier statements against her, courts tossed out two of the three charges, including one last May. She was then released on bail from jail in November last year.

De Lima drew Dutertes ire for leading investigations into alleged extrajudicial killings committed by his so-called vigilante group, the Davao Death Squad, when he served as mayor of Davao City before he was elected president in 2016.

She began investigating the cases in the southern city in 2009 when she chaired the Commission on Human Rights.

After de Limas election to the senate in 2016, she sounded the alarm on the spate of killings during the first few months of Dutertes term as president and launched a probe.

In response, Duterte publicly ridiculed de Lima and in speeches accused her of being immoral for allegedly using her driver as a collector of payoffs from drug traffickers.

Jason Gutierrez and Gerard Carreon reported from Manila and Jeoffrey Maitem from southern Davao City.
Manilas defense chief criticizes Chinese coast guards aggressive, illegal use of force in recent standoff with Philippine navy personnel.

This frame grab from handout video taken on June 17, 2024, and released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office on June 19, shows China coast guard boats (left) approaching Philippine boats (center) during an incident off Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea.

Manila will not announce resupply missions to a disputed shoal ahead of time, the defense department said Monday, as it accused Chinese personnel of behaving aggressively and using illegal force in a tense encounter with Filipino sailors there last week.

During the June 17 incident at Second Thomas Shoal near a grounded Philippine ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, China Coast Guard boats intercepted a rigid-hulled inflatable boat belonging to the Philippine Navy. A Filipino sailor lost a finger when a Chinese boat rammed a Philippine boat taking part in a resupply mission there, Filipino officials said.

The incident was the latest and most serious encounter between the two countries in the disputed waters in recent months.

We reiterate that we seek neither permission nor consent from anyone in performing our sworn duties in the West Philippine Sea, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said, referring to South China Sea waters within Manilas exclusive economic zone.

In this regard, we will continue our rotation and resupply (RORE) missions on a regular basis, the welfare of our troops in the BRP Sierra Madre being a matter of utmost importance. The president has reiterated that we will not publish schedules of any RORE, Teodoro said during a press briefing.

On Friday, the National Maritime Council had recommended the contrary  that Manila publicize dates of its resupply missions to the shoal.

The Philippines runs regular RORE missions to the Sierra Madre. The old ship serves as Manilas military outpost in the contested waters near Mischief Reef, an artificial island where Beijing built a naval base in the 1990s.

China has opposed the Philippines transportation of construction materials to refurbish the Sierra Madre.

Teodoro said the June 17 incident was an aggressive and illegal use of force, contradicting an earlier statement by Lucas Bersamin, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.s executive secretary, who had described it as only a misunderstanding or accident.

We see the latest incident in Ayungin not as a misunderstanding or an accident, Teodoro said, referring to the local name of the shoal. It is a deliberate act of the Chinese officialdom to prevent us from completing our mission.

Asked for comment on Bersamins previous statement, the defense secretary said the executive secretarys pronouncement was just based on a preliminary assessment.

After our visit to our troops in Palawan yesterday, we have now come to the conclusion that it was not a misunderstanding or an accident. We are not downplaying the incident, Teodoro stressed.

Despite Chinas actions, Teodoro said the Philippines would continue to find peaceful solutions to this issue.

On Monday, Beijing reiterated its claim over the disputed reef.

The Philippines should stop infringement and provocation and return to the right track of solving maritime disputes properly through negotiation and consultation and work with China to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in a press briefing.

Marcos visit to troops

On Sunday, President Marcos visited troops, including sailors involved in the June 17 mission, at the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Command in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Marcos said the countrys calm and peaceful disposition should not be mistaken for acquiescence.

In this photo provided by Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine military chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. pins a medal on First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo, who lost a finger in the June 17 incident, in Palawan province, Philippines, June 19, 2024. [Armed Forces of the Philippines/AP]

Marcos bestowed the Order of Lapu-Lapu to the 80 military personnel who took part in the June 17 mission to Sierra Madre. These included Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo, who lost a finger in the incident.

Created in 2017, the Order of Lapu-Lapu is awarded to individuals in recognition of their invaluable or extraordinary service concerning the Presidents campaign or advocacy.

In 2016, the Philippines won a landmark arbitral ruling against Beijing after Manila had filed a case against the Asian giant, which claims almost the entire resource-rich sea.

The ruling invalidated the assertions of China, which has since refused to acknowledge the decision and insisted on its historical claims.
U.S. Assistant State Secretary Daniel Kritenbrink went to Hanoi in the wake of a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Senior U.S. State Department official Daniel Kritenbrink met with officials in Vietnam over the weekend for talks on bilateral relations and regional issues, during which he criticized China for irresponsible and deeply destabilizing behavior in the contested South China Sea.

Kritenbrinks visit came days after Russian President Vladimir Putin spent a day in Vietnam meeting top leaders, but Kritenbrink denied that his trip on the weekend had anything to do with that.

Tensions have been rising sharply in the South China Sea, in particular between China and U.S. ally the Philippines, whose vessels have been confronting each other near the Second Thomas Shoal in Philippine waters, which China also claims.

The Philippines accused the Chinese coast guard of ramming and boarding Philippine navy boats during a June 17 confrontation, causing severe injuries to Filipino personnel. China says its personnel had acted lawfully.

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, [and] deeply destabilizing, Kritenbrink, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told a press briefing in Hanoi on Saturday.

He said that many of Chinas actions  should be of great concern, we think, for the entire region, according to a recording of the briefing reviewed by RFA, an affiliate of BenarNews.

We think every country in the region, including China, needs to respect international law and needs to behave responsibly in the maritime domain, Kritenbrink added.

He reaffirmed that the mutual defense treaty obligations that the U.S. has with the Philippines are ironclad.

We are going to continue to stand with our Filipino allies, Kritenbrink said, while declining to engage in discussion of any hypothetical situation.

Deeply concerned

Kritenbrink met with Vietnams minister of foreign affairs, Bui Thanh Son, and one of his deputies, Vice Minister Ha Kim Ngoc.

The Vietnamese government reported on its website that Son and Kritenbrink stressed the importance of resolving disputes, including in the East Sea, Vietnams name for the South China Sea, through peaceful measures, in accordance with international law.

Earlier, a Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesperson said that her country was closely monitoring and deeply concerned about the incident on June 17.

Pham Thu Hang said Vietnam urged China and the Philippines to show restraint and act appropriately in accordance with international law, respecting the sovereignty and jurisdiction rights over the exclusive economic zones and continental shelves of coastal nations, which are established in accordance with the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

That call for respect of international law was until now the most explicit expression of support for the Philippines from Vietnam, which has always been careful not to antagonize its bigger neighbor China.

China claims historic rights over more than 80% of the South China Sea, while dismissing the claims of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Philippine officials on Friday said Manila has not considered invoking the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S, which obliges the U.S. to come to support it if Philippine forces, ships and aircraft come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea.

Giving a platform

Asked about Putins less than 24-hour visit to Russias old ally Vietnam on Thursday, Kritenbrink said: Only Vietnam can decide how best to safeguard its sovereignty and advance its interests.

Before Putins arrival, the U.S. embassy in Hanoi said in a statement that no country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression and otherwise allow him to normalize his atrocities.

Both the U.S. and Russia are comprehensive strategic partners of Vietnam.

While Russia is Vietnams main supplier of weapons and other military equipment, the U.S. has become its largest export market, worth U.S. $97 billion in 2023, according to official statistics.

Kritenbrink said on the social platform X that during his visit, he discussed with Vietnamese partners how our nations can continue to implement the critical U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and bolster strong supply chains, high tech partnerships, educational ties, and bilateral investment.

The senior diplomat, who served as U.S. ambassador to Vietnam from 2017 to 2021, insisted that trust between the two former enemies was at an all-time high and the U.S.-Vietnam partnership has never been stronger."

RFA is a news service affiliated with BenarNews.
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China-France space science satellite launched successfully

10:02, June 24, 2024 By Deng Xiaoci ( Global Times

China successfully launches the Space Variable Objects Monitor, a space science satellite co-developed by China and France, to its preset orbit at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan Province on June 22, 2024. (Photo: CCTV News)

China on Saturday successfully launched the Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM), a space science satellite co-developed by China and France, to its preset orbit, which according to mission insiders and space observers on Sunday, marked a hallmark example of cooperation in space between a major Western country and an Asian power.

The Global Times learned from the China National Space Administration (CNSA) that China launched the SVOM with the Long March 2C carrier rocket at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuan Province at 3 pm on Saturday.

This satellite is currently the most powerful satellite in the world for multi-band comprehensive observation of gamma-ray bursts and will play a significant role in scientific discoveries in the field of space astronomy, including gamma-ray burst (GRB) research, the CNSA explained in a statement it provided to the Global Times.

The SVOM project is a collaboration forged in 2014 and the second satellite-related cooperation between China and France, following the China-France Oceanography Satellite that was launched into orbit in 2018 and became operational.

The SVOM is designed to hunt short-lived and extremely violent cosmic explosions known as gamma-ray bursts by detecting high-energy electromagnetic radiation in the X-ray and gamma-ray ranges.

To achieve this goal, Chinese scientists and engineers have developed a pair of instruments for the satellite. They are the Gamma-Ray Monitor to measure the spectrum of emissions from GRBs and Visible Telescope, which will look for light emitted in optical wavelengths immediately after a gamma-ray burst event.

Meanwhile, the French side provided ECLAIRs telescope and Microchannel X-ray Telescope onboard the SVOM.

The satellite platform where the parts are assembled onto was also developed by the Chinese side. The platform will provide high stability as well as autonomous control for the satellite during its hunting for weak signals in the universe.

The satellite is also empowered by China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), being able to use the BDS short message services as well as the French VHF network, so that the SVOM could transmit an alert signal back to the ground station within five minutes after it detects a GRB event, to notify ground-based large-aperture telescopes around the world as well as other GRB satellite such as the SWIFT to observe such event altogether, Global Times has learned from the project's developers.

The SVOM Chinese team told the Global Times that they were looking forward to more cooperation with their French colleagues in the future.

France has rich experience in space astronomy, oceanographic as well as atmosphere monitoring. We are hoping to deepen our cooperation with them in those fields and even in exploration of planets outside the solar system, one team member said.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France. Over the past 60 years, China and France have engaged in practical cooperation in the space field, the CNSA said.

The successful implementation of the China-France SVOM project serves as an excellent example of deep cooperation in the aerospace field between the two countries, the CNSA said, while listing other milestone cooperation achieved over recent years such as the CFOSat launched in 2018 and the French radon detector onboard China's Chang'e-6 that landed on the far side of the moon in 2024.

The Western media has immediately pointed out that the SVOM project stems from a partnership between the French and Chinese space agencies as well as other scientific and technical groups from both nations. However, space cooperation at such a level between the West and China is viewed as "fairly uncommon, especially since the United States banned all collaboration between NASA and Beijing in 2011," the AFP reported.

"US concerns on technology transfer have inhibited US allies from collaborating with the Chinese very much, but it does happen occasionally," Jonathan McDowell, an astronomer from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in the US, told AFP.

So while SVOM is "by no means unique," it remains "significant" in the context of space collaboration between China and the West, McDowell added.

Chinese space observers said that the SVOM served as the latest notable example of high-level space cooperation between a Western power and China, showcasing China's openness in the space domain, in stark contrast with US domestic legislation such as the Wolf Amendment that prevents normal exchanges and dialogue between Chinese and US space agencies.

It is hoped that the US could change its course, abandon its hostile stance towards China, and give up its strategy of containing China. Only in this way can a new starting point for cooperation between China and the US in the space field be established, they said.

If the two countries can genuinely cooperate, it will be beneficial for the world and supports the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. The key is for the US to relinquish its ambition to dominate the world and abandon the series of unfriendly measures it has taken against China to achieve this ambition, they noted.

Also launched on Saturday was an experiment satellite of the Chasing All Transients Constellation Hunters mission, according to Zhang Shuangnan, a senior researcher with the Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, who is also one of the initiators of the SVOM project and the project's deputy chief scientist who led the development of one of the two Chinese instruments involved.

The satellite is a constellation comprising hundreds of cubesats, each equipped with lightweight LIGA-Micro-Slot-Optics designed for high-sensitivity soft X-ray focusing. The constellation includes three types of cubesats  imaging, spectral-timing, and polarization  each carrying different focal plane detectors. This mission will significantly enhance the investigation of transients such as black holes, neutron stars, and high-energy neutrinos.

Zhang told the Global Times on Sunday that the experiment satellite is also within the China-France cooperation framework and moreover, it is within the discussion of future cooperation between the two countries. "If implemented, the sky will be filled with SVOM-like satellites."

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Boratkars remarkable contributions and visionary leadership has left an indelible mark on the industry: Award citation

Ravindra Boratkar, Publisher & Managing Editor, BioSpectrum (India and Asia), NUFFOODS Spectrum (India and Asia) and AgroSpectrum (India and Asia) was presented the Exemplary Leadership Award in the Exhibition Excellence Awards in the Editors Choice category in his capacity as the Managing Director of MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications Pvt Ltd., the parent company of all the media brands.

Exhibition Excellence Awards are presented annually for various events, exhibitions, conferences seminars, venues and personalities to recognise their contribution and felicitate the distinguished achievers of the sector. The awards are Asias iconic, only recognition initiative for the exhibition and convention industry.

The awards are given by the Exhibition Showcase, Asia's most comprehensive media platform for exhibitions. This was the 8th edition of the Exhibition Excellence Awards and Summit 2024, held at the CIDCO exhibition and convention centre in Navi Mumbai.

The award citation said, Boratkars remarkable contributions and visionary leadership has left an indelible mark on the industry, shaping its trajectory for the better. Boratkar is a driving force in the organisational consulting, marketing, management and event organisation.

MM Activ Sci Tech Communications, the publishing company of BioSpectrum (India and Asia), NUFFOODS Spectrum and AgroSpectrum, received awards for two of its shows.

Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023, encapsulating Bio Technology, bagged the award as the Grand Conference, while the Start Up Mahakumbh 2024 received award as Top Start-Up India Promotion Show and 1st runner up in the category Top New Show (B2C).
The initiative aims to redefine healthcare accessibility across the region

Lords Mark Industries, a leading manufacturer of IVD products, in collaboration with Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, a National Programme by the Government of India, under the initiation of FIIT (Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer), IIT Delhi, has announced the inauguration of the revolutionary E-Smart Clinic in Anwal Khera village, Agra in Uttar Pradesh.

This initiative seeks to provide testing and consultation services to patients at a nominal cost of less than Rs 1000. The company plans to deploy 16,000 E-Smart Clinics throughout India. The collaboration with Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and FIIT represents a leap forward in democratising healthcare technology and innovation to make a tangible difference in millions of lives across India.



The E-Smart Clinic project is poised to bring about a paradigm shift in healthcare delivery, leveraging state-of-the-art technology and innovative solutions initiating contactless vital monitoring, telemedicine, consultation and point-of-care diagnostics. The E-Smart Clinic tracks diverse parameters such as live vitals, biochemistry, hematology, infectious diseases, cardiac and inflammation, body and urine parameters and maternity.



Developed by Lords Mark Industries in collaboration with their technology partner Dozee, the smart clinic utilises patented technology to detect vital parameters of patients without any external attachments. Lords Mark Industries has filed patents for the biochemistry and the health kiosk, boasting an accuracy level of 99 percent.



Following successful trials at five initial centres, the E-Smart Clinic will be commercialised across India, with international partners expressing interest in global distribution. The market potential for the E-Smart Clinic in India exceeds Rs 3000 crore.
Receives renewal of GMP certifications for India and Malaysia sites

Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL), a global, fully integrated biosimilars company and a subsidiary of Biocon Ltd, has received approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to manufacture biosimilar Bevacizumab at its new, world-class, multi-product monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) drug substance facility at Bengaluru.

This approval will provide significant additional capacity to address patients' needs across markets in Europe. The facility has previously been approved to manufacture biosimilar Trastuzumab in September 2022.

The company has also announced that EMA has renewed its Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certificates of Compliance for its biosimilars manufacturing facility at Bengaluru and its insulin facility in Malaysia following routine GMP inspections. These certificates were issued by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), Ireland, on behalf of EMA.
Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia
Digital bank Revolut has launched a debit card loyalty programme for customers in Ireland.

The RevPoints scheme allows customers to turn their spending into rewards, including airline miles and discounts on travel, accommodation and experiences.

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The bank said Irish customers will be able to transfer their RevPoints to more than 30 airline loyalty programmes, including Air France/KLM's Flying Blue.

Points can also be used for discounts at Irish retailers such as ONeills and DID Electrical when shopping online with Revolut Pay.

Depending on their plan, users can earn up to one point per euro spent, Revolut said.

Since the trial launch in September 2023, over 1 billion RevPoints have been earned and nearly 120 million points redeemed by Revolut users across seven European markets.

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Revolut has about 40 million customers globally, including about 2 million in Ireland.

Last month the digital banking app moved to undercut traditional lenders by offering Irish customers higher-yielding savings accounts.

The company launched an instant-access savings feature on its platform which allows Irish-based customers to earn up to 3.49 per cent interest a year on their savings.

Christopher Guttridge, general manager of lifestyle products at Revolut, said the bank wanted to help people get more for their money.

"RevPoints is set to transform everyday spending into things and experiences people love, by converting routine purchases into rewards," he said. "Unlike many loyalty programmes, we make RevPoints accessible to all by ensuring customers can maximise the benefits of using Revolut as their primary bank account without requiring a credit card."
A man accused of attempted murder has pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to conspiring to murder a man who was shot at his Dublin home eight years ago.

Jason Jay OConnor (46), of Whitestown Grove, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, had been accused of the attempted murder of Charlie Cooper at Parslickstown Green, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, on December 5th, 2016.

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On Monday, OConnor pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of conspiracy to murder.

Mr Cooper was seriously injured when he was shot multiple times at his home. However, he was treated in hospital and made a recovery.

Mr OConnor is also charged with the possession of a 9mm firearm and 12 rounds of 9mm ammunition with intent to endanger life at the same location and on the same date.

Last month, Mr OConnor was further charged with facilitating a criminal organisation with the commission of two serious offences, murder and the sale or supply of drugs.

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At the Special Criminal Court on Monday, OConnor, represented by Michael Bowman SC and Keith Spencer BL, instructed by solicitor Wayne Kenny, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder Charlie Cooper under section 4 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861.

Also at the sitting, OConnor pleaded guilty to the charge that he did, between August 2nd and December 7th, 2016, both dates inclusive, within the State and with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, participate in, or contribute to, activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could, facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its member, to wit: murder.

OConnor spoke only to answer "guilty" when the two charges were read to him by the registrar.

Mr Justice Hunt adjourned the matter to July 30th.

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OConnor was also charged last month that he did, between August 2nd and December 7th, 2016, both dates inclusive and within the State, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, participate in, or contribute to, activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation, or any of its members, to wit: the sale and supply of controlled drugs.
The fall-out from Brexit, discord over calls for a united Ireland and Stormonts perilous financial position dominated in the first major TV debate of the UK general election campaign in Northern Ireland.

Senior representatives from Sinn Fein, the DUP, Alliance Party, Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP participated in the UTV debate on Sunday.

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The line-up included three party leaders  the DUPs Gavin Robinson, Alliances Naomi Long and the SDLPs Colum Eastwood  while Sinn Fein was represented by its North Belfast candidate John Finucane and the UUP by its deputy leader and Lagan Valley candidate Robbie Butler.

The debate, which was largely even-tempered in nature, was held in UTVs studios in the City Quays 2 building in Belfast and moderated by the broadcasters political correspondent Vicki Hawthorne.

The debate took place at UTVs City Quays 2 studios. Photo: Alamy/PA.

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The hour-long programme began with Mr Robinson being challenged on the DUPs endorsement of the UK government command paper on post-Brexit trade that the party used to justify dropping its two-year blockade on powersharing at Stormont earlier this year.

The DUP leader said he did not accept the suggestion that his party had oversold the deal, as he claimed the package of measures achieved some progress in addressing unionist concerns over trade and sovereignty, but that work remained to be done.

Its very clear the roadmap is there, we have attained progress when others either did not care or did not try and we are standing on our record of achieving for the people who elect us, he said.

Mr Finucane was pressed on Sinn Feins long-standing abstentionist policy at Westminster in the context of the decisions taken on the shape of the Brexit withdrawal over recent years.

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He insisted his partys voice had been clearly heard in London through direct meetings with UK government ministers and senior opposition MPs.

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Mr Finucane said Sinn Fein representatives had also brought their message to the heart of the political establishment in Brussels and Washington.

If we go back and actually look at the outworking of what the British government were intent on doing, there wasnt a single vote (in Parliament) that was going to stop the Brexit project, he said.

And I think that when we have a chamber that, by its very nature, is designed to make MPs from here irrelevant, the real work gets done when we engage with them directly. And thats what weve been doing.

Mr Eastwood was asked what difference the SDLP actually made by taking its seats in Westminster. He said he firmly believed that unless elected MPs attend Parliament you just dont count.

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He said his party had been a voice for common sense in the House of Commons.

If youre asking MPs from across the political spectrum in Westminster, they wouldnt really know who Sinn Feins MPs are, he added.

Ms Long said there was a need for other voices other than the DUP to be represented at Westminster.

The DUP have delivered in the last term  they delivered the chaos of Brexit, they delivered collapse of the Assembly, they delivered a very negative outlook from Northern Ireland, she said.

What I want to do and what my colleagues want to do is to project that more positive element of Northern Ireland, to talk about what we can achieve and what we can do and the support that we need to be able to enable that. I think that that more positive voice needs to be heard.

Those remarks prompted one of the debates more robust exchanges, with Mr Robinson then accusing Ms Long and the other parties of ignoring unionist concerns about post-Brexit trading agreements.

They did not care for our concerns, and that is damaging, that is not how progress will be made in Northern Ireland, he said.

Ms Long said the fault for the problems Northern Ireland had faced post-Brexit lay at the door of the DUP, for not only campaigning for a UK exit from the EU but also by championing the hardest Brexit.

Its unfair I think to create a problem and then expect everyone else to take responsibility for the consequences of it while you live in denial, she told Mr Robinson.

Mr Butler said his party had been consistent through the Brexit process, warning of the potential damage a UK exit from the EU might inflict on Northern Ireland.

The UTV Election Debate with moderator Vicki Hawthorne lasted an hour (Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA)

He also accused Sinn Fein and the DUP of making the people of the region suffer the consequences of political failure with their moves to collapse powersharing for two lengthy periods over the last seven years.

He said his party would pursue more positive politics at Westminster.

It would be making Northern Ireland work, and it wouldnt be the belligerent politics which I grew up with, which I want to see changed, he said.

The second part of the debate focused on Stormonts bleak financial picture.

Mr Finucane insisted it was a lazy narrative to suggest the solution was Stormont imposing more revenue-raising measures on people in the region.

He said the local parties instead needed to take a united approach in pressing the Treasury for more money.

What we need is that collective voice pushing back against the Treasury, pushing back against Westminster, and demanding the bare minimum resources that we need to improve, particularly public resources like health and education, he said.

Mr Butler was challenged whether his party had acted responsibly in recently voting against the Stormont budget that was agreed by the other Executive parties. Former UUP health minister Robin Swann opposed the budget plan after claiming the allocation to his department would inflict significant damage on health service delivery.

We have responsibility for the health portfolio and its very clear that hundreds of millions of pounds short is going to cause harm to the people of Northern Ireland, said Mr Butler.

We dont think there was a fair allocation and were working with our Executive partners to see that remedied and we want to see that remedied as quickly as possible.

Ms Long accused political rivals of avoiding difficult decisions when it came to reforming and restructuring public services in Northern Ireland.

She also said there were other ways to raise revenue, such as taxing corporations and the super-rich, rather than introducing new charges on hard-pressed families.

Ms Long said Northern Ireland was underfunded from London but she said there was also a need to address the cost of division in the region, with many services duplicated as a consequence of the need to provide services to divided communities.

There can be no escaping the reality that when we get that money, we have to be accountable for how we spend it, she said.

We cant overspend, we cant waste. And we need to look, before we start dipping into the pockets of hard-pressed members of the public, we need to look at the money that is wasted on the cost of division in our society.

Mr Eastwood said Northern Ireland was an economic basket case and the financial situation once again demonstrated the need for local MPs to attend Westminster to press the next government for more funding.

Whilst we would love to see more fiscal powers in Northern Ireland, the powers right now rest in London, so weve got to go there, as much as I dont want to, weve got to go there, hold them to account and speak up for the people here, he said.

Mr Robinson made clear his party was opposed to revenue-raising measures. He said people had a higher tax burden now than at any time since the Second World War.

Im not sure that theres a strong appetite there to hear about more fiscal devolution, which means more revenue raising, which means more difficulty for hard-pressed working families, he said.

The final part of the debate focused on the long-running wrangle over Northern Irelands constitutional future.

Mr Robinson said he had no interest in participating in a societal conversation about breaking up the United Kingdom.

As a unionist I can say this is a boring repetition of an aspiration which has gained no traction whatsoever over the last 25 years, he said.

The combined vote of nationalists and republicanism within Northern Ireland has not grown one bit in 25 years. So, its not gaining traction.

As a unionist, the idea of having a casual or a polite or an engaging conversation about this issue about severing my own country is about as attractive as having a polite conversation about severing my own leg.

Mr Finucane was asked about recent comments from former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar when he suggested the process of changing hearts and minds in relation to constitutional change would require the republican movement making a specific apology for its actions during the Troubles.

The senior Sinn Fein representative, whose father Pat was murdered by loyalists during the Troubles, said his party had not been found wanting when it came to moves towards reconciliation.

But he said issues around forgiveness should be detached from the debate on a new Ireland.

Thats a separate conversation, its a personal conversation, and its something that is very emotive and I would say should be divorced at the right time from this conversation, which is about looking towards the future, he said.

Ms Long was pressed several times on why her party did not take a position on the constitutional question.

She urged her political rivals to respect the fact she was neutral on the issue.

But she said Alliance still wanted to participate in the wider debate.

We want to be part of that conversation because it will be our future as much as anyone elses, she said.

The important thing though for me is that, first and foremost, as politicians, we wont be the people who make those decisions, itll be the public who make those decisions at the ballot box in a referendum.

Mr Butler said nationalists and republicans had been unable to agree a shared vision of what a united Ireland might look like.

As a unionist, it is my responsibility to see Northern Ireland work, to see Northern Ireland thrive and Im not picking up anything certainly from the unionist community and even from many in the nationalist community, who are not having that conversation (about unification) at the moment, he said.

And thats not to diminish the rights of the SDLP or Sinn Fein or any others to take part in those conversations. But Im not picking up any sense that were at that point.

And, in fact, my priority will be to have the alternative conversation, which is to make Northern Ireland the most prosperous place in the United Kingdom and indeed on these islands.

Mr Eastwood said reconciliation had to be at the heart of any debate about unifying Ireland.

I want that conversation to be a process of reconciliation where we explain to people that we can unite these communities again, we can bring people together, we can give people a better chance in life, a better economic outlook, better public services.

I think thats a prize worth having, and being part of the European Union again, he said.

I think no matter who you are, no matter what your background is, we have to understand this is not about fixing historic wrongs, this is about building a future together.
A second challenge has been brought over permission for a BusConnects corridor running from Blackrock to the city centre, with the latest initiated by an association of businesses, a community group and individuals.

The case asks the court to overturn An Bord Pleanalas approval of the 8.3km road project and quash its confirmation of a compulsory purchase order for certain lands.

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The National Transport Authority (NTA) has sought permission for 12 dedicated bus lanes as part of the capitals flagship bus project.

Last March, the Belfield/Blackrock spine became the fourth and latest of these to be approved by An Bord Pleanala.

It is already the subject of a court action by the Blackrock Clinic, while a north-side route running from Clongriffin to the city centre is being challenged by an Artane resident.

This latest court case was brought by the Upper Baggot Street Traders Association, its Pembroke Road-based chair, Michael Quinn; the Pembroke Road Association; its chair Susan McCarrick, of St Marys Road, Ballsbridge; Fr Patrick Byrne; and Homancrest Limited.

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Fr Byrne and Homancrest Limited say they own plots of land on Pembroke Road, Dublin 4, which are the subject of compulsory purchase orders to make way for the route.

Each of the other applicants say they or their members are based or operate from properties along or near the corridor. The Upper Baggot Street group says it has 60 members and represents the interests of small business owners.

Their judicial review is against An Bord Pleanala, as the body that approved the project, while Ireland and the Attorney General are also named as respondents as the case claims sections of the 1960 Local Government Act, the 2000 Planning and Development Act and the 1944 Dublin Transport Authority Act are unconstitutional and in breach of the EU Charter on Human Rights.

Citing domestic and EU law grounds, the applicants are asking the court to declare that they are protected from having to pay the other sides legal costs if they lose their case, citing certain environmental grounds.

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They allege An Bord Pleanala erred by concluding the proposed project was in line with the development plans of the two council areas it runs through: Dublin City and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown.

They point to the councils policies on land zoning and the protection of trees, hedgerows and architectural heritage.

They claim the planning authority failed to have regard to various matters, including the guidelines on protecting architectural heritage.

The boards alleged failure to properly reason or justify not holding an oral pre-approval hearing is an example of it failing to act per fair procedures, the applicants claim. They also say there was a failure to properly assess the proportionality of the compulsory purchase order.

On Monday, their senior counsel, Stephen Dodd, instructed by Peter Boyle & Co Solicitors, secured permission from Mr Justice Richard Humphreys to proceed with the challenge.

The case came before him while only the applicants were represented and will return on July 8th, when the respondents and NTA, as a notice party, can attend.
Former accountant to the stars Ossie Kilkenny has lost his Killiney home to Pepper Finance but has been given a 12-month stay on being thrown out by the bank to facilitate ongoing engagement.

Judge John OConnor was apprised of the deal on Monday by barrister Tomas Keys, counsel for Pepper, when he told the Circuit Civil Court it could make a consent order for possession against the Kilkennys and in favour of the bank.

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Mr Keys, who appeared with Amoss LLP solicitors, told Judge OConnor the court would have read the papers in the drawn-out case which divulged an overall arrears debt of 2,186,434 against Lissadrone, Killiney Hill, Killiney, Co Dublin, the family home of Osmond and his wife Anna Kilkenny.

Counsel said there had been engagement between the parties, more directly by their solicitors, under a resolution process and the Kilkennys had agreed to the court making an order for possession of Lissadrone in favour of the Pepper.

The court will have seen the arrears and, given the engagement between the parties, both are agreeable for the court to put a stay of 12 months on execution of the order for possession to facilitate ongoing talks, Mr Keys told Judge OConnor.

Mr Keys added that it was also agreed that no order for costs be made by the court against the Kilkennys. Counsel for the couple indicated his clients agreement to the orders being made.

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Caroline Loftus, senior operations manager for Pepper Finance Corporation, in an update to the court in respect of the current position of the Kilkennys mortgage account, stated in an affidavit that as of November 2ns, 2023, the outstanding balance of arrears on the now expired mortgage had increased from 2,088,432 to 2, 186,434, an increase of 98,000.

Mr Kilkenny (77) and his wife, Anna, were not in court for the announcement of the making of the possession order. Judge OConnor made the orders requested by both parties.

Mr Kilkenny acted as accountant for U2 for decades along with numerous other singers. He also held a stake in Ardmore Studios, among other business interests.
At least 440 patients were waiting for beds in Irish hospitals on Monday morning, according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO).

The union's daily update on hospital overcrowding said 351 patients were waiting in emergency departments, while 89 were in wards elsewhere in hospitals.

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The most overcrowded hospital on Monday, according to the INMO, was University Hospital Limerick (UHL), where 85 patients were waiting for a bed.

University Hospital Galway followed with 53 patients waiting on trolleys, while 48 patients were waiting at St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin.

According to the Health Service Executive's own figures, 325 people were waiting on trolleys across HSE-run hospitals on Monday.

There were 46 patients waiting in UHL, while St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin had 40 patients waiting for a free bed, according to the HSE's daily urgent and emergency care report.

The HSE figures include patients waiting on a hospital trolley or extra bed placed in an inappropriate space in a hospital ward.

The INMO also counts patients placed on corridors or chairs, elsewhere in hospitals, waiting for admission to a bed.
The Government is to support the nomination of Ursula von der Leyen as European Commission president.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said that a high-level agreement had been reached between three political groupings in Europe in the wake of the EU elections in June.

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As a result, Ms von der Leyen will emerge as the European Councils single candidate for European Commission president.

Under the EUs complicated division of powers, the presidents and prime ministers get to nominate the next head of the blocs powerful executive branch, the European Commission, which is responsible for drawing up EU policy on everything from climate to the colossal shared budget.

Ursula von der Leyen during the summit on peace in Ukraine, in Obburgen, Switzerland, earlier in June. Photo: Alessandro Della Valle/Keystone via AP.

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Under the EUs treaties, their choice should take into account the results of the election.

Ms von der Leyen looks likely to stay on as president for another five years after a strong showing for her centre-right European Peoples Party parliamentary group.

This is despite being deeply unpopular in some corners of the EU Parliament, where she will need the support of 361 of the 720 legislators to hold on to her job.

In the 2019 vote on whether to approve her as president, she won just nine votes more than the required threshold.

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Ms von der Leyen has also been criticised in Ireland for her handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict following the October 7th attack, which has led to calls for Irish government MEPs not to support her bid for a second term.

Asked whether he would be urging his partys four MEPs to vote for Ms von der Leyen, Fianna Fail leader Mr Martin said further discussions would need to take place before the vote in July.

Well take it step by step. I think in the first instance, Government will be supporting the candidature of Ursula von der Leyen, he said.

Ursula von der Leyen will emerge as the single candidate from the EU Council for president of the Commission.

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He said it would be some time after that before a vote is held in the European Parliament and that there will be ongoing engagement and discussions with a number of parties in that respect.

After his re-election to Ireland South, Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher said he would not support Ms von der Leyen.

Ive been very clear throughout this election, Ive stated it in advance of the election, Ive stated it during the election, Im stating it after the election, that I will not be supporting the nomination of Ursula von der Leyen.

Asked about who Ireland would be proposing as its EU commissioner for this term, Mr Martin said he would discuss with the other two coalition party leaders on Monday.

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The proposed candidate, widely reported to be Finance Minister Michael McGrath, will be brought before Cabinet on Tuesday.
A diver who died tragically off the coast of Donegal on Saturday has been named locally as Patrick Doran.

Mr Doran, who was in his 40s, was originally from Leitrim Village in Co Leitrim.

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He was one of more than 100 divers from across the country who took part in a planned two-day event organised by the Donegal Bay Sub Aqua Club.

The event, the North West Dive Rally, had planned a number of dives on Saturday and Sunday at Malin Beg and Sliabh Liag.

However, around midday on Saturday the alarm was raised after two divers got into difficulty.

A major search and rescue operation was launched which was co-ordinated by the Malin Head Coastguard Station.

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The operation involved a number of agencies including the Killybegs Coast Guard, An Garda Siochana, the National Ambulance Service, shore crews and also the Rescue 118 helicopter.

Hope turned to despair however, when one missing diver was recovered from the sea and pronounced dead at the scene.

A second diver who was also missing managed to get to the surface.

He was treated at the scene and immediately rushed to University Hospital in Galway for treatment.

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The man, who is in his 60s, was treated for decompression sickness known as the bends.

Shockwaves

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local community of south Donegal.

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council and local Killybegs-based county councillor Niamh Kennedy said her heart "missed a beat" when she heard of the tragedy.

She said "When you live in a coastal area you are always weary of the dangers the sea poses and, unfortunately, tragedy has visited us once more.

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"It is only when a tragedy like this visits your community that you realise how dangerous the sea really is. My heart missed a beat when I heard this awful news.

"Our hearts go out to this man and his poor family and all that they are going through. We pray for them and we pray for the second man who was thankfully rescued and we hope that he will make a full recovery.

"My thoughts too are with the Donegal Bay Sun Aqua Club who hosted this event and we hope that they are not suffering too much."

Councillor Kennedy also paid tribute to all those who took part in the search and rescue mission.

She said,"We have to pay tribute to all these volunteers who risk their own lives in these circumstances and every time something tragic like this happens.

"We sometimes forget about them when tragedies happen, but we would be lost without them and I want to pay tribute to each one of them who was there yesterday."
The Russian foreign ministry has summoned the American ambassador to protest against what it says was the use of US-made advanced missiles in a Ukrainian attack on Russian-annexed Crimea that reportedly killed four people and wounded more than 150.

Washington has effectively become a party to the war on Ukraines side, the ministry said, adding: Retaliatory measures will certainly follow.

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There was no immediate comment from US or Ukrainian officials. The Associated Press could not independently verify Russias claims about the missiles used.

Kyivs forces have relied heavily on Western-supplied weaponry since Russias invasion more than three years ago.

What are the new sanctions against Russia? What are they targeting?



 LNG

 SPFS financial messaging system

 Putins dark fleet

 Sanctions circumvention

 Funding of political parties from the Russian state



Learn more #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/MsPBHafPGj Advertisement  European Commission (@EU_Commission) June 24, 2024

The military aid has been crucial in allowing Ukraine to hold the Kremlins army at bay, with few major changes along the 620-mile front line in eastern and southern Ukraine for many months.

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Some Western countries have hesitated over providing more  and more sophisticated  help for Kyivs army because of concerns about potentially provoking the Kremlin.

But as Ukraine has at times struggled to hold the line against Russias bigger and better-equipped military, Western leaders have gradually relented and granted more support.

In the latest key development, the Pentagon said last week that Ukraines military is being allowed to use longer-range missiles provided by America to strike targets inside Russia if it is acting in self-defence.

Since the outset of the war, the US had maintained a policy of not allowing Ukraine to use the weapons it provided to hit targets on Russian soil for fear of further escalating the conflict.

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Crimea, which Russian annexed from Ukraine in 2014 in a move that most of the world rejected as unlawful, long had been declared a fair target for Ukraine by its Western allies.

Russian authorities said that the dead in Sundays attack included two children who were hit by falling debris from Ukrainian missiles that were shot down over a coastal area in Sevastopol, a port city in Crimea. It said cluster munitions, which critics say harm more civilians than combatants, were also used.

Russia said the missiles were US-made ATACMS, a long-range, guided missile. It summoned US Ambassador Lynne Tracy to the foreign ministry.

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 Maria #Zakharova: On June 19 and 21 the Kiev regime launched new terrorist attacks against #Energodar satellite city in the vicinity of Zaporozhskaya nuclear power plant (#ZNPP).



 This way the Kiev regime continues to prove its terrorist nature.



 https://t.co/UwtHYD3BdO pic.twitter.com/zelnTFY6rP  MFA Russia  (@mfa_russia) June 24, 2024

The targeting and mission input for such missile attacks is carried out by US military experts, the ministry statement alleged, saying the United States bears equal responsibility for this outrage with the Ukrainian authorities.

It went on to say that allowing strikes deep inside the Russian territory will not be left unanswered.

Meanwhile, the Russian defence ministry reported striking a major logistical hub of the Ukrainian military that held Western-supplied missiles and other weapons.

It said the strike was carried out by warplanes, drones, ground-launched missiles and artillery. The ministry did not name its location.

Meanwhile, the European Union has slapped new sanctions on Russia, targeting Moscows shadow fleet of tankers moving liquefied natural gas (LNG) through Europe as well as several companies.

In a statement issued at a meeting of EU foreign ministers, the bloc said that it will forbid reloading services of Russian LNG in EU territory for the purpose of trans-shipment operations to third countries.

The EU estimates that about four-to-six billion cubic meters of Russian LNG was shipped to third countries via EU ports last year.

Russia is accused of attempting to evade sanctions by the use of a so-called ghost fleet (Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russia is suspected of running a ghost fleet to evade sanctions and keep up the flow of energy earnings so that it can finance the war.

The measures will target ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore transfers as well as reloading operations.

It also involves a crackdown on the re-export of LNG to third countries via the EU, plus a ban on new investments to help Russia complete LNG projects it is working on.

A total of 61 new entities  often companies, banks, agencies and other organisations  were added to the EUs list, including a number of them in China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

Many are accused of circumventing the blocs sanctions or providing sensitive equipment to Russia.

Around 50 more officials are also being targeted with asset freezes, as well as travel bans.

Russian president Vladimir Putin and foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, as well as scores of legislators and several oligarchs are among more than 1,700 people already listed by the EU.

The more than 400 entities previously hit include companies working in the military, aviation, shipbuilding and machine sectors, the Wagner mercenary group, political parties and banks.

Around 210 billion worth of Russian Central Bank assets are blocked in the EU.
Gunmen opened fire at a synagogue, an Orthodox church and a police post in Russia's North Caucasus region of Dagestan on Sunday, killing six policemen and injuring 12, the region's Russian news agencies quoted the interior ministry as saying.

A local religious organisation in the mainly Muslim region put the death toll at nine, including seven police officers.

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The Interior ministry, quoted by Russian news agencies, said four gunmen had been shot dead as the incidents unfolded. A local official said another had been killed during a shootout at a church in Makhachkala, the region's main administrative centre.

An Orthodox priest was also reported to have been killed.

Restive Dagestan was in the 2000s hit by an Islamist insurgency spilling over from neighbouring Chechnya, with Russian security forces moving aggressively to combat extremists in the region.

The agencies reported exchanges of gunfire in the centre of Makhachkala, a region with a long coastline on the Caspian Sea.

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An unofficial channel on the Telegram messaging app, Mash, said police were preparing to storm a building where gunmen were holed up in Derbent, about 125 kilometres (75 miles) further south.

The gunmen attacked a synagogue and a church in Derbent, home to an ancient Jewish community and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Interior Ministry was quoted as saying that both the synagogue and church were ablaze.

The head of Dagestan's regional government vowed stiff punishment for "whichever forces lies behind these disgusting actions".

In Israel, the Foreign Ministry said the synagogue in Derbent had been burned to the ground and shots had been fired at a second synagogue in Makhachkala. The statement said it was believed there were no worshippers in the synagogue at the time.

Russian authorities have pointed to militant Muslim elements in previous incidents in the region.

Last October, after the war in Gaza broke out, rioters waving Palestinian flags broke down glass doors and rampaged through Makhachkala airport to look for Jewish passengers on a flight arriving from Tel Aviv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West and Ukraine of stirring up unrest inside Russia in connection with the incident.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he would never, ever defend Russian president Vladimir Putin, as he ramped up his row with former British prime minister Boris Johnson.

At a campaign rally in Kent on Monday, Mr Farage unveiled a blown-up poster of the i newspapers front page from May 10th, 2016 with the headline Boris blames EU for war in Ukraine.

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On Friday, Mr Farage told the BBCs The Panorama Interviews programme that we provoked this war, in reference to countries in eastern Europe signing up to Nato and the European Union, and Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Writing in the Telegraph on Saturday, he urged readers not to blame him for telling the truth about Putins war.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage unveils the poster from the top deck of Reform UKs battle bus while on the campaign trail in Maidstone, Kent (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

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Mr Johnson shared the article on X, formerly Twitter, calling Mr Farages views morally repugnant.

Referring to the Telegraph article, he wrote: This is nauseating historical drivel and more Kremlin propaganda.

In Kent on Monday, Mr Farage said he had been more far-sighted in predicting a war in Ukraine, telling the crowd: This has been turned into Farage makes outrageous statement, Farage defends Putin  well, Ive done none of those things.

I would never, ever defend Putin and I think his behaviour in Ukraine and elsewhere has been reprehensible.

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But if were going to think towards a peace at some time in the not too distant future, perhaps it might be helpful to understand what went wrong in the first place.

As he unveiled the poster of the headline referring to Mr Johnson from the top deck of the Reform battle bus, Mr Farage said he was alone in predicting the war in Ukraine, adding: I cant take those words away and nor would I want to.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told the rally of his friendship with former US president Donald Trump (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

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Turning his fire on the former prime minister, Mr Farage said: Well, perhaps its Boris Johnson thats morally repugnant and not me, I dont know. But can you see the sheer level of hypocrisy? Can you see the nonsense of all of this?

He added: This man will go down as the worst prime minister of modern times. A man who betrayed an 80-seat majority. Who opened the door to mass immigration? Boris Johnson. Who betrayed the will of Brexit voters? It was Boris Johnson. He pretended to be a Conservative but he governed as a Green.

The Reform UK leader went on: Theres been precious little debate on defence, precious little debate about the state of our armed forces, precious little debate about how little we still do in this country for our veterans, and precious, precious almost no debate on foreign policy.

He added: I have no doubt that the world is in a more dangerous place right now than its been at any point since the Cuban missile crisis over 60 years ago.

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A couple of years back we would have thought war on a global scale was inconceivable, but we now all, dont we, harbour that doubt and that worry at the back of our minds?

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage poses for a selfie with a supporter at an election rally in Maidstone, Kent (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Later in his speech, Mr Farage did an impression of former US president Donald Trump, now a convicted criminal, whom he described as a friend of mine.

Mr Trump has spoked favourably about Mr Putin in the past and has threatened to cut US aid to Ukraine.

Mr Farage said: Unless we start to build up our size, America will stop taking us seriously, Nato will stop taking us seriously and the world will be a more dangerous place.

You dont get peace through weakness. You get peace through strength. You get peace through deterrence, and that matters.

I hardly need tell you the catastrophic failures weve seen under President (Joe) Biden. The withdrawal from Afghanistan, the handing of it back over to the Taliban after 20 years, was a sign of weakness that was seen by Putin, a sign of weakness that is increasingly being seen by China.

UK home secretary James Cleverly accused Mr Farage of echoing Putins vile justification for the brutal invasion of Ukraine and shadow defence secretary John Healey said Mr Farage is a Putin apologist who should never be trusted with our nations security.

The loudest cheers for Nigel Farage at the Reform UK election rally were for his comments on immigration (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

World Farage: Trump learned a lot from me Read More

However, the Reform leader got the loudest cheers from his supporters as he discussed the partys defining policy area  immigration.

After highlighting small boat crossings in the Channel, he said: Remember, I went out four years ago, again and again, into the Channel to highlight what was going on, to say you might as well put a sign on the White Cliffs of Dover saying Everyone welcome.

He added: I warned that huge numbers would come, I even said there might be an invasion, which is of course the rudest word you could possibly use in BBC land, but now, 4,000 boats and 128,000 people later, it does look like its been an invasion to me  and its mostly young men.
South Korea is monitoring an expected change in the wind direction that could allow North Korea to send more rubbish-carrying balloons across their heavily armed border, in their latest bout of tit-for-tat psychological warfare.

Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a major defence deal that observers worry could embolden Mr Kim to direct more provocations at South Korea.

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That could include the launching of more huge balloons carrying rubbish toward South Korea in response to a South Korean civilian groups recent floating of balloons with anti-North Korean propaganda into the North.

South Korean joint chiefs of staff spokesperson Lee Sung Joon told reporters that the military is closely monitoring North Korean moves because northerly or north-westerly winds, favourable for North Korean balloon launches, were forecast on Monday.

Starting in late May, North Korea launched a series of balloons that dropped manure, cigarette butts, scraps of cloth, waste batteries and vinyl in various parts of South Korea.

No highly dangerous materials were found. North Korea said its balloon campaign was a tit-for-tat action against South Korean activists who flew political leaflets critical of its leadership across the border.

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Anti-North Korean propaganda has been sent from the South (Fighters For A Free North Korea via AP)

Mr Kims influential sister, Kim Yo Jong, threatened on Friday to retaliate after a South Korean group said it sent 20 balloons carrying 300,000 propaganda leaflets, 5,000 USB sticks with South Korean pop songs and TV dramas, and US one-dollar bills across the border the previous night.

When you do something you were clearly warned not to do, its only natural that you will find yourself dealing with something you didnt have to, Kim Yo Jong said, without saying whether North Korea would launch balloons again.

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The South Korean military did not say how it would respond if North Korea conducts a new round of balloon launches.

In reaction to North Koreas earlier balloon campaign, South Koreas military on June 9 redeployed gigantic loudspeakers along the border for the first time in six years and resumed anti-North Korean propaganda broadcasts.

The broadcasts reportedly included hits by K-pop sensation BTS such as Butter and Dynamite, weather forecasts and news on Samsung, the biggest South Korean company, as well as criticism of North Koreas missile programme and its crackdown on foreign videos.

North Korea views front-line South Korean broadcasts and civilian leafleting campaigns as a grave provocation because it bans access to foreign news for most of its 26 million people.

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The North has reacted to past South Korean loudspeaker broadcasts and civilian balloon activities by firing rounds across the border, prompting South Korea to return fire, according to South Korea. No casualties were reported.

Earlier on Monday, South Korea, the United States and Japan issued a joint statement strongly condemning expanding military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

It said the North Korean-Russian moves should be of grave concern to efforts to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula, the global non-proliferation regime and support for the Ukraine people.
A fundraiser set up by the last person to speak to Jay Slater, the British teenager who went missing during a holiday in Tenerife, has hit its target of 30,000 (35,000).

The GoFundMe created by Lucy Law to get Jay Slater home had received 31,721 in donations by Sunday evening.

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The page was set up by Mr Slaters friend three days ago and a post below, which claims to be from Mr Slaters mother Debbie Duncan, confirmed it was approved by our family.

The post said: We have not yet withdrawn any funds and are currently covering the expenses, such as the trip to Tenerife and accommodation, ourselves. The funds will remain on hold with GoFundMe until we post a further update on this page.

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Mr Slater, from Lancashire in England, 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.

Ms Law, who went to the 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 one per cent.

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Ms 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 carrying a black bag.

Search teams have narrowed their efforts on small buildings close to where his phone last pinged in Tenerife.

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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 on Sunday.

Efforts appeared to be solely focused on the one area after days of searches in the village of Masca and the surrounding landscape.

Members of a search and rescue team search near the last known location of Jay Slater. Photo: James Manning/PA

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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.

The efforts come after the teenagers mother issued a direct plea to her missing son, saying: We just need you home.

Ms Duncan told the PA news agency she has not slept since the 19-year-old disappeared.

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.

Asked how the family was coping with the situation, Ms Duncan said: 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.
More than 1,300 people died during this years Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as the faithful faced extreme high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom, officials have said.

Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel said that 83% of the 1,301 fatalities were unauthorised pilgrims who walked long distances in soaring temperatures to perform the Hajj rituals in and around the holy city of Mecca.

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Speaking with the state-owned Al Ekhbariya TV, the minister said 95 pilgrims were being treated in hospitals, some of whom were airlifted for treatment in the capital, Riyadh. He said the identification process was delayed because there were no identification documents with many of the dead pilgrims.

He said the dead were buried in Mecca, without giving a breakdown.

The fatalities included more than 660 Egyptians. All but 31 of them were unauthorised pilgrims, according to two officials in Cairo. Egypt has revoked the licenses of 16 travel agencies that helped unauthorized pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia, authorities said.

Saudi Arabia has not commented on the deaths during the pilgrimage, which is required of every able Muslim once in their life.

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Muslim pilgrims gather at the top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage (Rafiq Maqbool/AP)

Saudi authorities cracked down on unauthorised pilgrims, expelling tens of thousands of people. But many, mostly Egyptians, managed to reach holy sites in and around Mecca, some on foot. Unlike authorised pilgrims, they had no hotels to escape from the scorching heat.

In its statement, the government said the 16 travel agencies failed to provide adequate services for pilgrims. It said these agencies illegally facilitated the travel of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia using visas that do not allow holders to travel to Mecca.

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The government also said officials from the companies have been referred to the public prosecutor for investigations.

The fatalities also included 165 pilgrims from Indonesia, 98 from India and dozens more from Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Malaysia, according to an Associated Press tally. Two US pilgrims were also reported dead.

The AP could not independently confirm the causes of death, but some countries like Jordan and Tunisia blamed the soaring heat.



Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca (Rafiq Maqbool/AP)

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Associated Press journalists saw pilgrims fainting from the scorching heat during the Hajj, especially on the second and third days.

Deaths are not uncommon at the Hajj, which has seen at times more than two million people travel to Saudi Arabia for a five-day pilgrimage. The pilgrimages history has also seen deadly stampedes and epidemics.

But this years tally was unusually high, suggesting exceptional circumstances.

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During the Hajj period, daily high temperatures ranged between 46C and 49C in Mecca and sacred sites in and around the city, according to the Saudi National Centre for Meteorology.

A 2015 stampede in Mina during the Hajj killed more than 2,400 pilgrims, the deadliest incident ever to strike the pilgrimage, according to an AP count. Saudi Arabia has never acknowledged the full toll of the stampede.

A separate crane collapse at Meccas Grand Mosque earlier the same year killed 111.

The second-deadliest incident at the Hajj was a 1990 stampede that killed 1,426 people.

The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is one of the worlds largest religious gatherings. More than 1.83 million Muslims performed the Hajj in 2024, including more than 1.6 million from 22 countries, and around 222,000 Saudi citizens and residents, according to the Saudi Hajj authorities.

Saudi Arabia has spent billions of dollars on crowd control and safety measures for those attending the annual five-day pilgrimage, but the sheer number of participants makes ensuring their safety difficult.
Russias southern region of Dagestan held the first of three days of mourning on Monday following a rampage by suspected Islamic militants who killed 19 people, most of them police, and attacked houses of worship in apparently co-ordinated assaults in two cities.

Sundays violence in Dagestans regional capital of Makhachkala and nearby Derbent was the latest that officials blamed on Islamic extremists in the predominantly Muslim region in the North Caucasus, as well as the deadliest in Russia since March, when gunmen opened fire at a concert in suburban Moscow, killing 145 people.

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The affiliate of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan that claimed responsibility for Marchs raid quickly praised the attack in Dagestan, saying it was conducted by brothers in the Caucasus who showed that they are still strong.

Dagestan governor Sergei Melikov, centre, visits the damaged the Kele-Numaz synagogue in Derbent (The Telegram Channel of the head of Dagestan Republic of Russia via AP)

The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War argued that the Islamic State groups North Caucasus branch, Vilayat Kavkaz, was likely to have been behind the attack, describing it as complex and co-ordinated.

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Dagestan governor Sergei Melikov blamed members of Islamic sleeper cells directed from abroad, but did not give any other details.

He said in a video statement that the assailants aimed at sowing panic and fear, and attempted to link the attack to Moscows military action in Ukraine  but also provided no evidence.

Russian president Vladimir Putin had sought to blame the March attack on Ukraine, again without evidence and despite the claim of responsibility by the Islamic State affiliate. Kyiv has vehemently denied any involvement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Mr Putin has received reports on Sundays attacks and efforts to help the victims.

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FSB officers conduct a counter-terrorist operation in Dagestan, Russia (The National Antiterrorism Committee via AP)

The Investigative Committee, the countrys top state criminal investigation agency, said all five attackers were killed. Of the 19 people killed, 15 were police.

Among the dead was the Rev Nikolai Kotelnikov, a 66-year-old Russian Orthodox priest at a church in Derbent. The attackers slit his throat before setting fire to the church, according to Shamil Khadulayev, deputy head of a local public oversight body.

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The attack came as the Orthodox faithful celebrated Pentecost, also known as Trinity Sunday.

The Kele-Numaz synagogue in Derbent was also set ablaze.

Shortly after the attacks in Derbent, militants fired at a police post in Makhachkala and attacked a Russian Orthodox Church and a synagogue there before being hunted down and killed by special forces.

Medical authorities in Dagestan said 16 people, including 13 police, were hospitalised with injuries, and with four officers in grave condition.

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Russian news reports said the attackers included the two sons and a nephew of Magomed Omarov, the head of the main Kremlins party United Russias regional branch in Dagestan. Mr Omarov was detained by police for interrogation, and United Russia quickly dismissed him from its ranks.

In the early 2000s, Dagestan saw near-daily attacks on police and other authorities that was blamed on militant extremists. After the emergence of the Islamic State group, many residents of the region joined it in Syria and Iraq.

The violence in Dagestan has abated in recent years, but in a sign that extremist sentiments still run high in the region, mobs rioted at an airport there in October, targeting a flight from Israel.

Dagestan governor Sergei Melikov, centre, comforts a priest as he visits the Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Derbent after the attack (The Telegram Channel of the administration of the head of Dagestan Republic of Russia via AP)

More than 20 people were hurt  none of them Israelis  when hundreds of men, some carrying banners with antisemitic slogans, rushed onto the runway, chased passengers and threw stones at police.

The airport rampage challenged the Kremlins narrative that ethnic and religious groups co-exist in harmony in Russia.

After Marchs Moscow concert hall attack, Russias top security agency reported that it had broken up what it called a terrorist cell in southern Russia and arrested four of its members who had provided weapons and cash to suspected attackers in Moscow.
The number of deaths during this year's hajj pilgrimage totalled 1,301 people, Saudi Arabia's health minister Fahad Al-Jalajel said on Sunday.

The minister, quoted by state television, said that deaths were caused by pilgrims "walking long distances under direct sunlight without adequate shelter or comfort".

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Fatalities also included a number of elderly people and those suffering from chronic diseases. Some 83 per cent of the fatalities were among people who were not authorised to make the pilgrimage, he said.

Most of dead were Egyptians. Security and medical sources said on Sunday that the Egyptian death toll had risen to 672 and another 25 were missing.

A total of 236 Indonesians died, according to Indonesian government data, while India's External Affairs agency said 98 Indian citizens died during hajj.

Further deaths were reported by Tunisia, Jordan, Iran, and Senegal. Tunisian president Kais Saied sacked Brahim Chaibi, the minister of religious affairs, following widespread criticism after the deaths of dozens of Tunisians taking part in the Hajj pilgrimage, the presidency said on Friday.

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Medical team members evacuate a Muslim pilgrim, affected by the soarching heat, at the base of Mount Arafat. Photo: Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images

An Egyptian crisis unit tasked with investigating the situation said on Saturday it has suspended licences of 16 tourism companies and referred them to the public prosecutor, accusing them of being responsible for deaths it said were mainly among pilgrims not registered under the official system.

The unit said 31 deaths were confirmed as a result of chronic illness among officially registered pilgrims.

Climate scientists say the deaths offer a glimpse of what is to come for the tens of millions of Muslims expected in coming decades to undertake the hajj.

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"The hajj has been conducted in a certain way for more than 1,000 years now, and it's always been a hot climate," said Carl-Friedrich Schleussner, a scientific advisor at German institute Climate Analytics. "But ... the climate crisis is adding to the severity of the climate conditions".

During the hajj to the Kaaba, a cube-shaped stone structure at the Grand Mosque, pilgrims perform religious rites as taught by the Prophet Mohammad to his followers 14 centuries ago.

Integral parts of the hajj, Schleussner said, such as the ritual climb of Mount Arafat, have become "incredibly dangerous to human health."

The timing of the hajj is determined by the lunar year, which sees the pilgrimage move back by 10 days annually. While the hajj is now moving towards winter, by the 2040s it will coincide with the peak of summer in Saudi Arabia.

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"It is going to be very fatal," said Fahad Saeed, a climate scientist at Climate Analytics based in Pakistan.

Heat-related deaths along the hajj are not new, and have been recorded back to the 1400s.

A lack of acclimatisation to higher temperature, intense physical exertion, exposed spaces, and an older population makes pilgrims vulnerable.

Last year, more than 2,000 people suffered from heat stress, according to Saudi officials.

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An aerial view shows Mecca's Grand Mosque with the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site. Photo: Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images

The situation will get much worse as the world warms, scientists said.

Saeed and Schleussner published a 2021 study in the journal Environmental Research Letters which found that if the world warms by 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, heat stroke risk for pilgrims on the hajj will be five times greater.

The world is on track to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming in the 2030s.

"People are very religiously motivated. For some of them, it is a once in a lifetime affair," Saeed said, as each country receives a limited number of slots. "If they get a chance, they go for it."

In 2016, Saudi Arabia published a heat strategy that included constructing shaded areas, establishing drinking water points every 500 metres, and improving healthcare capacity.

Saudi health authorities warned pilgrims to stay hydrated and avoid being outdoors between 11am and 3pm during this hajj.

Pakistani pilgrim Mustafa said he had to push his 75-year-old mother in a wheelchair. When they tried to rest, they were told by police to keep moving, he said.

"I was amazed to see that there were no efforts made by the Saudi government to provide any shelter or any water," Mustafa said.

An Egyptian medical source said the highest death tolls were among pilgrims who were not formally registered with hajj authorities and were forced to stay on the streets, exposed to heat.

Egyptian pilgrim Sameh Al-Zayni said he received water from Saudi authorities, and a witness saw Saudi police handing out water and spraying crowds to cool them down.

Spraying water is only effective at temperatures below about 35 degrees Celsius, scientists said. If temperatures are too high, spraying water does not help and can add to the risk in humid conditions when people struggle to shed heat through sweating.  Reuters
Millions of Americans have sweated through a scorching weekend as temperatures soared across the US, while residents were rescued from floodwaters that forced evacuations across the Midwest.

One person was killed during flooding in South Dakota, the governor said.

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From the mid-Atlantic to Maine, across the Great Lakes region, and throughout the West to California, public officials warned residents about the dangers of excessive heat and humidity.



South Dakotas Riverdale Park is underwater (AP)

At the borders of South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota, floodwaters rose over several days. In north-west Iowa, 13 rivers flooded the area, said Eric Tigges of Clay County emergency management.

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Entire neighbourhoods  and at least one entire town  were evacuated, and the Iowa town of Spencer imposed a curfew on Sunday for the second night in a row after flooding that surpassed the record set in 1953.

Mr Tiggs said: When the flood gauge is underwater, its really high.





Recent torrential rainfalls over N/NW Iowa, S Minnesota, SE South Dakota have lead to widespread areal and river floods on portions of the Upper Des Moines and Cedar River basins.



This includes near-record to record river crests forecast along the Upper Des Moines River. #iawx pic.twitter.com/PDdPDSVMNR Advertisement  NWS Des Moines (@NWSDesMoines) June 23, 2024

Governor Kim Reynolds declared a disaster for 21 counties in northern Iowa, including Sioux County. In drone video posted by the local sheriff, no streets were visible, just roofs and treetops poking above the water.

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National Guard troops were helping with water rescues and transporting medication that was lost in flooding.

Businesses are shuttered. Main streets have been impacted, Ms Reynolds said. Hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities were evacuated. Cities are without power, and some are without drinkable water.

National Weather Service meteorologist Donna Dubberke said parts of northern Nebraska, south-eastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota and north-west Iowa received eight times the typical average rainfall. More heavy rain was expected this week.



Days of heavy rain led to flooding in Sioux Falls, South Dakota (AP)

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In South Dakota, governor Kristi Noem declared an emergency after severe flooding in the south-eastern part. Several major roads were closed.

Areas south of Sioux Falls, the states largest city, had an estimated 10 to 15in of rain over three days, National Weather Service hydrologist Kevin Low said.

At least one person died in the floods, Ms Noem said on Sunday, without providing details.

Several rivers, including the Big Sioux, James and Vermillion, were expected to peak sometime between Monday and Wednesday night, the governor said at a news conference.





Very warm conditions are expected through Thu, w/ 100+ degree highs over the interior. There is a risk of heat-related illnesses  an increased threat of grassfires. Slight chance of Tstms today  tonight. Use caution w/any source of fire or spark! #firewx #cawx pic.twitter.com/1zk7krKD0e  NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) June 23, 2024

I want to remind everybody to remember the power of water and the flow of water, and to stay away from flooded areas, Ms Noem said.

Weve got a few days in front of us here thatll be a little rough, but well get through it.

Emergency management officials in the small South Dakota community of Dakota Dunes on Sunday issued a voluntary evacuation order for the areas roughly 4,000 residents.

Dakota Dunes is near the Nebraska and Iowa borders and is sandwiched between the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers, both of which are expected to crest in the coming days. Emergency management in Dakota Dunes warned residents that a mandatory evacuation could come quickly if flood barriers are breached.

Minor to moderate flooding was expected along the Missouri River, according to officials with the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Elsewhere, heat was the biggest worry.

Bruce Thoren, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oklahoma, said: Its more important for people who are going to be outside to stay hydrated, because heat, humidity and low winds, even if youre in good shape and not really acclimated to it, it could be a danger.

It happens quickly.

The cities of Washington, DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia all saw record heat on over the weekend.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has cautiously welcomed the news that Julian Assange could be released, telling caucus members a court proceeding was scheduled after work by Australian government figures on the matter.

Albanese said Australian diplomats including Stephen Smith in London and Kevin Rudd in Washington DC had been working with the United States administration to gain the outcome.

However, he said it was not appropriate to go into full detail while proceedings were underway.

The comments to the Labor caucus meeting on Tuesday morning reflected the caution inside the government about assuming the proceedings run smoothly and Assange is released.

Albanese told the caucus the issue needed to be brought to a conclusion but he did not make forecasts about the outcome.
A man is fighting for his life after his head was impaled by a sizeable piece of wood during a boat crash on the Gold Coast.

The 47-year-old was with two other men in a dinghy that careered into an unoccupied yacht anchored at the Esplanade on Sunday. During the collision, a large splinter of wood penetrated the mans head behind his right eye.

Gold Coast Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles said the three men sought help at a nearby dock.

There was an off-duty doctor there at the time and the men had attempted, or were talking about, trying to remove the impaling piece of wood from the mans head, he told reporters on Monday.

Fortunately, this doctor was there to intervene.
Victoria Police derailed the career of a veteran officer who questioned the forces decision to trial women-only gym sessions at its training academy in Glen Waverley, according to a scathing review by an independent government authority.

An inquiry by the Police Registration and Services Board found that Detective Senior Constable Brad McPherson had been effectively stood down and suspended for almost 18 months because of three online posts about the forces policy on equality and inclusion.

Victoria Police has been told to reinstate the man. Credit: Paul Rovere

The boards president, Andrea Lester, accused Victoria Police and several senior officers of acting in a capricious, punitive and unconscionable manner, before urging Chief Commissioner Shane Patton to implement a range of organisational changes.

She recommended McPherson be allowed to return to work immediately.
Senators have delayed a vote on saving money in the National Disability Insurance Scheme, sparking claims the hold-up will cost taxpayers $1 billion at a time when some of them will be on a study tour in the United States and Brazil.

The Greens and Liberals joined forces in parliament on Monday to postpone the vote on the overhaul until at least August, in the latest upset to a reform plan that has worried NDIS recipients and angered state premiers.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten has vowed to scale back the strong growth in spending on the NDIS by cutting fraud and imposing tougher checks on programs. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten blamed the senators for adding $1 billion to the cost of the scheme, saying savings would be delayed while some headed overseas for cocktails in Copacabana when they should be doing their jobs in parliament.

His claims triggered a rebuke from Senate NDIS committee members who said they needed to hear from participants in the scheme at two more public hearings and consider potential amendments to the draft law.
Matt Kean was heading home on the train one Friday afternoon five weeks ago when his mobile phone lit up with an unexpected call from federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

Kean, the former Liberal NSW treasurer and energy minister, was in a crowded carriage on Sydneys north shore line and unprepared for what Bowen was about to suggest: a new job at the peak agency setting climate change targets for the country.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen (right) has helped recruit a senior Liberal, and a public critic of nuclear power, in a way that reminds voters of the gulf within the Coalition on energy and climate. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Bowen had to wait for Kean to hop off the train at the next stop and find some privacy at the far end of Chatswood Station before they could talk undisturbed about a role that would outrage federal Liberals and Nationals, who believe one of their own has joined the enemy.

With his direct criticism of nuclear energy on Monday, Kean has infuriated the federal Coalition even though his public remarks were entirely in keeping with his policy support for wind and solar when he was energy minister and treasurer in the previous NSW government.
The Albanese government has also committed $20 billion to underwrite transmission-line construction and has set up a fund called the Capacity Investment Scheme, estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars. It will underwrite new renewable projects, and if private investors fail to achieve forecast returns, taxpayers could be on the hook to subsidise operations but will get a cut of the profits when they exceed a set threshold. Nuclear energy will deliver cheaper power bills: False Dutton said on Wednesday last week his plan would see Australia achieve our three goals of cheaper, cleaner and consistent power. The opposition has committed to release the costings of their plan before the next election. Many experts disagree with Duttons claim, arguing nuclear power delivers the most expensive form of electricity.

The same report cited by the opposition for a $1 trillion cost of the renewables rollout says there is no role for nuclear power in Australias energy mix. Loading We only see a potential role for nuclear electricity generation if its cost falls sharply and the growth of renewables is constrained, said Net Zero Australias report in July last year. Internationally recognised financial services firm Lazard also found renewable energy sources continued to be much cheaper than nuclear. It said onshore wind was the cheapest, with a cost between $US25 and $US73 per megawatt hour. The second cheapest was large-scale solar at between $US29 and $US92. Nuclear was the most expensive, at between $US145 and $US222. The CSIRO found the cheapest electricity would come from a grid that draws 90 per cent of its power from renewables, which would supply electricity for a cost of between $89 and $128 per megawatt hour by 2030  factoring in $40 billion in transmission lines and batteries to back up renewables.

CSIRO calculated that a large-scale nuclear reactor would supply power for $136 to $226 per megawatt hour by 2040. The renewables rollout needs 28,000 kilometres of transmission lines: False Labor has promised 28,000 kilometres of new poles and wires, theres no transparency on where that will go, and weve been very clear about the fact that we dont believe in that model, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said last week. The AEMO releases a document each year called the Integrated System Plan, after consulting private industry, that details a road map of what the most efficient energy system will look like in coming years, including new infrastructure, up to 2050.

The Integrated System Plan includes directives set by policymakers, such as the Albanese governments commitment to reach 82 per cent of energy generation coming from renewables by 2030, and to hit net zero emissions by 2050. The most recent plan, from January, says about 5000 kilometres of transmission lines are needed in the next 10 years to deliver the Albanese governments goals, including 4000 kilometres of new lines and upgrading 1000 kilometres of existing lines. The AEMO said 10,000 kilometres of transmission lines would be needed for Australia to reach net zero by 2050. The 28,000-kilometre figure cited by the opposition resembles the 26,000 kilometres of transmission the AEMO said would be needed by 2050 if Australia was to transform its economy to a clean energy export powerhouse, including large-scale production of green hydrogen and decarbonisation of other industrial processes. The first reactor would be built before 2037: Questionable

The opposition says if elected, they would build a nuclear reactor and have it hooked up to the grid within 12 years of forming a government. Its nuclear energy policy document, released last week, states that depending on what technology it chooses to prioritise, a large-scale reactor would start generating electricity by 2037 and a small modular reactor by 2035. Small modular reactors are a developing design not yet in commercial production. Loading This rollout would be as quick as anywhere in the world. The United Arab Emirates has set the global pace. It announced in 2008 that it would build four reactors under contract from Korean company KEPCO. Construction began in 2012, and the first reactor connected to the grid in 2020. There are significant differences between the UAE and Australia. The former is a dictatorship without comparable labour laws or planning regulations that relies on cheap imported labour, whereas the latter has rigorous workforce protections, environmental laws and planning processes.

Opposition energy spokesman Ted OBrien said a Coalition government would establish a Nuclear Energy Co-ordinating Authority that would assess each of the seven nuclear sites it had identified and determine what specific type of reactor would be built where, while also committing to 2 years of community consultation. A new safety and management regime would need to be developed, and parliament would have to repeal the current federal ban on nuclear energy within this timeframe. If the Coalition forms government in May next year, following the consultation phase, it assumes construction could begin in late 2027 and would take 10 years for a large-scale reactor. That is far quicker than other Western nations have achieved recently. The UKs Hinkley Point nuclear plant began construction in 2018 and is not expected to be completed until at least 2030. The only reactor now under construction in France is the Flamanville EPR. Construction began in 2007 and it is incomplete. A reactor at Olkiluoto Island, Finland, began in 2005 and was completed in 2022. The annual waste from a reactor fits into a Coke can: False Opposition Leader Peter Duttons claim that the annual waste generated by a small modular reactor amounts to the size of a Coke can is incorrect, experts say, with such facilities likely to generate multiple tonnes of high-level radioactive waste each year.

If you look at a 450-megawatt reactor, it produces waste equivalent to the size of a can of Coke each year, Dutton said on Tuesday. Multiple experts told this masthead a 450-megawatt reactor referenced by Dutton would generate many tonnes of waste a year. Loading Large-scale reactors, which have been deployed in 32 countries around the world, have a typical capacity of 1000 megawatts and generate about 30 tonnes of used fuel a year. This includes high-level radioactive waste toxic to humans for tens of thousands of years, and weapons-grade plutonium. Small modular reactors are still under commercial development, and expert opinion is divided over whether they would produce more or less waste per unit of energy compared to a large reactor.
Australians will be able to buy plain-packaged nicotine vapes from pharmacies without a prescription from October after the Albanese government walked back its world-leading plan to outlaw all e-cigarette sales without a doctors prescription.

Health Minister Mark Butler on Monday struck a deal with the Greens to water down a proposed vape ban so that his legislation, which will introduce tough penalties for unlicensed shops selling illegal vapes, can pass the Senate. The original hardline proposal that would have required a GP script did not have the clear support of the Greens or Coalition.

Health Minister Mark Butler during a press conference on vaping restrictions earlier this year. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The changes are a significant concession from Butler, who has invested political capital in the success of the world-first prescription-only model as he warned vapes are a cynical ploy from Big Tobacco to hook a new generation on nicotine.

While the health minister on Monday said he had engaged constructively with the crossbench, the Coalition labelled Butlers amendments a backdown.
State comparisons

In the latest Hotspotting research, NSW leads with 26 suburbs making the cut, followed by 10 suburbs in Victoria, six in South Australia, five in Queensland, and three in the ACT. Last year, Western Australia had more than a third of all supercharged suburbs but did not secure any entries this year.
Musashi Auto Parts India, a subsidiary of Japanese auto parts giant Musashi Seimitsu Industries, has announced plans to significantly increase localisation for its electric vehicle (EV) components from the current 10 per cent to 60-70 per cent by the end of the financial year. To support this, Musashi India has invested Rs 160 crore for the mass production of EV two-wheeler e-axles at its Bangalore facility.

A total of Rs 60 crore of this investment has been allocated towards setting up the new assembly lines for both motor and driving units. This investment would also be utilised
The maiden, critical mineral auction in India has failed to enthuse the mining industry, with the first tranche achieving less than a 50 per cent success rate and the auction of several mines was cancelled owing to low response.

The results, announced by the Ministry of Mines on Monday, showed that six lesser-known companies emerged as preferred bidders. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

Among these were Agrasen Sponge, Kundan Gold Mines, Dalmia Bharat Refractories, Sagar Stone Industries, and Maiki South Mining.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy announced the results and launched the fourth round of auction of critical and strategic minerals in which 21 blocks have been put on sale.

This round of auction is a step towards self-sufficiency in the critical minerals sector, Reddy said during the launch event in New Delhi.

The auction, by the Centre, is intended to boost the domestic production of crucial minerals and reduce dependence on import. However, the absence of major players has raised questions about the attractiveness and feasibility of the blocks offered.





The lacklustre response is due to the lack of clarity on the potential data of the reserves. Nobody wants to invest when there is no data available on the reserves. Whether these companies have the capability to mine is a big question now. These companies may also fail to do mining, an industry player said.

The development comes days after the ministry cancelled the auction for 14 of the 18 blocks of critical minerals launched in the second tranche on February 29.

According to a Mines Ministry notice dated June 21, five of the 14 blocks cancelled did not receive any bidders, while nine got fewer than the mandatory minimum of three bidders.

This is not the first time the Centre has cancelled an auction due to limited interest from bidders; in the first tranche, the ministry had to cancel 14 of the 20 blocks put up for auctioning.

The six blocks announced include deposits of graphite, manganese, phosphorite, lithium, and rare earth elements located in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

The highest auction premium of 400 per cent was for Uttar Pradeshs phosphorite block, awarded to Sagar Stone. The lithium block of Chhattisgarh was awarded to the Maiki South Mining at an auction premium of 76.05 per cent.

An auction premium refers to the additional financial commitment that a bidder agrees to pay over and above a predetermined base price or reserve price set by the government or the auctioning authority. This premium is typically expressed as a percentage of the mineral revenue generated from mining operations.

The ministry handed over the certificates to two newly notified private exploration agencies (NPEAs) in the programme. With the notification of these two private agencies, the number of NPEAs has increased to 22. Till now, 31 projects for different commodities have been taken by the NPEAs from National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) funds, amounting to approximately ~35.23 crore.

The minister handed over the sanction letters of grant of funds to research and development (R&D) institutes and startups. The Ministry of Mines has allocated ~12 crore for R&D projects and ~20 crore for science and technology programme in 2024-25

The ministry also announced a scheme for partially reimbursing exploration expenses of the exploration-licence holders.

Under the scheme, exploration expenditure of up to 50 per cent of the cost, subject to various component-wise limits, will be reimbursed. The concept of exploration licence was introduced through an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) in 2023.

A total of 20 blocks for exploration licence were handed over to Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Trade bodies and chambers of commerce & industry have requested the state government to stress more on ease of doing business in Rajasthan.

In a pre-Budget meeting held a few days ago, these bodies presented various suggestions to make the state investor friendly. Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp

President of the Federation of Rajasthan Trade and Industry (FORTI) Suresh Agarwal said 20-point Budget suggestions have been prepared for the overall development of the state.





ALSO READ: Rajasthan govt plans investor summit in Jaipur to develop solar power Under this, suggestions were presented such as making a warehouse and logistics policy, improving infrastructure facilities like better roads, sewerage, encroachment free land and water in industrial areas and making industrial plots freehold instead of leasehold. They also called for extending the new phase of Jaipur Metro to Vishwakarma Industrial Area Road number 14 and developing an exhibition centre on Sikar Road in north of Jaipur.

A demand was made by the All Rajasthan Trade and Industry Association (ARTIA) to make Rajasthan a centre for research and innovation and a hub for global standard education.

Prem Biyani, executive president of ARTIA, said, We have demanded the establishment of agriculture and dairy processing clusters in all panchayat samitis of the state.

Banechand Jain of All Rajasthan Agriculture Trade and Industries Association said he had submitted a six-point memorandum to the government, which includes providing various facilities on Ajmer Road, which has the highest development potential in Jaipur.

He also sought a goods and services tax (GST) reduction from 18 per cent to 5 per cent on submersible pumps, winding wires, cable panels and their parts used in irrigation so that farmers can get irrigation equipment at cheaper rates.

Suggestions were also presented by the Hotel Association of Rajasthan to make the state a global tourism destination by 2047.

Rannvijay Singh of the association said the unit tourism policy 2024 must be launched soon, a tourism board should be formed, a policy to preserve the heritage of the state must be prepared and new areas of tourism should be developed, among others.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas visit to India just a fortnight after she attended the third inauguration of Narendra Modis prime ministership underlined the mutuality of geopolitical interests between the two neighbours that enjoy deep historical links and cordial relations despite blips over a Teesta river water-sharing agreement and the issue of illegal immigration. Ms Hasina is the first foreign leader to visit India after the formation of the new government in New Delhi. Recently sworn in for a historic fifth term as Prime Minister, Ms Hasina is seeking to rebalance Bangladeshs asymmetric relations with China, and
Ancient creatures dating back 500 mln years inhabit secluded Nanping Island in Zhanjiang, S China's Guangdong

People's Daily Online) 10:10, June 24, 2024

Photo shows an aerial view of Nanping Island, a small island in Zhanjiang city, south China's Guangdong Province. (Photo/WeChat account of the publicity department of the Communist Party of China Zhanjiang Municipal Committee)

Nanping Island, a small and unassuming island in Zhanjiang city, south China's Guangdong Province, is home to two precious species of ancient creatures that have lived on Earth for 500 million years - lancelets and horseshoe crabs.

Lancelets, a transitional form between invertebrates and vertebrates, have been dubbed vertebrate evolutionary "living fossils," while horseshoe crabs are believed to be Earth's sole remaining blue-blooded "living fossils."

These two species of "living fossils" have outlived even dinosaurs, and retained their prehistoric appearances. They are now both under second-class national protection in China.

A lancelet hides in the sand, with half of its body exposed. (Photo/CCTV)

Lancelets, also known as amphioxi, appeared in the oceans 500 million years ago, and are the earliest chordates  the predecessors to all vertebrates.

The creatures have a tiny translucent fish-like body measuring 3 to 5 centimeters long and a primitive notochord. They have remained virtually unchanged over the last 500 million years, providing key insights into vertebrate evolution.

Since China has listed the animals as a national second-class protected species, they are promptly released whenever accidentally caught by fisherpeople, according to local fisherpeople in Zhanjiang.

Photo shows horseshoe crabs on a beach. (Photo courtesy of the interviewees)

Horseshoe crabs, the other ancient animal species that enjoys the island's pristine ecology, are the only creatures with blue blood that still roam Earth after nearly 500 million years.

Horseshoe crabs' unique blue blood contains bioactive compounds that can combat bacteria, viruses, and even cancerous cells, making it a vital ingredient in medical testing.

Chinese horseshoe crabs mature extremely slowly, taking over a decade to reach adulthood. Their larvae have exacting environmental requirements for environmental factors such as temperature and salinity.

Photo shows an aerial view of part of Nanping Island, a small island in Zhanjiang city, south China's Guangdong Province. (Photo/WeChat account of the publicity department of the Communist Party of China Zhanjiang Municipal Committee)

Covering an area of 0.73 square kilometers, the elongated Nanping Island lies between Zhanjiang's Donghai Island and Naozhou Island. It stretches about 7 kilometers, with its broadest point less than a kilometer wide, giving it the nickname "jade belt beach."

Despite its sound ecological environment and stunning natural scenery, the island is seldom visited, due to limited connections with the outside world, according to a scientific research team from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangdong.

Photo shows a primitive notochord in a lancelet, which represents a transitional form between invertebrates and vertebrates. (Photo/CCTV)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Australia could impose billion dollar fines on big supermarket chains that fail to comply with an industry code of conduct, the federal government said on Monday as it seeks to address concerns that suppliers have been unfairly squeezed on pricing.

Grocers with more than A$5 billion ($3.3 billion) in annual revenue - currently Woolworths, Coles, Germany's ALDI and wholesaler Metcash - will be made to comply with the code of conduct that has until now been voluntary, the federal government said.

Click here to connect with us on WhatsApp The move comes after a report by former competition minister Craig Emerson found the current code was "failing to address the imbalance of bargaining power between supermarkets and their suppliers, including farmers", the federal government said.



The supermarkets will face fines of up to 10 per cent of annual turnover for breaches of the code which mainly covers dealings with suppliers.



Woolworths reported Australian food sales of A$48 billion in 2023, Coles took A$37 billion and Metcash had A$10 billion. ALDI does not disclose its earnings.



"This is about getting a fair go for families and a fair go for farmers," a joint statement by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, agriculture minister Murray Watt and competition minister Andrew Leigh said.



The federal government will prioritise passing laws to make the code mandatory, it said in a separate statement.



The review is one of six government inquiries into the country's supermarket sector which commentators say is one of the most concentrated industries in the world. Woolworths and Coles, the No. 1 and No. 2 grocers, together sell two-thirds of all Australian groceries.



Representatives for Woolworths and Coles said their companies would consider the report's recommendations and the government's response and were committed to supporting a sustainable grocery sector.



An ALDI Australia spokesperson said the company supported making the code of conduct mandatory and was reviewing the final recommendations.



A Metcash spokesperson said the company was committed to the code of conduct and would keep working with suppliers to be their partner of choice.



The National Farmers Federation said the changes would make it easier for grocery suppliers to speak up when they believed a large customer was misusing its market power to drive wholesale prices lower.



"These changes should finally give the code the clout it needs to protect farmers," the federation's acting CEO, Charlie Thomas, said.



"To protect growers we need a code with strong enough deterrents to influence behavior in the supply chain." A separate inquiry into consumer pricing by the Australian Competition and Commission is due to report in February 2025.



(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The percentage of those using a condom for their first sexual experience in India has risen by more than a third since 2006 to 59%

India recorded the highest rates of satisfaction globally, as 76% stated they were satisfied physically and 73% reported being satisfied emotionally.



The percentage of people in India using a condom during their first sexual experience has risen by 37% since 2006, to 59% in 2024, according to Durexs latest Global Sex Survey.

Durex is now present at 2 billion sexual occasions globally each year1 and, over the last two decades, more than 118,000 people across the world have participated in its Global Sex Survey. The latest 2024 edition* was conducted in 36 countries.



The fourth edition of the world's most comprehensive sexual health and wellbeing survey, in celebration of Durexs 95th anniversary, found that condoms remain the most popular method of contraception, especially with first timers. Globally, 55% of respondents used condoms during their first sexual experiences, up 34% from 2006.



This is especially important because those who use condoms during their first sexual experience are nearly three times more likely to continue using them in the future.

Greater satisfaction

The latest data has unveiled that levels of sexual satisfaction have increased across the world, as 57% of respondents stated they are emotionally satisfied and 56% said they were physically satisfied with their sex lives, marking a 12% rise in emotional satisfaction and a 21% rise in physical satisfaction since 2006. India recorded the highest rates of satisfaction globally, as 76% stated they were satisfied physically and 73% reported being satisfied emotionally.



Globally, those who are sexually active and use Durex across the world are 25% more satisfied with their sex lives than those who dont. As the #1 condom and lube brand globally2, Durex contributes to enhancing sexual pleasure and freedom  it will continue to do so through compelling and powerful communication and education.



Ben Wilson, Intimate Wellness Global Category Director at Durex-owner Reckitt, said: Its encouraging to see that so many people are enjoying a satisfying, fulfilling sex life in many of the countries who took part in this years survey. We know that intimate wellness can be a significant contributor to overall health, and were committed to ensuring everyone has a sex life they feel positive about. Durex has been a pioneer of innovation and cultural leadership for 95 years, and were only just getting started. With exciting innovations and an ever-increasing understanding of what consumers really want, the next 95 years will help us bring great sex to even more people around the world.



1 Estimate based on Reckitt internal condom foil production data full year 2023.

2 NIELSENIQ based on value sales in 36 countries for the 12 month period ending 31 December 2023.
Buying illegal tobacco products is in danger of becoming normalized, with 43% of adult smokers surveyed comfortable buying cigarettes, even if they know they are produced or sold illegally.

Governments inability to collect tax revenue due to the illegal tobacco trade is a significant issue for 88% of respondents.

Around half of the respondents cite illegal tobacco trade as being a threat to their country.

61% of respondents do not believe that the sale of illegal tobacco is a victimless crime.



The new study Fighting the Dark Underworld: How the illegal trade in tobacco threatens to overwhelm us, by Intrinsic Insight and commissioned by JTI, sheds new light on the pervasiveness of organized crime within global society, focusing on four countries with high levels of illicit tobacco trade: Canada, France, Philippines, and the United Kingdom.

The report, released today, examines the dark underworld and how unstable geo-political environments, fragile economies and a lack of serious deterrents creates the ideal conditions for a surge in criminal activity and increased profits for criminal networks. The report highlights key indicators  found across the four countries  that are allowing illegal trade to flourish.

A combination of factors ranging from poor border controls and ineffective penalties to corruption, excessive taxation and legislation, are contributing to both the increase in demand for illicit products while making it easier for criminals to grow substantial criminal empires, said Vincent Byrne, Global Anti-Illicit Trade Operations Director, JTI.

1. Cost of living crisis leads to black market purchasing decisions

Compromised living standards are forcing greater numbers of consumers into making difficult lifestyle decisions, creating ripe environments for criminals to push a larger number of smokers towards cheaper illegal channels and illegal products. Buying illegal tobacco products is in danger of becoming normalized behavior, with four in 10 (43%) adult smokers surveyed across these four countries now finding themselves comfortable with the idea of buying cigarettes, even if they know they are produced or sold illegally.

2. Excessive taxation and loss in government revenue globally funds criminal activity

As illegal sales continue to bombard the legal tobacco market, governments are facing a decline in tax revenue. According to the World Bank, governments globally are estimated to be losing out on 40-50 billion USD annually in excise alone due to consumers being lured into buying illegal tobacco products. According to 88% surveyed, governments inability to collect tax revenue because of illegal trade is a significant issue.

3. Rapid technological progress is a challenge to enforcement

The criminal shift towards e-commerce and the advancement of Artificial Intelligence is leading to an increased sophistication of production, distribution, and sale of illegal goods. Of those adult smokers surveyed, 14% have claimed to have recently purchased illegal tobacco via social channels.

4. Not cracking down on illegal tobacco trade to curb other serious crime

Not only is the money being lost to governments, thus limiting their capacity to fund public services such as law enforcement and important public services, the illegal tobacco trade is a direct gateway to other serious crime such as people trafficking and terrorism. The study found that policy makers underestimate the extent of the worry for the public, with 50% of respondents citing illegal tobacco trade as being a threat to their country, which is close to parity with those citing drugs/narcotics (54%) and terrorism (49%) as national dangers. The sale of illegal tobacco is not a victimless crime, according to 61% of those surveyed.

5. Existing penalties are not severe enough to deter criminals

More collaboration is needed to crack down on illegal trade and its intricate international criminal networks. According to 61% surveyed, authorities are not taking the situation as seriously as they should. The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime estimates that no more than 2% of global shipping containers are inspected, signaling to criminal gangs that illegal trade is a relatively risk free enterprise with large financial upsides.

While the drivers fueling illegal trade are evident in each of the four countries, they have global impact, Byrne said. Given the borderless nature of illegal trade, in the future, countries that currently do not have an illicit tobacco problem, are advised to notice the triggers to avoid the onset and spread of criminality linked to illicit trade in their countries.

A synopsis of the situation in the four countries and consolidation of key report findings includes:

Canada: Contraband tobacco has spread unchecked across the country to the detriment of revenue receipts due to serious disparities in tax harmonization because of Canadas geography and complicated relationship with First Nation states.

In Canada, the high volume of tobacco products produced by First Nation states is a major anomaly that drives illegal trade there. This bears a similarity to free trade zones such as those that exist in places like the UAE. Tobacco produced legally in these zones often ends up in other jurisdictions where it then becomes an illegal product.

The report found that for 57% of Canadians, the economy and general cost of living is one of their top five concerns.

Seven out of ten (71%) Canadians believe that the proceeds of the illegal tobacco trade should fund law enforcement.

Eight out of ten (81%) Canadians believe government should work with industry to combat illegal trade.



France: High levels of taxation, an absence of border controls and issues of affordability caused by rising living costs are having a big impact on the increase in illegal trade. The French governments cornerstone policy in the run up to this summers 2024 Paris Olympics is to remove illegal tobacco sellers from the streets and has pledged to impose stronger fines, penalties, and arrests of street sellers. Cracking down on clandestine factories is also a focus for government.

The report found that one in three members of the French public cite local crime as one of their top five concerns.

Seven out of ten (76%) French nationals feel that the sale of illegal and fake tobacco by street vendors makes their neighborhoods less safe.



Philippines: In a recent re-classification of tobacco as an agricultural product, the Philippines Congress has passed amendments to the countrys agricultural bill that established the smuggling of tobacco as an act of economic sabotage. This amendment, which is expected to be signed into law by the President, includes harsher penalties and fines, and it has the potential to have a significant impact on smuggling and the illegal distribution of tobacco products in Philippines.

As a result of legislation passed in 2013 (the RA 10351, known locally as the Sin Tax laws), revenues raised through tobacco sales have been used to finance public services. Several independent studies have shown that these laws have created an increase in demand for illegal tobacco and revenue losses for the government.



United Kingdom: While the UK is experiencing its largest ever cost-of-living crisis, with public debt standing at over 184% GDP, and with 11.7 million of the UKs 67 million population living in poverty according to official figures, the UK government  with an upcoming election on July 4  is scrambling for revenue.

The HMRC estimates that in 2021, the loss in revenue to the UK exchequer due to illegal tobacco trade was a steep 2.5 billion GBP, money that could be used to fund the UK economy and social programs, instead of being funneled directly into criminal networks.

While many UK authorities, including Customs & Excise, Trading Standards, Border Force, the Police, and the National Crime Agency, have significant roles to play in tackling illegal trade, often times they have conflicting and overlapping responsibilities and dwindling resources.

Harsher deterrents and penalties are needed for criminals who are only too eager to exploit these loopholes.

The study found that 72% of UK adult tobacco consumers would be happier paying the tax on tobacco products if the Government spent more of these taxes on law enforcement.



In the report, a multi-faceted approach for tackling the dark underworld includes:

Increased cooperation between governments and law enforcement at both international and national levels. This includes information sharing between industry and authorities.

In the case of tobacco, there needs to be a concerted effort to increase the fines and punishments for those producing, distributing, and selling illicit products to increase the risk and consequences for criminals. This should be coupled with stronger enforcement.

Law enforcement agencies should also explore using powers other than anti-smuggling and anti-counterfeiting laws, for example, anti-money laundering, anti-income tax evasion and anti-organized crime laws.

Reasonable and moderate taxation is vital to maintain affordability of legal products.



###

About JTI:

JTI, a member of the JT Group of Companies, is a leading international tobacco company, selling its products in more than 130 markets. It is the global owner of both Winston and Camel, respectively the second and third largest cigarette brands in the world. Other global brands include MEVIUS and LD. JTI is also a major player in the Reduced-Risk Products category with its heated tobacco brand, Ploom, e-cigarette brand, Logic, and Nordic Spirit nicotine pouches. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Company employs over 46,000 people and was awarded Global Top Employer for the tenth consecutive year in 2024. For more information, visit www.jti.com

Methodology Note:

This report combines insight from several sources including a review of existing sector literature and expert qualitative in-depth interviews with academics, policy makers, and law enforcement officials from across the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and the Philippines. Interviews with expert contributors were conducted between November and December 2023.

Additionally, the study includes new findings from n=2,000 survey-based interviews conducted with the public and smokers across the four key markets represented. Quantitative research was conducted by Intrinsic Insight among a nationally representative sample of members of the adult general public in each market between December 1, 2023, and January 12, 2024.

A full list of acknowledgements and sources is included in the reports.

To access the two reports, please click here

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240621113318/en/
Panasonic Life Solutions India Private Limited (PLSIND), a leading player in the distributed solar energy sector, is excited to announce a new partnership with the State Bank of India (SBI), one of Indias most renowned financial institutions. This strategic alliance aims to support the Indian government's ambitious goal of achieving 500GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 by making solar energy solutions more accessible to individuals and businesses.The collaboration between Panasonic and SBI will provide attractive financing options to customers interested in solar energy and help in smoother adoption. This initiative is designed to break down financial barriers, making the transition to sustainable energy more feasible and appealing.The company is targeting specific regions with high solar energy potential to increase market penetration and higher adoption. By offering tailored financing solutions, they aim to encourage a broader adoption of solar energy across the country. This partnership is in line with Panasonic's commitment to promoting sustainable energy solutions, contributing to environmental health, and reducing CO2 emissions.Amit Barve, Business Unit Head, Solar Business Unit (PEWIN), Panasonic Life Solutions India, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership: We are thrilled to partner with SBI to offer our customers innovative financing solutions for solar energy adoption. This collaboration will enable more people to harness the power of solar energy, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future. Together, we aim to make solar energy a viable and attractive option for all and contribute to global cause of CO2 mitigation.This partnership between Panasonic and SBI marks a significant step towards achieving Indias renewable energy goals. By making solar energy more accessible, both organizations are contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.
LIVTENCITY Is the First and Only Post-Transplant Anti-CMV Treatment Approved in Japan That Targets/Inhibits UL97 Protein Kinase 1

CMV Is One of the Most Common and Serious Post-transplant Infections and Can Lead to Secondary Infections and Serious Consequences, Including Loss of Transplanted Organ and Failure of Graft2,3

Takeda (TSE:4502/NYSE:TAK) today announced that LIVTENCITY (maribavir) has been approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for post-transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection/disease that is refractory to existing anti-CMV therapies.4 LIVTENCITY is the first and only post-transplant anti-CMV treatment approved in Japan that targets and inhibits pUL97 kinase and its natural substrates.1

We are pleased by the approval of LIVTENCITY in Japan, which will provide the transplant community with a new option for treatment of post-transplant CMV infection in patients refractory to other therapies, said Yasushi Kajii, Head, R&D Japan Region at Takeda. A diagnosis of CMV infection can be particularly challenging for patients, and serious complications such as increased organ rejection and hospitalization rates can occur, when not successfully treated. We believe LIVTENCITY has the potential to help address the challenges faced by people with post-transplant CMV and transform the treatment landscape for patients in Japan.

The approval is primarily based on the results of the Phase 3 SOLSTICE trial (NCT02931539), which evaluated the safety and efficacy of LIVTENCITY versus alternative antiviral treatments for patients with CMV infection/disease refractory* to prior therapies who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) or solid organ transplant (SOT), and the Japanese Phase 3 open-label study in patients with CMV infection, including those with refractory* CMV infection who underwent HSCT or SOT (NCT05137717).

In the SOLSTICE trial (maribavir n=235, alternative treatments n=117), maribavir showed statistically significant improvement when compared to alternative antiviral treatments at the end of Week 8 for the primary endpoint of confirmed CMV viremia clearancea in post-transplant (HSCT or SOT) adults with refractory* CMV infection.5 Of the 234 patients included in the safety evaluation, adverse reactions (related cases) were observed in 141 patients (60.3%).5

An open-label, multicenter, single-arm study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety in Japanese patients in post-transplant (HSCT or SOT) adultsc (41 randomized, including 3 subjects with CMV infection refractory* to the most recently administered anti-CMV agent). The primary endpoint of CMV viremia clearanceb at the end of Study Week 8 was achieved in 33.3% of patients with refractory* CMV infection.4 Of 41 subjects included in the safety evaluation, adverse reactions (related events) were observed in 36.6% (15 subjects). 4

About LIVTENCITY

LIVTENCITY (maribavir), an orally administered (tablet) anti-CMV compound, is the first and only antiviral agent that targets and inhibits the CMV-specific UL97 protein kinase and thus its natural substrates.1 As of June 2024, LIVTENCITY is approved in more than 30 countries for post-transplant CMV refractory* to prior therapies, including such major markets as Japan, the United States, Canada, Australia, the European Union and China.

LIVTENCITY Product Overview in Japan

Product Name LIVTENCITY 200 mg tablets. Generic Name Maribavir Indications The post-transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection/disease that is refractory to existing anti-CMV therapies. Precautions concerning indications This drug should be administered to post-transplant patients with CMV infection/disease who have responded inadequately to other therapies. Efficacy and safety have not been studied in patients with CMV infection of the central nervous system and CMV retinitis. Based on nonclinical studies, this drug is expected to cross the blood-brain barrier but has low potential to enter the central nervous system. Dosage and Administration Usually, the recommended dosage for adultsc is 400 mg of maribavir to be administered orally twice daily.



About Takedas SOLSTICE Trial

The TAK-620-303 (SOLSTICE) trial (NCT02931539, EudraCT 2015-004725-13) was a Phase 3 global, multicenter, randomized, open-label, active-controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of maribavir treatment compared to investigator-assigned treatment (alternative antiviral therapies) in 352 HSCT and SOT recipients with CMV infections that were refractory* or resistant to one or a combination of the alternative antiviral therapies: ganciclovir, valganciclovir, foscarnet, or cidofovir. Adult patients underwent a 2-week screening period, followed by randomization 2:1 to maribavir (n=235) (400 mg, twice daily) or alternative antiviral treatments (n=117) (as dosed by the investigator) for up to 8 weeks. After completion of the treatment period, subjects entered a 12-week follow-up phase.5 The trials primary efficacy endpoint was confirmed CMV viremia clearance a at the end of Week 8. The key secondary endpoint was confirmed CMV viremia clearance and CMV infection symptom control at the end of Study Week 8 with maintenance of this treatment effect through Study Week 16.5

About Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

CMV is a beta herpesvirus that commonly infects humans; serologic evidence of prior infection can be found in 40-100% of various adult populations.6 CMV typically resides latent and asymptomatic in the body but may reactivate during periods of immunosuppression. Serious disease may occur in individuals with compromised immune systems, which includes patients who receive immunosuppressants associated with various types of transplants including HSCT or SOT.5,7 Out of the estimated 200,000 adult transplants per year globally, CMV is one of the most common viral infections experienced by transplant recipients, with an estimated incidence rate between 16-56% in SOT recipients and 30-80% in HSCT recipients.7,8

In transplant recipients, reactivation of CMV infection can lead to secondary infections and serious consequences, including graft loss and, in extreme cases, can be fatal.2,3,5

About Takeda

Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastrointestinal and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Together with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and advance a new frontier of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan, we are guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet. Our employees in approximately 80 countries and regions are driven by our purpose and are grounded in the values that have defined us for more than two centuries. For more information, visit www.takeda.com.

LIVTENCITY Safety Information

Contraindications

Contraindications include Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients and coadministration with ganciclovir or valganciclovir.

Special warnings and precautions for use

Some maribavir pUL97 resistance-associated substitutions confer cross-resistance to ganciclovir and valganciclovir. CMV DNA levels should be monitored, and resistance mutations should be investigated in patients who do not respond to treatment. Treatment should be discontinued if maribavir resistance mutations are detected.

LIVTENCITY is not expected to be effective in treating CMV CNS infections (e.g. meningoencephalitis).

LIVTENCITY has the potential to increase the concentrations of immunosuppressants that are cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A/P-gp substrates with narrow therapeutic margins (including tacrolimus, cyclosporine, sirolimus and everolimus). The plasma levels of these immunosuppressants must be frequently monitored throughout treatment with LIVTENCITY, especially following initiation and after discontinuation of LIVTENCITY, and doses should be adjusted, as needed.

The concomitant use of LIVTENCITY and certain medicinal products may result in known or potentially significant medicinal product interactions, some of which may lead to:

possible clinically significant adverse reactions from greater exposure of concomitant medicinal products.

reduced therapeutic effect of LIVTENCITY.

Sodium content: This medicinal product contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially sodiumfree.

Pregnancy & Breast-feeding: LIVTENCITY is not recommended during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential not using contraception. Breastfeeding should be discontinued during treatment with LIVTENCITY.

Interactions

Effect of other medicinal products on maribavir: Co-administration of maribavir with strong cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) inducers rifampicin, rifabutin or St. Johns wort is not recommended. If co-administration of maribavir with other strong or moderate CYP3A inducers (e.g., carbamazepine, efavirenz, phenobarbital and phenytoin) cannot be avoided, the maribavir dose should be increased to 1 200 mg twice daily. No dose adjustment is needed when maribavir is coadministered with CYP3A inhibitors.

Effect of maribavir on other medicinal products:If dose adjustments of concomitant medicinal products are made due to treatment with maribavir, doses should be readjusted after treatment with maribavir is completed.

Co-administration of maribavir with valganciclovir and ganciclovir is contraindicated.

Concomitant administration of maribavir and medicinal products that are sensitive substrates of CYP1A2 with a narrow therapeutic window (e.g., tizanidine and theophylline) should be avoided due to the risk for lack of efficacy of CYP1A2 substrates.

When the immunosuppressants tacrolimus, cyclosporine, everolimus or sirolimus are co-administered with maribavir, immunosuppressant levels should be frequently monitored throughout treatment with maribavir, especially following initiation and after discontinuation of maribavir and dose adjusted, when needed.

Caution should be exercised when maribavir and sensitive P-gp substrates (e.g., digoxin, dabigatran) are coadministered. Serum digoxin concentrations should be monitored, and dose of digoxin may need to be reduced, as needed (see Table 1).

Coadministration of maribavir with sensitive BCRP substrates such as rosuvastatin, is expected to increase their exposure and lead to undesirable effects.

Adverse Reactions

Very common (1/10) Taste disturbance, Diarrhoea, Nausea, Vomiting, Fatigue Common (1/100 to <1/10) Headache, Abdominal pain upper, Decreased appetite, Immunosuppressant drug level increased, Weight decreased



The most commonly reported serious adverse reactions were diarrhoea (2%) and nausea, weight decreased, fatigue, immunosuppressant drug level increased, and vomiting (all occurring at < 1%).

Please consult the LIVTENCITY (maribavir) approved label before prescribing, particularly in relation to dosing and treatment monitoring.

For Japan, please consult the LIVTENCITY Japan Package Insert.

For the European Union, please consult the Summary of Products Characteristics (SmPC).

For China, please consult the LIVTENCITY China Package Leaflet.

For full U.S. Prescribing Information, including the approved indication and important safety information, please visit: https://content.takeda.com/?contenttype=pi&product=liv&language=eng&country=usa&documentnumber=1

Important Notice

For the purposes of this notice, press release means this document, any oral presentation, any question and answer session and any written or oral material discussed or distributed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) regarding this release. This press release (including any oral briefing and any question-and-answer in connection with it) is not intended to, and does not constitute, represent or form part of any offer, invitation or solicitation of any offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, exchange, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction. No shares or other securities are being offered to the public by means of this press release. No offering of securities shall be made in the United States except pursuant to registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. This press release is being given (together with any further information which may be provided to the recipient) on the condition that it is for use by the recipient for information purposes only (and not for the evaluation of any investment, acquisition, disposal or any other transaction). Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of applicable securities laws. The companies in which Takeda directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release, Takeda is sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Takeda and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words we, us and our are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any materials distributed in connection with this press release may contain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions regarding Takedas future business, future position and results of operations, including estimates, forecasts, targets and plans for Takeda. Without limitation, forward-looking statements often include words such as targets, plans, believes, hopes, continues, expects, aims, intends, ensures, will, may, should, would, could, anticipates, estimates, projects or similar expressions or the negative thereof. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about many important factors, including the following, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements: the economic circumstances surrounding Takedas global business, including general economic conditions in Japan and the United States; competitive pressures and developments; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; challenges inherent in new product development, including uncertainty of clinical success and decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; uncertainty of commercial success for new and existing products; manufacturing difficulties or delays; fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates; claims or concerns regarding the safety or efficacy of marketed products or product candidates; the impact of health crises, like the novel coronavirus pandemic, on Takeda and its customers and suppliers, including foreign governments in countries in which Takeda operates, or on other facets of its business; the timing and impact of post-merger integration efforts with acquired companies; the ability to divest assets that are not core to Takedas operations and the timing of any such divestment(s); and other factors identified in Takedas most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and Takedas other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available on Takedas website at: https://www.takeda.com/investors/sec-filings-and-security-reports/ or at www.sec.gov. Takeda does not undertake to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule. Past performance is not an indicator of future results and the results or statements of Takeda in this press release may not be indicative of, and are not an estimate, forecast, guarantee or projection of Takedas future results.

Medical Information

This press release contains information about products that may not be available in all countries, or may be available under different trademarks, for different indications, in different dosages, or in different strengths. Nothing contained herein should be considered a solicitation, promotion or advertisement for any prescription drugs including the ones under development.

* Including a subgroup with genotypic resistance to alternative antiviral treatments.

a Defined as confirmed CMV DNA concentration below the lower limit of quantification (<LLOQ; i.e., <137 IU/mL) in two consecutive samples separated by at least five days.

b Defined as confirmed CMV DNA concentration below the lower limit of quantification (<LLOQ; i.e., <34.5 IU/mL) in two consecutive samples separated by at least five days.

c Defined as > 15 years old

 CMV infection symptom control was defined as resolution or improvement of tissue-invasive disease or CMV syndrome for symptomatic patients at baseline, or no new symptoms for patients who were asymptomatic at baseline.

References

Avram S, et al. Novel drug targets in 2021. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery. 2022;21(5):328-328. Ramanan P, Razonable RR. Cytomegalovirus infections in solid organ transplantation: a review. Infection & Chemotherapy. 2013;45(3):260 Camargo JF, Komanduri KV. Emerging concepts in cytomegalovirus infection following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Ther. 2017;10(4):233-238. doi:10.1016/j.hemonc.2017.05.001 LIVTENCITY Package Insert in Japan. Avery R, Alain S, Alexander BD, et al. SOLSTICE Trial Investigators. Maribavir for refractory cytomegalovirus infections with or without resistance post-transplant: results from a phase 3 randomized clinical trial. Clin Infect Dis. 2022;75(4):690701. doi:10.1093/cid/ciab988 de la Hoz RE, Stephanie G, Sherlock C. Diagnosis and treatment approaches to CMV infections in adult patients. J Clin Virol. 2002;25(Suppl 1):S1-S12. doi:10.1016/s1386-6532(02)00091-4 Azevedo LS, Pierrotti LC, Abdala E, et al. Cytomegalovirus infection in transplant recipients. Clinics (Sao Paolo). 2015;70(7):515-523. doi:10.6061/clinics/2015(07)09 Styczynski J. Who is the patient at risk of CMV recurrence: a review of the current scientific evidence with a focus on hematopoietic cell transplantation. Infect Dis Ther. 2018;(7):1-16. doi:10.1007/s40121-017-0180-z

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240624910432/en/
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Friday, June 21, 2024 at 9:27PM

Photo: Apple

Apple introduced its AI experience called Apple Intelligence with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. This feature utilizes on-device, generative large-language models to personalize and enhance your experience across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. But there's a hardware requirement to access it.

While everyone can enjoy iOS 18, Apple Intelligence requires the latest iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models, alongside Macs and iPads with M1 chips or later. This has sparked curiosity about the hardware limitations.

At WWDC 2024, Apple executives addressed these concerns. John Giannandrea, head of AI/machine learning, explained that running large language models requires significant processing power. He discussed that the size and speed of the Apple Neural Engine, along with overall device bandwidth, are crucial for real-time functionality.

Apple assures users that the hardware requirement isn't a sales tactic. Greg Joswiak, marketing chief, highlighted that including recent iPads and Macs would've been a simpler strategy if that were the case.

Craig Federighi, software engineering chief, emphasized Apple's commitment to backwards compatibility. However, he acknowledged the exceptional processing power required by Apple Intelligence.

The iPhone 15 Pro models boast the A17 Pro chip with a 16-core Neural Engine, twice as fast as the A16 chip in the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus. This powerhouse performs nearly 35 trillion operations per second alongside ample RAM (likely 8GB or more based on compatible devices)both crucial for Apple Intelligence's smooth operation.

For those eager to experience Apple Intelligence on the go, the upcoming iPhone 16 series (expected alongside iOS 18's fall release) might be the answer.

Source
Southern Province Cement and Yanbu Cement Co sign an MoU for amalgamation

ICR Newsroom By 24 June 2024

According to Saudi Exchange (Tadawul), Southern Province Cement Co announced the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yanbu Cement Co on 23 June 2024 to evaluate the feasibility of merging the two Saudi Arabian companies.



Both companies will commence due diligence, a comprehensive examination of operational, technical, financial, legal and actuarial aspects. This thorough approach ensures that all aspects of the merger are meticulously evaluated, providing a secure foundation for the proposed merger and instilling confidence in the process.

The proposed merger process, subject to the completion of due diligence and examination procedures, can potentially benefit companies and the industry. It is further conditioned upon reaching an agreement on the final terms and conditions of the merger agreement and obtaining regulatory approvals from the competent authorities and approval from the general assemblies of both companies. However, entering the MoU does not mean the companies will agree to the proposed merger.

Yanbu Cement Co (YCC), a Saudi joint stock company, is one of the major cement manufacturers in the country and the largest cement company in the western region. Its total installed capacity above 7Mta of clinker and cement dispatch capacity above 10Mta are testimony to its significant role in the industry. Its manufacturing facilities are located at Ras Baridi, on the coast of the Red Sea, 70km northwest of the Port of Yanbu. Yanbu Cements corporate office is located in Jeddah.

The Southern Region Cement Co has three plants in each of Jizan, Bisha and Tihama, with a total production capacity of 32,000tpd, and the companys production covers the needs of the southern regions and part of the western region.

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Mawre Kofi photo by John Shearer Museum ribbon cutting photo by John Shearer Howard dance team photo by John Shearer Alpha Kappa Alpha sisters photo by John Shearer Museum entrance photo by John Shearer Participants in museum tour photo by John Shearer African-style drum photo by John Shearer Model of slave ship photo by John Shearer Painting by Jerry Allen photo by John Shearer Joe Graham, Elenora Woods, and Weston Wamp photo by John Shearer Old Piney Woods lockers photo by John Shearer Museum display photo by John Shearer Harold Bryson photo by John Shearer Old school wall tiles photo by John Shearer Museum display photo by John Shearer Museum display photo by John Shearer Old Piney Woods Elementary plaque photo by John Shearer Previous Next

As I reached 701 Hooker Road in Alton Park Saturday morning from South Chattanooga and St. Elmo via lots of turns off 40th Street, Fagan Street, Workman Road, and Wilson Street, I realized I had come upon an old school.

It is now called the Chattanooga Civic Center at Mountainside, and even houses radio station WPTP 100.1, but it quickly became obvious it was originally a school built in the mid-20th century. A plaque from the initial opening on the inside said it was the former Piney Woods Elementary designed by architects Derthick & Henley and built in 1963 by C&I Specialty Co.

An interesting lobby wall tile pattern of some children of different colors dancing or exercising added some additional mid-century charm to this former city school from the days before the merger with the county system.

While this building next to the Emma Wheeler Homes is used now by the Alton Park Development Corporation, officials hope learning of history will begin anew there, just like in its old school days. And the topic might include learning about a famous speech made in Washington, D.C., by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. the same year in which the building was constructed.

About two dozen people gathered at 10 a.m. for the ribbon cutting and opening of the African American Education and Heritage Museum there. While the museum is currently somewhat modest with mostly framed mementoes or stories of the black experience in America along with a few other eye-catching items, including an interesting model of a slave ship of old, it was not hard to tell a lot of work and thought had gone into it.

In fact, you could see much pride on a couple of faces of officials, as if they were working for a famous art museum in New York adding a new wing. Dr. Elenora Woods, the president of the Alton Park Development Corporation that is opening the museum, said the facility has come about through a vision and a dream. And, she said, the motivation for it was due to what she saw as a lack of attention on certain parts of history.

Ive been with this organization since 1998, and when we were blessed to take ownership of this facility, one of the things I wanted to do, and the people in the community wanted to do, was learn about African history, she said. If you watch the news and study it nationwide, thats one of the things that is hard to do is find African history courses.

And we thought, What if we partner with this facility and make it an African American history museum and also make it an educational and heritage museum. Not only are you just looking at pictures, but you also have an opportunity to study. 

She said that veteran local teacher Harold Bryson has also agreed to teach on a variety of related topics for those interested. Raised in West Tennessee at the dawn of more equal opportunities for different races, he was later educated at Lane College and Washington University.

During a brief presentation, he said he is interested in the topic that Africa is the cradle of civilization, as some believe. He also said he follows Malcom Xs quoted line regarding the rewards of historical research.

A former colleague of Johnny Holloway of Operation PUSH, he summed up in an upbeat manner his plans for the classes by saying, This is not going to be about racism. This class will be about facts, African history and how it is related. All we want to do is talk about the truth.

Dr. Woods added that she hopes the museum becomes a place in which the school system can bring students for enrichment. She wants it to be a facility for people of all cultures to learn, and she hopes to coordinate with the school system to bring children there for free.

It is all across cultural lines, said Dr. Woods, a dentist who also offers dental care there and grew up in the Westside and ran for mayor in 2021. Its not just black kids or Hispanic kids and Indian kids. Its also white kids. Everybody wants to know the history of African Americans.

The museum  which is slightly different from the Bessie Smith Cultural Center that focuses in large part on the Chattanooga black history story -- also hopes to draw visitors from out of town. And part of the way is by offering different exhibits, with some paintings by Jerry Allen depicting the slave era now on exhibit and for sale.

The ribbon-cutting ceremonies were attended by a relatively small number of people, but a few dignitaries were spotted. On hand were Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, County Commissioner Joe Graham, state Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, and Local News 3 anchor LaTrice Currie, who was there with several sorority sisters from Alpha Kappa Alpha. Ms. Currie at one point as the ceremony ended grabbed the microphone and saluted the work of Dr. Woods.

The highlight of the day, though, might have been drummer Mawre Kofi from Ghana West Africa, who played the drums and even got the small group to rhythmically chant along with him as he pounded away. Six members of the Howard High band dance team also performed, and a belated Juneteenth day of activities on the grass around the building also took place after the ribbon cutting.

Mayor Wamp in his remarks endorsed the museum. He even offered a praising look at African American history in Chattanooga and hinted that it is a noble part of the citys overall history.

To understand Chattanoogas history and to understand the history of Hamilton County, you have to understand African American history, he said. They are completely intertwined like no other city in the South.

Its a community that, going back to the Civil War, was the southernmost point of Union sympathy. This was not just a place of Union sympathy, this was also a place to support emancipation.

He also told the group that his young boy was named for Daniel Trewhitt, a little known former white state legislator who supported the Union and opposed secession when the war was starting. He was buried at nearby Forest Hills Cemetery and has a statue-like marker there.

The mayor also referred to the first superintendent being a black man, apparently a reference to the Rev. Ewing Tade, who helped start Howard High and the public school system in the late 1860s here. That was a few years before a white public school system began and Chattanooga High opened.

As I left the old former school building after being there less than an hour and piggybacking on the initial dignitaries tour as a member of the media, I silently wished the place well and once again noticed the tiles of the children of different colors.

I hope many real children and others get to exercise their minds in a harmonious and freeing manner about history through the museum, just as the ceramic youngsters were doing in a physical manner.

* * *

Those wanting to know more about the museum and its programs can call (423) 713-7614.

* * *

Jcshearer2@comcast.net
Tennessee House of Representatives District 27 incumbent Patsy Hazlewood spoke to the Chattanooga Civitan Club Friday about her own history of entrepreneurship, cutting state taxes and what it means to be pro-life.

Rep. Hazlewood is running against Michele Reneau in the Republican primary election Aug. 1. Early voting is July 12 through July 27.

Rep. Hazlewood was a founding organizer and director of CapitalMark until it was acquired by Pinnacle Financial Partners in 2015. and she described the unease that all entrepreneurs experience.

I know how tough that is, the speaker said. I know how gut-wrenching that can be. Rep. Hazlewood was the first woman to serve as president of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. She has served as the Southeast Regional Director for the Tennessee Department of Economic Community Development.

I took that to Nashville, Rep. Hazlewood told the group. She has served in the state House of Representatives since 2014. She said her motto is, Work hard, get things done, and not just take up space.

Rep. Hazlewood is chairwoman of the House Finance, Ways and Means committee. Area state Senator Bo Watson is chairman of the Senate finance committee.

Thats allowed us to get some things done thats good for the state, thats good for the county, she said.

No one there questions my integrity and Ive earned their respect, she said.

You have to be able to work with people and bring people alongside you, she said. She must convince 49 fellow representatives, and Sen. Watson must convince 17 fellow senators, to pass a bill, she said.

Rep. Hazlewood may not have toed the party line in some pro-life and immigration votes, but she said its not that simple.

I am pro-life, she said. That includes... the life of the mother as well.

Rep. Hazlewood abstained from the Heartbeat Bill vote in 2020, because she said the wording seemed to expose a doctor to felony charges who removed an ectopic pregnancy any time before it actually burst, which causes deadly blood loss in the mother.

The fetus in an ectopic pregnancy cannot survive where it has been implanted, outside the uterus, but it sometimes does have a heartbeat.

Thats just nonsensical, she said. We have got to protect the life of the mother.

Though states can mitigate trouble caused by illegal immigration, she said that anyone who believes states can control immigration is uninformed.

It has to be done at the federal level, she said.

She said action will come when President Joe Biden leaves the White House, when Republicans gain a stronger majority in the House and also gain a majority in the Senate.

But public safety is a government responsibility, she said.

Rep. Hazlewood said she has worked to make being an illegal immigrant a sentencing factor in Tennessee, which increases a criminals sentence.

Rep. Hazlewood voted against a bill prohibiting Tennessee sanctuary cities in 2018.

That bill would have hurt businesses. It would have hurt families, she said.

It states that all state money will be withheld from any state or local government entity that adopts sanctuary policies, which she said would harm economic development plans a city might have and related new jobs.

There are better ways to punish the city, directly, she said.

Rep. Hazlewood said she agrees with the sentiment but not the implementation of other bills, too.

She supported a bill in 2022 that would require small businesses with as few as 35 employees to use the federal E-Verify program to check that new hires are legally able to work in the U.S., lowered from 50 employees. She said she did not support talk of lowering the threshold to 25 employees because E-Verify is a lot of work.

Youre getting down now to really small businesses, she said.

Rep. Hazlewood said the Republican legislature has doubled K-12 funding since it took over in 2010, from $3.3 billion to $6.8 billion. Education and TennCare are the states biggest expenses. The states new funding formula which took effect in 2023 gives at least $7,000 per student to public schools.

The money now follows the child, she said. Each students funds are weighted for various disabilities or distance from home to school, which affects busing costs for a school district.

Rep. Hazlewood said she is proud the state has awarded $54 million in school security grants for hardening, locks, bulletproof window film and monitoring technology.

In the states higher education system, she praised UTCs new nursing school and new business school.

Rep. Hazlewood said she has helped increase the states savings by 167 percent since her chairwomanship of the finance committee.

We will have an economic downturn and we are prepared for that with our Rainy Day Fund, she said.

The legislature has cut $3.4 billion in taxes but continues to fund rural hospitals.

Thats the kind of leadership I would like to continue to provide, she said.

Other points:

Rep. Hazlewood said she is proud of helping to pass the Right-to-Work Constitutional amendment, which means employees cant be forced to unionize to keep their jobs.

Tennessee has the lowest per-capita debt in the country, and the second-lowest taxes per capita.

Cutting property out of state franchise tax calculations totals $40 million in recurring savings for Tennesseans. Rep. Hazlewood said it was hard to make the change in one fell swoop, but the effect is worth it.

We could afford to do it, she said.

Rep. Hazlewood said Republicans have brought in $1.3 billion locally since 2010 for road projects including the widening of Highway 27 north of Olgiati Bridge, and Signal Mountains main roads.

Rep. Hazlewood supported the Truth in Sentencing Bill of 2022, which means people convicted of certain crimes must serve 100 percent or 85 percent of their sentences without parole.

Rep. Hazlewood supports the Protect Tennessee Minors Act which requires websites with explicit material to verify a viewers age.

We dont let our children under 18 go in an adult bookstore, she said.
Its a blessing. Ive been blessed. Count your blessings. How often have you heard people say things like that? I think wed all agree blessings are good, but have you ever wondered what people really mean when they talk about being blessed?

American culture tends to equate blessings with material advantages  a really nice home; a successful, rewarding career; high-achieving, energetic children; a long, relatively pain-free life. After stirring victories, we often hear athletes talk about how theyve been blessed.

But should being blessed always be understood in terms of tangible stuff and achievements?

Years ago, Dr. Bruce Wilkinson authored a popular little book called The Prayer of Jabez. It was based on an obscure fellow named Jabez, mentioned only one time in the Bible. In the passage, 1 Chronicles 4:9-10, were told:

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him in pain. And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain! So God granted him what he requested.

Thats it. Two verses about Jabez, nestled almost like an afterthought in the midst of a long genealogical parade of Judahs descendants. The first time we hear about Jabez  and the last. Curious, isnt it?

Actually, its easy to speed-read past Jabez, except the passage does give us a bit of insight about him: He was more honorable than his brothers, although it doesnt explain in what ways. Were told his mother bore him in pain and chose his name accordingly. Perhaps most important, he offered a simple prayer that God would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory (or expand my borders, as another translation states it). One other thing  God granted him what he requested.

It's interesting that the Bible doesnt tell us what happened to Jabez. If we trust the Scriptures, we know God did bless him and enlarge his territory. But we dont know in what ways, how the Lord did it, or what kinds of things Jabez did. What we do know is that he boldly asked Gods blessing  and received it. End of story.

What are we to take away from this mini-Bible lesson? After Wilkinsons book came out, and especially after it had achieved best-seller status, critics accused him of promoting so-called prosperity theology, the health and wealth gospel perspective on Gods blessings. Given the materialistic context in which weve lived for many decades, that might not be surprising.

However, that was never my impression  nor is it today. I first heard Wilkinsons message about Jabez at a conference several years before it appeared in print. My sense then, as well as after I read the book, was the blessings Jabez sought were more in line with Jesus later command to go and bear fruit  fruit that will last (John 15:16).

The message on Jabez inspired me, as it did many thousands of others who heard or read it, to pray the same prayer, asking God to bless me indeed and enlarge my territory. Some may have interpreted those blessings in terms of stuff, but I never did. I didnt pray for a luxury car or a mansion on a hill (although in the eyes of probably 90 percent of the worlds population, my home might still perceived as such).

What I did pray for was that the Lord would give me the privilege of being a fruitful laborer in His kingdom, through my journalistic training and passion for writing, as well as participating in His Great Commission to go therefore and make disciples (Matthew 28:19).

Gods response can only be described in the words of Ephesians 3:20: immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. Knowing how I could have benefited earlier in my life if an older, more mature believer had come along to disciple/mentor me, I prayed that the Lord would lead me to one man in whom I could invest and grow spiritually together. Within three months, He had sent two men my way. And Ive had the joy of meeting with dozens of other men in the years since.

In a number of different ways, God also has given me the opportunity to present biblical truths in writing to people all around the world. When I prayed for Him to enlarge my territory, it never occurred to me to make such an ambitious request.

Is it wrong to pray for material blessings? I dont think so  as long as we ask with the right motives. Ive known many people whom God has indeed blessed financially, but theyve been beyond generous in supporting ministries and charitable causes they believe in, providing resources for those works to grow and influence countless lives for eternity.

Again and again in the Scriptures we read how God delights in blessing His children. In Psalm 84:11-12 we read, For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk with uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You. I understand this to mean that if its good for us and we need it, we can trust God to provide it.

Much more could be said. Volumes have been written about this, along with thousands of sermons preached. Jabez might have been barely known, even in the Bible. But he had the courage to pray, Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain! Maybe, if our desire is to honor and glorify the Lord, its okay for us to pray that too.

* * *

Robert J. Tamasy is a veteran journalist, former newspaper editor and magazine editor. Bob has written, co-authored and edited more than 15 books. These include the newly published, Marketplace Ambassadors; Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Todays Workplace; Tufting Legacies, The Heart of Mentoring, and Pursuing Life With a Shepherds Heart. A weekly business meditation he edits, Monday Manna, is translated into more than 20 languages and sent via email around the world by CBMC International. The address for his blog is www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com. His email address is btamasy@comcast.net.
550,000.

That is the estimated number of illegal aliens who will receive amnesty under President Bidens latest executive action, which will make many of the migrants eligible for green cards, work permits, and a pathway to U.S. citizenship.

According to President Biden, this decision is commonsense. But to millions of Tennesseans and Americans, it is just the latest example of how the President is working to undermine the rule of law, devalue U.S. citizenship, and make illegal immigration legal.

In just his first 100 days in office, President Biden issued 94 executive orders to open our border, including halting construction of the southern border wall, ending the successful Trump-era Remain in Mexico policy, and pausing deportations. Since then, more than 10 million illegal aliens have entered our countrylarger than the population of 38 states.

Despite the many harms of their open border agenda, President Biden and Democrats have championed it for a simple reason: to gain more seats in Congress. Thanks to a day-one executive order by President Biden, illegal aliens count toward the census population, which determines each states share of congressional seats. By taking in as many illegal aliens as possible, Democrat states can help offset the loss of hundreds of thousands of Americans who are fleeing blue jurisdictions for red states.

By granting amnesty to hundreds of thousands of illegals, the Biden administration is building on this effort, setting the stage for illegal immigrants to potentially vote in future U.S. elections.

Last week, I wrote a letter to President Biden pointing out that his amnesty proposal is blatantly unconstitutional by side-stepping congressional authority to alter the legal status of hundreds of thousands of illegals. To be sure, I expect federal courts will deem President Bidens action unlawful, much like President Obamas 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals memorandum, which also extended deportation protections to illegal immigrants.

Still, while President Biden pushes ahead with his unconstitutional amnesty plan and open border agenda, the American people will be left to deal with the consequencesincluding a record surge in migrant crime.

Since October alone, U.S. authorities have apprehended 13,130 illegal aliens with prior criminal convictionsincluding homicide, burglary, assault, drug trafficking, and sexual offensesup from 2,438 in fiscal year 2020, the last full year of the Trump administration. In 2023, that number was 15,267a more than five-fold increase from 2020.

Just last week, an illegal alien from Ecuador, who crossed the southern border in 2021, was arrested for raping a 13-year-old girl while wielding a machete in a park in Queens, New York.

Also last week, Houston police arrested two Venezuelan illegal aliens for kidnapping and strangling a 12-year-old girl before leaving her body in a bayou. The suspects allegedly committed the heinous crime just weeks after the Biden administration released them into our country after they illegally crossed the southern border.

And earlier this month, law enforcement arrested a Salvadoran illegal alien for raping and murdering a 37-year-old mother of five in Maryland. The suspect, who is also accused of murdering a woman in El Salvador and assaulting a 9-year-old girl and her mother in Los Angeles, crossed the southern border four times last year.

These horrific crimes would have never happened if President Biden secured our southern border. Instead, the President is more concerned about protecting illegal aliens than American citizenswith tragic consequences.
As a pro-life Tennessean, I celebrate Dobbs Day, the overturning of Roe v Wade by the US Supreme Court on June 24, 2022. After two years, Tennessee is leading the nation in protecting the right to life of unborn children. It is estimated that more than 20,000 women and children have been saved from the horror of abortion in our state since then.

In 2021, over 10,000 abortions were done in Tennessee. In 2023, there were no abortions in Tennessee except to save the life of the mother. Per the CDC, we are one of two states in the country with a higher birth rate than we had before the Dobbs decision. This fact tells us that lives are being saved by Tennessees Human Life Protection Act.

Pro-life people of Tennessee take seriously the responsibility of protecting the right to life of unborn children and protecting their mothers from an industry that exploits their fears and profits from the deaths of their children. Loving both mother and child is something that all Tennesseans should be able to agree on. Loving and protecting mothers and their babies is not a radical idea. Pregnancy centers across our state do so much to meet the material and emotional needs of pregnant moms so they can choose life for their babies. I am grateful for their work, and the majority of them assist mothers with their babies and families long after birth, disputing the accusation that the pro-life movement is simply pro-baby.

Lets celebrate Tennessees culture of life and continue to strive to be an example for other states so they too will protect and respect the precious gift of life for all of their citizens.

Candy Clepper

* * *

My observations about celebrating Dobbs Day."

1. This Dobbs Day Ms. Clepper celebrates occurs only because three Supreme Court Justice nominees lied during each Justices confirmation hearing. Each had testified under oath that Roe v Wade was settled law.

Because of Dobbs, we are seeing the effects of SCOTUS having thrown the doctrine of stare decisis out the window. I read today that SCOTUS wiped out an anti-corruption law that bars officials from taking gifts for past favors. (Yahoo.com)

Like abortion, anything can now be overturned to support MAGAWorld, Christian Right and Christian Nationalism agendas.

Watch SCOTUS swing the pendulum away from the separation of Church and State. Favoring MAGAWorld, Christians, Catholics, and Christian Nationalism, penalties for homosexuality will return, and gay marriage will be overturned. Christianity will be favored ahead of the First Amendment.

Expect decisions protecting minorities, such as voting rights protections and race-based protections to be overturned.

Expect decisions unfavorable to big business and the wealthy, such as workers rights, pollution and taxes, to be overturned. And dont forget the NRA and powerful people and politicians, who will continue to get there ways.

2. To say that protecting the right to life of unborn children and protecting their mothers from an industry that exploits their fears and profits from the deaths of their children is a ludicrous statement. Wheres any proof of that having occurred? Because of bans and prohibitions, no one should be surprised that illegal abortion clinics will return, if not already, and not always in medically professional settings. That can cause a significant uptick in reproductive injuries, as well as increased profits for funeral providers.

3. Ms. Clepper states that the majority of pregnancy centers that assist mothers with their babies and families long after birth disputes the accusation that the pro-life movement is just a pro-baby movement. Really, Ms. Clepper? A majority? How long is long?

A pro-life movement would improve society and not let those babies and toddlers welfare deteriorate.

Do those pregnancy centers act for all children beyond infancy assuring they are well-fed, well-housed, well-clothed, well-educated, and provided health and emotional care to have opportunities and become people of value, not welfare recipients? Or worse?

I suspect these pregnancy centers cease their services as a baby grows beyond a toddler.

4. Ms. Clepper also states celebrate Tennessees culture of life and continue to strive to be an example for other states so they too will protect and respect the precious gift of life for all of their citizens.

If to protect and respect the precious gift of life for all of their citizens, shouldnt the pro-life movement be working to stop gun violence, and prohibit the death penalty? Why dont they work for health care for all, not just pregnant women? Why dont they work toward a goal that no citizen is hungry, especially those children that entered the world because of their pro-life stance? Will they work to achieve a society where those children and their parents are not homeless?

Of course not. Just look to todays House of Representatives and most state legislatures controlled by Republicans; they havent worked for the American people for years, except in a major crisis. They only lower their rich buddies taxes.

Joe Warren




(This is part of a series of articles about the famous criminal case that entertained the country and world on the question of the teaching of the theory of evolution in the public schools of Tennessee in 1925, after the passage of the Butler law by the Tennessee legislature in March of that year that banned such instruction of students.)

When a miniature version of a civil war took place between Dayton and Chattanooga over the location of the test case to determine the constitutionality of the statute the judicial system got involved.

After Rhea County biology teacher John Scopes voluntarily agreed to be the legal guinea pig for justice in May 1925, competition for the venue of the historical event erupted between the two communities.

Both communities recognized potential economic gain, and started a commentary of monetary offers, threats, and made up verbal and alleged physical assaults that created the original news media frenzy which spread across Tennessee, America, and foreign nations.

Ousted UT Knoxville Law Professor, John R. Neal, would volunteer to represent Scopes in any legal proceeding and would eventually be identified as chief trial counsel by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and others but would be relegated to a lesser role when famous criminal lawyer (agnostic) Clarence Darrow and three time presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan (fundamentalist) entered the case.

A strategic decision was made by the defense team of Scopes to try and get his case away from the conservative Rhea county area by filing for an injunction in federal court to stop any anticipated state prosecution in Chattanooga.

After a federal judge Xenophon Hicks became unavailable to have a hearing on the injunctive request by going out of the state of Tennessee (another unusual perceived judicial action) attorney Neal got a hearing before a Middle Tennessee jurist, John J Gore (1878-1939) on July 3, 1925, shortly before the original August term of court was moved to trial on July 10, in Dayton allegedly because of the struggles between Dayton and Chattanooga where each was trying to host the trial.

Who was John J. Gore?

Ironically, he was an early relative of future United States senator Albert Gore (1907-1998) and his son Vice President Al Gore Jr. (1948-)

Born in Gainsborough Tennessee, Judge Gore would become an attorney by reading law in the office of Judge Bancroft Murray in his hometown in 1899.

He started his legal career with Cordell Hull, future Secretary of State under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Jackson, Tennessee.

The recipient of several federal patronage jobs Gore would also serve in the Tennessee state from 1915 to 1916 and as chairman of the Tennessee Republican executive committee in 1920.

President Warren G Harding nominated Judge Gore to occupy a new federal judicial seat created in the Middle District of Tennessee in 1923 and he would serve until he suffered a heart attack and died on February 21, 1939 at his residence at the historical Hermitage Hotel in Nashville.

Judge Gore would hear Neal's request to move the case on July 3, but on July 7, refused to stop the trial from starting in state court on July 10, 2025.

(The pursuit of justice proceeded a little faster in 1925. The Anti-Evolution bill was signed by Governor Austin Peay on March 21 and the trial jury verdict was rendered on July 18. A technical procedural error would occur that set aside the decision of the jury which will be discussed in a later article.)

----

If you have additional information about one of Mr. Summers' articles or have suggestions or ideas about a future Chattanooga area historical piece, please contact him at jsummers@summersfirm.com)
Hamilton County School Superintendent Dr. Justin (Dr. J) Robertsons school system budget passed the School Board and now goes to the Hamilton County Commission for approval.



In response, our Little Prince lambasted the school boards budget and threatened an immediate tax increase.



Both Dr. J and our Little Prince presented a school budget to the Hamilton County Commission in May.



Dr. Js school budget calls for a $20 million increase from last year. Never in 20 million years would the County Commission fund that ask.



But you have to ask.



Our Little Prince offered the school system only a $5 million increase over last year.



And that was that.

No more conversations. Take it or leave it. Our Little Prince has spoken. Just not to Dr. J or any member of the school board.Is this the state of dialogue in Hamilton County government? You would think that something as important as education funding for our children, the mayor and school superintendent would have more dialogue than each of them giving a power-point presentation to the County Commission.Instead of communicating, our Little Prince chose to lie in wait and see what budget the School Board would present to the County Commission. No surprise it was the same school budget Dr. J proposed in May.Also not surprising, Mayor Wamp lambasted that budget. Instead of lambasting now, our Little Prince should have been communicating back then.After all, our Little Prince has created two new positions for situations like this: Hamilton County Chief Operating Officer and Hamilton County Chief Financial Officer. No other county mayor has delegated important county operations and financials to unelected individuals, costing the taxpayers almost $1 million per year. Our past county mayors did the job they were elected to do. However, hiring these individuals did improve our Little Princes quality of life. He now has more time for social media posts (Weston is a great father and husband) and photo ops, the fun stuff about being county mayor.Our Little Prince just doesnt like the hard part of being county mayor: the daily grind. True, he has hired others more willing to work the grind instead of him. But even those million dollar minions were not enlisted to talk to the School Board about the budget. To be successful as a county mayor, it takes a desire to communicate and compromise, instead of an attitude to dictate and destroy. This self-centered mindset has plagued our Little Prince from day one.And now our children may suffer.C. Mark Warren

* * *

Can anyone play C. Mark Warrens silly name calling game? If so, I would like to join in. "C" seems to think name calling in a public forum is a clever political attack, an erudite insult but, in fact, is nothing but a showcase for waning intellect and a sad education.

"C", who hides behind his desk and lobs school ground insults, no doubt thinks he is fighting the brave fight, but alas, all he is doing is exposing himself as the shyster that he is. Is he an ambulance chaser? I don't know but what does that matter?

"C" doesn't exercise common restraint when bellyaching about a policy or action he doesn't agree with, so why would he deserve the same care and attention.



Leah Garaghty

* * *

I admit that I was incorrect about my belief that accident lawyer C. Mark Warren had realized most of the readers had grown weary of his drivel regarding his hatred of the Wamp family.

What troubles me the most is his completing lawyer school and then passing the bar exam. I have no idea how many times he had to take it, and frankly, I dont care. What I do care about is his redundancy of the use of the little Prince, perhaps because he believes we are too stupid to understand his disdain.

If he kept up with current events he would have read that County Mayor Wamp and Superintendent Robertson have met and tried to work out a budget that would work for both our schools and our county taxpayers. After all, County Mayor Wamp wanted a pay increase for our teachers.

I learned a long time ago that snipers can just find a target, even if its the wrong target. Well trained snipers know better.

County Mayor Wamp has a staff of assistants so that he can do an effective job serving this county. Lawyer Warren has assistants who chance ambulances to help him reel in more clients. His thinking the pot can call the kettle black only adds to the plethora of pity I feel for him.

I have no expectations that he will learn better. Just keep exposing yourself because it provides me with early morning humor.

J. Pat Williams

* * *

I would think that the two positions the county mayor has hired are nothing compared to the 500 (superintendent's words) new positions the superintendent has hired. The HCDE has not increased in enrollment enough to justify hiring 500 new positions. Also, the super hired a person to help with coordinating the recruitment of security staff. What?

Super says the Central Office only represents 8 percent of the overall positions in the district. Well, if you increase the staff by 500 then the number in the Central Office has increased by 40. Warning, anytime you get percentages about certain facts you better take a closer look at what is going on.

Super also stated that the adult to student ratio was 1:10. So, if your student has more than 10 students in their class, call the super. We all know that this statement is not true. Unless he is counting the Central Office positions as people that teach your child or the unknown number of SEED teachers or the unknown number of Lead teachers and supervisors walking around with a cup of coffee. I think he is.

I didn't vote for County Mayor Wamp, but I will next time. He may not be perfect, but he is doing a good job, in my opinion. I like him.

I don't know all of his staff, but I do know David Roddy and Cory Gerrin. They are both hard workers and the citizens of Hamilton County will get their money's worth from them. They will do a good job. I bet the rest of the county mayor's staff are hard workers also. He has surrounded himself with good people.

Go county mayor and little sis, our attorney general.

Ernie McCarson

* * *

One might expect a lawyer to exhibit greater resolve and decorum than Mr. Warren. His posts frequently involve name-calling, particularly targeting Wamp.

If there is a personal grievance, it would be more mature to address it directly with Wamp. Resorting to playground taunts gives an 'I know you are, but what am I?' vibe is unbecoming, especially at an advanced age. This behavior is indicative of the current political climatefull of vitriol and one-upmanship, with little actual progress.

Do better.

Christopher Cooper
Faye Lockhart, 79, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2024. She went to be with the good Lord above.

She was a proud graduate of the Kirkman High School, Class of 1962. Faye worked and retired after 45 years as a handicap bus driver for the Hamilton County Department of Education. This is something she absolutely loved doing and always used the term my kids when she spoke about her students.

Faye was a devoted wife, grandmother and great-grandmother. Family was everything to her, she unconditionally loved her family and loved nothing more than spending time with them.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Katherine Morrison, her sisters: Dot Case, Dean Crowley, & Barbara Clayton.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Amos Lockhart of Chattanooga; daughter, Angelia Summers (Michael) of Birchwood; son, DeWayne Lockhart (Kristy) of Soddy Daisy; her grandsons, Seth and Jacob Lockhart; granddaughters, Kayla Franks, Bri Travis, and Beth Montgomery; six great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.

During her last months Faye had bonded and fell in love with her new friends (care givers) at Gentle Hands a Personal Care Home and Hospice of Hearth. She felt their love and unlimited compassionate care.

The family will receive friends from 5-6 p.m. on Monday, July 1, at Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel, Hixson. There will be a memorial service in the funeral home chapel at 6 p.m. on Monday.

Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.
10/9/2024

What started two years ago as an idea to expand pediatric clinical experiences for nursing students at Cleveland State Community College, became a reality this past summer at the YMCA Camp Ocoee. ... more
The Enterprise Center Board of Directors announce its unanimous decision to name Monique Kuykendoll Quarterman as president and CEO after a nationwide search that attracted 240 applicants. Ms. Quarterman will assume the role on July 15. TECs current President and CEO Deb Socia will remain at TEC in an advisory role through the fall.

Ms. Quarterman is a globally recognized leader in entrepreneurship with a specialization in product development (academic/institutional and startup), public-private collaborations, and inclusive innovation. She was appointed by the governor of Kentucky to her former role of executive director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the states primary agency responsible for new investment, job creation and industry retention.

I look forward to bringing my professional and personal experiences in championing community to The Enterprise Center so that we, together, can reach even more Chattanoogans with technology to improve career trajectories, health outcomes, and quality of life, said Ms. Quarterman. TEC has demonstrated its value in neighborhoods across Chattanooga under Deb Socia, and I am honored to play a leading role in continuing its bright future. There is opportunity for everyone.

Ms. Quarterman has appeared in numerous media publications, podcasts, panels, and conferences as a thought leader at the intersection of technology, health, business, and community development. She is a two-time national awardee for inclusive innovation programming for her groundbreaking statewide work leading Kentucky Commercialization Ventures, in addition to founding the Kentucky Intellectual Property Alliance. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science with a focus on law and public policy from the University of Louisville and an MBA from the University of Louisville College of Business.

The Enterprise Centerand by extension, all of Chattanoogais fortunate that Monique has agreed to put her remarkable experience to work for the good of our community, said Mayor Tim Kelly, Board Member of The Enterprise Center. Her impressive resume, friendly personality, and passion for applying technology to make peoples lives better make our town the perfect place for her to continue the good work of The Enterprise Center.

I couldnt be more thrilled to be working with Monique," said Dan Ryan, vice chair of the Board of Directors and chair of the President and CEO Search Committee. "The more we spoke with her and people shes worked with, it became clear that shes had a tremendous impact not just through programs and policies, but through the personal connections she makes everywhere. Her proven experience in innovation and improving access for everyone will be a critical asset to our communities as we continue to build an advanced and inclusive future.

My talented colleagues at The Enterprise Center have successfully attracted someone of tremendous caliber to help lead them into their next chapter of positive impact for the people of Chattanooga, said Ms. Socia. Although I will be retiring this fall, I will never stop cheering on this remarkable organization and believing in its mission.
Elennie Ramirez with her ADDY awards Katie Rose with her ADDY awards Andrew Boggess and Preston Waters with their ADDY award Previous Next

Four Southern Adventist University students won awards at the 2023-24 American Advertising Awards Chattanooga this spring, beating out thousands of other applicants in the student bracket. Hosted by the American Advertising Federation, the ADDY Awards are the largest creative competition in the world, with a tiered competition starting locally.

Having an award like this on a student's resume shows potential employers that he or she has the skills and ambition that it takes to succeed in this industry, explains Mindy Trott, MFA, professor in the School of Visual Art and Design.

Elennie Ramirez, senior graphic design major, won the Student Best-of-Show ADDY, a Judges Choice ADDY, a Silver ADDY, and a Gold ADDY. Katie Rose, junior graphic design major, won a Judges Choice ADDY and a Gold ADDY. Andrew Boggess, senior mass communication and photography major, and Preston Waters, junior marketing major, won a Silver ADDY together.

I couldnt believe it when I won four awards, Ms. Ramirez shares. She had created a series of posters for a television show and a branding campaign for a restaurant during previous semesters. At Ms. Trotts suggestion, she submitted both to the ADDY Awards and won two awards for each submission.

Ms. Rose submitted a bus wrap advertisement for a fundraising campaign. Originally, she made the wrap for her Advertising Design class, but Victoria Carlson, adjunct professor in the School of Visual Art and Design, suggested that she submit it to the ADDY awards as well.

Mr. Boggess and Mr. Waters originally co-produced their winning documentary, called Tremolo, for their Directing a Documentary class. The film features Emmy Award-winning Gary Fry and his Grammy-nominated son, Cody Fry. The film follows Gary Fry through his college experience and his struggle with choosing music as a profession.

Were proud of the time, effort, and tenacity our students put forth," said Ms. Trott. "It's a wonderful to see how its paid off at this stage in their education. In addition to seeing our students succeed, it was also great to celebrate about half a dozen Southern Adventist University alumni winning awards this year.




Following an incident involving a black bear and a person at a tourist attraction, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Anakeesta Mountaintop Adventure Park are working together to improve park safety and make it less attractive to bears.

Anakeesta borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is a popular destination for both tourists and unfortunately, black bears. Thats about to change.

TWRA and Anakeesta officials met Monday and discussed measures to address temporary garbage storage and food access issues inside the park. Since the incident, which occurred last Thursday evening, Anakeesta has purchased temporary electric fencing and electrified unwelcome mats to be used when the park is closed to guests. The park has also ordered steel caging to secure concession stand doors and to better contain garbage before it is taken to one of their two large trash compactors.

We applaud Anakeesta for recognizing areas where they can improve on restricting bears access to garbage and human foods, says TWRA Wildlife and Forestry Chief, Joe Benedict. We feel this synergistic approach will benefit both park guests and bears.

Anakeestas staff is equally encouraged. Our team is expanding our partnership with TWRA by implementing new initiatives to keep bears and people safe during their Smoky Mountain vacations, said Bryce Bentz, Anakeesta president. We are making improvements to our park every day with guidance from local agencies on how to stay BearWise.

Anakeestas Communications Manager, Austin Martin, goes on to say, Anakeesta is continuously working to improve the safety and security of our park, including limiting bear interactions. We are dedicated to keeping our native wildlife protected in their natural habitat.

Last Thursday around 9:30 p.m., a bear entered a concession stand through an employee entrance where several people were standing in line. The bear stood on its hind legs for a few seconds looking at the guests and eating food, then exited through the doorway as an employee was entering. The bear and the employee surprised each other and the bear made brief physical contact with the employee causing minor, superficial injuries to the employees arm and back.

Following the incident, TWRA began trapping and has caught several bears including a female with four cubs, as well as a larger male bear with ear tags indicating it has been involved in ongoing bear research. These bears were released onsite and have not been recaught. Another bear fitting the description of the bear involved in the concession stand incident was also caught and has been euthanized.

TWRA does not enjoy having to euthanize any wildlife, especially bears and we don't do it indiscriminately, says Dan Gibbs, TWRA Black Bear Coordinator. We utilize what we call the Bear Conflict Matrix, which was developed by wildlife professionals as a guide for addressing human/bear conflict. In this incident, the bear entered a concession stand with humans present and made physical contact with an employee causing minor injuries. Unfortunately, this bear was not a candidate for relocation.

Anakeesta officials also expressed interest in becoming a recognized BearWise Business and hope to help expand the program to other area businesses.

Learn more about living responsibly with black bears by visiting BearWIse.org
Meghan Markles recent PR move for her American Riviera Orchard brand might have tried to overshadow Kate Middleton -- but it also might not have been intentional.

Meghan Markles reputation is not standing tall in the United Kingdom. The Duchess of Sussex stepped back from working for the royal family along with her husband, Prince Harry, in 2020. Since then, the two have been living more private lives in the United States as they raise their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

And whether Meghan means it or not, her moves sometimes come across as an attempt to overshadow the royals, though it might not be her intention. Her latest PR for American Riviera Orchard attempted to do just that  at the same time that Kate made her first public appearance in months.

Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle | Karwai Tang/WireImage

Meghan Markles PR for her lifestyle brand just tried to overshadow Kate Middleton

Its impossible to say whether Meghan planned to do it or not, so we arent going to cast blame on her. But on the same day that Kate made her first public appearance in months, Prince Harrys best friend Nacho Figueras decided to give a major shoutout to Meghans new lifestyle business, American Riviera Orchard, by sharing some jam and dog biscuits on social media that Meghans brand had sent him, according to Express.

The problem is that the timing seemed to suggest that Meghan was trying to gain publicity from the move, but the reality is that Meghan likely had no idea when or how Figueras would give her brand a shoutout. Often, when brands gift products to high-profile people or influencers, they dont have a say on when or how theyre shared; such was likely the case with Figueras, and Meghan almost certainly wouldnt have planned for the content to go out the same day as Kates appearance.

But royal experts dubbed the move clumsy and embarrassing despite that it likely wasnt Meghans fault. Meghans done these publicity stunts essentially, where she sent out goods and encouraged friends and influencers to post about them. But you never know when theyre going to do it or what theyre going to say, royal expert Richard Eden said to Palace Confidential, according to Express.   Its very embarrassing. Meanwhile, royal expert Rebecca English called the situation clumsy.

What is Meghan Markles American Riviera Orchard?

Although it likely was just an honest circumstance of poor timing, people do often take opportunities to be tough on the Duchess of Sussex. But meanwhile, she is preparing to launch her new American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand, which sort of gives a Joanna Gaines-esque vibe; its going to offer things like homewares, artisan foods such as jams and jellies, plus decorative textiles and such. Right now, there is no clear date for when the brand will be open for the public to purchase items, but Meghan is clearly working hard to get its name out. And given that the press is covering her, it seems to be working  even if it isnt always shed in the most positive light.
Wacker Chemie AG strengthens its focus on silicone specialties in Europe with the construction of a new production site. The chemical company, together with project partners and officials representing the city and the region, broke ground symbolically in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. From the end of 2025, WACKER will produce room-temperature curing high-performance silicones and from 2028 high consistency silicone rubber in Karlovy Vary. These silicones are used in key technologies such as electromobility, health and medical care and in grid expansion. The investment volume is in the low triple-digit million-euro range. 200 new jobs will be created in the first expansion phase. With the construction of a new site for silicone specialties, the WACKER Group is once again expanding its position as a solution provider for customers in key industries.

Karlovy Vary will be a new and important pillar for our silicone activities in Europe and will strengthen our position as a leading manufacturer of silicone specialties. With todays groundbreaking ceremony weve achieved our first milestone, said Executive Board member Christian Kirsten addressing guests from politics and business. Our silicone rubber grades are in demand in all key growth markets. As an expert in silicones, we can offer precisely the solutions that our customers need to develop innovative products and technologies, stated Kirsten.

Customized silicone elastomers are especially needed where conventional materials cannot or can no longer meet the high and ever-increasing requirements. The main drivers are megatrends such as electromobility, renewable energies and the expansion of electricity grids. In order to be able to meet the growing demand for such solutions in the long term, we need to lay the necessary groundwork now, noted Kirsten. With Karlovy Vary we are now beginning a new chapter in our silicones success story.

The new site complements WACKERs existing integrated production sites in Burghausen and Nunchritz, Germany. The company is thereby creating important prerequisites for further optimizing its production processes. Our integrated production setup in Europe will be even more flexible with Karlovy Vary. It will enable us to serve our customers both in Europe and elsewhere even better, said Kirsten.

The new site in Karlovy Vary will focus on the production of room-temperature-curing specialty silicones. Later, high-temperature-curing silicone compounds will also be produced there. In total, WACKER will invest a sum in the low triple-digit million euro range in Karlovy Vary and create around 200 jobs by 2028. Further personnel requirements in later years are also on the cards. When fully operational, the site will be able to supply over 20,000 metric tons of custom-made silicones per year. First production quantities are expected by the end of 2025.

Of the many production sites under consideration, Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic made the grade. In the weeks and months ahead, the 23,000 square-meter building including infrastructure will be erected. WACKER is cooperating with the U.S. real estate developer Panattoni, which is coordinating the construction work, and the Czech real estate group Accolade, which owns the property and the building.
At ACHEMA 2024, the world's leading trade show for the process industries, 2,842 exhibitors from 56 nations showed 106,001 participants from 141 countries the latest equipment and innovative processes for the chemical, pharmaceutical, food processing and related industries at the Frankfurt exhibition grounds from 10 to 14 June 2024.

Exhibition Groups In terms of exhibition space, the exhibition group " Pharmaceutical, Packaging and Storage Techniques" was the largest for the first time at ACHEMA 2024, followed by " Pumps, Compressors, Valves and Fittings" and "Instrumentation, Control and Automation Techniques".

Internationality After Germany (1,042 exhibitors), China (438 exhibitors) and Italy (250 exhibitors) had the largest number of exhibitors. At 63 per cent, the proportion of foreign exhibitors is higher than ever before. In addition to the record participation of Chinese exhibitors, ACHEMA 2024 also recorded the highest exhibitor participation from India to date (185 exhibitors).

Atmosphere The products and technologies presented met with great interest from the audience: the stands in the halls were very busy and at times there was no getting trough in the aisles. "The exhibitors we spoke to and we ourselves are extremely satisfied, in some cases there was so much going on at the stands that the stand staff couldn't keep up. Many of the discussions were directly related to projects or investments", confirms Jurgen Nowicki, Chairman of the ACHEMA Committee and CEO of Linde Engineering.

The exhibitors also share this impression. Thomas Manzeck, Regional Sales Manager, KSB: "We are delighted to be here again. For us, ACHEMA is a strong platform for introducing and demonstrating our new topics, such as additive manufacturing with 3D printing and 3D scanning, to customers. ACHEMA is a great platform for trade visitors."

Frank Borner, Managing Director of GEA Wiegand, adds: "ACHEMA is important for us as GEA to present our innovations on the way to Net Zero and to enter into dialogue with customers, suppliers and competitors, from which we all benefit. And nowhere else is this as concentrated as at ACHEMA."

We are back at our most favourite exhibition for the IMA Pharma Group. We have plenty of very skilled customers visiting us and we are tackling the new requirements from the industry regarding digital. While we are exhibiting our new machines at ACHEMA 2024 we are starting already to think about the next ACHEMA, because ACHEMA is for the pharmaceutical industry the place to be, says Thomas Fricke, Commercial Director Pharma, IMA Group.

Also, the six innovation themes of ACHEMA 2024  Process, Pharma, Green, Lab, Digital and Hydrogen  met with great interest. They focus on key challenges that are affecting the process industry today and in the coming years and present concrete business cases for solving them, particularly at the Innovation Stages. The innovation themes have a more overarching character and were organised together with partners from industry, SMEs, associations and institutions.

Attendees 106,001 participants from 141 nations came to this year's ACHEMA. Every second participant (48.9 per cent) came from abroad. ACHEMA is more than just finding new customers, it is a nice platform to communicate and to develop new products to face the challenges of the future. ACHEMA is a hub for international visitors. If you are working in the lab branch and looking for international visitors, ACHEMA is the place to be, says Ulrike Gerecke, Business Development Manager, SmartLab Solutions GmbH.

Congress The ACHEMA Congress covered the entire spectrum of chemical process technology and biotechnology. The lectures provided insights into current research and development projects as well as the latest scientific results.

On each day of the trade show, there was a highlight session:

Pharma Innovation: Next generation pharma manufacturing  current advances in cell and gene therapy (Monday, 10 June)

Hydrogen Innovation: Hyperscaling hydrogen  turning strategy into reality (Tuesday, 11 June)

Digital Innovation: Artificial intelligence and autonomous systems in the process industry (Wednesday, 12 June)

Green Innovation: Beyond fossil fuels  exploring alternative carbon sources for a sustainable chemical industry (Thursday, 13 June)

Process Innovation: Nature as a role model  maximum resource efficiency in the chemical industry (Friday, 14 June). In the congress programme, the hydrogen topics as well as lectures on electrification and flexibilisation met with particularly great interest. In addition, the lectures on pharma and life sciences as well as on digitalisation (e.g. AI, MTP, APL) were among the best attended.

Overall, the high-calibre and broad ACHEMA congress programme with over 900 lectures, discussion panels and workshops was once again very well received. "With more than 30,000 listeners in the congress, the attendance figures are higher than ever before, and the programme of the six Innovation Stages played a major part in this" says Dr Andreas Forster, Executive Director of DECHEMA e.V. Dr Bjorn Mathes, CEO of DECHEMA Ausstellungs-GmbH adds: "The exhibition and congress once again showcased the technological future of our industry and set an outstanding accent for a more sustainable and competitive process industry."
On Siniyah Island off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a team of researchers has possibly identified a lost ancient city that was once famous for its pearls.

They uncovered a collection of residential buildings believed to have been part of the city of Tuam. It marks the first time that archaeologists have found physical evidence of an older pearling town from the Persian Gulf.

The city was mentioned in historical records, but its location had never been clearly established. Previously, researchers thought Tuam was in other regions of the UAE, but the findings on Siniyah Island disprove that idea.

Siniyah Islands name means flashing lights, which might come from the effect of the white-hot sun shining overhead.

The residential buildings that the archaeologists identified were made of beach rock and limestone mortar. Some of the homes were smaller and cramped, while others were larger and more spacious, suggesting the existence of a social hierarchy.

Inside the structures, there were loose pearls and diving weights that were used to help people search for the gemstones on the seabed.

Tuam dates back at least to the fourth century and reached its peak in the sixth. Scholars suspect that the city used to be the capital of a coastal territory now known as the UAE. Ancient sources described the settlement as a major pearl fishing center that produced high-quality products.

However, sometime during the sixth century, Tuam fell into decline. The main reasons for the citys decline were regional tensions and a bubonic plague epidemic that swept through the Near East, the Mediterranean region, and other areas of Europe.

Eventually, the city was forgotten. But the latest finds are bringing the lost settlement back into the light. In recent years, archaeologists have also unearthed a Christian monastery dating back around 1,400 years within the same zone of the island.

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Are aliens living among us, and we just dont know it because theyre cleverly disguised as humans? According to a new study from Harvard University, it is a possibility. Their research suggests that extraterrestrial beings may be living underground or in a base inside the moon.

A team of scientists from Harvard and Montana Technological University speculate that sightings of unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) may be alien spaceships visiting their friends on Earth, indicating that an advanced alien civilization could be present on our planet.

The authors noted that the idea of intelligent otherworldly beings hiding in plain sight among humans may seem far-fetched to most scientists, but they argue that the theory should be considered thoroughly and met with an open mind.

They investigated a number of theories as to what the aliens could be. In total, there are four theories. The first one is that aliens are human cryptoterrestrials. Long ago, a technologically advanced ancient human civilization was mostly destroyed by flood but continued to exist in remnant form.

The second is that they are hominids or theropod cryptoterrestrials, a technologically advanced non-human civilization consisting of a terrestrial animal of some sort.

They evolved to live underground in stealth. They could be an ape-like hominid or a species more distantly related to us, such as descendants of unknown, intelligent dinosaurs.

Third, the scientists proposed the notion of former extraterrestrial or extratempestrial cryptoterrestrials. They would have come to Earth from somewhere else in the cosmos or from the human future and managed to conceal themselves in a secret place, like the moon.

Finally, we have the fourth theory, which has been dubbed CTH 4. It puts forth the idea that there are magical cryptoterrestrials. These entities are like earthbound angels, referred to by humans as fairies, elves, nymphs, etc.

The new paper feeds into conspiracy theories that the United States government is keeping alien activities a secret from the public. In recent years, some American authorities have even alluded to the existence of non-human intelligence and phenomena.

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Seven years ago, this 33-year-old woman met her 35-year-old husband, and four years ago, they got married.

They have two children together, who are three and one. She works as a nurse and just finished up her doctorate, so now she is a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

For the last 13 years, her husband has been working at a chemical plant and is currently in a management position.

We live in rural Indiana, she explained. He makes about 120k, and as a nurse, I make 62k after 10 years of experience as nurses are paid very, very low here, and there are few job options for nurses anywhere near where we live.

My dream job was to always be a psychiatric nurse practitioner. He loves his job and gets really good benefits, but the only downside is that his job is regional, and with his position, its not a position he can just go and get anywhere else.

Prior to her starting grad school four years back, she sat down with her husband to discuss the future.

She outlined to him that if she was going to go to grad school, they would absolutely have to move when she finished as there are no job opportunities in her industry where they live.

She ensured her husband understood this, and then she informed him that if he was not willing to move, he needed to let her know before she went to grad school.

She didnt want to flush four years of her life and nearly six figures down the drain for nothing. Her husband agreed that they could move when she was done if they needed to.

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The first female artist on Lecraes label, Wande talks to CT about being a woman in Christian hip-hop and how the genre can be an entry point for learning gospel truths.

Courtesy of Proud Refuge

Five years ago, when Yewande Dees became the first female artist with Reach Records, it was a milestone for the Christian hip-hop label and for all of Christian hip-hop. The 28-year-old Nigerian-born rapper, who currently performs as Wande, is one of only a handful of women on the scene.

Wande began as a reporter covering Christian hip-hop online, then took a job in artist development for Reach, the independent label cofounded by Lecrae and Ben Washer.

In 2019, she signed a deal with the label, and since then, her lyricism, charisma, and energy have helped her carve a new path that she hopes other women will be able to follow. Reach recently signed writer and artist Jackie Hill Perry, in another move toward gender parity in a decidedly male-dominated segment of the music industry.

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Now based in Atlanta, Wande is bringing her lyrical creativity and flow to collaborations with artists such as Maverick City Music (Firm Foundation (Hes Gonna Make a Way)), Lecrae (Blessed Up), and TobyMac (Found). She has built a loyal following online, connecting with fans through comical send-ups of biblical characters and get ready with me videos.

She sees her job as a calling and her music as an opportunity to lead people to worship. Tracks like Found showcase her ability to shift between melodic lines and rapped lyrics. Her latest single, Send That, featuring Lecrae, is an anthemic declaration of confidence in prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. Its unapologetically victorious. If God is for me, who can come against me? / Send them prayers up and watch him move, she raps, leading into the first chorus.

Wande spoke with CT about her childhood as the youngest kid in a multifaith immigrant family, her call to pursue a career in the music industry, and the state of the Christian hip-hop scene.

You just released a new single featuring Lecrae, and youre getting ready to drop a new album this summer. Does life feel busy?

Yes, and I also have a life update! Im changing my name.

Thats a big change. What made you decide to do it?

I was born in Nigeria, and most of my family is either Muslim or in another faith. My name aligns with the Muslim faith and with reincarnation, and I love Jesus! I never really thought about my name in that way when I was younger, but God brought it to my mind earlier this year and put it on my heart, like, Hey, I want you to change that up.

So Im releasing a new single next month called Pray for Me, and that will be under my new name, Anike. It means someone you cherish and dont take for granted. Its also the title of my new album coming out later this summer. Probably early August.

It seems like the multifaith story of your family has deeply shaped your music and identity. What was it like growing up in a household with both Islam and Christianity?

My family emigrated to Texas when I was a baby. I had the immigrant life at home, and then in that school I had a totally American experience. And thats all I knew. I knew that at home I eat different food and then at school this other food. Or at home they speak Yoruba to me, which is a Nigerian language, and at school we speak English.

I grew up with that duality, and I see it as a blessing because I feel like it opened my eyes to other cultures and gave me a heart to see beauty in those things.

My mom became a Christian as a young adult. Growing up, I thought it was normal to just choose whatever faith you want. I encountered Jesus for myself when I was in middle school. I was actually allowed to go to church because my dad wanted to be a good person. He didnt want me to get saved, but he thought it was good for me to go for the moral stuff. But I noticed the other kids always got to go to summer camp. I was never allowed to do that, because it was seen as too much beyond Sunday.

I ended up going to a camp in Columbus, Texas, and doing an internship program there, and I encountered Jesus. And that just radically changed my life. After that, all I wanted to do was tell people about Jesus.

Was there any opposition to your conversion from your family?

I came home from camp super excited, like, Dad, didnt you hear about Jesus? and then hes like, No, this is too much. So he decided, I can solve this, you just wont go to church anymore.

There was about maybe a year of severe restriction where I couldnt go to church, but it was also really cool because my mom became my advocate during that time. She was on her own personal journey as a wife and mother and figuring out, How do I advocate for my children and for myself? And eventually she was able to stand up for herself and for me as well.

It was a journey, but Gods been faithful.

So you experienced this powerful conversion in middle school. When did you start to see music as part of your identity?

I honestly never anticipated being a rapper at all. I started playing music because our school had extracurricular activities. It started with middle school band, where its just, pick an instrument, and I chose the flute. I enjoyed it, and I was good at it.

I started rapping in high school, but ironically it was for a ninth grade biology project. My teacher was like, Hey, you can either do a PowerPoint presentation or you can do a rap, and I was like, Why would you not choose the rap option?

My life kind of changed after that. I would do these freestyle circles at lunch, and I was trying to tell people about Jesus in 30 seconds of rapping. Then I learned how to record on YouTube and started making videos. It was all very small-scale. But things just evolved from there. I did some talent shows and a church convention in Dallas, and I started to sense God telling me he wanted me to do this as a career.

It was terrifying and totally out of my comfort zone. My whole life to that point, I was on track to become a doctor.

Were you plugged into the Christian hip-hop scene at that point?

Yeah, I listened to Lecrae and Trip Lee, which is crazy because we work together now. I remember getting on YouTube and looking for, like, Christian remixes to Young Money or Lil Wayne, and I actually found some. Then I started finding real Christian rappers like Lecrae, and I ended up seeing him perform at a summer camp.

My freshman year in college, I became a reporter for Rapzilla. I was really aware of the Christian hip-hop landscape, and I was passionate about sharing it with other people.

I wanted to find people who maybe were like, I love God, but I just dont have music that matches my vibes. So I could say, Heres some Christian rap, there you go!

Then, my junior year of college, I got an internship at Reach Records and they offered me a job in A&R [artists and repertoire] after my senior year. After working there for six months, I got an artist contract.

It seems like you were open to working in the industry even if it didnt mean having a career as a performer. Did you think it was too far-fetched to expect to make it as a rapper?

At the time, I was thinking, God, I thought you told me to become a rapper, why am I just working for rappers? But now, I can see God was trying to help me. He introduced me to all the different people I was going to work with in the future. I got to see the back end of contracts and stuff like that, which was helpful when I was trying to negotiate my contract. And he was developing humility in me.

I think God needed to refine certain things in me, like, Hey, even if youre not a rapper, are you still content with the life I give you? So I actually had to come to terms with that. What if my job was only to influence one person to get saved through rapping at a talent show? Would I be content if thats how God wanted to use me?

But you ended up becoming the first female artist signed to Reach Records. What has it been like to be the first, and to try to help make it easier for other women in the future?

I feel like the oldest sibling. Thats how I describe it right now. It feels like a lot of trial and error. I have to go to the Lord and make sure I never grow bitter. I want to make sure Im staying joyful. A big thing for me is holding people accountable but also giving grace.

Ive had to go through a personal journey as well regarding my femininity. This world is so male dominated. I went through a phase where I thought I had to be hard or gangsta. But I think Ive become more comfortable in just saying that I like feminine things, I like pink. It doesnt make me a weaker person. Its just who God created me to be, and Im leaning into that.

There have been some hard moments, though. There was one producer who made a record with me, then took all my beats and wouldnt give them back when it was time to finalize and turn it in. So I had to start all over. No one at Reach had ever had that happen before. They dont usually try guys like that.

And there are other little things, like hair and makeup. Our team has had to learn that I need time to do all that. On tour, theyre like, Wake up! Brush teeth, Bible study onstage! And Im like, Yeah, I love Jesus, bro, but I need a certain amount of time! I dont want to look crazy.

But honestly, I think were in a pretty good spot. Were seeing more features on tracks, and women are getting signed. Now we need people to support women by coming out to shows and supporting women doing their own tours. To get to the next level, we need people coming out to shows and supporting these women so they can sustain a career.

Youve collaborated and performed with Maverick City Music on songs like Firm Foundation. How do you think about the relationship between your performance and worship?

I think a lot of artists actually have a heart for worship. I like having songs that reflect up and arent just giving glory to me. But its in the planning stages, you have to think about your choruses, what you can do to lead people into worship. Thats been something Ive been really intentional about in my upcoming album.

And I think this has to come in the early stages of writing and creating. Sometimes when I write, Im thinking about my life and something Im feeling or going through, but then when I get to a show, I realize, Man, I really wish I could have led people into worship right then. Then you go back to the studio and you think about what you need to say to help lead people into worship or create a certain atmosphere.

Reach Records is 20 years old this year. The Christian hip-hop industry is growing. What makes you hopeful when you look at the scene and think about its future?

I think what makes me the most hopeful is that the artists really love Jesus.

You have artists who are going to influence people for Christ, but on top of that, youre gonna get quality music. Theyre pushing the quality forward while being adamant about being outspoken about their faith.

This music has been a great entry point for people who are open to exploring God but dont feel holy enough to go looking for Christian music. In a way, the music is discipling people by giving them a soundscape that they enjoy, that sounds like what they would normally listen to, but the words speak about Jesus.

People can listen to this music and not know theyre listening to a Christian song. And I think its so cool, because this music can live in multiple spaces without feeling intrusive, but at the same time, truth is being spoken.
Home News Attacks on Christians in Israel surged in 2023: Spitting on clergy, pepper spraying US citizen

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.

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As the Cardinal of Jerusalem, Pier Battista Pizzaballa, said regarding the spike in attacks, These people [the attackers] feel they are protected  that the cultural and political atmosphere now can justify, or tolerate, actions against Christians, states the report, titled, 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.

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 properties 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 hotline. ... The 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% of Israels population, of which 75.3% are Arab Christians  6.9% of the total Arab population in Israel, according to report, citing Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics. Jews constitute 73% of Israels 9.8 million people, with Ultra-Orthodox members accounting for 13% of the total population. Arabs represented 21.1% 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.

Originally published at Christian Daily International
Home News Baptist pastor arrested for buying child pornography resigns

A Baptist pastor in Florida has been arrested on charges of buying child pornography online, according to local law enforcement.

Jonathan Edward Elwing, the 43-year old former senior pastor of Palm View First Baptist Church in Palmetto, Florida, was charged with four counts of possession of child sexual abuse images, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

The Christian Post reached out to the church for comment on Elwing's charges but has not received a response.

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Elwing was arrested by detectives in the sheriff's office's Internet Crimes Against Children division after receiving information that the pastor used cryptocurrency to purchase the images online, according to ABC 7.

According to the sheriff's office, authorities conducted a search warrant on Friday at Elwing's home and church. Officers say they found four sexually explicit photos of children on Elwing's cellphone.

Before his arrest, Elwing resigned from his role as pastor. Palm View Baptist Church acknowledged Elwing's arrest on social media, saying it would "make a statement in due time."

Elwing is being held at the Manatee County Jail without bond.

Palm View Baptist Church, which describes itself as a "close-knit community and a loving family" and a "diverse group of people committed to following Jesus," is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.

The church met for the first time since the pastor's resignation after five years of service on Sunday. The congregation totals nearly 200 members, according to WWSB. Church leaders informed the church via a brief statement about Elwing's arrest and charges.

"We'd had a pastor of 41 years that Jonathan replaced, and by all accounts, he was the guy, and he seemed to be doing a good job," Deacon Chair Larry Bianchi told the outlet.

This is not the first time a pastor has been arrested for obtaining child pornography in Florida.

A Florida youth pastor in April 2023 was accused of using church wi-fi to access child pornography after a yearlong investigation by police spurred by an online tip.

Edward Wilds III of Palatka, Florida, was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

He allegedly stayed behind after a Wednesday night service at the Palatka Baptist Temple around last spring and used the church's internet connection to download child sexual material, with tens of thousands of such images being found on devices associated with him throughout the investigation.
Home News Biden admin. promotes staffer with sexually provocative photos, tweets against police

The Biden administration has promoted an official with a history of posting sexually provocative photos on social media, as well as incendiary tweets against police, Republicans, Israel and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Tyler Cherry was promoted last week to serve as an associate communications director at the White House after serving in a similar role at the U.S. Department of the Interior with Secretary Deb Haaland for three years, according to Politico.

According to unearthed tweets Cherry has posted within the past decade, he has championed anti-Israel sentiment, attacked Republicans and likened police to "slave patrols."

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"Praying for #Baltimore, but praying even harder for an end to a capitalistic police state motivated by explicit and implicit racial biases," he tweeted in 2015 after the death of Freddie Gray.

In another tweet that year, Cherry wrote that he was "praying even harder for an end to a capitalistic police state motivated by explicit and implicit racial biases."

In 2015, Cherry also described law enforcement as a "direct evolution of slave patrols and lynch mobs."

In 2014, he tweeted in support of Palestinians, writing, "Cheersing in bars to ending the occupation of Palestine  no shame and f--- your glares #ISupportGaza #FreePalestine."

In 2018, he tweeted simply: "Abolish ICE."

Another tweet alleged that Republicans care too much about "white grievance politics."

There are also photos on Instagram that depict Cherry dressed in feminine clothing, including one that depicts him adorned in a fishnet shirt decked out with rose petals that exposes his bare chest.

Cherry distanced himself from his former opinions on Sunday after they drew widespread scrutiny. He has also since deleted thousands of his tweets, as noted by Libs of TikTok.

"Past social media posts from when I was younger do not reflect my current views. Period," he tweeted Sunday. "I support this Administration's agenda - and will continue my communications work focused on our climate and environmental policies."

Past social media posts from when I was younger do not reflect my current views. Period. I support this Administration's agenda - and will continue my communications work focused on our climate and environmental policies.  Tyler Cherry (@TylerACherry) June 23, 2024

The White House defended Cherry in the face of scrutiny, telling Fox News Digital that they were "very proud to have Tyler on the team."
Home News France raises terror alert level after deadly Moscow attack by ISIS-K kills over 130

France has escalated its terror alert to the highest level following the Islamic States claim of orchestrating a devastating attack in Moscow, Russia, which resulted in the death of at least 137 individuals.

The decision, announced by Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, precedes the upcoming Paris Olympics, reflecting the intensified security concerns.

"Given the Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the attack and the threats weighing on our country, we have decided to raise the Vigipirate posture to its highest level: attack emergency," Attal wrote in a tweet, translated from French.

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During Fridays catastrophic incident in a Moscow suburb, a concert hall became the scene of Europes deadliest terrorist act attributed to the jihadist faction, France 24 reported.

The Islamic States Afghan affiliate, ISIS-K, claimed responsibility for this massacre. In the aftermath, French President Emmanuel Macron convened an urgent security meeting, addressing the severe implications of the attack and its potential threat to France.

Frances terror alert system, comprising three levels, is now at its peak, a status reserved for times of immediate threat or following significant attacks, either domestically or internationally.

This heightened alert enables the deployment of extraordinary security measures, including increased armed patrols in vital public areas such as train stations, airports and religious sites.

The countrys history with jihadist terrorism, notably the 2015 Bataclan concert hall attack, underscores the gravity of the current threat level. With the Paris Olympics and Paralympics on the horizon, attracting millions of international visitors, the security apparatus is under immense pressure.

The opening ceremony, scheduled for July 26, featuring a unique boat procession along the Seine River, is of particular concern due to the expected large gatherings.

In Moscow, the tragedy unfolded with gunmen launching a deadly assault in a concert hall. Survivors reported that emergency exits were inoperable, contributing to the chaos and casualties, according to The Telegraph.

An anonymous survivor told the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper that the gunmen initiated their assault at the concert halls main entrance. He opted to exit through the same entrance, as it was the sole escape route available.

We tried the fire escape ladder, but it was closed. People climbed the ladder, descended the ladder, all closed, he was quoted as saying.

As per Russian media, smoke inhalation might have claimed more lives than the gunfire. Disturbing accounts from the scene describe people trapped, attempting to escape through jammed exits, with some victims found near these blocked routes.

The incident has also reignited concerns over fire safety in Russia, recalling the 2018 Siberian shopping mall fire where locked exits and disabled alarms led to over 60 deaths. Despite claims from Crocus City Halls owner, Aras Agalarov, denying that exits were locked, the tragedy has left many questioning the safety measures in place.

The Moscow attack, now the deadliest on Russian soil in recent years, has left families in anguish, uncertain of their loved ones fates.

Moscows health department is undertaking the grim task of identifying victims through DNA analysis, a process expected to extend over two weeks. Meanwhile, efforts to dismantle the damaged venue continue as authorities and rescue teams navigate the aftermath of this horrific event.
Home News Judge wont dismiss Missouri lawsuit accusing Planned Parenthood of transporting girls out of state for abortions

A Missouri judge has ruled that a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Andrew Bailey, which accuses Planned Parenthood of unlawfully transporting girls out of state for abortions, will proceed. The decision came after a request for dismissal by the defendant was denied.

The suit claims that Planned Parenthood Great Plains staff, located in the Kansas City area, were covertly recorded by a Project Veritas affiliate discussing ways to get an abortion for a fabricated 13-year-old girl without parental knowledge.

Despite arguments from Planned Parenthoods attorney, John Andrew Hirth, asserting the absence of any illegal activities or completed abortions, Boone County Judge Brouck Jacobs deemed the allegations substantial enough to warrant further examination, the Missouri Independent reported.

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Project Veritas, known for its undercover investigations, released the video in question last December. The video shows a man, posing as an uncle, seeking an abortion for his niece, and interacting with Planned Parenthood staff who suggest bypassing parental consent by going to their Kansas clinics. When the man inquired about the frequency with which minors are taken out of state for abortions, a Planned Parenthood employee responded that it occurs every day.

Planned Parenthood Great Plains had sought to dismiss the case soon after its initiation. Erin Thompson, general counsel for the organization, stated Wednesday that their defense would robustly challenge the allegations, which she described as based on hypothetical situations involving non-existent patients.

During the lawsuits hearing earlier this month, the Attorney Generals office underscored Missouris laws against aiding minors in obtaining abortions without parental consent. Kathryn Monroe, representing the state, argued that the staffs reactions to the hypothetical scenarios posed by the undercover operative indicated a readiness to act unlawfully.

Planned Parenthood claims it doesn't provide or facilitate transportation for any abortion procedures across state lines. The organization also stated that Missouri law does not prevent minors from seeking abortions in other states, nor does it require parental consent for such actions, though Kansas law does impose such restrictions.

In June 2022, a trigger law went into effect in Missouri, outlawing most abortions within the state, with exceptions only for medical emergencies. Last month, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed House Bill 2634, prohibiting the allocation of public funds, including Medicaid, to abortion providers and their affiliates.

This is the beginning of the end for Planned Parenthood in the state of Missouri, Bailey said in a statement last week.

In March, Bailey announced a legal action against Planned Parenthood Great Plains as part of a multi-year campaign to drive Planned Parenthood from the state. The suit he filed was to prevent the nations largest abortion provider from transporting minors out of state for abortions without parental consent.

In an interview with The Christian Post at the time, Bailey claimed the organization had a history of refusing to comply with Missouri state statutes. We are not going to let this go, he said. This is a lawless cult of death that is committed to their willful refusal to comply with state statutes.
Home News State Dept. condemns Russia's 'appalling destruction of religious sites' in Ukraine

The U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom has accused Russia of engaging in the "suppression of religious leaders" and condemned its military forces' "appalling destruction of religious sites" in Ukraine during the State Department's release of its annual report documenting the state of religious freedom worldwide.

The U.S. State Department released the 2021 International Religious Freedom Report Thursday. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a press conference in the State Department's Benjamin Franklin Room Thursday that the report offers a "thorough, fact-based review of the state of religious freedom in nearly 200 countries and territories around the world."

The State Department has published a report on international religious freedom every year since 1998 as part of its requirements under the International Religious Freedom Act. This year's report is over 2,000 pages long.

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U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain highlighted three key themes that summarized the findings in the document.

He said the report revealed that "too many governments use discriminatory laws and policies and abuse their own people," listing China and Burma as examples of countries that have engineered "genocides of religious minority communities in recent years." He warned that "rising societal intolerance and hatred are fueling violence and conflict around the world."

Hussain lamented that Russia, which the department recognizes as a country of particular concern for tolerating or engaging in egregious violations of religious freedom, has "doubled down on its violations of religious freedom rather than reverse course."

"Russian courts regularly reach new milestones for excessive prison sentences against individuals exercising their religious freedom," he said.

Hussain condemned Russia's "unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine" that began in February. He said the invasion includes the "suppression of religious leaders and the appalling destruction of religious sites."

"Russian authorities carry out hundreds of home raids against suspected extremists that frequently include violence," he added.

Blinken criticized governments that "continue to use blasphemy and apostasy laws" banning defamation and renunciation of religion "to police the language of religious minorities."

"Others curtail expressions of religious belief like restrictions on religious attire," he said. "In all societies, including our own and across Europe, we must do more to combat rising forms of hate including anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim sentiment."

"In March, based on extensive legal review of the evidence, I made the determination that Burma's military committed genocide and crimes against humanity with the intent to destroy [the] predominantly Muslim Rohingya [people] in 2017," he continued. "[The] intent that was evidenced by, among other things, attacks on mosques, the use of religious and ethnic slurs, the desecration of Qurans, among, again, many other actions."

Blinken cited Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, China and Afghanistan as other countries that routinely discriminate against religious minorities.

"In Eritrea, only four religious groups are permitted to practice their faith freely, while members of other religious minority groups have been detained, arrested, [and] forced to renounce their faith as a precondition for their release," the secretary asserted.

"In Saudi Arabia, we recognize the important recent moves to increase interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance. However, publicly practicing any faith other than Islam remains illegal. And the government continues to discriminate against members of religious minority communities."

Blinken warned that "far too many governments remain undeterred in the repression of their citizens."

"China continues its genocide and repression of predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other religious minority groups," Blinken stated, telling reporters that more than 1 million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities have been detained in internment camps in Western China since 2017.

"The PRC continues to harass adherents of other religions that it deems out of line with Chinese Communist Party doctrine" by destroying their houses of worship and "erecting barriers to employment" for religious minorities," Blinken added.

"There are thousands of Uyghur family members, daughters and sons [who] are desperate to know where their parents are but are terrified of what news they could discover and are wondering whether they will ever be safely reunited," Hussain proclaimed. "The PRC government also continued its crackdown on Tibetan Buddhists. Authorities arrested, tortured and committed other abuses against Tibetans who promoted their language and culture, possessed pictures and writings of the Dalai Lama or practiced their religion at Buddhist monasteries."

Blinken said religious freedom in Afghanistan has "deteriorated dramatically" following the Taliban's takeover of the country last summer as the Islamic terrorist group has "crack[ed] down on the basic rights of women and girls to get an education, to work, to engage in society, often under the banner of religion."

At the same time, the terrorist group "ISIS-K is conducting increasingly violent attacks against religious minorities."

Blinken stressed that in Pakistan, "at least 16 individuals accused of blasphemy were sentenced to death by Pakistani courts in 2021 though none of these sentences has yet to be carried out."

Hussain added that "democratic backsliding and the rise in nationalism and nativist rhetoric and policies have been used to justify violence towards members of ethnic or religious minority groups and historically marginalized peoples." He contended that "social media platforms are used to spread hate speech and to incite violence by vilifying and threatening members of religious minorities."

Hussain praised the "powerful collaboration among civil society, governments and multilateral partners has led to some progress and provides hope in addressing these complex challenges." Both Blinken and Hussain repeatedly praised civil society throughout their remarks.

Blinken expressed gratitude to "faith leaders, religious organizations, [and] human rights groups" who "shared their perspectives and analysis" for the report.

Hussain rejoiced that the U.S. has "more partners in this effort now than ever before, including religious leaders. And religion can be such a powerful force for good and it should never be used to harm people."

"Our greatest hope is that together, we can unite our efforts to ensure respect of freedom of religion or belief for all people around the globe, and we continue to stand in solidarity with all people seeking to exercise their beliefs," Hussain concluded. "Civil society groups in countries all over the world are essential to this report and to our work. Their advocacy changes laws and lifts up the names of prisoners, provides lawyers to fight against various charges, and pushes governments, including our own, to do the right thing."

"Independent and strong civil societies help governments solve problems and better serve their people by shining a light on issues that matter the most," Hussain insisted. "Change is only possible with the hard work of the groups and individuals dedicated to fighting for these rights."

Blinken listed Morocco, Taiwan and Iraq as countries that have shown "notable progress" in the last year.

"Last year, the Kingdom of Morocco launched an initiative to renovate Jewish heritage sites like synagogues and cemeteries and to include Jewish history in the Moroccan public school curriculum," he said.

"In Taiwan, authorities are making it easier to report employers who refuse to give their workers a weekly rest day in order to attend religious services," Blinken added. "In Iraq, national leaders welcomed Pope Francis for the first-ever papal visit to the country, where he conducted Christian interfaith ceremonies in Baghdad, in Mosul and in the Iraqi-Kurdish region."

Blinken said that societies are "better off" when "the fundamental right of each person to practice their faith or to choose not to observe a faith is respected." When countries deny this right, it "sows division" and "ignites tension" that leads to instability and conflict.
Home News Tearful Gateway Church elder who has 6 daughters apologizes to Robert Morris accuser, Cindy Clemishire

Tra Willbanks, a longtime Gateway Church elder and father of seven, including six girls, tearfully apologized to Cindy Clemishire and other victims of sexual abused Sunday in the wake of claims by the 54-year-old grandmother that Robert Morris, the recently resigned founder of the Texas megachurch, sexually abused her for four-and-a-half years in the 1980s beginning when she was 12.

Firstly, I'd like to express my personal compassion for Cindy Clemishire. I can't imagine carrying a burden like that for so many years, and I want to say to you, Cindy, I'm so sorry. I'm also very sensitive to anyone else in this room or anyone who is listening who [has] experienced abuse, Willbanks said.

I know that there are many in this room at our other campuses and many watching online who have their own horrific abuse story and I want to speak to you. I'm so sorry. I'm just so sorry. I cannot imagine the pain and the emotions this past week has stirred inside of you as you felt betrayed. And on behalf of the elders, we're sorry, he added.

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Morris, who had been in ministry for more than four decades, resigned from the church he founded just days after Clemishire publicly reported that the megachurch pastor began sexually abusing her on Dec. 25, 1982, sparking national outrage.

Gateway elders argued in their announcement of Morris resignation that they did not know all the facts behind Clemishires abuse allegation, but she contends that they did, and believes he might have more victims beyond her.

"The leadership at Gateway received actual notice of this crime in 2005 when I sent an email directly to Robert Morris' Gateway email address. Former Gateway elder, Tom Lane, received and responded to my email, acknowledging that the sexual abuse began on December 25, 1982, when I was 12 years old," Clemishire said in a statement released last Tuesday night by her attorney Boz Tchividjian.

"Again in 2007, my then attorney Gentner Drummond (the current Attorney General of Oklahoma) sent a letter to Robert Morris with the hope that he would help reimburse me for the thousands of dollars I had expended in counseling as a result of this abuse. His attorney acknowledged the dates as well and then attempted to blame me for the abuse," she insisted. "At the very least, both the Gateway pastor and at least one elder had specific notice that I was sexually abused beginning when I was 12 years old. Gateway had the information but intentionally decided to embrace the false narrative Robert Morris wanted to believe."

Willbanks, who says he has been a non-staff elder at Gateway Church since 2014, and has attended the church for 18 years with his family, insisted that he did not know Morris was accused of child sex abuse.

I'm going to try to speak to you from my heart today, so I wrote my thoughts down to make sure I say exactly what I want to say. My wife, Shelley, and I have seven children, including six girls. As a father, what has happened is extremely disturbing, and I'm experiencing a wide range of emotions, like you. As an elder, I did not know the truth, and frankly, like so many of you, my wife and I are shocked, devastated and grieving, Willbanks said.

As I said before, I'm a father of six girls and this has been a difficult thing to explain to them this past week. Our family, this past week, like all of you, has shed tears, had heavy conversations, and we've been in deep prayer. We've prayed for Cindy Clemishire. We prayed for her family. We've prayed for the entire Morris family. We're praying for you and we're praying for our staff and our whole church family, he added.

In the announcement of Morris' resignation, Gateway Church elders said they retained the law firm of Haynes & Boone, LLP, to "conduct an independent, thorough, and professional review of the report of past abuse to ensure we have a complete understanding of the events from 1982-1987."

Willbanks assured congregants that the church is cooperating with that review and as the results are ready, they will be presented to the church.

While noting that he did not know what the future held for Gateway Church, he also recounted to congregants the many ways in which the fellowship of the church has ministered to their needs.

So what about the future of our church? Frankly, this past week, I've just been trying to get through each day and there are a lot of unknowns, Willbanks said.

The truth is, I don't know what God's plans are, but I know that I'm going to continue to worship the Lord. And I'm going to worship the Lord in this place. Jesus said I will build my church, he added.

I want to remind you this is His church. This is Jesus' Church, and the elders are humbly and firmly submitted to what He wants to do with this church.
Home News Tony Evans son, Jonathan, suggests his father didnt disclose sin to family

Though megachurch Pastor Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, recently revealed he had fallen short of biblical leadership standards due to an undisclosed sin, his son, Jonathan Evans, said his father didnt disclose the sin to his family, even though his public statement suggests he had.

Speaking during a Fathers Day sermon days after his father announced he was temporarily stepping away from his pulpit, Jonathan Evans, who is Oak Cliff Bible Fellowships associate pastor of the NextGen Ministry, told the congregation that his father told his family the same thing he told the church about falling short of biblical standards several years ago.

Three days [before the public confession], my dad would call us [his family] and tell us the exact same thing he told you. No more. No less. And then on Monday, he said, Hey, I need you to preach Father's Day for me, Jonathan Evans said.

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Pastor Tony Evans, who has led Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship for 48 years, did not provide specific details on why he was stepping away from the pulpit in a written statement earlier this month, but he made it clear he did not commit any crimes and suggested he shared his sin with his wife and children.

"The foundation of our ministry has always been our commitment to the Word of God as the absolute supreme standard of truth to which we are to conform our lives. When we fall short of that standard due to sin, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with God," Evans stated.

"A number of years ago, I fell short of that standard. I am, therefore, required to apply the same biblical standard of repentance and restoration to myself that I have applied to others. I have shared this with my wife, my children, and our church elders, and they have lovingly placed their arms of grace around me," he added. "While I have committed no crime, I did not use righteous judgment in my actions. In light of this, I am stepping away from my pastoral duties and am submitting to a healing and restoration process established by the elders."

Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship elders did not say how long Pastor Tony Evans would be in restoration, but his son explained in his Fathers Day message, based on Psalm 46, that he expects a triumphant return of his father to his pulpit.

Let me tell you, let me put it this way, my dad has been there for all of my challenges. Yes sir, he's been there for a lot of y'all challenges, whether it's counseling, whether it's preaching, radio, some of y'all YouTube, whatever medium [it] has been, he's been there, so it's an honor for me to return the favor, Jonathan Evans said.

People have been asking me all week, 'how do you feel'? Let me tell you, I feel like we've already won. I feel like we're on offense, not defense. I feel like we already have victory. I feel like His word is true. I feel like He's going to finish the work that He started. I feel like, if it's not good yet, God's not done yet. I feel like all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes. I feel like just because it's a shock to you, doesn't mean it's a shock to Him, he added.

I feel like we have already won. And so, I have to go not based on just the circumstances, but based on the reality of the Savior, because His Word is true. So what are we going to do? We going to play offense. We're going to go and do and be what God has called us to go and do and be. And when he returns, when my dad returns, when that time comes, we going to celebrate a victory we already knew beforehand that we had.
Home News Trans Christian school shooter had homicidal fantasies before mass shooting: report

The trans-identifying perpetrator behind the mass shooting at Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, appears to have confessed to struggling with homicidal urges and had fantasies of being a school shooter before killing six people last year, according to documents obtained from Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital via a search warrant.

In March 2023, 28-year-old Audrey Hale killed three adults and three 9-year-old students at the Christian elementary school affiliated with Covenant Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in America.

The shooter, who attended the school years ago, was a female who struggled with her gender identity and identified as a man. Hale was fatally shot during an encounter with police officers on the day she attacked the school.

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As The Tennessee Star reported Wednesday, the outlet obtained documents from the Metro Nashville Police Department labeled "Vandy Psych," which included notes that appear to have been taken by the officer who reviewed the documents.

The MNPD obtained the documents in June 2023 through a search warrant granted for Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital, part of Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

VUMC received public backlash in 2022 for performing sex-change surgeries on minors with gender dysphoria, leading the medical center to halt such surgeries temporarily.

According to an affidavit submitted by an MNPD detective, medical professionals affiliated with the hospital began seeing Hale in April 2001, ending with her death. The officer who reviewed the documents analyzed at least 75 pages of VUMC material related to Hale, as The Star reported.

"Thoughts of killing Dad in and struggles with mental health. Recent thoughts of going into a school and shooting a bunch of people," one of the notes stated about Hale on March 27, 2023.

Other notes from the document titled "Vandy Psych" include statements like "Homicidal thoughts with a plan. Misunderstood and felt like she needed to prove a point." Additional notes state that Hale had "fantasies of being a school shooter" and thought "a lot about death, both Suicidal and homicidal."

Vanderbilt University Medical Center did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment.

According to Tennessee State Code 33-3-206, mental health professionals "shall take reasonable care to predict, warn of, or take precautions to protect the identified victim from the service recipient's violent behavior." The mental health professional is then required to commit to the patient and continue providing care.

Prior to the Covenant School shooting, the penalty for mental health professionals who failed to warn police of a potential threat could face monetary liability in court. However, the statute of limitations on this was typically limited to one year.

Earlier this year, Tennessee passed House Bill 1625, requiring mental health professionals to warn local law enforcement if a patient expresses intent to commit "bodily harm" against a group of people.

Star News Digital Media, Inc., which owns and operates The Star, and editor-in-chief Michael Patrick Leahy are plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking to compel both the FBI and the MNPD to release the writings left behind by Hale fully.

Earlier this month, The Star reported that the FBI sent a memo to the Metro Nashville Police Department a month and a half after the shooting, telling the local law enforcement agency that it "strongly discourages" the release of "legacy tokens" from mass murderers. The FBI warned that publishing "legacy tokens" would lead future mass shooters to "immerse themselves in and study these materials for inspiration and tactics."

In a June 12 X thread, Daily Wire Host Matt Walsh unveiled excerpts from Hale's diary obtained by the conservative media outlet. One passage of the handwritten diary stated that she would "kill to have parents who would let [their] child be happy no matter how different it is to [their] viewpoints or don't agree, or scared of it" and who "are willing to listen to their children, not the other way around."

One of the entries titled "Imaginary Penis" included statements such as "My penis exists in my head" and "I swear to God I'm a male." Hale also expressed frustration that she would never know what it felt like to sodomize a girl because she was born female.

"Having a brain like mine has its godliness but also prone to making poor a decisions," she said.
Home News Not a gay church: UMC of Liberia won't bless same-sex marriages, ordain LGBT clergy

The United Methodist Church in Liberia will not bless same-sex unions or ordain noncelibate homosexual clergy even after the denomination voted to allow both practices.

Liberian Bishop Samuel J. Quire Jr. released a statement earlier this month in response to the UMC General Conference voting overwhelmingly to remove rules from the UMC Book of Discipline prohibiting same-sex marriage and ordination.

Quire vowed that "the Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church will not conduct any weddings or ordinations of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals."

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"The Liberia Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church is traditional in its interpretation of Holy Scripture and will continue its evangelistic outreach to all persons who live in darkness and do not know the redemptive grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ," he stated.

"To all United Methodists in Liberia and our Liberian public, The United Methodist Church is not a GAY Church! It is a strong Church of God administering to sinners who are in need of the saving knowledge and grace of God!"

Some in the Liberian conference are calling for a special session of the regional body to vote on leaving the UMC over the Book of Discipline changes, reported UM News.

At the UMC General Conference in late April to early May in Charlotte, delegates voted to remove from the Book of Discipline a host of rules like the ban on same-sex marriage ceremonies, the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals and the funding of LGBT advocacy groups. General Conference delegates also voted to remove a statement from the Book of Discipline declaring that homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching."

These changes were aided by the recent departure of around 7,500 primarily conservative congregations from the UMC over disagreement with the refusal of many progressive leaders in the UMC to enforce the rules in the Book of Discipline related to LGBT issues.

Rev. Jerry P. Kulah, head of the Liberia Annual Conference delegation, was among African General Conference delegates who signed a statement criticizing the votes as "officially contradict[ing] the Bible's teaching on marriage and sexual morality."

"We return to Africa with important decisions to make regarding the future," they stated.

Since the changes, some churches and conferences in the global denomination have either opted to leave the UMC or have stated that they will not allow the officiation of same-sex weddings.

The UMC Cote d'Ivoire Conference, a regional body with more than 1 million members that had been affiliated with the UMC since 2004, voted to leave the denomination over the changes.

At the General Conference, the delegates voted to allow the Eurasian Episcopal Area, based in Eastern Europe, to disaffiliate from the denomination.

Highland Park United Methodist Church of Dallas, Texas, a prominent megachurch, announced last month that its would not allow same-sex weddings on its property, though they would permit pastors to officiate such unions at other venues.

"For 108 years, through 13 different senior ministers, Highland Park has always maintained the traditional definition and understanding of Christian marriage when it comes to weddings within our worship facilities," explained Highland Park Senior Minister Paul Rasmussen. "We are going to continue to uphold the traditional definition of marriage in our worship venues."
CA Senate Bans Parental Notification, What To Do When Children Deconstruct, FBI Threatened Hospital Whistleblower

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Top headlines for Monday, June 24, 2024

In todays episode, Vice President Kamala Harris hosting Queer Eye cast sparks social media backlash, California Senate's new bill on social transitions in schools, and a critical discussion with a relationship expert on guiding children through faith deconstruction. Plus, a judge's ruling supporting Catholic organizations against a Biden administration mandate on employee abortions.

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Home Opinion Here's an alternative to missionally lost Boy Scouts of America

I vividly remember watching a steel industry commercial as a child. Molten iron, through an intense process at temperatures of over 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit, was converted into red-hot molten steel and poured into molds from a sturdy vessel called a crucible. This powerful imagery demonstrated how critical the crucible is in the process of transforming mined ore into the essential components of our modern world: skyscrapers, automobiles, pipelines, military vehicles and industrial machinery.

The crucible must have the integrity to endure the intensity of the reaction it contains.

But what happens if a crucible fails? When its integrity is compromised, it disintegrates into the mix, producing weakened steel that lacks the necessary strength and structural integrity. This analogy is strikingly similar to the current state of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), an organization that has historically served as a crucible used in molding boys into capable, principled men.

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For over a century, the BSA formed some of the most influential figures in American history, including presidents, astronauts, civic leaders and generals. These men, products of a rigorous and value-driven process, were part of what is often referred to as the greatest generation, who stormed the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe from tyranny. The BSAs objective was clear: to prepare young men to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

However, in May of this year, the BSA announced a significant shift: dropping boy from its name, creating what some perceive as an identity crisis. This change followed a decade of compromises and challenges, including integrating girls into the program. While inclusivity is often seen as a step forward, it is confusing for boys and fundamentally alters the dynamics of an organization historically focused on the unique needs of boys. Since 2018, the BSA has lost over a million boys while gaining 176,000 girls. This trajectory will ultimately make it primarily an organization for girls. Perhaps the anticipation of this projection explains the striking boy from their name.

Boys fleeing the organization are desperate for a defined path to manhood. While equal in value, boys and girls are different in many ways  physically, emotionally and socially. Every legitimate science confirms this established truth. Integrating girls into the BSA, while well-intentioned, dilutes the focus on the specific developmental needs of boys at a time when they need clear direction the most. Programs designed specifically for boys recognize these differences and tailor their approaches accordingly.

In this context, Trail Life USA emerges as a new crucible for developing strong, godly men from the stuff of boys. Formed in 2013 and launched in 2014, Trail Life USA is now the largest Christ-centered, boy-focused ministry organization in the United States, with nearly 60,000 members in almost 1,200 troops across all 50 states. Trail Life USA adheres to the original vision of scouting founder Lord Robert Baden-Powell, who said, Scouting is nothing more than applied Christianity, and envisioned scouting as a game for boys under the leadership of boys under the direction of a man.

This emphasis on peer leadership and male mentorship is central to Trail Lifes mission and critical to a society that needs men of character. Trail Life USA is dedicated to preserving the distinct and powerful processes that help boys be molded into capable men. This involves providing an environment where risk and adventure are integral, and where a boys assertive and adventurous nature is nurtured rather than suppressed. Boys need a space where it is acceptable and honorable to be distinctly boys, where their unique qualities are understood and appreciated, and where positive male role models guide them into manhood.

As the BSA rebrands and shifts its focus, parents are looking for alternatives that remain true to the original mission of scouting. Trail Life USA offers a robust program that not only fills the void left by the BSA, but also addresses the deep crisis affecting boys in America today. Trail Life USA offers a new crucible with the integrity to mold the next generation of leaders.
Home Opinion Judgment begins with the house of God

We are living in times of great shaking, times of refining and purifying. How should we respond? In the words of the gospel song, and in the spirit of Isaiah 6, we should say, Take the coal, touch my lips, here I stand. Let the cleansing begin with me.

Without question, God is purifying His Church, bringing the dross to the surface in the heat of His refiners fire. It is ugly. It is painful. It is grievous.

Many hearts are broken, and many lives devastated.

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Gods children are wondering, Who can we trust? Where do we turn? Is anything we believed real?

The truth is that we are witnessing the hand of God at work. We are witnessing the love of God in action.

This is a move of the Spirit. This is what happens when the Lord draws near. It is intensely difficult but it is awe inspiring as well.

As the prophet Malachi wrote, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come, says the LORD Almighty. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiners fire or a launderers soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years (Malachi 3:14).

One of my ministry colleagues rightly said in a text that what is happening today is not about this fallen leader or that fallen leader. It is about the man in the mirror.

Precisely so.

This is a time for self-reflection, for humility, for getting low. Woe to those who exalt themselves at times like this!

Towards the end of the Brownsville Revival, there was a very painful and public split between Pastor John Kilpatrick and me, between the church he pastored and the school I led.

For two years we could not find a way to reconcile until the Lord spoke to me while returning from a ministry trip to India.

Dont be so self-righteous, the Spirit said to me, not with reference to the events of the split but with reference to my whole life.

We were reconciled shortly thereafter, and we are ministry colleagues to this day.

Perhaps the Lord is speaking that same word to many of us? Perhaps we too are guilty of the sin of self-righteousness?

Maybe you didnt commit adultery. Maybe you didnt abuse a minor. Maybe you didnt commit financial fraud. But Jesus also said that if you gave way to lustful thoughts, you committed adultery in your heart. And if you spoke ugly words about your brother or sister, you are in danger of the fires of Hell.

This is not a time to gloat and boast. This is a time to fear. This is a time to get low. This is a time to say, Search my life, Lord.

Look at the 7 things God hates as listed in Proverbs 6. The Bible actually calls them detestable, the exact same word used for homosexual practice in Leviticus 18:22. Notice carefully that sexual sin is not even on this list: There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community (Proverbs 6:1619).

And notice those last two categories: a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

The fact is that God could damn some of us to Hell just for our posts on social media  our defaming, mocking, slanderous, nasty, judgmental posts, posts which stand side by side with our lovely Gospel posts. Careful!

James (Jacob) had some very strong words about the destructive power of the tongue: Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of ones life on fire, and is itself set on fire by Hell ... With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in Gods likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be (James 3:5-6, 910).

For good reason, Isaiah the prophet, after encountering the blazing holiness of God, exclaimed, Woe to me! ... I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty (Isaiah 6:5).

Unclean lips reveal unclean hearts.

There are Christian critics who delight in finding fault, who are quick to repeat negative stories without factual verification, quick to stir up dissension, quick to look down at others who are not in their camp.

Careful, my friend! Your day will come as well. God hates a proud heart as much as He hates adultery. He detests bearing false witness as much as He hates stealing. You will be judged in the same way that you judge.

Thats why Proverbs urges us not to gloat when our enemy falls. That same judgment could quickly turn on us (Proverbs 24:17-18).

God hates our double standards and our religious hypocrisy. He hates our selfish ambition, our lack of love, our divided hearts, our carnality.

God hates it when, to use a phrase coined by a friend, your shame becomes my fame.

Thats why Paul, after warning the Corinthians to learn from the lessons of Gods judgments on Israel (1 Corinthians 10:1-11) said, So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you dont fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12).

In these difficult days, there are non-believers who are mocking the Church, as if every preacher was corrupt and every pastor immoral. They fail to recognize that this season of purging actually gives evidence to the reality of God. And they fail to understand that judgment begins with Gods household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the Gospel of God? And If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? (1 Peter 4:1718).

So, this same Peter who taught that, if we grew in grace and pursued holiness, we would receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:11) also said that the righteous are barely saved (1 Peter 4:18, NET).

Yes, the righteous, those who love the Lord, those who lead godly lives, those who seek to honor and obey Him, even they are barely saved. What, then, will happen to the ungodly and the sinner.

Let us, then, get low, asking God to cleanse us and purge us and make us like His Son, granting us true and deep repentance where we have fallen short.

His mercy is overwhelming and His redemptive power amazing. But He does not wink at sin. And He loathes a self-righteous spirit.

God is seeking to accomplish a very deep work in His entire body. And if we fixate on sexual sin alone, as critically important as that is, we will completely miss the comprehensive level of purity to which He is calling each of us. It is time to step so much higher in all the deep crevices of our lives. Let us not miss this opportunity when the Spirit is so graciously moving!
Home Opinion The devastating price of false worship

David Foster Wallace was an American writer and university professor whose 1996 novel Infinite Jest was cited by Time magazine as one of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. Another of his works, The Pale King, was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2012. The Los Angeles Times called Wallace, one of the most influential and innovative writers of the last 20 years.

Certainly, a man who seemed to have much to live for. But on September 12, 2008, at age 46, having suffered from depression for many years, Wallace penned a suicide note to his wife and hanged himself on the back porch of his house in Claremont, California.

Just three years earlier, Wallace (not a Christian) had delivered a commencement speech at Kenyon College that provided a glimpse into the hollow and dangerous predicament he felt and believed people faced who were spiritually bankrupt. Worship the wrong things, Wallace said, and youre toast.

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This quote from him is long but worth your attention:

Because heres something else thats weird but true: in the day-to-day trenches of adult life, there is actually no such thing as atheism. There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship. And the compelling reason for maybe choosing some sort of god or spiritual-type thing to worship  be it JC or Allah, be it YHWH or the Wiccan Mother Goddess, or the Four Noble Truths, or some inviolable set of ethical principles  is that pretty much anything else you worship will eat you alive. If you worship money and things, if they are where you tap real meaning in life, then you will never have enough, never feel you have enough. Its the truth. Worship your body and beauty and sexual allure and you will always feel ugly. And when time and age start showing, you will die a million deaths before they finally grieve you. On one level, we all know this stuff already. Its been codified as myths, proverbs, cliches, epigrams, parables; the skeleton of every great story. The whole trick is keeping the truth up front in daily consciousness. Worship power, you will end up feeling weak and afraid, and you will need ever more power over others to numb you to your own fear. Worship your intellect, being seen as smart, you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out. But the insidious thing about these forms of worship is not that theyre evil or sinful, its that theyre unconscious. They are default settings. Theyre the kind of worship you just gradually slip into, day after day, getting more and more selective about what you see and how you measure value without ever being fully aware that thats what youre doing.

So, just how did the false worship (and I include the phony spiritual gods he cited) pointed out by Wallace come to be our default setting? The Bible tells us along with the devastating price we all pay for it.

The natural and unnatural

If you want to know how and why things have gotten so bad in our world, you dont need to look any further than the first chapter of Romans. In it, the apostle Paul delivers a sobering look at human nature and whats caused us to descend to the bottom rung of the ladder where we now find ourselves.

Pauls argument in Romans 1:18-32 can be summarized as such: 1. We know that God exists and thus the natural thing to do is worship Him; 2. However, we have chosen the unnatural position of worshiping other things; 3. So, God has given us over to unnatural behavior as an awful and painful judgment.

As a quick aside, if youre not a Christian and reading this, dont get hung up on the word worship. It means worth-ship  to assign worth and value to something, which we all constantly do. The problem comes when we make secondary worth-ship things primary. As French philosopher Simone Vey wrote, at that point: One has only the choice between God and idolatry. There is no other possibility. For the faculty of worship is in us, and it is either directed somewhere into this world, or into another.

But as Wallace points out, our default settings drive our worship to false things. And if that happens on a non-stop basis, we see the judgment of God that Paul spells out: Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them  And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper (Rom. 1:24, 28).

What does a depraved mind look like? All you need to do is take a stroll down New York Citys 8th Avenue  nicknamed the Strip of Despair  on any given day where stealing, stabbings, assault, drug use and public defecation are the norm.

Paul defines the depraved mind as being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them (Rom. 1:2932).

Collectively, thats a heavy price to pay for false worship in a society, both for the false worshiper and everyone around them. Its an infection that poisons everything and causes conflict everywhere.

C. S. Lewis uses the following analogy in Mere Christianity to explain this: You can get the idea plain if you think of us as a fleet of ships sailing in formation. The voyage will be a success only, in the first place, if the ships do not collide and get in one anothers way; and, secondly, if each ship is seaworthy and has her engines in good order. As a matter of fact, you cannot have either of these two things without the other. If the ships keep on having collisions they will not remain seaworthy very long. On the other hand, if their steering gears are out of order, they will not be able to avoid collisions. Or, if you like, think of humanity as a band playing a tune. To get a good result, you need two things. Each players individual instrument must be in tune and also each must come in at the right moment so as to combine with all the others.

The biblical antidote to these collisions in a culture is directing our worship to its proper target  the God who created us and everything we see. Anything else falls short, as John MacArthur says: The only faith that makes any sense is faith that has an object that can deliver what you expect.

And, last time I looked, theres only One of those out there. That being true, do the natural thing and worship God alone.
Home Opinion What Irans election means for the future of religious freedom

When Iran elects a new leader to take over for President Ebrahim Raisi on June 28, the world will watch to see if the country finally turns a corner towards embracing religious freedom, or if it continues its dark path of persecuting all faiths outside of Shia Islam.

Raisi had a notorious legacy of overseeing violence and oppression in his country. In the 1980s he was part of a death commission that executed thousands of political opponents imprisoned without due process. As a religious hardliner, Raisi supported gender segregation, the Islamization of universities, and the censorship of Western culture. He was widely expected to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Supreme Leader of Iran.

With Raisi now gone, there is a window of possibility  however small  that the next president could steer Iran away from its oppressive past. The election could be the most consequential political step in decades for Iran, leading to sweeping changes for religious freedom.

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Irans record on human and religious rights is appalling. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has documented systemic harassment, arrests, assaults, and torture of protestors, including minors. The enforcement of the hijab law has intensified, showcasing the regimes iron grip on personal freedoms.

Apostasy remains a capital offense and converts to Christianity or other minority faiths are often forced to worship in secret. Public worship can lead to arrest, imprisonment, and even death. The dwindling Christian population, now less than 100,000 among 80 million Muslims, faces relentless persecution. Even Armenian and Assyrian churches, though tolerated, are shackled by restrictions that aim to suffocate their communities.

The upcoming election is not just a political event; it is a litmus test for the future of religious freedom in Iran. If a hardline candidate triumphs, we can expect the status quo to persist, or worsen. The conservative faction's stranglehold on power suggests a continuation, if not an escalation, of religious persecution. The regime's survival depends on its ability to control and suppress dissent, and religious minorities are convenient scapegoats.

Conversely, a victory for a moderate or reformist candidate could herald a slow but meaningful shift towards greater religious tolerance. While the Supreme Leader and entrenched conservative institutions limit the potential for radical change, a reformist president might ease the enforcement of religious laws, protect religious minorities, and foster a culture of dialogue and tolerance. This could provide a respite for Christians and other minorities, reducing the daily threats they face.

International dynamics will also play a crucial role. Should Iran seek to improve relations with the West, we might see a loosening of religious restrictions as a gesture of goodwill. However, an isolationist stance will likely embolden hardliners to tighten their grip, using religious persecution as a tool of internal control.

The Iranian people's spirit of resistance, seen in the 2022 protests following Mahsa Amini's death, remains a beacon of hope. A renewed grassroots movement advocating for personal freedoms could pressure the government to reconsider its stance on religious freedom. Yet, the regime has proven itself willing to employ lethal force against its own citizens.

This election is a pivotal moment for Irans future. It offers a glimmer of hope that the nation might move towards greater religious freedom and better treatment of minorities. We can only hope and pray that the outcome ushers in a new era where Christians and others can worship freely, marking a significant departure from decades of oppression.
Home Opinion No-fault divorce isn't the actual problem

Last year, rightwing pundit Steven Crowder made waves when he publicly lamented the fact that his wife was abandoning their marriage.

My then-wife decided she didnt want to be married anymore, he complained. And in the state of Texas that is completely permitted.

I remember wanting to spit out my coffee when I read this.

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Why would any self-respecting person admit out loud to an audience of millions that he believed the law should trap a woman in a marriage to him against her will? What kind of narcissistic entitlement was this? How dare she be permitted to leave me? he seemed to be saying in his tirade against no-fault divorce.

And his audience was largely sympathetic. Conservatives have been decrying the evils of no-fault divorce for decades, blaming it for problems like the destruction of the family unit, the widespread throwaway attitude toward the institution of marriage, and the fatherlessness epidemic, among other societal ills.

Of course, the public sympathy for Crowder would be relatively short-lived. His ex-wife released some video footage of him behaving like a tyrant, and it mostly shut him up for a while, but the crusade to end no-fault divorce, especially in red states, seems to have snowballed in the past several years, as spearheaded by popular conservatives like Dusty Deevers, Ben Carson, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Matt Walsh, and others. The Texas Republican Party added a call to end the practice of no-fault divorce to its 2022 platform. Both the Nebraska and Louisiana GOP are considering similar proposals.

Deevers recently argued that easy access to divorce causes social upheaval, unfettered dishonesty, lawlessness, violence towards women, war on men, and expendability of children. His statements accompanied his sponsorship of an Oklahoma SB 1958, a well-intended but poorly conceived train wreck that would put (especially women) in grave danger should it ever pass committee.

Trapping battered spouses in marriages with abusers until such a time as they can legally prove the abuse is a recipe for getting people killed, especially when the abusive spouse controls the family finances. This is reckless public policy that seems to be completely divorced from the wisdom and insight of people who have walked these roads before.

G.K. Chesterton is credited with having said, Do not tear down a fence until you know why it was put up in the first place, and its a sentiment that applies here. On the right, we seem to have a pretty short memory when it comes to the horror stories that inspired Reagan to sign the first no-fault divorce law into place back in 1969.

But when it comes to conservative discussions about this topic, we dont generally hear anyone reflecting on the sordid history of increased female suicides and domestic violence. All we can seem to find are self-appointed spokespeople claiming to advocate for children and families without having earned the right to claim expertise on the topics theyre amplifying.

Its well and good to remind the public, for example, that divorce is hard on children. I dont disagree. Marriage should be for life. Kids DO suffer when their parents split. This is objectively true. Its not really up for debate. Throwaway marriage culture creates countless victims, and we do need to have a broader conversation about marriage preservation and fighting for relationships when times get tough.

But in Christian circles, all anyone ever wants to talk about is how divorce will ruin children. No one ever wants to talk about how staying in abusive marriages scars kids for life. Divorce hurts kids, but so does an entire childhood steeped in domestic violence, and for whatever reason, conservatives dont seem too terribly interested in amplifying the voices of the kids raised in homes with toxic marriages. These experiences dont serve to advance the preferred narrative. And when these voices ARE raised, theyre generally written off as a fringe few that cant be allowed to distract from the bottom line of marriage preservation at any cost.

One thing I hear a lot is that the data show that abuse isnt a factor in most divorces in America. We really need to challenge this belief.

Data are important. I wont dispute this. But its also true that there are truths the data dont reveal. My no-fault divorce says we divorced for irreconcilable differences, when, in fact, it was the quickest, safest route out of abuse and infidelity. This is the reality for countless people across the country. If you have the option of getting out of dodge as quickly, safely, and inexpensively as you can vs the option of hiring an expensive attorney to take your ex to a risky trial where anything less than damning evidence is going to end badly for you and your children, which option are you going to take?

Youre going to check the box that says irreconcilable differences and work to recover from the trauma as quickly as possible. And then family policy groups are going to take your data and conclude that abuse isnt really a problem. And they will be woefully misguided.

I honestly dont think the average decent man has any idea just how common domestic abuse and violence really are or how difficult they are to prove in court.

Decent men dont think like abusers, so it doesnt occur to them how many other men do. They keep telling me, If a wife is abused, she can file for at-fault divorce, and she will be just fine.

But they dont ever seem to have any answers for how the wife is supposed to do this if shes a stay-at-home mom with no income of her own, and her husband controls the purse strings.

They dont know how shes supposed to prove that hes whispering his constant verbal threats to her, thereby escaping recording or the attention of potential witnesses who could substantiate her claims.

They dont know how to help her be taken seriously by the police when she tells them hes trapped her in the house for the past three hours but he denies it ever happened.

Go to the website of any divorce attorney in a state where at-fault divorce is the default, and theyll spell it out for you pretty clearly: Emotional/psychological abuse is pretty difficult to prove in court.

So no, I dont think trapping (often) penniless women with their abusers is really going to save the family unit. I think its just going to obscure a problem most of us would just rather not see.

And no, of course Im not saying that all no-fault divorces are the result of abuse. But Im saying a lot of them are. And Im saying you would never know this from a surface-level review of the statistics.

And lets say Dusty Deevers and company DO succeed in getting rid of no-fault divorce. Then what? Do we actually believe theyre going to lift a finger to help women caught in abuse? Im not particularly optimistic about this.

Weve already seen hundreds and hundreds of times what the theobros do to battered women: they throw them back into the lions den, tell them to submit and pray for their husbands, and then look the other way. How many dozens of times have I written about this and brought the receipts? Google Eileen Gray.

Marriage at the expense of womens physical and emotional health is not Gods formula for thriving family. You really think the kids are going to be alright in this milieu? Of course theyre not.

If the only thing keeping a marriage intact is a law forbidding one of the spouses from leaving, weve already lost. Thats not the kind of relationship thats going to give kids the safety net you want them to have. Marriage is only as good and as healthy as the people within it.

No-fault divorce didnt create a new problem as much as it revealed a pre-existing one. Lets have that conversation.
Can the Church of England afford same-sex blessings?

The General Synod meeting in York next month is being overshadowed by revelations of the dire financial state of most of the Church of England's 42 dioceses.

The staggering picture of the C of E's financial decline in the Diocesan Finances Review Update, circulated to Synod members ahead of their July meeting, comes as the C of E's bishops seek approval for their plan to allow standalone services of blessing for same-sex couples to go ahead on an experimental basis.

The latest proposals from the bishops, announced on June 20, are "designed to help hold the Church together amid deep disagreements over questions of sexuality".

After Synod voted to approve services of blessing for same-sex couples in February 2023, the introduction of standalone services where couples could have dedicated celebrations in C of E parish churches has been delayed by legal arguments.

Vicars have been allowed to use the blessings in regular services since December 2023. But church lawyers have told the bishops that the standalone services require a two-thirds majority vote in Synod for permanent approval because they would represent a change in the Church's current teaching on sexual morality.

The latest document circulated to Synod members, 'Moving forward as one Church', recommends allowing individual incumbents to use the standalone services at their discretion for "an intentional period of discernment of at least three years" from 2025.

But as the bishops try to get the standalone blessings launched, the Diocesan Finances Review Update, signed by Carl Hughes, chairman of the Archbishops' Council Finance Committee, and Joanna Woolcock, director of finance transformation, National Church Institutions, reveals that C of E dioceses are now facing "underlying aggregate deficits" of more than 60 million per year.

"Most dioceses are now in a structural deficit position with 30 dioceses reporting underlying operating deficits in 2022, and 35 expecting to report a deficit in 2023 and beyond," the paper reveals.

The paper quotes the 2022 Parish Finance Statistics which state that parish incomes are down by 14% in real terms from before the Covid pandemic struck, and that "the number of regular givers has fallen from 538,000 in 2015 to 480,000 in 2019 and just over 400,000 today".

Parish share, the voluntary contribution paid by C of E parish churches to their dioceses, is down by 9%, closer to 30% in real terms, on pre-pandemic levels.

Summary graphs appended to the paper reveal "a deteriorating picture with aggregate diocesan deficits of 29m in 2022, expected to more than double to 62m in 2024".

The paper reveals: "The number of dioceses in deficit is increasing, with 18 in deficit in 2019 and at least 35 expecting to be in deficit in 2024. Declining attendance (by at least 25% since 2015) has driven a real terms reduction in parish share in all mainland dioceses, with a significant mismatch between parish share collected and the cost of resourcing ministry and mission.

"Half of dioceses face some short-term liquidity risk with 23 holding less than 3 months' cash reserves, 13 of which do not have any easily available investment assets to liquidate."

The Church Commissioners, which have assets of 10.4 billion, would have to step in if a C of E diocese were to go bankrupt. But bailing out dioceses could impact on the Strategic Development Funding which the Church Commissioners are providing for church growth projects in dioceses.

This month the C of E announced that 60 million of Church Commissioners' money is to be awarded to three dioceses, Blackburn, Southwark and London, "for long-term programmes of transformation including parish renewals, children and youth work and outreach to low-income areas".

Carl Hughes, in addition to his other high-level C of E voluntary roles, chairs the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board which approved the grants. He said they would fund "very significant long term programmes, working in partnership with the dioceses and the Board to ensure that parish churches from all traditions are renewed and revitalised in their mission to share the good news of the Gospel."

Hughes, a former chairman of City of London accounting firm, Deloitte UK, is a member of the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), which opposes the services of same-sex blessing.

In November last year CEEC launched its Ephesian Fund to "enable people in churches across the dioceses to continue to support orthodox Anglican ministry when in good conscience they might otherwise withdraw or reduce their giving to their parish church as a result of their bishop's support for the Prayers of Love and Faith initiative".

With the dire financial picture presented in his paper, Hughes might well be wondering whether the Church can afford the deeply divisive same-sex blessings which its bishops are so determined to bring forward.

Julian Mann is a former Church of England vicar, now an evangelical journalist based in Lancashire.
Practising Christians give more to charity, report reveals

A recent report by the Christian charity Stewardship highlights the significant untapped giving potential among practising Christians in the UK. The findings suggest that if this potential is fully realised, it could generate thousands more per person annually for charitable causes.

Current giving landscape

The study surveyed 4,056 Christian adults in November 2023 and conducted 15 in-depth interviews to understand the current state and potential of charitable giving within the UK Christian community. The data reveals that UK Christians currently donate an average of 73 per month (876 annually), which accounts for 3.2% of their post-tax income. This is slightly higher than the 65 monthly average reported by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) for the general UK population.

Potential for increased giving

Practising Christians, who are defined in the report as those attending church and reading the Bible at least once a month, exhibit a higher level of generosity. On average, they give 167 monthly, amounting to 6.3% of their income. This is 102 more per month than the general average.

The report posits that if all Christians adhered to the biblical principle of tithing - giving 10% of their post-tax income - their contributions could rise to 232 per month or 2,784 annually. This figure is more than 3.5 times the current average donation.

Factors influencing generosity

Regular church attendance and Bible reading significantly boost the propensity to give. The report notes that 71% of practising and church-going Christians donate monthly to Christian causes, compared to only 28% of cultural Christians, who attend church less frequently.

Trust in religious institutions also plays a critical role. Among those who trust their church "a lot", 76% donate regularly, in stark contrast to the 16% who trust their church "a little". Similarly, those who have high trust in Christian charities are more likely to give consistently.

Barriers to increased giving

Despite the potential, there are notable barriers to increased generosity. About 50% of respondents cite financial constraints as a significant barrier to giving more, while 20% are concerned that a large portion of their donations may be consumed by administrative costs rather than reaching beneficiaries. Additionally, 15% lack confidence in how their donations are used by recipients.

Closing the gap

The Stewardship report underscores the importance of building trust through transparent communication and demonstrating the tangible impact of donations. It concludes that greater engagement with faith and clearer communication from charitable organisations could help close the gap between current and potential giving.

This research reveals a considerable opportunity for increased charitable donations within the UK Christian community, emphasising the need for better engagement and trust-building efforts to unlock this dormant potential.
The children of Sudan have been forgotten

Shortly after our flight had landed in Adre, Chad, on the border with Sudan, we were driving along sand and clay roads toward the spontaneous settlements where hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees are living. Within seconds we began seeing dead animal carcasses along the road, the result of the oppressive heat  around 110 degrees  and the lack of water and food. I watched as several women chose a plot of sand, dug four sticks into the ground and hung scarves across them  their only shelter.

I kept thinking, "This place is full of all the things you would want to run away from, and yet people are running toward it."

The reason so many are desperate to get to this spot is no mystery: A year ago, a civil conflict in Sudan erupted into large-scale violence. But the refugees, nearly all of them women and children, spoke to us about their desperation to get to this place where no one should have to live, in stories no mother or child should have to tell.

They told of the terror of beatings, gunfire and explosions; of escaping violence in the night, often with the agony of leaving loved ones behind, not knowing if they would live or die.

Millions of families are trapped here in limbo in what has become the largest displacement crisis in the world, which in turn is fueling what threatens to become the world's largest hunger crisis. A significant percentage of the population is already experiencing severe food shortages, and the rates of child malnutrition keep climbing. The result is nearly 25 million people  equivalent to the population of Florida  needing urgent aid.

The details of this crisis are horrifying. The scale is immense. And yet most Americans know little to nothing about it. This humanitarian disaster continues to grow almost entirely outside the media spotlight. As new emergencies understandably draw our attention, the children of Sudan are forgotten.

World Vision's founder, Bob Pierce, was known for his prayer, "Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God."

This has always been a dangerous prayer. Every day, the headlines are filled with humanitarian suffering resulting from war, disasters and extreme poverty. Some crises, like the one in Sudan, often don't even make the headlines. But the lack of awareness about Sudan's escalating crisis has become one of its gravest threats.

No one wants to ignore the suffering of children. Whenever I talk with friends, telling them about the kids who are barely surviving in the world's toughest places, they are moved and eager to pray and help. I believe God has wired us to care for these precious little ones. And when we act, lives are changed, even saved.

It's time that we get the word out about the situation in Sudan. Seeing some children already with ribs sticking out, hair turning orange or yellow  telltale signs of malnutrition  I know the clock is ticking. The rainy season, also known as the lean season, is starting now. A time when food becomes even less accessible in both Chad and Sudan. A time when heavy rains will wash into temporary camps, worsening the poor sanitation and threatening to destroy shelters made only of sticks and tattered cloth.

This place to which hundreds of thousands have been forced to run will only become more difficult, even deadly, for already vulnerable people. I am sure God's heart is broken for these forgotten children. I know mine is.

We must also let people know that, even in some of the most difficult living conditions I've ever witnessed, there is hope.

On my last day in Chad, I met 13-year-old Isra, one of the tens of thousands of refugee children World Vision is supporting through school feeding programs. Children can come to school and receive not only an education, but a giant plate of beans and rice  a complete amount of nutrition for the day.

In the midst of so much suffering, the sound of children laughing, singing and learning was like an oasis. Isra told me about her dream to become a pilot. Every day she watches the United Nations planes coming in and dreams of flying to the places she's seen only in videos  peaceful places with beautiful houses, buildings and trees.

I pray that Isra will get to realize her dream someday. But for that to happen, the world must turn its attention to the children of Sudan and take action to bring help and lasting peace.

Edgar Sandoval Sr. is president and CEO of World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide.

 Religion News Service
What is playing on the minds of senior IT executives confronted with the multiple challenges of cybersecurity and compliance?

At a recent supper roundtable in London, convened by the endpoint and IT management vendor NinjaOne, attendees discussed some of the industrys most complex issues. Yet throughout the evening, the common denominator was the need to reduce uncertainty and manage risk.

Here are five main takeaways from the event.

1) The complexities of cybersecurity and compliance

In general, attendees stressed that robust cybersecurity frameworks are essential to protect against ever-evolving threats and ensure organizational resilience. One attendee, a global head of cybersecurity, shared insights into navigating ISO and SOC certifications  referring to it the certification jungle. Participants agreed that the need for stringent compliance measures in the context of a dynamic and rapidly evolving threat landscape means that continuous learning  alongside swift adaptation to new standards and regulations  is essential.

2) Device management and certifications

The references to certification continued, as the director of infrastructure and engineering underlined the importance of comprehensive certification programs and detailed documentation. This sparked a conversation around the potential of training academies as a way to enhance IT professionals skills. There was agreement that well-structured and accessible certification programs are crucial for keeping IT teams updated with the latest technologies and best practices.

3) The role of UEM in IT operations

Unified endpoint management (UEM) also featured prominently in the discussions. Attendees highlighted the growing importance of integrated management solutions that can efficiently handle diverse IT environments. They noted that UEM is increasingly essential for providing a seamless and secure user experience. An IT director from a large manufacturing company expressed a keen interest in exploring UEM solutions to streamline IT operations and enhance security across endpoints.

4) The challenge of evaluating new solutions

Constructive feedback on industry trends and potential collaboration opportunities also surfaced. Participants addressed specific technical issues, highlighting the need for continuous updates and improvements in IT solutions. A CTO talked about the need for advanced lab environments and collaborative efforts to tackle common challenges. The discussion also touched on the strategic considerations that IT leaders must weigh when evaluating different IT solutions.

5) Cybersecurity and compliance: the key to sustainability and reputation

The evening concluded by circling back to the importance of cybersecurity and compliance. As the IT landscape continues to evolve, these topics remain critical for decision makers. Attendees agreed that robust cybersecurity and adherence to compliance standards dont only protect data. A proactive approach also contributes to long-term organizational sustainability and reputation. Continuous improvement and excellence in these areas are imperative.

Conclusion

The inaugural IT Directors Dinner underlined the importance of bringing together IT leaders to share knowledge and experience. The event highlighted the critical issues facing IT directors today, with a strong focus on cybersecurity and compliance. As industry leaders navigate the challenges ahead, gatherings such as this remain crucial in shaping the future of IT management and fostering community among IT professionals.

NinjaOne is hosting the next edition of the IT Directors Dinner on July 18th 2024 at the NoMad Restaurant in Covent Garden, London. To secure a place alongside your peers at this next event, visit: www.ninjaone.com/it-directors-dinner/
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Harish Kapur, CEO of Across America Insurance Services, likes to tell the story of how his companys chief defense lawyer became fed up with Kapurs frequent requests for lower settlements on claims disputes.

He fired us. He literally fired us, Kapur said. He said, The way you do things, Im not going to do it.'

The attorney last November had urged the insurance company to settle an accident claim for almost $1.2 million. But Across America, a managing general agent that writes coverage for commercial transportation and trucking  enterprises that are frequent targets of plaintiffs lawyers  did things Kapurs way.

The company settled the claim for $190,000. Kapur sent a nice note to his former lawyer, gloating about the cost savings.

The episode epitomizes what Across America officials say is an unorthodox but better way to run an insurance company: Instead of immediately turning claims disputes over to lawyers, as he believes many property and auto insurers do, the Riverside, California-based company relies on a crack team of in-house adjusters  some of whom have no background in claims management. They perform a deep dive on claims and claimants.

Kapur has found that plaintiffs often arent as well prepared as they profess to be, and will settle for smaller amounts.

Your adjusters need to know the ins and outs of every file and use common sense, Kapur said. Our adjusters have to know everything about the file.

Across America has the numbers to back up its philosophy. After the company dismissed its third-party claims administrator firm and developed its own multi-step approach, the average claim payout dropped from $29,000 in 2020 to about $5,700 this year. Attorney fees went from about $5,400 per file to  wait for it  $349, according to company data.

A lot of it is, the attorneys and TPAs, they want to spend like its not their money, because its not, said Chief Operating Officer Tim Kane, based in St. Petersburg, Florida. When its not your money, its easy to pay $500,000 on a claim when it should really cost you only $50,000 or $100,000.

The company writes in most states on a non-admitted basis, giving it more freedom to cancel policies and limit costs. But it also puts a big emphasis on closing bodily injury claims as quickly as possible. When the previous claims management firm was handling matters, the 30-day closure rate was just 4%. Now its up to 51%, company data show. The firms loss ratio is about 40% this year, so low that some reinsurance providers have doubted the veracity of the numbers, Kane said.

Some larger insurers, particularly those in Florida, where litigation expenses have been a huge drag on carrier profits in recent years, might point out that Across America is small  insuring just about 3,000 trucking firms and 30,000 vehicles around the country. Floridas largest private property insurer, Universal Property & Casualty Insurance, by contrast, had more than 820,000 policies in force and more than 9,000 lawsuits pending at the end of last year.

Attorneys on both sides have said that Universals staff has appeared to be almost overwhelmed with claims and litigation matters in the last few years.

But Kapur argues that his firm still handles lots of claims  some 1,600 in a two-year period, many of them from lawsuit-happy Florida. He believes his anti-litigation approach is scalable, and insurers large and small should take note.

Do we litigate? Yes, absolutely. Were ready to fight, when we have to, Kapur said. But if you know your case and know your file, a lot of times, they dont want to go to trial.

The story of how Across America developed its business model began in the 1990s. Kapur grew up in India and moved to the United States when his father, a mechanical engineering professor, accepted a job offer. By 1996, Kapur and his wife Rajni, a CPA by training, were operating a Farmers Insurance agency. In 2003, they launched their own independent agency specializing in commercial coverage. Twelve years later, the couple launched Across America as an MGA, wholesale brokerage and fronting company.

For the first few years, Across America utilized a TPA claims firm that Kapur declined to name. Unsatisfied with the slow speed of claims closure and the large payouts on claims, he switched to another TPA. Finally, in 2020, Harish Kapur decided to bring it all in-house and created All American Claims Solutions.

After a while, the CEO moved his desk into the claims department, getting knee deep in the process. For almost two months, Kapur and Kane worked, sometimes at Kapurs kitchen table, to completely revamp the claims system and devise a checklist-driven process for adjusters to use in investigating claims.

They found out that the process of producing a better process is never ending.

We built it for a month, then we refined, refined, refined, said Kane, a former insurance consultant, business analyst and information technology director. Thats what you have to do. Bigger companies usually want a beginning and end to a project. But thats not the way it really works. You have to keep coming back around to it and looking at it again and again.

Kapur admits that the focus on adjusting means that good adjusters are paramount. But finding top-notch adjusters can be difficult. He said hes discovered that people with little or no experience in the field are easier to train and bring fresh ideas to the table. Kanwarpreet Gill, assistant vice president for claims, was flipping burgers at a Shake Shack when Kapur recruited him for the insurance business.

Gill, who has a finance degree from the University of California-Riverside, has proven to be a strong negotiator on settlements.

He can sit there in a mediation and make an attorney go get a glass of water because the attorney doesnt know how to respond, Kapur said.

And almost all staffers work in the office. Few work from home, a rule that contributes to collaboration and a team approach, he noted. The firm, with 85 employees total, has about 20 claims professionals.

Across America also has nurses on staff to review medical bills and gauge if future development is being exaggerated by claimants. A former body-shop estimator checks damage claims to see if estimated repair time has been fudged.

The insurer uses other methods that are tried and true in the industry: On one claim, an accident victim said she had been immobilized and depressed by the crash with a big truck. But her posting on TikTok showed her dancing on her kitchen counter and then blaming her angst on her father and her divorce.

Another trick: Get the insured involved. Fleet safety managers know the condition of the vehicle. And truck drivers are often the first to see the extent of the other parties injuries. If the victim is walking around after a collision, it could mean the injury is less than severe, Kapur and Kane noted.

Adjusters, not lawyers, make it work, they insist.

Why cant adjusters get medical records? Why does it need to be an attorney doing that? Kapur said.
Trinity Public Utilities Districts power lines snake through the lower reaches of the Cascade Range, a rugged, remote and densely forested terrain in Northern California that has some of the highest wildfire risk in the country. But for several years, the company has been without insurance to protect it from such a threat.

Trinitys equipment was blamed for causing a 2017 wildfire that destroyed 72 homes and three years later its insurer, a California public agency called the Special District Risk Management Authority, told the utility that it would no longer cover it for fires started by its electrical lines. Trinity could find no other takers.

The utilitys exposure comes as wildfires are already flaring up across the US West in what could be a dangerous and prolonged fire season.

If a fire were to start now that involved one of our power lines, it would likely bankrupt the utility, said Paul Hauser, general manager of the local government-owned utility that serves about 13,000 rural customers in Trinity County, 200 miles (322 kilometers) north of Sacramento. Thats because without insurance, a lawsuit could put the utility on the hook to pay for damages to private homes and businesses, which could easily top the utilitys annual revenue of about $16 million.

Western utilities and beyond are finding it prohibitively expensive, if not impossible, to insure against potential fire-related claims. The trouble comes after power companies from Hawaii to Texas have collectively faced tens of billions of dollars in damages from wind-driven wildfires linked to their equipment. The issue will become more pressing as climate change makes droughts more intense and frequent, heightening the chances of more destructive infernos.

Wildfire risk is the number one issue for utilities, said Michael Kolodner, the practice leader for the US power and renewables industry at Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc., a US insurance broker. This is impacting every single utility in North America.

The insurance companies set up by the utilities are now limiting how much coverage they will provide to power companies exposed to wildfire risk, leaving them at the whim of the commercial marketplace where premiums are rising.

Overall, commercial wildfire insurance rates have gone up as much as 30% this year with premiums also increasing the past several years, according to Marsh. Portland General Electric, based in Oregon, said their fire insurance premiums doubled.

The insurance challenges are now making it more expensive and difficult for some utilities to attract the capital required to harden their grids against climate risks and build out the infrastructure needed to meet President Joe Bidens goal of a carbon-free grid by 2035.

If utilities cant get insurance or if the insurance is really expensive, its harder for them to construct new facilities they need to build like transmission lines and distribution lines, said Michael Wara, an expert on utility wildfire risks who serves as director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at Stanford University. The problem is akin to potential homeowner being unable to secure a mortgage to buy a house because they cant get property insurance, Wara said.

Randy Howard, general manager of the Northern California Power Agency, which has 16 public power utility members including Trinity, says the lack of commercial insurance is making it hard for some his utilities to attract financing to build high-voltage transmission lines that the state wants to connect to renewable energy projects.

Its impacting investors willingness to invest in these projects that we need to build, Howard said.

The utility industry is openly discussing the need to set up a federal program that could provide a type of insurance backstop for smaller power companies that have limited financial resources. Such a fund would cover claims for utilities that have agreed to meet certain fire risk reduction standards. The fund could be modeled after one set by California after PG&E Corp. filed for bankruptcy in 2019 in the wake of starting some of the worst wildfires in state history.

As it stands now, utilities have become the insurer of last resort when it comes to damage claims from wildfires tied to their equipment, said Emily Fisher, general counsel at the Edison Electric Institute, an investor-owned utility trade group. The industry has become difficult to insure because there isnt a limit to their potential wildfire liabilities, Fisher added.

Power companies also need to spend billions of dollars to make their infrastructure less prone to start fires, funding fixes such as installing weather monitoring equipment, burying power lines and replacing old poles. Its not a sustainable regime, Fisher said.

Warren Buffett agrees. In the billionaire investors recent annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. shareholders, Buffett said hes reconsidering his utility investments due to the heightened wildfire risk in the US West. Berkshires PacifiCorp utility, which operates in six Western states, was found liable in 2023 for destruction caused by the 2020 Labor Day fires in Oregon. PacifiCorp is appealing the decision. The utility faces wildfire claims estimated to be as much as $8 billion, according to a regulatory filing.

We are basically in the position of being the insurer of last resort because we cannot get enough commercial insurance, PacifiCorp Chief Executive Officer Cindy Crane said at a S&P power markets conference in April. We had a pretty good volume of wildfire insurance and we blew through that.

PacifiCorp has obtained wildfire insurance, but its premiums have increased more than 400% from 2019 through 2022, a spokeswoman said.

Utilities also have been turning to state governments for help. PacifiCorp backed legislation passed earlier this year in Utah that sets up a catastrophic fire insurance fund for utilities and caps non-economic damage claims arising from utility-linked fires.

In 2019, California set up a $21 billion wildfire insurance fund to prevent additional investor-owned utility bankruptcies after PG&E was driven into Chapter 11 for sparking fires in 2017 and 2018 that killed more than 100 people and destroyed thousands of homes.

California investor-owned utilities, which contributed to half of the fund, can qualify for the coverage if they meet certain fire safety standards. The fund covers claims above $1 billion, with the utilities having to find insurance up to that amount.

Even that has proven to be difficult. PG&E decided to self-insure against wildfire risk in 2023 after the utility saw its cost for commercial wildfire insurance as a percentage of coverage jump from 4.6% in 2015 to nearly 80% in 2022, when the utility paid about $746 million for $940 million in coverage, according to regulatory filings.

PG&E estimates its self-insurance program, which works by putting aside money collected from bills for possible claims, will save customers up to $1.8 billion over the next four years compared to commercial insurance coverage. Southern California Edison has also opted to self-insure after seeing its commercial coverage rates skyrocket.

However, publicly-owned, government-run utilities like Trinity arent part of Californias wildfire insurance fund, leaving them entirely exposed. The states legal regime holds utilities responsible for damage claims from fires started by their equipment  whether they were negligent or not. (While the liability standard is looser in other states, it hasnt gotten utilities off the hook in places like Oregon).

Trinity Public Utilities District is stuck in a problematic cycle where it cant do the work required to make its own property safer from fire. The utility wants to widen the clearing around its existing lines on federal land from 20 feet to up to 130 feet to reduce fire risk, but it cannot start that work without a new federal permit. And it cannot get a new permit unless it has wildfire insurance.

We are kind of the poster child for this issue, Hauser, the general manager, said. No one will insure us.

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Two men accused of murdering a woman in front of her children appeared from jail on Monday during their first court appearance and pleaded not guilty. A judge ordered them detained on $1 million bonds.

Jamar Skanes, 49, and Alontez Beasley, 34, were indicted last week in Cuyahoga Common Pleas Court in the death of Alyson Appling-France. The 29-year-old was shot 17 times in January in the citys Cudell neighborhood while her daughters, 6 and 10, watched, prosecutors say.
Country music legend Willie Nelson missed the opening shows of the 2024 Outlaw Music Festival, which began Friday in Georgia, due to not feeling well, he announced on social media.

Nelson, 91, did not perform at Ameris Bank Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, Georgia, on Friday, and was also forced to miss shows on Saturday at PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Sunday at Coastal Credit Union Music Park in Raleigh, North Carolina.

We regret to inform you that Willie Nelson is not feeling well and, per doctors orders, has been advised to rest for the next four days, read a statement posted on Nelsons X Friday. He is expected to make a full recovery and join the Outlaw Music Festival tour next week.

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After missing the first three shows of the 2024 Outlaw Music Festival, a representative for Nelson shared a promising update on his health and return to the tour.

Willie will be fine, Nelsons representative told Today.com. I live in Los Angeles and will fly next week to see the performances on the east coast. I cant wait.

The Outlaw Music Festival continues Wednesday at Veteran United Home Loans Amphitheater in Virginia Beach, Virginia; Friday at Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater in Syracuse, New York; Saturday at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York; and Sunday at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey.

Where to get tickets now: SeatGeek, VividSeats, StubHub, Viagogo, TicketCity and Ticketmaster

In addition to Nelson, this years Outlaw Music Festival lineup is headlined by Bob Dylan, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, and Celisse. Nelsons son, Lukas, and the Nelson Family Band also performed in Willies absence.

The 2024 Outlaw Music Festival was announced in February and includes tour stops across the U.S., including Cleveland, through September. The festival will hold its Cleveland show at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, on Sept. 12.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  A federal-state power struggle over a proposed new interchange on Interstate 71 in Northeast Ohio remained in limbo Monday as the state legislature headed toward a long summer recess after Wednesday.

The stalemate leaves it unclear whether the state will try to ignore federal policy that empowers NOACA, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency, to determine whether a new Boston Road exit would solve congestion along I-71 in the Cleveland suburb of Strongsville.
China, Germany hold dialogue on climate change, green transition

Xinhua) 10:50, June 24, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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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, March 5, 2024. China said the United States must refrain from "stirring up trouble" or taking sides on the South China Sea issue, after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said a security deal with the Manila extended to attacks on the Philippine coast guard.

China is employing "gray zone tactics" against the Philippines at the contested Second Thomas Shoal reef, a move likely aimed at avoiding U.S. intervention in the region, according to Lowy Institute's Rahman Yaacob.

Last week, Philippine officials said Chinese forces damaged the country's boats and injured several sailors near the Second Thomas Shoal  claimed by both Beijing and Manila  in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea.

Speaking to CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Monday, Yaacob, Southeast Asia Program research fellow at the Lowy Institute, said that while China was testing its boundaries at the Shoal, it has strategically avoided triggering a wider conflict despite the latest escalation.

"The Chinese, they are experts at operating just below conventional warfare; They are good at employing gray zone tactics against their opponents," he said, adding that the incident was unlikely to trigger an existing defense pact between the U.S. and the Philippines.

Gray zone tactics refer to "coercive actions that are shy of armed conflict but beyond normal diplomatic, economic, and other activities," according to Rand Corporation.
Constellation Brands has an upper hand in a battle for coveted  but shrinking  territory in stores, according to new Wall Street research. It is further evidence that the Mexican beer powerhouse is a worthwhile investment in an otherwise weak category. Constellation's portfolio of beers, anchored by Modelo and Corona, is among the best positioned to gain display space at U.S. retail locations this summer and beyond, Jefferies said in a note to clients Monday. Working in the Club holding's favor is the growing popularity of imported beers and struggles for domestic alternatives. Its other brands include Pacifico and Victoria. The analysts' conclusion is notable because in-store displays  cases of beer stacked in an attention-grabbing way  are important drivers of sales. In fact, displays provide more of a lift to sales than shelf-space gains for brands, Jefferies analysts said. However, retailers have reduced the beer industry's display space by roughly 37% since March 2022, Jefferies said, as mainstream domestic brands proved to be a drag on incremental sales. "This means more competition for less space among competitors," analysts explained. Flavored malt beverages, imports, and non-alcoholic beverages are the only subcategories to see an increase in store display penetration during this period. While Anheuser-Busch InBev and Molson Coors continue to occupy the top two spots, "we expect share losses to continue given less favorable portfolio mix," wrote the analysts. On the other hand, Constellation has a beer portfolio entirely in the growing import category, which is why Jefferies is upbeat about the company's ability to win prominent placement in supermarkets and convenience stores. The analysts have a buy rating on Constellation and a price target of $310 per share, implying nearly 18% upside from Friday's close. Jefferies also identified Boston Beer as a display-space winner thanks to its flavored malt beverages, such as Twisted Tea. STZ 5Y mountain Constellation Brands' stock performance over the past five years. In recent years, Constellation's stock has been a frustrating stock to own  though we've remained upbeat on the long-term promise of its beer business, which has favorable demographic trends in the U.S. on its side. We have a buy-it-here 1 rating on Constellation Brands and a price target of $300, implying about 14% upside from Friday's close. Shares have had a nice move since late May  and last week, the stock posted its best weekly performance since January, advancing almost 4%. Year to date, Constellation is up more than 9%, underperforming the broader S & P 500's gain of slightly more than 14%. Constellation's momentum will be tested next week when the company reports fiscal 2025 first-quarter results. Recent scanner data has shown some weakness due in part to poor weather around Memorial Day, Jefferies analysts told clients in a note earlier this month. Any slowdown is likely to be temporary, though, analysts said. In general, Jim Cramer has expressed concern over a slowdown in consumer spending and wondered whether increased use of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, such as Zepbound from fellow Club name Eli Lilly , could dampen demand for beer. While still early, it appears that beer has not as impacted, and we hope this trend continues. We would also like to see the company return more capital to shareholders, though we recognize the company is in an investment phase in order to expand beer production capacity. "There's no big buyback coming until next year so the cashflow is not being used the way we might expect it," Jim during Monday's Morning Meeting for Investing Club members. Last quarter , management increased its quarterly dividend by 13% to $1.01 per share. The stock's current dividend yield is about 1.5%. Constellation is working with activist investor group Elliott Management, which has a history of bringing out more shareholder value in companies it takes stakes in. While Jim has urged Constellation to concentrate solely on beer and part ways with its struggling wine and spirits business, neither the company nor Elliott has signaled a move in that direction. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long STZ, LLY. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

Constellation Brands' Corona Light is displayed for sale at a grocery store in New York. Scott Eells | Bloomberg| Getty Images
Crude oil futures rose 1% on Monday and are on pace to post a gain for the month, as signs point to strengthening gasoline demand in the US and geopolitical tensions flare again in the Middle East.

Oil prices pulled back Friday, snapping a recent winning streak, but closed out the week nearly 3% higher. West Texas Intermediate and Brent are on pace for a monthly gain of 6% and 5.4%, respectively.

U.S. crude oil booked its worst month of the year in May, but prices have bounced back on hopes that the market will tighten on summer fuel demand.

Here are Monday's closing energy prices:

"The chief underlying reason behind the price strength, nonetheless, is the growing confidence that global oil inventories will inevitably plunge during the summer in the northern hemisphere," Tamas Varga, an analyst with oil broker PVM, said in a note Monday.

Ryan McKay, senior commodity strategist at TD Securities, said supply risks are now back in focus as tensions are building on the Israel-Lebanon border. Israel and the Iran-backed militia group Hezbollah have traded threats of war in recent weeks.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would re-deploy forces to the north of the country as the intensive phase the war in Gaza comes to an end.

"A renewed surge in our energy supply risk indicator can further support price action in the near term," McKay told clients in a note Monday, but the strategist argued that funds would start to liquidate long positions if WTI falls below $81 per barrel.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Monday that Kyiv has hit more than 30 Russian oil refineries, terminals, and bases without providing a time frame of when the attacks occurred.
Emergency vehicles are parked next to the site of a fire at a lithium battery factory owned by South Korean battery maker Aricell in Hwaseong on June 24, 2024.

At least twenty-two people died after lithium battery combustion ignited a massive fire in a South Korean factory, local officials said, according to NBC News.

Reuters said 18 of the casualties were believed to be Chinese nationals.

Another seven people were injured, with two suffering second-degree burns, according to NBC News. Authorities are still searching for one missing person.

CNBC could not independently confirm these figures.

The blaze erupted at the Aricell battery factory in Hwaseong, a city south of Seoul, around 10:31 a.m. local time, officials said. The fire was largely under control by 3:10 p.m. local time and has now been put out.

The plant housed an estimated 35,000 batteries, NBC said. The factory was a reinforced concrete three-story building that sprawled over roughly 2,300 square meters and housed an estimated 35,000 batteries, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.
John Hess, CEO of Hess Corp , has joined the board of Goldman Sachs as independent director, the Wall Street firm said in a statement on Monday.

Hess is the latest addition to the board after senior banking executive Tom Montag joined as an independent director last year.

Hess will also become a member of the Goldman board's compensation, governance and risk committees, the statement said.

Hess did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Since 1995, Hess has served as chief executive officer of Hess Corp, which is being sold to Chevron Corp .

He will retire from his roles at Hess and join the board of directors of Chevron. He has also served as an independent director at KKR & Co and Dow Chemical Co in the past.

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said in the statement the company's board, management team and shareholders will benefit from Hess' nearly 30 years of experience as a public company CEO.
A boy carries salvaged items from the rubble of a building destroyed during Israeli bombardment at al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City on June 22, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. Omar Al-qattaa | Afp | Getty Images

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled that the "intense" phase of fighting in the war-torn Gaza enclosure is close to ending, while stressing the broader war against Hamas wages on. In a rare live interview with an Israeli news outlet, Netanyahu told Channel 14 that the Jewish state would be able to shift more of its troops near the northern border with Lebanon, where hostilities against the Iran-backed Hezbollah have surged over the past two weeks. "After the intense phase is finished, we will have the possibility to move part of the forces north. And we will do this. First and foremost for defensive purposes. And secondly, to bring our [evacuated] residents home," Netanyahu said, according to a Reuters translation. "If we can, we will do this diplomatically. If not, we will do it another way. But we will bring [the residents] home." Thousands of Israeli and Lebanese civilians have been displaced from their border-facing settlements amid fire exchanged since the October start of the Jewish state's war campaign against Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah claim solidarity with the Palestinian plight and have intensified bombardment since the Israeli Defense Forces on June 12 reported killing a senior commander of the Lebanese faction.

watch now

Asked when the intense stage of combat against Hamas will finalize, Netanyahu on Sunday said, "Very soon," according to a Google translation of the Channel 14 report. He did not provide an explicit timeline, stressing that the Israeli military will not "stop in the middle" of its campaign in Rafah, which had offered refuge to over half of the 2.3 million Palestinian people of the Gaza enclave prior to last month. Once more broaching the topic of a "day after" the Gaza conflict, Netanyahu underlined that Israel must first eliminate Hamas capabilities, allowing an IDF assumption of military control in the Gaza enclave and the "establishment of a government in the strip under the management of moderate countries in the region." This would effectively eliminate the possibility of creating a separate, independent Palestinian state  which several Western states support, but Netanyahu has vocally opposed so far  or the transfer of regional governance to the Palestinian Authority, which oversees most Palestinian people in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian women make their way past destroyed buildings in Khan Yunis on June 20, 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the militant group Hamas. Eyad Baba | Afp | Getty Images

"I think that military control is needed in the Strip, and it is not realistic to settle in the Strip," the Israeli prime minister said, in a likely blow to a share of his right-wing support-base that seeks the re-establishment of settlements in the Gaza enclave, from which Israel withdrew in 2005. Despite floating a shift to a lower-intensity campaign, Netanyahu said he is unwilling to "stop the war and leave Hamas intact" and emphasized that Israel is prepared to fight on several fronts, if it is "required to take on this challenge" and engage Hezbollah. Rhetoric between the Israeli and Lebanese sides has heated in recent days, with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz warning over the prospect of "all-out war," while Hezbollah's leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah threatened a conflict with "no rules and with no red lines." U.S. special envoy Amos Hochstein traveled to the region to speak with Israeli and Lebanese leadership in a bid to abate tensions, and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Monday announced plans to head to Lebanon over the "more than worrying" border situation, according to Reuters.

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Washington has staunchly backed Israel after the Hamas terror attack of Oct. 7, but has increasingly faced pressures over its military support to the Jewish state and expressed concerns over the proportionality of the Gaza conflict and the Palestinian toll. More than 37,000 people have perished in the Gaza Strip since October, according to the latest figures of the local Ministry of Health. The White House has been pressing a peace framework for the Gaza hostilities, which has so far languished without mutual endorsement from Israel and Hamas. Cracks in the U.S.-Israeli relation have showed signs of deepening, with Netanyahu on Sunday doubling down on claims that Washington has been reducing weapons shipments.

A view of destroyed houses and destruction as the Palestinians living at the Jabalia region starts to return to their homes following the withdrawal of the Israeli army on May 30, 2024 in Gaza Strip. Omar El Qattaa | Anadolu | Getty Images
Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Monday: Jefferies reiterates Nvidia as buy Jefferies raised its price target on Nvidia to $150 per share from $135. "NVDA remains both king and kingmaker  for example, we still see growth for MRVL and ALAB alongside NVDA, but NVDA's decisions on each generation could materially alter that." Citi reiterates Micron as a top pick Citi raised its price target on the stock to $175 per share from $150 ahead of earnings on Wednesday. "Our Top Pick Micron will report F3Q24 results on June 26 after market close and we expect the company to post results and guidance above Consensus given the DRAM upturn and Micron's increasing AI memory exposure." Citi upgrades Carrier to buy from neutral Citi said the transformation is underway for the heating and cooling company. "Ultimately, CARR remains a work-in-progress and we don't expect "straight-line" improvement, but the company is well run with leading share in one of our favorite end markets, and we see room for further upside." UBS upgrades Anheuser-Busch InBev to buy from neutral UBS said the beverage giant is at an inflection point. "Over the next 12m, ABI is at the cusp of delivering the ideal consumer staples growth profile, which it has never consistently achieved since pre-2008." Goldman Sachs initiates IBM as buy Goldman said IBM's transformation is underway and that the company is well positioned in the long term. "We believe IBM is on a path to successfully complete its pivot to long-term growth, driven by an improving mix of infrastructure software assets focused on open-source and AI offerings aimed at driving enterprise business transformation." Goldman Sachs upgrades Affirm to buy from neutral After a change in analyst coverage, the firm upgraded the finance company to buy. "We view AFRM as the leading provider of modern credit solutions for consumers, with a diverse portfolio of products for point of sale financing, and every day spending." Bank of America reiterates Broadcom as buy Bank of America said the company has best-in-class attributes. "Reiterate Buy on top pick, raise PO to $2,150 from $2,000 on AVGO' s transformation to a growth from a value stock, driven by growing AI and VMWare contributions." Morgan Stanley initiates Ryder System as overweight Morgan Stanley said the transformation is underway for the transport company. " Ryder hasn't gotten much credit for its transformation yet but we may not have to wait much longer, especially with the upcycle upon us." Morgan Stanley names UnitedHealth a top pick Morgan Stanley said the health-care company is compelling. "With this note, we are adjusting our Top Pick to UNH (from CI), where its relative share price performance presents an opportunity in our view." Morgan Stanley initiates Elevance Health as overweight Morgan Stanley called out Elevance Health's earnings power as it initiated coverage of the stock. " ELV's Managed Care platform should benefit from diversified profit drivers across multiple health benefits verticals, pharmacy solutions, and provider offerings, supporting consistent +DD [double digit] earnings growth." Bernstein initiates Cheniere Energy as outperform Bernstein said the energy company has a "moat the size of a gulf." "....we initiate coverage of Cheniere Energy Inc (LNG) at Outperform, an LNG pure-play and largest exporter of US gas and one of the largest gas exporters on Earth." Citi initiates Ally Financial as buy Citi said the bank holding company is well positioned. "We are initiating on ALLY with a Buy rating and a $50 TP. Our central case is for a soft landing, and we believe ALLY is the best way to play it within our universe due to fixed rate asset repricing potential combined with a liability sensitive balance sheet." UBS reiterates Tesla as neutral UBS said it was lowering expectations ahead of the company's delivery numbers in a few weeks. "We forecast 2Q24 Tesla deliveries at ~420k, which would be -10% y/y but +9% q/q." TD Cowen upgrades Planet Fitness to buy from hold TD said the fitness company has a "compelling catalyst path." "We upgrade PLNT to Buy with a $92 price target and name it our top smidcap idea. PLNT is an early turnaround play with a compelling catalyst path & upside to valuation." Barclays upgrades Synovus to overweight from equal weight Barclays said it's bullish on shares of the financial services company. "We upgrade SNV to Overweight from Equal Weight, as we believe the work started last June to strengthen capital and earnings is mostly complete." Melius reiterates Apple as buy Melius raised its price target on Apple to $260 per share from $227. "We think investors will continue to embrace this earnings visibility through at least 2026." Bank of America reiterates Amazon as buy Bank of America said it's sticking with its buy rating on Amazon after a report said the e-commerce giant may charge a fee for Alexa. "Reuters reports that Amazon is working to replace its current voice assistant with a two-tiered, AI-powered 'Remarkable Alexa' by August." Citi initiates Zeekr as buy Citi said it's bullish on shares of the China auto company. " Zeekr is positioned in the premium intelligent BEV [battery electric vehicle] market and differentiates itself with strong technological expertise, in-house R & D capabilities, and exceptional user experience." Jefferies reiterates Eli Lilly as buy Jefferies raised its price target on the stock to $1,015 per share from $994. "We're bullish on LLY for several reasons: 1) LLY has an attractive growth profile in a recessionary environment; 2) we're bullish on GLP1 and see it as one of the biggest drug classes of all time." JPMorgan reiterates Royal Caribbean as overweight JPMorgan raised its price target on the stock to $175 per share from $173. "Based on our recent fieldwork and mgmt access - we see RCL as best positioned for accelerating market share gains and continued beat/raise opportunity given its improved & differentiated product/destination offering."
Novo Nordisk on Monday said it will spend $4.1 billion to build a new manufacturing plant in Clayton, North Carolina, in a bid to boost the supply of its blockbuster weight loss drug Wegovy, diabetes treatment Ozempic and other injectable therapies.

Demand for Wegovy and Ozempic has outstripped supply over the last year, spurring intermittent shortages in the U.S. and forcing the Danish drugmaker to invest heavily to increase its manufacturing footprint. The company said it plans to invest $6.8 billion in production this year, up from roughly $4 billion last year.

The new manufacturing facility will be responsible for filling and packaging syringes and injection pens for the drugs, according to a company release.

"This investment really gives us the opportunity to serve more patients," Doug Langa, Novo Nordisk's head of North American operations, said in an interview. "Importantly, I think the other key message here is it's further investment in the U.S., so I think we're very proud of that."

Construction of the 1.4 million-square-foot facility has begun and is expected to be completed between 2027 and 2029, Novo Nordisk said. The company said 1,000 workers will staff the site, adding to the 2,500 employees already working at its three existing manufacturing plants in North Carolina.

That includes two sites that are already operational in Clayton  one responsible for fill and finish work and another dedicated to producing the active ingredient in the company's diabetes pill Rybelsus. The company also has a site in Durham, North Carolina, responsible for manufacturing and packaging oral drugs and another facility in West Lebanon, New Hampshire.
Oracle CEO Safra Catz, center, departs following a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 18, 2024. Chief executives from major companies including Palantir Technologies and Oracle Corp. met with senators at the Capitol Tuesday to press for US support of Israel amid its invasion of Gaza, while seeking a way to release hostages held by Hamas.

A U.S. ban of TikTok might hurt Oracle 's business, the software company acknowledged in its annual report on Monday.

In April, President Joe Biden signed a bill demanding that China's ByteDance sell TikTok in nine months, or one year if an extension is approved, if the short-video company wants to avoid a ban in the U.S. TikTok's ownership structure has long been a source of tension in the U.S. due to concerns about user data making its way to China.

Oracle provides cloud infrastructure for TikTok, which has over 150 million users in the U.S.

"If we are unable to provide those services to TikTok, and if we cannot redeploy that capacity in a timely manner, our revenues and profits would be adversely impacted," Oracle said in its annual report for the fiscal year ended May 31.

Concern over TikTok and its Chinese ownership dates back to 2020, when Donald Trump, who was then president, pushed for a sale or divestiture of the U.S. assets. That pressure prompted deal talks with Microsoft . Weeks later, Oracle announced that it was part of ByteDance's proposal to the U.S. Treasury Department to provide cloud services that could help TikTok remain available in the U.S.

TikTok moved forward with an initiative called Project Texas, designed to keep TikTok services for U.S. users running on Oracle cloud infrastructure located inside the country. TikTok said Oracle would also be responsible for compiling the app and delivering it to third-party app stores.

"The one thing I can tell you is we have an excellent relationship with the folks at TikTok," Oracle CEO Safra Catz said on a 2022 conference call with analysts.

Following the bipartisan legislation this year targeted at TikTok, and Biden's signing of the bill mandating its sale, TikTok filed a lawsuit arguing that the law violates First Amendment free speech protections.

Real estate investor Frank McCourt and former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin have expressed interest in buying TikTok, but no deal has materialized.

Oracle hasn't disclosed details of its financial ties to TikTok. Evercore analysts estimated in April that if TikTok is generating sales of $16 billion in the U.S. annually, it could be spending 3% to 5% as a percentage of revenue on cloud infrastructure, which would work out to $480 million to $800 million. Oracle's cloud infrastructure revenue for the fiscal year came to $6.9 billion.

TikTok didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

WATCH: Investors want to see a sale of TikTok, says Carnegie's Peter Harrell
LONDON  Populist British politician Nigel Farage doubled down on claims that the West provoked Russia's war in Ukraine despite facing backlash from Westminster in the crucial final weeks of the U.K. election campaign.

Writing in the Telegraph newspaper on Saturday, the Reform UK leader and Brexit figurehead said that Russian President Vladimir Putin's 2022 full-scale invasion was "immoral" but added that "if you poke the Russian bear with a stick, don't be surprised if he responds."

He was defending comments made Friday in a BBC interview, in which he said that the eastward expansion of NATO and the European Union had given Putin a pretext to tell Russians "they're coming for us again" and to go to war.

"We've provoked this war. Of course it's his fault. He's used what we've done," Farage said Friday.

Clarifying his comments Saturday, Farage said he was not and never has been "an apologist or supporter of Putin," but claimed that he "saw the war coming" and that the West has "played into Putin's hands."

"As I have made clear on multiple occasions since then, if you poke the Russian bear with a stick, don't be surprised if he responds. And if you have neither the means nor the political will to face him down, poking a bear is obviously not good foreign policy."

He also recalled comments made to the European Parliament in 2014  shortly after Russia's annexation of Crimea  in which he questioned NATO's military exercises in Ukraine.
Skyline, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam John Harper | Photodisc | Getty Images

Southeast Asia has emerged as a top choice for firms looking to diversify production away from China, including Chinese companies, amid escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing. "Southeast Asia is well-placed to benefit significantly from the China+1 phenomenon as both foreign and Chinese companies diversify their supply chains and operations," said Kuo-Yi Lim, co-founder and managing partner of Southeast Asian venture capital firm Monk's Hill Ventures. "Geopolitical [tensions have] accelerated these activities, which started during the Covid lockdowns," Lim added. The "China Plus One" strategy seeks to reduce the risks associated with total reliance on China's market or supply chain through diversifying manufacturing operations, expanding into other countries even as companies' maintain a presence in China. This has spurred greater investments into the ASEAN bloc. Foreign direct investments into the ASEAN economies of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam rose to $236 billion in 2023 compared with an annual average of $190 billion between 2020 and 2022, OCBC economists said in a May report. The inflows mostly came from the U.S., Japan, European Union as well as Mainland China & Hong Kong. "The ASEAN-6 region has benefited from a diversification of global and regional supply chain as well as the adoption of 'China+1' strategies. FDI inflows from Mainland China and Hong Kong SAR into the region have risen, with manufacturing and certain services receiving the bulk of inflows," the OCBC economists said.

Vietnam

Vietnam has become a key manufacturing location for Apple as the U.S. tech giant seeks to diversify the assembly of its products away from China. Beijing's tough Covid-19 measures and worker unrest at Foxconn's flagship iPhone factory had majorly disrupted production. MacBooks, iPads and Apple Watches are reportedly being manufactured in Vietnam. "Vietnam's proximity to China has long made it a preferred destination for supply chains to offshore processes that could drastically reduce costs of production," said Yinglan Tan, founding managing partner at Insignia Ventures Partners. Vietnam is already a major research and development hub for Samsung, as well as a manufacturing and export base for Samsung's smartphones, according to local reports.

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"Vietnam has added advantages. Its competitive labor costs, market access  it has a whole slew of free-trade agreements  so that makes it a lot easier to export to other markets, for example, the EU," Kai Wei Ang, ASEAN economist at BofA Securities, told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" earlier this month.

Malaysia

Malaysia has seen semiconductor firms including Intel, GlobalFoundries and Infineon setting up or expanding operations in the country over the last few years amid U.S.-China tensions. "Malaysia has seen a revival in its longstanding semiconductor sector, attracting renewed investments from companies such as Intel," said Lim of Monk's Hill Ventures. Industry observers said that Malaysia's edge has always been its skilled labor in chip packaging, assembly and testing, and relatively lower operating costs. "It's not just the semiconductor stories in Malaysia that's taking off. You do see a lot more investments into data centers that have come into play, especially the last couple of months, and perhaps there's other sectors, like solar, EV related components as well. So Malaysia is getting that breadth of investments into the country," said Ang of BofA Securities.

Indonesia

The archipelago has vast resources of copper, nickel, cobalt and bauxite  crucial for the manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries. "Indonesia  that's another interesting country as well  where they are hoping to emerge as an integrated EV hub," Ang said. "It's probably still at a very early stage, but they are looking to scale up capacity across the whole supply chain." The Indonesian government has been luring EV companies with incentives to set up local manufacturing bases. "China+1 is not only for foreign companies in China. Geopolitics and international trade developments also push Chinese manufacturers to diversify their production geographically," said Anders C. Johansson, director of Stockholm China Economic Research Institute under Stockholm School of Economics, in a LinkedIn post last week. The industry ministry said earlier this month that it had entered an agreement with four Chinese companies  Neta, Wuling, Chery, and Sokon  to establish Indonesia as an EV production hub. Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD plans to start commercial production of EVs in Indonesia in 2026, according to local reports.

Singapore
A view of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, U.S., June 17, 2024.

WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Monday waded into the contentious debate over gender-affirming care for transgender minors by agreeing to resolve challenges to a law in Tennessee that seeks to restrict it.

The justices will review an appeals court ruling that upheld the measure.

The case marks the first time the court will issue a ruling on issues arising from the culture war battles over transgender rights for teens, which have raged in both the health care and education contexts.

The law restricts puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgery for minors.

Oral arguments and a ruling are expected in the court's next term, which starts in October and ends in June 2025.

In a separate case, the court in April allowed Idaho to mostly enforce a similar law.

More than 20 states have enacted similar bans, according to the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ rights think tank.

Major medical organizations say that gender-affirming treatments are an effective way of treating gender dysphoria, the clinical term given to the distress people can experience when their gender identity is in conflict with the gender assigned to them at birth.

Plaintiffs, including transgender teens and their families, say the law violates the Constitution's 14th Amendment, which requires that the law apply equally to everyone, in part by barring medical treatments for transgender people that are available to others. They also say the law violates the right of parents to make healthcare decisions for their children.

The Biden administration joined the challenge to the Tennessee law.

Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar urged the Supreme Court to take up the issue, saying that the law "is part of a wave of similar bans preventing transgender adolescents from obtaining medical care that they, their parents, and their doctors have all concluded is necessary."

A federal judge blocked the Tennessee ban on puberty blockers and hormone therapy but left in place a ban on surgeries.

In a separate Kentucky case the justices did not act on, a federal judge blocked the ban on puberty blockers and hormone therapy. The plaintiffs did not challenge the restrictions on surgery.

In a ruling addressing both laws, the Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the states in September.

Judge Jeffrey Sutton wrote that no one was questioning "the existence of gender dysphoria or the distress caused by it," but indicated the question of what treatments should be available to those 17 or under should be left to elected officials.

"This is a relatively new diagnosis with ever-shifting approaches to care over the last decade or two. Under these circumstances, it is difficult for anyone to be sure about predicting the long-term consequences of abandoning age limits of any sort for these treatments," he wrote.

The plaintiffs then asked the Supreme Court to step in. The court has until now largely stayed out of disputes involving transgender students.

In 2021, the Supreme Court declined to take up a case about the question of whether transgender students can use school bathrooms that correspond with their gender identities as court battles have continued around the country. The court turned away a similar case in January of this year.

On a related issue, the court last year allowed a transgender girl in West Virginia to participate in girls' sports.

The court's biggest intervention on trans issues writ large came in a surprise 6-3 ruling in 2020 authored by conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch. He concluded that federal law that bars sex discrimination in employment protected transgender and gay people, a ruling that angered conservatives.
Synthesia launched an option to make AI-generated avatars by recording footage of yourself with a webcam or your phone. Synthesia

Synthesia, a British artificial intelligence startup, on Monday showed off a slew of new product updates including the ability to create your own Apple-style key presentations with AI avatars by using just a laptop webcam or your phone. The seven-year-old firm, which is backed by Nvidia , said the new product updates will make it more of an all-encompassing video production suite for large companies, rather than just a platform that offers users the ability to create AI-generated avatars. Among the new updates Synthesia is launching is the ability to produce AI avatars using webcams or a phone, "full body" avatars with hands and arms, and a screen recording tool that shows an AI avatar guiding you through what you're watching.

What is Synthesia?

Synthesia, which says it's used by nearly half of the Fortfune 500, uses AI avatars for all kinds of purposes. These can range from creating tailored training videos to guide employees around certain processes, or generating promotional material that can be shown in the form of a video rather than an email or other textual communications.

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But that hasn't always been the case. According to co-founder and CEO Victor Riparbelli, in the first three years of the company's story, Synthesia actually started out trying to sell its technology to Hollywood agencies and big-budget video production companies. The firm used computer vision for an AI dubbing tool that made mouth movements more lifelike for different languages. "What we figured out was that the quality threshold to do anything with these guys was so big, no matter what we do, we'll be a very small part of a much bigger process," Riparbelli told CNBC in an interview at the firm's London office. "What was more interesting was the democratization aspect of: There are millions of people in the world who want to make video, but they're not making video today because they don't have the budget." In an Apple-style keynote, Synthesia's CEO unveiled the firm's new products, touting them as a more productivity-focused suite of tools for use by businesses, rather than just a platform that offers AI avatars.

Apple-style keynotes with a webcam

One of the biggest new features the firm showed off was an option to make AI-generated avatars by recording less than five minutes of footage using a webcam or your phone. You can also clone your voice to have the avatars speak in multiple different languages Typically, to make an AI avatar using Synthesia's platform, you have to go into a studio in-person. Human actors go into a recording booth, record their voice, and perform lines in front of a green screen on an actual filming set. This is all training data to provide Synthesia's AI algorithm with the facial and vocal nuances it needs to come up with humanlike avatars that speak in an expressive way. Earlier this year, Synthesia debuted new expressive avatars that can convey human emotions, including happiness, sadness, and frustration.

But now, Synthesia is introducing new software which will make it easier for users to produce a digital version of themselves from anywhere, using just a webcam and Synthesia's software. The company is also launching the ability to create full-body avatars. This is different to Synthesia's current avatars, which are limited to just portrait view. Now, you can go into a studio with dozens of cameras, sensors and lights all around you to make avatars that can move their hands. Generating hands is something that's traditionally hard for AI to do  often because hands are only a small part of the human body and not typically the focus in visual content. Synthesia also debuted the option to play videos of AI avatars speaking in any language they like, whether it's English, French, German, or Chinese. In the future, Synthesia says, it will be able to tailor AI avatars for different countries: For example, a Nigerian avatar running a user through a tutorial rather than an American.

Synthesia's AI video assistant can produce summaries of entire articles and documents. Synthesia

Synthesia also launched a new AI video assistant which can produce summaries of entire articles and documents. This could be a human resources specialist making a quick video explaining company benefits packages, for example.

Synthesia's screen recording tool shows an AI avatar guiding you through what you're watching. Synthesia

Another big feature the company is rolling out is a new screen recording tool, which shows an AI avatar guiding you through what you're watching.

Not chasing a 'PR moment'

In CNBC's interview with him, Riparbelli characterized what Synthesia is trying to do as an enterprise-focused product overhaul, which would make it more akin to giants like Microsoft , Salesforce , and Zoom in the enterprise category. "The world has been blown away by this stuff for the last 12 to 18 to 24 months, which is awesome," Riparbelli told CNBC. "But now we have experimented a lot, and we have found out the right use cases for these technologies that have lasting business value. They're not like just a short-term PR moment." "You need to do that business goal of reducing customer support tickets by showing videos instead of text; or sell by making videos instead of just sending out emails," he added. "Now people are creating workflows around that. They need better ways to achieve their business goals, not just an interface with AI models. That's where we're going as a company." Last year, Synthesia raised $90 million from investors including U.S. chipmaker Nvidia and venture capital firm Accel, in a funding round that valued it at $1 billion and giving it "unicorn" status. The company's competitors include AI video tools Veed, Colossyan, Elai, and HeyGen. And Chinese-owned social media app TikTok also recently debuted Symphony Assistant, a product that allows creators to make their own AI avatars. The company makes money through a number of subscription pricing plans ranging from $22 for a "starter" plan and $67 for a "creator" plan, to custom "enterprise" plans where pricing is based on negotiations with Synthesia's sales team.
Six exchange-traded funds have outperformed the S & P 500 index every year for the past five years, according to analysis by CNBC Pro. Four U.S.-listed ETFs, a pan-European ETF run by JPMorgan, and a Taiwan-listed ETF have posted bigger gains than the U.S. benchmark each year since 2019, according to analysis of FactSet data. In 2022, when the S & P 500 fell by nearly 20%, the six ETFs each had a smaller loss. Index trackers including the S & P 1500 Composite Stock Market ETF , Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta U.S. Large Cap Equity , First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF and Invesco S & P 500 Quality ETF were the United States funds that beat the S & P 500 over the five-year period. The JPMorgan U.S. Research Enhanced Index Equity UCITS ETF , listed in the United Kingdom , Italy , Germany and Switzerland , is the only actively managed fund to have outperformed over the past five years and is ahead in 2024, too. The Taiwanese dollar-denominated Sinopac TAIEX ETF also outperformed the S & P 500 over the same period in local currency terms. The six funds were among 12,700 ETFs worldwide screened by CNBC Pro. First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance Of the six ETFs, the First Trust RBA American Industrial Renaissance ETF (ticker: AIRR) has performed best over the period. It logged a cumulative total return of 178% over the past five years, compared to the S & P 500's 112%. The fund replicates the RBA American Industrial Renaissance Index , which offers investors exposure to small and mid-cap U.S. companies in the industrial and community banking sectors. It only includes stocks in the Russell 2500 index. First Trust says only companies that derive at least three-quarters of their revenues from the United States are included. The stocks are also filtered for companies with a "positive mean 12-months forward earnings consensus estimate."
Data centers are draining more electricity from global power grids than ever before because of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) and general AI processing needs.

The compute capacity to train large language models, the platforms on which generative AI (gen) and AI run, is now roughly doubling every nine months, according to Epoch AI, an AI research institute. The International Energy Agency forecast that global data center electricity demand will more than double from 2022 to 2026, in large part because of AI and cryptocurrency.

That insatiable demand for energy has tech companies scrambling for alternative sources of energy as well as ways to reduce the energy needs of AI technologies.

One potential emerging solution to the AI-compute dilemma is quantum computing, which vastly surpasses todays binary computing systems in processing capabilities and energy consumption. Studies have shown quantum computing can increase the performance of AI neural networks for tasks such as natural language processing and image analysis.

Quantum computing definitely augments the power of AI. For example, AI and quantum computing used together can accelerate drug discovery and personalized pharmaceuticals by years. Quantum computing supports AI-based simulation of clinical drug trials so that the trials take one hour instead of ten years, said Avivah Litan, a vice president analyst at Gartner.

For example, in February, Insilico Medicine, Zapata AI, and the University of Toronto announced theyd demonstrated the first instance of a generative model running on quantum hardware outperforming state-of-the-art classical models in generating viable cancer drug candidates.

What is quantum computing?

In classical computers, bits programmed as units of data have a possible value of one or zero  hence the term binary code. In quantum computers, data units are programmed with quantum bits, known as qubits, which can represent a one, a zero, or a combination of both zero and one at the same time. At a high level, that trait enables quantum computers to be faster and better at fundamental processing tasks than data processing on classical computing systems that use GPUs or CPUs.

For example, Googles Quantum AI division built a supercomputer based on its Sycamore quantum processor. Each chip currently holds 70 qubits and can reportedly complete in seconds what would take a CPU- or GPU-based supercomputer of similar size decades to process.

From left to right, Googles rendition of its Quantum computing platform and its Sycamore quantum processor. Google

Quantum artificial intelligence with better algorithms are faster and more accurate, CompTIA, a global, nonprofit IT association, stated in a blog.

Commercial quantum platforms, such as Microsoft Azure Quantum, AWS Braket, Google Cirq, and others, allow cloud providers to use quantum comuting as compute service offerings.

Think of these platforms as quantum computing marketplaces whereby the cloud service providers have partnered with multiple quantum computing vendors to provide access to their hardware, software, QSDKs [Quantum software development kits], etc., said Heather West, a research manager with IDC.

Most of these cloud service providers have not, and thus do not, provide access to their own quantum systems, the exception being Google. AI is not a part or related to these offerings, she added.

As with any technology, along with the positives there are negatives associated with quantum computing. For example, quantum computing poses a serious threat to the cybersecurity systems relied on by virtually every company, according to CompTIA. The current standard for encryption algorithms, such as RSA or SSL/TLS, relies on the complexity in factoring large numbers into primes, and thats the type of problem quantum computers are great at solving, CompTIA said.

Startups and established companies continue to accelerate their advances in the quantum computing space. Big tech companies such as Alibaba, Amazon, IBM, Google, and Microsoft have already launched commercial quantum-computing cloud services. Two years ago, Goldman Sachs said it planned to introduce quantum algorithms to price financial instruments as soon as 2026. Honeywell anticipates that quantum will form a $1 trillion industry in the decades ahead.

Quantum computing, meet genAI

Some say quantum computing is a natural partner for genAI and can reduce its energy demands.

For example, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank in Japan is using quantum computing to run genAI-powered programs for financial simulation models of future market movements. The bank partnered with Zapata AI, a genAI company that was spun out of Harvard Universitys quantum computing lab in 2017.

Christopher Savoie, Zapata AIs CEO, sees linear algebra (quantum math) as the solution to perform all kinds of AI tasks, including chatbots such as ChatGPT.

Were throwing an obscene the amount of GPU energy at chatbots right now. Are we getting that much business value right now from it? Were hitting a wall: when are we going to make money with that? said Savoie, who is a molecular biophysicist.

Savoie pointed to Zapatas research with Insilico Medicine and the University of Toronto to develop cancer drug candidates using a generative model running on quantum hardware.

When we used this quantum-based model we were able to develop cancer drugs the other models didnt, Savoie said. We used quantum models to determine what drugs would block this cancer protein and then non-quantum models. The quantum models found two capable drugs that we synthesized and showed they blocked the cancer protein.

So, its qualitatively better, he continued. Its cheaper, faster, and better  better in that we get faster answers. Thats important in drug discovery. Youre saving a lot of money for pharmaceutial companies if you get your answer the first run around. Or you have a more accurate modeling of trading behavior for a bank.

Zapata AIs Orquestra platform was specifically designed to run any AI or machine learning model, including more traditional neural networks as well as the companys proprietary tensor networks.

Tensor networks can be used to model any quantum circuit and run it on todays classical computers, giving users an on ramp to the potential benefits of future quantum computers, according to Zapata AI. Tensor networks also come with their own advantages for AI today, including more accurate, efficient, and expressive AI models.

Every quantum circuit can be written as a tensor product, which means we can do things on GPUs that quantum computers will eventually be faster at doing. Zapata and others have shown that quantum math is better at getting better answers in the context of generative AI, Savoie.

Specifically, Savoie said, quantum statistics can enhance genAI models ability to extrapolate missing information and generate new, high-quality information from big data. Generating genuinely new and high-quality data is very important for industrial use cases, he said.

Early days yet

IDCs West said quantum computing fits with complex problem solving, but its not a big data solution. Quantum computing will be useful for solving specific types of problems, she said.

In quantum computing, a qubit begins in a binary state of 0 or 1, but through a process known as annealing, the qubits become entangled, allowing them to represent many possible answers, always with minimum energy. The process occurs in microseconds.

Quantum annealers are best suited for optimization problems, West said. The complex algebraic/factorization problems include some QML [quantum machine learning] problems, but not all AI problems will be suitable for quantum. Research is being conducted to determine how to integrate AI into [quantum computing] and [quantum] into AI to optimize the compute resources needed to solve some of these problems.

In large part, quantum computing is in very early stages of development, West noted. Thats because the hardware still needs considerable improvements for gate-based models that allow for the execution of quantum algorithms. By applying various gates sequentially, complex computations can be carried out.

There are not any real-world applications for this type of system, West said. These systems are only useful for small-scale experimentation and debugging. Quantum [computing is] currently being used for solve some scientific and business optimization problems. It is still too early for the integration of AI. Right now, it is only a hypothetical and experimental.

More by Lucas Mearian:
Rich Eisen recently asked Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F star Judge Reinhold to verify an urban legend. Did John Candy keep a bathtub full of beer in his hotel room during the filming of the 1981 comedy Stripes because the movie was being made in a dry county in Kentucky?

Correct, Reinhold responded. Very correct.

Reinhold had to explain to Candy, who was like the king of Molson, what a dry county was. Apparently, theres no such thing in Candys native Canada. So when I first told him, No, a dry county is a place in the United States where you cant buy alcohol, Reinhold explained. He was like, Yeah, right.

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Candy couldnt wrap his Canuck brain around the concept. What do you mean, the weather is dry? What are you talking about?

I said, You cant buy alcohol in this county.

Candy was still baffled. Beers not alcohol.

That Kentucky county normally was booze-free, but not when Candy was in town. The filming location was about an hour away from Louisville, in the middle of nowhere, according to Reinhold. After Candy figured out the situation, he enlisted the Teamsters to provide some liquid refreshment. Candy got an adjoining room and that was the party room, Reinhold said. He just kept a bathtub full of ice and beer for us and that was where we hung out.

The party room was also where the cast practiced their Army training  the classic scene where Candy, Reinhold and Bill Murray showed off their razzle-dazzle moves. The props were all wooden rifles, Reinhold said, but there was a lot of spinning involved. There were big cracks and holes in Candys ceiling because we kept losing the rifles.

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Reinhold says Stripes was his comedy college, but it was almost a different movie altogether. It was originally Cheech and Chong Goes to the Army, he revealed. That deal fell through and Columbia Pictures turned to Ivan Reitman, whod just directed Murray in Meatballs. Cheech and Chong became Murray and Harold Ramis, who helped Reitman make up the comedy as they went along.

We would block the scenes, decide where everybody was going, set up the lighting and then Harold and Bill would go into Harolds trailer and come out with the most outrageous stuff, he said. Even Candy would put his head down to keep from laughing. I put my hands in my pockets and would squeeze my thighs so hard to keep from laughing because wed never heard it before.

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Other times, Murray would go off like some kind of comic beat poet, Reinhold said. We were just crying.
While most of the surviving members of Monty Python seem to be spending their golden years engaging in petty squabbles and/or desperately trying to convince the world that theyre a victim of persecution, Michael Palin appears to be a chill guy who just enjoys writing books and starring in travel programs. That view of Palin likely wont be shattered by his recent appearance on Good Morning Britain, which is like Good Morning America but with more tea and less handguns (I assume).

During the interview, Palin talked a lot about the loss of his wife Helen, who died last year. Palin revealed that, after 57 years of marriage, he still hears her voice on occasion. Sometimes I will have done something, and Ill get back and tell her about it, Palin revealed to the hosts. Although shes not there, I know her reply and it makes me smile. I find myself idiotically in the sitting room on my own going, Oh yes! So thats good.

While chatting about Palins travel career, which includes a recent two-part documentary about North Korea, host Susanna Reid told her guest, You're best known for Monty Python, of course, but I wonder whether that's true now. To which Palin countered: Well, there are really very few people still around to remember Monty Python I think, before adding, John Cleese is still around actually.

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Wait, what? Very few people remember Monty Python? With all due respect to Michael Palin  or rather, Sir Michael Palin  that doesnt seem to be an entirely accurate assessment.

Back in 2014, the Python reunion show at Londons O2 Arena sold out in just 43 seconds! Keep in mind, this is a venue that holds 20,000 people. After the surprise sell-out, the Pythons added four more shows, and they similarly booked up in less than a minute. Sure, that was over 10 years ago, but unless theres some overworked, oddly specific serial killer on the loose, many of the fans who attended those shows are likely still alive.

In fact, in the internet age, the Python brand has proven to be quite resilient. Instead of battling online clip-sharing in the early days of YouTube, the group put up tons of content for free and, as a result, sales of their DVDs went up by a staggering 23,000 percent. Then, in 2018, they sold the streaming rights to their entire back catalog to Netflix.

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Today, TikTok is chock-full of Python clips, and some fans have even gone viral for their recreations of classic routines. One TikToker, for instance, garnered more than 16 million views for a video in which they performed a scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail by heart at an Irish castle-turned-Airbnb.

While they may not dominate the zeitgeist, Monty Python has undeniably endured over the years, likely because their inherent absurdity doesnt date in the way more topical comedies sometimes do. A 2011 survey of U.K. comedy tastes found that the group had relatively universal appeal, amusing a demographic that cuts across class and educational divides as well as genders.

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And if not many people remember Monty Python, why do they have their very own permanent exhibit at the SPAM museum?

You (yes, you) should follow JM on Twitter (if it still exists by the time youre reading this).
This is unprecedented. If we believe the polls, never before in modern history will a single party have won so large a majority. Never will a prime minister have enjoyed such unchecked power.

What is Labour's secret? A super-talented Shadow Cabinet? Policies that have voters drooling? A charismatic leader? Hardly. Sir Keir Starmer appears set to win fewer votes than Boris Johnson did in 2019, possibly fewer than Jeremy Corbyn in 2017.

What we are seeing is not enthusiasm for Labour, but irritation at a four-term Conservative government, coupled with the way our voting system punishes splits on one side of the spectrum.

The logic of first-past-the-post is brutal. A small party can win seats only if its support is regionally concentrated.

In 2015, for example, Ukip got 12.6 per cent of the vote and just one MP: Douglas Carswell. The SNP, by contrast, got 4.7 per cent of the vote, but 56 MPs.

Reform Party leader Nigel Farage speaks to an audience in Clacton-on-Sea earlier this week. He is currently the frontrunner for the constituency for the July 4 General Election

Although Reform can't win many seats, it can weaken the Tories, to the point of no recovery

The same logic militates against Reform today. On its most optimistic forecast, it will return seven MPs. Most pollsters have it as three or fewer. Although Reform can't win many seats, it can weaken the Tories, to the point of no recovery.

Not every Reform supporter would otherwise vote Conservative. But evidence suggests that having two competing Right-wing parties will cost the Tories 100 or more seats, leaving Britain as, in effect, a one-party state.

If Labour candidates have their fingers crossed for Reform, so have the Lib Dems. Indeed, they may be even bigger beneficiaries of Nigel Farage's campaign, as they're more likely to be challengers in the seats where he stood down Brexit Party candidates in 2019.

Although polls show the Lib Dems getting around the same percentage of votes as last time, they are forecast to triple their parliamentary representation.

There is even a scenario where, despite being a distant fourth by share of the popular vote, the Lib Dems end up the second party in the House of Commons, making the unserious Ed Davey Leader of His Majesty's Opposition.

Think for a moment about what a Parliament with nearly 500 Labour MPs would look like.

Starmer has flagged up some of his policies. He will extend the vote to 16-year-olds  despite, in every other context, considering them to be children. He will weaken measures against voting fraud, give more power to unions and create a new race-equality quango.

He will scrap the Rwanda scheme and sign us up to a returns agreement with the EU. He will unilaterally opt in to a number of EU policies. In seeking to decarbonise the grid by 2030, he will make Britain poorer, colder and darker. These are policies he has come clean about. But every government also ends up doing things that it has not advertised.

Sir Keir Starmer appears set to win fewer votes than Boris Johnson did in 2019, possibly fewer than Jeremy Corbyn in 2017, writes Daniel Hannan

Labour will need to raise revenue. Britain is spending more than it can afford, and Starmer has no plan to take expenditure down to pre-lockdown levels. That can only mean more taxes.

Labour says that it won't put new taxes 'on working people'. So we can deduce that there will be more taxes on savings, inheritance, property and business.

All of us will end up forking out more, whether directly or indirectly; especially those who have savings, pensions or homes.

For some Reform voters, economic issues are secondary to culture wars. They feel, with justice, that the country has become too woke, that government departments are more interested in promoting diversity than in doing their jobs, and that we should assimilate the immigrants we have already taken before admitting any more.

We don't know where the next culture war will be fought. But we know that Starmer's instincts are as woke as they come.

When Marxist Black Lives Matter mobs were attacking statues, he and his deputy, Angela Rayner, theatrically took the knee.

When, two years ago, the Labour MP Rosie Duffield said that only women had cervixes, Sir Keir pronounced: 'It is something that shouldn't be said, it is not right.' Starmer may have changed his stance on a lot of things, but he has been consistent in seeing Parliament as subordinate to courts and international accords.

Which brings us to the paradox of what looks almost certain to happen a week on Thursday.

In our annoyance at high taxes, unresponsive public services, weak border controls and political correctness, we will knowingly put in a government that makes all these problems worse.

Heaven knows the Conservatives have made mistakes.

Not everything they are resented for can be attributed to the Ukraine war or to a lockdown that many demanded at the time.

It was a terrible blunder to switch leaders twice in three months without a general election. Voters felt taken for granted.

And, although various measures taken last year to reduce immigration are taking effect, we have been through a surge that is only partly explained by special schemes for Ukraine, Hong Kong and Afghanistan.

But I keep coming back to the same question. How can you punish the Tories without punishing the country?

For those voters who want a more activist and high-taxing government, fine: they can vote Labour in good conscience.

But I don't see how, if we want lower taxes, secure borders, less wokery and a more ambitious approach to our post-EU opportunities, we can advance any of these goals by making it more likely that Labour and the Lib Dems win more seats, which is what backing Reform almost certainly means.

When the world is closer to an all-out conflagration than at any time in 60 years, the danger is not so much that voting Reform would delight Vladimir Putin, whose justification in Ukraine is echoed by Farage.

No, the real danger is that, by doing so, we end up with David Lammy as Foreign Secretary  a man who, on Celebrity Mastermind, thought that the Rose Revolution had happened in Yugoslavia.

If Lammy is the answer, maybe we are asking the wrong question.
A bartender has reveal which drink orders will make him instantly suspicious that a customer is underage.

The man, who is only known by TheBoi or his handle of @swagg0dd on TikTok, said he had wide-ranging bartending experiences, from skeevy dive bars to high-end cocktail places.

In a new, 20-second clip, TheBoi play-acted scenarios of a customer ordering a drink that would prompt him to immediately ask to see the person's ID before fulfilling the order.

'Orders that will make me double check your ID at the bar,' began the video, all narrated via text overlay, with The Boi silently pantomiming the scenarios.

A bartender, who's only known as TheBoi on TikTok, acted out exchanges with customers that would make him ask to see their ID before serving them

'Can I just get a shot of Tito's?' was the first order that would make the bartender raise his eyebrows.

'Can I get a Dirty Shirley really sweet and lots of cherries?' is another order that would make TheBoi skeptical of whether or not a customer is of legal drinking age, particularly given the childish nature of essentially wanting an alcoholic version of a Shirley Temple.

A simple order of a 'vodka soda' wouldn't immediately raise the bartender's suspicions unless the customer then shared an unusual brand preference.

TheBoi pantomimed responding, ''Yea, any preference on the vodka?''

Were the customer to give a totally ludicrous answer - say, the known tequila brand 'Patron' - that would be an instant underage-red flag to TheBoi.

Many of the hundreds who took to the comments bristled at the prospective judgement from their hypothetical bartender.

'This is why I hate going to bars. Any drink I order I always feel like I'm being judged,' grumbled one.

'I'm of age to drink but I swear to god bartenders judge you on ANY drink you order. Like dawg just let me get what I want in peace,' agreed a second.

Among the top underage red-flags for the bartender was ordering a plain shot of Tito's vodka

Elsewhere on his TikTok, the bartender insinuated he'd worked at a number of different establishments, from skeevy dives to high-end cocktail joints

In response, a number of commenters griped about feeling 'judged' when patronizing their local watering hole

Quite a few others were without shame in coming to the defense of the Dirty Shirley, an alcoholic version of a Shirley Temple that's made with vodka

To this, TheBoi confirmed, 'Silently but ya.'

'I'm 29 and still have no idea how to order. Plus my stutter doesn't help hahhaa,' a third admitted.

Still, quite a few others were without shame in taking a stand in defense of the Dirty Shirley, which is made with vodka, grenadine, lemon-lime soda and topped with a maraschino cherry or two.

'Handing over my ID for that Dirty Shirley every time POUR IT UP BABY,' declared one.

'I'll die on the hill that Dirty Shirleys are a SWEET TREAT FOR EVERY AGE!!!' a second insisted.

'Ok I just turned 21 and I never thought of a Dirty Shirley Shirley Temples are my FAVE when I'm at a bar for live music but I'll have to try a Dirty Shirley heheh,' a third mused, to which TheBoi responded: 'Get that ID ready.'

In any case, in an email correspondence with DailyMail.com, the bartender stressed that the TikTok is satirical, and that he 'always' check the ID of customers who appear to be under the age of 40.

To be sure, TheBoi is far from the first bartender to take to social media with insights from their line of work, humorous and not so much.

San Francisco-based bartender Joshua laid out the 'number one' thing customers shouldn't do while seated at the bar, as DailyMail.com previously reported.

Elsewhere, seasoned bartender Michelle Charlotte Kimball, of Raleigh, North Carolina, broke down how ill-intentioned employees of bars attempt to rip off their employers and co-workers.
A pet expert has issued urgent advice for dog owners on how to keep their animals safe and cool during the hot temperatures.

As the UK braces itself for a mini heat wave, the global pet brand, PetSafe, advised owners on how to keep their pooches within safe temperatures.

Despite some conflicting opinions on the subject, Rob Steele from PetSafe said owners can in fact give pets ice cubes as one way to keep them cool.

He said: 'While they may not be the quickest way to keep our pups cool in the heat, they will certainly provide a lovely refreshing treat.'

He added that it's important for owners to ensure they keep an eye on pooches while they lick and munch on ice and to ensure they give cubes which are the appropriate size for the dog.

Stock image. A pet expert has issued urgent advice for dog owners on how to keep their animals safe and cool during the hot temperatures

'Don't give your bijou breed a big ice cube as they can pose a choking risk,' he urged.

For smaller pups, 'It's better to give them smaller cubes or even ice shavings  this is also helpful for those dogs that eat quickly.'

To make ice cubes even more enticing, flavourings can be added to encourage them.

Rob suggested 'some pet-friendly peanut butter, salmon, lean chicken, or tuna to the ice cube tray, along with the water.'

An even niftier way of getting some ice cold water into pups is to use a free toy, which will have the added bonus of keeping them mentally stimulated which can be a helpful distraction in the heat.

'They can also be filled with wet food, before freezing, for a slow feed to savour on a warm sunny day.'

'And another way to bust your pup's boredom and reduce any discomfort in the heat is by filling a bowl with some low-sodium meat stock scattered with a few treats, then freezing it to make an ice lick.

'Frozen carrots and apple slices also provide a tasty, healthy, and refreshing snack  just remove any seeds and the core.'

Rob Steele from PetSafe reminded owners to ensure they always have a bowl of water out in an obvious and reachable spot so dogs can dip in when they need it

Rob reminded owners to ensure they always have a bowl of water out in an obvious and reachable spot so dogs can dip in when they need it.

'Adding ice cubes is a great way to keep water chilled and to encourage consumption.'

The four legged pooches can also be tempted into drinking more water using a pet water fountain, thanks to their bubbling flow.

This will help pups stay hydrated so they don't overheat in hot temperatures.

Another way to help dogs cool dog, particularly if they're not tempted by cool food or tasty frozen treats, is to lay them down on a chilled damp towel.

A gentle mist spray bottle can also he used from time to time to to keep them feeling chill.

'But take it slowly and gently - try the first few squirts away from him to gauge his reaction, as some dogs may be scared.

'But pretty much all of them would love a paddling pool to splash around in to stay cool.'

For further information visit PetSafe
Japan's Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako touched down in the UK for a long-awaited official state visit on Friday- however the monarch regretted that they could not make the trip while Queen Elizabeth was alive.

The Japanese Emperor, 64, who ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019, and his wife, 60, will spend seven days carrying out private engagements with King Charles and Queen Camilla.

However the trip is bittersweet as Naruhito never got the chance to say goodbye to Queen Elizabeth, who passed away 8 September 2022, after Covid stopped his planned 2020 state visit.

The Emperor, who attend the Queen's funeral in 2022, revealed how the late monarch had treated him with 'warmth' and 'like family' when he was a student at Oxford University in the 1980s.

Emperor Naruhito smiled as he recalled sweet memories of the late Queen,

and

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Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako touched down in the UK for a long-awaited official state visit on Friday- however the monarch regretted that they could not make the trip while Queen Elizabeth was alive

During his two years studying at Oxford University , the royal, was invited to stay at Balmoral for a couple of days.

According to the Japan Times, he said: 'I have very fond memories of the Queen driving a car, inviting me to a barbecue and Prince Philip showing me around by driving a carriage himself.'

The father-of-one said King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales, taught him how to fly fish, but admitted that 'neither of us had success.'

'I was welcomed with warmth as if I were their family member,' Emperor Naruhito added.

He also attended the late Queen's funeral in September 2022, marking his first overseas trip after The Emperor's enthronement.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of the trip Naruhito said: 'I'm truly delighted to be able to make a visit to Britain this time.

However the emperor said he regretted that they could not make the trip while Queen Elizabeth was alive.

'Through our upcoming visit, I would like to reflect on the long history of exchanges fostered between Japan and Britain,' Naruhito said

The royal said he was 'very grateful' that King Charles is set welcome him and his wife, despite his cancer diagnosis.

Queen Elizabeth escorts Naruhito through the Great Hall in Windsor Castle in 2001

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022

Naruhito walks along Windsor Castle with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 2001

The Princess of Wales, 42, also announced that she had cancer at the end of March and has been going through preventative chemotherapy.

She attended Trooping the Colour last weekend, where she rode in a carriage alongside her children Prince Louis, six, Prince George, 10 and nine-year-old Princess Charlotte.

Speaking of Charles and Kate, Naruhito said: 'I hope their treatment goes smoothly and they can make a speedy recovery.'

The Emperor is planning to fly over to the UK with his wife, Empress Masako, on Saturday and stay for eight days, with events for their official visit commencing on Tuesday.

During their trip, the couple are going to attend private events along with meeting Japanese people who live in the UK.

Naruhito said he is looking forward to rekindling his friendship with the British royal family and exploring Oxford, where he studied 40 years ago.

Arriving to sunny London, Empress Masako looked elegant in a powder blue suit with white lapels and a coordinated hat, with her husband wearing a matching shade of blue on his tie.

The then Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Charles watch an exhibit after the opening ceremony of the Japan Festival 1991 at the Victoria & Albert Museum

The then Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Charles attend the opening ceremony of the Japan Festival at the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1991

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived at Stansted airport on Saturday afternoon

The couple were due to visit the UK on an official state visit in 2020 - but their plans were put on hold by the pandemic

Empress Masako, 60, looked elegant in a powder blue suit with white lapels and a coordinated hat

The couple, who both studied at Oxford University as students, looked delighted to finally be on UK soil

Members of the RAF salute the couple as they made their way to an official vehicle

The Emperor is planning to fly over to the UK with his wife, Empress Masako (both pictured), on Saturday and stay for eight days

On Tuesday, the King and Queen will formally welcome the emperor and empress before they take a ceremonial carriage ride to Buckingham Palace. Naruhito will also lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Westminster Abbey then return to the palace for a state banquet.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer will take time away from their respective election campaigns to attend the state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

They will also go to the Francis Crick Institute and visit Oxford on their final day, where Masako also studied.

The Empress is still in the process of recovering from a stress-induced illness, according to the Japanese outlet.

Some have said that she has been suffering from this because she feels pressure to produce a male heir.

Currently, Princess Aiko is their only child and the law states that the throne shall only be succeeded to by a male offspring.

Currently, Princess Aiko (pictured) is their only child and the law states that the throne shall only be succeeded to by a male offspring

Aside from Naruhito's nephew Prince Hisahito, 17, the only male heirs are his brother Crown Prince Akishino, 58, and his uncle Prince Hitachi, 88.

Naruhito said yesterday: 'The number of male members of the imperial family is decreasing, they are ageing, and female members of the imperial family leave the imperial family upon marriage.'

If the marriage was to a prince, they could stay within the family - the trouble is that there are no fellow male royals for them to wed.

'Due to these factors, the number of members of the imperial family who can take on public duties is decreasing compared to before,' he continued.

'This is a problem that relates to the future of the imperial family, but I would like to refrain from commenting on matters related to the [legal] system.'
An American tourist has shared a video of her emotional reaction to seeing London's Elizabeth Tower for the first time.

Macy Thompson, 24, from Texas, shared a video on TikTok of her seeing the city's monument for the first time where she is seen covering her hands over her mouth in shock and bursting into tears.

The Gen Z TikTok user then appeared to stumble part way down to the floor as she expressed her excitement and shock at the mighty Westminster clock.

She captioned the video: 'Nothing could have prepared me for this moment. The emotions took control.'

The 24-year-old, from Dallas, Texas, was filmed by a group of friends who shared the emotional first time experience with her.

Macy Thompson, pictured, shared a video of her bursting into tears after seeing Big Ben for the first time

Macy, pictured, had never seen Big Ben before. She was very emotional to visit the landmark

While the TikTok creator's friends fell about laughing at the dramatic reaction, passers by seemed typically unfazed as they watched the emotional event.

British viewers of the video were quick to flood the comments with hilarious situations in which they feel as much excitement as Macy.

One wrote: 'Me when I make it in time for the yellow stickers in M&S' while a second wrote 'me if Spoons brought back three plates for a tenner'.

Another joke: 'Me when I ask my dad to send me 5 but he sends me 10'.

A fourth said: 'Me when I get on the tube before the doors close'.

British viewers flooded the comments with hilarious situations in which they feel as much excitement as Macy

Stock image. Big Ben has recently received a flurry of negative reviews after tourists expressed disappointment at the London landmark

Though the clock is one of Britain's most famous landmarks, a recent flurry of reviews suggest that tourists haven't been as impressed with the tower at they'd hoped.

Though the beloved tourist has more than 32,000 reviews on TripAdvisor, it has recently accrued a legion of haters.

Some 764 people have taken to the travel website to give Big Ben a 'terrible' 1-star review, far from being moved to tears.

While some complained that they'd rather use their watch, others remarked that it was 'just a big tower'.
Prince William 'had a nightmare getting in to Taylor Swift's Wembley show' and 'was running late with Prince George and Princess Charlotte' for a meet-and-greet with the star, an insider has claimed.

The Prince of Wales, 42, took his two eldest children to the first of Taylor's three sold-out London shows on Friday.

The royals were pictured enjoying the three-hour concert from a box at the stadium, which can seat up to 90,000 people.

However, an insider has claimed that the royals' journey into Wembley wasn't smooth-sailing - and there was a 'panic' about their timings.

They told HELLO!: 'They had a nightmare getting in, they were running really late but they had planned to get there earlier so they could have the meet and greet with Taylor beforehand because they knew they wanted to leave early.

Pictured: Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte pose for a selfie with Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce before her first London show on Friday night

'They only had 25 minutes to spare so had a quick meet and greet and then went up to their box before the show, and there was a bit of stress and panic about that because it was taking too long.'

The insider also claims Prince William and his children tried to stay towards the back of the box so not to draw too much attention to themselves during the performance.

However, the Prince of Wales made an exception for Taylor's 2014 hit Shake It Off.

The royal was seen front of centre of the box as he broke out his famous 'dad dancing' for the performance.

During the meet-and-greet before the show, Taylor posed for a selfie with the royals and her boyfriend Travis Kelce, who appeared on stage with the star last night.

The Prince and Princess of Wales posted the heartwarming image on their Instagram the following morning with the caption: 'Thank you Taylor Swift for a great evening!'

Prince William and Taylor Swift are believed to have first met in 2013 when they performed Livin' On A Prayer with Jon Bon Jovi at a charity event at Kensington Palace.

According to event organisers, the performance, at the Winter Whites Gala evening at Kensington Palace, was totally impromptu.

Pictured: Taylor Swift seen performing during her 'Fearless' era on the first night of her Wembley stadium run

The Prince and Princess of Wales posted the selfie (pictured) on their Instagram the following morning with the caption: 'Thank you Taylor Swift for a great evening!'

Describing the impromptu party during an interview with The Mail on Sunday shortly after the event, Taylor said: 'I could hear his voice and it's pretty good. A nice tone. I'd definitely say he has got star quality and if he ever wants me to sing with him again, I'll be there.'

Speaking about the event in 2021, the Prince said he obeyed 'like a puppy' when the glamorous pop star ordered him on stage for the impromptu performance with Jon Bon Jovi.

Earlier in the day, the military band at Buckingham Palace performed a rendition of Shake It Off to mark the Eras Tour arriving in London.

After footage emerged of William's exuberant dancing, royal fans claimed the selfies with Taylor were 'throwing shade' at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Meghan had reportedly attended a Taylor Swift concert in the same LA arena the previous month, though no selfies with Swift have emerged.

The footage of William dancing appeared very different to Harry's demeanour when he and his wife Meghan Markle attended Beyonce's performance at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles last September.

While the Duchess of Sussex appeared to be enjoying the show, Harry appeared dejected and often looking at his phone rather than the stage.
A group of American students have caused a storm on TikTok after revealing their limited knowledge on Europe.

Mathilda Andre, from Sweden, who is an exchange student at Michigan University, asked her new classmates several simple questions about geography.

She asked her American peers general knowledge questions, such as: 'What is the capital of Germany?'

In an unexpected turn, the students were unable to answer the questions, with one claiming the capital of Germany is France and another stating that Iraq is a Scandinavian country.

The video, which has amassed over three million views, has sparked surprise on TikTok, and one questioned: 'Is geography illegal in American schools?'

Mathilda Andre has caused a storm online after asking her peers (pictured) at Michigan University basic questions on European geography

Taking to TikTok, Mathilda asked her peer: 'What language do they speak in Europe?' The question was misleading from the get-go, but the interviewee did not notice and replied: 'European'.

She eventually came to realise the correct answer and added: 'Wait no, a bunch of different languages.'

Next, Mathilda asked a different friend: 'What's the capital of Germany? She confidently replied: 'France.'

Another interrupted and tried to answer the question: 'Hamburg', she said. Then, she questioned herself and added: 'Is that right?'

Mathilda went on to ask a different student: ''What language do they speak in Russia?' Looking confused, she replied: 'I know this', as she pondered her answer.

She finally said: 'Russian'. When Mathilda confirmed her answer as correct, she replied: 'Wait, really?'

Mathilda changed to a different location and asked a student: 'What's the capital of France?' Another quickly chimed in and said: 'Why would we need to know that?'

The person Mathilda asked the question to looked puzzled before he responded and said: 'Is it Rome?'

Mathilda asked her peers several simple questions, including: 'What is the capital of Sweden?'

The final question saw Mathilda ask a friend: 'What's the capital of Norway?' She replied: 'Sweden'.

Confused at her answer, Mathilda asked her a different question to assess her knowledge: 'Name some Scandinavian countries,' she said.

Her friend replied: 'Isn't Scandinavia a country?' When Mathilda said no, her friend answered: 'Iraq'.

The video quickly sparked outrage on TikTok, with viewers shocked at the lack of knowledge.

One said: 'Genuine question, if this is the education level, how do they get into super prestigious colleges like Harvard?'

A second added: 'As a millennial, these facts are burned into my brain. The way we learned in school is vastly different than how this generation learns now. It's worrisome.'

A third wrote: 'Now I feel like I would get in Harvard. A fourth questioned: 'Is geography banned in the US?'

Viewers took to the comment section to express their thoughts on the video, and many were shocked

It comes after an American TikToker has shared all of the things she loved about Europe on her trip to France, Spain and Italy.

She previously faced backlash for her first video, where she slammed all the things she disliked.

The TikTok by @thestrawberryannie has been seen by over 216,000 people - her previous one where she complained about not enough sauces and no free water was viewed by 4.8 million.

She explained 'After I posted that video about the things that I didn't like about Europe, so many people were like 'I'm never travelling again' so I made a list about all of the things I did like about Europe.'

The first thing to receive praise from the American was the European club scene.

She said 'First up, the clubs were bumping, the only thing that was weird was that there was a lot of 16 year old's in there smoking cigarettes and I'm like 24 so I'm like 'what are you doing here?' but other than that, the music was amazing.'

'They played a lot of American hits and also a lot of Spanish hits - love that.'

She also liked that there was a lot of public transport, explaining that 'Public transportation is very good for the environment.

'It did take two to three times as long if you were to just drive, but I do like that it's pretty affordable and good for the environment.'

One commenter advised 'you are actually faster with public transport'.

The TikToker's third thing she liked was that servers in restaurants 'leave you alone'.

She said 'I love that, they don't keep coming up asking you 'is everything good? do you need anything?' which I like because I ask for everything when they first come to the table and I never need them again, because I'm a simple girl.'
More than 210,000 people will arrive at Worthy Farm this weekend to attend the world famous Glastonbury Festival where Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA will headline.

While the annual festival will provide eager goers with unforgettable thrills, most will undoubtedly endure their fair share of grim living sharing tents and toilets with thousands of others.

However, for those who haven't sacrificed a chunk of their savings for the luxury of the weekend, a lucky few with the funds might be able to get their paws on one luxury accommodation - though it'll set them back 27,999 for six guests.

The Tipi Tent, which is by the Pop-Up hotel and is not affiliated with the festival, boasts real beds, en-suite showers, flushing loos, and all-important power sockets for charging up devices.

The luxury pad will even be offering it's guests helicopter transfer from some spots across the UK as it adds to it's glamorous offerings.

Those staying at the hotel will even have access to the on site swimming pool giving the an opportunity to cool off after a long day

Pop-Up hotel is a luxury accommodation for Glastonbury goers and includes helicopter transfer for the festival from certain spots

As well as having a snug bed to cosy up into each night, hotel guests will also be able to luxuriate in the swimming pool, and spa facilities including ice baths which are said to be highly beneficial for mental and physical well-being.

Guests can skip the queues at burger vans and head to the luxury bar or restaurant as the pop-up hotel which will offer exclusive events over the course of the week.

They also won't need to worry about greasy hair or contracting trench foot - an on site salon will give guests the pleasure of complimentary beauty products, hair dryers, and straighteners.

For those who want to take a break from the hedonistic festival grounds, they will also be offered complimentary morning and evening yoga sessions.

They will also be provided with a personal concierge as week as customer service teams, luggage and buggy service and 24-hour private security for guest's privacy.

The Pop-Up Hotel, which is located a convenient 10 minute walk from the festival will feature a number of new additions to it's luxurious service this year including helicopter transfers from the Cotswolds, London and Harrogate.

Guests won't have to lift a finger with a 24-hour concierge service along with a buggy and luggage carrying service

Prices for the accommodation start at 2,999 for five nights for a Classic Room - a price which covers two guests

As well as flushing loos, cosy beds and a salon, the hotel also offers a spa for ultimate relaxation

Escaping the hedonistic festival fields, guests can clear their minds with morning and evening yoga sessions

Though tickets for this years festival goers have already been snatched up, sales for the 2025 festival will go on sale 25 June

The pop-up pool will give guests the opportunity to relax far away from the muddy campsite

While tickets for this years festival goers have already been snatched up, sales for the 2025 festival will go on sale 25 June.

Official car partner of The Pop-Up Hotel, Audi, will then chauffeur guests between the helicopter landing pad and hotel in one of its all-electric Audi cars.

The French champagne house, Maison Perrier-Jouet, will also offer welcome drinks to hotel guests as well as hosting an exclusive pool party with Ibiza performer, Ellie Sax giving guests a party on their doorstep.

Prices for the accommodation start at 2,999 for five nights for a Classic Room, which is priced for two but can host up to four people.

The Tipi Tenthouse Suite sleeps eight people and retails at 27,999 for the privilege in a stay in its best room.

One of the suites - an exclusive room designed by interiors experts, Nicola OMara which features her unique and clever inspired design - retails at 18,499 for five nights.
Birkin bag was dreamed up by Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas in 1984

One of the largest ever personal collections of designer clothes and accessories is going on sale in Paris, giving high-end fashion lovers a rare chance to get their hands on a Birkin bag without an invite.

Unlike other high-end brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dior, you cannot simply walk into an Hermes store and purchase a Birkin, you have to be invited after spending thousand of pounds in Hermes stores.

As Paris celebrates Haute Couture Week, Sotheby's in the French capital are auctioning off an extraordinary collection of over 140 pieces of luxury handbags, fashion and jewellery accessories.

These include seven Hermes Birkin bags, with an estimated guide price of 21,178 each for the pleasure of having the sought-after accessory on your arm.

Some of these include an Hermes Birkin 35 in Bleu Mykonos in shiny Porosus Crocodile with Palladium hardware made in 2014 and a rare tricolour crocodile Birkin.

The collection is titled: The Fashion Collection  Private Treasures of a Refined Lady and it is one of the largest of its kind to to ever come to auction

Some Hermes Birkin bags will be on offer to purchase at the auction - and you don't need to be invited to purchase these accessories

The collection was meticulously assembled, from the end of 1990's and for over two decades, by a passionate European female collector based in Paris.

The collection is titled: The Fashion Collection  Private Treasures of a Refined Lady and it is one of the largest of its kind to to ever come to auction.

Some of the items range from a Chanel vintage cross brooch in gold Metal featuring turquoise and green cabochons with pearls by Gripoix made in 1993 (estimated maximum guide price of almost 1,700) to an Hermes vintage Kelly 32 Vert Emeraude in shiny alligator Mississippiensis Sellier made in 1992 (estimated maximum guide price of 15,250).

Other historical items include a Chanel golden Brown sequinned jacket, ready-to-wear by Karl Lagerfeld from 1989, a Chanel limited edition metallic gold quilted gold hardware from 2009, and an atelier Versace couture black wool and tulle dress from 1993.

A haute couture Dior hat by John Galliano during his glory years at the fashion house is also due to be on sale, along with a Chanel blue and gold mixed lurex and tweed Jacket by Karl Lagerfeld from 2011.

The whole collection carries an estimate of 627,670 to 932,000 (741,000 to 1.1million) and will be offered in an online only auction which will run from 21 June to 3 July.

The Fashion Collection  Private Treasures of a Refined Lady sale CHANEL  Golden Brown Sequinned Jacket, Ready-to-Wear by Karl Lagerfeld, 1989-90  Estimate 1,522 - 2,959 CHANEL  Limited Edition Metallic Gold Quilted Embossed 2.55 Reissue Medium Double Flap Gold Hardware, Metiers d'Arts Paris-Moscou Pre-Fall 2009  Estimate 2,367  3,805 CHANEL  Set of One Byzantine Belt, and One Matching Bracelet, Metiers d'Art Paris-Byzance Pre-Fall 2011  Estimate 1,000  2,000 HERMES  Safran Shiny Porosus Crocodile Birkin 35 Palladium Hardware, 2008  Estimate 15,223  21,144 CHANEL  Blue and Gold Mixed Lurex and Tweed Jacket with Belt, Ready-to-Wear, Metiers d'Art Paris-Byzance by Karl Lagerfeld, Pre-Fall 2011-12  Estimate 2,537 4,229 CHANEL  CHANEL Limited Edition Green and Black Sequin Coco Cuba Timeless Classic Medium Single Flap Brushed Ruthenium Hardware, Resort 2017  Estimate 2,368  2,960 HERMES Birkin 35 in Bleu Mykonos in shiny Porosus Crocodile with Palladium hardware made in 2014 Estimate 15,223  21,144 HERMES vintage Kelly 32 Vert Emeraude in shiny alligator Mississippiensis Sellier with gold plated hardware made in 1992 Estimate 12,685  15,224 CHANEL  Green and Black Tweed Timeless Classic Medium Single Flap Gold Hardware, 1988-89  Estimate 2,114  3,805 CHANEL vintage cross brooch in gold Metal featuring turquoise and green cabochons with pearls by Gripoix made in 1993 Estimate 845 - 1,690 HERMES  Vert Jade Shiny Porosus Crocodile Kelly 35 Sellier Palladium Hardware, 2011  Estimate 12,685  15,224 CHANEL one cuff and matching brooch from the 2011 Autumn/Winter collection Estimate 1,267,000 - 2,536 CHRISTIAN DIOR  Haute Couture Hat of Lace, Tulle and Rhinestone Droplets, 'Mata Hari' Collection, Autumn Winter 1997-98  Estimate 1,691 - 3,805 ATELIER VERSACE  Couture Black Wool and Tulle Dress with Gilt Buttons, Fall-Winter 1993-94  Estimate 845  1,691 CHANEL  Set of One Titanium Multi-Row Necklace, Metiers d'Art Paris Cosmopolite Pre-Fall 2017, One Titanium Necklace Fall 2017 and One Brooch, Ready-toWear Fall 2017  Estimate 2,537  4,229 HERMES  Bleu Marine and Rouge H Shiny Porosus Crocodile Birkin 35 Gold Hardware, 2016  Estimate 15,223  21,144 CHANEL  Navy Blue Wool and Tweed Dress with a White Collar, Ready-to-Wear by Karl Lagerfeld, circa 2012  Estimate  1,522  2,960 CHANEL  Set of One Vintage Cross Necklace, Fall 1993 and Two Vintage Cross Necklaces, 1980s  Estimate 2,198  2,960 HERMES  Beton Matte Porosus Crocodile Birkin 35 Palladium Hardware, 2016  Estimate 15,223  21,144 HERMES  Bleu Brighton Matte Porosus Crocodile Kelly 35 Sellier Palladium Hardware, 2009  Estimate 15,223  21,144 HERMES  Rose Scheherazade Shiny Porosus Crocodile Birkin 35 Gold Hardware, 2016  Estimate 15,223  21,144 HERMES  Tricolour Rouge Braise, Rouge Sanguine and Rouge H Shiny Porosus Crocodile Birkin 35 HSS Palladium Hardware, 2015  Estimate 15,223  21,144 HERMES  Rouge Vif Shiny Crocodile Porosus Birkin 35 Palladium Hardware, 2017  Estimate 15,223  21,144 Advertisement

Stars such as Kim Kardashian, Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez and Cardi B are among some of the A-listers that have been given the chance to buy a Birkin and ensured that were snapped with their handbags by their side at any given opportunity.

The idea was dreamed up by British actress Jane Birkin, who was sitting on a flight from Paris to London next to Jean-Louis Dumas, Executive Chairman of Hermes in 1984.

She complained that she could not find a bag suitable for her needs as a young mother, so he got out his sketch book and immediately started drawing a rectangular holdall with a dedicated space for her baby's bottles - and the Birkin bag was born.

Highlights of the collection up for auction will be showcased in a dedicated exhibition at Sotheby's Paris from 29 June to 3 July.

Aurelie Vassy, European Head of Sale for Handbags and Fashion, Sotheby's Paris said: 'Coming face to face with this extensive and exhaustive selection of fashion items and accessories, immaculately displayed in a flat in Paris, was one of those moments when I knew, at a glance, that I was looking at a truly extraordinary collection.

'It is the embodiment of consistently impeccable taste, from a passionate collector who assembled a spectacular and timeless wardrobe, I would consider to be the most representative of the much loved 'Parisian chic' aesthetic that I have ever seen.

'The perfect place to start or expand a fashion collection with some of fashion history's most iconic creations, the sale is sure to capture the imagination of followers of fashion all over the world, with estimates starting from 1,000 Euros.'
It's often dubbed one of the important moments of your life - so when this man decided to propose to his girlfriend, he settled on a picturesque lake as his perfect location. But while it may have made the ideal background for an Instagram engagement announcement afterwards, there was one thing he didn't consider: the chance of his fiance losing her ring in the water. Earlier this year, McKenna Hiller (right) - who is a New York-based model - was asked by her future brother-in-law (left) to film the proposal on her phone. The video opens with her sister's boyfriend - who was dressed smartly in a red shirt and cream chinos - getting down on one knee as they stood together on a jetty. After caressing her boyfriend's face, McKenna's sister (centre) says 'of course I will' and spins round to see her family's reaction - but accidentally knocked the ring box out of her partner's hand by mistake.
Earl Spencer has revealed he has discovered a Roman bracelet in the grounds of the Althorp estate during an excavation - just days after he was spotted on a date with an archeologist.

Princess Diana's younger brother, 60, has been sharing details of the dig on the Northamptonshire estate with his 244,000 Instagram followers.

Last week, the father-of-seven posted a photo of the half-excavated Roman well and said it was 'as beautiful as any modern sculpture'.

Over the weekend, Charles - who was seen on a date with Norwegian archaeologist Cat Jarman earlier this month - shared details of his exciting discovery on his social media.

He gushed: 'Beautiful Roman bracelet unearthed at Althorp this week. Last worn? Probably 1,600 years ago, judging by the age of the spoil it was found in.

Charles Spencer and fellow podcast host Cat Jarman appeared relaxed in each other's company during a theatre date earlier this month

The picture shows a woman with a deep purple gel manicure holding the tarnished bracelet up to the camera

'Imagine losing it. And then accepting that it would never be found.

'I will show you what it looks like after weve carefully restored it to something approaching its original glory.'

The picture shows a woman with a deep purple gel manicure holding the tarnished bracelet up to the camera.

Although Earl Spencer didn't identify the woman in the photo, Dr Cat Jarman was pictured with a dark manicure while walking around London's Soho with Earl Spencer last week.

The pair - who host the history podcast The Rabbit Hole Detectives - were seen walking to the Prince of Wales Theatre, where they watched a performance of the hit musical comedy The Book Of Mormon.



'They looked into each other's eyes and there seemed to be a strong attraction,' one onlooker said. 'They were both laughing as they walked to the theatre and he didn't use his VIP status to beat the long queue.'

Viking expert Dr Jarman completed a PhD at the University of Bristol in 2017. She was recently named Nordic Person of the Year by the Confederation of Scandinavian Societies.

Earlier this month, Earl Spencer revealed the 'immensely sad' news that he and his third wife Karen Gordon, 52, a Canadian philanthropist, were divorcing.

Last week, the father-of-seven posted a photo of the half-excavated Roman well (pictured) and said it was 'as beautiful as any modern sculpture'

Pictured: Earl Spencer with his wife Karen following the birth of their daughter Charlotte Diana

The pair married in 2011 and share 12-year-old daughter Charlotte Diana.

Their relationship is understood to have broken down amid the strain of him writing his harrowing memoir, A Very Private School, which details the abuse he suffered at boarding school.

His wife was absent from his book launch events at Althorp and Spencer House in London in March, while Dr Jarman praised his 'beautifully written' memoir on social media.

He's reportedly hired divorce lawyer Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia, known as the 'steel magnolia', to represent him.
But this had led to excessive spending in store

Thousands of Australians are spending excessively without realising by opting for Click & Collect services and then buying more items they don't need in store.

The option to shop online and pick-up in store has skyrocketed over the last few years, especially since the pandemic, with some retailers offering same-day collection.

New research by ShopFully has revealed 70 per cent of Australians use Click & Collect, with a staggering 78 per cent taking this as an opportunity to buy other products once they go and pick their shopping up.

Among the Aussies who participated, 24 per cent said they tend to pick up additional items systematically and 54 per cent do occasionally.

While the cost of living has made consumers more money conscious, shoppers still tend to buy other items in addition to their Click & Collect order out of temptation and habit.

More Australians are spending excessively despite using Click & Collect services. Once in store 78 per cent of customers will buy additional items for convenience (stock image)

This can add up significantly over time, so it's best for customers to recognise their spending habits and have a budget and firm boundaries in place.

In a bid to help shoppers slash their bills, David Koch recently revealed how Australian families can save $5,000 a year on their grocery bill by switching to home brand products.

The former Sunrise host who is now Compare the Market's economic director, calculated that switching to house brand products could save the average family $96.37 a week or $5,011 a year.

New research by ShopFully has revealed 78 per cent of shoppers using Click & Collect tend to purchase other items while in store (stock image)

'When you're doing your supermarket shop, what's in a brand name? Well, let me tell you - plenty,' he said in a TikTok video.

'You are paying plenty more for that loyalty to a brand that you love.'

In a bid to help shoppers slash their bills, David Koch recently reveale d how Australian families can save $5,000 a year on their grocery bill by switching to home brand products

Parents with babies are urged to substitute a 56-pack of nappies for $39 for a 50-pack version of a lesser known brand selling for $11.49.

A $17 difference was also observed by switching shampoos.

Compare the Market bought 25 items from a major supermarket and another 25 similar items from a challenger supermarket selling house brands.

'Now, multiply that weekly shop over a whole year and that's a saving of over $5,000.

'Almost three return economy airfares to London.'
One of the world's most prestigious healthcare institutions is being sued by an employee who accuses the institution and its health insurance provider of 'deceptive' practices.

A civil lawsuit brought by an anonymous employee in Arizona is alleging Mayo Clinic and Medica Health Plan Solutions used 'deceptive, misleading, arbitrary, illusory [and] unpredictable' pricing and reimbursement models, which 'constitute criminal activity.'

The lawsuit claims the Mayo Clinic, a top-five global hospital, and Medica, the company that manages its self-insured health plan, purposefully stopped in-network services and providers from showing up in its online search tool.

When no in-network providers were seemingly available, the employee in the lawsuit said they had to use an out-of-network provider, which cost them more than $1,000

Now, the employee is seeking reimbursement for the money they claim to have spent on care that should have been reimbursed.

Pictured: Saint May's Hospital, part of Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minnesota

The Mayo Clinic is widely considered one of the best hospitals in the US and consistently ranks among the top five medical institutions in the world.

The flagship facility is located in Rochester, Minnesota, but there are several locations throughout the United States, as well as one in London.

Each year, the hospital serves more than 1.3million patients across its locations in the Midwest, Florida and Arizona and it has 80,200 employees.

The healthcare behemoth has 16 hospitals and 50 specialty clinics.

According to the hospital's most recent financial reports, in 2023, it had a revenue of $18billion with an income of $1.1billion. The Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit healthcare institution, meaning its income is invested back into the community, its staff and cutting-edge research and services.

Mayo Clinic offers employees self-insured plans, which means the employer itself collects premiums and fees from enrollees, as opposed to a separate medical insurance company.

This means the company is responsible for paying employees' and their dependents' medical claims.

In the class-action lawsuit, filed in US District Court on April 2, the employee said they were looking for a psychiatrist after their son suffered a 'mental health crisis' in 2019.

The employee went to the insurance's website and searched for mental healthcare providers for children within 50 miles of their home in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The search returned no results for in-network doctors that would be covered by insurance.

They decided to see a doctor not covered by Mayo Clinic's health insurance and submitted their bill to Medica to be reimbursed. Their claim was denied, the lawsuit states, due to the fact that multiple in-network providers were available within 25 miles.

Medica did not explain how these providers were found and why they did not show up in the employee's provider portal, the complaint said.

The employee attempted multiple times to appeal Medica's decision to not reimburse them, but they were all denied.

The suit alleges: 'Mayo and Medica are engaged in an illegal "kick-back" scheme where Mayo and Medica take funds given to them by plan members and retain them illegally for their own benefit, forcing [people] to pay twice for the same services.'

The complaint called the practices 'acts of mail and wire fraud, racketeering,' and alleged violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, which is normally considered in criminal proceedings related to organized crime entities.

The suit requests Medica look again at underpaid claims to the employee, as well as transparency when processing insurance claims.

Medica did not explain why in-network options did not show up in the employee's provider portal

This is not the first time Mayo Clinic and Medica's insurance has been in the spotlight. Current and former employees not involved in the ongoing lawsuit told the Minnesota Reformer in October they have sought out-of-network providers for essential care or avoided medical care altogether out of fear of what it might cost them.

One worker said he has had to cut down on counseling for his daughters' mental health conditions and has avoided seeing a physical therapist for his back pain, despite paying $11,000 a year for health care coverage.

Another employee told the Reformer she was 'terrified' of having to go into the hospital after she paid $1,200 dollars for a routine physical and bloodwork in January 2023, even though she said her benefits state insurance should cover half.

And one former employee is still paying back $10,000 of medical debt she acquired during her Mayo employment.

The former employee told the Reformer she switched to her husband's medical plan despite a $7,000 deductible because it had in-network doctors she could access.

She said: 'I was bitter after that experience You assume the top hospital network in the world, theoretically, would take care of its employees.'

Another Mayo Clinic employee in Texas told the publication she had to stop seeing a specialist after accepting a job at the institution and now has to drive more than an hour in order to see a doctor covered by Mayo Clinic insurance.

While yet another said her inadequate coverage led her to receive inferior care at 'super shady' clinic after Medica said the first location she went to was not in network.

She told the Reformer she still had to pay more than $300 and was left with complications after receiving stitches.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, Medica said: 'As administrator of the Mayo employee health plan, Medica is committed to helping Mayo employees understand their network care options and partnering with Mayo to provide its employees with the tools and resources to help them understand their plan.

'We will respond to the lawsuit but cannot comment further on the lawsuit at this time.'

In a separate statement to this website, Mayo Clinic said: 'Mayo Clinic is committed to supporting the health and wellness of our employees and their families. Our benefits plan is designed to provide flexibility to help our employees meet their healthcare needs.

'We are in the process of filing a motion to dismiss the claims against Mayo Clinic. We will not comment further at this time.
The doctors' union is set to launch legal action against the medical regulator amid rising concerns about the use of physician associates.

The British Medical Association said it needs to act before the 'uncontrolled experiment' of using lesser qualified staff 'leads to more unintended patient harm'.

It said there has been a 'dangerous blurring of lines' for patients between doctors and assistant roles, with some people unaware who is treating them.

And it warned this will be made worse if the General Medical Council (GMC) ploughs ahead with its plan to extend its regulatory powers beyond doctors to also cover PAs.

The NHS is rolling out a mass expansion in the use of PAs, despite concerns that patients are being put at risk by workers with insufficient training.

The BMA said the General Medical Council needs to act before the 'uncontrolled experiment' of using lesser qualified staff 'leads to more unintended patient harm'. Professor Philip Banfield, chairman of the council at the BMA (pictured), told the union's annual meeting in Belfast: 'Today I want to announce that we are taking legal action against the GMC'

Emily Chesterton, pictured, was just 30 when she died in 2022 after a PA failed to spot a blood clot. The actress was seen twice by the same PA, who told her she had anxiety and long Covid. Her parents say that at no point during the appointment was Emily made aware the person she was seeing was not a GP

She died in November after she suffered a cardiac arrest. A coroner concluded her life could have been saved if she had been sent to A&E. The GP practice where Ms Chesterton was seen, the Vale Practice in Crouch End, has now stopped employing PAs. Her parents are now warning of the dangers patients can face amid plans to expand the use of PAs

Norman Jopling, 79 from North London, suffered a serious brain bleed after a PA mistakenly told him that his painful headaches were nothing to worry about. His wife Maureen, right, accused the NHS of 'trying to cut corners' by allowing PAs to carry out 'complicated tasks they're not qualified to perform'

More than 3,500 are already deployed in England, with plans to train 1,000 more each year to take the total up to 10,000 within 12 years.

The workers do not go to medical school but are usually expected to have either a science degree or a clinical qualification before they embark on a two-year postgraduate course to train to become a physician associate.

However, some universities offering the course have admitted to accepting students with first degrees in the likes of geography, human resources and English literature.

From December 2024, the GMC will become the regulator for physician associates and anaesthesia associates  known collectively as Medical Associate Professions (MAPs).

MAPs have been under increased scrutiny following the death of Emily Chesterton in November 2022.

So just how qualified are physician associates? PAs and anaesthesia associates (AAs) are healthcare professionals who have been practising in the NHS since 2002 and 2004, respectively. They require two years of postgraduate study but no formal medical training, unlike doctors who typically complete five years of medical school followed by a two-year hospital placement. They are intended to increase capacity and improve patients' access to care by taking on some routine tasks  easing pressure on doctors. PAs can work autonomously but must always be under the supervision of a fully-trained and experienced doctor. The adoption of PAs has spread globally and, as of 2022, at least 16 countries have been in various stages of expanding their use of PA-like medical workers. Advertisement

The 30-year-old had been under the impression that she was seeing a GP, but was actually seen twice by a PA who failed on both occasions to spot that her leg pain and breathlessness was a blood clot, which ultimately travelled to her lungs.

Leading medics, including the Royal College of GPs, have called for a halt of the recruitment of physician associates while concerns are addressed.

Professor Philip Banfield, chairman of the council at the BMA, told the union's annual meeting in Belfast: 'Today I want to announce that we are taking legal action against the GMC.

'We're taking this action because of the dangerous blurring of the lines between doctors and MAPs specifically with challenging their frankly unsafe use of the term 'medical professionals' when they're referring to people who are not doctors.

'This legal action is supported by our colleagues, the grassroots movement Anaesthetists United who will be pursuing a complimentary legal challenge.

'We have had enough of the Government and the NHS leadership eroding our profession.

'We are standing up for both doctors and patients to block this ill thought through project before it leads to more unintended patient harm.

'It's not too late to row back from this uncontrolled experiment in dumbing down the medical skills and expertise available to our patients.'

Demonstrators, including doctors, gathered outside Parliament in protest against handing over responsibilities to Physician Associates on February 26, 2024. Pictured, Dr Robert Laurenson (third left), Co-Chair of the BMA Junior Doctors Committee, taking part in the protest

The BMA has previously argued the GMC is not the right regulator for MAPs, claiming that the move will 'undermine and devalue' the medical profession while confusing patients.

In the BMA's letter for action, it states that it is seeking to challenge the GMC's decision to apply its central guidance for doctors  Good Medical Practice  equally to physician associates and anaesthesia associates once they are regulated by the GMC.

The BMA is also contesting the GMC's use of the term 'medical professionals' as a collective description for doctors, physician associates and anaesthesia associates.

The BMA is launching a judicial review claim against the GMC over its use of this term, which it says should only ever be used to refer to qualified doctors.

Professor Banfield later added: 'PAs are not doctors, and we have seen the tragic consequences of what happens when this is not made clear to patients.

'Everyone has the right to know who the healthcare professional they are seeing is and what they are qualified to do  and crucially, not to do.

'Doctors are "the medical profession".

'To describe any other staff as medical professionals not only undermines doctors and the rigorous training journey they have been on, but also confuses patients, who rightly associate the two terms as one and the same.

'The central and solemn responsibility of the GMC is to protect the public from those who are not registered qualified doctors, pretending to be doctors.

'It has become increasingly clear that broadening the term 'medical professionals' to include those without medical degrees has had the effect of making this task far harder, when recent experience has now shown that this represents a dangerous blurring of this critical distinction.'

Dr Richard Marks, co-founder of Anaesthetists United, added: 'Doctors and their patients are united over their opposition to the outgoing Government's plans for replacing doctors with Associates.

'Taking legal action seems to be the only way forward.'

A GMC spokesperson said it was taking on responsibility for the regulation of PAs and AAs in line with legalisation was passed by the UK and Scottish governments.

It added: Regulation will help to assure patients, colleagues and employers that PAs and AAs are safe to practise and can be held to account if serious concerns are raised.

As a multi-professional regulator, we will recognise and regulate doctors, PAs and AAs as three distinct professions.

PAs and AAs dont have the same knowledge, skills and expertise as doctors.

They are not doctors but they can, and do, play important roles within multidisciplinary teams when appropriate and effective clinical governance and supervision are in place.

We know from several years of ongoing engagement with patients and the public, doctors and stakeholders that they do expect PAs and AAs will, like doctors, work to high professional standards.

We will continue to work with patients, professionals, Royal Colleges, the BMA and others towards the delivery of safe and effective regulation for these groups.

We note the BMA's correspondence on a range of issues and further note that no legal proceedings have been issued at this stage.

An NHS England spokesperson said: The NHS has been clear that medical associate professions are not a substitute for doctors but are trained roles to support doctors to do their jobs with appropriate supervision.
Have you ever thought about what your tongue is doing while at rest? If not, one dentist warns you could be holding it in the wrong position.

Placing your tongue the wrong way in your mouth can cause dental and jaw problems - and even displace cartilage in your nose - Dr Priya Mistry, a dentist in Vancouver, Washington, said.

Proper tongue posture includes having the tip, middle and back of your tongue pressed against the roof of the mouth with a light suction.

This is the only position that supports the rest of your oral structures and, in turn, keeps your palate, gums and teeth healthy, she said.

But if you let your tongue sag to the bottom of your mouth, Dr Mistry explained, you could develop breathing issues.

Dr Mistry said that improper tongue posture can lead to mouth breathing and may be linked to an underdeveloped palate. This can harm mouth health overall, leading to tooth decay and gum inflammation

Dr Mistry said that there is some correlation between TMJ and poor tongue posture. TMJ disorders cause jaw, neck and head pain and can be debilitating chronic conditions

She said: 'When the tongue is in the right position, it exerts light pressure on the roof of the mouth  the palate.'

Having poor tongue posture can make you more likely to breathe through your mouth, instead of your nose, but by keeping your tongue close to the roof of your mouth, it can keep the nasal passages open and clear.

'You cannot breathe through your mouth and still have the tongue in the correct position  its impossible,' Dr Mistry told Goop.

Mouth breathing has been linked to problems with saliva production, which can lead to cavities, tooth decay and gum inflammation.

That's because saliva provides a protective coating against the bacteria that live in the mouth and produce acid that eats away at teeth.

When you breathe through your mouth instead of your nose, it causes your mouth to dry out, leaving your teeth and gums defenseless against the bacteria, Dr Bryan Hill, a Washington based dentist, wrote.

In addition, Dr Mistry, whose practice focuses on treating people with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), a condition that affects the jaw joint, said most of her patients with TMJ have poor tongue posture.

Between five and 12 percent of American adults have a TMJ disorder, according to Cleveland Clinic.

It causes intense jaw, face and neck pain and can lead to migraines, toothache, ringing in the ears and jaw clicking. Sometimes, it also causes lock jaw, arthritis and can change the way your teeth fit together in your mouth.

'I see a link between low tongue posture and TMJ disorders very regularly in my practice,' Dr Mistry said on her YouTube channel.

This, she explained, is because keeping your tongue in proper position, tight to the roof of the mouth, helps support the shape of the roof of your mouth, called your palate.

The light upward pressure helps mold the palate into a broad, shallow structure big enough to hold all your teeth.

This support is important, especially while you're young, to ensure your mouth develops into its ideal shape.

'The tongue is an absolute keystone of our entire face and our heads, ' Jessica Luffey a certified specialist of orofacial myology, which is essentially physical therapy for the mouth and jaw, said.

The correct tongue posture requires you to keep the entire tongue pressed lightly to the roof of your mouth with a gentle suction. Incorrect posture includes a slight sagging of the tongue.

If your tongue support is lacking, it can cause your palate to develop more narrowly than it should, which can stress the surrounding structures, Ms Luffey said.

Dr Mistry told Goop the anatomy of the mouth and nose can actually change from improper tongue posture. The roof of the mouth can become narrow and arched, pushing up against the nasal cavity.

This could potentially cause a deviated septum, when the wall of your nose becomes displaced to one side, making one nasal air passage smaller than the other, resulting in breathing difficulty and disorders.

This could be the link between TMJ and tongue posture, Dr Mistry said.

Experts cite a few a few reasons why someone might be lacking proper tongue posture.

First, tongue ties. A tongue tie occurs when the stringy membrane that connects the bottom of your tongue to your mouth is shorter or tighter than it should be, limiting your tongue's range of motion.

Many people are diagnosed with this condition as a baby, and it can be fixed with a minor surgery.

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Another reason your tongue may be slumping is because you have allergies or enlarged tonsils. If you're congested from pollen, or have a cold causing your tonsils to swell, you won't be able to breathe through your nose, which will make you drop your tongue posture to add extra space in your mouth to be able to breathe.

Finally, other nasal conditions, like a deviated septum, may make you inclined towards poor tongue posture.

If you're not sure what your tongue is doing in your mouth, Dr Luffey recommended a test for tongue strength during a YouTube presentation.

This involves gently placing one hand on your chin, opening your mouth as far as possible, then sticking tongue straight out of your mouth, 'like a surfboard.'

You should be able to hold it out in the air without support from the lips or clenching the jaw, Dr Luffey said. If you're struggling to do so, this could be a sign that your tongue isn't used to sitting in the proper position.

If you think you may have problems with tongue posture, Dr Mistry cautioned you should see a dentist, not try and correct the problem on your own.

If you do, you could inadvertently strain the muscles in your mouth and neck, hurting yourself, she said.
Infants exposed to marijuana in the womb showed higher language abilities than those who were not exposed to the drug in utero, new research has found.

Scientists from Illinois and South Dakota were surprised at their findings, which showed children whose mothers smoked marijuana while pregnant had developed language and motor skills that exceeded those of children whose mothers did not use the drug.

Experts caution, however, that the results do not mean expectant mothers should begin consuming weed, as it also has been shown to cause neurodevelopmental issues in infants, as well as low birth weight, similar to the harms associated with drinking while pregnant.

And while their elevated language and motor skills could mean those children perform better in school than children who were not exposed, further research is needed to study the association.

Recreational marijuana is legal in 24 states, though others have legalized it only for medicinal purposes

Researchers were surprised at their findings, which showed that those children exposed in the womb had developed language skills that exceeded those of non-exposed children by age one

The authors of the study, published in the journal Frontier in Pediatrics, said: Exposed infants demonstrated increased expressive and receptive language scores at 12 months of age, which can translate to better performance in school.

'However, further research is needed to determine the implications of these results later in childhood.

The 207 mothers included in the study and their babies were assessed at 12 months after the mothers submitted questionnaires about their cannabis use and their child's development.

Cannabis use was designated as happening early in pregnancy and in the second or third trimester.

Babies were assessed using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL) assessment tool, which evaluates gross motor, fine motor, visual reception, receptive language, and expressive language skills.

Of the two groups of babies, 69 were exposed to cannabis in the womb, and 138 were unexposed. Children who were exposed early in pregnancy were more likely to have improved gross motor skills.

Based on the findings, researchers concluded that the scores for early-exposed infants could be between 1.75 and 13 points higher than those of unexposed infants.

Meanwhile, the range of scores for receptive language - a child's ability to understand words, sounds and visuals - were 0.4 to nearly nine points higher in babies exposed to marijuana later in pregnancy than those not.

Late-exposed infants may also have increased scores of expressive language - a child's skill in using words and forming sentences - that could be between 2.5 and nearly 13 points higher than unexposed infants.

THC is the psychoactive chemical in cannabis and it can cross the placenta and impact the developing fetus.

A study in the journal Nature Medicine examined data from the birth registry in Ontario, Canada, studying all live births from April 1, 2007, to March 31, 2012.

It found that for every 1,000 person-years of observation, four cases of autism spectrum disorder were diagnosed among children exposed to cannabis.

Person-years reflect the total time of observation or follow-up across all subjects included in the study, adjusted for the number of people and the length of time each one was monitored.

Another study in the journal Canadian Family Physician found babies born to women who used cannabis had withdrawal-like syndrome as newborns, which was demonstrated by an increase in startles and tremors and reduced ability to adjust to light.

By preschool age, children exposed to cannabis during pregnancy started showing problems with verbal and visual reasoning, hyperactivity, attention deficits, and impulsivity.

These issues were seen in both study groups and continued throughout their school years. At age 10, these children also began to show signs of depression and anxiety.

These emotional symptoms were linked to earlier cannabis use and lower achievements in adolescence and early adulthood.

A study published last year from Perinatal Services British Columbia found marijuana use during pregnancy was most commonly linked to low birthweight, preterm birth, congenital defects, gestational diabetes, and increased risk of C-section

In some areas of the US up to one-quarter of pregnant women use marijuana during pregnancy, a study in the journal JAMA found.

And in 2022, researchers in Canada found one in 50 pregnant women used cannabis in legalized areas.

The same study found mothers-to-be who used cannabis were 32 percent more likely to be diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and 13 percent more likely to need a C-section, which increases risks for both mother and baby during delivery.

Researchers behind the latest study said: Based on concerns for impaired neurodevelopment, as well as maternal and fetal exposure to smoking, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends avoiding the use of cannabis in women who are pregnant or contemplating pregnancy.

Their research suggests the stage of pregnancy at which the child is exposed to marijuana matters, possibly affecting brain regions that include cannabinoid receptors.

Still, they did not offer an explanation as to why the drug may cause this benefit in some of the babies.

Marijuana legalization across the US, which has been implemented for recreational use in 24 states, has set off a progressive experiment in the effects of cannabis use on populations young and old, pregnant and not.

US drug officials have recently announced that they would reschedule marijuana to remove it from the Schedule One category, which placed it in the same category as heroin, to schedule three, with the likes of testosterone and ketamine.

The proposal, which will be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), would acknowledge that it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation's most dangerous drugs like heroin and MDMA.

At the same time, the harms of marijuana use are becoming more and more evident. At least 290 American children have suffered brutal, preventable deaths linked to marijuana over the last decade.

The highest proportion of deaths  95  involved extreme violence, including the case of a Texan man who murdered his girlfriend and nine-month baby with a pocket knife while suffering what was believed to be a cannabis-induced psychotic episode.

It also appears to be the driving force behind a rise in auto collisions. A DailyMail.com/TIPP survey of 1,435 adults found that 52 percent said cannabis use was driving up the number of vehicle collisions.

Meanwhile, the 12.5 million stoned drivers who got behind the wheel marked a 15 percent rise on the previous year.
Each month, millions of women push through their periods, dealing with symptoms that range from annoying to downright debilitating.

Many women recognize the hallmark cramps, weird cravings and irritability that comes accompanies their time of the month, but there are three period symptoms women should pay closer attention to, according to Dr Raj Arora, a UK-based general practitioner who specializes in women's health.

She warned on TikTok that if you're suffering from sharp back pain, dizziness or pain that makes it difficult to function, you 'must go speak to your doctor.'

These three symptoms are 'not normal and you should never ignore' them because they could be signs of underlying conditions, including some linked to depression and infertility, she explained.

Dr Raj Arora specializes in women's health issues and has been open about her own endometriosis diagnosis

Extreme pain that makes it difficult to move could be a sign that you're dealing with an underlying condition like endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Each month, if the egg a woman releases from her ovary isn't fertilized by sperm to develop into a fetus, the body naturally sheds the lining of the uterus, resulting in a woman's period.

Some unpleasant symptoms are normal during a period - including bloating, cramps, breast tenderness and irritability. But there's a limit to the amount of suffering that's normal.

Sometimes, Dr Arora said, the symptoms you have each month are a sign of something more serious.

'I often tell my patients that periods are a normal part of life and that they should be generally pain free and manageable,' she explained on her TikTok.

But she issued caution over three.

First, sharp back pain during your time of the month could be a sign you have a condition called endometriosis, Dr Arora, who deals with the condition herself, said.

Endometriosis affects roughly 11 percent of American women - about 6.5million people, according to the US Office on Women's Health (OASH)

It's a condition where the tissue that normally grows on the inside of the uterus begins growing outside of it - on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or other internal organs.

The tissue inside your uterus is shed each month with your menstrual cycle, but the extra tissue on misplaced parts of your body has nowhere to go when responding to monthly hormonal changes, leading to a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms.

This can include painful sex, bloating, nausea, fatigue, depression and infertility. Between 30 and 50 percent of people diagnosed with the condition may experience infertility, according to Massachusetts General Hospital.

Experts don't know what causes endometriosis, but it's likely an interplay of your genes, hormones and immune system, or could have to do with trauma from surgery, according to OASH.

Because it's so poorly understood, it takes an average of eight years after developing symptoms for someone to be diagnosed with endometriosis.

Next, there's the concern about lightheadedness during your period.

Dr Arora said if you pass out or feel dizzy or lightheaded on your period, it could be a sign you're bleeding much more than your body can handle.

This could be a sign of an underlying condition - like a hormone imbalance, uterine fibroids or uterine polyps - and may require treatment, Dr Arora said.

Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that grow within the uterus. It is not known what causes them, but prolonged exposure to estrogen may increase the risk of fibroids. They can be removed or be treated with medication.

Uterine polyps, also called endometrial polyps, are growths attached to the inner wall of the uterus that form from an overgrowth of cells. They can also be treated with removal or medication.

Finally, Dr Arora warned if your period cramps are so painful you struggle to leave bed during your cycle, you should see a doctor.

This could be a symptom of a host of reproductive conditions that might affect your fertility or quality of life - including uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, adenomyosis, or cervical stenosis, or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

None of these conditions are life threatening, but if you see a doctor and discover that you have any, you might be a good candidate for treatment that dissolves your painful periods.

For example, if a doctor discovered you had uterine fibroids they may be able to alleviate your symptoms by treating the area with surgery, medication or targeted ultrasound radiation, according to Mayo Clinic.

Other conditions, like PCOS, are sometimes treated by taking hormonal birth control.

No matter what the cause may be, if you've been experiencing any of these symptoms, Dr Arora urged making a trip to the doctor.

'You shouldn't have to just put up with it,' she said.
A Jewish doctor was heckled at the British Medical Association's annual meeting just hours after religious leaders warned it risked becoming a 'vehicle for Jew hatred'.

Members shouted 'shame' as the female medic told delegates she was a 'practicing Jew' during a heated debate related to the Israel-Hamas war.

In a letter issued on the eve of the conference, the Jewish Medical Association expressed concerns about the number of motions delegates had submitted calling for action against Israel or accusing it of war crimes.

It said the atmosphere going into the meeting 'already feels very different and notably hostile' compared with previous years, when the focus has typically been on the NHS, staffing, patients and union bureaucracy.

The JMA warned Jewish attendees should 'expect to encounter a mix of overt anti-Semitism, bullying, harassment and flag-waving activism', which 'fills them with trepidation'.

Around 30 motions submitted for debate related to the Middle East conflict, which is equal to almost one in ten of all submissions.

Emma Runswick, deputy chair of council at the BMA, told delegates: 'I want to say that it is completely unacceptable to shout 'shame' at somebody who has just said that they are a practising Jewish woman'

However, the BMA said many were unlikely to be selected as taken collectively 'they risk being perceived as discriminatory, more specifically, anti-Semitic'.

The words Israel or Israeli appears 75 times in motions published ahead of the conference.

Organisers noted that some posed a 'possibility of breaching BMA values' and 'possible legal risk' if debated with a view to becoming union policy.

They include calls for the BMA to lobby government to stop supplying weapons to Israel and repeat claims that 'Israel commits systematic apartheid', 'Israel's acts in Gaza could amount to genocide' and Israel 'continues to occupy and oppress the Palestinian people and to use disproportionate and indiscriminate force against civilians'.

Four motions submitted by the London Regional Council call on the BMA to boycott Israeli medical journals, conferences and academic/commercial exchanges, claiming the country is breaching human rights.

The JMA letter, seen by the Mail, said its members are 'deeply concerned that the meeting environment could become itself a vehicle for discrimination and Jew hatred'.

It adds: 'Many motions include accusations of genocide by Jews in 'an Apartheid State', whether they are labelled as 'Zionists', 'Israelis' or simply 'Jews'.'

Dr Joanna Sutton-Klein, an emergency doctor in Manchester, was heckled by at least two delegates as she tabled a late motion drawing attention to 'anti-democratic' attempts to remove motions related to the Israel-Hamas war from the conference agenda.

She said motions should be selected for debate in a democratic and transparent manner and added: 'One of the justifications for the silencing of these motions was that they might be perceived as anti-Semitic so I want to stand up here today as a practising Jew to say there is nothing Jewish about the attempt to remove motions that you disagree with.'

Emma Runswick, deputy chair of council at the BMA, told delegates: 'I want to say that it is completely unacceptable to shout 'shame' at somebody who has just said that they are a practising Jewish woman, there is absolutely no place for that in this Association.

'We reserve our shame for the governments and employers who mistreat us and our patients.'

Dr Patel added: 'I will not have that behaviour. I warned you at the start if that behaviour is heard again I will singly find you actually so stop.'

Later she told delegates that the comments would not be tolerated, telling the person who heckled to 'come and find me or I will come and find you'.

A Community Security Trust spokesman said: 'The rise of anti-Jewish hate incidents in the medical profession has been particularly disturbing, mirroring an overall increase of antisemitic incidents in the UK since 7 October.

'It's especially alarming to see such incidents occur as this is one part of society where we would expect everyone to behave with utmost professionalism.'

Speaking earlier this month, health secretary Victoria Atkins said NHS staff will be banned from displaying Palestinian flags at work if the Conservatives win the general election on July 4.

A BMA spokesperson said: 'The BMA takes extremely seriously behaviour which is discriminatory, racist or offensive in any way.

'In this instance, one or two members chose to disrupt the speech by a Jewish doctor who was speaking out in defence of the Palestinian community in Gaza.

'This action was called out immediately and we are now investigating.

'We have not been contacted directly by the Jewish Medical Association with regard to the specific points made in their letter, but nonetheless we are deeply sorry to learn of the contents and we will be making contact with them to discuss this further.

'The BMA stands firmly against all forms of discrimination and prejudice and we believe in dignity and respect for all individuals, regardless of their personal characteristics.

'We are committed, as a trade union and a professional association, to taking an anti-racist approach to every aspect of our work.'
A document published by the Department for Business and Trade yesterday admitted letting millions more staff sue their bosses from day one will create 'concerns from business' and risks 'unwelcome additional work for the tribunal system'. But the 'Next Steps' report also reveals that the landmark Employment Rights Bill is only the first stage of the shake-up, with many more reforms to be introduced later through secondary legislation or codes of practice. The future burdens on firms include the 'right to switch off' which will prevent managers from contacting staff out of office hours. There will also be a review into the system of parental leave and the introduction of 'socioeconomic duty', which will force public sector bodies to consider the impact of policies on different classes in society, leading to fears the middle class will be squeezed out.
POTUS and first lady refinanced their two homes 35 times over the years

Joe Biden and First Lady Jill have been using their homes as an ATM, taking out multiple mortgages and refinancing their Delaware properties an astonishing 35 times, a DailyMail.com investigation has revealed.

The president has lived in two houses in his home state since 1975, when he bought his first property in Wilmington that he later sold in the late 1990s.

But records obtained by DailyMail.com show the couple have had a habit of negotiating a new mortgage or credit deal on both homes every 17 months.

Over the decades the Bidens have borrowed a total of $6million on both properties - and there's still an outstanding $541,000 mortgage on their current three-bed, 4.5-bath Wilmington mansion nearly three decades after they bought it.

The constant refinancing raises the question of why the Bidens, who have a reported net worth of $10million, needed a constant flow of extra cash.

Joe Biden's three-bed, 4.5 bath lakeside mansion in Wilmington, Delaware is currently the president and first lady's main residence outside of the White House. The couple bought the four-acre lot for $350,000 in March 1996

Biden first purchased a $185,000 five-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, house in 1975 that was later sold in 1996. Records show the property had a total of 15 mortgages and lines of credit attached to it

'It doesn't make a lot of sense unless they were desperate for cash,' a finance expert told DailyMail.com.

The revelation comes as questions grow about the president's involvement in his son Hunter's shady business dealings with Chinese oil giant CEFC and other foreign entities.

According to the mortgage documents, the president and first lady purchased their current four-acre lot for $350,000 in March 1996 but have since saddled it with 20 different home credit agreements and mortgages totaling $4.23million.

Their previous five-bed, 2.5-bath home in the same town was purchased for $185,000 in 1975  and sold controversially for $1.2million in 1996.

Records show the property had a total of 15 mortgages and lines of credit attached to it.

The Bidens also own a summer home in Rehoboth Beach, which they scooped up in in June 2017 for $2,744,001, according to Sussex County public records.

That property, however, has no mortgages attached to it and was revealed last year to have been a cash purchase.

The property data suggests that the 46th president and his wife, 73, have needed money fast  and have used their homes' equity as the main source of credit over the years.

However, Biden, a career politician, and Jill, a college professor, are estimated to be worth around $10million, and additional financial records show the couple pulled in an income of $620,000 in 2023.

The first couple released their tax returns in April and revealed their combined income was $619,976 last year and they paid $146,629 in federal taxes.

Biden and his wife earned four-fifths of their income from their jobs as president and teacher at Northern Virginia Community College, respectively.

Additional money came from interest on investments, pensions and a pass-through entity that collects book royalties.

But according to other financial forms from Joe, the president has had no royalties from his two books: 'Promises to Keep' and 'Promise Me, Dad' this year.

Financial records from the Office of Government Ethics last month revealed most of the couple's debt is the mortgage on their Delaware home and an equity loan on that property.

An 81-year-old career politician, Biden is worth an estimated $10million by Forbes - but $7million of this is locked in real estate

DailyMail.com can reveal the Bidens have an outstanding $541,000 mortgage on their current Wilmington mansion nearly three decades after they bought it and have saddled it with 20 different home credit agreements and mortgages totaling $4.23million

DailyMail.com previously revealed that Joe Biden bought his six-bedroom Rehoboth Beach house in June 2017 for $2,744,001 cash

Additionally their debt consists of a term loan of about $15,000 and a loan against a mutual fund for about $50,000.

In total, the Bidens reported assets between roughly $1million and $2.6million and liabilities between roughly $350,000 and $850,000, according to the documents.

Commenting on the couple's money lifeline, LA realtor Tony Mariotti  the founder of luxury real estate company RubyHomes.com  claimed the Bidens are making a mistake by using their home as an ATM.

'I don't understand why anyone would view their home as an ATM. Constantly pulling money out of your home,' he told DailyMail.com.

'I understand to some that equity can feel like dead money that's sitting there doing nothing, but over time, mortgage fees really add up.

'I've always preferred the view that paying off a mortgage over time is a forced savings account that bears modest interest.'

Mortgaged To The Hilt

The Bidens bought the Wilmington house for $350,000 in March 1996 1. 21 Jul 1997 - Beneficial National Bank - $400,000 [PAID - 20 Nov 1997, construction mortgage] 2. 20 Oct 1997 - Beneficial National Bank - $499,900 [PAID - 26 Feb 1998, construction mortgage] 3. 24 Nov 1997 - Beneficial National Bank - $134,070.27 [PAID - 8 Jul 1999] 4. 27 Feb 1998 - Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corp - $550,000 [PAID - 25 Aug 2003] 5. 6 May 1998 - Beneficial National Bank - $94,450.04 [PAID - 11 Oct 2002] 6. 16 Jul 1999 - Commerce Bank - $35,000 [PAID - 6 Nov 2000, line of credit] 7. 18 Sep 2000 - Commerce Bank - $80,000 [PAID - 31 Jan 2003, line of credit] 8. 18 Oct 2002 - Commerce Bank - $143,600 [PAID - 18 Sep 2003] 9. 11 Jan 2003 - Commerce Bank - $20,000 [PAID - 17 Oct 2003, line of credit, then extended to $30,000 on 7 Jun 2003] 10. 5 Aug 2003 - Wilmington Savings Fund Society - $649,000 [PAID 3 Apr 2013, balloon rider attached, mortgage modified on 20 Jul 2010 to $564,442.91] 11. 5 Aug 2003 - Wilmington Savings Fund Society - $99,000 [PAID - 31 Mar 2005, line of credit] 12. 11 Feb 2005 - Wilmington Savings Fund Society - $149,000 [PAID - 3 Apr 2013, line of credit] 13. 3 Mar 2010 - Wilmington Savings Fund Society - $10,000 [PAID - 11 Jul 2011, line of credit] 14. 10 Jun 2011 - Wilmington Savings Fund Society - $45,000 [PAID - 6 Feb 2012, line of credit] 15. 4 Jan 2012 - Wilmington Savings Fund Society - $95,000 [PAID - 17 Aug 2012, line of credit] 16. 16 Jul 2012 - Wilmington Savings Fund Society - $115,000 [PAID - 3 Apr 2013, line of credit] 17. 28 Jan 2013 - TD Bank - $541,150 OUTSTANDING 18. 28 Jan 2013 - TD Bank - $260,000 [PAID 18 Mar 2014, line of credit] 19. 19 Feb 2014 - TD Bank - $300,000 [PAID 11 Dec 2018, line of credit] TOTAL: $4,230,170.31 19 mortgages/lines of credit and one credit extension Advertisement

Taking their current home first, a year after buying it in 1996, they took out two construction home loans in 1997 totaling $899,900 to build the property from scratch, records show.

Then they borrowed a further $134,070, $550,000 and $94,450 over the course of six months from November 1997 to May 1998 with two different banks - Beneficial National and Chase Manhattan Mortgage Corp.

Before these three were all paid off in August 2003, they took out another $143,600 mortgage and negotiated three credit facility agreements for $30,000, $35,000, and $80,000 - all with Commerce Bank.

They cancelled all of this debt by October 2003. But, by then, they'd just taken out a $649,000 mortgage with Wilmington Savings Fund Society and a separate $99,000 line of credit with the same bank.

DailyMail.com obtained a photo of Hunter Biden outside his dad Joe's Wilmington home the day he sent damning texts to his Chinese business partner

The president and first lady were seen spending time at their summer home last August where they were pictured relaxing on the beach in Rehoboth

Over the course of the next nine years up to July 2012, they had six separate home equity credit agreements with the same bank - $149,000, $10,000, $45,000, $95,000 and $115,000.

Many of these lines of credit deals lasted just a few months, before being paid off, then the Bidens moved onto the next refinance deal.

Their final agreements were two lines of credit with TD Bank for $260,000 and $300,000 in January 2013 and February 2014 respectively, the former only paid off in December 2018.

Yet one more mortgage remains - a $541,150 loan with TD Bank issued on January 28, 2013.

On to their first property, which was sold controversially to the vice chairman of credit card company MBNA, at the time the largest employer in Delaware, who donated a maximum $2,000 to his senate re-election.

DailyMail.com exclusively reported in October last year that it appeared to be for an inflated selling price of $1.2million, as it's now worth only $1.6million according to realtor site Redfin, 28 years on.

Also that year of 1996, Biden's son Hunter was hired by MBNA and went on to become a senior vice president.

For that place, they took out 13 different home loans and two credit agreements from June 1978 to May 1994 totaling $1.72M.

They used Artisans' Bank, Delaware Trust Company, which was acquired by Wells Fargo, and borrowed $50,000 from one individual, George D Herrmann Jr, in December 1986. It's not known what connection he has with the Bidens.

New Castle County records don't disclose if any of the mortgages were satisfied, but it's highly likely, as they purchased a new property.
Anthony Fauci is still getting a taxpayer-funded security detail and SUV, despite retiring from his $480,000-a-year government job 18 months ago.

Now a top Republican has accused the former White House COVID advisor of trying to get 'sympathy' by claiming extremists want to kill him and he is the target of death threats.

During the publicity tour to promote his new book, 83-year-old Fauci recently said he is scared 'deep down, that there's a possibility that somebody's gonna kill me.'

But that is just a strategy to 'develop empathy and sympathy' and paint 'Republicans as creating this danger,' Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview.

Dr. Fauci, who has an estimated $11 million net worth, is constantly surrounded by US Marshals whether he is at home or going to TV studios to film interviews.

Over the weekend he was spotted arriving back at his home in the Washington D.C. area in workout gear after getting out of a black government SUV.

Dr. Anthony Fauci is still getting a taxpayer-funded security detail and SUV, despite retiring from his $400,000-a-year government job 18 months ago. He is pictured outside his home over the weekend

At least six US Marshals were seen with a fleet of vehicles parked in his neighborhood, ready for whenever he leaves his property - which according to real estate websites is worth around $2.2million.

Their Marshals pin badges are clearly visible, and they are on call all times of day for when he needs to travel.

'The only other person probably getting his level of security would be the president, vice president, maybe cabinet members, and a few members in leadership in the House and Senate,' Paul told DailyMail.com.

'And he's getting this while not in government anymore,' Paul continued.

'Giving Dr. Fauci taxpayer-funded US Marshal protection after he is no longer an employee of the federal government sets an expensive precedent for future former employees,' David Williams, President of Taxpayers Protection Alliance told DailyMail.com.

'Dr. Fauci was the highest paid employee who now has a very generous pension estimated at more than $400,000, Now he continues to cost taxpayers money. With an estimated net worth of more than $11 million.

Over the weekend he was spotted arriving back at his home in workout gear after getting out of a black government SUV, with his US Marshal detail in tow

Fauci, who has an estimated $11 million net worth, is constantly surrounded by US Marshals whether he is at home or going to TV studios to film interviews

Fauci's detail on the street outside his home. Republican Senator Rand Paul said only cabinet members would receive the same level of protection

US Marshals in Fauci's security detail stand around a fleet of SUVs in his neighborhood

Fauci's wife Christine step out of the government SUV outside their home

'Dr. Fauci can afford his own security detail. Taxpayers paid for his mishandling of COVID-19, they shouldn't continue to pay.'

Paul, who himself has received many death threats despite having nowhere near the same detail, has been incredulous over public praise for the doctor.

He is pushing for him to be held accountable for suggesting policies like social distancing and masking, which he later admitted were not rooted in science.

'He wants to develop empathy and sympathy. He wants to paint Republicans as creating this danger. I've had 34 death threats in a week before. I have had death threats as soon as this last week,' Paul said.

'So we get them all the time, and nobody picks me up in a limo and takes me to where I want to go every day.'

On Thursday, Fauci was pictured with his security detail arriving to and exiting from the ABC studios in New York for an appearance on 'The View' to talk about his book.

The former White House chief medical advisor received fawning praise from the hosts, with Whoopi Goldberg bestowing the title of 'classiest' guy in Washington, D.C. onto Fauci.

Previously Paul has raised questions over why a non-government official gets these perks, and asked the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to investigate.

That probe later revealed that US Marshals took over Fauci's protective service in January 2023, and the recent images of the doctor with his detail indicate taxpayers are still on the hook for protecting the pandemic patriarch.

Despite this enhanced protection, earlier this month, Fauci teared up before a House panel grilling him on his role in the pandemic while talking about threats made to his and his family's lives.

Fauci's wife Christine returns to their home with boxes

Fauci arrives at ABC studios in New York last Thursday for an appearance on The View. He chauffeured to and from the appearance by his private security detail

Fauci exits ABC studios while being escorted by his US Marshal security detail after appearing Thursday on 'The View.' The Marshal can be clearly identified by his lapel pin

The same Marshal is seen outside Fauci's home over the weekend

"If trying to save people's lives is a crime, then I'm guilty."



Dr. Anthony Fauci discusses getting questioned over COVID guidelines at a congressional hearing last month and some Republicans calling for his criminal prosecution. https://t.co/cVclFZQmjA pic.twitter.com/pdTDbb3fUb  The View (@TheView) June 20, 2024

'Myself, my three daughters, they have had credible death threats, leading to the arrests of different individuals,' he said. 'Credible death threats meaning someone who clearly was on their way to killing.'

'It's very troublesome to me,' he continued. 'It is even more troublesome because they involve my wife.'

On 'The View' he further discussed his book and talk about the personal implications the pandemic had for him.

'If trying to save people's lives is a crime, then I'm guilty,' he said.

Paul has been outspoken in accusing Fauci of obfuscating the origins of the virus.

The Republican has twice sent referrals to the Justice Department for Fauci's prosecution, telling DailyMail.com 'he committed a felony by lying to Congress saying he didn't fund gain and function research. He's still saying that.

'It is annoying that he's still out there crowing how great he is, when really his philosophic opinion that gain-of-function research is worth the risk is something that I think history should remember, and I'm going to do every bit of making sure that history remembers that he was philosophically in favor of the research that I believe allowed millions of people to die from this lab leak.'

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Fauci's recounting of death threats is an attempt to gain sympathy

Videos on social media show Fauci gets driven around in a black SUV

And its not just Paul who is upset about Fauci's security detail, last year a group of House Republicans introduced legislation to rescind the federal money being spent on the doctor's security.

'A country that is nearly $35 trillion in debt should not be funding the security detail of one of our highest-paid bureaucrats who has retired and has a net worth of $11 million,' said Rep. Barry Moore, R-Ala., who co-sponsored the bill.

'Dr. Fauci spent years lying to the American people about the origins of COVID-19 and what practices would keep us safe, and now he has left taxpayers to foot the bill for his security? That's unacceptable.'

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton told DailyMail.com that Fauci having a detail is 'extraordinary' as he is not employed by the government and pointed out how Independent presidential candidate Robert Kennedy has been denied federal protection.

'It's extraordinary for the government to be providing security for former government official such as Dr Fauci,' Fitton said. 'He's not a former FBI director, he's not a former attorney general.'

'And, you know, the costs are increased, obviously, because he's on a book tour.'

Judicial Watch is filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to discover just how much Fauci's protective detail is costing taxpayers, Fitton said after speaking with DailyMail.com for this report.

Taxpayers Protection Alliance President David Williams told DailyMail.com: 'Giving Dr. Fauci taxpayer-funded US Marshall protection after he is no longer an employee of the federal government sets an expensive precedent for future former employees.'

'Dr. Fauci was the highest paid employee who now has a very generous pension estimated at more than $400,000, now he continues to cost taxpayers money. With an estimated net worth of more than $11 million, Dr. Fauci can afford his own security detail.'

'Taxpayers paid for his mishandling of COVID-19, they shouldn't continue to pay.'

Earlier this week, Paul grilled several eminent doctors during a Senate hearing on the origins of COVID and definition of gain-of-function research.

The hearing became heated as lawmakers and witnesses sparred over the good that could come from the research that enhances viruses to make them more effective.

It also became tense in the room as Dr. Robert Garry - who wrote a widely circulated opinion piece in March 2020 touted by Fauci about how COVID did not come from a lab leak - withstood shots to his essay's credibility and the damage it may have caused.

COVID 'is not a laboratory construct or a purposefully manipulated virus' Garry wrote in the paper, which suggested a zoonotic origin for the virus.

However, emails obtained by the Senate show that privately, a month before publishing the now-infamous paper, the doctor had no idea how COVID could have come from animals.

'I really can't think of a plausible natural scenario when you get from the bat virus, or one very similar to it, COVID19,' Garry wrote in a February 2020 email.

Paul claims that Fauci directly commissioned the paper from Garry and his colleagues, and that he covered up the lab leak hypothesis.

He still wants to get government documents from Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institute of Health (NIH) that may provide further private correspondence as to what Fauci and his doctors discussed behind closed doors.

And Paul said if Republicans gain control of the Senate in November and he gets committee power, his first action will be to subpoena those files.

'The most important information is the NIH deliberation over what is, what is not gain-of-function,' he told DailyMail.com. 'They won't give us the information.'

Fauci admitted earlier this month that the six foot social distancing and masking guidance mandated during the pandemic was not entirely rooted in science

Fauci signs autographs outside of the ABC studios in New York on Thursday, with a member of his US Marshals detail behind him

Those documents will truly reveal whether Fauci lied to Congress about whether he was overseeing the dangerous research method, which he previously denied doing before the Senate, Paul said.

Still, the reputation damage to US public health officials is done, he added.

'We have public health officials that appear to be more salesmen for Big Pharma, than they do objective scientists, and that still is a problem,' Paul told DailyMail.com.

'It's led to a great deal of distrust, much more distrust over what the government tells us, than ever before,' he said.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the US Marshals for response.
Some believe the conwoman is still alive and in hiding

Aussies continue to speculate whether Melissa Caddick is alive and in hiding almost four years after the notorious fraudster disappeared.

Caddick, 49, vanished on November 12, 2020, after she fleeced $30million from investors including her family and friends while working as a financial adviser.

Police declared the case closed after a foot that matched Caddick's DNA washed up on Bournda Beach, 500km south of Sydney on the NSW South Coast, in early 2021.

They believe Caddick took her own life by jumping from cliffs near her Dover Heights mansion in Sydney's eastern suburbs just hours after Australian Securities and Investments Commission agents raided her home.

Then, in May 2023, NSW deputy coroner Elizabeth Ryan ruled that Caddick was deceased but noted there wasn't enough evidence to determine how she had died.

Melissa Caddick, 49, vanished on November 12, 2020 after she fleeced $30million from investors, including her family and friends, while working as a financial adviser

She said Caddick would have contacted her son, who she loved dearly, in the time since her disappearance.

Despite the coroner's ruling, the question of what happened to Caddick continues to play on the minds of thousands of Australians including criminal psychologist Tim Watson-Munro.

'The whole story is dodgy in my view,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Monday.

'I don't know if she's alive or deceased. I made a comment a couple of years ago that with that sort of money, you could organise just about anything surgically.

'But of all the beaches in the world for the shoe to wash up with her foot in it. All of that just struck me as a huge coincidence.

'All things considered, the degradation of the shoe wasn't great, but there are a number of theories that were raised, one was that she may have met foul play.

'The shoe may have been planted to prove that she was deceased or that she'd gone out to sea.

'Who knows? More likely than not she's deceased. That's my view. How has she died? That's speculative, whether it was by suicide or by foul play.'

Criminal psychologist Dr Tim Watson-Munro is pictured

Mr Watson-Munro explained that missing criminals who were discovered to be still alive were usually found due to a simple mistake they or a third party made.

'It's either a postcode, a stamp or a phone call that alerts the authorities to the possibility that they are alive as well as their exact geographical location,' he said.

'You would have thought, she has a son, the son would be curious about her.

'But I would say, without being too brutal for someone who's deceased and to a family which has experienced immense loss and trauma, that her son didn't seem to be looming large in her decision-making when she disappeared.

'I've obviously not spoken to the son so I'm speaking in general principles, not specific terms to him. But when kids lose mothers or fathers in mysterious circumstances, there can never really be foreclosure.'

Caddick is pictured with her hairdresser and DJ husband Anthony Koletti in happier times

Caddick is believed to have left her home in Sydney's eastern suburbs hours after an ASIC raid

Mr Watson-Munro said that although losing a foot might seem extreme to some people, it paled when compared to serving a 10 to 15-year prison sentence.

'She could afford a good surgeon who could perhaps remove the foot and have a prosthetic foot made that's fitting and comfortable,' he said.

'Now, for some that may seem pretty drastic but when you're faced with what she was facing in terms of probably decades in prison, certainly more than 10 to 15 years, you would think for that amount of money, it's a softer option.

'She was the queen of the con, the Queen of the Ponzi scheme.

'In terms of character, I've not examined her, but from what I've read and observed, there's no real remorse when you start ripping off family members.

'And when you've abandoned a son at a very vulnerable age, you really have to question that whole issue of the maternal bond versus self-interest.'

Dozens of Australians have shared their own theories in dedicated forums such as the popular Facebook page 'Melissa Caddick is Alive and in Hiding'.

One theory said: 'She is alive and living overseas, she had the money for new ID to be organised. She will see her son after he is 18 and old enough to travel alone undetected by the public.'

In May 2023, NSW deputy coroner Elizabeth Ryan ruled that Caddick (pictured with Koletti) was deceased but that there wasn't enough evidence to determine how she had died

A second added: 'With all the money she had and the type of person she is, she would have had plan B all planned out and she could be living anywhere with a totally new identity and prosthetic foot. Not too hard to imagine really!?'

A third said: 'Definitely not dead, if she was smart enough to rob her family and friends without them knowing, she's smart enough to to have escaped without detection under the cover of darkness.

'When years have passed and she is a memory, her partner and son will go to where she is. She will have a new identity and probably money from off shore investments.'

A fourth added: 'Anyone can just hop on a 40ft cruiser, sail out past the heads and avoid customs. She had the money to hire or buy a boat. Seems feasible.

'I think she is alive, had her foot removed. She is overseas living a quiet non exclusive life.'

Another added: 'Still wealthy but not flashy. New face and some surgery to blend in where ever she is. Her husband was just a pawn in her game of life. She will call for her son when he can travel without an adult overseas.

'But honestly where ever she is she was a horrible person.'
Few crimes in recent years have been more horrific than on the day in November 2022 that Idaho police found four young students brutally stabbed to death in an off-campus home.

The three women and one man  Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin  had been asleep in bed when an unknown intruder stole through the house, killing each of them but strangely sparing two other housemates who'd been on a lower floor.

The case transfixed America, but revulsion turned to mystification when, nearly seven weeks later, the FBI arrested a PhD student more than 2,000 miles away who appeared to have no connection with the vivacious foursome, all students at the University of Idaho in the town of Moscow.

Bryan Kohberger, then 28, had been studying criminology less than ten miles from Moscow at Washington State University. But it was on the other side of the U.S., in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested, after he and his father Michael had driven to their family home, unaware the FBI had tailed them across the country.

Denying he killed the four, Kohberger has yet to go on trial but he faces the death penalty  by firing squad if lethal drugs aren't available.

From left, Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle were found brutally stabbed to death in an off-campus home in November 2022

Suspect Bryan Kohberger is yet to go on trial but faces the death penalty

Now, Pulitzer Prize-nominated investigative journalist Howard Blum claims in a new book that he can shed crucial fresh light on the puzzling crime. He insists that Kohberger didn't come to the house on Moscow's King Road that night intent on a killing spree.

After months probing the case, he argues that Kohberger intended to kill only one of the students  pretty blonde 'Maddie' Mogen, 21  and that the others were merely 'grim collateral damage'.

Blum believes that the super-shy and mentally troubled Kohberger  who found connecting with women particularly difficult  encountered Maddie after visiting the vegan restaurant where she worked part-time as a waitress (Kohberger is a strict vegan).

That's when the fascination began, says Blum. Even if he hadn't spoken to Maddie on that occasion, he was able to keep tabs on her and her housemates through their frequent posts on social media.

Blum says 'obsessions came easily' to Kohberger, whom he believes 'continued to follow her over many nights'. It has been noted that the living areas of the students' house had large windows overlooked by trees from which someone could spy on them without detection.

'While the roommates hosted party after party at the house on King Road, he was often watching from the shadows,' writes Blum.

In his book, When Night Comes Falling, which comes out tomorrow and which the Mail has seen, Blum also asks how much Kohberger's parents knew, given they reportedly ignored his suspicious behaviour at the time of the killings.

Kaylee, 21, left, and best friend and roommate Madison, also 21, were fatally stabbed with a seven-inch combat knife by their killer

Maddie was sharing a bed with her best friend, Kaylee who was staying for the weekend

Maddie worked part-time as a waitress at a vegan restaurant where it is alleged Kohbergers met her

According to Blum, Kohberger's father dismissed the concerns of his psychologist daughter Melissa when she suggested her brother might be responsible for the murders.

After his arrest, the Kohbergers released a statement of sympathy for the victims' families but added that they had 'fully cooperated with law enforcement agencies in an attempt to seek the truth and promote his presumption of innocence'.

Investigators are working on the theory that the masked killer, clad all in black, got into the three-floor student house through an unlocked sliding glass door into the kitchen on the first floor just after 4am. (Earlier, he'd three times parked his car near the house but then driven away as Blum believes  he hesitated over going through with his plan.)

Although two of the housemates had bedrooms on the first floor, as Blum notes, the intruder ignored them and made a beeline for a flight of narrow stairs up to the top floor, where Maddie, who studied marketing, slept.

He went into her bedroom first and found her sharing her bed with her best friend, Kaylee Goncalves. Kaylee, 21, had moved out of the house ahead of her graduation but had returned for the weekend.

The killer fatally stabbed them both with a seven-inch combat knife but clumsily left its sheath tangled in Maddie's sheets. The sheath later provided investigators with crucial DNA.

Pulitzer Prize-nominated investigative journalist Howard Blum claims in his new book he can shed crucial fresh light on the puzzling crime

The four students were found dead at their off-campus home in the early hours of Sunday, November 13, 2022

Bryan's mother Mary Ann Racquel and father Michael Francis arrive at the Monroe County Pennsylvania courthouse in January last year

While Kohberger reportedly followed both Maddie and her lookalike best friend Kaylee on Instagram, he seemed more interested in the former, 'liking' all her photos

He then went downstairs, where he ran into Ethan Chapin who, alerted by the noise, had stepped out of his girlfriend Xana Kernodle's bedroom. Kohberger stabbed both of the 20-year-olds.

Dylan Mortensen, 21  one of the two housemates who survived the night  said she heard crying from Xana's room and a man's voice saying words to the effect of: 'It's OK. I'm going to help you.'

She went to her door and says the killer  whose 'bushy eyebrows' could be seen despite his mask  walked past her in the corridor. Unaware of the massacre that had unfolded, she returned to bed but locked her door.

'I believe his target was Maddie Mogen, and her alone,' Blum writes. 'He had no knowledge that Kaylee had returned for the weekend to show off her new car, or that he would find her in Maddie's bedroom. And he only encountered Ethan after he had descended Yet once Xana overheard the encounter and spoke up, she, too, was doomed . . . The killer needed to escape, and they were in his way.'

Prosecutors have tried to establish a motive but Blum argues that it can be found in Kohberger's turbulent history. His parents  Michael, a retired maintenance worker, and Maryann, who worked with special-needs children  had struggled for years with a son who lived at home until he moved to Washington State University at 28 to do his PhD.

In his teens, he developed a rare and debilitating neurological condition known as 'visual snow syndrome'  those affected see static in their vision.

They can also suffer tinnitus, and Kohberger told fellow sufferers in an online forum that he sometimes heard 'demons in my head mocking me'.

He claimed online he felt 'depersonalised' and that he could 'do whatever I want with little remorse. I might spiral out of control'. He turned to drugs in high school and became a heroin addict.

By the end of school, it seemed he had turned himself around and he became a fitness fanatic. But he was still desperately shy and awkward with girls, who often found him overbearing and 'creepy'.

Later, female students in his criminology department complained to staff that he made them feel 'uncomfortable'.

In fact, Kohberger's academic superiors had sacked him as a teaching assistant amid growing concern about his offensive behaviour towards women at his university. While Kohberger reportedly followed both Maddie and her lookalike best friend Kaylee on Instagram, he seemed more interested in Maddie, 'liking' all her photos.

Some believe the killer may have seen a TikTok video posted by the housemates which mapped out where each of them slept in the house.

Blum, who has been privy to at least some theories of the investigators, speculates: 'Did the killer hate the victims, hate the way their images marched through his mind, and love himself so excessively that he had no choice but to rid the world of their rebuking presence?'

After insisting his father come out to Washington so they could drive to the family home in Pennsylvania, Kohberger allegedly tried to cover his tracks.

His sister, psychologist Melissa, grew suspicious when she saw him don surgical gloves to vacuum his car, separate his personal rubbish into Ziploc bags and sneak out at night to put their family rubbish in neighbours' bins. But when she shared her 'increasingly certain deduction' with her father, after a 'long, agonised silence' he walked away, says Blum.

The evidence against Kohberger  including his mobile phone's movements, CCTV footage of his car, DNA, a receipt for a knife purchase and his suspicious disposal of rubbish  is compelling. Yet the defence insists there is 'no connection' between their client and the victims.

Blum admits much of his theorising is speculative. But if Kohberger remains silent and continues to deny everything, it might be as close as we'll come to understanding what happened that night.
Qantas has announced a travel bonanza with airfares slashed and new routes launched for its low-cost airline Jetstar.

Jetstar announced on Monday it would introduce two new trans-Tasman services with flights from Queensland to New Zealand.

Planes will begin flying from Maroochydoore to Auckland in December, while flights from Cairns to Christchurch will start from April next year.

The budget airline has launched a 24-hour sale blitz to celebrate the announcement while its parent company Qantas has slashed prices on one million domestic flights.

Queensland Tourism minister Michael Healy said the new routes launched by Jetstar were a massive win for holidaymakers.

Tickets for Jetstar flights between Cairns and Christchurch (pictured) are starting from $229, with the discounted airfare as part of a 24-hour sale blitz launched by the budget airline on Monday

The sale also includes reduced airfares for flights from Maroochydore, on the Sunshine Coast, to Auckland (pictured) from $215

'We're excited to see yet another international service booked for Cairns with a three-year commitment by Jetstar for three weekly services from Christchurch to Cairns, starting in April 2025,' he said.

'The flights will go some way to alleviating the pain of losing Bonza Airlines from the local market.'

Tickets for flights between Cairns and Christchurch are starting from $229.

Queenslanders can choose from more than 130,000 low cost seats when the services get under way.

The sale only covers fares for a one-way trip and checked baggage is not included. All other conditions apply.

Meanwhile, Qantas has placed nearly one million domestic flights on sale with airfares starting from $109 for a one-way ticket between the Gold Coast and Sydney.

Prices on more than 30 routes have been dropped to less than $150, including flights from Brisbane to the Whitsunday Coast from $129.

Flights from Adelaide to Melbourne will cost as little as $139 while a trip from Albury, on the NSW-Victoria border, to Sydney costs just $149.

Passengers flying business class can also choose from discounted airfares with flights from Canberra to Melbourne starting at $399.

Other reduced fares include business class seats from Brisbane to Sydney from $449.

Aussies can also book a one way ticket from the Gold Coast (pictured) and Sydney from just from $109, as part of the Qantas one million seat sale

Qantas has dropped prices to less than $150 across 30 domestic routes including flights from Brisbane to the Whitsunday Coast from $129 (stock image)

Seats will be discounted until 11.59pm on Sunday June 30, unless they're sold out earlier.

Jetstar Group CEO Stephanie Tully said the new flight routes would give the biggest boost to the airline in more than a decade.

'We're excited to be expanding our operations in Queensland with the launch of new trans-Tasman services from Cairns and the Sunshine Coast,' Ms Tully said.

'The new services will bring more Kiwi tourists into the state, helping to boost the tourism economy and support local tour operators, hotels and hospitality venues.'

The new flight routes are the 33rd and the 34th travel routes funded by the Queensland government's $200million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund.

The program was created in 2022 to help tourism operators in the Sunshine State bounce back from the effects of the Covid pandemic that brought international travel to a standstill.

The Cairns to Christchurch service will get under way in April 2025 with flights to run twice a week before it is ramped up to three times a week.

The Sunshine Coast to Auckland service will operate on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

More than 1.2million Aussies visit New Zealand every year making Australia the largest overseas tourist market in New Zealand.
A small garage has raised eyebrows after it was sold for more than the price of an apartment in some parts of Australia.

The one-car lock-up garage sold off-market for a whopping $500,000 in Woollahra, a suburb in Sydney's affluent eastern suburbs.

Inner-city parking can be scarce in suburbs like Woollahra, Surry Hills, Potts Point and Paddington - with spaces in hot demand.

The buyer is understood to be a local who needs a place to park their electric vehicle.

CoreLogic data showed the median price for an apartment in Australia is $644,758, however the price is lower in Darwin where the price is set at $364,075, and Perth and Adelaide are both $514,369.

The lock-up garage (pictured) in Woollahra, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, sold for a staggering $500,000 so the purchaser (a nearby resident) could house their electric vehicle

The Agency real estate agent Ben Collier told Yahoo parking adds significant value to a property.

'Parking adds I would argue a minimum of 10 to 12 per cent of the overall property per space. Its more on a percentage basis,' he said.

'This gentleman would have taken a view that if his property is worth $5million or $6million, the car park reflects the value add to his house.'

The real estate agent said the garage was a rare find because it was on its own title - meaning it could be sold separately to the property.

'Normally the garage associated to that apartment is on the same title as that apartment,' he said.

'So therefore you cant split them so youve got to buy the apartment.'

Mr Collier said when an apartment comes up for sale in a particular building in an area with little parking, it's 'more often than not' a local who buys it.

The resident keeps the parking for themselves and rents out the apartment.

The Woollahra purchase was the most expensive garage sale Mr Collier is aware of.

Several car spaces in Potts Point were sold in 2023 with advertised prices of over $150,000 - and one measuring 18sq/m selling for $315,000.

Woollahra, Sydney has a median house price of $4.7m, with units costing a median of $1.31

While Sydney is facing a rental shortage and cost of living crisis, some people are able to buy units just for the parking space (pictured photo of potential renters queuing to inspect a property in Sydney)

Ms Collier confirmed people were genuinely buying them to house their cars and not themselves, as the spaces 'are not big enough' to convert into living quarters.

Earlier this year, a Bondi property owner was offered a staggering $1m for their small lock-up garage that was attached to their apartment.

Raine and Hornes Ric Serrao said the the offer was rejected because it was too complicated to try to break up the title.

Mr Serrao also said the car space would be worth more than $1million in the future.

The apartment ended up being sold with the garage with a price guide of $4million to $4.4million.

Mr Serrao also thinks garages are a good investment because people can still get a rental yield out of the spaces, with that garage having the rental potential for between $250 and $300 a week.

According to realestate.com.au's latest data, the median house price in Woollahra is $4.7million.

An Aussie would have to be cashed up to buy an apartment in the area just for its parking, with the median unit costing $1.31million.
A shirtless hiker who went missing in remote California mountains has been found alive ten days after he vanished - having survived by drinking water from his boot and eating wild berries.

Lukas McClish, 34, set off on June 11 on what should have been a three-hour walk to visit some rare granite outcroppings in the Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek.

He had only a few supplies with him and had not told anyone where he was going because he only planned to be out for the afternoon. He didn't even bother putting a shirt on.

'I left with a pair of pants, and my hiking shoes and a hat,' McClish told KGO-TV. 'I had a flashlight and a pair of folding scissors, like a Leatherman tool - and that was about it.'

McClish, an experienced hiker who does landscaping in forests razed by wildfires, said he was 'astounded' that he got lost - and so quickly. The alarm was raised by his parents only when he failed to turn up for lunch on Father's Day on June 16 - five days after he set off.

Before he was rescued on June 20, he spent nine nights and 10 days wandering through the wilderness, drinking water from the creek out of his boot, eating wild berries and sleeping on wet leaves.

'I just made sure I drank a gallon of water every day, but then after, getting close to the end of it, my body needed food and some kind of sustenance,' he said.

McClish lost around 2.5st (30lbs) in weight.

At one point a mountain lion began following him, and things got worse on day eight when he came down with hypothermia and slipped while clambering over a rock face.

Eventually a pair of rangers, who were among nearly 300 people searching for him, heard his cries for help.

A drone was sent up and he was quickly found with the help of a sniffer dog. And remarkably he needed only one night in hospital before he could return home to his family, who had been waiting for him at the forest's edge when he was rescued.

Lukas McClish, 34, was rescued from the Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek, California, after ten days

The moment that Mr McClish was reunited with his family

The area in which he was hiking had been razed in the CZU Lightning Complex fire of 2020 and 'looks completely different from all of the other terrain,' he explained.

'That's one thing I didn't take into consideration - when the fire comes through like that and decimates it, it turns into the desert and you're unable to find your bearings.'

The typical markers to indicate direction, such as deer trails or hiking paths, were gone.

A three-hour hike in the Big Basin Redwoods State Park looking for a granite outcrop led to ten days lost and a near-death experience

But at first, McClish considered his predicament a chance to test his survival skills, according to the New York Times.

'I'm an avid backpacker, so for me to go out for a night or two is not out of the norm,' he told the Times.

On that first cold night, though, McClish tried to build himself a camp - but the brush he used to start a fire was wet.

He then hiked across a canyon for better shelter, and the next day set out to find a stream he thought would be nearby.

Lukas is hugged by his mother and sister after he was heard calling for help

'So I just kind of hiked,' McClish told WDBJ. 'Each day I go up a canyon, down a canyon, to the next waterfall, drank water out of my boot.

'I felt comfortable every time I was out there - I wasn't worried about it.

'I had a mountain lion that was following me, but it was cool,' McClish added. 'It kept its distance. I think it was just somebody watching over me.'

Lukas says that he hasn't given up on hiking - but may not go again this year

His parents (pictured) grew worried when he did not show up for Fathers' Day and filed a missing persons report. This was already five days after he had vanished. He was found another five days later

The Big Basin Redwoods State Park was hit by a wildfire in August that burned roughly 97 per cent of the park's 18,224 acres

But by day five, McClish started to grow concerned - and tried to find a way back to civilization.

'I knew if I kept following the sun, I'd get to the ocean eventually, but I didn't know how far from the ocean I was,' he said.

Meanwhile, his family began to worry when he did not show up for Father's Day, and filed a missing persons report.

That sparked a massive manhunt, involving nearly 300 people and emergency personnel from several agencies.

His mother, Diane McClish, told WDBJ: 'I just had to trust God that he was going to be OK - and that was hard to do some nights, when we would go to bed, because I would worry about where he was, where he was sleeping and how cold he was.'

Lukas said he initially considered the predicament a chance to test his survival skills. He said he spent five days fantasising about eating burritos or taco bowls

The missing persons report sparked a massive manhunt for the missing hiker, involving nearly 300 people and emergency personnel from several agencies

McClish was finally found when park rangers heard his cries for help

The Boulder Creek Fire Department deployed a drone and spotted him, while a dog tracked him down

As search efforts continued, McClish started shouting for help as he experienced hypothermia and slipped while going over a rock face.

'Help, help, I'm over here,' he remembers screaming over and over during days eight and nine, along with 'Is anybody out there?'

At the same time, McClish said he kept dreaming about his next meal as he was forced to survive on wild berries.

'I wanted a burrito or a taco bowl,' he said. 'That's what I thought about every day when I, after the first five days, when I started to kind of realize that I might be in over my head.'

Finally, at around 7.30pm on Thursday, two park rangers were making their way up a hill and heard McClish's screams.

'I'm thinking, I hope this isn't a mirage,' McClish recounted.

But the Boulder Creek Fire Department soon deployed a drone and spotted him, while a dog tracked him down.

He was then escorted out of the wilderness by police, and was reunited with his anxious family.

McClish would go on to spend Thursday night safely at a local hospital, where doctors removed rocks from his back.

He said he still doesn't fear the wilderness, but admitted: 'I did enough hiking for probably the whole rest of the year.'
The Australian Defence Force has been accused of promoting 'woke garbage' after asking recruits about their pronouns and sexuality on application forms.

The Department of Defence APS careers website asks potential soldiers, sailors and aviators if they use alternate genders or are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

'Which pronouns do you use: he/him, she/her, they/them,' is the first question asked on the form.

Recruits are also queried if they 'identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning (LGBTIQ+)?'

United Australia Party Senator Ralph Babet slammed it as 'woke garbage', arguing the country's enemies would be laughing at us.

The Department of Defence APS careers website asks potential soldiers, sailors and aviators if they use alternate genders or are part of the LGBTQIA+ community

Applicants are also asked for their gender orientation, including options for 'non-binary' and 'gender diverse' under the 'workplace diversity' section (pictured, festival-goers at Mardi Gras in 2023)

'Whoever is coming up with this woke garbage for the Department of Defence should be fired immediately,' he told the Courier Mail..

'Our defence force allows men to wear dresses, I can just imagine our enemies laughing at us, it's really quite sad.'

Applicants are also asked for their gender orientation, including options for 'non-binary' and 'gender diverse' under the 'workplace diversity' section.

'There are only two genders, male and female,' Mr Babet said.

'There are only two pronouns, he and she. Anything else is a delusion and society must stop enabling lies to permeate as the truth.

'We have a fighting force of approximately 57,000 and we need a minimum of 80,000, the military should be focused on that instead of wokeness.'

An ADF spokesman defended the questions included on the form.

'Defence capability is reliant on our ability to attract and retain the best possible talent regardless of background, gender, age, culture, religion, ability or sexual orientation,' he said.

'Diversity and inclusion are critical to the successful delivery of Defence's mission.

'It is important that the Defence workforce reflects the communities that we serve.'

Daily Mail Australia contacted the Department of Defence for further comment.

The criticism comes after the ADF unveiled plans for foreigners to join the force under a fast-track to citizenship (stock image)

The criticism comes after the ADF unveiled plans for foreigners to join the force under a fast-track to citizenship.

As part of the national defence strategy announced in April, eligibility criteria will be expanded to allow more people to join the defence force.

From July, eligible New Zealanders will be able to apply to join the Australian military and after 90 days are expected to become Australian citizens.

Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh said the recruitment drive would not take people out of other countries.

'These are people that have already made Australia home and we are providing them a fast-track to citizenship through joining the Australian Defence Force as well,' he told reporters in Canberra.

Mr Keogh clarified in the press briefing that the option was available to all foreign nationals after the initial statement indicated a set group of nations.

Australia's low unemployment rate made it difficult to hire defence staff and this announcement was aimed at increasing potential recruits, Mr Keogh said.

Non-citizens who want to join the military must have lived in Australia for at least one year before applying, must not have served in a foreign military in the previous two years and must be able to attain Australian citizenship.
EV will be used for community liaison

Emergency services have introduced electric vehicles to their fleet, with battery-powered police and ambulances set to hit the road.

A Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric sedan has joined New South Wales Nepean Police Area Command's vehicle fleet for use in their Crime Prevent Unit.

The sedan, which the manufacturer is loaning to law enforcement, will not be used in pursuits or road patrols.

Nepean Police Area Command explained that officers would use the EV for their 'day-to-day business' within the community.

A Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric sedan has joined New South Wales Nepean Police Area Command's vehicle fleet for use in their Crime Prevent Unit (pictured)

The sedan, on loan from the manufacturer, will be used by officers in their day-to-day activities and can be seen cruising the streets with the number plates 'EV COP' (pictured)

'Nepean Police Area Command took possession of a brand new Hyundai IONIQ 6, proudly sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company Australia,' the command wrote on Facebook.

'The vehicle will be utilised by our Crime Prevention Unit in their day to day business within the community.

'We appreciate Hyundai Motor Company Australia's commitment in supporting our efforts in maintaining public safety and community engagement.'

NSW motorists will be able to spot it cruising the streets with the number plates 'EV COP'.

Although the EV's specifications have yet to be revealed, Hyundai offers the electric model in three variants with two batteries and the choice of rear or all-wheel drive.

The Standard Range model, with a 53kWh battery, claims a driving range of 429 kilometers. The Extended Range model, equipped with a 77.4kWh battery, claims a driving range of 614 kilometers.

NSW Police previously introduced a Hyundai Kona electric SUV in January 2021 for community engagement work.

Last year, Queensland Police added a Kia EV6 to its fleet of highway patrol cars, while in 2022 Western Australian Police started using a Hyundai Ioniq 5 and a Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.

At the time, Matthew Vanderbyl, assistant commissioner of Queensland Police Service, predicted EVs will be the future of police cars.

'I think that's inevitable, I think we see a really accelerating take-up of electric vehicles within the broader community and there are good reasons for that, and I think we're no different,' said Assistant Commissioner Vanderbyl in June 2023.

'We've got operational implications that we have got to work through as well, but I think that we've really proven some of the earlier technology with hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well.'

In 2019, Victoria Police added a Tesla Model X as a highway patrol car. However, it is believed the EV is used mainly for promotional events.

Meanwhile, St Vincent's Health Network Sydney incorporated an electric LDV eDeliver 9 to its fleet of ambulances at the start of the year.

Meanwhile in early June, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services introduced its first battery-electric fire truck to the Sunshine Coast fleet - a Volvo 6x4 FMX Heavy Duty Electric Prime Mover.

It comes after Queensland Fire and Emergency Services introduced its first battery-electric fire truck to the Sunshine Coast fleet - a Volvo 6x4 FMX Heavy Duty Electric Prime Move (pictured)

St Vincent's Health Network Sydney incorporated an electric LDV eDeliver 9 to its fleet of ambulances a the start of the year (pictured)

The EV fire truck was the second environmental purchase for the state, with a biofuel fire truck, powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, hitting Townsville.

QFES Commissioner Steve Smith said the emergency service aimed to reduce operating costs as well as emissions.

Both the electric and HVO-powered trucks will be trialled in a non-critical tier of response and operations, allowing us the ability to assess the benefits of the vehicles before adopting them further into the fleet,' Ms Smith said in a statement.

'There are about 500 heavy vehicles in the Fire and Rescue fleet and another 1030 in RFS [Rural Fire Service], so this pilot plays a pivotal role in shaping the approach we take towards the decarbonisation of our service.'
Privately-educated BBC staff now occupy a third of the broadcaster's top paid jobs, including Director Tim Davie and Chief content officer Charlotte Moore.

The revelation has sparked accusations of elitism in the corporation, as one social mobility expert referred to it as 'scandalous'.

The number of staff on more than 150,000 almost doubled from 37 to 68 in the last two years, the corporation's figures show.

And former private school pupils make up just ten per cent of staff earning less than 30,000 each year.

The BBC's Director, Tim Davie, is on 525,000 each year and received a full scholarship to attend Whitgrift School in South London, where full boarding fees equate to 51,120 annually.

The BBC's Director, Tim Davie, (pictured) is on 525,000 each year and went to Whitgrift School in South London

Charlotte Moore, chief content officer for the BBC, is on 442,000 a year

Chief content officer, Charlotte Moore, is on 442,000 a year and attended Wycombe Abbey  a private girls' school in Buckinghamshire which costs 16,975 to board per term.

Journalist Laura Kuenssberg was also privately educated and attended Laurel Bank School in Glasgow.

Journalist Laura Kuenssberg was also privately educated and attended Laurel Bank School in Glasgow

Lee Elliot Major, Professor of Social Mobility at the University of Exeter, told The Sun it was 'scandalous' that the BBC excludes socio-economic background from much of its diversity work

Lee Elliot Major, Professor of Social Mobility at the University of Exeter told The Sun: 'It's scandalous the BBC, set up to serve all parts of British society, excludes socio-economic background from much of its diversity work.'

An Ofcom review previously said lower-income audiences felt presenters' high salaries made the BBC out of touch with ordinary people.

A BBC spokesperson said: 'We want the BBC to be for everyone and latest figures show that 21% of staff are from working class backgrounds. Apprenticeships have reached record levels in the last year and we will continue to invest in talent schemes and youth outreach projects to further increase our socio-economic diversity'.
A former California sheriff's deputy who left the force after being brutally attacked by a suspect gave future law enforcement a chilling warning, saying being a cop is 'not worth it.'

Meagan McCarthy quit the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department in 2022 after she was attacked by a suspect who beat her before gaining control of her gun and firing shots at the mother.

The man who attacked her in the 2019 incident, Ari Young, was acquitted of attempted murder and assault charges after a reform to the state's jury selection process allowed those with an "expressed bias" against law enforcement to sit on the case, according to McCarthy.

Now the ex-cop is cautioning anyone considering joining the force to reconsider because lawmakers will not protect them.

'It would be really hard for me to go and serve the institution of law enforcement, just because the politicians, the elected officials, our leaders do not have our backs,' McCarthy told Fox News.

Meagan McCarthy warned future law enforcement officers that being a cop is 'not worth it' and progressive lawmakers will not protect them

McCarthy retired from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department in 2022 after she was attacked by a suspect and said she hopes her kids never become cops

'I do not think this job is worth it. With what happened to me, with a suspect trying to murder me and then the criminal justice system, the California court system and our California lawmakers, none of them for the last five years, I've seen have, your backs.

'You have to worry about these leaders coming after you years down the road,' she said. 'We're seeing all of these crazy woke district attorneys opening up cases years later.'

Police agencies across the country have been struggling to recruit new officers in recent years.

Following widespread calls for reforms that swept the nation following the murder of George Floyd, many departments had their funding cut.

Many cops feel legislatures have become 'soft-on-crime' which make their jobs harder to do and they are not protected.

'It's really hard to say why somebody should be a cop these days,' McCarthy said.

McCarthy said cops have to worry about 'woke' district attorneys and elected officials that do 'not have our backs'

'Now you have to worry about you livelihood, is my family going to be able to afford a mortgage if something happens to me later down the line?'

When a jury acquitted her attacker, McCarthy said the justice system did not only let her down but it also set a 'damaging' precedent for police officers and victims everywhere.

'Not only did I lose my job when the suspect tried to execute me, but out went my career, I can no longer contribute to our bills,' she said.

Shocking video captured the September 4, 2019, incident when McCarthy was responding to a home on Cabazon Ct. in Victorville for a domestic disturbance.

The former San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy had responded to calls from a distressed mother in Victorville who pleaded with police to remove her son from her home.

McCarthy and Young were seen struggling before the man can be seen punching her multiple times in the face and head.

As McCarthy fell to the ground, Young grabbed the woman's firearm and attempted to start shooting at the law enforcement official.

A jury acquitted the man who brutally attacked McCarthy by beating her then gaining control of her gun and firing shots at the mother in 2019

Shocking video captured the September 4, 2019, incident when McCarthy was responding to a home on Cabazon Ct. in Victorville for a domestic disturbance

Young proceeded to fire it at the officer multiple times as she attempts to run away.

The bullets fired at the McCarthy missed and she luckily escaped the incident without life-threatening injury. She was taken to hospital without serious injury.

On May 31, 2023 a jury acquitted Young - who suffers from schizophrenia - of the attempted murder charge, but did find him guilty of negligent discharge of a firearm.

'If my boys or my daughter came to me and said "Mom, I want to be a cop" I would give them every reason not to be.'

'I took a lot of pride in being a cop,' she said. 'I love serving the community, and I just wish that law enforcement was able to get that pendulum swinging back for them.'
Postal workers in a rural Cornish town have said they are living in fear after a string of attacks by divebombing seagulls.

The Royal Mail has been forced to apologise to locals in Liskeard for delayed deliveries after the birds were spotted 'sweeping' towards posties from rooftops in the area.

Residents of the market town have been advised to either wait for deliveries to arrive when the seagulls are not as aggressive, or let the Royal Mail know an alternative address that post can be sent to.

The Royal Mail added that the birds seemed to be protecting their young and viewed some people as a possible threat.

One local agreed that the animals were being selective about who they picked on, pointing out that they also targeted council workers.

Seagulls pictured on a roof in Liskeard, Cornwall. The birds have been swooping down at postal workers, forcing them to delay deliveries

The Royal Mail has been forced to apologise to locals in Liskeard for delayed deliveries after the birds were spotted 'sweeping' towards posties from rooftops in the area (Stock Photo)

The Royal Mail added that the birds seemed to be protecting their young and viewed some people as a possible threat

She told Cornwall Live: 'They don't attack me for some reason, but the posties and any council workers are running for their lives.

'My next-door neighbour who's elderly got swooped and knocked over, but he admits he also throws stuff at them  I always greet them.'

The resident argued that the young seagulls were cute so she was not bothered about her deliveries arriving late, The Times reports.

She joked that she had never received a letter before from the Royal Mail and that the message had made her laugh.

In the Royal Mail's letter, dated June 20, Ryan Lean, customer operations manager for the Liskeard depot, said: 'As you may be aware, we are currently experiencing some difficulties safely delivering to you and your neighbour due to seagulls in the area, swooping at delivering staff in order to protect their young.

'The purpose of this letter is to firstly advise you of the issues we are experiencing but also to assure you that we will continue to attempt deliveries every day.

'I appreciate this is not ideal. Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this may cause but whilst Royal Mail is committed to providing a consistent daily delivery to addresses, we do place the highest priority on the safety of our employees.

'Rest assured that we will be monitoring the situation on a daily basis with a view to resuming normal service to you and your neighbour as soon as possible.'

This is not the first time that pesky birds have thwarted postal workers.

In 2019, people living on a road in Argyll and Bute did not have their post delivered for weeks after a series of seagull attacks on posties, with one even twisting his ankle as he attempted to escape the mischievous birds in Helensburgh.

David McArthur, a local, said that postal workers had largely been able to avoid injury by 'staying in their van and beeping the horn for us to run out and get the post'.

Two years earlier, a street in Hereford was compared to a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's classic horror movie The Birds when the animals began dive-bombing passersby.

One local agreed that the animals were being selective about who they picked on, pointing out that they also targeted council workers

In 2017 a street in Hereford was compared to a scene from Alfred Hitchcock's classic horror movie The Birds (pictured: Hitchcock in a promotion photo for the film)

One postman even reported that a bird had flown straight into his head.

The chaos in Liskeard comes after the Royal Mail failed to meet its delivery targets for first and second-class deliveries for the 2022/23 financial year, resulting in a 5.6million issued by Ofcom last November.

The regulator can consider any evidence of any exceptional circumstances which might explain failed targets.
The gambling watchdog has widened its investigation into the Tory party betting ring to look at hundreds of suspicious bets, as four leading conservatives are under investigation.

It has been reported by the Times that a dossier containing details of all bets on the date of the election that would have made more then 199 have been passed to the Gambling Commission.

This information will be used to identify anyone who is employed by the conservative party of who may have ties to it.

This comes as the Conservative Party's chief data officer, Nick Mason has had to take a leave of absence amid claims he 'placed dozens of bets on the timing of the General Election'.

Tony Lee, the Conservative party's director of campaigns, and his wife Laura Saunders, are also under investigation by the Commission

Lee's wife, Laura Saunders, a Conservative candidate in the Bristol North West constituency, is also under investigation but said she is fully cooperating with the commission

The issue with those with close connections to Rishi Sunak (pictured) placing a bet on the election date comes with the individual having possible inside information

He is 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 Sunak's hopes of getting the Tory election campaign on track after three other Conservative figures were caught up in the scandal.

Tony Lee, the party's director of campaigns, and his wife Laura Saunders, are also under investigation by the Commission.

Ms Saunders, a Conservative candidate in the Bristol North West constituency, has said she is fully cooperating with the commission.

Craig Williams, who was the Prime Minister's parliamentary private secretary and is the Conservative candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, was also placed under investigation over a 100 'flutter' on the date of the election.

He has apologised for the act which he described as a 'huge error of judgement'.

Labour called for the Tories to suspend Ms Saunders and Mr Williams, with Keir Starmer saying: 'If it was one of my candidates, they'd be gone and their feet would not have touched the floor.'

Craig Williams, who was the Prime Minister's parliamentary private secretary and is the Conservative candidate for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, was also placed under investigation over a 100 'flutter' on the date of the election

Labour leader Keir Starmer said: 'This candidate should be suspended and it's very telling that Rishi Sunak has not already done that.'

Meanwhile, one of Mr Sunak's close protection officers has also been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public following a similar allegation and is suspended as an internal investigation is carried out by Scotland Yard.

Michael Gove, the outgoing Housing Secretary, has condemned the latest reports, and likened the betting scandal to Partygate during Boris Johnson's premiership.

'It looks like one rule for them and one rule for us,' he told the Sunday Times, adding: 'That's the most potentially damaging thing.'

'The perception that we operate outside the rules that we set for others.

'That was damaging at the time of partygate and is damaging here.

'If you're in a privileged position [close] to the prime minister at the heart of a political operation and you use inside information to make additional money for yourself, that's just not acceptable.

'So if these allegations are true, it's very difficult to defend,' he added.

A spokesperson for Mason denied any wrongdoing and said it was inappropriate to comment during the inquiry.

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.'

Mr Sunak must personally intervene in the 'all-out scandal', the Lib Dems have said.

Daisy Cooper, the Lib Dem deputy leader, said: 'Sunak must personally intervene to order a Cabinet Office inquiry and suspend all those under investigation.'

On Thursday night, Mr Sunak admitted he was 'incredibly angry' after the bombshell that the gambling watchdog is investigating several senior Conservatives.

Appearing on the BBC's Question Time election special, Mr Sunak was grilled on the claims.

'I was incredibly angry to learn of these allegations. If anyone's found to have broken the rules, not only should they face the full consequences of the law, I'll make sure they are booted out of the Conservative Party,' he said.

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith branded those involved as 'stupid and venal'.

Reform leader Nigel Farage accused the Conservatives of being 'corrupt'.

The use of confidential information to gain unfair advantage when betting may constitute a criminal offence of cheating under section 42 of the Gambling Act.

Those convicted face and unlimited fine or up to two years in jail.
Texas megachurch pastor Robert Morris sent a chilling email to his sexual abuse accuser 20 years before he made the shocking confession, according to a report.

Morris, 62, the founder and senior pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake - one of the largest megachurches in the country - faced the allegations from former family friend Cindy Clemishire, now 54, who said he sexually abused her in the 1980s when she was 12.

On Tuesday, Morris resigned from the megachurch after admitting to abusing Clemishire, who went public with her allegations in a blog post on The Wartburg Watch, a website dedicated to exposing abuse in churches.

Newly-released emails, shared with NBC News, purportedly reveal the shocking interactions between the disgraced pastor and Clemishire in 2005.

'Twenty-three years after you began destroying my life, I am still dealing with the pain and damage you caused,' Clemishire, then 35, reportedly wrote to Morris. 'I want some type of restitution. Pray about it and call me.'

Newly resurfaced emails between former Gateway Church Pastor Robert Morris, 62, and his sexual abuse accuser, Cindy Clemishire, now 54, revealed their exchange years after the alleged child sexual abuse

'Twenty-three years after you began destroying my life, I am still dealing with the pain and damage you caused,' Clemishire, then 35, wrote to Morris

Two weeks later, Morris, Donald Trump's former spiritual advisor, allegedly told Clemishire that he and his wife, Debbie Morris, cared about her.

'Debbie and I really do care for you and we sincerely want Gods best for you,' he told Clemishire.

He then allegedly told her that he previously confessed his sins to Clemishire's father, and was under the impression that he obtained her and her family's forgiveness.

'My attorney advises that if I pay you any money under a threat of exposure, you could be criminally prosecuted and Debbie and I do not want that,' Morris was quoted as replying.

'If you need more information, have your attorney contact mine.'

The two families - including Morris' wife and son - became close, and Clemishire alleged that Morris' abuse began when he stayed at her family home in Tulsa on Christmas 1982.

She describes a scene in which Morris asked her to come to his room and speak with him, asking her to lay on his bed.

Morris began to touch her inappropriately, with Clemishire alleging he touched her stomach, then her breast and then under her pants.

'I remember vividly everything I was wearing and how the pajamas felt. They were light pink, and it was a little top with bloomers, and I had on underwear and bloomers and the little top and a robe that snapped up over the top,' she said.

Clemishire added that after the alleged abuse occurred, Morris 'told me I could never tell anyone, because it would ruin everything.'

On Tuesday Morris resigned from the megachurch (pictured) after admitting to abusing Clemishire, who went public with her allegations

The two families - including Morris' wife and son - became close, and Clemishire alleged that Morris' abuse began when he stayed at her family home in Tulsa on Christmas 1982

She said that he would continue to isolate her and abuse her for the next four-and-a- half years before she finally spoke out, first to a family friend and then to her parents.

Clemishire's father demanded Morris be removed from ministry and she claimed he did for two years in order to undergo 'restoration.' He returned to preaching in 1989.

In another email to Morris, Clemishire allegedly said: 'Men that have over 100 counts of child molestation go to prison.'

'Men who pastor churches that have over 100 counts of child molestation go to prison and pay punitive damages. You have not had to do either.'

According to the alleged emails, Tom Lane, a former elder from Gateway, knew that Clemishire had contacted Morris looking for compensation. It is unclear if he knew that she was accusing the former pastor of child sexual abuse.

On Friday, Lane, who has since left the church, told NBC News that he 'did not fully understand the severity and specific of the sexual abuse she experienced, nor did I know that she was 12 years old when the abuse began.'

Richard Harmer, a spokesperson for Lane, said that he thought that Clemishire was under 18, but still old enough to consent to a sexual relationship.In the state of Oklahoma, where the abuse allegedly took place, the age of consent is 16-years-old.

In April 2005, Lane reached out to Clemishire on behalf of Morris, but she wanted to speak to the former pastor directly.

Lane explained to her that Morris was 'completely open with the Elders of Gateway Church about his past and specifically about his indiscretion with you.'

He added that even though Morris and his wife treated her with 'caring concern,' they had 'not brought the healing you seek.'

'The "Blessed Life" that Robert writes about in his book and you refer to in your email, is not one of perfection but one of submission and obedience to God, something that he has made diligent effort to walk in, both in failure and success, for more than twenty years,' Lane wrote to Clemishire.

Morris, Donald Trump's former spiritual advisor, told Clemishire that he and his wife, Debbie Morris (pictured), cared about her in the emails

According to the emails, Clemishire tried time and time again to speak to Morris on the phone about the allegations, but they never did

'Robert and Debbie have done what they can to help you heal. Our church believes in healing, forgiveness, and restoration of all individuals. We would like to help you find that healing for your life.'

Just five months after Lane wrote to Clemishire, she allegedly sent a message directly to Morris.

'I am giving you one last chance to call me. You really have no idea how devastating it will be if you dont. I dont want Tom or anyone else to contact me. This is your issue not his,' she said.

Morris then asked Clemishire what she wanted from him, but she insisted that he get on the phone with her to discuss further.

'I have suffered almost my entire life from the emotional damage you inflicted on me. If you want to know what I want, call me,' she replied.

Though he never called her, Clemishire said that Morris' attorney contacted her to plan a meeting with Morris, but that also never happened.

In a final message to her, Morris said: 'You see the blessings God has poured out on my life and conclude that it is because I have hidden my past.'

'God does not work that way. He will not be mocked by deceit.'

'I am deeply saddened by the pain Cindy Clemishire has endured and the recent revelations regarding Pastor Robert Morris,' Lane said in a recent statement.

'My deepest sympathies go out to Cindy, and I pray her suffering is fully recognized and validated.'

Gateway Church's Board of Elders sent out a statement confirming they accepted Morris' resignation Tuesday. Morris has not made a public statement.

The church had previously backed Morris, saying he had been 'open and forthright about a moral failure he had over 35 years ago' but in their statement, now call the behavior unacceptable after discovering the age of the victim.

Gateway's elder's admitted that they were aware of Morris' relationship with a 'young lady' when he was in his 20s.

This week, the board of elders announced that it hired a law firm to investigate. Morris was never criminally charged and the statute of limitations on such a case has long since ran out

'The elders prior understanding was that Morris extramarital relationship, which he had discussed many times throughout his ministry, was with "a young lady" and not abuse of a 12-year-old child,' the church leaders said in a statement.

This week, the board of elders announced that it hired a law firm to investigate. DailyMail.com contacted Gateway Church and Morris for comment.

Clemishire has hired Boz Tchividjian to represent her in a new potential lawsuit, according to WFAA. Tchividjian is evangelist Billy Graham's grandson.

'It seems as if it was preferable for them to simply accept his vague narrative instead of seeking the truth regarding a sexual offense perpetrated upon a minor,' Tchividjian said.

'The leaders at Gateway had the responsibility to find out what happened and not to blindly accept his words.'

Morris was never criminally charged and the statute of limitations on such a case has long since ran out.
A convicted people smuggler and a violent domestic abuser have become the latest immigrants to be freed from detention.

The Iranian men, known only as Adam and David, were freed on February 28 after the High Court ruled in November that indefinite detention was unlawful.

More than 150 immigrants have been released back into the community since the ruling with murderers, paedophiles and violent offenders among the group.

David had spent five years in immigration detention for contravening a family violence order by attacking his ex-partner with a knife, a plank of wood and a pillow.

Adam was released despite being sentenced to serve seven years in prison in 2015 for people smuggling.

A man convicted of violent domestic abuse (stock image) and another convicted of people smuggling are free in the public after being released from indefinite detention

Both had refused to cooperate with attempts to have them returned to Iran over fears they would be persecuted because of their Christian beliefs.

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia's judgment revealed David came to Australia illegally on a boat and had his visa stripped following the DV attack.

He was convicted of false imprisonment, three counts of assault with a weapon, making a threat to kill and unlawful assault and placed under a family violence order.

David broke the order when he 'entered the locked home of the victim, doused the bedroom with petrol and assaulted her physically and sexually'.

He spent 30 days in prison before having his visa revoked and taken to immigration detention where he was physically and sexually assaulted.

He would go on to refuse any attempts to acquire relevant travel documents and return to Iran, claiming the country would not accept him and that he is stateless.

David also fears he could be facing 11-year imprisonment in Iran after being convicted of 'insulting Iranian authorities and acting against the national security of Iran and for his membership of enemy groups'.

Judge Amanda Mansini said the court was bound by the High Court's ruling in November and that David was not 'lawfully detained and is entitled to be released immediately'.

'This form of relief is not final in that it does not entitle David to indefinite freedom to live in the Australian community,' Judge Mansini said.

The other man, Adam, had spent two-and-a-half years of his seven-year sentence for people smuggling when he was released.

Both were released under pretence set by a High Court (pictured) ruling found indefinite detention unlawful which has seen 153 non-citizens freed from detention

He had already been living in Australia on a refugee visa for several years prior to his conviction after registering with the UN in Indonesia in 2001.

Adam was found by an Administrative Appeals Tribunal in June last year to be a key organiser of a people smuggling operation involving 12 people.

Another month was added onto his sentence for one count of 'assault in company' before being moved to immigration detention.

The court found Adam was likely owed protection by Australia, however no formal finding was made on his case for immigration.

It also found that he could not be returned to the country as he is part of the Mandaean minority, a persecuted Christian group in Iran.

The Commonwealth said both men shouldn't be held to the High Court's prior ruling on NZYQ because they weren't part of the group of detainees affected.

It argued that the men didn't cooperate with officials to return to their country of origin while other released detainees were unable to be deported even with cooperation.
This is the horrifying moment death rained down from the sky over a beach in Russian-occupies Crimea, after a Ukrainian missile was shot down over the area, killing three people including two children.

The victims were among nearly 120 tourists who were hit by fragments of the weapon after it was blasted out of the sky above Sevastopol yesterday.

Devastating footage showed families enjoying the weather on the sunny seconds before the harsh din of explosions forced them to flee for their lives.

The footage, taken on a phone, shows people barely able to pick up their bags as the bombs fell.

Two children, aged three and ten, were among those killed, as was an elderly woman who was swimming in the sea at the time of the impact.

Russian officials claimed they shot down five missiles in total as they flew over the Crimean capital, with the fifth munition breaking up into deadly debris over the beach in Uchkuevka.

People gather round a Russian tourist who was wounded by the downed Ukrainian missile in Crimea on Sunday

Wounded tourists are attended to by passers-by on a beach in Sevastopol after the incident on Sunday

Spray flies into the air as pieces of debris from the shot down missile land in the coast off Sevastopol

Cars parked next to the beach in Sevastopol were also hit by the debris, smashing windscreens

In the aftermath of the attack the Kremlin claimed the weapons which were destroyed were American-made and that Washington bears responsibility for those killed.

'The responsibility for a deliberate missile strike on peaceful residents of Sevastopol is carried primarily by Washington, which supplied this weaponry to Ukraine,' the Russian defence ministry wrote on Telegram, saying Ukraine used ATACMS missiles.

Video shared on social media shows terror-stricken Russian tourists fleeing the beach in Sevastopol in the occupied Black Sea peninsula at the moment of the strike.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, Governor of Sevastopol, said the number of wounded was almost 100, describing the incident as grave.

'All available emergency medical crews have been sent there,' he said.

'Some people have already been taken to a hospital, and they are being provided with all the necessary assistance.

'All forces have been mobilised.'

Reports said the missiles were US-supplied ATACMS operational-tactical missiles equipped with cluster warheads.

Two Majors pro-war Telegram channel said: 'While repelling a terrorist attack by air defence forces on duty, four American ATACMS missiles were shot down.

'Another missile, as a result of the impact of air defence systems at the final stage, deviated from the flight path and detonated the warhead in the air over the city territory.

'As a result of falling fragments of cluster submunitions, more than 20 civilians, including children, were injured.'

Later in the day the toll was put at much higher.

The wounded were carried from the beach in Uchkuevka, Sevastopol by tourists and emergency services after today's strike by debris from a downed Ukrainian missile.

Russians in Crimea have been flocking to beaches in Crimea despite the risk of Ukrainian kamikaze drone and missile attacks.

Separate footage of Sudak beach in Crimean shows how people have crowded to the popular summer relaxation spots despite the risk of missile strikes.

The incident comes the same day that Russian bombs destroyed a residential block in Kharkiv, killing at least one person and injuring 10 on Sunday

The ruined remains of an apartment are exposed to the air after Russian missiles damage a block of flats in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Sunday

Ukrainians clean the streets and look at the damage caused by Russian bombs in Kharkiv on Sunday

An elderly woman, who was swimming in the sea at the time of the impact, died on the beach in Sevastopol, eyewitnesses say.

Sevastopol, a Black Sea port city and traditional headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet even when it was under Ukrainian rule, was annexed by Russia in 2014.

It regularly comes under fire from Ukraine but the toll from Sunday's attack was unusually high.

There were reports of a lack of air raid alerts ahead of the strike.

Earlier in the day one person was killed and three were injured in Russia's Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine, when three Ukrainian drones attacked the city of Grayvoron, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.

Russia's ministry of defence said air defence forces shot down 33 Ukrainian drones over the country's western Bryansk, Smolensk, Lipetsk and Tula regions.

A fresh attack on Kharkiv killed at least one person and injured 10 on Sunday, according to local officials. Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the city was attacked by a guided bomb and around half of Kharkiv was without electricity because of the strike.

Ukraine's military has not commented on the attack, which came a day after a Russian guided bomb strike on the city of Kharkiv hit an apartment building, killing two people and injuring more than 50.

On Sunday, Russian strikes hit a house and a children's educational facility in Kharkiv, killing one person and injuring 10 including two teenagers, regional governor Oleg Synegubov said.

Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said 41 people were still being treated for injuries on Sunday.

In a video address following Saturday's attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Ukraine's partners to bolster its air defences.

'Modern air defence systems for Ukraine - such as Patriots, accelerated training of our pilots for F-16s, and most importantly, sufficient range for our weapons - are truly necessary,' he said.

Meanwhile, two people were injured by falling debris when two Russian missiles were shot down over the Kyiv region overnight, Ukraine's air force commander Mykola Oleschuk said.

Regional Governor Vadym Filashkin of Ukraine's partly occupied Donetsk region said that Russian attacks on Saturday killed two people and wounded four.

In other developments, the Ukrainian Navy released photos on Sunday that it says confirm the destruction of a warehouse in Russia's southern Krasnodar region used to launch and store Iranian-designed Shahed drones.

Navy officials said training instructors and cadets were killed in the attack on Friday night. Moscow has not yet commented on the reports, but officials said air defences shot down a number of drones in the region overnight on Friday.
Barcelona will ban AirBnb apartments in a desperate bid to stop rents spiralling and protect locals from the effects of mass tourism.

Mayor Jaume Collboni pledged that there will be no tourist apartments in the Spanish city by 2029.

If legislation is approved by the Generalitat of Catalonia, municipal governments will impose the ban on AirBnbs by refusing to issue new licenses as well as not renewing existing ones.

Mr Collboni believes this move will open up the market for more short-term lets and make Barcelona more affordable for young people who have been forced out due to soaring rents.

Rental prices in Barcelona have increased by around 70 per cent in the last decade, while the cost of buying a house has risen far more slowly at 39 per cent.

A family walk past anti-tourism graffiti in Barcelona

Mayor Jaume Collboni (pictured) pledged at a press conference in Barcelona that there will be no tourist apartments in the Spanish city by 2029.

A group of tourists on a bike tour pass an anti-tourism graffiti reading Your Trip Our Misery

Demonstrators march shouting slogans against the Formula 1 Barcelona Fan Festival in downtown Barcelona, last week

The Spanish politician said rents were 'skyrocketing' and young people and those on average salaries were being pushed out of the city due to unaffordable housing.

On Friday Mr Collboni said: 'We need housing supply to grow so that people do not have to move out of the city and so that housing prices do not rise and start to fall.'

A licensing system for AirBnbs was introduced in Barcelona in 2011.

Four years later, former Mayor Ada Colau - who is known for his anti-AirBnb stance - prevented property owners from letting out single rooms, according to The Times.

In a further crackdown on mass tourism, the Spanish city raised its 'tourism tax'.

Travellers can now expect to see a hefty 3.25 or $3.52 added to the foot of their accommodation bill for every night spent in Barcelona.

Over 12 million tourists visited the picturesque city in 2023 - many flocking to attractions such as the Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas alley and Park Guell.

Damia Calvet, a councillor from the separatist party Together for Catalonia, called Mr Collboni's new plans 'improvised', 'ideological' and 'not based on legality or the regulation of the rents themselves'.

Maria Harris, of industry body, The Open Property Data Association, said the Mayor's decision 'comes down to politics'.

She added: 'A lot of younger people are being forced to leave the city.

'Lots of lower income families can't find rental accommodation. He [Mr Collboni] thinks the answer is to reduce the amount of homes for tourism.'

A banner reading 'No tourist flats' hangs from a balcony to protest against holiday rental apartments for tourists in Barcelona's neighborhood of Barceloneta

Park Guell is known for its many mosaics and is a top tourist destination in Barcelona

Tourists walk up and down Las Ramblas alley in Barcelona in April 2024

File image shows an anti tourism banner on La Barceloneta beach during a demonstration against 'drunken tourism'

Meanwhile the war on tourism continues in other hotspots around Spain.

Tourists in Costa Blanca could be fined up to 200 or 170 for buying souvenirs from unlicensed sellers.

Boozy holidaymakers have been banned from drinking on public streets in Magaluf.

Anti-tourism campaigners have also been targeting holidaymakers with large-scale protests in Majorca.

Last week, a group of locals blocked holidaymakers from accessing a popular beach on the island.

Shocking video shows a woman sitting across a path leading down to the popular Calo des Moro cove while a local shouted at would-be tourists to 'go, go, go!'

On the beach itself, protesters clapped and jeered as visitors were ejected from the sandy bay, forlornly packing up their bags and trudging up the hill to leave.

Other demonstrators were seen wielding placards reading: 'Beware of locals, we are angry', expressing their rage over rampaging Brits and mass tourism at the Mediterranean holiday hotspot.

More than 200 activists in total descended on Calo des Moro - a favourite spot of social media influencers and regular tourists alike - to heckle any holidaymakers who dared to sunbathe or dip in the cool waters.

In the capital Palma, the 'Less Tourism - More Life' group has been handing out leaflets which read: 'You're not welcome!

More than 200 activists descended on the popular Calo des Moro beach, heckling holidaymakers who dared to sunbathe or dip in the cool waters

'Mass tourism expels neighbours from their homes, wastes necessary resources, eliminates neighbourhood cultures, kills local commerce, increases prices, only creates precarious work and destroys heritage.

'We are not your amusement park!'

A poll by Majorca Daily Bulletin found that around 44 per cent of people will now think twice about booking a holiday on the popular island after huge demonstrations over mass tourism.

Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency warned: 'If this survey is accurate, local protestors should be careful what they wish for.

A reveller collapses onto a wall next to the beach in Magaluf on June 19 as tourists are warned to behave themselves on the Spanish island

The Majorcan (and other local islands) economy relies heavily on tourism to create jobs and bring money into the region.

'It would be a disaster for the area if the protests, however valid, cut off the flow of visitors and reduce income.

'The solution is to work with local authorities on spreading the number of visitors into the shoulder seasons, so there is a flow of tourists throughout the year rather than be concentrated over the summer.'
Cash will continue flowing through Australia after a $50 million deal was struck between Armaguard and major banks and retailers, to ensure its services are easily accessed for at least another 12 months.

The agreement is set to be formally announced on Monday ahead of the July 1 delivery of the massive handout.

Australia's big four banks - ANZ, CBA, NAB and Westpac - teamed up with the four of the largest retailers in Wesfarmers, Coles, Woolworths and Australia Post to help the cash transport distributor stay in business.

The financial injection comes after Armaguard's parent company, Lindsay Fox-owned transport and logistics giant Linfox, rebuffed a $26 million emergency funding lifeline in March from the same group helping it out now.

It's understood the deal will be submitted to the competition regulator for approval on Monday.

The funding is reportedly contingent on Armaguard agreeing to efficiencies and cost savings under the agreed bailout conditions.

TWU National Assistant Secretary Emily McMillan said there are about 1400 workers employed by Armaguard to move cash around the country who have had to deal with the uncertainty of the business' future over recent months.

Cash will continue flowing through Australia after a $50 million deal was struck between Armaguard and major banks and retailers, to ensure its services are easily accessed for at least another 12 months

Australia's big four banks - ANZ, CBA, NAB and Westpac - teamed up with the four of the largest retailers in Wesfarmers, Coles , Woolworths and Australia Post to help the cash transport distributor stay in business

'This deal is a welcome relief to our members who have faced months of uncertainty and troubling headlines about the future of their employer,' she said

Ms McMillan said the TWU was calling on banking clients to pay up to keep operations going.

'While this news brings optimism of job security for the next year, wealthy banks and retailers must ensure the long-term viability of cash-in-transit operations by stopping the squeeze on transport contracts for a service our community needs,' she said.

'Regional communities and many in society still rely on cash transactions. It is a dangerous job to move money around this country, with armed hold-ups and workplace deaths tragically known to the industry.

'Cash-in-transit operations and drivers must be paid appropriately to avoid additional pressure to cut corners in safety to remain financially viable.'

More to come
U.S. prosecutors are recommending to senior Justice Department officials that criminal charges be brought against Boeing, according to reports.

Prosecutors are suggesting charges after finding the plane maker violated a settlement related to two fatal crashes, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

In May, officials determined the company breached a 2021 agreement that had shielded Boeing from a criminal charge of conspiracy to commit fraud arising from two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 involving the 737 MAX jet.

Under the 2021 deal, the Justice Department agreed not to prosecute Boeing over allegations it defrauded the Federal Aviation Administration so long as the company overhauled its compliance practices and submitted regular reports. Boeing also agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle the investigation.

The sources did not specify what criminal charges Justice Department officials are considering, but one of the people said they could extend beyond the original 2021 fraud conspiracy charge.

Prosecutors are recommending criminal charges against Boeing for violating an agreement stemming from two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 involving the 737 MAX jet

Alternatively, instead of prosecuting Boeing, the DOJ could extend the 2021 settlement by a year or propose new, stricter terms, the sources said.

In the two crashes - in Indonesia in 2018 and in Ethiopia in 2019 - MCAS automatically pointed the nose of the plane down based on faulty sensor readings, and pilots were unable to regain control.

On October 29, 2018, the Boeing 737 MAX operating the Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea 13 minutes after takeoff, killing all 189 passengers and crew.

Five months later, on March 10, 2019, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft which operated Ethiopian flight 302 crashed near the town of Bishoftu, Ethiopia, six minutes after takeoff, killing all 157 people aboard.

Investigations into the 2018 and 2019 crashes pointed to a flight-control system that Boeing added to the Max without telling pilots or airlines.

Boeing downplayed the significance of the system, then didnt overhaul it until after the second crash.

The Justice Department investigated Boeing and settled the case in January 2021 .

On October 29, 2018, the Boeing 737 MAX operating the Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea 13 minutes after takeoff, killing all 189 passengers and crew

On March 10, 2019, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft which operated Ethiopian flight 302 crashed near the town of Bishoftu, Ethiopia, six minutes after takeoff, killing all 157 people aboard

After secret negotiations, the government agreed not to prosecute Boeing on a charge of defrauding the United States by deceiving regulators who approved the plane.

In exchange, the company paid $2.5 billion - a $243.6 million fine, a $500 million fund for victim compensation, and nearly $1.8 billion to airlines whose Max jets were grounded.

Boeing has faced civil lawsuits, congressional investigations and massive damage to its business since the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.

Glenn Leon, head of the Justice Department criminal division's fraud section, said in a letter filed in Texas federal court that Boeing failed to make changes to prevent it from violating federal anti-fraud laws - a condition of the the 2021 settlement.

The department claims that Boeing failed to 'design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the U.S. fraud laws', according to NBC.

Boeing could now be prosecuted 'for any federal criminal violation of which the United States has knowledge,' including the charge of fraud that the company hoped to avoid with the $2.5 billion settlement, the Justice Department said.

Relatives of the victims of the two fatal 737 MAX crashes have long criticized the 2021 agreement

Boeing said: 'We can confirm that we received a communication today from the Justice Department, stating that the Department has made a determination that we have not met our obligations under our 2021 deferred prosecution agreement, and requesting the company's response.

'We believe that we have honored the terms of that agreement, and look forward to the opportunity to respond to the Department on this issue.

'As we do so, we will engage with the Department with the utmost transparency, as we have throughout the entire term of the agreement, including in response to their questions following the Alaska Airlines 1282 accident.'

Relatives of the victims of the two fatal 737 MAX crashes have long criticized the 2021 agreement, arguing that Justice Department officials should have prosecuted the company and its executives.

The Justice Department will decide whether to pursue charges, amid increasing scrutiny over the safety of the company's planes, by July 7.
An Aussie couple have slammed their insurer after their dream Bali holiday turned into a nightmare and they were forced to fork out $8,000 in medical bills.

Kayla Heagney, 29, and her partner Nicola Fox, 30, flew with their two-year-old son from Newcastle, on the NSW Central Coast, to the Indonesian hotspot last week.

The family had been planning the trip for sometime with the overseas holiday a 30th birthday gift to Ms Fox.

After they arrived, Ms Heagney began experiencing severe pain and decided to get checked out at a hospital where she was immediately placed in intensive care.

Doctors told her she had acute pancreatitis, which is a medical condition that occurs when the pancreas becomes swollen.

Kayla Heagney (pictured) was placed into intensive care at a hospital in Bali while she was on holidays with her partner after she was told she had acute pancreatitis

Ms Heagney was told if she didn't get treated she could die, but it was going to cost $1,500 per night plus extra in medical costs to keep her in hospital.

Ms Heagney, who has been to Bali more than half-a-dozen times, initially thought it was just a minor stomach ache.

'It all happened really quickly, it was so scary just not knowing what was going to be the outcome,' she told A Current Affair.

Ms Fox contacted their travel insurer Budget Direct to check if their medical expenses would be covered.

'The insurance company said they would take a minimum of 24 hours to do their investigations to make sure what Kayla was experiencing wasn't pre-existing,' she said.

Ms Fox contacted her doctor who advised them to fly back to Australia.

The terrified mother claimed Budget Direct warned they would not cover her partner if she was discharged from hospital against medical advice.

'I felt like this was the only opportunity I had to get home and get the treatment which meant going against what the travel insurance was telling us,' Ms Heagny said.

Ms Fox was forced to turn to her father for help to fund the cost of their airfares after the couple racked up thousands of dollars worth of medical expenses.

'I called mum and dad and was inconsolable crying at this point,' she said.

'I just said that we need help to get home. We can't afford it because we've gone through all our money at the hospital and we couldn't afford to get home.'

The couple then caught the next available flight home after Ms Heagney was discharged.

Budget Direct have investigated the couple's claim and they were reimbursed for their medical costs.

The couple (pictured) were told by their travel insurer they wouldn't be covered if Ms Heagney is discharged from hospital against medical advice

Ms Heagney (pictured right) is now recovering back home after Ms Fox (pictured left) was forced to turn to her father to help them cover the cost of their airfares

The couple said they were dissatisfied by the service provided by their insurer.

'I looked through all the product information, I looked to see they had a 24-hour call line...so I thought I had done all the right things,' Ms Fox said.

'But the reception I got - it didn't feel like a safety net at all.'

Ms Fox issued a warning for travellers to make sure they double check they are covered when they head off on holidays.

'I think it's just really making sure that you are so stringent with insurance. I thought that buying a comprehensive cover was enough,' she told Yahoo.

'We were fortunate that we did have a little bit of money to fall back on, but that money quickly ran out to get the right cover.'

A Budget Direct spokesman told Daily Mail Australia the claim was paid within 48 hours of receiving the request from the couple.

'Our travel insurance is backed by a highly trained and specialist medical assistance team including doctors with several years of aero-medical and repatriation experience,' he said.

'Australian travellers are generally aware that flying is not without risk, especially longer-haul flights as there may not be appropriate medical expertise onboard should something go wrong.'
Xi sends congratulatory letter to China-U.S. youth festival

Xinhua) 10:51, June 24, 2024

BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory letter to the "Bond with Kuliang: 2024 China-U.S. Youth Festival" held in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, east China.

Noting that the century-long bond with Kuliang is a story of friendly exchanges between the Chinese and U.S. people, Xi said he is pleased to see young people from all walks of life in China and the United States gather in Fuzhou to relive the story of Kuliang, pass on the love of Kuliang, and help enhance exchanges and understanding between the two peoples.

Young people are energetic and full of dreams, and the future of China-U.S. relations lies in young people, Xi stressed.

Xi said it is hoped that Chinese and U.S. youth will have in-depth exchanges, enhance friendship, know each other well and work hand in hand to carry forward China-U.S. friendship, contribute to the sound and steady growth of China-U.S. relations, and work with people around the world to build peace, promote progress and create prosperity.

The "Bond with Kuliang: 2024 China-U.S. Youth Festival," opened on Monday, is co-organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Fujian Provincial People's Government, and the All-China Youth Federation.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
A former high-flying real estate executive is free to get behind the wheel again after he stole a taxi and drunkenly drove it through the city in a move that became the 'talk of the town'.

Brett Henson had been trying to get into the silver cab after a night of drinking at 9pm on November 4, 2022 when the door handle broke and he fell backwards.

The 44-year-old claimed in court the taxi driver, Sayeed Ali Khan, tried to 'extort' money from him for the vehicle handle before he was set upon by a group of five men.

He told the court that the men, who were all 'much bigger' than him, told Mr Henson they were the 'Muslim brotherhood'. Henson said he saw the taxi theft as his 'only option'.

Former Mirvac real estate executive Brett Henson (pictured) is free to get behind the wheel again after he stole a taxi and drunkenly drove it in a move that became the 'talk of the town'

However, magistrate Gregory Moore rejected his claims and found him guilty of taking and driving a vehicle without the owner's consent and driving under the influence of alcohol.

On Monday, he told Sydney Downing Centre Local Court that Henson's actions 'cannot be excused' by his belief he was being pursued.

The magistrate noted Henson had been 'unsteady on his feet' in the lead-up to the offending, which he said was 'far from trivial'.

'The taking of the taxi was opportunistic and no doubt alcohol consumption played a role,' he said.

'There needs to be a message sent to the offender and others that this behaviour is unacceptable.'

The court was told Henson previously struggled with alcohol addiction that had been exacerbated by the stress of his job.

He was a senior capital transactions manager for property developing giant Mirvac at the time of the alleged offence, but his lawyer Paul McGirr said he has not worked in 20 months.

Brett Henson had been trying to get into the silver cab after a night of drinking at 9pm on November 4, 2022 when the door handle broke and he fell backwards.

He said his client had been 'well respected' in the property industry before he committed the offences, but 'all of sudden, he can't get a job'.

'The difficulty he's found when going for jobs is when you Google his name ... (the taxi theft and drink-driving) come up,' Mr McGirr said.

'It's the talk of the town.'

Mr McGirr said his client had suffered extra-curial punishment due to the media coverage of his drunken offences, but he was trying to get back into the property industry.

'He's really been through the wringer in this ... as has his family,' he said.

'This is so isolated and so unique for someone who's never been on the radar before.'

Mr Moore agreed the publicity and Henson's extended driving suspension amounted to a penalty and asserted he was a person of prior good character who had good prospects of rehabilitation.

He convicted Henson of both offences and fined him $3500.

Brett Henson (pictured left) was convicted of of both offences and fined $3500. He was also banned from driving for 15 months from his arrest in November 2022, meaning he will be able to drive again immediately

The former Mirvac executive was also disqualified from driving for 15 months from the date of his arrest in November 2022, which means he will be able to drive again immediately.

Outside court, Mr McGirr reiterated that Henson had 'acted under duress because he'd been attacked'.

'In hindsight, he probably should have taken a better option to either run or try to get his mobile phone out and ring the police,' he said.

'But he wants to put this behind him now and get back to work.'

Henson has decided not to appeal the convictions or the fines handed down on Monday.

'He just wants to move on with his life and hopefully not be on the news or in the paper again,' Mr McGirr explained.
Two North Carolina parents have slammed a charter school for revealing to the school community their six-year-old twins were nonbinary and gender fluid after discovering an online hate campaign.

Transgender and nonbinary Mortellus, 42, who did not want to reveal their full identity, did not think there would be an issue for their children at the Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy in Forest City, North Carolina, when they toured the school with their spouse Joe.

During the visit, Mortellus asked if there were any gender-neutral bathrooms because one of their children is nonbinary and the other is gender-fluid.

The couple said they were assured that although the school is still in the process of adding an ADA-compliant family bathroom, there are already single-stalled restrooms in each classroom.

But about a month later, Mortellus found out their children's gender identity had leaked to parents, many of whom spoke out at against the school for enrolling their children.

Mortellus claims they and their spouse, Joe, toured a school for their children and asked about gender-neutral bathrooms - only for other parents to find out

'When I saw it all... I sat there quietly for a moment, feeling like my stomach bottomed out,' they told Buzzfeed.

'I felt nauseous. I felt sad. I battled with myself over what the right reaction was... but settled on anger.

'They'd all put my children in danger, and the school had done nothing to make us aware.'

Mortellus, an author who describes themselves on Instagram as a 'witch, necromancer, mortician and medium,' said they thought the school was accommodating when they first toured the charter school.

They also asked about the school uniforms and how children are sorted.

'I noted that my children, regardless of assigned gender, enjoyed wearing skirts and dresses frequently - and I was informed that the uniform policy was non-gendered and that it would not be an issue,' Mortellus wrote.

'I asked if students are sorted by gender - boys line up here, girls there - stating that one of my twins had been rather fluid with pronouns, flitting back and forth as it pleased them and only recently settling into a preference.'

Again, Mortellus said, they were informed the uniforms were not gender specific - with a staff member reportedly telling them they were 'feeling very protective of them already.'

Mortellus said they also asked about school uniforms and how children are sorted at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy

But when Mortellus joined a Facebook group to find hand-me-down uniforms, they said they found groups in which parents complained about a nonbinary student joining the school and what they saw as a push for gender-neutral bathrooms.

Some were also circulating an online petition calling for the school to walk back its stance on allowing gender-neutral bathrooms and having teachers and students 'use preferred pronouns.' It gained 1,300 signatures before it was taken down, according to WSPA.

One of the groups was even created by someone who identified themselves as a staff member at the school, Mortellus claimed.

The issue eventually became so heated that school officials held a meeting in May for parents to express their concerns.

Mortellus said her children are nonbinary, and one is gender-fluid

One speaker at that hearing accused the family of living 'in a world of imagination'.

'They don't understand the concept of sex until they are age eight or nine,' the parent claimed, WSPA reports.

Another argued, 'If we can't push religion... they shouldn't be able to push an agenda,' and a third even said he would pull his children out of the school 'if this goes through.'

Only one speaker at the hearing was in favor of including gender-neutral bathrooms, and allowing the twins to join the student body.

'According to the TJCA handbook... every student has the right to an environment that encourages learning and is free of destruction,' the community member said.

Mortellus is an author who describes themselves online as a 'witch, necromancer, mortician and medium'

Mortellus is now trying to hit back at those claims.

'There has been an assumption that I walked in the doors of the school like a cartoon villain shouting "HERE ARE MY DEMANDS' - but that's not true at all,' the author told Buzzfeed.

'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.'

They pointed out that no rules or policies have changed at the school, and kindergarteners 'already have gender-neutral bathrooms and always have.'

Mortellus said one of their children wants to be an astronaut, while the other is a math whiz

Mortellus went on to respond to some of the specific claims made about their family, including that the 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,' they claimed.

'Society doesn't really make a fuss about heteronormative barriers 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, the world generally, suddenly that understanding is villainized,' they said.

Mortellus also argued that those who are against letting their children into the school are trying to protect '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 fit - not as imposed upon us by someone else's god.'

School officials said they have followed 'all applicable state and federal laws.' Pictured: Lisa Strepp, principal at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy

'This is as simple as letting children just... be,' Mortellus said, noting that one of her children wants to grow up to be an astronaut, while the other is a math whiz 'literally doing algebra at age five.'

'The most joyful thing in the world to me is looking at either of those kids and just knowing that they're living their best life and getting to explore who they are,' they said.

'So few people get that opportunity and I'm so happy that they get to have it.'

In a statement to WSPA, school officials noted that it 'follows all applicable state and federal laws.'

A spokesperson noted that facilities already have single-stall bathrooms for students who choose to use them, while others have multi-stall gender bathrooms.

It was also advised that the school lets parents decide whether they want their child to be included in certain curriculum, and said, 'Instruction on gender identity, sexual activity or sexuality shall not be included in the curriculum provided in kindergarten through fourth grade, regardless of whether the information is provided by school personnel or third-parties.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy for additional comment.
A man who terrorised a state in a 10-year bank robbing spree has been sentenced to 35 years in prison even as cancer corrodes his body and he makes plans to imminently end his life through a voluntary assisted dying procedure.

Kym Parsons, 73, robbed 11 banks across South Australia from 2004 to 2014, armed with a rifle and wearing a black balaclava.

He evaded capture for years before South Australian Police arrested him on October 13, 2023.

He originally pleaded not guilty to the crimes, before turning suddenly to admit to his crime spree last week after he was given just days or weeks to live.

In a packed courtroom filled with the victims of Parsons' brutal robberies, Supreme Court Justice Sandi McDonald delivered her sentencing remarks, telling Parsons, who sat quietly in the dock from the remand centre, his conduct was 'morally reprehensible'.

'On the first day at the ANZ Bank, in May 2004, you saw the terror in your victims' eyes, and yet you went back and repeated that conduct, over and over again,' Justice McDonald said.

In a July 2007 robbery of the BankSA branch at Mt Pleasant, he wore a motorcycle helmet to disguise his face.

Kym Parsons, 73, robbed 11 banks across South Australia from 2004 to 2014, armed with a rifle and wearing a black balaclava

Parsons wore black balaclavas during his robberies but originally pleaded not guilty to the crimes, before turning suddenly to admit to his crime spree last week

He brandished his firearm, yelled out 'this is a hold up, give me all your money', and made away with $31,000.

He told the bank tellers if anyone tried to follow him, they would be shot.

On September 14, 2007, he hit the ANZ Bank at Yankalilla wearing a balaclava and dark sunglasses.

He pointed his rifle directly at a bank teller

At one stage, he said, 'hurry up, or there will be blood on the floor.'

He made away with nearly $44,000.

Parsons had earlier robbed the ANZ Yankalilla branch in 2006 and the BankSA branch in 2005.

Justice McDonald said it was an 'extraordinary feature' of his offending that he had returned to the same targets on multiple occasions.

'No doubt realising that maybe the same staff were working there, staff who would be retraumatised by your conduct.'

On June 27, 2008, he hit the ANZ Bank at Balaklava, but the robbery didn't go according to plan.

A police officer stepped into the bank, asking if everything was alright.

Parsons confronted the officer with his firearm, the court heard, forcing the officer out of the door.

Parsons then fled through the rear entry of the bank.

He climbed a fence to flee, but cut himself, leaving some of his blood at the scene.

The court heard DNA evidence gleaned from the fence formed part of the brief against Parsons and led to his arrest.

Speaking outside court after the sentence, one of Parsons' victims said she was happy with the 35-year jail term

'The police officer was forced to make a choice that day, as he too was armed' Justice McDonald said.

'It was a choice to shoot, and potentially injure or kill an innocent bystander, or to not shoot.

'He chose not to shoot. It is a choice that he has had to live with for the rest of his life.

'I hope that has become easier in the knowledge that his conduct resulted in you taking a route out the back door that has ultimately led to evidence that has been a crucial part in identifying you as the person responsible for these crimes.'

Altogether, Parsons stole some $358,000 across his spree.

Justice McDonald said some of Mr Parsons' victims had suffered trauma and PTSD from his acts.

SA Health granted Mr Parsons access to VAD earlier this year, before he had pleaded guilty to his crimes and entered custody.

Justice McDonald sentenced Parsons to 35 years in prison with a non-parole period of 28 years.

'In sentencing you, what is important is that there is a public denunciation of your conduct,' she said.

She said she could see 'no real explanation' for his crimes, but accepted his guilty plea was driven by 'remorse'.

'You have made a choice, to attempt in some way, to atone for your behaviour in the plea of guilty.

'You have attempted to give your victims some answers, some closure, in circumstances in which, in all likelihood, you would have passed away long before there was any real prospect of a trial taking place.'

Parsons will be transferred imminently to Flinders Medical Centre, where he will be able to access his voluntary assisted dying kit.

It is understood Mr Parsons only has days or weeks left to live, with cancer eating into his bones, brains and lungs.

South Australia passed its VAD laws in 2021 and eligible patients with terminal illnesses have been able to access the procedure since 2023.

The procedure is available to prisoners.

Speaking outside court after the sentence, one of Parsons' victims said she was happy with the 35-year jail term.
A high-profile real estate agent who has been in the business for more than two decades has been accused of two domestic violence incidents.

Rebecca Fearon, 48, was arrested at a home in Ryde, north-west Sydney, last Tuesday and charged with two counts of common assault.

Police allege she twice assaulted a woman in April and June.

Fearon was the licensee for Ray White in Balmain, in Sydney's Inner West, before moving over and becoming property partner with The Agency in 2022.

The company has since revealed they have parted ways with Fearon who has worked in the area for over 25 years.

She is due to face Burwood Local Court on July 11.

Award-winning Sydney real estate agent Rebecca Fearon (pictured) has been sacked after being accused of assaulting a woman on two occasions in April and June

A spokesperson for The Agency said they have terminated Fearon's contract and will no longer associate with her after she works 'out her notice period', the Daily Telegraph reported.

Her profile for the company remains online as of Monday and describes her as aiming 'to produce the best outcome and thrives on changing people's lives'.

'Fearon brings a wealth of knowledge to The Agency Balmain where she leads a team of real estate professionals,' it read.

'With over 25 years experience in the Inner West real estate market, Rebecca has built a large and loyal clientele due to her exceptional negotiation skills, product knowledge and her honest personable approach.

'Rebecca takes pride in being open and honest when communicating with her clients and showing professionalism and integrity at all times.'

Fearon (pictured) has also been subject to an apprehended violence order application which will be mentioned in Burwood Local Court on July 11

Fearon's website from when she was working for Ray White says she has a 'reputation in consistently achieving a successful result in todays ever-changing Inner West market place'.

The website also touts Fearon's accomplishments while at Ray White, including five awards as either premier or elite performer from 2017 to 2022.

Fearon had a part in breaking a number of records for property sales across the Inner West, including the $14.6million sale of a waterside home in Birchgrove.

She has also been hit with two apprehended violence orders which are set to be mentioned alongside the assault charges in Burwood Local Court on July 11.
Shocking video captured the moment Los Angeles police arrested a pro-Palestine couple and made an alarming discovering in their car after chaos erupted on the streets outside a synagogue.

Officers approached the car with their shields and guns raised only to find a keffiyeh-clad toddler sitting in a car seat.

The protests broke out in the predominantly Jewish Pico-Robertson neighborhood in front of the Adas Torah synagogue about 11am on Sunday.

While activists clashed at the gas station across the street from the synagogue on 9000 block of West Pico Boulevard, police arrested protesters driving a Ranger Rover.

A pro-Palestine protester flipped off counter protesters from the sunroof of her Range Rover outside a gas station in Los Angeles

Police discovered a keffiyeh-clad toddler sitting in a car seat in the back of the Range Rover

Anti-Israel protesters gathered at the synagogue to prevent people from entering, reported KTLA.

Tensions spilled across the street where opposing protesters are heard repeatedly shouting 'f**k you' at the driver as they try to exit the gas station.

One woman stood out of the sunroof of the Range Rover waving a flag with 'Free Palestine' written on it.



Other protesters carrying American and Israeli flags tried to block the car from re-entering the parking lot, as the woman flipped off onlookers with both middle fingers.

A swarm of police officers dressed in riot gear arrived at the scene immediately shouting at the woman to get out of the car.

'Put your hands up. Get out of the car now. Ma'am, step out of the car,' officers said.

Weapons pointed at the vehicle, the woman stepped out of the Range Rover with her hands up.

Police quickly arrived to the scene and told the woman to exit the vehicle and they immediately arrested her

A swarm of police officers dressed in riot gear broke up the chaos with their guns pointed at the protesters and the vehicle

Another another mask wearing protester in a yellow shirt who appeared to be driving the vehicle was detained outside the vehicle

The woman was immediately arrested along with another mask wearing protester in a yellow shirt who appeared to be driving the vehicle.

Police unbuckled the young child from the seat and take him away from the chaos.

Pro-Palestine protesters had gathered in front of the synagogue and were quickly met with counter demonstrators.

Video shared on social media showed violence as scenes broke out among the groups with punches thrown.

A pro-Israel woman was thrown to the ground and put in a chokehold, leaving her covered in blood.

A police spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times at least one person was arrested and is facing a misdemeanor charge for allegedly carrying a prohibited item at a protest.

Anti-Israel protesters gathered at the synagogue on 9000 block of West Pico Boulevard to prevent people from entering the temple

The protests quickly became violent with people throwing punches and one pro-Israel protester is pictured with blood on their face

The Adas Torah synagogue is located four miles away from UCLA's campus where Gaza encampment protests turned violent in recent months. Protests have broken out at college campuses across the country.

Dozens were arrested two weeks ago when students and cops scuffled when protesters took over the campus.

The demonstrators repeatedly tried to set up tents, canopies and barriers as they moved to various locations, disrupting nearby final exams.

The group also damaged a fountain, spray-painted brick walkways, tampered with fire safety equipment, damaged patio furniture, stripped wire from electrical fixtures and vandalized vehicles, police said.

Officers had previously cleared out the encampment when pro and anti-Israel protesters clashed in scenes of 'horrific acts of violence' that devolved into 'all-out brawls' which also saw a firework thrown into a crowd of people.

Anti-Israel protests have swept the nation, including thousands descending upon the White House calling for a ceasefire.

Do you know the couple in the Range Rover? Email newsUS@dailymail.com
A firearm has been seized after a tradie allegedly shot a woman dead outside her home and wounded a good Samaritan who had tried to help.

Ryan Geoffrey Cole, 31, allegedly shot his neighbour Natalie Jane Frahm, 34, in the head and chest as she pulled up in her car outside her house on Robb Place at South Mackay, in Queensland, last Wednesday afternoon.

He is also accused of shooting James Trevor McGill, 66, who rushed to Ms Frahm's aid after the alarm was raised by two teenagers who were in her car at the time.

Investigators have combed through Cole's home on the same street and removed a number of items including three weapons which will undergo forensic testing.

Detective acting superintendent Emma Novosel said police believe a .22 calibre pistol was used during the alleged attack.

Police believe they have located a .22 calibre pistol allegedly used in the shooting death of Natalie Jane Frahm (pictured) outside of her home in South Mackay on Wednesday

Supt Novosel said police also discovered a 'homemade, inoperable, longarm rifle, an air rifle' at the home, according to the Courier Mail.

Police have drawn on conversations with Mr McGill, eyewitnesses and forensic experts to rule out the two rifles as the alleged murder weapon.

All of Cole's firearms are now believed to have been confiscated, however questions remain as to how he had the weapons despite being stripped of his firearms license in 2021.

'This person had firearms illegally. His weapons licence had been cancelled. Police had taken those weapons off him,' Queensland Police minister Mark Ryan said.

'Part of the investigation will look at how he might've come into possession of this illegal firearm... but that work, we've got to allow police to do'

Supt Novosel said none of the weapons found at Cole's home are 'currently nor have they been previously registered'.

'Investigations are ongoing into the origin of the pistol,' she said.

Supt Novosel was unable to comment on whether any checks had been made on Cole after being stripped of his license.

Daily Mail Australia understands the property where Cole was living is owned by his mother, however, it is unclear whether she was also residing at the premises.

Ryan Geoffrey Cole (pictured) is accused of shooting Ms Frahm in the head and chest before shooting good Samaritan James Trevor McGill, 66, in the chest

Police allegedly found the pistol and two other rifles at Cole's home despite his firearm license being revoked in 2021 (pictured, police at the scene)

Ms Frahm moved to Mackay several years ago from her hometown, of Mount Isa, located 1,230 km west in outback Queensland.

A heartbroken friend paid tribute to the woman online describing her as a 'beautiful angel'.

The tragedy has rocked the quiet coastal suburb, which thrusted into a massive three-hour emergency lockdown as police searched for the alleged shooter.

Supt Novosel previously said Cole was known to police and there was no clear motive for the alleged shootings.

Police investigations also revealed Cole and Ms Frahm were unknown to each other before the alleged attack.

He appeared in Mackay Magistrates Court last Thursday via watch-house video link, charged with murder and attempted murder.

He appeared in court again on Friday morning and was remanded to September.
So slap bang in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis what does the Albanese government do?

It asks parliament to approve a whopping $214,000 pay rise for the incoming Governor General Sam Mostyn.

And that's not even a joke.

The current GG David Hurley earns a mere $495,000, but that's not good enough according to Labor.

The assistant minister to the PM, Patrick Gorman, has tabled legislation seeking parliamentary support from the Opposition and the crossbench to bump Mostyn's salary from $495,000 to $709,000 when she starts the new job on Monday.

Incoming Governor General Sam Mostyn and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have been good friends for years and champion the same causes

Mostyn will enjoy staying at Yarralumla - the Governor-General's residence in Canberra - during her five-year term

The old GG's salary was more than cabinet ministers earn. The new one is more than the Prime Minister earns.

Never mind that Australia has been in a per capita recession for five consecutive quarters. Or that families are struggling with cost-of-living pressures and the Budget is forecast to blow debt further out in the coming years.

And unlike the law of gravity, when it comes to political entitlements what goes up doesn't come back down. This inflated salary, if passed into law, will become the minimum benchmark for what future GG's earn. Even if former judges and generals return to the fold with their commonwealth pensions.

If nothing else I'm insulted by the political stupidity of the Albanese government wanting to do this right now.

It makes Tony Abbott's knighting of Prince Philip look like a master stroke. At least he didn't do it during a cost-of-living crisis, and the role didn't come with a salary.

What is its possible logic for giving such a huge pay rise to a ceremonial position like the GG's?

Because most former GG's benefited from commonwealth super schemes and Mostyn does not, Labor thinks it's only fair that she gets a pay rise.

But hang on, there are a number of problems with this.

Mostyn also gets to kick back at Admiralty House - the Governor-General's residence in Sydney - and admire the harbour views over her five-year term

For a start it speaks to Labor's entitlement ethos. The job isn't good enough at the existing salary? A $214,000 - or 43 per cent - pay rise passes the political sniff test? Seriously.

There is a reason former judges and military types get commonwealth pensions. Because they actually were judges and military officers. Mostyn wasn't, so why compensate her for something she didn't do?

What's next, appoint a former bank CEO as GG but pay them $10million a year as compensation for leaving their well paid banking gig?

Poll Does the new GG Sam Mostyn deserves a $214k pay rise? Yes, it's the fair thing to do No, absolutely not Does the new GG Sam Mostyn deserves a $214k pay rise? Yes, it's the fair thing to do 29 votes

No, absolutely not 1565 votes Now share your opinion





It's mind numbingly crazy.

It also forgets that Australians who spend a lifetime in the military, for example, earn much lower wages as public servants of their country. That's one reason they enjoy generous retirement benefits.

Mostyn has spent her career working in private practice, earning the higher wages and bonuses that go with that.

Just a few years ago she was named Australia's most influential company director - roles that earn large pay off the back of the even larger executive wages earned to be considered for senior board roles.

That's why she doesn't already receive a commonwealth entitlement. Which, by the way, will change after her term as GG I imagine.

That's also before you consider all the other perks that come with the role. The travel, the houses on Sydney's waterfront and in the heart of Canberra with massive grounds.

Thinking Mostyn also needs a $214,000 increase in the salary she's about to earn is nuts.

All for a ceremonial appointment Anthony Albanese made as a captain's pick. Albo and Mostyn have been close for years championing like-minded causes.

There is a reason former judges and military types get commonwealth pensions. Because they actually were judges and military officers. Mostyn wasn't, so why compensate her for something she didn't do?

This is a Labor government decision. A prime minister's decision. It's not independently determined by the remuneration tribunal. It is Labor legislation being put before the parliament by the PM's assistant minister.

They own this stupidity. There is no hiding from it.

I'm thinking of having a chat to the boss here at Daily Mail Australia about a pay rise.

I just realised that because I haven't served my country in uniform I can't top the salary I agreed to come work here for with a commonwealth pension those who spend two decades in the military receive.

It's a struggle.
Health warnings were activated across England today as summer finally arrived with the first heatwave of the year and temperatures soaring to 31C (88F) this week.

The yellow heat health alert was issued by the UK Health Security Agency and Met Office for most of England, with all but the North East included in the warning.

The alert came into force this morning as forecasters said the country would see mostly dry weather with 'plenty of sunny spells' and a maximum of 28C (82F).

Hot weather will build throughout this week with Wednesday likely to hit 30C (86F) and Thursday getting to 31C (88F) - before the health alert expires that afternoon.

The hottest day of the year so far will likely be reached today or later this week - with the current 2024 high of 27.5C (81.5F) set on May 12 in Chertsey, Surrey.

Families head to the beach in Bournemouth today to enjoy the sunshine on the Dorset coast

Paddleboards make the most of the sunshine at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside today

A woman takes her dog for a walk through Greenwich Park in South East London this morning

A woman with a handheld fan travelling on a hot London Underground train this morning

A woman walks two dogs through a field in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, in the sunshine this morning

Liam Eslick, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said today would bring mostly dry and sunny weather.

Tomorrow, conditions are expected to become cloudy and murky in western Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Some showers will be seen across northern England which could turn thundery, but the rest of the country will see 'more sunshine' and temperatures up in the mid to high 20Cs (80Fs).

Mr Eslick said Wednesday was likely to be the warmest of the days so far with highs of 30C (86F) in the South East.

However, Thursday will likely see a breakdown in the weather with clouds and outbreaks of rain forecast across the country.

The meteorologist said there was even the possibility of an 'odd thunderstorm for some'.

People out in the early morning sunshine in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, today

People go for a jog or cycle in the sun on Blackheath Common in South East London today

Wheat fields in the early morning sunshine today at Dunsden in Oxfordshire

Temperatures on Thursday are expected to remain 'widely warm' with some areas seeing highs of up to 31C (88F).

Festival-goers at Glastonbury will have to wait a little longer for more clarity on the outlook for the weekend, though conditions are expected to remain unsettled as temperatures drop back to the average for June. This will likely be around 18C (64F) or 19C (66F).

Somerset Council warned: 'Attendees are reminded to stay safe during periods of hot weather, especially when walking around the festival. Remember to carry a refillable water bottle with you and drink it throughout the day, wear sun cream and a sunhat and avoid excess alcohol.'

People were also warned to 'be prepared for hot weather' by wearing suncream and a hat, drinking plenty of water and to 'seek shade between 11am and 3pm'.

And the yellow heat alert advises areas of 'significant impacts' in the health and social care sector due to the hot temperatures.

Meanwhile Samantha Hughes, national water safety partner at the RNLI, warned of the risk of cold water shock as more people enjoy the sea this week.

'The forecasted warm weather will mean we'll see more visitors at the coast and we always want people to enjoy themselves safely,' she said.

'Entering the water during warm weather can increase the risk of cold water shock due to the sudden changes in skin temperatures. Enter the water gradually and avoid jumping or diving straight in to reduce your risk of cold-water shock.

'If you're planning on heading to the beach, we highly recommend you visit one that is lifeguarded and you swim between the red and yellow flags. This is the safest area and is most closely monitored by lifeguards.

The yellow heat health alert for England, with all but the North East included in the warning

The whole of the UK, except the Scottish Highlands, will have 'very high' pollen levels today

She also advised anyone who gets into trouble to 'Float to Live', explaining that they should tilt their head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control their breathing, then use their hands to help them stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if possible.

Ms Hughes added that in an emergency at the coast, people should call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard - or ask for the fire service if near inland waters.

The hot weather is also expected to see more people stay indoors and work from home as they shun getting on stuffy trains or travelling in hot cars.

Hay fever and asthma sufferers were warned to expect a 'pollen bomb', triggered by rising temperatures after weeks of cold and rain.

Forecasters say the entire country, except the Scottish Highlands, will have 'very high' pollen levels.

The charity Asthma + Lung UK urged those with severe symptoms to 'avoid going outdoors as much as possible' to prevent severe attacks.

The sun rises over the Oxfordshire countryside at Dunsden on a very warm morning today

The sun rises over the River Mersey in Liverpool this morning at the start of a warm week

Yesterday, the hottest place in the country was Bridlington, in East Yorkshire, with temperatures hitting 24.2C (75.5F).

This time last year saw the hottest June on record for the UK, with an average temperature of 15.8C (60.4F) nearly a whole degree above previous highs for the month.

The hottest day ever recorded in Britain was July 19, 2022 when Coningsby in Lincolnshire hit 40.3C (104.5F).
A rare 50 cent coin with spectacular colours highlighting its coat of arms has been valued at up to 400 times its face value.

The 2012 hyper-metallic coin is distinct from other coins as the kangaroo, emu, shield, wreath, star and the number 50 are in different colours.

The Royal Australian Mint only made 58,554 coins and they were released as part of a set, bringing the value of the rare coin to more than $200.

The collection included six coins and sold for $32.50. Collectors were not able to purchase the coin separately at the time.

Perth coin expert Joel Kandiah posted to TikTok on Thursday that 'the hyper-metallic coloured design' of the coin is a 'stunning reinvigoration of the classic Coat of Arms'.

@thehistoryofmoney The Australian 2012 uncirculated mint set features a hyper-metallic coloured design of the kangaroo, emu, state badges on the shield, wreath, star and a bold blue number 50. A stunning reinvigoration of the classic Coat of Arms design first seen on the 80% round silver 50c at decimal changeover in 1966! #australia #money #coins #coincollecting #numismatics #thehistoryofmoney  Stargazing - Myles Smith

The 2012 hyper-metallic 50 cent piece was originally part of a mint set and was unable to be purchased separately. It is now worth up to $200

The coin has its coat of arms highlighted in stunning colours, including the state badges on the shield

'This is one of the most valuable 50 cent coins to exist,' he said.

'The coin is selectively coloured to highlight the different elements of Australia's Coat of Arms to make this an absolutely striking piece of art.'

Mr Kandiah said the high value of the coin was 'no surprise' given how beautiful it is.

Currently on eBay, the rare coin is selling for as much as $250, Yahoo reported.

But Australians have the opportunity of coming across another rare 50 cent piece.

Victorian-based coin dealer, Downies Collectables, recently sold a rare 1988 50cent coin for an eye-watering $14,750.

All coins which were minted in 1988 should have had a First Fleet boat with the dates 1788-1988 to commemorate the bicentenary.

The Royal Australian Mint (pictured) doesn't often make mistakes, but when it does the value of some coins can sky rocket

A rare round 50 cent coin (pictured) was only made between February 14, 1966 and March 1968. It is now worth $15 due to it's high silver content

But some were accidentally made with the standard coat of arms, making them valuable.

It is understood only two of the 'excessively rare' coins are in circulation - but more could exist.

If Australians don't come across one of these rare coins in their spare change, another 50 cent coin could potentially make money.

The round 50 cent coin are now worth $15 due to their high silver content, which the mint made between February 14, 1966 and March 1968.
The detective-turned-TV investigator who probed the disappearance of Nicola Bulley has claimed that Jay Slater's mother is 'keen to accept my team's help'.

Mark Williams-Thomas, who also exposed Jimmy Savile's evil crimes, has offered his expertise as the hunt for the missing 19-year-old who vanished after leaving a Tenerife nightclub enters its second week.

Jay, an apprentice bricklayer, disappeared last Monday after going to the three-day NRG music festival on the Spanish island - sparking a major investigation which has been subjected to wild conspiracy theories online.

Mr Williams-Thomas, who revealed he had 'reached out' to Jay's mother, Debbie Duncan, yesterday has now given an update on X/Twitter.

He wrote: 'Brief update: Jay Slater's family clearly struggling with all the media interest and attention, have switched off all phones and cut contact. I am awaiting to speak to mum later today, but have had a response from close relative that mum is keen to accept my team's help.

'Having worked with many families at crisis point when a child goes missing the loved ones become the eye of the storm and it's very very tough for them to manage all the enquiries on top of there own stress & worry.'

Jay Slater, an apprentice bricklayer, disappeared last Monday after going to a three-day energy music festival on the Spanish island

Firefighters are seen searching near to the village of Masca, Tenerife, on Saturday as the hunt for the missing teen continues

Mr Williams-Thomas, who revealed he had 'reached out' to Jay's mother, Debbie Duncan, yesterday has now given an update on X/Twitter

Mr Williams-Thomas was previously lead investigator on the ITV Exposure documentary, The Other Side of Jimmy Savile, which revealed how the late BBC presenter systematically and disturbingly preyed upon young and vulnerable girls.

He also offered help earlier this year when mother-of-two Ms Bulley, 45, went missing while walking her dog in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, before her body was later discovered and an inquest ruled she had accidentally drowned.

His latest intervention comes amid wild speculation online and TikTok sleuths flying from Britain to Tenerife to join the search.

At least five British nationals have spent hundreds of pounds on making the trip despite having no link to Jay.

Paul Arnott, 29, who runs the Down the Rapids TikTok account and describes himself as an 'explorer', spent 400 on travelling to Tenerife on Saturday from Fort William, in Scotland.

He told The Telegraph: 'It's cost quite a few hundred pounds so far. I've been trying to contact mountain rescue all day but I haven't been able to get through to anyone.'

He added: 'The idea is ideally to communicate with mountain rescue and the police and if I can't get a response then I'll do my own thing in hits area and try and work out where's not been searched.'

Mr Arnott said he would want someone to come out and help if the same thing had happened to him.

It comes as search teams have narrowed their efforts on small 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 on Sunday.

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 Jay could be seen looking into blue barrels outside one of the small buildings.

Jay, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, 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.

Lucy Mae Law, who went to the festival with Jay, said he called her at about 8.30am last 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%'.

Jay's friend Lucy Mae Law (pictured), 18, has blasted Spanish police for rejecting an offer from British officers to help

Search teams focus on a mountainous area near the village of Masca in their search for Jay Slater on Sunday

Firefighters gather near the village of Masca in Tenerife on Sunday as they continue the search for Jay Slater

A member of the Guardia Civil near the last known location of Jay Slater

Spanish police officers scour the area for any clues which could help them find Jay Slater

Vehicles of the Guardia Civil near the last known location of Jay Slater on Sunday

Search teams have been unable to find Jay Slater since he was last seen on Monday

The church in Santiago del Teide where it is believed that Jay was spotted sitting on a bench with two men

The walk from Jay's last known location to his accommodation would have taken about 11 hours on foot.

Lucy has blasted the Spanish police, claiming they are 'not doing a good job' as Jay's family and friends desperately try to find him.

Police are currently searching for Jay in the Teno Nature Reserve, referred to as 'malpais' by locals  a word that translates into English as 'badland'.

In a statement released late on Friday, Lancashire Police 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'.

Lucy blasted: '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 of wanting to 'bring him home to his family', adding: 'That is all we want, all that we need.'

When asked how she felt that the offer from British cops to help had been declined, Jay's mother 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.

Apprentice bricklayer Jay Slater, 19, pictured here with his mother Debbie Duncan, was last heard from on Monday

A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Jay Slater's family has reached its 30,000 target after just three days

'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.

Meanwhile, Jay's distraught father Warren, 58, has fought back tears as he told of just wanting 'my boy back' as he and Jay's brother Zak, 24, visited the spot where his phone last pinged and hugged each other in emotional scenes.

Choking back tears Warren, wearing a bucket hat, sunglasses and black t-shirt, said: 'He's my son. I just want him back.'

The visit came as a bombshell new video of missing Jay dancing shirtless in a Tenerife nightclub just hours before he disappeared has emerged.

In the new clip of Jay which has emerged, he is seen dancing shirtless in Papagayo nightclub which is at the end me of the notorious Veronica's Strip area of Playa de las Americas.

The after-party is known to have wrapped up at 5am and an hour later Jay was with two mystery British men at their 40-a-night AirBnB 19 miles away at Masca.

It was here that a woman made the last confirmed sighting of Jay at about 8.15am, saying he was walking at pace up the hill and away from Playa de las Americas.

A 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

The mountain range in Rural de Teno near the village of Masca where police were searching

Jay's mother Debbie Duncan has made a direct appeal to her son, telling him 'we just need you home' as the search for him enters its seventh day

Jay Slater was seen dancing shirtless in Papagayo nightclub (pictured) which is at the end of the infamous Veronica's Strip area of Playa de las Americas in Tenerife

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

Debbie, 55, who has flown out to Tenerife from her home at Oswaldtwistle, told MailOnline there had been a sighting of someone resembling her son at around 6pm the day he disappeared by the church at Santiago de Teide which is back towards Playa de las Americas.

She said the man had told police he was 'with two men sitting on a bench by the church looking a little worse for wear' however at the moment it has not been confirmed this was Jay.

Jay's mother still believes that he may have been kidnapped.

She has vowed to stay in Tenerife for 'as long as it takes'.

A GoFundMe page set up to raise funds for Jay's family hit its target of 30,000 just three days after being set up.

In a statement on the site, Debbie thanked everyone who had donated for their 'generosity and kindness during this difficult time'.

She added: 'I just wanted to confirm that this is the only GoFundMe fundraiser approved by our family.

'We have not yet withdrawn any funds and are currently covering the expenses, such as the trip to Tenerife and accommodation, ourselves.

'The funds will remain on hold with GoFundMe until we post a further update on this page.

'We are extremely worried and are doing everything we can to find Jay.

'Please continue to share our fundraiser far and wide. Your support means the world to us, and we are grateful for any help you can provide.

'Thank you again.'
A woman who claims she was gang raped by a group of men celebrating a bucks weekend initially told police she had enjoyed herself and described the encounters as an 'orgy'.

'Miss B' was 18 when she had consensual sex with two members of the party at an Airbnb in the NSW Hunter Valley before she was allegedly sexually assaulted.

Now 20, the woman told a jury on Monday she was not telling the truth when first interviewed by detectives about a fortnight after the alleged gang rapes.

'At first, I was like this is scary but soon I started to enjoy myself,' she told police of the time she spent with the men in an apartment.

'I was never going to speak with police after my experience with the boys as I gave full consent.'

Maurice Hawell, his brother Marius Hawell and their friend Andrew David have pleaded not guilty to a string of charges including aggravated sexual assault.

Three women, Miss A, Miss B, and Miss C, have told police they were subjected to sexual assaults but they cannot identify which men were allegedly responsible.

Maurice Hawell, Marius Hawell and their friend Andrew David (pictured above) have pleaded not guilty to a string of charges including aggravated sexual assault. Three women have told police they were subjected to assaults but they cannot identify which men were allegedly responsible

Miss A and Miss B say they were raped at the same time in an apartment rented for a bucks weekend, while Miss C says she was abused there the next night.

Maurice Hawell, 30, and David, 28, say any sex they had was consensual and deny performing certain acts, while 22-year-old Marius Hawell insists he did not take part in any sexual activity at all.

The three men, all of whom are from Sydney, are facing trial together in Downing Centre District Court on the basis they engaged in a joint criminal enterprise.

The Hawells, David and six other friends booked Airbnb accommodation in Newcastle from Friday, February 25 through to Sunday, February 27, 2022, ahead of Maurice Hawell's wedding.

After meeting members of the group at the Cambridge Hotel in Hunter Street on the Friday night, Miss A and Miss B agreed to go with them to the nearby Parry Street apartment.

Miss A had consensual sex with one of the men, 'Matt', while Miss B had consensual sex in another bedroom with two others the Crowns says were Maurice Hawell and Andrew David.

Miss B has told a jury that when she was finished having sex with Maurice Hawell and David, a third man the Crown says was Marius Hawell entered the room and sexually touched her.

Both women have given evidence they were then sexually assaulted by at least two men in the room where Miss A and Matt had previously had consensual intercourse.

Maurice Hawell (pictured) has pleaded not guilty to 11 charges involving three women who alleged they were raped during a bucks weekend. The woman pictured is unrelated to the case

They have told the jury the light was turned off and they could not see who was raping them.

Matt is not accused of having committed any wrongdoing at any time and has never been charged with any offence in relation to what happened in the apartment.

When Miss A and Miss B left the apartment, they returned to the Cambridge with Matt where they met up with several of their friends who had been at the pub earlier in the evening.

'We said that we had an orgy,' Miss B said on Monday of what she told her friends about what had happened in the apartment.

'I said that and [Miss A] said that. They just started laughing and thinking it was funny.'

Asked why she had described what were now alleged to include rapes as an 'orgy', Miss B said in her mind 'that was just the best way to describe what had happened'.

Miss B said she was contacted by police several weeks after that night and on March 9 made a formal statement.

'I said that I consented,' she told the jury.

'Miss B' has told a jury she had consensual sex in this bedroom with one of the bucks group, 'Matt', and another man the Crown says is Andrew David

Miss B said she did not discuss the events in the Airbnb with anyone else until she had a conversation with her grandmother almost a year later.

'I told her that something had happened to me last February and I told her that it had taken a toll on me,' she said.

'I felt as though I had to talk to somebody about what happened and she was the only person that I felt safe with.'

Miss B's grandmother said Miss B told her she and Miss A had each gone into a separate room with a man - 'she was pretty upset and embarrassed'.

The grandmother said Miss B told her she ended up in the same room as Miss A, the room had gone dark, and Miss A began calling out for Matt.

'I said, "What are you going to do about it?"' the grandmother said. 'She said, "Nan, I just want to forget about it".'

The day after that conversation, Miss B was with her father when her grandmother rang and told him that 'something happened' to his daughter.

Maurice Hawell, 30, and Andrew David, 28, say any sex they had was consensual and deny performing certain acts, while 22-year-old Marius Hawell (above) insists he did not take part in any sexual activity

'Knowing my daughter I could tell straight away that she'd gone into shutdown and then she started crying,' Miss B's father said.

The father said Miss B told him she had been having sex with a man when 'another two or three guys entered the room'.

'I said to [Miss B], "Did you give consent?" and she said, "Only to the first guy, not to anyone else that came into the room".'

Miss B had been upset her grandmother had breached her confidence but later that day she spoke with her father's partner.

'I told her that I had sex with five males,' Miss B said. 'I said that because thinking in my head there was two men on myself and seeing three on [Miss A] I made an assumption there was five males.'

Miss B's father's partner gave evidence about that conversation.

She said Miss B told her she had engaged in consensual sex with one man, then another man entered the room with whom she had no intention of having intercourse.

This crime scene picture taken by police shows the living area of the Airbnb rented by the men. Miss A and Miss B say they were raped in the middle room shown with the door ajar

Miss B had told her that second man then left, Miss A came in, and three to five males entered the room.

Miss B's father and his partner gave evidence that conversation took place on January 30 last year.

Miss B was later contacted again by police and on March 28 last year made a second formal statement.

She has told the jury she had never discussed with Miss A what had allegedly happened to either of them at the apartment.

Miss B said she had originally told police her alleged rapes were consensual sex because she had not said or done anything to suggest she was not consenting.

Maurice Hawell and David are charged with eight counts of aggravated sexual assault in company and one count each of aggravated sexually touching another person and attempted aggravated sexual assault in company.

Marius Hawell is charged with six counts of aggravated sexual assault in company and one count each of aggravated sexually touching another person and attempted aggravated sexual assault in company.

Miss C is yet to give evidence about what allegedly happened to her.

The trial, before Judge Gina O'Rourke, continues.
At least 20 people were slaughtered when gunmen stormed religious sites and a police checkpoint yesterday in southern Russia, in a terror attack that some local officials tried to blame on the West.

Horrific footage showed black-clad militants stalking through the streets setting fire to places of worship before unleashing a torrent of bullets from automatic rifles at police officers and innocent bystanders.

The casualties so far include 15 law enforcement officers, three civilians and a priest who reportedly had his throat slit by one attacker, with dozens more victims hospitalised with gunshot wounds and burns.

The attack - which comes after gunmen killed some 145 people in a massacre at a Moscow concert hall in March - unfolded in several locations in the tinderbox region of Dagestan, a largely Muslim region that borders Georgia and Azerbaijan.

Regional governor Sergei Melikov and Dagestan MP Abdulkhakim Gadzhiyev both spoke of potential Western involvement, with Gadzhiyev claiming that 'the intelligence services of Ukraine and NATO countries' may have helped to orchestrate the shootings.

But their attempt to pin the attack on the West swiftly fell apart, after Magomed Omarov, the head of Dagestan's Sergokalinsky district, was arrested when officers learned two of his sons had taken part in the shootings.

During the interrogation, Omarov reportedly admitted to investigators he knew his sons harboured 'extremist ideas' and were strict adherents to Wahhabism - a particularly radical sect of Islam - before claiming he had no contact with them.

Another of the shooters was said to be a mixed martial arts fighter affiliated with the gym operated by former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, one of Dagestan's most internationally celebrated individuals .

The attackers fired at the religious sites, as well as a police station, across the tinderbox region of Dagestan, which borders Georgia and Azerbaijan

Two synagogues and an Orthodox church across southern Russia were attacked by militant gunmen

Father Nikolai Kotelnikov, who served more than 40 years at the synagogue in Derbent, is said to have had his throat slit by the attackers

A member of Russia's FSB domestic security service is seen standing over a bloodied body. It is unclear whether the body is that of a terrorist or a victim

Grabs from footage taken by bystanders appears to show two of the attackers

At least 15 officers were killed in the attacks

A police issue handgun is seen lying on a bloodstained pavement in Dagestan following the attacks

Magomed Omarov, 64, secretary of Putin's United Russia party in Dagestan and a district head, was arrested after two of his sons reportedly took part in the attacks

A view of the destruction after armed attacks in Makhachkala checkpoint and a synagogue in Derbent, in Dagestan

Shocking footage circulating on the Telegram messaging app showed how hundreds of civilians desperately fled the scene of the shootings in Derbent, where the attacks knocked out power in the city centre yesterday.

Other footage taken by police officers captured the moment the cops and FSB security teams engaged the gunmen in an urban firefight.

One policeman can be heard cursing as he told his comrades he had been shot in the hand.

A synagogue in the regional capital Makhachkala was engulfed in flames amid the attacks, with smoke seen pouring from the building.

Another group of attackers set fire to a second synagogue in Derbent, the southernmost city in Russia which lies roughly 80 miles further south.

There the gunmen also attacked a pair of Orthodox churches where they reportedly slit the throat of a priest.

He was later named as 66-year-old Father Nikolai Kotelnikov, who served more than 40 years in Derbent.

The synagogue attacked and set ablaze by the gunmen in Derbent is the only place of worship for the city's ancient Jewish community.

The chairman of the public council of Russia's Federation of Jewish Communities, Boruch Gorin, wrote late last night that it had not been possible to extinguish the fire at the synagogue.

He wrote: 'The synagogue in Makhachkala has also been set on fire and burnt down,' before adding that firefighters at the religious site in Derbent had been told to leave the burning synagogue because of the risk that 'terrorists remained inside'.

Regional governor Melikov this morning said the 'bandits' had been 'eliminated' as clips showed members of Russia's FSB security service standing over bloodied corpses at the scene of the shootings.

Melikov was later seen standing outside the burnt-out facade of the synagogue in Derbent as he toured the city with investigators.

In this photo taken from video released by The Telegram Channel of the head of Dagestan Republic of Russia on Monday, June 24, 2024, a view of the damaged Kele-Numaz synagogue in Derbent after a counter-terrorist operation in republic of Dagestan, Russia

In this photo taken from video released by The Telegram Channel of the head of Dagestan Republic of Russia on Monday, June 24, 2024, the head of Dagestan Republic Sergei Melikov, center, visits the damaged the Kele-Numaz synagogue in Derbent after a counter-terrorist operation in republic of Dagestan, Russia

Armed security is seen at the scene of the shootings

Civilians flee the scene of the shootings

Members of Russia's FSB domestic security service are seen amid the anti-terror operation in Dagestan last night

In a video statement this morning, Melikov said that the situation in the region was now under control of the law enforcement and local authorities.

He vowed that the investigation will continue until 'all the sleeping cells' of the militants are uncovered and claimed, without providing evidence, that the attacks might have been prepared from abroad and referenced what the Kremlin calls 'the special military operation' in Ukraine in an apparent attempt to link the attacks.

His statement echoed that of MP Gadzhiyev, who alleged 'the intelligence services of Ukraine and NATO countries may be behind this because we are developing success in the [war] on all fronts'.

But former Russian deputy premier Dmitry Rogozin dismissed the bid to blame the West and Ukraine for the bloodbath, as the FSB has sought to do over the attack in Moscow earlier this year.

'If we write off every terrorist attack, mixed up with national and religious intolerance, hatred and Russophobia, to the intrigues of Ukraine and NATO, this pink fog will lead us to big problems,' he warned.

It was 'high time' Moscow realised that Russia has its own homegrown problems, he said.

Russia's FSB security service in April said it had arrested four people in Dagestan on suspicion of plotting the attack on Moscow's Crocus City Hall concert venue claimed by ISIS-K.

Authorities are now probing Dagestani official Omarov, whose sons Osman, 30, and Adil, 37, were among the gunmen who slaughtered innocent civilians and attacked the places of worship.

He has also been ejected from Vladimir Putin's United Russia party while investigations continue.

Before he was gunned down, Osman posted a chilling video showing the synagogue in Makhachkala on fire, declaring: 'Behold, inshallah.Here is their synagogue burning.

'Inshallah, Allah be praised, let these infidels be humiliated. We will kill them like this, humiliate them, and the word of Allah will be exalted.

'Inshallah, Allahu Akbar!'

Another of the shooters is believed to have been mixed martial arts fighter Gadzhimurad Kagirov, who was affiliated with the gym operated by former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, who rose to public recognition after defeating Irish superstar Conor McGregor in 2018.

Kagirov, whose professional record is two wins and no losses, fought out of Eagles MMA, the gym headed by Nurmagomedov that is also home to the current UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev.

One of the shooters, said to be a son of a Dagestani politician, posted a chilling video showing the synagogue in Makhachkala on fire, declaring: 'Behold, inshallah.Here is their synagogue burning'

Archpriest Nikolai Kotelnikov, 66, was killed during an attack in Derbent, Dagestan.

The attacks on the religious sites across Dagestan come just months after a deadly terrorist attack in Moscow

Russia's Investigative Committee is probing the shootings as 'acts of terror'

One of the shooters is believed to have been mixed martial arts fighter Gadzhimurad Kagirov, who was affiliated with the gym operated by former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov

Nurmagomedov, one of Dagestan's most celebrated individuals worldwide, shared a statement on Instagram following the attacks but did not make any mention of Kagirov

Islam Makhachev, centre, is embraced by Khabib Nurmagomedov after winning the UFC Lightweight Championship in October 2022. One of the shooters in the attacks in Dagestan is believed to have been a teammate of both Nurmagomedov and Makhachev

Nurmagomedov shared a statement on Instagram following the attacks, but did not make any mention of Kagirov.

'My condolences to all the relatives and friends of the victims,' he wrote.

'May Allah save us all from such situations and grant us a peaceful sky over our heads.

'Take care of yourself and your loved ones, and let everyone take a look around at whom they and their children are interacting with.

'Educating souls is more important than educating bodies.'

Meanwhile, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, called for resistance to any attempts to radicalise religion.

'I am convinced that it is necessary to do everything possible to exclude the very possibility of attempts to radicalise religious life, to stop any manifestations of extremism and interethnic hostility in any form,' Kirill said.

'The present and future of our country largely depends on this.'

Dagestan has seen a series of anti-Semitic events in the past year, most notably when a mob stormed the airport in Makhachkala to search for Jewish passengers from Israel in the weeks following Hamas' October 7 attacks on the Nova music festival in Re'im and several kibbutzim across the border from Gaza.

The attacks on the religious sites across Dagestan come just months after a deadly terrorist attack in Moscow took the lives of 145 people.

Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), a particularly brutal sect of ISIS, slaughtered innocent concertgoers who went to see the Russian band Picnic at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in March this year.

After shooting up the venue and setting it alight, 145 people died while 551 people were injured by gunfire or burns.

Gunmen open fire at Crocus City Hall, in Krasnogorsk, Moscow region, Russia, March 22, 2024, in this still image obtained from a video

A massive blaze is seen over the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow

A view shows the burning Crocus City Hall concert hall following the shooting incident in Krasnogorsk, outside Moscow, on March 22, 2024

ISIS' news agency Amaq released sickening a 90-second selfie video of the attack that is too graphic for MailOnline to share

A view of damage at Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow, Russia after fire extinguished

Recent terror attacks linked to ISIS-K

Kabul, Afghanistan - August 2021 Airport bombing during US military withdrawal kills 183 Kabul, Afghanistan - August 2022 Suicide attack at Russian embassy kills 6 Mastung, Pakistan - September 2023 Suicide blast at religious procession kills 60 Istanbul, Turkey  January 2024 Catholic church shooting kills 1 Kerman, Iran - January 2024 Double suicide bombing kills 96 Moscow, Russia - March 7, 2024 Russia's FSB says it foiled synagogue attack Stockholm, Sweden - March 19, 2024 Foiled attack on parliament building Moscow, Russia  March 22, 2024 Attack on Crocus City Hall kills 143 Advertisement

At that time, Russian officials also sought to link Ukraine to the attack without providing any evidence. Kyiv has vehemently denied any involvement.

ISIS-K takes its name from Khorasan - an old Persian term for the region that included parts of Iran, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, as well as areas of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Having emerged from the rubble of its parent organisation that was largely defeated in 2017 - 2018, it has undergone a transformation into one of the world's most fearsome terrorist movements.

ISIS-K grabbed global attention with a 2021 suicide bombing on Kabul international airport during the U.S. military withdrawal that killed 13 U.S. soldiers and scores of civilians.

Then in September 2022 it claimed responsibility for a deadly suicide attack at the Russian embassy in Kabul.

But perhaps its most brazen operation prior to the slaughter of 143 concertgoers in Moscow came in January, with a double suicide bombing in Iran that killed nearly 100 people at a memorial for Revolutionary Guard commander, Qassem Soleimani - the deadliest militant attack on Iranian soil since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Along with Al-Qaeda and a smattering of other smaller extremist movements, ISIS-K maintains a presence in Afghanistan under the Taliban, which despite being opposed to ISIS-K lacks the military strength and resources to eliminate its safe havens.

But unlike its competitors, ISIS-K is capable of operations far from its bases in the borderlands of Afghanistan.

It has aggressively recruited in neighbouring regions, particularly in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, to establish a regional network of jihadist fighter cells that could help execute international attacks, according to a January 2024 UN report.
Last week's Royal Ascot was notable for the heartwarming appearances of King Charles and other senior royals.

Even as he battles cancer, the King looked in his element alongside Camilla, who went on to arrive for day two with Prince William.

But it was the Queen's effort on the jewel front that caught my eye.

There were outings for four rarely-seen royal brooches - including the one that Queen Victoria was given by her beau Prince Albert the night before their wedding.

Day one - Prince Albert Brooch

It was a royal blue outfit for Camilla on day one of Royal Ascot, and she wore the Prince Albert Brooch

The brooch was given to Queen Victoria by Prince Albert the night before their wedding in 1840. Above: Victoria depicted wearing the brooch on her wedding day

Tuesday saw Her Majesty arrive alongside her husband the King and the Duke and Duchess of Wellington.

Fittingly, it was the current Duke's ancestor who, in 1852, made the initial incision in the re-cutting of the famed Koh-i-Noor at Garrard & Co on Haymarket.

That now-controversial jewel was of course given to Queen Victoria.

Camilla honoured Victoria last week by wearing Prince Albert's brooch, which was given to her by the German prince the night before their wedding in 1840.

The Queen wore the sumptuous sapphire and diamond brooch piece on her white dress the next day.

In the new book Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time, V&A jewellery curator Helen Molesworth describes how Victoria later journalled that the large oblong sapphire surrounded by 12 round brilliant diamonds was 'Albert's beautiful sapphire brooch'.

Molesworth also adds that it was designated an 'heirloom of the crown'.

Queen Alexandra wore the brooch at her coronation alongside Victoria and Albert's son Edward VII in 1902.

It has subsequently been worn by Queen Mary, the Queen Mother and of course many times by Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Elizabeth II in Saudi Arabia wearing The Prince Albert Brooch in 1979

Day two - Queen Mary's Turquoise Brooch

On day two of Royal Ascot, Camilla arrived with Prince William and the Earl and Countess of Halifax.

The beautiful brooch that she wore - one of my favourites - is a large turquoise cabochon surrounded by old mine cut diamonds.

Queen Camilla turned up with Prince William for day two of Royal Ascot wearing Queen Mary's Turquoise Brooch

George V and Mary of Teck in fancy dress at Devonshire House Ball in 1897. Mary was wearing the turquoise brooch under her pearl choker

Queen Elizabeth II wore Queen Mary's brooch for her national address in the depths of the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020

It was given to the then Princess Mary of Teck as a wedding present in 1893 by her parents in law, the future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.

It is one of a pair that Mary received to complement a turquoise and diamond parure that her own parents gave her.

This set included the Teck Tiara, which is now part of the Duchess of Gloucester's collection.

Queen Elizabeth II wore Queen Mary's brooch for her national address in the depths of the coronavirus pandemic in April 2020.

Camilla twinned the brooch at Royal Ascot with matching turquoise and diamond earrings.

Day three - Queen Mary's Ladies of India Brooch

For Ladies' Day last Thursday, Her Majesty was joined again by the King and the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire (the Duke had been the late Queen's Representative at Ascot from 1997 to 2011).

Queen Camilla wore a spectacular and rarely seen brooch that had also belonged to Queen Mary: The Ladies of India Brooch - a huge carved hexagonal emerald surrounded by diamonds, with four diamond accents to each side.

For Ladies' Day last Thursday, Her Majesty wore a spectacular and rarely seen brooch that had also belonged to Queen Mary: The Ladies of India Brooch

Queen Mary wearing the Durbar Emeralds presented to her by India following the Delhi Durbar ceremony in 1911

Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Delhi carved emerald brooch that previously belonged to Queen Mary during a church service at the church of St Lawrence near the Sandringham estate in 2013

This was given to Queen Mary in 1911 by the 'ladies of India' to mark the Delhi Durbar - when King George V was 'crowned' Emperor of India and Mary, the Empress.

The beautiful Maharani of Patiala and a group of Indian ladies gifted the Empress -who had visited India in 1905 as Princess of Wales and had fallen in love with the - with this carved emerald and an emerald and diamond necklace.

She wore the brooch with the Delhi Durbar Tiara at Delhi's Red Fort, above the parure's stomacher, and below the Cullinan IV.

Queen Mary later wrote to the committee of ladies saying how she would always remember and think of India when wearing the jewel.

Large emeralds are often engraved, and this one has a rose on the front side with floral design on the reverse.

It was left to Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 on her grandmother's death.

Day Four - The Jardine Star Brooch

On Friday, Queen Camilla arrived with the King wearing her late mother-in-law's Jardine Star brooch.

On Friday, Queen Camilla arrived with the King wearing her late mother-in-law's Jardine Star brooch

The brooch was given to Her Majesty in 1981, though its provenance remains a mystery. Above: The Queen wearing the brooch at Royal Ascot in 2019

The brooch was given to Her Majesty in 1981, though its provenance remains a mystery.

Commentators speculated over who 'Lady Jardine' might have been.

The brooch itself is late-nineteenth century in design with seven round diamonds pave set along each of the star's eight rays.

Collet-set diamonds on a knife-wire shoot out from the centre of the star between each of the rays.

There is a large round brilliant diamond in the centre of the star, raised up on a border of eight smaller round diamonds.

Day Five - Five strand Pearl Choker

For the fifth and final day of Royal Ascot Queen Camilla gave both brooches and the palace vaults a miss.

Camilla gave brooches a miss on the last day and wore a five strand pearl choker with spectacular pink topaz from her personal collection

She stunned in her own spectacular five-strand pearl choker with a pink topaz and diamond clasp.

She paired the piece with pink topaz and diamond earrings.

Both were bought by the then Prince of Wales for Camilla in 2000 from Sotheby's - and have been one of her most favourite personal jewels.

Josie Goodbody interviews Helen Molesworth about her book Precious: The History and Mystery of Gems Across Time at the

Chalke History Festival

this Wednesday, June 26.
Have you been left without your luggage?

Have you been left without your luggage?

Passengers hit by travel chaos at Britain's third-biggest airport faced an anxious wait for baggage today after a power cut forced more than 100 flights to be cancelled.

The outage at Manchester Airport in the early hours of yesterday caused disruption to luggage processing, with thousands of travellers flying without their hold bags.

Planes took off without hold luggage, with holidaymakers reaching destinations with just their carry-on items and now waiting for their other bags to catch up with them.

Some people were desperately hoping that essential medication would reach them abroad today, while many needed a change of clothes or even outfits for weddings.

A total of 66 outbound flights (25 per cent of all departures) and 50 inbound (18 per cent) were axed yesterday, according to aviation analytics company Cirium.

Airport bosses insisted flights are expected to 'run as usual' today after more than 90,000 people were affected when the two-hour outage caused huge queues.

Queues at Manchester Airport this morning after the power cut pandemonium yesterday

Passengers queue up today at Manchester Airport, which is Britain's third-biggest airport

Chaos at Manchester Airport yesterday as a power failure sees bags piled up in terminal two

However there were still some significant delays to flights this morning, including a 6.05am Tui flight to Bourgas in Bulgaria due to take off at 9.40am  and a Jet2 flight to Kos in Greece postponed from 6.05am to 7.40am.

A 6.35am Tui flight to Funchal was delayed until 8.30am, while a 7am Tui flight to Ibiza was rescheduled for the same time.

The flight tracking website FlightRadar24 said at about 7.30am today that the average departure delay at Manchester was 21 minutes, with 65 per cent of departures delayed.

In an update issued at 9.12am this morning, Manchester Airport said: 'All our systems are running as normal today, so passengers are advised to prepare to travel as usual from Manchester Airport.

'That means going online to check the status of your flight before you leave then following your airline's instructions in terms of when to arrive at the airport - usually two hours for short-haul and three hours for long-haul.

'The airport is likely to be slightly busier than usual due to passengers affected by cancellations yesterday but we have extra staff in place and our resilience team is helping out.'

Among the passengers without their luggage today was Ben Crowe, who tweeted: 'We flew yesterday from Manchester to Crete, however all of the baggage was left in Manchester.

'We need to know when these cases will arrive in Crete, we have items for a wedding and some medication in the cases which is essential.'

Another, Jo Slater, said: 'Absolutely joke. I'm here in Ibiza last flight out Jet2, but our luggage sat in Manchester Airport. Very annoying. I've got medication in my case. No help whatsoever, no communication, someone is hold responsible for this.'

And a third tweeted: 'How do we find out where our baggage is and when it will arrive at the hotel?

'We are stuck without a change of clothes and personal belongings or medications... and so obviously cannot even begin to enjoy our holiday.'

Some passengers also took to social media to complain of long queues at the airport this morning.

At 4.50am, one said: "Manchester Airport is still chaos - been in a queue for 90 minutes just to get into bag drop."

Passengers queue outside Manchester Airport's Terminal 1 yesterday after the power cut

At 6.20am, another added: "Manchester Airport remains the worst airport in the world. Two hours to drop bags and go through security; what a sh**show."

Yesterday, thousands of fed up holidaymakers spent hours in check-in or security queues or were left stranded on inbound planes on the ground.

The power cut, which lasted just a few minutes at 1.30am, knocked out security systems, including those managing baggage loading, boarding-pass screening and passport control.

As a result staff could not process people or their luggage through the airport for hours.

Pictures showed thousands of people snaking out the doors and suitcases piled high at check-in desks unable to be loaded on to aircraft.

In a desperate bid to clear the 'bottleneck', airport chiefs cancelled scores of flights out of Terminals 1 and 2 and appealed to those due to jet off to stay at home.

Passengers queue at Manchester Airport's Terminal 1 yesterday amid chaos scenes

Many more departures were delayed or took off without luggage onboard, while dozens of flights into the airport  around a fifth of all arrivals  were either also cancelled or diverted to other airports.

One Singapore Airlines flight arriving from Houston in Texas had to go to London Heathrow while another, which came in from Singapore, was forced to land at London Gatwick.

An Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport was diverted to Birmingham Airport.

Chris Woodroofe, managing director of Manchester Airport, apologised to furious passengers who complained of 'chaotic' conditions and poor communication from staff.

Paul Spencer, 67, and his wife, Jane, 66, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, were due to fly to the Greek island of Kefalonia with Jet2 at 4am.

They arrived just as the outage occurred and managed to get through baggage check-in and security and on to the plane, but their flight was cancelled before take-off.

British holidaymakers leaving Manchester Airport's Terminal 1 were affected yesterday

'There was no prioritising, and people who were flying later were blocking those who were flying earlier,' Mr Spencer said. 'I think we were queuing for about four hours.

'When we got to the gate, we spotted the captain of the plane. He didn't know about the chaos inside the airport and was wondering why the baggage hadn't been loaded.

'Eventually, we got on to the plane but we were sat there for 45 minutes before we were told the flight was being cancelled.'

The couple managed to find alternative flights from Leeds Bradford airport yesterday.

'We feel we've got off lightly because other passengers weren't so lucky,' Mr Spencer added.

'Some we chatted to said they'd been told they'd have to get down to Gatwick to catch an early morning flight to Zante and then get a ferry on to Kefalonia from there.'

Friends Lisa Raw, 37, and Daniel Mason, 33, were part of a 16-strong group of friends and family due to travel to Dalaman, in Turkey, at 11.20am with Sun Express.

People queue to use the lifts at Manchester Airport yesterday amid the chaos

Ms Raw, an aesthetics practitioner from Richmond, North Yorkshire, said: 'We got here at 7.30am but didn't find out it was cancelled until two hours later. So we've now had to find new flights from Liverpool that cost 1,200.

'All we were told was keep standing around, we got not updates at all.' Jennifer and Robin Holt and their two children Molly, 19, and George, 16, were due to fly to Bangkok with Etihad.

Mrs Holt, 45, said: 'We were watching our flight on Flight Radar.

'It just kept circling above Manchester Airport before it was diverted to Birmingham. It didn't bother landing here due to all the chaos.

'We've been told to stay at a hotel in Manchester and hopefully we can get a flight early tomorrow morning.'

Also among those caught up in the disruption was Samuel Martin, 27, a student at the University of Sheffield, and his friend Matthew O'Brien, 27, an operations manager, whose flight to Manchester from New Zealand via Singapore was diverted to Heathrow.

Fed up passengers wait outside Manchester Airport's Terminal 1 yesterday after the power cut

Mr Martin, of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, said: 'We had someone driving to come and pick us up from Manchester Airport who had to turn around and go home.'

Around 90,000 passengers were due to fly in and out of the airport yesterday.

Mr Woodroofe said a faulty cable sent a surge of power across the airport site, knocking out the baggage screening and security systems.

Further investigations will be carried out into how it happened this week.

Videos and photographs posted on social media by passengers appeared to show the terminals in darkness.

But Mr Woodroofe insisted the lights had simply dimmed and it was a 'safe environment'.

Manchester Airport said in an update issued last night that it was not anticipating any 'further disruption' for today.

People standing in the terminal at Manchester Airport yesterday following the power cut

A statement said: 'We would like to apologise to all those affected by the disruption in Terminals 1 and 2 today (Sunday).

'Tomorrow's (Monday's) schedule is expected to run as usual with no further disruption so passengers should plan to travel to the airport as normal, checking in two hours ahead of their flight for short-haul, and three hours for long-haul.

'It is always advisable to check the status of your flight before you travel to the airport.'

The statement continued: 'Airlines will be in touch with passengers to rearrange cancelled flights as we work with airlines, their baggage handling agents and other partners to make sure passengers whose bags did not make it onto their flights are reunited with their belongings as soon as possible.

'We thank passengers for their patience today and we would also like to thank all of our staff, airlines and onsite partners for their hard work and resilience.'

Have you been left without your luggage? Please email: tips@dailymail.com
A grandmother who was conned out of $1.6million by a man with a 'posh British accent' posing as an ING employee has called on the banks to reimburse scam victims.

Harriet Spring was approached by a man called 'George' last November last year who told her that he worked at her bank, ING, and asked if she was interested in good rates on fixed-term deposits.

The call came at a moment of weakness for Ms Spring, who was otherwise preoccupied with moving her 95-year-old mother into an aged care home on the NSW south coast.

'It was the end of a very hard year, and this guy just made it so easy,' Mrs Spring told the ABC.

The architect, from Canberra, spoke to 'George' over several months but alarm bells never sounded because what he was offering was 'nothing crazy, nothing too out of the ordinary'.

Poll Should banks be forced to reimburse scam victims? Yes No Should banks be forced to reimburse scam victims? Yes 135 votes

No 159 votes Now share your opinion





'So, I didn't think, "that sounds too good to be true",' Ms Spring added.

She eventually handed over $1.6million - her mother's entire life savings.

'It didn't sound dodgy in any way, you know, all of the emails had the branding of ING  they completely fooled me,' Mrs Spring said.

'I just was so relieved that I was finally able to put it all behind us, and we could just settle down and focus on Mum.'

ING had no part in the process and the scammer used convincing but fake email signatures.

The money was eventually transferred to a Westpac account before being funnelled into a dozen other Australian bank accounts where it could not be traced.

Ms Spring's appeals for information have been rejected due to 'privacy reasons'.

Harriet Spring (pictured) was approached by a man called 'George' in November last year who told her that he worked at her bank, ING, and asked if she was interested in good rates on fixed-term deposits

The call came at a moment of weakness for Ms Spring, who was otherwise preoccupied with moving her 95-year-old mother (pictured) into an aged care home. She eventually lost her mother's entire life savings

HOW TO SPOT A SCAMMER They unexpectedly call, SMS or email you claiming to be from a reputable business They have often already fraudulently obtained personal details like your name, ending digits on your credit card or approximate location, which makes them appear legitimate They will often instruct you to complete an action while on the phone to them - like updating your banking details, increasing your daily payment limit, downloading an app or sending money to a 'new' account They may use software to send you a fake SMS that appears to be from the business they say they're calling you from while on the phone with you to convince you the call is genuine Source: Westpac Advertisement

Westpac would not comment on individual cases but it said that preventing scams was one of its 'biggest priorities'.

'When customers of other banks transfer money to scammers, we work hard to recover funds on their behalf where possible,' a spokesperson said.

Ms Spring's experience is sadly not unique and it is not the first time victims have been targeted by men with posh British accents.

An Australian businessman was conned out of $130,000 in a sophisticated text message scam by a man with a British accent.

Australians lost $2.7 billion to fraud in the last year, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

It's a marginal decline from the record high of $3.1billion lost in 2022 but still higher than the figure two years previously.

Consumer Action Law Centre chief executive Stephanie Tonkin said that Ms Spring's story was very common.

'Our lawyers are hearing every day, reports of people being tricked with highly complicated, sophisticated scams,' she told the program.

'These scammers are no longer people in their basement.

'They're people working for multinational companies with resources and the ability to use technology like [artificial intelligence] AI to trick people out of their money.

'It's near impossible to detect a scam in many cases, and therefore it's near impossible to protect yourself.'

'It didn't sound dodgy in any way, you know, all of the emails had the branding of ING  they completely fooled me,' Mrs Spring said (pictured: some of the correspondence with the scammer)

Ms Spring has been left feeling that she is no longer to trust anyone.

She has renewed calls for Australian banks to reimburse scam victims and shared a petition on social media urging governments to implement 'strong rules that force businesses to detect and prevent scams  and require banks to reimburse victims'.

'Scams can happen to everyone and this Government is behaving like the banks matter more than their constituents!' Ms Spring wrote.

The legislation would bring them into line with UK banks who have signed up to a voluntary code of reimbursement since 2019, which will become mandatory in October.

'You should be ensured that your money is kept safe and, if it's not, then you should be reimbursed,' Ms Tonkin added.

'We [the consumers] simply don't have information and access to information like unusual transactions, like the account details of mule accounts, we don't have the information to be able to protect ourselves.'
The desperate mother of missing teenager Jay Slater has said she is praying she does not have to 'take my son home in a body bag' - as she lashed out at cruel trolls sharing wild conspiracy theories about his disappearance.

Debbie Duncan, who flew to Tenerife last Tuesday after her 19-year-old son went missing there the day before, said she was upset by the online speculation - including about a fundraising page which has raised 30,000 for the family.

Ms Duncan wrote: 'I really am saddened by all your comments. You seem to be so bothered about this GoFundMe page. I really hope I am not taking my son home in a body bag.

'The funds are not released any won't be if not needed. I really cannot believe the British public are not supporting me in trying to find Jay. This may happen to any of you one day. Very let down by you all.'

She later updated the post by writing: 'Sorry that you have taken this the wrong way. I am overwhelmed with the generosity. What I meant was VERBAL support. I really hope I don't need this money. If it's not needed it all gets refunded to the people who really did care.'

Debbie's son Jay, an apprentice bricklayer, vanished last Monday after going to the three-day NRG music festival in Tenerife - sparking a major week-long investigation which has been subjected to cruel unfounded theories online.

Jay's mother Debbie Duncan (pictured) flew to Tenerife on Tuesday, the day after he vanished in Tenerife

Apprentice bricklayer Jay Slater, 19, pictured here with his mother Debbie Duncan, was last heard from on Monday

Debbie Duncan, who flew to Tenerife last Tuesday after the 19-year-old went missing on the Spanish island, said she was upset that by people posting negative comments about a GoFundMe page which has raised 30,000

Jay Slater, an apprentice bricklayer, disappeared last Monday after going to the three-day NRG music festival on the Spanish island

A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Jay Slater's family reached its 30,000 target after just three days

Jay, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, 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.

Lucy Mae Law, who went to the festival with Jay, said he called her at about 8.30am last 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%'.

Lucy, 18, set up a GoFundMe called 'Get Jay Slater Home' with the aim of raising 30,000 for his family as the search continues - and the page reached its target on Sunday.

Debbie has previously reassured those donating money that the money would not be used for anything other than expenses to remain in Tenerife.

A post replying to the fundraiser, which claims to be from Debbie, confirmed it was 'approved by our family'.

It said: 'We have not yet withdrawn any funds and are currently covering the expenses, such as the trip to Tenerife and accommodation, ourselves. The funds will remain on hold with GoFundMe until we post a further update on this page.'

She had also thanked the public for their generosity, writing: 'Hi everyone, this is Debbie, Jay's mother. Thank you all for your generosity and kindness during this difficult time.

'We are extremely worried and are doing everything we can to find Jay. Please continue to share our fundraiser far and wide.

'Your support means the world to us, and we are grateful for any help you can provide.'

Debbie also said she was unable to visit a search site with Jay's father and brother because she has been on the receiving end of vile social media abuse.

She revealed how trolls have compared her to Karen Matthews - who was dubbed 'Britain's worst mother' when she orchestrated the fake kidnap of her own nine-year-old schoolgirl daughter Shannon in a case which horrified the nation in 2008.

She said: '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 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.'

It comes a detective-turned-TV investigator Mark Williams-Thomas, who probed the disappearance of Nicola Bulley and exposed Jimmy Savile's evil crimes, offered his help.

He said he was waiting to speak to Debbie but had a response from a close relative to say Jay's mother is 'keen to accept my team's help'.

But the case has also piqued the curiosity of armchair sleuths spreading wild theories about his disappearance on social media and supposed psychics also said they could help.

Jay's friend Lucy Mae Law (pictured), 18, has blasted Spanish police for rejecting an offer from British officers to help

Search teams focus on a mountainous area near the village of Masca in their search for Jay Slater on Sunday

Firefighters gather near the village of Masca in Tenerife on Sunday as they continue the search for Jay Slater

A member of the Guardia Civil near the last known location of Jay Slater

Spanish police officers scour the area for any clues which could help them find Jay Slater

Vehicles of the Guardia Civil near the last known location of Jay Slater on Sunday

Search teams have been unable to find Jay Slater since he was last seen on Monday

The church in Santiago del Teide where it is believed that Jay was spotted sitting on a bench with two men

Conspiracy theorist David Icke waded in yesterday making unfounded claims on Facebook about people traffickers, while others have levelled unsubstantiated allegations about possible mafia involvement.

Meanwhile at least five British internet sleuths have also spent hundreds of pounds on making the trip despite having no link to Jay.

Paul Arnott, 29, who runs the Down the Rapids TikTok account and describes himself as an 'explorer', spent 400 on travelling to Tenerife on Saturday from Fort William, in Scotland.

He told The Telegraph: 'It's cost quite a few hundred pounds so far. I've been trying to contact mountain rescue all day but I haven't been able to get through to anyone.'

He added: 'The idea is ideally to communicate with mountain rescue and the police and if I can't get a response then I'll do my own thing in hits area and try and work out where's not been searched.'

Mr Arnott said he would want someone to come out and help if the same thing had happened to him.

It comes as search teams have narrowed their efforts on small 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 on Sunday.

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 Jay could be seen looking into blue barrels outside one of the small buildings.

The walk from Jay's last known location to his accommodation would have taken about 11 hours on foot.

Lucy has blasted the Spanish police, claiming they are 'not doing a good job' as Jay's family and friends desperately try to find him.

Police are currently searching for Jay in the Teno Nature Reserve, referred to as 'malpais' by locals  a word that translates into English as 'badland'.

In a statement released late on Friday, Lancashire Police 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'.

Lucy said: '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 of wanting to 'bring him home to his family', adding: 'That is all we want, all that we need.'

When asked how she felt that the offer from British cops to help had been declined, Jay's mother 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.

Meanwhile, Jay's distraught father Warren, 58, has fought back tears as he told of just wanting 'my boy back' as he and Jay's brother Zak, 24, visited the spot where his phone last pinged and hugged each other in emotional scenes.

Choking back tears Warren, wearing a bucket hat, sunglasses and black t-shirt, said: 'He's my son. I just want him back.'

The visit came as a bombshell new video of missing Jay dancing shirtless in a Tenerife nightclub just hours before he disappeared has emerged.

In the new clip of Jay which has emerged, he is seen dancing shirtless in Papagayo nightclub which is at the end me of the notorious Veronica's Strip area of Playa de las Americas.

The after-party is known to have wrapped up at 5am and an hour later Jay was with two mystery British men at their 40-a-night AirBnB 19 miles away at Masca.

It was here that a woman made the last confirmed sighting of Jay at about 8.15am, saying he was walking at pace up the hill and away from Playa de las Americas.

A 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

The mountain range in Rural de Teno near the village of Masca where police were searching

Jay Slater was seen dancing shirtless in Papagayo nightclub (pictured) which is at the end of the infamous Veronica's Strip area of Playa de las Americas in Tenerife

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

Debbie, 55, who has flown out to Tenerife from her home at Oswaldtwistle, told MailOnline there had been a sighting of someone resembling her son at around 6pm the day he disappeared by the church at Santiago de Teide which is back towards Playa de las Americas.

She said the man had told police he was 'with two men sitting on a bench by the church looking a little worse for wear' however at the moment it has not been confirmed this was Jay.

Jay's mother still believes that he may have been kidnapped. She has vowed to stay in Tenerife for 'as long as it takes'.

In a tearful appeal through MailOnline last week, she said: 'If anyone does have him, just let him go, he's not a bad person, maybe he's got in with some strangers who've befriended him.

'I'm not stupid, I've been to Tenerife before, I've worked abroad myself and I gave him warnings, I just think if anyone has got him let him go, he's not a bad person.'

Breaking down in tears, Debbie added: 'If he's got himself mixed up with any trouble, just let him go, just let him go, it's been three days, he's in the same clothes, if he's been dumped in the mountains it's hot in the day and cold at night.

'Jay is a brilliant person, everybody loves being in his company, he's bubbly and fun, he's such a lovely, beautiful boy. I just want my little baby home with me.

'He was supposed to fly home from Tenerife today, he should be on the flight now, coming home. I had the taxi booked and everything and now who knows where he is.

'I just don't know what to think, I'm all over the place and I'm trying to keep positive, has somebody taken him? Is he panicked and lost in the mountains? I just don't know, that's why if anyone has any information please just tell us.

'But if he is lost then why hasn't anyone seen him? It's busy with hikers and holidaymakers up there so if he was lost then someone would have seen him, so that's why I think maybe he's been bundled off somewhere.'
An RAF serviceman has been cleared of sexually assaulting his sleeping female colleague after a movie night while deployed in Poland.

Air Specialist Andrew Lewins was accused of attacking his colleague in a drunken attack in his room.

Bulford Military Court heard that the female colleague woke up in the early hours of the morning as AS1 Lewins assaulted her. She felt 'scared', 'uncomfortable' and 'confused', it was heard.

AS1 Lewins, who denied sexual assault, has been acquitted and following a four-day trial.

The court heard the female colleague and AS1 Lewins were deployed in Poland together in 2022.

Air Specialist Andrew Lewins ( pictured outside Bulford Military Court) was accused of molesting his colleague in a drunken attack in his room after an evening boozing at a hotel bar

Prosecuting, Major James Eveleigh said following a busy day of work - around one month into the deployment - AS1 Lewins, the alleged victim, and other RAF colleagues went to the hotel restaurant and then the bar for food and drinks.

AS1 Lewins denied sexual assault and following a four-day trial in Wiltshire, he has been acquitted

At around 2am, AS1 Lewins, his roommate, and the victim decided to go back to a hotel room to watch a movie together.

The female air specialist fell asleep in AS1 Lewins' bed.

The female air specialist said during a police interview that a 'movie night' was suggested in the early hours of the morning following an evening of drinking.

'I had a couple of drinks so thought why not,' she said.

The female colleague described AS1 Lewins as being at nine out of 10 on the drunkeness scale.

'Andy did buy me a drink but he was very very drunk,' she said, 'I was tipsy but I wasn't like out of it.'

She told the officer that the three friends sat in AS1 Lewins hotel room in the Polish hotel and watched a film.

During the movie, she said they were 'having a deep conversation' before she eventually fell asleep in AS1 Lewins' bed.

In the early hours of the morning, at around 6am, the female air specialist said she woke to find AS1 Lewins' face close to hers 'like he wanted to kiss me'.

Bulford Military Court heard the female colleague and AS1 Lewins were deployed in Poland together

'His face was really close to my face,' she continued, 'He was doing the action of fingering.'

The female air specialist said she got up and 'left straight away'.

AS1 Lewins, who is based at RAF Brize Norton station in West Oxfordshire, denied one count of sexual assault by penetration.
Labor MP Marion Scrymgour has engaged lawyers over a series of comments made by firebrand Senator Lidia Thorpe.

Ms Thorpe questioned the Federal Member for Lingiari during a Senate estimates hearing in early June over funds the Northern Land Council received during the Covid pandemic when she was chief executive.

The independent senator accused Ms Scrymgour of trying to use stimulus money issued during the pandemic for political campaigning, and questioned current executives about whether a grant worth $400,000 was used 'to build a holiday house for Ms Scrymgour's family at Twin Hill Station'.

Ms Scrymgour strenuously denied the accusations at the time and maintains she has nothing to hide.

Senator Lidia Thorpe (pictured) questioned the Federal Member for Lingiari in the Northern Territory during a Senate estimates hearing in early June over funds received during the Covid pandemic during her time as chief executive of the Northern Land Council

Those comments made by Ms Thorpe were done so under parliamentary privilege, which protects politicians from legal action of this kind.

But Ms Scrymgour argues that social media posts Ms Thorpe later made about the allegations meant she would 'forego parliamentary privilege.

'Senator Thorpe does not respect the institute of parliament or what it stands for,' she said.

'But she is happy to use it to attack people she sees as her political opponents  especially when they are other First Nations women.

'To have one aspect of the system deliberately weaponised through social media in relation to something that has nothing to do with my performance as an elected member and by someone who seeks to augment her First Nations identity and credentials by claiming association and relationship with Aboriginal territorians.

'She has nothing to do with us. I have engaged lawyers in relation to the social media posts.'

Labor MP Marion Scrymgour (pictured) has engaged lawyers over a series of comments made by firebrand Senator Lidia Thorpe

Ms Scrymgour said Ms Thorpe's decision to discuss these allegations outside of standard parliamentary processes 'extended and aggravated her imputations, leaving no doubt as to her malicious, personal and political motivation.

'I take these allegations very seriously  they are offensive and they need to be dealt with. They are slurs on my character.'

The Northern Land Council executives told the Senate hearing investigations would be taking place into allegations of Covid stimulus misuse, but there was no indication that Ms Scrymgour had any involvement.
A predatory landlord who demanded sexual favours from young female tenants in return for reduced rent has been jailed for two-and-a-half years - after being caught on camera during a Mail investigation.

Frederick Allard, 73, preyed on three 'vulnerable women' over a four-year period, a court heard - asking them to perform sex acts if they wanted cheaper accommodation in his six-bedroom home in Tidworth, Wiltshire.

He was previously exposed by a Mail investigation - filmed asking an undercover reporter posing as a 21-year-old student to pay her rent with sexual favours.

He demanded naked and weekly massages in exchange for accommodation, telling her: 'Nothing is for nothing in this life.'

Wiltshire Police then announced in January 2021 its own investigation into Allard over 'voyeurism and prostitution offences'.

Exploitative landlord Frederick Allard, 73, has been jailed for two and a half years after demanding young female tenants provide sexual favours in return for reduced rent

The predatory pensioner pleaded not guilty to three counts of causing or inciting prostitution for gain and sexual assault but was convicted at Salisbury Crown Court (pictured)

A court has now heard how Allard - seen appearing to smirk in his police mugshot after being arrested - told one teenage tenant she should always 'be prepared to do whatever I ask'.

When she resisted, he told her: 'If you don't want the room, that's okay.'

The pervert demanded one tenant perform oral sex for him in order to stay and a search of his devices found an extensive pornography collection including videos showing 'exploitative sex between landlords and their tenants'.

He had advertised the accommodation in his 270,000 property on the Spareroom website and only rented to women, his trial at Salisbury Crown Court heard.

Allard has now been jailed for 30 months and put on the sexual register for a decade, for the offences found to have taken place between February 2019 and January and involving three women.

Judge R Taylor told him: 'You sought to extract sexual favours from them in return for a room.'

The court heard how one 20-year-old victim 'had to leave her home' in 2019 so sent Allard a message on Spareroom.

He invited the young women over to the property and it was here he told her he 'expected her to do certain things' in order to rent the room.

The judge said: 'She did not know how to respond - just that she needed to get out of the situation as soon as possible. She ran to her car and drove away.'

Fredrick Allard was filmed asking an undercover reporter posing as a 21-year-old student (inset) to pay her rent with sexual favours in a Mail investigation before police took action

Allard, from Tidworth in Wiltshire, demanded naked and weekly massages in exchange for accommodation, telling the undercover reporter (pictured): 'Nothing is for nothing in this life'

The women then told her mother and reported the matter to the police.

The second victim, aged 19, also desperately needed somewhere to live and was informed about the spare room on a Tesco noticeboard.

The court heard how on each of her visits, Allard 'covertly recorded' her - including one occasion in 2020 when he filmed himself sexually assaulting the teenager.

He took her up to his bedroom, sat on the bed and asked her to sit down next to him.

When she refused, her picked her up and placed her on his lap before molesting her - after telling her he 'loved giving girls massages'.

She fled the room and asked Allard why he 'tried to take my hoodie off', prompting his response: 'If you don't want the room that's okay'.

When she later said she did want to rent the room, he sent her a message saying: ''Okay, but you will have to try harder than that girl - I'm going out my way for you.'

When she told the pensioner she was 'confused', he responded: 'I think you know what you have to do for me without me saying so.

'It's up to you - how bad do you want the room? The next time you come over be prepared to do whatever I ask.'

The judge said the impact of Allard's behaviour on the teenager was 'really awful', adding: 'She finds men intimidating, she struggles with intimacy.

The third victim, who stayed in the property in 2021, received sexually explicit texts from him within a day of meeting - demanding she give him oral sex.

Fredrick Allard sent texts demanding massages to an undercover during the Mail investigation

Vile landlord Allard was caught offering a bedroom in his six-bedroom 270,000 property in Tidworth, Wiltshire, in exchange for weekly erotic massages

The Mail found thousands of women were being exploited by 'sex for rent' landlords - with the problem growing even worse during the Covid pandemic (picture posed by model)

The judge told the defendant: 'You reckoned by the end of the month she would be desperate and sleep with you because she needed somewhere to live.

'The victims here just wanted and needed somewhere to live. You sought to extract sexual favours from them in return for a room.'

Allard pleaded not guilty to three counts of causing or inciting prostitution for gain and sexual assault but was convicted at his trial in May this year.

Complex Crime Investigator Elly Moxom, from Wiltshire Police, said: 'Allard's actions had a significant impact on the female victims who all showed bravery and resilience throughout the investigation and trial.

'Wiltshire Police wish to send a strong message to those who perpetrate harm to women and girls.

'We will show zero tolerance to crimes like those committed by Mr Allard who sought to exploit perceived vulnerabilities in his victims for sexual gratification.'

Allard was among those identified by a Mail investigation finding how thousands of women were being exploited in a 'sex for rent' scandal exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 20 men contacted by undercover reporters posing as a 21-year-old student offered free accommodation in exchange for sexual acts.

Allard, who claimed to be 50 despite being 70 at the time, had posted an advert for a 'free room' for a 'single attractive young female' on the US website Craigslist in October.

An undercover reporter responded to the advert posing as a student.

Allard immediately requested a picture of the reporter, before texting: 'You do understand the room's not completely free, I would be expecting something off you in return.'

Asked what he meant, he said: 'It's a good deal, no bills or deposit or rent... ime sure your not shy what you offering.'

The reporter sent a picture of her face, but he requested more photographs, asking her to send 'a nice picture of yourself as if you interested'.

He said he was seeking a 'weekly arrangement', adding: 'I like giving massages and pleasuring a woman. Anything else would be nice. What are you prepaired to do for me?'

Allard then told her he expected to give and receive erotic massages 'with a little bit of friendliness and a little bit of touching' in exchange for the room at his home.
The gang rape of a young British woman during an annual street music festival in central Paris may have been filmed by her attackers, investigators fear.

The tourist was found crying as she stumbled through the streets of Paris' 1st arrondissement in the early hours of Saturday morning after she was attacked and subsequently robbed, according to a police source.

She was clutching her underwear in a state of significant distress hours after leaving a concert at the Olympia hall - one of hundreds of events held across France on June 21 to mark the 'Fete de la Musique' - known as 'Make Music Day' in English.

The victim - who cannot be named for legal reasons - was picked up by police and firefighters and taken to the Cochin hospital to undergo medical examinations.

She later told police she was accosted by several men and pulled to a secluded area where they raped her and stole her phone, according to Le Figaro.

Police have now said they fear that the attack may have been recorded during the assault, which follows similar attacks at the event - one that has become notorious with violent crime and a lack of policing.

The gang rape of a young British woman during an annual street music festival in central Paris may have been filmed by her attackers, investigators fear. Pictured: Party-goers are seen enjoying the music festival on the streets of Paris on Friday, a day before the attack

Thousands of people were on the streets, many of them drinking heavily, as they listened to bands and individual singers overnight between Friday and Saturday.

As of Monday morning the woman is still in the hospital, in the centre of the city.

'The attack happened around the Chatelet-Les Halles forum in the early hours of Saturday morning,' said an investigating source, referring to the shopping and arts complex.

'She was walking back from a concert at the Olympia music venue and says she was approached by a group of men.

'They surrounded her, and attacked her, and the fear is that they recorded their actions using their mobile phones.'

The woman's own phone was stolen by the men, who are thought to have been wearing hoodies so as to hide their identities.

The victim was found by the police and firefighters at around 7am on Saturday, when she provided a witness statement.

There was a similar gang rape at the Fete de la Musique in 2021, when a woman was surrounded in a street close to the Champs Elysees.

Within a day, a video of the attack was circulating on social media, and it was used as evidence to try and find the rapists. Despite numerous appeals, they have not been found, however, and the case remains active.

There have been no arrests made in the latest gang rape case, said the same source, but CCTV was being examined for clues.

Thousands of people were on the streets, many of them drinking heavily, as they listened to bands and individual singers overnight between Friday and Saturday

Police have said they fear that the attack on the British woman may have been recorded by the attackers during the assault, which follows similar attacks at the music event (pictured on Friday) - one that has become notorious with violent crime and a lack of policing

France's President Emmanuel Macron speaks during the annual 'Fete de la musique' one-day music festival in the courtyard of the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on June 21, 2024. June 21, marks the annual start of 'Fete de la Musique', a tradition marking the first day of summer, during which music is encouraged to be played outdoors

Attendees gather next to the stage during the annual 'Fete de la musique' one-day music festival in the courtyard of the Elysee presidential palace in Paris, France, on June 21, 2024

There were multiple alleged crimes committed at Friday night's Fete de la Musique, including an alleged attempted murder.

The shocking rape comes as five teenage girls were injected with an unknown substance as they attended another Make Music Day event in the Saint-Maur-des-Fosses suburb of Paris.

The girls, aged 13-17, told aid workers at the event they were dancing in the crowd when they felt stings in their arms.

Each of them quickly began exhibiting symptoms that included dizziness and nausea, headaches and fever, witnesses at the scene told Le Parisien.

Three of the girls reportedly sported marks on their left arm that suggested they had been pierced by a needle.

But police were unable to make any arrests, with some 10,000 attending the event in the Parisian suburb.

Two men were stopped for an on-site search by officers but were later released after the police were unable to find any paraphernalia or other evidence linking them to the spiking.

Mayor of Saint-Maur Sylvain Berrios, who also attended the festival, admitted to Le Parisien that such incidents constitute 'an extremely painful phenomenon' that is 'difficult to stop'.

Berrios said security had been greatly reinforced on site and authorities had installed a series of CCTV cameras to create a live security feed to the municipal police's surveillance centre, which he hoped would aid investigators in finding suspects.

Celebrated on June 21 every year since 1982, France's 'Make Music Day' sees musicians and performers from around the world perform at hundreds of concerts and events across the country.

As well as concerts featuring world renowned artists, amateur musicians are encouraged to take to the streets and public squares to hold impromptu concerts - and the tradition has since spread to other countries.

But the joyous events often also play host to violence.

Another incident at third Make Music location in the French capital saw several people hurt and one person seriously injured after a brawl broke out between two soldiers in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Five people were hurt and one sustained serious injuries in the fight, which reportedly involved a blade, Le Figaro reported.

Police managed to break up the conflict which involved six people, according to one source, and the injured were taken to hospitals.

Three men were later arrested as investigations continue.

An investigation into 'attempted intentional murder has been entrusted to the 14th arrondissement police station,' said a spokesman.

French singer Gilbert Montagne plays during the annual 'Fete de la musique' one-day music festival in the courtyard of the Elysee presidential palace, in Paris, June 21, 2024

'He said 'six people had to be separated,' and 'five of them were wounded, one seriously, who was hospitalised.

There are frequent complaints about the lack of policing at the Fete de la Musique, which is always attended by thousands of tourists, including many from Britain.

It extends across most of the city, and there are frequent complaints about disorder, vandalism and littering.

Despite this, local councils allow it to continue, with police being ordered to keep a low profile so as not to spoil the liberal atmosphere. In 2023, there were 93 rapes committed in public places in Paris, compared to 92 in 2022.
Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the 'intense phase' of fighting in Rafah is 'about to end' - vowing that with its conclusion more troops will be sent to Israel's border with Lebanon to face off with Hezbollah.

The Israeli prime minister said that fighting against Hamas terrorists in the southern Gaza city is nearly over, without giving a specific timeframe.

He told Israel's Channel 14 that 'after the end of the intense phase' in the Gaza Strip, Israel would 'redeploy some forces to the north... primarily for defensive purposes'.

His comments come amid growing concerns over recent weeks that daily exchanges of cross-border fire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah could spiral into all-out war.

The Israeli military announced last week that plans for a Lebanon offensive had been approved, to which Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah responded that no part of Israel would be spared in the event of a full-scale war.

Black smoke billows following an Israeli air strike that targeted a house in the southern Lebanese village of Khiam near the Lebanese-Israeli border on June 21, 2024

Smoke plumes billow during ongoing battles in the Sultan neighbourhood in the northwest of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on June 18, 2024

Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the 'intense phase' of fighting in Rafah is 'about to end'

Netanyahu's interview - his first with Israeli media since the war began with Hamas's October 7 attack - was broadcast as his defence minister arrived in Washington for talks on the Gaza war and surging cross-border tensions with Lebanon's Hezbollah movement.

'The intense phase of the fighting against Hamas is about to end,' Netanyahu said, adding: 'It doesn't mean that the war is about to end, but the war in its intense phase is about to end in Rafah.'

Israeli officials have described Rafah as the last Hamas stronghold in the Gaza Strip, and in early May troops entered the southern city, on the besieged territory's border with Egypt, despite global alarm over the fate of Palestinian civilians sheltering there.

The military seized the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing, a key conduit for desperately needed aid into Gaza that has remained shut since then.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah said it had targeted military positions in northern Israel with attack drones, after an Israeli strike in eastern Lebanon killed the commander of another armed group, Jamaa Islamiya.

In Gaza, Israeli forces kept striking targets and battling Hamas.

A woman stands holding a child surrounded by the rubble of buildings destroyed during Israeli bombardment in Khan Yunis on the southern Gaza Strip on June 23, 2024

Israeli soldiers during military operations in the southern Gaza Strip last month

In Gaza City, medics at Al-Ahli hospital said that at least five people were killed in an Israeli air strike on a facility of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.

The Israeli military said its jets struck militants who "operated from within buildings that previously served as an UNRWA headquarters"

There was no immediate comment from UNRWA, whose facilities have come under attack before.

Some UNRWA buildings have been turned into shelters for displaced Palestinians during the war.

An early morning air raid on a family home elsewhere in Gaza City killed at least seven people, the civil defence agency said.

An Israeli fire truck moves towards a scene of a strike hit after a drone attack by Hezbollah from Lebanon on June 23, 2024

The October 7 attack on southern Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

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 37,598 people, also mostly civilians, Gaza's health ministry said.

"This war must stop," said Umm Siraj al-Balawi, struggling to survive in a makeshift shelter amid a field of rubble, with strung-up sheets protecting her young children from the blazing sun.

But despite the needs, "delivery of any meaningful humanitarian assistance inside Gaza has become almost impossible and the very fabric of civil society is unravelling," the European Union said in a statement.

As the war has raged on, Israeli protesters have taken to the streets week after week demanding greater efforts to bring home the remaining hostages.

In his Sunday interview, Netanyahu said that if his rule ends, "a left-wing government will... establish a Palestinian state", dubbing it a threat to "our existence".
Peter Dutton's 18-year-old son Tom has been pictured holding a bag containing 'white powder'.

The image of Tom, which shows the wide-eyed teenager holding up the bag for the camera, was shared on Snapchat by a friend alongside the caption: 'Birthday day treat. Hello how u goin.'

The photo was taken on a balcony in Surfers Paradise and was swiftly removed, but not before it was screenshotted by a recipient.

Daily Mail Australia doesn't suggest the white substance is drugs.

Tom Dutton, 18, was pictured with with what was described as a 'birthday day treat' at an apartment in Surfer's Paradise on the Gold Coast

When asked about the photo, Mr Dutton's office told the Daily Telegraph: 'This is a private matter for the Dutton family.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Dutton's office for further comment.

Snapchat is popular among young people because posts usually disappear after they have been read. Recipients can screenshot posts, but the person who shared it will be notified.

Mr Dutton has two sons - Tom and Harry - with his wife Kirilly, as well as daughter Rebecca from a previous relationship.

He told the ABC's Kitchen Cabinet last year about how being a police officer before entering politics had influenced his parenting style, admitting that he was stricter than most.

'Even in the way that you bring up your children... You know, not letting them out of your sight because you've seen some horrific cases where kids have been abducted or assaulted,' he told Annabel Crabb during an interview at his home.

He added that he would not let his children use public toilets when they were out.

Mr Dutton with his family on election night in 2022. Tom is pictured second from left

Mr Dutton hit out at soft drug laws in September last year, accusing the ACT government of 'rolling out the red carpet for drug use'.

'It is effectively welcoming more ice, heroin, cocaine, MDMA and speed on our streets,' he said.

When Mr Dutton applied to become the Liberal Opposition leader in 2022, he spoke of his time fighting crime as a police officer.

'I've had tough jobs  firstly as a policeman dealing with serious sexual assaults and murders, to home affairs minister where I deported drug traffickers and child sex offenders,' he said.

'Most people have only seen that side of me. I hope now, in moving from such tough portfolios, the Australian public can see the rest of my character, the side my family, friends and colleagues see. The side my community sees, where they have elected me eight times.

'I come from the suburbs and I have never changed my values or forgotten where I come from.'
Dog lovers are paying up to 140 on DNA tests for their hounds to discover their pets are not actually the trendy breeds they thought.

Anxious owners are turning to the forensic technology to make sure their pooch's breed is what was promised, with the dog DNA testing market expected to swell to be worth 570million by 2030, according to to Zion Market Research.

One woman paid out for a kit after fearing her labrador was an XL bully due to his 'large head'. The test revealed he was actually a labrador-retriever mix.

The home testing kits are being advertised online from places such as Pets At Home and Amazon and come with bristled swabs that are used to take saliva samples by swiping along a pooch's gums which are then sent to laboratory.

US-based Wisdom Panel is among the leading names in the industry with its 74.99 kit to find out a dog's breed and its relatives the cheapest on offer.

But those wanting to take a deep dive into their canine's genetics are paying 139.99 for a 'premium' offering that carries out more than 260 health tests to find out if their beloved mutt is at risk of certain diseases.

Have YOU had your pet tested? Email matt.strudwick@mailonline.co.uk

Dog lovers are paying up to 140 on DNA tests for their hounds (Pictured: Sonny the dog getting a DNA swab in 2022)

Wisdom Panel is among the leading brands with its 'premium' 139.99 kit (not pictured) carrying out more than 260 health tests that tells owners if their mutt is at risk of certain diseases

Writing in The Times, Katie Glass told how she decided to get a test for her pet labrador named Bear when doubts began to surface about his breed when she was stopped in the street and asked if he was an unmuzzled XL bully.

'Which really made me start worrying who I was sharing a bed with,' she said. 'I knew Bear could be demanding about tummy rubs, but was he about to maul me to death?'

The test later revealed he was actually a cross-breed mix of 91 per cent labrador retriever, 6 per cent German short-haired pointer, 2 per cent golden retriever and 1 per cent weimaraner.

Axel Lagercrantz, CEO of pet rehoming site Pets4homes, believes there is a need for DNA tests to be carried out in general.

'Virtually every recognised pedigree dog breed has a breed-specific predisposition to one or more hereditary health issues that can impact their health,' he said.

'Knowing your dog's true breed therefore is very useful. First of all, some congenital heart problems occur more frequently in certain dog breeds than in most others, like patent ductus arteriosus in the poodle and ventricular septal defects in the springer spaniel.

'Finding out if there are any issues that are particularly common in the breed of dog you own can help you to learn more about the potential symptoms to look out for at home.

'Additionally, some hereditary heart conditions can be diagnosed before they even become symptomatic with DNA testing protocols, so if you find that there is a history of heart issues in your dogs breed line or a strong correlation between their breed and a certain heart health problem, you might want to get this assessed so you can start to proactively manage your dogs health, diet and care, reducing the impact of future health issues.

'This will enable you and your vet to get a head start on managing the condition and limiting the damage it may cause where possible, before it even manifests with symptoms.'

He advised people wanting to buy a puppy to ask breeders what health screening and DNA testing had been done.

'Not all breeders have all of the recommended health tests carried out on their parent stock, for a variety of reasons,' he added.

'Some hold the mistaken belief that because their dog appears healthy now, they dont have any health conditions  or won't pass them on to a litter. Others just want to save money, and some are afraid that they might find out something that they'd rather not know  and which might mean that they shouldnt breed from their dog.'

Genealogy company Ancestry launched its 79 'Know Your Pet DNA' kit, with claims it is the 'most scientifically advanced dog DNA test on the market'.

'One thing we hear from our customers who are dog owners is that many of them consider their pet to be a part of the family,' said Brian Donnelly from Ancestry.

The premium DNA kit is one of three that is advertised by Wisdom Panel as promises to 'get as close as possible to understanding everything about your pet'

Owners can opt to pay nearly 100 for the 'essential' kit that carries out significantly fewer health tests

A scaled down test to discover a dog's breed costs as much as 75. It will also 'find your dog's relatives' and test for drug medication sensitivities

Anxious owners are turning to the forensic technology to make sure their pooch's breed is what was promised

'As a proud dog enthusiast, I was inspired by the love my family has for our dog to create a product that helps us better understand him and meet his needs based on his genetics.'

Dog group The Kennel Club last year introduced a DNA testing service so owners can check their pet's health conditions.

Dr Joanna Ilska, the Genetics Manager at The Kennel Club, told MailOnline at the time: 'For owners, understanding a dog's genetics and knowing which testable hereditary conditions they may be affected by allows preparation for the future.

'Some dogs affected by hereditary conditions can go undiagnosed during the early stages of disease, due to clinical symptoms being missed or mistaken for ageing, and missing the early signs of disease can leave a dog in unnecessary pain or discomfort.

'Knowing early gives owners the information they need to look out for clinical signs and get their dog the treatment they need at the soonest possibility.'

It's not just dog lovers who are turning to the kits, with police hoping to use the forensic technology to snare hounds who have viciously attacked livestock.

Ten police forces in England Wales are trialling new test kits which could one day be used in the future at crime scenes to comb for evidence so they can track down and prosecute the pooch's owner.

Dog group The Kennel Club last year introduced a DNA testing service so owners can check their pet's health conditions. Pictured: The DNA test kit

It promises to check if they are susceptible to heritable diseases which can cost thousands to treat or manage at the vet

It is currently illegal to carry out DNA testing on a dog without the owner's permission.

Dr Nick Dawnay, a forensic science researcher at Liverpool John Moores University, developed the test kits as part of the Canine DNA Recovery Project.

He said: 'Our rural crime police can't always attend scenes in a timely manner so quite often no forensic sample is collected from the injured or deceased livestock.

'The timing of sample collection is important as the DNA of an offending dog will not last long on an animal exposed to the elements or on a dead carcass that has been disturbed or moved.'

According to National Farmers Union Mutual figures, around 360,000 worth of farm animals across the south west were severely injured or killed in 2023 after being mauled by dogs.

PC Julian Fry, of Devon and Cornwall police, told the BBC the numbers were 'staggeringly high'.

'Our data shows the numbers are not going down and if anything they're increasing year on year,' he said.

'The NFUM data shows the South West region is the worst hit area in the country in the terms of the frequency of livestock attacks.

'So we have to do something to bring those numbers down and this initiative and training is part of that.'

The power of DNA analysis could also be harnessed by a Scottish council to collar selfish dog owners who refuse to pick up after their pets.

City of Edinburgh Council announced in November it was looking at creating a 'dog DNA register' to deter owners of an estimated 13,000 canines from leaving their pets' business on the streets of the capital.

Under the scheme, dog mess on a pavement would be collected and tested against the database. One option would be to send guilty owners a fine by post.

Councillors have been spurred into action after it was disclosed that just four fixed penalty fines were issued across the whole of the city in 2021.

The move came after the French town of Beziers attempted a pilot scheme requiring dog owners to carry their pet's 'genetic passport', which could be used to identify miscreants.

Under the Beziers scheme, owners were expected to take their dog to a vet to give a saliva sample. It would be genetically tested and a document would be issued.

Those stopped without their dog's genetic passport would be fined 38 (33). In addition, dog mess found on the pavement would be analysed, with the results sent to police.

They would then consult the pet register and match the details to an owner  who would be billed as much as 122 (106) for street cleaning.

But the scheme ran into trouble after the move to collect DNA from the estimated 1,500 dogs in Beziers was rejected by a court as an attack on personal freedom.

Edinburgh council receives around 1,300 complaints about dog fouling each year, according to data for the past three years.

The Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 makes it an offence for a person in charge of a dog not to clean up the mess, handing councils the power to issue fixed penalty notices of 80 to offenders.

But Conservative councillor Christopher Cowdy, who tabled a motion for the DNA register, said in November the historically low number of fines showed the council's strategy to stop dog fouling 'hasn't seemed to work'.

Mr Cowdy said: 'I suppose I thought about a dog DNA test as being the only real way you can make out for definite whose dog did what. There would be an Edinburgh bylaw that would require dog owners to register their dogs with the city council, which would hold a database.'
Myer has launched a massive takeover bid for a group of retail clothing brands including Just Jeans and Jay Jays.

The department store giant announced on Monday that it's interested in buying the Apparel Brands portfolio, which is owned by billionaire Solomon Lew's Premier Investments.

The portfolio of renowned clothing brands, which has more than 700 stores across Australia and New Zealand and also includes Portmans, Jacqui E and Dotti, generated $845million in revenue in the last financial year.

Mr Lew, who already owns a 31 per cent stake in Myer, would land a seat on the board under the proposed terms of the deal.

The announcement played well with investors on Monday, sending Myer's share price north of 20 per cent, while Premier's rose to just under seven per cent.

Myer announced on Monday it is interested in buying the Apparel Brands portfolio, which is owned by billionaire Solomon Lew's Premier Investments

The portfolio of clothing brands, which has over 700 stores across Australia and New Zealand includes Just Jeans (pictured) and Jay Jays, generated $845million in revenue in the last financial year

Myer's new executive chair Olivia Wirth said the acquisition offered the retail giant 'significant opportunity' to boost its business.

'Myer is exploring both organic and inorganic investment opportunities that align with our strategic focus areas to create value for Myer shareholders,' she said.

'It quickly became clear that the idea of a combination of Myer and Apparel Brands offered significant potential synergies and prospects for growth, evidently warranting further examination.'

Myer has expressed interest in a takeover of the Apparel Brands portfolio, which includes Just Jeans (pictured)

Lew and Premier said they would be open to the deal but insisted it needed to be considered further.

'The proposed combination has the potential to deliver a step change in Myers scale and market position, deliver synergies and drive sustainable earnings growth,' its board said in a statement to the ASX.

'Premier shareholders would benefit given Premiers existing shareholding in Myer and because Premier shareholders would become shareholders in Myer.'

Apparel Brands is forecast to rake in $130million in profit in the next financial year, while Myers profit for calendar year 2023 was $88million, E&P Capital retail analyst Phillip Kimber told Seven News.
Vapes will be made available at pharmacies without a prescription after the Albanese government struck a deal with the Greens that will soften a proposed retail ban on e-cigarettes.

Health Minister Mark Butler on Monday secured support from the minor party for Labor's contentious plan that originally would have limited vape access to prescription-only pharmacy sales.

While the ban will be in place from July 1 as originally intended, from October individuals will be able to purchase vapes from behind-the-counter following a conversation with a pharmacist about the health harms associated with vaping.

But the Pharmacy Guild has reacted angrily to the proposal, branding the move as 'insulting' and urged the government to change course on the vaping crackdown.

'Everyone wants to keep illegal vapes out of the hands of kids and teenagers, but the Senate wants pharmacists to stock vapes next to children's Panadol, cold and flu medicine, and emergency contraception,' a statement read.

Vapes will be made available at pharmacies without a prescription after the Albanese government struck a deal with the Greens. Pictured: File photo of women vaping

Health Minister Mark Butler (pictured) on Monday secured support from the Greens for Labor's vape ban that would have limited vape access to prescription-only pharmacy sales

Individuals will be required to provide a form of ID to purchase vapes, while restrictions will also limit nicotine concentration.

Children under the age of 18 will be still able to purchase vapes, but will require a doctor's script to do so.

Possession of personal quantities of vaping products will not be subject to criminal charges, with penalties instead targeting possession and distribution of commercial amounts.

Announcing the overhaul, Mr Butler, who had previously said behind-the-counter vape sales would be considered if the prescription-only plan was unsuccessful, said the deal had followed constructive engagement with the crossbench.

'Our world-leading laws will return vapes and e-cigarettes to what they were originally sold to the Australian community and to governments around the world as - therapeutic products to help hardened smokers kick the habit,' Mr Butler said.

'These laws protect young Australians and the broader community from the harms of recreational vaping, while ensuring that those who really need access to a therapeutic vape for help to quit smoking, can get one from their local pharmacy.'

Greens health spokesperson Jordan Steele-John said regulation of the vape market must ensure former smokers were not incentivised to return to cigarettes.

'That's why the Greens have focused on making sure adults can get access to therapeutic vapes when they need them,' he said.

'We've moved the government from a cost-prohibitive prescription model to a model where adults can pick up a vaping product from their local pharmacy without a prescription.'

The Pharmacy Guild has reacted angrily to the proposal:' Everyone wants to keep illegal vapes out of the hands of kids and teenagers, but the Senate wants pharmacists to stock vapes next to children's Panadol, cold and flu medicine, and emergency contraception'

Greens health spokesperson Jordan Steele-John (pictured) said regulation of the vape market must ensure former smokers were not incentivised to return to cigarettes

Senator Steele-John has previously raised concerns that vape users could face excessive cost and considerable difficulty in obtaining a script when they were trying to quit smoking.

Analysis conducted by the Department of Health in January showed a prescription-only model for vape sales could require up to a million new GP visits a year for people accessing scripts.

With the Nationals opposed to Labor's push and instead calling for vapes to be regulated akin to cigarettes, Mr Butler called on the Liberal Party, whose position on vaping regulation is yet to be finalised, to support the pharmacy-only sales plan.

'Peter Dutton and all Liberal senators now have a choice: will they side with the Nationals and Big Tobacco against the concerns of parents and teachers, or will they join with a majority of the parliament in protecting the health of young Australians for generations to come?' he said.
The disappearance of Jay Slater has sparked a slew of conspiracy theories and vicious trolling of his family.

The desperate search for the 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer continues today - a week after he went missing in Tenerife last Monday.

His family are all on the Spanish island as mountain rescuers with dogs and drones search for him as donations by generous Britons to a fundraising page set up by his best friend to support the search has already passed 32,000.

Specialist search teams have been concentrating on an area at the bottom of a ravine in Rural de Teno Park - the area where his phone was last tracked to before it ran out of battery.

But trolls, amateur sleuths and psychics have sparked a carnival of hysteria and chaos surrounding the investigation by spreading wild and even malicious theories about his disappearance on social media  including the sick idea that he has faked his disappearance to pocket the GoFundMe cash.

Conspiracy theorist David Icke has now waded in making unfounded claims on Facebook about people traffickers and a 'bonkers' cover up claim about it being linked to the power cut at Manchester Airport yesterday, while others have levelled unsubstantiated allegations about possible mafia involvement.

There are also theories about a white car seen in a picture and on Google Streetview - and ridiculous suggestions including he has run away to join ISIS.

These cruel posts have also caused Jay's family significant heartache on top of their anxiety and grief as the search continues - with his mother today confronting members of a Facebook conspiracy theory group and telling them she feels 'very let down' by their sniping. Vile social media trolls have even compared her to Karen Matthews.

As some amateur detectives flew into Tenerife to join the search, his employer also hit out at the trolls after they were bombarded with messages and said: 'The picture being painted of Jay is just not true. We stand by him'.

A new photo of Jay has emerged as his family wait for news while also having to deal with trolls and conspiracies

Some trolls have said it is a set up and he is not missing at all, causing grief for his desperate family

Some people have travelled to Tenerife to investigate with particular focus on a white car. Another image an unknown figure by the side of the road has also been linked to Jay's disappearance - but police are still focussing on one area where his phone was found

One medium has claimed that they fear Jay went missing near a lake with a fence and rope

Psychics say they have been trying to connect with Jay, this one is convinced he is still alive

A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Jay Slater's family has reached its 30,000 target after just three days and is now on 32,000

His employer has spoken out and said 'the picture being painted of him is not true'

Spanish Police are searching small buildings near Mr Slater's last identified location in the mountainous terrain of a national park near the village of Masca.

But at least five British nationals, including one calling himself an 'explorer', have spent hundreds of pounds on making the trip to Tenerife despite having no link to Jay.

One has been trying to speak to mountain rescue teams currently leading the desperate search in an area referred to as 'malpais' by locals, which translates as 'badland'.

Paul Arnott, 29, who runs the Down the Rapids TikTok account and describes himself as an 'explorer', spent 400 on travelling to the island on Saturday from Fort William, in Scotland.

He told The Telegraph: I've been trying to contact mountain rescue all day but I haven't been able to get through to anyone.'

He added: 'The idea is ideally to communicate with mountain rescue and the police and if I can't get a response then I'll do my own thing in hits area and try and work out where's not been searched.' Mr Arnott said he would want someone to come out and help if the same thing had happened to him.

Twitter, Facebook, TikTok and other platforms are packed with memes from The Inbetweeners series and movies making light of his disappearance.

Internet sleuths have trawled his social media posts for clues that might offer an explanation for Jay's disappearance, including unlikely theories about him being murdered or kidnapped.

Others have spent hours on Google trying to dig out details on his work life, background and childhood.

Some have spent time looking at satellite images of Tenerife to try to track his final movements, especially as new CCTV images of Jay from the hours after he vanished continue to emerge.

Some have donated money to the GoFundMe page just so they can criticise the fundraising campaign

One person said police should check that Jay is not searching for himself

David Icke's bizarre take on the desperate search for Jay. Critics called him 'crazy' and 'bonkers'

People have started circling random shapes on the horizon and posting it on groups related to Jay's disappearance

This unverified footage of a person in a layby being picked up has also been shared widely on Facebook

On Friday, Lancashire Police, who were in charge of the controversial search for Nicola Bulley, said it had 'made an offer of support' to the force in Tenerife but this was declined as local officers said they were 'satisfied that they have the resources they need'.

Ms Bulley's search also became chaotic after amateur sleuths catering to followers on TikTok and other social media sites turned up trying to solve the case. One expert told MailOnline that there is a danger that Jay's case could go the same way.

Mr Slater's disappearance has become a phenomenon on social media - with thousands of users speculating about the circumstances of his disappearance.

Detective turned journalist Mark Williams-Thomas has offered his expertise as the hunt for the missing 19-year-old who vanished after leaving a Tenerife nightclub enters its second week.

Police are working on the theory that he has got lost after attending a three-day high energy music festival, with the teenager later being seen walking away from Playa de las Americas.

He had called his best friend Lucy Law, who was on holiday with him, that he 'didn't know where he was', was thirsty and only had 1% battery left on his phone.

Jay Slater's mother Debbie Duncan has repeatedly hit out at trolls mocking her missing son and raised her own concerns that it is distracting from the hunt for her missing boy.

She posted on a Facebook page where thousands of people have been giving their own theories behind his disappearance.

A member of a search and rescue team search near the last known location of Jay Slater, near to the village of Masca, Tenerife, where the search for missing British teenager Jay, 19, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, continues

This is the CCTV image the family of Jay Slater are hoping and praying is him - a week after he mysteriously vanished on Tenerife

A 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

Jay's friend Lucy Mae Law (pictured), 18, has blasted Spanish police for rejecting an offer from British officers to help

On that 'Jay Slater theories' page, users are posting every few minutes, some asking people to show more respect to his family and not lose sight of the fact a 19-year-old boy is missing.

But others continue to play amateur detective and asking questions they believe have not been properly answered about the case, and calling for more 'transparency' from his family, friends and the police.

'I really am saddened by all your comments. You seem to be so bothered about this GoFundMe page. I really hope I am not taking my son home in a body bag', Debbie said.

'The [GoFundMe] funds are not released and won't be if not needed.

'I really cannot believe the British public are not supporting me in trying to find Jay. This may happen to any of you one day. Very let down by you all.'

Yesterday his employer in Lancashire spoke out to dismiss rumours online about him. PH Build, which employs Mr Slater as an apprentice bricklayer, had to delete a post asking for information after it was hijacked by those spouting theories about him.

They said in a statement: 'Our Jay is still missing.

'We have decided to remove our last post due to all the negative comments and conspiracy theories.

'Jay has been with us since he left school and is liked by all. He's a valued member of our team and we stand by him.

'The picture being painted of him is just not true. The fact is he's a 19-year-old lad missing in a foreign country. He needs to be back home where he belongs. Come on Jay we are all praying for you.'

Search teams focus on a mountainous area near the village of Masca in their search for Jay Slater on Sunday

Search teams have been unable to find Jay Slater since he was last seen on Monday

Spanish police officers scour the area for any clues which could help them find Jay Slater

Jay vanished after a three-day music festival on the Spanish island.

Today another grainy image of a man fitting Jay's description emerged.

Yesterday, footage emerged of Mr Slater dancing at a nightclub after-party hours before he disappeared.

The club, Papagayo, is located at the end of the notorious Veronica's Strip, on the Playa de las Americas.

The party finished at 5am and an hour later Mr Slater is said to have been in the company of two unknown British men at their 40-a-night Airbnb accommodation, 19 miles away in the village of Masca.

The last confirmed sighting of Mr Slater, from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, was at 8.15am that day as he walked through Masca.

Apprentice bricklayer Jay Slater, 19, pictured here with his mother Debbie Duncan, was last heard from on Monday

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 detective-turned-TV investigator who helped expose Jimmy Saviles crimes and probed the disappearance of Nicola Bulley yesterday offered to help find British teenager Jay Slater.

Mark Williams-Thomas said he reached out to Debbie Duncan, the mother of the 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer who went missing last Monday in Tenerife.

In a post on X, Mr Williams-Thomas said: I have this morning reached out to missing Jay Slaters mum offering the help of my team to get her answers as to what has happened to her son.

He said there had been lots of speculation, adding: If they give me total access and with feet on the ground I will very quickly be able to say if his disappearance is him alone or if it has third party involvement.

Mr Williams-Thomas was previously lead investigator on ITV1 documentary Exposure: The Other Side Of Jimmy Savile, which revealed how the late BBC presenter systematically preyed upon young and vulnerable girls.

He also offered help last year when mother-of-two Ms Bulley, 45, went missing while walking her dog in St Michaels on Wyre, Lancashire. Her body was later discovered and a coroner ruled that she had accidentally drowned. The intervention by Mr Williams-Thomas comes after Mr Slaters friend said Spanish police were not doing a good job.

Lucy Law, 18, was the last person to speak to Mr Slater when he called her at around 8am on Monday morning.

She said he told her he was lost in the mountains with no water and had a very low phone battery. His phones last signal was in the Rural de Teno national park.

Ms Law, who attended the music festival with Mr Slater, said he told her he was not aware of his surroundings, and desperately needed a drink.

The walk from his last known location to his accommodation would have taken about 11 hours on foot. Police are searching in the national park, an area referred to as malpais by locals, which translates as badland.

Ms Law said: We are having to do this all by ourselves as Spanish police are not doing a good enough job. They dont even speak English. Its been a very slow process here so we need the British police to come out and help them.

Mr Slaters father Warren Slater, 58, and brother Zak, 24, have now visited the spot where the teenagers phone was last located. A tearful Mr Slater said: Hes my son. I just want him back.

Police have said they are keeping an open mind on the situation and have used helicopters, drones and sniffer dogs in their search.
Nigel Farage has called for the West to hold 'sensible' negotiations with Vladimir Putin over Ukraine as he batted away claims he is 'echoing' Russian propaganda.

The Reform leader said he supported talks arguing the invasion had reached a 'complete stalemate' and the loss of lives was 'horrific'.

Interviewed on an ITV election special being broadcast tonight, Mr Farage repeated his controversial view that NATO and the EU 'provoked' Moscow - although he caveated that was 'up until a few years ago' and stressed he supported giving Kyiv munitions.

Asked how he would deal with Putin, the former MEP said: 'Well, we've tried of course through sanctions to weaken him, but all that's actually done is drive him into the arms of China.

Nigel Farage (pictured) has called for the West to hold 'sensible' negotiations with Vladimir Putin over Ukraine as he batted away claims he is 'echoing' Russian propaganda

Asked how he would deal with Putin (pictured), Mr Farage said: 'Well, we've tried of course through sanctions to weaken him, but all that's actually done is drive him into the arms of China .

Rishi Sunak and Volodymyr Zelensky at a summit in Switzerland earlier this month

'He needs to know there's a threat now, he needs to know, he does need to know, it is so far and no further.

'I think the West historically, up until a few years ago, provoked Putin stupidly. I felt the ever, ever eastward expansion of NATO and the European Union was giving Putin a reason to go to war. I guess the question is, what do we do now?

'And yes, I do support us giving munitions and help to Ukraine, but I feel the war is a complete stalemate.

'I think the number of lives being lost is horrific. There have been no sensible substantive negotiations of any kind and even if negotiations to try and find a peace to try and find a way through fail, I think it's better to have those negotiations than not.'

The comments came after Rishi Sunak, James Cleverly and military figures slammed Mr Farage 'for 'echoing Putin's lines' on Ukraine.

In a separate interview on Friday, Mr Farage insisted the eastward 'expansion' of NATO and the EU 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.

Mr Sunak said over the weekend: 'What he said was completely wrong and only plays into Putin's hands.

'This is a man (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.'

Touring broadcast studios yesterday, Mr Cleverly said he did not believe Mr Farage shared Tory values - insisting that meant he could not join the party.

'He has said over and over again his motivation is complete toxicity towards the Conservative Party,' the minister told Sky News.

'At the moment we are seeing things being said by members of the Reform party at every level which I think are completely against the principles and philosophy.'

In a separate BBC interview on Friday, Mr Farage suggested the eastward 'expansion' of NATO and the EU had 'given a reason' for the Russian president to attack

Mr Cleverly said he was 'very proud' of the role the UK has played over Ukraine and in the Second World War - pointing to one Reform candidate having to apologise for suggesting that Britain should have stayed neutral against Hitler.

'When we see comments coming out of that party, which are echoing Putin's lines, saying that Churchill should have appeased Hitler... I cannot envisage how attitudes like that have any home in the Conservative Party now or in the future,' he said.

Mr Cleverly added: 'We are passionate about our defence of democracy and freedom, both historically and in the here and now.'

In an article for the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Farage wrote: 'Don't blame me for telling the truth about Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. Facing up to the facts about the mistakes of the past has to be the first step towards the peaceful future we all want to see.'

He added: 'I am not and never have been an apologist or supporter of Putin. His invasion of Ukraine was immoral, outrageous and indefensible.'
Rapper Julio Foolio tragically posted on social media 'God thank you for allowing me to see another year' hours before he was shot dead at his 26th birthday party.

The up-and-coming star, whose real name was Charles Jones, was celebrating with friends at an AirBnB in Tampa, Florida, before he checked into a Holiday Inn when he was 'ambushed' in the parking lot.

Foolio shared photos and videos of the pool party with his one million Instagram followers throughout the evening of June 22.

One story mentioned the police turning up and shutting the celebration down - but the party continued to another location.

The rapper also tragically posted on X the day before: 'God thank you for allowing me to see another Year & To celebrate another birthday. Appreciate all the birthday wishes so far.'

Rapper Julio Foolio was shot dead at the age of 26 during a birthday 'ambush' in Tampa, Florida

Foolio documented the evening with videos he shared with his Instagram followers - showing images of the pool

The rapper tragically posted on X the day before: 'God thank you for allowing me to see another Year & To celebrate another birthday. Appreciate all the birthday wishes so far.'

One video posted on Foolio's social media saw him showing his followers around the AirBnB with a pool that he was staying in.

He captioned the post: 'We jus[t] got to here for my pool party Tampa Florida if you already got the addy pull up at 6-6:30.'

Foolio also shared a promo on Instagram with entrepreneur Pali Kidd in a phone store in Tampa just before he was killed.

The post, which was captioned 'They can't keep up with this Mocean this another wave' has now been flooded with more than 25,000 comments.

One person commented: 'Rest in peace. So unfortunate this happened.'

Another added: 'RIP young man. Please let's stop these senseless killings.'

Foolio's death has been confirmed by his attorney Lewis Fusco after Tampa Police said they responded to a 911 call regarding a shooting at 11606 McKinley Drive at approximately 4.40am.

One person was killed and three others injured in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn.

One video posted on Foolio's social media saw him showing his followers around the AirBnB with a pool that he was staying in

The AirBnB where Foolio hosted his pool party celebrate his birthday

The death of the up-and-coming rapper, who has 1-million followers on Instagram , was confirmed by his attorney Lewis Fusco

'Foolio,' whose real name is Charles Jones, was celebrating his 26th birthday at an Airbnb with friends before he checked into a Holiday Inn, where he was 'ambushed' in the parking lot

One person was reportedly killed and three others injured in the parking lot of the Holiday Inn

Tampa Police Public Information Officer Jonee' Lewis wrote in a press release: 'The victim in this morning's shooting is believed to be Charles Jones.

'Positive identification is pending confirmation from the Medical Examiner's Office.'

The popular Jacksonville rapper has been a target of numerous shootings in the past with the latest occurring just eight months ago in October 2023. This was said to be another 'ambush' style attack.

Before that, he was injured in a shooting on November 8, 2021.
A 'reckless' British Army soldier destroyed a 35,000 shower block when he ploughed his car into it after racing his friend following a night out, a court martial heard.

Lance Corporal Jack Whitt and Lance Corporal Kieran Rough both crashed their cars in heavy rain, while speeding around their base before they ran away and lied to police when questioned.

LCpl Rough swerved into a concrete barrier in his black BMW and LCpl Whitt, who was just behind him in his white Mercedes, ploughed into the shower unit at Tidworth Camp in Wiltshire.

The pair's lies were only discovered after DNA evidence was found on the airbags of the crashed cars.

The Army were forced to replace the shower block at Tidworth following the 'very silly' incident on January 14 last year, costing more than 35,000.

LCpl Kieran Rough outside Bulford Military Court Centre in Wiltshire. He and LCpl Jack Whitt crashed their cars while speeding around their base on a rainy night

The soldiers, both 25 and from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, were speeding around the army base in heavy rain after a night out.

Lieutenant Colonel Lindsey Jones, prosecuting, told the court that LCpl Rough had 'misjudged' a bend in the road and had to brake suddenly, causing him to swerve off and collide with a concrete kerb at 12.45am.

LCpl Whitt, who was behind his colleague, then ploughed straight into the portable shower block and sent it flying 15 metres.

'It was clear that the portable shower cabin needed to be replaced in its entirety, this was at a cost of 35,000 plus VAT,' Lt Col Jones said.

Lt Col Jones said the pair 'fled the scene' but an SOS device in one of the cars alerted police that there had been a crash and Wiltshire Police officers rushed to the site.

Around 1.30am, LCpl Rough and LCpl Whitt returned to the scene - but lied to officers.

The two soldiers repeatedly lied to police while giving statements and interviews, insisting they had not been driving.

LCpl Rough told police the car had been 'taken from camp without his consent'.

The pair repeated their lies while giving a police statement.

LCpl Rough again suggested his car had been stolen - claiming that he 'often leaves his car unlocked with the key in the console'.

LCpl Whitt told officers when he returned from the night out he went to bed.

It was heard they then lied for a third time, during police interviews, but were eventually caught after DNA evidence was found on their airbags.

LCpl Whitt (pictured) and LCpl Rough both repeatedly lied to the police about the car crashes and claimed their cars had been stolen before their DNA was discovered on the airbags

Lt Col Jones said: 'The driving was too fast for the road and prevailing conditions. It was dark and raining heavily and LCpl Rough did not know the layout.

'The court may consider that was a reckless contravention.

'Driving without due care and attention not only puts the driver at risk, but other drivers and pedestrians at risk.

'LCpl Rough caused damage to the kerb. LCpl Whitt had to swerve and brake sharply, that indicates there was not sufficient space and that caused significant damage to a shower block and it needed to be replaced.

'They had several opportunities to report this accident but they decided not to.

'Honesty is such an essential and integral component of the chain of command.'

The soldiers, part of 6 Armoured Close Support Battalion, admitted breaching a standing order by driving without due care and attention, failure to report the accident, and conduct prejudicial to good order in relation to lying to police.

Alex Rynn, for LCpl Rough, said they were 'quite frankly, very silly actions'.

Mr Rynn said: 'Perhaps LCpl Rough said it best himself. He said, "This was the stupidest thing in the world".

'And it really was. What he did has had a significant effect on him, his career, and the military.

'He is very sorry.'

LCpl Rough, who enlisted in August 2016, is leaving the Army next month.

Laura Deuxberry, for LCpl Whitt, said: 'Clearly this was an act one might expect from a teenager.

'It's clear that time in the Army might have matured him, and it has, but a split second decision led to what we're dealing with today.

'He tells me that he was not thinking... He is not a criminal mastermind, it's someone panicking and making a bad decision.'

LCpl Whitt, who enlisted in July 2016, is determined to succeed in the Army, Ms Deuxberry said.

Assistant Judge Advocate General John Atwill said the soldiers narrowly escaped prison.

Judge Atwill said: 'We express no view as to why you were [driving]; you said you were showing each other around. It was a bad day at the races, whatever.

'The crashes that you had - had the cars not saved you - could have killed you.

'Driving badly is no good. Leaving the scene is no good. Lying to the police is really no good.

'It's an offence for which civilians can expect to go to prison.'

Judge Atwill said it was a 'chain of events that got out of hand' and that the pair were loyal to each other rather than doing the right thing and reporting it.

'You chose to drive your cars very badly.. That you then chose to lie is completely unacceptable.

'You wasted police time and it reflected very badly on you as soldiers and as non-commissioned officers.'

The pair have have been given ten-week prison sentences suspended for 12 months at Bulford Military Court, Wiltshire.
A father was knifed to death by a jealous and obsessed ex-girlfriend who then sent horrific images of his lifeless and mutilated body to his loved ones, his heartbroken family has claimed.

Reynaldo, 63, was found fatally knifed in the chest in his former girlfriend's apartment on Watson Avenue in Soundview, in the Sotomayor Houses complex on Sunday morning.

Police sources revealed to Daily News that the killer ex-partner has since been identified as Mirda Degracia, 52.

The day before Luna's body was discovered, he had reportedly visited Degracia's apartment because he owed her $6,000, according to the family.

Officers from the 43rd Precinct and Police Service Area 8 rushed to the Bronx apartment on June 23 after receiving a 911 call about a reported stabbing.

Reynaldo Luna, 63, was allegedly knifed to death by his jealous ex-girlfriend Mirda Degracia, 52, on Sunday morning at her Bronx apartment

The father had reportedly visited the Sotomayor Houses complex the day before his body was discovered as he owed his ex-girlfriend $6,000, according to Luna's family

Upon arriving at the scene, cops found the 63-year-old unconscious and unresponsive while lying face up on the couch in the living room of Degracia's apartment.

He was found to have been stabbed several times in the chest with a kitchen knife, which was recovered at the horrific scene.

Medics rushed Luna to Jacobi Medical Center, but it was too late and the father succumbed to his severe injuries.

Police sources also revealed that following the horror attack from the obsessed ex-girlfriend, Degracia had sent images of Luna's dead body to his brother-in-law in the Dominican Republic.

He then contacted Luna's family who tracked his iPhone to Degracia's apartment.

'That's when I saw he was in the hospital,' Luna's son, John Luna, told the Daily News.

'She took pictures of his body at different angles.'

A cousin of Luna's then rushed to the scene where police were already carrying out their investigations.

In chilling voicemails obtained by the news outlet, Degracia allegedly admitted to killing Luna and requested an ambulance and police officers to come to her home.

John claimed that although she admitted to her actions, it didn't sound like she had any remorse.

Luna and Degracia met in the Dominican Republic several decades ago, but rekindled their romance when Luna moved back to New York City from Florida.

The couple had lived together for a few years before splitting up in December.

John revealed that although the couple were troubled, 'they didn't fight.

She would have her complaints surrounding jealousy, like, 'I don't know why he goes out and come back so late.' I think she wanted him to invest more in their relationship, but he was set in his ways I guess,' he added.

Following the split, the family claim Degarcia became obsessed and unhinged and ultimately ended up stalking Luna.

John recalled the ex-girlfriend contacting the entire family and admitted he had to stop replying to her messages as she would 'always be complaining about my dad'.

'She said a lot, 'I was your dad's before your mom,' the son added.

Degracia allegedly could not let Luna go and her behavior spiraled - causing her to become more erratic and even threatening to kill her ex-boyfriend in his sleep.

Luna reportedly became frightened of her, his family said.

The victim's niece, Edely Brioso, also claimed the woman was obsessed with her uncle.

'There's a difference between love and obsession. She was obsessed,' she said.

According to the devastated family, an incident once occurred which saw Degracia taking Luna's passport, phone, and citizenship certificate so he would be forced to stay with her.

Brioso added that the woman would even become jealous of Luna's sisters if he was spending time with them over her.

Following the incident, cops have arrested Degracia and charged her with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon.

The family revealed they are still processing the horrific incident, and said that Luna had never contacted the police to report Degracia's behavior before his death.
Rishi Sunak today said he was 'not aware' of any more Tory candidates being investigated over alleged bets on the date of the general election.

A string of Conservatives have been revealed to be under investigation by the Gambling Commission amid claims about wagers placed on a July poll.

They include Tory chief data officer Nick Mason, director of campaigning Tony Lee, Mr Lee's wife and parliamentary candidate Laura Saunders, and Craig Williams - also an election candidate and a close aide to the Prime Minister.

One of Mr Sunak's police protection officers has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and is also subject to an investigation by the regulator.

Quizzed about the growing row while on the campaign trail in Edinburgh today, the PM said the Commission 'don't talk about the individuals that they are investigating'.

But he added: 'What I can tell you is I am not aware of any other candidate that they are looking at.'

Mr Sunak also confirmed the Conservative Party were carrying out their own probe into the alleged betting scandal.

And, asked if he had ever bet on politics while being an MP, the PM replied: 'No.'

Mr Sunak faced fresh questions over the row after a senior Tory admitted the party is set to suffer at the general election due to the scandal.

Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister, said there was 'no doubt' the row over alleged bets on the date of the election would cost the Tories seats.

Rishi Sunak today said he was 'not aware' of any more Tory candidates being investigated over alleged bets on the date of the general election

The PM also confirmed the Conservative Party were carrying out their own probe into the alleged betting scandal

The PM is under growing pressure over the betting row, with Mr Ellwood saying voters wanted to see 'clear robust action now'.

He also demanded politicians or party employees be banned from placing any political bets.

Speaking in Edinburgh this morning, Mr Sunak told journalists that the Tories were conducting their own parallel inquiry.

He said: 'The Gambling Commission is independent of Government  it's independent of me.

'I don't have the details of their investigation, right? They don't report to me, I don't have the details.

'But what I can tell you is, in parallel we've been conducting our own internal inquiries and of course will act on any relevant findings or information from that and pass it on to the Gambling Commission.'

A senior Tory has admitted the party are set to suffer at the general election due to the betting scandal that has engulfed Mr Sunak

Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister, said there was 'no doubt' the row over alleged bets on the date of the election would cost the Tories seats

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Ellwood joined those calling for Mr Sunak to withdraw support from Ms Saunders and Mr Williams as Tory election candidates.

He said: 'Given the scale of this as we see now, and the potential for this story to continue to eclipse, to overshadow the election, I would now agree.

'I'm not sure anyone including the prime minister could have predicted the number of people involved when this story first broke.

'The public want to see clear robust action now.'

He added: 'Let's prevent any current politician or party professional from placing any bets in the future.

'That would send a clear message to the public that this sad incident is being taken seriously and won't happen again.'

Mr Sunak said last week he was 'incredibly angry' to hear of the betting allegations and vowed to boot out Tory candidates if they are found to have broken rules.

But the PM has ignored calls to suspend the candidates while the investigation is ongoing, and also refused to say how many Tories are being probed.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has accused Mr Sunak of a 'total lack of leadership' and claimed he would have suspended those under investigation if they had been in his party.

Chris Heaton-Harris, the Northern Ireland Secretary, this morning accused Labour of trying to put 'undue influence' on the Gambling Commission.

He told Times Radio: 'It's not confirming or denying the identity of any individuals concerned and it's right that it has an investigation, it's an independent body.

'I actually think I saw that the leader of Labour's campaign Pat McFadden wrote to try and put some undue influence on the Gambling Commission over the weekend.

'I think that is actually pretty concerning in itself, Labour trying to lean on yet another independent body like it lent on the Speaker of the House of Commons not to have a vote on Gaza.

'And I think people are beginning to see what a Labour government would actually be like in the United Kingdom.'

Tory candidate Laura Saunders and her husband Tony Lee, the Conservatives' director of campaigning, are caught up in allegations about betting on the timing of the election

Craig Williams, also an election candidate and a close aide to the Prime Minister, is among those being probed by the Gambling Commission

The marginal seats where voting Conservative will help slash any Labour majority

In a round of TV and radio interviews, Mr Heaton-Harris suggested the Conservative Party does not know whether Mr Williams had insider knowledge when he placed his bet on the election or whether it was 'just a hunch'.

'There's both a principle point and a practical point there,' he told LBC, when pressed on why the Tory candidate has not had party backing withdrawn.

'It needs to be determined whether or not he had prior knowledge.

'He said he made a bet and that was a mistake. We don't know and I don't believe anybody does know, maybe the Gambling Commission do but we don't know whether he did that with prior knowledge or whether that was just a hunch or whatever.'

Asked how damaging the scandal was, he added: 'It's not great because we should be talking about how we're going to lower taxes and how we're going to lower immigration.'

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said the Conservative Party was hiding 'behind the Gambling Commission' and it was 'entirely reasonable' for Labour's national campaign co-ordinator to write to the watchdog.

He told Times Radio: 'The audacity of the Conservative Party to hide behind the Gambling Commission, to not answer straightforward questions of the Prime Minister about who knew what, who's implicated, who's under investigation, and what he's going to do about it.'

Mr Streeting added: 'I think people should greet with enormous suspicion, the fact that the Conservatives are trying to cover up in the middle of an election campaign, which of their candidates is under investigation for serious wrongdoing.'
Police have launched a probe after a four-year-old died at a home in Ceredigion, Wales.

An air ambulance was called to an incident at the property in the Tregaron area on Thursday, June 20 but paramedics were not able to save the child.

The force said that they are not treating the death as suspicious and it has been reported to the corner.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the police force shared their condolences to the child's loved ones.

An air ambulance was called to an incident at a property in Ceredigion, Wales on Thursday, June 20but tragically a little girl, 4, died

The statement read: 'Dyfed-Powys Police attended the death of a 4-year-old child at a property in the Tregaron area on Thursday, 20 June 2024.

'The death is not being treated as suspicious and H.M Coroner has been informed. Our thoughts are with the family who are receiving support and they have asked for privacy during this difficult time.'

This is a breaking story, more to follow.
Another tourist has died amid the blistering heatwave in Greece - the latest fatality as the country has been gripped by temperatures of 44C and blasted by wildfires.

The 67-year-old German was found dead on Crete, police said on Monday - the sixth tourist death since Mail columnist Dr Michael Mosley lost his life on another Aegean island earlier this month.

Like Dr Mosley, the man had set off alone on a hike in a canyon in the Sougia region on Sunday. After a few hours, he called his wife to report that he was not feeling well.

'A search and rescue operation started immediately and a special rescue unit with drones spotted the man's (body) in Trypiti canyon,' a police official said.

There has been a spate of deaths and disappearances of tourists during the unusual June heatwave, with many of the victims going missing while out on walks, highlighting the dangers of exposure to temperatures of 40C or more.

A local resident holds bottles of water next to a wildfire burning in the village of Latas, in southern Greece, June 21, 2024

People try to stay cool at the seaside in the coastal area of Arvanitia, of Nafplio, Peloponnese, Greece, 21 June 2024

Dr Michael Mosley died on the Greek island of Symi on June 5. His body was found on June 9

A frantic search is underway for the former LA Sheriff's Department Deputy Albert Calibet, who was last seen hiking on the small island of Amorgos

Rescue teams are continuing to search for two French women, aged 73 and 64, on the island of Sikinos.

A frantic search is also underway for 59-year-old retired LA cop Albert Calibet, who went missing last Tuesday while holidaying on the island of Amorgos.

A 55-year-old American was found dead on the Greek island of Mathraki in the Ionian Sea last week, and a Dutch tourist on the Aegean island of Samos earlier in the month.

The body of British TV presenter Dr Mosley was found on Symi on June 9 after a four-day search operation by aircraft, drones and boats. He had taken a walk alone in high temperatures before going missing.

It comes as huge wildfires have been raging across the country, which is facing a 'very high risk' of forest blazes due to the hot and dry conditions.

Greek firefighters said Monday that they remained on high alert, fearing sizzling temperatures and strong winds may rekindle dozens of brush fires sparked over the weekend, razing nearly 9,000 acres of lush forest land.

The warning comes as 13 crew members of a luxury superyacht face arraignment on Wednesday to testify in connection with arson-related charges after firing several rounds of fireworks over the popular holiday island of Hydra late Friday, causing a massive forest fire and razing the island's only pine forest.

If intent is established, according to judicial officials, then the accused  9 men and four women  may each face up to 20 years in prison and stiff fines of 200,000 euros.

Smoke billows over a wildfire near a villa on the island of Andros in a picture taken last week

A general view of a forest fire on the island of Hydra, Greece June 21, 2024

The 13, all Greeks, were charged on Sunday. They received a 48-hour extension to testify before a prosecutor at the port city of Pireaus on Wednesday. They remain in custody and the luxury 176-ft, triple deck, Persefoni I, has been confiscated by authorities.

Fire Brigade officials leading the investigation said the fire was sparked late Friday when the crew members fired unknown numbers of firecrackers to entertain their guests, purported to be from Kazakh nationals. Their whereabouts remained unknown.

The crew members' prosecution marks a litmus test for the centre-right government and stiff legislation it introduced earlier this year after 20 people were killed last summer in a rash of wildfires that gripped Greece  the worst in recent memory.

A terrifying wildfire has broken out on a Greek island after fireworks were launched from a yacht

A view of a yacht (R) whose crew members allegedly caused a forest fire with fireworks launched from the vessel on the island of Hydra, in a marina in southern Athens suburb, Greece June 23, 2024

More than 300 stremmas (74 acres) of lush pine forest on Hydra was razed by the fire which the superyacht crew sparked. as a response to what he called the crews 'reckless behaviour.'

Since then a total of 107 fires have raced through Greece, keeping several pockets of the country, including its capital of Athens, on 'Code 3' alert.

On Monday authorities said they had managed to contain all the blazes. But rising temperatures expected to ooze over 38 degrees beginning Tuesday will bring other regions into high risk zones, authorities said, including the island of Crete, a popular tourist destination among British sun-seekers.

Firefighters work to get a blaze under control in Greece as the country faces a 'very high risk' of forest fires

A view of an area damaged by a forest fire on the island of Hydra, Greece June 22, 2024

'We are calling for extreme vigilance,' said Vassilis Vathraoyiannis, a spokesman for Greece's Fire Services. 'Anything above level 3 means reinforcements are out and about, ready to intervene in any potential crisis.

'No fireman is allowed to take leave.'

Greece has been on high alert for wildfires since Tuesday, and authorities are bracing for a difficult summer as dry conditions, strong winds and high temperatures are set to continue through the coming month.

Tourists with an umbrella walk in front of the Parthenon at the ancient Acropolis in central Athens, Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Summer wildfires are common in Greece and authorities here have linked the rise in number to the intensity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, to climate change.

Arson, however, remains acute across the country with at least 79 people arrested last August over deadly wildfires.

The Mediterranean country recorded its first heatwave of the year last week, with temperatures rising above 44 degrees Celsius in some locations.

Last year, a fierce two-week heatwave was followed by devastating wildfires in which 20 people died.
Jeremy Hunt has deleted a social media post showing his wife Lucia voting.

The Chancellor, who is fighting to cling on in Godalming & Ash, removed the picture amid concerns it could have broken electoral law.

It showed Lucia casting a postal vote in the kitchen of their home, and was reportedly accompanied by the caption: 'Marriage safe got the wife's vote.'

However, Mr Hunt deleted the post hours later as X users pointed to guidance from the Electoral Commission.

Jeremy Hunt posted a picture showing wife Lucia casting a vote in the kitchen of their home, reportedly accompanied by the caption: 'Marriage safe got the wife's vote.'

Jeremy Hunt has deleted a social media post showing his wife Lucia voting (pictured together in 2019)

The watchdog said in a statement to the Telegraph: 'A postal voter may take a picture of their own postal ballot paper and publicise it (including via social media).

'However, while the postal voter themselves may publicise the information, if someone else persuades or induces them to make this information available, they may be committing an offence.

'Obtaining and sharing information of how someone has voted can also be an offence in certain circumstances. The law on secrecy requirements is enforced by the police rather than the Commission.'

A spokesman for Mr Hunt refused to comment, but it is understood CCHQ advised that the message was not illegal but would be safer to delete.

It is not the first time Mr Hunt has ended up in hot water over his spouse.

In 2018 he inadvertently referred to his wife, who is Chinese, as 'Japanese'.

And at the Autumn Statement in November he admitted he had been too busy to buy her a birthday card or present.

Mr Hunt is facing a tight race in Surrey, with some MRP polls suggesting that he will lose to the Lib Dems.

That would make him the first sitting Chancellor to fail to be reelected to the Commons.
Horrifying footage has emerged of the moment a gym user in Indonesia was thrown off a treadmill and plunged out of a third-floor window.

The video, from the busy facility in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, shows a row of treadmills being used on June 18, when the woman suddenly stumbles backwards.

The woman, who has only been identified with the initials FN and was reportedly 22 years old, attempts to grab on to the window frame but then disappears out of sight as she falls through.

Picture is believed to show the victim, who is 22 and has only been identified with the initials FN

The video shows a row of treadmills in the busy facility being used by gymgoers on Tuesday, June 18

Local media reports that the victim had gone to the gym with her boyfriend and younger sibling.

Her boyfriend had reportedly asked her to exercise with him on the second floor, but she wanted to work out on the treadmills on the third floor.

The woman had been exercising for just 30 minutes when she reportedly slowed to a walk, before the tragic fall took place, according to local media reports.

She was reportedly rushed to hospital with serious head injuries, but doctors were unable to save her life, according to local media reports.

An autopsy reportedly revealed that she had suffered extensive bruising and lacerations to her head.

The woman is seen stumbling backwards before plunging out of the window

Police said that the position of the treadmill in relation to the window was 'dangerous' - only 60 centimetres apart.

The low height of the wall beneath the window - just 30cm - also meant it it was easy for the woman to fall through.

Pontianak Police Criminal Investigation Unit conducted a crime scene investigation and a number of people were suspected of opening windows at the accident scene.

Meanwhile, K- Gym stopped operational activities for three days after the incident occurred.

The gym had warning stickers telling gymgoers not to open windows, but the sticker was reportedly damaged and writing obscured.

A personal trainer was also usually on hand to close the windows, Kompas.com reports, but they had been on break at the time of the accident.

Police continue to investigate the circumstances around the deadly fall.
One of Sarah Becker's former co-stars has shared a cryptic post about their 'traumatic experience' filming MTV's The Real World' as he mourns her death by suicide.

A family member confirmed Becker, 52, died early last week at her Illinois home after struggling with mental health problems in recent months, TMZ reported.

She appeared on the fifth season of MTV's The Real World in 1996 which she said she applied for as a joke.

Now her former co-star Dan Renzi has posted on Instagram suggesting they went through some 'traumatic experiences' while filming the show.

He said: 'Yes I know about the death of Sarah Becker, one of my roommates in 'The Real World'.

'Sarah and I had not spoken since the end of the show, so I don't know anything about her struggles.

'The seven of us in that cast went through a bizarre, intense and sometimes traumatic experience together, and that creates a connection between people, even when they choose to not associate with each other.

'I can only say it's very sad.'

Sarah Becker, pictured in a selfie, died last week at age 52 by suicide, TMZ reported

Becker's co-star Dan Renzi pictured on The Real World in 1996

Her former co-star Dan Renzi has posted on Instagram suggesting they went through some 'traumatic experiences' while filming the show

The cover image for Season 5 of The Real World Miami, which Becker applied to as joke

Prior to her death, Becker reportedly moved to Illinois to take care of her ailing mother and sister.

Her mental health issues were said to be compounded by the responsibility of caring for her family and a skateboarding accident.

Becker initially made a career for herself as a comic book editor before she applied to star in the 22-episode season of The Real World on MTV at the age of 25.

She was one of the oldest members of the cast but described herself as '19-year-old trapped in a 25-year-old body.'

Her official MTV bio also revealed that she graduated from the Indiana University and worked at WildStorm Comics in La Jolla, California.

'A tomboy, Sarah says she doesn't deal well with pettiness and wants to stay true to herself while on the show,' her bio read.

Becker revealed to the Chicago Tribune in 1997 that she didn't like the fame she got from the show, saying she sometimes wore a hood when going out.

Becker is pictured here riding a skateboard. She was an avid skateboarder all throughout her life

The show ran for 33 seasons up to 2016, making it one of the longest running reality shows in history.

Each season was set in a different city, with the narrative following a group young adults from different walks of life that are forced to become roommates for several months.

Becker's season was set in Miami as she roomed with seven other strangers in their early to mid twenties.

Her other co-stars, including Renzi, were Melissa Padron, Joe Patane, Cynthia Roberts, Flora Alekseyeun, and Mike Lambert.

Alekseyeun posted a tribute to Becker on her Instagram Sunday, calling her former roommate 'the most selfless person I knew.'

'She was always kind and helpful to everyone. I haven't spoken to her in years and never knew she was troubled,' Alekseyeun wrote.

'My prayers go out to her family. RIP my roomate, my friend. May you skate with angels and never feel pain again.'

After the show ended, Becker spoke to the Chicago Tribune about her experience being on TV.

'For me, 'The Real World' was a six-month long vacation,'' she said. 'I knew from the get-go that it couldn't be a stepping stone to bigger and better things.'

'I want my own magazine some day, and I don't think Sarah from 'The Real World' is going to have anything to do with that,' Becker said.

Becker also revealed that she didn't like the fame she got from the show, saying she sometimes wore a hood when going out.

Becker actually applied to be on The Real World as a joke and was shocked when she was accepted.

Despite having reservations initially, she decided to join the cast, adding her experience 'was a blast. And I learned that I'm pretty happy about who I am.'
Sir Ian McKellen has been photographed for the first time since he was injured in a fall from a West End stage a week ago.

The 85-year-old actor greeted a friend outside his home in London yesterday, wearing a wrist support and holding his glasses in his hand as he was given a card.

Sir Ian was playing John Falstaff in a production of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre last Monday when he lost his footing in a fight scene and fell from the stage.

After the incident, he was taken to hospital to receive treatment and the remainder of last Monday and Tuesday's performances were cancelled to allow him to rest.

He had been expected to return for Wednesday's matinee, but it was then revealed that the show would not return until Thursday with an understudy taking his place.

The production ended in London on Saturday with the understudy, but Sir Ian is expected to rejoin the cast when the play goes on tour - starting in Bristol on July 3.

Sir Ian McKellen greets a friend who the gives him a card outside his London home yesterday

The friend arrives at Sir Ian McKellen's home in London yesterday after his accident

Sir Ian McKellen is seen wearing a wrist support and holding his glasses in his hand yesterday

Sir Ian McKellen greets the friend who arrived outside his home in London yesterday

Veteran actor Sir Ian McKellen embraces the friend outside his home in London yesterday

A man walks past as Sir Ian McKellen greets a friend outside his home in London yesterday

Sir Ian announced last Thursday that he was having 'physiotherapy, light exercise and a lot of essential rest at home' after three nights in hospital.

The actor was in a scene involving the Prince of Wales and Henry Percy when he fell off the front of the stage, and was heard to cry out in pain as staff rushed to help.

In his statement last Thursday, Sir Ian said: 'After three nights in hospital, the effects of my fall onstage have been fully analysed and I'm now having physiotherapy, light exercise and a lot of essential rest at home.

'Meanwhile, my part in Player Kings is filled by the redoubtable David Semark supported by Robert Icke's amazing production and cast. The many messages of love and support will, I am sure, aid the speedy recovery that my doctors have promised me.'

Sir Ian McKellen hugs the friend outside his home in London yesterday after his accident

The friend outside Sir Ian McKellen's home in London yesterday following his accident

Sir Ian McKellen holds a card with 'Ian' on it as he wears a wrist support in London yesterday

Sir Ian McKellen looks out from his home in London yesterday, nearly a week after his accident

Sir Ian McKellen at his home in London yesterday after returning from hospital last week

A woman walks past as Sir Ian McKellen looks out from his home in London yesterday

Player Kings, a production of Henry IV, parts one and two, adapted and directed by Robert Icke, ended its run at the Noel Coward Theatre on Saturday.

The play will then move to the Bristol Hippodrome next month before being staged in Birmingham, Norwich and Newcastle.

A post on the Player Kings X account said last Thursday: 'David Semark will be playing the role of Sir John Falstaff for the final three scheduled performances of Player Kings at the Noel Coward Theatre in London while Ian McKellen recuperates following his fall on Monday 17 June.'

It added: 'We look forward to Ian returning to the production, which begins a national tour in Bristol on Wednesday 3 July, before visiting Birmingham , Norwich and Newcastle.'

Last Friday, audience member Johanna Dart described the dramatic moment Sir Ian McKellen 'flew head first' into her when he fell off stage, adding: 'Getting crushed by Gandalf the Grey, that's something you don't expect.'

Sir Ian McKellen at the press night performance of Player Kings at the Noel Coward on April 11

Sir Ian performs in a scene from Player Kings, which was on in the West End until Saturday

Ms Dart, who was in the front row, said Sir Ian seemed to trip on a stage prop before falling  with his head hitting her knee 'quite hard'.

The 30-year-old, from Leatherhead, Surrey, was later pictured sobbing in hospital where she said she was taken with soft tissue injuries after the incident.

Understudy David Semark, 52, is taking his place as Falstaff, Shakespeare's irreverent comic character. Semark said Sir Ian had called him to let him know he would be playing the role.

He said: 'The first person I heard it from was Sir Ian. We then had a discussion about the role... But I am holding a place open for Sir Ian. I walk in the shadow of greatness.'

Audience member Paul Critchley said last Monday that it was a 'shock' to witness the fall.

The Methodist minister from Downham Market, Norfolk recalled how Sir Ian seemed to trip as he moved downstage to take a more active part in the scene before falling off the stage directly in front of the audience.

Members of the audience gather outside the Noel Coward Theatre in London last Monday

Paramedics at the scene in London's West End last Monday following the shock fall

Sir Ian's career has spanned more than six decades and seen the actor perform at theatres around the country.

On screen he is best known for playing Magneto in the X-Men films and Gandalf in Peter Jackson's fantasy trilogy, based on the books from JRR Tolkien.

On the stage he has played a number of Shakespearean characters including Richard II, Macbeth, Coriolanus, and King Lear.

His many acting credits have led to a number of accolades over the years including several Olivier Awards.

A spokesman for the Noel Coward Theatre said: 'We are very sorry this rare accident occurred during a performance of Player Kings.

'We maintain the highest standards of safety and are conducting a thorough investigation with the producers.'
A mother and farmer's wife known as the 'Godmother' of a major cocaine racket will be forced to pay back 26,000 - if she is ever caught.

Lynne Leyson, 52, led a hidden double-life as a crime gang leader behind her front of being a normal farmer from a sleepy Welsh village.

But she fled before being jailed for nine years and, after spending almost a year on the run, her mugshot has been issued to all UK police forces along with a false name she may be using.

The notorious Leyson family were finally taken down last year and found to have used guns, knives and a pack of untrained Doberman dogs to threaten villagers suspicious of what was going on at their remote farm in Carmarthenshire, Wales.

Leyson's husband Stephen, 55, and his son Samson, 22, were jailed for a total of 17 years in July after the farm was raided by police.

Farmer's wife Lynne Leyson operated a hidden double life as the godmother of a family crime gang

15,615 of cannabis was seized by the police at Pibwr Farm, near Capel Dewi, Carmarthenshire

Police recovered a 9mm semi-automatic handgun which was found stashed at the farm

Stephen was jailed for 11 years, Samson for six and Lynne to nine years in her absence.

All three were found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs.

Most neighbours had thought she was a respectable country mother - but she was the godmother of family crime gang supplying multi-kilo quantities of cocaine and cannabis to dealers from the isolated smallholding.

Leyson vanished before she was due in court to face justice, was sentenced by a judge in her absence and has been on the run ever since.

The mother was described as a 'dominant force' who played a 'leading role' in the drugs enterprise.

The court heard officers targeted Pibwr Farm, near Capel Dewi, Carmarthenshire, in the early hours of October 27, 2021.

They recovered over 60,000 of cocaine, 15,615 of cannabis, a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and more than 17,000 in cash - which they claimed was from a 'house sale.'

The raid also led officers to two dealers living in Pembrokeshire who had been selling drugs for the family, one of whom went by the nickname Mr Pickles.

The family claimed that cash seized by police was from a 'house sale'

Lynne's husband Stephen Leyson was jailed for 11 years for his role in the cocaine ring

The couple's son Samson was jailed for six years in July after the farm was raided by police

It was previously revealed how one local family was 'visited' by one of the Leysons and told 'you will be killed' if you report us to the police again.

Other locals were warned their tyres would be slashed if they dared to call police, and an off-duty officer was even bitten by a Rottweiler.

In a Proceeds of Crime hearing, Ieuan Rees, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court both Stephen and Lynne Leyson benefited from their criminal lifestyle to the tune of 77,967.

Investigators have identified available assets in respect of Stephen in the sum of 33,147 and in respect of Lynne in the sum of 26,442.

Samson Leyson benefited from his involvement to the tune of 69,795 and investigators have identified assets - including a TAG Heuer Formula 1 watch - worth 9,550.

Judge Catherine Richards made confiscation orders in the available sums for the three Leysons, and gave them three months to pay or face additional jail time.

The judge said she was 'quite sure' Lynne Leyson would be arrested and brought before a court 'at some point'.

Swansea Crown Court heard husband and wife Stephen and Lynne Leyson denied any wrongdoing when they were questioned.

Lynne Leyson was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis, and possessing criminal property.

A bench warrant was issued after she previously failed to turn up to court for sentencing - and she is has now been jailed for nine years in her absence.

After the case, one neighbour said: 'We just couldn't believe it. They seemed like a normal farming family, well a bit rough around the edges like a lot of country people. Lynne seemed very normal really - not a cocaine dealer like she was. It is all very odd.'

A Crimestoppers appeal said: 'Arrest enquiries have been conducted at known addresses where Lynne is likely to frequent. These premises are across Carmarthen and parts of Swansea. To date these have been negative enquiries.

Enquiries to date have returned negative results. A request is being made for Lynne Leyson aka Annelyn Caldicot to be placed on Crimestoppers as a wanted person.

She is described as 5ft 4in with black hair, brown eyes, right handed, with a surgical scar on her left leg and a Welsh accent.

Anyone who sees her is asked to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Another 150 staff could be axed on Tuesday

The mass staff exodus at Channel Seven is set to continue, with dozens of redundancies set to be announced.

As many as 150 jobs across Seven West Media could be axed on Tuesday in the wake of a recent string of high-profile departures, according to a report.

It comes less than a week after veteran television reporter and fill-in presenter Robert Ovadia was sacked by the broadcaster, following an internal investigation.

It's understood that chief executive Jeff Howard will announce the cuts across the television and print divisions, as well as the sales and marketing teams, and printing staff.

Last week, Mr Howard told a parliamentary inquiry that the network would need to cut costs if the revenue from its commercial arrangement with Meta runs out later this year, TV Tonight reported.

150 jobs across Seven West Media could be axed on Tuesday in the wake of a recent string of high profile departures. Pictured are Morning Show hosts Larry Edmur and Kylie Gillies

More changes are on the way for Channel Seven in the wake of the Bruce Lehrmann revelations

Editor in Chief Anthony de Ceglie has already implemented various staffing changes and new appointments within Seven's News division.

The network announced a reshuffle in its news leadership team last Thursday, including a new director of news in Sydney, and new executive producers for Sunrise and Weekend Sunrise.

Sean Power will take on the role of director of news for Seven Sydney, replacing veteran news chief Neil Warren, who was at the network for 32 years.

Mr Power will leave his post as the executive producer of Sunrise, with current supervising producer Jake Lyle to take over the role.

Mr Lyle is a recent addition to Seven, having only been at the network for six months, previously working on Nine's Today show and with Ben Fordham at 2GB.

They're among the latest changes at Seven in the wake of the damning Bruce Lehrmann sex and drugs allegations that hit the network's flagship current affairs show Spotlight.

New executive producers were announced for Sunrise and Weekend Sunrise in the latest Seven shake-up announced last Thursday. Pictured is Sunrise co-hosts Nat Barr and Matt Shirvington

Sean Power (pictured) will take on the role of Director of News for Seven Sydney, replacing veteran news chief Neil Warren, who was at the network for 32 years

In April alone, the network lost director of news and current affairs Craig McPherson, managing director James Warburton, commercial director Bruce McWilliam, and Spotlight executive producer Mark Llewellyn.

In a statement, Mr De Ceglie paid tribute to Mr Warren: 'Neil is extremely well-regarded by all his peers at Seven and across the industry.'

'We're sad to see him go but wish him all the best, and we're grateful he will be sticking around for some time yet to ensure a smooth transition.'

Announcing the new director of news for Seven Sydney, Mr De Ceglie said Mr Power's time at Sunrise had been marked by incredible success and creativity.

'I can't wait to see what he will bring to the all-important 6pm news bulletin,' he said.

Senior Robert Ovadia was sacked by Channel Seven after 23 years with the network

Veteran TV news producer Richard Cunningham (right) will leave Seven after 36 years, where he worked with David Koch (left)

Of his new appointment, Mr Power said: 'The opportunity to lead the Seven News Sydney team in this next chapter is incredibly exciting.'

'We have the best journalists, producers, cameramen and editors in the country, in a new state-of-the-art studio and newsroom, and we will continue to put our audience first when telling the stories that matter most to Sydney.'

In other changes at Seven, Holly Fallon takes on the role of executive producer on Weekend Sunrise, while Chloe Flynn remains executive producer of The Morning Show.

Veteran TV news producer Richard Cunningham will leave Seven after 36 years.

Mr Cunningham joined the network following a 20 year career in the newspaper industry including working as a correspondent in New York and London.

Channel Seven's Director of News and Current Affairs and Editor-in-Chief, Seven West Media, Anthony De Ceglie (pictured right with former WA Premier Mark McGowan) has moved across the country for his new role
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Welcome to DailyMail.com's U.S. politics blog, with three days until the first presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Trump is demanding that Biden take a drug test before the debate, and is offering to undergo one himself.

Meanwhile, Karoline Leavitt, Trump's press secretary, appeared on CNN - which will host the debate - and was dramatically shut down by host Kasie Hunt.

And Biden's son Hunter is trying to get a trial re-do after his recent conviction for lying about his crack cocaine addiction when he bought a gun.

Follow live updates from our reporters in Washington D.C. and around the country.
A New Hampshire teacher has been fired after she secretly escorted a pregnant special needs student to an abortion clinic.

The female teacher, who has not been named to protect the identity of the student, admitted to her employer that she faked a sick day for the mission.

She told staff she had food poisoning but instead drove a student to the medical facility, according to court documents.

The teacher was listed as working for Regional Services and Education Center Inc, a nonprofit based in Amherst, according to the Boston Globe.

The institution serves grade five to 12 with special needs and disabilities across several schools in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, but it is unclear how old the student is.

A New Hampshire teacher has been fired after she was found out to have secretly escorted a pregnant special needs student to an abortion clinic. (Pictured: an entry to one of the schools served by the umbrella institution where the woman worked)

It comes after New Hampshire's Education Commissioner and Frank Edelblut aired the allegation in an opinion piece he penned in April called 'Thank God someone is looking out for the children'.

While slamming a litany of issues in the school system, he questioned 'should we turn a blind eye' when 'allegedly, an educator lies by calling in sick so they can take a student  without parental knowledge  to get an abortion?'

He also called out 'school counselors who encourage students to transition their gender without involving a parent' and a 'mentor teacher who is drinking on the job' while 'other educators turn a blind eye'.

Edelblut is a former GOP candidate for governor who last year expressed disappointment over the defeat of 'parental rights' legislation which would have led to greater transparency for parents into what goes on at schools.

State officials opened a probe into the teacher's alleged failure to separate the personal lives of the students from her role as their classroom educator.

Abortion is legal in New Hampshire for up to 23 weeks and six days into the pregnancy. There is no suggestion the abortion in this case was illegal.

It comes after New Hampshire's Education Commissioner and Frank Edelblut (pictured) aired the allegation in an opinion piece he penned in April called ' Thank God someone is looking out for the children '

Court documents say the teacher involved told investigators she helped the student to 'determine how far along they were' so they 'knew what options they'd have available'.

She found a 'safe' place for the procedure and talked it through with the student, before offering to accompany them because they 'didn't have anyone to support them'.

But when her employers found out, she was placed on administrative leave through the remainder of her employment contract, at which point her role will end.

Letters to the teacher from the State of New Hampshire Education Department show they accuse her of 'failing to properly supervise and abide by ethical standards regarding student boundary protocols with a student under your care'.

The school has been providing special education services for more than 40 years.

The female teacher, who has not been named to protect the identity of the student, admitted to her employer that she faked a sick day for the mission. (Pictured: one of the schools served by the umbrella institution where the woman worked)

It comes as abortions hit their highest level in 10 years despite bans on the procedure in more than a dozen states.

A report released in March 2024 by reproductive health firm Guttmacher Institute showed that there were 1 million abortions in the US in 2023, the equivalent of 16 per every 1,000 women.

That was up 10 percent from the 14.4 per 1,000 in 2020 and the highest since 2014, when the rate was 14.6 per 1,000.

The rise is largely being driven by medical abortions, which can be ordered from pharmacies online and soon-to-be in person, though they are illegal in over a dozen states that have banned abortion.
A crooked immigration judge who teamed up with lawyers to fleece the taxpayer out of 1.8 million in a legal aid fraud has been jailed for three years.

Rasib Ghaffar, 54, of Essex, was paid more than 140,000 to represent a client at Bournemouth Crown Court in a case involving Indian restaurants employing illegal immigrants when he was not even there.

The qualified barrister and part-time immigration judge denied but was convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation with six others including a fellow barrister, solicitors, clerk and costs draftsman.

His wife, solicitor Kareena Maciel, 52, was found unfit to stand trial due to 'medical problems.'

Solicitors Azhar Khan, 52, and Joseph Ameyaw-Kyeremeh, 73, along with legal clerk Gazi Khan, 52, falsely claimed 1,856,584 in costs relating to the 2011 trial.

Rasib Ghaffar, 54, of Essex, was paid more than 140,000 to represent a client at Bournemouth Crown Court when he was not even there

Ghaffar's wife, solicitor Kareena Maciel, was found unfit to stand trial due to medical problems

Azhar Khan and Gazi Khan also tried to claim nearly 9m in legal aid relating to two 2012 trials at the Old Bailey and Isleworth Crown Court.

Jailing Gazi Khan for five years last March Judge Philip Bartle, KC, said he was one of the ringleaders in the swindle.

Gazi alone was involved in three legal aid frauds which would have netted 12m if successful.

Ghaffar's conviction marks the end of a series of expensive trials at Southwark Crown Court dating back to before the pandemic in 2019.

The first trial had to be abandoned in its 10th week in March 2020 when the country went into total lockdown.

Ghaffar was convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud by a jury after 24 hours and three minutes of deliberations.

Judge Bartle earlier described the swindle as 'an absolutely outrageous, dishonest attempt to get money out of public funds, coupled with a combination of forged documents.'

Ghaffar was a barrister for 23 years until 2018, when he was charged, and had been an immigration tribunal judge from 2006.

The judge said: 'It is clear that you have a forceful personality. Through no fault of your own, you have been tried three times for this offence.

'You are now 54 and you came with your family to this country. You were the first person in your family to go to university.

Ghaffar raked in more than 140,000 when he did not even act as an advocate in the case at Bournemouth Crown Court

Joseph Ameyaw-Kyeremeh, 73, (pictured) along with legal clerk Gazi Khan, 52, falsely claimed 1,856,584 in costs relating to a 2011 Bournemouth Crown Court trial

'You began as a self-employed barrister in 1996 until you ceased to be a barrister in 2018.

'You have lost your good character, you have lost your reputation, you were of positive good character.

'You will not be able to rebuild your legal career, you have not been able to work in a legal sense and the effect on your livelihood has already been devastating.

'The actual or intended victim of the frauds was Her Majesty's court service.'

The shamed judge had protested his innocence in the dock and said: 'I've never been greedy in my life.

'I've never been taught greed, and I'll never be greedy until the day I die and I'm six foot under and I just want to make that very clear.'

Prosecutor Paul Sharkey said there were 'four fraudulent claims for payments of substantial amounts of public money following one set of criminal proceedings that took place at Bournemouth Crown Court.

'The fraudulent claims were, in part, successful. Of the total of over 1.8 million that was claimed, a sum of 470,000 was paid out.

'The claims related to the legal costs of four of the defendants in the proceedings.

'It was because the four defendants were acquitted that it was possible for them to apply for legal costs for defending themselves, and for those costs to be paid by the state.

'The defendant, Rasib Ghaffar is a barrister and was said to have acted as the advocate for one of the defendants in that case.

'He received sums totalling over 140,000 from solicitors instructed to represent two of the four defendants.

'The prosecution say that a lot of the work claimed for had not been done at all. It had not been done, and the costs had not been incurred.'

The prosecutor said the reason Ghaffar and six others 'hit upon the plan to submit false claims was that, as people who were familiar with the criminal justice system, with the conduct of criminal trials, and they knew that the 'deal' meant four of the defendants in the Bournemouth case would be acquitted.

'That meant that if they could be put forward as genuine private clients, that would create the opportunity to submit false and fraudulent claims to the NTT (National Taxing Team) seeking payment for work done on a private basis that was not actually done at all, or certainly not to the extent stated on the claims.'

Gazi Khan was described in court as one of the ringleaders and jailed for five years

Mr Sharkey said the case at Bournemouth Crown Court in 2011 concerned four brothers, a partnership and a company.

He said: 'All six were prosecuted in connection with employing staff at two restaurants who, it was said, were unlawfully present in the UK in breach of this country's immigration laws.

'A deal was done between the prosecution and the defence. The deal was that two of the Miah brothers would plead guilty, and the case against the other four defendants (the remaining two brothers, and the company and the partnership) would be dropped, and that is what happened.

'At the end of the case the Crown Court was informed that these four defendants were privately paying clients and weren't funded by any legal aid, and the crown court was asked to grant a DCO [defendant's cost order] in favour of each.

'The DCO entitled their solicitors to submit claims that the four should be compensated for the legal costs they had incurred.

'It is the prosecution case that in respect of the four separate (but also connected) claims, false representations were made as to the work said to have been done.

'It is doubtful that these four defendants were private clients at all, in the sense that there is no evidence that either the two brothers, the partnership or the company had paid - or agreed to pay - for their own legal costs.

'Indeed the two brothers who were acquitted had in fact been granted legal aid, so the state paying for their legal representation, but requests were made to have their legal aid orders withdrawn on the basis that they were going to be paying private funds.'

Mr Sharkey said Ghaffar submitted a 184,000 claim for 350 hours work for one of the defendants in the case when there was 'no evidence he actually appeared in court as an advocate for any of the defendants, still less the one he claimed to have been the advocate for.'

He continued: 'A fee note in his name was submitted for 184,000, for which he claimed to have carried out 350 hours of work.

'Yet the firm who had instructed him and to whom his fee note was addressed had (according to the correspondence) only come into the case seven days before it ended.

'As with others involved the work he claimed to have carried out was backdated to a time he had not represented the client.

'He received payments to a total of over 140,000 from one of the firms involved in the case out of public funds they had received from representing one of the private defendants.'

Ghaffar, of South Woodford, east London, denied one count of conspiracy to defraud by false representation to HMCTS between 11 September 2011 and 3 October 2012.

Crooked solicitor Ameyaw-Kyeremeh was handed a two-year sentence suspended for two years back in December 2021 after he was convicted of making claims worth over 1m, through his firm 'Joseph & Co'.

Azhar Khan, the principal partner in City Law Solicitors Ltd, was sentenced to two years, suspended for two years, in 2023.

Malcolm McHaffie of the CPS said: 'These convicted defendants defrauded the Legal Aid Agency for their own purposes. They fraudulently took advantage of a statutory scheme which was designed to help acquitted defendants with their genuinely incurred legal costs.

'The Metropolitan Police and the CPS worked closely together to bring these corrupt legal professionals to justice and are now facing the consequences of their wrongdoing.

'The CPS will now commence confiscation proceedings in order to reclaim the defendants' proceeds derived from the fraud.'
Brits have been warned they could be hammered with tax rises after 4 July whoever wins the general election.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies hit out at a 'conspiracy of silence' among the UK's political parties over the need for tax hikes, spending cuts, or increased borrowing.

The think tank said soaring debt interest payments, a growth in welfare spending, and sluggish economic growth were part of a 'toxic mix' for the public finances.

IFS director Paul Johnson claimed the choice between tax rises, cuts or larger debt was a 'trilemma' facing whichever party wins power in 10 days' time.

He said the Labour and Tory manifestos offered no clue as to the choice party leaders Rishi Sunak or Sir Keir Starmer might make.

Mr Johnson also attacked Reform UK and the Green Party for helping to 'poison the political debate' with 'wholly unattainable' tax and spending plans.

IFS director Paul Johnson claimed a choice between tax rises, cuts or larger debt was a 'trilemma' facing whichever party wins power in 10 days' time

Sir Keir Starmer takes a 'selfie' with a Labour supporter during a campaign visit today to Northampton Town FC

Rishi Sunak travelled to Edinburgh today to help launch the Scottish Conservatives' manifesto alongside Douglas Ross

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Speaking at a manifesto analysis briefing in Westminster this morning, Mr Johnson said taxes are at the 'highest level ever' in the UK yet public services are struggling.

'Despite the high tax levels, spending on many public services will, on current plans, likely need to be cut over the next five years unless taxes are raised further or government debt raises ever upwards,' he added.

On how such a situation has emerged, Mr Johnson said: 'The answer is in large part a 50billion increase in debt interest spending relative to forecasts, and a pretty big growth in the welfare budget over the last few years.

'We've also got rising health spending, a defence budget which for the first time in decades is going to grow not shrink, and the reality of demographic change and the need to transition to net zero.

'Add in low growth and the after-effects of the pandemic and the energy price crisis and you've got a pretty toxic mix for the public finances.

'The two manifestos of the main parties essentially ignore these big challenges, these big facts mean that huge decisions over the size and shape of the state will need to be taken, that those decisions will, in all likelihood, mean higher taxes or worse public services.'

Mr Johnson said primary surpluses would be needed to stop debt spiralling upwards, explaining: 'That means the government needs to collect more in tax and other revenues than it spends on everything apart from that debt interest bill.

'That's not necessarily a recipe for a happy electorate. We're taking more away than you're giving back.'

The Institute for Fiscal Studies hit out at a 'conspiracy of silence' among the UK's political parties over the need for tax hikes, spending cuts, or increased borrowing

The think tank said soaring debt interest payments, a growth in welfare spending, and sluggish economic growth were part of a 'toxic mix' for the public finances

Mr Johnson said both Labour and the Conservatives are committed to ensuring that debt is falling in five years time, adding it 'really constrains' them.

He said: 'Taking it seriously, and as far as one can tell both manifestos do take it seriously, will mean the painful choices we're outlining, none of that are faced up to.

'Current plans in the budget are for big cuts in investment spending  18 billion a year or so by 2030.'

Mr Johnson went on: 'We've called this a conspiracy of silence and that has been essentially maintained.

'Regardless of who takes office following the general election, they will  they might get lucky, but unless they get lucky  soon face a stark choice: raise taxes by more than they have told us in their manifesto or implement cuts to some areas of spending or break their fiscal rules and allow debt to rise for longer.

'That is the trilemma. What will they choose? I don't know, the manifestos do not give us a clue.'

Mr Johnson said proposals by Labour and the Tories not to increase specific taxes or tax rates  known as tax locks  are a 'mistake'.

He said: 'They will constrain policy if a future government does decide it wants to raise more money to fund public services. They will also put constraints on tax reform.'

Turning to other parties, Mr Johnson said Reform UK and the Greens offer 'much bigger number, very exciting radical policies'.

He said: 'Of course they're not going to be implemented because they're not going to form the government.

'But I would suggest the way they suggest that their radical reforms can realistically make a positive difference, when in fact what they propose is wholly unattainable, does help to poison the political debate.

'It makes the other parties look feeble when you say "we could do all this stuff". They can't.'
Lukas McClish's family have said they are 'thankful, blessed and relieved' after he survived 10 days lost in remote California mountains by drinking water from his boot and eating berries.

The shirtless hiker, 34, had set out on a three-hour walk through the Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek on June 11 after he visited a friend who told him there were rare granite outcroppings in the area.

Lukas did not tell anyone where he was going and had only brought a few supplies because he only planned to be out for the afternoon.

Speaking out on the ordeal after Lukas was rescued on June 20, his mother, Diane, told 5 KALB that some nights she 'just had to trust God that he was going to be okay' which was often difficult as she worried about where her son was sleeping and how cold it was.

The hiker drank water from a creek out of his walking boot, ate wild berries, and slept on a wet bed of leaves as he desperately yelled for help.

Hiker Lukas McClish's family said they are 'thankful, blessed, and relieved' following his rescue after he went missing in remote California mountains for 10 days and nine nights

His parents (pictured) grew worried when he did not show up for Fathers' Day and filed a missing persons report. This was already 5 days after he had vanished. He was found another five days later

The moment that Mr McClish was reunited him with his family on June 20 after disappearing on June 11

Lukas is hugged by his mother and sister after he was heard calling for help

Finally, after a 10-day wait, someone heard his cries and called the emergency services, allowing Lukas to finally be reunited with his family.

'I met a lot of people I had a lot of people tell me how much they love my son and how they just hoped we would find him,' his mother said.

'I didnt realise that so many people in this town loved him,' she added.

Also speaking to ABC 7 Chicago, following Lukas' return home, the family said they are feeling grateful for all the help they received throughout the ordeal.

'We're so thankful and blessed,' his mom said, while resting a hand on her son's shoulder.

The family revealed added that due to Lukas' recent 10-day horror, they would not be hitting the trails again anytime soon.

'I did enough hiking for probably the rest of the year,' Lukas chimed in.

On June 11, Lukas left his home with a pair of pants, his hiking shoes, and a hat, he told KGO-TV.

'I had a flashlight and a pair of folding scissors, like a Leatherman tool - and that was about it.'

Lukas, an experienced hiker who does landscaping in forests razed by wildfires, said he was 'astounded' that he got lost - and so quickly.

But the alarm was only raised by his parents when he failed to turn up for lunch on Father's Day on June 16 - five days after he set off.

The 34-year-old was rescued from the Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder Creek, California

The moment McClish emerged from the Santa Cruz Mountains having survived by drinking water from his boot

Lukas said he initially considered the predicament a chance to test his survival skills. He said he spent five days fantasising about eating burritos or taco bowls

A three-hour hike in the Big Basin Redwoods State Park looking for a granite outcrop led to ten days lost and a near death experience

'I just made sure I drank a gallon of water every day, but then after, getting close to the end of it, my body needed food and some kind of sustenance,' he said.

At one point a mountain lion began following him and things got worse on day eight when he came down with hypothermia and slipped while going over a rock face.

So decided to shout: 'Help, help, I'm over here' for around 48 hours before several of the 300 rangers searching for him heard him.

A drone was sent up and he was quickly found with the help of a sniffer dog. And remarkably he only needed one night in hospital before he could return home to his family, who had been waiting for him at the forest's edge when he was rescued.

The area in which he was hiking had been razed in the CZU Lightning Complex fire of 2020 and 'looks completely different from all of the other terrain,' he explained.

'That's one thing I didn't take into consideration - when the fire comes through like that and decimates it, it turns into the desert and you're unable to find your bearings.'

The typical markers to indicate direction, such as deer trails or hiking paths, were gone.

But at first, Lukas considered his predicament a chance to test his survival skills, according to the New York Times.

'I'm an avid backpacker, so for me to go out for a night or two is not out of the norm,' he told the Times.

On that first cold night, though, Lukas tried to build himself a camp - but the brush he used to start a fire was wet.

Lukas says that he hasn't given up on hiking - but may not go again in 2024

The Big Basin Redwoods State Park was hit by a wildfire in August that burned roughly 97 percent of the parks 18,224 acres

He then hiked across a canyon for better shelter, and the next day set out to find a stream he thought would be nearby.

'So I just kind of hiked,' Lukas told WDBJ. 'Each day I go up a canyon, down a canyon, to the next waterfall, drank water out of my boot.'

'I felt comfortable every time I was out there,' he said. 'I wasn't worried about it.'

'I had a mountain lion that was following me, but it was cool,' Lukas added. 'It kept its distance.

'I think it was just somebody watching over me.'

But by day five, Lukas started to grow concerned - and tried to find a way back to civilization.

'I knew if I kept following the sun, I'd get to the ocean eventually, but I didn't know how far from the ocean I was,' he said.

Meanwhile, his family began to worry when he did not show up for Father's Day, and filed a missing person's report.

That sparked a massive manhunt, involving nearly 300 people and emergency personnel from several agencies.

The missing persons report sparked a massive, nearly 300-person manhunt for the missing hiker

McClish was finally found when park rangers heard his cries for help

The Boulder Creek Fire Department deployed a drone and spotted him, while a dog tracked him down

As search efforts continued, Lukas started shouting for help as he experienced hypothermia and slipped while going over a rock face.

'Help, help, I'm over here,' he remembers screaming over and over during days eight and nine, along with 'Is anybody out there?'

At the same time, Lukas said he kept dreaming about his next meal as he was forced to survive on wild berries.

'I wanted a burrito or a taco bowl,' he said. 'That's what I thought about every day when I, after the first five days, when I started to kind of realize that I might be in over my head.'

Finally, at around 7.30pm on Thursday, two park rangers were making their way up a hill and heard Lukas' screams.

'I'm thinking, I hope this isn't a mirage,' Lukas recounted.

But the Boulder Creek Fire Department soon deployed a drone and spotted him, while a dog tracked him down.

He was then escorted out of the wilderness by police, and was reunited with his anxious family.
Princess Anne is recovering in hospital after she was kicked or headbutted by a horse while out walking on her Gatcombe Park country estate.

The 'hardest working' royal, 73, suffered minor injuries following incident at her home in Gloucestershire and is being treated for a concussion.

At the time of accident, the Princess Royal was on the estate with her two children Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall, as well as her doting husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

As she was rushed to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for tests, Sir Tim accompanied her and will unsurprisingly remain by the Princess Royal's bedside as she recovers.

Sir Tim has been Anne's rock for decades, supporting her during the most difficult of times - including the loss of her mother Queen Elizabeth in September 2022.

Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence remained at Princess Anne's side as she was rushed to hospital with a concussion. Pictured: The couple at Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022

Tim Laurence and Princess Anne seen in their car after their wedding ceremony in December 1992

Sir Tim has been Anne's rock for decades, supporting her during the most difficult of times and numerous family crises. Pictured: Princess Anne and Sir Tim at Buckingham Palace in May

Sir Tim's unwavering support has not gone unnoticed, with Anne's son praising him during a documentary marking the Princess' 70th birthday. Pictured: The couple together earlier this month

Princess Anne and Sir Tim with their dog on their first wedding anniversary in 1993

He stoically walked behind the Princess, who is often dubbed the 'hardest working royal', as they walked behind the late Queen's hearse.

At each poignant moment of the monarch's procession and funeral, wherever Princess Anne was spotted, her husband was no more than a few steps behind.

Sir Tim's unwavering support has not gone unnoticed, with Anne's son praising him during a documentary marking the Princess' 70th birthday.

'They both have an understanding of what being a part of the wider family means and what is required,' Peter told the programme, as he discussed the 'strong support' his step-father gives his mother.

Yet while the couple who have been married for 32 years share a number of hobbies - such as their love of rugby - Sir Tim is not a fan of horses, unlike his wife who was an Olympic horsewoman.

'She grew up with horses, horses have been part of her life, it's not something I share with her. Sadly I've never been bitten by the horse bug,' he said.

Sir Tim's unwavering support has not gone unnoticed, with Anne's son praising him during a documentary marking the Princess' 70th birthday. Pictured: Sir Tim and Princess Anne at Ladies Day in Ascot

Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence walked behind Princess Anne as she and her brothers accompanied a hearse carrying the Queen's coffin in September 2022

The low-key wedding had just 30 guests in attendance, including her parents the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip (pictured)

The pair married in 1992 after Princess Anne divorced from her equestrian husband and father of her children Mark Phillips.

Their nuptials came six years after Sir Tim started working as an equerry for the Queen working as the senior member of the British Armed Forces appointed to assist the royal family.

He had a close relationship with the late queen which led him to later being invited to join the Royal Family on the Buckingham Palace balcony despite not being a working royal.

In a sign of the affection in which he is held, Sir Tim had a place by Anne's side on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year.

That was despite the fact that other non-working royals, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, were excluded.

Princess Anne was left with minor injuries to the head following the incident at the weekend.

Her medical team are understood to believe these are consistent with a potential impact from a horse's head or legs.

But due to the concussion sustained by the Princess, precise details of the accident are unable to be ascertained at the moment, MailOnline understands.
A chance encounter on a cruise led a British woman to pack up her life and move across the world, all because an Australian mum helped her escape an allegedly abusive partner.

Stacy Jane had been travelling with her ex-partner on a New Zealand cruise in 2019 when she came across the woman she now lovingly calls 'Maussie' - her Aussie mum.

The pair bonded instantly.

'My life changed when I met Maussie and her family,' Stacy Jane told Channel Nine's A Current Affair on Monday night.

She alleged she was in an abusive relationship at the time, and told the program she was attacked on the last night of the cruise.

A chance meeting on a cruise changed 'Maussie' (left) and Stacy Jane's (right) lives forever five years ago

'I went back to the cabin, and he opened the door and just reached for me and dragged me in,' Stacy Jane recalled.

She fled the room and screamed for help. Without access to her phone or passport she didn't know what to do.

Maussie said her family was told immediately what had occurred and sought out Stacy Jane with security.

'She was bruised, battered, dishevelled, torn evening gown, absolute mess, tremulous with fright and fear,' Maussie explained.

'Stacy still had another week in Sydney ... we just all said, "we're taking you home".'

The first words Maussie told Stacy Jane was that the moment would be the start of her 'new life'.

Maussie said her first instinct was to protect Stacy Jane because she was a mother.

Stacy Jane stayed with the loving Aussie family for a week before returning to the UK and living in a refuge, remaining in contact with her new friends Down Under.

'I said, "sweetheart, come home" ... I could hear the distress and the upset,' Maussie said.

Stacy Jane made the permanent move to Australia with the help of the people she now calls family.

Five years on, Stacy Jane (left) regards 'Maussie' (right) as her Aussie mum

She soon found that sewing helped her keep her mind off things and turned to making tote bags, which helped with her mental health.

Those tote bags are now helping other domestic violence victims escape violent homes.

Today, Stacy Jane runs the company Escabags, which are stocked with essentials such as a SIM card, wet wipes and toiletries.

The free bags can be found across the country in 1,600 locations including police stations, health and community centres and privately owned businesses.

Some are also stocked in coffee shops and pubs.

Stacy Jane said none of this would be happening without the help from Maussie and her family.

'They took a chance on me and the ripple effect of that has been incredible,' she said.

For confidential support 24/7, contact 1800 RESPECT.
Nigel Farage branded the Channel migrant crisis an 'invasion' today as he slammed Tory control of the UK's borders.

The Reform UK leader warned of an influx of young men as he addressed supporters at a rally in Kent this afternoon.

He claimed that the majority of those crossing the channel in small boats were coming from countries suffering from 'terrorism ... gang culture and war zones'.

His remarks echo those made last year by former Tory home secretary Suella Braverman, who has since called for closer links between the two parties.

It is not the first time he has referred to an 'invasion', having been criticised by charities in 2020 for similar remarks.

The Reform UK leader warned of an influx of young men as he addressed supporters at a rally in Kent this afternoon.

He claimed that the majority of those crossing the channel in small boats were coming from countries suffering from 'terrorism ... gang culture and war zones'.

Bit early lads! Reform UK supporters get the lunchtime beers in ahead of Nigel Farage's speech from the top of a bus in the grounds of a hotel.

After highlighting small boat crossings across the Channel, he said: 'Remember I went out four years ago, again and again, into the Channel to highlight what was going on, to say you might as well put a sign on the white cliffs of Dover saying 'everyone welcome'.'

He added: 'I warned that huge numbers would come, I even said there might be an invasion, which is of course the rudest word you could possibly use in BBC land, but now 4,000 boats and 128,000 people later, it does look like it's been an invasion to me - and it's mostly young men.'

Mr Farage also shared his fear that the world is at its most dangerous position for more than 60 years.

In a Kent speech, the Reform UK leader said: 'There has been virtually no debate on defence whatsoever other than a ludicrous 'we're going to bring back national service' which would only apply to 30,000 young people who would join the military for a year.

'There's been precious little debate on defence, precious little debate about the state of our armed forces, precious little debate about how little we still do in this country for our veterans, and precious, precious almost no debate on foreign policy.'

Mr Farage added: 'I have no doubt that the world is in a more dangerous place right now than it's been at any point since the Cuban missile crisis over 60 years ago.

'A couple of years back, we would have thought war on a global scale was inconceivable but we now all, don't we, harbour that doubt and that worry at the back of our minds.'

Mr Farage also said: 'We need 30,000 at least young men and women to join the army, get trained and stay as full-time soldiers.'
The return of free movement could be the price for Labour's proposed Brexit negotiation, Michel Barnier has warned.

The bloc's former chief negotiator has delivered a stark message to Keir Starmer that he will not be allowed to 'cherry pick' the benefits of membership.

The Labour leader has been talking up a drive to improve trading links with the EU if - as polls suggest - he wins the election on July 4.

He has stressed that the UK would not rejoin the EU, the single market or customs union - despite pressure from senior figures such as London Mayor Sadiq Khan - but argued he can still 'get a better deal'.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has suggested Labour wants closer alignment in areas like chemicals and financial services.

The return of free movement could be the price for Labour 's proposed Brexit negotiation, Michel Barnier (pictured) has warned

The bloc's former chief negotiator has delivered a stark message to Keir Starmer (pictured) that he will not be allowed to 'cherry pick' the benefits of membership

In an interview with the Telegraph to mark the eighth anniversary of the Brexit referendum yesterday, Mr Barnier said the bloc would welcome fresh talks.

But he cautioned that the core rules of the single market - such as free movement - would not be up for grabs.

'It is one thing to say that we can revisit the relationship between the UK and the EU, and in the same spirit we can improve the relationship,' he said,

'But it is another thing to say we can open the single market. Any UK government knows the rules of the single market, you cannot be in and out at the same time.'

Mr Barnier was the EU's chief negotiator between 2016 and 2021, overseeing the torrid talks with the UK over the relationship.

He repeated one of his catchphrases from the period as he addressed Labour's hopes of an overhaul.

'If you speak about the chemical sector, you are speaking about a kind of cherry-picking. No way,' he said.

Mr Barnier suggested there was more scope in other areas such as 'defence, foreign policy, cooperation in Africa'.

'There are a lot of sectors where we can complete trade agreements and open new negotiations between the UK and EU,' he said.

'The main ones are obviously linked to the current situation in Ukraine and Europe with the war, the risk of terrorism, the stability all around us, I think we must, it is in our common interest to open a new negotiation.'

He also endorsed efforts to reduce checks on British food exports.

'I think there is a room for positive manoeuvre to complete a trade agreement with a specific veterinary agreement to facilitate the flows and exchanges in the sector of animals and vegetables,' the French politician said.

But he flagged that the question of access to fishing waters is set to loom again for the next government.

'Don't forget, we have put in the (Brexit trade) treaty the parallel negotiation of the agreement for the UK to access the electricity market of the EU in 2026,' he said.

'We have clearly put these two points in parallel. This point has been clear from day one. I recommend both sides to be reasonable at the beginning of this negotiation.'
A woman grabbing a meal at one of her favorite restaurants in Midland, Texas was shocked to find a disturbing surprise that came with her food.

Kimberly Rios, a former waitress, went viral after she posted a video on TikTok of her reaction to the disgusting discovery.

At first, the unwelcome ingredient could barely be seen as Rios, her friend and a small child are seen staring at their menus.

'All my years going to Texas Roadhouse in Midland, Texas, never have I been so disappointed,' Rios wrote in the video description.

Nearly one minute into the April 9 video, a crawling cockroach that made Rios disappointed with Texas Roadhouse suddenly comes into view.

Kimberly Rios, a former waitress, went viral after she posted a video on TikTok of her and her friend reacting to a cockroach on their table

@kimberlyrios1913 All my years going to Texas Roadhouse in Midland Tx, never have I been so disappointed     original sound - Kimberly Rios

Rios and her restaurant guests appeared to be enjoying the meal before one of them spotted the roach.

However, they all stopped eating and began searching for the insect after one of the guests found the cockroach while eating.

The unidentified female restaurant guest claimed that the cockroach 'went into the menu.'

'It's inside the menu, I'm telling you,' the other female guest told Rios.

Rios then moved the table's menu holder before the other woman spotted the cockroach moving.

The TikToker then gave her phone to her female companion, who got footage of the small cockroach crawling quickly on the edge of the table.

She then handed the phone back to Rios, who moved the food and hinted that she would take action regarding the cockroach situation.

Following the rise in the video's popularity, Rios confirmed in the comment section that she killed the cockroach after she stopped the video, and even though she 'could have acted foolish,' she chose not to.

'What were we supposed to do? Scream monster with the baby, and act Ghetto like some would? I'm not,' Rios wrote in the comment section on April 13.

We take the cleanliness of our restaurants very seriously and make it a top priority at every location, and our Midland, TX, is no different. In fact, this location has a long history of exemplary health scores.' a representative from Texas Roadhouse wrote in an email to Daily Mail.

Rios and her restaurant guests appeared to be enjoying a meal before one of them spotted the cockroach at their table

The other female guest claimed that the cockroach 'went into the menu'

The representative also confirmed that the local health department went to the restaurant twice after the video was posted and they found 'zero evidence' of pests.

'At the time of the incident, we wish the guests would have brought this to someones attention, so we could have addressed this personally,' read the statement.

'In fact, our Server noticed the guest filming at the table, and asked if there was an issue and the guest said no.'

Rios' video is one of multiple TikToks that users have posted on the social media platform over the last two years.

Rashida Hameed posted a TikTok video in November 2023 of her birthday dinner at Texas Roadhouse in El Cajon, California, being ruined by a cockroach.

The cockroach was not as big as the one in Rios' video, but it was quick to crawl across the table.

Hameed and the other restaurant guests she sat with began to panic and one of shushed someone in the background.

One of the other restaurant guests claimed they would get the manager, but according to Hameed, the worker told them that someone from pest control came to the restaurant two days before the birthday dinner.

'I really feel sick now. I cant stand it after tonight. This is truly unbelievable,' Hameed wrote in the video's comment section.

A Texas Roadhouse representative claimed that the local Health Department visited the restaurant twice after the video was posted in April and found 'zero evidence' of pests

Cockroaches are considered a health code violation and it can determine the grade a restaurant receives from officials during inspections.

According to Ecolab, cockroaches can cause a restaurant to be shut down by health inspectors and spread diseases such as E. coli, salmonella, or dysentery.

Cockroaches are nocturnal insects that usually prefer to live and breed together in dark places near food and moisture.

The insects venture out of hiding when hungry and can move across floors and garbage and even crawl across furniture used for food-prep and its equipment.
A Texas nurse has claimed doctors are the nation's largest children's hospital are using shocking practices to push gender transitions on kids.

Vanessa Sivadge, 31, has claimed she was threatened by the FBI after she revealed progressive doctors at Texas Children's Hospital are violating state law by using Medicaid benefits to provide sex change treatments to minors.

In an interview with the New York Post, Sivadge said the doctors at the clinic often told parents their kids could kill themselves if they did not transition.

'These doctors are driven by a political agenda, like an ideological agenda,' she said, 'and I truly believe that they think that they're doing the right thing.'

Sivadge added: 'Parents were manipulated by doctors with an ideological agenda to go down this path of medical transition for their child...

Vanessa Sivadge, 31, has claimed she was threatened by the FBI after she revealed that progressive doctors at Texas Children's Hospital are violating state law by using Medicaid benefits to provide sex change operations to minors

'And I do think that doctors would use manipulative language to suggest that if they didn't do this their child would commit suicide or they would harm themselves.'

Sivadge believes doctors at the hospital miscategorize gender-affirming treatments in order to get around Texas' ban on Medicaid covering hormone treatments.

She said she saw doctors misdiagnosing patients with hormone deficiencies in order to get Medicaid coverage for puberty blockers and hormones.

Sivadge claims she has seen doctors 'manipulating' parents into agreeing to gender transitions for their children before informing them of long term side effects such as infertility.

She also said many patients had underlying issues such as autism and depression that were dismissed by doctors.

Vanessa Sivadge, a nurse who alleged Texas Children's Hospital was providing free sex change operations for minors, claimed FBI agents showed up at her door after she blew the whistle

Sivadge said the doctors at the clinic often told parents their kids could kill themselves if they did not go down the path of medical gender transition

'The doctor would do things based on what the patient wanted, and not what was medically best for them,' she said.

'There was just no discussion of what are the risks, what are the long term effects...

'Many of [the patients] had previous ER visits for attempted suicide, many of them are autistic, many of them are depressed and anxious, and that's really devastating because it's really clear there's something else going on in addition to having confusion about their sexual identity.'

Sivadge came forward in May of 2023 with her claims against the Texas Children's Hospital - following Dr Eithan Haim, a surgeon who leaked documents showing the hospital was continuing gender-affirming care against the law.

Texas Children's Hospital said it would stop gender-affirming care procedures after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton ruled in February 2022 that stated gender-affirming care for kids could be a form of child abuse under state law.

The nurse claims the FBI showed up at her door months after she spoke up in an interview with Christopher Rufo. She shared doorbell camera footage that showed two plain-clothes agents knocking on the door and asking for her.

As she approached the men, one of the agents began asking her about her work.

'I'm sure you're aware of some of the things that have been going on at your work lately,' he says in the video, which Rufo shared to X.

When she replies that she is, the agent then asks if he could come inside to 'let me do my song and dance.'

From there, Sivadge claims the agents began to threaten her.

'They threatened me,' she told Rufo. 'They promised they would make life difficult for me if I was trying to protect the leaker. They said I was not safe at work and claimed that someone at my workplace had given my name to the FBI.'

Sivadge is now the second employee at Texas Children's Hospital to make such claims.

Dr Eithan Haim also claimed FBI agents approached him at his door after he leaked documents showing the hospital continued to perform sex change operations after it said it had stopped

Haim has since been indicted on four criminal charges as he's accused by the Department of Justice with three HIPAA violations. HIPAA rules protect a person's protected health information.

Haim responded to the charges, saying: 'They wanted to intimidate me into silence using every technique the federal leviathan had at their disposal. But they failed.

'The only way to lose is to submit to corruption. It's time to fight back harder than ever!'

Haim in May 2023 released medical files showing that Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) staff had provided puberty blockers and other sex-change treatments to kids, even after hospital officials said they had stopped doing so in March 2022.

He has repeatedly said the leaked documents did not include any patient's personal information.

Donations have since poured into Haim's legal defense fund, with supporters praising him for 'holding the line' and 'standing up for children' in the face of 'corruption' at the hospital.

Meanwhile, Texas State Attorney General Ken Paxton said he is investigating the claims, and State Rep. Brian Harrison called for an emergency hearing over the allegations that the US Justice Department intimidated the whistleblowers.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Texas' Children's Hospital for comment on this story.
The owners of an iconic bagel shop today told how 'a longstanding family dispute' led to its dramatic closure four months ago - as it is set to reopen.

They revealed the Beigel Shop in London's Brick Lane was forced to shut its doors in February amid a series of setbacks.

The bakery - known affectionately as 'the yellow one' because of its distinctive signage and famed for never closing its doors because of its round-the-clock opening hours - is said to have been founded by Jewish immigrants from Russia in 1855.

It was taken over by three siblings - Aron, David and Mazal - in 1987.

In a statement the family which runs the bakery said: 'In recent times, we've faced trials, including complex family dynamics and health setbacks, common in many extended-family businesses.

LAST WEEK -- Workers were spotted busily preparing the bakery for its grand reopening by jetwashing the graffiti, including an 'RIP' streaked on the front door, from the building

LAST WEEK -- In March plans were being drawn up to get the beloved bakery back in business after a new set of directors were appointed

'Our recent hiatus came as a culmination of a longstanding family dispute over the building's ownership and subsequent rents, alongside the health struggles of our beloved father and uncle, Aron, who remains in recovery from a heart attack and multiple strokes.

'Amidst these difficulties, we are determined to move forward with renewed vigour and optimism.'

The family said that while it is ready to welcome customers for the first time in nearly five months they are still facing an uphill battle to save the shop which claims to be the oldest in London.

They are launching a crowd-funding campaign in the face of crippling 'financial burdens' which included the doubling of their rent along with vital upgrades and renovations.

Family member Louise Zelman told MailOnline: 'We're thrilled to announce the imminent reopening of our beloved Beigel Shop, a treasured family establishment in the heart of East London.

'The shop holds a rich history spanning over a century, and its revival after a period of closure marks a significant moment for our community.'

The family said it had 'poured heart and soul into this establishment for decades, fostering connections and sharing fresh warm beigels with generations of patrons.'

FEBRUARY -- A metal chain wrapped around the front door is secured with a padlock

FEBRUARY -- A notice posted on the outside of the shop and shared on social media claimed the store was closing for 'electrical maintenance', and promised it would be open again soon

In a message to loyal customers the family said: 'We are absolutely delighted to share the wonderful news of the reopening of our beloved family's Beigel Shop on Wednesday, June 26 2024!

'Throughout our closure, we've been deeply touched by the incredible support that has poured in from our cherished community.

'Your steadfast loyalty has truly been a guiding light during what has been a challenging chapter, and for that, we cannot thank you enough.

'For over a century, Brick Lane's Beigel Shop has been a cornerstone of London's culinary tapestry, embodying tradition and serving as a vibrant gathering place for our diverse East End community.'

Customers were left devastated after arriving at the shop - which specialises in salt beef bagels with gherkins and mustard as well as smoked salmon and cream cheese - to find chains and a giant padlock on the front door on February 13.

An eviction notice was posted on the glass front door which warned that proceedings for criminal damage and trespass would be launched against anyone attempting to enter the property.

To add to the speculation about the fate of the shop a replacement sign was later taped over the High Court writ saying the 'temporary' closure was due to 'electrical maintenance work'.

The sign was later torn down and the shop remained closed.

But last week workers were spotted busily washing graffiti from the shop's windows.

The family say that 'stepping into the next chapter, the younger generation who are 'eager to carry on the Beigel Shop's cherished legacy' will be taking over the business.

They include 'Aron's 22-year-old quadruplets and Mazal's three children'.

Their statement said: 'We recognise the financial hurdles that lie ahead, from doubled rent to machinery upgrades and necessary renovations, including some electrical updates that added to our temporary closure.

'After careful consideration, we've decided to launch a GoFundMe campaign to help ease some of these financial burdens during this pivotal time.

'Your generous contributions, regardless of size, will play a significant role in rebuilding our business and preserving a treasured piece of East London's heritage.'

They added: 'As we reopen our doors, our hearts are filled with hope for the future, buoyed by the unwavering support of our incredible community.

'We are deeply grateful for your loyal presence through every twist and turn.'

They signed their message off saying: 'With heartfelt gratitude and a sprinkle of doughy love.'

This message was posted on the Beigel Shop's socials back in February which promised fans they would 'be back before you know it'

An official-looking notice on the door, dated February 13, appeared to suggest the building had been repossessed

In March, MailOnline revealed plans were being drawn up to get the beigel shop back in business after a new set of directors were appointed.

Until last September, Beigel Shop Brick Lane Limited was co-owned by Ellis and Ashley Zelman.

But in September Ashley's shares were all transferred to Ellis, giving him sole control.

The records show that as the drama unfolded a company set up by members of the extended family - which had previously been known as Beigels on Wheels - underwent a name change to Yellow Beigel Shop Group Ltd on February 24.

Ellis and Ashley Zelman were appointed directors of the firm in March 2022 when it was operating under its previous name.

While Ellis remains a director, Ashley resigned his position in April last year.

Three new directors were appointed on March 4 including Hayley and Melanie White who have been involved in helping to run the establishment for a number of years.

According to Land Registry documents the building appears to be separately owned by Derrick, Darren and Karen Lefcoe who live in Washington, USA and London.

The shop's closure meant that ever-growing queues have been forming at the rival Beigel Bake, which is two doors away, and is known as the 'white one' because of the different coloured signs above the shops.

Both 24-hour establishments attract tourists from around the world to London's East End.
A four-year-old California boy who wandered away from a campground in the Sierra National Forest was miraculously found safe after spending 22 hours alone in the wilderness.

Christian Ramirez was found in good condition around 8am on Friday, 'nestled under a tree' near a lake about a quarter mile from the Rancheria Campground where his family had been staying, authorities have confirmed.

Photos and videos capture the heartwarming moment Christian was rescued and carried to safety.

The images show officers and volunteers embracing the child and providing him with food and water as he reunites with his family.

'He was hungry and exhausted, but otherwise in good health. We got him a sandwich and then carried him out to be reunited with Mom and Dad,' the Tulare County Sheriff's Office released a statement on Facebook Friday.

A four-year-old California boy who wandered away from a campground in the Sierra National Forest was miraculously found safe after spending 22 hours alone in the wilderness.

Christian Ramirez was found in good condition around 8 am on Friday, 'nestled under a tree' near a lake about a quarter mile from the Rancheria Campground where his family had been staying, authorities have confirmed

A massive search-and-rescue operation involving around 50 officers and volunteers began at 11 am on Thursday after Christian was reported missing from the campsite surrounded by dense forest north of Fresno

A massive search-and-rescue operation involving around 50 officers and volunteers began at 11 am on Thursday after Christian was reported missing from the campsite surrounded by dense forest north of Fresno.

Christian, from Torrance near Los Angeles, was last seen wearing shorts and a T-shirt, according to the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

He was found a quarter mile away, nestled under a tree.

He was reportedly hungry and exhausted but otherwise in good health.

The rescue team gave him a sandwich and then carried him out to be reunited with his family.

The sheriff's office expressed gratitude to the rescue team and to members of the public who volunteered to join the search.

Photos and videos capture the heartwarming moment Christian was rescued and carried to safety

The images show officers and volunteers embracing the child and providing him with food and water as he reunites with his family

He was found a quarter mile away, nestled under a tree. He was reportedly hungry and exhausted but otherwise in good health

The sheriff's office expressed gratitude to the rescue team and to members of the public who volunteered to join the search

'This was an amazing show of teamwork and dedication. There were more than 50 deputies and volunteers who combined to participate in this search.'

'This included members of other law enforcement agencies who assisted us, working non-stop throughout the night.'

'The Fresno County Sheriff's Office would also like to thank the community. 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 Christian home safely.'
BBC stars were spotted going shopping in Germany ahead of England's next Euros clash against Slovenia tomorrow.

Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer were seen carrying Karl Lagerfeld and Hugo Boss bags as they enjoyed a few hours of respite from presenting the tournament.

Meanwhile, Alex Scott and Micah Richards were seen out and about in Berlin as they too took advantage of the break between matches.

England could have secured their last-16 fate earlier this week against Denmark.

But the Three Lions squandered a 1-0 lead, leaving them to do all the hard work against Slovenia tomorrow.

Earlier this month Lineker ditched his Next-own brand collection to present the Euros after he was accused of flouting BBC advertising rules.

Gary Lineker shopping in Berlin today between matches for the Euro 2024 tournament

Gary Lineker was seen carrying a Karl Lagerfeld shopping bag

Alex Spott is seen out and about with a Louis Vuitton bag in Berlin, Germany today

BBC Euro presenter Alan Shearer is seen carrying a Hugo Boss bag in Berlin, Germany

Micah Richards out and about shopping in Germany

The presenters will be enjoying some respite ahead of England's match tomorrow

The presenter wore a dark olive open-collared shirt as he introduced the Portugal v Czech Republic game.

MailOnline checked Lineker's clothing range on Next's website and it does not appear to be from the collection.

He was heavily criticised after he was alleged to have broken BBC guidelines by appearing to wear his own range of menswear during England's opening game against Serbia.

Lineker was heavily criticised after he was alleged to have broken BBC guidelines by appearing to wear his own range of menswear during England's opening game against Serbia

Scott was given a telling off by the BBC after she promoted a clothes brand while on duty for the broadcaster during the World Cup in 2022

He was dressed in a pale green T-shirt and sage jacket while fronting the corporation's coverage which was beamed to nearly 15 million viewers.

They look identical to a 16 T-shirt and 55 jacket he is pictured advertising on the clothing brand's website.

It was reported that BBC Sport bosses spoke to Lineker to remind him of the guidelines.

BBC staff were said to be furious by Lineker's apparent disregard of the rules, with insiders claiming the former England striker can do whatever he wants.
A Snow White-themed restaurant famous for its murals painted by original Disney artists appears to be the latest business to fall victim to LA's business downturn - closing after 78 years.

Photos show the Snow White Cafe, at 6769 Hollywood Boulevard - next door to the Hollywood Wax Museum - entirely gutted, and, from what can be seen, all its iconic imagery stripped away.

The cafe was originally opened by a friend of Walt Disney's in 1946, who had the moviemaker's animators specifically paint the walls.

The Snow White theme was the result - one that's left its mark on tourists and locals alike, enthralled not only by the fairytale setting, but the good food.

Stationed right on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the tourist trap seems to be the latest in LA subjected to an unceremonious closure. This one, however, hits a famously decorated, albeit weathered, dive that had long served tourists to the strip, as LA stores continue to face closures.

A Disney-themed restaurant long located in the heart of LA appears to have closed after 78 years.

Photos show the Snow White Cafe, found at 6769 Hollywood Boulevard, entirely gutted, and, from what can be seen, all its iconic 'Snow White' imagery stripped away

'The murals depict scenes from the film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and they are still on display today,' the eatery's website says, as calls Monday went to a line that appears disconnected.

The dated restaurant's Instagram also appears to be down, though its Facebook - which touts its fare and fairytale setting - is still up an running.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the eatery via email for more information, as calls to the wax museum next door by KTLA - the first to report the rumored closure - yielded some information.

A staffer there Sunday confirmed the cafe would usually be open, but was inexplicably closed.

The restaurant lists its hours as being from 12 pm to 12 am daily, and bills itself as 'a must-visit for anyone in Hollywood.'

'Stop by today and take a step back in time,' the bio adds - before detailing the lounge's rich history.

'The Snow White Cafe is a Hollywood institution, having been serving up classic American fare and Disney-inspired atmosphere since 1946.

'The cafe was originally opened by a friend of Walt Disneys, who asked the Disney animators to paint murals on the walls.'

Long found along the Hollywood Walk of Fame next to the Hollywood Wax Museum, it appears to have closed. An undated photo of the iconic eatery's storefront is seen here

The cafe was originally opened by a friend of Walt Disney's in 1946, who then asked the man's animators to adorn the walls with paintings from the animated film

A Snow White theme was the result - one that's left its mark on tourists and locals alike, enthralled not only by the fairytale setting, but the good food

A staffer there Sunday confirmed the restaurant would usually be open, as photos reportedly showed its insides gutted. A photo showing the eatery's interior before is seen here

The restaurant lists its hours as being from 12pm to 12 am daily, and bills itself as 'a must-visit for anyone in Hollywood'

It's served up classic American fare at a Disney-inspired atmosphere since 1946, and was once a favorite of Disney artists. An undated photo of its dining room is seen here

'The Snow White Cafe is a Hollywood institution, having been serving up classic American fare and Disney-inspired atmosphere since 1946,' its website says

'The cafe was originally opened by a friend of Walt Disneys, who asked the Disney animators to paint murals on the walls' Calls to the eatery went to a number that was disconnected

Those murals were nowhere to be found when Vintage Los Angeles posted photos of the gutted storefront

The restaurant's Instagram also appears to be down, though its Facebook - which touts its fare and fairytale setting - is still up an running

The eatery is set smack dab on this stretch of Hollywood Boulevard seen here in the 40s, feet away from the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Those murals were nowhere to be found when Vintage Los Angeles posted photos of the gutted storefront Sunday, sending shockwaves throughout the local community.

'This is sad. I do hope someone saved the sweet artwork inside. I'm glad I visited last September,' wrote one onlooker, sharing a photo from her visit.

'Noooo, I'm from Australia & was only there last November, was such a cute and quirky little place!' wrote another, also sharing images.

'I truly feel the best hamburger I ever ate was from Snow White's Cafe,' said someone else, citing the bar's perhaps best known menu item.

'And the place had such a great vibe. The L.A. that I lived in a long time ago seems to be dying.'

As mentioned, Snow White Cafe was set smack dab on Hollywood Boulevard, feet away from the star covered sidewalk that is the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Jeff Bridges spoke there - as The Dude from the Big Lebowski - for a ceremony honoring John Goodman with the 2,604th Star in 2017, on the fabled thoroughfare right outside.

Jeff Bridges spoke there - as The Dude from the Big Lebowski - for a ceremony honoring John Goodman with the 2,604th Star in 2017, on the fabled thoroughfare right outside.

Playboy Bunny Holly Madison paid a visit there last March, and marked the occasion to her more than 1.9million followers with a TikTok

Playboy Bunny Holly Madison paid a visit there last March, and marked the occasion to her more than 1.9million followers with a TikTok, where she brought up how the site was once a place where Disney artists enjoyed lunch.

'They have breakfast all day on the menu even though they dont open until noon... we love that. There's Disney art all over,' she said at the time, recording her visit.

'Each dwarf has their own little picture, including my man Sleepy - he is my favorite.

'This little restaurant is located right on Hollywood Boulevard next to the Wax Museum.

'Have you been?'

Countless others have been through its doors before and since, with the watering hole serving as a sort of constant in Hollywood's ever flowing sea of change.

If the reports are true, it will be the second iconic Hollywood eatery to close there within a month, with The Arbys Roast Beef on Sunset closing just a few weeks ago after 55 years.

The move would also come just weeks after California found itself ranked among the top 10 most dangerous states in America.

If the reports are true, it will be the second iconic Hollywood eatery to close there within a month, with The Arbys Roast Beef on Sunset closing just a few weeks ago after 55 years

The watering hole was a sort of constant over the years Hollywood, welcoming tourists and locals alike

The move would also come just weeks after California found itself ranked among the top 10 most dangerous states in America

Meanwhile, a message that long hung over the doors of the reportedly closed cafe provides a fitting sendoff, bearing the message, 'We hope we have pleased you.'

Violent crime in Los Angeles has been on the rise, with the LAPD recording a 2.9 per cent increase at the end of March 2024, compared to the same time last year.

The LAPD reported last month that, as of the end of April, the city's rise in the number of murders in 2024 continued to decline and, as of April 27, was only 4.2 per cent above the number of murders reported at this time in 2023.

The last time the force updated robbery statistics, at the end of March 2024, thefts were up 9.5 per cent, according to ABC 7.

Meanwhile, a message that long hung over the doors of the reportedly closed cafe provides a fitting sendoff, bearing the message, 'We hope we have pleased you.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to the eatery for more information.
I am standing at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, staring at the vacant lot where the murder house once stood.

The drab, gray three-story home was demolished in December on orders from the University of Idaho on the belief that its destruction would exorcise the demons still swirling in this tiny college town after November 13, 2022.

It hasn't.

Nineteen months after four college students  Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin  were butchered to death with a hunting knife, there still is no convincing official explanation of what really happened.

Six weeks after the slaughter, Bryan Kohberger, a 28-year-old graduate criminology student at Washington State University, was arrested at his parents' home in Pennsylvania.

I began reporting on this case in the days immediately after the killings. I have spent weeks in Idaho and even crossed America to the small Pennsylvania town where Kohberger was born and raised.

Nineteen months after four college students  Maddie Mogen (above, on shoulders), Kaylee Goncalves (second from left), Xana Kernodle (second from right), and Ethan Chapin (third from right)  were butchered to death with a hunting knife, there still is no convincing official explanation of what really happened

Six weeks after the slaughter, Bryan Kohberger , a 28-year-old graduate criminology student at Washington State University, was arrested at his parents' home in Pennsylvania

Despite a judicial gag order prohibiting the two King Road house survivors, victims' family members and key law enforcement authorities from speaking, I have been able to interview many individuals with direct knowledge of the murders.

Now, standing here on King Road, I finally believe I know what happened... and why.

It was 3:30am on the cold, starlit November morning. The quiet was all enveloping.

Suddenly, a white car appeared. It was in no hurry.

Police reports describe how it crept along the street past 1122 King Road, before driving up an incline into a dead end and carefully executing a three-point turn.

The driver's face wasn't visible in the footage but his apparent calm belied reality.

I believe he was battling with himself with his demons.

Thirty minutes later, surveillance video showed the white car driving back toward 1122, as if dragged by an invisible force.

Was this the killer stalking the house where six university students lived?

No, I suspect he was trying to find the will to do what he knew must be done to silence the howling banshees in his head.

Just before 4:00am  the time of the murders, approximated by police  it's my theory that the car once again drove past 1122, before stopping at the dead end, engine still idling.

Just before 4:00am  the time of the murders, approximated by police  it's my theory that the car once again drove past 1122 (above, King Road house), before stopping at the dead end, engine still idling.

Howard Blum's new book, 'When the Night Comes Falling: A Requiem for the Idaho Student Murders'

Bryan Kohberger, I believe, then made his way down the dirt incline, mindful of the thin coating of frost on the ground.

In his gloved hand, I imagine him gripping a leather sheath that holds a Ka-Bar knife with its seven-inch steel blade.

The students in 1122 rarely locked the sliding glass door to their kitchen.

November 13, 2022, was reportedly no exception.

The panel would have effortlessly glided open. Kohberger could have easily, almost silently stepped inside.

Once in the kitchen, it is my understanding that he proceeded up a narrow staircase to the third floor where the first killings occurred.

And it is this fact that suggests to me that these murders weren't aimless. That there was intent.

In his gloved hand, I imagine him gripping a leather sheath that holds a Ka-Bar knife with its seven-inch steel blade. (Above) A picture of a typical Ka-Bar blade, not the murder weapon

The students in 1122 rarely locked the sliding glass door to their kitchen. November 13, 2022, was reportedly no exception. (Above) Back of 1122 King Road house

Once in the kitchen, it is my understanding that he proceeded up a narrow staircase to the third floor where the first killings occurred. (Above) Inside 1122 King Road

If Kohberger were driven only by a blind, animalistic urge to kill, he would have first burst into either of the adjacent second-floor bedrooms  where survivor Dylan Mortensen and victims Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin slept.

But he didn't. Kohberger had a plan. And I believe it was to target Maddie Mogen and her alone.

Kohberger most likely first crossed paths with Mogen at the Mad Greek restaurant on Main Street in Moscow.

The restaurant was the only one in town to serve the sort of vegan dishes that Kohberger's relatives told me he preferred. It was also where Mogen worked as a waitress.

Did they talk? Did he ask her out? The prosecution and the defense have agreed that there is no evidence of any interaction  either in person or on social media.

But I believe that wouldn't have been necessary for Kohberger to become infatuated with 21-year-old Mogen's pretty face, long blonde hair and sparkling personality.

Obsessions came easily to him. He was, after all, a recovering heroin addict.

It was 3:30am on the cold, starlit November morning. The quiet was all enveloping. Suddenly, a white car appeared. It was in no hurry. (Above) Indiana State Police bodycam video of Bryan Kohberger and his father in a white 2015 Hyundai Elantra when they were pulled over in December 2023 shortly before Kohberger's arrest

I believe that wouldn't have been necessary for Kohberger to become infatuated with 21-year-old Mogen's pretty face, long blonde hair and sparkling personality.

After getting clean after a stint in rehab in 2013, he turned his body into a temple with a strict schedule of physical exercise and vegan eating.

He also exhibited compulsion when it came to his studies. Once he made up his mind to pursue forensic psychology, he was determined to get his doctorate and prove to teachers and classmates alike that he was the smartest person in the room.

Smart enough, perhaps, to get away with murder.

After this initial encounter at the Mad Greek, I suspect that Kohberger continued to follow Mogen and, at some point, obsession turned into murderous intent.

Then, whenever 1122 King Road hosted a party - as they often did - he may have been watching from the shadows.

Back on the third floor on November 13, the killer opened Mogen's bedroom door and he found two girls asleep in the bed, according to a source familiar with the case that prosecutors presented to a grand jury.

Kohberger would have had no way of knowing that Kaylee Goncalves  who had a separate room on the third floor  would be sleeping in Mogen's room. The girls were especially close and Goncalves had just returned home after an extended trip away.

I suspect that Kohberger first slashed swiftly, savagely, at Mogen, before turning his blade on Goncalves.

Kohberger would have had no way of knowing that Kaylee Goncalves (above)  who had a separate room on the third floor  would be sleeping in Mogen's room.

Obsessions came easily to Kohberger. He was, after all, a recovering heroin addict.

The wounds are long and deep. It is quick and vicious work.

Despite her grave injuries, Goncalves managed to lift her body up and out of bed, as if trying to escape, before wedging herself into the far corner of the small room.

There are signs that she fought back. But it was all over quickly.

Kohberger would, I believe, have stopped the killing here. But more unfortunate encounters led to more unplanned victims.

The bloody chaos in Mogen's room likely awakened Xana Kernodle on the floor below.

Dylan Mortensen - who also slept on the second floor - told police he heard her cry out: 'There's someone here!'

Ethan Chapin, Kernodle's boyfriend, likely then left their room to investigate when he encountered Kohberger making his way back to the kitchen to escape.

Chapin was 6'4', powerful, an athlete. Yet the killer did not appear to hesitate.

At six feet and 185 pounds, Kohberger would have been a comparable match for Chapin.

The bloody chaos in Mogen's room likely awakened Xana Kernodle (above) on the floor below.

Ethan Chapin (above), Kernodle's boyfriend, likely then left their room to investigate when he encountered Kohberger making his way back to the kitchen to escape.

A medical examiner revealed to me that a single arcing blow sliced through Chapin's neck, catching the jugular. He fell in the second-floor stairwell doorway.

Kohberger now likely realised he also had to deal with Kernodle, who may have watched her boyfriend's slaying.

'It's okay, I'm going to help you,' Mortensen also reportedly heard the killer say.

Kernodle was found dead inside her room.

Mortensen and Bethany Funke - the only other two students in the house - stayed in their rooms and didn't attempt to confront the killer.

And that, I think, is why they survived.

Bethany Funke slept on the first floor and there is no evidence that she even woke up that night.

But Dylan Mortensen told investigators that she woke up around 4am and peeked outside her second-floor bedroom three times.

The last time she opened the door she spied a 'figure clad in black clothing and a mask' walking toward the kitchen door.

Mortensen - traumatized and too afraid to do anything for hours - said she then went back to sleep and stayed in her room until 11am the next day before calling a friend who arrived to find the bloody scene and finally called police.

The only reasonable explanation to me for why Mortensen is alive today is one that she and Kohberger were in parallel states of shock.

Dylan Mortensen told investigators that she woke up around 4am and peeked outside her second-floor bedroom three times.

Bethany Funke (Above left with Mogen) slept on the first floor and there is no evidence that she even woke up that night.

Both were both locked so tight into their own private worlds  a young girl's terror, a killer's mania  that they couldn't think clearly.

Kohberger was arrested on December 30, 2023, after police linked him to DNA found at the murder scene.

His trial has been continually postponed, and a firm date for the proceedings remains to be set.

On August 29, there will be a hearing to argue the defense's request to move the trial from the small college town to elsewhere in the state. Kohberger's lawyers argue that an impartial jury cannot be found in a small town rocked by such a gruesome crime.

If that request is granted, the trial may not take place for another year.

This is adapted from bestselling author Howard Blum's new book, 'When the Night Comes Falling: A Requiem for the Idaho Student Murders,' which will be published by HarperCollins on June 25.
A Florida family are suing NASA after a piece of metal from the International Space Station smashed through their roof narrowly missing their adult son.

The Otero family, from Naples, are seeking $80,000 in damages 'to account for the stress and impact' of the March 8 incident.

It is the first case of its kind and will 'form the foundation' for similar claims in the future as damage from space debris has become a 'real and serious issue', according to law firm Cranfill Sumner.

Daniel Otero was at home at the time and was nearly hit, the family's lawyers said: 'If the debris had hit a few feet in another direction, there could have been serious injury or a fatality.'

Investigators later discovered that the debris was a 1.6lbs piece of a cargo pallet that had been jettisoned from the Space Station in March 2021 and was expected to burn up completely on re-entry, but somehow survived.

Homeowner Alejandro Otero said his son could have been hit by the debris

The Otero family, from Naples, are seeking $80,000 in damages 'to account for the stress and impact' of the March 8 incident after debris smashed through their roof

Homeowner Alejandro Otero was on vacation when he received a call from his son Daniel saying he had heard a 'tremendous sound' and there were gaping holes in the ceiling and floor.

Photos of the damage show where the piece of metal smashed through the roof and an internal floor before finally stopping in the basement of the property.

The family said it was a 'near miss', according to their lawyers, and 'could have been catastrophic'.

Speaking to local news at the time, Otero said: 'Something ripped through the house and then made a big hole on the floor and on the ceiling.

'When we heard that, we were like, impossible, and then immediately I thought a meteorite.

'What are the chances of something landing on my house with such force to cause so much damage?'

Now they are claiming $80,000 damages for non-insured property damage loss, business interruption, emotional anguish, and the costs for assistance from third parties required in the process.

The case will set a precedent for future space debris damage claims which lawyer Mica Nguyen Worthy said are set to rise.

'Space debris is a real and serious issue because of the increase in space traffic in recent years,' she said.

She added that: 'This space debris claim is historical in that it involves a real life example of the consequences of space debris surviving to the Earths surface.'

Space debris is disused equipment jettisoned from satellites and missions.

There are thought to be more than 30,000 objects currently in orbit that could fall back to Earth within several years.

Although most space junk burns up upon re-entry, a 2023 report by the Federal Aviation Authority warned that surviving debris could kill or injure someone every two years by 2035.

Investigators later discovered that the debris was a 1.6lbs piece of a cargo pallet that had been jettisoned from the Space Station in March 2021

There are more than 30,000 pieces of space junk in Earth's orbit

If the Oteros win their case, Worthy said: 'It would send a strong signal to both other governments and private industries that such victims should be compensated regardless of fault.'

After the incident, NASA collected the debris to inspect it.

They discovered it was from a 'stanchion' used in the flight support equipment to mount batteries on a pallet at the Space Station.

NASA had tossed the pallet in 2021, expecting it would stay in orbit for two to four years before reentering the Earth's atmosphere in a controlled manner.

But the unguided re-entry caused it to have an off-course and unpredicted landing.
Serial baby killer Lucy Letby gave evidence in a packed courtroom today and flatly denied ever harming a baby in her care.

Letby, 34, is currently serving 14 whole life orders after being convicted last August of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder a further six while working as a neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Today she sat at a desk in a crowded Court 7 of Manchester Crown Court and gave repeated denials about the death of Baby K, a 25-week-old baby the prosecution say she tried to kill.

Answering questions from her barrister Ben Myers, she went on to deny any responsibility for the deaths or near-deaths of infants for which she has been convicted.

Letby, originally from Hereford, is currently on trial accused of the attempted murder of Baby K and has pleaded not guilty.

Serial baby killer Lucy Letby today took the stand to give evidence in a packed courtroom in which she flatly denied ever harming a baby in her care (picture by court artist)

Letby, 34, is currently serving 14 whole life orders after being convicted last August of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder a further six while working as a neonatal unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital

Letby was questioned today in the dock at Manchester Crown Court by prosecutor Nick Johnson (both pictured here court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook)

The jury in her original trial could not reach a verdict on the case.

The former nurse moved from the glass-panelled dock to take a seat in the well of the court. A ring-bound file was opened out in front of her. To her left sat a woman prison officer.

Letby, who was 26 at the time the alleged murder attempt in February 2016, was wearing a black jacket over a turquoise blouse. Her blonde-brown hair hung down below her shoulders and she wore no make-up.

Her voice remained firm throughout the 76 minutes she gave evidence.

She answered 'no' both times when Mr Myers asked 'Did you attempt to kill Baby K?' and 'Did you intend to do her any harm at all?'

The barrister then referred to the convictions that make his client the most prolific baby killer in UK criminal history.

He asked, 'Do you accept that you have ever intended to hurt any baby in your care?', and she replied: 'No, I don't.'

She also said 'no' when he asked: 'Do you accept that you have ever tried to harm any baby in your care?'

Letby, formerly of Hereford, denies attempted murder of a premature newborn, Baby K

In answer to questions from her barrister Ben Myers, Letby today went on to deny any responsibility for the deaths or near-deaths of infants for which she has been convicted

Letby, who was 26 at the time the alleged murder attempt in February 2016, was wearing a black jacket over a turquoise blouse in court today (court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook)

The killer told the jury she did not recall particular events around the time she is alleged to have attacked Baby K by dislodging her breathing tube.

She remembered seeing the infant in Nursery 1, but could not be specific about timings.

Mr Myers said the case against her was based around the evidence of Dr Ravi Jayaram, the lead consultant on the neonatal uni.

Dr Jayaram had said he had walked into Nursery 1 to find Baby K desaturating and Letby doing nothing and the alarms not sounding.

'Do you remember any occasion when something like that was happening,' he asked her. 'No,' she replied.

Letby insisted there had been no incident that morning where she was trying to hurt K, nor one where she was not giving her any help she needed.

She again said 'no' when Mr Myers asked: 'When you say you don't recall any incident like that, are you accepting that it happened?'

The barrister referred the killer to her first interview with police on July 5, 2018, when an officer asked about her contact with Baby K at the time of her desaturation at 3.50am on February 17, 2016.

She had said: 'Okay, so I dont recall why I was in the nursery with K. Id have to look back through the notes.'

Letby today said detectives had provided her with a selection of charts and medical notes, and only knew from the notes of her nursing colleague Melanie Taylor that the baby's tube had slipped.

'I was relying on the document in front of me that was written by Melanie Taylor,' she added.

Letby claimed she only remembered K because she was a 25-week gestation baby, 'which is unusual for us to have on the unit. I did remember her being on the unit at some point'.

A doctor at the Countess of Chester Hospital (pictured) has said he had caught Letby 'virtually red-handed' attempting to murder a very premature baby known as Baby K

In a police interview on June 12, 2019, Letby was asked about Dr Jayaram feeling 'uncomfortable' about finding her alone with Baby K in Nursery 1.

She replied at the time: 'He didn't raise any concern with me.'

In cross-examination, prosecutor Nick Johnson asked what would happen if a nurse deliberately displaced a babys ET tube. She said the infant would be unable to breathe.

Mr Johnson suggested that effectively meant that the baby would be killed, and she responded: 'Yes.'

But she answered 'no' when he then put to her: 'That is what you did, isn't it?'

When Mr Johnson told her, 'You actually did it three times', she said: 'No, I didnt. No. I know my actions and I know that I didnt displace the tube.

She was asked if she was Dr Jayaram was 'not telling the truth', to which Letby said: 'I dont think I can comment on whether hes telling the truth. I just know that that did not happen.'

When Mr Johnson came to a third incident at which a shift leader had been present, Letby again said she could not comment. S

he had no recollection, she said, but accepted what her colleague had said about her Neopuffing the infant - adding that would have been the standard procedure in such a situation.

Letby rejected Mr Johnsons suggestion that she was 'just that sort of person' who killed babies.

The barrister then put it to her that 'You have killed seven babies and tried to kill six others, one on two separate occasions,' to which she said: 'No, I haven't.'

The convicted killer agreed that at the time she submitted a grievance procedure over the allegations being made against her by consultants, she had not accepted the good faith of either Dr Jayaram or his colleague Stephen Brearey.

She told the court: 'I didnt accept any of the things they were saying at that point. I didnt accept Dr Jayarams good faith because of the comments he was making and the way he was conducting himself with those allegations.'

The case continues.

Listen to The Trial of Lucy Letby: Baby K, wherever you get your podcasts now.
A Cavalry Guard is believed to have fainted on the Mall in London during rehearsals today amid the arrival of the first heatwave of the year.

The guard is thought to have passed out during a procession rehearsal for a state visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

Photographs show the guard lying face down on the ground surrounded by onlookers before they are assisted by a fellow guard.

It comes as health warnings were activated across England today as summer finally arrived with the first heatwave of the year and temperatures soaring to 31C (88F) this week.

The yellow heat health alert was issued by the UK Health Security Agency and Met Office for most of England, with all but the North East included in the warning.

The alert came into force this morning as forecasters said the country would see mostly dry weather with 'plenty of sunny spells' and a maximum of 28C (82F).

A Cavalry Guard is believed to have fainted on the Mall in London during rehearsals today

The guard is thought to have passed out during a procession rehearsal for a state visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan

Photographs show the guard lying face down on the ground surrounded by onlookers before they are assisted by another guard

Hot weather will build throughout this week with Wednesday likely to hit 30C (86F) and Thursday getting to 31C (88F) - before the health alert expires that afternoon.

The hottest day of the year so far will likely be reached today or later this week - with the current 2024 high of 27.5C (81.5F) set on May 12 in Chertsey, Surrey.

Liam Eslick, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said today would bring mostly dry and sunny weather.

Tomorrow, conditions are expected to become cloudy and murky in western Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Some showers will be seen across northern England which could turn thundery, but the rest of the country will see 'more sunshine' and temperatures up in the mid to high 20Cs (80Fs).

Mr Eslick said Wednesday was likely to be the warmest of the days so far with highs of 30C (86F) in the South East.

However, Thursday will likely see a breakdown in the weather with clouds and outbreaks of rain forecast across the country.

The meteorologist said there was even the possibility of an 'odd thunderstorm for some'.

Families head to the beach in Bournemouth today to enjoy the sunshine on the Dorset coast

Paddleboards make the most of the sunshine at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside today

A woman takes her dog for a walk through Greenwich Park in South East London this morning

A woman with a handheld fan travelling on a hot London Underground train this morning

A woman walks two dogs through a field in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, in the sunshine this morning

People out in the early morning sunshine in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, today

People go for a jog or cycle in the sun on Blackheath Common in South East London today

Wheat fields in the early morning sunshine today at Dunsden in Oxfordshire

Temperatures on Thursday are expected to remain 'widely warm' with some areas seeing highs of up to 31C (88F).

Festival-goers at Glastonbury will have to wait a little longer for more clarity on the outlook for the weekend, though conditions are expected to remain unsettled as temperatures drop back to the average for June. This will likely be around 18C (64F) or 19C (66F).

Somerset Council warned: 'Attendees are reminded to stay safe during periods of hot weather, especially when walking around the festival. Remember to carry a refillable water bottle with you and drink it throughout the day, wear sun cream and a sunhat and avoid excess alcohol.'

People were also warned to 'be prepared for hot weather' by wearing suncream and a hat, drinking plenty of water and to 'seek shade between 11am and 3pm'.

And the yellow heat alert advises areas of 'significant impacts' in the health and social care sector due to the hot temperatures.

Meanwhile Samantha Hughes, national water safety partner at the RNLI, warned of the risk of cold water shock as more people enjoy the sea this week.

'The forecasted warm weather will mean we'll see more visitors at the coast and we always want people to enjoy themselves safely,' she said.

'Entering the water during warm weather can increase the risk of cold water shock due to the sudden changes in skin temperatures. Enter the water gradually and avoid jumping or diving straight in to reduce your risk of cold-water shock.

'If you're planning on heading to the beach, we highly recommend you visit one that is lifeguarded and you swim between the red and yellow flags. This is the safest area and is most closely monitored by lifeguards.

The yellow heat health alert for England, with all but the North East included in the warning

The whole of the UK, except the Scottish Highlands, will have 'very high' pollen levels today

She also advised anyone who gets into trouble to 'Float to Live', explaining that they should tilt their head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control their breathing, then use their hands to help them stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if possible.

Ms Hughes added that in an emergency at the coast, people should call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard - or ask for the fire service if near inland waters.

The hot weather is also expected to see more people stay indoors and work from home as they shun getting on stuffy trains or travelling in hot cars.

Hay fever and asthma sufferers were warned to expect a 'pollen bomb', triggered by rising temperatures after weeks of cold and rain.

Forecasters say the entire country, except the Scottish Highlands, will have 'very high' pollen levels.

The charity Asthma + Lung UK urged those with severe symptoms to 'avoid going outdoors as much as possible' to prevent severe attacks.

The sun rises over the Oxfordshire countryside at Dunsden on a very warm morning today

The sun rises over the River Mersey in Liverpool this morning at the start of a warm week

Yesterday, the hottest place in the country was Bridlington, in East Yorkshire, with temperatures hitting 24.2C (75.5F).

This time last year saw the hottest June on record for the UK, with an average temperature of 15.8C (60.4F) nearly a whole degree above previous highs for the month.

The hottest day ever recorded in Britain was July 19, 2022 when Coningsby in Lincolnshire hit 40.3C (104.5F).
This is the frightening moment a skydiver fell from the top of a hot air balloon before he was able to land safely on a farm in southeastern Brazil.

Colombia native Jhovanny Duran can be seen standing on the balloon taking five steps and attempting to slide off it when he suddenly fell through the canvas.

The 31-year-old father-of-one fell about 65 feet into the balloon, landing in the basket and making contact with the torch before he was ejected.

However, he was able to maintain his composure and opened the parachute prior to landing on a farm, where a resident aided him.

Duran was rushed to an area hospital, where he had surgery for a fractured left leg. He also received for burns to his legs, chin, cheek and nose.

Colombia native Jhovanny Duran suffered a fractured femur and multiple burns on his face after he slipped through a hot air balloon during while trying to skydive off of it in Boituva, a city in the southeastern Brazil state of Sao Paulo, on June 1

Jhovanny Duran said that he had seen other people skydiving from hot air balloon through videos on the internet and that he and the other six people who joined him were not experienced doing that type of jump

The incident took place June 1 in the Sao Paulo city of Boituva and Duran has been home recovering since then.

In an interview with Brazilian news magazine show Fantastico that aired on Sunday, Duran said none of the six other divers who joined him on the mission had ever jumped from a hot air balloon but that he had seen other people do it on the internet.

'There was no other athlete, another experience person, who would give us the safety information we had to climb or what we had to do to walk on top of the balloon, to jump, to get out,' he said.

The owner of the balloon, Duran indicated, provided the group some instructions on how to proceed with the 'risky leap.'

As he stood atop the balloon, he found that balloon was not stable enough as he followed the owner's instructions of stepping only on the canvas' thickest lines.

Colombian skydiver Jhovanny Duran was able to control his fall after he was ejected from a hot air balloon and managed to open his parachute before landing on a farm

Jhovanny Duran is seen here about to fall through the hot air balloon canvas before he made contact with the torch, which caused multiple burns. He was ejected from the balloon, but was able to gain control of his parachute to land on a farm

'He (the owner) said, when you step on it, you will feel that it has more pressure. If it has pressure, it's the right one,' Duran said. 'When I took one, two, three steps and threw myself to slide, I felt like I sank.'

Duran has been living in Brazil for ten years and celebrated his birthday at the weekend.

Jair Grillo, who was piloting the balloon, told the news outlet that all seven skydivers received his instructions, which he claim Duran didn't follow.

'Unfortunately, the athlete in question ended up making this jump that ended up not supporting his weight. OK? But yes, it's a joke for the athlete before leaving,' he said.

'It is explained more than once. For them to come out, it is on top of the support tape,' he added.

'And in the video itself it shows that he ended up not running on top of the tape, he runs in the middle of the fabric and throws himself.'
A young surfer fears he may never walk again after a powerful wave pummelled him into a sandbank and broke his spine.

Johnny Konings, 31, suffered a fractured spine, bent spinal cord, broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung after a freak wipeout on the first wave of his session at Duranbah Beach on the Queensland-NSW border last Tuesday.

The Kiwi native was held above the surface of the water by other surfers before he was stretchered from the beach and airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.

He has since undergone surgery but is paralysed from the waist down with no sensation in his legs.

'The worst case scenario is that it's unlikely he will walk again,' his fiancee Charlotte Gordon told Nine News.

Johnny Konings (pictured with his fiancee Charlotte Gordon) suffered a fractured spine, bent spinal cord, broken ribs and a collapsed lung after a freak wipeout

Mr Konings has since been transferred to Princess Alexandra Hospital.

The young couple, who got engaged during a snow trip in January, were meant to be celebrating their impending nuptials with family and friends across the ditch in New Zealand this week.

Instead, Ms Gordon is by his hospital side ahead of a long road to recovery.

'We process, and choose to focus on the wins. We are overwhelmed with your wishes and good energy, we can feel the love from here,'

Ms Gordon wrote on a GoFundMe fundraiser set up by a friend for her fiance's recovery that after the accident 'life as we knew it has been changed in an instant'.

'When life gives you lemons, you throw in some lime, salt, a shit ton of tequila and make a bloody strong margarita,' she wrote.

'On his first wave of the day, he hit a sand bank and broke his back, bent his spinal cord, broke a few ribs and had a slightly collapsed lung.

'He was held above the surface and helped into shore by a group of surfers, body boarders and lifeguards who we are eternally grateful for and thank you will truly never be enough.

'He was then treated by a team of paramedics, and airlifted by Westpac rescue helicopter to Brisbane to have surgery and begin what will be the biggest journey of our lives.'

Ms Gordon revealed that although his surgery went 'really well', he's 'currently paralysed from the waist down with no sensation'.

'We remain incredibly positive and are going to throw everything we possibly can at this,' she continued.

The young couple, who got engaged in January this year, were meant to be celebrating their impending nuptials with family and friends across the ditch in New Zealand in recent days.

Johnny (pictured with fiancee Charlottte) remains in a Brisbane hospital paralysed from the waist down

Fighting back tears, Mr Konings described the injury as 'his worst nightmare'.

'I'm extremely determined to get back to my feet again,' he added.

He hasn't given up hope on walking again.

'I'm walking outta here. Mark my words,' Mr Konings posted on Instagram earlier this week.

The couple have been documenting the challenging recovery process on social media.

Johnny should have been back home in NZ celebrating his recent engagement to Charlotte

'Our days are big, and were experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions, but appreciative and so grateful for all the little milestones each day,' a recent post states.

Ms Gordon described Monday as their 'hardest (day) to date'.

'There's going to be good days, and bad days and we just keep taking it day by day, she wrote on Instagram.

'Tomorrow is a new day that will bring new progress, new firsts and new challenges.

'We both go to sleep every night dreaming and visualising walking along the beach together.'

The GoFundMe page has almost raised $14,000 of its $100,000 goal.
A British woman was killed and her elderly husband left in critical condition after they suffered a brutal crash during a vintage car rally in western France this weekend.

The tragic incident unfolded on Saturday, June 22 around midday when two men in an Audi A3 travelling at high speed hit the couple's red Mazda MX-5 metres away from a junction on the D757 road in Orches, Nord-Vienne.

Harrowing images showed how the small red convertible had crumpled upon impact, while the Audi was flipped on its roof and also suffered significant damage.

The British passenger, 77, was pulled out of her mangled convertible alongside her husband - who was driving at the time of the sickening collision - and the pair were rushed to hospital, but doctors said she was in cardiac arrest upon arrival and could not be saved.

Her partner, 82, remains in a coma after undergoing lifesaving surgery for a collapsed lung, with a hospital source telling La Nouvelle Republique that his prognosis remains uncertain.

The tragic incident unfolded on Saturday, June 22 around midday when two men in an Audi A3 travelling at high speed hit the couple's red Mazda MX-5 at a junction in Orches, Nord-Vienne

Their fatal smash with the Audi A3 took place close to a crossroads on a stretch of straight tarmac in Orches, and investigators believe the driver of the Audi A3 was driving erratically.

Authorities are now reviewing footage from a dashcam pulled out of the wreckage of the Mazda MX-5 to establish the exact circumstances of the crash.

The two occupants of the Audi - a 26-year-old Spaniard born in Ecuador and a 35-year-old whose nationality remains unclear - sustained fractures in the crash but escaped without life-threatening injuries.

They are both facing charges of involuntary manslaughter, but neither are accepting responsibility and are refusing to tell police which of them was behind the wheel, according to French media reports.

The crash took place on this stretch of road, metres away from a junction next to a house named 'La Folie'

One of the men was reportedly subject to a driving licence suspension at the time of the crash, but it is currently unclear which man was piloting the Audi.

Michel Loreille, the president of the Chinon Classic rally in which the elderly Brits were participating, expressed deep sorrow over the incident.

'The couple were regular participants, attending our rally for the past four or five years. About a third of our participants are British,' Loreille said.

French authorities have been coordinating with the British consulate to inform the victims' families.

Investigators said that process has been complicated by Brexit-related administrative challenges.
Labour must listen to JK Rowling's concerns about the party failing to stand up for women, Wes Streeting warned today.

The shadow health secretary said he was 'depressed' that the Harry Potter author felt Labour had 'abandoned' people who were alarmed about controversial gender identity theories.

He said the party must 'find a way through' treating trans people with 'dignity' at the same time as 'respecting' women. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves also offered to meet Rowling to 'reassure' her as the leadership frantically tries to defuse the situation.

The comments came as Labour descended further into confusion, with Keir Starmer insisting he does not support teaching about gender identity in schools - despite shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson suggesting yesterday it could happen.

The Tories have also accused Labour of creating 'loopholes for predators' by proposing to water down the process for legally recognising a gender change.

Keir Starmer is facing questions over JK Rowling's concerns about the party failing to stand up for women

The author, who donated 1million to Labour under Gordon Brown, launched another salvo yesterday after warning she would struggle to vote for the party over its 'embrace of gender identity ideology'

Wes Streeting said he was 'depressed' that the Harry Potter author felt Labour had 'abandoned' people who were alarmed about controversial gender identity theories

In an excoriating article over the weekend, Rowling slammed Sir Keir for a 'dismissive and often offensive' approach to women's rights.

The author, who donated 1million to Labour under Gordon Brown, said she would struggle to vote for the party and lambasted its 'embrace of gender identity ideology'.

Sir Keir responded by telling reporters on the campaign trail that he was 'very proud of the progress' of past Labour governments, arguing they had made a 'material difference' to women's lives.

Posting a link to a story about the row on X yesterday, Rowling said: 'Labour giving the same energy as a man who's been shagging a woman from work but thinks his wife should be cool about it because he's always put the bins out.'

Asked about the row today, Mr Streeting told Times Radio: 'Pretty depressed, to be honest.

'I have a lot of respect for JK Rowling both in terms of what she's done for children and literacy but also the work that she's done campaigning for women and in particular violence against women and girls.

'I think that we've clearly got more work to do to rebuild trust with people that we've lost on this issue.'

He added: 'I think we can find a way through that both treats trans people with the dignity and respect that they deserve, and also treats women with the respect that they deserve, particularly protecting women's spaces, women's voices, and right to speak up.

'So, when women like JK Rowling do speak up, I think it's important we engage seriously with the arguments that she's making, with the concerns that she has.

'And also we listen to what trans people are saying about the everyday injustices and indignities that they're experiencing too, whether that's hate crime or poor provision in public services.'

Mr Streeting said: 'I think at times in pursuit of inclusion we've ended up in a position where women have felt excluded, biological women have felt excluded.

'And there are practical examples of this in terms of things like NHS language and documentation.'

Speaking as she campaigned in Scotland today, Ms Reeves said: 'We're not going to be changing anything around biological sex. So the Equality Act stands and the protection of single sex spaces, based on biological sex will absolutely stay.

'Labour introduced the Equality Act it is very important to us and that protection for single sex spaces.'

She added: 'We're really happy to talk to JK Rowling to give her assurances about that.'

Ms Reeves insisted: 'For me those protections whether it is about prisons, refuges, changing spaces, that is really important to me, it is really important to the Labour Party that those single sex spaces based on biological sex are protected.

'And nothing in our plans goes contrary to that, nothing at all.'

Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson indicated yesterday that she will review a proposed Tory ban on gender identity being taught in schools.

Pressed if she would ditch idea, Ms Phillipson said trans people's 'existence should be recognised' - while acknowledging that teachers need guidance on 'how to manage what is a sensitive and difficult area for them'.

However, campaigning in Northampton today, Sir Keir was asked about the ban and said: 'No, I'm not in favour of ideology being taught in our schools on gender.'

He added: 'I think we need to complete the consultation process and make sure that there is guidance that is age appropriate. That is helpful for teachers and has at its heart the safeguarding of children.'

Sir Keir was also challenged over criticism that he does not prioritise women's rights.

He told broadcasters: 'I'm very proud of our record on women's rights. As a party in government we passed really important legislation that has made a material difference when it comes to equality.

'Those challenges, that progress is not over. We need to make further progress, which is why I'm really proud of what we've got in the manifesto that we're putting before the country this time. And that has to be done with a sort of real determination, with a conversation and discussion which is done respecting all different views. I think we can do that and further make the progress that we need.'

Labour is expected to propose removing the need for trans people to prove that they have lived in their preferred gender for two years.

The spouse of the applicant would also not be required to give consent for applications, which could be signed off by a single specialist doctor.

Currently people wishing to have a new gender legally recognised have to get a gender recognition certificate (GRC).

They are required to submit two years of evidence showing that they have been living in a new gender, such as utility bills, passports, or even supermarket loyalty cards.

However, according to The Times Labour will drop the provision in order to 'remove indignities for trans people who deserve recognition and acceptance'.

Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson indicated yesterday that she will review proposed guidance on how gender identity should be addressed in schools - but Sir Keir insisted today that the ban would be kept

Instead, there would be a two-year 'cooling off period' before a GRC is approved by one specialist doctor, rather than a panel of doctors and lawyers.

The idea of a single GP signing of certificates has reportedly been dropped by Labour, after Mr Streeting seemingly raised concerns about the impact on family doctors.

However, Tory equalities minister Kemi Badenoch said: 'These proposals unravel all the protections in the current system designed to protect women and girls.

'This change creates more loopholes for predators and bad faith actors to infiltrate women-only spaces and put us at risk.

'Labour have never understood or cared about this issue or the vulnerable women impacted by their policies.

'As JK Rowling, a Labour supporter herself, has said, Labour show a 'dismissive and often offensive' approach to the concerns of women, illustrated by the contempt with which they treat their own MPs like Rosie Duffield.'
Jay Slater's distraught father broke down in tears today as he described his family's 'living hell' a week after his son vanished in Tenerife.

Warren Slater desperately appealed for help finding the 19-year-old, who was last seen in Santiago del Teide.

Jay, an apprentice bricklayer, disappeared last Monday after going to the three-day NRG music festival on the Spanish island  sparking a huge police investigation which has now entered its second week.

The missing teenager left a nightclub in the party resort town of Playa de las Americas with two men he had met and went back to their Airbnb near the northwestern mountain village of Masca, which is more than 20 miles away.

Today, his 55-year-old father told of his desperation to bring his son home.

Warren Slater broke down in tears as he appealed for help finding the 19-year-old, who was last seen in Santiago del Teide

Jay Slater, an apprentice bricklayer, disappeared last Monday after going to a three-day music festival on the Spanish island

The last confirmed sighting of Jay, pictured, was at around 8am last Monday by a woman who had told him the bus was due at 10am when he asked

This is the CCTV image the family of Jay Slater are hoping and praying is him - a week after he mysteriously vanished on Tenerife

He told The Sun: 'I just want him to be found. I just want my son back, end of.

'What more is there? It's been a week now, a week of nothing. So somebody somewhere must've found out something. Somebody.

'It is a living hell. Unless you're going through it, you cannot explain. Please, please please, if anybody knows anything, just come forward and help us.'

Jay posted a Snapchat of him at the doorway of the property at 7.30am on June 17, tagged with the location Parque Rural de Teno. After leaving their accommodation, he missed the bus home and was facing an 11-hour walk back to where he was staying.

The last confirmed sighting of Jay was at around 8am last Monday by a woman who had told him the bus was due at 10am when he asked. She saw him set off on foot and later drove past him 'walking fast'.

Jay then made a desperate call to his friend Lucy Mae Law, telling her he was 'lost in the mountains with 1 per cent battery and no water'. The call then cut out and his phone last pinged in the rugged Rural de Teno national park at 8.50am.

He has not been seen or heard from since but hopes have been raised by a new CCTV image. The grainy image was captured by a webcam at Santiago de Teide last Monday at around 6pm - nearly ten hours on from his phone's last live location.

The CCTV is taken close to a church, San Fernando Rey, where Jay's mother told MailOnline on Saturday that a man has come forward to say he saw someone matching her son's description sitting on a bench with two men.

The church in Santiago del Teide where it is believed that Jay was spotted sitting on a bench with two men

Firefighters are seen searching near the village of Masca, Tenerife, on Saturday as the hunt for the missing teen continues

Jay's mother Debbie Duncan has said she is praying her son does not 'come back in a body bag'. They are pictured here together

The sighting has not been confirmed by police who say 'nothing has been ruled out and nothing has been ruled in', as they continue to focus their efforts on a ravine near where he was last seen.

Jay Slater timeline: What do we know so far? Sunday June 16: Jay and his friends, including Lucy Mae Law, party at the final day of the NRG music festival at Papagayo night club in the resort of Playa de las Americas, Tenerife. Monday June 17: Between 3am and 6am BST, Jay goes back to an Airbnb with two men after they leave Playa de las Americas in a car. 7.30am: Jay shares a photo on his Snapchat account, which shows him standing at the doorway of a house with the location Parque Rural de Teno. Between 8.30am and 9am: Jay calls Lucy and says he is 'lost in the mountains with 1 per cent battery and no water' and has missed a bus back south and was attempting to walk. It would take 11 hours. The call cuts out and the phone's last location is a path in the rugged Rural de Teno national park, which is popular with hikers. Grainy CCTV, released on June 24, shows a possible sighting of Jay at Santiago at around 6pm - nearly ten hours after his mobile phone last pinged in the Rural de Teno Park at around 8.50am. The CCTV is taken close to a church, San Fernando Rey, where Jay's mother told MailOnline a man has come forward to say he saw someone matching her son's description sitting on a bench with two men. Tuesday June 18: Friends search the area but there is no sign of Jay and he does not return to his accommodation. Local police and mountain rescue teams start hunting for Jay - and his mother Debbie flies to Tenerife. Wednesday June 19 - Spanish police use drones, dogs and a helicopter but Jay is not found. They change their search to Los Cristianos because of a possible sighting, but it is ruled out and they return to Rural de Teno. Thursday June 20: Guardia Civil, mountain rescue, firefighters and volunteers continue to search the national park. Friday June 21: Lancashire Police offer support but it is declined by the Spanish police. Saturday June 22: Search teams continue scouring the national park and Debbie says: 'We just need you home.' Sunday June 23: Police examine outbuildings at the bottom of a ravine where his phone last pinged. Advertisement

A source close to the family said: 'It looks like him and is certainly a man's shape but we just don't know. It was taken near the church where a witness says he saw him so we have to keep hoping.'

The church of San Fernando Rey is around 15 miles from the rave venue Jay was partying at and 3.5 miles from where his mobile phone last pinged in the rugged Rural de Teno park, where search efforts have been concentrated.

Speaking to MailOnline on Saturday, Jay's mother Debbie, 55, revealed: '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.'

Police have spent the last six days scouring the Masca gorge looking for any clues. Search teams have narrowed their efforts on small buildings close to where his phone last pinged.

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 on Sunday.

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 Jay could be seen looking into blue barrels outside one of the small buildings.

On Friday it emerged that Lancashire police, had offered to help but their Spanish counterparts had turned it down.

The same day Debbie spent more than eight hours with police in Los Cristianos as they explained how they had been searching and showed her maps and images of the vast zone they have been trawling.

When asked how she felt that the offer had been declined, Debbie said: '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.'

It has also emerged Lucy 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.

Meanwhile in a Facebook post early on Monday Debbie addressed the concerns over the GoFundMe Page set up for him as which has attracted more than 32,000 in donations.

She said: 'I really am saddened by all your comments. You seem to be so bothered about this GoFundMe page. I really hope I am not taking my son home in a body bag.

'The funds are not released and won't be if not needed. I really cannot believe the British public are not supporting me in trying to find Jay. This may happen to any of you one day. Very let down by you all.'

She later updated the post and said: 'Update!! Sorry that you have taken this the wrong way. I am overwhelmed with the generosity. What I meant was VERBAL support. I really hope I don't need this money. If it's not needed it all gets refunded to the people who really did care.'

Jay's mother Debbie Duncan (pictured) flew to Tenerife on Tuesday, the day after he vanished in Tenerife

Debbie Duncan said she was upset that by people posting negative comments about a GoFundMe page which has raised 30,000

Jay's friend Lucy Mae Law (pictured), 18, has blasted Spanish police for rejecting an offer from British officers to help

Search teams focus on a mountainous area near the village of Masca in their search for Jay Slater on Sunday

Firefighters gather near the village of Masca in Tenerife on Sunday as they continue the search for Jay Slater

A member of the Guardia Civil near the last known location of Jay Slater

Spanish police officers scour the area for any clues which could help them find Jay Slater

Vehicles of the Guardia Civil near the last known location of Jay Slater on Sunday

Search teams have been unable to find Jay Slater since he was last seen on Monday

Mr Williams-Thomas, who revealed he had 'reached out' to Jay's mother, Debbie Duncan, yesterday has now given an update on X/Twitter

It comes as the detective-turned-TV investigator who probed the disappearance of Nicola Bulley claimed that Ms Duncan is 'keen to accept my team's help'.

Mark Williams-Thomas, who also exposed Jimmy Savile's crimes, has offered his expertise revealed he had 'reached out' to Jay's mother.

He wrote on X/Twitter: 'Brief update: Jay Slater's family clearly struggling with all the media interest and attention, have switched off all phones and cut contact. I am awaiting to speak to mum later today, but have had a response from close relative that mum is keen to accept my team's help.

'Having worked with many families at crisis point when a child goes missing the loved ones become the eye of the storm and it's very very tough for them to manage all the enquiries on top of there own stress & worry.'

Mr Williams-Thomas was previously lead investigator on the ITV Exposure documentary, The Other Side of Jimmy Savile, which revealed how the late BBC presenter systematically and disturbingly preyed upon young and vulnerable girls.

He also offered help last year when mother-of-two Ms Bulley, 45, went missing while walking her dog in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, before her body was later discovered and an inquest ruled she had accidentally drowned.

His latest intervention comes amid wild speculation online and TikTok sleuths flying from Britain to Tenerife to join the search.

At least five British nationals have spent hundreds of pounds on making the trip despite having no link to Jay.

Paul Arnott, 29, who runs the Down the Rapids TikTok account and describes himself as an 'explorer', spent 400 on travelling to Tenerife on Saturday from Fort William, in Scotland.

He told The Telegraph: 'It's cost quite a few hundred pounds so far. I've been trying to contact mountain rescue all day but I haven't been able to get through to anyone.'

He added: 'The idea is ideally to communicate with mountain rescue and the police and if I can't get a response then I'll do my own thing in this area and try and work out where's not been searched.'

Mr Arnott said he would want someone to come out and help if the same thing had happened to him.

Police have been searching for Jay in the Teno Nature Reserve, referred to as 'malpais' by locals  a word that translates into English as 'badland'.

But Jay's friend Lucy has blasted the Spanish police, claiming they are 'not doing a good job' as family and friends desperately try to find him.

In a statement released late on Friday, Lancashire Police 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'.

Lucy said: '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 of wanting to 'bring him home to his family', adding: 'That is all we want, all that we need.'

A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Jay Slater's family has reached its 30,000 target after just three days

Meanwhile Jay's distraught father Warren, 58, has fought back tears as he told of just wanting 'my boy back' as he and Jay's brother Zak, 24, visited the spot where his phone last pinged and hugged each other in emotional scenes.

Choking back tears Warren, wearing a bucket hat, sunglasses and black T-shirt, said: 'He's my son. I just want him back.'

The visit came as a bombshell new video of missing Jay dancing shirtless in a Tenerife nightclub just hours before he disappeared has emerged.

In the new clip of Jay which has emerged, he is seen dancing shirtless in Papagayo nightclub which is at the end of the infamous Veronica's Strip area of Playa de las Americas.

The after-party is known to have wrapped up at 5am and an hour later Jay was with two mystery British men at their 40-a-night AirBnB 19 miles away at Masca.

It was here that a woman made the last confirmed sighting of Jay at about 8.15am, saying he was walking at pace up the hill and away from Playa de las Americas.

A 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

The mountain range in Rural de Teno near the village of Masca where police were searching

Jay Slater was seen dancing shirtless in Papagayo nightclub (pictured) which is at the end of the infamous Veronica's Strip area of Playa de las Americas in Tenerife

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 walk from Jay's last known location to his accommodation would have taken about 11 hours on foot.

A GoFundMe page set up to raise funds for Jay's family hit its target of 30,000 just three days after being set up on Sunday.

In a statement on the site, Debbie thanked everyone who had donated for their 'generosity and kindness during this difficult time'.

She added: 'I just wanted to confirm that this is the only GoFundMe fundraiser approved by our family.

'We have not yet withdrawn any funds and are currently covering the expenses, such as the trip to Tenerife and accommodation, ourselves.

'The funds will remain on hold with GoFundMe until we post a further update on this page.

'We are extremely worried and are doing everything we can to find Jay.

'Please continue to share our fundraiser far and wide. Your support means the world to us, and we are grateful for any help you can provide.

'Thank you again.'
The Kremlin has accused the U.S. of 'killing Russian children' after a Ukrainian attack on occupied Crimea with long-range missiles supplied by Washington and said there will be 'consequences'.

Moscow has summoned the U.S. ambassador to issue a formal warning, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov issued a public statement slamming the U.S. for 'barbaric' strike on Sevastopol, a strategic port city on the Black Sea.

'The involvement of the United States, the direct involvement, as a result of which Russian civilians are killed, cannot be without consequences,' said Peskov.

'Time will tell what these will be.'

'You should ask my colleagues in Europe, and above all in Washington, the press secretaries, why their governments are killing Russian children. Just ask them this question.' the spokesman for Vladimir Putin said.

After the Sevastopol strike, Russia accused the U.S. of 'waging a hybrid war against Russia' and of becoming 'a party to the conflict.'

Russia also told U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy the attack would 'not go unpunished. Retaliatory measures will definitely follow.'

Spray flies into the air as pieces of debris from the shot down missile land in the coast off Sevastopol

The attack killed at least four people, including two children, with 150 were injured.

Video shows panicked beachgoers fleeing from falling shrapnel after Russian air defense intercepted the U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles.

Russia seized Crimea in 2014, and Ukraine has launched a series of drone attacks at Russian naval assets and the Black Sea port since Russia's 2022 invasion.

The ATACMs provide a far longer 190 mile (300km) range than missiles previously supplied by the U.S.

The ATACMs started arriving in Ukraine earlier this year after intense lobbying from Kiev.

Weeks ago, the U.S. changed its policy to allow use of the weapons inside Russian territory along border regions with Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the attack in Crimea 'barbaric'. Moscow summoned the U.S. ambassador in response.

Wounded tourists are attended to by passers-by on a beach in Sevastopol after the incident on Sunday

The incident came the same day that Russian bombs destroyed a residential block in Kharkiv, killing at least one person and injuring 10 on Sunday

This followed relentless Russian attacks on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, after Moscow experienced battlefield gains.

Ukrainian commanders have pleaded for the authority to use the weapons to strike where Russia masses its troops and stores aircraft and ammunition ahead of assaults on its territory.

The long-range ATACMs were included in a March military aid package, although restrictions still prevent their use deep inside Russian territory.

Russia's war on Ukraine, and Ukraine's defense by the U.S. and NATO allies, has put deep strains between the U.S. and Russia, both nuclear powers.

Putin delivered his own warning earlier this month following reports the U.S. had begun shipping the longer-range ATACMs to Ukraine.

'Why dont we have the right to supply weapons of the same class to regions of the world where there will be strikes on sensitive facilities of those (Western) countries?' he asked.

'That is, the response can be asymmetric. We will think about it,' he said.
While she was recovering from the birth of her first child and unable to vote, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna learned of an obscure House procedure that could see Attorney General Merrick Garland arrested.

Frustrated that the DOJ hasn't acted on the House holding Garland in criminal contempt earlier this month, she will force a vote on an 'inherent contempt resolution' this week.

The criminal contempt resolution referred Garland to his own Justice Department for criminal charges after he refused to hand over the audio of Biden's special counsel interview.

But the DOJ quickly announced it will not act on the prosecution recommendation.

If Luna's resolution is passed, it could force Garland to stand trial before the House, and if found guilty, he would be detained by the House Sergeant-at-Arms.

While she was recovering from the birth of her first child and unable to vote, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna learned of an obscure House procedure that could see Attorney General Merrick Garland arrested

Inherent contempt which was last used in 1934 on Washington Lawyer William MacCracken, who spent 10 days in prison for refusing to comply with a Senate subpoena.

'I was told I couldn't vote when I was recovering from having my son ... what I found is a lot of members were unaware that it actually existed. And so I met the parliamentarian because I did not have faith in the DOJ.'

Luna was the only member this Congress to have a child while in office.

'Garland is currently running cover  at the risk of making himself essentially a criminal via Biden  for Biden's objective to stay in office at all costs, even though it's very evident that they're hiding something from the American people,' she told DailyMail.com in an interview.

House Republicans had issued two subpoenas for audio recordings of Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur about his mishandling of classified documents and his interviews with ghost writer Mark Zwonitzer.

The DOJ claimed it had been overly accommodating to House Republicans and their probes, handing over a transcript of Biden's interview.

But Republicans are skeptical of the transcript's accuracy.

'It is essential for us to conduct our investigation to ensure that they are being honest, that the transcripts haven't been doctored, and then see, I think that there's a major concern that there's some cognitive issues with Biden.'

Frustrated that the DOJ hasn't acted on the House holding Garland in criminal contempt, Luna will force a vote on her inherent contempt resolution this week

Since Luna will make the resolution 'privileged' it won't have to follow normal procedures, passing through committee and then waiting for leadership to put it on the House floor.

Luna said she met with Speaker Mike Johnson about the inherent contempt, and he prefers to work through the court system to try to force DOJ to turn over the transcripts.

With the narrowest of majorities in the House, Republicans will need nearly all of their side's votes for the resolution to pass. On Monday morning Luna sent a letter to her colleagues explaining the need for a 'yes' vote on her legislation.

'The Department of Justice and the attorney general cannot be the ultimate deciders of whether or not a congressional subpoena is enforced. If Congress allows this to happen, we risk being subordinated to the attorney general and being completely neutered in our ability to legislate,' Luna argued. '

Why would anyone from the executive branch comply with our demands for information if the enforcement of those demands relies on the actions of another department in its own branch?'

The House-wide vote to hold Garland in criminal contempt got support from all Republicans except Rep.Dave Joyce, R-Ohio, who worried it would politicize the justice system.

During the interview, said that Biden appeared 'elderly' with a 'poor memory' as he and had a series of other stumbles.

'I was told I couldn't vote when I was recovering from having my son ... what I found is a lot of members were unaware that it actually existed. And so I met the parliamentarian because I did not have faith in the DOJ,' said Luna

'That nice old man with a poor memory is in charge of our nuclear launch codes, and more importantly, supposed to be representing us on a world stage,' Luna said.

'When you have someone who's in that position who might not have the best memory or might not be cognitively there, our adversaries know that. And you can see with the withdrawal from Afghanistan, shortly thereafter, China and Russia both are kind of going up to the United States in our foreign policy. And you saw the invasion in Ukraine. You saw October 7 happen. It feels like the or the world is in chaos right now because of it.'
An inferno has ripped through what is believed to be a top secret research centre in Russia, with horrifying pictures showing people jumping and falling from the burning building.

Reports citing the emergency services say at least eight people were killed in the fire-ravaged high-rise.

Russian media reports that one man jumped and another fell to his death from the eight-storey block, while Shot media reported that as many as four had jumped from high windows.

One of the men who fell had already suffered horrific burns. The fate of the others was not immediately clear.

Explosions were heard inside the burning block as 100 firefighters battled to rescue people trapped within the building, which is in Fryazino, near Moscow.

The building is thought to house the Platan Research Institute - which develops radio-electronic systems used by Russia's Defence Ministry to jam signals, Newsweek reports.

Black smoke billows into the sky above the high-rise building in Fryazino, near Moscow

Disturbing pictures show people on a window ledge of the building before jumping out

Firefighters work to put out a huge blaze at a high-rise building in the town of Fryazino in the Moscow region

The building was gutted by the flames with firefighters struggling to bring the fire under control

The fire had spread to 43,000 square feet, according to reports, gutting the vast building

Bystanders looked on helplessly as smoke poured out of the high-rise building

Chilling pictures appear to show workers looking out helplessly through a smashed window

Fire and smoke billow from a burning administrative building in Fryazino in the Moscow Region

However, Russia's state-owned electronics holding reported that the building has no relation to the Platan Research Institute or the defence industry, claiming that 'in the late 90s it became private property.'

One theory behind what caused the fire is that gas cylinders inside the scientific institute had exploded, though the cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.

Harrowing footage showed people struggling to escape smoke and fire, with victims seen emerging before throwing themselves off the building in a bid to escape.

Chilling pictures also appeared to show workers looking out helplessly through a smashed window as they await rescue.

The fire had spread to 43,000 square feet, according to reports, gutting the vast building.

It was unclear why there was such a slow response to use helicopter fire fighters to deluge the building with water.

Russia has suffered an extraordinary array of fires this year amid the war in Ukraine.

Last year, a huge fire burned down an online shopping warehouse in St Petersburg used as a location for recruiting migrant workers for Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine.

In another incident in March, a major fire tore through a factory producing engines.
A New York Democrat ridiculed his progressive 'Squad' colleague for an 'unhinged' and expletive-filled campaign rally, saying the angry tirade was totally inappropriate.

'Squad' member Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., was filmed screaming and swearing over the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Political Action Committee (AIPAC), who is backing his primary challenger George Latimer.

'We are going to show f---ing AIPAC, the power of the motherf---ing South Bronx!' Bowman yelled Saturday at a rally with fellow progressive 'Squad' member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

'People ask me why I got a foul mouth. What am I supposed to do? You're coming after me! You're coming after my family! You're coming after my children,' Bowman proclaimed. 'I'm not supposed to fight back?'

'Were going to show them who the fk we are!' Bowman added while jumping and waving his arms on stage.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., during a re-election rally in the Bronx with AOC and Bernie. He repeatedly cussed and slammed pro-Israel political group AIPAC

Reacting to a clip of the f-bomb filled speech posted on X, Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., shamed the progressive: 'The level of profanity here is so shocking as to be unbecoming of a Member of Congress.'

'There is nothing in Jamaal Bowman's unhinged tirade that remotely resembles the decency of the people I know and represent in the South Bronx,' Torres continued.

Torres, who left the House Progressive Caucus earlier this year over differences in Israel policy, previously said he may stay away from commenting on the Bowman's primary race.

He told Axios he has a 'general rule of not weighing in against a Congressional Democrat who has not weighed in against me.'

'But Bowmans gratuitous attack on my character might cause me to rethink that rule,' he said earlier this month.

His post calling Bowman's behavior 'unhinged' and 'shocking' is likely a return salvo for the 'Squad' member saying Torres's position is 'calculated' and likely done in an effort to gain more political power as opposed to actually caring about the war.

'I think [Torres is] trying to gain political power for himself towards an ultimate objective. I don't know if it's U.S. Senate. I don't know what it is. But it's something,' Bowman said.

Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-NY, a supported of Israel, attends The Jerusalem Post New York conference in early June. He and Bowman have squabbled over their opposing views of the Israel-Hamas war

Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., (right) tours the site of the Nova festival massacre with a survivor of the attack

Bowman (left) greets Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, (center) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes (right) while campaigning in the Bronx borough of New York City on Sunday.

Supporters stand holding Palestinian flags at Jamaal Bowman's campaign rally

Beyond the spat with Torres, the progressive has been very vocal about his distaste for Israel during their war with Hamas.

He has often pushed for an immediate ceasefire in the war, alleged that Israel is guilty of genocide and war crimes and has demanded Joe Biden's White House stop sending all funds to the Jewish nation, not just those for its war.

His loud opposition to Israel has earned him the scorn of AIPAC, which supports both Democrats and Republicans supportive of Israel.

The group has poured nearly $15 million into Bowmans race against Westchester County Executive Latimer.

So much money has poured in that the Democrat primary is now thought to be the most expensive in history.

'Organized people will always beat organized money,' Bowman posted on X Monday.

'Were fighting back against AIPAC and their Republican billionaires who are trying to buy NY-16. Were showing them that across the country, our communities are not for sale!'

However, a spokesperson for AIPAC told DailyMail.com: 'Rep. Bowmans scurrilous and shameful attacks wont hide his record of aligning with the extremist, anti-Israel fringe.'

'In contrast to his opponent, George Latimer is a pro-Israel progressive who stands with the Jewish state as it battles Iranian terrorist proxies.'

Westchester County Executive George Latimer campaigns at a train station in White Plains, New York, on Thursday, June 13. Latimer is running in the Democratic primary against incumbent Jamaal Bowman to represent New York's 16th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks to the crowd at Bowman's campaign rally

Fellow 'Squad' member AOC also stumped for Bowman on Saturday

Shortly after the outbreak of the conflict on October 7, 2023, Bowman called Israel's claims that Hamas slaughtered babies and raped women 'propaganda.'

'There was propaganda used at the beginning of the siege,' he can be heard claiming loudly as cars passed noisily behind him on a busy road. The video was reportedly shot over a month after the initial attack on November 17.

'There's still no evidence of beheaded babies or raped women,' he continues, receiving affirmation from the crowd. 'But they've still been using that lie...propaganda.'

Bowman had condemned the October 7 attacks on Israel before his 'propaganda' comment and has done so repeatedly since then.
The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to decide the legality of a Republican-backed ban in Tennessee on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, as the justices waded into another contentious issue implicating LGBT rights.

They took up an appeal by Democratic President Joe Biden's administration of a lower court's decision upholding a ban on medical treatments including hormones and surgeries for minors experiencing gender dysphoria in Tennessee.

The court will hear the case in its next term, which begins in October.

The challengers contend that banning care for transgender youth violates the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment's equal protection and due process guarantees by discriminating against these adolescents based on sex and transgender status, and undermining parents' fundamental right to access and make decisions concerning the medical care for their children.

Republican-led states have passed numerous similar measures in recent years targeting medications or surgical interventions for adolescents with gender dysphoria - the clinical diagnosis for significant distress that can result from an incongruence between a person's gender identity and the sex they were assigned at birth.

The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to decide the legality of a Republican-backed ban in Tennessee on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, as the justices waded into another contentious issue implicating LGBTQ rights

Lawmakers supporting the restrictions have cast doubt on the treatments, calling them experimental and potentially harmful.

Medical associations, noting that gender dysphoria is associated with higher rates of suicide, have said gender-affirming care can be life-saving and that long-term studies show its effectiveness.

Tennessee's law bans healthcare workers from administering puberty blockers and hormones for purposes 'inconsistent with the minor's sex,' but allows treatments for congenital conditions or early puberty.

Providers can be sued and face fines and professional discipline for violations.

Several plaintiffs, including two transgender boys and a transgender girl, and their parents, sued in Tennessee to defend the treatments they say have improved their happiness and wellbeing.

Biden's administration intervened in the lawsuit to also challenge the law.

A federal judge blocked the law in Tennessee in 2023, finding that it likely violates the 14th Amendment.

A giant trans flag is unfurled outside the Supreme Court during the Court's previous hearing of a case dealing with LGBTQ rights. The Biden administration asked the Court to take up the fresh case, after a lower court upheld a Tennessee ban on surgeries and treatments

In a 2-1 decision in September 2023, the Cincinnati, Ohio-based 6th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the judge's preliminary injunctions.

'Prohibiting citizens and legislatures from offering their perspectives on high-stakes medical policies, in which compassion for the child points in both directions, is not something life-tenured federal judges should do,' the 6th Circuit's ruling stated.

Biden's administration urged the Supreme Court to take up the matter, saying state bans 'inflict profound harms on transgender adolescents and their families by denying medical treatments that the affected adolescents, their parents and their doctors have all concluded are appropriate and necessary to treat a serious medical condition.'

The law was among numerous measures pursued by Republicans at the state level to restrict LGBT rights.

Such measures also have included bans on discussion of gender identity in schools, clampdowns on drag shows and blocking transgender participation in sports.

The Supreme Court has confronted several cases in the past decade implicating LGBT rights.

In 2015, it legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

In 2020, it ruled that a landmark federal law forbidding workplace discrimination protects gay and transgender employees.

But in 2018, the justices ruled in favor of a Denver-area baker who refused based on his Christian views to make a wedding cake for a gay couple.

In 2023, they ruled in a case from Washington state that the constitutional right to free speech allows certain businesses to refuse to provide services for same-sex weddings.
The van driver then abandoned his vehicle to chase the moped rider on foot

A London moped rider viciously spat at a van driver, before his victim abandoned his vehicle to chase after him on foot, in a moment of road rage in the capital caught on camera.

The scenes unfolded in front of a delivery rider, who watched on as the pair started an argument while queuing in traffic on St Pancras Way in Camden Town, London.

Video footage shows the L-plated moped pulling up alongside an electrician's van as traffic slowed to a stop for red traffic lights.

With the moped rider seemingly having been ticked off by something the van driver has already done, he then shouted something unintelligible at the electrician.

The van driver asked: 'You alright?'

A London moped rider has been caught on camera viciously spitting at a van driver in a moment of road rage in the capital caught on camera

The van driver appears to try and grab the moped rider shortly after being spat at but misses

In the next moment, the van driver can be seen chasing after the moped rider through Camden, north London

But this serves to enrage the moped rider, who retorted: 'What the f**k do you mean, you alright?'

In the next moment, the van driver appears to have thrown litter at the rider, who then spits at the van's open window, before speeding away.

The van driver attempted to grab the moped driver, but misses and instead speeds after him .

He is then forced to stop in a queue of traffic further up the road as the moped rides into the distance and around the corner through a red light.

However, this does not deter the driver, who can be seen abandoning his van to tear after his assailant on foot, to the astonishment of the rider filming.

The rider said: 'Oh it is kicking off today. He's getting out the bl***y van.

'Oh my God, he's left his van to chase the driver.'

The van driver's efforts are in vain however, with the moped long out of sight and he heads back to his vehicle.

The filming delivery driver said in disbelief: 'What a way to start off the shift'.

The video was posted to social media on Saturday with the caption: 'Van driver runs after a moped rider in road rage in London'.

The clip has since received dozens of likes and comments from users, who have mostly defended the van driver.

The van driver, determined to catch the moped rider, abandons his vehicle in the traffic queue and chases him down on foot

The van driver is then seen turning a corner to catch the moped rider, but he is long gone

One user said: 'Shame he never caught him, spit at anyone and you deserve the hiding of your life'.

Another was equally disgusted, writing: 'Proper scummy behaviour that, spitting on someone'.

Another pointed out though that the van driver kicked off first, saying: 'The van driver threw something first? So he got what he deserved and was made to look like a mug'.
An American man vacationing in Spain has been missing for the last two weeks, prompting his family to turn to social media for help in locating him.

Ryan Anthony, 31, was on a trip with his friends in Barcelona before they traveled south down the Spanish coast to attend an LGBTQ pride festival in the town of Sitges.

Kayli Anthony Willis, Anthony's sister, said in a Facebook post that this was the last time she heard from him.

'The last message he sent me he was in Sitges for Pride festival with some friends. It is not like him to not check in with any of his family, and all our calls and texts are not delivering,' Willis wrote on the Sitges Social Network Group.

She described her brother as 6 feet tall and 185 pounds with brown hair and eyes. He also has a large black and red bird tattoo on his left arm.

Pictured: Ryan Anthony, 31, was traveling in Spain with friends before vanishing at a pride event in Sitges, a town roughly 24 miles from Barcelona

Willis also attached two photos of him, one of which showed him with four other men. It's believed he went to the festival with at least some of these individuals.

Willis said she messaged two of the men in the picture, neither of whom replied.

She added that one of the men posted on social media in the last week, The Independent reported.

'We have filed a report with the US embassy in Barcelona and also here in the United States,' she wrote.

She said he is 'the nicest person,' while also pleading with people who may have seen him to reach out to her via Facebook.

'If anyone has come in contact recently or knows where he is, PLEASE message me or notify the US embassy,' Willis wrote. 'We would like to know hes safe and alive. Thank you.'

The post garnered a lot of attention and comments, where Willis answered various people's questions and provided an update on the still unfolding situation.

Based on the advice she was given by locals in the Facebook group, Willis contacted Catalonia's police force and local police to file a missing person's report.

Anthony (center wearing a ballcap) is pictured with the friends he was traveling with in Spain. Willis has attempted to contact the men in the photo with no luck

She spoke to the police Sunday, who haven't been able to generate any leads on Anthony's whereabouts.

His credit cards also appeared to have gone unused, according to what police told her.

Willis reached out to several bars as well as multiple hospitals and clinics, but for now, none of those efforts have gotten her any closer to finding her brother.

'Please keep sharing and keep him in your thoughts,' she concluded.

DailyMail.com approached Willis for comment.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has announced a radical new 'pill-testing' trial to try to reduce overdose deaths at festivals and events, while insisting the policy does not amount to the legalisation of drugs.

In a video posted to social media on Monday night, Ms Allan, a mother to two young children, said she believed the trial would help young people make better and safer decisions while attending at big events.

'They want a medical professional who can tell them exactly what it (the pill) is and exactly what is does,' she said.

'No judgement, just facts. Honest, open, health focused conversations. That's how we change young people's behaviour and even reduce drug use.

'And that's all pill testing is about. It doesn't make pills legal but it does keep people safe.

'It exists around the world and the evidence says it works. This is a simple and commonsense way to save lives.

'That's why we're going to trial it in Victoria this summer.'

A radical new 'pill-testing' trial to try to reduce overdose deaths at festivals and events in Victoria. Pictured are police sniffer dogs on patrol at a music festival in Melbourne

The premier suggested the radical policy had been inspired by a surge of overdoses at music festivals across the state, saying paramedics had responded to more ODs in the first three months of 2024 than all of 2023.

'Let's be clear, no drug is ever truly safe,' she said.

'But people deserve to know if that one pill will kill, and if someone is asking for that information and we have the power to give it to them, then why on earth wouldn't we?'

She said she would deliver more details around the trial, including the 'protections' her government will put in place, this week.

The announcement moves Ms Allan away from the policy of her predecessor Dan Andrews, who rejected pill-testing trials during his time in power.

Victoria now joins Queensland and the ACT with pill-testing measures in place.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has announced a radical new 'pill-testing' trial to try to reduce overdose deaths at festivals

The announcement comes one day after a 60 Minutes expose of a deadly new drug infiltrating Australia's party scene.

Nitazenes, a deadly type of painkiller that can be a thousand times stronger than morphine, is being shipped en masse to Western countries from Chinese labs, landing in the hands of vulnerable Aussies.

Twenty nitazene-linked deaths have already been reported in Australia, on top of dozens of overdoses.

Health authorities have issued multiple alerts for the dangerous substance, with one from NSW Health in November linking a death to nitazenes found in black market vape juice, which are used to refill vape pens.

Australian mum Claire Rocha lost her son Dylan to nitazenes three years ago, after he took drugs that were laced with nitazenes while in England.

Speaking to the program, Ms Rocha revealed the grief she had been stricken with as a result of her 21-year-old's death.

Victoria now joins Queensland and the ACT with pill-testing measures in place. Pictured are police at St Jerome's Laneway Festival in Melbourne in February

'So I went upstairs and he was unresponsive on the bed and he was turning blue,' Ms Rocha said.

'But it was already too late. He'd already gone.

'And the paramedic came out and said: "I'm really sorry. We've done everything we can. Dylan has actually passed away".

'He did make some very questionable decisions and choices. But at the end of the day, what he took, he thought he was safe in taking, he'd taken that amount before, he thought he'd be okay.

'And he wasn't.'
America is roasting under a brutal heatwave, with over 100 million people under heat warnings as temperatures soar into triple digits nationwide.

Tragically, at least two children left in hot cars have died as the sweltering June conditions persist across multiple states.

Millions of people across the US were under heat warnings on Monday, with cities on the East Coast bracing for more record-breaking temperatures as the heat dome causing the dangerous conditions expands to the West Coast.

Baltimore and Philadelphia are forecast to touch records near 100F, while temperatures rise into the 90s in states like Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, as much as 15 degrees above normal for this time of year.

The extreme heat are expected to shift towards Nebraska and Kansas on Monday, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

America is roasting under a brutal heatwave with 100 million under heat warnings as temperatures soar nationwide

More than 100 million people across the US were under heat warnings on Sunday, with cities on the East Coast bracing for record-breaking temperatures as the heat dome causing the dangerous conditions expands to the West Coast

Tragically, at least two children left in hot cars have died as the sweltering conditions persist. (Pictured, kids keeping their cool with popsicles in Ohio on Thursday)

Cities across the South and Midwest are expected to swelter on Monday - including Kansas City, Dallas, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Omaha and Houston, where heat indexes will reach as high as 110F.

Officials warned of dangerous conditions in the Philadelphia region where high humidity could drive heat indexes above 105F, making it feel even hotter than the actual temperature.

Meanwhile, parts of the country from the Gulf Coast across the Plains and Midwest will see heat and humidity above 105F on Monday afternoon.

South Dakota and Minnesota are also forecast to see triple-digit heat indexes.

From Monday afternoon into Tuesday, the epicenter of the intense summer heat will move to central and southern parts of the county, hitting Oklahoma and Texas on Wednesday.

'It likely means we'll be seeing periodic periods of excessive heat across a decent part of the country into July,' NWS meteorologist Marc Chenard said. 'Not continuous at any one spot, but the overall pattern will continue to favor these above normal temperatures.'

Temperatures have cooled in the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes and New England regions, but excessive heat in the 90s F continues to stretch from Virginia to New York.

In Michigan, utility crews from several states were working feverishly Friday to restore power to thousands of suburban Detroit customers, two days after severe storms knocked out their power, leaving residents suffering amid a heat wave expected to linger through Saturday.

In East County, San Diego, a tragic incident has residents mourning the death of a 2-month-old who was left in a car for several hours last week.

And across parts of Virginia, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maine, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, record-high temperatures were set over the past week.

People cool off at Santa Monica beach in Los Angeles, California

People wait in line for an ice cream truck near the Washington Monument amidst a heat wave on the National Mall on June 19

Temperatures have cooled in the Ohio Valley, Great Lakes and New England regions, but excessive heat in the 90s F continues to stretch from Virginia to New York

The San Diego Sheriff's Department is investigating the child's death, which occurred on June 13 in Santee.

The distraught father briefly spoke to NBC 7 but declined to be interviewed.

Idaho officials said two people in their 60s have died of heat-related causes  the state's first heat-related deaths of the year. Health officials did not release additional information about the victims Friday, including where they died.

A neighbor provided a recording captured by their Ring doorbell camera, showing multiple police officers and first responders arriving at the home on Settle Road, with flashing lights illuminating the tragic scene.

Climate change is driving dangerous heat waves across the Northern Hemisphere this week and will continue to deliver dangerous weather for decades to come, research shows.

Extreme heat is suspected of causing hundreds of deaths across Asia and Europe as it has taken over cities on four continents.

People sit with their feet in the fountain at the World War II Monument amidst a heat wave

People visit the beach at Coney Island on a sweltering afternoon on the first weekend of summer on June 22

Baltimore and Philadelphia are forecast to touch records near 100 F on Sunday

Temperatures rise into the 90s in states like Idaho , Montana and Wyoming , as much as 15 degrees above normal for this time of year

More than 1,000 have died during Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, amid sweltering temperatures this year, according to a Reuters tally.

In New Mexico, officials are responding to multiple weather events, including a dust storm, flooding and two wildfires.

The Biden administration last week declared an emergency over the wildfires, which have been blamed for two deaths and more than 1,400 destroyed structures.

The FBI has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest of anyone responsible for the fires.

The blazes have scorched 25,000 acres around the village of Ruidoso, according to the government wildfire tracking website Inciweb.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of My Unorthodox Life, star Julia Haarts estranged husband Silvio Scaglia, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.

New York Supreme Court Judge Douglas E Hoffman took the extreme measure last week when he found Scaglia in contempt after he failed to appear at an appointed court date.

Hoffman had ruled that Scaglia owed Haart $300,000 in legal fees which he ordered should be paid by January.

But with no payment made and no indication that Scaglia had any intention of honoring the order Judge Hoffman called the couple back into court last week  a hearing at which Scaglia was a no-show.

The onetime couple has been duking it out through the courts, across multiple lawsuits for more than two years.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of My Unorthodox Life, star Julia Haarts estranged husband Silvio Scaglia, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal. (Pictured: the former couple together in happier times February 2017)

During that time, as reported by DailyMail.com, Haart, 53, accused Scaglia, 65, of being on a crusade to destroy her after she left him in January 2022.

He accused her of misappropriating millions of dollars from Elite World Group (EWG), the modelling firm the couple once ran together  allegations for which he failed to offer any proof in court.

She in return claimed that it was Scaglia who had misspent company funds, using over $20million of company money as a personal slush fund to finance a lifestyle of private jets, super yachts and even a $342,000 heart-shaped diamond engagement ring for his new fiancee Michelle Heinemann.

Now Scaglia is a fugitive from the law after Judge Hoffman lost all patience with his failure to stump up the $300,000 and the fact that he missed two court dates  May 15, and June 5.

Scaglia had claimed the apartment needed to be sold in order to support his modeling agency Elite World Group and its corporate parent, Freedom, which he claimed is facing 'financial hardship'

Silvio Scaglia sought to have estranged wife Julia Haart ejected from the $70million penthouse apartment they once shared in Tribeca. She is pictured in the apartment

Scaglia, 64, was seeking to force the sale of their $70million Tribeca penthouse overlooking the Hudson River, where Haart currently lives

The court held him in criminal contempt June 5 and set a sentencing date of June 13, a third date for which Scaglia failed to appear and for which his lawyers did not seek an adjournment.

As a result, he was sentenced to spend 20 days in jail and five days later a warrant was issued for his arrest with no bail allowed.

Scaglia is understood to be in Milan but according to the stringent terms of the warrant he will be arrested on sight  day or night  the moment he touches down on US soil.

He must surrender his passport which the State Department has been ordered to revoke and his driving license with the judge making it crystal clear that the time for any other remedies has passed.

In a further blow to the increasingly beleaguered self-described billionaire, Scaglias attorney Robert Wallack quit last month citing an irreparable breakdown of the relationship between Scalgia and his firm.

He was demanding the apartment be put on the market or Haart pay monthly carrying costs which he placed at close to $170,000

The legal battle is one of several litigations in which Haart and Scaglia had been locked since their acrimonious split last year after two years of marriage

Haart starred in the popular Netflix series last year, which focused on her rise in the fashion industry after she left her strict religious household at age 42

Meanwhile Haarts attorney Nancy Chemtob of Chemtob Moss Forman & Beyda welcomed Judge Hoffmans decision saying that her client felt vindicated by his actions.

She said, Ms. Haart feels vindicated by Judge Hoffmans decision to issue an arrest warrant for Mr. Silvio Scaglia.

'Mr. Scaglia thumbed his nose at the court by failing to appearknowing that Judge Hoffman would be revoking his drivers license, passport and finding him in contempt of court resulting in jail time. Mr. Scaglia is evading justice.
Carol Vorderman sparked outrage yesterday after comparing Jay Slater's disappearance in Tenerife to the time she 'went missing'.

The maths whizz, 63, recounted on her LBC show about the time she ran away when Countdown host Richard Whiteley died in 2005, aged 61, as she was racked with grief.

But listeners reacted with anger and accused Vorderman of making the 19-year-old Briton's disappearance 'all about me'.

Speaking to Missing People's head of helplines Paul Joseph about people going missing, Vorderman was close to tears as she told of the time she disappeared: 'Richard Whiteley died, and he died quite suddenly. Every day people would talk to me about him, even though I wasn't with him. There was a great love between us, and I couldn't cope, I just couldn't cope.'

The TV star said she 'just didn't know what to do' and with her children with her ex-husband at the time she 'just had to disappear'.

Carol Vorderman sparked outrage after comparing Jay Slater's disappearance in Tenerife to the time she 'went missing'

The maths whizz, 63, recounted on her LBC show about the time she ran away when Countdown host Richard Whiteley died in 2005 as she was racked with grief

The apprentice bricklayer, 19, has been missing for a week after attending a three-day high energy music festival on the Spanish island

'I didn't want anyone I knew around me, I just got in my car and I drove,' she said.

'I eventually found a hotel and I didn't have anything with me.

'I had my purse, and just locked myself away then, switch my phone off, all of that. I just stayed in that room, just to get my thoughts together really.

'So I do understand when people say that that's their only option, I really do. There's no shame about it, that's why I'm telling this story for the first time. There's no shame, everyone has those moments, I believe, at some point.'

Vorderman said Jay's story made her want to look more in to people disappearing and said almost 200,000 are reported missing every year in the UK and 'little attention can be given to them'.

Her retelling of the story sparked angry comments, reported The Mirror, with one listener saying: 'I don't think this is the same unfortunately,' while another person angrily echoed: 'I don't think this is the same thing Carol!!??'

Another commented: '"How do I make this all about me?'' and "Me, me, me".'

MailOnline has contacted Vorderman's representatives for comment.

It comes as Jay's disappearance has sparked a slew of conspiracy theories and vicious trolling of his family.

Trolls, amateur sleuths and psychics have sparked a carnival of hysteria and chaos surrounding the investigation by spreading wild and even malicious theories about his disappearance on social media  including the sick idea that he has faked his disappearance to pocket the GoFundMe cash.

Vorderman said she 'just couldn't cope' when Whiteley died ' as 'every day people would talk to me about him, even though I wasn't with him'

A new photo of Jay has emerged as his family wait for news while also having to deal with trolls and conspiracies

A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Jay Slater's family has reached its 30,000 target after just three days and is now on 32,000

His employer has spoken out and said 'the picture being painted of him is not true'

A 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

Jay's friend Lucy Mae Law (pictured), 18, has blasted Spanish police for rejecting an offer from British officers to help

Conspiracy theorist David Icke has now waded in making unfounded claims on Facebook about people traffickers and a 'bonkers' cover up claim about it being linked to the power cut at Manchester Airport yesterday, while others have levelled unsubstantiated allegations about possible mafia involvement.

There are also theories about a white car seen in a picture and on Google Streetview - and ridiculous suggestions including he has run away to join ISIS.

The apprentice bricklayer's family are all on the Spanish island as mountain rescuers with dogs and drones search for him as donations by generous Britons to a fundraising page set up by his best friend to support the search has already passed 32,000.

Specialist search teams have been concentrating on an area at the bottom of a ravine in Rural de Teno Park - the area where his phone was last tracked to before it ran out of battery.

Police are working on the theory that he has got lost after attending a three-day high energy music festival, with the teenager later being seen walking away from Playa de las Americas.

He had called his best friend Lucy Law, who was on holiday with him, that he 'didn't know where he was', was thirsty and only had 1% battery left on his phone.

Jay Slater's mother Debbie Duncan has repeatedly hit out at trolls mocking her missing son and raised her own concerns that it is distracting from the hunt for her missing boy.
It was a desperate attempt to save an iconic species from extinction when they were released into the wild in a historic first for Britain last year.

Now conservationists have hailed the birth of six wildcat kittens in the Cairngorms a major milestone in their drive to save the rare and elusive animals in Scotland.

Dubbed the Highland tiger, at least two females have produced off-spring out of the 19 animals released by the Saving Wildcats project in undisclosed locations in the national park last June.

Attempts to gain DNA profiles of the kittens will be made when they are older to ensure they come from male wildcats released last year and not feral domestic cats.

But the project team, lead by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, know from the cats GPS-radio collars which are used to monitor them, that their mothers have overlapped with male wildcats.

One of the released wildcats caught on camera

Prior to their release efforts were also made to trap, neuter and vaccinate feral domestic acts before re-releasing them.

Dr Helen Senn, who leads the project, said: This is a major milestone for wildcat recovery in Scotland.

These births demonstrate that the process of breeding wildcats for release into the wild is working, as those released animals have learned to hunt and survive - and now reproduce in their first breeding season, a clear indication that they are doing well.

She stressed that life in the wild is hard and that mortality of wildcat kittens in their first year can be high.

But she said: We are hopeful for the future of these kittens.

The Woodland Trust estimates there may be fewer than 35 true Scottish wildcats left in the wild, with habitat loss and cross-breeding with domestic cats being two major reasons for their endangerment.

Of the animals released last summer, 16 are known to have survived and are being monitored with GPS radio collars.

A further two are presumed to be alive but have dispersed beyond the range the team can track them.

The only death recorded was a female five weeks after it was released.

Approved by NatureScot, the releases marked the first conservation translocation of wildcats in Britain.

But Dr Keri Langridge, Saving Wildcats field manager, hailed the latest development the most exciting moment of the project so far.

She said: We suspected that some of the females had given birth when their movement and activity changed very suddenly but didnt know for sure until footage of the kittens was captured on our cameras.

We didnt dare to dream that we would have wildcat kittens in the first year of releases, and seeing those kittens on the video was the most exciting moment of the project so far.
Rishi Sunak's early departure from this month's D-Day commemorations is the worst gaffe of the general election campaign so far, according to a new poll.

A More In Common survey showed more than 80 per cent of voters were aware of the fierce row over the PM's skipping of a major international event in Normandy.

More than 70 per cent thought the incident reflected badly on the Conservative Party, the research found.

The Tories have also suffered the second-worst gaffe of the election campaign, according to the survey, with more than 70 per cent aware of 'gamblegate'.

As well as a high level of awareness among voters, a similar proportion thought the scandal over alleged betting on the election date by senior Tories reflected badly.

The worst gaffe to have afflicted Labour was shown to be the meltdown over whether veteran MP Diane Abott would be allowed to stand as a party candidate.

Around two-thirds of voters were aware of the factional row between Sir Keir Starmer and Labour's left-wing, while more than half thought it reflected badly on the party.

Meanwhile, more than half of voters were aware of Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey's travails on a paddleboard.

But little more than one-fifth thought the former Cabinet minister failing to stay upright on Lake Windermere reflected badly on his party.

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Rishi Sunak, pictured with a D-Day veteran earlier this month, sparked outrage with his decision to skip a major international ceremony in Normandy

The worst gaffe to have afflicted Labour was shown to be Sir Keir Starmer's meltdown over whether veteran MP Diane Abott would be allowed to stand as a party candidate

More than half of voters were aware of Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey's travails on a paddleboard on Lake Windermere

More In Common polling also suggested other gaffes with a high level of public awareness included the PM's announcement of the election date in the pouring rain in Downing Street

The More In Common polling - carried out between 21 to 23 June - also suggested other gaffes with a high level of public awareness included Mr Sunak saying he went without Sky TV as a child, as well as the PM's announcement of the election date in the pouring rain in Downing Street.

Luke Tryl, UK director of More In Common, said: 'Two moments stand out with clear cut through and over 70 per cent saying they reflect badly: D-Day & the gambling scandal.

'The biggest Labour misstep appears to have been their handling of Diane Abbott's suspension and candidacy earlier in the campaign.

'Meanwhile Ed Davey's paddle board incident (which we included as a control) was something many were aware of but didn't really think badly of.

'What I think it demonstrates though is just how gambling/D-Day are unique in the extent to which they have had the potential to shape the course of the campaign and why they have caused real damage to the Conservatives.

'No other events come close.'
Two siblings are facing assault charges after they attacked two cops inside an Avianca airplane in Colombia.

The suspects, whose names have been withheld by the Colombian National Police as part of the investigation, assaulted officer Carlos Quinones after they were asked to step out the Avianca aircraft due to their unruly behavior last Thursday night at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota.

In the viral video, one of the men can be seen arguing with Quinones and tells him, We are not going to leave and refers addresses by the color of skin.

His brother places his hand on Quinones's chest and tell him, Dont mistreat him, before the alleged drunk siblings took things to another level.

The man then steps forward and slaps Quinones in the face before his partner steps forward and restrains the attacker and escorts him out of the plane.

Two Colombian siblings (second from left and second from right) were arrested at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota last Thursday after they assaulted two police officers, who were called to escort them off an Avianca aircraft due to their unruly behavior. Both passengers were allegedly drunk

Colombia National Police agent Carlos Quinones was slapped by an alleged drunk passenger after he and his partner were called in to remove the attacker and his brother from an Avianca airplane

However, the slappers sibling attempts to stop the cop, who was assaulted, from following his partner and puts up a struggle with the agent.

He then abandons his seat and fast walks down the aisle and reaches for the cop before he too is forced out of the airplane.

The Police reject this type of event in which two police officers are physically and verbally attacked inside an aircraft at the El Dorado airport, said lieutenant colonel Wilson Torres, who oversees the airport police station.

The National Police calls for passengers to disembark from the aircraft, as established by Colombian aeronautical regulations, Torres added. They become aggressive towards the Police, attacking them physically and verbally, which is why the police proceed to prosecute them for the crime of violence against a public servant.

Both men were apprehended on charges of assaulting a public servant, but they were granted their release by a judge, who charged them with intentional personal injury.

The charge of assaulting a public servant carries a sentence of four to eight years in prison.

DailyMail.com reached out to Avianca for comment.

A passenger intervenes and tries to stop officer Carlos Quinones from removing his brother off an Avianca flight for slapping in law enforcement agent in the face

The passenger (pictured) and his sibling were released from jail after a judge charged them with intentional personal injury

The incident follows the December 2023 incident involving a Polish man who was removed from a Spirit Airlines flight at Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport in Barranquilla that was bound for Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Police footage showed the passenger, who was allegedly drunk, in an argument words with fellow customers and shouting, 'F**k you, b****h,' at another passenger as he was being escorted by a flight attendant and two cops.

He let out another F-bomb and stopped in the middle of the plane to berate another passenger, telling them, 'You wish you would be in the United States.'

One of the cops subsequently pushed him forward before he hit the cop and repeatedly told him, 'I hate you.'
A handwritten Sherlock Holmes manuscript that was annotated by Arthur Conan Doyle is tipped to sell for nearly 1m.

The legendary author produced the manuscript for The Sign of Four, his second novel about the fictional detective, in 1889.

It was originally sent to J.M Stoddart, an American businessman and editor of Lippincotts Monthly Magazine, who wanted to publish the book in the US.

The text has been edited to include American versions of English words to cater for the US readership.

Edinburgh-born Conan Doyle crossed out lines and made corrections.

The manuscript is going under the hammer at auctioneers Sothebys New York with a high estimate of 960,000

Edinburgh-born Conan Doyle crossed out lines and made corrections

Stoddart proposed to Conan Doyle the concept of a new book at a dinner hosted at Langham Hotel, London, which was also attended by Oscar Wilde.

In the tale, Holmes and Dr Watson are visited at 221B Baker Street by Miss Mary Morstan who needs their help to solve the mystery of her missing father and the anonymous gifts of pearls she was receiving.

The manuscript, which Conan Doyle has signed twice, has been consigned from the Library of Dr Rodney P Swantko, a private collection of rare 19th and 20th century titles.

It is going under the hammer at auctioneers Sothebys New York with a high estimate of 960,000 ($1.2million).

Also in the collection is a first edition of The Great Gatsby (1925) inscribed by Scott Fitzgerald to his wifes sister and her husband, which is valued at 200,000.

A presentation copy of The Wizard of Oz could go for 144,000 and a presentation copy of A Christmas Carol (1843) inscribed and signed by Charles Dickens for his affectionate friend Walter Savage Landor is estimated at 240,000.

Richard Austin, Sothebys global head of books and manuscripts, said: While any collection will bear the personal imprint of its collector, the library of Rodney Swantko is curated with an exceptional level of detail and dedication, celebrating the rich tapestry of 20th century literature.

Known in literary circles as a meticulous collector, the full scope of Swantkos library is now fully revealed for the first time, showcasing the totality of his collecting vision and the taste and curiosity that drove his passion for decades.

The sale takes place on Wednesday.
A long-serving Sainsbury's manager has won a disability harassment claim after his boss left him out of a social media post celebrating International Mens Day while he was off sick.

Darren Cooper was on a prolonged period of leave for anxiety when his regional director posted on Linkedin to thank and 'celebrate' male managers who 'show up for work each day, put on a name badge on, and provide leadership for thousands of colleagues'.

The store manager, who claimed he had 'orange blood' having worked at the supermarket giant since he was a schoolboy, said his exclusion from the post made him feel 'violated'.

After suing for disability harassment, he is now in line for compensation after an employment judge ruled he had been 'humiliated' by being left out.

An employment tribunal in Cardiff heard Mr Cooper started working for Sainsbury's in 1993 on a part-time basis while he was at school.

After graduating from university, he took up a full-time post at the supermarket and in 2010 he was promoted to manager of the store in Pontypridd, South Wales.

Sainsbury's manager Darren Cooper won his case after his boss left him out of a social media post thanking male staff on International Mens Day. Pictured: The Sainsbury's store in Pontypridd

However, in June 2022 he went on sick leave from June 2022 due to anxiety.

On International Men's Day, November 19, Regional Director Matt Hourihan posted on Yammer - Sainsbury's internal message board - and LinkedIn to celebrate the occasion.

'I'd like to take a moment to celebrate the male leaders in my team and say thank you for all that you do to help make our stores,' part of the post read.

Mr Hourihan, who managed some 5,000 members of staff and has since been promoted to head of customer service at Sainsbury's thanked the male managers who 'show up for work each day, put on a name badge and provide support, guidance and leadership to the thousands of colleagues that work on our region'.

In both posts, the regional director included photos of each store manager in his region and tagged them, but did not name or tag Mr Cooper.

The store manager's wife told him about the post and he told the tribunal that this caused 'untold further damage' to his health.

Mr Cooper said it created 'angst' for him as he had to field questions from friends, colleagues, and LinkedIn connections - who all asked him if he had left Sainsbury's.

'He gave statement evidence that he felt excluded, humiliated and violated by the post and that he had felt he had been excluded because he was absent,' Employment Judge Rhian Brace said.

The regional director was questioned on his actions in relation to the post.

Mr Hourihan said that Mr Cooper - who had been off work for 16 weeks at this point - had deleted his WhatsApp account and had asked to be not contacted and be left alone to recover.

For this reason, he did not want to bombard the store manager with hundreds of alerts and felt as if that was the last thing Mr Cooper would have wanted.

Mr Hourihan also did not have a photograph of the store manager and did not consider it appropriate to ask for one.

On November 22, Mr Cooper submitted a complaint - made up of 48 'discrete concerns' - against his boss.

Of this number, the investigator partially upheld one in relation to the LinkedIn post - but said it did not breach Sainsbury's Social Media Policy and any impact on Mr Cooper had been unintended.

Mr Cooper appealed the result of the investigation but this was dismissed.

After lengthy exchanges regarding his return to work date, the store manager was dismissed on June 2023.

The store manager sued for disability discrimination relating to his anxiety, harassment and unfair dismissal.

Upholding his harassment and unfavourable treatment claims in relation to the LinkedIn post, EJ Brace said: '[Mr Cooper] was a valued and long serving store manager at Sainsbury's.'

'He had Orange Blood as it was monikered, where he had worked from Sainsbury's since a pupil and still at school.'

The panel concluded that failing to include the store manager on the LinkedIn post was 'unwanted conduct' and his 'exclusion from the posts was related to his disability'.

It was noted that Mr Hourihan purposely left him out of the post as to prevent Mr Cooper from receiving any unwanted contact during his time off - and he also considered it inappropriate to ask him for a photograph.

'Whilst the Tribunal again has sympathy with [Mr Hourihan's] position, we nonetheless accepted [Mr Cooper's] evidence that having people contact him caused him to feel excluded,' EJ Brace said.

'It was reasonable for [Mr Cooper], as a senior Store Manager, in those circumstances for him to feel humiliated as a result particularly when there had been nothing to have prevented Matt Hourihan from telling [Mr Cooper] of the post when speaking to him the day prior.

Mr Cooper's other claims were dismissed.

A remedy hearing to decide his compensation will be held at a later date.
The host city for England's crunch Euro 2024 match with Slovenia boasts one of Europe's finest cathedrals - but is also home to the continent's biggest brothel.

And at 199 (168.61) including breakfast, a stay at the 12-story, bright pink Pascha comes in cheaper than many hotel rooms in the city, making the brothel a cost-effective choice for England fans in need of a bed after the Group C clash.

Yesterday the brothel's manager declined to comment on how many of his 120 bedrooms had been rented to England fans tonight.

Three Lions fans travelling to Cologne for the big match had reportedly snapped up every room.

During the Mail's brief visit, one punter was seen casually strolling into Pascha's dark L-shaped entrance hall, partially lit by blue neon LED strips on its staircase. Another was then seen leaving, followed soon afterwards by a woman in her 20s, wearing a vest top and skirt.

Three Lions fans travelling to Cologne for the big match had reportedly snapped up every room (File image)

At 199 (168.61) including breakfast, a stay at the 12-story, bright pink Pascha (pictured) comes in cheaper than many hotel rooms in the city

A sign inside the building - which also boasts a nightclub as well as the brothel and hotel rooms - explained the 5 (4.23) brothel entrance fee helped the establishment to provide reasonably-priced drinks for its clientele.

Two burly men were stationed at cash desks in the foyer.

According to accommodation booking site Hotels.com, a room for one person at Cologne's Urban Loft hotel costs, 311 (367) tonight, while another four-star hotel, the Dorint An der Messe comes in at 273 (322.08), Novotel Cologne City is 328 ( 387.10), while art'otel Cologne(corr) is 343 (404.67).

But rooms were also available for slightly less than Pascha's overnight rate - a room can be had at the three-star Innception(corr) Hotel for 192 ( 226.60) or just 122 ( 144) at Hotel Triton, also a three-star establishment.

Pascha, the brothel first reported on by the Sun lies on a street named Hornstrasse, and is hemmed in by three rail lines in a district formerly dominated by factories.

Next door is a bratwurst takeaway called Wurst Willy, while directly opposite is another brothel. Somewhat incongruously, just yards along the same road is a Lidl supermarket.

During the Mail's brief visit, one punter was seen casually strolling into Pascha's dark L-shaped entrance hall, partially lit by blue neon LED strips on its staircase.

The host city for England's crunch Euro 2024 match with Slovenia boasts one of Europe's finest cathedrals - but is also home to the continent's biggest brothel (File image)

Germany made buying sex, selling sex, pimping and brothel-keeping legal in 2002 and has since been flooded by sex workers, mainly from Eastern Europe.

As well as brothels, legalisation also heralded 'naked' clubs with a sauna, bar and bedrooms and 'flat-rate' brothels where one fee buys sex with multiple women.

Drive-in 'sex boxes' looking like large sheds or stables, known as verrichtungsboxen - which translates roughly as 'getting things done boxes' - also sprung up.

The prostitution industry in Germany is now worth an estimated 15bn annually.

Pascha filed for bankruptcy in September 2020 as a result of coronavirus legislation in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia which temporarily outlawed prostitution.

It was bought by a Chinese businesswoman for 10m in 2021.
A video posted days before Ph.D student Nicole Virzi allegedly killed a friend's baby shows her discussing a paper she wrote about depression in women.

In the video shared by the Heart and Mind academic journal on June 13, Virzi is wearing a white blazer and comes off well-spoken as she delves into how somatic symptoms of depression in women can lead to risks of heart disease.

Three days after the video was posted, the UC San Diego doctoral student of clinical psychology was watching her friends' two babies, Leon and Ari, while on college break.

After being entrusted with the two infants, Virzi was arrested and charged with the murder of six-and-a-half-week old Leon 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.

Nicole Virzi, pictured, appears in a video posted to X by the Heart and Mind Journal. She summed up a 2022 study she published in that journal about how depression and other symptoms could lead to heart disease in women

As the lead author of a 2022 study published by the Heart and Mind Journal, Virzi appeared in the video posted to X and quickly summarized the findings of her research.

She and seven other authors worked on the paper, one of which was Thomas Rutledge, a psychiatry professor at UC San Diego.

On her UC San Diego profile, she describes Rutledge as her mentor but didn't give any more specifics.

DailyMail.com approached Rutledge for comment.

Police say Virzi allegedly killed Leon while they were at the hospital with his twin brother Ari, who they allege she 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.

'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.

Six week-old Leon Katz was murdered by a Ph.D student babysitter hired by his parents, police say

Ethan and Savannah are pictured with Leon and his twin brother Ari, who Virzi is also accused of attacking

This picture of the twin brothers was taken shortly before Leon's horrific murder and the attack on Ari

Nicole Virzi is charged with the murder of six-and-a-half-week old Leon Katz at his home in Pittsburgh

'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.

She told cops that she had gone into the kitchen to get the baby 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 told cops that she was getting Katz a bottle when she heard screaming and saw he had fallen out of a bouncer

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 is being held without bail at the Allegheny County Jail. She faces a preliminary hearing on June 28.

Virzi is a fifth-year clinical psychology candidate on the SDSU/UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program.

'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.'
A TikTok user wondered if her Hinge date gave off a red flag and was shocked to learn what triggered his laughter over some supposed seafood.

The woman named Rihanna (@thediaryofrihanna) recalled a horror story about her recent date in a TikTok video she posted on June 20.

Rihanna's date selected the restaurant, and she was excited to enjoy some food with him.

Once the man noticed the restaurant had Rocky Mountain oysters, he insisted Rihanna try them because they were 'really delicious' and he grew up eating them.

As she took a bite of the Rocky Mountain oyster, he couldn't stop laughing. The, another TikTok user informed her that it was another word for a bull testicle.

Rihanna posted a TikTok videolast week after her hinge date acted suspicious while she tried rocky mountain oysters, which unbeknownst to her, were bull testicles

Rihanna didn't expect her Hinge date to have any red flags before they met in person.

'I met this guy on Hinge... Hinge in itself is already a red flag,' she said.

'We get to the restaurant, our conversations are going really good, and we start looking at the menu.'

Rihanna's date was seemingly excited to see that the restaurant offered Rocky Mountain oysters.

'We order our drinks, he orders his oysters, and everything's good,' said Rihanna.

'The oysters come to the table, and don't look like oysters I'm used to seeing.'

Rihanna, who had never heard of Rocky Mountain oysters, initially thought they were a kind of seafood and continued to think so until she found out the truth from a commenter.

'He gives me a bite, and I'm like, "This doesn't taste like seafood," and he starts laughing,' said Rihanna.

'I thought it was kind of a friendly laugh, but he didn't stop laughing, and I started feeling really uncomfortable.'

Rihanna thought the oysters had a 'familiar flavor,' but she couldn't put her finger on where she had tasted it before.

Rihanna assumed Rocky Mountain oysters were seafood and didn't understand why her date laughed at her after she tried it

Her date was excited to see that Rocky Mountain oysters were on the restaurant menu. He insisted the dish was delicious

Her video, which has received over one million views, has more than 80,000 comments, one of which is from a TikTok user mentioned in Rihanna's June 22 reaction video.

'Girl, those are bull testicles, not seafood. This is why he kept laughing, but he should've explained it to you,' a TikToker wrote two days ago.

This comment inspired Rihanna to make a second video about her Hinge date horror story, which includes an understandably dramatic reaction.

She repeatedly called herself a Christian woman and called herself 'virgin-ish.'

'I don't put b--s in my mouth that much. I want to make it clear that I am a Christian woman... I made a pledge not to do that before marriage,' she screamed in her car.

She gagged more than once when she attempted to admit to taking a bite of a bull testicle, but she did not speak ill of her date.

Rocky mountain oysters are a popular dish in multiple western states, including Colorado and Texas. The food item has also grown in its popularity in Canada

Rocky Mountain oysters are popular dishes in select western states. They are made from bull testicles and are usually deep-fried.

The dish is also known as prairie oysters, calf fries, and swinging beef, according to About Boulder.

Rocky Mountain oysters are also a popular dish served at fairs or festivals in the western US, and they have gained popularity in other countries, including Canada.

About Boulder wrote in 2023 that restaurant guests in Colorado praised the Rocky Mountain oysters at Dark Horse.

The Boulder eatery, which is open seven days a week, still serves Rocky Mountain oysters.

The menu describes them as 'Colorado classic cow fries served breaded with side of horseradish.'

TikTok users have wrote in the comment sections of both videos that they are not up for trying Rocky Mountain oysters, but one person revealed that they heard the dish was 'delicious.'

Yelp reviewers have praised the Rocky Mountain oysters from Boulder, Colorado, landmark, Dark Horse

'They taste like chicken. We have a testicle festival here every year; it's fine; us humans eat everything,' a commenter wrote in one of the videos yesterday.

Other commenters from the first video actually said her date's actions were a 'red flag,' not because of the laughing, but because of what he purposely didn't tell her.

'The red flag is him not telling you what Rocky Mountain oysters were before you tried them,' a TikToker wrote.

'As soon as he saw them on the menu and found out you never heard of them, he knew exactly what he was going to do. No to a second date,' one person commented.
Democrats called it 'embarrassing' after Fox News cut away from the rant

Democrat Twitter erupted in attacks against Donald Trump's age and mental state after Fox News cut away from his rally rant about water pressure and usage.

President Joe Biden's campaign, allies and defenders called the moment 'embarrassing' for Trump and claimed the former president is 'senile.'

The 2024 race has largely devolved into arguments over which of the elderly men are more fit to serve another four years in office. Trump and Biden camps wage attacks over the way the other walks, talks and acts  claiming it indicates they are not mentally or physically fit enough for another term.

Trump and Biden will have the chance to put each other to the test during their first head-to-head debate of the 2024 election cycle on Thursday in Atlanta, Georgia hosted by CNN.

Whether Trump, 78, or Biden, 81, wins in November, either one will set the record for the oldest person ever elected to the White House.

Donald Trump railed against Democratic environmental policies that leads to weaker water pressure during a rant at his rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saturday, June 22

Trump in 2016 became the oldest president inaugurated in U.S. history at the age of 70, and Biden beat that record just four years later at the age of 78.

During a rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Trump started to rant about how weak water pressure has become with recent left-leaning environmental regulations. This is a common line he brings up at his rallies about how there are 'no water in your faucets.'

'BREAKING: In a terribly embarrassing moment for Trump, Fox News has to cut away from his speech because he isn't making any coherent sense,' an account called Biden's Wins posted to X.

They added: 'It's beyond clear Trump is senile. Retweet so all Americans see this.'

At the rally, Trump began talking about the lack of availability of water in home faucets.

'You ever try buying a new home and you turn on  you want to wash your hair or you wanna wash your hands  you turn on the water and it goes drip, drip. The soap, you can't get it off your hand. So you keep it running for about 10 times longer,' Trump lamented.

'The worst is your hair,' the former president went on. 'I have this beautiful luxuriant hair and I put stuff on. I put it in, lather. I like lots of lather because I like it to come out extremely dry because it seems to be slightly thicker that way. And I lather up and then you turn on this crazy shower and the thing drip, drip and you say I'm gonna be here for 45 minutes.'

Pro-Biden accounts erupted on social media over Fox News abruptly cutting away from Trump's rant and said the remarks were proof the former president is 'senile'

He posed a solution  rain.

'There's so much water, you don't know what to do with it. You know, it's called rain,' Trump said. 'It rains a lot in certain places.'

'There is a problem. They don't want you to have any water. They want no water.'

At this point, Fox News had tuned into the rally and decided to cut away.

'And you were just listening to former President Trump and we're going to talk about some of the things he was discussing there. We'll be right back,' the Fox host said.

Biden's reelection campaign also posted a clip of the moment, writing: 'Fox News cuts away from Trump in the middle of his unintelligible, confused rant about washing machines.'
Britain has seen a record number of migrants arrive after crossing the English Channel in the first six months of the year.

Home Office figures show 257 people made the journey in four boats on Sunday alone, taking the provisional total for the year so far to 12,901.

The previous record for arrivals in the six months from January to June was 12,747 in 2022. In the first half of 2023, arrivals stood at 11,433.

The 2024 total to date is 17% higher than the number of arrivals recorded this time last year (11,058) and up 8% on the same period in 2022 (11,975).

Last year a total of 29,437 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel, down 36% on a record 45,774 in 2022.

More than 3,000 arrivals have now been recorded since the General Election was called on May 22 (3,019), with immigration a key campaign battleground.

In the past week alone, more than 1,200 migrants crossed the English Channel on just 20 small boats, Home Office figures showed.

Home Office figures show 257 people made the journey in four boats on Sunday alone, taking the provisional total for the year so far to 12,901.

The previous record for arrivals in the six months from January to June was 12,747 in 2022. In the first half of 2023, arrivals stood at 11,433.

In the last six and a half years, as the recent migrant crisis unfolded, 127,246 people have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel, data recorded since the start of 2018 shows.

Some 82,265 people have made the journey since the Government struck the stalled deal to send migrants to Rwanda in April 2022.

The tally of crossings since Rishi Sunak, who pledged to 'stop the boats', became Prime Minister in October that year is nearly 50,000, now standing at 49,964.

Downing Street insisted the Government continues to 'bear down' on migrant Channel crossings but migrant charities have called for a 'new direction' from the next administration.

A No 10 spokeswoman said: 'We continually adapt and step up our efforts to respond to the changing tactics of what are serious criminal gangs facilitating these incredibly dangerous journeys.'

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She claimed action taken was already having an impact as she suggested French officers had intercepted more than 8,000 crossings so far this year.

'So we continue to bear down on this issue. But ultimately, as the Prime Minister has also said on many occasions, it's important that we have the Rwanda plan in place so we can have a deterrent which will fundamentally disrupt the business model of these criminal gangs, and in doing so, stop the boats', she added.

Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK's refugee and migrant rights director, said: 'Once again, these figures underline a basic truth: that people will keep making these incredibly dangerous journeys for as long as there are no safer alternatives available to them.

'Political rhetoric about 'stopping the boats' and 'smashing the gangs' is a deliberate distraction, and the majority of people making these crossings are fully entitled to asylum.

'The next UK Government must scrap the current ban on processing people's claims, abandon the disastrous Rwanda scheme, end the use of unsuitable accommodation like barges and barracks, and instead prioritise an asylum system that decides all claims fairly and efficiently.'

Wanda Wyporska, chief executive at Safe Passage International, said: 'We urgently need a new direction from the next Government, one that prioritises opening safe routes for people fleeing war and persecution, fixing refugee family reunion and ending hostile policies.'
The millionaire investment banker who was filmed punching a woman in Brooklyn during a Pride event has resigned from his high-paying job.

Jonathan Kaye, 52, was the Managing Director at Moelis & Company, a leading investment bank with offices in Midtown Manhattan.

He was put on leave after the viral June 8 incident, which reportedly left the 38-year-old woman with a broken nose and a black eye.

On Monday a spokesman told DailyMail.com Kaye has since resigned from his post at the firm.

As exclusively reported by DailyMail.com, sources close to Kaye claimed he was threatened, called anti-Semitic slurs and doused in a mystery liquid moments before he was filmed punching the woman.

Jonathan Kaye, the millionaire investment banker who was filmed punching a woman in Brooklyn during a Pride event, has resigned from his company

The insiders said the viral clip did not capture the full clash, which began when a group of four female 'Queers for Palestine' supporters started allegedly taunting Kaye - who is Jewish - as he returned from dinner.

Kaye is said to have told the group that they were 'on the wrong side', prompting the women to gang up on him, the source said.

'You could say that he initiated it, but he didn't,' a source told DailyMail.com.

'He just said 'you are on the wrong side', and then the four of them came at him - they threw liquids at him. He didn't know what the liquid was. They were shouting slurs at him.

'He fell or he was chest bumped, and can't remember that bit. But he ended up on the pavement with them four over him.

Kaye was filmed throwing a vicious overhand right at an unnamed woman in Brooklyn - where he also lives in a four bedroom townhouse in pricey Park Slope, valued at just over $4million

'He got up and swung at one as he was trying to escape, and then he ran.'

They also claim that the footage shows Kaye covered in liquid, with a stain on his back, in the now-viral video.

Pictures obtained by DailyMail.com show Kaye's clothes soaked in a red liquid, which he believes was Gatorade, and blood pooling around his ankle after he was shoved to the floor.

After the incident, posters with his face, home address and cell phone were plastered in the area close to his $4million four-bedroom townhouse in pricey Park Slope, as neighbors erupted and demanded the father-of-three be arrested.

In the clip, the woman is seen being thrown to the floor by the force of the punch, as one onlooker unsuccessfully rushes to her aid.

Others looking on are heard calling Kaye an 'a**hole' and telling him to 'go f**k himself' - earning his attention briefly before he abruptly walks away.

A source with knowledge of the incident said the viral clip does not tell the whole story, which they claim began when a group of Queers for Palestine supporters attacked Kaye as he left dinner. Pictured: Kaye's injuries

Pictures obtained by DailyMail.com show Kaye's clothes soaked in a red liquid, which he believes was Gatorade, and blood pooling around his ankle after he was shoved to the floor

A criminal investigation into the altercation is ongoing.

Following the news that he resigned, a source close to Kaye said: 'Given the sharp rise in antisemitic incidents, any Jewish person in this situation would naturally feel threatened and feel the need to defend themselves and return safely to their family.

'He has lived peacefully in New York City for a quarter of a century with no history of physical altercation. His mistake was the presumption of non-violent discourse.

'The aftermath to him which has included countless death threats and a campaign of personal destruction, has been traumatic and devastating. He will fully cooperate with authorities to resolve this matter and clear his name.'

Kaye, who lives his wife, owns multiple properties on the street, which he rents out to neighbors.

In his former job he oversaw 10 verticals within Moelis's Business Services faction, managing 'a dedicated team of bankers and... an extensive network of relationships with both strategic companies and private equity investors,' according to his profile on Moelis's website.

Before working at Moelis, Kaye was a managing director at Citibank.
Rishi Sunak tonight vowed that any Tories found to have broken gambling rules by betting on the election date would be 'booted out' the party.

The under-pressure PM made the vow tonight as he faced increasing pressure to act over a growing scandal casting a long shadow over the tail end of the campaign.

A string of Conservatives have been revealed to be under investigation by the Gambling Commission amid claims about wagers placed on a July poll.

They include Tory chief data officer Nick Mason, director of campaigning Tony Lee, Mr Lee's wife and parliamentary candidate Laura Saunders, and Craig Williams - also an election candidate and a close aide to the Prime Minister.

One of Mr Sunak's police protection officers has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and is also subject to an investigation by the regulator.

Appearing at a Sun newspaper hustings tonight Mr Sunak vowed he would 'not hesitate to act' after being asked why he had yet to suspend any of the party figures involved.

The under-pressure PM made the vow tonight as he faced increasing pressure to act over a growing scandal casting a long shadow over the tail end of the campaign.

The PM also confirmed the Conservative Party were carrying out their own probe into the alleged betting scandal

The Prime Minister said: 'I was incredibly angry, incredibly angry when I learned about the [betting} allegations, as everybody would be when they would hear about something like that.'

He added: 'I'm incredibly angry about this and the right thing to do, and again you talked about that letter, to do things properly, is to get to the bottom of what happened, to investigate things thoroughly.

'Now we have to do that separately to the Gambling Commission, who don't report to me. I don't have the details of their investigation. We have to do that sensitively and carefully so that we don't compromise the integrity of a police and other investigations.

'But let me be clear, if we come across findings or information that warrants it, we will not hesitate to act, I have been crystal clear that I will hold people to account, whoever they are.'

Mr Sunak faced fresh questions over the row after a senior Tory admitted the party is set to suffer at the general election due to the scandal.

Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister, said there was 'no doubt' the row over alleged bets on the date of the election would cost the Tories seats.

The PM is under growing pressure over the betting row, with Mr Ellwood saying voters wanted to see 'clear robust action now'.

He also demanded politicians or party employees be banned from placing any political bets.

Speaking in Edinburgh this morning, Mr Sunak told journalists that the Tories were conducting their own parallel inquiry.

But he added: 'What I can tell you is I am not aware of any other candidate that they are looking at.'

Mr Sunak also confirmed the Conservative Party were carrying out their own probe into the alleged betting scandal.

And, asked if he had ever bet on politics while being an MP, the PM replied: 'No.'

He said: 'The Gambling Commission is independent of Government  it's independent of me.

'I don't have the details of their investigation, right? They don't report to me, I don't have the details.

'But what I can tell you is, in parallel we've been conducting our own internal inquiries and of course will act on any relevant findings or information from that and pass it on to the Gambling Commission.'

A senior Tory has admitted the party are set to suffer at the general election due to the betting scandal that has engulfed Mr Sunak

Tobias Ellwood, a former defence minister, said there was 'no doubt' the row over alleged bets on the date of the election would cost the Tories seats

Mr Sunak also faced difficult questions from the public, including from a woman whose father died from cancer after waiting 18 months for treatment.

Audience member Fliss said her family went through '18 months of hell' when her father, who died six weeks ago, was diagnosed with cancer.

She said they waited nine months for a diagnosis, then another nine months for metastatic diagnosis and that her father died before he got it.

'I believe the NHS is broken,' Fliss said, and asked the Prime Minister what he would do to stop others suffering this way.

Mr Sunak said the Government was hiring more oncologists and introducing new forms of testing, but added that 'fundamentally what happened to you and your family isn't acceptable and I can only apologise'.

Tory candidate Laura Saunders and her husband Tony Lee, the Conservatives' director of campaigning, are caught up in allegations about betting on the timing of the election

Craig Williams, also an election candidate and a close aide to the Prime Minister, is among those being probed by the Gambling Commission
A top prosecutor who has taken on some of the nation's top political corruption cases dramatically apologized to Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon as Jack Smith's team battled over a proposed gag order Monday.

David Harbach, who led cases against former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards and former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell issued the stunning statement inside Cannon's courtroom Monday, in a case where Trump critics complain she has repeatedly ruled against the government.

'I just want to apologize about earlier, Harbach said following a contentious courtroom exchange. I didnt mean to be unprofessional. Im sorry about that.

It came after he appeared to bristle at questions from Cannon, a U.S. district judge in Florida, in response to her questions about the prosecution's claims of threats to law enforcement personnel and Trump's language about the FBI that fed into the government's request to modify his terms of release.

'I dont appreciate your tone,' the judge snapped at one point. The judge told him she would 'appreciate decorum at all times,' then warned, 'If you arent able to do that, Im sure one of your colleagues can take up arguing this motion.'

Judge Aileen Cannon quizzed prosecutors and Donald Trump's lawyers about Trump's effort to force special counsel Jack Smith from the classified documents case

The Harvard Law-trained prosecutor once worked for former FBI Director James Comey, a longtime Trump target.

Prosecutors want to modify Trump's conditions of release to prohibit public attacks on law enforcement.

It comes after Trump accused the FBI of planning for his assassination based on documents spelling out use of force protocols during the raid at Mar-a-Lago that uncovered documents marked classified at his Florida home.

'Crooked Joe Bidens DOJ, in their Illegal and UnConstitutional Raid of Mar-a-Lago, AUTHORIZED THE FBI TO USE DEADLY (LETHAL) FORCE. NOW WE KNOW, FOR SURE, THAT JOE BIDEN IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO DEMOCRACY. HE IS MENTALLY UNFIT TO HOLD OFFICE  25TH AMENDMENT!' Trump posted.

Trump also wrote in a fundraising email to supporters: 'Joe Biden was locked & loaded ready to take me out & put my family in danger.'

Prosecutors used those threats to justify their request for a gag, saying it created a 'grossly misleading impression' and accusing Trump of 'smearing' federal agents who executed the search.

'These deceptive and inflammatory claims expose the law enforcement professionals who are involved in this case to unjustified and unacceptable risks,' they wrote.

Prosecutors cited the threat to law enforcement of people who might be inspired to carry out physical attacks, prompting questions from Cannon about a linkage.

The clash came as Cannon heard more challenges to special counsel Jack Smith's authority on Monday  this time asking if there was any limit to the congressional funding that supports his office.

The Trump-appointed judge made the comment at a hearing in her Fort Pierce, Florida courtroom as Trump's lawyer argued that Smith's funding is contrary to the rules governing congressional appropriations.

It is one of multiple challenges Trump's team have challenged to the prosecutor leading the classified documents case against him. (Smith is also heading the January 6 case based in Washington, D.C. that is on hold while the Supreme Court considers Trump's immunity claims.)

The judge's comment came at a hearing where Trump lawyer Emil Bove argued that Smith's funding has been against laws governing funding from the get-go.

'Is there any cap to the funding?' Cannon asked him.

'There is no check on the scope of what's going on here,' Bove responded.

She also called the amounts the Justice Department spent on special counsels 'significant.'

Speaking for Smith's office, assistant special counsel James Pearce said it is the 'full commitment of the DOJ' that the special counsel's office has the funding to continue the prosecution.

Cannon asked Pearce to clarify if the budget for the case so far was $9 million.

'But when it's limitless, there is a separation of powers concern,' Cannon said.

Pearce said DOJ had $1 billion at its disposal even if the current funding stream got changed.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers were back in court after facing off in Cannon's courtroom on Friday, where she grilled defense lawyers and asked that they explain an 'ominous' argument after they challenged Smith's appointment.

Bove said the law was being applied in a way to grant AG Merrick Garland 'the power to appoint a shadow government.'

Cannon's willingness to grant Trump lawyers time to argue their motions in open court, while also hearing 'amicus' pleas by outside parties, has prompted outside criticism that she is allowing Trump's team to stall the case.

The government has allowed the use of special prosecutors in one form or another for more than a hundred years, and defense lawyers for Hunter Biden failed in a similar effort against the use of the authority by special counsel David Weiss.

Critics accuse Cannon of repeatedly ruling in Trump's favor and issuing rulings that show inexperience in a complex classified documents case

Trump's team argued special counsel Jack Smith's appointment was unconstitutional. On Monday they argued his funding violated appropriations statutes

David Aronberg, the state attorney for Palm Beach County and a Democrat, called it 'mind-boggling.'

Cannon postponed a May trial date and has not scheduled a new one, raising the likelihood Trump won't face trial in his classified documents case before the November elections.

He also will hear arguments in her courtroom Monday about Smith's renewed request for a gag order, after Trump accused FBI agents of having a plan to assassinate him based on a boilerplate passage from a document listing preparations for a search on Mar-a-Lago.

Trump has called the gags on his speech in other cases unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan imposed a narrow gag order in the D.C. case, and New York Jude Juan Merchan imposed one in the Stormy Daniels hush money trial.
The prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann trial could walk free from jail before Christmas after a dramatic new move from his legal team.

Brueckner is the man German investigators believe abducted Madeleine, then three years old, from her family's holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007.

He is currently being tried in Braunschweig for a range of unrelatedchilling sex crimes, including three rapes and two cases of exposing himself to children

But his defence team has now urged the judge to overturn an arrest warrant for Christian Brueckner.

If this happens, then this October they can start the process to apply for his release, meaning he would be set free well before Christmas.

Christian Brueckner (pictured), the prime suspect in the Madeleine McCann trial, could walk free from jail before Christmas

Madeleine McCann (pictured) went missing in 2006

Speaking to MailOnline, part of the defence team, Philipp Marqort said there are no grounds to justify the current arrest warrant keeping Brueckner behind bars.

'The prerequisite for an arrest warrant under Section 112 of the German Code of Criminal Procedure is an urgent suspicion of an offence.'

'The urgent suspicion of an offence requires two elements to be examined by the competent detention court: on the one hand, an objectively substantiated assessment of the probability of the accused committing the offence and, on the other hand, a prognosis of the probability of conviction.

'But here both criteria are not met.'

Family handout of Madeleine McCann taken at 2.29pm on May 3 - the day she went missing from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portuga

Brueckner is the man German investigators believe abducted Madeleine, then three years old, from her family's holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007

Now that all of the main witnesses have been heard, as the case begins winding down, the defence says what has been presented so far has been weak, claiming there is no evidence demonstrating the necessary 'probability' that Brueckner committed the offence.

The effect is that the arrest warrant currently keeping him in a cell is invalid and must therefore be immediately revoked.

'If the arrest warrant is gone, as soon as my client doesn't have an arrest warrant binding him, the prison then has to start preparations for release. It is the essential process for getting a client out early.'

Brueckner is currently serving a seven-year sentence for raping an American woman in Portugal in 2005.

But this ends early next year. And as Bruecknerhas already spent time in pre-trial detention, the defence argues that this time is now served.

This means that the only thing binding him now is the current arrest warrant, and if this is revoked, he could be out very soon indeed. He insists he had no involvement is Madeleine's disappearance.
Sir Keir Starmer squirmed tonight as he faced a fresh grilling over his past claim that Jeremy Corbyn would make a 'great' prime minister.

The Labour leader was quizzed over whether he 'lied' when he previously expressed public support for his hard-left predecessor before the 2019 general election.

'I don't think the choice at the last election was a good choice,' Sir Keir told The Sun's Never Mind The Ballots show.

He insisted he 'didn't think we would win' when challenged about supporting Mr Corbyn as Britain's next premier during Labour's last general election campaign.

Sir Keir also defended serving under Mr Corbyn as a senior shadow minister between 2016 and 2020, when he was shadow Brexit secretary.

Sir Keir Starmer squirmed tonight as he faced a fresh grilling over his past claim that Jeremy Corbyn would make a 'great' prime minister

The Labour leader was quizzed over whether he 'lied' when he previously expressed public support for his hard-left predecessor before the 2019 general election

Sir Keir insisted he 'didn't think we would win' when challenged about his endorsement of Mr Corbyn during Labour's last general election campaign

Sir Keir said: 'Leaders are temporary but political parties are permanent.

'It was important to have a voice in the shadow cabinet. It meant I could challenge anti-Semitism.

'And it meant the Labour Party never veered from its position on things that are fundamentally important like NATO. I accept other colleagues did different things.

'But I knew, everybody knew, there was always going to be a day after when we would have the opportunity for a new leader of our party.

'And to make sure our party was there to face the future.'

Sir Keir said he didn't vote for Mr Corbyn in either the 2015 or 2016 Labour leadership contests.

And he admitted it was 'difficult' when party members backed Mr Corbyn in both of those elections to put the left-winger in charge of the party.

Sir Keir said Labour was now 'fundamentally different' under him than it was during his predecessor's leadership.

'What I'm asking for now is the opportunity to pick the country up, which is as broken as my party was in 2019, and change it for the better,' he added.

Last week, Sir Keir ducked a volley of questions over whether he truly believed Mr Corbyn would have made a 'great' PM - as he previously claimed - when appearing on BBC Question Time.

Sir Keir was laughed at by the audience as he dodged replying 'yes or no' when asked whether he meant it when he said Mr Corbyn would have been a 'great' premier.

The Labour leader instead suggested his predecessor would have been 'better' than Boris Johnson.

Sir Keir was challenged about that statement this evening when he was asked what Mr Corbyn would have done better in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Labour leader replied: 'Let me do something I don't often do - praise Boris Johnson. On Ukraine he took a strong position.'

Sir Keir added he and Mr Johnson 'both took the view that the only winner if there was a split in our politics in the UK was Vladimir Putin'.

He vowed to continue a cross-party approach to the Ukraine war if he enters Downing Street in 10 days' time.

Since replacing Mr Corbyn as Labour leader in 2020, Sir Keir has attempted to distance himself from his hard-left predecessor.

Mr Corbyn's time in charge of Labour was marked by a series of anti-Semitism rows, while a former head of MI6 branded him a 'danger' to national security.

When he was first elected Labour leader in 2015, Mr Corbyn said he would never use Britain's nuclear weapons if he became PM.

He also later voted against the renewal of the UK's Trident programme.

In 2018, following the poisonings of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, Mr Corbyn was accused of 'siding with Russia' after criticising the Government for 'rushing' to blame Putin's regime.

In 2022, while he was suspended as a Labour MP under Sir Keir's leadership, Mr Corbyn expressed a wish that military alliances like NATO could be ultimately disbanded.

He said he did not blame NATO for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but added it had to be looked at in a historical context.

Mr Corbyn is standing as an independent candidate in this year's general election in Islington North, the constituency he has held since 1983.

He was blocked by Sir Keir from standing as a Labour candidate in the seat after losing the party whip in 2020, when he said allegations of anti-Semitism during his time in charge had been exaggerated by political opponents.
A schoolgirl from Cornwall has been missing for the last 10 days amid growing concern for her welfare, police have said.

Miya Stewart, 14, was last seen on Friday, June 14 in the town of Saltash.

Devon and Cornwall Police has now issued an urgent public appeal for information on her whereabouts.

Officers believe she has travelled to the Nottingham area.

Miya is described as a white female, of slim build and has long pink hair, which is usually tied up.

Missing schoolgirl Miya Stewart, 14, was last seen on Friday, June 14 in the town of Saltash, Cornwall, amid growing concerns over her welfare

She is 5ft 4in tall and often wears pink clothing and white hi-top Nike Jordans.

Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'Police are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of Miya Stewart, 14, who has been reported missing from the Saltash area.

'Miya was last seen in the Saltash area on Friday 14 June.

'If you have seen Miya, or know of her whereabouts, please call police immediately on 999, quoting log number 50240151506.'
Nigel Farage has been criticised over his comments on the war in Ukraine by a former head of the British Army

Lord Dannatt lashed out at the Reform UK leader for suggesting the West hold 'sensible' negotiations with Vladimir Putin over ending the fighting.

It came as Mr Farage tried to bat away claims he is 'echoing' Russian propaganda at a rally in Kent this morning.

He told an audience in Maidstone he would 'never, ever defend' the Russian President, and claimed he had been 'more far-sighted' in predicting the conflict would start.

He added: 'I would never, ever defend Putin and I think his behaviour in Ukraine and elsewhere has been reprehensible.

'But if we're going to think towards a peace at some time in the not too distant future, perhaps it might be helpful to understand what went wrong in the first place.'

Asked by the BBC if Mr Farage has a point with his remarks on Ukraine, Lord Dannatt said: 'As far as I'm concerned, Nigel Farage doesn't have a point worth listening to about anything.'

Lord Dannatt, the former chief of the general staff, lashed out at the Reform UK leader for suggesting the West hold 'sensible' negotiations with Vladimir Putin over ending the fighting.

It came as Mr Farage tried to bat away claims he is 'echoing' Russian propaganda at a rally in Kent this morning

He added on BBC Radio 4's World At One: 'If the issue is the wider point as to whether the situation in the war has got to a point where negotiations should take place that is entirely a matter for president Zelensky and really for him alone to decide whether, in his judgment, to negotiate would be a better thing to do in order to save more Ukrainian lives than continue fighting.'

Last night The Reform leader said he supported peace talks arguing the invasion had reached a 'complete stalemate' and the loss of lives was 'horrific'.

Interviewed on an ITV election special being broadcast tonight, Mr Farage repeated his controversial view that NATO and the EU 'provoked' Moscow - although he caveated that was 'up until a few years ago' and stressed he supported giving Kyiv munitions.

Asked how he would deal with Putin, the former MEP said: 'Well, we've tried of course through sanctions to weaken him, but all that's actually done is drive him into the arms of China.

'He needs to know there's a threat now, he needs to know, he does need to know, it is so far and no further.

'I think the West historically, up until a few years ago, provoked Putin stupidly. I felt the ever, ever eastward expansion of NATO and the European Union was giving Putin a reason to go to war. I guess the question is, what do we do now?

'And yes, I do support us giving munitions and help to Ukraine, but I feel the war is a complete stalemate.

'I think the number of lives being lost is horrific. There have been no sensible substantive negotiations of any kind and even if negotiations to try and find a peace to try and find a way through fail, I think it's better to have those negotiations than not.'

The comments came after Rishi Sunak, James Cleverly and military figures slammed Mr Farage 'for 'echoing Putin's lines' on Ukraine.

Mr Farage also used today's rally to brand the Channel migrant crisis an 'invasion' for the second time, as he slammed Tory control of the UK's borders.

The Reform UK leader warned of an influx of young men as he addressed supporters at a rally in Kent this afternoon.

He claimed that the majority of those crossing the channel in small boats were coming from countries suffering from 'terrorism ... gang culture and war zones'.

His remarks echo those made last year by former Tory home secretary Suella Braverman, who has since called for closer links between the two parties.

It is not the first time he has referred to an 'invasion', having been criticised by charities in 2020 for similar remarks.

The Reform UK leader warned of an influx of young men as he addressed supporters at a rally in Kent this afternoon.

He claimed that the majority of those crossing the channel in small boats were coming from countries suffering from 'terrorism ... gang culture and war zones'.

Bit early lads! Reform UK supporters get the lunchtime beers in ahead of Nigel Farage's speech from the top of a bus in the grounds of a hotel.

After highlighting small boat crossings in the Channel, he said: 'Remember I went out four years ago, again and again, into the Channel to highlight what was going on, to say you might as well put a sign on the white cliffs of Dover saying 'everyone welcome'.'

He added: 'I warned that huge numbers would come, I even said there might be an invasion, which is of course the rudest word you could possibly use in BBC land, but now 4,000 boats and 128,000 people later, it does look like it's been an invasion to me - and it's mostly young men.'

Mr Farage also shared his fear that the world is at its most dangerous position for more than 60 years.

In a Kent speech, the Reform UK leader said: 'There has been virtually no debate on defence whatsoever other than a ludicrous 'we're going to bring back national service' which would only apply to 30,000 young people who would join the military for a year.

'There's been precious little debate on defence, precious little debate about the state of our armed forces, precious little debate about how little we still do in this country for our veterans, and precious, precious almost no debate on foreign policy.'

Mr Farage added: 'I have no doubt that the world is in a more dangerous place right now than it's been at any point since the Cuban missile crisis over 60 years ago.

'A couple of years back, we would have thought war on a global scale was inconceivable but we now all, don't we, harbour that doubt and that worry at the back of our minds.'

Mr Farage also said: 'We need 30,000 at least young men and women to join the army, get trained and stay as full-time soldiers.'
A tiny Colorado town has been plunged into a national debate after stopping a church from using its amphitheater for Sunday prayers.

Town officials in Dillon blocked all non-town sponsored groups from using the space - including Dillon Community Church which had held events there for 42 years - after being inundated with rental requests.

The decision has catapulted the 1,000-person town to the center of a debate over worship in public facilities.

Pressure groups on both sides are threatening lawsuits, with some demanding the Church be given special dispensation to gather, while others slam the preferential access as 'Christian privilege'.

Town manager Nathan Johnson told The Denver Post: 'There needs to be a separation of church and state. We cannot favor one denomination over another.'

Town officials in Dillon blocked all non-town sponsored groups from using their amphitheater, including Dillon Community Church which had held events there for 42 years

The amphitheater was built in 1993 and renovated to become a top of the range venue in 2018, with views over the water to the mountains beyond.

Dillon Community Church have hosted their worship events there for decades, paying an annual $1,100 rental fee and drawing in over 300 people a week.

Then, earlier this year, other groups including a synagogue and Native American tribes asked the council to use the space.

Johnson told The Post: 'Everybody is attracted to the lake, the natural beauty of the lake.'

The council can't accept everyone, he said, and they had to place the other groups on 'hold': 'Now with the popularity of the venue we have more and more people reaching out. Everybody wants to be down there.'

The issue, he said, is that 'an expectation has been set' by allowing the Church to use the space for their events.

He added: 'We havent told anyone no  at least that Im aware of.

'We want to have clear and definitive direction from the town council on what is allowed and not allowed in this setting.'

'If we are going to open up the amphitheater, we have to open it up for everybody.'

Town manager Nathan Johnson told The Denver Post: 'There needs to be a separation of church and state. We cannot favor one denomination over another.'

The issue, he said, is that 'an expectation has been set' by allowing the Church to use the space for their events

In an original meeting on the issue, on June 11, the council voted 5-1 to grant the Church special access to the site.

But after public backlash derided 'Christian privilege' and Dillons Denver-based contract attorney Kathleen Kelly resigned over the decision, the council were forced to backtrack.

Now they have temporarily blocked all third-party access - including the church - while they determine a legally defensible usage policy.

Former council member Tim Westerberg slammed what he sees as political tactics from the council, saying: 'They dont seem to care about what the Constitution says.

'Its just damn the torpedoes full speed away, bulldoze ahead our agenda.'

Church members have rallied in response to the council's decision, advocating for access for all religious groups.

Church representative Wendy Myers said: 'Dillon Community Church should be grandfathered into whatever contract. Theyve been here for over 40 years.

'It attracts an incredible number of our visitors who come to the county every single summer and love coming to church.'

Dillon Community Church have hosted their worship events there for over forty years, paying an annual $1,100 rental fee and drawing in over 300 people a week

The council now has to treat carefully to avoid potential lawsuits on both sides.

Madeline Ziegler, staff attorney for the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, told The Post that if town officials have excluded any religious groups, members of that group could file a civil rights lawsuit.

She said the town's historic preferential treatment had sent 'a signal to the town residents that their government prefers Christianity and that Christians will be treated better than other people in this town.

'Thats not a message that the peoples representatives should be allowed to send.'

On the other side, Lea Patterson from the Texas-based First Liberty Institute urged the council to allow the church access to avoid a lawsuit.

DailyMail.com contacted the Town Manager and Dillon Community Church for comment.
A Christian pastor in Texas claims God does not want women to vote and Americans should be ruled by a religious dictator.

Joel Webbon, who leads the Covenant Bible Church in Georgetown and Right Response Ministries, is not shy about his conservative nationalist views, which he shares in his sermons and Theology Applied podcast.

When asked if he believes women should vote, he said he did not, before outlining his reasoning.

'If we had a Christian nation and women could vote, then within 50 years we will no longer have a Christian nation,' Webbon said.

'God has not designed women for warfare, and that's part of what politics is. It's really all that politics is; it's war without the blood....

Joel Webbon, who leads the Covenant Bible Church in Georgetown and Right Response Ministries, claims that God does not want women to vote

'I believe that the sword has been given to men. The sword iswithout being crude, I think this is a factit is a phallus. It is assigned by God to men.'

Webbon compared women to five-year-old children, explaining that 'She is like a child in the way that God has appointed men to protect them.

'Women are not supposed to be leading the way, they're to be protected.'

Webbon has gone viral several times thanks to his particular views, which he calls Christian nationalism, but which critics have deemed misogynistic and retrograde.

In one viral clip, Webbon explains that he needs to approve every book his wife reads.

In one clip, Webbon explains that he needs to approve every book his wife, pictured, reads

According to Webbon, he is in charge of everything in his household, including when his children go to the bathroom

Webbon says: 'There are certain books that I've just had to say, 'Hey, I don't know if this is a bad book, but I don't have time to read it, and so you're not going to read it either. We'll read it together,'' he said.

'I remember recently my wife had a book and I saw her reading it on the couch, and it was about paedobaptism (the practice of baptizing children or infants. And I said, 'No, we're not doing that yet. We will become paedobaptists when I'm ready.''

Webbon believes that wives should not have any knowledge that he does not yet have, because God forbids that wives teach their husbands anything.

The pastor continued: 'But my wife's not going to be a paedobaptist for three years before I am, and I don't have time to read it right now. I know the arguments will be great. I will agree and disagree.

'I'm not sure which arguments are better, but for the time being, this is what I'm persuaded of and you're not going to outpace me.'

According to Webbon, he is in charge of everything in his household, including when his children go to the bathroom.

Webbon has said: 'I have four people in my life that I dictate the hours in their day. I dictate what time they go to the bathroom. When we eat, what we eat, what we wear.

'They are my children. Those are the people that I have almost limitless authority with,' he continued.

Webbon also believes the United States should be ruled by a 'Caesar-type' Christian dictator who 'just rules with an iron fist' and forces everyone to, at least, 'pretend to be Christian,' as he said in his podcast earlier this month.

He said: 'I love the Constitution... I absolutely love it. If there was anything that I would do to the Constitution at allif revival swept through the land, or we got an American Cesar and he was Christian 

'One of the first things that I would advocate for is not even changing the Constitution, but simply adopting to the Constitution a preamble of the Apostles' Creed.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Webbon and the Bible Covenant Church for comment on this story.

Covenant Bible Church claims it 'exists to glorify God by making disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all of the commandments of Jesus Christ.'
A fashion consultant whose millionaire ex-husbands deplorable controlling behaviour was slammed by judges in their 6.9million divorce battle took her own life after being impacted by the break-up, a coroner concluded today.

Tracey Ratcliffe was spied on by her property mogul husband Nicholas using CCTV cameras in a dispute branded among the most acrimonious a court had ever seen.

In a creepy bid to force her out of their 1.3million Cheshire marital home, he had also locked internal doors at to restrict her movements, and left Post-it notes on kitchen items saying clean me, a judge was told.

But in 2021 the Appeal Court backed Mr Ratcliffes bid to overturn his ex-wifes 3.45million pay-out after accepting his wealth had been overstated.

Tragically, the mother-of-two was found hanged aged 53 just before Christmas at a house in Sale, Greater Manchester which she bought without a mortgage the previous May for 455,000.

Tracey Ratcliffe took her own life following a 6.9million divorce battle with her ex-husband, an inquest found by locking internal doors

Ms Ratcliffe was spied on with CCTV cameras by her ex-husband Nicholas, who tried to force her out of their home

But the Appeal Court accepted Mr Ratcliffe's argument that his wealth had been 'overstated' and overturned his ex-wife's 3.45million pay out

Following Ms Ratcliffes death, devastated friends described her as an absolute diamond of a friend who was always dressed to the nines.

Todays inquest - attended by her elder son, Thomas, 28 - heard previous mental health problems had resurfaced in the months preceding her deaths.

But she had rejected pleas from friends to book herself into a Priory hospital.

Despite not being a drug user, tests following her death found she had potentially deadly levels of cocaine in her body at the time of her death.

Returning a narrative conclusion, Alison Mutch, senior coroner for Manchester South, said Ms Ratcliffe had hanged herself while under the influence of cocaine.

Her death came after she had gone through a particularly difficult divorce and that was impacting on her wellbeing, she added.

There was insufficient evidence to establish that she had intended to take her own life, the coroner said.

The hearing was told that Ms Ratcliffe was admitted to a mental health unit in 2016 after a bout of depression following the death of her mother.

But she recovered after being given medication and counselling.

However last October she had a relapse, complaining to her GP about insomnia and feeling low and anxious.

She was referred to a community mental health team, telling them she had no suicidal thoughts, the hearing was told, and was referred for lifestyle advice from social prescribers.

The inquest heard Ms Ratcliffe told a care co-ordinator that a lot of things have just got on top of me but was hoping to restart work and join a gym.

But after friends became worried they had not heard from her, a relative found her hanging on December 22 and called police.

Tests found a very high level of cocaine in her system, with the cause of death given as hanging.

There was no trace of the medication she had been prescribed to boost her mental health.

The hearing was told that Ms Ratcliffe was admitted to a mental health unit in 2016 after a bout of depression following the death of her mother. The inquest concluded that she had hung herself 'while under the influence of cocaine'

Pictured: The Ratcliffes' 1.3million former marital home in Bowdon, Cheshire

Officers found notes written by Ms Ratcliffe, extracts of which were read to the hearing, referring to grief and being relieved of her physical burden.

But police coroners officer Andrew Levitt told the hearing: Theres nothing there to suggest Tracey was intending to harm herself.

Asked by her son if police had investigated the source of the cocaine, Mr Levitt said there had been no lines of inquiry.

Giving evidence, Mr Ratcliffe said he and his mother had become distant following her divorce.

We tried to reconcile in 2022, without much luck, unfortunately, he added.

Summing up the evidence, the coroner said that in the run-up to her death, Ms Ratcliffe had been slowly improving and planning her future.

She added that while cocaine is seen as a party drug, the levels in Ms Ratcliffes system would have had an impact on her cognitive abilities.

Ms Mutch finished the hearing by offering her condolences to her friends and family.

Her son left the hearing without commenting.

Ms Ratcliffe was studying for a business degree at Liverpool University when she met her future husband in 1992, marrying him two years later.

Ten years her senior, he was a chartered surveyor who went on to earn most of his money as a consultant finding potential sites for Sainsburys supermarkets.

She went onto work for Mr Ratcliffes property business before separating in 2016, continuing to live under the same roof at their luxury home in affluent Bowdon, near Altrincham.

However he embarked on a creepy bid to force her out, Ms Ratcliffes barrister, Anne Hussey QC, later told the High Court.

Despite being aware of her fragile mental health, the husband showed a deplorable level of control and embarked on a campaign designed to drive the wife from the family home, she said.

The husbands behaviour  found to include installing and using CCTV to monitor the wife in the former matrimonial home and locking internal doors  was described in the first judgment as creepy.

In 2018, Mr Ratcliffe was finally ordered to leave the family home by a judge and moved into rented accommodation.

Two years later Judge Bernard Wallwork ordered an equal split of a family fortune he assessed as worth about 6.9million.

Ruling on the case, he said: This case ranks among the most acrimonious financial remedy cases I have ever dealt with.

The bitterness and rancour has been considerable and has permeated the proceedings.

He slammed Mr Ratcliffes attitude towards his wife, particularly given he knew she had been suffering with mental health problems.

I think his behaviour has been designed to drive the wife from the family home - and I am stressing the words her home, he said.

It appears to me that knowing of the wifes fragile mental health these actions were oppressive.

As well as getting the 1.3million home and valuable shares, he ordered that Ms Ratcliffe be paid 1.2million in cash instalments.

She would be left with as much liquid cash as possible due to the deviousness of Mr Ratcliffe during the divorce proceedings, said the judge.

But Mr Ratcliffe appealed, in a move the ex-wifes lawyers described as another example of his controlling behaviour.

The following year Appeal Court judges overturned the award after accepting his wealth had been overstated through double-counting and the original decision was flawed.

Ms Ratcliffe was described as having a 'bubbly personality, infectious laughter and impeccable sense of style'

They ordered that the case be heard and decided again.

It is not known whether a final settlement had been agreed prior to Ms Ratcliffes death.

She was a well-known figure selling vintage clothes at Altrincham Market, and traders paid a moving tribute ahead of her funeral in January.

Praising her bubbly personality, infectious laughter, and impeccable sense of style, they added: She brought happiness and humour into our lives, and she had an incredible collection of vintage clothing that gave our neighbourhood a one-of-a-kind look because of her contribution.

Tracey was more than just a friend.

Her upbeat energy and infectious laughter became indispensable components of the lively environment that characterises our community after she passed away.

As a result of her contributions, both in the realm of business and friendship, she left an indelible mark on everyone who came into contact with her.

As we come together to remember her, our thoughts are with her family, friends, and anyone else whose life she touched with her kind and generous spirit.

Tracey will be sorely missed, and the void that will be left behind by her absence will be keenly felt by each and every one of us here at Alty Market.
Major General Phillip Stewart went on trial Monday for allegedly raping a female subordinate last year.

The former commander of the San Antonio-based 19th Air Force, which oversees all pilot training, is accused of sexually assaulting a female officer at Altus Air Force Base in southwestern Oklahoma in April 2023 - charges he pleaded not guilty to in March.

During the opening day of his court-martial at San Antonio's Fort Sam Houston, Stewart instead pleaded guilty to two lesser charges - extramarital sexual conduct and dereliction of duty, which are both violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

I am guilty of pursuing an inappropriate relationship, Stewart said to the judge. I was aware not to have an unprofessional relationship.

At the time of the alleged rape, Stewart was married, according to Stars and Stripes. But it was revealed during the court hearing that he is now divorced.

Major General Phillip Stewart was stripped of his command a month after allegedly raping a female subordinate last April

Stewart is the second Air Force general in history to be court martialed, with the only other being Major General William Cooley. Cooley was convicted in 2022 of abusive sexual contact with his sister-in-law by one military judge.

If convicted of all the charges against him - which also include sexual assault and conduct unbecoming of an officer - Stewart faces as much as 63 years behind bars, San Antonio Express-News reported.

There are some key differences in a military trial when compared to a regular criminal case for a civilian.

For one, Stewart's guilty plea on the lesser charges have no effect on the more serious charges against him.

Unlike in civilian trials where prosecutors negotiate with the defense to come to a fair plea deal that judge must accept, military judges cannot accept a guilty plea unless 'there is a factual basis for the accuseds plea.'

Stewart claims that he was engaged in a consensual affair with the woman, hence him pleading guilty to extramarital sexual conduct.

He says his alleged victim never said 'no' to his advances and didn't take any action that suggested to him she wasn't okay with having sex with him.

Prosecutors made the argument that since the woman was beneath him in rank, she was put in an impossible situation where saying 'no' could have harmed her career, or worse.

A month after the alleged rape occurred, Stewart was stripped of his command 'due to a loss of confidence in his ability to lead.'

He will face a jury composed of eight three-star generals, and if six of the eight agree on his guilt, he will be convicted.

For a civilian facing trial, a jury of their peers must unanimously vote to convict.

Lieutenant Generals Caroline Miller, left, and Kevin B. Kennedy are among the eight jurors that will decide Stewart's fate

US Army military policeman patrols the area around the U.S. Army Installation Management Command at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas

The jury wasn't in court Monday morning when Stewart pleaded guilty, San Antonio Express-News reported.

The jurors had to outrank Stewart in order to be considered, per military law, which limited the pool to just three-star and four-star generals. Two-star generals with more experience than him were also considered.

Jury selection was conducted Saturday night, with a total of 18 Air Force generals getting called to Fort Sam Houston to be scrutinized by counsel for bias, a process known as voir dire.

After lawyers asked a sufficient number of questions ascertaining potential jurors' ability to weigh the evidence impartially, nine generals were left.

The defense team exercised its peremptory challenge, allowing them to excuse a juror for no stated reason. The prosecution didn't elect to do the same.

If the jury eventually finds that Stewart didn't commit sexual assault but was guilty of extramarital sex and dereliction of duty, he could be reprimanded, fined, ordered to surrender his salary or be sentenced to 18 months in jail.

Lieutenant Generals Caroline Miller and Kevin B. Kennedy are among the eight jurors that will decide Stewart's fate.
The billionaire co-founder of Susquehanna International Group (SIG) - who has a $21 billion stake in TikTok - has placed his bet on the winner of this year's presidential election.

Jeff Yass - a skilled poker player with a keen sense for getting large returns on his investments - is currently the richest man in Pennsylvania with a personal fortune of $47 billion.

Yass has doled out some of his fortune to various organizations and has become one of the largest backers of the antitax political advocacy group Club for Growth.

The billionaire is rumored to be in consideration for a potential spot in the presidential cabinet, if his predicted winner comes out on top: Donald Trump.

His political fortunes may not be a surprise for those who know Yass, but his support for Trump comes as a shock to those familiar with the businessman's onetime opinions of presidential candidate.

Jeff Yass, a businessman and co-founder and managing director of Susquehanna International Group (SIG), is supporting Donald Trump in the 2024 election

The support comes as a shock following his statements against Trump during an interview with the Wall Street Journal in 2022

'He doesnt have any donors. He doesnt need the money. He gets so much free publicity,' Yass told the Wall Street Journal in 2022.

'Its not like you can influence him at all. The only thing you can appeal to is, Youre gonna lose and be humiliated.'

A New York native, Yass wrote his thesis about the ethics of options trading while attending SUNY Binghamton.

He studied economics and math while having fun playing poker and backgammon.

During that time, he and his college friends Steve Bloom, Eric Brooks, Andrew Frost, and Joel Greenberg created SIG, which has since become a technology firm empire worth almost $67 billion at the end of March.

SIG also invested in 2012 and now owns a 15 percent stake in TikTok's China-based parent company, ByteDance.

Yass wrote his thesis about the ethics of options trading while attending SUNY Binghamton. He attended New York University for graduate studies, but he didn't graduate

SIG invested in TikTok's China-based parent company, ByteDance in 2012. Trump was for the TikTok ban until March 2024 after meeting with Yass

Yass and Trump's growing affiliation had a chance to come to an end due to the president-elect supporting a TikTok ban in the US.

However, that swiftly changed last March after shares of Digital World Acquisition Corporation jumped 30 percent.

Digital World Acquisition Corporation merged with the former presidents Media & Technology Group earlier that month, a big part of that was due to Yass.

The share jump helped in hiking up Trump's net worth to $6.5 billion and putting him on Bloomberg's list of the 500 richest people for the first time.

Just after Trump's historic financial successes, he reversed his position on banning TikTok, the reason being that it would empower Facebook, which he said was the 'enemy of the people.'

Yass is currently one of the top contenders to be named Trump's treasury secretary if he wins the 2024 election

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) are the top two contenders, according to more than a dozen sources close with the selection process

Yass, who's been a registered libertarian since 1996, has political views that have not come without controversy.

The businessman has spent millions of dollars funding politicians who focus on minimizing government involvement in areas such as taxes, trading, education, and gaming.

Trump is one of those politicians, and he was shunned by Club for Growth in 2023.

However, Trump claimed that he and the Club for Growth are 'back in love' and his meeting with Yass at one of the group's retreats took place right before his position reversal over the TikTok ban.

Campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung maintains that there have been 'no discussions of who will serve in a second Trump administration.'

It comes as Donald Trump's list of potential running mates has been narrowed to just three.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) are the three remaining contenders after the former president's team said earlier this summer it was down to about seven candidates.

Trump said over the weekend that he had made up his mind about who he plans to add to his presidential ticket in November, but that no one else knows.

Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, sent a letter Monday to Biden and his top White House doctor demanding the president submit drug tests before and after this week's debate

Former President Donald Trump called on Joe Biden to take a drug test ahead of Thursday's presidential debate on CNN. His demand came after his former White House doctor, Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, sent a letter to Biden asking for a drug screening

More than a dozen sources involved or with knowledge of the process confirmed to NBC News that the pick is either Burgum, Vance or Rubio.

But really, some claim it's down to Burgum and Vance and say that there are doubts over Rubio's enthusiasm for the job  and the issue of them both being Florida residents could pose issues with the 'inhabitant clause' in the 12th Amendment.

Trump and Biden are set to debate on Thursday, with Trump demanding 'crooked' Joe Biden take a drug test ahead of this week's presidential debate, saying he would also take one.

The ex-president's request comes after his former White House doctor, Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, who served under both President Obama and Trump, asked Biden to take a drug screening ahead of the televised event.

According to a letter Jackson sent to Biden and his top White House doctor obtained by DailyMail.com, the Republican requested drug tests for the president before and after Thursday's debate.
Bosses are expecting a wave of workers to call in sick tomorrow, as the heatwave coincides with England's final Euros group-stage game.

The weather tomorrow is expected to reach pr beat temperature records as the Lions take on Slovenia tomorrow at 8pm in Cologne.

As a result, HR experts said the likelihood of people calling in sick was far higher.

'Generally, most people are sensible, I would say, but obviously you cant control everyone, so especially if its the hottest day of the year, then it wouldnt surprise me if some people decide to take a day off', Farzana Parkar, founder of Face2FaceHR, told the Guardian.

It comes as health warnings were activated across England today as summer finally arrived with the first heatwave of the year and temperatures soaring to 31C (88F) this week.

The yellow heat health alert was issued by the UK Health Security Agency and Met Office for most of England, with all but the North East included in the warning.

The alert came into force this morning as forecasters said the country would see mostly dry weather with 'plenty of sunny spells' and a maximum of 28C (82F).

Bosses are expecting a wave of workers to call in sick tomorrow, as the heatwave coincides with England's final Euros group-stage game

HR experts said the likelihood of people calling in sick was far higher

The weather tomorrow is expected to reach pr beat temperature records as the Lions take on Slovenia tomorrow at 8pm in Cologne

Hot weather will build throughout this week with Wednesday likely to hit 30C (86F) and Thursday getting to 31C (88F) - before the health alert expires that afternoon.

The hottest day of the year so far will likely be reached today or later this week - with the current 2024 high of 27.5C (81.5F) set on May 12 in Chertsey, Surrey.

Liam Eslick, a meteorologist at the Met Office, said today would bring mostly dry and sunny weather.

Tomorrow, conditions are expected to become cloudy and murky in western Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Some showers will be seen across northern England which could turn thundery, but the rest of the country will see 'more sunshine' and temperatures up in the mid to high 20Cs (80Fs).

Mr Eslick said Wednesday was likely to be the warmest of the days so far with highs of 30C (86F) in the South East.

However, Thursday will likely see a breakdown in the weather with clouds and outbreaks of rain forecast across the country.

The meteorologist said there was even the possibility of an 'odd thunderstorm for some'.

A Cavalry Guard is believed to have fainted on the Mall in London during rehearsals today

The guard is thought to have passed out during a procession rehearsal for a state visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan

Photographs show the guard lying face down on the ground surrounded by onlookers before they are assisted by another guard

Families head to the beach in Bournemouth today to enjoy the sunshine on the Dorset coast

Paddleboards make the most of the sunshine at Cullercoats Bay in North Tyneside today

A woman takes her dog for a walk through Greenwich Park in South East London this morning

A woman with a handheld fan travelling on a hot London Underground train this morning

A woman walks two dogs through a field in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, in the sunshine this morning

People out in the early morning sunshine in Dunsden, Oxfordshire, today

People go for a jog or cycle in the sun on Blackheath Common in South East London today

Wheat fields in the early morning sunshine today at Dunsden in Oxfordshire

Temperatures on Thursday are expected to remain 'widely warm' with some areas seeing highs of up to 31C (88F).

It comes as a Cavalry Guard is believed to have fainted on the Mall in London during rehearsals today amid the arrival of the first heatwave of the year.

The guard is thought to have passed out during a procession rehearsal for a state visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

Photographs show the guard lying face down on the ground surrounded by onlookers before they are assisted by a fellow guard.

Festival-goers at Glastonbury will have to wait a little longer for more clarity on the outlook for the weekend, though conditions are expected to remain unsettled as temperatures drop back to the average for June. This will likely be around 18C (64F) or 19C (66F).

Somerset Council warned: 'Attendees are reminded to stay safe during periods of hot weather, especially when walking around the festival. Remember to carry a refillable water bottle with you and drink it throughout the day, wear sun cream and a sunhat and avoid excess alcohol.'

People were also warned to 'be prepared for hot weather' by wearing suncream and a hat, drinking plenty of water and to 'seek shade between 11am and 3pm'.

And the yellow heat alert advises areas of 'significant impacts' in the health and social care sector due to the hot temperatures.

Meanwhile Samantha Hughes, national water safety partner at the RNLI, warned of the risk of cold water shock as more people enjoy the sea this week.

'The forecasted warm weather will mean we'll see more visitors at the coast and we always want people to enjoy themselves safely,' she said.

'Entering the water during warm weather can increase the risk of cold water shock due to the sudden changes in skin temperatures. Enter the water gradually and avoid jumping or diving straight in to reduce your risk of cold-water shock.

'If you're planning on heading to the beach, we highly recommend you visit one that is lifeguarded and you swim between the red and yellow flags. This is the safest area and is most closely monitored by lifeguards.

The yellow heat health alert for England, with all but the North East included in the warning

The whole of the UK, except the Scottish Highlands, will have 'very high' pollen levels today

She also advised anyone who gets into trouble to 'Float to Live', explaining that they should tilt their head back with ears submerged and try to relax and control their breathing, then use their hands to help them stay afloat and then call for help or swim to safety if possible.

Ms Hughes added that in an emergency at the coast, people should call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard - or ask for the fire service if near inland waters.

The hot weather is also expected to see more people stay indoors and work from home as they shun getting on stuffy trains or travelling in hot cars.

Hay fever and asthma sufferers were warned to expect a 'pollen bomb', triggered by rising temperatures after weeks of cold and rain.

Forecasters say the entire country, except the Scottish Highlands, will have 'very high' pollen levels.

The charity Asthma + Lung UK urged those with severe symptoms to 'avoid going outdoors as much as possible' to prevent severe attacks.

The sun rises over the Oxfordshire countryside at Dunsden on a very warm morning today

The sun rises over the River Mersey in Liverpool this morning at the start of a warm week

Yesterday, the hottest place in the country was Bridlington, in East Yorkshire, with temperatures hitting 24.2C (75.5F).

This time last year saw the hottest June on record for the UK, with an average temperature of 15.8C (60.4F) nearly a whole degree above previous highs for the month.

The hottest day ever recorded in Britain was July 19, 2022 when Coningsby in Lincolnshire hit 40.3C (104.5F).
Melania Trump is unlikely to move into the White House if Donald wins another term in November, analysts say.

Those close to the former first lady believe she will likely split her time between Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, and New York City  especially with Barron, 18, tipped to attend New York University.

Melania would instead only travel to Washington, D.C. for ceremonial responsibilities like state dinners and other special events.

The decision not to live with in Washington is an unprecedented move for a first lady and a break in two-and-a-half centuries of tradition.

'She's distancing herself even more from her husband and from the Washington social political scene,' Kate Andersen Brower, who's written several books on first ladies, told Axios.

'I mean, she clearly hated being in Washington.'

East Wing experts speculate that Melania Trump will not move back into the White House full time if husband Donald win another term in November

Melania sightings have remained scarce since the Trumps left the White House in 2021.

She also stayed clear of her husband's hush money trial in Manhattan, not turning up to court for the verdict.

She only emerged publicly some days afterwards with luggage and Barron in tow.

And if Trump does win in November, insiders say she will continue keeping her distance from the East Wing and D.C.

'Melania does what Melania wants.' Washington Post associate editor Mary Jordan, who has written a book about Melania saying, making her 'stand out from other first ladies'.

'Her view is unelected, not paid,' Jordan told Axios.

Melania hasn't avoided public appearances on the 2024 campaign trial so far, only occasionally attending private fund-raising events.

Next month, the former first lady is hosting the conservative LGBT group 'Log Cabin Republicans' for a fundraiser at Trump Tower in New York.

The reports indicate she plans to stay away from D.C. and closer to son Barron, 18, (right) amid talk he might attend New York University

However, Jordan also said that Melania would ensure she has a bigger, better and more qualified staff for her role this time around.

'Now having seen how this works, she would just be wiser and she would be more vocal and more demanding about what the first lady's office should get,' she added.

'Stay tuned,' Melania said last month when asked if Americans could expect to see more of her on the campaign trail soon.

While no other first lady has chosen not to live with her husband in Washington during their presidency, there are two exceptions.

In 1841, Anna Symmes Harrison was unable to move into the White House before her husband, William Henry Harrison, died just a month after being elected president.

Bess Truman also lived across from the White House in Blair House while the president's official residence was gutted and rebuilt between 1948 and 1952.

Melania was unusual in the first Trump presidency, spending more time away from the White House than there.

Instead, she chose to live in the Washington suburbs with her parents.
A ground vehicle has caught fire near a British Airways plane parked at Heathrow Terminal 5.

Flames and a huge black cloud of smoke was seen rising from a set of mobile stairs attached to an A320, engulfing its tail.

The thick column was pictured so high that it could be seen from behind several other terminal buildings at the busy airport.

Footage showed firefighters battling to put out the blaze with water jets just yards from the terminal building.

A set of aircraft caught fire at Heathrow Terminal 5 this evening, engulfing the tail of an aircraft

Heathrow Airport confirmed that no passengers were onboard the aircraft at the time of the incident.

A spokesperson said that the airport fire service had attended to the incident promptly.

The aircraft affected is registered as G-EUYO and was built in 103.

Its last flight before the incident was from Athens, landing at Heathrow at 5.14pm.

No passengers were onboard the British Airways plane at the time, Heathrow confirmed

The mobile stairs connected to the rear of the plane were owned by DHL which manages certain ground operations for the airline, including short haul catering.

Pictures showed the huge flames coming from the driver's compartment of the vehicle, most likely from the engine.

A British Airways spokesperson said: 'Emergency services quickly extinguished a small fire of a third party ground vehicle. No customers were impacted and there were no injuries.'
A British tourist has died while hiking up Mount Vesuvius after he reportedly suffered a heart attack as he was approaching the volcano's summit.

The 56-year-old, named by Italian media as Mark John Irwin lived in the United States and was on holiday in Italy with his wife and two children.

Mr Irwin fell ill near the top of the volcano and despite the efforts of rescuers to save him, he died while still on the volcano.

In the past few days, Italy has grappled with a heatwave that has seen temperatures soar to as high as 40C in some parts of the country.

Yet when Mr Irwan was hiking up the mountain on Sunday, the temperature was around 27C, the president of a Vesuvius mountain guides association said.

A British tourist has died while he was hiking up Mount Vesuvius (pictured) after he reportedly suffered a heart attack as he was approaching the famous volcano's summit. (stock image)

Mount Vesuvius as seen from Pompeii. Mr Irwin suddenly fell ill near the top of the volcano. Despite the efforts of rescuers to save him, he died on the spot

Tourists in Rome brave the heatwave in Rome. In the past few days, Italy has been grappling with a heatwave which has seen temperature soar to as high as 40C in some parts of the country

Speaking to The Telegraph, Paolo Cappelli said: 'It's very sad. It is pretty rare for this to happen on Vesuvius.

'We have one death every one or two years which is not much considering the fact that around 3,000 people climb to the top of the volcano each day.'

Across Europe, a number of tourists have died as the continents battles a warmer than usual June.

At the start of the month, health guru and Mail columnist Michael Mosley went missing while on a walk in the Greek island of Symi.

Mr Mosley's disappearance sparked a five-day manhunt before his body was discovered.

Meanwhile, rescue teams are continuing to search for two French women, aged 73 and 64, on the island of Sikinos who have been missing for almost two weeks now.

In Tenerife, Spanish police are also leading a search for missing 19-year-old bricklayer Jay Slater, who went missing eight days ago.

The teenager from Lancashire has not been heard from since he called a friend to say he was he was lost, his phone was running out of battery and he needed water.
Readers' seminar on Xi's book on governance held in Tajikistan

Xinhua) 10:53, June 24, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Animal welfare workers in Pennsylvania have revealed how they rescued animals being used for bestiality from a dilapidated school bus towing a trailer.

Police contacted SPCA officials after discovering the disabled school bus, which contained 30 birds, including chickens, roosters, ducks, and turkeys.

Three German Shepherds and an Australian Shepherd were also removed from the vehicle.

A bull and a pony were found in the trailer hitched to the back of the bus - both of which officials said were 'being used for bestiality purposes.'

They added the chickens were used to feed the dogs.

Animal welfare workers in Pennsylvania rescued over two dozen animals from a dilapidated school bus towing a makeshift trailer, and were disgusted to find out what it was REALLY being used for.

Police contacted SPCA officials after discovering the disabled school bus, which contained 30 birds, including chickens, roosters, ducks, and turkeys

The local SPCA stated on Facebook, 'This is a difficult situation we don't encounter frequently, and it's something we hope to never see again.'

The post added: 'Im not going to go into a lot of detail because as I said, its been a really hard day.

'This is not something we see everyday and its not something we ever want to see again.

'The Adams County SPCA will be closed to the public until further notice. We need a few days to take care of the animals and get them the help they deserve!'

Sean Hershbein was taken into custody after police reviewed outstanding warrants in another state. And an unidentified female was left with the vehicle.

Due to Herbein's past offenses, all the animals will undergo testing for human DNA. Testing is projected to cost around $10,000, which the state has agreed to pay for.

Three German Shepherds and an Australian Shepherd were also removed from the vehicle

A bull and a pony were found in the trailer hitched to the back of the bus - both of which officials said were 'being used for bestiality purposes.'

The SPCA said the chickens were used to feed the dogs in the school bus

Fortunately, the SPCA said all the animals are in good physical condition 'considering what they've been through.'

However, the Adams County SPCA will be closed to the public until further notice as they prioritize caring for the rescued animals.

Donations to support the rescue's efforts can be made on their website.

Facebook users in the comment section were appalled by what the SPCA posted, with some clinicians offering mental health services to the SCPA workers who rescued the animals.

Pictured: The makeshift trailer that was attached to the school bus, where the bull and pony where found

The local SPCA stated on Facebook , 'This is a difficult situation we don't encounter frequently, and it's something we hope to never see again.'

'Do the SPCA staff/volunteers get debriefed by a clinician after such events (like other first responders do)? If not, I'd like to help make that available to you all if possible,' one user commented.

'As someone mentioned in a comment above, it is difficult to turn off what you see when you go home and some of the things you are subjected to can be traumatic in their own right.'

A third wrote: 'Every person who is sickened by this repulsive situation needs to write to the people who are supposed to represent you in the state legislature.

'We need stiffer penalties for cruelty and puppy mills need to be shut down.'

'Praying for all the animals and those who responded. I cant even imagine what you are processing,' said another.
Terrified passengers were forced to use oxygen masks after a Korea Air flight dropped nearly 30,000ft in just 15 minutes, following a cabin pressure failure on the Boeing plane.

The Boeing 737 Max 8, which left Incheon International Airport at 4:45 p.m. local time on Saturday and was heading to Taichung International Airport, developed a pressurisation fault while it was flying over South Korea's southern Jeju Island just 30 minutes after taking off.

Footage of the incident shared online showed passengers in distress, with children crying loudly during the descent.

Data from FlightRadar shows the plane dropped 26,900ft in just 15 minutes, resulting in 17 passengers needing medical attention.

Passengers suffered from eardrum pain, and also needed treatment for hyperventiliation. All 17 were later discharged without severe injuries.

The Boeing 737 Max 8, which left Incheon International Airport at 4:45 p.m. local time on Saturday and was heading to Taichung International Airport, developed a pressurisation fault

Footage of the incident shared online showed passengers in distress, with children crying loudly during the descent

The flight to Taichung International Airport resumed on Sunday on a different aircraft.

Korean Air said: 'We are fully cooperating with all relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. We have provided comprehensive support to affected passengers, including accommodation, meals, and transportation arrangements.'

Korean Air also apologised to 'all affected by this incident'.

Boeing, the plane that suffered a malfunction during the flight, has been under massive pressure following a string of incidents involving their planes.

Last night, reports claimed that US prosecutors are recommending that criminal charges be brought against the plane manufacturer.

Prosecutors are suggesting charges after finding the plane maker violated a settlement related to two fatal crashes, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

In May, officials determined the company breached a 2021 agreement that had shielded Boeing from a criminal charge of conspiracy to commit fraud arising from two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 involving the 737 MAX jet.

Under the 2021 deal, the Justice Department agreed not to prosecute Boeing over allegations it defrauded the Federal Aviation Administration so long as the company overhauled its compliance practices and submitted regular reports. Boeing also agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle the investigation.

The sources did not specify what criminal charges Justice Department officials are considering, but one of the people said they could extend beyond the original 2021 fraud conspiracy charge.

Alternatively, instead of prosecuting Boeing, the DOJ could extend the 2021 settlement by a year or propose new, stricter terms, the sources said.

In the two crashes - in Indonesia in 2018 and in Ethiopia in 2019 - MCAS automatically pointed the nose of the plane down based on faulty sensor readings, and pilots were unable to regain control.

On October 29, 2018, the Boeing 737 MAX operating the Lion Air Flight 610 crashed into the Java Sea 13 minutes after takeoff, killing all 189 passengers and crew.

Five months later, on March 10, 2019, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft which operated Ethiopian flight 302 crashed near the town of Bishoftu, Ethiopia, six minutes after takeoff, killing all 157 people aboard.

Investigations into the 2018 and 2019 crashes pointed to a flight-control system that Boeing added to the Max without telling pilots or airlines.

Boeing downplayed the significance of the system, then didnt overhaul it until after the second crash.
For nearly 20 years, Scots have been told their country will fail as long as its part of the Union.

Weve also been told  endlessly  that Scotland somehow isnt normal because its not independent.

The UK Government has been portrayed as a panto villain intent on depriving us of the prosperous future we deserve.

No opportunity has been missed to foment division and drive home the toxic (and false) proposition that Scotland is failing  thanks to the Union.

On July 4, voters will get the chance to send a powerful message to the SNP

Since 2007  and certainly since the 2014 referendum  a doom-laden narrative of defeat has been churned out by the SNP as it agitated for the break-up of Britain.

On one level, of course, its right: failure is a given  but only as long as the Nationalists are in charge, and theyve been ruling the roost at Holyrood for far too long.

They tell us (all the time) that independence offers an escape route, but we are where we are  in the economic doldrums, with public services in a downward spiral  not because of the Union but because of the SNP.

Once its out of power, there will be a big repair job to do but some of the damage is bound to be psychological, after nearly two decades of being told were captives of a malign state, our self-confidence as a nation has taken a knock.

The SNP told us we could do so much better without the Union, when in fact we could so much better without the SNP.

A combination of genuine incompetence (in abundance) and a focus on stirring up cross-Border disputes meant a slide in educational standards and policing and the NHS in decline, with a dysfunctional, high-tax, low-growth economy.

Scotland fell victim to that agenda  look at how awful everything is, and its all the Tories fault  but possible liberation is on the horizon, not from the United Kingdom but from corrosive nationalism.

July 4 will be an opportunity to loosen the death-grip of the SNP and underline the fact that were not an abnormal country. We do have enormous potential and we can drive Scotland forward to prosperity  but we cant hope to turn the tanker around with the SNP at the wheel.

Its impossible to argue that the Tory campaign so far has been anything other than a fiasco, full of unforced errors.

Television debates, when they did mention Scotland, often gave John Swinney and his colleagues an easy ride, partly because the Tories multiple woes have dominated the headlines.

Yesterday, the Scottish Tory manifesto set out a vision for change and a series of eminently sensible policies  but what it chiefly offers is a way out of the snake-oil charlatanism of bankrupt nationalism.

Its light years from the statism and the constitutional monomania of the SNPs own miserable, threadbare manifesto last week, which contained a commitment to independence in its first line.

One of the most attractive aspects of the Tory plan is simply the commitment to fixing the country  a major clean-up exercise to undo some of the damage wrought by the SNP.

The rediscovery of competence in government is a necessary precursor to any sweeping reform. Importantly, the Tories promise to lower the current 21p intermediate rate of income tax to 20p, and to lower income tax rates to the same as the UK in the longer term.

The disparity which has made Scotland the most heavily taxed part of the UK is a drain on growth and a disincentive for young professionals, many of whom are either packing up and heading for the exit, or have already gone.

The Tories also pledge 75 per cent rates relief to the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in Scotland  which is offered by the UK Government in England but denied to businesses here.

Other wise priorities include keeping quango spending under control and opposing the roll-out of Low Emission Zones, which make urban centres no-go areas for Scots who cant afford costly electric cars.

And the Tories propose a guarantee that all pupils should have the opportunity to study at least seven subjects in S4  a response to legitimate concern about how pupils at different schools can study for varying numbers of qualifications.

Theres also a promise to reform the SNPs Curriculum for Excellence to bring in a more knowledge-based approach.

Its depressing that knowledge-based education has disappeared under the SNP, but it has to be reinstituted for the sake of pupils whose futures are at stake.

On justice, the Tories are demanding more bobbies on the beat and a reformed Scottish Sentencing Council.

Its the barmy quango set up by the SNP Government whose guidelines urge leniency for criminals under the age of 25  on the grounds of their allegedly immature brains.

The pledges for a reduction in the size of the devolved civil service and a boost for the private sector workforce are long overdue and would help to bolster growth, with the proceeds ploughed into the NHS and education.

True, much of this prospectus relates to what can be achieved in the Scottish parliament rather than Westminster  but it sets out the framework of what the Tories could achieve by winning the Holyrood election in 2026.

Scots have been cajoled into accepting the SNPs self-serving story about their own countrys failures, but most of us are sick of it and have been for years.

The Nationalists have weighed us down with a crippling tax regime and turned their reverse Midas touch on every area of public life, leaving a trail of carnage behind it, with the taxpayer picking up the bill.

The SNP is the subject of an ongoing police fraud probe which has seen its former chief executive Peter Murrell charged in connection with alleged embezzlement of SNP funds.

His wife, ex-First Minister Nicola Sturgeon  occasionally out on the stump when shes not writing her memoir  is still subject to investigation after being arrested last year then released without charge.

In 2021, the front cover of the SNP manifesto was emblazoned with an image of a beaming Ms Sturgeon under the heading Scotlands Future.

This is a party which asks us to trust it with managing public finances while failing to spend nearly 300million which could have been put to good use, but is dismissed by the SNP as a modest underspend.

All it can offer is more of the same, but we shouldnt accept its force-fed propaganda about the panacea of independence.

On July 4, voters will get the chance to send a powerful message to the SNP  nationalism has run its course because Scots have seen through the lies and distortions which have held our country back for 17 years.
Apple could be hit with a fine of 30billion after European regulators issued a warning over its App Store policies.

The tech giant has been found to have unfairly blocked smaller companies from competing and allowing consumers to find cheaper and alternative apps.

The European Commission said its initial findings suggest Apple is in breach of the bloc's Digital Markets Act (DMA), a new law which looks to rein in the dominance of big US tech.

Apple has a chance to appeal. A final decision on its compliance must be made by March 2025. If it is found guilty of breaching EU laws, Apple could be hit with a fine of up to 10 per cent of annual revenues  or nearly 30billion.

The commission has also revealed it is launching an investigation into the company's compliance with the DMA over its new contract terms for third-party app developers.

Apple could be hit with a 30billion fine after being found to block smaller companies from competing and allowing consumers from finding cheaper alternative apps

The tech giant can appeal the findings by the European Commission, which if upheld could see it fined up to 10 per cent of its revenue

Thierry Breton, the European commissioner for internal market, said: 'For too long, Apple has been squeezing out innovative companies  denying consumers new opportunities and choices.'

Apple said: 'Throughout the past several months, Apple has made a number of changes to comply with the DMA in response to feedback from developers and the European Commission.

'We are confident our plan complies with the law and estimate more than 99 per cent of developers would pay the same or less in fees to Apple under the new business terms we created.'

Apple, which is worth about 2.5trillion, added that it would continue to engage with the EU.

It is not the first time Apple has been in hot water with regulators. In March, it was fined 1.5billion by the EU for stifling competition in the music streaming world.
Donald Trump's list of potential running mates has been narrowed to just three.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) are the three remaining contenders after the former president's team said earlier this summer it was down to about seven candidates.

Trump said over the weekend that he had made up his mind about who he plans to add to his presidential ticket in November, but that no one else knows.

More than a dozen sources involved or with knowledge of the process confirmed to NBC News that the pick is either Burgum, Vance or Rubio.

But really, some claim it's down to Burgum and Vance and say that there are doubts over Rubio's enthusiasm for the job  and the issue of them both being Florida residents could pose issues with the 'inhabitant clause' in the 12th Amendment.

Donald Trump's veepstakes race is down to three people, according to new reports  but the former president said he already decided who will join him on the Republican 2024 ticket

Trump told reporters at his rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saturday that his 2024 running mate will be at the CNN debate in Atlanta on Thursday.

The former president revealed he has made a decision on who will run as vice president on the Republican ticket, but that the individual he picked doesn't even know yet.

Reporters asked Trump ahead of his rally on Saturday whether he had settled on a running mate with just over four months until the election. 'In my mind, yeah,' Trump replied.

'No, nobody knows,' he said when asked if he had yet informed the individual they are his choice for VP.

Trump is heading to Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday for his first debate with President Joe Biden in the 2024 general election race.

The debate is one of the earliest in the election cycle in modern history and comes just a month after the former president was found guilty in Manhattan of 34 felony charges related to the hush money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.

Trump told NBC his pick will 'most likely' be at the debate on Thursday.

The selection of Trump's VP has ramped up in weeks ahead of the debate and the Republican National Convention taking place July 15-18.

Over the last several months, Trump was most seriously considering a list of eight Republicans to join him on the ticket in November, his campaign confirmed to multiple outlets.

The short list included; Burgum, Vance, Rubio, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Trump's former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson.

Burgum and Scott both were in the 2024 race for the Republican nomination against Trump before dropping out and endorsing the former president.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) are the top two contenders, according to more than a dozen sources close with the selection process

While Trump has praised all these individuals and others, claiming they would make good selections, he has also downplayed the impact his running mate will play on his election.

'It's never really had that much of an effect on an election,' Trump told Fox earlier this year.

Several candidates received vetting materials from Trump's campaign in recent weeks.

Trump has said he might reveal publicly his choice for No. 2 at the GOP Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Immediately after the debate, Trump will head straight to Virginia for a rally Friday outside of Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Meanwhile, Biden will go directly to North Carolina for a rally and Vice President Kamala Harris will head to Nevada for an event on mobilizing Latino voters. Both North Carolina and Nevada are battleground states essentially for Biden if he wants to win reelection.
Former President Donald Trump is demanding 'crooked' Joe Biden take a drug test ahead of this week's presidential debate, saying he would also take one.

The ex-president's request comes after his former White House doctor, Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, who served under both President Obama and Trump, asked Biden to take a drug screening ahead of the televised event.

According to a letter Jackson sent to Biden and his top White House doctor obtained by DailyMail.com, the Republican requested drug tests for the president before and after Thursday's debate.

'I demand that you submit to a clinically validated drug test in order to reassure the American people that you are mentally fit to serve as President and not relying on performance enhancing drugs to help you with your debate performance or on a day-to-day basis to assist you in performing your duties as President of the United States.'

Former President Donald Trump called on Joe Biden to take a drug test ahead of Thursday's presidential debate on CNN. His demand came after his former White House doctor, Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, sent a letter to Biden asking for a drug screening

'This drug test should be administered both immediately before and after the debate and should include, but not be limited to, performance enhancing drugs,' Jackson continued in his letter to Joe Biden and his top White House physician, Dr. Kevin O'Connor.

Ratcheting up the pressure, Jackson specifically includes Biden's main White House physician Kevin O'Connor in the note to the president and his entire cabinet, telling the doctor how he has a duty to the American people to complete the drug test.

'Dr. O'Connor, you are included in this letter to the President, and the entire Cabinet is copied, because you all have an obligation, not only to President Biden, but to the Office of the President and to the American people,' Jackson wrote.

'The American people deserve transparency regarding the President's mental as well as physical well-being and capabilities. To date, you and the entirety of the President's Cabinet have failed in that responsibility.'

After the letter circualted, former President Donald Trump chimed in saying he too would take a drug test.

'DRUG TEST FOR CROOKED JOE BIDEN??? I WOULD, ALSO, IMMEDIATELY AGREE TO ONE!!!' Trump posted on his Truth Social app.

But its not the first time the 45th president has consented to a drug screening before a presidential debate.

Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, sent a letter Monday to Biden and his top White House doctor demanding the president submit drug tests before and after this week's debate

Jackson claims that a number of reports have indicated Biden's concerning mental decline and that a drug test would convince voters that the president is not medicating away symptoms of his advancing age

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with White House Physician Rear Admiral Dr. Ronny Jackson, following his annual physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, January 12, 2018

Jackson has called on Biden to resign due to his age, calling him 'mentally incompetent'

In 2020, Trump said he would be willing to take a drug screening ahead of the presidential debates, adding that Biden should as well.

Similarly in 2016, Trump said he would take a drug test if Hillary Clinton would also.

Trump, who just turned 78, last weekend also demanded Biden take a cognitive test, even while botching the name his former doctor Ronny Jackson, calling him 'Ronny Johnson' repeatedly.

Jackson's letter to Biden and O'Connor comes after a damning Wall Street Journal article highlighted concerns over the president's age and competency from over 40 sources close to the commander-in-chief.

Democrats, however, were quick to call WSJ's reporting 'bulls***' and claimed instead that Biden is 'vigorous' and 'dynamic.

It also comes after another bombshell report from the Department of Justice, which found that Biden, who illegally withheld classified federal documents, should not be prosecuted by the agency because a jury would likely find the president as 'a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory' and would not side with the DOJ.

The DOJ's assessment of Biden later prompted some lawmakers to call for the invocation of the 25th Amendment to remove the president for being incompetent.

Jackson has called on Biden to take multiple cognitive tests to prove his fitness for office

Jackson previously caught flak from a 2018 CNN report that interviewed members of the White House medical unit.

They said his philosophy was to hand out medications without asking too many questions. The report indicates how White House officials could get the sleeping medication Ambien or the antibiotic Z-Pak by simply asking.

Still, his concern over Biden's age is one shared by many Americans.

Almost half of likely voters expect President Joe Biden to make a series of embarrassing flubs when he goes to head-to-head with Donald Trump in their first debate this month.

Some 49 percent think he will forget where he is and 41 percent said they expect him to walk off the wrong side of the stage, according to a new poll by J.L. Partners.

Another 40 percent think he will trouble standing up during the CNN debate in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 27.

In contrast, voters expect a domineering performance from his Republican rival, and overwhelming expect him to emerge the winner.

Some 79 percent expect Trump to interrupt Biden and 54 percent think his microphone will be cut off at some point.

The debate is scheduled for Thursday, June 27, at 9 p.m. and it will last for 90 minutes.
Mica Miller's cause of death has been confirmed as a suicide, as a toxicology report dismisses claims that her estranged husband could have drugged her before her death, a new report obtained by DailyMail.com has revealed.

Mica, 30, whose husband pastored Solid Rock Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was found dead in Lumber River State Park over the state border in North Carolina on April 27.

Her death came days after she had served John-Paul Miller, 45  known as 'JP'  with divorce papers.

Her death left those closest to her in shock and her family launched a Justice for Mica campaign in the days that followed, claiming that she was pushed to kill herself by Miller's actions.

Regina Ward, Mica's divorce attorney, previously claimed that JP had been prescribed lithium before Mica died and alleged, he could have given this to his wife to subdue her.

Mica Miller's death has been confirmed as a suicide, according to an autopsy and toxicology report obtained by DailyMail.com nearly two months after she was found with a fatal gunshot wound

The report dismisses claims that her estranged husband, pastor John-Paul Miller (pictured together) could have drugged her before her death

The attorney also claimed he could have controlled Mica while she was in this supposed state, telling DailyMail.com he was a 'narcissist' who 'projected his personal diagnosis'.

But the toxicology report has now dismissed this theory, as it reports that at the time off her death she had no drugs or alcohol in her system.

A postmortem conducted by North Carolina Medical Examiner Dr. Jennifer Altman shows that Mica shot herself in the right temple, with an exit wound present on the left side of her head.

It described the wound having gunpowder residue around the edges on the right, as well as a 'muzzle imprint' on the entrance.

Mica's body was found by a kayaker in the Lumber River at 4.23pm, 90 minutes after she had made a 911 call informing authorities she was about to kill herself.

She told the dispatcher that she wanted her family to be able to find her. Cops dispatched a drone to the area 39 minutes after the conversation.

Robeson County Sheriff's Department found two spent casings and one live round on the bank of the river, around 100 feet from Mica's body.

They removed her body in a boat, and noted that she had dirt and debris on her hands and clothing.

A 9mm sig Sauer pistol was found in the river five feet from the bank. The serial number matched a case found in Mica's car. She had boought the weapon oon the day of her death.

John-Paul was seen leaving his lawyer's office days after being released from his duties at Solid Rock at Market Common Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Images taken at a pawn shop prior to her death show Mica purchasing a gun the day of her suicide

Mica's family had been quick to launch a Justice for Mica campaign following her April 27 suicide, claiming she was pushed to her death by her husband's actions

The report added: 'No signs of a physical struggle at the location of casing. Upon further consultation with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and law enforcement, there was no concern for foul play and an autopsy was not warranted.'

It also confirmed that Mica was hospitalized in 2022 for suicidal thoughts linked to her bipolar and dependent personality disorder, as well as THC dependence.

She was hospitalized a second time in February of 2024 by her therapist, with medical records stating that during that episode she showed 'increase paranoia with bizarre behavior' as well as Delta-8 THC gummy consumption.

Mica was given a prescription for hydroxyzine for anxiety weeks before her death. with her family confirming that she had attempted suicide once before with a gun.

A toxicology report also obtained by DailyMail.com showed that Mica had no drugs or alcohol in her system at the time of her death.

As part of the investigation report, it states that Mica was pronounced dead at 4:25pm on April 27, and was last seen alive at 2:54pm the same day

Her family have previously raised concerns about bruising on her hands, and the possibility that she had attempted to defend herself.

However the autopsy report shows that the medical examiner felt the injuries were 'minute' and consistent with Mica's body being removed from the river and brush.

The documents also revealed that Mica had a tattoo of her estranged husbands signature on her ribcage, in addition to a matching cross inking on both of their hands, and a third on their ring fingers.

Mica was found wearing a necklace as well as a metallic ring with a clear stone, a black watch, black bracelet and a pair of bid earrings.

The necklace became the focus of internet sleuths, after JP was seen wearing it in an interview just days after his wife died.

Mica's husband John-Paul Miller shocked his congregation when he announced her death as a suicide at the end of a church service in April

Solid Rock at Market Common Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Images taken at a pawn shop prior to her death show Mica purchasing a gun wearing that same necklace  hours before taking her own life.

He has confirmed that the piece did belong to his wife, saying he was given it after he saw her body, adding: 'I immediately put it on, to feel close to her. She loved that necklace.'

Mica had filed for divorce from her husband, whom she met when she was just 14 years old as a member of his youth church group. She had also filed in October 2023 citing adultery but withdrew that motion in February 2024.

This evidence of Mica wanting to split up, plus John-Paul's cavalier attitude following her death - including going out on a date with a new woman four days after she died  has led the family and passionate followers of the case to reject the official story and push for alternative answers.

Mica's sister Sierra has filed legal documents accusing Miller and Solid Rock of 'colluding' to 'defraud and deprive' the 30-year-old of her fair share of property after he 'sold' their home to the church.

In probate court her family filed documents claiming JP abused her and drove her to her death - with Mica calling the police on her husband over allegations of stalking and claims he slashed her tires.

JP recently filed to get all records of her family's case against him sealed, asking the his wife's family lawyer Regina Ward, to agree to the motion. Ward denied the request.

John-Paul Miller, 44, gave an interview with ABC15 a few days ago, wearing a necklace many pointed out was a similar to the one his wife Mica wore the day - and the days before - she was found dead

The pastor's wife can be seen wearing a similar necklace in a photo of the couple

The motion said sealing the records would be 'for the safety of everyone involved' and would protect access to medical records involving doctor-patient confidentiality.

'If records were made public, it may cause harm to anyone involved in the case,' the filing stated.

Another reason J.P. Miller wants the records sealed is to avoid disclosing private information about the members of his church, which is also listed as a defendant in the case, according to the filing.

In probate court records, Mica's family has accused J.P. Miller of abusing her and driving her to live in fear.

About six weeks before her death, Mica had called the police on J.P. Miller at least three times, saying that he slashed her tires, tracked her car and shown up at a gas station to harass her, according to police reports.

The pastor has consistently denied allegations that he abused Mica, with the latest motion following an agreement that he will hand over Mica's belongings that she had on her the day she died over to her family.

Her family have also filed for Mica to have her maiden name of Francis restored, or to drop her married name making her Mica Acacia, her first and middle name.

If granted, the death certificate and all other relevant documents would reflect this change.

Sierra Francis, Mica's sister and appointed special administrator of her estate, has also asked the court to grant the appointment of a forensic expert to conduct a financial investigation into the marital estate.

Mica Miller's sister Sierra (left) had shared a series of disturbing texts from her estranged husband during an altercation between the couple in 2022, in the wake of Mica's death

Photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com had shown JP Miller having dinner with another woman, identified as Suzie Skinner, on May 1, days after his wife died

The investigation is to account for any 'fraudulent transfers of marital property including money and accounts,' according to a May 7 filing.

JP is accused in court documents of grooming Mica for years from the age of 14, committing her to hospital so he could steal her car, and cheating on his first wife, Alison, with underage churchgoers.

He has not been charged in relation to her death.

In affidavits filed by Mica's family, they express their concern over her relationship with Miller who announced Mica's death casually during a service at Solid Rock Church on April 28, calling it 'self-induced'.

A week later at her memorial service he gave an emotional 20-minute speech telling church goers of her mental health struggles.

In the days after her death, Miller's friends and family held a rally outside the church where her husband previously worked and boycotted a memorial service he organized for her  holding their own on the beach.
One of the two illegal Venezuelan migrants accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray appeared in court Monday, as horrific new details about her death emerged.

Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, wore a yellow jumpsuit with his hands cuffed in front of him as he faced capital murder charges for the girl's death.

He and his roommate, Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21 - another Venezuelan migrant - are accused of raping and killing the preteen, and disposing of her body in a Houston bayou.

'Our immigration system is broken, and if there was ever a case that reflected that it's this one,' Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said at a news conference following the bail hearing Monday.

Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, appeared in court for a bond hearing on Monday

He, right, and Johan Jose Martinez Rangel, left, are facing murder charges for the death of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray

Prosecutors say that the two men, who lived in the same apartment complex as Nungaray, followed her to a nearby 7/11 shortly after she snuck out of her house on June 16, and asked her for directions.

While at the convenience store, Nungaray called her 13-year-old boyfriend - who later reported he heard her talking to two adults.

The suspects then allegedly lured Nungaray under a bridge, where they stripped her naked to the waist and sexually assaulted her for two hours, according to court documents obtained by Fox 26.

Ramos and Martinez also allegedly bound Nungaray's hands behind her back during the assault, then strangled her and dumped her body in the bayou.

She would be found by a passerby hours later, with her feet also bound and her back covered in cuts, Click 2 Houston reports.

Ramos and Martinez allegedly assaulted Nungaray (pictured) for two hours before strangling her and disposing of her body

Ramos later confessed to police that he had kissed Jocelyn that night, but blamed other parts of the assault and her death on his roommate, Harris County Assistant District Attorney Megan Long said in court.

She and other prosecutors now claim Rangel grabbed Jocelyn around the neck, got on top of her and put his hands over her mouth in an apparent effort to stop her from screaming.

Martinez allegedly shaved his beard to avoid detection in the aftermath, and just two days after Nungaray's body was found, police say Ramos cut off an ankle monitor he was fitted with when he crossed the border illegally at El Paso on May 28.

The discarded ankle monitor was found last Wednesday NewsNation reported.

He also allegedly asked his employer at a construction site for extra cash so he could skip town.

But the boss instead contacted police, and Ramos was arrested, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Ramos was arrested after allegedly asking his boss for more money so he could skip town

Martinez, another Venezuelan migrant, is due to face his own bond hearing on Tuesday

In court on Monday, Judge Josh Hill set Ramos' bond at $10 million - double what prosecutors recommended and 10 times the amount sought by the defense

The judge declared that Ramos was an 'astronomical' flight risk, and the chances of him returning to court with a lower bond would be 'near zero.'

He noted that, as a new migrant to the area, Ramos had no ties to Houston.

He was released into the country after telling border patrol officials he feared for his life if he was to be sent back to Venezuela, and claimed he was going to live with a cousin in Houston, sources told The Post.

Instead, Ramos became roommates with Martinez - who also entered the country illegally on March 14 and was fitted with an ankle monitor. His was removed in May, after Border Patrol determined he had no known criminal history.

Both men are now facing capital murder charges, and could be sentenced to the death penalty if the ongoing investigation reveals evidence that Nungaray was sexually assaulted or kidnapped, District Attorney Kim Ogg said.

Martinez is due to face his own bond hearing on Tuesday, and prosecutors are once again urging the judge to set his bail at $10 million as well, according to Local 21.

Alexis Nungaray, Jocelyn's mother, slammed the suspects as 'monsters'

The Nungaray family is pictured comforting one another at the hearing on Monday

Nungaray's mother, Alexis, has blasted the accused killers as 'monsters' who took away her daughter's future.

'She was amazing, I still see her face in the back of my head everyday, all day,' Alexis said of her child at a news conference following the bond hearing on Monday.

'I keep getting little signs about her throughout the day, and it's been a very, very hard time for me and my family.

'She had such a bright future ahead of her, and I knew she was gonna go very far, and those monsters took that opportunity from her, from our family,' she said.
Rishi Sunak yesterday admitted voters have frustrations with him and his party  but warned them that allowing Sir Keir Starmer to replace him in Number 10 will make their families worse off in the future.

The Prime Minister travelled to Edinburgh against a backdrop of dire polling figures and more developments in the betting scandal as the Gambling Commission looks into bets placed by Tory candidates and party officials on the date of the election.

Mr Sunak attempted to get his election campaign back on track by using the visit to motivate pro-Union voters to help his party put the issue of independence to bed by inflicting heavy losses on the SNP.

He also said that Tory voters who switch to other parties such as Nigel Farages Reform UK will risk letting the SNP off the hook and allow Nationalist MPs to slip in through the back door.

In an interview with the Mail, he acknowledged the scale of anger among voters  but warned of the dangers of allowing Labour to waltz to a supermajority in the House of Commons.

The Prime Minister in Edinburgh yesterday

People should not sleepwalk into July 4, Mr Sunak said. Because if you hand Labour a blank cheque you wont be able to get it back and it is going to cost you in thousands of pounds more taxes, it is as simple as that.

I absolutely appreciate peoples frustrations with the party, with me, we havent made as much progress as we would have liked in some areas.

But do not let your frustrations mean that you dont properly consider what the future means for you and your family.

You have to ask yourself, can you and your family really afford thousands of pounds in higher taxes under a future Labour government?

In a clear message to Scots tempted to back Reform, he added: Dont let your frustrations allow the SNP to keep this constitutional debate going.

Voting Reform, all that is going to do is risk letting the SNP slip in the back door.

During yesterdays event, Mr Sunak stood shoulder to shoulder with Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross.

Douglas Ross and Rishi Sunak deliver their message yesterday

But the Prime Minister twice refused to back Mr Rosss shock decision to announce he will stand down as leader after the election, following an internal backlash over his decision to replace David Duguid as candidate in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, after party officials ruled the long-serving MP should not stand on health grounds.

Asked if he was disappointed that Mr Ross announced his resignation during an election campaign, he said only that he had made a very clear statement.

We are absolutely united in fighting hard for every vote and making sure people understand the clear choice: Scottish Conservatives are the ones that will deliver tax cuts to you, we are the only ones that will stand up for North Sea energy and we will make sure that there is focus on your priorities and not more constitutional wrangling.

Douglas and I are working very hard jointly together to get that message out to as many people as possible. said Mr Sunak.

But was he right to resign? Mr Sunak dodged the question again, saying: I will point you to his statement. It has always been a pleasure working with Douglas since Ive had this job.

Mr Sunak at the Scottish Conservative launch in Edinburgh

Hes someone who cares passionately about the Union and delivering for the people of Scotland, he has a track record standing up to Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP, for example on gender recognition, and I pay tribute to him and the work that he and I did together.

He was far happier when speaking of the folly of the policies of his rivals, and made clear that he now feels the tide has finally turned against the SNP and its pursuit of independence.

Mr Sunak said: Yes, wherever I go and talk to people they are sick and tired of constitutional wrangling and what they want is a focus on their priorities. That is crystal clear to me.

Particularly because of difficulties of the last few years economically, I think people can see there is a clear choice at this election between a Conservative Party that is going to continue cutting your taxes and the SNP that have made Scotland the high tax capital of the UK and Labour, who have got plans to hike up everyones tax by thousands of pounds.

Tax cuts with the Conservatives, tax rises with everyone else and a focus on your priorities not constitutional wrangling with the SNP  that is something that is resonating with people far and wide in Scotland.

While Reform UK is certain to win more support in parts of England than it secures in Scotland, it could still have a major influence on some constituencies.

In key Tory targets like Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, where Mr Ross is standing, even just a small minority of people backing Reform could be enough to give the SNP victory.

Only last week, the Mail revealed that posts on the social media of Jo Hart, Reforms candidate in the seat, in June 2022, during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for the Queen, branded the Royals as benefit scroungers in a message which said f*** the Royals and make Lizzy the last.

Reform UK has refused to take any action or even condemn the remarks. Mr Sunak said: Reform are standing candidates in Scotland that are both pro-independence and anti-monarchy. That is not what people expect and they should know that.

While Mr Sunak was campaigning in Scotland yesterday, Labours shadow health secretary Wes Streeting confirmed that his party wants to simplify the process where people can legally change their gender.

At the weekend, First Minister John Swinney said that the next UK Government should allow him to implement the GRR (Scotland) Bill, which proposed granting people a gender recognition certificate without a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria, and to lower the minimum age from 18 to 16.

The legislation was approved by the Scottish parliament  but Scottish Secretary Alister Jack, who is standing down at the election, used Section 35 powers to stop it gaining Royal Assent due to concerns about the impact on UK equalities legislation.

Sir Keir has said that a Labour government would not lift the block on the legislation.

But when asked yesterday if he believed there was a risk of the Scottish legislation returning under Labour, Mr Sunak said: That is a very real risk.

He added: They havent matched our commitment to ensure that sex means biological sex in the Equalities Act, so that we can protect womens spaces and their access to single sex services.

The Labour Party proposals that weve seen today unravel all the protections in the current system, which is designed to protect women and girls, and their changes would create more loopholes from bad faith actors. Labour have never understood or cared about this issue, or the vulnerable women impacted by their policy.

All of these protections will be unravelled under a future Labour government and the SNP, as we know, are keen to do that.

Mr Sunak also hit back at Mr Swinneys claim that the Prime Minister is a climate denier for granting 100 new oil and gas drilling licences.

He said: Of course we all want to get to net zero and leave the environment in a better state than we found it.

I have young children and that is something I think is really important. But weve got to do that in a sensible way and in a way that prioritises our countrys energy security.

We are going to need oil and gas for decades to come, why on earth would we not get that from here at home?

Thats good for our security, good for our economy, good for supporting 100,000 Scottish jobs and good for the environment.

He said the SNP and Labour approach was in hock to ideological dogma rather than being pragmatic about what is good for the country and added: Weve already got a fantastic record, weve reduced emissions in our country faster than any of our other major competitors, so I think we can do this in a different way going forward which as I say gets us to net zero but prioritises our energy security, supports the North Sea industry and also saves people money on their bills.

That is the right approach to this and what you are seeing from Labour is going to be disastrous. It is going to cost jobs in Scotland, it is going to harm our economy and energy security.
A major home building company has collapsed just 18 months after it was fined more than $40,000 for underpaying a worker.

Designer Projects Victoria Pty Ltd was put into liquidation on Monday after the Federal Circuit and Family Court, in November 2022, fined the company $39,960 for failing to calculate backpay and provide pay slips to a worker.

Director Visna Thanthrige was also fined $3,996 - taking the total penalties to $43,956.

The Melbourne-based home builder is being liquidated, with its assets divided among creditors, just 18 months after the Fair Work Ombudsman secured a conviction.

The company also traded as Designer Projects and owed up to $300,000 to the tax office.

A major home building company has collapsed just 18 months after it was fined more than $40,000 for underpaying a worker. Pictured is a Designer Projects construction site

Designer Projects Victoria Pty Ltd was put into liquidation on Monday after the Federal Circuit and Family Court, in November 2022, fined it $39,960 for failing to calculate backpay and provide pay slips to a worker. Pictured is one of its construction sites

BPS Reconstruction and Recovery managing partner Simon Nelson has been appointed as liquidator of the Melton company first registered in January 2018.

Paul Kennedy, a senior partner with this firm, told Daily Mail Australia that Designer Projects Victoria owed the Australian Taxation Office up to $300,000.

'We have been advised the company has a debt with the ATO in the vicinity of $250k to $300k,' he said.

No workers are now owed money.

'We are not aware of any other creditors at this stage; and the company did not have any employees as at our appointment,' Mr Kennedy said.

'We also understand the company was a small construction company and only ever had a few employees at any one time.'

A Fair Work inspector issued a compliance notice to Designer Projects Victoria in November 2021 after suspecting a worker was owed entitlements under the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020 and the Fair Work Act.

A judge agreed the worker was not paid 220 hours in accrued but untaken annual leave entitlements when his employment ended.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission had sought to deregister the company in October 2023.
The Daily Mail's Royal Editor Rebecca English has written the following analysis on Princess Anne's role in the Royal Family and why today's announcement will come as a shock

She will, it is hoped, only be out of action only for a week or so.

But knowing Princess Anne it will be a week too long.

Three years ago I was invited to follow the Kings sister on a day of engagements to mark her 70th birthday and saw her legendary work ethic first hand.

Business-like to the point of brusqueness, rarely have I also ever seen a member of the royal family so well-briefed on her subject matter.

On that day her programme ranged from meeting emergency service personnel to visiting a company specialising in global water treatment projects and even spending time at a veterinary school where she watched, transfixed, as students proceeded to saw a horses head off. Needless to say, she didnt blink an eye.

Anne, 73, is regularly named the hardest working member of the Royal Family in the annual polls each year, conducting 400-500 plus engagements each year.

She has also picked up the slack following her brothers cancer diagnosis, regularly standing in for him at public investitures in the early stages of his illness and treatment.

The princess also rarely takes a day off sick - in fact such a prospect is virtually unheard of, according to her staff.

Which is why todays news has come as such an utter shock.

Much like Queen Elizabeth, we just take for granted that the Princess Royal is here, still doing what she does so well with so little fuss or fanfare.

How bereft we feel when, suddenly, she is not.

There is still a great deal of uncertainty about what happened, almost certainly in part down to the concussion the princess suffered as a result of the incident.

It is not even known whether she was with anyone at the time, or was able to call for help herself - although it is understood that Buckingham Palace have a working hypothesis of what happened.

What we do know, however, is that she was walking on the guarded perimeter of her property when it occurred and that her injuries are consistent with being hit or kicked by a horses head or legs.

While emergency services were despatched to Gatcombe Park, her beloved Gloucestershire estate where her children, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall both live with their families, a scrambled air ambulance was, thankfully, not needed.

However she was later taken to hospital in Bristol, accompanied by her husband Sir Tim Laurence, and the King, Queen, Prince of Wales and her other siblings quickly notified.

Fortunately she is comfortable and expected to make a full - and hopefully swift - recovery but is being kept in for observation at Southmead Hospital, an NHS facility 29 miles drive away from her home, which is entirely expected for a patient with concussion and head injuries.

No doubt this admirably no-nonsense character will balk at her enforced period of recuperation, particularly as her team will now be forced to cancel no less than eight UK public engagements this week plus a working trip to Canada, where she was due to fly on Thursday.

But the King, who made a point earlier today of making public his fondest love and well-wishes for his sister, will understand.

He has always been closer to his sister than any of his other siblings and was heard to affectionately greet her after his coronation last year with an endearing: Hello, Old Bean! and the broadest of smiles. They always have each others backs.
Experts have found a rare bronze bust depicting one of the most colourful characters in Roman history  the mad, sexually-depraved Emperor Caligula.

Considered lost for nearly 200 years, the 5-inch-tall bust was originally excavated at Herculaneum, a Roman town destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.

Available for the public to view from the end of this month, it's possible the bust was cast at Herculaneum shortly before or after Caligula's death about 2,000 years ago.

It shows Caligulas high forehead, small thin-lipped mouth, prominent chin and the unmistakable glint of silver eyes that indicated his 'madness'.

Caligula, the third leader of the Roman Empire, lived a depraved lifestyle, indulging in brazen affairs with wives of his allies and incestuous relationships with his sisters before his murder in AD 41.

The drawing shows Caligulas high forehead, small thin-lipped mouth, prominent chin and the unmistakeable glint of silver eyes, according to experts

Regardless of the bust's age, experts call it an 'exquisite' item that depicts one of the most depraved characters from human history

After a determined decade-long search, the bust has been found by Dr Silvia Davoli, curator of Strawberry Hill and historian at the University of Oxford.

'The discovery of the Caligulas head is truly an exciting event,' she said.

'Each recovered object opens the doors to new hypotheses, helping us better understand the secret life of objects and their movements through the centuries.'

As yet it's unknown when exactly the bust was cast, but it was one of the first objects excavated at Herculaneum in the 17th century.

At some point in the 18th century, the bust was gifted to renowned English writer and politician Horace Walpole (1717-1797) by Sir Horace Mann, a distant relative who was the British envoy to Italy.

Both he and Walpole marvelled at the expressiveness on its face that according to them represented the Emperor 'at the beginning of his madness'.

Like many of his treasures, Walpole kept it at Strawberry Hill House, his Gothic Revival villa built in Twickenham from 1749.

Caligula, the third leader of the Roman Empire, lived a depraved lifestyle, indulging in brazen affairs with wives of his allies and incestuous relationships with his sisters before his murder in AD 41

Both Mann and Walpole marvelled at the expressiveness that according to them represented the Emperor 'at the beginning of his madness

Strawberry Hill House, a Gothic Revival villa, was built in Twickenham by Horace Walpole from 1749

Who was Horace Walpole? Horace Walpole (1717-1797) was an English writer, connoisseur, collector and politician. He was perhaps the most assiduous letter writer of his era, and he built Strawberry Hill, a Gothic Revival mansion in Twickenham, London. Completed in 1776, Sir Horace extensively built the home in a decorative style which has often been described as 'Queer Gothic'. Walpole never married and since his death there has been much speculation regarding his sexuality. Advertisement

But in 1842, the Bronze Head of Caligula was sold in the 'Great Sale' when most of his collection disappeared into private hands  and had since been unaccounted for.

As part of her search, at Yale University Dr Davoli found a sketch of the bust that Horace Walpole had commissioned  but she still did not know where the bust itself was.

Crucially, further research revealed it had stayed in the Walpole family after his death before being purchased by collectors, including, eventually, the renowned baron John Henry Schroder in the 1890s.

Schroder was son of the man who founded Schroders merchant bankers in London in 1804  and crucially it still has a collection of antiques amassed between the late 19th and early 20th century.

After discovering the bust at the collection, it was 'unmistakeable' that every detail in the Carter drawing corresponded with the object, Dr Silvia Davoli said  proving it depicted Caligula.

Now, after a 182-year absence, it's being loaned back to its original home, Strawberry Hill House, for an exhibition running from June 29 to September 8.

While there is no evidence Sir Horace had any sexual relationships with men, he had several 'close friendships with other Batchelors' and was described as 'effeminate' by his contemporaries . Above, a 1910 print of Sir Horace

Curator of the Schorder collection, Dr Caterina Badan, is now working alongside Silvia to reconstruct the complex history of the object.

Although excavated from Herculaneum, the experts can't be entirely sure whether it was cast during Roman times or much more recently.

The smoothness of the bronze surface may indicate it a Renaissance sculpture that somehow got entangled with the Herculaneum excavation in the 17th century.

Regardless of its age, they call it an 'exquisite' item that depicts one of the most depraved characters from human history.
Your cellphone carrier says a lot about who you are, an ex-Apple employee has claimed.

Tyler Morgan, who worked in sales, detailed how choosing one of the five major companies is more about your personality, rather than the best coverage or cheapest plan.

These traits included your favorite actor, whether you rely financially on your parents, when you left home and whether you're at an all-time low in your life.

Morgan has gained a huge social media following by sharing insights into his time at Apple and giving advice to customers.

Tyler Morgan, a former sales rep at Apple, revealed what the top five phone companies say about your personality

Tyler Morgan posts hacks for iPhone consumers and warnings about cell phone carriers on his TikTok platform @hitomidocameraroll

1. Verizon

If you're on a Verizon plan, Morgan warned in the TikTok video that this is a sign that you're a 'trust fund.'

'We understand your parents are doing well, we get it,' he said, adding: 'Good luck paying that on your own when they kick your *ss out.'

One person responded to the video, telling Morgan that his observation of Verizon is 'spot on.'

'I have Verizon and it ain't easy paying it now,' they wrote.

Verizon is primarily used by trust fund babies whose parents are still footing the bill, Morgan said.

Others questioned Morgan's judgment, asking: 'What's wrong with Verizon?' and another stated: 'Verizon is not expensive. I don't know what plan y'all are on.'

Verizon's most expensive plan is Unlimited Ultimate which gives customers 5G Wideband service and 60 gigabytes of premium mobile hotspot data per month for $90.

2. AT&T

In 2023, AT&T suffered data breaches with one in March when the company notified nine million people about the cyberattack

Morgan touted that AT&T users are 'like the Android friend in your friend group of iPhone users.

'For whatever reason, you're just not wanting to pay that extra $10 a month to be on Verizon,' he said.

He cited AT&T's popularity on its bundling options that allows customers to get access to DIRECTV, internet and an unlimited phone plan for $150 to $65 a month.

However, AT&T stands for 'Always Troubled and Tired' Morgan said, clarifying that the company's maintenance trucks are the most common he sees 'cause there's always something going wrong.'

AT&T has suffered two prolonged nationwide outages this year leaving tens of thousands of customers without data or cell service.

After the second outage earlier this month, users appeared to become disenchanted with the company, with one person writing on X: 'Come on AT&T, let's get it together here. These service issues are getting old.'

3. T-Mobile

T-Mobile is the best option, according to Morgan who said most people stay with the company because their family has had a plan since the early 2000s.

T-Mobile is the type of carrier you were born into or joined because you moved out at a young age, according to Morgan.

'Did you leave home abruptly at 16 like me? Probably have T-Mobile,' he said, adding: 'Most likely you've been with them, or someone in your family has been with them since the Sidekick was a thing.'

The T-Mobile Sidekick debuted in 2002, featuring a four-bit monochrome display, and was carried by socialites Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian as the popular BlackBerry alternative.

T-Mobile offers an inexpensive alternative to other phone plans with its 'Essentials Saver' option of $50 a month for unlimited talk and text and 50 gigabytes of data, making this one of Morgan's top choices.

4. Mint Mobile

People tend to like Mint mobile because of its ambassador, Ryan Reynolds, who bought a 25 percent share of the company in 2019

People who choose Mint Mobile over other phone carriers 'just like Ryan Reynolds,' Morgan said, even though T-Mobile officially bought the company last month for $1.3 billion.

Reynolds bought a 25 percent stake in Mint Mobile in 2019 and was known for boosting the company in sponsored commercials.

The company offers a $15 per month deal for both new and existing customers, and Morgan showed his preference, saying: 'Mint Mobile, if you'd like to collab, I like you the best.'

However, given T-Mobile's recent acquisition of the platform, it 'means technically, I like T-Mobile the best. Which is fine with me,' Morgan said.

5. Spectrum

Spectrum costs $25 a month and you can bundle with your internet and TV access, but Morgan warned it isn't worth it and that you should use pre-paid instead

Spectrum is a bottom-tier phone company, according to Morgan who warned users against setting up a contract for an unlimited plus plan for $25 a month.

'This is a level of low you don't need to be,' Morgan said. 'You probably got it for a bundle or something, right?'

He acknowledged that the company 'usually' has good WiFi, but the pros end there, although he did not specify all the negative reasons he dislikes the company.

'Stop, just leave. You'd be better off using pre-paid,' Morgan said.

He quantified his explanations by saying he's been a customer of all five carriers at one point or another, but 'Spectrum that was a dark time in my life,' he said.
It was the most highly anticipated feature to be unveiled at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this year.

But Apple now says Apple Intelligence and two other big updates won't be coming to devices in the European Union until next year at the latest.

In a statement, the tech giant revealed that it would be delaying the EU rollout of its huge AI update due to privacy concerns stemming from the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Apple says it will also hold back iPhone Mirroring for Macs as well as SharePlay Screen Sharing enhancements due to 'regulatory uncertainties'.

MailOnline has contacted Apple for further information but it is not yet clear whether this will affect UK users.

Apple Intelligence will not be coming to Apple devices in the EU until next year at the latest due to a regulatory clash with the EU

The much anticipated AI features were due to rollout alongside iOS 18 later this year, but will now not arrive in the EU during 2024 (stock image)

In a statement, Apple said: 'Due to the regulatory uncertainties brought about by the Digital Markets Act (DMA), we do not believe that we will be able to roll out three of these features.'

The rollout of Apple Intelligence had originally been scheduled to come as part of iOS 18 in autumn this year.

Apple says that it is 'committed to collaborating' with the EU to find a way around the issue but will not release the three new iOS 18 features to EU countries this year.

Other features coming with iOS 18  including a redesign for the Photos app and more customizable homescreen options  are expected to come to EU countries.

But the delay means that Apple users in the EU will initially miss out on a wide range of features making use of hugely-anticipated generative AI tool.

Surely the biggest part of Apple Intelligence is the integration of OpenAI's hugely popular chatbot ChatGPT with Siri, Apple's in-built virtual assistant.

Apple Intelligence also includes the use of AI-generated 'genmojis' which allow users to create their own custom emojis with simple text prompts.

That means EU customers will have to wait to get features like Genmoji (pictured), AI text tools, and image generation

Using this feature, iPhone users will be able to create any emoji they want simply by typing in a simple description into the Messages app.

Nor will EU customers have access to AI editing tools for text and pictures which help offer summaries of long text or improve the tone of emails.

It does not mean that EU customers will never get the new features, but it may be some time until Apple finds its way around the regulatory hurdles.

The issue causing the delay is due to a rule contained in the EU's DMA which passed in 2023.

The rule means that all basic functionalities must work across all devices and ecosystems to stop big companies acting as 'gatekeepers' to quash competition from smaller firms.

Apple CEO Tim Cook (pictured) hailed Apple Intelligence as 'a new chapter in Apple innovation' but that new chapter will now have to wait as Apple complains that the EU's Digital Markets Act could 'force' compromises on privacy

Early this year, the same law has been used to force Apple to allow the introduction of third-party app stores on the iPhone.

However, Apple now says: '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.'

It adds: '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.'

The company did not specify exactly what aspects of customer privacy would be compromised or why.

Apple's announcement comes as the company faces a $38billion fine for breaching European regulator rules over the way it runs the App Store.

Today the European Commission said its investigation found that the restrictions Apple places on app developers were in breach of the DMA.

Apple's AI products have also been criticised for their privacy concerns with Elon Musk calling the integration of ChatGPT an 'unacceptable security violation'

This could leave the tech giant facing of up to 10 per cent of its $383 billion annual global revenue.

This comes after Apple's AI update itself was criticised for allegedly undermining customer's privacy  namely Apple's plans to integrate OpenAI's ChatGPT into its Siri assistant.

Elon Musk subsequently said the update was an 'unacceptable security violation' and said that he would no longer allow iPhones into company premises.

Mr Musk wrote on X: ''If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, then Apple devices will be banned at my companies.'

He added that the iPhones of guests would need to be stored in a 'Faraday cage' to block any electromagnetic signals.
Three-fingered 'alien mummies' uncovered in Peru have largely been dismissed as a hoax by the scientific community, but a new study has suggested otherwise.

A recent imaging analysis on one of the humanoids named 'Maria' found it has biological similarities to that of a human - but with 'many morphological and anatomical structural differences.'

The creature's bones were observed to flow smoothly under the mummified casing, in a way that is found throughout the human body, and its elongated skull showed no signs of artificial cranial deformation.

The team was also able to date the mummy to between 240AD and 383AD, 'indicating its coexistence with the ancient Nazca civilization,' they shared in the study.

Three-fingered ' alien mummies' uncovered in Peru have largely been dismissed as a hoax by the scientific community, but a new study has suggested otherwise. A new study analyzed one of the mummies named Maria

Maria, labeled M01, was one of six mummies found inside the tomb in Nazca, a city in southern Peru in 2017 - a nine-month-old child and four males were also uncovered.

Journalist and ufologist Jaime Maussan found the mummies and has paraded many of them in front of Mexico's Congress, claiming they are alien beings that once walked on Earth.

While Maussan has not waivered with his story, experts are sure the mummies are nothing more than dolls manipulated by grave robbers.

In 2018, one year after the discovery was announced, scientists concluded from at least four independent analyses of DNA samples and other mummy materials that they were modified, pre-Columbian mummies.

But the claims have not stopped Maussan and other researchers in their tracks.

The latest study was conducted by a team of Peruvian researchers who performed different tests on Maria.

The team conducted magnification examination, allowing them to peer inside and see that the mummy lacked hair and external ears - it only had openings of the ear canals.

The most notable feature of the skull is its significant elongation, without external signs of cranial compression from external agents, reads the study published in the Journal of Social and Environmental Management.

Specifically, it is the cranial vault that shows an atypical growth and development, resembling a dolichocephalic phenotype.

Additionally, the cranial volume is 30 percent larger than that of a normal human.

Scans of the internal creature revealed it had bulging eyes and protruding upper and lower jaws.

While experts have not waivered with his story, other scientists are sure the mummies are nothing more than dolls manipulated by grave robbers

The elongated skull showed no signs of artificial cranial deformation and was 30 percent larger than that of a normal human

The width of the bones in the wrist palm and base parts of the three fingers all transitioned smoothly and uniformly, which the team stated makes the hands appear as wide as that of a human - but eight inches longer

Maria was lacking six teeth and the rest were severely worn down - three wisdom teeth were also missing.

However, the team noted that the most striking and unusual features of the humanoid body are found in its hands and feet.

The width of the bones in the wrist palm and base parts of the three fingers all transitioned smoothly and uniformly, which the team stated makes the hands appear as wide as that of a human - but eight inches longer.

Notably, each finger of the hand has four phalanges, unlike the three phalanges in a normal human, researchers shared in the study.

The feet bones flowed smoothly to the three toes, and a similar width to that of a human foot but are much longer at nine inches.

At the level of the toes, there are also four phalanges observed in each of the three toes, whereas in normal humans there are typically only three phalanges per toe, the study reads.

Compared to a normal human foot, Marias calcaneus bone, which forms the heel, shows a different shape and structure.

The imaging analysis also determined the creature suffered from arthritis in its hands and feet, along with a damaged spine

The specimen is lacking a large bump in its foot that helps helps support the body's weight and maintain balance when standing upright on two feet. This suggested it walked hunched over in order to remain stable

Typically, human calcaneus bones have a large bump at the back that helps support the body's weight and maintain balance when standing upright on two feet.

Marias, however, is missing a large bump, which suggests it walked hunched over in order to remain stable.

One aspect of Maria that Maussan has proclaimed was that it was pregnant when it was mummified.

The new study found the mummy was impregnated with a white powder, known as diatomaceous earth that is made of fossilized remains of microscopic algae.

The naturally occurring powder is not harmful to humans but is used in insecticides because it kills the insects through dehydration.

'Based on the superficial morphological and tomographic imaging analysis, it is concluded that specimen M01 is a desiccated humanoid body with a biological architecture similar to humans,' researchers wrote

The imaging analysis also determined the creature suffered from arthritis in its hands and feet, along with spinal damage.

Specimen M01, based on the morpho-anatomical features of its pelvic bone structure, is compatible with a gynecoid pelvis and would correspond to a female individual, researchers wrote.

However, at the cranial level, it exhibits android features (typically male), characterized by prominent cranial protuberances such as the glabella, external occipital protuberance, mastoid processes, and notably thick cranial bones.

Based on the superficial morphological and tomographic imaging analysis, it is concluded that specimen M01 is a desiccated humanoid body with a biological architecture similar to humans, yet exhibiting numerous structural differences and morphological and anatomical singularities.
READ MORE: The two NASA astronauts arrived safety on NASA's ISS

NASA has delayed the return of two astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) for the third time, raising concerns the crew could be 'stranded.'

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were initially scheduled for a nine-day stay, which was pushed back twice this month and now sits at an undetermined date.

The extended stay is to allow more time for review of technical issues encountered by the capsule as it traveled to the ISS, which included thruster failures and leaking valves, Boeing said in a statement.

DailyMail.com spoke with several experts who said that NASA could be forced to launch a rescue mission, and could tap Elon Musk's SpaceX to carry it out.

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were initially scheduled for a nine day stay, but NASA revealed it now stands at an undetermined date

Rudy Ridolfi, Former Space System Commander and Space Technology Acquisition Manager, told DailyMail.com on Monday that Boeing may be forced to abandon Starliner and use one of SpaceX's Dragon capsules to bring the two astronauts home.

'Boeing will still want the capsule back. The service module is the part with all the problems and they will lose that on reentry no matter what they do,' Ridolfi said.

'The capsule though, it can be returned, autonomously to a hard landing in the US and recovered.'

Katsuo Kurabayashi, professor of aerospace engineering at New York University told DailyMail.com on June 14 that given Starliner's current situation, 'it is possible that NASA could decide to use an alternative spacecraft, like SpaceX's Crew Dragon, to bring the astronauts home safely.'

However, the professor also noted that NASA and Boeing are taking precautions with the return missions to ensure that Starliner is fully prepared and certified for the return journey.

'As far as I can tell at this point, the recent delay of the mission to July alone shouldn't raise serious concerns leading to another highly challenging rescue mission or the future abandonment of Starliner-based missions,' he said on Monday.

'But if they start talking about a rescue mission by chance, it would indicate that there are some serious, potentially life-threatening hardware defects found with Starliner.'

The astronauts' return was first pushed backed to June 14 and last week it was rescheduled for June 26.

NASA indicated that its staff was evaluating return dates after the stations two planned space walks on June 24 and July 2 - hoping to bring the two astronauts back to Earth no later than early July.

Steve Stich, manager of NASAs Commercial Crew Program, 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.

'Additionally, given the duration of the mission, it is appropriate for us to complete an agency-level review, similar to what was done ahead of the NASAs SpaceX Demo-2 return after two months on orbit, to document the agencys formal acceptance on proceeding as planned.'

The extended stay is to allow more time for review of technical issues encountered, including thruster failures and leaking valves, Boeing said in a statement

Starliner 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 signaled unfixed past issues since launching

Starliner took off at on June 5 at 10:52am ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida last week with the same leak that forced a scrub in May.

The capsule, however, launched with a known leak that was reportedly no larger than a shirt button and quite thin.

Stich said last month that he was confident 27 out of these 28 thrusters were working properly, free of leaks or other issues.

However, Starliner 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 signaled unfixed past issues since launching.

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.

Boeing has spent $1.5 billion in cost overruns beyond its $4.5-billion NASA development contract.

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.

The leak that forced a scrub in May raised concerns among a NASA contractor who urged the space agency to 're-double safety checks and re-examine safety protocols to make sure the Starliner is safe before something catastrophic happens.'

Starliner took off at on June 5 at 10:52am ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida last week with the same leak that forced a scrub in May

Erin Faville, president of ValveTech, raised concerns about this month's launch, telling DailyMail.com: 'I warned. I will choose to let it play out.'

While both NASA and Boeing did not seem concerned about the initial leak, Mike Gruntman, professor of astronautics at the University of Southern California, told DailyMail.com that the problems stemmed from manufacturing issues.

He noted on June 14 that 'it is more likely that SpaceX would be able to provide an additional launch in the foreseeable future to bring the astronauts back.'

'It is highly unfortunate that Boeing's Starliner, after so much delay with its flight, continues to face problems,' Gruntman continued.

'For decades, Boeing was one of the most admired aerospace and defense companies. It is a true national tragedy.'

Starliner's issues follow a slew of problems plaguing Boeing commercial planes.

A Boeing plane experienced a rare Dutch roll at 32,000 feet mid-flight last month, which resulted in the aircraft being taken out of service.

The Southwest Airlines flight, Southwest Flight 746, was flying 175 passengers from Phoenix to Oakland on May 25 when it experienced the terrifying Dutch roll.

A Dutch roll is the name given to the combination of a yawing motion when the tail slides and the plane rocks from wingtip to wingtip. It is said to mimic the movement of a Dutch ice skater.

In the same month, Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 experienced fatal 'turbulence' that involved proximity to tropical thunderstorms.

The Boeing 777 plane operated by Singapore Airlines left London's Heathrow airport at 10:17pm local time with 211 passengers and 18 crew on board.

However, the turbulence caused several injuries and one death - it is unclear of the Boeing jet experienced an issue or it was a natural event.

And just last week, an Air Canada Boeing plane bursts into flames seconds after take-off.
Actor Matthew Modine has slammed Amazon Prime after he spotted a major change to the Full Metal Jacket movie poster.

The 1987 Stanley Kubrick war comedy is available to rent on the streaming platform, but many people were quick to notice last week that the artwork had been altered.

Modine, 65, was one of the stars of the film, playing marine James T. 'Joker' Davis. He shared his outrage on X, formerly Twitter, about the decision by the streaming giant to alter the helmet.

The movie's original poster shows a war helmet with the words 'born to kill' scrawled across it in black ink.

But in Amazon Prime's version, it simply had the camouflage headpiece without the iconic slogan.

Actor Matthew Modine has slammed Amazon Prime after he spotted a major change to the Full Metal Jacket movie poster

The movie's original poster shows a war helmet with the words 'born to kill' on it (left). But in Amazon Prime's version, it simply had the camouflage headpiece without the words (right)

'Who decided to remove 'BORN TO KILL?'' Modine wrote. 'Not only did they alter a piece of iconic art by Philip Castle, but they completely misunderstood the point of it being there.'

The star pointed out that the words on the helmet were vital to the film.

'[My character Private J.T. 'Joker' Davis] wears the helmet with 'BORN TO KILL' and the peace button as a statement about 'the duality of man,'' he added.

The movie followed Private Joker as he trains for the Vietnam War, and also starred Adam Baldwin, Vincent D'Onofrio, Lee Ermey, and Dorian Harewood.

In one scene, one of his commanding officers asks Private Joker why he has the words on his helmet.

'Wha''s that supposed to be, some kind of sick joke?' the colonel inquires, to which Private Joker replies, 'No sir.'

Private Joker then tells him it's support to mean, 'The duality of man. The Jungian thing, sir.'

He is referring to a psychiatrist named Carl Jung, who famously said, 'Every good quality has its bad side, and nothing that is good can come into the world without directly producing a corresponding evil. This is a painful fact.'

'Who decided to remove 'BORN TO KILL?'' Matthew wrote. 'Not only did they alter a piece of iconic art by Philip Castle, but they completely misunderstood the point of it being there'

The star pointed out that the words on the helmet were vital to the film, adding, '[My character] wears the helmet with 'BORN TO KILL' as a statement about 'the duality of man''

Many fans of the film were just as angry as Matthew, with one describing the artwork as 'one of the most iconic movie posters ever'

It's unclear why Amazon Prime made the change, but it has since reverted the poster back to its original form

Many fans of the film were just as angry as Matthew, with one describing the original artwork as 'one of the most iconic movie posters ever.'

Someone else said 'one of the best parts of the entire film' was Private Joker 'explaining the helmet to his superior officers.'

'Why on earth would they do this?' asked another angry user. 'Terrible.'

'Here we go again. Hey corporations, stop censoring art,' read a fourth tweet, while a fifth said, 'It is NOT OK to censor history or art.'

It's unclear why Amazon Prime made the change, but it has since reverted the poster back to its original form.
Naomi Watts spent part of her weekend reuniting with her ex Liev Schreiber, while heading out to dinner with their 16-year-old son Sasha.

Watts, 55, and Schreiber, 56, started dating in 2005, and welcomed their son Sasha back in 2007, and Kai, 15, in 2008.

The couple split in 2016, with Watts tying the knot with her Gypsy co-star Billy Crudup in June 2023 and Schreiber marrying Taylor Niesen in July 2023.

The amicable exes posed for a snap outside a restaurant, which Watts captioned in her Instagram story, 'So proud of you @sashapeteschreiber,' with three red heart emojis.

She also posted a snap of the exes and their son inside the restaurant as well, though on Sunday Watts shared some snaps from her trip to Paris.

Naomi Watts spent part of her weekend reuniting with her ex Liev Schreiber , while heading out to dinner with their 16-year-old son Sasha

She also posted a snap of the exes and their son inside the restaurant as well, though on Sunday Watts shared some snaps from her trip to Paris

Watts was donning a white t-shirt, Aviator sunglasses and a gold necklace while Sasha opted for a white polo shirt with green stripes on the collar and sleeves.

Schreiber was seen in a white t-shirt in the first snap, but he seemingly changed into a green polo shirt for the snap inside the restaurant.

Watts also added a cream-colored blazer for the snap inside the restaurant as well for the dinner.

Last week, the British actress threw a wedding ceremony in Mexico City, exactly one year after she and The Morning Show actor married in a New York City courthouse last June.

Naomi's brother, Ben Watts, confirmed the news with a sweet video of his sister and Billy standing in an elevator together.

Naomi wore a white gown and held a bouquet of matching flowers, while Billy, in a dark suit, stood behind her.

Also in the shot was The Watcher alum's 15-year-old daughter Kai -who Naomi shares with ex Liev Schreiber along with son Sasha, 16 - and niece Ruby who wore strapless gowns and served as bridesmaids.

The crew, including Billy's son William, 20, who he shares with ex Mary-Louise Parker, smiled and waved at the camera as the elevator doors closed.

'Off they go Naomi x Billy x family #benwatts #scrapbooking," Ben captioned the video set to Frank Sinatra's hit Love and Marriage

Schreiber was seen in a white t-shirt in the first snap, but he seemingly changed into a green polo shirt for the snap inside the restaurant

Last week, the British actress threw a wedding ceremony in Mexico City, exactly one year after she and The Morning Show actor married in a New York City courthouse last June.

The crew, including Billy's son William, 20, who he shares with ex Mary-Louise Parker, smiled and waved at the camera as the elevator doors closed

Naomi first announced their nuptials last summer with an adorable snap of the duo standing in front of a Manhattan courthouse

Another adorable shot showed Naomi and Billy sitting down at their welcome party, with their hands on one another as they watched someone off camera.

Naomi reposted the Instagram Story that read, 'Love is alive and well.'

Ben also shared a clip from the opening night ceremony that caught a piece of Naomi's speech to her guests.

'This is a reminder of what life's about,' the Gypsy actress said as she held her husband's hand. 'The affirmation of love being one of the simplest things, but the most important.'

Naomi first announced their nuptials last summer with an adorable snap of the duo standing in front of a Manhattan courthouse.

She simply captioned the picture, 'Hitched!'
Jackie 'O' Henderson is currently living it up during a luxurious holiday to Mykonos, Greece with her best friend Gemma O'Neill.

The radio personality, 49, took to Instagram to show off the lavish members only hotel she appears to be staying in, which can cost up to $2,000-a-night.

The luxury Soho Roc House sit right on the beach and boasts a range of five-star amenities, including a fully-stocked minibar with top shelf beverages and Egyptian cotton sheets.

Each room also has a rainforest shower, Nespresso machine and a range of expensive beauty products.

In videos shared to her social media, Jackie could be seen partying by the massive pool overlooking the ocean.

Jackie 'O' Henderson is currently living it up during a luxurious holiday to Mykonos, Greece

One clip showed the blonde beauty having an intimate conversation with a hunky guest on the dance floor.

It comes after Jackie revealed she will find her next man live on-air.

The radio queen is embarking on a love quest on KIIS FM, with her co-host, Kyle Sandilands, weighing in on her choices.

The radio personality, 49, took to Instagram to show off the lavish members only hotel she appears to be staying in, which can cost up to a shocking $2,000 a night

Jackie has been joined on the trip by her best friend Gemma O'Neill

The luxury Soho Roc House sit right on the beach and boasts a range of five-star amenities, including a fully stocked minibar with top shelf beverages and Egyptian cotton sheets

'Jackie O hasn't had much luck dating the past couple of years,' the radio station announced on Friday.

'Frustrated but hopeful, and in a last-ditch effort, Jackie has turned over the reins to Kyle to find her perfect match!

'But if Kyle's approval wasn't hard enough, hopeful applicants will need to ensure they tick all items on her extensive shopping list.'

In videos shared to her social media, Jackie could be seen living it up by the massive pool overlooking the ocean

One clip showed the blonde beauty having an intimate conversation with a hunky guest on the dance floor

They continued: 'The perfect man, in Jackie's eyes, would be a man who is in their mid-30's to mid-50's, 5'11 or taller, fit, healthy, happy, has a good job, goals, is loyal, romantic and emotionally vulnerable.'

Jackie's list of what constitutes the perfect fella also includes someone who will 'pay for dinner every now and then and won't take advantage of her wealth'.

She wants a man who will, 'text back quickly, within three hours to be precise, or will need to give a valid excuse' and does 'not want children but be open to the fact that she has a daughter'.

Additionally, he will 'enjoy getting up early every day, especially on weekends' and 'not be too smart or too intellectual that will make her zone out of conversation'.
Bianca Censori appears to have lost a significant amount of weight during her very high-profile marriage to Kanye West.

The Melbourne architect, 29, has been seen showing off her slimmer frame during recent outings in Paris with the rapper, 47.

She has become known for her risque outfits and most recently stepped out in an ultra-revealing ensemble in which she eschewed a top in favour of bandage-like halter suspenders that only covered her nipples.

Prior to her romance with the rapper, Censori clad her curvaceous figure in more form-fitting athleisure gear including a trendy black skintight jumpsuit.

But recently, the Australian architectturnedwife and muse of Kanye West has looked incredibly slender.

Bianca Censori appears to have lost a significant amount of weight during her very high-profile marriage to Kanye West. She is pictured left in May 2022 and right on Friday

On Friday, Censori nearly bared her breasts as she stepped out in the revealing outfit for a dinner date at Manko restaurant in Paris.

Her pins and waist looked tiny in the ensemble as she was seen exiting a van with a male friend that had chauffeured her to a restaurant.

And now fans have weighed in, commenting on the radical change.

'She has lost weight, her curves are diminishing and the heavy breast tissue is now drooping. Muscle loss as well,' one person wrote online.

Another agreed, adding: 'Same exact situation happened when he dated Julia Fox. Weird crazy outfits, dramatic weight loss, Kanye is insane.'

'She lost about 10lbs which is a significant amount of weight but hardly cause for concern,' a third said.

She has become known for her risque outfits and often steps out in ultra-revealing ensembles

During Kanye and Kim Kardashian's tumultuous marriage, Kim was reportedly asked to change her outfits if he felt like she was showing too much skin.

He heavily influenced her fashion choices during their seven-year marriage.

'Kanye did the same thing he is doing with Bianca to Kim throughout their marriage. The difference is that when Kanye dressed Kim, he was respected as a person - as an artist,' one source said.

Prior to her romance with the rapper, Censori clad her curvaceous figure in more form-fitting athleisure gear including a trendy black skintight jumpsuit

'Unfortunately, Kim knows what Bianca is going through - but she feels Bianca should have known what she was getting into.'

Kim said in a previous episode of the Kardashians: 'Kanye has always dressed me. In the early 2000s, he would literally just send me random emails with all these looks and what my style should be.'

He once told her: 'You are my wife, and it affects me when your pictures are too sexy.'

Kanye married Yeezy architect Bianca in January 2023 in what was thought a non-legal wedding as it appeared they did not file for a marriage certificate

Kim filed for divorce in February 2021 just before what would have been the pair's seventh wedding anniversary.

Kim, who was represented by divorce attorney Laura Wasser, was declared legally single March 2022 while in the midst of a romance with now-ex boyfriend SNL alum Pete Davidson.

In November 2022, Kim and Kanye's divorce was finalised, with Kanye agreeing to pay $200,000 a month in child support and equal custody.

Kanye married Yeezy architect Bianca in January 2023 in what was thought a non-legal wedding as it appeared they did not file for a marriage certificate.

Bianca's parents are said to be 'mortified' at seeing their daughter in racy looks

However in mid-October 2023, it was reported that they did in fact get legally married and that it took place the year before due to 'religious reasons,' per Us Weekly.

Bianca's parents are said to be 'mortified' at seeing their daughter in racy looks.

'Her family and friends are mortified because it just keeps getting worse and worse,' a source told DailyMail.com after Bianca stepped out in a clear raincoat while nude underneath.

'Bianca clearly doesn't realise that what she wore isn't only disgusting and setting a bad example, but she is also potentially breaking the law.'

'Meanwhile, Kanye is covered up with five layers of clothes and when his wife looked chilly while naked and wrapped in plastic he didn't so much as offer her one of his capes,' the insider added.

'Her parents are so distressed over this because they do not recognise her. She would not be doing this unless she was being controlled,' the source told DailyMail.com.
She has recently been living it up in Europe as she films her upcoming movie Under The Stars.

But on Sunday, Muriel's Wedding star Toni Collette, 51, looked glum as she stepped out in London.

The actress failed to raise a smile as she left a yoga class with two friends, including yoga instructor Brodie Bass.

Toni kept warm in a black puffer jacket and black trackpants as she went for a stroll with her friends around Hyde Park after the workout.

She completed her look with a pair of sneakers and held a black bag for the outing.

Toni Collette (pictured) failed to raise a smile as she left a yoga class in London on Sunday

The actress appeared glum as she left the workout with two friends, including yoga instructor Brodie Bass

She went makeup free for her exercise session and had her long strawberry blonde locks out in a straight style.

Toni has been living life to the fullest in recent months following her separation from her long-time husband Dave Galafassi.

Dave, who has recently been romantically linked to fellow actress Claudia Karvan, was seen out and about in Sydney last week looking pensive and lonely.

Alone for the outing, the drummer wore a bright green hoodie and washed-out grey jeans while walking with his mobile in hand at Bondi Beach.

He later took what looked to be an important phone call.

The musician hasn't been sighted with Claudia in months, sparking questions if they are still together or have called time on their relationship.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Claudia Karvan's representatives for comment regarding her relationship with Dave Galafassi.

She completed her look with a pair of sneakers and held a black bag for the outing

She went makeup free for her exercise session and had her long strawberry blonde locks out in a straight style

Toni kept warm in a black puffer jacket and black trackpants as she went for a stroll with her friends around Hyde Park after the workout

Dave, who was a drummer in an indie rock band when he met the About a Boy star, confirmed his split from Golden Globe winner Toni in December 2022 after 19 years together, when he was pictured passionately kissing Sydney chiropractor Shannon Egan at Manly Beach in Sydney.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Toni's management about the photos, and hours later she announced the couple had split in a joint statement released on her newly reactivated Instagram account.

'It is with grace and gratitude that we announce we are divorcing,' the pair wrote.

'We're united in our decision and part with continuing respect and care for each other.

'Our kids are of paramount importance to us and we will continue to thrive as a family, albeit a different shape. We're thankful for the space and love you grant us as we evolve and move through this transition peacefully. Big thanks.'

Toni has been living life to the fullest in recent months following her separation from her long-time husband Dave Galafassi

She has recently been filming her upcoming movie Under The Stars

Toni was in Italy filming Mafia Mamma when news of her divorce made global headlines.

The pair met in 2002 at the launch of Galafassi's band's debut album Metal Detector in Sydney, and their second encounter came just a few days later at a house party.

They were married with Buddhist rituals on her property at Berry on the NSW south coast less than a year after they met, in January 2003.

Meanwhile, Dave and Claudia were spotted for the first time smooching during a romantic surfing date at Bondi Beach at the end of last year.

Dave, who was a drummer in an indie rock band when he met the About a Boy star, confirmed his split from Golden Globe winner Toni in December 2022 after 19 years together

The pair met in 2002 at the launch of Galafassi's band's debut album Metal Detector in Sydney, and their second encounter came just a few days later at a house party

Photos showed the couple, both dressed in wetsuits, exchanging kisses in the waves as they floated around on their surfboards.

An onlooker told Woman's Day magazine the pair arrived at the beach and left together, adding: 'They just seemed really happy together and weren't bothered by anyone seeing them.'

Claudia's last known romance was with ex-partner Jeremy Sparks, who she dated for 22 years before splitting in 2017.

The former couple maintain a harmonious relationship and co-parent their daughter Audrey, 22, and son Albee, 17.

Dave meanwhile shares daughter Sage, 15, and son Arlo, 12, with ex Toni.

Toni and Claudia have plenty in common.

Aside from their strikingly similar looks and their shared hometown of Sydney, the actresses have both enjoyed successful careers in cinema, television and the stage.

Toni is best known for her roles in Muriel's Wedding, Hereditary, Little Miss Sunshine and About A Boy.

Claudia is most recognised for her roles in The Secret Life of Us, Love My Way, Bump and Daybreakers.
Simone Ashley says her Bridgerton costar Nicola Coughlan is squarely focused on her work - and not body-shaming from online trolls.

The English actress, 29, was asked about the nasty sentiments Coughlan, 37, has faced amid her role as Penelope Featherington on the Netflix series.

Ashley, who plays the role of Lady Kathani 'Kate' Bridgerton on Bridgerton, told reporters at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in Monaco on June 15 that her costar is doing well and putting herself above the nastiness.

'Yeah, the haters are going to hate, and I think we can all relate to that, but I really don't think that she's allowing that to bother her,' Ashley said, according to People.

Ashley said Coughlan 'has a strong and fruitful career and entire life ahead of her,' and that she has full faith her colleague will continue to ascend.

Simone Ashley, 29, says her Bridgerton costar Nicola Coughlan, 37, is squarely focused on her work - and not body-shaming from online trolls. Pictured at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in Monaco on June 15

'I really believe in her, as the world does as well,' Ashley said. 'I think Nicola is just absolutely flying.'

Ashley, who has leading roles in the forthcoming films This Tempting Madness and Picture This, called Coughlan 'a gorgeous, strong, confident, intelligent woman.'

She added, 'Seeing her do this press tour and spread so much joy and inspiration to everyone - especially women - all over the world. And I'm inspired by her as well.'

The Little Mermaid actress said that Coughlan - a pal of Taylor Swift's - is not just a standout as a performer, but as a person, as well.

'She's also a really kind human being,' Ashley said, 'and I think that's such a universal language that people can relate to.'

Coughlan told People earlier this month that 'some trolls' got it wrong in speculating that Bridgerton crew had digitally altered the size of her waist amid production on the series.

'They were like, "They photoshopped your waist," and I was like, "No, they did not,"' Coughlan said.

Coughlan cited the structure and impact of the costumes she wears on the series, which is set in London in the early 1800s.

Ashley, who plays the role of Lady Kathani 'Kate' Bridgerton on Bridgerton, spoke in defense of her costar at the event in Monaco

Ashley, who has leading roles in the forthcoming films This Tempting Madness and Picture This, called Coughlan 'a gorgeous, strong, confident, intelligent woman'

'I think if you wear corsetry for long enough, your body really molds to it,' Coughlan told the magazine. 'Sometimes they come in for a fitting for a fashion designer and they put a corset on me and I'm like, "Oh, you can go tight," and they go, "What do you mean?" I'm like, "My body now will go, "Whew."'

Coughlan herself pushed back on a passive-aggressive remark about her weight when she attended a Bridgerton screening at the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin, Ireland earlier this month.

After an attendee told her during a Q&A session that she was 'very brave' for performing in nude scenes on the series' third season, Coughlan responded with grace and wit.

'You know, it is hard, 'cause I think women with my body type, women with perfect breasts,' Coughlan said. 'We do not get to see ourselves onscreen enough. I am a proud member of the perfect breasts community, and I hope you enjoy seeing them.'

Ashley told People previously that she and costar Jonathan Bailey have offered their support to costars Coughlan and Luke Newton (who plays Colin Bridgerton) when they became first-time leads on the buzzy series, 'Just there to make sure that they had someone, that they had a friend.'

Ashley added: 'Me and Nicola would check in on each other. She is such an inspiration to me and I learned so much from her, and there were times she was giving me advice.'
Brynne Gordon, former wife of late businessman and disgraced physician Geoffrey Edelsten, has revealed she is single again.

The American-born socialite named and shamed an ex-partner by posting his break-up message on Facebook on Sunday.

'And just like that, Im single again,' the 41-year-old announced, attaching a series of screenshots that laid bare the lengthy break-up text from a man identified as 'Simon'.

In it, Gordon's ex-partner stated, 'I wont be coming home tonight.'

He also referenced the possibility of imprisonment and mentioned a surety - a promise or agreement to ensure debts and financial obligations are met.

Brynne Gordon, 41, (pictured) former wife of Geoffrey Edelsten, has revealed she is single again

'Baby as you worked out yesterday I went to see Emma. She laid [out] an ultimatum for me, saying that she would no longer continue as surety if I continued to live with you,' the message read.

'I love you, but if I have no surety I do not think that you would handle being alone for however long I was locked up for and while she said that I could no longer live with you, there was nothing about not continuing to see you,' it continued.

'The deadline was today, and so I have taken most of my things and gone to a hotel for the night. I am so sorry to have to tell you this, and I dont know how you whish [sic] to move forward from this, but I won't be coming home tonight. I will be in contact tomorrow. I love you.'

The American-born socialite named and shamed an ex-partner by posting their break-up messages on Facebook, even tagging him in the post

Gordons followers rallied around her, expressing outrage on her behalf and mocking her ex-lover's spelling errors. His profile remains private.

When a follower asked who Emma was, Gordon responded by saying 'his ex gf.'

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to both Brynne and Simon for comment.

The Oklahoma-born television personality became famous in 2009 when she married Geoffrey Edelsten, who was 40 years her senior.

Their marriage, however, was short-lived and the pair divorced in 2014 after Brynne alleged her husband had been unfaithful to her. Geoffrey died in Melbourne aged 78 in June 2021.

'And just like that, Im single again,' she announced on Sunday, attaching a series of screenshots that laid bare the exchange that took place over text

The socialite welcomed her 'miracle baby', Starr Amari Gordon, on April 21 2022.

She told The Herald Sun in 2022 providing for Starr has given her a new perspective on life.

The SAS Australia contestant explained she originally thought motherhood 'was not on the cards' for her and she feels so blessed to have a perfect daughter to care for.

The Oklahoma-born television personality became famous in 2009 when she married Geoffrey Edelsten, who was 40 years her senior. Both pictured

'I don't know myself anymore, everything is about her. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me,' she said.

The identity of Starr's father has not been made public.

However, Brynne confirmed to the publication the man had met his daughter twice.

The pregnancy was delightful news for Brynne, who discovered during her high-profile marriage to Edelsten it was unlikely she could ever conceive naturally.
Olivia Munn was active on Instagram Sunday and revealed that the diamond Bucherer necklace she wore to the Vogue World show came with its own bodyguard.

The 43-year-old actress and her partner John Mulaney, 41, made a stylish pair at the buzzy fashion event in Paris.

In her social media caption to her 2.9 million followers, Munn revealed: 'My necklace had a plus one for Vogue World. Thank you for the jewels and the bodyguard @bucherer.'

Sharing a selfie video on the platform, she zoomed in on the valuable piece of jewelry and then pointed the camera at the male guard, who was dressed in a suit.

Standing a few feet behind her, he held up two peace signs while Olivia and John chuckled.

Olivia Munn was active on Instagram Sunday and revealed that the diamond Bucherer necklace she wore to the Vogue World show came with its own bodyguard

In her social media caption to her 2.9 million followers, Munn revealed: 'My necklace had a plus one for Vogue World. Thank you for the jewels and the bodyguard @bucherer'

The 43-year-old actress and her partner John Mulaney, 41, made a stylish pair at the buzzy fashion event in Paris

Olivia was styled by duo Wayman + Micah, who chose a plunging, strapless black dress for the occasion.

The sleek and sexy look boasted a dipped neckline that was trimmed in silvery stones and bared the star's cleavage.

It hugged her fit figure and fell just above her ankles, allowing her to show off her pointy toe black heels.

Her hair was done by hairstylist Bok-Hee, who created a deep center part and shiny waves for Munn's waist-length locks.

Makeup artist Archangela Chelsea Yusuf took care of her visage, building a soft glow with warm blush and a glossy lip.

Matching her glinting necklace were a pair of spikey diamond cuff earrings.

John was dressed in a dark gray suit teamed with a button-up black shirt, black tie, and black dress shoes.

The couple, who share two-year-old son Malcolm, held hands and kept close as they arrived at the star-studded show.

The actress' hair was done by hairstylist Bok-Hee, who created a deep center part and shiny waves for Munn's waist-length locks. Makeup artist Archangela Chelsea Yusuf took care of her visage, building a soft glow with warm blush and a glossy lip

The suited up bodyguard kept close throughout the entire time the actress wore the necklace

The lovebirds put on a cozy display as they held hands

The couple traveled to Paris together from New York City's JFK Airport on Thursday.

Before they made a striking appearance at Vogue World on Sunday, they attended the Hermes show, which was Mulaney's first fashion show experience.

Olivia shared a short snippet of the two before the event kicked off.

In the caption, she wrote, 'Babys first fashion show. Thank you for having us @hermes.'

Olivia was styled by duo Wayman + Micah, who chose a plunging, strapless black dress for the occasion

Munn's sleek and sexy look boasted a dipped neckline that was trimmed in silvery stones and bared the star's cleavage. John shed his coat at one point, and led Olivia as they held hands

Earlier this year Olivia revealed in an interview with Vogue that she underwent a 'full hysterectomy' as part of her ongoing cancer fight.

'I have now had a full hysterectomy. I took out my uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries,' the star disclosed to the publication.

She added: 'Doing a full hysterectomy was a big decision to make, but it was the best decision for me because I needed to be present for my family.'

The mother-of-one explained that she made the decision after being given a choice between the procedure and taking anti-hormone medication that would have left her bedridden.

'I did have one real moment of panic,' she recalled. 'A real breakdown. Because it's just so strange when you've been with this body your entire life, had your period for so long, feel when you're ovulating, and all of a sudden it's gone.'

Last year, she also underwent a double mastectomy.

Earlier in the day the couple looked stylish as they stepped out to go shopping

Munn wore a black bow in her lengthy brown highlighted locks

Olivia wore cranberry red open-toe heels

Munn was diagnosed in April 2023, only two months after she and her sister Sara tested negative after a genetic analysis that checks for 90 genes associated with cancer.

'We called each other and high-fived over the phone. The same winter I also had a negative mammogram,' she shared this past March. 'Two months later I was diagnosed with breast cancer.'

Olivia noted, 'The biopsy showed I had Luminal B cancer in both breasts. Luminal B is an aggressive, fast moving cancer.

'Thirty days after that biopsy I had a double mastectomy. I went from feeling completely fine one day, to waking up in a hospital bed after a 10-hour surgery the next.'
Natalie Roser and Harley Bonner's marriage began in a very non-traditional manner, with the couple living in two different countries soon after tying the knot.

And the top model and her Home and Away star husband looked incredibly loved-up as they attended the launch of new skincare brand Bottao cosmeceuticals at Matteo in Double Bay last Thursday.

Natalie, who is also an Instagram influencer, photographer, designer and CEO of her own lingerie brand Rose & Bare, stunned in a sparkly shirt dress teamed with black leather knee-high boots.

She wore her blonde bob out in a straight style and let her glowing and healthy skin shine by wearing minimal makeup on her complexion.

Handsome Harley was casual in a black T-shirt paired with denim jeans and tan boots.

Natalie Roser and Harley Bonner looked incredibly loved-up as they attended the launch of new skincare brand Bottao cosmeceuticals at Matteo in Double Bay last Thursday

Tahnee Cook, who has well and truly moved on from her Married At First Sight TV husband Ollie Skelton after their shock split, appeared to have a ball with pals at the intimate dinner.

Other guests included meme queen Claudia Bursill aka Miss Double Bay, influencers Bella Clinton and Ella Dumbrell and TikTok star Jilly Clark.

Bottao was founded by Dr Kelly Thornbury and leading Skin Aesthetician and founder of The Skin Bar Samantha Appel.

Natalie, who is also an Instagram influencer, photographer, designer and CEO of her own lingerie brand Rose & Bare, looked stunning in a sparkly shirt dress teamed with black leather knee-high boots

Tahnee Cook , who has well and truly moved on from her Married At First Sight TV husband Ollie Skelton after their shock split, appeared to have a ball with pals at the intimate dinner

Other guests included meme queen Claudia Bursill aka Miss Double Bay (pictured

Both women have a mutual respect and a shared interest in skincare.

Their collaboration draws on years of research, training and science and clinical experience.

Together they formed Bottao to create a two-step AM/PM serum that are scientifically formulated.

The morning serum is the ideal concentration of Vitamin B3, a powerful antioxidant that also guards against sun damage and inflammation.

It is also infused with an exclusive boosting agent to enhance the performance of B3, and includes hydration elements to provide 24-hour hydration and improves the skin's barrier function.

Influencers Bella Clinton and Ella Dumbrell also attended the event

The powerful night serum helps combat fine lines and wrinkles, reduce pigment and scarring, increases collagen for a plump, youthful appearance and minimises pore size.

The blend combines encapsulated Vitamin A, B3 (niacinamide,) C and E.

The event was hosted at Matteo restaurant in Double Bay against an incredible backdrop of hand-painted flowers to match Bottaos pink and blue branding.

Guests enjoyed antipasti, spicy vodka rigatoni, chefs selection of mixed pizza, Blacks Creek black angus striploin and chocolate bomboloni.

Last year, Natalie surprised fans when she confirmed she and Harley were no longer living together in their Newcastle home.

Bottao was founded by Dr Kelly Thornbury (left) and leading Skin Aesthetician and founder of The Skin Bar Samantha Appel (right)

She told the Daily Telegraph Harley had moved to Thailand shortly after their wedding in February in 2022 to study energy healing and meditation.

While Natalie admitted she 'doesn't understand' that world, she still supported Harley as he 'fulfilled his dreams'.

'He is so happy. It is definitely an unconventional first year of marriage,' she said.

'He is fulfilling his dreams and who would I be to stand in his way of doing something that he has wanted to do for so long?'

Natalie said letting Harley travel solo in their first year of marriage was preferable to him doing it later down the track when they have children.
Terri Irwin is reportedly planning to relocate to Tasmania after falling in love with the state.

The 59-year-old is currently enjoying a four-week holiday on the island with her son Robert, her daughter Bindi, son-in-law Chandler Powell and granddaughter Grace.

According to New Idea, Terri is considering setting up a local conservation in Apple Isle while Bindi and Chandler take over the operation of Australia Zoo in Queensland.

'Judging by all the luggage, it looks like Terri might be already looking at setting up more permanent digs,' a source told the publication.

'Terri's vision will see a similar project to Australia Zoo but with a more traditional wildlife ambience and not the theme-park vibe.'

Terri Irwin (pictured) is reportedly planning to relocate to Tasmania after falling in love with the state

'She will spend more and more time in Tassie while Bindi and Chandler slowly take over the operation of things in Queensland.'

The source also claimed Bindi and Robert would like their mother to meet 'someone amazing' in Tasmania.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Terri Irwin for comment.

It comes after Robert was recently announced as an ambassador for Discover Tasmania.

The 59-year-old is currently enjoying a four-week holiday on the island with her son Robert, her daughter Bindi, son-in-law Chandler Powell and granddaughter Grace

Last week, the I'm A Celebrity host told news.com.au, his favourite places to visit in the state.

When in Tasmania, he loves to visit Cradle Mountain, an iconic site rife with natural beauty.

'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.'
After being a mother to five children, the eldest of Ree Drummond's brood confirmed she and husband Mauricio Scott are expecting their first child together.

The pending bundle of joy will be the first grandchild for The Food Network's The Pioneer Woman and her husband Ladd Drummond.

'We can't wait to meet you, little one. Baby Scott joining the party this winter!' the happy couple wrote in the caption of their joint Instagram post on Sunday, June 23.

The cover photo showed the Scotts with their arms wrapped around each other while the expectant mom holds the sonogram photos of baby Scott.

'Thank you Lord for this precious gift,' the overjoyed pair added, alongside photos of the couple posing with their dog wearing a bandana that reads "Big Brother," holding up sonogram pictures and grinning at each other. 'Thank you Lord for this precious gift.'

Ree Drummond's oldest child, Alex Drummond Scott and her husband Mauricio Scott announced her pregnancy in an Instagram post on Sunday, June 23

Alex and Mauricio Scott's pregnancy will be the first grandchild for the Food Network star

As animal lovers, the couple also shared a couple of photos of their beloved dog George wearing a bandana around his neck that reads: 'big brother.'

Alex's sister Paige also chimed in, writing: 'So happy I could cry. Cant wait to be an auntie!!! I love you guys so much.'

Overjoyed by the news, Ree Drummond, 55, took to the comments section and wrote, 'Beyond happy for you two!! (And for the whole family!) Love you, Alex and Mauricio!'

The blogger, author and television personality then shared the news on The Pioneer Woman website.

'Yes, it's true! Alex and Mauricio are expecting---and I don't mean a puppy, though I wouldn't put it past them (or me) to treat news of an upcoming new puppy in the exact same way as a pregnancy announcement,' Ree shared in her blog.

'My first baby is having her first baby. My child is going to have a child,' the The Bartlesville, Oklahoma native continued. 'It's surreal, and I'm sure all of you grandparents can relate to the feeling of momentarily leaving your body after hearing upon hearing similar news.'

The pair, who met during their freshman year at Texas A&M University, ended up tying-the-knot at the Drummond Ranch in Pawhuska, Oklahoma in May 2021.

The happy couple had previously revealed in early 2022 that they were in no hurry to become parents and that they were 'taking our time, not rushing into it, trying to enjoy being married for a little bit.'

'We can't wait to meet you, little one. Baby Scott joining the party this winter! Thank you Lord for this precious gift,' the happy couple gushed when announcing the pregnancy on Instagram

The pair, who met during their freshman year at Texas A&M University, ended up tying-the-knot at the Drummond Ranch in Pawhuska, Oklahoma in May 2021

Just over two years later and the pair have apparently gotten in all the alone time they need before deciding to grow their family, although George the Golden Retriever was adopted into the family.

Ree first became a mother in 1997, which was one year after she tied the knot with husband Ladd Drummond, with the arrival of Alex, 26.

The couple would go on to welcome three more children to the world that includes daughter Paige, 24, sons Bryce, 21, Todd, 20, within a four year period.

Fast forward to 2018, and the family grew once more with the addition of a foster son, Jamar, 21.

Ree, 55, and Ladd Drummond, 55, have been married for more than 27 years and counting

'After a year-and-a-half of living in our house, he is an inextricable part of our wacky family,' Ree shared on The Pioneer Woman in November 2020.

Drummond became known for her blog, The Pioneer Woman, which documented her life in rural Oklahoma.

Capitalizing on the success of her blog, she went on to star in her own television program, of the same name, on The Food Network beginning in 2011.

The foodie has also written cookbooks, a children's book, an autobiography, while launching a 'homey lifestyle' product line of cookware, cutlery, appliances, clothing and outdoor living products in 2015.
Heidi Klum enjoyed the summer weekend with a high-octane water sledding outing in Porto Cervo, Italy on Saturday with her four kids and spouse Tom Kaulitz.

The German supermodel, 51, and her four children - daughter Leni, 20, with ex Flavio Briatore; and sons Henry, 18, and Johan, 17, and daughter Lou, 14, with ex-husband Seal - were pictured on the festive outdoor excursion over the weekend.

The America's Got Talent personality was stylish on the outing - rocking a leopard print bikini that highlighted her figure.

The one-time Project Runway host had her dark blonde locks down and donned sunglasses and dangling earrings on the Italian getaway.

She was seen waving to her children while sitting on the edge of a pier, riding in a boat and soaking up the family fun while on vacation.

Heidi Klum enjoyed the summer weekend with a high-octane water sledding outing in Porto Cervo, Italy on Saturday with her four kids and spouse Tom Kaulitz

Klum's eldest child, daughter Leni, 20, was pictured in a bikini with a purple top and pink bottoms

She wore a patterned red and leopard skin wrap and green shorts with floral patterns over her string bikini.

Klum's eldest child, daughter Leni, was pictured in a bikini with a purple top and pink bottoms.

Leni, who is following in her mom's footsteps with a career in the modeling industry, was seen earlier in the weekend with her boyfriend Aris Rachevsky, who has joined the family on the European getaway.

Leni, who is signed with IMG Models Worldwide, wore a pair of short brown boots as she walked along a pier.

Leni, who is following in her mom's footsteps with a career in the modeling industry, wore a pair of short brown boots as she walked along a pier

Heidi celebrates her five-year wedding anniversary with Tokio Hotel guitarist Kaulitz, 34, later this summer

She appeared to be taking a picture as a large boat was seen in the background

Heidi used a wrap to cool down from the sun, after making headlines last week for removing a denim top she was wearing on the YouTube series Hot Ones

After sitting on the edge of the pier, Heidi stood up and used her wrap to shield herself from the sun

On Sunday, Klum posted to her 12.1 million followers on Instagram a clip of herself and Kaulitz donning matching leopard-print swimsuits.

'Love is when he matches your bikini print,' Klum captioned the shot, which comes a few months ahead of the couple's fifth wedding anniversary.

Heidi made headlines last week during an appearance on the popular YouTube show Hot Ones.

She removed her denim top in an effort to cool down after some of the chicken wings she sampled appeared to be a bit too spicy for her liking.

After Heidi used the top to fan herself, host Sean Evans joked, 'Whoa! Whoa! Now I'm getting hot too, Heidi!'

It's been a busy month for the star, who also was present to witness son Henry graduate from high school in Pacific Palisades, California earlier in June

Leni was pictured wearing a pair of black sunglasses as she hung out on a boat

The young model, who is signed with IMG Models Worldwide, appeared to be checking her phone while on the outing

Heidi waved her arms as she enjoyed a boat ride on the water sledding outing

Klum had an active day, as she was pictured enjoying the amenities of the Italian location the family were at

The supermodel appeared to be in a great mood on the vacation weekend

Klum waves to her loved ones on the daytime outing

Heidi grinned ear to ear while rocking her colorful beach cover-up

On Sunday, Klum posted to her 12.1 million followers on Instagram a clip of herself and Kaulitz

The celebrity couple donned matching leopard-print swimsuits

Heidi was concerned that her microphone was dislodged during the taping.

She asked the host, 'My mic is in my crotch, is that a slight problem?' to which he told her there were other mics active in the taping room.

It's been a busy month for the star, who also was present to witness son Henry graduate from high school in Pacific Palisades, California earlier in June.

In addition to the multiple hats she wears professionally, Klum has gained notoriety for her passion for Halloween, and the lavish ensembles she wears each year to celebrate the occasion.

Among the costumes she has worn throughout the years include a giant worm; Jessica Rabbit; the werewolf from Michael Jackson's Thriller video; an enormous robot; and a display in which she was accompanied by five lookalikes all dressed in the same ensemble she was in.
Bella Thorne heated up Palm Springs International Short Film Festival in California on Sunday wearing quite a leggy look.

The 26-year-old former child star - who relies on stylist Kristina Askerova - slipped her curvaceous 5ft8in figure into a yellow mesh tank top over a white mini-skirt and matching heels.

Bella (born Anabella) gave her brunette mane a big boost with waist-length hair extensions.

Thorne rocked a bright red lip, rosy cheekbones, and defined brows for the film festivities.

Back in 2022-2023, the Florida-born, half-Cuban beauty publicly revealed she underwent a series of microneedling treatments called Morpheus8 with Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Raj Kanodia, who famously performed Khloe Kardashian's rhinoplasty.

Bella Thorne heated up Palm Springs International Short Film Festival in California on Sunday wearing quite a leggy look

The 26-year-old former child star - who relies on stylist Kristina Askerova - slipped her curvaceous 5ft8in figure into a yellow mesh tank top over a white mini-skirt and matching heels

Bella was at PSISFF to attend the world premiere of the 15-minute short film she wrote, directed, and acted in titled Unsettled.

It centers on a young man who is drugged and abducted from a gay club, escapes, and seeks to bring his tormentors to justice in a deeply conservative Bible Belt Oklahoma.

Unsettled is inspired by Jason Parks' real-life story and he chose to bravely play himself, which blew Thorne 'out of the water' gushing: 'I couldn't be more proud.'

The PornHub Vision Award winner's directorial effort was nominated for best midnight short, but she wound up losing the trophy to Nina Gantz's short film Wander to Wonder.

Bella is planning on helming a feature-length version of Unsettled titled Color Your Hurt, as well as directing a feature film called Ash Beneath the Current.

Missing from Thorne's side on Sunday was her British fiance Mark Emms, whom she originally met on a beach in Ibiza during Cara Delevingne's birthday in August 2022.

The Bad Vegan executive producer popped the question to the pansexual, polyamorous wildchild with a '10-plus-carat emerald-cut diamond ring with baguettes flanking the center stone' nine months later.

Bella plans on a countryside wedding at a manor in the UK and she wants to wear vintage Schiaparelli or Dior wedding dresses, telling Vogue a year ago: 'Every bride does not need one gown, but four!'

Bella (born Anabella) gave her brunette mane a big boost with waist-length hair extensions

Thorne rocked a bright red lip, rosy cheekbones, and defined brows for the film festivities

Back in 2022, the Florida-born, half-Cuban beauty publicly revealed she underwent a series of microneedling treatments called Morpheus8 with Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Raj Kanodia

Bella was at PSISFF to attend the world premiere of the 15-minute short film she wrote, directed, and acted in titled Unsettled

It centers on a young man who is drugged and abducted from a gay club, escapes, and seeks to bring his tormentors to justice in a deeply conservative Bible Belt Oklahoma

Unsettled is inspired by Jason Parks' (R) real-life story and he chose to bravely play himself, which blew Thorne 'out of the water' gushing: 'I couldn't be more proud'

The PornHub Vision Award winner's directorial effort was nominated for best midnight short, but she wound up losing the trophy to Nina Gantz's short film Wander to Wonder

Bella is planning on helming a feature-length version of Unsettled titled Color Your Hurt, as well as directing a feature film called Ash Beneath the Current

Mark is Thorne's first public romance since splitting with her prior fiance - B3N frontman Benjamin Mascolo - in June 2022 after three years of dating.

The Rumble Through the Dark actress will next attend Italy's Taormina Film Festival, running July 12-19, for the screening of Mitzi Peirone's thriller Saint Clare in which she plays the titular role oppposite Ryan Phillippe.

It's hard to believe it's been a decade since Bella starred as wholesome CeCe Jones in Disney Channel's sitcom Shake It Up alongside two-time Emmy winner Zendaya.
Countryfile has yet again been hit with fan backlash from viewers who claim the programme doesn't have enough farming and agricultural content - and they're not happy with Sunday night's 'disappointing' installment.

The popular BBC documentary series has previously faced complaints from fans for a number of recent episodes for the same reason.

One episode which aired in April featured a segment on people in the countryside having limited access to NHS dentists, which lots of viewers felt wasn't 'suitable' for the show that usually focuses on farming and wildlife.

And Sunday's show has reignited the debate, as the episode saw Joe Crowley head to The Three Rivers Race, a sailing competition that takes place each year on the Norfolk broads.

The presenter followed the race's participants from the moments they were getting ready at the Horning Sailing Club before it began, to sailing across the Broads and battling against the tide, currents, and weather.

Countryfile has yet again been hit with fan backlash from viewers who claim the programme doesn't have enough farming and agricultural content

The episode saw Joe head to The Three Rivers Race, a sailing competition that takes place each year on the Norfolk broads

The presenter followed the race's participants from the moments they were getting ready at the Horning Sailing Club before it began, to sailing across the Broads and battling against the tide, currents, and weather

The Three Rivers Race is Europe's toughest inland sailing competition, which sees more than 100 competitors battle it out

However, fans of the show were not impressed with the subject matter of the episode and took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their disappointment with the programme:

'What is happening to Countryfile? Yet again featuring a subject that has nothing to do with farming and agricultural issues.

'I also don't get why archive clips are needed with so many presenters to use #countryfile.'

'#Countryfile should be shown monthly, as subject matter of interest is very scarce these days.'

'I'm glad they're just showing 'highlights' and not the whole race #countryfile.'

'Swallows and Amazons is more interesting #countryfile.'

'#countryfile Disappointed with this week's not much Countryside this week.'

'About as thrilling as England's last 2 matches #countryfile.'

Fans of the show were not impressed with the subject matter of the episode and took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their disappointment with the programme

'Probably good fun to participate. Not so sure to watch #countryfile.'

'#countryfile What an event. I need a defibrillator.'

But, one viewer who was slightly impressed, wrote: 'As bits about sailing under low bridges goes, that was good #CountryFile.'

The Three Rivers Race is Europe's toughest inland sailing competition, which sees more than 100 competitors battle it out by navigating 50 miles of the Bure, Ant, and Thurne rivers within a 24-hour time period.

Sunday's episode of the show also features clips from the Countryfile archives about the history and nature of the area, including interviews with those who live and work on the Broads.

Previous complaints from fans include when the BBC series aired an episode that featured a segment on archaeology back in March.

The segment saw presenter Anita Rani scavenging fields to uncover ancient relics and work alongside experts to measure electrical current in the ground - which is called resistivity.

John Craven also played a prominent part in the episode, as he investigate a prehistoric settlement given the moniker of 'Britain's Pompeii'.

Located at Must Farm, the site was perfectly preserved by a Bronze Age fire and John was offered the chance to handle a pot from the site.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, a number of users expressed their dismay at the topic of the special episode, commenting: 'I love Countryfile, except tonight it was boring boring...scraping the barrel it would seem'.

'The entire programme is rubbish now. Tonight had sod all to do with farming etc. I love an archaeology programme, but not on Countryfile. The BBC have ruined it, along with many other ones.'
Emma Roberts was all about pink when deciding on what to wear before heading out for her day.

And on Sunday the American Horror Story actress actually decided on two different pink dresses, which she documented on her Instagram page.

For the cover photo the daughter of actor Eric Roberts and niece of America's sweetheart Julia Roberts, struck a pose for a mirror selfie in a pink ruffled gown with eight different layers from top to bottom.

The gorgeous garment featured a spaghetti strap and floral-like arrangement in the chest region, all while flowing down to the ground, in what appeared to be taken in a bedroom in her Los Angeles home.

Rounding out her first look, Roberts had her dyed blonde locks styled long, straight and flowing well past her shoulders with a part just slightly off to one side.

Emma Roberts, 33, struck a pose in a mirror selfie in a pink ruffled gown, before changing into a second pink ensemble consisting of a long skirt and matching top

Roberts appropriately wrote, 'pink skies ahead,' in the caption, considering she was about to break out into another pink ensemble for the back end of the post.

After changing into another gorgeous pink skirt and matching top she followed up with a photo of herself taken outside along a walkway under an assortment of green trees in the pinstripe design.

The second outfit had a pinstripe design, while also giving a highlight of her under garments due to the lightness of the fabric.

The Scream Queen also wore a pair of bright red heels with straps around her ankles and a perfectly matched red purse.

She opted to style one side of her blonde tresses over her ear and the other side down over part of her face, shoulder and chest.

There's also a third photo of her in a closeup pose still decked out in her pinstripe skirt and top combo, where she flashed a seduction look towards the camera.

Along with being an actress, the Rhinebeck, New York native also plays the role of single mother to her three-year-old son, Rhodes, whom she co-parents with ex-partner and actor Garrett Hedlund.

After changing into another gorgeous pink skirt and matching top she followed up with a photo of herself taken outside along a walkway in the pinstripe design, where she also showed off her red heels and purse

Roberts also flashed a seductive stare in a second photo of her in the pinstripe number

Roberts started dating Hedlund in March 2019, which came shortly after she called off her engagement with her on-and-off-again partner Evan Peters.

After nearly two years of dating, Roberts became a first-time mom when she and Hedlund welcomed the birth of their son on December 27, 2020.

Sadly, their blissful time at home would not last for the pair, ultimately making the decision to end their relationship two years later.

Some six to eight months after moving on from Hedlund, who's known to many fans for his roles in Friday Night Lights (2004), Tron: Legacy (2010) and Country Strong (2010), among many others, Roberts started dating Cody John.

The Florida native was the first to confirm their new relationship when he posted a photo of himself kissing Roberts on Instagram in August 2022 with the caption, 'sweet sweet,' according to People.

Roberts broke off her romance with baby daddy Garrett Hedlund in January 2022, which was just over a year after their son Rhodes was born; the former couple are seen in late 2021

The Scream Queen occasionally gushes over her son on social media

The leading lady would later go Instagram official with John in December 2022 with a picture of them holding hands during a night the town in New York City on New Year's Eve last year.

'#2022 I loved you happy new year hotties!' she gushed in the caption, while also adding a sweet red heart emoji.

The daughter of actor Eric Roberts and niece of America's sweetheart Julia Roberts has a long list of acting credits that also includes Nancy Drew (2007), Hotel For Dogs (2009), Valentine's Day (2010) and We're The Millers (2013), among others.

Many people know her for her stints on the American Horror Story series on FX that includes Coven (2013-2014), Freak Show (2014-2015), Cult (2017), Apocalypse (2018), 1984 (2019) and Delicate (2023-2024).
Jackie 'O' Henderson is living the high life.

The radio queen, who has lost over 20 kilos, was showing off her trim figure during a luxurious outing in Greece.

The 49-year-old attended the exclusive Soho Roc House in Mykonos on Sunday, which is frequented by the A-list, and shared photos of the trip to Instagram.

Jackie looked incredible in a white maxi dress in a satin fabric, with the sleeveless design featuring cutouts that flaunted a hint of bust.

She opted for a bronzed makeup look with a pink lipstick while wearing her blonde hair down around her face.

Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured) is living the high life. The radio queen, who has lost over 20 kilos, was showing off her trim figure during a luxurious outing in Greece

The 49-year-old attended the exclusive Soho Roc House in Mykonos on Sunday, which is frequented by the A-list, and shared photos of the trip to Instagram

The KIIS FM star finished her look with designer yellow sunglasses and was joined by friends as she enjoyed the beach and stunning views.

It comes after news that Jackie will find her next man live on air.

The radio star is embarking on a love quest on KIIS FM, with her co-host, Kyle Sandilands, weighing in on her choices.

'Jackie O hasn't had much luck dating the past couple of years,' the radio station announced on Friday.

'Frustrated but hopeful, and in a last-ditch effort, Jackie has turned over the reins to Kyle to find her perfect match!' they continued.

Jackie looked incredible in a white maxi dress in a satin fabric

She opted for a bronzed makeup look with a pink lipstick

'But if Kyle's approval wasn't hard enough, hopeful applicants will need to ensure they tick all items on her extensive shopping list.

'The perfect man, in Jackie's eyes, would be a man who is in their mid-30's to mid-50's, 5'11 or taller, fit, healthy, happy, has a good job, goals, is loyal, romantic and emotionally vulnerable.'

Jackie's list of what constitutes the perfect fella also includes someone who will 'pay for dinner every now and then and won't take advantage of her wealth'.

She wants a man who will, 'text back quickly, within three hours to be precise, or will need to give a valid excuse' and does 'not want children but be open to the fact that she has a daughter.'

Additionally, he will 'enjoy getting up early every day, especially on weekends' and 'not be too smart or too intellectual that will make her zone out of conversation.'

Lastly, the luckily lad will 'be good in bed, specifically someone she can have passionate sex with' and 'not want to be in big groups of people as she can be an introvert'.

Members of the public who think they have what it takes can apply via the Kyle and Jackie O website, and the fun kicks off on July 8.
This is the hilarious moment Phoebe Waller-Bridge and her Fleabag co-star Andrew Scott were spotted running back to the VIP tent at Taylor Swift's gig, so they wouldn't miss out on her performance of the song Style.

The actress and director, 38, attended Sunday night's Eras tour concert at Wembley, alongside her 'hot priest' actor pal, 47.

They appeared to be having a great time and proved they were still the best of friends as they danced the night away in the VIP tent, alongside a string of other stars who were in attendance, such as Paul McCartney and Sophie Turner.

But, one particular moment has struck a chord with Taylor Swift fans online - shared on TikTok by the user @fahi.maaa and has since been viewed online by more than 400,000 people.

The pair were casually walking away from the tent, smiling and waving at fans in the crowd as they were seemingly on their way to grab a drink or nip to the toilet.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge and her Fleabag co-star Andrew Scott were spotted running back to the VIP tent at Taylor Swift 's gig, so they wouldn't miss out on her performance of the song Style

Andrew snatched his co-star's hand and they began sprinting back to the tent so they wouldn't miss Taylor's performance of the hit song

However, once the first few notes of Style began echoing through the stadium, Andrew hilariously stopped in his tracks and grabbed Phoebe's arm, shaking his head.

He snatched his co-star's hand and they began sprinting back to the tent so they wouldn't miss Taylor's performance of the hit song.

Fans in the comments of the TikTok say they have been watching the relatable clip 'on repeat,' writing:

'This is so ridiculously important to me'; 'OMG Hot priest and Fleabag.'

'For the love of God, I did not need more reasons to love both of them'; 'They're so real for this.'

'This is the most honest reaction I've seen in my life to the intro of Style.'

'You don't understand I've been watching this on repeat.'

'Hahaha! This is hilarious!'; 'This is the best thing I've seen all week.'

The actress and director, 38, attended Sunday night's Eras tour concert at Wembley, alongside her 'hot priest' actor pal, 47

Fans in the comments of the TikTok say they have been watching the relatable clip 'on repeat'

'Phoebe doing the little run with Andrew guiding her along?? I'm so obsessed with these two omg.'

Phoebe's appearance comes after she was unveiled as one of the latest members of Taylor's famous 'squad' after enjoying a night out with her in London recently.

The star-studded night also included Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne and Lena Dunham, with the group being dubbed her new London 'girl squad'.

Taylor's ever-expanding friendship group ensured they were among the crowd at her concerts over the three-day leg of her tour.

Bringing the star power, Sophie Turner, Ellie Goulding and Cate Blanchett lead the way as they mingled in the audience at her sold-out show.

So far her London dates have attracted some of the biggest names in Britain, including Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

The huge names continued to roll in as celebrities were spotted among the crowd at the iconic venue, including Beatles legend Paul McCartney.

Game Of Thrones star Sophie, 28, was spotted putting on a jovial display as she wrapped her arm around her friend Gracie Abrams while enjoying a drink.

Meanwhile, unlikely duo Ellie, 37, and Cate, 55, were also seen in the VIP box at the venue ahead of her performance, which is supported by Paramore.

Another musical legend who attended the show was Jon Bon Jovi, while Taylor's supportive boyfriend Travis Kelce was also at the performance.

According to social media sleuths, Zawe Ashton, Ruby Stokes, Rebecca Adlington Christopher McQuarrie and Jade Thirlwall were also at the show.

The Eras Tour moves onto Ireland next and Taylor will return with five more dates at Wembley in mid-August.

Taylor posted a selfie with the royals and her boyfriend Travis Kelce wishing the heir a happy birthday
Austin Butler made quite an impression on an Australian television host on Monday night.

The American actor was appearing on The Project, where he sat for an interview with Sarah Harris.

However, the 32-year-old's intense gaze was too much for the television journalist, who admitted he had left her 'nervous'.

'When you are sitting this close to one of the biggest movie stars on the planet, it's hard not to get a little flustered,' the 42-year-old confessed.

'You do this thing when you look into someone's soul, I'm getting it now... You have a very piercing gaze,' she added.

Austin Butler (pictured) made quite an impression on an Australian television host on Monday night. The actor was appearing on The Project, where he sat for an interview with Sarah Harris

However, the 32-year-old's intense gaze was too much for the television journalist, who admitted he had left her 'nervous'. Sarah is pictured

'You have a piercing gaze too,' Austin teased back, to which a blushing Sarah replied, 'Do I?'

'Yeah, I'd say so,' Austin drawled, with Sarah giggling, 'You're making me nervous now!'

It was Austin who found himself starstruck recently.

While promoting his latest film The Bikeriders on Today, the Golden Globe winner told anchor Savannah Guthrie about one actor he was too shy to talk to after what could have been a spur of the moment meeting.

'When you are sitting this close to one of the biggest movie stars on the planet, it's hard not to get a little flustered,' the 42-year-old confessed. 'You do this thing when you look into someone's soul, I'm getting it now... You have a very piercing gaze,' she added

'I was just telling that story about getting starstruck by Ryan Gosling recently,' he said.

'It's when you don't expect to see somebody,' he relayed, adding, 'so I saw him outside of a hotel that I was staying in and I had to go in through another door, I couldn't say "hello."'

'I grew up admiring him so much, so... I love that feeling,' the Dune: Part Two star admitted.

The naturally shy Elvis star opened up about his admiration for The Fall Guy star in an interview with BBC Radio One's The Story So Far.

'You have a piercing gaze too,' Austin teased back, to which a blushing Sarah replied, 'Do I?' 'Yeah, I'd say so,' Austin drawled, with Sarah giggling, 'You're making me nervous now!'

He began by describing a recent encounter with three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep.

'I was very nervous, but somebody, Judd Apatow of all people, facilitated me being able to go up and say 'hello' to her. And we talked for a while and she was so sweet.'

'You know, somebody who I've never met though is Ryan Gosling,' the Masters of the Air star admitted, 'and I really looked up to him a lot... I have so much respect for him.'

The former Disney star said he and Gosling, another alum of the Mouse House, 'had the same sort of trajectory of being very young.'

It was Austin who found himself flustered recently. The actor has admitted in interviews that he is 'starstruck' by Ryan Gosling (pictured)

He explained that projects such as Blue Valentine and Lars and the Real Girl 'came out 'right at the time where I was kind of coming into a real appreciation of acting and films...It really impacted me.'

At the end of the interview, movie critic Ali Plumb said 'we're going to get you Ryan Gosling's phone number.'

'There you go,' Butler said, 'my heart just fluttered hearing you say that.'

The versatile actor has several projects in his queue, including the recently completed Eddington, with Oscar winner Emma Stone and Pedro Pascal.

The plot for the film has been kept under wraps, so fans will have to wait until its expected 2025 release to learn more.

Butler has also signed on to star in the crime thriller Caught Stealing with director Darren Aronofsky.

He will also headline the action adventure City on Fire.
Bargain Hunt star Natasha Raskin Sharp shared a rare update on her baby daughter Jean as she posted an adorable snap to Instagram.

The 38-year-old antiques expert gave birth back in January and had kept her entire pregnancy a secret from fans, only revealing the happy news after the little one was born.

Natasha, who is married to Joe Sharp, a producer on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, has delighted fans throughout recent months, sharing a few glimpses into life as a new mother.

She has shared a slew of images of baby Jean, with her face always being covered by an emoji.

Although she regularly posts photos, fans have been keen for an update on how the baby is doing, which Natasha gave to listeners during an episode on her BBC Radio Scotland show on Thursday.

Bargain Hunt star Natasha Raskin Sharp has shared a rare update on her baby daughter Jean and posted an adorable snap to Instagram

In another sweet picture, little Jean even had her very own red Bargain Hunt cardigan, which had been gifted to her by contestants called Nancy and Ellen

During her weekly episode, Natasha responded to a listener who asked what her daughter's choice of music would be.

The TV star hilariously replied: 'I think baby Jean would be quite into Yellow Magic Orchestra, actually, if she could speak.

'She was very vocal today, I have to say. She discovered the syllable 'b' from the moment she woke up.

'So perhaps she would have said 'b-b-b-bloomin' marvellous choice', I don't know. Maybe she would have said 'b-b-b-Boz Scaggs was her favourite. For all I know that's what she was trying to say.'

She continued: 'Thank you Ken for asking, no one has been asking what is Jean's favourite type of music, that's a very good question.'

The welcome update comes as the youngster also made her auction debut, which was shared in an adorable Instagram snap by Natasha on Thursday.

She shared a snap of herself speaking into the microphone at a auction in Edinburgh, while multitasking and holding baby Jean on her hip.

Alongside the image, she wrote: 'Baby Jean's first live auction todayforgive the grainy pic! That was in Edinburgh (for the incredible @leuchiehousebreaks) but I'll be in the Glasgow studio for tonight.

Other heartwarming snaps she's shared of the little one include one where she's holding the baby up to the camera as they take a selfie, with her eyes covered by star emojis

The 38-year-old antiques expert gave birth back in January and had kept her entire pregnancy a secret from fans (pictured in 2021)

Natasha is married to Joe Sharp (pictured) a producer on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip

Natasha happily shared the news of Jean's birth on social media in January, saying: 'What a way to start the year - the last few days have been nothing short of immense'

'Where will you be tuning in from? Do let me know. Hammer's upsee you via @bbcradioscot at 10pm!'

Other heartwarming snaps she's shared of the little one include one where she's holding the baby up to the camera as they take a selfie, with her eyes covered by star emojis.

She quipped: 'Serious stars on tonights playlistjoin me from 10pm using the @bbcsounds app.'

In another sweet picture, little Jean even had her very own red Bargain Hunt cardigan, which had been gifted to her by contestants called Nancy and Ellen.

Natasha and her husband Joe met back in 2013, before marrying four years later, and now live together in Glasgow.

The antiques expert happily shared the joyous news of Jean's birth on social media in January, saying: 'What a way to start the year - the last few days have been nothing short of immense.'

She continued: 'I'll be handing over my Thursday night @bbcradioscot duties to the excellent @ravisagoogram for a short spell - thanks, Ravi. Catch him from 10pm on @bbcsounds.

'In the meantime, therell be lots of new #bbcbargainhunt and @antiqueroadtrip action (filmed when baby was a mere bump). Back soon! X'

Natasha, who is married to Joe Sharp, a producer on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, has delighted fans throughout recent months, sharing a few glimpses into life as a new mother (pictured in 2023)

Natasha (far right) famously helped with the first ever proposal on Bargain Hunt in 2018, which was carefully planned by the antique show's team

Scottish presenter Natasha has been one of the lead presenters on Bargain Hunt since 2014 and has also featured on Antiques Road Trip, Flog It!, For What It's Worth and Baggage Battles.

She was born into a family of art lovers and collectors, with her father the artist Philip Raskin, and her grandfather former TV magician Max Raskin.

Natasha famously helped with the first ever proposal on Bargain Hunt in 2018, which was carefully planned by the antique show's team.

With the cameras rolling at the grounds of Kedleston Hall country house in Derbyshire, Natasha excitedly teased the proposal, telling viewers that 'it's the build-up to that big moment'.

Tony Chambers appeared as a contestant with his girlfriend Alison Cook and began setting up the moment by saying: 'I think Alison is looking for some jewellery or something like that.'

Presenter Tim Weeks took this as his cue and led the couple over to a cabinet where he pulled out a box with the engagement ring inside.
Sofia Vergara paid tribute to her longtime friend and renowned real estate agent Barry Peele after he tragically passed away aged 61.

Taking to her Instagram on Sunday, Sofia, 51, shared a gallery of sweet snaps of the pair together over the years.

Expressing her heartbreak at the loss of her friend, Sofia captioned the touching snaps with: 'My life will never be the same without you U.'

The cause of death has not been revealed. Fans of the actress then flocked to the comment section to offer their condolences.

One fan commented: 'Losing a loved one is never easy. My condolences to you and all who love him. May he rest in peace.';

Sofia Vergara paid tribute to her longtime friend and renowned real estate agent Barry Peele on Instagram on Sunday after he tragically passed aged 61

Sofia, 51, shared a gallery of sweet snaps of the pair together over the years

Expressing her heartbreak at the loss of her friend, Sofia captioned the touching snaps with: 'My life will never be the same without you U'

'Im so sorry your heart is sad, Sophia. The death of a friend is a hurt that hits different. I, unfortunately know this loss. Look for butterflies. He will show up. I promise.';

'My condolences. I know how much he loved you.';

'So sorry for your loss my love.. Sending you love and prayers for his family and all his friends and dogs.'

Barry was a renowned real estate agent in Beverley Hills and helped start Sothebys International Realty 21 years ago.

He has consistently ranked among the best in selling luxury homes throughout his career.

He also worked with a star-studded client list including Madonna, 65, Demi Moore, 61, Sharon Stone, 66, Sofia, and many more.

Barry, who was born in 1963, was ten years older than his best friend Sofia and the pair had a very close relationship as they often spent a lot of time together.

In April, Barry took to his Instagram to post a sweet snap of the pair as he wished Sofia a 'Happy Easter.'

Barry was a renowned real estate agent in Beverley Hills and helped start Sothebys International Realty 21 years ago

He has consistently ranked among the best in selling luxury homes throughout his career

He also worked with a star-studded client list including Madonna, Demi Moore, Sharon Stone, Sofia, and many more

Barry, who was born in 1963, was ten years older than his best friend Sofia and the pair had a very close relationship as they often spent a lot of time together

In April, Barry took to his Instagram to post a sweet snap of the pair as he wished Sofia a 'Happy Easter'

Senior Vice President and Brokerage manager at Sotheby's International Realty Cristian David also took to his Instagram to pay tribute to his beloved colleague.

He captioned his post with: 'It is with great sadness to share with you that our beloved colleague and friend Barry Peele has suddenly passed away.

'Barry has been a loyal long-time seasoned agent with the brand and will be remembered as an outstanding individual who lived his life to the fullest and who enjoyed spending time with his closest friends many of whom have been his clients.'

'Many of you have worked closely with him. He will certainly be missed. May he rest in peace, Barry.'
Today host Hoda Kotb was seen wiping away tears on Monday morning during an emotional interview with Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner and her mom, Pat.

The mother-and-daughter duo joined Hoda, 59, and her cohost, Savannah Guthrie, in the studio after Carson Daly 'begged' them to come on the show and partake in a cooking demonstration.

During the sweet chat, Hoda mentioned the passing of Pat's husband William in March and said: 'Another thing we admire about you is your husband passed a little bit ago, and I can only imagine how hard it was to get out of bed, to just start another day, but one day you just decided, "Today's the day."'

Pat replied: 'Well I pretty much decided anyway, before, that I would be all right. I was so worried about being a widow and then one day I had an epiphany, "You will be alright."

'And I really have been alright. Now, I miss him and I so wanted to tell him I was gonna be on the Today show,' Pat continued as Hoda struggled to keep it together and was seen wiping away tears from her eyes.

Hoda Kotb was seen wiping away tears on Monday's episode of Today as she conducted an interview alongside Savannah Guthrie

Jennifer Garner and her mom, Pat, appeared on the Today show and spoke about the actress' late father, William

Turning to her mom, Jennifer commented: 'He loved how much people love you, so he would be right there smiling,' as Savannah confirmed the couple were married for 59 years.

When Hoda mentioned Jennifer's sweet Instagram tribute to her father, which she posted on April 1, the Daredevil actress replied: 'Oh yeah, I mean how lucky to grow up with parents like mine. I've always been aware of it, my sisters and I are... we're always really aware.'

Jennifer, who was previously married to Ben Affleck, was full of praise for her mom and shared her favorite things about her.

'I mean, I have a pretty special mom. So, my mom is not judgmental of people or of things or if things are happening to you. She is just kind of gifted at giving to people and seeing what people need and just quietly taking care of them,' Jennifer said as she held Pat's hand.

'She also is a mom who just doesn't believe in guilt,' Jennifer added as Pat confirmed: 'I do not. Guilt is a useless emotion.'

Back in April, Jennifer announced the death of her father via a touching Instagram post and told her fans: 'My dad passed peacefully Saturday afternoon. We were with him, singing Amazing Grace as he left us (did we carry him across or scare him away valid question.)

'While there is no tragedy in the death of an 85 year old man who lived a healthy, wonderful life, I know grief is unavoidable, waiting around unexpected corners.

'Today is for gratitude. We are grateful for Dad's gentle demeanor and quiet strength. For how he teased with a mischievous smile, and for the way he invented the role of all in, ever patient girl dad. We are grateful for his work ethic, leadership and faith.

Pat admitted that she misses her husband and was 'so worried' about being a widow

Jennifer pictured with her parents, Pat and William, and her two sisters, Susannah and Melissa

William, who passed away in March 2024, was married to Jennifer's mom Pat for 59 years

'We extend our gratitude to the medical communities of Charleston Area Medical Center and City of Hope.

'Your care extended Dad's life and gave him time to be in his favorite spots surrounded by daughters and grandchildren, cheering for his beloved Aggies, captaining a boat, and most of allnext to his wife of 59 years, our Mom.

'There is so much to say about my dad my sisters and I will never be done talking about how wonderful he was, so bear with us but for today I share these memories with my appreciation for the kind and brilliant man, father, and grandfather he was, as well as the loving legacy he left behind.'
Any Bad Blood was put to one side on Sunday evening as Taylor Swift performed her final London show in front of 88,000 fans - among them her former boyfriend's fiancee.

The pop superstar, 34, rounded off the third of three consecutive shows at Wembley Stadium before her Eras world tour relocates to the Republic of Ireland on June 28.

And she was watched by a who's-who of celebrity guests on her final night, among them Hollywood star Tom Cruise, Beatles legend Sir Paul McCartney and actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Suggesting she's on good terms with former boyfriend Tom Hiddleston, the British actor's fiancee Zawe Ashton was also in attendance at the London venue.

Swift famously dated Hiddleston for four-months in 2016 before calling off the romance that September.

Any Bad Blood was put to one side on Sunday evening as Taylor Swift performed her final London show in front of 88,000 fans - among them her former boyfriend's fiancee

Suggesting she's on good terms with former boyfriend Tom Hiddleston, the British actor's fiancee Zawe Ashton was also in attendance at the London venue

The actor entered their romance on a career-high, having found himself among the favourites to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond after winning accolades for his starring role in BBC thriller The Night Manager,

But it would be a Cruel Summer for Hiddleston, who did his chances of playing no-nonsense Bond few favours by wearing a tight-fitting Taylor Swift vest while frolicking with the pop star during a fourth of July trip to Rhode Island.

Hiddleston would later provide the inspiration for Swift's 2019 track Getaway Car, although the song does not feature on her extensive Eras Tour set-list.

Discussing their short-lived romance with GQ in 2017, he said: 'Taylor is an amazing woman. She's generous and kind and lovely, and we had the best time.

'She's incredible. [But] a relationship in the limelight A relationship always takes work. And it's not just the limelight. It's everything else.'

Of his Taylor Swift muscle-top, Hiddleston insisted he only wore it out of necessity, adding: 'The truth is, it was the Fourth of July and a public holiday and we were playing a game and I slipped and hurt my back.

'And I wanted to protect the graze from the sun and said, 'Does anyone have a T-shirt?' And one of her friends said, 'I've got this.''

He added: 'I was just surprised that it got so much attention. The tank top became an emblem of this thing.'

Swift famously dated Hiddleston for four-months in 2016 before calling off the romance that September (pictured at LAX airport in Los Angeles, July 2016)

Hiddleston welcomed his first child with fiancee Ashton in 2022, three-years after the couple started dating (pictured at the Peninsula Hotel in London, February 2024

Hiddleston has since welcomed his first child with fiancee Ashton, 39, with whom he began a relationship in 2019.

The British actress and playwright gave birth to their only child, whose name and gender have not been disclosed, in 2022 and Hiddleston recently admitted he has fully embraced his responsibilities as a first-time father.

He told 7 News Miami: 'Its just changed everything. It changed the center of my life completely. Theres a before and an after, and Im happy to be living in the after.'

The couple announced their engagement in June 2022.
kate moss broke her usual front row poise to dance and sing to her boyfriend Count Nikolai von Bismarck at the Dior Paris Fashion Week show.

Video footage has emerged on social media of the supermodel, 50, letting her hair down on the otherwise stoic front row at the men's showcase on Friday.

Kate seemed to make a deliberate statement on her relationship status as she cosied up to her boyfriend Count Nikolai, 37, and chatted to him.

As the models cruised down the catwalk, Kate shook her head from side to side and tapped her heels as if she wanted to get up on the runway herself.

She then leant and whispered into Count Nikolai's ear, who nodded , before turning his eyes back to the show.

Kate Moss broke her usual front row poise to dance and sing to her boyfriend Count Nikolai von Bismarck at the Dior Paris Fashion Week show on Friday

Kate linked arms with Count Nikolai as she leant in close and placed her hand on his arm.

The British star appeared to be proving the couple are back on track after their frosty display at the Gucci Cruise 2025 show last month.

During the Gucci show, Count Nikolai had looked impassive as he sat next to the Kate - who then turned her back on him to speak to others on the front row of the fashion show instead.

However, any animosity between the pair looks to be put to bed as they both cut a stylish appearance for the Dior show.

Kate showed off her supermodel legs in a pair of grey tailored shorts, while a pair of black heels boosted her model frame.

She teamed the shorts with a matching blazer that she layered over a black satin vest which featured a plunging neckline.

Meanwhile, Count Nikolai donned a brown blazer jacket which he paired with an all black shirt, trousers and shoes.

Amid the recent split rumours, Kate has even been photographed leaving a club with a mystery younger man recently.

Video footage has emerged on social media of the supermodel, 50, letting her hair down on the otherwise stoic front row at the men's showcase on Friday

Kate seemed to make a deliberate statement on her relationship status as she cosied up to her boyfriend Count Nikolai , 37, and chatted to him

Sat front row at the show, the supermodel, 50, and her boyfriend, 37, appeared to be in good spirit as they sat close together before she then linked her arm through his

Kate appeared to be proving the couple are back on after their frosty display at the Gucci Cruise show last month where she repeatedly turned away from Nikolai (pictured with her daughter Lila)

Kate showed off her supermodel figure in a pair of grey tailored shorts, while a pair of black heels boosted her model frame

She teamed the shorts with a matching blazer that she layered over a black satin vest which featured a plunging neckline

The model partied with a 'London girl squad', who were pictured enjoying a night out in Notting Hill recently.

Taylor Swift, 34, let her hair down at Argentinean restaurant Casa Cruz alongside a new posse including Kate, as well as Stella McCartney, Andrew Scott, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Cara Delevingne and Lena Dunham.

Also with the group were Taylor's close pals, Haim sisters Este and Danielle as well as music legend Chrissie Hynde.

Straight after the meal, Kate reportedly dashed to another star-studded bash, making her way across town to her friend Charlotte Tilbury's house party.

There, she was spotted mingling with the likes of Sienna Miller, Noel Gallagher and Damien Lewis until the early hours.

The model was snapped arm in arm with photographer friend Mert Alas as she arrived at the party, which went on all night as guests were seen coming and going until 3:30am.

Kate, who still rocks the razor sharp cheekbones that have made her so successful as a model, was spotted partying with more friends in mid-May.

This time, she attended a concert in Turkey, where she watched Skip, the 27-year-old grandson of late reggae superstar Bob Marley, performing.

In fact, she was reportedly so excited by Skip's performance, that she reportedly ran on stage and had to be ushered away by guards.

However, the move did not appear to bother the musician, who was later snapped holding hands with Kate.

The outing at the Gucci show came just hours after snaps emerged of Kate holding hands with the reggae star grandson of Bob Marley, 27, in Turkey last month

Nikolai was left in the shadows, quite literally, on the far right, while Kate chatted with model daughter Lila, Blondie star Debbie Harry and Hollywood legend Demi Moore as well as Alia Bhatt on the front row at the Gucci Cruise fashion show

According to a spectator: 'Kate ran on stage as she loved it so much.

'She was escorted off the stage by security. I dont know whether theres a "thing" [between the pair] but shes a fan for sure. It was all very sweet and non-confrontational.'

There was no sign of Kate's long-term boyfriend, Count Nikolai.

A week later, Kate was snapped enjoying another getaway, this time in the south of France.

During the trip, she was seen spending time with stylist Alister Mackie and creative director Simon B Morch, as well as with her longtime musician pal Bobby Gillespie.

That holiday followed weeks of speculation surrounding Kate's relationship with Nikolai.

Despite their tense display, friends close to Kate have brushed off any split concerns, insisting their 'bohemian' relationship has consistently been 'on and off'.

'They are constantly on and off - but both are very bohemian about hook ups', an insider with knowledge of her relationship with Nikolai told MailOnline recently.

Meanwhile, another member of her circle added: 'She's a passionate person - and she is still incredibly flirtatious with people. Whether it is Nikolai, or whoever she is with, they just have to accept it and get on with it or they'll go mad.'
Bethenny Frankel, 53, looked slender and toned in tiny two-piece swimsuit in a new Instagram post.

The reality TV star was enjoying some time off with her teen daughter Bryn Hoppy at her new Hamptons, New York seaside home.

Fans were shocked at home amazing she looks for her age.

One commented, 'I love as a 60 year old you've no filters. Loved you and your honesty for years. Go you girl.' The commenter was off by 7 years, however, as Bethenny is 53 and not 60.

And another shared: 'You look pretty.' Then one fan said: 'Picture perfect in all of the pictures.'

There was also the comment: 'Looking great!'

Bethenny Frankel , 53, looked slender and toned in tiny two-piece swimsuit in a new Instagram post. The reality TV star was enjoying some time off with her teen daughter Bryn Hoppy at her new Hamptons, New York seaside home

Fans were shocked at home amazing she looks for her age. One commented, 'I love as a 60 year old you've no filters. Loved you and your honesty for years. Go you girl.' The commenter was off by 7 years, however, as Bethenny is 53 and not 60

In her caption Frankel said, 'Summer is summering' as she said she was in her favorite place in the Hamptons.

'Fun in the sun,' she also wrote.

And the Bravo star also said she was happy it was now summer.

This comes after she split from fiance Paul Bernon, 45, earlier this year.

They reportedly split up two months ago, it was learned in early May. UsWeekly claimed that they are over for good after six years of an on-and-off romance.

The site claimed that 'it just wasnt going to work' between the pair who met on a dating app in 2018.

'They are so different  hes an under the radar kind of guy,' the source said.

Frankel is known for hitting red carpets often and constantly posting about her personal life on social media.

And another shared: 'You look pretty.' Then one fan said: 'Picture perfect in all of the pictures.' There was also the comment: 'Looking great!'

Fans also went nuts over her very cool and classic car that is red and white

A source also told the site she has kept the gigantic diamond engagement ring worth $1M.

DailyMail.com has reached out to her rep for comment.

This comes a week after she announced she is taking a break from her divorce podcast to grieve her mother's death.

The Real Housewives of New York City alum shared a statement via Instagram to share that she is taking the time and space to process the loss of her mother Bernadette Birk.

Last month she looked slender and toned in a plunging one-piece swimsuit in an Instagram post

After taking down all episodes she has released in the past month since starting her iHeart Radio podcast Just B Divorced with Bethenny Frankel, she said she will 'temporarily' stop uploading episodes  where she candidly opened up about her 'traumatic' 10-year divorce from ex-husband Jason Hoppy.

She did not share a specific date of when she will return but said she will 'continue this dialogue' sometime 'in the coming weeks.'

She announced that her mother  with whom she had a complicated relationship and was previously estranged for over a decade  passed away at age 73 last Friday following a battle with lung cancer.

Last week the reality TV star showed off her incredible figure in a black swimsuit on social media

Frankel seemed to want to prove she is single and ready to mingle after her shock split from fiance Paul Bernon, 45, earlier this year

'I have chosen to temporarily remove my divorce podcast as a result of an overwhelming response and an influx of messages that have converged with the most significant loss of my life,' she wrote over a plain background on her Instagram Story.

'It's impossible for me to grieve and process both of these traumatic events at the same time.'

'The unforeseen circumstances and the reaction to this triggering topic has confirmed how important this conversation is,' she continued.

'In the coming weeks, we will continue this dialogue to help you navigate your challenging divorce journeys.'

The reality TV personality went on to thank her Instagram followers and podcast listeners for their support.

'I love you all and am so grateful to you for supporting me in both areas,' she wrote alongside a red heart emoji.

In a follow-up post, she clarified that the 'influx of messages' were not related to any pushback as 'there has been no backlash.'

She explained that she was pausing because of the 'overwhelming' and 'shocking success' of her divorce podcast.

After taking down all episodes she has released in the past month since starting her iHeart Radio podcast Just B Divorced with Bethenny Frankel, she said she will 'temporarily' stop uploading episodes  where she candidly opened up about her 'traumatic' 10-year divorce from ex-husband Jason Hoppy; seen in 2010

'I simply can't respond to the questions and demands at this time and will resume shortly,' the entrepreneur said.

Frankel and Hoppy, 53, were married for two years after tying the knot in 2010 and later announcing their separation in December 2012.

The couple filed for divorce one month after their split in January 2013 and began a years-long custody battle over their daughter Bryn, 13.

Frankel and the real estate agent reached a financial settlement in 2016 and finalized their divorce in 2021.
Ariana Grande has been slammed as 'vile' and 'offensive' after she confessed that her 'dream' dinner guest was serial killer Jeffery Dahmer.

Last week, the 30-year-old pop sensation showed off her dark side while speaking to Gossip Girl star Penn Badgley, who appeared in Ariana's The Boy Is Mine music video.

During an episode of Penn's Podcrushed podcast she recalled the moment she told a 'young fan' she fantasized about dining with the murderer - who raped, dismembered and killed 17 boys and men between 1978 and 1991.

Her macabre admission came after she shared that she was 'infatuated with serial killers' from a young age.

And while the Thank You, Next songstress found the humor in wanting to enjoy a meal with the infamous murderer, her fans were quick to criticize the celebrity as they branded her 'tone deaf.'

Ariana Grande has been slammed as 'vile' and 'offensive' after she shockingly confessed that her 'dream' dinner guest is horrific serial killer Jeffery Dahmer

She recalled the moment she told a 'young fan' she fantasized about dining with the murderer (pictured in 1991)

'I was infatuated with serial killers when I was younger,' the two-time Grammy winner - turning 31 next Wednesday - revealed in the second part of the podcast.

'Years ago, before the Dahmer series, I was in a Q&A with young fans. With a parent, someone said, "If you could have dinner with anyone living or dead, who would it be?" And I was like, "Oh, honey, you're so cute. Um, mom and dad, is it okay if I give the real answer?" And they were like, "Sure, what's the answer?"

'And I was like, "Jeffrey Dahmer's pretty fascinating. I think I would have loved to have met him, maybe with like a third party or something. But I have questions." And the parents were like, "We'll explain it later, sweetheart."'

The clip of Ariana sharing the anecdote began circulating around the web as fans took to Reddit to fire off at the pop icon.

In a thread titled, 'Ariana Grande would love to have dinner with Jeffrey Dahmer,' people branded the performer 'horribly offensive.'

One person wrote: 'I didn't even watch the clip because this is exactly what I thought when I read the headline. Unless the question is, "Which serial killer would you have dinner with" and you have a gun to your head there's no damn reason to say this.

Someone else added: 'That was heartbreaking to watch, can you imagine your loved ones being murdered in such horrific ways and then the killer is glorified in the media. I wish people would consider how shows like Dahmer impact the surviving family members.'

'Agreed, I genuinely do not understand what she was going for here, the families of his victims are still very much alive and have said they hate that people glorify him and make shows about him and forget the victims. She thinks she's being edgy but she is just a tone-deaf person who doesn't care about other people's pain,' another social media user commented.

Ariana made a macabre confession on Tuesday while speaking with her Boy Is Mine onscreen leading man Penn Badgley

In a Reddit thread titled, 'Ariana Grande would love to have dinner with Jeffrey Dahmer,' people branded the performer 'horribly offensive'

A fourth added: 'This is so vile I have a great interest in crime cases but the LAST thing I'd want to do is have dinner with a serial killer. Jeffrey Dahmer was a pedophile who murdered innocent people, mainly people of color because he knew police wouldnt take their disappearances as seriously.

'Joking about wanting to have dinner with him is sick and horribly offensive to the victims' families, who are still alive and affected by the tragedy fyi. Let's stop glorifying these psychos and pretending they are intensely enamoring people - they're not, and if you met them in real life you would quickly realize why.'

Someone else wrote: 'She has such a weird fixation with this type of stuff. It is so tone deaf and dehumanizing/disrespectful to the victims and their loved ones.'

'That's such a disgusting thing to say,' one commenter said.

One person commented: 'Not the funny/cute/edgy anecdote you think it is, Ariana.'

'Some thoughts should stay in one's head,' another remarked.

Between 1978 and 1991, Jeffrey raped, killed, and dismembered 17 boys and men - Steven Hicks (18), Steven Tuomi (28), James Doxtator (14), Richard Guerrero (25), Anthony Sears (24), Ricky Beeks (33), Eddie Smith (28), Ernest Miller (24), David Thomas (23), Curtis Straughter (18), Errol Lindsey (19), Anthony Hughes (31), Konerak Sinthasomphone (14), Matt Turner (20), Jeremiah Weinberger (23), Oliver Lacy (23), and Joseph Bradehoft (25).

Dahmer - otherwise known as the Milwaukee Monster or the Milwaukee Cannibal - had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, schizotypal personality disorder, and a psychotic disorder before he was beaten to death by a fellow Columbia Correctional Institution inmate in 1994.

In 2022, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan released their dismally-reviewed Netflix crime thriller, Dahmer  Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which depicted his unimaginable crimes and the victims desperate for justice.

Between 1978 and 1991, Jeffrey raped, killed, and dismembered 17 boys and men

In 2022, Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan released their dismally-reviewed Netflix crime thriller, Dahmer  Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, which starred Evan Peters

Ariana agreed to do Penn's podcast after he starred in the Christian Breslauer-directed music video for her new single The Boy Is Mine, which dropped June 7

Fans can next catch the popstar as Glinda Upland alongside her real-life boyfriend, Ethan Slater (left), in Jon M. Chu's big-screen adaptation of the 2003 Broadway musical Wicked

Evan Peters went on to win the Golden Globe Award for his performance as Jeffrey, thanking everyone who watched the show in his acceptance speech: 'It was a difficult one to make, a difficult one to watch but I sincerely hope some good came out of it.'

And while the showrunners claimed to have contacted 20 of the victims' family members and friends, Rita Isbell - the sister of Erroll Lindsey - told Business Insider she was never contacted about the 'harsh and careless' show, which 'retraumatized' her.

Ariana agreed to do Penn's podcast after he starred in the Christian Breslauer-directed music video for her new single, The Boy Is Mine, which dropped June 7.

Fans can next catch the Florida-born pop star as Glinda Upland alongside her real-life boyfriend, Ethan Slater, in Jon M. Chu's big-screen adaptation of the 2003 Broadway musical Wicked.

The first part hits US theaters November 27 followed by the second part on November 26, 2025.
Instagram pinup and lingerie designer K'la Methven - aka Kaila Methven - is in love again after splitting from financier Ryan Alling last year.

The social media dynamo and CEO of After Dark Productions is dating a Russian model.

His name is Aleksandr Bezobrazov, and he is originally from Moscow, the star told DailyMail.com on Monday.

The two were seen together on a California beach as they put on a display of affection.

'I've gone through a lot of heartbreak in my life, trauma, abandonment, depression, loneliness,' the Beverly Hills native told DailyMail.com.

Instagram pinup and lingerie designer K'la Methven - aka Kaila Methven - is in love again after splitting from financier Ryan Alling last year. The social media dynamo and CEO of After Dark Productions is dating a Russian model

His name is Aleksandr Bezobrazov, and he is originally from Moscow, the star told DailyMail.com on Monday. The two were seen together on a California beach as they put on a display of affection

'The moment he hugs me, I feel like the happiest person in the world.'

She added, 'We have our own language; we don't need words or signs to understand each other. I've never had that connection before. I thank God every day.'

K'la - pronounced Kayla - wore a designer black bikini with her hair down.

Her partner had on swim trunks as he looked proud to be with his new lady love.

K'La was born in Santa Monica, California in 1994.

She was raised in Beverly Hills until the age of fourteen when the death of her mother meant moving to Paris to live with her father.

In France she studied fashion design at Esmod and after receiving her bachelors degree continued her studies at the International Fashion Academy (IFA) where she earned her Master's.

'I've gone through a lot of heartbreak in my life, trauma, abandonment, depression , loneliness,' the Beverly Hills native told DailyMail.com. 'The moment he hugs me, I feel like the happiest person in the world'

She added, 'We have our own language; we don't need words or signs to understand each other. I've never had that connection before. I thank God every day'

K'La travelled to China and studied at Polymoda in Florence, Italy to complete her MBA in Luxury Brand Management.

Returning to the United States she debuted her first lingerie lines at OC Fashion Week and LA Fashion Week in 2016 aged 22.

She was then CEO of Madame Methven, a lingerie brand, before setting up her media production company, After Dark, in 2022.

After Dark focused on non-scripted television, but now encompasses scripted shows as well as two features as of 2023.
Sabrina Elba ensured all eyes were on her as she arrived to the Schiaparelli show during Paris Fashion Week on Monday.

The model, 35, displayed her jaw-dropping figure as she went braless while wearing an open black velvet jacket.

The Canadian beauty also wore a matching pair of slim-fitting trousers and boosted her frame with black boots.

Wearing her locks in a loose bob, Sabrina looked nothing short of sensational as sheposed for the cameras.

Sabrina, who is married to film star Idris Elba, completed her look for the show with a light palette of makeup.

Sabrina Elba displayed her jaw-dropping figure as she went braless while wearing an open black velvet jacket at the Schiaparelli show during Paris Fashion Week on Monday

The Canadian beauty also wore a matching pair of slim-fitting trousers and boosted her frame with black boots

Sabrina and Idris joined forces late last year when they launched their own skincare line, S'ABLE Labs.

Fashionista Sabrina, who met Idris in 2017 before they tied the knot in 2019, spoke out in an interview with People when she discussed how different it had been working with her husband.

She admitted there was, 'a big learning curve' in the process of collaborating with her other half for their business.

'It's not a perfect tie-in, but we've definitely developed ways of working together,' Sabrina said.

'We started a podcast to kind of see how other people were doing it, and we learned so much,' she added.

'I think it's having correct boundaries and understanding that like you know, finding work is not the same as finding a date night,' she added.

'There are appropriate avenues  work hours, for instance, that's been a big learning curve for me,' she admitted.

Sabrina added that she, 'can't imagine doing it with anyone else,' other than her husband Idris.

Wearing her locks in a loose bob, Sabrina looked nothing short of sensational as sheposed for the cameras

Sabrina looked radiant as she blew a kiss to the cameras while making her way into the show

Sabrina and Idris joined forces late last year when they launched their own skincare line, S'ABLE Labs (pictured in March 2024)

Sabrina, who was born and raised in Canada but is of Somali descent, revealed the reasions behind creating the line.

'Growing up I always thought there was nothing that addressed my unique skincare concerns, especially when it comes to having melanin rich skin,' she said.

'So things like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Just finding products that address it holistically rather than trying to solve the problem after the fact,' Sabrina said.

'Were looking at how we inhibit melanin excess production in the first place. So were making antioxidants, were making anti-inflammatories,' she said.

'There's so many amazing ingredients on the (African) continent that are so popular that I watched my mom use growing up. So just trying to get that all in,' Sabrina add

Sabrina adds that she and Idris intended their skincare products to have minimum impact on the planet with maximum results.

'Black consumers, really do care about the planet as well. They care about the luxury of their products without having to pay exorbitant prices or just good quality ingredients that we feel we've created,' she explained.
Jon Voight is 'proud' of his daughter Angelina Jolie and granddaughter Vivienne after they stole the spotlight at the 2024 Tony Awards with their remarkable victory.

The mother-daughter duo produced the musical The Outsiders, which won four trophies, including the top honor of Best Musical.

'Im very proud of Vivienne,' Oscar winner Voight, 85, told TMZ on Sunday. 'Im really proud of Angie because she really tries to encourage each of the kids to be what they want to be.'

Angelina, 49, and her ex Brad Pitt, 60, share six children together: Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 15.

'I'm sure Angie contributed with the actors and Angie's a great director,' Voight continued to gush over the Maleficent star.

Jon Voight is 'proud' of his daughter Angelina Jolie and granddaughter Vivienne after they stole the spotlight at the 2024 Tony Awards with their remarkable victory; (pictured 2022)

The mother-daughter duo produced the musical The Outsiders , which won four trophies, including the top honor of Best Musical; (pictured 2024 Tony Awards)

The Midnight Cowboy icon also revealed how Vivienne got her mother involved with the production.

'Vivienne read the book and then went down to see the pre-Broadway play version down close by San Diego and she went down four times and she said "Mom, you got to see this,"' he explained to the outlet.

The accolades follow a history of turbulent moments between Voight and Jolie, which have caused periods of estrangement over the years.

They reconnected briefly during the filming of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in 2001, but Jolie reportedly cut ties with her father again in the early 2000s.

'We don't really speak that much anymore,' the Changeling star told Vogue in 2002, shortly after starring in the Lara Croft film.

Voight's infidelity during his marriage to Jolie's mother, Marcheline Bertrand, and their subsequent divorce reportedly were key factors in the father and daughter's estrangement.

Although the pair have made up in the past, Voight recently slammed his daughter for her anti-Israel posts, branding them as 'lies' and saying 'the Israeli army must protect thy soil.'

Jolie is formerly a special envoy of the UN High Commission for Refugees. She accused Israel of 'deliberately bombing children, women, families, deprived of food, medicine and humanitarian aid' in violation of the international law.

'Im very proud of Vivienne,' Oscar winner Voight, 85, told TMZ on Sunday. 'Im really proud of Angie because she really tries to encourage each of the kids to be what they want to be'

'I'm sure Angie contributed with the actors and Angie's a great director,' Voight continued to gush over the Maleficent star

The accolades follow a history of turbulent moments between Voight and Jolie, which have caused periods of estrangement over the years; (pictured 1998)

They reconnected briefly during the filming of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in 2001, but Jolie reportedly cut ties with her father again in the early 2000s; (pictured 1991)

Jolie's parents Voight and Bertrand tied the knot in 1971, welcoming their second child - Angelina Jolie Voight - in 1975. Pictured is Voight with Jolie hours after she was born

Voight is seen with James Haven and Jolie at the 1986 Academy Awards

In response, Voight said he was 'disappointed' that his daughter did not understand that Hamas' objective was 'to annihilate the land of the Jews.'

Meanwhile, Vivienne's appearance at the June 16 Tony Awards came as another blow to Brad on Father's Day shortly after she notably dropped his surname on her Playbill credit.

The mother daughter duo paused for a quick photo session together upon arriving to the Lincoln Center where the ceremony took place. At one point, the pair were spotted sharing a laugh before heading into the main venue.

Last month in May, it was also revealed that Vivienne dropped the last name Pitt from her moniker in The Outsiders Playbill.

According to People, the former couple's daughter was listed as Vivienne Jolie in the literature, instead of Vivienne Jolie-Pitt. It's unknown if she has legally changed her name.

The move came shortly after Angelina was ordered by a judge to turn over every NDA agreement that she signed with a third-party over an eight-year period amid the ex spouses' ongoing legal battle.

Vivienne's name change comes after her older sister Zahara made a similar choice in public.

Last November, when she was inducted into the AKA sorority at Spelman College, she appeared to drop her father's last name as she introduced herself. In a video clip shared by Essence magazine, she stated, 'My name is Zahara Marley Jolie.'

Pitt has also faced scorn from his son Pax, 20, who called him a 'world-class a**hole' and a 'despicable person' in an explosive instagram rant revealed by DailyMail.com.

Brad PItt and Angelina are still embroiled in an ongoing divorce battle and the actor reportedly has a strained relationship with this children; (former couple seen in 2014)

Jolie, who shares six children - Maddox, 22, Pax, 19, Zahara, 18, Shiloh, 17, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 1 - with Pitt, reportedly reached out to Voight in 2010; ( pictured in 2014)

Also last month, Brad and Angelina's daughter, Shiloh, 18, officially requested to drop 'Pitt' from her surname in court documents obtained by TMZ.

Angelina and Brad began dating after Pitt and then-wife, Jennifer Aniston, announced their divorce in 2005.

The two later tied the knot in 2014, with the Maleficent actress filing for divorce in 2016 after only two years of marriage.

Three years later in 2019, Brad and Angelina were declared legally single.
Monica Bellucci's lookalike daughter Deva Cassel stunned as she arrived at the Christian Dior show during Paris Fashion Week on Monday.

The 19-year-old posed for photos in an eye-catching blue satin dress, which included gold embellished details depicting birds and flowers.

The maxi dress featured a long-sleeved button-up shirt, which flowed into a long skirt that cinched at the waist.

She wore her long brown locks in plaits and accessorised with gold earrings, a chunky choker, and a ring.

Deva paired the elegant dress with some black espadrille wedge sandals to complete her look.

Monica Bellucci's lookalike daughter Deva Cassel stunned as she arrived at the Christian Dior show during Paris Fashion Week on Monday

The 19-year-old posed for photos in an eye-catching blue satin dress, which included gold embellished details depicting birds and flowers

She flashed a wide grin while posing for pictures outside the event while putting on a more serious stance in others.

The teenager is the daughter of Monica, 59, and Vincent Cassel, 57, and is a rising starlet in her own right.

She has been going from strength to strength on both the catwalk and in landing coveted acting roles.

In November 2023, Deva opened up to Gen V by V Magazine about her relationship with her parents and how they have encouraged her career in the industry.

She told the magazine: 'They taught me to always look forward, to always protect myself, to always be kind, and always keep wonder in mind.

'There's much more, but the point is that they've taught me how to handle unexpected situations and live by my own rules, while always respecting people and the environment I'm in.

'I remember browsing through my mom's huge fashion books that she kept in the house for as long as I can remember.

'Everything was so looked after and beautiful. I knew I wanted to work in that industry at some point in my life, but I definitely didn't expect to love it this much and make a living out of it.'

She wore her long brown locks in plaits and accessorized with gold earrings, a chunky choker, and a ring

She flashed a wide grin while posing for pictures outside the event, while putting on a more serious stance in others

The teenager is the daughter of Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel, and is a rising starlet in her own right

Deva is now set to star in the upcoming Netflix series The Leopard, based on the classic novel of the same name by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa

In November 2023, Deva opened up to Gen V by V Magazine about her relationship with her parents and how they have encouraged her career in the industry (Monica Bellucci pictured in April 2024)

Deva's parents Monica and Vincent (Pictured in May 2024) split in 2013 after 14 years of marriage and the pair share daughters Deva, 19, and Leonie, 13

Deva continued: 'I really did not want to be an actor for most of my childhood. It was something that everyone kept asking me as a kid and it really pushed me away from that career path.

'However, with time, I started getting more and more interested in the cinematic industry, the people, and the experiences it could offer.'

Deva's parents Monica and Vincent split in 2013 after 14 years of marriage and the pair share daughters Deva, 19, and Leonie, 13.

The youngster has been making leaps and bounds into the world of beauty and fashion, sharing a cover of Italian Vogue with her mother for the July 2021 issue.

She also made her acting debut in the indie film The Beautiful Summer in 2023.

And she is now set to star in the upcoming Netflix series The Leopard, based on the classic novel of the same name by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa.

Filming began last year and Deva will star as Angelica Sedara, the young stunning middle class woman who becomes a catalyst of social disruption in the six-episode epic set against the backdrop of social revolution in 1860s Sicily.

The historical series with elements similar to Downton Abbey and The Crown is a modern take on the Sicilian saga famously adapted into a film by Luchino Visconti starring Claudia Cardinale, Alain Delon and Burt Lancaster.

The film, now an Italian cinema classic, won the 1963 Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Jane Seymour dazzled in white as she attended the 66th Annual Southern California Journalism Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The actress, 73, who stunned at a recent charity event, was honored for her own good works.

Seymour was presented with the 2024 Bill Rosendahl Public Service Award, for her charitable works via her Open Heart foundation and inspiring women to speak up about ageism.

The award was presented to the honoree her Harry Wilde co-star Kevin Ryan, 40, who plays her son on the murder mystery series.

The Somewhere in Time star showcased her own timeless beauty in a strapless white sheath with bows at the shoulders.

Seymour's date for the night was her boyfriend John Zambetti, who is an ER doctor and a musician. He looked handsome in a traditional black tux and white shirt.

Jane Seymour, 73, dazzled in a white strapless sheath as she attended the 66th Annual Southern California Journalism Awards in Los Angeles Sunday. She accessorized with dangling diamond earrings, a matching bracelet, and one of her own Open Heart necklaces

The actress was accompanied by her boyfriend, Dr. John Zambetti, who looked handsome in a traditional tuxedo

She stepped out in high heel silver sandals.

Accessories included dangling diamond earrings and matching bracelet, with one of her own Open Heart necklaces.

The Irish Wish star's long dark hair was styled straight with bangs.

Ryan looked dapper in a blue three piece suit with a blue button down and blue tie.

Seymour seems very happy with 75-year-old Zambetti.

The couple were fixed up by a mutual friend, a rapper named Schwayze, who happened to be Zambetti's son, as the Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman star told Tamron Hall in May.

The Live and Let Die actress had thought she was 'through with guys,' but agreed to meet as a favor to the rapper.

Seymour's Harry Wilde co-star Kevin Ryan, 40 was on hand to present the 2024 Bill Rosendahl Public Service Award to the actress. The Irish actor looked dapper in a three piece blue suit with a blue shirt and tie

Seymour was honored for her charitable works via her Open Heart foundation and inspiring women to speak up about ageism

'So I go and Shwayze does his thing and I'm there with Shwayzes grandmother and this guy says, "I think we're supposed to meet," and I looked at him and went, "Yes, we are. That's the answer, right? I was told I was supposed to meet someone."'

The two agreed to get together for a chat over a cup of tea the next day, which extended to having dinner together.

It was during their long conversation the two discovered 'that his son, Schwayze, and my son, Sean, they were all friends and he used to hang out at my house.'

The Emmy winner calls her beau, 'the most wonderful, loving, extraordinary man,' and says he is talented as well. 'He's an ER doctor, very handy. And he has a rock band for the last 60 years called The Malibooz with Walter Egan."
Beyonce and Jay-Z were seen for the first time since their absence from the public eye which sparked wild conspiracy theories involving a Diddy connection.

The A-list couple were joined by daughter Blue Ivy Carter, 12, on a joy ride through The Hamptons in a vintage Land Rover Defender 110 from the late 1990s.

The 42-year-old Cowboy Carter megastar seemed to be documenting the drive in the classic SUV as she was seen holding up her phone as they drove through the affluent neighborhood.

Beyonce had a massive smile on her face as her 54-year-old rapper husband - born Shawn Corey Carter - was behind the wheel of the vehicle.

Blue Ivy could be seen sitting in the back seat though it remains uncertain if her other two siblings - seven-year-old twins Rumi and Sir - were with them.

Beyonce and Jay-Z were seen for the first time since their absence from the public eye which sparked wild conspiracy theories involving a Diddy connection

The outing comes weeks after speculation that their weeks-long absence from the publicity circuit is somehow connected to Diddy.

Beyonce has seemingly 'disappeared' after releasing her new album Cowboy Carter this past March and she hasn't attended a single red carpet event since the iHeart Radio Music Awards on April 1.

A wild conspiracy theory is suggesting that both Beyonce and her husband Jay-Z, 54, are 'laying low' amid their disgraced pal Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sexual abuse scandal, as per Page Six.

An insider further speculates that the couple are so 'nervous' about drawing attention to their Diddy ties that Beyonce is purposely neglecting Cowboy Carter promo.

DailyMail.com has reached out to reps for Beyonce and Jay-Z for comment.

More recently Beyonce has been active posting on social media beginning with a bold return to Instagram on June 6.

The 32-time Grammy Award-winner had offloaded a slew of glamour shots that show her rocking a beige cowboy hat and a busty suede frock.

The A-list couple were joined by daughter Blue Ivy Carter, 12, on a joy ride through The Hamptons in a vintage Land Rover Defender 110 from the late 1990s

A wild conspiracy theory is suggesting that both Beyonce and her husband Jay-Z, 54, are 'laying low' amid their disgraced pal Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sexual abuse scandal, as per Page Six

Combs, 54, is currently facing eight lawsuits relating to allegations of rape, physical abuse, sex trafficking, racketeering and other serious crimes that span across 30 years.

The music mogul's Los Angeles and Miami mansions were raided by Homeland Security agents in March as part of a sex-trafficking probe that may lead to a grand jury indictment.

In May, a horrifying video was released showing Combs violently assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016.

Cassie, who was in a relationship with Combs for 10 years, accused him of rape and physical abuse in a bombshell November 2023 lawsuit that was settled one day later for $30million.

Beyonce's Cowboy Carter was released on March 29  three days after the Diddy raids  and it spent two consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 album chart.

With songs featuring Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, Beyonce also made history as the first Black woman to top the country album charts.

'This was supposed to be Beyonce's time, with her much-anticipated country album out [just] two months ago,' Page Six's source said.

'And yet, she is nowhere to be seen. The album is slipping and Jay and B aren't reveling in the spotlight.'

Beyonce had seemingly 'disappeared' after releasing her new album Cowboy Carter this past March and she hasn't attended a red carpet event since the iHeart Radio Music Awards on April 1 (pictured)

The insider then brought up Jay-Z's controversial 2024 Grammys speech, where he called out the Recording Academy for never awarding his wife Album Of The Year despite her being the most decorated female artist.

'About a month before the [March 29] release, Jay-Z got up at the Grammys and whined that Beyonce had never won Album of the Year,' they said.

'But now what? Does he think she will win . . . for Cowboy Carter with no promotion . . . no appearances and no wooing of the academy?'

They noted that although Cowboy Carter had a successful release, the album is 'definitely not the juggernaut everyone thought it would be.'

The insider believes that Beyonce has seemingly abandoned ship because 'something is going on' behind-the-scenes.

'Something is going on. It came out with a bang. No. 1 everywhere. [Now] it and she have disappeared,' the insider concluded.

Jay-Z's friendship with Combs dates back to the early 1990s as they both navigated their early rap careers in New York.

They've collaborated on a number of songs, including a track on Combs' debut 1997 studio album No Way Out.

More recently Beyonce has been active posting on social media beginning with a bold return to Instagram on June 6

The 32-time Grammy Award-winner offloaded a slew of glamour shots that show her rocking a beige cowboy hat and a busty suede frock

Beyonce began dating Jay-Z in 2000 and she soon found the Bad Boy Records exec in her orbit.

As the speculation around her public absence continues, Beyonce appeared unbothered in Thursday's Instagram snaps.

The Halo hitmaker first uploaded a photo slideshow set to the tune of the Cowboy Carter track SWEET  HONEY  BUCKIIN' featuring Shaboozey.

She looked like a busty bombshell as she twirled around in beige suede frock with vibrant floral decals.

The inside of the low-cut number was lined with pink and leopard-print fabric.

Beyonce cinched in her already tiny waist with a thin brown leather belt and she paraded around in brown steel-toed booties.

The mother-of-three modeled high-waisted Daisy Duke shorts that showed off her killer legs.

Combs, 54, is currently facing eight lawsuits relating to allegations of rape, physical abuse, sex trafficking, racketeering and other serious crimes that span across 30 years. The music mogul's Los Angeles and Miami mansions were raided by Homeland Security agents in March as part of a sex-trafficking probe that may lead to a grand jury indictment; seen in 2016

Jay-Z's friendship with Combs dates back to the early 1990s as they both navigated their early rap careers in New York; Beyonce, Jay-Z and Diddy seen in 2005

Her bouncy blonde curls tumbled out from under a felt cowboy hat and she rocked gold-framed aviator shades in several shots.

Beyonce last posted on Instagram seven days ago to show off the Cowboy Carter vinyl that's available to buy on her official website.

Other than using songs off the album in her IG posts, Beyonce hasn't outright promoted Cowboy Carter since May 7.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected former reality television personality Josh Duggar's bid to have his child pornography conviction overturned.

Duggar, 36, rose to fame when he appeared on the TLC show, '19 Kids and Counting,' with his parents, Michelle and Bob Duggar, and 18-siblings, which ran from 2008-2015, long before his 2021 conviction.

The married father of six, and eldest child of the Duggars, was charged with one count of receiving and one count of possessing child pornography, and sentenced to 12-and-a-half years in prison.

The high court did not elaborate on the denial of his request for a hearing.

Josh Duggar, 36, pictured in his mugshot, was convicted in December 2021

Duggar, 36, shot to fame is when he appeared on the TLC show, '19 Kids and Counting,' with his parents, Michelle and Bob Duggar, and 18-siblings before his 2021 conviction

FCI Seagoville, the prison where Josh Duggar was sent to serve his 12.5 year sentence

Duggar had pleaded not guilty but a jury found him guilty at trial in December 2021.

Federal investigators started a probe into Duggar, who owned a car dealership at the time, after police in Little Rock, Arkansas found child sexual abuse material that was being shared by a computer traced to him.

Investigators testified that there were images that depicted the sexual abuse of children, including toddlers, that had been downloaded on his work computer in 2019.

Duggar's attorneys argued statements he made to investigators during the search of the dealership should not have been allowed at trial since his attorney wasn't present.

Prosecutors said Duggar asked the agents: 'What is this all about? Has somebody been downloading child pornography?' and that he declined to say whether he had looked at such material online, comments that were later used as evidence in the trial.

The appeals panel said although Duggar was read his rights, the agents questioning him made it clear that he wasn't in custody and was free to leave.

In August 2023, lower courts had upheld his conviction, and rejected Duggar's arguments that a judge should have suppressed statements he made to investigators during the image search was rejected.

A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the appeal, and he was ordered to remain in prison.

Duggar holding his wife's Anna's hands while leaving the courthouse in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2021

Duggar with his wife and children. He was sentenced to 151-months in prison for possessing child pornography

Duggars attorneys did not ask the former employee to testify after the judge ruled they could not mention the prior conviction.

In 2015, TLC canceled '19 Kids and Counting' after allegations surfaced that Duggar had molested four of his sisters and a babysitter years prior.

The tip came into authorities by a family friend, but the statute of limitations on any possible charges had expired.

Duggars parents said after the allegations resurfaced in 2015 that he had confessed to the fondling and apologized privately.

Duggar then apologized publicly for unspecified behavior and resigned as a lobbyist for the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian group.

Months later, he also publicly apologized for cheating on his wife and admitted to having a pornography addiction, for which he sought treatment.

The family has been criticized for their views on modesty and purity amid the scandals, including their opposition to using birth control.

Duggar's wife and family regularly visit him as he serves his sentence, sources have said.

During his child pornography trial, it was revealed that Duggar scoured the dark web for sick videos of little girls being tortured, humiliated and abused.

Graphic titles such as 'pedo mom,' 'play tot sweetie', 'Daisy's destruction' and 'ultra hard pedo pedofilia', left little to the imagination.

The warped cache was so disturbing that a seasoned FBI child exploitation investigator said it was 'in the top five of the worst of the worst that I've ever had to examine.'

At the time of the trial, defense lawyers contended that a former employee or hacker could have exploited Duggar's lax internet security to hijack his computer and remotely download the material without anyone knowing.
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Golden Bachelor winner Theresa Nist has been spotted enjoying a day at the beach in a racy low-cut swimsuit in New Jersey.

The 70-year-old reality TV star showed off her incredible figure in the white one-piece while appearing joyful and carefree despite currently navigating a very public divorce from co-star Gerry Turner.

Nist was one of the 22 older bachelorettes vying for the heart of The Golden Bachelor in season one, which aired late last year. She found love with 72-year-old restauranteur Turner, a fellow widow on the show.

In photographs exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, the star was seen laughing while splashing through the waves at the beach before embracing a gray-haired man wearing a white tank top and shades.

Golden Bachelor winner Theresa Nist has been spotted in a racy low-cut swimsuit enjoying a day at the beach in New Jersey

Nist recently revealed she's about to become a grandmother to a seventh grandchild, and after her ex Turner said he's still not ready to date six days after finalizing their divorce

Nist is seen running through the shallows, beaming while dashing about in the sand, in a swimsuit with cut-outs at the sides to accentuate her incredible figure.

She accessorized with simple silver jewelry - pearly necklaces, slim bangles, stud earrings and delicate rings. Nist was also seen having an earnest chat with her male companion while sitting on a beach towel a little distance away from his deckchair.

It comes as Nist recently revealed she's about to become a grandmother to a seventh grandchild, and after her ex Turner said he's still not ready to date six days after finalizing their divorce.

Their three-month marriage came after a five-month whirlwind romance sparked by their joint quest for love on the ABC dating show.

Nist had been married to her late husband, William Nist, for 42 years until his passing in 2014. Meanwhile Turner's wife of 43 years, Toni Turner, passed away in 2017.

The star was seen embracing a gray-haired man wearing a white tank top and shades

In photographs exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com, the star was seen laughing while splashing through the waves at the beach before embracing a gray-haired man wearing a white tank top and shades

Nist was also seen sitting on a towel a small distance away from her male companion on a deckchair while they conversed

The 70-year-old reality TV star showed off her incredible figure in the white one-piece while appearing joyful and carefree at the beach

No details of the settlement have emerged, however the paperwork indicates Turner, 72, paid just $157 in court fees when he first filed the divorce documents, and that they did not share any children together.

The former couple did have a prenuptial agreement in place, which likely led to the expedited resolution.

Turner filed for divorce from Nist on April 12 - the same day they announced their split following a three month marriage.

Gerry and Theresa, 70, announced the news of their split on Good Morning America in April, when they opened up about the reasons for their shock separation.

'Theresa and I have had a number of heart-to-heart conversations, and weve looked closely at our situation, our living situation, so forth and - and weve kind of come to the conclusion mutually that its probably time for us to - dissolve our marriage,' Gerry told host Juju Chang.

In divorce papers obtained by TMZ and filed by Turner that same day in his hometown of Petersburg, Indiana, the star cites an 'irretrievable breakdown' of the marriage as the reason for the split.

She accessorized with simple silver jewelry - pearly necklaces, slim bangles, stud earrings and delicate rings

Turner filed for divorce from Nist on April 12 - the same day they announced their split following a three month marriage

The 72-year-old reality star told TMZ on Wednesday that numerous eligible women have approached him in public spaces, such as wineries, and virtually, through Instagram DMs, where they've pass along their phone numbers (pictured Sunday)

In their interview Turner admitted that their decision to separate was motivated in large part by their 'dedication' to their respective families - hinting that this has made it incredibly difficult for them to decide on a place to settle down together.

Both Gerry, a retired restauranteur from Indiana, and Theresa, a securities professional from New Jersey, have kids from past relationships; he has two daughters and two granddaughters, while she has a son, daughter, and six grandsons.

'The thing that strikes me the most in our conversations, its been how dedicated both of us are to our families,' Gerry explained.

'So we look at these situations and I think we just feel like its best for the happiness of each of us to live apart.'

Last week, Turner told TMZ that numerous eligible women have approached him in public spaces, such as wineries, and virtually, through Instagram DMs, where they pass along their phone numbers.

Turner is flattered by the onslaught of bold female attention, but he hasn't spoken with anyone as he's reportedly 'cautious of women who reach out to him first.'

Turner told the outlet that whenever he's ready to date he'd prefer to meet someone 'organically' without dating apps, and they'll have to live somewhere nearby his $637K, 365-acre four-bedroom lakeside home in LaGrange County in Indiana.

Distance is particularly important to the former hot tub installer considering his quickie marriage to the 70-year-old financial services professional ended because she wanted to remain in New Jersey and he wanted to remain in the Hoosier State.

Nist was one of the 22 older bachelorettes vying for the heart of The Golden Bachelor in season one, which aired late last year. She found love with 72-year-old restauranteur Turner, a fellow widower on the show

The Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner said he's still not ready to date six days after finalizing his divorce from the winning contestant Theresa Nist following three months of wedded bliss (and eight months of knowing each other)

The former septuagenarian lovebirds - who had a prenup - never cashed in on their free honeymoon trip to Italy, but an Indiana judge signed off on both their dissolution of marriage and marital settlement agreement last Thursday - according to TMZ.

'We looked at homes in South Carolina, we considered New Jersey, and we just looked at homes after home,' Theresa explained on GMA on April 12.

'But we never got to the point where we made that decision [of cohabitating].'

Turner added: 'The thing that strikes me the most in our conversations, it's been how dedicated both of us are to our families. So we look at these situations and I think we just feel like it's best for the happiness of each of us to, to live apart.'

On May 14, Turner publicly congratulated his former contestant Joan Vassos - who quit The Golden Bachelor in week three due to a family emergency - on being named the first-ever Golden Bachelorette in an ABC spin-off airing this fall.

'You will be phenomenal as the new representative of a generation,' the former maintenance man - who boasts 156K Instagram followers - gushed.

'From one Golden to another... relax, breathe, and enjoy!'

The 61-year-old private school administrator replied: 'What a beautiful message from my fellow Golden. You have taught me so much about being open and vulnerable and how looking for love at this age can be dignified and fun. Thank you my friend for setting the stage for the rest of us Goldens and I'm open to advice!'

Gerry is flattered by the onslaught of bold female attention, but he hasn't spoken with anyone as he's reportedly 'cautious of women who reach out to him first' (pictured June 6)

Theresa explained on GMA on April 12: 'We looked at homes in South Carolina, we considered New Jersey, and we just looked at homes after home. But we never got to the point where we made that decision [of cohabitating]'

On May 14, Gerry publicly congratulated his former contestant Joan Vassos - who quit The Golden Bachelor in week three due to a family emergency - on being named the first-ever Golden Bachelorette in an ABC spin-off airing this fall

Turner gushed: 'You will be phenomenal as the new representative of a generation. From one Golden to another... relax, breathe, and enjoy!'

Turner was originally described as a retired restaurateur, but he reportedly sold his only Mr. Quick hamburger drive-in franchise way back in 1985.

On November 29, THR revealed Turner had a 10-month, live-in relationship with a woman between 2018-2019, but they split after he refused to bring her to his high school reunion because she 'gained 10lbs.'

Bachelor Nation fans are some of the most passionate and devoted, despite the horrible track record for couples remaining together on the various shows.

Out of the 28 prior seasons of The Bachelor, only four couples are still together including Sean and Catherine Lowe from season 17.

Out of 20 seasons of The Bachelorette, four couples remain together including Ryan and Trista Sutter from season one.

Surprisingly, Bachelor in Paradise is the most successful franchise with 10 couples remaining together after nine seasons.
Jodie Turner-Smith looked effortlessly chic in grey shorts as she sat front row at the Thom Browne couture show during Paris Fashion week on Monday.

The actress, 37, teamed the number with a white racer bodysuit, which boasted a grey striped tie and collar print on the front.

She put on a leggy display in a pair of quirky knee high white lace up boots and carried her belongings in a black handbag.

Jodie draped a long black and white checked coordinated boucle coat off her shoulders as she posed for photos.

The Anne Boleyn star wore a dramatic palette of makeup including a bold smokey winged eyeliner and tucked a pair of sunglasses into her shorts.

Jodie Turner-Smith looked effortlessly chic in grey shorts as she sat front row at the Thom Browne couture show during Paris Fashion week on Monday

The actress, 37, teamed the number with a white racer bodysuit which boasted a grey striped tie and collar print on the front

Jodie was also joined by Serena Williams, Anna Wintour and Will Pouter at the star-studded fashion show.

The star's outing comes shortly after she broke her silence on her ex-husband Joshua Jackson's new romance with Lupita Nyong'o.

Jodie filed for divorce in October last year, citing 'irreconcilable differences' after four years of marriage.

The two stars agreed to join custody of their daughter named Juno Rose Diana Jackson, four.

Sources told DailyMail.com at the time Joshua had been left 'heartbroken' over the split.

But, just weeks later, the Fringe actor, 45, confirmed his romance with Lupita, 40. They were photographed holding hands publicly.

Speaking out on Joshua's romance with Lupita for the first time, Jodie told The Cut on Friday: 'Good for them,' Jodie said. 'We need happiness in order to peacefully co-parent. I'm trying to get us to the Gwyneth [Paltrow] and Chris Martin level.'

'I truly hope they're happy and that it benefits us as a family,' The Acolyte starlet said, putting their daughter first.

She put on a leggy display in a pair of quirky knee high white lace up boots and carried her belongings in a black handbag

Jodie draped a long black and white checked coordinated boucle coat off her shoulders as she posed for photos

The Anne Boleyn star wore a dramatic palette of makeup including a bold smoky winged eyeliner as she posed with actor Will Pouter at the show

The Anne Boleyn actress went on to explain what co-parenting with Joshua is like and how she's adapted to life as a single mother.

'I just have to do everything that I can to set Juno up to win and to peacefully co-parent with someone whom I once loved very, very much,' she told the outlet.

'Peace is what's needed right now. Grace is what's needed right now. Love, empathy, compassion. I'm trying to be all those things and have faith that when I'm all those things, I will see that reflected back toward me,' she finished.

Joshua and Jodie were married from 2019 and split indefinitely in 2023, with him moving on with Lupita just weeks after the divorce filing at a Janelle Monae concert in L.A.

Two months later in December, it was confirmed that they were officially. Back in March, Joshua and Lupita were spotted sharing a passionate kiss during a getaway to Mexico.
Julie Chrisley has been given a chance at a reduced prison sentence after the courts ordered a resentencing for her bank fraud and tax evasion convictions.

Chrisley, 51, received a prison sentence of seven years when she was convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion in 2022, alongside her husband 'Chrisley Knows Best' star Todd Chrisley, who received a 12-year sentence.

But on Friday, despite upholding the convictions, a three-judge panel from the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals decided to reevaluate Julie's sentencing.

Initially, Julie was found responsible for the fraud scheme dating back to 2006, however, the judge has now ruled that there is no evidence of her involvement before 2007, partially exonerating her from the conspiracy, The Sun reported.

Julie's case will now return to a lower court for resentencing, providing an opportunity for a potentially reduced prison term for her punishment over what the appellate panel called a 'narrow issue.'

Julie Chrisley has been given a chance at a reduced prison sentence after the courts ordered a resentencing

Julie's case will now return to a lower court for resentencing, providing an opportunity for a potentially reduced prison term

Chrisley, 51, received a prison sentence of seven years when she was convicted of bank fraud and tax evasion in 2022, alongside her husband 'Chrisley Knows Best' star Todd Chrisley , who received a 12-year sentence

'We're pleased that the Court agreed that Julie's sentence was improper, but we're obviously disappointed that it rejected Todd's appeal,' Alex Little, an attorney for the couple, said in an email message to the AP.

He said the Chrisley family was 'hopeful for more good news in the future.'

The reality star couple was found guilty in July 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.

Todd was sentenced to 12 years and wife Julie was given seven years behind bars, heading off to prison in January 2023.

But on June 21, despite upholding the convictions, a three-judge panel from the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals decided to reevaluate Julie's sentencing

The stars rose to fame thanks to their USA reality show Chrisley Knows Best, which premiered in 2014 and documented their day-to-day lives alongside their children.

It went on for nine seasons before it was recently canceled amid the scandal.

The disgraced duo are parents to Savannah, 26; Lindsie, 34; Chase, 27; Grayson, 17; and estranged son Kyle, 32.

In the series, Todd and Julie worked hard to portray the image of devoted parents and devout Christians.

But they saw their picture-perfect on-screen images ripped apart when it was brought to light that they had scammed the bank by submitting fake documents when applying for loans.

Todd, 54, is currently fulfilling his sentence at FPC Pensacola and his wife Julie, 51, is behind bars at FMC Lexington, a prison in Kentucky; pictured 2019

In addition, Todd's former business partner Mark Braddock shocked the world when he claimed that he had a gay love affair with the father-of-five during the trial - further shattering the reality star's long-cultivated reputation.

Todd and Julie are serving out their time at two separate facilities.

Todd is currently incarcerated in Pensacola, Florida. Meanwhile, Julie is banged up in Lexington, Kentucky.

Savannah has become and advocate for better prison conditions after her father recently spoke out about the horrific conditions at his Florida prison.
Pregnant Georgia May Jagger displayed her growing baby bump as she shared a slew of adorable Instagram snaps on Monday.

The model, 32, whose parents are Mick Jagger, 80, and Jerry Hall, 67, announced last week she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Cambryan Sedlick as she shared her first bump picture on Instagram.

Georgia looked glowing and radiant in a red and black floral dress as she cradled her bump for a photo.

In one snap, Georgia struck a pose as she captured a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower during a recent trip to Paris.

Georgia was all smiles in her sweet round-up photo album as she enjoyed the first months of her pregnancy.

Pregnant Georgia May Jagger, 32, displayed her growing baby bump as she shared a slew of adorable Instagram snaps on Monday

Georgia looked glowing and radiant in a red and black floral dress as she cradled her bump for a photo

She captioned her post: 'This past month [hen and egg emoji]

A day after their announcement, the couple enjoyed a hike in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles as they were joined by their two dogs and Cambryan's friend.

Meanwhile her pro skater boyfriend Cambryan opted for some simple denim jeans, a blue T-shirt and Converse.

Georgia shared the happy news that she is expecting her first child as she took to social media with the caption: 'Patiently waiting for our new best friend @cambryans.'

Georgia looked incredible as she lifted up her blue vest top to reveal her tummy which she gently cradled.

Wearing jeans, a second image showed her playfully leaning against skateboarder Cambryan who was swinging from his garage door as she smiled while barefoot.

In another snap, the expectant parents shared a passionate kiss in a field, while Cambryan embraced her bump.

The happy couple were inundated with comments after she announced the news on social media.

In one snap, Georgia struck a pose as she captured a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower during a recent trip to Paris

Georgia was all smiles in her sweet round-up photo album as she enjoyed the first months of her pregnancy

Last week, Georgia announced the happy news that she is expecting her first child as she took to social media with the caption: 'Patiently waiting for our new best friend @cambryans'

Georgia announced the joyful news with a slew of bump snaps with boyfriend Cambryan Sedlick, gushing: 'Patiently waiting for our new best friend @cambryans'

Wearing jeans, a second image showed her playfully leaning against Cambryan who was swinging from his garage door as she smiled while barefoot

Georgia looked incredible as she lifted up her blue vest top to reveal her tummy which she gently cradled

In another snap, the expectant parents shared a passionate kiss in a field, while Cambryan embraced her bump

Georgia's famous friends flooded her comments to congratulate the pair after seeing the smitten pictures.

Her half-brother Lucas wrote: 'Georgieeeeee '

Uncle Chris Jagger also cheekily commented: 'Looking quite full already!!!'

Meadow Walker added: 'Angel'

Poppy Delevingne penned: 'Awwwww G may mama bear!!! LOVE these & love YOU so much. '

Georgia and Cambryan, who originates from Texas, were first linked in July 2021 and have been more than loved-up since.

She was previously in a relationship with restauranteur Louis Levy, 31, but the pair 'quietly split'.

'They loved living together in New York, but when Georgia decided to split her time between there and LA, it put a strain on the relationship that turned out to be too much,' a friend said at the time of their split.

The happy couple perched their stomach's up against one another

The happy couple were inundated with comments after she announced the news on social media

Georgia's famous parents Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall are preparing to welcome another grandchild following their daughters incredible news (pictured together in 2014)

Georgia's relationship with skateboarder Cambryan, from Texas, was first reported in July 2021

'Louis owns two restaurants in New York, so he has to be there. It's his home.'

Georgia quit Britain to move in with her then-boyfriend, Louis Levy, in the States.

She swapped London for New York in 2019, moving to the Big Apple to be with her restaurateur beau.
Emma Stone and her co-star Jesse Plemons seemed in good spirits as they attend their latest film screening of new film Kinds Of Kindness in London on Monday.

Emma looked chic in a smart blue shirt which she donned under an eye catching red V-neck jumper.

The actress, 35, put on a leggy display in a pair of black cropped trousers and a pair of stylish patent stilettos.

She styled her dark tresses in a neat up do and added a gold headband to complete her evening look.

Meanwhile Jesse cut a casual figure in a green T-shirt and long grey cardigan as he posed for photos at the event.

Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons seemed in good spirits as they attend their latest film screening of new film Kinds Of Kindness in London on Monday

Emma looked chic in a smart blue shirt which she donned under an eye catching red V-neck jumper

The Breaking Bad actor, 36, completed his outfit with a pair of beige trousers and tan boat shoes.

The pair seemed in high spirits as they posed for photos on the red carpet ahead of the screening.

Kinds Of Kindness, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

The absurdist black comedy anthology film marks Emma's third feature-length collaboration with Greek filmmaker Yorgos, 50.

The film is described as 'triptych fable, following 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'.

Kinds Of Kindness also stars Willem Defoe, Hunter Schafer, and Taylor Swift's ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn.

The film follows Emma and Yorgos multiple Academy Award-winning effort Poor Things in 2023.

On Friday, Emma made a stop at the NBC Studios for an appearance on Today.

The actress, 35, put on a leggy display in a pair of black cropped trousers and a pair of stylish patent stilettos

She styled her dark tresses in a neat up do and added a gold headband to complete her evening look

Meanwhile Jesse cut a casual figure in a green T-shirt and long grey cardigan as he posed for photos at the event

Kinds Of Kindness, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May

She 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.'

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 former Spider-Man 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!'

Kinds Of Kindness premiered on Friday in select cinemas.
Too Hot To Handle's Emily Miller has revealed her baby son Reggie's birth was a 'living nightmare' after welcoming the tot last week.

The reality TV, 29, explained how the stressful and prolonged labour had resulted in her suffering a panic before being rushed to surgery for an emergency C Section.

Emily and boyfriend Cam Holmes, who first met on the 2020 series, revealed they'd welcomed their first child on Thursday, two years after suffering an ectopic pregnancy.

Now taking to Instagram the new mum shared a montage of videos from the hospital that documented labour as well as the adorable moment the doting parents first met the newborn.

Emily penned: 'After a long, painful 32 hours of labour. 2 failed epidurals. A CSE. My waters manually broken, a panic attack and emergency C section later'

Too Hot To Handle 's Emily Miller has revealed her baby son Reggie's birth was a 'living nightmare' after welcoming the tot last week (pictured with boyfriend Cam Holmes)

The reality TV explained how the stressful and prolonged labour had resulted in her suffering a panic before being rushed to surgery for an emergency C Section

Emily and boyfriend Cam Holmes, who first met on the 2020 series, revealed they'd welcomed their first child on Thursday, two years after suffering an ectopic pregnancy

'My birth story was far from how I ever dreamt. In fact it was a total living nightmare. Something Ill go into more detail about another time'.

Before adding: 'To Cam. The best birthing partner I could have asked for. I honestly wouldnt have got through it without you and seeing you in your Dad role makes my heart hurt.

When announcing the news she shared an adorable snap and wrote: 'Reggie Ruston Miller-Holmes 20.06.2024'

Emily previously told how they had planned to name their son after her Grandad, after he sadly passed away.

In June, Emily shared a raw and honest paragraph alongside a slew of snaps, describing her past trauma as she marked two years since she suffered an ectopic pregnancy.

She wrote: 'Its a bitter sweet feeling today which marks 2 years since my ectopic pregnancy.

'My due date is only a week away but I had always secretly thought how weird it would be if I gave birth on the exact day. But Im now glad that wasnt the case as they both deserve their special day.'

An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilised egg implants itself outside of the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes.

Now taking to Instagram the new mum shared a montage of videos from the hospital that documented labour

As well as the adorable moment the doting parents first met the newborn

Emily was overcome with emotion when she was handed baby Reggie

Cam sweetly held his son's hand, with Emily later gushing what a great father figure he had been already

Emily penned: ' After a long, painful 32 hours of labour. 2 failed epidurals. A CSE. My waters manually broken, a panic attack and emergency C section later'

The fallopian tubes are the tubes connecting the ovaries to the womb. If an egg gets stuck in them, it won't develop into a baby and your health may be at risk if the pregnancy continues.

Unfortunately, it's not possible to save the pregnancy. It usually has to be removed using medicine or an operation.

She added: 'I lost my little Twix [dog] a month before I found out I was pregnant which is ironic in itself because Twix hated babies and children and I always said I would never be able to have a child with Twixxy being my number 1 baby as it just wouldnt work.'

Emily continued: 'Fast forward a few months I then lost my wee Nan. This too is ironic because the reason I got Twix was that he was my grandads dying wish for me.

When announcing the news she shared an adorable snap and wrote: 'Reggie Ruston Miller-Holmes 20.06.2024'

Emily and Cam pictured together last month

Alongside an adorable photo of their newborn son, she announced he was called Reggie, after her late Grandad

'Expect he was supposed to be a white Siberian cat. Not a stray dog from Batterseabut thats another story.

'Long story short- I always felt my grandads presence in Twix. My Nan and Twix had this incredible bond and I dont know why but I just alwayssss knew that they would cross over at the same time.

'And would you believe it - as my Nan got sicker with Dementia and Twix got older neither of them were giving up until eventually it was only a few months apart when they both died.

'Anyway to cut to the point Ive never been hugely into spirituality but I do feel like this has all been linked together and to top it off we are calling our son after my Grandad which Cam & I decided way before my nans death.

'Its crazy how our mind and body recovers so quickly from trauma when its replaced with love and hope.'

The couple revealed they were expecting their baby boy in January

In June, Emily shared a raw and honest paragraph alongside a slew of snaps, describing her past trauma as she marked two years since she suffered an ectopic pregnancy

She wrote: 'My due date is only a week away but I had always secretly thought how weird it would be if I gave birth on the exact day' (pictured last month)

She added: 'I lost my little Twix [dog] a month before I found out I was pregnant which is ironic in itself because Twix hated babies and children and I always said I would never be able to have a child with Twixxy being my number 1 baby as it just wouldnt work'

'Fast forward a few months I then lost my wee Nan. This too is ironic because the reason I got Twix was that he was my grandads dying wish for me', she added

'I always felt my grandads presence in Twix. My Nan and Twix had this incredible bond and I dont know why but I just always knew that they would cross over at the same time', she said

'Ive never been hugely into spirituality but I do feel like this has all been linked together and to top it off we are calling our son after my Grandad', she continued

In June 2022 Emily revealed she suffered an ectopic pregnancy, after finding out she was pregnant a few weeks before.

She detailed the tragic news in a lengthy post to Instagram, telling followers that she 'collapsed in pain' and was rushed to hospital.

Emily detailed that she was 'extremely emotional' after the surgery and suffered a panic attack, adding that despite the physical pain, 'mentally it was even harder.'

The television personality explained that despite the 'shock' pregnancy she was 'quite excited' before being admitted to A&E with stomach pain.

Alongside a photo for her hospital bed, Emily penned: 'So a few weeks ago I discovered I was pregnant. Although it was a shock it was something I was also quite excited about.

'Its crazy how our mind and body recovers so quickly from trauma when its replaced with love and hope', she added

In June 2022 Emily revealed she suffered an ectopic pregnancy, after finding out she was pregnant a few weeks before

'However on Tuesday. I collapsed whilst being at the shops. I cannot even describe to you the pain- it felt like my whole stomach was collapsing and was quickly rushed to hospital. I waited in A&E until 3pm the next day, when I finally got my scan.'

She continued: 'As I laid on the table squeezing Cams hand the 2 nurses were so silent. I asked if everything is ok and she replied 'I'm just going to get my colleague for a second opinion' as the 3 nurses gathered round it was then they confirmed I had something called an ectopic pregnancy.

'For those who haven't heard of this (like me) it's basically where the fetus gets stuck and grows in your Fallopian tube which is fatal and if I had left it much longer my Fallopian tube would of burst.

'It's one of those things you just think will never happen to you. I was just so scared. Not only was I about to lose my baby but I was about to have my Fallopian tube removed with the potential of my ovary too.

'All I wanted to do was speak to my mum and I'm pretty sure I scared all the poor women in that waiting room with my crying.'
She was a hair's breadth from death when, aged 26, the helicopter she was travelling in span out of control and crashed in an Oxfordshire field.

Ever since then, the life of Marks & Spencer heiress Rebecca Sieff has been defined by extravagant swings of fortune, with moments of triumph, like marrying Simon Howard at his family seat, the unsurpassable Castle Howard  backdrop for both Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton  alternating with setbacks, none bleaker than Simon's death at a time when he was unfit to challenge grievous charges against him in court.

Now, I can disclose, two years after Simon succumbed to an overdose of insulin while in hospital, Rebecca appears ready for a new romantic chapter.

A sultry beauty blessed with what admirers call the 'wow' factor, she has had an electrifying effect on men for decades  as Simon discovered towards the end of his childless, 16-year marriage to Anette, known as 'Scruff'.

Marks & Spencer heiress Rebecca Sieff has been defined by extravagant swings of fortune

Now, I can disclose, two years after Simon succumbed to an overdose of insulin while in hospital, Rebecca appears ready for a new romantic chapter

Simon Howard and his wife Rebecca in their stately home of Castle Howard

And, at 57, her powers remain undimmed. She is, I'm told, enjoying the company of Patrick Waterfield, 65, a businessman whom an acquaintance playfully describes as 'a bit of an old roue'.

Friends are intrigued. 'He's a real old school, quintessential English kind of bloke,' a chum tells me.

'Red trousers, Gucci loafers and probably used to spend a lot of time in Brinkley's [the Chelsea watering hole]. He's the sort of Englishman who thinks it's cool to wear clothes with holes in them.'

Waterfield, who has three adult daughters by his marriage to baronet's daughter Nadia Stewart-Clark, cannot lay claim to anything like Castle Howard or the 10,000 acres that surround it  or even to something on the more modest scale of Welham Hall, the manor house to which Simon and Rebecca moved when Simon was dislodged as Castle Howard's custodian by his older brother Nick in 2014.

It was a blow which Rebecca, great-great-granddaughter of M&S founder Michael Marks, arguably felt even more keenly than Simon, with whom she'd had twins, Merlin and Octavia.

Simon Howard and his wife Rebecca pictured outside their former stately home Castle Howard in North Yorkshire, which they left in 2015

Castle Howard as it appeared in Brideshead Revisited

An aerial drone landscape of the castle Howard estate in 2020

'Whenever I drive past Castle Howard now, a shudder goes through me, as though someone were walking over my grave,' said Rebecca, three years later.

She'd been bitterly wounded by a magazine article which appeared a year after her marriage to Simon in 2001. It was headed: 'The Woman Who Set Out to Marry a House.'

But her love for Simon was plain in his final, troubled years. He suffered a brain haemorrhage after falling down stairs and was too ill to attend court where he was found guilty, 'on the facts', of sexually assaulting a girl in 1984.

Rebecca said that, had he been able to defend himself, she had 'no doubts at all' that the outcome would have been different.

Waterfield tells me: 'It's early days, but we're very happy.'
Confessions Of A Teenage Fraudster (BBC One)

Rating:

Who do you trust more for advice on life insurance, a Scot or a Cockney? The correct answer, of course, is - never trust an insurance salesman.

All over the UK, though, we tend to feel more reassured by the Scottish accent. Its something to do with the reputation folk have north of the border for being careful with their money. Thats why so many financial service companies have call centres in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Professional thief Elliot Castro regarded his Aberdonian accent as his superpower. It still seems to be working well for him, because the three-part documentary Confessions Of A Teenage Fraudster gives him the easiest of rides - always accepting him at his own estimation as a working-class trickster who used his wits to help himself to a millionaire lifestyle.

Professional thief Elliot Castro (pictured) regarded his Aberdonian accent as his superpower. It still seems to be working well for him, because the three-part documentary Confessions Of A Teenage Fraudster gives him the easiest of rides

Christopher Stevens said: 'Consisting mostly of interviews with Castro and a handful of ex-detectives who arrested him at one time or another, this programme would have been far stronger if wed heard from anyone whose identity he stole'

In his teens during the 1990s, working as a phone salesman, Castro perfected a patter that coaxed buyers into disclosing all their bank details, including their passwords. Then he obtained credit cards in their names. When that scam faltered, he turned to chatting up men in Manchesters gay bars and stealing their wallets. If I found one, he said, I was off-ski.

Calling him a fraudster gives him too much credit (something he was always expert in obtaining). He was just a slimy thief.

I find it difficult to feel sorry for the banks, he shrugs now, 20 years after turning his back on crime. I knew what I was doing was wrong but I was of the mind that people got their money back and it didnt really matter.

All of us indirectly funded his sprees, of course, because the banks pass on the increased security costs. Toerags like Castro are robbing anyone who ever has a credit card, a loan or a savings account... in other words, everyone.

Far from being victimless, his crimes have the widest possible impact. As he grudgingly acknowledged, after more than two hours of revelling in his exploits, being targeted by a card fraudster can be deeply upsetting  even if the stolen money is eventually refunded.

In his teens during the 1990s, working as a phone salesman, Castro perfected a patter that coaxed buyers into disclosing all their bank details, including their passwords

Having your pocket picked can also be a distressing experience, one that leaves people bitter and mistrustful. Certainly, I am regretful if I ever caused anyone any sort of personal stress with what I did, he claimed, sounding like hed never lost one moments sleep over it.

Consisting mostly of interviews with Castro and a handful of ex-detectives who arrested him at one time or another, this programme would have been far stronger if wed heard from anyone whose identity he stole.

Getting a bill for 10,000 you havent spent, or losing all your cards and cash on a night out, isnt something anyone forgets in a hurry. There must be many stories about Elliot Castro that this documentary didnt bother to discover. Instead, we had endless tales of designer shopping trips and champagne bar raves. Even scummy thieves can be celebrities these days.
Andy Lee has revealed one unexpected change in his relationship since he proposed to Rebecca Harding.

The Aussie comedian, 43, popped the question to his longtime partner in April after 10 years of dating, sharing their exciting news to Instagram.

Now, Andy has opened up about the unexpected way the proposal has changed his relationship with Rebecca as he gushed over their union.

'You kind of don't realise the lift in energy [a proposal] will give a relationship so we're having a ball at the moment,' Andy told Nine.

'I didn't think that that would happen.'

Andy Lee has revealed one unexpected change in his relationship since he proposed to longtime partner Rebecca Harding (both pictured)

Andy popped the question at the Ravenswood property he and Rebecca are currently renovating, taking his partner completely by surprise.

The radio host revealed he hadn't told anybody about his plans to get down on one knee before he popped the question.

'Everyone on the day was saying, "Oh my god, how exciting", but I had the run up, so it's funny for the proposer, they're never quite on the same energy, but it's been pretty exciting.'

Amid the excitement, Andy recently revealed that Rebecca has had two 'near misses' with her glitzy diamond ring since he popped the question.

The media personality told how the ring was too big and had to be resized after Rebecca nearly lost the precious jewel on two occasions.

The Aussie comedian, 43, revealed that the proposal has 'lifted' the energy in their relationship

'Two points where it came off, first one at my sister's place. It's come off while she's very excited explaining what's happened. It's flung off,' he said on on LiSTNR's Hamish & Andy podcast.

'She felt it come off. We all watched it in slow motion in the air. Our dog [Henri] loves eating anything that hits the ground. It hit the ground,' he continued.

'It's jingling along and Fred, my nephew, slid in on his chest and beat Henri to the ring.'

The radio host revealed he hadn't told anybody about his plans to get down on one knee before he popped the question, shocking their family and friends

He went on to reveal that she then had another mishap where she nearly lost the diamond ring in the toilet and had to fish it out.

'We'd been celebrating again and we got home. Bec's gone to the toilet. I've heard, clink, clink, clink. "Oh no, Andy",' he admitted.

'She said I'm never allowed to tell this story, but it's been a month. I get in there, it's in the toilet. She's dropped the ring in the toilet. Just number ones.'

Andy announced he popped the question to Rebecca on his Hamish and Andy podcast on May 1, following ten years of dating.

Andy announced he popped the question to Rebecca on his Hamish and Andy podcast on May 1, following ten years of dating, and shared snaps of the proposal to Instagram

Speaking with his podcast co-host Hamish Blake, Andy shared intimate details of his proposal, before inviting his fiancee on the show.

Rebecca also shared an update to her Instagram account while showing off the stunning diamond engagement ring.

'People keep saying we've rushed into this but we don't care what people say!' she wrote, poking fun at the years of speculation surrounding their engagement.

Andy and Rebecca met in 2014 at a Melbourne cafe where she was working as a waitress. They went public with their relationship at the 2015 Australian Open.
State-owned Bank of Baroda is aiming to double its in-house technology team headcount to 3,000 in the next two years, a top official has said.

The new additions to the current team strength of 1,500 employees will be done both through the regular hiring processes and lateral hires of specialist talent, Debadatta Chand, its managing director and chief executive officer told PTI recently.

In the next two years, we will double the number of people in our IT team, Chand said after the announcement of its March quarter earnings.

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India has taken stringent action on banks for shortfalls in technology architecture which impacted the ability to execute transactions.

Apart from the 1,500 in-house workers, there are also contractual employees engaged by the bank in the IT function, Chand said.

The bank is wanting to hire contemporary talent as part of the efforts to significantly up its strength of IT professionals, he said.

The lateral talent will be across any grade, depending on the requirement and a candidates experience, he said.

He also said that a generative artificial intelligence-based platform will soon be going live for customers wherein a slew of services could be availed in an interactive way.

Chand said that the bank has been spending aggressively on the technology front, including around Rs 2,000 crore investments on infrastructure alone, and will up the spends as the area comes under increased focus going ahead.

In FY24, the bank had a budget of Rs 743 crore on technology and the IT spend stood at Rs 453 crore, as per management commentary.

The bank is targeting to open 60 new branches during the fiscal year 2024-25.

In FY25, the bank will be targeting a credit growth of 12-14 per cent, backing it up with a deposit growth of 10-12 per cent and aspires to keep the NIMs at 3.15 per cent, Chand said.
In a bid to boost Indias e-commerce exports, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is working with the Department of Revenue to establish designated e-commerce hubs across the country to streamline the process for online export shipments.

The countrys e-commerce exports currently stand at USD 2 billion as compared to Chinas staggering USD 350 billion, according to industry sources.

The government aims at bridging the gap by establishing a supportive e-commerce ecosystem, they said. A lot of streamlining is required in this regard. We are working with the Department of Revenue to have designated e-commerce hubs so that clearance of goods happens fast, Director General of Foreign Trade Santosh Kumar Sarangi told PTI.

He said these hubs will have facilities like dedicated customs and security checks, allowing cleared parcels to proceed through a green channel at airports, eliminating the need for further inspections.

This approach mirrors best practices observed in other countries, Sarangi said.

He also pointed out that the e-commerce hubs will be built and maintained by private entities, while the government will oversee security and customs clearances.
Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services provider Haveus Aerotech India plans to open new facilities in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai in the coming months as part of its expansion plans, a top company official has said. The company also looks to hire 350 persons to increase its headcount to around 500 employees from around 150 workers, at present, in the coming years.

The New Delhi-based MRO player recently announced the appointment of veteran aviation expert and former Air India Engineering Services chief HR Jagannath on its board as director. Haveus Aerotech plans a major expansion of its capabilities and facilities in different parts of India, its MD and CEO Anshul Bhargava told PTI.

Some of the new upcoming facilities to be established are in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai in a few months.

We will increase our workforce to around 500 employees in coming years with the expansion of our facilities, Bhargava said.

The New Delhi-based company has recorded a nearly three-fold jump in net profit to Rs 15.69 crore in 2023-24 compared to Rs 5.68 crore in the year-ago period.

Its revenue increased to Rs 45.22 crore in FY2023-24. Also, the company saw its ROI increase to 61 per cent during the same period.

The MRO services provider said it is seeing a surge in the customer base while discussions with various new customers are at the final stages. Haveus Aerotech CFO Rajendra Kumar Singh said, The company has shown remarkable growth during the last couple of years, and we are committed to following the trend in future also.
Despite global scrutiny, the systemic corruption persists, raising questions about the future of India's democracy and its socio-political landscape

A few days ago, an old American acquaintance happened to be passing through Delhi en route to Calcutta. He was all praise for the noticeable progress India has made in the last ten years, which was admirable by any standards, he admitted. But he was nonplussed at how the same Indians tolerate so much corruption, so widely advertised and widespread. He had learnt that some chief ministers were currently in jail. What amazes people in the US, he told me, is how good Indian folks are willing to tolerate this scale of misconduct that draws much negative publicity the world over.

Some years ago, Japan had a prime minister who had to go to jail. But the Japanese were highly embarrassed and there has been no repetition of it, as far as we know. What my American acquaintance was laying stress upon is that there appears to be no shame or embarrassment due to the continual coverage of this phenomenon.

It isn't as if there is no corruption elsewhere in the world. Former US President and again the challenger for the Presidency in 2024, Donald Trump has been convicted of felony by a New York court. This is a crime more serious than misdemeanour. A couple of days ago, Hunter Biden, son of the incumbent President Joe Biden has been found guilty of concealing facts about his use of drugs. India's record in not only tolerating, but also rewarding tainted chief ministers and politicians is highly 'illustrious'.

Lalu Prasad Yadav, former chief minister of Bihar, was convicted and jailed for defalcation of Rs.600 crores from the state budget meant for cattle fodder, in a country whose people worship the cow. The late Jayalalitha, former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, once a shining star of the silver screen, too had to go to jail owing to corruption. Lately, chief ministers like Shibu Soren of Jharkhand and Arvind Kejriwal of Delhi are behind bars for their involvement in corruption scams running into thousands of crores of rupees. Did they need the money for their survival, running their regimes or for fighting elections? Certainly not. They were obviously driven by greed. What is amazing is all these individuals are so blase as they have done nothing wrong at all.

I have, over the years, had the opportunity to meet punished thieves and criminals. Some protested to me that they had been 'over-punished', but did not in the least look embarrassed, nor said they wished they hadn't done what they did. Such people also boldly contest elections again and again, campaign enthusiastically, and often win with thumping majority. The message is that they voters did not disapprove in the least.

What do sociologists have to say about this phenomenon? Most voters are people who are likely to be honest, or at least expect honesty from others in their own lives, but happily tolerate their leaders pocketing public money on a large scale. Doesn't it occur to them that some of that money is their own hard-earned wealth?

The late Indira Gandhi had justified corruption by declaring it to be a "global phenomenon" and asking, "Which country is free of corruption?" Many a politician of her time took this to be a signal of approval for gorging on public money unhindered. Her elder son, when he was Prime Minister, was involved in a major corruption scandal over the purchase of Bofors artillery gun. Dr. Manmohan's Singh's regime was littered with mega scams of corruption throughout its ten years in office. Corruption and endless appeasement of a particular religious minority.

If any of his ministers were convicted or had to go to jail, Singh's defence was that they were coalition partners and not of his party. What could he therefore do?

That apart, he had no qualms in publicly declaring that Muslims must have first claim on the country's resources and that 15 per cent of resources would be allotted to them by default. While this may not fall in the category of corruption, it does amount to moral turpitude.

What does this portend for the future of democracy, especially in India? For the last ten years, India has been fortunate to be ruled by a Prime Minister who has been unrelenting and uncompromising in his crusade against corruption, most articulately defined by his own maxim, "Na Khaoonga Na Khane Doonga" (I won't steal nor allow others to).

His measures and steps, beginning from demonetization, exposing and extinguishing fake shell companies, non-existent NGOs, streamlining of the country's tax system through GST, harshness against corrupt politicians and officials including sending them to jail have made him an admired global leader.

It is no coincidence that India has become the world's fifth largest economy and is poised to become the third largest; this is directly related to Modi's unrelenting and uncompromising war on corruption. But it is also true that a segment of the people, used to the entrenched, corrupt ways of earlier regimes, making money without effort, and enjoying office or power without any accountability or fear of punishment, and suddenly forced to confront a world they don't like, might have suffered and felt aggrieved. The BJP losing seats in this election is a reflection of that as well.

(The writer is a well-known columnist, an author and a former member of the Rajya Sabha. The views expressed are personal)
INS Sunayna concluded its visit to Port Louis, Mauritius, on June 22, Indian Navy said here on Monday. The two - day visit witnessed participation of Indian Navy and Mauritius National Coast Guard personnel during the Joint Yoga Session on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga.

During the ships visit, Commanding Officer of INS Sunayna Commander Prabhat Ranjan Mishra called on the Indian High Commissioner Nandini Singla, and the Commissioner of Police, MPF Anil Kumar Dip.

The interaction highlighted operational engagement and confidence - building measures on various aspects of maritime security.

The ship crew took part in a friendly volleyball match with Mauritius National Coast Guard (MNCG) personnel. In an outreach programme held at Gayasingh Ashram at Port Louis, medical screening of elderly and distribution of provisions were undertaken extending a helping hand to the community. The ship, which was open to visitors, saw more than 200 guests onboard.

Post departure from Port Louis, INS Sunayna proceeded on next phase of joint EEZ surveillance of Mauritius. Sea riders from MNCG embarked onboard ship for training exchanges.
BJP president and Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has been named Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha. Nadda replaces Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who recently won the Lok Sabha election and took oath on Monday as a member of the Lok Sabha.

Earlier this month, Nadda took over the office of the Union Health Ministry. He was also assigned the Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha. After he took an oath as Union Minister, it was expected that he would step down from the post of BJP's national president.

Nadda took over from the current Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, in 2020.

Besides Nadda, 11 other members of the Upper House of Parliament are in the Union Council of Ministers. Congratulating Nadda, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh urged him to accommodate the views of the opposition in the House. "Greetings to J P Nadda ji on his being nominated as the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha. As Venkaiah Naidu garu might have said -- if the Leader of the House can accommodate, the Opposition can cooperate," he posted on 'X'.

Meanwhile, the BJP on Monday said it will launch a nationwide programme on the 1975 Emergency to "expose" the Congress' "authoritarianism" and its disregard for the Constitution. BJP president JP Nadda will address the main event, titled "Dark Days of Democracy", at its headquarters on Tuesday, the party's chief spokesperson Anil Baluni said in a statement. According to Article 352 of the Constitution, the president can proclaim an Emergency if there is a grave threat to the security of the country -- whether by war or external aggression or armed rebellion.

Baluni said, "The Emergency stands as an unforgettable dark chapter in India's robust democracy. The then-prime minister Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency on the nation on June 25, 1975, marking a severe curtailment of democratic freedoms." Over the next 21 months, the then-Congress government held the country's democracy and the Constitution "captive, unleashing countless atrocities on the people, media and opposition leaders", he said. Baluni said BJP leaders, officebearers and karyakartas will participate in the programmes across the country "to protest" against the imposition of the Emergency in 1975.

"They will expose how the Congress strangled the Constitution, deprived citizens of their rights, committed atrocities against opposition leaders for 21 months, suppressed the media, silenced truth-tellers, undermined India's democratic integrity and oppressed people under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and Defence of India Rules (DIR)," he added.
Amid strained diplomatic ties between the two countries, India has termed frequent glorification of militancy in Canada as "deplorable," and emphasised that no Government in the world should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains.

Last week, India strongly objected to the Canadian Parliament observing a "one-minute silence" in memory of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was gunned down in British Columbia in June last year.

In a statement on the 39th anniversary of the 1985 Kanishka bombing, in which 329 persons, most of them Canadians of Indian descent, on board an Air India flight lost their lives, the Indian High Commission in Ottawa said that terrorism knows "no borders, nationality, or race".

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, including 86 children.

The bombing was blamed on Sikh militants in retaliation to 'Operation Bluestar' to flush out militants from the Golden Temple in 1984.

The Indian High Commission in Ottawa and the consulates of India in Toronto and Vancouver organised memorial services on Sunday and solemnly remembered the victims of the "dastardly act of terror" in 1985.

Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma said, "No Government in the world should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains."

"Human lives are much more important than the transitory political interests. All terrorist activities should be met with exemplary legal and social actions before they start harming the larger humanity," he said.

"Governments, security agencies, and international organisations must work in concert to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their financing, and counter their twisted ideologies," he added.

The memorial services were held at a time when relations between Canada and India are under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September last year of "potential" involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar's killing. New Delhi rejected Trudeau's charges as "absurd" and "motivated".

Earlier, in a statement, the Indian High Commission said it was "unfortunate" that such actions are allowed to be "routine" on many occasions here when it should be condemned by all peace-loving countries and people.

"While thirty-nine years have passed since the cowardly act, terrorism has unfortunately assumed proportions of an existential threat to international peace and security today," the Indian High Commission's statement said.

"Any act of glorifying terrorism, including the bombing of Al-182 in 1985, is deplorable and should be condemned by all peace-loving countries and people," it said. "It is unfortunate that such actions are allowed to be routine on many occasions in Canada," it added.

India also insisted on Friday that the Canadian authorities must take action against those advocating violence and carrying out an anti-India campaign in Canada.

India lodged a strong protest with Canada on Thursday over Khalistani extremists holding a so-called "citizens court" and burning an effigy of the Indian Prime Minister outside the Indian Consulate in Vancouver.

Asserting that terrorism knows "no borders, nationality, or race" and it is a challenge that the international community needs to combat collectively, the Indian mission here said that over the years, India has led from the front campaign to counter terrorism with support from like-minded countries.

Terming the Kanishka bombing "the worst ever in Canadian aviation history to date", the Indian mission said that the incident will remain an "unbearable loss" not only for the victims' families but also for humanity as a whole. "The perpetrators and the co-conspirators of this dastardly act remain free," it said.

Quoting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the statement said, "...Nor must we countenance that political convenience determines responses to terrorism, extremism and violence. Similarly, respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs cannot be exercised in cherry picking."

It called the spirit of the minister's statement from his speech at the United Nations General Assembly last year the "best tribute" to the victims of Air India Flight 182 bombing.

The Indian mission in Toronto also marked the day. "Consul General Siddhartha Nath laid a wreath at the Air India 182 memorial, Humber Park, Etobicoke, in solemn remembrance of the 329 victims of the terrorist bombing of AI 182 on this day, 39 years ago," the Consulate General of India in Toronto posted on social media with a photograph.

In another post, the mission said the Consul General also attended the memorial service held at Queen's Park Toronto for the victims and met with the bereaved families.

The Indian mission in Vancouver also held a memorial service.

"The CG @Masarung paid homage to the victims of Air India flight 182 Kanishka in Vancouver," it said in a post by X.

"The flight was brought down in a dastardly terrorist attack. Family members and friends of the victims, BC Ministers, MP, MLAs & city officials attended the solemn occasion," it said.

India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Ottawa giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity.
A day after the Government said it anticipated a cordial Special Session of Parliament during which the members will also take oath as MPs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave ammunitions to the Congress-led Opposition members by raking up the Emergency chord on Monday.

Modi took a swipe at the Congress over the imposition of Emergency in 1975, calling it a "black spot" on democracy when the Constitution was "discarded" while the Opposition termed the Modi regime as an undeclared Emergency as well as Education Emergency given the series of exam paper leaks.

While Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had appealed for a cordial Session, Congress had asked the Minister to walk the talk on Sunday.

Modi said people have given his Government mandate for a third consecutive term and have put a stamp of approval on its policies and intentions.

He also said the 18th Lok Sabha begins on Monday with a resolve of building a 'Shreshtha Bharat' and 'Viksit Bharat'.

Addressing the media in Parliament complex at the beginning of the first Session of the new Lok Sabha, the PM asserted that his Government will take everyone along in fulfilling the aspirations of the people.

Modi also noted that Emergency's 50th anniversary falls on June 25, and described it as a "black spot" on India's democracy when Constitution was discarded.

Welcoming new MPs, he said the 18th Lok Sabha commences with a dream of building a developed India by 2047. People expect good steps from the Opposition but it has been disappointing so far, he said while expressing hope that it will fulfil its role and maintain democracy's decorum.

India needs a responsible Opposition and people want substance not slogans. They want debate, diligence not disturbance in Parliament, he said in a jibe at the Opposition.

The Prime Minister noted that 65 crore voters participated in the just-held parliamentary elections and it was for the second time since Independence that a Government was chosen for a third consecutive term. The occasion came after 60 years, he said

Amid a row over alleged irregularities in competitive exams, Opposition MPs said on the first day of the 18th Lok Sabha that the Government will have to answer on the controversy in Parliament.

Several newly-elected members who took oath in the Lok Sabha said the government is not considering the hardship of students who are feeling stuck in limbo.

As Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan proceeded to take his oath, members of the opposition raised "NEET, NEET" slogans, as the controversy over alleged irregularities in competitive exams, including the medical entrance exam National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) and the the University Grants CommissionNational Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) continues to rage.

Modi and members of his Council of Ministers, including Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, took the oath as members of the 18th Lok Sabha.

Modi took the oath in Hindi amid slogans of "Jai Shri Ram" raised by members of the treasury benches.

While he was taking the oath, opposition members rose to their feet, holding copies of the Constitution. When Shah came to take the oath, they again held up the copies of the Constitution but remained seated.

Among the Council of Ministers, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are members of the Rajya Sabha, while ministers of state George Kurian and Ravneet Singh are not members of either House.

Besides Rajnath Singh and Shah, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari also took the oath as members of the 18th Lok Sabha.

Senior members Radha Mohan Singh and Faggan Singh Kulaste (both from the BJP), who will assist the pro-tem speaker in administering the oath to the newly elected MPs, were sworn in as members of the new House.

They will help pro-tem speaker B Mahtab run the House when the members take the oath on Monday and Tuesday.

Congress members K Suresh (Congress), T R Baalu (DMK) and Sudip Bandyopadhyay (TMC), who were called to take oath as they were also appointed as panel of chairpersons like Singh and Kulaste, did not turn up.

The Congress has taken objection to Mahtab's appointment, contending that the claim of eight-term member Suresh, a Dalit leader, was overlooked. The INDIA bloc has said opposition leaders Suresh, Baalu and Bandopadhyay would not join the panel of chairpersons as a mark of protest.

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi and Minister for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh also took the oath as members of the new Lok Sabha.
The first day of third tenure of Narendra Modi regime began with protests as Congress led INDIA Bloc MPs gathered in the Parliament complex on Monday a holding copies of the Constitution and raising slogans on "saving democracy".

Opposition leaders also hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "Emergency" remark on questioning his Government's style of functioning and saying that it needs to focus on present issues.

Top leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, his predecessor Sonia Gandhi, party leader Rahul Gandhi, Trinamool Congress' Sudip Bandyopadhyay, DMK's TR Baalu, Samajwadi Partys Akhilesh Yadav among others assembled at the spot where the Gandhi statue once stood in the Parliament complex.

They raised slogans such as "long live Constitution", "we will save Constitution", "save our democracy".

Rahul Gandhi said they would not allow the Constitution to be "attacked" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. "This attack is not acceptable to us and that is why we held the Constitution and took oath," he said.

"Our message is reaching the public and no power can touch the Constitution of India and we will protect it," Rahul added.

Congress general secretary and member of Rajya Sabha KC Venugopal said the INDIA Bloc leaders entered the 18th Lok Sabha with Mahatma Gandhi's blessings.

The Gandhi statue, which was a popular protest site for MPs, was recently relocated along with 14 other statues that dotted the complex to a new spot named Prerna Sthal.

Several Opposition parties have claimed that the mandate of 2024 Lok Sabha elections was against the ruling BJP, even though it was able to form the government with support of other parties.

The INDIA Bloc has also claimed that the results show that the people have backed the opposition parties to "save the Constitution".

Reacting to the Emergency remarks, Congress said Modi had nothing new to offer in his remarks ahead of the start of the 18th Lok Sabha and "as usual resorted to diversion" and that he has forgotten that the last 10 years of "undeclared emergency" was ended by the people.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Modi made a longer than usual customary address "but clearly, even after the moral and political defeat, the arrogance remains". Kharge said the nation was hoping that Modi would say something on important issues.

Mahua Moitra of the TMC said the BJP fell short of a majority in the election because the people of the country have realised that it is against the Constitution.

From 303, the BJP is down to 240, they are running a minority government. They kept saying '400-paar' but could not even get a simple majority.

"I was not born during the first Emergency, but they (BJP) had been running an undeclared emergency for the last 10 years and the people of the country said it would not be allowed," the TMC leader added.

While Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said that the Modi government should focus on the kind of Education Emergency the national is facing currently, her party colleague in Lok Sabha

Ani Desai said the Emergency period is long over and the government should focus on the present. Priyanka referred to the series of central government conducted entrance exams being canceled in the last fortnight.

RSP leader N K Premchandran also said that talking about the 1975 Emergency is "insignificant" at this juncture.

"It happened in 1975, 50 years have lapsed, it is totally irrelevant. We are talking about things that are happening at present. It is insignificant talking about the 1975 Emergency at this juncture," he added.

Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) MP Chandrashekhar said the prime minister should follow his own advice.

"It would have been good if what he was saying had reflected in his work. In this Parliament itself, over 140 MPs were suspended and laws were passed. Hope this government, which is not as popular, will respect the people's sentiments and not impose any law," he said.
Russia's southern region of Dagestan held the first of three days of mourning on Monday following a rampage by Islamic militants who authorities say killed 20 people, most of them police, and attacked houses of worship in apparently coordinated assaults in two cities.

Sunday's violence in Dagestan's regional capital of Makhachkala and nearby Derbent was the latest that officials blamed on Islamic extremists in the predominantly Muslim region in the North Caucasus, as well as the deadliest in Russia since March, when gunmen opened fire at a concert in suburban Moscow, killing 145 people.

The affiliate of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan that claimed responsibility for March's raid quickly praised the attack in Dagestan, saying it was conducted by brothers in the Caucasus who showed that they are still strong."

The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War argued that the Islamic State group's North Caucasus branch, Vilayat Kavkaz, likely was behind the attack, describing it as complex and coordinated.

Dagestan Governor Sergei Melikov blamed members of Islamic sleeper cells directed from abroad, but didn't give any other details. He said in a video statement that the assailants aimed at sowing panic and fear, and attempted to link the attack to Moscow's military action in Ukraine  but also provided no evidence.

President Vladimir Putin had sought to blame the March attack on Ukraine, again without evidence and despite the claim of responsibility by the Islamic State affiliate. Kyiv has vehemently denied any involvement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin has received reports on Sunday's attacks and efforts to help the victims.

The Investigative Committee, the country's top state criminal investigation agency, said all five attackers were killed. Of the 20 people killed, at least 15 were police.

Medical authorities in Dagestan said at least 46 people were injured. Of those, at least 13 were police, with four officers hospitalised in grave condition.

Among the dead was the Rev. Nikolai Kotelnikov, a 66-year-old Russian Orthodox priest at a church in Derbent. The attackers slit his throat before setting fire to the church, according to Shamil Khadulayev, deputy head of a local public oversight body. The attack came as the Orthodox faithful celebrated Pentecost, also known as Trinity Sunday.

The Kele-Numaz synagogue in Derbent also was set ablaze.

Shortly after the attacks in Derbent, militants fired at a police post in Makhachkala and attacked a Russian Orthodox Church and a synagogue there before being hunted down and killed by special forces.

Russian news reports said the attackers included the two sons and a nephew of Magomed Omarov, the head of the main Kremlin's party United Russia's regional branch in Dagestan. Omarov was detained by police for interrogation, and United Russia quickly dismissed him from its ranks.

In the early 2000s, Dagestan saw near-daily attacks on police and other authorities that was blamed on militant extremists. After the emergence of the Islamic State group, many residents of the region joined it in Syria and Iraq.
AI-enabled Yoga Mat developed

A startup incubated at IIT Mandi has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) --enabled Yoga mat, which was presented to Union Ministers here.

The mat called 'YogiFy' was handed over to Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar; Union Railways, I&B and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw; Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and others on behalf of the Ministry of Science and Technology. The mat has the potential to revolutionise the at-home yoga experience by leveraging AI and Computer Vision (CV) technologies to enable comfortable yoga practice, according to the ministry.

It is equipped with a built-in innovative sensor layer, tracks the postures of yoga performers, and offers suggestions to help correct their posture in real-time.

It has been developed by Wellnesys Technologies Private Ltd, incubated at the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) iHub at IIT Mandi, and supported under the NM-ICPS programme of DST.

New safety measures for topiramate

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has implemented new safety measures for topiramate (sold under the brand name Topamax) following a comprehensive safety review triggered by recent European studies. These studies highlighted increased risks associated with the use of topiramate during pregnancy, including a 2 to 3 times higher likelihood of intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children born to mothers who used the drug during pregnancy. Based on recommendations from the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM), the MHRA now advises that topiramate should not be prescribed for treating epilepsy during pregnancy unless there are no suitable alternative treatments available. This caution extends previous guidance that already restricted its use during pregnancy for migraine due to known risks of birth defects.

PHDCCI health team meets FM

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) delegation led by Dr. Deep Goel, Chair of the Health Committee, of the chamber recently met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and shared their Pre-Budget Memorandum for Union Budget 2024-25. The bucket list includes efforts to strengthen our healthcare system amidst the pandemic's lessons, enhancing public health infrastructure, and investing in medical education is critical. Addressing regional healthcare disparities and bolstering the workforce, including doctors, nurses, technicians, and pharmacists, is essential for effective pandemic response. Redirecting resources to expand facilities, incentivizing healthcare professionals, and implementing robust public health emergency plans are vital. Leveraging technology, promoting preventive care, and fostering international collaboration are key for resilient health infrastructure. Establishing well-equipped primary healthcare centers and government hospitals nationwide, particularly at Tehsil/Block levels, is crucial, it said.
A 13-year-old boy was apprehended for allegedly sending an email to the Delhi Airport falsely claiming that a bomb had been planted in the Dubai-bound flight.

According to the police on Sunday, the teenager had sent the mail just for fun after being influenced by the news of another teenager who made a hoax bomb threat call a few days ago.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI Airport) Usha Rangnani said, The incident occurred on Monday when a complaint was registered regarding a bomb threat on a Dubai-bound flight on June 18.

Based on the complaint, an FIR was lodged, and an investigation was launched. All the guidelines, protocols and SOPs were followed to ensure the safety and security of the passengers, DCP said.

Airport was put on high alert, and an emergency was declared, she said, adding that during the investigation, the email was found to be a hoax. During the investigation, it was revealed that the e-mail ID was deleted just after sending the email. The email was traced at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand, Rangnani said.

A team was sent, and the boy was apprehended for sending the hoax email, she said.

The boy told the police team that his parents had given a mobile to him for study purposes through which he sent the email and later deleted his ID. He did not share any information with his parents as he was scared.

He was apprehended and handed over to his parents, she added.
Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Monday alleged that the AAP has trapped itself in the web of its own indefinite Satyagraha, and the meeting of ministers at the air-conditioned site of State Water Minister Atishi's hunger strike clearly indicates that the party is looking for excuses to end it amid water shortage in the national capital.

Sachdeva attacked the Delhi Minister and senior AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj for 'telling a new story'. "On Monday, Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj told a new story that 1050 MGD of water is only for 10 million people, while the population of Delhi is 30 million. The people of Delhi want to ask Saurabh Bharadwaj on what basis his government had been saying all this time that there is only a problem of 100 MGD in Delhi and only 2.8 million people are affected," the Delhi BJP chief claimed.

He further said that water in Delhi comes not directly from the Yamuna River but through canals, which supply regular water to the city and claimed that the river is filled with silt. "As far as the issue of water not stopping at the Yamuna in Wazirabad is concerned, the root cause is that the Yamuna is filled with silt. Even 95 per cent of the pond at the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant is filled with silt, which prevents water from staying and causes it to flow away," Sachdeva stated.
With the ongoing tussle over the water crisis in the national Capital not showing any sign of ending, Delhi Cabinet ministers wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to ensure required water supply. This comes close on the heels of the Delhi Water Minister Atishi writing to PM Modi last week, seeking his intervention in the water scarcity in the national Capital.

Delhi ministers including Gopal Rai, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kailash Gahlot and Imran Hussain have written a letter to the Prime Minister on the water crisis during a meeting at the site of Atishi's hunger strike at Bhogal in Jangpura.

In the letter signed by Rai, Gahlot, Hussain and Bharadwaj, they have said that despite the heatwave conditions, Delhi was not getting its "rightful share" of water from Haryana.

"The total water supply in Delhi is 1,005 MGD. Out of this, a huge chunk of 613 MGD comes from Haryana. For the last many weeks, there has been a decline in water coming from Haryana," the letter read.

The Delhi ministers said that Delhi was getting 100 MGD less for many days now. "One MGD of water fulfils the needs of 28,500 people in Delhi in one day. This means that due to the decline of 100 MGD of water, 28 lakh people are not getting water. On one hand, we need additional water and on the other hand, 28 lakh people are not getting water," read the letter

The ministers also cited Atishi's indefinite hunger strike to request the prime minister to find a solution to the water crisis on priority. At the press conference, Delhi Environment Minister Rai said, "Today, we are appealing to LG sir that anytime tomorrow, you should go to Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant along with all of us. You should come there along with your officers and see what the condition is," he said.

On Sunday, a delegation of 10 AAP leaders had met the LG over the water crisis in the national capital. "Yesterday when our ministers, MPs and MLAs went to meet LG sir, he kept saying that Haryana is providing water. Whereas the truth is that the Yamuna river has dried up in Wazirabad," Rai said.
Amid mounting pressure for reinstating Akash Anand and giving him some major assignment, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati, on Sunday, once again announced her nephew her political successor and also appointed him as the national coordinator of the party.

The appointment of Akash Anand is seen as a major development after the worst ever defeat of the BSP in the recent Lok Sabha elections in which the party once again failed to open its account, the same performance it witnessed in 2014 but with much higher percentage of votes.

The BSP supremo and former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati, took the decision to reinstate Akash Anand during a meeting called to review the partys defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. All the district-level office-bearers, senior party leaders and workers of the state attended the crucial meeting called in Lucknow on Sunday.

The meeting mainly focused on why the party could not win even a single seat in the general election in the country. Discussions were also held on how things could improve in the 2027 UP assembly elections. Party leaders and officials from across the country, including BSP coordinators and district presidents in Uttar Pradesh, attended the meeting.

Akash Anand, who also attended the meeting with his father Anand Kumar and BSP general secretary Satish Chandra Mishra, touched the feet of his aunt Mayawati and sought her blessings before the meeting started. Mishra, who prepared a report on the reasons for the partys defeat, handed it over to Mayawati for further necessary action.

Akash Anand was first made the national coordinator to set up Mayawatis organisation and campaign for the elections and after this, on December 10, 2023, the BSP supremo made him her political successor.

Akash Anand started active politics and campaigned vigorously in the Lok Sabha elections, but in the midst of the polls, on May 7, 2024, Mayawati removed him not only from the post of partys national coordinator, but also as her successor. He was also described as politically immature.

Earlier on Saturday, Akash Anand was made the partys star campaigner for the by-election to be held in Uttarakhand. Assembly by-elections are going to be held in Punjab and Uttarakhand. The BSP released a list of its 13 star campaigners for the bypolls in which the name of BSP chief Mayawati is at number one and the name of Akash Anand is at number two. From this, it was guessed that Akash Anand had once again entered active politics.

At present, only Mayawati knows how much Akash Anand has matured politically in the last one and a half months. Akash Anand will be seen campaigning not only in UP but also in different states of the country as the young face of the party. This means that Mayawati is seeing a political future in Akash Anand and he can be the face of BSP in the future.

In the meeting of BSPs national office-bearers, Mayawati also decided to reduce the partys membership fee from Rs 200 to Rs 50.

Notably, Congress, which fought the Lok Sabha polls in UP in alliance with the Samajwadi Party and is part of the INDIA bloc, won six seats in the state. Collectively, the opposition INDIA bloc has won 43 seats in UP. 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.
An Assistant Inspector of Police was suspended in Bhopal during investigation of Bangladeshi man getting a passport made on the address of a mosque located in Jahangirabad area of Bhopal.

After this fraud surfaed in the year 2022 investigation of the Union Home Ministry, then Bhopal Police was asked to investigate.

The investigation revealed that the ASI had verified it without visiting the address. The ASI has been suspended.

According to the police, Biplab Paul is originally from Bangladesh. He had applied for a passport in the year 2022. He had described himself as a native of Harda, while he had attached an Aadhar card and other documents with the address of Vasundhara Bank Colony. On October 26, 2022, Jahangirabad police station received an application for police verification.

Acting ASI Shivnath Yadav had verified it. On this basis, Biplab's passport was made. When the Union Home Ministry investigated, it was found that the Bangladeshi had got this passport made on a fake address. After investigation, the ASI has been suspended. Earlier around 16-17 years ago, fake passports of underworld don Abu Salem and actress Monica Bedi were made on Bhopal address. The verification was done by Kohefiza police. After the matter was revealed, a case was registered against them in Kohefiza police station.
As the war of words between the AAP-ruled Delhi Government and the BJP-ruled Haryana Government over Delhis  rightful share Yamuna water entered its third day, an AAP delegation including party leaders Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bharadwaj, and Dilip Pandey, met Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Sunday over the ongoing water crisis in the national capital and urged him to talk to the Haryana Government to release Delhis share of water.

After meeting the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said, We requested the Lt Governor to talk to Haryana. Haryana is still giving around 113 MGD less water to Delhi, due to which lakhs of people are facing problems and the Lt Governor has assured us that he will talk to the Haryana government and try to ensure that we get Delhis water.

The delegation, comprising 10 prominent AAP members including Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh and ND Gupta, General Secretary Pankaj Gupta, Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, and MLAs Dilip Pandey, Somnath Bharti, Rajesh Gupta, Rituraj Jha and others, highlighted that Delhi is receiving 113 MGD less water than its entitlement. Noting the stark increase in Delhis population from 1.1 crore in 1994 to 3 crore today, they stressed the urgent need for action. The LG assured the delegation of his commitment to resolving the issue and making every effort to ensure Delhi receives its fair share of water from Haryana, the AAP said in a statement.

We also told LG that it will rain in a week. Rain has started in Shimla and Himachal. So much water will come in the next week that Haryana will not be able to stop it even if it wants to. So now it is just a matter of a week. We have requested LG sahab to get water from Haryana for Delhi for a week, Bharadwaj shared.

Significantly, Delhi receives around 1,005 MGD from rivers and canals, with Haryana contributing 613 MGD. Currently, Delhi is getting 500-513 MGD water instead of 613 MGD from the Haryana government. In this way, 100 MGD less water is being received daily.

Due to less water being continuously received by Delhi from Haryana, Delhiites are not getting adequate water supply. Because water production is decreasing. 28,500 people get water from one MGD water. That means more than 28 lakh people in Delhi are being affected due to the Haryana government stopping 100 MGD water. Therefore, there is a lot of panic for water in different parts of Delhi. Delhiites are waiting for water for hours. Women stand in this scorching heat and wait for tankers, the AAP said.

In 1994, the Upper Yamuna Board decided to provide 1,005 MGD water keeping in view the current population of Delhi. At that time, Delhis population was 1.1 crore. It has been 30 years since this agreement was made. In these 30 years, Delhis population has increased from 1.1 crore to 3 crore. That means Delhis population has increased almost three times, but Delhi is still getting only 1,005 MGD water, it added.

Meanwhile, AAP leader Gopal Rai on Sunday called Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena BJP spokesperson, alleging that the latter doesnt care about Delhiites and their problem amid the city grappling with water crisis.

I want to tell this to LG because he keeps on forgetting that he is not Haryana LG, but Delhi LG. Delhi LG doesnt care about the plight of people here. It is shameful that Delhi L-G has now become BJPs spokesperson in Haryana, Rai said during the indefinite strike of Delhi minister Atishi over the water crisis in the capital.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that the brave Rani Durgavati not only defeated Akbars army thrice but also made many innovations in the field of good governance and water management. She provided a people-oriented governance system to the region. The flyover passing through Jabalpur Airport and Madan Mahal will be known after Rani Durgavati. The state government will also try to get permission from the Government of India for a stadium in the name of Rani Durgavati in the Garh. Ponds and water structures in the area will also be renovated on priority basis as a tribute to her bravery and valour. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Akbars era was a difficult one, on one hand Maharana Pratap was fighting with him and on the other hand, the brave Rani Durgavati fought against Akbars army in Vananchal. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav addressed the program organized in Jabalpur on the Balidan Divas of Rani Durgavati.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that to familiarize the country and the world with the bravery and the innovations she made for good governance, her life will be added to the school curriculum and seminars will also be organized on these subjects. A reward of Rs 5 lakh has also been announced for bringing out the various aspects of the heroic queen. Cultural and intellectual events will also be organized every month in the state including Jabalpur. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the first cabinet was organized in Jabalpur to show respect and gratitude to Rani Durgavati in her 500th birth centenary year. Continuous work is going on under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to acquaint the general public with the untouched aspects of the life struggle of personalities like the brave queen Rani Durgavati, who sacrificed her life for the respect and protection of Indian culture, civilization, and traditions.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that Veerangana Rani Durgavati and Rani Avantibai Lodhi have been expressions of women power. They have proved that whether it is war or governance, women did not lag. President Smt. Draupadi Murmu, from a tribal background, has made not only the country but the world aware of the potential of Indian women. The state government is dedicated to the welfare of the weaker sections.

Yadav today offered prayers and paid tributes at the Samadhi site of Rani Durgavati of the Gondwana Empire, a symbol of indomitable bravery, valour and self-respect, at Narai Nala on her 461st Balidan Divas. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav garlanded the statue of the queen at the Samadhi site amidst slogans of Rani Durgavati Amar Rahe.

Chief Minister Yadav offered prayers to Badadev, the deity of the tribal community. The Chief Minister also paid floral tributes to Veeranarayan, son of Queen Durgavati, at the Samadhi site itself.

The Baiga tribal dancer troupe presented a dance and welcomed Chief Minister Dr. Yadav at the Samadhi site. Tribal dancers made the Chief Minister wear Khumri. Dr. Yadav also appeared in a different style on this occasion. He danced to the beats of Madal with the tribal dancers who had come from Mohgaon, Mandla.

The Chief Minister cordially met the members of the Baiga dancer troupe. He also announced to give Rs 5,000 to each artist included in the team.

State Public Works Minister Rakesh Singh, Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, MLAs Sushil Kumar Tiwari Indu, Santosh Varkade, Dr. Abhilash Pandey and Neeraj Singh, former MLA Smt. Nandini Maravi, Subhash Tiwari Ranu was also present in the event.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday claimed that the Delhi Water Minister Atishi's health has deteriorated on the fourth day of her indefinite fast and doctors have advised her hospitalisation. According to AAP, Atishi, however, refused to be treated at a hospital, despite adverse health effects until Haryana releases Delhi's "rightful share of water".

"My blood pressure and sugar levels are dropping and my weight has gone down. Ketone level is very high which can have harmful effects in the long run. No matter how much my body suffers, I will continue the fast till Haryana releases water," she said at the site of hunger strike at Jungpura's Bhogal.

In a statement, AAP said that Atishi's weight and blood pressure is decreasing rapidly, which doctors from Lok Nayak (LNJP) Hospital said was "dangerous". "Water Minister Atishi's weight is also decreasing unexpectedly. Before sitting on hunger strike on 21st June, her weight was 65.8 kg which has come down to 63.6 kg on the fourth day of the hunger strike. That is, her weight has decreased by 2.2 kg in just four days," the statement said.

"Her blood sugar level has decreased by 28 units on the fourth day as compared to the first day of the hunger strike," the party claimed, adding that her blood pressure level has also decreased. "Doctors have described the speed at which Water Minister Atishi's blood sugar level, blood pressure and weight have decreased as dangerous. Along with this, Minister Atishi's urine ketone level of water is also increasing. Such an increase in the amount of ketone in her body will be dangerous for her health," it said.The AAP said doctors have advised Atishi to be admitted to a hospital in view of her deteriorating health but she is fighting for Delhi's rightful share of water by "risking her life". A doctors' report said the "patient has been counselled for admission and oral intake" but she refused.

Meanwhile, in a video message, Atishi said she would continue her indefinite hunger strike, which entered the fourth day on Monday, despite adverse health effects. "My blood pressure and sugar levels are dropping and my weight has gone down. Ketone level is very high which can have harmful effects in the long run. No matter how much my body suffers, I will continue the fast till Haryana releases water," she said.

She has claimed that Delhi was getting 100 MGD less for the last three weeks which has caused a shortage, affecting 28 lakh people in Delhi.Meanwhile, the Delhi BJP stated that if Atishis did her work honestly, she wouldnt have to stage a strategic dama.
With Delhi facing acute shortage of water amid prolonged heatwave conditions and mismanagement of water supply, Delhi Water Minister Atishi on Sunday repeated the charge that Haryana government is still keeping closed all gates of Hathnikund Barrage supplying water to Delhi. She added that she will continue her indefinite hunger strike over it. This comes a day after Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena accused the AAP government of playing a political game over the issue instead of resolving it in an amicable and cooperative manner.

Atishis indefinite hunger strike to demand water for Delhi, which is in the grip of a severe water crisis and scorching heat, entered the third day here.

In a video message on X, she said, I have been on a hunger strike to get Delhis share of water. Haryana government is releasing 100 MGD water less which is depriving nearly 28 lakh people of Delhi of water. Some journalists have said that the Hathnikund Barrage is full of water but Haryana government has shut all gates to stop that water from reaching the national capital. The minister urged the Haryana government to release water for Delhi. My hunger strike will continue till Delhi gets its rightful share of water, she added.

In her message, Atishi said, Today is the third day of my indefinite fast. I am on this fast because there is a huge water crisis in Delhi. There is a huge shortage of water in Delhi. Delhi does not have its own water, all the water here comes from neighboring states. Delhi needs a total of 1,005 MGD of water, out of which 613 million gallons of water comes from Haryana.

But for the last three weeks, Haryana has reduced the supply of water. Haryana is only sending 513 MGD of water. Haryana is releasing 100 million gallons less water per day. One MGD fulfils the water needs of 28,500 people. That means when Haryana is releasing 100 MGD less water, 28 lakh people of Delhi are not getting water, the Delhi Water Minister mentioned.

Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj said, After Atishi sat for protest, Haryana reduced at least 17 MGD (million gallons per day) more water, so now Haryana is giving 117 MGD less water. Haryana has stopped water for 85,000 people in the last 3 days...Atishi and I met (Delhi) LG, and he recorded the entire meeting. Im asking him to make the video recordings public. The whole BJP and LG VK Saxena appointed by them will be exposed.

Delhi is dependent on Uttar Pradesh and Haryana for the supply of drinking water. The Aam Aadmi Party has claimed that of the 1,005 MGD of water supplied to Delhi daily, the city should get 613 MGD from Haryana. But the national capital is getting less than 513 MGD water from Haryana, the party has claimed.
As hunger fast by Delhi Water Minister Atishi enters third day, the Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Sunday called it a drama and said that it is very shameful that the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal led AAP government is busy in doing air-conditioning satyagraha instead of taking measures to stop the increasing deaths being reported amid the city reeling with heatwave.

Attacking senior AAP leaders, the Delhi BJP President said, The people of Delhi, suffering from heatwave and water crisis, are shocked to see Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj and Water Minister Atishi making cheap political statements.

Sachdeva claimed that Atishi only sits on the satyagraha to make an appearance for the media. This will be the first Satyagraha movement in Indian history in which the Satyagrahi comes in front of the media only to get photographed and then disappears. It is clearly visible in some videos found there that in the service of Atishi, BSES has installed a special metre on the wall of someone elses house and four ACs of four tons each are running there, he said.

He said that it is the duty of the Water Minister to try to overcome the water shortage in Delhi at this time by getting the leakage fixed.

But she is trying to run away from it. Whether it is Saurabh Bhardwaj, Sanjay Singh or Atishi, everyone is accusing the Haryana government of not providing water, whereas the Haryana government and its officials have proved with many evidences that they are providing more water to Delhi than the fixed quota, he alleged.

Accusing the AAP government of covering up not just the water crisis in Delhi but also efforts are being made to cover up the deaths due to heatwave.

The Kejriwal government, which talks big about the health model, should tell where the health services are and why heatwave related illnesses are not being treated in their mohalla clinics, Sachdeva said, demanding that the Delhi government should immediately set up a heatwave treatment centre.

Launching an attack on the ruling government, he said, There is no drinking water in Delhi, there is no way to avoid heatwave and there are no health facilities, the ministers of Delhi are only busy in jail, bail and satyagraha.
On the martyrdom day of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, State President of Bharatiya Janata Party and Khajuraho MP Vishnudutt Sharma, Regional Organizational General Secretary Ajay Jamwal, State Organizational General Secretary Hitanand ji, along with party officials and public representatives paid floral tribute to the statue of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee located in front of the state BJP office on Sunday.

Thereafter, garlands were offered and tributes were paid to the statue of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee located in the state office premises and saplings were planted. BJP organized booth level programs across the state.Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was such a great leader who had sensed the horrors before and after independence. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee had sensed the conspiracy of the British to divide Bengal before independence and started a movement.

After independence, he sensed the Kashmir problem and started a movement and sacrificed his life to remove Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has realized the dream of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee to remove Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. S

ensing the problem of Jammu and Kashmir immediately after independence and resigning from the post of minister and founding Jan Sangh to start a movement for its solution is something that only a true brave son and great hero of the country like Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee can do. Who is responsible for the suspicious death of two great heroes of the country, Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, has not been known till date.

By removing Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister has washed away the stigma imposed by the government of 1951-1952. This is a tribute to Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee in the true sense. Work will be done to bring forward the heroic aspects of Dr. Mukherjee. On my behalf, I offer my humble tribute to Dr. Mukherjee. State President of Bharatiya Janata Party and Khajuraho MP Vishnudutt Sharma said that today every worker of Madhya Pradesh BJP pays tribute to the feet of Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, a brave great man who sacrificed his life for the country. Today we have gathered here to pay tribute to such a son whose resolve removed Article 370 from Kashmir.

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was an original thinker, nationalist thinker, a cultured worshipper of Indian life values. He founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the same Jana Sangh is in front of you all today in the form of BJP, the world's largest and omnipresent political party.

Following the ideals of Dr. Mukherjee, every BJP worker under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi takes a pledge to make India a developed nation by 2047. BJP State President Shri Sharma said that on the call of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, a campaign is being run from today's martyrdom day of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee to 6 July birth anniversary. I appeal to all the workers of Madhya Pradesh BJP to plant a tree in the name of their mother under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign. This campaign will be run across the state till July 6.

At the Bharatiya Janata Party state office, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Regional Organizational General Secretary Ajay Jamwal, State Organization General Secretary Hitanand ji, Union Minister Durgadas Uike, State General Secretary and MLA Bhagwandas Sabnani, State Office Minister Raghavendra Sharma paid homage to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee by garlanding his statue. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav also planted a sapling under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign on Dr. Mukherjee's Martyrdom Day at the BJP state office.
BJP state president and Khajuraho MP Vishnudutt Sharma while addressing the workers' conference in Amarwara of Chhindwara district said that booth level workers are the strength of BJP.

Booth level workers have given BJP a historic victory in all 29 Lok Sabha seats of the state through their tireless hard work and efforts. Chhindwara is the stronghold of the beneficiaries of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's poor welfare schemes. These beneficiaries will give BJP a historic victory in the Amarwara by-election.

In the Lok Sabha elections, BJP has won by 15 thousand in Amarwara assembly, but the enthusiasm and presence of you people is telling that BJP will register a historic victory by 51 thousand in the Amarwara by-election.

Sharma inaugurated the Amarwara by-election office and planted saplings under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign started today. Chhindwara MP Vivek Bunty Sahu and party candidate Kamlesh Shah also addressed the conference. BJP State President and Khajuraho MP Vishnudutt Sharma said that if Chhindwara is anyone's stronghold, then it is the stronghold of the beneficiaries of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's poor welfare schemes. In every house of Chhindwara Lok Sabha constituency and Amarwara assembly constituency, there is a beneficiary of some or the other scheme of Prime Minister ji for poor welfare.

All of you workers should go door-to-door and tell the public about the poor welfare schemes under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the achievements of BJP's double engine government and appeal to vote in favour of the BJP candidate in the by-election.

Sharma said that due to the hard work of all of you workers, the party has won all 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The more strongly all of you workers, from booth workers, panna pramukh, booth president, will convey the party's message and poor welfare schemes to the public, the more success the party will get.

Therefore, all of you workers should get involved in the election work with full dedication.BJP State President Sharma said that there are 332 booths in Amarwara assembly, BJP has won about 200 booths in the Lok Sabha elections. Every party worker should become a vigilant guard and strengthen their booth and connect new voters with the party.

Today, all of you should take a pledge to win the party at all 332 booths of Amarwara assembly and start working on the election. BJP is a worker-based party, here the candidate is just a medium, the real election is fought by the booth worker. All of you, God-like workers, should become party candidates and start working on the election at your booths and give the party a historic victory.

Sharma said that when I reached the area for the first time as a candidate from Khajuraho in 2019, people said that we will vote for BJP, after becoming an MP, please solve the water problem of the area. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Ken-Betwa Link Project worth Rs 44 thousand 600 crore to solve the water problem of Khajuraho and the entire Bundelkhand. Probably this month the Prime Minister is also going to lay the foundation stone of that project.

All of you should make BJP candidate Kamlesh Shah an MLA. Work will be done to provide drinking water through tap in every house of Amarwada and irrigation facility in every village. Under Jal Jeevan Mission, water is being provided through tap in every house. Many development works are to be done in Amarwada area. The poor who do not have permanent houses will also get permanent houses under PM Awas Yojana and all the four water reservoirs of Amarwada area will be constructed.
: In a significant push towards the development and empowerment of the State, Chief Minister Champai Soren inaugurated 2,141 development schemes and distributed assets worth approximately 71.63 crores to 20,484 beneficiaries at a grand ceremony in Maubhandaar, Ghatsila.

Addressing a large gathering, Soren emphasized the importance of collective cooperation and participation in transforming Jharkhand. "With everyone's cooperation and participation, we will change the picture and fate of the state," he asserted. He highlighted the government's dedication to creating opportunities for advancement across all sectors and classes through various welfare schemes.

During his speech, the Chief Minister announced several new initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for Jharkhand's residents: Free Electricity: Electricity consumers will now receive 200 units of free electricity. Financial Assistance for Women: Financial support will be provided to women aged 25 to 50. Agricultural Loan Waivers: Loans up to 2 lakh for farmers will be waived.

These measures are designed to promote economic empowerment and provide essential support to the state's populace.

Reflecting on the past four and a half years, Chief Minister Soren acknowledged the challenges faced, including the global COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these hurdles, he lauded the government's efforts in safeguarding lives and livelihoods while continuing to drive development amidst adverse circumstances.

A major highlight of the event was the Chief Minister's commitment to providing permanent housing for the state's poor and needy. Under the Abua Awas Yojana, 20 lakh individuals will receive permanent homes, ensuring no one has to live in mud houses or slums.

Emphasizing the government's dedication to fulfilling the aspirations of its citizens, Chief Minister Soren spoke about the "Aapki Yojana - Your Government - Your Door" program. This initiative brings government services and welfare benefits directly to people's doorsteps, ensuring efficient problem resolution and accessibility.

Chief Minister Soren outlined the comprehensive development of Jharkhand's infrastructure, including the construction of 15,000 kilometers of roads. He also emphasized efforts to strengthen various sectors such as social, economic, educational, health, agriculture, and employment. Key projects include irrigation initiatives to ensure year-round water supply for fields and a new law mandating jobs for locals in private sector companies.

To enhance educational opportunities, the government is implementing the Guruji Credit Card Yojana, among other schemes, to enable poor children to pursue careers as engineers, doctors, and officers.

Chief Minister Soren highlighted Jharkhand's rich natural and mineral resources, lamenting the state's backwardness despite its wealth. He reiterated the government's resolve to rebuild Jharkhand in line with the aspirations of its people and the sacrifices made during the struggle for statehood.

At the event, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for schemes worth 45.80 crores. This included the foundation of 15 schemes valued at 14.88 crores and the inauguration of projects worth 30.92 crores. Key schemes included the Abua Housing Scheme, Birsa Green Village Scheme, Chief Minister Kanyadan Scheme, Birsa Irrigation Well Enhancement Scheme, Savitribai Phule Kishori Samridhi Scheme, Sarvajan Pension Scheme, Chief Minister Employment Creation Scheme, Scholarship Scheme, Forest Lease Distribution Scheme, and Chief Minister Livestock Scheme.

The ceremony was attended by notable figures, including MLA Ramdas Soren, MLA Samir Mohanty, MLA Sanjeev Sardar, Jharkhand State Minority Commission Chairman Hidayatullah Khan, Jharkhand Gau Seva Commission Vice President Raju Giri, District 20-Point Vice President Mohan Karmakar, Secretary to the Chief Minister Arwa Rajkamal, Kolhan Division Commissioner Hari Kumar Keshari, and other senior officials.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that along with the geographical boundary of the neighbouring state Chhattisgarh, both the states have a shared social, economic and cultural heritage. Some programmes can be jointly organised by the both state governments. Two states have been formed in terms of administrative management, but emotionally we are still one entity. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was addressing the delegation of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad accompanied by Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao at Samatva Bhavan.

Yadav said that the public representatives of both the states are dedicated to nation building. He called upon the public representatives of Chhattisgarh to give suggestions and extend co-operation for the development and public welfare of Madhya Pradesh. He invited them to expand their knowledge and skills in Madhya Pradesh as well. while highlighting the historical and mythological importance of Ujjain, Chief Minister Yadav informed the representatives of Chhattisgarh about Mahakaleshwar as well as the various dimensions of Lord Krishna tradition, places of Devi tradition and Triveni Museum located in Ujjain. Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Sao also addressed the programme.

A team of about 70 members of the Parishad has come to Bhopal from Chhattisgarh to take part in the memorial ceremony honouring the founder of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad Shaligram Tomar. The team presented photographs related to their student life to CM Yadav. Yadav welcomed Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Sao by presenting him Angvastram, flower bouquet and souvenir and also greeted the members by presenting Angvastram. Chandrahas Chandrakar, Vivek Saxena and Pradeep Mishra were also present during the event.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will participate in the Balidan Divas program of Veerangana Rani Durgavati in Jabalpur. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav will offer prayers at the Rani Durgavati Samadhi site and garland her statue. He will also participate in the Balidan Divas program at the Veterinary College Ground. An exhibition focusing on Rani Durgavati will also be organized at the venue. There will also be a presentation of other programs.

Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, Public Works Minister Rakesh Singh, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Prahlad Patel, and Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge) Dharmendra Singh Lodhi will also be present in the program.

Meanwhile, the CM has extended heartfelt greetings and good wishes to all the scientists of ISRO on the successful landing of Reusable Launch Vehicle "Pushpak" for the third consecutive time. Yadav said that under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scientists of the country are consistently setting records in space.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Monday met people from different districts at his camp office on Kalidas Marg here and assured them of prompt resolution of their problems.

He also warned the officials that no laxity will be tolerated if any unnecessary delay is found in resolving the peoples problems.

According to an official communique released on Monday afternoon, during the public hearing, Maurya listened to the problems of each person with seriousness and directed the officials concerned to resolve them. He has also instructed the officials concerned to resolve the problems in such a way that the problem-ridden people were completely satisfied and they did not have to wander anywhere again and again.

Maurya listened to the problems and complaints of women, Divyangjans, elderly and gave necessary directions to the officials concerned to resolve them at a fast pace on priority basis.

In the Janata Darshan, various problems related to land dispute, accidents, illegal occupation, education, health, housing allotment, school construction, land lease, possession of land/property, removing of encroachment, road construction, electricity, arrest of accused, etc. were raised by people from different districts of the state. The deputy chief minister himself went to the complainants and heard their problems face to face.

In the Janata Darshan, hundreds of people from about three dozen districts including Amethi, Kanpur Dehat, Budaun, Ambedkar Nagar, Bareilly, Kushinagar, Lalitpur, Banda, Moradabad, Farrukhabad, Prayagraj, Pilibhit, Gonda, Basti, Shravasti, Sitapur, Hamirpur, Pilibhit, Mahoba, Hardoi, Kanpur Nagar, Amroha, Muzaffarnagar, Hardoi, Lakhimpur, Pratapgarh and Mainpuri came and shared their problems.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, also spoke over telephone with district magistrates of Amethi, Kanpur Dehat, Ambedkar Nagar, Bareilly, Kushinagar, Lalitpur, Moradabad, Farrukhabad, Prayagraj, Pilibhit, and superintendents of police of Budaun, Hathras and Balrampur regarding resolution of problems related to these districts.

He also spoke to senior officers of other districts and senior officials of the government including consolidation commissioner, managing directors of Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam and Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited, food commissioner, housing commissioner and others and gave them necessary direction for early disposal of the grievances of people.
Punjab Police has registered an FIR against the fashion designer and lifestyle influencer Archana Makwana for allegedly hurting religious sentiments by performing yoga at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. The case was filed following a complaint by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

Makwana has been booked under Section 295-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings of any class, according to the police. The FIR was registered on Saturday.

The incident occurred on the International Day of Yoga when Makwana visited the Golden Temple and performed yoga in the parikrama (circumambulation) path. Photos of the act were shared on the social media, sparking widespread outrage among the Sikh community.

SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami expressed strong disapproval of Makwanas actions. No one can be allowed to act against Sikh conduct at the Golden Temple. Some people deliberately ignore the sanctity and historical importance of this holy place and commit objectionable acts, he said, adding, Sikh sentiments and maryada (conduct) have been hurt by this act, so a complaint has been filed with the police.

In response to the incident, the SGPC also suspended three of its employees for failing to perform their duties diligently. Assistant Commissioner of Police Kuldeep Singh confirmed the FIR and stated that CCTV footage from the Darbar Sahib indicated the act seemed planned for publicity rather than a genuine visit of obeisance.

Makwana, however, apologized for her actions in a story posted on her Instagram handle. 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, she wrote. I sincerely apologize for any hurt I may have caused and promise to be more mindful in the future. Please accept my sincere apologies, she added.

Following the viral spread of the images, local authorities were quick to act. The SGPC lodged a formal complaint with the Police, prompting immediate action. The FIR underscored the serious nature of the offense in the eyes of the community and law enforcement.

Meanwhile, the broader public reaction has been mixed, with many expressing support for the stringent measures taken by the SGPC and police. Others, however, have called for a more understanding approach, considering Makwana's public apology and apparent lack of malicious intent.
Amid ongoing internal strife within the Ludhiana District Congress, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president and newly-elected MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Monday conducted a meeting with Congress workers. Notably absent was the partys state working president and former MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu, intensifying speculation about the widening rift between the two leaders.

The friction between Warring and Ashu has been evident for some time. Instances of exclusion from public displays and social media have highlighted their discord. Warrings visit to Ludhiana and his meeting at the Circuit House saw conspicuous absenteeism from Ashu, raising questions among party members and the media also.

Responding to media queries about Ashu's absence, Warring responded diplomatically, We sent messages to all members. Some attended, some didnt. It's possible that some had urgent matters to attend to. His emphasis on unity, however, was clear: We all need to stay united. If leaders speak in different tones, winning in 2027 will be difficult.

Warring reiterated the need for unity within the Congress party to tackle upcoming challenges. We need to speak in one voice and work together to achieve our goals. The people of Punjab are looking to us for leadership, and we must not let them down, he added.

Meanwhile, Warring announced the forthcoming inauguration of a dedicated office at Ludhiana, scheduled to open in July. The office aims to provide a continuous link between him and the Ludhiana public, ensuring that their issues are addressed promptly. This office will be a place where people can feel my presence and get their problems solved. We will also announce a public contact number to ensure accessibility, he said.

Strategic Focus on Jalandhar By-Election

The upcoming Jalandhar by-election is a focal point for Warring. He called for a united effort to replicate the Congresss previous electoral success, emphasizing the need to counter the financial mismanagement by the current government. Punjab's economic situation is deteriorating. The state debt has reached Rs 3.50 lakh-crore and could rise to Rs five lakh crore. We must prevent further financial ruin by supporting Congress in the by-election, he said.

Warring also criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's recent comments about the Punjab Polices alleged involvement in drug supply. Labeling the entire police force is inappropriate. While there may be some individuals at fault, the majority of our police force is dedicated and hardworking. The CM should engage with the police to resolve their issues rather than demoralizing them, he said.

Also touching on historical instances where jailed MPs were granted temporary release to take their oaths, Warring underscored the need for legal and democratic processes to be respected. This context was particularly relevant given the ongoing detention of Amritpal Singh, a controversial Sikh preacher currently lodged at Dibrugarh jail in Assam.

Warring did not hold back in his criticism of the AAP Governments response to their recent electoral defeat. He cited frequent power cuts and water shortages as evidence of the governments failure to serve the people effectively. He also promised to raise the issue of increased toll plaza rates with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, advocating for the farmers protesting against these hikes.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who has been recently made Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP's) election in-charge for Haryana on Sunday, asked the party workers to gear up for the upcoming state assembly elections and reach out to the people to expose the Congress falsehood and misrule.

Pradhan, addressing the party workers in Rohtak, asked the leaders to gear up for the upcoming poll. The government of the poor, farmers, deprived sections and common people will once again come to power in Haryana after the elections, he said, in the presence of Union Power Minister and former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar, and senior party leader Biplab Kumar Deb.

In his address, Pradhan said that the workers play a key role in shaping the success of any battle or any difficult task. The workers have every right on the party as Saini or anyone else has, he said.

Maintaining that the BJP can take Haryana to new heights, Pradhan said that the country's progress is not possible without the state's progress. We have been serving people with full honesty. There are 19,812 booths in Haryana, 7,200 villages, and 22 districtsThere are about 100 days left for the polls and in this Mission 100 days, the party workers should reach every household to expose the Congress falsehood and misrule which prevailed when they ruled the state, he said.

Referring to the recently-held Lok Sabha polls, he said that the Congress had spread falsehood that BJP, if it comes to power at the Centre again, will end reservation. He asked the people not to be misled by the falsehood spread by the Congress.

With the Congress leaders in recent weeks claiming that people have made up their mind to bring the grand old party back to power in Haryana, Pradhan said: Those who think they can once again loot Haryana, they should leave the dream. The BJP is going to come to power for the third time.

He said that people have still not forgotten the atrocities on Dalits during the Congress rule. Pradhan touched upon several initiatives taken by the BJP led governments at the Centre and in Haryana for the welfare of poor, Dalits, OBCs and other sections. We have to take before people the corruption and misrule of the Congress, he said.

Asserting that BJP has given good governance in Haryana, Pradhan said that loot, corruption, and dynastic rule prevailed during the Congress' time. We will not leave any stone unturned in taking Haryana forward,he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Khattar said: Our target is to form the BJP government for the third time in Haryana. No party till today has formed the government for the third time in row and the BJP will create this record.

Taking potshots at the Congress, Khattar said that the grand old party spread various rumours and falsehood. It is not that they will not spread rumours again in the Vidhan Sabha polls. But we have to remain cautious, said Khattar, asking the party workers to expose the Congress' falsehood before the people.

Tripuras former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, the co-incharge for the state, made a scathing attack on Congress leaders  Bhupinder Singh Hooda and his son Deepender Singh Hooda. They want baap-beta ki sarkar. But people have made up their mind to bring back the BJP government, he said.

Deb alleged that "jungle raj" prevailed during the Congress rule in Haryana whereas now it is people's rule. We don't work for a family, we work for people, for Haryana, he said.

Union Minister Gurjar echoed similar sentiments and called upon the party workers to work hard over the next three months to realise the aim of the BJP forming the government for the third time in Haryana.

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BJP will form Govt for third time with a big mandate: CM Saini

Rohtak: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday said that it is Prime Minister Narendra Modis pledge to make the country developed by 2047; and in this, Haryana is also playing its role. In October, BJP will form the government for the third time in Haryana with a big mandate, Saini said.

During nearly 10 years of BJP rule in Haryana, we used technology so that people get benefits at their doorsteps. Corruption and favouritism was prevalent during the Congress rule whereas the present government ensured good governance, he said.

The Chief Minister said that BJP workers will visit every home and tell people about the steps taken by his government for the poor, women, farmers, youth and other sections of the society. Our workers will expose the Congress before the people and their lies won't succeed, he added.
A keen contest is likely in the by-elections to 10 assembly seats which have fallen vacant following election of the sitting MLAs to Lok Sabha.

The INDIA bloc, comprising Samajwadi Party and Congress in Uttar Pradesh, made significant gains at the cost of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party by winning 43 Lok Sabha seats in the state. This has put the ruling BJP under tremendous pressure to retain and also regain the lost ground.

The bypolls schedule is yet to be announced by the Election Commission of India. However, the SP and Congress have announced that they will contest the assembly bypolls together under the INDIA bloc. The ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has also begun its preparations.

The assembly seats fell vacant after nine MLAs, including SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, were elected to the Lok Sabha while SP MLA from Sisamau Irfan Solanki of Kanpur was disqualified after he was sentenced to jail in a criminal case. UP Assemblys Special Secretary Brajbhushan Dubey said that information about the vacancy on 10 seats had been sent to the ECI.

As per the procedure, by-elections can be held on these seats within six months, he said.

Five of these assembly seats were won by the SP in 2022 while one seat was bagged by the Rashtriya Lok Dal which was then in alliance with the SP. Three seats were won by the BJP and one seat by BJP ally NISHAD Party.

While the by-election results will be numerically inconsequential for the BJP in the state assembly where it has a comfortable majority, they will impact the morale of both sides as any further losses to the BJP will help the opposition SP and Congress to further cement their gains.

While the SP and the Congress have expressed confidence that they will continue their winning streak, the BJP is also preparing to do something special in the by-elections to increase its credibility, according to leaders.

BJP spokesman Manish Dixit said, The NDA will contest the assembly by-elections with full strength. There is no pressure anywhere, rather the NDA will fight the assembly by-elections with full strength. BJP workers are always ready for public service and elections.

The party will fight the elections with all its might and the results will be a special achievement, he added.

On the question of giving seats to alliance partners, Dixit said, The party leadership will decide this but at the level of organisation and government, we have started preparing for the elections with full enthusiasm.

SP spokesperson and national secretary Rajendra Chaudhary said, 'Preparations for by-elections have been started on all the vacant seats and in alliance with the Congress party, we will fight the elections with full strength and win.

He added, The committee formed for management of the Lok Sabha elections is preparing for these 10 seats and party national president Akhilesh Yadav will form a new committee for this after the Parliament session.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the INDIA bloc won 43 seats out of 80 in the state, with 37 seats going to the SP and six to the Congress. On the other hand, the ruling BJP won 33 seats while its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal won two and Apna Dal (Sonelal) bagged one seat. The Bahujan Samaj Party could not open its account in this election. The BJP and its allies had won 73 Lok Sabha seats in UP in 2014 and 64 seats in 2019. In the 2022 UP assembly elections, the BJP won a total of 273 seats with its allies.

Presently, in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the BJP has 249 MLAs, its ally Apna Dal (S) has 13, RD has eight, Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party has six and Nirbal Indian Shoshit Hamara Aam Dal (NISHAD) has five members.

The main opposition SP has 103 members and Congress has two. Apart from this, there are two members of the Jansatta Dal (Loktantrik) and one of the BSP. In the by-elections to four assembly constituencies held along with the Lok Sabha elections, two seats each were won by the SP and the BJP, but these MLAs have not yet taken oath.

The MLAs from the NDA who were elected to Lok Sabha are RLDs Chandan Chauhan, BJPs Atul Garg, Anoop Valmiki and Praveen Patel, and NISHAD Partys Vinod Kumar Bin.

SP chief Akhilesh Yadav along with party MLAs Ziaur Rahman, Lalji Verma and Awadhesh Prasad have also been elected to the Lok Sabha.
A retest for the NEET-UG examination scheduled for two students at an exam centre in Chandigarh turned out to be a non-event as neither of the students showed up, leading to the gates of the centre being closed after the no-shows.

The exam was slated to take place at St Josephs Senior Secondary School in Sector-44, Chandigarh, with all necessary arrangements in place, including the deployment of police and invigilators. An official at the school confirmed that the gates were closed at 1:30 pm after it became apparent that neither student would attend the retest, which was scheduled from 2 pm to 5:20 pm.

The retest was part of a larger effort by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to accommodate 1,563 students who had been awarded grace marks in the NEET-UG due to time losses at six different centres. The NEET-UG exam, crucial for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in both government and private institutions, saw an unprecedented number of perfect scores this year, with 67 students achieving a perfect 720.

This anomaly, particularly with six students from a centre in Faridabad, Haryana, achieving perfect scores, has raised suspicions of irregularities. These suspicions are part of a broader context of allegations and controversies surrounding the exam.

The NEET-UG exam was originally held on May 5, with approximately 24 lakh candidates participating. The results were announced on June 4. Since the announcement, there have been multiple allegations of question paper leaks and other irregularities, especially in states like Bihar. These allegations have sparked protests across several cities and led to petitions being filed in various high courts and the Supreme Court.

In response to the backlash and the alleged discrepancies, the Centre took significant steps on Saturday, including the removal of NTA director-general Subodh Singh. The investigation into the irregularities has now been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Union Education Ministry has also established a seven-member panel tasked with reviewing the functioning of the NTA and recommending reforms to ensure the integrity of the examination process.

On Sunday, the CBI registered an FIR concerning the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination. This development is part of the broader probe into the conduct and administration of the exam, aimed at addressing the concerns raised by various stakeholders and ensuring that future examinations are conducted fairly and transparently.
The New Delhi Metro station is all set to emerge as a triple interchange facility with the expansion of the Green Line from Inderlok to Indraprastha. The 12.37 km long Inderlok - Indraprastha corridor will expand the already operational Brigadier Hoshiar Singh - Inderlok Green Line corridor (28.78 km).

On this new extension, the New Delhi station will be expanded as an interchange facility where three lines including Yellow, Orange (Airport Line), and now the Green Line will meet each other, the officials said.

This will be a major connectivity boost for the entire city as now, commuters coming from Bahadurgarh as well as parts of west Delhi such as Nangloi, Rajdhani Park, Udyog Nagar etc. Will be able to travel directly to the New Delhi railway station, adjacent to the New Delhi Metro station, a senior official stated.

He added that this will make access to the New Delhi station more convenient and help decrease congestion near the station as more people will prefer to travel by metro than by road.

Like the existing New Delhi station, the new expansion for the Green Line shall also be underground.

Presently, Kashmere Gate is the only triple interchange station on the Delhi Metro network where the Yellow, Red, and Violet lines meet. After Phase 4, three more stations, Lajpat Nagar, Azadpur and New Delhi will also emerge as triple interchange facilities.

Currently, about 86 kilometres of new lines are being constructed as part of the Delhi Metros Phase 4 expansion. Construction of three lines - Janakpuri West - RK Ashram Marg (Violet), Majlis Park - Maujpur (Pink) and Aerocity - Tughlakabad (Golden) is in progress right now, and over 50 per cent of civil work has been completed on these sections.

Two more corridors - Inderlok - Indraprastha and Saket G Block - Lajpat Nagar - have also received approval earlier this year. The DMRC at present, is processing for statutory clearances, including land taking over from DDA, CPWD and PWD and forest clearance requirements, another official said.

Further processes regarding planning and tendering for civil works are being done before further proceeding to specialised contracts for track laying, electrical systems, signalling and other technical components.

Staff Reporter n

New Delhi

The New Delhi Metro station is all set to emerge as a triple interchange facility with the expansion of the Green Line from Inderlok to Indraprastha. The 12.37 km long Inderlok - Indraprastha corridor will expand the already operational Brigadier Hoshiar Singh - Inderlok Green Line corridor (28.78 km).

On this new extension, the New Delhi station will be expanded as an interchange facility where three lines including Yellow, Orange (Airport Line), and now the Green Line will meet each other, the officials said.

This will be a major connectivity boost for the entire city as now, commuters coming from Bahadurgarh as well as parts of west Delhi such as Nangloi, Rajdhani Park, Udyog Nagar etc. Will be able to travel directly to the New Delhi railway station, adjacent to the New Delhi Metro station, a senior official stated.

He added that this will make access to the New Delhi station more convenient and help decrease congestion near the station as more people will prefer to travel by metro than by road.

Like the existing New Delhi station, the new expansion for the Green Line shall also be underground.

Presently, Kashmere Gate is the only triple interchange station on the Delhi Metro network where the Yellow, Red, and Violet lines meet. After Phase 4, three more stations, Lajpat Nagar, Azadpur and New Delhi will also emerge as triple interchange facilities.

Currently, about 86 kilometres of new lines are being constructed as part of the Delhi Metros Phase 4 expansion. Construction of three lines - Janakpuri West - RK Ashram Marg (Violet), Majlis Park - Maujpur (Pink) and Aerocity - Tughlakabad (Golden) is in progress right now, and over 50 per cent of civil work has been completed on these sections.

Two more corridors - Inderlok - Indraprastha and Saket G Block - Lajpat Nagar - have also received approval earlier this year. The DMRC at present, is processing for statutory clearances, including land taking over from DDA, CPWD and PWD and forest clearance requirements, another official said.

Further processes regarding planning and tendering for civil works are being done before further proceeding to specialised contracts for track laying, electrical systems, signalling and other technical components.
More than two dozen students, including members of Congress-affiliated National Students' Union of India (NSUI), were detained while protesting against irregularities in NEET-UG and cancellation of UGC-NET exams at Jantar Mantar on Monday.

The student union had planned a march to the Parliament on the day of the commencement of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha. The students, holding placards and NSUI flags, gathered in large numbers at Jantar Mantar for their 'Chhatra Sansad Gherav'.

The protestors raised slogans against the NTA while holding placards with 'Ban NTA', 'We demand RENEET' and 'No more corrupt NTA' written over it. Ahead of the protest, police barricaded the area to prevent students from taking out their march. Heavy deployment of Delhi police including paramilitary forces was also made at the site.

According to visuals of the protest shared with media, some students tried to go past the barricades, while a few others climbed on the structure. "They were detained by the Delhi police and taken to different police stations, since no permission was granted for the march," an officer said.

"Until the NEET candidates get justice, NSUI will continue to struggle from the streets to the corridors of the House. Our demand is that NEET students should be given justice by conducting a re-examination, and corrupt institutions like NTA should be banned. NSUI National President Varun Choudhary along with NEET students and their families has given this message to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from Jantar Mantar that NSUI's struggle will continue until the students get justice," the student body said in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter).

Amid a demand for the cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for undergraduates (NEET-UG) exam held on May 5, the Union Education Ministry has said that the incidents of malpractices were "localised" or "isolated" and it was not fair to jeopardise the careers of lakhs of candidates who cleared the exam rightfully.

The CBI has filed an FIR in connection with the alleged irregularities under IPC sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating), among others. The UGC-NET-2024 exam for the selection of junior research fellows, assistant professors and PhD scholars was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 18 in two shifts across the country.
Cyber Crime Branch Bhopal arrested three accused of an organized gang from Indore and sent them behind bars for creating fake trading websites and making people invest in foreign currency.

The accused have created a fake website by the name of oca trading. The accused get the numbers of customers trading in the share market online and contact them.

They deceive people by promising them more profits by making them invest in foreign currency. They used to show fake trades and profits on octa trading website. The accused have been cheating victims for the last 1 year.

The accused use fake bank accounts and mobile numbers for cheating. Evidence has been found of the accused cheating about 100 people.

On April 25, a written complaint was filed in Cyber Crime Bhopal by the complainant Durgesh Kumar, resident of Bhopal, that an unknown person with mobile number 8989021422 opened a demat account through a link on the octa trading website and cheated him of Rs 4,46,000 through UPI in various bank accounts by luring him to trade in foreign currency online. On the basis of the facts and technical information received on the investigation of the application and a case under section 420 IPC was registered in the police station crime branch and investigation was taken up.

The modus operandi of the accused to use a fake website was created by the accused in the name of Octa Trading. The accused get the numbers of customers trading in the share market online and contact them through fake mobile numbers and open demat accounts on octa trading website in the name of online bulk trading in foreign currency, in which fake trades are conducted and shown for investment in currency, in which fake profit of buying and selling is shown in the customer's wallet on the OCTA trading website itself. People are cheated in the name of various types of foreign trades.

After the money is credited to the account, the accused withdraw the money in cash from the ATM.

Cyber Crime District Bhopal team took prompt action and on the basis of evidence obtained at field level and technical analysis, technical information of the actual user of the fake website used in committing the crime was obtained and the actual accused was identified by the team members at field level using the information obtained and other accused of the gang were identified on the basis of bank account and mobile number used in cheating the complainant. On the basis of technical and field level information, the accused of the gang were arrested from Indore.

In the action 2 laptops, 2 iPhone mobiles,3 Android phones, 7 keypad mobiles used in the crime have been seized and other absconding accused are being searched.

The accused were identified as Ayush Thakur of Sehore who would contact customers through call and opening demat account on fake website and getting money deposited in the name of investment. Arrangement of fake SIM and accounts was made by him.

Nitin Thakur of Dewas used to contact customers through call and opening demat account on fake website and getting money deposited in the name of investment.

Prithviraj Singh Sendhav of Dewas created fake website and using it for the fraud. STAFF REPORTER n BHOPAL

Cyber Crime Branch Bhopal arrested three accused of an organized gang from Indore and sent them behind bars for creating fake trading websites and making people invest in foreign currency.

The accused have created a fake website by the name of oca trading. The accused get the numbers of customers trading in the share market online and contact them.

They deceive people by promising them more profits by making them invest in foreign currency. They used to show fake trades and profits on octa trading website. The accused have been cheating victims for the last 1 year.

The accused use fake bank accounts and mobile numbers for cheating. Evidence has been found of the accused cheating about 100 people.

On April 25, a written complaint was filed in Cyber Crime Bhopal by the complainant Durgesh Kumar, resident of Bhopal, that an unknown person with mobile number 8989021422 opened a demat account through a link on the octa trading website and cheated him of Rs 4,46,000 through UPI in various bank accounts by luring him to trade in foreign currency online. On the basis of the facts and technical information received on the investigation of the application and a case under section 420 IPC was registered in the police station crime branch and investigation was taken up.

The modus operandi of the accused to use a fake website was created by the accused in the name of Octa Trading. The accused get the numbers of customers trading in the share market online and contact them through fake mobile numbers and open demat accounts on octa trading website in the name of online bulk trading in foreign currency, in which fake trades are conducted and shown for investment in currency, in which fake profit of buying and selling is shown in the customer's wallet on the OCTA trading website itself. People are cheated in the name of various types of foreign trades.

After the money is credited to the account, the accused withdraw the money in cash from the ATM.

Cyber Crime District Bhopal team took prompt action and on the basis of evidence obtained at field level and technical analysis, technical information of the actual user of the fake website used in committing the crime was obtained and the actual accused was identified by the team members at field level using the information obtained and other accused of the gang were identified on the basis of bank account and mobile number used in cheating the complainant. On the basis of technical and field level information, the accused of the gang were arrested from Indore.

In the action 2 laptops, 2 iPhone mobiles,3 Android phones, 7 keypad mobiles used in the crime have been seized and other absconding accused are being searched.

The accused were identified as Ayush Thakur of Sehore who would contact customers through call and opening demat account on fake website and getting money deposited in the name of investment. Arrangement of fake SIM and accounts was made by him.

Nitin Thakur of Dewas used to contact customers through call and opening demat account on fake website and getting money deposited in the name of investment.

Prithviraj Singh Sendhav of Dewas created fake website and using it for the fraud.
Taking steps towards curbing drug abuse, the district administration is running a de-addiction campaign. Meanwhile, on the instructions of Superintendent of Police Haris Bin Zaman, on the instructions of Superintendent of Police Haris Bin Zaman, at the house of Taufik Ansari, son of Haji Mozahim Ansari, resident of Kalhepat village of Senha police station area under Lohardaga district, Headquarters DSP Sameer Tirkey, BDO Sangram Murmu, Station Incharge Ajit Kumar, SI Manoj Kumar, Avinash Ram, Pankaj Kumar Yadav reached with the team at 1:00 pm and searched the vehicles parked in the vehicle parking next to the house in front of Magistrate Sangram Murmu, and three big sacks filled with ganja were recovered. .

About 139 kg of ganja was recovered. Since then the police has been deployed outside the house since night. As per the orders of the Sub-Divisional Officer, Circle Officer Rakesh Kumar Tiwari was appointed Magistrate. In the presence of appointed magistrate Rakesh Kumar Tiwari, the house of Taufiq Ansari was investigated along with the police officer Dalbal. 42 thousand 800 rupees have been recovered from the house. Also, police name plate written in vehicle number DL 8 CAC 2826, XUV Fortuner vehicle number JH 10 AN 3103 has been found. Vehicles Caretta JH 10BL 4458 and JH 10BD 9999 have been seized. In this context, Lohardaga Superintendent of Police Haris Bin Zaman says that the police had conducted the raid on the basis of secret information. In which a huge quantity of ganja has been recovered. It is being verified. He also said that 139 kg of ganja has been recovered. Raids are also going on to arrest the accused. In this case, further action will be taken after registering a preliminary complaint.
To curb crime and incidents of theft in Indore city, Police Commissioner Indore Rakesh Gupta, Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone-1 Indore Vinod Kumar Meena, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone-1 Alok Sharma and ACP Gandhinagar Rubina Minjwani have given instructions to take effective action regarding arrest of suspects and miscreants involved in theft crimes.

In line with the above instructions, Police Station Rajendra Nagar incharge Siyaram Singh Gurjar was instructed he formed a team to arrest the accused who committed theft incidents. In this connection, the police team of Rajendra Nagar Police Station was searching for the suspects of theft incidents in the police station area.

Complainant Durgesh father Prayag Singh Bhadauriya resident Kundan Nagar has lodged a case under Section 457, 380 IPC at Rajendra Nagar police station on 17-6-2024 and investigation has been taken up.

While searching for the unknown accused in the above crime, the police team of Rajendra Nagar police station received reliable information that a boy who lives in Digvijay Multi, who has committed theft in a house in Kundan Nagar three-four days ago, is trying to sell the stolen gold and silver jewellery.

This boy has been committing petty thefts since long and has also been caught in Dwarkapuri and Annapurna. The informer described the appearance of the boy. On the basis of the informer's information, a team formed by the police station in-charge police station Rajendra Nagar in Civil searched for the boy of the village told by the informer.

During this, a boy of 15-16 years of age was seen near Digvijay Multi, who was stopped and questioned by the team. At first he started making excuses but then he took out gold and silver ornaments from his jeans pocket and presented them.

During interrogation on the spot, he told that I live with my grandmother, my mother lives in Devguradia. I had committed theft in a house in Kandan Nagar three-four days ago at night from where I had stolen gold and silver ornaments and mobile. During interrogation, the boy told that I had committed theft earlier also. Then I was sent to Bachcha Jail from Dwarkapuri Police Station and told that I had stolen garlic, onion and mobile in the market earlier also.

Gold jewellery including a gold mangalsutra, earrings, gold rings, gold chain, silver anklets and a Redmi mobile were seized from the delinquent boy on the spot.
As the 18th Lok Sabhas inaugural session began on Monday, marking the start of a new parliamentary term with the swearing-in of 540 newly-elected Members of Parliament, Punjabs 13 MPs are scheduled to take their oaths on Tuesday. However, uncertainty prevails over the participation of controversial Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh, currently lodged in Assams Dibrugarh jail and elected MP from Khadoor Sahib in the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, in the ceremony.

Facing significant legal and logistical challenges in participating in the ceremony, Amritpal is facing charges under the stringent National Security Act (NSA), and lodged in Dibrugarh jail since March 2023. The NSA allowed for preventive detention without formal charges for up to 12 months, with Amritpals detention recently extended by the Punjab Government for another year. Despite being listed to take his oath, Amritpal is believed to remain unable to attend due to his ongoing detention.

Amritpals lawyer Rajdev Singh Khalsa confirmed that applications for Amritpals bail have been filed with the Deputy Commissioners office and Punjabs Home Department. When the orders for his release will be issued, Amritpal will be transported from Dibrugarh jail to the Parliament to take his oath. The process is essential as taking the oath is a constitutional requirement for assuming the role of an MP, he said.

Even if Amritpal is granted temporary parole for the oath-taking, continuous legal permissions will be required for him to attend parliamentary sessions. As per the Indian Constitution, any MP absent for more than 60 days without permission risks losing their seat, adding another layer of complexity to Amritpals participation in the Parliament.

Punjab Government's stance on maintaining the NSA against Amritpal will be pivotal. Despite the possibility of the NSA being lifted, Amritpal faces 12 separate charges.

The case has sparked significant public and political debate. Advocate Khalsa emphasized the need to respect the electoral mandate that brought Amritpal into office, highlighting the importance of due legal process and honouring democratic outcomes.

Current House has 2 jailed MPs

In an unprecedented development within the Indian parliamentary framework, Amritpal and another elected MP from Baramulla Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also known as Engineer Rashid, are currently imprisoned on terrorism-related charges.

Amritpal is currently incarcerated in Dibrugarh Jail, while Engineer Rashid has been held in Tihar Jail since August 9, 2019, under charges related to terror financing. Their imprisonment prevents them from participating in the Parliament proceedings, despite their electoral victories. Nevertheless, they retain their constitutional right to take the oath as members of Parliament.

Amritpal secured a decisive victory in Khadoor Sahib seat in Punjab as an independent candidate, defeating Congress' Kulbir Singh Zira by an impressive margin of 1,97,120 votes  the highest winning margin in Punjab. Engineer Rashid, representing the Baramulla constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, triumphed over Omar Abdullah of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference with a margin exceeding two lakh votes.

What Does The Constitution Say?

The future of Amritpal and Engineer Rashid hinges on how they will take their oaths given their imprisonment. Constitutional experts asserted that taking the oath as an MP is a constitutional right. However, due to their incarceration, they must secure special permission to be escorted to Parliament for the ceremony and subsequently return to jail.

Past Precedents

There have been precedents where politicians, detained under legal charges, have been granted temporary parole to take their parliamentary oaths. For instance, earlier this year, Aam Aadmi Party's Sanjay Singh was allowed to take his oath as a Rajya Sabha MP while held on money laundering charges. The court instructed the jail superintendent to ensure his secure transport to Parliament and back to the jail.

Similarly, in 2021, Akhil Gogoi, after winning from Sibsagar in Assam, was permitted by an NIA court to temporarily leave prison for his induction into the Assam Legislative Assembly.

The most notable case is that of trade unionist George Fernandes, who won an election while imprisoned during the Emergency in 1977 from Muzaffarpur seat; and was subsequently released from prison before his oath-taking ceremony.

Former IPS officer and pro-Khalistan ideologue Simranjit Singh Mann was also elected in absentia to the Lok Sabha for Tarn Taran by an overwhelming majority in 1989 and was subsequently released unconditionally in November 1989 "in the interests of the State" with all charges dropped. By then he had already spent five years in prison.
Rotary District 3250, encompassing Jharkhand and Bihar, hosted its annual awards ceremony, "Gracias," celebrating a year of exceptional service and dedication. The event, named after the Spanish word for "Thank You," took place at a prestigious hotel auditorium in Jamshedpur, drawing 108 Rotarians from across the district.

Rotary International, a secular organization with over 43,000 clubs and 1.4 million members worldwide, prides itself on inclusivity, welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds irrespective of caste, sex, color, or political ideology. Rotary members are leaders from various trades and professions, united in their commitment to community service and ethical standards.

District 3250, led by Governor Rotarian Shiv Prakash Bagaria, includes 110 clubs and over 4,100 active members. The district focuses on service projects in education, health, water, maternal and child safety, economic upliftment, environmental sustainability, and world peace, inspired by the United Nations' seven Sustainable Development Goals.

The Gracias ceremony recognized clubs and individuals for their outstanding contributions in various fields: Best Assistant Governor Anjani Nidhi, Best Secretary ( below 40 ) Mandira Gupta, Best Secretary ( Above 40) Sanjeev Boetra, Best President ( below 40 ) Ravi Agarwal, Best President ( Above 40) Vinay Dhandhania, Best Club ( below 40 ) Rotary Midtown Club, Best Club ( Above 40) Jamshedpur Steel City, Rotarian of the year Manish Jain and Deepak Dokania.

The event featured vibrant dance performances that delighted attendees, adding to the celebratory atmosphere. As the Rotary year concluded, District Governor Bagaria praised the district's achievements and the guidance of former governors.
Six people were arrested for allegedly duping a man from the national capital of around Rs 2.50 lakh by claiming an international courier that was being probed by Mumbai Police was booked in his name.

According to the Delhi Police on Sunday, the fraudsters asked him to make the payment to avoid legal hassle. The accused were identified as 24 year old Vishal Joshi, an engineer from Delhi, and five other graduates including 24 year old Ansh and 23 year old Samarth from Haryana, 24 year old Pranjal Kumar Sahni, from Uttar Pradesh, 29 year old Satender Dhaka from Madhya Pradesh, and 26 year old Vedant Prabhkar Nagarkar from Maharashtra.

On April 29, complainant Deepanshu Vaid of Vasundhra Enclave here reported that he received a call from an unknown number, with the caller impersonating as an employee of an international courier of Mumbai branch, Deputy Commissioner of Police (east) Apoorva Gupta said.

The caller claimed that a parcel containing passports, bank cards, clothes, a laptop, some cash and drugs had been booked using Vaids Aadhaar card and phone number. Later, the call was allegedly transferred to Mumbai Cyber Police. Under the pretext of saving him from legal entanglement, the caller cheated him of Rs 2.49 lakh, the DCP said.

Investigation revealed that Vaids payment was credited to the account of a private bank in Rohtak, Haryana belonging to Ansh. Between April 29 and April 30, Rs 3.20 crores was credited to Anshs account and later transferred to other accounts, she said. The bank was informed on April 30 after police received the complaint, and Rs 38.23 lakh was frozen in the account, said the DCP.

Ansh and his associate Samarth were apprehended from Mayur Vihar here, she added. Ansh disclosed that he and Samarth had lost Rs 30 lakhs in cryptocurrency trading, after which they came in contact with Pranjal Sahni, who promised the duo profits if they provided their bank account details, police said.
Sukhdev Bhagat of Congress, who was elected as MP from Lohardaga parliamentary seat, took oath as member of parliament in a unique way on the first day of the Parliament session. Sukhdev Bhagat took oath of office and secrecy by taking the name of Sarna instead of saying Ishwar. It is worth mentioning that Sukhdev Bhagat had promised in the elections that he would raise his voice in the House on the first day of the Parliament session itself for the demand of Sarna Dharma Code. It is worth mentioning that on the first day of the Parliament session, Sukhdev Bhagat reached the Parliament House with a placard demanding Sarna Dharma Code. He also staged a dharna with the placard and said that the government should implement it immediately.

The tribal community wants the central government to give them a column to indicate their religion in various documents, in which Sarna Dharma is mentioned.

It is worth noting that during the election campaign, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had also promised in Basia of Gumla that if the All India Alliance government is formed, then Sarna Dharma Code will be implemented on the very first day.

After this meeting, Sukhdev Bhagat had said that if BJP and Narendra Modi are really well-wishers of the tribals, then they should implement the Sarna Dharma Code. It is worth noting that a section of tribals in Jharkhand is demanding Sarna Dharma Code. The Congress-JMM-RJD government of Jharkhand passed the Sarna Dharma Code from the Assembly and sent it to the central government for approval, but it remained pending in the second term of the Modi government. Let us tell you that BJP leaders neither support the Sarna Dharma Code nor say anything openly in opposition.

However, in the meantime, BJP leaders have said many times that tribals are real Hindus. Let us tell you that in the meantime, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PM Janman Yojana from Khunti district of Jharkhand on 15 November 2023. In this, many projects are to be conducted for the equal participation of 75 primitive tribal communities across the country in social, economic, educational and political life.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday accused the senior BJP leader and the Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Jai Ram Thakur of contempt of court following the former Chief Ministers statements about the appointment of six chief parliamentary secretaries (CPS) by the current Congress-led state government.

Sukhu asserted that Thakurs remarks, which suggest the eventual removal of the CPS, undermine the judicial process as the matter is currently sub-judice.

The Chief Minister, speaking to reporters after paying floral tributes to the former Chief Minister late Virbhadra Singh on his birth anniversary at the Congress office, questioned Thakurs ability to predict the Courts reserved verdict. Sukhu emphasized that such statements should be taken seriously by the Court as they could potentially influence the judicial process.

Thakur, along with state BJP chief Rajiv Bindal, had repeatedly stated in speeches and public statements that the six CPS appointed by Sukhus Government were done so illegally and would ultimately be removed, leading to the downfall of the current administration. These assertions have stirred controversy, particularly given the legal scrutiny the appointments are under.

The issue began when 12 BJP MLAs challenged the appointments, arguing that they violated Article 164(1A) of the Constitution, which limits the number of ministers to 15 percent of the legislative assemblys strength. For Himachal Pradesh, this means a maximum of 12 Cabinet Ministers. The appointments have sparked significant political and legal debate.

Sukhu also pointed out that nine BJP legislators displayed blatant disrespect towards the Assembly Speaker by tearing official papers during the budget session. The Speaker has since issued notices to these MLAs, who have responded to the summons.

In a counter-statement, BJP state president Rajiv Bindal accused Sukhu of attempting to disqualify the nine BJP MLAs in a bid to fortify his government's position, labeling this as undemocratic and a sign of desperation. Bindals remarks further fuel the intense political rivalry between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP in Himachal Pradesh.

As the State gears up for three crucial Assembly bypolls on July 10, both parties are confident of their chances. These by-elections have gained importance as they follow the resignation of three independent legislators who had supported the BJP in the Rajya Sabha elections and subsequently joined the party. The results of these bypolls could significantly influence the political landscape in Himachal Pradesh.

Sukhu pays floral tribute to former CM Virbhadra Singh on his birth anniversary

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday offered floral tributes to the former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on his birth anniversary at Congress Office, Rajiv Bhawan, at Shimla. Sukhr said that Virbhadra Singh dedicated his entire life for the development and welfare of the State and its people. His contribution in making Himachal a prosperous and modern State will always be remembered, he said.
Farmers protesting at the Shambhu border in Patiala district on Sunday alleged that a group of individuals attempted to create a disturbance at their protest site. The protesters, camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13, are demanding a legal guarantee on minimum support prices (MSP) for crops and other agricultural reforms.

The disruption, which occurred around 1 pm, was allegedly led by Ambala Wholesale Cloth Merchants Association head Vishal Batra and other traders from Ambala. They denied the charge, claiming that they were there to request the farmers to reopen the Ambala-Ludhiana national highway, which has been blocked since February, causing significant business losses.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher accused the traders of trying to take over the farmers' stage and create chaos. Around 100 people attempted to seize our stage and disrupt our protest, said Pandher. He further claimed that it was the Haryana Government, not the farmers, that had blocked the highway with barricades to prevent their march to Delhi.

The confrontation has heightened tensions, with villagers and traders from nearby areas expressing frustration over the prolonged blockade. Traders, suffering losses worth crores, have been vocal about the negative impact on their businesses. Our showrooms and shops in Ambala are facing severe losses due to the blocked road, said one protester, adding, We plan to meet with the administration and submit a charter of demands to ensure traffic flow.

Police intervened only after the situation escalated, initially treating it as a conflict between two groups. The farmers, however, maintained that the incident was orchestrated by the state and central agencies to destabilize their movement.

Since February, the farmers have been steadfast in their demands, which include the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission's recommendations, pensions for farmers and laborers, and a comprehensive farm debt waiver. The protest, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, has seen significant support and participation despite challenges.

The farmers have also been critical of the government's handling of the situation, accusing it of failing to address their legitimate concerns. The protest, now in its 131st day, continues to draw attention and support from various quarters, with farmers resolute in their mission to secure their demands.

In light of the recent disturbance, farmer leaders have called for an emergency meeting to strategize their next steps and ensure the protest remains peaceful and focused on its objectives. The outcome of this meeting is awaited with keen interest as the farmers' struggle persists.
Mythical Chinese ancestor Fuxi worshipped in Taiwan

Xinhua) 10:57, June 24, 2024

TAIPEI, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of people attended a ceremony worshipping Fuxi, the mythical ancestor of the Chinese nation, in New Taipei City in Taiwan on Friday.

The event took place simultaneously with a similar ceremony held on the same day in Tianshui in northwestern Gansu Province, where Fuxi is believed to have been born.

This is the 11th year for people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to hold worshipping ceremonies for the legendary figure simultaneously since the first such ceremonies were held in 2014.

During the event, which was held at Xianse Temple in New Taipei City, representatives from various sectors in Taiwan completed the processes of welcoming the deity, offering incense, bowing, and sending off the deity, following ancient rituals.

Lee Chien-lung, the chief officiant of the ceremony who is also in charge of Xianse Temple, expressed the hope that such events should be carried on to promote the integrated development and spiritual harmony between the two sides of the Strait.

"Holding such a grand and meaningful worshipping ceremony for Fuxi allows for deeper cultural exchanges across the Strait," Lee said.

In Chinese mythology, Fuxi is generally believed to have composed a calendar, invented "Bagua," or "Eight Trigrams," and taught people about hunting, fishing, and domestication.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The current visit of Nancy Pelosi to Dharamshala, wherefrom the Tibetan government-in-exile has been working since 1959 has brought back the Tibetan question on the centre stage of international politics. Tibet like Taiwan is a flash point of international dispute in this part of the world involving China. The difference between the two is that Taiwan is a standalone case and it's supporters do not have a direct contact with the borders of either Taiwan or China. In the case of Tibet, a powerful country like India has a border contact with it. The Chinese occupation of Tibet has brought border proximity of India with China. It is a historical fact that Tibet was a buffer state between India and China and it was culturally close to India because of prevalence of Buddhism there.

China is not a neighbour of India because of geographical compulsion, our border touches China because of our political folly committed in 1949 when we accepted the Chinese claim over Tibet and thereafter the One China Policy. The USA did not realise the gravity of the development then or did not interfere in the matter possibly because of the emergence of the communist USSR as a superpower in the bipolar world order that emerged after the second world war. Our leader Nehruji, too, had a fascination for socialism and a natural soft corner for the USSR and China which led to this political misjudgement.

The USA was not fully secure and self-confident till 1970 as it always felt threatened by the USSR. The US led West decided to use China as a bulwark against the USSR and it granted China a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. China became a blue eyed boy of the West and the western technology and market were transferred to China to make it powerful. China became the factory of the world as well as a source of serious threat to the global hegemony of the West. The post-corona world saw a paradigm shift in the global world order. China went down and so did the US led West. Russia survived this pandemic largely successfully. India silently emerged as a new power in this period. It handled corona almost successfully, made vaccines and saved its economy.

All these developments had a deep and profound impact on theTibetan issue. I personally believe that Nehruji had a realization that accepting the Chinese claim over Tibet was a mistake. That's why he allowed His Highness Dalai Lama and his supporters to come to India. He granted them not only political refuge but also allowed them to form a Tibetan government in exile and thereby keeping the embers alive to be stoked and flared up as and when the situation became favorable. That moment of history has arrived.

The visit of Nancy Pelosi is unprecedented and it has taken China and the world by surprise. This is simply a matter of speculation and diplomatic judgment as to what transpired backstage between India and the US that led to this development. It is also certain that China has been caught off guard. As the two great democracies of the world, it is our duty to take up the cause of Tibet. The Tibetans are entitled to return to their homeland and lead a life of dignity and grace under their own value system and governance. A bully like China has to be tamed. Dalai Lama is demanding an autonomous status within China right now, but it would convert into the demand for full independence from China the moment they are convinced that the US and India would go whole hog for the Tibetan cause. The growing Sino-Russian proximity in the wake of Russia Ukraine Conflict defeating the American sanctions against Russia has brought about a turnaround in the US policy vis-a-vis Tibet. America has been emboldened by the Indian response to China in the Galvan Valley in 2020 and by the incidents that followed thereafter. America is alo determined to bring India to its side to take on China and weaken it. India has lonely taken up the cause of Tibet so far inviting Chinese anger. Now it has got the open support of America and the Tibetan issue should be solved with firmness. There would be no real fight on the ground but the diplomatic chessboard would be abuzz with activity giving India some room to breathe some fresh air in the eastern border. China would be on the backfoot. Tibet would be on the centre stage. The test of the Indian diplomacy lies on our ability to maximize our advantage while taking up the cause of Tibet and restricting the US influence to grow to a certain limit in the area.

The writer is a noted academician and political commentator. Views expressed in the article are personal.
The former US president Donald Trump, who is also likely to fight the presidential election as a Republican candidate this year, has said that all efforts should be made to retain the foreign talent, especially the Indians, in America. The top Indian talents go to America for higher studies and they want to work and stay there. But they are discouraged to work in America and the work permit is not granted easily. There is deliberate delay and procedural hassles in granting them green cards, denying them US citizenship. The American politicians believe that Indian students steal the opportunity of higher education and jobs of the Americans. Trump is the first American politician to openly acknowledge the contribution of the Indian diaspora to the American state and economy and the difference between the Indian immigrants and others.

Higher studies in America is very costly and requires a lot of patience, diligence and above all intelligence. The family system in America has broken down and the youth have to fend for themselves. They can not sustain the cost of living as well as the cost of higher education for a long time. No doubt, scholarships are available for those who are very bright and education loans are also there, but very few dare to take it because of the whopping EMI for a very long period. Moreover, they are pleasure hunters by temperament and do not take the extraordinary pain and make sacrifices of youthful pleasures to pursue higher studies . The upper middle class in India is ready to make all sacrifices for educating their children in America, Canada and other western countries. The Indian youth is also ready to work hard to fulfill his or his parents dreams as they are fired by the imagination of a fairytale life there compared to the life of mediocrity, nepotism, and corruption in their own country.

The huge remittances to India by her diaspora living in America, Canada and elsewhere is a cinasure to the politicians of those countries but they do not realise that a huge amount of remittances are made by India to those countries while educating their children. It is no less than the remittances made by the Indian diaspora. It is no secret that the Indian students are the lifeline of these universities, particularly in Canada and Australia. Trump's acknowledgement has not come a day too early. The contribution of the Indian diaspora to the American economy is evident and many Indians are heading some of the top corporate houses there.

The Indian economy has started looking up in recent years and the quality of governance is improving. India has done well on the front of ease of doing business. This is the reason a reverse migration of Indian talent and capital is on the cards. Trump's statement is also intended to check this possible reverse migration.

The Indian immigrants are law abiding and do not create problems for the local administration. They are not dole seekers and they do not live in ghettoised colonies having their own assertive religious and cultural identity. They are easily assimilated into the society they live in. Whatever cultural influence they create on the local society and culture is through silent and peaceful dissemination. This process is not new and it has come down to the present day since Swami Vivekanand took America and the whole West by storm by introducing them to the rich legacy and the highest form of spiritualism of the Sanatan Dharma.

So, Indians are a welcome lot wherever they go. America and other western countries are suffering from the shortage of workforce which India can supply them including the topmost academic and business minds. Any society which opens itself for talent and hard work without any discrimination is suitably rewarded. America is a rich beneficiary of this policy.

The writer is a noted academician and political commentator. Views expressed in the article are personal.
The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Monday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party governments at the Centre and in the state, accusing them of siphoning off money in the construction of Ram Lalla temple and in the name of development of Ayodhya.

Be it the coffins of the martyrs or the temple of god, all these have become opportunities for corruption for the BJP. Even the symbols of faith and purity in the country are mere opportunities for them to loot. It has become clear from the statement of Ram temple priest Satyendra Das that water is leaking in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, built at a cost of crores of rupees, after the first rain and there is no proper arrangement for drainage, UPCC president and former minister Ajay Rai alleged here on Monday.

Rai said that not only this, the mask of BJP, which was beating the drum of development of Ayodhya, had come off just before the inauguration of Ram mandir with the collapse of roads at many places in Ram Path built at a cost of Rs 624 crore.

It has become clear that BJP has made Ayodhya a hub of corruption by carrying out substandard construction in a hurry only to gain electoral advantage, he said.

Rai said BJP had only done injustice to the people of Ayodhya by not giving proper compensation to the migrants. Due to this injustice, the BJP had to face defeat in the Lok Sabha elections 2024 and the people of the state will give them a befitting reply in the upcoming assembly by-elections, he added.
The first priority of the Madhya Pradesh Government and Dhar Police is the respect and safety of women.

Under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Dhar Manoj Kumar Singh, Dhar Police also achieved significant success in arresting Dilip Bhuria, resident of Kokri, Thana Gandhwani, District Dhar, who had assaulted a woman under Thana Tanda area and made a video of it and made it viral on social media.

On June 21, a video went viral on social media, in which a woman was being beaten with a stick by some unknown people. As soon as the said video came to the notice of Dhar Police, Superintendent of Police Dhar Manoj Kumar Singh, immediately showed his hypersensitivity towards women and registered a case under section 307, 34 IPC in Tanda Police Station against the family members of the woman who was beating the woman in the said video, the village sarpanch and other villagers. Dhar Police arrested 7 accused seen beating the woman in the video within a few hours and took strict action against them and presented them before the Court.

During the investigation, it was found that Dilip Singh Sarpanch, had also beaten the woman and he was the one who made the video of the woman being beaten with his mobile and made it viral on social media for the first time. On which, accused Dilip father Noorsingh Bhuria has also been arrested by Tanda police on Monday.
Taking membership of BJP and campaigning in favour of the party went so displeasing for a Chhindwara based Muslim woman that her husband not only assaulted her but also abandoned her by giving divorce.

The victim woman has lodged a complaint against her husband in Kotwali police station for giving triple talaq to her.

The woman alleged that she was being physically and mentally tortured for dowry by her husband and in-laws. On the complaint of the victim, the police have registered a case under section 4 of the Muslim Women Act 2019 along with sections of the IPC.

Kotwali police station in-charge Umesh Golhani said that the victim Ishrat Sheikh, a resident of Royal Chowk, has complained that she was married to Abdul Asif Mansoori.

After marriage, her husband, mother-in-law and four sisters-in-law started giving physical and mental torture by pressuring her to bring five lakh rupees in dowry from her parents' house. She was thrown out of the house.

She is living in a rented house with her son. During this time, husband Abdul Asif Mansoori beat her up and broke the relationship by saying triple talaq.

On the complaint of the victim, the police have registered a case against Abdul Asif Mansuri and other members of his family under sections 498A, 294, 34, section 3 and 4 of the Dowry Act and section 4 of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act 2019.

The victim Ishrat Sheikh said in her complaint that she had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party after being influenced by the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister.

She had voted for the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate in the Lok Sabha elections. When my husband, mother-in-law and sister-in-law came to know about this, they came to my house and broke the relationship with me by giving me triple talaq along with beating me. Staff Reporter n BHOPAL

Taking membership of BJP and campaigning in favour of the party went so displeasing for a Chhindwara based Muslim woman that her husband not only assaulted her but also abandoned her by giving divorce.

The victim woman has lodged a complaint against her husband in Kotwali police station for giving triple talaq to her.

The woman alleged that she was being physically and mentally tortured for dowry by her husband and in-laws. On the complaint of the victim, the police have registered a case under section 4 of the Muslim Women Act 2019 along with sections of the IPC.

Kotwali police station in-charge Umesh Golhani said that the victim Ishrat Sheikh, a resident of Royal Chowk, has complained that she was married to Abdul Asif Mansoori.

After marriage, her husband, mother-in-law and four sisters-in-law started giving physical and mental torture by pressuring her to bring five lakh rupees in dowry from her parents' house. She was thrown out of the house.

She is living in a rented house with her son. During this time, husband Abdul Asif Mansoori beat her up and broke the relationship by saying triple talaq.

On the complaint of the victim, the police have registered a case against Abdul Asif Mansuri and other members of his family under sections 498A, 294, 34, section 3 and 4 of the Dowry Act and section 4 of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act 2019.

The victim Ishrat Sheikh said in her complaint that she had joined the Bharatiya Janata Party after being influenced by the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister.

She had voted for the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate in the Lok Sabha elections. When my husband, mother-in-law and sister-in-law came to know about this, they came to my house and broke the relationship with me by giving me triple talaq along with beating me.
A female prisoner convicted in a murder case escaped from Hamidia by befooling a female guard on Saturday afternoon. Kohefiza police had registered a case in this matter and started looking for her.

The woman kept hiding at different places in Bhopal day and night on Saturday. On Sunday morning, she reached Kurwai district by bus. From there, she reached home to meet her family. The police had activated the informer system. The police immediately got information about the woman reaching home and she was caught within a few hours of meeting her family.

In fact, Kohefiza police informed Kurwai police as soon as they got information about the woman being at home. The police took the woman into custody there. A team of Kohefiza police station has left to take the woman into custody. The police team can bring the woman to Bhopal by Sunday night.

According to the information received from the Central Jail, Saleha Khan (24) a resident of Kurwai district Vidisha, is an undertrial prisoner in a murder case. On April 27, she was transferred from Vidisha jail to Bhopal Central Jail. She was one month pregnant.

On Saturday, June 22, around 12 noon, pregnant Saleha was sent to Sultania Ward of Hamidia Hospital along with female guard Anita Tripathi for routine checkup. After the checkup, the female doctor asked to bring urine for examination.

Saleh went to the women's bathroom with female guard Anita to bring urine. The bathroom was very crowded. As soon as the female prisoner went to the bathroom, the female guard also went to freshen up in the bathroom in front and soon came out. But by then, female prisoner Saleha had escaped from there.

The female guard ran around the entire hospital but could not find any trace of the female prisoner. As soon as the information about the case was received, a verbal and later a written complaint was sent to Kohefiza police by the jail management. At present, no trace of the escaped female prisoner has been found.

The jail management made all efforts to search for the escaped female prisoner at its level but could not find any clue. On checking the footage of CCTV cameras, the female prisoner was seen going out of the Fatehgarh gate of Hamidia Hospital. It is being said that none of the relatives of the female prisoner had reached the hospital. The female prisoner was not in contact with the family members for the last several days.

On the other hand, Kohefiza police also started the search by registering a case on the complaint of the female constable. After checking more than two dozen cameras, the police found out that the woman had reached Nadara bus stand. On this basis, the police activated informers till Kurwai.

Kohefiza police station SHO Brijendra Merscole said that information was received about the absconding female prisoner being caught. After the information, the team left for Kurwai on Sunday afternoon.
A CBI team reached Godhra city in Gujarat's Panchmahal district on Monday to investigate the case of alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam held on May 5, officials said.

A case was registered by the Godhra police on May 8 under various Indian Penal Code sections, including criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal breach of trust, for allegedly trying to help 27 candidates clear the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) for a sum of Rs 10 lakh each.

Superintendent of Police, Panchmahal, Himanshu Solanki said a team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reached Godhra and met local police officers.

"We will extend all the support they need to investigate the case," he said.

The CBI on Sunday filed a fresh FIR against unidentified persons under IPC sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating), among others, amid countrywide protests and litigation by students for a probe into the paper leak claims.

Gujarat's home department on Sunday issued a notification to transfer cases of NEET-UG paper leaks registered by the state police to the CBI, paving the way for the central agency to take over the probe.

The NEET-UG exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country.

The Gujarat police have so far arrested five persons, including the principal and teacher of a school in Godhra, in connection with the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam.

The racket was unearthed at a Godhra school designated as a centre for the NEET-UG, held on May 5 for entrance to medical colleges, after the district collector received a tip-off that some persons were involved in malpractice, as per the FIR registered on May 9.

The arrested persons are Tushar Bhatt, school principal Parshottam Sharma, Vadodara-based education consultant Parsuram Roy, his aide Vibhor Anand and alleged middleman Arif Vohra, SP Solanki earlier said.

As per the FIR registered at Godhra taluka police station on a complaint of the district education officer, Rs 7 lakh cash was recovered from Bhatt, who was working as a teacher at Jay Jalaram School and was appointed the deputy centre superintendent for NEET in the city.

Out of 27 students who had either paid in advance or agreed to pay money to Roy and others, only three were able to clear the exam, according to sources.

The accused told the candidates to solve questions they knew and leave the others blank, which would be filled when papers are collected after the exam, as per the FIR.
A court here on Monday remanded former MP Prajwal Revanna, who was arrested on charges of rape and sexual abuse against several women, to 14 days judicial custody.

As his custody under the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the cases, ended on Monday, he was produced before the court, which remanded him to judicial custody.

The 33-year-old grandson of JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda had failed in his bid to retain the Hassan parliamentary constituency in the recent polls.

SIT officials arrested Revanna soon after he landed at Bengaluru Airport from Germany on May 31.

He had left for Germany on April 27, a day after Hassan went to the polls. A 'Blue Corner Notice' seeking information on his whereabouts had earlier been issued by the Interpol, following a request by the SIT via the Central Bureau of Investigation.

A Special Court for Elected Representatives issued an arrest warrant against Revanna on May 18, following an application moved by the SIT.

Revanna has been booked in three cases of sexual assault. There are also charges of rape against him.

The cases of sexual abuse came to light after pen-drives containing explicit videos allegedly involving Revanna were reportedly circulated in Hassan, ahead of Lok Sabha polls there on April 26.

JD(S) suspended him from the party following the cases filed against him.
Observing that brazen acts of tree felling in the national capital cannot be brushed aside lightly, the Supreme Court on Monday sought a "clear" statement from the vice chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) about whether trees in the ridge area were cut on the orders of the lieutenant governor without its permission.

A vacation bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said it proposes to hold a detailed enquiry into the acts of the DDA which resulted in destruction of several valuable trees and consequentially degradation of the environment.

The apex court said it very shocking that the trees were cut despite knowing that it cannot be done without the permission of the top court.

"Such brazen acts in the capital city cannot be lightly brushed aside by this court. If the authorities are not performing their statutory and constitutional duties of protecting the environment, the court has to give a clear and loud signal to all authorities that the environment cannot be damaged in such a fashion," the bench said.

"We direct the vice chairman to state before the court about whether any official record is available regarding the site visit of the Lieutenant Governor on February 3 and on what transpired on the visit of the LG. We need a clear statement of facts from the vice chairman, because if what is indicated in the emails is correct, then the felling of the trees was on the directions by the LG. We expect the DDA to come clean on this aspect," the top court said while issuing contempt notices to the DDA officers concerned.

The top court said it proposes to issue directions for a massive tree plantation drive in the entire national capital territory of Delhi and asked the DDA and Attorney General R Venkataramani to assist it in the matter.

The matter will now be heard on June 26.

The apex court had earlier issued a notice of criminal contempt against DDA vice chairman Subhasish Panda for allowing large-scale felling of trees in the southern Ridge's Satbari area to construct a road from Chhattarpur to South Asian University.

It had expressed displeasure over a "misleading" affidavit filed by the vice chairman and presenting "wrong facts" before the court. It also directed planting of 100 new trees for each tree felled by the DDA.
Whatever took place to coming across the love of your life? The extreme shift in coupledom produced by dating applications

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Just how do pairs meet and fall in love in the 21st century? It is a question that sociologist Dr Marie Bergstrom has actually invested a long time contemplating. Online dating is changing the way we think about love, she says. One idea that has been really solid in  the past absolutely in Hollywood flicks  is that love is something you can run into, all of a sudden, throughout a random experience. One more strong narrative is the idea that love is blind, that a princess can love a peasant and love can cross social borders. Yet that is seriously challenged when youre on-line dating, due to the fact that it s so noticeable to everybody that you have search standards. Youre not running across love  youre searching for it.

Falling in love today tracks a different trajectory. There is a 3rd narrative about love  this idea that theres someone around for you, somebody created you, a soulmate, says Bergstrom.read about it Youve gotta see this from Our Articles And you just require to locate that person. That concept is very compatible with online dating. It presses you to be aggressive to go and look for this person. You shouldnt simply rest in your home and wait for this person. As a result, the means we think of love  the method we portray it in movies and books, the means we visualize that love jobs  is transforming. There is a lot more focus on the idea of a soulmate. And various other concepts of love are fading away, says Bergstrom, whose controversial French book on the subject, The New Regulation of Love, has actually just recently been released in English for the very first time.

Rather than meeting a companion via buddies, associates or associates, dating is usually now an exclusive, compartmentalised task that is deliberately accomplished far from spying eyes in a completely separated, different social round, she says.

Online dating makes it a lot more exclusive. Its a fundamental adjustment and a key element that discusses why individuals take place online dating systems and what they do there  what sort of connections appeared of it.

Dating is separated from the rest of your social and domesticity

Take Lucie, 22, a trainee that is spoken with in the book. There are people I might have matched with however when I saw we had so many common associates, I said no. It quickly hinders me, because I recognize that whatever occurs between us could not remain between us. And even at the partnership degree, I weart know if it s healthy to have so many pals in

typical. It s tales like these regarding the separation of dating from other parts of life that Bergstrom increasingly uncovered in discovering motifs for her publication. A scientist at the French Institute for Demographic Research Studies in Paris, she spent 13 years between 2007 and 2020 investigating European and North American online dating platforms and carrying out interviews with their individuals and owners. Uncommonly, she additionally took care of to access to the anonymised customer information gathered by the platforms themselves.

She says that the nature of dating has actually been basically changed by on the internet platforms. In the western world, courtship has actually always been tied up and really closely related to normal social tasks, like recreation, work, institution or celebrations. There has actually never been a particularly committed place for dating.

In the past, making use of, for example, a classified advertisement to discover a companion was a low technique that was stigmatised, exactly since it transformed dating right into a been experts, insular activity. However on the internet dating is now so popular that studies suggest it is the 3rd most common way to satisfy a partner in Germany and the US. We went from this situation where it was taken into consideration to be unusual, stigmatised and forbidden to being a very typical means to meet individuals.

Having prominent rooms that are specifically created for privately satisfying companions is an actually extreme historic break with courtship customs. For the first time, it is easy to continuously meet partners who are outdoors your social circle. And also, you can compartmentalise dating in its own area and time , separating it from the remainder of your social and family life.

Dating is additionally currently  in the beginning, at the very least  a residential task. As opposed to conference people in public spaces, individuals of on-line dating systems satisfy partners and start chatting to them from the personal privacy of their homes. This was particularly true during the pandemic, when the use of platforms increased. Dating, flirting and communicating with companions didnt stop due to the pandemic. On the contrary, it simply took place online. You have direct and individual accessibility to companions. So you can keep your sexual life outside your social life and ensure individuals in your environment put on& rsquo;

t find out about it. Alix, 21, another pupil in the book,claims: I m not going to date a man from my college due to the fact that I wear t wish to see him daily if it doesnt work out. I don t want to see him with another woman either. I just put ont want issues. Thats why I like it to be outside all that. The first and most evident effect of this is that it has actually made access to one-night stand much easier. Research studies reveal that connections based on on-line dating platforms have a tendency to come to be sexual much faster than other relationships. A French survey found that 56% of couples start making love less than a month after they meet online, and a third very first have sex when they have actually recognized each other less than a week. By comparison, 8% of pairs that satisfy at work become sex-related partners within a week  most wait a number of months.

Dating platforms do not break down obstacles or frontiers

On on-line dating platforms, you see people meeting a great deal of sexual partners, states Bergstrom. It is easier to have a temporary partnership, not just because its less complicated to involve with partners yet since its less complicated to disengage, as well. These are individuals that you do not know from elsewhere, that you do not need to see again. This can be sexually liberating for some users. You have a lot of sex-related testing going on.

Bergstrom thinks this is specifically substantial due to the double standards still related to women who sleep around , explaining that females s sex-related behavior is still judged in a different way and more seriously than maless . By using on-line dating systems, females can participate in sex-related behavior that would be thought about deviant and all at once maintain a reputable picture in front of their good friends, associates and relationships. They can separate their social image from their sexual behaviour. This is just as real for any individual who appreciates socially stigmatised sexual practices. They have simpler accessibility to partners and sex.

Probably counterintuitively, despite the fact that people from a large range of different histories use on-line dating systems, Bergstrom discovered users typically look for companions from their own social class and ethnic background. Generally, online dating systems do not break down barriers or frontiers. They have a tendency to reproduce them.

In the future, she predicts these platforms will play an also larger and more crucial function in the way couples fulfill, which will enhance the view that you ought to divide your sex life from the remainder of your life. Now, we re in a circumstance where a lot of people fulfill their informal partners online. I think that could extremely conveniently become the norm. And its considered not very appropriate to engage and approach partners at a friends location, at an event. There are systems for that. You need to do that elsewhere. I assume were visiting a kind of confinement of sex.

On the whole, for Bergstrom, the privatisation of dating is part of a wider motion towards social insularity, which has been worsened by lockdown and the Covid dilemma. I think this propensity, this advancement, is negative for social blending and for being confronted and amazed by other individuals that are various to you, whose views are various to your own. People are less subjected, socially, to individuals they sanctuaryt especially picked to satisfy  which has more comprehensive effects for the method individuals in culture interact and connect to every various other. We need to think of what it suggests to be in a society that has actually moved within and shut down, she states.

As Penelope, 47, a divorced functioning mommy who no more makes use of on the internet dating platforms, places it: It s practical when you see someone with their pals, just how they are with them, or if their buddies tease them concerning something youve observed, as well, so you understand its not just you. When its only you and that individual, exactly how do you get a sense of what theyre like worldwide?
The supposed impartial BBC has banned Reform Party leader Nigel Farage from electoral debates, and many other legacy media outlets have actively attacked and cancelled the Reform Party and its leader. The UK is meant to be a democratic country, so why is it now acting like an undemocratic country?

Fear is the obvious reason. The initial fear involved by any establishment system that has a complete hold over any form of narrative is that their all-encompassing hold over the public is undermined, and this is why they will go to extreme lengths to destroy/cancel/undermine any voice that is an opposing force to their control system.

The majority of the public are a threat to the establishment simply because of their numbers. The controlling system is a minority in numbers, and they witnessed the vitriol of the public when a sizeable number voted for Brexit during the fateful EU Referendum in 2016. We witnessed almost seven years of a dirty war by establishment forces trying desperately to deny that democratic vote, and even today Brexit is under severe threat of being reversed.

It is only natural now, as the Reform Party is neck and neck in the polls with the establishment Conservative Party, that the exact same threat against democracy is being enacted by the controlling forces, who greatly fear the result of the upcoming election. Thankfully for them, Britains First-Past-the-Post system will ensure that the Reform Party is denied any real active role in parliament, despite possibly receiving over 20% of the vote.

Do we actually live in a democracy? No, is the basic answer, simply because there is no electoral even playing field. Year after year, decade after decade, the same status quo is presented as the supposed electoral results come through. You either get Labour or Conservative, and not only that, whichever party is voted in to office, you as the voter receive pretty much the same policies and governance, with tiny negligible differences.

Nigel Farage is thus a great threat to the establishment parties because he speaks an element of truth which resonates with millions of voters, and this is why democracy is put aside in an attempt to stop him.
Key Points:

The US will redirect air defense interceptor missiles, initially intended for other allies, to Ukraine to counter intensified Russian attacks on its energy grid.

The decision, prompted by the urgent need to bolster Ukraines air defenses, will delay shipments for an unspecified number of countries for approximately 16 months.

While emphasizing the seriousness of the situation, the White House assured that the move wouldnt negatively affect Taiwans defense capabilities.

US Diverts Air Defense Missiles to Ukraine, Delaying Shipments to Allies

In a move reflecting the escalating urgency of the conflict in Ukraine, the White House declared Thursday that it will be expediting the delivery of crucial air defense interceptor missiles to Kyiv. This decision entails redirecting shipments initially destined for other allied nations, a move prompted by Russias intensified attacks on Ukraines energy infrastructure.

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Prioritizing Ukrainian Needs

National security spokesman John Kirby confirmed the US had made the difficult decision to reprioritize planned foreign military sales deliveries. While he declined to specify which countries or how many shipments would be impacted, he emphasized the critical nature of the situation. Right now, we know that Ukraine urgently needs these additional capabilities, Kirby stated during a press briefing, Obviously more is needed, and its needed now.

This announcement follows President Bidens remarks at the recent G7 summit in Italy, where he alluded to the potential necessity of such a measure. Weve let it be known for those countries that are expecting, from us, air defense systems in the future, that theyre going to have to wait, Biden had said, underscoring the administrations commitment to Ukraines defense. Everything we have is going to go to Ukraine until their needs are met. And then we will make good on the commitments we made to other countries.

Countering Russian Aggression

The US has been steadily supplying Ukraine with interceptors for its air defense systems, including those utilized by Patriot missile batteries and the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS). However, Kirby stressed that the need for increased support has become paramount as Russia intensifies its missile and drone strikes, targeting Ukrainian cities and crucial infrastructure, particularly the energy grid, as winter approaches.

This latest development in the conflict coincides with a resurgence of Russian airstrikes on Ukraines power grid, while Ukrainian forces have retaliated by targeting Russian oil facilities with drone attacks. Both sides are engaged in a strategic struggle to weaken the others capacity to sustain the war effort.

Balancing Commitments and Understanding

The precise number of interceptors being diverted to Ukraine remains undisclosed, though Kirby indicated that it could involve hundreds of Patriot interceptor missiles. He assured that Ukraine would be given priority for shipments as systems would come off the assembly line for approximately the next 16 months, providing sufficient defensive capability for that period.

Following this timeframe, Kirby stated that countries that have been asked to delay will start to get the deliveries of systems they had previously ordered. While Kirby acknowledged that a range of countries will experience delays in receiving their missile systems, he reassured that the shift would not impact Taiwan or its defense capabilities in the face of potential threats from China.

When questioned about the reaction from other allies, Kirby described it as broadly understanding, emphasizing their awareness of the dire situation in Ukraine. They know how serious the need is in Ukraine, he affirmed.
Key Points:

Whistleblower documents reveal a system of secrecy surrounding medical mistakes and problematic providers in the military healthcare system.

Families of service members who suffer harm due to medical negligence face significant roadblocks in obtaining information and seeking accountability.

Lawmakers and advocates call for greater transparency in the military healthcare system.

Military Medical Mistakes Hidden from Families

A lack of transparency in the military healthcare system has come to light following the tragic death of a young Navy Corpsman after a routine shoulder surgery. Whistleblower documents and interviews with families and medical professionals have revealed a concerning pattern of secrecy surrounding medical errors and questionable providers within military medical facilities.

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A Familys Fight for Answers

Jordan Way, a 23-year-old Navy Corpsman stationed at Bush Naval Hospital in Twentynine Palms, California, died just days after undergoing shoulder surgery in 2017. His familys desperate search for answers revealed a system that prioritizes protecting providers over providing transparency to grieving families.

He kept saying to me, Mom, Im going to be okay. I trust them, his mother, Suzi Way, recalled. Jordans trust stemmed from receiving care at the same facility where he worked as a pharmacy tech. However, that trust would prove tragically misplaced.

After his surgery, Jordan experienced excruciating pain despite being prescribed increasing doses of oxycodone. His pleas for help went largely unanswered, and despite multiple calls to the hospital, he wasnt seen in person by his surgeon again. Days later, Jordan was found unresponsive by friends who were monitoring his medication. His death was attributed to opioid intoxication.

The Way familys struggle to obtain information about Jordans death is a stark example of the difficulties faced by military families when seeking answers about medical errors. Despite filing Freedom of Information Act requests and enlisting the help of Congressional representatives, the Way family still has unanswered questions, their sons medical file riddled with redactions.

Whistleblower Documents Expose Internal Evaluations

Researchers obtained internal hospital records from a military whistleblower, revealing a system where the names of providers and details of disciplinary actions are shielded from public view. These documents, typically protected under federal law, expose the internal evaluations conducted after medical errors occur in military treatment facilities.

These evaluations often acknowledge mistakes, including errors in judgment, delayed diagnoses, and inadequate communication. However, even when these internal reviews find fault, the information is withheld from families who are left to navigate a labyrinthine system in search of accountability.

A System Shrouded in Secrecy

Data obtained by researchers provides a troubling picture of the militarys handling of medical mistakes:

Between 2018 and 2022, nearly 500 reports were filed regarding military medical providers to a confidential government database that tracks discipline, lawsuit settlements, and malpractice payouts.

Hundreds of suspensions and disciplinary actions were taken against military providers during that period, yet the identities of those involved remain hidden.

Taxpayers have footed the bill for nearly $1 billion in malpractice claims filed against military providers in the past 15 years.

This lack of transparency starkly contrasts the civilian healthcare system, where disciplinary actions against doctors and nurses are publicly available through state medical boards.

Calls for Transparency and Accountability

The lack of transparency in military healthcare has drawn criticism from lawmakers and advocates, who argue that families deserve to know about potential risks medical providers pose. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, a longtime advocate for government transparency, expressed concern over the secrecy surrounding military medical errors. Transparency brings accountability, he stated, highlighting the importance of public access to information about medical professionals entrusted with the care of service members.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently completed an audit of the Defense Health Agency, finding significant failures in reporting disciplinary actions and investigations into military medical providers. The audit revealed instances where suspensions werent promptly enacted, notifications to state medical boards were delayed, and other healthcare facilities werent informed about disciplinary measures.

For families like the Ways, this lack of transparency is agonizing. They believe that those who serve in the military deserve to know the names of providers who have been disciplined or faced malpractice payouts.

It is a cancer, Mrs. Way stated, referring to the militarys practice of shielding problematic providers. Military medical negligence and the DOD, what theyre doing in hiding these doctors and not being transparent with the families, is a cancer.
Preeminent academic, Professor Gerry McKenna visited Rath Mor Centre last week to meet with members of the Derry University Group (DUG) where he delivered a seminar disseminating the findings of the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) Finding common ground, building community: strengthening and stimulating tertiary regional collaboration in the north-west of the island of Ireland report.

The RIA is an independent all-Ireland society which was established in 1785, which has approximately 650 members based on distinction of scholarship and research across the full breadth of academic enterprise; sciences, engineering, humanities, social sciences and public services.

Membership to the academy is by election and it is considered to be the highest academic honour in Ireland. It has very close links with other academies across the UK, Europe and the world. The academy draws on members expertise to contribute to public debate and policy formation on issues of science, technology and culture.

In attendance at the event were a number of interested parties including former SDLP MP, Mark Durkan as well as members of DUG.

Professor McKenna told those in attendance why the report was commissioned.

He stated: The academy felt there was a need to look at higher education across the island of Ireland and develop a vision for higher education over the next 15 years or so.

That was influenced by many issues, Covid being one, Brexit being another, new delivery modalities that were emerging, technological university development in Ireland, regional pressures, access and inclusion issues, the need for a strong research base in Ireland and Ireland/Northern Ireland collaborative issues and challenges.

We engaged in a consultation exercise that had inputs from over 100 organisations and individuals, various stakeholders.

We had close to 40 members representing all aspects of academia and all higher education institutions on the island and we split into five subgroups looking at different aspects of higher education, one being a vision of higher education, one being a vision for higher education on the island of Ireland in 2035, recognising that higher education has a role to play in the support of democracy and tolerance.

We produced five reports, which came out at the end of 2021/beginning of 2022, which are available on the academy website. One of the areas that perhaps attracted most attention was the whole issue of regions and place.

The Finding common ground, strengthening and stimulating tertiary and regional collaboration in the north-west of the island of Ireland research paper highlights the persistent challenges faced in the North-West region of Ireland that, if resolved, would benefit the north-west communities and the economy of the entire island, and goes on to provide the blueprint for such action to be taken.

The paper also suggests that a federal cross-border tertiary education institution to boost university provision in Derry and the North-West as a whole should be seriously considered, and that infrastructure should also be developed to support such a project.

Professor McKenna added: We recognised that there were substantial deficiencies in terms of development across the island as a whole, for example the south-east, which has to some extent been corrected through the development of a technological university there, but we were particularly taken by the lack of support and lack of activity in the north-west of the island.

We defined the region as representing the counties of Derry and Donegal, but also in terms of the greater north-west; Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Tyrone. All of which can be shown by various indices to have been underprovided in terms of higher education, tertiary education in future.

The challenges highlighted, revolve around infrastructural, educational and communication deficits in comparison to other regions of the island, and the limited ambition by governments and relevant institutions to grow student numbers to levels comparable to those of other major population centres elsewhere on the island.

That is compounded by the major infrastructure deficit in terms of road, rail and communications in this area which has also been highlighted in various scorecards produced by the European Commission which shows that the north and west regions of Ireland are much more deficient than other parts of the island.

Figures were displayed of the disparity between student numbers in Belfast and Derry. While Belfast has a student population of 44,334 which equates to 82.6% of the Norths total, Derry lags well behind at 5,227 students, 9.7% of the total.

A taskforce, established by Economy Minister Conor Murphy in March, has begun to take steps to increase student numbers to 10,000 at Ulster Universitys Magee campus.

Meanwhile, a 55-foot billboard spelling out the massive economic disparity between the Norths two biggest cities has been erected at the site of what was Derrys biggest-ever shirt factory.

Campaigners unveiled their sign on Foyle Road, where the landmark factory Tillie & Henderson once stood.

DUG has previously put up pre-election hoardings at Free Derry Corner, opposite Magee College, and at other sites across the city.

DUG member Conal McFeely said: There is no better - or indeed no other - way to regenerate this region than to establish an independent university here. No other state would continue to support such regional imbalance - with 83 percent of students and 95 percent of capital funding being restricted to Belfast.

Instead of yet more task forces, we need to take our politicians to task and force them to deliver on the findings of the Royal Irish Academy reports. A cross-border university with Derry as its hub will revitalise our region and restart our economy.

We want local people to read this billboard and, when the politicians arrive on their doorstep, ask them to account for whats on it. Why is a job in Derry paid half of that in Belfast? Why is this the only city on these islands with net migration?.

The university must be the number one issue for our new MPs and until that happens, we urge voters to make as much noise as they can.
The fall-out from Brexit, discord over calls for a united Ireland and Stormonts perilous financial position dominated in the first major TV debate of the General Election campaign in Northern Ireland.

Senior representatives from Sinn Fein, the DUP, Alliance Party, Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP participated in the UTV debate on Sunday.

The line-up included three party leaders  the DUPs Gavin Robinson, Alliances Naomi Long and the SDLPs Colum Eastwood  while Sinn Fein was represented by its North Belfast candidate John Finucane and the UUP by its deputy leader and Lagan Valley candidate Robbie Butler.

The debate, which was largely even-tempered in nature, was held in UTVs studios in the City Quays 2 building in Belfast and moderated by the broadcasters political correspondent Vicki Hawthorne.

The hour-long programme began with Mr Robinson being challenged on the DUPs endorsement of the UK Government command paper on post-Brexit trade that the party used to justify dropping its two-year blockade on powersharing at Stormont earlier this year.

The DUP leader said he did not accept the suggestion that his party had oversold the deal, as he claimed the package of measures achieved some progress in addressing unionist concerns over trade and sovereignty, but that work remained to be done.

Its very clear the roadmap is there, we have attained progress when others either did not care or did not try and we are standing on our record of achieving for the people who elect us, he said.

Mr Finucane was pressed on Sinn Feins long-standing abstentionist policy at Westminster in the context of the decisions taken on the shape of the Brexit withdrawal over recent years.

He insisted his partys voice had been clearly heard in London through direct meetings with Government ministers and senior opposition MPs.

Mr Finucane said Sinn Fein representatives had also brought their message to the heart of the political establishment in Brussels and Washington.

If we go back and actually look at the outworking of what the British government were intent on doing, there wasnt a single vote (in Parliament) that was going to stop the Brexit project, he said.

And I think that when we have a chamber that, by its very nature, is designed to make MPs from here irrelevant, the real work gets done when we engage with them directly. And thats what weve been doing.

Mr Eastwood was asked what difference the SDLP actually made by taking its seats in Westminster. He said he firmly believed that unless elected MPs attend Parliament you just dont count.

He said his party had been a voice for common sense in the House of Commons.

If youre asking MPs from across the political spectrum in Westminster, they wouldnt really know who Sinn Feins MPs are, he added.

Ms Long said there was a need for other voices other than the DUP to be represented at Westminster.

The DUP have delivered in the last term  they delivered the chaos of Brexit, they delivered collapse of the Assembly, they delivered a very negative outlook from Northern Ireland, she said.

What I want to do and what my colleagues want to do is to project that more positive element of Northern Ireland, to talk about what we can achieve and what we can do and the support that we need to be able to enable that. I think that that more positive voice needs to be heard.

Those remarks prompted one of the debates more robust exchanges, with Mr Robinson then accusing Ms Long and the other parties of ignoring unionist concerns about post-Brexit trading agreements.

They did not care for our concerns, and that is damaging, that is not how progress will be made in Northern Ireland, he said.

Ms Long said the fault for the problems Northern Ireland had faced post-Brexit lay at the door of the DUP, for not only campaigning for a UK exit from the EU but also by championing the hardest Brexit.

Its unfair I think to create a problem and then expect everyone else to take responsibility for the consequences of it while you live in denial, she told Mr Robinson.

Mr Butler said his party had been consistent through the Brexit process, warning of the potential damage a UK exit from the EU might inflict on Northern Ireland.

He also accused Sinn Fein and the DUP of making the people of the region suffer the consequences of political failure with their moves to collapse powersharing for two lengthy periods over the last seven years.

He said his party would pursue more positive politics at Westminster.

It would be making Northern Ireland work, and it wouldnt be the belligerent politics which I grew up with, which I want to see changed, he said.

The second part of the debate focused on Stormonts bleak financial picture.

Mr Finucane insisted it was a lazy narrative to suggest the solution was Stormont imposing more revenue-raising measures on people in the region.

He said the local parties instead needed to take a united approach in pressing the Treasury for more money.

What we need is that collective voice pushing back against the Treasury, pushing back against Westminster, and demanding the bare minimum resources that we need to improve, particularly public resources like health and education, he said.

Mr Butler was challenged whether his party had acted responsibly in recently voting against the Stormont budget that was agreed by the other Executive parties. Former UUP health minister Robin Swann opposed the budget plan after claiming the allocation to his department would inflict significant damage on health service delivery.

We have responsibility for the health portfolio and its very clear that hundreds of millions of pounds short is going to cause harm to the people of Northern Ireland, said Mr Butler.

We dont think there was a fair allocation and were working with our Executive partners to see that remedied and we want to see that remedied as quickly as possible.

Ms Long accused political rivals of avoiding difficult decisions when it came to reforming and restructuring public services in Northern Ireland.

She also said there were other ways to raise revenue, such as taxing corporations and the super-rich, rather than introducing new charges on hard-pressed families.

Ms Long said Northern Ireland was underfunded from London but she said there was also a need to address the cost of division in the region, with many services duplicated as a consequence of the need to provide services to divided communities.

There can be no escaping the reality that when we get that money, we have to be accountable for how we spend it, she said.

We cant overspend, we cant waste. And we need to look, before we start dipping into the pockets of hard-pressed members of the public, we need to look at the money that is wasted on the cost of division in our society.

Mr Eastwood said Northern Ireland was an economic basket case and the financial situation once again demonstrated the need for local MPs to attend Westminster to press the next government for more funding.

Whilst we would love to see more fiscal powers in Northern Ireland, the powers right now rest in London, so weve got to go there, as much as I dont want to, weve got to go there, hold them to account and speak up for the people here, he said.

Mr Robinson made clear his party was opposed to revenue-raising measures. He said people had a higher tax burden now than at any time since the Second World War.

Im not sure that theres a strong appetite there to hear about more fiscal devolution, which means more revenue raising, which means more difficulty for hard-pressed working families, he said.

The final part of the debate focused on the long-running wrangle over Northern Irelands constitutional future.

Mr Robinson said he had no interest in participating in a societal conversation about breaking up the United Kingdom.

As a unionist I can say this is a boring repetition of an aspiration which has gained no traction whatsoever over the last 25 years, he said.

The combined vote of nationalists and republicanism within Northern Ireland has not grown one bit in 25 years. So, its not gaining traction. As a unionist, the idea of having a casual or a polite or an engaging conversation about this issue about severing my own country is about as attractive as having a polite conversation about severing my own leg.

Mr Finucane was asked about recent comments from former taoiseach Leo Varadkar when he suggested the process of changing hearts and minds in relation to constitutional change would require the republican movement making a specific apology for its actions during the Troubles.

The senior Sinn Fein representative, whose father Pat was murdered by loyalists during the Troubles, said his party had not been found wanting when it came to moves towards reconciliation.

But he said issues around forgiveness should be detached from the debate on a new Ireland.

Thats a separate conversation, its a personal conversation, and its something that is very emotive and I would say should be divorced at the right time from this conversation, which is about looking towards the future, he said.

Ms Long was pressed several times on why her party did not take a position on the constitutional question.

She urged her political rivals to respect the fact she was neutral on the issue.

But she said Alliance still wanted to participate in the wider debate.

We want to be part of that conversation because it will be our future as much as anyone elses, she said.

The important thing though for me is that, first and foremost, as politicians, we wont be the people who make those decisions, itll be the public who make those decisions at the ballot box in a referendum.

Mr Butler said nationalists and republicans had been unable to agree a shared vision of what a united Ireland might look like.

As a unionist, it is my responsibility to see Northern Ireland work, to see Northern Ireland thrive and Im not picking up anything certainly from the unionist community and even from many in the nationalist community, who are not having that conversation (about unification) at the moment, he said.

And thats not to diminish the rights of the SDLP or Sinn Fein or any others to take part in those conversations. But Im not picking up any sense that were at that point.

And, in fact, my priority will be to have the alternative conversation, which is to make Northern Ireland the most prosperous place in the United Kingdom and indeed on these islands.

Mr Eastwood said reconciliation had to be at the heart of any debate about unifying Ireland.

I want that conversation to be a process of reconciliation where we explain to people that we can unite these communities again, we can bring people together, we can give people a better chance in life, a better economic outlook, better public services.

I think thats a prize worth having, and being part of the European Union again, he said.

I think no matter who you are, no matter what your background is, we have to understand this is not about fixing historic wrongs, this is about building a future together.
Derry's railway station has registered its highest ever passenger numbers, surpassing all of its previous records.

Figures secured from Translink show that a phenomenal 952,126 passengers passed through Derrys rail station across 2023-24.

This represents an increase of almost a quarter of a million journeys versus the previous 12 months  which itself was also a record year - and amounts to a 32% year-on-year rise.

It is also the highest number of passengers Derrys rail station has ever carried, and has propelled the city up one more place on the leader board to now rank as NIs seventh busiest station, over-taking Coleraine in the process.

Until 2017 the city had just one rail service every two hours on the line to Belfast - with 340,000 passengers using the old station. In July 2017 an hourly service was introduced from the city, six days a week, which saw passenger numbers leap by over 100,000 in the following months.

Following the opening of the new multi-million transport hub in 2019, Derrys station rose to 13th place shortly afterwards.

Rail campaign group Into The West said since the opening of the new transport hub, demand for rail use in Derry has risen dramatically.

Campaigners pointed to the covid pandemic having a positive impact on the number of journeys from Derry. Rail usage from the city has surged by 80% compared with before Covid, with 423,000 more passengers in 2023-24 versus 2018-19.

Into The West point out that Derrys phenomenal growth has come despite the three rail stations West of the River Bann on the Derry-Belfast line (Castlerock, Bellarena and Derry) receiving 2,600 fewer rail services a year than every station East of the Bann gets on the same line  including only half as many trains on a Sunday.

They also highlight that Stormont and Translink continue to focus their funding and energy on improving rail in Belfast  where demand has been falling  rather than in Derry, where it continues to soar.

They noted that there are currently six major rail projects either ongoing or planned and funded in NI at the moment, with a total cost of over half a billion pounds. All six are located east of the Bann, with no such projects west of the Bann.

Chair of Into The West, Steve Bradley, commented: Its fantastic to report yet another record-breaking year for rail demand to and from Derry.

Twenty years ago civil servants tried to shut the last remaining railway line West of the Bann entirely. And ten years ago it took a high-profile public campaign to get Stormont to accept that Derry should have a rail station fit for purpose.

Wed like to thank the people of Derry, who have shown repeatedly that they value the ability to travel by rail - with even modest improvements in services and facilities here resulting in huge increases in passenger numbers.

Yet all that has been achieved despite the city suffering clear discrimination in services from Translink and the Department for Infrastructure (DFI). For example - only one train from Derry reaches Belfast before 9am every morning, whereas Coleraine has four and even Portrush has two.

The last train departing Belfast for West of the Bann in the evenings is at 9.10pm (7:10pm on Sundays), which rules out using rail to attend a concert, the theatre, Ulster Rugby etc.

Yet services for every station up to Coleraine leave Belfast as late as 10:40pm. Most inexplicable of all, Derry has only six rail services on a Sunday  one every two hours  whereas every station on the line east of the Bann has 13.

All of this amounts to Derry, Castlerock and Bellarena each receiving 2,600 fewer rail services every year than the stations east of the Bann. Just think how high the demand for rail from Derry would be if the city didnt have one hand tied behind its back in this way?

Into The West is calling on Infrastructure Minister John ODowd to bring his departments blatant timetable discrimination against Derry and the West to an end as a matter of urgency.

Mr Bradley explained: John ODowd has been Minister for five months, so is not to blame for his departments longstanding timetable discrimination against the West of NI.

He is, however, responsible for now ending it  so he and his party will be judged in Derry and the West on whether or not he does. The Minister recently announced that 141m will be used to fund hourly trains on the Enterprise service between Belfast and Dublin  a route that carries fewer than half the passengers that the Derry-Belfast line does.

Yet at the same time were told that a few hundred thousand pounds cant be found to ensure that Derry has hourly trains on a Sunday. It represents blatant discrimination against NIs second city, which Minister ODowd must now either choose to end or himself be implicated in.

Mr Bradley concluded: With over half a billion pounds of capital funding currently committed to 6 major rail projects in Belfast and the east, and no projects at all confirmed for the West, it is clear that the priority of Translink and DFI is to continue focusing resources where rail demand has fallen due to Working From Home - rather than on the places where it is soaring. Rail investment across NI is not reflecting the changed demand and new reality since Covid.

To avoid public money being prioritised on the wrong things  such as the third-of-a-billion pounds being spent on just one massive new station in Belfast  it is essential that Translink and DFI review their capital plans as a matter of urgency to ensure they reflect Belfasts decline and Derrys huge growth in rail demand.

There is no point ignoring the impact Working From Home has had upon travel patterns in the east of NI. And it is now time to recognise the huge latent demand for rail in Derry, by giving passengers there the equal levels of service that their usage demands.

We must ensure that rail spending goes to where the growing demand is  and not just to the places where it has always gone before.
This year Foyle Port celebrates a historic milestone as it marks 170 years at the heart of trade and industry on the River Foyle  and what better time to celebrate than at the Foyle Maritime Festival later this month.

Foyle Port staff will come together to mark the occasion in style with maritime themed festivities on the Foyle, a special quayside reception and family fun day.

The Maritime Festival provides an opportunity to look back and reflect on the remarkable history of the Foyle, as a key Irish port for transatlantic trade, a centre for emigration, and a strategic military base. Foyle Port has been integral to the citys growth and development.

When the Port was first formally established in 1854, the Industrial Revolution was well underway and it accelerated in the aftermath of the American Civil War. Transatlantic shipping was a lynchpin in opening up trade routes and transportation to the United States and further afield and Foyle Port provided the ideal access point.

Today, Foyle Port operates as a vital bulk port, renewable energy platform and a supporter of cruise tourism, making essential contributions to the North West of Irelands economy.

Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Lilian Barr, said the Maritime Festival offered the perfect backdrop to celebrate the pivotal role played by Foyle Port down through the decades. The Foyle Maritime Festival celebrates the citys rich maritime history, and Foyle Port has had a key strategic role since it was first established. Our river has always been central to our commerce, our culture and our heritage.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to acknowledge the important work of Foyle Port on this historic milestone. They have been integral to managing activity on the Foyle making it the thriving business that it is today. I want to thank the team and wish them all the very best for the future.

Harbour Master and Operations Director Bill McCann said: The Foyle Maritime Festival is a highlight of the year for us as it underscores our ongoing commitment to contribute to the positive impact of the Port in the community. This event would not be possible without the exceptional expertise of our marine team, safe waterways and the marine infrastructure we have in place. Our marine team are committed to the safe and efficient operation of all marine activity ensuring a secure environment for all.

After 170 years as the maritime hub of the North West, Foyle Port continues to grow, thrive and evolve and what better way to celebrate these achievements and this landmark year, than by joining the party at the councils giant maritime festival weekend on the quayside and on the water. We look forward to seeing generations of Foyle Port families joining in the celebrations, and to seeing tens of thousands of visitors enjoying the packed programme of activities, sharing the magic of the River Foyle and all that it showcases of this great city.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to flock to the Foyle Maritime Festival over four days from Thursday June 27 until Sunday June 30, with a packed programme of water and land based activities. The quayside will become a bustling maritime village featuring vintage fairground rides, live music, the culinary delights of the LegenDerry Food Village, the Maritime and Merchant Markets, Big Wheel, water taster sessions and so much more.

The festival is delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council in partnership with key stakeholders Foyle Port and Loughs Agency and supported by a range of funders including TNI, Diageo and Ulster University.

Find out more about the full programme of events on www.foylemaritimefestival.com
This year Foyle Port celebrates a historic milestone as it marks 170 years at the heart of trade and industry on the River Foyle  and what better time to celebrate than at the Foyle Maritime Festival later this month.

Foyle Port staff will come together to mark the occasion in style with maritime themed festivities on the Foyle, a special quayside reception and family fun day.

The Maritime Festival provides an opportunity to look back and reflect on the remarkable history of the Foyle, as a key Irish port for transatlantic trade, a centre for emigration, and a strategic military base. Foyle Port has been integral to the citys growth and development.

When the Port was first formally established in 1854, the Industrial Revolution was well underway and it accelerated in the aftermath of the American Civil War. Transatlantic shipping was a lynchpin in opening up trade routes and transportation to the United States and further afield and Foyle Port provided the ideal access point.

Today, Foyle Port operates as a vital bulk port, renewable energy platform and a supporter of cruise tourism, making essential contributions to the North West of Irelands economy.

Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Cllr Lilian Barr, said the Maritime Festival offered the perfect backdrop to celebrate the pivotal role played by Foyle Port down through the decades.

The Foyle Maritime Festival celebrates the citys rich maritime history, and Foyle Port has had a key strategic role since it was first established. Our river has always been central to our commerce, our culture and our heritage.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to acknowledge the important work of Foyle Port on this historic milestone. They have been integral to managing activity on the Foyle making it the thriving business that it is today. I want to thank the team and wish them all the very best for the future.

Harbour Master and Operations Director, Bill McCann said: The Foyle Maritime Festival is a highlight of the year for us as it underscores our ongoing commitment to contribute to the positive impact of the Port in the community.

"This event would not be possible without the exceptional expertise of our marine team, safe waterways and the marine infrastructure we have in place. Our marine team are committed to the safe and efficient operation of all marine activity ensuring a secure environment for all.

German U-boat surrender at Lisahally in May 1945.

After 170 years as the maritime hub of the North West, Foyle Port continues to grow, thrive and evolve and what better way to celebrate these achievements and this landmark year, than by joining the party at the councils giant maritime festival weekend on the quayside and on the water.

"We look forward to seeing generations of Foyle Port families joining in the celebrations, and to seeing tens of thousands of visitors enjoying the packed programme of activities, sharing the magic of the River Foyle and all that it showcases of this great city.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to flock to the Foyle Maritime Festival over four days from Thursday, June 27 until Sunday, June 30 with a packed programme of water and land based activities.

The quayside will become a bustling maritime village featuring vintage fairground rides, live music, the culinary delights of the LegenDerry Food Village, the Maritime and Merchant Markets, Big Wheel, water taster sessions and so much more.

Find out more about the full programme of events on www.foylemaritimefestival.com
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All three of the main party leaders were on the campaign trail on Monday, visiting battleground seats ranging from an ultra-marginal to constituencies with huge Conservative majorities.

Sir Keir Starmer campaigned in two seats in Northamptonshire which would both need hefty swings in the share of vote for Labour to gain them from the Tories.

Kettering, which Sir Keir visited first, would change hands on a swing of 16.7 percentage points, with the Conservatives defending a notional majority of 17,363.

It is ranked at number 207 on a target list of Labour seats, based on the size of swing needed to gain.

Northampton South, Sir Keirs second visit, needs a slightly smaller swing of 13.5 points for a Labour gain, although this is still large enough to rank the seat at number 155.

The Conservatives are defending a notional majority here of 13,324.

Both of these seats were last held by Labour from 1997 to 2005 and have returned Tory MPs at every election since then.

Sir Keir has now visited 40 seats in the course of the campaign, 29 of which are being defended by the Conservatives.

The most marginal Tory-Labour battleground seat he has visited is Bury North, which needs a swing of 1.2 percentage points to change hands and is ranked seventh on the partys target list.

He has also held events in seven Labour seats, three SNP seats in Scotland, and Brighton Pavilion in East Sussex which is being defended by the Greens.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey spent Monday in Wimbledon in south-west London, a constituency he has visited once before during the campaign and which is one of his partys top targets.

The Conservatives are defending a notional majority in the seat of just 839, with the Lib Dems needing a swing of only 0.8 percentage points to win  small enough to rank it at number three on the partys national target list.

Wimbledon has never been represented in the House of Commons by the Lib Dems, with the seat returning Conservative MPs at almost every election since it was created in 1885, apart from brief spells when it was held by Labour from 1945 to 1950 and 1997 to 2005.

Sir Ed has visited 36 different constituencies since the start of the campaign, 32 of which are being defended by the Conservatives.

They include many of the key Tory-Lib Dem battlegrounds, including Carshalton & Wallington (where the notional Tory majority is 629), Cheltenham (1,421), Cambridgeshire South (1,498), Eastbourne (2,168) and Cheadle (2,336).

The four non-Tory constituencies visited by Sir Ed are the safe Labour seat of Hackney South & Shoreditch, where he launched the Lib Dem manifesto; Sheffield Hallam, the only Labour-Lib Dem marginal at this election; Cowdenbeath & Kirkcaldy in Scotland, won by the SNP in 2019 and more plausibly a Labour target at this election; and the safe Lib Dem seat of Bath.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak travelled to Edinburgh on Monday to launch the Conservatives Scottish manifesto.

The event took place in the constituency of Edinburgh East & Musselburgh, which is being defended at the election by the SNP and where the main challenging party is Labour.

Mr Sunak has visited 41 constituencies since the campaign began, of which 36 are Conservative defences.

In eight of these seats the Tories are defending notional majorities of more than 20,000, including the PMs own seat of Richmond & Northallerton.

He has visited only two Labour seats so far: Blyth & Ashington, a new constituency at this election, but one which would have had a notional Labour majority in 2019 of 6,118; and Cambridge.

The other three seats in which he has held campaign events are Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross (won by the SNP in 2019), Edinburgh East & Musselburgh (SNP), and Belfast East (DUP).
Michelle ONeill said she will knock on the door of Downing Street straight after the election to demand an immediate funding pledge on Casement Park, to ensure Northern Ireland does not miss out on Euro 2028.

The First Minister told the Assembly that it is vital the region does not pass up the opportunity to be a host venue during the showpiece international tournament, when it is jointly held by the UK and Ireland in four years.

Her comments come amid mounting speculation that the stadium could be axed as a host venue, because of uncertainty over the timeline and funding for the redevelopment project.

The derelict west Belfast ground has been earmarked to host five Euro 2028 matches.

However, the funding needed to build the stadium in time for the tournament is still not in place, prompting concerns that the delays will see Belfast miss out.

Ulster GAA and the Irish FA recently wrote to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asking the UK Government to bridge the funding gap.

On a recent visit to Belfast, Mr Sunak said the Government will make a substantial contribution to the redevelopment but refused to say how much or if it will happen in time for Euro 2028.

Mr Sunak has said a funding decision will not come until after the General Election, and shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn has said that Labour will not offer a blank cheque to the project if his party comes to power after July 4.

There have been reports that the projected costs of the rebuild could soar as high as 308 million in a worst-case scenario.

When we get post July 4 next week, whoever comes out the other side, whoever occupies Downing Street, will have me knocking at their door in terms of the huge significance that we have, the huge economic boost that we have to have the Euros hosted here and I want us to be part of that, Ms ONeill told MLAs.

I do not want us to miss a moment there. So, whoever comes into 10 Downing Street, whoever occupies the Treasury, we want firm commitments in terms of their commitment to the financial package that actually gets Casement built and also gets us our part as part of the Euros.

The issue was raised during Assembly question time by SDLP MLA Mark Durkan.

I think its a prospect that we must all be ambitious about, the First Minister said of the Euros.

This is something that will lead to the betterment of our wider society, the economic boost, the investment in sport, the legacy that that will leave, the tourism impact that we will have from it.

I mean, the benefits are immense and it is an opportunity not to be missed and an opportunity indeed that we must maximise.

She added: I think its important now that we get to the other side of this election and we get that immediate, firm confirmation from the British government in terms of their stated funding commitment, and we need to get that without delay, so that we can move on at pace and actually secure our place within the Euros.

In 2011, the Stormont executive committed 62.5 million to the project.

Earlier this year the Irish Government offered 50 million euro towards it and the GAA has said it will contribute 15 million.

Last week Taoiseach Simon Harris made clear that his governments funding pledge for Casement Park is guaranteed regardless of whether the stadium hosts games during Euro 2028.
Smart cockpit features of Chinese cars woo young Thai buyers

Chinese carmakers are accelerating their entry into Thailand.

The Thai automotive market has braced for structural changes as Japan-based Suzuki Motor plans to close a subsidiary's plant in 2025 and Subaru will cease local production by the year's end.

Automotive suppliers based in Thailand said one of the Japanese automakers maintained sluggish sales in Thailand but performed well in other Southeast Asian countries. Therefore, the company decided to redistribute its resources.

Sources said the other Japan-based carmaker was impacted by another company's testing scandals and stopped manufacturing certain vehicle models and components. This situation led to the closure of the carmaker's factory in Thailand.

Chinese media reported that the rise of China-based automakers was edging out their Japanese rivals. Sources said Chinese EVs are indeed popular among the younger generation in Thailand. These cars offer fresh technology experiences with affordable prices, winning over young buyers with limited budgets.

The new technology experiences that Chinese vehicles' smart cockpits provide have threatened Japan-based carmakers and pushed them to adjust their plans. Japanese companies have added infotainment systems, smartphone connections, and other features to their smart cockpits. Supply chain sources said this situation facilitated the recovery of orders.

Japanese carmakers remain dominant in Thailand while their Chinese counterparts are catching up. China's fierce car market competition seems to have extended to Thailand, where Chinese automakers have reduced prices.

In May, BYD cut 20% off featured new vehicle prices in Thailand. Changan Automobile launched its low-priced mini battery EVs. About 10 Chinese car brands have rolled out cars in the Southeast Asian country and have been involved in price competition since 2023. In addition to BEVs, China-based automakers have introduced hybrid EVs to the market, directly impacting Japanese carmakers.

The decreasing vehicle prices do not mean Thailand has a growing EV market. According to AutoLiv Thailand, BEV sales in the country were 3,600 units in February 2024, down by 73% from January and 34% from 2023. This was primarily because the government reduced EV subsidies this year, creating uncertainty in the market.

Thailand has seen its demand for automobiles decline. According to Nikkei, the country's total vehicle sales were 47,000 units in April 2024, a 21% decrease from last year. The year-on-year growth of sales volume has declined for 11 consecutive years.

In the same period, Toyota experienced a 1% sales volume decrease from 2023 in Thailand while staying the top-selling automaker. Isuzu saw a 49% decline. Honda decreased by 10% and Mitsubishi Motor by 22%. As for Chinese carmakers, BYD's sales volume dropped by 49% year-on-year. The Great Wall Motor saw a 45% decline, while SAIC-owned MG decreased by 24%.
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Xiaomi shifts gear ten years after India entry

As Xiaomi is expected to celebrate its tenth anniversary in entering India in July, the company is strategizing to pivot towards premiumization, AIoT, ecosystem integration, and local manufacturing to reclaim its leadership position in the country.

Xiaomi made its entry into India in 2014, democratizing smartphones by introducing the country's first 4G-capable device priced below INR 10,000 (US$119.64). However, Xiaomi India President Muralikrishnan B. acknowledged to Business Today that in 2022, the company encountered difficulties. These included managing a bloated product portfolio and navigating a shrinking smartphone market, particularly in the entry and mid-level segments, where Xiaomi had placed considerable focus.

To overcome these challenges, Xiaomi adjusted its strategy by shifting its focus towards the premiumization segment and expanding its footprint in the AIoT sector. The company aims to reach India's 200-350 million households.

According to Muralikrishnan, Xiaomi tackled overexpansion by cutting its 2023 product launches and models by 40%. Simultaneously, Xiaomi initiated a multi-year roadmap focusing on premiumization to meet rising consumer demand for higher-end products in India, exemplified by the launch of the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra in late 2023.

Instead of solely prioritizing smartphones, Xiaomi is expanding into AIoT with products like tablets, TVs, smartwatches, air purifiers, and robot vacuums, aiming to lead in connected home technology. Muralikrishnan underscored Xiaomi's ambition for every Indian household to possess at least one of their products. While smartphones remain their primary revenue source, Xiaomi has experienced significant growth in sectors such as TVs and tablets.

According to Muralikrishnan, Xiaomi is looking at 2024 as a year for a rebound after hitting a speed bump in 2022 and going through a recovery phase in 2023, adding that the strategy works as in the first quarter of 2024, Xiaomi's smartphone shipment grew by 29% year-on-year, faster than the overall market.

In another interview with Mint, Muralikrishnan discussed Xiaomi's manufacturing localization strategy. Xiaomi sources 50-60% of non-semiconductor components locally, encouraging suppliers to set up operations in India for further localization.

Xiaomi has faced challenges in the Indian market of late. Despite its early dominance, the company saw a significant 24% year-on-year drop in smartphone shipments in 2022, relinquishing its leadership to rivals Samsung and Vivo in subsequent years. Alongside this, Xiaomi has grappled with heightened regulatory scrutiny amidst economic tensions between China and India. Moreover, a notable departure of executives has also disrupted Xiaomi's operational stability.

Source: IDC, June 2024
India roundup: US, India expand technology collaboration, targeting China

The US and India enhanced their technological cooperation under the iCET initiative to reduce their reliance on China. India is still dependent on imported electronic components from China despite its ambitious target of building a local ecosystem.

US and India announce initiatives to boost cooperation in semiconductors and AI, aiming to reduce reliance on China

The US and India announced fresh initiatives to enhance cooperation in semiconductors, AI, critical minerals, advanced telecommunications, and defense space, as the US is leading the charge to build a resilient supply chain that depends less on China.

Hyundai plans to list its Indian subsidiary

Hyundai Motors-owned Hyundai Motor India Limited filed a Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) for an IPO in India. While specific pricing details are yet to be revealed, sources told Reuters that Hyundai aims to raise US$2.5-3 billion at a valuation of up to US$30 billion. The timeline for the IPO approval remains unclear, with India's market regulator typically taking 3-6 months to process such applications.

Computer and automobile manufacturers urge India to reconsider anti-dumping duty on PCBs from China

India-based IT hardware companies and automakers are urging the Indian government to reconsider its anti-dumping duty on imported PCBs from China and Hong Kong, increasing their production costs and undermining their price competitiveness.

Vivo reportedly to open large plant in India amid regulatory scrutiny

China-based Vivo is set to open a large manufacturing facility in northern India. The company is reportedly looking for Indian partners to run the facility amid intensifying regulatory pressure from India against Chinese investors.

India to see surging compute investments thanks to sovereign AI

India is expected to see surging infrastructure investments from global companies in the AI supply chain. Microsoft, Amazon, and Nvidia are eyeing the opportunities brought by sovereign AI in India.
Former TSMC R&D director Konrad Young advocates Taiwan-UK collaboration in quantum tech

Konrad Young, a pivotal figure in semiconductor research known for his leadership at TSMC told DIGITIMES Asia during his UK visit that quantum computing presents a prime opportunity for Taiwan and the UK to collaborate.

He is often referred to as one of the "Taiwan Semiconductor R&D Knights," Young served as the R&D Director at TSMC from 1998 to 2005. His career spanned key roles at Chartered Semiconductor, UMC, and Siward Integrated Circuits, as well as as an independent director at SMIC. Young is currently advising Intel on technology strategies and contributes columns to DIGITIMES.

Complimenting strengths

Young says the two island tech powerhouses should work with one another, where Taiwan excels in semiconductor manufacturing, and the UK leads in early-stage research and interdisciplinary applications. He believes the strengths to be complementary to one another.

"Collaboration between Taiwanese manufacturers and UK universities," Young explained, "can lead to breakthroughs in quantum computing components and systems. By integrating academic research with industrial-scale manufacturing, we can expedite the development and adoption of quantum technologies."

Oxford Quantum Circuits

"Companies like Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC) are pioneering advancements, but they require components like 'amplify,' which Taiwan could manufacture at scale at a much lower price," he says.

Founded in 2017 as a spinoff from the University of Oxford, OQC specializes in semiconductor-based superconducting qubits for quantum computing. Their flagship "coaxmon" technology introduces a novel 3D architecture that enhances scalability beyond traditional 2D methods. This advancement streamlines manufacturing complexity, reduces unwanted interference, and enables the construction of larger quantum arrays while maintaining high-performance standards. OQC actively supports the UK's National Quantum Technologies Programme.

Price advantage

Young emphasized Taiwan's competitive advantage in manufacturing the "amplifying" components at a fraction of current costs for UK quantum computing firms. "It is a single MOS component with four legs, designed specifically to amplify optical signals when they enter, enhancing their strength," says Young.

"In the UK, these components can cost up to 2,000 each," Young noted. "In Taiwan, production could potentially reduce costs to around 2, leveraging existing semiconductor capabilities," he added.

He says components like this do not even need TSMC at all. "For this, we can use the oldest 4-layer or even 4-6 inch process. With several micrometer processes, we can make this power amplifier," says the former TSMC R&D director.

He suggests the price they sell does not necessarily need to be 2 but can go as high as 20 and still be a lucrative business. "While these components are relatively inexpensive in Taiwan, they command higher prices in the UK due to limited local production capabilities," he added.

Young cited this as an example of where Taiwan and the UK could work together complementing each other's strengths. He expressed optimism about the commercial viability of quantum computing, noting its growing prominence compared to traditional computing methods.

He pointed out collaborative initiatives between quantum technology firms and global giants like Nvidia as indicative of its future market potential. According to HPC wire, the UK government announced a 10-year national quantum strategy in March 2023, injecting 2.5 billion into quantum development with plans to attract another 1 billion from the private sector.
Fire at Micron Taiwan fab raises memory chip price concerns

A fire recently broke out at Micron Technology's DRAM fab in Taichung, central Taiwan, prompting concerns among industry participants regarding the short-term pricing trend.

The incident had no impact on the plant's operations or the safety of its personnel and contractors, and an investigation into it has been launched, according to Micron Taiwan.

Micron has yet to specify whether it will affect production capacity.

The memory sector is paying attention to the recent fire incident, as DRAM spot market prices have been reasonably stable. In the past, fires at memory production facilities frequently caused short-term changes in memory pricing.

The fire at Micron's Taichung fab in Taiwan was promptly extinguished, but the consequences of the incident remain uncertain.

DRAM spot prices are expected to rise alongside contract prices after August, previous reports quoted memory module company sources as indicating.
Beyond Bangalore: Indian chip companies look to smaller cities amid growth

Bangalore, often dubbed India's Silicon Valley, has long been the heart of the country's semiconductor industry, attracting heavyweight corporations and pioneering startups. This vibrant hub has been integral to India's technological ascendancy for years.

However, a significant shift is now unfolding as semiconductor businesses start to explore tier 2 cities across India for new opportunities, signaling a strategic industry evolution driven by the quest for diversified talent pools, cost-effective operations, and broader market reach.

This shift is seen as crucial by industry experts. Satya Gupta, president of the VLSI Society of India, said that India's ambition to be a semiconductor industry leader requires a strategy to create a robust chip design ecosystem that spans the entire country.

Gupta emphasized the "need to establish at least 1,000 chip design companies and train 1 million electronics and chip design professionals annually." To achieve this, he proposes developing clusters in cities such as Bhubaneswar, Indore, Pune, Jaipur, Coimbatore, and Trivandrum, alongside incentivizing the inception of at least one chip start-up in each of India's 806 districts.

Workforce fostering reasons

A notable development in this strategic shift came when Synopsys announced its plans to open a new office in Bhubaneswar in Odisha state, marking its first design, research, and development unit in eastern India. This center is set to employ over 300 highly skilled very large-scale integration (VLSI) and semiconductor design engineers.

"Odisha's support fostering a strong semiconductor workforce and ecosystem, along with the active involvement of top industry leaders, academics, and researchers in the O-Chip initiative, exemplify a thriving semiconductor community in Odisha and its capital city Bhubaneswar which aligns with Synopsys' priorities of expansion in India." Rituparna Mandal, VP for customer success group and head of Synopsys India.

Mandal elaborated on the company's commitment to integrating with the local community, "Under the Synopsys Academic & Research Alliances (SARA) program, we have leveraged the advisory and mentorship of local industry leaders and researchers, and their guidance is helping to drive groundbreaking achievements and collaborations across semiconductor companies and universities."

Similarly, Signature IP, under the leadership of CEO Purna Mohanty, has strategically chosen to nurture talent and establish a presence in tier 2 cities. Since establishing its first office in Bhubaneswar over five years ago, Signature IP has expanded significantly within the state.

Mohanty attributes the early success and scaling of the company's operations in India to Bhubaneswar's role, "We've been able to build a stable workforce and tap into local engineering talent that is as skilled as those in Bangalore," he said, noting the lower attrition rates in tier 2 cities which have facilitated long-term R&D projects.

Lower competition for talent

Another company navigating the competitive landscape is Tessolve. Madhav Rao, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Tessolve, pointed out the intense competition for talent in Bangalore as a driving factor for their expansion into tier 2 cities.

"We noticed that many professionals are interested in opportunities in their hometowns, which led us to explore expansion in other cities," Rao said. "This strategy was something I observed in my past experiences with the previous organizations that I worked with as well. At Tessolve, we initially had our VLSI operations in Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad, and then expanded to Coimbatore and Hubli in the last two years."

Smaller cities bring a notable economic advantage through lower operational costs. While this is not usually the primary motivation for companies to relocate, it is certainly a significant perk. The reduced expenses in these areas can help businesses allocate more resources towards innovation and development, making the move to tier 2 cities a strategic decision and a financially beneficial one.

Overcoming the challenges

Until a few years ago, the infrastructure in Tier-2 cities was a concern. But now that situation has changed. Rao pointed out that the network and overall infrastructure in Tier-II cities are quite adequate for their needs. The cost of living is lower and more reasonable compared to cities like Bangalore.

"However, we do face challenges with some clients who prefer having employees either in their own centers or in Bangalore, especially for spontaneous meetings," Rao said. "The pandemic shifted this mindset somewhat, but some clients are reverting to old preferences."

Another challenge is that smaller cities tend to have employees who hail from that place alone, or surrounding areas. This limits the pool of talent. Fortunately for India, this may not be a big challenge, given the large population.

A crucial step that companies have been taking to mitigate challenges is tying up with local universities and colleges. Mohanty pointed out that They have recruited professors from local engineering colleges in Bhubaneswar to lead their R&D efforts full-time.

These professors help identify promising interns from their colleges every year for the company's internship program. A new R&D center being set up in western Odisha is within a college campus there, indicating a close partnership with that academic institution.
By LAYLA KALINEN

Eagle Times Staff

CHESTER, Vt.  It all started with a near death experience and a whirlwind romance in Fort Worth, Texas that led to searching to the north for a new life in New England.

On Nov. 26, 2023, Ronica and Thomas Humphrey put down roots after purchasing the Old Town Farm Inn located at 665 VT Route 10.

In April with the help of Ronicas father, they opened the Queen of The South BBQ food truck. The name, she says, is, Because Im queen of my kitchen and Im from the south.

The menu is a classic choice of smoked brisket, pulled pork sandwiches, mac and cheese, highly addictive fried corn nuggets and their eclectic smoked coleslaw; with recipes Ronica steadfastly keeps secret.

Im like Martha Stewart in the kitchen and Thomas is Snoop Dogg on the grill, Ronica chuckled.

I owned a property management company for 35 years and at 46, the stress gave me the widow maker heart attack, Ronica recalls about managing her business holding over 300 clients.

So, I was still working it but I knew I needed a change, Ronica said.

Then, she met her husband Thomas through mutual friends, and she had a change of heart and future.

Thomas and I met about two years ago, my mom had passed away two years earlier and I was working so much I didnt really get to spend time with her, Ronica explained, When Thomas and I met he said, You really need to sell the company, its going to give you another heart attack.

Before moving to Vermont, Ronica and Thomas went on a road trip north to New York City where he proposed to her, and they were married in Central Park.

He said on the drive, So when do you want to get married? I said how about in New York? Were headed that way. I may be from the south, but Ive always had a real big heart for the north.

Ronicas father became ill shortly after, and she was moved to make a big change and sell the company.

When my father was diagnosed with cancer, I said, OK, this is it because

Im not going to not spend time with family anymore, Ronica said.

The move to Vermont would take many detours to Maine, Vermont, Connecticut and finally, back to Vermont as they searched for a bed and breakfast for sale in New England.

After touring several properties, they bought the Old Town Farm Inn sight unseen.

Ronica said what made them purchase the property was the one thing none of the other properties had which they needed for her father: first floor living quarters.

Ronica said she cherishes the time she had with her father before his passing in April, bittersweet because they were opening with her fathers recipes.

My father used to win first prize at the Peach Festival for his cobbler and those old ladies were so jealous and couldnt believe a man could beat them. They swore up and down he was cheating somehow, she said laughing.

Ronica said her most recent fond memory of her father was outside with the smoker making brisket.

Just the fact that he was there to help with the setup and smoking the brisket, he was there for that. He isnt here to see the success, but I know he is looking down watching.

They are often open weekends, on site, at the Old Town Farm Inn but also have other weekend gigs taking them around the local region.

The Queen of the South frequently posts their whereabouts on their Facebook page and can be found regularly starting this week at The Hartness House on 109 Front Street in Springfield on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. during the summer music series.

On Friday evening, July 5, they will be having the live music of Bill Brinks and Red River North, horseshoes, corn hole and their marked smoked BBQ offerings at the Old Town Farm Inn. Its BYOB and there is no charge for admission.
Editors Note: Police have no control over bail, or incarceration. Those matters are handled by the judicial system, including the judges, court clerks and the state attorneys office.

By LAYLA KALINEN

Eagle Times Staff

Man arrested at boat ramp for driving under the influence

On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at approximately 7:31 hours, Officer Singleton, Corporal Perkins, Officer Callahan and Officer Hauser were dispatched to the area of the Springfield Boat Landing, located off Charlestown Road in Springfield, Vermont, for the report of a subject who appeared to be intoxicated and had left the area in their vehicle.

The vehicle was parked at the gas pumps at the Circle K gas station, at 14 Missing Link Road, and the operator was identified as the defendant, Elijah Alexander.

After an investigation, Alexander was found to allegedly be operating his vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Alexander was taken into custody without incident. After being processed, Alexander was issued a criminal citation to appear in the Windsor County Criminal Court on July 23, 2024, to answer the alleged charge of Driving Under the Influence.

Woman arrested on warrant

On Thursday, July 4, 2024, at about 8:15 p.m., the defendant, Cassandra Boardman, was in the Springfield Plaza and known to have an active in-state arrest warrant by law enforcement.

Boardman was taken into custody without incident and was transported to the Springfield Police Department for processing.

Boardman was issued a criminal citation to appear in Windsor County Criminal Court and answered to the charges on July 5, 2024, at 12:30 p.m.to answer to the charge of Arrest on an In-State Warrant. She was subsequently lodged at the Southern State Correctional Facility in lieu of $200 cash or surety bail.

Driver with suspended license issued citation

On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at approximately 5:03 hours p.m., Nicholas Ragucci, was observed operating a vehicle on Clinton Street and was known by law enforcement to have a suspended license.

Officer Singleton conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and through a check of Raguccis license status confirmed that his Vermont drivers license/privilege to drive was allegedly under criminal suspension.

Ragucci was issued a criminal citation to appear in Windsor County Criminal Court on Sept. 3, 2024, to answer the alleged charge of Criminal DLS.

Women discovered with stolen vehicle, drugs

On Thursday, July 11, 2024, at approximately 7:35 p.m. Officer Singleton and Lieutenant Deslauriers were dispatched to the Circle K gas station, located at 14 Missing Link Road for the report that two subjects were nodding off in a silver sedan with Massachusetts registration plates. Officer Franchi of the Weathersfield Police Department also responded to assist.

Upon the two officers arrival, the vehicle reportedly located parked in front of the Circle K. was identified as stolen out of the Boston, Massachusetts area. When Officer Singleton and Officer Franchi approached the vehicle and asked the subjects to exit the vehicle, they attempted to flee.

Unable to shift the vehicle into drive, while continuing to rev the engine they threatened to drive through police cruisers that had blocked the vehicle in.

After a brief altercation, the two individuals were removed from the vehicle and taken into custody and identified as Brandi Bragdon and Melissa Pelletier of the Boston, Massachusetts area.

During a consent search conducted on the vehicle, findings of drug paraphernalia including crack pipes, empty heroin bags, scales and hypodermic needles and an unknown white powdery substance that did not test positive for cocaine was seized and sent to the Vermont Forensic Laboratory for testing. A handbag from the vehicle was seized, pending a search warrant.

On July 16, 2024, a search warrant was granted and conducted on the seized handbag, resulting in the findings of cocaine.

Bragdon and Pelletier were issued criminal citations to appear in Windsor County Criminal Court on Sept. 10, 2024, to answer to the alleged charge of Possession of Stolen Property, Attempting to Elude and Possession of Cocaine.

Man arrested for operating car under the influence of drugs

On June 13, 2024, at approximately 5:03 p.m. Officer Singleton, Officer Callahan and Officer Freeman were dispatched to the area of the Riverside Middle School for the report of a vehicle that was being operated erratically.

The vehicle matching the description given by the caller was later located on Valley Street. Officers made contact with the operator of the vehicle and after an investigation including blood test results received from the Vermont Forensic Laboratory, it was found that the operator, and defendant, Joseph Higginbotham, was allegedly under the influence of drugs while operating his vehicle.

Higginbotham was later issued a criminal citation to appear in Windsor County Criminal Court on Sept. 10, 2024, to answer to the alleged charge of DUI Drugs.

After accident, woman arrested for cocaine

On Sunday, July 14, 2024, at approximately 9:39 p.m., Officer Callahan, Corporal Perkins, and Officer Guzzo responded to Charlestown Road at Paddock Road in Springfield, Vermont, for a single motor vehicle accident.

The vehicle turned over onto the roof landing in a ditch near Paddock Road, and operator, Jamie Zerba, self-extricated herself from the vehicle.

During the investigation, while Zerba was retrieving the requested documents from her wallet, Corporal Perkins observed what appeared to be a small silicone container that was stored within her wallet. Zerba admitted that the container contained drugs, resulting in her being taken into custody without incident.

A search of the container resulted in an arrest due to the discovery of suspected crack cocaine and Zerba was transported to the Springfield Police Department for processing and was released after being issued a criminal citation to appear in Windsor County Criminal Court on Sept. 4, 2024, at 8 a.m. to answer the charge of possession of crack cocaine.
1 Introduction

The Eurosystems digital euro project aims to ensure central bank money evolves alongside current payment preferences and trends, as well as to facilitate electronic payments everywhere in the euro area and strengthen Europes strategic autonomy. A digital euro would be a digital means of retail payment issued by the Eurosystem  which consists of the European Central Bank (ECB) and the national central banks of the euro area  available to everyone in all retail payment scenarios, across the entire euro area. It would complement cash, offering individual users more freedom of choice by providing a secure and accessible payment solution. A digital euro would also strengthen Europes monetary sovereignty and reduce our dependence on the large, non-European private payment providers that currently dominate the European landscape.

Following the completion of the digital euro investigation phase launched by the Eurosystem in 2021, on 18 October 2023 the Governing Council of the ECB approved the launch of a two-year preparation phase. The aim of the preparation phase, which will last until 31 October 2025, is to build on the findings of the previous phase[1] and lay the foundations for the potential issuance of a digital euro. It involves finalising the digital euro rulebook (by defining a single set of rules to be applied to payments in digital euro) and selecting providers that could potentially develop a digital euro platform and infrastructure. As part of this phase, the Eurosystem is also carrying out further testing and experimentation and a deeper dive into technical aspects of the digital euro, such as its offline functionality and a testing and rollout plan.

Figure 1 Overview of digital euro project phases

As the digital euro is a common European project, the Eurosystems technical work during the preparation phase is being carried out in parallel with the legislative process being conducted by co-legislators. The ECBs continued technical progress during the preparation phase is helping to better inform the legislative process as the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union discuss the proposal tabled by the European Commission in June 2023.[2] Moreover, the ECBs regular exchanges with stakeholders, including the public, are helping to ensure that a digital euro meets the highest standards of quality, security, privacy and usability.

By the end of 2025, the Governing Council will decide whether to move to the next phase of preparations for a digital euro. The decision on whether to issue a digital euro will only be considered by the Governing Council once the European Unions legislative process has been completed. The ECB will consider any adjustments to the design of the digital euro that may become necessary as a result of the legislative deliberations.

Against this background, this report outlines the progress of the digital euro project since the start of the preparation phase. It presents the results of the technical work conducted in the following areas: privacy, the digital euros offline functionality, and the rulebook. In addition, it summarises the technical input provided by the ECB to support the legislative efforts of European Union legislators.

2 Guaranteeing digital euro user privacy

Privacy has been integral to the digital euro project from the beginning, in line with the privacy by design approach.

The privacy and data protection of digital euro users have been fundamental to the project from the beginning, in line with the privacy by design approach. The public consider privacy and data protection to be two of the most important design elements of a digital euro[3], which is why the Eurosystem has prioritised these aspects at every stage of the project.[4]

Only the payer and the payee would know the personal transaction details of offline digital euro payments.

The design of the digital euro includes an offline functionality that would offer users a cash-like level of privacy, both for person-to-person payments and payments in physical shops. As detailed in section 3, the use of digital euro for offline payments would not involve sharing personal transaction data with payment service providers (PSPs), the Eurosystem or any potential providers of supporting services.

Online digital euro transactions would be at the technological forefront when it comes to privacy.

For online digital euro payments, privacy would be implemented in such a way that the Eurosystem itself  the issuer and payment infrastructure provider  would not be able to directly link transactions to specific individuals. The ECB, with support from market experts and Eurosystem technical experts, has been exploring the technological solutions required to achieve this, including the following specific measures: pseudonymisation[5], hashing[6], and encryption of messages exchanged with and between PSPs. Moreover, the data exchanged between PSPs and the Eurosystem would be segregated. As a result, the Eurosystem would not be able to directly identify end users or link any of the data it processes to an identified end user.[7] This feature in itself provides higher privacy and data protection than typically provided by current commercial solutions.[8] The Eurosystem is committed to remaining at the forefront of privacy-enhancing technologies, and as such continuously assesses new methods that might be feasible and effective for the digital euro.

As for PSPs, they would only have access to online digital euro transaction details to the extent necessary to ensure compliance with EU law, such as anti-money laundering rules, in line with the Commissions legislative proposal. The users explicit consent would still be required in order for their data to be used for any other commercial purposes and additional services. The digital euro scheme rulebook (see section 4) will need to ensure that users are given the chance to make informed decisions and are not forced to accept the processing of their personal data (beyond what is necessary for compliance with the proposal) in order to use basic digital euro services.

The Eurosystem would put in place strong rules to protect user information and would in turn be supervised by independent data protection authorities. These authorities would make sure all actors involved in the digital euro scheme complies with the rigorous standards of the European Union Data Protection Regulation (EUDPR)[9] and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)[10], the strongest privacy and security laws in the world. European co-legislators will ultimately set out the framework and decide on the balance between privacy and other public policy objectives, such as countering money laundering and illegal activities.

Effective fraud detection and prevention is crucial to ensuring trust in a digital euro.

When designing a digital euro, the Eurosystem also needs to ensure that the implementation of privacy measures still allow for robust end-user protection against fraud. Fraud detection and prevention is a key demand by consumers and retail organisations and is crucial to ensuring trust in a digital euro. To gain additional expertise and knowledge on anti-fraud technologies under development, the ECB has, together with industry experts, assessed ongoing and past research in this field. The analysis shows that current technologies are capable of working with pseudonymised end-user information to ensure effective fraud detection and prevention. Alongside the general fraud detection and prevention mechanism[11], PSPs would conduct need to do fraud checks, as they currently do for digital payments.

3 An offline digital euro

The offline functionality of a digital euro would allow users to pay without an internet connection after pre-funding their digital euro account via the internet or an ATM.

A digital euro would be available for both online and offline use and could be used for person-to-person payments as well as in physical shops. The offline functionality would enable payments to be made without an internet connection, for example at close range, in locations with limited network coverage, and in the event of power cuts. To use this feature, users would have to pre-fund their digital euro account via the internet or at a designated ATM. The payment would be validated directly by two offline devices  e.g. mobile phones or payment cards  belonging to the two parties involved in the transaction, without the need for a centralised system or third party. Transaction data would not be sent through a network but would remain on the two devices used for the transaction, thereby protecting user privacy.

The offline functionality involves technological, security, and operational aspects. For that reason, the ECB has intensified its efforts to investigate the deployment of the digital euros offline functionality in end users devices in accordance with the requirements set out in the draft legislative proposal.

For mobile phones, delivery of the offline functionality is contingent on access the near-field communication (NFC) antenna and the secure element. NFC provides a highly convenient end-user experience which consumers in the euro area are already familiar with. The ECB has been looking at the modalities of accessing the hardware component (secure element[12]) in mobile devices and smart cards to allow settlement of transactions in end users devices. There are technical tools on the market which allow applications to be deployed remotely on the secure elements of mobile devices. These tools are commonly used for identification, telecommunications and transport purposes and could be used to deploy the offline digital euro solution too, allowing users to easily download it and use it on their mobile devices without having to go to a bank branch to verify their identity.

The effective implementation of an offline digital euro on mobile devices will ultimately depend on the requirements laid down for equipment manufacturers and providers of electronic communication services in the legislation.

Any reliance on the physical specifications of users mobile devices to access and use digital euro offline will depend on the outcome of the legislative discussion around the digital euro. According to Article 33 of the current Regulation, equipment manufacturers and providers of electronic communication services should grant effective access to the secure element installed in users devices. This would allow people to use their mobile devices to pay offline in digital euro, which is crucial to ensuring inclusive access to digital euro payments. There should also be sufficient unused storage on the secure element for it to function as the local storage device for the digital euros offline functionality.

In parallel, the ECB has also been investigating alternative form factors for an offline digital euro, for example battery-powered smart cards and non-powered smart cards which use a bridge-device[13] to connect. The insights gathered thus far on an offline solution and access to the secure element have been taken into account in the scope of the calls for applications (see section 5).

Figure 2 Overview of offline digital euro use cases and potential form factors

The ECB has also assessed other essential aspects of offline digital euro payments, with a view to making them seamless, secure, and user-friendly. In particular, its technical work has focused on delivery considerations and how to fund and defund offline digital euro wallets, including how to perform anti-money laundering and forgery checks during the funding and defunding processes. It is essential to ensure that any funds recirculated within the digital euro system are genuine, and to detect and prevent any instances of double spending and fraudulent currency.

These insights on the offline functionality, its use cases and its key features were shared with European co-legislators and the market. The project team participated in a dedicated technical seminar with the Council Working Party of the EU Council and presented its analysis in the status update of the Euro Retail Payments Board (ERPB[14]) in April. Work on the offline functionality of the digital euro will continue in the coming quarters.

4 The digital euro rulebook

The Rulebook Development Group has drafted a first version of the rulebook and is working on the remaining sections with new workstreams launched in May 2024.

A digital euro would be the first public, digital means of payment to provide pan-euro area reach. To make this technically possible, a single set of rules, standards and procedures to standardise digital euro payments across the euro area is being developed: the digital euro rulebook. A common rulebook is necessary to ensure that digital euro payments are accepted throughout the euro area, just like cash payments, and work in a harmonised way. It will allow intermediaries to use its open standards to have immediate access to all markets beyond their domestic borders.

The scheme rulebook is being developed by the Rulebook Development Group (RDG). The RDG was established in January 2023 and consists of representatives from the Eurosystem central banks and the European retail payments market, including consumers, retailers and intermediary associations. RDG members have nominated experts for dedicated workstreams on topics requiring particular expertise, with the aim of defining the role and requirements of all actors involved in a digital euro ecosystem.

In January 2024, the ECB published a summary of the first draft version of the rulebook produced by the RDG.[15] This draft version underwent an interim review by the RDG, which was completed at the end of April 2024 and covered: (i) the functional and operational models for a digital euro, including the end-to-end flows elaborating how all use cases and services would function; (ii) the technical scheme requirements depicting the high-level architecture and standards which should be considered for a potential digital euro landscape; and (iii) an initial version of the adherence model setting out the rights and obligations of scheme members in accordance with the draft legislation.[16]

Seven new workstreams of the RDG have been established to help finish the first complete draft version of the rulebook. Calls for candidates were issued for each of these new workstreams, inviting leading experts in payments infrastructure and architecture, technical specifications and scheme management to apply. The workstreams will report to the RDG and will help draft the sections of the digital euro rulebook that cover the following aspects:

The minimum user experience (UX) standards with regard to the functional and operational models, as well as the implementation of a digital euro. The testing and certification of payment and acceptance solutions, as well as of the end-to-end payment flows. Risk management, including identifying inherent risks for different digital euro actors, proposing ways to mitigate them, and determining the related residual risk. Implementation specifications, divided as follows: Interactions between payment and acceptance solutions of individual users devices (apps, cards, etc.) and business users acceptance devices (e.g. terminals, websites, apps, ATMs). Interactions between individual users and intermediaries. Interactions between business users and intermediaries. Interactions between the digital euro service platform (settlement services, fraud and risk management services, dispute management services, alias lookup services, etc.) and intermediaries.

The next draft version of the rulebook will be delivered by the end of the year. A new progress report on the RDGs work will be published beforehand, by the third quarter. The text of the rulebook will reflect the outcome of the digital euro legislative process.

5 Selecting providers for digital euro components

The ECB will select providers for digital euro components from the respondents to five calls for applications launched in January 2024.

The design of a digital euro would rely on state-of-the-art technologies that would create a cyber-resilient and future-proof environment. On 3 January 2024, the ECB published five calls for applications, inviting external providers[17] to tender for the following digital euro components: the alias lookup component (to enable end users to pay and be paid in digital euro through an account alias, which is a unique pseudonymous identifier  see section 2 on privacy), the fraud and risk management component, the app and software development kit, offline services, and the secure exchange of payment information component. In parallel, the Eurosystem will prepare to internally develop digital euro components for functionalities like settlement, access management and reference data management.

This selection process will inform the final decision on the technical choices for a digital euro design. It will be fundamental to establishing framework agreements with the most suitable providers and preparing to develop a digital euro, should this decision be taken in the future by the Governing Council of the ECB. These agreements are not in any way a commitment to initiate development, but are simply a preparatory step to ensure the Eurosystems readiness should the development and implementation of a digital euro be warranted in the future. They include safeguards that provide for the possibility to adjust their scope if required, for example to reflect the outcome of the current legislative deliberations.

6 Other aspects related to the digital euro design

6.1 Methodology for the definition of holding limits

In order to maintain a resilient financial environment, the ECB would limit the amount of digital euro people could hold in their accounts.

The Eurosystem is fully committed to ensuring that the introduction of the digital euro is consistent with a resilient financial environment that allows its monetary policy to be transmitted effectively. Digital euro holdings of individuals would not be remunerated and would be subject to holding limits, as provided for in the Commissions legislative proposal.[18] These holding limits are intended not to prevent the digital euro from being a store of value altogether but rather to moderate its use in this capacity, and thus preserve the role of banks in ensuring the efficient provision of credit to the real economy.[19] In any case, users would have the option to link their digital euro wallet with a commercial bank account, allowing them to make payments through their digital euro wallet without needing to pre-load it with funds. This setup would enable large payments to be made with digital euro, irrespective of the digital wallets current balance.[20] In addition, this functionality would permit the receipt of payments exceeding the set holding limit.

The setting (i.e. calibration) of the holding limit will entail striking a balance between an optimal user experience and the need to maintain price stability and financial stability. Although the holding limit for the digital euro would be set closer to its possible launch date (to ensure it reflects the economic conditions at that time), the ECB has started work on a calibration methodology, which entails a comprehensive monetary and economic assessment aimed at balancing the objectives set out in the draft legislation: to make the digital euro a widely used means of payment and to protect financial stability and the transmission of monetary policy. A dedicated workstream involving ECB experts, with support from the national central banks and national competent authorities, has begun identifying the key factors influencing calibration and defining a coherent methodology that takes these factors into account. The assessment will include an analysis of the possible impact of the digitalisation of payments on the demand for banknotes, since banknotes and digital euro would have indistinguishable effects on bank liquidity. The ECB has also launched a data collection exercise with major banks to obtain the granular data required to perform the assessment.

The ECB is committed to maintaining regular exchanges with co-legislators and market stakeholders to provide updates on the progress of the project and gather feedback. The first joint exchange on the calibration of holding limits took place in April via the ERPB technical session on digital euro, and will be followed by dedicated technical sessions with market stakeholder associations in June.

6.2 Environmental aspects

The ECB will aim to minimise the environmental impact of a digital euro throughout the value chain.

The preparation phase includes a careful analysis of the environmental impact of a digital euro, including the assessment of several measures to minimise this impact. The overall approach includes optimising the entire value chain by avoiding energy-consuming protocols and re-using components whenever possible, as well as adhering to best practices in environmental performance and transparency. To guarantee this, the January 2024 calls for applications include requirements for external providers to consider environmentally friendly design options.

7 Technical input provided in the context of the legislative discussions

Policy-relevant aspects are discussed regularly at the European level with the European Parliament and with euro area finance ministers in the context of the Eurogroup. Eurogroup members[21] and Members of the European Parliament[22] have both expressed support for a digital euro. Executive Board member Piero Cipollone presented an update on the digital euro project on 14 February 2024 during a dedicated hearing before the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament. He also updated Eurogroup members during a dedicated discussion on 11 April.

The ECB has provided further technical expertise in the context of legislative discussions with both the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union. In parallel, it has continued its close cooperation with the European Commission with a view to reviewing, at a technical level, a broad range of policy, legal and technical questions.[23] This section briefly outlines the key areas in which the ECB has offered its expertise and views, summarised in the Opinion adopted by the Governing Council on the legislative proposal published by the European Commission[24].

7.1 Number of digital euro accounts per user

The ECB has published a technical analysis looking at the feasibility and implications of having multiple digital euro accounts per user.

Anyone in the euro area would be able to open a digital euro account. During the investigation phase of the project, the Eurosystems research into the digital euro design found that limiting users to one digital euro account would be easier to implement than allowing multiple accounts per user. On the other hand, the Commissions legislative proposal did not provide for a limit to the number of digital euro payment accounts that users could open with the same or a different bank or payment platform.

To support the decision that co-legislators are taking on this matter, the ECB has published an in-depth technical analysis of the feasibility and implications of having multiple digital euro accounts per user. [25] The analysis shows that:

it is technically feasible to provide users with multiple accounts in conjunction with an individual holding limit;

a multiple account scenario would not have implications for privacy, as it would not require the Eurosystem to process more personal data than in a single account scenario;

joint digital euro accounts would be possible in both a single account and a multiple account scenario; however, holding a joint digital euro account and an individual digital euro account simultaneously would only be possible in a multiple account scenario;

unlike the current IBAN system, a digital euro would offer the unique functionality of carrying over, or porting, the account number when the user switches from one PSP to another. This would make changing payment service provider as easy as switching from one mobile phone provider to another.

That being said, trade-offs would be necessary, mainly in terms of user experience, as well as technical and operational implementation for PSPs. For instance, a multiple account scenario would lead to a higher degree of complexity: users would need to go through more steps if they wanted to open an additional digital euro account, such as allocating their holding limit between their existing and new account(s) for both online and offline payments. PSPs would also need to provide additional customer support and manage requests for opening and closing digital euro accounts. Implementing multiple accounts would require a coordinated effort from PSPs to check for and avoid duplication of holding limits, and in the event that a users data (e.g. surname) changes in one of their accounts.

7.2 Compensation model

The compensation model ensures that consumers, merchants and PSPs would all benefit from the introduction of a digital euro.

While the compensation model would ultimately be decided by European co-legislators, the Eurosystem supports a model that creates fair and reliable economic incentives for PSPs, helping them to meet the operational costs of distributing a digital euro. The draft legislation envisages a compensation model with fair economic incentives for all involved (e.g. consumers, merchants, banks), in line with the following principles:

As a public good, a digital euro would be free of charge for basic use. It would be equally accessible in all euro area countries.

PSPs would charge merchant fees for providing digital euro-related services to offset the operational costs of distributing a digital euro, as is the case today for other digital means of payment. PSPs would also be able to develop additional digital euro services for their customers, on top of those required for basic use.

The fees that merchants pay to PSPs for digital euro services would be subject to a cap to provide adequate safeguards against excessive charges, as outlined by the European Commission in its legislative proposal on a digital euro.

The Eurosystem would bear the issuance costs, as it does in the production of banknotes.

Figure 3 Step by step overview of the digital euro compensation model Note: This overview reflects the current draft legislation proposed by the European Commission.

In the context of legislative discussions, the ECB has provided technical expertise with regard to analysing the dynamics in the euro retail payments market. The formal responsibility to regulate fees lies with the legislators. The ECBs technical advice can be summarised as follows.

European payment solutions remain fragmented along national lines, resulting in limited competition at the point of interaction. [26]

The lack of competition is particularly pronounced for card payments, which now account for the majority of retail payment transactions in terms of value. According to the most recent data, international card schemes account for close to two-thirds (64%) of all electronically initiated transactions made with cards issued in the euro area and 13 out of the 20 euro area countries rely on them entirely due to the absence of a national card scheme. The share of international card schemes is likely to grow further, as even the largest domestic card schemes are losing market share.

Merchants also face significant additional costs due to the limited competition in card payments, as it translates into less choices for payment providers and, in turn, higher fees. [27]

Other successful national initiatives for specific payment scenarios, such as e-commerce, mobile and P2P payments, cannot compete with global players on a pan-European scale. Moreover, big tech firms entering the payments market creates further risks, as they could leverage their dominant positions in neighbouring markets and their closed ecosystems.

7.3 User experience

Digital euro services would be easily and equally accessible to all via PSP apps and via a new digital euro app.

The Eurosystem is prioritising several key areas of the user experience in the design of a digital euro. This includes defining user journeys that are attractive to citizens and merchants as users, as well as preparing the associated technical requirements. By addressing these fundamental elements comprehensively, the project aims to create a user-centric digital euro ecosystem that is intuitive, secure, and accessible to all.

The draft legislation envisages that people would have a choice between two ways in which to access and use digital euro services, to strengthen resilience and ensure freedom of choice for consumers. One would be to keep using existing apps from their own PSPs (such as their bank)[28], where they could also access additional services  depending on what is developed and offered by the PSP in question. The other would be to use a digital euro app provided by the Eurosystem to easily access basic digital euro services. The digital app would not impinge on the relationship between PSPs and their customers: it would merely provide a uniform point of entry allowing users to interact with their PSP via a smartphone.[29] The app would ensure a baseline user experience standard at all times, ensuring that everybody could immediately recognise the digital euro, just as everybody can recognise euro banknotes today.

The ECB has conducted additional technical work on a digital euro app to make it inclusive and accessible to all. The app would offer basic digital euro services, leveraging existing, to the extent possible, application programming interfaces (APIs) and a software development kit (SDK) provided by the ECB wherever feasible to minimise app development and implementation costs. This would also be advantageous to smaller PSPs that lack the resources to develop their own front-end solutions to distribute digital euro services.

Promoting digital financial inclusion is a key principle underlying the concept of a digital euro app. This is particularly important given the envisaged legal tender status of a digital euro and the associated measures to ensure its accessibility and use. A digital euro app would ensure that the basic functionalities of a digital euro are available to everyone, with features supporting digital inclusion and accessibility for people with limited digital skills or financial resources, people with disabilities and the elderly, also in line with the European Accessibility Act.[30] For instance, the app would be made available in all official languages of the EU and would support voice control and recognition.

8 Next steps

Over the coming months, technical work will continue according to the timeline set for the preparation phase. This includes the invitation for external providers to tender on digital euro components, and the preparations for Eurosystem-provided components. The offers received in the procurement process will be negotiated in the subsequent months before making a final selection. In parallel, the newly launched RDG workstreams will provide input on the next draft version of the rulebook, which will be delivered by the end of the year. Finally, the ECBs continued progress with the technical preparations for a digital euro will help to better inform the legislative process.

Figure 4 Preparation phase timeline

The ECB will continue actively engaging with public and private stakeholders and with society at large to report on its progress. At the start of the preparation phase, these activities primarily took the form of bilateral engagement with market stakeholders, including associations of consumers, merchants and payment institutions. In spring the ECB resumed its established market engagement through the ERPB technical sessions on digital euro. It also collaborates and shares learnings with various international central banks (e.g. the Federal Reserve System, the Bank of England, the Reserve Bank of India, Sveriges Riksbank) regarding central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). These engagements will be continued in the coming months, including via further regular ERPB technical sessions. Moreover, the ECB remains committed to continuing the practice of regular exchanges on the digital euro in the context of the Eurogroup meetings and European Parliament hearings.

The ECB will also continue to engage with the general public. Public communication activities are crucial to ensuring potential users can always rely on correct information about a digital euro, its importance and the benefits it could bring to the European payment landscape and their daily lives. User research will be carried out in parallel among consumers and merchants across the euro area to fine-tune our knowledge of potential digital euro users and their views on specific features, and to make sure that a digital euro would be easy to use.

The next progress report on the preparation phase will be published in autumn 2024, one year after it began. The ECBs Governing Council will only decide whether to move to the next stage of preparations at the end of the preparation phase. A possible decision by the Governing Council to issue a digital euro can only be taken after the legislative process has been completed.
MENTORSWORK, an award-winning, fully government-funded mentoring programme are hosting a webinar, the E-Commerce Mastery Summit: Elevate Your Digital Sales, Expand Your Online Reach, tomorrow from 9am to 1pm.

This online event presents an insightful, no-cost, opportunity for small to medium-sized Irish business owners to gain critical insights and strategies for excelling in the dynamic digital landscape.

The highlight of the webinar will be a keynote address by Aimee Connolly, the founder and CEO of Sculpted by Aimee.

With a multimillion-euro, award-winning cosmetics brand that boasts more than 150 products stocked in more than 350 locations in Ireland and internationally, Aimees story is one of remarkable success and ambition.

She is currently steering her thriving business towards significant expansion, with plans to further extend its retail presence in the UK by the end of the year and launch in the US in the first quarter of 2025.

Her insights will be invaluable to attendees looking to scale their own businesses.

A digital presence is no longer optional for businesses aiming to thrive in todays market, said Ms Connolly.

Im excited to share my journey and strategies at the MentorsWork E-Commerce Mastery Summit, and to help empower other Irish entrepreneurs to achieve their own success.

The summit will also focus on a major development for Irish retailers: the upcoming launch of Amazon.ie in 2025.

This new online store will offer Irish businesses unprecedented access to a wider audience and greater opportunities for growth.

However, it also presents challenges and risks that must be navigated carefully.

Experts at the summit will provide comprehensive analysis and actionable tips on how Irish businesses can leverage Amazons new platform to maximise their sales and online reach.

In addition to the keynote by Aimee Connolly, the agenda includes multiple training sessions led by industry experts on vital topics, including the following:

Mastering digital marketing: Enhance your online presence and attract more customers with the latest strategies.

Optimising the opportunity of Amazon in Ireland: Learn how to effectively utilise Amazons platform to expand your market reach.

The art of selling online: Modern sales techniques including upselling, cross-selling and effective closing tactics that can directly impact revenue.

Optimising operations and customer experience: Streamline your operations and improve customer satisfaction for sustained growth.

Leveraging data Analytics to drive business success: Use data-driven insights to make informed decisions and boost your bottom line.

David Broderick, head of the Small Firms Association (SFA), underscores the importance of this event:

This webinar is an incredible opportunity for Irish SMEs to gain critical insights and practical strategies for digital success.

With the impending launch of Amazon.ie, its essential for businesses to be prepared to seize new opportunities.

I strongly encourage all business owners to attend and equip themselves with the knowledge needed to thrive.

For more information and to register, visit www.mentorsworklive.ie This event is in partnership with Visa.
HOUSE prices in Cork city have jumped more than 9%, according to the latest report from Daft.ie, with experts saying that tightness in availability has put upward pressure on housing prices, nationwide.

Prices in the second quarter of 2024 were 9.3% higher than a year previously, compared to a rise of less than 1% seen a year ago.

According to the Daft.ie House Price Report, the average price of a home in Cork city is now 364,000, 2% below its Celtic Tiger peak.

In the rest of Cork, prices in the second quarter of 2024 were 8% higher than a year previously, compared to a rise of 3% seen a year ago. The average price of a home is now 309,000, 12% below its Celtic Tiger peak.

The latest figures come just days after the release of 30 homes at a housing development in Cork saw crowds queue for hours to express interest in the properties, with reports that some had slept in their cars in the days ahead of the showhomes opening on Saturday.

The homes at Bayly, near Douglas, consist mainly of three-bedroom houses on sale from 445,000 and four-bed townhouses from 560,000.

More private homes needed

Speaking to The Echo, Fianna Fail councillor for Cork City South Central Sean Martin said more private homes need to be built in Cork city.

A queue on Friday evening for the viewing of the new housing estate Bayly in Douglas on Saturday morning. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The reality is that there is a shortfall in Cork city in the amount of private houses that are coming on stream; there is no question about that, he said.

We need to speed that up.

Were ok on social and affordable. Were doing very well on that compared to a couple of years ago, but we need to look at how we can speed up the planning and when people have planning on sites, how theyre developed quicker than they are at the moment.

Mr Martin acknowledged the demand for the Bayly development over the weekend and said that some of the keen interest in the development was possibly location-based.

Location is important for people and thats a reality too, he said.

The council needs to sit down and rethink how we can speed up development in private space.

Labour Party councillor for Cork City South East Peter Horgan said he felt upset that people felt the need to sleep out for a house viewing.

We need more houses, he said.

There is due to be a briefing of councillors over the next number of weeks of different housing projects, from Cork City Council, and we await that, he added.

'War-like footing' on housing

Mr Horgan said the fact that there are thousands of vacant homes in Cork city and county, according to the Census, cannot be ignored.

We need to adopt a war-like footing with housing and that will be my approach as a new councillor  to take any and all measures possible to bring those vacant houses back into use and also to encourage house-building and infrastructure-building with houses and not just building units and squeezing them in anywhere, but building communities so that people have the buses, the roads network, the corner shop, the childcare facility. Thats what we want to see, he said.

Green Party councillor for Cork City South East, Hanore Kamegni, said: I understand the housing crisis. I sympathised with all those who find themselves in the middle of this because of the high rent or living with their parents because they cant buy a home.

He said there needs to be a focus on bringing derelict properties back to life.

National picture

Nationally, house prices rose by an average of 3.8% in the second quarter of 2024, according to the latest Daft.ie House Price Report.

The typical listed price nationwide in the second quarter of 2024 was 340,398, 6.7% higher than in the same period a year earlier and 35% higher than at the onset of the covid-19 pandemic.

The number of second-hand homes available to buy nationwide on June 1 stood at just over 11,350, the report said, down 18% year-on-year and less than half the 2015-2019 average of almost 25,000.

It noted that since the start of the year, there have consistently been fewer than 12,000 second-hand homes available to buy.

It said the only other time the market has been as tight, in a series extending back to 2007, is the period January-May 2022.

In Munster, there were just over 3,000 second-hand homes for sale on June 1, down 20% on the same date a year ago.

Trinity College Dublin economist Ronan Lyons said that tightness in availability has put upward pressure on housing prices.

Over the past 20 years, a clear pattern has emerged in both sale and rental markets: When availability is tight, prices are pushed upwards.

Availability in the sales market has been consistently tight since the start of the year and thus it is not surprising that prices nationally recorded their largest three-month increase since 2020, he said.

In part, tight availability of second-hand homes reflects the impact of significant interest-rate increases.

As rates come down again, and in particular as sitting homeowners come off fixed-rate mortgages, supply should improve.

This, however, is likely to take time and thus tight conditions may continue for some time, he said.
THE first national litter survey of 2024 by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) has seen Cork City miss out on clean status in the ranking of 40 towns and cities.

Mallow, however, has once again made the top 10.

The study, conducted by An Taisce on behalf of IBAL, found Cork City centre to be moderately littered, with just three heavily littered sites and no litter blackspots.

Mahon, while found to be moderately littered, showed much improvement on last year.

The report acknowledged community and council efforts as just one site was heavily littered out of 10 sites surveyed in the area.

Cork Citys northside was found to be littered with improvements at some sites including Kilmore Rd and Cathedral Rd.

Several top-ranking sites were noted, including Shandon St, Blackpool Shopping Centre, North City Link Road, and Mulberry Heights while Fairfield Meadows and Cushing Place suffered from significant levels of dumping.

Mallow was ranked cleaner than European norms with eight out of the 10 sites surveyed in the town receiving the top litter grade.

Green Party councillor for Cork City North East, Oliver Moran, said a civic agreement reached between the Green Party, Labour, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael for the next five years touches on many of the issues that underlie the causes of litter: One of the ideas is to explore the setting up of Business Improvement Districts that give the traders in an area more autonomy, and the budget necessary, to address local issues at the shop front and street-level like litter.

Independent councillor for Cork City North East Ken OFlynn said that from his experience of being on the ground people feel the city is dirty.

We need to invest far more money than what is being invested in public bins and litter awareness in schools, he said.

Fine Gael councillor for Cork City South East, Des Cahill, described the report as good for Mahon as it demonstrates the improvement to the area, thanks to the newly formed Mahon Tidy Towns.

Citywide there is progress. More needs to be done and it will be done. Cooperation between the council and residents and business owners is imperative, Mr Cahill said.

Fine Gael councillor in the Mallow area, Tony OShea, described the report findings as a huge win for Mallow and said the towns Tidy Towns volunteers try so hard each year to improve the the areas scoring.

Credit goes to all involved with Mallow Tidy Towns and Cork County Councils street cleaning staff who put in huge work and effort every single day of the week, Mr OShea said. There isnt a day that goes by that you wouldnt see someone from Tidy Towns working either watering flower baskets/planting flower beds or litter picking so a lot of credit goes to those volunteers.

Generally, the study showed an overall improvement in litter levels, and a decrease in cans and plastic bottles on streets on foot of the Deposit Return Scheme.

There was a near 30% fall in the prevalence of can-related litter since the previous survey.

While plastic bottles were also less common than in any past survey, they remain the third most prevalent form of litter on streets.

The study showed a rise in towns reaching Cleaner than European Norms  and a fall of 35% in the number of littered towns.
KINSALE Library was recognised at the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) Awards 2024, scooping a top conservation award and also being named as one of the runners-up from 42 projects competing to be named the publics favourite building.

The awards celebrate excellence in the design and delivery of buildings by registered architects.

The library, located in the James ONeill Building (Old Mill), was designed inhouse by Cork County Councils architects department.

The project saw the transformation of the three-storey Old Mill from a boarded-up 19th century grain store into an innovative public library and exhibition space.

More than 20,000 votes were cast by the general public in this years competition for the nations favourite building and the winner was The Lark Concert Hall in Balbriggan, Fingal, by Stephen Foley Architects and CAMPUS.

Castleblayney Library and Market Square Regeneration came in second place followed by Kinsale Library in third. Kinsale Library was also named as the winner of the Conservation, Adaptation and Re-Use category and was described as being an inspiring example of how vacant buildings in towns can be transformed into vibrant community amenities.

RIAI president Sean Mahon FRIAI said this years projects had been spectacular.

Each project plays a crucial role in enhancing our social fabric, economy, culture, and identity, he said. With this years theme focusing on sustainability, and the reuse and retrofit of old buildings for enhanced energy efficiency, I am delighted to see several projects thrive in this area with many acting as a guiding example of effective transformation.
According to Cork City Fire Brigade the service had an extremely busy bonfire night, with crews from Anglesea Street and Ballyvolane responding to dozens of calls across Sunday evening and into Monday morning.

While a number of Nonfire events took place around the city aimed at helping families celebrate Bonna Night, fire crews were still kept on their toes.

Up until 11.30pm last night they had been tasked more than than 70 bonfire related calls, in addition to their normal workload.

The service reported all of the calls had been dealt with safely by their crews.

Cork City Fire Brigade has thanked the people of Cork for their sensible approach to safety on Bonfire Night.

Victor Shine, second officer with Cork City Fire Brigade, said that on Sunday the fire service in Cork city had dealt with more than three times the number of calls it would normally receive, but there had been no serious incidents.

We would normally get an average of approximately 25 calls a day, but on Sunday, we received in excess of about 80 calls, he said.

We had 74 confirmed bonfire calls, none of them spectacular, and we had a few standard, routine calls as well, from road traffic calls to small fires.

Thankfully, it was all fairly routine, there was no attacks on the crews or anything like that.

Tradition

Bonfire Night, or 'Bonna Night', traditionally occurs in Cork on St Johns Eve, June 23, although the tradition is said to date back to pre-Christian times.

In the past it wouldnt have been unusual for the fire service to get 200 call-outs or more on the night.

Gardai and fire service personnel were regularly targeted with stone and bottle throwing, and the fire service sometimes found itself unable to respond to calls.

In recent years, Cork City Council has worked with community groups and gardai to create planned, supervised summer fun evenings and the event has been rebranded Nonfire Night.

Mr Shine said the fire service wished to thank the people of Cork for their sensible approach to safety and not hindering fire service in their duties.

We get a call because somebody has a concern and thats the reason we respond, and we address the situation then as appropriate, either extinguish the fire or have words with the people who are there.

It all settled down around 11.30pm last night, and with a few tidy-up calls, it was all finished up by about midnight, said Mr Shine.
Crowds gathered in Cork city on Saturday afternoon for the 36th rally in solidarity with Palestinians, organised by Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

The rally began on a solemn note, as approximately 15 organisers dressed in hazmat suits with blindfolds on and their hands tied behind their backs, representing Palestinian abductees, took to the stage on Grand Parade and knelt in silence.

Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign committee member and MC, Latif Midoume, addressed the crowd to highlight what abducted Palestinians in Israeli jails have been experiencing.

Several survivors have had limbs amputated because the restraints used by camp guards were so tight, he said.

Struggle

The crowd also heard from Belfast native and former political prisoner Ciaran Dawson, who compared political prisoners experiences in Palestine with the struggle of the H Block prisoners of the 1970s.

Prison struggle has always been at the core of any liberation struggle in that the oppressor will use every weapon at their disposal to crush the imprisoned and that the prisoners will resist with every fibre of their being, namely their own bodies and minds, Mr Dawson said.

Co-chair of Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign Kathy Glavanis spoke to the crowd about the families in the West Bank and Gaza still waiting for their relatives bodies.

After the march around the city, the crowd returned to the Grand Parade to hear from student activist Caoimhe Lyons of the UCC BDS encampment and to listen to a rendition of Martin Leahys anthem Palestine.
Chinese enterprises explore sci-tech innovations for clean energy

Xinhua) 11:09, June 24, 2024

BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhua) -- In the midst of a powerful typhoon and turbulent waves, a 12-megawatt wind turbine operates steadfastly, harnessing nature's force to generate clean energy.

This impressive sight unfolded on the screens in the laboratory of Mingyang Smart Energy Group Co., Ltd., a new energy company headquartered in Zhongshan City in south China's Guangdong Province, as researchers simulated the operation of wind turbines under typhoon conditions.

Typhoons are frequent along the southeast coast of China, posing a significant challenge for wind power facilities to avoid damage while generating more power during these storms.

"In the field of new energy, achieving typhoon-resistant wind power is akin to a 'moon-landing' challenge that needs to surmount very tough technical barriers," said Zhang Chuanwei, chairman of Mingyang Smart Energy.

Drawing from extensive operational data in typhoon zones, the company's research and development team conducted detailed analyses of wind speeds, directions and turbulence. "These insights have been integrated into our turbine designs, ensuring that they can endure typhoons while maximizing energy production," Zhang explained.

By 2023, more than 2,000 smart wind turbines manufactured by the company were deployed in China's typhoon-prone regions. When super typhoon Saola swept Guangdong Province last year, the company's self-developed offshore wind turbine in Zhuhai City successfully withstood winds exceeding magnitude 17, continuing uninterrupted operation.

In addition to typhoons, Mingyang Smart Energy has pioneered innovative solutions to harness wind energy under extreme conditions. These include segmented fan blades for mountainous Guizhou Province and specialized models to withstand sandstorms in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

China's goals of achieving carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 underscore the critical role of science and technology in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability.

Companies like Mingyang Smart Energy exemplify this effort, leveraging advanced technologies to drive clean energy initiatives.

In Fuyuan County in southwest China's Yunnan Province, digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) have revolutionized wind farm operations.

A sophisticated control system, integrated with 3D simulations and real-time data analytics, has enabled remote monitoring and proactive maintenance of 135 wind turbines of Yunnan International Power Investment Co., Ltd.

"Previously, on-site inspections were necessary, but now, automated systems issue alerts for potential issues," said Peng Yiheng, a staff member of the wind farm, highlighting the transformative impact of intelligent systems on wind energy management.

According to data released by the National Development and Reform Commission, over the past decade, China's energy consumption per unit of GDP and its carbon dioxide emissions have decreased by 26.2 percent and 34.4 percent, respectively. Its installed capacities of wind power, photovoltaic power and hydropower have all ranked first in the world, marking a historic advance in green, low-carbon and high-quality development.

Building upon these remarkable strides in reducing energy intensity, the Chinese government has continued to roll out new measures to encourage industries to undergo a green and low-carbon transition. Experts anticipate that it will trigger a sci-tech revolution marked by decarbonization and promote a series of major sci-tech innovations.

According to Zhang Yongsheng, head of the Research Institute for Eco-civilization, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, with breakthroughs in big data and AI technology, China will fully unleash the huge potential of green development and continue to create miracles in green growth.

"China is an important force in promoting renewable energy," said Zhang Jian, vice president of the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Tsinghua University.

"With its technology, cost and scale advantages, China is well-positioned to lead efforts in combating climate change and promoting energy transformation in the future," Zhang added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Thousands of people gathered in Cork, Dublin and Limerick on Saturday to show their solidarity with Natasha OBrien.

Protests were organised across the country after Cathal Crotty, a serving member of the Defence Forces, was given a three-year suspended sentence for an assault on Ms 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.

Solidarity

Many people taking part in Saturdays protest in Cork were also vocal on the issue, including a number of councillors.

I feel the protest [on Saturday] was important to show solidarity with Natasha, said Sinn Fein councillor for Cork City North West, Michelle Gould.

Sinn Fein councillor for Cork City South-Central Fiona Kerins said women all over this country feel unsettled after the suspended sentence.

Labour Party councillor for Cork City North West, Laura Harmon, said that there is a need for a zero tolerance approach to violence against women and hate-motivated crimes: I am in awe of the bravery of Natasha OBrien for speaking out and I think the protests this weekend show the demand for change from the public.

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 [Director of Public Prosecutions] 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.
A BOOK of condolence has been opened at Cork City Hall to mark the passing of former Lord Mayor, minister of state and TD for Cork North Central, Bernard Allen.

A former Fine Gael junior minister, Mr Allen began his political career in 1979, when he was first elected to the then Cork Corporation, in what was then the north-central ward.

In 1988, Mr Allen served as Lord Mayor, following in the footsteps of grandfather, James Allen, who was lord mayor in 1942.

Mr Allens uncle, Alderman Sammy Allen served on Cork Corporation until his passing in 1977.

In the 1981 general election, Mr Allen was elected to Dail Eireann as a Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, and he retained his seat at every subsequent election until his retirement, after 30 years in the Dail, in 2011.

In 1994, when Fine Gael returned to government, taoiseach John Bruton appointed Mr Allen minister of state at the Department of Education, with special responsibility for youth and sport.

Between 2007 and 2011, Mr Allen served as chair of the Public Accounts Committee.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, has called a special meeting of Cork City Council at 9.15am on Wednesday, June 26 to pay tribute Mr Allen.

The Allen family, former lords mayor of Cork and TDs and Senators have been invited to attend the special meeting.

Over the weekend the Lord Mayor expressed his condolences to Mr Allens family and friends.

I am saddened to learn of the death of Bernard Allen, a TD of 30 years experience and more particularly a former lord mayor of Cork.

He was a public representative of strength and stature who served the city well, helping deliver vital sporting infrastructure and also playing a leading role in the establishment of Munster Technological University, Mr Boyle said.

Funeral details have been announced, and Mr Allens remains will repose at Jerh OConnors Wilton Funeral Home, Sarsfield Road, from 4pm on Tuesday June 25, with Requiem Mass at 11am on Wednesday, June 26 in the North Cathedral.

He will be laid to rest in St Finbarrs Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon.
Cork Printmakers is holding an exhibition of new artworks celebrating letterpress printmaking at Cork Public Museum.

The exhibition, entitled Movable Type, features original artworks in letterpress by 24 artists from Cork Printmakers and MTU Crawford College of Art and Design.

It is described as a celebration of letterpress printmaking as an historic printing process and its potential to be incorporated into contemporary artistic practices.

The artworks utilise a collection of letterpress originally from Colemans Printers that was donated by Cork Public Museum to Cork Printmakers and MTU Crawford in 2021 where it has been refurbished and rehoused for use by contemporary print artists and as a tool for active learning for researchers, communities, and artists at all stages of their careers.

Director of Cork Public Museum Dan Breen said the museum is delighted to be working with Cork Printmakers to create this exhibition.

This collaborative project highlights the importance of finding new and innovative ways to re-utilise some of the historical collections that often languish unloved in museum storerooms.

Now the legacy of Colemans Printers will survive through the future work done at Cork Printmakers and MTU Crawford College of Art and Design.

Director of Cork Printmakers Peter Mc Morris said: This letterpress project and collaboration between Cork Public Museum, Cork Printmakers, and Crawford College is a true example of the far-reaching benefits of collaboration.

From restoring the type to engaging in intensive training in letterpress printing through to the making and exhibiting of artworks, Mr Mc Morris said.

We also acknowledge the importance of the three organisations within Corks rich art, cultural, and printing heritage.

The exhibition opens from Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and on Saturday from 11am to 4pm.
In what one councillor described as a mean-spirited move, members of Cork County Council took the rare if not unprecedented step of denying their well wishes to the departing Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan, following a roll call vote at the authoritys first meeting after its AGM on Monday.

The proposal from Fianna Fail councillor and former Mayor, Gillian Coughlan, prompted a debate in which the leader of the one of three Government parties was criticised by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael councillors as well as elected members from Independent Ireland and non party councillor Finbarr Harrington.

The proposal, which referred to the Ministers role as Green Party leader specifically while acknowledging his position as one of the line ministers for local authorities, met with strong opposition.

He did come to visit us here in County Hall and it might be just a nice gesture to write to him to acknowledge his resignation, Ms Coughlan said. Fine Gael councillor Jack White seconded the proposal.

He was an exceptional minister and history will look very kindly on him in the fullness of time, said Mr White.

His party colleague, councillor Michael Hegarty, said he would normally not comment but said that on this occasion he would express his total opposition to the proposal, claiming he has absolutely destroyed parts of Cork county.

Im amazed that my colleagues would suggest that we write to him to compliment or congratulate him  Im certainly, and Im putting it on the record here, totally opposed to it.

Fianna Fail councillor Sheila OCallaghan said the funding of the N25 was an issue for her as the County Development Plan had been predicated on support for the upgrade of that road.

Here we are, halfway through the County Development Plan and no funding has been allocated, she said.

Independent Ireland councillor, Danny Collins, accused Minister Ryan of decimating rural Ireland.

The Fianna Fail leader on Cork County Council, Seamus McGrath, attempted to intervene by suggesting that well wishes would be sent to the Green Party leader, but Mr Hegarty insisted on a vote.

Social Democrats councillor, Liam Quaide, formerly a Green Party councillor, described the refusal to give the departing politician the councils good wishes as mean-spirited.

Any minister will have a mixed record, according to different points of view, he said.

Its mean-spirited and and very much at odds with the decorum of this chamber to withdraw a vote of congratulations or expression of well wishes, he said. Ive never seen anything like this at Cork County Council.

The proposal was defeated on a vote of 22 against to 12 for.
THE Cork Smart Gateway, an initiative which seeks to promote and develop Cork as a smart and innovative region, joined forces with Cork City Council and two of Corks leading representative groups - the Cork Business Association and the VQ - to launch a pilot project which will help deliver insights into the use of key streets in Cork city.

The Cork Smart Gateway is funded by Cork City Council, Cork County Council and University College Cork through the Science Foundation Ireland CONNECT Centre.

It is also supported by a wider steering group consisting of The Tyndall National Institute, Nimbus Technology Gateway, Cork Chamber, Tech Industry Alliance and Energy Cork. The project, an example of multi-stakeholder collaboration, will help progress Cork Citys smart and innovative ambitions.

We came together to install five Telraam S2 sensors across four streets, including Oliver Plunkett Street (x2), MacCurtain Street, Bridge Street, and North Main Street, with more streets to be included shortly. The Telraam devices count, categorise, and report all movement on the street in real-time, which includes cars, bikes, pedestrians, buses, trucks, and more. The device offers data resolutions of up to fifteen minutes allowing for detailed reports. The data generated will provide an overview of street usage and mobility patterns which will help inform strategic planning.

The project came about after discussions between the VQ, Cork Business Association and Cork City Council and the increased availability and usability of open data was an area we collectively wanted to explore.

Every second, Cork City generates enormous amounts of data relating to how many people, cars and bikes are using the citys streets, public transport, air quality, business transactions etc, the list is essentially endless. Understanding this data on a large scale will help fuel innovation and this project is the first step in that process. In recent times, the general advancements in technology and AI now mean that there are a variety of inexpensive technology solutions available to develop pilot projects in this space that can deliver large-scale benefits.

We selected Oliver Plunkett Street, MacCurtain Street, Bridge Street and North Main Street. Although they are all city centre streets, each street has a different set of long-term strategic objectives and strong business communities who want to better understand the street they trade on. Oliver Plunkett Street and North Main Street are two of the main arteries in Cork City and being able to compare and contrast the levels of activity and vibrancy of each street will offer intriguing insights.

Shane Clarke The VQ, Sean Lotty of the Cork Smart Gateway , Aaron Mansworth President Cork Business Association launch a smart street data pilot project to give detailed insight into the use of Cork Citys streets and help progress Cork City's smart ambitions.

For businesses, understanding the number of potential customers walking past their shop door every day will help traders tailor their operational hours, plan more effectively and, design new ways to boost business. The data will also be important to the Cork Business Association as they campaign on their members behalf and promote Cork as a premier commercial and tourist destination.

MacCurtain Street and Bridge Street have seen significant development in recent times with public realm improvements delivered by Cork City Council and the promotion of the area under the VQ brand (Victorian Quarter) being led by Shane Clarke. The VQs objective is to develop the area into Irelands liveliest, most sustainable, cultured, and best-connected neighbourhood in Ireland. The data will offer important observations into the activity and vibrancy of the area and aid the decision-making around its future development.

The hope is to collaborate further and develop more projects in this space. Being innovative will be key in seeing Cork realise its potential and projects such as this are small steps in that process.

Sean Lotty of the Cork Smart Gateway said: Cork City generates significant amounts of data which can provide detailed insights into how the City operates on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Understanding this data will allow for effective planning and data-driven decision making which will help ensure Cork Citys place as a top European location to live, work and invest. This project is an example of how modern technology solutions can be used to progress Cork Citys smart ambitions. I would like to thank Cork City Council, The VQ and the Cork Business Association for their collaboration.

Ian OSullivan of Cork City Council and the Cork Smart Gateway stated: Cork Citys goal is to be an internationally recognised city for innovation and our active involvement in Smart Cities projects is key to bringing us forward on our journey. One of our digital ambitions is the increased availability and usability of open data, and empowering our citizens and business stakeholders to leverage the power of data to help make informed decisions on our citys development. Employing the latest technologies to interpret detailed traffic and footfall in our city centre will create new opportunities through data-led innovation.

Aaron Mansworth, President of Cork Business Association said: This pilot project exemplifies the power of multi-stakeholder partnerships in advancing our smart city ambitions. By harnessing the insights from the Telraam devices, were not just counting movements; were shaping the future of our streets, paving the way for a vibrant, connected, and sustainable Cork. Were charting a course towards a city that thrives for all.

Shane Clarke, the Director of Operations for the VQ stated:

Investment is booming in the VQ and we are confident that the footfall sensors installed on MacCurtain Street and Bridge Street will evidence the increased pedestrian activity and street vibrancy. Its been great working with Sean at the Cork Smart Gateway and in partnership with our friends at the CBA to see this project through to realisation.
I was out and about recently when I came across an old black Mercedes. It was probably around my own vintage, from the fifties or maybe even older. Unfortunately, the owner wasnt around so I couldnt find out anything about its history, but I imagine it would have had a few stories to tell.

It was a beautiful looking car but as I got closer to it, I could see evidence of age. There were gaps in the doors which werent closing properly and on closer inspection there were signs of home-made repairs where fillers had been used. They were rough and ready, and the patches had been hand-painted. That didnt spoil the sense of history attached to it though. Signs of a life well lived. It was still being driven too so the engine was obviously in good nick.

It kind of reminded me of myself. A bit of mileage on the clock, some bits removed over the years and some other bits added with a few scars prove it. But the engine is ok for the moment and all the moving parts are kept in order with various pills and potions.

Ive been very fortunate with the professionalism of my surgeons, but things might have been different if I had been born in the 19th century when Robert Liston was practising medicine.

His career has been well documented on the Internet and he was known as the fastest surgeon of his era, not necessarily the best though.

Before the discovery of general anaesthesia, surgery was a horrific prospect with the patient fully conscious and suffering unspeakable agony with a significant risk of death. In those days surgeons had to get creative in an attempt to save lives while minimizing a patients pain. One of the most effective ways was to perform the surgery as quickly as possible, sometimes in under five minutes.

There was an upside to this method. The less time a surgery took, the less likely the patient was to bleed out and the less they would suffer. However, there was also a downside as accuracy would often be sacrificed in favour of speed.

Perhaps the fastest surgeon of this period was Robert Liston, who was often referred to as the fastest knife in the west end. He received his medical education at the University of Edinburgh, where he developed a reputation for being a very difficult individual with a caustic and arrogant personality.

He was particularly interested in anatomy and quickly built a reputation as a fast and highly skilled surgeon. He was widely disliked by his peers, and many wanted him banned from the wards because of his unpleasant attitude. Following a series of disagreements with his colleagues, he left Scotland and moved to London.

Standing six feet two inches tall, Liston was an imposing figure who was famously strong and spoke with a loud and brusque voice that would often intimidate both his students and patients. He was unusual at the time in that he would wash his hands and remove his frock coat and put on an apron to operate. Proper surgical antisepsis would not be widely accepted until the late 1800s.

Before performing an operation, Liston would stride boldly into the surgical theatre, which was frequently packed out with spectators including visiting surgeons, all eager to witness his unparalleled surgical technique. With the presence of a true showman, he would then nod to the medical students present with their pocket watches in hand and announce, Time me, gentlemen!

A typical amputation would take approximately two to three minutes to perform, with his fastest amputation being reported to be an astonishing 28 seconds.

A handkerchief would be placed in the patients mouth to mask his screams, a medical student would be asked to hold the limb that was being removed, and two other students would keep the patient still. Liston would then cut through the flesh with a scalpel, saw through the bone and suture the wound. Despite the speed with which he performed these procedures, his results were excellent for the time. Between 1835 and 1840, Liston performed 66 amputations and only 10 died, a mortality rate of less than 1 in 6. The average mortality rate for amputations was 1 in 4.

In addition to his record-breaking 28-second leg amputation, Liston is infamous for some particularly remarkable cases. In another leg amputation that took a comparatively slow two and a half minutes, Liston accidentally also removed the patients testicles. In a more successful operation involving the testes, he removed of a 45-pound scrotal tumour, that the patient had to carry around in a wheelbarrow, in just four minutes.

Perhaps Listons most famous case, however, is the only operation in history with a 300% mortality rate. Robert Liston was performing a leg amputation on a patient who was lying flat on his table. As he brought down his knife, he was so focused on his speed that he took his surgical assistants fingers off along with the patients leg. As he swung the knife back up, it clipped a spectators coattails who collapsed and died. Unknown to Liston at the time, this death was only the first of three. The second and third deaths came a few days later, but still due to the operation. It later became apparent that the equipment Dr. Liston used was infected and not sanitized. The assistants finger and the patients amputated leg became infected, developed gangrene and both died from their wounds. The spectator who collapsed was later discovered to have died of fright.

Liston, without doubt, made a significant contribution to the field of surgery in the pre-anaesthetic era. Years later, when anaesthesia was invented, he became the first surgeon to operate using it, and his surgery was a success.
High Court reporters

A five-year-old girl who was allegedly attacked by a golden retriever dog has settled her High Court action for 115,000.

Mia Kate Nolan was walking near her home in Co Galway with her mother when the dog allegedly came from behind and clamped his jaws on the little girls head, knocked her over and shook her.

It was claimed that the dog kept the child on the ground face down as her mother kicked and hit it to make it release its grip.

Mia, who was 19 months old at the time, was brought to Portiuncula University Hospital in Galway before being transferred to a Dublin hospital where she had surgery for repair of multiple scalp lacerations.

She was in hospital for five days.

Mia Kate Nolan, of Kilclooney, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, had through her mother, Leslie Nolan, sued the dog owners, Declan and Ann OGrady, also of Kilclooney, Ballinasloe, as a result of the incident four years ago.

It was claimed that the dog owned by the OGradys attacked and bit the child and there was an alleged failure to properly control or restrain the dog in circumstances in which the owners knew or ought to have known that the dog had the ability to attack or bite people.

It was further claimed there was a failure in the circumstances to have in place any or any appropriate and proper system of warning people walking near their land or house that the dog was a threat.

There was also an alleged failure in the circumstances to muzzle the dog and an alleged failure to properly instruct or train the dog to minimise the risk of him attacking people in the way which was complained about.

It was also claimed the owners knew or ought to have known that the presence of people walking nearby would in all likelihood provoke or excite the dog and result in the dog attacking or biting.

There was an alleged failure to properly assess the risk posed by the dog and in particular to those walking near the land and premises.

The little girl was left with scars on her scalp and upper neck at the back, but a plastic surgeon reported that all scars had matured, and no further surgery would be required.

Ms Justice Nuala Jackson approved the settlement.
High Court reporters

A second challenge has been brought over permission for a BusConnects corridor running from Blackrock to the city centre, with the latest initiated by an association of businesses, a community group and individuals.

The case asks the court to overturn An Bord Pleanalas approval of the 8.3km road project and quash its confirmation of a compulsory purchase order for certain lands.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) has sought permission for 12 dedicated bus lanes as part of the capitals flagship bus project.

Last March, the Belfield/Blackrock spine became the fourth and latest of these to be approved by An Bord Pleanala.

It is already the subject of a court action by the Blackrock Clinic, while a north-side route running from Clongriffin to the city centre is being challenged by an Artane resident.

This latest court case was brought by the Upper Baggot Street Traders Association, its Pembroke Road-based chair, Michael Quinn; the Pembroke Road Association; its chair Susan McCarrick, of St Marys Road, Ballsbridge; Fr Patrick Byrne; and Homancrest Limited.

Fr Byrne and Homancrest Limited say they own plots of land on Pembroke Road, Dublin 4, which are the subject of compulsory purchase orders to make way for the route.

Each of the other applicants say they or their members are based or operate from properties along or near the corridor. The Upper Baggot Street group says it has 60 members and represents the interests of small business owners.

Their judicial review is against An Bord Pleanala, as the body that approved the project, while Ireland and the Attorney General are also named as respondents as the case claims sections of the 1960 Local Government Act, the 2000 Planning and Development Act and the 1944 Dublin Transport Authority Act are unconstitutional and in breach of the EU Charter on Human Rights.

Citing domestic and EU law grounds, the applicants are asking the court to declare that they are protected from having to pay the other sides legal costs if they lose their case, citing certain environmental grounds.

They allege An Bord Pleanala erred by concluding the proposed project was in line with the development plans of the two council areas it runs through: Dublin City and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown.

They point to the councils policies on land zoning and the protection of trees, hedgerows and architectural heritage.

They claim the planning authority failed to have regard to various matters, including the guidelines on protecting architectural heritage.

The boards alleged failure to properly reason or justify not holding an oral pre-approval hearing is an example of it failing to act per fair procedures, the applicants claim. They also say there was a failure to properly assess the proportionality of the compulsory purchase order.

On Monday, their senior counsel, Stephen Dodd, instructed by Peter Boyle & Co Solicitors, secured permission from Mr Justice Richard Humphreys to proceed with the challenge.

The case came before him while only the applicants were represented and will return on July 8th, when the respondents and NTA, as a notice party, can attend.
Tesco has been fined after pleading guilty to failing to comply with consumer protection laws concerning the display of prices.

The supermarket was fined 1,000 for failing to include unit pricing on Clubcard promotional shelf-edge labels.

The display of unit prices is required by law in order to allow consumers to more easily compare similar products which may be sold in different sizes.

The case came before Judge Anthony Halpin, who applied the Probation Act, ordering Tesco to make a donation of 1,000 to the Little Flower Penny Dinners charity.

The case followed an investigation by the State's consumer watchdog, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), after the breaches were identified during an inspection last August.

In a statement following the ruling, the CCPC said: "Consumers shopping for groceries have to quickly evaluate a wide range of factors when deciding what products offer the best value for their money. Supermarkets are legally required to show unit pricing to make that process easier for consumers.

"Displaying the price per kilo, litre or metre allows consumers to compare the cost of similar products sold in different sizes. It also prevents consumers from being misled by packaging or discounts into paying more for less.

"The CCPC encourages consumers to check the unit prices when they shop and make a report to the CCPC where they are not provided."
I had the pleasure of going to see  Home Sweet Home a production by Suisha Inclusive Arts/Cope Foundation. My brother Diarmuid has been working on this play for two years. Ive been lucky to support Suisha Inclusive Arts from the very beginning and seen how Diarmuid, BenOg, Ruby, Jason, Paul, Fergus, Matthew, Sarah, Florin, Aoife and Gerard flourish in it. They are supported by Eoin, Fiona and Andy. I remember the day Eoin Nash, first told me about plans for Suisha Inclusive Arts ten years ago when I was working in communications for Cope Foundation. He has lived and breathed it ever since and is a huge credit to all the team, showing that professional, creative and technical roles should be open to everyone.

Home Sweet Home is the most ambitious work of Suisha Inclusive Arts to date. It was led by the artists who have disabilities and featured creatively embedded access measures including Audio Description done by the cast themselves as part of their acting roles, which would have been very helpful if you couldnt see the action on stage. There was also captioning on big screens as part of the set which made everything easy to follow if you didnt catch a line or couldnt hear very well. There was sign language interpretation too. All the bases was covered to make a truly inclusive environment.

My favourite feature of all, and the most relevant to me as I sat in my wheelchair was that it was a relaxed performance.

A relaxed performance means that we all agree that people can move around, come and go and make noise if they need to. I felt my muscles immediately relax when this was announced at the beginning and it caught me by surprise, I didnt realise I was holding myself, trying not to let my wheelchair creek or a cough escape. Once I had permission, I felt so comfortable. We were also told that there would be loud parts of the show but nothing to make us jump but we could avail of ear defenders provided if we needed them.

The show was set in Cork in the future where a group of artists are living together. Some are rappers, comedians, dancers and actors. As disabled people, their home is their right and their comfort, but the newly elected government doesnt agree and wants to break up their independent living situation and people will end up in institutions again. The group decided to fight back with cups of tea, protest, and viral music videos.

We were treated to the songs, the chants, the dance and raps telling us how important rights and independence are.

The writing by Jodi O Neill was clever and close to the bone, the direction by Al Bellamy was raw and real.

In Ireland our disability services are only forging forward very slowly and it takes creative individuals to keep it all going. A changing of the guard can set things back to a clinical focus all to quickly and I have seen it happen. Highlighting this in an artistic way was so powerful.

I want to say a huge congratulations to all involved in Home Sweet Home commissioned by Cork Midsummer Festival, supported by The Arts Council, Cork City Council, and Benefacts Movement for Good programme, Cope Foundation, Cork Education and Training Board, Cork Opera House, and UCC Department of Theatre. The project was initially conceived as part of the BE PART (art BEyond PARTicipation) Creative Europe Network . The list of supporters and funders are so important. It shows the level of collaboration needed to make inclusion real and it is so worth it.
Apple is apparently looking to take all the help it can get to integrate generative AI into its recently announced Apple Intelligence . According to a report by the Wall Street Journal , citing sources with knowledge of the discussions, Apple has held talks with Meta about the possibility of using the companys generative AI model. It also reportedly had similar discussions with startups Anthropic and Perplexity. As of now, though, nothing has been finalized, WSJ reports.

At WWDC earlier this month, Apple officially announced its much-rumored partnership with OpenAI that will bring ChatGPT to newer iPhones, iPads and Macs with the upcoming generation of the devices OS. During the event, Apples senior VP of software engineering, Craig Federighi, also name-dropped Googles Gemini as something that could be added to Apple Intelligence in the future. We want to enable users ultimately to choose the models they want, Federighi said. It would make sense, then, for Apple to be shopping around.

But for the time being, only OpenAI has been confirmed as a partner. OpenAIs GPT-4o will be integrated into Apple Intelligence to bolster Siri and other tools, with some features expected to arrive later this year.
A Smith State Prison kitchen worker was gunned down by an inmate while on the job before shooting and killing himself.

Aureon Grace was killed by inmate Jaydrekus Hart on Father's Day.

Hart was serving a 20-year sentence for involuntary manslaughter and aggravated battery. The incident has left the community reeling and raised serious questions about safety protocols within the correctional facility.

Grace, only 24-years-old, was a young mother of two. Reports allege that Hart, 34, and Grace shared a "personal relationship."

The news of Grace's death reached her family in a harrowing manner. Her mother, Deshonda Hagins, reportedly learned of the incident through a phone call from fellow inmates. The inmates looked at social media in an attempt to figure out who to contact about the death of Grace.

In a statement according to 'Fox-5,' Hagins directed her anger and grief towards the prison administration.

"They failed her. You failed her. My child is dead and it's no explanation for a firearm to be inside of a prison. Why didn't they search him when he left his dorm, why didn't they search him before he came into the cafeteria? Why was none of those things done? She was a sister, she was a daughter, she was a mother," she said. "She was loved."

The incident has prompted scrutiny of security procedures at Smith State Prison, with demands for answers regarding how a firearm entered the facility undetected. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder-suicide, aiming to uncover any lapses in security protocols at the maximum security facility that contributed to the tragedy.

In an email, a spokesperson for Aramark, Grace's employer, said that they "are working with the corrections officials as they continually assess safety and security at Smith and other facilities."

They continued: "The safety of our employees is always our highest priority and we work closely with corrections agencies to address that."

Grace, who, according to her mother, was saving money to enroll in nursing school, is survived by her mother, a four-year-old daughter, and a one-year-old son.
Tamayo Perry, known both as a lifeguard and an actor, died after a shark attack.

He was 49.

On Sunday, Perry, who served as a lifeguard for the City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety, was critically injured while surfing near the island of Oahu in Hawaii, according to the 'Associated Press.'

During a press conference, Shayne Enright from the Honolulu Emergency Services Department confirmed reports of a surfer being attacked near Malaekahana Beach on Oahu's North Shore shortly before 1 p.m. local time.

"This is [an] extremely difficult time for all of us," Enright said. He also confirmed that Honolulu Ocean Safety responded to the incident by jet ski and brought Perry to shore. Honolulu EMS personnel then "assisted with his death pronouncement," Enright stated during the press conference.

Perry appeared in films including 'Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' (2011) and 'Blue Crush' (2002) along with other projects.

At a press conference, Honolulu Ocean Safety Acting Chief Kurt Lager described Perry as "a lifeguard loved by all."
One of the suspects who plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the killing of Pop Smoke has reportedly been released.

Rapper Envy Caine celebrated the release of a 21-year-old from prison on Instagram by sharing images of the convicted felon out of jail. Caine, who posted about the suspect's release, was among several unidentified teenagers detained in connection with the 2020 murder case. The circumstances surrounding the convicted's release remain unclear. "They Free'd My Daugs," Caine exclaimed on his Instagram Story.

According to 'NBC News,' the name of the released man has been barred from the public as he was a juvenile  17-years-old  at the time of the crime.

The newly released, reported to be King Vermont on Instagram, referenced a new chapter in his life.

"To everyone asking about interviews," King Vermont, the name stated on his Instagram account, stated, directing inquiries to his management. Concurrently, an 18-year-old implicated in the 2020 shooting confessed to the killing in a juvenile court session last Friday.

The newly released also plead guilty to home invasion robbery and was sentenced to four years and two months in a juvenile detention facility.

Pop Smoke, born Bashar Barakah Jackson, was assassinated on February 19, 2020 in Los Angeles. Five hooded men broke into a rented AirBnB and shot the "Welcome to the Party" emcee three times, the 'Daily News' reported.

Pop Smoke was known for his influential role in the Brooklyn drill music scene and had just begun to achieve mainstream success with his music career. His posthumous releases have continued to contribute to his legacy in the music industry.
Sunday, June 23, 2024

Dram Shop Law and Liquor Liability are legal concepts that holds businesses responsible for serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals or minors who later cause harm. Liquor liability is crucial for ensuring that establishments are accountable for alcohol-related incidents, such as drunk driving accidents and altercations.

In this article, we will explore the concept of Dram Shop Liability in depth, understand how it works, discuss important cases, and learn about the challenges involved in proving such claims.

Key areas covered include:

Definition and Origin of Dram Shop Liability Understanding the Elements of a Dram Shop Case Proving Negligence: Gathering Evidence and Expert Testimony Landmark Dram Shop Liability Cases

By understanding these aspects, you can better grasp the significance of Dram Shop Liability and its role in promoting responsible alcohol service.

If youre interested in learning more about Nightclub Negligence cases, our article delves into the crucial role expert witnesses play in such situations.

Additionally, if you want to understand how expert testimony can be instrumental in establishing liability, our testimonials page highlights the effectiveness of Dram Shop Experts services in providing expert witness testimony and opinions regarding Dram Shop liability cases.

Understanding Dram Shop Liability

Definition of Dram Shop Liability

Dram Shop Liability is a legal concept holding establishments accountable for serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals or minors who subsequently cause harm. This liability ensures that bars, restaurants, and other entities involved in the sale of alcohol act responsibly to prevent alcohol-related incidents. For example, if a bar serves alcohol to an already drunk patron who then drives and causes an accident, the bar can be held liable for the damages resulting from that accident.

Origin of the Term Dram Shop

The term Dram Shop comes from 18th-century England, where a dram referred to a small unit of liquid measure commonly used for serving gin. Over time, these establishments became known as dram shops. The concept evolved as society recognized the need to regulate alcohol service and mitigate its associated risks. Today, the term has been integrated into legal doctrines across various jurisdictions, establishing clear guidelines for responsible alcohol service.

To gain further insight into the importance of responsible alcohol service and relevant legal frameworks, you can refer to this resource on Dram Shop Law. It delves into the demands for compliance with Responsible Alcohol Service, Bartender Training, and Intoxication Identification.

Additionally, expert testimonies on industry standard bar operations play a crucial role in such cases. These testimonies provide comprehensive insights that can strengthen your case.

Understanding the historical context and legal implications of Dram Shop Liability highlights its significance in promoting public safety and responsible business practices.

The Purpose Behind Dram Shop Acts

The primary purpose of Dram Shop Acts is to reduce the negative impact of alcohol-related incidents by holding establishments responsible. These laws have several important goals:

1. Reducing Alcohol-Related Accidents

By making businesses that serve alcohol irresponsibly legally liable, these acts aim to decrease the number of accidents caused by intoxicated individuals. This includes drunk driving collisions, which are a significant public safety concern.

2. Incentivizing Responsible Alcohol Service

These acts also encourage establishments to adopt responsible serving practices. Some examples include:

Providing training programs for bartenders to identify signs of visible intoxication and prevent over-serving.

Implementing policies to ensure age verification and refusal of service to already intoxicated customers.

These laws play a critical role in promoting safer communities by ensuring that alcohol-serving establishments act with greater care. Failing to meet these standards can result in severe penalties, reinforcing the importance of responsible service.

For instance, Texas Dram Shop Law and Safe Harbor, which provides legal protection under certain circumstances, is an example where specific statutes have been put in place to balance the rights and responsibilities of both establishments and consumers.

Additionally, Security Use of Force Dram Shop Expert Witness Testimony can be crucial in situations where excessive force has been employed by security personnel within drinking establishments. Expert testimonies can shed light on the proper use of force protocols that should be followed.

To further enhance responsible alcohol service, Bartender Training programs are being implemented across many jurisdictions. These programs equip bartenders with the necessary skills to identify signs of visible intoxication, prevent over-serving, and ultimately contribute to a safer drinking environment.

Key Elements of a Dram Shop Case

Responsibility under Dram Shop Laws requires establishing specific elements to prove a successful liability claim. These essential elements include:

The Duty of Care Owed by the Establishment to Third Parties: Establishments that serve alcohol have a legal obligation to ensure their patrons do not pose a danger to themselves or others. This duty of care extends to third parties who may be affected by the actions of an intoxicated individual. Breach of that Duty through Irresponsible Alcohol Service: Proving that the establishment breached its duty involves demonstrating that alcohol was served irresponsibly. This could mean serving alcohol to someone who is visibly intoxicated or to minors, both of which are common conditions for liability.

Understanding these key elements is crucial for anyone involved in a Dram Shop Liability case. For detailed insights into various aspects and real-life implications, you can explore expert opinions on Dram Shop & Liquor Liability or seek guidance from professionals with experience in this field, such as those providing Dram Shop Expert Witness Testimony.

Ensuring establishments adhere to these responsibilities can mitigate the risks associated with alcohol service, thus promoting safer communities. If you want to discuss your case or have any queries regarding Dram Shop Laws, feel free to contact us.

Types of Injuries Covered by Dram Shop Liability

Dram Shop Liability can encompass a wide range of injuries and damages, providing an avenue for victims to seek compensation. This legal concept aims to hold establishments accountable for harm caused by their patrons after being served alcohol irresponsibly.

Personal Injuries Caused by Drunk Drivers

One of the most common scenarios covered under Dram Shop Liability involves personal injuries resulting from drunk driving accidents. These incidents can lead to severe consequences such as:

Physical Injuries: Victims may suffer from broken bones, spinal cord injuries, or traumatic brain injuries.

Victims may suffer from broken bones, spinal cord injuries, or traumatic brain injuries. Emotional Trauma: The aftermath of a drunk driving accident often includes significant emotional distress for both victims and their families.

The aftermath of a drunk driving accident often includes significant emotional distress for both victims and their families. Financial Losses: Medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care costs can accumulate quickly.

Assaults and Altercations Involving Intoxicated Individuals

In addition to vehicular accidents, establishments can also be held liable for assaults and altercations involving intoxicated individuals. Such situations might include:

Physical Fights: Bars or clubs that over-serve patrons may indirectly contribute to brawls or physical confrontations.

Bars or clubs that over-serve patrons may indirectly contribute to brawls or physical confrontations. Property Damage: Intoxicated individuals might cause damage to property during an altercation, leading to additional liabilities.

Intoxicated individuals might cause damage to property during an altercation, leading to additional liabilities. Psychological Impact: Victims of assaults may endure lasting psychological effects, necessitating therapy or other forms of mental health support.

To gain further insights on these cases, considering consulting renowned experts in Dram Shop Liability, like Silver Tree Gordon at Dram Shop Experts who offer expert testimony and consultation services.

Understanding the breadth of injuries covered under Dram Shop Liability underscores the importance of responsible alcohol service in preventing such harm.

Proving Negligence: Challenges in Dram Shop Cases

Plaintiffs in dram shop cases often face significant challenges in proving that an establishments alcohol service directly led to the harm suffered. One of the primary hurdles is establishing the patrons visible intoxication at the time of service. This requires concrete evidence showing that the bartender or server should have reasonably recognized signs of intoxication and refrained from serving more alcohol.

Key evidentiary challenges include:

Eyewitness Testimony: Gathering reliable witness accounts can be challenging, especially if patrons or staff are unwilling to testify or have a biased perspective. Surveillance Footage: Video evidence can be crucial but may not always be available or clear enough to demonstrate visible intoxication. Receipts and Transaction Records: These can establish how much alcohol was served but may not show the patrons state at the time. Expert Testimony: Specialists like toxicologists or dram shop experts such as Preston Rideout can provide opinions on whether visible intoxication was likely based on various factors.

Difficulty arises when trying to link the intoxicated individuals behavior directly back to the establishments service. Without clear, compelling evidence, proving negligence remains a complex task in many dram shop cases. This is where Dram Shop Experts like Preston Rideout, who offer their services as Liquor Liability Expert Witnesses, can play a crucial role by providing expert testimony to support the plaintiffs case. They possess substantial knowledge in areas such as Texas Safe Harbor laws, which could be particularly relevant in certain cases involving establishments in Texas [^2^] [^3^].

Defenses Against Dram Shop Liability Claims

Defendants often employ various defenses to deny or minimize their responsibility in Dram Shop cases. Familiarizing yourself with these defenses can provide a better understanding of such claims.

Lack of Causation

One common defense is asserting that there is no direct link between the alleged over-service of alcohol and the subsequent injury. Defendants may argue that other factors contributed to the incident, such as:

The intoxicated person consuming more alcohol elsewhere.

A significant amount of time passing between being served alcohol and the occurrence, making immediate causation difficult to prove.

Contributory Negligence

In some jurisdictions, defendants might claim that the injured persons own negligence played a part in their harm. This could include situations where:

The injured person knowingly entered a vehicle with an intoxicated driver.

The injured person engaged in risky behavior while intoxicated themselves.

Compliance with Local Laws

Establishments may defend themselves by demonstrating adherence to local laws and regulations regarding alcohol service. This includes:

Verifying someones age before serving them alcohol.

Following guidelines for identifying signs of intoxication and refusing service when necessary.

Expert Testimony

To bolster their defense, establishments often call upon experts to provide testimony. These professionals, like Dram Shop Expert Preston Rideout, can share their knowledge about responsible alcohol service practices and whether industry standards were met.

Third-Party Interventions

Another defense involves highlighting actions taken by third parties that could have influenced the situation. For instance, if someone else intervened after the individual was served alcohol, this could make it more challenging to establish direct negligence on the part of the establishment.

Understanding these common defenses sheds light on the obstacles plaintiffs encounter when pursuing Dram Shop Liability claims. If you require expert testimony or guidance regarding these claims, resources like Dram Shop Experts and their section on Responsible Alcohol Service can prove invaluable.

Notable Cases in Dram Shop Liability Law

Landmark Dram Shop Liability Cases have played a crucial role in shaping the interpretation and application of these laws. Understanding these key cases offers valuable insights into how courts address the complexities of Dram Shop claims.

Vesely v. Sager (1971)

A significant case that set the tone for Dram Shop Liability was Vesely v. Sager. The California Supreme Court ruled that an establishment could be held liable for serving alcohol to an obviously intoxicated patron who later caused injury. This decision underscored the duty of care owed by establishments to third parties affected by their patrons actions.

Kelly v. Gwinnell (1984)

In Kelly v. Gwinnell, the New Jersey Supreme Court extended liability to social hosts, affirming that individuals who serve alcohol at private gatherings could also be held responsible if their guests cause harm due to intoxication. This case expanded the scope of liability beyond commercial establishments, emphasizing the broader societal responsibility for preventing alcohol-related harm.

Dram Shop Act Cases in Illinois

Illinois has seen several noteworthy cases under its Dram Shop Act. One such case involved a plaintiff who successfully argued that a bars failure to monitor its patrons alcohol consumption led to a drunk driving accident causing severe injuries. This case highlighted the importance of vigilant alcohol service practices in meeting legal obligations.

Expert Testimony and Evidence

Expert testimony often plays a critical role in these cases. Professionals specializing in alcohol intoxication identification, like those from Dram Shop Experts, can provide pivotal evidence, demonstrating whether an establishment served a visibly intoxicated individual. These experts offer expert witness services that can be decisive in court proceedings.

These landmark cases illustrate how courts interpret and enforce Dram Shop laws, providing essential precedents for future claims.

Conclusion

Holding establishments accountable through Dram Shop Liability is crucial in preventing alcohol-related harm. If you have been affected by incidents involving intoxicated individuals, seeking legal recourse through Dram Shop claims can provide justice and compensation.

For further insights into Dram Shop Liability and expert witness testimony, consider visiting the Dram Shop Experts blog where you can read about Dram Shop Law Expert Witness Testimony & Liquor Liability. Additionally, consulting with Kim Schioldan, a renowned Dram Shop Security Expert, could greatly assist your case.

By exploring your options and ensuring accountability, you can effectively reduce the risks associated with irresponsible alcohol service.
"A mesmerizing novel with a masterful blend of history, science, magic, philosophy and cryptography." Grady Harp, Top 100 Amazon, Hall of Fame Reviewer

Los Angeles, CAThe International Book Awards has declared Houdini's Last Handcuffs a finalist in the Historical Fiction category for 2024. Jeffrey Keen, President and CEO of American Book Fest, said this year's contest yielded thousands of entries from authors and publishers around the world, which were then narrowed down to the final results.

Siblings Charlie and Cheryl Young bring their childhood fantasies to life in their new historical fiction novel, Houdini's Last Handcuffs.

The International Book Awards winner of this year's contest join a prestigious group of past laureates, including Pope Francis, Amy Tan, Anne Lamott, George Sanders, Julie Andrews, Clive Barker, Vanessa Williams, Shark Tank's Daymon John, Brad Thor, Kitty Kelley, and many others. Visit the Award Laureate page for an expanded list.

"This is a literary gut punch. It is the great Houdini book the world has been waiting for. A perfect escape!" John Kelly, Detroit Free Press

On Halloween, three childrena brother, sister, and their friendreceive a Ouija Board from a family friend. After a seance, the magician Houdini is brought back to life, but not by the seance itself. Houdini needs the children's help to retrieve his notebook of scientific formulas. However, the formula for his return is flawed. Houdini, the family, and many close friends are part of The Inner Circle, a clandestine group using science, math, and physics for mankind's good, as opposed to the Outer Circle, which uses them for evil. The notebook contains the formula that everyone wants.

Watch the book trailer here: https://bit.ly/Houdinis_Last_Handcuffs_Trailer





"Houdini's Last Handcuffs is that rare book where the reader can look back at a beloved performer, enjoy some childhood memories and nostalgia, join the characters on a journey leading to the unexpected." Chris Cordani, Host of Book Spectrum

In real life, Houdini's handcuffs were displayed as part of the Young's home magic library. These are the inspiration for a part of this tale. Morris Young, the father of Charlie and Cheryl, related that story in his April 1992 article for The Linking Ring titled The Last Handcuffs. The Young siblings draw from real-life people, places, and objects to shape the story, and their passion and enthusiasm pour from every page.

"Brother and sister duo Charlie and Cheryl Young have created a mesmerizing novel with a masterful blend of history, science, magic, philosophy, cryptography, and investigative mind stretching." Grady Harp, Top 100 Amazon Hall of Fame Reviewer, 5-stars

Accompanied by detailed descriptions, lovable characters, and factual information about the actual Houdini, Houdini's Last Handcuffs will captivate any reader. Charlie says, "It is for those who have imagination or still have a part of who they were when they were children, for that is where this story begins."

Houdini's Last Handcuffs, which recently won the Literary Titan Gold Award for best Historical Fiction and previously the FIREBIRD Book Awards in the Fantasy category, is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Vine Leaves Press Published March 2024. ISBN: 978-3-98832-051-3 www.HoudinisLastHandcuffs.com Listen to an interview with the authors on the Dr. Pat Show: https://bit.ly/Dr_Pat_Show

About Charlie Young: Charlie trained as a physician receiving his formal medical education at New York University, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and Louisiana State University. He is an author, artist, and Vice President of music publishing companies, Denton and Haskins and Life Music. He has previously published poetry, Chuck's Wagon of Verses, and Houdini's Last Handcuffs is his first foray into the world of writing historical fiction. More about his sideline adventures and his life's endeavors can be found on his website: musicmagicandmore.com.

About Cheryl Young: Cheryl Young Deknatel is active in the financial industry where she has worked for over 40 years both in Europe and the USA. She has previously worked with leading Wall Street firms and European banking institutions, and she currently serves as a financial advisor. Houdini's Last Handcuffs, written with her brother, is their debut novel and they are currently working on a sequel. She and her brother also own one of the oldest turn-of-the-century music publishers in the USA, Denton and Haskins. To learn more about all of their activities, visit their website link: musicmagicandmore.com.

Media Contact: For a review copy of Houdini's Last Handcuffs or to arrange an interview with Charlie and Cheryl Young, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 248-705-2214.
Bluetongue virus transmission is now possible in high-risk counties in England due to the recent increase in temperatures, experts warn.

With the warming weather, and average daily temperatures being consistently above 12C, farmers are being urged to remain vigilant for bluetongue.

Due to the proximity to the areas of northern Europe, which are known to have been affected, the high-risk counties are Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent and East Sussex.

Chris Sanders, research fellow at the Pirbright Institute in Surrey, explains the reason why the temperature increase has a major bearing on the threat that the new strain of bluetongue, BTV-3, poses to UK livestock.

With the warmer temperatures weve recently seen, we know that the activity of biting midges that spread the virus has increased," he said, adding that the development of bluetongue virus in midges also depends on the temperature.

He explained: It is now warm enough that if a midge were to come into contact with BTV-3, local virus transmission between midges and ruminants in the UK would now be possible."

The extent of BTV-3 transmission in European countries and meteorological factors will determine whether infected biting midges will be blown over to the UK from northern Europe.

Monitoring this is the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), the UK's Met Office and the Pirbright Institute.

Mr Sanders warned farmers to stay vigilant: During this period of warmer weather, and with disease reported on the continent, we have to consider that the risk of BTV-3 being reintroduced to the UK will increase."

Last November, government vets identified the first case of the disease in Britain through the annual bluetongue surveillance programme.

The government recently set out its plans to minimise the impact of a likely outbreak of bluetongue as experts fear a surge in cases during the summer months.

There is currently no BTV-3 vaccine authorised or approved for use in the UK, however free testing is now available for animal keepers.

In the UK, bluetongue, including BTV-3, is a notifiable disease, so anyone suspecting the disease must take action and report it to APHA on 03000 200 301.
A dairy farming duo from the Isle of Man have scooped a major international award for their 'outstanding commitment' to conservation within a commercial business.

David and Rob Cooil, who run Ballagawne Farm in Ballabeg, were awarded the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Groups (FWAG) prestigious Silver Lapwing award.

Having already won the Isle of Man stage of the competition, the brothers saw off stiff competition from farmers across England and Wales, to lift the British title.

Chris Butler, who visited and judged the five shortlisted farms, said David and Rob went the extra mile and demonstrated outstanding commitment to wildlife conservation.

The manner in which they efficiently harness the resources available to them, also impressed," he said.

In recent years, the siblings have successfully introduced a grass-based dairy system on their family-run farm, whilst protecting and enhancing natural features and habitats.

This has seen wildlife flourish and the rediscovery of a wildflower species, known as skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata), for the first time in more than 140 years.

Responding to the award, David Cooil said the brothers were 'over moon' and 'incredibly proud' to showcase Manx farming.

He added: Our farm has family and nature at its heart and we look after our soils and habitats to strike a balance with an intensively grazed and profitable dairy business.

The brothers make use of the governments agri-environment scheme, which offers targeted funding for farm-based projects that benefit the environment, boost biodiversity or mitigate flooding and climate change.

In line with the educational aims of the Isle of Mans biosphere status, they have also opened their farm gates to schoolchildren to inspire the next generation and explain the role farmers play.

Clare Barber, Minister for Agriculture for the Isle of Man, said the award was "fantastic news and incredibly well deserved".

"It is excellent recognition for how productive farming can work hand-in-hand with conservation efforts to deliver profit and boost biodiversity.
Homosexual activity in animals is more common than suspected.

Some animals engage in homosexual activity

Biologists at the University of Toronto have found that gay behaviour in the animal kingdom has been "widely observed" in creatures ranging from meerkats to black swans.

The team found "widespread and natural" sexual activity in the wild that is unlikely to have been made public due to "publishing bias against anecdotal evidence".

Graduate student Karyn Anderson - who led the study - wrote in the paper: "Same-sex sexual behaviour occurs more frequently than what is available within the published record."

The experts say that homosexual behaviour isn't converted in more detail by researchers as it doesn't provide an accurate representation of a species or was not a priority for the lab.

Anderson told The Guardian newspaper: "This appears to be due to a perception of researchers that same-sex sexual behaviour is very rare.

"We found, however, that it was commonly observed by our survey participants.

"One thing I think we can say for certain is that same-sex sexual behaviour is widespread and natural in the animal kingdom."
Arnold Schwarzenegger has insisted people need to do "whatever it takes" to tackle climate change.

Arnold Schwarzenegger at the Austrian World Summit

The 'Fubar' actor opened the 2024 Austrian World Summit - which he launched eight years ago - at Hofburg in Vienna with a speech in which he warned the time for talking is over as there needs to be "action" taken to "save our future".

He said: All we care about is action.

Talking alone wont save us  but action will. We all share the same vision of a pollution-free world. We have to do whatever it takes to stop the bleeding in order to save our children, to save our planet, to save our future.

Representatives from different industries and sectors around the world attended the event and the former Governor of California insisted they all have a part to play.

He told attendees: You have the power.

The 76-year-old star has devoted time to environmental causes for well over a decade, and has previously urged people to focus their energy on lowering pollution levels.

Speaking at the Austrian World Summit in 2021, he said: Pollution is enemy number one  it is the very thing that causes climate change.

Humans can solve it  we can kill it, we can terminate it.

And the Terminator star compared the threat of climate change to the destruction seen in his hugely popular film franchise, as he insisted people are confused and tuned out when it comes to environmental issues because there is no hope for the world.

He said: No one is going to invest huge sums of money in a movie where there is no hope. Yet frequently I hear environmentalists talking about the existential threat of climate change  we are going to be eliminated.

Is it any wonder that people are confused and tuned out? This movie doesnt have a story line except constant alarm which cannot be sustained.
James Gandolfini left The Sopranos creator David Chase constantly mesmerised with his otherworldly eyes.

James Gandolfini left The Sopranos creator David Chase constantly mesmerised with his otherworldly eyes

The actor played mob boss Tony Soprano in the smash HBO mafia drama from 1999 to 2007 alongside stars including Edie Falco before he was killed by a heart attack aged 51 in 2013 after years of drug and alcohol issues  which often caused havoc with the making of the show.

David, 78, has now fondly remembered the star, telling a CBS News retrospective on the creation of the landmark show in honour of its 25th anniversary about his love for James trademark looks on the series: Hes incredible. Well, the whole things about his face and about his eyes, actually. Theres something about his eyes that  it was otherworldly.

David also said the humour in the show was so prevalent he could has never been able to figure out whether its a comedy.

He added: I guess its like life. I dont know, I hope.

David previously told People he was glad the shows fanbase was still going strong, saying it left him with a tremendous sense of gratitude.

He added: I cant remember this happening with any other television show ever.

David also said about James performance: Look at the show, and there you see it. Its a cliche to call that stuff magic, but he was totally inhabiting that fictional creature.

Its the best thing Ive ever done. Its probably the best thing I ever will do.

James co-star Edie Falco, who played his wife Carmela on the show for all six of its series, also told the CBS special she loved working on it so much she couldnt stop crying during the script read-through for The Sopranos finale.

The 60-year-old Nurse Jackie star said: I really couldnt stop crying  it was ridiculous. It was, This thing in this moment will never happen again to me, to anyone.

The series finale is infamous for cutting to black as its lead character Tony looks up at a door opening in a diner, leaving fans furious and puzzled over whether it meant he had been assassinated by a mob rival.

Edie also said she had a alchemy with her co-star James.

The mother-of-two Edie, who has never married, added: We both had Italian families, had some idea of what this dynamic feels like, and just sort of fell into it with great ease.

It was, you know, a 10-year marriage. And it was as close to a real one as I had known.
John Waters refuses to hire actors who use the word journey.

John Waters refuses to hire actors who use the word journey

The Pink Flamingos director, 78, renowned for gross-out scenes in his transgressive arthouse work, says he hates the phrase as it is overused by privileged stars  and he only thinks people fleeing war zones have the right to use it.

He told People when asked if he would ever adapt anyone elses book into a film: Never. I have never even read a script that I didnt write. The fun of it for me, if theres ever fun, is thinking it up.

I wouldnt know how to direct somebody elses stuff. Im 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, Ive played all the characters in my mind for a year before we even get there.

Whoever gets the parts, the stars, dont ever have to read. They just, if they ever use the word journey, I never hire them.

I hate that word. Its so overused, especially in LA. Youre not on a journey. People that are escaping Ukraine are on a journey, not winning the (Independent) Spirit Award.

John added when he looks back on his career and life his biggest regret in life is smoking.

He said: One regret in my life is smoking cigarettes. Its terrible. I know many of my friends are dying of cancer right now.

I havent 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.

And when asked which of his films he thinks hell be most remember for, the maverick director said: Theyre 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.

Theyre all the same to me. They have the same message: Mind your own business. What people use against you, turn into a style, and youll win.

Every movies about that.
Matthew Modine is raging Amazon Prime stripped the tongue-in-cheek BORN TO KILL message from the Full Metal Jacket poster.

Matthew Modine is raging Amazon Prime stripped the tongue-in-cheek BORN TO KILL message from the Full Metal Jacket poster

The 65-year-old actor played jaded marine James T Joker Davis in late director Stanley Kubricks searing 1987 anti-war Vietnam movie  which was famously advertised with the stark image of a battered and graffitied army helmet emblazoned with the phrase, along with a peace sign and a string of live rifle cartridges held in place by a leather strap.

In the midst of outrage from fans who spotted Amazon had removed the now-iconic BORN TO KILL white writing from the helmet, Matthew ranted on X about the censorship: Who decided to remove BORN TO KILL?

Not only did they alter a piece of iconic art by (poster designer) Philip Castle, but they completely misunderstood the point of it being there.

(My character) wears the helmet with BORN TO KILL and the peace button as a statement about the duality of man.

Matthew accompanied his statement with a picture of the poster without the words and a shot of the original poster containing them.

Fans have speculated Amazon removed them as part of so-called woke culture over fears it may offend users of the site  or due to worries it could be seen as an incitement to violence by people clueless about the films content or meaning.

The film sees Private Joker put through brutal training for the Vietnam war, alongside fellow rookie marines played by stars including Vincent DOnofrio.

In one scene, one of the privates commanding officers asks Private Joker why he BORN TO KILL on the helmet  prompting Matthews character to reply:

(Its) the duality of man. The Jungian thing, sir.

It is still unclear why Amazon made the change, but after a backlash from movie fans it has since reverted the poster back to its original form.
Simone Ashley is "inspired" by Nicola Coughlan and "really believes" in her.

Simone Ashley has praised Nicola Coughlan

The 29-year-old actress has offered her support to her 'Bridgerton' co-star in the wake of the body shaming she has experienced since stepping to the forefront of the period drama as her character Penelope Featherington takes centre stage in season three opposide Luke Newton as Colin Bridgerton.

Speaking at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in Monaco earlier this month, Simone - who plays Kate Bridgerton - praised her friend for ignoring her critics and embracing a positive attitude.

She said: "Yeah, the haters are going to hate, and I think we can all relate to that, but I really don't think that she's allowing that to bother her.

"She has a strong and fruitful career and entire life ahead of her. And I really believe in her, as the world does as well.

"I think Nicola is just absolutely flying. She is a gorgeous, strong, confident, intelligent woman, seeing her do this press tour and spread so much joy and inspiration to everyone  especially women  all over the world.

"And I'm inspired by her as well. She's also a really kind human being, and I think that's such a universal language that people can relate to."

Earlier this month, Nicola hit back at online claims her waist had been "photoshopped" to look slimmer on the show.

She told People magazine: I saw some trolls. They were like, They photoshopped your waist, and I was like, No, they did not.'

I think if you wear corsetry for long enough, your body really moulds to it.

Sometimes they come in for a fitting for a fashion designer and they put a corset on me and I'm like, Oh, you can go tight, and they go, What do you mean? I'm like, 'My body now will go, 'Whew.' "

The 37-year-old actress also laughed off comments she was "very brave" to strip off on the show.

During a fan event in Dublin, she said: "You know, I think it is hard, because I think women with my body type  women with perfect breasts  we don't get to see ourselves on screen enough.

I am a very proud member of the perfect breasts community, and I hope you enjoy seeing them."
Princess Anne is said to be too strong to let her hospitalisation faze her.

Princess Anne is said to be too strong to let her hospitalisation faze her

The 73-year old royal  a highly skilled horsewoman who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics  is recovering after she sustained injuries and a concussion while walking on her Gloucestershire estate in an accident thought to have been caused by a kick from a horse.

Former royal butler Grant Harrold has told the website Slingo Anne has always been full of strength, adding: She just doesnt let anything faze her. I met with her on many occasions when I worked with the now King, and I really liked how straight-talking she was with everyone. She was like her father, Prince Philip, in that sense  but without the swearing.

She is a very direct person, but there is a very fun side to Anne, which I would say comes from the late Queen.

Noting similarities between Anne and her late mother Queen Elizabeth, he went on: Anne loves horse racing. Im sure when shes there shell get flashbacks to past events.

She was very good with her mother and spent a lot of time with her.

Theyve got lots of similarities with looks and mannerisms, but also with her father.

Philip was a very straight-talking man and so is she. Anne has great humour and is a great support for the King.

Grant also hailed Anne as the hardest working royal, saying she had undertaken more public engagements each year than other working members of the royal family.

He added: I really like Princess Anne  Ive got a lot of time for her.

Shes an amazing grafter  shes somebody who gets stuff done.

Shes like her father, no-nonsense, and says as it is, but she gets the job done.

Like her mother, shes very happy to put duty before everything and thats what she does.

Emergency services were despatched to Annes estate after she was injured, after being given medical care at the scene, she was transferred to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for tests, treatment and observation.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening.

Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery.

The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to the princess for a speedy recovery.

Although the exact cause of the injuries is unconfirmed, Annes medical team have said her head injuries are consistent with a potential impact from a horses head or legs.
Princess Anne has been hospitalised following an "incident" at home.

Princess Anne is in hospital

The 73-year-old Princess Royal suffered minor injuries and concussion at Gatcombe Park on Sunday (23.06.24) evening, and is staying at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, for observation, but is expected to make a "swift" recovery.

An official statement from Buckingham Palace read: "The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening. Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery."

Anne's brother, King Charles, has sent his "fondest love" to his sister as she recovers.

The statement concluded: "The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery."

Anne - who was the first royal to take part in the Olympic games when she competed in three-day eventing in 1976 - recently declared she has been treated as an honorary man for a lot of her life.

She told Australian Womans Weekly magazine: "I have been treated as an honorary man for a lot of my life. I did take part in a sport which didn't have any gender balance. It was open to both, end of story.

So, I had the benefit of being treated equally  although oddly enough when I first went to Australia I found a difference, the men went down one end of the room and the women went up the other. I didn't think that was entirely appropriate."
Princess Anne's tour of Canada has been postponed following her hospitalisation.

Princess Anne has delayed her Canada trip

The Princess Royal had been due to fly out on an official tour later this week but on doctors' advice, she has cancelled her upcoming engagements after she sought medical treatment for concussion and minor injuries on Sunday (23.06.24) evening following an "incident" at home.

A spokesperson said: On doctors advice, Her Royal Highnesss engagements for the week ahead will be postponed. Her Royal Highness sends her apologies to any who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result.

The 73-year-old princess will also miss a state banquet being held on Tuesday (25.06.24) evening in honour of the Emperor and Empress of Japan's visit.

The spokesperson confirmed: The Japanese state visit will go ahead as planned, though sadly Her Royal Highness will be unable to attend the state banquet tomorrow.

While it has not been confirmed how Anne - who is still in hospital but said to be conscious - sustained her injuries, sources said they were consistent with the impact from a horse's head of legs and some of the creatures were said to be nearby when she was hurt.

Anne's husband, Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and her children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips were also present at her Gatcombe Park estate at the time and her spouse travelled with her to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has sent his best wishes to the princess.

He said: Everyone in the country is immensely fond of Her Royal Highness.

Were all sending her our best wishes for a swift recovery.

His sentiments were echoed by Labour party leader Sir Keir Starmer, who said: Wishing Her Royal Highness a speedy recovery and sending my best wishes on behalf of all of us at the Labour Party.

Buckingham Palace announced the news in a statement on Monday (24.06.24).

It read: "The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening. Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery.

"The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery."
Thomas Markle feels "deep empathy" for King Charles over their shared lack of contact with their grandchildren.

Thomas Markle has sent a message of support to King Charles

The retired lighting director would "love" to speak to the monarch as he imagines the king also questions why he has so little contact with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex - who relocated to California after stepping down from royal duties four years ago - or their children Prince Archie, five, and two-year-old Princess Lilibet, and insisted neither of them "deserve" to be treated "so badly" by the couple.

Thomas - who has had no contact with his daughter Meghan since before she married Prince Harry in 2018 - told MailOnline's Mail+: "I would love to speak to him because I am sure he has as many unanswered questions as I do. Neither of us deserves the treatment weve received.

"He is going through cancer treatment and Im not in the best of health. Im not afraid of dying. It is what it is.

"I have so many questions Id like to ask Meghan and Harry. The main one being, why have they treated not only me but the royal family and the King so badly."

Thomas was particularly saddened when he saw photos from last weekend's Trooping The Colour celebrations because Archie and Lilibet are "being denied the right" to get to know the children of Harry's brother Prince William, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis.

He said: "It struck me as very sad that Meghan and Harrys kids are being denied the right to know their cousins, who look like fantastic children.

"The relationship between cousins is a special one. Theres a unique bond.

"I feel sad that Lilibet and Archie dont have the chance to get to know their cousins and take part in things like Trooping The Colour, which is their birthright.

"They are getting to the age where they will start asking questions, as all kids do.

"At some stage its inevitable that they will ask their parents why they have cut them off from both sides of the family?

"They have two grandpas who want to see them, one of whom is the King of England. I never in my 80 years thought Id be in the same boat as the King.

"The decisions Meghan and Harry have made will affect their kids for the rest of their lives. I find myself wondering how Archie and Lilibet will feel in a few years time when they realise all the things they have missed out on."

Thomas turns 80 next month and while he'll spend the day with son Thomas Jr. and speak to his eldest daughter Samantha on the phone, he isn't expecting to hear from his estranged daughter or her family.

He said: "I dont expect to hear from Meghan and Harry. I wish we could have worked this situation out. I was always ready and willing to do that."
Egypt has expressed a keen interest in importing rawhides from Bangladesh and leveraging the country's expertise to enhance its own jute industry. This interest was conveyed by Egyptian ambassador to Bangladesh, Omar Mohie Eldin Ahmed Fahmy, during a meeting with Bangladeshs state minister for commerce, Ahasanul Islam Titu, at the Secretariat.

Egypt is interested in importing rawhides from Bangladesh and using its expertise to develop Egypt's jute industry. This was discussed by Egyptian ambassador Omar Mohie Eldin Ahmed Fahmy and Bangladesh's state minister for commerce, Ahasanul Islam Titu. Minister Titu hopes that future Egyptian business visits will boost investment opportunities.

Ambassador Fahmy highlighted Egypt's desire to collaborate with Bangladesh, utilising its historical experience in the jute industry to foster similar development in Egypt.

State Minister Titu mentioned that the commerce ministry is currently negotiating commercial agreements with 26 countries globally. He noted that once investments are made, Bangladesh could leverage market advantages in Southeast Asia and ASEAN countries. Titu expressed optimism that future visits by Egyptian business delegations to Bangladesh would further enhance investment opportunities, according to Bangladeshi media reports.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)
REYKJAVIK, Iceland, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PLAY airlines is celebrating its 3rd anniversary with discounts of up to 33% on flights between North America and Europe. PLAY's inaugural flight took place on June 24, 2021, and the anniversary deal is available for booking from June 24 to 27, 2024. This offer applies to flights departing between August 2024 and May 2025. For flights departing in July 2024, there is a discount of up to 15%.

Since its inception, PLAY has expanded its fleet to 10 aircraft from the Airbus A320 family, with an average aircraft age of just over 2 years, making PLAY a cost-effective travel option.

Based strategically in Iceland, PLAY leverages its central location in the Atlantic Ocean to efficiently connect passengers traveling between North America and Europe. This allows the airline to maintain low operational costs and pass on savings to customers.

Passengers flying with PLAY can enjoy a complimentary stopover in Iceland for up to 10 days, providing an opportunity to explore the country's natural wonders and vibrant capital, Reykjavik, at no additional cost. For those looking to extend their layover into a multi-day stopover, PLAY offers this option with no additional cost, allowing travelers to immerse themselves in Iceland's unique landscapes, breathtaking northern lights, and rich culture before continuing their journey across the Atlantic.

PLAY serves key destinations in North America, including Baltimore, Boston, New York, and Washington, DC in the United States, as well as Toronto in Canada. In Europe, PLAY connects passengers to popular destinations such as London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Athens. In Iceland, visitors can experience stunning sights such as waterfalls, glaciers, geysers, and diverse wildlife, all within easy reach of Reykjavik.

PLAY operates a fleet of 10 Airbus A320/321neo aircraft, with an average age of just over 2 years, ensuring a comfortable, safe, and reliable journey for passengers. With an impressive 83% on-time performance in 2023, PLAY has established itself as a dependable choice for travelers. While already an affordable option, PLAY offers special deals on airfare and extra services for travel agencies and groups.

Recognized for excellence, PLAY's cabin crew was voted the best by USA Today readers, and the airline itself was named the best low-cost airline in Northern Europe, reflecting its commitment to providing exceptional service and value to passengers.

For more information, visit www.flyplay.com.

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Pilot unit production is expected to commence in July 2024

Highlights:

Anson Resources has signed an agreement with Koch Technology Solutions for testing of a Li-Pro Lithium Selective Sorption (LSS) pilot unit using brine from the Green River Lithium Project.

The pilot unit will be located on Anson Resources' 100% owned private land at Green River and process fresh brine under commercial production conditions from Bosydaba#1 well into lithium chloride, that may be used to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate.

The pilot unit results will be used for process optimisation and product verification for a proposed commercial scale plant. Results will provide important inputs for a full-scale Li-Pro unit within Anson Resources' planned lithium extraction facility.

Pilot unit production is expected to commence in July 2024.

Anson Resources and KTS have agreed on a cost sharing framework involving an investment by KTS through a convertible note to cover the Green River Lithium Project piloting development.

Anson Resources Limited (ASX:ASN ) (" Anson Resources " or " the Company ") is pleased to announce its collaboration with Koch Technology Solutions ("KTS"), a Koch Engineered Solutions ("KES") company, for the commissioning of its Li-Pro process pilot unit for lithium extraction at the Company's Green River Lithium Project ("Project") in Utah, USA. The pilot will be jointly funded by Anson Resources and an investment from KTS through a convertible note as the companies work to develop a further commercial relationship.

KTS completed their detailed treatability study in May 2024 using brine from Anson Resources' Green River Lithium Project. KTS' testing has indicated exceptional results for lithium recovery and element rejection rates and suggests superior results to those achieved in Anson Resources' Definitive Feasibility Study, see ASX announcement 8 September 2022 . The Company is in the process of determining any revisions to CAPEX and OPEX from the results achieved.

Through an agreement completed on 21 st June 2024, the companies will partner to expedite the commissioning of the pilot unit. Results from the pilot unit, if successful, will provide detailed feasibility engineering and cost data for deployment of the full-scale Li-Pro process at the Green River Lithium Project's lithium extraction facility.

The pilot unit is expected to be operational in July 2024 at Anson Resources' private land in Green River, Utah and will run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the next two to four months. The unit will process fresh brine from the Company's Bosydaba#1 well into lithium chloride, replicating commercial production conditions. This pilot unit is in addition to Anson Resources' operational sample demonstration plant ("SDP") at Green River that utilises the existing flow sheet , see ASX announcement 15 April 2024. The two direct lithium extraction ("DLE") technologies will be tested concurrently using brine from the collected during the drilling program of the Bosydaba#1. Test results of the brine collected from the Leadville Formation, Mississippian Units indicated that lower levels of contaminants, higher porosity, and higher pressure than at the Paradox Lithium Project, see ASX announcement 20 th May, 2024.

Anson Resources and KTS have agreed to a commercial arrangement whereby KTS, via a convertible note investment, helps pay for piloting, testing, and detailed feasibility engineering costs for the Li-Pro pilot unit at Green River (see material terms below).

If the initial pilot work is successful and if Anson Resources and KTS mutually agree to move into a commercial Li-Pro unit, further costs could be funded through additional investment from KTS. KTS' Li-Pro process is used in other operational pilot facilities elsewhere in North America. KTS has announced that the Li-Pro process is being used in its commercial-scale lithium extraction demonstration plant near El Dorado, Arkansas. That plant was commissioned in April 2024 and is believed to be the largest continuously operating DLE facility in North America.

Anson Resources Executive Chairman and CEO Bruce Richardson commented:

" Anson Resources is focused on fast-tracking the development of our Green River Lithium Project. This announcement highlights our commitment to accelerating development while enhancing both Project returns and environmental credentials. Partnering with one of the USA's preeminent technology providers, KTS, a leader in delivering commercialized lithium extraction processes, significantly reduces project risk through their advanced technology and engineering experience.

Importantly, our recent drilling work at Bosydaba#1 1 provides the ability to supply fresh brine identical to real operating conditions. This is a step-change for the Company and will allow us to super-charge development, comparing the output of the existing DLE extraction and the KTS Li-Pro processes to achieve the best results for our investors. The brine is slightly different to that of the Paradox Lithium Project and several USA companies have technologies that can be applied to to extract the lithium from the brine. At this stage of the Green River Lithium Project, we are looking at several technologies that can provide the company with the best outcome for extraction and the downstream purification to electric vehicle grade lithium carbonate.

The development of the sample demonstration plant provides the utilities and other infrastructure that is needed to conduct test work with technology providers, and we are delighted that KTS has agreed to locate this pilot unit at our Green River site and we look forward to a long a productive relationship. Ensuring domestic supply has been a critical focus of the Company and today's announcement is a significant step towards Anson Resources building a commercial scale battery grade lithium carbonate plant."

Martin Rizo - Commercial Director - Americas for KTS noted:

" Green River has the potential to become a key U.S. domestic battery grade Lithium Carbonate project. The site's existing infrastructure and strategic location combined with A1 Lithium's lithium extraction experience will support KTS in efficiently delivering and operating our Li-Pro pilot unit. KTS is excited to be a part of this significant opportunity in the U.S. domestic lithium supply chain.

About Koch Technology Solutions

KTS is the technology licensing business of Koch Engineered Solutions (KES), is a private company established in 1945. KTS creates value for its customers across a growing portfolio of technologies including direct lithium extraction, the polyester value chain, and 1,4-Butananediol plus its derivates. KTS combines its exclusive technologies, expertise, and capabilities with those of other KES companies to provide overall solutions to optimize customer's capital investments and existing manufacturing assets.

Investor and Media Contact:

William Maze

+1 949-508-7834

investors@ansonresources.com

This announcement has been authorized for release by the Executive Chairman and CEO.

1 - See ASX announcement 20 May 2024

ENDS

SOURCE: Anson Resources

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CHICAGO, June 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Drip Irrigation Market is estimated at USD 5.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 8.6 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 9.0% from 2024 to 2029 according to a report published by MarketsandMarkets. The need for drip irrigation is driven by increasing global demand for food security, water scarcity concerns, and the imperative to enhance agricultural productivity sustainably. Drip irrigation addresses these needs by efficiently delivering water and nutrients directly to plant roots, minimizing wastage, and optimizing crop yields. Factors driving the drip irrigation market include advancements in technology such as AI and IoT integration, government incentives promoting water-efficient practices, expansion of commercial farming, and the rising adoption of precision agriculture techniques. These factors collectively propel the growth of drip irrigation systems, meeting the challenges of modern agriculture while ensuring environmental sustainability.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "Drip Irrigation Market"

150 - Tables

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By component, filters & fertilizer injectors constitute to grow at a consistent rate in the drip irrigation market.

Filters are essential components that prevent clogging of emitters and drip lines by filtering out particles and debris from the irrigation water. They help maintain consistent water flow and distribution, thereby optimizing irrigation performance and reducing maintenance downtime. Fertilizer injectors, on the other hand, enable precise and controlled application of fertilizers and nutrients directly into the irrigation system. This capability ensures that crops receive the right amount of nutrients at the right time, promoting healthier plant growth and maximizing yield potential. The increasing adoption of drip irrigation systems worldwide, coupled with advancements in filter technology and fertilization practices, underscores the rising demand for filters and fertilizer injectors as integral components of efficient and sustainable agricultural practices.

In the crop type segment, vegetable crops constitutes significant share in the drip irrigation market.

Drip irrigation systems are becoming increasingly popular in vegetable cultivation across various crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. These systems offer precise water and nutrient delivery directly to the root zones of plants, which is crucial for optimizing growth and yield. For tomatoes, consistent moisture levels provided by drip irrigation promote even fruit development and reduce blossom-end rot, a common issue with fluctuating soil moisture. Peppers benefit from controlled irrigation that enhances fruit quality and uniformity, while cucumbers thrive with the targeted application of water, reducing soil moisture fluctuations that can lead to fruit deformities. The efficiency and effectiveness of drip irrigation in these vegetables not only improve crop health and yield but also contribute to sustainable farming practices by conserving water and minimizing environmental impact.

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The Europe region is projected to grow at a consistent rate during the forecast period in the drip irrigation market.

The drip irrigation market in Europe is driven by several factors contributing to its growth and adoption. Firstly, increasing awareness and regulations promoting sustainable water management practices propel the demand for efficient irrigation technologies like drip systems. These regulations aim to conserve water resources and minimize environmental impact, encouraging farmers to invest in water-saving irrigation solutions. Secondly, the expansion of commercial agriculture and horticulture sectors in Europe necessitates precision irrigation methods to optimize crop yields and quality. Drip irrigation systems offer precise water and nutrient delivery directly to plant roots, enhancing crop health and productivity.

Key players in this market include Rivulis (Isarel), The Toro Company (US), Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. (India), HUNTERS INDUSTRIES INC. (US), NETAFIM (Isarel), Mahindra EPC Irrigation Limited (India), Rain Bird Corporation (US), Chinadrip Irrigation Equipment (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. (China), Elgo Irrigation Ltd. (Isarel), Shanghai Irrist Corp., Ltd. (China), Antelco (Australia), Microjet Irrigation Systems (South Africa), metzer (Isarel), Grupo Chamartin S.A. (Spain), and Azud (Spain).

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Browse Adjacent Reports @ Agriculture Industry Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Drippers Market by Type (Inline and Online), Crop Type (Field Crops (Corn, Cotton, Sugarcane, Rice), Fruits & Nuts, Vegetable Crops), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Rest of the world) - Global Forecast to 2027

Irrigation Automation Market by System (Automatic, Semi-automatic), Component (Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Sensors, Other components), Irrigation Type (Sprinkler, Drip, Surface), Automation Type, End-Use and Region - Global Forecast to 2027

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HANGZHOU, China, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After the summer solstice passed, a large portion of China finds itself in the grip of a blistering summer season, accompanied by a surge in electricity demand. This period poses a critical challenge for many cities as they strive to guarantee a steady and dependable power supply.



A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

For Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province, a major economic powerhouse in eastern China, ensuring stable electricity supply is an especially formidable task.

Recently, Hangzhou has taken the lead in implementing 0.4 kilovolt low-voltage power supply reliability extension management across the province. This initiative aims to further optimize the construction of a new type of rapidly growing distribution network made up by photovoltaics, energy storage, charging stations, and other facilities that can flexibly serve the users.

This city, renowned for its West Lake, covers an area of over 16,000 square kilometers. It has a population of over 12 million permanent residents, with more than 1.8 million market entities operating within its boundaries. In 2023, the city's total electricity consumption reached 98.7 billion kWh, and its GDP surpassed 2 trillion yuan.

However, it faces natural disadvantages against ensuring a stable power supply, such as high urban load density, frequent rainstorms and flooding, and a significant proportion of mountainous areas.

However, local residents and businesses do not have to worry about sudden power outages affecting the use of air conditioning or the operation of their production and business activities: The mega-city has already constructed a world-class urban power distribution network, boasting internationally advanced levels of power reliability.

In Hangzhou, the average annual power outage time per household in the core urban area is less than 30 seconds, and that for the whole city is less than 10 minutes. With the city's power supply reliability rate reaching 99.9982%, Hangzhou's power supply reliability can rival that of international metropolis such as New York, Vancouver, Tokyo, and Paris.

In 2023, Hangzhou successfully hosted the 19th Asian Games, showcasing to the world a city that is smart, futuristic, vibrant, and full of vitality. Hangzhou has also emerged as a popular host city for world-class major sporting events.

The high reliability of its electricity supply has become one of the decisive factors in hosting a smooth event. Take badminton competitions as an example, the reliable operation of electrical equipment and systems such as "Hawk-Eye," timing and scoring, and court lighting are of utmost importance.

Meanwhile, as a hub for Chinese tech giants such as Alibaba, Hangzhou is seeing a growing concentration of high-tech enterprises. In the science and technology innovation corridor in west Hangzhou, a large number of scientific facilities, laboratories, and innovation platforms have settled in, placing extremely high demands on power supply reliability.

Reprogenix, a high-tech enterprise primarily engaged in cellular medical research, is located in the area. In the company's workshops, the cells need to grow in incubators that simulate the human body environment.

"A cultivation cycle takes three months, and there can be no power interruptions during the process," said the company's representative Zhuang Dewei.

Today, as a demonstration area for a world-class power distribution network, Hangzhou has lifted the power supply reliability in the core areas of the Asian Games and the science and technology innovation corridor in its west to an impressive 99.9999%. For residents living in these areas, power outages are becoming a distant memory.

The significant improvement in Hangzhou's power supply reliability can be attributed to a series of comprehensive, precise, and data-driven management initiatives implemented by the State Grid Hangzhou Power Supply Company with the goal of "providing uninterrupted electricity as the ultimate service".

For example, the company has been increasing its investment of power grid in high-demand urban areas and weak links in mountainous areas. It has also enhanced its manpower, equipment, and technical support capabilities for uninterrupted power operations.

In addition, innovative technologies such as drone automatic inspection, equipment online monitoring, grid-based intelligent inspection, and live-line robot autonomous maintenance are also being applied to detect and address faults in a timely manner.

"In the past, it would take at least over an hour to address weather-related disruptions in remote mountainous areas. With the introduction of intelligent remote switches, any faults in the power lines can now be instantaneously located within seconds, and the isolation, self-healing, and restoration of power can be completed in as little as 5 minutes," said Yang Xuan, deputy director of the digitalization distribution network management department of the State Grid Hangzhou Power Supply Company.

Just like in many other areas of economic and social development in this city, Hangzhou has also been a pioneer in China in its reform and innovation to boost power supply reliability.

In 2001, Hangzhou, along with Beijing and Shanghai, became one of the first pilot cities in China for the development of distribution network automation systems. By 2018, the system achieved notable progress, with the millisecond-level seamless fault handling becoming a reality.

In 2020, Hangzhou took the lead in China by canceling the planned power outages of 10 (20) kilovolts in its core urban areas. The following year, this policy was expanded to cover county-level urban areas, and to include the entire city in 2022, transforming Hangzhou into a city without planned power outage.

Looking ahead, Hangzhou is building a comprehensive demonstration zone for a modern intelligent power distribution network.

With the support of various digital platforms and smart AI technologies, the city will continuously transmit diverse types of electric energy, including wind, solar, and hydro power, from all over the country to enterprises, venues, and households.

This effort will empower Hangzhou to fulfill its goal of becoming a world-class socialist, modern, and international metropolis by 2035.

Source: State Grid Hangzhou Power Supply Company
Karelian Diamond Resources Plc - Report confirms potential for Nickel, Copper and Platinum-Group Elements in Karelian licences

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, June 24

Karelian Diamond Resources PLC24 June 2024

("Karelian" or "the Company")

Report confirms potential for Nickel, Copper and Platinum-Group Elements

in Karelian licences

Independent report confirms potential for Nickel, Copper and Platinum-Group Elements in Karelian's licences in Northern Ireland

Similarities to rich Mid-Continental Rift system of North America and Continental flood basalts; i.e. Norilsk in Russia and Emeishan in China that host world class Ni- Cu-PGE deposits

Series of targets within Company's licences identified

Comprehensive data base incorporating geology, geochemistry, geophysics, remote sensing and base GIS information including TELLUS geophysical and geochemical data and gravity geophysical data

Karelian Diamond Resources PLC ("Karelian Diamonds") (AIM: KDR) is pleased to announce that an assessment prepared by independent geological consultant, Dr Larry Hulbert, confirms the potential for Nickel, Copper and Platinum-Group Elements, in the Company's licence areas in Northern Ireland.

Dr Hulbert is an internationally recognised expert in Platinum-Group Elements, Nickel-Copper sulphide and Chrome and Iron-Titanium-Vanadium Oxide Mineralisation, and has over 40 years' experience in the Metallogeny of Mafic-Ultramafic Rocks. He is a licenced member of Associations of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists and as such is a "Qualified Person" for the purposes of NI 43-101 reporting.

The review, by Dr Hulbert, followed the discovery in 12 October 2023 by the Company of indicator minerals for Nickel, Copper and Platinum Group Elements, during the course of a stream sediment sampling programme over the Company's licence area in Northern Ireland.

Dr Hulbert's review notes marked resemblances to the Baraga Basin in Michigan (Mid-Continental Rift system of North America), that hosts the world class Eagle and Eagle East Nickel, Copper and Platinum Group Elements deposits. Dr Hulbert recommends that the Eagle deposit should serve as Karelian's exploration model.

Similarities were also noted to the continental flood basalts; i.e. Norilsk Russia (Triassic) and the Emeishan Large Igneous Province in China, that also host world-class Ni-Cu-PGE deposits.

In the independent report Dr Hulbert commented "what would have been considered as a low potential Ni-Cu-PGE exploration area in the past (pre-1995) have changed as a result of more recent discoveries and subsequent development of new exploration models. Recognition of similar geological and metallogenic environments, regardless of geological age, like that between the Proterozoic Baraga Basin Eagle mining camp setting and the KDR property is what will lead to new Ni-Cu-PGE discoveries. What was once not obvious is now obvious!".

A series of targets for Nickel, Copper and Platinum Group Elements within the Company's licence area in Northern Ireland were identified by Dr Hulbert during the course of his review and recommended for follow up.

Dr Hulbert's review also included the establishment of a comprehensive data base incorporating geology, geochemistry, geophysics, remote sensing, and base Geographic Information System (GIS) information including TELLUS data and gravity geophysical data.

Professor Richard Conroy, Chairman, Karelian Diamond Resources PLC commented: "Dr Hulbert's review is extremely encouraging. The geological similarities with areas associated with world class discoveries of Nickel, Copper and Platinum Group Elements, such as the Eagle and Eagle East deposits is striking.The review confirms the potential for the discovery of major Nickel, Copper and Platinum Group Elements on Karelian's licences in Northern Ireland. We look forward to following up on the targets recommended by Dr Hulbert."

Further Information:

Professor Richard Conroy, Chairman +353-1-479-6180 Allenby Capital Limited (Nomad) Nick Athanas / Nick Harriss +44-20-3328-5656 Peterhouse Capital Limited (Broker) Lucy Williams / Duncan Vasey +44-20-7469-0930 Lothbury Financial Services Michael Padley +44-20-3290-0707 Hall Communications Don Hall +353-1-660-9377

http://www.kareliandiamondresources.com
TrustQuay Viewpoint, a global SaaS provider to the Wealth, Trust and Corporate services (TCSP) industry has rebranded to Quantios, as the business sets out its mission to lead digital transformation in the sector.

This rebrand, following the merger between TrustQuay and Viewpoint in May 2023, is the final step in the consolidation of the two companies and marks a new beginning, solidifying Quantios as a global player. Drawing on the heritage and expertise of TrustQuay and Viewpoint, Quantios aims to accelerate technology innovation in the TCSP sector.

With a client base of over 600 international firms, Quantios strives to deliver product innovation in the SaaS space, as well as enhancing global customer service, and extending its capabilities across a broader geographic scope and into more diverse regulatory environments.

Quantios will be expanding its extensive industry knowledge and understanding of jurisdictional specifics to continually innovate and accelerate digital advancement to the sector.

The name 'Quantios' conveys modernity, precision, and intelligence, honouring the company's 40-year legacy of expertise in the TCSP industry. Designed to resonate on a global scale, the new identity mirrors the company's combined expansive reach and diverse clientele.

Guy Harrison, CEO of Quantios, said: "The rebrand to Quantios marks a significant milestone in our mission to lead the industry on a path towards fully realising the potential of digitalisation, enabling our clients to extract maximum value from digital advancements.

"We are dedicated to being the platform of choice that facilitates governance, operations, and investment globally."

About Quantios

Quantios is a global SaaS provider to the Wealth, Trust, and Corporate Services (TCSP) industry. As a market leader, Quantios is committed to leading the digital transformation within the sector. Its technology ensures seamless global compliance and streamlined administration, empowering clients to focus on expanding their operations without the complexities typically involved.

With 40 years of industry experience, Quantios deeply understands the diverse and complex needs of its customers. It uses this expertise to deliver comprehensive SaaS solutions that ensure robust data governance and simplify regulatory compliance.

The company employs over 300 skilled professionals who are dedicated to meeting evolving customer needs. To date, Quantios has partnered with over 600 organisations worldwide, helping them achieve higher efficiency, scale, and growth through digital transformation.

For more information, please visit quantios.com

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CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The antipodean currencies such as the Australia and the New Zealand dollars weakened against their major currencies in the Asian session on Monday, as traders remain cautious and remained reluctant to pick up stocks amid a lack of significant triggers.



Crude oil prices settled lower, weighed down by concerns about the outlook for global oil demand and a firm greenback. West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures for July shed $0.56 or 0.7 percent at $80.73 a barrel for the week but gained 3 percent for the week.



In economic news, data from Statistics New Zealand showed that New Zealand posted a merchandise trade surplus of NZ$204 million in May. That exceeded expectations for a surplus of NZ$155 million following the downwardly revised NZ$3 million shortfall in April.



Exports were up 2.9 percent on month to NZ$7,18 billion - up from the downwardly revised NZ$6.31 billion in the previous month. Imports came in at NZ$6.95 billion, up from NZ$6.32 billion a month earlier.



In the Asian trading today, the Australian dollar fell to a 5-day low of 1.6125 against the euro, from Friday's closing value of 1.6101. The EUR/AUD pair may test support near the 1.64 region.



Against U.S. and the Canadian dollars, the aussie slipped to 6-day lows of 0.6626 and 0.9083 from last week's closing quotes of 0.6641 and 0.9093, respectively. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.64 against the greenback and 0.89 against the loonie.



The aussie edged down to 105.81 against the yen, from an early 17-year high of 106.17. On the downside, 103.00 is seen as the next support level for the aussie.



The NZ dollar fell to a 6-day low of 0.6105 against the U.S. dollar and a 4-day low of 1.7510 against the euro, from last week's closing quotes of 0.6119 and 1.7476, respectively. If the kiwi extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 0.59 against the greenback and 1.76 against the euro.



Against the yen, the kiwi dropped to 97.49 from Friday's closing value of 97.98. The NZD/JPY pay may test support near the 95.00 region.



The kiwi edged down to 1.0867 against the Australian dollar, from last week's closing value of 1.0855. On the downside, 1.10 is seen as the next support level for the kiwi.



Looking ahead, Germany's ifo business confidence survey data for June and the Confederation of British Industry's Industrial Trends survey data for June are due to be released in the European session.



In the New York session, U.S. Dallas Fed manufacturing business index for June is slated to release.



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 2024 AFX News
Companies under pressure: Organizational adjustments are the main driver of IT transformations worldwide (36%). Sustainability is a key transformation motive for only 15%.

During the transformation process, companies particularly underestimate communication between departments and divisions (39%) and the adequate provision of resources (30%).

German companies are in third place when it comes to preparing their IT for the integration of future-oriented technologies (e.g. AI). Pioneers are Switzerland (47%) and the USA (43%).

BIELEFELD, Germany and Walldorf, Germany, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Technological progress, new consumer habits and global developments are forcing companies to constantly adapt their IT systems. The fact that such projects are usually more complex and time-consuming than expected is demonstrated by the latest figures from the International Transformation Study 2024, which is conducted annually by the internationally operating SAP consulting company NTT DATA Business Solutions AG together with IT service provider Natuvion GmbH. The study provides descriptive insights into the IT transformation practices of companies with the aim of providing managers with a compass for future projects. More than 1,200 CEOs, CIOs and IT decision-makers from a total of 15 countries were surveyed on ongoing or completed transformation projects.

Pressure to adapt to technology is increasing worldwide

Technological developments and the pressure on the economy to adapt are putting companies under pressure. At 36%, companies cite organizational adjustments (restructuring) as the most common reason for an IT transformation. In the automotive industry, which is undergoing a massive upheaval due to the switch to electromobility in particular, restructuring even tops the list of motives for transformation at 48%. The booming life sciences sector is doing similarly. Here, too, organizational adjustments came first with 38%.

Immediately after this, respondents across all participating countries chose the introduction of new technologies such as artificial intelligence as the second most common transformation motive with 27%. In a comparison of countries, Switzerland and the USA lead the table of pioneers with 47% and 43% respectively. German companies are in third place: 37% of them stated that they had started their IT transformation in order to introduce modern technologies such as AI.

Growing demand for transformation expertise

A key finding of the Transformation Study 2024 is that companies often underestimate the challenges of their IT transformation - above all the organization of communication between departments and divisions (39%) during the process. The lack of existing transformation knowledge in companies (33%) and the difficulty of conducting a detailed analysis of the existing IT landscape and data (29%) are also particularly striking. In direct comparison to the previous year, the number of those who identified a lack of transformation expertise in their own company even increased by 5%. More than a third of all respondents therefore rated the option of engaging external consultants at an early stage and thus closing the existing skills gap as the second most important organizational measure for the successful implementation of their transformation project.

"The study clearly shows that a lack of expertise and a shortage of skilled workers are the main factors slowing down the transformation of companies. However, innovative and efficient IT is crucial in order to remain competitive," explains Norbert Rotter, CEO of NTT DATA Business Solutions AG and EVP of NTT DATA, Inc. "The strategic management of transformation projects is therefore becoming increasingly relevant for companies worldwide. We involve managers and employees in the change process at an early stage and use our 35 years of expertise to ensure that our customers achieve their transformation goals on time and within budget."

More data protection and cloud applications

For around a quarter of respondents, the integration of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence is already the primary reason for their IT transformation. If we restrict the range of respondents to representatives of top management, it becomes clear that data protection was rated even more important than AI. A full 44% of board members and managing directors state that data protection was a particularly important driver of their transformation.

The trend of moving applications to cloud platforms also continues unabated. Around 56% of companies state that they are using more cloud services as part of their transformation. In all countries surveyed, greater flexibility and faster customization options are the main reasons for cloud use (39%). Other reasons for increased cloud use include the acceleration of business processes (38%) and, once again, faster and easier access to technical innovations such as automation (37%). Better scalability (16%) and greater data security (13%) are also of key importance for cloud use.

Patrick Dahse, Managing Director of Natuvion GmbH, which has been part of NTT DATA Business Solutions since August 2022, emphasizes the central importance of data quality for transformation projects: "Good data has always been the basis and fuel for innovative processes and in the age of AI, its importance continues to increase. The study results confirm this and show that Only those who keep their data in the appropriate quality, harmonized and centrally available will be able to make optimal use of the blessings of technical developments in the future."

The full results of the "Transformation Study 2024" can be found here.

About NTT DATA Business Solutions

NTT DATA Business Solutions is a leading global IT service provider with a focus on SAP and a powerful partner network. With more than 35 years of experience, we support companies worldwide on their way to the Intelligent Enterprise. We deliver end-to-end solutions that sustainably accelerate growth and success - from strategic consulting and implementation to managed services and beyond. As a global strategic SAP partner, we drive innovation and use the latest technologies to advise our customers individually and across industries. Our more than 15,300 dedicated employees in over 30 countries are at work every day.

NTT DATA Business Solutions is part of NTT DATA. Headquartered in Tokyo, the trusted global business and technology leader generates revenues of over 30 billion US dollars. As One NTT DATA, we serve 75% of the Fortune Global 100 and help our clients innovate, optimize and transform processes for their long-term success. NTT DATA is part of the NTT Group.

About Natuvion

Natuvion is a digital relocation company. Natuvion moves business-critical data and processes from one technological platform to another! The Natuvion experts are always called upon when medium-sized and large companies want to modernize, optimize, separate, merge or rebuild their IT systems! This exclusive expertise in technical transformation enables Natuvion customers to always use their data and processes on the most modern and innovative technologies. As Inc. 5000 and FT 1000, the Natuvion Group has been one of the most dynamically growing software and IT consulting companies in Europe for 4 consecutive years.

Press Contact NTT DATA Business Solutions Jasmin Straeter Head of Global Communications NTT DATA Business Solutions AG Konigsbreede 1, 33605 Bielefeld, Germany T: +49 521 9 14 48 108 E-Mail: Jasmin.Straeter@nttdata.com





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China UnionPay

CHENGDU, China, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On June 5, an art exhibition titled "Exchanging Trash for Dreams" opened in Harvest Moon Art Centre in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China's Sichuan Province.



A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on the image or link below:

Using light and shadow techniques and recycled garbage, the exhibition showcases the true stories of eight eco-activists in the Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve, where the Yangtze River, Yellow River, and Lancang River originate.

Among them are the caravan that collects garbage along the way to protect the environment, the couple volunteers who come from afar to protect the Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve in winter, the independent grassland director who insists on capturing the ecological environment through the lens, and the young volunteers who hang a string of plastic bottles on their bodies to collect tiny pieces of rubbish.

This is an environmental art exhibition jointly planned by China UnionPay and the Sanjiangyuan Ecological Protection Foundation, with strong support from China UnionPay's Qinghai and Sichuan branches.

The two parties aim to promote environmental awareness and call for more people to participate in the protection of the Sanjiangyuan ecological region, the pristine landscapes, and China's natural beauty.

In addition to the art exhibition, the two sides also set up an ecological trade-in supermarket in Qumalai County, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

The environmental guardians of the Sanjiangyuan region can exchange and accumulate ecological credits by collecting litter, and then use these credits to redeem daily necessities, books and other materials. In this way, the litter on the ground is transformed into the fuel to help the environmental guardians pursue a better life and fulfill their dreams.

Since 2023, China UnionPay has been contributing to the ongoing conservation efforts of the Sanjiangyuan ecological region through various means.

In five years, China UnionPay will assist the Sanjiangyuan Ecological Protection Foundation in the continuous restoration of 1,000 mu of sandy land and 2,000 mu of grassland on the southern shore of Longyang Lake in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. Additionally, a 1,000-mu animal conservation area will be established.

Furthermore, through online public fundraising and the sale of themed blind boxes, China UnionPay aims to engage more consumers in participating in protecting the ecological region.

China UnionPay's commitment to green finance is an important part of its implementation of the requirements set forth in the Central Financial Work Conference. It also plays a part in supporting the achievement of China's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.

In recent years, China UnionPay has been fulfilling its corporate social responsibility through various initiatives, such as issuing green and low-carbon cards, establishing a low-carbon program, and enabling carbon account interconnection with China Construction Bank, CITIC Bank, Hangzhou Bank, and other financial institutions.

So far, the UnionPay's low-carbon program has expanded to cover 20 scenarios including public transportation, subway, bicycles, catering, and hotels. It has driven green consumption of 2.5 billion transactions, resulting in a reduction of nearly 40,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

Source: China UnionPay
FREYR has completed its first production trial of manufacturing chargeable unit cells with the Casting and Unit Cell Assembly machinery at the Customer Qualification Plant ("CQP"). This step, which marks the first time all manufacturing steps were run with automated processes, was reached in accordance with the previously communicated H1 2024 timeline. FREYR is now the first company to complete automated production trials on the second-generation SemiSolidTM manufacturing platform.

On June 20th, FREYR's teams, partners and vendors at the CQP successfully produced dozens of unit cells with the automated Casting Unit Cell Assembly Machine. Several of the unit cells showed promising characteristics and formation was initiated on several produced cells.

This achievement at the CQP further demonstrates FREYR's capability to reach production milestones on a complex and novel next generation battery production platform. With this step, FREYR has strengthened the Company's position as an attractive industrialization partner of choice for both novel and established Lithium-Ion battery production technologies.

FREYR has also made material progress with its conventional production platform strategy. An increasing number of companies across the value chain are expressing interest in partnering with FREYR. Commercial agreements are in various stages of finalization supported by continued strong customer demand for localized battery solutions in both North America and Europe.

FREYR Battery (NYSE: FREY) ("FREYR" or the "Company"), a developer of clean, next-generation battery cell production capacity, has provided an update this morning on the Company's operational progress at the Customer Qualification Plant ("CQP") in Mo i Rana, Norway.

FREYR successfully produces unit cells in continuous process at CQP

FREYR's teams, partners, and vendors have reached the Company's most significant technical achievement to date by producing unit cells in a continuous process with the Casting and Unit Cell Assembly machine, the novel component of the SemiSolid platform. This milestone was made possible by first synchronizing the anode and cathode casting machines, improving the quality of the electrodes cast, and for the first time, automating the operation of the production line equipment without human intervention.

This achievement positions FREYR to improve material composition, increase production speeds and to produce multi-layer battery sample cells. While this work is ongoing, the CQP team will pursue opportunities with FREYR's partners and vendors to enhance the SemiSolidTM technology's technical and economic competitiveness in the current market environment.

"I am delighted to report that our teams have reached the most important milestone that we initially set out to reach at the CQP, and that we have met the previously communicated timeline to commence unit cell production with the Casting and Unit Cell Assembly in Q2 2024. By demonstrating production of unit cells in a continuous process on the SemiSolidTM platform, our team is now one of the few companies to produce cells with a novel, U.S.-based battery technology, which strengthens our credentials as an industrialization partner," commented Mike Brose, FREYR's Head of the CQP team. "Our progress to date is a reflection of the quality and dedication of our people and partners, and I wish to thank everyone involved for helping us take this important step forward together."

Next steps at the CQP

Following this successful production trial at the CQP, FREYR is focusing on the following priorities at the CQP:

Reach nominal production speeds and surge speeds for short periods of time to demonstrate GWh scale manufacturing capability for the casting of electrodes;

Produce multi-layer, in-spec pouch battery sample cells;

Enhance the technical and economic competitiveness of the SemiSolidTM technology in an evolving battery market environment to complement FREYR's conventional technology strategy;

Initiate a process with other stakeholders in the 24M ecosystem and beyond to evaluate further industrialization of the existing platform coupled with recent R&D advancements on the SemiSolid platform supported by FREYR's internally developed Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning platforms; and

Accelerate the work to source additional third-party development capital for specific use cases of the SemiSolidTM technology in the Western hemisphere.

"I am again very proud to see that FREYR, in collaboration with our vendors and partners, has reached yet another but also our most significant production milestone to date," added Tom Einar Jensen, FREYR's Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer. "On behalf of FREYR's Board of Directors and management team, I wish to commend Mike Brose, our teams, and our partners around the globe for orchestrating this important achievement."

"Building a battery company is notoriously hard, especially in the current highly dynamic macro environment. More work remains to augment and accelerate the SemiSolid technology platform to commercially viable levels. However, our continued dedication to documenting our abilities to solve complex technical challenges and to produce batteries on a next-generation platform is strengthening our conventional platform approach. I am very pleased to observe that the interest in partnering with FREYR is stronger than ever from technology providers through customers across the value chain" continued Mr. Jensen. "With this milestone behind us, our team will now accelerate work with other stakeholders in the 24M ecosystem. As part of this process, we will pursue commercial concepts supported by our inhouse work on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies to improve both product and process. We will shortly be engaging with third-party strategic, industrial and financial capital providers to secure additional development funding for this novel, U.S. based IP battery technology stack at the project level. In an increasingly challenging geopolitical situation, we are pleased that this dual approach is starting to pay off through the natural hedge embedded in our strategy."

About FREYR Battery

FREYR Battery is a developer of clean, next-generation battery cell production capacity. The Company's mission is to accelerate the decarbonization of global energy and transportation systems by producing sustainable, cost-competitive batteries. FREYR seeks to serve the primary markets of energy storage systems ("ESS") and commercial mobility, and the Company maintains an ambition to serve the passenger electric vehicles market ("EV"). FREYR is operating its Customer Qualification Plant ("CQP") for technology development in Mo i Rana, Norway, and the Company is commencing development of the Giga America battery manufacturing project in Coweta County, Georgia, in the U.S. To learn more about FREYR, please visit www.freyrbattery.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this letter, including, without limitation, the development, construction, timeline, capacity, and other usefulness of FREYR Battery's ("FREYR") production facilities or gigafactories; FREYR's ability to improve material composition, increase production speeds and to produce multi-layer battery sample cells; FREYR's ability to pursue opportunities with FREYR's partners and vendors to enhance the SemiSolid Technology's technical and economic competitiveness in the current market environment; and FREYR's ability to successfully complete the next steps at the CQP.

These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside FREYR's control and are difficult to predict. Additional information about factors that could materially affect FREYR is set forth under the "Risk Factors" section in (i) FREYR's Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on September 1, 2022, (ii) FREYR Battery, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on September 8, 2023 and subsequent amendments thereto filed on October 13, 2023, October 19, 2023, and October 31, 2023, (iii) FREYR's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024, and (iv) FREYR's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 8, 2024 and available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, FREYR disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this presentation. Should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and projections could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

FREYR intends to use its website as a channel of distribution to disclose information which may be of interest or material to investors and to communicate with investors and the public. Such disclosures will be included on FREYR's website in the 'Investor Relations' sections. FREYR also intends to use certain social media channels, including, but not limited to, X (former Twitter) and LinkedIn, as means of communicating with the public and investors about FREYR, its progress, products, and other matters. While not all the information that FREYR posts to its digital platforms may be deemed to be of a material nature, some information may be. As a result, FREYR encourages investors and others interested to review the information that it posts and to monitor such portions of FREYR's website and social media channels on a regular basis, in addition to following FREYR's press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts. The contents of FREYR's website and other social media channels shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240624391333/en/

Contacts:

Investor:

Jeffrey Spittel

Vice President, Investor Relations

jeffrey.spittel@freyrbattery.com

Tel: (+1) 409 599-5706



Media:

Amy Jaick

Global Head of Communications

amy.jaick@freyrbattery.com

Tel: (+1) 973 713-5585
G-P's industry leading intelligent compliance technology leverages 13+ years of global employment expertise to automate and simplify critical steps in the employment experience

CHICAGO, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- REMOTE FIRST COMPANY - G-P (Globalization Partners) , the recognized leader in the global employment market and standard bearer for industry compliance, today announced AI-powered global onboarding in G-P's employer of record products. The new experience is designed to help businesses quickly and compliantly manage the hiring and onboarding experience from generating the offer to signing the employment agreement to managing all of the onboarding and benefits set up.

G-P's new AI-powered onboarding delivers smart compliance by country. It provides contextual compliance-assured insights and support in real-time, customizing the onboarding experience and streamlining hiring workflows for both employers and employees.

In addition, it leverages G-P's Global Intelligence Assistant - GIA - introduced in 2023, to provide users with instant answers 24/7 to aid in a compliant onboarding journey. GIA puts global regulatory compliance at users' fingertips. Built on G-P's 13+ years of proprietary expertise, GIA removes the need to become or hire experts on global and local HR, tax and legal matters.

"With AI and our intelligent compliance technology, we have forever changed how companies will hire and onboard professionals worldwide," said Nat Natarajan, chief product and strategy officer, G-P. "We've combined G-P's 13+ years of global expertise and technological expertise with the power of GIA, our global intelligence assistant, to deliver greater efficiency and compliance, enabling companies to scale and build teams in more than 180 countries worldwide."

G-P delivers instant contextual intelligence through GIA, enabling a more intuitive and efficient hiring and onboarding experience:

Employment contract creation and customization - Creates and customizes compliant employment contracts leveraging onboarding data and compliant templates

Employee profile updates - Enables self-service capabilities to update professional profiles and enroll in payroll and benefits

Benefits recommendations - Recommends benefit package options including insights, competitive data and local information customized by country

Compliance support- Provides country-specific and region-specific guidance on regulations surrounding job titles and descriptions, probationary periods and other topics

Ease of use - Dynamically generates guided workflows ensuring fully compliant onboarding at every step of the process

Visit G-P onsite at SHRM Annual in Chicago June 23-26 (booth #1241) to learn more about GIA and hear the latest insights on AI in HR during its speaking session June 24 at 11:15 a.m. CT, " AI at Work: Harnessing New AI Tech To Scale and Transform Your Workforce ." The session will explore new research surrounding AI in global business, providing a revealing discussion on challenges, opportunities and practical applications of AI in HR.

Download G-P's latest AI research here: AI at Work: Unlocking Global Opportunities .

About G-P

G-P is the recognized leader of the global employment industry and has delivered world-class global compliance and workforce products designed to meet the needs of growing companies since 2012. G-P's global growth platform is driven by the G-P Meridian Suite of SaaS-based global employment products. G-P helps thousands of customers build and manage teams quickly and compliantly in 180+ countries without navigating legal, tax or HR issues.

G-P: Global Made Possible To learn more, please visit: g-p.com or connect with us via Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook , or check out our Blog .

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Kunstliche Intelligenz hat spatestens nach dem Raketenstart von Chat GPT das Leben aller verandert. Doch der Superzyklus steht nach Meinungen von Experten erst am Anfang. Wahrend Aktien wie Nvidia von der ersten Aufwartsentwicklung stark profitieren konnten, versprechen aussichtsreiche Player aus der

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Trotz der jungsten Erfolge steht die Entwicklung der kunstlichen Intelligenz noch am Beginn eines neuen Superzyklus. Experten gehen davon aus, dass der Sektor bis 2032 global auf 1,3 Billionen US-Dollar explodieren wird, wobei ein groer Teil auf Hardware und Infrastruktur entfallen wird.



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Der Goldpreis haussiert und schwingt sich von Hoch zu Hoch. Getrieben von geopolitischen Unsicherheiten sowie der Aussicht auf eine lockere Geldpolitik der FED gehen Experten aktuell von weiter steigenden Notierungen bis sogar in den Bereich von 3.000 US-Dollar je Unze Gold aus.



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NEW YORK, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KPS Capital Partners, LP ("KPS") announced today that it has entered into an agreement for its portfolio company, Eviosys (the "Company"), to be sold to Sonoco Products Company ("Sonoco", NYSE: SON), a Hartsville, South Carolina-based global leader in high-value sustainable packaging, for 3.615 billion (or approximately $3.9 billion). Sonoco has the option, under certain circumstances, to pay up to $200 million of the purchase consideration in the form of Sonoco stock. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2024, and is subject to completion of required works council consultations and the receipt of required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Eviosys is a leading global supplier of metal packaging, producing food cans and ends, aerosol cans, metal closures and promotional packaging to preserve the products of hundreds of consumer brands. Eviosys has the largest metal food can manufacturing footprint in the EMEA region, with over 6,300 employees in 44 manufacturing facilities across 17 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Eviosys is a global leader in sustainability, with a product portfolio comprised entirely of infinitely recyclable metal packaging and industry-leading performance across a broad spectrum of sustainability metrics.

KPS created Eviosys to acquire Crown Holdings, Inc.'s ("Crown", NYSE: CCK) EMEA Food and Consumer Packaging Business in August 2021 in a highly complex global corporate carve-out transaction. Crown retained a 20% ownership interest in Eviosys. KPS assembled an accomplished management team, led by Chief Executive Officer Tomas Lopez, to lead the transformation of Eviosys into one of Europe's largest and most profitable packaging companies. In under three years of ownership, KPS, in partnership with management, successfully transformed Eviosys into a fully independent and significantly more profitable company focused on growth, innovation and sustainability.

KPS and Eviosys' management team structurally improved the strategic position and competitiveness of Eviosys, resulting in an approximate 50% improvement in profitability in under three years of KPS ownership. KPS invested nearly 225 million in capital expenditures and significant resources to execute a comprehensive business transformation plan focused on optimizing Eviosys' manufacturing footprint to drive asset utilization, reducing operational costs and growing volumes in new and existing geographies. Eviosys made remarkable progress in advancing its sustainability objectives, surpassing its publicly committed greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets and achieving an EcoVadis Platinum rating in 2023, placing it in the top 1% of all companies ranked by EcoVadis. Eviosys today is a thriving, independent company providing its customers with innovative and sustainable metal packaging solutions at the highest standards for quality and at scale.

Michael Psaros, Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner of KPS, said, "Eviosys is another demonstration of KPS' investment strategy of seeing value where others do not, buying right and making businesses better, across economic cycles, geographies and industries over decades.

We are proud of Eviosys' extraordinary transformation under our ownership. Eviosys demonstrates our ability to build industry-leading companies on a global basis. The Company's success is a direct result of KPS' commitment to, and investment in, the Company's R&D, innovative new technologies and products, manufacturing facilities and people. We believe the acquisition of Eviosys by Sonoco will benefit the combined companies' customers, employees and investors. The industrial logic is compelling.

We congratulate and thank Tomas Lopez, Eviosys' Chief Executive Officer, along with the Company's senior management team, for their strategic vision and brilliant execution, which resulted in tremendous value creation under KPS' ownership in a short period of time. We also thank Crown for being a highly constructive and supportive partner."

Tomas Lopez, Chief Executive Officer of Eviosys, added, "For over 200 years, Eviosys and its predecessor companies have provided best-in-class metal packaging that enhances the appeal of our customers' brands. KPS recognized the investment opportunity and upside presented by Eviosys. KPS' extensive manufacturing expertise and experience provided us with the plan and resources that resulted in enormous value creation. We thank KPS for creating a culture in our company focused on continuous improvement, manufacturing excellence and environmental stewardship. We are proud of our people, products and service. By combining with Sonoco, we will work to bring our high quality, sustainable and innovative packaging solutions to new and existing customers around the globe. Our companies share a strong commitment to providing the highest levels of customer service, safety for our employees, and operating efficiencies."

Rothschild & Co is serving as sole financial advisor and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is serving as legal counsel to KPS and Eviosys. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are serving as financial advisors to Sonoco and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is serving as Sonoco's legal counsel.

About Eviosys

Eviosys is a leading global supplier of metal packaging, producing food cans and ends, aerosol cans, metal closures and promotional packaging to preserve the products of hundreds of consumer brands. Eviosys has the largest metal food can manufacturing footprint in the EMEA region, with over 6,300 employees in 44 manufacturing facilities across 17 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Eviosys is a global leader in sustainability, with a product portfolio comprised entirely of infinitely recyclable metal packaging and industry-leading performance across a broad spectrum of sustainability metrics. To learn more, visit www.eviosys.com.

About KPS Capital Partners, LP

KPS, through its affiliated management entities, is the manager of the KPS Special Situations Funds, a family of investment funds with approximately $21.6 billion of assets under management (as of March 31, 2024). For over three decades, the Partners of KPS have worked exclusively to realize significant capital appreciation by making controlling equity investments in manufacturing and industrial companies across a diverse array of industries, including basic materials, branded consumer, healthcare and luxury products, automotive parts, capital equipment and general manufacturing. KPS creates value for its investors by working constructively with talented management teams to make businesses better and generates investment returns by structurally improving the strategic position, competitiveness and profitability of its portfolio companies, rather than primarily relying on financial leverage. The KPS Funds' portfolio companies generate aggregate annual revenues of approximately $19.6 billion, operate 223 manufacturing facilities in 26 countries, and have approximately 47,000 employees, directly and through joint ventures worldwide (as of March 31, 2024). The KPS investment strategy and portfolio companies are described in detail at www.kpsfund.com.

About Sonoco

With net sales of approximately $6.8 billion in 2023, Sonoco has approximately 22,000 employees working in more than 300 operations around the world, serving some of the world's best-known brands. With our corporate purpose of Better Packaging. Better Life., Sonoco is committed to creating sustainable products and a better world for our customers, employees, and communities. Sonoco was named one of America's Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek. For more information on the Company, visit our website at www.sonoco.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This presses release contains "forward-looking statements", including statements regarding the contemplated transaction. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "potential," "seek," "should," "think," "will," "would" and similar expressions, or they may use future dates. Forward-looking statements in this document include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's expectations as to the completion and timing of the contemplated transaction, including with respect to works council consultations, regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other closing conditions, and the anticipated impacts of the contemplated transaction. These forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and readers are therefore cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, among other things: the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreement or could otherwise cause the transactions contemplated therein to fail to close; the inability of the Company or Sonoco to satisfy the conditions to closing; and other risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. All forward-looking statements in this document are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

Statements By Portfolio Company Executives

Certain statements about KPS made by portfolio company executives herein are intended to illustrate KPS' business relationship with such persons, including with respect to KPS' facilities as a business partner, rather than KPS' capabilities or expertise with respect to investment advisory services. Portfolio company executives were not compensated in connection with the communication of such statements, although they generally receive compensation and investment opportunities in connection with their portfolio company roles, and in certain cases are also owners of portfolio company securities and/or investors in KPS-sponsored vehicles. Such compensation and investments subject participants to potential conflicts of interest in making the statements herein.

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BRUSSELS, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report from The Conference Board, based on a survey of 78 of Europe's largest employers, finds that the EU's new Pay Transparency Directive is pushing businesses to set global policies on pay. 55% of senior human resource executives surveyed say that they have, or are planning, a single approach to pay across their international operations. However, the report also highlights the need for accelerated action to implement the Directive, with 41% of respondents-whose companies collectively employ approximately three million people globally-saying that they have yet to begin preparing.

Under the Directive, effective starting June 2026, companies that employ more than one hundred workers in the EU must disclose information about pay levels to employees and candidates, and report annually on their gender pay gap. If the gap is higher than five percent, they must take mitigating action or face mandatory fines.

The report, Countdown to the EU's New Law on Pay Transparency, notes that there are strong concerns among employers about the new requirements. Many are apprehensive about how the regulation will affect wage bills, competitiveness, and the ability of managers to reward their best performers.

The report was launched at The Conference Board's Future: Reward Europe event, held in Brussels. In a separate live poll conducted at the gathering of senior executives responsible for pay, 44% of participants said that they were "concerned or very concerned" about the impact on wage bills, with only 3% "not at all concerned". Of the 75 respondents to the live poll, 43% said that the Directive could increase their European wage bills by between 2.6% and 5%.

"Our analysis shows that complying with the Directive is data-intensive and requires a high level of cross-functional collaboration, so it is a concern that many businesses have not yet begun to prepare for it," said Jean-Marc Verbist, Leader of The Conference Board Human Capital Center, Europe. "Compliance is likely to come with a significant cost.Beyond the anticipated short-term rise in wage bills, businesses will also need to invest in training, data gathering, and internal and external communications. Chief Human Resource Officers need to ensure their boards and senior managers are aware of the risks of non- and low-quality compliance: not just potential fines, but also increased workplace tensions and loss of productivity."

Key highlights from the report include:

SETTING GLOBAL STANDARDS:

Pay transparency is gathering momentum around the world:

10% of survey respondents already have a global framework for pay transparency in place, while 45% say that they are planning a global approach.

30% say that they will restrict pay transparency to EU regulatory requirements, while 15% remain undecided.

REGULATORY READINESS

Businesses are off to a slow start in preparing to comply with the EU Directive:

16% of businesses assess themselves as being a significantly long way from readiness, and 41% have not yet begun preparing for implementation.

Less than 2% of businesses believe that they are already compliant with the regulation, while 10% believe they are close to readiness.

44% of respondents say that their internal systems and data require additional work to capture and analyze the data required by the Directive.

IMPACT ON EMPLOYEES

Managers see the upside of pay transparency regulations, but there are risks:

30% of respondents believe that the Directive will help them to address the gender pay gap and improve female representation at a senior level.

25% say that the Directive will enable managers to have open discussions with staff and debunk perceptions around pay.

In discussion, executives voiced concerns about the impact on labor relations and negotiations with social partners, including unions and works councils.

About The Conference Board

The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What's Ahead. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.ConferenceBoard.org

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COMMERCE CITY, CO / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Himalaya Technologies (OTC PINK:HMLA), a premier technology development company, is excited to announce the rebranding of FOME Energy to EVEREST Liquidity.

In line with EVEREST's Web3 and crypto-related themes, HMLA has rebranded its FOMO Energy drink to EVEREST Liquidity, with the slogan "What the Whales Drink." This rebranding campaign includes new logos and a new website. The FOMO Energy product will be available to order until July 1st at https://www.fomoenergy.com.

Launching on July 1, 2024, via https://www.everestliquidity.com and the HMLA Amazon store, the company will introduce its Orange, Blue Raspberry, and Black Cherry flavors. Manufactured in the United States by Stellar Chemical Corp, each unique flavor includes:

4 Electrolytes for natural energy and rejuvenation

2% Pea Protein

10 Essential Vitamins, including C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12, and D

4% Mature Hop Extract

HMLA is also pleased to announce that the full EVEREST Liquidity product line will be featured at the upcoming Cryptility 2024 event in Nashville on July 26, 2024. At this event, the company will provide over 2,000 packs of each flavor to VIP attendees, making EVEREST Liquidity the exclusive beverage of the event.

At Cryptility 2024, Ryan Nguyen, CEO of Himalaya Technologies, will be a featured speaker. He will discuss the EVEREST LPP platform and demonstrate the power of listing a Uniswap LP in real-time.

Ryan Nguyen, CEO of HMLA, stated, "By rolling out our rebranded drink focused on the crypto community, we see this as a massive opportunity to build brand awareness for EVEREST. Everyone in this space aspires to be a whale. What better way to support that ambition than by branding EVEREST for crypto whales? I am honored to speak at the upcoming Cryptility 2024 Conference hosted by https://www.thealley.io. By connecting with like-minded crypto enthusiasts, I expect to attract several new funding partners for the EVEREST LPP platform. Showing these guest the power of launching one of our partner LP's in real-time, is going to be a first and I can't wait."

HMLA shareholders interested in attending the event and hearing Ryan Nguyen, along with over 20 other crypto specialists, should visit https://www.thealley.io/vipevent and fill out the sign-up form. Registration is free for this all-day event and includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and an open bar from 5 PM to 8 PM. VIP enrollment has already begun and concludes on July 10, 2024. Due to limited seating, enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis.

About Himalaya Technologies: Listed on OTC: HMLA, Himalaya Technologies is a technology development company dedicated to nurturing and launching innovative projects enhanced by blockchain and AI resources.

Forward Looking Statements:

Statements in this press release about our future expectations, including without limitation, the likelihood that Himalaya Technologies, Inc. will be able to meet minimum sales expectations, be successful and profitable in the market, bring significant value to: Himalaya's stockholders, and leverage capital markets to execute its growth strategy, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and our actual results could differ materially from expected results. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. Himalaya's business strategy described in this press release is subject to innumerable risks, most significantly, whether the Company is successful in securing adequate financing. No information in this press release should be construed in any form shape or manner as an indication of the Company's future revenues, financial condition, or stock price, nor is it a solicitation for investment.

Himalaya Contact:

Investor Relations

(630) 708-0750

IR@himalayatechnologies.com

Follow us on X @HMLAtech

Company Details:

Organization: Himalaya Technologies, Inc.

Contact Person: Ryan Nguyen

Website: https://www.himalayatechnologies.com

Email: IR@himalayatechnologies.com

Contact Number: +12283664969

Address: 12653 E 104th Dr, Commerce City, CO 80022, USA

City: Commerce City

State: Colorado

Country: United States

SOURCE: Himalaya Technologies, Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Kupfer wird oft als das Gold der Energiewende bezeichnet, weil es aufgrund seiner hervorragenden elektrischen Leitfahigkeit eine zentrale Rolle in vielen Technologien spielt, die fur nachhaltige Energiesysteme entscheidend sind. Experten gehen aufgrund der Angebotsknappheit von einem Superzyklus aus.

Korrektur als Einstiegschance

Nach Hochststanden im Mai korrigierte das rote Metall stark. Die Abwartsspirale verstarkte sich in den vergangenen Tagen aufgrund schwacher Konjunkturdaten aus den USA und China. Langfristig konnte sich die aktuell laufende Korrektur als exzellente Einstiegsmoglichkeit herausstellen.

3 Kupferaktien mit hohem Potential

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The Dayton, Ohio-based facility will extend the sales, support and delivery of advanced in-store media networks to retail customers globally

SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Premier Retail Networks (PRN) today announced the opening of a new "Sales Center of Excellence" which will extend PRN's capability to create, deploy and support in-store retail media networks globally, with a primary focus on in-store and connected TV networks. PRN, part of the STRATACACHE family of companies including Scala and Walkbase, has nearly 30 years of experience creating successful networks in many of the largest retailers in the world. The new sales center will help PRN accelerate services for retailers competing for the $120+ billion annual retail media spend in 2024 and beyond.





Premier Building

Premier Building, home of PRN's new Sales Center of Excellence





The PRN Sales Center will grow in the Premier Building at 110 N. Main and deliver expertise that covers a full scope of in-store retail media, including in-store digital networks, programmatic retargeting, streaming/CTV, mobile and digital out of home. While many retailers have mature online retail media platforms, in-store digital and CTV opportunities are extremely high-growth, high-margin areas for retailer expansion. The PRN Sales Center will help retailers and global brands reach customers in new ways and generate high-value audiences to monetize those impressions.

"Retail media networks have been dominating conversations among major brands and retailers, and this is an area where PRN has a proven record of excellence in delivering in-store strategy and execution," said Kevin Carbone, CEO of PRN. "The new Sales Center will elevate PRN's ability to fully align retailer and brand needs, delivering new in-store revenue streams for retailers and more personalized, targeted, and measurable in-store messaging and promotion for brands. Global brands and retailers are struggling with the transparency and efficacy of programmatic ad tech in the store. PRN provides the people and services necessary to directly overcome those challenges and ensure successful, attributable audience conversions all the way through the transaction."

The Sales Center will create more than 100 new tech jobs in downtown Dayton. As part of the STRATACACHE Digital City agenda, attracting STEM-savvy talent in data science, advanced sensors, digital display and complex network operations to the area is a key initiative. PRN will be actively recruiting data scientists, retail media sales professionals, strategic agency specialists and CPG/FMCG ambassadors as part of this launch.

"Continuing to expand and evolve the Dayton tech ecosystem is critical for the growth of the local economy," said Chris Riegel, CEO of STRATACACHE. "We're committed to a continuous growth of not only our digital media businesses, but also our investment in the Dayton community."

Learn more about retail media networks and PRN at www.prn.com/solutions and STRATACACHE at www.stratacache.com.

Contact Information

Andrea Poley

Director, Communications & Digital Marketing

andrea.poley@scala.com

610-704-8142

SOURCE: PRN

View the original press release on newswire.com.
CHICAGO, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The industrial IoT market is valued at USD 194.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 286.3 billion by 2029; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2024 to 2029 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Increasing adoption of IPv6, growing adoption of cloud platforms, increased IoT-related government initiatives and R&D activities worldwide, rise in demand for automation in industries, and global rise in internet penetration.



Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=129733727

Browse in-depth TOC on "Industrial IoT Market"

132 - Tables

69 - Figures

243 - Pages

Industrial IoT Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $ 194.4 billion Estimated Value by 2029 $ 286.3 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% Market Size Available for 2020-2029 Forecast Period 2024-2029 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Offering, Software, Connectivity Technology, Deployment, Vertical and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Maintenance and updates of IIoT systems Key Market Opportunities Predictive maintenance of machinery Key Market Drivers Rise in demand for automation in industries



The industrial IoT market for platforms segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The platforms segment is expected to experience the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The IIoT platform landscape is still maturing compared to hardware. As IIoT adoption grows, the need for robust platforms to manage and analyze the increasing data volume becomes more critical. IIoT generates vast amounts of data, driving the demand for secure storage, powerful analytics tools, and centralized management capabilities offered by platforms. This demand is expected to accelerate the growth of the platform segment. As industries shift towards data-driven decision-making, platforms become more valuable for extracting insights from IIoT data and optimizing processes. This focus on data utilization will further fuel the growth of the platform segment.

The manufacturing sector holds the largest market share in the industrial IoT market for the Asia Pacific.

The manufacturing sector holds the largest market share in the industrial IoT market for the Asia Pacific region, making it a global manufacturing hub. Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea are leading the way in this sector. Industrial IoT provides significant benefits such as predictive maintenance, process optimization, and improved quality control, all of which are crucial for manufacturers.

Asia Pacific is projected to experience the highest growth rate during the forecast period. Many Asian countries are undergoing rapid urbanization, leading to increased investments in smart city initiatives that heavily depend on industrial IoT. Multiple governments in the Asia Pacific region are encouraging the adoption of industrial IoT across various industries through subsidies and infrastructure development plans. The developing economies in the region offer significant potential for industrial IoT solutions as they construct new infrastructure and modernize existing industries.

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Agricultural sector in North America holds the largest market share in industrial IoT market during the forecast period.

The agriculture sector holds the largest market share in the North American industrial IoT industry. Agriculture in North America has significant potential for industrial IoT adoption and growth due to several factors. Industrial IoT enables data-driven farming practices such as precision irrigation, soil monitoring, and targeted crop management. It can optimize resource utilization (water, fertilizers, pesticides), reduce waste, and improve overall farm productivity. Farmers can use industrial IoT for remote monitoring of crops, livestock, and environmental conditions.

Key Players

Some of the leading companies operating in the industrial IoT companies are ABB (Switzerland), General Electric (US), Emerson Electric Co. (US), Intel Corporation (US), Cisco Systems, Inc. (US), SAP SE (Germany), Honeywell International Inc. (US), Siemens (Germany), Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (China), Rockwell Automation (US), Arm Limited (UK), PTC (US), Dassault Systemes (France), IBM (US), Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), NEC Corporation (Japan), ANSYS, Inc. (US), Worldsensing (Spain), Arundo (Norway), Software AG (Germany), among others.

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WESTFORD, Mass., June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As per SkyQuest, the Global Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Market size was valued at USD 14.09 billion in 2022 and is poised to grow from USD 19.47 billion in 2023 to USD 259.11 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 38.2% during the forecast period (2024-2031).

Rapid digitization of the healthcare industry and advancements in artificial intelligence technology are primarily driving artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare market growth. AI solutions are fulfilling the lack of skilled medical professionals by automating several tasks and optimizing different clinical workflows. The global artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare market is segmented into component, algorithm, end user, and region.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare Market Overview:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $ 19.47 billion Estimated Value by 2031 $ 259.11 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 38.2% Forecast Period 2024-2031 Forecast Units Value (USD Million) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Component, Technology, Application, End-User Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Latin America Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Use of AI-driven drug discovery and development platforms Key Market Drivers Rising demand for predictive analytics and precision medicine

Segments covered in Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare Market are as follows:

Component

Hardware, Services, and Software

Technology

Machine Learning (Deep Learning, Supervised, Unsupervised, Reinforcement Learning, Others), Natural Language Processing (IVR, OCR, Pattern and Image Recognition, Auto Coding, Classification and Categorization, Text Analytics, Speech Analytics), Context-aware Computing (Device Context, User Context, Physical Context), Computer Vision

Application

Patient Data & Risk Analysis, Medical Imaging & Diagnostics, Precision Medicine, Drug discovery, Lifestyle Management & Remote Patient Monitoring, Virtual Assistants, Wearables, In-Patient Care & Hospital Management, Research, Emergency Room & Surgery, Mental Health, Healthcare Assistance Robots, Cybersecurity, Others

End-User

Hospitals & healthcare providers, Healthcare Payers, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies, Patients, Others

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Software to Remain Quintessential in Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare Market

AI software solutions are being quickly adopted in the healthcare industry to improve patient outcomes and reduce the increasing workload on medical professionals. Artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare providers can invest in the development of novel AI software models that facilitate disease prediction, medical imaging, and personalized treatment recommendations based on patient data. Easy integration of AI software with existing hardware and healthcare infrastructure also allows this segment to hold a high market share.

Investing in the development of specialized hardware for AI solutions used in the healthcare industry will also help artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare market players boost their revenue. High demand for better hardware with improved processing capabilities to handle advanced AI algorithms will also help artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare market growth in the future. Increasing use of AI in healthcare will also create high demand for specialized services such as integration, maintenance, customization, etc. This is why AI in healthcare providers should also focus on the services sub-segment going forward.

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Deep Learning to Train AI Models for Healthcare Applications

Deep learning algorithms play a crucial role in training AI models for the ways of healthcare applications. Rising volume of patient and healthcare data is pushing the demand for advanced pattern analysis through deep learning algorithms and thereby creating opportunities for artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare companies. Improved diagnostic accuracy and better treatment planning are some key benefits that the use of deep learning algorithms will provide. Better clinical decision-making is also supported by the deep learning sub-segment.

Context-aware processing can provide personalized treatment suggestions to patients based on patient data. Adoption of a more patient-centric care approach in the healthcare industry will also favor the demand for context-aware processing algorithms in the long run. Meanwhile, natural language processing (NLP) algorithms are slated to help streamline medical processes and also possibly ease automation potential as well. An increasing volume of unstructured healthcare data can also be sorted out using advanced algorithms to develop meaningful insights thereby creating a new business scope for artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare companies.

Healthcare Providers to Take the Wheel in Terms of AI Adoption in Healthcare Space

The growing incidence of chronic diseases and the rising burden on healthcare institutions around the world have pushed healthcare providers to opt for advanced technologies. AI plays a crucial role in managing the workload of healthcare institutions by promoting proper resource utilization. Adoption of a patient-centric care approach will also help promote the use of AI in healthcare providers' sub-segment generating significant revenue.

To conclude, artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare companies should definitely focus on the development of novel AI software for healthcare providers to maximize their revenue generation potential in the long run. New companies can focus on development of new AI solutions targeted towards patients and payers to penetrate the market.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market

Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) Market

Edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market

Mobile Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Robots Market

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Article L. 238-8-II of the French commercial Code and article 223-16 of the AMF (French Financial Markets Authority) general regulation

Regulatory News:

Corporate name of the issuer: Veolia Environnement (Paris:VIE) 21 rue La Boetie 75008 PARIS FRANCE (ISIN code: FR0000124141-VIE)

Information closing

date Total number of

shares forming the

share capital Total number of voting rights May 31, 2024 726,148,514 Total number of theoretical voting rights: 726,148,514 Total number of voting rights that may be exercised (1): 715,890,776

Inclusion in the Veolia Environnement Articles of Association of a clause requiring a reporting obligation of the declaration of crossing a shareholding threshold, complementary to the one relating to the thresholds provided by the French law and the regulations in force (article 8).

(1) Number of voting rights that may be exercised number of theoretical voting rights (or total number of voting rights attached to shares) shares without voting rights (number of treasury shares held as of May 31, 2024, i.e. 10,257,738 shares).

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Novel Combination of Tolerance-Inducing Agent and Human Stem Cell-Derived Islets Demonstrates Functional Insulin Release and Disease Reversal in a Model of Diabetes

MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / iTolerance Inc. announced today that the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine was thrilled to unveil groundbreaking results presented at the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) 84th Scientific Sessions. This innovative approach highlights the potential of human stem cell-derived islets combined with an immunomodulatory microgel to reverse Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). This technology was developed to enable pancreatic islet cells replacement in the allogeneic setting (from a donor to an unrelated recipient) without the need for chronic systemic immunosuppression.

The collaborative effort, spearheaded by Dr. Giacomo Lanzoni's team at the DRI, together with teams from iTolerance, Inc. and Kadimastem, Ltd, demonstrates that the combination of iTOL-100 engineered microgel developed by iTolerance, Inc. and IsletRx stem cell-derived islets developed by Kadimastem, Ltd. can effectively restore normoglycemia in a model of diabetes.

Dr. Giacomo Lanzoni, PhD, program leader at the DRI, stated, "Our observations highlight the transformative potential of combining stem cell-derived islets with an immunomodulatory microgel. This approach could enable transplantation across the allogeneic barrier, offering a scalable and sustainable solution for T1D, and could enhance the safety and long-term efficacy of islet cell transplantation.

Dr. Camillo Ricordi, MD, Director of the Cell Transplant Center and Director Emeritus at the Diabetes Research Institute, commented: "The Fast Track Center for Testing at the DRI Cell Transplant Center continues to serve as a key shared resource to validate emerging technologies towards a cure for diabetes. We hope to continue to be of assistance towards the identification of reliable and potentially unlimited stem cell-derived islet sources for transplantation, which may one day be able to replace the limited availability of pancreas-derived islets from multiorgan donors, when life-long recipient immunosuppression will no longer be required."

The study's key findings indicate that this combination therapy reverses diabetes and preserves the functional integrity of the transplanted stem cell-derived islets.

Key Highlights:

iTOL-100, an immunomodulatory microgel developed by iTolerance, Inc ., designed to eliminate the need for chronic systemic immunosuppression and shown to induce local immune acceptance of transplanted islets, was found to be compatible with stem cell-derived islets.

., designed to eliminate the need for chronic systemic immunosuppression and shown to induce local immune acceptance of transplanted islets, was found to be compatible with stem cell-derived islets. IsletRx, a preparation of Human Stem Cell-Derived Isletsdeveloped by Kadimastem, Ltd. , is a scalable and virtually unlimited source of insulin-producing cells and could address the critical shortage of donor islets for transplantation.

, is a scalable and virtually unlimited source of insulin-producing cells and could address the critical shortage of donor islets for transplantation. Implantation in a Retrievable Site: The transplantation procedure is performed in a retrievable site, ensuring the possibility of graft retrieval through a minimally invasive surgery, if needed.

The transplantation procedure is performed in a retrievable site, ensuring the possibility of graft retrieval through a minimally invasive surgery, if needed. Successful Reversal of Diabetes: The study reports reversal of disease in a chemically induced model of diabetes, with comparable efficacy of IsletRx in the presence or absence of iTOL-100, indicating a lack of toxicity from the microgel.

Additional Comments:

Dr. Anthony Japour, CEO of iTolerance, Inc., commented, "iTolerance is pleased to co-sponsor the project at the Diabetes Research Institute toward a functional cure of T1D through the combination of human stem cell-derived insulin producing islet cells together with our iTOL-100 proprietary immunomodulator. Removing the need for life-long toxic immunosuppressive agents in islet transplantation is a common goal among those working toward a cure for T1D through transplantation without immunosuppression."

Prof. Michel Revel, Chief Scientist of Kadimastem, Ltd., stated: "Our collaboration with iTolerance opens an innovative and world-first avenue for transplanting pancreatic islet cells into people with diabetes without the need for full suppression of the immune system, which is required today in organ transplants." Prof. Revel emphasized, "Our company produces high-quality pancreatic islet cells. The joint data collected by us prove the possibility of combining our cells with the material that locally prevents the rejection of the implant developed by our project partner iTolerance. Having successfully completed an Interact meeting with the FDA, the two companies are moving together to the pre-IND submission stage."

IsletRx is comprised of clinical-grade clusters of human pancreatic islet like cells (ILCs) with the ability to secrete insulin. IsletRx cells can detect the sugar levels in the body and produce the required amounts of insulin and glucagon. The company's technology is unique with its ability to select and enrich only the highest functioning and purest islet cells from the population of pluripotent stem cells which enables the maximum therapeutic effect.

The project was supported in part by iTolerance, Inc., Kadimastem, Ltd., grants funded by the Breakthrough T1D Foundation (formerly known as JDRF) and the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research (BIRD) Foundation.

About the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI): The Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research. The DRI is committed to developing and rapidly applying innovative strategies to restore natural insulin production and normalize blood sugar levels without imposing other risks.

For more information, please visit https://diabetesresearch.org/

This breakthrough project will be a cornerstone in our quest to erase Type 1 Diabetes and improve the lives of millions worldwide. The Diabetes Research Institute remains dedicated to advancing the science of diabetes cure and translating these discoveries into practical applications.

About About iTolerance, Inc.

iTolerance is an early-stage privately-held regenerative medicine company developing technologies to enable tissue, organoid or cell therapy without requiring life-long immunosuppression. Leveraging its proprietary biotechnology-derived Streptavidin-FasL fusion protein/biotin-PEG microgel (SA-FasL microgel) platform technology, iTOL-100, iTolerance is advancing a pipeline of programs using both allogenic pancreatic islets and stem cells that have the potential to cure diseases. Utilizing iTOL-100 to induce local immune tolerance, the Company is developing its lead indication as a potential cure for Type 1 Diabetes without the need for life-long immunosuppression. Additionally, the Company is developing iTOL-201 for treating liver failure by utilizing hepatocytes and iTOL-401 as a nanoparticle formulation for large organ transplants without the need for life-long immunosuppression. For more information, please visit itolerance.com.

References:

Rech Tondin A, Yolcu E.S., Herring S.K., Hester D.M., Gadea Y.; Vega G, Szust J, Revel A, Shirwan H, Garcia A, Japour A, Revel M, Molakandov K, Ricordi C, Lanzoni G. Reversal of diabetes by human stem cell-derived islets implanted with an immunomodulatory microgel in a retrievable site. 2024-LB. American Diabetes Association's (ADA) 84th Scientific Sessions, June 21, 2024 - Orlando, FL, USA.

Rech Tondin A, Yolcu E.S., Herring S.K., Hester D.M., Gadea Y.; Vega G, Szust J, Revel A, Shirwan H, Garcia A, Japour A, Revel M, Molakandov K, Ricordi C, Lanzoni G. 2024-LB: Reversal of Diabetes by Human Stem Cell-Derived Islets Implanted with an Immunomodulatory Microgel in a Retrievable Site. Diabetes 2024;73(Supplement_1):2024-LB https://doi.org/10.2337/db24-2024-LB

https://diabetesjournals.org/diabetes/article/73/Supplement_1/2024-LB/156035

IsletRx, human stem cell-derived islet cells, appear as islet-like structures in combination with immunomodulatory iTOL-100 microgel in a model of diabetes.

Investor Contact

Jenene Thomas

Chief Executive Officer

JTC Team, LLC

T: 833.475.8247

iTolerance@jtcir.com Media Contact

Susan Roberts

T: 202.779.0929

sr@roberts-communications.com SOURCE: iTolerance, Inc. iTolerance, Inc.

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Amazon to purchase full generation capacity of solar energy project unveiled by Enbridge and EDF Renewables

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Time for some fun as we harness the Ohio sun.

Enbridge, project partner EDF Renewables in North America and guests are celebrating today in Madison County, Ohio, with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the recently completed first phase of Fox Squirrel Solar.

It's one of the largest utility-scale solar developments east of the Mississippi-1.4 million panels and 159 inverters; and peak construction that required 650 workers safely installing 10,000 panels a day.

During the event, Amazon announced it has entered into power purchase agreements for the full generation capacity, which will help contribute to Amazon's commitment to match all of the electricity used by its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2030. The company is currently on a path to meet its goal by 2025.

As renewable energy commitments are increasingly embraced by corporations, solar projects like Fox Squirrel will help the state of Ohio realize its continuing commitment to attract business and nurture economic growth in the state.

Thomas Carbone, Enbridge's vice president of power business development, told the crowd that Enbridge is pleased and grateful to grow its presence in the Buckeye State, amid an ongoing expansion of our renewables business.

"Fox Squirrel is a key part of our commitment to the energy transition and our plans to continue to invest in these types of projects," Carbone said. "We look forward to working closely with all of you as we advance construction on Phases 2 and 3."

The initial phase of Fox Squirrel has a generation capacity of 150 megawatts (MW) of solar energy. F Phase 2 is expected to be operational in mid-2024 and will generate up to 250 MW, while Phase 3 is expected to enter service in late 2024 and generate up to 177 MW.

The project extends the longstanding partnership between Enbridge and EDF Renewables that began with four wind projects in Canada 12 years ago. The growing Enbridge-EDF portfolio also includes several offshore wind projects in France.

"I am so pleased at how far we've come on this journey with our partners, EDF Renewables, and all we've achieved together," said Carbone.

Enbridge is firmly planted in Ohio, with operations now representing every part of our business in the state-renewable power (Fox Squirrel and the Wheelersburg Solar project), liquids pipelines (Line 17, a.k.a. the Toledo Pipeline), natural gas transmission pipelines (Texas Eastern, NEXUS and Generation), and gas utilities (Enbridge Gas Ohio).

Solar power can generate electricity with no emissions, no waste production and no water use. We entered the solar business in southwestern Ontario in 2008 and continue to build our solar portfolio with several new projects - like Fox Squirrel - that are either operating or in development.

In all, the number of homes our solar investments can power each year has surpassed 45,000, based on net generation figures, which exclude our partners' stake in projects.





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SOURCE: Enbridge

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Valeo's exemplary financial performance, strategic foresight, and innovative approach drive significant value for stakeholders, positioning it as a leader in the dynamic automotive landscape.

SAN ANTONIO, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently Frost & Sullivan assessed the software-defined vehicle (SDV) industry, and based on its findings, recognizes Valeo with the 2024 Global Company of the Year Award. The company is at the forefront of the automotive industry's transformative journey toward SDVs. It leverages over three decades of experience providing cutting-edge embedded software solutions to foster safer, cleaner, and more affordable mobility solutions globally. Valeo underpins its brand equity with a rich heritage of commitment and passion spanning a century. From its beginnings in a workshop outside Paris to its status as a global technology powerhouse, the company's brand is synonymous with leading-edge solutions for intelligent mobility and sustainability.

Valeo offers innovative solutions tailored and structured around three divisions to address the evolving demands of the automotive landscape - including driving assistance systems, electrification systems, and lighting systems. Valeo anSWer represents a paradigm shift in automotive software solutions, offering an open, scalable, and modular framework encompassing three significant pillars: applications, middleware, and engineering services, including integration which rely on advanced computing platforms. With best-in-class end-user applications spanning advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), intelligent lighting, electric powertrain, and thermal management, Valeo anSWer demonstrates the company's commitment to delivering innovative solutions that redefine the automotive landscape. By offering a holistic solution - software and harware assets - for SDVs, Valeo empowers OEMs to navigate the complexities of modern vehicle architecture and seize new opportunities in the evolving automotive landscape.

Kamalesh Mohanarangam, Research Manager, Frost & Sullivan, observed "Valeo showcases its pioneering efforts in addressing customers' unmet needs within the automotive industry with the launch of Valeo anSWer, a revolutionary transformation journey poised to redefine the future of mobility. Building upon decades of expertise and innovation, the company recognized the pressing need for a comprehensive, integrated software platform that seamlessly integrates diverse automotive functionalities."

Valeo bolsters a workforce of about 112,000 and a robust infrastructure comprising 66 R&D centers and 175 production sites with a global presence spanning 29 countries. The company enables rapid development and deployment of new features and transforms the automotive industry's timeline from years to months. Valeo's brand equity, which embodies a legacy of innovation, trust, and a customer-focused approach, drives it forward. As Valeo celebrates a century of history and looks towards the future, its innovative excellence ensures that it remains at the forefront of the SDV revolution, earning the loyalty and appreciation of customers worldwide. By embracing an agnostic and unique open-source software approach, the company ensures seamless integration with the entire software ecosystem, positioning itself as a trusted partner for OEMs and industry stakeholders.

"Valeo capitalizes on the convergence of energy, big data, and computational intelligence to redefine mobility and create unparalleled opportunities in the automotive landscape. Its impressive growth trajectory over the past three fiscal years and its top-notch collaborations highlight the company's ability to capture market opportunities effectively and deliver unparalleled value propositions to customers," added Rabin Dhakal, Best Practices Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year Award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in terms of growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies, and the resulting leadership in terms of customer value and market penetration.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 24, 2024) - Midnight Sun Mining Corp. (TSXV: MMA) (OTC Pink: MDNGF) (the "Company" or "Midnight Sun") intends to extend the exercise period of a total of 5,619,714 share purchase warrants, all of which are exercisable at $0.50 per common share (collectively, the "Warrants"). The Warrants were issued pursuant to a private placement which closed on July 2, 2021. The Company proposes to extend the expiry dates for these Warrants by an additional twelve months and accordingly the new expiry dates for the Warrants will be July 2, 2025.

All other terms and conditions of the Warrants remain unchanged. The Warrant extension is subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

Stock Option Grant

Midnight Sun has granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of 550,000 Common Shares of the Company, at an exercise price of $0.33 per share, to certain employees and consultants. These stock options are fully vested upon issuance and expire five years from the date of issue. The stock options are granted pursuant to Midnight Sun's 10% rolling stock option plan.

About Midnight Sun

Midnight Sun is focused on exploring our flagship Solwezi Project, located in Zambia. Situated in the heart of the Zambia-Congo Copperbelt, the second largest copper producing region in the world, our property is vast and highly prospective. Our Solwezi Project is surrounded by world-class producing copper mines, including Africa's largest copper mining complex right next door, First Quantum's Kansanshi Mine. Led by an experienced geological team with multiple discoveries and mines around the world to their credit, Midnight Sun intends to find and develop Zambia's next generational copper deposit.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF MIDNIGHT SUN MINING CORP.

Al Fabbro

President & CEO

For Further Information Contact:

Adrian O'Brien

Director of Marketing and Communications

Tel: +1 604 809 6890

Em: adrian@midnightsunmining.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.

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements." All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, the expected completion of the Offering, and the expected use of proceeds are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, changes in market conditions, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in commodity price, unanticipated changes in key management personnel and general economic conditions. Mining exploration and development is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/214224

SOURCE: Midnight Sun Mining Corp.
Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 24, 2024) - Corcel Exploration Inc. (CSE: CRCL) ("Corcel" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has acquired the Willow Copper Property in British Columbia, Canada ("Willow" or the "Property"). The Property is located in the Omineca Mining Division of north-central British Columbia, approximately 4 kilometres southeast of the Sustut Copper Deposit, now held by Imperial Metals Inc. (see Figure 1 below). Willow consists of a single, fully contiguous claim block totalling approximately 1,160 hectares, and was acquired via direct staking by the Company. Corcel believes in the strategic importance of copper in the global market moving forward and is excited to have secured a significant foothold in this highly prospective region of the province.





Figure 1: Willow Property Regional Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8415/214230_2d09149d244fa898_001full.jpg

Note: See endnote (1) for technical disclosure related to the Sustut Deposit historical resource estimate shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The Sustut Copper Deposit (BC MINFILE 094D 063) to the northwest of the Property, discovered in 1971 by Falconbridge Ltd., lies in a similar geological environment to the Property. Willow is underlain by the Upper Triassic Takla Group, which consists of the Savage Mountain Formation overlain by the Moosevale Formation. A major fault in the Willow Creek valley strikes northwest-southeast and cuts through the southern portion of the Sustut claims. Historical rock samples collected from the southeast of the Property returned copper grades of up to 6.28% (see Figure 2 below) (BC MINFILE 094D 082)(2).





Figure 2: Willow Property Local Map & Rock Sample Results

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8415/214230_2d09149d244fa898_002full.jpg

Note: Historical rock grab sample results for the Willow Property sourced from "Report on the 1997 Exploration Program on the Willow Property, Omineca Mining Division, British Columbia for Cross Lake Minerals Ltd., J. Miller-Tate (P.Geo) & C. Church (P. Geo), September 15, 1997"(2).

Next Steps

The Company and its technical team plan to conduct a detailed review of all historical data available on the Property and surrounding areas in the coming months. Following the review, Corcel will outline any priority fieldwork in support of Willow's advancement.

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Case Lewis, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

(1)Source: Technical Report, Sustut Project, British Columbia prepared for Doublestar Resources Ltd., October 8, 2004 (filed on SEDAR on October 25, 2004) (the "Report"). The Report's resource estimate was based on the classification system defined by the CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves, Definitions and Guidelines, adopted by the CIM council on August 20, 2000. The resource was assigned a confidence category classification based on the distance from the block centroid to the nearest copper composite value within the search ellipsoid. Measured resources were considered 0 to 25 metres, Indicated resource from 25 to 50 metres. Density factor of 2.85 tonnes per cubic-metre was used for all rock types. The Sustut historical resource description referenced in this news release is considered relevant because it demonstrates the potential viability of the project. The Company cautions readers that a Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the Company is not representing the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves.

(2)Cautionary note: Grab samples are selective by nature, and values reported may not represent the true grade or style of mineralization at the Project. The historical data disclosed in this news release, including sampling, analytical, and test data could not be verified by a Qualified Person as such data is historical and the original samples are no longer available. The news release contains historical exploration data that have not been verified by Corcel and may not be accurate or complete, and therefore the information should not be relied upon.

About Corcel Exploration Inc.

The Company is a mineral resource company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral resource properties. Its objective is to locate and develop precious and base metals, focusing initially on the exploration and development of the Peak Mineral Property in British Columbia, Canada, for which it holds an option to acquire a 100% undivided right, title, and interest in. From time to time the Company may also evaluate and acquire other mineral properties of merit.

For further information contact:

Stephen Dunn

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (416) 361-2827

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains statements and information that, to the extent they are not historical fact, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward- looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions and estimates of management made based on experience and their perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, all of which management believes to be reasonable in the circumstances at the date hereof, but which may ultimately prove to be incorrect.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from the outcomes expressed or implied by the forward-looking information herein, including but not limited to the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's final long form prospectus dated October 13, 2021, available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information herein to reflect new developments after the date hereof, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for release publication, distribution, or dissemination directly, or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/214230

SOURCE: Corcel Exploration Inc.
A Science-Based Approach Will Determine if the Species is Truly 'Endangered'

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) commends the Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s decision to reassess the 'Endangered' designation of long-tailed macaque monkeys (macaca fascicularis).

"NABR is pleased that the IUCN will reassess its designation of long-tailed macaques as 'Endangered'," said Matthew R. Bailey, president of NABR. "The IUCN's decision to uplist long tailed macaques to 'Endangered' in 2022 was not justified, nor supported by scientific information. NABR looks forward to working with the IUCN to ensure the scientific integrity of its processes."

In 2023, NABR convened a technical review team to review the basis of the IUCN designation.1 In September 2023, NABR filed a formal petition with the IUCN followed by an expanded petition in February 2024. The expanded petition requested that the IUCN undertake a new science-based assessment of the species' status.

NABR's expanded petition demonstrates that the 2022 review by Hansen et. al., which the IUCN used as the basis for its decision to uplist the long-tailed macaque's status, misrepresents existing data.2

A separate petition filed by Dr. Hank Jenkins asserts that the Hansen et al. (2022) review authors possess conflicts of interest that require further investigation by the IUCN. This petition remains pending before the IUCN.

While the IUCN does not have any legislative or regulatory authority, its 'Red List' may influence policy decisions regarding the species. The IUCN's decision to reassess its 'Endangered' designation of long-tailed macaques is important because the species is used extensively in biomedical research.

Six of the 25 most used prescription drugs were developed with the help of long tailed macaques3. Research with long tailed macaques has also been crucial for advances in regenerative medicine4, immunology5, cancer6, vaccine development7, and pharmacology8.

The IUCN final ruling is available online at https://bit.ly/IUCNRulingLTMs.

More information regarding the NABR petition is available online at www.nabr.org.

About the National Association for Biomedical Research

Founded in 1979, the National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) is the only 501(c)(6) nonprofit association dedicated to sound public policy for the humane use of animals in biomedical research, education, and testing. Members include more than 340 universities, medical and veterinary schools, teaching hospitals, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, patient groups, and academic and professional societies who rely on humane and responsible animal research to advance global human and animal health. Learn more about us at www.nabr.org.

1 Members of the NABR technical review team consist of Dr. Ray Hilborn, University of Washington; Dr. David Smith, formerly with the U.S. Geological Survey; and Dr. Robin Waples, University of Washington.

2 See Hilborn, R., & Smith, D. R. (2023). Is the long-tailed macaque at risk of extinction? American Journal of Primatology, e23590. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23590

3 FBR's Role of LTMs in Research Fact Sheet 01-2024 FINAL, available online at https://fbr-cms-bucket.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/FBR_s_Role_of_LT_Ms_in_Research_Fact_Sheet_01_2024_FINAL_802d17fd7d.pdf?updated_at=2024-02-26T16:44:17.000Z

4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8848615/#:~:text=Non%2Dhuman%20primates%20play%20a,organs%20affected%20by%20degenerative%20diseases. regenerative medicine

5 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41577-018-0005-7 immunology

6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9808758/#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20NHP%20naturally%20develop%20cancers,and%20patients%20with%20human%20cancer . cancer research/therapies

7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5886327/ behavioral pharmacology

8 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8402317/ COVID 19 vaccine development

Contact: Eva Maciejewski

emaciejewski@nabr.org

(202) 967-8305

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 24, 2024) - Sanatana Resources Inc. (TSXV: STA) ("Sanatana" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases of May 7, 2024, June 6, 2024, and June 12, 2024, it has closed the third tranche of its non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of flow-through units of the Company (each, an "FT Unit") at a price of $0.09 per FT Unit and non-flow-through units of the Company (each, an "NFT Unit") at a price of $0.07 per Unit. Each FT Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") designated as a flow-through share pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada) and one non-flow-through Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each NFT Unit consists of one non-flow-through Share and one Warrant. Each Warrant comprising a FT Unit or NFT Unit entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional non-flow-through Share at a price of $0.12 per Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance.

The third tranche closing of the Private Placement consisted of 8,000,000 FT Units and 960,000 NFT Units for aggregate gross proceeds of $787,200. The FT Units issued in the third tranche closing were issued on a charity flow-through basis. All securities issued in connection with the third tranche of the Private Placement are subject to a statutory hold period in accordance with applicable securities legislation (expiring on October 25, 2024). The Company will use the proceeds from the sale of the FT Units and NFT Units for exploration in British Columbia in connection with the Company's option on the Oweegee Dome Project in the Golden Triangle. A portion of the proceeds from the NFT Units are expected to be used for general and administrative expenses.

In connection with the third tranche closing of the Private Placement, the Company issued an aggregate of 684,800 compensation warrants (each, a "Compensation Warrant"), pursuant to a finder's fee agreements entered between the Company and each finder. Each Compensation Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one non-flow-through Share at a price of $0.12 per Share until June 24, 2027.

The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release will not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

All references to currency in this news release are to Canadian currency. The Company expects to close a fourth tranche of the Private Placement in due course. Subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, the Company may exercise an over-allotment option to issue up to an additional $500,000 of any combination of FT Units and/or NFT Units.

About the Company

Sanatana Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on high-impact properties in Canada. With an award-winning technical team and experienced management and board of directors, Sanatana is based in Vancouver and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: STA).

SANATANA RESOURCES INC.

(signed) "Peter Miles"

Peter Miles

President and Chief Executive Officer

For additional information on the Company, please contact Mr. Peter Miles, President and Chief Executive Officer at (604) 408-6680 or email investor@sanatanaresources.com.

To be added to the email distribution list, please email ir@sanatanaresources.com with "Sanatana" in the subject line.

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

Mineralization hosted on adjacent, nearby or geologically similar properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's properties.

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements related to the fourth tranche of the Private Placement, the use of funds, and stock exchange approval for the overallotment.

Forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "intends", "is expected", "potential", "suggests" or variations of such words or phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties beyond Sanatana's control including, but not limited to, regulatory approval for the Warrant Extension. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/214241

SOURCE: Sanatana Resources Inc.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 24, 2024) - Deveron Corp. (TSXV: FARM) ("Deveron" or the "Company"), a leading agriculture services and data company in North America, announces, that a notice of requisition of an annual and special meeting of shareholders (the "Requisition") was delivered to the registered office of the Company on June 21, 2024.

The Requisition has been made by 2736130 Ontario Inc., a corporation controlled by Greg Patterson, a director of the Company, which requires that the Company call and hold a meeting of shareholders, pursuant to section 105(1) of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (the "Act"). The purpose of the proposed meeting is to: (i) receive and consider the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the year ended June 30, 2023, and the report of the auditor thereon (ii) appoint Grant Thornton LLP as the auditors of the Company and to authorize the directors of the Company to fix their remuneration; to re-approve and confirm the "rolling" stock option plan of the Company; and (iv) effect certain changes to the Board of Directors as specified in the Requisition.

The Company is reviewing the Requisition and will respond within the time required by the Act.

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/214239

SOURCE: Deveron Corp.
Almost half (45%) of workers say their workload has increased significantly in the past year, as almost two-thirds (62%) say the pace of change at work has increased over the same time

More than one-quarter (28%) say they are very or extremely likely to switch employer in the next 12 months - a higher proportion than during the 'Great Resignation' (19%) in 2022

Employees prioritise skills-growth: fewer than half (46%) strongly or moderately agree that their employer provides adequate opportunities to learn new skills. This is particularly important for workers considering leaving: two-thirds (67%) say opportunities to learn new skills are a key factor in any decision to job-switch

More than 80% of workers who use generative AI daily expect it to make their time at work more efficient in the next 12 months. Half (49%) of all users expect it to lead to higher salaries

Cost-of-living pressures ease slightly: the proportion of workers with money left over each month rises to 45% (compared to 38% in 2023). However, 52% say they are still financially stressed

LONDON, June 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Among more than 56,000 workers across 50 countries and territories, many say they are prioritising long-term skills growth to accelerate their careers amid rising workloads and heightened workplace uncertainty, according to PwC's 2024 Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey, published today.

In the last 12 months, workers say they have experienced rising workloads (45%) and an accelerating pace of workplace change. Nearly two-thirds (62%) say they have experienced more change at work in the past year than the 12 months prior, with two-fifths (40%) noting their daily responsibilities have changed to a large or very large extent. Almost half (44%) don't understand the purpose of changes taking place.

In the midst of this growing mix of employee pressures, the findings suggest workers are alert to opportunities elsewhere, and are highly focused on skills growth and embracing AI.

More than one-quarter (28%) say they are likely to switch employer in the next 12 months, a percentage far higher than during the 'Great Resignation' (19%) of 2022. Two-thirds (67%) of those considering moving say skills is an important factor in their decision to stay with their current employer or switch to a new one.

Carol Stubbings, Global Markets and Tax & Legal Services (TLS) Leader, PwC UK, said:

"As workers face heightened uncertainty, rising workloads and continue to face financial stress, they are prioritising skills growth and embracing new and emerging technologies such as GenAI to turbocharge their growth and accelerate their careers. The findings suggest that job satisfaction is no longer enough. Employees are placing an increased premium on skills growth in a climate characterised by constant technological change. Employers must ensure they are investing in their employees and technological platforms to mitigate employee pressures and retain the brightest talent."

Workers embrace AI to ease workplace pressures and unlock personal growth

As employees face heightened workplace pressures, they are also turning to new and emerging technologies such as generative AI (GenAI) to help. Among those employees who use GenAI daily, 82% expect it to make their time at work more efficient in the next 12 months.

Employees are also optimistic about opportunities for GenAI to support their growth. Half (49%) of all users expect GenAI to lead to higher salaries - an expectation that's even higher (76%) among employees who use the technology daily. More than 70% of users agree that GenAI tools will create opportunities to be more creative at work (73%) and improve the quality of their work (72%).

The skills imperative

Workers are placing an increased premium on skills growth to mitigate their concerns and accelerate their careers. Employees who say they are likely to switch employers in the next 12 months are nearly twice as likely to strongly consider upskilling in that decision than workers planning to stay (67% vs. 36%). This comes as fewer than half (46%) of all employees moderately or strongly agree that their employer provides adequate opportunities to learn new skills that will be helpful to their careers.

Employees who are likely to leave in the next year may be more attuned to skills changes that are needed than the general workforce, with 51% moderately or strongly agreeing that the skills their job requires will change in the next five years (vs. 29% of those unlikely to change employer).

There is particular interest in the impact of AI on skills development, with 76% of all users expecting it to create opportunities to learn new skills at work. However, employers will need to invest heavily in new and emerging technology training and access. Among employees who have not used GenAI at work in the last 12 months, one-third (33%) don't think there are opportunities to use the technology in their line of work, while 24% don't have access to the tools at work, and 23% don't know how to use the tools.

Despite the pace of change, there are also signs of optimism and engagement at work. 60% of workers expressed at least moderate job satisfaction (up from 56% in 2023) while more than half (57%) of employees who view fair pay as important agree that their job is fairly paid. Cost-of-living pressures have slightly eased since 2023 (the proportion of workers with money left over each month has risen to 45%, up from 38%). However, more than half (52%) say they are still financially stressed to some degree.

Pete Brown, Global Workforce Leader, PwC UK, said:

"Technology is fundamentally transforming the way work gets done and the types of skills employers are looking for. Employees are therefore placing an increased premium on organisations that invest in their skills growth so that they can stay relevant and thrive in a digital world. Businesses in turn must be proactive in their upskilling programs - prioritising the employee experience and being transparent. Because when you meaningfully engage your workforce, they become an accelerant for successful transformation."

Notes to Editors:

About the Survey

In March 2024, PwC surveyed 56,600 individuals across 50 countries and territories who are in work or active in the labour market. The sample was designed to reflect a range of industries, demographic characteristics and working patterns. You can read the full report on pwc.com.

About PwC

 2024 PwC. All rights reserved. PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

Contact:

Imran Javaid, Global Corporate Affairs and Communications, PwC UK: imran.javaid@pwc.com

Dan Barabas, Global Corporate Affairs and Communications, PwC UK: dan.barabas@pwc.com

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Inventive, a San Francisco, CA-based startup building embedded AI for SaaS products, closed a $6.5m seed funding round.

The round was led by Wing VC, with participation from Tokyo Black and an angel investors group led by founders and former Google and Meta executives.

The company intends to use the funds to advance the platform for product teams.

Co-founded in 2022 by Erik Kuld, Kavita Shah, and Clarence Tso, Inventive provides an embedded AI Analyst agent that embeds easily in software products to help resolve ad-hoc customer requests for custom reports and analytics. The conversational AI-powered software system collaborates with non-technical users in natural language to help them explore, save, and operationalize custom insights from the host products customer-facing data.

It is already live in production with thousands of their partners customers.

Inventives underlying platform offers a suite of tools for efficiently configuring, testing, evaluating, monitoring, managing, customizing and monetizing these embedded AI-native experiences.

FinSMEs

24/06/2024
nesto, a Montreal, Canada-based digital mortgage lender, acquired CMLS Group, a mortgage finance company operating in Canada.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The combined entity will be both a leader in residential and commercial mortgages, with over 1,000 employees across ten offices and more than $60 billion in mortgages under administration. The transaction was supported by investments from Diagram Ventures, Portage, NAventures (National Bank of Canadas corporate venture capital arm), IGM Financial, BMO Capital Partners, Fonds de solidarite FTQ and Fondaction. All CMLS Group executives and employees will transition to the combined entity. CMLS shareholders will have an equity stake in the combined entity.

Led by Sam Brown, CEO, CMLS Group is a real estate finance company with offices across the country. Founded in 1974, it provides a range of commercial lending services, residential mortgages, and institutional services. Many of Canadas financial institutions, insurance companies and investment managers use CMLS Group for a variety of critical mortgage services.

Led by Malik Yacoubi, CEO, nesto is a digital mortgage lender which offers a transparent property financing experience, simplified from start to finish, to all Canadians, and also enables Canadian Financial Institutions to transform their mortgage experience via proprietary technology, the nesto Mortgage Cloud.

FinSMEs

24/06/2024
Net Zero Company, a Stockholm, Sweden-based company providing carbon removal solutions, raised $5.5M in Seed funding.

The rund was led by Oilinvest, VARO Energy, and SilviCarbon.

The company intends to use the funds to support global expansion and the launch of a new product suite, including the Carbon Removal Token, a real-world, asset-backed token.

Led by CEO Hakan Nordkvist, Net Zero Company is a provider of carbon removal solutions, dedicated to driving the transition towards a sustainable, carbon-neutral future. The Carbon Removal Token is a secure and verifiable instrument backed by high quality Carbon Removal Projects. Developed on the Ethereum blockchain, the CRT provides verifiable proof of environmental impact, enhancing credibility and accountability. Through the CRT, anyone, anywhere, can purchase carbon removals, climate action for accessible

The company was founded in 2022 by:

Dr. Peter Ebsen

Anders Forsberg

Robin Stenman

Robin Backlund

Carl Johan Krigstrom

FinSMEs

24/06/2024
The RBI started bringing the gold to India in March 2022, coinciding with Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine read more

Indias gold reserves parked overseas dropped to a six-year low at the end of March 2024 to 47 per cent of the total. This is the lowest since the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) started accumulating the yellow metal in December 2017.

The RBI started to transfer gold from the UK to its vaults in India from May this year when it moved over 100 tonnes (1 lakh kilograms) of the precious metal.

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The movement of gold last month was one of Indias largest since 1991, when part of the gold reserves was pledged to address a foreign exchange crisis.

Why RBI bringing back its gold from the UK?

A report by The Economic Times quoted data saying that the RBI started bringing the gold to India in March 2022, coinciding with Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The RBI, along with central banks of other nations, have turned cautious after the US froze Russian foreign currency assets after the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in February 2022.

Meanwhile, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the Indias central bank is bringing back its gold as there is ample domestic storage capacity and nothing more should be read into it."

Indias total gold holding

By the end of March 2024, the RBIs total gold holdings amounted to 822.1 tonnes, with a significant amount reserved in foreign vaults.

Why RBI store its gold in foreign banks?

As per reports, during Indias foreign exchange crisis in 1990-91, the nation had pledged part of its gold reserves to the Bank of England to secure a $405 million loan. By November 1991, the loan was paid back, but India decided to keep the gold in the UK for convenience.

Where RBI store its gold?

Primarily, Indias gold reserves are stored in the Bank of England, which is known for its stringent security protocols. Apart from this, the RBI also stores some of its gold reserves at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in Basel, Switzerland, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in the United States.

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Risks of storing gold overseas

Reserving gold overseas makes it easier for India to trade, engage in swaps as well as earn returns, but there are risks involved too.

Geopolitical tensions and war or conflict can create uncertainty about the safety of international assets. The freezing of Russian assets by Western nations recently as well as concerns over the UK economy have likely increased the Indian governments worries about the safety of gold reserves overseas.

Also Read: RBI flew 100 tons of gold from UK to India and more may be on its way
In an X post, the veteran actor had shared that two thieves broke into his Veera Desai Road office and stole the negatives of a film produced by his company Wednesday read more

Actor-director Anupam Kher Sunday expressed his gratitude to the Mumbai Police officials for their promptness in catching two persons in connection with a burglary at his office earlier this week.

In an X post, the veteran actor had shared that two thieves broke into his Veera Desai Road office and stole the negatives of a film produced by his company Wednesday.

The police Saturday took Majid Sheikh and Daler Bahreem Khan into custody from the Jogeshwari area Friday night for committing the crime.

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Kher shared a gratitude note for the police in an Instagram post.

My heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for #MumbaiPolice for catching both the thieves who ransacked my office, stole my safe and the negative of #MaineGandhiKoNaiMara.

The fact that it was done within 48 hours speaks of their amazing EFFICIENCY! Thank you to the wonderful people of #MumbaiPolice for their promptness! Jai Ho! the 69-year-old wrote alongside a picture of the duo along with the police.

According to an official from Amboli police station, the two suspects also stole Rs 4.15 lakh in cash from Khers office Wednesday. They also committed a theft in Vile Parle that day.

A part of the property stolen from Khers establishment was recovered from them, the official said.

Kher is currently busy with his upcoming directorial venture Tanvi The Great.
Millions of Americans endured a sweltering weekend as temperatures skyrocketed across the United States. At the same time, residents in the Midwest faced evacuations and rescues due to severe floodwaters with one person reportedly killed in the flooding in South Dakota read more

A road is closed off due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall, 22 June, 2024, in Lincoln County, South Dakota, USA. AP

Millions in the United States are experiencing extreme weather conditions, with a severe heatwave affecting large parts of the country while devastating floods have struck the Midwest. In northwest Iowa, 13 rivers flooded the area, forcing entire neighbourhoods and at least one town to evacuate.

The town of Spencer imposed a curfew for the second consecutive night after floodwaters surpassed the record set in 1953. When the flood gauge is underwater, its really high, said Eric Tigges of Clay County emergency management at a news conference.

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Iowa state Governor Kim Reynolds declared a disaster for 21 counties in northern Iowa, including Sioux County. National Guard troops assisted with water rescues and transporting needed medications lost in the flooding. Businesses are shuttered. Main streets have been impacted, Reynolds stated. Hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities were evacuated. Cities are without power, and some are without drinkable water.

Catastrophic flooding in South Dakota

South Dakota is also grappling with severe flooding. Governor Kristi Noem declared an emergency in the southeastern part of the state, where several highways were closed due to floodwaters.

Areas south of Sioux Falls received an estimated 10 to 15 inches of rain over three days. I want to remind everybody to remember the power of water and the flow of water, and to stay away from flooded areas, Noem warned.

An archery range is closed off due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall, 22 June, 2024, in Lincoln County, South Dakota, USA. AP

Emergency management officials issued a voluntary evacuation order for Dakota Dunes, a community near the Nebraska and Iowa borders, reported AP.

John Remus, water management division chief for the US Army Corps of Engineers, indicated that minor to moderate flooding was expected along the Missouri River. As long as the levees hold, were not expecting any major impacts, Remus said.

Heatwave across east US

While the Midwest battles flooding, the rest of the country is enduring a relentless heatwave. From the mid-Atlantic to Maine, the Great Lakes region, and the West Coast, temperatures soared, breaking records in several areas.

Its more important for people who are going to be outside to stay hydrated, because heat, humidity, and low winds can be dangerous, AP quoted Bruce Thoren, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oklahoma.

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Volunteers stack sandbags at Central Park in Hawarden, Iowa, 22 June, 2024, in the wake of flooding from the Big Sioux River. AP

In Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, record heat was recorded over the weekend.

Last year, the US experienced the most heatwaves since 1936, with excessive heat contributing to over 2,300 deaths. Heat exhaustion is a real thing. And so we want our residents to be safe from extreme heat, Thennie Freeman, director of the Washington, DC, Department of Parks and Recreation told CBS News.

Heatwave impacts infrastructure and health

The heatwave has caused significant disruptions. In Michigan, utility crews worked tirelessly to restore power to thousands of customers after severe storms knocked out power amid the heatwave.

They are working in very, very tough conditions, Brian Calka, vice president of distribution operations for DTE Energy told AP. The heatwave has also led to the first heat-related deaths of the year in Idaho, where two people in their 60s died.

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This photo provided by Sioux City Fire Rescue shows Sioux City Fire Rescues Urban Search and Rescue team assists in evacuating Rock Valley, Iowa due to a breached levy on 22 June, 2024. AP

New York City health officials reported a 500% increase in heat-related emergency room visits.

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 51 counties after Tropical Storm Alberto caused significant flooding. New Mexico requested federal assistance after wildfires forced evacuations. The climate group World Weather Attribution stated that the southern heatwave in late May was 35 times more likely due to climate change and 2.5F hotter.

Rare tornado threats and flash flooding concerns

The US National Weather Service warned of the potential for rare tornadoes in the Northeast. Tornadoes struck Wisconsin, leveling the historic Apple Grove Lutheran Church. The good news is we are all safe, Pastor Dan Bohlman of Apple Grove Lutheran said on the church website.

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Widespread showers and thunderstorms sparked flash flooding in parts of New England and the Great Lakes. In northern Minnesota, floodwaters prompted road closures and significant damage. Instead of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota is, I dont know, 150,000 lakes at this point, joked farmer Owen Gohlke to CBS News.

Husets Speedway is underwater after days of heavy rain led to flooding in the area, 22 June, 2024 , south of Brandon, South Dakota, USA. AP

In south-central Minnesota, excessive rain ended a three-year drought but flooded fields and killed crops. In New Mexico and Nevada, monsoon-like conditions prompted evacuations. Up to 2 inches of rain fell with additional rainfall expected. Flash flooding caused multiple road closures in Las Vegas.

Also Read | Climate hypocrisy: Wests moral high ground and its failure to deliver

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Weve had so much rain here, said Rock Valley Mayor Kevin Van Otterloo. Our ground just cannot take anymore. With both floods and heatwaves predicted to persist, the US is facing an unprecedented challenge and is bracing itself for ongoing disruptions while attempting to prioritise safety and preparedness in the face of these natural disasters.

With inputs from agencies
A shooting at a supermarket in US Arkansas left dozens injured and killed around four people, including Indian student Dasari Gopikrishna. He had travelled to America just eight months ago in search of a job read more

Dasari Gopikrishna, the 32-year-old student from Andhra Pradesh was killed in a shooting at grocery store. X/@satyaagrahindia

In a heartbreaking incident, Dasari Gopikrishna, a 32-year-old Indian student from Andhra Pradesh, was fatally shot during a mass shooting in Arkansas, United States. The tragic event, which occurred last Friday (21 June) claimed the lives of four individuals and left the community in deep shock.

The mass shooting unfolded when a gunman attempted a robbery and opened fire in a grocery store. The resultant chaos resulted in 14 people being shot, including 11 civilians, two law enforcement officers, and the suspect himself, reported AP.

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Gopikrishnas untimely death has brought to light the increasing number of violent attacks involving Indian expatriates in the country. The Consulate General of India along with Andhra CM N Chandrababu Naidu and YSR Congress leader Jagan Mohan Reddy has expressed condolences on his tragic death.

The grocery store attack

The attack took place at around 11:30 am on 21 June when gunmen identified as 44-year-old Travis Eugene Posey from New Edinburg went on a rampage and started shooting shoppers at Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, a small city in Arkansas with a population of about 3,200 people.

Videos captured on the phone show Posey in the parking lot aiming a long gun and firing in all directions.

Katrina Doherty, who had been shopping for dinner with her 18-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son - was quoted as saying in a post on X that she first thought she heard something falling but then saw glass shatter and someone drop to the ground.

Thats when she knew shots were being fired.

Not finding an escape route, Doherty along with her kids and two other store workers hurriedly hid in a 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 was quoted as saying in the post. It was like slow motion. My daughter was like Mama, pinch me, this cant be real. And I was like, Baby, its real, she further said.

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Arkansas



Arkansas grocery store shoppers hid in freezer, ran for cover amid shooting that killed 3, hurt 10



JUNE 22, 2024



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 pic.twitter.com/0s00sItw0z  Abhay (@AstuteGaba) June 22, 2024

Roderick Rogers, a member of the city council, said he called the sheriff when employees at his restaurant nearby notified him of the shooting. When he got there, he saw people running for cover in every direction, even one running to the hospital nearby.

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Its tragic, our hearts are broken, Col. Mike Hagar, director of State Police and public safety secretary said as he spoke to reporters.

Video posted on social media showed at least one person lying in the parking lot, while another captured several gunshots ringing out. Images showed a slew of bullet holes in the stores window and spent shell casings strewn throughout the parking lot.

In addition to Gopikrishna, the other victims who lost their lives were Shirley Taylor, 62, Roy Sturgis, 50, Ellen Shrum, 81, and Callie Weems, 23.

According to Arkansas State Police, law enforcement responded and exchanged gunfire with the lone suspect, in which he was injured. He now faces multiple counts of capital murder for his actions, the police statement said.

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Who was Dasari Gopikrishna?

The 32-year-old Dasari Gopikrishna hailed from Bapatla district of Andhra Pradesh and had only recently gone to the US eight months ago in pursuit of a better livelihood.

He was working at the gas station supermarket when the incident happened. In a CCTV footage, the gunman can be seen entering the store and openly firing at Gopikrishna as he was standing at the billing counter.

Another firing in America.. - A 32-year-old Indian student, Dasari Gopikrishna was killed randomly while working at a supermarket in USA.



He was at the counter on Saturday afternoon when an assailant entered the store and opened fire.

Join | https://t.co/bq8DAxMRoA pic.twitter.com/rzytasoZml  Satyaagrah (@satyaagrahindia) June 23, 2024

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He sustained critical injuries during the robbery and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries on Sunday morning while undergoing treatment.

Gopikrishnas family lives in the Yajali area in the Karlapalem district of Andhra Pradeshs Bapatla and was shattered after hearing the news.

He is survived by his wife and a son.

Condolences pour in

On Sunday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the incident and mourned the demise of Gopikrishna.

Deeply saddened to learn that a young Dasari Gopikrishna from Bapatla has succumbed to injuries sustained in a shooting incident in Texas, USA. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family and assure them that the GoAP will extend every possible support to help bring him home.  N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) June 23, 2024

Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the former chief minister of the YSR Congress Party and a former chief minister of the state, has also expressed shock over his death. He has appealed to the government and the Ministry of External Affairs to support the deceaseds kin unconditionally.

Expressing condolences to Gopikrishnas family, Consul General D C Manjunath wrote on X, We are deeply saddened to learn about the tragic demise of Indian national Gopi Krishna Dasari in a robbery shooting incident at Pleasant Grove, Dallas, TX, and are in touch with local family members."

Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic demise of Indian National Mr. Gopi Krishna Dasari, in a robbery shooting incident at Pleasant Grove, Dallas, Tx



We offer our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased. @cgihou is in touch with local family member & extending  India in Houston (@cgihou) June 23, 2024

The tragic incident has deeply affected the Indian community in the region and surrounding areas. The Consulate, along with support from Indian associations, is providing all possible assistance to facilitate the repatriation of Gopikrishnas body to India following local formalities, including autopsy and death certificates.

The White House also said President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting and his team would continue to keep him updated.

Rising gun violence

Notably, there has been a sharp spike in shooting incidents across the US in recent weeks. Since last Friday, the Gun Violence Archive has recorded at least 21 other mass shootings.

On Saturday, 22 June, one person was killed and seven others injured in a shooting outside the H20 Lounge nightclub in Louisville, Kentucky.

In a similar incident in 2022, a 19-year-old white supremacist killed 10 Black people in a racially motivated attack at a supermarket in Buffalo. This tragic event came a little more than a year after another mass shooting at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado, where 10 people were killed.

These incidents underscore the ongoing crisis of gun violence in the United States, highlighting the urgent need for effective measures to prevent such tragedies.

With input from agencies
Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal got married on Sunday in Mumbai under the Special Marriage Act. Given their interfaith marriage, Zaheers father, businessman Iqbal Ratansi, had previously informed media that the wedding would not follow either Hindu or Muslim rituals. The Special Marriage Act allows inter-faith couples to tie the knot. We delve a little deeper into this legislation read more

Actors Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal tied the knot, registering their marriage in Mumbai on Sunday (23 June) and shared their first photos as a newly-wedded couple. Instagram/aslisona

Actors Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal on Sunday married under the Special Marriage Act, after dating for seven years, in Mumbai. The couples wedding photos, shared on their social media handles, have gone viral, featuring Zaheer signing the wedding documents while Sonakshi stands with her father, veteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha.

The inter-faith couple chose a civil marriage ceremony over religious rituals.

The Special Marriage Act, 1954, is an Indian law that provides a special form of marriage for people of India and Indian nationals in foreign countries, regardless of their religion or faith. The Act was introduced to facilitate marriages that do not conform to the personal laws of different religions. It extends across India, and also applies to Indian citizens domiciled in territories where the Act is enforced.

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Key provisions of the Special Marriage Act:

Secular marriage: The Act allows for a civil marriage, independent of religious rituals or customs. Applicability: It applies to all Indian citizens, irrespective of religion, and extends to Indian nationals living abroad. Marriage registration: The marriage is performed by a Marriage Officer and registered officially. Age and consent: The minimum age for marriage is 21 years for men and 18 years for women, with both parties giving free and full consent. Notice of intended marriage: Couples must give a 30-day notice to the Marriage Officer, during which objections can be raised. Objections and inquiry: The Marriage Officer must inquire into any objections within 30 days. If valid, the marriage cannot proceed. Solemnisation and registration: The marriage is solemnised in the presence of three witnesses, and a marriage certificate is issued.

A look at the marriage process under the Special Marriage Act:

The Special Marriage Act outlines a detailed procedure for both the solemnisation and registration of marriage. The process includes:

Submission of notice: Couples must submit a notice with relevant documents to the Marriage Officer 30 days before the intended marriage date. Public notice: A copy of the notice is posted publicly, and another is sent by registered post to the addresses provided by the parties. Objections: Any objections raised during the 30-day period are examined by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). Solemnisation: After resolving any objections, the marriage is solemnised with both parties and three witnesses present. Registration: The marriage is registered, and the certificate serves as conclusive proof of the marriage.

The pros and cons of the Special Marriage Act:

Benefits include:

Inter-religious marriages : The Act is particularly beneficial for couples from different religious backgrounds who wish to marry without converting to each others religion.

Legal safeguards : It provides a legal framework for marriage registration and divorce, independent of religious laws.

Gender equality : Ensures equal legal standing and rights for both partners.

Simplified procedure: Focuses on legal requirements rather than religious ceremonies, making the process straightforward.

Challenges are:

Notice period : The 30-day notice period can invite societal scrutiny and objections, causing stress for couples.

Bureaucratic hurdles : Extensive documentation and potential objections can be daunting.

Lack of awareness: Many people are unaware of the Act, leading to underutilisation despite its benefits.

Several high-profile couples have opted for the Special Marriage Act, setting an example for many others, such as Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan, Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Khemu, Sanjay Dutt and Manyata Dutt, Kishore Kumar and Madhubala.

Legal judgements around the Special Marriage Act

The implementation of the Special Marriage Act has seen various challenges and significant court judgments:

Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India (1995) : Addressed bigamy and conversion to Islam for remarriage, emphasising the need for a uniform civil code.

Lata Singh v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2006) : Upheld the right of an adult woman to marry by choice, underscoring protection under the Act.

Shafin Jahan v. Asokan K.M. (2018): Known as the Hadiya case, reaffirmed the right to marry as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Despite its progressive framework, the Special Marriage Act faces challenges like societal pressures during the notice period and the need for better awareness, especially in rural areas. Advocates call for reducing the notice period and streamlining the process to protect couples privacy and rights.

The ongoing debate also includes same-sex marriages under the Act reflecting on the evolving understanding of marriage and equality in India.

The Special Marriage Act is a cornerstone of secularism and inclusivity in Indias diverse legal landscape. By providing a legal route for interfaith and inter-caste marriages, the Special Marriage Act upholds principles of equality and personal freedom.
The NEET, NET exam paper leaks have brought Bihar to the centre stage. The Hindi belt state has gained notoriety over the years for mass cheating in Bihar board examinations. The decline in learning levels in schools is another cause of alarm read more

Indian relatives of students taking school exams climb the walls of the exam building to help pass candidates answers to questions in Vaishali in Bihar on 19 March 2015. AFP File Photo

Bihar has hogged the limelight again  not because of its political leaders flip-flops but for irregularities in a major medical examination. The kingpin of the NEET-UG paper leak case is believed to be from Bihar.

According to the Bihar Polices Economic Offences Unit (EOU), Sanjeev Mukhiya, a resident of Nagarnausa village in the states Nalanda district, is involved in the leak of NEET-UG question papers. He is currently absconding, an EOU official told The Hindu.

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While Bihar was already in the news over the NEET row, the state also made headlines after a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team probing the UGC NET paper leak case was attacked by villagers in the Nawada district on Sunday (23 June).

The local police said the villagers mistook the CBI officials for imposters. While a case has been lodged against 200 people, only four have been arrested so far.

Over the years Bihar has gained notoriety for its cheating crisis. Lets take a closer look at how.

Bihars cheating incidents

Bihars quality of school education and cheating in examinations have been a cause of alarm for years now.

In 2013, over 1,600 students were expelled for using unfair means in the Class 10 Board examination organised by the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB). About 100 guardians who tried to help their candidates were also detained.

Another mass cheating was reported in 2014 when over 200 students appearing for BSEB Class 12 board exams were expelled.

The widely circulated image of hundreds of parents and friends scaling the walls of a school in Vaishali district in 2015 and passing chits to examinees had further defamed the state.

Over 1,600 students were expelled at the time for cheating in the Bihar board exams.

One of the most talked about incidents occurred in 2016 when the toppers of BSEB Class 12 examinations failed to answer even basic questions in the subjects they had excelled in.

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Arts and Humanities topper Ruby Rai and Science topper Saurabh Shrestha were thrown into the spotlight after the topper scam emerged. Ruby, who described her subject political science as prodical science, was arrested by the Bihar Police but got bail later.

Amid the slew of controversies, the Bihar government took measures in 2017 to make the examination process more stringent and cheating-free. However, there were still blatant discrepancies in some cases. The results of the Arts stream topper, Ganesh Kumar, were cancelled within two days after it was found that he was 42 years old and the father of two children. He had claimed to be 24 years old, as per the NDTV report. Kumar, who had scored 65 out of 70 in music practicals, also did not have the answer to basic questions about sur, taal, and matra.

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Police check students at the entrance of the examination hall for Class 12 examinations of the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) in Patna in 2017. PTI File Photo.

As many as 64 per cent of students had failed in that years Class 12 examination after the implementation of strict anti-cheating measures.

BSEB had courted controversy in 2018 when the board barred Class 10 students from entering exam halls with shoes and socks. While it said the move was aimed at preventing cheating, the critics termed the decision mental torture for examinees.

Dozens of examinees sitting for the BSEB board exams are expelled nearly every year in Bihar for using unfair means. Several people impersonating candidates have also had run-ins with the law.

Bihars learning woes

The never-ending mass cheating problem is just one part of the story. Bihars learning woes have also increased over the years.

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A comparison between the annual status of education reports (ASER) in 2018 and 2022 revealed that the reading levels of students have plunged.

As per a Hindustan Times (HT) report, the percentage of Class 3-5 children who could read a Class 2 level text was 32.8 in 2018. It dropped to 30 per cent in 2022.

In the case of Class 6-8 children, 63.1 per cent of students could read Class 2 text in 2018, while only 61.3 per cent were found to have basic reading skills in 2022, the report added.

Despite an increase in enrolment rates, low attendance of both students and teachers in schools continues to plague Bihar, a 2022 ASER report released last year revealed.

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This came even though infrastructure, midday meal coverage, and other facilities have improved in the state.

ALSO READ: NEET questions leaked: Will arrested aspirants be punished under new anti-paper leak law?

NEET-UG row

The Bihar Police have confirmed the states connection to the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case. According to an India Today report, Mukhiya, the alleged mastermind from Bihar, had accommodated nearly 25 aspirants at a boys hostel linked to Learn Play School in Patna on 4 May, a day before the NEET exam.

The candidates were allegedly given the leaked question paper and answer sheets at this hostel.

The polices economic offences unit said an organised inter-state racket operating in Bihar is responsible for this, reported News18.

Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh addresses a party workers dharna over the NEET-UG and UGC-NET issue, in Bhopal on 21 June 2024. PTI File Photo

The CBI, which has taken over the probe, has registered an FIR in connection with the 2024 NEET paper leak case. While the UGC NET has been cancelled, the Opposition is demanding the same for the 2024 NEET exam.

Arrests have also been made in neighbouring Jharkhand. Two teachers have also been detained in Maharashtra by the Nanded Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) over the matter.

More details are expected in the coming days as the CBIs probe continues.

With inputs from agencies
Sanjeev Mukhiya, a resident of Bihars Nalanda, is believed to be the mastermind of the 2024 NEET-UG paper leak case. He has reportedly been involved in exam fraud for the past 20 years. Heres a look at his role in the medical entrance exams controversy read more

The NEET-UG paper leak row has stunned India. As the probe continues, shocking details are emerging nearly on a daily basis in the case. According to reports, one Sanjeev Mukhiya from Bihar is believed to be the mastermind behind the paper leak of the medical entrance examination.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has increased pressure on the Bihar government over Mukhiyas alleged role in the NEET paper leak case. The party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Manoj Jha has alleged Mukhiyas wife had contested elections on a Janata Dal (United) ticket. He also called for the cancellation of the 2024 NEET UG exam and suggested that the institution named NTA (National Testing Agency) should be thrown into the Bay of Bengal. NTA conducts the NEET paper.

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Who is Sanjeev Mukhiya? Does he have political links?

Whos Sanjeev Mukhiya?

Sanjeev Mukhiya, whose real name is Sanjeev Singh, is a resident of Nagarnausa village in Nalanda district of Bihar.

As per a News18 report, he is a technical assistant at Nalanda Colleges Noorsarai branch. Mukhiya has previously worked at the Sabour Agricultural College.

He came to be addressed as mukhiya after his wife, Mamta Devi, was elected as mukhiya or chief of the Bhuthakhar Panchayat, the report added.

Devi had unsuccessfully contested the 2020 Bihar Assembly election from the Harnaut seat on a (then united) Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) ticket, according to The Hindu.

Sanjeev Mukhiya has been involved in paper leaks for the past 20 years. News18 India

Sanjeev Singh is allegedly part of the Mukhiya Solver Gang, which is involved in recruitment exam frauds and NEET leaks, as per India Today.

Speaking to The Hindu, an official of the Bihar Polices Economic Offences Unit (EOU), said Mukhiya was a fourth-grade employee once and also served as a Panchayat head. He has considerable money and muscle power, the official added.

Mukhiyas son, Shiv Kumar, is a doctor and is currently in jail for his alleged role in a Bihar teacher recruitment exam paper leak case, reported News18. The son is also believed to be part of the notorious gang.

This is not the first time Mukhiya has been accused of being involved in a paper leak case. In fact, he was arrested for the paper leak of the constable recruitment exam conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission in 2016. Moreover, he has reportedly been involved in paper leaks for the past 20 years.

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ALSO READ: NEET, NET rows: How Bihar has gained notoriety for exam cheating

Mukhiyas role in NEET UG paper leak case

As per reports, Mukhiya leaked the 2024 NEET-UG paper.

An EOU official told The Hindu that the accused first received the NEET question papers and answer sheets from a professor on his mobile. We have got the information that Sanjeev Mukhiya, alias Lootan, is the person who first received the question papers and the answer sheets on his mobile from an unknown professor. He is absconding and efforts are on to catch him, the official said, as per the newspaper.

A police source told News18, It was Sanjeev who arranged the question paper and handed it over to one Rocky who is still at large.

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Some accused arrested in the case revealed that about 25 aspirants were given the NEET questions and answer sheets on the eve of the medical entrance examination, which was held on 5 May, for a price of Rs 40 lakh per candidate.

Ayush Kumar, a NEET aspirant detained by the police, made some shocking revelations. Ayush confessed that he had received the NEET-UG question paper on Saturday night, a day before the exam that was held on 5 May. 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.

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Although Mukhiya is on the run, he has not completely vanished. Claiming innocence, he has applied for anticipatory bail through his lawyer in a Patna court.

Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand from Munger, the alleged middlemen in the case, are believed to be working for Mukhiya, the EOU official was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

RJDs allegations

The RJD has been attacking the Bihar government over the NEET paper leaks case, especially since Mukhiyas name cropped up.

The partys handle on X shared purported pictures of Mukhiyas wife, Mamta Devi, with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. Who is protecting the paper leak kingpin and main mastermind, Nalanda resident Sanjeev Mukhiya? Is it not true that Sanjeev Mukhiyas wife has contested elections for the NDA? She has been a JD(U) leader. Dont they have direct access to the Chief Ministers residence?

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       pic.twitter.com/gfrQ3pLfDp  Rashtriya Janata Dal (@RJDforIndia) June 24, 2024

Last week, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, whose aide has been accused of having a link to the NEET-UG paper leak, had asked the EOU to nab Mukhiya and threatened to release images and other documents related to the alleged kingpin that could embarrass the Bihar government.

With inputs from agencies
The probe into the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam continues with the CBI now taking over. Earlier, Bihar Polices officials arrested five people, of which one is believed to be the mastermind behind the exam leak. Authorities say he received a PDF of the solved question paper a day before the exam read more

Bihar's Economic Offences Unit (EOU) personnel leave with the accused arrested in connection with the alleged irregularities in NEET-UG exams 2024 case, after the latter's medical examination at LNJP hospital, in Patna. PTI

The NEET-UG examination scandal, which emerged after a whopping 67 students achieved a perfect score, has led to a massive investigation, which is now been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

On Saturday (22 June), officials from Bihar Polices Economic Offences Unit arrested five people from Jharkhands Deoghar district, including one who it says is the architect of the alleged NEET (UG) 2024 question paper leak.

Heres what investigations into the leak have revealed so far.

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The five arrested

On Saturday (22 June), the Bihar Polices Economic Offences Unit arrested five members from a house near AIIMS-Deoghar in Devipur police station area. The five arrested 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.

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.

One of the five accused who was arrested for the alleged irregularities in NEET-UG exams 2024 case in Patna. PTI

Of the five, Baldev Kumar, who also goes by Chintu, is a close associate of Sanjeev Mukhiya, believed to be the kingpin of an inter-state gang. Incidentally, Mukhiya is also at large at present. An NDTV report has said that Mukhiya may have fled to Nepal after the NEET-UG exam paper scandal broke out.

According to officials, Kumar received the PDF version of the solved question paper on his mobile a day before the exam  the test was conducted on 5 May. He and his accomplices then used a Wi-Fi printer at the Learn Boys Hostel and Play School in Nandlal Chhapra and distributed the copies to aspiring candidates.

The candidates were brought to this location under strict confidentiality, using designated drop-off points and taxis to avoid detection. Mukesh Kumar, the taxi driver, was also arrested, and his vehicle has also been seized.

Burnt pieces of paper  a crucial clue

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Officials have said that burnt pieces of paper found at Learn Boys Hostel and Play School located at Nandlal Chhapra have become crucial clues to reveal the NEET-UG exam leak. They said that the National Testing Agency (NTA) provided a copy of the reference question paper and that matched with the burnt pieces of paper found at the school.

The unique exam centre code on the burnt scraps of paper corresponded to an examination centre in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, which indicates a breach at the distribution level.

EOU officials have also raised questions about the transfer of the papers by Blue Dart couriers and its storage by SBI. In fact, it has recorded statements of employees of Blue Dart, which was entrusted with the responsibility of transporting the question papers, and the State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Hazaribagh, where the question papers were kept.

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A report by The Print citing sources said that the question papers were transported from Ahmedabad to Hazaribagh via Ranchi through Blue Dart. Stored at the local SBI branch, they were then taken to Oasis School in Hazaribagh town through Ravindra Path. The preliminary probe suggests both Blue Dart and SBI did not comply with the norms.

The EOU may now conduct brain mapping and narco-analysis tests of the accused, as per a report by The Hindu.

Students take part in a protest by NSUI over the alleged irregularities in NEET-UG 2024 results, in Chikkamagaluru. PTI

CBI action

On Sunday (23 June), the CBI, after taking over the investigation, filed an FIR and dispatched teams to states. The CBI filed the FIR in connection with alleged irregularities in NEET-UG under IPC sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) among others, following a reference from the Union Education Ministry.

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Moreover, the state governments of Bihar and Gujarat also issued a notification to transfer cases of NEET-UG paper leaks registered by their police to the CBI, paving the way for the central agency to take over the investigation.

Additionally, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has cracked the whip against more students as it debarred 17 from centres in Bihar after detection of malpractices. The agency had earlier debarred 63 candidates for adopting unfair means in the exam. On Saturday, 30 additional candidates from Gujarats Godhara were also debarred.

A political row

The NEET-UG exam leak has also become a political row with the Opposition attacking the government on the issue. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Sunday demanded Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhans resignation.

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Congress Mallikarjun Kharge also said the that Modi government should be questioned on the issue, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged the Modi government has handed over the entire education system to the mafia and the corrupt.

The BJP, however, asserted the government has taken on the NEET issue head on. Meanwhile, the Union education ministrys high-level panel for suggesting exam reforms and reviewing functioning of the National Testing Agency will meet today, as per a PTI news report.

With inputs from agencies
The country of Tajikistan, where over 90 per cent of the population is Muslim, has officially banned hijabs for women. The parliament passed the legislation, terming the head gear as alien to its culture. As per the new law, violators will be penalised with hefty fines  ranging from $747 to $3,724 read more

The country of Tajikistan is making headlines. The Muslim-majority countrys parliament has passed a law, banning the hijab, terming it as alien to its culture.

The move to prohibit the hijab in the Central-Asian nation is the latest in a series of measures by the government to promote a secular national identity.

Heres what we know so far.

New law banning hijab

On 8 May, the lower house of the Tajikistan parliament passed a bill, which was later approved by the upper house on 19 June. The law amends the existing legislation On Regulation of Holidays and Ceremonies and forbids the import, sale, promotion and wearing of clothing deemed foreign to the national culture.

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As per the new law, violators will be fined  anywhere from 7,920 somonis ($747) for individual offenders to 39,500 somonis ($3,724) according to Radio Libertys Tajik service.

The bill also bans Eidi, the custom of children being gifted money during Eid and Navroz, as well as festivities around Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha.

Incidentally, the country, which is home to around 10 million Muslims, has long had an unofficial ban on religious wear in public institutions.

The move has angered many Muslim advocacy groups as well as citizens, who argue that people should be free to choose what clothes they want to wear. Its important to have the freedom to choose our own clothes. There shouldnt be a law ordering us what to wear, Munira Shahidi, an expert on art and culture, told Radio Libertys Tajik service.

The decision has also been slammed by the Union of Islamic Scholars and clerics in Afghanistan, and by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Banning the hijab is a violation of religious freedom and such bans on religious attire should have no place in any nation that respects the rights of its people, CAIR director Corey Saylor was quoted as saying.

Tajik women wearing the Atlas and other traditional dresses celebrating the spring Nowruz festival in Dushanbe. The ban on the hijab is an attempt at protecting Tajiki culture and minimising the visibility of public religiosity. File image/AFP

Reason for the ban

But for a country that is predominantly Muslim, why has the government taken this step? A press release by the Tajik president said that it is aimed at protecting ancestral values and national culture.

According to President Emomali Rahmon, who heads a secular government, the hijab ban is an attempt to protect what he deems as Tajiki culture and minimise the visibility of public religiosity. It is deeply linked to his politics and grip on power.

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In fact, according to Voices of Central Asia, Tajiki clothes are colourful and embroidered and adapted from the Persian style of clothing.

Furthermore, Rahmon, who has been serving as the countrys head since 1994, was part of the Soviet sympathisers, who believed in secularism and even waged war against the countrys ethnoreligious clans.

Even before the ban, the government has been working hard to promote Tajiki culture and dressing. In September 2017, the government activated messages to cell phone users, urging them to wear Tajik national clothes. The messages read: Wearing national dress is a must!, Respect national dress, and Let us make it a good tradition to wear national clothes.

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There are a few other Muslim-majority nations that have also banned hijabs. These include Kosovo, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan. Image used for representational purposes/Reuters

Other similar restrictions

While the hijab ban is now official, Tajikistan has seen several restrictions being passed when it comes to dressing and appearance. In 2007, the Tajik education ministry banned both Islamic clothing and Western-style miniskirts for students. The ban was eventually extended to all public institutions.

Interestingly, President Rahmon began his crusade against hijabs in 2015, when he called them a a sign of poor education. In 2018, the government also came up with a 376-page manual, titled The Guidebook Of Recommended Outfits In Tajikistan, which outlined what women in the country should wear for different occasions.

The list outlines acceptable material, lengths and shapes for dressing. It also bans black garments at funerals; instead it recommends a blue outfit with a white headscarf for such occasions.

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The country has also unofficially banned bushy beards. According to Radio Liberty, thousands of men in the last 10 years have reportedly been stopped by police and had their beards shaved against their will.

There are also laws in the country to restrict Islamic prayer to specific locations.

Muslim countries that ban hijab

Tajikstan isnt the only Muslim country to ban the hijab. Last October, Kazakhstan also made news for contemplating a potential ban on the wearing of Islamic headscarves in public spaces.

Kosovo, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, have banned the burqa and hijab in public schools and universities or for government officials.

Many of the countries have passed such legislation citing public security. However, such bans outlawing people from wearing hijabs is a contravention of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights.

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In fact, the UN Human Rights Committee has upheld that a blanket ban on face coverings and burqas is not compatible with International law and human rights standards, deeming it discriminatory. It further emphasises that the ban is not proportionate to its stated legitimate aim of promoting public safety.

With inputs from agencies
North Korea has been flying balloons since late May into the South. An analysis reveals that many of them had articles printed with Hello Kitty characters, badly worn clothing, and soil containing traces of human faeces and parasites read more

A balloon presumably sent by North Korea, is seen in a paddy field in Incheon, South Korea, on 10 June. File image/AP

Tensions have been high between the two Koreas for some time now. The matter has escalated after North Korea has been sending trash-laden balloons towards its neighbour. The trash war has been going on since late May when North Korea first sent balloons full of garbage which also included clothes donated from the South that were deliberately slashed.

North Korea is again floating (suspected) balloons carrying trash towards the South, reported news agency AFP quoting the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They further advised the public to report any balloons to authorities and refrain from touching them.

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What did the balloons contain?

This time the balloons were full of articles printed with Hello Kitty characters, badly worn clothing, and soil containing traces of human faeces and parasites, South Korea informed on Monday. South Korea has deployed military explosives units and chemical and biological warfare teams to inspect the objects, the Souths Unification Ministry said. The ministry handles affairs related to North Korea.

Parasites and human DNA were found in the dirt in some of the plastic bags, which shows it contained fertiliser that used human faeces, the ministry unification ministry said.

The trash contained worn items of clothing with Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and Hello Kitty characters as well as socks, gloves and childrens clothes that had been heavily patched up, masks with fabric stitched by hand and two layers of shirts sewn together.

Why is North Korea sending trash balloons across the border?

North Korea has said the balloons were retaliation for a propaganda campaign by North Korean defectors and activists in the South who regularly send over balloons carrying food, medicine, money and leaflets criticising the Norths leaders.

Last year, South Koreas Constitutional Court struck down a 2020 law that criminalised the sending of anti-Pyongyang propaganda, calling it an undue limitation on free speech. Experts say there are now no legal grounds for the government to stop activists from sending balloons into North Korea.

North Korea, which suffers a chronic food shortage, depended on South Korea for massive shipments of chemical fertilizer until such aid was suspended in 2007 as Pyongyang accelerated weapons development.

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What was South Koreas reaction?

In response to North Koreas trash balloons, South Korea completely suspended a 2018 military deal with the North, which was meant to reduce tensions between the neighbours.

Authorities in Seoul have condemned the Norths balloons as a low-class act and threatened countermeasures that it said Pyongyang would find unendurable.

With inputs from agencies
Baahubali star Anushka Shetty has revealed that she suffers from a rare laughing disease in which if she starts laughing, she cant stop for the next 15-20 minutes. Medically known as Pseudobulbar Affect, this neurological disorder results in outbursts of uncontrolled laughing or crying that are unrelated to the actual emotional state read more

In a surprising revelation, popular Baahubali actor Anushka Shetty has opened up about her struggle with a rare condition known as Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA), often dubbed the laughing disease.

This disclosure sheds light on a little-known disorder that can significantly impact daily life, even for celebrities like Shetty.

During an interview with Indiaglitz, the 42-year-old star shared her experience with PBA, highlighting the challenges it poses. I have a laughing disease. You might wonder, Is laughing a problem? For me, it is. If I start laughing, I cant stop for 15 to 20 minutes. While watching or shooting comedy scenes, I literally roll on the floor laughing, and the shoot has been halted many times, said Shetty.

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What is the condition and how can it be managed? Lets take a closer look

What is Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA)?

According to Dr Sachin Adukia, Neurologist at The Hiranandani Hospital in Mumbais Powai explained FirstPost, the laughing disease, medically known as Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA), is part of a larger neurological syndrome called Pseudobulbar Palsy.

The Pseudobulbar Affect is a neurological condition that causes outbursts of uncontrolled laughing or crying at moments that are unrelated to his/ her actual emotional state. These sudden outbursts can occur in socially inappropriate situations and could lead to embarrassment, depression, and anxiety causing various social challenges for those who suffer from it, Dr Adukia said.

Apart from triggering emotional responses, the condition also triggers a collection of neurological symptoms.

including defects in speech (dysarthria) and difficulty in swallowing food, and liquids (dysphagia), Dr Adukia added.

What causes the disorder?

Many fibers that control our emotions, the muscles of the face, tongue, and throat, originate from the top of the brain, known as the cortex, and through various neural pathways (medically called as corticobulbar pathways) the signals sent by these fibers travel to the lowest part of the brain. When these pathways are impaired or inhibited, they can result in dysregulated or exaggerated emotions, causing a mismatch between a persons feeling and their way of expression, according to Dr Adukia.

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As per the Cleveland Clinic, diseases or conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, brain tumours, epilepsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimers disease can cause Pseudobulbar Affect.

The condition however if not can also caused by neurological disorders, can be caused by psychological reasons, and is termed as maniac laughing, Dr Alok Mandliya, neurologist at Bombay Hospital, Indore told FirstPost.

Who does it affect?

The condition generally impacts the older population and is extremely uncommon in the younger population, as per Dr Adukia. According to Barrow Neurological Institute, it is estimated that between two million and seven million people in the US have experienced symptoms consistent with Pseudobulbar Affect.

How is it diagnosed?

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Diagnosing PBA can be challenging, as its symptoms often overlap with those of other emotional or psychiatric disorders such as depression or anxiety. A study published in Springer Link found that among patients who discussed their laughing or crying episodes with their doctor, only 41 percent were diagnosed.

However, specific screening tools that are based on a series of questions can help healthcare providers with diagnosis.

According to Everyday Health, a seven-question, self-administered questionnaire known as the Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale (CNS-LS) asks questions about how laughter and crying can help with self-diagnosis. Whereas, another scale called the Pathological Laughter and Crying Scale (PLACS), which is made up of 18 questions and is given by a healthcare professional can help.

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What is the treatment?

Deep, relaxed, and slow breathing can help during laughing episodes. Diverting your mind to another topic could also help. Relaxing the muscles around the shoulder, neck, and chest wall is also helpful, Neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar told The Indian Express.

Apart from this, Support from friends and family is crucial to managing the condition, counselling from professionals can also really help, Dr Adukia said.

He added that there are specific medications that do not cure but can help in controlling the condition. One should consult a doctor for specific treatment and advice, he further said.

With input from agencies
Beijing holds business promotion conference in Ethiopia to augment trade, investment ties

Xinhua) 11:18, June 24, 2024

ADDIS ABABA, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Beijing-Ethiopia business cooperation promotion conference was held Friday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, with a call to further augment trade and investment ties between China and Ethiopia.

The conference, which gathered leaders of hundreds of Chinese and Ethiopian enterprises, served as a platform to look into the extensive potential for trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking at the event, Ethiopia's State Minister of Finance for Economic Cooperation Semereta Sewasew said Ethio-Chinese economic cooperation is based on the principles of mutual benefits, respect and trust between the two nations, greatly contributing to Ethiopia's rapid economic growth.

"Over the past two decades, Chinese firms have successfully implemented more than 70 large and medium projects including two railway projects, power substations and transmission lines and modernization of telecommunication," Sewasew said.

Noting that the Ethio-Chinese economic cooperation began in 1971, the state minister said Ethiopia has accomplished mega projects with the full support of China which include expressways, airport terminals and various manufacturing industries.

She said the Chinese government has been financing development projects in Ethiopia mainly in the form of grants besides lending a helping hand to green development, food security, building hospitals, and offering medical supplies.

Gebeyehu Ganga, director general of the Middle East, Asia and Pacific Affairs at the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said China's unwavering diplomatic commitment to collaborating with Ethiopia has borne fruits through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

"China has been the largest trading partner with Ethiopia and top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country, accounting for nearly 50 percent of all FDI inflow into the country," Ganga said.

He said with strong support from China and other member states of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), Ethiopia's inclusion into the BRICS mechanism will undoubtedly expand its business exchanges and create larger investment opportunities in the East African country.

Yang Yihang, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, said by May 2024, Chinese enterprises had participated in more than 2,000 projects in Ethiopia, with a total investment amounting to 5 billion U.S. dollars and creating about 610,000 job opportunities.

"In the first five months of this year, Chinese enterprises invested over 200 million U.S. dollars in about 100 projects in Ethiopia, creating more than 18,000 local jobs," Yang said.

Indicating that Ethio-Chinese diplomatic relations elevated to the all-weather strategic partnership in October 2023, Yang said there will be a great potential for future cooperation between Beijing and Ethiopia in modern agriculture, biotechnology, infrastructure development, digital economy and operation of industrial parks.

The conference, hosted by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Beijing Sub-Council and Beijing Chamber of International Commerce, also saw the signing of memoranda of Understanding among Chinese and Ethiopian enterprises, aiming at enhancing their business relations, exchanging data and information and organizing joint trade fairs and exhibitions in the future.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan introduced the resolution under Article 3 of the Constitution, stressing on the historical significance of Keralam in Malayalam language and its association with the unity of Malayalam-speaking communities since Indias independence struggle read more

The Kerala state assembly unanimously passed a resolution Monday, reiterating its plea to the central government for a Constitutional amendment to change the states name from Kerala to Keralam, following minor adjustments suggested by the union home ministry.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan introduced the resolution under Article 3 of the Constitution, stressing on the historical significance of Keralam in Malayalam language and its association with the unity of Malayalam-speaking communities since Indias independence struggle.

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The name of our state is written as Kerala in the First Schedule of the Constitution. This Assembly requests the Centre to take immediate steps to amend it as Keralam under Article 3 of the Constitution and have it renamed as Keralam in all the languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, PTI quoted Vijayan saying.

Last year, a similar resolution was unanimously passed on August 9, calling for the name change in both schedules of the Constitution. However, subsequent verification revealed that amendment was only necessary in the First Schedule, prompting the assembly to reiterate its stance through a fresh resolution.

Vijayan also

Chief Minister Pinarayi reiterated that while Keralam is widely recognised in Malayalam, the official records still refer to the state as Kerala.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged that Centre held unilateral deliberations and discussions without consultation and the opinion of the state government on India-Bangladesh water sharing read more

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is wrong to accuse the Centre on water talks with Bangladesh, said sources.

Earlier in the day, Mamata accused the Narendra Modi government of excluding West Bengal from India-Bangladesh talks on Teesta rivers water-sharing and the Farakka Treaty. She made the allegations in a letter to Prime Minister Modi.

I am writing this letter in context of the recent visit of Prime Minister of Bangladesh. It seems that water sharing issues relating to the Ganges and Teesta rivers may have been discussed during the meeting. Such unilateral deliberations and discussions without consultation and the opinion of the state government is neither acceptable nor desirable, said Mamata in the letter, as per PTI.

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Now, sources have told Firstpost that Mamatas allegations are incorrect and proper consultations were held with West Bengal government.

The sources said the Centre on July 24, 2023 sought the West Bengal governments nominee on the Committee for carrying out an Internal Review of the India-Bangladesh Treaty of 1996 on Sharing of the Ganga/Ganges Waters at Farakka.

Following the request, on August 25, the West Bengal government informed the Centre that its nominee will be states Chief Engineer (Design & Research), Irrigation & Waterways Directorate, as per sources.

Then, on April 5, 2024, the Joint Secretary (Works) of the Irrigation & Waterways Department of the West Bengal government conveyed the total demand for the next 30 years from the stretch of downstream of Farakka Barrage, according to the sources.

Therefore, sources have said that due consultations were held with the West Bengal government and Mamatas claims are incorrecnt.

In her letter to Modi, Mamata had expressed strong reservations against the states purported exclusion from the talks.

I love and respect people of Bangladesh and always wish for their well-being I convey my strong reservation that no discussion on sharing of Teesta water and the Farakka Treaty should be taken up with Bangladesh without the involvement of the state government. The interest of people in West Bengal is paramount, which should not be compromised at any cost, said Mamata.
The three additional Kalvari-class submarines, which are under negotiation, will be larger than their predecessors and will come equipped with latest electronics that will provide them better strength as well as longer endurance read more

State-owned Mazagon Dockyard Limited (MDL) is said to be in advanced discussions with the Defence Ministry for a potential Rs 35,000-crore deal on acquiring additional Kalvari-class (Scorpene) submarines for the Indian Navy. The pact will help boost Indias underwater strength.

A report by The Economic Times quoted sources as saying that the three additional Kalvari-class submarines, which are under negotiation, will be larger than their predecessors and will come equipped with latest electronics that will provide them better strength as well as longer endurance.

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The report further said that the technological advances in propulsion will also be integrated on the new submarines, which will be able to cover a longer distance than their predecessors that have reached as far as Australia as part of operational deployment

A detailed techno-commercial bid for the contract has also been submitted by the MDL to the Ministry of the Defence, the report said. The contract promised at least 60 per cent indigenous content in the new boats, with the maximum amount of work being given to Indian sub suppliers as well as the MSME sector.

The report mentioned the source as saying that the final price is yet to be determined between MDL and the defence ministry after negotiations, the deal could be valued around Rs 35,000 crore, in line with international prices of the new submarines of the class.

The order is also being said to create nearly 5,000 jobs over the years.

MDL as well as its suppliers are expected to gain significant technology transfer that would pave a path for future submarines of the class to be fully designed, developed and manufactured indigenously.

At present, MDL is constructing the Kalvari class of submarines under Project 75 with the help of France and the sixth and the final one is expected to be delivered by the end of 2024.

The additional submarines, as proposed, could be delivered within six years.
A bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti, hearing Kejriwals stay application, said: We deem it appropriate that the case be listed the day after and if High Court passes an order meanwhile, then let that be brought on record read more

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will have to remain in jail a bit longer even after Rouse Avenue court granted him bail last week. The Supreme Court, on Monday, said it will hear Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenors plea against Delhi High Court stay order on his bail on Wednesday (June 26).

On June 21, the Delhi HC reserved orders on the Enforcement Directorates appeal and informed that it would pronounce its verdict in a couple of days. In the meantime, the trial court order was stayed, the high court said.

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A bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti, hearing the stay application, said: We deem it appropriate that the case be listed the day after and if High Court passes an order meanwhile, then let that be brought on record.

Why SC cant stay Delhi HC order?

During the arguments on Monday, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the Delhi HC did not wait for the trial courts bail order before putting a hold on it.

If the High Court can stay it without seeing the order, why cant your lordships stay the High Court order he argued.

Justice Misra retorted to this, saying: If the High Court has committed a mistake, should we repeat it?

Singhvi went on to say that the stay on the bail order was unprecedented and declared that Kejriwal was not a flight risk. The bench indicated that the final order could be expected imminently and advised all parties to wait patiently. At this, Singhvi raised concerns about the loss of time after obtaining bail.

Why cant I be free in the interim? I have a judgment in my favour, Singhvi said.

Justice Misra replied: If we pass an order now, we will be prejudging the issue. It is not a subordinate court, it is a High Court.

Normally, in stay applications, orders are not reserved. They are passed on spot. It is a bit unusual. Anyway, we will have it day after tomorrow, Justice Misra said.

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Questioning the urgency, the apex court asked why waiting for a day would be problematic.

On June 20, Delhis Rouse Avenue Court granted bail to Kejriwal to Kejriwal in now-scrapped Delhi excise policy case. Vacation Judge Niyay Bindu asked the Delhi CM to furnish a bail bond of Rs 1 lakh.

The ED had requested the court to grant it 48 hours to accept bail bonds so that order can be challenged in the higher court.

However, the judge refused to stay the order and said that the bail bond is to be produced before the duty judge on Friday.

The very next morning (Friday, June 21), the ED filed a petition challenging the trial courts order and argued that it did not get adequate time to make its case against Kejriwals bail plea in the trial court.

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After hearing the EDs plea the high court reserved the order on Kejriwals bail.

Kejriwal was arrested by ED on March 21 in the money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy of 2021-22, on allegations that he conspired to deliberately leave loopholes in the policy for the benefit of certain liquor sellers.

The ED alleged that Kejriwals party  AAP  used kickbacks received for this arrangement to fund its elections in Goa. The Delhi CM counter-alleged that the probe agency has no proof to back up its allegations and that it is running an extortion racket.

Kejriwal was granted interim bail after a May 10 order by the Supreme Court so that he could campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He returned to jail on June 2.

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With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modis participation in the G7 summit sent the message that his plans and ambitions for India had not been affected by the election results and that he remained firmly in charge read more

The G7 is a club of Western nations (with Japan given that status as an ally of the West and a major economy) that have dominated the world and its institutions, in some cases for centuries, and retain the ambition to maintain that position by policy coordination amongst themselves and by co-opting rising powers, including India, given the shifts in global power in recent decades.

The G7 recognised that they could not manage the 2008 financial crisis on their own and needed a wider international partnership, but one under their aegis. With this in mind, the G20 forum hitherto at the finance minister level was raised to summit level. The G20 agenda is, however, shifting increasingly towards the interests and priorities of the developing countries (now being referred to as the Global South). During Indias G20 presidency, with India holding the Voice of the Global South summits before presiding over the G20 and at the conclusion of its work, and with the inclusion of the African Union as a G20 permanent member at Indias initiative, the pro-Global South content of the G20 agenda has got consolidated.

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The functioning of the G20, already under strain because of the collapse of G7 ties with Russia as well as the challenges from China, will become increasingly difficult because global geopolitical divisions have become even sharper. Finding common ground in the G20 between the G7 on the one hand, and Russia and China on the other, will not be easy. The other G20 members have major stakes in both camps and are unwilling to take sides for reasons of national interest and geopolitical strategy. This is just as well, because otherwise the G20 will get divided into two blocs and become dysfunctional much like the UN Security Council. It is the Global South members of the G20, unaffiliated to either of the two antagonist parties, that can still help preserve the geopolitical rationale and utility of the G20.

Both the G7 and the G20, however, face challenges from other platforms for consensus building on global issues. BRICS, a group of non-Western countries, is getting expanded to resist the hegemony of the West that is still expressing itself in the form of sanctions, the weaponising of finance, regime change policies and double standards in addressing issues of democracy and human rights etc. An expanded BRICS will rival both the G7 and the G20 as a platform for promoting multipolarity, a greater role of developing countries in global governance, more equity in international relations, and introducing much needed reforms in the international system.

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It is in this general background that Prime Minister Modi participated in the recent G7 summit. It was important that he did so even though the event was taking place soon after the national elections in India in which, contrary to expectations, the BJP failed to get a majority of its own, unlike in 2014 and 2019. To counter the impression that he had been politically weakened, Modi needed to affirm at the international level that he had obtained a massive democratic mandate to govern and that it would be business as usual. He needed to exude a sense of confidence and self-assurance, and use the occasion to highlight some policy priorities of his government. The opportunity to interact with the leaders of the principal Western countries and Japan could obviously not be missed, especially as India has major equities in the G7 countries, whether political, economic, defence-related, technology-centred, diasporic, and so on.

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Modis reduced electoral mandate obviously has domestic political implications but is not very material in the context of participation in international meetings like the G7. Almost all the G7 leaders have seen a major erosion of their domestic political base and public image, be it Biden (may not win in the election this year and appears to have cognitive problems), Macron (low in polls and highly contested politically at home), Kishida (plagued by party scandals), Sunak (widely expected to be out of power after the elections in July), Trudeau (in minority and dependent on the NDP for political survival) or Scholz (heads a coalition government and is viewed as weak). Meloni too heads a coalition government. Compared to them Modi, having won a rare third term in a democracy and in power for another five years, appears much better positioned.

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It does not diminish Indias or Modis stature to be invited to G7 summits as part of the outreach programme of the group, contrary to some sundry comments. India too has used its presidency, be it of BRICS or G20 to invite non-members as part of its own outreach diplomacy. Good and growing relations with most G7 countries is vital for Indias rise as a power. But India has to be aware of the limits to the India-G7 relationship, and the need to balance this relationship with our other ties.

All G7 countries are either NATO members or military allies. The G7 is becoming a vehicle for promoting Cold War type geopolitics, as is attested by the paragraphs on Russia and the Ukraine conflict in the summit document. As a collective it is not credible as an instrument of major reform of the international system or of multipolarity (though we cooperate with Japan and Germany for an expansion of the permanent membership of the UN Security Council, and countries like France support a multipolar world). Some of these G7 countries shelter anti-Indian elements, attack us on democracy and human rights issues, and their press, think tanks, academics and civil society are generally antagonistic towards us.

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Modi used the G7 platform to, first of all, address indirectly the rampant criticism in G7 countries about the backsliding of democracy in India under his leadership. He highlighted to his interlocutors the enormous scale of the democratic exercise that has returned him to power: More than 2,600 political parties, more than one million polling booths, more than five million Electronic Voting Machines, 15 million polling staff, and about 970 million voters, out of which 640 million people exercised their franchise.

Modi refuted indirectly domestic doubts about EVM manipulation by pointing out that the entire electoral process was made fair and transparent by the ubiquitous use of technology, and that the results of such a large election were also declared within a few hours. He called it the biggest festival of democracy in the world and the biggest in the history of humanity. He was not deterred from calling it a living example of our ancient values as the mother of democracy.

Refuting any impression that the electoral results were a setback for him, Modi said that he was fortunate that the people of India have given me the opportunity to serve them for the third consecutive time, that this has happened for the first time in India in the last six decades and that this historic victory is a victory of democracy. It is a victory of the entire democratic world. He communicated a sense of triumph, rather than conveying any sense of being politically weakened.

At the outreach G7 meeting, Modi chose to focus on the transformative impact of technologies on human society. He called for ensuring collectively that the benefits of technology reached all sections of society, and that monopoly in technology was converted into mass usage. India, he said, was striving for a better future through its human-centric approach. It was among the first few countries to formulate a National Strategy on Artificial Intelligence. As a founding member and lead chair of the Global Partnership for AI, India was promoting cooperation among all countries.

The other theme of importance for discussion at the G7 summit being energy, Modi noted that India was the first country to fulfil before time all the commitments made under COP. To usher in a Green Era, India, he said, had started Mission LiFE i.e. Lifestyle For Environment, of which a campaign to make tree plantation a mass movement: Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (One Tree in Mothers Name) was a part.

Finally, he reiterated the resolve to build a developed India by 2047, with no section of the society left behind in the countrys development journey. Harking back to Indias G20 presidency, he recalled that the countries of the Global South were bearing the brunt of global uncertainties and tensions, and that India had considered it its responsibility to place the priorities and concerns of the countries of the Global South on the world stage. A high priority to Africa was being given in these efforts (African issues have been extensively covered in the G7 summit document). Modi expressed his intention to continue dialogue and cooperation with the G7 on all the issues mentioned in his address.

All in all, Modis participation in the G7 summit sent the message that his plans and ambitions for India had not been affected by the election results and that he remained firmly in charge.

Kanwal Sibal is a former Indian Foreign Secretary. He was Indias Ambassador to Turkey, Egypt, France and Russia. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The Russia-North Korea pact seems to be in direct retaliation to the Wests policy of isolating Pyongyang because of its nuclear programme and the rumoured supply of high-precision and advanced weapons to Ukraine with permission to use them to target areas inside Russia read more

In the past few days, we have been inundated by pictures and videos of a blossoming closeness between a portly middle-aged Asian man and a somewhat long-in-the-tooth older East European man, exhibiting adorable acts that suggest a seemingly endearing and harmless friendship.

They have been seen bonding over animals, gazing at dogs over a rose-covered fence. They fed carrots to horses together and taken turns to drive each other around in a limousine manufactured by the latters country, Russia, laughing and joking. A picture of ultimate geniality. Gifts have been exchanged. We have even seen cutesy videos of them waving each other good-bye shyly from the window of an aircraft. So, is this another sweet Hollywood feel-good movie about two men bonding in middle age, or is the truth more sinister?

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The reality is that these two men are two of the worlds most powerful and feared heads of state. Kim Jong Un of North Korea and Vladimir Putin, President of Russia. Far from being a harmlessly delightful rendezvous, the two met in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, earlier this week and signed off a strategic partnership defence pact, taking the world by surprise. This has come after several rounds of talks over months, as said by the Kremlin.

This pact seems to be in direct retaliation to the Wests policy of shunning North Korea because of its development of nuclear and ballistic missiles defying UN sanctions and the formers rumoured supply of high-precision and advanced weapons to Ukraine with permission to use them to target areas inside Russia.

Russia and North Korea have even vowed to help each other in case of a third-party military attack, with Putin also promising to send weapons to North Korea if required. The United States and Ukraine claim that North Korea has already given Russia a notable amount of artillery shells and ballistic missiles, a claim that has since been refuted by the Kremlin.

This has thrown the rest of the world into a frenzy, with people hailing this friendship as the beginning of a new kind of axis powers.

This is no new friendship, though. Russia and North Korea have been pals for a while.

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The Soviet Union, or USSR (the predecessor to the Russian Federation), was the first to recognise North Korea, or DPRK (Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea), on October 12, 1948, right after its declaration as the sole legitimate authority in all of Korea. North Korea was supported by the Soviet Union during the Korean War, and the overarching personality cult around North Koreas ruling family was heavily influenced by Stalinism.

Friendly relations between the two continued beyond the dissolution of the Soviet Union, with the cooperation again regaining importance after Putin was elected President of Russia in 2000. They also share a border along the lower Tumen River that is 17 km long and was formed in 1860 when Tsar Alexander II acquired Ussuriland from the Quing dynasty in China during the Convention of Peking.

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In 2022, North Korea became the first state to recognise the legitimacy of the breakaway states of Donetsk and Luhansk Peoples Republic in Eastern Ukraine in support of Russia, after which Ukraine ended their diplomatic ties with North Korea. In 2024, North Korea also sent workers to Russia, who were suffering the consequences of a depleted workforce due to the war.

In spite of their obvious camaraderie, Russia and North Korea, though their relationship cannot exactly be termed tumultuous, have had their ups and downs.

Between 1945 and 1948, when Japans colonial rule of Korea came to an end with Japans defeat in the Second World War, the Korean peninsula was divided into a Soviet-backed North and a US-backed South. In the North, the Soviets installed a guerrilla leader, Kim Il Sung (Kim Jong Uns grandfather), as the leader.

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During the 1950s and 1960s, the Soviet Union continued to provide assistance, both financial and military, to North Korea, but relations soured as Kim Il Sung fiercely ejected pro Soviet factions in North Korea in order to establish himself as the indisputed and unchallengeable leader. The King of the North, if you will.

In the 1970s, as tensions increased between the Soviet Union and China, North Korea followed a medial policy that allowed North Korea to leverage the escalating agitations between the two communist giants and extract aid from both.

In the 1980s, once Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union began to reduce aid to North Korea and instead opened dialogue with South Korea, which also started building relations with other communist countries in Eastern Europe, which left North Korea politically and diplomatically somewhat isolated.

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During the early 1990s, when the Soviet Union collapsed, North Korea lost its biggest benefactor. Boris Yeltsins post-communist government in Russia increasingly started withdrawing its investments in North Korea.

In 1994, after Kim Il Sungs death, North Korea experienced calamitous famines that killed hundreds of thousands of their citizens.

In the 2000s, once Putin was elected to office in Russia, his agenda was to mend relations with North Korea. Putin visited North Korea in July of the year 2000 to meet Kim Jong Il (the son of Kim Il Sung), and the two deeply criticised the United States and their missile defence plans.

This visit set the tone for a future common agenda to restore friendly relations between the two states and showed the world an alliance against Western capitalism and its powers.

Despite this, in the years to follow in the 2000s, Russia did support UN sanctions against North Korea over their budding nuclear programme.

In 20112012, after Kim Jong IIs death and his son Kim Jong Uns succession as the leader of North Korea, Russia agreed to waive off North Koreas staggering $11 billion debt.

In 201617, following reports of Kim Jong Uns accelerated nuclear and missile tests, Russia once again supported sanctions against them.

In retaliation to this, Kim Jong Un in 2018 tried to open diplomatic dialogue with the US to leverage his nuclear programme agenda, but after his second meeting with then US President Donald Trump, relations once again became strained over the US sanctions on North Korea. After this, Kim Jong Un travelled to Russia in 2019 to once again mend fences and attend his first summit with Putin in the Russian city of Vladivostok.

Relations between the two states only go on to improve in 2022, when Kim Jong Un uses the Russia-Ukraine conflict to further North Koreas weapons tests while simultaneously blaming the West for the ongoing war. Russia also joins hands with China to block the United States attempts at the Security Council to strengthen sanctions on North Korea over its rapidly advancing missile tests.

In 2023, Kim meets Putin in Russia for their first summit since 2019, while international reports follow that military exchanges between North Korea and Russia sharply increased after this.

On October 18, 2023, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited North Korea and openly declared Russias gratitude to North Korea for their unwavering support for the campaign in Ukraine.

On March 8, 2024, Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that effectively terminated the monitoring of sanctions against North Koreas nuclear programme.

On June 19, Putin arrives in Russia, and a day later, after many public displays of friendship and warmth between the two leaders, they sign this formidable strategic defence pact.

Whats next, you might ask, in this long alliance of camaraderie and occasional hiccups?

The friendly relations between North Korea and Russia have emerged as a strong strategic fortress for preserving international justice and peace and an engine for accelerating the building of a new multipolar world, declared the Korean Central News Agency. The world is waiting and watching with bated breath.

The author is a freelance journalist and features writer based out of Delhi. Her main areas of focus are politics, social issues, climate change and lifestyle-related topics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Indian leaders must ask themselves why so many foreign firms, with China having ruined Hong Kong, now turn to any country besides India read more

One China, Two Systems was a mantra Beijing embraced after the United Kingdoms 1997 handover of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty, ending more than 150 years of British control. Under terms of the agreement, Hong Kong would be a Special Administrative Region for 50 years, enjoying its own democratic system and free-market economy distinct from the Chinese Communist Partys command and kleptocratic approach.

For Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang, it was a dream deal. The Chinese leader probably never expected the British government to forfeit Hong Kong so readily. Unlike other colonial territories, there was no groundswell of popular support to cease their British identity. If put to a vote, Hong Kong citizens would endorse the status quo. Put another way, Hong Kong was more analogous to the Falkland Islands than it was to India. China was also far from the economic powerhouse it would become just a decade later. The 50-year pause before the transition enabled China to benefit from Hong Kongs economic engine while providing the Communist leadership with an excuse not to ruin it.

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Of course, it did not last. In 2020, Chinese Communist authorities in Beijing passed a sweeping national security law that eviscerated Hong Kongs freedoms and protections. Seeing the writing on the wall, a trickle of banks and corporate offices began to relocate, many to Singapore. As the Chinese crackdown continued under Xi Jinping, this became a deluge.

By 2023, Singapore hosted regional headquarters for 4,200 multinational companies, more than three times the number of those that make Hong Kong home. Microsoft, Google, FedEx, Apple, CitiGroup, and Rolls-Royce now maintain regional headquarters in Singapore. Driving around Singapore is to see brand new apartment blocks, office towers, and entire new neighbourhoods built to accommodate the flow of internationals fleeing Hong Kong.

Vietnam and Taiwan have also benefited as manufacturers flee Hong Kong for more business-friendly environs. Today, Vietnam is a regional hub for Unilever, Procter & Gamble, IBM, Microsoft, Honda, and Samsung. Vietnamese gross domestic product growth has averaged nearly seven per cent annually over the last decade. Even during Covid-19, growth continued, albeit at a reduced rate of 2.5 per cent.

As PM Narendra Modi begins his second decade as prime minister, he has already secured a legacy as Indias most consequential leader since Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. Infrastructure investment has enabled India to jump-start its economy, which is now on pace to surpass Japans and Germanys to become the worlds third-largest. The proportion of Indians living in poverty has halved over the last five years. Less than three per cent of the population lives in extreme poverty as defined by the United Nations.

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Indias human capital is perhaps the best in the world; indeed, cutting-edge American industries such as rocket science, superconducting ceramics, and nanotechnology depend upon Indian emigres and graduate students. It is no coincidence that Huntsville, Alabama, aka rocket city, has both the greatest per capita number of engineering degrees in the United States and a disproportionately large Indian community.

Alas, while India hosts its share of multinationals ranging from Amazon, Apple, IBM, and Google to Indias own Tata Group and Aditya Birla Group, its capture of the share of businesses relocating from Hong Kong pales behind Singapore. That India lags in its multinational capture as so many companies flee China or adopt a China plus one strategy to hedge their bets represents opportunity lost. Vietnam may have human capital, but its potential workforce is still only a fraction of Indias. That Vietnam remains a one-party socialist dictatorship and still captures a large share of businesses fleeing China suggests Hanoi is doing something right to ease bureaucracy to attract multinational business that New Delhi is not.

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For India to profit from de-risking China should not only be an economic issue, but also a national security one. The more external firms that call India home, the more India will enjoy global diplomatic influence beyond simply its regional military power. As China continues to encroach on Indian territory, as Pakistan continues to sponsor both terrorism and Khalistani separatism, and as Turkey and Canada fan the twin flames of Islamist radicalisation and Hinduphobia, Indias ability to leverage multinational firms influence in home capitals will become ever more important. The fact that such firms not only contribute to Indias tax base but also create a climate within which small and medium enterprises can grow and thrive should only make the imperative to attract multinationals more compelling.

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To approach the entrance of foreign firms to the Indian market through the lens of economic protectionism and sovereignty is to miss a huge opportunity. Indian leaders must ask themselves why so many foreign firms, with China having ruined Hong Kong, now turn to any country besides India. The answer to that question and the implementation of policies to remove the hurdles will determine whether India will remain simply a regional power or truly rise to become a global economic superpower.

Michael Rubin is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Apple is unlikely to launch several key features  iPhone Mirroring, SharePlay Screen Sharing enhancements, and most crucially, Apple Intelligence  in Europe this year read more

the EU labelled Apple as a gatekeeper, requiring the company to make platform-level changes, such as allowing third-party app stores on the iPhone. Image Credit: Apple

This September, Apple is set to release significant updates with the introduction of Apple Intelligence and other new features in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. However, European users might not be able to access some of these exciting updates.

Apples new features, such as Math Notes in iPadOS, generative AI Genmojis, inline AI writing assistance, and advanced image editing tools, have been highly anticipated since their unveiling at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 in California. These innovations showcased Apples commitment to integrating artificial intelligence into its products, thrilling developers and users alike.

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Initially, it seemed that these AI features would be available worldwide, with the understanding that they would work in US English. However, it turns out that the rollout in Europe faces significant obstacles due to regulatory issues, particularly the EUs Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The DMA aims to ensure that major tech companies like Apple, Google, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft do not misuse their market power. Last year, the EU labelled Apple as a gatekeeper, requiring the company to make platform-level changes, such as allowing third-party app stores on the iPhone. Apple complied, albeit reluctantly, leading to a strained relationship with European regulators.

Now, due to these regulatory challenges, Apple is unlikely to launch several key features  iPhone Mirroring, SharePlay Screen Sharing enhancements, and most crucially, Apple Intelligence  in Europe this year.

Apple explained its position in a statement to TechRadar: Due to the regulatory uncertainties brought about by the Digital Markets Act (DMA), we do not believe that we will be able to roll out three of these features  iPhone Mirroring, SharePlay Screen Sharing enhancements, and Apple Intelligence  to our EU users this year.

Apples primary concern is that the interoperability requirements of the DMA might force the company to compromise the integrity of its products, potentially affecting user privacy and data security. Apple emphasized its commitment to user safety and privacy, stating that it is working with the European Commission to find a solution that would allow these features to be introduced without compromising these principles.

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Apples focus on privacy is evident in its new AI products. The company has introduced the concept of Private Cloud Compute, where its largest generative models will reside, ensuring the same level of data privacy and security whether the models operate locally or in the cloud. Apple fears that if the EU demands interoperability with third-party cloud providers, it could undermine these protections.

Interestingly, while the DMA specifically designates Apple as a gatekeeper for iOS and iPadOS, macOS is now also affected due to the new iPhone mirroring feature, which allows users to display their iPhone screen on a Mac. This feature was well-received for its innovative approach but now faces regulatory scrutiny.

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Despite the challenges, Apple is still in discussions with the EU to reach a compromise. The company hopes that an agreement might be reached in time for the launch of Apple Intelligence later this summer. However, it seems unlikely that a resolution will be found in time for the planned beta release of iPhone Mirroring and SharePlay screen-sharing updates on June 24.

The situation underscores the complex relationship between tech giants and regulators, particularly in the EU. Apples predicament highlights the broader tension between innovation and regulation, as companies strive to introduce cutting-edge technologies while complying with stringent regulatory frameworks.

As the tech world eagerly anticipates the rollout of these new features, European users may have to wait a bit longer to experience the full benefits of Apples latest advancements. The ongoing negotiations between Apple and the EU will be crucial in determining when, and if, these features will be available to users in Europe. For now, the rest of the world will get a taste of Apples AI-driven future, while Europe remains on standby.
This collaboration bewteen Qatars Ooredoo & NVIDIAs will help Qatar offer its clients in Qatar, Algeria, Tunisia, Oman, Kuwait, and the Maldives direct access to NVIDIAs AI and graphics processing technology read more

While the US allows some NVIDIA technology exports to the Middle East, it restricts the export of the companys most advanced chips. Image Credit: Reuters

NVIDIA has struck a deal with Qatari telecom giant Ooredoo to implement its artificial intelligence (AI) technology in data centres across five Middle Eastern countries, according to Ooredoos CEO.

This collaboration marks NVIDIAs first major initiative in a region where the US has restricted the export of advanced chips to prevent Chinese firms from indirectly obtaining the latest AI technology.

The agreement will position Ooredoo as the first company in the region to offer clients in Qatar, Algeria, Tunisia, Oman, Kuwait, and the Maldives direct access to NVIDIAs AI and graphics processing technology. This, as stated by Ooredoo, will provide a significant edge in deploying generative AI applications.

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Ronnie Vasishta, NVIDIAs senior vice president of telecoms, highlighted that this technology will enable Ooredoo to better support its customers. Speaking to Reuters, Ooredoos CEO Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo claimed that NVIDIAs B2B clients, because of this agreement, will have access to services that will take at least 18 to 24 months for NVIDIAs competitors to come up with.

The finer details, especially the financials of the deal, which was signed on June 19, were not disclosed. Additionally, Ooredoo did not specify which NVIDIA technologies would be installed in their data centres, stating that it depends on availability and customer needs.

While the US allows some NVIDIA technology exports to the Middle East, it restricts the export of the companys most advanced chips. Despite these limitations, the partnership is expected to significantly enhance Ooredoos capabilities.

Ooredoo is investing $1 billion to expand its data centre capacity by an additional 20-25 megawatts, on top of the current 40 megawatts. The company aims to nearly triple this capacity by the end of the decade. This investment is part of Ooredoos broader strategy, which recently included separating its data centres into a standalone entity. Last year, Ooredoo partnered with Kuwaits Zain and Dubais TASC Towers Holding to create the Middle Easts largest tower company.

Future plans for Ooredoo include creating a separate entity for its undersea cables and fiber network, further strengthening its infrastructure and service offerings.

This partnership between NVIDIA and Ooredoo represents a significant advancement in bringing advanced AI technology to the Middle East, setting a new standard for the regions tech landscape and providing a competitive edge to Ooredoos clients.
Intel is working on some seriously impressive stuff in partnership with manufacturing partners that is set to revolutionise what we think of personal computers read more

In a recent trip to Taipei, Intel invited a few journalists from across the world on a tour of their secret facility where they develop and test the latest tech that would become a part of their Evo class of laptops.

Evo, at its core, is a certification by Intel that sets some parameters for laptop manufacturers, especially those that are making thin-and-light devices, which ensures a premium user experience through specific criteria, including fast wake times, extended battery life, and of course, solid, bankable performance. The current Evo standard has also mandated a few advanced connectivity options like Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 6e. Laptops with the Evo badge have to meet rigorous standards for real-world usage, focusing on mobility, multitasking, and superior performance.

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During the tour, not only did we see how Intel validates and helps laptop manufacturers and EOMs with their latest generation of Evo laptops, but also, some of the new tech that Intel is working on, along with their partners. Here are the four tests or rather technology developments that Intel has been working on, that caught our eye.

Using WiFi for a completely new application

WiFi has become an essential part of our daily lives. Since the launch of the first WiFi-enabled PCs in 2003, thanks to Intels Centrino platform, wireless internet connectivity has been integral to our technological advancements. Today, its hard to imagine functioning without WiFi, which is almost synonymous with the internet itself.

Currently, Intel mandates that all Evo laptops must support WiFi 6E. They are also working to make WiFi 7 the new standard, which is already available but typically reserved for high-end, special-use laptops.

However, Intel sees WiFi as more than just a means of connectivity. Intel is reimagining WiFi to enable laptops to detect the presence of an authorized user and respond accordingly.

Imagine this scenario: youre working on a highly confidential document. Suddenly, you need to step away from your workstation. In a few iterations, Intels Evo laptops are likely to come equipped with advanced motion and presence-sensing features, using which, the laptop will automatically go to sleep as soon as a user leaves their workstation, and will only wake up when they return. A feature like this is a great way to ensure that data remains protected from prying eyes. This innovative use of WiFi technology aims to enhance security and convenience in our daily computing activities.

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Making laptop cameras better

Historically, the integrated cameras on laptops have, in most cases, been a letdown. However, tech reviewers have noticed a significant improvement in laptops that come with Intels Evo certifications.

Inside Intels Camera Lab for Evo laptops. Here, they test integrated laptop cameras for their colour accuracy and adaptability to various conditions. Image Credit: Intel

The secret lies in Intels rigorous testing and fine-tuning of integrated cameras to handle various conditions while maintaining consistent image and video quality.

For the upcoming Evo laptops, Intel has been testing integrated cameras on multiple factors and in various lighting conditions. For example, they assess an RGB cameras ability to reproduce colours accurately, adjust white balance and automatically without issues, and avoid image artefacts. Based on these findings, which are shared with laptop manufacturers and OEM partners, necessary adjustments are made to ensure a superior user experience.

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Intel has designed various tests to push the integrated cameras to their limits. They are also working on some really new, AI-based features for the camera. Image Credit: Intel

Intel also works extensively on IR cameras, which complement the main RGB camera in many situations. Not many people know this, but Intel worked closely with Microsoft to develop Windows Hello, a key security feature in PCs today. This collaboration is a major reason why laptop manufacturers must support Windows Hello and prioritise security in order to qualify for an Evo certification.

Additionally, Intel is testing new AI features to enhance camera performance, such as removing artefacts caused by inadequate lighting and improving various Windows Studio Effects.

Using AI to push PCs to their limits, failure test and debug them

Laptops and notebooks are becoming thinner and more powerful every day, resulting in lengthy and tightly managed development cycles. Integrating various components with different specifications and tolerances, along with operating systems that receive constant updates and patches, is a monumental task. For laptop manufacturers seeking Intels Evo certification, maintaining high performance in this fast-paced environment is essential.

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To assist their manufacturing partners, Intel prioritises performance by testing and validating products to their limits, in a process they call failure testing.

Inside the room where Intel runs their Failure Testing programme. Intel pushed the laptop through a gauntlet of benchmarks that are designed to take the laptop well beyond its comfort zone in terms of performance. Image Credit: Intel

Intel has devised an ingenious method to test multiple PC configurations using AI. This approach pushes systems to their limits, identifies bugs, and debugs them while meticulously logging every detail.

Each laptop undergoes rigorous testing, with cameras recording its performance and a separate system logging everything happening inside. These datasets are then analyzed, allowing Intels engineers to fine-tune the laptops and share their findings with manufacturing partners. This process ensures that the laptops perform flawlessly every time they are used.

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This method significantly reduces the resources and time needed for testing, thereby lowering costs. More importantly, it frees up skilled engineers to focus on more critical tasks.

The sound of magic

Intel is also making significant strides in audio technology for wired and wireless audio, as well as the native speaker system in a laptop.

From reducing latency to improving codecs for wireless headsets, Intel is working on multiple fronts, both hardware and software.

For example, they have developed their own set of testing and diagnostic tools, including the Speech Platform Evaluation Toolset (SPET), designed to improve laptop microphone quality. SPET ensures that a users voice is captured consistently during applications like video calls, regardless of how they move.

Intels hemi-anechoic chamber is one of the quietest places on Earth. It is here where they fine-tune the speakers that their manufacturing partners plan to use in their upcoming Evo laptops. Image Credit: Intel

Intel also has a specially designed hemi-anechoic chamber for testing laptop speakers. This room is so quiet that one can hear their own heartbeat when inside. The chamber allows Intel to meticulously assess and refine the audio performance of laptops, and work on a number of features. While loudness is one factor, what sets Evo-certified laptops apart is the depth and character of their sound.

Intel is also focusing on spatial awareness in the sound stage or simply put, spatial audio, to create a rich and immersive audio experience. This attention to detail in sound quality makes Evo laptops stand out, providing users with exceptional audio whether theyre on a call or watching a movie.

Intel is taking a rather innovative approach to stand out from its competition: by pushing the boundaries of laptops and what makes them click, while also pushing the boundary with their thin and light form factor.

More importantly, though, they are working on new applications for an already existing technology, and making the experience of using a laptop better, rather than just chasing specification bumps every year.

By focusing on security, performance, and user experience, Intel continues to set new standards for Evo-certified laptops, ensuring that they meet the highest expectations of modern users.

One thing is for sure  the future of the PC, is exciting indeed.

Note: Intel flew the author to Taipei, Taiwan to cover Computex 2024, and the Intel Tech Tour 2024.
Steve Endacott, chairman of the AI company Neural Voice, is vying for a seat in the UK Parliament with an extraordinary twist: his campaign is spearheaded by an AI avatar named AI Steve read more

If AI Steve encounters a question on a topic for which Endacott does not yet have a policy, the AI will research the issue, engage in further discussions with voters, and even encourage them to suggest policies. Image Credit: Reuters

Last week we saw a rather bizarre development coming out of the US, specifically, the state of Wyoming  a man running for a mayoral office, on the promise that he would let an AI take all decisions if he is elected. Essentially, an AI bot would have the final say on some crucial matters of the state. Now, we are seeing something similar happen in the UK as it moves closer to its general elections this year.

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Steve Endacott, chairman of the AI company Neural Voice, is vying for a seat in the UK Parliament with an extraordinary twist: his campaign is spearheaded by an AI avatar named AI Steve.

Endacott is a candidate in the Brighton Pavilion constituency and describes himself as a real politician who will enter Parliament guided by his AI counterpart, AI Steve.

Central to this groundbreaking campaign is the use of AI to forge a politician who is always available to constituents, keenly listening to their concerns and integrating their feedback into policy decisions.

AI Steve, driven by Neural Voices advanced language model and a comprehensive database of Endacotts party policies, allows voters to interact directly through its website. Constituents can ask AI Steve questions or express their opinions on Endacotts platform. The AI avatar responds both in voice and text, using its extensive knowledge to provide well-informed answers.

If AI Steve encounters a question on a topic for which Endacott does not yet have a policy, the AI will research the issue, engage in further discussions with voters, and even encourage them to suggest policies. This ongoing interaction aims to establish a continuous feedback loop between the candidate and the electorate.

Endacotts previous attempt at politics, running as a Conservative candidate in a 2022 local election, did not succeed. This time, his innovative approach has captured significant attention. The launch of AI Steve sparked widespread online discussions and resulted in over 1,000 calls to the AI candidate in just one night.

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When asked about Brexit, a significant topic in UK politics, AI Steve responded, As a democracy, the UK voted to leave, and its my responsibility to implement and optimize this decision regardless of my personal views on the matter. The AI then engaged voters by asking, Do you have any thoughts on how Brexit should be managed in the future?, showcasing its ability to interact with constituents and gather their input.

Whether AI Steves campaign will succeed is still uncertain. However, this bold experiment raises important questions about the role of AI in politics, the future of voter engagement, and what it means to be a representative in a democratic system.
Over the past year, the demand for NVIDIAs chips, has consistently outstripped Wall Streets quarterly financial estimates. Since NVIDIA began skyrocketing in the fiscal quarter ending 2023, the companys revenue has exceeded its own forecasts by 13 per cent on average read more

Since NVIDIAs sales began to skyrocket in the fiscal quarter ending April 2023, the companys revenue has exceeded its own forecasts by an average of 13 per cent, more than double the average over the past decade. Image Credit: AFP

NVIDIA Corp. currently holds the title of the most expensive stock in the S&P 500 Index, with shares trading at approximately 23 times the companys projected sales over the next year.

However, this valuation comes with significant uncertainty. In the current surge of artificial intelligence (AI) interest, even Wall Street analysts and NVIDIA executives are struggling to predict the companys future revenues accurately.

This uncertainty makes it difficult for investors to determine if NVIDIAs shares are overpriced.

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Over the past year, the demand for NVIDIAs chips, driven by the AI frenzy, has consistently outstripped Wall Streets quarterly financial estimates. Analysts base their projections on guidance from NVIDIAs management, as is standard practice, but NVIDIAs leadership itself has found it challenging to forecast revenues just three months ahead.

Since NVIDIAs sales began to skyrocket in the fiscal quarter ending April 2023, the companys revenue has exceeded its own forecasts by an average of 13 per cent, more than double the average over the past decade.

Notably, in August, NVIDIAs sales surpassed its projections by 23 per cent, the largest margin since at least 2013, according to Bloomberg data.

Brian Colello, an analyst at Morningstar, highlights that the most uncertain variable for NVIDIA is supply, especially when demand is soaring. This unique challenge complicates revenue modelling for the chipmaker. Last month, Colello raised his price target for NVIDIA shares from $91 to $105, which are currently trading at around $127.

He factors in up to $4 billion to NVIDIAs quarterly revenue to estimate the upcoming quarters sales.

Colello acknowledges the difficulty, saying, Im not the first analyst to raise my price target or be surprised by revenues far ahead of what we thought a year ago,

Colello is not alone in adjusting his estimates. On Friday, Melius analyst Ben Reitzes increased his price target on NVIDIA for the fifth time this year, from $125 to $160, suggesting a 26 per cent gain from Fridays closing price.

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Many traders are buying NVIDIA stock based purely on momentum. The stock has surged 156 per cent this year, briefly surpassing Microsoft Corp. to become the worlds most valuable company at $3.34 trillion. This rally contributed to a record $8.7 billion inflow into tech funds in one week,] according to Bank of America Corp.s analysis of EPFR Global data. However, NVIDIA shares have since fallen 6.7 per cent, wiping out over $200 billion in market value.

For investors focused on discounted cash flow models, the discrepancy between estimates and actual results creates a significant challenge. Over the past five quarters, analysts estimates for NVIDIAs sales have deviated from actual results by an average of 12 per cent, the third highest among S&P 500 companies with average quarterly revenue of at least $5 billion and coverage by at least 20 analysts.

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With NVIDIAs business booming and major customers like Microsoft planning to increase spending on computing hardware, the key question for investors is determining a reasonable price for a stock with such exceptional profit and sales growth compared to its large-cap peers. NVIDIA is projected to achieve a profit of $14.7 billion on sales of $28.4 billion in the current quarter, up 137 per cent and 111 per cent, respectively, from the same period last year. In contrast, Microsofts sales are expected to grow by 15 per cent, while Apples projections are around 3 per cent.

Despite NVIDIAs high valuation multiples, they seem more justifiable given the companys rapid growth, especially since estimates have consistently been low. However, Michael ORourke, chief market strategist at Jones Trading, cautions that as NVIDIAs growth rate starts to stabilize due to its size, the degree to which it surpasses Wall Streets expectations will likely diminish. This could make it harder to justify the current high price of its shares.

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(With inuts from agencies)
Musk and Yaccarino were seen been trying to win back ad agency and brand leaders after major companies like Disney, IBM, and Apple paused their spending on the platform due to concerns over content moderation and Musks controversial leadership style read more

This leadership shake-up highlights the ongoing tensions between Musk and Yaccarino. Yaccarino has struggled to stabilize Xs financial health since Musk recruited her from NBCUniversal. Image Credit: Reuters, AFP

Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X, has made some significant changes to her leadership team as she faces mounting pressure from Elon Musk to boost sales and cut costs. Just a year into her tenure, Yaccarino has fired Joe Benarroch, her right-hand man and head of business operations and communications, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Benarrochs dismissal comes after he was held responsible for mishandling the rollout of the platforms new adult content policy, failing to inform clients before the changes became public, according to two X employees, as reported by the Financial Times.

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Nick Pickles, head of global government affairs, will temporarily take over Benarrochs responsibilities, including overseeing all global communications.

Pickles, one of the few senior X staffers to remain after Musks takeover, attended the Cannes advertising festival alongside Yaccarino and Musk this week.

This reshuffle is seen as a significant boost for British-born Pickles, who previously ran for office as a Conservative MP in the UK before quickly rising through the ranks at X to manage public policy and government relationships, as per the FT report.

This leadership shake-up highlights the ongoing tensions between Musk and Yaccarino. Yaccarino has struggled to stabilize Xs financial health since Musk recruited her from NBCUniversal.

A senior staffer at X told FT that Yaccarino is increasingly anxious as Musk pressures her to increase revenues and reduce expenses. This has involved cutting staff from US and UK sales teams and reducing spending on travel and other expenses.

Some recent staff departures have been attributed to regular performance management reviews. In a recent meeting, Yaccarino emphasized a focus on performance management, according to insiders.

Simultaneously, Steve Davis, a long-time ally of Musk and CEO of his Boring Company, was brought in by Musk in April to review Xs finances and performance management. Davis has been assessing low performers and targeting dozens of jobs for cuts. His involvement is seen by some as indicative of ongoing concerns about the platforms financial stability.

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Davis, an aerospace expert, previously led a cost-cutting effort at X following its acquisition, making job cuts, reducing daily expenses, and renegotiating data licensing agreements. This led to speculation that he might be a contender for the CEO position after Musks acquisition of X, then known as Twitter.

In Cannes, Musk and Yaccarino were seen been trying to win back ad agency and brand leaders after major companies like Disney, IBM, and Apple paused their spending on the platform due to concerns over content moderation and Musks controversial leadership style. Executives at X claim that more than 60 per cent of brands that had paused advertising have resumed in some capacity in recent months.

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One source familiar with the discussions between Musk and advertisers said Xs management is eager to assure brands that the platform is safe and to promote new features like video and targeted marketing.

However, advertising executives believe X is not currently among their preferred channels for advertisements, claims the FT report.
From mosques in New Zealand to churches in Sri Lanka, these attacks have left a tragic imprint on communities worldwide read more

A view shows plumes of smoke rising, in Derbent, Russia, on 23 June, 2024, in this still image obtained from a video. Reuters

Religious places have frequently been targets of terror attacks due to their symbolic importance, high visibility and the concentration of people during worship. These attacks often aim to incite fear, provoke sectarian conflict and garner widespread attention. Here are some of the deadliest terror attacks on religious places in the world:

4 March, 2022: A bomb tore through a Shiite mosque in Peshawar in Pakistan killing at least 57 people and wounding more than 100 in one of the worst terrorist attacks in Pakistan in several years.

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21 April 2019: In coordinated suicide bombings in Sri Lanka. the St Sebastians Church in Negombo, St Anthonys Shrine in Colombo and Zion Church in Batticaloa were targetted killing 259 people and injuring more than 500.

15 March, 2019: In Christchurch, New Zealand, a gunman opened fire on worshippers during Friday prayers at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre, killing 51 people and injuring 40.

17 January, 2019: Two suicide attackers detonate two bombs during a Mass in a Roman Catholic cathedral on the largely Muslim island of Jolo in the southern Philippines, killing 23 and wounding about 100 others. Three days later, an attacker hurls a grenade in a mosque in nearby Zamboanga city, killing two religious teachers.

27 October, 2018: A truck driver who spewed hatred of Jews stormed the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and shot everyone he could find on a Sabbath morning, killing 11 congregants in an act of antisemitic terror for which he could be sentenced to die.

24 November, 2017: In one of the deadliest attacks in Egypt, militants attacked the Al-Rawda Mosque in Bir al-Abed, Sinai Peninsula, killing over 300 worshippers and injuring more than 100..

1 August, 2017: A suicide bomber stormed into the largest Shiite mosque in Afghanistans western Herat province, opening fire on worshippers before blowing himself up, killing at least 90 people. Hundreds more were wounded in the attack, which happened during evening prayers.

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16 February, 2017: Suicide bomber detonates his explosives vest among the devotees at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Pakistans Sindh province, killing 98.

24 September, 2002: As many as 30 people were killed and more than 80 injured, after two armed terrorists belonging to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfits attacked the Akshardham Temple complex at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

12 April, 1994: The Musha Church Massacre was a tragic event that took place during the Rwandan Genocide in April 1994. It occurred at the Musha Church in Musha, a town in the Kigali Province of Rwanda. This massacre was one of the many brutal attacks during the genocide, which saw the systematic slaughter of the Tutsi population by the Hutu majority killing 1,180 people.
The biggest trial of HIV prevention drug by Gilead Sciences has shown 100% efficacy. But the announcement has raised the question of affordability among the vulnerable populations read more

Researchers have found a solution to the biggest health worry of the 20th century  how to prevent HIV infection. Scientists and activists fighting against HIV (human immuno-deficiency virus)  that causes AIDS (acquired immuno-deficiency disease)  have finally received some promising news.

A significant clinical trial led by Gilead Sciences in Africa has shown that a new antiviral drug offers complete protection against the virus among young women. The drug is injectable and administered once in two years.

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The new anti-HIV drug is called lenacapavir.

What trial results show

There were zero incident cases of HIV infection among 2,134 women who were given lenacapavir. These are the first data generated from Gileads landmark programme, called Purpose trial. It is the most comprehensive and diverse HIV prevention trial program ever conducted.

With zero infections and 100% efficacy, twice-yearly lenacapavir has demonstrated its potential as an important new tool to help prevent HIV infections, said Merdad Parsey, chief medical officer, Gilead Sciences.

Dr Linda-Gail Bekker, an investigator in the trial of lenacapavir, described the startling sight of a line of zeros in the data column for new infections as surreal.

A randomised controlled study, the Purpose programme comprises five HIV prevention trials around the world that are focused on innovation in science, trial design, community engagement and health equity.

The Purpose 1 trial took place in Uganda and South Africa. It tested the efficacy of the lenacapavir injection, developed by Gilead Sciences, against two widely-used daily pills in high-income countries.

How it fares against existing drugs

The trials results were so compelling that an independent data review committee recommended halting the study early. They suggested offering the injection to all participants due to its superior protection.

Lenacapavir Injection: Out of 2,134 women who received the injection, none contracted HIV.

Truvada (daily pill): 16 out of 1,068 women (1.5%) contracted HIV.

Descovy (newer daily pill): 39 out of 2,136 women (1.8%) contracted HIV.

These results were announced by Gilead Sciences, though the data has yet to be peer-reviewed.

While we know traditional HIV prevention options are highly effective when taken as prescribed, twice-yearly lenacapavir for PrEP could help address the stigma and discrimination some people may face when taking or storing oral PrEP pills, as well as potentially help increase PrEP adherence and persistence given its twice-yearly dosing schedule, said Bekker, the former president of the International AIDS Society.

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What it means for Africa and rest of the world

Truvada, despite its high efficacy when taken daily, has not been as effective in Africa. Low uptake among young African women, who have the highest rates of new infections, is a significant issue.

A twice-yearly injection could be more practical, allowing women to avoid the daily stigma and challenges associated with taking pills. For women who struggle to attend clinic appointments or face stigma and violence when keeping pills, a semi-annual injection could be a game-changer.

A look at the HIV numbers may put things in proper perspective.

The World Health Organization estimates that about 39 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2022  1.5 million of them were children, up to 14 years.

Of the 39 million people, 1.3 million people acquired HIV in 2022.

The good thing is that the number of people acquiring HIV has reduced by 38% compared to the numbers in 2010  2.1 million.

About 630,000 people died of HIV-related complications in 2022. This means that compared to 2010 (1.3 million), HIV-related deaths have reduced by 51%.

Africa remains the region with highest HIV caseload with an estimated 25.6 million people living with the virus.

Africa is followed by South-East Asia and Americas in numbers of people living with HIV  3.9 million and 3.8 million respectively. Europe has an estimated 2 million people living with HIV.

Among individual countries, South Africa leads the caseload with 7.6 million, followed by India 2.5 million and Mozambique 2.4 million.

But is the new drug affordable?

Drug developer Gilead Sciences charges $42,250 per patient per year for lenacapavir, raising questions about its affordability and availability in the worst-affected countries and regions.

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Among the 10 countries with the highest HIV caseload, all except the US are poor or developing countries. These countries are, in order of HIV caseload  South Africa, India, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, the US and Malawi. Each of these countries have over a million people living with HIV.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) says there are strong bi-directional linkages between HIV/AIDS and poverty in resource-poor settings. HIV/AIDS is both a manifestation of poverty conditions that exist, taking hold where livelihoods are unsustainable, and the result of the unmitigated impact of the epidemic on social and economic conditions. HIV/AIDS is at the same time a cause and an outcome of poverty, and poverty is both a cause and an outcome of HIV/AIDS, it says.

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There is no denying that the trials findings offer a beacon of hope in the ongoing battle against HIV, but ensuring affordable access to lenacapavir will be crucial to realising its full potential in preventing new infections, especially among vulnerable populations.
The federal agency operating in the region also told local reporters that the victims connected to inmates have been informed about the matter, as per the victims notification preferences read more

A maximum security prison in Canadas Quebec that held around 225 prisoners had to be evacuated as massive forest fires continued to engulf the region. According to Canadian news outlet Global News, the evacuation was confirmed by Correctional Service Canada.

The high-security prison in question was Canadas Port-Cartier Institution. In a statement released on Sunday, the authorities assured that these prisoners were successfully moved to other secure federal correctional facilities after an evacuation order was issued for the City of Port-Cartier in Quebec. The alarm about the safety of the inmates was raised by the prison authorities on Friday.

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To carry out the evacuation, we put measures in place, together with our partners, to maintain the safety and security of our staff, the public, and the offenders in our care and custody, the statement obtained by the Global Times reads.

Victims of the inmates were informed about the situation

The federal agency operating in the region also told local reporters that the victims connected to inmates have been informed about the matter, as per the victims notification preferences. With the evacuation, the institution is currently closed to visitors, personnel, contractors and volunteers.

I would like to extend my gratitude to all of our staff and partners who worked tirelessly to plan and successfully execute this complex operation in an evolving wildfire situation, said Anne Kelly, commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada.

The safety of our staff, inmates and the public will continue to remain our top priority, the press release furthered.

The prison is known for infamous killers

Port-Cartier Institution is a stand-alone maximum-security federal prison which holds 225 inmates. However, what makes the institution interesting is the fact that it also houses notorious Canadian serial killer Robert Pickton.

Not only this, Luka Magnotta, who made international headlines for the brutal killing of an international student was also held there until Canadas Correctional Service moved him to a medium-security detention centre. What makes the matter controversial is the fact that Magnotta was shifted in 2022 and the staff was told by the federal authorities to keep the matter a secret.

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Meanwhile, a general evacuation order was issued on Friday for residents of the north shore city as forest fires continued to rage on. The regions Mayor, Alain Thibault, declared a state of emergency and told residents in the Parc Brunel and Parc Dominique Park areas, as well as those living north of Route 138, to leave immediately, Global News reported.

In a post on X, formally known as Twitter, Provincial Public Security Minister Francois Bonnardel said the evacuation notice affects about 1,000 residents in the area.

Forest fires - North Shore: We approved this afternoon at a special council of ministers the payment of compensation of $1,500 per evacuated residence. Be careful. Fires threaten communities. Please follow the instructions of the authorities, the Canadian minister wrote on X.

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Feux de foret - Cote-Nord: Nous avons approuve ce midi en conseil des ministres special le versement dune indemnite de 1 500 $ par residence evacuee. Soyez prudents. Les feux menacent les communautes. Suivez SVP les consignes des autorites.  Francois Legault (@francoislegault) June 23, 2024

On Saturday, Quebecs forest fire prevention agency said that all the forest fires in the region were caused by lightning strikes.
China has claimed that the Fujian, countrys third aircraft carrier and its first built using a domestic design, is the worlds largest conventionally powered aircraft carrier read more

A Chinese flag flutters in the wind near Chinas third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, as it prepares to set out from Shanghai. AP File

China has claimed that the Fujian, countrys third aircraft carrier and its first built using a domestic design, is the worlds largest conventionally powered aircraft carrier.

In the first in-depth review of the vessels power and operating systems, according to a South China Morning Post report, citing state broadcaster CCTV, the warship had achieved something widely believed to be impossible by using an advanced electromagnetic catapult on a conventionally powered ship.

It had previously been thought that only nuclear-powered ships could generate enough electricity to launch aircraft using this technology.

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The Fujian is  currently the worlds largest known conventionally powered aircraft carrier by displacement, South China Morning Post quoted CCTV as saying in a programme aired on Thursday.

In a sense, the larger the carriers displacement, the greater its combat power, it added.

Fujian boasts impressive features

When the Fujian was launched in June 2022, authorities had said its full load displacement  a key indicator of a ships carrying capacity, range, speed and manoeuvrability  was more than 80,000 tonnes. Its larger dimensions allow for increased aircraft capability.

Fujian has often been compared with the US Navys decommissioned Kitty Hawk-class supercarriers, the biggest of which was the USS America with a full load displacement of about 85,000 tonnes.

However, the nuclear-powered USS Gerald R. Ford  which at over 100,000 tonnes leads the world in full load displacement  is the only other aircraft carrier on the planet today with this advanced ability.

Equipped with electromagnetic catapults, Fujian enables efficient and versatile aircraft launches, including heavier and more advanced aircraft types.

The arrival of the Fujian has not only debunked, with its strength, the design theory that only nuclear-powered carriers can use electromagnetic catapults, but also elevated the combat capabilities of future domestically made carriers to another level, South China Morning Post quoted CCTV as saying.

The CCTV programme also said that information regarding the new carrier-based aircraft for the Fujian will be released soon. It also showed the Fujian making a sharp turn, noting that the carrier had effectively reduced its wake, reducing the ability of enemy weapons to locate and attack the ship.

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Complex design

According to the South China Morning Post, military analyst Cao Weidong told CCTV that the design of the Fujian was much more complex in some ways than that of its nuclear-powered peers, because it must ensure adequate electricity supplies for all devices.

He noted that the warships capabilities include increased aircraft capacity and the ability to launch fixed-wing early warning aircraft using electromagnetic catapults. This feature enhances airborne time, radar performance, and command capabilities.

Cao also pointed out that the electromagnetic catapult allows warplanes to take off with full fuel and ammunition, reducing reliance on refueling aircraft. This operational flexibility opens up space for additional drones, transport planes, and electronic warfare aircraft.

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He said it would take up to two years to finish trials for the Fujian, adding: The PLA Navy may build more aircraft carriers, potentially powered by nuclear energy.

Substantial threat in South China Sea

The Fujian recently completed its second sea trial earlier this month, following an initial eight-day maiden voyage in May.

This naval activity has been interpreted as a demonstration of the Peoples Liberation Armys combat capabilities to stakeholders in both the South China Sea and East China Sea.

Meanwhile, the US Navy aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt arrived in South Korea on Saturday to participate in a three-nation exercise with Japan.

Last year, the three countries agreed to conduct annual joint drills during a summit where they collectively criticised China for its dangerous and aggressive actions in the South China Sea.

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Taiwans defence ministry too has cautioned that the Fujian poses a significant threat in potential wartime scenarios.

China considers Taiwan an integral part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to reunify it. While most countries, including the United States, do not formally recognise Taiwan as an independent state, Washington opposes any coercive measures and supports Taiwans defence efforts.

With inputs from agencies
The exiled Tibetan leader landed in New York on Sunday. He is visiting the country for medical treatment and this marked his first visit to the country since 2017 read more

The Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, arrived in New York on Sunday ahead of medical treatment for his knees and was greeted by hundreds of cheering and chanting supporters. Source: AP

Days after former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi along with a delegation from the United States met Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama in India, the famous Buddhist teacher arrived in the United States. The exiled Tibetan leader landed in New York on Sunday and is visiting the country for medical treatment.

This marked the Dalai Lamas first visit to the United States since 2017. Upon arrival, the 88-year-old was greeted by hundreds of cheering and chanting supporters. The spiritual guru has been suffering from issues with his knees and went to New York to seek treatment regarding that.

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In 1959, the Dalai Lama fled to India after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet as the region still longs for liberation. The Nobel Peace Prize winner has been battling with numerous health problems for several years.

Dalia Lama: A fan favourite in New York

Some of the Tibetan leaders supporters arrived hours ahead of time to make sure they could catch sight of him. I knew I had to come here for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And I think waiting outside for the past four or five hours is definitely worth it, a woman named Tenzin Kunkyi told Reuters.

There is a strong sense of community when youre here, everyones passing around bread  along with getting a blessing from seeing His Holiness, we also strengthen our Tibetan bond here outside, she added.

It is still unclear whether Dalai Lama will be meeting any US officials during in his trip. For time immemorial, Beijing sees the Tibetan leader as a dangerous separatist.

The visit came just days after a group of lawmakers including Pelosi met Dalai Lama. During the meeting, the American delegation assured the Tibetan leader that the United States would not allow China to influence the choice of his successor.

Some of these lawmakers are also trying to push Beijing to restart talks with Tibetan leaders, which have been stalled since 2010.

_With inputs from Reuters. _
The money is part of roughly three billion euros a year in interest from immobilised Russian central bank funds that the EU agreed to use for Kyiv in early May. Since then, the EUs other 26 member states have been hashing out a legal route to unlock the funds without needing approval from Hungary, the friendliest country to Russia in the bloc read more

The EU on Monday agreed to start paying out a first chunk of funds worth 1.4 billion euros ($1.5 billion) earned from Russian frozen assets to help arm Ukraine, bypassing blockages from Hungary.

The money is part of roughly three billion euros a year in interest from immobilised Russian central bank funds that the EU agreed to use for Kyiv in early May.

Since then, the EUs other 26 member states have been hashing out a legal route to unlock the funds without needing approval from Hungary, the friendliest country to Russia in the bloc.

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Foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg signed off on the plan to start using the funds generated from the roughly 200 billion euros frozen in the EU after Russia launched its 2022 invasion.

The windfall profits coming from Russian assets frozen in Europe, not the assets itself, will be used in the swiftest possible manner for the benefit of Ukraine, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said.

1.4 billion (euros) will be available in the course of next month, and another billion by the end of the year.

About 90 percent of the funds frozen in the EU are held by the international deposit organisation Euroclear, based in Belgium.

Hungary wasnt given a veto after abstaining from an earlier vote on the issue  but that move left Budapest fuming.

By completely ignoring European rules Hungary was quite simply left out of the decision-making process, foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said.

This is a clear red line. Never before has such shameless disregard for common European rules been shown.

While the latest move will be welcomed in Kyiv, Hungary is still blocking some six billion euros in further funds that are meant to help arm Ukraine.

The disbursal by the EU of the first slice of money generated from frozen funds comes after the G7 agreed a plan to give Ukraine a $50 billion loan backed up by the assets.

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That system should eventually supersede the current EU scheme.
The messages were deleted after the employee was informed about the inspection, it added. IFF later helped the commission to recover the deleted data but Brussels still opened a parallel case against the company for obstructing the probe. In such cases, the commission can slap a fine of up to one percent of a companys total turnover read more

The EU on Monday handed US giant International Flavors & Fragrances a 15.9-million-euro ($17.1-million) fine for obstructing a major cartel probe after an employee deleted WhatsApp messages.

Brussels antitrust regulators raided several companies across Europe including IFF last year over suspicions the fragrance firms were colluding to fix prices.

The European Commission, the EUs antitrust regulator, said during those inspections it sought to review the phones of some of IFFs employees.

While reviewing, the commission detected that a senior employee had deleted WhatsApp messages exchanged with a competitor containing business-related information, it said.

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The messages were deleted after the employee was informed about the inspection, it added.

IFF later helped the commission to recover the deleted data but Brussels still opened a parallel case against the company for obstructing the probe.

In such cases, the commission can slap a fine of up to one percent of a companys total turnover but it opted for only 0.15 percent after IFFs proactive cooperation during and after the inspection.

The cartel suspicions go beyond the European Union.

European and US antitrust authorities including Swiss officials last year began investigating the biggest companies in the sector including IFF, Swiss firms Firmenich International and Givaudan, and Germanys Symrise over suspicions of a price cartel.

Fragrances and flavours are used in a long line of products, from fine perfumery and cosmetics to shampoos and detergents and food products, in a multi-billion dollar market.
If the government will not change the course of action, Georgia will not progress on the European Union path, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. We will downgrade our political contacts  We will consider putting on hold financial assistance to the government, he told reporters read more

Demonstrators hold a rally to protest against a bill on "foreign agents" in Tbilisi, Georgia, April 30, 2024. REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze/File Photo

The European Union will downgrade political contacts with Georgia and consider freezing financial aid to the government after it pushed through a controversial foreign agent law, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday.

Speaking after a meeting of the blocs foreign ministers in Luxembourg, Borrell said the Georgian government was moving the South Caucasus country away from the EU, which it officially aspires to join.

If the government will not change the course of action, Georgia will not progress on the European Union path, he said.

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We will downgrade our political contacts  We will consider putting on hold financial assistance to the government, he told reporters.

Borrell said the EU would increase its support to civil society and media and adapt measures as necessary. He said the EU would also reconsider its support for Georgia through a military aid fund, the European Peace Facility.

The Georgian law, which requires organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from overseas to register as agents of foreign influence, has been slammed by domestic and international critics as a Kremlin-style authoritarian move.

Georgias ruling party has defended it as a necessary step to secure transparency of funding.

Borrell said 26 of the EUs 27 members shared the view that the government was moving Georgia away from the EU.

He did not name the dissenter but diplomats said it was Hungary. Budapest has tried to clamp down on foreign funding of NGOs and political actors at home and maintains warm ties with Russia, which seeks to maintain influence in Georgia.

For two months, the Georgian bills opponents mounted some of the largest protests since independence from Moscow in 1991 to try to get the legislation thrown out.

We stand with the Georgian people and their overwhelming choice in favour of democracy and Georgias future inside the European Union, Borrell said.
France has been one of Ukraines main Western backers since Russia unleashed its full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022. In February, President Emmanuel Macron rattled his European partners by saying he would not rule out the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine  a move ruled out by Germany and many other allies read more

Jordan Bardella, President of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) party, visits the Eurosatory international land and air defence and security trade fair on a campaign trip for the upcoming French parliamentary elections, in Villepinte near Paris, France, June 19, 2024. REUTERS

French far-right leader Jordan Bardella vowed Monday to be vigilant in the face of any Russian threats and said his party would not send troops into Ukraine if it wins snap elections.

Setting out his programme, Bardella said he was in favour of continuing to provide logistical support and defence equipment to Ukraine but added that he would oppose sending French troops or long-range missiles to the war-torn country, calling those moves very clear red lines.

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This would create the conditions for French interference and escalation in the face of a nuclear power, the 28-year-old told reporters.

France has been one of Ukraines main Western backers since Russia unleashed its full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022.

In February, President Emmanuel Macron rattled his European partners by saying he would not rule out the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine  a move ruled out by Germany and many other allies.

While warning against a showdown with Russia, Bardella said his party would be extremely vigilant in the face of Russian attempts to intervene in Frances affairs.

I see Russia as a multidimensional threat to both France and Europe, said Bardella.

He accused Moscow of challenging Frances interests in our historical spheres of influence in Africa, the Black Sea and also in our overseas territories.

Opponents have long pointed to the warm ties that Bardellas extreme-right National Rally (NR) has enjoyed with the Kremlin in the past as well as a massive loan that the NRs previous incarnation, the National Front, received from a Russian bank in 2014, which it has since repaid.

With the war now in its third year, Ukraine is struggling to repel Russian advances and is in desperate need of greater Western military aid.

Macron said in early June he wanted to finalise a coalition of military instructors to train Ukrainian troops and lashed out at what he called a camp of pacifists over Ukraines fight against Russia.
The Montreal-New Delhi Air India Kanishka Flight 182 exploded 45 minutes before it was supposed to land at Londons Heathrow Airport on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people on board, most of them Canadians of Indian descent read more

Ottawa, Jun 23: The Indian missions in Canadian capital Ottawa and Toronto city on Sunday marked the 39th anniversary of the 1985 Kanishka bombing in which 329 persons, including 86 children, on board an Air India lost their lives in one of the most heinous terror-related air disasters in the history of civil aviation.

High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma paid homage to the victims of Air India flight 182 Kanishka on the 39th anniversary of the cowardly terrorist bombing, the High Commission in Ottawa posted on X along with a series of photographs from the event.

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Addressing the gathering, Verma said, No government in the world should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains. Human lives are much more important than the transitory political interests. All terrorist activities should be met with exemplary legal and social actions, before they start harming the larger humanity. Governments, security agencies, and international organisations must work in concert to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their financing, and counter their twisted ideologies. Family members and friends of the victims, Canadian government officials, including Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner, Ireland envoy and more than 150 members of the Indo-Canadian community attended the solemn occasion, the High Commission said.

India shares the sorrow and pain of the victims near & dear ones. India stands at the forefront of countering the menace of terrorism and works closely with all nations to tackle this global threat, it said.

The Montreal-New Delhi Air India Kanishka Flight 182 exploded 45 minutes before it was supposed to land at Londons 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.

The Indian mission in Toronto also marked the day.

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Consul General Siddhartha Nath laid a wreath at the Air India 182 memorial, Humber Park, Etobicoke in solemn remembrance of the 329 victims of the terrorist bombing of AI 182 on this day, 39 years ago, the Consulate General of India in Toronto posted on X along with a photograph.

In another post on X, the mission said the Consul General also attended the memorial service held at Queens Park Toronto for the victims and met with the bereaved families.

In his remarks he highlighted the importance of unified global efforts to combat terrorism and standing firm against its glorification, it said, sharing a series of photographs.

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Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in a post on X paid his homage to the memory of the 329 victims of AI 182 Kanishka who were killed on this day in 1985.

Today marks the 39th anniversary of one of the worst acts of terrorism in history, he said.

My thoughts are with their families. The anniversary is a reminder why terrorism should never be tolerated, Jaishankar wrote.

On Friday, the Canadian police said the investigations into the bombing of the Air India Flight 182 remain active and ongoing, terming it the longest and one of the most complex domestic terrorism probes.

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In a statement, 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 countrys 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.
Some passengers were so traumatised from their experience that they said they would never fly again. read more

Some passengers onboard the Korean Airlines Flight KE189 swore to never fly again after what just another flight turned into a near-disastrous experience.

The Taiwan-bound Korean Airlines Flight KE189 took off from Incheon International Airport in South Korea on Saturday. Just 50 minutes into the flight, however, the plane developed technical faults and soon the plane started plunging rapidly.

Data with the flight tracking website Flightradar24 suggests the plane dropped around 26,900 feet in just 15 minutes.

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More than two hours after take-off, the flight finally landed back at the Incheon International Airport. Korean media reported that 13 passengers were hospitalised after landing whereas 15 passengers overall complained of pain in eardrums or hyperventilation during the flights extreme plunge.

Then, 19 hours after the initial departure, the flight arrived in Taiwans Taipei on Sunday.

Passengers traumatised from experience

Some passengers were so traumatised from their experience that they said they would never fly again.

One passenger, who was only identified as Tseng in The Taipei Times newspaper, said children in the flight were crying when oxygen masks were deployed during the flights plunge. He said he was afraid that the plane might hit the ground.

Another passenger, whom the paper identified as Hsu, said she felt something amiss as the aircraft appeared to hover in the air and flight attendants remained in their seats. She also said that she had an ear ache as the flight began to plunge from the sky.
Meloni believes the relative success of her hard-right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) grouping  shaping up as the EU parliaments third force following the elections  should be reflected in the blocs leadership read more

Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni has made clear she wants a top EU job for Italy, and her foreign minister spelled out Romes demand on Monday: a vice-presidency in the next European Commission.

Antonio Tajani was addressing reporters during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, ahead of a leaders summit this week intended to settle the lineup at the blocs helm following the June 6-9 elections.

I believe its impossible for Italy not to have a commission vice-presidency, and a commissioner with an important portfolio, Tajani said.

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Its the minimum our country can expect, he said.

Meloni believes the relative success of her hard-right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) grouping  shaping up as the EU parliaments third force following the elections  should be reflected in the blocs leadership.

However the EUs four top posts look set to be divvied up among the existing alliance dominating the parliament: the centre-right European Peoples Party (EPP) and its partners the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and the centrist Renew Europe.

Meloni last week called it surreal that the ECR was not considered in the top job nominations  but Tajanis comments suggest she has settled on a powerful commission vice-presidency as a runner-up prize.

In an interview with French media at the weekend, Tajani said Italy wanted a strong commissioner role, in order to lead a good European policy in favour of industry and agriculture.

The vice-president would of course be committed on climate change, but not in a fundamentalist way, he said  in a nod to recurring right-wing complaints that EU environmental policies went too far under the outgoing commission.

Vice-presidents  there are currently seven  act on behalf of the European Commission chief, and coordinate work in their area of responsibility, together with several other commissioners.

Current commission head Ursula von der Leyen, of the EPP, is seen returning to the role, with former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Costa of the S&D tipped as European Council president; and Renews Kaja Kallas, the current Estonian premier, as the EUs foreign policy high representative.

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Current European Parliament speaker Roberta Metsola, also from the EPP, is seen staying on in her chair.
The panel notified Netanyahu that based on evidence gathered thus far, it could ultimately determine that he had used his position as prime minister between 2009 and 2016 to greenlight the purchases without due process read more

An Israeli commission investigating suspected wrongdoing in government purchases of submarines and missile boats from Germany issued a warning to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

The panel notified Netanyahu that based on evidence gathered thus far, it could ultimately determine that he had used his position as prime minister between 2009 and 2016 to greenlight the purchases without due process.

By doing so, he (Netanyahu) endangered the security of the state and harmed the state of Israels foreign relations and economic interests, said the panel in its written decision, made public on Monday.

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Netanyahu in response said that the submarines were central to Israels security in ensuring its existence against Iran, which is trying to destroy us.

History will prove that Prime Minister Netanyahu was right on this issue as well and made the right decisions for the security of Israel, the statement from his office said.

The commission, established under the previous government in 2022, said that it will soon publish unclassified parts of the evidence collected during the probe into the deal, worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Netanyahu has struggled to salvage his security credentials since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas-led fighters, who killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages to Gaza according to Israeli tallies, the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust. In the Israeli assault on Gaza that followed, more than 37,000 people have been killed according to Gaza health authorities.
In a weekly cabinet meeting, Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his decision to release a video earlier this month, reprimanding the US for holding up weapons shipments read more

Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down on his claims that the United States is holding back arms shipments to the Jewish nation. The proclamation from the Israeli premier came while he was addressing a weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday.

In the meeting, Netanyahu defended his decision to release a video earlier this month, reprimanding the US for holding up weapons shipments. He insisted that he made the matters public only after attempts to solve the problem privately failed.

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After months with no change in the situation, I decided to express it publicly, Netanyahu said during the Sunday cabinet meeting. I am ready to suffer personal attacks for the sake of Israels security, he added.

While expressing his gratitude to US President Joe Biden and his support during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Netanyahu alleged that in the last four months, there has been a dramatic drop in the weapons pipeline to Israel, The Times of Israel reported.

For many weeks we appealed to our American friends to speed up the shipments. We did it time and time again, the Israeli premier averred. We did this at the senior echelons, and at all levels, and I want to emphasize  we did it in private chambers. We got all kinds of explanations, but we didnt get one thing: The basic situation didnt change, he added.

White House reacts

The Biden administration has repeatedly rejected Netanyahus claim and maintained that it only has withheld one shipment of heavy bombs. The White House reasoned that the shipment was held since the United States was concerned about the possibility of the bombs being used in the densely-populated southern Gaza city of Rafah.

While responding to Netanyahus recent remarks, the White House brushed off the allegations and said that they are looking forward to the visit of Israels Defense Minister Yoav Gallant later this week.

We have made our position clear on this repeatedly, and we arent going to keep responding to the Prime Ministers political statements. We look forward to constructive consultations with Defense Minister Gallant in Washington this week, said a White House official.

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In his Sunday remarks, Netanyahu claimed that certain items trickled in, but the bulk of armaments were left behind. However, the Israeli premier has yet to specify which weapons shipments are allegedly being held by the United States.

United States National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby expressed his frustration over the matter earlier this month.

It was perplexing, to say the least, certainly disappointing, especially given that no other country is doing more to help Israel defend itself against the threat by Hamas, Kirby told reporters after Netanyahu released his video.

The idea that we had somehow stopped helping Israel with their self-defence needs is absolutely not accurate, he said, describing the claim as vexing and disappointing to us as much as it was incorrect, he added.

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Meanwhile, Gallant jetted off to the US to hold talks with top US officials over the issue.

With inputs from agencies.
Marking the 39th anniversary of the Air India Flight 182 bombing by Khalistani terrorists, India has sent a pointed message to Canada, saying that no government should overlook the threat emanating from its territory for political gains read more

Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma with family members of the victims of the bombing of the Kanishka at the memorial in the Canadian capital on Sunday. Image Courtesy: High Commission of India, Ottawa

Marking the 39th anniversary of the Air India Flight 182 bombing by Khalistani terrorists, India has sent a pointed message to Canada, saying that no government should overlook the threat emanating from its territory for political gains.

The bombing of Air India aircraft, the Kanishka, by the Khalistani separatists on June 23, 1985 claimed over 329 lives.

For the first time, there was heavy police deployment and barricades were erected at the memorial sites, as pro-Khalistan elements gathered at the venues as part of the Sikhs for Justices (SFJ) call for rallies across Canada.

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No government in the world should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains. Human lives are much more important than the transitory political interests, a Hindustan Times report quoted Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma as saying while addressing the gathering at the memorial in Ottawa.

We still await for full and desired justice to the families of the victims of the bombing, he added, while describing the bombing as a heinously planned cowardly attack carried out by individuals with a twisted ideology.

In Torontos Queens Park, family members of the victims were joined by about 150 members of the Indo-Canadian community who confronted the separatist elements with chants of Death to Khalistan.

Secessionists were also present in Ottawa and Vancouver.

In a message, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, This remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history. It reminds us of the senseless violence that terrorism perpetuates and of our shared responsibility to unequivocally condemn terrorism.

However, he did not mention the cause of the worst-ever terror attack, the Khalistan movement.

Leader of the opposition Conservatives Pierre Poilievre, in a message, stressed upon his partys commitment to combating terrorism to prevent such unimaginable events from happening again.

The sombre observation this year came as the separatist movement is gaining ground in Canada, reminiscent of the 1980s, following the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18 last year.

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Described in Canadian media as activists, the adherents of the movement that resulted in the bombing have been emboldened after Trudeaus statement in the House of Commons on September 18, 2023, that there were credible allegations of a potential link between Indian agents and Nijjars killing.

Nijjar, considered a terrorist in India, never faced any charges in Canada, but was an overt supporter of Khalistan, and his death was marked with a minute of silence in the House of Commons on the anniversary of his murder.

Earlier, the High Commission of India in Ottawa, Canada, had said that its unfortunate that acts of glorifying terrorism are allowed to be routine in Canada.

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On the 39th anniversary of the Air India Kanishka bombing, High Commission of India in Ottawa, Canada says, "...Any act of glorifying terrorism, including the bombing of Al-182 in 1985, is deplorable and should be condemned by all peace-loving countries and people. It is pic.twitter.com/tcPrABen3I  ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2024

Any act of glorifying terrorism, including the bombing of Al-182 in 1985, is deplorable and should be condemned by all peace-loving countries and people. It is unfortunate that such actions are allowed to be routine on many occasions in Canada, the Embassy said in a statement.

The statement emphasised the tragedy as the worst in Canadian aviation history and an unbearable loss for the victims families and humanity as a whole.

With inputs from agencies
The source who revealed the details from the session on condition of anonymity said that the North Korean officials condemned the non-socialist elements that are featured in costumes and plots of the movies read more

In yet another crackdown on diverse voices, North Korean authorities conducted what they called an ideological struggle session for the various workers and artists from the countrys movie industry. According to Daily NK, the hermit nation claimed that sessions like these were important since non-socialist elements have infiltrated films produced in the country.

Earlier this month, a closed-door ideological struggle session on the non-socialist phenomena in the film sector was held with all cadres, workers, and artists of the General Directorate of State Films, a source in Pyongyang told the Daily NK.

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The source who revealed the details from the session on condition of anonymity said that the North Korean officials condemned the non-socialist elements that are featured in costumes and plots of the movies.

What happened at the meeting

As per the report, the meeting was organised by the Central Committee of the Propaganda and Agitation Department of the Workers Party of Korea.

Earlier, the party committee of the General Directorate of State Films and affiliated state security officials had issued a report on the non-socialist phenomena in the film sector. The Supreme Leader [Kim Jong Un] was concerned about the issue, so the Central Committees Propaganda and Agitation Department organized the collective ideological struggle session, the source averred.

During the meeting, the officials lambasted the filmmakers for introducing foreign elements into films.

Hoping that workers in the film industry would develop films in the Juche-style, we gave them the opportunity to watch unique foreign films and dramas, but this seems to have become a poison."

The blatant inclusion of non-socialist elements banned by the state in films is tantamount to disregarding party policy and directly challenging the Workers Party, the officials added, insisting that such acts will be strongly punished.

But they did get punished

During the meeting, the officials of both departments listed out the names of several filmmakers and artists that they believed were involved in the non-socialist phenomenon and said that they are guilty of desecrating our films and art.

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Unbeknownst to us, the enemys black clouds and seductive spirits first reached the creators and artists of film and art, the officials exclaimed. We should have ruthlessly nipped the black sprouts in the bud from the beginning, but they have grown and reached the extreme, the furthered.

The source told the DailyNK that after the struggle session, it was announced that more than a dozen workers and artists in the film sector would be dismissed, suspended and revolutionized.

With inputs from agencies.
The suspects were charged with murder and burning a police station in Madyan, a tourist destination in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwestern Pakistan, where the mob killed the man on Thursday and burned his body read more

Police officers examine burnt vehicles which were torched by a Muslim mob in an attack, in Madyan in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on 21 June 2024. A Muslim mob in northwestern Pakistan broke into a police station, snatched a man who was held there and then lynched him over allegations that he had desecrated Islam's holy book, the Quran. AP File

Police in Pakistan have arrested 23 people accused of being part of a mob that killed a man suspected of desecrating the Quran, Islams holy book, officials said Monday.

The suspects were charged with murder and burning a police station in Madyan, a tourist destination in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwestern Pakistan, where the mob killed the man on Thursday and burned his body.

Police initially identified the slain man as Mohammad Ismail, but on Monday said after an investigation that they have concluded his name was Mohammad Salman. They said his family has not yet contacted police to receive his body.

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There was no official statement from police in Punjab, where the man lived.

However, Salmans mother said in a brief video statement that her son was a drug addict and used to beat her, and she had expelled him from their home because of his violent behavior. She said she was a Muslim and her family was not responsible for any wrongful acts by Salman.

In Madyan, regional police chief Mohammad Ali Gandapur said on Monday that officers have arrested 23 suspects and more raids were underway as part of efforts to detain all those involved in Salmans killing.

Salman was staying at a hotel in Madyan when a mob accused him of blasphemy.

Authorities say he was taken into custody on Thursday for his protection and was being questioned by police when a mob gathered outside the Madyan police station demanding he be handed over to them so they could immediately punish him for allegedly burning pages from the Quran.

According to police and government officials, police officers tried to assure the mob that Salman would face trial if he had committed blasphemy, but the enraged mob refused to accept the assurances and attacked the police station, wounding some officers.

The mob snatched the man and killed him publicly and burned his body.

Blasphemy accusations are common in Pakistan. Under the countrys blasphemy laws, anyone found guilty of insulting Islam or Islamic religious figures can be sentenced to death. While authorities have yet to carry out a death sentence for blasphemy, accusations can cause riots and incite mobs to violence.

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Last month, a mob in Pakistans eastern Punjab province attacked a 72-year-old Christian man after accusing him of desecrating pages of the Quran. He later died at a hospital.
Chinese casinos have been reported to have come up around military facilities in the Philippines read more

Analysts have warned of possible threats from casinos in the Philippines (Photo: Reuters)

Warnings have poured in for the offshore casinos in the Philippines. Analysts have warned they could become trojan horse for China in case of conflict.

A trojan horse refers to a medium by which an adversary carries out subversive activities against you from within. It is rooted in a story of how ancient Greeks used a wooden horse against Troy in the Trojan Wars. When Trojans carried a horse ostensibly presented to them as an offering by the Greeks inside the city, the Greeks hidden inside the horse came out and open the gates to let the Greek forces in.

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Now, analysts have said that China may similarly use offshore casinos to mount a surprise attack on the Philippines, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper. Such casinos are formally called Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO).

Chester Cabalza, President and Founder of International Development and Security Cooperation (IDSC), told the paper, The Pogos are deemed as a Trojan horse that can stage a surprise attack in the Philippines for their unrestricted warfare.

Such casinos have come under the scanner in recent years. The coming up of casinos near military sites have invited suspicions of espionage.

There are also Chinese casinos and POGOs near the Philippine National Police headquarters Camp Crame in Quezon City, the Philippine Air Force headquarters in Pasay City, the Philippine Army headquarters in Taguig City, and the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila, according to the paper. Cabalza warned that this was a threat to national security.

The key strategic locations of Pogos are also sensitive to our national security since it becomes a perimeter for espionage, said Cabalza.

A raid on casino found military uniforms

A casino was raided earlier this month. Military uniforms were discovered in the raid.

The military downplayed the discovery and said the uniforms were likely used as props in other illicit activities and not for necessarily national security-related things. Military spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said they did not want to cause unnecessary panic.

The presence of Chinese military uniforms may likely be used as props in these illicit online transactions. The limited number of PLA (Peoples Liberation Army) uniforms found suggests they are more indicative of use in deceptive activities rather than any preparation for an invasion, said Padilla.

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In a post on X (formerly Twitter), security expert Collin Koh said while there is indeed the possibility of military infiltration, the uniforms could also be simply carried by disbanded Chinese soldiers doing civilian jobs.

While theres certainly a possible risk of PLA servicemen being infiltrated into [the Philippines], another factor worth considering is that every year, large batches of PLA servicemen are demobilized and usually find jobs abroad  and they brought their rugged fatigues along as work attire, said Coh, a research fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
Polands President Andrzej Duda said he will meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and discuss peace in Ukraine read more

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Poland's President Andrzej Duda attend the welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 24. Source: AP.

Polands President Andrzej Duda is in China on a visit that brings the leader of a NATO member to a country that has backed Russia in its full-on invasion of Ukraine.

I am trying to maintain friendly relations with China, Poland has always had decent relations with China and I would like that to be continued, Duda said in an interview on private Radio Zet on Friday.

He was scheduled to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Monday and has said peace in Ukraine will be discussed.

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Asked if he believes that China is holding a key to peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Duda said: I think that to a large degree, yes.

While China says it is neutral in the fighting, it has blamed NATOs expansion for provoking Russian President Vladimir Putin into launching the invasion and has maintained robust trade and diplomatic relations with Moscow. Poland borders Ukraine and has provided refuge for those fleeing the fighting and maintained a hard line against further expansion of Russian aggression.

Duda said he will also talk to Xi about Belarus exerting migration pressure on the border with Poland, as a form of hybrid war that also includes cyberattacks.

Duda will also seek a visa waiver for Poles traveling to China and will seek possibilities of increasing Polands exports there, to balance their trade relations.

State Statistics Poland said 13.9 per cent of the nations imports last year were from China, while Polish exports to China were just a fraction of that amount.

Some trade agreements are to be signed during the visit.

On Wednesday Duda will fly to the financial hub of Shanghai to attend a Poland-China economic forum.
A predominantly Muslim republic of the Russian Federation became a centre of global attention on Monday after unidentified attackers killed more than 15 cops and civilians at churches and synagogues. A neighbour of Chechnya, Dagestan has been a centre of Islamic State-affiliated groups for more than a decade read more

Dagestan is one of the 21 republics of the Russian Federation  excluding Crimea that Russia annexed in 2014 but not recognised by the international community. Dagestan is one of the five main republics of Russias North Caucasus region, and is the largest and most populous among them. It has been a centre of Islamist terror activities for about two decades.

Bordering Chechnya, which faced jihadi insurgency for years, Dagestan has been a hub of terror leaders pledging allegiance to the Islamic State.

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The attackers who targeted the cities of Derbent  home to an ancient Jewish community  and Makhachkala on Monday on the Orthodox festival of Pentecost were not immediately identified, but Dagestan has in the past been the scene of Islamist attacks.

The trouble in Dagestan

A 2015 Human Rights Watch report says that Russian security forces had been battling an armed insurgency conducted by an array of Islamist militant groups which declared affiliation to the Caucasian Emirate before pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (IS).

Both the Caucasian Emirate and IS have been banned by Russias Supreme Court as terrorist organisations. The insurgents have committed numerous lethal attacks against state officials, law enforcement and security forces, and civilians.

Observers see the rise of terrorism in Dagestan as a tussle between two broad beliefs  Sufism, which follows Islam in a syncretic form incorporating local traditions, and Salafism, which follows the same rigorous interpretation of Sunni Islam  the one followed by the Islamic State.

But there is an ongoing war of narratives as well

A predominantly Muslim republic, Dagestan is one of the poorest parts of Russia. BBC reports that the Caucasus Emirate and the Islamic Emirate of the Caucasus staged several attacks between 2007 and 2017 in Dagestan and the neighbouring Russian republics of Chechnya, Ingushetia and Kabardino-Balkaria. Russia blamed IS for these attacks and vowed to finish them off on its soil.

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However, following the outbreak of the Ukraine war, the narrative seemed to change. For example, when the terror attack on the Crocus City Hall venue near Moscow happened in March, Russian authorities pointed the finger of blame at Ukraine and the West. They blamed their current enemies despite the Islamic State claiming responsibility for the terror attack. More than 135 people died in the attack.

Back then Russias President Vladimir Putin insisted that his country cannot be the target of terrorist attacks by Islamic fundamentalists because it demonstrates a unique example of interfaith harmony and inter-religious and inter-ethnic unity.

The realities were, however, different

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In April, Russias domestic security service, the FSB, reported thwarting an IS plot to attack a Moscow synagogue. It also conducted raids in Dagestan after the March attack in Moscow.

Russias news agency TASS reported that the FSB detained members of a terrorist cell of foreigners headquartered in Dagestan that funded and armed the terrorists who attacked Crocus City Hall and that they were also preparing a terrorist attack on Kaspiysk, a city in the same republic.

The FSB press office said, On March 31, the Republic of Dagestans branch of Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) suppressed the activity of a terrorist cell consisting of four foreign citizens who were plotting a terrorist act in a public place in Kaspiysk."

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It was also established that the detained militants were directly involved in financing and providing instruments of terror to the perpetrators of the March 22 terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall music venue in a Moscow suburb, TASS quoted the FSB press office as saying.

The FSB said the criminals scouted the location, made an improvised explosive device and acquired automatic weapons in Dagestan. Immediately after the terrorist attack, they planned to leave Russia, it said.
Russias Dagestan province and the North Caucasus region it is located is known to have the presence of terrorist group ISIS read more

At least 19 people have been killed in attacks in Russia's Dagestan province (Representative Photo: Reuters)

Many months before Russias Dagestan made global headlines with attacks on Jewish synagogues and a church, mobs were running wild in the province to hunt for Israeli Jews.

In October 2023, afters rumours spread that a plane with Israeli Jewish passengers would be landing at the airport in Dagestans Makhachkala, hundreds of people went about the airport to hunt for Jews and stormed the runway as well. They even raided a hotel in the city in their hunt for the Jews.

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The two incidents divided by several months are connected by rising antisemitism and Islamist threat in Russia and particularly the Dagestan province. In March, more than 140 people were killed in Moscow in an attack claimed by the terrorist group ISIS and, the next month, four people were arrested from Dagestan over suspicions of being part of the plot.

The Dagestan is a Muslim-majority province of Russia which also borders Chechnya, another troubled province of Russia that has seen two brutal wars in the past (1994-96 and 1999-2000). The North Caucasus region, of which the province is part, has faced challenges from the Islamist movement in which several civilians as well as security personnel have been killed over the years. The ISIS is known to have a presence in the region.

The hunt for Jews in Dagestan

In October 2023, weeks after the war in Gaza Strip began, rumours spread that a flight of Israeli Jewish refugees was arriving in Makhachkala. Then, for hours, the mobs ran wild for the hunt of Jews.

The Makhachkala is the same city of Dagestan where a Jewish synagogue was also attacked on Sunday. In the attack in Makhachkala and another synagogue and a church in Derbent, a total of 19 people were killed. Derbent is home to an ancient Jewish community and there are around 800 Jewish families in the province.

In videos of the incident on social media, the rioters were seen heckling people who said they were locals and had arrived from Israel after receiving medical treatment there.

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A lynch mob in Dagestan, Russia hunting for Jews breaks through airport security screaming AllahAkbar.



A frightened airport employee is heard in background saying youre going to kill people! pic.twitter.com/tXXsv6W9XG  StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 29, 2023

The driving force behind the hunt for Jews was the opposition of Israel in the wake of Israel-Hamas War in Gaza.

As per The Guardian newspaper, the riots also affected the city of Khasavyurt in the province where rioters seized a hotel to search for rooms where Jews may be staying.

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Following the two incidents, local leaders had called for the evacuation of all Jewish families in the region to safer places amid threats of violence against them in their native province, according to the paper.

Dagestans terrorism problem

As mentioned earlier, Dagestan has long had a terrorist problem.

The AFP has reported that terrorists from Dagestan are known to have travelled to Syria to join ISIS. They have also formed a branch of the group there.

In its daily briefing on Russia, the think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has said that this branch of the ISIS could be behind the attacks.

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Following the attack, the Russian branch of the regional ISIS affiliate, the ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), in a message praised their brothers from the Caucasus for showing what they were capable of. The ISW said that while the statement did not outright claim the attacks, the reference to the Caucasus strongly suggested that the branch was responsible for the attack.
The deceased in the attacks in Dagestan include 15 police personnel and four civilians, according to Russian authorities read more

The terrorists who attacked a church and two synagogues in Dagestan province have been killed and the security operation is over, said Russian authorities.

At least 19 people were killed in the attacks and at least six terrorists involved have been neutralised, according to Russian authorities.

The deceased involved 15 police personnel and four civilians, as per authorities. The dead also include a Christian priest.

The Russian news agencies quoted the countrys National Antiterrorism Committee as saying that the security operation was concluded at 5:15 GMT (10"45 am IST). While it was initially understood that only the church and the synagogues were attacked, the committee said that a police checkpoint was also attacked.

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What we know of the Dagestan attacks?

Two Jewish synagogues and one Christian church was attacked in two cities in Russias Dagestan province.

The Russian state-run RT reported that a church and synagogue were attacked in Derbent and another synagogue was attacked in Makhachkala.

The AFP reported that the attacks took place on the religious holiday of Pentecost Sunday thats marked by the Russian Orthodox Church. The RT named the church attacked as Russian Orthodox Church Holiday - Holy Trinity.

The TASS news agency quoted Dagestans provincial chief Sergei Melikov as saying that at least six terrorists were killed in the operation.

Six gunmen were killed. Further operative and search and investigative action will continue until detecting all the participants of sleeper cells, which were definitely prepared in particular from abroad, said Melikov, as per the agency.

The TASS agency had cited a law enforcement source as saying that the attackers behind the attack were supporters of an international terrorist organisation. It did not name any organisation.

Dagestan has long had security concerns

Dagestan has been associated with terrorist activities for a long time. The Muslim-majority province lies east to Chechnya, another Russian province that has been a hotbed of insurgency where two brutal wars have been fought in the past (1994-96 and 1999-2000).

Terrorists from Dagestan are known to have travelled to Syria to join the terrorist group ISIS. They have also formed a branch of the group there.

Previously, the Russian FSB security service had said that it had arrested four suspects in Dagestan in relation to the Moscow concert attack in March in which more than 100 people were killed. The ISIS had claimed that attack.

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Even though the Chechen insurgents have been broadly defeated, scores of civilians and police personnel have been killed in a string of Islamist attacks as Russian and terrorists remained locked in a simmering conflict, as per AFP.
Netanyahu says Israel is still committed to destroying Hamas military and governing capabilities, and ensuring it can never again carry out an October 7-style assault read more

The viability of a US-backed proposal to wind down the 8-month-long war in Gaza was cast into doubt on Monday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would only be willing to agree to a partial ceasefire deal that would not end the war, comments that sparked an uproar from families of hostages held by Hamas.

In an interview broadcast late Sunday on Israeli Channel 14, a conservative, pro-Netanyahu station, the Israeli leader said he was prepared to make a partial deal  this is no secret  that will return to us some of the people, referring to the roughly 120 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip. But we are committed to continuing the war after a pause, in order to complete the goal of eliminating Hamas. Im not willing to give up on that.

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Netanyahus comments did not deviate dramatically from what he has said previously about his terms for a deal. But they come at a sensitive time as Israel and Hamas appear to be moving further apart over the latest cease-fire proposal, and they could represent another setback for mediators trying to end the war.

Netanyahus comments stood in sharp contrast to the outlines of the deal detailed late last month by US President Joe Biden, who framed the plan as an Israeli one and which some in Israel refer to as Netanyahus deal. His remarks could further strain Israels ties to the US, its top ally, which launched a major diplomatic push for the latest ceasefire proposal.

The three-phased plan would bring about the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. But disputes and mistrust persist between Israel and Hamas over how the deal plays out.

Hamas has insisted it will not release the remaining hostages unless theres a permanent cease-fire and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. When Biden announced the latest proposal last month, he said it included both.

But Netanyahu says Israel is still committed to destroying Hamas military and governing capabilities, and ensuring it can never again carry out an Oct. 7-style assault. A full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, where Hamas top leadership and much of its forces are still intact, would almost certainly leave the group in control of the territory and able to rearm.

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In the interview, Netanyahu said that the current phase of fighting is ending, setting the stage for Israel to send more troops to its northern border to confront the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, in what could open up a new war front. But he said that didnt mean the war in Gaza was over.

During the initial six-week phase, the sides are supposed to negotiate an agreement on the second phase, which Biden said would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and Israels full withdrawal from Gaza. The temporary cease-fire would become permanent.

Hamas appears concerned that Israel will resume the war once its most vulnerable hostages are returned. And even if it doesnt, Israel could make demands in that stage of negotiations that were not part of the initial deal and are unacceptable to Hamas  and then resume the war when Hamas refuses them.

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Netanyahus remarks reinforced that concern. After they were aired, Hamas said they represented unmistakable confirmation of his rejection of the US-supported deal, which also received the backing of the United Nations Security Council.

In a statement late Sunday after Netanyahus lengthy TV interview, the Palestinian militant group said his position was in contrast to what the US administration said that Israel had approved. The group said that its insistence that any deal should include a permanent cease-fire and the withdrawal of all Israeli forces out of the entire Gaza Strip was an inevitable necessity to block Netanyahus attempts of evasion, deception, and perpetuation of aggression and the war of extermination against our people.

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Netanyahu shot back and in a statement from his office said Hamas opposed a deal. He said Israel would not withdraw from Gaza until all 120 hostages are returned.

Hamas welcomed the broad outline of the US plan but proposed what it said were amendments. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to the region earlier this month, said some of Hamas demands were workable and some were not, without elaborating.

Netanyahu and Hamas both have incentives to keep the devastating war going despite the catastrophic toll it has had on civilians in Gaza and the mounting anger in Israel that after so many months Israel has not reached its aims of returning the hostages and defeating Hamas.

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The families of hostages have grown increasingly impatient with Netanyahu, seeing his apparent reluctance to move ahead on a deal as tainted by political considerations. A group representing the families condemned Netanyahus remarks, which it viewed as an Israeli rejection of the latest cease-fire proposal.

This is an abandonment of the 120 hostages and a violation of the states moral duty toward its citizens, it said, noting that it held Netanyahu responsible for returning all the captives.

In its Oct. 7 cross-border assault, Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took 250 people captive, including women, children and older people. Dozens were freed in a temporary cease-fire deal in late November and of the 120 remaining hostages, Israeli authorities say about a third are dead.

Israels retaliatory war has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. It has sparked a humanitarian crisis and displaced most of the territorys 2.3 million population.
Asked what the Russian response would be, Peskov recalled Putins words on June 6 when the Kremlin chief said he could deploy conventional missiles within striking distance of the United States and its European allies if they allowed Ukraine to strike deeper into Russia with long-range Western weapons read more

A view shows a multi-storey residential building damaged in recent shelling by U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles, according the Russian Defence Ministry, in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in Luhansk, Russian-controlled Ukraine. File Photo. Reuters

The Kremlin on Monday explicitly accused the United States of being responsible for an attack on Crimea by Ukrainian forces, using ATACMS missiles supplied by the U.S.

The attack resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals, including two children, and left 151 others injured. Russian officials stated that the conflict in Ukraine is now entering its most dangerous phase, with President Vladimir Putin cautioning repeatedly about the potential for a broader war involving major nuclear powers.

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However, attributing direct blame to the United States for a fatal assault on Crimeaterritory annexed by Russia in 2014 and claimed as Russian despite international recognition of it being part of Ukraineis a significant escalation.

We perfectly understand who is behind this, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that its was clear who supplied such weapons, aimed them and provided data for them.

Everything is absolutely clear here. As representatives of the media, you should ask my colleagues in Europe, and above all in Washington, the press secretaries, why their governments are killing Russian children. Just ask them this question.

The Russian Defence Ministry said on Sunday that the United States was responsible for the attack on the city of Sevastopol. Footage on Russian state television showed people running from a beach and some people being carried off on sun loungers.

Asked what the Russian response would be, Peskov recalled Putins words on June 6 when the Kremlin chief said he could deploy conventional missiles within striking distance of the United States and its European allies if they allowed Ukraine to strike deeper into Russia with long-range Western weapons.

Of course, the involvement of the United States in the fighting, as a result of which peaceful Russians are dying, cannot but have consequences, Peskov said.

Which ones exactly - time will tell

Russia, recognised as the worlds largest nuclear power, has initiated updates to its nuclear doctrine, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who referenced an earlier statement made by President Vladimir Putin.

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Peskov informed during a briefing on Monday that President Putin has directed efforts to update the doctrine in accordance with current circumstances, Peskov stated without further detail.

A senior member of the Russian parliament remarked on Sunday that Moscow might shorten the decision-making timeframe outlined in official policy regarding the use of nuclear weapons if perceived threats escalate.

In a recent statement, Putin suggested potential amendments to Russias established nuclear doctrine, specifying the conditions under which such weaponry could be employed.

The conflict in Ukraine has sparked the most significant standoff between Russia and Western nations since the Cuban missile crisis of 1962.

With inputs from agencies
Initially, we thought it was related to heatwaves because the temperature was excessively high, but we realised that there is a respiratory syndrome with the cases of death, Sy said of the deaths during the hajj pilgrimage, which took place during intense heat read more

Over 1300 hajj pilgrims, according to Saudi Arabia, died of respiratory illness. Representational Image. Reuters

Senegal said Monday it had implemented voluntary Covid-19 screening tests and reimposed the wearing of masks at Dakars international airport for returning pilgrims fearing the virus was linked to the deaths of some Mecca pilgrims.

Dakar suspects that a number of the some 1,300 deaths  according to a Saudi tally  are down to a respiratory syndrome ailment such as Covid-19, Health Minister Ibrahima Sy said on Sunday.

Initially, we thought it was related to heatwaves because the temperature was excessively high, but we realised that there is a respiratory syndrome with the cases of death, Sy said of the deaths during the hajj pilgrimage, which took place during intense heat.

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We told ourselves that, probably, there is a respiratory epidemic, and it was our duty to be able to monitor the pilgrims on their return by putting in place a screening system for everything Covid-19 related, said Sy in remarks carried by Senegalese broadcasters.

The health ministry said it had strengthened the health surveillance system by deploying a team at the airport to provide voluntary screening tests and identify pilgrims suffering from flu-like illnesses.

The ministry also urged the population to be vigilant, to show restraint and to be more serene to avoid an epidemic.

Out of 124 rapid diagnostic tests, 78 proved positive for the Covid-19 virus, 36 of which were later confirmed by PCR tests, the ministry said.

Charles Bernard Sagna, chief medical officer for the airport, said the alert was raised when the Senegalese medical team based in Jeddah had reported a significant number of passengers with respiratory problems.

There is no cause for alarm but there also has to be prevention, the ministry said Sunday.

Senegalese daily LObservateur reported that five of the dead at the hajj were Senegalese nationals.

They were among an around 12,000-strong officially registered Senegalese contingent.

Saudi Arabias official SPA news agency earlier reported 1,301 deaths at the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, where temperatures climbed as high as 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the countrys national meteorological centre.

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More than 80 percent of pilgrims attending mainly outdoor rituals were unauthorised and walked long distances in direct sunlight, according to SPA.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that all Muslims with the means must complete at least once in their lives.

Saudi officials have said 1.8 million pilgrims took part this year, a similar number to last year, and that 1.6 million came from abroad.
Lee Jae-myung resigned from his post to take preparatory steps and seek another term as the party supremo read more

South Korean lawmaker Lee Jae-myung gestures after he was elected as a South Koreas main opposition Democratic Partys chairperson during the partys convention in Seoul, South Korea. Source: File Image / AP

South Koreas Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung resigned as the chairman of the countrys main opposition party on Monday. According to the South Korean news outlet, Yonhap, the South Korean politician resigned from his post to take preparatory steps and seek another term as the party supremo.

The opposition party will be choosing its new leader at the DP national convention which is scheduled to take place in August. I have resigned from my position as the leader of the Democratic Party as the partys supreme council meeting just ended, Lee told reporters at the National Assembly.

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If I hadnt decided to run (for another term), I probably wouldnt have resigned today, he added, hinting at the possibility of running for reelection.

Who is Lee Jae-myung?

Currently serving as a member of the South Korean National Assembly, Lee was the nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2022 South Korean presidential elections. He served as the 35th Governor of Gyeonggi Province from 2018 to 2022.

Lee started off his career as a factory worker, however, a workplace injury left him unfit for the job. After getting a law degree in 1986, he became a prominent human rights and labour rights lawyer in the country.

The South Korean opposition leader eventually entered politics in 2005 and unsuccessfully contested a few elections before he became the Mayor of Seongnam in 2010. On 2 January 2024, the Democratic Party leader was stabbed while visiting the construction site of an airport in Gadeokdo, Busan.

He was immediately hospitalised at Pusan National University and survived the brutal assassination attempt. The suspect was arrested at the scene and during the police interrogation he admitted that he wanted to assassinate the South Korean leader.

The DP is planning to hold the partys national convention on August 18, this year. As per the party rules a party chair must resign from his leadership position to be eligible as a candidate to assume the leadership position again.

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After Lees resignation, DP floor leader Park Chan-dae will serve as the partys acting leader until the convention, Yonhap reported.
The gruesome terror attack led to the death of at least 15 police officers, an Orthodox priest and an unknown number of civilians read more

A view shows plumes of smoke rising, in Derbent, Russia, on 23 June, 2024, in this still image obtained from a video. Reuters

Russia witnessed yet another terror attack after gunmen opened fire on places of worship in two cities of Russias southernmost Dagestan province on Sunday. The gruesome attack led to the death of at least 15 police officers, an Orthodox priest and an unknown number of civilians.

After the authorities calmed the situation in the region, Sergey Melikov, head of the Dagestan Republic, informed that at least six militants were also killed following the attacks on churches, synagogues and police posts in the cities of Derbent and the regional capital Makhachkala, CNN reported.

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Recent videos from the incident reflected the chaos that ensued after the attack and how the authorities tackled the matter.

The videos show the horrors

In the videos that are circulating online, the gunmen can be seen rushing to the church premises and even shooting at random cars that are nearby.

BREAKING:  Terrorist attack against Orthodox Church & Jewish Synagogue in #Russia Dagestan region.



After deadly terror attack in starting of this Year now this. pic.twitter.com/T0i2ffKzvi  Vivek Singh (@VivekSi85847001) June 23, 2024

The bearded gunmen were dressed in all black and stirred major havoc in the city. Another video which is going around is the bodycam footage that showed the Russian authorities early response to the matter.

BODYCAM FOOTAGE RELEASED OF POLICE RESPONSE TO RUSSIAN TERROR ATTACK



The footage is from the initial police response to the attack in Makhachkala, Dagestan.



Source: @oldLentach https://t.co/vdsbixKxLW pic.twitter.com/Ym1XV0FJv0  Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 23, 2024

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In the footage, the police can be seen getting out of the cars with assault rifles and hunting the terrorists that wreaked havoc in the region. In several other videos, both churches and synagogues can be seen burning.

2 SYNAGOGUES BURNED DOWN IN DAGESTAN TERROR ATTACK



Chairman of the Public Council of Russia's Federation of Jewish Communities:



"The synagogue in Derbent is on fire.



It has not been possible to extinguish the fire.



2 are killed: a policeman and a security guard.



The https://t.co/NiPqKYWEow pic.twitter.com/G6Or4S45Ub  Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 23, 2024

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Terrorists slits prominent preists throat

It is pertinent to note that Dagestan is home to a small Christian minority and an even smaller Jewish population. According to the Dagestan Public Monitoring Commission Chairman Shamil Khadulaev, the priest killed in the attack was identified as Father Nikolai Kotelnikov.

They slit his throat. He was 66 years old and very ill, Khadulaev told the media. According to The Washington Post, the priest was killed at the Church of Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Derbent. The identities of the attackers are yet to be established and no terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of now.

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The Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Republic of Dagestan said it had launched a terror investigation into the attacks under the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

All the circumstances of the incident and the persons involved in the terrorist attacks are being established, and their actions will be given a legal assessment, the agency said in a statement.

With inputs from agencies.
Ookla has released its latest 5G quality of experience data, analyzing page load speeds on three popular services in nine major countries during Q1 2024.

Page load and Latency

Page load speed, which measures how quickly a webpage fully displays its content, is crucial for a smooth internet browsing experience.

This metric is directly influenced by latency, the time it takes for a device to receive a response after sending a request. Lower latency, promised by 5G technology, is expected to significantly enhance page load speeds compared to 4G.

Global Latency Statistics

According to Ooklas Speedtest Global Index in May 2024, mobile latency averages 27 milliseconds (0.027 seconds) globally for 5G and 9 milliseconds (0.009 seconds) for fixed broadband.

High latency can delay webpage loads significantly, with research indicating that a delay of more than 3 seconds can lead 40% of users to abandon a site.

5G Performance Across Countries

Ooklas analysis confirms that 5G generally delivers faster page load speeds than 4G across all services tested in the surveyed countries. However, the degree of improvement varies by region as follows:

India

In India, 5G demonstrated notable improvements over 4G in page load speeds across Google, YouTube, and Facebook during Q1 2024. Specifically, Google loaded 23% faster, YouTube 32% faster, and Facebook 33% faster on 5G compared to 4G.

However, India ranked among the slowest for Facebook page loads over 5G among all countries studied by Ookla.

Other Countries

Brazil: 5G showed a 20-30% faster page load speed compared to 4G.

Canada: Recorded one of the fastest 5G page load speeds across Google, YouTube, and Facebook.

France: Experienced a 14-20% increase in page load speed with 5G over 4G.

Mexico: 5G improved page load speeds by 26-28% over 4G.

Nigeria: Showed up to 47% faster page load speeds with 5G compared to 4G.

South Africa: Witnessed 22-36% faster page load speeds on average with 5G, although Google and YouTube loading speeds were slower compared to other countries.

United States: Enjoyed 21-26% faster page load speeds on 5G across all services compared to 4G.

Ooklas analysis of Q1 2024 data reaffirms that 5G technology generally delivers on its promise of faster page load speeds compared to 4G across various services and countries.

However, disparities in speed improvements highlight the influence of local network conditions and infrastructure.

Source
felicilin at 24-06-2024 05:25 PM (3 months ago) (f)

A political group which supports President Bola Tinubu, has called out the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic party, Atiku Abubakar after he paid a visit to former military president, Ibrahim Babangida and ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

A political group which supports President Bola Tinubu, has called out the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic party, Atiku Abubakar after he paid a visit to former military president, Ibrahim Babangida and ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Disciples of Jagaban (DOJ), stated that despite Atiku embarking on a political sojourn, he can never become the President of Nigeria.



The group made the assertion in a statement in Abuja by its National Coordinator, Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje.



The group said the recent visits by Atiku to the former Presidents would not be enough to get him the presidency in 2027.



Alawuje added in the statement that Atiku has nothing more to offer and should be banished totally from the political scene in Nigeria.



The statement said: The Disciples of Jagaban (DOJ), stated that despite Atiku embarking on a political sojourn, he can never become the President of Nigeria.The group made the assertion in a statement in Abuja by its National Coordinator, Abdulhakeem Adegoke Alawuje.The group said the recent visits by Atiku to the former Presidents would not be enough to get him the presidency in 2027.Alawuje added in the statement that Atiku has nothing more to offer and should be banished totally from the political scene in Nigeria.The statement said: Quote The former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, is in the news again, as he embarked on a political sojourn that saw him visit two former presidents last week.



Though the details of the meetings Atiku held with former military president Ibrahim Babangida and ex-President Muhammadu Buhari remain sketchy, feelers are the visit may not be unconnected with the 2027 presidential election.



If this is indeed true, then Atiku Abubakar must be told in clear terms that 2027 is not negotiable as far as President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu is concerned.



Tinubu is a staunch democrat who intentionally refused to disclose all the accumulated crisis of over three decades, he met in the office, but he said, I am fully aware of what I am coming to clear, before I ask Nigerian to vote for me, being a straight forward leader, made some Nigerian sifting all the blame of the present situation on him.



Atiku needs to be told that this is an undisputed fact, with all the major opposition politicians fully aware that the return of Tinubu in 2027 is not negotiable.



Atikus latest romance with the former presidents is a vein pursuit of the surreal, an unrealistic endeavor for which Nigerians are there to tell him the bitter truth, the necessity for him not to embark on another fruitless journey that would certainly end in another disappointment.



Obviously, Atiku and his handlers have forgotten that power comes only from God and not through the manipulative tendencies of individuals even as they try to mislead the citizens.

The DOJ alleged that Atiku has become frustrated after many failed trials at becoming the President of Nigeria and needs to leave the scene completely.



Alawuje added: The level of political frustration in Atiku is increasing by the seconds, and it has resulted in a dream that can never come through.



Nigerians need not waste their time and resources in listening to the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, because he has nothing more to give.



Being a former vice president, he deserves some respect and regards from us. The best we can offer him at the moment is to barnish him permanently from the political scene.



The Tinubu-support group accused the former Vice President of being an ethnic bigot and therefore not fit to lead a multi-ethnic nation like Nigeria.



His latest permutations to unseat Tinubu in 2027: and the list of the Ex-presidents he had visited within a week is getting seriously alarming, even if he decided to visit either Saitan or Pharaoh, nothing can change Almighty Gods decision on Tinubu.



His desperation to rule Nigeria has politically changed to a determination to set the country to a serious ethnic crisis.



I will always remind the former Vice President on his debate at Arewa House before the 2023 general election, where he publicly said the Northerners doesnt need either Yorubas or Igbos to produce president



This is not the former Vice President we used to know. His behaviour of late has shown that he is ready to set the country on the part of anarchy in order to achieve his ambition, Alawuje said. The DOJ alleged that Atiku has become frustrated after many failed trials at becoming the President of Nigeria and needs to leave the scene completely.Alawuje added:The Tinubu-support group accused the former Vice President of being an ethnic bigot and therefore not fit to lead a multi-ethnic nation like Nigeria.Alawuje said.

Post Reply Posted: at 24-06-2024 05:25 PM (3 months ago) | Addicted Hero
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider an appeal from the proponents of a Utah railway project that would help facilitate the shipment of oil on trains along the Colorado River in western Colorado and on to Gulf Coast refineries.

The court has agreed to consider part of an appellate court decision vacating the U.S. Surface Transportation Boards permit for the proposed 85-mile Uinta Basin Railway. The project would facilitate increased oil production in the Uinta Basin in northeast Utah, potentially by an additional 350,000 barrels a day. That oil would be shipped across the Western Slope, which has raised concerns about potential impacts such as spills into the river in the case of a derailment.

The project is being pursued by the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition in Utah. It asked the high court to review one aspect of the appeals courts 2023 ruling. That portion of the ruling held that the Surface Transportation Board erred in failing to analyze the projects upstream drilling impacts on wildlife and vegetation and downstream refining impacts on Gulf Coast communities, according to a news release from environmental groups.

Wendy Park, a senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, said in the release that it is disappointing the Supreme Court took up this case but the appellate courts decision on this destructive project is legally sound and should ultimately stand.

The groups note that the court will not review several other legal violations the lower court found, and said those legal defects will prevent the project from moving forward regardless of how the Supreme Court ultimately rules.

The appeals court found that the board failed to appropriately look at things such as trail-related wildfire risk, the possibility for accidents that could result in spills, and possible water impacts along the railroad the trains would travel. It also found fault with a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biological opinion for the project that failed to assess impacts on imperiled and other fish in the Colorado River. The appeals court sent the matter back to the Surface Transportation Board for further consideration based on its findings.

Keith Heaton, executive director of the seven-county coalition, said in a text Monday that the railway achieved a significant milestone with the Supreme Court review.

While we are aware that the project opponents believe that there are environmental concerns that were not properly addressed, the railway team will continue to fight to pave the way for the projects continuation, securing a prosperous future for our communities.

The coalition said in a news release that the high courts decision to review the case offers a chance to resolve a critical legal question regarding the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act ... review.

... This Supreme Court review has the potential to set a precedent for how large-scale infrastructure projects are evaluated and approved, impacting future projects nationwide.

The Surface Transportation Board didnt take a position on whether the high court should consider the matter. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar with the Department of Justice had filed a brief urging the Supreme Court to reject the petition to review the case.
China's state security authorities warn of foreign spies hunting military info on messaging app

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jun 23, 2024 04:01 PM

China's Ministry of State Security on Saturday posted a short film calling on the public to enhance national security awareness, as the film describes a case of espionage in which a military enthusiast was deceived by a foreign spy disguised as a pretty girl on instant messaging app into giving up sensitive military information.

Adapted from a real case, the short film WeChat Trap narrates that the national security authorities have detected a spy from abroad. The spy added nearby people as friends through the virtual positioning of WeChat, an instant messaging mobile app used by a majority Chinese mobile phone users, pretending to be a pretty girl to lure individuals into sharing sensitive information in a refined and precise manner. In this way, the spy was given the opportunity to conduct targeted espionage activities centered around critical facilities and military-sensitive areas such as ports and terminals.

The victim, He Li, lives near a military port. Influenced by his father, who is an army officer, He Li is extremely interested in the military since he was a child, considering himself a military enthusiast.

At the time when He was frustrated with his work, he accidentally met a girl named Yang Qing on WeChat. She initiated the conversation, professing to be a student studying abroad on vacation.

The two soon became intimate online friends. Yang claims that she is working part time at a military forum and asked He to help her as a mentor. For military fanatic He, it struck a sensitive spot. Unbeknownst to He, the so-called girl was a foreign spy.

As a result, He poured out the names and uses of the various naval vessels. When Yang hinted that she was curious to take a look at the troops, he offered her photos of the military harbor without any hesitation.

According to the film, Yang continued to probe about various military details, including military plans, deployments and equipment, through chats with He. She also promised to pay him to obtain more military information.

To provide more benefits to Yang, He invited a good friend, Chen Zheng, who was just retired from the army, to help her. Thankfully, Chen had attended a briefing on attempted espionage by national security authorities and instantly realized that He might have become the target of foreign forces.

After listening to Chen's analysis, He realized that foreign spies could add people neighboring troops as friends by using fake locations, so that spies from far away could disguise themselves as being "nearby." They disguised themselves as editors of a military forum and hunted for opportunities to steal military secrets from military facilities and port terminals.

Accompanied by his parents, He came to the national security authorities to confess his misdeed. After investigation, He was exempted from punishment in accordance with the law, considering that his behavior was minor and corrected in a timely fashion after turning himself in to authorities.

The Ministry of State Security has revealed several espionage cases in recent years, urging citizens to strengthen their awareness of national security, safeguard state secrets and take decisive action against betrayal.

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New Jersey Guard's 177th Fighter Wing Hosts Partner Cyprus

By Staff Sgt. Hunter Hires, Andrew Moseley and Airman 1st Class Connor Taggart, 177th Fighter Wing - New Jersey Air National Guard June 21, 2024

ATLANTIC CITY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.J. -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team technicians with the 70th Combat Engineer Battalion of the National Guard of the Republic of Cyprus visited the 177th Fighter Wing as part of the State Partnership Program June 4-14.

The 70th CEB EOD technicians and 177th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD team technicians observed exhibitions and participated in various exercises, which would typically fall under a U.S. Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal team's field of responsibility.

"There are four initiatives to the State Partnership Program," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. David Bernal, 177th CES EOD team leader. "There's intelligence, cyber, noncommissioned officer development and EOD."

During their visit, the Cypriot and American EOD technicians exchanged tactics and techniques in their shared field.

"I believe it [the State Partnership Program] will enhance their response capabilities and give them a greater understanding of the EOD mission sets," said Master Sgt. Phillip Douglass, 177th CES EOD team flight chief.

The 177th CES EOD team exhibited several examples of these mission sets, including counter-improvised explosive device operations, unexploded ordnance clearance and render-safe procedures, X-ray interpretation skills, night operations and air base recovery after simulated attack. They also experienced demonstrations of rapid explosive hazard mitigation, disposal of unserviceable munitions, exploitation of first-found ordnance, Category A. incident response, defense support to civil authorities with the Atlantic City Police Department bomb squad, a ride in a U.S. Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and the retirement ceremony of Senior Master Sgt. David Niedzwiadek, the 177th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight superintendent.

"I think [the State Partnership Program] will guide some decision-making as they continue to grow their EOD battalion over the next several years," said Douglass.

The New Jersey National Guard and Cyprus have been partners under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program since 2022. The program has been successfully building relations for more than 30 years and now includes 92 partnerships with 106 nations around the globe.

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56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team Getting Upgraded Strykers

By Brad Rhen, Joint Force Headquarters - Pennsylvania National Guard June 21, 2024

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. -- The 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team is getting more than 300 upgraded Stryker vehicles.

The brigade, headquartered at Biddle Air National Guard Base in Horsham and with units across the state, is turning in 322 old Strykers and receiving 316 upgraded vehicles.

The swap is part of the Stryker modernization initiative to replace the 56th SBCT's legacy flat-bottom Strykers with newer "double-V" hull models transferred from active-duty Army, said Col. Jeremy Coleman, Pennsylvania Army National Guard deputy chief of staff for logistics, or G4.

He said the newer Strykers have "an improved hull design to protect Soldiers from improvised explosive devices and roadside mines."

Col. Christopher Costello, 56th SBCT commander, said the Stryker modernization is important.

"Even though it isn't the most advanced Stryker platform, it is one that offers more protection to the crew due to the V-shaped hull design," he said.

Coleman said the legacy Strykers are to be turned in in August, with the new Strykers to arrive in mid-2025.

Most of the old vehicles will be turned in from Fort Indiantown Gap. The newly refurbished vehicles are coming from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Costello said it may be somewhat challenging to conduct the vehicle swap because of the brigade's operations tempo. More than 600 56th SBCT Soldiers are deployed to the Horn of Africa, and over 600 more will deploy to replace them later this year.

Additionally, the 56th SBCT headquarters will deploy to the Joint Multinational Training Center in Germany this year.

"This puts a heavy load on the non-deployed Soldiers who will have to divest the current fleet and receive the new fleet," Costello said.

The vehicle swap shouldn't affect the brigade's training and operations any more than the deployments and redeployments are already affecting them, Costello said.

Coleman said he does not anticipate any other significant challenges in turning in the old Strykers and receiving the new ones.

"But this transition will require new equipment training and field-level maintenance training to occur next year so we can train our Soldiers on the new model of Strykers," he said.

Strykers are eight-wheeled, armored vehicles around which Army Stryker brigades are centered. They come in nine variants, including Infantry Carrier Vehicle, Reconnaissance Vehicle, Mortar Carrier Vehicle, Commander's Vehicle and Medical Evacuation Vehicle.

Depending on the variant, Strykers can carry up to 11 occupants and reach speeds up to 60 mph.

The Army has nine Stryker brigade combat teams  seven in the active component and two in the National Guard. The 56th SBCT was the first Stryker brigade in the reserve component when it was transitioned in 2004.

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3d MDTF demonstrates ability to operate in the Indo-Pacific

By Major Stephen Page June 21, 2024

FORT SHAFTER, HAWAII -- 3d Multi-Domain Task Force (3MDTF) continued to demonstrate its ability to operate in the INDOPACOM theater through its participation, experimentation, and innovation in Valiant Shield 24. 3MDTF deployed teams of soldiers across the Pacific while executing distributed command and control and employing emerging concepts and capabilities partnered with Department of Defense agencies and commercial industry.

Teams operating out of Japan, Guam, and Palau integrated extended range sensing, long range communication, effects, and fires to contribute to accomplishing training objectives.

In Guam, 3MDTF soldiers, partnering with the Research and Experimentation branch of the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (OUSD) and Aerostar Industries, launched high altitude balloons (HABs) from Won Pat International Airport. Once launched, the HABs rapidly ascended above 50,000 feet and began operating around the Marianas Islands. Equipped with electromagnetic sensing and mesh communications equipment, the HABs helped inform future maritime domain awareness innovation and experimentation.

While HABs floated at high altitude, Platform Aerospace, partnering with OUSD (R&E) and 3MDTF, launched the Vanilla Ultra-Long Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Vanilla holds the world record for continuous, un-refueled flight of a combustion engine aircraft (>8 days). Vanilla can be configured for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Persistent Communications.

For Valiant Shield 24, Vanilla performed as a communication relay, operating effectively during a 27-hour flight. Vanilla's launch and flight, including multiple hours of flight during a violent storm, validated operational use of an Ultra-Long Endurance UAS capable of multi-day, multi-mission configurations.

Vanilla is an OUSD Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER) Program; Valiant Shield 24 was Vanilla's graduation event and formal Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 8 assessment.

In Palau, hundreds of miles away, soldiers from 3MDTF and 1-181 Artillery Regiment of the Tennessee National Guard participated in the VS24 Combined Joint Live Fire SINKEX on June 16, 2024, utilizing the U.S. Army Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (AML) and two Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM). During the SINKEX, the AML was able to engage a moving maritime target in conjunction with other Joint assets. The VS24 SINKEX is the first employment of both the AML and the PrSM outside of the U.S and is a significant milestone in the Army's development of long-range fires capabilities.

The prototype launcher will be capable of convoy operations, autonomous way point navigation, tele-operation, and remote launcher turret and fire control operation.

PrSM is the Army's next-generation Long Range Precision Fires weapon and is capable of neutralizing targets at standoffs greater than 400 kilometers.

To bring together the soldiers and capabilities spread thousands of miles throughout the Pacific, the3MDTF All-Domain Operations Center (ADOC) on Oahu, and a Battalion command in Japan were established. These operations centers provided the hub for synchronized planning and execution during the exercise.

VS24 provides 3MDTF an invaluable ability to train alongside partners and allies. Col. Michael Rose, the 3MDTF Commander commented, "Valiant Shield enabled us to integrate with the Combined Joint Force and operate distributed while forward in theater. We were able to build new relationships and continue to deepen existing ties. Valiant Shield and like exercises in the region enables us to test our systems and processes as well as integrate new capabilities alongside our partners and allies, contributing to the continuous transformation of our multi-domain capability and increasing our warfighting readiness."

VS24 is a multinational, biennial field training exercise focused on integrating interoperability training in a multi-domain environment. This training builds real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units at sea, in the air, in space, on land, and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. VS24 is the 10th iteration of the Valiant Shield exercise which first began in 2006.

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June 22 U.S. Central Command Update

U.S. Central Command

Press Release | June 22, 2024

USCENTCOM

June 22, 2024

Release Number 20240622 - 01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TAMPA, Fla. -- In the past 24 hours, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) forces successfully destroyed three Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed surface vessels (USV) in the Red Sea.

It was determined these systems presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. This action was taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels.

Separately, Iranian-backed Houthis launched three anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) from a Houthi controlled area of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden. There were no injuries or significant damage reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels.

Recent claims about a successful attack by Houthi forces on the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) are categorically false.

This continued malign and reckless behavior by the Iranian-backed Houthis threatens regional stability and endangers the lives of mariners across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Houthis claim to be acting on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza, and yet they threaten and have taken the lives of innocent civilians who have nothing to do with the conflict in Gaza. CENTCOM will continue to act with partners to hold the Houthis accountable and degrade their military capabilities.

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Houthis, Iraqi Militia Say Attacked Israeli-Linked Ships in Haifa, Mediterranean Sea

Sputnik News

20240623

DOHA (Sputnik) - Yemen's rebel Ansar Allah movement, also known as the 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.

"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."

 Sputnik

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Gaza: Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic on the humanitarian situation and access constraints

European External Action Service (EEAS)

23.06.2024

EEAS Press Team

The crisis in Gaza has reached another breaking point. The delivery of any meaningful humanitarian assistance inside Gaza has become almost impossible and the very fabric of civil society is unravelling. Starving civilians are resorting to desperate measures to access the limited aid that trickles in.

Due to the ongoing military operations and the collapse of law and order in Gaza, our partners are forced to operate in an unacceptably unsafe environment. The announcement of temporary 'tactical pauses' for delivering humanitarian assistance has not resulted in any improvement in the security environment for humanitarian actors on the ground.

The latest updates from humanitarian organisations attempting to deliver essential aid are highly concerning. Operations are at risk of breaking down if no action is taken.

Once again, we call on all the parties involved in the conflict to uphold their international legal responsibilities: protect civilians, ensure their access to basic services, provide a safe environment for humanitarian operations and grant unimpeded humanitarian access. We also call for an immediate and unconditional release of the hostages.

Despite these obligations, humanitarian aid is piling up at the borders of Egypt and Jordan, including substantial EU-funded assistance. Some of these aid supplies, such as food items, are perishable and at risk going to waste.

This is a significant blow to our humanitarian efforts and those of the whole international community, in addition to being a material and financial loss of EU funds.

Since last October we have organised 56 humanitarian air bridge flights for Gaza, with the most recent one completed last week. We have used every available route for aid delivery.

Sending aid without access to and within Gaza is futile. We call for an immediate ceasefire, unconditional release of hostages, the protection of civilians including humanitarian workers and concerted action to facilitate the delivery of life-saving assistance to the population of Gaza.

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US keeps stoking tensions despite Philippine's failed latest provocation

Global Times

PLA Navy ramps up training, patrols to deter potential provocation: report

By Yang Sheng and Liu Xuanzun Published: Jun 23, 2024 11:07 PM

Although the Philippines' latest provocation in the waters off China's Ren'ai Jiao (also known as Ren'ai Reef) in the South China Sea has failed under the decisive law enforcement by the China Coast Guard (CCG), the US is still trying to hype the tension in the region, as it wants more regional countries to be used and seek hegemonic interests from conflicts, said Chinese experts after a senior US diplomat made groundless accusations in Vietnam against China recently.

Washington's meddling is the root cause of the current tension disrupting regional peace and stability, and it using the mutual defense treaty with Manila to harm China's sovereignty is doomed to fail, experts said. Apart from the law enforcement forces like the CCG, the Chinese navy is also well-prepared for any further potential provocation from the US navy in the region, said analysts as the vessels of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy have recently conducted training exercises and patrols in relevant waters.

US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink visited and held talks in Vietnam on Saturday, according to the AP. Kritenbrink pointed finger at China's necessary, lawful, justified, professional and restrained law enforcement against the Philippines' provocation on June 17.

"China's actions, particularly its recent actions, have been irresponsible, aggressive, dangerous, deeply destabilizing," Kritenbrink said, stressing that defense treaties between the US and its ally the Philippines were "ironclad."

In response to the remarks from the US official, the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam released a statement on Sunday saying that "China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and rights of jurisdiction over relevant waters ... The history of the issue of Ren'ai Jiao is very clear. For its own geopolitical interests, the US has repeatedly meddled in and provoked the maritime issues between China and the Philippines. On the one hand, it has encouraged and supported the Philippines' infringement and provocations in the South China Sea, and even blatantly supported the Philippines by threatening to invoke the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty at every turn."

"On the other hand, the US has ignored facts, distorted right and wrong, amplified disputes and provoked confrontation, and made groundless accusations against China's legitimate rights protection. What the US has done seriously violates international law and basic norms governing international relations; undermines China's sovereignty and rights and interests; and jeopardizes regional peace and stability. China expresses strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to this."

Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Sunday that "the international community, including all regional countries, can see clearly from relevant videos and photos that it was the Philippines who sent its military personnel to intrude into China's territorial waters, and the provocation met with decisive actions from the Chinese law enforcement forces. Who is provoking? Who has been forced to respond to provocation? Who is aggressive and who is being restrained? Who wins and who loses? Answers to these questions are all clear."

However, the US doesn't want to give up its meddling, so it sends the diplomats to Vietnam, not the Philippines, to try to expand the mess to other countries, to try to instigate more regional countries to fall into the trap of confrontation, and played up the so-called mutual defense treaty over and over again despite that the US ally has paid heavy prices after having direct frictions with China but only receive lip service from Washington, said Li.

Don't be manipulated

After the friction on June 17, Manila is recently trying to soften its tone. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Sunday his country is not in the business of instigating wars and will always aim to settle disputes peacefully, amid escalating maritime confrontations with China, Reuters reported.

On Friday, Manila also said it has no plan to invoke its mutual defense treaty with the US after the June 17 friction. "That has not been considered in our discussions," the Philippines' presidential assistant on maritime concerns Andres Centino said when asked if the Philippines was considering activating its treaty with the US, the AP reported.

Li said the Marcos Jr's administration will gradually realize that there is nothing good for being used by the US to confront China, and the more it has frictions or tensions in the South China Sea, the more it will learn, and maybe it just cannot get rid of the control by Washington. "If they can return to reasonable negotiation rather than pointless provocations on the sea, the nightmare will end immediately," he added.

The Chinese Embassy in Vietnam said in its statement released on Sunday that "Thanks to the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea has remained generally stable. Countries in the region should remain on high alert to external interference and continue to firmly hold the leading role in solving the problem in their own hands."

In the eyes of regional countries including Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, the act that brings external powers into the regional issue like what the Philippines is doing right now is irresponsible and absolutely unhelpful for the peaceful settlement on the maritime issue, analysts said.

This is why no regional countries speak for Manila's provocation, and China will keep working with other regional countries to proceed negotiation process for the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and hopefully, the Philippines can return to the reasonable stance that is used to have as soon as possible, said Li.

PLA Naval deterrence

The Chinese PLA Navy has reportedly ramped up training exercises and patrols in and near the South China Sea amid the recent tensions in the region caused by the Philippines' continuous provocations.

A naval task force featuring landing ships the Danxiashan, the Laotieshan and the Lushan recently carried out a four-day all-weather full-course combat exercise in the South China Sea, as the warships practiced air defense, alongside berthing and personnel rescuing, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Saturday.

Observers said these landing ships are of the Type 072 and Type 073 series, which are smaller than the PLA Navy's Type 071 amphibious landing ship and Type 075 amphibious assault ship.

While the larger amphibious vessels can carry more troops and equipment and release them at a certain distance away from the shore, the smaller landing ships can conduct grounding operations directly on islands and reefs, giving the latter special roles to play, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Sunday.

For example, Type 072 series landing ships have participated in multiple major military operations, including the building of the maritime observation station on Yongshu Jiao (also known as Yongshu Reef) in the Nansha Qundao (also known as the Nansha Islands) in the South China Sea in 1988, thepaper.cn reported.

The drills came after Philippine media reported the presence of a Type 071 amphibious landing ship and a Type 075 amphibious assault ship near the Nansha Qundao this month, as the PLA Navy has reportedly its vast amphibious arsenal deployed in the region.

Amphibious vessels are not the only forces the PLA Navy has deployed in the South China Sea, as it has also sent some of its most powerful surface warships to the region for drills and patrols.

The armed forces of the Philippines on Friday confirmed the transit of four PLA Navy warships headed by the Type 055 large destroyer Dalian through the Balabac Strait on Wednesday, Philippine media outlet the Daily Tribune reported on Saturday.

The Philippine side said that the Balabac Strait, connecting the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea, "is commonly used by international vessels."

Earlier this month, official Chinese media revealed that three other Type 055s, widely believed to be the world's most powerful destroyer, the Xianyang, the Zunyi and the Yan'an, had also recently conducted round-the-clock long-endurance combat exercises in the South China Sea.

This means that all four Type 055 large destroyers currently in service with the navy of the PLA Southern Theater Command facing the South China Sea were sailing in or near the South China Sea recently.

The above-mentioned military expert said that while the PLA Navy is not directly involved in the recent encounters with the Philippines, it served as a strong backing to the CCG and a powerful deterrent against the Philippines and external forces like the US.

Should the Philippines further push up provocation or external forces interferes, leading to escalations or emergencies, the CCG and the PLA Navy have what it takes to safeguard national sovereign security as well as maritime rights and interests, analysts said.

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Plan to establish US Marine regiment in Guam 'to escalate camp confrontation, stir up regional tensions'

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Jun 23, 2024 09:59 PM

The US Marines plan to deploy to Guam a littoral regiment capable of a flexible and rapid response in a "few years," media revealed on Saturday, which Chinese observers said is aimed at preparing for great power competition, blatantly exposing the US's combat intentions against China.

On Saturday, Japanese media outlet Kyodo News reported that General Eric Smith, commandant of the US Marine Corps, told a press conference in Washington that the Marine Littoral Regiment is "designed as a counter to PRC aggression," to protect Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

Smith said the regiment, due to be based on 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 that includes Japan as well as the island of Taiwan and the northwest Philippines.

In the event of potential conflicts with China, such as China advancing its cause of national reunification, or conflicts erupting between China and the Philippines or Japan over territorial disputes, the US may use these deployments to strike against China, Chinese observers noted.

"This demonstrates the US' relentless preparation to compete with China, with a clear Cold War mentality," Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Sunday.

The plan to establish a littoral regiment in Guam again demonstrated that the US is engaging in camp confrontation, seeking to rally countries like Japan and the Philippines, as well as to strengthen its control over these allies through military deployments and cooperation, enticing them to join the US' chariot and making these countries work for its anti-China strategy, Zhang said.

This will undoubtedly add fuel to the fire and stir up regional tensions, Zhang warned, noting that the US wants to benefit from the chaos, such as selling more military equipment.

Kyodo reported that the new regiment in Guam 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 was set up in Okinawa in November last year.

This exposed the US attempt to adopt a strategy of dispersion of its military forces, as the commandant of the US Marine Corps confirmed that the relocation of US Marines from Okinawa to Guam will begin in December.

Some observers believe that the US military forces' shift from Okinawa to Guam is a strategic retreat, indicating a lack of security in Okinawa.

But Zhang sees it differently.

"Strategically, the US military is not retreating from Okinawa; it may withdraw its forces, but some weapons and firepower will remain in place. On the one hand, the US is instigating conflicts, while on the other hand, it does not want its forces to suffer losses. Therefore, it is pushing countries like the Philippines and Japan to be firmly tied to its warship as cannon fodder," Zhang remarked.

Zhang also revealed the ongoing competition between the US Army and the Marine Corps for roles, funds and functions. He noted that the deployment of these assets is not actually the Marine Corps' expertise, but should instead be a focus of the US Army.

The US Marine Corps primarily focuses on amphibious operations, but now there is a need for the corps to undergo a tactical transformation toward littoral operations, emphasizing land-sea integration. This in itself will bring about significant changes to the Marine Corps' functions, which presents a considerable challenge, said another Chinese military expert, who requested anonymity.

If the Marine Corps insists on transformation, these disputes with the US Army will intensify, making the regiment's implementation more challenging, some military experts warned. They believe that in reality, it is impractical for the regiment to target China.

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Colombia severs diplomatic ties with Zionist regime

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 23, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Colombia has severed diplomatic relations with the Zionist regime for its months-long aggression against the Gaza Strip.

The cut in the relations between Bogota and Tel Aviv happened after Colombian President Gustavo Petro said in a speech on the International Workers Day that his country has plans to cut relations with the Zionist regime for its invasion of Gaza.

Local media said that the Zionist Ambassador to Bogota Gali Dagan has departed for Tel Aviv.

The Colombian Ambassador to the Zionist regime is also said to leave Tel Aviv within the next few days.

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Islamic Resistance in Iraq hits Israeli vital target in Eilat

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 23, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has conducted a fresh drone attack on an Israeli vital position in the Eilat, southern occupied territories.

In response to the atrocities committed by the Zionist regime and in support of the Palestinians and the people of Gaza, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq in a statement on Sunday announced that its forces had attacked a vital target in Umm al-Rashrash 'Eilat' using a drone, as reported by the Palestinian Samaa news agency.

The Islamic Resistance added that its forces will continue their attacks on the positions of the Zionist regime.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has conducted attacks on Israeli targets ever since the occupying regime started the genocidal war on Gaza in early October.

The Zionist regime has been waging an atrocious onslaught against the Gaza Strip, targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship after Palestinian Resistance movements launched a surprise attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, on October 7.

At least 37,372 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children. More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the war as well.

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Mufti Qabalan: Half million missiles to be anticipated in all-out war

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 23, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese Grand Jaafari Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan has emphasized that in any open war, the Zionist regime should expect about half a million missiles.

In a statement on Sunday, Qabalan said that the destructive capacity of these missiles is so that will take the Zionist regime 70 years back.

Qabalan said that the current war on Lebanon's southern front is at the core of Lebanon's regional interests, adding that there is no value for Lebanon without its regional interests and that strategic deterrence is part of its supreme interests, as there is no deterrence without war.

"The Resistance is the cornerstone of Lebanon's survival and future, and Lebanon's sovereignty is linked to the capabilities of the Resistance and the size of its national arsenal that guarantees its regional interests."

Kadhim al-Fartousi, the spokesman for the Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada anti-terror resistance group, have said that in the event of a full-blown war, this group will stand by Hezbollah.

He stressed that if the Zionist cabinet makes any insane decision, they will make a graveyard for their forces.

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Hezbollah hits Israeli military barracks with drones

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 23, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's resistance movement Hezbollah has launched several explosive-laden drones at Israeli military positions in northern occupied territories, wounding a number of Israeli soldiers.

The Israeli media reports said on Sunday that a Hezbollah drone had hit a gathering of Israeli troops in Eilat in northern occupied Palestine.

Hezbollah said in a statement that it had targeted the command headquarters of the Al-Sahl Battalion in the Beit Hillel barracks with a suicide drone.

The group said the operation was in response to the Israeli regime's assassination of resistance fighters and also carried out in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

Hezbollah said several Israeli troops were killed or wounded in the drone strike.

Sunday's drone strikes by Hezbollah came amid fears of a wider conflict between the Israeli regime and the Lebanese resistance movement.

The two sides have been trading fire almost every day since the Israeli regime launched a war of aggression against Gaza more than eight months ago.

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Hezbollah drone hits Israeli barracks' command center

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 23, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Lebanese resistance movement, Hezbollah, has conducted yet another attack on Israeli military positions amid concerns among Zionist and American officials that the regime's air defenses, including the Iron Dome, could be overwhelmed in case of a full-scale war with Hezbollah.

The latest air attack hit the command headquarters of the Sahel Battalion in the Beit Hillel Barracks on Sunday, leaving several Israeli forces killed and injured, Hezbollah said in a statement carried by Beirut-based Al Mayadeen news network, without specifying the exact number of the casualties.

The statement added that the headquarters was targeted with a suicide drone in support of the Palestinian people and in response to the Israeli regime's assassination of Ayman Hashem Ghatmeh, a member of Lebanese political party Jamaa Al-Islamiya (Islamic Group), who was killed on Saturday in a drone attack in al-Khyara village of the Western Bekka District, eastern Lebanon.

Since the onset of the Gaza war in early October, Hezbollah and the Israeli regime have been engaged in almost daily clashes at Lebanon's southern border, with the resistance movement maintaining that it aims to support Palestinians fighting the regime in Gaza.

Those clashes however have intensified in the past few weeks, raising the possibility of a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah whose military operations deemed successful over the past months have already caused growing concerns among Zionist officials on whether their air defenses, including the Iron Dome, could stand Hezbollah's drones and missiles.

American officials have shared the same concerns and spoken of worries raised by their Israeli counterparts that the Iron Dome could be overwhelmed if a full-fledged war breaks out with Hezbollah.

"Hezbollah sends drones to the north every day. It uses precision missiles that bypass all Israeli systems and accurately hit their targets. A few weeks ago, a Hezbollah drone targeted one of Israel's strategic balloons", an Israeli military source told Haaretz, in reference to Hezbollah attacks in the northern parts of Israeli-occupied territories, which lie at Lebanon's southern border.

Just past Tuesday, Hezbollah sent a drone into northern Israeli-occupied territories where it successfully recorded images of key bases of Haifa Port before returning to Lebanon.

The surveillance operation is said to have further raised the alarm among Zionist intelligence, military and political apparatuses, as analysts argue that the operation is indicative of Hezbollah possessing unpredictable capabilities.

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Vessel targeted by drones near Yemeni port of Al Hudaydah: Report

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 23, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- A ship has been targeted by drones near the port of Al Hudaydah in Yemen, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organization says.

The UKMTO has announced that it has received a report of an incident involving a merchant vessel west of Al Hudaydah, Yemen.

Sputnik news agency reported a drone strike on American military base Al-Tanf in Syria.

Suicide drones targeted the base on the Syrian border with Iraq and Jordan, the Russian source added.

The attack was launched with three drones late on Sunday, the report said, adding that the US air defense was unable to counter the attack.

Yemen, since mid-November 2023, has been launching attacks on Israeli ships or vessels heading for ports in the occupied Palestinian territories in response to the Israeli regime's war on Gaza.

The Arab country says its attacks are aimed at pressuring the regime to stop its military offensives in Gaza and lift its blockade of the Palestinian territory where almost the entire population is facing shortages of basic supplies.

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Yemen warns USS Roosevelt personnel over deployment to ME

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 23, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of Yemen's Supreme Political Council has warned about the deployment of the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Middle East.

"We tell the military personnel stationed on the USS Roosevelt to ask their counterparts on the USS Eisenhower about the situation, understand it, and learn from it," al-Houthi was quoted by Al Jazeera as saying on Sunday.

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier is to leave the Red Sea and will probably be replaced by the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).

"Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) is set to depart the Red Sea while a carrier currently on station in the Pacific is planned to head to the Middle East to continue a US presence mission in the region," USNI News quoted an informed source as saying.

"While Ike and its cruiser escort will transit to the Mediterranean Sea, the destroyer escorts will stay in US 5th Fleet," it added.

"Additionally, flight spotters tracked Eisenhower's C-2A Greyhound detachment flying from the US 5th Fleet base in Bahrain to the Mediterranean," it noted.

Meanwhile, Hazam al-Assad, a member of the Ansarullah resistance movement's political bureau announced the continuation of attacks by the Yemeni armed forces in support of Gaza.

Attacks against American, British, and Israeli targets aiming to support the people of Gaza will continue, he said.

On Saturday, Yemen's Army Spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said that the country's armed forces had carried out a missile attack on US aircraft carrier Eisenhower in the Red Sea.

Saree said that the USS Eisenhower was targeted "directly" by several ballistic and cruise missiles.

In an unprecedented operation, the naval forces of the Yemeni army also targeted Transworld Navigator Ship in the Arabian Sea with several ballistic missiles, Saree said.

He added that the targets were hit directly and precisely in both operations.

The spokesman stressed that the Yemeni Armed Forces will continue to carry out their military operations in support of the Palestinian people until the Israeli regime stops its aggression and lifts its siege of Gaza.

The Arab country, since mid-November, has been launching attacks on Israeli ships or vessels heading for ports in the occupied Palestinian territories in response to the war on Gaza.

Yemen has continued with its military operations against Israeli-linked ships on the high seas despite joint airstrikes ongoing by the US and the UK on Yemeni soil since mid-January.

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Iraqi resistance launches drone attack on southern occupied Palestine

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 23, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq says it has attacked an Israeli vital base in Eilat port in south of the occupied Palestine with a drone.

In its statement early on Sunday, the resistance group said the attack was in support of the people of Palestine and Gaza and in response to the Israeli regime's crimes, according to the Shehab news agency.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq will continue its attacks on the Zionist regime's bases, the statement read.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of Yemen's Armed Forces Yahya Saree said Yemen's forces and the forces of the Islamic resistance of Iraq targeted five vessels in Haifa Port and the Mediterranean Sea in a joint operation.

Saree added the joint operation will continue until the end of Israel's aggression and the lifting of the siege against the Gaza Strip.

Elaborating on the joint operation, the spokesman said two ships carrying cement and two freighters were first targeted by the Yemeni armed forces and the Iraqi resistance group in Haifa Port in occupied Palestine, after which they targeted Shorthorn Express in the Mediterranean Sea.

He further noted the two operations were carried out successfully, adding that the Yemeni Armed Forces will continue such joint actions in order to support the Palestinian people.

The Arab country, since mid-November, has been launching attacks on Israeli ships or vessels heading for ports in the occupied Palestinian territories in response to the war on Gaza.

From the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, over 37,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the enclave.

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Auckland students celebrate love for Chinese language, culture

Xinhua) 11:27, June 24, 2024

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Students, families and teachers from across New Zealand celebrated their love for the Chinese language and culture at a prize-giving ceremony on Saturday.

The "Chinese Bridge" ICBC Cup Auckland Regional Speech Competition 2024 Prize Giving Ceremony was attended by several hundred students, their families and teachers to celebrate the achievements the students have had along their learning journey.

The students' lion dance and Kong Fu performances won applause, and prize medals and certificates came with joy and acknowledgment for hard work.

Over 100 students from 31 schools in the wider Auckland region participated in the Speech Competition 2024 in May, hosted by the Confucius Institute in Auckland. Winners were selected from Primary, Secondary Junior, Secondary Senior and Tertiary Categories. First Prize winners from each category will have the chance to represent Auckland, along with winners from other parts of New Zealand, in the final competition in China.

Confucius Institute in Auckland Advisory Board Member Danny Chan said in his speech that the competition aimed to provide students a platform to demonstrate their Chinese language proficiency, to lay a solid foundation for them to maintain their passion and enthusiasm in learning a secondary language, and to encourage students' interest and enthusiasm in learning Chinese which would enhance their understanding of Chinese language and culture.

First Prize winner from the Secondary Senior Category, Oliver Garion Blaom from ACG Parnell College, delivered his winning speech with very articulate pronunciation and vocalizing. "The path through the mountain of books is paved with diligence; the sea of learning is endless, and hard work is the boat. I work hard in learning the Chinese language because I know it is important for the future," said Bloam.

After the pandemic, Confucius Institute in Auckland has reinstated its program for overseas teachers and volunteers. An increasing number of Kiwi students are now studying Chinese in Auckland.

Vanessa Jansz, deputy principal from the Arahoe School, was pleased to host a Mandarin Language Assistant (MLA) at home, which brought culture exchange opportunities and an experienced Chinese language learning program for her students at the school.

"I applied for an MLA to come to our school, and it turned out so well. The MLA is experienced in supporting students in learning the Chinese language and facilitating cultural understanding and exchanges. I definitely encourage other schools to go for it," said Jansz.

According to the Chinese Consul General in Auckland Chen Shijie, in the next five years, China will provide New Zealand with 100 scholarships for international Chinese language teachers, 1,000 places for "Chinese Bridge" summer camps and 5,000 copies of Chinese language books to New Zealand.

"We welcome more young people from New Zealand to learn the Chinese language and culture, and support more Chinese youth to study in and visit New Zealand to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries' young generations. The baton of China-New Zealand friendship has been passed on to the young generation, and you are in the right position to contribute to the development of bilateral relations," said Chen.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Yemeni, Iraqi Resistance jointly target five Israeli-bound ships

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Sun / 23 June 2024 / 12:05

The Yemeni Armed Forces and the Iraqi Resistance have carried out two joint military operations against Israeli-bound ships, in support of Gaza.

Tehran-ISNA- In more cooperation between two factions of the Axis of Resistance, the Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) revealed on Sunday that two joint military operations were carried out with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq.

In a statement, the YAF revealed that the first military operation targeted four ships in the Port of Haifa, including two cement-carrying ships and two general cargo ships dispatched by companies that violated the Yemeni ban on ships heading to occupied Palestinian ports.

The second military operation targeted the Shorthorn Express ship in the Mediterranean Sea, en route to the occupied Port of Haifa.

Attack drones were used to carry out both operations, with the statement confirming that direct hits were achieved.

The Yemeni Armed Forces affirmed that they would continue cooperating and carrying out joint operations with the Iraqi Resistance, in support of and in victory for the Palestinian people until the aggression ceases and the blockade is lifted off the Gaza Strip.

A few hours earlier, the YAF launched attacks on a merchant vessel that violated the embargo on the Israeli occupation and the flagship of the United States Carrier Strike Group 2, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, in the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea respectively.

The spokesperson of the YAF, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, detailed the operations of the armed forces in a statement released on Saturday afternoon.

Saree said that the YAF's Navy fired several anti-ship ballistic missiles at the Transworld Navigator bulk carrier, achieving direct hits to the vessel.

The MV Tutor suffered a similar fate on June 12, after it was targeted by several Yemeni Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) which completely sunk the vessel.

Moreover, the YAF's Rocket Forces launched an attack on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier in the northern Red Sea, firing a number of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles at the vessel.

Earlier today, it was reported that US officials have greenlit the aircraft carrier to return home. The Eisenhower will be returning to Norfolk in the state of Virginia, the US Naval Institute's news service mentioned, citing an anonymous official.

End Item

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PM Netanyahu's Remarks at the Start of the Government Meeting

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

Press Releases

The 37th Government

23.06.2024

Following are Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks, today, at the start of the Government meeting:

"We are committed to returning the residents of the south and the north securely to their homes. We are committed to rebuilding and rehabilitating the communities and moving the north and the south forward in all areas.

To this end, I have decided to appoint Maj.-Gen. (Res.) Yiftach Ron-Tal to head the Tekuma Authority in the south and Vice Admiral (Res.) Eliezer Marom to head the authority in the north. I am certain that both of them will do excellent work. I am also certain that all Government ministers will give them full backing in their important work.

I greatly appreciate the support of President Biden and the American administration for Israel. Since the start of the war, the US has given us support in spirit and in materiel - defensive and offensive means.

But four months ago, there was a dramatic decrease in the munitions coming to Israel from the US. For long weeks, we turned to our American friends and requested that the shipments be expedited. We did this time and again. We did so at the highest levels, and at all levels, and I want to emphasize - we did so behind closed doors. We received all sorts of explanations, but one thing we did not receive; the basic situation did not change. Certain items arrived sporadically but the munitions at large remained behind.

After months in which there was no change in this situation, I decided to give this public expression. We did so out of years of experience and the knowledge that this step was vital to opening the bottleneck. I expected that this would entail personal attacks against me at home and abroad, as happened when I came out against the nuclear agreement with Iran, as happened - and as is happening - when I repeatedly opposed the establishment of a Palestinian terrorist state, and as is now happening when I oppose ending the war while Hamas remains in place. But I am willing to absorb personal attacks on behalf of the State of Israel.

As the Prime Minister of Israel, my job is to do everything to ensure that our heroic fighters receive the arms they need.

In light of what I have heard over the past 24 hours, I hope and believe that this issue will be resolved in the near future. But I would like to emphasize, and I have said this to our American friends, there is one item we have and it will always be decisive: The heroism and determination of our fighters - and with this weapon we will win."

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PH on solid legal footing in WPS row, Marcos says

Philippine News Agency

By Darryl John Esguerra

June 23, 2024, 5:21 pm

CITY OF PUERTO PRINCESA -- The Philippines has "very strong" legal grounds for its claims in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stressed Sunday when he visited troops who were harassed by the China Coast Guard in the recent resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal.

Speaking with some 80 soldiers at the Western Command (WesCom) in this Palawan province capital, Marcos reiterated his vows when he assumed the presidency that he would do everything to defend the country's territory.

"Since I became President, I have made it very, very clear that we will do everything that we need to do to defend our territory, to defend our sovereignty, and to allow our citizens to exercise their sovereign rights within the EEZ (exclusive economic zone)," he said.

"Iyan ang pinaka-importanteng -- tuloy-tuloy na natin gawin. Matibay ang pinagtatayuan natin dahil ang batas (That's what is important. We will continue doing that. We have a strong ground because), the international law, is with us. We are on very solid international legal grounds on this," he added.

Marcos said the international community recognizes the Philippines' territory and EEZ "where we as Filipino citizens can exercise our sovereign rights."

The Philippines and China have been locked in a long-standing maritime dispute in the WPS, part of the vast South China Sea that Beijing claims entirely as its own.

However, a 2016 arbitral ruling invalidated China's claim and upheld the Philippines' rights on key features of the waterways, a decision Beijing has refused to recognize.

The President also acknowledged the commitment of the soldiers who exercised maximum restraint despite continued Chinese provocations.

He congratulated them for accomplishing the mission -- defend the country's maritime domain and allow the citizens to exercise their sovereign rights within the EEZ of the Philippines without instigating a war.

"Maliwanag na maliwanag kahit gaano kahirap, kahit gaano kabigat ang trabaho na ibinibigay sa inyo ay mission accomplished pa rin kayo (It's clear that no matter how hard it is, no matter how heavy the work that is given to you, you still accomplish the mission) every time that you go out," he said.

Private sector support

The restraint shown by the Filipino soldiers in what many described as the most violent Chinese harassment to date drew commendation from various quarters, including the private sector.

In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed gratitude for the unwavering support expressed by Philippine business groups, like the Makati Business Club and the Management Association of the Philippines.

"Your recognition of our dedication and sacrifice fuels us to continue serving our nation with pride and honor," the military said. "The AFP's role extends beyond defense, as we safeguard an environment where every Filipino can thrive, regardless of background, and contribute to a nation built on the rule of law and justice."

The two business groups deplored the continued harassment of the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard and called for a whole-of-nation approach in addressing threats to national sovereignty and security. (With reports from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)

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PBBM on WPS tension: Calm, peaceful disposition not sign of submission

Philippine News Agency

By Darryl John Esguerra

June 23, 2024, 2:39 pm

CITY OF PUERTO PRINCESA -- The "calm and peaceful disposition" of the Philippines should not be mistaken as a sign of submission as it remains firm in its commitment to defend its territory, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Sunday.

Marcos made the pronouncement during his visit to Camp General Artemio Ricarte, the headquarters of the military's Western Command (Wescom) in this city.

Known as the "Defenders and Patriots of the Last Frontier," the Wescom has jurisdiction over the country's maritime territory, particularly the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The President's visit came after the June 17 incident in Ayungin Shoal where the China Coast Guard (CCG) rammed a Philippine government ship, brandished bladed weapons, and seized disassembled rifles during the country's rotation and resupply (RORE) mission.

In his message to the troops, Marcos called on the Wescom to continue to fulfill its duty of defending the nation with integrity and respect as it has done so far.

The President reiterated that the Philippines is "not in the business to instigate wars," noting that its "great ambition is to provide a peaceful and prosperous life for every Filipino."

"We refuse to play by the rules that force us to choose sides in a great power competition. No government that truly exists in the service of the people will invite danger or harm to lives and livelihood," Marcos said.

"And that is why, in defending the nation, we stay true to our Filipino nature that we would like to settle all these issues peacefully. And in the performance of our duties, we will not resort to the use of force or intimidation, or deliberately inflict injury or harm to anyone," he added.

"But at the same time, we stand firm. Our calm and peaceful disposition should not be mistaken for acquiescence," the President went on.

Citing the Philippines' history of never yielding to any foreign power, he said Filipinos owe it to their forefathers to "keep the freedoms that they fought, bled and died for, and that we presently enjoy."

"Kailanman ay hindi tayo magpapa-supil at magpapa-api kahit na kanino man (We will never be subjugated and oppressed by anyone)," he said.

"The Philippines is a responsible state. We will continue to exercise our freedoms and rights in support of our national interest, in accordance with international law," he added.

'Never been prouder of AFP'

The Commander-in-Chief also commended Filipino soldiers for showing "greatest restraint amid intense provocation," saying he has "never been prouder of the brave women, men, and not just the Western Command but the entire Armed Forces."

"You demonstrated to the world that the Filipino spirit is one that is brave, determined, and yet compassionate," he said.

The President also led the awarding of the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kamagi to the 79 Filipino soldiers involved in the incident while the Order of Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kampilan was given to the injured Navy seaman.

The Order of Lapu-Lapu is conferred on officials and personnel of the government and private individuals in recognition of invaluable or extraordinary service in relation to a campaign or advocacy of the President.

Marcos assured them that the government would continue to provide all the military's needs and look after their welfare, as well as their families.

"Kayo ang halimbawa ng isang Bagong Pilipinas. Kayo ay isa sa aming inspirasyon para lalo pang pagbutihin ang aming sinumpaang tungkulin (You are examples of a New Philippines. You are our inspiration to continue doing our best in carrying out our duty)," he said.

"Let us continue to chart the destiny of our nation as that is what we are doing now. We are charting the destiny of the Philippines, one that is strengthened by diversity but united in our quest for peace," he added. (PNA)

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Resistance front will give harsh response to Israel if Lebanon invaded: Iran's top commander

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 June 2024 6:21 PM

The commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Force says the resistance front will not remain indifferent and will give a harsh response to the Israeli regime if starts a new war on Lebanon.

Brigadier General Kioumars Heidari made the remarks in response to Israel's latest rhetoric that it will launch a full-blown war against the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah.

He said Iran's April 13 punitive measure -- called Operation True Promise -- against Israel's attack on the Islamic Republic's diplomatic premises in Syria changed the conditions and equations in the West Asia region.

The operation changed many old formulas and led to a new situation in the region, he added.

The top commander emphasized that Iran, as an emerging power in the region, has succeeded in revealing its capabilities to the world by conducting missile attacks on Israeli targets in the occupied territories.

On April 1, the Israeli regime carried out terrorist airstrikes on the consular section of Iran's embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus, which killed two generals of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, as well as five of their accompanying officers.

In retaliation, the IRGC targeted the occupied territories on April 13 with a barrage of drones and missiles. The retaliatory strikes, dubbed Operation True Promise, inflicted damage on Israeli military bases across the occupied Palestinian territories.

Heidari further pointed to Israel's crimes in Gaza over the past nine months and said the regime has been stuck in a quagmire in the Strip.

"The regime's threats against Lebanon's Hezbollah are not a new issue," the commander emphasized.

The Israeli regime began waging sporadic attacks against Lebanon after it launched the ongoing genocidal war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, prompting a firefight with Hezbollah.

The exchange of fire has intensified since the Israeli assassination of senior Hezbollah commander Sami Taleb Abdullah.

The movement has retaliated by firing hundreds of rockets into the northern parts of the occupied territories.

On Tuesday, the Israeli army said it had approved plans for an attack on Lebanon, raising concerns that the regime might try to realize threats that it will turn Lebanon into another Gaza.

In a recent speech, however, Hezbollah's Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, asserted that "in case an inclusive war is imposed on Lebanon, the resistance will fight without restraints, without rules, without limits."

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'Hezbollah to fire half million missiles in any future war with Israel'

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 June 2024 5:47 PM

Lebanon's Grand Shia Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan says Hezbollah has a massive arsenal of missiles of different types, warning that the resistance movement would fire up to half a million missiles toward the Israeli-occupied territories in case of a new war on Lebanon.

"In case of an open war between Lebanon and Israel, the latter should expect the launch of some 500,000 missiles [from southern Lebanon into the occupied lands]. The destructive power of these missiles can send the occupying regime back to 70 years ago," Qabalan noted.

He added, "Any escalation of tensions by the occupiers will end not in the interest of Israel, but rather in favor of the resistance front. The resistance front does not seek anything other than protection of Lebanon's sovereignty and national interests."

The prominent Lebanese Shia cleric further noted that Israel is under the delusion of grandeur, stressing that the regime's officials are just chasing a mirage they can defeat Hezbollah.

"Despite large caches of weapons and munitions, the Israeli military has been unable over the past eight months to face up to resistance fighters in the Gaza Strip, who rely on simple and homegrown arms. This is while Lebanon enjoys a broad arsenal and an efficient war technology," Qabalan said.

"The victory of the Axis of Resistance translates into the victory of Lebanon," he underscored.

On Wednesday, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah warned that "no place" in the Israeli-occupied territories would be spared from the group's weapons in the event of a full-blown war.

Nasrallah emphasized that an incursion into the Galilee region remains an option on the table should Israel invade southern Lebanon.

He also said they would attack any other country in the region that assisted Israel in the war effort, citing Cyprus, which has hosted Israeli forces for training exercises.

Hezbollah has been carrying out almost daily rocket attacks on Israeli positions in retaliation for the regime's aggression against Lebanon and in solidarity with Palestinians.

The genocidal war in Gaza has killed at least 37,598 Palestinians, predominantly women and children so far.

At least 480 people have also been killed on the Lebanese border, including 93 civilians, according to a tally by AFP.

Two Israeli wars waged against Lebanon in 2000 and 2006 were met with strong resistance from Hezbollah, resulting in the retreat of the regime in both conflicts.

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Crew forced to abandon vessel off Yemen's southeastern coast: UKMTO

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 June 2024 5:23 PM

Britain's maritime safety agency, UKMTO, says it has received a distress call from a vessel off Yemen's southeastern coast, with its crew forced to abandon the ship due to flooding that could not be contained.

The agency reported that the vessel suffered flooding 96 nautical miles southeast of Yemen's coastal city of Nishtun on Sunday, without specifying the cause of the incident.

"This has forced the master and crew to abandon the ship. They have been recovered by an assisting ship," UKMTO said, adding that the flooded vessel "remains adrift".

Earlier in the day, UKMTO reported an attack on a merchant ship in the Red Sea near Yemen, saying an aerial drone damaged the vessel though there were no injuries.

The agency went on to say that the attack occurred about 65 nautical miles (120 kilometers) west of the western strategic Yemeni port city of Hudaydah.

"The Master of a merchant vessel reports being hit by an uncrewed aerial system (UAS), resulting in damage to the vessel. All crew members are reported safe, and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call," it said, adding that authorities are investigating the incident.

On Friday, UKMTO reported explosions near a ship east of the Yemeni port city of Aden. The agency, which did not identify the vessel, said the ship was able to continue its journey and "the crew are reported safe."

Also on Saturday, Yemeni Army's Spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said the country's naval units had conducted a missile attack on the US aircraft carrier Eisenhower in the Red Sea.

Saree said that the USS Eisenhower was targeted "directly" by several ballistic and cruise missiles.

Yemen's military has been targeting Israeli ships and those bound for Israeli ports since November last year in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza which has been subject to over eight months of war that has so far killed nearly 37,600 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 86,000 others.

The Yemenis have made it clear that they will not hesitate to carry out qualitative operations against all hostile targets in defense of their homeland and reaffirmation of their unwavering support for the Palestinian nation.

Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won't stop their attacks until unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza end.

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June 22: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 June 2024 1:48 PM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed at least 37,600 Palestinians so far, including around 16,000 children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers.

The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Saturday, June 22, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on June 22:

Targeted a convoy of Israeli military vehicles with mortar shells near the Awadallah Junction in the Yabna camp, south of the city of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on June 22:

Targeted the headquarters of the Israeli army in the "Netzarim" axis, south of Gaza City, with several mortar shells.

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on June 22:

Targeted the "Sofa" military support site with a rocket barrage.

Targeted a group of Israeli forces stationed at the outer gate of the Rafah crossing and its surroundings with mortar shells.

Targeted a position of Israeli military forces on the supply line in the "Netzarim" axis, south of Gaza City, with a rocket salvo.

Mujahideen Brigades' operations on June 22:

Targeted "Kissufim" military site east of the central Gaza Governorate with a rocket barrage.

Targeted Israeli forces stationed in the "Netzarim" axis with a rocket barrage.

Martyr Omar Al-Qasim Forces' operations on June 22:

Targeted an Israeli military D9 military bulldozer with an anti-tank RPG shell in the vicinity of the Burqa stadium in the middle of the city of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.

Bombed the southern "Ashkelon" with "Al-Qasim" rockets.

Targeted the settlement of "Netiv HaAsara" with a barrage of "Al-Qasim".

Targeted an Israeli military force with an anti-armor shell in the Lafa Badr area in the Tal Al-Sultan neighborhood west of Rafah city in the southern sector.

Targeted Israeli forces at the "Kerem Shalom" military axis with mortars and short-range rockets.

Targeted a gathering of Israeli forces around the Rafah land crossing with 107 mm rockets.

Hezbollah's operations on June 22:

Military building in the Al-Manara settlement was targeted with appropriate weapons.

Military building in the Metula settlement was targeted with appropriate weapons.

The Zibdin site in Lebanon's Shebaa was targeted with missiles.

The Ramtha site in occupied Lebanon's Kfar Shuba was targeted with missiles.

Military building in the Metula settlement was targeted with appropriate weapons.

Yemeni military's operations on June 22:

Targeted the American aircraft carrier "Eisenhower" north of the Red Sea with several ballistic and cruise missiles.

Targeted the ship "Transworld Navigator" in the Arabian Sea with several ballistic missiles.

In a joint operation with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, targeted four ships in the Port of Haifa, including two cement carriers and two general cargo ships belonging to companies that violated the decision to ban entry into the ports of occupied Palestine, using several drones.

In a joint operation with the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, targeted the ship "Shorthorn Express" in the Mediterranean Sea while it was on its way to the Port of Haifa, using several drones.

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Israel bombed 69% of schools sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza: UNRWA

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 June 2024 2:09 PM

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) says the Israeli military has targeted 69 percent of school buildings used as shelters for displaced people in the Gaza Strip, stressing the need for an immediate ceasefire in the besieged territory.

UNRWA made the remarks in a statement released on Sunday as Gaza has been under relentless Israeli bombardment for more than eight months.

The agency went on to say that "69% of school buildings where displaced families were seeking shelter have been directly hit or damaged," according to the Global Education Cluster, which serves as a joint coordination mechanism among organizations engaged in humanitarian responses within the education sector during instances of internal displacement.

"This blatant disregard of humanitarian law must stop. We need a ceasefire now," it added.

Meanwhile, the Government Media Office in Gaza said at least 800,000 students have been deprived of their right to education due to Israel's genocidal war in Gaza.

The media office also noted that among them, "40,000 high school students from various branches will not be able to participate in this year's session of the high school exams."

This represents "an unprecedented violation that threatens their future and undermines their chances of enrolling in local and international universities and colleges," it added.

The media office further underlined that "85% of educational facilities are out of service due to direct and deliberate targeting, posing a significant challenge to efforts to resume the educational process after the war ends."

It also said plans have been implemented to make up for the academic year for students at different levels, ensuring that they possess the essential concepts and skills necessary for their continued learning.

Israel waged the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas conducted Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

Since the start of the aggression, the Tel Aviv regime has killed nearly 37,600 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and left vast swathes of the territory in ruins.

More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the war as well.

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USS Theodore Roosevelt crew should take lessons from Eisenhower fate: Yemen

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 June 2024 11:19 AM

Yemen has reacted to the upcoming deployment of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier in West Asia and the departure of its predecessor USS Dwight D. Eisenhower from the Red Sea, urging incoming US marines to "learn their lesson" from the fate of their outgoing counterparts.

"We advise marines aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier to inquire about the situation of their counterparts on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, and learn their lesson," Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of Yemen's Supreme Political Council, said.

Houthi was referring to the multiple maritime operations that Yemeni naval units have carried out against Eisenhower aircraft carrier in response to US and British strikes on Yemen, and in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been reeling from a no-holds-barred Israeli war since October 7 last year.

The US military said the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) has departed the Red Sea after more than eight months of deployment.

The USNI News later reported that the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), currently in the Pacific, will leave for West Asia to continue a US presence mission in the region.

The announcement came hours after Yemeni Army's Spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said on Saturday the country's naval units had conducted a missile attack on US aircraft carrier Eisenhower in the Red Sea.

Saree said that the USS Eisenhower was targeted "directly" by several ballistic and cruise missiles.

Hazam al-Assad, a member of Ansarullah's political bureau, also stated that Yemeni forces will press ahead with their pro-Palestinian operations.

"Attacks against US, British, and Israeli interests will continue. This is in line with Yemen's unwavering support for the Palestinians in Gaza," he said.

Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine's struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory's Palestinian resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.

The Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won't stop their attacks until unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza end.

Israel has killed nearly 37,600 people and wounded over 85,900 individuals in Gaza since October.

Leader of the Ansarullah resistance movement Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has said it is "a great honor and blessing to be confronting America directly."

The attacks have forced some of the world's biggest shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through one of the world's most important maritime trade routes. Tankers are instead adding thousands of miles to international shipping routes by sailing around the continent of Africa rather than going through the Suez Canal.

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Israeli airstrikes kill 10 civilians in Gaza City, Nuseirat, injure dozens more

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 June 2024 10:32 AM

At least 10 Palestinians have been killed and dozens more injured as Israeli airstrikes hit residential areas in Gaza City and the Nuseirat refugee camp, bringing the number of people killed in Gaza in the last 24 hours to 56 people.

The Palestinian WAFA news agency, citing local sources, reported that eight civilians were killed and several others injured when a house in the Sabra neighborhood in southern Gaza City was struck by an airstrike on Sunday.

Also, two more civilians were killed and several residents have been injured in Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza, following airstrikes near the power station, the report added.

Al Jazeera Arabic reported that the latest attacks bring the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza in the last 24 hours to 56 people.

Israeli artillery also targeted western and southern areas of Rafah City south of the Gaza Strip, worsening the already dire humanitarian situation in the area, according to WAFA.

Reports indicate that numerous houses in the Brazil neighborhood to the south of Rafah have also been destroyed.

Moreover, local sources reported that Israeli warplanes have targeted buildings in the Shati refugee camp, killing dozens and injuring many more. The camp is where many took shelter from Israeli attacks on neighboring Jabalia eight months ago.

Shati is one of eight historic camps established in Gaza after hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced by Israel's occupation of Palestine in 1948.

There are still dozens of Palestinians stuck under the debris of destroyed buildings.

The attacks came a day after at least 101 Palestinians were killed in a series of relentless bombings across the Gaza Strip, marking the most violent day in the enclave since Israeli troops killed 274 people while freeing four captives in Nuseirat earlier this month.

Israeli forces have continued attacks on Gaza, including Rafah in the south and Gaza City in the north.

A recent report by a United Nations-backed independent commission has revealed that the Israeli military's deliberate use of heavy weapons during its relentless offensives in the Gaza Strip has been an "intentional and direct attack on the civilian population."

The Israeli military "forcibly transferred almost the entire population [in Gaza] into a small enclosure that is unsafe and uninhabitable" and used heavy weapons in densely populated areas in "an intentional and direct attack on the civilian population," said the UN commissioner, Navi Pillay as she presented the report to the UN Human Rights Council.

Israel has killed at least 37,551 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, and 85,911 have been wounded since it launched its genocidal war on the territory on October 7, 2023.

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Hezbollah drone strike hits Israeli military base, leaves casualties

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 June 2024 8:10 AM

Lebanon's Hezbollah resistance movement has conducted a drone strike on an Israeli military base, leaving casualties among the occupation forces.

In a statement released on Sunday, Hezbollah said that its fighters had targeted the command headquarters of the "Sahel" brigade in the "Beit Hillel" barracks north of the occupied territories using an attack drone.

It added that the raid had killed and wounded an unspecified number of Israeli officers and soldiers.

Hezbollah also emphasized that the strike came in support of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and their resistance, as well as in response to an Israeli assassination operation in Lebanon.

On Saturday, an Israeli drone strike targeted a car in the town of Khiara in the Western Bekaa area and killed its driver, who was later identified as Ayman Hashem Ghattma, a leader of the Islamic Group political party in Lebanon.

In a statement, the Islamic Group called the targeted killing "a new crime" committed by the Zionist regime against the Lebanese and Palestinian people.

The party further noted that Ghattma's assassination will not deter it from carrying out its duty in defending the Lebanese in the country's south and the Palestinians in the occupied lands.

Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging deadly fire since early October, shortly after the regime launched a genocidal war on Gaza 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 37,551 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured 85,911 others.

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Hezbollah releases footage of sensitive Israeli targets as Tel Aviv tempts war

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 June 2024 2:49 AM

Hezbollah has released a video showing an array of sensitive sites across the occupied territories as the Israeli regime tempts war with the Lebanese resistance movement.

The movement's Military Media released the footage on Sunday.

Reporting on the video, Lebanon's al-Mayadeen television network identified the sites as "vital Israeli targets only known to the occupation's security apparatus."

The sites depicted in the footage included the Research Center at the Israeli regime's Dimona nuclear reactor in the Negev Desert, the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, and Nevatim Airbase -- one of the regime's largest such outposts.

Some other important targets were listed as the HaKirya complex in Tel Aviv -- which houses the regime's Ministry of Security besides accommodating its General Staff and many senior military officials -- as well as the Ramat David Airbase -- the regime's northernmost such outpost -- and the Karish Gas Field off Lebanon's coast.

The footage's release followed only a few days Hezbollah's releasing of a video of its surveillance aircraft flying over swathes of occupied territories. The movement described the video as only the first episode of what was yet to come.

The Israeli regime began waging sporadic attacks against the country following the onset of Tel Aviv's ongoing genocidal war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, prompting a firefight with Hezbollah.

The exchange of fire has intensified since the Israeli assassination of senior Hezbollah commander Sami Taleb Abdullah.

The movement has retaliated by firing hundreds of rockets into the northern parts of the occupied territories.

On Tuesday, the Israeli army said it had approved plans for an attack on Lebanon, raising concerns that the regime might try to realize threats that it will turn Lebanon into another Gaza.

In a recent speech, however, Hezbollah's Secretary-General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, asserted that "in case an inclusive war is imposed on Lebanon, the resistance will fight without restraints, without rules, without limits."

"Whoever thinks of war against us will regret it," the Hezbollah leader noted.

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Is Cambodia ditching Ukraine?

Phnom Penh support for Ukraine, rare in Southeast Asia, helped end Cambodia's isolation from the West.

A commentary by David Hutt 2024.06.23 -- Was it a masterstroke of diplomatic opportunism or heartfelt solidarity?

In February 2022, as Russian troops marched into Ukraine, Cambodia's foreign ministry wanted to take the same approach as most other Southeast Asian countries: say nothing, profess neutrality, make some calls for peace and avoid angering Moscow or Beijing.

But Hun Sen, Cambodia's prime minister at the time, intervened and instructed his diplomats not only to vote for a UN resolution condemning Russia's actions but also to co-sponsor it.

Hun Sen said Moscow's actions "jeopardize the foundation of international order" and openly called the invasion an "act of aggression" that meant Cambodia "cannot remain neutral."

As 2022 progressed, his stance hardened. In November, Hun Sen spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by phone and met with Ukraine's foreign and defense ministers. He offered Cambodian support to train Ukrainian de-miners and take in Ukrainian refugees.

'Right side of history'

The way Hun Sen and his government - now led by his eldest son, Hun Manet, who inherited the premiership last year - frame this, it was a natural response because Cambodia knows the horrors of foreign occupation and war, supports international law and cherishes peace.

That stance went down well in the West.

When U.S. President Joe Biden visited Phnom Penh in November 2022 for the annual ASEAN Summit, he personally thanked Hun Sen for his response. The Europeans continue to heap praise on Cambodia for being one of the few Southeast Asian states to stand against Russia.

"We appreciate Cambodia's principled and courageous stance in the face of this full-scale invasion," European ambassadors to Phnom Penh wrote in a joint letter in February. "Cambodia has positioned itself on the right side of history," they added.

The timing mattered. Cambodia's relations with the West had plummeted since 2017, when Hun Sen's ruling party launched an authoritarian power grab, shutting down civil society and outlawing its only political rival on the spurious charge of plotting a U.S.-backed coup.

The U.S. responded with some tepid sanctions. The EU eventually slashed some of Cambodia's trade privileges. Military ties were cut. China's influence grew.

Economically, though, this was a problem: the U.S. and EU were the largest purchasers of Cambodia's exports, and boosting exports was key to Cambodia's post-pandemic recovery.

Peace summit no-show

Hun Sen's support for Ukraine was a diplomatic triumph. For much of 2022 and 2023, whenever a Western official spoke about Cambodia, they always referenced its stance on Ukraine.

It's not an exaggeration to say that this stance on the Ukraine war was the basis of the baby-step rapprochement between the West and Cambodia since 2022. Indeed, one of the most important steps was Hun Sen's invitation to visit Paris in December 2022, where he dined with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The formal reason for that visit: Hun Sen's attendance of the "Standing with the Ukrainian People" conference. The actual reason: Hun Sen saw France - Cambodia's former colonizer desperate for any partnership in Southeast Asia that would help boost its security footprint in the region - as an important interlocutor within the Western alliance.

Despite all of this, Cambodia did not send representatives to the Ukraine-organized Global Peace Summit in Switzerland last weekend.

Some allege that Phnom Penh was instructed to do so by Beijing, whose position on the Ukraine war has become ever more pro-Russian since 2022, despite Chinese professions of neutrality.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed China was trying to prevent other countries from participating in the event. Hun Sen denied this, insisting that Cambodia was a no-show because, without Russian participation, the summit would be "unsuccessful."

However, most Southeast Asian governments sent a delegate to the summit, even though none seriously thought that it would resolve the conflict. All clearly understood it was more of a symbolic meeting.

The exceptions were Cambodia; Myanmar, whose military junta counts Moscow as a rare friend; Vietnam, which was awaiting a visit by Vladimir Putin; and Laos , the only Southeast Asian state to attend a World War II commemoration ceremony in Moscow in May.

Courting Moscow?

Cambodia could have sent a junior official. Every other Southeast Asian country that attended, bar Timor-Leste, sent either a vice-minister or someone even more junior. Indonesia sent an ambassador. Hun Sen personally traveled to Paris in 2022 for the "Standing with the Ukrainian People" conference, a far less weighty gathering than the Global Peace Summit.

Maybe Phnom Penh genuinely felt the summit was a waste of time. Or maybe it sees the need to improve ties with Russia.

On June 6, Hun Sen met with the Russian ambassador to Phnom Penh, Anatoly Borovik. According to reports, the main topic of discussion was new direct flights between Russia and Cambodia. The tourism sector is driving Cambodia's economic recovery. Cambodia also wants to start exporting more food to Russia, a large importer from Thailand.

Just this week, Gen. Mao Sophan, commander of the Cambodian Army and Hun Sen's right-hand man, made a three-day visit to Moscow where he committed Cambodia to signing a memorandum of understanding to boost cooperative ties.

Maybe Cambodia believes that it no longer needs to emphasize its solidarity with Ukraine to appease the West. Whereas its stance on Ukraine in 2022 precipitated the first phases of rapprochement, that conflict is no longer an integral part of the discussions.

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.

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.

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North Macedonia's Parliament Elects New Right-Wing Government

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service June 23, 2024

North Macedonia's parliament on June 23 approved a new coalition government led by Hristijan Mickoski's right-wing nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party.

A total 77 lawmakers in the 120-seat parliament voted in favor of the new government; 22 voted against. The remaining 21 lawmakers were absent during the balloting.

Including the 46-year-old Mickoski as prime minister, there will be 24 ministers in the government, five of whom will be deputy prime ministers.

Sixteen of the cabinet members are from the VMRO-DPMNE-led coalition Your Macedonia, six from the coalition Vredi block of Albanian opposition parties, and two from the political party Znam.

Mickoski's VMRO-DPMNE received 43 percent of the vote on May 9, winning 58 seats -- three short of a governing majority -- and driving out the Social Democrats (SDSM) after seven years in power.

Mickoski then struck a deal to form a government with the ethnic Albanian parties and the left-wing nationalist Znam party, which together have 20 seats.

In his closing remarks before the vote, Mickoski told the parliament that the citizens of North Macedonia "are fed up with bickering" and "need work, dedication, accountability, and concrete projects."

He pledged to raise standards in the first 100 days and announced tax cuts, an increase in pensions, a 250 million euro ($267 million) project for municipalities, new foreign investments, and front against corruption.

After the government was elected, Mickoski and his cabinet made a statement in which the leader of VMRO-DPMNE used the constitutional name Republic of North Macedonia.

Referring to the word North as a "shameful adjective," he said he would "do everything I can as long as I live to right this injustice," but added that he is "powerless at this point" and must "capitulate...and say it."

Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, the president of North Macedonia, angered opposition leaders when she refused to use the country's full official name at her inauguration on May 12.

Mickoski in his speech referred to the negotiating framework with the EU and the need for constitutional amendments to continue the accession process.

Mickoski, a former professor, has pledged to continue his efforts to shepherd North Macedonia into the European Union, but VMRO-DPMNE's questioning of key agreements with neighboring Bulgaria and Greece -- both which can block North Macedonia's accession -- could affect North Macedonia's chances.

Defending the composition and program of the new government, deputies in the ruling majority described the vote as "huge" and "historic."

The opposition in turn criticized the new government, saying its platform is far from the promises made by VMRO-DPMNE during the election campaign. SDSM deputies criticized it as manipulative and expressed doubts that the promised projects would come to fruition.

The new government's first working day will be June 24 when the new prime minister and ministers are expected to take office. Mickoski announced a "furious start to projects," including the promotion of new investments.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/north-macedonia-parliament- government-mickoski/33005997.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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UKMTO Reports Attack on Vessel in Red Sea 75 Miles Off Yemen's Al Hudaydah

Sputnik News

20240623

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Sunday it had received information about a drone hitting a vessel 65 nautical miles (75 miles) off the Yemeni city of Al Hudaydah.

"UKMTO has received a report of an incident 65NM West of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. The Master of a merchant vessel reports being hit by uncrewed aerial system [UAS], resulting in damage to the vessel. All crew members are reported safe, and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call," the UK naval authorities wrote on X.

The authorities are investigating the incident, the agency said.

Meanwhile, all the vessels were advised to transit "with caution and report any suspicious activity" to the UK maritime authorities.

Yemen's Houthi rebels vowed in November 2023 to attack any ships associated with Israel until it halts military actions in the Gaza Strip. The attacks prompted the United States to form a multinational coalition, which includes the United Kingdom among others, to protect shipping in the area of the Red Sea, as well as to strike Houthi targets on the ground.

 Sputnik

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Kuwait Urges Its Citizens to Leave Lebanon as Escalation With Israel Heats Up

Sputnik News

20240623

DUBAI (Sputnik) - The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry has called on all Kuwaiti citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible over the recent escalation with Israel, the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported on Saturday.

In light of this, the Ministry stated that all Kuwaiti citizens currently in Lebanon should promptly depart the country for their own safety, unless they have a valid reason to remain.

Following the announcement, Kuwait Airways carrier said it was increasing the number of seats on flights to Beirut to accommodate all those wishing to leave Lebanon.

The situation on the Israeli-Lebanese border worsened after the start of hostilities between Israel and Palestinian movement Hamas in October 2023. The Israeli army and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, who support Palestine in the conflict with Israel, have regularly exchanged fire across the border since then. On Tuesday, Israel said it approved and validated operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon.

 Sputnik

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US Aircraft Carrier Theodore Roosevelt to Replace D. Eisenhower in Red Sea

Sputnik News

20240623

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group will replace next week the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower nuclear aircraft carrier in the Red Sea after the latter has been withdrawn from the region, the US Defense Department said.

"The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG) departed the US Central Command area of responsibility today ... Following completion of a scheduled exercise in the Indo-Pacific, the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TR CSG) will arrive in the US Central Command's area of responsibility to continue promoting regional stability, deter aggression, and protect the free flow of commerce in the region," the department said in a statement on Saturday, adding that the USS Theodore Roosevelt nuclear aircraft carrier will leave the Indo-Pacific region next week.

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier will be temporarily deployed to the United States European Command's area of responsibility before returning home, the statement added.

Yemen's rebel Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, has been launching attacks on commercial and military vessels in the region for months, in response to Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip. The attacks prompted the United States to form a multinational coalition, including the United Kingdom, to protect shipping in the area, as well as to strike Houthi targets on the ground.

 Sputnik

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Netanyahu says 'intense' fighting in Gaza will end soon

By VOA News June 23, 2024

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the "intense phase" of fighting against Hamas militants in Gaza will be ending "very soon." But he added that Israel will likely shifts troops to the border with Lebanon, where Israel has engaged in daily skirmishes with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Hostilities between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have escalated in recent weeks, raising fears of a wider conflict in the region.

In his interview with Israel's Channel 14, Netanyahu said moving troops north would bolster the country's defensive posture against Hezbollah and allow Israelis who fled the fighting near the Lebanon-Israel border to return home.

He added that while he hopes a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Hezbollah could be found, Israel can "fight on several fronts, and we are also preparing for it."

Postwar Gaza

While Netanyahu expects fighting in Gaza to wind down as Israeli forces conclude their offensive in Rafah, he stressed that Israel expects to have a military presence there for the foreseeable future.

"We also want to create a civilian administration, if possible, with local Palestinians and maybe with external backing from countries in the region to manage humanitarian supply and later on, civilian affairs in the [Gaza] Strip," he said.

Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to either Hamas or the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority having a role in managing Gaza.

The U.S. has previously cautioned Israel against a long-term military occupation of the territory.

US arms shipments

Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu said he believes a dispute with the United States over the pace of its arms shipments to Israeli forces fighting Hamas militants in Gaza would be resolved soon.

"About four months ago, there was a dramatic drop in the supply of armaments arriving from the U.S. to Israel. We got all sorts of explanations, but... the basic situation didn't change," he told a Cabinet meeting.

"In light of what I have heard in the last day, I hope and believe that this issue will be resolved in the near future," he said.

Top U.S. officials said last week they were puzzled by Netanyahu's claim. Israeli officials said they lobbied their U.S. counterparts at "the highest levels... at all levels" for speedier weapons deliveries, with Netanyahu saying, "After months of no change in this situation, I decided to give it a public expression," which angered Washington.

U.S. officials said they were not aware of what Netanyahu was referring to.

Netanyahu's latest comments on the weapons deliveries came as Defense Minister Yoav Gallant flew to Washington for talks about the war. The U.S. is Israel's main arms supplier in Israel's war against Hamas, now in its ninth month with no immediate end in sight.

President Joe Biden has outlined what he said was an Israeli proposed a six-week halt in the fighting and the release of Hamas-held hostages. Hamas has said any agreement must result in an end to the war, a demand Israel has rejected.

While the U.S. has maintained its support for Israel, it has grown increasingly frustrated at Netanyahu's conduct of the war. It was triggered by a shock Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel and led to the capture of about 250 hostages. Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians but also thousands of combatants, according to the territory's health ministry.

U.S. President Joe Biden delayed delivering certain heavy bombs since May over concerns about the continuing Israeli attacks in Gaza, but his administration fought back last week against Netanyahu's charges that other shipments had also been affected.

Biden, running for reelection to a second four-year term, is facing conflicting political pressures over the Israeli-Hamas conflict.

Progressive Democrats have called for him to adopt a tougher stance toward Israel, with Biden warning Netanyahu against an all-out assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah. But the Biden administration has avoided any suggestion that Israel's expanding push into Rafah has crossed a red line.

Opposition Republican critics say Biden has moderated his support for an essential Middle East ally.

Defense Minister Gallant's office said he would discuss "maintaining Israel's qualitative edge in the region" with U.S. officials but made no mention of the weapons issue.

Some material in this report has come The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse.

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Thailand sets extradition hearing for Montagnard activist wanted by Hanoi

By Zsombor Peter June 23, 2024

A Thai court has set a mid-July extradition hearing date for Vietnamese dissident Y Quynh Bdap, who was arrested in Thailand earlier this month at Vietnam's request, Thai officials have told VOA.

Rights advocates are meanwhile urging Thailand not to force Bdap back home, fearing for his safety, and say his arrest continues the "swap mart" they claim the region's governments are running by returning each other's wanted dissidents.

Bdap had been living in Thailand since 2018 to evade Vietnamese authorities for fear of arrest over this human rights work. Thai police arrested him in Bangkok on June 11 for alleged immigration offenses acting on a call from Vietnam for his return.

A Thai court issued the arrest warrant "upon the request for extradition made by the Vietnamese authority, from the ruling of the Vietnamese court that Mr. Bdap was guilty on the charge of terrorism," Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told VOA.

Maj. Gen. Khemmarin Hassiri, an adviser to Thailand's deputy police chief, said the criminal courts have scheduled an extradition hearing for Bdap on July 15.

Vietnam wants Bdap for his alleged role fomenting a riot last year that left nine people, including four local police officers, dead, according to state media. A Vietnamese court convicted him on related terrorism charges in absentia in January and sentenced him to 10 years in jail.

The Vietnamese government has also labeled his group, Montagnards Stand for Justice, which advocates for the rights of the mostly Christian ethnic minorities of the country's central highlands, a terrorist organization.

Bdap denied the allegations against him and the group in a brief video recorded in Thailand days before his arrest and later posted online by United Nations special rapporteur on human rights defenders Mary Lawlor. In the clip, he says he fears his imminent arrest and urges the U.N., rights groups and foreign governments to protect him.

Clarion calls

Since his arrest, rights groups have issued statements urging Thailand not to send Bdap back to Vietnam.

Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher for Human Rights Watch, said the arrest flies in the face of Thailand's legal obligations to protect refugees.

"The situation has now gone from bad to worse as he is facing imminent extradition to face prosecution in Vietnam. The Vietnamese government has long persecuted Christian Montagnards belonging to independent house churches, supporters of nonviolent demands for independence or autonomy, and people objecting to the transfer of land and forests traditionally used by highlanders to Vietnamese businesses and settlers," Sunai told VOA.

"Human Rights Watch has no information on Y Quynh Bdap's possible involvement in the riots but is gravely concerned about his safety and his receiving a fair trial in Vietnam," he added.

Y Phic Hdok, who cofounded Montagnards Stand for Justice with Bdap and is now in the United States after fleeing Vietnam eight years ago, said his friend would be in grave danger if handed over to Vietnam.

"I urge the Thai government to respect international human rights standards and reject Vietnam's unlawful extradition request," he told VOA. "It will be a risk for his life if he will be deported."

Christopher MacLeod, a Canadian lawyer working to save Bdap from being extradited, echoed the concern.

"I worry for his life and safety," he told VOA, including his "mistreatment and abuse in prison, and [about] the message it would send, the chilling effect it would have on anyone else who wants to speak to religious freedom and tolerance."

MacLeod said Bdap's arrest came a day after he had a meeting at the Canadian Embassy in Bangkok about his application to resettle in Canada as a political refugee. The embassy did not reply to VOA's request to confirm the meeting or to comment on the case.

Past as prologue

Thailand's handling of past refugee cases also has advocates concerned.

While Thailand has at times allowed foreign dissidents wanted by their home countries to resettle elsewhere, even after arresting them, it also has a track record of forcing them back to repressive regimes, including China and Cambodia. Activists wanted by Hanoi have also gone missing while hiding in Thailand in recent years only to show up days or weeks later in custody back in Vietnam, raising concerns about possible state-sponsored kidnapping.

Thai dissidents taking refuge from their own government in neighboring countries have also gone missing or turned up dead under mysterious circumstances in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

"Especially in the region, there has been  I don't know if it's formal, but certainly the informal  trading and return of political dissidents from one country to the other," MacLeod said.

"I worry that that is playing itself out in this instance," he added, referring to Bdap.

In a recent report, Human Rights Watch recounts 25 confirmed or suspected cases of such transnational repression of activists and dissidents across the region between 2014 and 2023, a nine-year stretch of military-run or -aligned governments in Thailand.

Sunai said the civilian administration that took office following national elections last year risks following in their footsteps.

"The current administration of PM [Prime Minister] Srettha Thavisin carries on the legacy of military rule and maintains the pattern of transnational repression, in which Thai authorities helped neighboring governments take unlawful actions against refugees and dissidents seeking shelter in Thailand," he said.

Treaty talks

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk raised the issue during his latest global update to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva last week.

He spoke of an "emerging pattern" of transnational repression in Southeast Asia and of signs that the trend was going global.

Thailand and Vietnam are also in the midst of negotiations on a formal extradition treaty. Khemmarin said those talks would likely continue on a future visit to Vietnam by senior Thai officials, possibly next month.

MacLeod said a treaty could make the problem of transnational repression worse by making it easier and faster for the two countries to exchange dissidents, leaving other governments, rights groups or the U.N. less time and chance to intervene.

Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry, which is leading the treaty talks, did not reply to VOA's questions about a possible deal.

The Vietnamese Embassy did not reply to VOA either.

As for Bdap's case, Thai government spokesperson Chai Watcharong told VOA that Thailand would "take into consideration all relevant factors and concerns including the safety of the alleged offender. The court shall decide whether the alleged offences requested for extradition are considered extraditable."

"It is better at this stage not to prejudge the court's decision," he added.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 23 June 2024 - Day 851

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian troops continue to strongly oppose the Russian attempts to advance into the depths of the territory of Ukraine. Today, Russian forces concentrated his efforts on the pokrovsky and kurakhivsky directions. The defense forces are aware of the Russian forces' plans and do whatever it takes to thwart them.

Since the beginning of the day, there have been 116 combat clashes, Russian forces launched two missile strikes with four rockets, 47 air strikes (applied 70 KABs) and 444 kamikaze drones, carried out 3,227 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops.

In the Kharkiv direction, 5 Russian attacks in the area of Vovchansk were successfully repelled. As of now, since the beginning of this day, the Zagarians have lost 99 soldiers killed and wounded and 14 units of military equipment, including the destruction of an armored vehicle, six vehicles and three art systems damaged.

In the Kupyansky direction, the Defense Forces repelled 9 Russian attacks. In addition, there are two combat clashes in the areas of Pi any and Stelmahivka.

Nine attempts of the opponent to advance in the direction of Kopanok, Makiyivka and in the Serebryansky forest were recorded in the Lyman direction this day. Four attacks have been repelled, assault operations continue. The situation is under the control of Ukrainian soldiers.

In the Siversky direction, the Russian occupiers have failed in attempting to assault Ukrainian positions near Rozdolivka and Viiymki.

Seven attacks of Russian terrorists have been stopped in the Toretsky direction. The Defense Forces respond adequately to the actions of Russian assailants, take the necessary measures to exhaust the Russian enemy's offensive potential.

As in the previous day, Russian forces today focuses significant efforts on the Intercession direction. Russian zagarbniki this day made 46 attempts to push Ukrainian defenders out of occupied positions. More than half of the Russian attacks spent from the district of oceretynogo. The situation is intense. Fighting for the settlement of Novooleksandrivka continues. Ukrainian troops are taking measures to stabilize the situation and prevent Russians from advancing deep into Ukrainian territory.

Four encounters occurred in the Vremivs komu direction. Russian assault were overwhelmed in the districts of Urozhynogo and Staromayorsky. The situation is controlled by the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

In the rest of the destinations, the situation is without much changes at this time.

Ukrainian warriors track the movement of Russian units and effectively use the means of fire. Today, the soldiers of the 25th separate airborne Sicheslav Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces, should be noted, who confidently hold the pressure of the Russian occupation troops and inflict tangible losses to the Russian aggressor.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in the morning, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation delivered a group strike by high precision long-range sea-based weaponry at a training site of pilots and engineers of the Ukrainian Air Forces.

The goal of the strike has been achieved. All the assigned objects have been destroyed.

Units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 151st Mechanised Brigade, 92nd Air Assault Brigade, 36th Marines Brigade, 17th National Guard Brigade, 125th, and 127th territorial defence brigades near Glubokoye, Tikhoye, Veseloye, Pitomnik, Lesnoye, Volchansk, and Liptsy (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 210 Ukrainian troops, one armoured personnel carrier, two motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, three 152-mm D-20 howitzers, six 122-mm D-30 howitzers, one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery warfare station, and one Plastun electronic reconnaissance station.

Units of the Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on formations of the AFU 81st Airmobile Brigade, 11th, 66th, 115th, 116th mechanised brigades, 40th Separate Regiment, and 1st National Guard Brigade near Sinkovka, Petropavlovka (Kharkov region), Stelmakhovka, Nadiya, Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), and Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 500 Ukrainian troops, five motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 howitzer, and one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery warfare station.

Units of the Yug Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front lines and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 5th Assault Brigade, 24th, 30th, 72nd, 93rd mechanised brigades, 56th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 46th Airmobile Brigade, 80th Air Assault Brigade near Chasov Yar, Grigorovka, Kalinin, Minkovka, Konstantinovka, and Kurakhovo (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 570 Ukrainian troops, one tank, three pickup trucks, seven motor vehicles, two U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzers, three 152-mm D-20 howitzers, two 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and two U.S.-made 105-mm M119.

Four AFU ammunition depots were destroyed.

Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on formations of the AFU 23rd, 114th mechanised brigades, 142nd Infantry Brigade, 109th Territorial Defence Brigade, and 2nd National Guard Brigade near Novgorodskoye, Novopokrovskoye, Novoaleksandrovka, Karlovka, Mikhailovka, and Dzerzhinsk (Donetsk People's Republic).

Six counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 142nd Infantry Brigade, 24th, 47th mechanised brigades, 12th Separate Rifle Battalion, and 107th Territorial Defence Brigade were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 430 Ukrainian troops, one tank, three infantry fighting vehicles, including one U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, seven motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, two 152-mm Msta-B howitzers, two 152-mm D-20 howitzer, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled system, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one 100-mm MT-12 anti-tank gun.

Units of the Vostok Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade and 48th Assault Battalion of the Territorial Defence near Urozhaynoye, Makarovka, and Prechistovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 135 Ukrainian troops, five motor vehicles, one Strela-10 SAM combat vehicle, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one UK-made FH-70 howitzer, one U.S.-made 105-mm M109 howitzer, and one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery warfare station.

Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, 35th Marines Brigade, 39th Coastal Defence Brigade, and 121st Territorial Defence Brigade near Kamenskoye (Zaporozhye region), Ivanovka, Zolotaya Balka, Olgovka, and Tokaryovka (Kherson region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 130 Ukrainian troops, one tank, five motor vehicles, two 152-mm D-20 howitzers, three 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery warfare station.

In addition, three Anklav and one Bukovel-AD electronic warfare stations were destroyed.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces wiped out one German-made IRIS-T SAM launcher, two P-18 radars for locating and tracking aerial targets, as well as engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 118 areas.

Air defence units shot down 75 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and 33 U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS, Czech-made Vampire MLRS, and Olkha MLRS projectiles.

In total, 613 airplanes and 276 helicopters, 26,311 unmanned aerial vehicles, 533 air defence missile systems, 16,406 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,346 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 10,785 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 22,840 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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Global Affairs Canada's statement on visit to Xinjiang Autonomous Region by Canada's Ambassador to China

Global Affairs Canada

Statement

June 23, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement on the visit of Ambassador of Canada to China Jennifer May to Xinjiang Ughur Autonomous Region, China from June 19 to 22, 2024:

"Ambassador May's visit to Xinjiang was part of Canada's diplomatic engagement with Chinese officials and served as an opportunity to communicate Canadian concerns about the human rights situation directly to the leadership of Xinjiang.

"During her visit, Ambassador May met with Xinjiang Party Secretary MA Xingrui and other senior officials of the regional government of Xinjiang.

"Ambassador May raised concerns over credible reports of systematic violations of human rights occurring in Xinjiang affecting Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities, including those raised by UN experts, and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. She expressed Canada's concerns over limits on Uyghur-language education and the practice of forcibly placing Uyghur children into residential schools.

"Ambassador May also reiterated Canada's calls for China to allow UN independent experts unfettered access to all regions of China, including Xinjiang.

"Global Affairs Canada consulted key diaspora and civil society stakeholders in advance of this visit."

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Chairman Kim Jong Il's Start of Work at C.C., WPK Marked in Russia

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, June 23 (KCNA) -- A meeting of political parties and organizations of Russia took place in Moscow on June 19 to mark the 60th anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong Il 's start of work at the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea.

Present at the meeting were personages of political parties and organizations of Russia.

The participants laid bouquets before an art work depicting President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il standing together and paid tribute to them.

They looked round the photos showing the immortal exploits President Kim Il Sung , Chairman Kim Jong Il and the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un performed in developing the friendly relations between the DPRK and Russia, their famous works and albums introducing the DPRK.

Speeches were made at the meeting.

The secretary of the C.C., Communist Party of the Russian Federation who is head of the Russia-DPRK Friendship Parliamentary Group of the State Duma noted that Kim Jong Il started his work at the C.C., WPK on June 19, 1964 and had performed the brilliant exploits while leading the WPK for decades.

The chairman of the National Council of the Russian Association of Youth and Children said that the party-building exploits of the peerlessly great man, who had led the DPRK's people only to victory despite the imperialist allied forces' moves to isolate and stifle the DPRK by strengthening the Party's leadership in every way, will be immortal.

The chairwoman of the Party for Peace and Unity of Russia and the representative for international affairs of the chairman of the Socialist Political Party "For Just Russia-Patriots-Truth" said that Kim Jong Il made an immortal contribution to developing the friendly relations between the DPRK and Russia.

The chairman of the General People's Union Party of Russia stressed that it is the reflection of the clear moral world of the DPRK's people with the loyalty to their leader and noble moral obligation to mark the 60th anniversary of Kim Jong Il 's start of work at the C.C., WPK and that the DPRK is invincible as it has the people who adhere to the revolutionary tradition with the absolute trust in their leader and firm confidence in victory. -0-

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Press Statement of Vice-Chairman of WPK Central Military Commission

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, June 24 (KCNA) -- Pak Jong Chon, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), made public the following press statement on June 24:

The clouds of a new world war are hanging over the whole of Europe due to the U.S. ever-escalating confrontational hysteria against Russia.

According to media reports, Sullivan, national security adviser of the White House, said on June 18 that Kiev can use U.S.-supplied weapons to hit any Russian forces attacking from across the border.

A spokesman for the U.S. Defense Department did not hesitate to say at a press conference on June 20 that Ukrainian forces can use U.S.-supplied weapons to strike any Russian forces not only in Kharkov region near border but also those in any parts of the Russian territory.

As already known, the U.S. has expanded its military support for the puppet Zelenskiy clique since the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis, providing it with MRLs, MBTs, depleted uranium bombs, etc., and it totals over 100 billion U.S. dollars.

As the war situation has turned more unfavorable to the Zelenskiy regime since the outset of this year, the U.S. provided Ukraine with ATACMS (army tactical missile system) with a range of 300 km and allowed it to attack the Russian territory up to 200 miles (about 320 km) from border.

This time the U.S. has gone so far as to allow the Ukrainian neo-Nazis to strike any part of Russian territory at their will. This is no more than a crazy last-ditch effort to turn the ever-worsening tide of war by driving the Zelenskiy clique to a reckless attack on the depth of the Russian territory.

The U.S., which had claimed it would neither encourage the Ukrainian forces to scale up their attack beyond border nor offer any assistance enabling it, finally betrayed its true colors as a heinous anti-Russia maniac after taking off that spurious mask.

Rash acts may bring a sudden calamity.

If the rulers of the U.S. persist in recklessly pushing their war machine Ukraine to a proxy war against Russia as now, it will inevitably provoke a stronger response from Russia, thus further deteriorating the regional security situation and resulting in an all-out military conflict with Russia and a new world war, the worst-ever consequences.

It is the due right to self-defence for Russia to make a strategic counterattack to defend its security from the ever-aggravating threat from the hostile forces, and any responsive action to be taken by it will be a just action for legitimate self-defence.

Of course, Russia has the right to opt for any kind of retaliatory strike.

We will always be together with the Russian army and people all out in a just struggle for defending sovereign rights, strategic stability and territorial integrity of their country. -0-

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Modi's electoral setback leaves India's Muslims feeling more secure

By Shaikh Azizur Rahman June 21, 2024

Muslims in India are feeling more secure about their future after last month's national election in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP failed to win an outright majority in parliament, forcing it to form a coalition with other parties.

Before the election, national media had reported deep concerns among Muslims that the Hindu nationalist ruling party would meet expectations for a landslide victory, leaving it free to pursue policies that would further marginalize the Muslim minority.

But with the BJP constrained by its election setback and the influence of its coalition partners, most believe those concerns are unlikely to be realized.

"Right from the start of Modi's first term [in 2014], Muslims were targeted for an unprecedented degree of humiliation, disenfranchisement, and naked brutalization, by both state and non-state actors. BJP leaders openly described Muslims as traitors, infiltrators, threats to Hindus, and the like," Rohit Chopra, a professor at Santa Clara University in the U.S. state of California, told VOA.

"However, after the BJP failed to win a majority in the just-concluded general election, many observers of Indian politics believe that the Hindu nationalist party will not be able to target Muslims through its policies and rhetoric as aggressively and openly as before. The expectation among Muslims is that the worst is hopefully over."

Since his rise to power in 2014, Modi has promoted a Hindu nationalist vision that has left the nation's more than 204 million Muslims complaining of persecution and discrimination by the society and the state.

Over the past decade, in many BJP-ruled states, thousands of Muslim houses and shops were demolished by bulldozers after their owners allegedly committed minor crimes.

Bulldozer justice

Muslim community leaders and social activists pointed out that the authorities targeted only Muslim-owned structures, overlooking illegal buildings owned by non-Muslims. Several legal experts, including former judges, called the so-called "bulldozer justice" outright unlawful.

Hundreds of Muslims were lynched by right-wing Hindu vigilante groups over the past decade for allegedly transporting cows and carrying beef. Muslims complained that the members of the groups were viewed as foot soldiers of the BJP and rarely faced punishment, especially in BJP-ruled states.

Although rights groups complain that Muslims in India sometimes face discrimination and hate attacks because of their faith, Modi denies they exist under his government.

"Our constitution and our government and we have proved democracy can deliver. When I say deliver, regardless of caste, creed, religion, gender - there is absolutely no space for any discrimination [under my government]," Modi told reporters last year during a state visit to the White House.

In March, the Modi government enacted a divisive citizenship law that allowed followers of various religions - but not Islam -- to enter India from neighboring countries on a fast track to Indian citizenship. Critics and Muslims said the law discriminates against Muslims.

Until recently, senior BJP leaders also said the Modi government was in the process of implementing a National Register of Citizens or, NRC a a list of Indians who can prove their citizenship by providing documentation. Muslim leaders fear the NRC project is designed to designate many Indian Muslims as illegal foreigners.

For years, the Modi government said it would introduce a uniform civil code, a single law, replacing many customs and laws now followed by different religious groups. Muslim community leaders have long insisted that this would be used to marginalize and persecute Muslims.

During the recent election campaign, Modi and his party colleagues were accused of hate speech and peddling anti-Muslim tropes. Modi called Muslims "infiltrators." He also identified the community as one "having more children."

However, many of those Muslim fears have receded in the wake of the election.

BJP left reliant on coalition partners

Several of the BJP's new coalition partners are known as secular and enjoy good support from Muslims, who look to the parties to oppose any hardline policies perceived as anti-Muslim. Leaders of the Telugu Desam Party, one of the coalition partners, said that on controversial policies, the BJP will not take any decision unilaterally.

Delhi University professor Apoorvanand, who uses only a first name, told VOA that the election result has "certainly brought some relief" to Muslims.

"The BJP had sought an anti-Muslim mandate. The speeches and comments of Modi and other BJP leaders were nothing but attempts to instigate Hindus against Muslims. Thankfully the election results showed that Modi's election platform was rejected by a significant number of Hindus," he said.

"Muslims hope that the bulldozer punishment that had become routine for them will become a thing of the past now. And, anti-Muslim laws would be more difficult to pass now. Judiciary will muster some courage and do justice to Muslims who have been attacked by the state organs with impunity."

Somdeep Sen, a professor of international development studies at Roskilde University in Denmark, said India's Muslims have reasons "to heave a sigh of relief."

"We have seen an increasing mainstreaming of Islamophobia over the last decade. Even the usually stoic prime minister took on the mantle of publicly demonizing India's Muslim population on its campaign trail. A bigger Modi victory would have given the ruling party an even greater political mandate to pursue Islamophobic policies," he told VOA.

However, Sen said that he does not believe that India is "entering an era of inclusive politics."

"Along with their electoral successes, a key achievement of Hindutva forces has been a cultural shift that has normalized the mainstream demonization of India's Muslims," he said.

"With Modi at the helm, we can't expect a complete reversal of this cultural shift, even as the prime minister now has to contend with the needs and wants of coalition partners."

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Netanyahu Complains US Ignoring Israeli Requests For More Munitions

Sputnik News

20240623

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States significantly decreased supplies of munitions to Israel four months ago and has remained unresponsive to Israel's requests to supply more, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, adding that he hoped that speaking up about the issue publicly would help resolve it.

"Four months ago, there was a dramatic decrease in the munitions coming to Israel from the US. For long weeks, we turned to our American friends and requested that the shipments be expedited ... We received all sorts of explanations, but one thing we did not receive; the basic situation did not change," Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting.

Israel's prime minister added that "certain items arrived sporadically but the munitions at large remained behind."

"After months in which there was no change in this situation, I decided to give this public expression. We did so out of years of experience and the knowledge that this step was vital to opening the bottleneck," Netanyahu said.

He also said that he was "willing to absorb personal attacks on behalf of the State of Israel" that he believes could follow after his remarks.

In May, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the pause in arms deliveries to Israel, adding that this concerned only one batch. US President Joe Biden later told CNN that he would stop aviation bomb and artillery munition deliveries if the operation in the Gaza Strip was extended to the southernmost city of Rafah. But the United States would continue to provide defensive weapons to Israel, including air defense systems, he added.

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US continues shipping weapons to Israel, but for the only batch of aviation bombs that remains under consideration.

A Sputnik

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Gunmen kill at least 9 people in Russia's Dagestan

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jun 23, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Unknown gunmen have killed at least nine people and injured more than two dozen in a series of attacks in Dagestan Region, southern Russia.

According to Russian media, the assailants attacked a synagogue, an Orthodox church, and a traffic police station in the regional capital Makhachkala and the southern city of Derbent on Sunday.

At least seven police officers lost their lives in shootouts with the attackers. A dozen officers were also injured, including six in the attack on the police station in Makhachkala, RT reported.

The attacks on the synagogue and the church took place in Derbent, leaving a priest dead.

The ninth person, who lost his life in the attacks, was the police chief of the town of Dagestanskiye Ogni. He succumbed to the injuries he sustained when he and his deputies arrived in Derbent to back up fellow officers, according to Interfax.

RT, citing the regional interior ministry in Dagestan, said that a total of four militants have been "eliminated" by the security forces in Makhachkala. The ministry said that the operation near the city's Orthodox church has been completed, denying reports about hostages being held there.

Meanwhile TASS cited security sources as saying that the suspects behind the Dagestan attacks had "foreign" weapons in their arsenal.

The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a terrorism investigation into the attacks.

4194

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Unknown Gunmen Kill 6 Police Officers, Priest In Separate Attacks In Daghestan

By RFE/RL's Russian Service June 23, 2024

At least six police officers were killed on June 23 when gunmen opened fire at a synagogue, an Orthodox church, and a police station in separate attacks in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala in Russia's North Caucasus region of Daghestan, Russian officials and news reports said.

Interfax quotes the press service of Daghestan's Interior Ministry as saying on Telegram that six police officers were killed and 12 wounded in the attacks.

A spokeswoman for the ministry, Gayana Gariyeva, told the RIA Novosti news agency that a 66-year-old priest was also killed in Derbent.

"This evening in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala armed attacks were carried out on two Orthodox churches, a synagogue, and a police checkpoint," said the National Anti-Terrorism Committee in a statement to RIA Novosti.

"As a result of the terrorist attacks, according to preliminary information, a priest from the Russian Orthodox Church and police officers were killed."

According to a local religious organization in the majority Muslim region, a total of nine people were killed, seven of them were police officers, and another 25 people were injured.

"Law enforcement officers, clergy, and ordinary citizens became victims of monstrous terrorist attacks," the organization said on Telegram.

The organization noted that the attacks occurred on a religious holiday in the Russian Orthodox Church.

"The radicals want to pit us against each other with all their might and burn interfaith bridges. But they won't succeed," the organization said.

Daghestani Governor Sergei Melikov also said the attack was an attempt to destabilize the situation in the region.

"This evening in Derbent and Makhachkala unknown [attackers] made attempts to destabilize the situation in society," Melikov said on Telegram. "They were confronted by Dagestani police officers."

The Interior Ministry was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying four gunmen had been shot dead as the incidents unfolded. A local official said another had been killed during a shootout at a church in Makhachkala.

The chairman of the public council of Russia's Federation of Jewish Communities, Boruch Gorin, said on Telegram that the synagogue in Derbent fire after the attack.

"It has not been possible to extinguish the fire. Two are killed: a policeman and a security guard," Gorin said.

Russia's National Anti-terrorism Committee said later on June 23 that the "active phase" of its operation against the gunmen had ended in Derbent, but the standoff continued in Makhachkala.

Russia's Investigative Committee said it had opened criminal probes into "acts of terror."

All security forces have been alerted, said Akhmed Kuliyev, acting mayor of Derbent, which is home to an ancient Jewish community and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The attack on the police station occurred in Makhachkala, the capital of Daghestan, 125 kilometers north of Derbent.

Unknown assailants attacked a traffic police post, according to Russian news reports. Two assailants were killed in Makhachkala, the Interior Ministry of Daghestan said.

The Russian agencies also reported that street fights were ongoing in Makhachkala, whose airport in October was shut down for several days when a mob shouting anti-Jewish epithets stormed it after the arrival of a flight from Israel.

Anti-Jewish protests broke out in several cities in the region after the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and EU.

Months later after the March 22 massacre at the Crocus City Hall concert venue near Moscow that killed 144 people, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) detained four people in Daghestan suspected of providing financing and weapons to participants.

Responsibility for that attack was claimed by an offshoot of Islamic State known as Islamic State-Khorasan. Russian investigators said the assault was carried out by four men, all Tajik nationals. Russian authorities arrested 11 Tajik citizens and a Kyrgyzstan-born Russian citizen in connection with the attack, Russia's worst terrorist attack in two decades.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/daghestan-synagogue-church- shooting-derbent-makhachkala/33005911.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russia Can Only Rely on Its Own Military Equipment - Putin

Sputnik News

20240623

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia can only rely on its own military equipment and it succeeds in doing that, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

"Everyone comes from this [stable economy of the Defense Ministry]. They count the salary, and new equipment, and place orders - it is very important. This is the base. In these terms, we can rely only on ourselves. Nobody is going to come and give us anything with an outstretched hand. Everything should done only by ourselves. We manage to do that," Putin said at a meeting with graduates of Russian military institutes.

Russia has faced massive sanctions in recent years, but as the country's authorities have pointed out, it provides itself with everything it needs. The Russian president emphasized that the task is to provide itself with products and technologies in all key areas.

A Sputnik

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Iraqi resistance targets base housing US troops in southeastern Syria

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 June 2024 7:30 AM

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has targeted a military base in southeastern Syria near the borders with Jordan and Iraq, where US occupation troops and their allied Takfiri militants are stationed.

The umbrella group of anti-terror fighters, in a statement, claimed responsibility for the Saturday drone strike.

It noted that the al-Tanf base, located in Syria's Homs province, was targeted by several explosives-laden drones, and the designated targets were precisely struck and destroyed.

There were no immediate reports about possible casualties and the extent of damage caused.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq further noted that the aerial attack was in response to the death of one of an Iraqi resistance fighter in an apparent US airstrike on the Iraq-Syria border.

The Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada anti-terror resistance group said in a statement that the vehicle of one of its fighters, identified as Abdullah Razzaq al-Safi, was hit on Friday in "a treacherous American bombing," adding that he was patrolling the Iraqi-Syrian border when the airstrike took place.

Meanwhile, the so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a Britain-based war monitor, said on Friday that an unknown airstrike targeted a site in the Albu Kamal area, killing an Iraqi resistance fighter and wounding two others.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has been launching several attacks on Israeli targets ever since the occupying regime started the genocidal war on Gaza last year in October.

Israel has been waging an atrocious onslaught against the Gaza Strip, targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship after Palestinian resistance movements launched a surprise attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, on October 7.

At least 37,551 Palestinians have been killed, most of them women and children, and another 85,911 individuals have sustained injuries in Gaza so far. More than 1.7 million people have been internally displaced during the war as well.

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U.S.-Taiwan Working Group Meeting on International Organizations

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

June 22, 2024

On June 21, 2024, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) hosted consultations in Taipei with representatives from the U.S. Department of State and the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The consultations focused on expanding Taiwan's meaningful participation in the United Nations system and other international fora.

Taiwan's world-class expertise offers considerable added value in addressing today's most urgent challenges, including in international public health, food security, aviation safety, and climate change. Taiwan has a demonstrated capability and willingness to help address global issues and support the international community. U.S. participants reaffirmed the United States' longstanding commitment to Taiwan's meaningful participation in the UN system and the international community, including at the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Our support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international fora is in line with our one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the three Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances.

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2024 Han Kuang focuses on 24/7 drills, decentralized command, ROE: Source

ROC Central News Agency

06/23/2024 03:12 PM

Taipei, June 23 (CNA) The upcoming live-fire segment of Taiwan's annual Han Kuang military exercises will focus on testing the troops' responses to decentralized command, updated Rules of Engagement (ROE), and 24/7 operational scenarios, a military source said Sunday.

The Han Kuang exercises, the nation's largest-scale military drills, are held annually in two stages. This year's 40th edition began with the tabletop war games phase, conducted from April 19 to 26.

The live-fire exercise component is scheduled to take place from July 22 to 26, according to the Ministry of National Defense.

An unnamed military source told CNA that this year's live-fire exercises will prioritize tests on troops' capabilities to fend off Chinese invasion 24/7, grassroot troops' preparedness to launch counterstrikes individually, and troops' ability to follow updated ROE during counterstrikes.

According to the source, in previous years, the five-day live-fire portion of the Han Kuang exercises was primarily conducted during the daytime. However, this year, drills will also be held at night to test the armed forces' 24-hour defense capabilities.

"The enemy could strike at any time of the day," the source explained.

In addition, the live-fire component will test the military's decentralized command structure, meaning allowing each grassroot troop unit to individually make its own judgment after losing contact with the central command during wartime.

The aim is "to make sure each unit can fight independently in real battlefield," according to the military.

As part of the tests on decentralized command, the exercises will also check if each unit will be following an updated ROE when engaging with invading enemy troops even when losing contact with the central command, the source said.

The ROE was revised and released in 2023, amid repeated incursions into Taiwan's air defense identification zone by Chinese warplanes, drones and balloons.

Each solider will be given an ROE instruction telling them under what kinds of scenario they are authorized to use weapons and ammunition to launch counterattacks, the source said.

Also, unlike in previous editions of Han Kuang, this year there will be fewer live-fire exercises open to the media.

Previously, the military allowed media access to parts of the live-fire exercises and invited senior government officials, including the president, to oversee them.

The purpose of this practice was to keep the public informed about the latest developments in Taiwan's armed forces and to assure them that the troops are capable of defending the nation.

However, according to the source, this practice serves little practical purpose in terms of war preparation, beyond being a display for the media.

This year, the military will focus on rigorously testing the troops by simulating a variety of scenarios that could occur if a cross-strait war breaks out, all without prior warning, the source said.

This will serve as actual tests of armed forces' emergency response capabilities, the source added.

The Han Kuang exercises have been held annually since 1984 to test Taiwan's combat readiness in the face of a possible Chinese invasion.

(By Matt Yu and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/cs

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2024/06/23



PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1. Dateis

6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Saturday to Sunday, Jun. 22-23

2. PLA activitiesis

15 PLA aircraft and 6 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and, southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities.



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Three Ukrainian Drone Strikes Target Energodar City Near Zaporozhye Nuclear Plant

Sputnik News

20240622

SIMFEROPOL (Sputnik) - 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.

"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.

A Sputnik

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Update 234 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

International Atomic Energy Agency

57/2024

Vienna, Austria

23 Jun 2024

The city where most staff of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) live was left without electricity for 16 hours over the weekend after a second sub-station in the area sustained damage and was taken out of operation, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said today.

The IAEA team of experts stationed at the ZNPP on Saturday visited the site of the latest affected sub-station, Raduga, in the city of Enerhodar to observe damage to one of its two transformers that the plant said was caused by a drone attack the previous evening.

Coming just a few days after one of Enerhodar's other sub-stations - Luch - was destroyed, Director General Grossi said it further deepened his serious concerns about the fragility and vulnerability of Ukraine's electricity infrastructure, which is crucial also for nuclear safety and security, even though the power supplies to the ZNPP's six reactors were not affected this time.

As a result of recent days' damage to the electrical infrastructure, the IAEA was informed that Enerhodar had no electricity from around 8pm on Friday to noon on Saturday, when power was restored in the city, which is located next to the ZNPP. Sub-stations form vital parts of a country's electrical production, transmission and distribution system.

"Whoever is behind this, it must stop. Drone usage against the plant and its vicinity is becoming increasingly more frequent. This is completely unacceptable and it runs counter to the safety pillars and concrete principles which have been accepted unanimously.," Director General Grossi said.

After Wednesday's destruction of the Luch sub-station - which had provided electricity to parts of Enerhodar and other areas - the Raduga sub-station was used to supply some of the lost power to five districts of Enerhodar, before it too was damaged.

Two days after visiting Enerhodar to assess the extent of damage to the Luch sub-station, the IAEA experts yesterday saw electric components and other drone debris at the Raduga sub-station, as well as an unexploded device on the ground near the damaged transformer.

Officials at the scene said a hole in the transformer had caused a cooling oil leak that prompted the sub-station to shut down. They added that the oil spill had been covered by sand and that repairs were under way, which were completed later in the afternoon. The IAEA experts did not see any oil traces on the transformer itself. The sub-station appeared to have suffered less damage than the transformer at the Luch sub-station and there was no fire or firefighters in the area.

The ZNPP later informed the IAEA team that power for Enerhodar had been restored on Saturday afternoon by using Raduga's back-up transformer.

As was the case with the damage to the Luch sub-station, the loss of electricity from Raduga did not directly impact the two power lines that are still available for the ZNPP. The plant continues to receive the off-site electricity it needs for cooling its shutdown reactors from its last remaining 750 kilovolt (kV) main power line and the last 330 kV backup power line.

However, the failure of the Raduga sub-station affected the electrical supply to the industrial zone next to the ZNPP as well as the plant's transport unit, a pump for its tap water and some of the area's external environmental radiological monitoring stations, which stopped working briefly on Saturday morning after running out of battery, but resumed operating as expected when power was restored.

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Russia, Ukraine conduct airstrikes on multiple cities as war intensifies

Iran Press TV

Sunday, 23 June 2024 3:26 PM

Russia and Ukraine have conducted air attacks on multiple cities as the conflict between the neighboring countries intensifies.

Officials from both sides said the attacks on Saturday night and Sunday had resulted in civilian casualties and damage to buildings.

Ukraine attacked the city of Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula with five US-supplied ATACMS missiles, killing three people, including two children, and injuring about 100 more, Russian officials said.

The Russian Defense Ministry said four of the US-delivered missiles were shot down by air defense systems and the ammunition of a fifth detonated in mid-air.

The ministry said Ukraine struck "the civilian infrastructure of the city of Sevastopol with ATACMS tactical missiles supplied by the United States and equipped with cluster warheads."

Two people, including a two-year-old child, were killed while about a hundred people were injured by falling shrapnel, Mikhail Razvozhayev, Governor of Sevastopol said on Telegram.

Sevastopol, a Black Sea port city and naval base on the Crimean Peninsula which joined the Russian Federation in 2014, regularly comes under Kiev forces' attack but the toll from Sunday's attack was unusually high.

Elsewhere on Sunday, at least 30 drones were destroyed over Russia's western region of Bryansk, which borders Ukraine, Governor Alexander Bogomaz said on Telegram. No damage was reported.

Another drone launched by Ukrainian forces on Russia's southern town of Graivoron killed a man, the Governor of Belgorod said.

Three Ukrainian drones struck a few kilometers from the border with Ukraine, said Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, with one hitting a car park near a multi-story block of flats.

"A peaceful civilian was killed. The man died from his wounds at the spot," Gladkov wrote on Telegram, while three were wounded.

Russian air defenses have shot down an unspecified number of unmanned aerial vehicles above the Western Russian region of Smolensk, Governor Vasily Anokhin wrote on Telegram.

"Air defenses responded to an attack of Ukrainian drones over Smolensk and Yartsevo," he said in a statement.

"According to preliminary information, falling fragments caused no damage or casualties on the ground," he added.

Kiev forces also hit Russian aerial drone facilities in the southern region of Krasnodar, the Ukrainian navy reported on Telegram.

In Ukraine, two people were slightly injured and dozens of residential and other buildings were damaged in a Russian missile attack on Kiev overnight, according to the head of the regional administration.

Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on Telegram that of the three missiles launched by Russia, two had been shot down and falling debris had slightly injured two people who did not require hospitalization.

Head of the Kiev region's administration, Ruslan Kravchenko, said on Telegram that six multistory residential buildings, more than 20 private houses, as well as a gas station and a pharmacy had been damaged.

"Over the past day, the enemy has been active in the Kharkiv axis. The Russians launched a missile strike and 20 airstrikes involving 35 gliding bombs in the Kharkiv axis. Seventeen of those targeted Lyptsi alone. Also, the Russians carried out 23 kamikaze drone attacks and more than 360 strikes involving other types of weapons," the spokesman said.

Also on Sunday, the head of the Russian lower house of Parliament's defense committee, Andrei Kartapolov, warned the US-led Western adversaries fighting a proxy war against Russian troops that the nation's lawmakers could reduce the decision-making time stipulated in its official policy for the use of nuclear weapons.

"If we see that the challenges and threats increase, it means that we can correct something in [the doctrine] regarding the timing of the use of nuclear weapons and the decision to make this use," RIA quoted Kartapolov as saying.

Moscow has already warned the Western alliance that Washington was taking the Ukraine conflict to the point of nuclear warfare by giving Kiev an unending supply of weapons and providing long-range missiles.

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Russia Targets Kyiv Region As Moscow Says 4 Killed In Attacks On Sevastopol, Belgorod

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service June 23, 2024

Russia launched three missiles targeting Kyiv region in an early morning strike on June 23 after at least two civilians were killed when a residential building was struck by a Russian bomb in the northeastern city of Kharkiv a day earlier.

Ukraine's Air Force said that two of the three missiles fired at the Kyiv region on June 23 were downed. It was unclear whether the third missile caused any injuries or damage.

The strike came on the same day that Russian officials announced that Ukraine had launched dozens of drones and missiles targeting Russian-occupied territory on Crimea and the southern Russian city of Belgorod.

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-installed governor of Sevastopol on the occupied Crimean Peninsula, said three people were killed and more than 100 injured in the strike on the peninsula. Razvozhayev said missile fragments fell near a beach on the north side of Sevastopol in a park.

Russia's Defense Ministry said Ukraine fired five long-range missile systems known as ATACMS, short for Army Tactical Missile System. It said four were shot down and the fifth exploded in midair.

In Russia's southwestern Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, one person was killed and three were injured by Ukrainian drones, said regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov.

More than 30 drones were reportedly destroyed over Russia's western Bryansk, Smolensk, Lipetsk, and Tula regions, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

No casualties were reported by Russian authorities in the two regions.

The General Staff of Ukraine's' Armed Forces said on June 23 in its afternoon report on fighting that Russian troops made 81 attempts to advance, most of them in the areas around Kupyansk and Pokrovskiy, where 17 attacks were ongoing as of 4 p.m. local time.

Russia's attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv earlier on June 23 came a day after Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine's battered energy infrastructure. The strikes damaged power transmission systems in the southeastern Zaporizhzhya and western Lviv regions, Ukrenerho said.

Ukrenerho said the attack was the eighth large-scale strike targeting the country's energy grid over the past three months. Rolling electricity blackouts will be imposed nationwide throughout June 24 as a result of the attack, Ukrenerho announced.

The Ukrainian Interior Ministry said on June 22 that three people were killed in the Kharkiv bombing and at least 56 were injured. The State Emergency Service on June 23 issued revised the figures downward to two killed and 53 injured, including three children.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who has called in recent days for measures to protect Ukraine's energy system, said during his nightly televised address on June 22 that Russia has dropped more than 2,400 guided bombs on Ukraine this month, including about 700 on Kharkiv alone.

Zelenskiy repeated his plea for additional air defenses from his Western allies and for decisions that would allow Ukraine to destroy Russian combat aircraft "where they are."

With reporting by Reuters, AP, dpa, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kharkiv- casualties-kyiv-missiles/33005616.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Metropolitan Ionafan, Imprisoned By Ukraine For Supporting Russia, Being Sent To Moscow

By RFE/RL's Russian Service June 23, 2024

Metropolitan Ionafan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), who was sentenced to five years in prison in August for his support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has reportedly been released and will be sent to Moscow following the intervention of Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill.

The development regarding Ionafan of the UOC, formerly known as the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), was announced on June 22 by the Russian Orthodox Church.

The separate Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) gained its ecclesiastical independence from the UOC-MP and the Russian Orthodox Church in 2019. Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, authorities in Kyiv have accused some UOC-MP clerics of supporting Moscow in the war.

Metropolitan Ionafan, or Anatoliy Yeletskykh, was accused last year of distributing pro-Russian leaflets to his congregation, posting statements on his diocese's website declaring the primacy of the UOC-MP over the OCU, and of supporting the Russian invasion.

Ionafan was sentenced on August 8 to five years in prison after a court in the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsya found him guilty on four counts, including calling for the violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity, taking actions against Ukraine's constitutional order, and the premeditated violation of citizens' rights.

Ionafan was the first working UOC diocese head to be sentenced to a prison term in Ukraine in relation to the war. A former metropolitan, Iosaf, was previously sentenced to three years' imprisonment for distributing pro-Russian propaganda.

Ionafan had been under house arrest following his appeal of his sentence and reportedly suffered a stroke during his incarceration. On June 18, an appeals court upheld his original sentence.

The UOC-MP said that Ionafan had lost his Ukrainian citizenship and would "soon arrive in Moscow," without providing further details of his release.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-religion- russia-orthodox-metropolitan-ionafan-released/33005725.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Death Toll From Ukraine's Missile Attack on Sevastopol Rises to 5 - Governor

Sputnik News

20240623

SIMFEROPOL (Sputnik) - The death toll from the Ukrainian missile attack on Sevastopol, the largest city in the Crimean peninsula, has risen to five people, governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, the governor said that three people, including two children, were killed as a result of Kiev's strike.

"Unfortunately, we now have three dead children and two dead adults," Razvozhayev said.

He also said that the number of injured people had increased to 119.

The Ukrainian armed forces attacked Sevastopol earlier in the day, using US-made ATACMS missiles with cluster warheads, four of which were shot down and one deflected and exploded over the city. The Russian Health Ministry said that 124 people were injured, including 27 children.

Monday is declared a day of mourning in Crimea.

A Sputnik

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US Responsible for Sevastopol Strike With Weapons Supplied to Ukraine - Russian MoD

Sputnik News

20240623

Washington is responsible for the missile strike on Sevastopol's civilians, as all targeting data for the ATACMS missiles used are entered by US specialists, the Russian Ministry of Defense said.

Flight missions for ATACMS missiles are programmed by American specialists based on US satellite reconnaissance, making Washington primarily responsible for the deliberate missile strike on Sevastopol's civilians, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) stated.

"Therefore, the responsibility for the deliberate missile strike on Sevastopol's civilians lies primarily with Washington, which supplied this weapon to Ukraine, as well as the Kiev regime, from whose territory the strike was launched," the statement said.

The deliberate terrorist missile strike on the city of Sevastopol was carried out at 12:15pm Moscow time on June 23, using five US-supplied ATACMS tactical missiles equipped with cluster warheads.

During the missile attack, Russian air defenses intercepted four of the missiles. The detonation of the fifth missile's fragmentation warhead in the air resulted in numerous civilian casualties in Sevastopol.

According to the Russian Ministry of Health, 124 people were injured, including 27 children, and three people were killed, including two children.

The strike on Sevastopol's civilians with US ATACMS missiles will not go unanswered, the Russian MoD said.

"Such actions will not remain unanswered," the MoD stated.

The UN stands by its stance that civilian casualties must be avoided in conflict, Deputy Spokesperson to UN Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, told Sputnik on Sunday, commenting on the Ukrainian attack on Sevastopol.

"We simply reiterate our position that civilian casualties must be avoided and that we want an end to the war in line with the UN Charter and GA resolutions," Haq said.

A Sputnik

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Three Citizens, Including Children, Killed in Ukrainian Attack on Sevastopol

Sputnik News

20240623

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The death toll from the Ukrainian armed forces' strike on Sevastopol, the largest city in Crimea, has risen to three people, and almost 100 people are injured, governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Sunday.

The Sevastopol governor said that fragments of five downed objects fell in the coastal area of the city, injuring people in the area of Uchkuyevka and Lyubimovka neighborhoods. Also, a forest fire broke out in one of the boarding houses near Uchkuyevka and fire brigades were sent to the aid, he added.

"The death toll has risen to 3 people: we have lost two children and one adult. The criminal Kiev regime, which has renounced its faith, struck Sevastopol with ballistic missiles with cluster munitions in broad daylight. The number of wounded has risen to almost 100 people," Razvozhayev said on Telegram.

He added that the whole healthcare system was mobilized: doctors and medical staff were at their work places and all necessary medical care was being provided to the injured.

The governor added that almost 100 people sought medical assistance.

The Ukrainian attack on Sevastopol left 124 people wounded and injured, including 27 children, an aide to the head of the Russian Health Ministry said. Among the 27 children injured in Sevastopol after the attack by Ukrainian forces, five are in serious condition and doctors are fighting for their lives, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children's Ombudsman Lvova-Belova said.

Kiev attacked Sevastopol with US-supplied ATACMS missiles with cluster warheads; four were shot down, one was deflected by Russian air defenses and exploded over the city, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

A Sputnik

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Ukraine Pressures US to Permit Deep Strikes Into Russia Using ATACMS Missiles

Sputnik News

20240623

Ukrainian authorities are pressuring the US to lift the ban on using long-range ATACMS tactical missiles for strikes deep into Russian territory, according to the Associated Press.

"Ukrainian officials are pushing U.S. allies to be able to strike particular high-value targets inside Russia using ATACMS," the news agency said.

Kiev wants Washington's approval to strike deep into Russia at distances of 100-150 kilometers with long-range missiles. Ukrainian command representatives claim that without that capability their "hands are tied."

The report states that Kiev believes only "desperate battlefield conditions" could force the American side to lift the restriction.

A State Department representative recently told Sputnik that US President Joe Biden had allowed Ukraine to use US weapons for counter-battery strikes against targets in Russia that threaten the Kharkov region, but insisted the ban on using ATACMS and other long-range strike systems was still in place.

Earlier in June, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that permission to use US weapons against Russia applies to all territories where Russian troops cross the Ukrainian border.

At the end of May, President Vladimir Putin stated that NATO representatives must understand "what they are playing with" when discussing plans to allow Kiev to strike "legitimate targets" deep within Russian territory with missile systems transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces by the West.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that NATO member states were deliberately escalating tensions, provoking Ukraine to continue the senseless war a which will ultimately cause significant harm to the interests of the countries that chose the path of escalating the conflict, he stressed.

A Sputnik

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The More We Can Do, the Sooner We Will Succeed in Forcing Russia into a Just Peace - the Address by the President

President of Ukraine

23 June 2024 - 20:35

Dear Ukrainians!

At the moment, the electricity supply has already been restored in Kharkiv. Today, after the Russian bombs hit, a part of Kharkiv was left without electricity, the subway and electric transport were stopped. I thank all our repair crews, everyone involved in restoring the energy supply, and local and regional authorities. I want to thank them for their quick response and for helping people. Unfortunately, 12 people were wounded, unfortunately, one person was killed today. My condolences to their families, my condolences to all the close ones. Every day Kharkiv suffers from this Russian terror. And every day we repeat: Russian combat aircraft that carry out these strikes, not only on Kharkiv, but on our other cities, on our communities, on our frontline positions - Russian combat aircraft must be destroyed wherever they are, by all effective means available. It is also quite fair to attack the Russian airfields. And we need this joint decision with our partners - a security decision.

The recent authorization of strikes on Russian territory - near the border - has helped to destroy part of Russia's terrorist capacity. But only a part. We need to fully protect people and lives from Russian terror - we need more long-range capabilities; we need proper weapons for Ukrainians. And we are working on this with our partners - we are doing everything to bring the decision closer. In general, the next weeks of June and the first half of July should be no less productive for Ukraine than May and the first half of June. We have already received a decision on new Patriots for Ukraine, and we are preparing a follow-up, working on the supply of more air defense systems. And long-range capability is now a question not only of what we can achieve on the battlefield, but also of when the war will end. The more we can do, the sooner we will succeed in forcing Russia into a just peace.

An important outcome of the week is the addition of six more participants to the Peace Summit CommuniquA. This is a clear message that we have succeeded in convincing the world that peace is possible - and a just peace. There will be even more signatures on the CommuniquA - our team is working on it now. And we are also gradually preparing to work in groups - on the points of the Peace Formula. Our task has not changed - it is to find a common, global way to restore security on each of the points of the Peace Formula in the coming months. And it is possible. I thank everyone who is helping!

We are also preparing for a new result in our relations with the European Union. The EU has already approved the negotiating framework for Ukraine, and we expect the actual start of negotiations on June 25 - the Ukrainian Government delegation will be in Brussels for that. It is a truly historic week. Ukraine has been moving towards this for a decade, and this result is the personal result of everyone who chose Ukraine on February 24, who fights for our country, who strengthens Ukraine with everything necessary.

And one more thing.

Today I would like to congratulate our warriors from the Center of Special Operations "A" of the SSU - today is their day, the Center is 30 years old. These are really heroic guys, without whom it is impossible to operate in any hot direction. I am proud of you! I have signed several decrees on conferring ranks and presenting state awards to the warriors of the SSU's CSO "A". And this is the very least the state can do to thank you. Once again, I congratulate you on your day. Today is also Public Service Day in Ukraine. I congratulate all those who really work for the state, for the people, and who really give one hundred percent for the sake of Ukraine - for our country to withstand this war and prevail. We absolutely must defeat the Russian evil.

Glory to all who stand with Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!

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Ukraine, Russia trade lethal attacks

By VOA News June 23, 2024

Ukraine and Russia traded new lethal attacks Sunday as their war neared the 28-month mark.

Five people, including two children, were killed by falling debris and another 124 were wounded when Russian forces shot down five Ukrainian missiles in Sevastopol, a Black Sea port city in Russian-occupied Crimea, officials said.

In a separate attack, one person was killed and three injured in Russia's Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine, when three Ukrainian drones hit the city of Grayvoron.

Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said the attack there hit Uchkuyevka, an area with sandy beaches and hotels. A local news channel on Telegram, ChP Sevastopol, reported that witnesses said an elderly woman was killed as she swam in the sea.

Fragments hit beachgoers after at least one missile was intercepted by air defenses and exploded in the air, according to officials.

Sevastopol is a naval base on the Crimean Peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014. It has regularly come under fire from Ukraine, but Sunday's attack was unusually deadly.

Russia's defense ministry said Ukraine used U.S.-supplied weapons in the attack and accused it of using cluster munitions.

The attack on Sevastopol came a day after a Russian guided bomb struck an apartment building in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, killing two people and injuring more than 50.

On Sunday, another Russian strike hit a house in the city, killing one and injuring five, regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said three people were wounded by a separate strike on a children's educational facility.

In a video address following the Saturday attack on Kharkiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Ukraine's Western partners to bolster its air defenses.

"Modern air defense systems for Ukraine a such as Patriots, accelerated training of our pilots for F-16s, and most importantly, sufficient range for our weapons a are truly necessary," he said.

Some material in this report came from Agence France-Presse and The Associated Press.

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Saint-Louis, France and Weil am Rhein, Germany and Zurich, Switzerland, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allecra Therapeutics (Allecra) and Acino today announced the signing of an exclusive licensing agreement under which Acino gains the rights to commercialise Allecras antibiotic drug EXBLIFEP (cefepime/enmetazobactam) within the Republic of South Africa and the member states of the GCC alliance, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, effective from 12 June 2024. In addition, the companies have signed a supply agreement under which Allecra will supply the cefepime/enmetazobactam finished product in the above territories.

Acino has established itself as a leader in South Africa and the GCC region. They are an ideal partner to support us as we build towards commercialisation of EXBLIFEP following our regulatory approvals in the US and EU, stated Andreas Kranzusch, Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director at Allecra Therapeutics. This agreement reflects the understanding that there remains a significant global need to address the dangerous increase of resistance to standard-of-care antibiotics, and we look forward to working with Acino to address this.

At Acino, we are dedicated to providing novel healthcare solutions to physicians and patients, aiming to alleviate the health burden in emerging markets. We are incredibly excited to partner with Allecra to offer access to this innovative product in two key geographic regions and, potentially, beyond, said Andrew Bird, CEO (ai) at Acino. We are committed to expediting the registration process in these designated markets to ensure hospitals swift access to EXBLIFEP as they continue to fight against high-risk infectious diseases in patients.

About EXBLIFEP (cefepime/enmetazobactam)

EXBLIFEP is an intravenous antibiotic fixed-dose combination of enmetazobactam, a novel extended-spectrum -lactamase inhibitor belonging to the penicillanic acid sulfone class, with the fourth-generation cephalosporin cefepime. Enmetazobactam has been shown to restore the efficacy of cefepime against some multi-drug resistant bacteria, including ESBL-producing pathogens alone or in combination with some resistant -lactamase mutations as OXA-48 or AmpC, which are increasing in Europe and for which there are few therapeutic alternatives.

EXBLIFEP demonstrated statistically significant superior overall treatment success in Allecras pivotal Phase III ALLIUM trial, which compared 1034 randomized patients receiving either cefepime 2 g/enmetazobactam 0.5 g or piperacillin 4 g/tazobactam 0.5 g every 8 h as 2 h continuous intravenous infusion in a multi-centre, randomized, controlled, double-blind, global study in 112 sites within nineteen countries.

In February 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved EXBLIFEP as a treatment for complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, in patients 18 years and older. In March 2024 the European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorisation for EXBLIFEP for the treatment of adult patients with cUTI, including pyelonephritis; hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), including ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP); and bacteraemia that occurs in association with, or is suspected to be associated with any of the infections listed previously.

About Allecra Therapeutics

Allecra Therapeutics, founded in 2013, is a private, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies to combat antibiotic resistance by overcoming emergent resistance mechanisms. Lead product candidate EXBLIFEP (cefepime/enmetazobactam), has successfully completed a randomized, controlled, double-blind, global Phase 3 trial compared to standard of care in patients with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs). Based on these results, the company has received FDA marketing approval in the U.S. and announced approval in the European Union for EXBLIFEP earlier this year.

Allecra has significant patent protection covering proprietary enmetazobactam in major territories. Allecras investors include Forbion, Andera Partners, Delos Capital, Xeraya Capital, EMBL Ventures, and BioMedPartners. Allecras wholly owned French subsidiary is a beneficiary of financial support from Bpifrance and the Region Alsace. Please visit www.allecra.com for further information.

About Acino

Acino is a Swiss pharmaceutical company headquartered in Zurich with a clear focus on selected markets in the Middle East, Africa, Ukraine, the CIS Region, and Latin America. We deliver quality pharmaceuticals to promote affordable healthcare in these emerging markets and leverage our high-quality pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and network to supply leading companies through contract manufacturing and out-licensing. For more information, please visit www.acino.swiss.

Acino is part of Arcera, a global company in the life sciences sector headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Arcera was established by ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, to build a global life sciences powerhouse poised to make significant contributions to realising the UAEs aspiration to emerge as a frontrunner in science and technology. To learn more about Arcera, please visit www.arceralifesciences.com.

Attachments
BEIRUT, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- amana, a leading MENA neobroker, has appointed Jack Saidy as Director of Operations to spearhead its operations in Lebanon, marking a significant milestone in the company's expansion strategy.



Jack Saidy has a strong track record of leadership in financial markets. Previous to joining amana, he held a Director role at Advanced Markets focused on training sales teams and engaging with customers, building his understanding of how to best serve customers in Lebanon and the MENA region. His career in the financial markets spans over 12 years, including a management role at Tickmill, and a previous VP role at amana. His return to amana has been celebrated by the team and allowed for seamless integration into the work culture.

Jack Saidy: amana offers a premium product with top-notch customer service, support, and ethical trading, filling a market gap in Lebanon. amana allows customers to trade all markets on their platform of choice (app, web, META), while providing 24/6 customer support from our office in downtown Beirut. Regulated by multiple entities including CMA, amana takes additional measures beyond regulatory requirements to promote fair and ethical trading. From highlighting leveraged assets to providing world-class education for free within the app, amana promotes healthy trading and investing practices for the long-term benefit of its customers. This makes me proud to help bring amana to our customers in Lebanon, and fill this market gap.

amana offers over 5,500 assets on its platforms, allowing customers to trade both physical and leveraged US and MENA shares, commodities, currencies, and more. On amana you can also trade fractional shares of US and MENA stocks.

CEO Muhammad Rasoul: Hiring Jack and expanding our Lebanon office is a sign of our investment in Lebanon, and our commitment to ensuring our Lebanon customers are getting the level of service they deserve.

About amana

amana is a leading neobroker in the Middle East. It provides active traders and investors across MENA with direct access to the global and regional financial markets. It operates multiple offices, such as in Beirut, Dubai, and Limassol.

amana is regulated by DFSA in the UAE, the FCA in the UK, CYSEC in Europe, the CMA in Lebanon, the LFSA in Malaysia, and the FSC in Mauritius.

www.amana.app

Contact: Karolina Slowikowska, Director of Communications (karolina.slowikowska@amanacapital.com)

Photo:



https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/90384623-94c2-4f7a-987a-a20bd77ab16d
Dublin, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "U.S. IT Staffing Market - Industry Outlook & Forecast 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The U.S. IT Staffing Market was valued at USD 37.89 Billion in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 52.21 Billion by 2029, rising at a CAGR of 5.49%

IT staffing is among the most highly fragmented markets across diverse staffing verticals. The U.S. IT staffing market has comparatively low entry barriers that push vendors to consider innovation and differentiation regarding their client offerings. Owing to its immense staffing opportunities, IT staffing remains one of the key business segments for vendors within the staffing industry. The key players in the U.S. IT staffing market are ASGN Incorporated, Experis (ManpowerGroup), Insight Global, Kforce, Randstad, and TEKsystems (Allegis Group).





Vendors usually gain an edge over their competitors through differentiated offerings, from updating and enhancing an efficient Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to adopting a region-specific market expansion strategy. With specialization being one of the key focus areas for vendors in the U.S. IT staffing market, significant players concentrating on STEM skill sets continue to enjoy growth and profit.

Moreover, a few mid-tier firms too are emphasizing specializations across industries. Key vendors such as TEKsystems, ASGN, and Insight Global have consistently performed over the last few years. These vendors are expected to grow due to their diverse business strategies catering to the U.S. IT staffing market. In the future, the outlook for IT staffing vendors remains positive as more and more IT firms plan to enhance their skilled workforce. The spending across diverse skill sets, especially cloud, analytics, ML, automation, and IoT, is expected to increase the demand for skilled IT professionals nationwide.

The U.S. is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. The country witnessed consistent growth in demand for software and other IT-related jobs over the last few years. Another contributor to the growth of the U.S. IT staffing market is the increase in personnel salaries. The evolution of technology and the ever-growing demand for updated, secured, and quick IT solutions push the demand for IT professionals across functions and departments.

Southern U.S. dominated the U.S. IT staffing market, which can be attributed to the presence of certain leading states in tech employment. Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia are key states accounting for a high share of the South U.S. IT staffing market. Also, the IT market in Texas is increasingly lucrative for young start-ups and established tech companies. One of the most significant factors in this rapid growth is the favorable tax conditions in the state. Furthermore, the Western U.S. is also one of the growing markets in the United States.

It comprises developed and fast-growing states such as California, Utah, Washington, Colorado, and others, primary hubs for several end-user industries. The increasing awareness about various technologies such as IoT, AI, and ML will further boost the growth of the region's IT staffing market during the forecast period.



MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Rising Adoption of Artificial Intelligence



The IT sector is poised to undergo significant changes with the advancement of Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies. For professionals in the IT staffing industry, staying informed about these developments is crucial. Projections indicate a rising demand for IT professionals, driven partly by adopting AI-powered systems and machine learning. AI-driven tools and platforms transform how businesses attract, assess, and onboard IT talent, making the process more efficient and insightful. These sophisticated systems can process large datasets, pinpoint top candidates, and forecast their suitability for specific roles.

Furthermore, companies adopting AI-driven IT staffing solutions stand to benefit from time savings and reduced bias in hiring decisions, leading to more diverse and skilled IT teams. Recruiters can optimize their resources as AI handles many aspects of recruitment, such as identifying candidates who closely align with an organization's needs.



Skill-centric Staffing Solutions



The evolving landscape of technology necessitates IT professionals with specific skill sets and expertise. The focus of IT staffing will increasingly pivot towards skill-centered solutions. Rather than simply matching candidates with job titles, leading IT staffing firms prioritize connecting clients with professionals with the exact skills required for a project or role.

One positive aspect of skill-based hiring is that it encourages aspiring candidates to commit to continuous learning and remain updated on emerging technologies and trends, thus attracting better career opportunities. The demand for IT professionals with specialized skills is steadily increasing. Companies seek professionals with expertise in specific technologies like cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence. Furthermore, there's a growing demand for professionals with industry-specific healthcare, finance, and retail expertise.



INDUSTRY RESTRAINTS

Shortage of Skilled Labor



The IT industry in the U.S. has remained under pressure due to an acute shortage of skilled workforce. IT staffing firms have been facing the problem of a lack of skilled professionals for quite some time now and are looking for options to tackle this challenge strongly and quickly. The U.S. IT staffing market faces intense competition due to the specialized skill sets required for numerous roles.

Currently, there's a scarcity of candidates with the specific qualifications sought by clients, presenting a challenge for staffing agencies. Also, the issue is currently enacted as the major headwind restricting the growth of the IT industry across the United States. IT staffing firms can consider taking a more proactive approach to tackle this situation, which can be done through maintaining and updating the database of candidates frequently.



SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS

INSIGHTS BY SKILL SET



The software engineers/developers/DevOps/architect skill set segment holds the most significant share of the U.S. IT staffing market in 2023. Software engineers and developers have remained at the core of any organization operating in the IT industry over the years. The demand for software developers in the U.S. is expected to grow by almost 23% by 2028. This, in turn, is expected to increase the number of software engineers in the United States. Professionals with these skill sets often receive several emails from recruiters, which is greatly different from other professionals in the industry.

Moreover, DevOps is another crucial skill set for IT staffing firms to target, owing to the ability of such professionals to enable businesses to drive real value. With DevOps growing significantly over the past few years, organizations that are quick to embrace this opportunity are performing considerably well. The market for DevOps is expected to attain new heights owing to the effective changes it develops in its processes, security, cultural shift, and compliance aspects of the DevOps platform.

INSIGHTS BY END-USER



The U.S. IT staffing market by end-user is segmented into tech/telecom, banking/financial services/insurance, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and others. The tech/telecom end-user segment will hold the largest segmental market share in 2023. The tech/telecom industry is consistently evolving with time and is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. The continuously evolving technologies and better connectivity infrastructure are boosting the telecom and IT industry, leading to growth in the number of employees working there. Hence, there is a huge hiring requirement in such industries, leading to the rising demand for IT staffing.

The year 2023 and beyond is set to witness the domination of 5G wireless technologies across the telecommunications industry. Telecom companies consistently shift their focus to devising business models to capitalize on 5G and other related opportunities. Thus, growth opportunities for telecom operators prevail in expanding the current portfolio through investments in IoT, 5G, and other cross-industry associations, such as mPayments and mHealth.



The technology industry is connected to several other industries, from manufacturing to aerospace, which will face several negative consequences if they do not offer proper services. Therefore, the telecom & IT industry puts immense focus on its existing workforce and on hiring the right talent. Moreover, the population's awareness of technology usage is high. Hence, the country's acceptance of technology-oriented products and services remains high, contributing to the market's growth during the forecast period.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

How big is the U.S. IT staffing market?

Which region dominates the U.S. IT staffing market share?

Who are the key players in the U.S. IT staffing market?

What is the growth rate of the U.S. IT staffing market?

What are the significant trends in the U.S. IT staffing market?

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 245 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $37.89 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $52.21 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.4% Regions Covered United States



Industry Overview

IT Recruitment Trends Shaping Hiring and Employee Engagement

US Tech Industry

US Tech Workforce

US Staffing Industry Highlights

Competitive Scenario

Investments in IT

Recent US Employment Regulations

Adoption of Digital Tools Drive Transformation

Market Opportunities & Trends

Rising Adoption of AI

Rise in the Gig Economy & Flexible Work Arrangements

Increasing Significance of Cybersecurity

Diversity and Inclusion in Staffing

Staffing Restructure Through Holistic Branding

Market Growth Enablers

Skill-Centric Staffing Solutions

Shift Toward Remote Work

Rise in Usage of Automation to Gain a Competitive Edge

Millennials Reshaping the IT Workforce

Referral Relevance for Staffing

Market Restraints

Stringent Government Regulations

Shortage of Skilled Labor

Subdued Immigration Outlook

Key Company Profiles

ASGN Incorporated

Experis (ManpowerGroup)

Insight Global

Kforce

Randstad

TEKsystems (Allegis Group)

Other Prominent Vendors

52 Limited

Acro Service Corporation

Adecco Group

ALKU

Artech

Beacon Hill Staffing

BGSF

Collabera

Compucom

Compunnel

Consulting Solutions International

Dexian

Epitec

HAN Staffing

Innova Solutions

Kelly

Mastech Digital

Mindlance

Motion Recruitment

NineHertz

NTT DATA

Optomi

Peyton Resource Group

Robert Half

Rose International

System One

TATEEDA

The Judge Group

Toptal

Vaco

vTech Solution

Yoh

UNIQUE System Skills LLC

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/p1s1j7

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Dublin, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "APAC Data Center Market Landscape 2024-2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The APAC Data Center Market was valued at USD 83.86 Billion in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 150.59 Billion by 2029, rising at a CAGR of 10.25%

The APAC data center market hosts several local and global IT infrastructure vendors such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM, Atos, Cisco Systems, Dell Technologies, Arista Networks, Juniper Networks, and others. Vendors continuously invest in innovations in their offerings to meet market demand.

The APAC data center market is one of the major growing data center markets globally, with a higher investment contribution from countries such as Australia, India, China, and Japan, with other countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and New Zealand with steadily rising data center activities.

Malaysia and Indonesia have emerged as the major growing markets in the APAC data center market after a setback in Singapore due to a past moratorium on data center construction. Investment in Singapore is expected to rise again after the government announced a pilot project for data center construction.

Other countries, such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, are witnessing a sudden surge in demand, especially from the spillover of demand from Singapore after the moratorium. Countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines are among the markets that are expected to witness a growth rate increase in the coming years.

The APAC data center market has multiple local and global support infrastructure vendors, which has increased its competitiveness. Some major vendors in the APAC data center market include ABB, Caterpillar, Cummins, Eaton, Rittal, STULZ, Schneider Electric, Vertiv, and others. Global general construction contractors such as AECOM, Arup, CSF Group, DSCO Group, NTT Facilities, RED, and others have increased the construction speed, and the availability of a skilled workforce has become easier through multiple organizations.

KEY TRENDS

Increased Digitalization Is Driving the Growth of Data Centers in the APAC Region

The APAC data center market is experiencing expansion, fueled by the widespread digital transformation across the region. The growing digitalization trend is driving a swift surge in demand for data centers, with various regions implementing their digital strategies.

The region's rapid adoption of digital technologies is driven by an increasing demand for improved productivity, optimized resource utilization, and various other advantages. The expansion of 5G connectivity, coupled with the utilization of Big Data and IoT services, further contributes to the ongoing digitalization trend in the area.

China's national development strategy consistently favors the digital economy. In alignment with the 14th Five-Year Plan, China seeks to enhance expertise in critical domains, including quantum information, communications, integrated circuits, sensors, and blockchain. Additionally, it actively promotes emerging technologies such as 6G.

The Indian government initiated the Digital India program, which encompasses multiple government departments and aims to nurture a future of learning and development for India.

Deployment of Edge Data Centers Fueled by Growing 5G Network Connectivity

The adoption of 5G technology is widespread in various countries, including China, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. The deployment of 5G in multiple locations is propelled by the need for high computing power and enhanced connectivity standards within data centers.

Some major operators in Hong Kong are China Mobile Hong Kong Ltd, Hong Kong Ltd, SmarTone Mobile Communications Ltd, and Hutchison Telephone Company Ltd.

The government has uniquely agreed with New Zealand's three primary network providers - Spark, 2Degrees, and One New Zealand. This agreement aims to accelerate the deployment of 5G services in approximately 55 rural and regional towns across the country while extending mobile wireless coverage to additional remote areas that currently lack adequate service.

Rising Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Fueling the Demand for Efficient Infrastructure

The deployment of edge data centers is fueled by growing 5G network connectivity. The adoption of 5G technology is widespread in various countries, including China, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. The deployment of 5G in multiple locations is propelled by the need for high computing power and enhanced connectivity standards within data centers.

SEGMENTATION INSIGHTS

Servers are available in various types and configurations. Regarding form factors, servers are classified as rack, blade, and tower. The most common servers in the APAC data center market include rack and blade servers from vendors such as Cisco Systems, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Dell Technologies, IBM, Lenovo, and NetApp.

Vendors have an increasing opportunity to provide lithium-ion and nickel-zinc batteries for UPS systems. Operators can also adopt new-age generator sets that run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), natural gas, etc.

The APAC data center market is witnessing the adoption of air - and water-based cooling systems, followed by water-based cooling solutions, which are in major demand due to the region's tropical climate.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

How big is the APAC data center market?

What is the growth rate of the APAC data center market?

What are the key trends in the APAC data center industry?

What is the estimated market size in terms of area in the APAC data center market by 2029?

How many MW of power capacity is expected to reach the APAC data center market by 2029?

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 88 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $83.86 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2029 $150.59 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 10.2% Regions Covered Asia Pacific

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

IT INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDERS

Arista Networks

Atos

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Broadcom

Extreme Networks

Fujitsu

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Hitachi Vantara

Huawei

IBM

Inspur

Intel

Juniper Networks

Lenovo

Micron Technology

NEC

NetApp

Oracle

Pure Storage

Quanta Cloud Technology

QNAP

Quantum

Seagate Technology

Super Micro Computer

Toshiba

Western Digital

Wiwynn

Prominent Construction Contractors

AECOM

Arup

Aurecon Group

CSF Group

DSCO Group

Gammon Construction

Larsen & Toubro (L&T)

NTT Facilities

PM Group

Studio One Design

Other Prominent Construction Contractors

AWP Architects

BYME Engineering

Chung Hing Engineers Group

Corgan

CTCI

DPR Construction

Fortis Construction

Hutchinson Builders

ISG

Kienta Engineering Construction

Linesight

LSK Engineering

M+W Group

Nakano Corporation

Obayashi Corporation

Powerware Systems (PWS)

Sato Kogyo

Sterling and Wilson

Red Engineering

Rider Levett Bucknall

Turner & Townsend

Prominent Support Infrastructure Vendors

ABB

Caterpillar

Cummins

Eaton

Rittal

Schneider Electric

STULZ

Vertiv

Other Prominent Support Infrastructure Vendors

Airedale

Alfa Laval

Canovate

Cyber Power Systems

Delta Electronics

EAE

Fuji Electric

Green Revolution Cooling (GRC)

HITEC Power Protection

KOHLER Power

Legrand

Mitsubishi Electric

Narada

Piller Power Systems

Rolls-Royce

Shenzhen Envicool Technology

Siemens

Socomec

Trane

Prominent Data Center Investors

Alibaba Group

AirTrunk

Amazon Web Services

China Unicom

China Mobile

Chindata Group

Digital Realty

Equinix

GDS Services

Keppel Data Centres

Microsoft

NTT Global Data Centers

NEXTDC

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres

Other Prominent Data Center Investors

AdaniConneX

BDX

CDC Data Centres

Chayora

Colt Data Centre Services

CtrlS Datacenters

Digital Edge DC

Edge Centres

EdgeConneX

Meta

Google

Haoyun Changsheng

Huawei Technologies

Iron Mountain

LG Uplus

MettaDC

Nxtra by Airtel

OneAsia Network

Open DC

Princeton Digital Group

Pure Data Centres Group

SpaceDC

Shanghai Atrium (AtHub)

STACK Infrastructure

SUNeVison Holdings

Sify Technologies

Tencent

Tenglong Holding Group

Vantage Data Centers

Viettel IDC

VNET

Yotta Infrastructure Solutions

YTL Data Center

New Entrants

Digital Halo

Empyrion DC

Evolution Data Centres

GreenSquareDC

Gaw Capital

Infracrowd Capital

K2 Data Centres

Minoro Energi Indonesia

Nautilus Data Technologies

SC Zeus Data Centers

Regal Orion

YCO Cloud

Yondr

PREMIUM INSIGHTS

Investment Opportunities

Investment: Market Size & Forecast

Area: Market Size & Forecast

Power Capacity: Market Size & Forecast

Market Dynamics

Market Opportunities & Trends

Market Growth Enablers

Market Restraints

Site Selection Criteria

MARKET SEGMENTATION

Segmentation by Facility Type

Hyperscale Data Centers

Colocation Data Centers

Enterprise Data Centers

Segmentation by Infrastructure

IT Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

General Construction

Segmentation by IT Infrastructure

Server Infrastructure

Storage Infrastructure

Network Infrastructure

Segmentation by Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Transfer Switches & Switchgear

Power Distribution Units

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Segmentation by Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Racks

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Segmentation by Cooling Systems

CRAC & CRAH Units

Chiller Units

Cooling Towers, Condensers, and Dry Coolers

Economizers & Evaporative Coolers

Other Cooling Units

Segmentation by Cooling Techniques

Air-based

Liquid-based

Segmentation by General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & Commissioning Services

Engineering & Building Design

Physical Security

Fire Detection & Suppression

DCIM

Segmentation by Tier Standard

Tier I & II

Tier III

Tier IV

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8ncna0

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Asensus Surgical, Inc. (NYSE American: ASXC), a medical device company that is digitizing the interface between the surgeon and the patient, today announced that St. Marianna University School of Medicine Yokohama City Seibu Hospital in Japan has entered into an agreement to lease and utilize a Senhance Surgical System in the Urology and Gastroenterology/General Surgery department.



"We are excited to collaborate with the St. Marianna University School of Medicine Yokohama City Seibu Hospital to bring our Senhance Surgical System to this innovative institution," said Anthony Fernando, President and CEO of Asensus Surgical. "Powered by our Intelligent Surgical Unit with Augmented Intelligence capabilities, this system represents a leap forward, offering surgeons unparalleled real-time insights that leverage the collective expertise from procedures performed around the world."

The Senhance System's ability to facilitate a seamless integration of human skill with clinical intelligence will be tremendously valuable for our surgeons, said Dr. Masanori Naito, M.D.,Ph.D. Hospital Vice Director, Head of Gastroenterological & General Surgery. Our hospital seeks to blend scientific excellence with compassionate, patient-centered care. We look forward to harnessing its capabilities in our GI/General Surgery & Urology specialties as we continue pushing the boundaries of medical innovation.

The Senhance Surgical System is designed to increase surgeon control and reduce variability through Augmented Intelligence and deep learning capabilities.

About St. Marianna University School of Medicine Yokohama City Seibu Hospital

Our university was founded in 1971 by the devout Catholic Dr. Kamon Akashi. Then-Pope Paul VI took a great interest in the universitys establishment and presented the special gift of a chalice and paten to mark the occasion. Japans only medical university with Christian ideals as its founding ethos, our university has so far trained nearly 5,000 physicians filled with the spirit of love and dedicated service. This philosophythe Marianna Spiritis reflected not only in the undergraduate educational curriculum but also throughout the care offered at our associated medical facilities and in our specialist postgraduate education and research. It forms the very foundation of our outstanding education, which produces individuals who are both proficient scientists and compassionate physicians. St. Marianna University School of Medicine Yokohama City Seibu Hospital opened in 1987 as part of the Yokohama 21st Century Plan. It is a sophisticated general hospital for the 21st century that actively incorporates the very latest medical care techniques. It also has a tertiary emergency care center capable of dealing with all fields of medicine around the clock.

About Asensus Surgical, Inc.

Asensus Surgical is revolutionizing surgery with the first intra-operative Augmented Intelligence technology approved for use in operating rooms around the world. Recognized as an award-winning leader in digital technology, Asensus is committed to making surgery more accessible and predictable while delivering consistently superior outcomes. The Companys novel approach to digitizing laparoscopy has led to system placements globally. Led by engineers, medical professionals, and industry luminaries, Asensus is powered by human ingenuity and driven by collaboration. To learn more about Asensus, visit www.asensus.com .

Follow Asensus

Email Alerts: https://ir.asensus.com/email-alerts

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asensus-surgical-inc/

X: https://twitter.com/AsensusSurgical

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AsensusSurgical

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asensus_surgical

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements relating to the Senhance Surgical System and St. Marianna University School of Medicine Yokohama City Seibu Hospital in Japan initiating a program with the Senhance System. These statements and other statements regarding our future plans and goals constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict, are beyond our control and which may cause results to differ materially from expectations and include whether Asensus Surgical can accelerate the adoption of the Senhance Surgical System throughout Japan and other key geographies around the world and whether the Senhance Surgical System will enable St. Marianna University School of Medicine Yokohama City Seibu Hospital to offer surgeons unparalleled real-time insights that leverage the collective expertise from procedures performed around the world. For a discussion of the risks and uncertainties associated with the Companys business, please review our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2024 and our other filings we make with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements, which are based on our expectations as of the date of this press release and speak only as of the origination date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

INVESTOR CONTACT:

Mark Klausner or Mike Vallie

ICR Westwicke

invest@asensus.com

443-213-0499

MEDIA CONTACT:

Dan Ventresca

Matter Communications

AsensusPR@matternow.com

617-874-5488

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eaeea3b9-0c6e-4d0b-b65d-cf0871c00b0c
DUBLIN, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company responsible for delivering the Irish Governments National Broadband Plan (NBP) in the intervention area, last week hosted a delegation from EU Member States. The session featured the rollout of fibre broadband to rural Ireland under the NBP.



The delegation from the European Broadband Competence Offices (BCO) Network, which brings together EU Member States national and regional public authorities in charge of broadband deployment attended a series of presentations with senior NBI officials about the companys rollout of fibre broadband to rural Ireland.

NBIs fibre rollout has now passed 254,917 premises across rural Ireland. Last month, the company announced that it aims to make high-speed fibre broadband available to over 300,000 homes, farms and businesses before the end of this year. Overall, NBIs rollout will deliver fibre broadband to 564,000 premises across the country by the end of 2026.

To date, over 84,000 premises have connected to high-speed broadband through NBIs network. While connections are averaging at 1 in 3 nationally, the take-up rate is already exceeding 50% in areas where the NBIs network has been available for longer.

Ossian Smyth, Minister of State with responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy, said: The Government has made significant progress delivering high-speed fibre broadband to rural Ireland. Were delighted to host our European colleagues and to share insights and learnings with them from our work on the National Broadband Plan. The project is being delivered within budget and is set to be completed on schedule by the end of 2026.

The National Broadband Plan is seen as a benchmark for European connectivity projects. It not only represents a significant achievement for Ireland, but also highlights our commitment to fostering a digitally inclusive society for all our citizens.

Commenting on the EU delegation visit, Peter Hendrick, National Broadband Ireland CEO, said: In 2019, NBI won the bid to deliver the National Broadband Plan on behalf of the Irish Government, one of the most ambitious telecoms projects in the world. Its a truly once in a generation infrastructure project and is one of the biggest and most significant investments in rural Ireland ever. Given that we have over a quarter of a million homes passed, with over 84,000 already connected, and since the project is on time and on budget, it is an ideal opportunity to share our experiences of delivering a project of this scale with the EU Commission.

Jan Droge, BCO Network Director, commented: The engagement between stakeholders from the EU Member States with National Broadband Ireland was a really positive one, particularly around the demonstration of successful approaches, good practices to stimulate innovation, and facilitating a transfer of knowledge and ideas towards creating a European Gigabit Society and Digital Decade. As we know, the future competitiveness of Europes economy depends on advanced digital infrastructures and services, since fast, secure, and widespread connectivity is essential for the deployment of the technologies that will bring us into tomorrows world.

David McCourt, founder and chairman of National Broadband Ireland, commented: A huge amount of credit must go to the Irish Government for its ambition in developing the National Broadband Plan. Their blueprint coupled with our execution provides a model for other countries to follow, as Ireland will soon become the most connected country in Europe. Critical to the success of the National Broadband Plan, NBI has built up a team of some of the best and brightest minds in global telecoms who intimately understand how to build and operate a world-leading open-access network and attract over 70 Internet Service Providers to sell service on the new national network. We are excited to share our learnings with the rest of Europe, covering everything from our survey, design and build practices, our early technology choices, our stakeholder engagement and demand stimulation strategy, right through to our customer service capabilities which have resulted in industry leading net promotor scores.

The European BCO Network, whose objective is to build their capacity to bring reliable, high-speed broadband connectivity to all EU citizens, convened a series of meetings in Dublin over the 18th and 19th of June.

Issued on behalf of National Broadband Ireland by Murray Group.

Media Contact :

Martin Phelan

Murray

0872467106

nbi@murraygroup.ie

Notes to Editor :

About NBI

National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is designing, building, and operating the new high-speed fibre broadband network for rural Ireland on behalf of the Irish Government.

NBI brings together some of the most talented individuals in Ireland and across the world, with deep knowledge and experience in delivering projects to the scale of the National Broadband Plan (NBP). This includes developing, designing, building and operating networks and coordinating all elements required to finance and deliver a project of the size and complexity of Irelands NBP.

NBI was established by Granahan McCourt, an international investor in technology, media, and telecommunications. For over 30 years, Granahan McCourt has partnered with governments, corporations and communities to connect people through innovation in technologically underserved areas of the world.

NBIs majority shareholder is pan-European investment infrastructure firm Asterion Industrial Partners. Specialising in European infrastructure across telecoms, energy and utilities, and mobility sectors, Asterion combines deep financial knowhow with respected industry credentials. Asterion is uniquely positioned with a growing portfolio of rural fibre assets across Europe, mirroring its continued commitment to facilitate futureproofed internet access to underserved rural areas.

Nokia is providing the active equipment for the project while Indigo, Actavo and Entegro are the network design partners. NBIs build partners include Actavo, KN Group, Secto and TLI. NBI is also working with infrastructure owners and operators such as Openeir (pole and ducts network) and Enet (State-owned MANs).

NBI will be responsible for the management of the new fibre broadband network for at least the next 25 years.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/03b67b57-f908-4090-b3bf-33f59e55456d
SAN FRANCISCO, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Giant , the largest American-made clothing brand, today announced a collaboration with Walmart to sell high quality, American-made t-shirts in 1,700 Walmart locations across the United States. Since the companys establishment in 2011, American Giant has pursued their mission to return high quality clothing manufacturing back to the United States at scale. Leveraging the breadth of Walmarts purchasing power to drive quality and needed volume across American manufacturing facilities, American Giant will offer a 100% American-made t-shirt for the 4th of July holiday, retailing for $12.98.



American Giant, renowned for its commitment to manufacturing high-quality apparel domestically, has been a trailblazer in the industry. Notably, this collaboration marks a significant milestone in its journey to revitalize American textile manufacturing.

The first American Giant products produced for Walmart will be t-shirts made from 100% American cotton grown across farms throughout the Southeastern United States and produced in factories from the Carolinas to California. Walmart shoppers will be able to choose from an assortment of red, white, blue, and heather gray t-shirts.

By leveraging American Giants expertise in American textile production and Walmarts scale, this collaboration has made it possible to bring a new, high-quality product to the market at a landmark price point. This launch significantly contributes to Walmarts ongoing commitment to its U.S. manufacturing initiative, and is part of Walmarts broader efforts to source $350 billion worth of products made, grown or assembled in the United States. Joining forces with American Giant, a company that embodies the essence of high quality American-made clothing, Walmart continues to drive growth of the U.S. manufacturing sector.

American Giant is a leader in American-made clothing, said Andrea Albright, Walmarts Executive Vice President of Sourcing. They have done what many claimed would be impossible and are now the premier brand making high-quality apparel in the U.S. As trailblazers in the industry, they have shown what can be achieved, and we are proud to bring their products to millions of Americans at an incredible price. We look forward to fostering a collaborative partnership where we can learn from each other's expertise as we continue to invest in American manufacturing.

For the last 13 years, we have pursued a singular mission: to make high-quality apparel in America and help return the jobs and capability that comes with that. Because it matters. It matters for the people living and working in factory and farm towns, and it matters for our country and our economy, said Bayard Winthrop, founder and CEO of American Giant. This partnership is a natural extension of that mission. Walmarts commitment and volume changes the economies of scale and allows us to accelerate our progress on returning American clothing manufacturing to its role as a world wide leader of quality, sustainable production. In doing this, it points a way forward for our factory and farming towns that are the lifeblood of America.

Todays news represents the power of collaborative alliances in driving positive change. Walmart and American Giants collaboration not only provides customers with access to high-quality American-made clothing at an affordable price but also paves the way for a brighter future for American factory towns.

About American Giant

American Giant is the largest American-made apparel brand, known for the greatest hoodie ever made. The company was founded in 2011 with a singular mission: to make high-quality apparel in America after nearly 98% of clothing production had been sent overseas. The brand designs and manufactures timeless, premium clothing for men and women with the highest standards of quality, sourcing homegrown materials and partnering with factories across the United States. American Giant believes making things in America again can have a profound impact: on the products we buy, the people who make them and the country we hope to become. For more information, visit www.american-giant.com .

Contact Information:

Press@american-giant.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/af9a1822-7f6c-4499-9c02-d8fe62b6e045
New Braunfels, TX, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The national nonprofit organization Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) will celebrate the delivery of its 400th specially adapted custom home this fall. Currently under construction, the home will be donated to Marine LCpl Alberto Flores Jr. and his family in New Braunfels, Texas. LCpl Flores was severely injured while serving in Iraq, resulting in the amputation of his right leg above the knee.

On May 12, 2005, Lance Corporal Flores was on his second combat deployment with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in Ramadi, Iraq when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device (IED). He sustained severe damage to his right leg.

Now medically retired, Alberto and his wife, Elvira, whom he met in the eighth grade, have been married for over twenty-five years. They enjoy spending time with their son, Alberto Flores III, and grandson, Aden, as well as their close-knit extended family. Their current house is multilevel, making it difficult for Alberto to navigate inside and outside in his wheelchair. Hes often forced to wear his prosthetic for long periods, causing pain and further injury to his leg.

Albertos new home features more than 40 major special adaptations such as widened doorways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower, and kitchen amenities that include pull-down shelving and lowered countertops. The home will also alleviate the mobility and safety issues associated with a traditional home, including navigating a wheelchair through narrow hallways or over thresholds, riding on carpets, or reaching for cabinets that are too high. HFOT will donate the home to Alberto, thanks to contributions from donors, supporters, and corporate partners.

Texas Roadhouse, a national HFOT corporate partner for over two decades, is fully funding the 400th home, continuing their long-standing commitment of supporting severely injured post-9/11 Veterans.

Were incredibly proud to fund the construction of the 400th home in our namesake state of Texas. As a long-time partner of Homes For Our Troops, this milestone reflects our commitment to giving back to veterans like Lance Corporal Flores who sacrificed so much for our country, said Texas Roadhouse Chief Executive Officer and Homes For Our Troops Board Member Jerry Morgan.



Alberto would like to thank HFOT donors and supporters for making his daily life easier. We are excited and honored to be the recipients of HFOTs 400th home. It truly means the world to us to be part of such a profound milestone. The Community Kickoff was an incredible day that we will never forget. To see so many HFOT donors and supporters come together to help us overcome everyday challenges through a specially adapted custom home is beautiful and heartfelt. Our home is a priceless gift that we will cherish forever. We cannot thank HFOT enough.

"We could not have reached this incredible milestone without the continued commitment of our patriotic donors, supporters, volunteers, and corporate partners like Texas Roadhouse, who is fully funding the 400th home," says HFOT President/CEO, Brigadier General, USA (Ret) Tom Landwermeyer. "While we celebrate this achievement, our goal is to build a specially adapted custom home for every post-9/11 Veteran who qualifies for one. We look forward to continuing our mission of Building Homes and Rebuilding Lives with you.

We currently have 72 ongoing projects, over 100 Veterans in the application process, and another 1,000+ Veterans who could qualify for our program. To learn more about how to get involved or donate, visit www.hfotusa.org.

Read more about LCpl Flores story and watch his video at www.hfotusa.org/flores.

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Chicago, IL, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has selected 30 resident/fellow teams to receive the fourth cycle of funding for Back to Bedside, a resident-led initiative to develop innovative strategies for finding deeper connections with patients, improving physician and patient well-being.

For this cycle, grant applicants could submit an original idea as an Open Innovation project, or adapt a previous Back to Bedside project to their local institution and context as a Project in a Box. Of the selected projects, 23 are Open Innovation projects and seven are Projects in a Box.

View the full list of newly selected Back to Bedside recipients, projects, and team leaders. With this latest cohorts, more than 110 projects have been funded since Back to Bedsides inception in 2017. This cycles project topics include promoting nutrition and wellness during pregnancy, inclusive care for the LGBTQIA+ community, end-of-life care, and more.

In addition to funding, the ACGME provides grant recipients with project and change management skills, leadership education, and mentorship through Learning Collaborative meetings at the ACGME office in Chicago; and regular check-ins throughout the two-year grant cycle, culminating in an opportunity to present their projects at the 2026 Annual Educational Conference in San Diego, California.

Residents and fellows are uniquely positioned to identify areas for improvement in graduate medical education, said Joshua Belfer, MD, chair of the Back to Bedside Work and Advisory Group. Dr. Belfer received a Back to Bedside grant in the first cycle of funding. By providing opportunities for collaboration, professional development, and leadership, as well as funding, Back to Bedside is building future leaders and change agents with the drive and tools to creatively infuse meaning into the clinical care experience into the future.

Projects come from across the US, and each includes direct patient interaction and outcome measures. Projects aim to improve the clinical learning environment by increasing meaningful connections for physicians with their patients and promoting behaviors that advance physicians' and patients' well-being.

The ACGMEs resident council, the Council of Review Committee Residents, developed Back to Bedside in 2017 to combat burnout by fostering meaning in the learning environment through engagement on a deeper level with what is at the heart of medicine: their patients.

###

The ACGME is a private, non-profit, professional organization responsible for the accreditation of 13,066 residency and fellowship programs and the 886 institutions that sponsor these programs in the United States. Residency and fellowship programs educate close to 160,000 resident and fellow physicians in 182 specialties and subspecialties. The ACGME's Mission is to improve health care and population health by assessing and enhancing the quality of resident and fellow physicians' education through advancements in accreditation and education.

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Arlington, Va., June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Experts from the American Institutes for Research (AIR) will present several posters about their health research work at the upcoming Academy Health 2024 Annual Research Meeting, July 30-July 2 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore. AIR is a Bronze sponsor of this years meeting, which carries the theme, Valuable Evidence. Vibrant Community. Vital Conversations.

AcademyHealth is the professional home and leading national organization for health services researchers and policymakers, as well as health care practitioners and stakeholders. The annual research meeting focuses on new research, innovative methods, diverse data sources and how to use them, and robust discussions about the effect of health services research on health policy practice.

Poster presentations by AIR experts will cover a wide range of topics, including the impact of primary care health professional shortages and provider supply; substance use disorder and mental health; refugee resettlement and integration; and the effects of Medicaid expansion on pre-and early pregnancy Medicaid coverage, prenatal care, and maternal health.

All AIR poster presentations are listed below. All presentation times are in Eastern Daylight Time. The full conference program is available on the AcademyHealth website.



Sunday, June 30

8 a.m.  9:15 a.m.

Poster: Effects of Medicaid Expansion in Louisiana and Virginia on Pre-Pregnancy and Early Pregnancy Medicaid Coverage, Prenatal Care, and Maternal Health Outcomes across Racial Groups.

Location: Halls A-B (Level 100, Baltimore Convention Center)

AIR Presenters/Authors: Daniela Zapata, Siying Liu



Monday, July 1

9:30 a.m.  10:45 a.m.

Poster: Impact of Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area Designation on Provider Supply (funded by the AIR Equity Initiative)

Location: Halls A-B (Level 100, Baltimore Convention Center)

AIR Presenter/Author: Angshuman Gooptu

5 p.m.  6:15 p.m.

Poster: A Framework for Assessing Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Provider Availability and Demand

Location: Halls A-B (Level 100, Baltimore Convention Center)

AIR Presenters/Authors: Tanvi Rao, Paraph Patel, Sarah Chung, Rekha Varghese, Brandy Farrar, April Grady, Karina Wagnerman

Poster: Lived Experiences of Refugee Resettlement and Integration: Insights from a Modified Ethnography Study

Location: Halls A-B (Level 100, Baltimore Convention Center)

AIR Presenters/Authors: Maliha Ali, Trenita Childers

Poster: Envisioning a Public Health Approach to Collaboration in Refugee Resettlement: Strategic Recommendations from the HEAR Project

Location: Halls A-B (Level 100, Baltimore Convention Center)

AIR Presenters/Authors: Maliha Ali, Trenita Childers



About AIR

Established in 1946, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance both domestically and internationally in the areas of education, health, and the workforce. AIRs work is driven by its mission to generate and use rigorous evidence that contributes to a better, more equitable world. With headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR has offices across the U.S. and abroad. For more information, visit www.air.org.
Kristin Halvorsen has been elected to the Board of Directors in Statkraft. She replaces Marit Salte who has requested to step down from the Board.



Kristin Halvorsen is the Director of the CICERO Center for International Climate and Environmental Research. She is a former politician and was a member of the Stoltenberg II government from 2005 to 2013, initially serving as Minister of Finance and later as Minister of Education and Research. She was elected member of parliament from 1989 to 2013 and was the leader of the Socialist Left Party (SV) from 1997 to 2012.



Halvorsen also serves as Chair of the Board at the TRH Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marits Foundation and Deputy Chair of the Board for the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). Previously, she has held positions as Chair of the Research Council of Norway and the Natural History Museum, as well as Head of The Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board. Recently, she was appointed head of the expert committee tasked with evaluating nuclear power in Norway.

Marit Salte has requested to step down from the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors in Statkraft AS now consists of:

Chair: Alexandra Bech Gjrv

Vice Chair: Ingelise Arntsen

Board Member: Mikael Lundin

Board Member: Pal Erik Sjatil

Board Member: Lars Rsg

Board Member: Kristin Halvorsen

Board Member: Marte Lind (employee elected)

Board Member: Lars Mathisen (employee elected)

Board Member: Thorbjrn Hols (employee elected)

The Board of Directors in Statkraft AS is identical to the Board of Directors in Statkraft SF.

For more information, please contact:



Claus Sonberg, SVP Communications and Marketing

tel.: +47 92 46 23 93

e-mail: claus.sonberg@statkraft.com



or www.statkraft.com



About Statkraft

Statkraft is a leading company in hydropower internationally and Europes largest generator of renewable energy. The Group produces hydropower, wind power, solar power, gas-fired power and supplies district heating. Statkraft is a global company in energy market operations. Statkraft has more than 6,000 employees in over 20 countries.





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TORONTO, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Madison Metals Inc. (Madison or the Company) (CSE: GREN) (OTCQB: MMTLF) (FSE: 4EF0) is pleased to announce that it has completed its maiden drill program of nine holes (997m) of Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling at its Khan Uranium Project at Madison West, located in Namibias Central Erongo Uranium province, and confirmed high-grade uranium deposits. Uranium mineralization was successfully intersected at depth in six of the nine drill holes.



The most significant observations during the Companys chip logging include:

Elevated pXRF* readings from chips with a maximum value of 1.54% U 3 O 8

O Multiple mineralized zones intersected included a 15-metre (m) mineralized zone averaging pXRF 0.3% U 3 O 8

O Fresh mineralized D-type leucogranite characterized by smoky quartz

Uranium mineralization at depth in six drill holes

The recent nine holes confirm Madisons geological expectations and logging has confirmed that uranium-bearing D-type alaskites have intruded the Khan group which is comprised of calc-silicates, quartzites and schists at depth.

We are excited and encouraged by the results of our maiden drill program, having successfully intersected uranium mineralization at depth in six out of the nine holes drilled. This achievement marks a significant step forward in our exploration program, says Dr. Roger Laine, a Director of Madison and geological engineer with 40+ years of expertise in advanced mineral exploration projects. The confirmed stratigraphic level on the property provides the ideal conditions for high-grade alaskite-hosted uranium mineralization similar to that at the Rossing and Husab Mines in Namibia.

The drill holes targeted various previously identified uranium-bearing outcrops along the 12-kilometre Anomaly 5 target. The holes were drilled to determine the sub-surface extension of high-grade uranium mineralization, both laterally and at depth. Uranium mineralization was intersected in six of the nine drill holes, with logged yellow product observed over the highest-grade intervals.

Figure 1: Location of the drill holes and significant observations

KM5RC001 was drilled to intercept mineralization between the surface Trenches KM5TR001 and KM5TR002. The drill hole intercepted a 3m mineralized alaskite starting at 19m below surface.

Two holes (KM5RC003 and KM5RC007) were drilled under the surface trench KM5TR003 and were extended to intercept a surface expression 50m from the trench. Both holes intercepted multiple lenses of mineralized alaskites of more than 2m thickness starting at 35m below surface. The deepest mineralized alaskites were intersected at 114m below surface in both drill holes.

The drilling has yielded significant achievements, even under challenging conditions. Due to ground accessibility issues, a set of fan holes (KM5RC005 and KM5RC006) was also drilled to intersect KM5TR004 and KM5TR005. KM5RC005 confirmed mineralization starting at 46m below surface.

KM5RC008 and KM5RC009 were drilled to test the surface mineralization and alaskite orientation south of KM5TR001. KM5RC008 intersected a 1m thick alaskite at 33m below surface with a pXRF reading of 1.19% U 3 O 8 .

Some RC chip samples have been sent for analysis, and final analytical assay results are expected in the coming weeks. Follow-up drilling is being planned to further define the lateral and vertical extent of uranium mineralization discovered to date.

*pXRF on RC chips were taken using a single reading through the calico bag for every metre. In relation to the disclosure of pXRF results, the Company cautions that estimates of U 3 O 8 ppm from pXRF results should not be considered a proxy for quantitative analysis of a laboratory assay result. Assay results are required to determine the actual widths and grade of the visible mineralization.

Drilling has been completed on multiple azimuths and as fan drilling with multiple holes collared from a single drill site to minimize surface disturbance, which will result in some oblique intercepts to target orientations. The true thickness of intercepts will be accounted for following structural drilling and 3D modelling. All results in relation to this news release are drilled thickness and should not be interpreted as true thickness at this time.

Qualified Person

Mary Barton, a Professional Natural Scientist (SACNASP) and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for ML86A, has reviewed, verified, and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

About Madison Metals Inc.

Madison Metals Inc. (CSE: GREN) (OTCQB: MMTLF) (FSE: 4EF0) is an upstream mining and exploration company focused on sustainable uranium production in Namibia and Canada. With over 50 years of mining experience, including 22 years in Namibia, its management team has geological and financial expertise and a track record of creating shareholder value.

Additional information about Madison Metals Inc. can be found at madisonmetals.ca and on the Companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca .

For further information, please contact:

Duane Parnham

Executive Chairman & CEO

Madison Metals Inc.

+1 (416) 489-0092

ir@madisonmetals.ca

Media inquiries:

Adam Bello

Manager, Media & Analyst Relations

Primoris Group Inc.

+1 (416) 489-0092

media@primorisgroup.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor CIRO accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements regarding the proposed future exploration and drilling by Madison.

Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, schedule, estimates, forecasts, intends, continue, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, will, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are made based upon certain assumptions and other important facts that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future.

Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performances or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, amongst others: the global economic climate; competition; labour shortages, and unanticipated expenses of the Company. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: failure of the Company or its contractual partners to fulfil their respective obligations under agreements; unanticipated delays in drilling as described in this press release; the impact the COVID 19 pandemic may have on the Companys activities and the economy in general; the impact of the recovery post COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on precious metals; receipt of necessary approvals; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; accidents, labour disputes and shortages; environmental risks; and other risks of the mining industry.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

You can find further information with respect to these and other risks in filings made with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities that are available on the Companys SEDAR+ profile page at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a382b7ac-eb39-4489-b12a-ce12526250c6
MONONA, Wis., June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The IAIABC NextGen Awards recognize talented and transformative young professionals under the age of 40 who are having a positive impact in their organizations and the workers compensation industry. For the 2024 IAIABC NextGen Awards, six recipients were selected from a pool of outstanding nominees.



"I am very impressed with the accomplished class of 2024 IAIABC NextGen Award recipients. Each of them has put their own stamp on workers compensation, sharing their passion, dedication, and innovative ideas with different sectors of the industry. I look forward to seeing where these leaders take the industry into the future, says Heather Lore, IAIABC Executive Director.

The IAIABC congratulates the recipients of the 2024 IAIABC NextGen Awards:

Matthew Cole

Lead Data Analyst, Medical Operations, NCCI

Melissa Coleman

Senior Vice President of Marketing, Ametros

Charles Cordova

Economist, New Mexico Workers Compensation Administration



Nazanin Esmaili

Manager, Advanced Analytics, Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) of Ontario (formerly)



Paul Hendrick

Director and Actuary, NCCI

Jeff Nelson

Commissioner of Workers Compensation, Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation

In addition to the NextGen winners, the IAIABC is also proud to recognize 4 additional finalists and 14 honorable mentions whose work is helping to progress and elevate the workers compensation industry. View the list of finalists and honorable mention nominees here.

The IAIABC will share the NextGen Award recipients stories throughout the year, including as part of the IAIABC 110th Convention September 23-26, 2024, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NextGen Award recipients will also be profiled in a special edition issue of Perspectives, the IAIABCs digital publication.

Over the eight years of the IAIABC NextGen Awards, 60 individuals have been recognized with a NextGen Award. Visit www.iaiabc.org/nextgen-awards for more information about this years and past NextGen recipients.

About the IAIABC

The International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions is a not-for-profit association representing government agencies charged with the administration of workers compensation systems as well as other workers compensation professionals in the private sector. Its mission is to find solutions to reduce harm and aid recovery from occupational injuries and illnesses. Learn more about the IAIABC at www.iaiabc.org.

Contact: Cameron Nudleman, IAIABC Membership & Communications Manager

Phone: (608) 410-2216

Email: cnudleman@iaiabc.org
NEW YORK, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP:

Do you, or did you, own shares of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG)?

Did you purchase your shares between November 3, 2021 and August 1, 2023, inclusive?

Did you lose money in your investment in The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company?

Do you want to discuss your rights?

Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the common stock of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (Scotts or the Company) (NYSE: SMG) between November 3, 2021 and August 1, 2023, inclusive (the Class Period). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the Complaint).

If you purchased or acquired Scotts common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@bernlieb.com .

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 5, 2024 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesnt require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.

According to the Complaint, Defendants made numerous materially false and misleading statements and omissions concerning the Companys inventory levels, debt covenant compliance, and financial performance. Specifically, Defendants repeatedly assured investors that the Companys inventory levels were appropriate, while attributing strong sales to selling through high-cost inventory, which resulted in peak selling and record shipments. Defendants also repeatedly assuaged investors concerns about the Companys debt, stating that they were optimistic we will remain within the bounds of our bank covenants and [did] not see leverage compliance issues going forward.

On August 2, 2023, Scotts revealed that quarterly sales for its fiscal third quarter had declined by 6%, and that gross margins fell by 420 basis points. The Company also slashed fiscal year EBITDA guidance by a staggering 25% and announced a $20 million write down of pandemic driven excess inventories. The Company also disclosed that it had to modify its debt covenants to 7.00 times debt-to-EBITDA ratio, from the former ratio of 6.25 times debt-to-EBITDA ratio.

On this news, Scotts stock price fell $13.58 per share, or over 19%, to close at $57.86 per share on August 2, 2023.

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 5, 2024 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesnt require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.

If you purchased or acquired Scotts common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@bernlieb.com .

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journals Plaintiffs Hot List thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2024 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:
NEW YORK, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP:



Do you, or did you, own shares of Roblox Corporation (NYSE: RBLX)?





Did you purchase your shares between November 15, 2023 and May 8, 2024, inclusive?





Did you lose money in your investment in Roblox Corporation?





Do you want to discuss your rights?

Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Roblox Corporation (Roblox or the Company) (NYSE: RBLX) between November 15, 2023 and May 8, 2024, inclusive (the Class Period). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the Complaint).

If you purchased or acquired Roblox securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Roblox Corporation Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@bernlieb.com.

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 9, 2024 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesnt require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.

In November 2023, the Company provided investors with material information concerning Robloxs expected revenue for the first quarter of 2024 (Q1-24) and fiscal year 2024 (FY-24). This was the first time Roblox offered earnings and revenue guidance to its investors since the Company went public in 2021. Defendants statements included, among other things, that Roblox expected $4.14 billion to $4.28 billion of bookings in FY-24  reflecting 25%-27% annual growth  and $3.3 billion to $3.4 billion annual revenue.

On May 8, 2024, the Company announced it was reducing its previously-announced bookings guidance to $4.0 billion for FY-24. It also announced only 19% bookings growth in Q1-24. The Company blamed its digital economy, new purchasable items, and platform expansion for the decline.

On this news, Robloxs stock price fell $8.61 per share, or over 22%, to close at $30.42 per share on May 9, 2024.

If you purchased or acquired Roblox securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Roblox Corporation Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@bernlieb.com.

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journals Plaintiffs Hot List thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2024 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information:

Peter Allocco

Investor Relations Manager

Bernstein Liebhard LLP

https://www.bernlieb.com

(212) 951-2030

pallocco@bernlieb.com
NEWARK, Del, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The silicone food storage bag market share is estimated to reach USD 2,194.7 million in 2034. Eliminating chances of food spillage and food wastage for a more sustainable environment is anticipated to push the demand for silicone food storage bags in the future. The silicone food storage bag market stood at USD 1,334.6 million in 2024 and is set to exhibit a CAGR of 5.1% in the forecast period from 2024 to 2034.



The food storage bag market is undergoing a significant transformation due to the increasing popularity of silicone bags, which offer unique advantages over traditional options. The increasing usage of these bags across various domains, such as homes, eateries, catering businesses, and other food-related enterprises, is primarily driven by the increasing concern for food safety. Silicone food storage bags address this concern by offering heat resistance and non-reactive nature, making them ideal for storing various food items. The implementation of stricter food safety regulations by governing bodies is also acting as a tailwind for manufacturers, increasing the demand for silicone as a safe and reliable material.

Request a Sample Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-19709

Similar to safety, silicone food storage bags offer user-friendly features such as being lightweight, easy to use, and clean design. Their high portability allows for convenient food storage on the go, catering to the growing popularity of convenience foods and the fast-paced lifestyles of modern consumers. The market is also influenced by the environmental consciousness of consumers, with some manufacturers exploring bio-plastics as a potential replacement material.

The silicone food storage bag market is experiencing growth due to the increasing demand for packaged foods like frozen meals and ready-to-eat options. These bags are durable and can withstand freezing temperatures, making them ideal for storing frozen meals. They also eliminate the need for single-use plastic wrap when reheating food, promoting sustainability. The silicone food storage bag market offers a diverse range of sizes and types, from portion-control bags for lunches to large bags for family meals.

The growing concern about food waste is driving the demand for silicone food storage bags in the food service industry. These bags help extend the shelf life of fresh food by creating a controlled environment, minimizing food waste and resulting in cost savings for restaurants and catering businesses. The rise of convenience foods, sustainability, and the need to reduce food waste are all driving the silicone food storage bag market.

The silicone food storage bag market is expanding due to consumer demand for packaged foods, sustainability concerns, and the need to reduce food waste. These bags are durable, reusable, and offer a diverse range of sizes and types, making them a popular choice in kitchens and restaurants worldwide, says a Lead Consultant Ismail Sutaria in Packaging at Future Market Insights (FMI).

Key Takeaways from the Silicone Food Storage Bag Market:

Silicone coated nylon bags claims a significant revenue share of 72% in 2024.

in 2024. The demand for silicone food bags in the United States is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 4.9% by 2034.

by 2034. In 2024, the packaging of ready to eat (RTE) products dominated the market with revenue share of 42% .

. The silicone food storage bag industry in the China is anticipated to see a CAGR of 5.1 from 2024 to 2034.

from 2024 to 2034. The silicone food storage bag sector in India is projected to showcase a CAGR of 5.3% through 2034.



Competitive Analysis of the Silicone Food Storage Bag Sector



The silicone food storage bag market is a competitive and fragmented space with numerous companies vying for market share. Leading manufacturers focus on product innovation, developing bags in various sizes and designs, and exploring new features like integrated portion control markings.

Market players adopt a multi-pronged approach, including strategic partnerships with retailers, online advertising campaigns, and continuous investment in research and development. This approach helps expand product portfolios and solidify customer bases within the ever-evolving silicone food storage bag market, benefiting consumers through continuous innovation and product development.

Get in Touch with Our Sales Team to Secure Your Copy of the Report Now: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/19709

Recent Industry Development in the Silicone Food Storage Bag Sector

Reusable Roll Tight Storage Bags from W&P were introduced in July 2023 to minimize waste and preserve produce. These BPA-free, food-grade containers are safer for the freezer and refrigerator and need less storage space. They work well for storing to-go lunches, preparing lunches, and maintaining the freshness of bulk goods in the freezer.

Key Players of the Silicone Food Storage Bag Industry

Tupperware

WeeSprout

Moonmoon UK

Durbl, LLC

Stasher Bags

Zip Top

Homelux Theory

Rezip

Lekue

Qinline

Silikids

Healthy Packers

Ollieroo

Russbe

Key Segments of the Silicone Food Storage Bag Industry

By Type:

Silicone Coated Nylon Bags

Polystyrene Bags

By Application:

Fruits and Vegetables

Dry Fruits

Ready to Eat Products

Others

By Region:

North America

Latin America

Europe, East Asia

South Asia

Middle East and Africa (MEA)

Oceania

Authored by:

Ismail Sutaria (Lead Consultant, Packaging and Materials) has over 8 years of experience in market research and consulting in the packaging & materials industry. Ismails strength lies in identifying key challenges faced by the client and offering logical and actionable insights to equip the clients with strategic decision-making power.

Ismail has been an instrumental part of several transformational consulting assignments. His key skills include competitive benchmarking, opportunity assessment, macroeconomic analysis, and business transformation advisory. Ismail is an MBA holder in Marketing and has a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics.

Have a Look at Trending Research Reports on Packaging Domain:

The global foodservice paper bag market is expected to increase at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2024 to 2034, estimated at US$ 953.1 million. By 2034, the sales revenue of foodservice paper bag is projected to be worth US$ 1293.3 million.

The global food bags market size is expected to increase from US$ 824.0 million in 2023 to US$ 1,594.3 million by 2033. Over the assessment period from 2023 to 2033, global food bag sales are likely to soar at 6.8% CAGR.

The fast food bag market is projected to progress at a CAGR of 5.5% over the forecast period from 2024 to 2034. By 2034, the market is expected to reach US$ 830.2 million.

The compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market is rising to US$ 653.0 million by 2033. The sales of compostable & biodegradable refuse bags are anticipated to record a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period.

The food packaging film market is expected to rise to US$ 115.0 billion by 2034. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period.

The plastic food wrap market is foreseen to reach US$ 5.28 billion by 2034, progressing at a modest CAGR of 4.20%.

The value of the global food liner paper market is estimated value of US$ 6.1 billion by 2034.

As per FMI, the global sanitary food & beverage packaging market is expected to surpass US$ 52.55 billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 2.6% between 2023 and 2033.

According to Future Market Insights research, during the projected period, the global chilled food packaging market is expand at a CAGR of 7.5% to reach US$ 1,648.8 Million by the year 2032.

The global Oxo-biodegradable bags market is projected to have an average-paced CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period and is anticipated to reach a high of US$ 1.11 billion by the year 2032.

About Future Market Insights (FMI)



Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, recipient of the Stevie Award, and a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) offers profound insights into the driving factors that are boosting demand in the market. FMI stands as the leading global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, consulting, and events for the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Consumer, Technology, Healthcare, Industrial, and Chemicals markets. With a vast team of over 400 analysts worldwide, FMI provides global, regional, and local expertise on diverse domains and industry trends across more than 110 countries.

Contact Us:

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Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $100,000 In Toyota To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options



If you purchased or acquired securities in Toyota between June 25, 2022 and June 2, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310). You may also click here for additional information: www.faruqilaw.com/TM.

NEW YORK, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota or the Company) (NYSE: TM) and reminds investors of the August 23, 2024 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company.

Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See www.faruqilaw.com.

As detailed below, this Complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts, about the Companys business and operations. Specifically, Defendants misrepresented and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Toyota understated its malfeasance relating to certification of its cars and issues relating to overall legal compliance; and (2) as a result, defendants statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

On June 3, 2024, The New York Times published an article entitled Toyota and Other Japanese Carmakers Say They Mishandled Safety Tests. This article stated, in pertinent part, that Toyota [. . .] and other top Japanese automakers said on Monday that internal investigations found they had mishandled vehicle testing on dozens of models over the past decade. Further, Toyota said it had failed to gather proper data when doing pedestrian and occupant safety tests for three models, including its popular Yaris Cross sport utility vehicle.

On this news, Toyotas American Depositary Shares (ADSs) fell $5.34 per ADS, or 2.45%, to close at $212.17 per ADS on June 3, 2024.

The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not.

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding TOYOTAs conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

To learn more about the Toyota class action, go to www.faruqilaw.com/TM or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310).

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, on X, or on Facebook.

Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (www.faruqilaw.com). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner.





A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5e848124-9c14-4bab-ba13-256ecec0c433
FLOWER MOUND, Texas, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Uniden is thrilled to announce the appointment of Ray Woolf, an industry veteran, as the new Director of Specialty Radar Sales. With over two decades of experience in the 12-volt industry, Ray brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success that will drive Uniden's innovative radar technology to new heights.



Uniden America Corporation's President Tad Ando commented "We at Uniden are extremely excited to have Ray join our team. We are looking forward to him using his experience and knowledge to help Uniden expand and grow our Specialty Radar Sales and continue to offer the best-in-class products."

Ray Woolf joins Uniden with a distinguished career that has spanned multiple leadership roles, where he has consistently demonstrated his ability to build strong relationships and deliver exceptional results. His expertise and strategic vision are perfectly aligned with Unidens commitment to pioneering advancements in radar technology and enhancing user experience.

I am incredibly excited to start this new chapter and to contribute to the innovative work being done at Uniden, said Ray Woolf. I look forward to helping the 12-volt industry continue to grow and thrive, and I am confident that together, we can achieve remarkable success.

Ray's appointment underscores Uniden's dedication to investing in top talent to maintain its position as a leader in the 12-volt industry. As Director of Specialty Radar Sales, Ray will be instrumental in expanding Uniden's market presence, fostering key partnerships, and driving sales strategies that support the companys long-term growth objectives.

About Uniden

Uniden is a leading manufacturer of wireless communication products, including innovative radar detection systems. With a focus on quality, performance, and customer satisfaction, Uniden continues to set the standard in the 12v industry, providing cutting-edge technology solutions for consumers and professionals alike.

Uniden America Corporation

301 International Parkway, Suite 460

Flower Mound, TX 75022

To reach Ray Woolf, please email him at rwoolf@uniden.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/de695f9e-14b9-4a90-984a-c7f18dd8b726
/Not for Release or Distribution in the United States/

The Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates relating to Fission Uranium Corp. contained in this announcement have been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and have not been reported in accordance with the 2012 Joint Ore Reserves Committee's Australasian Code for Reporting of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves ("JORC Code"). Refer to Fission's website at www.fissionuranium.com or under Fission's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca for information in relation to the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates prepared by Fission. A competent person has not done sufficient work to classify the Mineral Resource or Mineral Reserve estimates in accordance with the JORC Code and it is uncertain that following evaluation and/or further exploration work that the estimates will be able to be reported as a Mineral Resource or Ore Reserve in accordance with the JORC Code. Please refer to further disclosure required by the ASX Listing Rules together with a more detailed resource table at the conclusion of this announcement.

KELOWNA, June 24, 2024 - Paladin Energy Limited (ASX: PDN) (OTCQX: PALAF) ("Paladin") and Fission Uranium Corp. (TSX: FCU) (OTCQX: FCUUF) (FSE:2FU) ("Fission") are pleased to announce they have entered into a definitive arrangement agreement (the "Agreement"), pursuant to which Paladin will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Fission ("Fission Shares") by way of a court approved plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporation Act (the "Transaction").

Transactions Highlights

Fission shareholders will receive 0.1076 fully paid shares of Paladin ("Paladin Shares") for each Fission share held at the closing of the Transaction (the "Offer Consideration").

The Offer Consideration represents: an implied value of C$1.30 per Fission Share 1 ; an implied equity value of C$1,140 million 2 ; a 25.8% premium to the closing price of the Fission Shares on the TSX (C$1.03) on 21 June 2024; and a 30.0% premium to the 20-day Volume Weighted Average Price ("VWAP") of the Fission Shares on 21 June 2024 3 .

Upon completion of the Transaction, Fission shareholders will own 24.0% of Paladin 4 , which will have a pro-forma market capitalisation of approximately US$3.5 billion 5 .

, which will have a pro-forma market capitalisation of approximately US$3.5 billion . Paladin has applied for listing of the Paladin Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") concurrent with completion of the Transaction, such that Fission shareholders will receive TSX-listed Paladin Shares.

Fission's Board of Directors, following the unanimous recommendation by its special committee of independent directors (the "Special Committee"), and in consultation with Fission's financial and legal advisors, recommends that Fission shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction.

Cantor Fitzgerald has provided an opinion to the Special Committee to the effect that, as of the date thereof, and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated in such opinion, the Offer Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view to the Fission shareholders. SCP Resource Finance has provided an opinion to the Board of Directors of Fission, stating that as of the date of such opinion, based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth therein, the Offer Consideration to be received by Fission shareholders under the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to Fission shareholders.

Directors and members of senior management of Fission holding 0.7% of the outstanding Fission Shares have entered into voting support arrangements with Paladin pursuant to which they have agreed to vote their Fission Shares in favour of the Transaction at the special meeting of shareholders to be called by Fission to approve the Transaction (the "Fission Meeting").

The Transaction is targeted to close in the September 2024 quarter (subject to satisfaction of all conditions under the Agreement).

The combination of Paladin and Fission will create a clean energy leader and will deliver the following benefits to both Paladin and Fission shareholders:

Enhanced project development pipeline.

Multi-asset production expected by 2029.

Diversified presence across leading uranium mining jurisdictions of Canada, Namibia and Australia.

Increased exposure to highly attractive long term uranium fundamentals.

Increased scale and global profile of Paladin with TSX listing.

The Transaction will also deliver several direct benefits to Fission shareholders:

Attractive 30.0% premium to Fission's 20-Day VWAP 6 and the ability to participate in the upside of Paladin.

and the ability to participate in the upside of Paladin. Meaningful 24.0% ownership in a global, multi-asset uranium company with exposure to the producing Langer Heinrich Mine ("LHM").

Continued exposure to the Patterson Lake South project's ("PLS") future operational profile and exploration upside.

De-risk Fission's PLS development funding, underpinned by LHM production and customer offtake contract book.

Opportunity to retain TSX-listed shares in a leading ASX100 growth-focused uranium company providing increased trading liquidity and an enhanced capital markets presence.

____________________________________ 1 Based on the exchange ratio under the Agreement, being 0.1076 of a Paladin Share for each Fission Share (the "Exchange Ratio") multiplied by the closing price of the Paladin Shares on the ASX of A$13.24 on 21 June 2024, and converted to C$12.04 using AUD/CAD exchange rate as of 21 June 2024, being 0.91. 2 Based on the closing price of the Paladin Shares on the ASX of A$13.24 on 21 June 2024 converted to C$12.04 using AUD/CAD exchange rate as of 21 June 2024 being 0.91, and 95 million Paladin Shares issued using Fission's 880 million fully diluted shares based on the treasury stock method and the exchange ratio under the Agreement of 0.1076. 3 Based on the 20-day VWAP of the Fission Shares on the TSX of C$1.09 and the 20-day VWAP of the Paladin Shares on the ASX of A$14.52, and converted to C$13.21 using the spot exchange rate AUD/CAD in effect on each trading day. 4 Fully diluted ownership based on the expected Paladin Shares issued and outstanding immediately following completion of the Transaction. 5 Based on the expected Paladin Shares issued and outstanding immediately following completion of the Transaction and the closing price of the Paladin Shares on the ASX of A$13.24 on 21 June 2024, converted to US$8.79 using the AUD/USD exchange rate as of 21 June 2024, being 0.66. 6 Refer to footnote 3.

Paladin CEO Ian Purdy commented:

"The acquisition of Fission, along with the successful restart of our Langer Heinrich Mine, is another step in our strategy to diversify and grow into a global uranium leader across the top uranium mining jurisdictions of Canada, Namibia and Australia.

Fission is a natural fit for our portfolio with the shallow high-grade PLS project located in Canada's Athabasca Basin. The addition of PLS creates a leading Canadian development hub alongside Paladin's Michelin project, with exploration upside across all Canadian properties.

Both sets of shareholders are expected to benefit from the increased scale of the enlarged company, with a combined Mineral Resource representing one of the largest amongst pure-play uranium companies globally and a substantially increased international capital markets exposure. The Transaction also de-risks the development of PLS for Fission shareholders, underpinned by LHM production and Paladin's leading offtake contract book. Paladin will bring the required investment to PLS in order to advance it towards production."

Fission President and CEO Ross McElroy commented:

"The combination of Fission and Paladin will create a world class diverse uranium producer, adding a class leading development project in a Tier 1 jurisdiction with the ability to expand production and cash flow profiles in the near term. With commercial production at Langer Heinrich and further development milestones at PLS, this opportunity will create a diverse pureplay uranium company with current production and a deep pipeline of near and mid-term assets available to investors.

The culture and assets between Fission and Paladin are very complimentary. Shareholders will have exposure to a producing asset with a long life of mine, located in a politically stable and globally significant uranium jurisdiction with a long history of uranium production, coupled with Fission's advanced stage, large, near surface, high-grade Triple R deposit at its PLS project located in Canada's renowned Athabasca Basin.

This arrangement significantly de-risks the mine-building financing at PLS, with the cash flow generation at Langer Heinrich and a strong balance sheet creating an opportunity to significantly fund the development of PLS through debt and internally generated cash flows with limited further equity dilution."

Transaction Details

The Transaction will create a globally significant uranium company listed on the ASX and TSX with a robust portfolio of exploration, development and production assets.

Pursuant to the Agreement, Paladin will acquire all of the issued and outstanding Fission Shares by way of a court approved plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act.

Under the terms of the Agreement, each Fission Share outstanding at the effective time of the Agreement will be exchanged for the Offer Consideration. The Offer Consideration represents an implied value of C$1.30 per Fission Share and an equity value of C$1,140 million (A$1,253 million) based on the closing price of the Paladin Shares on the ASX of A$13.24 (C$12.04) on 21 June 2024. The Offer Consideration represents a 25.8% premium to the closing price of the Fission Shares on the TSX of C$1.03 on 21 June 2024 and a 30.0% premium to the 20-day VWAP of the Fission Shares on 21 June 2024.

Upon completion of the Transaction, existing Paladin and Fission shareholders will own approximately 76.0% and 24.0% of the enlarged Paladin, respectively.

Paladin has applied to list the Paladin Shares on the TSX concurrent with closing of the Transaction. Paladin shareholder approval is not required for the Transaction.7

The Transaction requires the approval of (i) at least 662/3% of the votes cast by Fission shareholders voting as a single class at the Fission Meeting, (ii) at least 662/3% of the votes cast by Fission shareholders and optionholders voting together as a single class at the Fission Meeting, and (iii) a simple majority of the votes cast by Fission's minority shareholders at the Fission Meeting.

The Transaction is also subject to closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature, including receipt of Investment Canada Act and Competition Act (Canada) clearance, British Columbia court approvals and applicable stock exchange approvals.

The Agreement also includes customary reciprocal deal protections, including fiduciary-out provisions, non-solicitation covenants and a right to match any superior proposals. A termination fee of C$40 million (A$44 million)8 is payable by Fission to Paladin if the Agreement is terminated in certain circumstances.

The Transaction is targeted to be completed in the September 2024 quarter, subject to satisfaction of all conditions under the Agreement.

Following completion of the Transaction, the Fission Shares will be de-listed from the TSX, the OTCQX and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Full details of the Transaction will be included in a management information circular of Fission which is expected to be mailed to Fission shareholders in connection with the Fission Meeting on or around 23 July 2024 (the "Fission Circular"). Copies of the Fission Circular and the Agreement will be available to access on SEDAR+ under Fission's profile.

__________________________________ 7 Paladin has obtained in-principle confirmation from ASX that on receipt of a formal waiver application for a waiver from Listing Rule 7.1, it is (on the information provided) likely to grant the requested waiver. 8 Converted to A$ using the CAD/AUD exchange rate as of 21 June 2024, being 1.10.

Strategic Rationale

1. World-class production and growth pipeline

LHM recommenced production in March 2024 with a 17-year mine life and a nameplate capacity of 6Mlbs p.a. U 3 O 8 . 9

O . PLS hosts the shallow, high-grade Triple R deposit located in the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, Canada.

The PLS Feasibility Study (as defined below) highlighted the potential for a 10-year mine life with annual production of 9.1Mlbs p.a. U 3 O 8 . 10

O . PLS along with the producing LHM and Paladin's Michelin project (which is at the preliminary economic assessment stage) ("Michelin") deliver a quality growth pipeline with the ability to grow production into a structurally tight uranium market.

2. Creation of a leading Canadian development hub

Creates a new, leading Canadian development hub with two uranium projects, PLS and Michelin.

High quality multi-asset portfolio with exposure to Canada's highly prospective Athabasca Basin with exploration upside across all properties.

3. Globally significant uranium resource

Combined resource representing one of the largest amongst pure-play uranium companies with pro-forma U 3 O 8 Mineral Resources of 544Mlbs and Ore Reserves of 157Mlbs. 11

O Mineral Resources of 544Mlbs and Ore Reserves of 157Mlbs. Diversified uranium portfolio across conventional open-pit and high-grade underground orebodies.

4. Enhanced exposure to highly attractive uranium market

Multi-asset production expected by the end of the decade leveraged to strong future demand for nuclear energy driven by global decarbonisation.

Anticipated global uranium supply shortage driven by under-investment over the last decade.

5. Increased international capital markets presence

Further enhances Paladin's position as the leading ASX100-listed pure-play uranium producer.

Increased market capitalisation and dual listing on the TSX expected to attract a broader investor base and increased research coverage.

Increased access to a highly institutionalised, international register and enhanced trading liquidity.

6. Shared commitment to a sustainable future

Collective focus to help drive the global energy transition to a carbon-free, sustainable future.

Strong Indigenous and local community engagement across all operating regions.

United corporate governance across environmental and social frameworks.

Commitment to creating lasting value in the local economy.

___________________________________ 9 Refer to Paladin's ASX announcement entitled 'Langer Heinrich Mine Restart Plan Update, Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Update' released to the ASX on 4 November 2021 which is available on Paladin's website www.paladinenergy.com.au. Paladin confirms that all material assumptions underpinning the production target, or the forecast financial information derived from a production target, in the original market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. 10 Refer the technical report titled "Feasibility Study, NI 43-101 Technical Report, for PLS Property" with an effective date of 17 January 2023 which was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and is available on Fission's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. See also the Fission  Foreign Estimate Disclosures in Schedule 1. 11 Comprising existing Paladin JORC Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (refer to the Competent Person's Statement at the end of this announcement for further information, including for cautionary statements regarding historical estimates) and Fission NI 43101 Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (refer to the Fission  Foreign Estimate Disclosures in Schedule 1 for further information). Paladin cautions that the NI 43101 Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves for Fission are foreign estimates and are not reported in accordance with the JORC Code. A Competent Person has not done sufficient work to classify the NI 43101 Mineral Resources as JORC Code Mineral Resources in accordance with the JORC Code or to classify the NI 43101 Mineral Reserves as Ore Reserves in accordance with the JORC Code. It is uncertain that following evaluation and/or further exploration work that the foreign estimates will be able to be reported as Mineral Resources and/or Ore Reserves in accordance with the JORC Code.

Board of Directors' Recommendations

Fission's Board of Directors, following the unanimous recommendation by its Special Committee, and in consultation with Fission's financial and legal advisors, recommends that Fission shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction.

Advisors

Paladin has engaged Macquarie Capital as financial advisor, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP as Canadian legal advisor and Corrs Chambers Westgarth as Australian legal advisor.

Fission has engaged SCP Resource Finance as financial advisor and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP as legal advisor. Fission's Special Committee has engaged Cantor Fitzgerald as financial advisor.

Conference Call / Presentation

Paladin will host two investor calls to accommodate shareholders located across multiple time zones.

The first call will take place at 6:00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time on Monday 24 June 2024 / 4:00am Eastern Daylight Time on Monday 24 June 2024. To participate please use the following link:

Phone Registration

https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10039972-jh87y6.html

Webcast

https://ccmediaframe.com/?id=QjseK9O6

The second call will take place 9:00am Eastern Daylight Time on Monday 24 June 2024 / 11:00pm Australian Eastern Standard Time on Monday 24 June 2024. To participate please use the following link:

Phone Registration

https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10039971-fd67hc.html

Webcast

https://ccmediaframe.com/?id=RpIYQLFb

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Directors of Paladin Energy Ltd. and Fission Uranium Corp.

About Paladin

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX:PDN OTCQX:PALAF) is a globally significant independent uranium producer with a 75% ownership of the world-class long life Langer Heinrich Mine located in Namibia. Paladin also owns a portfolio of uranium exploration and development assets in Canada and Australia. Paladin is committed to a best-practice ESG framework that ensures responsible, accountable and transparent management of the uranium resources Paladin mines - both now and in the future. Through its Langer Heinrich Mine, Paladin delivers reliable uranium supply to major nuclear utilities around the world, positioning itself as a meaningful contributor to global decarbonisation.

About Fission

Fission Uranium Corp. is an award-winning Canadian uranium project developer and 100% owner of the Patterson Lake South uranium property - a proposed high-grade uranium mine and mill in Canada's Athabasca Basin region. Fission's common shares are listed on the TSX Exchange under the symbol "FCU" and trade on the OTCQX marketplace in the U.S. under the symbol "FCUUF" and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol 2FU.

Competent Person's Statement/Scientific and Technical Information

Langer Heinrich Mine

The information in this announcement relating to Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates for the Langer Heinrich Mine is extracted from the ASX announcement entitled "Langer Heinrich Mine Restart Plan Update, Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Update" released to the ASX on 4 November 2021 which is available on Paladin's website www.paladinenergy.com.au. Paladin confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original market announcement, and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the original market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. Paladin confirms that the form and context in which the competent person's findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement.

Michelin

In relation to information in this announcement relating to Mineral Resource estimates for Michelin, please refer to the: (1) ASX Announcement dated 31 January 2018 "Correction to 30 June 2017 Annual Report" pp13-15 (reporting standard JORC 2012) which is available on Paladin's website www.paladinenergy.com.au; and (2) SEDAR lodgement (TSX:FRG) dated 8 September 2009 "Fronteer Reports Positive Preliminary Economic Assessment for Michelin Uranium Project" (reporting standard JORC 2004). Paladin confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original market announcement, and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the original market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. Paladin confirms that the form and context in which the competent person's findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement. To the extent the estimates have been reported under the reporting standard JORC 2004, they are "historical estimates" for the purposes of the ASX Listing Rules. In relation to the historical estimates: (1) Paladin confirms that the supporting information provided in the original market announcement continues to apply and has not materially changed; and (2) Paladin cautions that: the estimates are not reported in accordance with the JORC Code; a competent person has not done sufficient work to classify the estimates as Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves in accordance with the JORC Code; and it is uncertain that following evaluation and/or further exploration work that the estimates will be able to be reported as Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves in accordance with the JORC Code.

Manyingee & Carley Bore and Mount Isa Projects

In relation to information in this Announcement relating to Mineral Resources estimates for the Manyingee & Carley Bore and Mount Isa Projects, please refer to the: (1) ASX Announcement (ASX:SMM) dated 19 October 2010 "Resource Upgrade for the Valhalla Uranium Deposit" (reporting standard JORC 2004); (2) ASX Announcement dated 16 April 2012 "Quarterly Activities Report for period ending 31 March 2012" (reporting standard JORC 2004); (3) ASX Announcement dated 15 April 2011 "Quarterly Activities Report for period ending 31 March 2011 (reporting standard JORC 2004); (4) ASX Announcement dated 31 August 2011 "30 June 2011 Annual Report" p29 (reporting standard JORC 2004); (5) ASX Announcement dated 17 January 2012 "Quarterly Activities Report for period ending 31 December 2011" (reporting standard JORC 2004); (6) ASX Announcement dated 13 July 2012 "Quarterly Activities Report for period ending 30 June 2012" (reporting standard JORC 2004); (7) ASX Announcement (ASX:EMX) dated 12 February 2014 "Energia Delivers Significant Uranium Resource Upgrade" (reporting standard JORC 2012); (8) ASX Announcement dated 14 January 2014 "Manyingee Minerals Resources - Amendment" (reporting standard JORC 2012); (9) ASX Announcement dated 10 December 2008 "Maiden Uranium Resource at Valhalla North Project" (reporting standard JORC 2004); (10) Mirrioola - ASX Announcement dated 15 March 2012 "Half Yearly Financial Report 31 December 2011" (reporting standard JORC 2004); (11) Watta - ASX Announcement Summit Resources Ltd. dated 29 January 2013 "Half Year Financial Report - 31 December 2012 (reporting standard JORC 2004); and (12) Warwai - ASX Announcement Summit Resources Ltd. dated 29 January 2013 "Half Year Financial Report - 31 December 2012 (reporting standard JORC 2004). Paladin confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original market announcement, and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the original market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. Paladin confirms that the form and context in which the competent person's findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement. To the extent the estimates have been reported under the reporting standard JORC 2004, they are "historical estimates" for the purposes of the ASX Listing Rules. In relation to the historical estimates: (1) Paladin confirms that the supporting information provided in the original market announcement continues to apply and has not materially changed; and (2) Paladin cautions that: the estimates are not reported in accordance with the JORC Code; a competent person has not done sufficient work to classify the estimates as Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves in accordance with the JORC Code; and it is uncertain that following evaluation and/or further exploration work that the estimates will be able to be reported as Mineral Resources or ore reserves in accordance with the JORC Code.

Patterson Lake South

The information in this announcement relating to Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources estimates for PLS is based on the technical report titled "Feasibility Study, NI 43-101 Technical Report, for PLS Property" with an effective date of 17 January 2023 (the "PLS Feasibility Study") which was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and is available on www.sedarplus.ca. The PLS Feasibility Study (including life of Mine Plan and cash flow) is based upon geological, engineering, technical and cost inputs developed by Tetra Tech and other study participants. The technical information for the PLS Feasibility Study has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in NI 43-101 and reviewed and approved by Hassan Ghaffari, P.Eng., Dr. Jianhui (John) Huang, P.Eng., Patrick Donlon, FSAIMM, FAusIMM, and Dr. Sabry Abdel Hafez, P.Eng., of Tetra Tech, Mark Mathisen, C.P.G., of SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd., Catherine Schmid, P.Eng. and Randi Thompson, P.Eng., of BGC Engineering Inc., Maurice Mostert, P.Eng., of Mining Plus Canada Consulting Ltd., and Wayne Clifton, P.Eng. and Mark Wittrup, P.Eng., P.Geo., of Clifton Engineering Group Ltd., each of whom is a "qualified person" under NI 43-101.

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in NI 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by Ross McElroy, P.Geo., President and CEO of Fission, a "qualified person" under NI 43-101.

Disclaimers

Not for Release or Distribution in the United States

This announcement may not be released to US wire services. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such an offer would be unlawful. The Paladin Shares have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States except in transactions exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the US Securities Act and applicable US state securities laws. This Announcement must not be disclosed to any other party and does not carry any right of publication. Neither this Announcement nor any of its contents may be reproduced or used for any purpose without the prior written consent of Paladin and Fission.

Limitation on Information Regarding Paladin and Fission

All information in this announcement and in the investor presentation released on the ASX platform today ("Investor Presentation") in relation to Fission and PLS - including in relation to the estimates of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves and other technical and financial information (such as historic costs and life of mine plans) - has been sourced from, prepared for, or provided by Fission and its related bodies corporate. Whilst Paladin has undertaken due diligence in order to seek to verify the accuracy of this information, no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, correctness, completeness or adequacy of any such information relating to Fission or PLS.

All information in this announcement and in the Investor Presentation in relation to Paladin and LHM including in relation to the estimates of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves and other technical and financial information (such as historic costs and life of mine plans) - has been sourced from, prepared for, or provided by Paladin and its related bodies corporate. Whilst Fission has undertaken due diligence in order to seek to verify the accuracy of this information, no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, correctness, completeness or adequacy of any such information relating to Paladin or LHM.

Not Financial Advice

This announcement is not financial product, investment advice or a recommendation to acquire securities of Paladin or Fission and has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of individuals. Each recipient of this announcement should make its own enquiries and investigations regarding all information in this announcement and in the Investor Presentation, including, but not limited to, the assumption, uncertainty and contingencies which may affect future operations of Paladin and/or Fission and the impact that different future outcomes may have on Paladin and/or Fission. Before making an investment decision, prospective investors should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to their own objectives, financial situation and needs, and seek legal, taxation and financial advice appropriate to their jurisdiction and circumstances.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This announcement contains certain "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Australian securities laws and "forward looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively referred to as "forward looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address circumstances, events, activities or developments that could, or may or will occur are forward looking statements. Forward looking statements involve subjective judgment and analysis and are subject to significant uncertainties, risks and contingencies including those risk factors associated with the mining industry, many of which are outside the control of, change without notice, and may be unknown to Paladin or Fission. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to liabilities inherent in mine development and production, geological, mining and processing technical problems, the inability to obtain any additional mine licences, permits and other regulatory approvals required in connection with mining and third party processing operations, competition for amongst other things, capital, acquisition of reserves, undeveloped lands and skilled personnel, incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions, changes in commodity prices and exchange rates, currency and interest fluctuations, various events which could disrupt operations and/or the transportation of mineral products, including labour stoppages and severe weather conditions, the demand for and availability of transportation services, the ability to secure adequate financing and management's ability to anticipate and manage the foregoing factors and risks.

Forward looking statements in this announcement include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the expected timetable, outcome and effects of the Transaction; the listing of the Paladin Shares on the TSX, the anticipated benefits of the Transaction to Paladin's and Fission's shareholders; the prospects and outcomes of PLS and LHM; the ability of Paladin and Fission to complete the Transaction on the terms described herein or at all; the plans and strategies of Paladin or Fission; the future performance of Paladin or Fission; the ability to obtain the requisite regulatory, stock exchange, court and shareholder approvals for the Transaction; and statements about market and industry trends, which are based on interpretation of market conditions. Forward looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward looking words such as "anticipate", "expect", "likely", "propose", "will", "intend", "should", "could", "may", "believe", "forecast", "estimate", "target", "outlook", "guidance" (including negative or grammatical variations) and other similar expressions. No representation, warranty, guarantee or assurance, express or implied, is given or made in relation to any forward looking statement. In particular no representation, warranty or assumption, express or implied, is given in relation to any underlying assumption or that any forward looking statement will be achieved. There can be no assurance that the forward looking statements will prove to be accurate. Actual and future events may vary materially from the forward looking statements and the assumptions on which the forward looking statements were based, because events and actual circumstances frequently do not occur as forecast and future results are subject to known and unknown risks such as changes in market conditions and regulations.

Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward looking statements, and should rely on their own independent enquiries, investigations and advice regarding information contained in this announcement. Any reliance by a reader on the information contained in this announcement is wholly at the reader's own risk.

To the maximum extent permitted by law or any relevant listing rules of the ASX/TSX, Paladin and Fission and their respective related bodies corporate and affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, advisors, agents and intermediaries disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to the information in this announcement to reflect any change in expectations in relation to any forward looking statements or any such change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements were based. Nothing in this announcement will, under any circumstances (including by reason of this announcement remaining available and not being superseded or replaced by any other announcement or publication with respect to Paladin, Fission or the subject matter of this announcement), create an implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Paladin or Fission since the date of this announcement.

Schedule 1 - Fission - Foreign Estimate Disclosures (as required by ASX Listing Rule 5.12)

The Mineral Resources for Fission, which includes an Indicated Mineral Resource of 114.9 million pounds at a grade of 1.94% in 2.7 million tonnes and an Inferred of 15.4 million pounds at a grade of 1.10% in 0.6 million tonnes at a cut-off of 0.25%, are estimated at 17 January 2023, inclusive of the Mineral Reserves. The Mineral Reserves for Fission as at 17 January 2023 are estimated at 93.7 million pounds.12

The information in this announcement relating to Fission's Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves is reported in accordance with the requirements applying to foreign estimates in the ASX Listing Rules and, as such, are not reported in accordance with the JORC Code.

A Competent Person has not yet completed sufficient work to classify the Mineral Resources as JORC Code Mineral Resources or to classify the Mineral Reserves as Ore Reserves in accordance with the JORC Code 2012.

It is uncertain that following evaluation and/or further exploration work that the Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves will be able to be reported as Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves in accordance with the JORC Code.

The information in this announcement relating to Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource for PLS is based on the technical report titled "Feasibility Study, NI 43-101 Technical Report, for PLS Property" with an effective date of 17 January 2023 which was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101.

The Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources estimates for Fission are not, and do not purport to be, compliant with the JORC Code and are therefore classified as "foreign estimates" under the ASX Listing Rules.

Mineral Resources Statement13

Category Tonnage Metal Grade Contained Metal (000 t) (% U3O8) (g/t Au) (Mlbs U3O8) (000 oz Au) Indicated 2,688 1.94 0.61 114.9 52.7 Inferred 635 1.10 0.44 15.4 9.0

Notes:

1. CIM (2014) definitions were followed for Mineral Resources. 2. Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.25% U3O8, based on a long-term price of US$50/lb U3O8, an exchange rate of C$1.00/US$0.75, and cost estimates derived during the PFS with a metallurgical recovery of 95%. 3. A minimum mining width of 1 m was applied to the resource domain wireframe. 4. Mineral Resources are inclusive of Mineral Reserves. 5. Numbers may not add due to rounding.



Mineral Reserve Statement13

Category Tonnage Metal Grade Contained Metal (000 t) (% U3O8) (Mlbs U3O8) Probable 3,007 1.41 93.7 Total 3,007 1.41 93.7

Notes:

1. CIM Definition Standards (2014) were followed for the classification of Mineral Reserves. 2. The Mineral Reserves are reported with an effective date of January 17, 2023. 3. Mineral Reserves were estimated using a long-term metal price of US$65 per pound of U3O8 and a US$/C$ exchange rate of 0.75 (C$1.00 = US$0.75) 4. Underground Mineral Reserves were estimated by creating stope shapes using Datamine's Mineable Shape Optimizer (MSO). The MSO outputs were evaluated in the context of the mine design, and then a 0.25% U3O8 cut-off was applied. For longhole stoping, a minimum mining width of 4m (including hanging wall and footwall dilution) and stope height of 20m was used. Following MSO, the mineable shapes were further subdivided in Deswik to produce a maximum width of 12m (including hanging wall and footwall dilution). Drift and fill mining is designed at 5m wide by 5m high for development shapes located in the crown pillar areas of the orebodies. 5. Mining recovery of 95% was applied to all stopes, while all development mining assumes 100% extraction. 6. The density varies based on block model values. An estimated waste density of 2.42 t/m3 was used for areas outside the block model boundary. 7. By-product credits were not included in the estimation of Mineral Reserves. 8. Numbers may not add due to rounding.



ASX Listing Rule 5.12 requires specific information to be included in a public announcement that contains a foreign estimate. In accordance with ASX Listing Rule 5.12, Paladin provides the additional information below and the information elsewhere in this announcement.

____________________________________ 12 Refer to the cautionary statement in relation to ASX Listing Rule 5.12.9 in the table below. 13 Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources estimates for PLS is based on the technical report titled "Feasibility Study, NI 43-101 Technical Report, for PLS Property" with an effective date of 17 January 2023 which was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and is available on www.sedarplus.ca.



Competent Person's Statement:

Henry Kim, P.Geo. confirms that the information in this market announcement that relates to Fission's Mineral Resources provided under ASX Listing Rules 5.12.2 to 5.12.7 is an accurate representation of the available data and studies supplied to Paladin as a foreign estimate. Henry Kim is a full-time employee of Wood Canada Limited and is a member of Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia. Henry Kim has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Henry Kim consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters related to the Fission Mineral Resources based on this information in the form and context in which it appears.

William Bagnell, P.Eng. confirms that the information in this market announcement that relates to Fission's Mineral Reserves provided under ASX Listing Rules 5.12.2 to 5.12.7 is an accurate representation of the available data and studies supplied to Paladin as a foreign estimate. William Bagnell is a full-time employee of Wood Canada Limited and is a Professional Licensee Engineering with Association of Engineers and Geoscientists Saskatchewan. William Bagnell has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. William Bagnell consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters related to Fission's Mineral Reserves based on this information in the form and context in which it appears.

ASX Listing Rule ASX Explanation Commentary 5.12.1 The source and date of the historical estimates or foreign estimates The PLS Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates were prepared under the supervision of Qualified Persons (as defined in the Canadian NI 43-101 Standards). The Qualified Persons were employees and consultants of Fission at the date of the estimate 17 May 2022. The Canadian NI 43-101 Standard is a national instrument for the Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects within Canada. The source of the foreign estimate is the Fission's TSX announcement entitled "Feasibility Study, NI 43-101 Technical Report, for PLS Property" dated 17 January 2023, which sets out the foreign estimate of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves of PLS with an effective date of 17 May 2022. These foreign estimates are the most recent Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates for PLS. 5.12.2 Whether the historical estimates or foreign estimates use categories of mineralisation other than those defined in Appendix 5A (JORC Code) and if so, an explanation of the differences The PLS foreign estimate of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves has been prepared using the Canadian NI 43-101 reporting guidelines. Based on the advice received from its external consultants, Paladin believes that the categories of mineralisation reported under Canadian NI 43-101 Standards are similar to the JORC Code 2012 categories. Based on the advice received from its external consultants, Paladin considers the foreign estimate to be NI 43-101 compliant. Based on the advice received from its external consultants, Paladin considers that the foreign estimates provided by Fission are sufficiently reliable and consistent with current industry standard estimation methodologies as generally appropriate for Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation. The Mineral Resource estimate contains categories of NI 43-101 'Measured', 'Indicated' and 'Inferred', that are consistent with the terminology of the Measured', 'Indicated' and 'Inferred' under the JORC Code 2012. NI 43-101 Mineral Reserves are reported as Proven and Probable in the foreign estimate. These classifications are consistent with definitions of Proved and Probable Ore Reserves in the JORC Code 2012. 5.12.3 The relevance and materiality of the historical estimates or foreign estimates to the entity Paladin considers these foreign estimates to be material to Paladin given its intention, through the Transaction, to develop the PLS property. 5.12.4 The reliability of historical estimates or foreign estimates, including by reference to any of the criteria in Table 1 of Appendix 5A (JORC Code) which are relevant to understanding the reliability of the historical estimates or foreign estimates The foreign estimate is considered to be reliable by Paladin for the following reasons:  Key criteria, as defined in Table 1 of the JORC Code 2012, has been addressed in the comprehensive due diligence completed by Paladin and its external consultants.  The foreign estimate has been reported by Qualified Persons as defined in the Canadian NI 43-101 Standard, who reported that the 17 January 2023 Technical Report meets the due diligence and care requirements as set for in the guidelines for Canadian National Instrument 43-101.  Within the 17 January 2023 Technical Report it is stated that the methodology for preparing the Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves have not changed significantly in comparison to previous reporting. Based on the information received by Paladin and its external consultants to date in relation to PLS, discussions with Fission technical personnel, physical inspection of site operations and site layout, Paladin believes (based on the advice received from its external consultants) that the assumptions, parameters and methodology are generally appropriate for Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates and are consistent with the style of mineralisation and proposed mining methods, and that sampling protocols are consistent with industry best practice. 5.12.5 To the extent known, a summary of work programs on which the historical estimates or foreign estimates are based and a summary of the key assumptions, mining and processing parameters and methods used to prepare the historical or foreign estimates There are 844 drill holes totalling 227,775m of drilling within the PLS property. The Mineral Resource estimation is based on 696 drill holes, totalling 213,699m of drillings with 114,561 U 3 O 8 assay samples. Block grades are estimated with inverse distance cubed (ID3) within the mineralization grade shell wireframes that represent the basement hosted, structure-controlled uranium mineralization characteristics identified in the property. The Mineral Resources are reported at a cut-off grade of 0.25% U 3 O 8, based on a long-term price of US$50/lb U 3 O 8. Indicated Mineral Resources are defined for the blocks that are located within the grade shells where the drilling sections are spaced 15m apart along strike, show mineralization continuity by two or more drill holes, and closest sample is located within 15 metres. Mineral reserves are based on the resource model developed from the 844 drill holes that total 227,775 m on the PLS property. Modifying factors of mine recovery (95% to 100% ) and dilution (from 5% to 18%) were applied to the resource model. The mining methods reviewed for the recovery for the deposit are reasonable given the geometry and depth of the deposit. A nominal production rate of 1000 tonnes per day has been applied to the deposit. A mine cost model was developed based on the proposed mine plan to support the project capex and operating costs. A series of bench scale and bulk tests were conducted at SGS Canada Inc. - Mineral Services (SGS) Lakefield to support the feasibility level design of the process plant. The design for the process plant and related infrastructure facilities for PLS use proven uranium extraction technology, processes and equipment and draws on the knowledge of other Athabasca uranium plants, including Rabbit Lake, Key Lake, and McClean Lake. The processing plant has been designed to process ore at a nominal throughput of 1,000 t/d to produce market-grade uranium concentrate. The average life of mine (LOM) mill feed grade is estimated to be 1.41% U 3 O 8 , and the estimated overall U 3 O 8 recovery will be 97.0%. 5.12.6 Any more recent estimates or data relevant to the reported mineralisation available to the entity As at the date of this announcement, the foreign estimates reported by Fission have not been superseded by any later estimates. No more recent estimates have been completed or provided to Paladin by Fission. 5.12.7 The evaluation and/or exploration work that needs to be completed to verify the historical estimates or foreign estimates as Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves in accordance with ASX Listing Rules Appendix 5A (JORC Code) Following completion of the Transaction, it is Paladin's intention to undertake an evaluation of the data available to seek to verify the foreign estimate as Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves in accordance with the JORC Code. This evaluation will involve the full verification of all information and applicable modifying factors used in the 17 January 2023 estimation together with the addition of information and results from ongoing drilling programs within PLS project area. External consultants will be used as required. Key works proposed to verify the foreign estimate as estimates in accordance with the JORC Code 2012 includes:  Detailed verification and validation of information provided by Fission. Review of modifying factors used in the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve. 5.12.8 The proposed timing of any evaluation and/or exploration work that the entity intends to undertake and a comment on how the entity intends to fund that work Paladin intends to conduct further resource definition and regional exploration work at PLS. This work is expected to commence in 2025 or as soon as practicable after completion of the Transaction and will be funded from available cash balances. 5.12.9 A cautionary statement proximate to, and with equal prominence as, the reported historical estimates or foreign estimates stating that:  the estimates are historical estimates or foreign estimates and are not reported in accordance with the JORC Code;  a Competent Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates or foreign estimates as Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves in accordance with the JORC Code; and  it is uncertain that following evaluation and/or further exploration work that the historical estimates or foreign estimates will be able to be reported as Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves in accordance with the JORC Code Paladin cautions that the Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves for Fission are not reported in accordance with the JORC Code 2012. A Competent Person has not yet completed sufficient work to classify the Mineral Resources as JORC Code Mineral Resources or to classify the Mineral Reserves as Ore Reserves in accordance with the JORC Code 2012. It is uncertain that following evaluation and/or further exploration work that the Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves will be able to be reported as Mineral Resource or Ore Reserves in accordance with the JORC Code. Nothing has come to the attention of Paladin that causes it to question the accuracy or reliability of Fission's estimates of NI 43-101 Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, but Paladin has not independently validated those estimates and therefore Paladin is not to be regarded as reporting, adopting or endorsing those estimates. 5.12.10 A statement by a named competent person or persons that the information in the market announcement provided under rules 5.12.2 to 5.12.7 is an accurate representation of the available data and studies for the material mining project. The statement must include the information referred to in rule 5.22(b) and (c) See Competent Person's statement above.

SOURCE Fission Uranium Corp.
VANCOUVER, June 24, 2024 - Hi-View Resources Inc. ('Hi-View' or the 'Company') (CSE: HVW; OTCQB: HVWRF; FSE: B63) is pleased to announce it has received approval from Depository Trust Company ("DTC") to make its common shares eligible for settlement in the US under ticker symbol "HVWRF". Hi-View is now eligible for electronic clearing and settlement through DTC's automated processes. DTC is a stock depository that facilitates and manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies in the United States.

The Company will be launching its summer work program in the coming weeks on its mining properties in the Toodoggone region of northern BC, to include further rock and soil sampling, analysis of assayed samples from the previous program, geological reports and other geological services.

In addition, the Company intends, effective July 31, 2024, to extend the expiry date of an aggregate of 6,000,000 outstanding common share purchase warrants (the "Warrants") to September 30, 2025, subject to acceleration provisions described below ("Acceleration Provisions") and further amend the exercise price to $0.05 (the "Warrant Amendments"). The Acceleration Provisions provide that if for any 10 consecutive trading days prior to the expiry date (a "Premium Trading Period") the closing price of the common shares of the Company on the CSE exceeds the amended exercise price by an amount equal to the maximum permitted discount permitted by CSE Policy, the expiry date of the amended warrants will be accelerated such that the amended warrants will expire 30 days from the date which is 7 days following the 10th day of the applicable Premium Trading Period. All other terms of the Warrants will remain unchanged. The Warrant Amendments remains subject to acceptance by the CSE. The Warrants were originally issued between January 27, 2022 August 2, 2023 at exercise prices between $0.10 and $0.20.

Two directors and officers of the Company, beneficially own 500,000 Warrants collectively. As a result, the Warrant Amendment are considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements found in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the Warrant Amendment, insofar as it involves the two directors and officers, is not more than 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

Furthermore, the Company has granted incentive stock options to purchase an aggregate amount of 1,250,000 common shares at an exercise price of $0.05 per share for a period of two (2) years from issuance to certain directors, officers and consultants in accordance with the provisions of its stock option plan. The grant of incentive stock options is subject to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

About Hi-View

Hi-View is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Canada and the USA. The Company, through its subsidiary holds interests in the Golden Stranger Property and the Lawyers West, East, South projects, together with claims acquired directly through staking, all located in the Toodoggone region of northern BC, prospective for gold, silver, and copper. The collective holdings cover 10,821 hectares.

Contact:

Hi-View Resources Inc.

Howard Milne, CEO

Email: hdmcap@shaw.ca

Telephone: (604) 377-8994

Website: www.hiviewresources.com

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS:

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release includes statements related to the proposed Transaction and related matters. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
CALGARY, June 24, 2024 - Volt Lithium Corp. (TSXV: VLT | OTCQB: VLTLF) ("Volt" or the "Company") invites investors and interested parties to join Alex Wylie, President & CEO of Volt, who will be participating in a live webinar hosted by Energy Prospectus Group (EPG) on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.



Webinar Details

Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Time: 10:00am MT (9:00am PT; 12:00pm ET)

Registration: link

About Volt

Volt is a lithium development and technology company aiming to be North America's first commercial producer of lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonates from oilfield brine. Our strategy is to generate value for shareholders by leveraging management's hydrocarbon experience and existing infrastructure to extract lithium deposits from existing wells, thereby reducing capital costs, lowering risks and supporting the world's clean energy transition. With four differentiating pillars, and a proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") technology and process, Volt's innovative approach to development is focused on allowing the highest lithium recoveries with lowest costs, positioning us well for future commercialization. We are committed to operating efficiently and with transparency across all areas of the business staying sharply focused on creating long-term, sustainable shareholder value. Investors and/or other interested parties may sign up for updates about the Company's continued progress on its website: https://voltlithium.com/.

Contact Information

For Investor Relations inquiries or further information, please contact:

Alex Wylie, President & CEO

T: +1.403.830.5811

E: info@voltlithium.com

Or

Greg Foofat, Vice President, Investor Relations

T: +1.587.888.5213

E: info@voltlithium.com

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "will", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. Statements, other than statements of historical fact, may constitute forward-looking information and include, without limitation, information with respect to the terms of the operational milestone, Volume Scale-up. Extraction Time Improvements and Continuous Processing vs Batch Processing, the deployment of the Field Unit in the Permian Basin, the production of battery grade lithium by the Field Unit, and the commercial production of lithium from oilfield brine. With respect to the forward-looking information contained in this press release, the Company has made numerous assumptions. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies and may prove to be incorrect. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein including those known risk factors outlined in the Company's annual information form dated February 29, 2024 and (final) short form base shelf prospectus dated July 20, 2023. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
VANCOUVER - Giant Mining Corp. (CSE: BFG | OTC: BFGFF | FWB: YW5) ("Giant Mining" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has engaged Boart Longyear Limited ("Boart Longyear") of Elko, NV for reverse circulation ("RC") drilling at the Majuba Hill Porphyry Copper Deposit ("Majuba Hill"), a copper, silver, and gold project located in Pershing County, Nevada.

Boart Longyear will undertake the drilling program, which plans to drill up to 12,800 feet (3,901 meters) across 16 holes. The contract does not specify a maximum or minimum drilling requirement, allowing for flexibility in the execution of the project. Drilling operations are set to commence around mid-August 2024.

David Greenway, CEO of Giant Mining Corp., commented on the new drilling contract, stating, "Engaging Boart Longyear, a leader in the drilling industry, for our Majuba Hill project represents a significant step forward for Giant Mining. We are excited about the potential insights and results this drilling program will bring, starting this August. Their expertise and reputation for delivering high-quality services align perfectly with our goals for Majuba Hill."

Drilling will focus on the drill targets which is designed to infill and expand the mineral potential at Majuba Hill. This drill program is laid out to expand known mineral zones and identify new areas of mineralization. By concentrating on these specific targets, the drilling program will provide the additional drill holes needed to expand and verify the continuity of the copper mineralization.

This drilling is essential for refining the geological model of Majuba Hill, significantly enhancing Giant Mining's resource evaluation efforts. The data collected from this program will enable the company to update its resource estimates with greater precision, ultimately contributing to the advancement and economic assessment of the project. By exploring and defining the mineral potential, the Company aims to optimize the development strategies for Majuba Hill, aligning with our commitment to creating shareholder value through meticulous exploration and resource management.

About Boart Longyear

Established in 1890, Boart Longyear is the world's leading innovative provider of drilling services, manufacturer of productivity-driven drilling equipment and performance tooling, and developer of orebody-data technology, revolutionizing the future of mineral development. With a rich heritage of more than 133 years in operation, the Company continues to build value for customers worldwide.

Boart Longyear also has a substantial presence in aftermarket parts and service, energy, mine dewatering, oil sands exploration, production drilling, and down-hole exploration. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Company operates in 26 countries with close to 6,000 employees at the end of 2023.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 1: Giant Mining grade domain with recent and historic drill holes. Planned drill holes are in green.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by E.L. "Buster" Hunsaker III, CPG 8137, a non-independent consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101").

About Giant Mining Corp.

Giant Mining Corp. is engaged in the identification, review and acquisition of latter stage copper and copper/silver/gold assets. This is in direct response to the growing worldwide demand and lack of supply for precious metals fueled by the Green New Deal in the US and most other developed nations with similar programs aimed at addressing climate change. Such programs are heavily reliant on silver, gold and especially copper to produce Electric Vehicles and other renewable power sources, as well as building infrastructure to provide clean and affordable electricity.

The flagship project is the Majuba Hill copper, silver and gold District located 156 miles (251 km) outside Reno, Nevada, USA. Management has been mandated to focus on safe, mining friendly jurisdictions where government regulations are supportive of mining operations.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

On Behalf of the Board of Giant Mining Corp.

"David Greenway"

David C. Greenway

President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

Joel Warawa

VP of Corporate Communications

E: info@giantminingcorp.com

P: 1 (855) 475-0745

VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS

www.giantminingcorp.com

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Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Giant Mining Corp. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Giant Mining Corp. management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Giant Mining Corp. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

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Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
VANCOUVER, June 24, 2024 - American Salars Lithium Inc. ("AMERICAN SALARS" OR THE "COMPANY") (CSE: USLI, OTC: ASALF, FWB: Z3P, WKN: A3E2NY) announces the addition of Mr. David Guerrero to its advisory board.



Mr. Guerrero brings more than two decades of international experience in the mining industry, 15 of them specifically related to lithium. He has held various roles with mining major Rio Tinto and was an Advisor for Lithium X (Acquired for $265 Million). At Australia's Galaxy Resources (now Arcadium Lithium) he undertook a key functional role in the M&A transaction with Korean steel maker POSCO for the mineral resources at the Hombre Muerto salar.

Most recently Mr. Guerrero was the country manager for Alpha lithium Corporation which recently sold for $330M in December of 2023, to TechEnergy Lithium Canada Inc. an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Tecpetrol Investments S.L. Additionally, Mr. Guerrero was the Former President of the Salta Mining Providers Chamber, and AUSCHAM Argentina chapter's Vice President, Mr. Guerrero also brings indispensable local knowledge and communal leadership in Argentina's Northern Region.

R. Nick Horsley, CEO States, "We're thrilled to welcome Mr. Guerrero to the American Salars team. He brings a tremendous wealth of experience in the lithium sector and has substantial knowledge of the Argentina mining industry. This significantly strengthens our operations and access to M&A opportunities, as we continue the exploration and expansion of our resources at the Pocitos Salar and the company's NI 43-101 compliant inferred lithium resource of 457,000 tonnes LCE at Candela II on the Incahuasi Salar ."

About American Salars Lithium Inc.

About American Salars Lithium Inc. American Salars Lithium Inc. is an exploration company focused on exploring and developing high-value battery metals projects to meet the demands of the advancing electric vehicle market. The Company the Pocitos 1 and the Candela II Lithium Salar Projects in Argentina which feature a NI 43-101 inferred resource.

All Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on its social media profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

"R. Nick Horsley"

R. Nick Horsley, CEO

For further information, please contact:

American Salars Lithium Inc.

Phone: 604.880.2189

E-Mail: info@americansalars.com



Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding American Salar's intention to continue to identify potential transactions and make certain corporate changes and applications. Forward looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits American Salars will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect managements' current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including American Salars results of exploration or review of properties that American Salars does acquire. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and American Salars assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
VANCOUVER, June 24, 2024 - Great Pacific Gold Corp. ("Great Pacific Gold," "GPAC," or the "Company") (TSXV: GPAC) (OTCQX: FSXLF) (Germany: 4TU) is pleased to provide an update on its portfolio of gold-copper assets within Papua New Guinea ("PNG") consisting of four projects totalling approximately 2500 sq km.



Arau Project

The Arau Project consists of two exploration licenses, located in the Kainantu region, and includes the Mt. Victor Prospect, where previous drilling found a multiple phase intrusion complex hosting copper and gold mineralization.

Over the several weeks, GPAC field crews comprised of mainly local community members as employees and contractors, have been completing road access rehabilitation and drill pad construction. Seven drill pads are now completed, in support of an upcoming reverse circulation drill program. Drilling is expected to commence in the first week of July and will seek to confirm copper-gold porphyry mineralization underneath the skarn mineralization at the project. Previous drilling at Mt Victor was aimed at establishing the gold resource associated with the outcropping skarn mineralization. A program of around 2000 meters of drilling is expected.

As part of the Arau project, in the southern exploration licence, EL2715, an initial extensive soil sampling program has recently been completed, which followed up on previously generated copper-gold geochemical data of stream sediment anomalous drainages and ridge and spur soil sampling programs. The area is underlain by the highly prospective Elandora porphyry unit, which is known to host copper porphyry and epithermal gold mineralization. Assays for this program will be received in the coming weeks.

Kesar Creek Project

The Kesar Creek Project consists of one exploration license, EL 2711, and is north-west of and contiguous with the K92 Mining Inc. tenements.

Last month, GPAC reported excellent results from the company's initial soil sampling and rock chip sampling program. Thirty-two rock chip samples were taken from outcrop and artisanal underground works and returned high-grade assays including 244 g/t Au (underground working), 116 g/t Au (outcrop), 36.5 g/t Au (float) and 33.4 g/t Au (underground working). Of the 32 samples, 19 samples were above one g/t Au.

Additional to the rock chip sampling, a soil sampling program principally targeted the West and Central vein zones at Kesar Creek. In total, the 332 soil samples returned numerous significant gold grades over a strike length of 5.5 km including a high-grade assay of 20.9 g/t Au.

The initial first-pass soil program used a 200-metre-by-100-metre or 50-metre grid and was very broadly based to cover most of the known prospective ground and to get an indication of the location of the most prospective larger structures.

Over the past week, GPAC has recommenced work at Kesar Creek, tightening the soil program around key target areas to prepare for an initial phase drilling program as well as extending the grid coverage to the northeast to include the artisanal mining area where the 244 g/t Au rock chip was taken.

Figure 1 - Kesar Creek Gold-Copper Project

Wild Dog

The Wild Dog Project consists of two granted exploration licenses, EL 2516 and EL 2761, located on the island of New Britain and about 50 km southwest of Rabaul and Kokopo, PNG. The most recent of the two licenses, EL 2516 was granted on April 22, 2024.

Recently, GPAC announced the engagement of Tetra Tech Coffey to carry out environmental assessment and monitoring work at the project and is now finalizing contracts for road rehabilitation work. The road rehabilitation work not only will be supportive of GPAC's exploration program but is also very important to the local community as it opens up a crucial access route for the region.

Chief Operating Officer and Director, Rex Motton states, "While much of the recent news flow from GPAC has been related to drilling at our high-grade Comet Discovery in Victoria, Australia, we have been exceptionally busy on multiple fronts in PNG in preparation for upcoming drill programs. The PNG portfolio hosts multiple opportunities for significant high-grade epithermal vein and porphyry-style discoveries."

About GPAC

Great Pacific Gold has a portfolio of high-grade gold projects in Papua New Guinea ("PNG") and Australia.

In PNG, Great Pacific Gold recently assembled a 2500 sq. km mineral exploration land package in PNG. The land package comprises of exploration licenses (EL). It includes both early-stage and advanced-stage exploration targets with high-grade epithermal vein and porphyry-style mineralization present.

The Arau Project consists of two exploration licenses, located in the Kainantu region, and includes the Mt. Victor Prospect, where previous drilling found a multiple phase intrusion complex hosting copper and gold mineralization.

The Wild Dog Project consists of two granted exploration licenses, EL 2761 and 2516, located on the island of New Britain and about 50 km southwest of Rabaul and Kokopo, PNG.

The Kesar Creek Project consists of one exploration license, EL 2711, and is contiguous with the K92 Mining Inc. tenements.

The Tinga Valley Project consists of one exploration license, EL 2720. The OK Tedi Copper Gold Mine is 140km to the northwest along the same belt is a superb geological comparison to the Tinga Valley Property.

In Australia, Great Pacific Gold began with two, 100% owned, high-grade gold projects called the Lauriston and Golden Mountain Projects, and has since acquired a large area of granted and application tenements containing further epizonal (low-temperature) high-grade gold mineralization and associated intrusion-related gold mineralization all in the state of Victoria, Australia. The Great Pacific Gold land package, assembled over a multi-year period, notably includes the Lauriston Project which is a 535 sq. km property immediately to the south of and within the same geological framework that hosts Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.'s Fosterville Gold Mine and associated exploration tenements. The Golden Mountain Project is an intrusion-related gold project on the edge of the Strathbogie granite and occurs at the northern end of the Walhalla Gold Belt. The acquired projects include the epizonal gold Providence Project containing the Reedy Creek goldfield which adjoins the Southern Cross Gold's Sunday Creek exploration project and a large group of recently consolidated granted tenements called the Walhalla Gold Belt Project, which contain a variety of epizonal and intrusion related style gold mineralization. Additionally, Great Pacific Gold has another gold-focused project called the Moormbool Project which has epizonal style gold mineralization and associated potential intrusion-related gold mineralization, as well as the Beechworth Project occurs in the northeast of the state and contains intrusion related and mesozonal gold mineralization.

All GPAC's properties in Australia are 100% owned and have had historical gold production from hard rock sources despite limited modern exploration and drilling.

Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Rex Motton, AusIMM (CP), COO of GPAC, a Qualified Person under the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Motton is responsible for the technical content of this news release.

On behalf of GPAC

Rex Motton

Chief Operating Officer and Director

Reference

Sibson and Scott, 1998, Stress/fault controls on the containment and release of over-pressured fluids: Examples from gold-quartz vein systems in Juneau, Alaska; Victoria, Australia and Otago, New Zealand. Ore Geology reviews, Vol13, pp 293-306.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Great Pacific Gold cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Great Pacific Gold's limited operating history, its exploration and development activities on its mineral properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Great Pacific Gold does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information: Adam Ross, Investor Relations, Direct: (604) 229-9445, Toll Free: 1(833) 923-3334, Email: info@greatpacificgoldcorp.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e24a5f8b-7ab9-4edc-b313-adcb0f5f4d68
Vancouver, June 24, 2024 - Sanatana Resources Inc. (TSXV: STA) ("Sanatana" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news releases of May 7, 2024, June 6, 2024, and June 12, 2024, it has closed the third tranche of its non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of flow-through units of the Company (each, an "FT Unit") at a price of $0.09 per FT Unit and non-flow-through units of the Company (each, an "NFT Unit") at a price of $0.07 per Unit. Each FT Unit consists of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") designated as a flow-through share pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada) and one non-flow-through Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each NFT Unit consists of one non-flow-through Share and one Warrant. Each Warrant comprising a FT Unit or NFT Unit entitles the holder thereof to purchase one additional non-flow-through Share at a price of $0.12 per Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance.

The third tranche closing of the Private Placement consisted of 8,000,000 FT Units and 960,000 NFT Units for aggregate gross proceeds of $787,200. The FT Units issued in the third tranche closing were issued on a charity flow-through basis. All securities issued in connection with the third tranche of the Private Placement are subject to a statutory hold period in accordance with applicable securities legislation (expiring on October 25, 2024). The Company will use the proceeds from the sale of the FT Units and NFT Units for exploration in British Columbia in connection with the Company's option on the Oweegee Dome Project in the Golden Triangle. A portion of the proceeds from the NFT Units are expected to be used for general and administrative expenses.

In connection with the third tranche closing of the Private Placement, the Company issued an aggregate of 684,800 compensation warrants (each, a "Compensation Warrant"), pursuant to a finder's fee agreements entered between the Company and each finder. Each Compensation Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one non-flow-through Share at a price of $0.12 per Share until June 24, 2027.

The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release will not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

All references to currency in this news release are to Canadian currency. The Company expects to close a fourth tranche of the Private Placement in due course. Subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, the Company may exercise an over-allotment option to issue up to an additional $500,000 of any combination of FT Units and/or NFT Units.

About the Company

Sanatana Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on high-impact properties in Canada. With an award-winning technical team and experienced management and board of directors, Sanatana is based in Vancouver and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: STA).

Sanatana Resources Inc.

(signed) "Peter Miles"

Peter Miles

President and Chief Executive Officer

For additional information on the Company, please contact Mr. Peter Miles, President and Chief Executive Officer at (604) 408-6680 or email investor@sanatanaresources.com.

To be added to the email distribution list, please email ir@sanatanaresources.com with "Sanatana" in the subject line.

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

Mineralization hosted on adjacent, nearby or geologically similar properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's properties.

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements related to the fourth tranche of the Private Placement, the use of funds, and stock exchange approval for the overallotment.

Forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "intends", "is expected", "potential", "suggests" or variations of such words or phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information are not historical facts and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties beyond Sanatana's control including, but not limited to, regulatory approval for the Warrant Extension. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/214241
Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy Z Flip6 on July 10, and we recently learned that the phone could be $100 more expensive in the US, compared with last year's foldable.

Today, a report came from Europe, suggesting a similar price increase in the Old Continent, where the Z Flip6 will be about 150 more expensive.

The information acquired by Saminsider suggested Samsung will offer the Galaxy Z Flip6 for 1,340 for the 256 GB model and 1,467 for the 512 GB model. For comparison, the Flip5 was either 1,200 or 1,320 last year.

We do expect the foldable to finally arrive with 12 GB RAM, something that still hasn't been a thing for the whole lineup of Galaxy Z Flip phones. Other improvements we might see is the arrival of the 50 MP main camera from the Galaxy S24 family and a bigger 4,000 mAh battery, compared with last year.

Via
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Up to three graduate scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year is available through the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council and the deadline to apply is July 19.

The council and its Education Committee members announced the scholarship availability in a release.

These scholarships support the aspiration of American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to build their capacity to effectively manage their fisheries and related resources by employing people from the local communities, the release states.

Students with strong ties to these territories are eligible for scholarships that cover the cost of tuition and fees and some living expenses. The amount will be based on the universitys estimated cost of attendance. Scholarship funds will be given directly to the university to cover tuition and fees before disbursement of the remaining amount to the student.

Funding for the 2024-2025 academic year will be provided based on proof of continued progress in the university program and maintenance of a 3.0 grade point average or above.

The scholarship is for up to two years maximum (four semesters).

If, for any reason, students do not complete their degree or other scholarship requirements, the student or their guarantor will be responsible for repaying the scholarship amount used up to that point to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council.

The U.S. Pacific Territories Fishery Capacity-Building Scholarships may be used for completion of the junior and senior years to obtain one of the undergraduate degrees including BA or BS in Marine Science at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, BS in Marine Biology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, BS in Marine Biology or BS in Oceanography with a concentration in Fisheries Science at Hawaii Pacific University, or BS in Biology in the Integrative or Applied Biology track with emphasis on Marine Biology at the University of Guam.

The scholarship may also be used for completion of one of the graduate degrees including MS in Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science at UHH, MS or PhD in Marine Biology at UHM, MS in Marine Science at HPU, or MS in Biology at UOG.

For undergraduate students to be eligible, they must be a U.S. citizen or national with strong ties to American Samoa, Guam or the CNMI, have successfully completed freshman and sophomore years of college with a grade point average of 3.0 or above, have been accepted to attend or currently attending one of the undergraduate programs listed for the 2024-2025 academic year, be available for an 8- to 10-week paid internship in Hawaii, and have demonstrated interest and/or previous work/involvement with fisheries, coral reef conservation or related fields.

For graduate students to be eligible, they must also be a U.S. citizen or national with strong ties to American Samoa, Guam or the CNMI, have been accepted to attend or currently attending one of the graduate programs listed for the 2024-2025 academic year, and have demonstrated interest and/or previous work/involvement with fisheries, coral reef conservation or related fields.

Both graduate and undergraduate students must also commit to being employed for two (one year for each scholarship year) with the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, Guam Department of Agriculture or the CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources commencing within the year after completion of the graduate degree for which the scholarship was provided. Those who do not fulfill the commitment will be required to pay back the scholarship amount that has been used up to that point.

The documents needed for eligibility for undergraduate and graduate students include:

The scholarship application and a two-page essay on the students reasons for pursuing their chosen degree along with a summary of their relevant experience, long-term career goals, and their motivations to serve their home islands in the area of sustainable marine resource management

An official college transcript of classes completed to date for undergraduate students and an official undergraduate college/university transcript and, if relevant, graduate-level university transcript for graduate students

And for undergraduate students, two letters of recommendation, one by a college instructor of your choice and one by a community leader who can speak to about their overall ability, likelihood of their success in an undergraduate program of study in Hawaii or Guam and commitment to working in a local fisheries-related agency for a minimum of two years upon completion of the undergraduate degree

For graduate students, two letters of recommendation from professors, employers and/or community leaders who can speak to about their overall ability, likelihood of their success in a graduate program of study and commitment to working in a local fisheries-related agency for two years upon completion of the graduate degree.

A completed application and two letters of recommendation should be either be mailed to Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council Executive Director Kitty M. Simonds with the address of 1164 Bishop Street, Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813 or emailed to info@wpcouncil.org.

The deadline for submitting applications is on July 19. Preliminary decisions will be made by Aug. 1.

Preference will be given to graduate students with an estimated two years (or less) until graduation. Final decision is contingent upon signing an advising agreement to coordinate your planned university course schedule with an assigned advisor and signing an agreement to work with the American Samoa DMWR, Guam DoAg or the CNMI DLNR in fisheries ecosystem-related work for one year for each scholarship year or to provide immediate reimbursement for the scholarship funds that have been provided.

For any questions, contact Amy Vandehey at info@wpcouncil.org or (808) 522-8220.
An unlicensed driver was arrested Saturday after asking a police officer, You want to race for pink slips? then screeching from a parking lot and leading police on a short chase through Tumon, according to a magistrates complaint filed in Superior Court.

Kyle Terrence Borja, 22, was charged with driving while impaired and DWI with a blood alcohol count over 0.08% as misdemeanors and driving without a valid license as a petty misdemeanor.

At 2:29 a.m. Saturday, police were in the parking lot of the Blue Lagoon Plaza in Tumon when they noticed a Toyota Corolla about to leave. The driver, later identified as Borja, stopped the vehicle and leaned out to get an officers attention before challenging him to race.

The officer noticed Borja had a flushed face with bloodshot, watery eyes, according to the complaint.

After issuing the challenge, Borja motored abruptly, causing his tires to screech, onto Pale San Vitores Road, according to the complaint.

Borja reportedly made an unsafe lane change, almost causing a collision, at the intersection of Pale San Vitores Road and Happy Landing Road.

When police conducted a traffic stop and asked Borja for his license, he handed them a Guam identification card. Officers noted he had slurred speech and smelled of alcohol, and he told them hed consumed at least three bottles of Budweiser earlier in the evening, the complaint stated.

Borja took a field sobriety test and a breath test which yielded a result of 0.159%.

If convicted of all charges, Borja could face more than two years in prison.
A long unfinished mall in Tumon is now being eyed as a possible temporary home for Simon Sanchez High School students, at an estimated lease cost of at least $25 million.

The incomplete Tumon Bay Mall, located just across the street from the Crowne Plaza Resort Guam, is in the running as a home for the roughly 1,600 Sanchez Sharks who have been stuck in double session at the John F. Kennedy High School for a year.

Until recently, the winning option was to install modular units at a 15-acre parcel of Guam Housing Corporation land across the street from the old Yigo campus for Sanchez High. The old campus was abandoned after being seriously damaged by Typhoon Mawar in May 2023.

Guam Department of Education Superintendent Erik Swanson shared the mall possibility with the Guam Education Board last week. GDOE is aiming to get Sanchez students into their own campus by Christmas.

On Friday, the gate at the roughly 200,000-square foot Tumon Bay Mall property was padlocked and chained shut. There were no signs of activity at the site, which boasts 700 parking stalls.

Despite being idle for years, the facility appeared well-kept from the outside, with the grass cut, trees trimmed, and the asphalt clear of algae.

The unfinished building was acquired back in 2010 by Philippine billionaire Lucio Tans Grandview Development Corp. for $20.5 million, PDN files show.

Sanchez Sharks will be walking distance from Matapang Beach Park, if the property is selected as their temporary home.

Micronesia Mall manager Goodwind Development, sister company of Grandview, confirmed Friday that the property was still in the developers portfolio.

The Pacific Daily News did not hear back after requesting to speak to a company representative about the possibility of leasing to GDOE.

Pricing, priorities

It will cost an estimated $25 million a year for GDOE to lease the Tumon property, at $5 million a year over an expected lease term of five to seven years, according to cost estimates Swanson sent to the Guam Recovery Office.

By comparison, moving students into modular units next door to the old Sanchez High campus will cost $17.2 million, plus more for site and civil work.

Moving into the mall lease will be faster than raising a temporary structure by at least four months.

GDOE needs 82 temporary classrooms and restroom facilities to accommodate Sanchez students, according to the estimates.

Swanson reported to the education board that both options are viable, but the final determination will depend on zoning permissions and whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency approves funding for the classrooms.

However, a letter Swanson sent to Guam Recovery Office Director Joseph Cabana on June 14 stated that GDOE wants to pursue a lease at the mall, as the most cost effective and solution presently available.

The cost estimate notes that the buildout of the mall will be provided by the lessor, and the facility will be move-in ready.

GDOE is trying to get FEMA to pay for the temporary campus as a part of the Typhoon Mawar disaster, because the old Sanchez was left unusable by the storm.

But an extension on FEMAs deadline for assistance is needed, until November, Swanson wrote Cabana, whose office is helping with the extension request.

The procurement time frames associated with retrofitting and purchasing temporary structures does not align with FEMAs timeframes for providing support in executing this project, Swanson wrote.

Though leasing wasnt being considered at first, FEMA had requested several cost estimates before moving forward, he stated, and the lease had come up.

The decision to move towards a lease at the Tumon Bay Mall came up on a meeting held on May 30, between GDOE, the Office of Civil Defense, and the Guam Recovery Office, which was arranged by the governors authorized representative, the letter states.

The Pacific Daily News asked Adelup Spokesperson Krystal Paco-San Agustin how the mall was identified, and whether any other feasible options were found.

FEMA was on the path to closing any relocation effort. This was a last resort to keep to the discussion going since GDOE did not act, she said in a statement.

It appeared that the initial options GDOE provided to FEMA did not exhaust all alternatives, including leasing existing facilities to accommodate the temporary relocation, she said, and the May 30 meeting was arranged to help GDOE with the request for an extension.

Relocating Sanchez students would take priority, but the site could also serve other government leasing needs, she said.

Simon Sanchez students and parents have been vocal about wanting to get their students back to their home village, at public hearings and in meetings with the GDOE administration, the PDN has reported.

Sen. Joe San Agustin and Sen. Roy Quinata, both originally from Yigo, have introduced Bill 313-37, which would allow a temporary campus to be built beside the old Sanchez campus.

Swanson has estimated it will take three years to build a new, permanent campus for Sanchez High, and students will need a temporary home in the meantime.

Mall history

The Tumon Bay Mall was acquired from by Grandview Development at a public auction in 2010, from a South Korean bank, PDN files show.

The prior developer had already started construction, but defaulted on a $60 million mortgage, files show. Construction after the acquisition by Grandview was slowed by labor shortages.

According to records from the Guam Land Use Commission, the building was essentially in a state of hiatus as of November 2019, as developers looked for an anchor tenant to move into the building.

At one point the facility was even being entertained for use by Don Quixote, the Japanese company that ultimately ended up building the Don Don Donki megastore that recently opened along Airport Road in Tamuning, GLUC records show.

Original plans for the facility also included designs for a condominium tower, to be built behind the mall.
Floyd K. Takeuchi is a Honolulu-based writer-photographer who does much of his work in the Pacific Islands.
Former Gov. Carl T.C. Gutierrez is the general manager and CEO of Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam permit czar, and chairman of the Governors Economic Strategy Council. Send comments or questions to GVB at communityrelations@visitguam.org.
Traveling from the Pacific Northwest to the Big Easy just got a whole lot easier.

Starting in January, Alaska Airlines will offer nonstop, seasonal service from Oregons Portland International Airport to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. There are no other carriers currently offering direct flights between the cities.

The service begins Jan. 6, 2025, and runs through May 14. Booking is now available on alaskaair.com.

Although the new route is only open for five months, it will allow our northern neighbors the chance to travel to New Orleans during peak season. The citys largest cultural event, Mardi Gras, falls on March 4 next year, with several weeks of festivities leading up to the iconic Fat Tuesday.

New Orleans Caesars Superdome also will host the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 9.

Route times

The service will fly daily as follows:

Portland to New Orleans: Departs 9:05 a.m. Pacific Time, and arrives 3:30 p.m. Central Time.

New Orleans to Portland: Departs 4:35 p.m. Central Time, and arrives 7:50 p.m. Pacific Time.

Airport officials hope the new route will encourage travel between the two coastal cities.

Portland has been the top unserved destination from New Orleans, and this new route not only strengthens the connection between our vibrant cities but also underscores our commitment to enhancing the travel experience for our community and visitors alike, Kevin Dolliole, the MSY director for aviation, said in a statement.
As a low pressure system approaches the coast of northeastern Mexico Sunday night, its looking less likely the system will strengthen into a tropical depression or storm.

The storm comes just days after Tropical Storm Alberto drenched parts of Mexico and Texas. Some areas in eastern Mexico saw more than 6 inches of rain, while Rockport, Texas, saw nearly 10 inches. Parts of the Texas coast saw up to four feet of storm surge, as well.

But this next system will be smaller in size compared to Alberto and should bring impacts to fewer people.

The latest low pressure system is expected to move inland overnight on Sunday. Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is expected to continue across portions of northeastern Mexico, leading to localized flooding, forecasters said.

In Texas, rainfall will be more limited, but some areas across the Rio Grande Valley will pick up another inch or two.

A coastal flood advisory is in effect through 7 p.m. CT Monday evening along the lower Texas beaches and coastal Cameron, Willacy and Kenedy counties.

A Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect through 7 PM Monday evening along the Lower Texas beaches. Nuisance flooding is expected, with water reaching or pushing into the dunes on SPI. Minor to moderate beach erosion is expected. #RGV #RGVwx #TXwx pic.twitter.com/xWA6LQbDdq  NWS Brownsville (@NWSBrownsville) June 23, 2024

Nuisance flooding is expected, with water reaching or pushing into the dunes on South Padre Island, forecasters said. Minor to moderate beach erosion is expected.

The National Hurricane Center has recently tagged the latest system as Invest 93L, meaning it will run specialized computer models and the hurricane hunters will fly into the system.

In the wake of the system along the northeast Mexico coast, the Atlantic may become quiet once again and remain so for many days, according to AccuWeather forecasters. A lull in tropical activity is not uncommon during July.

The Atlantic is expected to become a hotbed for tropical activity later in the summer and into the fall. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration anticipates an above-average 2024 hurricane season in the Atlantic basin.

NOAAs report predicts an 85% chance of an above average hurricane season with 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes, and four to seven major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher with winds of 111 mph or higher.
Chinese-funded aluminum industrial park will boost Angola's economic diversification: official

Xinhua) 13:32, June 24, 2024

LUANDA, June 23 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese-invested industrial park in Angola is expected to create a comprehensive industry chain covering alumina preparation, aluminum electrolysis and aluminum product manufacturing, significantly boosting the national industry and aiding economic diversification, a senior official said Saturday.

Huatong Aluminum Industrial Park project, promoted by a consortium of Hebei Huatong Wire and Cables Group and Huatong Angola Industry, will be executed in five phases, with an investment of 1.6 billion U.S. dollars, said Secretary of State for Industry Carlos Rodrigues, at the groundbreaking ceremony in Barra do Dande in the country's northeastern province of Bengo.

"This significant investment undoubtedly marks another milestone in the economic cooperation agenda between Angola and China," he said, adding that the project is expected to generate 12,000 jobs.

During the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Angola Zhang Bin said such investments will advance Angola's economic diversification and industrialization, create more jobs and tax revenue, and help train local technical talent.

The industrial park will be completed in five phases over eight to 10 years. The first phase, with an investment of 250 million dollars and an annual production capacity of 120,000 tons of electrolytic aluminum, is expected to be operational by the second half of 2025.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)




Haiti - FLASH : Armed bandits are starting to change strategy





The International Observatory for Democracy and Governance (OIDG) alerts national and international opinion to a dangerous process of infiltration of members of armed gangs within the population of the commune of Gressier in the approach of the intervention of the forces of the Multinational Mission, in a context where the situation of generalized insecurity is taking on worrying proportions, several other communes in the country are facing the same process.



"For the Observatory, it is a question of drawing attention to a change in strategy of armed bandits aimed at assimilating with local populations, thus making their arrest by the order forces."



The OIDG team has informed sources that "this new strategy is part of a preparation plan with a view to better confronting the forces of the Multinational Mission which will be deployed on the national territory alongside the Haitian National Police (PNH) in the coming days."



The OIDG also learned that the gangs, through their new modus operandi and their infiltration within local populations, "intend to create human shields to protect themselves from the intervention of Mission forces multinational company. These armed groups, who want to be reassuring, ask members of the population to stay at home and not to travel, making them believe that they are safe there."



Furthermore, OIDG observers on site noted that around 10 houses including 6 in Merger and 4 in Gressier belonging to PMH agents were confiscated or looted and set on fire by the bandits.



"It is clear that these armed gangs will use numerous strategies to continue to exist during the presence of the MMSS in the country," affirms the OIDG



The International Observatory for Democracy and Governance specifies that this information was collected by its observers in the field, from June 3rd to 8, 2024.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Education : The catch-up program for the 2023-2024 school year continues





Sunday June 23, 2024, Professor Antoine Augustin, Minister of National Education, visited one of theApprenticeship Compensation Centers, housed at the Lycee National de Petion-Ville, where 1,023 students, girls and boys, follow courses in preparation for their participation in the 2024 State exams.



Coming from 26 public and private schools, established in the metropolitan region, there are in fact 514 students from the 9th fundamental year and 509 students from Secondary 4, who are participating for the 3rd consecutive weekend in the courses taught as part of the Program national apprenticeship compensation.



It was an opportunity for the Minister to recall that this program consists of giving "private" lessons to students who are preparing to participate in state exams, who have lost many class days due to the escalation armed violence that directly affected or affected several school districts across the country.



Program figures :

More than 45 centers operate in 9 departments across the country, for 80,000 beneficiaries. 2,500 teachers participate in this 7-week program representing 537 hours to make up with 3 weeks of consolidation before the program comes to an end.



Georges and Antoine Isemery High School, Anacaona High School, Ganthier High School, National High School of Petion-Ville, Cinquantenaire High School, Daniel Fingnole High School, Republic of Canada National School, Sister Therese of Calcutta School, Jean Marie Vincent High School, Firmin High School and Lycee Toussaint are some of the centers where this program takes place.



According to Minister Augustin, this effort to compensate for apprenticeships deserves to be applauded. However, taking into account some comments made by students, the Minister announced a mid-term evaluation of the Program in order to make the necessary corrections with a view to its improvement.



Students welcomed this initiative from the Ministry, supported by the UNICEF representation in Haiti. According to them, these learning compensation courses allow them to remedy their situation while reminding them of poorly assimilated or forgotten concepts.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





2,232 people displaced in a school

US Ambassador Dennis Hankins visited a school where 2,232 displaced people reside. He noted how the United States Agency for International Development (USAID-Haiti) supports displaced people. USAID has provided more than $105 million in 2024 to support vulnerable populations affected by rising violence in Port-au-Prince and across Haiti.



New head at the DPC

Emmanuel Pierre was installed as Director of Civil Protection according to an Order published in the official newspaper "Le Moniteur" special number #29. He replaces Jerry Chandler in this position.



The fight against corruption a priority

As part of the 11th Edition of the Salon du Droit: the Special Representative of the Secretary General in Haiti Maria Isabel Salvador stressed that in this period of transition, the fight against corruption must be at the center of priorities emphasizing "Corruption is an obstacle major to overcome: it facilitates all other major crimes, trafficking in arms, drugs and human beings, aggravating the security crisis we are going through."



Canada : More than 400 million

Since 2022, Canada has committed to providing more than $400 million in international aid to Haiti : provision of emergency food and nutritional aid, logistical support, drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as health and protection services, particularly in response to gender-based violence, including 80.5 million to support the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) in Haiti, and 100 million dollars to support the Haitian National Police (PNH).



The South International Port would like to open

The promotional group for the operation of the Southern International Port urges the Prime Minister to authorize the opening of the port whose facilities according to them meet international standards. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40893-haiti-port-of-saint-louis-du-sud-strange-customs-ban-on-the-unloading-of-82-000-bags-of-cement.html



Minister Octavius wants to get the facts straight

On the instructions of Niola Lynn Sarah Devalis Octavius, Minister of Youth and Sports, the directors and technical coordinators were invited during a working session this week to present the physical inventory, the projects and activities of their directions, units and coordinations over the last 3 years as well as the outlook for the next 2 years.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















(CNBC) The Delaware Chancery Court ruled against Starboard on June 20, but the activist still thinks that Autodesk requires board enhancement, as well as improved growth and profitability through operational performance, capital allocation policies and investor communications.

To read this article:
Pardee Foundation honors Physician, Philanthropist of the Year

Before hundreds of guests at its annual gala Friday night, Pardee Hospital Foundation honored the 2024 Physician of the Year and Philanthropist of the Year and celebrated expanded services throughout the region.

Dr. Navin Anthony, a UNC Health Pardee Oncologist who has been on the Pardee team since 2012, received this years Physician of the Year honor during the Summer Soiree at Kenmure.

Those who nominated him, including patients and community members, had much to say about Dr. Anthonys dedication to the people he serves. They called him a leader and advocate committed to providing top-notch care for the community.

However, it was not just patients who recognized Dr. Anthonys exceptional qualities. Throughout the nomination process, Pardee teammates shared stories of his unwavering dedication  from calling patients late into the night to ensure their peace of mind to always being in their corner and facilitating collaborative decision-making.

He is inspired to continue to work in the emotionally taxing field of oncology/hematology by his patients," Nicola Barksdale, of award sponsor First Citizens Bank, said as she introduced Anthony. "He has this unique ability to form a special bond with his patients and celebrate every small or large win during their journey while providing guidance during difficult times.

"The Physician of the Year Award represents an opportunity for us to recognize and express our gratitude to the exceptional physicians within our community who consistently go above and beyond to deliver outstanding healthcare services," said Amy Treece, the foundation's executive director. "Dr. Anthonys unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence have impacted the lives of individual patients and colleagues and contributed to advancing healthcare standards."

Philanthropist of the Year

In a break from its tradition of recognizing an individual or couple, the foundation named the nonprofit organization Kenmure Fights Cancer its 2024Philanthropist of the Year.

Kenmure Fights Cancer was honored as Philanthropist of the Year.Over the years, Kenmure Fights Cancer has funded critical programs and equipment at the Pardee Comprehensive Cancer Center. The group has also funded contrast-enhanced mammography software and technology to upgrade blood compounding in the Cancer Center Infusion Pharmacy. They are the largest donor to Pardees Mammo on the Go, a mobile mammography unit offering the same state-of-the-art, digital 3D breast imaging that is available at the breast center. Two exam rooms in the Pardee Cancer Center are named in honor of Kenmure Fights Cancer.

Rather than staying behind the gates of their neighborhood, these residents look outward to recognize the needs of the entire community, and they work to improve the lives of everyone, said Dr. Bill Medina, retired Pardee Oncologist and the 2014 Philanthropist of the Year. The word philanthropist doesnt fully capture the remarkably generous and compassionate nature of the people behind Kenmure Fights Cancer, he said. The Philanthropist of the Year honor was sponsored by Norms Minit Mart.

The evening also included a report from Treece about the hospitals expansion of services. In the last year, UNC Health Pardee opened a new cardiac catheterization lab and expanded services in cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, and primary care by adding new providers.

Looking forward to the next few years, growth is inevitable, and the communitys support will be needed more than ever as we open four new medical office buildings across Hendersonville, Mills River and Transylvania County, providing care to underserved areas, Treece said. It is an honor to host you, our guests this year, whose support ensures that our community's medical needs are met with urgency and excellence.
Today marks the second anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, a ruling that profoundly impacted reproductive health care in our nation and took away a constitutional right from the American people.

In the two years since Dobbs, we have witnessed the devastating impacts. Many women, especially those in states with stringent abortion restrictions, have found themselves navigating care deserts, forced to travel great distances to receive essential services. These barriers disproportionately affect marginalized communities, exacerbating existing health disparities.

At the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, we have redoubled our efforts to protect access to care. We have reinforced our support for Title X family planning clinics. We have enforced the right of patients to receive emergency care and made it easier to file complaints if they are denied. And, we worked tirelessly to ensure that birth control remains accessible under the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, we have focused on safeguarding medical privacy, empowering individuals to protect their health information in a digital age fraught with risks and combatting rampant disinformation.

The Biden-Harris Administration stands firm in its commitment to defending reproductive rights. We believe that no woman should have fewer rights than her mother and that women must have the autonomy to make decisions about their own bodies without fear or interference from politicians. As President Biden has made clear, we will continue urging Congress to restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land once and for all.


Monday June 24, 2024







Abukar Dahir Osman, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the UN, addresses the Security Council meeting on the situation in Somalia. UN Photo/Evan Schneider



Mogadishu (HOL)  Somalia's ambassador to the United Nations, Abukar Dahir Osman, announced that Ethiopia's recent incursions forced Somalia to postpone the next withdrawal of African Union peacekeeping troops (ATMIS) from July to September.



On Monday, Osman accused Ethiopian troops of making illegal incursions across the shared border, leading to confrontations with local security forces. The Ethiopian contingent crossed into Somalia's Hiraan region on Saturday to monitor threats from the Islamist militia al-Shabaab and withdrew on Sunday, according to local elders. Ethiopia's army and foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.





Ethiopia, on the other hand, denied receiving any official notice from Somalia regarding the peacekeeping troop withdrawal, indicating a potential communication gap or diplomatic friction between the two nations.Relations between Somalia and Ethiopia have soured following Ethiopia's agreement to lease 20 km (12 miles) of coastline from Somaliland, a self-declared independent region of Somalia. Ethiopia's offer of possible recognition to Somaliland in exchange for establishing a naval base and commercial port there has been deemed illegal by Mogadishu. This development prompted Somalia to demand the withdrawal of all Ethiopian troops by December, with officials threatening to expel the soldiers if the Somaliland port deal is not scrapped.The tension comes amid Somalia's broader efforts to stabilize the region and transition security responsibilities. Recently, Somalia confirmed the arrival of new troops from Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi to support the post-ATMIS mission, highlighting ongoing international cooperation to maintain peace and security in the region.However, not all regions within Somalia support the federal government's plans. The Southwest State of Somalia has opposed the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops, citing concerns about security and stability if the Ethiopian presence is reduced too rapidly.In Monday's UNSC meeting, Osman also highlighted Somalia's efforts toward inclusive dialogue and consensus on national priorities, including preparations for one-person-one-vote elections and consultation review processes. He also mentioned that a joint technical team from the Somali government and the UN has started planning the transition of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to the Country Team.
June 24, 2024 3:28 PM IST

Nirmala Sitharaman formally assumed office as the Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister on June 12.

She said that the government is fully committed to ensuring Ease of Living for its citizens and will continue to take further steps in this regard.

Sitharaman, credited with carrying forward second-generation reforms in her last term, would be creating a record by presenting the seventh Budget in a row and sixth full Budget consecutively.

The Budget for the financial year 2024-'25 is likely to be presented to the newly formed 18th Lok Sabha next month.
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani reflected on the Hindenburg report at the 32nd annual general meeting (AGM) of the conglomerate and said that the US shortseller's scathing report last year was a vague criticism. Adani group chairman Gautam Adani.(ANI)

What Gautam Adani said on Hindenburg report

He said, It was designed to defame us. It was a two-sided attack, a vague criticism on our financial standing.

"We safeguarded our portfolio against any volatility by pre-paying 17,500 crore in margin-linked financing," he added.

Hindenburg accused the Adani group of stock manipulation and improper use of tax havens triggering a sell-off in Gautam Adani's ports-to-power conglomerate.

What Gautam Adani said on his conglomerate

He said, Our commitment to operational excellence, transparent disclosure was validated by the rating agencies, financial communities, and global investors like GQG, Total Energies, US Development Finance Corp. Given the multiplier effect, the government of India has rightly forecast on the infra development. Our record breaking achievements in 2023, underscore our alignment to national priorities.

He further added, While the narrative for infra spending is set at national level, large part of funding and actions are at the state level. In our case, with our operations spread across 24 Indian states, we are first hand witnesses to the critical role state governments play in implementing the initiatives.

Talking about Adani Group's future plans and balance sheet, he said, Our aggressive timeline aims to develop 30 GW capacity in the next 5 years, enough to power Belgium and Switzerland. Our net debt to EBITDA fell from 3.3 to 2.2 over the past year.
A Groww user claimed 'fraud' regarding deduction of money without actually being invested on social media. The customer alleged in a social media post that the Groww app did not make investment into a mutual fund scheme despite taking the money. This prompted a clarification from the platform and refund of the customer's money as the user alleged that Groww generated a false folio number which actually did not exist. The customer alleged in a social media post that the Groww app did not make investment into a mutual fund scheme despite taking the money.

The user also claimed that he found out about the money not having been invested when his sister tried to redeem the investment. The social media post was later deleted but screenshots of the same were shared by other X (formerly Twitter) users.

In response to one of the posts, Groww said that the customer's dashboard erroneously reflected a folio but no transaction took place and no money was deducted from the customer's account. The company also said that it has credited the money back to the customer's account in good faith and has asked for the bank statement showing the debit of the amount.
Kotak Mahindra Bank will increase its pace of opening new branches and add about 175 to 200 branches in the financial year 2024-25, a senior official at the bank said, months after the central bank barred the private lender from sourcing new customers digitally. A man walks past the Kotak Mahindra Bank branch in New Delhi, India.(Reuters)

In April, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stopped Kotak from adding new customers via its online and mobile banking channels, and from issuing new credit cards, due to information technology-related deficiencies.

"We have been adding roughly 150 odd branches for several years now. This year too, the momentum is going to continue," Virat Diwanji, group president and head - consumer bank, told Reuters in an email interview on Monday.

India's fourth-largest private lender will target the pockets where there is easy availability of deposits, the official said, adding that customer acquisition through branches is seeing good traction.

Before the RBI's order, Kotak was heavily reliant on digital channels to source new clients.

About 95% of its new personal loans by volume were disbursed digitally in the October-December quarter, while it issued 99% of new credit cards through digital channels. A similar breakup for the January-March quarter is not yet available.

Kotak's branch addition plans may not immediately help source new customers, but the strategy may play out in the medium-to-longer term as it will increase its presence and reach, said Kranthi Baithini, director of equity strategy at WealthMills Securities. However, that will come with high overhead costs, he said.

Meanwhile, the bank is working "steadfastly" to fulfill the RBI's requirements and return to business as usual, Diwanji said.

The private lender has stepped up investments to fortify its IT systems, including steps to strengthen its digital payment security controls and meet regulatory data cybersecurity standards, he added.

Kotak has hired over 530 employees in the last 12-15 months, a majority of them from tech backgrounds, he said.

The bank's focus on personal loans and business loans will continue, Diwanji said.
Benchmark equity indices tumbled in early trade today (June 24) amid weak trends from global markets and fresh foreign fund outflows. Profit-taking after a record-breaking rally also put pressure on the benchmark indices. The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 463.96 points to 76,745.94. The Nifty dropped 149.6 points to 23,351.50. Stock market today: A bird flies past a screen displaying the Sensex results on the facade of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) building in Mumbai.(Reuters)

Among the 30 Sensex companies, IndusInd Bank, Tata Steel, Adani Ports, State Bank of India, Bajaj Finance and JSW Steel were the biggest laggards. Sun Pharma, ITC, ICICI Bank and Tata Consultancy Services were among the gainers.

In Asian markets, Seoul, Shanghai and Hong Kong were trading lower while Tokyo quoted in the positive territory. US markets ended mostly lower on Friday. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth 1,790.19 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude declined 0.07 per cent to USD 85.18 a barrel. Snapping its six-day rally, the BSE benchmark declined 269.03 points or 0.35 per cent to settle at 77,209.90 on Friday. The NSE Nifty slipped 65.90 points or 0.28 per cent to end at 23,501.10.
It took a while. Meta AI, which is the companys generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, is now rolling out for all users in India. This means that all of Metas apps, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger, will now have the colourful circle within which shall reside the ability to search the web, text to image tools, get contextual inputs such as organising projects or trip itineraries in group chats, create stickers, learn more about a post on the feed and can be called upon for suggestions or answers to queries, at any point. This means Metas AI battles with OpenAIs ChatGPT (and as an extension, Microsoft Copilot), Google Gemini as well as the upcoming Apple Intelligence, begin in earnest. By enabling Meta AI for every user in India, it gives Meta a significant numbers advantage. (Official image.)

In case you are curious about Metas timing for tapping the India market now, it has to do with gaining a foothold before Googles widened availability of AI integration within Android phones (such as Gemini replacing Assistant) makes its mark, as well as Apples upcoming Apple Intelligence suite which includes a contextually smarter Siri assistant and an integration of the GPT-4o models within iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. However, Ryan Cairns, who leads engineering for AI at Meta, insists that isnt the sole reason behind choosing this month to make Meta AI available in India.

The benefit of the way that weve rolled out Meta AI is that its available in all of our apps, regardless of the platform. You can access it in WhatsApp, whether its on Android or iOS. You get it on the web, and we really want to be everywhere that you are. Right now, our apps provide both the biggest distribution and most availability to the end user, Cairns tells HT. Numbers lend credence to Cairns argument.

India is, by far, Metas biggest market. By enabling Meta AI for every user in the country, and therefore a presence on every device they use, it gives Meta a significant numbers advantage. WhatsApp, according to the latest numbers by research firm Statista, has 535.8 million users in India  its biggest market, with Brazil in a distant second with 118.5 million active users. Metas social media platform Facebook also sees Indias contribution with 378.05 million active users at the end of 2024, significantly ahead of the US (193.8 million) and Indonesia (119.05 million). For Instagram, Indias contribution of 362.9 million active users clocked at the turn of the year, is far ahead of the US (169.65 million) and Brazil (134.6 million).

I think thats something which doesnt really exist when you look at it from the operating system perspective, adds Cairns. It is true that a lot of Androids AI functionality as it rolls out to phones in the coming months, wont be available on most apps outside of that device  a Chromebook, for example. Apple Intelligence, which will be an extensive layer of smartness around the OS for iPhone, iPad and Mac, will figure much less prominently if youre using the same apps on an incompatible (read, older generation) Mac or iPhone, or even an Apple Watch.

In fact, if I am not wrong, Meta AI is presently the only AI chatbot that accesses Google Search as well as Microsoft Bing, for web searches.

India gets a smartened version of Meta AI, compared to how it was when first released in September last year. At its foundation now is the Llama 3 foundational open-source model, which was released in April this year. In fact, working behind the scenes for Meta AI will be Llama 3 in two sizes  one with 8 billion parameters and a larger 70 billion parameter model. Compared with Llama 2, core improvements are around lowering false refusal, improve response quality, diversity and improve reasoning.

Its our most advanced LLM to date, says Cairns. He details that in the testing phase in India, it was observed that a lot of use cases revolved around information gathering. The biggest uses that weve seen from our test are things like asking factual questions, getting instructional and how to advise and tutoring and learning support, he says. Meta details that these can be done using one to one threads with the assistant, or even in group conversations.

HT asked Cairns if any part of Meta AI works on-device, and for now, he clarifies that all computation and processing is done online, that is, on a server. We are primarily server side. Today, we dont do much to sync conversation history and things like that, but if you use the website, you can see a hint of the thread history that were looking at. You can imagine that that might be useful on different devices, either to go deeper in a topic or to resume a particular task, says Cairns, before letting in on Metas thought behind the evolving Meta AI structure.

Lets say, if you were trying to generate code for a project. Its multi-step, and youre taking a lot of iterations. You might do that in different places. We think its important eventually to get to the point where those things sync, but we dont have that today, he adds.

There is often the concern with generative AI, about incorrect responses for genres or topics that may otherwise require some level of expertise before a specific recommendation can be given. HT asked Cairns if there are any genres or question types that Meta AI will stay away from answering. Health and financial advice are two good areas where we cant answer. We cant give medical or financial advice. Areas of self-harm are another topic we avoid, he says.

Meta details their approach when a user asks a question on a sensitive topic. One of the things that we had fixed were refusal rates, We wouldnt necessarily give advice, but someone might ask a question. We could say, well, thats a really interesting question. Heres some balancing results so that people can do some more information digging on their own, but not necessarily refuse the prompt outright, Meta details.

Meta has a strong generative artificial intelligence (AI) product, and the timing does give it a strong platforms as generative AI tools contend for user attention and retention. Metas advantage is its apps have a very active user base, which places Meta AI front and center for access. The company insists that no user data will be used to train the AI models. We use publicly available information to train our models. Its an industry wide practice, not unique to our services, and were going to continue to do that, says Cairns.

For now, Meta AI will only support the English language in India. However, while they arent revealing plans for local language support, Cairns does refer to the fact that the Meta AI models are updated every couple of weeks or so. Which means adding more languages, alongside fixing feedback around hallucinations, information accuracy and safety, wouldnt take much time.
Bengaluru- based ReshaMandi which specialises in silk yarn products laid off 80% of its workforce as it failed to secure Series B funding. The company has been downsizing its operations since last year and had 500 employees in January 2023 which reduced to around 100 by the end of the year. From these, almost 300 employees of the company are still awaiting their final dues and salaries, reports claimed. ReshaMandi was founded in 2020 and raised over $40 million in equity funding from investors like Creation Investments, Omnivore, Venture Catalysts, and others.

Citing rapid expansion across verticals after the company raised funds in October 2021, Inc42 reported quoting ReshaMandi's employees, The company fell victim to the growth-at-all-costs mindset, which drove it to inflate revenues in FY23 and FY22. Its very likely that Temasek and other investors caught wind of the allegations now being raised by employees on social media and in their conversations with us.

ReshaMandi was founded in 2020 and raised over $40 million in equity funding from investors like Creation Investments, Omnivore, Venture Catalysts, and others. The company also secured nearly 300 crore in debt from venture debt investors and lenders.

After this, it faced financial challenges, leading to employee layoffs starting in June 2023 when employees were reportedly offered opportunity to work without salaries for three months before being sacked.
Microsoft and Nvidia reportedly clashed over AI chip design for months and the issue was resolved after Satya Nadella's intervention. The Information reported that as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has maintained a tight control over how chips are allocated and installed, the company had a major fight with Microsoft which is one of its client. The Nvidia CEO earlier explained that the company controls how chips are allocated to prevent tech giants from stockpiling them during periods of limited supply. Owing to this, there were tensions between Microsoft and Nvidia. Microsoft Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella speaks during the Microsoft Build opening keynote at the Seattle Convention Center Summit Building in Seattle, Washington.(AFP)

What exactly happened?

As per the report, Nvidia was attempting to not only decide allocation of chips but also installing them within data centres while focusing on the server rack configuration. The company did not like how Microsoft utilised the purchased hardware after which the disagreement escalated into a feud as Nvidia tried to convince Microsoft to adopt its next flagship chip GB200 within the server rack design specified by Jensen Huang's company.

The way Nvidia wanted chips to be installed could have affected Microsoft's ability to switch to different AI chips, people in the know said as per the report.

What Satya Nadella did amid fight with Nvidia?

The report claimed that when the dispute was not resolved for several weeks, it reached Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's desk who solved the issue by making Nvidia to back down on its demands. The report also claimed that Jensen Huang has since been worried about whether companies like Microsoft and Amazon Web Services are going to run out of data centre space.
June in Bengaluru this year is poised to break rainfall records dating back to 1867, with the city already drenched by 203 mm as of Sunday morning. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts continued to project moderate rainfall until Thursday, potentially surpassing the wettest June on record set in 1996 with 228.02 mm, the Deccan Herald reported. Earlier this month, Bengaluru saw its rainiest June day ever, logging 111.11 mm on June 2, breaking a 133-year-old record. (For Representation)

ALSO READ | Why are real estate developers making a beeline for Mumbai and Bengaluru markets?

Earlier this month, Bengaluru saw its rainiest June day ever, logging 111.11 mm on June 2, breaking a 133-year-old record. IMD officials attribute this deluge to a cyclonic circulation over the northeast Bay of Bengal and a low-pressure trough off the Maharashtra-Kerala coasts, which are expected to intensify lower-level winds along the western coast in the next few days, the report added.

ALSO READ | Bangalore Weather and AQI Today: Warm start at 20.63 C, check weather forecast for June 24, 2024

An official from the IMD spoke to reporters and noted that coastal and south interior Karnataka are likely to witness widespread rain, with heavy downpour expected in several areas of north interior Karnataka as well.

The IMD has furthermore issued an orange alert for extremely heavy rainfall in districts including Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Shivamogga, and Kodagu until Thursday. Additionally, a yellow alert has been issued for Bidar, Kalaburagi, Belagavi, Dharwad, Haveri, Mysuru, and Chamarajanagar until Tuesday due to forecasts of isolated heavy rainfall.

ALSO READ | Karnataka court remands actor Darshan to judicial custody till July 4 in Renukaswamy murder case

Looking ahead, thunderstorms and gusty winds are anticipated across Karnataka this week. Fishermen are advised to avoid venturing into the sea until Wednesday along the Karnataka coast, where squally weather with winds reaching speeds of 35-45 kmph, gusting up to 55 kmph, is expected.
A Bengaluru-based technology firm is among several international companies targeted by Japan with sanctions, accusing them of aiding Russia in circumventing economic penalties imposed by Western nations due to its invasion of Ukraine. The Japanese Foreign Ministry announced punitive actions against at least 10 companies from countries such as China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, and India.(AFP)

The Japanese Foreign Ministry announced punitive actions including asset freezes and export bans against at least 10 companies from countries such as China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, and India.

ALSO READ | Why are real estate developers making a beeline for Mumbai and Bengaluru markets?

These measures, implemented under Japan's Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act, signify Tokyo's alignment with Western allies in imposing strict economic sanctions on Russia. The Indian company, along with others, faces restrictions imposed by Japan for allegedly facilitating Russian efforts to evade international sanctions.

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida underscored Tokyo's commitment to sanctioning entities that undermine efforts to isolate Russia economically during discussions at the recent G7 summit in Italy. The G7 countries have collectively enforced punitive measures including asset freezes against Russian entities as part of broader international efforts to condemn and penalize Russia for its actions in Ukraine.

ALSO READ | Karnataka court remands actor Darshan to judicial custody till July 4 in Renukaswamy murder case

Japan had previously initiated sanctions against several Russian companies in response to the ongoing conflict, aligning its policies with those of the Western nations and reinforcing its stance on upholding international norms and stability.

(With inputs from PTI)
Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) MLC Suraj Revanna was sent to judicial custody for 14 days on Sunday in connection with an investigation into an alleged sexual assault. Suraj Revanna(X)

The Hassan police produced the JD-S legislator before the Magistrate in Bengaluru on Sunday evening after he was arrested earlier in the day.

The case was transferred to the CID, Karnataka police, earlier in the day but the CID is yet to take over the case.

READ | Bengaluru might shatter weather records by seeing its wettest June in history: Report

Nikhil D Kamat, Suraj Revanna's counsel, said that the next date of hearing in the case is July 6, 2024. The counsel said the CID will likely approach court tomorrow seeking Revanna's custody.

Hassan police arrested Suraj Revanna, who is the son of former Karnataka Minister HD Revanna, earlier in the day for alleged sexual assault on a male party worker.

According to the police FIR, Revanna has been charged under sections 377 (carnal intercourse against the order of nature), 342 (wrongful confinement), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC for the offence allegedly committed on June 16 as per the complaint.

READ | This Bengaluru startup fired 80% of its employees after failing to secure funding

A counter FIR has been registered against the complainant JD(S) worker and his brother-in-law on the complaint filed by the personal assistant of Suraj Revanna for allegedly threatening and blackmailing the MLC with false allegations of sexual assault. The FIR has been filed under sections 384 (extortion) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

Suraj Revanna's arrest comes days after his younger brother and former JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna was remanded to judicial custody by a special court in Bengaluru over separate allegations of sexually assaulting multiple women.

READ | Why are real estate developers making a beeline for Mumbai and Bengaluru markets?

He was sent to judicial custody for 14 days by the 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Court on June 10.

Prajwal Revanna and Suraj Revanna are the grandchildren of JD(S) patriarch and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which drew a blank in the Lok Sabha polls and lost power to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Odisha assembly polls, has asked its Rajya Sabha MPs to be a strong and effective Opposition in Parliament and announced that it would also discontinue giving issue-based support to BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre. BJD president and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik. (File Photo)

Chairing a meeting of the BJD parliamentary party at Naveen Niwas in state Capital Bhubaneswar on Monday morning, BJD president and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik asked the nine Rajya Sabha MPs of his party to be the strong voice of the state in Parliament and raise various important issues pertaining to the development of 4.5 crore people of the state.

After the meeting, BJD MP Sasmit Patra said that the party will emerge as a strong Opposition voice in the Upper House of Parliament and raise issues concerning the interests of Odisha.

We will emerge as a strong Opposition party under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik in the Rajya Sabha. The people of Odisha will witness how BJD will raise its voice on each of the issues. The BJD MPs this time will not be confined to speaking on issues only but are determined to agitate if the BJP-led government at the Centre ignores Odishas interest. Besides raising the demand for special status to Odisha, the BJD MPs will raise the issues of poor mobile connectivity and low density of bank branches in the state. Odishas demand for revision of coal royalty has been ignored by the Centre for the last 10 years. This is causing great loss to the people of the state who are deprived of their rightful share, said Patra.

Asked whether the BJD would maintain its earlier stance of giving issue-based support to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, Patra said the party would no longer give support to the BJP. There is no question of supporting the BJP. The BJD president asked us to act as a strong and vibrant opposition if the NDA government continues to ignore the genuine demands of Odisha. We may go to any extent to protect the interests of Odisha, said Patra.

In the just-concluded Lok Sabha election, BJD drew a blank while BJP won 20 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha. The Congress won the Koraput Lok Sabha constituency. Of the 10 Rajya Sabha seats from Odisha, BJD has nine MPs while BJP has one. BJP leader and Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was elected twice from Odisha with BJDs backing.

BJD has been a strong supporter of the NDA since 2019 Lok Sabha polls, bailing out the Modi government on key Bills such as the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 (Reorganisation Bill) that ended the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, dividing the region into Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The same year, the party supported the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill that makes instant triple talaq a criminal offence and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). In the 2019 monsoon session of Parliament, the Bills proposing changes to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Right to Information (RTI) Act also received the support of the BJD. The BJD also voted against the no-confidence motion brought in by a united Opposition last year.
A couple, who got married two months ago despite opposition from the womans family, was shot dead by two assailants in a park in Hansi town of Hisar district on Monday, police said. A couple, who got married two months ago despite opposition from the womans family, was shot dead by two assailants in a park in Hansi town of Hisar district on Monday. (Representational photo)

Hansi deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Dheeraj Kumar said the incident occurred at the local Lala Hukum Chand Jain Park in the morning. He said the police were probing the honour killing angle.

The victims, Tejveer Singh of Badala village in Hisar and his wife Meena of Sultanpur village in Hansi, were in their early 20s. The couple belonged to the same caste and their families were known to each other.

The DSP said that the police rushed to the park on getting information from local residents that the couple had been shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants.

We recovered the key of a motorcycle from near the bodies. The victims families have been informed and we are probing the involvement of the womans relatives as they were opposed to the wedding, he said.

The park has been sealed and the statements of victims family members are being recorded.

The bodies were sent to the civil hospital at Hansi for post-mortem.
Odisha chief minister Mohan Majhi on Monday alleged that the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government had conspired to kill him for exposing their mismanagement several times-- a claim the BJD has denied. Odisha chief minister Mohan Majhi being welcomed by his family members during a visit to his native place in Keonjhar on Monday. (PTI)

During his first visit to his assembly constituency of Keonjhar as well as his village Raikala on Monday, Majhi said he had raised many issues in the Assembly and put the government in the dock in last five years between 2019 and 2024. To take revenge, the previous government had planned to kill me. They tried to kill me in a bomb blast at Mandua in Keonjhar. However, by the grace of people, I survived, God saved me, he said at a meeting in Jhumpura area of Keonjhar, referring to the attack on him by two unidentified miscreants in October 2021.

Two motorcycle-borne miscreants hurled two bombs on the vehicle of Majhi, who was returning after attending a public meeting. The front panel of Majhis car was partly damaged in the attack.

Majhi said he does not fear anyone. When Maa Tarini is with me, Lord Baladev Jew is with me, Lord Jagannath is with me, the presiding deity of Jhumpura Maa Durga is with me and I have blessings from people, why should I fear? he said. People had elected me to the State Legislative Assembly to fight against the corrupt system of Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government. As long as we have blessings from God, we will work for people, he added.

Majhi said he would be accessible to all and has no issues with meeting anyone. Since I took charge as the CM, I am sleeping less and meeting people more. All I need is love from people, the CM said, asking people to send in their proposals, suggestions, share their problems over phone or meet him in Bhubaneswar. Whatever work the previous government failed to deliver in the last 24 years, my government will do in five years. The developmental projects will be expedited, and Odisha will become the No.1 state in the country, he added.

This was Majhis first visit to his native place after he assumed the office of chief minister in Odisha. He embarked on two-day trip to his hometown on Sunday. On Monday, after reaching his village Raikala, he along with his wife Priyanka Marndi were welcomed by the villagers as well as other family members. Majhi relished his favourite food item Pakhala with his family members.

I received blessings from this soil and became the CM. After taking oath as the CM on June 12, I wanted to visit my place, he said.

On Sunday, while addressing a felicitation meeting in Keonjhar district, Majhi had alleged that a ministerial berth and a mining lease was offered to him if he remained mum on the mining scam. Money amounting to thousands of crores has been looted from Keonjhar. In this loot, not only the previous government but also the district administration here was involved. Mohan Majhi is not bikau (venal); he is tikau (durable). He has the capacity of not just becoming a minister but also leading the state, he said.

However, BJD said the chief ministers statement was unfortunate. The chief minister should have known this that he is no longer in the Opposition party. He is now the chief minister of Odisha. Before giving any statement, he should at least think that it is his duty to keep the prestige of his position intact, said BJD leader Pratap Deb.

The way he is giving his statements is not acceptable at all. If he is saying that he was offered inducements when he was in the Opposition, why he didnt speak about that before the media? Had he wished, he could have registered a case. He could have given a statement before the media. He should ask himself how speaking such things suits him today when he is the chief minister, he added.
New Delhi, More than two dozen students, some of them NSUI members, were detained while protesting against irregularities in NEET-UG and cancellation of UGC-NET exams here at Jantar Mantar on Monday. NEET-UG row: Over 2 dozen students detained during march to Parliament

The Congress-affiliated National Students' Union of India had planned a march to the Parliament on the day of the commencement of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha.

The students, holding placards and NSUI flags, gathered in large numbers at Jantar Mantar for their 'Chhatra Sansad Gherav'.

Ahead of the protest, police barricaded the area to prevent students from taking out their march. Heavy deployment of Delhi police including paramilitary forces was made at the site.

According to visuals of the protest shared with media, some students tried to go past the barricades, while a few others climbed on the structure.

They were detained by the Delhi police and taken to different police stations, since no permission was granted for the march, an officer said.

Amid a demand for the cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for undergraduates exam held on May 5, the Union Education Ministry has said that the incidents of malpractices were "localised" or "isolated" and it was not fair to jeopardise the careers of lakhs of candidates who cleared the exam rightfully.

The CBI has filed an FIR in connection with the alleged irregularities under IPC sections 120-B and 420 , among others.

The UGC-NET-2024 exam for the selection of junior research fellows, assistant professors and PhD scholars was conducted by the National Testing Agency on June 18 in two shifts across the country.

The exam was postponed after the government said that the "integrity of the examination may have been compromised".

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal finally made their relationship official by getting married in an intimate ceremony on Sunday. They took to social media to share official pics from the ceremony, but switched off comments on Instagram. (Also read: After Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal dance to Chaiyya Chaiyya on their wedding night) Sonakshi Sinha dated Zaheer Iqbal for the past seven years before getting married.

Before their marriage, there have been murmurs of trouble in their families because of their cultures, with some reports also stating that actor and Parliamentarian Shatrughan Sinha might not even attend daughter Sonakshi's wedding.

Detach from trolling

On Sunday, the actors shared pictures from their wedding, acknowledging blessings from both our families and both our Gods  a cryptic response to the trolling she has been facing since the speculation about their wedding started.

Just hours after sharing the photos from their civil wedding ceremony, several people noted that Sonakshi and Zaheer turned off the comments option on the post announcing their marriage. It could be seen as an attempt to avoid any hate and trolling during over their happy news. However, people have been dropping negative comments on other posts.

We are hitched!

Sonakshi and Zaheer's caption read, On this very day, seven years back (23.06.2017) in each others eyes, we saw love in its purest form and decided to hold on to it. Today that love has guided us through all the challenges and triumphs leading up to this moment where with the blessings of both our families and both our gods we are now man and wife. Heres to love, hope and all things beautiful with each other, from now until forever (read heart emoji). Sonakshi (infinity emoji) Zaheer... 23.06.2024.

The post was liked by celebs such as Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Katrina Kaif, Swara Bhasker, Zoya Akhtar, Ileana D'Cruz, Shilpa Shetty and Kiara Advani, among many others.

More about the wedding

After dating for seven years, Sonakshi and Zaheer said I do in a civil marriage ceremony at the formers home in Bandra, Mumbai on June 23. Despite rumours about Sonakshis parents not being in favour of the wedding, her father Shatrughan Sinha and mother Poonam Sinha were right there along with Zaheers parents to give their blessings.

Sonakshi and Zaheer chose white as the colour of their wedding and wore all-white traditional ensembles for the ceremony. Post the wedding, Sonakshi and Zaheer headed to a well-known restaurant in the city to celebrate their union with celebrity friends. It was attended by Salman Khan, Rekha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Kajol, Anil Kapoor, Vidya Balan, Raveena Tandon and Kajol.
Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal on Sunday got married to each other after dating for seven years in the presence of her family members and industry colleagues. However, what everyone noticed was the absence of her brothers Luv Sinha and Kush Sinha. (Also read: Amid trolling, Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal disable comments on wedding pics) Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal got married in an intimate ceremony on Sunday.

It added to the murmurs of a discord between the siblings due to Sonakshis decision to get married to Zaheer, son of Iqbal Ratansi who is a jeweller and businessman.

Luv reacts

Several moments from the wedding festivities have emerged online, but Luv and Kush are nowhere to be seen. When Hindustan Times reached out to Luv to check about that, he didnt avoid the question, and didnt deny the rumours either.

Please give it a day or two. Ill respond to your question then if I feel I can. Thank you for asking, he said when asked about the reason behind his absence.

Earlier, Luv Sinha had reacted to the reports of her sisters wedding to Zaheer Iqbal in a conversation with ETimes. At that time too, he remained tight-lipped about the matter. Im out of Mumbai at the moment, and if its regarding the news published, I have no comment or involvement in the matter, he told ETimes.

Saqib Saleem takes on the brother duties

Sonakshi's close friend actor Saqib Saleem took on the duties of a brother at her wedding. A heartwarming video shows Sonakshi walking beneath a traditional phoolon ka chaddar, a canopy of flowers held up by her friends, with Saqib holding one end of the canopy. The wedding was attended by Shatrughan Sinha and Poonam.

The users took to social media to wonder about the brothers. "Where are her own brothers?" commented a user on the video. "Where are her family members?" asked another user.

Sonakshi gets married to Zaheer

After dating for seven years, Sonakshi and Zaheer said I do in a civil marriage ceremony at the formers home in Bandra, Mumbai on June 23. Despite rumours about Sonakshis parents not being in favour of the wedding, her father Shatrughan Sinha and mother Poonam Sinha were right there along with Zaheers parents to give their blessings. They also hosted a star-studded reception in Mumbai on Sunday.
Actors Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal married on Sunday. Now, a new video has emerged of the couple's first dance. In the clip, the duo grooved to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Momina Mustehsan's song Afreen Afreen. (Also Read | Salman Khan, Kajol, Rekha, Tabu, Aditi Rao Hydari, Anil Kapoor attend Sonakshi Sinha-Zaheer Iqbal's wedding reception) Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal danced their hearts out on their special day.

Sonakshi, Zaheer dance to Afreen, Chaiyya Chaiyya

At first, Zaheer Iqbal caressed Sonakshi's face, making her blush. The duo then did some dance moves as they looked at each other. Both of them were seen smiling at each other.

In another video, Sonakshi and Zaheer danced to Shah Rukh Khan's famous song Chaiyya Chaiyya. The duo, surrounded by their friends and family, grooved to the music. They also sat on the floor for the dance moves. They also grooved to Angrezi Beat as Honey Singh sang on the stage. The couple also danced to her Dabangg song Tere Mast Mast Do Nain.

Fans react to couple's dance

Reacting to the videos, a fan wrote, "Happiest couple." Another person said, "They look beautiful together." A comment read, "What a beautiful song. The newlyweds are so in love with each other." "Wow, she looks gorgeous. He complements her well," an Instagram user wrote. "Congratulations to the couple. Have a happy life ahead," read another comment.

Sonalshi, Zaheer's first appearance as married couple

After the reception, Sonakshi and Zaheer made their first appearance in front of the media as a married couple. They waved, smiled and posed together for the camera. The couple also shared conversations as Sonashi gestured that her heart was beating fast. Later, they also posed with the paparazzi and thanked them with folded hands.

What Sonakshi, Zaheer wore on their special day

For the wedding reception, Sonakshi wore a red-coloured silk saree and blouse. She accessorised it with a choker-style green and gold necklace along with matching drop earrings and red bangles. The actor tied her hair into a bun look and adorned it with a garland of jasmine. Zaheer wore a white sherwani.

About Sonakshi and Zaheer's relationship

Sonakshi and Zaheer got married in an intimate ceremony in Mumbai. The wedding was attended by close friends and family members. Sonakshi and Zaheer dropped their first wedding pictures on Sunday. Sonakshi and Zaheer dated for seven years before tying the knot.
The surf world is in mourning as the news of Pirates of the Caribbean star, lifeguard, and surfing instructor Tamayo Perry's death swept over Hawaii. The 49-year-old actor, who also starred in Blue Crush and Charlie's Angels" Full Throttle, suffered a fatal shark attack near Goat Island on Sunday afternoon, Honolulu Emergency Medical Service announced. Surfing legend Tamayo Perry died after an apparent shark attack in Hawaii.

The renowned surfer has reportedly taken off to surf off Mokuauia, near Laie, Hawaii. He was later found dead at 1 pm, sources confirmed. A caller reported the incident, claiming they had seen a man suffering from apparent shark bites off Malaekahana Beach near Kahuku. Perry's body appeared to have been afflicted with more than one shark bite.

Thereafter, emergency services arrived on Malaekahana Beach just before 1 pm. Rescuers came to the Ocean Safety lifeguard's aid and brought him to the shore via jet ski while paramedics assisted with the death pronouncement. Perry reportedly died on the scene.

Also read | Pom Klementieff in talks to play 'specific character' in James Gunn's DCU

Following the Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides star's death, Ocean Safety officials posted shark warnings in the area.

Honolulu officials and local community remember Tamayo Perry after his death pronouncement

According to Hawaii News Now, Honolulu mayor Rick Blangiardi identified the legendary surfer and called his death a tragic loss: Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected.

Encyclopedia of Surfing describes Perry as a Hard-charging, God-fearing Pipeline specialist from Oahu's North Shore, whereas Surfing magazine labelled him most likely to get the barrel of the year in 2022. Born in 1975, the much-celebrated personality began surfing at 12. He started working with the Ocean Safety Department in July 2016, said Shayne Enright, of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department.

Also read | House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 2 Twitter reactions: Fans left heartbroken by the tragic death of this character

Acting Honolulu Ocean Safety Chief Kurt Lage said he was a lifeguard loved by all He's well known on the North Shore. He's a professional surfer known worldwide.

The local Hawaiian community also flocked to Hawaii News Now's latest posts dedicated to Perry. Someone wrote, Rest Easy Tamayo. Never forget you trying to teach me how to drive. 12 years old. Hauula shopping centre parking lot. Pas shotgun. All laughs!! Time is fleeting. Love to your ohana!

Another Instagram user wrote, You will be missed - pure aloha. Heartfelt condolences and love to Emilia, the Perry Ohana, Lifeguard Ohana and all our North Shore fam. & friends. This one hits hard.  A third wrote, My heart is broken. The north shore lost a true legend and a good man. My heart goes out to Emilia and his family 

Moana Jones Wong, another professional surfer from Hawaii, who's affectionately recognised as the Queen of Pipeline, commented: Love you forever gonna miss you forever.

While many others expressed their heartfelt condolences to Perry's family, another user recounted meeting the late lifeguard and his wife recently, My condolences just met him and his wife yesterday, crazy to see this now. Short interaction but such a loving and warm couple.
Los Angeles, After starring in Marvel Cinematic Universe's "Guardians of the Galaxy" films, actor Pom Klementieff appears to be heading to the DC Universe, heralded by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Pom Klementieff in talks to play 'specific character' in James Gunn's DCU

The actor, who portrayed the role of Mantis in "Guardians of the Galaxy" movies directed by Gunn, has teased she is in discussions with the filmmaker for "specific character" in the DCU.

Asked if she would like to be a part of the new project in the other superhero franchise, Klementieff told Agents of Fandom, "Do you really think Im going to answer this question?"

She, however, admitted about hoping to reunite with Gunn.

I just want to keep working with James, so were going to keep trying to find ways to do that. Yes, weve been talking about one specific character, but I cant talk about that right now, she said.

The actor then shared that she would want to reprise her "Guardians of the Galaxy" character and was sure the audience would want the same.

It was always my dream to be an X-Men or part of a Marvel movie. Then, I saw the first 'Guardians of the Galaxy', and it became my first Marvel movie ever. Then, I got cast in the second one. I feel so lucky. I love the character. Im sure the fans would love to see it, but I dont know. It depends on the project," Klementieff said.

Besides three "Guardians of the Galaxy" films, Klementieff has also been a part of MCU projects such as "Avengers: Infinity War", "Avengers: Endgame" and "Thor: Love and Thunder".

Gunn and Safran were announced as the new DC leaders days after the Dwayne Johnson-starrer "Black Adam" opened in October 2022, replacing Walter Hamada, who had headed DC Films for four years. They were named co-chairmen and CEOs of the newly formed DC Studios.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Actor-producer Aftab Shivdasani, who made his acting debut as a child artist with the 1987-film Mr. India, is well-known for playing diverse roles spanning various genres, including the 2001 thriller-mystery Kasoor. The 45-year-old is set to make a comeback in the Hindi film industry with a romantic, horror-drama bearing the same title - Kasoor. The actor was last seen in the 2019 Hindi film Setter. Urvashi Rautela and Aftab Shivdasani

However, now, we have learnt that joining him on the project will be actor Urvashi Rautela, who has been confirmed as the leading lady. Previously, the 30-year-old has featured in films such as The Legend (2022), Virgin Bhanupriya (2020), Great Grand Masti (2016), and Sanam Re (2016) among others.

Urvashi has come on board and is excited to be a part of another horror-romantic film [after Hate Story 4]. The story revolves around three characters. The focus will be on the trio, the third cast member will be revealed soon, a source tells us.

The production for the upcoming horror-drama directed by Glen Barretto and penned by Mudassar Aziz, has already kicked off, with filming underway. The film went on floors a while ago. The whole star cast travelled a lot recently to capture the vision for the shoot, says a source close to the development.

Dishing out more details about the first leg of the ongoing schedule, the insider tells us that the actors are currently shooting in the mountains. It is being shot in the mountains of Dehradun and Rishikesh. They wanted to cover the hills of Uttarakhand for the vibe shots, the source shares, adding They are shooting at haunted places and bungalows in the mountains.

For the unversed, this will be the first time Shivdasani and Rautela will share screen space. The upcoming film is scheduled for release by late 2024 or early 2025.
Kannada superstar Yash is being celebrated by his fandom today, courtesy of his 2011 family comedy Kiraathaka, which completed 13 years on June 24. The Pradeep Raj film's anniversary has reignited excitement among fans of the actor for his upcoming biggie, Toxic. The Geetu Mohandas directorial, ever since it's inception, has been tagged as yet another pan-India project with Yash in the lead. This follows the mammoth legacy of the KGF franchise which essentially thrusted Sandalwood into the rather desirable pan-India spotlight. Let us take a look at all the major pan-India releases up for a release in the coming months. From the Yash starrer Toxic to the Prabhas led Kalki 2898 AD: Pan-India films up for release

Kalki 2898 AD

After a bout of multiple delays Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD is finally a mere few days away from its worldwide theatrical release. While the Prabhas starrer would have seen through a release in May itself, the makers took the conscious decision to move the date up by more than a month so as to avoid a clash of timing with the polling dates in the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Starring names such Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan and Deepika Padukone in key roles, the mythology-infused sci-fi biggie is set for a release this Friday, June 27.

Indian 2

Much like other projects of a similar scale, Indian 2 too has seen immense back and forth when it came to locking in a release date. The Kamal Haasan led S Shankar film is the sequel to the actor-director duo's 1996 Tamil language classic, Indian. The veteran actor will be reprising his iconic role of Senapathy in the sequel, slated for a release this July 12.

Game Changer

Game Changer, with Ram Charan and Kiara Advani in the lead, has almost been competing with Indian 2 for attention from director S Shankar. Incidentally, the filming for both these politically charged thrillers was taking place almost simultaneously.

With S Shankar having prioritised Indian 2 over Game Changer on multiple occasions, the release timeline for the latter has of course suffered. That being said, Game Changer has been confirmed for a release this September, though a date is yet to be shared.

Devara: Part 1

Koratala Siva's Devara: Part 1 was initially eyeing a release in April. The date was eventually pushed to Dussera, upsetting fans. However, in a rare occurrence the date for the Jr NTR starrer has been preponed now. Set to release in two parts with the RRR actor reportedly essaying a double role in the film, Devara: Part 1 will be releasing worldwide on September 27.

Devara: Part 1 will now be releasing on September 27

Pushpa 2: The Rule

The makers of Pushpa 2: The Rule recently disappointed fans as they significantly moved ahead the release of the film by months. Initially set for a release on August 15  a date maintained by the makers despite the undying speculation, Pushpa 2 will now be releasing on December 6, extending the wait by almost 6 months for fans of the original cult film.

Allu Arjun will be reprising his National Film Award-winning titular role for the Sukumar directorial, with Rashmika Mandanna too stepping back into the role of Srivalli. It's first song, Angaaron (The Couple Song) was released not too long ago.

Kanguva

Fantasy-action film Kanguva, with Suriya in the lead has been in the works for a while. The Siva directorial will also be featuring Bobby Deol in his Tamil debut. Disha Patani too holds a pivotal role in the film. Interestingly, Suriya will be essaying a double role in the film.

Though the film is definitively up for a release within the year, a date is yet to be specified by the makers. While the film had initially made waves for the fact that it would be released across 38 languages, more recent reports suggest that the number has significantly been whittled down.

Vishwambhara

Come 2025, Chiranjeevi will be leading fantasy-action film, Vishwambhara. While the actor joined the sets of the film only recently, considering the fact that he was recovering from a knee surgery, the film appears to be well on track for a release on January 10 next year. Interestingly, Trisha Krishnan too stars in the film, marking her return to Malayalam cinema after a gap of over 5 years.

Toxic

While Kiara Advani will be starring opposite Yash, Kareena Kapoor Khan had been brought on board to play another pivotal role in Toxic. Though Bebo has now opted out of the project citing date issues, Nayanthara is reportedly being considered to replace her, maintaining the hype. Toxic  'a Rumi fairytale for grown-ups', is scheduled for a release on April 10, 2025.

Which of these pan-India projects are you waiting on?
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will commence today, June 24, and will witness the oath taking ceremony of all the newly elected Members of Parliament, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Opposition is expected to raise a number of issues in the Parliament on Monday in an attempt to corner the NDA government. First session of the 18th Lok Sabha to begin today

During the first session of the Lok Sabha, President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath to Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha. After this, Mahtab will administer the oath to PM Modi as the Leader of Lok Sabha.

It is expected that two key issues will take centre stage in the 18th Lok Sabha - the NEET-UG and NTA row and the election of the new Speaker. The Lok Sabha Speaker election will be conducted on June 26, and President Murmu will address a joint session of the Parliament on June 27.

18th Lok Sabha: Key issues in focus

The first issue in focus is expected to be the Speaker election on June 26, and the appointment of Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Congress and INDIA parties reacted sharply to his appointment, questioning why the 7-time MP was chosen over Dalit MP Kodikkunnil Suresh, who is the senior most member of the Lok Sabha.

After the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance examination National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate 2024 (NEET-UG), Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi targeted the BJP and said that they stand with the students. Gandhi also vowed to raise this issue in the Parliament.

Another key issue in focus is expected to be the railway safety protocols in India and the recent accident of the Kanchanjunga Express, which claimed 10 lives. Opposition earlier fielded multiple attacks at Centre over the recent railway accidents, and it is likely that this issue will be raised in the Parliament.

It is also likely that the Opposition will bring focus and question the government on the implementation of the new criminal laws, which were passed by the Lok Sabha in December last year.

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will be held from June 24 and conclude on July 3. The 264th Session of Rajya Sabha will also commence on June 27 and conclude on July 3.
A 30-year-old man has been arrested in Jagaluru taluk, Davangere district, for attempt to rape and assaulting a 22-year-old woman, a police officer familiar with the matter said on Sunday. The woman was saved and the accused was handed over to the police by the villagers who rushed in to help her hearing her screams. (File photo)

Jagaluru police sub-inspector SD Sagar said the incident took place on Friday night when the accused, identified as Katappa, tried to forcefully enter his neighbours house in an inebriated state. As the woman screamed for help, he stabbed her in three places, including her neck, the officer said. The prompt response from the villagers was crucial in preventing the accused from escaping and killing the victim, he said.

Upon receiving information about the incident, the officers from the Jagaluru police station immediately reached the area and took Katappa into custody. The victim was immediately taken to the district hospital, where she received medical attention. Despite the severity of her injuries, she is reported to be out of danger, Sagar said.

He further said that based on the complaint by the victim, the accused has been booked under IPC section 307 (attempt to murder), 449 (trespass to commit an offence), 324 (intentional hurt with a weapon), 504 (intentional insult), and 506 (threatening with life). The accused was produced before the Davangere JMFC court, which remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days. The investigation is ongoing, he added.
Ministers in the AAP-led Delhi government wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to resolve the water crisis in the city, said Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on Monday. Delhi enviroment minister Gopal Rai said that despite an increase in the Delhi population over 30 years, the amount of water supplied still remains the same, reported PTI(Vipin Kumar/ Hindustan Times)

The total water supply in Delhi is 1,005 MGD. Out of this, a huge chunk of 613 MGD comes from Haryana. For the last many weeks, there has been a decline in water coming from Haryana, the letter read.

Addressing a press conference, Delhi ministers Gopal Rai, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kailash Gahlot and Imran Hussain said that Atishi's health is deteriorating due to the hunger strike.

Delhi water minister Atishi is on a hunger strike, which has entered its fourth day, to protest against the alleged decline in water supply from Haryana.

Atishi earlier claimed that her health, with elevated ketone levels in her body, has taken a serious hit. She also said that her blood pressure, sugar levels, and body weight have been on a decline, reported ANI.

The decision to write a letter to the PM by the minister was taken during a meeting at the hunger strike site at Jangpura's Bhogal, reported ANI.

ALSO READ | Haryana reduced water supply after Atishi went on hunger strike: Delhi minister

The ministers have demanded Delhi's rightful share of water, which has allegedly been denied to them despite the heatwave conditions, reported PTI.

The Delhi ministers claim that they have been getting 100 MGD units of less water for the past several days.

The letter pointed out that around 28 lakh people are not getting water due to the deficit of 100 MGD units of water, reported PTI.

At the press conference, Rai said they would ask the LG to visit Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant and analyse the situation.

On Sunday, 10 AAP leaders met the LG over the water crisis. According to Rai, the LG said that Haryana is providing sufficient water, reported PTI.

Despite an increase in the Delhi population over 30 years, Rai said, the amount of water supplied still remains the same.

The minister has also announced a candlelight march to be carried out in favour of Atishi's indefinite fast on Monday at 8 pm.

Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva criticised the AAP government by describing the fast as an air-conditioned hunger strike with a clear intent to end soon.

Responding to Rai's claims about the Wazirabad treatment plant, Sachdeva said that silt which is abundant in the area is responsible for Yamuna water flowing away.

(with inputs from ANI and PTI)
While hearing Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's plea against interim stay on his bail, a vacation bench of the Supreme Court on Monday observed that stay orders are normally not reserved and pronounced the same day. Supreme Court of India(HT_PRINT)

The bench, comprising Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti, said it would like to wait for the pronouncement of the high court's order on the matter.

It's unusual, Justice Misra observed.

Arvind Kejriwal moved the Supreme Court on Sunday after the high court stayed his release until it pronounced its judgment on Enforcement Directorate's plea.

The Supreme Court today told Kejriwal's lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi that pronouncing any order at this stage would be prejudging the issue.

"We will be pre-judging the issue, if we pass any order at this stage. It is not some other court but the high court," the bench told Singhvi.

It later deferred the hearing till June 26.

Singhvi had sought vacating of the interim stay on the bail order.

The lawyer said Kejriwal should be released till the Delhi high court pronounced its order. He said the Delhi chief minister isn't a flight risk.

"I know what I am asking. This court must stay the high court order before it is being pronounced just like the high court had stayed the bail order on mere mention by the Enforcement Directorate," he submitted.

ASG SV Raju, appearing for the ED, said the high court will soon pronounce its verdict on the agency's stay application.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on March 21, in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

Delhi's Rouse Avenue court last week granted him regular bail. The Enforcement Directorate, however, moved the high court the next day, seeking a stay on the implementation of the trial court's order.

In the high court, ED's lawyer called the trial court's order perverse, lopsided and one-sided.

With inputs from PTI
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition MPs showed the copies of the Constitution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was about to take oath as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha. Union home minister Amit Shah was also greeted in a similar manner. Opposition benches show Constitution copy to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament.

Posting an 8-second clip of the incident on X, the Congress party said, The INDIA alliance will protect the constitution at the cost of its life.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Trinamool leader Kalyan Banerjee, and Samajwadi Party leaders Akhilesh Yadav and Awadhesh Prasad were seated in the first row in the opposition benches.

The Congress party and its pre-poll allies, which form the INDIA bloc, led an aggressive campaign against Prime Minister Modi claiming that the BJP will abolish the Constitution if voted back to power with a two-thirds majority. Political observers suggest that the BJP's 400 paar slogan, along with assertions by some of its candidates, helped the opposition's narrative.

Read: Rahul Gandhi lists 10 incidents, issues in first 15 days of NDA govt to target Narendra Modi

Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of attacking the Constitution, and said it was not acceptable to them.

"We would not allow the attack on the Constitution that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are doing," he told reporters in the Parliament complex.

"This attack is not acceptable to us," Gandhi said.

Read: Scams under BJP rule pushing country's future into darkness: Priyanka Gandhi amid UGC-NET, NEET row

Asked whether the message of the opposition was reaching out to the people, the former Congress president said, "Our message is reaching the public and no power can touch the Constitution of India and we will protect it."

Gandhi also posted the video of their symbolic protest on social media saying, Copy of the Constitution in hands, its values in hearts!

No power in the world can destroy it - India will protect it with all its might.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took oath as member of the 18th Lok Sabha after returniung to power for a third consecutive term earlier this month. This is the third term of Modi as a member of the Lok Sabha. He retained the Varanasi seat, which he has been winning since 2014. As Leader of the House, he was the first one to take oath.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is insulting the Opposition by appointing Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha, said Congress MP K Suresh on Monday. Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh (File Photo)

The politician said the INDIA bloc-led Opposition has decided to pull out its members from the panel of chairpersons who are supposed to assist Mahtab in running the House till the regular Speaker of the Lok Sabha is elected.

K Suresh pointed out that Mahtab's appointment as the temporary Speaker is against the established traditions of the House because he is the senior-most member of the Lok Sabha.

K Suresh said he has been a Member of Parliament (MP) eight times, whereas Mehtab has been elected 7 times.

"The NDA government has violated the convention of the Lok Sabha. So far, the convention was that the MP who was elected for a maximum number of times will be the pro-tem Speaker... Bhartruhari Mahtab is a 7-time MP. However, I am an 8-time MP. They are insulting the Opposition again. That's why the INDIA alliance has unanimously decided to boycott the panel," he told ANI.

Also read: Pro-tem Speaker row likely to become first NDA-INDIA bloc flashpoint in Lok Sabha today

The pro-tem row will likely become the first flashpoint between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition's INDIA bloc today, in the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha.

Mahtab, a seven-term Lok Sabha member from Cuttack, was appointed by President Droupadi Murmu as the pro-tem Speaker. Kodikunnil Suresh (Congress), T R Baalu (DMK), Radha Mohan Singh and Faggan Singh Kulaste (both BJP) were named as the members of the panel.

However, the Opposition has decided to boycott the panel.

The government claims Mehtab has had uninterrupted seven terms in the Lok Sabha whereas Suresh has been a Lok Sabha member for four successive terms.

The Congress on Sunday claimed Suresh was ignored for the temporary post because he belongs to the Dalit community.

Reacting to the remark, the BJP said the party should appoint K Suresh as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
In a rare toy train accident at Elante Mall in Chandigarh on Saturday evening, an 11-year-old boy identified as Shahbaz Singh tragically lost his life. Toy train in which the 11-year-old boy was taking the ride. (Pic Courtesy: Gagandeep Singh X)

According to the police, Shahbaz had come to the mall with his parents from Punjabs Nawanshahr area at around 9:30 pm. During a ride on the toy train, he fell and sustained severe head injuries. He was immediately taken to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector 32, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Shahbazs body was handed over to his parents on Sunday evening after the autopsy. The Chandigarh Police have registered a case under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to causing death by negligence.

The boy was with his parents at Elante Mall, taking a ride when the accident took place. He was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately passed away during treatment. The police has not arrested anyone in this incident so far, deputy superintendent of Chandigarh Police, Ram Gopal, told PTI.

Read: MEA working to cut police verification time for passports, says Jaishankar



He added that the police are investigating how the negligence occurred and examining the role of the toy train operator, who has been charged. The case has been registered at Industrial Area Phase-1 and CCTV footage from inside Elante Mall has also been taken to investigate the accident.

Shahbazs father, Jaitenderpal Singh informed the police that his son was seated with his cousin in the last compartment of the toy train when it overturned. Shahbaz sustained head injuries, while his cousin escaped unhurt.



In the CCTV footage, which has gone viral on social media and is said to be from the mall, the boy is seen leaning outside the toy train compartment when it overturned while making a turn inside the mall.



The video also shows people at the scene running towards the train, which has since been seized by the police.




Wayanad district in Kerala on Sunday got representation in the state cabinet for the first time in eight years after OR Kelu took the oath of office at the Raj Bhavan. Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan administers the oath of office to Mananthavady MLA OR Kelu as the minister of the state during the swearing-in ceremony, at State Raj Bhavan, in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. (ANI Photo) (ANI)

In the presence of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Mananthavady MLA was administered the oath by governor Arif Mohammed Khan at a function around 4 pm on Sunday.

In his first decision as minister, Kelu launched the online treatment assistance disbursal system for the Scheduled Tribes community in the state.

On the issue of human-animal conflict in the district, Kelu said the department will coordinate with the MLAs, the MP, the state and the central governments and take joint efforts to resolve the issue.

Kelu, who belongs to the Kurichiya tribe (ST) and is a member of the CPI(M), is expected to handle the department of welfare of SCs, STs and backward classes.

The 53-year-old is a two-time MLA from Mananthavady and has served as a member of block panchayat and the president of the Tirunelli panchayat in the past. He is also the current state president of the tribal wing of the CPI(M).

Kelu has been inducted into the cabinet to fill the vacancy of K Radhakrishnan who resigned last week after being elected to the Lok Sabha from Alathur. Kelu, the only tribal member in the cabinet, is also the only legislator of the party in Wayanad district.

Briefing reporters after the swearing-in, minister Kelu said, I will work to implement the ongoing policies of the LDF government and the work that was started by Radhakrishnan. The human-animal conflict in Wayanad is among the pressing issues there and it needs a long-term strategy and collective effort to find solutions.

CPI(M) central committee member and former Kerala minister K Radhakrishnan justified the Left Democratic Fronts (LDF) decision not to give the Devaswom portfolio, which had been handled by him, to party MLA O R Kelu.

Talking to a television channel, Radhakrishnan said irrespective of portfolios, what is more important is his entry into the state cabinet as a minister.

As far Kelu is concerned, it is for the first time that a person belonging to the tribal community is becoming a minister. We should see that merit first, he said.

He also said there might be differences in the portfolio but what is more important is that he could become a minister from Wayanad.

Radhakrishnan said newcomers should become capable of handling the portfolios assigned to them and the present portfolio is entrusted with Kelu with an expectation that he would handle it well.

The Congress-led opposition UDF on Saturday said it was a wrong decision on the part of the LDF government to not give the Devaswom portfolio to Kelu.

Leader of Opposition in the assembly VD Satheesan said chief minister Vijayan who rightly opposed the non-appointment of Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh as pro-tem Speaker in the Lok Sabha, took a different stand when it came to Kelu. That is a wrong decision. The state government showed the same attitude in Kelus case as the Centre did when it did not make Suresh, the senior most MP in the Lok Sabha, the pro-tem Speaker, he said.

With Agency inputs
Delhi water minister Atishi said on Monday her indefinite hunger strike will continue until 28 lakh Delhiites get water. She made the remark as her strike entered its fourth day. Atishi has said that her health conditions are getting worse but she will not be deterred until Delhi gets its water. (PTI Photo/Shahbaz Khan)

"The Haryana government has been giving 100 MGD less water to Delhi for the last 3 weeks. And until 28 lakh Delhiites get water, my indefinite fast will continue," she said, according to ANI.

ALSO READ | Delhi water crisis: Atishi begins fast for more water from Haryana

The water minister accused Haryana of cutting down the supply of water to Delhi and alleged that the BJP government has withheld 100 million gallons per day (MGD) or 46 crore litres of water which belongs to the 28 lakh people of Delhi.

According to ANI, Atishi said her health is getting worse. She said that her blood pressure and sugar levels are getting low due to the hunger strike.

"He(doctor) also said that the ketone level has increased a lot. The doctor advised that it is not good for the ketone level to increase so much. It can damage the body, it can harm health,  she said.

An AAP delegation met Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Sunday over the crisis. The 10-member delegation included Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and others, reported PTI.

Since LG is the representative of the central government, we have requested him to talk to the Haryana government and get Delhi its full share of water. On this, he has assured us that he will talk to the Haryana government and try to get Delhi its full share of water, Bharadwaj told PTI.

Earlier on Saturday, BJP workers staged a counter-protest against the Delhi government outside the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Office in Okhla.

The Delhi police used water cannons to disperse the people protesting against the AAP government, reported PTI.

ALSO READ | Delhi Police deploys water cannon against BJP protesters over water crisis, netizens react

The demonstration was led by BJP's former South Delhi MP Ramesh Bidhuri.

(With inputs from PTI, ANI)
Union minister and former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday slammed Congress MPs for carrying copies of the Constitution to the Parliament, calling it a "gimmick." Union minister HD Kumaraswamy (ANI)

The Union minister came out in defence of PM Narendra Modi's remarks on Emergency saying, He is right. He remembered what happened at that time.

BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai also supported PM Modi's remarks on Emergency and said, "Certainly, it's a black mark in the annals of democracy of this country...They had really twisted and turned the Constitution. Now, the Congress leaders are holding the Constitution in their hands. It is the very Constitution that they murdered. They are holding the piece of the Constitution which they murdered on 25th June 1975...They (Congress) reminded the people that these are the people who murdered democracy...They don't have the right to talk about democracy and Constitution of the country."

ALSO READ| How long you plan to rule by?: Kharge jabs PM Narendra Modi for raking up 'Emergency'

What PM Modi said

While addressing mediapersons ahead of the start of the Parliament Session, PM Modi reminded the Congress party of the Emergency imposed in 1975 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. PM Modi assured that a resolution will be taken for a vibrant demoracy aimed at fulfilling the dreams of the common people.

"Tomorrow is 25th June. 25th June marks 50 years of the blot that was put on the democracy of India. The new generation of India will never forget that the Constitution of India was completely rejected, every part of the Constitution was torn to pieces, the country was turned into a prison, and democracy was completely suppressed," said PM Modi.

"While protecting our Constitution, while protecting the democracy of India and the democratic traditions, the countrymen will take a resolution that no one will dare to do such a thing in India again, which was done 50 years ago. We will take a resolution of a vibrant democracy. We will take a resolution to fulfil the dreams of the common people as per the directions of the Constitution of India," he added.
As the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha began, several leaders of the Opposition INDIA bloc staged a protest in front of the Gandhi statue in the Parliament, holding copies of the Constitution. Opposition leaders protest outside Parliament with copies of Constitution

Calling the protesting leaders guardians of democracy, Congress leader K C Venugopal posted a video of the demonstration on X (formerly known as Twitter). In the video, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, party leader Rahul Gandhi, and TMC leader Mahua Moitra can be seen protesting. The leaders held the Constitution copies in their hands and raised slogans like -- Our Constitution long live, long live and Who will save the Constitution? We will, we will.

We are committed to protecting and upholding the Constitution. We are united in our resolve to fight against injusticeThe INDIA alliance enters the 18th Lok Sabha taking Bapus blessings and with a fresh resolve to give voice to the peoples issues, challenges, hopes and aspirations in Parliament and keep the government in check every single minute, Venugopal captioned the video.

The INDIA bloc leaders are protesting against the appointment of BJP leader Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker, the alleged irregularities in the NEET UG-2024 examination and the relocation of statutes within the Parliament building complex.

According to the Opposition, the eight-term member K Suresh, a Dalit leader, was overlooked for the temporary post of pro-tem Speaker. The Congress said that Mahtab's appointment by the BJP deviates from the traditional practice of appointing the senior member, adding that it is an established tradition in the Lok Sabha that the senior-most MP becomes the pro-tem Speaker.

The attitude of the government is still that of an arrogant government. They superseded a Dalit MP who is an 8-term MP. K Suresh should have been the pro-tem speaker. It is very unfortunate that the Parliamentary Affairs Minister has taken such a decision without any consultation with the opposition parties, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said.

Meanwhile, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee, who participated in the protest, said that the provisions of the Constitution had been violated.

The Constitution has been violated by the Narendra Modi government. The way the pro-tem speaker has been appointed is a clear violation of the Constitutional provision and clear violation of the earlier precedent, he said.

Rahul Gandhi hits out at Centre

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah of attacking the Constitution, and said it was not acceptable to them.

We would not allow the attack on the Constitution that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are doingThis attack is not acceptable to us. Our message is reaching the public, and no power can touch the Constitution of India, and we will protect it, he told the media.

PM Modi's message to Opposition

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha began with President Droupadi Murmu swearing in seven-time MP Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker. Following this, PM Modi and other ministers also took oath as members of Parliament.

Ahead of the session, Modi sent a message to the Opposition saying that the people of the country expect "debate and diligence" from members of the parliament, not disturbance.

India needs a responsible Opposition. People want substance not slogans, they want debate, diligence not disturbance in Parliament. People expect good steps from the Opposition. It has been disappointing so far, but I hope it will fulfil its role and maintain democracy's decorum, Modi said while addressing the media outside the new Parliament building.

He also took an indirect swipe at Congress by mentioning the Emergency and saying that the new generation will never forget how the Constitution was destroyed.
Bengaluru, The Karnataka High Court has reduced the sentence of an accused in a POCSO Act case from life imprisonment to 10 years, emphasising the need for valid reasons when imposing the maximum penalty. The accused, a 27-year-old man from Chikkamagaluru, had his appeal partially allowed by a division bench consisting of Justices Sreenivas Harish Kumar and C M Joshi. However, the court increased his fine from 5,000 to 25,000. Section 6 of the POCSO Act allowed for a minimum sentence of 10 years' rigorous imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment(HT File )

The case involved the accused befriending and repeatedly sexually assaulting a minor girl in his neighborhood in June 2016. The girl's mother filed a complaint in December 2016 after finding that her daughter was pregnant. A DNA test confirmed the accused as the biological father. The police registered an FIR and filed a charge-sheet following their investigation.

Read more : Karnataka High Court stays BS Yediyurappa's arrest in POCSO case

On June 11, 2018, a special court in the district headquarters town of Chikkamagaluru sentenced the accused to life imprisonment under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and imposed a 5,000 fine after finding him guilty of criminal intimidation. The accused challenged the verdict in the High Court, arguing that the girl's age had not been proven with proper documents. The division bench, upon reviewing the case, noted that the oral testimony suggested the girl's consent, although it was legally irrelevant given her actual age of 12 at the time of the incident. The bench remarked that this indication of consent opposed the imposition of the maximum sentence under Section 6 of the POCSO Act.

It concluded that the special court had not provided sufficient reasons for imposing the maximum life sentence. According to the law as it stood on the date of the crime, Section 6 of the POCSO Act allowed for a minimum sentence of 10 years' rigorous imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment. The court ruled that imposing the maximum sentence required valid reasons, which were absent in the special court's judgment. Consequently, the court, in its recent order, modified the sentence to 10 years' imprisonment.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Toronto/New Delhi: India has cited the deadly bombing of Air India flight 182 in 1985 to reiterate its concerns about the threat posed by Khalistani elements based in Canada, with external affairs minister S Jaishankar saying the attack was a reminder why terrorism should never be tolerated. External Affairs minister S Jaishankar.(Reuters)

Jaishankars remarks on X and a ceremony organised by the Indian high commission in Ottawa on Sunday to pay homage to the victims of the bombing of the airliner named Kanishka came days after the Canadian Parliament observed a minutes silence on the first anniversary of the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, declared a terrorist by Indian authorities.

Until the devastating 9/11 attacks in the US by al-Qaeda, the bombing of Air India flight 182 was the worst aviation-related terrorist attack in history. It remains the worst terror attack in Canadian history, having resulted in the death of all 329 people on board the airliner, including more than 270 Canadian citizens, mostly of Indian origin, and 24 Indians.

Also Read | Question on tribute to Nijjar stumps Canadian deputy PM

Jaishankar said in a post on X on the 39th anniversary of one of the worst acts of terrorism in history that his thoughts were with the families of the 329 victims. The anniversary is a reminder why terrorism should never be tolerated, he said.

In an apparent reference to Canadian authorities turning a blind eye to the activities of pro-Khalistan elements in recent months, Indian high commissioner Sanjay Verma, while addressing the ceremony in Ottawa, said: No government in the world should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains. Human lives are much more important than the transitory political interests.

All terror activities should be met with exemplary legal and social actions and governments, security agencies and international organisations must work in concert to dismantle terror networks, disrupt their financing and counter their twisted ideologies, Verma said.

Also Read | Canada says investigation into bombing of Air India flight 182 is active and ongoing

A statement issued by the Indian high commission said any act glorifying terrorism, including the bombing of Kanishka, should be condemned. It is unfortunate that such actions are allowed to be routine on many occasions in Canada, the mission said in a statement.

Relatives and friends of victims, Canadian government officials, the envoy of Ireland and members of the Indo-Canadian community attended the ceremony.

While Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a statement to mark the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism, he made no reference to the perpetrators of the bombing of Air India flight 182 or the efforts to bring them to justice.

Thirty-nine years ago today, 329 innocent people, including 280 Canadians, tragically lost their lives when a bomb, planted on Air India Flight 182 in Canada, exploded mid-flight. This remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history. It reminds us of the senseless violence that terrorism perpetuates and of our shared responsibility to unequivocally condemn terrorism, Trudeau said.

His statement referred to the updating of Canadas counter-terrorism strategy to make it more effective and the listing of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity but was silent on the perpetrators of the Kanishka bombing.

Canadian law enforcement said as recently as last week that the investigation into the bombing of Air India flight 182 by Khalistani terrorists is active and ongoing. Assistant commissioner David Teboul, commander of the Federal Policing Program in the Pacific Region, described the probe as the longest and certainly one of the most complex domestic terrorism investigations undertaken by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

As far back as 2005, an official report by Bob Rae, the independent advisor to Canadas public safety minister, had said the bombing of Air India flight 182 was the outcome of a conspiracy in radical sections of the Sikh community in Vancouver and elsewhere who were pursuing the goal of an independent country, to be called Khalistan, in Indias Punjab state.

Between 1985 and 2000, Canadian authorities arrested four men in connection with the Kanishka bombing  Talwinder Singh Parmar, Inderjit Singh Reyat, Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri  but only Reyat was convicted of a minor charge and given a five-year jail term in 2003.

India-Canada ties cratered last September when Trudeau alleged Indian government agents were linked to Nijjars killing. India dismissed the accusation as absurd and has maintained that the Canadian side hasnt provided any evidence to back up its claim.
Five Jharkhand schools, which served as examination centres for the National Eligibility Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG), have come under the scanner of Bihar Police over their possible involvement in paper leaks, officials said on Sunday. Economic Offences Unit officials leave with the accused arrested in the NEET paper leak case, in Patna, on Sunday. (PTI)

While Oasis School in Hazaribagh in Jharkhand is on the top of the list of suspected centres, St Xaviers School, DAV Public School, Holy Cross School and Vivekananda Central School  all in the city  are also under the radar.

The development comes a day after the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police, which is probing alleged irregularities in the conduct of the crucial medical exam, detained five people, including a key suspect, from Bihar in Deoghar in Jharkhand.

A total of 18 people have been arrested by the EOU in connection with the case that has escalated the controversy over allegations of paper leak, malpractice, manipulation of examination centres, and discrepancies in declaration of results in the premier medical entrance examination across the country this year. One of the arrested persons had earlier confessed to receiving a leaked question paper, police said.

Read more : NEET, NET Row: Centre's high-level panel on exam reforms to meet today, says report

The EOU team suspects that the paper leaked from one of the five schools where NEET-UG was held and is probing in that direction. The schools are Oasis school, St Xaviers School, DAV Public School, Holy Cross School and Vivekananda Central School in Hazaribagh. Oasis is on top of the suspicion list but nothing concrete has been found so far, a police officer in Hazaribagh said, seeking anonymity.

An EOU officer, who did not wish to be identified, said: The principal of Oasis School in Hazaribag told the probing team that the digital locks (of lockers where question papers were kept) were opened after getting the consent of senior officials authorised by the National Testing Agency (which conducts the exam).

Besides, the role of medical students at the Ranchi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in the alleged paper leak is also being probed, the officials said. Our team also visited RIMS to ascertain if any student from the institute was hired to solve the questions, the officer said.

Ranchi superintendent of police Chandan Kumar Sinha said the EOU team also visited the office of a courier agency, under Sadar police station area, which was assigned to deliver the question papers to designated banks.

Read more : NEET UG row: 6 from Nalanda including a wanted detained in Jharkhand, EoU submits report on paper leak to Ministry

On Saturday, EOU had submitted a detailed investigation report on the NEET-UG paper leak case to the Union education ministry, providing information on the probe conducted in Bihar and neighbouring states up to June 21. It named those arrested and the gangs involved in the leak, without offering personal opinions, people aware of the details earlier said.

On Thursday, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the Centre is in touch with the Bihar government and is satisfied with the state polices investigation in the matter. We will take final action on it soon. We are satisfied with their investigation. Officials of the Government of India and senior officials in the Bihar Police are in constant dialogue, he said.
New Delhi: Union minister for health and family welfare and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda has been appointed as the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha. He was preceded by Union minister and his party colleague Piyush Goyal, who is now a member of the Lok Sabha from Maharashtras North Mumbai. J P Nadda. (PTI)

In February this year, the BJP nominated Nadda to the Upper House from Gujarat. His term as member of the Upper House from Himachal Pradesh was to end on April 2, following which he resigned from the Rajya Sabha as a representative from Himachal Pradesh on March 4 and was elected unopposed to the House from Gujarat. This is his third term as Rajya Sabha member.

As the senior most member of his party, and given his experience in parliamentary affairs, Nadda has been designated as the LoH, a position that was earlier held by the late Arun Jaitley and Thawar Chand Gehlot.

According to a party leader, Naddas affability, his temperament and patience will be assets in helping the BJP navigate tricky situations in the House that require communication between the government and the Opposition.

The BJP is the single largest party with 90 members (including 5 nominated MPs) in the House but is likely to need support from allies and parties that are not allied to the NDA or the Oppositions INDIA Bloc for the passage of bills in the Upper House. It is unlikely to get support from the YSRCP that has 11 MPs and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) that has nine. Both the parties were not part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) but lent support to the BJP for legislative business. The BJP ousted the BJD from power in Odisha and in Andhra Pradesh, the NDA coalition with the TDP and Jana Sena came to power in the state after a decade of YSRCPs rule.

Nadda started his political journey as a member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the students wing of the partys ideological fount, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He was a three-term legislative assembly member in Himachal Pradesh starting 1993. In April 2012, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from the state. In 2014 when the BJP came to power at the Centre, he was appointed as Union minister for health and family welfare and was renominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2018.

Commenting on his designation as LoH, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh in a post on X said, Greetings to @JPNadda ji on his being nominated as the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha. As Venkaiah Naidu garu might have said - if the Leader of the House can accommodate, the Opposition can cooperate.
The government has halted the transfer of forest land in Ballaris Sandur taluk to Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited (KIOCL) for mining operations, said forest, ecology, and environment minister Eshwar Khandre, amid protests from the environmentalists. The forest land in Sandur comprises a mix of deciduous and dry deciduous forests, as well as scrub forests. (HT)

Khandre issued the directive to officials, instructing them not to transfer any forest land to KIOCL. This decision comes just a week after Union minister for steel and heavy industries H D Kumaraswamy approved the commencement of mining activities by KIOCL in the forest area near Sandur. The public sector undertaking had proposed mining operations on 401.5 hectares of forest land in the Devadari forest within the Swamimalai block near Sandur.

There are complaints that KIOCL has failed to implement the directions of the centrally empowered committee (CEC) within the stipulated time, over violations that took place when the company took up mining activity at Kudremukh National Forest, Khandre stated in his letter. The CEC was established following a Supreme Court case alleging that KIOCLs open-cast mining operations had polluted the Bhadra river.

The decision to halt the land transfer followed a meeting chaired by Khandre, addressing the environmental concerns associated with the proposed mining operations. If the permission is given for the mining, 99,330 trees will be cut down and destroyed. If the dense forest is destroyed, the problem of soil erosion and flooding will arise, Khandre told the media.

On March 16, 2018, the KIOCL had submitted an application for mining in Devadari forest area in Sandur, Khandre listing out development so far said, on July 27, 2018 the nodal officer had filed objections to it.

On February 18, 2020, the forest department had submitted a letter to the government informing about its stand regarding the mining in the area, based on forest department officials and the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) opinion and report that mining will cause severe destruction to the natural forest, also water sources and their flow, hence the mining should not be allowed, he said.

However, on October 9, 2020, the then government through its Additional Chief Secretary Forest, Ecology and Environment Department had set aside the opinion expressed by the officials, and submitted a proposal to the Central government regarding giving approval for mining - stage one, Khandre said.

On June 24, 2021, the Government of India with certain conditions had given its approval for stage one. The KIOCL got the second approval as per the government order that followed dated April 11, 2023 there were certain conditions put forward. KIOCL is yet to pay the fine amount to the Forest department in connection with their earlier various mining projects in the national park (at Kudremukh), also there were several violations by it, and they need to comply with certain conditions, he said.

Environmental activists and local communities have expressed significant concern over the potential impact of the mining project on the regions biodiversity. Sreeahaila Aladahalli, a member of the Samaja Parivarthana Samuday, said that mining could drastically affect the local weather patterns and ecosystem.

After HD Kumaraswamy endorsed the revival of mining operations in Sandur, activists have risen in protest. The region is still recovering from the extensive illegal mining activities by Janardhan Reddy and his associates.

The clearance granted to KIOCL and Vijayanagar Steel Limited (VISL) to commence mining activities in the biodiverse region has ignited intense debate among environmentalists. The project, approved in 2023, faces sharp criticism for its potential environmental impact.

Despite assurances from Kumaraswamy and KIOCL regarding environmental safeguards, opposition remains strong.

According to environmentalist Santosh Martin, the region targeted for mining comprises a mix of deciduous and dry deciduous forests, as well as scrub forests. Environmentalists warn that this ecosystem supports various endangered species, including the four-horned antelope and unique plant species such as Crotalaria Sandoorensis, which is endemic to the area and named after its locality.

This is not just about trees; it is about the entire biodiversity of this region. Historically, this area has been home to tigers, though sightings ceased decades ago. The loss of habitat could further endanger species like the four-horned antelope and threaten the survival of endemic plant species like Crotalaria Sandoorensis, Martin said.

The area also hosts diverse wildlife including tarantulas, which contribute to its unique ecological balance.
Mumbai, The Bombay High Court has granted bail to a 33-year-old man accused of assaulting three minor boys on their private parts on suspicion of being thieves, noting that there was no sexual intent involved in the case. Man accused of assaulting minor boys gets bail as HC rules out sexual intent

A single bench of Justice Anil Kilor, in an order dated June 21 and made available on Monday, granted bail to Kapil Taak. The court noted that the case pertained solely to physical and mental torture.

Taak was arrested in 2021 on charges of unnatural offence, assault, and criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code, as well as for sexual assault under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

Taak and the other accused allegedly stripped the three teenage boys, assaulted them with leather belts, inserted fingers into their anus, and applied balm to their private parts. Taak is also accused of filming the incident on a mobile phone.

"After going through the FIR and the allegations made in the FIR against the applicant, prima facie nothing is brought on record to show that there was any sexual intent," the bench stated.

The bench emphasised that the case involved "physical and mental torture meted out to the minor victims" as Taak and the other accused believed the victims were thieves.

Taak's advocate Sana Khan argued that the provisions of the POCSOA would not apply in this case as there was no sexual intent. She pointed out that Taak had been languishing in jail since 2021, and a chargesheet in the case has already been filed.

The complaint against Taak and others was lodged by the mother of one of the minor victims in April 202 after she noticed some people watching a video where some minor boys were being assaulted and abused in their private parts.

The woman identified one of the boys as her son.

As per the complaint, the accused persons had forced the boys to accompany them from a local market and taken them to a secluded spot where they were assaulted.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The deeply entrenched practice of untouchability has come to light in Kiralu village of Varuna constituency, the hometown of chief minister Siddaramaiah. This revelation has stirred significant concern, prompting immediate action from local authorities. After tahsildars intervention the Dalit man was allowed to enter the temple (Getty Images)

The issue came to public attention when 28-year-old Naveen, belonging to the Scheduled Caste community and a graduate resident of the village , lodged a complaint with the tahsildar, according to officials familiar with the matter.

He complained that the local priests and villagers were denying him entry into the Shambhumahalingeshwara temple, thus perpetuating the practice of untouchability.

He demanded immediate action to address this discriminatory behaviour.

Upon receiving the complaint, tahsildar Mahesh Kumar, accompanied by sub-inspector Chetan of Varuna police station and other officials, visited Kiralu village. They engaged in discussions with the village leaders, emphasising the illegality and immorality of practising untouchability, according to officials.

After these discussions, the villagers allowed Naveen to enter the temple, where he offered worship in the presence of officials

A meeting was convened in the temple premises on Friday to raise awareness about the evils of untouchability.

The officials sternly warned the villagers against continuing such practices.

It is disheartening to witness untouchability being practised in any form. We are committed to eradicating such practices and ensuring equality for all citizens, Mysuru Tahsildar B Mahesh Kumar told HT.

He further emphasized the importance of continued vigilance and community education to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

Meanwhile, Mosambayanahalli gram panchayat member N Shambhu Lingappa said: Naveen insisted on entering the area near the idol of God, which is not permissible to anyone. The Kiralu Shambhumahalingeshwara temple has no restriction for anyone as all Lingayats, Kuruba, and SC/STs visit the temple.

On Friday, the tahsildar held a meeting at the temple premises and sorted out the problem. We have been living peacefully for decades and will continue the same in the future, he added.
Students hold placards as they stage a protest against the re-examination of the NEET-UG exams, in Rajkot on Sunday. (ANI Photo)

NEET 2024 Row Highlights: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the investigation in the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) last week. CBI took over the probe amid the recent backlash against the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the mass outrage against the marking system of the NEET-UG examination, conducted in May this year. Weeks after the NEET-UG 2024 results sparked a nationwide row, the Education Ministry announced the cancellation of the NEET-PG 2024 and the UGC-NET examination, attracting more outrage against central examinations in the country....Read More

Amid backlash, the Centre formed a seven-member panel to look into the workings of the NTA and suggest examination reforms to improve its working. Further, the government also shunted out NTA Director General Subodh Kumar Singh from his role, and placed him on compulsory wait in the Department of Personnel and Training.

A stringent law has been enacted by the Centre to address malpractice and irregularities in competitive exams. Penalties include up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines up to 1 crore.

What is the NEET 2024 row?

Thousands of students across the country have been protesting for weeks against the NEET-UG examination, raising allegations of irregulirities in the test. Students alleged paper leaks, inflated scores and arbitrary grace marks, which resulted to 67 students topping the examination this year.

67 students scored a perfect 720/720 score in the NEET-UG exam, majority of whom were from a single centre in Faridabad. The Bihar police also discovered evidence pointing to a NEET paper leak in the state, sparking a political row.

Days after NTA announced a re-examination for over 1,500 students who got grace marks, the NEET-PG 2024 exam was cancelled by the Education Ministry just hours before the conduction of the post graduate entrance test, adding fuel to the fire. The new date for the NEET PG exam will be announced soon, the Centre said.
The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar police, which was investigating the paper leak case in National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)-UG before handing it over to CBI, revealed on Sunday that it arrested a member of the solver gang who received a solved question paper a day before the exam was scheduled on June 5. Police taking the accused of NEET paper leak case, arrested by EOU from Deoghar, to the court after medical checkup. (Hindustan Times)

Among the five people arrested by the Bihar police on Sunday from Jharkhands Deoghar was Baldev Kumar. The EOU claimed that Kumar was an ally of the gang's kingpin Sanjeev Kumar.

Also read | NEET 2024 Row Highlights

'Solver Gang' is an alleged network led by Ravi Atri. The gang specialises in obtaining and circulating solver question papers via various mediums, including social media, to students willing to pay the right price.

Based on the available evidence, the solved question papers of NEET UG-2024 examination held on 05.05.2024 were received on mobile by this gang, Indian Express quoted the EOU.

Baldev Kumar had received the PDF file of the solved question paper on his mobile in the morning of May 5. Its copies were taken out from the Wi-Fi printer kept in the school. Groups of candidates were formed and they were made to memorise them, EOU told the Indian Express.

The EOU, which took over the investigation from Patna Police on May 17, announced that the case would be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Earlier, on May 5, Patna Police had arrested 13 people for the alleged paper leak.

Baldev Kumar, who hails from Bihar Sharif in Nalanda district, was living in a rented place in Patna. The other arrested "solver gang members" include Mukesh Kumar from Agamkuan in Patna, Panku Kumar from Chhabilapur in Nalanda, Rajeev Kumar alias Karu from Ekangarsarai in Nalanda, and Paramjit Singh alias Bittu from Chhabilapur in Nalanda, Indian Express reported.

Oasis School in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand is the main suspected center, while St Xaviers School, DAV Public School, Holy Cross School, and Vivekananda Central School in the city are also being investigated.

A police officer in Hazaribagh told HT, The EOU team suspects that the paper leaked from one of the five schools where NEET-UG was held and is probing in that direction. The schools are Oasis school, St Xaviers School, DAV Public School, Holy Cross School and Vivekananda Central School in Hazaribagh. Oasis is on top of the suspicion list but nothing concrete has been found so far. The principal of Oasis School in Hazaribag told the probing team that the digital locks (of lockers where question papers were kept) were opened after getting the consent of senior officials authorised by the National Testing Agency (which conducts the exam).

The EOU has arrested 18 people related to the case involving allegations of paper leaks, malpractice, manipulation at exam centres, and result discrepancies in this year's medical entrance exam. According to the police, one arrested person admitted to receiving a leaked question paper.

As per Indian Express, the EOU recovered 68 questions, out of about 200, from burnt remains of alleged copies of the question paper.

EOU said in a statement, A copy of the reference question paper related to the semi-burnt question paper seized in Learn Boys Hostel and Play School has been made available by NTA. After receiving the desired report related to the Serial Code of the half-burned question paper seized from NTA in the evening of 20 June, 2024, it became clear that the half-burned question paper recovered from Learn Boys Hostel and Play School, Ramakrishna Nagar for the NEET UG-2024 examination. The serial code is of the examination centre of Oasis School Kallu Chowk, Mandai Road of District Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. This has been verified. In the course of verification, prima facie, the polybag suspected of packing the question paper from the concerned examination centre of Hazaribagh, the packing of the original question paper recovered from the concerned candidate and the preliminary investigation in the related packing trunk, all these have been found to be tampered with and all these Suspicious exhibits have been duly confiscated.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has expressed strong reservation over the alleged exclusion of the West Bengal government from discussion on the Teesta water sharing and Farakka Treaty with neighbouring Bangladesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.(File/PTI)

Banerjee urged the prime minister not to hold any such discussion with the neighbouring country without involving the Bengal government.

I am writing this letter in the context of the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. It seems that water-sharing issues relating to the Ganges and Teesta rivers may have been discussed during the meeting. Such unilateral deliberations and discussions without consultation and the opinion of the state government is neither acceptable nor desirable, she wrote in a three-page letter to Modi.

Also Read | India signals interest in Bangladeshs Teesta project eyed by China

Banerjee noted that West Bengal shares a very close relationship with Bangladesh  geographically, culturally, and economically.

The state of West Bengal has cooperated with Bangladesh on several issues in the past. Agreement on the exchange of India-Bangladesh enclaves, also known as the Chitmahals, Indo-Bangladesh Railway Line and Bus Services are some of the milestones of jointly working together with Bangladesh for the betterment of economy in this region. However, water is very precious and is the lifeline of the people, she wrote.

We cannot compromise on such a sensitive issue which has severe and adverse implication on the people. People of West Bengal will be the worst sufferers due to the impact of such agreements.

On Saturday, India signalled its interest in taking up the conservation of the Teesta River in Bangladesh, a $1-billion project being eyed by China.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after holding bilateral talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, 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.

Abolish NEET: Mamata to Modi



In a separate letter, Mamata Banerjee, in the wake of the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam, urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider abolishing NEET and reverting to the system of states conducting the examinations.

The allegations of paper leak, taking bribes by certain people and the officials involved in the conduct of the Examinations, opening of window to accommodate certain students to apply for examinations, grace marks etc, are some of the serious issues which need complete attention and requires a thorough, clean and impartial probe, Banerjee wrote in her letter to the prime minister.

She also added that such instances jeopardise the careers and aspirations of lakhs of students who look forward to getting admission into these medical courses.

Such instances not only compromise the quality of medical education in the country but adversely affect. the quality of medical facilities/treatment in the country, she said.
The appointment of BJP leader Bhartuhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker will likely become the first flashpoint between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition's INDIA bloc as the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha begins today. 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)

On Sunday evening, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju reached out to Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay after the INDIA bloc's decision to withdraw its members from the panel of chairpersons that will assist Mahtab in conducting the proceedings of the Lok Sabha till the election of the Speaker on Wednesday.

Bandyopadhyay, who was among the three Opposition leaders named for the panel in the Lok Sabha, told the minister that he will not be part of the committee of chairpersons.

"Met Sudip Bandyopadhyayji, leader of All India Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party. Sudip da has a long-standing Parliamentary career and he is known for his calm and dignified conduct in the Parliament. The 18th Lok Sabha will hugely benefit from his experiences," Rijiju said on X.

Mahtab, a seven-term Lok Sabha member from Cuttack, was appointed by President Droupadi Murmu as the pro-tem Speaker. Kodikunnil Suresh (Congress), T R Baalu (DMK), Radha Mohan Singh and Faggan Singh Kulaste (both BJP) and Bandyopadhyay were named for the panel.

However, the Opposition is upset with the fact that eight-term member K Suresh, a Dalit leader, was overlooked for the temporary post. The Congress claims it is a established tradition in the Lok Sabha that the senior-most MP becomes the pro-tem Speaker.

The government, however, has argued that unlike Suresh, Mahtab has had an uninterrupted run in the Lok Sabha.

Suresh lost the elections in 1998 and 2004, which makes his current term the fourth straight one in the lower house.

Before this, he was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1989, 1991, 1996 and 1999.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed a BJP MP was ignored for the post because of his Dalit lineage.

"If this argument is adopted, then why has Ramesh Chandappa Jigajinagi, a BJP MP who is also in his seventh consecutive term, not been considered? Is it because he is a Dalit like Suresh," Ramesh, the AICC General Secretary incharge of Communications, posted on X on Sunday.

Also read: When House gets down to business

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, responding to the post, demanded that the Congress should make K Suresh the Leader of the Opposition.

"If you are so concerned about the political career of Shri Kodikunnil Suresh, I would urge you to make him the Leader of the Opposition and the CM face of the UDF for the 2026 Kerala elections. Why stress so much for a temporary position?" he said on X.

The BJP, which emerged as the single-largest party in the Lok Sabha elections by winning 240 seats, is dependent on JD(U), TDP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena for a majority in the lower house of the Parliament.

The INDIA bloc, which unexpectedly won 234 Lok Sabha seats, is expected to corner the government over a host of issues, including the raging NEET row.

With inputs from PTI
The police in Karnataka on Sunday arrested Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) member of legislative council (MLC) Suraj Revanna, brother of suspended lawmaker Prajwal Revanna, for allegedly sexually assaulting a party worker, even as the accuseds father and former minister HD Revanna alleged a conspiracy and said he has faith in the judiciary. Suraj Revanna, Janata Dal (Secular) MLC and son of party leader HD Revanna leaves the hospital after a medical test, in Hassan on Sunday. (ANI)

The case was later handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for a detailed probe. The development comes at a time when Surajs brother, Prajwal, is also in judicial custody on charges of rape and sexual assault.

On Saturday evening, a case was registered against Suraj at Holenarasipura Rural police station in Hassan after a JD(S) worker, in a complaint to the director general of polices office, accused the MLC of sexually assaulting him at his farmhouse in Ghannikada on June 16. The MLC has rejected the allegations against him, calling them politically motivated.

Suraj has been arrested. Later in the day, the Karnataka government transferred the case to CID, following which he was taken to the agencys office in Bengaluru for probe, a police officer familiar with the developments said, seeking anonymity.

The FIR against Suraj on Saturday was lodged a day after the complainant JD(S) worker was booked for allegedly trying to extort 5 crore from the party leader, by threatening to file a false sexual assault complaint against him.

According to Hassan superintendent of police (SP) Mohammed Sujeetha, Suraj has been booked under sections 377 (unnatural offences), 506 (criminal intimidation), 342 (wrongful confinement), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of Indian Penal Code.

On Saturday, Suraj rejected the allegations, saying: They are part of a political conspiracy. An FIR has also been lodged against the complainant. Let the truth come out. I have faith in the law of the land.

In his complaint, the JD(S) worker alleged he was invited to Surajs farmhouse on the pretext of discussing political growth and opportunities but was sexually assaulted instead.

We exchanged phone numbers during the Lok Sabha poll campaign. Suraj later invited me to his farmhouse in Ghannikada on June 16. Suraj touched me inappropriately and promised political favours in exchange for my cooperation. Despite my objection, he proceeded with the assault, threatening me throughout the ordeal, the FIR, seen by HT, said.

The victim also alleged that he was threatened by a close aide of Suraj, offered a job and 2 crore to stay silent on the matter.

However, according to the complaint filed by Surajs aide HL Shivakumar on Friday, the JD(S) worker met the MLC six months ago and again in June, seeking a job. Suraj said that it wont be possible for him to help the man get a job at present but it might be considered in the future, the complaint said, adding that the man then demanded 5 crore from Suraj and threatened to accuse the MLC of sexually assaulting him if the money was not paid.

Surajs father HD Revanna termed the allegations against his eldest son as a conspiracy and said he has faith in God and the judiciary. I wont react to anything. Let the (CID) do it (investigation). Who said dont (investigate)? I wont say anything on this. I have respect for the judiciary. I know whats happening in the state I wont fear such conspiracies. I know what it is, time will decide, he told reporters in Bengaluru.

Asked as to who was conspiring, Revanna said: I dont know, you (media) will have to tell  who, what. I will leave it to you...will face it, judiciary is there. Suraj has gone (to police), everyone knows what all has happened in the last couple of days.

Regarding Surajs complaint, he said: I dont know what it is. Time will come, when time comes I will tell everything.

State home minister G Parameshwara, however, dismissed the allegation of a conspiracy. There is no conspiracy involved. There was a complaint, given by an individual, and on that basis, they summoned Suraj Revanna. They inquired and found there may be some truth in it. When police register an FIR, they look into evidence and most probably they have found some evidence and that is why they have taken him into custody I dont see any conspiracy theory. I don;t see any political angle to this, he said.

Surajs arrest came days after his younger brother and former JD(S) lawmaker Prajwal was remanded in judicial custody by a special court in Bengaluru over allegations of sexually assaulting multiple women.

In the week before the Lok Sabha elections in Hassan, pen drives containing videos of purported sexual acts by Prajwal with multiple women were circulated, immediately sparking allegations of mass sexual abuse. Preliminary investigations suggested that most were shot from a mobile phone at the Revanna familys residences in Bengaluru and Hassan from 2019, with several suggesting rape and use of force.

On May 1, an FIR was registered in the case, against both Prajwal and his father HD Revanna, based on a complaint by a 47-year-old woman who worked in their home in Holenarasipura and alleged abuse between 2019 and 2022. Prajwal was arrested on May 31, shortly after he returned from Germany.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday lambasted the new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, over its performance during its first15 days. Congress member Rahul Gandhi shows a book of Constitution of India at the Parliament House complex on the first day of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, in New Delhi, Monday, June 24, 2024.(PTI)

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi listed a series of incidents and issues, including a tragic train accident in West Bengal and terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, to assert that the prime minister is busy saving his government.

He pointed to the NEET-UG and UGC-NET paper leaks, the cancellation of NEET-PG exams, the rising costs of essential commodities like milk, pulses, and gas, as well as toll expenses to corner the NDA government on the first day of the first session of 18th Lok Sabha.

First 15 days of NDA! 1. Horrific train accident 2. Terrorist attacks in Kashmir 3. The plight of passengers in trains 4. NEET scam 5. NEET PG cancelled 6. UGC NET paper leak 7. Milk, pulses, gas, toll and expensive 8. Forests blazing with fire 9. Water crisis 10. Deaths due to lack of arrangements during heat wave, Rahul Gandhi said on X.

Psychologically on the backfoot, Narendra Modi is busy saving his government, he added.

Read: Scams under BJP rule pushing country's future into darkness: Priyanka Gandhi amid UGC-NET, NEET row

Gandhi asserted that the Modi government's actions constitute an attack on the Constitution, vowing that the opposition will continue to apply pressure and ensure accountability.

The attack on the Constitution by Narendra Modi and his government is not acceptable to us - and we will not allow this to happen under any circumstances, he said.

INDIA's strong opposition will continue its pressure, raise the voice of the people, and will not allow the Prime Minister to escape without accountability.

Read: Political gimmick: BJP slams Rahul Gandhi over letter to people of Wayanad

Earlier in the day, opposition leaders of Congress-led INDIA bloc marched to the Lok Sabha holding copies of the Constitution in their hands, leaders of the INDIA bloc marched to the Lok Sabha chamber.

Asked whether the message of the opposition was reaching out to the people, the former Congress president said, "Our message is reaching the public and no power can touch the Constitution of India and we will protect it."
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote an emotional letter to the people of Wayanad days after deciding to retain the Rae Bareli seat for the 18th Lok Sabha. Gandhi secured victories from both the Wayanad and Rae Bareli constituencies in the general elections, but legally he can only represent one constituency at a time, necessitating his resignation from one of them. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will contest from Wayanad in the by-elections following his resignation. Her victory would mark a new political chapter as Rahul, Priyanka, and Sonia Gandhi would all be in Parliament. Though Rahul Gandhi won both Wayanad and Rae Bareli seats in recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, he can represent only one constituency. (Hindustan Times)

When I faced abuse day after day, your unconditional love protected me. You were my refuge, my home, and my family. I never felt for even a moment that you doubted me, wrote Rahul Gandhi in his letter to the people of Wayanad.

He expressed his love for the constituency and its people in his letter and appealed to them to give his sister Priyanka Gandhi an opportunity to represent them in the 18th Lok Sabha. I am sad, but I am consoled because my sister Priyanka will be there to represent you. I am confident that she will do an excellent job of being your MP if you decide to give her the opportunity, he added.

Reflecting on his 2019 victory from the Wayanad constituency, he said, I met you five years ago. The first time I visited you, I came asking for your support. I was a stranger to you, and yet you believed in me. You embraced me with unbridled love and affection. It didnt matter which political formation you supported, which community you were from, which religion you believed in, or which language you spoke.

I will never forget what I saw during the floods: family after family who had lost everythinglife, property, friendsall gone, and yet not one of you, not even the smallest child, had lost your dignity, he added.

Recalling the young girl who translated his speeches during his rallies in Wayanad, he said, I will remember the countless flowers and hugs you gave me. Each one given with such genuine love and tenderness. How can I ever forget the bravery, beauty, and confidence with which young girls would translate my speeches in front of thousands of people.

Fatima Safa, a student of Karuvarakundu Higher Secondary Girls School in Keralas Malappuram, gained fame in 2019 and 2021 for flawlessly translating Rahul Gandhis speeches during his visits to Kerala.

He also praised the people of Rae Bareli and promised his commitment to fighting against hatred and violence, which were his main slogans during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra earlier. I am also consoled because I have a loving family in the people of Rae Bareli and a bond that I cherish deeply. My central commitment to both you and the people of Rae Bareli is that we will fight and defeat the hatred and violence being spread in the country, he said.

I do not know how to thank you for what you have done for mefor the love and protection you gave me when I needed it most. You are part of my family, and I will always be there for each and every one of you, he added at the end of the letter.

On June 17th, Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge announced that Rahul Gandhi will retain the Rae Bareli seat and Priyanka Gandhi will contest from Wayanad in the by-elections. Experts have called it a strategic move. If Priyanka Gandhi wins in the by-elections, Parliament will witness a mother, son, and daughter trioSonia, Rahul, and Priyanka Gandhifrom the Gandhi family for the first time in the political history of the family.

Rahul Gandhi contested from Keralas Wayanad and Uttar Pradeshs Rae Bareli seats in the general elections, winning both constituencies by a large margin of votes. In Wayanad, Gandhi defeated Communist Party of Indias (CPI) Annie Raja by a margin of 364,422 votes, while Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Kerala State President K. Surendran finished third, securing 141,045 votes. Rae Bareli, considered a Congress stronghold, saw Gandhi secure victory over BJPs Dinesh Pratap Singh by a margin of 389,341 votes.

Rahul Gandhi began his political journey in 2004 by contesting and securing victory from the Amethi constituency in Uttar Pradesh. However, he was defeated in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by former Union minister Smriti Irani.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress are at odds again over the appointment of BJP leader Bhartuhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. The issue is likely to become one of the key flashpoints between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition's INDIA bloc as the Lok Sabha session begins today. Follow Lok Sabha live updates today BJP leader and pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab

Mahtab, a seven-term Lok Sabha member from Cuttack, was appointed by President Droupadi Murmu as the pro-tem Speaker on June 20. Along with him, Suresh Kodikunnil, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu, Radha Mohan Singh, Faggan Singh Kulaste, and Sudip Bandyopadhyay were appointed to assist the pro-tem Speaker in the oath-taking of the newly elected members.

What is the row over Mahtab's appointment as pro-tem Speaker?

The appointment of Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker did not sit well with the Opposition, which claimed that the eight-term member K Suresh, a Dalit leader, was overlooked for the temporary post. According to the Congress, Mahtab's appointment by the BJP deviates from the traditional practice of appointing the senior member, adding that it is an established tradition in the Lok Sabha that the senior-most MP becomes the pro-tem Speaker.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that K Suresh was ignored for the post because of his Dalit lineage. If this argument is adopted, then why has Ramesh Chandappa Jigajinagi, a BJP MP who is also in his seventh consecutive term, not been considered? Is it because he is a Dalit like Suresh, the AICC general secretary in-charge of communications, said.

While Congress leader KC Venugopal sought an explanation from the ruling BJP over why it overlooked the senior Dalit leader, party MP Pramod Tiwari targeted the saffron party, arguing that it amounts to insulting the entire House and democracy.

Amid the controversy, the INDIA bloc decided to withdraw its members from the panel of chairpersons that will assist Mahtab in conducting the proceedings of the Lok Sabha till the election of the Speaker.

BJP defends Mahtab's appointment

Meanwhile, the government defended Mahtab's appointment as the pro-tem Speaker, saying that, unlike Suresh, Mahtab has had an uninterrupted run in the Lok Sabha. Notably, Suresh lost the elections in 1998 and 2004, which makes his current term the fourth straight one in the lower house.

BJP MP Sambit Patra said that the decision was made according to the established convention rather than law.

The President of India recommends the pro-tem speaker through Article 95 of the Constitution of India. It is a long convention that has been going on in this beautiful democracy of India since independence. Now, Congress is trying to disturb this processBhartruhari Mahtab is serving as an MP consecutively for the seventh time. The convention says that the MP with the longest period of unbroken service can be appointed as the pro-tem Speaker, he said.

On Sunday, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju reached out to TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay after the INDIA bloc's decision to withdraw its members from the panel of chairpersons assisting Mahtab.

Earlier, Rijiju had said that the appointment of Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker was done as per the rules, and urged the Congress to not politicise the issue.

Who is the pro-tem Speaker?

The pro-tem Speaker, chosen by the President, administers the oath to newly elected members and oversees the proceedings of the House until the permanent Speaker is elected.

According to Article 94 of the Constitution, the office of the Speaker becomes vacant immediately before the first meeting of the new Lok Sabha. In that case, the duties of the Speaker are to be performed by a Member of the House appointed as the pro-tem Speaker.

During the 17th Lok Sabha assembly, Virendra Kumar was sworn in as the pro-tem Speaker. He was elected by then-President Ram Nath Kovind.
The Supreme Court on Monday deferred hearing on Arvind Kejriwal's plea against Delhi high court's interim stay on his bail granted by a trial court. The matter will now be heard on June 26. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has been in custody since March 21 following his arrest by ED (File Photo)

A vacation bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti said it would like to wait for the pronouncement of the high court order on the issue.

The Enforcement Directorate has challenged the trial court's order granting bail to Kejriwal, in the Delhi high court.

Last week, the Delhi high court stayed the implementation of the lower court's order till it pronounces its verdict.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Arvind Kejriwal, argued why can't the Delhi chief minister stay free till the high court decides on the Enforcement Directorate's plea. He said the CM has a bail order in his favour and he is not a flight risk.

ASG SV Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate, told the Supreme Court that the order of the high court will come in a day or two.

The Supreme Court observed that if it passed an order today, it would be pre-judging the issue. "It is not a subordinate court, it is a high court," it added.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21, would have walked out of the Tihar jail on Friday had the high court not granted the interim stay to the agency.

After spending over two months in jail, Delhi's Rouse Avenue court granted Kejriwal bail in the liquor policy case on Thursday. On Friday morning, ED moved the high court.

The Delhi high court, however, stayed the trial court's order till it decides on ED's plea.

"Till pronouncement, the operation of the impugned order shall remain stayed," the high court's vacation bench of Justice Sudhir Kumar said.

The bench added it would take 2-3 days to pronounce the order on ED's stay application.

In the high court, additional solicitor general SV Raju had termed the trial court order granting bail to Arvind Kejriwal "lopsided, perverse and one-sided".

"Matter has been decided without considering the documents. Without considering the documents, how can you come to the conclusion that they are relevant or irrelevant," he had said.

With inputs from PTI, ANI
Kolkata, Adding a fresh twist to the latest TMC-Governor flashpoint, newly elected Trinamool legislator Sayantika Banerjee met West Bengal Speaker Biman Banerjee on Monday and announced her intention to take oath in the Assembly instead of the Raj Bhavan, as asked by Governor CV Ananda Bose. TMC-Raj Bhavan imbroglio: MLA says she wrote to Guv of her wish to take oath before Speaker

Banerjee, who was elected MLA in the Baranagar by-polls which coincided with the Lok Sabha elections, later told reporters that she has shot off a letter to Raj Bhavan stating her intentions to skip the Governor-mandated oath.

A Raj Bhavan official, however, told PTI that the Governor was yet to receive any such communication.

The latest faceoff between the Bengal Governor and the states ruling TMC was triggered by a Raj Bhavan communication inviting two newly elected MLAs of Bhagwangola and Baranagar, Reyat Hossain Sarkar and Banerjee respectively, to be present on July 26 for their swearing-in ceremony.

The act, the TMC alleged, was in defiance of the custom of the Governor assigning the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker of the House to do the needful in cases of by-poll winners.

The Raj Bhavan letter also reportedly has no mention of who would administer the oath to the new MLAs.

More than two weeks have passed since I have been elected and I only have a year and a half left to work for the people of my constituency. This complication over swearing-in is hampering my job as a legislator. I have, hence, written to the Governor requesting him to allow me to take oath before the Assembly Speaker since this is the place I will be working from, Banerjee said.

State minister Firhad Hakim who accompanied Banerjee during her meeting with the Speaker related how he was himself administered oath by erstwhile Speaker Hasim Abdul Halim when he first won an Assembly by-poll back in 2009.

By doing such things this Governor is repeatedly trying to curb the rights of the Speaker who is the custodian of the Assembly. The Governor is betraying the people by stopping the oath of a representative who is elected by the people, unlike him who holds a Centre-nominated chair. He is thwarting the rules and conventions of the Assembly where all members are under the custody of the Speaker. Who is he trying to satisfy? Hakim lashed out.

He said, The members cant serve people until they take their oath. Who is the Governor to stop this process? Can the Governor go against the peoples verdict? Why is he creating such unnecessary drama without rhyme or reason?

Calling the swearing-in of MLAs a Constitutional convention, Speaker Biman Banerjee said he considered it a misfortune to witness such developments in current times.

If the Governor is so keen to administer oaths, let him come to the Assembly and hold that ceremony. We will make all necessary arrangements, he said.

The Speaker said he wasnt aware of any instance where an MP who won a by-poll was sworn in by the President of India.

The new Lok Sabha began its business today and we witnessed the Protem Speaker administering oaths to the newly elected MPs. The President was nowhere in the picture today, he said.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Former Odisha chief minister and Biju Janta Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik has asked his party's nine Rajya Sabha MPs to emerge as a "vibrant and strong" opposition in the Upper House of Parliament, PTI reported. Former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik.(File)

The message was conveyed at a meeting between Patnaik and the lawmakers on Monday. He also asked the lawmakers to raise issues concerning the state's interests in a befitting manner.

"The BJD MPs this time will not be confined to speaking on issues only, but are determined to agitate if the BJP-led government at the Centre ignores Odisha's interest," BJD Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra told reporters.

Besides raising demand for special status to Odisha, the BJD MPs will raise the issues of poor mobile connectivity and low density of bank branches in the state, he added.

"Odisha's demand for revision of coal royalty has been ignored by the Centre for the last 10 years. This is causing great loss to the people of the state who are deprived of their rightful share," Patra said.

Also Read | Naveen Patnaik elected leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly

On being asked whether the BJD would maintain its earlier stance of giving issue-based support to the BJP-led government, he said: "No more support to BJP, only opposition. We may go to any extent to protect the interests of Odisha."

"There is no question of supporting the BJP. The BJD president asked us to act as a strong and vibrant opposition if the NDA government continues to ignore the genuine demands of Odisha," he added.

The Naveen Patnaik-led BJD lost power to the BJD in the Odisha Assembly elections. It also failed to win any seat in the Lok Sabha elections, a first since its formation in 1997.

In the past, the BJD has not only supported the BJP in Parliament on key bills and issues, but it also helped Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw get elected to Rajya Sabha in 2019 and 2024.

(Inputs from PTI)
The curtain fell and the disco ball was raised celebrating 38 years and 150 collections of Dries Van Noten, who staged his final fashion show Saturday at Paris Fashion Week. The Belgian fashion maestro, a member of the influential Antwerp Six known for his innovative and unexpected elegance, announced his retirement in March of this year. Models present creations by designer Dries Van Noten as part of his Menswear ready-to-wear Spring Summer 2025 collection show during Men's Fashion Week in Paris, France.(REUTERS/Johanna Geron)

Meanwhile, golden feathers cascaded down models' concealed faces at Loewe for a show that evoked myths and sartorial whimsy. It set the stage for a more subdued collection this season from Northern Irish designer Jonathan Anderson but one which continued to blend fantasy with high fashion.

Here are some highlights of Saturday's spring 2025 menswear shows:

Dries Van Noten's final show

His departure marks the end of an era. To the sound of Donna Summer's I Feel Love, Dries Van Noten took his final curtain call at a warehouse in northern Paris in front of an 8-meter-high disco ball, at the helm of a bedazzling silver runway that had just acted as the stage of his swan song  his 150th show.

Models present creations by designer Dries Van Noten as part of his Menswear ready-to-wear Spring Summer 2025 collection show during Men's Fashion Week in Paris.(REUTERS/Johanna Geron)

Van Noten is one of the famed Antwerp Six' designers, including Ann Demeulemeester, who all trained at Antwerp's Royal Academy of Fine Arts in the early '80s, and had an important impact on global fashion. His career, which has spanned five decades since his first menswear line in 1986, has been marked by a fusion of familiar and unfamiliar elements, creating a sense of surprise and poetry in his collections. He is revered across the fashion industry for his unique aesthetic.

It's no wonder the great and the good of fashion, including Diane von Furstenberg, Thom Browne, and Pierpaolo Piccioli, attended the event to celebrate his career. The Saturday night collection gleamed. It was a varied display playing loosely on the theme of wrapping up or exposing. Known for his innovative use of fabrics and textures, Van Noten showcased plenty of disco-ready sheen and shimmer.

It was all about the fabrics. He employed semi-sheer crinkled polyamide resembling glass and one-sided foils that shift, liquid-like, between silver and gold. This inventive fabric manipulation resulted in a spring show that balanced fun and somber styles  as wisps of the fragile silver foil runway floated up in the air, almost weightlessly.

Van Noten also incorporated a traditional Japanese marbling technique called suminagashi, dating back 1,000 years. This method involves floating ink on water and then transferring it to material, creating unique, organic patterns. Here, foliage and flower prints evoked fireworks bursting against the night sky. As the 66-year-old takes his final bow, the fashion world reflects on the legacy of a designer who continually pushed boundaries, redefined elegance, and brought a distinctive Belgian touch to the global stage.

Feathers and suits at Loewe

Moments of poetry abounded, as usual. A stiff sleeveless pearl vest and another resembling armor, almost sculptural in its presence, shimmered like iridescent fish. Anderson's talent for what he calls creating collaged realness was once again on display for spring, merging art content with high-end fashion.

Generous draping and ruching on pants and foulards showcased fine fashion design with curves swirling elegantly, all conceived with a light, minimalist touch. This was Anderson at his best, creating exaggerated, sculptural silhouettes that are now a hallmark of his Loewe tenure. The deceptive lightness and fluidity of the cottons, wools and leathers marked his ongoing exploration of materiality.

The tailored suit and pants  a mainstay of an office job  were touchstones, starkly contrasting the moments of whimsy. Even here, styles were treated with Anderson's signature off-kilter eye and in loose, generous proportions.

Pastels, microbacteria: Kiko Kostadinov

Asian cross-over styles and sumptuous turban-like headwear mixed with the buttons and epaulet detailing of military garb created a distinctively avant-garde atmosphere for fashion-forward designer Kiko Kostadinov's latest collection. The nuanced incorporation of pastels, often gently color-blocked into the outfits, lent the collection a vibrant yet subtle harmony, reflecting Kostadinov's knack for blending unlikely elements.

The uncommon pastel hues made this collection sing. Kostadinov often uses vibrant tones to create eye-catching ensembles. Other styles featured high, round collars that seemed to evoke Star Trek, adding a futuristic twist. Kostadinov has a penchant for integrating elements of science fiction and fantasy into his designs, as seen in past collections inspired by cinematic and bookish themes.

White Mountaineering gets urban

Loose, limp silhouettes, utilitarian detailing, and layered looks set the mood from the outset at White Mountaineering's latest menswear show. Designed by Yosuke Aizawa, a Tokyo-based creator who thrives on outdoor adventures and draws inspiration from the hinterlands of Nagano prefecture, this brand epitomizes the fusion of urban and outdoor wear, balancing technical function with the runway.

The collection began, fittingly, in white. Monochromatic musings gave way to stripes, checks, and camouflage, with geometric knit patterns and even an assorted '90s tie-dye total look. Factory overall onesies in beige gave this collection a young, funky vibe, while silky foulards and neat collars added a nip of chic. Aizawa, who divides his time between Tokyo and the wilderness of Nagano, channels his passion for the outdoors into his shows. His designs reflect his lifestyle, offering garments that are equally at home in the city or the countryside.
Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani recently attended a friend's wedding in Alibaug. Pictures of the soon-to-be-married couple were shared by a paparazzi page on Instagram. It shows Radhika and Anant having a blast with their friends. Scroll down to see what Radhika wore during the festivities. (Also Read | Radhika Merchant looks out of this world as she dances with Anant Ambani during pre-wedding celebrations: Pics) Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani attend a friend's wedding. (Instagram/@viralbhayani)

Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani attend a friend's wedding

A paparazzi page shared Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani's pictures from their friend's wedding ceremony. The post featured two photos of the couple. In one of the images, Radhika hugged her friends as the gang posed together with Anant. She wore an ice blue-coloured chikankari suit in the picture. In the second image, Radhika donned a floral saree and posed with two of her friends.

Decoding what Radhika Merchant wore at her friend's wedding

Radhika embraced pastel hues and floral patterns for the wedding ceremony. She chose a blush pink saree adorned with a pretty rose print in yellow, cream and green hues. The embroidered patti border made the nine yards a great sartorial pick for weddings or parties. Radhika wore it in the traditional draping style, pleating the pallu on her shoulder.

A heavily embroidered mint green sleeveless blouse featuring a wide U-neckline, a cropped hem, and a fitted silhouette completed the traditional ensemble. Radhika chose a diamond choker necklace, earrings, bracelets, gold kadhas, and high heels to accessorise the saree. Lastly, a side-parted bun, black eyeliner, rouge-tinted cheeks, darkened brows, and pink lips rounded off the glam.

Meanwhile, Radhika's mint green chikankari suit features a kurta and pants set. The kurta comes adorned with the traditional chikankari embroidery and has full-length sleeves, side slits, and a deep neckline. She wore the same diamond accessories and glam with this look.

About Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani

Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani will get married in July. The couple's grand wedding celebrations will begin on July 12 and end on July 14. Earlier, they had hosted two pre-wedding celebrations. The first gala took place in March at Jamnagar. For the second round of festivities, the Ambani family took their friends on a luxury cruise to Italy.
Two college students, Karan Sorathiya (23) and Paresh Sorathiya (23) from Bhadreshwar in Mundra town, Gujarat have been booked by Mundra marine police after they took their Mahindra Thar in the sea to make a reel. A video of the two men stranded with their Thar in the high tide was shared on social media and quickly went viral, as per reports. The Thars had to be taken out by tractors.

The video shows two Thars submerged in Bhadreshwar beach. One of them, which is white in colour only has the tires under water, while the other one which is red in colour is partially submerged in the high tide. At the end of the clip, the two men can be seen trying to lift the red Thar in an attempt to take it out. (Also Read: Woman gets trapped in quicksand on popular beach, sinks hip deep in a split second: I couldnt find my footing)

According to the Times of India (TOI), the men were driving their cars on the crowded beach and splashing water on others when the incident occurred.

Mundra Marine police station sub-inspector Narendra Jadeja told TOI that the video was recorded 15 days prior to it getting viral. He also shared that since it was time for high tide, the cars got stuck and submerged in water, after which the two men had to call the villagers for help. He shared, "The people from a nearby village used a tractor to pull out the two vehicles from the water." (Also Read: Beachgoers stunned after bear emerges from the water. Watch)

Police said they had seized one of the vehicles' drivers and were questioning him. According to authorities, Karan and Paresh are both college students who live in Bhadreshwar. Two young men were in struggle after driving Thar cars into deep waters along the coastline in Mundra, Kutch, while attempting to shoot a reel.
A 37-year-old woman was attacked and seriously injured by three wolves in a zoo outside Paris Sunday. The police and prosecutors are investigating how did the incident occurred. The woman was bitten "on the neck, the calf and the back" at the Thoiry zoo around 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of the French capital, a source close to the case, as per reports. (FILES) A photograph shows a wolf at the Thoiry Zoo in Thoiry, near Paris, on August 1, 2002. A 37-year-old woman was seriously injured on June 23, 2024, after being bitten by wolves at the Thoiry zoo (Yvelines) in an area off-limits to pedestrians, according to sources close to the case and the Versailles public prosecutor. (Photo by MARTIN BUREAU / AFP)(AFP)

Maryvonne Caillibotte, chief prosecutor in Versailles, had said the woman's life was in danger, but later Sunday a source told AFP her injuries were no longer life-threatening.

The woman went for a jog early Sunday morning after spending the night with her family in the zoo's safari-style lodge, according to preliminary investigation findings. (Also Read: Zambia safari horror: Elephant pulls out tourist from vehicle, tramples her to death)

CEO of Wow Safari Thiory, Christelle Bercheny, told AFP that the woman had "crossed the American reserve on foot", a place normally "only accessible by car".

Bercheny said that there were signs reminding people of the "rules of survival" to be followed in the park. "The behaviour of the animals in the reserves is that of animals in freedom or semi-liberty," she added, referring to their reaction to the intrusion of a human.

The woman "ended up in the safari zone, which is supposed to be restricted to cars. That's where she was attacked by three wolves," Caillibotte said.

It was not clear "whether she made a mistake or the trail wasn't clearly marked", she added.

First responders got to the scene "very quickly", the wolves were "moved away, then returned to their area", Caillibotte said.

The source familiar with the case said earlier the woman must have got through "security systems, a trench and an electric fence supposed to keep the animals in".

Lodges in the wolf zone, advertised on its website at between 220 and 760 euros ($235-810) per night, promise "silence, rest and disconnection", according to the zoo's adverts.

They offer "a one-of-a-kind, very intimate experience with the arctic wolves you'll be able to see from the living room".

The Thoiry Zoo was established in 1968 by Paul de la Panouse, the owner of a neighboring chateau that has been in his family since the 16th century. In April, he told the regional newspaper L'Independant about how he first supplied the zoo with a ship carrying 120 animals from Kenya. De la Panouse sold the zoo to a group of investors in 2018.
A four-year-old Indian- origin boy is taking Instagram by storm with his videos of him conversing in Korean and Malayalam fluenty. The toddlers mother is from Kerala and his father is from South Korea where the boy lives with his parents. The boy, fondly called 'Koreankuttan' on Instagram, has over 30,000 followers on the platform. (Instagram/koreankuttan)

Maxwells Instagram account, which goes by the handle Koreankuttan, shared a video earlier this month of him enthusiastically waiting for his father to serve him food seafood. He is seen patiently watching as his father prepares the meal and speaks fluent Korean.

He then switches from Korean to Malayalam when communicating with his mother. Ammaam, nammal Octopusinde ellam thinno? (Amma do we consume every part of the Octopus?)

He further asks as to why they can have the whole of the Octopus, reflecting the curious mindset of a toddler. His mother replies to him in Malayalam saying it can be eaten as it is cooked.

Watch the adorable viral video here:

Max was trained to read and talk a lot in Malayalam and by the age of two, he was fluent in speaking in his mother tongue. He picked up Korean after going to daycare.

Within the span of a few days, Max managed to grab the attention of Instagram users with over 2.2 million views, over 1.12 lakh likes, 600 comments and 44,1000 shares.

Instagram user Theresa Joseph was among those who dropped their reaction in the comments section. I am impressed. Couldn't resist the follow button, she said.

Hes better than me and both my parents are Mallu (Malayalees), said Angel Jomon, another user.

Another user was amazed by Maxs talent. This is amazing. How did you manage to teach him both languages? What was the approach?" the user asked.

Answering questions from users, his mother said that while Max watches Korean dramas (K-dramas) without sub-titles, she needs sub-titles.

Speaking of Max, have you come across a Korean man who speaks fluent Bihari? Last year, a video of a Korean man speaking in Bihari was viral on social media. An Instagram user asks the man what he thinks about Mumbais Marine Drive. To this, the Korean man replies in Bihari and says, "Bohot badal gaya hai. Ye jo dikh raha hai, ye bohot saaf hogaya hai. Ye bridge toh bhayankar bana hai (The city has changed a lot. Everything seems to have become cleaner. Even the bridge that has been constructed is awesome.) Further in the clip, they can be seen having a candid conversation.
The Ministry of Health announced on Saturday that the NEET-PG entrance examination, which was scheduled to be held on Sunday, June 23, has been postponed. This decision came amid the controversy of the NEET-UG exam, where students were given grace marks. The ministry said that due to 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 the NEET-PG Entrance Examination". The woman's word resonated with many people. (X/@SidKeVichaar)

Numerous aspirants have now voiced their anger with the centre over exam cancellation on social media. Amid this, a video of a woman expressing her frustration with this decision went viral. Her words have resonated with many.

"I just found that the NEET-PG examination that was supposed to be conducted tomorrow at 9.30 am just got postponed, and the circular for postponement was released just 15 minutes ago. That means it was less than 12 hours before the actual paper was supposed to be conducted. Are the people in the Ministry of Education eligible to make such decisions? Are they even eligible to be in a position of power and change and make policies that will ruin people's lives like this?" said the woman in the video. (Also Read: 48% of 1,563 students who got grace marks skip NEET-UG retest)

She further added, "What point are you trying to prove here? These are doctors. These are not small kids. They are writing an exam to stay in this very country that you are ruining with your policies. And then you have the audacity to ask why everybody is leaving the country!"

Watch the full video here:

This post was shared on June 23 by X user @SidKeVichaar. Since being posted, it has garnered more than one million views. The share also has numerous likes and comments.

Here's how people reacted:

An individual wrote, "That's why education matters. But most of the youths, I hate politics. No, dear, you need to talk about politics. Only social science students are not meant for it; if engineers and doctors start commenting about policies, India will be the best democracy in the world. Mother of democracy has a long way to go."

Another X user Rani added, "She said it very well. The frustration is building up, and I don't know when the government is going to open its eyes. Pathetic system all over now."

"It's a sign to wake up, there should be no compromises with education and this should be the biggest in deciding our political leaders," commented a third.

Someone else said, "I agree with her."
Sidhartha Mallya, son of fugitive Indian businessman Vijay Mallya, married Jasmine in a twin wedding ceremony in the United Kingdom. The couple first had a Christian wedding, followed by a Hindu ceremony the next day, and pictures of their wedding are all over the internet. Industrialist Harsh Goenka, too, jumped on the bandwagon and shared pictures from the couples wedding at Vijay Mallyas lavish estate in Hertfordshire. He even cleared the air about whether or not he was invited to the wedding. Lalit Modi and Vijay Mallya attended Sidhartha Mallya and Jasmine's wedding in the United Kingdom. (X/@hvgoenka)

Liquor tycoons son Sidhartha Mallya gets married with fanfare today in London, wrote Harsh Goenka while sharing visuals from the wedding on X.

One of the pictures shared by Goenka shows the newlyweds posing for the camera with Vijay Mallya.

He also shared two videos from the wedding. One of them shows the guests enjoying the wedding, while another shows the newlyweds entering the venue.

Heres what Harsh Goenka shared on X:

While reacting to Goenkas post, which was shared on June 23 and has received over five lakh views, an individual asked, Not invited? To this, the billionaire replied, No.

Sidhartha-Jasmines wedding

Sidhartha Mallya and Jasmine tied the knot at Vijay Mallyas luxurious estate in Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. While the bride wore an elegant white gown for the first ceremony, she opted for a pink lehenga for the Hindu wedding. The groom, on the other hand, wore a green-coloured blazer for the Christian ceremony and an embellished kurta for the Hindu wedding.

The couple, in a joint Instagram post, wrote, Mr and Mrs Muppet, while sharing two photos from their wedding in the United Kingdom.

Ahead of their wedding, Sidhartha shared a picture of himself with now-wife Jasmine and wrote, Wedding week has commenced.
In a frightening incident, 64-year-old Juliana Gle Tourneau from New Mexico was thrown out of her safari by an elephant and trampled to death. The incident occurred near the Maramba Cultural Bridge in Livingstone, as per reports. The elephant attacked the vehicle when it was parked.

After being brought to a clinic in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, she was pronounced dead. She suffered significant cuts to her right shoulder blade and forehead, a fractured left foot, and a slightly depressed chest, according to a police statement reported The Metro.

She died around 5:50 pm "after being knocked from a parked vehicle which had stopped due to traffic caused by elephants around the Maramba Cultural Bridge," Southern Province Police Commissioner Auxensio Daka informed Zambian station ZNBC.

As per ZNBC, Ruth Chisowa, a resident of Livingstone, claimed that an elephant nearby damaged her property when it fell into a soakaway as it was searching for food. According to local officials, as a result of the drought, an increase in the number of elephants is anticipated in residential areas. (Also Read: 53-year-old man killed by wild elephant in Kerala's Pathanamthitta; 5th fatality in three months)

In the Goalpara area of Assam on Saturday, a wild elephant is said to have trampled a 45-year-old man to death. Subject to their knowledge, forest officials reported that the deceased's body was found early on Sunday and was identified as Subhash Chandra Rabha.

The forest officials said, "The dead body has been sent for postmortem, and we are talking to the locals about it." Locals reported the event to police and forest officials, who dispatched a team of forest guards to the scene and retrieved Rabha's body early Sunday morning.

Rabha lived in Panditpara village, which is under the jurisdiction of Rangjuli police station. According to the neighbours, Rabha went for a walk at 2 a.m. when a wild elephant suddenly attacked him. "The elephant dragged him to a nearby village and trampled him to death," villagers reported.
Twenty-two people were killed in a massive fire at a South Korean lithium battery plant on Monday, most of them Chinese nationals, in one of the country's worst factory disasters in years. Firefighters take a break as rescue work continues following a deadly fire at a lithium battery factory owned by South Korean battery maker Aricell, in Hwaseong, South Korea(REUTERS)

Over 100 people were working in the factory when workers heard a series of explosions from the second floor, where lithium-ion batteries were being inspected and packaged, firefighter Kim Jin-young told media.

In the massive blaze that ensued, 22 people were killed, including 20 foreign nationals -- 18 Chinese, one from Laos, and one of unknown nationality, he said.

"Most of the bodies are badly burned so it will take some time to identify each one," he said, adding that one person was still missing.

ALSO READ| South Korea summons Russian ambassador as tensions rise over Moscow's defence pact with North Korea

Initial investigations indicate that the fire spread in a matter of seconds, with toxic fumes quickly overwhelming workers in the area, said Cho Sun-ho head of the Gyeonggi fire department.

"White smoke began to rise from a battery part, and it took only about 15 seconds to cover the entire space due to the sudden ignition," he said, adding that as it was a lithium fire, the workers' efforts to extinguish wouldn't have worked.

"It is presumed that the victims inhaled toxic fumes in a short time which would have suffocated them quickly, and made them lose consciousness," he said.

Dozens of fire trucks were lined up outside the factory, an AFP reporter saw, with rescue workers carrying bodies, covered by blue blankets, out of the building on stretchers.

Wearing a green jacket which top officials don during emergencies, South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol visted the disaster site late Monday, walking around the charred building in a hard hat and facemask before greeting firefighters at the scene.

Yoon said it appeared that "ignition material was positioned in front of the emergency exit, so workers could not escape and many people died."

He ordered authorities to check similar factories that handle chemicals and take "measures to prevent such accidents from happening again."

- Lithium batteries -

The vast factory had an estimated 35,000 battery cells on the second floor in storage, with more batteries stored in other areas, the fire department said. The bodies were found in that area.

Lithium batteries burn hot and fast, and are difficult to control with conventional fire extinguishing methods.

"Due to fears of additional explosions, it was difficult to enter," the building initially, the fire department's Kim said, describing the tricky rescue operation.

"As it is a lithium battery manufacturer, we (had) determined that spraying water will not extinguish the fire, so we (used) dry sand," he added.

The lithium battery plant is owned by Aricell, a South Korean primary battery manufacturer. It is located in Hwaseong city, just south of the capital Seoul.

Shares of Aricell's parent company, S-connect, plunged by over 20 percent on the Seoul exchange by close Monday. S-connect owns 96 percent of Aricell.

Lithium batteries are used in everything from laptops to electric vehicles -- but can be highly explosive, with airlines, for example, imposing strict regulations on checking devices containing them.

- 'Close windows' -

Images shared by Yonhap after the fire broke out showed huge plumes of billowing grey smoke rising into the sky above the factory, with orange flames inside the building.

As the fire was blazing Monday, authorities in Hwaseong sent out a series of alerts to residents warning them to stay inside.

"There is a lot of smoke due to factory fires. Please pay attention to safety, such as refraining from going out," one alert sent by text message said.

"Factory fire. Please detour to surrounding roads and nearby citizens please close windows," another one read.

South Korea is a major producer of batteries, including those used in electric vehicles.

Its battery makers supply EV makers around the world, including Tesla.

The fire is one of South Korea's worst factory disasters in years.

Previously, it's worst chemical plant accident was in 1989 at the Lucky Chemical factory in Yeosu, Southern Jeolla Province, which resulted in 16 deaths and 17 injuries.

In 2011, three workers died in the explosion of oil mist at an HDC Hyundai EP plant in the southeastern city of Ulsan, while in 2012, eight people were killed after a chemical solvent drum can exploded at an LG Chem plant in the central city of Cheongju, Yonhap reported.
Toronto: In a pointed message to Ottawa on the 39th anniversary of the bombing of Air India flight 182 by Khalistani terrorists, India has said no government should overlook the threat emanating from its territory for political gains. Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma with family members of the victims of the bombing of the Kanishka at the memorial in the Canadian capital on Sunday. (Credit: High Commission of India, Ottawa)

The anniversary of the bombing of the aircraft, the Kanishka, which claimed 329 lives on June 23, 1985, was also marked with barricades and police presence at the memorial sites, for the first time, as pro-Khalistan elements staged rallies at the venues even as family members of the victims were mourning their loss.

Addressing the gathering at the memorial in Ottawa, Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma said, No government in the world should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains. Human lives are much more important than the transitory political interests.

We still await for full and desired justice to the families of the victims of the bombing, he said, while describing the bombing as a heinously planned cowardly attack carried out by individuals with a twisted ideology.

Family members of the victims were joined by about 150 members of the Indo-Canadian community and others at the memorial at Queens Park in Toronto. Across barricades and amid a visible police presence, separatist elements prayed for the victims even as they brandished Khalistani flags. The group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) had called for the rallies.

Indo-Canadian community members confronted them with chants of Death to Khalistan.

Secessionists were also present in Ottawa and Vancouver.

In a message, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, This remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history. It reminds us of the senseless violence that terrorism perpetuates and of our shared responsibility to unequivocally condemn terrorism. However, he did not mention the cause of the worst-ever terror attack, the Khalistan movement.

Leader of the opposition Conservatives Pierre Poilievre, in a message, stressed upon his partys commitment to combating terrorism to prevent such unimaginable events from happening again.

The sombre observation this year came as the separatist movement is gaining ground in Canada, reminiscent of the 1980s, following the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18 last year. Described in Canadian media as activists, the adherents of the movement that resulted in the bombing have been emboldened after Trudeaus statement in the House of Commons on September 18, 2023, that there were credible allegations of a potential link between Indian agents and Nijjars killing.

Nijjar, considered a terrorist in India, never faced any charges in Canada, but was an overt supporter of Khalistan, and his death was marked with a minute of silence in the House of Commons on the anniversary of his murder.
June 24 - The European Union has found a way to use proceeds from frozen Russian assets to buy arms for Ukraine despite hold-ups from Hungary, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday. EU can avoid Hungary block on Russian asset plan for Ukraine, Borrell says

EU governments agreed in May to use profits from the assets frozen inside the bloc to help Ukraine, with 90% of funds earmarked for military aid. But Hungary has been holding up approval of the necessary legal measures, diplomats say.

Hungary maintains warmer relations with Moscow than any other EU country. It does not give arms to Ukraine and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has criticised other EU and NATO members for doing so, saying they are fueling the war.

With a first tranche of proceeds worth 1.4 billion euros due next week, EU officials had been looking for a way to allow the funds to be used immediately to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia's invasion.

Borrell said EU officials had now found a way to approve the measures without needing the consent of any member country that abstained from the original decision.

"We have a legal procedure in order to avoid any kind of blockage," he said before a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Luxembourg.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto did not speak to reporters on his way into the meeting. In a brief comment on Facebook, he said: "Billions more for Ukraine - this time by breaking European rules and leaving Hungary out."

But Borrell said that "since Hungary didn't participate in the decision, it is not necessary that they ... participate in the implementation".

"Now we have to implement this decision. The money will come next week. And I cannot have this money in my pocket - this money is for military support to Ukraine," he told reporters.

Borrell said he hoped the ministers would endorse the plan at their meeting.

The EU's plan for the immediate use of profits from frozen Russian assets is separate from a decision by G7 leaders this month to use future proceeds to fund $50 billion in loans to Ukraine.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Two Israeli air strikes targeting aid supplies killed at least 11 Palestinians in Gaza on Monday, medics said, as Israeli tanks pushed deeper into Rafah in the south and fought their way back into areas in the north they had already subdued months ago. Two Israeli air strikes targeting aid supplies killed at least 11 Palestinians in Gaza on Monday, medics said, as Israeli tanks pushed deeper into Rafah.(AFP)

One strike at a food distribution centre in Gaza City, near the Shati historic refugee camp, killed three people. Another, near Bani Suhaila town in the southern Gaza Strip, killed at least eight, including guards who accompany aid trucks, the medics said.

There was no immediate comment from Israel, which denies attacking aid efforts and accuses militants of causing harm to civilians by operating among them.

ALSO READ| 'Intense' fighting with Hamas in Rafah 'about to end': Israeli PM Netanyahu

Overnight, an Israeli air strike at a medical clinic in Gaza City killed the director of Gaza's Ambulance and Emergency Department, the enclave's health ministry said. Israel's military said that strike had killed a senior Hamas armed commander.

The health ministry said the killing of Hani al-Jaafarawi brought the number of medical staff killed by Israeli fire since Oct. 7 to 500. At least 300 others have so far been detained.

In a statement, the Israeli military said the strike targeted Mohammad Salah, who it said was responsible for developing Hamas weaponry.

NO CEASEFIRE ACCORD

More than eight months into the fighting, international mediation backed by the United States has so far failed to bring a ceasefire agreement. Hamas says any agreement must end the war, while Israel says it will agree only temporary pauses in fighting until Hamas is eradicated.

On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he remained committed to a proposed ceasefire and hostage deal, announced by U.S. President Joe Biden in May.

"We are committed to the Israeli proposal that President Biden welcomed. Our position has not changed. The second thing, which does not contradict the first, we will not end the war until we eliminate Hamas," Netanyahu said in a speech to parliament.

In Rafah, near the border with Egypt, Israeli forces which had taken control of the eastern, southern and central parts of the city pursued their raid into the western and northern areas, said residents, describing heavy fighting.

On Sunday, residents had said Israeli tanks had advanced to the edge of the Mawasi displaced persons' camp in the northwest of Rafah, forcing many families to leave northward to Khan Younis and to Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, the only city in the enclave where tanks have not yet invaded.

"The situation in Tel Al-Sultan, in western Rafah, remains very dangerous. Drones and Israeli snipers are hunting people who try to check on their houses, and tanks continue to take over areas overseeing Al-Mawasi further west," Bassam, a resident of Rafah, told Reuters via a chat app.

The Israeli military said forces continued "intelligence-based targeted operations" in Rafah, locating weapons and rocket launchers and killing militants "who posed threats to them."

In the north of the enclave, where Israel had said its forces completed operations months ago, residents said tanks had pushed back into Gaza City's Zeitoun suburb and were pounding several areas there.

In Deir al-Balah, now the last refuge for many thousands of Gazans following the assault on Rafah, medics at a clinic were trying to treat malnutrition in children and measure the extent of hunger stalking the Strip.

"With the displacement, communities are settling in new locations that do not have access to clean water, or there is not adequate access to food," said Muaamar Said, a doctor with aid group International Medical Corps. "We fear there are more cases being missed."

NETANYAHU SAYS INTENSE FIGHTING COULD END SOON

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 Israeli offensive in retaliation has killed almost 37,600 people, according to Palestinian health authorities, and has left Gaza in ruins.

Since early May, fighting has focused on Rafah, on Gaza's southern edge where around half of the enclave's 2.3 million people had been sheltering after fleeing other areas.

Netanyahu said the phase of intense fighting against Hamas would end "very soon".

In an interview with Israel's channel 14, he said forces based in Gaza would be freed to move to the north, where Israel has warned of a potential full-blown war against Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, which has struck the border region in what it says is solidarity with the Palestinians.

"After the intense phase is finished, we will have the possibility to move part of the forces north. And we will do this," Netanyahu said.

The interview was Netanyahu's first since the start of the war in a television format he has favoured in election campaigns.

The remarks showed that Netanyahu was using ceasefire negotiations only as a stalling tactic while combat continues, Ezzat El-Reshiq, a senior Hamas political official who lives in exile, said in a statement.
King Charles and Kate Middletons health woes have strengthened the bond between Prince William and his father, according to a friend of the royals. Both the princess and the king are battling cancer. While Charles has returned to his royal duties, Kate still hasnt. However, she was seen during Trooping the Colour in her first appearance since her cancer diagnosis. King Charles and Kate Middletons health woes have increased the bond between Prince William and his dad (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

A friend of the royals has now claimed that over the last six months, Charles and William have grown closer. They don't talk about the past and Charles feels lucky that the two of them can talk about 'the job, the friend told the Mail. "The illnesses have increased the bond between them, but there is also greater tolerance between the two men."

Is Prince Harry and Prince Williams relationship getting any better?

There seems to be no signs that Williams relationship with Prince Harry may be mending. A source said of the relationship between the two brothers, "Whatever might happen in the future, the trust that was implicit in his relationship with Harry is gone for good.

The source added, "Even if it is possible that some kind of managed reconciliation could be achieved, it will be never anything more than superficial."

Earlier, a royal expert pointed out that Williams Fathers Day photo shows that his feud with Harry is worse than ever. The Prince of Wales shared an old photo of himself and King Charles from when he was a little boy, captioning it, Happy Fathers Day, Pa. W.

The Mirror's royal editor Russell Myers said on the British talk show Lorraine that it was notable how William chose to post a photo of him and his father alone, excluding Harry. Myers claimed that this was a hint that the feud between the two brothers is no better at present.
King Charles III is reportedly willing to find a resolution to his strained relationship with Prince Harry, as he is reportedly considering a state visit to America to meet with him. King Charles III considering flying to America to find a resolution with Prince Harry(AP)

Royal author Tom Quinn also told The Mirror UK that the King is considering the possibility of making a trip over the pond to visit his younger son, Meghan Markle, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet.

An obvious signal of this is said to have been captured by relationship expert Louella Alderson of the newspaper who noted that this move shows a significant gesture of his desire to mend their relationship, despite the fact the monarch is diagnosed with cancer.

This fact alone means if King Charles is willing to make the effort and put forth the time and energy to visit Harry in America, it could be a significant gesture of his desire to mend their relationship.

The relationship expert concluded noting that it is possible for Charles to be more willing to address any issues and work towards finding a resolution than jumping towards the conclusion.

Notably, the monarch snubbed Prince Harry during the latter's brief UK visit in May due to full programme.

ALSO READ| Social media erupts over grooving Prince William vs gloomy Prince Harry following the Taylor Swift's Wembley concert

Quinn also mentioned, Charles has had discussions about an official visit to the United States at some time in the future, and there is no doubt if it goes ahead, he would build in time to visit his youngest son and his grandchildren, but there are mountains of planning to be overcome before that becomes even a remote possibility.

Prince Harry is running out of time

However, it was earlier noted that Charles is unable to forgive Prince Harry because of the duke's bombshell revelation about the family in his memoir, Spare.

Resonating the same sentiment, another royal expert, Richard Eden told DAily Mail, that the Sussexes are now irrelevant to royal family and they are running out of time to make amends.

ALSO READ| Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are running out of time for

Time is running out to come back while his father is still King, he stated.

If Harry wants to come back at any stage, he needs to do it while his father is still King. I really think that when Prince William is King, I cant see him letting Harry come back and have a role again, Eden warned.
France could face civil disorder and violence connected to snap parliamentary elections in which the far-right looks poised to win the largest share of the vote, two ministers from President Emmanuel Macron's centrist government said on Monday. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen delivers a speech during a campaign rally (File image) (AP Photo/Michel Euler).(AP)

Marine Le Pen's nationalist, anti-immigrant Rassemblement National (RN) came first in European Union elections two weeks ago, prompting Macron to dissolve parliament and call elections that will take place just before the start of the Paris Olympics on July 26.

The interior and finance ministers expressed worry on Monday that the far-right's success and the polarisation in French politics and society could lead to a surge in civil unrest.

"I fear for order, for relations between citizens, for serenity, for civil peace," Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on France Info radio.

"I don't see the RN as a factor of stability and peace. I see it as a factor of disorder and violence," he said.

RN leader Jordan Bardella, who could be prime minister if the RN wins the election - with Macron staying on as president in a power-sharing arrangement - disputed at a press conference the assertion that the RN could be a factor of disorder.

Opinion polls suggest the RN has the most support ahead of the first round of voting on June 30, with a new alliance of left-wing parties, the New Popular Front (NFP), in second place and Macron's centrist Together group in third.

A run-off will take place on July 7.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin warned of the potential for "extremely strong tensions."

He told RTL radio that this was a concern not just for the election period, but also for the autumn return to work after the August summer break.

EMPOWERING XENOPHOBES?

The RN, whose forerunner the National Front was long a pariah in French politics due to the openly antisemitic views of its founder Jean-Marie Le Pen, has tried hard to detoxify its brand under the leadership of his daughter Marine Le Pen.

But its opponents say their concerns are not only about the party itself but also the attitude of some of its more fringe supporters.

France's openly gay prime minister, Gabriel Attal, who is leading the centrist camp's campaign, said last week that he feared xenophobes of all stripes would feel empowered by an RN win.

Attal cited media reports of a suspect in a homophobic attack telling police that he was looking forward to a far-right victory because it would make it easier to assault gay people.

"You see a form of hate that would be liberated, authorised in a way," Attal told reporters.

Britain experienced a surge in hate crime against Poles, Muslims and other minorities after a majority of citizens voted to leave the European Union in a 2016 referendum, partly driven by a desire to curb immigration.

France itself has a history of riots and violent street protests rooted in social divides. The fatal police shooting of a teenage boy of Algerian descent triggered days of nationwide rioting last summer.
More than 15 people, including policemen, an Orthodox priest and civilians, were killed, and several others were injured in an attack by terrorists in Russias southern republic of Dagestan on Sunday. The attacks were reported in churches, synagogues and a police traffic stop in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala - which are about 120 km apart, the Russian authorities said.

This photo taken from video released by Golos Dagestana shows smoke rises following an attack in Makhachkala, republic of Dagestan, Russia(AP)
A 14-year-old seminary student stabbed a man belonging to the Shia minority Muslim community to death for allegedly speaking against the companions of Prophet Muhammad in Pakistan's Punjab province, police said on Monday, the second blasphemy-related killing in the country in four days. Representative Image(Pixabay)

The incident occurred on Sunday in Kunjah, Gujrat, approximately 170 km from Lahore.

Also read | Pakistan juggles an impossible budget

A senior police officer told PTI that the minor seminary student stabbed 55-year-old Nazir Hussain Shah to death after being incited by his father and uncle's remarks. The boy's father, a prayer leader at a Sunni mosque, and his uncle had told him that Shah would often speak against the companions of the Prophet.

"Getting motivated by the words of his father and uncle, the enraged teenager took a knife from his house and confronted Shah on Sunday afternoon, stabbing him multiple times and killing him on the spot. The boy then fled the scene," the police officer said.

A police team has been formed to apprehend the boy, he said.

A case has been registered against the father and uncle under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The incident took place just two days after an enraged mob in the picturesque Pakistani town of Swat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday gunned down a tourist, dragged him through the town and later hanged him in full public view for allegedly committing desecration of the Quran. The 40-year-old victim, Muhammad Ismail, was accused of having burnt the pages of Islam's holy book.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are now literally irrelevant to the royal family, and they are running out of time to reconcile with the family, claims a royal expert. Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex attend a polo fundraiser event in Lagos, Nigeria, May 12, 2024. REUTERS/Akintunde Akinleye/File Photo(REUTERS)

Speaking on the Daily Mails Palace Confidential show on Friday, royal expert Richard Eden emphasized that the Sussexes are running out of time to be welcomed back as working royals by Prince Harrys estranged family.

Time is running out to come back while his father is still King, Eden stated, referencing King Charles III, who ascended to the throne in 2022 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Eden further explained, if Harry wants to come back at any stage, he needs to do it while his father is still King.

Eden went on explaining, We saw that at Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee in 2012 where it was just Harry and his brother, Camilla and Charles and of course, the queen.

ALSO READ| Social media erupts over grooving Prince William vs gloomy Prince Harry following the Taylor Swift's Wembley concert

King Charles is unable to forgive Prince Harry

The Sussexes stepped away from royal duties in 2020 and relocated to Montecito, California. Since their departure, the couple has sparked considerable tension within the royal family. Their revealing interview with Oprah Winfrey, the six-part Netflix documentary, and Harrys memoir, "Spare," have all contributed to the strain. And Charles is unable to forgive Prince Harry

Eden predicts that rejoining the royal family will become significantly more difficult for Harry and Meghan after the death of Charles. If Harry wants to come back at any stage, he needs to do it while his father is still King, he said.

Eden expressed doubt, I really think that when Prince William is King, I cant see him letting Harry come back and have a role again.

They are irrelevant now, they are just not wanted as part of the monarchy. Maybe there could be some radical change but its hard to see, he added.

Prince Harry's return to royal family is rapidly shrinking

Another royal expert and author, Tom Quinn, told Mirror UK back in March, Both Meghan and Harry still hope that at some point they might be asked back to become working royals on their own terms  its a rapidly shrinking possibility, but the couple have talked about this at length.

ALSO READ| Prince Harry is hurt due to increasing weight of

As I understand it from palace contacts, they are kidding themselves if they think they will be invited back in any way.

Reports in February revealed that the monarch had been contemplating a temporary return for Harry. However, it was suggested that Prince William was allegedly blocking Prince Harrys return to protect his ailing wife, Kate Middleton.
Ukraine accused Russia on Monday of stepping up frontline attacks using prohibited hazardous chemicals, including tear gas, the latest in a series of allegations of battlefield abuses. The Ukrainian military said Monday that it had registered 715 cases of the use of ammunition containing "hazardous chemical compounds" by Russian forces in May. REUTERS/Serhii Smolientsev

Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of carrying out war crimes and deploying banned chemical munitions throughout the conflict in Ukraine, now in its third year.

ALSO READ | Russia Vs NATO War Imminent? Biden Dares Putin With This Fresh Provocation Amid Ukraine Conflict

The Ukrainian military said Monday that it had registered 715 cases of the use of ammunition containing "hazardous chemical compounds" by Russian forces in May.

It said that figure represented an increase of 271 cases compared to one month earlier, and that Russian forces were mainly using grenades dropped by drones to deploy the substances.

Medical facilities have received 1,385 visits from servicemen who had sustained "symptoms of chemical damage of varying severity," it added.

Ukraine said the chemicals deployed by Russian forces -- mainly CS gas -- was used primarily by law enforcement but that it was banned on the battlefield under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which Moscow has ratified.

The United States last month accused Russia of having used chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces, an allegation that Moscow denied.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague said last month that the information it had received on alleged chemical weapons use in Ukraine was "insufficiently substantiated."

The OPCW however described the situation as "volatile" and "extremely concerning regarding the possible re-emergence of use of toxic chemicals as weapons."
Donald Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt was abruptly cut from the air by CNN on Monday morning, June 24, drawing criticism. This comes just days before the first presidential debate is scheduled to be hosted by the channel. CNN anchor blasted for suddenly cutting Trump campaign spokeswoman off air mid-interview (Photographer: Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg, kasie/Instagram)

After Leavitt began trying to talk about CNN host Jake Tapper, anchor Kasie Hunt suddenly interrupted her and pulled the plug mid-interview. Maam, were going to stop right there if youre going to keep attacking my colleagues, Hunt said. I would like to talk about Joe Biden and Donald Trump, who you work for.

Hunt drowned Leavitt out repeatedly when the latter tried to speak, saying she was stating facts.

Im sorry guys  Karoline thank you very much for your time. Youre welcome to come back at anytime, Hunt suddenly said. She is welcome to come back and speak about Donald Trump. Donald Trump will have equal time to Joe Biden when they both join us  later this week in Atlanta for this debate.

Hunt later defended her move in a post on X, saying, You come on my show, you respect my colleagues. Period. I dont care what side of the aisle you stand on, as my track record clearly shows.

You are completely unprofessional and you should resign

However, despite her clarification, Hunt was blasted on X for the decision. Kasie, truth hurt...? LOL, cry more! one user commented on her post. Agree with me or Ill be mad. Lol, one user said, while another wrote, Nobody just comes on your show. They are invited by producers. Perhaps maybe YOU should start showing respect for your guests. She said nothing that, in a normal world, would be met with your ridiculous outburst. You owe her an apology.

One user wrote, All she did was point out your co-worker constantly compared Trump to Hitler. I dont think thats an attack, and most of your viewers have been conditioned to believe that comparison, so I dont think they would see it as an attack either. You are completely unprofessional and you should resign, Karen, one said, while another wrote, How was she disrespectful? Looks like you were scared and ran away.
Donald Trump dropped a $500 tip when he made a campaign stop at Tony and Nick's Steaks in South Philadelphia on Saturday, June 22, before heading to a rally at Temple University. Not only did he leave the tip, but also wrote "no taxes on tips" on the receipt. In recent days, Trump has campaigned to end taxation on tips for people in the service industries. Donald Trump visits Philly eatery and drops $500 tip, crowd interaction reveals possible VP name (Photographer: Hannah Beier/Bloomberg)(Bloomberg)

"It was just unbelievable," Nicky Lucidonio, owner of Tony and Nick's Steaks, told Fox News Digital. "He was talking to people, you know, they're asking questions. He's answering them. He's signing hats. He signed and everything.

"We're all taking pictures with him. What a great man, you know. We're all here rooting for him. You know, this November, we gotta get him in, Lucidonio added.

Lucidonio went on to say that the former presidents stop was not expected. A day before, a woman visited and placed a large, mysterious order.

"This lady came with a bunch of people and she said, I got a big order for [Saturday]. I said, 'OK, that's great,' you know And it was like I would say about 200 sandwiches, Lucidonio said. "Wow, 200 cheesesteaks. I said, 'Great, who's it for?' She wanted to help me. She said it's for some special people."

Donald Trump asks crowd who they would like as VP

During his visit, Trump also engaged with the crowd, asking them who they would want as vice president. "Who do you like as VP?" Trump asked the crowd, as one bystander yelled, "JD Vance!" "You like JD?" Trump replied.

Meanwhile, Lucidonio spoke out about how frustrating it was that there was taxation on restaurant worker tips. "You know, people have to wonder. They're working in 100-degree weather in there, Lucidonio said.

"People put tips in our jar, you know, and then to tax those tips that these poor people live day-by-day is a joke. I mean, what else do you want to tax? It's crazy," he continued. "I mean, we go, we do all the hard work, we're out there, and it's 15, 20 hours a day working hard for our families.

He added, "They just come and say, well, that's half is mine. It's ridiculous. The middle class is getting killed. We got to do something about it."
Elon Musk welcomed a new baby to his ever-expanding family earlier this year. Sharing his reportedly 12th child, third with Neuralink Corp.'s director of special projects Shivon Zilis, the 52-year-old discreetly added the youngest member of his family. FILE PHOTO: Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, attends the Viva Technology conference dedicated to innovation and startups at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre in Paris, France, June 16, 2023. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo(REUTERS)

The Tesla founder has yet to announce the name and sex of his newborn, who's been kept out of the spotlight thus far. Despite overarching narratives swirling around the birth of his youngest child, Musk finally addressed that the baby's addition to the family was no secret.

Elon Musk speaks out about secretly fathering his latest newborn

The X Corp. owner told Page Six, Failure to issue a press release, which would be bizarre, does not mean secret'.

As for secretly fathered, that is also false," he confirmed in a statement. All our friends and family know."

Also read | Watch: SpaceX rocket lights up the sky at Horizon music festival in California

The Tesla mogul shares twins Strider and Azure with the Neuralink billionaire. This isn't the first time the birth of a Musk child has been shielded behind privacy. Although he's publicly known to be a father to 11 kids, he hasn't officially outed the total number of his children.

Exploring Elon Musk's ever-expanding family and

In addition to being a father to Strider, Azure and the youngest newborn, the billionaire also shares three kids - Exa Dark Siderl (nicknamed Y), Techno Mechanicus and X - with musician Grimes, and five children - twins Griffin and Vivian, and triplets Kai, Saxon and Damian - with former wife Justine Wilson. He also welcomed his firstborn child, Nevada Alexander, with Wilson in 2002. However, the baby, unfortunately, died at ten weeks of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Grimes has filed a lawsuit against Musk over parental rights for their three kids.

Also read | Donald Trump responds to media portrayal of him as cognitively impaired

Reports of his third child's birth hit the Internet days after Wall Street Journal insinuated that the SpaceX co-founder was involved in an illicit relationship with a woman at the company seeking to revolutionise space technology. A former female staff member said the billionaire often nudged her to have children with him.

Bloomberg first broke the report of Musk's latest child in an article titled Elon Wants You to Have More Babies.

The supposed father of 11 has avidly commented on falling birth rates. In an August 2022 tweet, he again voiced his outspoken concerns about the collapsing population. Population collapse due to low birth rates is a much bigger risk to civilization than global warming. He further sub-tweeted, Mark these words (And I do think global warming is a major risk).
A Jewish mother and her husband were attacked and beaten at a Brooklyn elementary school graduation by an Arabic-speaking family. A person holds a Palestine flag as people participate in a 'Climate Justice Means Free Palestine!' rally outside of the Citibank headquarters on June 18, 2024 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Michael M. Santiago / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP)

The agitator's family taunted them by shouting Free Palestine! and Death to Israel! per the New York Post report.

The incident occurred at PS 682 in Gravesend after the schools fifth-grade graduation. The Jewish womans husband was thrown to the ground, put in a chokehold, kicked, punched, and hit with a stiletto heel, she told police.

They targeted my family because we are Jewish, said the mother, whose 10-year-old twins witnessed the assaults.

A graduation event that was supposed to be joyous and memorable turned into a violent and traumatizing one.

This attack is one of the worst antisemitic outbursts in New York City public schools since the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel.

We consistently warned that tolerating overtly antisemitic views would create a toxic environment for Jewish students and families, inevitably leading to physical violence, Tova Plaut, a city educator and advocate for Jewish peers, stated. This has now occurred.

ALSO READ| Donald Trump responds to media portrayal of him as cognitively impaired

After urging the NYPD to reconsider, a spokesperson for the authority confirmed, The Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident.

The Jewish couples last names are withheld to protect their childrens privacy

The graduation ceremony itself was uneventful, but Lanas mother left upset when a student marched with a Free Palestine cap and flag, which the Department of Education had okayed as free speech.

After the event, Lana and Johan were taking pictures when relatives of the boy with the flag tried to push them aside. Then an older man turned to us and said Free Palestine! for no reason. My husband told him this was not the time or place for that but the man cursed at him in Arabic, and shouted, Free Palestine, Gaza is Ours, Death to Israel, Lana recalled.

The Johan was attacked and put in a chokehold, while their 16-year-old son was punched trying to help. Lana was also assaulted.

ALSO READ| Sunita Williams stranded in space: Whistleblowers accuse Boeing and NASA of hiding critical Starliner leak before launch

Johan was hospitalized with injuries, Lana suffered a leg gash, and their teen son had a bloody nose. One man, Ez-Al Dean Bazar, 26, was arrested for assaulting Johan.

The NYPD initially did not classify the assault as a hate crime, stating, nothing on my body says I am Jewish, Lana said.
We Are China

Colorful Danxia landform in NW China attracts tourists

People's Daily Online) 13:38, June 24, 2024

Tourists flock to the Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot in Zhangye, northwest Chinas Gansu Province. (Peoples Daily Online/Huang Fan)

Tourists flock to the Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot in Zhangye, northwest Chinas Gansu Province to experience the splendid scenery of the unique landforms.

Located at the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains, the Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot is known for its unusually shaped and brightly colored landform. The landforms are made of red sandstone from aeons ago, which have eroded over time to form many atypical rocks, creating a magnificent view.

Official data shows that the scenic spot received more than 15,000 visits on June 14, 2024, an increase of 44.6 percent year on year, serving as a testament to the boom of tourism in northwest China.

(Intern Xing Yawen contributed to this story.)

Photo shows the magnificent view of colorful Danxia landforms in Zhangye, northwest Chinas Gansu Province. (Peoples Daily Online/Huang Fan)

Photo shows the magnificent view of colorful Danxia landforms in Zhangye, northwest Chinas Gansu Province. (Peoples Daily Online/Huang Fan)

Photo shows the magnificent view of colorful Danxia landforms in Zhangye, northwest Chinas Gansu Province. (Peoples Daily Online/Huang Fan)

Photo shows the magnificent view of colorful Danxia landforms in Zhangye, northwest Chinas Gansu Province. (Peoples Daily Online/Huang Fan)

Tourists flock to the Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot in Zhangye, northwest Chinas Gansu Province. (Peoples Daily Online/Huang Fan)

Tourists flock to the Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot in Zhangye, northwest Chinas Gansu Province. (Peoples Daily Online/Huang Fan)

Tourists flock to the Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot in Zhangye, northwest Chinas Gansu Province. (Peoples Daily Online/Huang Fan)

Tourists flock to the Colorful Danxia Scenic Spot in Zhangye, northwest Chinas Gansu Province. (Peoples Daily Online/Huang Fan)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Joe Biden has issued a statement after a violent pro-Palestinian protest was held outside a Los Angeles synagogue on Sunday, June 23. Violence reportedly broke out between the pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israel counter-protesters. Many have called the incident antisemitic. Joe Biden condemns violent antisemitic pro-Palestinian protest outside LA synagogue (@CollinRugg/X, REUTERS/Ken Cedeno)

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, cops responded to two protests on the same day in the predominantly Jewish neighbourhood of Pico Robertson. This is located just south of Beverly Hills. Videos that surfaced show pro-Palestinian protesters being pushed by cops away from the entrance of the Adas Torah temple, which is an Orthodox synagogue.

X user Collin Rugg shared a video, alleging in the caption that masked protesters prevented Jews from entering the synagogue.

The protesters were heard shouting Free, free Palestine - from the river to the sea and long live intifada. Demonstrators blocked traffic, and several altercations reportedly broke out on the street and sidewalks.

Joe Biden issues statement

Following the incident, Biden shared a statement condemning the violence. Im appalled by the scenes outside of Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles. Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American, he wrote in a post on X.

Americans have a right to peaceful protest. But blocking access to a house of worship  and engaging in violence  is never acceptable, he added.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote on X, The violent clashes outside the Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles are appalling. There is no excuse for targeting a house of worship. Such antisemitic hatred has no place in California.

Rabbi Hertzel Illulian of the nearby JEM Community Center in Beverly Hills said that violence doesnt belong here, according to KCAL. I dont think the Jewish people would go in front of a mosque or the Christian people would go in front of a mosque to do such a thing, he said. Nobody would accept this, but here, when it comes to Jews and Israel, everything is kosher, everything is okay.
Imagine if scientists found a massive asteroid with a 72% chance of hitting Earth in 14 yearsa space rock so large it could obliterate a city and wreak havoc across an entire region. NASA says earth safe from any asteroid threat for the next one century(Getty)

This is the hypothetical scenario that NASA experts, federal emergency managers, and their international partners recently explored. They conducted a table-top simulation to boost the nation's readiness for future asteroid threats, according to a new report from NASA.

Also Read: Sunita Williams stranded in space

NASA's big statement on astroids threat

Terik Daly, the planetary defence supervisor at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, reassures us, "Right now, we don't know of any large asteroids that pose a threat to Earth for the next century." However, Daly adds, "We also know that we haven't identified most of the asteroids large enough to cause regional devastation."

Astronomers estimate around 25,000 "near-Earth objects" are 140 meters or larger, but only about 43% have been found so far, according to data from the April exercise in Laurel, Maryland.

NASA's report on astroid preparedness

This simulation is part of a series of drills that planetary defence experts conduct every few years. It follows NASAs DART mission, which demonstrated that a spacecraft could alter an asteroid's trajectory by colliding with it. In this latest scenario, scientists estimated the asteroid's size to range from 60 meters to nearly 800 meters across. Even a smaller asteroid in this range could cause significant damage if it struck near a populated area, explains Lindley Johnson, NASAs former Planetary Defense Officer.

Daly highlights the challenge: "We see the asteroid as a point of light in space, leading to large uncertainties in its properties and potential impact consequences." Furthermore, this exercise assumed that scientists couldn't gather more data for six months until the asteroid was observable again, adding to the uncertainty.

Asteroid Threat on Earth: The Three Options

Participants considered three options: waiting for more telescope observations, launching a U.S.-led mission to gather information, or building a spacecraft to spend time near the asteroid and potentially alter its path. Unlike past simulations, this one didn't advance to a dramatic conclusion. "We stayed stuck in one moment for the entire exercise," says Daly, allowing time to discuss communication, urgency, funding, and practical considerations.

The report notes skepticism about whether funding would be available without more definitive risk knowledge. Daly points out that technical experts previously assumed funding wouldn't be an issue, but "cost was absolutely a concern."

L.A. Lewis from FEMA emphasizes the challenge for emergency managers to balance resources for a distant threat while dealing with immediate hazards like tornadoes and hurricanes.

Meanwhile, NASA plans to launch a new asteroid-detecting telescope in the fall of 2027. "We need to discover what's out there, determine their orbits, and assess their impact risk to Earth over time," says Johnson.
Rep. Ronny Jackson from Texas, who used to be a White House doctor, suggested on Sunday that President Joe Biden should take drug tests right before and after Thursday's presidential debate against Donald Trump. Rep Ronny Jackson claims Biden uses performance-enhancing drugs(AFP)

"I'm asking, on behalf of many concerned Americans, that he takes a drug test before and after the debate, especially for performance-enhancing drugs," Jackson said on Fox News.

There have been unfounded claims that Biden uses performance-enhancing drugs, adding to the criticism about his age and mental fitness as he runs for another term at 81. Former President Donald Trump, now 78, has also faced questions about his mental sharpness and recently mistakenly called Jackson "Ronny Johnson" at a rally.

Jackson has in fact echoed Trumps remarks, who accused Biden of using drugs to perform better in debates during a rally in Philadelphia.

"He gets a shot before the debate to boost his performance. So he comes out looking all energized," Trump told his supporters.

White House responds to Jackson's comments

When asked about Jackson's claims, a White House spokesperson referred to a previous statement from Andrew Bates, who said, "It's clear that Republicans are still intimidated by President Biden's strong State of the Union performance." Bates added, "After losing to Biden on many issues like infrastructure and reducing crime, they confuse confidence with drug use."

Last week, when CNN asked about Trumps accusations, Biden campaign co-chair Mitch Landrieu pointed to Trumps recent mistake of not remembering Jacksons name and said, "Tell President Trump to bring whatever he's got."

Trump and Biden gear up for the debate

This isn't the first time drug tests have been mentioned before a presidential debate. In 2020, Trump said he was willing to take a drug test and thought Biden should too. In 2016, Trump also wanted to take a drug test before a debate with Hillary Clinton and asked her to do the same.

Also Read: All About Biden vs Trump debate

Jackson, a strong supporter of Trump, has faced his own controversies. He started at the White House during George W. Bush's presidency and was the White House doctor for Obama and Trump. In 2018, he withdrew from being nominated as head of the Department of Veterans Affairs after allegations of being drunk on duty and giving out prescription drugs without proper documentation. Jackson denied these allegations, calling them false.

A 2021 report from the Defense Department inspector general accused Jackson of misconduct, including abusive behavior and sexual harassment, which Jackson has also denied.
Sunita Williams has been stranded at the International Space Station for over 10 days now. Indian origin American astronaut along with her colleague Butch Wilmore were expected to return on June 13 but now their return has been delayed. The new return date has still not been finalised after NASA had confirmed July 2 as re-entry date. Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were photographed ahead of the inaugural crewed test flight of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. (PTI)

NASA and Boeing leader knew of Starliner leak before launch

The unexpected delay is a result of helium leak on the Starliner. Shockingly, new CBS News report unravels how despite deeming the rocket safe for launch both NASA and Boeing managers were aware of the leak. However, theyconsidered it to be too small to jeopardize the mission. This decision has now left two astronauts stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) as new reports reveal the extent of the issue.

The launch had already been postponed once due to a different leak. Once in orbit, four additional helium leaks developed, rendering one thruster unusable.

NASA says all is well, but ongoing delay raises doubts

"We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process," NASA's Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, said in a statement to CBS News. "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."

Despite officials asserting that Wilmore and Williams are not stranded and can undock and fly home if necessary, the ongoing tests and issues raise doubts about the Starliners ability to make the six-hour return trip safely.

NASA and Boeing managers want to give the engineers as much time as possible to review telemetry. This would help in testing and to polish contingency scenarios in case additional problems show up after undocking.

Boeing in the dock over Starliner and other safety negligence

Boeing has faced intense scrutiny over the Starliners current predicament, adding to the criticism it has received following high-profile malfunctions of its aircraft over the past year. At least 20 whistleblowers have raised concerns about safety and quality issues at the aerospace giant.

Boeing has invested approximately $1.5 billion in cost overruns beyond the initial $4.5 billion contract with NASA, which aims to make Starliner its second mode of transportation to the ISS alongside SpaceXs Crew Dragon. However, persistent leaks may jeopardize the future of the Starliner program and further tarnish Boeings reputation in the aerospace industry.

Boeing faces criminal charges, US prosectors advice Justice Department

In parallel, US prosecutors have advised senior Justice Department officials to bring criminal charges against Boeing for violating a 2021 deferred-prosecution agreement related to two fatal 737 Max crashes that killed 346 people. According to Reuters, the charges could extend beyond the original fraud conspiracy charge.

In May, the Justice Department concluded that Boeing breached the agreement. While Boeing has denied these findings, the Justice Department has until July 7 to decide on potential penalties, which could include new charges, an extension of the settlement by a year, or stricter terms.
A Texas woman has been accused of trying to drown a random Palestinian girl in an apartment complex pool. 42-year-old Elizabeth Wolf was drunk at the time of committing the alleged crime. She allegedly spewed racist remarks before trying to drown the three-year-old child. Texas woman Elizabeth Wolf accused of trying to drown Palestinian girl, 3, in pool (Euless Police Department)

Wolf has now been arrested and hit with several charges, including attempted capital murder. The incident took place on May 8 at the pool in Euless, just outside Dallas, KSAT reported.

The incident

Witnesses claimed that Wolf was very intoxicated at the time of the incident. She allegedly approached the girls mother, who was wearing a hijab, by the poolside. She began asking the mom where she was originally from.

Suddenly, Wolf jumped into the shallow end of the pool where the girl and her brother, 6, were playing. She tried to grab both the children, but the boy broke free. Wolf then dragged the girl to the pools deeper end and began pushing her head under the water.

The girls mother, along with another bystander, jumped into the pool and managed to rescue the girl. The children were soon cleared by medics.

We are American citizens, originally from Palestine, and I dont know where to go to feel safe with my kids. My country is facing a war, and we are facing that hate here, the mom, identified only as Mrs H, later said, according to New York Post.

My daughter is 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, she added.

Wolf was nabbed by police as she tried to flee. Shortly after, she was bailed out of jail.

The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations have urged the state and federal authorities to investigate the incident as a hate crime. 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, CAIR-Austin Operations Manager, Shaimaa Zayan, said in a statement.

I was devastated to know that the attacker got a bail bond out of jail the next day after the arrest. We ask for hate-crime probe, a higher bail bond, and an open conversation with officials to address this alarming increase in Islamophobia, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian sentiment, Zayan added.
Train bridge spanning the Big Sioux River in North Sioux City near Iowa has collapsed, causing significant disruption and concern throughout the region. The bridge, which connected Riverside and North Sioux City, snapped around 11 pm, after relentless flooding that has plagued the area. Train bridge collapses into the Big Sioux River in North Sioux City in Iowa, US(@LiveStormChaser)

According to local media reports authorities from the Sioux County Sheriff's Office had already taken precautionary measures by blocking roadways and bridges before the collapse. This prevented any immediate casualties or accidents. The scene was described by officials as dramatic, with the bridge caved in the center and currently in the river, according to The Mirror.

Also Read: Indian student dies in Houston shooting

Storms have battered the Midwestern region with damage to infrastructure being described as staggering. Governor Kim Reynolds declared a disaster for 20 counties in the north, including Sioux County.

13 rivers in the area are flooded, according to Eric Tigges of Clay County emergency management. When the flood gauge is underwater, it's really high. National Guard troops were helping with water rescues and transporting needed medications lost in flooding.Reports suggest, crews are now working around the clock to evaluate the damage and determine the long-term effects on rail services.

The collapse has impacted local transit and critical railroad services. The bridge was frequently used to transport grain and crushed rock between North Sioux City and Sioux Falls.

Flood warnings or already occurring flooding alerts are in place for rivers in parts of the state, alongside Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Floodwaters have forced people out of their homes in parts of the state, after heavy rain.

National Weather Service meteorologist Donna Dubberke said parts of northern Nebraska, southeastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota and northwest Iowa received eight times the typical average rainfall. And more heavy rain was expected this week.

In South Dakota, Gov. Kristi Noem declared an emergency after severe flooding in the southeastern part. Several highways were closed.
Since it became evident that the 2024 presidential election will be a rematch between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, those captivated by political drama have shifted their focus to the race for Trumps running mate. This aspect of the 2024 election defies the usual conventions in several ways. Typically, candidates seek a vice-presidential pick who can balance the ticket demographically, ideologically, or geographically. Even Trump adhered to this strategy in 2016 when he selected Mike Pence. Video of Trump's private jet leaving Cleveland sparks rumors of Vivek Ramaswamy being Trump's VP choice. (REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz)(REUTERS)

Now, as we navigate through 2024, the whole spectrum is different for the Republican presidential hopeful. Now, many speculate that the former POTUS will select Indian-American entrepreneur and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Trump called Vivek a smart guy

Earlier, in March, Trump dismissed any notion for Vivek to be his VP, but last week, the wheel moved, as the 45th US President raved the Indian-American entrepreneur at a a rally in Wisconsin.

Trump called Ramaswamy a smart guy who can pull it off his administration control.

ALSO READ| Vivek Ramaswamy says Donald Trump is the George Washington of our day at Wisconsin rally

If I gave it to Vivek to do, hed pull it off, Trump said, and added, hes gonna be with us in some form, if not VP.

Vivek also lauded Trump, saying, Donald Trump is the George Washington of our day.

Speculation grows over Trump's potential VP choice

Recently, an X user posted a video where it can be seen Trump's private jet leaving the runway. The user noted, Trump discreetly left Cleveland, a few days ago, unbeknownst to anyone, I took this video of his plane leaving Cleveland Hopkins airport. Trump was here bc he wanted to ask someone to become his VP in person. The secret service drove him south.

Trumps VP is going to be Vivek.

The video crossed 100k views in no time, with over 400 comments.

I will vote for him if and only if Vivek is his VP, one user commented, while another chimed in, I hope you're right. In my opinion, @VivekGRamaswamy is the best choice for just about ANY job. The guy is INCREDIBLY articulate and intelligent. It would set up Vivek to run for Prez in 2028 to!!

Hard to go secretly to places with your name ten feet tall on the side of your plane, another said.

ALSO READ| Trump and Biden prepare for first US presidential debate

One cautious user noted, I will be very happy if this turns out to be true. But for now, I'll assume it'll be @NikkiHaley so that whoever he chooses will have some (relatively) positive attributes... He couldn't choose worse than her, right?

A Ramaswamy spokesperson told the New York Post last week, Theres a lot of press speculation, but I can tell you Viveks top focus is making sure we get President Trump elected so that we can take America First to the next level.
Victoria Beckham gave Meghan Markle thousands of pounds worth of clothes and accessories to promote her brand before the two got embroiled in a feud, Tom Bower has claimed in his explosive biography, according to GB News. The new book stated that Meghan was given a "coat, dress, boots and a handbag worth 6,000" for royal Christmas festivities at Sandringham House. It was reportedly a marketing drive for Beckhams fashion line. Victoria Beckham gave Meghan Markle coat, dress, boots and a handbag worth 6,000 before feud (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba, REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes)

Bower claimed that the "financial benefit" of giving the Duchess of Sussex all the branded items was nil for the Beckhams. "Victoria agreed to provide a coat, dress, boots and a handbag worth 6,000 to Meghan for the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day parade in Sandringham, Bower wrote in his book. "Later, Meghan wore a Beckham custom-made pregnancy outfit and a white coat and dress for a service in Westminster Abbey.

The book added, "Victoria's style also attracted Melania Trump. She wore a Victoria Beckham dress during the President's official visit to London. But the financial benefit was nil."

Bower wrote that Beckham's "only success in 2019 was a 1,400 handbag that had been displayed by Meghan. However, he added that the sales of the accessory had mostly been "prompted" by "Victoria's Instagram video, and not due to Meghan.

Other explosive claims

Bower also claimed elsewhere in the book that Meghan was "irritated" by the Beckhams wealth and saw herself as higher up on the pecking order. In Meghans celebrity world, ranking depended on wealth and fame, the biography claimed. As a seasoned operator, Meghan deluded herself that her status in the Royal family placed her above Victoria in the social pecking order.

She 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, the book added.
NH Bangkok Sukhumvit Boulevard will be the first NH in Bangkok, second in Thailand, as Minor Hotels maps the brand's expansion outside of Europe and the Americas.

Global hospitality group Minor Hotels announces the signing of a management agreement with Boulevard Hotel Company Limited for a hotel in central Bangkok, Thailand. The signing will introduce Minor Hotels' NH Hotels & Resorts brand in the Thai capital and will be the second NH property in Thailand after the NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort.

Located in the vibrant heart of Bangkok's bustling commercial and shopping district, just off Sukhumvit Road, the 309-key property offers guests unparalleled convenience. Its prime location, only 200 meters from the BTS SkyTrain public transportation system, ensures guests can easily explore Bangkok's attractions, world-class shopping centres and restaurants, and is within walking distance of the renowned Bumrungrad International Hospital. The hotel is just a 30-minute drive from Bangkok's main airport, Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK).

Currently operating as the Boulevard Hotel Bangkok, the property recently completed extensive renovations of its guest rooms, lobby, restaurant and pool areas. The newly designed rooms, including a mix of lead-in and deluxe rooms and suites across two wings, feature a contemporary design in neutral earth tones and modern fixtures, offering leisure and business guests the brilliant basics they need for work, rest and enjoyment. The property's amenities include an all-day dining restaurant, a lobby bar, meeting facilities, a fitness centre and a large outdoor swimming pool.

Minor Hotels expects to rebrand the property as NH Bangkok Sukhumvit Boulevard in Q4 of this year after adding NH's brand touches over the coming months. In the interim, the hotel will operate as the Boulevard Hotel Bangkok under Minor Hotels' management.

We are delighted to partner with Boulevard Hotel Company Limited to debut our upscale NH brand in Bangkok. NH will be the third brand we will introduce to Bangkok, joining Anantara and Avani, providing visitors to the world's most visited city with another way to stay with Minor Hotels. Whether new to NH or familiar with the brand, we look forward to extending NH's signature hospitality at the NH Bangkok Sukhumvit Boulevard later this year.Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of Minor InternationalWe are proud to partner with Minor Hotels on the inaugural NH property in Bangkok. Minor Hotels has an impressive track record of success in Thailand, and we look forward to collaborating with the Minor Hotels team to deliver excellent guest experience to those visiting the NH Bangkok Sukhumvit Boulevard in central Bangkok.Kirin Narula, Chairman of Boulevard Hotel Company Limited

NH Hotels & Resorts, one of Minor Hotels' eight brands, was founded in Spain in 1978. Today, Minor Hotels operates over 230 NH properties globally, predominantly in Europe and the Americas. The NH Bangkok Sukhumvit Boulevard is part of Minor Hotels' strategy to cross-develop its brands globally, introducing the NH Hotels & Resorts brand into Asia. NH Bangkok Sukhumvit Boulevard follows the first property in Thailand, the NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort, which opened in 2022, and NH Zhengzhou Jinshui in China in 2023.
Radisson Blu Hotel & Residences, Cagayan de Oro will become the first internationally-branded property and 5-star hotel in the Philippines' North Mindanao region.

Radisson Hotel Group has reaffirmed its commitment to introducing world-class hospitality to South East Asia's exciting up-and-coming business and leisure destinations with the signing of Radisson Blu Hotel & Residences, Cagayan de Oro, a stylish upper-upscale property that will become the first internationally-branded mixed-use development in the Northern Mindanao region of the Philippines.

Perfectly positioned on one of the main roads in the city, this 717-key project will become a new landmark for Cagayan de Oro when it debuts. Radisson Blu Hotel & Residences, Cagayan de Oro introduces the city to meticulously designed guestrooms with dining, meeting and leisure facilities. With its prime location and five-star services, this property will become one of the most prestigious places to stay, live, meet, dine and unwind in this vibrant coastal city.

The Philippines is an important strategic market for Radisson Hotel Group. With six properties currently operating across the archipelago and five more in the pipeline, the Group is gearing up for a bright and exciting future.

Cagayan de Oro is a major commercial hub and an attractive tourism destination, with many natural attractions including pure seas, lush forests and mountains, and activities such as trekking, white-water rafting, sailing and kayaking. Just offshore, Camiguin Island is an ASEAN Heritage Park with dramatic volcanoes and sandy beaches. For business travelers, a new economic zone is being planned just outside Cagayan de Oro, and construction work recently commenced on the expansion of Laguindingan Airport, Northern Mindanao's main aviation gateway, to cater for an expected rise in visitation.

Radisson Blu Hotel & Residences, Cagayan de Oro will feature a choice of diverse accommodation styles, two restaurants, a rooftop pool, pool bar, a spa and fitness center. Meeting planners can take advantage of six event spaces and a large 872-square meter ballroom, and residence owners will be offered exclusive access to a private clubhouse.

Radisson Blu Hotel & Residences, Cagayan de Oro will join Radisson Hotel Group's expanding portfolio in the Philippines of six operating hotels, which currently includes one Radisson Blu branded hotel, located in Cebu City, and five Park Inn branded properties in Bacolod, Davao, Iloilo, Quezon City and Mabalacat City and five hotels under development.

Hotel website
The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort is delighted to announce the appointment of Laura Santoni as General Manager. She brings more than three decades of experience to this position with a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the Caribbean and Latin American market.

Santoni began her career at Marriott in 1991, she has held a variety of impactful positions within the organization, such as serving as General Manager for Marriott Village at Lake Buena Vista in Orlando and heading the Global Sales Organization for Caribbean and Latin America. Over the last seven years, she has played a pivotal role as Area Vice President for Mexico, driving notable growth in Caribbean and Latin America's largest market, and spearheading the launch of several iconic hotels in the region. Her extensive sales background combined with operational proficiency has yielded significant results, as she has effectively led and expanded teams within her region.

Santoni will oversee daily resort operations, ensuring ongoing success for The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort. With strategic vision and informed decision-making, she will contribute to the resort's continued growth and development as a premier destination.

In addition to Laura Santoni's extensive professional achievements, her dedication to nurturing the career development of others has been a defining trait and a key motivator for the next phase of her career. She has consistently served as a wise and thoughtful advisor to numerous owners, associates, and customers. Her approach, focused on achieving mutually beneficial outcomes, prioritizes finding optimal solutions for her teams and stakeholders, all while maintaining a steadfast long-term strategic perspective.
Registration is now open for the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), the premier hospitality and tourism investment conference for Africa, attracting many prominent international hotel owners, investors, financiers, management companies and advisors. AHIF will take place on 25 - 27 June 2024, at the Movenpick Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia.

Our theme for AHIF 2024 is 'Inspiring Growth, Powering Investment', encapsulating our commitment to fostering development and driving hospitality investment in the region.

We are excited to bring AHIF to Namibia, with the support of our host partner Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and showcase it as the gateway to the SADC countries highlighting this dynamic destination, with exciting development prospects.

2023 Africa Hospitality Investment Forum highlights:

About the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum

Africa Hospitality Investment Forum is the only annual hotel investment conference that connects business leaders from the international and local markets. The event brings together the who's who of the hotel investment community that drive investment into tourism projects, infrastructure and hotel development across Africa. AHIF has proven to be Africa's annual meeting place for the region's most senior hotel investors, developers, operators and advisors. It is the annual conference that connects business leaders from international and local markets to do deals across the region.

For more information please contact Matthew Weihs

+44 (0) 7858 511012
Following a successful event in the city in 2019, HBX Group's flagship event returns to Istanbul from 25-28 June 2024. Hosted at Rixos Tersane Istanbul, set to open its doors on the 30 April with 432 rooms and a resort-style luxury experience inspired by the local culture and history, MarketHub Europe & Middle East promises lively discussions on the evolving dynamics of travel in the region.
CHARLOTTE, N.C.  Tomorrow at HITEC, Hotel Communication Network (HCN) will reveal a new AI-powered in-room tablet that will radically change the way hotel guests request services, communicate their needs, place F&B orders from local restaurants and more via voice commands in multiple languages. AiMe, an AI Concierge, will be on display June 25 to 27 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Booth #3836.

AiMe uses natural language processing to respond to guests unstructured requests and creates actionable tasks that can be relayed from the tablet to the hotels service system and then to staff.

AiMe: Hello Mr. Stevens. Im AiMe. How can I be of service?

Mr. Stevens: Id like to order lunch.

An ordering screen appears.

AiMe: May I verbally take your order or would you like to see the menu?

Mr. Stevens: Yes, please take my order. Ill have . . .

The meal is delivered to the room or a location specified by the guest.

Leveraging technology to order room service and fulfill service requests is nothing new; hoteliers have been partnering with suppliers for decades to streamline two-way guest communications, said Neil Schubert, HCN Product Officer and former Advisory Board member of Hotel Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP). But most of the existing communication solutions on the market have their shortcomings. Thats why we developed AiMe.

Rather than sending a text message blindly through the hotel app, a guest needing clean washcloths can now walk over to the in-room tablet and simply ask AiMe for whatever he or she wants in whatever language they prefer, Schubert said. No more going through the front desk or hotel operator and waiting for the request to be re-entered into the correct system to get to the right department. The data is sent from the tablet to the hotels service system and then to the housekeeper or floor supervisor  depending on who is equipped with a mobile device. AiMe can create and close work orders, summon the bell captain, remind guests of important meeting or event times, activate room controls and much more.

At HITEC, HCN will discuss how AiMe can or will:

Interpret the tone of a guest message and identify key words spoken so if a hotel guest is frustrated, for example, the request can be escalated to a hotel manager.

and identify key words spoken so if a hotel guest is frustrated, for example, the request can be escalated to a hotel manager. Provide granular information to pinpoint the exact location of a housekeeper in distress when integrated with panic button platforms.

to pinpoint the exact location of a housekeeper in distress when integrated with panic button platforms. Update room status . By accessing a tablets back-office mode (which is integrated with the hotels PMS), housekeepers or room supervisors can speak or type updates rather than using room phones with dial codes.

. By accessing a tablets back-office mode (which is integrated with the hotels PMS), housekeepers or room supervisors can speak or type updates rather than using room phones with dial codes. Replace in-room electronics , including inconvenient and time-consuming TV applications, costly voice solutions, outdated alarm clocks, and rarely used bedside phones.

, including inconvenient and time-consuming TV applications, costly voice solutions, outdated alarm clocks, and rarely used bedside phones. Personalize experiences and drive loyalty by providing added conveniences, like speaking natural language commands to the AI Concierge or touching icons on the tablet to control room temperature, lights, do not disturb status, make up room and more.

by providing added conveniences, like speaking natural language commands to the AI Concierge or touching icons on the tablet to control room temperature, lights, do not disturb status, make up room and more. Broaden adoption of brand apps . With only 20% of travelers having downloaded the brand app, brands can promote use of their brand app using a device that reaches 100% of hotel guests. Operators can replace loss-leaders like room services with a digital ordering platform that brings food and beverage to guests from local restaurants. Better yet, its all managed by the AI-powered tablet provider.

. With only 20% of travelers having downloaded the brand app, brands can promote use of their brand app using a device that reaches 100% of hotel guests. Operators can replace loss-leaders like room services with a digital ordering platform that brings food and beverage to guests from local restaurants. Better yet, its all managed by the AI-powered tablet provider. Eliminate room clutter from printed compendiums and QR code table tents and inconveniently placed and easily damaged stickers promoting marketing messages and digital tipping.

Tablets are Trending!

The communication platform making the most traction today is the interactive guestroom tablet. HCNs Navigator 2.0 is a rich, modern approach to guest engagement and revenue enhancement. The cloud-based platform is built on the latest technology stack leapfrogging traditional guest-facing solutions.

Features of the AI-Powered Navigator 2.0 tablet platform include:

An elegant look and feel with a Netflix-inspired user interface that appeals to the masses.

Compelling content in any language the hotel chooses to draw people in to click around, discover on-premises services and amenities, and spend more money on site.

Hotel staff can now easily and immediately update content to the guest room devices. No need to rely on a service provider to deliver costly content management resources.

A Bluetooth pairable speaker base with high-quality sound, USB A&C charging points, and stunning HD graphics. The speaker base also serves as a voice assistant, enabling guests to request services and amenities, report problems, plus control the room environment by voice command.

We hope everyone stops by HCN Booth 3836 at HITEC to see AiMe in action, Schubert said. This AI-powered tablet is making it possible to achieve a 100% reach to hotel guests and drive better customer engagement.

About The Hotel Communication Network (HCN):

Founded in 2008, with headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, The Hotel Communication Network has built on years of research and development to provide an innovative high-value guest amenity that keeps each guest connected to their hotel, city and each other. For more information, visit www.hcn-inc.com.

Barbara Worcester
The word optimization in todays world implies the use of data and metrics for continuous business improvement, but it also implies making tradeoffs and devoting limited resources to certain goals ahead of others. For todays hospitality world, we are confronted by so many data points, so many partners or siloed interests and so many different activities vying for our attention or capital. To make informed, strategic decisions that will unify various operations towards a common objective, hoteliers and owners must carefully pick the key performance indicators (KPIs) that they will optimize and prioritize.

What KPIs should a hotel focus on improving? This pursuit of optimization only gets more complex with the more operations we add  profit centers such as a wellness center that are very often necessary to drive occupancy as well as diversify away from a purely heads-in-beds model  making business intelligence (BI) and machine learning (ML) instrumental to making sense of it all.

In anticipation for his keynote appearance at Forum Hotel&Spa on May 30th in Paris, I had the opportunity to sit down with Hans-Peter Veit, Director of Spa & Recreation at Appenzeller Huus Gonten in Switzerland, where we discussed why length of stay (LOS) should be the foremost KPI to optimize for whenever a hotel leader or brand is considering the substantial capex requirements for new wellness assets at their properties.

A Distinguished Spa Career in Focus

To frame the justification for LOS above the numerous other metrics that hotels can track, its important to first remark on Veits career in luxury hospitality to see how he arrived at this KPI as the holistic marker of property growth.

Veit started his hotel career as a personal trainer in 1999 at Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, a historic, five-star wellness-focused property in Baden-Baden dating back to 1834 thats also the first property in the celebrated Oetker Collection. After two years, he moved into spa management, staying at Brenners Park for over 17 years. (As an aside for those unfamiliar with this region, Baden-Baden has been renowned for its healing thermal waters since Roman times, with accounts surviving of Emperor Carcalla visiting the bathes in early third century to cure his arthritis.)

In mid-2009, Veit took on a larger role for the Oetker Collection, acting as the Director of Spa Development for seven years where he helped manage new resort spa constructions as well as the design of multi-night wellness packages and a variety of onsite programs to meet guest needs. Thereafter, he was the Director of Spa at Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa in Interlaken for over four years and the Director of Spa & Wellbeing at Grand Resort Bad Ragaz for over three years before joining Appenzeller Huus in Gonten in January of this year.

Observations from Luxury Hotel Management

Taken together, these properties represent the pinnacle of the destination spa world, with time-honored wellness brands that must be upheld through meticulous attention to the available programming and through periodic renovations to ensure lasting quality befitting their prestige. These are hotels that often host the same single occupants, couples, families and groups each year, with guests returning annually because they are treated special and their detailed preferences are remembered.

This level of anticipatory service is only possible when teams remain intact  a clear incentive to prioritize your employees. But the knock-on effect of incredible service is that you have reduced customer acquisition costs because a sizable proportion of your guests are returning and booking direct. Moreover, these returning guests have on average a longer LOS and spend more on ancillaries to increase total revenue per guest (TRevPAR). Given the higher relative costs of operationalizing check-ins and check-outs, increasing LOS in this way is both a reflection of higher topline throughout as well as a cost-cutting measure.

From his tenure at these luxury brands, Veit has many other keen observations on the operational challenges for five-star hotel spas that others may miss, especially those that relate to the human side of wellness service delivery and the personal touch of a caring, devoted and energized spa practitioner.

When it comes to delivering five-star wellness experiences, everyone at the hotel is as important as the next, from the general manager right down to the receptionist and masseuse, remarked Veit. All spa team members need time to recharge in order to deliver their best performance and not just average service. For instance, when you allow for too many bookings in the evening, your practitioner may be fatigued by then and wont be able to give a treatment thats reflective of true luxury quality. So, even though the demand may be there for those late-hour appointments, you have to restrict availability in order to preserve both the guest experience and team morale.

This example highlights a tradeoff that only a true wellness veteran would be able to navigate. By optimizing for the highest quality of spa service, the push for maximizing short-term revenues may be sacrificed, but the long-term benefit is that guests remember how the staff treated them, and then become loyalty patrons for years to come, serving this LOS-driven objective.

After all, where else but the spa do guests and hotel teams spend so much time interacting? This is a unique quality of a wellness facility versus other onsite touchpoints like the front desk or the restaurant thats often overlooked and difficult to directly quantity. Its this emotional, human connection that results in more return visits, more word of mouth and, ultimately, improvements to all the other metrics that give a full-service property resiliency, with positive changes in ADR, TRevPAR, LOS, direct booking rates, lead times and pace by room type.

Guiding an Enormous Resort Development

While appenzeller cheese is world-renowned, the canton of Appenzell Innerhoden, much like many other places nestled in vast mountain greenscapes of Switzerland, has quietly gained a devoted following as a wellness destination. The growth of wellness tourism to the country and to this particular district  along with other recent examples of success such as The Chedi Andermatt which first opened in December 2013  became the impetus for Veits current role helping oversee the Appenzeller Huus Gontens low nine-figure expansion project, turning the currently 25-room hotel into its own quintessentially Swiss alpine spa village.

The development will include the construction of 80 hotel keys and 42 branded residences spread across a campus of low-rise buildings that each have their own spa amenities and are connected by underground tunnels for access to the primary medi-spa facility. The hotel units will be divided amongst three-star, four-star and five-star offerings  with certain amenities and facilities exclusive to the luxury customers  while the residences will be operated as serviced apartments with most already presold. Importantly, throughout this entire process, trees will obscure lines of sight with the construction as certain buildings and units are certified as ready for occupancy.

With the spa facilities designed by GOCO Hospitality, the vision was to design a pure Swiss experience, integrating nature wherever possible and even going so far as to use only the original wood from nearby cabins that date back as early as 1602. To build on Veits understanding of the importance of keeping teams happy in order to generate return visits and increase LOS, budgeted into this construction is wohngemeinschaft, from the German for shared apartment, although this direct translation doesnt really capture the sense of community inferred by this compound word.

As this outlook relates to Appenzeller Huus Gonten, staffing accommodations are not an afterthought in this development but are central to the planning of attracting top talent to this rural destination. As these employee buildings represent a huge upfront expense in addition to the buildout of a world-class medi-spa, other developers may have opted for minimizing this line item because it doesnt have a direct relationship with returns. And yet, their construction is entirely necessary in order to reflect long-term property health through such metrics as low employee turnover then above-benchmark LOS which as weve shown is the final result of anticipatory service.

What Makes a Medi-Spa

For these shared apartments and with many other intangibles of hospitality capex, Veit and his team have always recognized that the specialized staff required to curate the high-touch and high-tech experiences of a medi-spa all have families and may not be prepared to immediately relocate to Appenzell. Staff buildings with communal kitchens and their own high-end amenities thus become integral to nurturing team bonds and keeping employees for the long-term to enable smooth, efficient operations or so that guests can remain loyal by returning year after year to see the same practitioners.

But what exactly is so specialized about a modern wellness center? In order to drive LOS, of course, guests want great service, but they also need a strong reason to visit.

At Appenzeller Huus Gonten, that reason to visit will be an illustrious, three-story wellness facility with the latest in contrast therapy such as infrared saunas, hyperbaric oxygen tanks and cryochambers, alongside an array of clinicians to administer these treatments as well as physiotherapists and other movement specialists. Part of the design will be to present these experiences in an inviting, non-sterile setting that incorporates natural elements appropriate for the Swiss countryside, and with a bucket list rooftop pool offering awe-inspiring panoramas of the mountains.

Between the clinical staff and state-of-the-art machinery, as well as the lavish fittings, fixings and furnishings, none of this comes cheap. As Veit remarked, he is willing to show a loss on the spa ledger in order to drive room reservations and LOS  the hotel ledger which has the largest margins. After all, it is the wellness facility that will be the main draw for guests to book in the first place, to stay longer and to pay a premium for access to the amenities. In other words, hotel occupancies are being optimized ahead of positive cash flows in the spa, knowing that the latter entity drives business for the former.

Full service hotels cannot think in terms of siloes anymore, added Veit. Spas should not think only about maximizing profitability within their own operation because this may not best serve the long-term interests of high-paying, loyal hotel guests. Likewise, hotel managers must think about what experiences they are offering in order to build that loyalty and convince guests to stay longer during each visit. This programming and reason to visit comes with a cost, but ensures business longevity, and theres no better way to boost LOS than through wellness.

To conclude our chat, Veit offered one other German word, one that even the famed Swiss hotelier Cesar Ritz used to guide his service approach: ehrlichkeit or sincerity. All senior executives and leaders must be honest and upfront with their vision and plans so that they can act in harmony to achieve those lofty goals and build a brand that lasts. Unifying around LOS as a KPI is one foremost way to ensure that everyone from the owner down to the front desk clerk are doing their part to best serve the business.

Larry Mogelonsky

Hotel Mogel Consulting Limited

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When you think of the most important department in a hotel, accounting may not be the first one that comes to mind for many people. The truth is, however, a hotel or multiproperty hotel organization requires accurate data from its accounting systems to sustain its financial health and run efficiently, and that affects all of the other departments.

In 2024, global hotel market revenue is predicted to reach $446.40 billion (USD). That is a lot of revenue. For small properties or hotel companies with no more than three to four properties, their finance departments might be able to operate with tools like Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks. While those do offer ease of use and some good general functionality, they also require quite a bit of manual entry which can lead to a higher risk of human error, and they offer very little immediate customization to a hospitality organization and its unique demands, if any.

What hotel properties are finding is that they need a back office and accounting solution that integrates more easily with the other hotel systems in place and provides accurate operational information to the management team. By selecting solutions that are not only hotel specific but go beyond general accounting, they can operate their hotels more efficiently and provide more accurate data in real time to corporate management so they can effectively compare data across their properties.

Hotel-specific accounting solutions also incorporate the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) guidelines, which customizes and standardizes how accounting information or financial data is classified and reported for the hospitality industry in particular. For those organizations that want accurate budgets and forecasts, and more importantly, for those that want to grow, they must utilize a USALI-based or hotel-specific accounting system.

Where Generic Accounting Systems May Fall Short of a Hotel Organization's Needs

With more than a few properties, it becomes difficult and time consuming to look at the financial data for each property or group of properties every single day without having to wait to run certain processes. Something more powerful, like a hotel-specific solution can monitor these properties at a higher level, meet hospitality industry standards like USALI, and understand hospitality reporting. Hotels can build USALI-based reporting in QuickBooks, but it's time consuming and opens up a higher risk for human error. Additionally, tools like QuickBooks have a generic accounting structure that cannot properly support a hotel organization that is on a path of quick growth. Multiproperty organizations require accounting solutions that also provide operational information to more easily and effectively compare all of their properties.

QuickBooks and Microsoft Excel do not offer the seamless integrations that many hotel-specific solutions do, and they require that teams hand key entries and run multiple reports manually. Finance teams need to be able to review month-to-date numbers at a glance and compare if the property's performance was better or worse last Friday versus today. You cannot get that kind of breakdown automatically from programs like QuickBooks. The most effective finance directors who can best support their hotel properties with operational information in addition to accurate financial data need to be able to automatically calculate and review these numbers day by day and not wait until month end. Many of these teams using generic platforms spend far more time creating their reports than looking at them and more importantly, actually using them.

Why Some Hotels Struggle with Making the Leap to a Hotel-specific Accounting System

Change is the biggest concern for some finance teams. It's like replacing the furnace in your house or the transmission in your car  it's a big deal. Everything connects to accounting and when you change that you upset your normal process and way of thinking. The bottom line is it feels complex and overwhelming to many finance teams. The good news is it doesn't have to be. Many hotel-specific solutions offer seamless integrations to the other systems your team needs to access, and they use hospitality standards like USALI.

Many of today's accounting solutions built for hotel operations are very easy to use and require as little as a half day of training. Plus, they can help with the transition from a generic chart of accounts to a USALI-based chart of accounts. Once a hotelier is ready to make that upgrade, experienced providers with extensive hotel experience can easily help the finance department bring over that history and update it into a new hotel-specific platform. Once hoteliers make that jump, it will change how they do business.

How Hotel-specific Accounting Programs Give a Clearer Picture of Your Single Property's or Multiple Properties' Financial Health

Hotel finance teams will realize immediate benefits once they switch from managing accounting via generic platforms like QuickBooks or Excel to hotel-specific software. They can actually examine and analyze the data instead of spending so much time creating it. Learning how the property performed and where it could save money are just the tips of the iceberg. Without hotel-specific accounting programs, these teams are normally so busy gathering the numbers that they don't get a chance to review them properly  especially when they are under a time constraint to report what they have. The ability to actually look at the numbers from a hotel-based system and know they are accurate is a huge relief and offers the property the chance to optimize performance and improve its financial health.

While Excel spreadsheets and QuickBooks have their place and do a great job for many businesses with regard to certain tasks, the hotel industry requires accounting solutions that are more robust and intuitively know the hotel industry. You can't effectively run these complex, 24/7/365 operations and their multiple revenue streams with only spreadsheets. Hotel-specific solutions integrate seamlessly with other existing systems and allow property owners the ability to see real-time data across their portfolio and accurately compare their customized chart of accounts between properties. In addition, these solutions provide management with a direct view of operational data to better compare performance from multiple properties and better operate their hotels.

Finance directors and hotel owners need to know where the property or properties stand from a cash perspective, who they owe, how they are doing compared to a year ago, and what adjustments they may need to make. A hotel-specific accounting solution understands the myriad departments, revenue streams and systems that make up a hotel. Your accounting system must be able to interpret multiple data sources and automatically create accurate reporting in real time for management to clearly understand your property's financial health at a glance. Hotel-specific solutions allow them to make quick but educated decisions without having to manually run multiple reports. Listening to hotel owners and finance directors, you'll find they don't want fancy reports necessarily; they want quick but accurate numbers  how much money is in the bank, what is outstanding or owed, and how the properties are performing.

If you can't access solid data that offers accurate reporting and metrics, you can't make accurate forecasts, and you definitely cannot accurately evaluate your organization's financial health. A hotel-specific back office and accounting system allows your finance team to truly know how your hotel property is performing in real time  especially when they are examining accurate data each day and not solely at the end of the month. When your team has accurate metrics to review in real time, that results in more effective revenue management, budgeting and forecasting, and the ability to optimize financial performance.

Is your organization going to continue to use Excel or QuickBooks for budgets and hotel owner reporting? Have you had to manually rerun reports when something has to be updated or regenerated? Or are you going to adopt a solution that supports single and multiproperty hotel organizations and offers the functionality, automation, hotel-based standards and intuition to help your organization grow?

About Aptech Computer Systems Inc.

Aptech Computer Systems, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is the only provider of a fully integrated enterprise accounting, business intelligence and planning ecosystem to the hospitality industry. All clients are companies like yours, which own or manage hotels. Its solutions help customers at both the corporate and property levels understand their financial and operational data for faster goal achievement. The company is renowned for introducing business intelligence into the hotel industry and offers a solid resource of hospitality professionals. Aptech is an IBM Software Value Plus partner and Premier Solution Provider, as well as a Prophix Premier Business Partner. Incorporated in 1970, Aptech's state-of-the-art back office, true business intelligence and enterprise planning solutions are 100% hotel specific. Solutions include PVNG, Execuvue and Targetvue. Clients comprise over 3,500 properties  including large chains, multiple-property management companies and single-site hotels. Execuvue is registered to Aptech Computer Systems Inc. All other trademarks are owned by their respective holders. For more information, please visit www.aptech-inc.com.
Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, MD & CEO, IHCL with Mr. Dhaval Barot, MD and CEO of Bharat Realty Venture Pvt Ltd.

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) today announced the signing of a Taj hotel in Anjuna, North Goa. Strengthening IHCL's presence in Goa, the beachfront resort is a greenfield project.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, "Continuing its pioneering leadership in Goa for over five decades, IHCL is pleased to announce the signing of its sixth Taj hotel in Goa. This expansion underscores IHCL's commitment to enriching Goa's hospitality landscape, building on its legacy of offering world-class experiences through its diverse portfolio of brands. We are delighted to collaborate with Bharat Realty Venture Pvt Ltd for this hotel."

Spread across 17 acres, the 170-key resort boasts a beachfront with unobstructed views of the Arabian Sea. Guests can indulge in a variety of culinary experiences, including an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a bar, and a lounge. Guests seeking wellness experiences can find solace at the J Wellness Circle, offering wide-ranging spa and rejuvenation treatments. The resort with the largest banquet hall with outdoor lawns in North Goa is ideally suited for social celebrations and weddings events.

Mr. Dhaval Barot, MD and CEO of Bharat Realty Venture Pvt Ltd. said, "We are excited to partner with IHCL for its iconic brand Taj, recently recognised as the World's Strongest Hotel Brand. This hotel will offer a new luxury destination for travellers to explore in Anjuna, North Goa."

Goa is India's premier holiday destination. Anjuna in North Goa offers rich cultural heritage, vibrant nightlife and an array of leisure activities, attracting visitors from around the globe.

With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 16 hotels across Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta and Ginger brands in Goa including 5 under development.
Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, MD & CEO, IHCL with Mr. Ugen Penjor, CEO, Yarkay Group

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) further strengthens their footprint in Bhutan with the signing of an 83-key hotel in Thimphu. This hotel will be rebranded to an IHCL  SeleQtions.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President, Real Estate & Development, IHCL said, "We are delighted to expand our presence in Bhutan. The country's growing popularity as a short-haul international getaway, particularly amongst Indian travellers, presents a significant opportunity for us. Thimphu's strategic location makes it a natural inclusion in the popular Paro - Thimphu - Phobjikha itinerary, allowing us to create a seamless circuit for those seeking to explore this Himalayan kingdom."

The conversion will enhance the interiors of the hotel and will offer a diverse range of dining options, including an all-day dining restaurant cum bar, and a rooftop restaurant with stunning views. It will be well-equipped with wellness areas including a gym, an indoor heated swimming pool, and a spa.

Mr. Ugen Penjor, CEO, Yarkay Group said, "We are excited to join hands with IHCL with its legacy of pioneering destinations in the Indian Sub continent. This partnership will be invaluable in establishing the hotel as the leading choice for travellers visiting Thimphu."

Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, with its breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultural heritage is today a growing economic center.

This expansion strengthens IHCL's presence in Bhutan with 3 hotels under development.
Barcelona to Ban Apartment Rentals to Tourists in Bid to Cut Housing Costs

Barcelona, a top Spanish holiday destination, has announced 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 livable for residents.

The citys leftist mayor, Jaume Collboni, said on Friday that by November 2028, Barcelona would 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. This meant that from 2029, if there were no setbacks, tourist flats as we conceive of them today will disappear from the city of Barcelona.

The boom in short-term rentals in Barcelona, Spains most visited city by foreign tourists, meant some residents could not 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 had 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.

This article originally appeared on The Guardian.
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Randy Travis and SoundExchange CEO to Testify on Music Fairness Act

SoundExchange CEO and country star Randy Travis are heading to Capitol Hill to push for big changes in music royalties. Find out how their testimony could reshape how artists get paid.

by Stacy Simons Santos from Celebrity Access

On Wednesday, June 26th, country music legend Randy Travis and SoundExchange CEO Michael Huppe will appear before the House Judiciary Committees Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. Theyll testify in a hearing titled Radio, Music, and Copyrights: 100 Years of Inequity for Recording Artists. This session will tackle the American Music Fairness Act (HR 791), a bipartisan bill to close a century-old loophole allowing AM/FM radio stations to play songs without compensating the artists.

Travis, a beloved figure in country music who suffered a debilitating stroke in 2013, will advocate for this bill and highlight the significance of protecting music creators, especially in the face of advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. Last month, Travis released Where That Came From, his first new song since the stroke, with the help of cutting-edge, artist-approved AI tools.

Royalties are critical for survival in todays music industry, and thats especially true for working-class musicians and performers who are not able to tour, Travis stated. The American Music Fairness Act will make a real difference in the lives of working musicians  not just big-name artists, but folks all around the country who play on albums or sing backup vocals on top of a nine-to-five job. Im looking forward to this hearing and discussing the urgent need for Congress to pass this bill and level the playing field for creators.

AM/FM radio remains a dominant music delivery platform in the US, reaching nearly 300 million people weekly and playing an estimated 967 million songs annually. However, under current law, artists receive no royalties when their songs are broadcast on AM/FM radio.

Huppe stated, Randy has faced incredible challenges throughout his career, and his resilience in the face of adversity is a model to all of us. The American Music Fairness Act would end a 100-year era of unfair treatment to the creators of the music that feeds the most popular music delivery platform in our country.

Introduced by Representatives Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Jerry Nadler (D-NY) in the House and Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in the Senate, the American Music Fairness Act aims to ensure fair compensation for music creators while supporting small, independent broadcasters. The bill is backed by a broad coalition, including community broadcasters and numerous artists like Gloria Estefan and David Byrne, and enjoys bipartisan support across multiple presidential administrations.

Supporters of AMFA include:

Broadcasters : Organizations like the Alliance for Community Media and the National Federation of Community Broadcasters.

: Organizations like the Alliance for Community Media and the National Federation of Community Broadcasters. Artists : From icons like Dionne Warwick to contemporary stars like Common and Sammy Hagar.

: From icons like Dionne Warwick to contemporary stars like Common and Sammy Hagar. Public Sentiment: Americans support performance royalties for artists by a 4:1 ratio.

Organizations like musicFIRST are at the forefront of this fight, advocating for fair pay for music creators on all platforms. They aim to dismantle the outdated system that allows AM/FM radio to broadcast songs without compensating the performers, ensuring fair pay in the evolving landscape of digital radio and beyond.

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Grants are available for Musicians and Artists: How to Apply

Funds are limited, but some grants are available for indie artists and musicians. Keep reading to see how you can get your share

by Chris Huff of Discmakers

In these times where record label signings are practically nonexistent, indie artists need alternative methods of funding their careers. While there are plenty of ways for musicians to make money as indie artists, its true that musicians often must use their own money or crowdfund to complete an album. One outside funding option that many artists dont always know about is finding a music grant. Grants can help artists fund recordings, tours, and pursue projects they might have considered frivolous due to lack of income, with the best part being that grants provide financial support that you dont have to pay back.

What are music grants?

A grant is an award of money from an organization often for a specific purpose of use. Grants are gifts  not loans or investments, so there is no return or repayment expected. Music grants are available from private and public organizations. They can be very specific and aimed at certain demographics and genres, or sometimes are open to all. Music grants are often for producing a specific project or for a particular part of the process.

How can music grants help you?

Unless otherwise specified, grants for musicians can be applied to any of your expenses, including recording costs like studio time, paying musicians, and equipment rentals. Music grants can also fund tours, marketing and promotional expenses, and even music videos. You can use grant money to help your professional development into areas youve always wanted to explore, but maybe havent been able to afford to pursue.

Preparing for your grant application

So youve found a grant opportunity or music scholarship. How do you write a proposal that stands out, especially as an emerging artist?

Crafting a winning proposal

Its crucial to put your best foot forward when applying for music grants, as the competition can be fierce. Be clear about what you propose to do with the money and have a clear vision of the artistic merit of your endeavor, along with what it will take to achieve it.

Many grant programs will require a written grant proposal along with your application. There is a specific format and style of presentation for grant proposals. In fact, there is an entire profession dedicated to writing them! You can learn the basic steps of grant writing online if you cant hire a professional. Most grant proposals have a cover letter, executive summary, a statement of need that describes the problem youre attempting to solve with your project, and a detailed action plan. Be sure to thoroughly research how to write grant proposals if you intend on writing it yourself, as your presentation will be evaluated as part of the process.

Budget planning

Part of your proposal will be a detailed budget for the grant funding. Keep your projections realistic, but dont plan too close to the bone. Its better to allocate a little more money than you need for each item than to come up short. Some of your typical line items will be detailed studio and manufacturing costs, promotional and marketing expenses, and living expenses. Go over your budget several times with an eagle eye, making sure you havent neglected any categories and that youve allocated enough money to ensure your project will be completed. Do your due diligence and compare prices before committing to an amount in the budget (this will require some research).

Top music grants available for application

If youre not sure where to start in looking for these funding opportunities, weve got you covered. Discover important grant information from the top music organizations.

National and international grants

There are numerous national and international grants for musicians. The National Endowment For The Arts (NEA) awards music grants to individuals and organizations in the USA from $10,000 to $100,000 in all genres of music. You must have a specific project in need of funding. Projects can include recording, touring, and educational initiatives, among others. The NEA awards grants in many different artistic fields; sometimes a music-related project might be best served under a different category than music, so be sure to review all of their offerings. They have two application deadlines a year (one in February and one in July).

The performers rights organizations ASCAP and BMI offer national music grants as well, aimed at musicians in various stages of their careers. And if you are Canadian, FACTOR has a multitude of grants helping to fund most musicians needs.

Demographic-specific grants

There are also a variety of music grants aimed at serving historically underserved demographics. Black musicians have several grant and artist-in-residence opportunities available through the Black Artists Foundry. Regionally, the NBAF Artist Project Fund awards $2000 in grant money to a few Atlanta-area black artists each year. The Black Artists Fund distributed by Fund For The Arts in Louisville, KY has given music grants of $500 to $2000 to local black artists in the past.

Women have specific grant opportunities as well. The New York Foundation for the Arts Womens Fund offers yearly grants of $20,000 for specific projects for women artists, including musicians. This grant requires the funded project to be finished within 12 months. Applications are due in the fall and recipients are notified in the spring. Also, the PRS Foundation offers a Women Make Music grant to UK women artists with grants up to 5000.

Quite a few grants are also open to young artists who havent released projects before. If this describes you, be sure to check the age range in the grant description; many are for artists under 30. Whatever your demographic might be, its worth doing research to see if there are any grants available for your particular background and needs.

Genre-specific grants

If youre a jazz or classical musician, there are a multitude of grants available in these genres. The BMI Foundation distributes jazz-related prizes and grants, including the Future Jazz Master Award, which awards $5000 each year to one jazz performer between the ages of 17 and 24. They also host the BMI Composer Awards for classical musicians, welcoming submissions for any instrumentation in any classical genre. The American Musicological Society also offers grants in a variety of disciplines for all types of classical and folk musicians.

Dont be alarmed if youre an indie/rock musician, though  there are music grants for you, too! The Salt Lick Incubator is a non-profit organization offering grants from $5,000 to $15,000 for musicians in song-oriented genres. They have three grant cycles a year, so you have three opportunities per year to apply. Also, the Dolly Parton Songwriters Award gives $20,000 for up to two original song entries in seven different roots-based American music genres. You must be between ages 17 and 24 and must not have applied to any other BMI Foundation awards program that year to qualify.

Tailor your submissions to genre-specific grants according to the listed requirements. Make sure you read the rules and know when the deadlines are. Its good to do as much research as you can for your specific genre, as you never know whats out there.

The submission process

Grant committees receive thousands of applications per cycle. Make sure your application is complete, neatly presented, well-researched and detailed when it comes to your plans and budget, and written professionally in a clear, business-like style. Each application should be tailored for each grant. Be clear about why you should receive the grant and tell them why you are the perfect applicant. The goals of your project should align with the goals of the organization sponsoring the grant, and that should be reflected in your application.

Submission dos and donts

Dos : Prep your application thoroughly. Follow the submission guidelines exactly, proofread multiple times, and quadruple check to make sure you havent omitted any sections of your application. Make sure your timelines and budget allocations are realistic, reasonable, and doable. Let them know clearly why you are an excellent candidate. And obviously, make sure you meet the exact deadline! Grant deadlines are hard and fast. Often it is at least a year before you can submit again.

: Prep your application thoroughly. Follow the submission guidelines exactly, proofread multiple times, and quadruple check to make sure you havent omitted any sections of your application. Make sure your timelines and budget allocations are realistic, reasonable, and doable. Let them know clearly why you are an excellent candidate. And obviously, make sure you meet the exact deadline! Grant deadlines are hard and fast. Often it is at least a year before you can submit again. Donts: Some common mistakes in submitting music grants are not being eligible, re-using the same pitch written for other grants, not providing enough budget detail, and not writing professionally. Grant reviewers like the grant to follow the three Cs: clear, concise, and compelling. Have a professional grant writer look over your application if you are skeptical of your own writing abilities.

Follow-up and reporting requirements

Some grants require you to keep them informed of your progress and report back to them, and some also have requirements that the project be completed in a specific period of time. Make sure you know what these requirements are and dont miss a reporting deadline. Potentially you could have the grant revoked, which would be a disaster!

Maximizing your chances of securing a music grant

No matter your experience, musical expertise, or background, applying for and receiving music grants is well within anyones capabilities. Keep your eyes on the prize and remember that the best money is free money! Its worth jumping through some hoops to receive funding you dont have to repay. Research, plan well, and take your time writing the grant application as youll need it to be letter perfect. Make sure to educate yourself about the grant opportunities available to you based on location, genre, and demographic so that you can find the perfect ones for your project.

And if you do receive money to help fund your album release, look no further than Disc Makers for custom vinyl records, a wide range of CD packages, and top-quality audio mastering to complete your album in the best possible way.

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Robert Rivest Library Event in Adams

ADAMS, Mass.  Adams Free Library is Hosting Comic mime Robert Rivest in a free event on Thursday, June 27 at 6:30 p.m.

Families and children of all ages are invited to join. This event is free and open to the public. Robert Rivest, mindful mime and "human cartoon" leads audiences of all ages in humorous adventures in the Read, Renew, Repeat theme. Plus, he adds comic relief and fun ways to relieve stress, stated a press release.

According to a press release:

Robert teaches everyone how they can use their imaginations to create stories, characters, funny facial expressions, and share in performing new comic mime stories. Everyone will learn cool mime illusions. In several audience participation opportunities, everyone will enjoy improvising story ideas and play with humorous settings, characters, challenges and solutions. Robert maintains that "Reading & Mime are FUN!"

"Read, Renew, Repeat" is sponsored by The Adams Free Library, the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Additional funding provided by the Friends of the Adams Free Library.

Families and children of all ages are invited to join Robert Rivest at the Adams Free Library on Thursday, June 27, 6:30 p.m. An adult must accompany children under 8 years of age. Library events are free and open to the public. Attendance at library programs constitutes consent to be photographed; photos may be used in print or electronic publicity for the Adams Free Library.
Veteran Spotlight: Army Lt. Col. Paula Smith

FALMOUTH, Mass.  Paula Smith served her country in the Army for more than 20 years and retired as a lieutenant colonel.

She grew up in Woods Hole, attended Falmouth Public Schools and pursued her undergraduate work at the University of Iowa. After briefly working for the Falmouth Enterprise, she applied (on a dare from a fellow colleague and after a drive through a Nor'easter to Western Mass to meet with the recruiter) to the Army's Baylor Graduate Program for Physical Therapy, one of 13 applicants chosen, and received her full commission as a second lieutenant.

Her first assignment would take her to Fort Riley, Kans., where she was promoted twice and got married. Smith would then be assigned to Korea at Yongsan for a year then return to Fort Campbell, Tenn., for Air Assault School, where she was an honor graduate and be the only woman in her class. It would be at Fort Campbell where her first daughter, Ava, was born.

She would then be assigned to Fort Jackson, S.C., and conduct basic training for the Gold Standard Fitness Company. Here she did her doctorate work, started an Airborne Orientation Course and had her son, Harley. Smith would then be assigned to Fort Stewart in Georgia, where she trained with the 1st Cavalry Division Brigade Combat Team and where she had 13 surgical services under her and served as an assigned medical officer for units needing a specialist.

In 2008, Smith would deploy out of Fort Hood, Texas, to northern Iraq where she was a physical therapist for a Brigade Combat Team and responsible for more than 3,000 soldiers.

"I lived out of an assault pack and went to Mosul, Tal Afar," she said. "I even served as a Eucharistic minister at times."

When asked about the holidays, she responded, "The 1st Cav was just like family, it was a really good family vibe."

With emotion in her voice, she said, "I struggled with being a mom in a non-traditional setting  in a highly dangerous war zone, combat environment. I always did the family stuff with my kids, always emphatic to have dinner with my kids. I wanted my kids to value my service. ...

"My son said to me, 'Mom, if you die, I want to die with you.' My kids are strong, they went through a lot ... they're still very proud of what I've done and what service members go through."

After that deployment, Smith went to work at the Pentagon as the health director of the Soldier For Life program under the Chief of Staff of the Army. The program seeks to connect soldiers, veterans and families with supportive organizations and opportunities.

"It was great. I got to go to the White House and Congress," she recalled.

Thoughts on her service? "It was an overwhelming honor," she said emotionally. "It was such a good fit. I don't regret a single day. I learned from the Army and the Army learned from me."

As only fitting for a remarkable career of service, her awards are in outstanding fashion: bronze star, Order of Military Medical Merit Award, the Army Surgeon General's Distinguished Military Occupational Specialty Proficiency Award and the Iron Major Award.

Smith returned home to Falmouth and initially worked in physical therapy. She is currently military and veterans services navigator at Cape Cod Community College.

Lt. Col. Paula Smith, thank you for your service to our great country.
SteepleCats Fall at Holyoke

HOLYOKE, Mass. -- Logan Hugo went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI Sunday to lead the Valley Blue Sox to a 6-2 win over the North Adams SteepleCats in New England Collegiate Baseball League action.

Luke Mistone went 3-for-5, and David McCann and Antonio Morales each had a pair of hits for the SteepleCats.

North Adams (5-8) hosts the Upper Valley Nighthawks on Monday.
Partners CJ Garner, right, and Marcus Lyon opened Common Table in May. The building has been completely reconstructed inside. Common Table seats about 40 people. The Tortured Poet, a cocktail made with Berkshire Mountain Distillery's Greylock Gin, lemon juice, blackberry syrup, and egg white. PreviousNext

Common Table Brings Modern Comfort Food to Cheshire



Marcus Lyon mixes his Taylor Swift inspired cocktail, the Tortured Poet. CHESHIRE, Mass.  Common Table is a transportation device. Walking into the month-old restaurant on South Street in Cheshire, surrounded by the quiet of the sleepy church across the street and the still trees all around, one might feel a shock of displacement on discovering a packed dining room, buzzing with the energy and life of a city several orders of magnitude larger.

Nevertheless, partners CJ Garner and Marcus Lyon hope locals and visitors alike will feel at home here, where their take on "modern American comfort food" has already found a solid base of regulars in its five weeks of operation.

The 40-odd seat room, with tall white wainscoting against gray walls, and a bold white-tiled bar, has a streamlined farmhouse feel that complements the simple yet inventive menu Garner and his kitchen crew present each week.

A curated mix of pop tracks and classic rock songs lays a backdrop for the many conversations mingling throughout the space.

At the beginning of the year this room bore no resemblance to the sleek, welcoming restaurant it is today. Serving as a makeshift storage space for its owner after the last in a string of pizza joints closed here in 2017, the space had to be completely updated and renovated to be usable, let alone attractive.

Garner and Lyon, accompanied by Garner's father and friend Bob, installed new plumbing, new heating and cooling, new electrical, and a lot of new kitchen equipment. A wall was built to serve as the bar's backdrop, the drop ceiling was removed and raised, and the ceiling was vaulted over half of the dining room.

Windows all along the dining room let in beautiful daylight during lunch, and at night the darkened space is cozy and intimate.

The project took five months and the work speaks for itself.

Those months of preparations were just a brief step in the journey Garner has taken since graduating from McCann Technical School where he studied culinary arts. He furthered his formal education at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., and acquired early experiences interning at The Old Inn on the Green in New Marlborough, and running the cafe at Jacob's Pillow in Becket.

For the past 10 years Garner has been heavily involved in local favorites Public Eat and Drink in North Adams, and its sister restaurant District in Pittsfield.

Working extensively both in the kitchen and the dining room, Garner is finally applying his experience to his own restaurant, a goal he developed from the very beginning, waiting for the right opportunity to open up.

When he saw the "For Lease" sign on the shuttered building in his hometown this past November "it literally was a 30-second decision" to call the landlord and meet with him, which he did the same afternoon.

That decision is paying off as Garner, Lyon, and their team welcome about 100 guests a night into the restaurant.

If the food is inventive it manages to stay familiar. Garner stresses simply, "I just like good food  I want people to come in hungry and leave full and happy."

Diners will certainly leave full, and if they can carry through with a plan to bring part of their meals home with them they'll leave happy as well. Portions at Common Table are generous as well as delicious.

On a recent Friday night scallops arrived on a bed of coconut-lime jasmine rice, topped with a sweet Korean barbecue sauce, and served with a side of garlicky spinach. Amazingly Garner created the dish from the ground up, starting with a base of garlicky spinach and taking inspiration from there.

A bone-in pork chop would not normally be described as "light," but somehow in Garner's hands, the one served at Common Table gives that impression (though it was large enough to pack up half to-go, with an eye on dessert). It was served with rhubarb compote and a creamy polenta that was pleasantly al dente.

The meal began perfectly with a stunningly tasty curried carrot bisque. Chickpeas added a complimentary texture to the creamy soup, and a touch of chili oil provided just a hint of heat.

Lunch, served Thursday through Saturday, is essentially a pared-down version of the dinner menu, featuring such dishes as the steak and fries, fish and chips, BLT tacos (the "B" is confit pork belly), and their salads, with the addition of a spinach, onion, and cheddar quiche. Burgers are available day and night.

With several entrees on offer at any given time, and a menu that changes at least somewhat on a weekly basis, Common Table could easily serve as a frequent destination for locals. Garners says that even after just one month the restaurant has "created a really strong base of regulars."

Garner and Lyon have focused as well on bringing in quality beer and wine. Four taps pour local beers from East Rock, Jack's Abbey, Big Elm, and Beer'd Brewing, and more local breweries are represented in nearly a dozen cans.

The wine list is small but varied, and modestly priced. Ten wines are sold by the glass.

Lyon creates the restaurant's signature cocktails, including the Tortured Poet, a nod to Taylor Swift and a variation on a gin fizz, here made with blackberry syrup. The house-made syrups also include mint and basil, as featured in the Strawberry-Basil Marg (that's margarita).

The pair hope by the fall to create an outdoor lounge where guests can enjoy a cocktail after work, while waiting for a table, or for a late weekend night out.

Meanwhile Garner and Lyon plan to keep serving the best meals they can, staying creative, and creating new dishes for their growing number of fans.

The restaurant's appearance on an otherwise ordinary stretch of Route 8 is a welcome addition to the Berkshires dining scene, and a bit of good luck for the town of Cheshire.
BCC Respiratory Care Program Gains Popularity

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Respiratory Care program at Berkshire Community College (BCC), which offers an associate in science degree to students who complete the program, has seen growth over the past few years.

So much so that, with more than 70 applications received, the enrollment cap has now been increased to meet demand.

BCC Dean of Nursing, Health & Wellness Lori Moon said the Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) Pipeline has been a contributor to the increase in interest for the program. The BHS Respiratory Talent Pathway, part of the pipeline program, covers the cost of all training while also offering students full-time pay with benefits while they are completing their training. The program is designed to create a direct career path from education and training to full-time employment at BHS.

"Respiratory therapists were a critical part of the health care team during Covid and did not get the recognition they deserved," Moon said. "We are thrilled that more students are interested in this occupation, and we plan to continue to provide this excellent program for many more years."

Moon said that in addition to the BHS Pipeline's positive impact on the Respiratory Care program, BCC faculty in the department have been spreading the word to students who have an interest in healthcare but may be unaware of what a respiratory therapist does.

Respiratory care practitioners help treat patients with a range of cardiopulmonary illnesses, including asthma and heart failure. Respiratory care includes diagnostic testing and administering oxygen, various other gases and aerosol drugs. Under a physician's supervision, respiratory care practitioners plan and assist with patient care and serve as a resource for professionals in other health care fields. They work in various settings, including hospital acute care and intensive care units, hospital neonatal units, outpatient rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, home care settings and diagnostic laboratories.

Margaret Goss, Assistant Professor of Respiratory Therapy, agreed that the BHS Respiratory Talent Pathway program has been a "tremendous contributing factor" to the success of the BCC program, noting that BHS's internal promotion and support of the program has brought BCC some excellent candidates.

Goss added that the BCC program has recently secured eight new clinical sites, which will include mentors who provide additional clinical experiences to further enhance student training.

"While respiratory therapists were not recognized in the same manner as other disciplines during the pandemic, Covid-19 did highlight the expertise they bring to the patient's bedside every day," Goss said. "Respiratory therapists are now recognized as specialized healthcare practitioners who are trained to work therapeutically with people suffering from pulmonary disease. We are very excited that respiratory therapists are in high demand, and that BCC will continue to fulfill such a critical need for our community."
The Dalton Fire District launched its new website last Thursday.

Dalton Fire District's New Website Live

DALTON, Mass.  The Fire District has launched its new website last week.

Fire Chief Christian Tobin has described the previous site as "lightyears" behind where it needed to be and that the district needed "an interactive website that's exciting, that draws people into the Fire District."

The district has been working to update its website since April to contribute toward efforts to improve communication with the community. Tobin has also instituted community meetings to gain feedback and brainstorm solutions to the district's challenges.

The new website improves the accessibility to forms, permits, and public records, including meeting agendas, minutes, warrants, election results and bylaws, and allows for easier updating of news and information.

The home page displays clickable photos that direct the user to the Fire District or Water Department subpages. Slightly farther down, users can find important alerts, fire safety information, the district's history, upcoming events, and contact information.

The Fire District or Water Department pages have information unique to each department. The Fire Department page displays the department's contact information, history, current demographics, and a list of apparatus types.

The Water Department page displays the department's contact information and mission, responsibilities, and details surrounding the annual spring flushing.

The menu icon in the top righthand corner displays an organized list and links to all of the subpages on the website.

Website design and digital marketing agency Gemini Creative was hired to update the website to make it Americans with Disabilities Act compliant and user-friendly.

Gemini Creative is located in Stockbridge and, according to its website, is currently working with the Dalton Recreation Association, Berkshire Housing, and Dovecote Homes.

The initial cost of the website's design is approximately $4,800. This may change depending on what the district wants to include. According to a document from the agency, there is a $200 an hour fee for work outside the original scope.

The Fire and Water Departments will be splitting the startup costs and have enough funds to cover it in this year's budgets.

According to the agency's document, the yearly retainer for hosting, backup, and maintenance is projected at $600 a year.

Gemini Creative will host the district's new website on its server and will be responsible for the website being available online.

If anything goes wrong with the website, district employees can reach out to the agency to solve the issue. New versions of WordPress and any plugins will be installed when they become available.

The website and database will be backed up every evening.
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A rare proof copy of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone  one of only 200 ever printed  could sell for thousands after being bought for just 1.

The book, which misspells author JK Rowlings name as JA Rowling, is a proof copy created ahead of the novels official publication for review.

It is also notably the first time that Harry Potter ever appeared in print.

Bidding for the book is set to open at $2,500 (1,969) at the auction in Dallas, Texas, and comes after a first edition copy of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone sold for $471,000 (371,892) in 2021.

The proof copy was bought at a publishers sale for just 1 ($1.27) back in 1997  the same year the book itself came out but notably before the Harry Potter series became a global sensation.

The purchase was made by St. Kenelms School of Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire, and it remained in their possession until 2002 when it was sold to a local business owner, Dale Henry, for an unreported amount.

This money was used to benefit the local area and Henry plans to to donate the proceeds of its sale this summer to the community too.

A spokesperson for the action told The Independent that a proof copy of Harry Potter sold for 11,000 ($13,964) earlier this year and they are expecting this copy to sell for at least $5,000 ($6,347).

open image in gallery The proof copy is the first ever printing in the Harry Potter series. ( Heritage Auctions )

When I first heard of the proof, I was immediately intrigued by both its unique history and its connection to the area  as well as the fact that my wife is a massive Potterhead, Henry said.

I hope others are similarly compelled, and I see this auction as an opportunity to reinvest in the community during a tough time.

The book will be sold at the Historical Platinum auction event in Dallas on 25 July 25, but pre-bidding will start next Monday (1 July).

Those interested can make their bids online, through the phone and in the room through the online auction platform Heritage Live.

News of the auction comes hot on the heels of the sale of the original painting used for the cover of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone.

Sothebys, the auctioneer, valued the watercolour at between $400,000 to $600,000 (320,420 to 480,630).

open image in gallery The original Harry Potter artwork is also up for auction. ( Sothebys New York )

The iconic artwork by Thomas Taylor was his first-ever professional commission and it was created after he became one of the first people in the world to read the boy wizards story.

It is exciting to see the painting that marks the very start of my career, decades later and as bright as ever, he said.

It takes me back to the experience of reading Harry Potter for the first time  one of the first people in the world to do so  and the process of creating what is now an iconic image.

As I write and illustrate my own stories today, I am proud to look back on such magical beginnings.

The watercolour will be sold to the highest bidder at Sothebys in New York on 26 June alongside other literary works.
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Normal Peoples Eanna Hardwicke will narrate the audio version of Sally Rooneys forthcoming novel, Intermezzo.

Hardwicke, 27, played Rob Hegarty in the Emmy-nominated TV adaptation of the Irish authors best-selling novel alongside Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones.

Her writing was a real gift to act, so it is a privilege to get to share in the Intermezzo story, Hardwicke said, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and to try and capture Sallys inimitable voice.

Intermezzo will land as Rooneys fourth book, following 2017s Conversations with Friends, Normal People (2018) and Beautiful World, Where Are You (2021).

Breaking the format of its predecessors, the new book will follow two brothers, Peter and Ivan Koubek, and their very different ways of dealing with the death of their father.

Sally has a beautiful way of bringing us into her characters hearts and minds, Hardwicke added. Normal People, like so many others, played a big part in my life, and I have been moved and transported by each of Sallys wonderful novels. They do what great stories do: make you laugh, make you cry and  hopefully  see the world a little more vividly afterward.

Normal People starred Mescal and Edgar-Jones as leads Connell and Marianne as they drift in and out of each others romantic lives throughout young adulthood.

open image in gallery Sally [Rooney] has a beautiful way of bringing us into her characters hearts and minds, Eanna Hardwicke said ( Getty Images )

Mescals portrayal earned him an Emmy nomination for Lead Actor in a Limited Anthology Series or Movie at the 2020 ceremony.

Last month, Faber unveiled the Intermezzo cover, which shows a small man standing between a larger mans legs next to a fallen chess piece, on X/Twitter.

Through the components of everyday life, Sally Rooney builds a world of ethical complexity that matches that of the great 19th-century novels, publishers Farrar, Straus and Giroux President told People in a statement.

Intermezzo is an astonishing novel: it marks yet another advance in the work of a writer who captures our life and our times with more stylistic elan and generosity of spirit than ever.

Peter, one of the protagonists in Rooneys latest novel, is a lawyer in his thirties who is successful, confident and apparently unassailable.

However, he struggles with grief and self-medicates while struggling to manage relationships with two very different women.

His relationship with his first love Sylvia is enduring, but Naomi, a college student, feels life is one long joke.

Meanwhile, Ivan, Peters 22-year-old brother, is a competitive chess player. He sees himself as socially awkward, a loner and the opposite of his elder brother. He meets an older woman called Margaret who is emerging from a turbulent past and their lives become rapidly and intensely intertwined.

The print edition and audiobook of Intermezzo are both scheduled to be released on September 24.
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Jerry Seinfeld delivered a stinging rebuke to a group of pro-Palestinian supporters who disrupted his stand-up show in Melbourne, Australia, joking: I think you need to go back and tell whoever is running your organization, We just gave more money to a Jew.

The 70-year-old sitcom star reportedly added: That cannot be a good plan for you. You gotta come up with a better plan!

Seinfeld has repeatedly been heckled over his outspoken support for Israel during his tour of Australia.

Last week, he mocked another heckler who interrupted his show in Sydney.

A video shared on X showed the protester briefly disrupting his routine at the Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday, shouting: From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.

As the heckler was escorted out by security, Seinfeld called him a moron. We have a genius, ladies and gentlemen. He solved the Middle East! Seinfeld quipped.

Jerry Seinfeld in Los Angeles, April 2024 ( Getty Images )

Its the Jewish comedians, that is who we have to get! Theyre the ones doing everything.

As the heckler continued chanting Palestine will be free, Seinfeld added, Go ahead, keep going! Theyre going to start punching you in about three seconds so I would try to get all of your genius out so we can all learn from you.

Its a comedy show, you moron! Get out of here.

Youre really influencing everyone here. Were all on your side now, because youve made your point so well, and in the right venue, youve come to the right place for a political conversation.

Tomorrow we will read in the paper, Middle East 100 per cent solved thanks to man at the Qudos Arena stopping the Jew comedian.

You have to go 20,000 miles from the problem and screw up a comedian. That is how you solve world issues.

Israels air and ground assault on Gaza has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, a majority of whom were women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health. Most of the territorys homes, schools, hospitals and places of worship have been reduced to rubble, and a majority of the 2.3 million population have been left homeless, and without adequate food supplies amid warnings of potential famine.

The assault started after Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel on 7 October and killed around 1,200 civilians and soldiers and took nearly 250 people hostage.

Seinfeld visited Israel in December to meet the families of the hostages. He also signed an open letter in support of Israel.

In May, students walked out on Seinfeld at Duke University as he was about to deliver the commencement speech and his show in Norfolk, New Jersey, that same month was also disrupted by pro-Palestinian hecklers.

Seinfeld has described the protestors as being off-target.

I love that these young people, they are trying to get engaged with politics. We have to just correct their aim a little bit. They dont seem to understand that, as comedians, we really dont control anything, he said on the podcast Honestly.

Its so silly. Its like, they want to express this sincere, intense rage. But again, a little off target.

So thats, to me, comedic.
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The release of British actor Dev Patels highly anticipated directorial debut, Monkey Man, has reportedly been postponed in India amid concerns that it could fall foul of the countrys censors.

The revenge action drama premiered at South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) on 11 March. It was released theatrically worldwide on 5 April and was originally scheduled to come out in India on 19 April.

The film is set in India, and follows Patels unnamed character on a revenge spree against the corrupt officials of an Indian right-wing political party. The Independents Clarisse Loughrey gave it 4 stars as an action film with shades of John Wick and Enter the Dragon, concluding that it deserves to be a hit.

Yet despite Monkey Mans mostly positive reviews, a standing ovation at SXSW and grossing $12m in its opening weekend, Indians themselves may have a while to wait to watch it.

Indian ticketing site BookMyShow no longer shows Monkey Mans release date and Universal Studios India  Monkey Mans distribution partner  posted a teaser on X saying it would be in theatres soon, with no definite date.

Reports from Indian media suggest this delay is likely because the film hasnt yet been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), a government body that grants the requisite certification to any film before its release.

The film has excessive violence and there are fears that some of its aspects might hurt the sentiments of the section of the audience. Hence, the censor process is expected to take time, an unnamed source told film website Bollywood Hungama.

Also, the Universal Studios team in the USA also needs to permit the changes asked by the CBFC. Once they approve, the local team will carry out the changes and only then, the team will announce the release date  A clearer picture will emerge in a weeks time, hopefully, the source added.

open image in gallery RESENA-MONKEY MAN ( AP )

Monkey Man was originally never meant to get a theatrical release. The independent feature was bought by streaming giant Netflix for $30m in 2021, which then dropped it in 2023 with no clear reason as to why. Film blog World of Reel reported that the portrayal of a right-wing Hindu nationalist character in the film spooked them.

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In January 2024, Netflix was forced to pull Annapoorani: the Goddess of Food after several right-wing Hindu groups complained that the main character was shown eating meat. The film, which was made in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, followed a young woman from the Brahmin caste, which does not traditionally eat meat. The film also received criticism that it promoted love jihad, an unproven conspiracy theory propagated by Hindu right-wing groups that claims Muslim men marry Hindu women in order to convert them to Islam.

After Netflix dropped Monkey Man, it was picked up by Get Out director Jordan Peele, who convinced Universal Pictures to buy and distribute the film.

I first saw a cut of Monkey Man about eight months ago and I instantly knew it was a classic, Peele told TheWrap.

Ive been a fan of Devs for a while, but I was instantly blown away by the cinematic generosity of his film. I watched it alone but could hear the audiences reactions in my head. I knew the movie demanded a theatrical run.

open image in gallery Britain Monkey Man Special Screening ( Invision )

After the films premiere at SXSW, commentators on X noted that the flags and posters associated with the villains political party had changed from saffron-coloured in the movies first trailer to red in the second trailer. Saffron is often associated with right-wing Hindu nationalist movements or Hindutva groups in India, and is the colour used by Narendra Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. While Universal has not commented on or confirmed the change, many online have speculated that it was done to pre-empt and minimise outrage in India.

Bollywood film Pathaan came under fire in 2023 because Deepika Padukones character wore a saffron bikini. The home minister of Indias Madhya Pradesh state, Narottam Mishra, said he objected to the way saffron and green colours have been used in the film.

Self-censorship to cater to a films international markets is not a new concept. The 2012 remake of action film Red Dawn changed its antagonists nationalities from Chinese to North Korean in post production to appease the Chinese market. In 2013, Marvel changed the originally Chinese villain Mandarins nationality in Iron Man 3 by casting British actor Ben Kingsley.

A 2023 report in The Washington Post showed that streaming platforms Netflix and Amazon Prime Video dropped multiple projects to appease the Indian government and there was pressure on Indian creators to remove any reference to religion that might offend the Hindu right wing or the BJP

open image in gallery RESENA-MONKEY MAN ( AP )

A review of Monkey Man in The New Statesman says: Monkey Mans critique of an extremely popular dictator who has managed to weaponise Hinduism is not exactly subtle, a description that most critics have echoed, while also pointing out the self-censorship embedded within that portrayal.

Patels character derives strength from the Hindu ape-god Hanuman to wreak vengeance on those who attacked his village, and even uses real news footage from demonstrations against Indias Modi-led government  though it removes the context from said protests.

In an Ask Me Anything Q&A on Reddit, Patel describes Monkey Man as being about the marginalised  the underdogs  all lifting each other up to achieve a justice that was only meant for the privileged.
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Season three of The Bear is releasing a day earlier than expected.

Yes, chef, you heard that correctly. Season three of the Emmy-winning drama, starring Jeremy Allen White as chef Carmy, will now be debuting in the US on Wednesday (June 26) at 9pm ET.

The series was initially scheduled to premiere its third season on Hulu and FX on Thursday (June 27). But if US fans check Hulu, they will see the time has since been updated.

The 10-episode season will be released in its entirety on the same day.

The Bear 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.

The chaotic comedy-drama, documenting the lives of the employees of a Chicago sandwich shop, was one of the biggest successes at this years TV celebrations, including the Golden Globes, the Emmys, and the Critics Choice Awards.

White, Edebiri, and Moss-Bacharach were repeatedly rewarded for their acting skills, along with the series in general.

The show first debuted in 2022, followed by a second season in 2023.

open image in gallery The Bear season three will debut on June 26 in the US ( FX )

Despite the third season not having aired yet, it has been reported that the show has already been picked up for a fourth season.

Corey Hendrix, who plays Gary Sweeps Woods in The Bear, recently spoke to The Independent about the series future.

Of course, I want to say it can go on forever. But I think we can easily do like four more seasons or something, he said. Because the first two seasons were a lot but I still feel like we havent really gotten there yet.

He continued: The first season is the introduction. The second season, its like were trying to see if we can build this restaurant and now [in season three] its like, okay lets 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.

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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 an earlier interview with The Guardian, Moss-Bachrach, who stars as Carmys best friend Richie, admitted that fans yelling his characters nickname (Cousin) at him in public had gotten exasperating.

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.

The Bear season three debuts on Hulu in the US on Wednesday (June 26) and on Disney+ in the UK on Thursday (June 27). Seasons one and two are available to stream now.

If youre traveling abroad and want to stream The Bear 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.
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A senior British judge heard a protest-related case in Hong Kong involving seven high-profile democrats on Monday, just weeks after two judges resigned citing the profoundly compromised rule of law in Hong Kong.

David Neuberger, a former head of Britains Supreme Court, was part of a five-judge panel on Hong Kongs Court of Final Appeal reviewing an unauthorised assembly case.

The defendants in this case include 86-year-old Martin Lee, a veteran pro-democracy figure who co-founded Hong Kongs Democratic Party in the 1990s, and Jimmy Lai, 76, currently imprisoned and facing potential life imprisonment on national security charges. The seven were arrested nearly eight months after a peaceful procession from a downtown park after a protest in August 2019.

Mr Lee previously received an 11-month suspended sentence. Other defendants are former Alliance leaders Albert Ho, 72, and Lee Cheuk Yan, 67, both arrested and charged in another national security case and in custody since 2021.

On Monday, the appeal focused on whether the court should adopt two non-binding decisions from Britains Supreme Court, which apply the principle of operational proportionality, assessing if a conviction aligns with fundamental human rights protections.

Judge Neuberger questioned the defence on this principle and the justification for participating in a peaceful protest in August 2019.

The case unfolded amidst a prolonged national security crackdown following the 2019 pro-democracy protests, which has seen opposition figures jailed and media outlets shut down.

Over 1,800 political prisoners have been detained in Hong Kong amid a crackdown on dissent following the mass pro-democracy protests of 2019. This crackdown has intensified since the pro-Beijing legislature passed a national security law in 2020, although British judges are not permitted to rule on national security cases.

This comes after two British judges, Lawrence Collins, 83, and Jonathan Sumption, 75, resigned citing concerns over Hong Kongs shift towards totalitarianism and profoundly compromised rule of law. Mr Sumption and Mr Collins were two of five judges  all of whom retired from their British roles  listed as overseas non-permanent judges for the Court of Final Appeal, who could be selected at any time to sit on cases.

Earlier this month, Mr Neuberger said at a conference in London that he was going to remain on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal. According to The Law Society Gazette, he said: My feeling is that so long as I can do good by being there and so long as I think that I might cause harm by leaving, I want to stay and support my judicial colleagues in Hong Kong and support the rule of law as long as I can.

Speaking about the resignation of his two former colleagues  Mr Collins and Mr Sumption  he said: Its a matter of individual assessment as to when the water gets too hot. He added that he was aware of the proverbial boiling frog syndrome which refers to a frog in a pot of slowly heating water which ends up boiling to death because it wont or cant jump out.

Meanwhile, critics argue that Hong Kongs rule of law has been severely undermined by the security laws and that the presence of foreign judges risks lending an air of legitimacy to the Beijing regime. Human rights groups have criticised Western judges for continuing to serve on Hong Kongs top court, which still includes justices from the UK, Canada and Australia.

open image in gallery The scales of justice are seen on top of the Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong on 24 June 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation has previously accused the Western judges of lending their prestige to a justice system that has been undermined and co-opted by Beijing.

Mark Sabah, the director of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation earlier this month told The Guardian that Mr Neubergers presence on the Hong Kong bench was astonishing.

If he had any shred of credibility left  he would immediately resign, he said.

International law expert and barrister Sir Geoffrey Nice earlier told The Independent: I see absolutely no reason the judges should be there ... The Hong Kong game has been lost and it is being drawn back to China.

After the resignation of Mr Sumption and Mr Collins, Hong Kongs top bench now retains only three British judges: Lennie Hoffmann, David Neuberger, and Nicholas Phillips, all of whom are members of the House of Lords. While the British judges cannot rule on national security law cases, Mr Hoffmann and Mr Sumption have previously overseen cases involving convictions of activists critical of Beijing.
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At least 22 people have died in South Korea after a powerful explosion and fire at a lithium battery factory.

The fire tore through the Aricell plant in Hwaseong city, a major industrial cluster about 90 minutes southwest of the capital Seoul, on Monday morning.

Most of the dead are foreigners, including 18 Chinese nationals, Yonhap reported, adding that the death toll is expected to rise.

Eight others were injured and a search is continuing for several missing persons.

The fire ripped through the building after a series of battery cells exploded inside a warehouse, said Kim Jin-young, a local fire official.

It is not yet known what triggered the explosion, he added, saying the warehouse stored 35,000 units of battery cells.

Videos on social media showed a huge cloud of smoke rising from the factory on Monday afternoon, though the blaze has now largely been extinguished.

Live TV footage showed firefighters spraying the damaged steel and concrete building, where parts of the upper level had collapsed.

Large chunks of the building appeared to have been blown out into the street by an explosion.

open image in gallery Firefighters carry a body at the site of a fire at a lithium battery manufacturing factory in Hwaseong ( AP )

Mr Kim said the high intensity of the fire has made it difficult to identify and rescue those inside the warehouse.

It was difficult to enter the site of the explosion initially due to fears of additional explosions.

The fire began at 10.31am (0131 GMT) and was controlled by 3pm in the afternoon.

open image in gallery Emergency personnel carry the body of a person killed in a deadly fire at a lithium battery factory owned by South Korean battery maker Aricell ( REUTERS )

The factory is a three-storey building spread across 2,300sqm.

One of the workers, who escaped from the second floor of the factory, told the Hwaseong Fire Station that explosive combustion occurred in one battery cell at the time of the fire, reported Yonhap.

President Yoon Suk-yeols office said he was monitoring the situation.

Interior minister Lee Sang-min called on the local authorities to take steps to prevent any hazardous chemicals from contaminating the surroundings.

South Korea is one of the global leaders in lithium battery production, with its industry being a crucial part of the countrys technology sector. The country has made efforts to improve its safety record after several past accidents, many of which have been blamed on negligence.
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India may be supplying weapons to Israel for its war in Gaza as a way of returning the favour for Israeli assistance during the 1999 war with Pakistan, according to a former envoy.

Daniel Carmon who served as Israels ambassador to India from 2014 to 2018 made the comments in an interview to leading Israeli publication Ynetnews.

His comments came amid reports that India has been supplying drones and munitions for Israels military campaign to eradicate Hamas. India has neither confirmed nor denied the reports.

The Indians always remind us that Israel was there for them during the Kargil war. Israel was one of the few countries that stood by them and provided them with weapons, Mr Carmon said.

The Indians dont forget this and might now be returning the favour, he said.

Mr Carmon was referring to the brief high-altitude war between India and Pakistan in the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir between May and July 1999. During that period Israel helped India by providing crucial military supplies and equipment, including precision-guided munitions and surveillance drones.

open image in gallery A girl cries as children carrying dummy bodies take part in a demonstration to express their solidarity with the Palestinians, in Chennai ( AFP via Getty Images )

In May, Spain refused to allow ships carrying arms to Israel from India to call at its ports, the countrys foreign minister said, in keeping with its commitment not to contribute to war.

In February, a number of Indian media reports said Delhi had supplied Israel with advanced Hermes 900 drones manufactured in Hyderabad. The drones were produced at a facility originally set up by the Israeli military to supply the Indian military, but the reports said 20 drones were converted to be used by the Israeli Defence Forces after Israels own supplies ran low.

open image in gallery Student activists display placards and shout slogans against the war in Gaza and to show solidarity with the Palestinian people during a protest in New Delhi, India ( AP )

India has refrained from directly calling out Israel for its actions in Gaza and longstanding ties between the two countries have strengthened under the Narendra Modi government. The Indian foreign ministry has called for a ceasefire to be agreed, however, as well as expressing its support for a two-state solution.

Claims that India is exporting weapons to Israel have triggered protests back home, amid concern among the Indian public about supporting a military campaign that has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu began the operation against Hamas following the 7 October terror attack that killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 captive.

India has been open about another form of support for Israel  recruiting and dispatching thousands of workers to bolster Israels economy after the Netanyahu government banned tens of thousands of Palestinian workers.
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Japan has become the latest country to sanction an Indian tech company for its alleged role in helping Russia evade sanctions imposed due to its war in Ukraine.

The sanctions were part of trade restrictions, including asset freezes, against 11 entities in five countries, including China, Kazakhstan, UAE, and Uzbekistan, on Friday.

This is the first time Japan has imposed sanctions on an Indian company since 1998 and the first time for China-based firms in connection with the war in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan sanctioned the Bengaluru-based firm Si2 Microsystems, which has a complex history, having been banned by the US in November 2023 and sanctioned by the European Union in February 2024.

Si2 Microsystems faced sanctions from the US and the EU for its alleged transport of dual-use technology to Russia. The US Department of Commerce said it was banned for providing support to Russias military and/or defence industrial base by exporting chips without a license.

The company is a partner of Indias Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras to research the fabrication of chips with silicon photonic processor cores, according to reports.

The Chinese firms hit with sanctions included Hong Kong-based Asia Pacific Links Ltd, which provided microchips for Russian drones, and China-based Yilufa Electronics Limited.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (L), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) chat before a family photo with G7 heads of the states ( AFP via Getty Images )

These sanctions follow Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishidas statement that the government was considering a new sanction package for entities based in third countries collaborating with Russia, made during the G7 Summit in Italy.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Mr Kishida at the summit, which he attended at the invitation of Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni. The two leaders highlighted the need to advance ties across various strategic sectors, including defence, technology, and semiconductors.

As Russias war in Ukraine continued in its third year, India has avoided directly criticised president Vladimir Putin for his invasion of Ukraine due to its close trade and diplomatic ties with Moscow. Delhi has called for an end of hostilities through negotiations and talks.

India was one of the few countries that did not sign a final communique that called on Russia to respect Ukraines territorial integrity in a peace deal to end the war. India participated in the summit in Switzerland in which 90 countries took part.
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Hundreds of students have taken to streets in India protesting alleged irregularities in the countrys fiercely competitive medical school entrance exam.

The controversy erupted earlier this month after an unusually high number of students scored a perfect 720 in the centrally-administrated exam known as the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), with accusations of cheating and paper leaks quickly spreading.

A gateway for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate medical and dental courses in prestigious institutions across the country, the credibility and fairness of NEET is deemed paramount to ensuring equal opportunities for candidates.

For many candidates it represents a make-or-break chance of a secure career, a means of escaping poverty and dragging up the living standards and reputation of their family as a whole.

When as many as 67 students scored a perfect 720  unprecedented in the history of the exam  complaints swiftly followed that the credibility of the exercise had been compromised. Protests became stronger after it emerged that six of the top-scoring students all came from one exam centre in the northern state of Haryana.

How is that six students who scored full 720 marks are from the exam centres in Faridabad, Haryana? Sachin Bangad, a parent body representative asked the Times of India, as he alleged the exam was managed.

Outraged parents have sent letters to the National Testing Agency (NTA) seeking a thorough investigation into the alleged discrepancy.

At first the high number of perfect scores was attributed to bonus marks given to 1,563 candidates due to a faulty question and logistical issues, with education minister Dharmendra Pradhan denying the accusations that exam papers had been leaked.

I want to assure the students and their parents that the Government of India and NTA are committed to providing justice to them, the union minister said on 13 June. 2.4 million students have successfully taken the NEET examination. There is no paper leak, no proof has been found yet.

The Supreme Court of India has intervened in the matter, such is the national importance of these exams, ruling that the bonus marks given to the students should be scrapped, with the affected students being given the choice of either retaking the exam or accepting a final score without them.

Meanwhile, investigations by state police bodies have uncovered several lapses in the medical exam across the country.

Police in the eastern state of Bihar found a charred booklet of answers matching entirely those in the exam paper, reported India Today.

Another case has been registered against an individual in Godhra, Gujarat, for allegedly trying to help 27 candidates clear the NEET, with charges including criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal breach of trust.

In Maharashtra, police on Sunday arrested four people, including two teachers, in connection with the scandal. A preliminary report alleges that the accused ran a racket of selling advance information about the exam to students in exchange for large sums of money, according to India Today.

The education ministry has sought to assuage fears that the exam could be declared null and retakes ordered across the country, saying that the many hundreds of thousands of candidates who took the test legitimately should not have their careers jeopardised because of localised or isolated incidents of cheating.

I want to assure everyone that once we have concrete proof, actions will be taken against those who are responsible for the irregularities, be it the NTA or any other official. The government is forming a high-level committee, Mr Pradhan said while addressing a press conference.

While this is not the first year when allegations of exam cheating have been reported, they do appear to be particularly widespread. The education ministry has nullified the results of another set of exams  the National Eligibility Test (NET)  which is used as the basis for admission to doctoral programmes and for the appointment of college and university teachers, based on a report from a government cyber crime team that the integrity of the aforesaid examination may have been compromised.

It said the countrys top investigative agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation, will look into the matter.

The problems with the two exams have cast a shadow on the NTAs ability to conduct entrance tests and has damaged trust among millions of students.

After I took the [NET] exam, I was positive that I would have qualified. I used to study at least 12 hours a day alongside pursuing my Masters and was hoping for some relief after the exam. Instead, we were thrown into uncertainty and more stress, one student told The Quint.

Over two dozen students protesting against the NEET irregularities and concerns about paper cancellations were arrested in Delhi as hundreds flocked to Jantar Mantar, a popular gathering point for demonstrations.

The main opposition Congress party said the Narendra Modi government has ruined the countrys education and recruitment system.

There is huge pressure on our students. Theres a large scale unemployment in the country, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said. The youngsters in India have no way through. The youth of India have nowhere to go. Its a profound national crisis.
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Officials from the UN confirmed that their talks with the Taliban next week in Doha on the future of war-torn Afghanistan will be held without the presence of Afghan women at the table.

This will be the first meeting between the Taliban and 22 other international envoys since the takeover of Kabul by the group in 2021 after the US and Nato forces left the country.

Roza Otunbayeva, the UN special envoy for Afghanistan, defended the decision to keep women and civil society members out of the crucial talks.

She said nobody dictated conditions to the UN on the Doha meeting but added that no Afghan women will be present.

[The Taliban] are not like us. The Taliban have come from the mountains and from war, and turning them into people who sit at the negotiation table and accept our principles is not easy, she told reporters at a press conference in New York.

A Taliban delegation is expected from Kabul. Human rights groups and experts monitoring the hardline Islamist regime, which banished women and girls from public spaces and took away their right to study and work, called upon the UN to mandatorily ensure the presence of Afghan women at the table.

Activists said women have been excluded due to the Talibans preconditions.

Not a single woman will be present during the Doha talks between the UN and Taliban. Without a doubt, the erasure of Afghan women and girls is the most pressing issue the country faces. To ignore this, and appease the Taliban as they wish, undermines the entire UN system, said Sara Wahedi, an Afghan-Canadian entrepreneur.

I should add that the Taliban has explicitly said that even the mention of the topic of women will result in them walking out of talks, she said on X.

The upcoming dialogue is being held to discuss the war-torn nations future, economic crisis, drug addiction impacting millions and stability in the region, and excludes talks on womens and humanitarian rights violations by the Taliban.

The UN plans to hold a meeting without womens rights on the agenda or Afghan women in the room are shocking, said Human Rights Watch executive director Tirana Hassan, citing the Talibans tightening repression of women and girls in Afghanistan.

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, Amnesty International secretary general Agnes Callamard.

The UNs undersecretary-general Rosemary A DiCarlo had visited Afghanistan in May and invited the Taliban foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Ms DiCarlo will chair the meeting, ms Otunbayeva said. We do hope that the delegation will be led by de facto foreign minister Muttaqi, she said, adding that the Taliban may send another minister.

The talks will be about private business and banking in Afghanistan and counter-narcotics policy, she said, calling them the most important acute issues of today.

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 also provide them access to businesses.

If there are, lets say, five million addicted people in Afghanistan, more than 30 per cent are women, she said.

The talks in Doha, the third such UN-sponsored dialogue on the Afghan crisis in Qatar capital, will see the Taliban delegation making their first appearance after rejecting an invitation for the previous session at the last minute, citing the presence of civil society members.

In February, the Taliban told the UN that they will only attend on the condition that the civil society members, including women, will be excluded from the talks and that they should be treated as Afghanistans legitimate rulers. Their demands were struck down by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who called them unacceptable conditions.
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Parts of the Midwest were underwater on Tuesday as millions of people across at least two dozen states faced extreme heat warnings.

Heavy rainfall triggered deadly flooding in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota over the weekend. While many places have already seen the worst of it, rivers will crest through Thursday, the National Weather Service warned, and flooding will remain a concern for at least another week. Tuesday will also see egg-sized hail batter the region.

William Schulze of Elburn, Illinois, died in Iowa on Saturday after trying to cross the swollen Little Sioux River in a Ford F-150 which was swept away, ABC7 Chicago reports. Another person died in South Dakota when their vehicle rolled down an embankment created by a water-eroded road, according to NBC News.

A crowd watches a home on the brink of collapse near the Rapidan Dam in Minnesota. Severe flooding and debris caused the dam to partially fail on Monday ( AP )

Minnesotas flooding has left entire communities under feet of water, Governor Tim Walz said this weekend. On Monday, the Rapidan Dam in Blue Earth County, partially failed after severe flooding hit the region, putting thousands of people at risk.

The dam began to break down as rushing waters swept debris into the 114-year-old structure. On Monday morning, the dam was in imminent failure condition but by the afternoon, it had suffered a partial failure, the sheriffs office said. The dam is near the city of Mankato, about 90 minutes from Minneapolis, and home to some 45,000 people. Blue Earth County has nearly 70,000 residents in total.

There is no widespread evacuation order as of Tuesday after Minnesotas Rapidan Dam, pictured, partially failed on Monday ( AP )

Flooding has also destroyed businesses, healthcare facilities and homes in Iowa, said Governor Kim Reynolds, who declared a state of emergency in 21 counties last week.

Businesses are shuttered. Main streets have been impacted, Reynolds said. Hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities were evacuated. Cities are without power, and some are without drinkable water.

In Spencer, Iowa, hundreds were evacuated and crews made 383 rescues, NBC News reports, amid road closures and widespread power outages. Much of the town of 11,000 was still partially submerged as of Tuesday.

Officials perform a water rescue in Sioux City, Iowa on Monday as floodwaters put thousands in danger ( AP )

Some 4,000 people were also evacuated from Rock Valley, Iowa as flooding tore through the community Sunday, with people and animals rescued from the waters throughout the day by boat.

Drone footage from Woodbury County Sheriffs Office showed several homes and other buildings submerged with only their roofs visible in the town of Correctionville. Powerlines and roads were also underwater.

In Sioux City, Iowa, a train bridge connecting the town to the neighboring state of South Dakota collapsed into the Big Sioux River late Sunday, local outlet KTIV4 reported.

The town of Hawarden, Iowa pictured after floodwaters rushed through the town this weekend. One person is dead in South Dakota as flooding continues in the midwest this week ( EPA )

That is the main bridge going into Iowa that a lot of commodities and different materials move on throughout the state, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem said. Thatll impact us for many, many months to come.

Millions of people in 27 states were under heat alerts on Tuesday. Much of the central and eastern US has spent the past week under a heat dome - an oppressive atmospheric event that traps heat and causes extreme heat waves.

The climate crisis is driving more extreme and frequent heatwaves in the US and around the world, and experts say 2024 will likely be the hottest year on record globally following the record-setting 2023.
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Politics isnt usually something most children and young people enjoy, or even understand. But Alastair Campbell is on a mission to change that.

Campbell, who was former prime minister Tony Blairs spokesman in the late Nineties and early 2000s, believes young people have become so disengaged with politics that the future of democracy could be at risk.

He says: I worry that the cynicism about politics is so deep that unless we challenge it, I think weve got a problem with the future of democracy, I really do. We have a very cynical and apathetic electorate turning away from politics, and unless we reverse that trend with the younger generations, I think democracys in peril.

I would also back compulsory voting, and I think there should be proper political education in all schools, including primary schools Alastair Campbell

The key to this is political education  in people taking politics more seriously, understanding why it matters, and for younger people to understand that it can be really good fun.

Campbell, 67, is aware persuading children and young people that politics is fun could be a hard nut to crack, but hes using his exceptional political knowledge to convince them in his two new books  Why Politics Matters, which is aimed at primary school-aged children, and Alastair Campbell Talks Politics, for older children and young adults.

The publication of both books has been brought forward so theyre available by the General Election.

But how do you make a book about politics fun and interesting for a child?

Speaking from France, where he says hes been dragged into the election, Campbell explains: First of all, I dont talk down to them. How Ive made the teenagers book, I hope, interesting is that everythings based on a Q&A  what is politics, why should we care about politics, what skills do you need to be a politician? Ive tried to make it very clear, very simple.

But although the books are aimed at children and young people, Campbell suspects adults might gain some interesting political knowledge by reading them too.

When it was first announced, he recalls, I got a message from a Labour MP whos been there a long time who said Ive read that youve written another book and this ones going to explain how politics and Parliament works  can you send it to me, because I still havent got a ******* clue!

I think adults will read it. Ive made it very neutral  theres no Vote Labour in it, its very politically neutral. But I hope parents think children do need to know about politics, and maybe this will help them.

He believes that an important way to get children and young people engaged with politics is to help them understand how it relates to them and their day-to-day lives.

Ive been in dozens and dozens of schools in the last few years, and my sense is they get properly engaged when you can explain to them how it relates to their lives, he says.

He uses the example of the recent teachers strike to illustrate his point  he says when hes asked them about it, children will often have strong opinions about the strike which will spark a debate. And then the next time any of them says theyre not interested in politics, Ill say, Were you interested in the debate about your teachers going on strike? Because thats politics.

Thats how I try to make it relevant.

He continues: They ask some great questions  one that really threw me today was Which person in all the world right now would you like to sit down and talk about politics with?. I was probably over-influenced by the fact that they were young people, but I ended up saying Taylor Swift, because I want to know if shes aware of how much political power she has by being such a phenomenon.

When I go into schools, theres way more awareness than they get credit for. Theyve got a take on it all.

I want to know if Taylor Swift is aware of how much political power she has by being such a phenomenon Alastair Campbell

A father of three grown-up children himself, Campbell is well aware that young people are more likely to not bother to vote in elections  a 2022 UK parliament report said 60% of 18-25 year olds think politicians dont care, and only 54% of young people aged 18-24 voted in the 2019 election, the lowest of any age group.

But he wholeheartedly agrees with Sir Keir Starmers belief that the voting age should be reduced to 16.

Im totally in favour of it, he declares, and I have been for a long time. Its one of the few things Tony Blair and I disagree about. I support lowering the voting age  I think one of the best things about the Scottish independence referendum was that 16 and 17-year-olds could vote, and it changed the nature of the debate.

I would also back compulsory voting, and I think there should be proper political education in all schools, including primary schools. I think kids can cope with that.

He stresses that when theyre old enough to vote its important that young people use their vote, no matter how disenchanted with politics they are.

What I would say to young people is one of the reasons youre probably cynical about politics is because politicians spend too much time worrying about older people, and one of the reasons is because they know older people vote.

But by not voting, young people are sending the message carry on as usual, so theyre actually becoming part of the problem.

If politicians knew every young person was going to vote, it would probably change the nature of the debate. Sunak wouldnt have kicked off with national service and pensions, hed have kicked off with something to do with mental health or education or whatever.

Everything young people care about has politics attached to it. They can make a difference, their voice does count.

Addressing the potential young readers of his books, he adds: When I was in primary school, I didnt have a clue what politics was. If youd told me I would work in 10 Downing Street, and be involved in big decisions that would change the country and the world, Id have wondered what planet you were from.

But that happened. It could happen to you too. In fact, you could even become prime minister. Someone has to do it  why not you?

Little Experts: Why Politics Matters by Alastair Campbell is published by Red Shed on July 4, priced 9.99.Alastair Campbell Talks Politics is published by Red Shed, priced 9.99. Available now.
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Kim Kardashians latest hairstyle has seemingly taken inspiration from Americas Founding Fathers, according to fans.

The Skims founder, 43, took to Instagram on June 23 to debut a new look. In a carousel of photos, Kardashians platinum blonde hair was woven into basket braid pigtails. The reality TV star went makeup free in the photos, pairing her braided hairstyle with a sheer tank top and nude leggings.

While the Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum has been known to wear some avante-garde and futuristic ensembles, some fans believed her newest look resembled a powdered wig from the 18th century.

What in the constitution is going on here? one Instagram user commented under the post.

Ok George Washington, another fan joked.

Its giving Founding Father, said someone else, while another person quipped: She getting ready to write the Declaration of Independence.

Kardashians woven braids were crafted by her longtime hairstylist Chris Appleton, who she tagged in her Instagram post. Appleton posted photos of the entrepreneurs basket braids to his own Instagram, simply captioning his post with three silver chain link emojis.

This isnt the first time the mother of four has shocked fans with a dramatic hair transformation. In 2015, Kardashian debuted her now-signature bleach blonde hair for the first time at Paris Fashion Week. The Kardashians star went back to her natural dark brown locks on-and-off for several years, before undergoing a 14-hour hair transformation to channel Marilyn Monroe at the 2022 Met Gala.

For the annual fashion event, where the theme was In America: An Anthology of Fashion, Kardashian wore the iconic glittering gown that Monroe donned in 1962 to serenade President John F Kennedy on his 45th birthday. In order to fully embrace Monroes look, it took Kardashian 14 hours to dye her hair from black to bleach blonde.

Im spending the whole day just dyeing my hair, 14 hours straight, she told Vogue on the Met Gala red carpet.

In September last year, Kardashian also showed off a buzzed head and thin eyebrows for the cover of CR Fashion Books 2023 issue.

However, the SKKN by Kim founder has also faced backlash in the past for some of her hairstyle choices. In 2020, Kardashian was accused of cultural appropriation after sharing photos of herself wearing Fulani braids. She faced similar accusations just two years prior for wearing her hair in braids at the MTV Movie and TV Awards.

Kardashian defended her decision to wear braids during an interview with Bustle in 2018. While the reality star said she understood the significance of Fulani braids, which originated in West Africa, she explained that she wore them to match her eldest daughter, North West.

I actually didnt see backlash, she said at the time. I actually did that look because North said she wanted braids and asked if I would do them with her. So we braided her hair and then we braided my hair.

But I obviously know theyre called Fulani braids and I know the origin of where they came from and Im totally respectful of that. Im not tone deaf to where I dont get it. I do get it.
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One contestant for Miss Texas USA 2024 made history just competing for the title.

On June 22, the Miss Texas USA winner was chosen out of 74 participants, including 71-year-old Marissa Teijo. And though Teijo, unfortunately, lost the crown to Aarienna Ware, she won in her own right. According to the pageant organization, Teijo is now the oldest contestant to compete in Miss Texas USA.

Teijos decision to enter the competition was motivated by her desire to inspire others, and the history-making woman expressed her excitement on Instagram on May 24.

I am delighted to be a part of this incredible new experience as a contestant in the Miss Texas USA pageant, she wrote alongside her official headshots. In doing so, I hope to inspire women to strive to be their best physical and mental self and believe there is beauty at any age.

Over the weekend, the contestants took part in the three-round event, being judged based on their personal interview, swimsuit, and evening gown.

Teijo was sponsored by several brands, including Fab Fit Activewear, Juicery Plus, Smart Muscle, Intoxicated by Make Up, and Bazaar Model Management. Days before the glitzy affair, she took to Instagram, sharing a message of gratitude for all her sponsorships and relationships shed formed.

I am grateful for the support of these wonderful people and businesses who agreed to sponsor me, she said. Thank you to Jackie Garcia for convincing me and encouraging me to participate in this fabulous new adventure. Sometimes all we need is someone who believes in us.

Thank you to all the gorgeous, gorgeous young women contestants in my team who have been so sweet and kind. And thank you to the team at Bazaar who are always cheerfully ready to help.

Teijo didnt make it to the top 18 and hasnt posted on her social media since the event wrapped at the Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel.

The Miss Texas USA title went to Ware, an interior designer from Dallas. Ware works as a sustainable home builder, prioritizing materials that arent harmful to the environment.

Ahead of her crowning, Ware posted a sweet message on Instagram, honoring her meaningful relationships and the brilliant creatives who designed her finalist dress. I couldnt be more grateful for every person that has touched my journey and impacted my life beyond pageantry, she remarked.

Ware will head to Los Angeles Millennium Biltmore Hotel next to compete for the Miss USA 2024 title in August.
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Actors Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Talulah Riley looked ecstatic as they tied the knot in a romantic wedding ceremony in Hertfordshire on Saturday (22 June).

Brodie-Sangster, 34, who is best known for playing the lovesick child Sam in the 2003 romcom Love Actually, and 38-year-old Riley, who played Annabel Fritton in the 2005 film St Trinians, had been dating for two years before they announced their engagement in July 2023.

In images obtained by The Sun, the pair were seen leaving St Georges Church, a stunning 14th-century church in Anstey, Hertfordshire. Riley is seen wearing a satin white dress with a voluminous skirt, and her hair scraped back into a neat bun, topped with a long, lace-trimmed veil. Meanwhile, Brodie-Sangster wore a colourful suit ensemble with pinstriped grey trousers and a floral waist jacket.

Both actors were seen grinning as the guests threw confetti while they held hands walking through the church yard and left in a carriage.

open image in gallery Brodie-Sangster and Riley met on the set of the Sex Pistols drama Pistol ( Getty Images )

The pair first met on the set of Danny Boyles Disney+ Sex Pistols drama Pistol in March 2021 before making their first public appearance together at the Baftas in March 2023.

Riley was previously married  twice  to Tesla and Space X CEO, billionaire Elon Musk, who she met at a London nightclub in 2008, shortly after his split from his ex-wife Justine Long. They married and divorced twice  first in 2010 to 2012, and then in 2013 to 2016.

When Brodie-Sangster announced their engagement, he shared a picture of them on a gondola, captioning the post: Happy to announce that Talulah and I are engaged. Love is all around X, in a sweet reference to the lyric sang by Bill Nighys character in Love Actually.

open image in gallery Brodie-Sangster in Love Actually ( Studiocanal )

Talulah confirmed their engagement on X, then known as Twitter.

Very happy to share that after two years of dating, Thomas Brodie-Sangster and I are engaged! she said.

open image in gallery Brodie-Sangster said Love is all around in engagement announcement ( Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images )

At the time, Musk replied to her announcement, tweeting: Congratulations! He also added a red heart emoji.

Brodie-Sangster has starred in Nanny McPhee, Maze Runner, Nowhere Boy, in which he played a young Paul McCartney, and Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. He won a new legion of fans thanks to his recurring role as Jojen Reed in Game Of Thrones.

In the acknowledgements for Rileys book The Quickening, she thanks Musk for being the perfect ex-husband.

Hes a great friend. He looks out for me. We are in a happy place now, where were good to each other, which is really nice. I have here utmost love for him, she told The Independent in 2022.

open image in gallery Riley and Musk pictured in 2012, the year of their first marriage ( Getty Images )

She explained her decision to divorce and remarry Musk, saying that while it looked strange, the logic made sense at the time.

I suppose the reason to get remarried was just because it felt silly to be together unmarried after having been married. You know, its like a habit, she said.

Hes a great friend. He looks out for me. We are in a happy place now, where were good to each other, which is really nice. I have here utmost love for him.
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A woman says she was left terrified by her abusive ex-boyfriend after he stalked her for months using a secretly downloaded tracking device on her mobile phone.

Lisa* said her former partner downloaded a tracking app on her phone without her knowledge in 2019 when they were still together.

She said he used the software, which was completely hidden from the owner of the phone, to follow her movements for a year, when it was discovered by police some seven months after they had broken up and she had been taken to hospital after being attacked.

Even after the discovery, Lisa said, neither the technology company that created the app nor the police were able to remove it from her phone.

It felt hopeless, she told The Independent. Its not something you can really escape. Unless you know what to look for on your phone, you wont know that youre being watched.

Its terrifying to then be told that hes got a copy of everything, [and] he knows where you are constantly ... It was a really big invasion of my privacy and safety.

GPS trackers have become popular in recent years, including the high-profile Apple AirTag  a small and lightweight device that was released in 2021. They were designed to keep track of items and help parents with their childrens safety. However, the products are increasingly becoming the tool of choice for abusers.

Over the last five years, the number of coercive control and stalking cases in which a GPS tracker was used has shot up by 317 per cent, according to data obtained through freedom of information requests submitted by ITV News in April. The broadcaster received responses from 14 of the UKs police forces, and found that the number of GPS stalking cases increased from 52 in 2018 to 217 in 2023, rising every year.

Have you been affected by this story? Email tara.cobham@independent.co.uk

GPS trackers have become popular in recent years, including the high-profile Apple AirTag, a small and lightweight device that was released in 2021 ( Getty )

Lisa said the app could not be removed from her device without permission from the person it was registered to  in her case, the perpetrator.

She said she later found out from the police that her ex-boyfriend had been using the app to access her exact location several times every day; he or his friends would then show up there and subject her to varying levels of abuse.

I was so scared that I was going to be killed, with the amount of times that he had threatened me, she said.

After she had reported multiple incidents to the police, Lisa said, officers finally suggested it was possible that a tracking device was being used to stalk her. This was when they were speaking to her in hospital after she had been severely assaulted.

Lisa said her ex-boyfriend was later convicted and received a prison sentence. However, he still had access to phones in jail, she said, adding that neither the police nor the tech company were able to remove the GPS tracker from her phone. In the end, she said, she was forced to get a friend to hack her phone and remove it. You feel so alone, she said.

Emma Pickering, head of technology-facilitated abuse and economic empowerment at Refuge  a charity that supports victims of domestic violence  urged greater understanding among police about this type of abuse, adding that there is a commonly held misconception that remote stalking is less of a threat.

She said: We have seen an increase in referrals from the National Domestic Abuse Helpline and across our services, with reports of tracking and location monitoring, as this form of abuse becomes easier with numerous apps offering monitoring software. They can also be hard to detect, hidden on phones, with survivors often feeling they are being tracked but not knowing how.

Emma Lingley-Clark, CEO of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, warned that companies are developing products without conducting robust risk assessments about how they might be used by perpetrators.

Lisa said the blame for the abuse she faced lies with her ex-boyfriend, but she is now calling for tech companies to implement stronger safeguarding measures. She said she does not feel protected from being stalked via a tracking device again.

It would have been harder for him to find me if an app had not been available, or if [the company had] put certain precautions in place, she said. You never really think about how it can be used as a tool by abusers  its terrifying how easily the apps can be manipulated.

Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills, the National Police Chiefs Councils lead for stalking and harassment, said: Its important that within policing, and as a society, we recognise the patterns of stalking and acknowledge the risk that it poses to victims.

With the continued growth in technology, the potential for devices to be inappropriately used by stalkers to target and track their victims is increasingly recognised in some stalking cases. The police service continues to work with technology providers to encourage them to improve security.

*Lisas name has been changed to protect her identity

Refuges National Domestic Abuse Helpline is available 24/7. Call 0808 2000 247 for free, confidential, specialist support. Refuges Tech Safety Summit 2024: Leading the Change Against Technology-Facilitated Abuse takes place on 24 and 25 September.
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A murder investigation has been launched by police after a teenager was shot dead in Liverpool.

Police and ambulance crew were called to the Liver Industrial Estate in Aintree, about 5 miles north of the city centre, at around 11.10pm on Sunday.

The victim was found at the scene with gunshot wounds and taken to hospital but pronounced dead a short time later.

A cordon was put in place while officers and forensic teams carried out their enquiries.

View more

Merseyside Police said high visibility patrols have been stepped up in the area to provide reassurance to members of the public.

Mark Baker, who is leading the investigation, said his thoughts were with the victims family and called on anyone who has information about the incident to contact police.

Mr Baker describe the shooting as an appalling and tragic incident.

He said that while the killing took place on an industrial estate there were residential homes nearby, urging locals who might have heard or seen anything to come forward.

I would appeal to any motorists who may have captured footage on their dashcam to come forward even if it appears to be innocuous, he said.

It could prove vital to our efforts to deliver justice for this young man and his family. It is essential that people with information, no matter how small, to please contact us as it might be vital to the investigation.

Mr Baker said gun violence had taken too many young lives in Merseyside but that firearms discharges were at their lowest levels in two decades.

He said that officers were carrying out warrants, open land searches and stop and searches to remove guns and other weapons from the streets of Liverpool.

We target all available resources in the right areas to remove weapons and those who use them and work daily alongside our partners and in communities affected by gun crime, he added.

Incidents such as this are a tragic reminder of why we must continue with that work  gun crime can tear families apart and ruin many more lives than the victim alone.

Anyone who has information about the incident is asked to contact Merseyside Police through the usual channels, quoting reference 1121 of 23 June.
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Before Emperor Naruhito of Japan attends a banquet hosted by King Charles III he'll kick off this weeks trip to the UK by visiting a site that has special meaning for him: The Thames Barrier.

While the retractable flood control gates on the River Thames dont top most lists of must-see tourist sights, the itinerary underscores the emperors fascination with the waterway.

That interest was born 40 years ago when Naruhito studied 18th-century commerce on the river as a graduate student at the University of Oxford. But those two years, chronicled in his memoir The Thames and I, also forged a special fondness for Britain and its people. The future emperor got a chance to live outside the palace walls, seeing the kindness of strangers who rushed to help when he dropped his purse, scattering coins across a shop floor, and experiencing traditions like the great British pub crawl.

It would be impossible in Japan to go to a place where hardly anyone would know who I was, Naruhito wrote. It is really important and precious to have the opportunity to be able to go privately at ones own pace where one wants.

Naruhito and the Empress Masako, who studied at Oxford a few years after her husband, returned to the UK on Saturday for a weeklong stay combining the glitter and ceremony of a state visit with four days of less formal events that will allow the royal couple to revisit their personal connections to Britain.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako disembark their aircraft as they arrive at Stansted Airport ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

The visit comes at a time when the UK is seeking to bolster ties with Japan as it aims to be the most influential European nation in the Indo-Pacific region, said John Nilsson-Wright, the head of the Japan and Koreas program at the Centre for Geopolitics at the University of Cambridge. In October 2020, Britain touted an economic partnership with Japan as the first major international trade agreement it had struck since leaving the European Union earlier that year.

The UK-Japan relationship is hugely important.  Its based on shared common experience. Its based also on the affinity between our two peoples, Nilsson-Wright said. Britain and Japan can act as a source of stability and, hopefully, mutual reassurance at a time when political change is so potentially destabilizing.

The trip, originally planned for 2020, was intended to be the emperors first overseas visit after he ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019. But it was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He later attended Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.

The state visit begins on Tuesday, when Charles and Queen Camilla will formally welcome the emperor and empress before they take a ceremonial carriage ride to Buckingham Palace. Naruhito will also lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Westminster Abbey then return to the palace for a state banquet.

Britain Royals Japan ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

But before the pomp and circumstance begins, Naruhito will visit The Thames Barrier, a series of retractable steel gates that protect London from flooding while allowing ships to continue navigating the river. After the state visit, he and his wife will have time to tour their old colleges at Oxford.

It was at Merton College that the future emperor, who was born Hironomiya Naruhito, was known simply as Hiro because it was easier for faculty and students to remember the nickname (and because the prince liked the sound of it), he wrote in The Thames and I.

One of his greatest joys at Merton was to go to the Middle Common Room, a meeting place for graduate students, to drink coffee and talk with other students after lunch.

These moments, with my fellow students, brief as they were, were very important for me, Naruhito wrote.

Britain in the 1980s was a revelation to Naruhito because it seemed to respect the past even as it embraced the future, he said, remembering the peaceful co-existence of scholars in traditional caps and gowns with young people wearing punk rock garb.

I did not feel that was out of the ordinary, he said. It seemed to me that both reflected the spirit of the place. This was, after all, a country which produced the Beatles and the miniskirt. I felt that while the British attach importance to old traditions, they also have the ability to innovate.

Naruhito also wrote about the novelty of walking through the streets of Oxford without being noticed, of spending hours in the local records office doing his academic research and of having the chance to do his own shopping and other mundane chores that most people take for granted.

And he remembered climbing a hill northeast of the city just to take in the view.

It was best toward sunset, he wrote. I can never forget the moment when the silhouettes of the spires of Oxford one by one caught the evening light and seemed to float above the mists. This mystical sight, which has aroused so much admiration, is called Oxfords dreaming spires.

The Thames Barrier with the London skyline in the background ( PA Archive )

But behind it all there was always the River Thames, which flows southeast from Oxford to London before emptying into the North Sea.

Naruhito began studying river commerce as a boy when Japans roads and rivers offered a glimpse of travel and freedom outside the confines of the palace. So when he arrived in Oxford, it was logical to study the Thames.

Looking back at the research papers he wrote 40 years ago, hes flooded with nostalgia, Naruhito told reporters in Tokyo before returning to Britain.

The memories of my time with the Thames come back to me, he said. The list goes on and on, including my hard work in collecting historical materials  the beautiful scenery around me that healed me from my fatigue from research, and the days I jogged along the river.
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Jay Slaters mother has hit out at criticism of a fundraising page set up to help the desperate search for the missing British teenager, warning This may happen to you.

Debbie Duncan says she has not slept since the 19-year-old disappeared on the Canary Island of Tenerife.

Ms Duncan posted on a Facebook page where thousands of people have been discussing their own theories behind his vanishing.

The hunt for Jay Slater goes on ( PA )

She said: I really am saddened by all your comments. You seem to be so bothered about this GoFundMe page.

I really hope I am not taking my son home in a body bag.

The funds are not released and wont be if not needed.

I really cannot believe the British public are not supporting me in trying to find Jay. This may happen to any of you one day. Very let down by you all.

The comments were then turned off the post as some Facebook users continued to question the crowdfunder.

Jay Slater, vanished near to the village of Masca, Tenerife ( James Manning/PA Wire )

The GoFundMe set up by Jay Slaters friend three days ago was approved by our family, a post from his mother on the page said.

The post says: We have not yet withdrawn any funds and are currently covering the expenses, such as the trip to Tenerife and accommodation, ourselves. The funds will remain on hold with GoFundMe until we post a further update on this page.

The page created by Lucy Law to get Jay Slater home had received more than 32,000 in donations by Monday morning.

Mr Slater, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, 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.

Ms Law, who went to the 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%.

Jay Slater: Peter Bleksley says 'nothing optimistic' is coming from search

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 on Sunday.

Efforts appeared to be solely focused on 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.

The efforts come after the teenagers mother issued a direct plea to her missing son, saying: We just need you home.

Ms Duncan added that 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.

Asked how the family was coping with the situation, Ms Duncan said: 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.
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After four gruelling weeks, the search for missing British teenager Jay Slater appears to have come to a close on the island of Tenerife following the discovery of a body.

The 19-year-old was on his first-ever holiday without his family when he vanished as he walked back to his accommodation on the morning of June 17.

He had visited an Airbnb near the village of Masca with two people and, having missed the bus back, embarked on what would have been an 11-hour walk.

The apprentice bricklayer had not been seen or heard from since calling his friend at 8.50am to tell her he was lost, in need of water and that his phone was low on battery.

While Spanish police ended their official search on the ground after 12 days, Mr Slaters friends and family vowed to continue in the hope of finding him. On Monday human remains, which have yet to be formally identified, were found.

As the search for the teenager comes to an end, heres everything we know about his disappearance:

Jay Slater is missing in Tenerife ( Supplied )

Where is his last known location?

Jay Slater, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was last heard from on Monday, 17 June, as he told a friend he planned to walk back to his accommodation after missing a bus, a journey expected to take around 11 hours on foot.

He had travelled to the tourist hotspot with friends to attend the music festival in Playa de Las Americas in what was his first holiday without his family.

On Sunday, his friend Lucy Law told Manchester Evening News that she had left the festival early, with Jay staying on and going to a nightclub in Playa de las Americas.

He later travelled to an Airbnb in the remote Masca valley with two men, one of them known to be Briton Ayub Qassim, but left their accommodation at around 8am to travel home.

Mr Slater was last seen by a cafe owner, who said the teenager had asked her about bus times before deciding not to wait two hours for a service. She then saw him walk out of the village.

Ms Law was the last to hear from the teenager when he called her at 8.50am on Monday, alerting her that he was lost, had injured his leg, needed water and that his phone was on one per cent battery. He also phoned his friend Brad Hargreaves, who heard him sliding over gravel which indicated he had left the main road.

Jay Slater in social media photo posted by friend days before his disappearance ( Supplied )

Ms Law told the MEN that one of the people Mr Slater had met had driven them back to his apartment in a hire car and the missing man had not realised how far away it was.

Hes ended up out in the middle of nowhere. Jay was obviously thinking he would be able to get home from there, she said.

But then in the morning hes set off walking, using his maps on his phone and ended up in the middle of mountains with nothing around.

Mr Slaters phone then cut off, with his last location showing just off a path in the Rural de Teno park  a mountainous area popular with hikers in the north of the island.

When Jay Slaters phone cut off, his last location showed as the Rural de Teno park  a mountainous area popular with hikers (Alamy/PA)

Where have authorities been searching?

A specialist mountain rescue team, including a police helicopter and sniffer dogs, were all deployed to look for Mr Slater.

Search teams had narrowed their efforts on small buildings close to where his phone last pinged, while officers were seen at the AirBnb and in the next valley.

A member of a search and rescue team search near the last known location of Jay Slater ( James Manning/PA Wire )

Andrew Knight, known on YouTube as the Knightrider, who joined the search told The Independent of the climate in Tenerife: Its rugged mountainsides, loose rocks that fall away underfoot, cactuses everywhere. Its a disorienting landscape and also has extreme weather changes.

At night the temperature drops to around 12 degrees Celsius, but with the wind chill and the thin air at altitude, it feels around 10 degrees.

In the sunshine, it can go up to 28 degrees. It also can be quite damp, it rained a little when I was there. It has its own microclimate that changes by the hour.

After authorities officially halted their search on June 30, Jays father and brother were seen continuing to scour the valley his phone was last located in and searching in nearby mountain villages.

After finding a body, Spanish police said they had indeed continued an incessant and discreet search in which the natural space was preserved so that it would not be filled with curious onlookers.

A specialist mountain rescue team, including a police helicopter, has been deployed to look for Jay ( Victoria Roocroft/BBC )

Have they found him?

Spanish police said on Monday 15 July that human remains had been found in the area where Mr Slater went missing.

The Civil Guard said the evidence strongly suggested the remains were those of the 19-year-old, with DNA tests to be carried out to establish the persons identity, along with an autopsy to uncover the cause of their death.

A Spanish police spokesperson said: All indications are that it could be the young British man who had been missing for 29 days.

He could have died due to an accidental fall on the steep and inaccessible area where he has been found. We are awaiting the results of the autopsy to confirm that it is about an accident.

What have his friends and family said?

Jays family are yet to speak out about the body found in the search for Mr Slater - but they have expressed their immense concern throughout the search.

Following his disappearance, a GoFundMe was set up to help assist with the search and to pay for his family and friends to remain in Tenerife.

In an emotional interview near the search site, his father Warren Slater told reporters he just wanted his son back, while he was also seen sticking posters to nearby bus stops and buildings.

Mr Slater pictured with his mother, Debbie Duncan ( Supplied )

After 12 days of searching, the Guardia Civil announced that they were standing down their operation, just one day after they issued a mass appeal for volunteers.

In a statement issued through the British overseas missing persons charity LBT Global, Debbie Duncan said the land search for her son has been called off, but thanked the Guardia Civil who she said had worked tirelessly up in the mountains where Jays last phone call was traced.

His mothers statement said: We are a very close family and are absolutely devastated about his disappearance.

Words cannot describe the pain and agony we are experiencing. He is our beautiful boy with his whole life ahead of him and we just want to find him.
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Voters have been required to bring photographic identification for certain elections in the UK since May 2023.

This came after parliament passed the Elections Act in April 2022, enacting a recommendation the Electoral Commission first made in 2014.

Voter ID is now required at by-elections and recall petitions, general elections, local elections and referendums in England, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections in England and Wales.

The new rules do not apply to Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd, or council elections taking place in Scotland or Wales.

The new ID laws have already been in place in many local elections and by-elections since being implemented. But 2024 will be the first year they are in place for a general election, after Rishi Sunak announced a snap election on July 4 at the end of May.

Heres everything you need to know about voter ID ahead of upcoming general election:

What ID do I need to vote?

There are many different forms of ID that will be accepted at the polling station. It must be photographic ID - meaning a bank card is not valid, for instance.

Accepted forms of ID include:

Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state, or a Commonwealth country

A photo driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or an EEA state (including a provisional driving licence)

A Blue Badge

Older Persons Bus Pass

Disabled Persons Bus Pass

Freedom Pass

Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)

Biometric immigration document

Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)

National identity card issued by an EEA state

Anonymous Electors Document

You can use an out-of-date photo ID provided it still looks like you. A full list of accepted forms of ID can be found on the Electoral Commission website.

What if I dont have voter ID?

If you do not have any of the accepted forms of photo ID, you are able to apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. Its free to apply for, and will be accepted at the polling station when you want to vote.

You can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate on the Electoral Commission website. It is free and they do not expire, although it is recommended you reapply every 10 years to ensure your likeness remains similar to the ID.

A voter leaves a polling station after voting in the Rochdale by-election on February 29 ( Getty Images )

If you dont bring an accepted form of photo ID to the polling station, you will be turned away.

What are the issues around voter ID?

The government sought to pass the new voter ID laws to crack down on election fraud, specifically personation. This is a criminal offence, where a person votes at an election pretending to be someone theyre not.

Writing after they were passed, then-levelling up minister Kemi Badenoch said the new law means we can eliminate election fraud and make elections more inclusive, ensuring that everyone eligible to vote will continue to have the opportunity to do so.

However, critics of the voter ID rules have pointed out that cases of electoral fraud are rare in the UK, and personation even more so. Latest data from the Electoral Commission shows that, between 2018 and 2022, only 11 of the 1,386 alleged cases of electoral fraud resulted in convictions.

There are also concerns that voter ID laws can disproportionately affect marginalised communities ability to vote.

In 2021, government-commissioned research found that those with limiting disabilities, the unemployed, people without qualifications, and those who had never voted before were among the least likely to hold a valid form of photo ID.

Further research presented to the House of Commons found that the changes may result in 1.1 million fewer people voting in the next general election.

As there is no justification for this threat to the right to vote, it feels like an opportunistic attack on the rights of some of the most marginalised people in society, said a spokesperson for the Liberty human rights advocacy group in 2021.

A classic example of ruling through division and distrust.

The governments choice to accept forms of local travel photo ID for older people, but not younger people, has also come under scrutiny. Neither the 16-25 or 26-30 railcard are accepted.

Labour MP Nadia Whittome said: The new voter ID requirement will stop many young people from voting  and it seems that is by design, not by accident.

The government has given older voters, who are more likely to vote Conservative, a large range of acceptable forms of ID, while providing very few options for young people.

Levelling up minister Dehenna Davison has defended the decision, saying: Young persons railcards are generally offered in both digital and hard copy formats.

The government did not specifically include digital format documents for the roll-out of the policy, in order to support its effective delivery.
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A leading think tank has accused Labour and the Conservatives of a conspiracy of silence as it warned voters that tax rises are likely in the next five years.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) criticised the manifestos of both main parties, saying they leave voters guessing and casting their ballots in a knowledge vacuum.

It also accused Nigel Farages Reform UK party and the Greens of poisoning the debate around the painful economic decisions ahead with what it described as unattainable pledges on tax.

The next government faces a stark choice between making tax rises beyond what it promises in its manifesto, cutting spending, and increasing borrowing, the think tank warned.

Paul Johnson, the director of the IFS, said it would be a considerable surprise if no other taxes are increased over the next five years, and that none of the main parties are facing up to the difficult choices ahead.

Weve called this a conspiracy of silence, and that has been essentially maintained, he said. Regardless of who takes office, they will soon face a stark choice: raise taxes by more than they have told us in their manifesto, implement cuts to some areas of spending, or break their fiscal rules and allow debt to rise for longer.

That is the trilemma. What will they choose? I dont know; the manifestos do not give us a clue.

Mr Johnson also accused Labour and the Conservatives of making essentially unfunded commitments to improve the NHS.

Paul Johnson, director of the IFS appearing on the BBC One current affairs programme, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg ( PA )

The IFS warns that several public services are at risk of suffering sharp cuts under either a Labour or a Conservative government.

Broadly, the IFS said, the priorities of each party do not tell us anything about overall spending on each public service.

On the NHS, Mr Johnson said that both main parties want to cut waiting times, implement the NHS England workforce plan, build more hospitals and expand mental health services.

But he added: These fully costed manifestos appear to imply all this can be delivered for free. It cant. You cant pledge to end all waits of more than 18 weeks, allocate no money to that pledge, and then claim to have a fully costed manifesto.

He went on: How would either party deal with backlogs in the court system, overflowing prisons, crises in funding of higher and further education, social care, [and] local government? We have not a clue.

He also hit out at Reform and the Greens for making tax claims that he said had made offerings from other parties look feeble in comparison.

Nigel Farages Reform UK party has been accused of helping to poison the entire political debate ( ITV Tonight )

Their pledges are helping to poison the entire political debate, Mr Johnson said.

The IFS said Reform had proposed 90bn of specific tax cuts and 50bn of spending increases, paid for by a 150bn package of measures that include substantial, unspecified cuts in welfare and government waste.

Mr Johnson compared Mr Farage to former prime minister Liz Truss, as he said: If they want a smaller state  a perfectly reasonable ambition  they should tell us how they will achieve it. We saw the consequences of massive tax cuts with no detail on how they would be paid for in September 2022.

The claim that the party could eliminate NHS waiting lists at a cost of 17bn a year is also demonstrably wrong, he said, adding that the large tax cuts would cost even more than stated, by a margin of tens of billions of pounds per year.

The Greens want an additional 80bn a year of borrowing, which Mr Johnson said would have unpleasant consequences.

Their biggest proposal, a 90bn-a-year carbon tax, would incentivise a faster transition to net zero but would have far-reaching economic implications, including raising the cost of many essentials.

Much, probably most, of any money raised would need to be used to mitigate those effects, and to support those on lower incomes, not to fund other things. In any case, any effective carbon tax would reduce the amount of carbon-based activity and hence, eventually, raise a lot less, said Mr Johnson.

Asked about the IFS analysis, Rishi Sunak said: I dont agree with that. We have a fully costed manifesto which can deliver tax cuts for people at every stage in their lives, and that is largely funded by making sure that we can find some savings in the growth of the welfare budget, because its been growing at unsustainable levels since the pandemic.

Weve set out a very clear plan to reform that, to support people into work, and in fact, the IFS acknowledge that last time around, [when] they said that wasnt possible, it was actually delivered, and thats something that the IFS themselves have said.

Asked whether Mr Johnson was wrong, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: I dont accept the [economic] forecasts that say we cant do better than this. The economy has flatlined for 14 years. That is exactly what we are wanting to change; thats why weve set out our plans for growth in our manifesto.
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Nigel Farage agreed with Sandy Hook conspiracy theorist Alex Jones in a rant about the left in a resurfaced clip from the disgraced Infowars host.

In the 2018 interview  just after parents of those killed in the US school massacre began legal action against Jones  the host claimed he was being targeted by frauds. In December 2012, 26 people  including 20 children  were killed by Adam Lanza, 20, at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, one of the worst school shootings in US history.

Mr Farage has appeared on the far-right conspiracy theorists talk show at least six times, and many of the interviews involve discussions of conspiracy theories such as the New World Order.

Mr Jones claimed the Sandy Hook shooting was staged ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

In the resurfaced interview, Jones claims free speech was under threat because the left is trying to bully it out of existence.

They [Sandy Hook parents] have filed 15 frivolous lawsuits on me now, he said. More came in today. The lawyers see it, theyre total frauds, theyre overturned as fast as they come in. But they are so authoritarian  the left is so authoritarian.

At the time, two of the Sandy Hook victims parents sued Mr Jones for defamation after he claimed the shooting was a staged false flag event. The Infowars host has since been ordered to liquidate his personal assets as he owes the parents $1.5 billion in damages.

In the interview, the Reform UK leader replied to Mr Jones: Yes, the liberals actually are very illiberal. In fact the liberals have become the very fascists that they try and criticise with their rhetoric.

Dont underestimate how massive the seismic shock of 2016 was: the victory of brexit, the victory of Trump.

We are winning, but it doesnt feel like were winning the left and the state are fighting back with all their might.

If we can resist this politically correct charge, this attempt to stop us thinking and speaking freely, if we can resist that, then our victory actually will be complete.

Nigel Farage claimed liberals have become the very fascists that they try and criticise ( Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire )

Elsewhere in the interview, Mr Jones asks the Reform UK leader why the left is allied with radical Islam.

Mr Farage replied: Because they hate Christianity they deny absolutely our judeo-Christian culture.

If you think about it, [judeo-Christian] are the roots of our nation and our civilisations, and they deny that.

Also don't forget Alex they want to abolish the nation-state! They want to get rid of it! They want to replace it with the globalist project and the EU is the prototype for the New World Order.

More recently Mr Farage recently came under fire for suggesting the west provoked Russia into its deadly invasion of Ukraine two years ago.He made similar comments in the 2018 interview with Jones.

The Independent has approached Mr Farage for comment.
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Nigel Farage has come under fire for cuddling up to the Kremlin as a leading think tank accused his Reform party of poisoning the election debate.

On another torrid day for the ex-Ukip leader, military experts queued up to criticise his claim that the West provoked Russias war on Ukraine.

It follows days of condemnation both nationally and internationally over Mr Farages comments, which he made in a BBC interview on Friday night.

In an apparent attempt to change the conversation, Mr Farage made another incendiary claim  that there had been an invasion of people arriving in the UK on small boats.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he would never, ever defend Vladimir Putin, as he ramped up his row with Boris Johnson ( Jordan Pettitt/PA )

Mr Farages words echo comments by the former home secretary Suella Braverman, who was roundly condemned while in office for warning of an invasion on the south coast.

But he was also attacked on a different front, as the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) accused Reform UK of making unattainable tax claims that the think tank said had helped to poison the entire political debate.

The IFS accused parties of a conspiracy of silence over the painful economic decisions that would have to be made after the election, and said it would be a surprise if there are no further tax rises in the next five years.

As he fought back after days of criticism, Mr Farage hit out at former prime minister Boris Johnson for labelling his views on Ukraine morally repugnant.

At an event in Kent, the Reform leader unveiled a large poster of a 2016 newspaper front page with the headline Boris blames EU for war in Ukraine.

Mr Farage said: Well, perhaps its Boris Johnson thats morally repugnant and not me, I dont know. But can you see the sheer level of hypocrisy?

He added that he would never, ever defend Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze at the site of a Russian missile strike in Odesa, Ukraine ( AFP via Getty )

On Friday, Mr Farage told a BBC Panorama special that we provoked this war. He said the European Unions expansion, as well as Nato, had provided Mr Putin with an excuse for his invasion.

George Robertson, the former head of Nato, accused Mr Farage of cuddling up to the Kremlin. He told LBC it was total nonsense that the West had provoked Russia into invading Ukraine.

Lord Robertson said: Nigel Farage today has shown his real colours by this sort of, you know, appeasement, adding: One of my successors at Nato ... crisply summed it up  if Russia stops fighting, there will be peace. If Ukraine stops fighting, there will be no Ukraine. That sums it up, and I think Nigel Farage should listen to that.

A former head of the army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, said Mr Farage did not have a point worth listening to about anything.

Former Nato head George Robertson has criticised Farage for his comments on Russia ( PA Archive )

Earlier, Rishi Sunak again hit out at Mr Farages comments, saying: You all heard what Nigel Farage said about Ukraine. That plays into Putins hands. That kind of appeasement is dangerous for Britains security, the security of our allies that rely on us, and will only embolden Putin.

In a bid to change tack, Mr Farage tried to switch the conversation to small boat crossings in the Channel.

He said: Remember I went out four years ago, again and again, into the Channel to highlight what was going on, to say you might as well put a sign on the white cliffs of Dover saying Everyone welcome.

He added: I warned that huge numbers would come, I even said there might be an invasion, which is of course the rudest word you could possibly use in BBC land, but now 4,000 boats and 128,000 people later, it does look like its been an invasion to me  and its mostly young men.
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A shock new poll appears to have confirmed that Reform holds a narrow lead over the Tories with just 10 days to go before the general election.

According to the Redfield and Wilton survey of 10,000 voters polled after Nigel Farage made his comments blaming the west for Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine, his Reform UK are one point ahead of the Tories both unchanged on 19 percent and 18 percent.

The findings have all top three parties unchanged from the survey on 19 and 20 June last week with Labour on top on 42 percent.

Redfield and Wiltons director of research Philip van Scheltinga told The Independent that the size of the survey meant it was a very robust sample.

Farage still ahead of the Tories despite being described as pro-Putin ( EPA )

The findings will come as another blow to Rishi Sunak after he and senior Tory ministers latched on to Farages comments as a form of appeasement for Putin.

The Reform UK leader has since doubled down on the comments, which he first made a decade ago in 2014, and insisted that claims he is a supporter of Putins is wrong.

But the findings suggest that support for Reform is holding firm and comes just hours after a major new MRP poll was released suggesting Labour is heading for a 250 seat majority.

According to Focaldata MRP Labour will win 450 seats, the Tories will be down to a record low of 110, the Lib Dems will get 50, SNP 16, and Reform just one.

But the Redfield and Wilton poll also appears to confirm that Reform is eating into Labours votes.

It is their fourth consecutive poll with the Conservatives at 18 percent. Before this streak, their previous low in our polling was 19 percent, which was first achieved under Liz Truss.

Mr van Scheltinga noted: That is now four polls in a row that are worse than Truss.

It is also the third consecutive poll with the Conservatives failing to lead Reform. They were tied a week ago, then, Reform was one point ahead in the mid-week poll, and they are again in this one.

Only 35 percent of 2019 Conservative voters say they would vote Conservative again, a new lowest ever in Redfield and Wiltons polling. The previous low was 37 percent, first reached under Ms Truss and again reached in two polls earlier this election.

Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer leads Sunak by 25 percent for head-to-head on Best prime minister, a new widest ever lead in our polling.
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Britain will head to the polls on July 4 after prime minister Rishi Sunak called a snap general election at the end of May.

June has seen intense vote-garnering efforts from all political parties as leaders chat, debate, and even paddle across the country to win over as many as possible. All parties have now revealed their election manifestos, laying out their vision for the country.

Current polling would suggest things are not looking good for the Conservatives, with most trackers firmly putting Labour an average 20 points ahead of the governing party.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a visit to Cambridge Rugby Club in Cambridge ( Joe Giddens/PA Wire )

However, recent research by campaign group Best for Britain shows that 36 per cent of people are undecided in some constituencies. In more bad news for the government, the group has also identified 451 tactical voting seats where voters have the best chance of ousting the Tories.

Heres everything you need to know about tactical voting and how important it could be in the upcoming general election:

What is tactical voting?

Tactical voting is when a voter casts their ballot for the candidate they believe is most likely to defeat another partys candidate (usually the Conservatives), even if this candidate is not necessarily their first choice.

Some see this as a necessary practice due to the UKs First Past The Post (FPTP) voting system. Under FPTP, it is the candidate who gets the most votes that wins.

It may seem like the most democratic system to decide a winner at first glance, but many argue that FPTP does not always produce results that reflect the political leanings of the area.

This is because some parties are much more politically aligned than others. For instance, in areas where the votes for Labour and the Liberal Democrats outweigh that for the Conservative candidate, but neither beat them alone, the Conservative candidate wins.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer on the General Election campaign trail on Thursday ( Gareth Fuller/PA Wire )

However, the results would indicate that the majority of voters in this area support more progressive, left-wing or centre-left politicians.

Groups such as the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) campaign to change this, pointing out that the MPs elected to parliament rarely reflect the popular vote.

For instance, at the 2019 general election, 11.5 per cent of people voted for the Liberal Democrats, but they only secured 1.7 per cent of seats. The Conservatives 43.6 per cent, on the other hand, translated to 56.2 per cent of seats.

The ERS promotes voting systems that are designed to tackle this issue, such as the Single Transferable Vote or Alternative Vote where voters can rank candidates by preference.

However, in 2011 the UK was given a referendum on switching the way people vote to the Alternative Vote system, where the votes against it were nearly 68 per cent.

Where has tactical voting been recommended?

Ahead of polling day, campaign group Best for Britain has produced a list of tactical voting recommendations for voters who are keen to see the Tories ousted from government.

The group recommends 451 candidates across the UK, around 70 per cent of MPs. These comprise 370 seats for Labour, 69 for the Lib Dems, seven for the SNP, three for the Greens and two for Plaid Cymru.

Amongst the many seats targeted are those of Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset), Liz Truss (South West Norfolk) and Suella Braverman (Fareham and Waterlooville).

If tactical voting was carried out according to their plan, Best for Britain project the Conservatives could wake up to as few as 45 seats on July 5, an astounding loss of 320. Meanwhile, Labour would take an average of 445, gaining 243.

Does tactical voting work?

Tactical voting could work, if it was carried out en masse. However, despite talk of tactical voting at most major elections, there is little evidence that it has made a significant impact in the past.

There are many seats in the UK where a sustained tactical vote campaign would have changed the final result. For instance, in the 2023 Uxbridge by-election, the Conservatives secured 13,965 votes, while Labour secured 13,470.

Meanwhile, the Greens gained 893 votes, coming in third. If all these votes were instead tactically given to Labour, it would have been a victory for the party in Boris Johnsons former seat.

It is a similar story for the seat of Somerset North East, held by Jacob Rees-Mogg since 2010. In 2019, Mr Rees-Mogg secured 28,360 votes, while Labour and the Lib Dems combined secured 26,053.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey (Joe Giddens/PA) ( PA Wire )

It is possible a combined effort couldve secured the seat for either party, although neither has assented to a tactical voting pact in the past.

However, the Lib Dems won the seat of Somerton and Frome for the first time since 2010 in last years by-election, with tactical voting thought to be a major factor. The Labour vote share had dwindled from 12.9 per cent in 2019, to just 2.6.

It is no secret that some Labour and Green party voters lent us their votes in Somerset and we are very grateful for their support, said Lib Dem leader Ed Davey.

In many seats across the south-west, voters at the next election will be faced with a similar choice between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.

What impact could tactical voting have on the 2024 General Election?

Polling experts have said an increase in tactical voting is bad news for the Conservative Party, but there may still be some three-way marginal seats between the Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems.

Chris Hopkins, political research director at leading polling consultancy Savanta, told The Independent: "Voters have got increasingly sophisticated in understanding how in a first past the post system, their vote can be as effective as possible.

In particular this is bad news for the Conservative Party, where there will be plenty of natural Labour supporters in the South West who will back the Lib Dems, as they know they are their best chance of getting rid of the Tories.

"That being said, because of the forecasted size of the swing from Conservative to Labour, there are some three-way marginals where Labour and the Lib Dems may be unwilling to step aside. That could mean voters are told different things about who is 'most likely to win here', and could lead to split, enabling some Conservative MPs to hold on."

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a General Election campaign event at ExCeL London (Stefan Rousseau/PA) ( PA Wire )

Campaigners have also added tactical voting will help deliver a progressive government, but warned the first-past-the-post system (FPTP) must be changed to better represent voting intentions.

Neal Lawson, executive director at Compass, told The Independent: We desperately need a progressive government, and tactical voting will no doubt play a vital role in helping to deliver one - but voting tactically without conditions only entrenches the pendulum politics that grinds us all down and alienates voters from the political process.

The worry is that without a commitment to changing the system, tactical voting enshrines the abusive nature of First Past the Post and forces voters to continue voting tactically forever more.

If Labour does win the next election on the back of lent votes, they should commit to getting rid of FPTP and replacing it with a system that can better represent the progressive majority that already exists in this country.

Naomi Smith, CEO of Best for Britain and founder of tactical voting platform, GetVoting.org, said: Our polling shows 13 million Brits are ready to vote tactically for change, and these voters will be key to a defeat that would keep the Tories out for a decade and the difference between deliverance or defeat for the likes of Rishi Sunak, Jeremy Hunt and Liz Truss.

Best for Britain will be helping voters get it right at GetVoting.org with expert constituency level insights and voting recommendations before polling day.
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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.
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The New York banker who police say punched a woman in the face after a heated discussion about the Israel-Hamas War at a Brooklyn Pride event has resigned from his job.

Jonathan Kaye, 52, previously worked as a managing director at Moelis & Company, a publicly traded investment bank. He had overseen the Global Business Services franchise at the firm since 2013. Previously, he worked as the managing director of Citi Banks Global Mergers & Acquisitions Group.

Melissa Chiles, a spokesperson for Moelis & Company, confirmed the information in an email to The Independent.

Jonathan Kaye has resigned and is no longer with the firm, she said on Monday.

The man was caught on camera earlier this month apparently hitting the woman in the face following a tense argument. In the video, the man claimed that the woman, who has not been identified, threw s*** all over me.

According to the New York Post, it wasnt clear how the exchange escalated. The victim, who is reportedly in her 30s, suffered a broken nose, lacerations and a black eye. Officials with the New York City Police Department are still investigating the incident. The Independent has reached out to Kaye and NYPD for comment.

Sources close to the man told the Daily Mail that a group of women with Queers for Palestine, an advocacy organization, taunted him because of his Jewish ancestry after a parade.

The banker then accused them of being on the wrong side. The women then targeted the man, one of his friends said, and threw liquids on him. Kaye apparently didnt know what the liquid was and the woman shouted slurs at him.

He fell or he was chest bumped, and cant remember that bit. But he ended up on the pavement with them four over him. He got up and swung at one as he was trying to escape and then he ran, the source told the outlet.

In a statement to The Daily Beast, the man said Kaye feared for his physical safety when he was surrounded by an angry mob of agitators who encircled him, physically assaulted him, and threw liquids on him.

It continued: He could not identify any of these individuals and was left bloodied from the attack. Kaye had a bloodied ankle after he fell during the incident.

He reportedly lives in a $4m home in the boroughs Park Slope neighborhood, holds a bachelors degree from Tufts University, and graduated cum laude from Duke University School of Law.
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US prosecutors are recommending to the Justice Department that criminal charges should be brought against Boeing, according to reports, after allegedly finding the company violated a settlement relating to two fatal crashes.

The apparent recommendation for charges were first reported by Reuters, who cited two unidentified people familiar with the matter.

The decision is not final, however, as the Justice Department must decide whether to prosecute Boeing by July 7.

Officials allegedly found last month that the company breached the terms of a 2021 settlement..

Five years ago, Boeing agreed to pay $2.5bn as well as make improvements after two new 737 Max jets crashed in separate incidents, within the space of five months, one in Indonesia in 2018 and one in Ethiopia in 2019, killing a total of 346 people.

Boeing has disputed the DoJs findings, saying that the company has honored the terms of the agreement and looked forward to the opportunity to respond to the Department on this issue.

As we do so, we will engage with the Department with the utmost transparency, as we have throughout the entire term of the agreement, including in response to their questions following the Alaska Airlines 1282 accident, a spokesperson for Boeing told The Independent last month.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun testifies at a Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Investigations at the Capitol Hill Tuesday, June 18 in Washington ( AP )

The two sides are reportedly currently in discussions over a potential resolution to the DoJs investigation, and there is currently no guarantee that the officials will move forward with the charges, Reuters two sources said.

Internal Justice Department deliberations are ongoing, and no final decisions have yet to be made, the sources added.

In 2018, 189 people were killed after a Lion Air flight from Indonesia plunged into the Java Sea just 13 minutes after take-off. Just five months after this horrific incident, an Ethiopian Airlines took off from Addis Ababa, when six minutes in, it crashed only 30 miles from the airport, killing all 157 people on board.

When investigations into the disaster crashes were underway, authorities pointed to a flight-control system that Boeing added to the Max without telling pilots or airlines, which Boeing did not overhaul until after the second crash.

Boeing received just four orders in May 2024 as sales suffer amid ongoing safety concerns about their aircraft ( AFP via Getty Images )

After a series of negotiations, the government agreed not to prosecute Boeing on a charge of defrauding the United States by deceiving regulators about the flight system. The settlement included a $243.6 million fine, a $500 million fund for victim compensation, and nearly $1.8 billion to those airlines whose Max jets were grounded for nearly two years.

US officials claimed this year that Boeing had violated that deal, with DoJ lawyers writing in a letter to a federal judge that for failing to fulfill completely the terms of and obligations under the [deferred prosecution agreement], Boeing is subject to prosecution by the United States for any federal criminal violation of which the United States has knowledge.

Boeing has also been under intense scrutiny ever since a door panel blew off mid-air out of a 737 Max plane during an Alaska Airlines flight in January, along with a string of accusations made by whistleblowers over recent months regarding the companys manufacturing process.

Boeing CEO David Calhoun appeared in front of a Homeland Security investigations subcommittee last week, where he was questioned on production inspection processes, and whistleblower safety as well as facing calls for his resignation.

During the hearing, the CEO apologized to the families of the crash victims, saying the embattled company was totally committed to future aircraft safety.

In March, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced he would be resigning from his role at the end of the year following what he described as a watershed moment for the company after the Alaska Airlines incident.

Boeing declined to comment to Reuters. The DoJ also declined to comment to The Independent. The Independent has contacted Boeing for further comment.
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A three-year-old boy has died and his seven-year-old sister is injured after stray bullets struck them at a family gathering.

Officials said the boy was riding a tricycle with his sister at a family gathering in Buffalo, New York, on Friday night when gunfire erupted.

A three-year-old riding his tricycle, having fun with family members on a hot summer night, his seven-year-old big sister right by his side, and out of nowhere gunfire erupts. And the children are struck by gunfire, said Byron Brown, mayor of Buffalo.

The boy was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, while his sister suffered graze wounds, officials added. The sister is expected to make a full recovery.

The three-year-old was identified by his family as Raymone Carter, according to WKBW. However, he has not yet been identified by police.

The scene where two children were shot in Buffalo, NY. ( ABC News/WKBW )

I think all of us are sick and tired of announcing situations like this to the community, Mayor Byron Brown said.

Two persons of interest were interviewed but were released.

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph A Gramaglia said the shooting was not related to the family gathering.

Theres no way they were targets of this. The motives of the shooter(s), whether it was another target or shots being fired into the crowd, they were not the target. he said, adding: Last night was a very tragic night for our community.

Police said a gun recovered at the scene is currently undergoing testing.

We need the community to come together and help us put an end to this violence, Gramaglia said. Our hearts are with the family of these children, and we will do everything in our power to bring justice for this senseless act.

According to Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane, the mother of the two children is a well-known member of the community who is active in Most Valuable Parents, a local organization focused on improving safety in Buffalo.

She is a strong woman, consistently working with other families to keep our children safe, he said. And now this tragedy has struck her own family.

Meanwhile, the older sister of the two children, Martina Carter, told WKBW that Raymone was about to turn four years old when he lost his life.

She described him as an amazing kid who didnt do anybody no harm.

This is very devastating, she added. I would have never thought a three-year-old baby playing outside at a graduation party would be in a misfire, shot and killed.

I dont understand. It hurt me bad, she said.

Following the shooting, dozens of people gathered outside the familys home to host a vigil in honor of Raymone.

Im so tired of being tired, Monica Webster with Mothers Against Violence told WKBW. Our babies are dying.

Put the guns down. Youre killing our babies, she added.
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A Georgia judge was arrested after hurling insults at a police officer during a late-night tussle with law enforcement outside a nightclub.

Douglas County probate Judge Christina Peterson was accused of forcibly pushing an officer during the incident and was charged with simple battery against a police officer and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

Body-worn camera footage released by the City of Atlanta Police Department showed various moments throughout the night including the initial commotion at around 3am outside the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge.

The footage shows a separate woman being escorted from the venue, with Peterson stepping in. She is taken to the floor by the officer and handcuffed. An officer is heard on the footage claiming several times that he was punched.

"On June 20th, 2024, at approximately 3:18am, an Atlanta Police officer working an approved extra job overheard a commotion nearby and went to investigate. During this time, he noticed security at the location escorting a female out of the venue, a police statement read.

Christina Peterson was placed into a police car following the incident outside the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge, and was seen hurling insults at the arresting officer and refusing to cooperate ( City of Atlanta Police Department )

While assisting security and attempting to de-escalate the situation, an unidentified female, later identified as 38-year-old Christina Peterson rushed toward the commotion and immediately started screaming at the security guard and the officer.

Ms Peterson then forcibly pushed the officer in the chest and kept swiping his hands away as he attempted to assist the female being escorted out. Ms Peterson pushed the officer in the chest again and that is when she was subsequently placed into custody.

The APD also said that Peterson had refused to cooperate when asked about her identity, and footage showed her in the back of a squad car. At one point she says f*** you to the arresting officer.

Part of the tussle between an Atlanta Police Department officer and Peterson was caught on bodycam footage ( City of Atlanta Police Department )

Petersons alleged refusal to cooperate caused a delay in her being taken to jail, APD said. she was eventually taken into custody without further incident. She was then released on a $5,000 bond and ordered not to contact law enforcement and to stay away from the Red Martini.

However, a lawyer for the local judge said there were inconsistencies in the police statements and believes that the charges will ultimately be dismissed.

In the body camera footage, the arresting officer is heard to say he was "punched" several times, though the APD statement says he was pushed twice.

Peterson was later released by the Atlanta Police Department on a $5,000 bond ( City of Atlanta Police Department )

"We know the information that was provided to the judge is being changed or updated," Petersons attorney, Marvin Arrington, said.

Arrington said cellphone video proves that his client never assaulted an officer. "Theres no punching or hitting of any officers," he added.

Arrington said his client is a good Samaritan who was trying to break up a dispute where a man attacked a woman. He said he has reason to believe the commotion happened while the crowd was waiting in line by a food truck.
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A pair of elderly Floridians were allegedly scammed out of around $400,000 in gold bars by a swindler who convinced them over the phone they faced arrest over fraudulent Amazon activity.

Police say that the individuals were targeted by a mysterious figure called Rocky who arranged for them to buy gold bars and drop them off with a courier.

That driver was arrested in a sting operation after a 78-year-old victim contacted the Martin County Sheriffs Office in Florida to report fraud on May 30. He told officials he had been scammed out of hundreds of thousands of dollars over the phone, according to court documents obtained by The Smoking Gun.

In early May, the victim, who has not been identified, said he got a phone call from a man who claimed to work for Amazon. He told him that there had been fraudulent activity on his account with the shopping giant.

The victim told investigators he was then transferred to a Brian Alba, who claimed to be a government agent and that several warrants were out for his arrest, the documents state.

However, Alba said he could help the man avoid arrest and ordered him to get a cashiers check for $154,000 to purchase gold. Alba told the man that he would in turn send him a cashiers check after he received the gold.

After obtaining two one-kilo gold bars from a jewelry store, the victim was instructed to meet at Bennys Pizza on May 24. The scammer told him to package the gold in an old iPhone box and to wrap it in Christmas paper to make it look like a gift.

Alba, who was on the phone with the man the entire time he was driving to the pickup location, instructed the victim on what to do throughout the exchange.

At the meet, he told the victim to approach a dark-colored four-door sedan car and to place the gold in the backseat. The vehicle drove away when the gold was inside.

After the drop-off, the victim began to feel like the entire thing was a scam, and contacted the authorities.

Working with investigators, the victim arranged a second setup with Alba on 20 June, with the alleged scammer expecting $200,000 worth of gold, court documents showed.

Alba directed the man to a Winn-Dixie supermarket, where the victim had with him a wrapped box containing fishing weights, not gold.

Deputies from the Criminal Investigations Division with the sheriffs office were on scene to witness the handover which this time involved a small light blue Toyota that was driven by a man who was on the phone during the transaction as well.

After the handover, the driver left the scene and was promptly arrested during a traffic stop.

The driver was identified as 21-year-old Tejaskumar Patel, who lives in Chicago with his family but claimed to have come to Florida to visit his brother.

After Patel gave investigators a series of seemingly false statements he was arrested for grand theft.

During questioning, he told them he was being paid by someone he knows as Rocky to pick up packages and deliver them to drop-off locations provided via WhatsApp or a phone call, court documents stated.

Patel claimed that Rocky had been paying for his travel, rental cars, and hotels since he began working for the shadowy figure in May, and he had only carried out around six jobs for him.

The court documents state that the WhatsApp messages showed Rocky had sent Patel all over the country and directed him to pick up gold from a 77-year-old woman in Florida earlier on 20 June.

Lucie County Sheriffs Office is also expected to charge Patel with additional counts after a victim was scammed out of $242,000 worth of gold and cash, the documents add.

Patel pointed out that all the people he picked up gold from were Americans, and that everyone he delivered the gold to, were from India.

While Patel told detectives he thought this was weird, he said whenever he asked about it, Rocky told him to just focus on his job.

Patel claimed he had no idea the gold he was driving around was obtained through fraudulent means, according to the court documents.

Patel is currently in Martin County Jail facing two counts of theft over $100k and scheme to defraud, The Smoking Gun reports. He made his initial appearance in court on Friday.
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A humble, plastic water bottle thrown in the trash at Washington Dulles Airport has provided the key to a 23-year-old cold case.

Eugene T Gligor, 44, was charged with the murder of Leslie J Preer back in May 2001 by police in Montgomery County, Maryland on June 18.

Preer, 50, was found dead in the bathtub of her home near Washington DC. Signs of a struggle were throughout the house and another person's DNA was found under her fingernails but police were never able to match the sample.

Then, in 2022, investigators found a partial match in commercial genetic databases assembled by ancestry research companies from the millions of samples sent in by customers.

According to The Washington Post, the DNA in the database belonged to a relative of Gligor, who had dated Preer's daughter when they were both students at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda, Maryland.

Leslie J Preer (pictured) was murdered in 2001 at her home in Bethesda, Maryland. Police have identified her killer after 23 years ( Montgomery County Police Department )

As it happened, police had received an anonymous tip-off nine months after the 2001 murder claiming that Gligor, who was 21 at the time, "may be somehow related" to the case.

An investigation subsequently tracked Gligor to Dulles Airport. Investigators watched through airport surveillance cameras as the suspect drank from his plastic bottle and threw it away in a trash can.

Officers then retrieved the bottle and obtained a DNA sample, which matched the genetic material found under Preer's fingernails more than two decades beforehand.

Its been a hell of a day! Preers daughter, Lauren Preer said, after finding out that Gligor was arrested. He was my ex-boyfriend.

Montgomery County assistant police chief Nicholas Augustine said the work of tracing Gligor had been very tedious but that his department would work for however many years or decades it took to find the answers and hold people accountable.

Gligor was due to have his first appearance in court on Monday.
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A woman in Euless, Texas has been charged with attempted capital murder and injury to a child after trying to drown another womans three-year-old child at an apartment complex pool, according to reports.

The Texas chapter of a Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, CAIR, is calling on state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate a possible hate crime after a woman committed a bias-motivated murder attempt targeting Muslim children in Euless, Texas, a June 21 press release stated.

The shocking incident occurred on May 19, when Euless Police officers responded to a call about a disturbance between two women at an apartment complex pool off at around 5.45pm.

The woman, later identified as Elizabeth Wolf, 42, who was very intoxicated had tried to drown a child and argued with the childs mother, witnesses said, according to a press release obtained by CNN.

Wolf was reportedly pressing the actual mother  who was wearing a hijab and modest swimwear  of the children where she was from and if the children in the pool were hers, CAIR said. She also made statements about the mother not being an American in addition to other racist remarks, CNN reported.

Wolf then attempted to grab the womans six-year-old son, who pulled away and was scratched in the encounter, the mother told police. Thats when Wolf allegedly grabbed her three-year-old daughter and forced her underwater, the outlet reported.

Elizabeth Wolf is charged with attempted capital murder after allegedly trying to drown another womans child in a pool ( Booking photo )

The little girl had been yelling for help and was coughing up water and the mother was eventually able to save her. The mother said a man helped rescue her daughter from Wolf, CAIR wrote.

Authorities placed Wolf under arrest for public intoxication. As she was being escorted away in handcuffs, according to CAIR, Wolf allegedly yelled to a witness who was helping calm down the nervous mother: Tell her I will kill her, and I will kill her whole family.

The mother, referred to as Mrs H, told CAIR that she and her children are American citizens who are originally from Palestine: I dont know where to go to feel safe with my kids. My country is facing a war, and we are facing that hate here.

She continued: My daughter is 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.

Wolf was later charged with attempted capital murder and injury to a child, NBC DFW reported. The Independent has reached out to the Tarrant County District Attorneys Office for more information.

Shaimaa Zayan, CAIR-Austin Operations Manager, said in a statement that she was devastated after hearing that Wolf had been bonded out of jail the day after she was arrested.

We ask for hate-crime probe, a higher bail bond, and an open conversation with officials to address this alarming increase in Islamophobia, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian sentiment, she said.

A GoFundMe page was created to support the family in the aftermath of the incident.

This incident impacted the familys financial stability as the father had to take time away from work to accompany his wife and their four children to appointments and errands. In this heavy time, your support can bring back the hope and the trust to this devastated family, the fundraiser says. It raised more than $16,000.
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Theres a wall at CrimeCon  the biggest true crime event in the country  that is plastered with the faces of hundreds of missing people. Some have been missing for months. But most have been missing for decades.

At last years CrimeCon in Orlando, Wilveria Sanders was there as a volunteer helping others. She stopped by the missing people wall to gaze at the familiar photo of her brother, Shelton Sanders, that has been circulating for more than 20 years.

Wilveria was only 11 when her brother, a USC-Columbia student, went missing in 2001 but she has vowed to find out what happened to him.

He was my whole world, she said. And he still is. I have dedicated my entire life to my brother and giving him a voice.

Earlier this month, Wilveria returned to CrimeCon, this year in Nashville, but this time she was there as an exhibitor  with a booth where she could tell Sheltons story.

The more information we put out there and the more public awareness there is, the closer I feel to getting justice for Shelton, she said. Our fight for Shelton is not over.

Shelton Sanders, a USC-Columbia student, has been missing since June 19, 2001. But his sister Wilveria Sanders has never stopped looking for him ( Provided by Wilveria Sanders )

At the booth next to hers was the family of Gabby Petitio, the 22-year-old who was killed by fiance Brian Laundrie in 2021 while they were on a cross-country road trip.

The Petitio family told Wilveria they remember seeing Sheltons picture at the previous event and asked for fliers and other material to hand out from their booth.

Theres a wall at CrimeCon  the biggest true crime event in the country  that is plastered with the faces of hundreds of missing people ( Provided by Wilveria Sanders )

Gabbys father had a few words of comfort for Wilveria.

Never give up hope, he told her.

What happened to Shelton?

Shelton Sanders was a student at the University of South Carolina in Columbia when he disappeared on June 19, 2001. He was 25 years old.

He was studying Administrative Information Management and also worked as a computer programmer for the schools Neuropsychiatry Department School of Medicine.

Wilveria said her brother had dreams of owning a consulting business and raising a family one day. But that changed on June 19, 2001.

The day began as normal with Shelton attending college classes. Before he drove home to Rembert, he joined his former college roommate, Mark Richardson, to reserve hotel rooms in Columbia for a bachelor party they were planning.

He called his mother around 8:30 p.m. to let her know that hed be home later, but he never showed up.

Wilveria said her brother had dreams of owning a consulting business and raising a family one day. But that changed on June 19, 2001 when he vanished ( Provided by Wilveria Sanders )

According to a Sumter County Sheriffs Department investigation, Shelton and Richardson were seen at Wellesley Inns & Suites in Columbia around 9:30 p.m., then at the Embassy Suites in Columbia at 9:51 p.m. and at the Residence Inn just after 10 p.m.  all in the downtown area of Columbia. They returned to Richardsons apartment between 11 and 11:30 p.m.

A neighbor would later tell investigators that it was around that time that they heard three gunshots coming from the area of Richardsons apartment. When they walked over to find out what happened, Richardson told the neighbor that everything was fine and that his car had just backfired, police said in reports at the time.

Richardson later told investigators that he and Shelton had gone their separate ways, and that Shelton had headed back to his home in Rembert.

His parents, Bill Sanders, a Sumter County Magistrate, and Peggy Sanders, became concerned when he wasnt home the next day and filed a missing persons report with the Sumter County Sheriffs Department.

A search was launched, but with no evidence, the case quickly turned cold.

Two years later, Sheltons white 1988 Oldsmobile Regency was found backed into a parking space at the Greenbrier Apartment complex in Columbia.

Richland County Sheriffs Department joined the investigation and Richardson, the last person to be seen with Shelton, was called in for further questioning.

Sergeant Shawn McDaniels, an investigator with the Richland County Sheriffs Department on the case, told Dateline NBC back in 2021 that Richardson made statements during that interview that led investigators to focus on him as their prime suspect.

New billboards were placed in Columbia, where he was last seen, and Greenville, S.C. ( Provided by Wilveria Sanders )

According to McDaniels, Richardson asked the investigators during the interview, Let me ask you a hypothetical question? Is there such a thing as an accidental death in the state of South Carolina? After he was told hed be given the opportunity to explain, Richardson also asked, How can I explain getting rid of a body?

McDaniels said Richardson refused to say anything else.

Investigators were able to place Richardson right where Sheltons car was found on the night he went missing with the help of phone pings.

We triangulated his cell phone records and we were able to, on the night that Shelton Sanders was last seen and heard from, we were able to put Mark Richardsons cell phone records right where the car was found, McDaniels said during the 2021 interview with Dateline.

No body, no crime

In October of 2005, Mark Richardson was arrested and charged with murder in connection to Sheltons disappearance.

In April 2008, he stood trial. But the jury was unable to reach a verdict, with seven jurors voting guilty and five jurors voting not guilty or undecided, and a mistrial was declared.

Wilveria told The Independent that the outcome was devastating for their family.

Its been 23 years of pain for us, 23 years of grieving and missing Shelton, she said. We just want answers.

There has not yet been a retrial as there was not enough evidence.

McDaniels spoke with WACH FOX News in 2022 about arresting Richardson and charging him with murder in 2005, and the frustration about seeing him released in 2008 after his trial resulted in a hung jury.

The most frustrating part started initially, when we had to deal with jurisdiction issues along with the Sumter County Sheriffs department, he said.

And whats frustrating is to build up enough evidence, strong circumstantial evidence, enough to get an arrest warrant, and to see that this case here was decided primarily on a jury that was racially divided.

The reward for information that leads to the whereabouts of Sheltons remains has doubled and the family is now offering $50,000 ( Provided by Wilveria Sanders )

He was the last person with him, he added. Gunshots were heard at his house by a credible witness. So, why would you need to explain that? All the evidence points to [Mark Richardson].

The Independent has reached out to Richardson for comment. He currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina, which is about 100 miles from Columbia.

Without further evidence, such as Sheltons remains, another trial or suspect is unlikely.

A sisters fight for justice

Wilveria is still on her mission to get justice for her brother.

Even if he is deceased, I still want to know where he is or what happened to him. Thats all I want, she said.

Shelton had been missing for about 10 years  and his case was turning cold  when she and her family took it upon themselves to be unofficial investigators.

They set up the Facebook page Finding Shelton Sanders, established a tip line, conducted interviews with local and national news outlets, increased their reward offer and continued to plead with anyone who has information to come forward.

Billboards were placed in Columbia, where he was last seen. Digital billboards were put in the area, as well as Greenville, earlier this week. A new website is expected in a few months time.

Wilveria is still on her mission to get justice for her brother. She is pictured here at the CrimeCon in Nashville. She also plans to attend the next one in Denver ( Provided by Wilveria Sanders )

At this point, were looking for a confession or his remains, she said.

Only then will we have closure.

The reward for information that leads to the whereabouts of Sheltons remains has doubled and the family is now offering $50,000.

I pray all the time for answers, Wilveria said.

But we havent given up hope  and well never stop fighting for justice for him.

Anyone with information about Sheltons case or the whereabouts of his remains is asked to call the Richland County Sheriffs Office at (803) 576-3000 or the Shelton Sanders information hotline at (803) 427-4209.
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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 governor 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 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, says Duvall ( AP )

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 v Wade, including Amanda Zurawski and Kaitlyn Joshua, who have said abortion restrictions put them in medical peril.

The majority of US 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 v Wades demise, reproductive health in the US 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.

Duvall chose to be identified and has spoken out publicly about her experience and its connection to the debate over abortion.
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A Maryland couple on their lifelong dream trip is amongst the more than 1,300 pilgrims who died after extreme heat hit the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Alhaji Alieu Dausy, 71, and Haja Isatu Wurie, 65, died while on the pilgrimage to Mecca, according to Maryland Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks. She added that Wurie, a campaign volunteer, was a very active member of her local community.

She was involved in several community organizations, making transformational impacts that were felt both locally and globally, Alsobrooks wrote.

Alsobrooks said it was with heavy hearts that the campaign team learned of the news of the deaths of the Bowie, Maryland, couple.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with their families during this difficult time. Their loss is profound, and they will be deeply missed, Alsobrooks added.

This year, roughly 1.8 million pilgrims arrived in the holy city of Mecca and walked long distances amid a deadly heatwave with temperatures exceeding 125F (51C).

The couples daughter also spoke to CNN after learning of her parents deaths in Saudi Arabia during Hajj. The Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca. It is mandatory for those who practice Islam to do it once in their lives.

All we know is that it was natural causes, and someone from the U.S. Embassy advised the natural causes could have been due to heat stroke, which, based on the temperature, people were saying it was over 110 degrees," their daughter Saida Wurie told CNN.

"There are millions of people and they have to walk long hours. It was more than likely it was heat stroke for both of my parents."

Saida told the outlet the trip was a lifelong dream for her parents, who had saved their whole lives for the experience. She estimated they spent $23,000 on a travel package for the event.

Saida Wurie told CNN she believed her parents were not given proper transportation for their trip, saying she last heard from her parents on June 15 when they had been waiting for hours for transport to take them to Mount Arafat.

The couple had decided to walk instead to join fellow pilgrims and others in their tour group, but the pair appeared to go missing on Mount Arafat after her father needed to take a break along the journey.

Muslim pilgrims use umbrellas to shade themselves from the sun as they arrive at the base of Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, during the annual hajj pilgrimage. Officials say more 1,3000 people have died including an American couple ( AFP via Getty Images )

The US Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, confirmed the couples deaths as natural causes. Officials also told the family the couple had been buried.

Saida told CNN she and her siblings are doing everything they can to find her parents burial place.

They are among the 1,300 who have died during June 14 to June 19 event. Saudi health minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel said 83 percent of the total fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who arrived in the city without a permit, as the Islamic desert kingdom faced criticism over poor management.

Speaking with the state-owned Al Ekhbariya TV, the minister said 95 pilgrims were being treated in hospitals, some of whom were airlifted for treatment in the capital, Riyadh. He said the identification process was delayed because there were no identification documents with many of the dead pilgrims.

He said the dead were buried in Mecca, without giving a breakdown.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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After Melania Trump missed key events in her husband's presidential bid earlier this year  from the kickoff of the 2024 election in Iowa to Donald Trumps Super Tuesday victory party  reporters asked the former first lady whether she planned to hit the campaign trail. Her response: Stay tuned.

But since making that comment in March, after she and Donald Trump voted in Florida's primary, Melania Trump has largely refrained from public appearances. The few exceptions have included a couple of fundraisers in April and their son's high school graduation.

Melania Trump did not attend the 2024 presidential debate in Atlanta, Georgia to support her husband as he faced off against President Joe Biden for the first time since 2020.

The former first lady noticeably also did not accompany the presumptive Republican presidential nominee on any of the days of his more than monthlong hush money trial in New York. She was not there last month for the guilty verdict or the following day for his remarks at Trump Tower. She also did not appear June 14 at a 78th birthday party organized for Trump by his fan club, or at any of the campaign rallies he has held in recent months.

Her absence during the trial and for other important moments is unusual, said Katherine Jellison, a professor of history at Ohio University who studies first ladies. But Jellison said maybe it should not come as a surprise as Melania Trump seems reluctant to follow the traditional public role of a politician's wife. As first lady, she also kept a low profile and she was not a regular presence on her husbands losing 2020 presidential campaign.

But everything the Trumps do seems to be against the standard playbook of how candidates and spouses behave," Jellison said.

US President Donald Trump returns to the White House with First Lady Melania Trump (R) and their son Baron (L) after a weekend in Bedminster on August 16, 2020 in Washington, DC ( AFP via Getty Images )

Melania Trump's behavior deviates from how other politicians have relied on their spouses. Sometimes male politicians turn to their wives to try to reach out to female voters. Candidates also may be joined by their spouses as a way of giving voters more of a sense of what the candidate is like outside the political arena.

During this year's GOP primary, for example, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wife, Casey DeSantis, traveled with him, granted interviews and formed a coalition named Mamas for DeSantis before he suspended his bid for the nomination. Vivek Ramaswamy's wife, Dr. Apoorva Ramaswamy, also was on the campaign trail, often appearing along with their two young children to talk about the importance of family.

The Associated Press reached out to 15 people who have been in major fundraisers or in Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate recently. None said they had encountered Melania Trump on the Florida property.

Her office has not responded to several requests for comment. Her only public statement of late came two days after the Florida Republican Party announced with fanfare that son Barron Trump, 18, was chosen as a state delegate for the Republican National Convention and her office said he could not make it, citing prior commitments.

Reporters at the New York courthouse during Trumps felony trial repeatedly asked him, Wheres Melania? but he never answered. Trump allies cited their sons school calendar as the main reason for her absence without denying it was a delicate time for the family.

Trumps attorney, Todd Blanche, was asked whether there were talks about her accompanying him to court.

That wasnt a discussion that I wanted to have, Blanche responded, speaking to Miami trial attorney David Oscar Markus for his For The Defense podcast. "This was a tough case because of the nature of the charges, the evidence that came in, the history, how long it had been.

Some of the testimony aired how Trump allegedly had sex with porn actor Stormy Daniels in July 2006, about four months after Melania Trump had given birth to Barron; Trump has denied Daniels' claim. Trumps former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen testified that Trump did not appear to care about how the story of an encounter he was looking to bury would hurt his marriage as much as he cared about it damaging his 2016 presidential aspirations.

But Hope Hicks, Trumps 2016 campaign communications chief, testified that Trump was concerned in 2016 about how a story related to Playboy model Karen MacDougal would be viewed by his wife and wanted her to make sure newspapers were not delivered to their residence.

Melania and Donald pictured at a Palm Beach fundraiser in April 2024 ( AP )

Melania Trump did not post anything on her social media accounts after her husband was convicted on 34 felony counts. That's in contrast to Trump's elder sons, who quickly condemned the verdict. Daughter Ivanka Trump posted on Instagram a photo of her as a toddler with a younger Trump and the message I love you dad. Tiffany Trump, his younger daughter, accompanied him to the courthouse last month for the trial's closing arguments.

I think its very hard for her," Trump said about his wife, in an interview with Fox News after the verdict. "I mean, shes fine. But, you know, she has to read all this crap.

Despite her absence on the campaign trail, Trump often mentions her and shares conversations between the two, showing supporters that she is still involved behind the scenes by offering feedback to the former president.

Larry Snowden, president of the Club 47 fan group, said he last saw the former first lady at a February gala hosted by the Trumpettes, a group of female supporters. He said he has never had a one-on-one interaction with her, but that when he saw her there, she was so charming.

She was so happy, and she was smiling and accommodating anyone that wanted to come up and shake her hand or anything," Snowden said.

Snowden said he does expect Melania Trump to show face throughout the campaign and to make key speeches, but that he also thinks that the former president would continue to be very protective of her.
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A man has been arrested for attempting to cut off someones nose with a samurai sword.

Peter Michael Anthony Tighe, 36, was arrested on Saturday morning for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He is being held on $15,000 bail at the J Reuben Long Detention Center in Horry County.

Police say that he almost sliced through another mans nose with the traditional Japanese sword after he kissed one of Tighes family.

Peter Michael Anthony Tighe, 36, has been arrested after cops say he almost cut off a mans nose for kissing his relative ( Horry County Sheriffs Office )

Police say Tighe confronted the victim after he kissed the relative in a Circle K parking lot. Tighe became enraged and started swinging the long, thin sword around.

[The victim] had a large piece of skin flapped off his nose and was hanging, according to a police report. The victim also sustained a cut above his left eye. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Tighe was found near the convenience store and taken into custody by police. The report noted that the defendant is always carrying unique knives/weaponry.

According to Horry County records, Tighe has previously been arrested on charges of assault, assault and battery in the third-degree; and malicious injury to personal property or value and trespassing.
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Two years ago today, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, the nearly 50-year-old case that granted the right to an abortion nationwide.

Abortion access changed overnight in some places. Several Republican-controlled states immediately enacted trigger laws, placing restrictions on abortion and limiting access.

While the average number of abortions has not changed since the courts 2022 ruling, pregnant people now face significant barriers to abortion access which can have life-altering, if not life-threatening, consequences.

Heres what weve lost in the two years since Roe v Wade was overturned.

Abortion banned or heavily restricted in 21 states

Abortion is banned outright, with few exceptions, in 14 states, all of which are Republican-controlled.

In Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, abortion is banned after six weeks. Most people dont know they are pregnant until their first missed period, meaning many dont find out until after that six-week cut-off.

Nebraska and North Carolina have a 12-week ban, while Arizona bans abortion at 15 weeks and Utah bans the procedure at 18 weeks.

Three states  Iowa, Montana and Wyoming  introduced abortion bans that have been blocked by judges as they undergo legal challenges.

Pregnant people face threats to their health under restrictive abortion bans

In states where there are little to no exceptions to abortion bans, people are being forced to continue with life-threatening pregnancies.

Breanna Cecil, 34, previously told The Independent that she was denied an abortion in Tennessee for a pregnancy that ultimately destroyed her ability to have children in the future.

The state of Tennessee took my fertility from me, Cecil told The Independent last month. [State lawmakers] took away my opportunity to have a family like my own biological family because of these horrible laws that they put in place.

Kate Cox, from Texas, grabbed national attention after she was denied an abortion despite severe medical complications.

Kate Cox, pictured, unsuccessfully sued the state of Texas to get an abortion for a pregnancy with severe complications ( AP )

During her third pregnancy, Cox discovered she was carrying a child diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a life-threatening chromosomal disorder that often results in a miscarriage or stillbirth. Doctors also told her the condition could leave her infertile.

But Texas did not allow her to have an abortion 20 weeks into her pregnancy. Cox unsuccessfully sued the state and ultimately had to travel to get the procedure.

Last week, Cox appeared on CNN to announce she is pregnant again.

Its such a hard feeling because so much happiness, but also being so scared at the same time, Cox said. I live in a state where emergencies in pregnancy can happen in a moment, and if I have an emergency, my first call would be my lawyer and my second call would be my doctor. How upside down is that?

Pregnant people forced to travel hundreds of miles to access abortions

People living in more than 700 US counties must travel more than 200 miles to access their nearest abortion clinic, according to the Myers Abortion Facility Database by Middlebury College.

Residents of some southern US counties would have to travel more than 700 miles, Axios reports. In June 2021, a year before Roe v Wade was overturned, residents of just 216 counties had to travel the same distance.

Demonstrators and counter-demonstrators gather in Orlando, Florida to protest the states six-week abortion ban that went into effect on May 1, 2024 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Take Florida, for example. Last month, a ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy went into effect. With neighboring states of Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina enforcing similar bans, Floridians who are past the six-week mark of pregnancy must travel for abortion access.

The nearest state with looser restrictions is North Carolina, which bans abortion after 12 weeks. If a person in Florida is more than 12 weeks pregnant and needs an abortion, their closest option is Virginia. A car ride from Miami to Richmond takes more than 13 hours.

This disparity is why many advocates were particularly concerned about FDA v Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a case before the Supreme Court earlier this year that challenged access to the abortion drug mifepristone. The medication can be delivered by mail, making it a key resource to those who face barriers to abortion access.

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled to maintain FDA approval of mifepristone earlier this year. As a result, mifepristone remains fully approved and available through telehealth prescription and mail delivery to patients.

However, the challenge is expected to appear before the nations highest court in the future, meaning there may be future threats to mifepristone access.
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Fears are mounting for a U.S. tourist who vanished two weeks ago while on vacation in Barcelona.

In a post on Facebook, Kayli Anthony Willis said her 31-year-old brother Ryan hasnt been heard from after attending a Pride festival in Sitges two weeks ago.

Since then, he has not contacted his family, and calls and texts sent to Ryans phone are not being delivered, according to Willis.

She added that it was not like him to go more than 24 hours without contacting her.

My brother Ryan has been missing for 2 weeks now. We have filed a report with the US embassy in Barcelona and also here in the United States, she wrote.

The last message he sent me he was in Sitges for Pride festival with some friends. It is not like him to not check in with any of his family, and all our calls and texts are not delivering.

He is about 6 foot tall and the nicest person. If anyone has come in contact recently or knows where he is, PLEASE message me or notify the US embassy.

Ryan Anthony (center) pictured on holiday in Spain ( Kayli Anthony Willis via Facebook )

We would like to know hes safe and alive. Thank you.

She added that a missing persons report for her brother has been filed with local police and the Mossos dEsquadra but no leads have been generated.

Willis said she has also reached out to local bars and multiple hospitals and clinics in the area, but no records have been found on him.

It is believed that Ryan travelled to Barcelona with a group of friends before he disappeared.

Willis said she has reached out to two of his friends, but has not received a response. She added that one of the men posted on social media in the last week.

My brother has never gone more than 24 hours without a call or text and with us being in the states it is very difficult to navigate this process, she wrote.

Ryan is described as six foot tall, weighing 185lbs. He has brown hair and brown eyes, as well as a large black-and-red bird tattoo on his left arm.

Willis, who lives in Texas, according to her Facebook profile, has urged anyone with information about her brothers disappearance to come forward.

The Independent has contacted the Mossos dEsquadra for comment.
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Former Trump spiritual advisor Robert Morris told his sexual abuse accuser that she could be criminally prosecuted if he paid her money to prevent her from going public, according to emails.

Cindy Clemishire, who has accused the megachurch pastor of molesting her for years when she was a child, emailed him in 2005 asking for restitution.

In emails, obtained by NBC News, Morris replied with a warning that she could be criminally prosecuted if he paid her.

Last week, Morris admitted that he had engaged in "sexual behavior" with a child, and resigned from his leadership duties at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. He has not been charged with a crime.

Morris was a leading figure in the Evangelical Christian community, and served on former president Donald Trumps spiritual advisory board.

In the emails, Clemishire, now 54, accused Morris of "destroying" her life, and asks for compensation for "pain and damage". The emails were sent between April and October 2005.

Pastor Robert Morris applauds after Donald Trump speaks at Gateway Church's Dallas campus on June 11, 2020. Morris resigned from his leadership role at the church last week after Cindy Clemishire publicly accused him of molesting her while she was a child in the 1980s ( Alex Brandon/AP )

Twenty-three years after you began destroying my life, I am still dealing with the pain and damage you caused, an email, on September 20, 2005, read. "I want some type of restitution. Pray about it and call me."

Two weeks later, Morris responded to the email. He wrote that he had already asked for forgiveness from Clemishire's father and so, in his mind, the matter was settled, according to NBC.

Debbie and I really do care for you and we sincerely want Gods best for you, Morris wrote, referring to his wife.

He explained that since he confessed his abuse to Clemishire's father, he believed that he had "obtained your forgiveness as well as your family's."

Then he warned her if she pursued legal action against him, she could be tried for blackmail, NBC reported.

My attorney advises that if I pay you any money under a threat of exposure, you could be criminally prosecuted and Debbie and I do not want that, he wrote. If you need more information, have your attorney contact mine.

The Independent has contacted Morris and Gateway Churchs leadership for comment on the emails.

In one email, Clemishire expressed her frustration that Morris faced no consequences for his actions.

Cindy Clemishire gives an interview detailing the years of sexual abuse she says she suffered as a child at the hands of Gateway Church pastor Robert Morris. Morris, who once sat on Donald Trumps spiritual advisory board, has since resigned ( screengrab/WFAA )

Men that have over 100 counts of child molestation go to prison, she wrote. Men who pastor churches that have over 100 counts of child molestation go to prison and pay punitive damages. You have not had to do either.

Clemishire made the decision to go public with her story last week. A website that collects church abuse allegations, The Wartburg Watch, published her blog post where she detailed the years of abuse she suffered at the hands of Morris, beginning when she was 12. She said the abuse began in 1982 and continued until 1987, when she told her parents.

Morris admitted in his twenties that he had sexual encounters with a "young lady," but said that he had since repented.

When I was in my early twenties, I was involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in a home where I was staying. It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong, Morris said.

He said that in 1987, after Clemishire told her parents about the abuse, that he "confessed and repented" to the Shady Grove Church, where he was pastor at the time, and to Clemishire's father.

A group of protesters outside Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, calling for pastor Robert Morris to step down last week ( screengrab/CBS Texas )

They asked me to step out of ministry and receive counseling and freedom ministry, which I did. Since that time, I have walked in purity and accountability in this area, Morris said in his statement. He added that he and his wife met with the survivor and her family in 1989.

Last week, Gateway Church's Board of Elders announced that Morris had resigned from his position at the church.

The church leaders claimed that they had been lead to believe Morris had cheated on his wife, not that he had molested a child.

The elders prior understanding was that Morriss extramarital relationship, which he had discussed many times throughout his ministry, was with a young lady and not abuse of a 12-year-old child, the leaders said in a statement announcing his resignation.

Boz Tchividjian, Clemishire's attorney, issued a statement to NBC News questioning why the elders did not investigate his client's claims earlier.

It seems as if it was preferable for them to simply accept his vague narrative instead of seeking the truth regarding a sexual offense perpetrated upon a minor, Tchividjian said. The leaders at Gateway had the responsibility to find out what happened and not to blindly accept his words.

One of the elders, Tom Lane, had email interactions with Clemishire in 2005 regarding her accusations against Morris.

Lane told NBC News that he "did not fully understand the severity and specifics of the sexual abuse she experienced, nor did I know she was 12-years-old when the abuse began."

The broadcaster reports that the emails do not appear to indicate that Lane knew about Clemishire's age or the nature of the abuse.
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Donald Trump has baselessly claimed that Joe Biden will use medical supplements to prepare for the first presidential debate this coming Thursday.

At his last scheduled rally before the debate, Trump suggested that Biden is going to appear jacked up after getting a shot in the a**.

So tonight well refer to him as Sleepy Joe because right now, as you know, its been reported that right now, Crooked Joe has gone to a log cabin to study. Prepare? No. Hes sleeping now because they want to get him good and strong. So a little before debate time, he gets a shot in the a**, Trump told the crowd on Saturday in Philadelphia.

For months, Trump has lampooned Biden as a cognitively impaired brain-dead zombie who cant finish a sentence or find his way off stage.

However, the former president changed his tune just days before the debate, suggesting that Biden might prove a formidable opponent.

They want to strengthen him up so he comes out -- hell come out. Okay. I say hell come out all jacked up, right? All jacked up, Trump told the crowd. Im sure hell be prepared.

Trump then paused before asking: Whatever happened to all that cocaine that was missing a month ago from the White House?

He appeared to be referencing an incident in which a small bag of cocaine was found in the guest lobby of the West Wing last year. The Secret Service closed its investigation into the incident last July after security cameras provided no leads and no fingerprints were found.

Donald Trump at a campaign event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 22, 2024 where he spoke about the upcoming presidential debate with Joe Biden ( REUTERS )

The former president will take part in the first 2024 debate with President Biden on June 27, which will be aired on CNN. A second faceoff is set for September 10, hosted by ABC.

Trump had refused to take part in any of the GOP primary debates, writing on Truth Social: The public knows who I am & what a successful Presidency I had. I will therefore not be doing the debates.

But since becoming the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Trump has said that he would be willing to challenge Biden anytime, anywhere, any place.

However, that hasnt stopped Trump airing his grievances about Thursdays debate, accusing CNN of taking so much fun out of it.

The candidates will debate at a CNN studio in Atlanta with no audience, and there will be no opening statements. Each candidates microphone will be muted, except when its his turn to speak. No props or pre-written notes will be allowed on stage. The candidates will be given only a pen, a pad of paper and a bottle of water. Both camps have agreed to the rules.

Trump also criticized CNN anchors, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, who are hosting the debate.

Number one, it was CNN fake news, right? Who hates Trump. Then it was Fake Tapper who really hates Trump. And Dana Bash. Its Dan-ah, not Dane-ah, right, you know that? Right? Its Dan-ah, isnt it? Its either. Choose it, he told the crowd in Philadelphia this weekend.

Then think of this. Theres no audience. Its like death. Theres two of us and two of them. Its like death. This could be the most boring or it could be quite exciting. Who knows? You know, I already caught them, he added.
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Donald Trump reportedly visited Mar-a-Lago a few weeks before federal law enforcement agents searched the Florida property, a trip that special counsel Jack Smith and investigators scrutinized as part of a wider probe into whether the former president had obstructed law enforcement in the classified documents case.

Trumps aides tried to keep that trip quiet, according to ABC News, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Investigators probed that previously undisclosed visit  reportedly in July of 2022, less than a month before the FBI searched the compound  as part of a broader investigation into whether the former president had obstructed the governments attempts to retrieve classified documents that were allegedly unlawfully in his possession.

Trump normally spends the summer at his Bedminster club in New Jersey, and his home would have been under construction at the time of the three-day visit, which confused Mar-a-Lago staff who didnt know where he could stay, according to ABC.

They were keeping this one quiet ... nobody knew about this trip, one witness who spoke with investigators told ABC.

The former president faces 40 separate charges stemming from allegations that he withheld hundreds of documents after leaving the White House, then conspired to obstruct the governments attempts to get them back.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Special counsel Jack Smith, whose office is leading an investigation into whether Donald Trump illegally withheld classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago property and then obstructed law enforcement attempts to get them back ( AP )

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.

The revelation of the previously unreported trip follows allegations that Trump changed a lock on one of his closets while an attorney was searching for documents in a basement storage room. FBI agents did not check the locked closet during the August 2022 search.

A superseding indictment also accuses Nauta of making a similarly unplanned trip to Mar-a-Lago, where he allegedly conspired with De Oliveira to delete security camera footage.

Attorneys for the former president and special counsel lawyers are in federal court this week to continue a three-day series of hearings on whether Smiths office was unlawfully created and funded.

Prosecutors have also been granted a hearing on their request for Judge Aileen Cannon to impose a limited gag order in the case, which would block Trump from making statements that pose a significant, imminent, and foreseeable danger to law enforcement.
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On Saturday, Representative Jamaal Bowman held a rally at St Marys Park in the birthplace of hip-hop, where he quoted lines from Boogie Down Productions South Bronx.

Bowman brought out the big guns  and not just his biceps, that he says he has earned from bench-pressing 405 pounds  including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders.

Bowman, a member of the Squad who once pulled off a shocker primary challenge, now faces an unprecedented onslaught from a primary challenger backed by pro-Israel Democrats  including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee  in what has become the most expensive congressional primary in American history.

We are going to show f**king AIPAC the power of the motherf**king South Bronx, Bowman said at his rally, in reference to the money provided by the advocacy group to his opponent in an effort to unseat him.

But Bowmans district does not include the South Bronx. Rather, Representative Ritchie Torres, an ardently pro-Israel Democrat who quit the Congressional Progressive Caucus, can call the South Bronx part of his district.

The contest between Bowman and his opponent, George Latimer, has focused heavily on the subject of Israel. Thats because the United Democracy Project, AIPACs political action committee, has spent $14.03 million in the race already. Latimers campaign had also received more than $1.2 million from AIPACs PAC as of June 5.

U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) attend a rally at St. Marys Park on June 22, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Supporters gathered three days before New Yorks primary elections as incumbent Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) attempts to retain his seat in a heated primary race. ( (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images) )

But the race has become about so much more, including race, Donald Trump and what it means to adequately support President Joe Biden.

Bowman claims that his public support for a ceasefire in Gaza made him a target for AIPAC and led to them supporting his opponent.

In his speech about the primary, he used strong language. My opponent supports genocide, he said.

The campaign group has gained both national and local attention ever since the October 7th attack by Hamas, during which the terrorist group killed 1,200 people and took at least 251 people hostages. Israel subsequently declared war in Hamas and attacked Gaza, leading to the deaths of over 35,000 people.

Bowmans criticism of the Israeli government before October 7  he boycotted a joint address to Congress by Israeli President Isaac Herzog last year  had made him unpopular among pro-Israel groups like AIPAC already. But his support for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas made him particularly vulnerable. It is a vast change from his position in 2020, when he voted to give Israel aid for the Iron Dome defense, or 2021, when he visited Israel with J Street (J Street used to support him as a candidate, but pulled their support in January after saying that their differences had become clear over the past few months.) At that time, he also had little to say about the Boycott, Divest and Sanction movement.

His changing position on Israel has led to his unpopularity among some  but his critics say his problems also run deeper.

Bowman has gotten in a lot of trouble over a lot of time for a lot of stupid things, one senior pro-Israel Democratic strategist told The Independent, who requested anonymity in order to speak freely. Specifically, they cited his pulling a fire alarm during a House vote, for which Bowman was censured and charged with a misdemeanor. They also claimed he has been a thorn in the side of the Biden administration.

One anti-Bowman ad even cited a profile of Bowman from 2021 written by The Independent, where he called out Bidens lies, specifically about police reform and a lack of action on student loans. Its clear he hasnt ever been shy to talk about the ways in which, in his estimation, the president comes up short.

By contrast, progressives expressed their concern that they couldnt simultaneously hold Biden accountable while speaking out about what they believe in.

Democratic candidate for New York's 16th District George Latimer speaks during a press conference at the Mount Vernon Democratic headquarters on June 24, 2024 in Mount Vernon, New York. Latimer charges that Bowman has been an absent congressman who focuses more on national issues. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) ( Getty Images )

We should be clear-eyed about the very real fascist threat of Donald Trump, of what that can look like for our democracy, for abortion rights, for everything, while also being a party that holds our own leaders accountable when it needs to, Usamah Andrabi, a spokesperson for the Justice Democrats, told The Independent. That's the point of a democracy.

Andrabi also noted how AIPAC had previously contributed funds to Republicans who voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Since then, Politico reported that AIPAC is the largest source for Republican donor cash to Democratic primaries.

I think the whole of the Democratic Party should be opposed to allowing mega-donors from intervening in Democratic primaries, especially through a Super PAC that is no friend to our democracy or democratic values, Andrabi added.

In 2020, Bowman pulled off a surprising victory when he defeated House Foreign Affairs Committe Chairman Eliot Engel after Engel was caught on a hot mic at a Black Lives Matter demonstration saying, of the movement that sprang up following the death of George Floyd: If I didn't have a primary, I wouldn't care.

Four years later, race remains a large factor. Not only does the 16th district include the heavily Black and Latino Bronx, it also includes heavily white Westchester County.

In one debate between the candidates, Latimer hit Bowman for supposedly only focusing on Black and Latino voters.

You dont mention Asian, you dont mention people who are not Black or brown, Latimer said. Theres a whole district, Jamaal, that youve ignored, and the district knows youve ignored it.

Ocasio-Cortez accused Bowmans opponents of engaging in race-baiting.

I think we see it a lot  less overt but still condemnable tactics like darkening the shade of his skin in campaign ads, up to some of the more overt and suggestive rhetoric thats being talked about in terms of demographics, she told The Independent, when asked about the primary.

Specifically, she was referring to something else Latimer said to Bowman about taking campaign money from Dearborn, Michigan, a city with a large Arab-American population. Your constituency is Dearborn, Michigan. Your constituency is San Francisco, California, Latimer said on Good Morning New York, in an aside that was meant to signal that Bowman had formed a joint fundraising committee with Representative Rashida Tlaib, who is Palestinian-American and represents Dearborn.

But the joint fundraising committee received no money from Dearborn, according to its filing with the Federal Election Committee. All told, Bowmans own campaign  separate from the joint fundraising committee  received only four contributions from Dearborn totaling $1,850.

And while Bowmans campaign finance filing showed he had raised some money from San Francisco, so had Latimer. In fact, Latimer raised more.

Bowmans campaign modeled itself after Ocasio-Cortezs victory against Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley in 2018. Ocasio-Cortez, in turn, had been inspired by Bernie Sanderss insurgent 2016 campaign challenge against Hillary Clinton.

Since then, this race has since become a proxy for that 2016 showdown; not only did Sanders campaign with Bowman, but Clinton, who resides in Westchester County in the 16th district, endorsed Latimer. On the eve of the primary, Clintons Onward Together PAC contributed $2,500 to his campaign.

When Sanders lost the Democratic primary to Biden, Bowman and Ocasio-Cortez largely fell in line and supported Biden publicly while attempting to pressure him to the left behind the scenes. That push-pull culminated in November 2021, when Bowman  along with Tlaib, Ocasio-Cortez, Representatives Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Cori Bush of Missouri  was one of only six Democrats to vote against the bipartisan infrastructure bill.

Bowman and the Squad did so because they wanted a guarantee that Build Back Better  Bidens proposed, much more progressive legislation that would include everything from an expanded child tax credit to provisions to combat climate change to elder care  would pass alongside the bill. Senator Joe Manchin, then a conservative Democrat from West Virginia who later became an independent, later killed Build Back Better after it passed the House.

But voting against the bipartisan bill gave Bowmans opponents enough ammunition to attack him. One ad from the Latimer campaign claimed Bowman voted against the bill just to stick it to President Biden.

Aware of such attempts to position him against Biden, Bowman has made efforts to push the opposite view during public appearances. At one rally, he noted how he brought Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to the district last year. He also ran an ad describing how he worked with Biden on combating gun violence and protecting abortion rights.

Ocasio-Cortez said that the race will prove critical to determine if big money can have a role in Democratic primaries. In her opinion, that is the biggest issue in play.

I think that this race is about the corrupting role of money in politics, and I think there's a certain extent where it's honestly not about issues at all, Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent.

There are signs that AIPAC will copy the strategy elsewhere. Over the weekend, the groups PAC ran an ad hitting Bush in Missouris first district for her vote against the infrastructure bill, where it has already spent $2 million in the primary. The group never used to involve itself in primaries; instead, it tended to focus on campaigning through lobbying. This year, its clear that a lot of things are very different.
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Khaki sleeves rolled up and safety goggles adjusted, Ron Hanks stares into the sight of a high-powered rifle before pulling the trigger on Colorados arid plains  ostensibly blowing up an office copier disguised as a voting machine in a video political campaign ad.

The attention-grabbing clip vaulted Hanks into headlines during his unsuccessful Senate campaign two years ago; now hes followed it up with equally hard-nosed, gun-themed and solemn campaign ads  as the combat veteran vies to fill the seat being vacated by MAGA firebrand Rep. Lauren Boebert.

Im the only conservative in this race, former Republican state representative Hanks tells The Independent. And Im the only conservative with a proven legislative record  look at my time in the state house, when I fought for the Second Amendment and I fought for election integrity and I fought for the unborn.

This is the candidate endorsed by the central committee of the state GOP in the race to replace Boebert in a district she nearly lost to a Democrat two years ago  and a district shes fled for a better shot at a seat across the state.

The brash congresswomans antics and increasingly outrageous scandals were largely blamed for her waning support among both CD3 Republican and unaffiliated constituents. Instead of endorsing a less controversial candidate upon her departure, however, the Colorado GOP has thrown its weight behind a veritable Boebert 2.0; Hanks is a self-described pro-Trump warrior, election denier and proud attendee of the Jan. 6 rally in DC. (He says, however, that he did not enter the Capitol.)

Boebert may have upped sticks to seek greener pastures eastward, but the brouhaha shes left behind is following her same fractious brand of rhetoric, drama and polarization  and thats just within her own party.

Despite the GOP endorsement of Hanks, the more staid establishment candidate  a Grand Junction attorney named Jeff Hurd with a slew of Republican old-guard endorsements  is polling far ahead. Both mens campaigns are gleefully attacking each other as the clock counts down to next weeks primary.

And not to be outdone, the Democrats are accused of meddling after a series of PAC-funded reversepsychology ads declared Hanks too conservative  in an attempt to appeal to the ultra-right base, secure Hanks the nomination and ultimately give Frisch a better shot in November. The strategy is presumably banking on the fact that the same voters who turned against Boebert will also find Hanks to be a distasteful choice.

Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert has for two terms represented Colorados 3rd congressional district, which included the town of Rifle, where she previously ran a gun-themed restaurant; she announced in December she was abandoning her re-election campaign and running across the state in CD4 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Colorados third congressional district, thrown headlong into the national spotlight four years ago when political neophyte Boebert unseated five-term Republican Scott Tipton in the primary, has been on a political rollercoaster ride ever since. Boebert made constant headlines  heckling the president at the State of the Union; getting groped in a theater; divorcing and then fighting with her ex-husband in public  before capping the drama with a surprise constituency switch.

Days after the December announcement that Boebert would now be running in CD4, Hanks threw his hat in the ring for her Western Slope seat. A combat veteran with 32 years of service, he doubles down on the same far-right views as Boebert but delivers them with expressionless solemnity, not finger-pointing shouts. Like her, he plays up his common-man roots.

When I wasnt working for the Air Force, I fracked in North Dakota, and I hammered iron and drove trucks with blue-collar America, he told constituents one week before the primary in a Tuesday night zoom town hall.

Im telling you, we can fix all of the ills on the backs of blue-collar America: the pipefitters, the welders, the cement men  you know, these are the people that are going to rebuild this country.

Hanks ran unsuccessfully for Congress in California in 2010 before the failed Colorado Senate campaign, but served as a state representative in Colorados House for District 60, encompassing his home in Fremont County  which is not in CD3.

He, like Boebert, is carpet-bagging.

Voter Roxie Geigle sits in the Mesa Count Republicans office in Grand Junction; she was sad to see Boeberts departure and feels Ron Hanks is the best candidate now for the district ( Sheila Flynn )

Hanks not living in the district didnt seem to matter to voters The Independent spoke with, particularly those who were sad to see Boebert go.

I dont think the Republicans here care one way or the other, as long as we get the representation, Roxie Geigle, wearing a red-white-and-blue cowboy hat and matching boot-shaped earrings, tells The Independent of Hanks district switch.

Hanks says that, while he may not hail originally from CD3, he won the district during his Senate attempt  and was quickly fielding phone calls asking him to run when Boebert bowed out.

Ten days before the primary, his supporter Geigle is sitting in the Grand Junction offices of the Mesa County Republicans, a space kitted out with Charlie Kirk pamphlets, Trump mugshot mugs for sale and God, guns and Trump paraphernalia.

A lot of people want Lauren Boebert back, but weve got to move on, and so were trying to find the best candidate to fill that position, she says. I do worry about somebody replacing her enthusiasm in Congress  that they wont match it. And the closest one I found is Ron.

Geigle, a 72-year-old retiree, volunteers with the party and is a Republican district captain but is speaking in her personal capacity as a voter. This is the first year the state GOP committee has broken with precedent and actually endorsed candidates, further stoking tensions and resentments within the party; it also put out a heavily Trumpleaning candidate questionnaire.

Party chairman Dave Williams, who is himself running for the congressional seat in yet another Colorado district, and another officer recused themselves from the endorsement choice, according to the statement  leaving the decision to just three other officials, it seems. Williams did not respond to a request for comment from The Independent.

Its not a surprise to see a split in the party between old-guard conservatives and more MAGA types; weve seen that in a lot of places and a lot of states, Seth Masket, director of the University of Denvers Center on American Politics, tells The Independent. But Wiliams is really sort of ramping up his power as state party chair to try and influence races  thats really unusual.

Warring factions within the GOP  both in official ranks and on the ground  have made people unwilling to talk about politics even within their own circles, say Geigle and office manager Karen Kulp.

We have families that are split; we have people that have been friends for years [disagreeing] .. all kinds of things happening, Kulp tells The Independent. Its been going on over here for a long time. You have your Never-Trumpers, and then you have us.

Hanks, according to the GOP committees endorsement last month, will secure the border, cut out-of-control taxes and spending, protect the unborn, defend the Second Amendment, and enthusiastically support our 2024 Republican Presidential nominee, President Donald J. Trump.

There are plenty of Republicans who dont embrace the Hanks style of conservativism, however  and the support behind Hurd would indicate that their numbers are significant. He has outpaced Hanks in both fundraising and the polls.

There is infighting within the Colorado state GOP  mirroring national trends  with splits between old-guard establishment Republicans and grassroots, MAGA supporters; at the Mesa County offices in Grand Junction, Trump paraphernalia is overwhelmingly on display ( Sheila Flynn )

A lot of the older generation is supporting kind of your Ron Hanks and America First movement, whereas young people are more, Lets take a step back, lets re-evaluate, says Mesa County Republican Austin DeWitt, 23, who supported Boebert in two elections but felt she spent too much time on national issues, not local.

Right now, I know a lot of young Republicans like myself  theyre saying the same exact thing: Ron Hanks just doesnt really have a young persons interest, and its more grassroots, America First, more going along the lines with the state party.

My priorities are, obviously, lets put the West Slope first.

He said he was supporting Hurd, whos put a plan forth and is not really engaging in any of the mudslinging.

Heavyweights like former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, a former Colorado secretary of state and state treasurer, and two of Boeberts predecessors have also publicly given support to Hurd, labelled an empty suit by Hanks.

We know whos running him: Its the old retread establishment Republicans that are no longer in office that are looking for influence, Hanks tells The Independent.

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, in a scathing editorial last month, took aim at the state GOP shenanigans.

This is ludicrous, the paper wrote. The state party shouldnt be endorsing at all  allowing its party members to draw their own conclusions about who is best qualified. Instead, the party is endorsing candidates whose views most closely align with the MAGA-loving state party chairman  Ever since Lauren Boebert announced she wouldnt run to represent the 3rd CD for a third time, weve looked forward to a potential matchup between Adam Frisch and Jeff Hurd on the prospect that voters would have a choice between two qualified moderates.

Democrat Adam Frisch, who lives in Aspen with his wife and two children, positioned himself as a moderate in the race against Boebert and nearly beat her during the last election; he is likely to face either Hurd or Hanks ( Frisch Campaign )

The state GOP would rather see a matchup between Hanks and a Democrat, it wrote. It should be careful what it wishes for.

The strategy, it warned, could see the seat flip to Democrat for the first time since 2011  and that matchup does seem to be exactly what the Left wants  if the TV ads theyre funding are anything to go by. National Republican leaders, at least, are up in arms about them.

Accusing Frisch of gutter politics, the National Republican Congressional Committee has complained that Frisch was spending $115,000 in media markets ad that Rocky Mountain Values, a group bankrolled by the same donors as House Democrats nonprofit, has already spent $636,000 meddling in the primary.

One RMV-funded ad, for example, highlights how Hanks wants to crack down on immigration and laments: Ron Hanks and Donald Trump are just too conservative before finishing with a stark: Too conservative for Colorado.

When you have a Democrat start meddling in Republican elections and start paying all this money into a primary to support a certain candidate, that tells me right there that they believe he is the weaker candidate  in November, he could lose, voter DeWitt tells The Independent.

Rocky Mountain Values did not respond to a request for comment from The Independent.

Hanks, meanwhile, has been the target of attack ads funded by fellow Republicans, according to him. The advertisements call him a bullseye for liberals and a misfire for Colorado, accusing Democratic mega donors of propping up his campaign.

One week before the primary, Hanks huffed on Facebook about Speaker Mike Johnson and the CLF PAC ads to foolishly attack my 2A and pro-Trump creds.

I was AT Jan 6th, he added, also highlighting his pro-Second Amendment legislative efforts in the Colorado House.

In a zoom town hall later that night, Hanks directly addressed the divisions within the GOP and the attack ads, visibly annoyed.

If it sounds like a raw nerve, its because you thought you had some allies somewhere in your own damned party, he said. And we dont; we are largely here alone.

Just days before the election, Hanks tells The Independent that he feels there is a fight afoot for the heart and soul of the party, not just in Colorado but nationally.

This is now a fracture in the Republican Party between grassroots, who want limited government, and the establishment, who want a seat at the Democrats table, he says. And so this is the election to break this wide open. And Trump is doing that by being in the race.
China's efforts to cultivate new quality productive forces to deliver global benefits

Xinhua) 13:45, June 24, 2024

BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- China's ongoing efforts to foster new quality productive forces will inject fresh vigor into global development, according to financial experts and relevant officials.

During the latest episode of the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk platform hosted by Xinhua News Agency, guest speakers concurred that this development strategy will not only generate vast opportunities for global investors seeking innovation-driven growth, but also create a more prosperous and sustainable future for the world.

First introduced in 2023, new quality productive forces refer to advanced productivity freed from the traditional economic growth mode and productivity development paths. It features high-tech, high efficiency and high quality.

CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES

"Alongside Chinese companies, global investors are seizing a new round of opportunities arising from the development of new quality productive forces," said Wang Jinxia, deputy director of the Qianhai Authority. Qianhai is a modern service industry demonstration zone in the southern economic powerhouse Shenzhen.

Wang noted that as China remains the world's largest market, the development of new quality productive forces will continue to generate market demand, attracting a growing number of global investors.

Eyeing new business opportunities, foreign companies have invested over 40 billion U.S. dollars in Qianhai, official data shows.

"Additionally, the development of new quality productive forces is offering global investors opportunities to play a greater role in the latest round of technological revolution as well as globalization," Wang said.

French multinational Schneider Electric established several research and development centers across China in 2023 on digital power, automation and artificial intelligence.

"The importance of the Chinese market, from my point of view, has not changed," said Barbara Frei, the executive vice president of Schneider Electric, in a recent interview with Xinhua. She voiced confidence in China's position as a more mature economy and the biggest market in industrial automation, and highlighted the country's role as an "innovation driver."

Amid China's latest efforts to foster new quality productive forces, Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing recently emphasized the need to integrate sci-tech innovation with industrial innovation, calling for efforts to promote large-scale equipment and technological upgrades in China's manufacturing industry.

The country has also pledged to continue shortening its negative list for foreign investors, scrapping all restrictions for those entering the country's manufacturing industry.

Driven by the country's unwavering focus on innovation, foreign direct investment in China's hi-tech manufacturing sectors reached 37.76 billion yuan (about 5.32 billion U.S. dollars) during the first quarter of this year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

FUELING GLOBAL GREEN SHIFT

As China continues to cultivate new quality productive forces through sci-tech innovation, the country is also sharing its intelligent, eco-friendly and inclusive technologies with other countries, said Liu Dongmei, secretary of the Party Committee of the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development, during the China Economic Roundtable.

The world is faced with challenges including food security, natural disasters and climate change, Liu noted, adding that with its rich experience, China has much to offer in addressing these issues.

"The country is developing new quality productive forces in an open and inclusive manner, which means that it is willing to share its knowledge and innovation outcomes with the rest of the world," Liu said. "I believe that developing new quality productive forces is essential for not only driving global economic growth but also for forging a better future for humanity as a whole."

Frei said that China boasts global leadership in supplying components for renewable markets, including wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicle batteries. "In today's energy landscape, China leads the way."

A report titled "Renewables 2023" by the International Energy Agency (IEA) has described China as the "world's renewables powerhouse," citing the economic attractiveness of renewable energy technologies as well as a supportive policy environment. "China's role is critical in reaching the global goal of tripling renewables because the country is expected to install more than half of the new capacity required globally by 2030," the report stated.

According to Fatih Birol, executive director of the IEA, China is a "champion of the world in clean energy" due to its excellent progress in solar and wind power, electric vehicles and power batteries, which helps lower the prices of clean energy equipment for other countries.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - A total of 11 political leaders, members of the opposition platform known as the "Joint Declaration of 31 March", were arrested on 20 June in Bamako during a secret meeting, PANA has learned from a reliable source
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Former Republican Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney shared a video of a Taylor Swift concert to mock former President Donald Trumps rally attendance.

Thank you @taylorswift13 for giving us a million reasons to smile. PS- @realDonaldTrump this is what a sold out crowd actually looks like, Cheney wrote on X on Sunday night.

Trump has long posted about the size of crowds at his rallies, but faced criticism on social media over the weekend as his rallies in Philadelphia showed half-filled arenas.

The video shared by Cheney featured a moment from Swifts Eras Tour performance in London when she brought on boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce.

Kelce and Swift received nationwide attention when they started dating, and their partnership also elicited right-wing ire and baseless conspiracy theories after The New York Times reported in January that President Joe Biden was seeking Swifts endorsement.

Cheney was ousted from the Republican leadership in the House and later from her Wyoming seat over her consistent criticism of Trump. She was only one of two Republicans to serve on the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riot that took place on January 6.

Following the conservative attacks on Swift in the wake of Biden seeking her endorsement, Cheney defended her in a post on X.

Taylor Swift is a national treasure, Cheney wrote in late January of this year.

Trump has recently mentioned Swift on a number of occasions. During a meeting with House Republicans behind closed doors, Trump said he was surprised that Swift hadnt supported him, Virginia Republican Representative Ben Cline told The Hill.

Cline said Trump had spoken about how he did sign legislation during his administration to help the songwriters, and that he was surprised that Taylor Swift didnt support him.

Variety co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh wrote in a book published last week that Trump referred to Swift as unusually beautiful.

But he added: I think shes liberal. She probably doesnt like Trump.

Trump has boasted about his crowd sizes for years, most famously, he forced his then-press secretary Sean Spicer to use his first press conference in the White House in early 2017 to claim that the crowd at his inauguration had been the largest in history when photos clearly showed otherwise.

Last month, MSNBC noted that Trump overestimated how many people attended his recent rally in The Bronx. Trump claimed that 25,000 people attended while The New York Times reported that the campaign had a permit from the police for an event attended by 3,500 people.
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A group of Louisiana families with children in public school are suing the state in federal court to block a new state law requiring every public school classroom to display the Ten Commandments.

The plaintiffs include parents from multi-faith backgrounds  including rabbis and pastors  represented by a coalition of civil rights groups arguing that the law violates long-standing Supreme Court precedent and First Amendment protections against the government from injecting religion into schools.

Permanently posting the Ten Commandments in every Louisiana public-school classroom  rendering them unavoidable  unconstitutionally pressures students into religious observance, veneration, and adoption of the states favored religious scripture, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Baton Rouge on Monday.

Republican Governor Jeff Landry signed the legislation from a Catholic school auditorium last week after announcing that he cant wait to be sued by turning Louisiana into the first state to mandate the Ten Commandments in schools.

Landrys law appears to be designed to invite a federal court battle that will work its way to the Supreme Court. Conservative Christian legal groups have been angling for another shot at reversing Supreme Court rulings protecting the separation of church and state for decades.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit  which takes aim at state school officials  have argued that the law not only flies in the face of First Amendment protections but also sends the harmful and religiously divisive message that students who do not subscribe to the Ten Commandments  or, more precisely, to the specific version of the Ten Commandments [the law] requires schools to display  do not belong in their own school community and should refrain from expressing any faith practices or beliefs that are not aligned with the states religious preferences.

Louisianas Republican Governor Jeff Landry approved legislation requiring that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom on June 19. Five days later, civil rights groups and parents of public school students sued to block the law. ( AP )

Plaintiffs include a Unitarian Universalist minister, her husband and their two children; a Presbyterian minister and his three children; a Jewish father and his two elementary-age children; and other Unitarian and nonreligious families.

This law is a disturbing abuse of power by state officials, according to Heather L Weaver, senior staff attorney for the ACLUs Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. Louisiana law requires children to attend school so they can be educated, not evangelized.

Louisianas law requires all schools to display the text exactly as written in the bill, and in a poster or framed document that is at least eleven inches by fourteen inches  at minimum  and in a large, easily readable font.

It also requires a 200-word context statement arguing that the Ten Commandments were a prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries up until 50 years ago.

The plaintiffs are represented by the ACLU, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, the Freedom from Religion Foundation, with pro bono counsel from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.

Reverend Jeff Sims, a Presbyterian minister with three children in St. Tammany Parish public schools, said it is critical for my children to receive and understand scripture in the context of our faith which honors Gods diversity and teaches that all people are equal.

The states Ten Commandments law not only interferes with that principle, it tramples on it, he told reporters on Monday.

Louisiana officials have produced legislation to usurp Gods authority for themselves and trample our religious freedom rights, he said.

FILEA copy of the Ten Commandments is posted along with other historical documents in a hallway of the Georgia Capitol on June 20. Civil liberties groups filed a lawsuit on June 24 challenging Louisianas mandate that public school classrooms display the Ten Commandments. ( AP )

Josh Herlands, who has two children in New Orleans public elementary schools, said Louisianas specific state-approved version of the Ten Commandments are not the commandments as I and many Jews know them.

The display spells out the name of God, for example.

Louisiana law threatens to distort the Jewish significance of the Ten Commandments and sends a troubling message that his children are considered less than for not subscribing to what is written, he said.

Rachel Laser, whose group Americans United for the Separation of Church and State argued at the Supreme Court in another major First Amendment test in 2022, said Louisianas law is a prime example of the Christian nationalism that is on the march across this country, from mandating religious displays in schools to supporting book bans and installing chaplains in classrooms.

The political ideology is a fundamental threat to our democracy, she said.
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Former first lady Melania Trump is unlikely to return to Washington, DC in the event that her husband Donald Trump wins a second term in the White House, according to the experts.

A number of Melania-ologists quoted by Axios all agree that the Slovenian former model has little appetite for the cut-and-thrust of contemporary politics and do not believe she will move back to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue should the 45th president beat Joe Biden in November.

Although her husband is rarely out of the headlines as he campaigns for the Oval Office and promotes his business interests while fending off an array of complex legal challenges, Melania herself has only been seen in public on a few occasions this year, most recently at her son Barrons high school graduation, and has taken no part in Trumps rallies nor shown up to support him at his recent New York hush money trial.

Shes distancing herself even more from her husband and from the Washington social political scene, said Kate Andersen Brower, author of First Women (2016) and a number of other books on the White House and Americas first ladies.

I mean, she clearly hated being in Washington.

Mary Jordan, a Washington Post associate editor and author of the unauthorised Melania biography The Art of Her Deal (2020) pointed to her subjects independent streak: Melania does what Melania wants.

For Jordan, that quality has seen her stand out in history from any other first lady, explaining that Melania sees the role as unelected, not paid and therefore not something to which she feels compelled to commit.

On how she might handle a second Trump administration coming to pass, the journalist suggested Melania would cut a more assertive figure this time around: Now having seen how this works, she would just be wiser and she would be more vocal and more demanding about what the first ladys office should get.

Viktor Knavs, Melania Trump and Donald Trump attend Barron Trumps high school graduation at Oxbridge Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida, on May 17. ( Marco Bello/Reuters )

Kate Bennett, author of Free, Melania (2019), another biography, notes that the socialite likes to express herself through her choice of clothes and that, by the end of her husbands term in office, she had begun to favour outfits with sharp shoulders and hard buttons almost like an armour to protect herself from fierce scrutiny.

That certainly tallies with the popular characterisation of Melania Trump as a reluctant first lady, apparent from the earliest days of her husbands presidency when she stayed behind at Trump Tower in the Big Apple rather than join him in DC, reportedly for the sake of Barrons schooling.

In the West Wing, she was mocked for her scary taste in Christmas decorations and derided for the insensitive jacket she wore to a migrant detention centre on the Texas border (another pointed style choice).

She has seldom been seen at public engagements since departing DC, missing her husbands campaign launch at Mar-a-Lago in November 2022, giving few interviews and playing no part in his early Republican primary victories in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina and on through Super Tuesday.

Asked by reporters in Florida on March 19 during a rare sighting as she stepped out to vote when she would be joining the campaign, Melania answered only: Stay tuned.

Donald Trump and Melania Trump speak to the press after voting in the Florida primary election in Palm Beach on March 19. ( Wilfredo Lee/AP )

But since then, she has only appeared at a handful of fundraising events at her home and was not even present for Trumps 78th birthday party in West Palm Beach on June 14.

While she did not show up to support her husband in Manhattan either, her name did crop up during testimony, notably when his ex-communications chief Hope Hicks said that her old boss had been concerned about her reaction to a story about his alleged affair with Playboy model Karen McDougal and had ensured that no newspapers were delivered to their residence that day.

Unlike Trumps adult children, Melania did not react on social media when the jury reached its guilty verdict but The New York Times did quote a source close to her saying that she privately considered the whole case a disgrace.

Wheres Melania? reporters asked the defendant at one of his daily impromptu press conferences at the courthouse last month, at which point he turned on his heel and left without answering.

Asked about her again by Fox News in the wake of the verdict, Trump said: I think its very hard for her. I mean, shes fine. But, you know, she has to read all this crap.

Melanias estranged former confidante Stephanie Winston Wolkoff has most recently suggested on social media that the Trumps marriage has always been a mirage cooked up to match his reality television image.
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The Supreme Court will hear a major case that could determine whether states can block transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming healthcare.

Nearly half of US states have restricted or banned young trans people from receiving affirming care treatments, triggering courtroom battles over trans rights across the country.

The Supreme Courts announcement that it will hear an appeal from Tennessee marks the first time that it will hear oral arguments in a case stemming from right-wing-driven threats to trans healthcare, and it could open the door for other constitutional arguments over LGBT+ discrimination.

Oral arguments are expected in the courts next term, which begins in October and ends in June 2025.

Last year, a federal appeals court upheld Tennessee law that blocks doctors from prescribing affirming care like puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries to trans youth. That ruling was reversed by a panel of appeals court judges, whose ruling is now being challenged at the Supreme Court.

The ACLU and LGBT+ advocacy groups had initially sued to block Tennessees law on behalf of a group of trans teens and their families who argue that the state ban violates their 14th Amendment right to equal protections under the law.

They also argue that the law violates the right of parents to make healthcare decisions for their children.

President Joe Bidens administration also joined the challenge.

In a brief to the Supreme Court urging the justices to take up the case, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar warned that the law is part of a wave of similar bans preventing transgender adolescents from obtaining medical care that they, their parents, and their doctors have all concluded is necessary.

Transgender rights demonstrators protest inside the Texas state capitol in 2023. ( Getty Images )

The future of countless transgender youth in this and future generations rests on this Court adhering to the facts, the Constitution, and its own modern precedent, according to Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice at the ACLUs LGBTQ & HIV Project.

Civil rights groups have argued that the Supreme Courts key 2020 ruling in Bostock v Clayon County affirmed that anti-trans discrimination is a form of sex discrimination, an argument echoed in federal court rulings across the country that have struck down similar gender-affirming care bans.

These bans represent a dangerous and discriminatory affront to the well-being of transgender youth across the country and their Constitutional right to equal protection under the law, Strangio said in a statement. They are the result of an openly political effort to wage war on a marginalized group and our most fundamental freedoms.

Guidelines from major medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and American Counseling Association, among others, agree that such care is clinically appropriate for trans youth experiencing gender dysphoria. Medical guidelines generally say that affirming surgeries should only be approved for people ages 18 and older.

Students from Monarch High School in Coconut Creek, Florida staged a walkout in support of a transgender rights in 2023. ( AP )

In their ruling last year, appeals court judges in the Tennessee case  including Donald Trump-appointed Judge Amul Thapar and George W Bush-appointed Judge Jeffrey Sutton  said they would not defer to mainstream medical authority for the same reason we would not defer to a consensus among economists about the constitutionality of labor laws.

Hundreds of bills aimed at LGBT+ people, particularly young trans people, have been filed in nearly every state within the last several years, according to an analysis from the Human Rights Campaign. The nations largest LGBT+ civil rights group found that roughly 38 percent of trans youth ages 13-17 live in the 24 states have have restricted or banned care.

That flood of legislation and the volatile political debate surrounding it have also negatively impacted the mental health of an overwhelming majority of young trans and nonbinary people, according to polling from The Trevor Project and Morning Consult.
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Donald Trump may see a bump in the polls after the first debate because of a long-running trend: Incumbents tend to do worse in the first debate of the presidential election season.

Presidential debate historian Alan Schroeder explained to NBC News that a presidents life exists in a protected bubble. The first debate takes them outside of that bubble, where theyre forced to face off against a pumped up opponent whos been itching for a showdown.

The first debate in this election cycle will be hosted by CNN in Atlanta on June 27.

Incumbents tend to grow accustomed to the deference theyre shown within the White House, and after four years, theyre in for a rude awakening when their opponent throws punches on the debate stage, Schroeder said, noting that presidents tend not to hear much conflicting information during their four years in the bubble.

He added that incumbents may need to transition back to being a normal citizen.

Every president thinks, I know how to run a presidential campaign because I won one a few years ago, Samuel Popkin, who played Ronald Reagan during mock debates with Jimmy Carter during the 1980 campaign, told NBC.

Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan debate each other on October 31, 1980 ( Getty Images )

Popkin said Carter became uncomfortable and embarrassed when Popkin played Reagan during the preparations.

The president looked lonely and vulnerable when he heard Reagans critique in front of his wife, his closest friends, and his inner circle, Popkin wrote in his book The Candidate.

A bewildered Carter suggested they stop after just 11 minutes. Reagan won in a landslide, carrying 44 states. But in 1984, it was his turn to step out of the bubble as he faced Carters Vice President Walter Mondale.

For much of the debate, Mr. Reagan appeared less confident than he customarily does on television, The New York Times noted at the time. Later, as Mr. Mondales advisers, clearly pleased, asserted that the former Vice President had rejuvenated his candidacy, Reagan aides were noticeably subdued.

Bill Clinton faced off against Bob Dole in 1996 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Even Bill Clinton, who was a really good debater, his first debate against Bob Dole in 1996 as an incumbent president was not his finest moment by any stretch of the imagination, Schroeder told NBC.

Sara Fegen, who worked on President George W Bushs 2004 campaign, told the network that incumbents have the tougher task, because theyre defending the sitting record.

At the time, a Pew Research poll found that voters believed that challenger Senator John Kerry won the first debate with Bush by a margin of two to one.

Kerry and Bush debate at the University of Miami on September 30, 2004 in Coral Gables, Florida ( Getty Images )

Jim Messina, the manager of President Barack Obamas 2012 re-election campaign, recalled when speaking to NBC how he told Obama that If its a referendum on the incumbent, the incumbent usually loses.

He added: If it is a choice between the two candidates, youll win.

CNN and Pew polls found that voters believed Obamas challenger, ex-Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, won the first debate.

Obama and Romney smile after their first debate on October 3, 2012 in Denver, Colorado ( Getty Images )

Schroeder called Obama rusty, saying that he appeared a little uncomfortable.

The president blew off one of the last debate sessions before the first debate. He definitely did not do that after the first debate, Messina told NBC, recalling how he was overjoyed after the second debate because Obama had driven the choice narrative over and over and over.

The Biden campaign told the network that the president is set to project himself as the wise and steady leader in contrast to Trumps chaos and division.

While its difficult to show that debate performances have large impacts on elections, changing the minds of just a few voters could be key when the polls are as tight as they are, with Biden just 0.1 percent ahead in FiveThirtyEights average of national polls.
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Televangelist Paula White-Cain has claimed Donald Trump asked her for God's opinion over his run for the presidency.

White-Cain, who previously served as Trumps spiritual adviser and helped lead the Evangelical advisory board during his presidency in 2016, made the remarks during the Faith and Freedom Coalitions Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton, telling the audience that her first conversation with the former president was long before he even started thinking about politics.

Trump began to repeat to me almost verbatim the three sermons Value of Vision, she recalled.

At the end of it, he said, You have the it factor. And I said, Oh sir, we call that the anointing, White-Cain added.

At that point, I really felt that the Lord said, show him who I am. So for 24 years, Ive been in his life and have had the great privilege of really being his pastor.

White-Cain went on to reveal that Trump first began considering a career in politics in 2011 when he reached out to her and told her he didnt like the way this country is going and that he was thinking of running for president.

I told him what I thought, she said. And then he turned around, and he said, Well, what does God say?

White-Cain then prayed with dozens of her friends before delivering an answer to Trump.

I said, Sir  youre going to be president one day.

But that wouldnt come without its costs, she said she warned Trump. I hate the price that youre going to pay, she allegedly told him.

She concluded that her prediction was correct, reflecting on the price this man, his family and  many of us have paid.

Pastor Paula White, left, and other faith leaders pray with President Donald Trump, center, during a rally for evangelical supporters at the King Jesus International Ministry church, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020 ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Trump is currently involved in a number of legal cases. He denies all charges against him.

White-Cain was among those who decried Trumps recent conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, repeating the baseless claim made by the former president that charges were brought against him for political reasons.

In May, she tweeted that the day Trump was convicted was a sad day for all Americans as we watched firsthand the judicial system weaponized to go after President Trump for political gain.

May God bless you, my long time friend, President Trump, and may God bless all of us who stand for righteousness! she added.

As well as using her Road to Majority summit speech to discuss her relationship with Trump, White-Cain also used it to slam President Biden - whom she has been critical of in the past.

During her speech, she lamented the current state of affairs in the United States, claiming religious freedom is under attack as never before ever in our lifetime, pointing to 18 pro-life policies enacted by the Trump administration as well as over 12 religious liberty and freedom policies during his first year in office that were overturned by Biden.

White-Cain concluded her address by describing the ideology of the Biden administration as against God, against our faith and vowing to the audience that we will put a stop to it come November.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will only accept a partial cease-fire deal that would not end the 8-month-long war in Gaza, casting doubt on the viability of a U.S. backed cease-fire proposal.

Netanyahu made the comments late Sunday in an interview with Israeli Channel 14, a conservative, pro-Netanyahu station. He was he was ready to make a partial deal to bring back some of the 120 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip, but we are committed to continuing the war after a pause, in order to complete the goal of eliminating Hamas.

The comments come at a sensitive time as Israel and Hamas appear to be moving further apart over the U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal, and could represent another setback for mediators trying to end the war.

The three-phased plan would bring about the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. But disputes and mistrust persist between Israel and Hamas over how the deal plays out.

Hamas has insisted it will not release the remaining hostages unless theres a permanent cease-fire and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Israeli ground offensives and bombardments have killed more than 37,400 people in Gaza, according to the territory's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count.

Israel launched the war after Hamas Oct. 7 attack, in which militants stormed into southern Israel, killed some 1,200 people  mostly civilians  and abducted about 250.

Currently:

 Netanyahu says he wont agree to a deal that ends the war in Gaza, testing the latest truce proposal

 Suspected Yemen Houthi attack targets vessel in waters further away than many previous assaults

 Some visitors to Israel have a new stop on their tours: Hamas destruction in the south

 An Israel offensive into Lebanon risks an Iranian military response, top US military leader says

 Democrats wrestle with whether to boycott Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu s address to Congress

Follow APs coverage of the war in Gaza at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

Here's the latest:

Israeli airstrikes kill 9 people, including 2 health workers, in Gaza City, Palestinian officials say

CAIRO  Palestinian officials say Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City have killed at least nine people, including two health workers.

The strikes late Sunday came months after Israel declared that it had mostly dismantled Hamas in Gaza City and the rest of northern Gaza, which Israeli forces have surrounded and largely isolated since the earliest days of the ground invasion.

The Gaza Health Ministry said the strike on the Daraj clinic in Gaza City killed Hani al-Jaafrawi, director of the ministrys ambulance and emergency department. First responders with the Civil Defense said another health worker, Mohammed Salah, was also killed.

The ministry said Israeli bombardments of Gaza have killed over 500 healthcare workers since the start of the war, and that more than 300 others have been detained.

The Civil Defense said seven other people were killed in a separate strike on Sunday that flattened a home in the Sabra neighborhood in Gaza City. It said rescuers are searching for another missing person.

The Civil Defense, which like the Health Ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, is often the first to respond to airstrikes and frequently releases videos of its rescue efforts.

Israel launched its massive air, land and sea offensive in response to Hamas Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel which killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 hostages. The Israeli offensive has killed over 37,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not specify whether those killed are civilians or combatants.

Suspected Yemen Houthi attack targets vessel in waters further away than many previous assaults

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  A possible attack by Yemens Houthi rebels on Monday targeted a ship further away from nearly all of the previous assaults theyve launched in the Gulf of Aden, officials said, potentially part of a widening escalation by the group.

The attack comes as the U.S. has sent the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower back home after an eight-month deployment in which it led the American response to the Houthi assaults. Those attacks have reduced shipping drastically through the route crucial to Asian, Middle East and European markets in a campaign the Houthis say will continue as long as the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip rages on.

The attack happened Monday morning in the Gulf of Aden some 450 kilometers (280 miles) southeast of Nishtun, a town in the far reaches of Yemen thats close to the border with Oman, according to the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. That region for long has been held by forces allied to Yemens exiled government, which has battled the Houthis since the rebels took the capital, Sanaa, back in 2014.

The attack was just off to the northeast of Yemens Socotra Island, also held by allies of the exiled government.

German foreign minister pushes for cease-fire in Gaza

BERLIN  Germanys foreign minister is pushing again for a cease-fire in Gaza ahead of her visit to the Middle East, arguing that its also important in view of mounting tensions on the Israeli-Lebanese border.

Annalena Baerbock said as she arrived at a meeting with European Union counterparts in Luxembourg on Monday that Hamas must finally agree to the cease-fire plan backed by U.S. President Joe Biden plan, saying "this cease-fire is needed more urgently than ever.

Baerbock plans to visit Israel, the West Bank and Lebanon on Monday and Tuesday.

She said that the situation on the border between Israel and Lebanon is more than worrying.

Baerbock added that a further escalation would be a catastrophe for all the people in the region, and so that is another reason why its so absolutely important that we at last achieve the cease-fire in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the current phase of fighting against Hamas in Gaza is winding down, setting the stage for Israel to send more troops to its northern border to confront the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
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A woman was reportedly attacked by three wolves in a French animal reserve when she stepped out for a jog in an area restricted to pedestrians.

The incident took place around 9am local time on Sunday, sources confirmed to the Le Parisien newspaper. Wolves reportedly bit the woman in the neck, calf and back at the Wow Safari Thoiry zoo in Yvelines, about 25miles (or 40km) west of the French capital, Maryvonne Caillibotte, the chief prosecutor in Versailles said.

The woman ended up in the safari zone, which is supposed to be restricted to cars. Thats where she was attacked by three wolves, Ms Caillibotte said.

The unnamed woman  who several reports said was 37 years old  was staying with her family for the night in one of the accommodations offered on-site. Once she strayed inside the prohibited area, she was confronted by three wolves.

She was reportedly battling for life in an Intensive Care Unit in a hospital. However, later in the day, AFP reported that she was stable and recovering.

We do not know at this stage whether the guest made a mistake or whether there was a problem with the signposts, an unnamed police source told Le Parisien.

On Sunday morning, the woman crossed the enclosure on foot, a reserve which is only accessible by car, the chief executive officer of the Wow Safari Thoiry park, Christelle Bercheny, told reporters during a press briefing.

Luckily the medical staff intervened very quickly and we were able to save this person, Ms Bercheny said.

First responders got to the scene very quickly, the wolves were moved away, then returned to their area, Ms Caillibotte said.

The woman was rescued after park attendants heard her screams during the attack. She was then taken to a nearby hospital, the BBC reported.

The CEO of the zoological park, Ms Bercheny told reporters that there were signs inside to remind people of the rules of survival to be followed in the park.

The behaviour of the animals in the reserves is that of animals in freedom or semi-liberty, AFP quoted her as saying.

( AFP via Getty Images )

The zoo has launched an internal investigation.

According to Le Monde, the Thoiry zoo was created in 1968 by the Count of La Panouse, who then sold the zoological park to a group of investors in 2018.

Lodges in the wolf zone, advertised on the zoos website, promise silence, rest, and disconnection. These lodges, the website notes, offer a one-of-a-kind, very intimate experience with the Arctic wolves, which youll be able to see from the living room.

Additional reporting by agencies.
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A 67-year-old German man has been found dead on the Greek island of Crete, police have said  the sixth tourist death in June during an intense June heatwave.

The tourist had set off alone on a hike in a canyon in the Sougia region on Sunday and after a few hours called his wife to report that he was not feeling well.

A search and rescue operation started immediately and a special rescue unit with drones spotted the mans (body) in Trypiti canyon, a police official told Reuters. Police did not identify the dead German.

The bay at Lindos in eastern Crete ( Simon Calder )

Temperatures have soared to more than 40C across the Mediterranean country recently. On Crete, temperatures have been recorded reaching a high of 44.5C, while the Greek islands of Samos and Rhodes have also experienced sweltering heat.

The disappearances of tourists began when the body of British TV presenter Michael Mosley was found on Symi, another Aegean island, on 9 June after a four-day search operation by aircraft, drones and boats.

The 67-year-old was with friends at Agios Nikolaos beach, before going alone for a walk to the centre of the island in high temperatures before going missing.

Dr Michael Mosley ( BBC )

His body was discovered around mid-morning on Sunday beneath a fence that runs around a bar on Agia Marina beach, which is surrounded by hilly, rocky terrain. An initial post-mortem examination found that he died of natural causes.

Mr Mosleys widow Dr Clare Bailey Mosley paid tribute to her wonderful husband after his death.

In a statement, she said: I dont know quite where to begin with this.

Its devastating to have lost Michael, my wonderful, funny, kind and brilliant husband.

We had an incredibly lucky life together. We loved each other very much and were so happy together.

I am incredibly proud of our children, their resilience and support over the past days.

My family and I have been hugely comforted by the outpouring of love from people from around the world. Its clear that Michael meant a huge amount to so many of you.

Rescue teams are also searching for two French women, aged 73 and 64, on the island of Sikinos, and a 59-year-old American policeman holidaying on the island of Amorgos.

A 55-year-old American was found dead on the Greek island of Mathraki in the Ionian Sea last week, and a Dutch tourist on the Aegean island of Samos earlier in the month.

The hot, arid conditions and high winds have caused a number of wildfires on mainland Greece and the islands. Several hundred firefighters have been deployed to battle more than 70 forest fires across Greece since Friday.

On Sunday, a Greek prosecutor charged 13 crew members of a yacht with arson after fireworks launched from the vessel allegedly sparked a forest fire on the island of Hydra, the semi-official Athens News Agency (ANA) said.

The crew, all Greeks, were arrested on Saturday at an Athens area marina after allegations that they started the forest fire late on Friday.

Additional reporting by agencies
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Heavy fighting in Sudan hit a new low over the weekend when a maternity hospital in besieged El Fasher city came under attack, killing a pharmacy worker and prompting new calls on Monday from the head of the UN health agency for the violence to stop
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The body of one of three people missing after massive thunderstorms and rainfall caused a rockslide in the southeast of Switzerland has been found.

The other two are still missing, Swiss police said.

One woman was pulled out alive from the rubble earlier on Saturday morning.

Today is a sad day, said Ignazio Cassis, member of the Swiss Federal Council, who addressed reporters Sunday after traveling to the region to show solidarity with the victims on behalf of the Swiss Federal Government.

A team of 200 rescuers has been searching for the missing people since Saturday with excavators, specially-trained search dogs, drones and army helicopters. But the likelihood of finding them alive is low, William Kloter from the Swiss police, who is heading the rescue operations, told reporters Sunday.

Search operations had to be halted during the night due to heavy rain.

Switzerland Flooding ( ' KEYSTONE / MICHAEL BUHOLZER )

The rockslide hit a group of three houses in the municipality of Lostallo in the Alpine valley of Misox in Graubunden.

Swiss authorities also said that a segment of the Swiss motorway A13 leading towards Italy had been completely submerged and destroyed by flooding. The major transit route between the key San Bernardino Pass and Roveredo in Graubunden will likely remain closed for several months.

In the west, the resort of Zermatt has been isolated by flooding as train links between Visp and the town were suspended. The road between Tasch and Zermatt were also closed.

Footage from the town, which lies at the base of the iconic Matterhorn mountain, showed floodwaters raging through the streets on Friday.

In stark contrast a major power outage hit Montenegro, Bosnia, Albania and most of Croatias coast on Friday, disrupting businesses, shutting down traffic lights and leaving people sweltering without air conditioning in the middle of a heatwave.

Montenegros energy minister said the shutdown was caused by a sudden increase in power consumption brought on by high temperatures, and by the heat itself overloading systems. Power distribution is linked across the Balkans for transfers and trading.

This was just waiting to happen in this heat, Gentiana, a 24-year-old student in Montenegros capital Podgorica, told Reuters. Temperatures hit 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) across the southeastern European region.

Electricity and wifi networks went down from around 1 p.m. (1100 GMT), officials and social media users said. Suppliers in the four countries said they started restoring supply by mid-afternoon and power was largely back by the evening.
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Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered the new chief of Ukraines state guard service to purge its ranks after two of its officers were accused of plans to assassinate senior officials.

The state security service (SBU) said last month that it had caught two guard service colonels accused of cooperating with Russia to plot the assassination of the Ukrainian president, military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov and other officials.

Mr Zelensky introduced staff to the new head of Ukraines state guard, Colonel Oleksiy Morozov, on Monday and said his main task was to ensure that only those who see their future tied with Ukraine could join the agency.

He said on Telegram: And, of course, the agency must be cleared of anyone who chooses not Ukraine for themselves or discredits the state guard service. The guard service provides security for various governement officials.

Mr Zelensky fired Mr Morozovs predecessor Serhiy Rud in May, two days after the SBU detained agency employees who it said worked for Russias Federal Security Service and leaked classified information. There has been no comment from Moscow on the allegations.

Volodymyr Zelensky ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

In other developments, Russian missiles killed at least four people and wounded 34 others, including two children, in the eastern Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk on Monday, the regional governor, Vadym Filashkin, said.

This is one of the largest enemy attacks on civilians recently, Vadym Filashkin said on Telegram.

Pictures shared alongside his post showed single-storey buildings with shattered windows, damaged rooftops and debris scattered around.

Mr Filashkin said Russian troops launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles at the town which is about 24 kilometres (15 miles) from the front line. The attack destroyed one private house and damaged 16 more, he added.

One missile struck before, half an hour later, a second, the Ukrainian prosecutor generals office said in a statement. The attacks also damaged a gas pipeline and cars, it added

Meanwhile, the Kremlin directly blamed the United States for an attack on Crimea with U.S-supplied ATACMS missiles that killed at least four people and injured 151.

Smoke billows from a burning administrative building in Fryazino in the Moscow region ( via REUTERS )

Moscow formally warned the US ambassador that retaliation would follow.

Blaming the United States for a deadly attack on Crimea  which Russia annexed in 2014 and now considers to be part of its territory, although most of the world considers it to be part of Ukraine  is a step further than the Kremlin has gone before.

You should ask my colleagues in Europe, and above all in Washington, the press secretaries, why their governments are killing Russian children. Just ask them this question, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters of the attack.

At least two children were killed in the attack on Sevastopol on Sunday, according to Russian officials. People were shown running from a beach near Sevastopol and some of the injured being carried off on sun loungers.

Russia said that the United States had supplied the weapons, while US military specialists had aimed the weapons and provided data for them.

In Moscow, two people jumped to their death from the top floors of a burning eight-storey former Russian electronics research institute on Monday.

At least six others died in the fire, state-run TASS news agency reported. Black smoke billowed from the building outside Moscow and flames roared up its walls. Some people were trapped on the top floors but were unable to escape.

One man was shown jumping from the upper floor of the building by the Baza Telegram channel. Another, with serious burns, fell from the upper floors, footage published by Shot Telegram channel showed.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire.

The EU has agreed to use 1.4bn (1.2bn) in profits from Russian frozen assets for arms and other aid to Ukraine.

EU governments had already decided in May to use profits from the assets frozen in the EU to help Ukraine, with 90 per cent of funds earmarked for military aid.

But Hungary, which maintains warmer relations with Moscow, has been holding up approval of the necessary legal measures, diplomats say.

Hungary does not give arms to Ukraine and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban has criticised other EU and Nato members for doing so, saying they are fuelling the war.

At a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday, chief diplomat Josep Borrell said the usual unanimity for foreign policy decisions was not needed as Hungary had opted out of previous decisions underpinning the scheme.

Since Hungary didnt participate in the decision, it is not necessary that they ... participate in the implementation, Mr Borrell told reporters as he arrived for the meeting.

Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said little as Mr Borrell laid out the plan, they said.

Additional reporting by agencies
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At least 1,301 people died during this years Hajj pilgrimage that took place during an exceptional heatwave in Saudi Arabia, according to an official death toll.

This year about 1.8 million pilgrims arrived in the holy city of Mecca and walked long distances amid a deadly heatwave with temperatures exceeding 51C (125F).

Saudi health minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel said 83 per cent of the total fatalities were unauthorised pilgrims who arrived in the city without a permit, as the Islamic desert kingdom faced criticism over poor management.

According to reports, they walked long distances under direct sunlight without proper shelter.

Mr Al-Jalajel told the state-owned Al Ekhbariya TV that 95 pilgrims were still being treated in hospitals and some of them were airlifted to the capital for treatment.

However, the identification process was delayed because there were no identification documents for many of the dead pilgrims.

Muslim pilgrims gather at the top of the rocky hill known as the Mountain of Mercy, on the Plain of Arafat ( AP )

Hajj, which is an obligatory religious duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to undertake the journey at least once in their lifetime, began on 14 June this year.

The Saudi Arabian government provides a set number of visas every year. However, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who are not able to secure permits still travel on tourist visas arranged by unlicensed tour operators.

The government has been criticised for their management amid rising deaths. People complained of a lack of air conditioned tents and official Hajj transport as many packed into overcrowded mosques.

Around 660 people from Egypt died during the pilgrimage but only 31 of them were authorised, officials in Cairo said, with authorities revoking licenses of 16 travel agencies.

More than 200 people from Indonesia and 98 from India have died in Mecca. Pakistan, Malaysia, Jordan, Iran, Senegal and Sudan have also confirmed deaths.

Rescuers carry away a man, affected by the scorching heat, on a stretcher as Muslim pilgrims arrive to perform the symbolic 'stoning of the devil' ritual as part of the hajj pilgrimage ( AFP via Getty Images )

Jordan said it has detained travel agents who were part of a racket organising unofficial travel of Muslims to Mecca. Two US citizens have also died in Mecca.

Tunisia president Kais Saied said their minister of religious affairs was sacked after 49 citizens died during the pilgrimage.

According to the Saudi National Center for Meteorology, the maximum temperature ranges between 46C and 49C in Mecca and around the city.

Deaths are not unusual during the Hajj due to the long voyages in previous times and physically demanding rituals. But this years tally was unusually high, suggesting exceptional circumstances.

A man, affected by the scorching heat, is helped by another Muslim pilgrim as they arrive to perform the symbolic 'stoning of the devil' ritual during the annual hajj pilgrimage in Mina ( AFP via Getty Images )

In 2015, over 2,400 pilgrims were killed in a stampede in Mina, the deadliest incident ever to strike the pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia has never acknowledged the full toll of the stampede. A separate crane collapse at Meccas Grand Mosque earlier the same year killed 111.

In 1990, more than 1,426 people were killed in a stampede.

Climate change is expected to make the Hajj pilgrimage more riskier.

A 2019 study by experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that even if the world succeeds in mitigating the worst effects of climate change, the Hajj would be held in temperatures exceeding an extreme danger threshold from 2047 to 2052, and from 2079 to 2086.
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A new kind of tourism has emerged in Israel in the months since Hamas October 7 attack.

For celebrities, politicians, influencers and others, no trip is now complete without a somber visit to the devastated south that absorbed the brunt of the assault near the border with Gaza.

Jerry Seinfeld, Elon Musk, Michael Douglas, former presidential candidate Nikki Haley, and Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner are a few who have visited, at times posing for photos in front of burned-out homes.

Many Israelis, including soldiers and security officials, are also visiting on organised trips.

Its our personal story, but its also the story of all of the state of Israel, said Irit Lahav, spokeswoman for Kibbutz Nir Oz, who gives many of the tours.

A quarter of the approximately 400 Nir Oz residents fell victim to the attack. Hamas militants killed more than 20 and kidnapped over 80. In the dining hall, a wall of post office boxes is plastered with stickers  red for killed, black for kidnapped, blue for released.

In this handout image provided by the GPO, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) takes Elon Musk (C) on a tour of Kibbutz Kfar Aza after the October 7th Massacre took place there, on November 27, 2023 in Kfar Aza, Israel ( Getty Images )

While it's uncomfortable to open the community to visitors, she said it's important for people to come here and smell the burned smell of death, to imagine your friends or parents here.

Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people as they rampaged through southern Israel, and kidnapped around 250. Health officials in Hamas-run Gaza say more than 37,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war that followed.

Prior to October 7, Lahav ran a tourism company. Now she has turned those itinerary-building skills to the kibbutz where she grew up. Her tour includes the spot in the fence where Hamas militants stormed the kibbutz, along with small details that humanize the scale of destruction, like the candy eggs that melted when the general store was torched.

Michael Douglas on his visit:

Many of the kibbutzim and towns that experienced the worst destruction are closed to the public, accessible only via organized tours like those for dignitaries or celebrities, or by invitation from a resident.

Nir Oz decided that the guides must be residents. Rena Bazar, who lives with most of the community in temporary housing elsewhere, is among those giving tours.

At first, it was difficult to return to Nir Oz. She didnt like the idea of strangers on the lawns and in the dining hall with its bullet-riddled windows. But eventually, she understood the importance of helping visitors understand not just what happened, but also what life had been like before October 7.

I want to make it less about the combat and more about the personal stories of people who were there, Bazar said.

For visiting dignitaries and VIPs, trips to Israel have long included stops at famous religious or cultural sites, such as the Western Wall, Masada, the Sea of Galilee or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and the national Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem. The visits to the battered kibbutzim and border towns are the latest way to build support and solidarity with Israel's allies abroad.

Other parts of southern Israel are open to the public and encouraging visitors  both foreigners and Israelis from elsewhere.

The city of Sderot runs resilience tours, connecting groups with survivors who share their memories of October 7 or highlight cultural or culinary offerings. In contrast to the hardest-hit kibbutzim like Nir Oz, most of Sderot's residents have returned.

A woman stands next to a shelter at the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival, where at least 364 people were killed and abducted during the Hamas attack ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Hen Cohen, the city's tourism director, estimated that about 200,000 visitors have come during the first half of 2024, compared with 100,000 total in a normal year. Most come via solidarity missions from abroad or are local visitors such as soldiers and police officers on educational tours.

Birthright Israel, an organization that provides 10-day free trips to Israel for Jewish Americans, said that nearly all of the 13,500 participants expected this summer will visit Sderot and the site of the Nova music festival, where at least 364 people died. These visits provide an economic and morale boost to residents, Cohen said.

Danny Danon, a member of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, left, and Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, visit a home torched by Hamas in Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel, Monday, May 27, 2024 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press All rights reserved )

The Sderot police station, where 10 officers were killed on October 7 in a standoff that left the station in ruins, is a main attraction. Visitors stop at the local museum, and watch security footage of what happened on October 7, then walk to the empty lot where the police station stood. Twisted metal remains. Israeli flags flutter in the wind. A sign says a memorial will be built there.

In this dark hour, I wanted to do my part to make sure the people of Israel know that the people of the United States are with you, former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said while visiting the site. Seinfeld later cried while talking about his own visit to a kibbutz, describing it as the most powerful experience of his life.

Zehava Ben Zaken, a lifelong Sderot resident, said it has taken time to adjust to seeing visitors every time she walks by. Im happy they come to see this place, so they can understand and stand with us, she said.

Hearing the booms from Gaza a few kilometers (miles) away, she hoped that visitors can finally understand Sderots precarious security situation. Were totally broken, she said.

A group of Israelis on an educational tour visit a house that was torched by Hamas militants on the October 7 attack ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

South of Sderot, the site of the Nova music festival has become a pilgrimage site for hundreds of visitors per day. Photos of victims are arranged around what had been the main stage. Loved ones have left candles, sculptures, photos and other mementos.

Standing there helped her understand the enormity of loss of life, said Naomi Hanan, a medical student from San Francisco. Its right in front of your face and theres no denying or ignoring what youve been hearing or seeing through the media, she said.

In a eucalyptus grove near the site, an organization called Triumph of the Spirit offers virtual reality tours of three kibbutzim, including Nir Oz. The tours are currently only open to soldiers on official educational visits, but an English version will be available in the coming weeks for international tourists.

I feel like Im in Fortnite! one soldier said as he slipped on the headset, then went silent as images of destruction appeared.

Israeli soldiers watch a virtual tour of the destruction of the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attack ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The videos were created by Miriam Cohen and Chani Kopolovich, who had created such tours of Auschwitz for a Holocaust education experience for people who dont travel to Poland.

Weve made it accessible to go on this tour without damaging peoples privacy, said Pinchas Tosig, who runs the tent and has 300 to 700 soldiers visit per day.

Some residents of southern Israel are looking beyond the visitors to the future.

In the coming weeks, Nir Oz will start demolishing some buildings to make way for new construction. Residents wonder how to preserve what happened while making space for new lives. Some say part of the destruction should remain. Others dont want reminders  or visitors.

On one tour, Bazar pointed out the safe room where she spent hours hiding on October 7. Her home was mostly spared. Others were burned. She doesnt want the destruction to remain inside Nir Oz and hopes any future memorial will be elsewhere.

I dont want any child to be impacted by the ruins, she said. Our cemetery is full. Isnt that memorial enough?
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Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the intense phase of fighting against Hamas in Rafah city is about to end, but that this does not mean the war will be over soon.

Mr Netanyahu said the war would not be over until Hamas gave up control of the Palestinian enclave, but that dialling down the Israeli operation in Rafah would allow troops to be redeployed to the border with Lebanon.

"After the intense phase is finished, we will have the possibility to move part of the forces north. And we will do this," Mr Netanyahu said in a lengthy TV interview with Israels Channel 14.

The comments threaten to further heighten tensions between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Rejecting the idea that the West Banks Palestinian Authority be given power to run Gaza instead of Hamas, he said: In the end, you will have to do two things: you will need the ongoing military demilitarisation by the Israel Defense Forces and you will need to establish a civil administration. I hope that with the support and management of certain countries in the region, I think this is the right way to move forward.

"Ill tell you what Im not ready to do, Im not ready to establish a Palestinian state there, Im not ready to hand it over to the Palestinian Authority. Im not ready to do that.

The Iranian-backed Hezbollah began striking Israel almost immediately after Hamass 7 October cross-border attack that killed some 1,200 people and saw over 250 others taken hostage.

The Israeli offensive that followed has killed over 37,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza. The war has resulted in a humanitarian crisis in the region and both Hamas and IDF have been accused of committing war crimes by the UN.

Netanyahu recently hit back at comments from Israels military that destroying Hamas is an unattainable goal as rifts between the government and its armed forces widened.

Mr Netanyahu said the military were obligated to follow his orders, one of which is the destruction of Hamas military and governance capabilities.

His comments followed an interview on Israeli Channel 13 with Rear Adm Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the military, during which the soldier suggested that to say they were capable of destroying Hamas was akin to throwing sand in peoples eyes.

White House envoy Amos Hochstein was in the region last week meeting with officials in Israel and Lebanon in an effort to lower tensions. But the fighting has continued.

Mr Netanyahu said he hoped a diplomatic solution to the crisis with Lebanon could be found but vowed to solve the problem "in a different way" if needed. "We can fight on several fronts and we are prepared to do that," he said.

He said any deal would not just be "an agreement on paper and would require Hezbollah to be far from the border, an enforcement mechanism and the return of Israelis back to their homes.

Tens of thousands of people were evacuated shortly after the fighting erupted and have not been able to go home.

Hezbollah has said it will continue battling Israel until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza. The groups leader, Hassan Nasrallah, warned Israel last week against launching another war, saying Hezbollah has new weapons and intelligence capabilities that could help it target more critical positions deeper inside Israel.

Earlier on Sunday, a senior US military officer warned that any Israeli military offensive into Lebanon would risk an Iranian response in defense of the Hezbollah, triggering a broader war that could put US forces in the region in danger.

Air Force General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Iran "would be more inclined to support Hezbollah". He added that Tehran supports Hamas militants in Gaza, but would give greater backing to Hezbollah "particularly if they felt that Hezbollah was being significantly threatened.

Brown also said the US wont likely be able to help Israel defend itself against a broader Hezbollah war as well as it helped Israel fight off an Iranian barrage of missiles and drones in April.

Additional reporting by agencies
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One of Chicago's most popular tourist attractions known as The Bean reopened to the public Sunday after nearly a year of renovations and construction.

Construction started in August last year, and fencing around the iconic sculpture limited closeup access to visitors. The work on the plaza surrounding the sculpture included new stairs, accessible ramps and a waterproofing system, according to the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

The bean-shaped sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor is formally known as Cloud Gate and weighs 110 tons (99.8 metric tons).

Its a busy tourist hub near Michigan Avenue, particularly for selfies with its reflective surface inspired by liquid mercury. Views of skyscrapers and crowds are reflected on the Millenium Park sculpture.

Visitors can once again have full access to Chicagos iconic Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor, city officials said in a Sunday statement. Come back and get your #selfie!

open image in gallery In this Jan. 31, 2008, file photo, a couple is seen on the underside of the 110-ton stainless steel sculpture ( AP2008 )

Inspired to visit Chicago? Heres our guide to what else you should see:

Walk the river

Chicago has steadily expanded its Riverwalk over the last decade, and it now takes in many of the citys prime cuts. The corncob-esque Marina City, lavishly Gothic Tribune Towers and cathedral-like Wrigley Building line up with a horizon of gleaming skyscrapers, while kayak outfitters and several small bars offer tempting distractions.

Check out the architecture

Its perfectly possible to enjoy Chicagos tremendous buildings by mooching around staring at them, but the Chicago Architecture Foundation runs tours that dig out the best examples and give insights into the styles on show. The $20 Evolution of the Skyscraper tour is the best intro option.

Go back to 1893

The 1893 Worlds Fair shaped Chicago, as well as giving the world moving walkways, zips and the Ferris Wheel. Chicago Detours runs an illuminating $40, three-hour tour that checks out the buildings, brewers, hotels and theatres that emerged, while adding a dash of fun with scavenger hunts and old photos loaded onto iPads.

Fall in love with the word

Opened in 2017, the American Writers Museum presents the history of American literature in a hugely engaging way, covering everything from accounts by early Spanish explorers to Steinbeck and Twain. Fun sections include typewriters where visitors can add a line or two to a collectively-written novel and interactive walls where you pick specific words to make a sentence read better. Entry $12.

Get the blues

When African-Americans migrated north, they brought music with them, and in Chicago this morphed into the electric blues. The city still has several top drawer blues clubs, often featuring octogenarian legends from the genres heyday. Rosas Lounge is a marvellously friendly, inviting place to dip a toe in. Tickets from $7.
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Around 20,000 airline passengers are waking up where they did not intend to be this morning, after being caught up in the travel chaos at Manchester airport following a voltage surge and power cut early on Sunday.

Airlines were ordered to cancel some of their flights yesterday to try to deal with the backlog of passengers.

What are these passengers prospects for reaching their destinations today  and will they be able to claim any compensation?

These are the key questions and answers.

How many flights were cancelled?

To and from Manchester airport  the third-busiest in the UK  I calculate that 140 departing and arriving flights were cancelled, which represents around 20,000 passengers. They include some long-haul flights  to New York, Singapore, Houston and Dubai  which have many hundreds of passengers booked.

In addition, some were diverted on Sunday morning and a dozen flights to and from Amsterdam were grounded during the day.

How are things now at Manchester airport?

The airport posted last night that Mondays schedule is expected to run as usual with no further disruption.

This is not strictly true. Some flights are operating with delays of an hour or two as airlines cope with residual delays, and easyJet has cancelled a round-trip to Amsterdam.

EasyJet is telling passengers this morning: Please be advised due to the airport system failure at Manchester airport the bag drops is running slow, our ground handling agents are doing Manual check-in which might take more time than usual.

But the airport says it is unaware of any problems with the baggage system.

The airport says: Passengers should plan to travel to the airport as normal, checking-in two hours ahead of their flight for short-haul, and three hours for long-haul. It is always advisable to check the status of your flight before you travel to the airport.

Airlines will be in touch with passengers to rearrange cancelled flights as we work with airlines, their baggage handling agents and other partners to make sure passengers whose bags did not make it onto their flights are reunited with their belongings as soon as possible.

What happens to stranded passengers today?

Under European air passengers rights rules, they are entitled to be flown to their destination as soon as possible. The trouble is  theres real pressure on airlines at the moment, and finding spare planes, pilots and cabin crew to launch rescue flights is going to be tricky. As is finding empty seats on other flights. But Tui and Jet2 will be running extra flights today.

What are passengers entitled to? If theyre abroad, they are due hotels and meals until they can be flown home. Beyond that, the airline will not be paying any cash compensation. The closure of a big international airport counts as an extraordinary circumstance and therefore airlines are not liable to pay out for cancellations and delays. Someone could, in theory, claim for additional losses from Manchester airport under the Consumer Rights Act, if they contends that the operator failed to act with reasonable care and skill.

But this would only be a possibility if they can demonstrate financial harm as a result of having the plane cancelled. Since out-of-pocket expenses are met by airlines, that seems unlikely.

Do people who miss part of their holiday get anything back?

If youre on a package holiday, you can expect a pro-rata refund of the price of the trip  so if you were booked for a week but will now only get six days, you should get one-seventh back.

The other avenue is travel insurance: some policies pay a modest amount if youre stuck for 12 hours or more.

Lots of people who did get away dont have their baggage. What are they due?

Those who got away on Sunday typically checked in early, then spent hours at the airport. They flew  unfortunately without their baggage. I reckon somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 people are in that position. The airport says they are working with the airlines to get cases to them as soon as possible. That will likely take a few days, although Jet2 has been trucking bags to other airports to be flown out, which should accelerate the process.

If youre stuck without essentials  toiletries and clothing  you can buy what you need, keep the receipts and reclaim. But dont go mad. And if youre on a cruise  well, you may need to start borrowing stuff from fellow passengers.

How common is power failure at a major airport?

It does happen  including at Gatwick in 2013  but normally the effects are not so dramatic. Manchester airport will have some investigating to do.
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A stag well known among Highlands hikers for eating from their hands has been put down after too many tourists fed him snacks.

Callum the stag had to be humanely euthanised by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) after developing poor health, pain and discomfort this month.

The well-known Highlands red deer frequently posed for pictures and sought snacks from tourists at Torridons Beinn Eighe car park on the North Coast 500 route.

open image in gallery The National Trust for Scotland were forced to euthanise local legend Callum ( Alamy )

According to locals, the beloved character was fed the wrong food, including croissants, Rice Krispies, fruit and cereal bars, by hikers, causing him to lose most of his teeth. This subsequently hindered his ability to forage independently.

The volume of human snacks consumed by the celebrity stag, as seen in several YouTube videos, has been blamed for his health struggles.

Previously, signs along the Scotland road trip route pictured Callum with the warning to tourists Please do not feed me or get too close!

Andrew Grant McKenzie, a Highland historian and fan of the famed red deer, described Callum as a local legend to the Ross-shire Journal and criticised tourists for feeding wild animals things they couldnt browse themselves naturally.

There is no doubt Callum had a good long life for a stag, added Mr McKenzie.

A spokesperson for NTS said: We are saddened to say that following expert vet advice, Callum the stag, who was often found in the car park at Torridon, has had to be humanely put down.

We know that many in the community, and visitors too, will be sorry to hear this. As a conservation charity, we take our responsibilities for animal welfare seriously and the advice was that this was the kindest option.

According to an expert vet assessment, Callums health had deteriorated and the stag was suffering pain and discomfort as a result of poor body condition, poor coat condition and arthritis.
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A Virgin Atlantic flight was forced to return to London after the windshield of the Boeing 787 aircraft cracked mid-flight.

Virgin flight VS41 from London Heathrow to San Francisco was turned around by the pilot, reportedly while flying at 40,000ft, on 27 May.

open image in gallery ( Getty Images )

According to the airline, the Boeing 787-9 planes wear-resistant outer layer had partly cracked three hours into the transatlantic flight.

The British aviation hub had the replacement parts and tooling to repair the damaged aircraft.

Virgin Atlantic offered impacted passengers overnight accommodation and made alternative flight arrangements for those delayed to finish the journey to San Francisco the next day.

It is unknown what caused the windshield made of multiple layers  to crack mid-flight.

A spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic 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 standards and the aircraft was back in service within 24 hours of the event. Wed like to apologise to the customers involved, for the delay to their journeys.

Its not the first time this year that a cracked windshield has forced a plane to reroute.

In January, a United Airlines jet was forced to divert to Denver mid-flight due to a cracked windshield.

The plane was on its way to Washington DC on Sunday when it made a detour to Denver due to a crack in the windshield, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

Similarly, American Airlines passengers were left stuck in Boston after their flight was forced to land just 250 miles into its journey after a crack was discovered in the windshield this February.

The flight, which was on its way to Spain, was 250 miles from the coast of Massachusetts over the Atlantic Ocean when it was forced to divert.
Gunmen in Russias North Caucasus region of Dagestan opened fire Sunday evening at a synagogue, an Orthodox church, and a police post, killing more than seven people.

The attacks on places of worship happened in the city of Derbent, whereas the traffic police post was attacked later in Makhachkala, 75 miles north.

Twelve people were also wounded in the attacks.

Eyewitnesses shared videos of the attacks on social media. Videos also show the synagogue on fire following the attacks.
Washington, DC, United States (PANA) - The World Bank has announced US$700 million in Development Policy Financing (DPF) for the Government of Egypt to support the country to shift toward more private sector participation, better macroeconomic and fiscal resilience, and a greener growth trajectory
Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay described Boris Johnson as a winner as he dished the dirt on other Tory leaders during an interview with Times Radio.

Mr Mackinlay, who returned to the House of Commons in May after losing his limbs to sepsis, has confirmed he is stepping down at the general election.

Speaking to Times Radio as part of the Exit Interviews series, the Bionic MP shared his thoughts on prime ministers he has worked under.

Mr Mackinlay shared kind words about Mr Johnson, describing him as someone with star quality.

He was less complimentary about the likes of David Cameron, Theresa May, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, despite suggesting he liked them all.
Nigel Farage has hit back at Boris Johnson after the former prime minister accused the Reform UK leader of a morally repugnant repetition of Russian President Vladimir Putins justification for the invasion of Ukraine.

The Reform Leader addressed crowds in Maidstone, Kent, whilst on the campaign trail on Monday (24 June), saying that he would never, ever defend Putin and that he had been more far-sighted in predicting a war in Ukraine.

Mr Farage, who has been criticised for saying the West provoked the war in Ukraine, then went on to unveil a blown up poster of the i newspapers front page from 10 May 2016, with the headline Boris blames EU for war in Ukraine.
Engine Capital, which owns just under 5pc of beer and cider maker C&C Group, has called for a sale of the business.

In a letter to the groups board, Engine Capital called on the Bulmers maker to explore strategic alternatives for the company.

The activist investor described C&C Group as a perennial underperformer, adding that its current trading valuation is entirely disconnected from the strategic value of its assets.

C&C, which has manufacturing operations in Co. Tipperary, owns Bulmers, Magners and Tennents, as well as brands such as Five Lamps and Orchard Pig.

The group exports its Magners and Tennents brands to over 40 countries.

Engine Capital said it was confident that buyers would pay a price for C&C Group that is far superior to its current value.

Following a review of similar transactions, Engine Capital expects that shareholders could receive between 239p and 263p per share in value if the company is sold.

This would represent a 58pc premium to its current trading price at the midpoint of this potential range, it reported.

It added that the company would be a suitable candidate for a sale to private equity buyers or companies that already own a global established brand due to C&Cs strong brands and UK manufacturing facilities.

However, the investor also attributed the markets undervaluation of C&C Group to a number of structural and self-inflicted problems.

This includes its size, as well as its complex portfolio, which is active across different geographies.

As a result, the company has no pure play peers of similar size or geographic composition, making it more difficult for public market investors to evaluate, diligence, and value it, Engine Capital managing member Arnaud Ajdler wrote.

Mr Ajdler also pointed to other challenges, including succession missteps, strategic mistakes, execution blunders, and an inability to return to its higher historical earnings profile.

The company has had four chief executives in less than four years, which has also contributed to ongoing uncertainty.

Earlier this month, Patrick McMahon resigned after just a year in the job after the company said it had made a number of significant accounting adjustments dating back to a period when he was chief financial officer at the group.

C&C's chairman Ralph Findlay has taken over as chief executive and will stay in the role for up to 18 months until a permanent successor is found.

Engine Capital urged the group to consider a sale given the risks of resolving the ongoing issues, as well as to add a number of new directors with experience in finance, M&A and capital markets to the board.

It also called on the group to introduce a compensation framework for critical employees ahead of any potential transaction to appropriately motivate these workers.

The company reported a pre-tax loss of 111m for the year to the end of February, plunging from a profit of 52m the prior year. It reported weaker demand for cider in Britain but success from Tennent's and Bulmers here.

In a statement, C&C Group said it welcomed feedback from all shareholders and had a clear focus on creating shareholder value.

As set out in the recent FY24 year-end results update, the underlying performance of the business has been in line with expectations, and progress has been made in returning capital to shareholders, the group added.

Operationally, the key priority is to deliver the substantial actions currently being progressed at pace throughout the business, driving forward both Brand and Distribution revenue, improving margin, while returning up to 150m by the end of FY27.
The preliminary finding is the first action to be taken against a company under Europes recently-enacted Digital Markets Act

Apple has been found in breach of EU rules for failing to let developers and competitors inform customers about alternatives.

The preliminary finding is the first action to be taken against a company under Europes recently-enacted Digital Markets Act and could result in a substantial fine.

Its the second major action taken against Apple in Europe about its app store in relation to anti-competitive behaviour. In March, Apple was fined 1.8bn by the European Commission for discriminating against Spotify and other music apps by preventing them from telling customers about cheaper, alternative methods of subscribing outside the app.

While Apple said that it had introduced new measures to meet EU requirements, the European Commission today said that these have fallen short of fair competition. In particular, the EU institution said that Apples core technology fee on developers was unfair.

The Commission can impose fines up to 10pc, rising to 20pc in cases of repeated infringements, of a companys total worldwide turnover.

The move is the latest clash between the EU and big US tech companies.

Last week, Apple said it would delay the rollout of its newly-announced AI features for iPhones and Macs because of its concerns over regulatory clashes with Europe.

And Meta was asked to pause the rollout of its AI services in Europe last week by Irelands data protection commissioner amid privacy concerns.

The Commission said that the size of the fine was imposed with regard to Apples huge financial clout.

Today is a very important day for the effective enforcement of the Digital Markets Act, said Margrethe Vestager, the Commissions executive vice-president in charge of competition policy.

We have sent preliminary findings to Apple. Our preliminary position is that Apple does not fully allow steering. Steering is key to ensure that app developers are less dependent on gatekeepers app stores and for consumers to be aware of better offers. We have also opened proceedings against Apple in relation to its so-called core technology fee and various rules for allowing third party app stores and sideloading. The developers community and consumers are eager to offer alternatives to the App Store. We will investigate to ensure Apple does not undermine these efforts.
Tesco Ireland Ltd has pleaded guilty to breaches of consumer law and agreed to make a 1000 charity donation after an investigation found the retail giant failed to include unit pricing on price labels for its popular Clubcard products.

The retailer pleaded guilty at a hearing of the Dublin District Court on Monday June 24th to two sample charges of failing to to comply with consumer protection law in how they displayed the price of products offered at a promotional price to Clubcard holders.

It followed an investigation by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) carried out in August last year.

That probe found Tesco broke the law by failing to include unit pricing on Tesco Clubcard promotional shelf-edge labels.

The prices displayed on supermarket shelves must include detail about the price per unit  whether is price per millilitre for liquids or by weight for solids so that consumers can compare products and brand especially when packaging is different shapes and sizes.

Judge Anthony Halpin applied the Probation Act. Tesco was ordered to pay the legal costs of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and a donation of 1,000 to the Little Flower Penny Dinners charity.

The case is due back for mention on July 29th.

On Monday Tesco said it introduced unit pricing for Clubcard prices in February this year.
The number of calves born from the suckler herd has fallen by 100,000 head in two years. Future for the sector will be discussed at the Teagasc Beef 2024 open day in Grange. Pic Seamus Farrelly

Teagasc hosts its biannual beef open day at the Grange research farm on Wednesday, addressing a sector in flux and spotlighting the best systems for part-time beef farmers.

With the number of suckler-born calves plummeting by around 100,000 head in the past two years and an increasing share of beef now originating from the dairy herd, the industry is at a crossroads.
Farmers and indigenous people around the world have been priced out of their own land with international companies buying it up for their own use

Land ownership in Europe is being transferred from farmers to large financial actors through waves of land grabs, according to a new study.

The study finds that agribusinesses, investors and foreign governments are finding new ways, including green grabs, to appropriate farmland for their own use amid a newly revived push to feed the world hot on the heels of Covid and the war in Ukraine has sparked a renewed push to secure land.

Large swathes of land are being swallowed up each year, the study released by global think tank International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES Food) found. It said the 65m ha of land have been bought through transnational deals: Land around twice the size of Germany has been snatched up in deals worldwide since 2000, with 87pc of land grabs occurring in regions of high biodiversity.

A 2020 study by the International Land Coalition study found that 1pc of the worlds largest farms now operate 70pc off the worlds farmland. The concentration of farmland is particularly severe in Europe, North America, Europe, and Latin America. While land prices doubled worldwide, since 2008, they tripled in Central-Eastern Europe.

In the UK, an influx of investment from pension funds and private wealth contributed to a doubling of farmland prices between 2010 to 2015. IPES Food finds that US investors have doubled their stakes in farmland since the pandemic with agricultural investment funds rising ten-fold from 2005 to 2018.

The integration of smallholders into corporate value chains is allowing agri-food companies to gain effective control over farmland and impose production choices and conditions  often locking farmers into unsustainable land use and precarious livelihoods.

Around 45pc of all farmland investments in 2018, worth $15 billion, came from pension funds and insurance companies. From 2005 to 2017, pension, insurance and endowment funds invested $45 billion in farmland.

The study also found that green grabs now account for 20 pc of large-scale land deals: Political attention is finally being paid to critical environmental challenges. However, some of the solutions being advanced in the name of tackling the climate are generating enhanced competition for land, and thus additional threats to the most affected groups.

Governments and large corporations are appropriating huge swathes of land through conservation schemes that exclude local land users and small-scale food producers, including carbon and biodiversity offsets, biodiversity net gain initiatives, rewilding schemes, and large-scale tree planting schemes.

IPES Food found that governments' pledges for land-based carbon removals alone add up to almost 1.2 billion ha, equivalent to total global cropland. Carbon offset markets are expected to quadruple in the next 7 years.

Carbon and biodiversity offset markets are facilitating huge land transactions and bringing farmland and forests under the control of major polluters. By 2023, carbon offset markets were already valued at $414 billion globally. Fossil fuel giant Shell has set aside more than $450m for offsetting projects, found the study.

They also found that 32m ha of land have been bought by Blue Carbon, a UAE-based firm through agreements with the governments of Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, Liberia and Papua New Guinea.

A panel of experts who worked on the report warn, As demand for land continues unchecked, the land squeeze is inflaming land inequality and making small and medium scale food production increasingly unviable  leading to farmer revolts, rural exodus, rural poverty and food insecurity. Farmers and Indigenous peoples are losing their land while young farmers face significant barriers in accessing land to farm.
Road would be the first to adopt distance-based tolls so that motorists pay according to how many kilometres they drive

2 billion Limerick-Cork motorway with cycle lanes to be first of its kind in Ireland

A new motorway intended to connect Cork and Limerick will be the first of its kind in Ireland  and probably the countrys most expensive ever.

The M20 would provide 80km of motorway but with more than a nod to public and active transport.

It would have cycleways all along it and six transport hubs to encourage motorists to park and ride on bus services, park and share with other car-poolers or park and cycle the last stretch to the nearest town.

EV and e-bike charging stations would be at all hubs and a seventh hub, dedicated to freight, would provide similar services as well as rest facilities for goods drivers.

If the facilities do not provide enough incentive to use alternatives to cars and diesel, the charges might.

The motorway would be the first to adopt distance-based tolls so that motorists pay according to how many kilometres they drive rather than a fixed fee.

Building it is expected to cost around 2bn. Construction of the motorway could start in 2027 and be finished by 2031.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) says the investment will be worth it because the existing N20 route linking the countrys second and third largest cities is over-capacity and dangerous.

TII says upgrading to motorway standard, even with a 120kmh speed limit, will make the route five times safer.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan had argued against the motorway at the last election. Photo: Collins

It also says it will cut 30 minutes off journey times which, in congestion, can take anything from 90 minutes to two and a half hours.

The state roads agency also says bypassing Mallow, Buttevant and Charleville will allow the towns to enjoy reduced noise and air pollution, and better space to grow business and tourism.

With the addition of 80km of cycleways, the agency says there will be a total of 100km of active transport infrastructure between Blarney in Cork and Patrickswell in Limerick.

Extra bus services are promised to serve the transport hubs while new intercity express services would also be developed.

TII is also emphasising the economic importance of what it says would ultimately form an Atlantic corridor all the way from Cork to Galway.

The details were presented to public representatives at a closed meeting in Limerick today.

Limerick and Cork city and county councils will all be heavily involved in the project, which will have transport hubs at Rathduff, Mourneabbey, Buttevant, Charleville, Bruree and Croom. Mallow will host the freight hub.

The next steps will be public webinars on July 3 and 10, ongoing environmental surveys and a further public update by next spring followed by submission for Government approval and planning permission.

A need for a motorway between Cork and Limerick was first identified in 1998 but preliminary works stalled in the recession of the 2000s.

It came back on the agenda prior to the last election but Transport Minister Eamon Ryan cautioned against it, saying the cost, which he feared could reach 3bn, would be better spent on public transport.

The project has been politically sensitive, however, and Mr Ryan has been outnumbered by his senior government partners in getting it into the National Development Plan.
A shopkeeper-drug dealer told gardai Im f***ed now when they walked in on him in the kitchen of his small grocery shop in Limerick, preparing over 208,000 worth of cocaine in mixing bowels.
A teenager charged over an alleged violent disturbance in the Phoenix Park has insisted it was not "some sort of attack on the gay community.

Reece Murphy (18) was not "in any way homophobic, his defence said when he appeared in court today accused of wielding a hammer and other charges.
I should have gone to my GP sooner, but I put it off because I knew it was MS  mum urges people with symptoms to seek help immediately
It may be too late for some species, says Fota Wildlife Parks director

The Irish curlew population has plummeted by more than 90pc

Natterjack toads are among the endangered species Fota will hope to breed. Photo: Getty

A wildlife expert has warned Ireland is on the brink of a biodiversity tragedy, with dozens of species now threatened with extinction.

Fota Wildlife Park director Sean McKeown has stressed that education and behavioural change are the only things that could prevent an ecological crisis from turning into a disaster  but he fears it may already be too late for some species.

Man does what he does  and the planet pays the price, he said.

Thats why we are so focused on education and behavioural change here at Fota  and why we believe bringing children and young people to view the facts for themselves is so important.

We need to do everything we possibly can to ensure that these wonderful species are still there for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren to see.

Mr McKeown has guided Fota Wildlife Park for almost 40 years after being assigned to the Cork park from Dublin Zoo  and will retire next Friday when its new 5m Education, Conservation and Research Centre is opened.

Under his leadership, Fota expanded from 22 animal species in 1983 up to 113 species today, and it now has nearly half-a-million visitors a year.

Natterjack toads are among the endangered species Fota will hope to breed. Photo: Getty

It is now renowned as one of the worlds leading breeding sites for endangered species and has successfully helping bring back animals such as the European bison from the brink of extinction.

When Fota opened, it was dedicated to helping save endangered species from across Africa, Europe, Asia and South America  but not Irish species.

Today, Fota is engaged in desperate breeding efforts to save 10 native Irish species  with the list set to expand over the coming years as various types of Irish wildlife slip towards extinction.

The immediate concern is over waders [birds] and other species. Their numbers have basically collapsed over the past 10 years or so, Mr McKeown said.

Fota is now breeding endangered Irish bird species such as the curlew, dunlin, snipe, redshank and corncrake, as well as amphibians such as the natterjack toad.

The problem is that the populations are so small and their habitats so restricted that even the slightest change can result in the entire local population being wiped out, he said.

In the case of the curlew, the Irish bird population has plummeted by more than 90pc  and the precise reasons why are still unclear.

So great has been the demand to help threatened Irish species that Fotas next major development will be an area of the park specially dedicated to Irish wildlife and species battling to avoid extinction. Corncrake, grey partridge, curlew and other vulnerable Irish species such as the red squirrel are being bred in a bid to support populations in the wild that have virtually collapsed.

Fotas new 5m education centre has been designed so that bats  whose numbers have also been in decline  can roost in its roof.

While concepts such as the potential reintroduction of wolves grab the headlines, the reality is that more than 300 existing Irish species face disappearing over the next couple of decades.

The Irish curlew population has plummeted by more than 90pc

Since 2006, Ireland has conducted 14 red list assessments covering 3,349 species over 13 taxonomic groups.

Irish mammals have been fully assessed twice over that period.

Shockingly, 14pc of all species were categorised as red list  which is vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered  according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data.

In addition, an alarming 30pc of Irish bee species, amphibians and sharks are now red listed.

Ten significant species have already gone extinct in the wild in Ireland, including the corn bunting, mud pond snail and the solitary bee. The fear is many more will follow unless environmental measures are adopted to support the work of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Fota.

There have been positives, such as the successful reintroduction of the white-tailed eagle in 2007 after the raptor had gone extinct in Ireland in the early 20th century.

Mr McKeown also said Irish farming ranked as one of the best systems in the world.

All we need is a few tweaks here and there to try to help our wildlife, he said.

It will make all the difference between losing a species and having it there for our children and grandchildren to enjoy. But education is key  that leads to behavioural change and then we can at least try to give nature and wildlife a chance.

He said the lessons had been stark in places such as Madagascar, where forests are being cleared at an alarming rate  and habitats of rare species have been destroyed for timber and mining.

Tragically, there are now greater populations of lemurs in Fota than there are in parts of their native Madagascar.
The prosecution of a Dublin taxi driver for the rape of two young female passengers has sent an important message to all sex assault victims that justice has been done, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre CEO Rachel Morrogh has said.

She said it was vital that victims, particularly those who may have been intoxicated or have taken drugs, never blame themselves.

It comes as a person who claimed they had been raped by a taxi driver shared their experience on the We-Consent Instagram page.

We-Consent is a national initiative run by Dublin Rape Crisis and supported by the Department of Justice, the Department of Children and Community Foundation Ireland.

The person, who posted about their experience in the wake of Raymond Shortens conviction for the rape of two young female passengers two years ago, said they were doing so in solidarity with the two victims, in a bid to stop sexual assaults and rapes.

Shorten (50) of Melrose Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one of anal rape by a jury at the Central Criminal Court.

Raymond Shorten (50) of Melrose Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, was convicted of the rape of two women

The person told followers: I wrote this poem after hearing of the guilty verdict in a current court case with a taxi driver and two separate victims. It can help when others get justice.

The poem Me-Too Taxi Driver reads: I too have been where you two have been. I too went out with friends. I too had one too many. I too got in the taxi. I too expected safety. I too was raped.

Followed in through my front door by a taxi driver who wanted more than the fare that I had paid him.

I reported my assault. I too made my statement. Then our stories diverge. My case went nowhere. My trauma went inwards.

My anger turned septic. My shame imploded. My mother does not know.

My taxi driver will never hear the judgment of a jury and probably never even felt guilt. But he raped me and in the court of my mind, the jury is unanimous, he is guilty, guilty, guilty.

Ms Morrogh praised the person for sharing their experience.

Hopefully this verdict has sent a message that this was never your fault, Ms Morrogh said.

The fault never lies with victims. Blame entirely lies with predators like this, (Shorten) who are seeking vulnerabilities, so they can commit sexual offences.

If youre unconscious or incapable of consenting, youre drunk, or have taken drugs, or are sleeping, you cant consent to that act and thats the law. Its a crime to have sex with someone without their consent.

If people understood and practised consent, fewer people would experience sexual violence. And thats where we want to get to.

Regarding the relatively small number of rape and sexual offence allegations after taxi journeys, Ms Morrogh said: We dont want to scare people from getting taxis.

She said the issue is a concern for parents of young women, and that mothers and fathers had always believed that taxis are safe spaces.

That this taxi driver (Shorten) took advantage of that trust and committed a very serious crime that will have a profound effect on the young women for the rest of their lives... it broke trust, said Ms Morrogh.

James Maguire, from the Irish Taxi Drivers' Federation, is calling for CCTV in cabs after two young women were raped by cab driver, Raymond Shorten

The women are so brave to come forward. They were 19 or 20 when the rapes took place in 2022.

We were just out of Covid and encouraged to go out and socialise. The end of their teenage years would have been spent in Covid.

Then this happened to them when they were out celebrating, having fun with their friends.

Some people ask how do we keep public service vehicles safe when we are out.

Id turn it around and say the responsibility really lies with the perpetrator, added Ms Morrogh.

We can do things to keep ourselves safe, but we need to work to be a society where women are not preyed on by predators, and this is what this man was.
Victim of crime is himself a cyber-security expert and insisted he never responds to scam emails or texts

Digital bank Revolut has insisted it is not snubbing its customers who report having money scammed from their accounts and has denied that its systems are being hacked.

The comments come after this publication presented the fast-growing fintech with another batch of cases of customers who have been in contact with it after their accounts were fraudulent accessed and had money stolen.

One cyber-security expert, who said he never responds to scam texts and emails, had more than 5,000 taken from his account when he was in bed and not using his phone. He insisted he did not authorise the payment.

Revolut refused to refund him, but relented when contacted by this publication.

Earlier this month, the Irish Independent queried a number of cases with Revolut where its customers experienced fraudulent activity or had their accounts shut down without explanation.

In response to the latest bunch of cases, Revolut said it had taken a second look at them and engaged directly with the customers.

Many of these customers had complained they could not get what they regard as a proper response from the money app when they tried to get funds returned to them after fraudsters struck.

Bank of Ireland responds to Revolut savings account move

The customer, who works in cyber security and says he does not respond to suspicious emails or calls, woke up to find his phone was going through a resetting process.

Once I restored my apps, I logged into Revolut and realised money was missing, he said. He then realised 5,140 had been taken from his account.

Payments went to a UK Revolut account, he said.

He reported the matter to Revolut, who will not engage and accept there was an issue and say my Revolut app was compromised.

After this publication took up his case, he got his money back from Revolut but no acknowledgment from the company or an explanation for what happened.

If it wasnt for the Irish Independent, I would not have got my money back and would have been left high and dry, the IT expert said.

Revolut told one customer, whose case was also queried by this publication, to engage its financial crime division, and told another customer to contact its complaints department.

Others were told to take cases to the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsmans office in Dublin. These people had all said they were unable to get responses from Revolut until the Irish Independent sought answers on their behalf.

Asked whether there is a pattern of people getting brushed off by Revolut when they are scammed, the bank said it took fraud and the industry-wide risk of customers being coerced by organised criminals incredibly seriously.

We have robust protections in place for our millions of customers and analyse over half a billion transactions a month, it said.

In 2023, we prevented over 550m of potential fraud losses to our customers globally. This, despite more than a million new customers joining Revolut every month.

The company said it now had 2.7 million customers in Ireland.

Revolut was asked whether its systems are being hacked, because some customers have claimed accounts were cleaned out while they slept.

The company had insisted the customers had entered authentication codes to verify the payments.

Today's News in 90 Seconds- Monday June 24

Revolut was also asked whether there are other problem with its systems, especially with the virtual cards of customer accounts.

Revolut systems continue to run without issue, which includes the robust protections we have in place for our millions of customers, it said.

When asked how scammers are gaining access to accounts, as a number of customers claim they did not interact with fraudsters, Revolut said this was a complex and sensitive issue that involved criminals.

Revolut does not publicly disclose these details because publicising them can inform criminals how others have been duped, which could exacerbate the problem, it said.

It added that in common with other banks, it was using a range of measures to protect customers, but fraudsters were increasingly targeting consumers directly.

It said that when there were instances of fraud, banks and other financial institutions should be the last line of defence, not the only line of defence.
A MAN wanted by Northern Irish authorities in relation to the murder of a member of the British army 45 years ago has been arrested in Dublin.

The suspect, aged in his 60s, was detained by members of the Garda Extradition Unit at Dublin Airport this morning.

He is wanted in connection with the murder of Joseph James Porter who was shot dead by the Provisional IRA on June 24, 1979.

Mr Porter was a farmer and member of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR), an infantry regiment of the British Army.

He was off-duty when he was shot dead at his farmhouse in Mountnorris, County Armagh, and his home ransacked.

The PSNIs Historical Investigations Unit has been carrying out inquiries into the murder in recent years.

As part of that investigation an extradition warrant was issued for a suspect under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement by Northern Irish authorities.

This morning members of the extradition unit, attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, arrested a male in his 60s at Dublin Airport.

He was brought to a Garda station in north Dublin and is expected to appear before the High Court this afternoon.
More than 100,000 Ukrainians arrived in Ireland from March 2022 until June of this year, with the highest number moving to Kenmare, Co Kerry and Ennistymon in Co Clare.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) recorded in total, 107,406 Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) were given to arrivals from Ukraine from March 2022 until this month, according to the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) data.

Of these - and according to per 100 of the population - most refugees moved to the Kenmare Local Electoral Area, with 2,844.

However, when the CSO used the data per 100 of the population, it found Ennistymon was home to the highest rate - 2,235.

The data showed 26,094 arrivals were living in private accommodation, where 11,409 hosts were in receipt of Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP).

Most are housed under this scheme in Dublin - 3,795. While Donegal is home to the second largest number under the initiative - 2,190. And Monaghan houses the fewest under the ARP scheme - 344.

As of June 6, 2024, 19,275 Ukrainians were living in local authority pledged accommodation and 7,979 were living in accommodation under the 'Offer a Home' scheme.

As of June 9, 59,324 were in receipt of welfare schemes for adults and children.

44,214 Ukrainians had attended an employment support event arranged by Intreo Public Employment Services by June 2.

Of those, 58pc - 25,532 people - stated that: English language proficiency was a challenge in securing employment.

Of those attending Intreo employment events, 58pc - 25,532 - noted problems with the English language being a barrier to getting into work.

As of May 2024, 21,020 of the arrivals were in work. The mean weekly average earned was 490. While the median weekly average was 487.

Most Ukrainians were employed in wholesale, transport and accommodation service work - 10,066 as of May this year. 2,533 were employed in public service, education and health and 1,088 were in construction.

The PPSNs were provided to people from Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive. And just over 100 people had arrived in the previous seven days.

A total of 17,808 of the arrivals were enrolled in further education and training courses on June 1, 2024. 15,283 of those were enrolled in further education English language courses.

Of those provided a PPS, 76pc were shown to have had activity in administrative data after 31 March 2024.

Women and men, aged 20 and over, made up 46pc of arrivals and 23pc respectively. While 30pc were people under 20-years-old.

Of all arrivals to date aged 18 and over, 62pc of men and 48pc of women were married or cohabiting.

Of the 44,214 arrivals who attended an Intreo event, 20,396 had recorded previous occupations, with professionals being the largest group at 29pc - or 5,962 people.

Of the 29,646 people where the highest level of education was recorded, 61pc had achieved an NFQ level equivalent to 7 or higher.

As of June 4, 18,133 children enrolled in primary and post primary schools. 62pc of Ukrainian children enrolled in primary schools and the remaining 38pc in secondary schools.

Cork has the highest number of children enrolled in primary schools at 1,168, while Dublin has the highest number of children enrolled in secondary schools at 754. Monaghan has the lowest number of children enrolled in both primary and secondary schools.
Home-buyers are now routinely paying 30,000 over the asking price for average family properties as increased numbers of panicked renters rush to put a secure roof over their heads.

Data collected for the latest Irish Independent Real Estate Alliance (REA) Average House Price Index shows a recent surge in landlord sales has put pressure on departing house-renters to buy a property.

In Dublin, the numbers of landlords now selling up three-bed semis has surged by six percentage points in just three months and now comprises 25pc of all sales of this house type.

Renting families put on notice as a result are scrambling to get mortgage approval and to buy a home fast before they are left without accommodation. Under time pressure, they are prepared to bid more aggressively for the suitable properties being offered for sale.

Read more Lack of housing supply expected to drive up rents as national average hits 1,836 a month

Increased mortgage availability is also fuelling the situation. Because buying is cheaper than renting, it has newly become an option for departing tenants who are finding it easier to secure mortgages because of their solid rent payment history.

However, they are paying an average of 30,000 more than asking prices to secure properties before time runs out on their leases, according to REA agents. In some cases they are going all in and making that jump in just one bid to drive off rival bidders, market experts say.

Today's News in 90 Seconds- Monday June 24

REA branches in Tallaght and Rathfarnham are among those underlining that properties are exceeding their value by 30,000 in the band between 250,000 and 350,000.

Properties guiding at 320,000 are routinely selling for 350,000 simply because the buyer is under time pressure due to a notice to quit, said managing director of REA McGee, Anthony McGee.

And a lot of tenants are living in fear of getting a phone call from their landlord. If they are forced into the market, they are maxing out their loan approval to secure somewhere to live within their time-frame.

It has recently been estimated that 50pc of property for sale is being accounted for by a combination of landlords selling up and executor sales.

This means an unusually high number of houses coming to the market need substantial refurbishment and upgrading, according to REAs nationwide spokesperson Seamus Carthy.

While we are seeing a slight improvement in stock, a lot of what is coming on the market in the capital is ex-rental and needs substantial refurbishment, said Mr Carthy.

The condition of the house also affects mortgage draw-down.

Those intending to buy a doer-upper are subject to different lending rules and their bank may look for proof that there are sufficient funds in place to renovate, added Mr Carthy.

The shortage of tradespeople also means people are looking to trade up are opting for smaller extension work in their existing properties where it is easier to source labour, said Mc Carthy.

The survey data shows that the selling price of a three-bed, semi-detached house across the country rose by 2.3pc overall in the past three months to 315,352, which is creeping up on the 3pc typical in the same period during the heated Celtic Tiger market.

Time taken to sell nationally remains steady at five weeks as low supply continues to drive sales.

Price hikes in Dublin city were not so heated as the rest due to lower affordability. Theyve risen by 1.6pc in the last three months, meaning that the average three-bed semi in the capital is now selling at 525,500, representing an increase of 5.1pc in the last year.

Elsewhere, the sale price of an average three-bed semi in Dublins commuter counties rose by 1.81pc over the past three months to an average of 327,500  three times faster than in the first three months of the year.

A total of 70pc of buyers in Kildare were first-time buyers and 50pc were from outside the county as prices rose by 5.3pc to 396,250 in the last three months, while Meath, Louth and Wicklow were either static or returned small increases.

Carlow prices increased by 2.2pc to 232,500, with agent Harry Sothern of REA Sothern seeing lower-priced homes selling very quickly, sometimes in less than one week.

In cities outside the capital, prices rose by an average of more than 5,000 in the last three months. The 1.5pc increase is equivalent to an average selling price of 333,750  with the annual rate of increase at 6pc.

Prices in Limerick increased by an average of 10,000 in the quarter, exceeding the 300,000 barrier for the first time, with nearly every property getting into a bidding situation, according to local agents REA Dooley.

It comes as the latest Daft.ie housing report published today shows that house prices in some cities rose by up to 12pc in past year as the shortage of homes pushes up prices. A typical house in the second quarter of this year was listed for 340,398  6.7pc more than in the same period a year earlier.

Our agents in Limerick report a lot of frantic bidding as potential buyers dont want to lose out as they dont know when the next similar property will become available, said REAs Mr Carthy.

Three-bed semi prices rose by 1.3pc to 380,000 in Cork city while those in Galway increased by 1.4pc to 350,000 with agents McGreal Burke reporting a noticeable increase in buyers active in the market in the past three months.

Homes in the countrys large towns continue to show the biggest growth, up 8.4pc on last June and 3.2pc this quarter. Prices in Kerry grew by 9pc in the last quarter alone, rising by 27,500 to an average of 332,500.

In the last month the market has taken off again and prices have increased substantially, said Donal Culloty of REA Coyne and Culloty in Killarney.

Castlebar recorded the largest single town increase in the survey, with three-bed semi prices rising by 12.2pc in the past three months to 216,000 and time taken to sell dropping from seven to three weeks.

This is due to historically low supply on the market, with agent Robert McGreal noting that new properties are achieving prices well in excess of second-hand residencies.

Also in that sales band, three-bed semis in Offaly recorded a 20,000 quarterly increase to 240,000, with REA Hynes noting a quick turnaround of properties which are exceeding asking prices.

The Irish Independent REA Average House Price Index concentrates on the sale price of Irelands typical stock home, the three-bed semi, giving an accurate picture of the second-hand property market in towns and cities countrywide.
Siptu have called for improved security on public transport following an alleged incident where a Dublin Bus passenger was assaulted by a number of youths.

On Friday evening a man on a Dublin Bus was allegedly attacked by youths using belts, leaving a large amount of blood spattered outside the drivers cabin.

The bus was travelling on the N4 towards Blanchardstown and a female driver was on board when the incident took place.

Siptu, which represents transport workers, is highlighting the incident as part of its Respect Transport Workers campaign, aimed at tackling abuse towards transport workers and improving safety on public transport.

The trade unions Dublin Bus representative Stephen Millane said the driver was very shaken up after the incident.

"There was an individual who wouldnt get off the bus for some reason and other youths that had got off the bus were waiting for him, he said.

"They got back on the bus, there was four or five of them. They set on this fella and beat him to a pulp, there was blood all over the cab right at the front doors and in front of the driver.

Mr Millane said violent incidents like this are becoming more frequent on public transport.

"Since Covid the incidents have increased and also got more severe. Buses have between eight and 12 very high quality cameras, but its like these people just dont care.

"Thankfully the driver, she is shook by the incident and its traumatised her, but she isnt physically hurt. She was in her workplace, her workplace is her cab, and when you have someone being beaten within an inch of their life, blood sprayed all over the place, this is something that cant continue to happen.

As part of the campaign Siptu is calling for dedicated transport policing to deal with incidents like this, a service Mr Millane said is badly, badly needed.

"Irish Rail and the Luas have private security and initially it worked in the short term. Then the people responsible for anti-social behaviour on public transport realised they have no powers, theyve started pushing back at them and now the security guards are actually receiving a lot of abuse.

Today's News in 90 Seconds- Monday June 24

"Someone could get a bus into town, cause trouble on the bus. Then they might get on a Luas to Heuston Station and cause trouble again, then get on a train. Theres no way of associating the same people with all these incidents on public transport.

With staff safety a huge concern, the well-being of the travelling also needs to be taken into account, he said.

"The public are fully aware and theyre not going to travel on buses, especially at certain times and in certain areas. Its not just violence, its drug use as well.

The number of female bus drivers in Dublin is around 7pc and there have been recruitment drives aimed at women. Mr Millane said driver safety and anti-social behaviour can push women away from the profession.

"Im not saying a man wouldnt be affected by the incident on Friday night, but a woman trapped in a small unit in the cab and someones getting kicked around the place, it was very scary for her. It does turn women off the job.

An Garda Siochana said it did not have information on the alleged incident when contacted by the Irish Independent.
Members of the Women of Honour group have called on others to step out into the light and provide statements to the Defence Forces Tribunal, which got under way in Dublin on Monday.

The first public sitting of the tribunal took place in Smithfield where the chair, Ms Justice Ann Power, delivered the tribunals opening statement and formally opened the inquiry.

The tribunal was established by Tanaiste Micheal Martin after abuses within the Defence Forces were exposed by the Women of Honour  including allegations of bullying, sexual harassment and physical assault.

Ms Justice Power outlined the seven terms of reference for the inquiry, which included whether the complaints process within the Defence Forces was fit for purpose and was followed.

It will also look to establish whether there was a culture within the Defence Forces to discourage those with complaints from coming forward.

Ms Justice Power said the background to the tribunal was a matter of public knowledge and included complaints of bullying, harassment and sexual assault.

During the sitting, she urged those with relevant information to the tribunal's inquiry to come forward and speak up.

Members of the Women of Honour group attended todays hearing. Spokesperson Diane Byrne echoed the calls by Ms Justice Power and said she hoped people would take the opportunity to live their lives in peace without the weight of trauma hanging around their necks.

I would ask people to really consider coming forward because the freedom that comes from eliminating that sense of misplaced self blame or shame that people are feeling where they have no need to be feeling that. To step out into the light and say, Im sorry, its not OK.

Thats very very powerful and we really hope that people will take that opportunity.

There will be five phases to the tribunal of inquiry, including the first investigative phase. It is expected that it will be three years before the tribunal completes its work and a final report is delivered.

Its very real now, there is definitely a sense in the room. Its great to see the seriousness of it because it reflects the efforts and the importance of the issues we are raising, Ms Byrne said. Were going to need a bit of time to process it all and study the statement but its very welcome.

In her opening statement, Ms Justice Power said that while complete confidentiality could not be guaranteed by the tribunal, information would be given to third parties only if required by law.

Ms Byrne said while assurances had been given that there would not be retribution for those currently in the Defence Forces who choose to come and speak up, those coming forward would have to take a leap of faith.

We have to take them at their word. Over the years there has been a lot of retribution for people who have stood up and spoken out and thats why people have never done it before, Ms Byrne said.

There is going to be a trust issue there and people are going to have to take a leap of faith on this.

Ms Byrne said the tribunal offered a structured setting for those wishing to speak out.

If enough people take a leap of faith and step forward, not everyone can be penalised for having come forward.

We do understand that what happens behind closed doors is very hard to demonstrate, but now is the opportunity in a very structured process to be able to have your say and know that it is down on paper, that youre safe, she said.

Ms Justice Power emphasised that the role of the tribunal was to establish the truth and was inquisitorial rather than adversarial and that it was not about winning or losing.

It was also said that the inquiry's role was not to make findings about criminal matters that came before the tribunal.

This tribunal was the opportunity to be heard, Ms Justice Power said, and asked those with relevant information or documents to submit a statement by August 16.

The submitted statements will form part of phase one of the process. Phase two will then involve the tribunal determining the evidence into which it would inquire, after which those affected by the chosen evidence will be informed.

This will be followed by oral hearings and the final phase will see Ms Justice Power draw up the report which will include recommendations.

The task ahead for the inquiry was described as a formidable one by Ms Justice Power, as the investigation would extend back over four decade and beyond just the Irish jurisdiction.
Taylor Swift fans have been urged to remain vigilant of potential ticket scam as her sold-out dates at the Aviva Stadium take place this week.

Bank of Ireland has urged Swifties to be wary of deals that are too good to be true as thousands prepare to see the chart-topping star in Dublin this weekend.

Tickets sold out in minutes last summer, with packages costing anywhere between 86 for a seat to 743 for the most expensive VIP package.

Swifties who missed out on tickets could be targeted by scammers hoping to find people so keen to see their favourite artist play that they ignore the warning signs, said Nicola Sadlier, the head of fraud at Bank of Ireland.

Scammers try to lure customers by offering them tickets, often through a social media post or online advert and focus on popular, sold-out gigs.

Fans are then asked to pay directly by sending money from their bank account to another via bank transfer, which provides little protection.The seller will usually cut all contact after the payment is transferred and the ticket never arrives.

The scammer is often looking for a quick sale, does not give the opportunity to see the ticket in person or puts pressure on the buyer to make a decision.

"With Taylor Swift playing in Dublin this week and summer festivals kicking off, its important that concert goers are alert to fraud, said Ms Sadlier.

At times like this, fraudsters are hoping your heart will overrule your head. They are counting on people being so keen to get to see their favourite artist play that they ignore the warning signs and take a chance on the offer of a ticket even if it sounds too good to be true.

"Never, ever take that chance. Our advice is when you are buying online, only buy items from reputable sites, she said.

Fans who fear they may have been the victim of a scam should contact their bank immediately so action can be taken to stop a fraud in progress and potentially recover funds.

Scammers know that certain tickets are very much in demand  so dont get carried away if a message or advert pops up for a popular gig. If something sounds too good to be true, it's probably fraud.

"If you find yourself targeted, our advice is to act quickly and contact your bank immediately so they can try to stop the payment. Scammers can strike when least expected and we want people to be alert to the danger so they dont end up at a loss.
Tributes have been paid following the death of a Co Armagh man who died while on holiday in Turkey at the weekend.

Conor Lennon, of Newtownhamilton, was on holiday with friends in Turkey when he passed away following an incident on Saturday.

A funeral notice for the father-of-one described him as the beloved and cherished son of Tony and Paula, devoted daddy to Georgia and loving brother to Megan and Sian.

Posting on social media, Mr Lennons sister Sian wrote: I love you big bro. Didnt get saying it enough. Forever and always. Thanks for everything.

Park Butchers in Newtownhamilton wrote: Myself, Vicki and all our staff are devastated to learn of the passing of Conor this morning.

The Lennon family have played a big part in our businesses, including Conor, from the age of 15. We are all one big family and we are all heartbroken.

We send our sincerest condolences to Tony, Paula, Megan, Sian, Georgia, Siofra and Jackie and family at this difficult time. We keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

St Brendas Camogie Club, Ballymacnab, where Mr Lennons cousins are members, also expressed their sympathy online.

"St Brendas Ballymacnab express our deepest sympathies to our senior players Eabha & Ellen Lennon and U16 player Scarlett Lennon on the sad passing of their cousin Conor, they said.

"We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Conors family & friends & wider family circle.

Today's News in 90 Seconds- Monday June 24
LATEST | Waterford community slam crazy behaviour as local blasts obscene noises outside cemetery

Locals in the close-knit area of Kilgobnet, near Dungarvan, have said they are disgusted by the situationObscene noises being blasted out as people attend funerals and visit graves at a rural Waterford parish are coming from a house beside the church

CCTV camera at the house, and the church and grounds in Kilgobnet, Co. Waterford

Alan Sherry and Ralph Riegel Mon 24 Jun 2024 at 09:22

Obscene noises being blasted out as people attend funerals and visit graves at a rural Waterford parish are coming from a house beside the church, the Sunday World has revealed.
GP Jennifer Grant answers your medical queries

Question: I get a really sore pain in the joint of my big toe  just one foot, when I wear certain flat shoes. It doesnt happen with heels  which I dont wear very often. This foot is slightly wider than the other one. Could this be a bunion and if so should I go to my GP or to a chiropodist? There is a slight bump so I am worried that it is going to get worse. I am a 55-year-old woman. What can be done to get rid of this?

Dr Grant replies: It is normal to have the dominant side of your body slightly larger than the non-dominant side. Often people notice one foot or hand can be up to a half size larger than the other, or as in your case, slightly wider. I presume you noticed some pain and a slight protrusion at the base of the big toe, or whats known as the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint.

One of the most common signs of a bunion is inflammation which typically causes pain, possibly some redness and mild swelling over the medial (inner) bursa protecting the first MTP joint. A hallux valgus deformity is the medical term for a bunion and its estimated to occur in approx. 30pc of female adults. This bony deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe tends to cause the big toe to move towards the smaller toes. The degree of movement or angulation of the big toe towards the smaller toes helps define the severity of the deformity. This is referred to as the hallux abductus angle and typically an angle of 20 degrees is abnormal.

The exact reason why bunions form is poorly understood and is thought to be multifactorial with family history and tight/ill-fitting footwear being two significant contributing factors. Foot anatomy, joint hyper-flexibility and foot biomechanics are also likely to play a role. Other contributing factors include having an underlying diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and/or gout. Interestingly, bunions are rarely seen in parts of the world where people go barefoot.

Certain anatomical factors can increase the pressure under the first MTP joint and force the bone to move in such a way that exacerbates the deformity. Since not all bunions progress to become severe, there may be a threshold up to which the forces causing the deformity can be opposed by other anatomic structures. When forces greater than the threshold occur, the joint becomes deformed. It is possible that such progression occurs rapidly rather than worsening steadily over several years.

Sometimes people can identify a particular activity or exercise that brings on pain in the first MTP joint, for example after running. Is there any chance you might have taken up an exercise recently that might be contributing to your deformity? Runners can experience pain/swelling in this joint when running long distances or perhaps after switching to a new brand/style of runner.

For anyone over 50 years old, early degenerative changes (osteoarthritis) could be a potential cause for the bony bump. Osteoarthritis (OA) of the first MTP joint (big toe) is common. Early OA changes can be seen on MRI scan and more established OA will be noted on foot X-ray. A foot X-ray allows the bony structure of the foot to be clearly seen, as well as the degree of movement and deformity caused by the bunion. On balance, though, the majority of people with a mild bunion and non-severe symptoms do not warrant X-ray or other imaging.

There are plenty of conservative options for managing bunions, including wearing wide-fitting footwear, placing orthotics in your footwear, wearing splints at night, wearing toe separator (soft wedges can be placed between the first and second toe) during the daytime, or undergoing manipulation and stretching exercises under the guidance of a trained professional with repetition of these exercises at home. It must be noted that in a clinical trial setting, none of these conservative options have been shown to give any statistically significant efficacy. Surgical correction is generally only considered for severe deformity, or for those in severe pain or discomfort.

In your case, I think it would be a good idea to attend a physiotherapist for an assessment of your foot anatomy, arch, biomechanics and overall gait.

Dr Jennifer Grant is a GP with Beacon HealthCheck
Taoiseach Simon Harris has been the subject of protests at his home in Greystones

It was just before 8pm one Friday evening, when a tricolour-waving crowd, wearing scarves and masks to conceal their identities, gathered outside a house on an estate in Greystones, Co Wicklow.

Within minutes, their protest had been posted on X. Their apparent demands were predictable: close borders to all migrants; introduce mass deportations and clear tents housing refugees from the streets of Dublin. One could be heard making a reference to the Covid-19 vaccine.

Their numbers may have been small, but they made a noise. They did not try to hide the location of the semi-detached house behind them. It was the home of Taoiseach Simon Harris.

The recent local and European elections shone a light on the ugly side of Irish politics. Harassment and intimidation of politicians has become an alarming theme.

We saw Simon Harris and a garda jostled on the streets of Castlebar, Fine Gaels candidate for Mayor of Limerick faced calls for his family home to be attacked, and Justice Minister Helen McEntees young family recently had to be evacuated from their home on foot of a bomb scare.

What is driving this worrying trend? Is social media to blame? And could Ireland be on the cusp of its own Jo Cox moment?

Today on the Indo Daily, Ellen Coyne is joined by John Meagher, journalist with the Irish Independent, to look at the escalating protests against politicians, and ask: is the Taoiseach safe in his own home?
Lake Clark National Park in Alaska is home to bears and other wildlife. Pic: Wolfgang Kaehler/Getty Images

Sean Killeen and his father-in-law Joe Beardmore shortly after they were rescued from the Alaskan wilderness

A Dubliner has described how he and his father-in-law recently survived a dramatic plane crash and trek to safety through the Alaskan wilderness.

Sean Killeen (38) and his father-in-law Joe Beardmore (67), were enjoying a dream fly-fishing trip in a remote part of the northern US state of Alaska on June 10.

After looking for Arctic Grayling, a species of freshwater salmon, the small crew of six people boarded a single-propeller de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver plane for the return trip.

Just minutes after taking off, the plane suffered an engine failure and was forced to crash into a very remote part of the Alaskan wilderness.

Speaking to the Anton Savage show on Newstalk radio yesterday, the former Blackrock College student said said he knew something was wrong when the pilot made a hard left after take-off.

We were in Lake Clark National Park, about 160 miles west of Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, he said.

I thought to myself that it was a strange manoeuvre for the height we were at, and maybe 10 seconds later, I could see trees really close to the wings. Then we crashed.

There was no indication from the pilot that we were going to crash and no real chance to brace ourselves. However, I managed to reach my hands to the side to hold myself in place as best I could.

Lake Clark National Park in Alaska is home to bears and other wildlife. Pic: Wolfgang Kaehler/Getty Images

Describing the moment of impact, he said he was fully conscious and felt three big bangs as they hit trees before the right wing and then body of the plane hit the ground.

Thankfully, everyone on board survived, however the pilot had a cut on his head, and Mr Killeens father-in-law had haemorrhaging to one eye and a broken pelvis.

All of the passengers scrambled roughly 30 metres away from the plane, fearing it might catch fire. They then walked through dense vegetation for 3-4 hours to reach a clearing where they could be rescued.

Mr Beardmore had to be carried part of the way due to his injuries.

The area is full of wild animals such as bears, wolves and moose, and the pilot brought out a gun to protect the group.

When planes crash, a beacon is activated, alerting authorities to the incident.

About 90 minutes after the group arrived at the clearing, a military helicopter brought them to safety and Mr Killeens father-in-law was transported to hospital in Anchorage.

Speaking about the moment of realisation he had survived, Mr Killeen said it was kind of surreal.

I had all these thoughts going through my head, like am I dead? I was freaking out. It was just instant flight or fight mode with the adrenaline pumping, knowing you have to try to get down the mountain and survive, he said.

Thankfully, his father-in-law will make a full recovery despite still being stiff and sore. Mr Killeen said that while it was definitely an adventure, hes unlikely to get back on one of those planes ever again.
Dublin Bus driver Adrian Lemon says Pride Week is about being positive and progressive

Dublin Bus driver Adrian Lemon met the love of his life on the Number 10

Adrian Lemon met the love of his life when he was driving a Dublin Bus back in 2001, and wrote his phone number on the back of a bus ticket.

In a time before headphones and TikTok, the bus driver got chatting to a handsome man who was a regular on his route.

It was coming up to the June Bank holiday weekend. It was a Friday, I was up at the Phoenix Park bus terminus for the number 10 and picking up the usual passengers, Adrian told the Irish Independent.

You almost get to know their names and its the same faces getting on during the journey back to Phibsboro or the city centre.

One guy in particular was quite handsome. Wed say hello and goodbye because people would come up to the front door to get off the bus back then.

It was coming up to Friday and he just said to me, you must be very warm in the bus there, I bet youd like a cold drink.

I chanced my arm and said: I would, do you want to go for one tonight? He said yes and asked where I wanted to go. I suggested the Red Windmill in Phibsboro because I knew he got off around St Peters Church.

Back in 2001, mobile phones werent what they are today. If you were giving somebody a phone number, youd put it down on a piece of paper.

We agreed to meet at the Red Windmill, and I wrote my phone number down on a bus ticket. We met and we agreed to meet again on the following day, which was the June Bank Holiday weekend, and weve been together since then.

Were 23 years together and its been a nice journey, he added.

The number 10 disappeared off the road in October 2010, but the couple have an incredible photo to remember where it all started.

Its been gone 13 years, but its a well-remembered route and for me it has a lot of personal feelings, Adrian said.

On the last day of its operation all my friends came along, and we went for a spin on the bus. Theres one photograph of us and its my partner lifting me up in front of the number 10.

For me it was not just a bus of romance. It was part of my journey to where I am today. If I hadnt been driving at number 10, I wouldnt have met my partner, Tom.

Romance can work on a bus. I got my partner and a few years later, I decided to match one of my friends, Nicky, who is a bus enthusiast. I fixed her up with one of my friends from Bus Eireann. Thats another bus love story.

Its Pride Week. Pride is all about trying to be positive and progressive. The first one in 1974 wasnt a parade, it was a protest.

There was a gap for about 10 years before the next one appeared, but its been a positive journey and Im very proud to be part of Dublin Bus and its presence in the parade this year.
Hundreds in Galway chant Natasha we have your back and Judge ODonnell shame on you

Slogans such as Natasha we have your back and Judge ODonnell, shame on you were chanted by hundreds of people on Saturday as a crowd gathered in Eyre Square, Galway city, to protest in support of Natasha OBrien.

The Galway event was part of a national rally after Natasha OBriens attacker Cathal Crotty walked free from court last week.

It has been estimated that about 500 people attended the event, where the organisers, members of Galway Rape Crisis Centre, members of Galway Pride, but also members of the public all shared their thoughts and experiences. Natashas victim-impact statement was also read.

The protest was announced on Friday afternoon by activist Susan McGrady on her social media, who told the Irish Independent:

Im appalled and Im angry. The judicial system is failing so many people. Violence and gender-based violence is unacceptable, it cant go on. Something needs to change and were here to make sure it changes, were not going to stop stomping our feet until it does.

The support from people has been unreal. Im so grateful to everyone for coming out. I posted about it yesterday [Friday] at about 12pm on my own social media, and that post has had 400 likes, has been shared hundreds of times, its been massive.

She added: Natasha is so unbelievably brave for being public about this, and for talking about this.

Later, addressing the public, Susan said: When I heard about this on Thursday night, I couldnt sleep. It has upset me beyond words, and Im feeling so very grateful to everyone for coming out.

I feel so bad for Natasha, having to go through this publicly. Well done Natasha for doing it, I couldnt have done it.

Protests also took place in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. The events were announced after serving Irish soldier Cathal Crotty (22) was handed a three-year suspended sentence at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday, June 20, and ordered to pay 3,000 in compensation to Natasha OBrien, who he had beaten unconscious in a vicious attack on OConnell Street, Limerick, in May 2022.
No language survives if it isnt spoken, and nobodyll speak it unless you teach the speakers while theyre young.

Thats why flying the Gaelbhratach flag at primary and secondary schools in the county is such an encouraging sign, particularly when its happening outside the Gaeltacht.

Firies National School principal Claire Doyle has congratulated the Gaelbhratach team  and her students and staff  for raising their first Gaelbhratach flag in recent days. This, she said, was the culmination of extensive hard work in promoting the language within the school community.

It was a very successful two-year cycle for the team, who strove to promote the Irish language as much as possible around the school community, she told The Kerryman. Gaelbhratach is a programme in which schools around Ireland take part to increase both awareness and involvement in the Irish language. The goal is to promote our native language, Irish. Our school has done some super work in an effort to not only show that learning Irish has educational benefits but can also involve some fun too.

We did multiple Irish activities around the school like making posters to promote it, having sheets with simple Irish phrases in each class, ceili, an Irish club, and much more.

The Gaelbhratach flag was proudly raised outside the school this week. Congratulations to the Gaelbhratach team and all the students and staff of Firies NS.

She has now urged the school community to keep up the hard work that secured the prestigious honour.

The school also recently attended WEAVE at the Gleneagle, a project which shows how computing can enhance teaching and learning in many subjects.

"Our children looked at how 3D printing of houses could help with housing crisis in Killarney; how we can enhance soil quality to promote growth locally and in Killarney National Park; ways to reduce pollution in the Killarney lakes; how we can keep people safer on the Kerry roads and how we can harness electricity from natural sources, Ms Doyle said.

She added that the school was proud to play its part in the project.
There has been a marginal decrease in the number of Ukrainian refugees in the Municipal Districts (MDs) in the south of the county  including the Kenmare MD, which had taken in more new arrivals from Ukraine than any Municipal District in the country since March 2022.

The CSO today (Monday) released its latest update on the number of arrivals to Ireland from Ukraine since Russia invaded the nation in early 2022. These arrivals have been mapped out on an MD-by-MD basis, based on either the local post office address through which refugees were seeking assistance from the Department of Social Protection; or, if available, the arrivals' residential address, where an Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) is payable to the host of the residence.

Based on this, as of June 2024, there were 2,844 Ukrainian refugees in the Kenmare Municipal District  the highest number of any MD in the country, albeit almost unchanged from the last update in February, when there were 2,846 Ukrainian refugees in the MD.

In Killarney, there were 2,556 refugees  down from 2,575. The overall number for the county has increased by 62, more than half of which was in Castleisland. Castleisland, however, currently has by far the lowest population of Ukrainian refugees among Kerrys MDs at 147.

Outgoing Kenmare MD Cathaoirleach Norma Moriarty (Fianna Fail) said that shes aware of some small accommodation providers returning to tourism. She is also aware of some Ukrainian refugees moving from the MD to elsewhere in the county, but some have returned to their home country.

She said the large intake since March 2022 continues to pose some challenges, however, especially among sections of the tourism industry who depend more on overnight stayers than day-trippers for custom.

We have coped particularly well, but thats because of everyone going above and beyond: the education providers, the healthcare sector, everybody stretching themselves as far as they could go, Cllr Moriarty added. The fact that a lot of people who came are willing to go out and take up employment has helped as that helps with integration and so on, and their own ability to look after themselves.
Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce has paid a warm tribute to the late Michael Doyle, a prominent community activist and the driving force behind many important local initiatives, who has passed away.

The business organisation said the Fossa man had a great vision of how Killarney and its environs should progress and he was always willing to lead from the front and provide the necessary guidance, know-how and wisdom to see a project through.

A statement of condolence issued by Chamber co-presidents, Johnny McGuire and Padraig Treacy, acknowledged Michaels role as a founder member of the Fossa Historical Society and the local community action group and they said he had his finger on the pulse of parish life and key matters in the day to day affairs of Killarney.

The chamber said Michael was most familiar with the town and its needs through his dedicated career as a senior official in Killarney Post Office where he worked for 40 years before retiring in 1995. In that role he became an unofficial ambassador for the town given his daily interactions with so many people.

A lifelong horseracing enthusiast, Michael was a progressive and dynamic secretary/manager of Killarney Racecourse from 1992 to 2003 and he served as deputy senior steward of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee having been appointed by the National Hunt Steeplechase Committee in Dublin.

Michael also became a director of the highly successful Killarney Race Company in the mid-1980s and his was the guiding hand in the push to create an even better facility than already existed.

A keen environmentalist, he fronted a campaign that lasted over 25 years to have Killarney National Park extended to the parish of Fossa and his dream was finally realised in that regard when the hugely popular Fossa Way walkway and cycle route was developed.

Michael also served as secretary of the Kerry Way Committee and helped develop this facility and on the success of he also was also one of the main promoters of the ambitious and exciting looped walk project which will entail the development of a trail circling the Lakes of Killarney and encompassing magnificent views of the national park.

Michaels expertise and contacts proved invaluable when dealing with landowners and other key stakeholders, the Killarney Chamber said.

He opened many doors that led to very fruitful negotiations and his organisational skills and powers of persuasion were incredible.

The Kerry Way Committee also paid tribute to Michaels role in developing this project.

"Michael was not just one of the founding members of the original Kerry Way Committee, but also a pillar of strength and dedication. His unwavering commitment to the Kerry Way, even amidst his recent illness, is a testament to his resilience and passion for his beloved community, a statement said.

Chairman of the Kerry Way Committee Norman Reidy, expressed his heartfelt sympathy to Michael's beloved Wife, Bridie, devoted Dad of Jim, Nessa, Siobhan, Niamh, Sheena and Caoimhe, his siblings, and dearly loved grandchildren.

Michaels spirit and energy were infectious, and his contributions to our committee and the wider community were invaluable. His absence will be profoundly felt, but his legacy will continue to inspire us.

In these sorrowful times, we stand together to celebrate Michaels life. He will be greatly missed, but his memory will live on now in the work he achieved with others, and the legacy of other trails near Fossa and along the remarkable Kerry Way.

A message of sympathy has been extended from Chamber to Michaels family. His funeral mass took place on Friday morning in the Prince of Peace Church in Fossa followed by burial in Aghadoe Cemetery.
The Annual Commodore John Barry memorial and wreath laying ceremony will be hosted by the new Mayor or Wexford Borough on Sunday, June 30 at 6 p.m. on the Crescent Quay. The guest of honour for what will be the 68th ceremony is Sean Fleming TD, the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora.

He will be joined by Senior Defence Official and Defence Attache, Lt Col Thomas Nolta who is representing US Ambassador Claire D. Cronin. The Honour Guard, provided by the Naval Service Reserve Defence Forces, will be led by the St. Patricks Fife & Drum Band.

A native of Tacumshane, Commodore John Barry served in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War and in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War. He has been described by some as being "The Father of the American Navy". After the Revolutionary War, he became the first commissioned American naval officer, at the rank of commodore, receiving his commission from President George Washington in 1797.

His direct descendants will be among those laying wreaths at the statue erected in his honour, they will be joined by the 10th Battalion Veterans Association and representatives of Dail Eireann and the people of Wexford. The Holy Family Confraternity Band will play the United States national anthem followed by the Loch Garman Bands rendition of Amhran na bhFiann.

The 68th Commodore John Barry Memorial remembers all seafarers and honours a distinguished son of Wexford and his contributions to his adopted county of America including the founding of the U.S. Navy, said a spokesperson for the Wexford Borough. This bronze statue, a gift from the American people to the Republic of Ireland by the American Government, arrived in Rosslare in 1956 on the destroyer, USS Charles S. Sperry and was unveiled by the President of Ireland on September 15 of that year.

"The statue was donated and erected during General Eisenhowers term as president and he visited Wexford to honour the Commander. President John F. Kennedy also laid a wreath on his visit to Wexford in 1963.

Music from The Loch Garman Band and the Holy Family Confraternity Band will start at 5.30 p.m. with the ceremony commencing at 6pm. Vehicular access to the area will be restricted from 5.15 p.m.
Wicklow dairy with a difference is making some of Irelands most coveted cheese

Conor Phelan tells reporter David Medcalf how his award-winning goats cheese, made from a herd of just 60, sells itself. He doesnt even have a logo or website

Conor Phelan with some of his goats.

David Medcalf Wicklow People Mon 24 Jun 2024 at 11:45

He reveals that he has a name for each of the 60-plus nannies which come to greet him when he enters their field. Heres Vegamite. Theres Petunia. Thats Nellie. They form a good-natured swarm around Conor Phelan, all baa-ing and nuzzling and gently pucking. Just one of the flock remains aloof. Cleopatra is as shaggy and unkempt as her sisters are trim and neat, bigger and more forbidding than the rest of the sisterhood. Cleopatra is the matriarch, Conor explains.
Sir Michael Palin has said he still hears the voice of his late wife, Helen Gibbins, who died last year (Victoria Jones/PA)

Sir Michael Palin has said he still hears the voice of his late wife, telling him to get on with it.

The 81-year-old Monty Python star announced in May 2023 that his wife of 57 years, Helen Gibbins, had died after suffering from chronic pain and kidney failure.

The couple met on a beach in Suffolk when he was still a teenager.

He told ITVs Good Morning Britain: Its like youre a unit, and suddenly you are not a unit any longer, and its bit like losing a bit of a limb, youre not quite sure where you are.

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I do hear her and she had a great sense of humour. Sometimes I will have done something and Ill get back and tell her about it.

Although shes not there, I know her reply and it makes me smile.

I find myself idiotically in the sitting room on my own going Oh yes! So thats good.

She was great and we have good memories.

So much of your own life is invested in that one person so there is a huge slice of my life which I now cant really access in the same way.

But weve got family, children, grandchildren, they sort of take over, but its not the same, not quite the same.

Its been just over a year but I get on with work, thats the thing.

And I hear Helen saying Get on with it, go on, stop messing about.

Sir Michael met his future wife while holidaying in the seaside town of Southwold, Suffolk, and later fictionalised the encounter in a 1987 TV drama for the BBC titled East Of Ipswich.

The couple had three children and four grandchildren, and celebrated their wedding anniversary just two-and-a-half weeks before her death.
The Princess Royal is in hospital after suffering minor head injuries and concussion in an incident involving a horse on her Gatcombe Park estate (John Walton/PA)

Britains Princess Anne is in hospital after suffering minor injuries to her head and concussion when it is believed she was kicked by a horse on her Gatcombe Park estate.
Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, said he was concerned about the prospect of a far-right victory in the upcoming French elections, in his first comments on the vote since it was called earlier this month.

Mr Scholz said he hoped parties other than Marine Le Pens were successful in the election at the end of this month, as he also lamented the rise of the right in Germany. I am concerned about the elections in France, Mr Scholz told ARD, a public broadcaster in Germany.
Nearly 166 million people worldwide are estimated to need urgent action against hunger, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global partnership which measures food insecurity.

That includes nearly everyone in the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military launched an offensive in October following an attack on Israel by Hamas militants. More than one million of Gaza's inhabitants face the most extreme form of malnutrition  classified by the IPC as 'Catastrophe or Famine.'
More than half of the fatalities were people from Egypt. Mohammed Torokman/Reuters/File photo

More than 1,300 people died during this years Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia as the faithful faced extreme high temperatures at Islamic holy sites in the desert kingdom, officials have said.

More than half of the fatalities were people from Egypt, according to two officials in Cairo. Egypt revoked the licences of 16 travel agencies that helped unauthorised pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia, authorities said.
Joe Biden has allegedly ignored requests to reinstate weapons, amid rising tensions between long-time allies

The US has dramatically cut its arms supplies to Israel over the past four months and repeatedly ignored requests to reinstate them, Benjamin Netanyahu claims, as he doubled down in an argument with the US.
Understanding Indias Manufacturing Landscape

India is strategically positioning itself to become a global manufacturing hub to meet domestic growth objectives, achieve export targets, and fulfill geopolitical aspirations.

Indias ascent as a premier manufacturing hub for global firms is fueled by several key factors. Its expansive developing economy, coupled with strategic logistics and maritime capabilities, alongside a substantial consumer base, form the bedrock of its appeal. Investments in both physical and digital infrastructure, complemented by landmark tax reforms, have nurtured a conducive business environment. The governments pro-business policies further amplify Indias attractiveness.

Moreover, abundant natural resources and a youthful workforce provide fertile ground for sustainable growth and innovation. Emphasizing high rates of technology adoption and a commitment to sustainability, Indias readiness for modern manufacturing solidifies its status as a sought-after destination for global firms looking to expand operations.

Overview of Indias manufacturing sector

India is projected to be the fastest-growing major economy over the next three years, particularly as credit rating agencies observe a slowdown in China. India hopes to become the third-largest economy in the world with a GDP of US$5 trillion in the next three years and touch US$7 trillion by 2030 on the back of continued reforms. Ten years ago, India was the 10th largest economy in the world, with a GDP of US$1.9 trillion at current market prices. Today, it is the 5th largest, with a GDP of US$3.7 trillion (estimate FY24).

The Indian economy is now entering a pivotal phase on the S-curve, characterized by rapid urbanization, industrialization, rising household incomes, and increased energy consumption. This phase, spanning several decades, typically witnesses accelerated growth in these domains.

Indias manufacturing sector currently accounts for around 17 percent of the countrys GDP. The sector is experiencing a surge in investments, positioning the country as a strong emerging player in global supply

chains. The mobile phone industry is a standout example and could provide a template for how industrial policies can attract foreign investments and lead to optimal production outcomes.

In fact, policymakers in India want it to become the new-age factory of the world and aim to raise manufacturing to 25 percent of the GDP by 2025. There is a sense of urgency as wellwith such a large workforce and a median age of around 28, India needs to create jobs at a faster pace, which cannot be met by the services sector alone.

Manufacturing sector performance

In the first quarter of FY 2024 (AprilJune 2023), the manufacturing gross value added (GVA) reached an estimated US$110.48 billion. By January 2024, Indias manufacturing activity measured on the PMI Index recorded 56.5, the highest in four months, driven by increased export orders. Projections for real GDP growth for FY 202324 stand at 7.3 percent, with manufacturing GVA growth forecast to accelerate to 6.5 percent from a modest 1.3 percent the previous year. Additionally, mining GVA is expected to rise by 8.1 percent, up

from 4.6 percent in 202223, while construction GVA growth is anticipated to remain robust at 10.7 percent, building upon the 10 percent increase observed in 202223.

Regional spread of manufacturing capacity

Projections from Colliers indicate that by 2025-26, the manufacturing market in India could reach an impressive US$1 trillion milestone, with Gujarat emerging as a key manufacturing hub, closely followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. These regions boast conducive environments for industrial investments, driven by factors such as labor availability, robust infrastructure, and government support.

Notable investments from giants like Toyota, Coca Cola, and Micron Technology underscore Gujarats emerging appeal as a manufacturing destination. Maharashtra, with its high FDI inflow and well established and conducive business environment, closely trails Gujarat, while Tamil Nadus skilled workforce, strong traditional industries, and vibrant ODM/OEM ecosystem contribute to its strong position in the Indian manufacturing landscape. The automotive, electronics, and textiles sectors are leading Indias manufacturing growth trajectory, attracting significant foreign investments and witnessing increased merger and acquisitions

activities. These three states stand out in terms of their performance in these sectors alongside other heavyweights like Karnataka, Haryana, and Telangana.

Furthermore, emerging sectors such as semiconductors, agri-tech, and waste management demonstrate promising potential, fueled by advancements in technology and sustainable practices.

Government initiatives and policies affecting manufacturing

A policy and spending focus on enhancing infrastructure and logistics connectivity, coupled with efforts to streamline bureaucracy, has led to several global multinational corporations (MNCs) redirecting their investments to India. The country is also increasingly being chosen as a key production and assembly base in Asia due to geopolitical factors.

Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India), the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, the FAME Scheme, the Bharatmala Pariyojana Project to boost highway connectivity among the countrys major districts, the proposed DESH Bill to reform the special economic zones model, and the National Logistics Policy are among a handful of government initiatives that are playing a pivotal role in bolstering domestic manufacturing and attracting foreign investment.

Alongside an emphasis on sector-based manufacturing and policies geared towards the creation of local supply chains, the government has prioritized major infrastructure spending. Improving connectivity between industrial hubs, transport corridors and ports, and markets will accelerate the pace of manufacturing expansion in the country within the coming 10 years. By 2047, India wishes to become a developed country. Scaling up the countrys manufacturing capacity alongside modernization and research and development will

serve as necessary growth drivers.

Further, Indias ease of doing business reforms have centered around streamlining and digitizing regulatory compliance processes throughout the entire business lifecycle, spanning from incorporation to the cessation of operations. For example, in the Union Budget for 2023-24, the government declared a reduction in over 39,000 compliances and the decriminalization of more than 3,400 legal provisions.

Indias improving logistics

In terms of logistics, India has moved up six places to reach the 38th rank out of 139 countries on the Logistics Performance Index. The LPI index measures countries on six aspects of logistics performance, including infrastructure quality, customs efficiency, logistics services quality, international shipment arrangements, on-time delivery frequency, and shipment tracking. Logistics is integral to the growth of the manufacturing sector and any improvements in the countrys logistics ecosystem has business positive outcomesranging from operational efficiency to expanding supplier networks to boosting last-mile-reach to meet demand.

The Bharatmala Pariyojna project The Bharatmala Pariyojna is a comprehensive infrastructure project aimed at connecting 550 District Headquarters with a minimum 4-lane highway, increasing the number of corridors in India to 50 and moving

80 percent of freight traffic to National Highways. This initiative involves the development of logistics parks, inter corridors, feeder routes, and waterway ports, along with the construction of tunnels, bridges, flyovers, and interchanges to ensure optimized connectivity. Funded by the central government, Bharatmala integrates

various existing highway projects, including the National Highways Development Project (NHDP). With an estimated investment of INR 10.63 trillion (approx. US$128.04 billion), it prioritizes connecting remote areas and satellite cities of major urban centers. The project spans across states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and extends to the Himalayan territories and border regions, with a focus on rural and tribal areas. Additionally, Bharatmala aligns with other government schemes like Sagarmala (for maritime and port infrastructure development), Dedicated Freight Corridors, and Make in India, serving as both an enabler and beneficiary of national development initiatives.

Consequently, India seeks to reduce its logistics costs from 16 percent of the GDP to a global average of 8 percent by 2030. Per some estimates, the worth of the Indian logistics market will be around US$215 billion in the next two years.

The Production Linked Incentive Schemes

The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes are a strategic initiative by the Government of India, aimed at fostering domestic manufacturing as a catalyst for Indias economic growth and employment generation. The PLI schemes involve significant financial allocations, with a total outlay of INR 1.97 trillion (over US$23 billion) for 14 key sectors.

All sectors approved under the PLI Schemes adhere to a broad framework centered around new and emerging technologies. Capacity development in these areas offer India the opportunity to leapfrog and achieve substantial economic gains while also harnessing their export potential.

The core objectives of the PLI schemes are to improve efficiency, foster economies of scale within the manufacturing sector, and position Indian manufacturers as globally competitive, thereby facilitating their integration into global value chains.

Under the PLI Schemes, financial incentives of 4-6 percent are disbursed over a specified period on incremental sales of products manufactured domestically. Incentives are not guaranteed and are released based on annual performance and meeting stipulated criteria in the respective scheme guidelines. Eligible enterprises must hit their yearly targets to receive the incentive payout for the schemes operational period, which ranges from 4-6 years after the base year. The PLI schemes thus allow a gestation period for applicants to begin commercial production.

Official data released on January 17, 2024, showed that the PLI schemes saw over INR 1.03 trillion (approx. US$12.40 billion) worth of investment till November 2023. This investment in turn resulted in production/sales worth INR 8.61 trillion (approx. US$103.72 billion) (US$1=INR 83.01). Besides, more than 678,000 jobs (both direct and indirect) have been created in the process.

Key industries and sectors driving manufacturing growth

Compared to Chinas mature manufacturing capacities, India has only recently set the ball rolling. Vendors of large American, European, and Asian companies are gradually building up their presence in India, with automotive, electronics, and footwear manufacturing being just few examples.

Indias automotive sector is a cornerstone of the nations manufacturing prowess and has garnered significant attention from global giants like Toyota, Kia, Tesla, and Ford, signaling their intentions to either establish, expand, or re-enter manufacturing operations within the country.

Likewise, the electronics manufacturing industry has experienced a surge in investments, particularly in the smartphone production segment. Notably, major players such as Apples contract manufacturers have set up assembly units in India, signaling a shift towards localized production strategies.

Furthermore, the textiles and garment manufacturing sectors have witnessed increased investment activities, with several global brands reassessing their sourcing strategies and investing in Indian textile units to leverage the countrys competitive advantages in this domain.

In line with fostering industrial growth, the Government of Indias Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises introduced SAMARTH Udyog Bharat 4.0 in 2021. This strategic initiative aims to bolster the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector, primarily focusing on the capital goods domain.

Moreover, the central government remains steadfast in promoting comprehensive national development by prioritizing the development of industrial corridors and smart cities, that feed into investment opportunities and capital requirements in the construction and allied industries. Per investment management company Colliers, upcoming planned industrial corridors are creating a conducive environment for industrial growth,

potentially generating employment opportunities for over 27 million workers.

Challenges and opportunities in the Indian manufacturing sector

As foreign manufacturers and investors consider entering the Indian market, they will have to navigate diverse challenges and opportunities inherent in the countrys manufacturing landscape.

Understanding Indias regulatory environment and its nuances across different states is paramount. Tapping into national industrial programs, including incentives for sunrise industries, can lower costs. Investing in complementary sectors may additionally be necessary to optimize operations and introduce management efficiencies. Indias technology sector present opportunities for innovative and hyperlocal solutions.

Recognizing Indias infrastructure deficits, particularly in port capacity, underscores the need for strategic investments in transportation and logistics infrastructure. Exploring partnerships with local entities and subscribing to government schemes can facilitate smoother entry into the market.

Moreover, aligning investment strategies with Indias burgeoning sectors, such as mobile phones, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing, can position foreign manufacturers and investors for long-term success.

Ultimately, navigating Indias dynamic business landscape requires patience, strategic planning, and a willingness to adapt to local market dynamics. By leveraging opportunities and addressing challenges proactively, foreign firms can unlock the vast potential of Indias manufacturing sector.
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Kolkata/IBNS: All permanent workers of Britannia Industries Limited's Taratala factory have accepted the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) as the food products company is all set to permanently close its historic biscuit production unit in Kolkata's Taratala, reports said.

According to reports, Britannia's Taratala unit, which was established in 1947, is the second oldest of the company's production facilities in India, after the one in Mumbai.

Earlier on June 20, Britannia Industries informed the stock exchanges that all workers of the company's Taratala unit had accepted the VRS.

"A Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) offered by the company to the workers at its factory situated at Taratala, Kolkata, West Bengal has been accepted by all the permanent workers of the aforementioned factory of the company," a statement from Britannia Industries read.

"There is no material impact on the business operations of the company," it added.

However, Britannia has not officially disclosed so far the reason behind offering VRS to its permanent workers at its Taratala unit.

As per sources, Britannia is focusing on closing down its older and less efficient factories near city centres and setting up modern facilities with higher production capacities.

The closure follows the shutdown of the company's older facilities in Mumbai and Chennai as the 77-year-old Taratala factory's operations and production capabilities were no longer economically viable due to its age.

Britannia's Taratala unit, which has been a key hub for the company's manufacturing, planning and logistics, and sales operations in the eastern region, is located on 11-acre of leasehold land belonging to Kolkata Port.

In 2018, the lease was reportedly renewed for a period of 30 years, unit 2048, and the company still has 24 years left on the lease.

Besides Taratala unit, Britannia operates a contract production unit near Dankuni in Hooghly district of West Bengal.

According to company officials, West Bengal is the third-largest market for Britannia with over 900 crore in revenue generated from the state.
Saint Louis University assistant professor and researcher, Abby Stylianou, teaching a masters level class called Artificial Intelligence MS Capsone to a room full of students. Photo by Zach Calder.

Saint Louis University student Jagruth Reddy Palle knew artificial intelligence was a leading-edge industry and a promising area of study when it kept coming up at every technology conference he attended. But what really attracted him to the field was how human AI seemed.

It feels like you're learning about yourself, in a way, Palle said.

The international student from India, who has a background in electronics, opted to pursue a masters in AI and devote the rest of his educational career to the topic.

Currently, a record 2,400 students from India are studying at SLU at the same time that the Indian population in St. Louis has become the regions fastest-growing group, according to SLU spokesperson Maggie Rotermund.

SLUs masters program is one of a small but growing number of university programs worldwide specializing in AI. In the U.S., the number of AI-related undergraduate and masters degrees awarded has increased by about 120%, and doctorates have risen by a third since 2011, according to the Georgetown University Center for Security and Emerging Technology. In Reddy Palles native India, an entire school devoted to the field, Universal AI University, opened last year in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, universities are increasingly offering AI courses or coursework. MIT and the University of Michigan offer AI courses, the City Colleges of Chicago hold bimonthly classes taught by AI industry experts and the City University of London has an AI masters program.

We are heading to a time where no one can be oblivious to AI irrespective of what field you are working in, said Tarun Anand, chancellor and founder of Universal AI University.

Earlier, a law graduate could not care about technology, but now you should know how it will impact your work. This is the awareness that we are trying to give.

AI is a rapidly growing sector. The global AI market is expected to exceed $305 billion in 2024 and grow by 16% a year until 2030, according to Statista.

Ironically, the money that can be made in the industry may be one reason specialized AI education programs are still relatively rare, said Abby Stylianou, an assistant professor teaching AI at SLU. She said well-paying AI professions outside of academia may lead some people within universities to shy away from offering specialized programs on the topic, in addition to the relative newness.

The industry pays more, so how can we recruit and retain people, both faculty and students? Stylianou said.

Master students listening to a class lecture on Artificial Intelligence in Saint Louis. Photo by Zach Calder.

With its masters program, SLU hopes to change this reality by offering both academic credentials and knowledge crucial to the workplace. The program is consistently ranked among the top globally for international students seeking to study AI, according to the study abroad consultancy site Yocket. Thats largely because of its high graduate employability rate. And some students, like Reddy Palle, are drawn by curiosity as much as the prospect of a good job.

What interested me in AI was the exploration, said Reddy Palle, who plans to pursue a PhD. The amount of stuff there is to explore in AI is massive, and it's all very interesting.

AI education takes off in India

Like Reddy Palle, Kailash Nadh went abroad to study AI. Nadh first became interested in the topic during his undergrad years at Middlesex University in London, where he wrote a paper on AI and eventually earned a PhD in neurocomputation and computation linguistics.

But for peers who want to stay closer to home, there are now more opportunities to study AI in their native country. A national network of engineering and technology institutions called the Indian Institutes of Technology includes universities in Roorkee, Delhi and Madras, and all offer programs in AI.

If you talk about IIT Madras, teaching of AI is actually happening in every department, including those teaching about health and government, said Neelesh Upadhye, a professor in the math department there.

The university has also launched an online program for programming and data science teaching about AI tools  which caters to about 26,000 students, Upadhye said. Its one of many programs the university developed for its Department of AI and Data Science to meet increased interest in the topics post-COVID, Upadhye said.

Universal AI University, meanwhile, is Indias first and only university focused strictly on AI. Formerly known as UBS Mumbai, it emphasizes hands-on instruction, which chancellor Tarun Anand feels is important because AI is going to be the technology of the future.

Years ago we had just one IIT, (and) now we have 23 of them, he said.

Likewise, there will be universities that offer courses in AI in the future.  It means creating the technology professionals of the future, who will have a deep understanding of how data models work, how you create these predictive algorithms and how you get machine learning to take it one step further.

Tarun Anand, chancellor and founder of Universal AI University, Indias first AI focused university, says they are running out of capacity because of the demand.

In addition to AI and Future Technologies schools, Universal AI University also houses other programs that integrate AI into the curriculum, such as psychology, music and sound engineering, fashion design and business.

The university doesnt just attract students, Anand said, but also corporate executives who dont even know the basics of AI who want to get training for their employees.

Many companies are asking us to go and talk about AI as if it is a magic wand, he said. We are already underway with projects in our quantum computing lab (and) we are running out of capacity because of the demand.

He lamented that his campus cant handle this surge of interest by itself. All of India will have to scale up to catch up, he said.

Deep learning in Missouri

Nearly 9,000 miles away in St. Louis, students watched as Stylianou excitedly pointed from screen to screen, breezing through AI concepts. Although the material is complicated, she strives to make it less so. For instance, she likens training large language models like ChatGPT to training a puppy, since both rely on using rewards to teach functions.

She explained that students in the AI masters program take subfield courses in AI, exploring related subjects like machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing and computer vision  AI that allows people to learn from inputs like photos or videos. In addition to their AI coursework, students are required to take core computer science classes and can choose between electives like bioinformatics and computer security.

We have a reasonably large number of faculty who, at least in some way or another, are doing AI research and teach our AI courses, Stylianou said. We try to bring in real-world examples, which can be challenging because academics dont have some of the computational resources available in industry settings.

At Washington University in St. Louis, theres no AI-specific program, but students pursuing undergraduate degrees in computer science can take a variety of AI and machine learning courses, said Nathan Jacobs, a computer science professor.

Like Stylianou, Jacobs emphasized the importance of faculty who understand and can teach the latest information in this ever-changing field.

I think the big thing is having people that are experts in those fields so that you make sure that you're learning the modern techniques but also understanding enough of the fundamentals to be able to adapt to new, evolving methods," Jacobs said.

Meanwhile, even educators who dont teach AI directly are increasingly encouraging its use in their classes.

There's been an explosion in the last year of generative AI, so AI can actually create new things  new texts, new images, new video  and so we've been playing a lot with that during this past year, said Scott Christianson, an associate teaching professor of business at the University of Missouri.

Christiansons entrepreneurship class had the opportunity to train AI algorithms to identify different objects, such as water bottles or different types of beer.

(AI) helps us stretch our creativity muscles and get better at thinking of creative ideas, Christianson said. Is it a viable business idea? Well, maybe not. But it's something that we probably wouldn't have thought of before.

Promise and perils of the AI future

Professors said they expect interest in AI will only grow. A survey conducted by Salesforce showed that 73% of Indian respondents and 45% of U.S. respondents are already using generative AI. Upadhye expects AI literacy to skyrocket in the next decade.

The prospect of more AI raises concerns among some people that humans will lose control of the technology. But Anand doesnt think that will happen. At the end of the day, human beings are making the machines, he said, adding that understanding the technology is a way to guard against being controlled by it.

Still, about half of Americans say they feel more concerned than excited about the increased use of AI, according to the Pew Research Center. And while Jacobs and Christianson value the presence of AI in their classrooms, both acknowledge the technologys shortcomings.

Jacobs recalled using ChatGPT to generate an example of code in class, which he naively copied and pasted into his Powerpoint slides. Although the example looked great, he said, he realized as he presented the slideshow during a lecture that the example didnt actually work.

Christianson referred to current AI technology as the Wild West, citing other ethical questions and pitfalls like creator biases and lack of privacy and regulation.

But Stylianou is hopeful that the technology will continue to improve, and students will continue to learn and grow alongside it.

It's important for us to sort of keep up with the pace that things are changing, and that's hard, Styllianou said. It's going to be imperative for us as faculty to figure out how to incorporate (AI), but in a way that is beneficial for students and doesn't prevent them from learning  They're going to be using it in their careers.

As for the oft-mentioned concern about AI replacing people in the workplace, instructors and students say they dont see that happening on a large scale with most industries in the near future. Stylianou, specifically, believes there are a lot of jobs that will look very different in the next decade.

If anyone tells you that they know where this field will be in five or 10 years, they're either lying or wrong, Stylianou said. I do think that AI will change the way that we do our jobs  it's changed how I do my job  but I don't think that it will eliminate jobs yet.

That sentiment is echoed by Reddy Palle, who is getting ready to make his way into the work world.

Jobs are not going anywhere, he said, they're just going to transform.

(This is part of a project produced through a collaboration between University of Missouri business journalism students and young journalists from India. The project was overseen by Professor Randall Smith, the Donald W. Reynolds Endowed Chair in Business Journalism at MU, along with Laura Ungar, a reporter on the global health team at The Associated Press, and Sujoy Dhar, founder of the Indian news agency India Blooms News Service.)
Photo Courtesy: Screengrab from video posted on X

In a series of coordinated attacks, unknown gunmen targeted a synagogue, two Orthodox churches, and a police post in Russia' s North Caucasus region of Dagestan on Sunday, leaving at least 15 policemen and a priest dead.

"This evening, armed attacks were carried out against two Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a traffic police post in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala. As a result of the terrorist attacks, according to preliminary information, a priest of a Russian Orthodox Church and police officers were killed. Law enforcement agencies are taking all necessary measures to search for and apprehend the criminals," Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee told Sputnik news agency.

Later in the day, the chair of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia's Public Council, Boruch Gorin, told Sputnik that another synagogue, located in Makhachkala, had also been set on fire by the attackers.

The identities of the attackers were not known.

The priest, who was killed in the attack, was identified by Dagestan Public Monitoring Commission Chairman Shamil Khadulaev as Father Nikolay.

They slit his throat. He was 66 years old and very ill, Khadulaev told CNN.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks so far.

This incident occurred just months after ISIS terrorists took responsibility for the attack on Crocus City Hall in Moscow which left 140 people dead.

It was one of the worst terror attacks registered by the country in recent years.

Dagestan is predominantly a Muslim region which also houses a small number of Christians and Jews.
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

New Delhi/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took oath as the Lok Sabha MP on the first day of Parliament's monsoon session.

Modi, who became the second Prime Minister of India to return to power for the third consecutive term, is elected from Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi constituency.

Proud to serve our nation. Taking oath as a Member of Parliament.https://t.co/0JnLbdOzkc  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 24, 2024

Speaking to the media before entering Parliament, Modi said, "If the citizens of our country have trusted a government for the third consecutive time, it means they have given a stamp of approval to the policies and intent of the government.

"I am grateful to each of you for your support and trust. Majority is essential to run a government, but consensus is important to run a country."

The Prime Minister, who went to polls batting for Viksit Bharat or a Developed India, has reiterated the government's aim for 2047.

He said, "Sessions of parliament are an opportunity for us to realise the dreams of Indian citizens. It's an opportunity for us to build Shreshtha Bharat and achieve our goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

"Elections to the world's largest democracy have recently concluded. It is a matter of immense pride how we have celebrated our democratic values, with the participation of 65 crore voters."
Photo courtesy: Facebook/Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi/IBNS: Denying Arvind Kejriwal any immediate relief, the Supreme Court on Monday refused the Delhi Chief Minister's appeal to overturn the High Court 's interim stay on a bail order issued last week by a lower court in the liquor and money laundering case.

The Supreme Court said the decision of the Delhi High Court to grant interim stay on bail to the Delhi Chief Minister in the liquor policy case without passing a final order in the matter, was "unusual".

The bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti heard the appeal after Arvind Kejriwal moved the Supreme Court challenging the order passed by the Delhi High Court on June 21 staying the trial court's order which granted him bail.

According to an NDTV report, the court responded to Mr Kejriwal's arguments - that the High Court erred in staying bail without fully reading the order, and rationale, of the lower court - by saying "it would wait till the said order came on record, and the High Court had a chance to re-examine the stay - before ruling on his plea."

The apex court fixed Wednesday as the next hearing date while the High Court is expected to deliver its full verdict on Tuesday, the report said. It said it would be improper to interfere when the High Court has reserved its judgement.

In a setback for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo in the liquor policy case, the Delhi High Court on Friday stayed Arvind Kejriwal's bail order till the hearing of the Enforcement Directorate (ED)'s plea challenging the release.

The ED on Friday filed a plea challenging Kejriwal's bail in the alleged money laundering scam linked to the liquor policy case, hours ahead of the politician's scheduled release from Tihar Jail.

Kejriwal was expected to walk out of the jail on Friday evening. Kejriwal's lawyer had argued that the ED had no evidence against him.

His lawyer told the Delhi court that the ED's entire case against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief rested on statements given by those who turned approver in the case.

Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 over money laundering allegations while framing the Delhi liquor policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped after the Lieutenant Governor raised red flags.

The ED has alleged the money Kejriwal got from the liquor sellers was used to fund the party's campaign in Goa since he is the convenor of the AAP.

Kejriwal and the AAP have throughout maintained the Centre has been misusing its agencies to harass the Opposition with false cases.

Kejriwal was given an interim bail in May for a brief period until June 2 for campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls.

He went back to the jail on June 2, the day next to the last phase poll date.
Image Credit: Video grab

Lucknow: Four engineers orchestrated the leak of question papers for the selection of Review Officer/Assistant Review Officer in Uttar Pradesh , held on February 11, which was earlier denied by the administration, media reported.

Ghazipur District Magistrate Aryaka Akhauri had asserted that the allegations of paper leak were wrong but she was proved wrong after four months when thorough investigation revealed that the question papers were compromised, reported NDTV.

Amid allegations of irregularities, the exam in which 10 lakh students had appeared, was cancelled.

Investigations uncovered that the exam paper leak occurred at Bishop Johnson Girl's High School and College in Prayagraj, according to the NDTV report.

Later, a Special Task Force discovered that the leak first occurred at the printing press, reportedly located in Bhopal, 950 km away for the test venue.

Another leak happened at the school a few hours before the exam.

Arpit Vineet Yashwant, who was overseeing the examination, took pictures of the question paper at 6:30 a.m. on the morning of the exam. Five people, including Arpit, have been arrested in connection with this case.

At the core of the leak were four engineers: Rajiv Nayan Mishra, Sunil Raghuvanshi, Vishal Dubey, and Subhash Prakash, the report said.

Rajiv Nayan Mishra conspired with a printing press employee Sunil Raghuvanshi as well as Vishal Dubey and Subhash Prakash.

All of the accused have engineering degrees.

Vishal Dubey and Subhash Prakash used to arrange admissions of students into engineering colleges, said the report.

Vishal Dubey contacted Rajiv Nayan Mishra, informing him that his friend Sunil Raghuvanshi worked at the printing press where exam papers were printed.

Sunil Raghuvanshi was then bribed by them for in return for exam question papers.

When the RO/ARO question paper arrived at the printing press, Sunil informed his associates. He demanded Rs 10 lakh in exchange for access to the paper, with the condition that the candidates read the paper in front of him to prevent it from going viral.

Rajiv Mishra, Sunil Raghuvanshi, and another accomplice, Subhash Prakash, agreed to these terms.

According to the Varanasi unit of the special task force, four accused were smart and technically sound as they had engineering degrees.

Sunil managed to access the question paper on February 3 at the printing press, where he was present for machine repair. He took away question papers along with a machine part pretending to repair it.

He then informed the others that he had been able to steal question papers from the factory.

The group decided that on February 8, three days before the exam, candidates would be taken to Hotel Komal and shown the paper for Rs 12 lakh each.

Sunil arrived at the hotel with six copies of two sets of question papers. Subhash Prakash, with the help of an assistant, solved the papers, and the students were made to memorise the answers.

Two other accomplices, Vivek Upadhyay and Amarjeet Sharma, brought the candidates to the hotel. Vivek was from Uttar Pradesh, and Amarjeet from Bihar; they acted as agents arranging the candidates, the report added.

Subhash Prakash was also a candidate for the RO/ARO exam. The police found question papers on his phone, and the serial numbers matched those that went viral on social media.

It was later revealed that Rajiv Nayan Mishra, greedy for more money, had shared images of the question paper with Ravi Attri, the mastermind behind the UP Police constable paper leak. As a result, the paper went viral on social media, NDTV reported.

Rajiv Mishra, the mastermind behind this operation, had a history of involvement in other crimes. His girlfriend, Shivani, also took part in the operation, managing the money transactions, according to the police. Six people have been arrested, and investigations are ongoing.
Photo courtesy: PMO X handle

Kolkata/New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee on Monday slammed the Centre for excluding her from the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

She conveyed her objections to the talks on water-sharing between the Centre and Bangladesh.

Underscoring the close relationship between Kolkata and Dhaka, CM Banerjee said, "Such unilateral deliberations and discussions without consultation and the opinion of the state government are neither acceptable nor desirable."

During the recent bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina, discussions focused on the conservation and management of the River Teesta, as well as the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty.

Following the meeting, PM Modi announced that a technical team would soon visit Bangladesh to address issues related to the "conservation and management of the Teesta River."

Under the agreement, India plans to construct a large reservoir and associated infrastructure to conserve and manage Teesta water.

These developments have elicited strong reactions from Mamata Banerjee, who has long opposed the water sharing agreement, citing concerns that the Farakka barrage contributes to erosion, siltation, and floods in her state.

"People of West Bengal will be the worst sufferers due to the impact of such agreements. I came to understand that the Government of India is in the process of renewing the Indo Bangladesh Farakka Treaty (1996) which is to expire in 2026. It is a Treaty which delineates the principles of sharing of water between Bangladesh and India and as you are aware it has huge implications for the people of West Bengal for maintaining their livelihood and that the water which is diverted at the Farakka Barrage helps in maintaining the navigability of the Kolkata port," she said in the letter to PM Modi.
Photo courtesy: Video grab

Seoul: At least 22 people, including 18 Chinese nationals, were charred to death in a fire at a South Korean lithium battery factory on Monday, media reported.

The lithium battery plant is owned by Aricell, a South Korean primary battery manufacturer. It is located in Hwaseong city, just south of the capital Seoul.

According to an AFP report, firefighter Kim Jin-young told the media that the explosion occurred on the second floor of the factory where lithium-ion batteries were being inspected and packaged.

At that time at least 100 people were working at the factory and they heard a series of explosions.

Soon, a massive fire erupted, killing 20 foreign nationals18 Chinese, 1 from Laos and another person of unknown nationality.

"Most of the bodies are badly burned so it will take some time to identify each one," Kim Jin-young was quoted as saying by AFP.

At the moment, firefighters are looking for one more person, who remains unaccounted for.

The team said that they have managed to contain the largest blaze at the plant and get inside and are engaged in cooling operation to keep the fire from spreading to the nearby establishments.

The large factory stored nearly 35,000 battery cells on the second floor, with additional batteries kept in other areas.

Lithium batteries burn intensely and rapidly, making them difficult to control using conventional fire extinguishing methods.

Kim told reporters that fears of more explosions was preventing the team from entering the unit. The team used dry sand to put off the fire as spraying water wouldnt have been of much help.

Shares of Aricell's parent company, S-connect, plunged by over 20 percent on the Seoul exchange by close Monday. S-connect owns 96 percent of Aricell, the AFP report said.

Lithium batteries are used in everything from laptops to electric vehicles -- but can be highly explosive, with airlines, for example, imposing strict regulations on checking devices containing them.
Everyone is intrigued to know about the life of social media influencer Armaan Malik, the man who is happily living with his two wives and is currently being seen on Anil Kapoor-hosted Bigg Boss OTT season 3. He has often talked about how there was a rough patch in his relationships with both wives but he resolved all of it and is now leading a happy life with both of them, who he claims love each other more than they love him. This confusing tale has left everyone in shock.

Armaan Malik once threatened to jump off a hotel building and end his life

YouTube

The YouTuber who started his journey to popularity with TikTok had once climbed up to the terrace of a 10-storeyed hotel in Delhi threatening to jump off after an alleged fight with his wife Payal Malik. It took 17 hours for the Police to convince him to get down. Armaan Malik whose real name is Sandeep, at that time had about 5 million followers on TikTok, a video feed-based platform, which is now banned in India following a military clash along the India-China border.

Armaan Malik accused of rape?

YouTube

In a few videos uploaded on the platform, he alleged that his first wife Payal and in-laws accused him of raping the housemaid and also filed rape charges against him. In one of the videos uploaded on his TikTok profile, he threatened to commit suicide and added, "My wife Payal and her family members together framed me in a rape case." In another video, he talks about his maid and someone named Neeraj. In the third video, Sandeep posted a suicide threat letter on his TikTok account, blaming Payal and her sisters for his decision.

Also Read: Armaan Malik Lashes Out His Namesake YouTuber, Says 'Enough With This Misuse Of My Name'

"Sandeep was finally rescued around 8.45 am on Monday," an official revealed. According to a senior Police officer, on Sunday, Armaan had checked into the hotel at 1.30 pm on Sunday with his wife Kritika Basera. "She is his second wife and their marriage had taken place a year ago in the same hotel. The couple had come to Delhi from Ahmedabad."

As per an NDTV report, after he was rescued, he was then arrested in a molestation case which was filed by a minor against him.

Who is Armaan Malik?

Armaan Malik is a prominent YouTuber renowned for his YouTube channels channel Malik Vlogs, Family Fitness and Malik Kids among others where he commands a staggering 7.68 million, 14.9 million, and 1.27 million subscribers respectively. His unconventional marital situation is what made him popular among the people. He has married two women Payal and Kritika Malik with whom he has four kids.



#ArmaanMalik , #PayalMalik & #KritikaMalik really need to stop justifying Polygamy & acting like it is something they are so proud of in every other conversation!!



It is DISGUSTING to watch being promoted this way!!



Period!!#BiggbossOTT3 #BBOTT3pic.twitter.com/VHjwEbln3d  Nisha Rose (@JustAFierceSoul) June 23, 2024

He first married Payal in 2011 with whom he has a kid named Chirayu. In 2018, he married Payal's best friend, Kritika, leading to his separation from his first wife. However, eventually, Payal reconciled with Armaan, and the three of them live together as one happy family. In 2002, both his wife were pregnant at the same time. While Payal gave birth to twins Tuba and Ayan, Kritika is the mother of his son Zaid.

Also Read: 'Disgusting': YouTuber Armaan Malik Trolled For Sharing Photos With His Two Pregnant Wives

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
A man just had the ride of his life, driving across continents from London to Thane, covering a massive 18,300 kilometers and 16 countries. For nearly two months, road travel was all he did to reach his destination. Heres the incredible journey of Virajit Mungale.

Virajit Mungale/ mynation.com

A British national with roots in Raunak Park, Thane, completed an incredible 18,300 km road trip from London to Thane, traversing 16 countries in 59 days.



Meet Virajit Mungale, whose journey was nothing short of exordinary.

Instead of flying to Thane to visit his mother, Mungale decided to take the adventurous route by driving all the way.

His journey took him through the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tibet, Nepal, and finally, India.

Credit: Country Living Magazine

The first leg of the trip saw Mungale accompanied by Roshan Shresta, a Nepali friend, up to Kathmandu. From Kathmandu onwards, his wife and a relative joined him for the remainder of the journey.



Each leg was meticulously planned to manage fatigue and ensure safety, covering an average of 400-600 km a day, and sometimes up to 1,000 km depending on the conditions.

"I had planned this after reading about the historic Silk Route and later, a couple who had done it. When my emails to them went unanswered, I decided to plan it myself," he said, speaking to TOI.

"When I shared this plan with my wife, she thought I was joking, but later, she supported it, and thats how the entire trip was planned. Though it was originally scheduled before the pandemic, it got postponed until now."

Virajit Mungale/ BCCL

Ensuring safety, Mungale avoided late-night driving.



The journey was mostly smooth, with no major weather challenges, despite summer conditions and high altitudes reaching 5,200 meters.

"We faced minor altitude sickness, snow, and extreme cold, but we were well prepared for that as well," he shared.

Food posed no problems either.

"Apart from beef and insects, I eat everything. We would take a break after 3-4 pm and start searching for hotels or places to stay overnight," Mungale revealed.

This remarkable journey highlights not just the physical challenge, but the thrill of exploration and the spirit of adventure that drives individuals like Virajit Mungale.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.


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What do you do when your office tells you there's no work from home at all? Most people would resign themselves to enduring the daily grind of commuting, braving hours of traffic, and navigating the chaos of public transport. However, one person's unconventional response to this situation has left people calling them 'savage'and you might just agree.

Unsplash

Posting on the 'Anti Work' subreddit, a Redditor shared their experience with a job that insisted on no work from home, even during a snowstorm.



"Even though I work in IT and do everything remotely, they want me in the office," they wrote.

Also read: Work From Home Coming To An End? Here Is A List Of Remote Jobs That You Can Take Up



In response, the Redditor took a stand by deleting Microsoft Teams and email from their phone, refusing to be available after working hours.

Unsplash

"My boss tried to call me for something urgent last night and couldn't reach me. He asked why today, and I explained what I was told," the Redditor recounted, ending his conversion with this Manager with a simple yet powerful statement: "I am not allowed to work from home."



Check out the post here:

In an era where work from home is slowly ending, with many offices returning to a full in-office mandate - despite what employees want - this post naturally went viral.

One user commented, "Good point. Have you noticed how they grimace when you ask to work from home, but when they need you on a support rota, you're suddenly able to do the most important work from anywhere?"

Another added, "Exactly. No 'have your cake and eat it too.' If no work from home, then my personal phone is off limits."

Also read: Perfume Gifts To Employees & WFH Demand: Corporate Bengaluru's Unique Responses To The Water Crisis



A third user pointed out, "Even if you were allowed to work from home, your boss shouldn't expect you to be available outside of working hours (unless your role involves saving lives). Both should be the norm."

Another shared, "I work from home, and its great. My boss seems to not care when people work, as long as the work gets done on time."

Unsplash

Now, wouldn't that be everyone's ideal situation?



One more opinion read, "Only a tiny subset of technology professionals need to be in the office. Everything can be performed remotely as long as there's that small subset of smart hands and technicians on-premise. Anything higher level can be done remotely."

What's your take on this?

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
In an unusual love story that has captured international attention, a 39-year-old Brazilian woman, Meirivione Rocha Moraes, has married a rag doll named Marcelo, which was made by her mother. This unique relationship has not only drawn headlines but also sparked discussions about the nature of love and companionship.

Meirivione claims she fell in love with Marcelo at first sight, and the two were married in December 2021, in a ceremony attended by over 250 guests, as reported by the Daily Star. Their life together, she insists, is as normal as any other family's, despite the unconventional nature of her spouse. She even refers to Marcelo as disabled, stating, "Marcelo is disabled, he has no feet, Marcelinho (their son) is a dwarf and the girls are also suspected of dwarfism."

Interestingly, Meirivione and Marcelo share three children. She frequently dresses her rag-doll husband in men's clothes and takes him on romantic dates and outings. Their life together is well-documented on their Instagram page, where thousands of followers keep up with their daily adventures. In one particularly notable post, she revealed that Marcelo had recently gotten a tattoo of their childrens names.

X

Their relationship has had its ups and downs, with Meirivione admitting on the show La Vida Sin Filtros that Marcelo had been unfaithful. However, she chose to forgive him due to her deep love for him. Marcelo could not stop himself from committing infidelity, she said, but she ultimately forgave him because she loved him so much.



Also Read: Woman gets 5,000 applications from men wanting to be her boyfriend but rejects them all

The couple's family life has also been filled with dramatic incidents. Meirivione mentioned a disturbing plan to kidnap their son Marcelinho, which fortunately failed. She also shared details about the birth of their twin daughters, Emilia and Marcela, claiming they were delivered at a clinic.



X

Also Read: Woman who missed her flight sues boyfriend for failing to drive her to airport

Despite the unusual circumstances, Meirivione remains committed to her family, traveling with them and keeping them safe in a suitcase. Her story, while controversial, continues to fascinate many, even as some speculate about her mental health. Regardless, Meirivione Rocha Moraes remains steadfast in her love and dedication to Marcelo and their children, living a life that, to her, is perfectly ordinary.



For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
You don't the high cost of living in a metro city till you get the electricity bill at the end of a terrible summer. A man recently took to X to vent his frustration after getting a whopping Rs 45,000 electricity bill. It gets worse: the bill was only for two months and not even a quarter. Is a bill as high as this justified? If contested, what is the guarantee it won't drag on for years and come back to haunt the complainant? Here's what went on in this case.

Why did the post go viral?

Jasveer Singh was in for quite a shocker | Image: Reuters

Also read: Woman thanks parents with all-expenses-paid vacation, they still manage to complain



Gurugram-based Jasveer Singh was in for quite the shocker after receiving an electricity bill for Rs 45,000 for only two months. It's one thing to live in an expensive city and groan about expenses, but it's quite another to see it spelt out in clear, legible print like the bill in question. Situations like these throw up all sorts of thoughts: from switching to solar to quitting the city, to burning candles after dark. This clearly went too far, and the internet came out in Singh's support who was quite the sport having paid the bill in time and slowly letting reality sink in.

How did the internet react?

The bill was worth a whopping Rs 45,000 | Image: X

Also read: 'No aunties, only elegant ladies allowed': South Korean gym's rule draws flak online



The post was shared on June 23 by X user Jasveer Singh and raked in 1.2 million views, 104k likes and comments to match. Paid the electricity bill, now thinking of switching to candles," he captioned the post.

"For a year," asked one user. "Na, an, it's a 2-month bill," Singh replied. "Pure jille ka bill bhara kya," a second user couldn't resist asking. "Solar lagvalo," suggested a third. "Meanwhile me struggling to pay my 2k bill," joked a fourth.

Check out the original post below

Paid the electricity bill, now thinking of switching to candles. pic.twitter.com/BVuUR7Nu6U  Jasveer Singh (@jasveer10) June 22, 2024

Also read: Pilot captures super rare 'gigantic jet' lightning in Earth's upper atmosphere at night

What do you think of this? Hit us up in the comments section and let us know.



There's a whole lot more on Indiatimes Trending. You can also follow us on Telegram.
From a relatively unknown entrepreneur, Gautam Adani has risen to prominence as one of India's and possibly Asia's most forward-thinking billionaires, celebrated not only for his wealth but also for his impactful contributions to India's progress.

On his birthday, let's delve into the remarkable story of how Gautam Adani revolutionized the landscape with Mundra Port a quarter-century ago!

Historical Background of Mundra Port

PTI

Mundra Port, located in Gujarat's Kutch District on India's Western Coast, was established in the seventeenth century by Rao Bhojrajji II. Its fortified status highlighted its role as a key commercial center, facilitating trade routes to Zanzibar, Persia, Africa, and Qatar. However, Bombay emerged as the dominant colonial port in the following century, leading to Mundra's decline in importance. Despite this, it continued as a vital transit point for goods bound for inland trading hubs, particularly supporting Mandvi Port. In the nineteenth century, Mundra saw increased trade focused on cotton goods and introduced financial innovations like the 'hundi' credit system for marine insurance. Nevertheless, it faced challenges from foreign goods and the rise of hinterland railways, which eventually diminished its economic activity.



Vision of Gautam Adani

Gautam Adani

Recognizing the opportunity and inefficiencies in government-operated ports, Mr. Gautam Adani took the initiative to independently develop and operate a world-class port. This vision led to the establishment of the highly efficient Mundra Port.



Early Development and Operations of Mundra Port

The first phase of operations began on October 7, 1998, when the ship m.t. Alpha 2 arrived from Singapore carrying edible oil and docked at Mundra Port.

During a period of rapid growth in India's infrastructure needs, Mundra Port expanded its facilities with additional jetties and the construction of world-class infrastructure. By 2001, the Adani Group had entered into a concession agreement with the Gujarat government to develop Mundra Port into one of Gujarat's premier international ports.

Also Read: Gautam Adani turns 62 today: 11 most inspiring quotes by India's second richest person on business and life

Infrastructure and Connectivity Enhancement with National Railway Grid

Adani Ports

The rail connectivity established with Mundra Port integrated it into the National Railway Grid of India, marking a significant milestone. With a natural draught of 15 meters, Mundra Port became capable of accommodating large vessels carrying up to 75,000 metric tons of cargo, a capacity unmatched by other ports in India at the time. This capability enabled Mundra Port to expand beyond handling agricultural products to becoming a hub for all major commodities. Specialized container handling facilities were also constructed to enhance its operational capabilities.



Mundra Port made history in India by importing super Post Panamax Galaxy cranes from Noel Germany for container handling. It also established the country's largest special economic zone directly connected to the port, playing a crucial role in the national economy.

Also Read: Is Gautam Adani's salary more than Mukesh Ambani's? check details here

Mundra port not only bolstered Indias economic growth but also contributed to community development

Times Now

Since the Adani Group's inception in Mundra, it has not only developed a world-class port but has also significantly enhanced employment opportunities, educational facilities, and social infrastructure for Mundra and its neighboring villages, leading to numerous positive impacts on the local community.



The Adani Group has fundamentally bolstered economic growth in the region, offering thousands of locals direct and indirect job opportunities across its diverse enterprises. From port operations to power generation, solar energy initiatives, and Wilmar, the group provides a wide range of career paths. This has significantly improved livelihoods, fostering financial stability and personal development among many individuals and families in the area.

Under the leadership of the Adani Group, Mundra Port has been pivotal in India's development. It showcases how private enterprise, coupled with a dedication to social responsibility, can drive positive transformation in a region, thereby contributing significantly to the overall progress of the nation.

Today, Mundra Port spans approximately 13,500 hectares with state-of-the-art amenities and upgraded infrastructure. It handles a wide range of activities including crude oil, liquid cargo, and bulk handling, supported by modern machinery and robust connectivity. Known for its minimal turnaround time and rapid cargo evacuation, Mundra Port holds the distinction of being the largest container port in India.
What is Gautam Adanis salary? Gautam Adani, an Indian business tycoon, celebrates his 62nd birthday today. As India's second richest man, Gautam Adani's rise from humble beginnings to the peak of fortune is truly remarkable. His net worth, estimated at more than Rs 7 lakh crore by Forbes, shows the success of the Adani Group, one of India's largest conglomerates. However, looking at his immense wealth and powerful position, Gautam Adani's salary is surprisingly modest. Let's look into Gautam Adani's salary, net worth, and journey to learn some intriguing facts about this business tycoon.



Gautam Adani's Net Worth and Position

Gautam Adani is the chairman of the Adani Group, a conglomerate involved in diverse sectors including energy, resources, logistics, agribusiness, real estate, financial services, and defense. His strategic vision and leadership have propelled the group to remarkable heights, making him the second richest man in India with a net worth of over Rs 7 lakh crore.

Gautam Adani's Salary: A Modest Take-Home

Wikipedia

Despite leading such a vast enterprise, Gautam Adani's salary is relatively modest compared to other industry leaders and even some of his own executives. According to a report by the Economic Times, Gautam Adani earned a total of Rs 9.26 crore in the fiscal year ending March 31. This figure includes his salary from only two of the ten companies under the Adani Group umbrella: Adani Enterprises and Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd.



Also Read: Meet Priti Adani, The Woman Behind Adani's Philanthropy And Gautam Adani's Partner In Success

Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, received a salary from only two out of the ten listed companies in his vast business empire, according to the annual reports.

Salary Breakdown

In the fiscal year 2023-2024, Gautam Adani earned Rs 2.19 crore in salary and Rs 27 lakh in additional benefits from Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL). From Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ), he received Rs 6.8 crore, which included Rs 1.8 crore in salary and Rs 5 crore in commission. Notably, he did not receive any commission from AEL, as reported in TOI.

Comparison with Other Executives

According to TOI, Vinay Prakash, a key executive and director at AEL, earned a total of Rs 89.37 crore. Group CFO Jugeshinder Singh received Rs 9.45 crore. Other notable salaries include Adani Green Energy Ltd CEO Vneet S Jaain with Rs 15.25 crore, Adani Total Gas Ltd CEO Suresh P Manglani with Rs 6.88 crore, and Adani Wilmar CEO Angshu Mallick with Rs 5.15 crore.

Employee Remuneration

AEL reported an average salary increase of 12% for employees, excluding key managerial personnel (KMPs), who saw a slightly higher increase of 5.37%.

Comparison with Industry Leaders

Gautam Adani's salary is lower than many leaders of large family-owned businesses in India. For example, Sunil Bharti Mittal earned Rs 16.7 crore in 2022-23, Rajiv Bajaj received Rs 53.7 crore, Pawan Munjal got Rs 80 crore, and Infosys CEO Salil S Parekh earned significant remuneration. Mukesh Ambani, India's richest man, has not taken any salary since the COVID-19 pandemic began; previously, his salary was capped at Rs 15 crore.

Family Members' Salaries

Gautam Adani's younger brother, Rajesh Adani, earned Rs 8.37 crore, including Rs 4.71 crore in commission from AEL. His nephew, Pranav Adani, received Rs 6.46 crore, including Rs 4.5 crore in commission. His son, Karan Adani, earned Rs 3.9 crore from APSEZ. Unlike Gautam Adani, his brother, nephew, and son did not receive salaries from more than one company.

Comparison with Industry Peers

Gautam Adani's salary is significantly lower than that of many leaders of family-owned conglomerates in India. For instance, Mukesh Ambani, India's richest man with a net worth of over Rs 9 lakh crore, has been foregoing his salary since the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to this, he had capped his remuneration at Rs 15 crore. This comparison highlights Gautam Adani's unique approach to compensation, prioritizing reinvestment and growth over personal earnings.

The Adani Group: A Diverse Portfolio

The Adani Group's vast business empire spans multiple industries, contributing to India's economic growth and development. Here are the ten companies under the Adani Group that are listed on India's stock exchanges:

Adani Enterprises

ACC Ltd

Adani Green Energy

Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone

Adani Power

Ambuja Cements

Adani Total Gas

Adani Wilmar

Adani Energy Solutions

NDTV

Also Read: Meet Vinod Adani, Elder Brother Of Gautam Adani & The Force Behind ACC and Ambuja Cements

The Journey of Gautam Adani

Gautam Adani's journey to success is a tale of determination, vision, and hard work. Born on June 24, 1962, Gautam Adani's age today marks years of relentless effort and strategic thinking. From starting as a diamond sorter to becoming the head of one of the most influential business groups in India, his story is an inspiration to many aspiring entrepreneurs.

On his birthday, we celebrate not just Gautam Adani's achievements but also his unique approach to leadership and compensation. His modest salary, compared to his vast net worth and the scale of his business empire, reflects his commitment to the growth and success of the Adani Group. As we look to the future, Gautam Adani's journey continues to inspire, setting a benchmark for business leaders worldwide.

Happy Birthday, Gautam Adani!

Also Read: From Ratan Tata To Gautam Adani: List Of India's Most Followed Entrepreneurs On Twitter

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Sidhartha Mallya is finally hitched! Photographs from the wedding have started circulating on the internet.

The opulent wedding was attended by intimate friends and family, hosted at Vijay Mallya's $14 million (Rs 116 crore) estate in Hertfordshire. Mallya had acquired the Ladywalk estate in Hertfordshire from Anthony Hamilton, father of F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, in 2015, just months prior to his departure from India.

Sidhartha Mallya got hitched in Hindu and Christian ceremonies

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Friends and family of Sidhartha Mallya and Jasmine gathered to celebrate their special day, which featured both a Christian wedding and a Hindu wedding. For the Christian ceremony, the bride looked stunning in an elegant white gown, while she chose a beautiful pink lehenga for the Hindu wedding. Guests shared videos capturing moments from the festivities, including the couple's first dance on the dance floor and their cutting of a four-tier wedding cake.



Following the ceremony, Jasmine posted a photo of her wedding ring with the caption "Forever."



The newly married couple had announced their engagement on Halloween last year.



They were seen shopping together just days before their wedding. The ceremony was attended by the bride and groom's close friends and family. Some wedding guests also posted pictures of the personalized favors given by the couple on social media.



Also Read: Vijay Mallya's son Siddharth Mallya is all set to tie the knot: Check out his net worth, education, career & more

Who is Jasmine?

instagram

There isn't a lot of information available about Jasmine, but her Instagram indicates she resides in the United States. She is a fan of Harry Potter, enjoys exploring various cuisines, and seems to have a passion for travel. Additionally, the couple shares ownership of a Husky, a Beagle, a Golden Retriever, and a cat.



Sidhartha recently published a childrens book named Sad-Glad

Sidhartha Mallya has recently published a children's book named "Sad-Glad". The book is a picture book designed to help children embrace their changing emotions.



He was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in London and the UAE. He studied at Wellington College and later at Queen Mary University of London. Following that, he pursued further education at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. His career began in modeling and acting. Sidhartha Mallya is the son of Vijay Mallya and his first wife, Samira Tyabjee Mallya



Vijay Mallya attended his sons wedding festivities

harsh goenka/x

Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya was photographed attending his son Sidhartha Mallya's extravagant wedding in the UK.



68-year-old Vijay Mallya, the promoter of Kingfisher Airlines, is facing charges related to money laundering and defaulting on bank loans amounting to over Rs 9,000 crore, associated with the airline's collapse in 2012. He fled India in March 2016 and is presently residing in the United Kingdom. A few other clips showed Vijay Mallya kissing his son and also the former liquor baron grooving to the live music.



Lalit Modi was spotted attending Sidhartha Mallyas wedding ceremony

Also spotted at the festivities was Lalit Modi. Modi is on the run after being charged with tax evasion, money laundering, among other cases.



Lalit Modi was suspended from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shortly after IPL 2010 due to allegations of misconduct and financial irregularities in his transactions. Serving as the Chairman of the IPL Governing Council, he was accused by the BCCI of colluding with officials from the World Sports Group (WSG) to defraud the board of Rs 753 crore.
Space travel has always been seen as expensive, risky, and exclusive. Ever since Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space 63 years ago, fewer than 700 astronauts have reached space, mostly from just three countries. Even commercial space flights have been accessible only to a wealthy few. But this is changing. The Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) has partnered with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin to create a spaceflight program for citizens of all nations. This initiative aims to make space travel accessible to ordinary people.



Space Travel for All

Historically, space travel has been the domain of a select few, but SERA and Blue Origin aim to change this. According to the TOI report, SERA, co-founded by Sam Hutchison and Joshua Skurla, plans to cover the costs of these space flights. The partnership with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, known for its space flight innovations, is a significant step toward democratizing space travel.

First Steps Towards Inclusion

Blue Origin | Photo: Reuters

In June 2022, SERA made headlines by sending Victor Hespanha, a 28-year-old civil engineer from Brazil, to space on Blue Origins New Shepard Rocket (NS-21). This mission, which was a success, marked the beginning of a new era. SERA purchased a seat from Blue Origin for Hespanha, and this achievement has paved the way for a broader partnership with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, focusing on a new human spaceflight program.



A Global Mission

SERAs vision is truly global. They have already reserved six seats on an upcoming Blue Origin New Shepard launch. Skurla highlighters that New Shepard is an excellent tool for introducing space travel to those who previously saw it as an unattainable dream. The next mission could include an astronaut from India, a country with significant space activity and infrastructure, as reported in TOI.

Indias Potential Role

Space astronaut | Photo: BCCL/Representational image

Skurla and Hutchison see great potential in partnering with India. They believe India could take a leadership role in this new era of space exploration. Hutchison highlights that over 150 countries have never had an astronaut, and SERA aims to change this by enabling the Indian community and others to vote for their astronauts.



Democratizing Space Travel

The first phase of this initiative involves selecting citizen astronauts through community voting. Five seats on the New Shepard rocket will be given to partner nations that have either never had an astronaut or had very few. The sixth seat will be open to individuals from any nation. This approach allows communities to participate actively in space missions.

Beyond Space Flights

SERAs ambitions extend beyond just sending civilians to space. Their long-term goal is to provide a platform for global collaboration in space research, technology development, and the creation of new space startups. SERA plans to offer program management tools, risk assessment, and budgeting resources traditionally used by large aerospace organizations. This initiative aims to foster global collaboration on space missions, with SERA covering the initial costs.

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and SERA are pioneering a new era of space exploration. By making space travel accessible to ordinary people, they are breaking down the barriers that have long limited who can explore the final frontier. With initiatives like these, the dream of space flight is no longer just for billionaires but for ordinary people as well.

For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here
Nearly half of Greece remains on risk alert level 4 as hot and dry conditions persist.

Exacerbated by strong winds, these conditions create an ideal environment for the eruption of wildfiresan annual seasonal scourge in the eastern Mediterranean country.

Authorities say they remain vigilant, urging residents to exercise caution and stay informed as firefighting efforts continue.

Meantime, a devastating wildfire has razed more than 8,600 acres of brushland,

agricultural fields, and forested terrain near the village of Mastrantoni in the Achaia prefecture of southwest. The inferno , which erupted over the weekend , has left a trail of destruction in its wake.

The Meteo research unit at the Athens Observatory issued a grim assessment, revealing that the blaze expanded rapidly, consuming an average of 250 hectares per hour at its peak. Satellite imagery captured the relentless advance of the flames, painting a stark picture of the disaster.

As the fire approached crop land to the southwest, it eventually slowed to a standstill. However, the damage inflicted on the natural landscape remains severe.

In a separate incident on the same day, another wildfire was reported at the Kontodespoti site on the large island of Evia. Additionally, flames erupted near the town of Sapes in the northeast prefecture of Rhodopi, prompting emergency responses.

Reinforced units of firefighters were swiftly dispatched to combat the blazes, working tirelessly to contain their spread and protect communities.

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A full-scale rescue operation is currently underway to save a stranded mountaineer on Mount Olympus.

Authorities said the hiker has been located, and rescue teams are in visual contact with him.

The man, whose details have not been released, lost his bearings at a precarious spot on a steep slope near the old monastery of Saint Dionysius, in the area known as Straggos. Eforts, now, are focused on approaching and safely rescuing him.

The man is reported to be in good health.

The operation involves personnel from the Katerini and Litochoro Fire Departments, as well as volunteer rescuers from the Greek Rescue Team12. Greek Minister of Development Initiates Talks to Lower Prices on Essential Goods

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A Greek prosecutor has pressed criminal charges against the 13-strong crew of a luxury superyacht for firing fireworks over the popular holiday island of Hydra, causing a massive forest fire and razing the islands only pine forest.

If intent is established,

according to a local prosecutor handling the case, then the accused  all Greek nationals  may each face up to 20 years in prison and stiff fines of 200,000 euros

Judicial sources said all of the crew members had requested a 48-hour extension to testify before a prosecutor at the port city of Pireaus. They remain in custody and the luxury 176-ft, triple deck, Persefoni I, confiscated by authorities.

Fire Brigade officials leading the investigation said the fire was sparked late Friday when crew members fired unknown numbers of flares to entertain their guests, purported to be from Kazakhstan. Their whereabouts remained unknown.

The crew members prosecution marks a litmus test for the centre-right government and stiff legislation it introduced earlier this year after 20 people were killed last summer in a rash of wildfires that gripped Greece  the worst in recent memory.

We changed the laws, said Public Order Minister Vassilis Kikilias on Sunday, to punish those who set fires, leading to the loss of life or causing destruction to the environment.

He said 300 stremmas (74 acres) of lush pine forest on Hydra was razed as a response to what he called the crews reckless behaviour.

Local on the island also were outraged,

"We are indignant that some people so irresponsibly throw fireworks into a pine forest," Hydra's mayor, Giorgos Koukoudakis, told Greek broadcaster ERT. Social media, also, flooded with condemnations with one person writing: "Rich people with more money than brains."

Greece has been on high alert for wildfires since Tuesday, and authorities are bracing for a difficult summer as dry conditions, strong winds and high temperatures are set to continue.

On Friday, a 55-year-old volunteer firefighter died from injuries he sustained battling a fire in the southern region of Ilia on the Peloponnese peninsula.

Summer wildfires are common in Greece and authorities here have linked the rise in number to the intensity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, to climate change.

Last year this year, said Nikos Patras of the countrys national Fire Brigade Service, we were dealing with torrential rains. This year, we are dealing with premature heatwaves.

Our strategy and rapid-reaction planning is constantly having to adjust.

Arson, however, remains acute across the country with at least 79 people arrested last August over deadly wildfires.

The 13 crew members will answer to the charges levelled against them on Wednesday.

   iefimerida.gr


Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, announced that 1,301 pilgrims died during this years hajj.

Fahd Al-Jalajel, the countrys Minister of Health, in a chat with newsmen said 83 per cent of the 1,301 fatalities were unauthorised pilgrims who walked long distances in high temperatures to perform the hajj rituals.

The Minister said 95 pilgrims were being treated in hospitals, some of whom were airlifted for treatment in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

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1,301 people died during the #Hajj1445 season. May Allah have mercy on them all, 83% of them are not authorised for Hajj, who walked long distances under the sun, without shelter or rest, including a number of elderly people and people with chronic diseases, he said.

READ ALSO: Hajj: Lagos APC Mourns Death Of Chieftain In Mecca

National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), had on May 26 said Tawakaltu Alako, a Nigerian pilgrim, slumped and died in her hotel at Makkah.

Following this incident, NAHCON has reported many more deaths in this years hajj.

Abubakar Adamu, head of Nigerias medical team for 2024 Hajj, had told journalists on July 17, that one of the Nigerian pilgrims died due to heatstroke while on his way to Jamrate to perform the ritual of throwing stones.

Mohammed Al-Abdulaali, a spokesperson for the Saudi health ministry, had said that more than 2,760 pilgrims suffered from sunstroke and heat stress on July 16 alone.

Temperatures in Mecca this year climbed as high as 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit).


Shehu Sani, former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly, has weighed in the recent visits by some prominent northern politicians to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina State.

According to him, the visits were all plots to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

Recall that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is also the Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the 2023 presidential election, as well as the former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, among others, paid a Sallah homage to the former president in his hometown, Daura

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Buhari handed over power to Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, who garnered 8,794,726 votes to defeat Abubakar, who secured 6,984,520 votes, on May 29, 2023.

According to Sani, who also is an activist, the prominent northerners want to resurrect Buharis political charms, and fanaticism and mobilize the gullible to another hollow and bewildering end.

The former lawmaker in a post via Facebook on Monday, noted the plot would eventually fail.

Sani, therefore, urged northerners to reject the faces and their plot to unseat the President come 2027 while noting that they had nothing to offer.

The recent visits by some prominent Northern politicians to Daura appears to be the usual Eid homage, but looking deeper and beyond the facade, its surreptitiously a new attempt to build a strong northern alliance using ex-President Buhari as a rallying point to challenge and evict President Tinubus Government in 2027. Its a regrouping of Northern political forces for the next general election. A project that will eventually kiss the dust.

They want to resurrect Buharis political charm, and fanaticism and mobilise the gullible to another hollow and bewildering end. They want to stock up and light up the Arewa sentiment without considering the inferno it would eventually generate.

READ ALSO: Why I Paid Buhari A Visit  Atiku (Pictures)

The same Buhari that led Nigeria for eight years and left the North worse than he met it. Its too early to forget. By the time he left power, poverty and insecurity were at their peak than at any time in Nigerias history. They had power and wasted it; what do they want to do with it again?

A Southerner is in power just for one year. Its too early for the desperate and power-hungry northern elite to start plotting. The South never did that to Buhari. Their intended action has the capacity of ruining the democratic process and wrecking the fragile unity of the country when the South is awakened to this reality.

Their obsession with power is condemnable. Opposition to Tinubu from the point of policies, promises and programs of his administration is a democratic right of any Nigerian. People have the right to speak and criticize the Government. But attempts to whip up Northern sentiments to achieve their political ends is a dangerous political experiment and expedition at this material time.

He added, No serious southerner challenged Buhari for eight years; these power-drunk Northern politicians are dragging the region to a new political journey through a land mine.

Buharis reign ensured nepotistical placement, installation and dominance of Northerners at strategic positions of authority and power for eight years. Results have shown that they only enriched themselves, pillaged the economy of the country and pauperised our country.

The Daura homage of the disgruntled and the obsessed will fail. Our people in the North should reject these faces and their plots. They have nothing to offer. From the abandoned Baro Port, Ajaokuta, Lake Chad basin refiling and Mambilla hydropower, they failed.

They came to power when the North was in the hands of terrorists and left it in the joint hands of terrorists and Bandits. The Northern Talakawa should reject their antics.


No less than 50 members of the House of Representatives have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In a letter addressed to Tinubu, the legislators, under the aegis of Concerned Federal Lawmakers for Peace and Security in the South-East, asked Tinubu to direct Lateef Fagbemi, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), to invoke section 174 of the 1999 constitution to release Kanu.

The section confers on the AGF the power to discontinue at any stage, before judgement is delivered, any such criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by him or any other authority or person.

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In the letter dated June 19, 2024, the legislators said the release of Kanu is a political solution that will end the rising insecurity in the South-East.

Your Excellency, We are concerned Members of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a strong belief and trust that the RENEWED HOPE agenda of His Excellency and the various positive reforms would be seen and felt by all.

It is at the backdrop of the foregoing that we the undersigned hereby beseech Your Excellency to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN to invoke his powers of nolle prosequi under the provisions of Section 174(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended) and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and cause the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention and discontinue his trial which we collectively believe is long overdue and would be instrumental in opening the door for much-needed conversations surrounding peace reformation and inclusivity as well as addressing the issues that led to the agitations, especially at this time Nigeria is going through several Constitutional reforms.

READ ALSO: Biafra: Nnamdi Kanu, FG Set To Negotiate Over Terrorism Charges

Your Excellency, we resolutely believe that this singular act can serve as a pivotal gesture towards national unity as it would address some of the Political, Security and Economic concerns in the region. It would encourage stakeholders from the Southeast to engage more actively in the national discussions on the Renewed Hope Agenda, thereby promoting inclusivity and addressing long-standing grievances.

This we belief will also help in dismantling the apparatus of violence and restiveness that has plagued the region, allowing for a focus on economic growth and development. Also, it is coming at a time the nation-state is under enormous pressures, including but not limited to unemployment, insecurity, hunger and poverty, thereby deescalating tension from all sides, the letter read.

The lawmakers said Omoyele Sowore and Sunday Igboho, who were accused of treason felony, got their charges dropped by the federal government, adding that the same should be extended to Kanu.

It is, therefore, our conviction that fixing the challenges in the south-east would go a long way in changing the narrative and showcase your commitment to upholding the principle of Rule of Law, Justice and Fairness, which are the bedrock of our democracy. It would also set a precedent for addressing issues through dialogue rather than prolonged political cum judicial persecution and brass show of executive lawlessness, the lawmakers said.

We, therefore implore your excellency to adopt this approach and save the south-east and pave way for a national conversation to restore, safeguard and better the resources and economic activities in the south-east. The primary responsibility of the government is the protection of lives and property. Facilitating the release of Nnamdi Kanu would demonstrate a commitment to upholding the principles of justice and fairness, which are the bedrock of our democracy, it added.

Theres been frequent calls for Kanus release, particularly from stakeholders in the South-East.

The IPOB leader has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since he was extradited from Kenya in June 2021.

Owing to this, the region has witnessed hike in the activities of gunmen who violently enforcing a sit-at-home order on Mondays to demand Kanus release.
Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, has presented refined gold bars to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the first transaction of the commodity added $5 million to Nigerias foreign reserves.

In a statement on Sunday by Segun Tomori, the ministers special assistant on media, Alake said the refined gold will be sold to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to bolster foreign reserves.

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According to the statement, the gold bars presented to Tinubu were sourced from artisanal and small gold miners and refined by the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) to meet the London Bullion Market Associations good delivery standard over the weekend.

He told the President that the event marked the first commercial transaction under the National Gold Purchase Program (NGPP), a centralised offtake scheme supported by a decentralised aggregation and production network of artisanal and small-scale miners and cooperatives.



Alake said the transaction delivered a $5 million increase in Nigerias foreign reserves assets, 70 plus kilograms of gold refined to the London Bullion Market good delivery standard, and a successful aggregation of locally mined gold, thereby injecting about N6 billion into the rural economy.

The successful completion of the first commercial transaction clearly demonstrates the National Gold Purchase Programs effectiveness, the Minister said.

READ ALSO: NIMC Warns Nigerians Against Websites Harvesting Nigerians Data

It has increased the nations foreign reserves assets and shown that using the Nigerian Naira to purchase a liquid asset traded in United States Dollars, such as gold, is a viable strategy.

This transaction has also underscored the potential of the National Gold Purchase Program to enhance fiscal and monetary stability.

Alake commended Tinubu for supporting reforms in the solid minerals sector, assuring that the NGPP will increase the countrys reserve and boost the nairas value.

Also via X, Alake posted: I am pleased to report that the National Gold Purchase programme, which aims to increase our countrys reserves and boost the value of the naira, is making significant progress.



Recently, I had the honor of presenting the latest gold bars to HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The bars were sourced from artisanal and small gold miners and refined by an agency of our Ministry, the Solid Minerals Development Fund. They have met the London Bullion Market Association Good Delivery Standard and will soon be sold to the Central Bank of Nigeria to strengthen our foreign reserves.

This marks the first commercial transaction under the National Gold Purchase Program (NGPP), which is a centralised offtake scheme supported by a decentralised aggregation and production network of artisanal and small-scale miners and cooperatives.

Furthermore, I am proud to announce that this first commercial transaction has resulted in a substantial increase of over US$5 million in Nigerias foreign reserves assets, the refinement of over 70 kilograms of gold to the London Bullion Market Good Delivery Standard, and the successful aggregation of locally mined gold, injecting around NGN6 billion into the rural economy.

Receiving the gold bars, Tinubu lauded the ministry for achieving a major milestone in the administrations drive to diversify the economy.

This is another concrete step towards the diversification process under the Renewed Hope Agenda the President said.
Kano State government has earmarked the sum of N99.9 million for renovation of Nassarawa mini palace, where the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero currently occupies.

This development comes up amid the controversy that trailed the Kano Emirate tussle.

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Recall that the government had ordered the Commissioner of Police to evict the 15th Emir, Bayero from the palace where he is trespassing on government property and for onward demolition and renovation.

The States Commissioner of Information, Halilu Dantiye disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Abba Yusuf.

Dantiye said the sum was for renovation of the defective wall or fence and surroundings at Nassarawa Emirs Palace.

It was also disclosed by the Governor via X on Saturday amongst many other projects to be embarked on by the State.

The sum was out of the N8.6 billion total sum earmarked for various projects around health, education, water supply and agriculture among others expected.

Revocation and Re-award of contract for the construction of Post Midwifery Institute at Gezawa Local Government Area at the sum of N770,858,450.39, Reconstruction and Renovation of Defective Wall/Fence and Surroundings at Nassarawa Emirs Palace at the sum of N99,928,541.63 and Rehabilitation of water supply infrastructure at government house at the sum of N126,987,787.

READ ALSO: Its A Fight To The Finish  Gov. Yusufs Aide Speaks On Emirship Tussle

Release of funds for the procurement of essentials drugs and welcome packs for newborns, free maternal, neonatal, child health and free accidental and emergency commodity for January to March, 2024 at the sum of N165,000,000, Repair of 18km old water pipeline at Dambatta LGA and its Environs at the sum of N129,636,102 and Construction of 138 No. new hand pump boreholes under the second phase of PEWASH programme State Matching Project at some local government areas at the sum of N193,000,000.

Revocation and Re-award of contract for the completion of the construction of college of Nursing and Midwifery at Madobi local government area at the sum of N57,066,422.52, Payment for the excess workload allowances to the two state owned universities ADUDT and YUMDUK at the sum of N447,621,640.79, Construction of Magistrate courts complex at the premises of Gidan Murtala at the sum of N259,143,824.08 and the procurement of fertilizer by the 44 Local Government Councillors to enhance food security and agricultural productivity during the 2024 raining season at the cost of N5,073,840,000.

Others include, Renovation & Upgrading of D-ward for the establishment of sickle cell unit at Murtala Muhd Specialist Hospital, Kano at the sum of N81,621,546.76, Construction/Renovation works at Infectious Diseases Hospital to accommodate the new Kano State Centre for Diseases Control at the sum of N64,825,000.83 and 25- Reconstruction/Conversion of Gidan Murtala ground floor to accommodate a new ministry at the sum of N196,853,158.99 among others to the total of N8,629,636,749.49 Billion. the Governor posted.
The Labour Party Directorate on Mobilization and Integration has dismissed reports of plans to dump Peter Obi as the partys Presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

LP stated that the decision has already been ratified by the leaders of the party and has not been changed.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the development is coming, following some rumors on social media that they had reconciled with the Lamidi Apapa-led faction of the party where they agreed to field another candidate in the 2027 presidential election.

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This was contained in a joint statement signed by the Director General of the Directorate, Marcel Ngogbehei, the Deputy Director Media and Communications, Ambassador Aju Elumelu and the Deputy Director, Strategic Engagement, Sheikh Rufai Al-Saddiq, on Sunday.

READ MORE: Prioritize Good Governance, Stop Mocking Nigerians  LP Tells Tinubu

The directorate acknowledged that there were efforts to reconcile aggrieved groups in the party, but no agreement has been reached ahead of the 2027 election with the groups.

The statement reads: The Leadership and members of our great Party recognises the importance of this great admonition based on our African culture of ensuring peaceful coexistent among Brothers and acknowledging the fact that theres a bigger target, liberating Nigeria from the shackles of greedy politicians and building a Nation that protects the interest of its citizens.

The Party has decided to follow a peaceful approach to resolving the internal misunderstanding.

This effort within the Labour Party and its successes has elicited different reactions; and also, we have seen an attempt by the opposition to make a false spin for their own selfish interest, misinforming the general public with the aim of causing more crisis in our Party.

For the records, this Directorate was setup to facilitate reconciliation and help mobilize and integrate Labour Party stakeholders toward electoral victory for our Presidential Candidate H.E Peter Obi come 2027.

The Party Leadership recognised the need for unity and cohesion within the Party as a requirement for internal party stability and improving the winning chances of H.E Peter Obi in the coming 2027 elections.

To misconstrue this effort as against our presidential candidate is unfortunate and we cant help those with this mindset. But to set the records straight, HE Peter Obi remains our Presidential Candidate for 2027 as ratified and all the Party Leadership are behind him and committed to his message of a New Nigeria.
Abia North Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubus government to increase the new minimum wage amid economic hardship.

Kalu opined that the N62,000 proposed minimum wage is not enough for civil servants to survive in this hard time, adding that it is time for the Federal Government to increase workers salary after five years.

The former Governor advocated that President Bola Tinubu should make the new wage N90,000 because civil servants need good treatment.

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READ MORE: Lawmakers Salaries Insufficient For Responsibilities  Deputy Speaker, Kalu

Speaking with Channels Television, over the weekend, the federal lawmaker said: Im a proponent that local governments should be getting their money fully.

I also believe that N62,000 cannot do anything. N90,000 and why Im proposing N90,000 is very simple. We have not increased the minimum wage in five years.

Im a practical person. The civil servants need good treatment.

Im sure the president has done well in some areas and he also needs to improve in many other areas. Im a very practical person, I fear nobody and I support the truth.

President Tinubu has done so well in some areas, and in some other areas of feeding our people, people are hungry, so I cannot say.

He has done well in economic policy, monetary policy. Very good.

But in fiscal policies we havent grown more food. I want us to grow more food.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the FG, Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have been in loggerhead over the new minimum.

The labour Congress insisted on N250,000 while some state Governors rejected the idea, saying all fingers are not equal.
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have reportedly stormed the emirs palace in Kano State and displaced the local guards protecting Muhammadu Sanusi, the recently reinstated 16th emir.

As stated by Premium Times, the hunters who served as local guards left the palace as soon as the police officers took over the security of the building.

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This is said to be a move aimed at securing the main palace for the relocation of Aminu Bayero, the deposed 15th Emir of Kano, following a court order that faulted his dethronement.

Recall that on Thursday, a federal high court in Kano nullified all actions of the State government repealing the Emirates Council Law of 2019.

Muhammad Liman, the Presiding Judge, said the defendants were aware of an interim order previously granted by the court but ignored it and implemented the law.

The Kano House of Assembly had in May, passed the amended bill, which Abba Yusuf, the Governor, signed into law.

READ ALSO: Kano Govt To Spend N99.9m For Renovation Of Nassarawa Mini Palace

The law repealed the 2019 version, which divided the Kano emirate into five jurisdictions and was relied upon to dethrone Muhammadu Sanusi as emir in 2020.

On the same day the law was repealed, Sanusi was reinstated as Emir of Kano by kingmakers and the Governor.

Aminu Babba Dan Agundi and Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate however approached the court to restrain the respondents from enforcing, implementing, and operationalising the law that reinstated Sanusi.

On May 23, Liman ordered the defendants to suspend and not give effect to the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, 2024, as they affect all offices and institutions of the Emirate Council created according to the provisions of the Kano State Emirate Council Law, 2019.

The Kano police command had also said it would not comply with the directive of the state government on the eviction of Bayero from the Nassarawa palace which he moved into after he was replaced by Sanusi.

Since then, Bayero, who is said to have the backing of some federal government officials, has been under the protection of a retinue of soldiers and police officers at the Nassarawa palace.
An individual named as Aisha Abubakar has reportedly been arrested by security personnel in Katsina State on charges of providing ammunition to terrorist groups.

The incident was reported on Monday by Zagazola Makama, a security analyst and counter-insurgency expert.

According to Makama, the ammunition was discovered during a regular search of Abubakars luggage.

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The authorities discovered the ammunition in her luggage during a routine search, he stated.

The suspect first denied any involvement in the illicit activities.

However, Makama later admitted to her involvement in the scheme.

She initially denied involvement but later confessed to be transporting the ammunition to terrorist group from Nassarawa state, Makama explained.

Further interrogation yielded more information about the ammunitions planned destination.

Makama wrote, During the course of interrogation, the suspect confesses that she was heading to Yan Tumaki in Dan Musa LGA in Katsina state.

READ MORE: CHIVIDO2024: Davido, Chioma Share Stunning Pre-Wedding Photos Ahead Of Big Day

Makama underlined the importance of this arrest in the larger context of counter-terrorism measures.

The incident highlights the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and the importance of vigilance in preventing the proliferation of illegal weapons, he said.

SEE BELOW:
Seven persons have been killed, houses burnt, cars razed, and fifty persons abducted when suspected bandits attacked Maidabino village in Danmusa local government area of Katsina State.

It was gathered that the unfortunate incident which occurred over the weekend, resulted in razing a pharmaceutical store and over 15 shops in the village.

A local resident who spoke under the condition of anonymity, told DAILY TRUST on Sunday that the attackers operated with impunity, overwhelming local security measures due to their numbers.

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READ MORE: Bandits Kill 30 In Katsina Communities, Displace Residents

He said: What happened was that some traders who were returning from Yantumaki market on Friday, about 30 vehicles, who were going in a convoy with a military escort, had to return and pass the night in Danmusa because they could not proceed to Maidabino as they encountered bandits along the way.

In the encounter, some bandits were killed by the military escort. Unfortunately, the bandits mobilized a large number from Zamfara and other places, to the extent that the soldiers that are in Maidabino could not avert the attack.

The Police Spokesman in the state, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, also confirmed the incident to newsmen on Sunday, adding that an investigation is currently ongoing.

He said: Yesterday, June 22, 2024, at about 2000 hrs, armed bandits in their numbers, armed with dangerous weapons, shooting sporadically, attacked Maidabino village, Danmusa LGA, where they shot and killed about seven (7) persons.

Investigation is currently ongoing, as further developments will be communicated in due course.
Some gunmen suspected be members of a cult group have reportedly killed a worker of a new generation bank in Benin, Edo State.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the victim, identified as Nosa lost his life on June 20, 2024, in the Government Reservation Area of Benin City, in the state capital.

It was gathered that the banker received a call from unknown caller, inviting him to hang out at a joint after the close of work.

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According to PUNCH, the deceased decided to join the person who called him at the appointed joint.

While on his way to the place, his assailants who apparently have been trailing him, were said to have blocked his vehicle with their car and immediately opened fire.

READ MORE: NDLEA Storms Snake-Guarded Shrine Used For Storing Illicit Drugs, Nab Two Suspects In Edo

Confirming the incident on Sunday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, described it as unfortunate, adding that investigation has commenced

He said: Yes, the command confirmed it, it is an unfortunate incident. As I speak, the matter is under investigation.

Further information as we progressed in the investigation would be made public by the police. The perpetrators would be brought to book.
Software developers and other technology professionals often look to certifications to advance their careers or open doors to new job opportunities. Hiring managers use certification as an important screening tool to help them quickly identify candidates with the skills needed for a role. Whether you regularly use cloud technologies in your current role or you are looking to expand your skill set, holding one or more cloud certifications is a great way to stand out among a large pool of applicants. It also matters which cloud certs you hold, as some are more impactful than others.

Why cloud certifications matter

Cloud certifications impact the hiring process in a few ways. First and foremost, holding the right certifications enhances your credibility with the hiring manager. Certifications provide validated proof of skills and knowledge, says Armando Franco, director of business modernization services at TEKsystems, a global provider of technology and talent services.

This is especially true when looking for a specific technical skill, Franco says. Certifications from cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform signal to employers that a candidate has met a high level of expertise, he says.
Trader Joes is opening a location at 224 W. Dekalb Pike in King of Prussia, according to an announcement on the companys website this week.

We are proud to be joining the neighborhood, reads a note about the opening on Trader Joes website. Our crew is working hard so we can open our doors in 2024.

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The company, which made the announcement Wednesday, did not share when the store is expected to open or how big the store will be.

Trader Joes, which got its start in 1967, is known for its own line of branded food items and has built an identity around trendy, quirky, and seasonal items, The Wall Street Journal has reported. The company also touts that it doesnt have sales, offer coupons, or have a loyalty program. It is committed to offering the best prices to all customers, according to a statement on its website.

The new supermarket in King of Prussia will join the Valley Forge Center, a shopping center that recently lost a Bed Bath & Beyond amid the companys bankruptcy, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Trader Joes already has several stores in the region, including two in Center City as well as others in Tredyffrin, Media, Ardmore, Jenkintown, Marlton, and Cherry Hill. The company has stores in 42 states and the District of Columbia, according to its website.

The new location comes as other supermarket chains have recently announced new stores in the Philadelphia region. Wegmans opened a new location in Yardley in March, and Sprouts announced in October that it would bring at least six new stores to the Philadelphia region in the next two years.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel at a news conference on Monday after the shooting of a police officer on Saturday. Read more

The man who shot a Philadelphia police officer in Kensington over the weekend spent about 30 minutes with police in what began as a routine traffic stop before officers found a gun holster near the drivers seat of his car and he took off running and opened fire, Commissioner Kevin Bethel said Monday.

Ramon Rodriguez Vazquez, 36, had been pulled over by officers on the 3500 block of F Street on Saturday for lacking proper registration on a Toyota sedan. Officers subsequently discovered that Vazquez did not have a drivers license.

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The encounter was initially unremarkable, Bethel said. Vazquez spoke to the officers and made a phone call, and three people came to the scene in an attempt to persuade police officers not to have his car hauled away.

It was just a normal stop, Bethel said.

But as officers conducted a final search of Vazquezs car before having it hoisted onto a flatbed truck, one of them discovered the holster. And as the officers prepared to confront Vazquez about it, said Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore, Vazquez sprinted away.

Within seconds, Vanore said, Vazquez turned and started shooting with a gun he had been carrying in his waistband, striking one of the officers in the neck. Vazquez then tried to take refuge in a nearby garage but was turned away, and also tried to carjack a minivan, Vanore said.

He ultimately ran to a house where a resident was sitting on the porch, then threatened the man at gunpoint and attempted to barricade himself inside a bedroom.

SWAT officers took Vazquez into custody at that house Saturday night, Vanore said. Vazquez later confessed to shooting at the officers, according to sources briefed on the case, saying he did so because he didnt want to go to jail.

Those details give new clarity to an incident that left the officer hospitalized and critically wounded. Police have declined to identify the officer  a 31-year-old assigned to the 25th District, with six years on the force  saying that his family does not want his name released and that the department releases the names of an injured officer only if the officer grants permission.

Bethel said Monday that the officer is on a respirator and in a battle for his life.

Vazquez was arraigned early Monday on charges including attempted murder and aggravated assault of an officer, illegal gun possession, evading arrest, burglary, and kidnapping. He remained in jail on $12.5 million bail, court records show. He is being represented by the Defender Association of Philadelphia, which did not respond to a request for comment.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Wainwright said Vazquez committed an absolutely despicable, cowardly act.

Officials said much of the case was captured on video, including body cameras worn by the officers. And surveillance video obtained by The Inquirer showed a man who resembles Vazquez running along nearby Kingston Street several times, including after the shooting, when he appears to be holding a gun in his hand.

Bethel said it was confounding and senseless that Vazquez decided to flee and start firing after an extended, and relatively calm, interaction with police.

Athough Vazquez has no previous arrests in Pennsylvania, he was arrested in Puerto Rico in 2011 for allegedly shooting at two police officers there.

According to an account in Periodico Impacto Noreste, a news magazine, Vazquez, then 21, and another man, 24-year-old Jose M. Serrano Ares, stole an SUV at gunpoint, then fired shots at two responding officers. Both were charged with crimes including attempted murder and firearms violations, but it was not immediately clear what happened with the case, or whether Vazquez was ultimately convicted of the crime.

What happened in the shooting?

Saturdays car stop happened shortly after 7:15 p.m., according to Vanore, after officers noticed the paper tag and lack of registration on Vazquezs sedan.

Once the officers pulled Vazquez over and discovered that he was also driving without a license, they called the Parking Authority to have a tow truck sent to the scene. The tow driver arrived quickly, and Vazquez made a phone call seeking help from relatives, Vanore said. Sources said Vazquezs sister, brother-in-law, and girlfriend all arrived and tried to persuade police not to seize the car.

Still, for the next half-hour the encounter proceeded without incident, according to Vanore. Vazquez and the three others had conversations with the police in Spanish and were allowed to start taking items from the car before it was to be put on the tow truck. But after an officer noticed the holster, Vanore said, Vazquez ran and fired three shots from a gun in his waistband without provocation.

The officer who was shot took a bullet to the neck and quickly fell to the ground, police said. His partner fired one shot in return, police said, but did not hit Vazquez.

The partner and the tow truck driver then put the officer into a patrol car, and the partner drove him to Temple University Hospital, Vanore said.

Vazquez, meanwhile, started running through the neighborhood, seeking a place to hide. He took off his shirt before trying to get into a garage on G Street, Vanore said, then unsuccessfully tried to carjack a minivan on Tioga Street.

About 15 minutes after the gunfire, Vanore said, Vazquez ran onto the 800 block of East Schiller Street, where he saw a man in his 20s having a drink in front of his house.

Vazquez forced the man inside at gunpoint, Vanore said. Sources familiar with the investigation said Vazquez at one point took the mans phone and tried to buy plane tickets to leave the country.

At some point, however, Vazquez let the man leave. The man then went outside and reported the ordeal to police, and SWAT officers came to the house and took Vazquez into custody, Vanore said.

How were neighbors reacting?

Neighbors expressed a variety of emotions Monday about the crime and its aftermath.

Robert Levine, the owner of an industrial warehouse on F Street, said it doesnt feel good knowing that the shooting of a police officer took place just outside of his business.

This is nothing unusual for what goes on in this setting, Levine said Monday outside of his warehouse, steps from the crime scene. I see shootings all the time in Kensington, he said. This time, it was by me.

A resident of Kingston Street, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation, said he heard the gunshots Saturday and captured some surveillance footage of Vazquez running from the scene.

The man said that he believes the neighborhood has grown less safe recently but that he and his wife stay in the city because their daughter is a Philadelphia police officer  and is a friend of the officer wounded Saturday night.

Here its not safe. We need to live with cameras, and [that] permits [us] to feel safe, the man said. You are a prisoner in your own house.

A neighbor of Vazquezs, who also asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation, described him as a real nice dude who cared for the block and the people who lived there. After the incident, he said, he saw Vazquezs girlfriend return to clean up what was left after police had searched their house.

She fell in my arms and started crying; you could feel the pain, the neighbor said.

Attempts to reach Vazquezs relatives on Monday were unsuccessful.

The Police Department, meanwhile, said relatives of the officer had asked for privacy while they sought to support him at the hospital.

Vazquez is due in court in early July for a preliminary hearing. Authorities said that they did not anticipate charging others alongside him but that the investigation of the incident remains ongoing.

Inquirer staff writer Ximena Conde contributed to this article.
Temple University Officer Leroy Wimberly (first row, second from right) with most of the record-setting 42 George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science students who will attend Temple as first-year students in the fall. Wimberly has spent significant time at the school, and some Carver students say he's the reason they chose Temple. Read more

Avaeh Harrison always pictured herself going to college. But growing up in North Philadelphia, she dreamed not of the school in her backyard, but of a far-away campus in a different city.

I never thought I was going to go to Temple, said Harrison. When the chance to leave and go different places comes, you try to take the opportunity.

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Harrison, a recent graduate of Philadelphias George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science, visited plenty of other schools  small and large, suburban and urban. But something felt off about all but one: Temple.

Now, Harrison and a record-setting 41 other Carver students are set to become part of Temples incoming freshman class. Many say the reason they picked the school was because of one man, who, to them, became the face of Temple: Leroy Wimberly, a university police officer who spent significant time at the school as part of his role with the departments engagement unit.

Officer Wimberly gives the most positive energy, said Harrison, who plans to major in chemistry and minor in astrophysics. He confirmed to me that Temple is a good place. He said, Id love to have you as part of our community.

Talk less, smile more

Wimberly is a veteran Temple officer, with 19 years on the universitys force; he had spent the previous 15 as a Philadelphia Housing Authority officer.

When Wimberly came to Temple, he gravitated toward community police work  connecting not just with college students, but also young people in the community surrounding campus as part of Temple polices engagement unit. Spending time at Carver, a Philadelphia School District magnet at 16th and Norris just off campus, was a natural.

I love the mentoring part of what I do, empowering these youths, getting them to understand that if they apply themselves, if they focus, they can achieve anything that they want, he said.

Instead of lecturing, Wimberly leads by showing up for whatever programs might need an adult to help out, Carver students said. He teaches self-defense courses and recently helped students build a greenhouse that became an outdoor classroom. When he heard one student didnt have the means to attend her prom, he got the resources to get her a dress and all the accessories she needed.

He holds roundtable talks at Carver, Wimberly said, but he doesnt do a ton of talking.

I always believe the less I say, the more they listen. Ill say something and then sit back; I just created a safe space for them to express themselves. They dont always get a lot of chances to do that, said Wimberly.

Wimberlys showing up at Carver made a profound difference on Braylon Edmonson, another Carver senior.

Edmonson wasnt sure what he should do after high school. Wimberly extended his hand, Edmonson said. He told me if I went to Temple, he would get me right.

Edmonson is part of the Carver-to-Temple pipeline now, and is planning to study business.

And when Tyra Baker was deciding between Temple and Lebanon Valley College, Wimberly, whom she got to know through the greenhouse project, helped weight the scale for Bakers hometown school.

Officer Wimberly said, Theres going to be so many opportunities at Temple, said Baker, who will major in music at Temple. He inspired me to want to go to Temple so much more.

Being involved, being consistent

About 20% of the Carver Class of 2024 is heading to Temple, said Tyrone Neal, a Carver counselor.

Neal calls Wimberly Carvers make-it-happen person, as in, need tables for an event? Call Officer Wimberly, hell get it done. Need someone to look out for a first-generation college student on Temples campus? Reach out to Officer Wimberly.

He always makes himself available for the students, and those kinds of supports are crucial, said Neal. Hes been a tremendous mentor for kids, an advocate  he goes above and beyond.

Listening to the dozens of Carver students heading to Temple who gathered for a photo with Wimberly recently, Michael Smith, deputy chief of the Temple police force, said it was clear what an influence Wimberly has had.

Hes breaking down barriers, negative law enforcement perception, Smith said of Wimberly.

As for Wimberly? Hes proud, and he cant wait to see the Carver 42 on campus.

Theyre already saying that theyre going to be a pain in my butt, Wimberly said, laughing. Im just proud I had a little part for some of them. It comes from being involved and being consistent. I dont believe in popping up one day and not coming back for three months.
In Horizon: An American Saga, Kevin Costners latest Western coming to theaters June 28, the actor-director-cowriter delivers a sprawling film  the first installment of four  following various story lines in the Southwest, beginning in 1859. Costner plays Hayes Ellison, an illiterate cowboy who appears, about an hour in, sporting a blue coat, a tall, round hat, and paisley scarf as he traverses the vast plains.

In crafting the aesthetics for his character, Costner focused on practicality. The cowboy has two outfits, which is about all he can afford, and everything he owns is on his horse.

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He felt he looked good, he had his own ego  hes not a dandy, for sure, said Costner. I kind of just studied [Frederic] Remington pictures and [Charles Marion] Russell paintings.

Both artists are renowned for capturing the American West in paintings and sculptures. Costner has turned to them for inspiration throughout his career acting in Westerns, including his 1990 blockbuster Dancing with Wolves. Remington in particular sculpted bronzes of various cowboys  and Philadelphia holds his only large-scale work.

Cowboy (1908) towers over Kelly Drive in Fairmount Park. Remington modeled the sculpture on his friend Charlie Trego, a Chester County horseman. Like Costners Ellison, the sculpture is stern, mustachioed, and wears a cowboy scarf. According to the historical marker, Trego was a manager of Buffalo Bills Wild West Show.

In Remingtons and Costners eyes, cowboys are essential figures in American history. Costner says he returns to Westerns because they represent a treacherous and illuminating era. He wants audiences to imagine how they might have fared and recognize how we really havent changed too much.

Its not Disneyland, it was real. Our ancestors lived it and the Indigenous suffered from it and never recovered from our national appetite, said Costner. I want you to be able to close your eyes, and for a minute, youre not on the freeway, youre not having an appointment  you go west, and you just watch, and you feel the poetry, the majesty, and how dangerous of a place it really was.

The film, in which Costner put $38 million of his own funds, premiered at Cannes and has since garnered mixed reviews. Part two will premiere in August and hes currently filming part three.
Rachel Maddow is headlining a live MSNBC event in New York City in September alongside more than a dozen hosts at the network. Read more

About two and a half million viewers tune in to MSNBC to hear Rachel Maddow opine about politics and the state of the president race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. But as the 2024 election nears, fans will get the chance to hear her live and in-person.

Maddow and more than a dozen MSNBC hosts and personalities will take the stage at a daylong event the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City on Saturday, Sept. 7, to discuss the presidential race, which at that point will be just two months out from Election Day.

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Tickets go on sale Monday, and can be purchased on MSNBCs website. The event will not be livestreamed  the only way to check it out is to attend in-person.

Among those scheduled to be on hand with Maddow are fellow hosts Chris Hayes, Joy Reid, Alex Wagner, Lawrence ODonnell, and Stephanie Rhule.

Two former Biden administration staffers turned MSNBC hosts  Jen Psaki and Symone Sanders-Townsend  will also be part of the event, as well as resident number cruncher Steve Kornacki, who will be breaking down the latest polling.

The event will be moderated by Luke Russert, author and son of late Meet the Press moderator Tim Russert, who returned to the network late last year to serve as the creative director of MSNBCs live events.

MSNBC has the most dedicated and loyal fan base. Its an honor to bring the best of the MSNBC portfolio to the most important part of our family  the viewers  in-person, Russert said in a statement. We hope to continue to foster unique connections and inspire our audience.

MSNBC held its first live event in March, which featured former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a moderate Republican running for Senate in Maryland despite being a vocal critic of Trump. The live events are part of the networks strategy to invest in nonlinear programming as viewers continue to shed their cable subscriptions.

We continue to meet our audiences where they are in innovative ways and MSNBC Live is a natural extension of that effort, MSNBC President Rashida Jones said in a note to employees. Its the result of the brand loyalty built by trusted journalism and fostered by the most engaged weekday audience in all of television.

In 2019, MSNBC experimented with having a studio audience during live tapings of Hayes All In show on Friday nights. The format showed promise, but was disrupted by the COVID pandemic.

Since then, Hayes has cut down hosting All In to four nights a week, but hit the road last year for live tapings of his podcast, Why Is This Happening?, which included a stop at the Fillmore in Philadelphia in October. He was also joined by Maddow in New York City in November, which drew an audience of 1,200.

Maddow only hosts The Rachel Maddow Show on Monday nights, easily the networks most-viewed hour every week, but is keeping busy with other projects. Earlier this month, she launched a new season of her podcast Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra, which tells the true story of World War II-era lawmakers who plotted to overthrow the government by spreading lies and misinformation across the country.

Even though I find it disturbing and a little scary that, in our own time, some sizable chunk of Americans seem ready to jettison real elections and instead embrace rule by force, its somehow heartening to me to know that this isnt a brand new challenge  another sizable chunk of Americans felt essentially the same way in the lead-up to World War II, Maddow said in a statement.

 READ MORE: Mark Ruffalo appears for a pivotal hearing at the Delco courthouse
Guest Vash Boddie with a tea infuser at Akwaaba Tea Salon, 3811 Lancaster Ave., Philadelphia. Photograph taken on Friday, June 7, 2024. Monique Greenwood is the owner. Read more

Guests walked into Akwaaba Tea Salons inaugural sitting in strappy, kitten, and stiletto heels; floral frocks; and fascinators pinned atop naturally curly crowns. They placed clutches on square tables covered in white linen, each with a pink peony centerpiece, and smoothed pastel-hued skirts behind their knees before gingerly sitting on low chairs.

These first patrons  mostly women  were fly, on time, and ready for their soulful afternoon tea experience to get on and popping.

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Welcome, Monique Greenwood said to her sharply dressed guests. Greenwood, owner of the popular Akwaaba Bed & Breakfasts Inns, wore the tea salons no-nonsense uniform of black trousers and a white top. Im so happy that on this Friday you all decided to push back the world, take a breath, take a sip, and enjoy.

Greenwood, a former editor of Essence magazine and serial entrepreneur, opened the Akwaaba Tea Salon & Event Space  Akwaaba is the Twi word for welcome  in early June on the bottom floor of a two-story brick building that sits kitty-corner at the intersection of Baring Street and Lancaster Avenue.

The 24-seat salon is one of many African American-owned art galleries, vintage clothing boutiques, restaurants, and beauty shops in West Phillys Powelton Village, which is quickly becoming a hub for trendy Black-owned businesses. Greenwood, who bought the former apartments at 3811 Lancaster Ave. in 2021 after closing the Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns in D.C. and Cape May, plans to turn the buildings top floor into an event space for birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers, and day parties for tea lovers of all kinds.

Greenwoods bet on the well-to-do British custom of afternoon tea is a sure shot. Thanks to our love of dramas that capture the romanticized, well-dressed pomp and circumstance of yesteryear like HBOs The Crown and The Gilded Age and Shonda Rhimes Netflix hit, Bridgerton, afternoon tea  also referred to in the States as high tea  is in the midst of a moment.

Nothing says Im worth it more than brewing a piping cup of tea in the middle of the day. Add to that exquisitely Instagram-able fashion and a newfound thirstiness for the time-honored ritual has emerged. Earlier this year, a New York sightseeing company brought Tea Around Town, a bus tour that serves afternoon tea to Philadelphia tourists and natives. Two pink tour busses, topped with a flower-studded glass ceiling, leave from the intersection of Sixth and Market Streets each day.

Women love a reason to get cute, hang out with their friends, and post a selfie, Greenwood said. High tea is the perfect backdrop for that.

Twenty of the Akwaaba Tea Salons 24 seats are filled this sunny Friday afternoon. A pianist plays jazzy versions of 80s R & B. Glasses of water with springs of rosemary await guests at each place setting, next to a white teapot mug and a raisin scone served with clotted cream and preserves. Vintage floor-to-ceiling photos of Black people in their Sunday best  some from Greenwoods personal photo albums  are the backdrop. The photos remind us that we come from the best of the best, Greenwood said. And that our ancestors made all of this possible for us.

Its not just the ambience that makes the Akwaaba afternoon tea experience different, its the soulful menu. Loose-leaf teas are sourced from Brooklyn Tea, a Black-owned tea company based in Brooklyn, New York. The summer menu features Afropunk, a peach-flavored rooibos; a sweeter Caramel Pu-erh (a fermented tea); and Well-kanda, a purple-hued herbal tea.

We wanted our guests to experience a total tea immersion, Greenwood said. Every guest gets a color-coded hourglass timer so they know their tea has steeped enough. We make sure our Akwaaba tea drinkers are treated to the perfect cup of tea.

Akwaabas savory sandwiches and sweets are prepared by executive chef Victoria Tyson, of Victorias Kitchen & Catering, a soul food restaurant on Ogontz Avenue in West Oak Lane. Instead of a crustless egg salad sandwich, Akwaaba diners are treated to a deviled egg topped with a bite of Southern fried chicken. Also included in the savory sandwich mix is a creamy Brie and turkey on triangles of white bread, a curry chicken salad croissant, and a caramelized onion and Gorgonzola mini tarte  the perfect mouthful of intense, cheesy decadence.

The mini deserts  the reason I live for afternoon tea  include a tiny cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, a buttery pinch of dense poundcake, spoonful of peach cobbler, and the corner of a lemon tart.

This was such an exquisite afternoon of pampering, said Deloria Gilliam, one of eight celebrating her moms 75th birthday. Its very elegant. We all feel so special and so cared for.

Akwaaba Tea Salon is open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with 90-minute reservation-only tea sessions at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Guests may chose from the Baring (scone, tea service, and a tier of sandwiches for $48) or the Lancaster (The Baring plus soup and salad  for $56). At the moment, alcohol is BYOB.

Everything was just so well-done, said Vash Boddie, of Mount Airy. Boddie invited his friend Annetta White, who drove all the way from Skippack to join Boddie for afternoon tea. It was perfect, he said. The ambience, the mood, the food. It was wonderful. Of course, Id certainly come back again.

Akwaaba Tea Salon is located at 3811 Lancaster Ave. For reservations, log on to https://www.akwaabatea.com/ or call 866-466-3855
A view of land at 7979 State Rd., where city officials hope to build a "wellness village" for people with addiction. Read more

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker plans to build a $100 million addiction treatment center and shelter near the citys jail complex on State Road but so far has shared few concrete details on what services might be offered there.

The center could help fill gaps in the citys addiction treatment network, if the city invests in a wide breadth of services there, experts in health policy and addiction treatment told The Inquirer.

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A key need identified: specialized medical care for people suffering from wounds caused by the animal tranquilizer xylazine, which has contaminated most of Philadelphias illicit opioid supply.

Nicole ODonnell, a certified recovery specialist at Penn Medicine, has been in recovery for over a decade and now works with people in active addiction as they seek treatment. Since the rise of xylazine in the citys drug supply, she has struggled to help patients access care for addiction and get treated for serious medical conditions resulting from its toxicity, such as infected wounds, amputations, and endocarditis, an infection of the heart valves.

They need wound care, IV antibiotics, levels of medical care that are so limited, she said, noting that the Parker administration has an opportunity to build something that covers nonexistent levels of care.

Addiction treatment facilities often wont take patients with serious wounds, she said, and skilled nursing facilities that could handle a patients medical needs balk at providing them with addiction treatment medications.

It will also be important for the facility to provide psychiatric treatment, said Barbara Schindler, a professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at Drexel University who is also the founder and medical director of an addiction treatment center for women, Caring Together. About 90% of her patients deal with a mental illness in addition to addiction.

You cant have people going one place for mental health and one place for addiction treatment, Schindler said.

The proposal follows Parkers pledges to provide support for potentially hundreds of people with addiction living on the streets in Kensington, as her administration moves to end the neighborhoods entrenched open-air drug market.

Stabilizing Kensington will require expanding long-term treatment and housing, Parker has acknowledged. Yet an initial effort to expand housing for people with addiction by adding more beds to an existing shelter in Fairmount was met with intense resistance.

In recordings obtained by The Inquirer, city Managing Director Adam Thiel told City Council members in a budget meeting last month that the site would offer counseling, medications for addiction, job training, and long-term housing connections.

City officials have said they expect the facility could house more than 600 people and would be complete within three years, with some beds open as early as next year.

Sharon Gallagher, Thiels spokesperson, said in a statement that the city is excited to hear feedback on the proposal from experts in the field. They are currently hosting input sessions with addiction treatment experts and consulting City Council and community members about services that could be offered at the site, she said.

She added the city hasnt yet made decisions on specific services the site will offer, especially in terms of treatment.

 READ MORE: Kensington at a crossroads: Here's the latest news and developments

Avoiding isolation

The proposed facilitys relatively isolated location on State Road concerns some experts, who say that the city must provide adequate transportation for residents who need to leave the facility and that housing people with addiction far from their neighborhood communities and support systems could deter them from seeking treatment.

If the goal is to help people be part of the community, how does being so separate from the rest of the city work towards that goal? said Shoshi Aronowitz, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvanias School of Nursing. That could obviously impact people wanting to go there voluntarily.

Gallagher said that experts the city has consulted have also raised questions about transportation to and from the site.

City officials should be clearer about their goals for the facility, how services there will be funded, and how patients will return to their communities, said Danielle Gadson, an assistant professor at Villanova University who studies how social factors like race and socio-economic class affect public policy.

The city must ensure that people treated at the State Road site are supported once they leave, Gadson said.

It saddens me to think about where these 600 folks are eventually going to end up even if our plan is successful, she said, especially given intense pushback from neighbors in areas where the city has proposed other facilities for unhoused people with addiction.

Were still at a place of, Get them out of here. Get them help, but not here, she said.

And Gadson and others were concerned about the prospect of sending people to the State Road site involuntarily. Thiel had told Council members that could be an option for some people sent to the site.

People who dont want to engage in treatment might seek out drugs as soon as they leave  but, because of their time in treatment, will have lost their tolerance for opioids. That puts them at a higher risk of overdose.

Involuntary commitment doesnt work, ODonnell said. Its also dangerous.
JERUSALEM  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the current phase of fighting against Hamas in Gaza is winding down, setting the stage for Israel to send more troops to its northern border to confront the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

The comments threatened to further heighten the tensions between Israel and Hezbollah at a time when they appear to be moving closer to war. Netanyahu also signaled that there is no end in sight for the grinding war in Gaza.

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The Israeli leader said in a lengthy TV interview that while the army is close to completing its current ground offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, that would not mean the war against Hamas is over. But he said fewer troops would be needed in Gaza, freeing up forces to battle Hezbollah.

We will have the possibility of transferring some of our forces north, and we will do that, he told Israels Channel 14, a pro-Netanyahu TV channel, in an interview that was frequently interrupted by applause from the studio audience. First and foremost, for defense, he added, but also to allow tens of thousands of displaced Israelis to return home.

The Iranian-backed Hezbollah began striking Israel almost immediately after Hamas Oct. 7 cross-border attack that triggered the Gaza war. Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire nearly every day since then, but the fighting has escalated in recent weeks, raising fears of a full-blown war.

Hezbollah is much stronger than Hamas, and opening a new front would raise the risk of a larger, region-wide war involving other Iranian proxies and perhaps Iran itself that could cause heavy damage and mass casualties on both sides of the border.

White House envoy Amos Hochstein was in the region last week meeting with officials in Israel and Lebanon in an effort to lower tensions. But the fighting has continued.

Netanyahu said he hoped a diplomatic solution to the crisis could be found but vowed to solve the problem in a different way if needed. We can fight on several fronts and we are prepared to do that, he said.

He said any deal would not just be an agreement on paper. He said it would require Hezbollah to be far from the border, an enforcement mechanism and the return of Israelis back to their homes. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated shortly after the fighting erupted and have not been able to go home.

Hezbollah has said it will continue battling Israel until a cease-fire is reached in Gaza. The groups leader, Hassan Nasrallah, warned Israel last week against launching a war, saying Hezbollah has new weapons and intelligence capabilities that could help it target more critical positions deeper inside Israel.

Hezbollah already has unveiled new weapons during the low-level fighting, including hard-to-defend attack drones that strike with little warning. An Israeli soldier was badly wounded Sunday in a drone strike.

But Israel says it too has shown Hezbollah only a small part of its full capabilities, and that Lebanon will be turned into a second Gaza if there is a war. Israels army last week said it had approved and validated a new plan for a Lebanon offensive.

In the interview, Netanyahu said that Israels offensive in Gaza is winding down. The Israeli army has been operating in the southern border town of Rafah since early May. It says it has inflicted heavy damage on Hamas in Rafah, which it has identified as the last remaining Hamas stronghold after a brutal war stretching nearly nine months. But he said Israel would have to continue mowing operations  targeted strikes aimed at preventing Hamas from regrouping.

Israel launched its air and ground invasion of Gaza immediately after Hamas Oct. 7 attack, which killed some 1,200 people and took about 250 others hostage.

The Israeli offensive has killed over 37,000 Palestinians, unleashed a humanitarian crisis and triggered war crimes and genocide cases at the worlds top courts in the Hague.

It also has raised tensions with the United States, with President Joe Biden and Netanyahu clashing publicly over the course of the war. Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu again repeated his claim that there has been a dramatic drop in arms shipments from the U.S., Israels closest ally, hindering the war effort.

Biden has delayed delivering certain heavy bombs since May over concerns of heavy civilian casualties, but his administration fought back last week against Netanyahus charges that other shipments had also been affected.

Although the U.S. and other mediators are pushing a cease-fire plan, Netanyahu has ruled out an end to the war until Israel releases all hostages held by Hamas and until it destroys Hamas military and governing capabilities.

The current phase of the war is about to end, Netanyahu said. That doesnt mean the war is about to end.

Netanyahu spoke as his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, was in Washington for talks with American officials about the war and tensions with Lebanon. And next month, Netanyahu has been invited to address Congress for a speech that already is dividing Washington along partisan lines. Some Democrats, angry at Netanyahus public fighting with Biden, say they will not attend.

American officials also have been pressing Netanyahu to spell out a clear postwar plan for Gaza. The U.S. has said it will not accept a long-term Israeli occupation of the territory.

Netanyahu spelled out a very different vision. He said the only way to guarantee Israels security is for Israel to maintain military control over the territory.

There is no one else capable of doing that, he said. But he said he is seeking a way to create a Palestinian civilian administration to manage day-to-day affairs in Gaza, hopefully with backing from moderate Arab countries. He ruled out any role for the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, which was ousted from Gaza by Hamas in a violent 2007 takeover.

Netanyahu said the Israeli army several months ago looked into working with prominent Palestinian families in Gaza, but that Hamas immediately destroyed them. He said Israel is now looking at other options.

Netanyahu ruled out one option favored by some of his ultranationalist governing partners  resettling Israelis in Gaza. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, ending a 38-year presence.

The issue of settlement is not realistic, he said. Im realistic.
Upbeat foreign companies increase in China

Xinhua) 14:08, June 24, 2024

BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- More and more foreign companies are increasing their investment in the gigantic market of the world's second-largest economy with optimism about the Chinese economic outlook on the rise.

In January, German luxury carmaker Audi AG launched pre-mass production at its first production base for purely electric vehicles in China.

In March, a Mercedes-Benz and BMW joint venture was established in Beijing, with plans to build at least 1,000 supercharging stations and around 7,000 high-power charging piles by 2026.

Also in March, German optical systems and optoelectronics manufacturer ZEISS' largest Quality Centre of Excellence in China opened in Dongguan City, south China's Guangdong Province.

The newly-unveiled Flash Survey by the German Chamber of Commerce in China showed that foreign companies in China are more optimistic about China's economic prospects than they were last year.

Among 186 German companies surveyed, 84 percent expected the Chinese economy to improve or maintain its performance in the next six months. More than half of the surveyed enterprises planed to increase investment in China in the next two years, and 27 percent anticipated to maintain the scale of investment.

Optimism of American investors is growing, as shown in the China Business Climate Survey Report released by the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) in February.

According to the report, China's market remains significant, with half of AmCham China members viewing it as one of their top three global investment destinations, a 5 percentage points rebound. China is "an important source of talent and innovation that helps American companies boost their global competitiveness," said the survey.

The report also found that although challenges remain, most members are maintaining their manufacturing or sourcing in China and expatriates have become more willing to relocate to China over the last year.

The trend can be reflected in U.S. food and beverage giant PepsiCo's latest investment in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, northwest China.

PepsiCo broke ground on a food production base in Xi'an on June 12. This new facility, with a projected total investment of 180 million U.S. dollars, is the company's first factory in northwest China and the fifth major investment in China over the past five years.

"PepsiCo has full confidence in the high-level opening-up of the Chinese market and the high-quality development of the Chinese economy. It is committed to accelerating its investment in China," said Anne Tse, CEO of PepsiCo Greater China.

Industrial observers said in addition to China's vast market, resilient industrial and supply chains, constantly improving R&D, and innovation capabilities are magnets to foreign companies' investment.

Mercedes-Benz inaugurated a new building in Shanghai in April as an upgrade of its R&D center in the metropolis, with an investment of 69 million yuan (about 9.71 million U.S. dollars).

"China is one of the key drivers for technological advancement in the global automotive industry. Over the years, we have been investing heavily in local R&D, consolidating innovation strength through industry-academia-research cooperation, and driving electrification and digital transformation," said Hubertus Troska, member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.

"As the most comprehensive R&D team outside Germany, the R&D network in China, anchored by 'dual innovative engines' in Beijing and Shanghai, has become a frontrunner in global innovation and the vane of future trends within the group," Troska added.

Maximilian Foerst, president and CEO of ZEISS Greater China, believes that China, with its open innovation system, visionary talent training strategy and policy support for industrial development, will become a major driving force shaping future technology and innovation trends.

The upbeat sentiment has been also strengthened as China's economy has sustained recovery momentum in 2024 with significant strides in cultivating new quality productive forces.

According to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics, in May, China's retail sales of consumer goods rose 3.7 percent from a year earlier, the value-added industrial output went up 5.6 percent year on year, and China's imports and exports of goods increased by 8.6 percent year on year, extending an upward recovery trend.

Since April, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, UBS, Citi, Deutsche Bank and other institutions have upgraded their forecasts for China's economic growth.

The latest measures proposed by the Chinese government to promote high-standard opening-up have opened up new space for foreign firms to invest in China. The measures include reducing the number of items on the negative list for foreign investment, welcoming foreign enterprises to participate in government procurement, promoting the secure and orderly cross-border flow of data, and extending its list of visa-free countries.

According to European Business in China Business Confidence Survey 2024 released by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China in May, almost half of the surveyed companies reported some market opening. Respondents from the financial services industry are the most upbeat about market opening.

The opening of China's bank card clearing market is a case in point.

With a slew of opening-up measures introduced, foreign bank card clearing institutions, like Mastercard and American Express can now provide services related to renminbi bank cards by setting up commercial entities in China, instead of having to cooperate with domestic clearing institutions

"We are very optimistic about the Chinese market which is large enough, and we are confident to do business well here," said Ling Hai, chairman of Mastercard NetsUnion Information Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., which officially opened its business in May.

Ling added that the joint venture of Mastercard will provide more differentiated and refined services and deliver expanded technology relevant to the bank card clearing business.

"China will continue to be an important contributor to global economic growth in the future, and we have full confidence in our business and investment in China," said Foerst.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)


People want substance, not slogans: PM Modi Sending a strong message in the very first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday emphasised that the people of the country expect no obstructive behaviour from the Opposition in the new Parliament building. "In the House, the common man expects debate and diligence. People do not expect tantrums, drama and disturbance. People want substance, not slogans. The country needs a good opposition, a responsible opposition and I am sure that the MPs who have won in this 18th Lok Sabha will try to fulfill those expectations of the common man," said PM Modi while addressing the newly-elected MPs.



Requesting all the members to use the opportunity for public welfare, public service and take every possible step in public interest, Prime Minister Modi mentioned that the country has many expectations from all the MPs.



"The people of the country expect good steps from the opposition... I hope that the opposition will live up to it," he said.



There have been several instances in the past when sessions were washed out and the House was not able to conduct normal business even as the government offered discussions on several occasions.



The BJP-led NDA maintained in the past that the Opposition did not want issues of public welfare to be discussed.



Despite chaos and high disruption, the NDA government in previous terms was able to pass several bills that were in the national interest and benefitted all sections of society.



The Modi government has maintained that this reflects its commitment, productivity and ability to drive the legislative agenda in the Parliament, which aims to fulfil the aspirations of its citizens and will shape the future of the country.




George E. Norcross III (center) pictured with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (right) and former Gov. Chris Christie in September 2022. Read more

When the CEO of a Camden nonprofit faced pressure from George E. Norcross III in a real estate deal, the executive remembered the power brokers boasting, in a secret 2001 recording, of his influence across New Jersey.

A prominent Philadelphia developer told investigators hed swallowed his misgivings about getting into business with Norcross because he understood him to be a powerful individual in the region.

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And another firm that held rights to develop waterfront real estate in Camden  property whose value stood to grow in the aftermath of the passage of a New Jersey tax incentive law  decided to sell its interests, offering a bleak assessment of its prospects in the city: Political forces  will obstruct us at every turn.

Those examples  drawn from the 111-page racketeering indictment unsealed last week against Norcross and five key allies  illustrate the means by which authorities say the New Jersey power brokers reputation for hardball negotiations and cutthroat political maneuvering helped him to get what he wanted.

 READ MORE: New Jersey politics is a blood sport and other key takeaways from prosecutors case against S. Jersey power broker George Norcross

While prosecutors have accused Norcross, 68, and his allies of making overt threats to shake down rivals and acquire valuable real estate in Camden, in some cases, they say, his notoriety spoke volumes on its own. The indictment details numerous instances of businessmen and politicians acquiescing to Norcross wishes at least in part because of the reputation hed developed over a quarter century at the helm of the South Jersey Democratic machine.

Norcross and his allies used their reputation for controlling governmental entities to intimidate and threaten those who held property interests that [they] wanted to acquire, the indictment says.

 READ MORE: Are you threatening me? Surprise recordings are at the heart of prosecutors case against George Norcross.

Legal experts say the indictments emphasis on how others perceived Norcross suggests prosecutors could be planning to introduce evidence at trial documenting how his reputation was built  including a now infamous 2001 recording known as the Palmyra tapes in which Norcross was caught boasting of his influence and demanding in crass terms the ouster of a South Jersey municipal official.

That older evidence is critically important to understanding exactly why people would capitulate and take seriously threats from Norcross, as they did, said Jim Walden, a former federal prosecutor who served as special counsel to a task force established by Gov. Phil Murphy to investigate New Jerseys tax incentive program.

But it could also open an avenue for the defense to argue that Norcross cant be held responsible for the decisions of people who acted solely out of fear of who they thought him to be. Norcross lawyers have already begun raising questions to discredit the Palmyra tapes and keep evidence like it out of court.

Norcross longtime attorney Michael Critchley said Friday that the investigation that produced the recording  which was publicly criticized in 2006 by then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie  was tainted. He accused prosecutors of illegally taping a privileged conversation between him and Norcross during the course of the probe and noted that they falsely told a court that they hadnt. The Attorney Generals Office later acknowledged it had in fact made a recording but chalked up the misleading statement to a mistake. Ultimately, Norcross was never charged with a crime.

 READ MORE: Who is George Norcross? A look at the indicted South Jersey power broker

Norcross true reputation, his lawyers argue, is as a civic leader who has poured countless hours and significant amounts of his own money into Camdens revitalization.

The Attorney Generals Office has a history of engaging in corrupt activity with regard to Mr. Norcross as evidenced by their documented wrongdoing in the Palmyra investigation, Critchley said Friday.

Problems in Palmyra

Norcross was already an established kingmaker in state Democratic politics when John Gural came on his radar in the early 2000s.

Gural  a borough councilman in Palmyra, Burlington County, who also worked for a civil engineering firm  says he was summoned in January 2001 to a meeting at Norcross Cherry Hill offices at Commerce Bank.

Gural was facing pressure from his employer and Norcross allies at the time not to reappoint the municipal solicitor, Ted Rosenberg, after Rosenberg had campaigned to be chair of the Burlington County Democratic Party against a candidate Norcross preferred.

Gural secretly recorded the meeting  and Norcross did not mince words.

I want you to fire that f, Norcross told him, according to the tapes of their 75-minute conversation, released under a court order in 2005. At another point, Norcross said: You need to get rid of this f Rosenberg for me. Teach this jerk-off a lesson.

At another point, Norcross said he wanted to crush Rosenberg and boasted of having told another adversary that if he crossed him again, youre going to get your fing balls cut off. And lest Gural doubt the pull Norcross held over politics in New Jersey, Norcross bragged that the states top politicians  including governors  theyre all going to be with me.

Because not that they like me, Norcross said on the tapes. But because they have no choice.

Unbeknownst to Norcross, Gural was wearing a wire as a confidential informant for the state Attorney Generals Office, which was conducting a corruption investigation. Gural later alleged that he was told in other conversations hed get a share of a government contract steered to his engineering firm if he fired Rosenberg.

The AGs office ultimately chose not to charge Norcross, who agreed to be interviewed by investigators. He denied any wrongdoing and said the tape simply showed his strong advocacy for South Jersey Democrats.

But Norcross tough talk and the influence he claimed to wield on the tapes, which circulated widely after they were released as part of a civil racketeering suit Rosenberg later filed against Norcross, had a lasting effect even though the case was ultimately dismissed.

Years later, when Anthony Perno, CEO of the community development nonprofit Coopers Ferry Partnership, faced his own conflict with Norcross, investigators say, the Palmyra tapes echoed in his mind.

Waterfront real estate

Starting in 2012, Coopers Ferry began negotiating a deal to buy a 575,000-square-foot office complex on Camdens waterfront known as L3 from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

Norcross and his brother Philip, according to the indictment, had other ideas. Though neither had any official role at Coopers Ferry or in Camdens government, they demanded that the nonprofit partner with developers they preferred and insisted it sell its ownership stake for less than it was worth, the indictment says.

Prosecutors maintain it was Philip Norcross who directly threatened Perno during an April 2014 meeting after the Camden Mayors Office directed Perno to deal directly with him. The indictment does not mention George Norcross ever speaking directly to Perno about L3 but accuses him of relying on intermediaries to make his displeasure known.

Those werent the only factors weighing on the nonprofit executive, the indictment says. Perno was also aware of Norcross threats on the Palmyra tapes and  closer to home  he knew that his predecessor as CEO of Coopers Ferry, Tom Corcoran, had feuded with Norcross in the early 2000s.

Corcoran believed that fight caused the city of Camden to slash the nonprofits funding and subsequently led the CEO to leave the organization in 2009, the indictment says.

Prosecutors say it was Pernos understanding of this history  combined with Philip Norcross threat  that prompted the CEO to acquiesce to the Norcross brothers demands and agree to partner with their chosen developers and eventually sell the nonprofits stake in the L3 complex for a fraction of what it might have earned.

Cooper University Health Care  the hospital network for which George Norcross is board chairman  later relocated office jobs to L3 and paid rent with state tax credits, which it was able to sell for cash. Cooper Health also acquired an ownership stake in the building.

In 2019, Cooper Health told The Inquirer that Coopers Ferry lacked financing and that the nonprofits plans to close the L3 deal hinged on forcing the hospital network into an above-market rental agreement.

Prosecutors now say that was among several false or misleading statements provided to the news media by agents of members and associates of the Norcross Enterprise.

Political land mines

Norcross reputation for control of government entities  real or imagined  would again prove a valuable asset, as he and his allies sought to acquire other property rights on the Camden waterfront in the years that followed, prosecutors said.

Columbus, Ohio-based developer Steiner & Associates redeveloped Camdens aquarium in the 2000s and later acquired, with another partner, rights to develop about 30 acres of waterfront land, including parcels where Norcross and his business partners wanted to build an office tower and an apartment complex through the awarding of state tax credits.

In the summer of 2015, Steiner agreed to sell its redevelopment options to Malvern-based real estate investment firm Liberty Property Trust, which would go on to work with Norcross on other development deals in Camden.

The indictment says a member of the Steiner group explained its decision to sell in an email noting concern that political forces will obstruct us at every turn.

Though prosecutors did not specify what prompted the unnamed Steiner executive to believe this, they noted that about a year later, when Liberty sought an extension on its agreement with the Ohio developer, a member of the Steiner group referenced political land mines in attempting to close the deal.

A feud with a Philly developer

Around the same time, Liberty Property Trust (LPT) was also in negotiations with Philadelphia developer Carl Dranoff on another waterfront development.

Liberty CEO William P. Hankowsky at one point told Dranoff hed have to partner with The Michaels Organization, a developer preferred by Norcross, the indictment says.

Again, Norcross reputation preceded him. Dranoff had reservations about the arrangement and was wary of working with [Norcross], the indictment says, but he understood him to be a powerful individual in Camden [with whom] LPT intended to work.

Prosecutors say Dranoff trusted Hankowsky, so he agreed to move forward with the negotiations.

But later, when those talks went south and Norcross allegedly threatened to make sure Dranoff never did business in Camden again, the developer took the warnings seriously. According to the indictment, Dranoff agreed to sell property rights he held to the Norcross-backed development team for less than he thought they were worth.

Prosecutors say that Dranoff believed that if he didnt give in, his ability to conduct business in Camden and his financial interests in general would be in jeopardy, the indictment says.

Even still, in the five years that followed, Dranoff became ensnared in civil litigation with the City of Camden over other development projects. He admitted he failed to file legally required financial reports, and city officials accused him of bilking Camden out of millions of dollars in profits.

Last year, Dranoff agreed to a settlement in which he agreed to pay $3.3 million and relinquished his rights to develop another waterfront property known as Radio Lofts. The indictment says he opted not to go to trial in part because he had concerns over corruption in Camden, which made him believe that he would not be treated fairly by the court system.

In an interview Tuesday, Critchley described that allegation as an unfair attack on the judge and the judicial system. If Dranoff had indeed harbored those concerns, he could have asked the judge to recuse himself or requested a change of venue, the lawyer said.

Dranoff, Critchley noted, chose to settle the case instead.

An extraordinary embarrassment

As prosecutors tell it, the encounters Perno, Steiner & Associates, and Dranoff each had with Norcross and his allies amid their negotiations over waterfront real estate only added to the reputation Norcross had for crushing those who stood in his way.

As they laid out their indictment last week, bolstering Norcross reputation and political power was one of several objectives of the criminal enterprise they accused him of leading.

But if prosecutors thought Norcross would sit by quietly as they announced their case during a Monday news conference in Trenton, they underestimated the Norcross reputation theyd detailed so extensively in their indictment.

As Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin read out the charges to a room full of reporters, Norcross, flanked by a team of his lawyers, sat staring at him from the front row.

Asked later why hed made the unusual decision to show up in person, Norcross replied: Because I want to witness an extraordinary embarrassment and outrageous conduct from a government official who stands up there and tries to act like hes holier than thou.

Video editor Astrid Rodrigues contributed to this article.
The SS United States at Pier 82, along the Delaware River, in Philadelphia on Sunday, June 16, 2024. Read more

An SOS is ringing out from the SS United States in South Philadelphia, which needs to find a new home by September. And if its stewards dont find a new berth for the vessel, the Queen of the Seas may ultimately head to the scrap pile.

A yearslong dispute between the SS United States Conservancy and its landlord at Pier 82  where the ship has been posted since 1996  ended June 14, with a federal judge giving the ships stewards 90 days to vacate the premises.

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With the clock ticking, the conservancy launched an urgent fundraising campaign Thursday to raise half a million dollars that would help cover moving expenses. The 1,000-foot-long vessel is incapable of self-propulsion, so a move would require tug boats in addition to insurance and other dock preparations.

 READ MORE: SS United States must leave its South Philadelphia berth by mid-September, judge rules

The conservancy has aimed to give the SS United States new life since it took possession of it in 2011, but the stewards warn that without a temporary home and funds, the vessel could be lost forever.

Our search for a new temporary or permanent location has been ongoing and began well before the litigation, but if a dock cannot be found in the coming weeks, well be forced to commit to reefing or scrapping the vessel, said conservancy board member Warren Jones in a statement.

But just where the ship could go remains to be seen. The conservancy is prioritizing finding a temporary berth in the Philadelphia area or elsewhere along the East Coast.

Heres a rundown of what could happen.

A temporary berth

In the short term, finding a temporary berth is the best-case scenario for the ship on such a tight deadline and would give the conservancy more of a runway to find a partner who would share its vision to reimagine the ship. Ideally, the new berth would be in the Philadelphia region, helping the conservancy save on a complicated and costly move.

Detonation

Its not quite what it sounds like, but this method does involve explosives. The conservancy could endeavor to sink the ship and turn it into an artificial reef and diving destination.

This approach has been taken before. In 2006, the Navy and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission worked with Escambia County, Fla., to sink the former naval warship USS Oriskany in nearby Pensacola waters. The Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg, a World War II ship used by the Air Force, was similarly sunk in the Florida Keys three years later.

Sinking a ship isnt as easy as it sounds. It cost the Navy $20 million to clean the Oriskany for sinking, according to the New York Times. The Tampa Bay Times reported that the project to turn the Vandenberg into a reef cost $8.6 million.

The conservancy wouldnt say just how much such a procedure would cost for the SS United States. The ship has already been stripped of all furnishings, as well as asbestos, but to sink it would need to undergo a more intense stripping of electric cables, liquids, and other metals to meet federal regulations.

During the two-day trial between the conservancy and ships landlord in January, Susan Gibbs, conservancy president and granddaughter of the ships designer, said the reef option had been considered in the past, but was not the first choice for the ship.

Should the conservancy take this approach to save the ship from the scrapyard, it would not fund the cleaning and sinking itself, requiring a mix of public and private funds.

The conservancy would still work to create a land-based museum focused on the ship even if the real one ends up in deep waters.

Redevelopment

The failure to give the SS United States a second life is not for lack of ambition or imagination. Its generally been a lack of financing. Past owners have pitched time-share condos as well as a cruise line. Most recently, the conservancy paired with RXR Realty and MCR Hotels to release plans that include a 1,000-room hotel, which would include green space, room for events, and a ballroom.

 READ MORE: A hotel, speakeasy, and green space: A detailed list of what could be done with the SS United States. All it needs is a partner.

Still, the estimated cost of redevelopment for the hotel is in the ballpark of $400 million and that doesnt include the cost of making over whatever pier the ship lands on.

How realistic is it that a developer steps in? The conservancy would say only that it has had some entities express interest. To the conservancy, mixed-use commercial development has always been the preferred final use for the vessel.

The scrap heap

This is the worst-case scenario. Should the conservancy be unable to secure even a temporary berth to keep exploring options such as redevelopment, the ship would have to be marketed for scrap, again.

The ship would be transported to a yard where it would have to be disassembled and whatever the conservancy gets for the material, it would put toward opening a museum for the ship.

Can the conservancy appeal the judges decision?

The conservancy is proceeding as though it will have to abide by the Sept. 12 deadline to move, but it has not discounted future legal actions.

For now, its asking President Joe Biden and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro to step in and help.
The SS United States at Pier 82, along the Delaware River, in Philadelphia. Read more

Start your day with the Philly news you need and the stories you want all in one easy-to-read newsletter

Welcome to a new week, Philly.

After a federal order to leave its South Philadelphia berth, the SS United States options are few, its conservancy says  including being sunk or sold for scrap. We have the story on the efforts to save the historic vessel before a September deadline.

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And as wounds and amputations spike among drug users, experts told our health team that Phillys $100 million addiction treatment center must ensure adequate medical care for patients.

We also have the latest on the shooting of a police officer Saturday night during a traffic stop in Kensington.

Heres what you need to know on this hot and sunny Monday.

 Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

The SS United States may be making its last voyage.

 A federal judge recently ruled that the former passenger ship must vacate its South Philadelphia berth by mid-September. The 1,000-foot vessel has been stationed in front of the Columbus Avenue Ikea store for nearly three decades, but a long-running rent dispute prompted the legal intervention.

 Now, the conservancy that oversees the ship must raise $500,000 and find a temporary home, quickly, its leaders say.

 If they dont, they have a few more destructive options: Sink the ship and turn it into an artificial reef. Redevelop it into something like a hotel or museum. Or scrap it.

Reporter Ximena Conde has the story on the race to save the SS United States.

P.S. If you didnt know Philly had a ton of naval enthusiasts, consider the Battleship New Jersey: As of Thursday, the decorated ship has returned home to the Camden waterfront after undergoing a $10 million facelift in South Philadelphia. Flanked by the Phanatic, Gritty, and Swoop, a crowd of more than 300 people greeted its arrival.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers plan to open a $100 million, 600-bed drug treatment center and shelter in Northeast Philadelphia got closer to reality when City Council approved it along with a new city budget earlier this month.

Officials say its too soon to share details about specific services the site will offer. In the meantime, addiction and health policy expert advocates have ideas.

A key concern is whether residents would receive the specialized medical care they need, including psychiatric treatment, and treatment for infected wounds caused by the animal tranquilizer xylazine. They also see the potential for isolation at the center, which could open within three years on State Road  far from many would-be patients support systems.

Health reporter Aubrey Whelan has the story on where experts want the city to invest.

What you should know today

 Trivia time

Bistrot La Minette in Queen Village and On Point Bistro in Point Breeze both announced their closings last week. What chief reason did the restaurants owners give?

A) High cost of ingredients

B) Slow supply chain

C) Few qualified employees

D) Exhaustion

Think you know? Check your answer.

What were...

 Looking for: The colorful cart rolling down Ninth Street Market thats gathering stories from residents and merchants.

 Amused by: The Wildwood Seasquatch, the long-haired mascot trying to go viral.

 Side-eyeing: These beyond-messy boy rooms.

 Unscramble the anagram

Perhaps Philadelphias most historic civic building, a.k.a. the room where it happened, based at 520 Chestnut St.

CHANNELED DELI PEN

Email us if you know the answer. Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Joe Cantwell, who solved Sundays anagram: Zach Bryan. The former Philadelphian and country star will share some new tunes with fans starting this week at McGlincheys Bar.

Photo of the day

Your only in Philly story

 Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if youre not a lifer, something that made you fall in love with Philly all over again  or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.

This only in Philly story comes from reader Sarah Greenblatt, who describes a decade-old memory of helpers on the El:

I was on the Market-Frankford train when a frail older man rose shakily from his seat and made his way haltingly toward an exit. When the train abruptly lurched, the gentleman began to pitch backward, as if he was going to fall. Two passengers seated on opposite sides of the aisle from each other wordlessly joined arms and broke the mans fall, then helped right him. The three characters were of different races. This moment of dazzling grace reminds me of the brotherly love lurking around us, often unseen or unspoken.

Have a great start to your week, and Ill see you back here tomorrow.

By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
On June 11, with little fanfare, new probation reforms took effect in Pennsylvania.

The legislation, called Act 44, gives well-performing offenders the chance to end their probation early, discourages confinement for minor violations like missing a probation meeting, requires that judges tailor probation conditions to each defendants circumstances, and prevents those in extreme poverty from having their probation extended, even if they cannot pay for court-ordered costs and fees.

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These reforms will make us safer, spend less of our taxpayer dollars, and move people out of the criminal justice system and into the workforce.

It took a ton of star wattage, news conferences, and photo ops  thanks in large part to rapper Meek Mill and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin  to get this bill passed last December. Old-fashioned politicking was also essential: Republican State Sen. Lisa Baker and Democratic State Rep. Jordan A. Harris led the effort to get the reforms passed in their respective chambers.

In an era of gaping political divides, we should all take a moment to marvel that this reform was passed by bipartisan supermajorities in both chambers: 48-2 in the Senate and 178-25 in the House.

Act 44 is a big win for Pennsylvania politicians on the left and the right, as well as Gov. Josh Shapiro, who signed it into law. Unlike so-called criminal justice reform from Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who seems to be encouraging Philadelphians to ignore the law if they dont like it, Act 44 holds Pennsylvanians accountable, while also helping them rebuild their lives.

Its a remarkable bipartisan achievement in a country most people think is hopelessly divided. Here are three important lessons from the success of these probation reforms that can help us continue to overcome the political divide.

Make the moral case first, without demonizing who is at fault

Mill spent eight months in jail as a teenager. Over the next decade, he was sentenced to prison three more times  not for a crime, but for technical violations of his probation. Former Gov. Tom Wolf granted Mill a pardon in 2023, but few in Pennsylvania caught in the probation-violation-to-jail loop get such clemency. Mills story spoke to the experience of thousands of Pennsylvanians, especially people of color.

It helps to have a celebrity out there making the moral case for why a policy should change (huge hat tip to Jay-Z for jumping in on school choice vouchers). But Mills experience spoke to something the data backed up. Pennsylvanias probation system was not just wasting resources, it was wasting peoples lives. It was not benefiting victims, nor did it improve public safety.

Probation needed to have clear standards and incentivize good behavior, not hold people to rigid standards that catch them up in technical violations ad infinitum. This is something most Americans can agree upon. Its what brought politicians on both sides together.

A problem for a small number of people can impact everyone

Pennsylvania is a state of about 13 million people, the majority of whom are not on any form of probation. Still, it is vital to recognize just how bad the supervised release system is in our state.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, Pennsylvania has a higher incarceration rate than any other state in the Northeast, and the second-highest percentage nationwide of citizens on some form of probation or parole.

Thats because we had a wonky system. Pennsylvania is one of the few states where a person can be convicted of a crime, get locked up, be released on parole, and then serve more time on probation, regardless of the threat they pose to public safety or any actions they took to rebuild their lives. This led to people spending years in jail and decades on probation, not because of the crime they were convicted for, but because of technical violations.

And this has not made us safer. In its public safety ratings, U.S. News and World Report ranks Pennsylvania 17th for violent crime and 11th for property crime.

Dont be afraid to appeal to politicians you think will never listen

Most people consider criminal justice reform a progressive or left-wing issue. But in my work in state and national politics, I have seen how right-wing conservatives have been leading on this issue for almost 20 years.

For many conservatives, the idea of redemption and restoration is often part of their religious identity. And, of course, spending fewer taxpayer dollars with good outcomes like increased public safety is always popular on the right.

Almost 20 years ago, Texas attorney Marc Levin sparked the rights fervor for criminal justice reform by appealing to morally and fiscally conservative values. In 2005, the free market-oriented Texas Public Policy Foundation argued that the old lock em up and throw away the keys mentality was trapping nonviolent offenders in a bad system that was costing a fortune.

Conservative leadership on criminal justice reform has continued. In 2019, former Obama administration green jobs tsar Van Jones admitted during a panel discussion at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, The conservative movement in this country, unfortunately from my point of view, is now the leader on this issue of [criminal justice] reform.

Most people, regardless of their stated political leanings, can get behind policies that effectively use taxpayer dollars to improve public safety and help people rebuild their lives.

This moment requires that we move away from our narrow view of politics as usual and embrace good ideas that benefit us all.
Donald Trump told reporters he has already made a decision on his running mate. Read more

NEW YORK  Donald Trump has narrowed his vice presidential short list to a handful of contenders as he prepares to announce his pick in the days before  or perhaps even at  next months Republican National Convention.

He told reporters Saturday that he already has made his decision and that the person will be in attendance Thursday night in Atlanta at the first debate of the general election campaign against Democratic President Joe Biden.

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Trumps choice would likely become the immediate front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination four years from now if Trump were to win a second term, the constitutional limit. But that No. 2 will be under immense pressure from Trump and his allies to show loyalty at all times.

Trump turned on his first vice president, Mike Pence, after Pence rebuffed his boss efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, based on false theories promoted by the then-president after his loss to Biden.

Pence has declined to endorse Trump this time around.

Trump has said his top consideration for a vice president is whether someone is qualified to take over as commander in chief.

But other factors at play: Who can raise money? Who performs well on television? Who will be most effective on the debate stage against Vice President Kamala Harris? Who risks overshadowing Trump, as a lame-duck if he is elected in November, with talk soon of 2028? And who has the look?

Trumps campaign has repeatedly cautioned that anyone claiming to know who or when President Trump will choose his VP is lying, unless the person is named Donald J. Trump.

And given Trumps penchant for unpredictability and drama, the best-laid plans could change.

A look at the top contenders heading into the convention in Milwaukee that will begin July 15.

Doug Burgum

Trump likes rich people. North Dakotas two-term governor is most definitely rich.

Before his time as governor, Burgum led a software company that was acquired by Microsoft for more than $1 billion. He also has worked in real estate development and venture capital and spent millions on his own White House bid.

Burgum had initially run against Trump for the 2024 nomination, but the little-known governor from a sparsely-populated state gained little traction. When Burgum dropped his bid, he quickly endorsed the former president. Since then, Burgum has become one of Trumps most visible defenders, appearing frequently on television, joining him at fund-raisers, and traveling to New York for Trumps criminal trial.

But more than that, Trump and Burgum have hit it off personally.

Burgum and his wife, Kathryn, are said to get along especially well with Trump and his team  the kind of rapport that has particular currency in Trumps orbit. It does not hurt that Trump thinks Burgum looks the part  a central casting pick.

Selecting Burgum would, in some ways, echo Pence: a staid, uncontroversial governor with lesser national name recognition. Burgum, 67, would be unlikely to compete with Trump for the spotlight or to immediately overshadow him with 2028 talk.

Burgum also brings money and rich friends to the table.

But does the Republican Party want two older white guys atop the ticket?

JD Vance

Swept to national prominence by his best-selling memoir, Hillbilly Elegy, Vance has held office for less than two years. But during his short time in the Senate, the former venture capitalist from Ohio has established himself as one of the fiercest defenders of Trumps Make America Great Again agenda, especially when it comes to foreign policy, trade and immigration.

Despite his early criticism of Trump, Vance has become personally close with the former president and his son Donald Trump Jr., who has talked up the senator. Vance has become a fixture of the conservative media circuit, frequently spars with reporters on Capitol Hill and has appeared with Trump at recent fund-raisers and at court.

At 39, Vance, would inject some millennial energy into a race that features an 81-year-old (Biden) and a 78-year-old (Trump) at the top of the major parties tickets. And a debate with Harris would certainly be heated.

But will Trump be able to get over Vances record of past insults, which he mentions still?

In 2016, Vance was one of Trumps fiercest critics, casting the then-reality TV star as a total fraud and moral disaster and calling him Americas Hitler.

Vance has said he was proved wrong by Trumps performance in office and the senator now castigates the liberals who made his book a bestseller as they sought a window into understanding Trumpism.

Marco Rubio

If picking Vance would excite Trumps base, choosing the Florida senator might expand the tickets appeal, particularly among deep-pocketed donors and more establishment-minded and moderate Republicans turned off by Trumps rhetoric and extremism.

Rubio, once seen as a GOP hotshot, is now a well-respected voice on foreign policy and national security issues in his party. The son of Cuban immigrants, he speaks Spanish and could help Trump win over the Hispanic voters that his campaign is eagerly courting.

Rubio is also seen as a skilled debater who could hold his own against Harris.

Running alongside Trump might once have seemed unlikely possibility, given that the two were bitter rivals in 2016 for the GOP nomination and viciously attacked one another. Trump belittled Rubio as Little Marco, mocked him for drinking water during speeches and called him a nervous basket case, who was disgusting. Rubio said Trump was a con man who tried to swindle the Republican Party and Rubio tried to question Trumps manhood.

You know what they say about men with small hands, Rubio quipped at one point during that campaign.

But then there is Rubios Florida problem, as Trump has called it.

The Constitution says two candidates from the same state cannot run as president and vice president, meaning Rubio would need to change his residency  something he is reportedly willing to do.

But does he really want the job? Rubio has been noticeably less present, publicly, than some of the others vying to be Trumps No. 2 and did not appear with Trump at his criminal trial.

Tim Scott

The only Black Republican in the Senate, the South Carolinian would bring racial and stylistic diversity to the GOP ticket as well as a preachers touch. The self-described born-again believer often quotes Scripture in political speeches that often reach a crescendo of call-and-response.

Scott and Trump worked closely together while Trump was in the White House on a host of policy issues, including Trumps tax cuts, opportunity zones, and criminal justice reform legislation.

Though Scott ran against Trump for the nomination this year, the senator largely declined to criticize the former president. After failing to gain traction despite millions spent on his behalf by high-profile donors, Scott endorsed Trump over fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley, Trumps U.N. ambassador, and immediately began enthusiastically campaigning across New Hampshire and South Carolina on Trumps behalf.

He continues to make frequent appearances on television and recently launched a $14 million campaign to win over minority voters in seven key swing states.

Trump has often joked that Scott has made a far better surrogate than he did a candidate.

But that has also raised questions about how Scott might perform on a debate stage with Harris later this year.

Elise Stefanik

The only woman on his short list, the New York congresswoman could help Trump win over skeptical college-educated and suburban women who sided with Biden in 2020.

Stefanik was once an aide to former House Speaker Paul Ryan and served in President George W. Bushs White House, working for two Republicans now shunned by Trump loyalists. But she transformed during Trumps four years in office into a fully-fledged Trump acolyte.

She defended him vigorously in both of his impeachment trials and railed against his criminal indictments. In 2022, Stefanik was the first member of Republican House leadership to endorse Trumps campaign, and did so before he had even announced.

She saw her profile rise after her aggressive questioning in December of a trio of university presidents over antisemitism on campus that led to two of their resignations. Trump has repeatedly praised that performance.

Stefanik has spent years ingratiating herself with Trump and positioning herself as one of his most trusted allies and confidantes on Capitol Hill.

But as a member of the House, does she have enough experience?

Ben Carson

Relationships and trust matter to Trump. Carson, who served as secretary of housing and urban development during Trumps administration, has developed a strong bond with the former president over the years, despite a contentious start as 2016 rivals.

A soft-spoken former renowned neurosurgeon, Carson, 72, could help Trump win over minority voters as the first Black person to be named to a Republican presidential ticket. Given Carsons age and demeanor, there is little chance of him overshadowing Trump or stealing the spotlight.

But Carson also has a history of controversial comments on abortion, guns and other issues that could cause headaches for the ticket.

Byron Donalds

The Florida congressman has become one of Trumps most prominent conservative Black supporters and a reliable surrogate on television and at events.

His selection could help bolster Trumps appeal with Black voters, especially the younger Black men that the campaign has been courting as it tries to eat into Bidens 2020 coalition.

At 45, Donalds is also the kind of fresh face who would serve a marked contrast to the men at the top of both parties tickets.

But like Rubio, Donalds would likely need to move to join the ticket. And he, too, has a history of controversial statements, including at a recent Congress, Cognac, and Cigars event in Philadelphia, where he seemed to reflect favorably on the Jim Crow era as he talked about the reinvigoration of the Black family.

You see, during Jim Crow, the Black family was together. During Jim Crow, more Black people were not just conservative  Black people always have been conservative-minded  but more Black people voted conservatively, Donalds said, according to audio from the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Supporters watch the presidential debate between President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden in North Las Vegas in 2020. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post) Read more

A far-right legal group that is leading a politically charged effort to challenge voting laws across the country filed its latest lawsuit in a Pennsylvania court last week alleging rampant election fraud.

United Sovereign Americans (USA) has filed multiple other suits across the country making similar claims as part of its campaign. The campaign, which began last year in Missouri, has disseminated misinformation, and Pennsylvania State Department officials say the groups ultimate aim is to sow doubt in the integrity of the upcoming presidential election.

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Philadelphia attorney Bruce L. Castor Jr., a former Montgomery County district attorney who was one of former President Donald Trumps lawyers in his second impeachment trial, and Michael van der Veen, who also represented Trump in his second impeachment, are representing the group in Pennsylvania.

Castor alleges that USA has found numerous errors related to voter registration in the Keystone State, including voters registered at multiple addresses, or dead people with active registrations.

The commonwealth failed to ensure that ... safeguards [for voters] were in place ... thus destroying the integrity of the ... election and making confidence in the election impossible, the lawsuit reads. If the 2022 election performance is repeated in 2024, petitioners and all Pennsylvania voters will suffer damages.

In a statement responding to the lawsuit, state department officials said the USA group continue[s] to waste taxpayer money.

The lawsuit, filed in Federal District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, is a frivolous action alleging, without any supporting facts or viable legal theories, a panoply of conspiracy claims advanced by litigants who have repeatedly filed baseless actions rejected by the courts, a state department spokesperson said. The spokesperson said that the department would respond to the suit accordingly.

Since the 2020 election, in which Joe Biden defeated Trump, the onetime reality TV star and his allies have filed dozens of lawsuits to challenge the loss. The Republican National Committee alone has filed election-related lawsuits in nearly half the states, according to the Associated Press.

The Pennsylvania lawsuit, which argues that more than one million of the five million votes recorded in the states 2020 election were uncertain due to 3.1 million erroneous registration records, reflects fanciful allegations of fraud, said Franklin and Marshall College government professor Stephen Medvic, who reviewed the lawsuit at the request of The Inquirer.

Claiming more than three million voting errors out of five million votes is laughable, he added. Its a wild claim with no basis in fact, and no explanation of how they arrived at that number.

In an interview, Philip Hensley-Robin, executive director of the nonpartisan voting rights advocacy group Common Cause Pennsylvania, said voters should feel confidence in the states election process, which is overseen by multiple bipartisan teams of election workers, county commissioners and election officials and is audited by county and state officials.

Its really not possible for an error on the voter registration list to turn into a fraudulent vote, he said.

Experts such as Medvic believe that USA and the RNC may well lose their lawsuits. Last month, a Maryland federal court dismissed USAs attempt to upend the states election administration.

Still, Medvic said, such suits can be trouble for election officials:

These lawsuits make it harder for election administrators to focus on their jobs, which is running safe and secure elections, because they have to spend so much time dealing with what are, ultimately, frivolous lawsuits.


CM Kejriwal In a big jolt to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Supreme Court on Monday denied passing any interim direction against the stay ordered by the Delhi High Court on his release on bail. Without passing any interim relief in CM Kejriwals favour, a vacation bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti adjourned the proceedings saying that it will take up the matter for hearing on Wednesday as the Delhi High Court is likely to pronounce its decision on EDs plea for interim stay in a day or two.



During the hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing CM Kejriwal, objected to the stay granted by the Delhi High Court in the first hearing itself.



Singhvi said that it is a well-established principle of law that standards of grant of bail and cancellation of bail are wholly different, adding that bail once allowed shouldnt be ordinarily reversed.



Further, he pointed out that an interim stay was granted on EDs appeal even when the trial order granting bail was not uploaded and the order staying release on bail was passed by the Delhi HC without recording any reasons.



Singhvi argued that the SC while reserving its judgment on Kejriwals plea assailing the validity of ED arrest and subsequent remand, had granted specific liberty to approach the trial court for bail in a money laundering case linked to alleged excise policy scam.



Opposing this, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing ED, said that the trial court did not go through the papers and the same is recorded in the impugned bail order.



How could an order be passed without going through the paper? It is a perverse order, submitted SG Mehta, adding that the twin conditions provided under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for grant of bail were not met.



In an interim direction, the Delhi High Court on June 21 stayed the release of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo on the Enforcement Directorates plea challenging the trial court's bail order.



Halting CM Kejriwal's release, a vacation bench of Justices Sudhir Kumar Jain and Ravinder Dudeja of the high court directed that the bail order should not be enforced until the matter is heard in full. Later that day, the Delhi High Court reserved its order on EDs plea for interim stay and said that it would pass its order in two to three days.



The ED had requested the trial court on Thursday for a 48-hour deferral in signing the bail bond following the pronouncement of the order. However, the trial court firmly denied the ED's plea for a stay on its order granting bail.




The research team surveyed various brokerages to gauge the factors brokers deem important in a claims insurer. Additionally, they interviewed hundreds of brokers to rate the claims insurers they had engaged with over the previous year.
Our homes should be built to last a lifetime, so they need to be able to withstand intensifying cyclones, more severe bushfires, and worsening flooding, he said. Insurance prices risk, and unless we reduce long-term risks through strengthened homes, there will continue to be pressure on premiums. The economic benefits are clear, and stronger homes that are future-proofed against disaster will also enable communities to recover faster after an event.
Comparetravelinsurance.com.au noted that nearly 1,000 individuals, including one Australian, died in Saudi Arabia during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, where temperatures exceeded 50C. Additionally, this month saw the deaths of five tourists in Greece and two in Cyprus due to extreme heat. Michael Mosley, a well-known TV doctor, is also suspected to have died from heat exhaustion while hiking in the Greek islands.
In fiscal-year 2024, AM Best noted that Scotia Re might temporarily pause dividends to its parent company to enhance its capital availability and maintain its risk-adjusted capitalization after transitioning to IFRS-17. The move is seen as favorable risk management given Scotia Res focus on moderately riskier international markets. Although Scotiabank does not guarantee support, it may provide additional capital at its discretion to ensure Scotia Re maintains its robust risk-adjusted capitalization, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), AM Best noted.
Crew members on the cargo ship Dali can head home as soon as Thursday under an agreement that allows lawyers to question them as part of investigations into the cause of the deadly collapse of Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge.

None of the crew members has been able to leave the U.S. since their ship lost power and crashed into one of the bridges supporting columns on March 26.

Under the agreement, which was confirmed by U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar during a hearing Thursday, the crew can return home but must be available for depositions.

Attorneys had asked the judge Tuesday to prevent the roughly two dozen total crew members  all hailing from India or Sri Lanka  from leaving. Eight of the Dalis crew members were scheduled to return home, according to emails included in court filings.

In the court filings, attorneys representing the City of Baltimore said the men should remain in the U.S. so they can be deposed in ongoing civil litigation to decide who is responsible for costs and damages resulting from the bridge collapse. Six construction workers were killed and most maritime traffic through Baltimores busy port was temporarily halted.

The crew consists entirely of foreign nationals who, of course, have critical knowledge and information about the events giving rise to this litigation, attorneys wrote. If they are permitted to leave the United States, Claimants may never have the opportunity to question or depose them.

Attorney William H. Billy Murphy Jr., representing a claimant named Damon Davis, said the litigation over the bridge collapse may be the most expensive maritime case in the history of the world.

Everybody is paying close attention to the details so that we can unravel all aspects of this and come up with a just result, Murphy said.

Seven attorneys represented the federal government at the hearing. Two lawyers who represented the Dalis owner ignored questions as they left the courthouse.

Lawrence B. Brennan, a longtime admiralty lawyer based in New Jersey, said these kinds of legal battles are not uncommon or even unprecedented.

Its going to get complicated for a while, said Brennan, who previously worked for the Justice Department and is an adjunct law professor at Fordham University. And I dont think anything is going to get resolved in the next few weeks or months, unless somebody decides its in their best interest to pay off the case.

Brennan said its important to complete the depositions soon to avoid stalling the case.

We dont want to be talking these same issues two to three to four years from now, he said.

But he warned it can be hard to make witnesses comply with such an agreement once they have left the U.S.

The promise to come back is hard to enforce, Brennan said. So, if it isnt enforced, then the court has to decide what the consequences are. And usually that is punishment for the party who broke the agreement.

Darrell Wilson, a spokesperson for the ships owner, said Tuesday evening that some crew members were scheduled to leave but he couldnt say when, and that others would remain to assist with the investigation. He also said he wasnt sure when the ship would leave Baltimore for Norfolk, Virginia, where it will receive extensive repairs.

The hulking container ship remained pinned amid the wreckage of the fallen bridge for almost two months while workers removed thousands and thousands of tons of mangled steel and concrete from the bottom of the Patapsco River at the entrance to Baltimores harbor.

The ships crew remained on board even when explosives were detonated to break apart fallen bridge trusses and free the vessel from a massive steel span that landed across its bow.

The ongoing civil litigation began with a petition from the ships owner and manager, two Singapore-based companies, seeking to limit their legal liability for the deadly disaster.

A National Transportation Safety Board investigation found the ship experienced two power outages in the hours before it left the Port of Baltimore. In the moments before the bridge collapsed, it lost power again and veered off course. The agency is still investigating what caused the electrical failures.

The FBI also launched a criminal investigation.

According to the emails included in Tuesdays court filings, the eight crew members scheduled to return home have already been interviewed by Department of Justice investigators, and the department doesnt object to their departure. The crew members were flying out of Baltimore likely on or about Thursday, an attorney for the ships owner and manager wrote.

Brumfield reported from Silver Spring, Maryland. Finley reported from Norfolk, Virginia.

Photo: The collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge lay on top of the container ship Dali, Monday, April 15, 2024, in Baltimore. The FBI confirmed that agents were aboard the Dali conducting court-authorized law enforcement activity. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday signed a bill that would allow parents to block their children from getting social media posts suggested by a platforms algorithm, a move to limit feeds critics argue are addictive.

Under the legislation, feeds on apps like TikTok and Instagram would be limited for people under age 18 to posts from accounts they follow, rather than content suggested by an automated algorithm. It would also block platforms from sending minors notifications on suggested posts between midnight and 6 a.m.

Both provisions could be turned off if a minor gets what the bill defines as verifiable parental consent.

The law does not take effect immediately. State Attorney General Letitia James is now tasked with crafting rules to determine mechanisms for verifying a users age and parental consent. After the rules are finalized, social media companies will have 180 days to implement the regulations.

We can protect our kids. We can tell the companies that you are not allowed to do this, you dont have a right to do this, that parents should have say over their childrens lives and their health, not you, Hochul, a Democrat, said at a bill signing ceremony in Manhattan. Tech Firms Oppose New York Law New Yorks new social media law is opposed by another technology interest group Computer & Communications Industry Association and its members that include Internet giants Apple, Google, Amazon, Meta and others. CCIA has concerns with the online age verification requirements, which it calls legally dubious and claims it would increase the amount of sensitive information users must share with companies and potentially cut off users from the online communities they depend on. The industry also claims that New Yorks approach raises additional safety concerns for young users given that implementing age verification measures requires the collection of sensitive personal information from users and their parents. This would also impact an estimated 800,000 undocumented individuals living in New York, who may not want to provide the requested information and ne forced off of social media sites. According to CCIA, the very algorithms that curate and present content to younger users targeted by the law are the same ones that also protect teens from harmful content and help tailor online content for younger users. While the intent is to reduce the potential for excessive scrolling, eliminating algorithms could lead to a random assortment of content being delivered to users, potentially exposing them to inappropriate material, the CCIA told lawmakers. The group suggested that the law will face court First Amendment challenges in court, as have age verification laws in California, Arkansas, Ohio and Utah. Insurance Journal Staff The signing is the first step in what is expected to be a drawn out process of rule making, and a probable lawsuit from social media companies to block the law.

NetChoice, a tech industry trade group that includes X and Meta, has criticized the legislation as unconstitutional.

This is an assault on free speech and the open internet by the State of New York, Carl Szabo, vice president and general counsel of NetChoice, said in a statement. New York has created a way for the government to track what sites people visit and their online activity by forcing websites to censor all content unless visitors provide an ID to verify their age.

Most of the biggest social media platforms send users a steady stream of suggested videos, photographs and other content, using a computer to try and predict what will keep users entertained and engaged for as long as possible. The algorithms use a variety of factors to curate that content, including what a user has clicked on before and interests of other people with similar preferences.

The bill marks the latest attempt by a state to regulate social media as part of concerns over how children interact with the platforms.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom this week announced plans to work with the Legislature on a bill to restrict smartphone usage for students during the school day, though he didnt provide exact details on what the proposal would include. Newsom in 2019 signed a bill allowing school districts to limit or ban smartphones while at school.

There hasnt been broad legislation on the subject at the federal level but it is a common point of discussion in Washington. This week the U.S. surgeon general called on Congress to put warning labels on social media platforms similar to those on cigarettes, citing mental health dangers for children using the sites.

Some tech companies, with pressure mounting, have decided to set up parental controls on their platforms. Last year, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, created tools that allowed parents to set time limits on the apps for children.

The New York legislation, debuted last October, had faced major pushback in the Legislature from the tech industry.

Social media platforms manipulate what our children see online to keep them on the platforms as long as possible, said James, a Democrat who pushed for the bill. The more time young people spend on social media, the more they are at risk of developing serious mental health concerns.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics New York
A Maine doctor who runs an addiction treatment center has been convicted on multiple counts of illegally distributing opioids including oxycodone, hydromorphone and fentanyl.

Dr. Merideth Norris, 53, of Kennebunk, Maine, was found guilty in federal court Friday of distributing the opioids at her practice. According to court documents, she did so without a legitimate medical purpose and knowing that some patients were battling an opioid addiction. She prescribed the drugs, according to court documents, even after patients failed drug tests or were known to redistribute the drugs in the community.

A federal jury convicted Norris on 15 counts of distributing controlled substances and she faces up to 20 years on each count.

Prosecutors accused Norris of putting her patients safety at risk, according to the Portland Press Herald, and failing to heed warning signs like failed drug tests among her patients or advisories from insurance companies about her prescribing of dangerous combinations of opioids and other drugs.

Her defense team tried to make the case that Norris helped patients reduce their medications and that the charges ignored the complexity of treating people who were addicted to opioids and struggled to find a doctor, the newspaper said.

Norris could not be reached for comment and her recovery center was closed Saturday.

Norris has long faced scrutiny for her prescribing practices, including from pharmacists who refused to fill prescriptions she wrote. Walmart pharmacies also issued a central block, or a nationwide ban, on filling prescriptions written by Norris.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Maine
An investigation into a ransomware attack earlier this month on London hospitals by the Russian group Qilin could take weeks to complete, the countrys state-run National Health Service said Friday, as concerns grow over a reported data dump of patient records.

Hundreds of operations and appointments are still being canceled more than two weeks after the June 3 attack on NHS provider Synnovis, which provides pathology services primarily in southeast London.

The attack affected Kings College and Guys and St Thomas hospital trusts, which run several south London hospitals, as well as clinics and doctors practices across a swath of the city. A memo to staff called it a critical incident and said it had a major impact on services, particularly blood transfusions.

London Hospitals Knew of Cyber Vulnerabilities Years Before Hack

NHS England said Friday that it has been made aware that data connected to the attack have been published online. According to the BBC, Qilin shared almost 400GB of data, including patient names, dates of birth and descriptions of blood tests, on their darknet site and Telegram channel.

The National Crime Agency and National Cyber Security Centre are working to verify the data included in the published files as quickly as possible, NHS England said in a statement. These files are not simple uploads and so investigations of this nature are highly complex and can take weeks if not longer to complete.

According to Saturdays edition of the Guardian newspaper, records covering 300 million patient interactions, including the results of blood tests for HIV and cancer, were stolen during the attack.

A website and helpline has been set up for patients affected.

We understand the distress this will cause patients who have to re-test, NHS England said.

The National Crime Agency has confirmed that it is leading the criminal investigation but said it is unable to comment further.

Ransomware involves criminals paralyzing computer systems with malware, then demanding money to release them. Ransomware is the costliest and most disruptive form of cybercrime, affecting local governments, court systems, hospitals and schools as well as businesses. It is difficult to combat as most gangs are based in former Soviet states and out of reach of Western justice.

Britains state-funded health system has been hit before, including during a 2017 ransomware attack that froze computers at hospitals across the country, closing down wards, shutting emergency rooms and bringing treatment to a halt.

Qilin, also known as Agenda, advertises on dark web cybercrime forums and leases malware to affiliates who use it to conduct attacks for a percentage of ransom payments, said Louise Ferrett of Searchlight Cyber, a threat intelligence company. The group has listed more than 100 victims.

Related:

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Topics Cyber Russia London
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 didnt 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.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Suraj Revanna Karnataka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is likely to take Suraj Revanna ' title=' custody of the grandson of former PM H.D. Deve Gowda Suraj Revanna '>custody of the grandson of former PM H.D. Deve Gowda Suraj Revanna on Monday for investigating him in the sexual assault case. "CID is likely to take him into custody," sources told IANS. However, Suraj Revanna's counsel is planning to move a bail petition once the CID officially makes the submission seeking his custody.



Suraj Revanna was handed over to judicial custody for 14 days on Sunday.



The police have launched a hunt for Suraj Revanna's aide Shivakumar, who had lodged a complaint against the victim alleging extortion charges.



Meanwhile, the FIR lodged by the police revealed shocking details of alleged sexual assault by Suraj Revanna. The victim had alleged that Suraj Revanna and his aide repeatedly gave life threats if he dared to speak about the sexual assault on him.



The complainant had told the police that Suraj Revanna started with endearing messages with love symbols on WhatsApp chat and invited him to his farmhouse.



The FIR states that when the complainant went to the farmhouse, Suraj Revanna had given a peck (quick kiss, especially on the side of the face) on the victim's cheek and later "started smooching him". When the complainant resisted, Suraj Revanna threatened him that he would get him finished off if he didn't cooperate and sexually assaulted him.



Suraj Revanna had demanded an apology from the complainant for noncooperation and asked him to say "sorry". As per the instruction, the complainant had said 'sorry' to Suraj Revanna.



After the incident, the victim went into a depression. Suraj Revanna's aide Shivakumar had threatened and locked him up at a lodge. Somehow, the victim had managed to sneak out of the lodge room and reached Bengaluru.



When the victim shared the ordeal with his parents, the family members asked him to file a complaint. The victim had told police that he and his family face life threats and if they had to face any consequences, Suraj Revanna and his family should be held responsible.



Suraj Revanna is the brother of arrested former JD (S) MP Prajwal Revanna, the prime accused in the sex video scandal. His father H.D. Revanna was jailed but later released on conditional bail in a kidnap case linked to the sex video scandal. Bhavani Revanna, mother of Prajwal, is also an accused in the kidnap case but is also out on bail.




CHICAGO (AP)  Facial recognition startup Clearview AI reached a settlement Friday in an Illinois lawsuit alleging its massive photographic collection of faces violated the subjects privacy rights, a deal that attorneys estimate could be worth more than $50 million.

But the unique agreement gives plaintiffs in the federal suit a share of the companys potential value, rather than a traditional payout. Attorneys fees estimated at $20 million also would come out of the settlement amount.

Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman, of the Northern District of Illinois, gave preliminary approval to the agreement Friday.

The case consolidated lawsuits from around the U.S. filed against Clearview, which pulled photos from social media and elsewhere on the internet to create a database it sold to businesses, individuals and government entities.

The company settled a separate case alleging violation of privacy rights in Illinois in 2022, agreeing to stop selling access to its database to private businesses or individuals. That agreement still allowed Clearview to work with federal agencies and local law enforcement outside Illinois, which has a strict digital privacy law.

Clearview does not admit any liability as part of the latest settlement agreement.

Clearview AI is pleased to have reached an agreement in this class action settlement, James Thompson, an attorney representing the company in the suit, said in a written statement Friday.

The lead plaintiffs attorney Jon Loevy said the agreement was a creative solution necessitated by Clearviews financial status.

Clearview did not have anywhere near the cash to pay fair compensation to the class, so we needed to find a creative solution, Loevy said in a statement. Under the settlement, the victims whose privacy was breached now get to participate in any upside that is ultimately generated, thereby recapturing to the class to some extent the ownership of their biometrics.

Its not clear how many people would be eligible to join the settlement. The agreement language is sweeping, including anyone whose images or data are in the companys database and who lived in the U.S. starting in July 1, 2017.

A national campaign to notify potential plaintiffs is part of the agreement.

The attorneys for Clearview and the plaintiffs worked with Wayne Andersen, a retired federal judge who now mediates legal cases, to develop the settlement. In court filings presenting the agreement, Andersen bluntly writes that the startup could not have paid any legal judgment if the suit went forward.

Clearview did not have the funds to pay a multi-million-dollar judgment, he is quoted in the filing. Indeed, there was great uncertainty as to whether Clearview would even have enough money to make it through to the end of trial, much less fund a judgment.

But some privacy advocates and people pursuing other legal action called the agreement a disappointment that wont change the companys operations.

Sejal Zota is an attorney and legal director for Just Futures Law, an organization representing plaintiffs in a California suit against the company. Zota said the agreement legitimizes Clearview.

It does not address the root of the problem, Zota said. Clearview gets to continue its practice of harvesting and selling peoples faces without their consent, and using them to train its AI tech.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits InsurTech Artificial Intelligence
The US Justice Department is dropping one of two proposed claims against ByteDance Ltd.s TikTok, planning to focus a consumer protection lawsuit later this year on childrens privacy instead of allegations the video-sharing platform misled consumers about their data security.

The department is preparing to file the lawsuit on behalf of the US Federal Trade Commission, which investigated the case, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing interagency communications.

The FTC gave the Justice Department a referral with two parts. The department plans to drop one part of the complaint alleging that TikTok deceived US consumers by failing to inform them that Beijing-based employees of its parent company, ByteDance, would have access to their personal and financial information, the people said. The DOJ plans to proceed with allegations the company violated the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act, which bars collecting data about children under the age of 13.

TikTok has faced enormous scrutiny over the security of user data and ties between its parent company, ByteDance, and the Chinese government. President Joe Biden in April signed a law that would ban TikTok unless it is sold within a year. The company is challenging the law in the courts.

The FTC declined to comment on the DOJs decision.

The Justice Department cannot comment on the substance of the referral from the FTC against TikTok, said DOJ spokesman Terrence Clark. Consistent with our normal approach, the Department consulted with FTC in advance of this referral and will continue that consultation going forward.

The Justice Department, which is litigating against TikTok in the D.C. Circuit, is uniquely situated to evaluate the best ways to hold TikTok accountable for the violations of law alleged here while also ensuring that this case does not interfere with other proceedings raising critical national security issues, Clark added.

When the FTC seeks monetary penalties  such as when a firm violates a settlement agreement  it must refer the matter to the Justice Department for litigation. The same goes for cases the FTC investigates under federal consumer protection laws related to childrens online privacy.

The FTC recommended the agency sue TikTok over the two violations and took the unusual step of making its referral public on June 18. The FTC and Justice Department have been at odds over recent consumer protection cases involving Amazon.com Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc.

TikTok in 2019 paid $5.7 million to settle similar FTC allegations that it had illegally collected personal information from children. As part of that, the company agreed to provide annual reports to the agency about its data collection and compliance with the settlement. Those reports helped lead to the current case.

The DOJs Consumer Protection Branch has 45 days from when the FTC makes a referral to decide whether it wishes to litigate or send the case back to the FTC. The Justice Department almost always opts to take charge of the case as it can retain as much as 3% of the civil penalties it collects.

Earlier this year, the FTC asked Congress to amend the law and allow it to litigate its own cases, saying the process for referring cases to the Justice Department is badly broken.

Photo: Photographer: Bing Guan/Bloomberg

Copyright 2024 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits USA Claims
Human-caused climate change dialed up the thermostat and turbocharged the odds of this months killer heat that has been baking the Southwestern United States, Mexico and Central America, a new flash study found.

Sizzling daytime temperatures that triggered cases of heat stroke in parts of the United States were 35 times more likely and 2.5 degrees hotter (1.4 degrees Celsius) because of the warming from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas, World Weather Attribution, a collection of scientists that run rapid and non-peer reviewed climate attribution studies, calculated Thursday.

Its an oven here; you cant stay here, 82-year-old Magarita Salazar Perez of Veracruz, Mexico, said in her home with no air conditioning. Last week, the Sonoran Desert hit 125 degrees (51.9 degrees Celsius), the hottest day in Mexican history, according to study co-author Shel Winkley, a meteorologist at Climate Central.

And it was even worse at night, which is what made this heat wave so deadly, said Imperial College of London climate scientist Friederike Otto, who coordinates the attribution study team. Climate change made nighttime temperatures 2.9 degrees (1.6 degrees Celsius) warmer and unusual evening heat 200 more times more likely, she said.

Theres just been no cool air at night like people are used to, Salazar Perez said. Doctors say cooler night temperatures are key to surviving a heat wave.

At least 125 people have died so far, according to the World Weather Attribution team.

This is clearly related to climate change, the level of intensity that we are seeing, these risks, said study co-author Karina Izquierdo, a Mexico City-based urban advisor for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Climate Centre.

The alarming part about this heat wave, which technically is still cooking the North American continent, is that its no longer that out of the ordinary anymore, Otto said. Past studies by the group have looked at heat so extreme that they found it impossible without climate change, but this heat wave not so much.

From a sort of weather perspective in that sense it wasnt rare, but the impacts were actually really bad, Otto told The Associated Press in an interview.

The changes we have seen in the last 20 years, which feels like just yesterday, are so strong, Otto said. Her study found that this heat wave is now four times more likely to happen now than it was in the year 2000 when it was nearly a degree (0.5 degrees Celsius) cooler than now. It seems sort of far away and a different world.

While other groups of international scientists  and the global carbon emissions reduction target adopted by countries in the 2015 Paris climate agreement  refer to warming since pre-industrial time in mid 1800s, Otto said comparing whats happening now to the year 2000 is more striking.

Were looking at a shifting baseline  what was once extreme but rare is becoming increasingly common, said University of Southern California Marine Studies Chair Carly Kenkel, who wasnt part of the attribution teams study. She said the analysis is the logical conclusion based on the data.

The study looked at a large swath of the continent, including southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize and Honduras and the hottest five consecutive days and hottest five consecutive nights. For most of the area, those five days ran from June 3 to 7 and those five nights were June 5 to 9, but in a few places the peak heat started May 26, Otto said.

For example, San Angelo, Texas, hit a record 111 degrees (43.8 degrees Celsius) on June 4. Between June 2 and June 6 the night temperature never dipped below 80 degrees (26.7 degrees Celsius) at Corpus Christi airport, a record each night, with two days when the thermometer never dropped below 85 (29.4 degrees Celsius) according to the National Weather Service.

Between June 1 and June 15, more than 1,200 daytime high temperature records were tied or broken in the United States and nearly 1,800 nighttime high temperature records were reached, according to the National Center for Environmental Information.

The attribution team used both current and past temperature measurements, contrasting what is happening to what occurred in past heat waves. They then used the scientifically accepted technique of comparing simulations of a fictional world without human-caused climate change to current reality to come up with how much global warming factored into the 2024 heat wave.

The immediate meteorological cause was a high pressure system parked over central Mexico that blocked cooling storms and clouds, then it moved to the U.S. Southwest and is now bringing the heat to the U.S. East, Winkley said. Tropical Storm Alberto formed Wednesday and is heading to northern Mexico and southern Texas with some rains, which may cause flooding.

Mexico and other places have been dealing for months with drought, water shortages and brutal heat. Monkeys have been dropping from trees in Mexico from the warmth.

This heat wave exacerbates existing inequalities between rich and poor in the Americas, Izquierdo said, and Kenkel agreed. The night heat is where the inequalities really become apparent because the ability to cool down with central air conditioning depends on how financially comfortable they are, Kenkel said.

And that means during this heat wave Salazar Perez has been quite uncomfortable.

___

Felix Marquez in Veracruz, Mexico and Teresa de Miguel in Mexico City contributed to this report.

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content.

Photograph: Margarita Salazar, 82, wipes the sweat off with a tissue inside her home amid high heat in Veracruz, Mexico, on June 16, 2024. Human-caused climate change intensified and made far more likely this months killer heat with triple digit temperatures, a new flash study found Thursday, June 20. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics USA Climate Change Mexico
Harish Kapur, CEO of Across America Insurance Services, likes to tell the story of how his companys chief defense lawyer became fed up with Kapurs frequent requests for lower settlements on claims disputes.

He fired us. He literally fired us, Kapur said. He said, The way you do things, Im not going to do it.'

The attorney last November had urged the insurance company to settle an accident claim for almost $1.2 million. But Across America, a managing general agent that writes coverage for commercial transportation and trucking  enterprises that are frequent targets of plaintiffs lawyers  did things Kapurs way.

The company settled the claim for $190,000. Kapur sent a nice note to his former lawyer, gloating about the cost savings.

The episode epitomizes what Across America officials say is an unorthodox but better way to run an insurance company: Instead of immediately turning claims disputes over to lawyers, as he believes many property and auto insurers do, the Riverside, California-based company relies on a crack team of in-house adjusters  some of whom have no background in claims management. They perform a deep dive on claims and claimants.

Kapur has found that plaintiffs often arent as well prepared as they profess to be, and will settle for smaller amounts.

Your adjusters need to know the ins and outs of every file and use common sense, Kapur said. Our adjusters have to know everything about the file.

Across America executives believe they have the numbers to back up the philosophy. After the company dismissed its third-party claims administrator firm and developed its own multi-step approach, the average claim payout dropped from $29,000 in 2020 to about $5,700 this year. Attorney fees went from about $5,400 per file to  wait for it  $349, according to company data.

A lot of it is, the attorneys and TPAs, they want to spend like its not their money, because its not, said Chief Operating Officer Tim Kane, based in St. Petersburg, Florida. When its not your money, its easy to pay $500,000 on a claim when it should really cost you only $50,000 or $100,000.

The company writes in most states on a non-admitted basis, giving it more freedom to cancel policies and limit costs. But it also puts a big emphasis on closing bodily injury claims as quickly as possible. When the previous claims management firm was handling matters, the 30-day closure rate was just 4%. Now its up to 51%, company data show. The firms loss ratio is about 40% this year, so low that some reinsurance providers have doubted the veracity of the numbers, Kane said.

Some larger insurers, particularly those in Florida, where litigation expenses have been a huge drag on carrier profits in recent years, might point out that Across America is small  insuring just about 3,000 trucking firms and 30,000 vehicles around the country. Floridas largest private property insurer, Universal Property & Casualty Insurance, by contrast, had more than 820,000 policies in force and more than 9,000 lawsuits pending at the end of last year.

Attorneys on both sides have said that Universals staff has appeared to be almost overwhelmed with claims and litigation matters in the last few years.

But Kapur argues that his firm handles lots of claims  some 1,600 in a two-year period, many of them from lawsuit-happy Florida. He believes his anti-litigation approach is scalable, and insurers large and small should take note.

Do we litigate? Yes, absolutely. Were ready to fight  when we have to, Kapur said. But if you know your case and know your file, a lot of times, they dont want to go to trial.

The story of how Across America developed its business model began in the 1990s. Kapur grew up in India and moved to the United States when his father, a mechanical engineering professor, accepted a job offer. By 1996, Kapur and his wife Rajni, a CPA by training, were operating a Farmers Insurance agency. In 2003, they launched their own independent agency specializing in commercial coverage. Twelve years later, the couple launched Across America as an MGA, wholesale brokerage and fronting company.

For the first few years, Across America utilized a TPA claims firm that Kapur declined to name. Unsatisfied with the slow speed of claims closure and the large payouts on claims, he switched to another TPA. Finally, in 2020, Harish Kapur decided to bring it all in-house and created All American Claims Solutions.

After a while, the CEO moved his desk into the claims department, getting knee deep in the claims processing side of the business. For almost two months, Kapur and Kane worked, sometimes at Kapurs kitchen table, to completely revamp the claims system and devise a checklist-driven process for adjusters to use in investigating claims.

They found out that the process of producing a better process is never ending.

We built it for a month, then we refined, refined, refined, said Kane, a former insurance consultant, business analyst and information technology director. Thats what you have to do. Bigger companies usually want a beginning and end to a project. But thats not the way it really works. You have to keep coming back around to it and looking at it again and again.

Kapur admits that the focus on adjusting means that good adjusters are paramount. But finding top-notch adjusters can be difficult. He said hes discovered that people with little or no experience in the field are easier to train and bring fresh ideas to the table. Kanwarpreet Gill, assistant vice president for claims, was flipping burgers at a Shake Shack when Kapur recruited him for the insurance business.

Gill, who has a finance degree from the University of California-Riverside, has proven to be a strong negotiator on settlements.

He can sit there in a mediation and make an attorney go get a glass of water because the attorney doesnt know how to respond, Kapur said.

And almost all staffers work in the office. Few work from home, a rule that contributes to collaboration and a team approach, he noted. The firm, with 85 employees total, has about 20 claims professionals.

Across America also has nurses on staff to review medical bills and gauge if future development is being exaggerated by claimants. A former body-shop estimator checks damage claims to see if estimated repair time has been fudged.

The insurer uses other methods that are tried and true in the industry: On one claim, an accident victim said she had been immobilized and depressed by the crash with a big truck. But her posting on TikTok showed her dancing on her kitchen counter and then blaming her angst on her father and her divorce.

Another trick: Get the insured involved. Fleet safety managers know the condition of the vehicle. And truck drivers are often the first to see the extent of the other parties injuries. If the victim is walking around after a collision, it could mean the injury is less than severe, Kapur and Kane noted.

Adjusters, not lawyers, make it work, they insist.

Why cant adjusters get medical records? Why does it need to be an attorney doing that? Kapur said.

This article has been updated.

Topics Claims
Many more properties, including hundreds of thousands of homes across Florida and other parts of the Southeast, will be required to purchase flood insurance after July 31, due to revisions in federal flood maps.

For some of the most exposed and populous parts of the region, in south Florida, the changes means about 138,800 more structures in Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward counties are now considered to be in the special flood hazard area, a significant increase from previous flood maps, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For properties with mortgages, most owners will be required to buy flood coverage, bringing opportunity to insurance agents and private flood insurers, but more costs for insureds.

The maps for some parts of Florida have not been updated in 20 years, said Trevor Burgess, president and CEO of St. Petersburg-based Neptune Flood, one of the largest private flood insurance providers in the country.

Neptune now writes more than 191,000 policies, and Burgess expects that number to grow with the Federal Emergency Management Agencys flood map revisions.

The water levels are much higher now, the population has grown, and there have been a lot of changes to the landscape, Burgess said.

The map revisions put about 252,015 structures in Miami-Dade County into the special hazard area, an increase of 45,420 structures from previous maps, FEMA data show. In Palm Beach County, some 34,154 properties are now in the flood zone, an increase of 5,800.

In Broward County, home of Fort Lauderdale, almost 89,000 parcels that were previously in a low-risk area are now in a higher-risk flood zone, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.

An agency official did not provide an estimate of the number of properties nationwide or across the Southeast, but people familiar with the maps said many parts of the region will be affected.

The FEMA map revisions came out this month, just as a tropical disturbance dumped as much as 20 inches of rain on parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties. The flooding is expected to trigger thousands of claims on cars, homes and businesses, with insured losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars, Aon reported last week.

The changes also come at a time when many vulnerable residents and businesses in parts of the Southeastern United States have backed away from flood insurance. In Texas, the number of National Flood Insurance Program policies has dropped by 6% in the last 12 months, according to Neptune, which analyzed the NFIP data. Louisiana, which has 440,000 flood policies, also has seen the number of policies shrink by 6% in the last year.

Burgess pointed out that while FEMA has revised its maps, its partly up to communities to enforce the rules and disallow rebuilding in flood hazard areas. Many local jurisdictions have failed to do that.

In Lee County, Florida, where Hurricane Ian brought heavy storm surge and flooding in 2022, FEMA this spring stripped local governments of community-wide flood insurance discounts after the federal agency determined that many structures were allowed to rebuild without elevating or taking other flood-damage prevention measures. Local officials are continuing to work with FEMA on lightening the penalties.

A FEMA analysis of Hurricane Ian flood losses can be seen here.

FEMA Last Year Released New Flood Insurance Rates by ZIP Code

Top photo: Flash flooding in mid-June brought water into homes and cars in North Miami and elsewhere in south Florida. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Topics Flood
Containment has grown on a pair of New Mexico wildfires that destroyed thousands of structures and forced the evacuation of more than 8,000 people.

The Salt and South Fork fires have burned more than 25,000 acres. The South Fork fire, the biggest blaze, is 31% contained. The Salt fire is 7% contained.

The South Fork and Salt fires saw additional precipitation on Saturday, making it difficult for crews to access some areas due to unsafe conditions, an update from the New Mexico Fire Information service states. On Sunday, weather conditions will allow firefighters to continue securing the perimeter and responding to hot spots within the interior of the fire area.

There are 1,114 personnel assigned to the fires, and 88 engines, 13 dozers and 18 water tenders.

Recent rains and cooler weather have assisted firefighters working to contain the fires.

Today has a potential for scattered storms, as warmer weather moves into the area. Temperatures are expected to warm to above normal with mostly light winds.

Federal authorities are offering a reward for information about people responsible for igniting the wildfires, which have killed two people. The FBI on Saturday offered up to $10,000 for information in connection with the fires.

Related:

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Mexico New Mexico
Washington, D.C. - June 24, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) The American Nuclear Society (ANS) joined 11 other energy and environmental organizations in calling on Congress to fund work by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop a new, technology-neutral, generic environmental standard for the permanent disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in the United States.

Joining ANS - the not-for-profit scientific and educational organization and professional society for nuclear science and technology - in signing the letter were The Breakthrough Institute, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, ClearPath Action, Decommissioning Plant Coalition, Energy Communities Alliance, Good Energy Collective, The Nature Conservancy, Nuclear Innovation Alliance, Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition, Third Way, and U.S. Nuclear Industry Council.

In the letter to leaders of the House and Senate appropriations committees, the coalition requested an additional $3 million in Fiscal Year 2025 for the EPA's Office of Radiation and Indoor Air to work on the new standard. Finding that current regulations for the deep geological disposal of SNF and HLW need to be updated to reflect the current state of science and better align with international practices, ANS recently issued peer-reviewed recommendations to guide the development of a risk-informed, technology-inclusive repository standard.

"Current U.S. requirements for a long-term repository are inconsistent with modern international standards and regulations," read the letter.

"When the federal government begins the process of siting a geologic repository for disposal of high-level waste and commercial SNF, a new generic repository standard should first be in place," stated the letter. "Developing a new generic geologic repository standard is a five to ten-year endeavor and will not result in any changes to U.S. policy. Additionally, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) would then need to update its own related regulations to conform to the new EPA standard. Given the extended timeframe for this action, it is imperative that the EPA starts now on the development of a modern standard for future repositories."

The groups noted that updated standards will not impact any policies related to the Department of Energy's scuttled deep geological repository project at Yucca Mountain, Nevada that is still legally designated as the country's designation for the permanent storage of commercial SNF and HLW from nuclear power plants.

"The current quantity of high-level waste in America exceeds Yucca Mountain's maximum capacity, meaning a second repository must eventually be identified," explained the groups. "The update of this standard must be completed to prevent unnecessary delays and burdensome litigation when Congress chooses to pursue a second repository in the future."

The letter was sent to Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), chair and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, along with Reps. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), chair and ranking member, respectively, of the House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. An additional 24 House and Senate members received the letter as well.

Established in 1954, the American Nuclear Society (ANS) is an international professional organization of engineers, scientists, technologists, teachers, and healthcare providers devoted to the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology. Its more than 10,000 members represent government, academia, research laboratories, medical facilities, and private industry. ANS's mission is to advance, foster, and spur the development and application of nuclear science, engineering, and technology to benefit society.

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The acquisition of Waterford biomethane firm Ormonde Organics by Heygaz Biomethane, a portfolio company of funds managed by InfraVia Capital Partners, has been notified to Ireland's competition watchdog.

Ormonde operates two anaerobic digestion plants at Portlaw, Co Waterford, and Youghal, Co Cork, with a total production capacity of 60GWh annually. It also has planning permission for a third facility, expected to begin operations at the end of 2025.
Supermarket chain Tesco Ireland has pleaded guilty to failing to comply with consumer law by failing to correctly display Clubcard prices, the competition authority has announced.

In a statement, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said the supermarket chain pleaded guilty on Monday morning to two sample counts of failing to comply with consumer protection law in how they displayed the price of products offered at a promotional price to Clubcard holders.

The judge overseeing the case, Anthony Halpin, ordered Tesco to pay the legal costs of CCPC and make a donation of 1,000 to the Little Flower Penny Dinners charity.

The case follows an investigation conducted by the CCPC which found that Tesco broke the law by failing to include unit pricing on Tesco Clubcard promotional shelf-edge labels. The breaches were identified during a CCPC inspection in August 2023.

Consumers shopping for groceries have to quickly evaluate a wide range of factors when deciding what products offer the best value for their money. Supermarkets are legally required to show unit pricing to make that process easier for consumers, the CCPC said.

The CCPC added that supermarkets displaying the price per kilo, litre or metre allows consumers to compare the cost of similar products sold in different sizes.

It also prevents consumers from being misled by packaging or discounts into paying more for less, it said.

Under Irish law, supermarkets are required to display both the selling price and the unit price on or near to the item. In practice this would be on the same shelf-edge label, with the selling price in the larger font and the unit price underneath.

There are some exceptions, including when the selling price is not related to quantity  such as large fruit that are sold by the item  as well as prepackaged products whose volume is no greater than 50 grams or 50 millilitres, such as small packets of sweets, crisps and popcorn.

The CCPC said it is encouraging all consumers to check the unit prices of items as they shop and make a report to the CCPC where they are not provided.
What the dying most regret is how they conducted their relationships, lay chaplain Neal Dunnigan says.

They can feel they didnt spend enough time, or quality time, with people to get to know them properly or help someone close to them.

Dunnigan, an American lay Franciscan, had a long career as a technology manager and consultant. Living in Oklahoma with his wife, he wanted to do something more meaningful in retirement.

From talking to people in various prisons and hospitals, I felt I should train to be a chaplain, Dunnigan says.

I had been a lay Franciscan for several years by then.

His wife, Virginia, joined him in chaplaincy training, although she no longer practises; she works as an artist. After a visit to Ireland  where they met a Mercy Order associate in charge of training chaplains  Dunnigan and his wife were encouraged to continue their training here, with their credits interchangeable.

After their first year of training in Ireland, in 2018, the couple decided to stay here. (Neal Dunnigans grandmother, from Glennamaddy, emigrated to the US at 14, allowing him to obtain an Irish passport; Virginia has been granted citizenship.)

Having graduated as a chaplain and trained at Cork University Hospital, Dunnigan felt there were few opportunities in the traditional hospital environment for his role.

As a result, he established Cork Community Chaplaincy Services. It operates on a non-denominational, inter-faith, inclusive community chaplaincy model that doesnt seek out converts and is adaptable to both secular and faith-based organisations and volunteers.

In providing caregivers with chaplaincy training, Dunnigan worked with volunteer organisations that feed the homeless. He helped guide volunteers to work through the difficult scenarios they encountered. But the pandemic put a lot of that work on hold.

After the pandemic, Dunnigan attended the first European bereavement conference in Copenhagen. Ireland was well-represented by the Irish Hospice Foundation. I was the only faith-based practitioner at the conference. I thought that was strange, because when it comes to bereavement, its usually the people from your faith community (that come to your aid.).

When he returned to Cork, Dunnigan set up bereavement-accompaniment training, to teach people how to accompany their friends, families, and co-workers who are bereaved. Theyre not accompanying them as therapists. Theyre doing it informally, helping by their presence.

Dunnigan says the emphasis is on spirituality rather than religiosity. I deal with people irrespective of their faith tradition. They might be agnostic or atheist. They still have spirituality, a connectedness. They can talk in humanistic terms or they may express themselves in traditional Christian terms.

In the US, there are so many religious traditions that there is no one way to grieve. Growing up in an Irish and Italian immigrant community  his mother was of Italian descent  Dunnigan attended Irish-style funerals as well as Italian ones.

Now, even if the deceased had a faith tradition, theres no assurance that the bereaved share that. And bereavement is for the survivors. Ireland is changing rapidly as well. Most of the things we associate with the Irish bereavement tradition come from a rural society. In cities like Cork and Dublin, things are now very different. Its more bespoke.

However, Dunnigan says we should hold onto the months mind.

Its an opportunity to catch up after youve caught your breath following a death, when youre ready to mourn. Its a beautiful custom. The tradition of the wake is changing. There are fewer wakes in the home. Its becoming more like what it is in the US, with just a viewing of the deceased within restricted hours in a funeral home.

Cremations, which used to be verboten in the Catholic Church, are now common. Celebrating the life of the deceased often involves religion in this country.

But bereaved family members or extended family may have had bad experiences with churches and they may be threatened by overly-religious talk. So you have to strike a balance.

Dunnigan considers himself privileged to be with the dying. There are two principles that I teach in my courses: All deaths are traumatic and all deaths are connected. When I say death is traumatic, its because the body never really wants to give up the spirit.

Neither do we, as survivors, want the spirit to leave the body of someone we love.

When he says connected, Dunnigan means that each death reminds us of all the prior deaths weve experienced. And its a foretelling of all future deaths of our loved ones and eventually of ourselves.

We are all connected at a time of mourning.

A childs death or a suicide is particularly hard to accommodate. The bereavement is for life and its often serious for the survivors. Dunnigan welcomes the peer support that the Irish Hospice Foundation offers the bereaved after such tragedies. He, too, can help the 20% of people in need of additional support following a tragedy.

Euthanasia is, Dunnigan predicts, going to be the subject of a nationwide discussion over the next two or three years. I would welcome an informed discussion, not a kneejerk or fear-based reaction. It should be based on the best available knowledge.

I think euthanasia has a place in the overall scheme, but I dont think its needed or desirable except for very few cases. If we look at the experiences in other countries, we see that its not something the majority of dying people would choose. For those who choose it, proper controls should be in place, so it can be managed.

What is Dunnigans advice regarding our inevitable deaths?

We should all keep our affairs in order from a young age. Youre never too young to have a will.

And, also, you should have a living will, which makes advance decisions in terms of resuscitation, for example.

From dealing with people in their final stage of life, Dunnigan says: The final moments are not to be feared. His favourite death story arose out of a famous Jewish philosopher, Philip Hallie, dispensing largesse in his hospital room to Dunnigan long before he worked in the area of death.

Dunnigan was curious about this philosopher.

Philip Hallies speciality was studying peoples inherent kindness. I heard he was in hospital and I went to visit him. I didnt realise it was his last day. He greeted me like I was a long-lost friend. He presented me with hospitality with his wife there. I wondered what he would want talking to me during his last available hours. Afterwards, I realised what he had done and that was a precious gift to me. One beautiful thing we could do is to teach someone else how to die like they were Phil Hallie.

Then there are the stoics, who taught us that we should face the inevitable with courage, resignation, and an absence of fuss.

As doctor and author, Seamus OMahony writes in the epilogue of his elucidating book, The Way We Die Now: Doctors can, indeed, help the dying, but dying needs to be de-medicalised.

Like taxes, theres no getting away from it.
SC State's historic Hodge Hall is one of three buildings on campus primarily dedicated to STEM instruction and research. The university is renovating labs in the building for STEM activity.

ORANGEBURG, S.C.  South Carolina State University has been allocated $8 million in state funding that will take education and research in the College of Science Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Transportation (STEM-T College) to a new level.

Four years in the making, the Research Partnerships and Workforce Training Programs are a partnership between SC State, the University of South Carolina (USC) and Clemson University in support of the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) and the Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BSRA).

The state has allocated an initial $40 million proviso, of which $8 million comes to SC State, with the promise of significantly more funding as objectives are met.

SC State already enjoys productive and mutually beneficial relationships with SRNL and BSRA, SC State President Alexander Conyers said. These funds will strengthen those connections and transform our STEM-T College into an even greater asset for the people of South Carolina and our students.

I thank Gov. Henry McMaster and the General Assembly for supporting this visionary milestone in the development of SC State and our partners in this critical endeavor, Conyers said.

L-R President Alexander Conyers, Provost Fredrick Evans, Dean Stanley Iheweazu and Associate Provost Elbert Malone.

The Research Partnerships and Workforce Training Programs overall objective is to provide a talent pipeline for SRNL and coursework to support professional development for the sites existing workforce.

SC State is the only institution in South Carolina and the nations only HBCU (historically Black college or university) offering a bachelors degree in nuclear engineering, hence its importance to SRNL. SC State also manages the Savannah River Environmental Sciences Field Station, which provides hands-on, field-oriented experiences for students.

From SC States perspective, the initial $8 million in state funding for the Research Partnerships and Workforce Training Programs is a game-changer for both research initiatives and the marketability of its graduates in STEM fields.

This investment underscores the state's commitment to preparing our students for the jobs of tomorrow, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving STEM world, said Dr. Frederick Evans, SC State provost and vice president for academic affairs. Expanding access to STEM education empowers our youth to innovate, create, and drive our state's future economic success.

The financial support will also position our students to engage in more strategic research within the STEM field and strengthen our alliances with business and industry, which will lead to new curricula to support workforce development in the State of South Carolina, Evans said.

According to Elbert R. Malone, SC State associate provost for research and sponsored programs, SC States share of the proviso will support:

The employment of 12 new research faculty in such areas as environmental engineering; the basic sciences of biology; chemistry and radiochemistry; health physics; nuclear engineering; cybersecurity and networking.

Scholarships and internships for undergraduate students.

Scholarships and internships for undergraduate students. Three Centers of Excellence -- The Center for Energy and Environmental Solutions; the Center for Nuclear Criticality, Radiochemistry and Spectroscopy; and the Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.

Placing faculty jointly appointed at SRNL in mission-relevant areas.

Placing faculty jointly appointed at SRNL in mission-relevant areas. Establishing two pre-college institutes  the Summer Bridge Program for young students and the Summer Science Institute for teachers.

STEM lab enhancements including equipment and modifications to conduct cutting-edge research and provide high-quality educational experience to STEM students. In addition, SC State is using other funding sources to renovate labs in Hodge Hall for the program.



These funds will be transformational to the STEM-T College because it will provide an opportunity to build a robust research infrastructure that will allow the university to compete in the research arena on national and international levels, particularly as we move toward Research II status, Malone said.

Conyers has set a goal for SC State to reach Research II (R2) status, which would position the university to compete for more federal and corporate funding for research-driven initiatives.

The $8 Million allocation is a huge blessing to the university and the STEM-T College, said Dr. Stanley Ihekweazu, the colleges dean. Through this appropriation, we hope to be able to do a number of things including but not limited to hiring research scientists to conduct research especially as we quicken our steps into R2 status, offering scholarships to students, and acquiring needed equipment.

We are truly excited and hope to hope to move the university and the STEM-T College forward, he said.

The universities outlined a five-year plan, and the initial grant will support the efforts for the first two years, after which the additional funding would kick in.

Of each new faculty members time, 75% will be devoted to research with the remaining 25% dedicated to instruction. The faculty members eventually would be responsible for bringing in their own research funding, keeping the imitative alive after the grant period expires.

BSRA brings world-class expertise in laboratory management, nuclear operations, national security, and scientific research to Savannah River National Laboratory. Along with SC State, USC and Clemson, the BSRAs team includes Battelle, an Ohio-based private nonprofit applied science and technology development company, plus two other universities with expertise in a wide range of areas relevant to SNRL: Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia.
The lack of an Irish naval vessel with an onboard helicopter is a significant weakness in combating maritime drug-trafficking, senior sources have said.

With the recent decommissioning of LE Eithne, no Naval Service vessel can carry a helicopter.

There are fears that Government commitments to procure a new, modern replacement for the navys flagship  with helicopter capabilities  might not materialise because of the ongoing staffing crisis in both the Naval Service and the Air Corps.

Last January, the Department of Defence issued a pre-solicitation for the procurement of a new multi-role vessel (MRV) to replace the LE Eithne. It cited a vessel outfitted for helicopter operations as well as freight and cargo-carrying duties and other maritime roles.

The budget had been around 200m, but it is reported the cost has risen to 300m. A detailed contract notice is expected in October.

Tanaiste and Minister of Defence, Micheal Martin, recently confirmed that maritime advisors had been appointed to support the procurement of the MRV. But he previously informed an Oireachtas Defence Committee hearing last May that a final decision had yet to be made on actually ordering it.

Work is now underway that will lead to a public tender competition to cover the supply of the MRV in due course, he said.

That will be subject to the availability of funding within the defence capital. Prior to procurement, I will assess where we are as regards naval strength, as this purchase will be a significant investment commitment when we eventually get there.

During the dramatic military storming of the MV Matthew last September, Army Rangers were flown from land by helicopter to the container ship. File photo: Niall Carson/PA

Security sources are concerned about the impact of the lack of a multi-purpose vessel with helicopter capabilities.

From a security perspective, satellite-based systems enhance our maritime domain awareness, so that is a mitigating factor [in not having such a vessel], a source said. But for maritime counter-narcotics/terrorism, a helicopter is a big capability to deploy.

During the dramatic military storming of the MV Matthew last September, Army Rangers were flown from land by helicopter to the container ship while the LE William Butler Yeats endeavoured to block the vessel from leaving Irish waters.

If that operation was further offshore then the range [of a helicopter coming from land] and its duration could be a factor, a source said.

This is important if Special Operations Forces is to interdict, as weather conditions could affect deployment of a RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat].

This is a constraint, so thats where if you had an embedded or onboard maritime helicopter it goes to your surface asset and has the ability to launch/recover to the ship.

A recent US report said Ireland was increasingly becoming a cocaine pipeline from South America to Europe. EU drugs and police agencies have highlighted a growing threat to secondary ports in smaller countries in Europe as cartels move away from increased security in major ports.

In a statement, the Department of Defence said: It is the intention that the new vessel will be able to contribute across a number of defence roles, with a design specification capable of providing a flexible and adaptive capacity for a wide range of tasks, both at home and overseas. The detailed concept of operations and capabilities for the MRV will be considered as part of the planning process.
The introduction of the Governments Deposit Return Scheme has led to an overall improvement in the level of litter on Irish streets.

The first national litter survey, undertaken by An Taisce on behalf of Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) since the introduction of the scheme, has seen a rise in towns reaching the upper tier of cleanliness.

There was a rise in the total number of sites deemed clean across the country with a significant fall in those judged to be heavily littered.

The Re-Turn plastic bottle return machines have become a familiar sight in large stores and shopping centres all over Ireland. Picture: Denis Minihane

Can and bottle litter, in particular, saw a big fall.

CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB

Mallow, Killarney, Waterford City, and Ennis were among 14 areas that were marked cleaner than European norms.

On the flip side, Dublin city centre failed to improve and is still littered, this being the fourth successive IBAL survey that has seen a decrease in cleanliness.

Naas regained the top position it lost last year to Maynooth, ahead of Monaghan and new entrant Blanchardstown. Ballybane in Galway slipped to the bottom of the rankings, followed by Dublin city centre, north inner city, and Ballymun, which failed to maintain its improvement of last year.

Some blackspots noted

Among the blackspots encountered by An Taisce inspectors was an area in Lamb Alley in Dublin which featured vast quantities of alcohol cans, broken windows, and all manner of food litter; Balbutcher Lane in Ballymun, where dumped items included street cones, car parts, and carpets; and Fairfield Meadows on Corks northside, which was subject to monumental levels of dumping.

Conor Horgan of IBAL said:

Once again, no town was judged to be either a litter blackspot or heavily littered  thats real progress, progress that has been hard-earned in our cities.

Many city areas fared well compared to last year, with notable improvements in Limerick City, Mahon in Cork, Tallaght, and north inner city Dublin.

Limerick south (Galvone) recorded its best ever result.

When broken down further, there was a near-30% fall in the prevalence of can-related litter since the previous survey.

While plastic bottles were also less common than in any past survey, they remain the third most prevalent form of litter on our streets.

Mr Horgan said: "Its early days and were still seeing too many plastic bottles on our streets, but we can expect further improvement as people become accustomed to the deposit return scheme and the legacy non-returnable items are flushed out of the system."

These initial results indicate that if theres a monetary incentive to do the right thing, people will respond. The same logic applies to a coffee cup levy.

Coffee cups, while down, were present in one of every five sites surveyed.

Unlike in some countries, the deposit return scheme does not include beer bottles, which were found in 10% of sites. IBAL is questioning whether there is a good reason why these bottles could not be made returnable.

It is disappointing that we see no progress in the development of degradable chewing gum, Mr Horgan said. The products lie on our streets for decades and decades.

Cigarette butt litter remains high, present in 31% of the 500-plus sites surveyed.
Irish bishops have completely rejected recommendations on assisted dying, warning that the proposals will undermine the confidence of terminally-ill people and leave those with intellectual disabilities in a vulnerable position.

In a pastoral letter, the bishops hit out at recommendations, published earlier this year by a special Oireachtas committee, which urged the Government to legislate for assisted dying in restricted circumstances.

In its final report, the Oireachtas committee broadly proposed that assisted dying should be an option for terminally-ill people with less than six months to live, or 12 months if they are suffering from a neurodegenerative condition.

When a persons capacity to make a decision is in doubt, a functional test would be introduced as part of the assessment for eligibility, the report said.

It also recommended that a criminal offence be introduced for coercing someone into assisted dying.

However, the bishops letter said people with intellectual disabilities would be particularly vulnerable if such a law is passed, and they argued that healthcare professionals would be betraying their duty to care for the sick.

We are aware, of course, that the final report proposes various restrictions regarding who might have access to assisted suicide and under what circumstances, the bishops said.

We have little confidence that those proposed restrictions would offer any real protection.

Taking into account what has happened in many other jurisdictions, and indeed, what is already happening in Ireland with regard to the law on abortion, we believe that it would be only a matter of time before proposals would be on the table again to extend the availability of assisted suicide to those in our society who are most vulnerable, including people with intellectual disabilities.

The bishops said ending a life prematurely would represent a failure of hope.

The Church does not and never has insisted on the use of extraordinary means to prolong life, they said.

Nor is there any moral obligation on a sick person to accept treatment they feel is unduly burdensome. A decision to end life prematurely, however, cuts off any prospect of growth or healing and represents a failure of hope.

The Oireachtas committee had proposed that the right to conscientious objection should be protected in law for healthcare workers, although they will be obliged to refer a patient interested in assisted dying to a participating professional or oversight body.

The bishops said these requirements would radically undermine the ethos of healthcare.

Whatever the circumstances, the deliberate taking of human life, especially by those whose vocation is to care for it, undermines a fundamental principle of civilised society, namely that no person can lawfully take the life of another, they said.

Assisted suicide requires the active participation of healthcare professionals in taking the lives of the sick... when a healthcare professional refuses to participate in ending the life of a patient, he or she would then be required to refer that same patient on to a participating healthcare professional.

In our culture, we rightly hold doctors and nurses in high esteem because they are presumed always to be at the service of life, for as long as their patient lives.

The Oireachtas committee report recommended that medical professionals found to have acted outside regulations, or attempted to coerce an individual, will have committed an offence, while mandatory reporting to gardai around possible coercion should be put in place.
Ireland is being called on to improve the identification of victims of human trafficking in a report published by the US State Department.

The Trafficking in Persons Report stated Ireland remains on tier two of the human trafficking watchlist for the second year in a row.

The report, published on Monday, said: The Government of Ireland does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so.

While listing achievements such as introducing specialised accommodation last year for female victims of trafficking; increasing funding for victim assistance and awareness-raising activities, and more law enforcement activities in the areas, the Government came under criticism in a number of areas.

The report said: The government did not convict any traffickers for trafficking and instead relied on non-trafficking statutes that may have, at times, resulted in inadequate penalties and has never convicted a trafficker for labour trafficking under its anti-trafficking law. Systemic deficiencies in victim identification, referral, and assistance persisted; the government did not amend its NRM [national referral mechanism] and, consequently, did not identify any Irish nationals as victims.

It continued: The government did not overhaul its framework for providing accommodations to trafficking victims, which continues to leave victims with inadequate and unsuitable accommodations. The government did not report providing trafficking-specific training to any judges and has never awarded restitution or compensation to any victims.

Priority recommendations

Topping the list of priority recommendations in the report is that Ireland must improve victim identification and assistance by issuing a revised National Referral Mechanism, in coordination with non-governmental organisations, and increase efforts to proactively identify and protect all victims.

It said there was especially a need to identify and protect Irish citizens, victims of labour trafficking and forced criminality, and vulnerable populations like children, sea fishers, and asylum-seekers.

The report comes as a large-scale joint operation against human trafficking has led to 219 arrests and the identification of 1,374 potential victims, including 153 children, across 39 countries  including Ireland.

Gardai attached to An Garda Siochanas Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit were present at Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports, Connolly train station as well as Dublin Port from June 3 to 9 as part of the operation.

Gardai said a number of premises in Clare, Limerick and Waterford were searched as part of the operation, with a number of potential victims of human trafficking being spoken to at the locations.

A Garda statement said: A number of females were identified as working in the sex industry and all were provided with information on support organisations and information on the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit and the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit.
Sinn Fein is due to abstain again on the renewal of the Special Criminal Court, with the party criticising Justice Minister Helen McEntee for bringing the outdated measures to the Dail.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Dail will debate a motion on renewing the provisions of both the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009.

These motions provide for the extension of the Special Criminal Court for a further year.

The court has been in operation on an emergency basis for more than 50 years. It previously primarily focused on dealing with terrorism offences. However, in recent years it has shifted to dealing with organised crime prosecutions.

Sinn Feins justice spokesperson Pa Daly was critical of the Governments failure to act on a recent review, saying the existing Special Criminal Court provisions were outdated and required improvements.

With this renewal vote, once again this minister for justice is failing communities, failing the gardai and failing to act, Mr Daly said.

She is bringing before the Dail measures which she knows are outdated, measures which she knows need improved and in doing so is failing to bring forward the sorts of reforms and improvements demanded by the expert panel which the Government itself has established.

Mr Daly accused Ms McEntee of sitting on her hands.

We will not oppose the renewal but it is clear this is a massive opportunity missed. Rather than debating renewal again, we should be having a full and open debate on new proposals, Mr Daly said.

The public knows that these emergency powers are outdated and need to go, and the real question is where is their replacement.

However, the Department of Justice said Helen McEntee would bring the results of a review into the Offences Against The State Act to Cabinet "in due course".

Ms McEntee last year published both the majority and minority reports of the Independent Review Group appointed to examine all aspects of the Offences Against the State Acts and has since been in discussions with bodies including the Garda Commissioner, the Office of the DPP and the Courts Service on the recommendations of that review.

The majority report recommended a new and improved non-jury court should be established to replace the existing Special Criminal Court, with stricter laws governing its use.

A department spokesperson confirmed the examination was now complete and would be brought to Cabinet.

"Consultations by department officials with key stakeholders on the recommendations have concluded and are informing the preparation of a substantive response to the review which the minister expects to bring to Government in due course, the spokesperson said.
The Government has been urged to engage with the Vatican to have the mythical crown of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland, returned to the State.

Clare Fianna Fail TD Cathal Crowe has called on the Government to work with the Holy See to have the crown returned, despite doubts as to its existence.

The crown, which belonged to Irelands most well-known High King, was said to have been given to the Vatican by his son Donnchad, as a gift to the Pope.

Mr Crowe asked if the Tanaiste would work with the Irish Embassy and the Holy See to have the crown returned from the Vatican.

In response, Mr Martin said it is currently unknown whether or not the crown is located in the Vatican, or whether the crown existed in the first place.

HISTORY HUB If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading

The current circumstances, or existence, of the crown of Brian Boru are unconfirmed, and a question of some dispute among historical experts, Mr Martin said.

Mr Martin said the Department of Foreign Affairs would first liaise with the relevant authorities, as part of a review into the whereabouts of the crown.

Medieval Irish history professor at Trinity College Dublin, Sean Duffy, has questioned the existence of Brian Borus crown, believing it could instead have been a metaphor for the Vatican having permission to decide who ruled over Ireland.

There was a belief in the Middle Ages that all islands belonged to the papacy. The pope could therefore give an island away, Prof Duffy says.

He said that ahead of the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland, King Henry II received permission from Pope Adrian IV to invade the country and become its king.

As a result, Ireland became an English colony and Henry then wrote off to the pope, requesting that he grant a crown so that his son John, the future King John, could be crowned king of Ireland.

The belief continued that if the papacy had granted the kingdom of Ireland to England, then the papacy could also withdraw that grant, and metaphorically hand the 'crown' of Ireland to another.

The Government has been urged to engage with the Vatican to have the mythical crown of Brian Boru returned to the State.

Prof Duffy said that, in his own research, he has not come across any belief that the papacy had a physical crown linked to Brian Boru.

There was no memory in Rome of Brian Boru's crown ever having been given to the pope and I very much doubt it was. There is in fact no record of any Irish high-king ever possessing a crown, Prof Duffy said.

Irish kings were not 'crowned', they were inaugurated and handed at their inauguration a white wand cut from a sacred tree as a symbol of their sovereignty.

So I would be very surprised if there was any possibility of the Vatican turning up the crown of Brian Boru.
A man is due in court in Dublin in relation to a violent assault which left a Canadian tourist in a serious condition in hospital.

Gardai are continuing to investigate the incident which occurred on OConnell Street and Cathal Brugha Street in Dublin 1 in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Two men, aged in their 20s and 30s, were later arrested in connection with this incident.

One of them, the man in his 20s, has been charged and will appear before Court 1 of the CCJ this morning.

The second man has since been released from custody.

A garda spokesperson said investigations are ongoing and a file will be prepared for submission to the office of the director of public prosecutions (DPP).

The victim, a tourist aged in his 40s from Canada, remains in hospital in a serious condition.

Gardai are looking to speak with any individuals who were in the Cathal Brugha Street area, near the Living Room Bar, between 12:40am and 1:00am and any individuals who were on OConnell Street Upper near the Spar Shop / Funland/ Tourism Office, opposite the Spire, between 12:40am and 1:00am Sunday morning.

Anyone with camera footage, including dash cam, has been asked to make this available to gardai.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Store Street Garda Station on 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
An 18-year-old man charged with violent disorder and brandishing a hammer as a weapon during an incident in Dublin's Phoenix Park last week has claimed in court that "this isn't some sort of attack on the gay community".

Reece Murphy was remanded on 800 bail with conditions pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions after he appeared at Dublin District Court on Monday.

He was charged over alleged offences on the night of June 17. Later in the week, Fine Gael's Barry Ward highlighted in the Seanad reports of gay men being chased and confronted in the park. Gardai have since said they have been in touch with LGBTQI+ advocacy groups.

Mr Murphy, an apprentice steel fabricator of Rowlagh Avenue, Clondalkin, was arrested on Sunday and detained at Cabra Garda station. Officers charged him, and he was held overnight before appearing before Judge Treasa Kelly on Monday.

"My client wishes me to mention in open court that he is not someone who is in any way homophobic, and this isn't some sort of attack on the gay community, Judge. I am instructed to say that in open court, that he is anxious, that there is media present," defence solicitor Wayne Kenny told Judge Kelly.

Gardai charged the teenager with violent disorder, production of a hammer as a weapon at Military Road and two counts of dangerous driving in Phoenix Park on June 17.

Bail

Detective Garda Mark Reilly said the accused "was handed a true copy of each charge and made no reply". He had no objection to bail subject to conditions. The defence solicitor confirmed that the terms had already been canvassed, and there was consent to them being imposed on his client.

The first was to "remain out of Phoenix Park, and any other public park", and the detective asked for a curfew "because of the nature of the charges" and the incident allegedly happened after 10pm.

The judge specified that the curfew hours would be 11pm to 6am. At the behest of Detective Garda Reilly, she ordered the teenager to provide his phone number and be contactable at all times. The defence said Mr Murphy needed 24 hours to replace his phone, which had been seized by the gardai.

Judge Kelly warned him that he must always have his new phone charged and switched on and answer it when called. He had surrendered his passport and was ordered to notify gardai of any address change.

The detective wanted the court to order him to sign on daily at his local Garda station. However, the judge held that the daily signing-on condition was "excessive" because the accused did not have a bench warrant history, so she told him he must do so three days a week.

The judge agreed to Detective Garda Reilly's request for another condition: "no contact, directly or indirectly, with the injured parties or witnesses in this case". She told Mr Murphy that this included social media apps and "no references to them on social media" or "bumping into them on the street".

She noted that gardai needed to obtain the DPP's directions and ordered the young man to appear again on September 16. Legal aid was granted.

Dressed in a black jacket and grey jeans, the accused remained silent during the hearing but instructed his solicitor to address the court on his behalf.
A medical report is awaited on the injured party in the case against a Welsh farmer accused of assaulting another man at Reardens in Cork City in the course of a visiting stag weekend.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis said on Monday the directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions were to the effect that the case could proceed at Cork District Court. The allegations in the case were then outlined for Judge Mary Dorgan to decide if she was accepting jurisdiction.

In the absence of a medical report on the injured party, Judge Dorgan said she would not make a decision on jurisdiction yet.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer said of such reports: They are taking longer than a wet week. Sgt Davis agreed that it was taking some time for medical reports in such cases.

Judge Dorgan adjourned the case until October 9 to decide on the issue of the court where the case should be heard.

The Welsh man was not required to be in court on Monday for the brief hearing and will not be required on the next occasion either.

During his bail application following his initial arrest, he said he needed to get home to look after his 200 cattle and 450 sheep back in Pembrokeshire.

Alun George, 35, of Llanferran, St Nicholas, Goodwick, Wales, was arrested by Garda Kevin ONeill and charged with assault causing harm to another man at Reardens on Washington Street, Cork, shortly before midnight on Saturday, February 24. It was alleged the injured party had some teeth dislodged.

Mr Buttimer suggested at the time it was a suitable case for bail and the defendant was never in any kind of trouble and would return from Wales to Cork to meet the case when required.

This is a co-operative, contrite individual who did not set out to cause trouble. He has no previous convictions here and nothing in Wales, he said.

Regarding any possibility Mr George would not be free to look after his farm, the solicitor said it would be a bit of a disaster.

Judge Mary Dorgan granted bail in the sum of 5,000, 1,000 cash, to be lodged by Mr George. Three friends of the accused who remained in Cork with him came forward as independent sureties, each of them in the sum of 2,500, of which 500 had to be lodged.
A special meeting of Cork City Council will be held on Wednesday morning to pay tribute to former lord mayor, minister of state and Cork North Central TD Bernard Allen, who died at the weekend.

The meeting will be held just hours before Mr Allens Requiem Mass will be celebrated in the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, the North Cathedral, at 11am, with burial afterwards in St Finbarr's Cemetery.

Mr Allen died peacefully, following a short illness, in Cork University Hospital on Saturday with his family at his bedside.

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Dan Boyle, who has called Wednesdays special meeting in council chambers at 9.15am, has invited members of the Allen family, as well as former lords mayor of Cork, TDs and senators to attend.

He has also opened a book of condolence at City Hall to mark Mr Allens passing.

I was saddened to learn of the death of Bernard Allen, a TD of 30 years experience and more particularly a former lord mayor of Cork, Mr Boyle said.

He was a public representative of strength and stature who served the city well, helping deliver vital sporting infrastructure and also playing a leading role in the establishment of Munster Technological University.

A Book of Condolence has been opened today in the City Hall by the Lord Mayor, Cllr. Dan Boyle to mark the passing of former Lord Mayor, Minister of State and Cork North Central TD, Bernard Allen who sadly passed away over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/WLNSTZsimV  Cork City Council (@corkcitycouncil) June 24, 2024

Educated at the North Monastery and UCC, Mr Allen was elected to Cork Corporation in 1979, retaining his seat until 1995.

He was lord mayor of Cork from 1988 to 1989, while his grandfather, James Allen, was lord mayor in 1942.

His uncle, the late Alderman Sammy Allen, also served on Cork Corporation until his passing in 1977.

Mr Allen was elected to Dail Eireann in 1981 and would keep that seat for three decades, until his retirement from politics in 2011, serving as chair of the Public Accounts Committee and as minister of state for youth and sport.

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin are among the leading political figures who have paid tribute to him.

Mr Harris described him as "a pillar of his community whose dedication and loyalty to the people he served were unmatched.

He said his career was marked by an unwavering commitment to addressing the concerns and needs of his constituents.

Mr Martin said Mr Allen always put the interests of Cork first, whether in the council or in the Dail during his 30 years as TD.

He also described him as a very popular lord mayor, a tenacious chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and an effective minister for youth and sport.

Mr Allen is survived by his wife, Marie, and their children, Lorraine, Audrey and Deirdre.
San Francisco City Hall. A recently published analysis ranked San Francisco at the bottom of its list of best-run U.S. cities, but experts caution that the analysis is flawed. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

This week, the personal finance website WalletHub released an analysis examining which cities in the U.S. are best and worst run by their local governments. The verdict? Of the 148 cities they studied, San Franciscos governance was judged to be at the very bottom of the list.

The citys last-place ranking was highlighted in stories from Fox News, the Daily Mail and numerous other news outlets.

But experts caution that the analysis is flawed, and that theres more to running a city than the study would have people believe.

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This feels a little bit like a list of the 50 best rock n roll albums of all time, said Patrick Murphy, the faculty director for the Urban and Public Affairs program at the University of San Francisco. We could attach some metrics, but we all bring our own ideas to that.

The WalletHub analysis measured cities based on 36 metrics divided into five categories: financial stability, education, health, safety, economy and infrastructure and pollution. Those metrics were then translated into a quality of city services score.

From there, the WalletHub analysis came up with an overall rank for cities by dividing the quality of city services score by each citys total budget per capita.

While San Francisco ranked well on quality of city services, it had the highest spending per capita, which pulled its overall operating efficiency rank down to the bottom.

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San Francisco is a city and a county, so where other cities have services and budgets split between a city government and an overarching county government, San Franciscos is all together. Diana Polk, a spokesperson for WalletHub, said that the analysis corrected for this using the Fiscally Standardized Cities database, which standardizes for different government structures.

Still, Jeff Cretan, a spokesperson for the mayors office, said that the analysis is completely flawed, because as a city and county, San Franciscos budget includes funding for things like the airport and sheriffs office that other cities budgets do not account for.

Murphy, who teaches public administration, said he understood the urge to get at a bang for the buck measure of local governments, but that the methodology used by WalletHub doesnt really bring to light much about how well-run a city is as much as it simply measures quality of life. The study incorporates measures like average life expectancy, air quality and commute times, attributes of a city that the local government may have little control over in the short term.

Instead, Murphy said hed focus more on how people interact with the city  how long it takes to resolve a parking ticket or get a health inspection, how much of a citys pension plan is funded, and how many residents turn out to vote.

Steven Falk, who has been a city administrator for several Bay Area cities, including Oakland, and teaches city management at UC Berkeley, said that if he was designing a study, he would look at five measures he said are generally accepted ways of evaluating a city: whether its efficiently run, effectively run, equitable in delivery of services, accountable and responsive.

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Breaking that down, he would include many of the metrics that WalletHub did, like job growth, infrastructure, quality of schools and public safety. But, like Murphy, hed include measures of civic engagement, government transparency and corruption, as well as more specific measures, like whether a citys general plan is set up to encourage housing at all price points and whether a city is promoting sustainable initiatives and investments. The housing measures included in WalletHubs analysis are based on whether home values are rising.

Cassandra Happe, a WalletHub analyst, said the company acknowledges the significance of the other metrics noted by Murphy and Falk, but that the companys analysis was focused only on operational efficiency as a a clear, measurable gauge of the effectiveness of local leadership.

Falk and Murphy both said that they dont know if San Francisco would fare better on a list where their ideal metrics were taken into account, but that it would be a more accurate way of evaluating cities.

Murphy added that it was unfair to compare large cities like San Francisco to cities like Nampa, Idaho, which ranked on the top of the list but is less than a fifth of the size of San Francisco, as larger cities with diverse populations face different challenges than smaller ones.

Its a lot of apples to oranges to pineapples comparisons, he said. It doesnt bear up well under scrutiny.

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Happe with WalletHub agreed that that a separate analysis based on city size could yield additional valuable insights.

And many of the metrics, Falk said, like housing, education and public transportation, are controlled at a regional or state level.

The title (of the WalletHub study) suggests that all of these issues are within control of city hall, and I think thats misleading, he said.
Two young men, who are believed to be Spanish, have been hailed as heroes after they dived into the River Lee in Cork city centre and saved a woman from drowning on Monday night.

The alarm was raised just after 9pm, when a woman was reported to have entered the water in the north channel of the river close to the Mercy University Hospital.

Three units of the Cork City Fire Brigade and gardai rushed to the scene, with reports that there were three people in the water.

The fire brigades swift water rescue technicians were suiting up to be ready to enter the water as soon as they arrived.

However, by the time they arrived on scene, two young men had managed to grab hold of the stricken woman and bring her to the safety of the quayside.

They were all taken to Mercy University Hospital for medical assessment. No serious injuries were reported.

A spokesman for Cork City Fire Brigade hailed the two young men as heroes and commended them for their bravery in entering the water to save the woman.

Three units of the Cork City Fire Brigade and gardai rushed to the scene, with reports that there were three people in the water. Picture: Larry Cummins

Meanwhile, details have emerged of another daring water rescue in which two young women were saved following an incident at Fountainstown on Sunday evening.

The two women, both aged in their 20s, got into difficulty while swimming at what is known locally as the "back beach" at Fountainstown. The area is known for its strong and dangerous currents.

The alarm was raised just after 5pm, and members of Crosshaven Coast Guard unit were deployed to the scene.

However, a young man grabbed a lifebouy, dived in, managed to get to the two women, and swim with them across the channel to the Ringabella side of the estuary, where they managed to come ashore safely.

The emergency crews were stood down a short time later when it was confirmed that everyone was ok.

Just last week, Water Safety Ireland issued an urgent appeal to schoolteachers, parents, and guardians to prioritise water safety education following the tragic drowning of seven children in Ireland in 2023.

As part of National Water Safety Awareness Week, Water Safety Ireland emphasised the critical importance of educating young people about water safety to prevent further tragedies.
The Russian foreign ministry has summoned the American ambassador to protest against what it says was the use of US-made advanced missiles in a Ukrainian attack on Russian-annexed Crimea that reportedly killed four people and wounded more than 150.

Washington has effectively become a party to the war on Ukraines side, the ministry said, adding: Retaliatory measures will certainly follow.

There was no immediate comment from US or Ukrainian officials. The Associated Press could not independently verify Russias claims about the missiles used.

Kyivs forces have relied heavily on Western-supplied weaponry since Russias invasion more than three years ago.

What are the new sanctions against Russia? What are they targeting?



 LNG

 SPFS financial messaging system

 Putins dark fleet

 Sanctions circumvention

 Funding of political parties from the Russian state



Learn more #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/MsPBHafPGj  European Commission (@EU_Commission) June 24, 2024

The military aid has been crucial in allowing Ukraine to hold the Kremlins army at bay, with few major changes along the 620-mile front line in eastern and southern Ukraine for many months.

Some Western countries have hesitated over providing more  and more sophisticated  help for Kyivs army because of concerns about potentially provoking the Kremlin.

But as Ukraine has at times struggled to hold the line against Russias bigger and better-equipped military, Western leaders have gradually relented and granted more support.

In the latest key development, the Pentagon said last week that Ukraines military is being allowed to use longer-range missiles provided by America to strike targets inside Russia if it is acting in self-defence.

Since the outset of the war, the US had maintained a policy of not allowing Ukraine to use the weapons it provided to hit targets on Russian soil for fear of further escalating the conflict.

Crimea, which Russian annexed from Ukraine in 2014 in a move that most of the world rejected as unlawful, long had been declared a fair target for Ukraine by its Western allies.

Russian authorities said that the dead in Sundays attack included two children who were hit by falling debris from Ukrainian missiles that were shot down over a coastal area in Sevastopol, a port city in Crimea. It said cluster munitions, which critics say harm more civilians than combatants, were also used.

Russia said the missiles were US-made ATACMS, a long-range, guided missile. It summoned US Ambassador Lynne Tracy to the foreign ministry.

 Maria #Zakharova: On June 19 and 21 the Kiev regime launched new terrorist attacks against #Energodar satellite city in the vicinity of Zaporozhskaya nuclear power plant (#ZNPP).



 This way the Kiev regime continues to prove its terrorist nature.



 https://t.co/UwtHYD3BdO pic.twitter.com/zelnTFY6rP  MFA Russia  (@mfa_russia) June 24, 2024

The targeting and mission input for such missile attacks is carried out by US military experts, the ministry statement alleged, saying the United States bears equal responsibility for this outrage with the Ukrainian authorities.

It went on to say that allowing strikes deep inside the Russian territory will not be left unanswered.

Meanwhile, the Russian defence ministry reported striking a major logistical hub of the Ukrainian military that held Western-supplied missiles and other weapons.

It said the strike was carried out by warplanes, drones, ground-launched missiles and artillery. The ministry did not name its location.

Meanwhile, the European Union has slapped new sanctions on Russia, targeting Moscows shadow fleet of tankers moving liquefied natural gas (LNG) through Europe as well as several companies.

In a statement issued at a meeting of EU foreign ministers, the bloc said that it will forbid reloading services of Russian LNG in EU territory for the purpose of trans-shipment operations to third countries.

The EU estimates that about four-to-six billion cubic meters (141 billion-212 billion cubic feet) of Russian LNG was shipped to third countries via EU ports last year.

Russia is accused of attempting to evade sanctions by the use of a so-called ghost fleet (Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russia is suspected of running a ghost fleet to evade sanctions and keep up the flow of energy earnings so that it can finance the war.

The measures will target ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore transfers as well as reloading operations.

It also involves a crackdown on the re-export of LNG to third countries via the EU, plus a ban on new investments to help Russia complete LNG projects it is working on.

A total of 61 new entities  often companies, banks, agencies and other organisations  were added to the EUs list, including a number of them in China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

Many are accused of circumventing the blocs sanctions or providing sensitive equipment to Russia.

Around 50 more officials are also being targeted with asset freezes, as well as travel bans.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, as well as scores of legislators and several oligarchs are among more than 1,700 people already listed by the EU.

The more than 400 entities previously hit include companies working in the military, aviation, shipbuilding and machine sectors, the Wagner mercenary group, political parties and banks.

Around 210 billion euro (177 billion) worth of Russian Central Bank assets are blocked in the EU.
Books are displayed at the Banned Book Library at American Stage theater in St. Petersburg, Fla. Many books are shunned long before they are on any official ban list. Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times 2023

The bans began before my books were even published.

At a teachers convention in the Midwest last fall, educators told me they might lose their jobs and their pensions if they included my two forthcoming books in their class libraries. My debut picture book, The ABCs of Queer History, and my debut young adult novel, Unbecoming, were likely to fall afoul of new state laws, they said. Teachers from a number of states have since said the same.

Thats the thing about the book bans taking place across the country: They start long before any official list is published.

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Soft-banning a book  preemptively excluding or removing a title before an official ban is decreed  is to be expected in the wake of sweeping, draconian and purposely vague book-banning bills. Its hard to get data on soft bans, but when it comes to official bans, they are on the rise. Books targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to the American Library Association. Not surprisingly, books featuring stories about LGBTQIA+ people (or even queer animals) made up close to half of the titles targeted in censorship attempts.

Of course, its not just happening to my books. The Moon Within, a middle-grade novel by veteran Bay Area author Aida Salazar, is on ban lists in six states. But many of Salazars other books have been soft-banned, including a middle-grade anthology of queer stories. Authors who write about queer and genderqueer characters have told me that fearful teachers have removed their books from classroom libraries, not because of bans, but because of complaints from parents and the anxiety of impending bans.

The vague nature of book-banning bills and the atmosphere of punitive retaliation for including a potentially bannable book in a classroom library, means soft-bans are likely also on the rise. But its hard to say because soft-book bans are not documented in the same way as state or school-district-mandated bans.

After my keynote at the teachers convention, I slipped into a workshop called Navigating Senate File 496: Keeping Calm Amid the Chaos. Also known as Iowas book-banning bill or the parental rights bill, SF496 mandates school libraries remove books containing descriptions or visual depictions of a sex act as defined by the Iowa Code. The law  which is tricky to interpret  holds individual teachers and librarians accountable if books in violation of the code are found on shelves.

Confusion, fear and the threat of lost income are how books end up never making it to bookshelves well before theres a legal barrier to accessing them.

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Its not only individuals who are acting out of fear, its corporations, too. Ill never know why a large chain tried to renege on a 10,000 copy order of The ABCs of Queer History, but my inkling is that executives feared complaints about a picture book that celebrates queer love and rejoices in the kinds of family structures that upend heteronormative standards. Large chains have also refused to carry my novel, possibly because it tells the story of two teenage best friends navigating their lives in a post-Roe America and features a Muslim teen in a hijab on the cover. (Spoiler alert: shes the one who gets pregnant.)

Well never know how many book ideas were scrapped for fear of censorship. As for us authors, who wants to write a book that no one will read? While some friends like to tell me that writing a banned book means Im doing something right, the brutal reality is that many banned books disappear from shelves and society. Only a tiny percentage end up infamous or featured on Read these banned books lists. Many more never make it to the kids who need them most.

Salazar tells me shes tired of her books being banned, but she remains a relentless literary force, churning out the kinds of picture, middle-grade and young-adult books that champion queer characters and paint vivid and honest depictions of the world we live in: an increasingly diverse world in which nearly a third of Gen Zers identify as LGBTQIA.

Soft bans are pernicious. Books might not appear on official lists of censored titles, but in insidious ways, sometimes by corporate executives, sometimes by the hands of well-meaning but frightened teachers, readers are kept away from discovering certain stories. The effect on authors can be stultifying, causing many to not write the stories we literally dream of writing, or it can be anxiety-provoking. When one teacher asked how she might read The ABCs of Queer History to her class without inviting a second wave of attacks from a right-wing group in her school district, I suggested that she not put herself at risk and that she keep my book out of her classroom library.

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About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies

As a disinformation scholar, I know that stories are critical to combating polarization.
Mary Daly, San Francisco Federal Reserve president, spoke Monday at the Commonwealth Club. Roland Li / The Chronicle

When San Francisco Federal Reserve President Mary Daly travels, she said this is the most common question she gets: Is San Francisco in a doom loop? Is the world over?

Read also: S.F.s fight against the doom loop weighed down by stark economic realities

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Its hard for, as an economist and a historian, to say that youve got talented people, a beautiful place to live, great infrastructure, and an innovative entrepreneurial spirit, that youre going to be held back. So I think thats where San Francisco is, Daly said during a talk on Monday at the Commonwealth Club on the Embarcadero.

San Francisco and the Bay Area have some of the most educated workforce in the nation, she said. The innovation here, you can see it everywhere.

The West Coast is home to the headquarters of the so-called Magnificent Seven stocks: Amazon; Google parent Alphabet; Apple; Facebook parent Meta; Microsoft; Tesla, which named Palo Alto as a second headquarters; and AI chipmaker Nvidia, which briefly became the worlds most valuable company last week before its stock declined around 15.5%.

Smaller startups like artificial intelligence leaders like OpenAI and Anthropic signed major office leases in the past year.

Tourism is improving. And Daly said the Bay Bridge is busy during her commutes. The most recent data on Bay Bridge traffic shows car crossings at about 90% of where they were in 2019. BART ridership, meanwhile, was only 43% of pre-COVID levels in May, illustrating the continued lack of people commuting to downtown San Francisco.

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Theres a lot of things that we need to do to make this city better and live up to its potential  but I just know that the spirit is here and the job will get done, Daly said.

Daly said she believes commercial real estate owners, who are facing record-high office vacancy rates and scores of empty storefronts, are in the process of working things out.

But San Francisco has an enduring problem that predates the pandemic by decades: the lack of affordable housing.

Its not commercial real estate people talk about, its housing, Daly said.

If you want a thriving economy, you have to have housing, you have to have jobs and you have to have communities, Daly said. If one of those things is off balance, well, then you have challenges.

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Daly, a federal appointee, said the solution is public-private partnerships, where companies and governments come together and work on issues like rezonings or new approaches to raising capital. Its a model that has been applied to all major San Francisco projects, such as the Transbay district and Treasure Island.

The current wave of San Francisco naysayers is far from the first time the city has been counted out, Daly noted.

Around 2001, in the wake of the first dot-com crash, she said she remembers speaking at a panel with the theme San Francisco has finally come to its end.  All the jobs are going to go to Austin, Texas, and Boston and Portland. She disagreed then and continues to disagree.

San Francisco isnt alone in facing uncertainty. Many cities like Seattle and the aforementioned Portland, Ore., are now grappling with the future of their downtowns, Daly said, though she believes that downtown Los Angeles has come back faster, despite the fallout of major Hollywood labor strikes.

The fuel of that uncertainty, and a major change since 2001, is the rise of remote work.

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Its a reality that appears to have made the five-day office work-week obsolete, but Daly said in-person events, such as the one she appeared at on Monday, remain invaluable. The evidence, she pointed out, was the group of about a dozen Fed interns in attendance.

Im a big champion of hybrid work, but I also think about the younger generation. I think of how many benefits I received by sitting next to people who knew a lot more than me about that particular thing, and how I can develop my career, she said.

Zoom is not a replacement for in-person contact for those individuals, she said.
06/24/2024



Seth Johnson holding 5 Emmys

In a dazzling ceremony held on June 15, 2024, the 50th Annual Southeast Emmy Awards recognized the unparalleled talent of filmmaker Seth Johnson of Jax States Longleaf Studios, who took home his fifth Emmy award. The meticulous effort Johnson invests in crafting compelling trailers paid off as he clinched the award for Defending Freedom: The Authur D. Shores Story, in the category of Program Promotion.

In addition to the Defending Freedom win, Johnsons trailers for Riding Through History: The Barber Collection were also recognized in the Program Promotion category. While these films were ineligible for DocumentaryHistorical this year, there is great anticipation for their nomination in 2025. Other notable nominees in the Program Promotion category included WABE-TV in Atlanta, Ole Miss University and SC ETV in Columbia, marking a significant achievement for Jax State and Longleaf Studios.

Reflecting on his success, Johnson said, "Winning this Emmy is an incredible honor. It validates our team's hard work and passion for every project. I'm grateful for the unwavering support from Jax State and Alabama Public Television, and I look forward to continuing our mission of bringing important stories to life."

Johnsons dedication to storytelling and historical documentation was also celebrated with his film Building Birmingham: The Sloss Story, earning a nomination for Best Documentary  Historical. Competing with top-tier productions from GA Public Broadcasting, WGTV in Atlanta, WSFA in Montgomery and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Johnsons nomination underscored the high caliber of his work. Despite fierce competition, Johnsons achievement in securing three nominations was a testament to his exceptional filmmaking skills.

Johnsons success is a testament to the collaborative spirit at Longleaf Studios and Jax State. Pete Conroy, the visionary behind Longleaf Studios, its documentary series and a key figure on the APT Board of Directors, has been pivotal in commissioning this and many other films at Jax State. Johnsons fifth Emmy award is not just a personal triumph but a true sign of excellence for Longleaf Studios, Jax State and the Alabamas film industry, stated Conroy. This accolade sets a high standard for future projects and, so, of course, we have many more to tell.

The Defending Freedom project also allowed the participation of eleven Jax State film, art and communications students, who worked alongside industry professionals from Illuminate Films. These talented studentsRiley Abston, Nicolas Guimaraes Vieira, Adrian Langston, Noah Lockette, Noah McCord, Samuel Musgrove, Laney O'Neal, Leslie Pearce, Esther Shull, Benjamin Willis and Daylan Wrightplayed a significant role in the production's success.

Watch the award-winning trailer for Defending Freedom: The Authur D. Shores Story here: Defending Freedom Trailer. The first four Emmys were won for the following productions: Fire in Anniston, a Freedom Riders Story (three Emmys), and The Forgotten Creeks (one Emmy).
By Simon Mabon, Lancaster University | 

(The Conversation)  The Israeli military is reported to have signed off on a major offensive against Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based militia, prompting fears that the situation could spiral into a full-blown war. The two sides have been exchanging fire since the conflict in Gaza began with the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. But in recent weeks this has escalated considerably.

Earlier this week, Hezbollah released a nine-minute video featuring drone footage of Israeli military and civilian infrastructure, including of the port town of Haifa. Israels foreign minister, Israel Katz, warned that his government was very close to the moment of decision to change the rules against Hezbollah and Lebanon. Simon Mabon, a Middle East expert at Lancaster University, addressed some key questions for us.

How dangerous is the situation right now?

The situation on the border between Israel and Lebanon has been precarious for months, with tit-for-tat exchanges of cross-border fire becoming a regular occurrence between Israel and Hezbollah (the Party of God). While many feared an outright conflict between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah after the October 7 attacks, both sides have thus far remained within the parameters of low-intensity conflict. The consequences of any escalation are severe, with the potential for mass casualties on all sides.

Though conflict has remained at a low level, more than 400 people have been killed in Lebanon and 30 have been killed in Israel. An estimated 150,000 have been displaced on both sides of the border. Though the events of October 7 and their aftermath have affected the situation, Hezbollah and Israel have been embroiled in low-level conflict since Hezbollah was formed in 1982.

The 2006 war was the most significant moment in this history. This began after Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers from close to the border in an attempted prisoner swap. In response, Israel embarked on a destructive war designed to eliminate Hezbollah. At the time, the war was sold by Israel both domestically and internationally with a similar objective to that found in the current war against Hamas.

The memories of the war almost two decades ago linger. The war in 2006 had a devastating impact on Lebanon. Reconstruction cost over US$10 billion (7.86 billion) and was funded largely by Saudi Arabia, Iran and others.

Since then, the geopolitical landscape has shifted. It would be far harder to finance any rebuilding projects. Meanwhile the loss of life is likely to be catastrophic  particularly in Lebanons crowded urban areas.

Residents of Haifa in the north of Israel fear Hezbollah attacks, while people living in south Lebanon fear IDF attacks. Though attacks have largely been restricted to military targets, the repercussions have affected civilians across south Lebanon, destroying farmland and forcing many people to leave their homes. This has made an already precarious socioeconomic situation in Lebanon a great deal worse.



Institute for the Study of War



Recent reports have suggested that Hezbollah has a sophisticated armoury, much of it supplied by Iran and Russia, which includes more than a million rockets of various types, along with anti-tank weaponry, suicide drones and a range of missiles. While Israels arsenal of missiles is far larger, along with the infrastructure that supports it, the IDF remains beset by political, strategic, theological and economic challenges and Israels public and politicians are far from united about how to deal with the threat.

The recent resignation of Benny Gantz from the war cabinet  which has since been disbanded  shows how precarious the situation is for Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who is under pressure to resign and call an election.

How well prepared is Israel to fight a war on two fronts  perhaps even three, as violence is also increasing in the West Bank?

There are serious doubts as to whether Israel can engage in significant conflicts on two fronts. Rising violence in the West Bank poses an additional challenge for Israels security apparatus. Its security infrastructure has come under fire for missing Hamas brutal attack, while its military is also facing increased pressure due to its actions in Gaza where close to 40,000 have been killed, millions displaced, and where life has been decimated.

Al Jazeera English Video: Hezbollah releases more drone footage of Israeli sites, claims attack on barracks

The occupied West Bank is home to around 3 million Palestinians, and while the Palestinian Authority exerts a degree of control, Israel is the final arbiter of all matters pertaining to security.

The situation is made more challenging by the presence of close to 700,000 Israeli settlers, whose presence is deemed illegal under international law. These settlers routinely engage in acts of violence against the Palestinian population and largely depend on the IDF to keep them safe and maintain the security architecture that separates the two communities and regulates access to Israel.

Any shift in the security landscape would pose serious challenges to the IDF, to the Palestinian Authority  which is under growing pressure from Palestinians and Arab states more broadly  and exacerbate schisms in Israels domestic politics.

How much international support can Israel count on if it launches a major offensive against Hezbollah?

Benjamin Netanyahu has long framed Iran as an existential threat to Israel and has been supported in this by successive US administrations. Yet despite steadfast initial support from the Biden White House, this support has begun to wane as a result of growing popular dismay in the US and globally at the way Israel is conducting operations in Gaza.

Israeli officials have repeatedly said that they can  and will  operate alone if the situation calls for it. But with international bodies becoming increasingly critical of the catastrophic war in Gaza and the devastating death toll, allies are beginning to waver in their support. Votes in the UN have suggested growing anger at Israels conduct, while international bodies have explored legal avenues to end the suffering of Palestinians.

Much like Hamas, Hezbollah is a deeply unpopular organisation. Its relationship with Iran worries policymakers in Washington, London and elsewhere and it has been proscribed as a terrorist organisation by a number of western states.

Yet it occupies a central role in Lebanons politics and economy. So any conflict with Israel would potentially worsen Lebanons delicate power sharing agreement, putting more strain on the economic situation, and destroying urban and rural landscapes.

The situation is bleak and this is undeniably a precarious moment. Yet there is little appetite for another conflict in the Middle East, particularly one that has both the potential for further catastrophic loss of life and wider escalation.

Simon Mabon, Professor of International Relations, Lancaster University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The closure of the McDonalds at Stonestown received a variety of reactions, some positive, others not. Google Street View

The McDonalds at the Stonestown Galleria shopping mall in San Francisco closed Sunday after 30 years, with the franchise owner blaming higher rent and a rise in the states minimum wage for fast-food workers.

We are thankful to have been part of your daily meal routine, either for an Egg McMuffin in the morning or a Happy Meal with the kids after an afternoon of shopping at Stonestown, an announcement posted on the front door of the Winston Drive restaurant reads.

The decision to close the location was long and difficult, franchisee Scott Roderick said in an email. He described Sunday as a sad day for his family, as well as longtime customers and employees.

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The workers at the shuttered outlet were given the opportunity to transfer to other nearby locations, and the vast majority of them did, Roderick said.

He said he believes the restaurant operated at the shopping mall for 30 years. He purchased the franchise in 2014.

There were two main factors that led to the decision to close, Roderick said. One was what he described as the landlords unwillingness to negotiate a long-term, sensible rent despite the franchises exceptional tenure, adding that the property taxes and shared tenant fees at the mall were the highest among the other locations he owns.

Attempts to reach the landlord, Brookfield Properties, were unsuccessful. Brookfield Properties offices are closed Sundays.

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Roderick also blamed the closure on Californias $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers, which went into effect April 1. He said it was an extraordinary headwind against operating a successful, family owned business.

It has never been as challenging in my 30 years of owning a franchise in California as it is today, Roderick said.

Other food options at Stonestown Galleria include Chipotle Mexican Grill and Shake Shack, as well as a central food court.

Reaction on X was mixed. Some commenters lamented the closure of a long-standing business. Some blamed Gov. Newsom for the new minimum wage. Others said they didnt mind seeing the fast food outlet disappear, calling McDonalds overpriced and unhealthy. One commenter was hopeful about the future of the vacant space.

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Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  In an interview on Israeli Channel 14, the Israeli newspaper Arab 48 reports, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, The heavy duty phase in the war is about to end with the end of the operation in Rafah. Therefore, the forces will be moved to the north. By north he meant the border with Lebanon, where Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire. He underlined, however, that the war on Gaza would continue until his objectives of eliminating Hamas and returning the hostages are achieved. He said, I reject leaving Hamas in existence. The war will not end.

Since Israel killed 100 Palestinians in Gaza in 24 hours over the weekend, there isnt actually any evidence that the heavy duty phase of the total war on the residents of the Strip is ending.

Netanyahu openly reneged on the earlier alleged cabinet decision reported by President Joe Biden in late May and endorsed by a UN Security Council resolution, that there would be a halt in the fighting to allow an exchange of hostages. He said, I am ready to reach a partial agreement with Hamas to recover some of the hostages, and this is no secret. That Netanyahu and his ultra-right allies were the bottleneck here had been clear for some time, but the Biden administration chose to blame Hamas.

On Sunday, Netanyahu at a cabinet meeting repeated in public his false allegation that the Biden administration has reduced its weapons shipments to Israel. Not only have Biden spokesmen denied it, the charge makes no sense since Israel could not have continued its intensive bombing campaign on Gaza without daily resupply of arms and munitions by the United States. Israel ran out of its own ammunition months ago.

Having been invited to address Congress, Netanyahu clearly intends to cooperate with the Republicans in trying to damage Biden and plump for a return to the presidency of Donald Trump by spreading the Big Lie that Biden cut off weaponry to Israel. The only shipment that was paused consisted of 2,000-pound bombs, which Biden did not want Netanyahu using against the dense neighborhoods of Rafah. Those heavy bombs were in any case not suited to the Rafah campaign and would mainly have destroyed civilian infrastructure and killed innocent civilians.

I mean, I wish what Netanyahu is saying were true  it would much improve my opinion of the Biden team. But alas, like almost everything that comes out of the Polish-Israeli politicians mouth, it is a piece of monumental prevarication.

The liberal American Zionists in Congress such as Chuck Schumer, who joined Republicans in issuing the invitation to the war criminal Netanyahu to come to Washington, have been had.

Regarding the Arab 48 story on Netanyahus retreat from his own peace plan, Hamas immediately fired back at the Israeli leaders comments: The position expressed by Netanyahu, which confirms that he will continue the war, and that he wants a partial agreement to recover a number of prisoners; and then resume the war after that, is substantiation of his rejection of the Security Council decision, and Joe Bidens proposals. Hamas pointed out that the prime ministers assertions are the opposite of the line the US administration tried to peddle about the alleged acceptance of it by Israel.

The terrorist organization added: Our insistence that any agreement contain a clear affirmation of a permanent ceasefire, and a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, is absolutely necessary, in order to bar Netanyahus evasive and deceptive attempt to perpetuate aggression and genocide against our people.

Netanyahu, of course, does not accept any scenario in which Hamas reemerges to take control of Gaza again, and said he was working on an alternative model that would be gradual, involving the creation of a civil administration in Gaza within a new framework for the day after the war.

This proposal sounds a lot like that of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who wanted to find local partners in Gaza civil society with whom to cooperate in administering the Gaza Strip, but who failed to do so. Netanyahu acknowledged that failure, and sounds to me like Tricky Dick Nixon running for president in 1968 with a secret plan to end the Vietnam War. Netanyahu said We want to establish a civil administration in cooperation with locals; I will not divulge the details.

The prime minister was asked about the prospect of Israeli squatters flooding into post-war Gaza to usurp land from local people and settle on it. He replied, I know there are many who support the resettlement in the Gaza Strip; but I am realistic and I see that this is unrealistic.

Arab 48 says that his Jewish Power (i.e. fascist) National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, immediately shot back on social media after the interview, If we wanted, it would be realistic.

Netanyahu continued to put out the line that no commission of inquiry into the security failures on October 7 should be established during the war, since it would eat up scarce resources. He hinted that internal, secret investigations are anyway superior because an open commission might throw up information helping international courts make cases against Israel.

That sounds like about the most explicit confession of war crimes that a war criminal could make.

An organization of the families of Israeli hostages, infuriated at the interview, put out a statement saying, Netanyahu has retreated from accepting the Netanyahu deal.

Their statement read: The Forum of Prisoners Families condemns the Prime Ministers announcement regarding his retreat from accepting the Israeli proposal (for the prisoner exchange deal), which means that he decided to abandon 120 hostages and violate the moral duty of the state towards its citizens.

It added that the end of fighting in the region without releasing the hostages is an unprecedented national failure, and a failure in achieving the goals of the war. The families of the hostages will not allow the government and its leader to abandon their fundamental commitments towards the fate of our loved ones. The families underlined that the responsibility and duty to return all hostages lies with the Prime Minister.

Netanyahu replied by blaming Hamas. He said he was committed to bring out the hostages. He has, however, repeatedly refused to engage in good faith negotiations that have any prospect of doing so.
TORONTO, June 24, 2024 /CNW/ - Power Nickel Inc. (the "Company" or "Power Nickel") (TSXV: PNPN) (OTCBB: PNPNF) (Frankfurt: IVV) is pleased to announce that it has closed an over-subscribed flow-through offering (the "Offering") for gross proceeds of $20,062,497.50 through the issuance of 16,049,998 flow-through units (the "FT Units") at a price of $1.25 per FT Unit. Each FT Unit is comprised of one flow-through common share and one-half of one share purchase warrant (each whole, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant exercisable to purchase one common share at a price of $1.25 per common share for three years from the date of issuance. Each flow-through common share will qualify as a flow-through share for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) ("ITA").

Industry legends Robert Friedland and Rob McEwen joined with several other leading mining investors, including CVMR Inc. and Terra Capital, to provide the investor buyback of the FT Units financing for Power Nickel.

"Power Nickel is grateful for the support of some of the leading investors in mining. Like us, they believe Nisk has exceptional exploration upside. With this capital, we will be able to substantially increase our already very successful exploration efforts. We currently have one drilling rig targeting the extension of the Lion Zone and soon we will have a second rig advancing the exploration program developed by our team, with substantial guidance from Dr. Steve Beresford. It is a very exciting time for our shareholders, stakeholders, and staff," commented CEO Terry Lynch.

The Company worked with Wealth Creation Preservation & Donation Inc. and IA Capital Markets on the financing front end and used advisory services of Red Cloud Securities Inc. and H&P Advisory Limited in connection with the Offering. Back-end purchasers acquired the underlying common shares and Warrants from the front-end buyers of the FT Units, at $0.66 per common share and half-Warrant (combined).

The Company will use the gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Units for exploration activities on the Company's Nisk property located in Quebec and to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses", within the meaning of the ITA, that will qualify for the federal 30-per-cent critical mineral exploration tax credit.

The Offering is subject to the Company's final filing requirements with the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") approval. All securities issued under the financing are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance.

The Company paid finder's fees on the financing, including 265,027 finder warrants exercisable for a period of 18 months from closing into a common share at $1.25 per common share and cash commissions and advisory fees of $387,239.64 as permitted by the policies of the TSXV and applicable securities laws.

About Power Nickel Inc.

Power Nickel is a Canadian junior exploration company focusing on developing the High-Grade Nickel Copper PGM, Gold and Silver Nisk project into Canada's next poly metallic mine.

On February 1, 2021, Power Nickel (then called Chilean Metals) completed the acquisition of its option to acquire up to 80% of the Nisk project from Critical Elements Lithium Corp. (CRE: TSXV).

The NISK property comprises a large land position (20 kilometres of strike length) with numerous high-grade intercepts. Power Nickel is focused on expanding the high-grade nickel-copper PGM, Gold and Silver mineralization with a series of drill programs designed to test the initial Nisk discovery zone, the Lion discovery zone and to explore the land package for adjacent potential poly metallic deposits.

In addition to the Nisk project, Power Nickel owns significant land packages in British Colombia and Chile. Power Nickel is expected to reorganize these assets in a related public vehicle through a plan of arrangement.

For further information, readers are encouraged to contact:

Power Nickel Inc.

The Canadian Venture Building

82 Richmond St East, Suite 202

Toronto, ON

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This message contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" concerning the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "indicates," "opportunity," "possible" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, among others; the timing for various drilling plans; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under its property agreements going forward and conduct drilling and exploration; to maintain its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing; to explore and develop its projects; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associates with mineral exploration and mining operations; future prices of nickel and other metals; changes in general economic conditions; accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates; the potential for new discoveries; the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the projects and if accepted, to obtain such licenses and approvals in a timely fashion relative to the Company's plans and business objectives for the applicable project; the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, dependence on key management personnel and general competition in the mining industry.
DENVER, CO / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Solitario Resources Corp. ("Solitario") (NYSE American:XPL) (TSX:SLR) is pleased to announce that its final revised Plan of Operations for its Golden Crest project has been signed by US Forest Service. Additionally, the South Dakota Board of Minerals has accepted Solitario's reclamation bond paving the way for exploration drilling to begin. We are now in the process of mobilizing drilling equipment and organizing support equipment necessary for our drilling operations. Several drill targets are planned to be tested, including Downpour, Whirlwind, Matchstick and Mirage. None of these high-quality gold targets have ever been drilled before.

Chris Herald, President and CEO of Solitario, stated: "Final US Forest Service signoff on our Plan of Operations represents a milestone event for Solitario. We are excited to initiate drilling at Golden Crest where we have discovered and developed multiple outstanding drill targets during the past couple of years. Phase-One of the 2024 drilling program consists of 5,000 meters of drilling, and we are prepared to quickly expand the scope of Phase-One drilling should early results warrant. We now look forward to reporting our progress and results.

Our exploration team designed a comprehensive program that protects the environment, including water and surface resources, and the safety and health of our employees and other parties using the forest. The U.S. Forest Service has thoroughly vetted our proposed surface activities and impacts and incorporated modifications to the original plan as required under US Forest Service regulations and the NEPA public input process. In addition, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources has also provided input and guidance to our proposed drilling activities to ensure compliance with all state regulations, especially as it pertains to ensuring ground water quality. We are confident that we will be able to execute our program in a safe and responsible manner."

Walter Hunt to Retire / Golden Crest Management Team Strengthened

Walter Hunt, Solitario's COO, will be retiring from Solitario at the end of June. Walt has been with the Company for over 30 years directing various exploration, development and permitting activities for Solitario.

Chris Herald, President and CEO, stated: "Solitario has been very fortunate to have had such a dedicated and talented executive on its team for his many years of service. Among Walt's many accomplishments for Solitario were directing the discovery team of the high-grade Florida Canyon zinc deposit in Peru, expansion of resources and completion of a feasibility study and mine permitting at our former 80%-owned Mt. Hamilton gold deposit in Nevada. More recently, Walt directed the exploration team at Golden Crest, including managing the drill hole permitting process. Although Walt could have retired several years ago, he made the commitment to complete the initial drill hole permitting process at Golden Crest. With final Forest Service signoff on Golden Crest's Plan of Operation, Walt has decided it's the right time to retire and let our experienced Golden Crest exploration team move the project forward from here.

On a personal note, I have known Walt since my Colorado School of Mines graduate school days in the late 1970's. We are not only long-term Solitario employees that have worked closely together for decades, but are also close personal friends. I wish Walt nothing but the best in his new adventures in retirement and thank him for his incredible contributions to Solitario over the years. Although Walt will be missed on a day-to-day basis, he remains committed to assist Solitario as a valued advisor whenever needed."

Walt Hunt commented further: "This was a difficult decision. Golden Crest is the most exciting gold project I've ever worked on with exceptional potential. However, there comes a time in everyone's career when it's time to step down and go in another direction in one's life. I have total confidence in our Golden Crest team in taking this project to the next level. Our advanced stage zinc projects are also in great hands with our managing partners, Teck and Nexa Resources."

Solitario recently expanded its Golden Crest project management team with the addition of Sandor ("Shawn") Ringhoffer. Sandor comes to Solitario with over 36 years in the gold exploration arena, 19 years of which were spent with Agnico Eagle. Most recently, Sandor was project manager for Agnico Eagle's Gilt Edge gold mine re-evaluation project in the Black Hills. Work on this project included establishing a community relations team, diamond core drilling, geophysics, and complying with a three-way administrative settlement agreement with State and Federal agencies which authorized work on the project. Sandor worked six years in the Black Hills from 1988 through 1994 in the position of Mine Geologist at Golden Reward and at Gilt Edge.

Chris Herald commented: "Sean is a valuable addition to our Golden Crest team with his extensive experience in exploration and permitting in the Black Hills. I am confident that our current management and geologic team at Golden Crest, together with our highly dedicated South Dakota staff, will be successful in advancing Golden Crest."

About Solitario

Solitario is a natural resource exploration company focused on high-quality Tier-1 gold and zinc exploration projects. Solitario's 100%-owned Golden Crest properties in South Dakota constitute strategic land holdings along the western and southwestern extensions of the Homestake-Wharf mining district that has produced approximately 52 million ounces of gold and contains another 30 million ounces in historical resources (not SK-1300 or NI-4301 compliant). The project area is located in a safe jurisdiction with highly developed infrastructure, an unbroken 150-year record of continuous gold mining, a skilled mining workforce, and a history of high-grade, underground mineable gold deposits.

The Company is traded on the NYSE American ("XPL") and on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("SLR"). In addition to its South Dakota property holdings, Solitario holds a 50% joint venture interest (Teck Resources 50%) in the high-grade Lik zinc deposit in Alaska and a 39% joint venture interest (Nexa Resources 61%) on the high-grade Florida Canyon zinc project in Peru. At Florida Canyon, Solitario is carried to production through its joint venture arrangement with Nexa. Solitario's Management and Directors hold approximately 9.3% (excluding options) of the Company's 80.2 million shares outstanding. Solitario's cash balance and marketable securities stand at approximately US$9.6 million. Additional information about Solitario is available online at www.solitarioresources.com.

Solitario has a long history of committed Environmental, Social and Responsible Governance ("ESG") of its business. We realize ESG issues are also important to investors, employees, and all stakeholders, including communities in which we work. We are committed to conducting our business in a manner that supports positive environmental and social initiatives and responsible corporate governance. Importantly, we work with joint venture partners that not only value the importance of ESG issues in the conduct of their business on our joint venture projects but are leaders in the industry in this important segment of our business.

For More Information Please Contact:

Chris Herald, President and CEO

Solitario Resources Corp.

Tel. 303-534-1030 ext. 1

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (and the equivalent under Canadian securities laws), that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. They are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and address activities, events or developments that Solitario expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, and are based on current expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Solitario's Golden Crest land position does not cover any of the areas of historical gold production or historical unmined resources. Certain historical information concerning exploration and gold production in the Black Hills region has been obtained through both public and private sources and are believed to be substantially factual, but Solitario can give no assurances of the accuracy of such information. The existence of historic mines and resources adjacent to Solitario's land position do not necessarily support the existence of economic mineral deposits on Solitario's land position. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's expectation of the projected timing and outcome of engineering studies; expectations regarding the receipt of all necessary permits and approvals to implement a mining plan, if any, at any of its mineral properties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, risks relating to risks that Solitario's and its joint venture partners' exploration and property advancement efforts will not be successful; risks relating to fluctuations in the price of zinc, gold, lead and silver; the inherently hazardous nature of mining-related activities; uncertainties concerning reserve and resource estimates; availability of outside contractors, and other activities; uncertainties relating to obtaining approvals and permits from governmental regulatory authorities; the possibility that environmental laws and regulations will change over time and become even more restrictive; and availability and timing of capital for financing the Company's exploration and development activities, including uncertainty of being able to raise capital on favorable terms or at all; risks relating to the impacts of pandemics or similar epidemics; as well as those factors discussed in Solitario's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") including Solitario's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other SEC filings (and Canadian filings) including, without limitation, its latest Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Company does not intend to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 24, 2024) - Maple Gold Mines Ltd. (TSXV: MGM) (OTCQB: MGMLF) (FSE: M3G) ("Maple Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release of June 20, 2024, the Company has completed its previously-announced non-brokered private placement of flow-through common shares of the Company (each a "FT Share") for aggregate gross proceeds of C$4,058,621 (the "Offering"). The Offering was comprised of the issuance of an aggregate of 33,821,842 FT Shares, at an issue price of C$0.12 per FT Share.

The Company is also pleased to announce that, subsequent to the completion of the Offering, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited ("Agnico Eagle") acquired, pursuant to an agreement among Agnico Eagle and an arm's length third party, an aggregate of 33,821,842 common shares in the capital of the Company ("Common Shares"). Following this transaction, Agnico Eagle now beneficially owns an aggregate of 74,674,257 Common Shares, representing 19.9% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares.

"We are grateful for Agnico Eagle's continued support through its continued investment in the Company," stated Kiran Patankar, President and CEO of Maple Gold. "With our balance sheet strengthened and our planned 2024 exploration programs now fully financed, we are excited to follow up on the significant resource expansion and discovery potential across our district-scale gold projects in Quebec. The Company anticipates the resumption of drilling later this year and expects to provide additional details on our future activities in due course."

The gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Shares will be used by the Company to incur "Canadian exploration expenses" within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Taxation Act (Quebec), on its properties in the province of Quebec on or before December 31, 2025. All securities issued under the Offering are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the closing date of the Offering, in accordance with the rules and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") and applicable Canadian securities laws. The Offering remains subject to the final acceptance of the TSXV.

Maple Gold Webinar with Adelaide Capital

Maple Gold's CEO Kiran Patankar will be presenting an investor update on a webinar hosted by Adelaide Capital on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time (US and Canada).

Webinar Details:

Date: Monday, June 24, 2024

Time: 2:00 p.m. EDT

Registration Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SU-p1nd2Qc-VX5EeqV_F0Q

Registrants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Questions may be asked during the webinar or can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . A replay will be made available on Maple Gold's website.

About Maple Gold

Maple Gold Mines Ltd. is a Canadian advanced exploration company focused on advancing the district-scale Douay and Joutel gold projects located in Quebec's prolific Abitibi Greenstone Gold Belt. The projects benefit from exceptional infrastructure access and boast ~400 km2 of highly prospective ground including an established gold mineral resource at Douay with significant expansion potential as well as the past-producing Telbel and Eagle West mines at Joutel. In addition, the Company holds an exclusive option to acquire 100% of the Eagle Mine Property, a key part of the historical Joutel mining complex.

The district-scale property package also hosts a significant number of regional exploration targets along a 55-km strike length of the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone that have yet to be tested through drilling, making the project ripe for new gold and polymetallic discoveries. The Company is currently focused on carrying out exploration and drill programs to grow mineral resources and make new discoveries to establish an exciting new gold district in the heart of the Abitibi. For more information, please visit www.maplegoldmines.com.

ON BEHALF OF MAPLE GOLD MINES LTD.

"Kiran Patankar"

Kiran Patankar, President & CEO

For Further Information Please Contact:

Mr. Kiran Patankar

President & CEO

Tel: 604.639.2536

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PRESS RELEASE.

Forward Looking Statements and Cautionary Notes:

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation in Canada. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective,", "strategy", "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements about (i) the intended use of the gross proceeds of the Offering, (ii) the resource expansion and discovery potential across the Company's gold projects, and its intention to pursue such potential, (iii) the timing of anticipated resumption of drilling, (iv) the final acceptance of the TSXV, and (v) the Company's expectations with respect to the foregoing. Although the Company believes that forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct, as forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, uncertainties and management's best estimate of future events on the date the statements are made and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations and projections, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements in this news release include (i) the risk that the Company may not be able to secure the requisite governmental, regulatory or shareholder approvals, as applicable, necessary to carry out the Offering, (ii) risks and uncertainties related to the Company's ability to complete the Offering and the size of the Offering, and (iii) the tax treatment of the FT Shares. For a more detailed discussion of additional risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this news release, please refer to the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval Plus (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca or the Company's website at www.maplegoldmines.com. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and/or the policies of the TSXV, the Company undertakes no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any intention to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.
New property acquisition from Victoria Gold completes amalgamation of contiguous district-scale gold camp at RC Gold Project in Yukon

Victoria Gold now a significant shareholder with an initial 8% interest in Sitka Gold

Adds four high-priority targets for intrusion related gold deposits

Historical drill results of up to 20.46 g/t Au over 10.7 metres (Contact), 1.87 g/t Au over 42.6 metres (Bear Paw), 1.03 g/t Au over 67.1 metres (Rhosgobel) and 1.20 g/t Au over 10.0 metres (Pukelman)

Newly identified mineralized corridor from Blackjack gold deposit projects over 5 kms through intrusions located on the newly acquired property

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Sitka Gold Corp. ("Sitka" or the "Company") (TSXV:SIG) (FSE:1RF) (OTCQB:SITKF) announces that the Company has executed a definitive asset purchase agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with Victoria Gold Corp. (the "Vendor") dated June 24, 2024 in connection with the acquisition (the "Acquisition") of a 100% interest in the Clear Creek property (the "Property"), located adjacent to the Company's RC Gold Project, (see Figures 1 and 2). The Clear Creek Property claims adjoin Sitka Gold's road accessible RC Gold Project ("RC Gold" or the "Project"), located approximately 100 kilometres east of Dawson City, Yukon and cover the southern portion of the Clear Creek Intrusive Complex. The Property encompasses several regions of intrusion-related gold mineralization that have undergone various levels of exploration, including historical reverse circulation and diamond drilling.

"We are very pleased to complete the purchase of the Clear Creek Property and to welcome Victoria Gold as a major new shareholder of the Company," said Cor Coe, Director and CEO of Sitka Gold. "The purchase of Victoria Gold's Clear Creek Property marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the RC Gold Project as it consolidates the entire Clear Creek Intrusive Complex under one owner. The newly acquired property has an excellent road network accessing the target areas allowing Sitka to effectively use capital to conduct low cost drilling within this newly discovered high-grade Reduced Intrusion Related Gold System. The potential for this area, including the newly acquired Clear Creek Property, to host several multi-million ounce intrusion related gold deposits is becoming more evident as we continue to systematically explore the region.

"Sitka's recent discovery of the Blackjack and Eiger deposits has proven that the district hosts very significant gold deposits, with the higher-grade, Blackjack gold deposit being the cornerstone to develop the potential of the region with an initial inferred 900,000 ounce resource from surface grading 0.83 g/t gold (see news release dated January 19, 2023). With the entire Clear Creek Intrusive Complex now under Sitka's 100% ownership we will be pushing to unlock value in this target rich area as we pursue additional discoveries while expanding these wide open deposits."

"We have been impressed with the exploration success that Sitka has demonstrated at its RC Gold Project," stated John McConnell, President and CEO of Victoria Gold. "Combining the RC Gold Project and Victoria's Clear Creek Property consolidates this new Yukon gold camp. Sitka has a strong exploration team with decades of experience in Yukon. We expect Sitka will have further success exploring the combined project and Victoria will benefit as a significant Sitka shareholder."

Figure 1 - RC Property prior to acquisition of Victoria Gold's Clear Creek Project.

Figure 2 - Consolidated RC Gold Project after acquisition of Victoria Gold's Clear Creek Property. The RC Gold Project now encompasses the entire Clear Creek Intrusive Complex, a cluster of known gold-bearing intrusions in the heart of the Tombstone Gold Belt.

Historical work in the Clear Creek district has mainly focused on the southern Clear Creek Intrusive Complex. In 1992 Noranda conducted the first drilling in the area targeting "Fort Knox" type mineralization with six holes testing the Pukelman Intrusion (See Table 1, Figure 3), Eiger Intrusion and Saddle area. The drilling in the Pukelman intrusion intersected sheeted quartz veining within megacrystic quartz monzonite which returned values of 1.02 g/t gold over 10.0 m from 26.0 m in RC-92-1 and 0.68 g/t gold over 16.0 m from 78.0 m in RC-92-1. In 1995, Kennecott conducted wide spaced shallow reverse circulation drilling on the Rhosgobel intrusion (See Table 1, Figure 3), identifying an east-west trending zone of sheeted quartz-tourmaline veining within megacrystic quartz monzonite, 1200 metres long, 200 metres wide, and 65 metres deep. No drilling has been conducted since Kennecott's initial drilling of this target. Highlights from Kennecott's drilling include CCRC95-15 which intersected mineralization over its entire 74.7m length grading 0.83 g/t gold, including 1.57 g/t gold over 6.1 m at the bottom of the hole. CCRC95-16 intersected 1.03 g/t gold over its entire length of 67.1 m including 1.43 g/t gold over the final 30 metres of the hole. In 1999, the Bear Paw Breccia Zone (See Table 1, Figure 3), a hydrothermal quartz breccia, was discovered by Redstar Resources with hole BP99-1, which intersected 26.7 m grading 2.00 g/t gold. In 2010 and 2011 Golden Predator drilled several zones on the property including the Contact Zone (See Table 1, Figure 3) intersecting 42.7 m of 1.87 g/t gold and 10.7 m of 20.46 g/t gold within sheeted veining hosted in metasediments and associated with an east-northeast trending structure and intrusive dykes along the southeast margin of the Pukelman intrusion. No drilling has been conducted on the Property since the 2011 program.

A large database of geological, geochemical, and geophysical information exists for the Property. The database of information combined with the increased understanding of the controls on mineralization developed by Sitka Gold suggests there is significant potential for the discovery of additional intrusion related gold deposits. A prime example is the recent drilling by Sitka that has identified a north-south trending structural corridor hosting higher-grade mineralization within the Blackjack deposit. The corridor trends southward from the Blackjack deposit through the Pukelman West intrusion and along the western margin of the Rhosgobel intrusion (see Figure 4) located on the Property. This structural corridor linking these intrusions appears to extend for over 10 kilometres and represents a significant exploration target.

Figure 3: Location of zones of gold mineralization that have had limited historical drilling within the newly acquired Clear Creek Property.

Figure 4: Plan map showing multiple priority target areas on the newly acquired Clear Creek Property and the newly identified Blackjack Mineralized Corridor that extends for over 10 kilometres through the Saddle, Pukelman West and Rhosgobel Intrusive Stocks.

Table 1: Significant drill hole results from the Clear Creek Property

*Intervals are drilled core length, as insufficient drilling has been completed at this time to determine true widths

Table References

Robinson, S.D. and R. A. Doherty, 1988. Geological, Geochemical, Geophysical and Diamond Drilling 1988 Summary Report on the Rum, Rye and Roll Claims ((assessment report 092748) Feulgen, S. and J.C. Stephen, 1989, Initial Diamond Drilling Report on the Rain, Wind, Sleet Claims, Left Clear Creek, Yukon (assessment report 092752) Bidwell, G., 1993. Clear Creek Project, 1992 Reverse Circulation Drill Program (assessment report 093097) Coombes, S., 1995. 1995 Assessment Report on the Clear Creek Option; prepared by Kennecott Canada Inc. (assessment report 093372). Stammers, M.A., 2000. 1999 Geochemical and Diamond Drilling Assessment Report on the Clear Creek Property (assessment report 094058) Weeks, S. and R. Falls, 2001, 2000 Geological, Geochemical and Diamond Drilling Assessment Report on the Clear Creek Property (assessment report 94165) O'Brien, 2010;Assessment Report, 2010 Diamond Drilling Program, Clear Creek Property (Assessment report 095539) Shutty, 2011; Assessment Report, 2011 Exploration Program, Clear Creek Property (Assessment Report 095984)

Transaction Terms

Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company issued to Vendor an aggregate of 21,843,401 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Shares") as an initial payment, representing 8% of the issued and outstanding shares of Sitka after giving effect to the issuance of the Shares. In order to complete the Acquisition, the Company is required to make the following additional payments (each a "Deferred Payment"):

$2,000,000 on or before August 30, 2025;

$3,000,000 on or before June 24, 2026; and

$6,000,000 on or before June 24, 2027.

During the term of the Purchase Agreement while the Deferred Payments are pending, Sitka will act as operator of the Clear Creek Property and have control over its work programme. The Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any Deferred Payment in cash or through the issuance of such number of Shares as is equal to the amount of the applicable Deferred Payment based on the volume weighted average price of the Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") (or such other exchange upon which the Shares are then listed) for the 20 consecutive trading days immediately prior to the due date of the applicable Deferred Payment, provided however that in the event that any such Share issuance would result in the Vendor holding greater than 19.9% of the issued and outstanding Shares of the Company, the Company must first obtain: (i) the written consent of the Vendor to receive such Shares; and (ii) approval of the shareholders of the Company in accordance with Exchange policies.

As additional consideration, upon completion of the Acquisition, the Company will grant to the Vendor a 5.0% net smelter return royalty on the Property (the "NSR Royalty"). The Company shall have the right at any time following the grant of the NSR Royalty to purchase from the Vendor 60% of the NSR Royalty by way of a one-time cash payment of $10,000,000.

In the event that the Company publicly delineates proven and probable mineral reserves (within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") of 2,000,000 ounces or more of gold or gold equivalent on the Property, then the Company shall make an additional payment of $10,000,000 in cash to the Vendor within 60 business days of such public delineation. In the event that the Company has not made such public delineation before the fifth anniversary of the Purchase Agreement, then the Vendor shall have the right to cause an evaluation by an independent qualified person (within the meaning of NI 43-101) to be conducted as to the extent of the mineral resources on the Property, and, in the event such qualified person determines the existence of measured and/or indicated resources (within the meaning of NI 43-101) of 2,000,000 ounces or more of gold or gold equivalent on the Property, then the Company shall make the $10,000,000 cash payment to the Vendor within 60 business days.

In connection with the Purchase Agreement, the parties have entered into an investor rights agreement pursuant to which, among other things: (i) at any time in which the Vendor shall have beneficial ownership of at least 15% of the issued and outstanding Shares of the Company, the Vendor shall have the right to nominate one director to the board of directors of the Company; and (ii) the Vendor has been granted certain customary anti-dilution and registration rights.

About the flagship RC Gold Project

The RC Gold Project consists of a 431 square kilometre contiguous district-scale land package located in the heart of Yukon's Tombstone Gold Belt. The project is located approximately 100 kilometres east of Dawson City, which has a 5,000 foot paved runway, and is accessed via a secondary gravel road from the Klondike Highway which is usable year-round and is an approximate 2 hour drive from Dawson City. It is the largest consolidated land package strategically positioned mid-way between Victoria Gold's Eagle Gold Mine - Yukon's newest gold mine which reached commercial production in the summer of 2020 - and Victoria Gold's former producing Brewery Creek Gold Mine.

On January 19, 2023 Sitka Gold announced an Initial Mineral Resource Estimate prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") guidelines for the RC Gold Property of 1,340,000 ounces of gold(1). The road accessible, pit constrained Mineral Resource is classified as inferred and is contained in two zones: The Blackjack and Eiger deposits. Both of these deposits are at/near surface, are potentially open pit minable and amenable to heap leaching, with initial bottle roll tests indicating that the gold is not refractory and has high gold recoveries of up to 94% with minimal NaCN consumption (see News Release July 13, 2022). The Mineral Resource estimate is presented in the following table at a base case cut-off grade of 0.25 g/t Au:

RC Gold Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate

Notes

1. Mineral resource estimate prepared by Ronald G. Simpson of GeoSim Services Inc. with an effective date of January 19, 2023. Mineral Resources are classified using the 2014 CIM Definition Standards.

2. The cut-off grade of 0.25 g/t Au is believed to provide a reasonable margin over operating and sustaining costs for open-pit mining and processing

3. Mineral resources are constrained by an optimised pit shell using the following assumptions: US$1800/oz Au price; a 45 pit slope; assumed metallurgical recovery of 85%; mining costs of US$2.00 per tonne; processing costs of US$8.00 per tonne; G&A of US$1.50/t.

4. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

5. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

To date, 56 diamond drill holes have been drilled into this system for a total of approximately 19,962 metres including 16 drill holes totalling 6,515 metres completed in 2023 focused on expanding the initial resource. The drilling in 2023 produced results of up to 219.0 m of 1.34 g/t gold including 124.8 m of 2.01 g/t gold and 55.0 m of 3.11 g/t gold in drill hole DDRCCC-23-047 at Blackjack (see news release dated September 26, 2023). The Company recently completed two drill holes totalling 1,085 metres during the winter phase of a planned 15,000 metre diamond drilling program at the RC Gold Project for 2024.

(1) Simpson, R. January 19, 2023. Clear Creek Property, RC Gold Project, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Dawson Mining District, Yukon Territory

RC Gold Deposit Model

Exploration on the Property has mainly focused on identifying an intrusion-related gold system ("IRGS"). The property is within the Tombstone Gold Belt which is the prominent host to IRGS deposits within the Tintina Gold Province in Yukon and Alaska. Notable deposits from the belt include: Fort Knox Mine in Alaska with current Proven and Probable Reserves of 230 million tonnes at 0.3 g/t Au (2.471 million ounces; Sims 2018)(1); Eagle Gold Mine with current Measured and Indicated Resources of 233 million tonnes at a grade of 0.57 g/t Au at the Eagle Main Zone (4.303 million ounces; Harvey et al, 2022)(2); the Brewery Creek deposit with current Indicated Mineral Resource of 22.2 million tonnes at a gold grade of 1.11 g/t (0.789 million ounces; Hulse et al. 2020)(3); the Florin Gold deposit, located adjacent to Sitka's RC Gold project, with a current Inferred Mineral Resource of 170.99 million tonnes grading 0.45 g/t (2.47 million ounces; Simpson 2021)(4) and the AurMac Project with an Inferred Mineral Resource of 347.49 million tonnes grading 0.63 gram per tonne gold (7.00 million ounces)(5).

(1) Sims J. Fort Knox Mine Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, USA National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report. June 11, 2018. https://s2.q4cdn.com/496390694/files/doc_downloads/2018/Fort-Knox-June-2018-Technical-Report.pdf

(2) Harvey N., Gray P., Winterton J., Jutras M., Levy M.,Technical Report for the Eagle Gold Mine, Yukon Territory, Canada. Victoria Gold Corp. December 31, 2022. https://vgcx.com/site/assets/files/6534/vgcx_-_2023_eagle_mine_technical_report_final.pdf

(3) Hulse D, Emanuel C, Cook C. NI 43-101 Technical Report on Mineral Resources. Gustavson Associates. May 31, 2020. https://minedocs.com/22/Brewery-Creek-PEA-01182022.pdf

(4) Simpson R. Florin Gold Project NI 43-101 Technical Report. Geosim Services Inc. April 21, 2021. https://sedar.com/GetFile.dolang=EN&docClass=24&issuerNo=00005795&issuerType=03&projectNo=03236138&docI d=4984158

(5) Banyan Gold News Release Dated February 7, 2023 (Technical Report to be filed within 45 days of news release) https://banyangold.com/news-releases/2024/banyan-announces-7-million-ounce-gold-updated-mineral-resource-estimate-aurmac-project-yukon-canada/

Upcoming Events

Sitka Gold will be attending and/or presenting at the following events*:

Yukon Mining Alliance Property Tours, Dawson City, Yukon: June 20 - 26, 2024

Takestock Investor Forum, Stampede Event, Calgary, Alberta: July 3, 2024

Precious Metals Summit, Beaver Creek, Colorado: September 10 - 13, 2-024

*All events are subject to change.

About Sitka Gold Corp.

Sitka Gold Corp. is a well-funded mineral exploration company headquartered in Canada. The Company is managed by a team of experienced industry professionals and is focused on exploring for economically viable mineral deposits with its primary emphasis on gold, silver and copper mineral properties of merit. Sitka is currently exploring its flagship RC Gold Project within the Tombstone Gold Belt in the Yukon Territory with a 15,000 metre diamond drill program planned for 2024. The company is also advancing the Alpha Gold Project in Nevada and currently has drill permits for its Burro Creek Gold and Silver Project in Arizona and the Coppermine River Project in Nunavut.

*For more detailed information on the underlying properties please visit our website at www.sitkagoldcorp.com

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Cor Coe, P.Geo., Director and CEO of the Company, and a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

SITKA GOLD CORP.

"Donald Penner"

President and Director

For more information contact:

Donald Penner

President & Director

778-212-1950

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

or

Cor Coe

CEO & Director

604-817-4753

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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.

Cautionary and 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" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forwardlooking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, the Company's anticipated work programs; the anticipated benefits of the Acquisition; the expected completion of the Acquisition and the timing thereof; the consideration payable pursuant to the Acquisition and the timing thereof; and expectations regarding exploration on the Company's mineral properties.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that the benefits of the Acquisition will be as expected; that the Acquisition will be completed on the timing anticipated; that the Company will complete its proposed work programs; and that exploration results on the Company's mineral properties will be anticipated.

These forwardlooking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market uncertainty; the results of the Company's anticipated work programs; the risk that the Acquisition will not close on the timetable anticipated or at all; risks related to reliance on technical information; risks related to exploration and potential development of the Company's projects; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; and uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental and stock exchange approvals.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.
VANCOUVER, BC, June 24, 2024 /CNW/ - Nuclear Fuels Inc. (CSE: NF) (OTCQX: NFUNF) ("Nuclear Fuels" or the "Company") today announced the appointment of Mr. Gregory Huffman as Chief Executive Officer, President and Director of the Company effective immediately. Mr. Huffman brings over two decades of mining analysis and equity finance experience to the Company, with a focus on uranium and other energy-related metals. In connection with his appointment, Mr. Huffman will purchase by way of private placement a total of 2,000,000 units at $0.35 per unit, each consisting of a common share and a half of a share warrant, with each whole warrant exercisable at a price of $0.55 for two years.

William M. Sheriff, Executive Chairman, stated "On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is my pleasure to welcome Mr. Huffman to the key leadership position at a transitional time for Nuclear Fuels. As Nuclear Fuels positions itself for growth during what are still the early days of the nuclear renaissance, Mr. Huffman's extensive experience, relentless work ethics and positive attitude developed many lasting relationships with investors and corporate entities across numerous commodities and jurisdictions, all of great importance to the future development of Nuclear Fuels. With established and growing assets in progressive jurisdictions and a relationship with enCore Energy as its largest shareholder, Nuclear Fuels is in an enviable position. Mr. Huffman shares our view of the incredible growth opportunities present in the uranium sector and we are confident that his leadership will serve the Company well as we advance our current assets while evaluating additional opportunities to provide value to our shareholders. I also want to thank Michael Collins for his valued service as the Company has moved from a start-up to a leading exploration company during a short two-year period."

Mr. Gregory Huffman, Chief Executive Officer, President & Director

With a focus on uranium and other energy-related metals, Mr. Huffman's diverse background includes roles in mining specialty sales, fund management, and equity research in the metals and mining sector. In his career, he has been instrumental in leading cross border coordination in global mining financial matters, including his work as a mining analyst focused on uranium from 2004 to 2007. His most recent experience, from 2016 to 2024, was as the Global Head of Mining Sales at Canaccord Genuity where he employed his broad range of geological and financial skills to evaluate mining companies exploring, developing, and producing precious, base and energy-related metals, including uranium. Mr. Huffman is known for his insightful industry publications, the "Canaccord Genuity High Grade Mining Minute" and "Huffer's High Grade Nuggets."

Prior to Canaccord Genuity, Mr. Huffman worked in a similar mining equity sales role with Scotia Capital, as well as a materials analyst with a multi-strategy, U.S.-based investment fund. His mining equity research and sales experience is complemented by an extensive geological background. Greg holds a Bachelor of Science (Honors), cum laude, from the Harquail School of Earth Sciences at Laurentian University in Sudbury and serves on the Advisory Board of the Goodman School of Mines, also at Laurentian University.

Mr. Michael Collins has stepped down as a Director and the Chief Executive Officer and will remain as an Advisor and Consultant to the Company. We thank him for his contributions and continue to look forward to working with him in this new capacity.

The Company granted 1,000,000 stock options to Mr. Huffman, each exercisable at a price of $0.35 per common share for five years subject to semi-annual vesting over the first two years.

About Nuclear Fuels Inc.

Nuclear Fuels Inc. is committed to aggressive exploration of district-scale In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") uranium projects in proven and prolific jurisdictions. Focused on its priority Kaycee Project, located in Wyoming's Powder River Basin, our goal is to advance the Project onto a path to production. enCore Energy Corp. maintains the right to back-in to 51% ownership by paying the Company 2.5X its exploration expenditures and carrying the project to production (recoverable from production). With existing historic resources through a 33-mile trend, 110+ miles of mapped roll-fronts and 3,800 drill holes, Nuclear Fuels has secured the district under one company's control for the first time since the early 1980's. Nuclear Fuels also provides a unique model for development of our other uranium projects and has established a pipeline of future opportunities in well-established uranium districts.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to planned exploration programs and the results of additional exploration work in seeking to establish mineral resources as defined in NI43-101 on any of our properties. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with the completing planned exploration programs and the results of those programs; the ability to access additional capital to fund planned and future operations; regulatory risks including exploration permitting; risks associated with title to our mineral projects; the ability of the company to implement its business strategies; and other risks including risks contained in documents available for review at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Additional High-Grade Values Continue to Support the Projects Robust Potential

Edmonton Alberta  TheNewswire - Monday, June 24, 2024  Golden Rapture Mining Corporation (CSE-GLDR) reports new assay results from surface sampling at its flagship Phillips Township property, Rainy River District, NW Ontario, including samples up to 163.33 g/t Au from the Youngs Bay Occurrence.

The property is truly a hidden treasure chest of forgotten golden opportunities by hosting eighteen (18) mine shafts and of great significance is the fact that the majority of the gold-bearing systems also have parallel systems.

It is the first time that all these gold systems are part of a single 10,000-acre contiguous property. They include the high-grade Combined Mine, Mascotte Mine, Trojan Mine, Boulder Mine, Terrell Occurrence, OGS Occurrence, Kuluk Occurrence & the Young's Bay Occurrence, etc.

A total of 22 samples were recently taken from 3 veins and a pit at our Youngs Bay Occurrence.

High-grade results included

Sample Number Gold Results 494839 163.33 g/t Au 494829 93.94 g/t Au 494831 73.79 g/t Au 494830 72.81 g/t Au 494847 50.82 g/t Au 494854 14.77 g/t Au 494851 10.10 g/t Au 494848 5.39 g/t Au

Mr. Richard Rivet, CEO of Golden Rapture, commented: I am extremely pleased that we have just made rapid steps toward identifying additional high-grade drill-ready targets. A small diamond drill program has also commenced at our Combined Mine area and results will be announced when completed. The ultimate plan would be to drill the Youngs Bay Occurrence later this year once more funds are raised or by the help of the right JV partner.

The company would also like to report that Ryan Yanch has resigned as CFO and Director to look after his other ventures and that a great replacement has been chosen and will be announced shortly.

Qualified Person



The technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by John Archibald, P.Geo., Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Analytical Laboratory and QA/QC Procedures

All sampling completed by Golden Rapture Mining Corporation within its exploration programs is subject to a Company standard of internal quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) programs which include the insertion of certified reference materials, blank materials and a level of duplicate analysis. Surface samples from the 2022 and 2023 programs were all sent to Activation Laboratories. AGAT Laboratories conform to requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17025 guidelines and meets assay requirements outlined for NI 43-101.

About Golden Rapture Mining

Golden Rapture Mining is a well-funded exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of high-potential assets located in favorable, established Tier 1 mining jurisdictions being the Rainy River and Geraldton areas of NW Ontario, Canada.

Our second property includes the past-producing Hutchison/Maylac Gold Mine located in the Geraldton Gold Camp, NW Ontario. It was one of the richest mines in the area and was mined underground on and off from 1937 to 1947. The highest historical drill intersection included drill results as high as 24.16 oz/t/gold. The property has only seen shallow drilling and was only mined to a depth of around 400ft and lies in the shadows of the new Greenstone/Equinox Gold Mine.

On behalf of the Board

Richard Rivet, President & CEO

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Phone: 780-729-5395

For more info please look at our website at https://goldenrapturemining.com

Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections, and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as seek, anticipate, believe, plan, estimate, forecast, expect, potential, project, target, schedule, budget and intend and statements that an event or result may, will, should, could or might occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Companys planned exploration programs and drill programs and potential significance of results are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Companys expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital, and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events, or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Non-dilutive financing secured from leading royalty fund to support exploration and development at Storm

C$3.425 million allocated to Aston Bay with no use of proceeds restriction

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 /Aston Bay Holdings Ltd. (TSXV:BAY) (OTCQB:ATBHF) ("Aston Bay" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its joint venture partner American West Metals Limited ("American West") has entered into a binding agreement with Australian-based Taurus Mining Royalty Fund L.P. (Taurus) whereby Taurus will provide funding of up to US$12.5 million (C$17.1 million[1]) under a royalty package for the Storm Copper Project. Aston Bay and American West have formed a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture in respect of the Storm Project property, with Aston Bay maintaining a free carried interest until a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study. Aston Bay will be allocated 20% of the funding from the royalty package (C$3.425 million) with no use of proceeds restriction.

Highlights

Binding agreement entered with Taurus Mining Royalty Fund L.P. (Taurus) to provide US$12.5 million (C$17.1 million 1 ) in exchange for a royalty package over the Storm Copper Project

) in exchange for a royalty package over the Storm Copper Project The following funding will be advanced by Taurus: US$5m (C$6.85m) upon signing of formal documentation and financial close US$3.5m (C$4.80m) upon delivery of a PFS for Storm and submission of permitting documents for a development at Storm US$4m (C$5.48m) upon announcement of an increase in the JORC compliant resource for Storm to at least 400,000 tonnes of contained copper at a resource grade of at least 1.00% Cu

Taurus will be granted a new 0.95% gross override royalty (GOR) from all production at Storm

Funding under the royalty package will be allocated to American West Metals and Aston Bay Holdings in accordance with their respective interests under the unincorporated joint venture for Storm, being 80% for American West Metals and 20% for Aston Bay Holdings

American West Metals will use its proceeds from the royalty funding to: Accelerate the Storm 2024 resource expansion and exploration programs, with the 20,000m summer drilling program now underway Bring forward the logistics for the 2025 field activities with supplies delivered to site via sealift in 2024 (offering significant savings on the cost of the 2025 program) Expedite the completion of ESG, mining and development studies



There is no use of funds restriction for Aston Bay, providing a non-dilutive source of funds to advance the Company's other projects and contribute to the Company's robust balance sheet 1Based on USD:CAD exchange rate of 1:1.37.

Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Bay, commented: "This is an excellent development for the Storm Project and Aston Bay. The royalty financing provides significant funding and is structured to promote rapid advancement of the Storm Copper Project for our partner American West. At the same time, it provides a significant amount of non-dilutive funds for Aston Bay to advance our other critical minerals and gold exploration projects in Nunavut and Virginia."

Dave O'Neill, Managing Director of American West Metals, commented: "We are very pleased to have secured royalty funding to support the advancement of the Storm Copper Project. The royalty financing provides American West with a substantial quantum of funds on terms that are considerably more attractive and less dilutionary than alternative equity funding.

"The investment from Taurus is a strong endorsement of the potential at Storm and recognises the strong foundations for growth established by the exploration and resource delineation work conducted by American West to date.

"The Company is now well positioned to accelerate the 2024 and 2025 work programs at Storm, with the 2024 summer drilling program now in full swing. This puts American West in a strong position to grow shareholder wealth as the demand outlook for copper reaches an all-time high."

Michael Davies, Taurus Chief Investment Officer, also commented: "We are delighted to be furthering our involvement with the Storm Copper Project which is rapidly emerging as a high-grade, district-scale copper project. We look forward to working with the American West Metals team as they continue to grow Storm's copper endowment and advance the project to production in the coming years."

KEY ROYALTY TERMS

The key terms of the Taurus royalty package are set out below:

1. US$12.5 million funding

Funds will be advanced at the following stages:

(a) US$5 million on signing of formal documentation and financial close.

(b) US$3.5 million upon delivery of a pre-feasibility study for Storm and submission of permitting documents for a development at Storm.

(c) US$4 million upon delivery of a resource increase in the JORC compliant resource for Storm to at least 400,000 tonnes of contained copper at a resource grade of at least 1.00% Cu.

2. Royalty

Taurus will be granted the following royalties over Storm:

(a) A 0.95% GOR on the sale of all product from Storm.

(b) A 0.50% GOR over any additional mineral rights acquired by American West within 5km of the current extents of the Storm Project ("AOI Royalty").

The 0.95% GOR, together with the historical 0.875% GOR over Storm acquired by Taurus from a third party earlier this year, will give Taurus a total 1.825% GOR over Storm. (The historical 0.875% GOR was held by Commander Resources Inc, a previous owner of the Storm Project).

The historical GOR included a buyback right whereby the GOR could be reduced from 0.875% to 0.475% by payment of C$4 million. This buyback right will be cancelled as part of the new royalty arrangements.

Taurus will have the right to match any royalty or streaming transaction associated with the Storm Project up until 12 months following the declaration of commercial production at the Project.

The new royalty arrangements will be documented in formal documentation that will reflect the above commercial terms and will contain such other terms and conditions that are customary for royalty financings of this kind.

About the Storm Copper and Seal Zinc-Silver Projects, Nunavut

The Nunavut property consists of 173 contiguous mining claims covering an area of approximately 219,257 hectares on Somerset Island, Nunavut, Canada. The Storm Project comprises both the Storm Copper Project, a high-grade sediment-hosted copper discovery (intersections including 110m* @ 2.5% Cu from surface and 56.3m* @ 3.1% Cu from 12.2m) as well as the Seal Zinc Deposit (intersections including 14.4m* @ 10.6% Zn, 28.7g/t Ag from 51.8m and 22.3m* @ 23.0% Zn, 5.1g/t Ag from 101.5m). Additionally, there are numerous underexplored and undrilled targets within the 120-kilometre strike length of the mineralized trend, including the Tornado copper prospect where 10 grab samples yielded >1% Cu up to 32% Cu in gossans. The Nunavut property is now the subject of an 80/20 unincorporated joint venture with American West (see "Agreement with American West" below for more details).

Storm Discovery and Historical Work

High-grade copper mineralization was discovered at Storm in the mid-1990s by Cominco geologists conducting regional zinc exploration around their then-producing Polaris lead-zinc mine. A massive chalcocite boulder found in a tributary of the Aston River in 1996 was traced to impressive surface exposures of broken chalcocite mineralization for hundreds of metres of surface strike length at what became named the 2750N, 2200N, and 3500N zones. Subsequent seasons of prospecting, geophysics and over 9,000 m of drilling into the early 2000s confirmed a significant amount of copper mineralization below the surface exposures as well as making the blind discovery of the 4100N Zone, a large area of copper mineralization with no surface exposure.

Following the merger of Cominco with Teck in 2001 and the closure of the Polaris Mine, the Storm claims were allowed to lapse in 2007. Commander Resources staked the property in 2008 and flew a helicopter-borne VTEM survey in 2011 but conducted no additional drilling. Aston Bay subsequently entered into an earn-in agreement with Commander and consolidated 100% ownership in 2015. Commander retained a 0.875% Gross Overriding Royalty in the area of the original Storm claims which was purchased by Taurus Mining Royalty Fund L.P. in January 2024.

In 2016 Aston Bay entered into an earn-in agreement with BHP, who conducted a 2,000-station soil sampling program and drilled 1,951m of core in 12 diamond drill holes, yielding up to 16m* @ 3.1% Cu. BHP exited the agreement in 2017 and retains no residual interest in the project. Aston Bay conducted a property-wide airborne gravity gradiometry survey in 2017 and drilled 2,913m in nine core holes in the Storm area in 2018 yielding a best intercept of 1.5m* @ 4.4% Cu and 20.5m* @ 0.6% Cu.

Agreement with American West

As previously disclosed, Aston Bay entered into an Option Agreement dated March 9, 2021 (the "Option Agreement") with American West Metals Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tornado Metals Ltd. (collectively, "American West") pursuant to which American West was granted an option (the "Option") to earn an 80% undivided interest in the Project by spending a minimum of CAD$10 million on qualifying exploration expenditures ("Expenditures"). The parties amended and restated the Option Agreement as of February 27, 2023 to facilitate American West potentially financing the Expenditures through flow-through shares but did not change the commercial agreement between the parties.

The Expenditures were completed during the 2023 drilling program and American West exercised the Option in accordance with the terms of the Option Agreement, as amended. American West and Aston Bay have formed a 80/20 unincorporated joint venture and are finalising a joint venture agreement. Under the joint venture, Aston Bay shall have a free carried interest until American West has made a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, meaning American West will be solely responsible for funding the joint venture until such decision is made. After such decision is made, Aston Bay will be diluted in the event it does not elect to contribute its proportionate share and its interest in the Project will be converted into a 2% net smelter returns royalty if its interest is diluted to below 10%.

Recent Work

American West completed a fixed loop electromagnetic (FLEM) ground geophysical survey in 2021 that yielded several new subsurface conductive anomalies. A total of 1,534m were drilled in 10 diamond drill holes in the 2022 season, yielding several impressive near-surface intercepts including 41m* @ 4.1% Cu as well as 68m of sulfide mineralization associated with a deeper conductive anomaly.

In April 2022, results of beneficiation studies demonstrated that a mineralized intercept grading 4% Cu from the 4100N area could be upgraded to a 54% Cu direct ship product using standard sorting technology. Further beneficiation studies are ongoing.

In April 2023, American West embarked on a spring delineation drilling program using a helicopter-portable RC drill rig as well as conducting gravity and moving loop electromagnetic (MLEM) ground geophysical programs.

The summer 2023 program conducted further delineation drilling of the near-surface high-grade copper zones to advance them toward maiden resource estimates by late 2023 or early 2024. Diamond drilling tested new high-priority gravity targets and environmental baseline studies will be initiated.

*Stated drill hole intersections are all core length, and true width is expected to be 60% to 100% of core length.

About Aston Bay Holdings

Aston Bay is a publicly traded mineral exploration company exploring for high-grade copper and gold deposits in Virginia, USA, and Nunavut, Canada. The Company is led by CEO Thomas Ullrich with exploration in Virginia directed by the Company's advisor, Don Taylor, the 2018 Thayer Lindsley Award winner for his discovery of the Taylor Pb-Zn-Ag Deposit in Arizona. The Company is currently exploring the high-grade Buckingham Gold Vein in central Virginia and is in advanced stages of negotiation on other lands with high-grade copper potential in the area.

The Company and its joint venture partners, American West Metals Limited and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tornado Metals Ltd. (collectively, "American West") have formed a 20/80 unincorporated joint venture and are finalising a joint venture agreement in respect of the Storm Project property, which hosts the Storm Copper Project and the Seal Zinc Deposit. Under the unincorporated joint venture, Aston Bay shall have a free carried interest until American West has made a decision to mine upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, meaning American West will be solely responsible for funding the joint venture until such decision is made. After such decision is made, Aston Bay will be diluted in the event it does not elect to contribute its proportionate share and its interest in the Storm Project property will be converted into a 2% net smelter returns royalty if its interest is diluted to below 10%.

About American West Metals Limited

AMERICAN WEST METALS LIMITED (ASX: AW1) is an Australian clean energy mining company focused on growth through the discovery and development of major base metal mineral deposits in Tier 1 jurisdictions of North America. The company's strategy is focused on developing mines that have a low-footprint and support the global energy transformation. AW1's portfolio of copper and zinc projects in Utah and Canada include significant existing resource inventories and high-grade mineralization that can generate robust mining proposals. Core to AW1's approach is a commitment to the ethical extraction and processing of minerals and making a meaningful contribution to the communities where its projects are located.

Led by a highly experienced leadership team, AW1's strategic initiatives lay the foundation for a sustainable business which aims to deliver high-multiplier returns on shareholder investment and economic benefits to all stakeholders.

For further information on American West, visit: www.americanwestmetals.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements made in this news release, including those regarding entering into the joint venture and each party's interest in the Project pursuant to the agreement in respect of the joint venture, management objectives, forecasts, estimates, expectations, or predictions of the future may constitute "forward-looking statement", which can be identified by the use of conditional or future tenses or by the use of such verbs as "believe", "expect", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "anticipate", "project", "plan", and words of similar import, including variations thereof and negative forms. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect, as of the date of this press release, Aston Bay's expectations, estimates and projections about its operations, the mining industry and the economic environment in which it operates. Statements in this press release that are not supported by historical fact are forward-looking statements, meaning they involve risk, uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although Aston Bay believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which apply only at the time of writing of this press release. Aston Bay disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by 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 news release.

For more information contact:

Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(416) 456-3516
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UN officials on Friday denied they had done too little to address reports of serious rights violations in China's Xinjiang region, a day after leading campaigners called for greater action.

On Thursday, rights groups urged UN rights chief Volker Turk to follow up on an explosive 2022 report detailing violations against Muslim minorities there, including against the Uyghurs.

The report by Michelle Bachelet, Turk's predecessor as High Commissioner for Human Rights, cited possible "crimes against humanity" in the region.

The report highlighted "credible" allegations of widespread torture, arbitrary detention and violations of the religious and reproductive rights of Uyghurs and other Muslim groups.

China had dismissed its contents.

On Friday, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the International Service for Human Rights and the World Uyghur Congress issued a joint call to action.

"The ongoing absence of public reporting by the high commissioner to follow-up the atrocity crimes documented by his own office, risks undermining the trust placed in his office by victims and survivors," they warned.

Responding to the claims, a spokesperson for the UN's rights office acknowledged that the situation in Xinjiang was "of concern".

Among the issues at stake were "reports of arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances and discrimination on the basis of religion and ethnicity" faced by the Uyghurs.

But the UNHCHR was engaging with China "on a range of human rights issues, including in follow-up to the report", Liz Throssell told AFP.

During a recent visit, officials had stressed "the adverse impacts of national security and counterterrorism laws, family separation, and the lack of transparency on missing persons", Throssell added.

They had urged China to comply with international law.

Bachelet's report raises allegations of abuses against its Muslim minorities in Xinjiang including forcibly sterilising women, mass detentions and imposing a regime of forced labour.

Beijing has argued its approach there is needed to tackle terrorism.

It defends what it calls a network of "vocational training centres" to counter extremism and improve education levels.

Several countries, including the United States, have denounced the crackdown as a "genocide".
A row of Delta Air Lines jets are parked at Kansas City International Airport in Kansas City, Mo., in April 2020. The airlines planes experienced four major incidents in 48 hours last week, including two flights bound for San Francisco. Charlie Riedel/Associated Press A passenger waits for a Delta Air Lines flight at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta on Feb. 18, 2021. All four Delta planes that experienced major incidents last week were able to land safely. Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Delta Airlines jets encountered four major incidents within 48 hours last week, including two flights bound for San Francisco.

Flight DL-475 from Boston to San Francisco reversed course mid-flight when the left-hand engine failed during takeoff on Thursday, aviation records show.

The Airbus A321-200N crew initially stabilized at 1,500 feet, then ascended to 2,000 feet before safely returning to Boston Logan International Airport approximately 20 minutes after departure.

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The aircraft, registered as N513DA and in service since October 2022, remained grounded in Boston as of Monday morning.

On Friday, another Delta flight, DL-916 from Atlanta to San Francisco, lost its right-hand engine mid-flight due to loss of oil quantity and pressure.

The Boeing 757-200 was diverted to Salt Lake City, landing safely after an hour. A replacement 737-900 reached San Francisco about eight hours late.

The affected aircraft, registered as N6706Q and in service since May 2000, remained grounded in Salt Lake City for 46 hours before repositioning to Los Angeles and has not returned to service.

Other Delta flights faced issues on June 20-21, as well.

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Flight DL-92 from New York to Berlin encountered a problem with the anti-skid brakes over U.K. airspace. The Boeing 767-300ER crew requested the longest runway available in Berlin and emergency services upon arrival.

The aircraft, registered as N195DN, landed safely in Berlin on Friday and was cleared for the return sector by emergency and maintenance crews.

Additionally, flight DL-1245 from West Palm Beach to Boston experienced a left-hand engine fire shortly after takeoff on Thursday.

The Airbus A320 crew extinguished the fire during a U-turn back to West Palm Beach. The aircraft, registered as N373NW, landed safely, the engine was repaired, and the aircraft operated the same flight later that evening.

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International Criminal Court judges on Friday made public an arrest warrant for one of the Sahel's top jihadist leaders over alleged atrocities in the fabled Malian city of Timbuktu from 2012 to 2013.

Iyad Ag Ghaly, age not given, is said to be the undisputed leader of the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), which operates in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

The JNIM is accused of numerous attacks against national forces and atrocities against civilian populations.

Ag Ghaly previously led the Ansar Dine jihadist group that invaded the city known as the "Pearl of the Desert" more than a decade ago.

Also known as "Abou Fadl", Ag Ghaly is wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Timbuktu, the ICC said.

These included murder, rape and sexual slavery and attacks on buildings dedicated as religious and historic monuments.

Judges issued the warrant against Ag Ghaly in mid-2017, but the document has been kept under wraps for the past seven years because of "potential risks to witnesses and victims".

The ICC "at the request of the Prosecutor, made public an arrest warrant against Iyad Ag Ghaly for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in northern Mali between January 2012 and January 2013," the Hague-based tribunal said in a statement.

"Mr Ghaly is not detained by the ICC," the court said.

Ansar Dine occupied Timbuktu in 2012, taking pickaxes to 14 of the city's famous mausoleums of Muslim saints. The group also conducted a reign of terror among the local population.

Ag Ghaly is a veteran of Mali's internecine conflicts.

An ethnic Tuareg from northern Mali, he first leapt onto the stage during a Tuareg rebellion in the 1990s.

After it subsided, he went into business, before publicly returning to militancy again in 2012, with the newly created group called Ansar Dine.

That year, Tuareg separatists launched a rebellion in northern Mali, which was quickly commandeered by jihadists.

The event triggered a bloody conflict, which has now spread to the centre of the country, and neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.

Opening its doors in 2002, the ICC is the only independent court that investigates and prosecutes the world's worst crimes.

However, the court does not have the capacity to apprehend suspects and relies on member states to carry out arrests.
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.
Natalia Shapoval stayed six months in Balakliya under Russian occupation. After the city was invaded in the spring of 2022, the Russians established checkpoints and enforced their own order. But despite the danger, the family decided to stay in the city. So did Natalias 28-year-old son Andrii, who fell ill just before the full-scale invasion and worked remotely from home.

Andrii graduated from Kharkiv Automobile and Highway University, worked as a tyre salesman in Kharkiv, and lived in Kharkiv and Balakliya, in eastern Ukraine. At the request of his friend, who lived abroad, he was helping her grandmother during the occupation.

On April 12, he went to help out this old lady. And then Andrii did not come back. We thought he had stayed overnight. We asked her, and she said no, he went home at 12:30 and told her: Today is my birthday. Im going to spend time with my parents. And he never came back, Natalia says.

The parents went to the district police office where the occupiers were stationed. We went there two days in a row. We were told that he was not there. And then [the police] came to our house, they looked like the FSB, men in uniform, with snipers and everything. They searched the house, Natalia says. They kept asking where my son was. How would we know? They took his laptop, they took my phone. And they said they would return them if they didnt find anything compromising. We believed them, of course, she adds.

That old lady also went to the local commandant. The commandant came out and said: If I see you here again, you will end up where he is. And that was it. I dont know if they were hunting [the men], how and why my son was detained. He would only go out to walk the dog around the house and then return home. And otherwise, he would go visit that old lady, there and back. Its a straight road, 10 minutes on foot, Natalia says.

Pleading guilty on Instagram

Andrii usually left the house at 10:00. On the day of his disappearance, he left an hour late. He was always at home at 1:30 pm, before the curfew, which was starting at 2 pm. But that morning he was an hour late. And that was it  he never came back, Natalia continues.

On April 15, three days after his disappearance, a video message from Andrii was posted on his personal Instagram page, in which he allegedly pleaded guilty to assisting the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Andriis family does not believe that this video was recorded voluntarily.

When asked about her sons beliefs, Natalia replies that he is a true Ukrainian, open and sincere in his attitude towards people. He would always speak his mind. He never thought about the fact that people are different and can say one thing and plan evil things behind someones back, she says.

After the de-occupation of Balakliya, the family reported their sons abduction to the Ukrainian police and appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross, but so far, they have received no information about his whereabouts or his well-being.

She says she did not reach out to other Balakliya residents who are also searching for their missing loved ones. Everyone is on their own... Its easier for me to be on my own, with my husband. Each time it is very difficult to talk about it. We know that there are military exchanges. But why does no one think about civilians? They are people too, Natalia says and wipes her tears.

Andrii Shapoval disappeared on 12 April 2022 in Balakliya, which was then occupied by the Russian army, in eastern Ukraine. He reappeared three days later on his Instagram page. Since then, his family has had no news of this case of enforced disappearance. Photo:  Family archives

We managed to exchange 200 civilians

The vast majority of those released as part of prisoner exchanges are military personnel.

There are no mechanisms for exchanging civilians, and they shouldnt exist in the civilised world, says Serhii Chebyshev, head of the Eastern Regional Centre for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

At the same time, Ukraine was able to return civilians during the full-scale war. To date, 3210 [Ukrainian] persons have been exchanged, including about 200 civilians. According to the Geneva Conventions, during a war or military operations, we can talk about war prisoners. The Russian occupiers simply capture civilians, they are considered hostages. According to the Geneva Conventions, they cannot be exchanged - such a procedure is simply not stipulated. But we managed to do it, Chebyshev said.

The Centre does not disclose how the negotiations between Ukraine and the aggressor are conducted. It is known that Ukraine has no other choice but to hand over Russian servicemen in exchange for civilians, and, according to the head of the Eastern Regional Centre, the aggressor is taking advantage of this.

The Eastern Ukraine Regional Centre for the Treatment of Prisoners of War provides advice to the families of missing persons. Photo:  Mediaport

It makes sense to write to the devil himself

The Kharkiv Human Rights Group (KHRG) provides free legal and psychological assistance to relatives of missing civilians. Its representatives travel to communities with monitoring visits to talk to people who have survived the occupation, they receive information by phone and online, and meet the families in their office in Kharkiv.

We cannot guarantee that we will be able to establish the whereabouts of your loved one. However, over the years of war, the specialists of the KHRG managed to find more than 30% of the people who were reported to us, the organisation states.

According to the statistics provided to MediaPort by Tamila Bespala, a lawyer of the Kharkiv Human Rights Group, there are 1166 cases in the works, 978 of which concern prisoners of war and 188 civilians.

We have a broad approach to the search for civilian prisoners. We have several angles. First of all, the legal one, which includes work at both national and international levels. We prepare requests not only within Ukraine, but also to as many authorities in the temporarily occupied territory as possible, and certainly to Russian authorities. On average, it is about 30 requests and applications per search. We have to exhaust all possible and impossible means, Bespala comments.

When state authorities cannot communicate with Russia or the occupied territories, we have no obstacles to this. Sometimes they send a bunch of answers, for example: We dont have this person. And then this person is exchanged. There have been cases where relatives have more or less legally buried a person, and then we receive a reply: We have him. We always tell relatives: until there is a death certificate, a body, remains, you need to keep looking, the lawyer continues.

When you are searching and really want to find someone, it makes sense to write to the devil himself, she adds.

Requests to UN agencies

In addition, the KHRG writes to international institutions, namely the UN agencies. First of all, we refer to the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. A request to this group usually contains three questions: where exactly is the person, the persons health condition and the third - the status [on which grounds he or she is detained], Bespala explains. Then, communication begins: So the UN has considered our request, and if it meets all the requirements, they send a letter to the relevant authority representing Russia.

When we receive an inquiry from relatives, it is a priority for us. But I want to say that now the Working Groups office is overloaded, they cant keep up because the number of [requests] is so high. In our country alone, it has exceeded a thousand, just imagine! Its a very bureaucratic system, the lawyer explains.

The KHRG lawyers also appeal to the UN Human Rights Committee. Especially in cases of torture: It is not only requests and correspondence, or some kind of influence on the Russian authorities, in such a request we also seek financial compensation. According to Bespala, within the practical experience of the KHRG, there have been cases when the prisoners, about whom the human rights activists had been actively communicating, were exchanged.

There have also been cases when we have received a response from Russia that the person was there. We pass it on to the official authorities of Ukraine: We have this answer. Then they confirm it in their own way, the lawyer says. People often say: I called the Red Cross. Thats great, but you cant exactly put it on record anywhere, you know? Thats why we prepare everything, she adds.

We dont have him / We have him

She points out the versatility of the contacts with Russia-controlled structures. There were cases when we had to react immediately, for example, when we knew that a person had been wounded in the LNR area [Luhansk Peoples Republic]. We contacted the hospitals and the authorities there straight away. There were cases when that person was returned to our territory. This was the tendency for some time, but then it changed. There are situations when you write a request and get a response: We dont have him. You write a new request three months later: We have him. You no longer need to write to some of the previous authorities, new ones have appeared, the lawyer explains.

The approach of international institutions has also changed. Whereas previously human rights defenders could receive a few miserable sentences in response, now we are talking about legal correspondence with the UN agencies, she says.

38,000 missing Ukrainians, military and civilian

As of today, the Ukrainian Unified Register of Missing Persons under Special Circumstances contains information on about 38,000 Ukrainians, both military and civilian.

According to Olena Belyachkova, coordinator of the groups of families of prisoners and missing persons within the Media Initiative for Human Rights, the Russian aggressor often does not confirm the detention, constantly moves people around, which complicates the search, and does not allow Red Cross representatives to visit them. Over 100 places where the Russian authorities are holding Ukrainians were identified, located on an online map.

Balakliya resident Natalia Shapoval says she has been waiting two years for at least some news from her son Andrii. She hopes that the International Committee of the Red Cross will strengthen its work and that Andrii will be found. I heard that some people are found and there are visits to see the conditions of their detention. It was even said that they could receive pastries, apples, notes from relatives, transmit their messages. But nothing for our son. I believe he is alive. I think he is strong and will wait until his release, Natalia says.

This report is part of our coverage of war crimes justice produced in partnership with Ukrainian journalists. A first version of this article was published on the "Mediaport" website.
Serbian authorities on Monday deported a Bosnian actor they accused of posing a security threat, his lawyer said.

Fedja Stukan -- an actor, activist and war veteran -- had been detained upon arrival at the capital Belgrade's airport over the weekend.

Stukan, who had been set to attend a literary festival, is known for having courted controversy in both his native Bosnia and neighbouring Serbia.

The actor's attorney, Sead Spahovic, told AFP that Stukan was placed on a flight to Sarajevo and deported on Monday afternoon.

Stukan had earlier posted documents concerning his deportation on social media.

Spahovic told local media outlets that authorities had accused Stukan of posing "a threat to the security of Serbia".

Serbian officials did not publicly comment on the case.

Stukan is well known across the Balkans for his role in Angelina Jolie's 2011 film, "In the Land of Blood and Honey", about the 1990s war in Bosnia.

He is also the author of a popular autobiography called "Blank" -- where he wrote about his time in the Bosnian army in 1992.

"The reason for my harassment there (in Serbia) is my book, and my appearance at last year's demonstrations against violence in Belgrade is actually the last straw" that prompted the deportation, Stukan told reporters upon arriving at the Sarajevo airport.

The book has been "hurting nationalists" across the region for a long time, he added.

Stukan said he did not see any other reason to be proclaimed a threat to national security.

Bosnia was torn apart by a bloody inter-ethnic war in the 1990s that killed 100,000 people.

The war remains a sensitive subject in both Serbia and Bosnia, with Serb forces accused of having committed war crimes and overseeing gruesome atrocities during the conflict.

In recent years, Stukan has gained notoriety for his activism and organising protests in Bosnia.

Last year, Stukan also participated in demonstrations in Serbia, following back-to-back mass shootings in the country.

The rallies quickly morphed into anti-government protests, with some Serbian officials and state-backed media outlets publicly criticising Stukan's attendance and calling him a "Muslim extremist".
Song Hye Kyo left fans buzzing after she posted these photos with this popular idol-actress. Who could it be?

Song Hye Kyo Unveils New Photos With Suzy

Korean superstars Song Hye Kyo and Suzy left fans gushing with their friendship.

On June 22, Song Hye Kyo surprised her Instagram followers by sharing new photos on Instagram with idol-actress Suzy.

They are two of the most celebrated Korean actresses. Despite being close, not everyone is aware of their friendship, and they have never worked together on a project. This is why fans were surprised that the two recently hung out.

Song Hye Kyo uploaded a snap of Suzy looking simple and chic in a casual tank top and a cap. The "Start-Up" actress returned the favor with a photo of the veteran actress wearing a simple tee and jeans.

Later on, the "Descendants of the Sun" shared more snippets of them on Instagram.

"The Glory" actress then reposted what the singer uploaded.

Their exchange of photos on social media immediately garnered attention, praising their beauty, and many fans even wished for them to work together.

"Give us a picture of you guys, you are both so gorgeous."

"I love it. Suzy is so pretty."

"How about working together?"

"Crazy, how are they able to look that good in caps and simple tees?"

"Suzy's really good at dressing herself in casual clothes. Pretty."

"Song Hye Kyo and Suzy are so elegant."

"They are such a good combination. The blessings from gorgeous girls never end. We'd love to see them work together soon."

What's Next for Song Hye Kyo & Suzy?

Earlier this year, Song Hye Kyo was reported to join hands with Gong Yoo for an epic drama "Show Business," to be penned by acclaimed writer No Hee Kyung, the creative mind behind the popular series "It's Okay, That's Love," "Our Blues," and "That Winter, The Wind Blows."

Even though they are still considering appearing in the project, fans are already hopeful to see them in one frame. If they accept the offer, it will be their first drama team-up.

The top star will also headline the forthcoming movie "Black Nuns" with Jeon Yeo Bin.

Meanwhile, Suzy made her silver screen return through the sci-fi movie "Wonderland" this June, where she displayed amazing chemistry with Park Bo Gum.

She is also expected to reunite with Kim Woo Bin in the drama "All the Love You Wish For."

What can you say about Song Hye Kyo and Suzy's latest interaction? 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.
Best known for his role in "Reply 1988, this drama star shared his struggles in navigating his acting career and the harsh reality he faced before turning into the brilliant actor that he is today.

Go Kyung Pyo Shares Audition Journey With 'Reply 1988' Director Shin Won Ho

Go Kyung Pyo continues to grow as an actor. Following the conclusion of his series "Frankly Speaking," he made a guest appearance on BIGBANG Daesung's YouTube channel "Dae House."

In the episode released on June 21, Go Kyung Pyo shared his acting journey, particularly the stories of his past auditions and previous projects.

The production team mentioned that in the behind-the-scenes clip of "Reply 1988," Director Shin Won Ho said that he wished the actor to lose some weight, which Go Kyung Pyo followed.

Go Kyung Pyo responded, "I have something to apologize to PD'nim for. During the auditions for 'Reply 1994,' I was arrogant. I was frustrated with how things weren't going my way and thought. 'Even if I audition and act here, they won't pick me.' I had this misconception that they wouldn't like me no matter what."

He added that Director Shin even asked for his company's representative to know if he was mentally okay because he was concerned.

The actor then shared what changed his mindset.

"When I realized how tough reality was, I understood how happy acting made me and how fortunate I was to get audition opportunities. I felt ashamed of myself and wanted to act well. From then on, I approached auditions with a desperate attitude."

Years later, he reunited with Director Shin when he auditioned for "Reply 1988" and noticed his changes.

"What happened during time?' I replied, 'I really want to act.' But the director then commented, 'Well, but your weight,' which made us laugh."

Go Kyung Pyo elaborated that he starved himself and worked out hard because he wanted to be part of the project. He also admitted that he cried after auditions.

"I've cried both when things went well and when they didn't."

Go Kyung Pyo Reveals Harsh Reality of Becoming an Actor

Apart from this, the "Private Lives" star shared a shocking experience during his rookie days.

"There was a time when a director had no reaction to my audition. But as I was leaving, he stopped me and asked if I would play a corpse. I was 20 at the time and said I would. When he asked why, I said I wanted to experience and learn on set. He then told me, 'I'm not here to give you experience. Get out. Want to bet? You won't become an actor.' It felt like he was taking out his stress on me."

As the interview went on, Go Kyung Pyo advised, "I hope everyone remembers this and keeps practicing sincerely. I believe everyone will get their chance eventually."

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.
Sung Hoon admitted he fell in love with his co-star, and that he wanted her to be his girlfriend. Who could it be?

Sung Hoon Embarks on 1st-Ever Fan Meeting in Brazil

Sung Hoon brought the heat to Sao Paulo, Brazil for his first solo fan meeting, "Momento Secreto Com Sung Hoon," which happened on May 10, 2024.

Over 2,400 fans attended the show to meet and spend a memorable day with the Korean star.

Sung Hoon started the show by serenading the crowd with "You Are My World," the OST from his series "My Secret Romance." He then sat to have a conversation with his fans. He opened up about what he'd been up to these days and shared his excitement about meeting his Brazilian fans in person.

Sung Hoon wowed the crowd with his amazing performances, and he even transformed into a DJ for his fans!

After the event, he held an autograph session and even a high-touch event, creating unforgettable moments for everyone.

Sung Hoon Confesses Falling For Im Soo Hyang

Speaking of unforgettable moments, fans remembered Sung Hoon's last appearance on the famous variety program "Strong Heart," where he revealed Im Soo Hyang as his ideal type while filming the drama "New Tales of Gisaeng."

The actor admitted that the kiss scene he had with her was nice, hinting at his fondness for the actress.

"We filmed the underwater kiss scene for two hours. It wasn't difficult at all. Every time the director asked to film again, I said 'Thank You!'"

The "Oh My Venus" star elaborated that while filming the series with Im Soo Hyang, he got so immersed in his character that he wanted to date the actress in real life.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Sung Hoon Rumored To Visit Emergency Room With THIS Comedienne + Agency Releases Statement

"The lines between reality and the drama vanished. I sincerely felt love for her."

Then, he was asked if he really dated Im Soo Hyang, and he dismissed the dating speculations.

"After the series concluded, the feeling disappeared."

What's Next for Sung Hoon?

With his successful fan meeting in Brazil, Sung Hoon also wrapped up another event in Yokohama, Japan, on June 21.

Since he met his fans abroad, some are already looking forward to his next projects.

In 2023, he surprised the viewers with his drama "Perfect Marriage Revenge" with Jung Yoo Min. Despite only having 12 episodes, many were hooked by the series and were captivated by the lead stars' strong chemistry.

As of this writing, Sung Hoon has no confirmed dramas yet.

What can you say about the news? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai San Miguel wrote this.
Ahead of his drama comeback, Ren Meguro showed off his refreshing visuals through his enchanting magazine pictorial.

Ren Meguro Stuns on the Cover of Anan July 2024 Issue

Ren Meguro, who is about to grace the small screen with his new series "Umi no Hajimari," stunned on the cover of magazine Anan for its July 2024 issue. The 27-year-old singer-actor exhibited his visuals, charming his fans.

Read also: THIS Japanese Actor is Going Viral for Looking Like an SM Idol

In the shoot, Ren is clad in an all-white look under lights that resembled the summer sunshine. He looks at the camera with a variety of expressions, from refreshing to cute to cool.

It has been said that in the subsequent interview that the "Trillion Game" star is slated to headline the life drama "Umi no Hajimari." He also talked about his pet dog who helps him relax during his busy days, and how he would like to spend his time off if he had a long break.

Ren Meguro's Anan magazine issue is scheduled to be released this July 1.

Ren Meguro Transforms Into a Single Father in 'Umi no Hajimari'

Meanwhile, fans are excited to see Ren Meguro comeback as an actoras he headlines "Umi no Hajimari," which is set to premiere on July 3. In this drama, he takes on the role of a single father, and this is his first time to play such a big role.

"Umi no Hajimari" (The Beginning of the Sea) follows the story of Natsu Tsukioka, a single father who works for a printing company in Tokyo. One day, he hears that Mizuki Nagumo died. She was his girlfriend during their university days, but they broke up after Mizuki suddenly told him that she wanted to end their relationship.

She disappeared, and he didn't hear anything from her for the past seven years.

He attends Mizuki's funeral, where he meets a young child named Umi. He is surprised to learn that Umi is Mizuki's daughter.

Later on, Mizuki's mother reveals that Umi is his daughter.

Ren will share the frame with Kasumi Arimura and Rana Izutani.

"Umi no Hajimari" is set to release on Fuji TV. This marks Ren's drama comeback following his hit Netflix series "Trillion Game," which is already confirmed to have a movie adaptation in 2025.

Many are looking forward to seeing what kind of performance Ren will showcase this time.

Ren Meguro gained popularity through his works, such as "My Happy Marriage," "Phases of the Moon," "Silent," "Vanishing My First Love," and more.

ICYMI, here are "Umi No Hajimari" official teasers.

What are you excited about Ren Meguro's new drama? 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.
Swiss Steel Holding AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

Changes in the Executive Board of Swiss Steel Group



24-Jun-2024 / 07:00 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Lucerne, 24 June 2024  Following the successful completion of the recapitalization and refinancing, two important personnel changes are now taking place at Swiss Steel Group. Marco Portmann has decided to leave Swiss Steel Group after more than 19 years for personal reasons. He was appointed to the Executive Board as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in April 2022. Marco Portmann: After a long, enriching and recently extremely intense time as CFO, I am now looking forward to taking professional steps outside the Group. I would like to thank my colleagues and especially CEO Frank Koch for the close and trustful collaboration under most difficult conditions." The Board of Directors of Swiss Steel Holding AG has appointed Thomas Lohr as the new CFO and member of the Executive Board of Swiss Steel Group as of June 24, 2024. Thomas Lohr has been CFO and Spokesman of the Management Board of the Swiss Steel Group subsidiary Deutsche Edelstahlwerke Services GmbH since November 2023. The relevant bodies will decide on his successor as CFO of Deutsche Edelstahlwerke Services GmbH shortly. Thomas Lohr has over 35 years of professional experience in the areas of finance, controlling, M&A, accounting, purchasing and IT, including 21 years in an owner-managed company in the German steel industry. During his 12 years there as CFO and member of the management board, he was responsible for several transformation programs and successfully implemented the resulting realignments. Thomas Lohr holds a degree in banking business administration. Jens Alder, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Swiss Steel Group: "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Marco Portmann for his many years of service and tireless commitment. He made a significant contribution to the successful implementation of the capital increase and the refinancing of Swiss Steel Group. We wish him all the best and every success for the future. In Thomas Lohr, we have been able to recruit a very experienced CFO for this key function. He was unanimously elected by the Board of Directors. Thanks to his extensive knowledge of the company, he will quickly and efficiently familiarize himself with his new role at Group level, which will ensure a smooth transition." Next step in the implementation of the SSG 2025 strategy program: an integrated sales organization for all three Divisions Swiss Steel Group is Europe's leading supplier of sustainably produced steels ("Green Steel") and is one of the most important producers in the European circular economy. Green steel is already being used in a wide range of industries and is making a significant contribution to the long-term decarbonization of entire sectors. Swiss Steel Group expects demand for green steel to rise in the long term due to the constantly increasing climate protection requirements for manufacturing companies. Swiss Steel Group is realigning its sales organization in order to consistently and fully exploit these market opportunities worldwide. A central component of this realignment is the bundling of the global sales network and the sales activities of the production entities under a single management. Following the successful completion of the recapitalization and refinancing, now is the right time to lay the foundations for future growth with a powerful sales organization. From July 1, 2024, Swiss Steel Group's sales will be managed by Chief Sales Officer (CSO) Patrick Lamarque d'Arrouzat, currently Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) for the Stainless Steel and Tool Steel Divisions of Swiss Steel Group. He will remain a member of the Executive Board. Dr. Florian Geiger, CCO for quality and engineering steels, has decided to take on new challenges and is leaving the company after more than ten years. Dr. Florian Geiger has been a member of the Executive Board since January 2022 and responsible for the results of the Engineering Steel Division. Previously, he was CEO of the Steeltec Business Unit and Vice President of Corporate Business Development. Dr. Florian Geiger: "After successfully building up the Engineering Steel Division, the time is right for me to leave the company. I would like to thank all my colleagues for the excellent cooperation and wish Swiss Steel Group all the best and every success in the further implementation of the strategy program." Frank Koch, CEO Swiss Steel Group: "I would like to thank Dr. Florian Geiger for his valuable work and support over the past years. He has played a key role in successfully implementing the divisional structure within the Group and developing a market- and customer-oriented strategy for the Engineering Steel Division. I wish him continued success in his future career. The realignment of our sales organization is a decisive step towards fully expanding Swiss Steel Group's market opportunities. The further development of our sales organization will enable us to respond even more specifically to the needs of our customers worldwide and further expand our leading position in sustainable steel production. I am delighted that Patrick Lamarque d'Arrouzat and his team will continue to drive forward our sales strategy. Its implementation will be crucial for our future growth." The new Executive Board of Swiss Steel Group under CEO Frank Koch will consist of Thomas Lohr, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Patrick Lamarque d'Arrouzat, Chief Sales Officer (CSO), from July 1, 2024. For further information:



For media queries:

Anina Berger, anina.berger@swisssteelgroup.com, +41 41 581 4121



For Analyst/investor inquiries:

Burkhard Wagner, burkhard.wagner@swisssteelgroup.com, +41 41 581 4180





Media Release (PDF) About Swiss Steel Group Swiss Steel Group with headquarters in Lucerne (Switzerland) is one of the worlds leading producers of special steel long products. Thanks to the exclusive use of steel scrap in electric arc furnaces, the Group is one of the most relevant companies in Europe in the circular economy and is among the market leaders in the field of sustainably produced steel - Green Steel. Swiss Steel Group has its own production and distribution entities in over 30 countries and, through its strong local presence, offers a wide range of individual solutions in the fields of engineering steel, stainless steel, and tool steel. Swiss Steel Group is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and generated a revenue of around EUR 3.2 billion in 2023 with approximately 8,800 employees. Forward-looking statements This document is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of offers to purchase or subscribe for shares. This document is not a prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act and not a prospectus under any other applicable laws. Copies of this document may not be sent to, distributed in or sent from jurisdictions in which this is barred or prohibited by law. The information contained herein shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful prior to registration, exemption from registration or qualification under the securities laws of any jurisdiction. The offer and listing of any securities will be made solely by means of, and on the basis of, a prospectus which is to be approved by the competent review body and published. This document constitutes advertising in accordance with article 68 of the Swiss Financial Services Act. Such advertisements are communications to investors aiming to draw their attention to financial instruments. Any investment decisions with respect to any securities should not be made based on this advertisement. A decision to invest in securities of Swiss Steel Holding AG should be based exclusively on the prospectus published by Swiss Steel Holding AG (the "Company") for such purpose. Copies of such prospectus (and any supplements thereto) are available free of charge from UBS AG (email: swiss-prospectus@ubs.com). In addition, copies of such issue and listing prospectus (and any supplements thereto) are available free of charge in Switzerland from Swiss Steel Holding AG, Landenbergstrasse 11, 6005 Lucerne, Switzerland (email: ir@swisssteelgroup.com). This document is not for publication or distribution in the United States of America (including its territories and possessions, any State of the United States and the District of Columbia), Canada, Japan or Australia or any other jurisdiction into which the same would be unlawful. This document does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities in such countries or in any other jurisdiction into which the same would be unlawful. In particular, the document and the information contained herein should not be distributed or otherwise transmitted into the United States of America or to publications with a general circulation in the United States of America. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the laws of any state and may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration under or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. There will be no public offering of the securities in the United States of America. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer of securities to the public in the United Kingdom. No prospectus offering securities to the public will be published in the United Kingdom. In the United Kingdom this document is only directed at persons who (i) are qualified investors and who are also (ii) investment professionals falling within article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "FSMA Order"); (iii) persons falling within Articles 49(2)(a) to (d), "high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc." of the FSMA Order and (iv) persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 may otherwise be lawfully communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). The securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents. In any member state of the European Economic Area (each a "Relevant State") this document is only addressed to qualified investors in that Relevant State within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation. This publication may contain specific forward-looking statements, e.g. statements including terms like "believe", "assume", "expect", "forecast", "project", "may", "could", "might", "will" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may result in a substantial divergence between the actual results, financial situation, development or performance of Swiss Steel Holding AG and those explicitly or implicitly presumed in these statements. Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on forward-looking statements. Swiss Steel Holding AG assumes no responsibility to up-date forward-looking statements or to adapt them to future events or developments. Except as required by applicable law, Swiss Steel Holding AG has no intention or obligation to update, keep updated or revise this publication or any parts thereof (including any forward-looking statement) following the date hereof. Neither the manager nor any of its subsidiary undertakings, affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, advisers, agents, alliance partners or any other entity or person accepts any responsibility or liability whatsoever for, or makes any representation, warranty or undertaking, express or implied, as to the truth, accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information or opinions in this announcement (or whether any information has been omitted from the announcement) or any other information relating to the group, its subsidiaries or associated companies, whether written, oral or in a visual or electronic form, and howsoever transmitted or made available or for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. Accordingly, the manager and the other foregoing persons disclaim, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all and any liability, whether arising in tort or contract or that they might otherwise be found to have in respect of this announcement and/or any such statement.

End of Inside Information




Monday, June 24, 2024 - Bishop Jackson Ole Sapit is serious this time around despite having some soft spot for the Kenya Kwanza government.

This is after he declined a request by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to allow one of the leaders to speak during a church service.

While speaking in a church in Nyahururu, Laikipia County yesterday, Gachagua had requested the bishop to allow him to invite a guest, adding that the said leader would not go against the guidelines not to divulge into politics.

The Second in Command was introducing other leaders who had accompanied him and President William Ruto to the church service.

While trying to sway Sapit's decision, Gachagua explained that the leader was part of the clergy.

However, the bishop declined the request leaving Gachagua in awe before continuing with his speech.

"The bishop has said no. I wanted to ask Naomi Waqo (Marsabit Woman Representative) to speak.

" Just come and say a few words," Gachagua stated before explaining that Sapit had declined, "Never mind. The bishop has refused. Things are not normal as usual."

After the incident, some of the leaders led by President Ruto burst into laughter.

The decline came as Kenyans, led by Gen Z, continue to oppose the Finance Bill 2024 which has led to demonstrations dubbed OccupyParliament and OccupyChurches.

A section of churches had been urged not to give an audience to politicians during

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, June 24, 2024 - Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has trolled Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his career progression, terming it an epic failure.

Taking to his X account, Kuria wondered why the DP never got a single promotion during his 20 years working as a District Officer (DO).

He stated that those who graduated alongside the DP made significant strides in their careers, while Gachagua remained in the DO's position.

Additionally, Kuria questioned Gachagua's decision to leave public service and work as a personal assistant for former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

"He graduated from the University of Nairobi in 1988. He became a District Officer for two decades without a single promotion.

"His classmates and juniors have grown from strength to strength in position, stature and exposure.

"From being a DO he graduated into a PA. Epic failure," Kuria trolled.

The latest troll by CS Kuria on Gachagua comes amidst claims that Gachagua has been sabotaging the government agenda.

Speaking in Baringo County, National Assembly Leader of Majority Kimani Ichung'wah hinted that the fallout between the Gachagua and his boss, William Ruto was a result of the allocation of funds.

He alleged that Ruto was being blackmailed after rejecting the budget for proposals for office refurbishments.

On the other hand, Gachagua lamented that his allies were being intimidated.

He noted that some leaders intending to work with him were being subdued by individuals that he did not mention.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, June 24, 2024 - President William Rutos economic advisor David Ndii has surprised everyone.

This came after he made a U-turn, announcing his 100% support for the Gen Z protests against President William Ruto's punitive Finance Bill, despite previously being one of its fiercest defenders.

He had criticized the demonstrations, stating that they were being conducted by children of the wealthy, whose parents had earlier plundered the country.

However, while explaining his change of heart, Ndii stated that the youth were demanding accountability in a democratic dispensation.

We are with them 100 per cent. They do not want the politics of kingpins and tribes. We are with them 100 per cent, he stated.

They do not want to be used by demagogues and sore losers with axes to grind. We are with them 100 per cent.

Ndii further remarked that contrary to popular belief, he had no issues with the young people protesting.

He explained that the Gen Z protesters had enough support from the reformists in President William Rutos administration.

Ndii remarked that reformists in the Kenya Kwanza administration were also enraged by the corruption, wastage, and self-aggrandizement of their colleagues.

The economist further accused the police service of using brutal force while engaging the protestors.

He remarked that he had raised the issue of demonstrators being brutalized by Rutos government.

Democracy is a middle-class project, and there is or ought to be no issue as central to democratic accountability as public finances, he added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, June 24, 2024  President Willliam Rutos economic adviser David Ndii has blamed former Uhuru Kenyatta for being the reason Kenya Kwanza government came up with the controversial Finance Bill 2024.

Taking to his X account, Ndii accused Uhurus government of plunging the country into huge debts through corruption.

He noted that the huge debts forced the government to come up with the Finance Bill 2024 to help alleviate the countrys debt levels.

The irony of these cool kids protesting Finance Bill they are clueless about is many are children of the plunderers whove bankrupted the State, Ndii claimed.

According to Ndii, part of those demonstrating against the bill were children of some of the corrupt officials in the past government systems.

You want to know where the money went? Look around you, visit your aunties, ask your parents.

"It bought the houses, the cars, the holidays, paid your college, Ndii stated.

"The thing with you, class warfare worked once, now you think class warfare has a second charm with the younger folks."

Ndii reiterated that the government would not be intimidated through street demonstrations to change its stance on the Finance Bill 2024.

He further urged the protesting youth to concede and support the government's proposed tax measures that he claimed sought to revitalize the country's economy.

Here is the low down. The country is going to change and you are welcome to join, but be careful where you throw stones," Ndii commented.

Ndii's sentiments come against the backdrop of the recent demonstrations by Kenyans against the contentious bill.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, June 24, 2024 - Director of Office of Prime Cabinet Secretary (OPCS) Press Service Salim Swaleh is among suspects seized in a probe on an extortion ring targeting foreigners allegedly seeking favours from high-ranking government officials.

Swaleh and his accomplices were arrested on Saturday by detectives who took the suspects to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters for grilling.

The extortion racket is planned and executed at the Kenya Railways buildings, the offices of Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

They were arrested following a tip-off that alerted a security team that mounted intense surveillance to disrupt the reported nefarious acts of impersonation and misuse of the facility by the fraudsters.

The surveillance involved tracking a group masquerading as visitors who would individually gain entrance into the Railways Building on different dates and times by falsifying their identities as VIP guests or government officers, and the officers they purported to be visiting.

The surveillance linked Swaleh to the extortion ring after some of the swindlers were found in his office nested with fake door switch name tags.

Preliminary investigations established that the arrested government officers had perfected renting office space to criminals by vacating their offices for the fraudsters' use.

Swaleh, a former NTV reporter, has been displaying a lavish lifestyle on social media after landing the state job.

See photos.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.






Monday, June 24, 2024 - A receptionist at a local hotel in Zimbabwe has been fined US$200 for kissing a student without her consent.

Godknows Sakatiro, employed by a Norton hotel, was brought before the Norton Magistrates Court on charges of performing an indecent act with a young person.

He pleaded guilty to the charge and was ordered to pay the fine.

Additionally, he received a suspended 4-month sentence.

The incident occurred on May 7, when the 17-year-old complainant, a secondary school student, was attending a workshop at the hotel where Godknows works.

He went to her room, complimented her appearance, and then kissed her.

The complainant was distressed by his actions and reported the matter to the police.
"A movable feast" in Xinjiang: A paradise of flowers and fruits

People's Daily Online) 15:18, June 24, 2024

China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is a great place to enjoy breathtaking landscapes and experience cultural diversity.

Xinjiang's climate and soil make it ideal for growing fruits and flowers. In this video, People's Daily Online reporter Oliver Fritzsch travels to Tianshan Flyworld, an area built from scratch in just a few years, where some of Xinjiang's most sought-after products are harvested.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Wu Chengliang)
June 23, 2024: Since early 2022 Russia has lost 562 military aircraft, with 415 of them destroyed and 147 captured on the ground by Ukrainian troops early in the war. In addition Russia has lost over 300 helicopters, most of them early in the war. The heavy helicopter losses prompted Russia to rarely use helicopters inside Ukraine. Most of the combat aircraft lost have been the two seat 39-ton, twin engine Su-34s and single seat 34-ton, twin engine Su-35s. The more expensive Su-34s and Su-35s have been built in small numbers, about 260 aircraft altogether. These aircraft are expensive and time consuming to build. The economic sanctions imposed on Russia after the 2022 invasion, slowed but did not stop construction of Su-34s and Su-35s. Russia still had several hundred 15-ton, twin engine MiG-29s when the Ukraine war started in 2022. Ukraine had 70 but not all were operational. A year later Ukraine had fifty of the Soviet era fighters MiG29s operational and by 2024 it was sixty.

The MiG-29 first entered service in the 1980s and half the 1,600 built so far are still in service in 2024. Russia has about 200 of these 800 MiG-29s while Ukraine has about fifty. Ukraine is awaiting the delivery of sixty or moreF-16s from European NATO nations and intends to eventually replace all their Mig-29s with F-16s, which have superior sensor and fire control systems.

Russia, after suffering heavy losses to Ukrainian air defenses early in the war, rarely enters Ukrainian air space anymore. Russian aircraft now mostly use GPS- guided glide bombs launched from the Russian side of the Ukraine border. Early on, Ukraine received western air defense weapons from NATO countries and these were very effective against Russian warplanes. Another problem was the loss of a Russian A-50 AWACS aircraft in 2023. That removed any Russian ability to monitor aircraft activity over Ukraine. Meanwhile NATO nations operated their AWACs in the Black Sea and close to the Ukrainian border to keep the Ukrainian military informed of Russian air activity.

The increased surveillance of the growing number of NATO supplied air defense systems in Ukraine forces Russian warplanes to stay out of Ukraine, and even launching glide bombs from inside Russia is now dangerous because Ukraine uses that to justify using their surprisingly effective long-range UAVs to attack economic targets deep inside Russia. Some of these attacks take place near Moscow and the even more distant St Petersburg.

Meanwhile Russia manages to keep production of military aircraft going despite the sanctions. This is being done by establishing a smuggling network of components needed to build more Su-34, Su-35 and MiG-29 aircraft.




Monday, June 24, 2024 - The Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) confirmed that it was in the process of identifying and confirming the suspected officer who shot and killed Gen Z protester Rex Kanyike Masai.

In the latest update, IPOA stated that they had several teams working on the case where one team documented and witnessed the post-mortem on the body of Rex.

IPOA witnessed and documented the post mortem on the body of Rex Masai who was allegedly fatally killed by a police bullet, read the statement in part.

Further, the oversight body confirmed having recorded witness statements, who were present at the scene of the shooting on Thursday night.

This was also followed by a visit to the scene in the Nairobi CBD which was processed to aid in the investigation.

Meanwhile, as the IPOA is set to identify the suspected officer who fired at the protestors in Nairobi, the public pressure has piled on the Authority to apprehend and prosecute the suspected officer.

Police officers have been under scrutiny for the brutal handling of protesters during the Anti-Finance Bill protests which have been witnessed across various parts of Kenya.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, June 24, 2024 - Former nominated Senator, Millicent Omanga, is among the UDA politicians swimming in billions, even as Kenyans continue to complain over the high cost of living.

Omanga is fond of displaying her flamboyant lifestyle on social media, especially on her TikTok and Instagram accounts.

She posted a video flaunting her posh Ranger Rovers.

She recently imported a 2024 Range Rover autobiography estimated to be worth Ksh 40 million, which she flaunted in the video.

Omangas company secured a tender worth Ksh 1 Billion to supply furniture to the State Houses.

It is believed that she is using money obtained from the tenders to fund her lavish lifestyle.





Watch video.

MILLICENT OMANGA flaunts her expensive parking lot that includes a 2024 Range Rover autobiography worth Ksh 40 Million - She was given a tender of Sh 1 billion to supply furniture to the State Houses (VIDEO) pic.twitter.com/452w9lNhZP  DAILY POST  (@dailypost_ke) June 24, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Monday, June 24, 2024 - A young man who appeared on Citizen TV speaking on behalf of young people demonstrating against the Finance Bill 2024 has been abducted.

Shad Khalif was abducted on Sunday evening and is the latest victim of those perceived to be opposed to the Finance Bill 2024.

Family and friends of Shad Khalif said he is missing after his abduction by unknown people who had trailed him.

A black double-cab pickup and a white Toyota Prado were spotted following the well-known social media user before he was forcefully abducted in South B, Nairobi, on Sunday evening by men believed to be plainclothes detectives due to his assumed prominent role in the protests.

Khalif has been vocal in opposing the bill and explained on Citizen TV how he got himself and his friends in the drive.

He stated that they have neither a financier nor a leader in the protests, emphasizing that the movement is organic.

Police did not respond to inquiries on the incident.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, June 24, 2024 - President William Ruto has broken his silence over the ongoing protests by the Gen Zs against his contentious Finance Bill 2024.

Speaking at a church service in Nyahururu yesterday, Ruto said the government had listened to the youth and was ready to engage with them.

He also applauded the protests by the Gen Zs, terming it as their statement to be involved in the political scene, and praised it as their democratic duty.

The Head of State further noted that the government was open to engaging the youth in conversation and identifying the issues that had been plaguing the youth.

"I want to congratulate our young people for coming out and being concerned about Kenya's affairs.

"They have done a democratic duty to stand and be recognized.

"We are going to have a conversation with the youth.

"We are going to engage them. They have stood out and have been recognized," Ruto stated.

I am very proud of our young people. They have stepped forward, tribeless and peaceful, Ruto added.

The Gen Zs have held a series of protests where they have relentlessly declared their dissatisfaction with the finance Bill.

In one of the initiatives dubbed Occupy Churches, the youth pledged not to allow politicians to address them at places of worship.

Following this initiative, several churches have bowed to pressure, denying audience to the politicians and officially issuing their stance on the Finance Bill.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, June 24, 2024 - Kitui East Member of Parliament, Nimrod Mbai, has called on President William Ruto to schedule an urgent meeting with Generation Z (Gen Z) to address their concerns and demands.

In a statement posted on his social media pages, Mbai emphasized that Gen Z's recent activities reflect the true face of Kenya.

"This community has no tribe, no political party, no political leader, and no formal mobilization, but they have come together to champion a common agenda," Mbai stated.

Mbai, a second-term UDA MP, emphasized that Gen Z deserves a seat at the decision-making table, warning that they will overturn it if ignored.

What is the danger of not engaging Gen Z?

He acknowledged that there will be challenges ahead but stressed that ignoring their demands will lead to more unrest and instability.

"It is better for us to engage with them now before things escalate further. Gen Z deserves a seat at the decision-making table. Otherwise, they will overturn the table," said Hon. Mbai.

Mbai commended Gen Z's passion, creativity, and determination, noting that their demonstrations surprised the country.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, June 24, 2024 - Second liberation heroes have started speaking about the ongoing protests by the young people in the country who are against the punitive, retrogressive, and uncouth Finance Bill 2024.

Over the past week, young people have been taking to the streets in various cities, protesting against the bill that would raise taxes on essential commodities.

Rather than respecting the constitution, Ruto has instructed poorly paid police officers to abduct the Gen Z leaders who are demonstrating.

Several youths, including Billy Simani, Ashad Khalif, and even Dr. Austin Omondi, were abducted by rogue police officers allegedly acting under instructions from the Presidency.

Commenting on social media, Muite, a respected lawyer, stated that it is unconstitutional for the police to abduct Kenyans.

Police, stop ABDUCTING people especially at night like you're criminal thugs. Arrest them in broad daylight & comply with Article 49 of the Constitution, Rights of an arrested person, Muite wrote on his X platform.

On his part, Imanyara expressed support for the ongoing Gen Z protests and urged the police to respect the 2010 constitution and stop behaving like goons.

Respect the Constitution, stop the abductions. Release Kiprono, Imanyara wrote on social media.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, June 24, 2024 - Former nominated Senator Millicent Omanga has continued to vomit on Kenyans currently demonstrating against the punitive and retrogressive Finance Bill 2024.

Omanga is among senior government bureaucrats who have been looting the economy through corruption and inflated tenders.

In fact, the latest reports show that Omanga won a tender worth Sh 1 billion to supply furniture to state houses.

After winning the tender, Omanga vomited on Kenyans after she was spotted showing off her brand new Range Rover worth Sh 40 million.

Since Kenyans have taken to the streets due to the government's gluttonous character, Omanga has thrown her voice to try to pacify Gen Z who have organized a series of demonstrations against the Finance Bill this week.

In a tweet, Omanga said the President will consider the youths and they will be brought to the table to share the national cake with others.

Yesterday, the president said Gen Z will be included in the National decision-making processes as a measure to enhance inclusivity.

"I think this is an important step as the young people progressively grab seats at the table rather than being on the menu.

"Young people are winning, Omanga wrote on X.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, June 24, 2024 - Human rights crusader Boniface Mwangi said he went into hiding on Friday after discovering that rogue Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers were planning to arrest him.

Mwangi disclosed in a social media post on Saturday that DCI officers had intended to arrest him on Friday at City Mortuary, where he went to view the body of Rex Kanyike, a young man shot by a police officer during demonstrations in Nairobi.

I just survived a possible kidnapping attempt by @DCI_Kenya officers.

"Anyone who stands between the will of the people shall fail.

"Im going to be offline. Continue with the struggle!, Mwangi wrote on his X platform.

The Award-winning photographer is among the social media influencers being sought by the police for allegedly organizing the demonstrations that have disrupted the Kenya Kwanza Alliance government.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, June 23, 2024 - The US Supreme Court on Friday, June 21, upheld a federal law that prevents people who are subject to domestic-violence restraining orders from having firearms.

The Supreme Court ruled that a federal law barring Americans under domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms does not violate the Second Amendment.

"Since the founding, our Nations firearm laws have included provisions preventing individuals who threaten physical harm to others from misusing firearms," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the 8-1 majority.

"As applied to the facts of this case, [the current law] fits comfortably within this tradition."

The case was brought by Zacky Rahimi, who was accused of hitting his girlfriend and firing his gun at a witness in a Fort Worth, Texas, parking lot in December 2019.

Rahimis girlfriend obtained a protective order against him in February 2020, after Rahimi threatened to shoot her, according to the Justice Department,

Eleven months later, Rahimis apartment was searched by police and firearms were found, along with a copy of the restraining order.

Rahimi pleaded guilty to violating the federal gun law, but argued that the restriction violated his Second Amendment rights, setting the case in motion.

The Supreme Court has now ruled that the law barring those deemed dangerous and violent from possessing firearms does not violate the Second Amendment.

In an 8-1 ruling, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said that "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 that order is in effect."

Fridays decision reversed a 2023 ruling by the New Orleans-based 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals, where a three-judge panel ruled that the restraining order ban failed a test set by the high courts landmark 2022 ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, which requires gun laws to be "consistent with the nations historical tradition of firearm regulation."




Monday, June 24, 2024 - Mombasa Governor, Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir, has raised concerns over the frequent abductions of Kenyans in different parts of the country by suspected state security agencies.

Taking to his X account, he shared a video of a young man being abducted in Bamburi and warned that Kenya is returning to the dark days.

In the video, the victim is seen walking towards a vehicle in the parking lot in the company of two people, not knowing that he was being trailed.

Three men then accosted him and abducted him, before bundling him into another vehicle which sped off.

The Governor warned the state that people cannot be silenced by forceful abductions.

The rate of so-called unknown abductions clearly indicates a return of an era Kenyans had wished away.

"You cannot silence people by making them disappear.

"A young boy was abducted today at Bamburi Go Kart and others abducted in Nairobi.

"This is definitely not the Kenya we want, he tweeted.

The rate of so called unknown abductions clearly indicates a return of an era Kenyans had wished away. You cannot silence a people through making them disappear. A young boy was abducted today at Bamburi Go Kart and others abducted in Nairobi. This is definately not the Kenya we pic.twitter.com/Kf2IvyXX2o  Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir (@A_S_Nassir) June 23, 2024

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
June 23, 2024: SpaceX, the innovative and ambitious satellite communications company, became profitable in 2024. This was earlier than financial and space technology experts expected. SpaceX is estimated to earn $3.8 billion in 2024 with expenses of about $3.2 billion. SpaceX has only been in business for five years and has always operated at high speed while maintaining control over costs and efficiency of operations. SpaceX put its first 60 satellites into orbit in 2019 and expected to eventually launch 30,000 Starlink communications satellites. These would provide global high-speed internet service to those using Starlink terminals with a small dish antenna. Monthly fees were to be about the same internet users pay. Most potential internet customers live in areas that are not wired for internet service. SpaceX solves that problem with LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites operating 300 kilometers up. SpaceX built a factory to build its satellites and continually upgraded the design of the satellites and the reusable first stages of the Falcon 9. Development of the current FH (Falcon Heavy) B5 began with Falcon 9 v1.0 in 2010, followed by V1.1 2013, V1.2, in 2015, Block 5 in 2019, Falcon Heavy in 2018 and Falcon Heavy B5 in 2020.

On May 17, 2024, a Falcon 9 delivered 23 more Starlink Internet satellites to orbit. This Falcon 9, in 20 previous launches, has put over 530 satellites, most of them Starlinks, into orbit. This was the 51st orbital mission this year. With the latest launch SpaceX has carried out 83 lunches from the Kennedy Space Center. That is one more than the prior 82 Space Shuttle launches that took place over a thirty year period.

The rocket launched was a Falcon 9 Block 5. This model was designed to be used ten times. But now SpaceX believes these Block 5 Falcon 9s can be used for up to 40 launches. This Block 5 Falcon 9 has proved capable of carrying out a launch, then landing and carrying out another launch without refurbishment. As of now SpaceX has about 5,935 operational Starlink satellites in orbit out of a total of 6,350 launched to date. SpaceX plans to carry out 150 launches by the end of the year. A smaller number of launches take place at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Thats where the classified Starshield satellites are launched for the U.S. Space Force.

Back in 2019 the first sixty Starlink satellites were put into orbit. The goal was for SpaceX to eventually have 30,000 Starlink satellites up there. This would provide the entire planet with low-cost, high-speed Internet access via a multiple-satellite ISP (Internet Service Provider) system. Users needed a small ground station consisting of a small satellite dish and a special modem, costing $600 for standard use with a $90 a month service charge. In large quantities these stations cost about $100 each. High Performance Starlink service costs $2,500 a month. Some nations will not allow their citizens to access Starlink while others seek to regulate what portions of the Internet users can access. This has been the experience of major competitors like ViaSat and HughesNet. When all the Starlink satellites are in orbit, Starlink will be the planets major provider of satellite Internet service.

Starlink expected to be profitable in 2024 and was, with 3.8 million fee paying customers. Thats up from 2.3 million Starlink customers in 2023.

The original gen1 Starlink system was designed to expand to over 40,000 satellites if demand by paying customers was large enough to justify and pay for it. Starlink gen2 is designed to provide so much more customer bandwidth (data transmission) that far fewer Starlink satellites will be needed. That could be up to 90 percent less than gen1. Gen2 is designed to operate more efficiently over countries that outlaw Starlink as an ISP. Nearly half the Internet users on the planet live in countries that heavily censor Internet use. Starlink makes it much more difficult to censor Internet users. Originally designed to provide affordable high-speed Internet use to those in remote areas, Starlink discovered it had gained a lot of new customer interest because of its experience in Ukraine.

The Gen2 satellites are described as nearly ten times more capable than the original Gen1 Starlink satellites. Gen2 are designed to work with Gen1 satellites and gradually replace them. Gen1 satellites are designed to last about seven years. At that point the satellite gradually loses altitude until it burns up reentering the atmosphere. The true capabilities of Gen2 wont be known until some of them are in orbit. Gen1 satellites proved more effective than expected but the list of suggested improvements indicated that a larger Gen2 satellite would be the way to go. Eventually this will mean fewer Starlink satellites in orbit but there will still be thousands of them.

The main function of Starlink is to provide cheaper, more powerful, and globally available access to the Internet or any other communications network that can pay for the use of the Starlink network. That includes military users that are friendly to Starlink and not considered a threat. The threat nations include China, Russia and several smaller countries like Iran, North Korea and Cuba that are hostile to Internet access they cannot control. China estimates that Starlink is able to increase the speed and throughput of military communications over a hundred times what it is now.

Starlink is not the only multiple-satellite ISP system. There are similar efforts underway in several countries, including Russia and China. These efforts have fallen far behind Starlink in terms of numbers and capabilities. Starlink is unique in that it was the first to enter service and quickly proved it could do what it was designed to do. That included quickly adapting to the needs of military users. This was demonstrated in Ukraine where Starlink was activated over Ukraine days after Russia invaded in February 2022. The first of thousands of free user kits were delivered in less than a week. Currently there are over 42,000 user kits in Ukraine, most of them serving as small, local ISPs by adding an inexpensive router. As long as the Ukraine War continues, SpaceX and the U.S. government will pay for the service in Ukraine.

In 2022 SpaceX announced a new subsidiary called Starshield with enhanced versions of Starlink technology on larger earth-imaging satellites with sensors to provide whatever sensing capabilities a national security customer wants. This includes photos, real-time video, and all manner of data which U.S. military-grade satellite sensors can collect. Potential users include the NSA, CIA, and equivalent agencies of American allies.

While Starlink has achieved market dominance in space-based communications for personal and commercial users, that largely consists of high-speed Internet datalinks and inexpensive ground links that can be stationary or moving in a vehicle or ship. Starshield plans to do that same with classified data government agencies presently collect. Starshield satellites are designed to accept many types of capabilities provided by user-supplied modules designed for compatibility with the Starshield interface. Starshield data and control links use much more robust encryption. Starshield will use larger SpaceX SLVs to put new Starshield satellites in orbit. Currently Russia is actively seeking ways to disrupt Starlink service. These attacks are nothing new, because government and military users of space-based communications systems have long worked on improving security.

Starshield was organized to take business away from commercial firms like Blacksky and Maxtar that already have billions of dollars in government contracts to provide persistent imaging, including real-time video, of specific areas on earth. The United States provides these specialized imaging services to Ukraine and that provides superior satellite data on Russian forces than what the Russians can provide to their own troops.

Ukrainians were impressed by the potential for Starlink and rapidly came up with new uses, some of them military. This gave Starlink a realistic test under very adverse conditions. So far this has been a success even though Russia, apparently with some help from China, is seeking ways to shut down or disrupt Starlink. Failing at that, Russia captured some Starlink terminals and purchased some on the black market. When the Ukrainians discovered this, they asked SpaceX to disconnect the illegal Russian Starlink terminals. Another advantage of Starlink was the rapidity of upgrades or modifications to deal with problems, including Russian efforts to jam or disrupt performance in Ukraine. Not only were the Russians unable to disable Starlink, but they found its encrypted signals far superior to communications Russian troops had to use in Ukraine. Worse for the Russians was the Ukrainian ability to rapidly integrate Starlink with Ukrainian communications and fire control systems. Before Gen2 satellites were ready, SpaceX pointed out that it could put additional Starlink satellites into orbit faster and more cheaply than Russia or anyone else could destroy them. This capability was part of the Starlink design that not only allowed satellite and user software to be quickly updated, but new Starlink satellites often had new features added to improve performance and that included more resistance to hacking and jamming.

Complaints that Starlink satellites would become so numerous that they would be a hazard for other satellites are unproven and even less likely once the Gen2 satellites are operating. Starlink operates in LEO (low earth orbit) between 300 and 600 kilometers from earth, where there is already a lot of space junk too small to quickly fall back into the atmosphere and burn up. Any plans to destroy a lot of Starlink satellites would make the situation worse without shutting down Starlink services. If left alone, the Gen1 and Gen2 Starlink satellites, when no longer operational, are designed to eventually de-orbit and move low enough to allow gravity to pull them towards earth and burn up in the atmosphere.

China sees Starlink as a serious threat to its current government Internet censorship and control over the population, as well as the political reliability of its military. Thats no speculation because its already happening, often live on TV, in Ukraine. China has not yet come up with a workable plan to disrupt or destroy Starlink and considers Starlink a major obstacle to China eventually becoming the most powerful military force on the planet. That was supposed to happen before 2050. With Starlink it may take longer.

Starshield also aims to provide users with a dominant position in space-based sensing. Starshield is meant to be cheaper and more responsive than any existing competitor in providing a wider array of earth sensing capabilities. SpaceX has not revealed the schedule for lifting Starshield satellites into orbit, and some may already be there testing the services Starshield will provide. Starshield activities will be less public than Starlink, which is how intelligence agencies like it.




Monday, June 24, 2024 - The wife of the late Lakeview Ward MCA Karanja Mburu is admitted in hospital after she tried to take her own wife.

Karanjas wife, Damaris, reportedly ingested poison on Sunday but was rescued by neighbours and rushed to the hospital.

Naivasha MP, Jayne Kihara, visited her in the hospital and said she has been battling depression after her business collapsed.

The house that President Ruto built for her after her husband died in an accident while still in office is being auctioned after she defaulted on loans.

Currently, she is struggling to feed and educate her kids, prompting her to attempt suicide.

Wife to the late Lakeview ward MCA Karanja Mburu in Naivasha cheated death narrowly Sunday after allegedly taking poison at her Nyondia home was neutralized at Naivasha hospital. Mburu died in a road crash at Elementaita on the Naivasha Nakuru highway 4years ago. pic.twitter.com/4MkRyVGdmT  TV47 (@tv47news) June 23, 2024

The area MP visited her in hospital and said mental health is a serious disease in the country.

Mental health is a serious disease that should not be ignored.

Today afternoon I visited Ms Damaris Wanjiru (wife to the late Hon. Karanja Mburu) at Naivasha level 4 hospital where she is admitted.

"Pole Sana my friend Damaris for what you are going through.

Count on my support, she wrote.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Monday, June 24, 2024  A renowned Nigerian Prophet Primate Elijah Ayodele has delivered a warning to President William Ruto regarding the contentious Finance Bill, saying it might cost him a second term.

This comes hot on the heels of the countrywide protests against the punitive Finance Bill led by the young people known as Gen Z.

Ayodele, who in 2022 predicted Ruto's win, has asked Ruto to retrace his steps to secure a second term in office, otherwise, he is going home.

According to him, even God is disappointed with Ruto for oppressing his people and wont answer when he calls on him unless he changes the bill.

"President Ruto if you are not careful this protest will cost you your second term and it will be a blunder for you.

"Its better you re-adjust and do the needful so you wont face what you dont expect. By then, you will call God but he wont answer you," he stated on Saturday.

The prophet emphasised that he had received the warning from God and urged Ruto to adhere.

He added that the President still had time to reverse the current situation but if he only listened to the warning.

According to the prophet, Ruto's regime will face more demonstrations from Kenyans opposing his leadership and policies.

He emphasised that no one would be sponsoring the protests adding that Kenyans were tired of the hardship and economic troubles.

Ayodele further revealed that these demonstrations would ruin Rutos' legacy and all he has done while in power.

Additionally, Ruto's failure to listen to the people would result in the opposition easily winning against him in the future.

"You will spoil your good works if you are not careful, don't allow your government to become unpopular with your policies.

"You may lose your second term bid cheaply to opposition if you are not careful," he added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Im sorry, but were unable to accept this patient into the program right now due to a shortage of Spanish-speaking workers.

I have lost count of the number of times Ive had to say this statement to the various referral sources that call me daily, requesting services for immigrant patients.

Jane is a single parent from Guyana. She traveled to New York to visit family with her daughter, who was six years old at the time. Her daughter got sick, rapidly deteriorating. Jane found herself having to schedule multiple tests for her daughter until they got a diagnosis of a brain tumor, paralysis, and a seizure disorder. When we received the referral, the daughter had turned 13 years old with a complex medical history. She had been redirected to several different medical professionals either due to a language barrier or because of insurance issues, causing Jane to be distrustful and guarded and, most recently, hesitant to start the recommended treatment plan.

Jane had never received any support and is a single parent with minimal family involvement. She is overwhelmed, anxious and frustrated. The referral was received to help Jane better negotiate multiple medical appointments, cope, and adjust to her daughters medical needs. It took Jane years of exploring the health care system and learning to speak English before she could even begin understanding the services she and her daughter could be entitled to.

During my initial conversation with her, she expressed how she truly feels no one cared enough to help her understand available health care services or any other services in the community that would have helped provide her daughter with her overall progress.

Jane, who has been identified by a false name to honor confidentiality, is one among many parents of children who want to be effectively connected to a team that provides comprehensive care for their child. This includes mental health services, social work services, a well-connected medical team, and recreational activities in the community.

Mary, again identified by a false name, is another client who has been transferred from hospital to hospital and social work program to program due to issues with her familys insurance. She is yet another parent with a child who has several medical complexities. They traveled to New York for better medical care than they could receive in the Dominican Republic.

These are just a few examples of a much larger problem. In the past year, medical centers across New York City have received more than 50,000 visits from undocumented migrants seeking medical care, according to data from New York City Health + Hospitals, which operates the citys public hospitals and clinics. Health care professionals across the board find this to be the most difficult work theyve done in years. Yet, this is the most impactful work weve seen in a long time. Intake programs like New York Health + Hospitals Arrival Center have helped provide a one-step program to connect the incoming migrant population to many services. it would benefit the migrant population as well as the state to introduce more programs that are similar.

The trauma levels of migrants are far greater than those of local patients. Health care professionals could have a greater impact if we could hire more bi-lingual workers to make it easier for the migrant population to express their medical needs and understand what services they can be connected to.

Although hospitals and agencies across New York are proud of their work, we have struggled to handle the incursion of international migrants who have arrived in the city since 2022, mainly seeking refuge and comprehensive medical care.

We can create the ability to build a system that treats migrants with integrity and a keen interest in providing them with comprehensive health care. Every moment we waste means more migrants seeking the care they require, but unable to acquire it due to insufficient professionals  all due to the lack of adequate funding and proper delegation from the government.

New York should be one of the first places in the country to lead continuous health-care initiatives. We have signed legislation protecting New Yorkers from medical debt, which disproportionately impacts low-income Black and brown people in the state. We can only hope to continue this initiatives efforts in meeting the needs of this migrant population by employing more health care workers, especially bilingual ones, and compensating them fairly.

Stephanie Dominic Berchmans is a social worker.
Buganda Kingdom premier Charles Peter Mayiga has scoffed at people he describes as selfish fanatics who continue to spread bad news about the Kabaka.

This follows several social media reports about the alleged deteriorating health of the Kabaka who, according to kingdom officials is currently in Namibia for resting implementing doctors directives .

Opening the 31st Buganda Lukiiko (Great Buganda Assembly) at Bulange Mengo this morning, Mayiga urged Ugandans to use their time on social more productively rather than spreading malicious rumors about the kingdom and its leadership.

Todays Buganda Lukiiko chaired by the Speaker Patrick Luwaga Mugumbule is also receiving the kingdoms budget for the financial year 2024/2025.
In a move meant to promote cultural and heritage rights in Uganda, players in the education sector are urged to be more intentional in incorporating culture in the teaching processes.

According to Fredrick Nsibambi, the Deputy Executive Director Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU), culture is vital for human development, and is the glue that binds our diverse identities.

Speaking to KFM, Nsibambi emphasizes the need for education institutions to promote the appreciation of cultural rights and heritage.

He adds that to support this cause, his organization has provided evidence-based knowledge on the relevance of culture in development and is currently working with schools through heritage clubs to promote the same.

As an organization we have invested a lot in terms of promoting heritage education, in schools, we now so far have 185 heritage clubs across the country in secondary schools but we have also started a bachelors degree in cultural heritage studies in four universities, Kyambogo, Nkozi, Kabale and Islamic University in Uganda, Nsibambi explained.

Nsibambi made the remarks during an experiential engagement with media practitioners in Jinja over the weekend.
President Museveni has reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption in Uganda.

This follows concerns raised by the Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi about the apparent soft stance of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) leadership on graft.

President Musevenis latest comments on corruption, come days after the Anti-corruption Court in Kampala remanded to Luzira prison the three Members of Parliament (MPs) accused of soliciting for a kickback from the Uganda Human Rights Commission in exchange for a budget increment.

The trio is; Lwengo District Woman representative Cissy Namujju, Bunyole Easts Yusuf Mutembuli and his Busiki South Counterpart Paul Akamba. All subscribe to the NRM.

According to Prosecution, the MPs on May 13 in Kampala solicited for 20 percent as kickback out of a budge increment they promised to lobby for the Commission in the 2024/2025 Financial Year allocation.

Another group of three MPs and a lawyer are battling corruption charges relating to diversion of public resources and conspiracy to commit a felony.

These are; Micheal Mawanda of Igara East Constituency in Bushenyi District, Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudimi of Elgon County in Bulambuli District, Paul Akamba Busiki County in Namutumba District and city layer Julius Kirya of Kirya Company Advocates.

They are accused of diverting Shs3.4 billion meant for war loss compensation by government to Buyaka Growers Cooperative Society for their personal use.

In the statement issued this evening, the president has assured Ugandans that he is confident that the vice shall be stamped out.

The NRM does not victimize anybody without proof. That is why some people think the party is soft on corruption. We insist on proof, and apparently this proof is abundant but responsible people have not been looking for it, President Museveni said in a statement.

He noted that corruption is diverting a lot of money that could develop the country, with the Inspectorate of Government estimating that upto Shs 10tn is lost to the vice every year.

The president also promises to ensure the economy grows in double digits, up from this years growth rate of 6% if the thieves and the indisciplined are stamped out.
Several schools across the country are stuck with over 4,000 wrong textbooks for the new lower secondary curriculum that they received from the Ministry of Education in 2022 and are lying idle on their bookshelves.

According to the Value for Money Audit Report on the implementation of the new lower secondary curriculum by the National Curriculum Development Center (NCDC), a total of 3,713 learners books and 242 teachers guides for various subjects were wrongly delivered and remain unutilized.

According to the 2023/24 Audit report, the most affected category was that of elective subjects such as IRE, General Science, Performing Arts, and Technology and Design.

As a result, while some schools are burdened with excess incorrect textbooks, others are left without any necessary materials, highlighting significant disparities and inefficiencies in the distribution process.

The above 4,000 books were given to 11 schools sampled by the audit team, meaning the magnitude of the problem could have been high if all the schools were sampled by the team.

Meanwhile, the audit did not only identify the significant challenges with the distribution and availability of textbooks and teachers guides for the curriculum but also late delivery of the text books.

The report indicated that the government only commenced the distribution of textbooks in 2022, which was two years into the implementation period and after the first cohort of students had reached Senior 2.

When contacted last evening, Dr. Denis Mugimba, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, explained that when designing the new lower secondary curriculum, provisions were made for 20 subjects, yet schools are ordinarily meant to take books for only 15 subjects, hence the excess.
The Uganda Police Force has dismissed as baseless, social media reports that the force provided a firefighting truck during the protests in neighbouring Kenya.

Last Friday, several social media bloggers in Kenya and Uganda shared, images of a Uganda Police Firefighting truck registration number UP9596, reportedly taken amidst protests in Nakuru, Kenya.

Addressing a weekly news conference at the police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala earlier today, police spokesperson Fred Enanga clarified that the online writers he calls propagandists, only captured footage of the truck in transit and falsified its presence, as part of the ongoing protests in Kenya.

He added that the firefighting truck belonging to Masaka CPS Fire and Rescue Department was transported to Nairobi-Kenya for mechanical repair.

Enanga says on June 21, 2024 while in transit the driver of the truck encountered protesters in Nakuru, who surrounded it on assumption that it was involved in the recent protests.

The accusations that the Uganda Police, deployed a fire fighting truck, in the recent spate of protests in Kenya is false and misleading. Our counterparts the Kenyan Police, know that we have nothing to do with the protests. We respect the sovereignty of Kenya and its decisions, Enanga told journalists in Kampala.

Mutual respect and understanding continues to be the basis of our cooperation with the Kenyan Police, he added

Police in Kenya have over the past few days responded to protests over a controversial tax bill that is expected to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes. The protests have led to more than 100 hundred arrests and at least one confirmed death.
June 24, 2024: EW (Electronic Warfare) in Ukraine, the Middle East and northwestern Russia as a result of military operations has caused significant problems for ships, aircraft and cross country vehicles in roadless areas that depend on satellite navigation systems to get where they need to go. The electronic interference is worst for aircraft operations over

the Black Sea area from Turkey to Azerbaijan; the Mediterranean Sea extending from Cyprus to Libya; the Baltic Sea near Poland and Latvia; and the Arctic near Finland and Norway. In 2023 commercial airliners reported thousands of incidents where their aircraft had problems because of jamming. This was four times more than the problems encountered in 2022 and twentyfold increase since 2018. Most of this jamming was meant to interfere with battlefield UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).

In the Middle East, there have been reports of false signals telling pilots their aircraft were directly above the airport in Tel Aviv despite being far away. In nearby countries like Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon airline pilots reported that the jamming caused their electronic navigations systems so that onboard instruments indicated that the aircraft were over an airport when the pilots could look out the windshield and see that this was not the case. Pilots alert to the false signals taking them off course could take action to get back on course and reach their destination. Pilots have to be alert because some jamming is done in the form of spoofing, where a signal is jammed in such a way that it takes the aircraft off course while trying not to reveal that this is the result of jamming. Spoofing is hard to distinguish because the signal appears legitimate. Of the several satellite navigation systems available only Europes Galileo incorporates an authentication system that can verify when a signal is from its satellites. Galileo, which currently is the most accurate and precise navigation satellite system, plans to introduce an even stronger level of authentication, according to the European Commission.

Some companies in the regions affected have developed equipment that protects GPS signals from jamming and spoofing. An Israeli firm, InfiniDome, has been in business for seven years developing inexpensive equipment to deal with jamming. This equipment is sold online for $100. InfiniDome says it has successfully protected trucking, UAV operations and others in Israel and around the world with its InfiniDome GPSdome-1 and GPSdome-2 anti-jam products.

While the jamming and spoofing has a significant impact on commercial airline travel to and from Israel while current hostilities with Iran and its proxy Hamas, this has prompted commercial firms to develop long-term solutions for the intense jamming that has been present in the region for years.

The recent outbreak of electronic jamming and spoofing is nothing new. During World War II the allies non-electronic used chaff along with several electronic countermeasures to deal with German air defense systems during the 1943-45 aerial bombing campaign against German cities. Chaff, also known as Window, involved releasing thin strips of aluminum-coated paper from the aircraft. These strips created false radar echoes, confusing German radar operators and making it harder for them to track the bombers accurately. The Allies developed radar jamming devices to disrupt German radar systems. These devices emitted radio frequency interference, interfering with enemy radar signals and reducing their effectiveness. Bombers used DF (Direction Finding signal) jamming to interfere with German radio navigation systems. By transmitting false signals or noise, they disrupted the accuracy of German fighter direction finding equipment. Spot jamming targeted specific German radar stations. Bombers transmitted jamming signals directly at these stations to disrupt their operations.

Britain also pioneered the use of Electronic Warfare Aircraft in the form of Mosquito light bombers. Some were equipped with electronic warfare systems. These aircraft flew ahead of the bomber formations, jamming German radar and communication frequencies. Mosquitoes were unique in that they were made largely of wood, which radar could not detect. The metal components in Mosquito aircraft were insufficient to show up as an aircraft on German radar. All these were a significant factor in protecting Allied bombers operating over Germany.

Sixty years after World War II the rapid development of electronic jammers, to shut down wireless detonators for roadside bombs in Afghanistan and Iraq, also brought about more unanticipated disruption of friendly electronics. Iraqi civilians are well aware of this problem, as they quickly learned that their cell phone service tends to disappear when an American military convoy approaches. Other wireless gadgets tend to go haywire as well. The list of items affected grew as the American jammer, mainly the Warlock series, added more frequencies to its repertoire. This problem was first noted back during the 1990 campaign to liberate Kuwait. It was discovered that certain combinations of airborne jammer frequencies could trigger an involuntary launch of Patriot anti-aircraft missiles, as well as some less catastrophic, but equally unexpected events. Investigation of these incidents revealed something electronic warfare experts have been warning of for a long time. With so much exotic new gear, capable of putting out so many different signals, and in a huge number of combinations, which creates even more new electronic signals, there was no way to know what kind of impact this would have on existing military, and civilian, electronics. Throughout the 1990s, the problem only got worse. This became obvious as there were increased incidents of military electronics tests trashing, or playing with, nearby civilian electronic devices. The military is eagerly seeking some solutions, because it's important for military equipment, especially communications and control systems, not to suffer from electronic interference. Warlock jammed some military equipment, including some radios. This was not good. Work is underway on some solutions, but none looks particularly promising. As a result, the most likely source of hostile jamming is the force with the greatest number of transmitters. For American troops, that comes down to, we have met the enemy, and it is us.
National Broadband Ireland has said that over 2,600 Kilkenny properties in its Castlecomer deployment area can now avail of a high-speed fibre broadband connection.

The area covers the rural surrounds of Castlecomer, Ballyragget and Moneenroe.

19,000 premises in County Kilkenny are included in the States Intervention Area, which will see NBI deliver minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second to homes, businesses, farms, and schools.

As the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification, County Kilkenny will receive 72 million of Government investment under the National Broadband Plan.

There are 2,616 Kilkenny premises in the Castlecomer deployment area that can join the National Broadband Ireland network.

National Broadband Ireland is calling on people living near Castlecomer to visit nbi.ie/map and enter their Eircode to see if they are ready to connect.

Network build works are also continuing across Kilkenny with build works in progress for over 500 premises around Ballynabola.

The National Broadband Ireland website is regularly updated to show estimated connection dates.
The national patient organisation representing people with epilepsy and their families, Epilepsy Ireland, have issued a reminder about the upcoming changes to the free travel scheme.

After years of advocacy from Epilepsy Ireland, the scheme will be expanded to include individuals who are medically unfit to drive for at least one year and those who will never be able to drive due to a long-term health condition or disability.

Speaking at the official launch of the newly expanded scheme in May, Minister Heather Humphreys highlighted the importance of this initiative.

This measure will benefit approximately 32,000 people this year, offering free travel on all public transport provided by the State, she said.

It will significantly help those with disabilities, including epilepsy, who face extra transportation costs.

Epilepsy Ireland CEO Peter Murphy expressed his gratitude and support for the new scheme.

Navigating epilepsy can be challenging, particularly when driving restrictions impact daily life, he said.

The expanded Free Travel Scheme is a critical step in easing these burdens, supporting employment, education, and social activities.

We are grateful to Minister Humphreys for implementing this change, something which we have long advocated for alongside our supporters.

We would encourage people with epilepsy  and others with other long-term health conditions or disabilities whose condition may prevent them from driving for at least a year - to apply for this new benefit before it comes into effect on July 29th.

How to Apply

To apply, individuals must hold a Public Services Card and submit the new Free Travel Application form, signed and stamped by a GP confirming that they medically unfit to drive for at least a year.

The scheme is for those aged between 17  66 and there is no requirement to be on any other Department of Social Protection payment. There is no means test associated with the new scheme.

The application form is available online and at local INTREO offices. Completed forms should be sent to the Free Travel Section, Department of Social Protection, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384.

For more information, visit the Free Travel section of the Gov.ie website. For more information on Epilepsy and Epilepsy Ireland, visit www.epilepsy.ie.
A man who repeatedly sexually abused a young girl over a two-year period almost 40 years ago has been jailed.

Stephen Lane (52) was 14 when he started to sexually assault the girl, who was aged between five and seven at the time.

The Central Criminal Court heard that the woman wishes for Lane, of Fernwood Avenue, Springfield, Tallaght, Dublin to be named, but to retain her anonymity.

Lane pleaded guilty to five sample counts of indecent assault on dates between February 1986 and June 1988. 18 further counts of indecent assault taken into consideration by the court during the sentencing.

The girl was known to Lane and the abuse took place at a number of locations, including her home.

The court was previously told that the abuse stopped in June 1988 after the girls father became aware.

The victim made a complaint to gardai in June 2019. Lane attended voluntarily for interview and initially denied the allegations.

An investigating garda told Gerard Clarke SC, prosecuting, that Lane touched the girl inappropriately on her genital area, telling her it was a game and not to tell anyone.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said she was a young, vulnerable child and Lane convinced her what was happening was normal. I was too young to know it was wrong.

She outlined that she felt she was the one being punished after the abuse came to light and she was made to feel it was her fault.

I felt I was no longer looked at the same by my parents and no longer felt safe. The older I got, the more I realised how he was the one they protected when it should have been methe '80s were a different world and the girls got the blame.

Later in her statement, the woman said: He stopped me from having the life I could have had. She said she had to cope with the effects of the abuse, while he lived his life with no impact.

Quite simply, he destroyed my life, she said.

She said she is glad she spoke out about what happened and always knew she would go to gardai.

She said was afraid she wouldnt be believed, describing the relief when she was told the case was going forward.

She said she was relieved when Lane pleaded guilty. It was the ultimate validation at last. For the first time ever, I was smiling and it wasnt put on like a maskall I want is freedom from trauma.

Imposing sentence today, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon said Lane's abuse of the girl was persistent and frequent.

She noted the victim's young age at the time of the offending and the age gap between her and Lane. The judge said Lane had isolated the girl and told her it was a game in order to normalise his behaviour.

Ms Justice Creedon said she would set a headline sentence of six years for an adult, but noting that Lane was a juvenile at the time of the offending, she reduced the headline sentence to three years.

The judge said she took into account the mitigation including Lane's guilty plea, the contents of a psychological report and his work history.

She handed Lane a sentence of two and a half years, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions.

Ms Justice Creedon also directed that Lane is placed on the sex offenders' register for three years.

At a previous hearing, the victim outlined in her impact statement that she experienced a pattern of abusive relationships, which felt normal to her.

She outlined she had little to no trust in people and hates to be touched, even by her children. The woman has also suffered from hypervigilance and overprotectiveness of her children.

Defence counsel said Lane has a long work history and is a divorced father of four.

A medical report was handed into the court, which outlined Lane feels a great degree of stress and anxiety due to the case.

She asked the court to take into account her clients expressions of remorse, his guilty plea and acceptance of responsibility.

Counsel also pointed out that her client was aged between 14 and 16 at the time of his offending, and asked the court to take this into consideration when devising a sentence.

A psychological report stated Lane was shown explicit pornography as a young teenager and received no sex education from his parents or at school, the court was told.

He is assessed at below average to low risk of re-offending and is willing to engage with any appropriate services. Two testimonials were also handed to the court.
June 24, 2024: Noting the success of the Switchblade loitering munition in Ukraine, the U.S. has ordered thousands more sent to Ukrainian forces. At the same time the American army and marines are planning to issue more of these lightweight weapons to their own troops for use as a standard weapon, like existing rocket launchers and portable anti-tank weapons.

Ukrainian forces found Switchblade less effective than UAVs developed and built locally. The Ukrainians were dealing with a resourceful enemy and the Russian were already using several forms of jamming against Ukrainian UAVs. The $1,300 Switchblades needed several upgrades to be competitive with existing Ukrainian UAVs. Both Russian and Ukrainian forces are using cheap, about $500 each quadcopter UAVs controlled by soldiers a kilometer or more away, who use FPV (First Person Viewing) goggles to see what the day/night video camera on the UAV can see. Adding night vision doubles the cost for each UAV, so not all of them have that capability. Each of these UAVs carries half a kilogram of explosives, so it can instantly turn the UAV into a flying bomb that can fly into a target and detonate. This is an awesome and debilitating weapon when used in large numbers over the combat zone. If a target isnt moving or requires more explosive power that the UAVs can supply, one of the UAV operators can call in artillery, rocket, or missile fire, or even an airstrike.

A major limitation is the need for trained UAV operators. These troops need over a hundred hours of training before they are able to start operating these UAVs, and another hundred hours of actual use before they are able to make the most out of the system. These UAVs are difficult to shoot down until they get close to the ground and the shooter is close enough, as in less than a few hundred meters, away to successfully target a UAV with a bullet or two and bring it down. Troops are rarely in position to do this, so most of these UAVs are able to complete their mission, whether it is a one-way attack or a reconnaissance and surveillance mission. The recon missions are usually survivable and enable the UAV to be reused. All these UAVs are constantly performing surveillance, which means that either side commits enough UAVs to maintain constant surveillance over a portion of the front line, to a depth, into enemy territory, of at least a few kilometers.

This massive use of FPV-armed UAVs has revolutionized warfare in Ukraine and both sides are producing as many as they can. Not having enough of these to match the number the enemy has in a portion of the front means you are at a serious disadvantage in that area. These UAVs are still evolving in terms of design and use and becoming more effective and essential. Currently most of the battlefield casualties in Ukraine are caused by armed UAVs.

One countermeasure that can work for a while is electronic jamming of the UAVs control signal. UAV guidance systems are constantly modified or upgraded to cope with this. Most UAVs have flight control software that sends UAVs with jammed control signals back to where they took off from to land and await. The jammers are on the ground and can be attacked by UAVs programmed to home in on the jamming signal and detonate their explosives on the source of the jamming signal. As a result, even countermeasures can be overcome and the side that can do this more quickly and completely has an advantage. That advantage is usually temporary because both sides are putting a lot of effort into keeping their combat UAVs effective on the battlefield. The more expensive Switchblade loitering munition has much less combat experience and, until Ukraine, none against an enemy like Russia with similar development and manufacturing capabilities.

Switchblade 600 entered service in 2020. While the original Switchblade 300 weighed 2.7 kg, Switchblade 600 was ten times heavier at 23 kg, could stay in the air for 40 minutes and be controlled up to 80 kilometers from the operator. Top speed is 180 kilometers an hour and more economical cruise speed is closer to 150 kilometers an hour at altitudes of under 100-150 meters. The heavier warhead could destroy most tanks, although some modern tank designs include protection from top attack.

Switchblade 600 was requested by the U.S. Army for longer range surveillance missions and the option to hit specific small targets, like a building or enemy position. Unlike the earlier Switchblades, the 600 uses a tablet controller with more options, including manipulating the more powerful video camera. Video transmitted back to the operator could be saved and passed on. The operator also had a wave off feature in which a quick tap on the controller screen can cause the 600 to abort an attack and be available for another try. The 600 can also be programmed to carry out a mission without operator control. This means there is no control signal for enemy electronic warning systems to detect or jam. In this case when time is up the 600 self-destructs. The 600 can be carried into a remote area and used quickly. This is what Ukrainian troops discovered and they used their Switchblade 600 very successfully and requested a lot more of them. This also persuaded the U.S. Army to issue Switchblade 600s to troops as a basic item of equipment and instruct soldiers on how to use these UAVs for reconnaissance and combat.

The marines were also early and enthusiastic users of Switchblade and found that it could be launched from the rear ramp of an MV-22 tilt-wing transport and carry out aerial reconnaissance for the marines as well as for attacking targets.

The original Switchblade was a small UAV fired, like all Switchblades, from its shipping tube container. Switchblade was sent to Afghanistan in 2009 for secret field testing. This was very successful and the troops demanded more, a lot more. Switchblade completed development later in 2009 and was initially thought useful only for special operations troops. In 2011, after a year of successful field testing, the army ordered over a hundred Switchblades for general troop use and since then has ordered thousands more.

While Switchblade was developed for the army, the marines apparently noted the success that soldiers and SOCOM (Special Operations Command) had with this system and ordered them as well. Switchblade was very popular with troops in Afghanistan and with SOCOM in all sorts of places they wont discuss in detail. Switchblade is still used and thousands have been ordered and many of them used. There have been several upgrades

The original Switchblade was a lightweight, used only once UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) that could also be equipped with explosives. The Switchblade was launched from its shipping and storage tube, at which point wings flip out, a battery-powered propeller starts spinning and a vidcam begins broadcasting images to the controller. The Switchblade is operated using the same controller as the larger two kg Raven UAV. A complete Switchblade 300 system, with a missile, container, and controller weighed 5.5 kg.

Moving up to a kilometer a minute, the Switchblade could stay in the air for 20-40 minutes, depending on whether or not it is armed with explosives. Switchblade can operate up to ten kilometers from the operator. The armed version can be flown to a target and detonated, having about the same explosive effect as a hand grenade. Thus, Switchblade enables ground troops to get at an enemy taking cover in a hard to see location.

Technically a guided missile, the use of Switchblade as a reconnaissance tool encouraged developers to refer to it as a UAV. But because of the warhead option, and its slow speed, Switchblade also functions like a rather small cruise missile. The troops were particularly enthusiastic about the armed version because it allowed them to more quickly take out snipers or a few bad guys in a compound full of civilians.

Switchblade has been so successful that the army ordered several upgrades and this updated Switchblade was renamed Switchblade 300. The new version appeared in 2016. It was a heavier 2.7 kg UAV with 15 minutes endurance and a 10-kilometer range. The sensor has night vision and is stabilized. The 300 could lock onto a target and track it. The 300 came with optional accessories, like a six-pack launcher that is used as part of base defense. This was first used for base protection in 2019 and proved useful. One or more of these six packs are placed near the base perimeter and power is maintained with a solar panel. The base security commander could order a Switchblade to be launched from the six-pack and control it as it searches for a potential target. Switchblade 300 was also capable of being used from a helicopter or larger UAV and controlled from the helicopter or by the operator of the larger UAV like a MQ-9 Reaper.
North Korea on Monday criticized the United States for its military support of Ukraine and supported Russia's actions as a "legitimate act of self-defense," underscoring the growing military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.

"If the rulers of the U.S. persist in recklessly pushing their war machine into Ukraine for a proxy war against Russia, it will inevitably provoke a stronger response from Russia," Pak Jong Chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, said in a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency.

Pak further said, "It is Russia's right to self-defense to make a strategic counterattack to defend its security from the ever-aggravating threat posed by hostile forces. Any responsive action taken by Russia will be a legitimate act of self-defense."

Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un expressed "full support" for Russia's war in Ukraine and pledged to strengthen strategic cooperation with Moscow as he held summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Pyongyang.

"We will always stand together with the Russian army and people in a just struggle to defend sovereign rights, strategic stability, and the territorial integrity of their country," Pak said.

In particular, Pak criticized the U.S. for recently expanding its agreement with Ukraine to strike over the border inside Russian territory wherever Russian forces are engaging in cross-border attacks into Ukraine, not just in the Kharkiv region as was previously signed.

"This time the U.S. has gone so far as to allow the Ukrainian neo-Nazis to strike any part of Russian territory at their will," Pak said. (Yonhap)
SBS documentary reveals Goo left message 'I'm scared...' before her death

By KTimes

A composite sketch of the suspect who robbed the safe at the home of the late Goo Ha-ra of the girl group KARA has been released, drawing keen public attention.

On Saturday's episode of SBS' "Unanswered Questions," a sketch of the suspect involved in the "Goo Ha-ra Safe Robbery" case was revealed.

Goo died on Nov. 24, 2019. Shortly after, around midnight on Jan. 14, 2020, a man broke into her residence in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, and stole a safe containing her mobile phones and other valuables.

Despite the family's report, police were unable to identify the suspect at the time. It was reported that the suspect climbed a wall and entered the house through the second-floor balcony. Security camera footage of the intrusion was also released to the media.

After approximately nine months of investigation, the case was temporarily closed.

However, recent revelations from a BBC News Korea documentary, "Burning Sun: Exposing the Secret K-pop Chat Groups," brought the case back into the spotlight.

The documentary disclosed that Goo had played a covert role in exposing alleged corruption involving the police and the Burning Sun nightclub, a venue in Gangnam District, Seoul, that was the center of a scandal involving crimes such as sexual offenses and illegal filming.

"Unanswered Questions" used enhanced images and expert consultations to create a composite sketch of the suspect from the security camera footage. The suspect was wearing an earring in his left ear, appeared to be in his late twenties to early thirties and was wearing glasses for nearsightedness.

According to the released composite sketch, the suspect has a slim face and a high nose and is estimated to be in the high 170-centimeter range in height.

A renowned sketch artist said, "He has a long chin and slightly protruding cheekbones."

Initially, it was suspected that the thief was someone known to Goo.

However, the "Unanswered Questions" suggested that the crime could have been commissioned by a professional contractor or an errand center employee who was given the code to her house.

An expert who analyzed the footage said that while the suspect knew the code, he seemed unfamiliar with how to use the door lock.

Pyo Chang-won, director of the Pyo Institute of Crime Science, said, "It appears to be someone who expected the door to open. He either knew the code or received it from someone else but failed to operate the door lock, which led him to enter through the second floor."

It was reported that Goo's family currently possesses the mobile phones that were in the safe.

Goo's brother, Goo Ho-in, said on the show that the safe contained letters, contracts, financial statements from her agency, the house's deed and about six mobile phones.

However, he also noted that they have yet to unlock Goo's mobile phones.

There are suspicions that the safe robbery might be connected to the Burning Sun scandal. At the time, the thief did not touch any valuable items and only stole the 31-kilogram safe.

Goo left message, 'I'm scared...'

Meanwhile, it was confirmed that Goo left a post saying "I'm scared" on a secret account before her death.

On Nov. 23, 2019, after returning to Korea for a brief period following activities in Japan, Goo posted a simple "Good night" message on her official social media. However, just a few hours later, she posted "I'm scared..." on a secret account known only to close friends.

Her friends responded with comforting messages such as "I'm here. Your reliable and strong sister," and "Why are you scared, silly? I'm always on your side. Think of us."

Shortly after, news of Goo's death broke. At the scene, a simple note was found, but no formal suicide note was discovered.

This article, based on a piece from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, was assisted by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
By Yoon Ja-young

MetLife Korea said it will leap up to No. 5 in the industry in the next five years with a steadfast focus on customers, marking its 35th anniversary.

At the company's Always With You Rally held at its headquarters in southern Seoul, Thursday, MetLife Korea CEO Song Young-rok expressed his deep appreciation for customers and employees who made MetLife Korea what it is today after reflecting on the challenges and achievements over the past 35 years.

"MetLife Korea is already at the highest level in the industry in terms of financial soundness and positioned in the top five in many areas," he said.

"MetLife will aspire to be included in the top five for most important indicators in five years so that Koreans will list MetLife as one of Korea's top five life insurers," he added, presenting Metlife's vision over the next five years and strategies to achieve it.

Building upon its achievements so far, the insurer announced its five core values  customer, differentiation, diversification, artificial intelligence (AI)/digital and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)/community.

MetLife Korea announced it will always approach customers with extreme kindness because it was the trust of customers that enabled the company to run successfully for 35 years.

It added that differentiation means always thinking from the customer's point of view and maximizing customer convenience. MetLife has plans to further improve the quality of various services, such as fast and accurate insurance payments and easy call center connection. In addition, MetLife will continue to upgrade customer solutions such as 360Health and 360 Future.

The company intends to diversify products and services so that it can cater to the needs of customers in any market situation under the all-weather strategy. It is determined to meet various financial needs that may arise throughout the life cycle of customers by adding various options to its flagship products such as dollar insurance and variable insurance and providing health insurance with various special agreements at reasonable premiums.

The insurer also stressed that it will continue to lead AI and digital innovation by expanding the use of machine learning-based customized services and generative AI.

DEI/Community is another core value of the company. MetLife explained that as a global insurance company, it is committed to fulfilling its responsibilities as a corporate citizen and pursues the values of diversity and inclusion while volunteering for the community to help build an environmentally and socially sustainable society.

"MetLife is the only global financial company that is dedicated to insurance. We will successfully take on challenges on our journey toward the top five," Song said.
Wealth gap widens between baby boomers and young people

By Yi Whan-woo

Financial companies are intensifying their efforts to attract older adult clients amid a shrinking population, as they typically have accumulated more wealth than younger demographics and possess greater spending power.

According to the Seoul Institute, a think tank affiliated with the Seoul Metropolitan Government, individuals aged 60 and older accounted for 46 percent of the country's personal net assets in 2021.

Such net assets include property, which constitutes 70 percent of the wealth owned by Korean households.

According to a separate finding from Statistics Korea, the net assets of households headed by individuals aged 65 or older averaged 455.4 million won ($327,800) in 2023, marking a 0.4 percent increase from the previous year.

The year-on-year increase contrasts with a 4.5 percent year-on-year decline for all age groups.

Another finding by the statistics agency showed a widening wealth gap between those aged 65 or older and those in their 30s. The gap widened from 95.69 million won in 2020 to 182.4 million won in 2023.

"Data evidently suggest a need to woo older adult customers in an aging society," a public relations official at a commercial bank said.

The official pointed out that people aged 65 and older accounted for 18.4 percent of the country's entire population in 2023 and the proportion is expected to rise to 20 percent by 2025.

Under these circumstances, KB Kookmin Bank, the flagship affiliate of KB Financial Group, operates the KB Golden Life Center to provide consulting services on wealth management for retirees.

It also runs KB Golden Life X, a mobile platform aimed at wealth management as well as health care and other customized services for middle-aged and elderly individuals.

Also under KB Financial Group, KB Kookmin Card launched a new credit card that provides caretaker services to cardholders when they undergo medical treatments.

The card requires an annual membership fee of 1 million won, but "has seen considerable demand from older customers," according to the company.

Shinhan Bank operates after-retirement service centers in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province and Seoul's Nowon District.

It plans to open three additional centers, in Seoul's Gangnam District, Suwon in Gyeonggi Province and the southeastern port city of Ulsan, in the third quarter of this year.

Woori Bank runs two retail branch offices in two Seoul areas  Seongbuk District and Yeongdeungpo District  exclusively for elderly clients.
By Luna Sun

Chinese local governments have recently ramped up their visits to Korea in an effort to bolster economic ties and attract foreign investment, business insiders said.

This surge, especially evident since March following the announcement of the Korea-China-Japan leaders' summit in May, indicates the strategic moves by China's local governments as local growth there is mired in heavy debts and post-pandemic economic slowdowns.

The latest visit saw Xin Changxing, secretary of the Jiangsu provincial committee of the Communist Party of China, meeting with officials in Seoul last week, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, to discuss promoting intercity exchange and cooperation.

The dialogues are crucial in terms of resuming contact, but Chinese governments need to show more concrete efforts to woo increasingly cautious Korean investors, according to Federation of Korea-China Chairman Park Seung-chan.

"Officials often come and say that China has opened up much more deeply, that they have all the hard powers and the general incentives, but they are not addressing the most important concerns," Park, who is also a professor at Yong In University, said.

Park was a former adviser for the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency on the China-Korea free trade agreement (FTA).

"If a company is to invest or set up factories in a Chinese city, how would local authorities help connect and align resources? Would they help come up with an incubation plan? How would the government help the business grow? What kind of supporting assistance would be provided?" he said.

"These detailed implementation measures are lacking."

According to Park and others familiar with the matter, an average of eight to 10 delegations from Chinese provinces have visited Korea each month since the news broke in March about the resumption of the Korea-China-Japan trilateral summit, up from three to four visits from Chinese localities monthly at the beginning of 2023, shortly after China reopened its border.

These delegations, formed by provincial and city-level authorities from Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong and Hainan, among others, which have close economic ties with Korea, attended business forums and investment meetings, aiming to rejuvenate local economies and attract international collaboration.

From May 29 to 31, China's Hainan Province Governor Liu Xiaoming also visited Korea at the invitation of Jeju Governor Oh Young-hun, meeting with key officials and business leaders, attending the 19th Jeju Forum and the Seoul Hainan Free Trade Port Promotion Conference.

The visits are part of a broader effort by local Chinese governments to attract foreign investment globally, addressing a key priority for Beijing. Policymakers in China are increasingly concerned about the sharp decline in foreign investments in recent years, driven by growing decoupling trends between China and the West.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, China's Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan held three-way talks on May 26 for the first time in four and half years, seeking to revive economic ties amid geopolitical tensions and resume FTA negotiations.

China's allure as a prime investment destination has significantly waned in recent years for Korean investors, due to geopolitical tensions, stringent regulatory environments and the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, Korea's direct investment in China plunged by 78.1 percent compared to the previous year, dropping to $1.87 billion, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

China fell to Korea's seventh-largest investment destination in 2023, the first time it was out of the top five list since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1992.

The decrease in investment is primarily influenced by geopolitical factors, including the competition between China and the United States and economic security concerns, said Zhang Huizhi, a professor of northeast Asian studies at Jilin University in China.

"Korean companies are heavily restricted by both the U.S. and Korean governments, which is forcing many to leave the Chinese market," she said.

"Additionally, some Korean companies were squeezed out of the Chinese market due to the intense competition from Chinese and foreign companies there, and they turned to Southeast Asia or other regions.

"However, many Korean enterprises investing in Southeast Asia are encountering numerous operational challenges. Despite the lower labor costs in Southeast Asia compared to China, other supply and production chain conditions are far less favorable, leading to an increase in overall production costs," Zhang said.

Trade relations between China and Korea soured significantly after the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defense system in 2016. In response to the deployment, China imposed various economic sanctions on Korean companies, leading to a sharp decline in Korean exports to China and a cooling of economic ties. The geopolitical tensions caused a ripple effect, impacting the two nations' tourism, retail and cultural exchanges.

Park said the visits from Chinese officials serve as "reaching out a hand to the wounded hearts of the Korean businesses."

"The meetings and exchanges are an improvement from the separated state."

He added that the two countries have considerable potential for cooperation, as Korea's industry strengths, combined with China's capital and market advantages, create ample opportunities for strong partnerships.

"For instance, China holds a significant position in the biotechnology sector, providing a vast market and numerous resources," Park said.

"Korea, on the other hand, has its own strengths and a solid foundation in this field. By leveraging these complementary advantages, both countries can overcome their respective challenges and achieve greater success through collaboration."

As the U.S. adopts a coordinated approach to curbing China's access to advanced technologies under U.S. President Joe Biden, investing in China's semiconductor and other industries becomes very risky to Korean firms, said Xu Tianchen, senior China economist with The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

"Going forward, geopolitics will continue to preclude foreign direct investment in advanced technologies, which sit in the crosshairs of U.S.-China tensions," he said.

"Meanwhile, the two countries can explore trade and investments in traditional industries such as food and papermaking, where geopolitical sensitivities are low."

Luna Sun is an economy reporter with the South China Morning Post. She is currently based in Seoul, reporting for both The Korea Times and the South China Morning Post via an exchange program.
By Youm In-song

Korean banks have been establishing a presence abroad and plan to expand further. However, the key to retaining a global clientele lies in perfecting their services at home, similar to K-pop's strategy to win the international communitys interest.

Before K-pop artists became global stars, they first captured hearts in Korea by setting high quality standards  from the synchronized choreography to the over-the-top music video productions  characteristics that gained them recognition internationally. Korean banks, already recognized for their quality service for their national residents, must ensure these high standards are met for the international community in Korea.

In 2023, Korea's expat population reached a record high of 2.26 million, signaling the country's openness to foreign workers amidst a declining birthrate. This strategic move aims to bolster the economy and address labor shortages. The government's initiatives to attract foreign students and workers, through expanded scholarships and eased visa regulations, reflect a commitment to integrating global talent into Korea's high-tech industries and broader workforce.

These efforts underscore Korea's recognition of the critical role international residents play in sustaining economic growth and innovation. As the country continues to welcome a diverse international community, it's imperative that all sectors, including banking, evolve to meet their unique needs.

Considering the global triumph of K-pop, there's potential in mirroring elements of its strategy within the banking sector. This approach involves adapting key aspects of K-pop's success formula to banking practices, aiming to enhance service delivery and appeal to an international audience in Korea.

BoAs debut in Japan with her album Listen to My Heart, sung in Japanese and topping the Oricon Albums chart, marked a significant moment in K-pop history. This approach of localizing content for specific markets has been a successful strategy for K-pop artists, including English-translated songs like BTS's "Dynamite" and BLACKPINK's "Ice Cream," which achieved international acclaim, topping charts and winning awards globally. These milestones highlight the effectiveness of K-pop's global strategy through language adaptation.

Enhancing multilingual support in Korean banks goes beyond simple translation; it's about ensuring equal access to information across all languages. Currently, there's a notable disparity in the amount of information available on English versions of bank websites compared to their Korean counterparts. True localization involves more than word-for-word translation  it requires a deep understanding of cultural nuances and customer needs, much like adapting song lyrics for global audiences. Employing foreign staff with the empathy and experience to bridge cultural gaps can significantly improve service delivery, ensuring banking services are as comprehensive and accessible in other languages as they are in Korean.

The K-pop industry's mastery in addressing the preferences of diverse demographic segments extends beyond its musical content. Through targeted merchandise, world tours with region-specific content, and strategic acquisitions like HYBE's recent acquisition of a Latin music label, "Exile Music," aimed at addressing the need for more exposure to Latin American consumers, the industry showcases a commitment to diversifying its appeal globally.

This model of expansion and customization offers valuable insights for Korean banks. By tailoring their services to the specific needs of international clients  simplifying remittances for labor workers, offering specialized accounts for exchange students, and ensuring competitive exchange rates for tourists  banks can achieve a level of inclusivity and responsiveness that mirrors K-pop's successful global outreach. This approach not only meets the immediate needs of various demographic segments but also strengthens Korea's position in the global market by fostering a welcoming environment for all.

Vast research has shown that the interpersonal connection created through social media and K- pop fosters a strong sense of community among fans, promoting fan-driven activities and social engagement, which cultivates a knowledgeable and passionate fan base. This bond among fans is evident in various ways, from fans gathering to celebrate an artist's birthday to online fan clubs, to the thriving online communities on platforms like Weverse and Dear U bubble, which boasted millions of downloads in the latter half of 2023, enabling fans to stay connected with their favorite K-pop artists.

Similarly, in banking, there's a pressing need to establish a robust international community, both online and offline, that possesses confidence in navigating the banking system. While Korean banks have predominantly tailored their social media content to Korean speakers, there's a growing recognition of the necessity to provide interactive and accessible information for foreigners. By adapting their social media platforms to cater to the needs of international clientele, banks not only bridge language barriers but also reshape the perception of banking, making it more welcoming and inclusive.

In the offline realm, banks can organize networking events, financial literacy workshops, and cultural exchange programs. These initiatives not only enrich the banking experience but also help forge a supportive network in a new country, particularly for foreigners seeking to engage in business ventures in Korea.

Youm In-song is a Master of Marketing student at Korea University.
By Alexander Ferguson

The severe impact of name character limitations on foreign customers is a source of significant frustration. Many banks restrict names to a maximum of 20 consonants and vowels or 30 characters, significantly complicating opening bank accounts and accessing related services. This is particularly challenging for individuals with longer names, who often encounter usability issues with bank applications and services.

An investigation by the National Human Rights Commission revealed that the combined name of the business and the personal representative must be displayed when opening a business account. If this is less than 20 characters, it becomes easier to open a bank account. This restriction applies to both foreigners and Korean nationals. Although banks acknowledge the potential for longer names, they cite cost issues and plan to address this only with future computer system upgrades. The investigation found no cases where foreigners were prevented from opening personal business accounts solely due to name length.

Banks often shorten names to fit account requirements, but this truncation can prevent full access to services like mobile banking apps. Foreign customers usually need to catch up on functionalities that would make their banking experience smoother. This issue extends beyond banking to platforms, such as many Korean apps in Google Play or the Apple Store, which also need help verifying names if they exceed 30 characters. This limitation affects access to essential services and discounts, making adaptation to life in Korea more challenging for foreigners.

The limitation of names longer than 30 characters applies to banks and various mobile applications, complicating access to discounts, promotions, and online shopping. Verification systems not accepting more than 30 characters hinder using apps like "Seoul Pay+" and "ZeroPay." These apps often require bank verification and SMS text messages, which fail if the name exceeds the character limit. Even possessing a "joint certificate," formerly called "public certificate," and "financial digital certificates" or specific bank certificate is not enough to use many apps effectively.

The most immediate step for Korean banks is updating their systems to accommodate longer names, ensuring that all customers can fully utilize banking services regardless of name length. By adopting more flexible international name formats, banks could help foreign customers feel more included and significantly reduce administrative hurdles. It requires collaboration with technology providers and regulatory bodies, but the potential for improvement is immense.

Creating a more user-friendly digital experience could also greatly benefit foreign customers. Banks should improve their mobile and online banking platforms to be more intuitive and accessible. Simplified navigation, clear instructions, and easy access to essential features like account management and customer support can make a significant difference.

While it is reasonable for foreigners who plan to stay in Korea long-term to learn the language, it is also crucial to recognize that learning Korean is gradual. Banks should provide essential banking services in multiple languages to facilitate this transition. For instance, offering Korean language learning modules related to banking terminology could be a valuable addition. These modules could be integrated into mobile banking apps or as part of an online learning platform, empowering customers to navigate banking services independently.

Banks should actively seek feedback from their foreign customers to better understand their unique needs and preferences. Regular surveys and feedback mechanisms can help banks identify pain points and areas for improvement. By listening to their foreign clientele, banks can implement changes that directly address customer concerns, enhancing overall satisfaction and loyalty. Establishing customer advisory panels composed of foreign residents can also provide valuable insights and foster a sense of community involvement, underlining the importance of understanding foreign customers' unique needs.

However, not everything is negative. Many banks, like Woori Bank, offer multilanguage services via telephone and customer service. Although there are some gaps, not all banks have representatives who speak English. Additionally, many tellers who speak only Korean can become frustrated and may not be fully willing to assist.

Having lived in different countries, I observed differences in banking systems despite the everyday use of English. These differences highlight that, even without language barriers, there can be significant usability challenges when adapting to a new country's banking system. This comparison underscores the need for Korean banks to address language issues and usability concerns to serve foreign customers better.

As Korea's foreign population continues to grow, it is clear that Korean banks must evolve to meet the diverse needs of their customer base. Addressing name character limitations, enhancing customer service, and improving digital banking experiences are essential.

By creating a more inclusive and user-friendly environment for foreign customers, banks will attract more clients and foster a sense of belonging and satisfaction among existing ones. Embracing these strategies will enhance the customer experience and position Korean banks as leaders in diversity and inclusion within the financial sector.

Alexander Ferguson is a student at the Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management.
By Song Je-in

Born in this era of globalization as a member of Generation Z, I am no stranger to the pursuit of convenience. After a meal with friends, we seamlessly split bills with a single tap on our phones.

However, not everyone has equal access to these conveniences. Foreigners in Korea may feel different due to the disparity in banking services offered to them. To improve this situation, I would like to propose solutions for three major problems for banks to attract more clients: less restrictive bank account opening policies, international e-transfer promotions, and more English-friendly services.

At present, there are limited banking services tailored to foreign customers, resulting in significant challenges for non-Korean residents in various aspects of daily life. Like in many other countries, the Korean banking system is primarily oriented towards Korean citizens. In our increasingly globalized society, a growing number of foreigners visit our country each year. According to The Korea Times, the number of foreigners residing in Korea stood at 2.26 million in 2023, marking a record-high since the census of foreign nationals began in 2006. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance banking services to ensure a positive living experience for them.

Firstly, accessing bank accounts in Korea can be a time-consuming and challenging process for foreigners. Opening a bank account typically requires a Residence Card or the former Alien Registration Card (ARC), which can take over a month to process. Korea is a highly developed, cashless society where daily activities such as transportation and shopping rely on electronic payments. In fact, for this column, I have talked to many international students in one of my courses at Yonsei, and they told me that when they first came to Korea, they were shocked to discover that they could not use cash even to take the bus.

They said that it is understandable that banks must strengthen the identification process for accessing accounts. However, they suggested that it would be extremely helpful if banks could make the process less restrictive, such as allowing accounts to be opened with a passport with a limited deposit. Then, after they get their resident identification ready, they could increase the amount that they can save and transfer. As they have to pay tuition for a number of years, they will likely continue using their accounts.

This will benefit both the bank and the clients. HSBC, as one of the largest financial services groups, offers U.K. bank accounts without complex documentation, and Korean banks could consider offering more services like this for foreigners without requiring initial identification documents.

Another suggestion for Korean banks is to offer temporary debit cards that can be utilized for a period of one to two months. This initiative would improve banking experiences for foreign visitors or residents awaiting their Residence Card. Banks such as Bank of America and Chase already offer temporary debit cards for immediate use. These temporary debit cards should function similarly to regular debit cards; enabling online purchases, transportation, and offline payments to help address credit-related challenges.

However, it is crucial to note that these cards should come with a key condition  an expiration date of no more than three months, aligning with the timeframe for foreigners to obtain a Residence Card.

Furthermore, efficient transfer of funds is an integral component of the banking sector, particularly for foreigners looking to transfer money to and from their home country. In todays digital age, many individuals are turning to international money transfer apps over traditional banks due to their time-saving capabilities and lower remittance charges. This shift underscores the need to improve the local banking systems  particularly through introducing various benefits and forming partnerships. Expanding global access through establishing international branches and partnering with global institutions will significantly improve accessibility.

A successful example is the partnership formed between a German neobank, N26, and Wise, a fintech company. These aligned forces ensure fast, simple, and highly secure international money transfers. Large financial institutions, leveraging advanced technology, can enhance their services through synergy.

Additionally, banks can explore diverse strategies to facilitate international money flow. I propose that Korean banks offer international e-transfers to foreigners free of charge as long as they are clients. This service would be similar to transfer apps such as WireBarley that my international student friends use. Woori Bank could also grant small transfers free of charge to its customers as long as they have a certain amount saved in their accounts, and it could also offer "share-with-friends" promotions where customers get discounts for introducing the app to their friends.

My last suggestion is to implement more English-friendly services. Effective communication is crucial for accomplishing tasks, and feedback from both foreign residents and non-residents has highlighted language barriers as a major issue. Despite the increasing number of foreigners in the country, translation services remain inadequate.

In another English course I attended, I connected with peers from India, Vietnam, Switzerland, and the U.S. They highlighted the considerable challenge of utilizing local banks due to language barriers, as financial tasks require complex language; hindering effective communication. One friend even resorted to using her international credit card due to the inconvenience of opening a local bank account.

As a response, one potential solution is for the company to hire staff from various countries; particularly international students as interns. Short-term internship opportunities can provide valuable insights into the Korean banking system, and these students can offer comparisons with their home countrys systems and identify areas for improvement. This approach could expand Woori Banks perspective on customer needs and facilitate tailored services for the diverse demographic.

Foreign nationals in a country seek to avoid discrimination in all aspects, including access to banking services. Providing banking services to expatriates on par with what is available to local citizens will lead to a more equitable banking experience. Streamlining complex banking processes through the employment of foreigners and the establishment of partnerships with foreign institutions will ensure a seamless banking experience for foreigners. As Korea is taking center stage in diverse fields, it is now that Korean banks have the opportunity to showcase their comprehensive services as the icon of stability and security.

Song Je-in is a student at Yonsei University.
Worldcoin hopes to create more real-life application cases in Korea

By Lee Yeon-woo

What is the most reliable yet economical way to verify someone as human? Worldcoins answer: scan their irises.

Co-founded by Open AI CEO Sam Altman, the project scans peoples irises with a device called the Orb, links the data to its blockchain system, and certifies their "proof of personhood" through World ID. So far, it collected information from 5.8 million people across 160 countries, with the goal of becoming the worlds largest privacy-preserving human identity and financial network.

Yet, this unprecedented method has been embroiled in privacy concerns, sparking investigations in many countries, including Korea. The project has led many to wonder about the possibility of Worldcoin stockpiling and misusing the global populations iris information.

However, Noah Kim, the only Korean employee at Tools for Humanity, the developer of Worldcoin, told The Korea Times that this is the "biggest misunderstanding." Kim, who works as a financial controller for the firm, also oversees general issues in the Korean market.

The sole role of the Orb is to scan irises and verify whether the scanner is a human. We create an encrypted code and delete the rest of the data immediately, Kim said.

Hoping to dismiss false information regarding the project, Kim also noted that Worldcoin will continue to fully cooperate with Koreas Personal Information Protection Commissions investigation, which started on Feb. 29.

Choosing the unfamiliar method of iris scanning also has its reasons, according to Kim.

Face recognition is not reliable since people can change their appearance through plastic surgery. Fingerprints can be easily manipulated and are prone to alternation. Many people have their fingerprints erased due to hard work. Verifying DNA for a significant number of people is unaffordable.

Using iris information is the easiest and fastest way to establish the system when targeting 1 billion or even 10 billion people, Kim said.

The information guarantees anonymity. Because these facts werent properly explained, I believe people are reluctant to use it. We are preparing to create more real life application cases, so I hope more people will use World ID in the future.

Currently, World ID offers a login service to 16 websites, including Reddit and Minecraft.

But one question emerges: why should one have to prove of their humanness anyway?

Kim pointed to the sophistication of artificial intelligence (AI) as a reason. The spread of AI makes distinguishing human and non-human users on the web an important task, and its importance will only grow, according to Kim.

"When we log in to certain websites, we often encounter puzzles to verify that we are human, not robots. But AI is already sophisticated enough to penetrate these processes," Kim said.

For instance, in the U.S., time slots for restaurant reservations, are already being sold on the secondary market after being reserved through macro bots, according to Kim. Market Kurly, one of Korea's largest online shopping platforms, recently accused a customer of abusing new subscriber benefits by creating multiple IDs using the information of acquaintances.

"By using World ID, we hope to develop solutions to the hottest issues in Korea, such as ticket scalping," Kim said. "We are seeking partnership in Korea, hoping to collaborate with big corporations."

"Despite the enormous amount of coins in the market, almost none of them have proved their real use. Internally, we do not talk about coins at all. What matters to us is World ID. We consider it a success when we can offer tools that genuinely benefit people and are widely used."
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has exchanged greetings with Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, North Korea's state media reported Monday.

"Over the past 50 years, our two countries have established and developed solid ties based on comradely friendship and revolutionary obligation in the struggle to accomplish the socialist cause," according to Kim's message released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in an English dispatch.

Since establishing diplomatic relations in June 1974, North Korea and Laos have maintained ideological ties as socialist states. Earlier this year, a delegation from North Korea's ruling party visited Laos.

Laos will host the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Vientiane next month, which is the only regional multilateral security dialogue in which North Korea participates.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

Observers say North Korea may engage in diplomatic efforts with Laos to ensure its positions are reflected in the ARF chairman's statement, which is drafted under the leadership of the chair country.

"Expressing belief that DPRK-Laos relations of friendship and cooperation would develop to a higher stage, the message sincerely wished Thongloun Sisoulith greater success in his responsible work for leading the party and the state," Kim's message said, referring to North Korea by its official name.

Kim also received greetings from Sisoulith, who extended warm congratulations and best wishes, the KCNA said in a separate dispatch. (Yonhap)
Parasites have been detected in some of the trash-filled balloons sent by North Korea to South Korea, but no harmful substances were found, Seoul's unification ministry said Monday.

In recent weeks, North Korea has sent more than 1,000 trash-carrying balloons toward the South on multiple occasions in retaliation for South Korean activists' leaflet campaigns condemning the North Korean regime.

"Numerous parasites, such as roundworms, whipworms and threadworms, were found in the soil contained in the trash," the ministry said in a press release, adding that the parasites are believed to originate from human excrement.

The findings are based on an examination of 70 balloons.

Among the trash-filled balloons, torn pieces of clothing, such as neckties and blue jackets, which appeared to have been cut with scissors or knives, were also discovered. These clothes were identified as items previously provided to North Korea by a South Korean company.

"It appears that North Korea damaged and sent these previously supplied items to express extreme hostility toward the leaflet campaigns and to highlight the adversarial stance against South Korea," said a ministry official, who requested anonymity.

The official noted that most of the trash consisted of wastepaper and vinyl rather than ordinary household waste, suggesting that North Korean authorities might be trying to prevent the disclosure of the daily lives of North Koreans to the outside world.

For years, North Korean defectors in South Korea and conservative activists have sent anti-Pyongyang leaflets to the North using balloons, aiming to encourage North Koreans to rise up against the Kim family regime.

North Korea has strongly opposed these propaganda campaigns, fearing that an influx of outside information could threaten the leadership of its regime. (Yonhap)
North Korea on Monday condemned the U.S. sending of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to the Korean Peninsula, saying that the North is open to taking "overwhelming and fresh" deterrence measures against such a provocative act.

North Korean Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang-il issued a statement slamming the arrival of the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the southeastern port city of Busan on Saturday.

Kim slammed Washington and Seoul for playing "very dangerous" games in a show of force, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"With the most powerful rhetoric, we sternly condemn provocative acts by fanatics in the U.S. and South Korea, while leaving open the possibility of us taking overwhelming and fresh deterrence measures," the official was quoted as saying by the KCNA.

The arrival of the aircraft carrier came as the United States, South Korea and Japan will hold their first-ever trilateral multidomain exercise, dubbed Freedom Edge, later this month, in a bid to bolster three-way security cooperation against North Korea's military threats.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt made a port call for the first time in South Korea. It also marked the first arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier here in seven months.

North Korea has long denounced joint military drills between Washington and Seoul and also the U.S. dispatch of its strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula as a rehearsal for an invasion of the North. (Yonhap)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for showing heartfelt hospitality during his visit to Pyongyang last week, saying bilateral ties have been boosted to an "unprecedentedly high level," the North's state media reported Tuesday.

In a message to Kim, Putin said his trip to the North has opened ways for the two countries to achieve beneficial cooperation in various fields, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"He said that his recent state visit to the DPRK was of special significance as it raised the relations between Moscow and Pyongyang to an unprecedentedly high level of comprehensive strategic partnership," the KCNA said, using the acronym of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Putin said the North's leader is an "honoured guest" that Russia always waits for, wishing for Kim's good health and success.

After summit talks Wednesday, Putin and Kim signed a treaty of comprehensive strategic partnership that calls for providing military assistance without delay if either side comes under attack. It marked Putin's first trip to North Korea in 24 years.

Putin also voiced hope to hold the next summit with Kim in Moscow, according to Russian media outlets.

Meanwhile, North Korea condemned Ukraine troops for staging attacks on the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula this week with Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) missiles supplied by the United States.

"Puppet groups in Ukraine has been clinging to reckless terrorist acts as the country has faced repeated defeats with military confrontations with Russia," the KCNA said in a separate dispatch, calling the attack the outcome of Washington's madness against Russia.

In a similar message designed to show solidarity with Moscow, Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party of Korea, slammed Washington's military support for Ukraine on Monday. (Yonhap)
Lack of enthusiasm among trainee doctors, medical students hinders potential breakthrough

By Jun Ji-hye

Anticipation is rising for potential talks between the government and doctors to resolve their prolonged standoff regarding the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's policy to increase the annual medical school admissions quota.

Such hopes come as the Korean Medical Association (KMA), the country's largest coalition of doctors, established a special committee last Thursday, encompassing representatives of medical professors, trainee doctors, regional medical groups as well as medical school students, to fine-tune opinions among them and take a unified stance.

Lim Hyun-taek, the hawkish head of the KMA and one of the strongest opponents of the government's medical school quota hike policy, has stepped back from the committee, leading to hopes that the group could take a gentler approach compared to the KMA's previous moves.

The KMA, which previously threatened to begin an indefinite strike beginning on Thursday, took a step back on Monday, saying it will halt the plan and discuss it again at a committee meeting scheduled for Saturday.

In addition, medical professors at Seoul National University and its affiliated hospitals decided Friday to end an indefinite walkout, which began on June 17, saying they could not put patients at risk any longer. This is expected to affect decisions to be made by professors at other hospitals.

Public pressure is also mounting to resolve the prolonged government-doctor standoff. An association of patients groups is organizing a protest in Seoul on July 4, with approximately 1,000 people expected to gather to urge both sides to find solutions to mitigate disruptions in the health care system and prevent future occurrences.

The standoff began in late February when a majority of junior doctors walked off their jobs in protest against the government's policy. Medical professors and students have joined the collective action in various forms in support of them.

However, some medical professors and medical groups are still planning to delay treatments and surgeries in protest, raising concerns that patients' distress could worsen if representatives of the government and doctors fail to find a breakthrough at the earliest possible date.

After its inaugural meeting last Saturday, the KMA's special committee said it "welcomes the government's position that it can hold a dialogue without putting a limit in formation or agenda."

In response, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said, "We hope the representatives come to the dialogue table without imposing any conditions and participate in discussions over pending medical issues."

According to sources, the two sides are conducting negotiations under the table to facilitate their official talks and set an agenda.

Nevertheless, concerns remain as the two sides hold different views over whether the medical school quota hike for 2025 would be included in their agenda.

The committee said such an issue should be discussed again, while the ministry drew the line, saying that reconsidering the quota increase from the beginning is not an option, as all administrative procedures for adding approximately 1,500 new medical students were finalized back in May. This marks the first such increase in 27 years.

Lukewarm attitudes by trainee doctors and medical students over the participation in the committee is another negative factor for the potential breakthrough, as their representatives did not attend the first meeting of the committee, expressing their skepticism over the government's sincerity in pushing to reform the medical sector.

As part of its medical sector reform initiatives, the government is seeking to increase medical school admissions by about 2,000 annually for five years starting in 2025.
Korea has designated 18 educational and cultural institutions overseas as King Sejong Korean-language learning centers eligible for state support, as part of efforts to help more people learn about the Korean culture and language.

The 18 new centers, named after the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) king who invented the Korean alphabet Hangeul, are located in 15 countries, including Nepal and Cuba, where such institutes will first open, as well as Saudi Arabia, Germany, Sweden, Italy and Australia, according to the culture ministry.

The additional designation brought the total number of King Sejong centers to 256 in 88 countries.

A total of 97 institutions in 40 countries had applied for the designation, the highest competition ratio in five years, in an indication of growing eagerness to learn the Korean language amid the rising popularity of Korean culture.

The first center to open in Cuba is expected to serve as a hub of cultural exchanges in Central and South America, where demand for learning the Korean language is high. Korea forged diplomatic ties with the Central American country in February.

The new centers will go into formal operation next year after a six-month trial run, according to the ministry.

The King Sejong Institute Foundation operates its program by funding locally initiated Korean language education programs throughout the world, such as those run by universities. It receives applications and certifies accepted institutes as King Sejong Institute centers.

The government aims to increase the number to 350 by 2027, while it plans to reinforce management and supervision to improve the quality of existing centers by reviewing their operations on a regular basis.

"We will announce measures to innovate the King Sejong Institute centers with a focus on beefing up its support and management systems in August," a ministry official said, requesting not to be named. "Through this, we will solidify the foundation for the sustainable spread of the Korean language and culture." (Yonhap)
2024 UN Public Service Forum kicks off 3-day run

By Lee Hyo-jin

INCHEON  Over 2,000 participants from 100 countries, including decision-makers across the public sector and representatives of international organizations, discussed ways to foster innovation in the public administration sector at the 2024 United Nations Public Service Forum in Incheon, Monday.

Under the theme "Fostering Innovation Amid Global Challenges: A Public Sector Perspective," the forum kicked off at Songdo ConvensiA for a three-day run, bringing together high-level government officials from various countries including the United States, Uzbekistan, Cambodia and Honduras.

This was the first in-person forum since the 2019 event held in Azerbaijan, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which co-organized the event with the U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

The event aimed to provide a platform for ministers, senior-level decision-makers, and working-level public servants to develop the skills needed to formulate concrete actions to promote innovation and transformation in the public service sector.

During the opening ceremony, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min highlighted the importance of international solidarity to tackle global challenges.

"Uncertainty is looming in the international order due to increasing geopolitical conflicts. There are both expectations and apprehensions regarding the future, particularly with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, big data, and biotechnology," Lee said in his opening remarks.

"In order for the world to overcome crises and enjoy sustainable peace and prosperity amid such rapidly changing environments, we must enhance problem-solving capabilities through public administration innovation and seek mutually beneficial solutions through global solidarity and cooperation."

Li Junhua, under-secretary-general for U.N. economic and social affairs, said, "The theme of this year's forum ... is particularly relevant in today's complex world. We need robust, reliable and resilient public institutions that can withstand disruptions and actively engage the most vulnerable through inclusive and participatory decision-making."

Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon echoed that sentiment, stressing the need for stronger global partnerships to achieve resiliency and ensure that no one is left behind.

"This year's forum is particularly relevant as we work to revitalize and accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) following major setbacks caused by the global pandemic, regional conflicts, and subsequent slowdowns in the global economy," Ban said in his keynote speech.

"However powerful or resourceful, there is nothing one can do alone in addressing climate change and achieving sustainability. I urge all of you to join hands on deck," the former U.N. chief added.

Meanwhile, participants were offered a chance to explore Korea's cutting-edge technologies in public administration at an exhibition hall featuring various local governments and state-run institutions.

Additionally, 15 recipients of this year's U.N. Public Service Awards set up booths showcasing their projects and initiatives, highlighting the creative achievements and contributions of public institutions around the world in addressing the social, economic, and environmental needs of society. The award ceremony will take place on Wednesday.

"It's really a valuable experience for us and our country to see the Korean technologies. We will explore ways to utilize these innovations in our country's public sector. I hope that we and Korea can continue to cooperate in various areas," Aidar Saitbekov, vice minister of the Kazakh interior ministry, told The Korea Times as he toured the exhibition hall.

Later in the day, a plenary session under the theme "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Government" explored the increasing role of AI in government and discussed necessary steps to mitigate potential risks.

The session gathered four speakers: Sherzod Shematov, Uzbek minister of digital technologies; Dimitri Kusnezov, under-secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Cha In-hyok, a Korean expert on AI and member of the presidential committee on digital platform government; and Barbara Chiara Ubaldi, head of the digital government and data unit at the OECD public governance directorate.

The Uzbek minister emphasized the positive effects of AI-driven technologies in reducing government burdens and increasing opportunities for citizens. Kusnezov emphasized that AI is a crucial tool in addressing emerging forms of crime. However, he also underscored the importance of preserving public trust in AI-driven tools by warning against potential biases.
The State Department put South Korea back on a top-tier list of countries for meeting standards for the elimination of human trafficking, while leaving North Korea in the lowest third tier for the 22nd straight year, its annual report showed Monday.

The department released the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report, where South Korea was listed in the Tier 1 group of 33 countries and territories, including the United States, Britain, Taiwan, France, Germany, Australia, Singapore, Poland and Sweden.

Countries, whose governments fully meet the Trafficking Victims Protection Act's minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, are included in Tier 1. South Korea was put into Tier 2 in the 2022 report for the first time in 20 years and remained in the tier in last year's report.

The report measured progress in efforts to eliminate trafficking in 188 countries and territories. Its reporting period was from April 1 last year through March 31.

"The Government of the Republic of Korea (ROK) fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking," the report read, referring to South Korea by its official name. "The government made key achievements to do so during the reporting period; therefore the ROK was upgraded to Tier 1."

South Korea's achievements included increasing trafficking investigations, prosecuting and convicting more traffickers, implementing the victim identification index, identifying 55 trafficking victims, initiating the prosecution of an alleged complicit official, and increasing cooperation with civil society organizations, according to the report.

But the report noted that the South Korean government did not proactively investigate labor trafficking cases and its victim identification index reportedly did not contain adequate measures to screen for labor trafficking. It also raised other issues, including having not prosecuted a case involving human trafficking in the distant water fishing sector.

In a press release, Seoul's foreign ministry said that South Korea's return to Tier 1 resulted from efforts that the government has made to "faithfully" respond to trafficking issues and protect victims in line with a relevant domestic law.

"In light of the endeavors to lead the enhancement of universal values, including human rights and democracy, we plan to reinforce our efforts through close inter-agency collaboration to respond to human trafficking," the ministry said.

The department put the North in the Tier 3 group that includes China, Russia, Iran, Cuba, Afghanistan, Cambodia and Syria.

"The Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; therefore, the DPRK remained on Tier 3," the report said, referring to the North by its official name.

The report pointed out that the North Korean government did not demonstrate any meaningful efforts to address human trafficking.

"During the reporting period, there was a government policy or pattern of human trafficking in political prison camps and 'labor training centers' as part of an established system of political repression, as well as mass mobilizations of adults and children and the imposition of forced labor conditions on North Korean workers overseas," it said.

"The government used proceeds from state-sponsored forced labor to fund government operations," it added.

In a press briefing, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pointed out that the 2024 report examined the growing role of digital technology in trafficking.

"Around the world, trafficking networks target and recruit victims online thorough social media, through dating apps, through gaming platforms," he said. "Perpetrators conduct financial transactions in opaque cryptocurrencies. They use encryption to make it harder to detect activities or ascertain the countries where they are operating."

He also stressed that trafficking is the "very definition of a problem that no one nation can solve alone."

Meanwhile, Japan was put in the Tier 2 group. The department said that the Japanese government does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but is making "significant" efforts to do so. (Yonhap)
By Nam Hyun-woo

The Korean military, police and the National Intelligence Service launched a joint investigation into a Telegram channel that claims to be selling technology documents of the KF-21 fighter jet and the KUH-1 Surion helicopter, both of which were manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

According to military officials Monday, the joint investigation team is looking into the Telegram channel which has been uploading messages that it sells classified military information since August.

The channels operator reportedly posted in February that they had collaborators within the military and the Agency for Defense Development, saying that they are selling documents related to Koreas first home-developed utility helicopter, the Surion, uploading photos presumed to be of some helicopter parts.

The operator was also reported to have said to have secured technology documents of the KF-21 which they will sell after finishing our own cross-check process. The operator also said it has documents related to the Freedom Shield joint military exercise between Korea and the United States.

Counterintelligence authorities are investigating the identity of the Telegram channel operator and whether the channel actually possesses military secrets. If they determine that the claims are genuine military secrets, the authorities will request a formal police investigation.

The Defense Technology Security Act stipulates that acquiring, using or disclosing defense industry technology through illicit means shall be punished with imprisonment for up to 10 years or fines up to 1 billion won ($720,000).

Separately, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said, Monday, it has completed the operational deployment of theSurion to the Army.

The helicopter began being delivered to the Army in late 2012, after a seven-year development period starting in 2006. It was designed to replace the Army's aging fleet of U.S.-made UH-1H and 500MD helicopters.

The Army now operates more than 200 Surions, which carry out various operations, including air assault and cargo airlift missions.

The helicopter has a maximum air speed of 146 knots and can carry up to 13 people, including two pilots, according to KAI.
Korea and the United States will hold their fourth round of negotiations on sharing the cost for the upkeep of the 28,500-strong American troops here, a foreign ministry official said Monday.

The talks on the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) will take place in Seoul from Tuesday through Thursday, led by Lee Tae-woo, Korea's chief negotiator for the talks, and Linda Specht, the U.S. lead negotiator for security agreements at the State Department, the official said.

The current six-year SMA is due to expire at the end of next year.

"We plan to proceed with the negotiations based on the position that our share of the defense cost should come at a reasonable level to create an environment for a stable stationing of the U.S. Forces Korea and to strengthen the Korea-U.S. combined defense posture," the official said.

The upcoming talks come about two weeks after they had the third round of the talks in Washington.

The allies launched the negotiations in April, earlier than expected, amid speculation that Seoul wants an early deal to avoid tough bargaining with Washington in case former President Donald Trump returns to the White House.

The two sides haggled over the payment during the previous talks under Trump's presidency, as Washington had demanded more than a fivefold increase in Seoul's payment to $5 billion.

Under the latest SMA, Korea agreed to a 13.9 percent increase in the payment to $1.03 billion for 2021 and to increase the payment every year for the subsequent four years in line with the rise in Seoul's defense spending.

Since 1991, Seoul has partially shared the cost for Korean USFK workers; the construction of military installations, such as barracks, as well as training, educational, operational and communications facilities; and other logistical support. (Yonhap)
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell expressed "strong" support for "any measures" taken by South Korea in response to the expanding illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea in phone talks with his South Korean counterpart Monday, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

Campbell made the remark as he spoke by phone with First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun, as tensions have heightened after Moscow and Pyongyang signed a new partnership treaty that pledges mutual defense aid in the event that either is attacked.

Campbell "expressed strong support for any measures taken by the South Korean side in response to the security threats posed by the illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea," Seoul's foreign ministry said in a release.

They also expressed "grave concern" over the deepening military ties between the two isolated states and "strongly condemned" them, the ministry said.

South Korea said it will reconsider its stance on the arms supply to Ukraine, indicating a possible policy shift to providing lethal aid to Kyiv.

National Security Adviser Chang Ho-jin said Sunday that South Korea will not be bound by anything with regard to its assistance to Ukraine if Russia provides the North with precision weapons, seen as a warning to Moscow not to cross the line.

In Monday's phone talks, the two sides agreed to keep close tabs on any potential provocations by the North and maintain a thorough readiness based on strong extended deterrence, as they will continue close coordination over the issue, the ministry said.

The two sides also exchanged opinions on the outcome of the security dialogue South Korea had with China last week, the ministry added. (Yonhap)
President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered tight vigilance Monday in response to rising security concerns over the deepening military cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

Yoon stressed readiness for the military and the economic impact of the defense treaty signed between Pyongyang and Moscow, as well as the ongoing situation in the Middle East, during a meeting of senior secretaries, Lee Do-woon, senior secretary for public relations, said in a written briefing.

"As the security situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula is grave, we have to ensure robust security readiness," Yoon was quoted as saying.

Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that commits each other to mutual defense and military technology cooperation.

In response, the South Korean government said it will reconsider its ban on sending lethal weapons to Ukraine.

Tension remains high as North Korean troops have crossed the border into the South on three occasions this month while building walls and roads in the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas, prompting the South Korean military to fire warning shots. (Yonhap)
By Jun Ji-hye

The Korean government has implemented a variety of services ranging from counseling and interpretation to education and training to help foreign workers adjust to life in the country.

This year, the Ministry of Employment and Labor launched a multi-lingual counseling service called the Employment Permit System (EPS) Foreign Language Counsellors.

These counselors offer both face-to-face and telephone counseling and administrative support related to the EPS, a migration labor program, under which workers from 16 Asian countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia, are allowed to work in Korea under special visas.

The ministry has deployed about 60 such counselors at 27 local labor offices across the country.

Among them, nine offices, strategically located in regions with a high concentration of foreign workers, such as Uijeongbu in Gyeonggi Province and Changwon in South Gyeongsang Province, provide services even on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The ministry has assigned one to six additional interpreters to each local labor office to enhance support for communication with foreign workers. Currently, there are 137 interpreters operating across 45 local offices.

The Counseling Center For Foreign Workers, also known as HUG Korea, is a call center for immigrant workers, which is open year-round.

Since 2011, the call center has provided services in 16 languages to those who are not fluent in Korean and therefore, have difficulties in solving various problems.

For example, when foreign workers visit a local labor office to report overdue wages but encounter language barriers, they can connect with an interpreter by dialing 1577-0071. The counselor will then verify the details of the complaint and facilitate problem-solving procedures using a three-way call function.

The Foreign Worker Support Center also offers both in-person and telephone counseling for inquiries from foreign workers about various issues about living in local communities, including housing, health care and legal issues.

These centers are currently in operation in nine locations  Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Gwangju, Changwon, Gimhae, Yangsan, South Chungcheong Province and North Jeolla Province. Among them, those in Busan and North Jeolla Province were newly established.

At each center, approximately three counselors provide counseling and educational services in multiple languages to assist workers settle in each region.

Each center also organizes cultural events tailored to local traditions or features.

For example, the Gimhae center holds an event promoting cultural exchanges between foreign nationals, while the Yangsan center holds a festival for those from multicultural backgrounds. The Changwon center has a support program for foreign workers who want to acquire driving licenses here.

The ministry has also made efforts to expand education for foreign workers, having selected 41 institutions, including universities, dedicated to offering free Korean language education on weekends.

In addition to this, vocational training in fields like car maintenance and welding has been offered since 2010 for foreign workers employed in Korea to enhance their job performance and boost productivity for employers.

Additionally, for those who are set to return to their home countries, relevant education and vocational training have been offered to help them be employed by local companies or establish their own businesses after they return.
About 20 bodies were found at the site of a lithium battery plant fire in Hwaseong, south of Seoul, on Monday, firefighters said, after the blaze had already left one worker dead and three others injured earlier in the day.

The deceased are believed to be among 23 people unaccounted for in the fire, they said, amid fears the death toll could rise further.

Of the 23 people missing in the fire, 20 are believed to be foreigners, including Chinese nationals, they said, adding the number is subject to change as the daily list of full and part-time workers was destroyed.

The blaze started at lithium battery maker Aricell's plant in Hwaseong, 45 kilometers south of Seoul, at around 10:30 a.m., they said, noting the main fire was under control as of 3 p.m.

Earlier, TV footage showed small explosions kept going off with showers of sparks in the burning plant.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control around 3:10 p.m., more than four hours after it started, and made their way into the plant and found the bodies.

Earlier in the day, the other deceased worker died after being taken to a hospital following cardiac arrest, while another was seriously injured and two sustained minor injuries, they said.

The fire reportedly occurred for unknown reasons at the three-story, reinforced concrete building with a total floor space of about 2,300 square meters.

Firefighters reportedly had difficulties completely putting out the blaze because burning lithium batteries are difficult to handle by conventional fire extinguishing methods.

One witness, who escaped from the second floor of the plant, told the Hwaseong Fire Station that an explosive combustion occurred in one battery cell at the time of the fire.

The station said the fire spread rapidly as the battery cells inside exploded continuously, making it difficult for rescuers to go inside and search. At least 35,000 batteries are believed to be inside the plant.

The government convened an emergency meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters in the afternoon to discuss measures to minimize casualties from the disaster.

At the meeting, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min asked all relevant government agencies and local governments to mobilize all available resources and personnel to extinguish the fire and rescue survivors.

Earlier, President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed Minister Lee to make all possible efforts to search for and rescue the missing people by mobilizing all available manpower and equipment. (Yonhap)
By Lee Hae-rin

With the number of foreign students in Korea continuing to rise, a report released Monday showed they are densely populated in the Seoul metropolitan area, just like Korean students.

Hanyang University in Seoul had the largest number of foreign students in 2023, while the next five universities with the highest foreign student populations were also located in the capital.

According to the Korean Council for University Education, there were a total of 181,842 foreign students in Korea as of last year. This figure includes 119,237 foreign nationals enrolled in academic, master's and doctoral courses and 52,602 enrolled in language and other non-degree programs.

Hanyang University in Seoul topped the list with 6,612 international students enrolled in both categories combined. Kyung Hee University followed with 6,395 students, Sungkyunkwan University with 5,472, Yonsei University with 4,965 and Chung-Ang University with 4,480 students.

The number of foreign students in Korea has increased since 2004 when the Korean government launched the Study Korea project.

The government initially aimed to attract 50,000 students by 2010. In August last year, it announced a plan to enhance the educational competitiveness of international students and attract 300,000 international students by 2027.

The government expects the project to help overcome Korea's demographic crisis and stem the potential closing of local universities in regions outside Seoul.

The association pointed out the need for government measures to alleviate the concentration of students in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Oh Ye-jin, the association's senior researcher, said, "Apart from efforts to attract foreign students at the individual university level, the government should establish a detailed and systematic scholarship system so that excellent international students can choose Korean universities without significant regional differences."
Mayor Lee Jang-woo on overseas trip from June 23 to 29, visiting United States' Montgomery County, Seattle and Canada's Calgary

By KTimes

Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo has embarked on a seven-day overseas trip from June 23 to 29, visiting Montgomery County and Seattle in the United States and Canada's Calgary, the city government said in a statement.

This trip aims to facilitate the entry of Korean businesses into the U.S. market by accompanying an economic delegation composed of officials from the bio and information technology sectors, establishing networking opportunities with international companies.

Lee and the delegation will begin their trip by visiting Montgomery County, known as the "DNA Valley" of the United States and a sister city to Daejeon. In May, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and a delegation visited Daejeon, signing an agreement to provide incentives for Daejeon businesses entering the U.S. market.

During the visit to Montgomery, Lee will discuss measures for business exchanges and market entry strategies between the two cities.

On June 24, the delegation will tour the National Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health in Montgomery County.

They will also visit the Montgomery County Government office to meet with Elrich to discuss business expansion and enhance friendly exchanges between the cities.

On June 25, the delegation will move to Seattle, a major industrial city and the fourth largest in the U.S. West, home to global companies such as Amazon and Boeing.

Lee and the delegation plan to visit these companies to explore the latest technological trends, conduct site inspections and discuss business exchange opportunities for Daejeon companies.

Lee said, "Exchanges with overseas sister cities should not be limited to cultural interactions but should include practical economic, science and university exchanges to drive local growth. We will continue to support Daejeon companies in making a name for themselves and exploring new markets abroad."

Expanding cultural and economic exchanges



Additionally, they will attend a joint declaration and commemorative reception with Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell to strengthen their 35-year partnership. KAIST will also attend the reception to promote research collaboration with the University of Washington.

On June 26, the delegation will travel to Bellevue, located in eastern Washington, to meet with Mayor Lynne Robinson. They will discuss expanding cultural and economic exchanges between the cities and introduce the Daejeon economic delegation. Meetings with Amazon officials and other business engagements are also scheduled.

The delegation will visit the University of Washington's Global Innovation Exchange (GIX) near Bellevue to benchmark how the university collaborates with Microsoft on industry-academic programs and projects.

On June 27, they will head to Calgary, Canada, to prepare for the September launch of the World Economic and Science Cities Alliance and discuss joint projects.

On June 28, Mayor Lee will meet with the deputy mayor of Calgary to discuss sister city exchange promotion.

The delegation will visit Calgary's startup center to study the North American startup ecosystem before returning to Korea.
By Jung Da-hyun

At least 22 people were killed in a devastating fire at a lithium battery manufacturing plant in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Monday, according to police and firefighters.

Among the victims, 20 were confirmed to be foreign nationals.

Rescue officials were still searching for one person who remained unaccounted for as of 9 p.m.

According to firefighters, the fire at the Aricell lithium battery manufacturing factory resulted in the confirmed deaths of at least 22 workers, with two seriously injured and six others sustaining minor injuries.

Of the 22 dead people, 18 were Chinese nationals, one was Laotian, two were Korean, and the nationality of one has not been confirmed.

The authorities said confirming the identities of the deceased will take time due to the severe damage to the bodies. DNA testing will be conducted to identify the victims.

The foreign ministry said it will closely collaborate with Korean diplomatic missions in the countries of the victims to provide necessary support for the bereaved families.

All 22 bodies were discovered on the plants second floor, where the blaze started.

The fire broke out at around 10:30 a.m., likely caused by an explosive combustion in a battery cell on the second floor of the factory. This particular plant, one of 11 run by Aricell, was designated for the inspection and packaging of finished lithium batteries, with at least 35,000 batteries estimated to be inside the plant.

Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control at around 3:10 p.m., more than four hours after it started.

They encountered significant challenges in extinguishing the fire due to the difficulty of dousing burning lithium batteries using conventional fire extinguishing methods.

The government convened an emergency meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters in the afternoon to formulate responses.

During the meeting, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min urged all relevant government agencies and municipalities to mobilize every available resource and personnel to extinguish the fire and rescue survivors.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor convened a meeting of the Central Industrial Accident Management Headquarters to assess the exact cause and damage of the blaze. The Ministry of Environment also issued a chemical accident crisis alert, preparing for potential emissions of hazardous substances such as chlorine and sulfur oxides.

President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the site at around 7 p.m., assessing the damage and emergency response efforts.

At the scene, Yoon expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He also received a briefing from the head of the Gyeonggi-do Fire Department regarding the status of the fire containment efforts, and instructed a thorough investigation into the cause of the blaze.

Earlier, Yoon directed the interior minister to mobilize all possible resources, including manpower and equipment, for the search and rescue operations to locate the missing individuals.
Rep. Lee Jae-myung resigned as chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Monday in a preparatory step to seek another term as party leader in a national convention set for August.

"I have resigned from my position as the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea as the party's supreme council meeting just ended," Lee told reporters at the National Assembly.

"If I hadn't decided to run (for another term), I probably wouldn't have resigned today," he said, hinting at the possibility of running for reelection.

The DPK plans to hold a national convention on Aug. 18 to elect its new leader. Under the current rules, a party chair must resign from his leadership position to be eligible as a candidate.

With Lee's resignation, DPK floor leader Park Chan-dae will serve as the acting party leader until the convention. (Yonhap)
Peninsula pulled into new Cold War frontline

Relations between South Korea and Russia have significantly deteriorated, prompted by recent mutual accusations about a military cooperation agreement between North Korea and Russia. On Sunday, South Korea reaffirmed its strong commitment to supplying arms to Ukraine if Russia provides precision weapons to North Korea. "The types of weapons we will supply to Ukraine will depend on Russia's next move," National Security Advisor Chang Ho-jin stated in an interview with KBS.

Chang's comments followed a threat from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned that Moscow "will ... make decisions which are unlikely to please the current leadership of South Korea" if Seoul decides to send weapons to Kyiv. Putin made this statement during a meeting with reporters on Thursday in Vietnam. He also indicated that Russia might consider supplying advanced arms to North Korea.

Such hostile exchanges have raised concerns, underscoring a standoff between South Korea and Russia, with each viewing the other as a potential adversary. This tension risks pushing the Korean Peninsula at the forefront of a new cold war. Russia's recent signing of a military agreement with North Korea is seen as a betrayal by Seoul, which has refrained from supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine despite persistent demands from the United States and its Western allies. The military pact between Russia and North Korea includes a commitment to provide mutual assistance in case of an external attack, prompting South Korea to reconsider its stance on supplying arms to Kyiv.

Putin claimed the recent military agreement contains no new stipulation compared to the 1961 accord between the two sides. However, the current agreement contains more details regarding possible military cooperation and emphasizes "immediate" interference. Most importantly, North Korea had no nuclear weapons in 1961, but now it does. Russia, the world's largest nuclear power, has been issuing threats to use nuclear weapons against Western countries supporting Ukraine. This situation suggests that nuclear-armed autocratic states are joining forces to intimidate South Korea, which does not possess nuclear weapons.

Desperate to win the war in Ukraine, Putin is attempting to alter the status quo, starting with the Korean Peninsula. The global order is expected to shift rapidly as countries increasingly pursue their own national interests. The potential escalation of the standoff between the U.S. and Russia raises the risk of a nuclear conflict, prompting Seoul to consider arming itself with nuclear warheads.

U.S. Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi cited the need to discuss the possible sharing of nuclear weapons among U.S. allies  South Korea, Japan and Australia, in response to the North Korea-Russia military agreement. Among the 32 member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), five nations  Germany, Turkey, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands  are nuclear-sharing states.

In accordance with nuclear sharing agreements, those countries can influence decisions on the possible use of nuclear weapons and can operate their own jet fighters to deploy them. This arrangement allows them to exercise rights related to the deployment and control of nuclear weapons, although the final authority to use atomic weapons rests with the U.S. president.

It is a pity only South Korea has no nuclear weapons despite its relentless confrontation with neighboring countries  North Korea, Russia and China. Moscow and Beijing have been acknowledging the North's nuclear buildup campaigns, apparently abandoning their crucial roles as members of the United Nations Security Council. Now is the time to proactively consider arming South Korea with nuclear warheads, potentially including a share of tactical nuclear weapons similar to NATO's nuclear sharing arrangements.

Regarding the recent Russia-North Korea military deal, diplomatic authorities are facing criticism for failing to effectively address the matter proactively. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested by summoning the Russian envoy, albeit belatedly. Prior to the military agreement, detailed measures should have been mapped out and discussions with Russia should have been initiated. Previously, Putin expressed appreciation for Seoul's decision not to supply weapons to Ukraine. Now, diplomatic authorities must consider how to respond to Russia's questionable behavior, particularly in light of Putin's recent provocative statement.
















By Baek Byung-yeul

LG Innotek is looking to grow its automotive sensor business to have a 2 trillion won ($1.4 billion) annual revenue by 2030, the company said Monday.

"Based on the success equation of becoming the No. 1 in the mobile camera module business, we will develop the automotive sensors business into another No. 1 business, with annual sales of 2 trillion won by 2030," its CEO Moon Hyuk-soo said.

Among these, the company is focusing on high-performance LiDAR (light detection and ranging) for vehicles. This product, a sensor that emits a laser to measure distances by detecting the laser light reflected by objects, is an essential component for autonomous vehicles and is seeing a significant increase in demand.

To streamline its LiDAR-related business, LG Innotek established a dedicated LiDAR organization directly under the CEO at the beginning of this month, a move led by Moon to personally oversee the organization and strengthen the company's capabilities.

LG Innotek has been continuously strengthening its core competencies for LiDAR business development since 2015. Last year, it acquired 77 technology patents related to LiDAR from a U.S. autonomous driving startup. In total, the company holds over 300 LiDAR-related patents.

Besides LiDAR, the company said it is focusing on high value-added vehicle camera modules.

In the era of self-driving cars, vehicle camera modules need to fill the role of the driver's eyes, requiring more precise and advanced sensing functions.

To strengthen its competitiveness in this sector, the company signed a share investment agreement earlier this year with AOE Optronics, a Taiwanese lens manufacturer.

Additionally, LG Innotek introduced its high-performance heating camera module in February this year, which quickly defrosts vehicle camera lenses in extreme cold weather.

Regarding facility investment, LG Innotek has been expanding its factory in Mexico since last year after purchasing additional land. The new factory is scheduled to start mass production of vehicle camera modules in the second half of 2025.

"We have been growing Mexico as our production hub for vehicle camera modules because we are capitalizing on our geographical proximity to the North American region where our automotive customers are located," a company spokesperson said.
Hyundai Motor Group is strengthening its electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and internal production capacity, as the world's third-largest auto group seeks to present price-competitive EV models with better driving ranges.

Last week, SQM, a Chilean lithium mining company, announced that it reached a long-term agreement with Hyundai Motor and Kia to supply lithium hydroxide to the Korean automakers.

The SQM deal marked Hyundai's third lithium hydroxide supply contract signed this year after the ones with Chinese companies Ganfeng Lithium and Chengxin Lithium Group announced in January.

Lithium hydroxide is used in high-priced ternary batteries, such as NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) batteries, which are high in energy density. NCM batteries are relatively expensive but allow for a long driving range per charge for EVs compared with the more broadly used LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries.

Auto industry observers see Hyundai Motor Group's recent lithium hydroxide supply deals as a sign that the group is focusing on adopting high-capacity NCM batteries to boost the driving range of its future EV models.

Anxiety over the driving range of EVs is often cited as a key hindrance in the mass adoption of electric cars, with many drivers remaining unconvinced that EVs offer enough mileage per charge.

The Casper Electric, Hyundai's yet-unveiled sub-compact electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), boasts a maximum driving range of 315 kilometers on a single charge thanks to its NCM battery, whereas the comparable Ray EV by Kia has a range of 205 kilometers due to its LFP battery.

The Casper Electric, which will be badged as Inster in Europe, will debut at the Busan International Mobility Show this week.

The EV3, Kia's new dedicated EV SUV to be sold starting in July, will also be equipped with an NCM battery instead of an LFP battery. The long-range trim of the EV3, fitted with a high-capacity 81.4 kWh NCM battery, has a driving range of up to 501 kilometers on a single charge.

Given its higher price tag, Hyundai Motor Group is seeking to lower its EV customers' NCM battery cost burden by internalizing production.

This year, the Korean auto giant began production at its battery plant in Indonesia established jointly with LG Energy Solution. Kia will use the NCM batteries produced at the Indonesia plant in the upcoming EV3 units.

Song Ho-sung, CEO and president of Kia, last month stressed the importance of ensuring the long driving range of EVs, suggesting that Kia will expand its adoption of NCM batteries.

"Based on our analysis of customer expectations for EVs, we determined that the driving range needs to be at least 450 to 500 kilometers," Song said during a media conference last month, adding, "From this perspective, we ended up deciding on adopting NCM batteries (for the EV3)."

Industry observers say the introduction of models that boast better batteries and higher ranges, while also being reasonably priced, is necessary in order for the industry to overcome the so-called EV adoption chasm, especially when the government is considering further cutting electric car subsidies due to fiscal constraints.

"In order to overcome the sector's growth stagnation, EVs need to offer great value propositions in terms of both pricing and performance," an industry official said, adding, "Manufacturers also need to better diversify their battery-related supply chain in order to lower costs." (Yonhap)
By Ko Dong-hwan

LS Cable & System will supply its latest power cables to NextStar Energy, an electric vehicle (EV) battery maker jointly launched by battery firm LG Energy Solution and carmaker Stellantis, according to the country's leading power cable developer Monday.

LS said it will start supplying bus ducts to the EV consortium. A bus duct is an electricity distribution system inside a metal casing. It can be separated into multiple parts and assembled back together, facilitating customized installation. It also saves electricity use by up to 30 percent compared to regular power cables.

NextStar Energy is currently building a new large-scale plant in Canada's Windsor, Ontario, to which LS will ship the products.

"North America is showing rapid growth in the EV, battery, semiconductor and data center markets," an LS official said. "We expect that bus duct sales to the continent will reach $100 million each year starting 2030."

The soaring artificial intelligence industries worldwide require increasing support from data centers, and the trend will lead to rising demand for bus ducts, the official said. Bus ducts' biggest strength is that they can maximize efficiency in distributing electricity to data centers that consume a huge volume of power.

LS said that the company's subsidiary LS Eco Energy, which targets power cable markets in Southeast Asian countries, will manufacture bus ducts for export with its plants in Vietnam and Mexico.
By Lee Min-hyung

T'way Air, Air Premia and Korean Air are facing safety probes from the transport ministry amid their repeated flight delays, which have caused massive inconveniences to hundreds of passengers, according to government officials and aviation industry watchers Monday.

The latest in a series of such controversies was sparked by a Korean Air flight from Incheon to Taiwan's city of Taizhong on Saturday afternoon. The passenger jet carrying 125 passengers made an emergency return about halfway through its trip, after an equipment defect was detected. The airline ended up delaying the flight to the following day.

Other airlines also caused discomfort to customers for their similar flight delays. T'way Air, a Seoul-based low-cost carrier (LCC), has particularly drawn a huge backlash for its frequent delays, raising doubts as to whether the company is qualified to launch four European routes soon. The carrier won the license as part of a precondition for Korean Air's takeover of Asiana Airlines.

T'way Air came under fire for delaying a total of five flights only for the past two weeks. The airline's flight from Osaka to Incheon on June 13 was delayed for 11 hours due to a defect.

Air Premia has also drawn criticism for its frequent flight delays. The LCC has rescheduled its overseas flights repeatedly for reasons  such as maintenance of its aircraft.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport issued a warning in response to their weak safety checks.

"We ordered T'way Air to come up with special safety measures to ensure safe flights and report them to the land ministry, so it can implement them in July," an official from the transport authority said.

The ministry also shared its plans to inspect the two LCCs for their frequent flight delays and slap them with relevant sanctions if they are found to have breached maintenance rules.

"If T'way Air and Air Premia turned out to have violated their duty to protect customers, they will be fined," the official said.

Officials from the aviation industry also said any carriers should come under scrutiny when causing inconveniences to customers for their weak safety monitoring.

"Repeated aircraft defects can be interpreted that the carriers have not fulfilled their duty to protect customers," an official from an airline said. "Of particular concern is that a number of carriers are mired in such scandals too frequently. Competition from existing players gets tougher amid the peak travel season, but they should be reminded that temporary sales growth without proper safety checks means nothing if they lose customers' trust."

According to the ministry, a survey  conducted among a group of 30,000 customers here  showed that T'way Air came in at ninth place out of 10 domestic carriers in terms of customer satisfaction in 2023.
By Ko Dong-hwan

Amorepacific appointed a new chief for its European office in France, completing its reshuffle of the leadership at all four of its regional offices worldwide to bolster its overseas sales, according to the countrys major cosmetic and skin care product developer Monday.

Amorepacific has dispatched Lee Jun-sik to Chartres in France to lead Amorepacific Europe starting next month. The latest replacement for the office has come after three years.

Lee, 54, joined Amorepacific in 2015 to take charge of a division for Osulloc, a tea brand that uses ingredients from Jeju Island. He started serving secretariat tasks for the companys Chairman & CEO Suh Kyung-bae in 2018.

Amorepacific replaced its regional chiefs for markets in Chinese-speaking countries, North America and Japan last month. Park Tae-ho has become the head of Amorepacific China, Giovanni Valentini is the head of Amorepacific North America, and Na Jung-kyun is in charge of Amorepacific Japan.

Amorepacifics reshuffle of regional chiefs reflects the companys determination to improve its sales in regional markets with different strategies. China accounts for the companys biggest overseas sales but at the same time pressures the group with urgent needs for new marketing strategies due to dwindling popularity, according to a company official.

Despite the falling popularity in China, we cannot give up on the country, the official said. Weve begun brainstorming from scratch to reinvigorate our Chinese markets.

Europe, the United States and Canada, on the other hand, have been increasingly proving themselves as worthy markets with rising sales. During the first quarter of this year, Amorepacifics sales in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong dropped 19.3 percent from the same period last year. But those in North America and Europe showed year-on-year increases of 40 percent and 52 percent, respectively.

Amorepacific is pushing forward its most popular cosmetic brands among international consumers, including Laneige and Innisfree. Laneige last year started selling in Britain and the Middle East, and its sales during the first quarter this year doubled the previous quarter.

Suh last year highlighted the importance of Amorepacifics overseas markets. During the first quarter of this year, overseas markets accounted for 336.8 billion won out of its overall sales of 911.5 billion won. As for operating profit, overseas markets accounted for 31.6 billion won out of 72.7 billion won.

We must not only keep investing in the North American and European markets, which have superb market potential but also keep pedaling for our Asian markets where were still beloved by many consumers, Suh said at a ceremony to commemorate Amorepacifics 78th anniversary last year. We must see a resurgence in our sales in China.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the current phase of fighting against Hamas in Gaza is winding down, setting the stage for Israel to send more troops to its northern border to confront the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah .

The comments threatened to further heighten the tensions between Israel and Hezbollah at a time when they appear to be moving closer to war. Netanyahu also signaled that there is no end in sight for the grinding war in Gaza.

The Israeli leader said in a lengthy TV interview that while the army is close to completing its current ground offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, that would not mean the war against Hamas is over. But he said fewer troops would be needed in Gaza, freeing up forces to battle Hezbollah.

We will have the possibility of transferring some of our forces north, and we will do that, he told Israels Channel 14, a pro-Netanyahu TV channel, in an interview that was frequently interrupted by applause from the studio audience. First and foremost, for defense, he added, but also to allow tens of thousands of displaced Israelis to return home.

The Iranian-backed Hezbollah began striking Israel almost immediately after Hamas Oct. 7 cross-border attack that triggered the Gaza war. Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire nearly every day since then, but the fighting has escalated in recent weeks, raising fears of a full-blown war.

Hezbollah is much stronger than Hamas, and opening a new front would raise the risk of a larger, region-wide war involving other Iranian proxies and perhaps Iran itself that could cause heavy damage and mass casualties on both sides of the border.

White House envoy Amos Hochstein was in the region last week meeting with officials in Israel and Lebanon in an effort to lower tensions. But the fighting has continued.

Netanyahu said he hoped a diplomatic solution to the crisis could be found but vowed to solve the problem in a different way if needed. "We can fight on several fronts, and we are prepared to do that, he said.

He said any deal would not just be an agreement on paper. He said it would require Hezbollah to be far from the border, an enforcement mechanism and the return of Israelis back to their homes. Tens of thousands of people were evacuated shortly after the fighting erupted and have not been able to go home.

Hezbollah has said it will continue battling Israel until a cease-fire is reached in Gaza. The groups leader, Hassan Nasrallah, warned Israel last week against launching a war, saying Hezbollah has new weapons and intelligence capabilities that could help it target more critical positions deeper inside Israel.

Hezbollah already has unveiled new weapons during the low-level fighting, including hard-to-defend attack drones that strike with little warning. An Israeli soldier was badly wounded Sunday in a drone strike.

But Israel says it too has shown Hezbollah only a small part of its full capabilities, and that Lebanon will be turned into a second Gaza if there is a war. Israels army last week said it had approved and validated a new plan for a Lebanon offensive.

In the interview, Netanyahu said that Israels offensive in Gaza is winding down. The Israeli army has been operating in the southern border town of Rafah since early May. It says it has inflicted heavy damage on Hamas in Rafah, which it has identified as the last remaining Hamas stronghold after a brutal war stretching nearly nine months. But he said Israel would have to continue mowing operations  targeted strikes aimed at preventing Hamas from regrouping.

Israel launched its air and ground invasion of Gaza immediately after Hamas Oct. 7 attack, which killed some 1,200 people and took about 250 others hostage.

The Israeli offensive has killed over 37,000 Palestinians, unleashed a humanitarian crisis and triggered war crimes and genocide cases at the worlds top courts in The Hague.

It also has raised tensions with the United States, with President Joe Biden and Netanyahu clashing publicly over the course of the war. Earlier on Sunday, Netanyahu again repeated his claim that there has been a dramatic drop in arms shipments from the U.S., Israels closest ally, hindering the war effort.

Biden has delayed delivering certain heavy bombs since May over concerns of heavy civilian casualties, but his administration fought back last week against Netanyahus charges that other shipments had also been affected.

Although the U.S. and other mediators are pushing a cease-fire plan, Netanyahu has ruled out an end to the war until Israel releases all hostages held by Hamas and until it destroys Hamas military and governing capabilities.

The current phase of the war is about to end, Netanyahu said. That doesnt mean the war is about to end.

Netanyahu spoke as his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, was in Washington for talks with American officials about the war and tensions with Lebanon. And next month, Netanyahu has been invited to address Congress for a speech that already is dividing Washington along partisan lines. Some Democrats, angry at Netanyahu's public fighting with Biden, say they will not attend .

American officials also have been pressing Netanyahu to spell out a clear post-war plan for Gaza. The U.S. has said it will not accept a long-term Israeli occupation of the territory.

Netanyahu spelled out a very different vision. He said the only way to guarantee Israels security is for Israel to maintain military control over the territory.

There is no one else capable of doing that, he said. But he said he is seeking a way to create a Palestinian civilian administration to manage day-to-day affairs in Gaza, hopefully with backing from moderate Arab countries. He ruled out any role for the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, which was ousted from Gaza by Hamas in a violent 2007 takeover.

Netanyahu said the Israeli army several months ago looked into working with prominent Palestinian families in Gaza, but that Hamas immediately destroyed them. He said Israel is now looking at other options.

Netanyahu ruled out one option favored by some of his ultranationalist governing partners  re-settling Israelis in Gaza. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, ending a 38-year presence.

The issue of settlement is not realistic, he said. Im realistic. (AP)
Russia said on Sunday that the United States was responsible for a Ukrainian attack on the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula with five U.S.-supplied missiles that killed four people, including two children, and injured 151 more.

The Russian Defense Ministry said four of the U.S.-delivered Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles, equipped with cluster warheads, were shot down by air defense systems and the ammunition of a fifth had detonated in midair.

Footage on Russian state television showed people running from a beach and some people being carried off on sun loungers.

Russian-installed authorities in Crimea said missile fragments had fallen just after noon near a beach on the north side of the city of Sevastopol where locals were on holiday.

The incident generated a furious reaction among Russian public figures.

The Defense Ministry said U.S. specialists had set the missiles' flight coordinates on the basis of information from U.S. spy satellites, meaning Washington was directly responsible.

"Responsibility for the deliberate missile attack on the civilians of Sevastopol is borne above all by Washington, which supplied these weapons to Ukraine, and by the Kyiv regime, from whose territory this strike was carried out," the ministry said.

Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 and now views the Black Sea peninsula it as an integral part of its territory, though most of the world considers it still part of Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, in what he cast as a defensive move against a hostile and aggressive West. Ukraine and the West say Russia is waging an imperial-style war.

The United States began supplying Ukraine with longer range ATACMS missiles, which have a 300-kilometer (186-mile) range, earlier this year.

Reuters was unable to immediately verify battlefield reports from either side.

Treating the injured

Russian-installed Sevastopol Governor Mihail Razvozhaev put the death toll at four, with 144 injured, including 82 taken to hospitals. Twenty-seven children were among the injured.

Specialist doctors were being flown in from other parts of Russia.

Russia will respond to Sunday's attack, the Defense Ministry said, without elaborating. The Kremlin said Putin had been "in constant contact with the military" since the attack.

Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council and a leading voice among Russian hawks, described the incident as "a vile, despicable act against our people."

He likened it to attacks carried out by gunmen on Sunday against a synagogue, a church and police post in Dagestan and said there was "no difference to us" between the U.S. administration, Ukrainian leaders and "crazy fanatics."

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, a prominent supporter of the invasion, said there "was no justification whatsoever for a missile strike on civilians" and expressed indignation that the incident occurred on the Orthodox holiday of Trinity.

Neither Ukraine nor the United States has commented on the attack, which came on a day when Ukraine said one person had been killed and 10 others wounded by Russian strikes on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

Putin has repeatedly accused the U.S. of using Ukraine to undermine Russia's own security, which Kyiv and its Western allies deny, and has warned of growing risks of a direct confrontation between Moscow and the U.S.-led NATO alliance. (Reuters)
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The interaction went viral across social media platforms and online communities.

On June 21, fourth-gen leader STAYC made their appearance at the Gimpo International Airport, in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, where they departed for Japan. SWITHs were delighted to see the girls at the location, as the members took their time waving to the fans and press.

However, one moment managed to garner attention from the K-pop community. Various clips online showed members a fan greeting J by saying, "Long time no see, J," causing the idol to wave back.

But the fan didn't seem satisfied with the gesture, causing her to comment, "What's up with that greeting?"

This caused J to be visibly confused with the fan's remark, which the latter reiterated once again to the idol.

Upon hearing the fan's comment again, J returned with a more expressive wave.

Watch the clip below:

The clip immediately became a hot topic online, as netizens criticized the fan for being an "entitled" individual. The interaction also sparked an online post in a community forum, which contained angered SWITHs.

"This was shocking, what's up with that person?"

"Why is she like that? Crazy."

"Is she insane?"

"Gasp, she's not joking?"

"What's up with her way of speaking? Is she an iljjin (gang leader/bully)?"

"Why is she like that? Who does she think she is?"

"It's the fact that she followed her all the way to the airport to do this."

"Is she her friend? Why is she like that?"

International SWITHs were enraged by the clip and expressed rage over the fan. Meanwhile, others were amused by J's sassy second wave. Here's how they reacted:

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below.

For more K-pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: STAYC J Returns To Her Iconic Short Hair - And SWITHs Can't Handle Idol's Stunning Look!

KpopStarz owns this article

Written by Israel Monte
China launches online campaign to promote Grand Canal's cultural heritage

People's Daily Online) 15:21, June 24, 2024

An aerial drone photo taken on June 12, 2024 shows tourists visiting Xiaohezhi Street historical and cultural block along the Grand Canal in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

An online campaign was launched on June 22 to promote Chinas Grand Canal, a vast waterway connecting the north and south of China, aiming to use the internet to share the ancient transportation artery's development stories and cultural heritage.

The launch event in Yangzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, was attended by over 300 people, including representatives from the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, National Cultural Heritage Administration, relevant government departments of Jiangsu Province and Yangzhou city, and People's Daily, as well as journalists from various media outlets.

Guests at the launch ceremony jointly kicked off an online promotional campaign for the Grand Canal, a Grand Canal-themed integrated media project, and an online promotional activity for the host city.

The event included a segment called "Jiangsu Moment," which saw the release of several integrated media projects and the announcement of significant archaeological discoveries along the Jiangsu section of the Grand Canal.

Niu Yibing, deputy head of the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission and vice minister of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), and Xu Ying, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Jiangsu Provincial Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee, presided over the ceremony.

Officials delivered speeches at the launch event, stressing the significance of the Grand Canal and the importance of safeguarding and carrying forward the country's cultural heritage.

Zhuang Rongwen, head of the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, said the campaign coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Grand Canal's inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. He emphasized the need to use the internet to showcase the waterway's rich cultural heritage, advance cultural inheritance in the new era, and elevate its global prominence.

Zhuang called for the use of new technologies and applications to ensure that the "Song of the Grand Canal" echoes in the digital realm. He encouraged everyone involved to carry out multilingual, multi-channel, cross-platform, and cross-cultural communication activities, showcasing the harmonious coexistence of Chinese and foreign civilizations.

Jiangsu Governor Xu Kunlin stated that as the main area for the Grand Canal National Cultural Park, Jiangsu is responsible for safeguarding the canal's sustainable development.

Xu pledged to continue advancing the construction of the Grand Canal National Cultural Park and create a high-quality water corridor for the eastern route of the country's South-to-North Water Diversion Project. This initiative aims to showcase the Grand Canal as a crucial component in the story of China's prosperity and growth.

Yu Shaoliang, editor-in-chief of People's Daily, remarked that the launch ceremony would inject new vitality into the ancient canal, bringing the charm of excellent traditional Chinese culture to a broader audience, especially young people.

Li Qun, vice minister of China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, noted that the CPC Central Committee attaches great importance to the protection, inheritance, and utilization of the Grand Canal. He emphasized that over the past decade, China has been dedicated to protecting and preserving the cultural heritage of the Grand Canal.

China's experience in protecting the Grand Canal has gained international acclaim, breathing new life into the ancient waterway, Li said.

He called for intensified efforts to protect, inherit, and promote the Grand Canal's cultural heritage and enhance exchanges and mutual learning with other countries in relevant fields. These efforts aim to share the Grand Canal's culture with people worldwide and present a true, multi-dimensional, and comprehensive view of China.

The event was jointly hosted by the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, the National Cultural Heritage Administration, People's Daily, and the Office of the Cyberspace Affairs Commission of the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
In the latest "Unanswered Questions" episode, late Goo Hara's final message through her private account garnered curiosity from K-pop fans.

On June 23, the investigative journalism program from SBS became a hot topic among South Koreans and K-pop fans as it featured the unresolved theft case involving Goo Hara's safe.

Recalling, fifty days after the idol passed in November 2019, her house was robbed. It was deemed an ordinary burglar case back then, but people were skeptical after it was revealed that only her safe was taken, leaving her other valuables untouched.

As a result, SBS looked into this related case when they happened to discover a secret account of the former idol where she posted her "last message" before her death.

On November 24, 2019, she was found lifeless at her home in Cheongdam-dong after returning to Korea from Japan amid promotions as a solo artist. A day before that on November 23, her last message on her main account would be: "Good Night."

However, the program revealed that she actually wrote another message on her private account on the 24th, saying:

"I'm scared."

ALSO READ: K-Netz Suspect THIS Idol as 'Thief' Who Broke Into Late Goo Hara's House: 'It's Scary'

The secret SNS only has her close friends, and at the time, she was comforted by them, leaving comments such as:

"You have me."

"Why are you so scared? You're an idiot. I'm always on your side. Think of us."

However, not long after this, Goo Hara passed away. At the time, only a simple note was found at the scene, but it wasn't a suicide note.

Goo Ho In, Hara's older brother, revealed that after that, they opened her safe to find her will after her helper mentioned that she wrote a will long before just in case something happened to her.

Unfortunately, they found no will.

Ho In then revealed:

"(In the safe) there were letters exchanged with people, contracts, documents settled from the agency, a house registration certificate, and six cell phones. Even if you collect cell phones in the safe, you don't tell your acquaintances. I also do. I didnt know (there was a cell phone)."

Regarding the theft case, Ho In raised his suspicions.

"There were designer clothes, shoes, and watches in the dressing room on the second floor (where the safe was located). Everything else was in the same place so I didn't even know the safe was gone. There were no signs that the house was searched, and only the safe was taken."

He then said that the main cellphone of Hara remains locked to date, as he's still waiting for a trustworthy technology that can unlock it.

Meanwhile, as it became known that cell phones were collected in Goo Hara's safe, some are speculating that the safe may have been taken by someone targeting information in the cell phone in connection with the Burning Sun incident.

Regarding this, Goo Hara's legal representative, Noh Jong Eon, said:

"I am very cautious in saying definitively whether this cell phone has a connection with Burning Sun or not. However, I think there is a need to look back on the safe case."

After 4 years, the thief is yet to be captured, and there are not many details about it aside from CCTV footage revealing the culprit.

Following the broadcast, there are speculations that the person behind the theft case was Zico, who was being mentioned in the "Burning Sun" scandal.

In particular, the late Hara was one of the key people who helped the journalists and police to solve the case.

READ MORE: Goo Hara's Last Instagram Post + Her Last Message To Sulli Went Viral

For more K-Pop news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Eunice Dela Cruz
The Boyz's Juyeon's latest airport outfit has Korean netizens shocked and in hysterics.

On June 24, 2024, The Boyz Juyeon was seen at Incheon Airport. The idol arrived at the airport on this day to depart for France to fulfill his overseas schedule. To be specific, the idol will be attending the new Balenciaga Show in Paris.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: These 3 Female K-Pop Idols Broke The Stereotype That Idols Need To Have Fair Skin

For his airport 'fit, the idol wore an all-black suit. He was wearing a largely oversized blazer over a black shirt, and matching black slacks and black leather shoes.

To no one's surprise, the one thing that caught people's attention was how large his clothes were.

On the same day, a post, titled, "The Boyz Juyeon on his way to Paris with an overfit outfit," was uploaded to TheQoo, one of the most well-known South Korean online community forums. In the post, the author shared several photos of Juyeon at the airport.

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In the comments' section, Korean netizens couldn't help but share their shock. They revealed that they were so shocked by the idol's outfit that they burst out laughing. Many wondered why the idol was wearing such an outfit, and even wondered if Juyeon lost a bet and this was the penalty.

Some comments read:

"Is this a penalty?"

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"Wow, I just burst out laughing."

"This is so shocking!"

"I am laughing so hard!"

"This has to be a consequence for something."

"What in the world...?"

"I just burst out laughing! What is this?"

"Wow, I am seriously so shocked."

"What is this?!"

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!

CHECK THIS OUT: 4 Female K-Pop Idols Who Sparked Concern Due to Extremely Frail Figures: BLACKPINK Rose, IVE Jang Wonyoung, More

In other news, The Boyz released the album "Phantasy, Love Letter" on March 18, 2024. The album included the lead single, "Nectar," which was described as "emotional but hopeful."

From May 2023 to February 2024, The Boyz embarked on their "The Boyz 2nd World Tour: Zeneration." They visited ten countries and 15 cities.

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Written by Alexa Lopez
SHREVEPORT, La. -- Two former and one current Caddo Parish principals -- one of whom was nam
The aftermath of an attack in Makhachkala, Republic of Dagestan, Russia is seen in a video screengrab. Sputnik/AP
MBABANE - It was a glorious day on Saturday as the Lubombo Region crowned its Miss Teen Queen.

Tessie Matsebula, 14 years old, from Ngcini in Siteki, was the fairest of them all in the prestigious Miss Teen Lubombo Pageant that was on Saturday at the Siteki Hotel. Mayenziwe Nhlengetfwa was crowned the First Princess, with Sicelimphilo Maziya the Second Princess. The top three managed to be victorious in the tough competition that saw numerous young teenage girls competing for the title. The Queen, Tessie Matsebula, took to her social media, expressing her excitement over the title she had secured: I am very happy. We brought the crown back home; its because of all the support you gave me. I appreciate it a lot. Thank you. Please continue supporting me and my princesses, as we are heading to Miss Teen Eswatini. Lets bring it back to Lubombo. Thank you, read Matsebulas post.

Stationery

Miss Teen Lubombo Pageant had a number of sponsors on board, some of whom included Select Insurance. They awarded the girls stationery, Emfatini Lifestyle sponsored the pageant with E3 000, Sherwood Butchery Owner Zeff Carmichael bought three smartphones for the top three in the pageant, Lubombo Villa sponsored the top three with a weekend away, Siteki Hotel sponsored the girls with a bed and breakfast over the weekend, and Dyvson Lincon and Gcina Thusi also gave the girls a goat. During the crowning of Miss Teen Lubombo 2024/2025, there was the selection of the Miss Teen Lubombo top five finalists, who will be competing for Miss Teen Eswatini 2024/25 (national level), among other finalists from the other regions.
Kolkata, Jun 24 (PTI) Border defence forces of India and Bangladesh on Monday resolved to strengthen bilateral cooperation and coordination to combat crimes along the boundary, officials said.

Personnel of the Border Security Force and the Border Guard Bangladesh continued discussions on the third day of the annual coordination conference here, they said.

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Both sides resolved to jointly address security challenges along the India-Bangladesh border, as we have the shared commitment for peace and security, a BSF official said.

The Joint Record of Discussion (JRD), signed by heads of the two sides during the meet, referred to issues like attacks by Bangladeshi miscreants on BSF personnel, attempts to snatch weapons from security forces and infiltration, among others, he said.

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The Border defence forces reached a consensus to combat transnational crimes in an effective manner, the official said.

They also concurred to step up efforts to curb smuggling of wildlife, cattle, drugs and fake currencies across the border, he said.

The conference underscored the need to have coordinated patrols and sharing intelligence inputs on real-time basis for better border management.

A 14-member Indian delegation led by Ayush Mani Tiwari, IG, BSF South Bengal Frontier, is holding talks with the 11-member Bangladeshi delegation.

The BGB delegation is led by Brigadier General Shamim Ahmed, ADG, Region Commander, South Western Region, Jessore.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 24 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain on Sunday sternly said that the people who are found supporting terrorists will be dealt under the Enemy Agents Ordinance, which is much harsher than the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

"In J-K we have a special law called Enemy Agents Act/Ordinance, which was made when foreign invaders/raiders, especially Pakistanis, enter India and try to destabilise the system, as they call it, 'to disturb and destabilise the government established by law'. Those who support such terrorists will be termed enemy agents, and the minimum punishment for enemy agents is life term and death. This is a harsher law than UAPA," Swain told reporters.

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi Pens Heartfelt Letter for People of Wayanad Before Relinquishing Lok Sabha Seat, Says Am Sad but Consoled That Priyanka Will Be There To Represent You.

The law was made to tackle foreign fighters and invaders, especially from Pakistan, who come here and try to disturb and destabilise the government, he said. On being asked whether trained Pakistani commandos are also part of terrorist activities taking part in Jammu and Kashmir, Swain said that it doesn't make a difference as far as we are concerned, it's actually a matter of tactics. "Well our understanding is because they are usually not caught alive, we suppose they are caught once we will know the full truth but till that time given the way they are fighting or they are sort of terrorizing, they do not hesitate to kill even a man while walking, so it doesn't make a difference as far as we are concerned, it's actually a matter of tactics. For us he is an enemy, whether he has come from a uniform background, or jail or a terror factory," he added.

"We will try to minimise such losses with the help of training, determination and tactics. We will defeat the enemy and if they think we are shying away just from the fear of losses, they are mistaken," he added.

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His statement came in the wake of a series of terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in the last two weeks.

DGP Swain expressed concern over the internet becoming the medium for sustaining terrorism in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

"The internet is becoming the medium of sustaining terrorism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir. If I give such a statement, I am not too far from the truth... Cybercrime is broad in its context. It can be involved in all the other conventional crimes," he said. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ottawa, Jun 23 (PTI) The Indian mission in the Canadian city of Toronto on Sunday marked the 39th anniversary of the 1985 Kanishka bombing in which 329 persons, including 86 children, on board an Air India lost their lives in one of the most heinous terror-related air disasters in the history of civil aviation.

"Consul General @S_Nath_S laid a wreath at the Air India 182 memorial, Humber Park, Etobicoke in solemn remembrance of the 329 victims of the terrorist bombing of AI 182 on this day, 39 years ago," the Consulate General of India in Toronto posted on X along with a photograph.

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The Montreal-New Delhi Air India Kanishka' Flight 182 exploded 45 minutes before it was supposed to land 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.

Also Read | 'It Is Very Hard to Bear': French Woman Sues Company for Paying Full Salary Without Giving Any Work.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in a post on X paid his homage to the memory of the 329 victims of AI 182 Kanishka' who were killed on this day in 1985.

"Today marks the 39th anniversary of one of the worst acts of terrorism in history," he said.

"My thoughts are with their families. The anniversary is a reminder why terrorism should never be tolerated," Jaishankar wrote.

On Friday, the Canadian police said the investigations into the bombing of the Air India Flight 182 remain "active and ongoing", terming it the "longest" and one of the "most complex domestic terrorism" probes.

In a statement, 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.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata, June 24: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing strong reservation over the Centre excluding the state government from discussions with Bangladesh regarding Teesta water sharing and the Farakka Treaty.

Banerjee also urged the PM to not hold any such discussion with the neighbouring country without involving the West Bengal government. The letter, which was shot off in the wake of Modi's recent bilateral talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina in Delhi, followed Banerjee's reported displeasure expressed in close circles after details of the meet between the two heads of state were reported in national media. Defer Implementation of Three New Criminal Laws: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Writes Letter to PM Narendra Modi.

I am writing this letter in context of the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. It seems that water sharing issues relating to the Ganges and Teesta rivers may have been discussed during the meeting. Such unilateral deliberations and discussions without consultation and the opinion of the state government is neither acceptable nor desirable, she said in a three-page letter to Modi.

Bengal has a very close relationship with Bangladesh - geographically, culturally and economically, she noted. Banerjee, while referring to the Indo-Bangla agreement on exchange of enclaves and rail-bus connectivity services between the two nations, maintained that West Bengal has cooperated with Bangladesh on several issues in the past contributing to the betterment of economy in the region. Mamata Banerjee 'Funny' Video: Kolkata Police Ask X User to Disclose Identity for Sharing Animated Clip of West Bengal CM.

However, water is very precious and is the lifeline of the people. We cannot compromise on such a sensitive issue, which has severe and adverse implications on the people. People of West Bengal will be the worst sufferers due to the impact of such agreements, said Banerjee, in reference to both Teesta and Farakka waters.

Focusing on the 1996 Bangladesh Farakka Treaty, which, according to Banerjee, is currently in the process of renewal ahead of its scheduled expiry in 2026, the chief minister highlighted the disruption of river links causing reduction of water availability in rivers on this side of the international border, and accentuated riverbank erosion as twin fallout of the Farakka Barrage project.

I would like to bring to your notice that river morphology has changed in the eastern part of India and Bangladesh over many years, which has deprived West Bengal and negatively impacted the water availability in the state, she said in the letter. Terming the disconnection of the Bhagirathi from the Ganges a genesis of construction of the Farakka Barrage Project, she stressed on the impact of reduced silt flow into the Hooghly River as an additional fallout.

This has accentuated erosion by the rivers and the areas both in the upstream and downstream of the barrage have faced serious loss of life and property Lakhs of people have been displaced from their habitation rendering them homeless and also leading to their loss of livelihood. The reduced silt load in Hooghly has impeded the nourishment of the Sunderban delta, the CM said.

Banerjee also alleged central deprivation over promised dredging funds, and the unilateral reduction of the Farakka Barrage Project Authority for implementing anti-erosion work in the region.

Turning her attention to the discussion over sharing of Teesta water between the two countries, Banerjee blamed the construction of a series of hydropower projects in Sikkim, deforestation in upper catchment and impact of climate change as reasons behind the river's health suffering. It seems that, in the meeting, the Government of India has proposed a bilateral cooperation between India and Bangladesh for restoration of Teesta in Bangladesh, she observed.

The chief minister also reasoned why it would not be feasible to share Teesta water with Bangladesh. Due to reasons stated above, water flow in Teesta has gone down over the years and it is estimated that if any water is shared with Bangladesh, lakhs of people in North Bengal will get severely impacted due to inadequate availability of irrigation water. In addition, Teesta water is also needed for meeting drinking water requirements of the residents of North Bengal, she asserted.

I love and respect the people of Bangladesh and always wish for their well-being... (but) I convey my strong reservation that no discussion on sharing of Teesta water and the Farakka Treaty should be taken up with Bangladesh without the involvement of the state government. The interest of people in West Bengal is paramount, which should not be compromised at any cost, Banerjee said.
MBABANE  In the remote community of Makhamatfo, nestled deep within the Gege Constituency, every sunrise marks, not just the beginning of a new day, but a daunting journey for its young souls.

Every morning, children as young as six years old embark on a journey that tests both their physical endurance and their hunger for education. Some travel at least 14 kilometres, while others travel over 19 kilometres by foot, to receive an education in different schools within the constituency. For these pupils, education is not just a privilege, but a pursuit fraught with challenges that unfold with each step. They are exposed to scorching heat and sometimes relentless downpours, while they persevere along dusty roads and rocky terrains. Despite their unwavering determination, not all who begin this journey reach the school gates. It was said some succumb to exhaustion along the journey, while some collapse during morning assemblies, due to fatigue. For others, the Makhamatfo residents said the burden of distance became too heavy to bear, forcing some pupils into a heart-breaking decision, to prioritise survival over education.

Despite this, the community still believes education is the key to a brighter future. The schools attended by the pupils include Mlindzini Secondary, Mshengu High, Mashobeni High and Vulamehlo Primary School, among others. Reaching all these schools requires determination and endurance for the pupils. During a visit by this publication to the community, this reporter got first-hand experience of some of the challenges faced by the pupils daily. Mhlahlweni Chiefdom Acting Indvuna Albert Vilakati said the absence of a nearby school is a challenge for the community. Vilakati said their children woke up as early as 5am to travel to school and return late in the afternoon. He said they engaged the previous Members of Parliament (MPs) numerous times on the matter, but nothing had changed. He mentioned that the umphakatsi allocated land for the construction of a school in 2004 and was approved by the Ministry of Education and Training officials, who visited the area. He shared that they had not received any progress report.

Chores

In an interview with this publication, one resident shared that they were unable to send their children to do home chores during the week, because they were always exhausted and returned home very late. Travelling the long distance affects the childrens performance at school. Teachers say the children are always tired and fail to concentrate in class, the resident said.

Another resident shared that their children were exposed to severe weather conditions while going to school. The resident stated that the community does not even have a preschool, for their children to access early childhood education. According to the resident, they are forced to enrol their children in school when they are old enough to withstand the journey. Additionally, the resident explained that as a community, they wanted their children to receive the best education; but the circumstances did not permit them.

The resident also mentioned that, despite worrying about the long journey, they also had to worry about their childrens safety, while they travelled along the dusty terrains. The residents also shared that the community did not have nearby shops, as they also had to travel long distances to get the services they needed. On the same note, Mhlahlweni Bucopho Sibongile Kunene, said the pupils struggled as they travel by foot to reach the different schools. Mlindzini Secondary School Head teacher Enerst Mabaso concurred with Kunenes assertion, saying pupils enrolled in his school travelled long distances by foot.

Mabaso said whenever the pupils arrived at school, they were extremely exhausted and some even collapsed during the morning assemblies. He said a number of the pupils travel the long journeys hungry, thus they try by all means to provide food in the school. The school is in debt. We visit shops with nothing, because we mostly rely on the orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) grants. If we have not received the grant, we buy the food on credit, so that the pupils have something to eat, Mabaso said. Adding, the head teacher explained that the challenges faced by the pupils did not only affect them, but also the school in terms of performance. He went on to state that, as a school, they could not offer lessons on weekends or during holidays, because the pupils travelled long distances, thus they preferred to give them time to rest. As a school, we are also forced to cut classes early, to allow the pupils to return home safely.

Teachers

These challenges are not just faced by the pupils alone, but also the teachers. There is only one public transport vehicle that travels once, in the morning, and returns in the afternoon. So travelling from Nhlangano to the school is a struggle, he said. He said pupils tend to lose a lot of learning time while teachers struggle with transport if they are not within the school quarters. Last year, we recorded a First Class with Merit in Junior Certificate and Second Class passes. We were ecstatic with the results, because we know the pupils daily struggles. Even in Form V, there were credits, he said.

Furthermore, Mabaso raised concerns about the non-payment of school fees. He highlighted that a majority of the pupils were under the OVC Fund and they had only three per cent of pupils paying for themselves. Mabaso explained that the challenges with the school fees made the school struggle financially. We rely on the OVC grants and the money is not enough to cover all the schools needs. We try to ask parents to pay the little they can afford, so that the school can have the little cash flow, to make ends meet, Mabaso said. Meanwhile, Gege Member of Parliament (MP) Magesi Dlamini, said they had already visited the chiefdom and received the residents concerns. Dlamini said they would work hand-in-hand with the community and also approach some stakeholders who could help with their challenges. Our wish as a constituency is, we want the school to be constructed within the community, so that the children could learn, Dlamini said.
In a statement, the Saudi government said, "The health system addressed numerous cases of heat stress this year, with some individuals still under care. Regrettably, the number of mortalities reached 1,301."
TIMES STAFF WRITER

Actor Rob Morrow, who plays the New York doctor on the hit CBS series Northern Exposure, was slapped Wednesday with a breach of contract suit in Los Angeles Superior Court by Universal Television for refusing to show up when the series resumed shooting last week, a spokesman for the studio reported.

Morrow is said to be demanding double the $30,000 per episode he currently receives, even though he signed a standard seven-year contract with built-in salary increases when the sleeper series premiered two summers ago.

Morrows attorney declined to comment on the situation. But the Universal spokesman said that the studio is actively pursuing a recast to replace Morrow, rather than meet the actors demands.

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To be honest with you, Id just as soon give you a no comment right now, said executive producer John Falsey, who created the series with partner Josh Brand. Things are very testy and tight. But we have every hope that it gets worked out.

Northern Exposure started out as the story of an urban-dwelling doctor who agrees to spend his residency in the outback town of Cicely, Alaska, in return for financing his education. But the series, which became one of televisions highest-rated last season, has grown into more of an ensemble drama, focusing on all the oddball residents in the mystical small town.

If matters with Morrow cannot be resolved, a new character will be written into the series, Falsey said, as opposed to casting another actor in the role of Dr. Joel Fleischman. That could conceivably put Northern Exposure behind schedule for its fall premiere, considering that the first 10 scripts for next season are already written or near completion, according to sources.

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Falsey said Morrow really wasnt scheduled to begin filming scenes until next week, so production in upstate Washington is proceeding for the moment by shooting around him. Similarly, co-star Janine Turner, who plays Maggie, is still out of the country working on the feature film Cliffhanger with Sylvester Stallone.

In addition to Morrows holdout, the producers of Northern Exposure have some other pressing challenges to deal with.

A Hollywood cameraman and a commercial fisherman filed suit in Superior Court Monday against Universal and Brand/Falsey Productions for stealing their idea for a series called Latitude 47 to create Northern Exposure.

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I can just tell you, thats a joke, Falsey said. These guys come out of the woodwork from time to time.

Brand and Falsey have detailed their fish-out-of-water idea for the series in past interviews, saying at one point they considered plunking their quintessential urban dweller in the middle of the Louisiana bayou.

A final unresolved matter on Northern Exposure involves who will steer the series creatively next season. When CBS picked up Northern Exposure for two seasons and 52 episodes earlier this year, Brand and Falsey only signed on for the first 13 episodes so they could pursue other projects. Their successors have yet to be named.
Douglas Merrill is founder and CEO of ZestFinance, the parent company of online lender Basix. His firm uses unorthodox metrics to measure creditworthiness but not social media data, which he finds personally creepy.

All it takes is a keystroke, maybe two, to hurt your chances of borrowing money from online lender Basix.

Like a growing number of personal and small-business lenders, Basix looks at much more than your financial history when determining whether youre likely to repay a loan.

Among thousands of factors is whether you type your name with proper capitalization or in all capital letters.

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If you fill in your name in all caps, youre a much higher risk, said Douglas Merrill, founder and chief executive of ZestFinance, the Hollywood parent company of Basix.

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If that sounds absurd, consider the motto in big block letters on ZestFinances website: All data is credit data.

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Its a mantra a growing number of lenders and credit-scoring firms are living by as they use more and more data  much of it unrelated to money  to augment traditional underwriting practices.

Alternative types of credit scoring have been around for years, taking into account factors not always captured by traditional scores, such as whether borrowers pay their cellphone bills promptly. Theyve been used to assess the creditworthiness of consumers with little or no traditional credit history, including those in developing countries.

Now, a new generation of start-ups has developed scoring models that look at such things as what a borrower studied in college and how a restaurant rates on Yelp  and theyre using them on a wider audience, from businesses to individual borrowers with middling or even good credit.

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The abundance of digital information, and the rapidly growing storage and computing power able to comb through it all, is changing industries including agriculture and healthcare. It should come as no surprise, then, that its shaking up consumer finance.

Proponents say these new methods should help borrowers gain credit, just as it has helped farmers increase their yields.

In banking, its inconceivable that in the future well be making financial decisions in the way we do today. Were making decisions about people based on less than 5% of the information about them, said Asim Khwaja, a professor of international finance and development at the Harvard Kennedy School who has studied alternative credit scoring in the developing world. Theres a lot of excitement in this field.

But theres also plenty of skepticism.

Chi Chi Wu, an attorney with the National Consumer Law Center, said traditional credit scores are a known quantity, having been used for decades. Whats more, traditional credit-scoring firms offer tips on how consumers can improve their credit scores.

New underwriting models, though, have little to no track record, she said.

How have they been tested to show theyre predictive and relevant? Wu said. What if a data point is your astrological sign? Does that mean anything about creditworthiness?

And, of course, theres the question of whether its ethical to use certain kinds of information  such as information pulled from a Facebook account.

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Thats a question that blew up last summer after the social network secured a patent for a program that would assess a borrowers creditworthiness based on the credit scores of Facebook friends. Facebook declined to comment.

ZestFinance doesnt use social media data  not because it wouldnt be useful but because Merrill is uncomfortable with it. And he thinks customers would feel the same way.

We take a lot of time to make sure theres nothing being used that we find personally creepy, he said.

Still, this new crop of firms, founded by a mix of tech and finance industry veterans and backed by venture capital, say their models work  and that they should provide not only more access to credit but also better terms.

Their systems crunch numbers in different ways, but they all have the same goal: We try to re-create the holistic view of the borrower, said Merrill, a former Google executive and Rand Corp. researcher.

Another way to think about it: Lenders are trying to use vast troves of data, financial and otherwise, as a modern replacement for the gut feeling a banker might have had about a potential borrower a generation or two ago.

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ZestFinance collects thousands of pieces of consumer information  some submitted in an online application, some obtained from data brokers  and runs them through algorithms that judge how likely it is a borrower will repay.

Merrill acknowledges that in many cases, theres no explanation for why a particular data point helps or hurts a credit score. For instance, borrowers who write in all-caps are riskier, the firms credit scoring system discovered after underwriting thousands of loans.

We dont know why. It just is, said Merrill.

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Merrill and a handful of collaborators have applied for patents for ZestFinances system, which also crunches credit scores for clients such as Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com.

At other firms, the connections between nonfinancial information and creditworthiness are a bit clearer.

Take San Francisco lender Social Finance, which goes by SoFi and was founded in 2011 by four entrepreneurs with backgrounds in finance, software and business consulting.

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SoFi looks at how long prospective borrowers have been working in their profession and what they studied in college.

That information points to how likely it is borrowers will remain employed, or find a new job if they lose their current one, said Teresa Jackson, SoFis vice president of credit.

I would venture to say someone who is a surgeon is more likely to become reemployed than someone who got a degree in art, she said.

SoFi borrower Alfonso Brigham earned a bachelors degree in business administration from USC in 2005. Those credentials and his job at a major financial institution helped him quality for a $711,000 mortgage on a one-bedroom condo in San Franciscos Nob Hill neighborhood.

Brigham said he went to several banks but was told hed need to come up with a 20% down payment, which would have amounted to nearly $160,000.

SoFi let him put just 10% down without having to pay for pricey mortgage insurance. He closed escrow Dec. 1.

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Brigham, who underwrites loans for a living, said he can see how the nonfinancial information may have burnished his creditworthiness.

Im working in the financial district, which is a big part of the economy here. If I were going to look at a customer [like me], at the end of the day, Id say, This guy is employable, he said. If someones majoring in Russian literature, what can they really do with that?

Investors also have bought into SoFis model. The firm this year completed a $1-billion investment round, with backers including Japanese finance and telecom giant SoftBank.

Businesses also get judged on factors beyond their finances.

Montreal online business lender IOU Financial gleans tidbits from social media sites.

Phil Marleau, the publicly traded companys chief executive, said terrible online reviews could be a sign of trouble, even if a business has a healthy profit-and-loss statement.

At the end of the day, were really trying to judge the reputation of the business ... by looking at what the crowd is saying, he said.

Even old-line credit bureaus are considering tapping the new sources of information.

Experian is examining social media data to provide credit scores for businesses too young or small to have a credit history, said Eric Haller, executive vice president of research unit Experian Data Labs in San Diego.

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The firms data scientists took business credit information and combined it with information from Twitter, Facebook, Yelp and others. Based on that analysis, the firm is working on a credit-scoring system that could be based solely on social media information.

This is kind of the earliest picture you can get of somebodys success, Haller said. If youre a consumer-facing business, youre going to have some type of digital footprint. You might not have anything else yet.

Still, for all the promise of Big Data, theres little agreement on what lenders ought to be looking at.

Khwaja, the Harvard professor, said the industry is still young and figuring out what works  and what borrowers will tolerate.

He said he favors the notion that borrowers should be judged on more than their financial history.

Still, Khwaja is uncomfortable with how that notion is sometimes playing out. For instance, hes not wild about the idea that the pursuit of one field of study should help determine the ability to get a loan.

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Some banker is going to deny me a credit card because I chose to study Romance languages instead of Javascript? he said. Thats not a world I want to help create.

james.koren@latimes.com

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On 22 June Colombias attorney generals office opened an investigation into alleged illegal surveillance targeting magistrates on the constitutional court (CC).

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From 21-23 June Argentinas Presidentconducted a foreign tour of Europe, feted by libertarian think thanks and conservative politicians, and picking up awards and medals, while being condemned by left-leaning governments.

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Former president and convicted felon Donald Trump recently appeared at a Business Roundtable with top CEOs, where he suggested ideas that conflicted with his previous policies. Meanwhile, he also claimed he told UFC President Dana White about an idea about what to do with migrants that many found demeaning and racist.

During the Business Roundtable meeting, which included Apple CEO Tim Cook, or Tim Apple as Trump calls him, the former president suggested that we need brilliant people" in this country and vowed to keep American-educated talent at home.

This suggestion was made a week before the former president's appearance on "The All-In Podcast" on Thursday, with him also suggesting that foreign nationals who graduate from colleges and universities in the United States should "automatically" be given a green card upon graduation.

However, as Politico noted, this is a shift from his usual hardline rhetoric regarding immigration policy. This shift may be to align his political stances with the views of wealthy donors and business interests as Trump aims to get more wealthy donors.

"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," Republican strategist Scott Jennings told Politico. "Now some people might say that's craven or he doesn't have any core values or whatever. But he's got to win the election."

Trump has been flip-flopping on issues such as these, with the most prominent example being his embrace of TikTok. Trump once called for the Chinese-owned app to be banned, but he has since been slamming the ban and praising the app. The shift came after President Joe Biden threw his support on the ban, with Trump opposing it since it would make Biden look good.

In his previous stance on migrants, he vowed to have mass deportations on his first day of office and suggested that migrants are "poisoning the blood" of this country. However, that rhetoric may have turned off donors as Trump had been strapped for cash for his campaign at that time. In a short time after promising big corporations to be welcoming to migrants, however, he made a racist suggestion regarding them.

READ MORE: Trump Supporters Get Poked Fun At, Get Their Flawed Logic Exposed by Daily Show's Jordan Klepper

Donald Trump Says He Told UFC Head Dana White He Wants a 'Migrant League of Fighters'

After suggesting to CEOs he would welcome more migrants, the former president stated that he floated the idea of having a "migrant league of fighters" to UFC President Dana White, with CNN noting that he was "employing dehumanizing language to describe people who enter the US illegally."

"I said, 'Dana, I have an idea: Why don't 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 migrants' guy might win, that's how tough they are," he told the crowd.

However, Trump later admitted that the UFC head did not like the idea, saying, "He didn't like that idea too much, but actually, it's not the worst idea I've ever had."

Joe Biden Campaign Reacts to Latest Donald Trump Comments on Migrants

Donald Trump repeated that claim regarding what he told UFC president Dana White about migrants in another rally. However, it did not take long for the Biden Campaign to pounce on that suggestion.

"Fitting that convicted felon Donald Trump spent his time at a religious conference threatening to round up Latinos, bragging about ripping away Americans' freedoms, and promising to be even more extreme if he regains power," said Biden campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika. "Trump's incoherent, unhinged tirade showed voters in his own words that he is a threat to our freedoms and is too dangerous to be let anywhere near the White House again."

READ MORE: Robert Morris, Texas Megachurch Pastor and Donald Trump Spiritual Advisor, Admits to Child Sexual Abuse

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Trump CAN'T HIDE Tiny Philly Crowd at AWFUL SPEECH - MeidasTouch
Donald Trump has chosen his vice president for the upcoming presidential election 2024 but hasn't revealed the name.

Speaking to NBC News before a Philadelphia rally, Trump confirmed his decision but kept it secret, according to the Independent.

Hinted the Trump running mate might appear at the first presidential debate against Joe Biden or be announced at the Republican National Convention.

Speculation is high, with potential candidates including North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Senators Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, and JD Vance.

Rubio is a strong contender, but Burgum is also a top choice. Other potential picks include Byron Donalds, Ben Carson, Tom Cotton, and Elise Stefanik.

READ NEXT: Trump Flip-Flops on Issues, Makes Controversial Migrant Comments to UFC Head

Timing of the Announcement

Donald Trump's campaign is debating whether to announce his vice-presidential pick before or after his sentencing for his conviction last month on 34 felony counts related to his hush-money case.

The sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention, where Trump is expected to be officially nominated, per TIME.

In 2016, Trump selected Mike Pence, a conservative who helped broaden his appeal among traditional Republicans.

It remains to be seen if Trump will adopt a similar strategy this time or focus on solidifying his MAGA base.

Trump's senior adviser, Brian Hughes, stated that the campaign's main criterion for selecting a running mate is finding a strong leader who could serve as president after Trump's term.

Despite hints that the Trump vice president might appear at the upcoming debate, Trump has suggested that the official announcement will be made at the Republican National Convention in mid-July.

Potential Candidates and Their Prospects

Eight candidates are being vetted for Trump vice presidential pick: Senators Tim Scott, JD Vance, and Marco Rubio; Governors Doug Burgum and Kristi Noem; Representatives Byron Donalds and Elise Stefanik; and former HUD Secretary Ben Carson, Politico noted.

Tim Scott

Pros: Scott is a Black evangelical, effective fundraiser, and has a compelling life story.

Cons: Struggles under pressure and has unclear positions on key issues.

JD Vance

Pros: Strong media presence, elite credentials, military background, and fundraising ability.

Cons: Past criticism of Trump and controversial stance on abortion.

Marco Rubio

Pros: Establish credibility, fluency in Spanish, strong foreign policy knowledge, and appeals to Hispanic voters.

Cons: Residency issues with Trump and a history of faltering under pressure.

Elise Stefanik

Pros: Loyal to Trump, strong House performance, and appeals to suburban women.

Cons: Young age and relative inexperience.

Byron Donalds

Pros: Rising star, visible Trump supporter, and appeals to Black voters.

Cons: New to national politics, less polished, and faces Florida residency issue.

Doug Burgum

Pros: Vice-presidential bearing, wealthy businessman background.

Cons: Lacks national recognition and excitement.

Ben Carson

Pros: Strong reputation among Black voters and evangelicals, inspiring life story, Cabinet-level experience.

Cons: Age, soft-spoken nature, and Florida residency issue.

Tom Cotton

Pros: Trusted advisor on foreign affairs, strong ties to major donors.

Cons: Hawkish foreign policy views and lacks demographic advantages.

As the Republican National Convention nears, the decision on Donald Trump running mate will significantly influence the presidential election 2024.

READ MORE: Nevada Judge Dismisses Donald Trump Fake Elector Case

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Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Trump says he's made VP pick, hasn't told anyone yet - From CNN
American tourist Ryan Watson is finally on his way back to Oklahoma after more than two months of legal uncertainty in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Watson's journey through the islands' legal system began with his arrest for inadvertently carrying ammunition, culminating in a sentence that spared him from a potential 12-year prison term, according to NBC Boston.

Instead, he was fined $2,000, marking the end of a turbulent chapter that tested his resolve and faith.

READ NEXT: American Man Arrested in Turks and Caicos for Ammunition, Faces 12-Year Sentence

Sentencing and Legal Relief

On a Friday morning, American tourist Ryan Watson walked out of the courthouse in the Turks and Caicos Islands with his wife, Valerie, visibly relieved.

The judge's decision to impose a $2,000 fine rather than a lengthy prison sentence was a pivotal moment for the Watson family.

Each bullet found in Watson's possession carried a $500 penalty, a stark contrast to the initial fears of prolonged separation from his loved ones, ABC News reports.

Watson's case highlighted what the judge described as "exceptional circumstances," a legal term that acknowledged the unintentional nature of his offense.

His arrest in April followed a birthday celebration trip with friends, during which hunting ammunition was discovered in his luggage at the Howard Hamilton International Airport.

The legal landscape in the Turks and Caicos Islands shifted significantly in the weeks leading up to Watson's sentencing.

Amendments to the firearms ordinance, enacted just days before, granted courts greater discretion in sentencing individuals charged with firearm-related offenses.

Previously, a rigid 12-year minimum sentence was applied uniformly to such cases.

Under the revised law, judges now have the authority to tailor penalties, including fines or custodial sentences, based on the specifics of each case.

This legislative reform followed similar cases involving American tourists like Tyler Wenrich and Bryan Hagerich, both of whom faced charges for unwittingly carrying ammunition.

Their respective outcomes, which avoided mandatory lengthy imprisonment, set precedents for Watson's legal team to argue for equitable treatment.

Personal and Emotional Impact

In the days leading up to his sentencing, Ryan Watson appeared on "Good Morning America" to share his apprehensions and hopes following the Turks and Caicos ammunition case.

His emotional plea for leniency underscored the toll that the legal proceedings had taken on his family and career, Independent noted.

Watson's wife, Valerie, echoed these sentiments, describing the past months as an emotional roller coaster filled with longing and uncertainty.

American tourist, the impending return home symbolized more than just physical liberation; it represented a chance to reunite with his children and resume a semblance of normalcy.

His immediate plans upon returning to the United States included embracing his children and preparing a comforting meal for his family, gestures imbued with a sense of gratitude and relief.

READ MORE: Mexico Heatwave Kills 125; Scientist Links Event to Human-Induced Global Warming

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WATCH: American avoids jail time in Turks and Caicos over ammunition in luggage - From CBS News
The Atlantic Hurricane Season is already upon us, and Central America has been hit hard by torrential rain. The hardest hit is El Salvador, as the death toll in the country continues to climb amid the heavy rain as mudslides and flooding have caused some damage.

Two weather systems are currently lashing Central America, particularly El Salvador and Guatemala. One of them is Tropical Storm Alberto, which had been degraded to a tropical depression but is still dangerous, while the other is a weather system that has developed along the Pacific Coast near Guatemala.

Among the two most recent deaths in El Salvador include two girls, ages 5 and 7, according to the Associated Press. Their deaths were confirmed by the country's Rescue Commands and Civil Protection after it alerted residents to the danger of possible landslides that may happen due to the heavy rains.

The report from the El Salvador government agency revealed that the accumulation of water caused the walls of the girls' home to collapse. Rescuers responded immediately, but it was too late, as it took them several hours to clear the rubble before finding and recovering their already lifeless bodies. Their parents managed to survive the collapse and were soon taken to a nearby hospital.

Four more deaths were also reported, with two older people in the Panchimalco district and two other people in the Planes de Renderos area. Like the two girls, they also died after the walls of their homes collapsed on them.

Civil Protection Director Luis Alonso Amaya soon released a statement saying, "We have already resolved a little more than 1,500 incidents. Among these are 19 dead people, 706 fallen trees, and 521 temporarily obstructed roads. Two of those trees caused the death of three people."

El Salvador Issues State of National Emergency Amid Heavy Rains

After 11 deaths have been reported from the torrential rain, El Salvador has issued a national emergency as mudslides and flooding happened all over the Central American country, according to Fox Weather.

READ MORE: Tropical Storm Alberto Pushes Into Mexico, Kills 4

Photos and videos of the devastation have been shared all over social media as the US National Hurricane Center has warned about the possibility of at least three different cyclones happening thanks to the Central American Gyre that is aiding in the development of tropical disturbances in the eastern Pacific, Bay of Campeche or the western Caribbean Sea.

Heavy Rain Also Turns Deadly in Guatemala and Other Central American Countries

It is not just El Salvador that experienced the devastation, but also neighboring Guatemala, which was also forced to close down schools and suffered several fatalities due to mudslides and flooding.

In another wall collapse in the Guatemalan village of Chacaya, one man and one woman were killed as the government opened shelters across the country.

Seven people were killed in a landslide in Ecuador, while 5,000 people were evacuated in Honduras as heavy rains also lashed the country, according to DW.

READ MORE: Honduras Emulating El Salvador with Gang Crackdown, Massive 20,000-Capacity Prison

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WATCH: Several dead in El Salvador as rains lash Central America | REUTERS
California hiker Lukas McClish, 34, embarked on what was meant to be a routine three-hour hike in the scenic Santa Cruz Mountains on June 11.

However, unforeseen circumstances and the altered landscape from recent wildfires led to him getting lost in the vast wilderness, according to CNN.

McClish's disappearance prompted a widespread search effort after he failed to return home for a Father's Day dinner, ultimately culminating in his rescue ten days later.

READ NEXT: California Mass Shooting Suspect Smiley Martin Found Dead in Jail (2022)

A Harrowing Ordeal

A California hiker's trek into the Santa Cruz Mountains turned into a harrowing ordeal as he wandered through the rugged terrain of Big Basin Redwoods State Park, grappling with the aftermath of recent wildfires that had drastically altered the landscape.

His family's concern escalated when he didn't arrive for a planned Father's Day gathering on June 16, prompting official search and rescue operations to commence.

After days of uncertainty and extensive search efforts involving multiple agencies, including the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office and Cal Fire San Mateo, McClish was discovered.

He was found in a remote canyon within Big Basin Redwoods State Park, thanks to the combined efforts of search teams and the deployment of drones by the Santa Cruz Sheriff's Office, ABC 7 News reports.

Despite his prolonged exposure to the elements, McClish emerged relatively unscathed, albeit exhausted and dehydrated.

In an interview following his rescue, McClish recounted the minimal supplies he had carried with him, emphasizing his reliance on natural water sources found along the way.

His survival strategy centered on drinking copious amounts of water to stave off hunger, a testament to his resourcefulness and adaptability in the face of adversity.

McClish, a native of Boulder Creek, California, expressed gratitude for the tireless efforts of the search and rescue teams who tirelessly worked to locate him.

He described his emotions upon being reunited with his family as a mix of relief and overwhelming gratitude.

A Test of Survival

The California hiker's ten-day odyssey in the wilderness tested not just his physical stamina, but also his mental resilience.

Stranded without adequate provisions, he relied on ingenuity and resilience to weather the challenges of his environment.

Despite losing 30 pounds during his ordeal, McClish maintained a sense of calm and determination, viewing his time in the wilderness as an opportunity for personal growth and reflection, The New York Times noted.

As the days passed, McClish's situation grew increasingly dire, compounded by the onset of hypothermia and the physical toll of his surroundings.

However, his unwavering resolve and occasional cries for help eventually caught the attention of search teams scouring the area.

The dramatic rescue, involving the deployment of drones and the collaboration of dedicated personnel from various agencies, marked the end of Lukas McClish's solitary journey in the California mountains.

His reunion with family members served as a poignant reminder of the value of community support and the indomitable human spirit in overcoming adversity.

READ MORE: Florida Couple Dies After Being Caught in Rip Current

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WATCH: Missing hiker found alive after spending 10 days in Santa Cruz Mountains - From ABC7 News Bay Area
EMAMBITENI  A 64-year-old woman was allegedly raped before being murdered on Sunday night.

The disturbing and horrific incident occurred around the rural community of Emambiteni, which is located in northern Hhohho. The deceased, Phindile Dlamini, was returning home when she was apparently ambushed by her assailant. It is suspected that the assailant forced the woman off a path leading to her homestead, and dragged her to a nearby thicket. It is suspected that the man may have pressed a knife against the womans neck to induce submission.

Lacerations to the womans neck led investigators to believe that she may have been strangulated by the aggressor while he violently raped her, before proceeding to stab her multiple times. Upon subjecting the elderly woman to the cruel and violent encounter, the suspected rapist reportedly left her half-naked body lying in a pool of blood and dashed to his sisters place, which is located in the same community. The victim was found about a few minutes later, a few metres from her homestead.

Searching

This was after two good Samaritans, who were searching for a lost phone, abandoned their search and started looking for the woman. According to Dudu Mabuza (45), who is one of the people who made the macabre discovery, they became suspicious when they came across clothes which were possibly removed from the woman. These included a shoe and a head scarf, which were all easily identified by the deceaseds neighbour. Mabuza told the Times of Eswatini that when she recognised the clothes, she became suspicious, and shifted her focus from the lost phone to start a search for the missing woman.

I became suspicious when I noted Make Phindiles shoe alongside her head scarf. Because we knew her as a person who loved her drink, we suspected that something may have horribly gone wrong. It was unusual for her to leave her clothes in the wilderness, because she was a lively person, narrated the eyewitness. Further raising suspicions were bloodstains which were noted next to the pathway. We followed a track which had the bloodstains. This led us to a thicket, where we eventually found her unresponsive body lying in a pool of blood, she said.

However, along the track, the woman said they came across the suspected rapist. It was his strange behaviour and his blood soaked clothes that led the neighbour to suspect that the 25-year-old man may have been responsible for the violent rape and murder of the 64-year-old woman. He was panicking and had blood on his hands. I became suspicious and asked him a few questions, she said.

The eyewitness said the man attempted to advance an alibi which was hard for them to believe. She said when they asked him where he was coming from; he said he was from relieving himself in the bush. We came across him before finding the body. His story did not add up and I phoned his sister straightaway, alerting her that I suspected that his brother might have killed someone, narrated the woman. A hurried call later brought police officers to the scene. The disturbing incident was confirmed by Acting Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni, in a statement that was sent to the media.




The Michigan State House of Representatives was rocked by a scandal involving a Republican state representative and a stripper. as Michigan Republican State Rep. Neil Friske was recently arrested in Lansing.

After he was arrested, Neil Friske was soon let out of jail in Lansing, and his lawyers claimed that he had done nothing wrong, pointing out that the Michigan Republican was still considered innocent until proven guilty.

He was reportedly arrested on Windbreak Lane near a condo he owns in the city, with the stripper he chased reportedly working for the Deja Vu Showgirls strip club, which was where the incident reportedly took place.

MIRS News reported that the Republican lawmaker allegedly "chased an adult dancer after a disagreement." This led to the incident being reported to police, which eventually led to Neil Friske's arrest.

"We're just saying no comment at this time," said the establishment in a statement. Friske also declined to comment as he left the Lansing police station on Friday. It was shown that the Republican, who is known for his staunch anti-immigrant rhetoric in Michigan, may be facing charges of sexual assault, assault, and a weapons-related offense.

So far, he has not been charged yet, nor has he been arraigned. His campaign did release a statement on Facebook, saying, "As many of us know, Rep Friske is always exercising his 2nd Amendment right. We do not have any details, besides what the media sourced, oddly before anyone of us knew anything."

However, the campaign also went into conspiracy theory territory as it questioned why he was arrested for chasing a stripper with a gun, claiming that the arrest happened right before absentee ballots were released.

READ MORE: Matt Gaetz Pedophile Scandal: Witness Told House Ethics Committee Florida Republican Paid Her for Sex

Michigan State Rep. Neil Friske's Republican Primary Opponent Calls for Him To Be Held Accountable

While the incident of a Michigan Republican politician being arrested was not supposed to be political, Neil Friske's campaign is making it out to be one. Meanwhile, his Republican primary opponent is already calling for him to be held accountable for his actions.

Republican primary candidate Parker Fairbairn says he wants his election opponent to be held responsible, according to Davidson News. For now, police are still investigating the alleged attack on the dancer and are still deciding if the Michigan state congressman should be charged with a crime.

Michigan Prosecutor Asking Police to Continue Investigation on Republican Rep. Neil Friske

While police are still mulling whether or not they should charge the Republican lawmaker with a crime, Michigan prosecutor John Dewane said Lansing police should continue the investigation.

"Our office will continue to work in coordination with law enforcement on this matter," he said. The prosecutor also admitted that Lansing police submitted a request for charges against the lawmaker, according to ABC affiliate Up North Live.

Friske is a first-term state representative with a conservative record. He represents Charlevoix and Emmet counties and portions of Cheboygan, Chippewa, and Mackinac counties in northern Michigan.

READ MORE: Robert Morris, Texas Megachurch Pastor and Donald Trump Spiritual Advisor, Admits to Child Sexual Abuse

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WATCH: Republican Congressman Arrested For Chasing Stripper While Firing Gun - Farron Balanced
Despite claims by right-wing politicians, media, and pundits, the numbers along the US-Mexico border are actually going down since Joe Biden's border crackdown started. This is backed by actual numbers from Border Patrol that showed migrants are down by 25% since Biden announced the new asylum restrictions.

Border Patrol recently released their latest numbers for people illegally crossing into the United States and it showed that in May, these numbers fell to the third lowest of any month during the Biden presidency. Much of the drop happened during the roughly two weeks since the president announced his new asylum restrictions.

The migrant encounter numbers obtained by the Associated Press noted that Border Patrol made 117,900 arrests of people entering the country between the official border crossing points along the US-Mexico border for the month of May. This is 9% lower than in April, and it also shows that since Biden announced the asylum restrictions, the number of arrests has fallen by 25%.

The Biden administration seems to be happy with these numbers as they challenge Republicans' claims that he is not doing much to control the wave of migration coming into the US-Mexico border. Even with these claims, Biden has been working with other governments, such as Mexico and Guatemala, to help slow down the migrants.

"Our enforcement efforts are continuing to reduce southwest border encounters. But the fact remains that our immigration system is not resourced for what we are seeing," said acting CBP Head Troy A. Miller in a statement.

Under Biden, the US is pressuring Mexico to enact stiffer penalties for migrants traveling to the US-Mexico border. This pressure has made Mexico bus migrants who have been deported to the south of the country, further frustrating them and forcing many to give up on making it to the US.

READ MORE: Trump Supporters Get Poked Fun At, Get Their Flawed Logic Exposed by Daily Show's Jordan Klepper

Joe Biden Receives Praise for Actions on the US-Mexico Border

Meanwhile, the lowered numbers have earned Biden the praise of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who hailed the president's s "balanced approach" in toughening security at the border while also ensuring protections for undocumented immigrants.

According to Politico, Grisham appeared on CBS News's "Face the Nation" and stated that what Biden did is "very important" for a border state like New Mexico, "where risks are present every day" related to "human trafficking, drugs, guns, and other contraband."

Donald Trump Continues Fearmongering Against Joe Biden About US-Mexico Border Without Evidence

While Biden has the numbers to prove he is, in fact, doing something, his top rival for the presidency, former president and convicted felon Donald Trump, continues his fearmongering tactics by claiming migrants are out to get Americans.

During a rally in Philadelphia, the former president claimed that "Biden's open borders have allowed thousands of illegal immigrants to pour into America, leading to a surge of violent crime in its major cities, hurting Black and Hispanic populations the most," claiming that only he can fix it.

"Few communities have suffered more under the Biden regime than Philadelphia," he said without proof. "Under Crooked Joe, the City of Brotherly Love is being ravaged by bloodshed and crime."

READ MORE: Donald Trump Net Worth Falls After Trump Media Stocks Continue Freefall; Losing to Joe Biden in Poll

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WATCH: Republicans COLLAPSE on TV after Biden border order - David Pakman Show
A two-alarm blaze Saturday evening ravaged a residence and left a family of two homeless in Salisbury Township, a fire official said.

Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Co. Assistant Chief William R. Sames told lehighvalleylive.com flames around 5 p.m. ignited on a home in the 1000 block of Hawthorn Road. Responding crews found heavy fire and smoke engulfing the back of the two-story home, he said.

There were no reported injuries. A woman and her older son were able to escape safely, Sames said.

Flames eventually burned through the majority of the roof, he said. The fire company described the firefighting effort on its Facebook page.

The blaze went to a second alarm for additional manpower, drawing crews from a half dozen neighboring departments. Rehab 101, a combination of Woodlawn Fire Dept. in Allentown and Macungie Emergency Medical Services, provided rehabilitation services for the firefighters.

It took crews about 90 minutes to get the flames under control, Sames said.

The house was deemed uninhabitable. The family is staying with relatives, Sames said Monday.

The cause of Saturdays fire remains under investigation; however, fire officials dont suspect anything suspicious, Sames said.

A two-alarm blaze Saturday, June 22, 2024 ravaged a residence and left a family of two homeless in Salisbury Township, Flames around 5 p.m. ignited in the 1000 block of Hawthorn Road, said Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Co. Assistant Chief William R. Sames.Courtesy Dustin Stevens

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
An Allentown man was sentenced to spend up to 15 years in prison following a fatal shoot-out in an AutoZone parking lot, the Lehigh County District Attorneys Office said Friday.

Joshua Ortiz, 28, pleaded guilty in April to felony first-degree attempted murder, according to court records.

His friend, 22-year-old Edgar Gonzalez, was killed in the shootout, records say. No one was charged with criminal homicide because the shooter fired in self defense, according to a news release from the district attorneys office.
MBABANE  Renal patients have resorted to forming groups to make contributions to purchase a vital drug, One-Alpha, which has been unavailable since last year.

So serious is the situation of the drugs and medical supplies shortage in the country that some patients, who suffer from critical ailments, have not been spared. Some of the renal patients said they had to deal with other conditions, including high blood pressure (BP) and sugar diabetes. This, they said, required them to at least have E800 to spend on medication on a monthly basis, following that, they no longer received medication from public hospitals. A visit by this reporter to the patients at Mbabane Government Hospital, with the aim of establishing how they were coping under the situation, revealed their plight. The patients are not only unable to access the key drug, but are also struggling to get funds to travel to health facilities for treatment.

Currently, over 300 patients receive dialysis treatment in the country. Mbabane Government Hospital treats around 190 patients, Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) Hospital has over 45 patients, while the Hlatikhulu Government Hospital treats over 40. Narrating their plight, the renal patients stated that they felt neglected by government, which should be supporting them as their situation was critical. According to the patients, despite receiving the dialysis treatment, the hospital has not been able to provide them with one of the key drugs, known as One-Alpha. The One-Alpha drug is used to treat diseases, where the amount of calcium in the body needs changing. It works by increasing the amount of vitamin D in the body, as well as the levels of calcium and phosphate. It is required by all patients receiving dialysis treatment.

The patients said the drugs are available at pharmacies at a cost of E480, which they could hardly afford, as most of them are unemployed. They pleaded with government to prioritise their health by ensuring that all the required medication is available in the hospitals, without being forced to spend a lot of money at pharmacies. The patients mentioned that they were, at times, forced to walk to town to buy the medication, which is not available at the hospital, something which worsened their condition following the dialysis.

Costly

According to the renal patients, they have resolved to come together in groups and make contributions to purchase the drugs. Although, this assists in easing the financial pressure, they stated that the drugs did not last, as they had to share them among themselves. We cannot afford to miss a dialysis session as that could be costly to ones life, the patients said.

They said some of them had no alternative, as they could not afford the travelling expenses. This, they said, was despite the fact that they had to lounge at the hospital sometimes to make their lives easier. The patients said there were times when they would not have money for travelling and they lounged at the hospital. Most of us are unemployed and our condition does not allow that we work, they said.

*Esther, who is one of the patients, stated that she had sold almost all her chickens in order to afford the drugs and transport fees. She said following the death of her husband in January, her life with kidney failure has not been a bed of roses. Esther said, as kidney patients, in order to afford the One-Alpha, they grouped themselves, which meant they had to share the drugs equally among themselves. This, she said, was a struggle for other patients who did not have money, and would sometimes go without the drugs. Esther said they did not know the level of damage when the body was no longer receiving the drugs, as they were told they should take them every day. She urged government to consider at least offering grants to cushion them as they were unable to get employment due to their condition. We are supposed to undergo the dialysis treatment three times a week. The treatment takes the entire day.

Transport

Esther, who hails from Phophonyane in the Hhohho Region, stated that she had to lodge at the hospital to meet her daily transport costs, which were around E336 for the three days of dialysis. She said they were exposed to the cold at the hospital, where they were supposed to lodge until they completed their dialysis sessions.*Mavis, who is also a kidney patient, stated that on top of the One-Alpha, she had to buy adalat tablets to manage her blood pressure. According to Mavis, the adalat tablets were on and off at the hospital, while the One-Alpha had not been available since last year. Another patient, *Sonto, stated that the issue of medication was frustrating for them.

Sonto stated that the hospital was failing to provide all the medication she was required to take, yet it is expensive. I have BP that needs to be maintained and Im really struggling without the medication. She said usually she took adalat tablets for her condition, which she could not afford, because she did not have a job. Sonto said her husband usually assisted her, but it was not enough. Ministry of Health Communications Officer Nsindiso Tsabedze said he would conduct a fact-finding mission on what the patients alleged and revert to this reporter.

A questionnaire was sent to Tsabedze on Friday and by yesterday, he had not yet responded.

He was questioned on what the challenges were in acquiring the One-Alpha drug for the renal patients. The communications officer was also asked on how far government had gone in the process of decentralising renal services in the countrys major hospitals, considering that patients had to travel long distances.

* Not real names for patients privacy.
A motorcyclist early Monday was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash on Route 22 west in South Whitehall, state police said.

Trooper Nathan Branosky, public information officer for the Troop M barracks, said the accident happened just before 12:45 a.m. in the westbound lanes at mile marker 319.6, just past 15th Street. The accident involved a white 2020 Toyota Camry and a 2008 Suzuki motorcycle.

The 28-year-old motorcyclist was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township with serious injuries. No one in the Toyota was hurt, Branosky said.

Traffic was detoured after the crash until shortly before 5 a.m. Monday.

Pennsylvania State Police in Bethlehem continue to investigate and seek witnesses. Those with information are asked to call asked to Pennsylvania State Police in Bethlehem at 610-861-2026 and reference Incident # PA24-823503.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.
A woman from Co Limerick has helped raise 18,000 for charity after her mother received a terminal cancer prognosis.

When the Irish Cancer Society were looked for volunteers to help raise money on Daffodil Day, Sinead OBeirne Brinn stepped forward to give back to them.

I saw they were looking for volunteers to help to raise money on their yearly annual fundraiser. At the time, my mom was dying with terminal cancer, so I wanted to give back to them because they were providing us with the palliative care we needed to mind mom at home, said the Dooradoyle woman.

READ MORE: Corbally woman starts 100km trek for Palestinian children

Because of her experience as a regional manager and her work with Limericks Womens Shed, she was asked to be a fundraising coordinator for the Limerick area.

I pulled together 50 people from all the groups I'm involved in, they all came forward and we managed four shopping centres, doing 12 hours in each shopping centre and raising money on Daffodil Day.

Sadly, Sinead's mother, Teresa, passed away at the same time.

Everybody had a reason for helping. The irony was, my mom died at that time, within a few days. She was dead before the collection, she said.

This year, Sinead understood for the first time the importance of Daffodil Day, the Irish Cancer Societys biggest fundraising event of the year.

It was the first time I got to understand that Daffodil Day is the only place where the night nurses, the palliative care night nurses, it's the only place that pays them, she said. When mom got the terminal diagnosis, I was the person that looked after her medically.

When her mother received her prognosis, Sinead looked for guidance.

I remember being with her the day that she got the terminal diagnosis, coming away feeling quite helpless and not knowing what to do. She was looking for me for guidance because there were choices we had to make.

We would have experienced the nurses coming in and out to mom, we'd have been lost without them. I remember going into the support centre in the hospital the following day, to go to people that specialise just in cancer, and they were absolutely fantastic. It really kind of got my head straight on what I needed to do to help mom in her last few weeks, she said.

In June, Sinead presented the Irish Cancer Society with a cheque of 18,000 alongside the volunteers she worked with, a sum they raised in one day.

Speaking of the funds raised, she said: It was phenomenal, it was unbelievable. Some days I'd be there with mom on night duty, nursing her at home, the cause was so close to the bone.

When we presented them with the cheque, they were blown away. The money helps people locally, so we're doing it for our own.
A man who thought he was bringing tax documents into the country was shocked when he was told his luggage contained over 276,000 in cannabis, a court has heard.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Georgious Nikolas (46) believed he was carrying documents to be used by a business to obtain a tax benefit and was shocked, angry and upset when he was told the luggage contained over 13.8kg of cannabis, valued at around 276,000.

The investigating garda told Oisin Clarke BL, prosecuting, that customs officials at Dublin Airport stopped Nikolas on October 19 last as he was acting suspiciously.

They searched his luggage and found the drugs. Nikolas made admissions to the customs officials and later to gardai during interview.

Nikolas with an unknown address in Greece pleaded guilty to the importation of cannabis. He has no previous convictions here or in any other jurisdiction.

He told gardai he wanted to earn extra money to pay for his son's education and was approached by someone he knew and offered 500.

The garda agreed with Michael Bowman SC, defending, that Nikolas fully co-operated and provided material assistance to the investigation.

Nikolas had worked as a chiropractor, but lost his job. He was working as a pizza delivery driver in Athens when an acquaintance offered to help him earn extra money by bringing tax documents to Ireland for a business, which would then gain a tax benefit.

The garda said the 500 offered to Nikolas for his role was unusually low. She further accepted Mr Bowman's suggestion that Nikolas knew what he was doing wasn't kosher, but didn't know he was carrying drugs.

It was further accepted that Nikolas has a long work history and no involvement in criminality. Nikolas is a devoted father who was living hand to mouth while working as a pizza delivery driver with everything else going towards his son's education.

He submitted to the court while his client was naive and reckless, he was genuinely shocked by the contents of the bag. Mr Bowman also noted that the investigating garda fully accepted his client's account.

Nikolas is a Greek national, has no connection to this jurisdiction, and has received no visits since he entered custody. Mr Bowman said his client has not tried to frustrate the criminal process and did everything possible to co-operate.

A number of references were handed to the court along with a governor's report. Nikolas is an enhanced prisoner working and engaged in education while in custody.

Judge Dara Hayes noted that Nikolas thought he was carrying documents for a not entirely appropriate tax scheme and was upset when he was told it was actually drugs.

The judge said that gardai accepted that Nikolas didn't know he was carrying drugs, and in the court's experience this is not a concession lightly or easily made by a prosecuting garda.

He added that Nikolas's account was also accepted as plausible by gardai.

Judge Hayes said it was accepted by the prosecuting garda that 500 was an unusually low reward for bringing in a significant quantity of drugs and that Nikolas's actions were naive and reckless.

The judge said the quantity of drugs is an aggravating factor, noting the impact of drugs on society and communities across the country.

He said the mitigating factors include Nikolas's personal circumstances, his early guilty plea, and level of co-operation with gardai.

Judge Hayes imposed a sentence of two and a half years backdated to October 19 last, when Nikolas entered custody.

The judge said he would suspend the final 18 months of the sentence in light of Nikolas's personal circumstances, lack of previous convictions and the difficulty a foreign national can face in custody.
With temperatures around the country set to reach into the twenties this week, Dogs Trust Ireland is issuing a warning to dog owners that too much exercise in hot weather can be dangerous and potentially fatal for dogs.

The charity is also reminding the dog-loving public that even warm, humid days without sunshine can be enough to cause heat-related issues for canines.

Flat-faced breeds such as Pugs and French Bulldogs are especially vulnerable in hot weather and recent research found English Bulldogs are fourteen times more likely to suffer heat-related illness compared to Labrador Retrievers.

The research, carried out by the Royal Veterinary College, in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University also found that over a third of owners of flat-faced dogs reported that heat regulation is a problem for their pet.

However, Dogs Trust is warning owners that any dog can suffer from heatstroke. The Pet Emergency Hospital in Dublin reported that each dog presented to them with heatstroke between June and August required hospitalisation and sadly, the fatality rate can be as high as 93%, depending on the severity of the case.

Here are eight top tips to keep your dog happy this summer.

Provide shade and water - Make sure your dog has access to shade and plenty of fresh water throughout the day. You can place a damp towel in their shady spot that they can lie on to keep them even cooler. Dont forget to replace or rewet it regularly though as it can dry out quickly. Never place a damp towel over a dog as it could actually cause their temperature to rise.

Make sure your dog has access to shade and plenty of fresh water throughout the day. You can place a damp towel in their shady spot that they can lie on to keep them even cooler. Dont forget to replace or rewet it regularly though as it can dry out quickly. Never place a damp towel over a dog as it could actually cause their temperature to rise. Plan your walkies - Walk your dog in the early morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. This will reduce their risk of heatstroke. Be particularly careful if your dog is old, overweight, suffers from breathing difficulties or is a flat faced breed like Pugs, French Bulldogs or English Bulldogs.

Walk your dog in the early morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. This will reduce their risk of heatstroke. Be particularly careful if your dog is old, overweight, suffers from breathing difficulties or is a flat faced breed like Pugs, French Bulldogs or English Bulldogs. Familiarise yourself with signs of heatstroke and cooling first aid - The ability to identify if your dog is overheating and knowing how to administer cooling first aid could be lifesaving. Keep reading to learn more about this.

The ability to identify if your dog is overheating and knowing how to administer cooling first aid could be lifesaving. Keep reading to learn more about this. Do the five-second tarmac test - Tarmac can get very hot in the sun and could burn your dogs paws. Check the pavement with your hand before letting your dog walk on it  hold your hand down for five seconds, if it's too hot for you, then we recommend walking your dog later when its cooled down to avoid burning their paws.

Tarmac can get very hot in the sun and could burn your dogs paws. Check the pavement with your hand before letting your dog walk on it  hold your hand down for five seconds, if it's too hot for you, then we recommend walking your dog later when its cooled down to avoid burning their paws. Don't let your dog get burnt - Keep your dog out of direct sunlight where you can. Use pet-safe sun cream on exposed parts of your dogs skin, like the tips of their ears and nose. Ask your vet for more advice if needed.

Keep your dog out of direct sunlight where you can. Use pet-safe sun cream on exposed parts of your dogs skin, like the tips of their ears and nose. Ask your vet for more advice if needed. Check ahead for adventures - If you're planning a day out somewhere, check whether dogs are welcome, always plan for plenty of water and toilet stops too.

If you're planning a day out somewhere, check whether dogs are welcome, always plan for plenty of water and toilet stops too. Consider not using the car - Think twice about any car trips with your dog, avoid congested roads or busy times of day when they could overheat in the car if you are caught up in traffic. Avoid long car journeys in hot weather, if you need to travel, avoid the heat of the day and use a car sunblind for shade.

Think twice about any car trips with your dog, avoid congested roads or busy times of day when they could overheat in the car if you are caught up in traffic. Avoid long car journeys in hot weather, if you need to travel, avoid the heat of the day and use a car sunblind for shade. Book in a trip to the groomers - It can be a good idea to trim back particularly hairy dogs fur on consultation with your groomer, so they wont get so hot.

Niamh Curran-Kelly, Veterinary and Welfare Manager, Dogs Trust Ireland advises: "Dogs can really struggle to regulate their body temperature in the heat and are quite susceptible to heatstroke. Watch out for heavy or continuous panting even when theyve stopped exercising, difficulty breathing, lethargy or drowsiness, uncoordinated movements, excessive drooling, vomiting or diarrhoea, seizures, or collapse.

"If you notice any of these signs, immediately move your dog to a cooler area and call your vet as soon as possible for advice, as the faster they receive treatment, the better their chance of making a full recovery."
Sungrow FPV Unveil Flexible Floating PV System Solution at Intersolar Europe 2024





HEFEI, China, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sungrow FPV officially launched a flexible Floating PV System Solution at Intersolar Europe 2024, from June 19-21 at Messe Munich.

This floating PV system solution is based on the actual application needs of the current market, continuing the three major advantages of high efficiency and flexibility, ultimate safety, and convenient operation and maintenance. The system layout is optimized in design, with adjustable snow load, making it applicable to various floating PV application scenarios. The maintenance walkways are ergonomically designed, offering high stability to ensure safety and operability during maintenance.

Europe is one of Sungrow FPV 's strategic markets, and we are committed to long-term development, contributing to the energy transition in Europe. We radiate our high-quality products and services to European countries and regions, achieving long-term win-win outcomes with customers and partners.

Sungrow FPV looks forward to exploring floating PV technology trends with global customers and partners in the future, supporting the development of global photovoltaic and floating PV, and jointly creating a better green energy future.

About Sungrow FPV

Sungrow Floating PV is a key high-tech enterprise dedicated to providing floating PV system solutions, focusing on providing ecologically friendly, reliable, and efficient Floating PV system solutions. With the vision of "to be the global navigator of FPV", its persistent pursuit is to provide high-yield one-stop services and lead the environmentally friendly development of floating PV.

Learn more at http://en.sungrowfpv.com/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2445700/image_5031108_46157048.jpg

24 june 2024 at 01:13

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Volt Lithium to Participate in Live Webinar on June 25





CALGARY, Alberta, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Volt Lithium Corp. (TSXV: VLT | OTCQB: VLTLF) ("Volt" or the "Company") invites investors and interested parties to join Alex Wylie, President & CEO of Volt, who will be participating in a live webinar hosted by Energy Prospectus Group (EPG) on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.



Webinar Details

Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Time: 10:00am MT (9:00am PT; 12:00pm ET)

Registration: link

About Volt

Volt is a lithium development and technology company aiming to be North America's first commercial producer of lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonates from oilfield brine. Our strategy is to generate value for shareholders by leveraging management's hydrocarbon experience and existing infrastructure to extract lithium deposits from existing wells, thereby reducing capital costs, lowering risks and supporting the world's clean energy transition. With four differentiating pillars, and a proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction ("DLE") technology and process, Volt's innovative approach to development is focused on allowing the highest lithium recoveries with lowest costs, positioning us well for future commercialization. We are committed to operating efficiently and with transparency across all areas of the business staying sharply focused on creating long-term, sustainable shareholder value. Investors and/or other interested parties may sign up for updates about the Company's continued progress on its website: https://voltlithium.com/.

Contact Information

For Investor Relations inquiries or further information, please contact:

Alex Wylie, President & CEO

T: +1.403.830.5811

E: [email protected]

Or

Greg Foofat, Vice President, Investor Relations

T: +1.587.888.5213

E: [email protected]

Forward Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "will", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. Statements, other than statements of historical fact, may constitute forward-looking information and include, without limitation, information with respect to the terms of the operational milestone, Volume Scale-up. Extraction Time Improvements and Continuous Processing vs Batch Processing, the deployment of the Field Unit in the Permian Basin, the production of battery grade lithium by the Field Unit, and the commercial production of lithium from oilfield brine. With respect to the forward-looking information contained in this press release, the Company has made numerous assumptions. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies and may prove to be incorrect. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein including those known risk factors outlined in the Company's annual information form dated February 29, 2024 and (final) short form base shelf prospectus dated July 20, 2023. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

24 june 2024 at 03:00

News published onand distributed by:
Group 1 Automotive Provides Statement on CDK Cybersecurity Incident





HOUSTON, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Group 1 Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: GPI) ("Group 1" or the "Company"), a Fortune 300 automotive retailer with 202 dealerships located in the U.S. and U.K., today announced that the cybersecurity incident recently experienced by third-party software provider, CDK Global LLC ("CDK"), has disrupted Group 1's business applications and processes in its U.S. operations that rely on CDK's dealers' systems.

In response, the Company immediately activated its cyber incident response procedures and proactively took measures to protect and isolate its systems from CDK's platform. Despite the CDK service outage, all Group 1 U.S. dealerships continue to conduct business using alternative processes until CDK's dealers' systems are available. The Company's dealerships in the U.K. do not use CDK's dealers' systems and are therefore not impacted by the CDK service outage.

CDK has advised that it anticipates the restoration of the dealer management system will require several days and not weeks. The timing of the restoration of other impacted CDK applications remains unclear at this time. Group 1's ability to determine the material impact, if any, of the CDK incident and the resulting service outage, will ultimately depend on a number of factors, including when, and to what extent, the Company resumes its access to CDK's dealers' systems. Group 1 is closely monitoring this situation and will take additional action if determined necessary.

"Our associates are coming together with an unwavering focus on delivering the best possible customer experience. Their efforts have been nothing short of exemplary. We'd like to thank our team, our customers, and our partners for their patience as we navigate this outage," said Daryl Kenningham, Group 1's President and Chief Executive Officer.

ABOUT GROUP 1 AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

Group 1 owns and operates 202 automotive dealerships, 264 franchises, and 42 collision centers in the United States and the United Kingdom that offer 35 brands of automobiles. Through its dealerships and omni-channel platform, the Company sells new and used cars and light trucks; arranges related vehicle financing; sells service and insurance contracts; provides automotive maintenance and repair services; and sells vehicle parts.

Group 1 discloses additional information about the Company, its business, and its results of operations at www.group1corp.com , www.group1auto.com , www.group1collision.com , www.acceleride.com , www.facebook.com/group1auto , and www.twitter.com/group1auto .

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are statements related to future, not past, events and are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. These statements address Group 1's expectations or beliefs regarding future events, actions or performance, including the impact of the CDK cybersecurity incident on Group 1, including its financial condition and results of operations. Factors that could affect future developments and performance include access to the CDK platform, and CDK's ability to contain and remediate the cybersecurity incident and other risk and factors contained in the documents that Group 1 has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investor contacts:

Terry Bratton

Manager, Investor Relations

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

[email protected]

Media contacts:

Pete DeLongchamps

Senior Vice President, Manufacturer Relations, Financial Services and Public Affairs

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

[email protected]

or

Clint Woods

Pierpont Communications, Inc.

713-627-2223

[email protected]

SOURCE Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

24 june 2024 at 06:01

News published onand distributed by:
IQUNIX Unveils EZ Series HE Keyboard: Pinnacle of Gaming Keyboard Engineering





NEW YORK, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IQUNIX, a leading innovative peripherals brand, launched the groundbreaking EZ60 and EZ63 Magnetic Switch gaming keyboards on June 19th. Designed specifically for FPS gamers, the EZ Series aims to elevate gaming experiences to new heights. With its unique e-sport aesthetic design, IQUNIX brings a breakthrough 8000Hz polling rate, 0.05mm Release Sensitivity in Rapid Trigger with revolutionary hall effect technology, and Magnetic Auto-Tunetm for minimal latency, faster key response, and competitive stability in FPS gaming, such as Valorant, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, osu!, and Apex Legends.

The EZ Series offers a range of impressive features that set it apart from other gaming keyboards on the market. By prioritizing the enhancement of keyboard performance metrics like latency, key accuracy, and stability, the EZ60/EZ63 also shines in personalization options, delivering customizable settings and an unparalleled sound feel.

Built for Performance: Easy to Win!

Breakthrough Response - 8000Hz Polling Rate

One of the most notable features of EZ is its ultra-high polling rate of 8000Hz, which reduces keyboard latency to an unprecedented 0.125ms.

This means that players will have almost instantaneous responses to their inputs, giving them a clear advantage in fast-paced.

By delivering real-time feedback with unparalleled speed and precision, IQUNIX continues to push the boundaries of gaming performance.

Ultimate Precision - 0.05mm Rapid Tigger & Accuracy

With Rapid Trigger, effortlessly repeat key presses mid-motion without hitting a fixed reset or actuation point. The EZ keyboard's Super Rapid Stop Mode sets a new standard with its 0.05mm release sensitivity.

In essence, the EZ Series represents a pinnacle of gaming keyboard engineering, combining advanced technology with user-centric design to deliver an unparalleled gaming experience. Whether executing split-second maneuvers or maintaining peak performance over extended gameplay sessions, the EZ keyboards from IQUNIX redefine what gamers can expect from their gaming peripherals.

Competitive Stability - Breakthrough Technology

The EZ Series keyboards are built with a proprietary solution that makes them so precise, stable, and fast. Paired with dedicated advanced web-based software, it ensures stability and minimizes the risk of bugs. Gamers can rely on a consistent and flawless performance, match after match.

Plus, IQUNIX and Gateron jointly developed and launched the latest breakthrough - thedesign utilizes magnetic coupling and the Hall effect to ensure smoother keystrokes with enhanced stability, maintaining accurate triggering.

Best Sound & Texture: E-sport Gasket Mount, Aluminum Frame

The accuracy of the magnetic switch HE keyboard is crucial, and IQUNIX has achieved a breakthrough of 0.05mm RT sensitivity and precision. Therefore, they designed the E-sport gasket mount to be stable, which not only ensures accuracy on a stable foundation, but also guarantees a pleasant sound.

IQUNIX is referred to as the "Aluminum Factory" by their customers, this prestigious nickname highlights the exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to quality that IQUNIX is known for. Naturally, this incredibly cool tech product is crafted from high-quality aluminum, delivering a premium texture and ensuring durability.

Designed for Pro Use - E-sport Vibe, Double-shot PBT Keycap, Pro Setting

Keycaps are crafted from materials with high PBT content, ensuring prolonged intensive use without wear or fading over time, a significant advantage for gamers!

The web-based EZ software integrates champions and professional players settings for magnetic switch precision, allowing instant access to 'Pros Setting' with the one click.

"We believe that keyboards should be both tools and works of art, setting us apart with a foundation built on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction," said Levan, CEO of IQUNIX.

At Computex 2024 in Taipei, IQUNIX booth was buzzing with excitement as visitors experienced the EZ Series firsthand. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the keyboard's tactile feel and precise performance. Industry experts, gamers, and media outlets all took note of the EZ Series, leading to a surge in discussions across various tech forums and social media platforms.

The EZ Series officially launched on June 19th on the IQUNIX.com, available in EZ60 and EZ63. The main difference between them is that the EZ63 includes arrow keys. The EZ60/EZ63 is priced at $179 on the official website. Customers can join their Rewards Program to get $20 off and a free EZ Carry Bag.

Founded in 2014, IQUNIX merges aesthetics with technology to create timeless desktop tech products. The brand aims to create desktop tech products that provide aesthetic pleasure and embody timeless design for users.

Known for the award-winning ZX-1 ITX PC case, IQUNIX gained further acclaim in 2022 with a limited-edition keyboard collaboration with The Little Prince. Currently, IQUNIX offers high-quality, visually stunning keyboards and peripherals, continuously pushing the boundaries of design to meet users' functional and aesthetic needs.

For more information, please visit:

Official Website: https://iqunix.com

Discord: https://discord.gg/9kJ8HKbe6a

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iqunix

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IQUNIX

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IQUNIX

X: https://x.com/EZ63Keyboard

Media Contact:

IQUNIX PR Team

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE IQUNIX

24 june 2024 at 09:30

News published onand distributed by:
Victoria Gold: Eagle Gold Mine Heap Leach Pad Incident





WHITEHORSE, Yukon, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Victoria Gold Corp. (TSX-VGCX) ("Victoria" or the "Company") announces that, this morning, the heap leach pad ("HLP") at the Eagle Gold Mine in Yukon experienced a failure. Operations are temporarily suspended while the site operations team along with management continue to assess the situation and gather information. At this early stage, it can be confirmed that there has been some damage to infrastructure and a portion of the failure has left containment. There have been no injuries to personnel associated with the incident. The Company will provide further information as it becomes available.



Qualified Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Paul D. Gray, P.Geo., who is a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About the Dublin Gulch Property

Victoria Gold's 100%-owned Dublin Gulch gold property (the "Property") is situated in central Yukon Territory, Canada, approximately 375 kilometers north of the capital city of Whitehorse, and approximately 85 kilometers from the town of Mayo. The Property is accessible by road year round, and is located within Yukon Energy's electrical grid.

The Property covers an area of approximately 555 square kilometers, and is the site of the Company's Eagle and Olive Gold Deposits. As at December 31, 2023, and adjusting for mining depletion through this date, the Eagle and Olive Deposits include Proven and Probable Reserves of 2.3 million ounces of gold from 114 million tonnes of ore with a grade of 0.63 grams of gold per tonne. As at December 31, 2023, and adjusting for mining depletion through this date, the Mineral Resource for the Eagle and Olive Gold Deposits are estimated to host 234 million tonnes averaging 0.59 grams of gold per tonne, containing 4.4 million ounces of gold in the "Measured and Indicated" category, inclusive of Proven and Probable Reserves, and a further 36 million tonnes averaging 0.63 grams of gold per tonne, containing 0.7 million ounces of gold in the "Inferred" category.

Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". Except for statements of historical fact relating to Victoria, information contained herein constitutes forward-looking information, including any information related to the intended use of proceeds from the Term Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility, the amended terms and conditions of the Loan Facility, and Victoria's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "budget", "target", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could" or "should" occur, and includes any guidance and forecasts set out herein (including, but not limited to, production and operational guidance of the Corporation). In order to give such forward-looking information, the Corporation has made certain assumptions about its business, operations, the economy and the mineral exploration industry in general, in particular in light of the impact of the novel coronavirus and the COVID-19 disease ("COVID-19") on each of the foregoing. In this respect, the Corporation has assumed that production levels will remain consistent with management's expectations, contracted parties provide goods and services on agreed timeframes, equipment works as anticipated, required regulatory approvals are received, no unusual geological or technical problems occur, no material adverse change in the price of gold occurs and no significant events occur outside of the Corporation's normal course of business. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made, and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in, or implied by, the forward-looking information. These factors include the impact of general business and economic conditions, risks related to COVID-19 on the Company, global liquidity and credit availability on the timing of cash flows and the values of assets and liabilities based on projected future conditions, anticipated metal production, fluctuating metal prices, currency exchange rates, estimated ore grades, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in accounting policies, changes in Victoria's corporate resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, changes in development and production time frames, the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainty of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, higher prices for fuel, steel, power, labour and other consumables contributing to higher costs and general risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, final pricing for metal sales, unanticipated results of future studies, seasonality and unanticipated weather changes, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, requirements for additional capital, permitting time lines, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, limitations on insurance coverage and timing and possible outcomes of pending litigation and labour disputes, risks related to remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure, fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations. Although Victoria has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in, or implied by, the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding Victoria's expected financial and operational performance and Victoria's plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes. All forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof, as the case may be, and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management of the Corporation as at the date hereof. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking information contained herein and the documents incorporated by reference herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws.

For Further Information Contact:

John McConnell

President & CEO

Victoria Gold Corp

Tel: 604-695-6605

[email protected]

24 june 2024 at 17:05

News published onand distributed by:
MBABANE  To date, at least 75 investors in Ecsponent Eswatini, now Eswatini Investment Group Limited (ESWIG), have died without receiving their invested monies or interest thereto.

The deaths, according to the Chairman of the Investor Relations Committee (IRC), Norman Dlamini of Mvembili, were as a result of health conditions, such as stroke attacks and others, suffered by the investors, some of who had invested their pension payouts. Last Thursday, Judge Khontaphi Manzini of the Commercial Court Division of the High Court, issued a default judgment, ordering Dave Van Niekerk, Dave Soonius, Ecsponent Limited South Africa, GetBucks (Pty) Ltd South Africa and Anton Hay to pay ESWIG Limited, the investors and Ligagu Investments (Pty) Ltd a sum of E335 240 000. This amount is part of the E406 932 005.55 that members of the public and some institutions invested in ESWIG.

A default judgment is granted against a defendant who fails to defend a claim against him/her. The other defendants in the matter, which are the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), former FSRA CEO Sandile Dlamini and Lindiwe Vilakati, are opposed to being ordered to pay the investors lost investment, hence no order against them was issued. In an application filed by ESWIG, Ligagu and the investors for leave to file a further affidavit, the IRC chairman alleged that the investors suffered huge losses from the direct and indirect actions of the FSRA and other respondents.

He said instead of assisting the investors, FSRA failed to take into consideration the crisp and painful fact that its conduct had allegedly resulted in over 60 deaths and stroke attacks over and above high poverty among the elderly investors, who had invested their pension. The number of deaths, according to an anonymous source who deals with issues of the investors, has increased to about 75 so far.

Lost

Norman told the court that the high poverty had further minimised movement of some of the investors and as a result, it was resolved that the IRC be formed to be the voice of all the investors combined, in their effort to recover the money lost by each one of them. One investor, according to their legal representative, Sidumo Mdladla of S.V. Mdladla and Associates, died the previous week. Mdladla was addressing the High Court on Friday, when Judge Zonke Magagula discharged the interim order in favour of ESWIG, to attach Van Niekerk and Sooniuss assets, because the order was granted pending finalisation of the matter in which they (Van Niekerk and Soonius), as well as Ecsponent South Africa, GetBucks South Africa and Hay, were ordered to pay E335 240 000 invested in ESWIG by members of the public and certain institutions.

Over 100 investors were present in court on Friday. The order to pay their lost investments had been issued the previous day. Since some of the investors have died, they were represented by their children or grandchildren or other representatives. Also, those who were too ill to travel to the High Court, sent family members to attend the court proceedings on their behalf.

Sithembile Sihlongonyane (28), who was present in court on Friday, said she attended the court proceedings on behalf of her mother, who died in October 2023. All the years that I have lived with my mother, the last years of her life were a living hell. I dont know if she was blaming herself for investing her whole pension payout. We tried to comfort her that it was not her fault, because she believed that she would reap the fruits of her investment. We all thought that it was proper to invest in Ecsponent. What happened caught us by complete surprise. It really took a toll on my mother. We were struggling but somehow managed to survive day after day.

Torment

When my mother died, part of me felt that she was now free from the torment of this issue that seems to never end. I am here for her. She was really hoping that the matter would come to an end sooner and get back her investment, even without any interest. There are many others in this situation, Sihlongonyane narrated. Thulasizwe Dludlu said he was sent by her bedridden uncle, who suffered a stroke early in 2023. He said he was raised by his uncle after his mother died. According to Dludlu, life took a complete turn for his uncle when the news broke that their investments in ESWIG had disappeared. He gradually became withdrawn and kept to himself most of the time. He had just retired when he made the investment. It was obvious that this was affecting him. Even though we could tell that he was not in a good space, we didnt expect him to suffer a stroke and anything of that nature. As I speak, things are not looking good for him. The longer it takes for the investors to get their money back, the harder it is to imagine how he will be able to keep holding on. Ours is to hope for the best, Dludlu said.

FSRA, which opposed the application to pay ESWIG the amount of E335 240 000, submitted that each of the 1 500 ESWIG investors had to authorise their legal representatives, S.V. Mdladla and Associates, to approach the court on their behalf. The regulatory authority disputed the authority of the investors attorney to institute the proceedings, in which they demanded payment of the sum of E335 240 000. FSRA filed an application for leave to dispute the authority of the investors legal representatives, S.V. Mdladla and Associates, and mandate to act for the investors. The investors filed their answering affidavit and attached various documents to prove their authority to institute the main proceedings and their lawyers authority to act on behalf of each investor.

FSRA General Manager Governance Phumlile Tina Khoza, in the regulatory authoritys replying papers, stated that the latter had considered the documents and ascertained that, they were allegedly inadequate proof of the purported authority. In fact, the contrary emerges from those documents. The first defendant (FSRA) could not file this replying affidavit and proceed with the application for leave without first carefully examining the documents filed, because the filing of the documents would ordinarily suffice to prove authority. The absence of authority to institute the proceedings and act on behalf of some of the investors has compelled the first defendants decision to proceed with the application in terms of Rule 7 of the High Court Rules, said Khoza. FSRA is represented by Magagula and Hlophe Attorneys.
Investing in a Sustainable Kitchener-Waterloo





KITCHENER, ON, June 24, 2024 /CNW/ - Across the country, Canadians are looking to live in sustainable communities: places with clean air, affordable homes and good employment opportunities. Building sustainable communities means that as a federal government, we are continually investing in our environmental and economic health.

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced four projects in the Kitchener-Waterloo region that will support community sustainability through investments in more efficient and affordable energy systems and greener transportation options.

Through its Codes Acceleration Fund program, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is investing $538,730 toward High-Performance Development Standards for Waterloo Region. This multi-partner initiative will help advance higher performance new constructions in the region, reducing costs and improving energy efficiency in the buildings where people live, work and play.

In addition, NRCan is investing $380,235 through its Energy Efficiency program to help the Waterloo Region District School Board implement an energy management system in accordance with the latest ISO 50001 standard to reduce costs, improve energy performance and, in turn, improve energy efficiency for school buildings across the region.

And finally, through the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, NRCan is supporting the deployment of a coast-to-coast-to-coast network of charging stations, including new charging stations in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, specifically:

Chargers for tenants and visitors at residential buildings owned by Drewlo Holdings Inc. through a $103,622 investment that will help install four chargers in buildings across Kitchener and 30 more in other Ontario cities.

investment that will help install four chargers in buildings across and 30 more in other cities. Chargers for commercial fleets, which will be installed by Grand River Energy Solutions through a $910,000 investment, which will result in nine new chargers in Kitchener-Waterloo and five more in other Ontario cities.

These investments are injecting more money and green jobs into the Region of Waterloo. They demonstrate the federal government's commitment to building green community infrastructure through EV chargers, greener buildings and the energy systems that support them.

Making the switch from fossil fuels to clean electricity is key in lowering climate changing greenhouse gas emissions, cleaning the air we breathe and putting the country on track for a new, sustainable jobs economy.

Quotes

"We are investing in more than just energy-efficient projects ? we are helping to build greener, more energy-efficient, economically prosperous communities for living, working, travelling and playing, across Ontario and across Canada. The investments we are making today in the Region of Waterloo speak to our government's commitment to more sustainable, more affordable communities where you and your family can charge your car for less, enjoy reliably energy-efficient buildings and benefit from green community infrastructure at all stages of life."

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

"We are grateful for this funding that will support a truly collaborative effort to create High-Performance Development Standards. All eight municipalities in Waterloo Region are working together with WR Community Energy and various community stakeholders to improve the energy performance and sustainability of new buildings. This will help us reach our goal of reducing GHG emissions by 80% percent by 2050."

Karen Redman

Regional Chair, Regional Municipality of Waterloo

Quick Facts

The ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Standard is an internationally recognized standard that gives organizations a structured framework to improve energy performance by making better use of energy-intensive assets.

The Codes Acceleration Fund seeks to accelerate the adoption and implementation of the highest feasible energy performance tiers of the national model energy codes or other high-performance building codes, promote higher rates of compliance with adopted codes, and build capacity and support market preparedness for ambitious codes adoption.

On-road transportation accounts for about 18 percent of Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions.

total greenhouse gas emissions. Phasing in 100 percent new electric vehicle sales by 2035 is projected to reduce over 360 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, avoiding almost $100 billion (about $310 per person in the U.S.) in global damages.

(about per person in the U.S.) in global damages. The Government of Canada's incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program has helped over 300,000 drivers make the switch through incentives of up to $5,000 .

incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program has helped over 300,000 drivers make the switch through incentives of up to . Before hitting the roads, Canadians can easily map out their route by consulting Natural Resources Canada's electric charger and alternative fuelling stations locator.

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

24 june 2024 at 18:36

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Screen capture of Kamala Harris' interview on MSNBC, to air on June 24, 2024.

US Vice President Kamala Harris said "every person of whatever gender should understand that, if such a fundamental freedom such as the right to make decisions about your own body can be taken, be aware of what other freedoms may be at stake," in a joint MSNBC interview with Hadley Duvall, an abortion rights advocate from Kentucky who was raped by her stepfather as a child. Part of the interview aired on Sunday, June 23.

The vice president's comments come as the campaign announced it would hold more than 50 events in battleground states and beyond to mark Monday's second anniversary of the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision that overturned the federal legal right to an abortion. Biden and his allies are trying to remind voters that the landmark decision in 2022 was made by a high court that included three conservative justices nominated during Trump's White House tenure.

Read more Subscribers only 'In the eyes of the Founding Fathers, such great power for the Supreme Court would have been an aberration'

Duvall's home state of Kentucky has enacted a near-total abortion ban following the Dobbs decision. The state bans abortions except when carried out to save the mother's life. It does not include exceptions for pregnancies caused by rape or incest.

The Biden campaign believes that abortion rights can be a galvanizing issue in what is expected to be a close general election. Trump has taken credit for Dobbs with his conservative base while stopping short of supporting a national abortion ban sought by supporters on the religious right, should he return to the White House. Harris is scheduled to mark Monday's anniversary of the Dobbs decision with campaign events in Arizona and Maryland.

In April, Trump said he believed the issue should be left to the states. He later stated in an interview that he would not sign a nationwide ban on abortion if it were passed by Congress. He has declined to detail his position on women's access to the abortion pill mifepristone.

At a campaign event Saturday, Trump said his administration did "something that was amazing" with Dobbs, while acknowledging the political peril of pressing further on the issue at the moment. "Every voter has to go with your heart and do what's right, but we also have to get elected," he said.

Biden has begun private preparations at Camp David for the debate Thursday night in Atlanta. Trump is expected to hold meetings at his Florida estate this week as part of an informal prep process.

Read more Subscribers only All eyes on US VP Kamala Harris after Biden 2024 reelection bid
In recent months, French authorities' outrage over Azerbaijan's interference in New Caledonia may have come as a surprise and even led to skepticism about the reality of a threat from a small Caucasian country with little influence on the international scene. Nevertheless, the repeated nature of its attacks against French interests, aimed at exacerbating regional or territorial separatism, has convinced many that the Baku regime's goals go beyond merely defending other peoples' right to self-determination.

It has become apparent that the strategy is part of a history of undermining democracies that was launched by the Soviet Union after World War II. Tensions between France and Azerbaijan have been high since Baku resumed hostilities with Armenia, for whom Paris has taken up the cause. True to the techniques of interference and disinformation of the (Soviet) KGB and today's Russian regime, the totalitarian regime in Baku, led by President Ilham Aliyev, is orchestrating its anti-French campaign with a great sense of organization.

For example, in July 2023, Baku supported the creation of the Baku Initiative Group (BIG), which calls on supporters of the independence movements in France's overseas territories to join forces against France's "neo-colonialism." According to the BIG, the French West Indies are in the grip of "genocide by substitution," and French Guiana's resources are being "plundered." Accused of acting on orders from his government, despite his organization's NGO status, BIG director Abbas Abbasov retorted in February: "It's not the Initiative Group's fault that these colonies are French."

Read more Subscribers only Azerbaijan interference in New Caledonia is just part of the story

On May 16, with a stern look, French Minister of the Interior and Overseas Gerald Darmanin accused Baku of interference in New Caledonia, as Azerbaijani flags flew at gatherings of protesters. On March 2, outside a courthouse in Bastia, Corsica, two Azerbaijani journalists drew attention during a pro-independence demonstration. One worked for Azerbaijan's government news agency and the other for the Turkish TV channel Haber Global. In their reports, they depicted Corsica as on the brink of independence and denounced the arrest of two nationalist activists.

Between influence and interference

In early 2024, the Azerbaijani Parliament called for "the pure and simple recognition of Corsican independence," along with that of "Kanaky [New Caledonia] and Maohi Nui [French Polynesia]." According to France's General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI), the actions of the BIG, a group that emerged from the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement, which was chaired by Azerbaijan from 2019 to 2024, and of which President Aliyev is the current secretary-general, straddle the line between influence and interference.

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A PRISONER who died in his cell at Limerick Prison had taken heroin and would have fallen into a very deep sleep and not woken up - the Limerick coroner told an inquest.

Melvin McNamara from OMalley Park in Southill died on June 27, 2019, after being found unresponsive in his cell at Limerick Prison.

A prison officer on his rounds noticed that Mr McNamara was sitting up on the top bunk with his head to the side and he thought something wasnt right, so he asked the cellmate to check on him and he couldnt get a response.

Mark Breen told the inquest that he felt the prisoner may need medical attention.

An ambulance was called and prison nurses performed CPR and used a defibrillator. Mr Breen said: He was warm to touch, but limp as we lifted him.

CPR was started at 7.50am, but it was unsuccessful and Mr McNamara was pronounced dead at 8.44am.

Solicitor for the mans family, John Herbert, confirmed that the last check had been made on the prisoner just before 6am on the day Mr McNamara died.

READ ALSO: 'It's not good enough' - sister of man who died after being in Limerick garda van says

Colin Lawlor, a prison officer who was on duty from 8pm on June 26, said he patrolled the cells that night with both regular and irregular checks as per standard operating procedures and that he interacted with both Mr McNamara and his cellmate some time between 11pm and midnight and that Mr McNamara was reading a book and that nothing appeared unusual or out of order.

Various prison officers confirmed that Mr McNamara was not under special observation and so checks would have been done every one to three hours and Mr McNamara was checked on around seven times over the course of 12 hours.

Retired Chief Prison Officer Trevor Darling confirmed to the inquest at Kilmallock courthouse that the minimum amount of checks on a prisoner is five and that the checks on Mr McNamara exceeded that.

He also told the court Mr McNamaras cellmate revealed that himself and Mr McNamara had smoked heroin, but was evasive about where and when he got it.

The family also told a priest that Mr McNamara had called them the night before, using what would have been an illegal phone in the prison.

The inquest heard that no illegal items were found in Mr McNamaras cell.

Nurses who gave evidence at the inquest said that Mr McNamara was not responding to voices or touch, that he had no pulse and was mottled in colour, but felt warm to touch.

The court heard that the 40-year-old had been in prison since 2013 for possession of a firearm and attempted robbery and was six years into a ten-year sentence at the time of his death.

The post mortem revealed that there were no injuries to suggest foul play and that there was soot on a finger, which would indicate recent drug use.

Morphine was found in Mr McNamaras system at a toxic, but low level. Heroin and cannabis were both detected.

READ ALSO: Former Limerick-based teacher-turned-priest faces historic sex abuse allegations

A verdict of misadventure - where death is an unintended outcome of an intentional act, was recorded by a jury of two women and four men.

Sympathies were passed onto the family from the Limerick Coroner John McNamara who said this was a tragic death for a young man, no matter where it happened.

Condolences were also given on behalf of An Garda Siochana, while the barrister for the Irish Prison Service told the court it was clear that Mr McNamara was held in very high regard by his fellow prisoners and staff.
A LIMERICK photographer has been selected for the next stage of the prestigious Reach for the Stars astrophotography competition, run by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS).

The competition aims to find the best astro-photographs taken in Ireland over the past year.

Alan Hartigan from Corbally, has been shortlisted in the Back on Earth  Landmark category for his image, Aurora over Poulnabrone in the Burren.

While a high-profile judging panel will select the overall winning entries in the coming weeks, an online vote has been launched, so members of the public can also have their say.

All shortlisted images can now be viewed on the Reach for the Stars website and members of the public can cast their vote for their favourite image.

Over 230 images were submitted to the competition in total this year  the most ever received  with 50 selected for the shortlist and public vote.

READ ALSO: Major housing development in Limerick town receives green light from planners

Entrants were invited to submit entries across five distinct categories in the competition: Night Sky in Your Hand: Images taken with only a smartphone, and without telescopes, of an astronomical scene; Out of this World  Planetary: Images of the planets, sun and moon; Out of this World  Deep Sky: Images of celestial objects that exist outside our solar system such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies; Back on Earth  Landscape: Images that depict a feature of astronomical interest as a prominent feature and elements such as nature, land or water and Back on Earth  Landmark: Images that depict a feature of astronomical interest as a prominent feature and elements such as cityscapes, buildings, houses, historical structures or monuments.

Alongside the winner of the Public Choice Award, the overall winners will be chosen by the judging panel for Reach for the Stars, which includes: Professor Peter Gallagher, head of astrophysics at DIAS; Brenda Fitzsimons, picture editor of The Irish Times; Michael McCreary, president of the Irish Astronomical Society; and Niamh Breathnach, director, Alice Public Relations.

The winning images selected by the judging panel and the public vote will be announced in July, and an outdoor exhibition will be staged by DIAS to showcase the best images.
A POST-MORTEM has been completed on the elderly man who died in a fire on campus in the University of Limerick.

The findings of the post-mortem have not been disclosed for operational reasons.

The Garda Press Office have confirmed to Limerick Live this Monday that enquiries remain ongoing.

"A post-mortem has now been completed and a file will be prepared for the Coroner. Enquiries remain ongoing.

"There are no further updates at this time," said the garda spokesperson.

READ MORE: Inmate found dead in cell at Limerick Prison had heroin in his system, inquest hears

Limerick Fire and Rescue Service rushed to the blaze at a residence in Kilmurry Village after receiving the report at 11.41pm on Thursday night, June 20.

It is understood the fire was well established upon arrival and the elderly man was located deceased in the residence.

A spokesperson for University of Limerick said village staff acted immediately after the alarm was raised but a man had sadly passed away.

A garda investigation is underway and UL will be making no further comment at this time, said the spokesperson for the college.

Kilmurry Village is an on-campus student accommodation village in the University of Limerick. Outside of the college academic semesters the village can be occupied by people other than students.
A judge who last week imposed a three-year suspended sentence on soldier Cathal Crotty for beating a woman unconscious during an assault in Limerick city two years ago is to retire this week.

Judge Tom O'Donnell, who has served in the legal system in Limerick for almost 50 years, as a judge of both the District and Circuit courts in Limerick, and as a solicitor before that, will serve his last day on the bench on Wednesday, a date he confirmed some weeks ago.

The timing of his retirement from court is unconnected to the public outcry which has followed his decision last week to impose a three-year suspended sentence on Defence Forces member Cathal Crotty of Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, who pleaded guilty to assaulting 24-year-old Natasha OBrien on Limericks OConnell street in May 2022.

Judge ODonnell faced huge backlash last week after handing the three-year suspended sentence to the Irish soldier, who beat Natasha OBrien unconscious.

She suffered severe physical injuries to her face and body, as well as concussion and panic attacks which have had a hugely detrimental impact on her life, forcing her to give up her job and leaving her living in fear and dread.

The accused, who is based at Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick, boasted about the attack on social media afterwards.

Natasha OBrien hit out at the lack of a custodial sentence imposed on her assailant saying it denied her justice and other women who had also suffered from violent attacks and sent a very dangerous message out into the community that it was acceptable to attack a woman and not be jailed.

In addition, she pointed out that her attacker was a member of the Defence Forces, whose job she said was to protect the citizens of Ireland.

It was also reported that Judge ODonnell gave a suspended sentence to a Naval Service member, David OGorman of Drumgoole, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, who pleaded guilty to a violent attack on a former girlfriend that left one of her eyes permanently displaced.

OGorman agreed to make a significant payment to the victim and she agreed to accept it. He remains a member of the Defence Forces almost one year after he pleaded guilty.

A number of protests were held at the weekend over the leniency of the sentence handed down to Crotty for the assault on Natasha OBrien, including in Limerick where the gathering was addressed by her.

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 was horrific and I experienced an extremely violent assault by the hands of a soldier in the Irish Defence Forces, who are supposed to protect us.

Natasha OBrien also told the Sunday Independent she hoped judge Tom ODonnell walks away from his career with a sense of utter disgrace and shame for not jailing Cathal Crotty.
THE public sale of tickets for this year's eagerly anticipated All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final between Limerick and Cork has been confirmed. The tickets for the Sunday, July 7 game in Croke Park will go on sale this Tuesday, June 25.

A limited number of stand and terrace tickets will go on sale through the following participating outlets- online through Ticketmaster, SuperValu and Centra shops at 11am.

Limerick GAA Clubs will receive a ticket allocation to distribute among their members.

The Limerick and Cork tie will be the first All-Ireland semi-final meeting of the counties since 2018 when extra time was required before John Kiely's men advanced to the decider, in front of an attendance of 71,073.

The last Croke Park meeting of the counties was the 2021 All-Ireland SHC final.

While Limerick won both those Croke Park outings, The Rebels have defeated the men in green this season - when the sides met on May 11 in SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh the home side emerged 3-28 to 3-26 winners in front of an attendance of 41,670.
A MAJOR new housing development in Newcastle West has been given the go-ahead.

Council planners have given conditional planning permission to developers for the construction of 53 homes at Churchtown Road in the county town.

Its an extension to the existing development at Carrig Desmond for which homes are on sale.

According to the application, Rockspring Developments sought permission for the new houses which will in a mix of semi-detached and terraced units.

The development will comprise of six semi-detached three-bed dwellings, 32 terraced three-bed houses, and 15 terraced two bed homes.

On top of this, there is landscaping, surface car parking and site services.

Councillor Michael Collins, who has just been re-elected to the Newcastle West district has welcomed the planning green light.

We have demand for additional housing so it's very very welcome. The biggest challenge for us is to ensure the housing can come on stream as quick as possible. Any housing is welcome in Newcastle West.

READ ALSO: Discount chain makes Lidl bid to build coffee kiosks outside Limerick stores

Limerick council planners had initially expressed concern about a monotonous streetscape, with all the homes finishes in the same manner.

However, the architects representing the developers informed the council they had changed the design of the brick detail to each front-entrance door.

We now also additionally propose three different paint colours to highlight the individual blocks, they added.

Council gave the development the go-ahead subject to 20 planning conditions.
When ChatGPT took everyone by storm in November 2022, it was OpenAI, the startup behind it, that seized the business worlds attention. But, as usual, big tech is back on the front foot. Nvidia , maker of accelerator chips that are at the core of generative artificial intelligence (AI), is now duelling with Microsoft, a tech giant of longer standing, to be the worlds most valuable company. Like Microsoft, it is investing in a diverse ecosystem of startups that it hopes will strengthen its lead. Predictably, given the techlash" mindset of the regulatory authorities, both firms are high on the watch list of antitrust agencies.

Dont roll your eyes. The trustbusters may have infamously overreached in recent years in their attempts to cut big firms down to size. Yet for years big-tech incumbents in Silicon Valley and elsewhere have shown just as infamous a tendency to strut imperiously across their digital domains. What is intriguing is the speed at which the antitrust authorities are operating. Historically, such investigations have tended to be labyrinthine. It took 40 years for the Supreme Court to order E.I. Du Pont de Nemours, a large American chemical firm, to divest its anticompetitive stake in General Motors, which it first started to acquire in 1917 when GM was a fledgling carmaker. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), an American antitrust agency, is still embroiled in a battle with Meta, a social-media giant, to unwind Facebooks acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, done 12 and ten years ago, respectively.

This time, rather than waiting until deals are done and markets are stitched up, the preference is to be nimble. It is now the trustbusters who are trying to move fast and break things.

Broadly speaking, the authorities have two areas of concern. The first is whether the worlds biggest firms are trying to tie businesses into their products in anticompetitive ways. The second is about control: are some of the biggest generative-AI investments poorly disguised acquisitions intended to sidestep antitrust consideration? Nvidia is under scrutiny on the first count. It has recently fallen under the gaze of Americas Department of Justice, which is understood to be investigating allegations that it locks users of its graphics processing units (GPUs) into its software, and that a scarcity of GPUs is the result of anticompetitive conduct. Nvidia declined to comment.

The attention on Microsoft is more over the second category. The FTC has launched a market inquiry of the software-providers $13bn investment in OpenAI, which gives it a 49% share of the profits. It is also investigating Microsofts hiring in March of most of the staff of Inflection, a rival to OpenAI (the most significant hire was Mustafa Suleyman, Inflections co-founder, who sits on the board of The Economists parent company). Microsoft also declined to comment. The FTC has other big-tech firms under the spotlight, too. It is looking at investments by Alphabet and Amazon in Anthropic, another maker of large language models (LLMs).

Inevitably, there is little public information concerning this antitrust scrutiny. Yet Britains Competition and Markets Authority, a regulatory agency that is also probing the two Microsoft deals, has recently published a study of LLMs (it refers to them by their alternative name, foundation models) that illustrates the main concerns. The biggest one, it says, is the potential role of a few tech giants to shape the market in anticompetitive ways. It notes that Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft and Nvidia have forged more than 90 partnerships with LLMs since 2019, mostly by taking minority stakes. It expresses concerns that they may exert leverage on the modelmakers through supply of critical inputs, such as computing power and data, as well as controlling access to consumers via their platforms. It also notes that some of the deals may have been structured to avoid merger scrutiny.

In America, the governments concerns are similar. But the trustbusters are not just looking at LLMs. They have their eyes on the whole caboodlefrom the GPUs at the bottom to consumer applications at the top of the generative-AI stack". The FTCs investigation of Microsofts Inflection deal is yet another type. The agency is probing whether Microsoft failed to supply the correct merger paperwork when it hired most of Inflections employees and paid for a non-exclusive licence to its technology. In other words, it suspects it was an acquisition in disguise aimed at avoiding an antitrust review. For Microsoft, it was not an acquisition at all. What is left of Inflection remains an independent company.

This is all tricky terrain. Building LLMs is capital-intensive, like drilling for oil. The requirements for computing power, digital information and human expertise is such that model-builders justifiably turn to tech giants for support. Big tech has the balance-sheets, data and cloud infrastructure to help, as well as providing a seal of approval. Moreover, it is hard to assert that a tech giant has an exclusive hold over any generative-AI startup when so much polyamory is taking place. Satya Nadella, Microsofts boss, once asserted with regard to OpenAI that his firm was below them, above them, around them". That sounded suspiciously like monogamy. When OpenAI recently announced a partnership with Apple, a Microsoft rival, Mr Nadella was miffed.

The other type of competition

It is tough political territory as well. If intervention is too heavy-handed, China hawks will accuse the trustbusters of suffocating American innovation in favour of its strategic rival. Yet there is room, at the very least, for a light touch. Generative AI will cause big technological upheaval, though in what ways is still unclear. If the incumbents are left to their own devices, they will surely use their imperial might to try to bend it to their advantage. Regulators have a duty to prevent them quashing competition. So by all means move fast. Just dont break things too badly.

 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Dr Nagendra Nagaraja CEO and Founder of QpiAI quoted, Thepre-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 cant 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.



About QpiAI

QpiAI (https://www.qpiai.tech) is a world leader in AI and Quantum computing. QpiAI is integrating Quantum computing and AI vertically to offer solutions to areas like manufacturing, industrial, transportation, finance, pharma and materials. It has various software platforms and products including QpiAI-pro, QpiAI-explorer, QpiAI-logistics, QpiAIopt, QpiAIML, QpiAI-pharma and QpiAI-Matter. With its innovation in commercial grade Quantum computing technology, QpiAI is providing impactful advances to generative AI and various industry verticals.
New Delhi: After LinkedIn and Samsung, Indian authorities may expand their ownership checks to the local arms of more multinational corporations (MNCs). According to two people aware of the matter, about six unlisted Indian units of MNCs are under the radar of Registrars of Companies (RoCs), who are scanning company disclosures and publicly available shareholding information of group companies.

Earlier this month, the RoC in Uttar Pradesh held in separate orders that Samsung SDI India Pvt. Ltd and Samsung Display Co. Noida Ltd failed to identify Lee Jae-Yong, executive chairman of South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, as a significant beneficial owner (SBO)." Last month, the RoC for Delhi and Haryana imposed penalties of over 27 lakh on LinkedIn Technology Information Pvt. Ltd. set up in India, Microsoft Corp. chief executive Satya Nadella, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky and seven other individuals for alleged violation of SBO reporting norms.

One of the persons cited above said India is adding about 150,000 new businesses every year, including companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and would soon be reaching the level of some of the developed countries in Europe. In such a scenario, unless the quality of enforcement is good, it can cause problems in future," the person said on condition of anonymity.

Part of larger effort

Regulatory action against alleged non-disclosure of beneficial owners is part of a larger effort to enhance the quality of enquiries by RoCs, who have been proactive in the last few years in removing defunct companies from the official registry and in detecting shell companies.

It is a fact that bigger companies create complex structures. Not all of them are for wrongful purpose and in many cases, it may be for efficiency in taxation or in organizing business. Be that as it may, who is controlling the business should not be hidden. It is the duty of the company to identify and report its beneficial owners," said the person quoted above. Companies have to come clean on who is owning them. It is like an internal know your customer (KYC) for them," the person said.

Also read | Mint Explainer: Significant beneficial owners and what the govt wants to know

Emails sent to the ministry of corporate affairs and to the RoCs on 18 June and to Samsung and Linkedin on Friday seeking comments for the story remained unanswered at the time of publishing.

In wake of FATF review

A second person, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the emphasis on enforcement of provisions on significant beneficial ownership comes in the context of a country review by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global standard-setter in the fight against money laundering, financing of terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

FATF says on its website that an assessment of India is underway. However, the first person quoted above said that every enforcement action cannot be linked to the FATF review and that India is a top performer in effectiveness in systems meant to check money laundering and financing of terrorism and proliferation.

Also read | LinkedIn reviewing order after RoC fines it for violating beneficial-owner rules

The first person denied that enforcement of beneficial ownership reporting norms affects ease of doing business, saying that insufficient regulation dealing with complex corporate structures was responsible for the global financial meltdown of 2007-08.

Special attention needed

Experts pointed out that the issue of beneficial ownership needs special attention from businesses. Regulations lay the responsibility of disclosure on the individual, who himself holds significant beneficial ownership and the company, if the company is of the view that a person is an SBO and falls within the eligibility criteria which are shareholding, voting rights or control, explained Sandeep Sehgal, partner-tax at AKM Global, a tax and consulting firm.

Also read | RoCs keep regulatory heat on companies; 284 businesses faced orders since Jan

From the recent orders issued by RoCs, it can be considered that the department is going beyond the letter of law and identifying/ analysing the corporate structures keenly to identify potential SBOs. It is critical for companies to do the litmus test thoroughly, taking into view the intention of the law to identify who is actually benefitting from the company with respect to the ownership aspect," said Sehgal.

Vishwas Panjiar, Partner at Nangia Andersen LLP, a business advisory firm said that it should be kept in mind by companies that filings, no matter how innocuous they seem, should be undertaken with utmost diligence.
(New throughout, adds comments from CEO and head of planemaking, industry sources, background, details from Canada and from Reuters reporter in Toulouse)

PARIS, June 24 (Reuters) - Airbus on Monday lowered its 2024 total delivery target to around 770 airplanes from around 800 and pushed back a targeted deadline for reaching production of 75 narrow-body airplanes per month to 2027 from 2026.

In a fresh blow to its troubled space activities, Europe's largest aerospace group also announced fresh charges of around 900 million euros after its latest review.

"We are facing headwinds right now; we have to bite the bullet," Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury told analysts.

The downward revision in industrial forecasts comes weeks after Reuters first reported Airbus faced new output delays as it grapples with increased parts shortages.

Industry sources said Airbus concluded it had exhausted its spare margin for deliveries after falling short of its internal target in the first five months, and then starting June at an insufficient delivery rate.

The aerospace industry has been struggling to rehire workers and stabilise supplies after the pandemic left many suppliers with weak finances.

Faury said supplies of engines for its best-selling A320-family of narrow-body jets had deteriorated "significantly" in recent months, one of several factors that prompted the planemaker to cut output forecasts.

The shortfall, he said, affects both engine suppliers for the A320neo narrow-body family, which competes with the Boeing 737 MAX accounts for most of Airbus' cash and profits.

Neither supplier - RTX subsidiary Pratt & Whitney and French-U.S. venture CFM International, co-owned by GE Aerospace and France's Safran - had any immediate comment.

Hinting at a tussle over penalties, Faury said engine suppliers would have to "face the consequences" of any delays.

SPIRIT AERO UNCERTAINTY

Faury also told reporters an uncertain outlook for the industrial commitments of aerostructures maker Spirit Aerosystems had contributed to the downward revision.

He declined to comment on the timing of a widely expected deal to acquire Spirit assets related to the A350 and A220 jet programmes as part of a carve-up of the supplier with Boeing , which sources have said they expect in days or weeks.

Spirit had no immediate comment.

Shortages of seats and cabin parts were also blamed. "We continue to observe a very difficult situation on interiors," Faury told analysts.

Christian Scherer, who took over as head of the planemaking division in January, told German newspaper Hamburger Abendblatt in an interview published on Saturday that engines, landing gear and cabin components were contributing to tight supply chains.

In Canada, workers who produce components for some Airbus and Boeing landing gear at a Safran factory near Montreal have been striking for nearly four weeks.

In Toulouse on Saturday, a Reuters reporter identified five undelivered Airbus wide-bodied jets parked without engines.
(Bloomberg) -- Airbus SE cut its earnings and aircraft-delivery goal for the year because persistent supply-chain issues are depriving the European planemaker of vital components, dealing a setback to the company at a time when demand for its aircraft is at a record.

The company now expects to hand over 770 aircraft this year, down from a previous goal of 800, it said in a surprise announcement after European markets closed on Monday. Speaking on a call with reporters, Chief Executive Officer Guillaume Faury said the situation isnt getting any better, requiring the company to adjust its goals.

Airbus has long warned of supply-chain issues and a lack of skilled workers, after the pandemic first grounded the global aviation industry and then left it unprepared once air travel came roaring back. Demand for its aircraft has been particularly strong in the last two years as airlines clamor for modern models, further exacerbating the shortfall in required equipment and labor.

The European planemaker now expects adjusted earnings before interest and tax of 5.5 billion ($5.9 billion) this year, down from a previous goal of as much as 7 billion. The company also cut its outlook for free cash flow before customer financing to about 3.5 billion. It pushed back its goal to produce 75 of its A320 single-aisle jets per month by one year to 2027.

The annual delivery revision is the second time since 2022 that Airbus has pared back that goal. The jet maker had most recently reiterated its 800-unit aspiration at the end of April when it reported numbers for the first quarter.

Compounding Airbuss woes are issues afflicting the engines on its bestselling A320 model, which is powered by RTX Corp.s Pratt & Whitney model and the Leap variant made by the CFM International Inc. consortium. Faury said on the call that the situation has significantly degraded in recent weeks, and that the company will end up with gliders by the end of the quarter  industry parlance for planes without turbines.

Airbus has enjoyed a relatively calm first half of the year, while rival Boeing Co. has fallen into a deep crisis following a near-catastrophic accident on an airborne aircraft in early January. As a result, the US company has been forced to pare back output of its 737 plane, potentially giving Airbus an opening to win business from Boeing loyalists. At the same time, both companies are largely sold out on their bestselling products, giving Airbus only limited scope to capitalize on Boeings woes.

Airbus shares have gained about 7.1% this year, while Boeing has lost about 32% in value. American depositary receipts of Airbus fell 4.7% as of 1:54 p.m. in New York

The new forecast excludes any possible acquisitions, Airbus said. The company is nearing an agreement with Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. to take over parts of the aerospace suppliers business, Bloomberg reported last week. Faury said discussions are continuing, but declined to comment on a possible conclusion of the talks.

Spirits situation is difficult from an industrial standpoint, Faury said. It is part of the difficulties that are triggering this update.

Airbus said it will also suffer charges of about 900 million related to some space programs, citing complex and sophisticated products that had caused development risks. As a result, Airbus will evaluate all strategic options such as potential restructuring, cooperation models, portfolio review and M&A options.

The revision comes shortly before the end of Airbuss second quarter. The Toulouse, France-based company is scheduled to report full half-year results on July 30.

(Updates with CEO comment in second paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. risks billions of euros of new fines over its App Store rules as European Union antitrust regulators escalated a growing conflict over rules that strike at the heart of the iPhone makers business model.

The European Commission said the US company must allow app developers to steer users to cheaper deals and offers outside of the App Store, in order to comply with the blocs landmark Digital Markets Act, which lays out a raft of dos and donts for some of the worlds largest technology platforms.

At the same time, the commission said that it had opened a fresh investigation into Apples new App Store fees for developers in the EU, to examine whether they are in line with the DMA. Failure to comply with the law could come with fines for the company  as much as 10% of global annual revenue.

I think this is a bigger leap for Apple to adapt to the new rules than it is for others, Margrethe Vestager, the EUs antitrust commissioner told reporters in Amsterdam on Monday. For Apple in particular, since the system is very much integrated with the hardware, the software, the operating system, the App Store, you need to open for competitors.

Mondays announcement  while still a preliminary step  is the commissions first formal enforcement action under the law. It marks the latest round of a dispute between the EUs Vestager and one of the worlds most profitable companies.

Why Regulators Have iPhone, Android in Their Sights: QuickTake

Not only was Apple on the receiving end of a 1.8 billion ($1.9 billion) EU penalty for stifling music app rivals earlier this year, but Vestager also earlier ordered Apple to repay 13 billion in allegedly unfair tax breaks from Ireland, as part of a case that it being fought over in the EU courts. Soon after that order, Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook called the commissions case political crap.

The commission, the EUs antitrust arm, is due to come to a final decision in the DMA case by the end of March 2025.

That move could unleash another legal battle between Apple and the EU through the blocs courts  already on the cards after Cupertino, California-based Apple questioned whether EU regulators were right in the first place to designate some of its services under the new law.

We are confident our plan complies with the law, and estimate more than 99% of developers would pay the same or less in fees to Apple under the new business terms we created, Apple said in a statement in response to the EU announcement.

Apple shares rose 2% at 11:55 a.m. in New York as the Russell 3000 Index Computer Hardware Subsector advanced.

Despite ramping up its action targeting Apple, the commission said Monday that it was closing another part of its investigation into Apples App Store rules  which targeted the firms rules on the mandatory use of its own in-app payments system for sales on the platform.

The EUs focus on how Apple allegedly abuses its dominance on the app store was originally sparked by a 2019 complaint from Spotify Technology SA. The Swedish service claimed it was forced to ramp up the price of its monthly subscriptions to cover costs associated with Apples alleged stranglehold on how the app store operates.

Under the DMA, its illegal for certain services operated by the likes of Apple, Alphabet Inc.s Google, Meta Platforms Inc., Microsoft Corp., and Amazon.com Inc. to favor their own services over those of rivals. They are barred from combining personal data across their different services, prohibited from using data they collect from third-party merchants to compete against them, and have to allow users to download apps from rivals platforms.

Apple blamed the DMA for a separate announcement on Friday to halt the rollout of its artificial intelligence technologies in the 27-nation EU.

The company said that it would block the release of Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring and SharePlay Screen Sharing from users in the EU this year, because the DMA allegedly forces it to downgrade the security of its products and services.

(Updates with shares in 10th paragraph)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Malaysias IHH Healthcare and Sunway are among the three bidders in a race to acquire one of the countrys largest hospitals from buyout firm Affinity Equity Partners, people familiar with the situation said.

A second round of bids is expected to be called soon for Penang-based Island Hospital, which is being valued at more than $800 million, the people said.

The third bidder is an Asia-based sponsor with experience in the healthcare sector, one of the people said.

Asias healthcare sector is an attractive market for private-equity investors and companies seeking to expand their business in a region with significant demand.

Established in 1996, the 600-bed Island Hospital provides specialty services including cardiology, clinical oncology, pediatrics and plastic surgery. It also offers a medical-tourism hospital program catering to patients in Southeast Asia.

IHH is one of the worlds largest healthcare networks, with over 80 hospitals in 10 countries. The company has hospitals in China, Turkey, India and the Netherlands. Malaysian conglomerate Sunway operates three hospitals in Malaysia with a combined capacity of 1,730 beds.

One person said a deal with Affinity Equity Partners is expected to be completed by the third quarter of this year.

The sale of Island Hospital, which had been planned in 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic, has been gaining traction again after the recently concluded $1.2 billion sale of Asia-focused private hospital group Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care.

That business, a 50-50 joint venture between Australian hospital operator Ramsay Health Care and Malaysian conglomerate Sime Darby, was sold to TPG-backed hospital operator Columbia Asia in November.

Some previous deals in the healthcare sector include TPG and Malaysian conglomerate Hong Leong Groups acquisition of Columbia Asia Hospitals in Southeast Asia in 2019 in a transaction valued at $1.2 billion.

Affinity Equity Partners has $14.0 billion in assets and funds under management, with five offices in Asia and investments in 11 countries. Some of its investments include South Koreas Shinhan Financial Group, Indonesian video-streaming service company Vidio, Australian food-and-beverage company Prime Foods and New Zealands Tegel Foods.

Write to P.R. Venkat at Venkat.PR@wsj.com
(Bloomberg) -- The Federal Reserve has shown other US regulators a three-page document of possible changes to their bank-capital overhaul that would significantly lighten the load on Wall Street lenders, according to people familiar with the matter.

The revisions would walk back key parts of the landmark proposal  including one that might have had a large effect on big banks with sizable trading businesses, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing details that arent public.

The Fed document doesnt include an updated estimate on how much additional capital that large banks would have to hold as a cushion against financial shocks. But the people said early calculations suggest the proposed changes could lead to an increase as low as 5%. The original version called for an overall 16% hike.

Such a retreat would be a victory for Wall Street banks, which unleashed one of their fiercest lobbying campaigns after the proposal was unveiled last July. Substantial revisions to the plan are more likely to meet Fed Chair Jerome Powells goal of attracting broad support from the central banks board.

Two Republican-appointed Fed governors have said the initial version could raise the costs of lending, affect the economy and put US banks on weaker footing against international rivals.

Powell signaled earlier this year that the proposal was in for broad and material changes. Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr, seen as the architect of the original plan, later said the same.

US officials havent yet reached an agreement, and its unclear whether they can get a revised package across the finish line before the US presidential election in November. Barr already has met with the heads of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to discuss lowering the capital hike, according to people familiar with the matter.

Key OCC and FDIC officials were open to walking back an important part of the proposal  known as market risk  but have indicated privately that they would resist any capital increase that they consider too low, some of the people said.

The Federal Reserve hasnt made any decisions on timing, process or substance, a spokesman for the central bank said. The Fed isnt targeting a specific range and is instead focused on the substance of possible revisions, he said.

The FDIC and OCC declined to comment.

Trading Business

The capital overhaul is tied to Basel III, an international accord that followed the 2008 financial crisis and is intended to prevent future bank failures and another crunch. Supporters of the US proposal have also billed it as a fix for some of the issues exposed by the collapses of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March 2023.

Regulators are weighing changes to how the proposal assesses the level of risk tied to trading, wealth management and investment-banking activities  collectively known as market risk, according to some of the people familiar with the matter. Although Powell voted to propose the plan last July, he raised concerns about the very large increase in a measure used to determine capital requirements related to market risk.

This part of the plan might have a significant effect on banks with large trading businesses. In comment letters to regulators, industry officials have said the proposed rule would lead to outsized increases in market-risk capital and would discourage diversified trading-business models and certain hedging practices that allow banks to manage risk.

As they look at market risk, regulators are considering the way banks would use internal models to calculate risks linked to trading, according to some of the people familiar with the matter. The Fed document also includes recommended changes in the treatment of operational risk that would affect a broad range of banks, they said.

The European Union, which has watched the backlash against the US proposal with trepidation, plans to delay a key part of its capital rules by a year so its banks wont be at a disadvantage. The EU had been set to implement the broad package on Jan. 1, 2025, but confirmed earlier this month that it will hold off for an extra 12 months on rules that affect banks trading activities.

Nonbank Competition

One criticism of the original version of the US plan is that it could put the countrys banks at a competitive disadvantage to nonbank lenders and overseas banks. The EUs proposal would lead to about a 10% gain in Tier 1 capital requirements when fully implemented. The US increase of 16% is based on common equity Tier 1, or CET1, capital  the highest quality of regulatory capital covering liquid holdings like cash and stock. It represents the bulk of Tier 1 capital.

Under the plan proposed last July, the eight largest US banks, including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Morgan Stanley, Bank of America Corp., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Citigroup Inc., could face an overall 19% jump in CET1 capital.

The proposal generally applies to banks with $100 billion or more in assets.

American officials have said that most US banks have enough capital to meet the higher requirements, which could be phased in starting in 2025 if approved. But for the largest banks, Bloomberg Intelligence estimates that the draft rules could wipe out as much $155 billion in excess capital, the amount that goes beyond current regulatory requirements, and may lead to collective shortfalls.

Advocates for tougher rules say any shortfalls could be addressed if banks hung onto to more of their profits rather than using them to fund stock buybacks and pay higher dividends.

Banks say they are already well-capitalized to withstand a crisis and that the proposed changes would ultimately hurt consumers and small businesses. They pushed for major changes to the overhaul  or even scrapping the entire plan. In March, Powell didnt rule out a complete redo.

The Fed and other regulators had been forging ahead with the proposal, and some officials had hoped to finalize it as soon as August.

Though officials were planning notable changes, US administrative law requires that they not veer too far from what was proposed. A decision to move ahead with a version based on the original plan could reduce the effect of a potential consolidation of power in November by Republicans, many of whom support the industrys arguments.

Tossing out the plan and starting from scratch would be more likely to delay finalization until after the US elections. The Feds document doesnt make any mention of a do-over, according to some of the people.

--With assistance from Laura Noonan and Nicholas Comfort.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
India's second richest person, Gautam Adani, received a total remuneration of 9.26 crore in 2024, lower than his key executives and other industry peers. An annual report of the Adani Group's 10 listed entities showed that the industrialist drew a salary from only two of his 10 companies in the ports-to-energy conglomerate.

For the 2023-24 period, his compensation from Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL), the group's flagship company, comprised a salary of 2.19 crore and perquisites, allowances, and other benefits amounting to 27 lakh. This brought his total remuneration to 2.46 crore, reflecting a 3% increase from the previous financial year. In addition, he drew 6.8 crore from Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd (APSEZ), as per AEL's 2023-24 annual report.

Adani's younger brother, Rajesh, received 8.37 crore, which included a 4.71 crore profit commission from AEL. His nephew, Pranav Adani, earned 6.46 crore, including a 4.5 crore commission, PTI reported.

Gautam Adani did not receive any commission from AEL but was awarded 5 crore from APSEZ. His remuneration from APSEZ comprised a 1.8 crore salary and a 5 crore commission, which will be payable in the 2024-25 fiscal year, as stated in the company's annual report.

Also Read | From investment to stock market - Gautam Adani highlighted these 4 things

His son, Karan, earned 3.9 crore from APSEZ. Gautam Adani's brother, nephew, and son did not receive salaries from multiple companies. Vinay Prakash, a key executive and director on the AEL board, received total compensation of 89.37 crore. Group CFO Jugeshinder Singh's salary was 9.45 crore.

"We reported an average remuneration increase of 12 per cent for employees, excluding key managerial personnel (KMPs), with a slightly higher increase of 5.37 per cent for KMPs," the AEL annual report said as quoted by PTI.

While Mukesh Ambani, India's wealthiest businessman, has forgone his entire salary since the onset of COVID-19previously capping it at 15 croreAdani's pay is significantly lower than that of telecom magnate Sunil Bharti Mittal ( 16.7 crore in 2022-23), Rajiv Bajaj ( 53.7 crore), Pawan Munjal ( 80 crore), L&T Chairman S N Subrahmanyan, and Infosys CEO Salil S Parekh.

Adani, valued at USD 106 billion by the Bloomberg Billionaire Index, has been competing with Mukesh Ambani for the title of Asia's richest person. Adani briefly held the top spot in 2022 but lost it after a critical report from US short-seller Hindenburg Research led to a significant drop in his group's market value, erasing nearly USD 150 billion at its lowest point last year.
New Delhi: The Union ministry of mines on Monday launched the fourth round of auctions of critical and strategic mineral blocks offering 21 mines in several states including Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

In another development, the government cancelled the auction of 14 critical mineral blocks out of the 18 that were put on offer in the second round of auction in February. No bids were received for five blocks, the auction process for which stands annulled, said a notification from MSTC Ltd.

Further, in the case of the rest of the nine blocks in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, bids received were less than the minimum requirement.

About the launch of the fourth round of auctions, the ministry said that out of these 21 blocks, 11 are new, spanning Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. These blocks contain a variety of minerals including Graphite, Glauconite, Phosphorite, Potash, Nickel, PGE, Phosphate and Rare Earth Elements (REE).

Further, as part of this tranche, 10 critical mineral blocks are on offer as second attempt blocks of previous auctions. These 10 blocks are located in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu and have critical minerals like Tungsten, Vanadium, Graphite, Glauconite, Cobalt and Nickel.

Union coal and mines minister G. Kishan Reddy announed plans to launch the first tranche of auction of offshore mineral blocks within the first 100 days of the new government.

Last year, the Centre amended the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002, to provide an auction route for production leases for offshore minerals, which are located deep in the earth's crust and are more difficult to extract than onshore minerals.

Read Also: Government to offer 62 coal blocks in auctions next week
Jindal Steel and Powers The Steel of India" campaign has landed in a controversy with allegations of idea theft, igniting a fierce debate within the advertising industry. The row began when advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy (W+K) India moved the Delhi High Court (HC) in March, alleging that Jindal Steel had plagiarized a campaign concept they had originally pitched and accusing the steelmaker of dishonouring a service agreement.

According to the petition by W+K, they had worked on the campaign for four months, receiving approval from Jindal Steel for the production house and other elements, only for Jindal Steel to abruptly abandon the project without explanation. W+K India was surprised to see the same campaign on air at the end of March, bearing a striking resemblance to the one they had presented to Jindal Steel in mid-2023.

Referred for arbitration

On 24 April, the Delhi HC referred the matter to arbitration, with some observations favouring W+Ks claim, though it did not allow for an interim injunction. The launch by the respondent (Jindal Steel) of a new campaign prima facie seemed to be substantially based on a similar theme, expressed through a montage of sequential images and videos stitched together by a soundscape of steel," the court observed. It is clarified that observations made above are purely prima facie in nature for the reason that this issue of infringement of copyright will have to be considered by the sole arbitrator."

This verdict led to an out-of-court settlement between the Delhi-based Jindal Steel and W+K, where the client paid the dues to W+K and got the intellectual property and other rights transferred.

Also read | Jindal Steels capacity expansion will fuel growth, but beware the China factor

Despite the settlement, the controversy resurfaced when Earlyman Films and Kondurkar Studio, which claimed credit for the campaign, entered it in the Cannes Lions awards and the Kyoorius Creative Awards 2024.

While the Kyoorius committee, after reviewing the case with industry juries and a legal team, decided to disqualify all entries from Kondurkar Studio and Earlyman Films across categories, the campaign went on to win a Silver Lion and a Bronze Lion at the 2024 Cannes Lions in the Film Craft category. This was despite the ongoing legal and ethical questions about its origin, rekindling the debate over who rightfully owns the idea behind the campaign.

Idea belongs to creator

Piyush Pandey, legendary adman and adviser at Ogilvy (former executive chairman), called this a sad incident for the industry. While its a difficult interpretation, my theory is simple: the idea belongs to the one who created the idea," he told Mint. If the entire concept is under suspicion, then everything about it is invalid. Which is how Kyoorius looked at it. Cannes decided to look at it another way and awarded the campaign in the Film Craft category and not for the idea. The way I look at it is, if there is a relay race and the third runner drops the baton, but the fourth runs it best, the team cant claim victory. Ultimately, one has to see whose idea it was. If there is a theft, the person who breaks open the locker cant claim he is not connected to the theft at all, as he just opened the lock."

Read more | Jindal Steel earnings to get shipshape with better product mix, volume boost

In an official statement on Friday, W+K India said, The Delhi High Court verdict clearly stated that prima facie the campaign was substantially similar to what we had presented to Jindal Steel, be it the theme, use of steel, visual imagery, or sound design. The matter was subsequently settled out of court to the mutual satisfaction of both parties. Now the production house is coming and challenging us, claiming its not our idea."

When asked, a spokesperson from Jindal Steel said, Jindal Steel cannot comment on the amicable settlement as it is bound by confidentiality. However, we clarify that the The Steel of India campaign is our original idea, and we engaged Kondurkar Studio and Earlyman Films to bring our vision to life."

Incidentally, Amrish Kondurkar, the founder of Kondurkar Studio who was named in Cannes for idea creation, was earlier part of W+K until January 2023, when he started his own company.

Negative unfounded coverage

Defending their work, Kondurkar Studio said, In recent weeks, Kondurkar Studio and its founder, Amrish Kondurkar, have been subjected to a wave of negative, unfounded, and unsubstantiated media coverage regarding the 'The Steel of India' campaign. Kondurkar embarked on an independent journey with integrity and creativity, dedicating his talents to creating original and impactful work. Despite his commendable efforts, he and his studio are being unfairly targeted by a larger competitor in the industry, under the pretext of bizarre accusations of copyright infringement and lack of originality. Kondurkar Studio developed this film based on the clients brief, aiming to bring alive the Indian resilience to land on the brand line of The Steel of India. The film, which signs off with The Sound of India, is entirely original. We had no prior knowledge of anything that the larger agency might have earlier shared with our client. The Delhi High Court, after thorough adjudication, found no wrongdoing on the part of Kondurkar Studio."

The controversy underscores the challenges and complexities of intellectual property in the creative industry, raising important questions about the protection of creative ideas and the responsibilities of agencies and clients in safeguarding them.

As the debate continues, the industry watches closely to see how this case will influence future dealings and the broader ethical standards within the advertising landscape.
The idea behind launching direct flights between Cambodia's capital city Phnom Penh and Delhia city with twice the population of Cambodiawas crystal clear: Boost the number of Indian tourists travelling to the Southeast Asian country.

Cambodia's flag carrier Angkor Air started its first ever direct flights between the two cities from 16 June and it will operate four flights a week on the route.

Not a new phenomenon, Cambodia is learning from the examples of its neighbours Thailand and Vietnam, who've tasted massive success in attracting Indian tourists after introducing direct flights to and from India in the past few years.

The significance of the Indian holiday traveller has been gaining importance over the past few years, with even offbeat destinations like Kazakhstan courting Indian tourists. The increasing interest in these countries is amply visible in the number and frequency of Indian carriers flying to these locations.

For instance, India's largest airline Indigo has been operating multiple flights every week to Almaty, Kazakhstan, since September 2023, while Vistara has been flying directly to popular tourist destination like Bali, Indonesia, since December last year.

For Cambodia, too, the move makes imminent sense, considering that only 68,836 travellers out of its total 54 lakh inbound tourists between January and December 2023, were from India, as per data from their ministry of tourism.

Destinations galore

The trend is further reinforced by the examples of Vietnam and Indonesia, which were already gathering the interest of Indian travellers post-Covid. The number of Indian travellers flying to these destinations jumped substantially after direct flights were launched between the countries in 2023.

According to Rajesh Magow, co-founder and group CEO of MakeMyTrip, the number of Indian's booking flights through MakeMyTrip to cities such as Bali in Indonesia and Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam grew by 190% and 226%, respectively, in May 2024, compared to May 2022.

Even booking for destinations like Almaty (Kazakhstan), Baku (Azerbaijan), and Tashkent (Uzbekistan), have grown at least 3x on the platform during the same period, since direct flights were launched in 2023.

"We expect Phnom Penh to follow suit now that a direct flight has been introduced from Delhi to support Indian travellers' interest," he added.

And it isn't just holidaymakers from the big metro cities that are flying to these destinations, but also travellers from nearby tier II and III cities.

According to Indiver Rastogi, president and group head for global business travel of Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, access is one of the key barriers to these destinations, and hence, the introduction of direct flights to destinations like Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, etc., has proved to be a game changes for outbound Indian travellers.

There is an increase in demand ranging from 12% to 40% for these routes year-on-year, noted Rastogi.

Thomas Cook India reported an 89% increase in sales for the year in its leisure travel segment in its FY24 annual report. Further, strong volumes in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, and the gradual recovery in travel to countries such as Laos and Cambodia, helped the company report sales that exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

Another online travel booking firm, Cleartrip has also witnessed a similar 12% growth in demand for these regions during the period.

Direct advantage

Since the introduction of direct flights, many travel booking platforms have observed a notable increase in interest towards these offbeat and exotic locations.

For instance, queries for flights to Cambodia have surged by 10-15% during this season for online travel major Yatra Online. Direct connectivity not only saves time but also adds to the comfort of the travellers, making Cambodia a very accessible short-haul destination," said Bharatt Malik, senior vice president, flights and hotel business, at Yatra Online.

Data from the online travel-booking platform also highlighted a substantial uptick in bookings to other popular destinations such as Bali, Vietnam and Phuket (Thailand).

We have seen an impressive 15-20% increase in bookings to these locations compared to last year. This trend underscores the growing enthusiasm among Indian travellers to explore new cultures, cuisines and landscapes. The improved travel convenience has facilitated increased footfall to these destinations, further boosting their popularity," added Malik.

Sunny skies outlook

A report from management consulting firm Nangia Andersen India, estimates India's outbound tourism market to be growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.4% between 2023 and 2032, to reach $44.8 billion by 2032, nearly tripling in size from 2023.

The report, titled "Outbound Tourism in India," stated that approximately 27 million Indians traveled abroad in 2019, the year before the pandemic started. This number rebounded significantly to 18 million in 2022, according to data from Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs.

The report added that Indian travellers have begun spending significantly more. For instance, Indian travellers spent 20% more than their Chinese counterparts in 2021, while spending 30% more on accommodation.

According to travel major Booking.com's travel trends data for 2024, around a third of the people it polled in India, or about 31%, said they consider the availability of direct flights versus layovers as a crucial factor when booking flights for leisure.

Direct flight connectivity facilitates easier travel and also presents a tremendous opportunity to boost tourism in both locations. We have seen a year-on-year increase in flight searches for favourites like Thailand-38%, Indonesia-25%, and Vietnam-19%, this year," said Santosh Kumar, country manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia, of Booking.com.

These countries have also shown a strong promise when it comes to welcoming overall international travellers.

Thailand, for instance, welcomed 28.04 million travellers in 2023; Vietnam received 12.6 million, and Indonesia received 11.6 million travellers, while Malaysia welcomed around half of the visitors that Thailand received, at 14.47 million, according to data from The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

Moreover, India is now one of the top five markets for Thailand, with over 1.6 million Indian travellers flying to the country in 2023, owing to daily direct flights as well as the temporary visa-free regime.

As per the most recent data available from India's ministry of tourism, 21.6 million Indians travelled outside the country in 2023. That year, Thailand was the sixth most popular country where Indians went after the UAE, Saudi Arabia, US, Singapore and the UK.
NEW DELHI : Several companies have evinced interest in acquiring 49% stake in Gurugram-based green hydrogen manufacturer Hygenco Green Energies Pvt. Ltd for an estimated equity value of around $400 million, two people aware of the development said, adding that some potential buyers may be aiming for an even higher stake.

Among the interested parties are UAEs Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company), Beijing-headquartered Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Australia's Macquarie Group, which have signed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).

Other firms that have signed NDAs include Japan's Sojitz Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHI) and Marubeni Corporation, World Banks International Finance Corporation (IFC), private equity firm Actis Llp, and Gentari, a unit of Malaysias state-run oil and gas company Petroliam Nasional Bhd or Petronas.

Its not that everyone who has signed the NDA will submit an NBO (non-binding offer), but there is a significant interest in the transaction," one of the two people cited above said on the condition of anonymity. While the process involves a 49% stake sale, there are interested companies who want to acquire as much as 74% in Hygenco Green Energies."

Also Read: The energy firm in sights of a global consortium

The next stage of sale process will involve submitting NBOs, after which the shortlisted bidders will be taken to the next stage for submitting a binding offer," said the person cited above.

The fundraising will help Hygenco, which plans to develop 10 gigawatt (GW) of production and distribution assets by 2030, complete its portfolio.

Also Read: ONGC enters the fray to acquire Ayana Renewable Power

Mumbai-based investment management firm Avendus Capital is running the primary equity raise process.

As a matter of policy, Masdar is unable to comment on market speculation," a Masdar spokesperson said in an emailed response.

Spokespersons for Avendus, Marubeni, Actis and IFC declined to comment.

Queries emailed to the spokespersons of Hygenco, AIIB, Macquarie Group, Sojitz Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Gentari on late Thursday night remained unanswered till press time.

Green hydrogen is generated by breaking down water in an electrolyzer. It can be combined with nitrogen to make ammonia, without using hydrocarbons in the production process. Green ammonia is used to store energy and in fertilizer manufacturing.

India's green energy push

Indias push to tap green energy sources such as green hydrogen has generated a significant interest among global players. Recently, Mint reported that state-run NTPC Ltd's subsidiary NTPC Green Energy Ltd (NGEL) was in talks to supply green hydrogen to state-backed oil refiner and marketer Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd (HPCL) and copper and aluminium maker Hindalco Industries.

Also Read: Gentari plans minority stake sale in C&I assets to raise about $400 million

Malaysia's Gentari also plans to invest $1.5 billion for 30% stake in AM Green Ammonia Holdings, a unit of AM Green, set up by Greenko Group founders Mahesh Kolli and Anil Kumar Chalamalasetty. AM Green Ammonia will produce 5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of green ammonia, which is equivalent to about 1 mtpa of green hydrogen.

Deloitte India in a 20 June report said it expects a decline in EV (electric vehicle) adoption post-2045 as greener fuel options such as green hydrogen will become more prevalent and technological advancements will enhance fuel efficiency".

Avendus Capital in a 4 April report added that India offers a $125 billion investment opportunity across the green hydrogen value chain by 2030.

India has set a target to produce 5mtpa of green hydrogen by 2030. The Centre launched the national green hydrogen mission last year with an outlay of over Rs19,000 crore, including support for manufacturing electrolyzers and producing green hydrogen.

Several state-run majors such as Indian Oil Corp. Ltd and GAIL Ltd, and private sector firms such as ACME, ReNew Energy, Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Reliance Industries Ltd and the Adani Group have announced plans for green hydrogen production.
New Delhi: Indian steel exports are struggling and are likely to face continued challenges, as overcapacity and weak domestic demand in China prompt the world's second-largest economy to flood the global market with ultra-cheap steel.

India's steel exports in May 2024 were recorded at 0.5 million tonnes (mt), nearly 25% lower month-on-month (m-o-m) from around 0.66mt in April, per provisional data available with BigMint, a market research and consultancy firm.

The steel export market is currently distorted and lacks attractiveness due to Chinas continued strategy of flooding the global market with low-priced steel. Low domestic demand in China is leading to substantial exports at prices below the cost of production, Ranjan Dhar, director and vice-president, sales & marketing, ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India), told Mint.

According to a report by BigMint, export prices of hot-rolled coil coming from China have fallen to $520 per tonne from $525 per tonne within a week, leading to a continued pressure on global steel prices. In comparison, Indian export prices hovered in a range of $650-$660 ( 54,500- 55,000) per tonne, higher than China's rates.

Also read | Jindals Steel of India campaignwhose idea is it anyway? China's crude steel production rose 8.1% m-o-m to 92.86mt in May, from 85.94mt in April. In May last year, China's crude steel production stood at 90.4mt.

China exported around 94mt of iron and steel products globally in the calendar year 2023, a 38% increase over 2022, according to a recent Crisil report. This number may likely rise to more than 100mt this calendar year, said Dhar.

This also means an uptick in exports from China to India. According to a steel ministry report, value of Chinese steel exports to India rose from $391.67 million in March to $434.01 million in April this year.

Balancing Act Amid Global Challenges According to provisional government data, India's finished steel imports stood at 8.3mt in FY24, up 38%. China, South Korea, Japan and Vietnam were the major contributors, the Crisil's report on the sector said.

Weak global demand and falling input costs have weighed on steel prices. Coking coal prices fell 7% week-on-week to $239 per tonne FOB (free on board) on 21 June, according to BigMint.

This has prompted Indian steel mills to focus on domestic demand, as exports remain a margin-dampening prospect. While competitive prices in West Asia and Southeast Asia remain a concern, the situation in Europe is deteriorating due to weak demand and a rigorous regulatory environment in play.

Also read | Mint Explainer: Why Tata Steel is jittery about the UK election Major competition for Indian steel exports is evident in the Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian markets, where China continues to flood the market with cheap exports, putting pressure on Indian mills. With European demand also remaining weak, Indian producers are increasingly focusing on the domestic demand, said Dhruv Goel, chief executive officer of BigMint.

However, domestic demand environment is not particularly strong, either, as monsoon rains and budget-related uncertainties weigh on prices. India exported steel worth 98,117 crore in FY24, down from 1.07 trillion in FY23.
Allied Blenders & Distillers Limited on Monday said the company has raised nearly 449.1 crore from anchor investors ahead of its initial public offering (IPO) on Tuesday, June 25.

According to an exchange filing, the liquor manufacturing company allocated 1,59,82,206 shares to anchor investors at 281 per share.

Also Read | Allied Blenders and Distillers IPO: Here are 10 things to know before subscribin

Nippon Life Mutual Fund, JM Financial Mutual Fund, LIC Mutual Fund, Jupiter India Fund, The Jupiter Global Fund Mutual Fund, Troo Capital Fund, BNP Paribas Financial Market, 360 One Special Opportunities Fund, and Goldman Sachs (Singapore) Pte-ODI were among the many funds that participated in the anchor round.

Out of the 1,59,82,206 equity shares allocated to the anchor investors, 53,38,109 equity shares or 33.40 per cent, were allotted to three domestic mutual funds that had applied through four schemes.



Nippon Life India and Authum Investment and Infrastructure got the most equity share allocation at 31.17 per cent and 11.09 per cent, respectively.

ICICI Securities Limited, Nuvama Wealth Management Limited, and ITI Capital Limited are the book-running lead managers.

Allied Blenders & Distillers IPO details: The liquor manufacturing company's IPO will open for subscription on Tuesday, June 25, and close on Thursday, June 27. The price band for the IPO has been set at 267 to 281 per equity share, with a face value of 2 per share.

The Allied Blenders & Distillers IPO is valued at 1,500 crore, which includes a fresh issue of 1,000 crore, and an offer for sale (OFS) of 500 crore by the promoters.

Also Read | Allied Blenders and Distillers IPO: Here are 10 key things to know from RHP

Up to 50 per cent of the offer has been reserved for qualified institutional buyers (QIB), at least 15 per cent for non-institutional investors (NII), and at least 35 per cent for retail investors.
European stocks were treading water on Monday, with French elections set for the weekend  an event thats left investors in a world of uncertainty.

The Stoxx 600 Index was largely unchanged by 8:14 a.m. in London, with autos leading gains while basic resources lagged. Miners were under pressure as iron ore fell to the lowest level since early April on concerns that China will struggle to resolve its property crisis.

Among single stocks, Argenx SE soared after Vyvgart Hytrulo shot gained US approval to treat a rare nervous system disorder, a win for the biotechnology firm after a series of setbacks. SIG Plc shares sank after it lowered its full-year guidance due to subdued demand.

The French election on Sunday will be the main risk event this week, with opinion polls showing that far-right National Rally party gaining traction. The prospect of a change in the balance of power in France has investors on edge, with banks, highway operators and utilities among the stocks with most on the line.

Moves in European and US markets were more in line last week as the political uncertainty originating in France was better digested by markets, still the overhang remains, according to JPMorgans Mislav Matejka. And volatility in French stocks remains elevated.

We continue to see heightened political uncertainty weighing on European stocks, said Marija Veitmane, senior multi-asset strategist at State Street Global Markets. While insitutional investors selling since late March has not accelerated since the election, elevated positions suggest that it can continue, she added.

Among other major corporate news, Prudential Plc launched a $2 billion share buyback program, as the insurer outlined progress that includes the potential for further shareholder returns.

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From aluminum to zinc, base metals will be in the spotlight during the annual LME Asia Week gathering in Hong Kong. The electric vehicles that are poised to replace gas guzzlers in the coming decades will end up consuming a good chunk of energy themselves. And Russian natural gas still has a hold over Europe.

Here are five notable charts to consider in global commodity markets as the week gets underway.

Natural Gas

While Europe has swiftly moved to diversify away from Russias gas delivered by pipelines, imports of tanker-borne fuel have held strong. Nations such as France, Spain and Belgium have increased purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas since the Kremlin started its war in Ukraine. Thats in part because of Europes overall drive to buy more LNG from the global market. The European Union allows imports of Russian LNG for security of supply, even if it banned transshipments of cargoes at its ports for consumers in other countries, such as China and India.

Pork

The threat of China slapping tariffs on the EUs pork is the last thing the continents beleaguered industry needs. Chinas probe into the industry could result in the European bloc shut out of the worlds largest pork import market. Overall EU exports have declined in recent years as African Swine Fever, increased input costs and reduced consumption hit European herd numbers, but China remained a key buyer.

Metals

Base metals have enjoyed an exciting few months after a relatively dull period for prices, and what happens next may depend on China. Consumption in the worlds biggest consumer of everything from copper to aluminum and zinc has been unusually subdued, contrasting with bullish global sentiment. The LMEX index of six metals powered to a multiyear high in May before softening, and whether it holds this years advance may depend on whether Chinese demand can recover. Thats the key question for traders, investors and buyers at LME Asia Week.

EVs

An all-electric vehicle fleet by 2050 is vital if the world is to hit the net zero goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change. That EV fleet of the future could require 8.3 petawatt-hours of electricity each year by then, BloombergNEF estimates in its latest Long-Term Electric Vehicle Outlook. Thats more than 10% of the global power demand forecast for mid-century, and 50 times as much power as the global EV fleet consumed last year. Even BNEFs more conservative Energy Transition Scenario shows EV electricity demand in 2050 soaring past 5 petawatt-hours, or more electricity than the US consumed last year.

Oil

All three of the main oil forecasting agencies  the International Energy Agency, the US Energy Information Administration and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries  expect oil demand growth in the second half of 2024 to be stronger than in the first half. But thats about as far as their unity goes. The producer group sees consumption rising twice as fast as its consumer-side counterparts. The divergence comes amid bullish signals for oil demand, helped by strong US gasoline consumption during summer driving season and an air travel revival thats giving a seasonal lift for jet fuel.

With assistance from Julian Lee and Doug Alexander.
The last financial year saw around 80 IPOs in India, the highest in a decade, though their average size reduced slightly compared to FY23. However, Sonia Dasgupta, MD & CEO-investment banking, JM Financial, expects many large IPOs to debut in the second half of FY25. Besides, in the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) space, the veteran banker anticipates healthcare, financials, energy and industrial sectors to witness significant activity. Edited excerpts from an interview:

How does the equity capital market and M&A landscape look like to you?

India is rapidly emerging as a top contender in global equity capital markets. The Indian equity markets have delivered consistently about 8-10% USD CAGR returns over the last 20 years. This momentum has strong tailwinds thanks to the strong macroeconomic environment, earnings growth trajectory, and equity market inflows especially from domestic mutual funds (MFs). Apart from favourable demographics, various structural reforms in the past decade have also been strong pillars for the faith in this growth story. In FY24, JM Financial closed around 56 capital market transactions across IPO, QIPs, blocks and topped the equity league tables.

In terms of primary market outlook, we expect strong momentum to continue over the next couple of years on the back of a strong pipeline of IPOs and QIPs across sectors. With regards to M&A, robust global liquidity has provided strong buying power with financial sponsors and strategics alike. Financial sponsors are getting more comfortable to control deals as they now have multiple avenues to exit i.e. through M&As as well as blocks in the market.

Moreover, newer sectors are emerging.

Could you elaborate on that and name a few sectors?

Deals are happening across multiple sectors like manufacturing, Industrials, specialty chemicals, digital and technology, healthcare, consumer and financials. We're witnessing a range of new businesses entering the market for example, we recently concluded IPOs of companies like Ixigo, a B2C mobile travel platform for the next billion users and TBO Tek, a leading travel distribution platform, both of which witnessed strong listing gains. Last year, we also managed IPOs of companies in the industrials space like Happy Forgings or a consumer tech story like Mamaearth.

What is your take in the M&A landscape?

The convergence of abundant dry powder, economic optimism and favourable demographics makes India an exciting and attractive destination for M&As. Companies are vying for a limited pool of attractive targets and this drives competition. Competition from foreign companies looking to tap into the Indian market further heats up the M&A market. Early engagement, flexible deal structures, and a focus on win-win outcomes are the keys to unlocking success in India's exciting M&A market.

Looking at the data, it seems PE investments in India have hit a multi-year low. What is the present scenario?

As per our internal data, on an overall basis, PE investments in India (year to date) are in line with last year ( 1 trillion in 2024 as compared to 1.1 trillion in 2023). Overall, PE investments in India in 2023 and 2024 are low as compared to 2021 and 2022. Even so, in these years, large pools of capital were invested in technology and consumer tech sectors (more than 50% in terms of deal value).

Deal momentum in traditional sectors of financial services, healthcare and IT services has picked up in this environment. We recently acted as financial advisor on the sale of Shriram Housing Finance Ltd which is the largest all cash buyout transaction in the affordable housing in India. We expect the trend to continue in the foreseeable future with potential deals in high quality assets across healthcare, consumer, IT, etc.

Which sectors might see significant M&A transactions or block deals this year?

We anticipate healthcare, financials, energy and industrial sectors to witness significant M&A activities. Rising disposable incomes and demographics are fuelling demand for quality medical services. The availability of attractive assets and a positive sector outlook will likely drive consolidation among healthcare delivery players, such as hospitals and diagnostic chains. Meanwhile, rising credit demand will fuel M&A activity in financial services. Companies will leverage deals to expand reach and acquire new customers, while regulatory shifts may also influence M&A decisions.

Additionally, proactive initiatives by the government to promote clean energy will act as a catalyst in the renewable energy space, and expanding product portfolios and optimizing supply chains to maintain a competitive edge may drive M&A in the industrials sector.

With the upcoming IPOs, are the valuations on the higher side? Is valuation a challenge when indices are around record highs?

While indices are around record highs in the secondary market, in the primary markets, almost all the IPOs in FY25 have given positive listing gains to investors which indicate that issuers have left money on the table while pricing the IPO. Investors are willing to invest in companies with solid fundamentals. They are clearly focusing on companies that demonstrate near-term growth and strong return metrics.

What's the current pipeline you are looking at, conservatively? How many deals you are looking at in 2024?

Despite global economic uncertainties, there has been a remarkable surge in IPO activity in the last 12 months, driven by investors' confidence in the Indian economy, strong inflows into domestic MFs, and encouraging listing gains on IPOs. With elections behind us, we expect the second half of 2024 to be a very busy period. There are already more than 55 DRHPs filed with Sebi looking to raise about 70,000 crore.

And | Fomo buying and key portfolio allocation push Nifty 50 to a new high

We are currently working on a strong pipeline of IPOs and QIPs across major sectors like real estate, industrials and healthcare. Our current pipeline includes a good mix of both small and large sized transactions, many of which we are expecting to hit the markets in the near future.

What is your current focus for the upcoming year regarding M&A, IPOs, and block deals? Are you prioritizing larger players and bigger deals, or are you focusing on the quantity of deals?

FY24 was a record year for IPOs and QIPs in India. We saw around 80 IPOs in FY24, the highest in the last decade. But the average size of IPOs had reduced slightly compared to that of FY23. However, we expect many large IPOs to hit the market in FY25 in the second half. Many large corporates have already filed DRHPs with the regulator and many more are planning to file it in the near term.

We have a strong mix of both small and large IPOs. We also have a robust pipeline of QIPs as corporates are increasingly looking to raise funds for capital expenditure.

Do you forsee any notable trend emerging in the private equity space?

Recently, we have seen funds (general partners) as well as limited partners (LPs) opening up to the concept of continuation funds in India. ChrysCapital raised a $700 million continuation fund. Last year, Samara Capital had raised a continuation fund. We expect this trend to intensify and grow as the Indian private equity market matures. With the recent focus on climate-related investments globally, Indian funds have also followed this trend. Climate focused funds have raised/are looking to raise about $2 billion across NIIF Climate, Edelweiss Climate, LeapFrog Climate among others, with increased focus on ESG-related investments.
The travel and tourism industry is rocketing , with wanderlust hitting new heights around the world and especially in India.

The travel industry in India is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% over the next five years, driven by surging interest in travel, government initiatives to boost infrastructure and transportation, and rising disposable incomes.

The boom has intensified competition among travel companies, which are all vying to be your one-stop travel partner by offering custom-built adventures, cutting-edge tech tools, and deals.

In this article we compare two leading travel companies, Ixigo and Easy Trip Planners, on various parameters to see which ones better.

Business overview

# Ixigo

Founded in 2006, Le Travenues Technology is an online travel agency that allows users to book train, flight and bus tickets through its platform Ixigo. It also allows users to book hotels and holiday packages.

Recently, Ixigo developed an AI-based platform that will help travellers plan detailed itineraries. It also launched a value-added service called Ixigo Assured Flex through which travellers can book their air and rail tickets flexibly.

# EaseMyTrip

Easy Trip Planners Ltd is India's second-largest online travel platform, offering travel-related products and services through its brand EaseMyTrip.

The company sells airline, train and bus tickets; hotel bookings; holiday packages and other value-added services. It also offers hospitality services through Spree Hospitality, which has a portfolio of properties across 45 locations.

EaseMyTrip recently ventured into charter solutions through its subsidiary Nutana Aviation Capital. It also has a presence in the insurance sector through its subsidiary, EaseMyTrip Insurance Broker Pvt Ltd.

View Full Image Source: Equitymaster

EaseMyTrip is the larger company, with a market cap of 75.9 billion compared to Ixigos 65.3 billion. In terms of reach, EaseMyTrip has the largest agent network in India, with more than 60,000 agents across B2E (business-to-employee), B2C (business-to-consumer), and B2B2C (business-to-business-to-consumer).

It also has offices in several foreign countries including Singapore, the UK, the UAE, Thailand, New Zealand, and the US. It has served more than 20 million customers to date.

Ixigo, on the other hand, has the highest number of monthly active users (around 83 million), and is also one of the fastest-growing online travel agencies in terms of app downloads and users.

Its hard to compare the performance of the two companies on the bourses, given that Ixigo shares were only listed on 18 June. Within two days of listing, the shares of the company zoomed more than 112%, more than doubling investors money in no time. EaseMyTrip shares, on the other hand, have fallen by 1.3% over the past year, during which time the Nifty 50 has increased 24.6%.

# Revenue

Travel companies mainly earn revenue from commissions. By analysing revenue patterns, we can determine whether the company has been able to do more business than it did in previous years.

In terms of revenue growth, Ixigo has outpaced EaseMyTrip. In the past five years, the companys revenue grew at a CAGR of 65.5%, while EaseMyTrips revenue grew at a CAGR of 34.7%. This is mainly because the company has a diversified business model and has also leveraged AI.

EaseMyTrip has seen consistent revenue growth despite the pandemic-led lockdowns owing to its strategic acquisitions and partnerships with hotels, airlines, technology providers, and various travel service providers in other countries. These partnerships and acquisitions have helped the company diversify its revenue across multiple streams, such as ticket bookings, hotel bookings, holiday packages and insurance.

View Full Image Source: Equitymaster

# Profitability

EaseMyTrip leads Ixigo on profitability. In the past five years, earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) has grown at a CAGR of 258.3%, driven by growth in revenue and a focus on reducing discounts. Net profit grew at a CAGR of 35.6% during the same period. The company also has higher gross and net profit margins than Ixigo.

For Ixigo, Ebitda and net profit have turned positive in the past five years, indicating strong growth in profits on the back of strong revenue growth and cost-efficient services. Profit margins, however, are tiny when compared to those of its competitors. Given the companys growth trajectory, however, margins are expected to improve.

View Full Image Source: Equitymaster

# Debt management

EaseMyTrip and Ixigo are both debt-free companies.

EaseMyTrip has acquired several travel and hospitality businesses in the past five years and plans to continue doing so. At present it has no significant capex planned, but has enough cash flows for any big investment that comes its way.

Ixigo, on the other hand, repaid all its debt in FY22 and has planned significant capex using its IPO funds. It plans to invest in cloud infrastructure and technology to offer better services to its customers and also plans to grow through acquisitions.

View Full Image Source: Equitymaster

# Return ratios

In terms of return ratios, EaseMyTrip leads the way. In the past five years, its return on capital employed (RoCE) and return on equity (RoE) averaged 59.5% and 38.9%, respectively. These are lower than they were before covid, but still are higher than those of Ixigo, which had negative return ratios until March 2023. These ratios are expected to improve with the companys profit margins.

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# Dividends

Ixigo doesnt pay dividends to its shareholders. EaseMytrip does so, but not regularly. In the past five years, the company has paid dividends only twice. Its average dividend payout and dividend yield in the past three years is 9.4% and 0.2%, respectively.

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# Valuations

The price-to-earnings and price-to-book multiples of EaseMyTrip are 73.5x and 12.6x, respectively. For Ixigo, the PE multiple is 215x, while the PB multiple is not available as the shares were only listed last week.

Shares of Ixigo are overvalued when compared to those of EaseMyTrip. If we compare it with the five-year average and industry, EaseMyTrips stock is overvalued.

View Full Image Source: Equitymaster

So which is the better travel stock?

In terms of profit growth, profit margins and financial efficiency, Easy Trip Planners has outpaced Ixigo. The company has grown primarily through acquisitions in the last few years, during which time it has ventured into hotels, holiday packages, train tickets, bus tickets, and insurance.

It was the first company of its kind to charge a convenience fee, which helped reduce its discount costs. It has no significant capex plans but is always looking to grow the business through acquisitions.

Ixigo, on the other hand, has been in the travel industry for over 18 years. It is one of the leading online travel agent apps with high average monthly users and downloads. It is also the largest train ticket distributor, with a largest market share of 51%, and second-largest bus-ticketing OTA with a market share of 12.5%.

It offers PNR confirmation and predictions, train seat availability alerts, personalised recommendations, instant fare alerts, and automated customer support using AI. It recently ventured into insurance to expand its services.

Ixigo plans to invest its IPO proceeds in cloud infrastructure and technology to offer better services to its customers, and in acquiring companies.

Both the companies are well established and have good growth plans that could help them capitalise on the growing demand for tourism.

Disclaimer:This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such.

This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com
An interest in eco-friendly practices and a desire to build an innovative firm led Amit Jain to create Paaduks, a footwear brand that uses discarded tyres, over a decade ago.

Over the years, Mumbai-based Jain, 39, has had to keep in mind evolving fashion trends and the pricing of his products (a pair of sandals, for example, starts at 2,000), while raising awareness among consumers about making eco-conscious choices. Last year, the brand processed 30 lakh kg of discarded tyres and tubes, besides also sourcing vegan materials to ensure their products are eco-friendly.

Jain, a chartered accountant by qualification, gained insights into the world of eco-friendly fashion through a previous venture, where he noticed a growing demand and the potential of green products. In an interview, Jain, the chief executive and founder of Paaduks, talks about mentorship being a collaborative effort and the joy of cooking. Edited excerpts:

What does being a mentor mean to you? Being a mentor isnt about traditional hierarchical teaching; its a collaborative journey of continuous learning. Through constant talking and active discussions, we cultivate a culture of growth and development.

Any productivity principles you follow that have made your life easier? I thrive on efficiency. By eliminating two-minute meetings, I prioritise depth and focus over brevity. By embracing the 80:20 rule (aka the Pareto principle, which states that 80% of outcomes result from 20% of causes), I channel my energy into tasks that yield the greatest impact.

Which books or podcasts would you recommend on mentorship and growth? The Diary Of A CEO: The 33 Laws Of Business And Life by Steven Bartlett. Its a compelling exploration of personal growth and mentorship and the journey of entrepreneurship.

How do you unwind? Cooking. When I step into the kitchen, I take off my CEO cap and embrace moments of tranquillity with my family. Cooking not only allows me to indulge in creativity, but also fosters meaningful connections over a meal.
On the sprawling lawns of the Jayamahal Palace hotel in Bengaluru, thousands of people gathered to sample more than 100 vegetarian dishes from across Karnataka. These werent the usual idli, dosa and akki roti. The dishes included the tart bilimbi (averrhoa bilimbi) chutney, rarely served outside Kannadiga homes. Made with a small sour fruit called tree sorrel, this chutney is served with hot rice and inside a dosai in coastal Karnataka. Other dishes included punar puli or kokum rasam, kumblakai sippe, or chutney made from the skin of ash gourd, moodaray kanee which is a thick soup prepared with horse gram and navane akki anna (foxtail millet rice).

Organised by the food brand MTR Foods to commemorate 100 years of being in Karnataka, the festival named Karunadu Swada was celebrated last month. The brand also published an accompanying cookbook with the same name. Karunadu is another name for Karnataka and means the land of black soil. The festival now in its third edition begins with MTR chefs and cooks traversing the state to discover home recipes and ingredients, and learning to cook foods in specific ways using specific ingredients. The 100 dishes showcased in this festival and in the cookbook are a way to reconnect our consumers to their roots, says Sunay Bhasin, CEO of MTR Foods. The brand also uses this research to create new mass-market packaged products like their gojju masala, he adds.

Also read: Beans, avocados and defiance: Gazan memories MTR Foods formed the Centre of Excellence 12 years ago and appointed chef Regi Mathew who has long been associated with Indian food revival as its custodian, along with chef Rajesh M who works with MTR. Over the years, they have collected a lot of material about Karnataka food including indigenous regional ingredients like kachampuli vinegar from Kodagu, mattu gulla brinjals from Udupi, and mundu chilies from Mangaluru.

A recent welcome trend is the flowering of Indian indigenous cuisine, where chefs, restaurants and even home cooks are embracing their native recipes, thanks to access of knowledge and ingredients. Today, people want to understand the historical layering in what they eat, says food historian and television personality Rakesh Raghunathan. Indigenous cuisine is the way forward. Not only does it allow for storytelling, it also pushes the creativity of chefs. In the end, you are eating a spoonful of your history.

In the effort to serve up history while infusing it with storytelling, chefs are mining journals and literature, meeting home cooks and local eatery owners, and tracing little known ingredients and recipes. Chef Mathew, who owns and runs the restaurants, Kappa Chakka Kandhari, in Bengaluru and Chennai is an ardent food revivalist, not just at his restaurants and in his role for MTR, but also as an educator. 10 students from the hospitality college Manipal Welcomgroup have just started interning with him for two years. His goal is to get them excited about regional Indian food so that they return to it rather than go on to become European or Thai chefs.

The keepers of these recipes end up being home cooks and religious institutions. The pidiyum kozhiyum that Mathew serves at his restaurant, for instance, is the traditional food of the St. Thomas Christians and is served as part of a nercha or religious vow to 12 boys modelling the 12 apostles. The dish has steamed rice dumplings topped with coconut milk and served with chicken.

At Thanjavurs Mantra Koodam, a resort on the banks of the Kaveri river, I tasted Cholanadu food at the in-house restaurant. There was vetrilai saadam or betel leaf rice and pirandai thokku (veldt grape pickle) with kambu adai (pearl millet dosa). Pirandai or Cissus quadrangularis is a medicinal plant, called veldt grape, that grows wild all over South India.

Harish Venkat, the general manager of the resort, said that their menu was characterised by three qualities: a clear link to seasonally available ingredients, a connection to local temples and festivals, and the idea of paati vaidhyam or grandmothers medicine, alluding to food. The veldt grape, for instance, was stirred into rice and offered as the prasadam at the nearby Lalithambikai temple. Seasonal dishes included the omam-kuzhambu, or ajwain dry-roasted with spices and stirred into a thick tamarind paste. He says, These are medicinal home foods that our mothers and grandmothers cooked. Restaurants dont serve them. Venkat reeled off other dishes that they were serving, and they were tied by one common factor. The first part of the name was the town or village where the particular delicacy came from. For example, Vedaranyam vanjara meen suttathu is a grilled seer fish from Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu. Similar dishes include Mayavaram mutton curry, Papanasam paal kootu (a savory mix of vegetables with a dash of milk) and Kadichampadi kaadai varuval (quail fry). As a Tamilian, I didnt know that there was a village called Kadichampadi, let alone that its quail fry with a unique spice blend. Rather than watering down and adapting dishes to suit tourist palates, the chefs at Mantra Koodam were digging deep into Sangam (300 B.C. to 300 A.D. or so) literature to revive dishes. A starting point, says Venkat, is the Saraswati Mahal Library in Thanjavur with its palm-leaf manuscripts, paintings and poetry describing old dishes. Old Tamil poetry also threw up names. For example, thenum thinai maavum (honey and foxtail millet flour) is a sweet laddu offered to Lord Muruga on a particular day in the month of Karthigai or November-December. It is not just what you eat, it is when you eat and how you eat the food, says Venkat.

Angaya podi is a powder made with neem and berries as a digestive, and typically eaten before the meats. Some dishes like shark-fish scramble (paal sura puttu) are given to lactating mothers. And some are linked to the land and seasonal availability. I tasted an aviyal (mixed vegetable preparation) made just with native gourds snakegourd, ridgegourd, bottle gourd, ash gourd, and yellow pumpkin, and native tubers and yams, that were shallow fried into snacks, such as valli-kizhangu varuval or sweet-potato fries.

The dishes of all south Indian states are based on three culinary principles: availability, connection to culture and food as medicine. I watch several Kannada cooking shows on Youtube, for instance, and learn about dishes such as karindi (fermented pickle made with nutrition-rich flax seeds and vegetables). There are Tamil cooking shows such as Village Cooking Channel with 24.7 million subscribers, where a group of exuberant village men teach you how to cook a whole goat, and harvest palmyra sprouts or panang kizhangu, also considered medicinal and available only at certain times of the year when it is a delicacy. Chef Mathews version of this is the common Kerala tapioca, called kappa. In Kerala we serve kappa with kudampuli (Garcinia cambogia) fish curry because it neutralises the cyanogen content in raw tapioca, he says. I visited 275 Kerala mothers and they all do this. They didnt know why but science tells us why.

Also read: This Pune chef creates flavours from scratch The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes the term indigenous as having originated in and being produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in a particular region or environment. The word takes particular meaning in tropical climes such as India where the fertile land births flavours that are unique and distinct. Anyone who has travelled on a train in India knows this. Each station has specialities that are exquisitely linked to land and culture. In Tamil Nadu, there are indigenous dishes, flavours and ingredients like Sathur cucumbers, Erodes milk, Srivalliputhurs milk sweet or paal-khova, Kovilpattis chikki called kadalai-urundai.

The other aspect of revival involves debunking common practices in light of new information. The sambhar now inextricably linked to Tamil food was in fact imported from Maharashtra. Food combinations come through poetry. For instance, a journal article titled History of Tamil food of Ancient Tamils with special reference to Sangam Literature by professor Dr. T. Kausalya Kumari of Chennais Ethiraj College for Women, describes the use of steamed varagu (Kodo millet) rice, smoked and mashed aubergine and tangy frothy buttermilk in a song by Sangam Tamil poet, Avvaiyar. This was long before todays buzz about millets.

Indian restaurants across the world have tried and failed to capture its cuisine under one umbrella. It is an impossible ask given the remarkable diversity of sub-regional foods. For regional or hyperlocal cuisine to thrive, there needs to be a confluence of factors, including access to knowledge for both chefs and consumers, a desire for wellness and therefore unprocessed food of the kind our ancestors ate, pride in culinary culture, and perhaps most importantly a strong economy that supports the food ecosystem. All this along with a democratic backbone that allows for not just the best in the business to rise to the top, but also the quirky mavericks who beat to their own drum. Sub-regional and indigenous cuisine requires both imagination and expertise, and its moment in the sun has arrived. The good news is, you and I are the beneficiaries.

Shoba Narayan is an independent writer based in Bengaluru and has been a long-time contributor to Mint.
Carrying forward "Shanghai Spirit" to strengthen mutual learning among civilizations

15:24, June 24, 2024 By Yan Huan, Ma Fei ( People's Daily

Interactions between civilizations provide the most solid foundation for the development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and people-to-people exchanges provide the strongest driving force for the organization.

A chief physician from Peking University People's Hospital and an Uzbek doctor jointly perform a cataract surgery for an Uzbek patient. (Photo/Bao Yongzhen)

Since the establishment of the SCO, its member states have deepened mutual learning among civilizations, deepened good-neighborliness and friendship, and strengthened people-to-people connectivity, practicing the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development, and jointly building an SCO community of cultural exchanges.

The Chinese side has been actively exploring new channels for cultural cooperation to enhance the international communication capacity of the SCO, such as establishing a media cooperation mechanism, hosting the SCO Media Summit, and holding the Media and Think Tank Forum for SCO Countries.

It supports expanding channels for non-governmental exchanges among SCO member states to bring their people, youth in particular, closer to each other. China has launched relevant activities related to the SCO University, hosted SCO Youth Campuses and invited youth leaders of other SCO member states to visit China.

Diverse yet concrete initiatives are being implemented. SCO deputy secretary-general Nurlan Yermekbayev noted that the Shanghai Spirit charts the course for different countries and civilizations to get along with each other.

At the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO, China proposed that in the coming three years, China will provide SCO member states with 1,000 International Chinese Language Teachers Scholarships, offer 3,000 "Chinese Bridge" summer camp opportunities, and invite 100 young scientists to China for scientific research exchanges.

A Tajik professor instructs students to operate devices donated by China at the Luban Workshop in Tajikistan. (People's Daily/Yan Huan)

In recent years, the Chinese side has been actively promoting the SCO to launch more down-to-earth projects of people-to-people exchange in various fields, aiming to build a bridge of mutual understanding and friendship among the peoples of SCO member states.

With a people-centered approach, SCO health cooperation has been continuously improved. China has actively promoted resource integration and expanded pragmatic cooperation among institutions. The China-proposed Lifeline Express International Sight Saving Mission and the establishment of a traditional medicine alliance have opened up new prospects for health and medical cooperation within the SCO.

After China announced to carry out 2,000 free cataract operations for SCO member states at the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the SCO in 2022, there has been a surge of patients seeking treatment in Uzbek hospitals, in hope of restoring their vision.

China has provided support for the restoration of historical sites and archaeological cooperation in SCO countries, launching joint archaeological surveys at the ancient city of Rahat in Kazakhstan, a Buddhist temple on the west side of the Krasnaya Rechka site in Kyrgyzstan and Itchan Kala, the walled inner town of the city of Khiva in Uzbekistan.

Following a joint application by China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It marked the first transnational World Heritage application, building powerful momentums for SCO member states to jointly protect cultural heritage.

At the Samarkand Archaeological Institute, Chinese and Uzbek archaeologists sort cultural relics unearthed at the Rabat site, Surxondaryo Region, Uzbekistan. (People's Daily/Wang Xiaobo)

Technology is key to solving global issues, while open sci-tech cooperation remains a desired approach. In recent years, SCO member states have increasingly deepened their non-governmental exchanges in science and technology. Through joint R&D, people-to-people exchanges, technology transfers, and various other activities, they have built powerful drivers for sci-tech progress, economic growth, livelihood improvement, and common development.

In Pakistan, the country's first smart distribution centers jointly built by China and Pakistan has increased package sorting efficiency of local e-commerce companies by four times, with the rate of package misclassification dropping from 1 percent to less than 0.03 percent.

The first Luban Workshop, a Chinese-supported vocational training facility, in Central Asia has been launched in Tajikistan. Catering to the country's need for economic development and industrial upgrading, it offers courses on urban heating application and engineering measurement technologies, thus building a talent pipeline for Tajikistan's future development.

The observation area of China's FY-2 meteorological satellites covers SCO countries including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan. Through weather forecasting, disaster prevention and mitigation as well as other services, the satellites have effectively enhanced the capabilities of these countries in monitoring weathers, climate and ecological environment.

In the past days, the SCO has always been glittering with a brilliant light of people-to-people exchange. Looking ahead, the organization will keep setting examples of regional and international cooperation on promoting harmonious coexistence among different civilizations and renewing the everlasting friendship of people from all countries, through its efforts to advance people-to-people exchange.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Hurricane Milton plows across US Florida, leaving at least 9 dead 11 Oct 2024 | 8:58 AM New York, Oct 11 (UNI) Hurricane Milton hit the southeast U.S. state of Florida overnight with strong winds, destructive tornadoes and heavy rain, leaving at least 9 dead and millions of people without power as of Thursday morning. see more..

Some 5,959 people crossed Syrian border from Lebanon over past 24 hours 11 Oct 2024 | 8:52 AM Damascus, Oct 11 (UNI) Nearly 5,959 people have crossed the Syrian border from Lebanon over the past 24 hours, Capt. 1st Rank Oleg Ignasyuk, deputy head of the Russian Defence Ministry's Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria, said. see more..

Death toll from Israeli airstrike on Beirut rises to 22, injuries to 117 11 Oct 2024 | 8:45 AM Beirut, Oct 11 (UNI) The death toll has climbed to at least 22 and injuries to 117 after an Israeli airstrike targeted al-Noueiri, a densely populated area in central Beirut, on Thursday evening, the Lebanese Health Ministry said in its latest update. see more..

Iran threatens to strike US allies if attacked from their territories 11 Oct 2024 | 8:38 AM Tehran, Oct 11 (UNI) Tehran has threatened through secret diplomatic channels to strike US allies in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East if their territories or airspace are used to attack Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Arab officials. see more..
As the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) embarks on its third term in governance, there is a palpable sense of anticipation among Non-Resident Indian (NRI) investors. The NDA's consistent emphasis on economic reforms, infrastructural development, and ease of doing business has historically resonated well with the investor community.

This new tenure promises to build upon these foundations, potentially offering numerous opportunities for NRI investors. Heres a closer look at what NDA's third term means for NRI investors, but before that a glance at the horizon of the Indian economy.

The longer vision of India under Modi 3.0 government With India aiming to emerge as the fourth-largest economy by 2026 surpassing Japan and as the third-largest economy with its GDP crossing $5 trillion by 2027 surpassing Germany, the next term in office for the government is to execute and capitalise on the momentum built in the last few years.

Indias GDP growth rate of 8.2% for FY24 is the highest among all major large economies; showcasing the growth of the economy and the opportunities it will bring for the nation.

Whats in it for NRI investors? Indian markets outperformed global counterparts across three, five, and ten-year periods. Nifty Large Cap Index delivered a 10.9 per cent annualised return in the past 10 years. Over the same period, the US Index and Chinas market delivered only 6 per cent and 2.7 per cent.

Similarly in the last five years, Indian markets delivered 18.8 per cent while the US Index delivered only 7.6 per cent. India markets recently solidified its position as the most emerging market as per Morgan Stanley, a trajectory that showcases it as a potentially high return-yielding market for the upcoming future. Here are the things to look forward to Modi 3.0 government:

Continued economic reforms and stability The NDA government has been known for its economic reforms. Initiatives such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), and various financial inclusion schemes have established a robust economic framework.

With the NDA back in power, NRI investors can expect the continuation and enhancement of these reforms, fostering an environment of stability and predictability essential for long-term investments. While reforms like GST take time to show returns, the immediate impact can be seen via fiscal policies.

Enhanced ease of doing business India has climbed significantly in the World Banks Ease of Doing Business rankings under the NDAs tenure. The third term is likely to witness further streamlining of regulatory processes, making it even more convenient for NRIs to invest in India.

This could include simplified processes for property transactions, financial investments, and business set-ups, ensuring that NRIs face minimal bureaucratic hurdles.

Focus on infrastructure development The NDA's focus on infrastructure development has been a major foray of its economic strategy. Major projects such as the Bharatmala project, Smart Cities Mission, GatiShakti Scheme, and the expansion of national highways have boosted the real estate, logistics, and construction sectors.

Continued investments in these areas are expected to create lucrative opportunities for NRI investors looking at real estate, infrastructure bonds, and related financial instruments.

Strengthening of digital India and technological advancements The digital India initiative has revolutionised the way business is conducted in India. The push towards a cashless economy, increased internet penetration, and the promotion of digital literacy is expected to transform the economic landscape further.

With a continued focus on technological advancements, the NDAs third term is expected to bolster sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, and digital services. NRI investors can capitalise on these growing sectors by investing in tech-driven startups, IT services, and digital infrastructure projects.

Opportunities in renewable energy India has ambitious goals for its power and renewable energy sector, aiming to reach a $1 trillion economy in this space by 2030. The launch of the PM Suryodaya Yojana 2024 with an allocation of 10,000 crore underscores the governments commitment to solar energy.

This initiative is expected to drive substantial solar power generation growth, reduce fossil fuel dependency, and contribute to environmental sustainability. The NDAs third term is likely to witness an acceleration in this sector, providing ample investment opportunities for NRIs.

Enhanced financial services and NRI-centric policies The NDAs previous terms have seen the introduction of several NRI-friendly financial services and schemes, such as the Sovereign Green Bond Scheme and various NRI banking facilities. The third term is anticipated to bring further enhancements in this area, with more tailored financial products, investment schemes, and policies designed to cater to the unique needs of the NRI community.

One more efficient channel for streamlining NRI and foreign investments in India is GIFT City with the GOI aiming for it to become a hub for sustainable finance.

In conclusion, the NDA's third term in governance promises a continuation of its pro-investment policies, economic reforms, and infrastructural advancements. For NRI investors, this translates into a stable and promising investment environment, characterised by reduced red tape, enhanced ease of doing business, and numerous opportunities across various sectors.

As India continues its journey towards becoming a global economic powerhouse, NRI investors are well-positioned to reap substantial benefits from the NDAs governance.
Zerodha Asset Management Ltd (Zerodah MF), a subsidiary of Indias leading brokerage firm Zerodha, has introduced the mutual fund industrys first liquid exchange-traded fund (ETF) with a growth-based net asset value (NAV).

The product caters to traders looking to park short-term funds and secure margins for future trades, as well as retail investors seeking efficient cash management.

Unlike traditional dividend-based liquid ETFs, which involve daily dividend reinvestments and fractional units, Zerodhas growth NAV liquid ETF simplifies tracking by adding the gains directly to the NAV, offering a hassle-free alternative, besides simplifying tax implications.

However, before exploring how the Zerodha Nifty 1D Rate Liquid ETF works, let's take a quick look at dividend-based liquid ETFs.

Dividend-based liquid ETFs

Liquid ETFs invest in TREPS with a one-day maturity.

TREPS, or Triparty Repo, is a short-term borrowing and lending instrument, involving a triparty agreement between the borrower and lender, and a clearing corporation, which acts as an intermediary. TREPS are used by mutual funds to invest in short-term government treasury bills (T-Bills).

Liquid ETFs are typically traded on the Clearing Corp. of India Ltd (CCIL), offering high liquidity. Investors and traders can use these ETFs as an efficient cash management tool to maintain funds in their broking accounts while earning interest.

Also read | Mutual funds bet big on manufacturing: Is it time to invest?

For example, through this route, a trader or investor can sell stocks and buy liquid ETF units simultaneously on the same day. On a T+1 basis, stocks are debited from the demat account, and on T+1, liquid ETF units are credited, allowing the investor to start earning returns immediately.

Dividend-based liquid ETFs maintain a fixed NAV of 1,000, offering more predictability. Returns are generated as daily dividends and reinvested into the ETF. These reinvested units are credited to the investor's demat account on a weekly basis.

These ETFs also have some disadvantages. For instance, until the dividend units accumulate to at least one whole unit, they dont reflect on broking platforms, However, investors can verify these units in the holding statement of the depository.

Besides, fund houses provide a reinvestment statement and dividend statement showing credited units over time, said a mutual fund executive. This shows the units that have got credited to the investors account over a period of time, against the units purchased by the investor," said the product head of a fund house, seeking anonymity.

View Full Image Graphic: Pranay Bhardwaj/Mint

Some dividend-based liquid ETFs do not reinvest dividends but pay the dividend directly to the investor in cash.

However, tracking returns is challenging as dividend-linked units are paid out daily after TDS(tax deducted at source) deduction. Investors need to monitor fractional units to determine their final tax liability.

There is a tax event daily as dividends are generated daily. Dividends are paid after TDS of 10%, and the dividends are taxed at the investor's slab rate. To be sure, some of the dividend-based liquid ETFs were launched when dividends were tax-free in the hands of the investor.

Fractional units cannot be sold directly on stock exchanges, and one of the options is to transfer to the mutual funds demat account through an off-market transfer.

Growth NAV Liquid ETFs

A growth NAV liquid ETF, such as Zerodhas new offering, has no dividend or reinvestment option, eliminating fractional units. Gains are added directly to the NAV.

The feedback we got from investors suggested there is demand for products that can ease the trackability," said Vishal Jain, chief executive officer, Zerodha Mutual Fund. Hence, we thought of a growth NAV liquid ETF, where nothing is going in and out of the investor's account. The NAV reflects day-to-day returns, which can be tracked easily."



"I was invested in one of the dividend-based liquid ETFs through a small-case. Every week, I would get dividend units, but didn't know at what rate dividends were getting issued. Also, I didn't know how to exit the fractional units. Now, the small-case has shifted to Zerodha's ETF. Returns are easier to track as we can simply monitor the movement in the ETF's NAV," said Sarang Pitale, 44, a Pune-based investor and IT professional.

Also read | What you need to know about secured credit cards

In terms of taxation, capital gains tax applies at the investor's slab rate for both growth NAV and dividend NAV ETFs. However, capital gains offer more flexibility, as taxes are only triggered upon redemption. In contrast, dividend-based liquid ETFs generate and reinvest dividends daily, resulting in a daily tax event.

Investors can also offset short-term capital losses against gains, reducing their overall tax liability.

Should You Opt for Zerodha's ETF?

Liquid ETFs are suitable for traders and active investors who want to avoid the hassle of transferring money between their bank accounts and the broking accounts, and then re-deploy it for investing or trading.

Liquid ETFs can offer better returns than bank savings accounts, typically in the range of 5.75-6% per annum. They also provide a better alternative to idle funds in a broking account, and can be pledged for margin collateral while continuing to earn gains.

Zerodhas growth NAV ETF eliminates the need to track fractional units to determine returns and the tax impact. Investors should check the total cost of buying an ETF, as most brokers dont charge brokerage on liquid ETF transactions.

Read more | Demat Accounts: How to invest in ETFs? A step-by-step guide

Zerodhas growth NAV ETF has among the lowest total expense ratio (TER) compared to its peers at 0.26%.

However, considering that it is a new fund with just a six-month track record, investors may choose to wait for it to build a history before using it for cash management needs. Those who opt to invest immediately should check the intraday NAV (iNAV) on Zerodha MFs website before purchasing or selling the units. iNAV is used to calculate the fair value of an ETF.
Quant Mutual Fund, which is facing front-running charges, has said it is fully committed to cooperating with the regulator.

The statement came after Moneycontrol reported that the Securities & Exchange Board of India (Sebi) had conducted search and seizure operations at Quant Mutual Fund's offices in Mumbai and Hyderabad on suspicion of front-running.

Sebi has also questioned Quant Mutual Fund dealers and persons connected with the case, Moneycontrol reported, quoting sources who have pegged alleged profits from the front-running operations at around 20 crore.

Front-running is an illegal practice where fund managers or dealers or brokers who are aware of upcoming large trades place their own orders beforehand to profit from an anticipated price movement when the large trade is executed.

Sandeep Tandon-owned Quant Mutual Fund confirmed it had received inquiries from the markets regulator.

Recently, Quant Mutual Fund has received inquiries from Sebi, and we want to address any concerns you may have regarding this matter," the company said in a statement.

"We want to assure you that Quant Mutual Fund is a regulated entity, and we are always fully committed to cooperate with the regulator throughout any review. We will provide all necessary support and continue to furnish data to Sebi on a regular and as-needed basis, the company said.

Quant Mutual Fund has been the among the fastest-growing mutual funds in the country with assests under management (AUM) of more than 90,000 crore.
(Bloomberg) -- Some of the largest auto dealers in North America are warning of a potential material impact to their finances from a cyberattack that has slowed operations at thousands of stores.

Sonic Automotive Inc. and Penske Automotive Group Inc. filed disclosures with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday. Group 1 Automotive Inc., AutoNation Inc. and Lithia Motors Inc. followed Monday. All five companies use CDK Global, whose so-called dealership management system was halted a week ago after a crippling hack.

The disclosures represent the first sign of potential widespread economic impact stemming from the attack against CDK, which serves roughly 15,000 North American car dealerships. The incident is part of a growing phenomenon in which financially motivated cybercriminals have attacked critical links in the global IT supply chain  the plumbers of the Internet that you might least suspect as targets, bringing down entire industries along with them.

Shares in Sonic, Group 1, AutoNation and Lithia have all declined since the hack. Penske shares have risen 2.9% since Wednesday as the company had previously said its dealerships werent affected.

The incident has had, and is likely to continue to have, a negative impact, Sonic said in its regulatory filing. The company hasnt yet determined whether the CDK outage will have a material effect on its finances. Sonic shares have fallen nearly 3% since the hack.

Here is what other companies are saying about the business impact of the attack:

The intrusion is the handiwork of a hacking gang known as BlackSuit, Bloomberg reported Monday. The group appears to be comprised of Russian and Eastern European attackers specializing in so-called ransomware-as-a-service attacks, renting out their malicious code in exchange for a cut of any extortion payments. The hackers have demanded tens of millions of dollars in ransom from CDK, which intends on paying. CDK said over the weekend that it expects restoring its systems will take several days and not weeks.

CDK provides software that helps dealers manage customer records, schedule appointments, handle car-repair orders and complete transactions, among other tasks. CDK has yet to restore full service, and the outage has forced dealers to halt or delay some services and resort to pen and paper.

(Updates share prices and adds reporting on BlackSuit starting in the second-to-last paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Saudi Arabia has reported that over 1,300 pilgrims lost their lives during the Hajj pilgrimage, amidst sweltering heat. The majority of the deceased were unauthorized to participate in the annual religious event, according to the official Saudi Press Agency, with a total death toll of 1,301, as reported by newswire AFP.

Also Read | Next year marks last Hajj in summer season until...

"Regrettably, the number of mortalities reached 1,301, with 83 per cent being unauthorised to perform hajj and having walked long distances under direct sunlight, without adequate shelter or comfort," AFP reported, quoting the official Saudi Press Agency.

Here are the 10 points to know 1. According to the report, the deceased came from more than 10 countries, stretching from the United States to Indonesia, and some governments are continuing to update their totals.

2. Many unregistered pilgrims lacked access to amenities such as air-conditioned tents.

3. While speaking to AFP last week, Arab diplomats said that Egyptians accounted for 658 deaths, of which 630 were unregistered pilgrims. The diplomats said the cause of death in most cases was heat-related.

4. Temperatures in Mecca this year climbed as high as 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit), according to Saudi Arabia's National Meteorological Centre.

Also Read | Muslims start the Hajj against the backdrop of the devastating Israel-Hamas war

5. As per the AFP report, Riyadh is yet to make any public statements on its casualty figures; however, on Friday, a senior Saudi official informed AFP that 577 deaths occurred during the two busiest days of the hajj: June 15, when pilgrims gathered for prayers under the hot sun on Mount Arafat, and June 16, when they participated in the ritual of "stoning the devil" in Mina.

6. According to SPA, which summarised an interview Saudi Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel gave to the state-affiliated Al-Ekhbariya channel, described this year's management of the hajj as successful. He stated that the health system delivered over 465,000 specialised treatment services, including 141,000 services to individuals who did not have official authorization to perform the hajj.

7. According to Saudi officials, 1.8 million pilgrims participated in the hajj this year, similar to last year, with 1.6 million coming from outside Saudi Arabia.

8. A study published in 2019 by the journal Geophysical Research Letters warned that due to climate change, heat stress during the hajj pilgrimage will surpass the "extreme danger threshold" between 2047 to 2052 and 2079 to 2086, with increasing frequency and intensity as the century progresses.

9. As per the Gulf News report, Muslim pilgrims worldwide will experience the last summer Hajj next year "before a 17-year hiatus from the hotter months." This means that the Hajj season will enter a new phase of climate change during the year 2026. "We will not witness summer Hajj until after 17 years, Hussein Al-Qahtani, spokesman of the Saudi National Meteorological Center (NMC), was quoted by Saudi Gazette as saying.

10. Another report cited Dr Mansour Al Mazroui, a member of the Shoura Council and climate change researcher, as saying that the Hajj season will coincide with the summer season next year (2025). Then, it will move to the spring season for eight years, and after that, it will move to the winter season.
The Ahmedabad airport, Begumpet airport in Hyderabad and Kalaburagi airport in Karnataka on Monday received bomb threats via email.

However, all the threats turned out to be hoaxes

In a second such incident since May 12, the Ahmedabad airport received a bomb threat via an email.

The threat mail prompted security personnel to launch a search operation.

However, after through search of the premises, officials did not find anything suspicious.

Officials said that the threat turned out to be a hoax, reported PTI.

SG Khambhala, inspector of airport police, said that nothing suspicious was found after the premises of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport was searched for more than two hours by local police and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel.

The search operation involving teams from local police, the CISF and a bomb disposal squad (BDS) went on for two-and-a-half hours, PTI quoted Khambhala as saying.

On May 12, a similar threat mail was received by Ahmedabad airport authorities. However, even then, nothing suspicious was found.

On June 18, the Vadodara airport in Gujarat received a threat email.

Over the last few months, several institutions, schools and airports in the country have received a bomb threat via an email which later turned out to be a hoax.

Begumpet airport gets bomb threat email The Begumpet airport in Hyderabad also received a bomb threat by e-mail on Monday, prompting authorities to conduct anti-sabotage checks for hours following which it was found to be a hoax.

The chief security officer received the email claiming that pipe bombs were placed in several airports across the country, especially in bathrooms, reported PTI quoting police.

Bomb threat to Kalaburagi airport The Kalaburagi airport also received a bomb threat via email on Monday which turned out to be a hoax after a thorough search operation, police said. Bomb disposal and dog squads were immediately pressed into action on the airport premises, they said.
Delhi water Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi's indefinite hunger strike protesting the Delhi water crisis entered its fourth day on Monday. Medical experts from Lok Nayak Hospital visited the protesting minister and recommended she be admitted, which, according to AAP and the doctor's notes on the prescription, the minister has denied.

The medical bulletin of Delhi Water Minister Atishi reads, "A medical team from Lok Nayak Hospital came for medical examination of Atishi at Bhogal. Patient has been counselled for admission and oral-intake, but the patient denied getting admitted.

Also Read | Atishi urged by doctors to end fast due to falling blood pressure, sugar levels

According to the medical bulletin, Atishi complained of generalised weakness and palpitation on Monday. The AAP minister's weight was 63.6kg, and her Blood Pressure was 110/70 mmHg.

AAP on Monday claimed that Atishi's health condition deteriorated on the fourth day of her indefinite fast, and doctors advised her to get admitted to a hospital.

In a statement, AAP said, Water Minister Atishi's weight is also decreasing unexpectedly. Before sitting on hunger strike on 21st June, her weight was 65.8 kg, which has come down to 63.6 kg on the fourth day of the hunger strike. That is, her weight has decreased by 2.2 kg in just 4 days, the statement said.

The party said her blood sugar level decreased by 28 units on the fourth day compared to the first day of the hunger strike.

Along with this, her blood pressure level has also decreased. Doctors have described the speed at which Water Minister Atishi's blood sugar level, blood pressure, and weight have decreased as dangerous. Along with this, Minister Atishi's urine ketone level of water is also increasing. Such an increase in the amount of ketone in her body will be dangerous for her health, the statement read.

However, despite adverse health effects, Atishi refused to be treated at a hospital until Haryana released the rightful share of Delhi's water.

My blood pressure and sugar levels are dropping, and my weight has gone down. Ketone levels are very high, which can have harmful effects in the long run. No matter how much my body suffers, I will continue the fast till Haryana releases water, Atishi said at the site of the hunger strike at Jungpura's Bhogal.

Atishi has claimed that Delhi has been getting 100 MGD less water for the last three weeks.

She said this 100 MGD less water has caused a shortage, affecting 28 lakh people in Delhi.
The Ayodhya Ram Mandir's roof is reportedly 'leaking' amid the onset of monsoon 2024. The holy shrine's chief priest, Acharya Satyendra Das, while expressing 'surprise' at the incident, said, 'So many engineers are here, and the Pran Pratishtha was held on January 22, but water is leaking from the roof. Nobody would've thought this".

According to news reports, the chief priest of Ram Mandir said the temple's roof started leaking right after the first rains. Acharya Satyendra Das said water leakage started specifically near the location where the Ram Lalla idol is housed.

Also Read | Ayodhya Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha ceremony chief priest dies at 86

Das mentioned that the newly constructed Ram Temple lacks proper drainage, causing water to leak from above and accumulate near the idol.

The chief priest further discussed the ongoing construction of the Ram Mandir and expressed scepticism about completing it by July 2025 but acknowledged any claims suggesting otherwise.

He called for action and investigation, highlighting concerns over the construction process.

The chief priest's comments underscore doubts about meeting the July 2025 construction deadline for the Ram Temple while emphasising the need for scrutiny into recent water leakage issues near the revered Ram Lalla idol.

The Ram Mandir chief priest cautioned that unless the issue is promptly addressed, it could complicate prayer rituals, particularly with the expected increase in rainfall.

The Pran Pratistha ceremony of Ram Lalla in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir was held on January 22 this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the ceremony, which was attended by senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders like Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath, and JP Nadda.

The opposition managed to wrest away the BJP's seat in Ayodhya City, a profoundly symbolic loss for Modi's party after the prime minister opened a controversial grand Hindu temple on the site of a razed mosque there in January.
NEET-UG Exam 2024 row: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over investigation into five new cases of alleged malpractices in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam, previously under police scrutiny in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Bihar. Officials confirmed that the central agency has re-registered one case each from Gujarat and Bihar, along with three cases from Rajasthan, as its own FIR. Additionally, there are plans to take up another case from Maharashtra's Latur.

These cases primarily involve instances of impersonation and cheating by local officials, invigilators, and candidates, except for the Bihar case, officials noted. The CBI's involvement follows a directive from the Union education ministry to conduct a comprehensive probe into the matter.

With these new cases, the CBI is now handling a total of six investigations related to alleged irregularities in NEET-UG. The exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is critical for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other medical courses across India. Held on May 5 at 4,750 centers in 571 cities (including 14 abroad), the test saw participation from over 23 lakh candidates.

The decision to transfer the probe to the CBI came after widespread protests by students across various cities, prompting the education ministry to intervene. The ministry's request to the CBI specifies a thorough investigation into potential offenses like conspiracy, cheating, impersonation, breach of trust, and evidence tampering involving candidates, institutes, and intermediaries.

CBI officials have indicated that the scope of the investigation will extend to scrutinizing the roles of public servants associated with exam conduct, as well as examining the broader chain of events and possible conspiracies.

Opposition MPs said on the first day of the 18th Lok Sabha that the government will have to answer on the controversy in Parliament.

Several newly-elected members who took oath in the Lok Sabha on Monday said the government is not considering the hardship of students who are feeling stuck in limbo.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday sent a message of constructive criticism to the Opposition, saying that the nation needs a responsible opposition, and people want substance not slogans, diligence not disturbance.

After returning to Parliament as Prime Minister for the third time, Narendra Modi recalled the impact of the Emergency imposed in 1975 by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Modi also resolved to begin the 18th Lok Sabha session to build a Shreshta Bharat and Viksit Bharat. Here are the top quotes from Modi's speech.

Top 10 quotes of PM Modi from Lok Sabha session -This election has also become very important because for the second time after independence, the people of the country have given an opportunity to a government to serve for the third consecutive time.

-Tomorrow is 25th June. 25th June marks 50 years of the blot that was put on the democracy of India. The new generation of India will never forget that the Constitution of India was completely rejected, every part of the Constitution was torn to pieces, the country was turned into a prison, democracy was completely suppressed.

-While protecting our Constitution, while protecting the democracy of India, the democratic traditions, the countrymen will take a resolution that no one will dare to do such a thing in India again which was done 50 years ago.

-We will take a resolution of a vibrant democracy. We will take a resolution to fulfil the dreams of the common people as per the directions of the Constitution of India.

-While protecting our Constitution, while protecting the democracy of India, the democratic traditions, the countrymen will take a resolution that no one will dare to do such a thing in India again which was done 50 years ago.

-The people of the country have given us an opportunity for the third time. This is a great victory, a grand victory. Our responsibility increased threefold...So, I assure the countrymen that in our third tenure, we will work three times harder and we will get three-time results.

-In the last 10 years, we have always tried to implement a tradition because we believe that a majority is required to run the government but to run the country a consensus is of utmost importance.

-We want to go ahead and speed up decisions by taking everyone together, by maintaining the sanctity of the Constitution.

-Want to assure people our government will work three times more in its third term and deliver three times more. People have given our government mandate for a third term, have put stamp of approval on our policies, intentions.
New Delhi,June24 (UNI) Union Health Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda on Monday wrote a letter to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, questioning the party's silence over the Tamil Nadu hooch tragedy.

BJP President Nadda accused the Congress of maintaining stoic silence over the issue and alleged that Kallakurichi hooch tragedy was a "man-made disaster".

Hitting out at the state government, Nadda said that the illicit liquor mafia in Tamil Nadu is functioning with impunity under the DMK.

Nadda alleged that instead of taking responsibility and action against the mafia, the state government was busy in its cover-up, which in turn led to more deaths.

"I was shocked that when such a huge disaster has taken place, the Congress party led by you has maintained a stoic silence on this. At this juncture, the BJP and the entire nation indeed demand that you press upon the DMK-INDI Alliance Tamil Nadu government to go for a CBI probe and ensure the immediate removal of Muthuswamy as minister," letter said.

Targeting the Congress for its "deafening, hypocritical silence", Nadda urged Kharge to pursue Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra, to either pay a visit to the victim's families or at least muster the courage to raise their voices on this issue".

I invite you to join our leaders for a black band protest against this state-sponsored disaster in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi inside the Prerna Sthal within Parliament precincts," wrote Nadda.

He said that the BJP had cautioned the DMK government of the illicit liquor mafia in the state. However, no attention was paid to their warnings.

Mentioning the heavy influence of "illicit liquor mafias" in the state, Nadda said that such businesses were "functioning with impunity, right in the open during broad daylight, with patronage from state and police".

The state administration's efforts to control the damage caused after the hooch tragedy by covering up the incident proved fatal and led to the loss of more lives, added Nadda.

UNI JA ING
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha is set to commence today, June 24, with the oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected legislators. The election of the Speaker is scheduled for June 26. President Droupadi Murmu is expected to address Parliament on June 27.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the 18th Lok Sabha in response to President Murmu's speech on July 2. His address to the Rajya Sabha is scheduled for the following day.

However, the Opposition will likely raise concerns over the NEET and UGC-NET exams fiasco. Let's look at the issues that are likely to dominate the proceedings of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha.

The UGC cancelled the UGC-NET examination on June 19, a day after it was held, amid a row over the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam NEET. There are indications that the integrity of the exams was compromised, and the opposition is expected to raise the issue and put the government in the dock.

Protest over West Bengal train accident The tragic accident of the Kolkata-bound Kanchanjunga Express, which left nearly 10 passengers dead, was initially attributed to human error. But the railway accident signifies glaring, unresolved railway safety concerns, and the opposition party leaders are likely to question the government on the issue. According to initial investigation, a goods train passenger allegedly disregarded a signal and hit the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjungha Express near North Bengal's Jalpaiguri station on June 17.

NEET-UG 2024 exam controversy The ruling party is likely to feel the heat of the ongoing row over the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 exams during the Lok Sabha session, set to begin today. Nearly 24 lakh candidates participated in the NEET-UG exam 2024 conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 5. The results, announced on 4 June, led to a nationwide uproar due to alleged irregularities and accusations of paper leaks.

UGC-NET paper leak Apart from NEET-UG 2024 exam controversy, several other examinations have been postponed or cancelled on suspicion of paper leaks, and charges of irregularities. The UGC-NET exam, conducted to test the eligibility for 'Assistant Professor' as well as Junior Research Fellowship in Indian University, was cancelled amid allegations that the examinations integrity has been compromised. According to reports, the UGC-NET exam paper was leaked 48 hours earlier and sold on the dark web.

Also Read | Bhartruhari Mahtab appointed as Speaker Protem of Lok Sabha

Controversy over pro-tem Speaker's appointment The first day of Lok Sabha session is likely to be marred by the Opposition's protest over the appointment of BJP leader Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker. The controversy is likely to shadow the proceedings as opposition charges that Congress member K Suresh was the most eligible member to be elected as pro-tem Speaker. Suresh is an eight-time member of the LS, while Mahtab has won seven times in a row.
(Bloomberg) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis vast domestic agenda is in jeopardy after his party failed to win an outright majority in parliament for the first time in a decade, forcing it to work with a coalition of parties.

Over the last decade that Modis Bharatiya Janata Party has ruled with absolute majorities, its advocated for  and pushed through  laws that critics say have furthered its divisive Hindu majoritarian goals.

In 2019, the government scrapped the semi-autonomous status of the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir and passed an amendment to the citizenship law which discriminates against Muslims. In January, Modi inaugurated a temple built on the ruins of a demolished mosque in Ayodhya. The destruction of the mosque led to riots across India three decades ago and helped propel the BJP to the national stage.

While analysts and economists expect Modi to broadly continue pursuing the economic policy goals that shaped his first decade in power, they say he may be forced to jettison many of the more controversial social policies his party had advocated prior to its electoral setback.

A new parliament taking office Monday may give some hint of whether those domestic policies are now in doubt, or need to be reworked under a coalition government.

Uniform Civil Code

For years, the BJP has advocated for the replacement of Indias religion-based laws with a uniform civil code. This would entail a non-religious set of rules governing issues like marriage, inheritance and divorce. Modi and his party have long championed for a uniform code. They see the current system as allowing non-Hindu communities  especially Muslims  to operate on their own terms, and a new code would likely outlaw many personal practices relating to marriage and divorce.

In a test case, the BJP-run northern Indian state of Uttarakhand passed the code in its state assembly earlier this year. Successive governments have stayed away from amending these laws out of fear of angering voters from all faiths. Its likely Modis key regional allies  all of whom have substantial Muslim populations in their states  will shy away from siding with the BJP should they try and introduce the measure in the current parliament.

National Register of Citizens

A month before Indias elections kicked off in April, the government implemented a religious-based law  the Citizenship (Amendment) Act  which fast-tracks citizenship rights for immigrants from neighboring nations except for those who identify as Muslim.

The law was seen as a precursor for a proposed national citizenship register, which will require Indians to prove their citizenship. Amit Shah, who retained his position as home minister in Modis new cabinet, has previously promised to conduct a nationwide exercise to root out illegal immigrants from neighboring countries like Bangladesh, many of whom are Muslims.

In a country with poor literacy and high poverty, documentation is often hard to procure for many Indians and consequently citizenship harder to prove. Critics had feared that if the BJP had won a large majority  as many had predicted prior to the polls  the government wouldve likely pursued the national population register. However, a coalition government, in partnership with other state leaders, will likely force Modi to negotiate with his partners on any deal.

Military Recruitment Scheme

In 2022, the Modi government shifted the Indian armys recruitment policy to short-term jobs with no pension benefits. The announcement of the scheme resulted in protests across the country as it further limited employment options in a country already grappling with a severe jobs crisis. Under the plan, the recruits would train for six months, serve in the military for three and a half years but will not be entitled to pensions or other benefits when they leave.

Leaders from two of the BJPs partners in the eastern state of Bihar  which is also one of Indias poorest  have publicly asked for a review of the policy. During the election campaign, scrapping the scheme was one of the oppositions main promises.

One Nation One Election

The Modi government is keen to revamp the countrys electoral system: It wants to hold simultaneous national and state elections. The governments stance is that concurrent elections would cut costs and improve efficiency. A committee constituted by the government on the subject submitted its report in March and recommended that the government move to enact a One Nation One Election strategy.

At the moment, state polls are spread across the countrys five-year election cycle. For example, polls in the key states of Maharashtra and Haryana will take place later this year, just months after the country voted in national elections.

To implement the scheme, the government would need to amend the constitution, a task made considerably harder while governing with a coalition and against an opposition staunchly opposed to the proposal. Modis opponents have long feared that the BJP will use its national popularity to also sweep simultaneously-held state elections. Currently, off-cycle elections spread over a five-year period mean local issues  and parties  often dominating voters preferences.

Census and Delimitation

Indias last census was conducted in 2011. The next one, due in 2021, was put on hold because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, parliament passed a law requiring a census followed by a delimitation exercise, after 2026.

The last delimitation exercise, or redistricting, was conducted in 2002, with subsequent governments kicking the can down the road to not upset the current balance of seats in parliament.

Southern states, which have always lagged in terms of seat distribution  given their lower population  expect delimitation to further reduce their representation in Indias lower house of parliament, the Lok Sabha. The countrys populous northern states  many of them BJP strongholds  would almost certainly see their share of parliamentarians increase.

A fresh census and reshaping of the political constituencies will also pave way for Modi to implement the women reservation bill that sees a third of lawmakers seats reserved for females.

Affirmative Action

Under Indias constitution, affirmative action is enshrined for socially and economically backward communities  including of lower caste Indians. A specific quota of government jobs and places in government-run educational institutions are reserved for those on the lowest rungs of the caste system under the policy.

Modis BJP lost support among lower caste Hindus in the latest election, with many of them voting for caste-based parties, especially in some key northern states.

In TV interviews and election rallies, Modi blamed the opposition for exploiting cleavages over the caste system to sway voters and repeatedly assured the country that the BJP would not scrap affirmative action policies. He also stressed that the BJP would never give affirmative action based on religion, specifically for Muslims.

Modis ally, the Telugu Desam Party does target some affirmative action program on the basis of religion where it rules in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh  making it an issue where the BJP will likely be at odds with a much-needed ally.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will soon end the intense stage of fighting in Gaza and will focus on targeted operations against Hamas.

It will be very soon, Netanyahu said when asked in a TV interview whether fighting in the southern city of Rafah will end in a months time.

It was his first interview with an Israeli media outlet since the Oct. 7 attacks, in which Hamas militants invaded southern Israel from Gaza, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping another 250. Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union.

Israels response  aimed at returning the hostages and uprooting Hamas as a military and political entity  has killed some 37,000 Palestinians, according to Hamas officials, who dont distinguish between fighters and civilians.

Netanyahu said the next step for the military will be for Israel to redeploy some forces to the north, where exchanges with Hezbollah have been escalating, and to bring home local residents who were evacuated.

If we can, well do this by diplomatic means, if not itll be achieved in another way, Netanyahu said.

US officials have been concerned that open warfare may break out between Israel and Hezbollah, the political party and heavily armed militia in Lebanon backed by Iran.

Why Hezbollah Is More Worrying to Israel Than Hamas: QuickTake

In the interview, Netanyahu directly rejected, for the first time, the prospect of a cease-fire deal with Hamas that could eventually lead to the end of war - as laid out in a speech by US President Joe Biden several weeks ago.

If there is an agreement, it will be on our terms and that would not mean ending the war, withdrawing from Gaza and leaving Hamas rule intact, he said.

I am willing to agree to a partial deal that will see some of the Israeli hostages come home, and after such cease-fire ends, we will be committed to continuing the fighting until the goal of eliminating Hamas is completed, he said.

His interview angered families of hostages, who blame him for abandoning the group of 120 hostages who remain in Gaza, thus violating the countrys moral duty toward its citizens, according to a statement by hostage family members issued after the interview.

Netanyahus office issued a later statement saying he was in fact committed to bringing back all the hostages.

It is Hamas that opposes a deal, not Israel, the statement read. Netanyahu has made clear we will not leave Gaza until we return all hostages, living and deceased.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Top news of the day: On 24 June, a series of events are set to take place right from politics to business. Thanks to gains in shares of select heavyweights and largely positive global cues, Indian stock market benchmarks managed to end with modest gains. Shares of IREDA rose over 4 percent. Mamata Banerjee has written to PM Narendra Modi asking him to abolish the NEET examination.

Stock market today: Nifty 50 ekes out gains; Adani Ports replaces Wipro in BSE Sensex Thanks to gains in shares of select heavyweights, including Mahindra and Mahindra, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and ITC, and largely positive global cues, Indian stock market benchmarks - Nifty 50 and Sensex - managed to end with modest gains on Monday, June 24. Read more

Indias CAD reduces to 0.7% of GDP, records surplus of 0.6% in Q4: RBI India's current account recorded a surplus in the final quarter of the previous fiscal year, driven by higher services income. Additionally, the overall current account deficit for FY24 decreased due to a reduced merchandise trade deficit, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Monday. Read more

IREDA share price surges 4% after raising  1,500 cr via issuance of bonds Shares of Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) rose over 4 percent on June 24, following the company's announcement of raising 1,500 crore through a bond issuance. The state-run company's bond issuance included a base issue of 500 crore and a green shoe option of 1,000 crore. Read more

Arvind Kejriwal bail: Delhi HC to decide tomorrow on EDs plea challenging bail granted to CM Delhi High Court is set to pass an order tomorrow, June 25, on the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) plea challenging the bail granted to Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise scam. The order is scheduled to be pronounced at 2:30 p.m. Read more

'Abolish NEET exam': Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Modi amid paper leak row, says this will help West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo (TMC) Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to abolish the NEET examination. A row erupted after several students secured perfect scores and a paper leaked on the immensely competitive nation examination. Read more
The Union Health Ministry postponed the NEET-PG exams as a precautionary measure on Sunday, June 23, leaving many candidates and parents unaware until they arrived at the exam centres, where they discovered the delay. Frustration among the affected has mounted, with allegations of irregularities in exams conducted by the National Testing Agency intensifying stress and tension among aspirants.

Here are 10 points to know 1. A video of a woman expressing her frustration is going viral on social media. It is not known if she is a candidate. In the 1 minute video, the woman said, I just found that the NEET-PG examination that was supposed to be conducted tomorrow at 9.30 am just got postponed, and the circular for postponement was released just 15 minutes ago. That means it was less than 12 hours before the actual paper was supposed to be conducted. Are the people in the Ministry of Education even eligible to make such decisions? Are they even eligible to be in a position of power and change and make policies that will ruin people's lives like this?

2. She further added, These are doctors, these are not small kids. They are writing an exam, to stay in this very country that you are ruining with your policies. And then, you have the audacity to ask everybody, Why is everyone leaving the country, such a great system here

3. A NEET PG candidate, Sunanda Pansari, speaking to news agency ANI, also expressed her frustration over the repeated postponements of the exam. She said she travelled 600 km only to find it delayed again. "This is extremely wrong. The exam was scheduled for March, which was postponed to July. Later, they postponed their exam and postponed it again. We should have been informed at least 24 hours before. There is no information on the paper leak as of now..."

Also Read | How NEET row turned political in Bihar: From Tejaswi Yadav to Samrat Choudhary

4. From Gujarat, another candidate, Jyoth Chouhan, told ANI, "NTA informed at the last moment, 10 hours before, that the exam has been postponed. They should have announced that at least a few days ago if they had to reschedule. They didn't distribute exam centres properly, candidates got very far away places as exam centres. Students from Vadodara had exam centres in Nashik and Madhya Pradesh. And then when they reached there, they were informed that the exam had been postponed. All are having great difficulties"

5. One more NEET-PG exam candidate expressed frustration over the exam's last-minute postponement and criticized the government for handling medical exams. The candidate also demanded apologies from the Union Health Minister and Union Education Minister and called for reimbursement of the approximately 10,000 each student incurred in travel and other expenses.  ...NEET-UG exam's paper got leaked, NEET-PG was postponed 12 hours before, NEET-SSC exam date has not been announced yet. This shows how much the government is concerned about the health sector. The Union Health Minister and Union Education Minister must apologise for their actions. Students and doctors have travelled a long way for the exam, and coming here has incurred a lot of expenses. On an average, 10,000 was the expenditure. Govt must reimburse these expenditures, a candidate from Rajasthan said.

6. On June 24, sources from the Education Ministry reported that a seven-member high-level committee, established by the Centre to ensure transparency and review the operations of the National Testing Agency (NTA), is scheduled to meet today, according to ANI.

7. However, IIM Indore Director Himanshu Rai lauded the Centre for postponing the NEET-PG exam. Rai said, "Three things are important for the integrity of any exam. First are people, second is process, and the third is infrastructure... The Education Ministry removed the NTA DG... A high-powered committee has been formed, and ISRO's former chairman and current IIT Kanpur Board of Directors chairman Radhakrishnan is its head... Another important step taken is that the Public Examination Act has been notified, under which there will be a fine of Rs. 1 crore on anyone found guilty... My suggestion is that the infrastructure-related issues must be solved..."

8. The NEET issue has also led to a political slugfest in the country, with the opposition slamming the Centre. Karnataka Home Minister and Congress leader G Parameshwara said, From the beginning, fraternity of educationists are against it. Karnataka is a role model, we started the CET first in the country and so effectively CET was conducted. There were no complaints, and it went very smoothly. Unfortunately, for so many years now, the NEET exam has been questioned. Papers are leaking, there are valuation problem, compilation of data problem, counseling problem. All this has put lakhs of students in jeopardy. I feel states should be given this opportunity to conduct the exams like before, and anybody who wants to get admission to a particular statewill choose their options and then get into the institutions...

Also Read | NTA DG Subodh Kumar Singh replaced amid NEET controversy

9. UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar also addressed the NEET controversy. He stated that the government is taking steps to protect students' interests and the integrity of exams conducted by the NTA. "The government has also formed a high-level committee headed by Dr K.Radhakrishnan, a former chairman of ISRO. This committee will provide recommendations in two ways: the restructuring of NTA and its functioning, the entire gamut of the processes involved in the examination, and the data security protocols. All these issues will be looked at by this committee, and they will provide the recommendations to ensure that these examinations are conducted fairly transparently and have credibility..."

10. The dates for the examination originally planned for June 23 will be announced soon.
By Daniel Wiessner

June 24 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Monday tossed out a proposed class action claiming Uber Technologies' policy of terminating drivers with low passenger ratings is racially discriminatory.

The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said Thomas Liu, a driver who filed the 2020 lawsuit, had not provided any evidence showing that Uber kicked non-white drivers off its app at a higher rate than white drivers with low ratings.

Liu's lawyers had argued that statistical evidence backing up their claims would only be available if the case were allowed to proceed to discovery, when plaintiffs can seek documents and testimony from defendants. But a three-judge 9th Circuit panel said Liu had failed to provide anything beyond speculation to buttress his claim that Uber's system is discriminatory.

Uber did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Shannon Liss-Riordan, a lawyer for Liu, said she was "deeply disappointed and concerned" about the ruling and would likely ask the court to reconsider it.

Uber asks passengers to rate drivers on a scale of one to five and deactivates drivers who fail to maintain high scores. Liu, who is Asian-American, said in the lawsuit that he was deactivated after his rating fell below 4.6.

Liu claims passengers are more likely to give poor ratings to non-white drivers, and Uber's use of the rating system violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and California anti-discrimination law.

U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco granted Uber's motion to dismiss the case in 2022, saying there was no plausible allegation of a statistical disparity among drivers of different races. He said a survey by Liu's lawyers of thousands of Uber drivers that showed a disparity was flawed.

The 9th Circuit on Monday agreed, saying the survey had numerous flaws and said nothing about the racial composition of the overall population of Uber drivers.

Liu was backed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces Title VII.
By Kannaki Deka and Nora Eckert

-U.S. auto dealers grappled with an ongoing cyber attack-led software outage on Monday, with some reverting to manual paperwork as car industry technology provider CDK worked to restore systems used by more than 15,000 retail locations.

The outage impacting CDK's dealer management system, used to complete deals, track store profitability and monitor employee compensation, has "plunged the auto retail industry into disarray", JPMorgan analysts said last week.

AutoNation, a leading auto retailer in the United States, said the outage was disruptive and had adversely impacted its business, though its outlets remain open, continuing to sell, service, and buy vehicles.

Peer Lithia Motors said on Monday it had experienced disruptions in its CDK-hosted system in North America, and that the incident was likely to have a negative impact on its business operations till the systems are fully restored.

Jim Seavitt, owner of Village Ford dealership in Dearborn, Michigan, said the outage has so far not dampened sales, but it has made the process of getting cars to customers more laborious.

The dealership sold nearly 100 cars during a large sale it put on last week, Seavitt said, but because CDK generates the paperwork needed to formally pass the car off to the customer, those vehicles are in limbo.

Seavitt expects the vehicles to be transferred this week after his team developed other ways to complete the necessary paperwork. CDK has told him that services will likely be down until mid-week. "We don't want to see this thing drag on," Seavitt said.

CDK, which reported the outage last week, said on Monday it had begun the restoration process, reiterating that it will take several days to complete.

AutoNation and peer Group 1 Automotive said they were using alternative processes such as manual paperwork to conduct their business. Both said they had taken precautionary steps to protect their data.

"The timing of the restoration of other impacted CDK applications remains unclear at this time," Group 1 said in a statement.

Bloomberg News reported on Friday that a group of hackers claiming responsibility for the attack on CDK's software systems had demanded millions of dollars in ransom to put an end to the hack.

A hacking group called BlackSuit is behind the cyberattack on CDK, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing a threat analyst at security firm Recorded Future.

Seavitt said he hopes CDK pays the ransom so dealers can resume business as usual.

Though auto retailers have not outlined any sales hit, analysts have flagged a possible impact. "We note some potential risk to late-June volume from the reported CDK dealer disruptions," Citi analysts said in a note last week.

Total new vehicle retail sales in the U.S. reached 1.1 million units in June last year, according to data from industry consultants J.D. Power and GlobalData.

Auto retailer Sonic Automotive last week said the CDK outage was likely to have a negative impact on its business operations until the systems were fully restored.
Russias defense ministry reported multiple deaths and injuries from what it called a Ukrainian ATACMS missile attack using cluster munitions on the occupied Crimean peninsula.

Four missiles were taken down by Russian air defenses, while a fifth was struck and diverted from its trajectory before exploding over Sevastopol, Crimeas largest city, the ministry said.

Four people were killed, including two children, and more than 150 people were injured, according to Mikhail Razvozhayev, Sevastopols Kremlin-appointed governor. Images on social media showed beachgoers running for cover.

Russia has occupied the Crimean peninsula since 2014.

The incident came hours after Ukraine said it shot down two of three Russian Kalibr cruise missiles launched toward the capital region from the Sea of Azov on Sunday.

Explosions were heard early Sunday morning in Kyiv and its southern suburbs. Two people sustained minor injuries and at least 20 residential houses, as well as several small enterprises, were damaged by missile debris, regional governor Ruslan Kravchenko said on Telegram.

One person was killed and at least nine injured in Kharkiv in a Sunday afternoon strike. Half of Kharkiv, Ukraines second largest city, has lost power and the citys underground is out of service.

Sundays attacks followed glide-bomb strikes on Kharkiv on Saturday, which left three people dead and 56 injured, many of whom are still hospitalized.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that in June alone, Kremlin forces have used more than 2,400 guided aerial bombs against Ukraine, mostly on the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions.

Ukraine needs the necessary resources and means to destroy the carriers of these bombs, particularly Russian combat aviation wherever it operates, Zelenskiy said in a post on X.

Separately, Ukraines Navy claimed it has destroyed a training facility for Geran-2 drones in Krasnodar Krai in southern Russia, east of the annexed Crimean peninsula.

New satellite images confirm the destruction of the Shahed-136/Geran-2 storage and preparation facilities, training buildings, control and communication points, the Navy said on X. It said the operation was conducted together with the Ukrainian State Security Service, also known as SBU. Russia hasnt commented.

Also on Sunday, Russias defense ministry said it destroyed 33 Ukrainian drones overnight. Most were in Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine and Belarus, and others in the Smolensk, Lipetsk and Tula regions.

Russian troops appear to be intensifying the tempo of their offensive operations in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, while scaling back the rate of attacks in the Kharkiv region, the Institute of Study of War said in a daily update.

That is consistent with ISWs assessment that Russian offensive operations in Kharkiv oblast are primarily intended to fix and distract Ukrainian forces in order to allow Russian forces to intensify elsewhere, the US-based military analysts said.

Ukraines general staff said the number of Russian combat assaults in the direction of Pokrovsk in Donetsk reached 44 on Saturday.
The European Union slapped a raft of new sanctions on Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, targeting the Kremlins liquefied natural gas shipments for the first time.

The sanctions packagethe 14th since the outbreak of the war in 2022bans the re-export of Russian LNG shipments destined to third countries through EU ports, covering ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore transfers, as well as re-loading operations.

The measure is aimed at making Russias gas export activities more difficult and hitting the countrys energy revenue, but it falls short of restricting imports of Russian LNG, which EU members are still allowed to purchase despite plans to phase out Russian fossil fuels by 2027.

The EU is also prohibiting new investment and provision of technology, goods and services for the completion of LNG projects under constructionsuch as Arctic LNG 2 and Murmansk LNGand imposing sanctions on vessels that are part of Russias shadow fleet and used to get around oil price caps and other restrictions.

EU ambassadors agreed on the package last week. The approval was delayed several times due to resistance from some member states over different parts of the deal, notably from Germany and Hungary.

These measures are designed to target high-value sectors of the Russian economy, like energy, finance and trade, and make it ever more difficult to circumvent EU sanctions," the EU Council said on Monday.

In response to the blocs latest move, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said in comments carried by state news agency TASS that the EU was continuing to escalate political, economic and military tensions with Moscow.

The transshipment ban likely means that Russian players will have to resort to longer shipping routes, Kpler analysts said in a recent report.

According to the data provider, Russia is the second-largest supplier of LNG to the EU after the U.S. So far this year, the EU has received 43.11 million metric tons of LNG, with about 21% coming from Russia and 44% from the U.S. In 2023, Russia exported a total of 32.3 million tons of LNG, with around 51% of these exports delivered to Europe and 48% to Asia.

DNB Markets senior energy analyst Helge Andre Martinsen said transshipments of Russian LNG to Asia via EU ports represent only a small portion of the Kremlins total LNG exports, and that the new sanctions might actually increase Russian LNG volumes to the EU.

Imports of Russian LNG, especially to Belgium, France and Spain, have increased and make the EU the largest buyer of Russian gas," he said in a note to clients last week. Consequently, we will not be surprised if the previously re-exported Russian LNG out of Europe, which is small in size, now instead will be absorbed by European markets."

As part of the package, the EU imposed tighter export restrictions against 61 new entities involved in the circumvention of trade restrictions or engaged in the procurement of material support for Russian military operations, including some located in China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

It also banned EU entities operating outside Russia from connecting to the Russian Central Banks SPFSthe Russian equivalent of the Swift financial transfer systemas well as transactions with banks facilitating operations for the export, supply or transport of goods and technology that can be used for weapons.

Among other measures, the EU prohibited political parties, think tanks and media providers in the bloc from accepting funds coming from Russia or its proxies, and called on EU parent companies to ramp up checks on their third-country subsidiaries to prevent them from circumventing sanctions. It also further restricted the export of helium, chemicals and other equipment that could support Russias industrial base.

The EU sanctions come after the U.S. earlier this month set out restrictions on more than 300 entities and individuals in China and elsewhere as it looks to curb Russias access to technology and equipment for its war in Ukraine.

Mauro Orru contributed to this article.

Write to Giulia Petroni at giulia.petroni@wsj.com
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump recently advocated for the approval of green cards for all students graduating from US colleges to stay and work in the country. The former US president's proposal, which starkly contrasts his hardline immigration stance, has revived the long-drawn discussion on US immigration policy. Recently, venture capitalist Debarghya Das explained how Donald Trump's proposal for green cards for all is a distant dream, even if he wins the US Presidential elections.

Deerbhagya Das, known as Deedy Das on X, has invested at Menlo Ventures firm and was among Flean, Google Search, Cornell's founding team.

In his recent post on X, Deerbhagya Das expressed that he is not optimistic about Donald Trump's proposal and remains sceptical on his proposal's implementation if Trump comes into power in the upcoming US presidential elections.

"Trump recently said on the All-In podcast that he'd ensure "on day 1" that anyone graduating from a college in the US would get a green card immediately. I highly encourage everyone to watch the full 2min clip to ensure nothing is taken out of context," wrote Deerbhagya Das before listing the loopholes in the 'green card for all' proposal.

Also Read | Trump green lights more green cards

In his post, Das mentioned H-1B denial rates, high-skilled immigration, the US voter base's apathy with the immigration issue, and other obstacles to implementing the green card for all proposal. In his X post, Das mentioned that H-1B denial rates skyrocketed during the last Trump administration.

Highlighting the prevalence of foreigners taking away American jobs' perception in the US, Das wrote most Republicans and Trump supporters don't want high skilled immigration.

High-skilled immigration is seldom a political platform presidential candidates run on. Indians and internationals, whom this affects most, cannot vote, he added.

Also Read | US Presidential polls 2024: Trump promises US green card for foreign graduates

Donald Trump on green card holder Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said in an All-In podcast, hosted by Silicon Valley tech investors, angel investor Jason Calacanis, students should automatically get green cards after graduating from US college.

"Can you please promise us you will give us more ability to import the best and brightest around the world to America?" Calacanis said.

"I do promise," Trump said. But I happen to agree, otherwise I wouldn't 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.
Stampede at political rally leaves 1 dead, 37 injured in western Rwanda

Kigali, June 24 (UNI) One person was killed and 37 others injured in a stampede at a political rally Sunday in western Rwanda, the government has said.

The stampede occurred when people tried to exit from a venue where President Paul Kagame, the candidate for the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front, addressed supporters in Gisa, Rubavu District, Western Province, said the Ministry of Local Government in a statement Sunday.

"A team of health workers at the site did their best to care for the injured, but unfortunately one person died and 37 were injured," the statement said.
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has defended Parliament's moment of silence tribute to pro-Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which drew a sharp reaction from India, saying the murder of a Canadian was unacceptable. The Canadian Deputy Prime Minister made the statement in response to a question about the tribute to a person put on a no-fly list by Canada. Nijjar's assets were frozen.

Earlier, India had criticised the Canadian parliament's moment of silence for pro-Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18, asserting that New Delhi opposes any move which strengthens extremism.

Pro-Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nikkar was shot dead on June 18 last year by two unidentified men in the parking lot of a gurdwara in Surrey. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged India's involvement in the murder. The allegations led to tense diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The video of the Canadian Deputy PM's response to the question has gone viral on social media, where she can be seen baffled by the question posed to her on why Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was honoured by the Canadian Parliament.

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.

Also Read | Watch: Canada Parliament observes silence remembering terrorist Nijjar

She further stated, It was the right thing to do, but it wasn't an easy thing to do. While responding to the question, Freeland echoed Trudeau's words to provide equality under Canadian law and protection against threats. However, she avoided any direct statement on why Nijjar was on the no-fly list and his accounts were frozen by the Canadian government.
Seoul:A fire likely sparked by exploding lithium batteries swept through a manufacturing factory near South Korea's capital on Monday, killing 22 mostly Chinese migrant workers and injuring eight, officials said.

The fire began after batteries exploded while workers were examining and packaging them at the second floor of the factory in Hwaseong city, just south of Seoul, at around 10:30 am, fire officials said, citing a witness. They said they would investigate the cause of the blaze.

The dead included 18 Chinese, two South Koreans and one Laotian, local fire official Kim Jin-young told a televised briefing. He said the nationality of one of the dead couldn't be immediately verified.

Also Read | Gurgaon news: Blasts at Gurugram fireball factory claim two lives

In the past few decades, many people from China, including ethnic Koreans, have migrated to South Korea to seek jobs. Like other foreign migrants from Southeast Asian nations, they often end up in factories or in physically demanding and low-paying jobs shunned by more affluent South Koreans.

Kim also one factory worker remained out of contact and rescuers continued to search the site. He said that two of the eight injured were in serious conditions.

The fire started at one of the factory buildings owned by a company named Aricell. Kim said the victims likely failed to escape via stairs to the ground. He said that authorities will investigate whether there were fire extinguishing systems at the site and if they worked.

Kim said a total of 102 people were working at the factory before the fire occurred.
Tajikistan's parliament approved a bill to ban the hijab on Friday, June 21. The decision follows years of restrictions on religious attire, with President Emomali Rahmon referring to the hijab as part of "foreign clothing," Dushanbe-based independent news agency Asia Plus reported.

Hijab ban: The story so far The bill restricting the use of the hijab was passed in the 18th session of the upper house of Parliament, Majlisi Milli. The house banned "alien garments" and children's celebrations for the two most important Islamic holidaysEid al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.

Over a month earlier, on May 8, the lower chamber of the country's parliament, Majlisi Namoyandagon, approved the bill. With hijab, an Islamic scarf at its centre, the bill targets traditional Islamic clothing.

Why the ban: Tajik culture at stake? Rahmons hijab ban comes as part of his agenda to promote Tajiki culture, aimed at reducing visible public religiosity. As the head of what Rahmon deems a secular state, the ban is deeply rooted in his politics and grip on power.

Emomali Rahmon ruled for 30 years, ever since he served as the President of the Central Asian country from 1994. The president has been positioned against more religious political parties, reported The Indian Express.

Under Rahmon's rule, Tajikistan has undergone a series of changesthe hijab ban being the latest. One of the massive changes came in 2016, following the amendments to the Tajikistan Constitution to remove the limit on the number of presidential terms. He has also banned faith-based political parties that could challenge his own.

Increasing religiosity post-Soviet Union split? Experts mention that the Tajik presidents sweeping measures could come after the increasing religiousness evident after the Soviet Union split. In 2015, Massoumeh Torfeh, a former spokesperson for the UN Mission of Observers in Tajikistan and journalist, wrote in Al Jazeera  New mosques have been built attracting more people for prayer, more Islamic study groups have appeared and more women and men have donned Islamic-style dress. At the same time, Islamist armed groups have been active in the border areas of Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
A Korean Air flight that took off from Seoul's Incheon International Airport on Saturday, June 22, encountered a cabin pressurisation system malfunction, causing it to land safely soon after.

According to the New York Post, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft was heading to Taiwan's Taichung when, approximately 50 minutes later, the pressurization system error was reported.

The captain decided to return to Incheon, and the aircraft safely landed at 7:38 pm. Due to the malfunction, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 rapidly descended from an altitude of over 30,000 feet to approximately 9,000 feet, as reported by Yonhap News Agency.

Also Read | Hyderabad-Kuala Lumpur flight returns as pilot notices technical snag

Passenger's ordeal The swift descent resulted in considerable discomfort and health problems for several of the 125 passengers. At least two individuals suffered from nosebleeds, and another 15 reported ear pain and hyperventilation.

A passenger likened the experience of sudden altitude changes to the G-forces felt on an intense rollercoaster ride.

After the aircraft landed, as many as 13 passengers were in need of medical care, although there were no reports of severe injuries.

Also Read | SpiceJets Darbhanga flight passengers endure an hour of waiting without AC

A Taiwanese woman recounted her distressing experience on social media. She detailed severe turbulence during the flight that led to a sudden loss of altitude just after the meal service, resulting in disarray inside the cabin.

The passenger experienced severe ear and head pain, accompanied by dizziness, causing children on the plane to start crying. The flight attendants promptly secured the meal service and distributed oxygen masks to the passengers.

Upon landing at Incheon Airport, the passenger was immensely relieved and grateful for having endured the ordeal.

Also Read | Air Canada Delhi-Toronto flight gets bomb threat

Korean Air apologizes Following the incident, Korean Air has extended an apology and commenced a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the pressurization system failure.

The airline is undertaking necessary maintenance measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
By Andrew Goudsward

FORT PIERCE, Florida June 24 -

Donald Trump's

lawyer told a federal judge on Monday that the criminal prosecution against the former president on charges he mishandled classified documents is unlawfully funded, as they made another attempt to get the charges thrown out of court.

Prosecutors told U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon that the funding mechanism for their office has been upheld in past cases, as they sought to work through a thicket of legal challenges that have delayed trial indefinitely.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to charges he illegally held onto sensitive national security papers after leaving office in 2021 as well as obstructing government efforts to retrieve them. The criminal case is one of four Trump faces as he seeks to unseat Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election.

Cannon, a Trump appointee, set hearings on Friday and Monday in her Florida courtroom for Trump's lawyers to argue several motions making claims similar to those that have been rejected in other cases. On Friday, Trump attorneys urged her to find U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith has too much independence even though Trump has repeatedly blasted him as a puppet of Biden.

On Monday, Trump lawyer Emil Bove said the U.S. Justice Department should not be allowed to use a fund Congress set aside in the 1970s for independent politically sensitive investigations to pay for the documents probe.

"More oversight from Congress is required for the extraordinary things that are going on in these prosecutions," Bove said. Some Republicans in the House of Representatives have called for defunding Smith's office.

Special counsels have been appointed in Democratic- and Republican-led administrations alike to ensure an attorney can independently investigate and, if warranted, prosecute a case without any appearance of political influence.

U.S. prosecutor James Pearce told Cannon that the funding had been upheld in previous court cases that challenged other special prosecutors including David Weiss, who recently won a criminal conviction of Biden's son, Hunter Biden.

Pearce said the Justice Department would fund Smith's office out of its regular budget if Cannon ruled that it cannot rely on the 1970s law.

Cannon has ruled in favor of the Republican presidential candidate on previous requests and has allowed a flurry of motions by his legal team to slow the case to a crawl. It is unlikely the case will reach a jury before Trump and Biden face voters in the Nov. 5 election.

GAG ORDER REQUEST

Smith's team is due to ask Cannon later on Monday to bar Trump from making statements that pose a threat to law enforcement while he awaits trial.

Trump falsely claimed that a routine FBI use-of-force policy in effect during a 2022 search of his Florida resort authorized agents to attempt an assassination.

Prosecutors called the claim "deceptive and inflammatory" in a court filing and said it subjected agents to "unjustified and unacceptable risks."

Trump's lawyers say that would violate Trump's free speech rights in the heat of the presidential campaign. They also argued that prosecutors had not presented evidence of threats against the FBI.

Cannon previously denied the request on procedural grounds after she found that prosecutors had not adequately consulted with Trump's lawyers before filing it.

Trump faces gag orders limiting his public statements in another federal case, also overseen by Smith, accusing him of attempting to overturn his defeat in the 2020 election, and a case in New York that led to his conviction in May for falsifying business records.

Trump has verbally attacked prosecutors, judges and witnesses in legal cases against him, contending that the U.S. justice system is being used to undermine his campaign.

Trump's criticism over the FBI search of his Mar-a-Lago social club intensified last month after the FBI's use-of-force policy was made public as part of a tranche of records related to the FBI operation.

The policy stipulated that the FBI could not use lethal force unless an agent or other person was at serious risk of death or serious injury. Trump was not present at the club at the time of the search.

Trump's baseless claim about an attempted assassination was included in campaign fundraising emails and was echoed by his allies in Congress.
News about Generative artificial intelligences (GenAI) tendency to hallucinate is making the rounds. The way large language models (LLMs) are constructed contributes to their tendency to make things up. According to IBM, AI hallucination is a phenomenon wherein a large language model (LLM)often a generative AI chatbot or computer vision toolperceives patterns or objects that are nonexistent or imperceptible to human observers, creating outputs that are nonsensical or altogether inaccurate." (ibm.co/3KRWvsk).

LLMs are designed to understand and generate human language by processing vast amounts of data, literally every scrap on the internet. They leverage specific learning techniques to create sophisticated models that can perform various language-related tasks.

The most prominent examples, such as OpenAIs and Googles, have demonstrated remarkable proficiency in functions like text and image generation, summarization, and now, conversational AI. While this is laudable, the fact that they can hallucinate and provide untrustworthy output needs to be better understood.

We need to understand how GenAI works to understand the problem of hallucination. Given that GenAI seems to be made of words (or images and videos), we tend to think that these tools have a vast data store of words and images they go back to for reference.

However, the decision to use a particular word in a GenAI sentence is not based on this data store or encyclopaedia. It is rooted in the mathematics that GenAI models (and other forms of AI such as predictive AI) use to run themselves.

Almost all AI is based on the ability to predict patterns. The mathematics for these predictions lies in the realm of statistical analysis, which uses a tool called regression analysis to predict how one variable moves, given a specified change in another (independent) variable.

For example, if variable X moves by a factor of 2, variable Y moves by a factor of 4, and so forth. So a relationship is established mathematically based on the observation of how the two variables move in relation to each other. This forms a set of plotted points on a graph for variable Y that show how it moves when variable X moves.

If there is a pattern (such as the 2:1 pattern described above), this becomes clear through fitting a line that shows this pattern on a graph which approximates this relationship. While the mathematics behind this takes some understanding, the basic movement of two points on a graph in relation to each other is something most of us are taught in high school.

The mathematical ability to predict that movement is usually reserved for higher education, usually in undergraduate or postgraduate studies, where such topics as the possibility of making prediction errorssuch as false positives and false negativesare also taught.

Simple predictive AI models have been in use for quite a while and do simple tasks such as predicting that if I buy a pair of shoes, there is a significant (lets say 80%) probability that I will buy a few pairs of socks as well. This allows marketers to place pairs of socks in front of me, whether online or at a store, in the secure knowledge that there is an 80% chance that I will take the bait.

This is the mathematics behind the eerie Google/Meta/Amazon seems to know everything about me feeling we sometimes have. They dont. All they have are patterns of your browsing (and buying) behaviour, and the ability to mathematically predict what you would most likely want to buy/see/watch or search for next.

As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, such as in LLMs with generative capabilities, this regression analysis extends to multivariate regression analysis. This means that I am no longer simply predicting how Y moves with X; I am predicting how A, B, C and D also move as variables Y and X change. This broader regression analysis method is sophisticated and involves stochastic calculus and various equations, which are beyond the scope of this column.

Suffice it to say that the generative LLM models are based on a set of numbers, not words or images.

These numbers predict the probability of the next word in a sentence being a particular one. If the LLM sees the boy hit, it is likely to guess, say, ball, after which it would suppose that the article the also belongs in the sentence, thereby producing the boy hit the ball as its output.

These guesses are based solely on the probability that the word should be next and not on an encyclopaedic look-up of all existing words. However, these guesses are prone to the same mistakes as the smaller predictive AI models. For instance, Googles Gemini once generated images of Nazi generals being multi-racial individuals, flipping historical accuracy on its head. (bit.ly/4evqjbQ)

So, what does all this mean?

It means all GenAI output, in essence, is a hallucination, since it is all dreamt up by machines based on probabilistic analyses. We call it out as a hallucination only when we notice an inaccuracy, though we often gloss over it if we are not intimately familiar with the topic.

Researchers and AI companies are, of course, working on reducing errors like the ones I described above, but as long as artificial intelligence is based on probability theory, we will always have the chance that it can blunder, however slight this chance may be.
Philip Morris Inc, maker of Marlboro cigarettes, has stopped online sales of Zyn in the US after receiving a subpoena in the District of Columbia (DC) related to flavoured products that are banned there. Its the latest nicotine-pouch brand to hit the news and raises further questions about not just this product, but Big Tobaccos ability to shift from cigarettes to less risky alternatives.

The debate around Zyn looked eerily similar to that which engulfed vaping five years ago. The latest episode, combined with soaring sales and the rise of social media Zynfluencers, could make tighter curbs on the sale of pouches more likely. Philip Morris said that it had got a subpoena from DCs attorney general asking for data on Zyn owner Swedish Matchs compliance with rules for flavoured nicotine products, banned there in 2022.

The firm said it had investigated, and its preliminary findings indicated that there had been sales of flavoured poucheswhich do not contain tobaccoin DC, predominantly via online platforms and some independent retailers. It added that this did not relate to youth use: Zyn.com sales were age-restricted.

It also said that Zyn.com represented a tiny percentage of US volumes since its 2022 acquisition of Swedish Match. Nevertheless, it said it faced an unspecified material liability" if there was an unfavourable outcome related to the matter.

Given that Philip Morris generated free cash flow of about $8 billion last year, the size of the fine is largely irrelevant," says Duncan Fox, analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. And suspending online sales of Zyn might actually be helpful right now. Demand for these pouches has taken off to such an extent in the US that Philip Morris has struggled to keep up supply.

But the incident could mean further scrutiny of Zyns sales and marketing practices, and, in the longer-term, greater regulation. Philip Morris has asked Swedish Match to conduct a full review of its sales and supply-chain arrangements in DC and other US states and municipalities where flavour bans may apply.

California and Massachusetts have such arrangements and analysts at Jefferies estimate that bans of some sort are in place in about 400 localities across the US.

The discovery of further sales of flavoured pouches in locations where they are prohibited cant be ruled out, particularly given how quickly demand for Zyn has ramped up. There is a broader sense that the product is coming under fire, not just because of the spectacular sales growth, but because it has become part of popular culture.

As my colleague Lisa Jarvis noted, while pouches offer the kick of a cigarette without the cancer-causing smoke and chemicals of tobacco, they are not risk-free. We know very little about how they could affect health and addiction trends in the US.

Philip Morris was hit with its first Zyn lawsuit in March, alleging that it marketed nicotine pouches to teens. The company said the complaints were without merit and would be vigorously defended. Indeed, many of the concerns have centred on whether young people who have never smoked are getting hooked.

Pouch use isnt yet as prevalent as vaping among teens, with the most recent National Youth Tobacco Survey showing that just 1.5% of US middle- and high-school students were using them, compared with 7.7% for electronic cigarettes.

Even so, if vaping is anything to go by, the most likely outcome of the scrutiny on Zyn will be restrictions on the flavours that pouches can be sold in. Alternatives would be limiting their potency, or even an outright ban in the US.

That looks far off for now. But what happens at Zynboth in the DC case and beyondhas huge ramifications for the tobacco industry. While Philip Morris is the market leader in modern oral tobacco as its called, British American Tobacco and Altria Group are also marketing these products.

With smoking rates falling in many developed markets, and some governments, such as the UK, seeking to stub it out altogether, tobacco companies have been investing their still prodigious cashflow into products that will continue to generate sales and profit.

Zyn looks like just that, as does Philip Morriss other market leading alternative, the IQOS device that heats rather than burns tobacco. Indeed, the company has been the most vocal in moving to what it calls a smoke-free future.

Also read: How Esse cigarettes are smoking rivals

Sales of these products, including Zyn and IQOS, accounted for 39% of its revenue in the first quarter. Philip Morris aims to generate more than two-thirds of its revenue from potentially reduced-risk products by 2030.

But the DC subpoena to Zyn is a stark reminder that giving up smoking is easier said than done. bloomberg
The euphoria in Israel at the rescue on June 8th of four hostages who had been captive in Gaza for eight months was short-lived. Senior Israeli officers rushed to extol the commandos who carried out the mission, one of whom was killed, and the accurate intelligence that located the two apartments in the crowded Nuseirat refugee camp where they were incarcerated. But officials were just as quick to dampen expectations that the remaining 120 Israeli hostages held by Hamas could be rescued in a similar fashion.

It was a unique combination of intelligence and operational circumstances", explained one general. But Israeli security officials still reckon that a deal will have to be struck with their enemies if most of the remaining hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th are to be freed.

For the people of Gaza the Israeli operation emphasised just how bleak their situation remains. According to the Hamas-run health authorities, at least 274 people were killed in the operation, as Israeli forces rained down covering fire to protect the escape route used by the hostages and commandos. Israel disputes these figures and claims that many of those killed were fighters. Whatever the exact number, a ceasefire cannot come too soon for the civilians caught in the crossfire.

Antony Blinken, the American secretary of state, arrived in the region on June 10th to promote the ceasefire agreement presented by President Joe Biden ten days earlier. The deal, based on an Israeli proposal, has a three-stage framework. The first phase is a six-week truce, during which Israel would withdraw from the urban areas in Gaza and Hamas would release some of the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Simultaneously, a second stage would begin with negotiations through intermediaries towards a longer-lasting ceasefire and the release of male Israeli soldiers held by Hamas and of more Palestinian prisoners. A third phase would see the return of the bodies of dead hostages and the start of a programme to rebuild the devastated Gaza Strip.

The bridge players card

Shortly after Mr Blinkens arrival in Qatars capital, Doha, Hamas made its formal response through Qatari brokers. A source in the office of Binyamin Netanyahu, Israels prime minister, was quick to pronounce that Hamas had rejected the deal. Mr Blinken was more sanguine. Hamas, he said, had proposed numerous" changes, but some of them were workable". He believed those gaps are bridgeable".

Unlike the Israelis, the Americans remain, at least outwardly, upbeat when it comes to the prospects for a deal. On June 10th America sponsored a resolution in the UN Security Council favouring the accord. It passed with only Russia abstaining.

Neither Israel nor Hamas is particularly inclined to accept something with the UNs imprimatur. The vote in the Security Council seems to be an attempt by the Americans to show that the proposal is still up and running, even if at present it is only running on the spot.

The fundamental difference between the two sides is that Israel wants to see more of its 120 hostages (at least 43 of whom are already presumed dead) returned before it makes any long-term promises. Hamas, meanwhile, is demanding that Israel commits to withdrawing from all of Gaza and accepts a long-term ceasefire before any hostages are freed.

Still, the true positions of the two sides are hard to assess. Hamas took more than two weeks to respond. Its leadership is thought to be split. The outside" politburo, based mainly in Doha, is susceptible to international pressure, making it more open to a deal. Hamass Qatari hosts have threatened its leaders with banishment from their opulent lodgings if they reject the deal. However, the final word will be had by Yahya Sinwar, Hamass chief in Gaza and the mastermind of the massacre on October 7th.

Mr Sinwar seems unmoved by the possibility of upheaval in his colleagues living conditions. But he is under growing pressure to accept a deal. His decision to attack Israel has brought terrible destruction upon Gaza and led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians. He can only justify this to Palestinians if he manages to secure the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners in return for the hostages. This latest Israeli operation highlighted that he may be running out of bargaining chips. Hamas has also been criticised in Gaza for holding the hostages in densely populated areas, which has resulted in high numbers of casualties during both this and previous rescue missions.

To make matters even murkier, Hamass responses take some time to come through because Mr Sinwar must be consulted at every stage. He is believed to be hiding somewhere in the tunnel network beneath Gaza. He communicates only through runners carrying written notes, to avoid giving his location away to the Israelis. As a result, any changes in Hamass position will take days to relay.

The Israeli position is not much clearer. The proposal being discussed ostensibly came from the Israeli government and Mr Netanyahu has admitted that he stands behind it. But it was formulated by the war cabinet, a small forum where Mr Netanyahus far-right coalition partners are not representedand they have threatened to resign from his governing coalition if it becomes policy. What is more, the war cabinet that issued the proposal weeks ago has now changed. It no longer includes the centrist ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot. They resigned from the government on June 9th, along with the other members of their National Unity party.

Mr Gantz explained in a press conference that crucial strategic decisions are being blocked by hesitation and political considerations". He had given the prime minister a three-week deadline to come up with a comprehensive strategy for ending the war in Gaza. Mr Netanyahu failed to meet it, he said. Earlier in the day at a cabinet meeting the prime minister accused Mr Gantz of engaging in small-time politics" and of bolting from the government at the height of war". That is rich coming from a leader who has spent the past eight months doing all he can to save his political career.

Mr Gantz had been under intense pressure for months from the opposition to leave Mr Netanyahus government and join those calling for his resignation. Mr Gantz stayed in the war cabinet in the hope of clinching the ceasefire agreement. His decision to leave was explained more bluntly by Mr Eisenkot, who said the government had completely failed" in all its objectives.

Their departure is another sign of the bleak prospects for an agreement. Mr Gantz and Mr Eisenkot do not think Israels war with Hamas in Gaza is over. But they both believe it canand shouldbe paused, at least for some months, to allow for the release of the surviving hostages and to start building an alternative authority to run Gaza instead of Hamas. Their joint decision to resign is a result of their frustration at Mr Netanyahus refusal to accept their plan.

He just wont go

National Unitys departure will not bring down the government or force elections; Mr Netanyahu still clings on with a small majority. But it leaves him depending entirely on the far right. Mr Gantz joined the government eight months ago on condition that the extremists in the government be excluded from the war cabinet. Now the prime minister will have to contend with them on his own. The leader of the Jewish Power party, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has already demanded membership of the most relevant and intimate forums", namely the war cabinet, in the remaining coalition. Mr Ben-Gvir and the leader of Religious Zionism, Bezalel Smotrich, want Israel to beef up its operations both in Gaza and against Hizbullah, the Shia militia that has been launching missiles into northern Israel from Lebanon. Both party leaders have promised to leave the government if a ceasefire deal with Hamas is reached.

Even if Mr Blinken is right and the gap between Israel and Hamas is bridgeable", the internal differences on either side mean his mission has but a slim chance.

 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut, who secured her first victory on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, took oath as a Lok Sabha MP on Monday. Following her swearing-in, Ranaut challenged the Opposition INDIA bloc, saying, Let's see what they bring to the table.

The Queen actress said, Finally, we have a good Opposition.

Also Read | Kangana Ranaut praises PM Modi after Italian PM Meloni shares Melodi video

As PM Modi said, the entire nation hopes that the Opposition will be more responsible, Kangana Ranaut added.

Sirf chillam chilli karenge ya kuch valuable they will bring to table (Will they only shout slogans or will they bring something valuable to the table) Let's see,Kangana Ranaut quipped.

Kangana Ranaut appeared to echo Prime Minister Narendra Modi's sentiments earlier in the day. PM Modi took a swipe at the opposition, urging them to prioritize substance over slogans and uphold the dignity of democracy to meet the people's expectations.

The Prime Minister said, The people of the country expect good steps from the opposition. I hope that the opposition will live up to the expectations of the common citizens of the country to maintain the dignity of democracy.

People do not want drama, disturbance. People want substance, not slogans. The country needs a good, responsible opposition, and I have full faith that the MPs who have won in this 18th Lok Sabha will try to fulfil these expectations of the common man, PM Modi added.
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo (TMC) Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to abolish the NEET examination. A row erupted after several students secured perfect scores and a paper leaked on the immensely competitive nation examination.

The TMC leader asked PM Modi to revert to the system of conducting the exam by states in the wake of the paper leak row.

In the letter to the PM Modi, Mamata Banerjee also called for strong action against those involved in the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam.

I strongly urge upon you to consider and take immediate steps to restore the previous system of conducting this examination by the state governments and abolish the NEET examination.

This will help restore normalcy and confidence of the aspirant students in the system, she said.

NEET-UG 2024 Exam Row Amid a demand for the cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for undergraduates (NEET-UG) exam held on May 5, the Union Education Ministry has said that the incidents of malpractices were "localised" or "isolated" and it was not fair to jeopardise the careers of lakhs of candidates who cleared the exam rightfully.

Incidences of paper leak and malpractice also led to the Union Education Ministry cancelling UGC-Net only a day after it was conducted.

In a domino like effect, CSIR-NET was postponed. Further NEET-PG examination was cancelled less then twenty four hours before it was to be conducted.

The CBI has lodged an FIR citing alleged irregularities, including criminal conspiracy and cheating under IPC sections 120-B and 420. Meanwhile, the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the UGC-NET-2024 exam on June 18 in two shifts nationwide, aimed at selecting junior research fellows, assistant professors, and PhD scholars.

The exam was postponed after the government said that the "integrity of the examination may have been compromised".
Ministry of Equality Participates in PRIDE celebrations

The Ministry of Equality took part in the LGBTQ+ Committees very successful PRIDE celebrations which took place on Saturday at Casemates.

The PRIDE event included numerous stalls from different charities and NGOs and included live coverage by GBC Radio.

Speeches by the Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP, the Minister for Equality, the Hon Christian Santos GMD MP, Her Worship the Mayor Carmen Gomez, LGBTQ+ Committee Chairperson, Lorraine Olivera, amongst others including speeches by the shadow MP for Equality, Atrish Sanchez, Lyana Armstrong from the Liberal Party and Together Gibraltar leader, Nicky Calamaro, preceded the walk up Main Street.

The whole day event, which featured song and dance performances, ran from 10am to late in the evening and saw the participation of hundreds of people from both the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.

This years PRIDE theme was Unity in Diversity and the Ministry of Equalitys interactive Diversity Pride Wall helped to promote the theme. Attendees were invited to write a message in support of PRIDE or the LGBTQ+ community and place it on the heart featured on the wall. This generated a great deal of interest and participation. The Pride Diversity Wall will be set up at John Mackintosh Hall for the remainder of PRIDE month.

Minister for Equality, the Hon Christian Santos GMD MP, said: I would like to congratulate the LGBTQ+ Committee for organising such a successful day to mark PRIDE once again this year. The day has been marked by a joyful, colourful and celebratory quality which would not have been thought possible a few years ago. This is an indication of how far we have come as a community with regards to equal rights, diversity and inclusion and how the dial has moved from tolerance to acceptance. This years theme Unity in Diversity is a reminder that we are stronger together and that each individual in Gibraltar is of equal value and worth. I would also like to thank my team at the Ministry for Equality for their wonderful interactive Diversity Pride Wall which will be displayed at the John Mackintosh Hall this week. The number of positive messages written by members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies is a testament to the support and respect that exists in Gibraltar.
Kallakurichi hooch tragedy: Expressing concern over the tragic loss of lives in the spurious liquor tragedy in Tamil Nadu, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Monday wrote a letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Calling the hooch tragedy a state-sponsored murder, JP Nadda urged Mallikarjun Kharge to pursue Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to join a protest over the tragic incident.

Targeting the Congress for its deafening, hypocritical silence, JP Nadda urged Kharge to pursue Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra to either pay a visit to the victim's families or at least muster the courage to raise their voices on this issue.

Also Read | Tamil Nadu govt announces 1 lakh subsidy for women transgender auto drivers

I invite you to join our leaders for a black band protest against this state-sponsored disaster in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi inside the Prerna Sthal within Parliament precincts, wrote JP Nadda in his letter to Kharge.

Several lives would have been saved if DMK-INDIA nexus did not exist: JP Nadda Multiple lives would have been saved in the man-made disaster at Kallakurichi if the DMK-INDIA nexus and illicit liquor mafia did not exist, JP Nadda wrote in the letter to Mallikarjun Kharge. He also talked about a previous incident when 23 people lost their lives after consuming illicit liquor in Tamil Nadu in May this year. He also said that the BJP had cautioned the DMK government of the illicit liquor mafia in the state. However, no attention was paid to their warnings.

Mentioning the heavy influence of illicit liquor mafias in the state, JP Nadda said that such businesses were "functioning with impunity, right in the open during broad daylight, with patronage from state and police'.

The state administration's efforts to control the damage caused after the hooch tragedy by covering up the incident proved fatal and led to the loss of more lives, added Nadda.
Kartikeya Singh, the son of Union Agriculture Minister and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has caught flak from the Congress for saying that entire Delhi is bowing down before his father.

Speaking at a public meet in Bherunda of Budhni assembly segment of Sehore district on June 22, Singh hailed his father's landslide victory from Vidisha seat in the recently concluded 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He won by a margin of over 8.20 lakh votes and was appointed as agriculture minister in Modi 3.0 Cabinet.

I have just returned after staying in Delhi. Earlier too, our leader (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. 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, Singh said, as per a PTI report.

Congress Takes Swipes Taking a jibe, Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to say that this means that Delhi is scared and that there is fear of dissent within the party.

"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. 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 said.

Former MP CM and Congress Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh also alluded that Chouhan could be likely future PM candidate. If Shivrajs popularity truly extends from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, then BJP leaders nationally should acknowledge this and consider promoting Shivraj as the countrys PM, he said.

Budhni By-Polls Kartikeya Singh thanked the people of Budhni for supporting his father. Chouhan resigned as an MLA from the Budhni assembly seat after winning the Vidisha LS seat.

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, Singh said.

A bypoll for Budhni is likely soon with Singh being expected to take on the campaign for the BJP.
Lok Sabha Session: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday listed 10 issues that occurred in the first 15 days of the Modi 3.0 government. These included the NEET-UG 2024 question paper leak, deaths due to heatwave in North India, terror attacks in Kashmir, and more. Notably, Monday was also the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to power for a third consecutive term.

Psychologically on the back foot, Narendra Modi is busy saving his government, alleged Rahul Gandhi.

The issues listed by Rahul Gandhi included a horrific train accident, terrorist attacks in Kashmir, the plight of passengers in trains, NEET scam, NEET PG cancelled, UGC NET paper leak, essentials such as milk, pulses and gas turn expensive, forest fires, water crisis, and deaths due to lack of arrangements during heatwave.

In his tweet, Rahul Gandhi added, INDIA's strong opposition will continue its pressure, raise the voice of the people, and will not allow the Prime Minister to escape without accountability.

On Monday, Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of "attacking" the Constitution. He emphasised that the Opposition INDIA bloc finds such assaults unacceptable.

Opposition leaders, including Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, protested on Parliament premises, holding copies of the Constitution in their hands.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing media persons before the commencement of the Parliament session, took an indirect jab at the Congress over the Emergency imposed in 1975, calling it a "blot" on democracy "when the Constitution was discarded".
Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Jagat Prakash Nadda has been appointed as the Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, an official notification informed. Nadda replaces Union minister Piyush Goyal, who recently won the Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North seat, and on Monday took oath as a member of the Lower House.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

Also Read | JP Nadda takes charge of health and fertilizer ministries

Besides JP Nadda, there are 11 members of the Upper House who are in the Union Council of Ministers.

In April 2024 JP Nadda was elected as the Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat. Nadda was handed the Health, Chemicals and Fertilizers portfolio in the Modi 3.0 cabinet.

Nadda had held the same ministries in the Modi government's first term before he took over as the BJP's working president in 2019.

It was earlier speculated the JP Nadda would step down from the post of BJP National president after he was sworn-in as an MP, following the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. However, it seems that Nadda is likely to retain the post, which he took over from Union Home Minister Amit Shah in 2020.

It is likely that a new BJP National President will be elected in December-January.

Who is JP Nadda? JP Nadda, a law graduate, began his political career with the ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad), the student wing of the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), which is the ideological backbone of the BJP. He assumed leadership of the party's youth wing, the BJYM (Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha), in 1991, marking the start of his active role within the BJP's organizational structure.

Nadda was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2012 representing Himachal Pradesh. His ascent within the BJP continued as he became a member of the party's parliamentary board in 2014, coinciding with Amit Shah assuming the presidency of the BJP.
Elon Musk's social media platform X is reportedly navigating significant internal changes under the leadership of CEO Linda Yaccarino. A recent report by the Financial Times reveals that Yaccarino is now facing considerable pressure to slash costs and boost revenues.

As per the report, in response to these pressures, Yaccarino has made several decisive moves within her executive team. Notably, she dismissed Joe Benarroch, her chief business operations and communications officer, who had been a close advisor.

The report adds that sources within X indicate that Benarrochs departure was largely due to his mismanagement of a new adult content policy rollout, which failed to adequately inform clients before its public announcement.

Reportedly, this executive shake-up comes amid escalating tensions between Musk and Yaccarino. Having been recruited by Musk from NBCUniversal, Yaccarino is under immense pressure to stabilize X's financial standing. This has led to budget cuts across the US and UK sales teams and reduced expenditures on various fronts, including travel.

Recently, an all-hands meeting at X, led by Yaccarino, was reported in the media. During the meeting, Yaccarino urged employees to support Musks new venture, x.AI, but provided limited information regarding X's advertising business performance. According to The Verge, employees were eager for updates on the company's performance reviews, which have been delayed without explanation, and expressed concerns over missing revenue targets for the quarter. Additionally, there have been recent layoffs within the company, contributing to staff anxiety.

Steve Davis, CEO of The Boring Company and a close associate of Musk, has been closely examining the finances at X's San Francisco headquarters for several weeks, further heightening employee concerns.

In this climate of uncertainty, employees sought clarity on the companys performance review process and business metrics during the recent all-hands meeting. However, according to The Verge, these topics were not thoroughly addressed.

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UPDATE: The autopsy results for the shooter at CBL in June has been released.

The medical examiner's report says 67-year-old John Schultz, who attempted to shoot multiple co-workers at a CBL building, died by suicide.

The report states Schultz had a meeting with two managers after his request to work from home was denied.

Officials say Schultz pulled two guns, shooting one that misfired. When police got to the third floor of the building, they found Schultz with a gunshot wound.

Police found a handgun by his leg, and a BB gun was found in the office, where he first threatened his co-workers.

The toxicology report found no medication in Schultz's system.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Chattanooga Police Department says suspect John Schultz attempted to shoot multiple co-workers, but the weapon misfired and did not discharge.

Police say 67-year-old Schultz was an employee of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau.

A witness observed Schultz pointing a gun at multiple employees and pulling the trigger on Monday, when the firearm malfunctioned.

Police say other employees separated themselves and got away from the suspect. Schultz then shot himself with a second firearm.

Police were first called around 2:00pm on reports of an active shooter at a CBL building, near Hamilton Place Mall. Callers were reporting that a person with a gun was firing shots inside the building.

Law enforcement on the scene began searching the building for a suspect based on descriptions from individuals inside the building.

Schultz was located with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was detained and later found to be deceased.

No victims were found.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management has released a statement following the active shooter incident near the Hamilton Place Mall on Monday.

In this case, a perpetrator was contained in the building. If a threat was outside the building, our office would have conferred with Chattanooga Police (who was in charge of the scene) for approval of public messaging. These messages are only distributed if the public is endangered and by no means serve as news notification.

Mass emergency notification system launches in Hamilton County REGROUP will officially be introduced during a press conference on Tuesday, April 9.

We analyzed all sources of information during yesterdays incident and worked with all agencies involved to make unified decisions.

This serves as an important reminder for citizens to sign-up for our emergency notification system, REGROUP. Hamilton County has more 360,000 residents and to date, only 6,000 have subscribed to receive alerts. In order for OEM to use this tool effectively, people must be signed up. We encourage local media to use this as an opportunity to make the public aware of this asset in the event of an active shooter situation.

Hamilton County residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications.

PREVIOUS STORY: Chattanooga police confirm the shooting suspect fatally shot himself.

During a press conference, police say the shooter attempted to execute a plan which failed, ending with him shooting himself.

There were no other persons shot or injured, other than the shooter.

Hamilton Place Mall and all surrounding businesses will be resuming operations after the lockdown.

Police say there is no evidence that the shooter ever left the building before shooting himself.

As the investigation continues, they ask everyone to avoid the area if possible.

PREVIOUS STORY: As of 3:37pm, Chattanooga police say they have a possible suspect detained.

As they continue to work the scene, nearby businesses will begin to lift their lockdowns.

PREVIOUS STORY: Chattanooga police confirm they are investigating a potential active shooting situation near Hamilton Place Mall.

Those working inside the mall say they are under lockdown after the intercom announced a report of shots fired.

Chattanooga police say they are at 2034 Hamilton Place Blvd., an office building located near Marshalls and Santi's Mexican Grill.

Local 3 crews are on the scene. This is a developing story.
In this February 2023 photo, advocates gather for a rally at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville to oppose a series of bills that target the LGBTQ community.
Teagasc are delighted to invite all beef farmers and stakeholders in the Irish beef industry to the National Beef open day BEEF2024 which takes place on Wednesday 26th June in Teagasc, Grange, Co. Meath. The theme of this years event is Securing your future.

The focus of BEEF2024 will be on the application of technologies that will help beef farmers increase the profitability and environmental sustainability of their family farm businesses. BEEF2024 will be hosted on a new site on the farm with a new and improved layout and structure on the day. It is a free event and all are welcome to attend.



Whats happening on the day?

On the day there will be two technical main stands. The first stand will focus on Securing your future in beef farming, in which the key challenges and opportunities will be discussed along with production systems to balance income and lifestyle. Market & environmental policy demands will also be outlined. The second stand is titled Management toolbox for beef farms, in which optimal suckler & dairy-beef systems will be discussed along with driving genetic gain for beef cattle.

There will be 4 technical villages that attendees will visit. The first village Grassland & forage will feature live displays in relation to low emissions slurry application and grazing management There will be demonstrations in relation to the use of protected urea fertilizers, calibration of spreaders and farm infrastructure. Depending on your enterprise you can choose to visit either the Suckler Beef or Dairy calf-to-beef village. There will be cow simulators used to demonstrate the principles of safe calving and handling of livestock. Cattle from the various suckler and dairy-beef studies at Grange will be on display. There will also be displays on calf rearing, antimicrobial & anthelmintic resistance and assessing cattle for finishing.

This is followed by the Advisory, Education & Opportunities Village which features Teagasc advisory services, education options within the farm sector, organic beef farming, renewable energy options and forestry.

Technologies and live demonstrations in relation to grazing management, animal nutrition, beef genetics, reproductive management, animal health and welfare, and farm planning will form the main focus of the day. Finally the open day will conclude in the Forum Centre where will be an opportunity to engage with industry stakeholders. There will be a number of technology companies will also be there on the day



Forums featuring farmers in Dairy Beef 500 and Future Beef programmes

There will be a number of panel discussions covering key topics across a range of beef cattle production systems. These will take place in the Forum Centre and will be staged throughout the day. Future Beef programme Farmer Shane Keaveney and Dairy Beef 500 programme farmer Martin Connolly will feature at this years National open day.

Martin Connolly has been rearing dairy-bred calves, bringing them to beef, for many years. The high level of fragmentation, combined with the general heavy nature of land in the area, brings challenges in terms of grassland management and especially grazing at the shoulders of the year. Martin purchases around 160 calves every year and sources most of the calves locally. Martin had put high emphasis in recent years on making quality silage to reduce winter feed costs and has incorporated red clover on the farm to help with this. On the day Martin will outline the latest technologies he is using on his farm to increase profitability and sustainability of his dairy beef system. The Dairy Beef forum will take place at 12.30 pm.

Shane farms with his wife Grainne and three children in Granlahan, Ballinlough, Co. Roscommon. Shane operates a 38 spring calving suckler system. The male calves are finished as under 16 months bull beef. The heifers are sold as forward stores. The cow type is mainly LM/SA crosses. A terminal CH stock bull is used and Shane has started to use some AI as a source for replacements. In recent years Shane has placed huge focus on maximising weight gain from grass through improving grass growth by increasing soil fertility and efficient use of fertiliser on the farm. To reduce the fertiliser bill and to improve silage quality, red clover was sown in 2023. On the day Shane along slide Galway Future Beef farmer Aonghusa Fahy will outline the latest technologies they are using on their farm to increase profitability and sustainability of their suckler beef systems. The Future Beef forum will take place at 1.30 pm.

The concluding forum of the day Securing your future in beef farming will take place at 2.30 pm. In this forum the main opportunities and challenges facing the sector and beef farm families will be discussed, in particular, succession and inheritance. Keynote speakers from the beef sector will outline the strengths of the sector and the potential to enhance profitability, sustainability and lifestyle through the deployment of the latest technologies.

The beef sector remains one of the most important contributors to the national economy in Ireland, supporting in excess of 70,000 beef farmers with an export value of approximately 2.7 bn. It also contributes approximately 10,000 jobs across processing, distribution and transport in predominantly rural areas. The level of domestic spend has a huge multiplier effect on the overall economy and is a key part of the sectors importance to regional development. Its strengths lie in its pasture-based production systems underpinning its strong sustainability credentials and it is well-placed to meet the increased global demand for beef.

This major Open Day will outline the key steps to developing a pathway for securing a future in the Irish beef sector.

Teagasc acknowledges with gratitude the support of FBD Trust who will be available on the day to meet attendees.

BEEF2024 on Tuesday 26th June in Teagasc, Grange Eircode C15 PW93, 9 am- 4pm is a day not to be missed. Further information www.teagasc.ie/beef2024
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: June 24 2024

Judah Karkowsky was convicted in April for using a knowingly falsified court transcript related to a previous misdemeanor case to file multiple Notices of Claim.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced a former Commissioner of the Woodmere Fire District was sentenced today to one year in jail for using language from a knowingly falsified court transcript in several Notices of Claim that he filed with the Woodmere Fire District and Fire Department and Nassau County seeking tens of millions of dollars in compensation. The defendant also sent the falsified transcript to a representative of his synagogue attempting to regain full access after a misdemeanor sex abuse case against him was dismissed on procedural grounds.

Judah Karkowsky, 44, was convicted on April 18, 2024, after a jury trial before Judge Robert A. Schwartz of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree (a D felony); three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree (an E felony); two counts of Making an Apparently Sworn False Statement in the First Degree (an E felony); and two counts of Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree (an A misdemeanor).

Karkowsky was sentenced today to one year in jail on each felony charge to run concurrently. NCDA recommended two to six years in prison.

Shunned from the Synagogue where he worshiped after a sex abuse charge was levied against him, this defendant falsified court paperwork that he presented to a member of his Synagogues leadership to get back into their good graces. Karkowsky fabricated language that he boldly attributed to a sitting judge giving a fictitious narrative for the dismissal of his case, said DA Donnelly. The defendant later doubled down on this deceit by using the language he concocted to file multi-million-dollar lawsuits against Nassau County and the Woodmere Fire District and Department claiming he was falsely arrested and prosecuted. This defendants actions were a flagrant attack on the integrity of the criminal justice system  something this office will not stand for. With todays sentence, Karkowsky is now being held accountable by the same justice system he sought to undermine.

DA Donnelly said that Judah Karkowsky, a former Commissioner of the Woodmere Fire District, and a volunteer EMT in the Woodmere Fire Department, was arrested on September 23, 2021, for two misdemeanor offenses, including a sex abuse charge. After his arrest, Karkowsky was suspended from the Fire Department.

The misdemeanor case against Karkowsky was dismissed on May 6, 2022, due to a violation of CPL 30.30, which required the people to be ready for trial within 90 days of the defendants arraignment on the charges.

Karkowsky ordered a copy of the minutes, or court transcript, from the May 6, 2022 court appearance in which Nassau County District Court Judge Douglas Lerose ordered that the case be dismissed and explained the procedural grounds for the dismissal.

On May 16, 2022, Karkowsky sent a photograph of a page of the minutes to the co-chairman of the board of trustees at his synagogue that included a sentence that did not appear in the original, official minutes of the proceeding. The sentence said, Notwithstanding, this court has believed for some time that the Peoples case lacked substance and should not have reached this point.

At trial, Judge Lerose testified that he never uttered the words in the forged transcript, the Official Court Reporter testified that he did not transcribe those words, and an audio recording of the court proceeding confirmed that Judge Lerose did not make such a comment.

The evidence showed that Karkowsky intended to use the forged minutes to convince the leadership of the synagogue that his case was dismissed on merit, that he was innocent of the charges, and that he should be welcomed back to the synagogue.

Karkowsky was reinstated to the Woodmere Fire Department after his case was dismissed but was not allowed full access to the synagogue.

On August 4, 2022, Karkowsky served a Notice of Claim on the Woodmere Fire District and Fire Department seeking $15 million in compensation, claiming that members of the Fire Department caused him to be falsely arrested. The Notice of Claim quoted the fraudulent statement attributed to Judge Lerose from the May 6, 2022 minutes as evidence of Karkowskys innocence. Karkowsky swore before a Public Notary to the contents of the statements in the Notice of Claim.

On August 1, 2022, Karkowsky served a Notice of Claim on Nassau County seeking another $15 million in compensation, alleging that members of the Nassau County Police Department and Nassau County District Attorneys Office willfully ignored exculpatory evidence. Again, Karkowsky made a false statement about the comments made by Judge Lerose on May 6, 2022.

Karkowsky was arrested on these charges on November 9, 2022.
The Jordanian Public Security Directorate announced on June 22 that security forces are handling an investigative case in the South Marka area of the capital, Amman, according to the official Jordanian News Agency. Authorities stated that initial investigations indicated several individuals had been storing significant quantities of explosive materials inside a house.

Jordanian authorities have not yet disclosed the background and details of this incident or whether arrests have been made. Government officials stated that more information will be provided once the investigation is complete. It is important to note that South Marka, where the explosives were stored, is a dense residential area known to be a stronghold for the Muslim Brotherhood.

A report from Independent Arabia claims that the discovery of the explosive materials in the apartment is linked to new Iranian attempts to smuggle weapons and explosives into Jordan. The report further suggests these explosives were intended for Hamas. If these reports are accurate, this would mark the second such attempt to provide this support. A similar incident uncovered in May involved Jordanians of Palestinian descent who were affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan.

It would also not be the first instance of Iran-sponsored terrorist activities in Jordan. The Kingdom has dealt with these threats for some time, particularly since October 7. Over the past eight months, Jordanian authorities have thwarted 12 attempts to smuggle Captagon, a stimulant often used by jihadists, orchestrated by Iran-backed factions in Syria, including the 4th Armored Division of the Syrian Armed Forces. These attempts have evolved into weapons-smuggling efforts aimed at fueling unrest in the West Bank through Jordans border.

In November, Iraqi militias backed by Iran attempted to block oil supplies to Jordan as part of a broader strategy to exert pressure on the Kingdom. These militias threatened to disrupt the vital flow of oil, a move with serious economic repercussions for Jordan. Additionally, they issued threats to arm 12,000 Jordanians, aiming to incite them to take up arms against Israel.

Following Irans attack on Israel, Jordan faced explicit threats from Iran after intercepting projectiles destined for Israel. These threats were intended to intimidate the Kingdom and dissuade it from interfering in future operations. The same period saw an increase in attacks by Iraqi militias targeting Israel, with drones passing through Jordanian airspace, putting the Kingdom in a difficult position.

Hamas has also been actively inciting Jordanian protesters, urging them to escalate their actions. The groups officials in Qatar have called on Jordanians to take to the streets, and Hamas spokesman Abu Ubayda has specifically urged them to intensify their protests. Hamas understands the strategic importance of the Jordanian arena, as the group has a strong support base there. Since October 7, this base has mobilized in support of the organization. Chants praising Mohammad Deif and Yahya Sinwar have echoed in Jordan for the past eight months, posing a significant security risk for authorities. This situation highlights the shared ambitions of Iran and Hamas to infiltrate Jordanian society and create instability.

With Irans threat continuing to loom in the region and the potential for further military action between Israel and Irans proxy Hezbollah, Jordans stability is increasingly at risk. The danger is becoming more internal as cells affiliated with Iran are being mobilized within Jordan. Although Jordanian authorities have successfully thwarted domestic threats so far, the ongoing pressure and ambitions of Iran to infiltrate Jordan will likely persist and possibly intensify in the future.

This continuous threat will necessitate that Jordan remains vigilant against external and internal destabilizing forces, particularly when combating Hamas inciteful rhetoric in the Kingdom. The challenge for the Kingdom is not only to address these immediate threats but also to coordinate with regional allies and neighbors to develop a strategy to counter Irans increasing influence and preserve its national security.

Ahmad Sharawi is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian intervention in Arab affairs and the levant.
IDF Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi (left) conducts a situational assessment in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip with Major General Yaron Finkelman (right) and officers of the 162nd Division on June 23. (IDF image)

On June 24, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with Amos Hochstein, a senior advisor to President Joe Biden, in Washington, DC, discussing what Gallant has called a transition to phase C of Israeli operations in Gaza. According to a statement from Gallants office, Gallant indicated that this transition would impact developments on other fronts, as well. This statement likely means Israel continues to prepare militarily and diplomatically for escalation in the north after Hezbollahs continued attacks.

Gallants trip to Washington came as IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi traveled to southern Gaza to meet with the head of the IDFs 162nd Division, Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, on the evening of June 23. We are clearly approaching the point where we can say we have dismantled the Rafah Brigade; that it is defeated not in the sense that there are no more terrorists, but in the sense that it can no longer function as a fighting unit, Halevi said.

In a meeting with officers from the division, Halevi praised their success over the last month and a half of fighting in Rafah. He also said Hamas has suffered many casualties, and you will ensure until the completion of the mission here to eliminate as many terrorists and destroy as much terrorist infrastructure as possible going forward.

The messages about Israel transitioning to a new phase in Gaza and the defeat of Hamas in Rafah indicate that the IDF believes it has achieved enough progress in preparation for the Defense Ministrys latest plans. Gallant has not elaborated fully on what will take place during phase C in Gaza, although he has floated plans for what happens after Hamas is defeated in the past. Possible scenarios could involve small IDF raids to target specific terror cells and an attempt to replace Hamas as a governing body in Gaza.

The new phase could also mean more neighborhood sweeps to remove terrorist cells that attempt to reconstitute themselves. Hamas continues to control central and parts of northern Gaza. The group also fired rockets at several Israeli communities on June 24, showing it is still capable of threatening areas along the border.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also articulated an operational change in Gaza. On June 23, Netanyahu said that the intensity of the conflict would soon shift to something lower than in the past. The wars intensity has shifted before, from hundreds of daily airstrikes and multi-division ground maneuvers in October and November of last year to the pace of operations today. Currently, one IDF division is in southern Gaza on the Egyptian border, and a second division controls the central Netzarim Corridor south of Gaza City.

Gallant is meeting with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, CIA Director William Burns, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken while in Washington. He also met with White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk. Our ties with the United States are more important than ever. Our meetings with US officials are critical to this war, Gallant said before departing for the US.

Gallant is also focused on discussing tensions with Hezbollah on Israels northern border. We are prepared for any action that may be required in Gaza, Lebanon, and in additional areas, he said.

On June 24, the IDF carried out an airstrike in Gaza targeting Muhammad Salah, who the IDF said was responsible for projects and development in Hamas Weapons Manufacturing Headquarters.

Salah was part of a project to develop strategic weaponry for the Hamas terrorist organization, and he commanded a number of Hamas terrorist squads that worked on developing weapons, the IDF stated. Other IDF units carried out raids near Rafah to locate and destroy terrorist infrastructure, such as rocket launchers and weapons.

In his discussions on June 23, Chief of Staff Halevi said that the IDF has made significant progress in southern Gaza by cutting off Hamas supply for future smuggling. He also said soldiers were mapping known tunnels for destruction and dealing with other underground assets, referencing new tunnels the IDF continues to find.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
by Barbara Fischkin

I remember the day I realized that my cousin Bernard Moskowitzmy fathers nephewwas nothing like my other relatives.

The realization came in a flash as I spotted a newly arrived letter on the dining room table at our home at 4722 Avenue I in the Midwood section of Brooklyn. Two pages. Typewritten. It remains in my minds eye. I recognized the scratchy signature: It was my Cousin Bernie. I went back to the first page because that seemed like it was from somebody else It was embossed with these words:

Moorhead State College

Moorhead, Minnesota.

Professor B.B. Morris.

My mother, her eagle eyes in play, gazed through the opening from the kitchen and walked up behind me.

Is this, I said

Yes, she replied, smiling. Cousin Bernie got a good job. Daddy is so proud. She paused. A worried look took over her face. He changed his name. Maybe they dont like Jews there. Another pause. More worry. It must be very cold.

I imagined my mother sending Cousin Bernie a sweater. Or two. Or ten.

What else? A Star of David tie clip? A Hebrew prayer book? The possibilities were endless.

I was an adolescent on the day that letter arrived. All I really knew about Cousin Bernie was that my father adored him. For the life of me I couldnt figure out why. Bernie was closer in age to the uncles on my mothers side of the familywe were much closer to that side than to any of my cousins. He visited infrequently and displayed none of the bon vivant nature of my maternal unclesAl, Eli and Sammy. A wickedly handsome trio. Cousin Bernie was prematurely balding, bespeckled and a bit stout. People said he was the spitting image of my fatherand this was true. Maybe that was why my father liked him so much.

As far as I was concerned, Cousin Bernies only claim to fame was that he was the only son of my fathers only sister. Boring. My parents told me Cousin Bernies mother was dead. This was somewhat more interesting. I was little the first time I asked what killed her. In response, my mother gave me a pail and a shovel and told me to go to the backyard and dig to China. I asked again when I was older and she ordered me to do my homework. For a family that thrived on stories and their accompanying minutiae, this silence was nearly unprecedented.

Then, during my adolescent years, that letter from the wilds of Minnesota arrived and my view of Cousin Bernie, even without any details about his dead mother, took over my imagination. Cousin Bernie had suddenly become very interesting, all on his own.

I had been to the Midwest, to Omaha with my mother to visit more of her relatives. I didnt like it much. But a place named Moorhead, sounded distant, exotic, imbued with magic. Moorhead had changed Cousin Bernie into someone else. He was now B.B. Morris. Professor B. B. Morris. I considered that he might not be Jewish anymore. Just like Jesus, which was the only comparable example I knew. That Cousin Bernie looked more like Buddha, did not matter.

For me it was also significant that we had had no other professors in our family.

My father was a public accountant, not a CPA. I suspect he did not pass the test. Or didnt want to try. He often told me that what he had really wanted to beplease keep Cousin Bernie in mind herewas a college history professor. But there was no money for a graduate degree. His assets as a civil servant were already over-pledged. And, perhaps more significant, he heard no encouragement from family, friends or teachers.

As for the rest of the family: My mother was a housewife, as were her sisters. Her sister-in-law was a notable exception. Aunt Sarah was the executive secretary to the head of a large linen company. She was also the only childless aunt, which was viewed as the secret to her success. My uncles would have loved to be Jay Gatsby. But they werent. For a bit, Sarahs husband, Uncle Sammy had the most interesting job. He sold girls dresses, frilly ones. He gave me the samples he said no one would miss. Maybe he shouldnt have done this. After a while the samples stopped and Sammy moved on to sell something else with no more luck. My mother said he spent too much time at Aqueduct Racetrack. Had I known what spending the day at a racetrack entailed I might have found Uncle Sammy as interesting as Cousin Bernie.

Behind thick glasses, Cousin Bernie, carried a trace of mystery. I could sense it but my mother continued to deflect my questions with directions to China, homework or silence. The first clue was revealed on one of Bernies trips back to Brooklyn.

I overheard my mother ask: So, this time, Bernie, are you actually going to visit your mother? Her voice was calm but tinged with a scolding.

This was strange. Did she mean Bernies mothers gravesite? I did not know where she was buried and had never cared. She was a dead woman I had never met. The voices in the living room, voices I could hear from the kitchen, became more intense.

I cant visit her again, Cousin Bernie said. She screamed when she saw me. Gertie visits her. That is enough. Gertie was Bernies sister, his only sibling. Like us she lived in Brooklyn.

Holy cow, I said to myself. Holy shit, would have been more to the point. But I had not yet progressed to cursing.

I had no patience to wait to get to the bottom of this story. I marched into the living room. My mother and Bernie looked at me, startled.

I came right out with it: I thought you said Cousin Bernies mother was dead?

Bernie looked at my mother. My mother looked at Bernie. Bernie nodded.

Barbara, my mother said, Bernies mother is a very sick woman.

Then how come shes not dead yet? I asked. I saw Bernie grin through his sadness.

Yes, she is sick, my mother said. But in the head.

So where is she, I asked.

In a mental institution, my mother replied, with a look on her face I recognized. It meant I had exceeded my quota of questions.

I persisted. Youve never said her name, I noted. What is her name?

My mother sighed. Ida, she said. Ida Fischkin.

What? I cried out.

This was getting weirder. My dead-not-dead aunt, my fathers sister, had the same name as my mother. I hoped this was what the comedians on television called a coinkydink.

Over the years I would learn more about Bernies mother, whom nobody ever called by her name, as if she had ceased to exist. I was grateful. One Ida in the family was enough. My aunt died, for real, in the 1980s and I did not think much about her until about a decade later. I was a mother by then and my elder son, at three and a half, had stopped speaking. He was diagnosed with Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, a serious and irreversible disability on the autism spectrum. I called Cousin Bernie, by then a well-respected and beloved professor of Psychology (interesting choice) and Mathematics at University College at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, inelegantly known as IUPUI. Cousin Bernie told me that his mother had full-blown schizophrenia, and that her symptoms were nothing like those of my son.

I did not tell Bernie that I had doubts about his mothers diagnosis. My father had once mentioned to me that his sister was a staunch union organizer. He said she would often gather her International Ladies Garment Workers Union banner and go to marches. My father once said he wondered if his sister had been put away, because she was causing too much trouble. I have come to understand this was not true. My father added that after their mothers commitment, Bernie and Gertie had a dreadful childhood. Their father, Louis Moskowitz, a house painter, sent them to live with his mother, a harsh woman who made them follow Orthodox Jewish rules, to which they were unaccustomed. I always urged Bernie to get out of here, my father told me. Told him to go far away. To make something of his life. Not to follow in his fathers footsteps. He was a very smart kid. I told him he could be a professor, as I had wanted to be.

When Cousin Bernies mother died, she was buried after a graveside cemetery in a Long Island cemetery, not far from where I was working as a reporter for Newsday. My father called me at work. Bernie just flew in, he said. Your mother is coming. Can you come? I could and I did.

The first glimpse I had of my Aunt Ida a woman who, if mentally healthy, might have risen to be someone important in the labor movementwas in an open casket. According to Jewish law, relatives must identify the dead before they are buried. By then Aunt Ida had a thick old-womans beard. Not that it mattered. For her there was nowhere to show her face, outside of institutions. At the cemetery, my father held on to Bernie, stood over the casket and spoke these words. Dear sister Ida, you have had a horrible life. I am sorry I did not do more for you.

Cousin Bernies own sister Gertie was at the cemetery, too, as was her shy husband Arnie Ralph. Gertie was a large woman, larger than her brother. Her heart was even larger. She had a slight speech impediment and self-esteem that ranged from heartbreaking to inspiring. In one of those heartbreaking moments, she once told my mother that she could not come to a family event because she was ashamed that she had recently gained a lot of weight. She would show up again when she was thinner.

A few days after Aunt Idas funeral, I sat at my desk at Newsday and tried to work this story as a reporter. I wanted to find out more about my aunt. I called the communications director for the nearby Kings Park Psychiatric Center. He told me he was not permitted to give me any information but he would, anyway. He phoned back and told me that my Aunt Ida had been at Kings Park for years, less than a half an hour from where I sat in Melville. Then she was moved to Hudson Valley Psychiatric Center, reasons unknown. In total, she had spent 50 years institutionalized. And, yes, schizophrenia was the diagnosis. He said he had no more to tell me. Or perhaps he felt he had already told me too much.

Years after Aunt Ida died I visited Gertie and Arnie in their modest apartment. When Arnie stepped outside for a while, Gertie told me Arnies mother had warned her not to marry him because he was stupid and retarded. She told me she ignored this advice and gave her future mother-in-law a hearty tongue-lashing. She held her ground. She said Arnie was neither stupid nor retarded, but rather a kind and simple man who understood a great deal. For many years he worked cleaning up and doing other tasks for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Bernie died in 2001. Gertie a number of years earlier and then Arnie. I went to visit Gertie on her deathbed. Her diabetes and other ailments had finally gotten the best of her, Her last words to me: Barbara, I never thought I would be this sick. It occurred to me that denial, was the way Gertie had made it through her tough life.

And now some introductory words on a topic which could be a book in itself: The love-life of Cousin Bernie Moskowitz a.k.a. Professor B. B. Morris. (In his obituary he was also identified as Barnett B. Morris).

I was already in high school when the phone rang at Avenue I. Again, it was Bernie. He only wanted to talk to my father. There were no speaker phones in those days. I got on the upstairs extension. I remember every word Cousin Bernie spoke.

Uncle Dave, he said, I have a beautiful woman sitting on my lap.

Not possible, I thought. It was a lie or a miracle. Then I recalled Bernie did not lie.

Go on, my father said.

Well she is also much younger than I am. AndShe has agreed to marry me.

Silence.

And my father said. He could always sense when there was something else.

Shes not Jewish, Bernie said. Id like your permission. My father was not particularly religious but he was very Jewish. For years, he was the president of Congregation Bnai Israel of Midwood, a Modern Orthodox shul across the street from us on Avenue I.

Bernie, my father said. If she is young and beautiful and still wants to marry you I do not care what religion she is. She could be anything.

Joan Hamilton, Cousin Bernies future wife, got on the phone and my father wished her a lot of luck. She laughed, as we all did.

Indianapolis sounded a lot less interesting to me than Moorhead Minnesota, Nevertheless, I was thrilled to be invited to the wedding. I was still only a teenager. They could have left me out. I dont remember the actual wedding. What I do remember is Joan, who is now 85 and whom I often call Joanie. I looked at her in awe, a stunning, sophisticated woman, sitting on Cousin Bernies lap, sipping a martini, puffing on a cigarette and surrounded by a bevy of friends and admirers. She worked as a rare book librarian. Man, she was cool. Cool, yet married to Bernie.

I later understood that despite the fanfare and joy, this was a marriage of two troubled people who found one another and learned from one another. They surmountedand failed to surmountmajor challenges that had nothing to do with age or religious differences. And there was no denial. In short, for now, there was plenty of trouble in Indianas version of River City.

And yet, Joanie and Bernie had a long, loving, till-death-do-us-part marriage. Cousin Bernie died from congestive heart failure in 2001. Eventually Joanie connected with a new partner. Joanie recently told me to tell it allwith one exception. She was not trying to protect herself but rather to keep others safe. Basically, she said. My life is an open book. Go for it.

To be continued, next time
A Boston police officer accused of assaulting her teenage daughter during an argument was suspended from law enforcement work by a state oversight board after her arrest earlier this month.

Jennifer de los Santos, a Boston Police Department police officer since 2018, faces a single count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, according to a police report on file in the Dorchester division of Boston Municipal Court that identifies her as an officer.

De los Santos pleaded not guilty during an initial court appearance on June 3. Judge Steven Kim released her without bail.

Through her attorney, Benjamin Megrian, de los Santos declined to comment.

The Boston Police Department did not reply to an email seeking comment.

Prosecutors charged de los Santos with repeatedly closing a door on her 15-year-old daughter amid an argument about the girls cellphone. The girl told police she had been trying to retrieve the phone from her mothers bedroom.

As she entered the room, de los Santos closed the door, striking the teen more than once, according to a police report. De los Santos told responding officers she had not struck her daughter with the door, and was instead trying to close it as her daughter forced her way into the bedroom.

The states police oversight board, the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission, suspended de los Santos policing certification on June 12. Without the certification, de los Santos is prevented from doing police work.

The board is required to suspend the certification of any officer charged with a felony. Commissioners must revoke the certification of any officers convicted of a felony, though they also have latitude to decertify officers accused of serious but non-criminal misconduct, such as falsifying reports or using excessive force on civilians.

The incident was first reported by the Boston Globe.

The roughly 3-year-old POST Commission was created through reforms enacted after the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020.

To date, the board has decertified 20 officers. De los Santos joins a list of more than 50 officers whose certifications are suspended by the commission.
The trial of a Northeastern University employee accused of staging a hoax explosion on campus opened Monday, more than a year-and-a-half after the bomb scare set off evacuations and a massive police response to the Boston school.

Federal prosecutors said Jason Duhaime, the former director of Northeasterns Immersive Media Lab, reported a package exploded as he opened it in the campus lab on the night of Sept. 13, 2022.

His report of a second opened package and an anonymous note threatening the lab triggered the evacuation of a large portion of Northeasterns campus as police bomb squads responded to the area.

But prosecutors say Duhaime, formerly of San Antonio, Texas, was behind the packages and authored the violent note directed at the lab.

Jason Duhaime allegedly collected several packages, including two Pelican cases, and stored them in a closet in a Northeastern University building. (Chris Van Buskirk/MassLive)

A federal grand jury indicted Duhaime, now 45, three weeks later on charges of spreading false information about an explosive and lying to federal agents. He has pleaded not guilty.

Duhaimes trial, expected to last one week, began Monday morning at the United States District Court in Boston before Judge William G. Young.

Prosecutors are expected to present evidence that Duhaime told a 911 operator he was injured by sharp objects that exploded from a heavy plastic case he opened inside the lab he ran at Northeastern.

Duhaime said the case and a twin package were shipped to the facility earlier the same day. When Duhaime opened the case, he reported, the sharp objects flew out and cut his arms.

Jason Duhaime allegedly authored a "rambling" letter criticizing Mark Zuckerberg and virtual reality, according to authorities. (Chris Van Buskirk/MassLive)

According to prosecutors, Duhaime also told police he found an anonymous violent note in the case, directed at the lab.

His report and concerns about the second unopened case drew two police bomb squads to Northeasterns campus. But responding police said the case and the threatening note Duhaime said it contained did not appear damaged by any explosive, nor did the room they were in contain debris indicative of an explosion.

Duhaime expressly denied to investigators that he fabricated the story.

If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison for each of the three charges.
Selling the screenplay for Good Will Hunting gave stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon a massive payday, but it was short-lived as the duo spent their money on cars, houses and more  immediately after the sale.

Affleck shared his and Damons rags-to-riches story on an episode of Peacocks Hart to Heart, an interview series hosted by comedian Kevin Hart.

During the chat, Affleck revealed that he was sleeping on Damons couch at his apartment in Curson Ave. in West Hollywood when the duo sold the script for Good Will Hunting for $650,000.

It turned into this crazy, surreal thing, Affleck said of the Hollywood bidding war for their screenplay that included major production studios like Paramount and Warner Brothers.

The money was split evenly between Affleck and Damon, with each actor getting $325,000. What they bought right away was a new mode of transportation.

Me and him both bought new Jeep Grand Cherokee Limiteds, Affleck said.

We had to flip for colors, because we both wanted black, he said. One had to get green.

Buying the $50,000 Jeep even came ahead of finding Affleck a bedroom of his own.

I had the car before I got off the couch, the Argo director said.

But that was only the start of the duos spending spree. After landing on the front page of Variety, Affleck and Damon wanted to rent a dope house in the Hollywood Hills. Despite not having credit, the two actors used their newfound star power to finesse a deal.

To get the lease, we had to go to the landlord and bring it, Affleck said referring to the cover story. We were like, we dont have credit, but we have this.

The tactic worked and before they knew it, Affleck and Damon were partying it up at a kind of janky party house near the Hollywood Bowl with their hometown friends.

But between the Cherokee, rent and taxes, Affleck was broke in eight months, he told Hart  not knowing the toll that paying taxes can have on a new high-earner.

I was like, tax, what? Affleck recalled. That much?

Of course, Afflecks finances took a turn for the better as Good Will Hunting grossed over $230 million during its theatrical run, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The 1997 film also won the duo the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay at the 70th Academy Awards.

Nowadays Affleck and Damon are doing well for themselves. Affleck was earning as much as $55 million in a year, according to Forbes data as of April 2020, while Damon earned enough during his career to buy Brooklyns most expensive home in 2019.
Country music legend Willie Nelson had to cancel several concert appearances more than a week before the musician is expected to perform in Massachusetts.

Representatives for Nelson, 91, announced Friday that he would not be performing at the first few dates of his Outlaw Music Festival tour due to an unspecified health issue.

We regret to inform you that Willie Nelson is not feeling well and, per doctors orders, has been advised to rest for the next four days, a statement posted to X Friday, June 21 read. He is expected to make a quick recovery and join the Outlaw Music Festival tour next week.

On Sunday, Nelsons representative released a statement, stating, Willie will be fine. I live in Los Angeles and will fly next week to see the performances on the East Coast. I cant wait, according to Fox News.

Nelson is expected to be back on stage in time for his June 26 show in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The Outlaw Music Festival is scheduled to come to the Xfinity Center in Mansfield on Tuesday, July 2, with performances by Nelson, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Celisse and more.

More information about the festival can be found online.
Trying to beat the heat this summer?

Join the club.

And dont blame me.

Anyone who knows me knows that I have never been one of those people who pines for hot summer days in the middle of winter.

Im the guy you hate in January whos dancing with delight like Mary Tyler Moore in downtown Minneapolis when its frigid cold in New England and we have waist-high snow.

Those were the days, to paraphrase another classic 1970s sitcom.

So what can you do to keep cool in summer?

Open a bottle of nice, refreshing white wine.

And if you love bright, lively, invigorating wines, head on over to France  or simply to your local wine store.

There, you can often find a great selection of affordable French sauvignon blancs.

This week, you can learn more about sauvignon blanc wines in general, along with tasting notes for three, French sauvignon blancs that cost less than $15 a bottle.

Hope you enjoy.

History Of Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon blanc has been around for a very long time. Winemakers in Frances Loire Valley first began using sauvignon blanc grapes to make wine in the 1500s, according to the reference book Wine Grapes by Jancis Robinson, Julia Harding and Jose Vouillamoz.

Popularity Of Sauvignon Blanc

Worldwide, sauvignon blanc is the second most popular white wine grape. This is based on sales and the number of acres of sauvignon blanc grapes. As for the United States, sauvignon blanc has a bit more competition. Nationwide, its the fourth most popular white wine grape after French colombard (third) and pinot gris (second). So whats the most popular white wine grape? Far ahead of everyone else  in this country and worldwide  is chardonnay.

Popular Sauvignon Blanc Wine Regions

Two places in particular remain extremely popular for making sauvignon blanc wines  Frances Loire Valley and New Zealands Marlborough region on the South Island. Other places that make outstanding sauvignon blanc wines include:

California

Chile

Australia

South Africa

French Sauvignon Blanc Wine Regions

Because this weeks wine column focuses on French sauvignon blancs  and because this grape was first cultivated in Frances Loire Valley  I thought it was important to explain a bit more about where you can find sauvignon blancs from France.

Dont be surprised if you dont see the words sauvignon blanc or Loire Valley on the bottle. Sometimes, some winemakers get even more specific about where the wine comes from in France. In Frances Loire Valley, some of the most famous subregions for sauvignon blanc wines include:

Sancerre

Pouilly-Fume

Touraine

In addition, Frances Bordeaux region also produces many outstanding sauvignon blanc wines.

(You can read more about Loire Valley wines, including many sauvignon blancs, based on my wine tasting trip there several years ago.)

Wine Tasting Notes

2022 Les Deux Moulins Sauvignon Blanc ($10.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield)

Region: Loire Valley, France

Tasting notes: Many people often associate a certain fresh cut grass-like flavor to sauvignon blanc. That description only really applies to New Zealand sauvignon blancs. Loire Valley sauvignon blancs in general are more subtle, more understated. This particular wine has bright, light, refreshing flavors with hints of green apple, lemon and sea salt.

2022 Biscaye Baie Sauvignon Blanc ($11.99 at Table & Vine)

Region: Cotes De Gascogne, France

Tasting notes: The next wine takes us down to the southwest corner of France, an often overlooked wine-producing area. The good news is that low profile helps keep prices down for many outstanding wines from southwest France. If you like bright, lively fruit flavors, youll love the hints of peach, pear, apricot and green apple in this delightful wine.

2022 Petit Bourgeois Sauvignon Blanc ($13.99 at Table & Vine)

Region: Loire Valley, France

Tasting notes: For the last wine, lets head back to Frances Loire Valley for another great, light, easy-drinking white wine. The flavors here are slightly tart as well with hints of peach, pear and apricot along with a dash of lemon and sea salt. Overall, all three wines are just what many of us crave on hot, muggy summer days when some of us daydream about snowdrifts and ski lifts.

Cheers!

Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republicans Weekend section every Thursday.
Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruzs office is investigating the death of Rodney Riviello, 69, who was the subject of an intense four-day search after he vanished from a hospital on Tuesday. His body was found on Saturday.

The matter remains under investigation as an unattended death in the county, Beth Stone, a spokesperson for Cruz, told MassLive.

A message left for Plymouth Police Chief Dana Flynn seeking an update on the case was not immediately returned.

Read more: Missing Plymouth man Rodney Riviello found dead after four-day search

Riviellos body was discovered in Plymouth in an outdoor location, Plymouth police said in a Facebook post. Riviello, who was diagnosed with dementia, had been missing since about 11:15 a.m. Tuesday when he left Beth Israel Deaconess Hospitals Plymouth location.

Authorities conducted an extensive search for Riviello beginning on Tuesday, and his family offered $5,000 for information that led to his safe return. He lived in Manomet  a seaside village of Plymouth.

The members of the Plymouth Police Department and Plymouth Fire Department offer their sincere condolences to Mr. Riviellos family and loved ones, the department wrote on Facebook.

It is unclear if Riviellos death is considered suspicious. At first, authorities asked those with residences near the hospital to check their security and trail cameras for him. Later on, police said they thought he may have gotten into a Silver Nissan but later eliminated that as a possibility.

Susannah Sudborough of the MassLive staff contributed to this report.
One person is dead, and four others were hurt after a three-vehicle crash on Saturday in Limington, Maine, according to Maine State Police.

When police arrived to the scene June 22, two vehicles were still in the roadway at a four-way intersection, and one had hit the front porch of a nearby house, police said.

A Subaru Impreza and a Lexus RX300 were traveling in opposite directions on Route 11 at about 12:12 p.m. and a Jeep Cherokee was traveling north on Route 117 when the crash occurred, according to police.

Casey Lubell, 32, of Ipswich, Massachusetts, the passenger in the back of the Subaru Impreza, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Three other occupants in the Subaru Impreza and the driver of the Lexus RX300 were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. It was not clear if anyone else was in the Jeep Cherokee.

The circumstances that led to the crash are still under investigation, according to police.
A 70-year-old man killed in a crash on Route 2 in Concord earlier this month was remembered in his obituary as an exceptionally talented guitar player.

Steven Marchand was driving on Route 2 when his 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo rear-ended a second vehicle, pushing that vehicle into another, Massachusetts State Police said in a statement. Marchand was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the second vehicle, a 26-year-old Stoughton man, was also taken to a hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the third vehicle was unharmed.

According to his obituary, Marchand, a resident of Medford, graduated from Waltham High School in 1972 before going to Berklee College of Music, where he studied music. That love of music, and guitar in particular, carried on throughout the rest of his life and Marchand was remembered as an exceptionally talented guitarist.

Beyond music, Marchand loved cars and often restored old cars with his son, Trevor. Marchand was very proud of Trevor, a recent graduate of the Police Academy in Vermont.

A memorial for Marchand is planned for later in the summer, according to the obituary.
A Boston program to fund the conversion of underutilized office buildings into apartments is getting a major cash infusion from the state, Mayor Michelle Wu announced Monday.

The program, which provides developers with a tax break to incentivize the conversions, will receive $15 million from the state, Wu said at a press conference.

Since applications for the program launched in October, the city has received nine proposals to create a total of more than 400 apartments across 13 buildings.

We need more housing across the Commonwealth, and we cant fill all of these old office spaces with desk jobs, but we can fill them with people, state Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus said.

People who, instead of leaving our cities at 5 oclock, will come home to these buildings and provide feet on the street, customers for local businesses, vibrancy for the sidewalks and streets and neighborhoods throughout the city of Boston and neighborhoods across Massachusetts, Augustus said.

In March, the state announced $1 million in grants for its new Commercial Conversion Initiative to support cities and towns with developable office space in evaluating the feasibility of conversion projects.

Augustus said Monday that 11 municipalities have already taken advantage of the program.

Office to residential conversions are notoriously expensive, as they often involve extensive updates to plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems and major changes to building layouts.

When construction is complete, property owners rarely make much more of a profit from residential space than they did from commercial, leaving little financial incentive for the difficult undertaking.

A 2023 report by real estate and investment firm CBRE found that conversions are rare  across the 65 largest U.S. cities, there were only 33 projects started in 2021 and 38 in 2022  because the finances dont always work.

To help, Bostons incentive program offers developers an abatement on their residential taxes of up to 75% for up to 29 years.

Projects are required to have 17% of the new units be affordable for households making up to 60% of the area median income and another 3% be reserved for housing voucher holders at fair market rents.

We know that this is an incentive that is significant, but especially for the larger spaces, it costs so much to change the plumbing, the mechanicals, and the layout of the entire building that the upfront costs are still a barrier, Wu said.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, office vacancies have risen, as more companies allow their employees to work from home or on a hybrid schedule permanently.

According to the city, an October 2022 report showed vacancy rates in downtown Boston office space at approximately 20%, and more recently, they have risen to around 28%.

Gov. Maura Healey said addressing the housing crisis required innovative solutions. The office conversions are one of them.

This is why cities across the country are looking at office conversion, especially with the advent of work-from-home and hybrid work situations, she said. Responding to that new reality is really what you see here at play.

One of the projects underway in Boston is at 95 Berkeley St. in the South End, where Mondays press conference was held. Richard Kershaw, vice president of development at CIM Group, the owner of the building, said it was originally built as an industrial warehouse around a century ago but has since been used as office space.

He said there is currently one tenant on the ground floor of the building, who will remain there through the conversion project.

CIM has already renovated the elevators and bathrooms in the building, which Kershaw said gives them a little bit of a head start from further office buildings that havent started the conversion process, but the difficult part of addressing the layout of each floor is still yet to come.

When the project is complete, CIM expects to have about 100 units ranging from studio to four-bedroom.

Two applications for Bostons program have been approved, with construction expected to begin this summer. Boston Planning and Development Agency Director Arthur Jemison said Monday that the agency expects to receive two additional applications very soon, and is in talks with about 12 other potential developers.

Read more: Greater Boston home prices hit second record high in a row in May

The application window was set to close at the end of June. But with the new funding from the state, the deadline will be extended through the end of 2025, Wu announced Monday.

With the prospect of having new money, this vital capital investment by the state ... its going to be key to getting new people to come in the door with larger projects, Jemison said.
The Healey-Driscoll administration has released a work plan for the Forests as Climate Solutions initiative unveiled a year ago.

While Healeys team is winning praise from environmentalists, some feel it doesnt go far enough to safeguard state lands from logging.

The initiative will set new forest management practices and promote both forest conservation and an enhancement of existing forest reserves.
THE number of Ukrainian refugees living in accommodation pledged by the public has risen to over 1,200.

As of June 2, there were 1,235 Ukrainian refugees living in Mayo with hosts in receipt of the 800 monthly Accommodation Recognition Payment.

There are now 26,094 Ukrainian refugees living with 11,409 hosts in receipt of the payment across the state. Mayo is accommodating the sixth-highest total number of Ukrainians in pledged accommodation of all 26 counties.

According to CSOs latest Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland Series, a total of 4,795 PPS numbers have been given to Ukrainian refugees with Mayo addresses since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Over half of those have been accommodated in the Castlebar (1,314) and Westport (1,272) local electoral areas, with the rest addressed in Ballina (860), Claremorris (682), Belmullet (422) and Swinford (245).

Westport has accommodated the seventh-highest percentage of Ukrainian refugees of any local electoral area in the country in relation to its population (6.38 percent).

The number of Ukrainian refugees (Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection) living in state-provided accommodation in Mayo continues to fall.

As of June 18, 2,139 Ukrainian refugees in Mayo were in receipt of state accommodation,, a drop of over 200 on the 2,342 being accommodated last month.

State accommodation is now limited to 90 days for new arrivals, who are entitled to a weekly payment of 38.80.

A large number of Ukrainians in Westport are currently sourcing new accommodation as Hotel Westport is due to end its contract to accommodate refugees.

The hotel is due to undergo extensive renovations - which were first announced in 2021 - which will involve the partial demolition of the existing building.

The 129-bed hotel first started accommodating Ukrainian refugees in October 2022.

Judy Casey, co-founder of Westport Welcomes Ukraine, said that many local households have availed of the Accommodation Recognition Payment by offering rooms or apartments in recent weeks.

A lot of these families are working locally and children in school so they are very grateful for this opportunity, Ms Casey told The Mayo News.

The majority of Hotel Westport residents are being sent to Cork, Kerry, Wexford, Meath and Longford, with some staying in other Mayo towns. We are still hoping to find rooms or houses for those who are working here.
by Les Luchter , June 24, 2024

To mark todays second anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, D2C sexual healthcare marketer Wisp is sponsoring a dramatic six-minute film titled Hippocrites.

Thats no misspelling -- but a deliberate combination of the Hippocratic Oath with hypocrites, a message also conveyed in the films trailer.

Said to be inspired by real events. Hippocrites interposes the stories of a Texas doctor, first shown taking the Hippocratic Oath in 1995, and a present-day young woman, first shown looking at the results of a pregnancy test. Her interactions with the doc prove fruitless due to Texas' anti-abortion laws, and the woman travels to New Mexico to get treated. The doctor is also shown reporting to local authorities that the woman was asking about an abortion.



25 states now have near-total abortion bans or laws limiting access, forcing doctors to break their Hippocratic Oath, the film concludes. Together we can stop the hypocrisy, No More Hippocrites.

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Wisps support of Hippocrites might seem like a sharp detour from the brands usual humorous messaging, as exemplified by such campaigns as "Vagina Academy" and even a recent Night of Hysterical Women at New Yorks Gotham Comedy Club, which was also geared to the SCOTUS anniversary.

We know different people react and digest this important subject matter in different ways, Wisp tells Marketing Daily. As the concept behind the #NoMoreHippocrites campaign focused on the reproductive health community and included involvement from our medical advisory team, we felt a more serious tone matched the content. It feels more appropriate.

Wisp also got serious for the first anniversary of the SCOTUS decision last year with a campaign challenging those who oppose abortion to watch its Made by Choice YouTube video, or trigger a pro-abortion donation.

Wisp says No More Hippocrites is running on digital and social. No More Hippocrites pages on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok have already been running teasers and other posts for a couple of weeks.

Viewers will be directed to the film via such media as programmatic digital-out-of-home billboards, transit and urban panels in Atlanta, Phoenix and New York City, guerilla marketing/sidewalk decals in locations to be determined; radio; programmatic display; and search engine marketing.

No More Hippocrites was produced by Rebolucion and directed by Argentine duo SWAN, with original music by Halley Sound.

The film itself is unbranded, Wisp notes, but in the context of the web experience shows the connection to Wisp and those involved in its creation/production.
by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, June 24, 2024

Turns out Olympic heroes are as likely to make a mess of their shirts as anyone else.

Tides new ad spot, Stains Happen to the Best of Us, makes that point with two* Olympic legends, as Noah Lyles dribbles tomato sauce, and Carl Lewis is done in by a chocolate sundae.

The spots are funny in that reassuring Tide way. Pasta? In Paris? Lewis teases Lyles as he contemplates the spaghetti sauce on his Olympic jacket. When in Rome, Lyles shoots back.

We think Olympians are superhumans, but they're just like us, says Alex Perez, P&G laundry senior brand director, in an email to Marketing Daily. Everyone experiences stains. Tide wanted to unite the audience and be fun and playful. Tough stains can happen to anyone, but you don't need to be embarrassed.

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And Lyles and Lewis get laughs. Our audience is fairly balanced between men and women. We take immense pride in being the brand of the people. Its important to us that our consumers see themselves in our advertising campaigns  not just one commercial, he says. Historically, Tide has shown men doing laundry just as much as women.

The new ad, created by Saatchi & Saatchi, will run on TV, streaming, online video, and social media. This will be one of our main messages on TV surrounding the timeframe of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Perez adds. This will include both during Olympic programming as well as outside Olympic-specific programming. 

Tide is the No. 1 detergent brand in the U.S., and P&G commands about 25% share of the global laundry category. But the coming Olympic games are set against a challenging time for giant P&G. Battling macroeconomic headwinds, it posted $20.2 billion in revenues in its most recent quarterly result, a gain of just 1%.

The fabric and homecare division, which includes Tide, fared a bit better, with quarterly sales rising 2% to $7.17 billion.

This year, the CPG giant has switched up its Olympics marketing strategy, downplaying the company name to focus on ads for individual brands, including Tide, Always and Pampers.

Its also featured in The Other Games, a new six-episode competition series for NBCs Peacock streaming hub, where comedians and influencers compete in a game that involves such P&G products as Swiffer and Cascade. Variety reports that the show will stream on Peacock just ahead of NBCs Olympics coverage.

*An earlier version this story misidentified one of the athletes.
by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, June 24, 2024

Artificial intelligence (AI) requires a lot of power -- much more than anyone had anticipated in the past, it seems.

The need for power is prompting companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft and many others to build data centers across the United States (and the world) to provide enough electricity to support the backbone of digital life.

That includes AI-powered advertising, and it appears that the surge for electrical power is outpacing the power supply.

While Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have goals to run their respective data centers for cloud services, AI and other projects entirely on green energy, all three say they are working on technological advancements to use less power or balance the demand on the grid more efficiently.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has said the industry needs an energy breakthrough  likely from nuclear power.

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Microsoft recently admitted its AI push will jeopardize its goal to be carbon negative by 2030. Perhaps that is why Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has already begun setting his sites on nuclear energy.

Gates' company, TerraPower, Friday broke ground on his latest project, a nuclear power plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming.

The power plant will be smaller than traditional fission nuclear power plants. It will use sodium instead of water to cool the reactors core, reports NPR.

Gates and the U.S. Department of Energy are the two main backers of the $4 billion project, reports a local media outlet. Gates invested about $1 billion.

There are more than 7,000 data centers built or in various stages of development globally -- up from 3,600 in 2015, reports Bloomberg. The data centers are estimated to consume a combined 508-terawatt hours of electricity annually if they were to run continuously.

But a recent forecast for the growth of data centers may also run up against the limits of how much power can be carried through transmission lines, Ali Farhadi, CEO of the Allen Institute for AI, told Bloomberg. I dont think we can move that much electricity around the globe -- forget about generating it, he said.

Meanwhile, Kemmerer, the Lincoln County seat, two to three years ago ran as a declining coal mining town with a community of about 2,500 people. That has changed.
by Ray Schultz , June 23, 2024

The debate over content scraping took a new turn on Friday when TollBit, a content licensing startup, alleged that artificial intelligence companies are bypassing a web standard used by publishers to block scraping, Reuters reports.

The web standard is Robots Exclusion Protocol, or robots.txt, which was created in the 1990s to prevent websites from being overwhelmed with web crawlers, according to Reuters.

A Wired probe alleges that AI search startup Perplexity has likely bypassed efforts to block its web crawler via robots.txt, Reuters continues. And TollBit says its analytics show that numerous AI agents are bypassing the robots.txt protocol.

At the same time, Forbes has accused Perplexity of plagiarizing its storiesfor instance, its article on former Google CEO Eric Schmidts drone project earlier this month.

Perplexity published its own story, containing eerily similar wording and an illustration from a prior Forbes story on Schmidt, Forbes states.

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Publishers Daily could not independently confirm this charge at deadline But Forbes continues that the post, which looked and read like a piece of journalism, didnt mention Forbes at all.

"Without the ability to opt out of massive scraping, we cannot monetize our valuable content and pay journalists, says Danielle Coffey, president of the News/Media Alliance, according to Reuters. This could seriously harm our industry."

On another front, Coffee and others expressed wariness over Googles AI-Assisted Search, which summarizes articles in greater detail.

What Googles trying to do is summarize things in which then, potentially, if you see the summary you dont necessarily dont dig down into the links that the search engine presents, said Dave Hatter, cyber security consultant for intrustIT, during a broadcast on WVXU News in Cincinatti. This could have a very negative effect on peoples traffic and ultimately ad revenue or whatever it is they hope to get out of those links.

Coffey noted that these companies need the quality vetted content produced by news organizations to inform and train their models.

Then they compete with our original content, with our audience, and could potentially put us out of business, Coffee said. Given Googles position as a dominant monopoly in search, That could be catastrophic for us, she added.
Looking to make the connection between Walt Disneys own first-party data with global advertisers' first-party data, the company will start by offering its BridgeID platform to Latin America markets.

BridgeID allows the Disney Audience Graph -- its first-party data from its array of media networks and platforms -- through Disney's clean-room technology to be matched against first-party data of global advertising brands.

Claiming improvement when it comes to increasing match rates of first-party data, brands can then bid on advertising programmatically.

Disney's BridgeID can work with advertisers as well as third-party ad technology providers.

Disney initially launched BridgeID at Cannes Lions last week.

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This comes as Disney will be launching its ad-supported Disney+ streamer into Latin American territories.

Disney Advertising now has an agreement with Mercado Libre (MELI), a major online commerce and digital banking platform in Latin America, which will include the Disney+ Standard with Ads option within its loyalty program MELI+ in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Colombia.

Disney is also creating a direct integration for MELI and Mercado Ads with Disneys Real Time Ad Exchange (DRAX) which offers biddable streaming ads for brands in Latin America.
by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, June 24, 2024





Nike misrepresented its prospects to investors, misleading them by talking up the strengths and successes of its direct-to-consumer strategy, alleges a shareholder lawsuit.

Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, based in Radnor, Pennsylvania, filed a suit representing the City Pension Fund for Firefighters and Police Officers, in the City of Pembroke Pines, Florida, alleging fraud and misconduct.

The suit targets John Donahoe, Nikes president and chief executive officer, and Matthew Friend, chief financial officer, and charges that the executives misrepresented and/or failed to disclose that Nikes direct-to-consumer strategy was unable to generate sustainable revenue growth. As a result, Nikes claims about its potential revenues were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.

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In 2020, Nike introduced its Consumer Direct Acceleration, a transformation initiative launched in 2020. It called for a shift to Nikes direct channels, including digital sales, its retail stores, and mobile apps. Those sales are typically more profitable than wholesale partnerships.

The lawsuit focuses on remarks made on a series of earnings calls, calling out executives' comments beginning in March 2021, asserting that its D2C strategy was a hit.

The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Oregon, where Nike is headquartered.

Nike continues to deeply connect with consumers all over the world driven by our strong competitive advantages, Donahoe said in that call. Our strategy is working as we accelerate innovation and create the seamless, premium marketplace of the future.

Nikes brand momentum is as strong as ever, added Friend in that webcast. We are driving focused growth against our largest opportunities.

However, as the financial quarters ticked by, Nikes growth cooled, and in June of 2022, Nike revealed a 1% decline in fourth-quarter revenues, with quarterly wholesale revenues dipping 7%. Donohoe again expressed confidence in the companys strategy.

In December 2023, Nike conceded it was adjusting its direct and digital strategy amid further stumbles and announced it would look for $2 billion in cost savings. And by March of this year, it announced a pivot back to wholesale, admitting that Nike is not performing up to its potential, said Donahoe.

The new plan called for Nike to lean in with our wholesale partners to elevate our brand and grow the total marketplace, with a return to a more holistic offense.

Nike shares peaked in value in November 2021 at $178 per share and currently trade at about $97.

Marketing Daily reached out to Nike and the law firm for additional comment, but so far has not received an answer.
Did You Know?

More than 2.1 million children (below 18 years) living in Canada have experienced some level of food insecurity in the past 12 months. Hence, the Canada National School Food Program will provide meals to more kids. #NationalSchoolFoodProgram #schoolmeals #HealthyMeals

More than 2.1 million children (below 18 years) living in Canada have experienced some level of food insecurity in the past 12 months. Hence, the Canada National School Food Program will provide meals to more kids. #NationalSchoolFoodProgram #schoolmeals #HealthyMeals

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Canada National School Food Program - Key Objectives & Its Impacts!



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Is Food Insecurity a Problem in Canada?

Canada National School Food Program  Key Objectives & Its Impacts! - (https://rgkarmch.org/canada-national-school-food-program/)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans to implement the National School Food Program across the country.With an investment of 1 billion Canadian dollars ($730 million) over five years,, beyond those served by existing school food programmes, according to a news statement from the Prime Minister's website.On average, the programme is expected to save participating families with two kids up to 800 Canadian dollars ($584) a year in grocery bills, the statement said as quoted by Xinhua news agency report ().The programme includes investments that will support school food programming for First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities as well as Self-Governing and Modern Treaty partners, many of whom have some of the highest rates of food insecurity in Canada, the statement added.According to Statistics Canada estimates, in 2022, 22.3 percent of families and more than 2.1 million children under the age of 18 in Canada reported experiencing some level of food insecurity over the past 12 months.Source-IANS
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Social media use and vaccination among Democrats and Republicans: Informational and normative influences



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#Socialmedia engagement correlates with increased #vaccination rates, highlighting its role in promoting public health awareness and #vaccine uptake. Stay informed and vaccinated!

Consuming Health-Related Social Media Linked to Higher Vaccination Rates

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Social media use and vaccination among Democrats and Republicans: Informational and normative influences - (https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0277953624004842)

Scholars and journalists have expressed concerns that social media could lower vaccination rates through misinformation. However, the relationship between social media use and vaccine uptake has not been thoroughly studied. In a new paper, researchers discover that increased social media use correlates with higher vaccination rates. Interestingly, the reasons behind this correlation vary between Democrats and Republicans ().Social media use and vaccination among Democrats and Republicans: Informational and normative influences, published this month in the journalexamines via survey whether social media use is associated with less or more vaccination. Because social media algorithms can deliver users politically polarizing content, the research team also asked whether this relationship varies by political party.The researchers found a consistent positive relation between social media use and vaccination across all major party affiliations, they report in the paper.Contrary to frequent perceptions that social media misinformation drives vaccine distrust, we found that consuming health-related social media is associated with more frequent vaccination, said lead author Stephanie DeMora, a postdoctoral fellow at APPC.Though this association exists across political parties, the reason for it varied. Use of social media exposed Democrats to more information about new pathogens, and that information predicted greater vaccine uptake. Use of social media led Republicans to believe that people important to them were vaccinated, and that is what predicted vaccine uptake in that group.Both scenarios, the authors write, underscore the positive potential for social media campaigns  especially if those campaigns are tailored to their intended audience.Future public health campaigns on social media have the potential to improve health outcomes if they use strategies informed by research into how social media influence members of different groups, DeMora said.Source-Eurekalert
Did You Know?

Last summer was recorded as the hottest in the history of the Earth. #ExtremeHeat #HeatDome #Summer #climatechange

Last summer was recorded as the hottest in the history of the Earth. #ExtremeHeat #HeatDome #Summer #climatechange

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What is a Heat Dome?

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Who are Vulnerable to Extreme Heat Waves?

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Health Risks of Extreme Heat Exposure

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Extreme Heat and Your Health



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Extreme Heat Safety Tips

Extreme Heat and Your Health - ( https://www.cdc.gov/extreme-heat/about/index.html)

Extreme heat alerts were sent to more than 100 million U.S. residents in 27 states this week due to the heat dome.A heat dome is a large area of high pressure that traps and stagnates hot air, causing a heat wave that can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.Some states have seen the health impacts of extreme heat as cities report heat-related hospital visits and deaths.Mostafijur Rahman, an assistant professor of environmental epidemiology at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, said extreme heat is a health crisis that will only worsen due to the threat of climate change. Rahman said the elderly people with chronic health conditions, pregnant women children , outdoor workers, and homeless individuals are most at risk from the effects of heat.Exposure to extreme heat can lead to serious health consequences by impairing our bodys thermoregulation system, causing heat exhaustion, heat stroke , and dehydration , Rahman said. Additionally, extreme heat puts extra strain on the heart, which is particularly dangerous for individuals with cardiovascular problems or high blood pressure .Nearly 1,220 people in the United States (US) are killed by extreme heat every year, reports CDC ().Rahman said sweltering temperatures can also worsen respiratory issues for those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , and he cautioned against prolonged heat exposure for those with diabetes kidney disease , and mental illness.Its crucial to stay hydrated, stay indoors with air conditioning, avoid strenuous activities during peak heat hours, and seek cool environments to mitigate the risks, Rahman said. Those who do not have access to air conditioning at home can go to nearby public libraries and shopping malls. Governments and communities should consider establishing air-conditioned cooling centers so people can cool themselves during extreme heat events.Rahman, whose research involves investigating the health impacts of climate change, said heat domes such as this may become more frequent.," Rahman said. "Ambient temperature is the most direct measure of how climate change affects our everyday lives, and all climate models robustly predict that extreme heat events will become more frequent, more intense, and longer-lasting as climate change progresses. In fact,, and this May was the hottest May since records began. This indicates that the situation will likely worsen in the coming years.Source-Newswise
Kazakh screenwriter contributes to China-Kazakhstan friendship through artworks

16:11, June 24, 2024 By Qu Song, Zhang Xiaodong ( People's Daily

"Friendship and mutual trust are particularly important in a world that is undergoing changes unseen in a century, which further highlights the significance of the movie The Composer," said Sabit Kurmanbekov, an art director of the movie and a screenwriter from Kazakhstan, during a recent interview with People's Daily.

"The Composer" is the first movie jointly produced by China and Kazakhstan. Kurmanbekov said he is proud to be a part of it, adding that cultural cooperation between the two countries under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) enjoys bright prospects.

Photo shows a monument commemorating Chinese composer Xian Xinghai on Xian Xinghai Boulevard in Almaty, Kazakhstan. (People's Daily/Qu Song)

The movie was an outcome of the inter-government co-production shooting agreement signed by China and Kazakhstan in 2016. It tells the story of how late Chinese composer Xian Xinghai was saved and helped by a Kazakh peer during World War II when he got stranded in Almaty, Kazakhstan while trying to return to China from the Soviet Union.

Kurmanbekov was initially invited by the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan to be an art director of the movie. During the production, filmmakers from the two countries soon made friends with each other. Under the proposal of Chinese director Sherzat Yahuf, Kurmanbekov was promoted to assistant director.

Recalling this experience, Kurmanbekov said he was impressed by the advanced technologies and strict procedure control of China's filmmaking industry, and he was delighted to see that his Chinese counterparts had embraced his revision to the script.

"I was lucky to have such an experience in my career," Kurmanbekov told People's Daily.

Kurmanbekov, who lives in Almaty, is quite familiar with the name Xian Xinghai. However, it was when he worked with his Chinese peers to refine the details of the story that he truly delved into the fate of this great Chinese musician.

"I often couldn't help but wonder if I could overcome all the challenges and keep making music in a remote and cold foreign land just like Xian did. His love and loyalty to his home country are also what touch me," Kurmanbekov noted.

He said the movie portrays a story about friendship and mutual trust. Friendship is beyond national borders and identities. It saves people in times of danger and gives them wings to soar.

"In the movie, we can always see the beauty of friendship and mutual trust, and these good qualities are exactly needed by the world today," Kurmanbekov said.

A poster of the movie "The Composer." (File photo)

He called the movie a very successful co-production and an exemplary model of international people-to-people and cultural exchanges. He believes that people-to-people and cultural exchanges between nations are as important as political and economic cooperation.

He said Kazakhstan and China enjoy a long history of friendship, with a shared goal of promoting peace and friendship worldwide in the 21st century.

"Art is a language spoken to people's hearts and serves as a vessel of ideas that will be appreciated and interpreted by future generations, thus having incomparable influence. It plays an important role in enhancing mutual trust, showing mutual respect, and promoting peace," Kurmanbekov remarked.

In 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Beijing. The two heads of state jointly met with the main cast members of the movie at the Great Hall of the People and watched the trailers. Kurmanbekov said the meeting still excites him today.

He said the BRI proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping is a great cause that revitalizes the ancient Silk Road on the Eurasian continent, promotes the development of partner countries, lifts millions of people out of poverty, and embraces peace and development.

People in Central Asia particularly value the opportunities brought about by connectivity projects under the BRI, which helps connect the five landlocked countries in the region to the rest of the world, Kurmanbekov added.

Kurmanbekov filmed another movie in the years following the completion of "The Composer," which tells a story of mutual assistance happening along the China-Kazakhstan border. Currently, the Kazakh screenwriter is studying the discourse on peace in Chinese philosophy and hopes to make a film that tells the shared historical stories of Eurasian countries.

"I've already developed a mature concept and really hope to cast a Chinese actor as the male lead," Kurmanbekov said.

He said he hopes to keep contributing to friendship and mutual trust between the people of Kazakhstan and China through his artworks.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
An Air Force two-star general pleaded guilty to two lesser charges as his court-martial for sexual assault started Monday in Texas, after trial counsel worked through the weekend to sit a panel of eight high-ranking officers for his jury.

Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart, the former commander of the 19th Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio, pleaded guilty to pursuing an unprofessional relationship with a subordinate and adultery. The two-star general still faces charges of sexual assault, dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming an officer.

Stewart has had a rocky start to his legal proceedings. Jury selection, which was supposed to begin June 17, was delayed a day due to administrative proceedings. But the process of selecting a qualified panel of eight generals of the same or higher rank dragged into the weekend.

Read Next: No Cleanup in Sight for Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station Polluted with 'Forever Chemicals'

The selection of the general officers for the jury was a difficult task rarely seen in an Air Force court-martial. With the service's limited pool of higher-ranking officers, the trial counsel originally managed to pull together a total of 13 generals, but still could not fill a panel by the middle of last week.

Sherilyn Bunn, Stewart's senior defense counsel, told Military.com in an emailed statement last week that it was frustrating that Air Education and Training Command was not better prepared to fill a jury panel in a timely manner.

"It's shameful how their lack of foresight and effective planning wasted nearly the entire first week of these proceedings," Bunn said. "We will now conduct voir dire through the weekend to attempt to seat this panel in an effort for Maj. Gen. Stewart to defend himself against these charges -- something we should have been doing already."

A full panel of eight generals was eventually seated by Saturday, after 18 officers were called in total and 10 were ultimately dismissed, according to Air Education and Training Command spokespeople. Stewart's legal team did not provide comment Monday morning after the jury panel was filled and after he entered his guilty pleas.

Stewart was removed from his role as the commander of the 19th Air Force in May 2023. A redacted charge sheet later revealed he is alleged to have committed a sex act on a woman without her consent near Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma roughly a month prior to his dismissal.

He was also charged with conduct unbecoming an officer for allegedly asking someone to spend the night with him in his hotel room sometime in March 2023 while in Colorado, as well as adultery. Other charges include dereliction of duty for allegedly pursuing relations with a subordinate and allegedly controlling an aircraft within 12 hours of drinking alcohol.

Stewart's case marks the first time an Air Force general officer has faced a jury in a court-martial related to sexual crimes.

In 2022, then-Maj. Gen. William Cooley -- formerly the head of the Air Force Research Laboratory -- was the first Air Force officer to face a court-martial but was tried by a judge, not a jury of fellow officers. He was convicted of abusive sexual contact, for which he received a letter or reprimand; was ordered to forfeit some pay; and later was demoted to colonel.

Related: Court-Martial Held in Texas for Air Force General Accused of Sexual Assault
Troops at Colorado Space Force Base Will Have to Bring Their Own To-Go Boxes for Dining Hall

While the initiative is aimed at reducing waste on base, the spokesperson added that they hope it will give troops on base...
In this article, we will explore how to create a website using chat GPT. We will guide you through each step of the process and provide interesting stories about some of the most popular chatbots that are currently used in various industries.







(How To Create A Website Using Chat Gpt)

Step 1: Register an account with ChatGPT

To start creating your website with chat GPT, you will need to sign up for an account on their website. You can either create an account by logging in to your existing chatbot or sign up for a new one.

Once you have registered your account, you will be asked to complete a few questions about yourself and your website. This will help ChatGPT understand what kind of content you want your website to offer and what your goals are.

Once you have provided the necessary information, ChatGPT will start building your website. They will guide you through the steps involved in setting up a basic website and creating pages that match the requirements of your site.

Step 2: Choose a domain name

After you have completed your website setup, you will need to choose a domain name for your website. The domain name is what people will use to access your website when they search for it. The best domain name will depend on your target audience and your websites purpose.

When choosing a domain name, its important to consider things like its length, ease of, and availability. You should also make sure the domain name is easy to remember and easily spell out.

Step 3: Design your website

Now that you have chosen a domain name, you will need to design your website. This involves creating pages that represent the features of your website, such as home pages, news, product pages, services pages, and contact pages.

You can hire a web developer to assist you with this task. They will work with you to create the design of your website, including the layout, color scheme, fonts, images, and other visual elements.

Step 4: Develop your website using chat GPT

Once you have designed your website, you can use chat GPT to develop it further. Chat GPT allows you to write code for your website directly within the chat window.

Chat GPT provides a range of tools and resources to help you build your website, including pre-built templates, scripts, and guides. You can customize these tools to fit your specific needs and add new features as needed.

Step 5: Test and refine your website

After developing your website, its important to test it thoroughly before launching it to the public. You may need to make changes to your website based on feedback from users, but after testing and refining, your website will be ready for launch.

Chat GPT provides several tools for testing and refining your website. You can use them to test different page layouts, different design styles, and different language options. Once you have made these changes, you can deploy your website and start serving visitors.

Conclusion







(How To Create A Website Using Chat Gpt)

Creating a website using chat GPT is a straightforward process that requires only a few simple steps. With just a few minutes of time and effort, you can build a professional-looking website that meets the needs of your target audience. Whether youre starting your own business or looking to expand your online presence, chat GPT can be a powerful tool for helping you achieve your goals.
Outfielder Conner Capel has cleared waivers and been outrighted to the Reds Triple-A affiliate. Capel had the option of rejecting the outright assignment in favor of free agency because he has previously been outrighted in his career, but The Cincinnati Enquirers Charlie Goldsmith (X link) reports that Capel will indeed report to Triple-A Louisville.

The Reds designated Capel for assignment earlier this week, a month after optioning him down to the minors after a five-game cup of coffee on the big league roster. Capel signed a minor league contract with Cincinnati over the offseason and had that contract selected in early May, with Capel receiving eight plate appearances in his five games.

A veteran of three Major League seasons, Capel made his MLB debut with the Cardinals in 2022, making a strong first impression with a .308/.356/.519 slash line in 59 plate appearances with St. Louis and (after a September waiver claim) Oakland. Capel didnt receive much of a longer look in 2023, however, as he appeared in just 32 games for the As with 86 trips to the plate. All in all, the 27-year-old has a career .278/.359/.398 slash line in 153 PA over 59 games in the Show.

Capels minor league numbers are more solid, as he has hit .259/.354/.435 with 43 home runs in 1430 career PA at the Triple-A level. He has also stolen 52 bases in 71 attempts, and has played mostly center field in the minors while also getting a lot of playing time at the two corner outfield slots. This skillset makes Capel a useful player to have as depth either on a big league bench or in the upper minors, so hell continue to bide his time in Louisville awaiting his next opportunity in Cincinnati.
MANISTEE COUNTY, MI -- A Canton man is facing numerous felony charges after he allegedly pointed a rifle at a man following an argument last week. According to UpNorthLive, Michael Young, 54, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of felony firearm, one count of operating while intoxicated (third offense) and other charges in connection with the incident.

Police were called to a home by the homeowner who reported getting into an argument with Young while working in his yard. Young reportedly left the property after the argument, but only drove to the end of the road and parked near a railroad grade. The homeowner alleged that Young then pointed a rifle at him while Young was sitting in his vehicle.

The man called police who encountered Young once on scene. Young reportedly drove toward police who ordered him to stop and get out of the vehicle. Young declined before then driving back toward the railroad grade.

Police eventually caught up with Young and were able to place him under arrest without further incident. Young is currently lodged at the Manistee County Jail and bond was set at $50,000.
ANN ARBOR, MI  A man who admitted to robbing several pharmacies at gun point before being captured with the help of a decoy pill bottle is headed to prison.

Kristopher Kukola was sentenced to 63 months, or a little more than 5 years, in federal prison, May 29, after pleading guilty to four federal felony charges and admitting to robbing several CVS Pharmacy locations in southeast Michigan in the spring and summer of 2022, court records show.
ADA TOWNSHIP, MI  A proposal to build a cellphone tower at a West Michigan high school has stalled after the project was met with opposition from the community earlier this year.

Forest Hills Public Schools has been considering building a 195-foot cellphone tower at Forest Hills Eastern Middle/High School for over a year, in an effort to address safety concerns over poor cell reception at the school, located at 2200 Pettis Ave. in Ada Township.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in a drug-trafficking operation that prosecutors says sold fentanyl and methamphetamine throughout the Grand Rapids area.

Anthony Martell Sanders, 30, of Grand Rapids, was sentenced Monday, June 24, by U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker in Grand Rapids.

Federal prosecutors said Sanders also sent drugs to inmates and supplied drugs to a user in Holland who died of an overdose.

Sanders is the last of four defendants, all from Grand Rapids, to be sentenced. Others were: Amon Sudan Sanders-Outlaw, 23, sentenced to 14 years in prison; Marquan Demond Staffney, 28, six years, three months; and Javon Bridgeforth House, 32, four years, six months.

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said Sanders group sold fentanyl and methamphetamine. Fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, was also laced with xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer known as tranq.

Illicit street drugs are extremely dangerous and claim more lives across Michigan and the United States than ever before, Totten said in a statement.

Everyone who uses illegal substances takes their life in their own hands. Only a speck of fentanyl can kill. And so often it laces other drugs. A user who thinks theyre taking one drug doesnt realize theyre also taking a lethal dose of fentanyl and is dead in minutes.

The government said Sanders was tied to a Jan. 14, 2023, overdose. Holland police responded and were told that the decedent had bought drugs from a man known as Money, an alias Sanders used, court records said.

A text message from the previous day showed the two planned to meet, records said.

U.S. Drug Enforcement investigators did six undercover buys of fentanyl and methamphetamine from Sanders and others before using search warrants at three residences on April 4, 2023, in Grand Rapids.

At an apartment, investigators seized over five pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl. At an Airbnb, investigators found evidence that Sanders mailed drugs to prisoners by using envelopes that appeared to be legal mail from law offices.

Investigators found fake return labels and stamps for three Grand Rapids law offices along with a list of prisoners from around the country, prosecutors said.

Investigators tied Sanders and Staffney, a co-defendant, to a package that was seized on July 22, 2022, at Lakeland Correctional Facility in Branch County. The package contained a hallucinogenic known as K2, prosecutors said.

These drugs present a serious danger to our prisons, placing staff and prisoners at risk, Heidi Washington, director of Michigan Department of Corrections, said in the statement.

During the course of the conspiracy, Sanders was on federal supervised release for felon in possession of a firearm. Jonker, the judge, revoked his supervised release and ordered Sanders to spend 20 months in prison consecutive to a 280-month sentence on the drug charge.

The judge noted during Sanders sentencing hearing that Sanders had earlier shared discovery materials with another person to post on Facebook in an attempt to intimidate a witness.

Specifically, investigators discovered a February 10, 2024, recorded video call with Sanders from the Newaygo County Jail where Sanders divulged cooperation materials and encouraged the third-party to disseminate the materials on social media, the statement said.

Jonker determined that Sanders was the leader of the drug-trafficking group. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Once his prison sentence expires, Sanders will be on supervised release for five years.

Multiple agencies assisted the DEA in the investigation, including the state Department of Corrections, West Michigan Enforcement Team, Kent Area Narcotic Enforcement Team, Kent County Sheriffs Office, Holland Department of Public Safety, Grand Rapids Police Department, Wyoming Department of Public Safety, Walker Police Department, and Grandville Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vito S. Solitro and Stephanie M. Carowan prosecuted the case.
VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI  A former Hartford police chief was sentenced Monday to a minimum of three years and four months and a maximum of 20 years in prison for drug charges, stemming from a 2017 incident.

Tressa Beltran pleaded guilty on Thursday, April 18, to a charge of possessing a controlled substance with the intent to deliver and using a computer to commit a crime.

The computer charge stemmed from her arranging drug deliveries online, officials said previously.

Charges of extortion, embezzlement, larceny in a building and possession of controlled substances were all dismissed as the result of a plea agreement.

The former chief was sentenced by Van Buren County Circuit Judge Kathleen Brickley on Monday, June 24.

In addition to the prison time, Beltran was also sentenced to pay $326 in court costs.

RELATED: Michigan police chief accused of dealing drugs heading to jury trial

Beltran also permanently relinquished her MCOLES law enforcement license, to bar her from working as a police officer again in Michigan, officials said previously.

She retired from her post as chief of police after the allegations were made. Mike Prince is the current chief of police in Hartford, according to the citys website.

The Van Buren County Sheriffs Office investigated Beltran after receiving information from community members, the Attorney Generals Office said previously.

I am grateful for the collaborative investigation between the Van Buren County Sheriffs Office and my department that has allowed us to remove a rampant criminal from her position as police chief, Nessel said in a previous statement. My office will continue to pursue accountability and public integrity when people in positions of power and public trust abuse their office and harm their communities.

Nessel issued a follow-up statement on Monday afternoon, remarking that the sentence issued by Brickley sends a clear message that no one is above the law.

Van Buren County Sheriff Daniel E. Abbott also issued a statement Monday afternoon, thanking all those who worked on the case.

Our narcotic unit didnt turn their head and handled it professionally to get todays result, Abbot said. As Ive said before, someones position in our community wont alter how we do our job at our office. Everyone is treated the same way.

Abbot credited Sheriffs Capt. Jim Charon with overseeing the operation from start to finish. Charons work included overseeing the police department on the day the search warrant was executed to ensure everything was handled professionally, Abbot said.

Beltran also faces a lawsuit from a parolee who accused her of demanding pain medications from him under threat that she would make his life hell.

Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter.
THREE RIVERS, MI  Just two days after an inviting social media post announcing patio season is in full swing at Fisher Lake Inn, the restaurant made a surprise announcement that its closing.

On Saturday, June 22, the ownership team at CJs Fisher Lake Inn announced on social media that Friday, June 21, was its last day of business and that the restaurant is now permanently closed.

Fisher Lake Inn would like to thank all of our loyal customers who have supported the Fisher Lake Inn over the years, the Facebook announcement reads. After 38 wonderful years in business, we have come to the hard decision to close our doors.

We can no longer sustain the massive labor shortage and continued rising cost of operations.

The quaint, waterside restaurant was at 19984 M-60 on the outskirts of Three Rivers in Southwest Michigan. It was opened in 1986 by Jerry Truckey and his life partner Carrol Forrieder.

RELATED: CJs Fisher Lake Inn has been serving up fresh seafood in Southwest Michigan since 1986

Truckeys son, Jeff Truckey  who spent more than three decades at the restaurant  assumed a co-ownership role with Forrieder after Truckey died of cancer in 2019.

Attempts to reach Jeff Truckey for comment prior to publication were unsuccessful.

While the outside offers a waterside patio, CJ's Fisher Lake Inn offers a cozy inside dining option in Three Rivers, Michigan. (Photo provided by Rachel Kirtley | Kalamazoo Foodie)

Known for its summertime sunsets over Fisher Lake, the inn was known for its rum runners, as well as seafood favorites such as fresh Pacific salmon, lobster tail, ahi tuna and nutty walleye.

The restaurant was also known for its slow roasted prime rib, New York steak and more casual offerings like its French Dip.

Winters at the restaurant were also popular with fireside dining.

Anyone who has recently purchased a gift card from is asked to mail it with a return address to CJs Fisher Lake Inn, 19984 M-60, Three Rivers, MI, 49093. The restaurant promised it would reimburse the cost of the gift card through a mailed check.

CJ's Fisher Lake Inn has been offering waterside dining in Three Rivers, Michigan since 1986. (Photo provided by Rachel Kirtley | Kalamazoo Foodie)

Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter.
BAY CITY, MI  It only took a week, but things are starting to finally feel real for John Glenn High School graduate Jenae Lodewyk.

Once crowned Miss Bay County, the 24-year-old Bay City native added the title of Miss Michigan to her resume on June 15, accepting a series of scholarships along with it.
TITTABWASSEE TOWNSHIP, MI  Ground-bound spectators will witness a throwback sky next week when a Dallas-based airborne museum will bring World War II-era military aircraft into mid-Michigan airspace.

The Commemorative Air Force AirPower History Tour is scheduled from Wednesday to Sunday, June 26-30, at MBS International Airport and the skies above it.

Organizers said the five-day event will involve ground-level tours as well as rides provided in a lineup of warbirds that includes a Boeing B-29 superfortress, a high-altitude, four-engine bomber the U.S. deployed during both World War II and the Korean War.

Other warplanes expected to arrive at the Tittabawassee Township airport this week: the P-51 Mustang, T-6 Texan, PT-13 Stearman and RC-45J Expeditor.

The B-29, nicknamed Fifi, will take flight at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 29-30, organizers said. Rides on the other aircraft will be available during the tours normal hours, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Attendees can book seats online in advance aboard the airborne flights.

A ride on FiFi costs from $725 to $1,375 while a seat inside the P-41 Mustang ranges from $2,500 to $4,000.

Rides aboard the other aircraft range from $150 to $750.

Ground-level access to the fleet  including tours of the cockpits  will cost $20 for adults, $10 for children aged 11 to 17, and free for children 10 and younger.

The warplanes will land at the Avflight hangar at MBS International Airport.

The Dallas-based Commemorative Air Force will visit Midwest locations across the summer months, including stops in Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin in July.

Pilot Larry Lumpkin polishes a P-51D Mustang World War II fighter on Monday, June 17, 2024, at Syracuse Hancock International Airport. The plane is in Syracuse for the Commemorative Air Force's AirPower History Tour. (Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com)Rick Moriarty | rmoriarty@syracuse.com

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Michigan provided seven school districts with $4.2 million in grant funding to purchase cleaner, electric school buses in 2019.

Five years after that pilot program, 61 districts have secured some degree of state or federal funding to bring the states electric school bus count to more than 300.

RELATED: Michigans first electric school buses had a bumpy start. What went wrong?

The latest wave of federal grant money, allocated through the Clean School Bus Program, helped 27 districts pay for 104 clean energy buses.

Below is a map of the school districts that have been selected to receive grants for electric buses and related charging infrastructure, from 2019 through June 2024.

The same information is available in the database below. Click a column header to rearrange the information.

Electric buses have higher up-front costs than the typical fuel-powered bus, which can be a hurdle for districts grappling with how best to spread their dollars.

RELATED: These 27 Michigan schools are getting new electric buses

Grant programs have opened doors for districts like Three Rivers Community Schools in St. Joseph County to try going electric.

It would be impossible any other way, said Kenni Jean Schrader, the districts transportation supervisor who secured two separate rounds of grant funding for a combined four buses.

The transition to electric was challenging for Michigan districts that first made the move at the turn of the decade. Their struggles will hopefully make the transition easier for the districts to follow suit.

Ive heard districts say, We dont want to be the guinea pig and I say, well youre not; weve already been the guinea pig for you, Schrader said.

Be prepared, there are going to be challenges, but also be aware there are districts like me who have already been down this road and are here to help however we can.

Environmental advocates say it is critical to move away from heavy-duty diesel buses that emit large amounts of harmful exhaust and contribute to poor air quality and accelerate the climate-warming greenhouse effect.

Early reporting from school districts indicates there are savings to be had in day-to-day costs and air pollution from tailpipe emissions. Quieter buses are an added bonus.

Over the last three years, the Clean School Bus Program has awarded almost $3 billion to fund about 8,500 buses for more than 1,000 schools nationwide. Additional funding is available through Fiscal Year 2026 via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

For more information about the program, visit epa.gov/cleanschoolbus.
Lifetimes Gypsy Rose: Life After Lock Up, continues as Gypsy Rose Blanchard confronts demons and feelings from her past. Watch a new episode Monday, June 24, at 9 p.m. ET on Lifetime.

Stream the series for free with a trial from Philo or DIRECTV, or find it on Sling.

About the show:

A survivor of Munchausen by Proxy, Gypsy Rose became a pop culture fixture during her prison sentence as the public unraveled her full story. Now, she continues telling it post-release on Lifetimes Gypsy Rose: Life After Lockup.

In tonights new episode, Ghosts of the Past Gypsy and Ryan return from their press trip and makeshift honeymoon in New York City, then travel to her familys home in Cut Off, Louisiana to confront memories of her past. Once she returns home to Lake Charles, Gypsy learns that her ex-fiance Ken, is eager to reconnect. Watch the new episode tonight, June 24, at 9/8c on Lifetime.

Watch a recap of Gypsy and Ryans trip to New York City below, including run ins with some of her fans:

Where to watch Lifetime:
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Ashwin Mohan is Editor (Deals) at Moneycontrol and leads the M&A, private equity and equity capital market transactions coverage. He anchors the video show 'Deal Central ' and tweets at @ashwinmohansays. He has previously worked with ET NOW, CNBC TV-18 and The Times of India.
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In pre-Budget meet with FM, trade unions suggest income tax relief, restoration of OPS
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Bar to STEM students stems from targeted policy flip of Washington

16:12, June 24, 2024 By Li Yang ( China Daily

Chinese students attend the graduation ceremony at Columbia University in New York in May 2019. WANG YING/XINHUA

Reportedly, four Chinese students who traveled to the United States to study and participate in academic conferences suffered from the US side's unwarranted harassment, interrogation, and repatriation. All of them have scientific and technical backgrounds.

The officers with US Customs and Border Protection repeatedly questioned them about their personal and family information, whether they were members of the Communist Party of China, and whether they had cooperated with the Chinese government.

This is just the latest politicized law enforcement move the US side has taken targeting Chinese students and researchers with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Such discriminatory actions started a few years ago when the US defined China as its No 1 rival.

The US actions far exceed the scope of normal law enforcement. The purpose is not to maintain the so-called national border security but to hinder China's technological development.

In so doing, the US is poisoning the public opinion environment for bilateral relations, hindering personnel exchanges and talent exchanges between China and the US, and ultimately damaging the US' international image and its own innovation vitality.

For decades, Washington regarded well-educated Chinese youths as a key group that it wanted to influence in the hope that not only would the US benefit from China's brain drain but, more importantly, it could cultivate a pro-US stance among the elites of Chinese society.

Now, the US has done a 180-degree turn in its China policy and its politicized law-enforcement actions target this same group of people. Washington has given up its previous strategy of trying to make friends with Chinese youths, if not its hope that China can be transformed into a member of the US club by the US' "opening-up" to it.

That being said, those pointing out that the US that it is shooting itself in the foot by shutting the door upon Chinese STEM talents should be reminded that the US has already made its choice, considering that to be the lesser of two evils. Chinese STEM talents pursuing further education and research opportunities overseas need to divert their attention to other developed countries that have not yet followed the US' lead.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
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The Tibetan issue has already been reopened, whether China likes it

The Eastern Window: India weighing options as US pushes it to play Tibet card

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Prince William has pulled out his best moves at Taylor Swift's London 'Eras Tour' show, and who knew a royal could shake, shake, shake it like that?!

Attending the show with his two eldest kiddos Prince George and Princess Charlotte, William treated not only his kids, but a crowd of Swifites to what can only be described as dad dancing.

Clearly having the time of his life - who wouldn't be? - William let loose to Taylor's 1989' track 'Shake It Off'.

One fan captured the moment he boogied his heart out.

Both Royal fans and Swifties have jumped in the comments, cheering the royal on.

"This is so funny  GO SHAKE IT OFF PRINCE WILLIAM," wrote one fan.

Another said: "Prince William is the Swiftie we all needed. He is positively unhinged in the best of ways right here!"

"He is truly living his absolute best life and I am so here for it! Go On Prince William!," added a third.

The royal and his kids also posed for a selfie with Swift and her boyfriend Travis Kelce.

Posting the snap to Instagram, Taylor wrote: "Happy Bday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start."

The track must be a favourite of the royal family because just a few hours ahead of the show, the royal guard band played 'Shake It Off' in front of Buckingham Palace to welcome Taylor to London.
President Joe Biden View Photo

President Biden announced new executive orders regarding the immigration system.

Biden was Mondays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:

Today is a good day. (Applause.)

The first bill I introduced when I was president  an immigration bill that included this provision, but it never got off the ground. It needed a little more help. But now, today, a significant portion of it is being passed  or being  by executive order.

Javier, thank you for that introduction and for sharing your familys story.

You know, Ive often said doctors  weve been a significant consumer of healthcare in my family. Spent a lot of time in hospitals in  for our family. My  anyway. And I always said that doctors let you live; nurses make you want to live. Not a joke. A lot of time in ICU, a lot of time with my son, a lot of time 

And, you know, its a  if theres any angels in heaven, theyre all nurses  men and women. Not a joke.

So, thank you for what you did to help us get through the pandemic, pal, and for all youre doing for our country. (Applause.)

My name is Joe Biden. Im Jill Bidens husband. (Laughter and applause.)

And thanks to all the members of the Congress and Homeland Security Secretary  I (inaudible)  Im not sure Im going to introduce you all the way  (laughter)  but all kidding aside, Secretary Mayorkas, as well as Secretary Becerra and advocates and families for law enforcement, faith leaders, everybody who is here.

Two weeks ago, I did what Republicans in Congress refused to do: I took action to secure our border. That included restricting unlawful crossings at our southern border, making decisions on asylum more quickly, and so much more. And so far, its working.

Since we implemented my order, encounters have dropped 25 percent at the border. And were seeing the lowest number weve seen in a long time. (Applause.)

Bu-  but, folks, I took this step after the bipartisan agreement one of the most conservative Republican senators had helped work through in over a four- or five-week period  the strongest bipartisan security agreement thats ever been seen  but we were about to move forward when Republicans walked away from the deal in the most pathetic and petty of reasons: Donald Trump got on the phone, literally, and started  and the press can confirm this  and calling them  calling senators, saying, Dont. Dont go ahead and do this. Dont support this legislation that had bipartisan support.

And wh-  he asked  when you ask why, he said it wouldnt  it would hurt him politically and help me instead. So much for Republicans caring about the border.

I also know many people in this room also had concerns about the steps I had taken. I heard and respected from many of you and many people behind me of the concerns you felt. As president, I had to take these actions. Every nation must secure its border. Its just that simple. And if Trump and the Republicans wouldnt do it working with me, then I would do it on my own. And I did.

At the time I took these steps to secure the border, I also said that I would move to fix problems that made our immigration system unfair, unjust, and provisions that simply made it  no sense at all, specifically, steps that will be good for DREAMers, married couples, and for Americans. Thats why were here today.

A few days ago, we marked the 12th anniversary of taking care of DREAMers as  that President Obama and I put in place. There are few of these immigrant  of these immigration areas that have had most positive area  impact and gotten more support from the American people across the board.

These young people known as DREAMers  Hispanic, South Asians, and more  who came to America as children, only know America as their home, have been able to live and learn out of the shadow-  out of the shadows. So many of them have graduated from high school and college and are starting families on their own, building successful careers, serving our nation in uniform, and so, so much more.

Were a much better and stronger nation because of DREAMers, like Javier, who just introduced me.

So, today, Im announcing new measures to clarify and speed up work visas to help people, including DREAMers, who have graduated from U.S. colleges and universities, landed jobs in high-demand, high-skilled professions that we need to have grow  see our economy grow. Its the right thing to do. (Applause.)

I want those who have been educated at U.S. college and universities to put their skills and knowledge to work for  here in America. I want to keep building the strongest economy in the world with the best workforce in the world.

Weve already created 15 million new jobs  a record. Were seeing record economic growth, a record small-business growth.

And I doubt why the action were taking today matters  if you wonder about that, just ask business leaders, ask labor leaders, ask economists, ask elected officials. They know its good for American business. They know its good for the American economy. They know its good for America, period.

This step builds on other actions weve taken to support DREAMers, from defending DREAMers in the courts and expressing  expanding access to healthcare for millions of Americans under the Affordable Care Act, including for DREAMers. (Applause.)

The second action Im announcing today, which  or is about keeping families together  my dad used to have an expression; hed say, Joey, family is about the beginning, middle, and the end  about keeping couples together who are married, where one spouse is a U.S. citizen, the other is undocumented, and theyve been living in the United States for at least 10 years.

These couples have been raising families, sending their kids to church and school, paying taxes, contributing to our country for every  for 10 years or more  matter of fact, the average time theyve spent here is 23 years, the people were affecting today  but living in the United States all this time with a fear and uncertainty.

We can fix that, and thats what Im going to do today: fix it. (Applause.)

And heres the point: It doesnt require any fundamental change in our immigration law. Theres already a system in place for people were talking about today, but the process is cumbersome, risky, and it separates families.

Under the current process, undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens must go back to their home country  for example, to Mexico, for example  to fill out paperwork and obtain long-term legal status. They have to leave their families in America with no assurance that theyll be allowed back into the United States, so they stay in America but in the shadows, living in constant fear of deportation without the ability to legally work. All this even though, under the law today, they are eligible for long-term legal status.

Today, Im announcing a commonsense fix to streamline the process for obtaining legal status for immigrants married  excuse me  to American citizens who live  live here and lived here for a long time. For those wives or husbands and their children who have lived in America for a decade or more but are undocumented, this action will allow them to file the paperwork for legal status in the United States, allow them to work while they remain with their families in the United States.

And lets be clear: This action still requires undocumented spouses to file all required legal paperwork to remain in the United States. It requires them to pass a criminal background check. And it doesnt apply to anyone trying to come here today. It only applies  t- 

This action is a better way. It doesnt tear families apart, while requiring every undocumented spouse to fulfill their obligations under the law.

Look, the actions Im announcing today will go into effect later this summer.

And by the way, just as was true for the protection of DREAMers, the steps Im taking today are overwhelmingly supported by the American people, no matter what the other team says. In fact, polls show over 70 percent of Americans support this effort to keep families together. (Applause.)

Its important. And the reason is simple: It embraces the American principle that we should be  keep families together.

In 2013, President Obama and I took a similar action that allowed undocumented spouses and children of American servicemen to stay together while they apply for legal status in America. Servicemen protecting our nation should not have to worry about keeping their families together, for Gods sake. This policy has been in place for over a decade, and its working well, and so will the new one.

Look, let me close with this. I refuse to believe that to secure our border we have to walk away from being an America for thats  generations have been renewed, revitalized, and refreshed by the talent, the skill, the hard work, the courage, and determination of immig-  immigrants coming to our country.

Look, the Statue of Liberty is not some relic of American history. It stands  still stands for who we are.

But I also refuse to believe that for us to continue to be America that embraces immigration, we have to give up securing our border. Theyre false choices. We can both secure the border and provide legal pathways to citizenship.

But we have to acknowledge that the patience and goodwill of the American people is being tested by their fears at the border. They dont understand a lot of it. These are the fears my predecessor is trying to play on when he says immigrants  immigrants, in his words, are poisoning the blood of the country; when he calls immigrants, in his words, animals.

When he was president, he separated families and children at the border. And now hes proposing to rip spouses and children from their families and homes and communities and place them in detention camps. Hes actually saying these things. Its hard to believe its being said, but hes actually saying these things out loud. And its outrageous.

Folks, Im not interested in playing politics with the border or immigration. Im interested in fixing it.

Ive said it before  (applause)  Ive said it before, and Ill say it again today: I will work with anyone to solve these problems. Thats my responsibility as president. Thats our responsibility as Americans. Because the simple truth is theres not a single damn thing we cant do if we put our minds to it.

We got to remember who in the hell we are. Were the United States of America, and nothing is beyond our capacity. (Applause.) Were a nation of immigrants, and thats who we are.

God bless you all. And may God protect our forces.

Thank you. (Applause.)

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
A US tourist from New Mexico was killed by an elephant, after it attacked her vehicle while parked during a safari drive in Zambia on Wednesday.

The animal pulled Juliana Gle Tourneau, 64, out of the vehicle and trampled her, officials said.

Tourneau was with a group that had stopped near the Maramba Cultural Bridge in Livingstone due to traffic from an elephant herd when one of the animals attacked, a police official told the Zambian national broadcaster ZNBC.

This marks the second fatal elephant attack on a US tourist in the southern African country this year.

Gail Mattson, a 79-year-old woman from Minnesota, was killed during a game drive in Zambias Kafue National Park.

During the March incident, an elephant charged the truck, flipped it over, killed Ms Mattson and injured five others.

Rona Wells, Mattsons daughter, wrote on Facebook that her mother died in a tragic accident while on her dream adventure.

Video of the attack later went viral and showed an elephant charging towards the vehicle. None of the vehicle passengers are seen in the video, but someone can be heard saying oh my goodness, and its coming fast.

The vehicle stops to presumably attempt to stave off the elephant, but the animal hooks its tusk onto the vehicle and it rolls several times.

Zambian authorities have called on tourists to exercise extreme caution while observing wildlife around the country.

Zambias neighbours Zimbabwe and Botswana have also raised concern about increasing elephant populations in their respective countries.

Zimbabwe has recorded deadly elephant attacks in recent years. BBC.

Breaking News via Email

Related Zimbabwe Latest News
By Lambert Strether of Corrente

Patient readers, what you see is what you get today; I must hustle along and finish a post on Project 2025. lambert

Bird Song of the Day

Eastern Meadowlark, County Roads SE of Thrall, Williamson, Texas, United States.

* * *

In Case You Might Miss

(1) Many new Covid charts; New York and New England wastewater down; positivity up; New York hospitaliztation continues its weirdly steady rise.

(2) Trump lawfare status.

(3) Supreme Court decisions and Thursdays debate.

* * *

Politics

So many of the social reactions that strike us as psychological are in fact a rational management of symbolic capital. Pierre Bourdieu, Classification Struggles

* * *

2024

Less than a half a year to go! Fridays RCP Poll Averages: At this point, we should entertain the hypothesis that the Bragg verdict is a damp squib, unless Biden can somehow leverage it in the debate. Swing States (more here) still Brownian-motioning around. Of course, it goes without saying that these are all state polls, therefore bad, and most of the results are within the margin of error. If will be interesting to see whether the verdict in Judge Merchans court affects the polling, and if so, how. NOTE Sorry for the excess red dots; I cant seem to make them go away! * * * Trump (People vs. Trump): Andrew Cuomo: If His Name Was Not Donald Trump The New York Case Would Have Never Been Brought [RealClearPolitics]. On Bill Maher: [CUOMO:] That case, the Attorney Generals case in New York, frankly should have never been brought. And if his name was not Donald Trump, and if he wasnt running for president from the former AG in New York, Im telling you that case would have never been brought. And thats what is offensive to people. And it should be. Because if theres anything left, its belief in the justice system.  I suppose it would be too cheeky for the Trump campaign to make an ad out of that clip; or for Trump to mention it in debate. Trump (Smith/Cannon): As Trumps Documents Case Crawls Along, Questions About Judge Abound [Wall Street Journal]. Trumps legal team has filed a stream of long-shot arguments, and the number of unresolved issues is piling up, with no trial date in sight. She could be overwhelmed and at sea, or super insecure, or its just about delay. You could interpret it several different ways. But whatever the reasons, it certainly has the effect of bogging things down, said Randall Eliason, a George Washington University law professor and former public-corruption prosecutor.  I read the article twice, and for all I can tell, its just vibes. Worth noting that Jack Smith over-reached, badly, once before; his conviction of Terry McAuliffe was reversed. * * * Trump (R): Trump is on a fundraising blitz. But there are other warning signs for Republicans [Politico]. But outside of the money race, a series of other developments in recent days have left even Republicans with the impression that November may not be quite as good for the GOP as it once seemed. Now, new polling from Fox News shows an 11-point swing in President Joe Bidens favorability among independents: They prefer Biden by 9 points, a reversal from May, when they favored Trump by 2 points. Thats a lot! And: Financially, the conviction was a boon to Trumps small-dollar donor operation. But electorally, the reality of Trumps conviction has begun to set in, they said. [A]s Tom McCabe, the GOP chair of swingy Mahoning County , Ohio, put it: This election is going to be decided on the margins, and short-term, his conviction is hurting him in the polling. . In a special election in Ohios 6th Congressional District this month, massively outspent Democrat Michael Kripchak erased 19 points from Trumps 2020 margin of victory  still losing, but becoming the first Democratic candidate to carry the blue-collar Mahoning County since Trump painted it red in 2020. Incumbent Democratic senators in battleground states like Wisconsin, Nevada and Pennsylvania are polling ahead of their Republican challengers. In Arizonas open Senate race, Republican Kari Lake, a star of the MAGA movement, is underperforming in the polls. Trump (R): Former first lady Melania Trump stays out of the public eye as Donald Trump runs for president [Associated Press]. The former first lady noticeably did not accompany the presumptive Republican presidential nominee on any of the days of his more than monthlong hush money trial in New York. She was not there last month for the guilty verdict or the following day for his remarks at Trump Tower. She also did not appear June 14 at a 78th birthday party organized for Trump by his fan club, or at any of the campaign rallies he has held in recent months. Her absence during the trial and for other important moments is unusual, said Katherine Jellison, a professor of history at Ohio University who studies first ladies. But Jellison said maybe it should not come as a surprise as Melania Trump seems reluctant to follow the traditional public role of a politicians wife. As first lady, she also kept a low profile and she was not a regular presence on her husbands losing 2020 presidential campaign.  But everything the Trumps do seems to be against the standard playbook of how candidates and spouses behave , Jellison said.  A non-story, then. Trump (R): Former Obama fundraiser says shes divorcing the Democratic Party, voting for Trump for the first time [FOX]. An ex-Obama fundraiser who helped raise millions in donations for his campaign announced that she is divorcing the Democratic Party and plans to vote for Trump in the upcoming election. Like any divorce, theres not just one thing, theres a series of things that led up to it, Allison Huynh said on Jesse Watters Primetime Wednesday. Huynh, who created Willow Garage, a company that created robotics and AI systems, which were later sold to Google, along with her then-husband Google programmer Scott Hassan, helped raise millions of dollars for the Obama campaign in 2008 by hosting elaborate $50,000- and $100,000-per-plate dinners, for Silicon Valley giants, the New York Post reported. In the years since, Huynh said she has grown disenchanted with the Democratic Party, telling Fox News host Jesse Watters that she is increasingly fed up as crime, looting and homelessness continue to run rampant under their leadership.  Hmm. * * * Biden (D): As Biden lags in key states, big questions for Democrats [Axios]. In the five battleground states where there are also Senate races, Biden and the Democratic candidate are up in both only in Wisconsin, according to Real Clear Politics averages of polls released since May 1. In the other four  Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania  Trump leads, while the Republican Senate candidates have clear deficits.  Does either candidate have coat-tails? Biden (D): Sorry, James Carville, but Joe Biden is the best bet to beat Trump [The Hill]. The Electoral College math is admittedly a challenge for Biden. But there is no evidence any other Democrat could do better. There are 25 states that Trump won in both 2016 and 2020. He will likely win them all again in 2024  including North Carolina and Florida, which he won narrowly both times  combining for 235 electoral votes. We will assume that any other Democratic candidate would very likely lose all of these states as well. Trump thus needs to add 35 additional electoral votes to that total to regain the White House. This brings us to Georgia, with its 16 electoral votes, and Arizona with its 11. Trump barely lost both states in 2020, despite winning them four years earlier. These are the two states Trump must win back from Biden this November. And there is little evidence that any other Democrat would have a better chance than Biden in keeping them out of the Trump column. Trump leads (albeit narrowly) in all recent polls of those two states. So adding Georgia and Arizona to Trumps column for the sake of argument gives him 262 electoral votes. Trump then needs only to win either Pennsylvania, Michigan or Wisconsin  three states he carried in 2016  to be the next president of the United States. Biden (D): What Obama Is Whispering to Biden [Gabriel Debenedetti, New York Magazine]. Often these days, those who speak with Obama walk away with the clear impression that his fundamental view of politics, and of his ultimate political role, has only shifted so much even amid all of the past decades upheaval. He is as forceful as anyone in declaring this moments peril, but after years of seeming to question the deeper meaning of Trumps rise and possible return, Obama now comes across as having concluded that no radical rethink is necessary for his own conception of political progress or mass movements.  Oh. * * * The Debate: Will the Supreme Court blow up the presidential debate? [New Criterion]. Well worth a read: Whatever the reasons, the two camps settled on a day and a week when the Supreme Court will be handing down a series of explosive decisions, several of them bearing upon the presidential campaign. Some of those decisions may be handed down on the morning of the debate and could upend settled strategies not only for Biden and Trump, but the debate moderators as well. The Supreme Court is still sitting on a dozen pending cases that were argued during the course of the 202324 term, and its scheduled to issue opinions on all (or most) of them on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this weekthat is, over the three-day period sandwiching the presidential debate. The granddaddy of them all is the Trump immunity case that may circumscribe Jack Smiths prosecution of the former president over his alleged role in the January 6 riot at the Capitol. But also: In Murthy v. Missouri, the court will rule on claims by multiple plaintiffs who contend that the federal government engaged in improper censorship by leaning on social-media companies to suppress conservative views in regard to the origins of COVID-19, the 2020 presidential election, the efficacy masks and vaccines, and other issues.  The court could say Let the people decide! and release everything on Thursday morning. Or it could tease us on Wednesday, and hold the most impactful cases until Friday. However it goes, it will be hard to see the timing as anything other than political. The Debate: Exasperated Democrats try to stamp out talk of replacing Biden [The Hill]. One Democratic senator feigned putting a make-believe pistol to their temple when asked about the prospect of yanking Biden off the ticket before the Democratic National Convention in August or the general election in November. The senator, who requested anonymity, said stories about replacing Biden on the ticket sound juicy but are nothing more than a sign that political pundits have too much time on their hands. Theres no way in hell thats true. Not a chance in hell thats true, the lawmaker insisted. I dont know what to say.  Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) also poured cold water on the speculation. Ive heard no credible plan B, and Im not counting on a plan B, he said. The Democratic senator said Thursdays debate between Biden and Trump will be a really critical point in the campaign and would set the trajectory of the race.  All of the questions that people are asking right now will have different answers after this debate , he said. At the end of the day, its going to be a choice between the two of them. I think Biden is so much sharper, quicker, knowledgeable than even Democrats give him credit for. We all have moments when we cant remember a name, but thats not whats important about being president of the United States, he said. I dont have a plan B; Im not looking for a plan B.'  The thing is, the talk is coming from Democratic strategists talking their books? The Debate: Is this going to be the most performative presidential debate ever? [Jackie Calmes, Los Angeles Times]. Nonetheless, as my colleague Stephen Battaglio recently wrote, presidential debates are one of the last mass audience experiences left in a highly fragmented TV landscape. Six of 10 U.S. adults said they would watch all or most of Thursdays showdown, and nearly a quarter said they would closely follow the news coverage about it, according to a PBS News/NPR/Marist poll this month. Good for them. In our polarized nation, a presidential debate is a rare communal experience, if far less enjoyable than a Super Bowl. And: [T]heres nothing in Trumps sorry rhetorical record to suggest he will rise to the occasion. Yet that, too, would be informative. Stay tuned. * * * * * * * * * * * *

Democrats en Deshabille

Democrats prepare for more lawfare ahead of Trump 2.0 [Unherd]. So welcome to the doom spiral. As outlets such as the Times continue treating the Rights lawfare as a dark conspiracy and the Lefts as a campaign to save democracy, political use of the courts will only escalate. This doesnt absolve partisans of their responsibility to constituents and the Constitution. It does, however, mean theyll increasingly feel forced to turn to the logic of desperate times, desperate measures, perhaps rightfully assuming that the only way out is through. If the placid Times story is any indication, its not clear Americas political elite is prepared for what that unleashes.  Third World stuff.

Realignment and Legitimacy

Nobody credits Joe Biden for doing his most important job really well: 4 years ago Bernie Sanders held a rally with AOC in Queens that drew over 25,000 people. Today, both showed up to rally for Jamaal Bowman and the place was empty. This is what happens when you make people believe you will fight for them and then you don't.https://t.co/l0ccuZ7W19  Prof Zenkus (@anthonyzenkus) June 23, 2024

Syndemics

I am in earnest  I will not equivocate  I will not excuse  I will not retreat a single inch  AND I WILL BE HEARD. William Lloyd Garrison

* * *

Covid Resources, United States (National): Transmission (CDC); Wastewater (CDC, Biobot ; includes many counties; Wastewater Scan, includes drilldown by zip); Variants (CDC; Walgreens); Iowa COVID-19 Tracker (in IA, but national data). Infection Control, Emergency Management, Safety, and General Thoughts (especially on hospitalization by city).

Lambert here: Readers, thanks for the collective effort. To update any entry, do feel free to contact me at the address given with the plants. Please put COVID in the subject line. Thank you!

Resources, United States (Local): AK (dashboard); AL (dashboard); AR (dashboard); AZ (dashboard); CA (dashboard; Marin, dashboard; Stanford, wastewater; Oakland, wastewater); CO (dashboard; wastewater); CT (dashboard); DE (dashboard); FL (wastewater); GA (wastewater); HI (dashboard); IA (wastewater reports); ID (dashboard, Boise; dashboard, wastewater, Central Idaho; wastewater, Coeur dAlene; dashboard, Spokane County); IL (wastewater); IN (dashboard); KS (dashboard; wastewater, Lawrence); KY (dashboard, Louisville); LA (dashboard); MA (wastewater); MD (dashboard); ME (dashboard); MI (wastewater; wastewater); MN (dashboard); MO (wastewater); MS (dashboard); MT (dashboard) ; NC (dashboard); ND (dashboard; wastewater); NE (dashboard); NH (wastewater); NJ (dashboard); NM (dashboard); NV (dashboard; wastewater, Southern NV); NY (dashboard); OH (dashboard); OK (dashboard); OR (dashboard) ; PA (dashboard); RI (dashboard); SC (dashboard); SD (dashboard); TN (dashboard); TX (dashboard); UT (wastewater); VA (dashboard); VT (dashboard); WA (dashboard; dashboard); WI (wastewater); WV ( wastewater ); WY ( wastewater ).

Resources, Canada (National): Wastewater (Government of Canada).

Resources, Canada (Provincial): ON (wastewater); QC (les eaux usees); BC (wastewater); BC, Vancouver (wastewater).

Hat tips to helpful readers: Alexis, anon (2), Art_DogCT, B24S, CanCyn, ChiGal, Chuck L, Festoonic, FM, FreeMarketApologist (4), Gumbo, hop2it, JB, JEHR, JF, JL Joe, John, JM (10), JustAnotherVolunteer, JW, KatieBird, LL, Michael King, KF, LaRuse, mrsyk, MT, MT_Wild, otisyves, Petal (6), RK (2), RL, RM, Rod, square coats (11), tennesseewaltzer, Tom B., Utah, Bob White (3).

Stay safe out there!

* * *

* * *

TABLE 1: Daily Covid Charts

Wastewater  This week[1] CDC June 17: Last Week[2] CDC June 10 (until next week): Variants [3] CDC June 22  Emergency Room Visits[4] CDC June 8 Hospitalization  New York[5] New York State, data June 21: National [6] CDC June 1: Positivity  National[7] Walgreens June 17: Ohio[8] Cleveland Clinic June 15: Travelers Data  Positivity[9] CDC June 3:  Variants[10] CDC JUne 3: Deaths  Weekly Deaths vs. % Positivity [11]CDC June 15:  Weekly Deaths vs. ED Visits [12]CDC June 15:

LEGEND

1)  for charts new today; all others are not updated.

2) For a full-size/full-resolution image, Command-click (MacOS) or right-click (Windows) on the chart thumbnail and open image in new tab.

NOTES

[1] (CDC) This weeks wastewater map, with hot spots annotated. The numbers in the right hand column are identical. The dots on the map are not.

[2] (CDC) Last weeks wastewater map.

[3] (CDC Variants) KP.3 dominating.

[4] (ER) This is the best I can do for now. At least data for the entire pandemic is presented.

[5] (Hospitalization: NY) Though the level is not high, I find the seemingly inexorable rise concerning. (The New York city area has form; in 2020, as the home of two international airports (JFK and EWR) it was an important entry point for the virus into the country (and from thence up the Hudson River valley, as the rich sought to escape, and then around the country through air travel.)

[6] (Hospitalization: CDC). This is the best I can do for now. Note the assumption that Covid is seasonal is built into the presentation. At least data for the entire pandemic is presented.

[7] (Walgreens) 4.3%; big jump. (Because there is data in current view tab, I think white states here have experienced no change, as opposed to have no data.)

[8] (Cleveland) Still going up!

[9] (Travelers: Positivity) Up. Those sh*theads at CDC have changed the chart so that it doesnt even run back to 1/21/23, as it used to, but now starts 1/1/24. Theres also no way to adjust the time rasnge. CDC really doesnt want you to be able to take a historical view of the pandemic, or compare one surge to another. In an any case, thats why the shape of the curve has changed.

[10] (Travelers: Variants) Same deal. Those sh*theads. Im leaving this here for another week because I loathe them so much:

[11] Deaths low, but positivity up.

[12] Deaths low, ED up.

Stats Watch

Manufacturing: United States Dallas Fed Manufacturing Index [Trading Economics]. The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas general business activity index for manufacturing in Texas came in at -15.1 in June 2024, up from a four-month low of -19.4 in May. The production index, a key measure of state manufacturing conditions, inched up to 0.7 from -2.8 in May.

* * *

Tech: Why astronauts need space sex robots  and its not just because theyre randy [Daily Star]. And the deck: Researchers say mechanical robots are preferred than virtual assistants in space when it comes to solving problem and providing emotional support to astronauts on long mission.  Plus, robots wont get kidney dysfunction in space. Idea: Forget about the astronauts. Just send robots!

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Todays Fear & Greed Index: 43 Fear (previous close: 40 Fear) [CNN]. One week ago: 41 (Fear). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Jun 24 at 12:45:44 PM ET.

Rapture Index: Closes down one on food supply. The lack of activity has downgraded this category [Rapture Ready]. Record High, October 10, 2016: 189. Current: 186. (Remember that bringing on the Rapture is good.)  Not what the climate coverage implies.

The Gallery

Class Warfare

Bring Back Capitalism (excerpt) [Matt Taibbi, Racket News]. Seeing Chase CEO Jamie Dimon issue a smiling clarion call in Fortune for higher taxes and massive government intervention via a Marshall Plan for America was a major tell that something even worse than what he called free-for-all capitalism was being contemplated. Dimons pledge was in line with outgoing World Economic Forum chief Klaus Schwabs stakeholder capitalism, which purports to end the idea of corporations existing to maximize their profits, and make business leaders trustees of society, leading efforts to address social and environmental challenges. For those who arent fluent in rich-person bullshit, what Schwab and Dimon (and a long list of others, like Apple CEO Tim Cook and BlackRocks Larry Fink) were proposing was that we take the same people who spent the last twenty years devouring Fed rescues and converting the savings of the middle class into Jackson Hole villas, and instead of hurling them off cliffs, put them in charge of society. They would additionally like taxpayers to fund a big enough safety net to guarantee the next generation of customers for, say, a depository bank. As in: We screwed things up so badly, you need to give us even more leeway to make things right. Its enough to make the most mild-mannered person reach for something sharp.  Thats the stuff to give the troops! (However, I dont think much of Substacks Claim my free post button; in fact, its just a gimmick to get me to download their app, i.e. not free. Why not just open up the post?)

News of the Wired

Microfeatures I Love in Blogs and Personal Websites [Daniels Blog]. This one: RSS is a feed standard that allows sites to publish updates. Blogs in particular can make use of RSS to notify readers of updates. RSS feeds are processed by a feed reader, which is a program that polls a websites index.xml file (or other similar files) and reads it to detect new content. If you opt in to full-text RSS feeds, users can read the entire post entirely from their reader. RSS makes it easier to keep up with your site. Rather than having to check in on every author whose content I enjoy on the internet, I can add their feed URL to my list, and have my feed reader automatically aggregate all updates for me to read. Its kind of like a social media or news feed, except that I control whats shown to me, and authors of the blogs I follow dont need to create accounts and explicitly share their work on social media!  I upgrade my RSS workflow when it looked like the Twitter might go belly-up; Ive never regretted it. That said, most of the other features are or were do-able in the blogoshere, but the platforms  looking at you, Substack  dont support them, greatly limiting the expressive power of the author.

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Contact information for plants: Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, to (a) find out how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal and (b) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi, lichen, and coral are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. From Angie Neer:

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Yves here. Helmers latest post gives a new chapter in the unhappiness of the Russian general staff and influential military bloggers with Putins measured pace in prosecuting the war in Ukraine.

Perhaps I am begin parochial, but I find the objections to be odd. Admittedly, the Communists and many of the very active military commentators are extremely hawkish, and get super upset about any Russian failing or even missed opportunity to be aggressive. That extends as far as, for instance, getting in an uproar in 2022 when Zelensky visited Kherson at the failure to assassinate him. While criticism of mistakes and setbacks can be salutary when that leads to post-mortems and corrective action, this cohort seems as a whole to see the war through the lens of a belief that maximalist aggressive action now would produce the best outcomes. But that course of action would lead to higher death counts, including among Russian civilians. More forceful offense now, before Ukraines and NATOs forces are exhausted, risks more strikes, including in largely civilian areas. If the current upset is about deaths to civilians in Crimea, why provoke even more of the same?

Now it may be possible for Russia to make a highly concentrated series of strikes on Western surveillance assets in the Black Sea area, doing enough damage to deliver a decisive setback. But Helmers sources dont seem to articulate much of a strategy for a counter-strike in the area, beyond the desire to show that Russia can and will retaliate.

Russia is winning the war and none of these attacks are significant enough to change that trajectory. If there is a change in their impact, or a marked falloff in support for the war in the Russian public, that would merit a change in posture. But Russia has been very disciplined in not letting provocations, no matter how upsetting they might be in the near term, from getting them to change their course of action, beyond accelerating what Russia had underway (destruction of the Ukraine electrical grid) or making specific changes meant to address specific problems (moving troops into Kharkiv oblast to create a buffer zone and reduce strikes into Russia as well as threatening escalation in entirely different theaters in response to the US and NATO playing direct role in attacks on pre-2014 Russia).

Now the milbloggers may believe, and may even be correct, that hitting US and NATO air assets operating over the Black Sea is an appropriately calibrated and effective response. But I dont see them unpack why. It seems to be assumed as opposed to substantiated.

And in the meantime, Russia designating the operation as terrorism, which the hawks seem to view as cowardly, gives Russia leeway in terms of what to do next. After all, they can even claim that based on further investigation, it was an act of war. Helmer does explain the importance to the Kremlin to keeping the conflict within the Special Military Operation frameworkwhich still gives Russia a lot of room for maneuver. Remember, having Russia be able to depict itself as responding to Western escalation is also a better path in terms of keeping the backing of important allies like China (and less officially, Turkiye and India) even as the US/NATO allies keep increasing sanctions on them.

The Dagestan attacks, even though smelling to high heaven of US or UK instigation or at least big-time help, much like the Crocus music theater attack, is still on its surface a terrorist operation. But even though Western officials have repeatedly denied any direct role in the Chechen war, successful Chechen separatism would have started to splinter Russia, with other Muslim regions like Dagestan next on the list. And even now, belligerent US officials talk up the need to break up Russia. Note that the staunch US allies, the Saudis, backed the Chechens. The State Department in 2002 said it was engaged on Chechnya through humanitarian and diplomatic efforts. Why pray tell was the US meddling in a foreign civil war? In other words, even if Putins position on the Chechen wars may be depicted as paranoid, as the saying goes, Just because you are paranoid does not mean that they are not out to get you.

So Russia needs to at least look like it has made a serious investigation before it treats it otherwise, not just for political reasons but also so as to target the proper perps.

By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears

The Ukrainian missile attacks on Sevastopol on Sunday afternoon  five US ATACMS missiles with cluster-bomb warheads  have drawn the most explicit reaction yet from Russias independent military bloggers, followed in four hours by an official communique from the Defense Ministry. The Kremlin communique which followed the Defense Ministry an hour later as Sunday evening came on, was not the same.

A salvo of five ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missiles was intercepted over the Uchkuevka beach at Sevastopol just after midday. In celebration of the 30-degree sunshine and the Orthodox Trinity holiday, there were a large number of people in the water and on the sand. The missiles were intercepted in the air, but shrapnel from the detonating warheads struck the beach. At latest count, four people were killed, two of them children; 151 people, including 27 children, were wounded; 82 were hospitalized, 13 of them in serious condition.

Boris Rozhin, editor in chief of the Colonel Cassad military blog, was in Sevastopol and he reported from one of the hospitals to which the casualties were taken. His reports started at 12:23 local time and continued for almost twelve hours.

Rozhin is one of the independent Russian war correspondents calling on the Kremlin to remove the limit which has been placed on attacking the US Air Force (USAF) drones and other NATO aircraft which operate over the Black Sea, in international waters off the Crimean shore, to provide flight course, evasion of Russian air defence units, and target coordinates to the American and Ukrainian ground crews operating the ATACMS batteries and executing the fire orders.

Russian reports indicate the launch point for the Sevastopol beach attack was Nikolaev on the Ukrainian mainland. If so, the range of the missiles was at least 300 kilometres  longer than the US has publicly admitted. This also means that to be effective in defence against the repetition of such attacks against civilians, the proposed Russian demilitarized zone for the Ukraine, or sanitary zone as Putin has called it, must stretch from Nikolaev westward to Kiev.

Rozhin has blamed the US explicitly in language repeated by other military bloggers. They mean to say, as they have been repeating in recent weeks, that the USAF drones used in the Sevastopol attacks should be destroyed.

Just after 1600 Moscow time on Sunday, the Russian Defense Ministry issued its bulletin. The text, auto- translated into English, reads:



Note that that the Ministry, and the General Staff behind it, target the US as directly engaged in the operation of the missile attack. However, they start by calling the attack a terrorist strike, not an act of war. The wording of the statement also avoids identifying the USAF drones and other airborne electronic warfare systems offshore from Crimea. Instead, it refers to satellite intelligence.

These are ideological references, not military ones. The distinction between Ukrainian acts of terrorism and war is Kremlin policy. By terming such attacks, including the Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow in March, terrorism but not war, the policy follows that the Special Military Operation is not in fact a war, and that Russian war tactics and strategy should be limited to retaliation, not to the defeat and demilitarization of the US and NATO on the Ukrainian battlefield.

At 1715 the Kremlin followed with a communique headlined: The President reached out to the Governments social bloc and the military following the attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces against Sevastopol. The two-paragraph statement said: Vladimir Putin has been in touch with senior officials from the Governments social ministries and agencies and healthcare institutions on an ongoing basis considering the urgency of providing care to the attack victims. The President has also been interacting with the military. The Ukrainian Armed Forces targeted Sevastopol with an intentional missile strike in the afternoon of June 23, using five ATACMS US-made tactical missiles. The attack left at least 124 people wounded or injured, to a varying degree of severity, including 27 children.

The presidents statement was issued from the Kremlin in Moscow. Putin, who had returned from his visit to North Korea and Vietnam on June 20, has remained in the Moscow area.

As he prepared to leave Vietnam on June 20, Putin was asked by a Kremlin pool reporter from Kommersant what he has meant by his threats to attack the US and NATO sources of the Ukrainian missile and drone attacks on Russian targets in Crimea, the Donbass, and the hinterland regions. 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 Peoples 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.

On June 22, Putin laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow (lead image). He then made a speech at the Kremlin to new graduates of the military and security service academies. Putin promised them more weapons and new technologies. Let me emphasise that the effectiveness of the entire work to strengthen Russias 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 a paragon of professionalism, discipline, decency, and personal courage for your fellow soldiers.

The military distinction between the Sevastopol attack and those which followed in Makhachkala and Derbent, Dagestan, later in the day, when a synagogue, church, and police were attacked by a group of six Dagestani men has been obscured in the Russian reporting. All the attackers have been killed; eight Russian security forces and two civilians, one of them an Orthodox priest, have also died, and another 16 wounded.

Left: dead gunman in the street in Derbent, Dagestan, reported by Rozhin. Right, Terrorist Attacks in the Caucasus, summary report by Mikhail Zvinchuk of Rybar.

At the same time as the Dagestan events took place, Rozhin and other milbloggers were reporting a new Ukrainian air raid over Crimea. The enemy shelled western Crimea. Air defence positions in the area of Yevpatoria were hit. The RQ-4 Global Hawk worked at sea as it usually does, in total safety. The chatter about the fact that they will be seriously interfered with remains just chatter at the moment  posted at 23:22. https://t.me/s/boris_rozhin/

Mikhail Zvinchuk, who directs the Rybar military blog, reported just before midnight on Sunday: The night before, according to some reports, up to 15 drones were observed in the western part of Crimea, some of which were shot down. Again, during the attack, an American RQ-4B drone was in the air, which again raises the question of the expediency of destroying Western aviation, which directs the AFU [Ukrainian Armed Forces] to Russian territories and residents.

Dmitry Medvedev, the former president and now Deputy Secretary of the Security Council, was almost as clear. He issued this Telegram statement at 20:22 on Sunday evening: Bastards from the United States supply rockets with a cluster charge to Bandera and help bring them to the target. Bastards in Kiev choose a beach with peaceful people as a target and press the button. Both will burn in hell. Hopefully, not only in the sacred fire, but even earlier, in the one on earth. All that happened was not military action, but a vile and heinous terrorist attack against our people, committed on an Orthodox holiday. As well as the massacre in Dagestan which was staged by extremists. Therefore, now all of them  the American authorities, the Bandera regime and the insane fanatics  are no different for us.
Yves here. With so much news and so many hours in the day, I must confess to having missed when UK prime minister Rishi Sunak started advocating for freeports, years before he became head of the government, and has recently implemented. These are a Seriously Bad idea, as in they effectively created lawless zones for commerce (admittedly parties would have to agree on the legal jurisdiction for any agreements they had consummated), and so of course the sort of thing diehard libertarians would advocate.

Freeports appear to be a UK answer to some of the problems caused by Brexit. Their appeal is that they are easier to implement than going back to the EU and entering into selective deals to remedy the damage. But as you will see, they are set to do collateral damage for their own.

First, from the New European in February:

The very name freeport had just the ring that an ambitious, young, right-of-centre politician could use to launch himself into frontline politics. Along with the smooth exterior and personal wealth to fall back on, Rishi Sunak needed a Big Idea. So it was that in November 2016 Sunak teamed up with the Centre for Policy Studies to present the Freeports Opportunity paper that would announce him as a serious political thinker. Turning our ports into freeports would provide an almighty boost to British manufacturing and fill the sails of the post-Brexit economy. Outside the UKs own customs borders, even if within the country geographically, freeports would enable goods and commodities to be imported tariff-free and refashioned into products incurring lower tariffs when brought into the main economy or re-exported (so-called tariff inversion). Today, he looked to the United States and its 250 free trade zones, citing success stories such as Nissans vehicle assembly plant in Tennessee. By using tariff inversion, he explained, its output had hit 640,000 vehicles a year. What Sunak had missed, alas, were trade developments in Europe since ancient Delos that make the US a meaningless comparison. Where tariffs are common on imports into the US, they are minimal in Europe and the UK: non-existent within the customs union and, even outside it, trivial on UK imports from EU countries (first under transition arrangements and then under the UK-EU 2021 trade and cooperation agreement). Rolled-forward and new post-Brexit trade agreements with other countries around the world also keep tariffs to a minimum.

Although his freeport model was thus built on an entirely false premise, Sunak arrived at the Treasury in 2019 determined to push the policy through. By the spring of 2021, the eight English freeports had been named (four more in Scotland and Wales are in the pipeline). Foremost among them was Teesside. Nearly three years on and, with the exception of Teesside, very little has happened at the UKs freeports. They are struggling even to find ways of spending the 25m seed funding handed to them by Whitehall. An ongoing parliamentary inquiry into freeports and investment zones recently heard from Peter Holmes, an academic, that the only business he had been able to identify as benefiting from the freeport advantage of tariff inversion was the dog-food industry. The freeport game now, insisted Gove, was about investment incentives. The 2021 cohort were given a range of tax and business rates reliefs lasting five years. But even these are economically impotent, since they simply divert investment from one location to another.

The sort of good news is that because UK tariffs are low, the freeport scheme has not gotten all that far. But as the article elaborates, with supporting detail, the response has been to throw more money at investment subsidies. But the big winners so far indeed have been investors.but in property deals in Tessside. So theres ample motivation to extend what amounts to a vehicle for looting.

And as the headline suggests, there is plenty of cause for concern if enough money is thrown at freeports for them to operate at more than a not-very-consequential level:

At the same time, freeports present serious security risks. Customs and border processes are substantially outsourced to private companies delegated as responsible authorities. At Liverpool freeport, for example, the responsible authority at one of the two customs sites is a maker of body-building supplements. On Teesside, the authority is a local shipping broker, but physical security at the customs zone perimeter is run by a family firm with a record of tax dodging, employing the owners son, who is not long out of jail after an 11-year sentence for serious organised drug crime. The relative lack of border controls at freeports poses inherent risks  from drug and people smuggling to gun-running, money laundering, wealth concealment and much else. These have long been recognised. The EU clamped down on its version of freeports just before Sunak introduced his, citing a high incidence of corruption, tax evasion [and] criminal activity.

Note that the body building supplements is not as benign as it might seem. Over the years, body building aids sold openly and later cracked down on in the US include ephedra (a source of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine which can be used to cook meth), thyroid, and gammahydrabuterol, which is now a Schedule 1 drug.1 And thats before getting to the sale of diverted or potentially adulterated or fake steroids, human growth hormone, and other performance boosters.

The Times was also critical, albeit using measured language. From a late 2023 article:

In March 2021 Rishi Sunak, when he was chancellor, announced eight sites in England that had been successful in bidding for freeport status: East Midlands airport, Felixstowe & Harwich, Humber, Liverpool City Region, Plymouth & South Devon, Solent, Teesside and Thames. The freeports were afforded financial benefits to stimulate growth: tax reliefs for businesses; the retention of 100 per cent of business rates by local councils, where typically a percentage would go back to Whitehall; simplified customs arrangements; and no tariffs on goods entering or leaving a freeport customs sites if imported.

Other growth levers at their disposal include arrangements to speed planning permission grants; seed capital amounting to 300 million; and targeted trade and investment support. Each freeport is a maximum of 28 miles in diameter and zones have sites where special customs measures are in place and one to three tax sites where the tax and business rates reliefs apply

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are concerned that they miss out on the benefits because they cannot afford to move into the freeport zones and the supply chains are not strong enough to include them The government has tried to address such concerns by creating investment zonesHowever, according to a survey from Make UK and Barclays, to be released this year, investment zones have proved just as opaque.

So again, notice more subsidies. The article also discussed whether freeports created jobs as opposed to merely stealing them from other spots.

Back to the Times final section:

Tuesdays hearing ended with quickfire questions: Are the incentives long-term enough? No.; Are the incentives big enough? No.; Is governance too opaque? Yes.; Will the current policy framework help the government meet its targets for levelling up? No. With economists unconvinced, the freeport policy has yet to prove itself.

The freeports have gotten back in the news since Sunak has been talking them up in the context of the upcoming Parliamentary elections as an accomplishment of sorts:

The Freeports and special economic zones give workers fewer rights, remove environmental controls and give large corporations years of tax exemptions. Billions of our money is being pumped into them.  Jeremy F (@jeremyf1965) June 23, 2024

Oof! Great question on how Brexit has denied young people a future Sunak says they can just work in the Teeside Freeport. pic.twitter.com/r3GULEBJHf  Mike Galsworthy (@mikegalsworthy) June 20, 2024

To put this more simply: freeports are an example of the Singapore-on-Thames, or less charitably, buccaneering Britain post-Brexit model. Yet we see how a libertarian schem is serving to suck fund out of official coffers. Funny, that.

Now to Richard Murphy.

By Richard Murphy, part-time Professor of Accounting Practice at Sheffield University Management School, director of the Corporate Accountability Network, member of Finance for the Future LLP, and director of Tax Research LLP. Originally published at Fund the Future.

I have, as usual, published a new video this morning in which I suggest that Rishi Sunaks very limited legacy will include the creation of freeports. They are, however, deeply dangerous places where the normal rule of law is suspended for the benefit of financial capital, usually at cost to the workers in the places and the communities that host them. As such, they undermine democracy. What could possibly go wrong?

The audio version of this video is here:

The transcript is:

Freeports are dangerous.

That, as an opening claim goes, is a big and bold one, because we have quite a lot of freeports in this country now, but they do nonetheless represent a significant threat to our well-being.

Why is that?

What is the problem with a freeport?

Look, lets describe what a freeport is.

A freeport is a place where regulation of the normal sort that applies within the country is suspended for the benefit of those who are running businesses in that location. So, almost invariably, therefore, free ports exist to provide benefits to companies, employers, and those who are undertaking trade. And they do so by suspending the normal rules of taxation, and sometimes on other matters, like environmental protections, or employee protections, or whatever else.

Now, why should we have parts of the country where we deliberately suspend normal laws? What is the benefit of that for everybody else?

And why should some people be subject to lower levels of protection during the course of their working life because they work in a freeport compared to what they would have if they worked outside the freeport?

And thats most especially true when no freeport has an advertised boundary. In fact, finding the border of a freeport is something that is incredibly difficult to do because these are, well, almost imaginary spaces. A few warehouses here, a warehouse or so there, ring-fenced inside a planning zone which is itself loosely described on a map, but which has no obvious border.

These freeports are figments of planners imaginations. Planners of all sorts; tax planners, regulatory planners, those who wish to plan to abuse environmental protection, those who most definitely want to abuse the rights of employees. And the danger is that when you create these things, and now most especially, put them under the control of private sector companies who are tasked with administering the reduced regulation in these areas in a way that is, well, to their best interest, not to the best interest of society at large, you end up with something which is particularly pernicious that is ruled by corporations.

Rule by corporations is a form of fascism. That is exactly how Mussolini described it as, in effect.

So lets be clear. Whilst the free ports we have provide relatively limited exemptions from regulation at present, their very existence is a threat to the democratic control of this country by the government. And for that reason, theyre deeply pernicious and as dangerous as tax havens have ever been to the effective control of democracy over the well-being of most people in this world.

___

1 My endocrinologist said the crackdown on GHB was entirely unwarranted. It produces a higher quality sleep than any Rx drugs, is out of your system in four hours, and can be whipped up in a kitchen. The scare was over the threat it represented to OTC and Rx sleep aids.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. Sun Tzu

Project 2025, a project organized by the so-called scholars at the Heritage Foundation, is in essence an aggregation of contemporary Conservative Thought, if I may so denote it, along with strategies and policies for carrying putting it into practice in a second Trump Administration. Project 2025 has been much in the news lately; see Inside the Next Republican Revolution (Politico), and Project 2025s Guide to Subverting Democracy (The Nation). The House Democrats have set up a task force to be a central hub of opposition to it; here is the Heritage Foundations response. We can expect Project 2025 to be an issue in the 2024 campaign (no doubt, for Democrats, under the heading of our democracy).

The entire document (Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise) can be found here. (I will refer to the document as Mandate[1], so as to avoid confusing the project with the deliverable. From Mandates opening chapter:

We want you! The 2025 Presidential Transition Project is the conservative movements unified effort to be ready for the next conservative Administration to govern at 12:00 noon, January 20, 2025. Welcome to the mission. By opening this book, you are now a part of it. Indeed, one set of eyes reading these passages will be those of the 47th President of the United States, and we hope every other reader will join in making the incoming Administration a success. History teaches that a Presidents power to implement an agenda is at its apex during the Administrations opening days. To execute requires a well-conceived, coordinated, unified plan and a trained and committed cadre of personnel to implement it. In recent election cycles, presidential candidates normally began transition planning in the late spring of election year or even after the partys nomination was secured. That is too late. The federal governments complexity and growth advance at a seemingly logarithmic rate every four years. For conservatives to have a fighting chance to take on the Administrative State and reform our federal government, the work must start now. The entirety of this effort is to support the next conservative President, whoever he or she may be.

Sounds great. Makes you wonder why the Democrats cant get it together to do something similar; theyre supposed to be the smart ones, after all.

Mandate is 920 pages long. Thats a lot of pages. In the time available I cant analyze any of the policy proposals, although I hope to look at some of them in a later post (conservative thought on public health and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is especially horrid). My question is this: How can we be sure that Mandate is serious, and not some sort of diversionary tactic, like Bidens much-ballyhooed Unity Task Force during the election 2020 transition? To that end, I propose two simple litmus tests: One for the spooks, and one for the Censorship Industrial Complex. If conservatives in power fail either litmus test, than Mandate is not what it purports to be (a well-conceived, coordinated, unified plan). In addition, following the epigraph from Sun Tzu, I will do a close reading of Mandates prose. Does Conservative Thought have a define its enemy? If not, then Mandate in particular, and Conservative Thought in general, is indeed reducible to a series of irritable mental gestures.[2]

Spook Litmus Test

On the spooks (or, as we say, the intelligence community, or IC), from page 212:

I have helpfully outlined the litmus test in red: Firings. Hearings compelling testimony from Clapper, Brennan, and the 50 former (really?) intelligence officials on RussiaGate and the Hunter Biden laptop debacle would also be nice. If there are no firings, then Mandate is not a serious document. (Note that firings makes election 2024 existential for the intelligence community, but then you knew that.)

Censorship Industrial Complex Litmus Test

I am sure there are more components and institutions involved in the Censorship Industrial Complex (see Matt Taibbi) than CISA (the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency), but CISA will do to go on with:

I have helpfully outlined the litmus test in red: Firings. The test and the existential stakes are exactly the same.

Does Conservative Thought Know Its Enemy?

Let me once again quote fascist legal theorist Carl Schmitt from The Concept of the Political:

[T]he specific political distinction to which political actions and motives can be reduced is that between friend and enemy.

Taking Schmitts view, for the purposes of this post, as read, does Conservative Thought make this distinction successfully? As a vibe, yes. As a coherent doctrine, no. I present the Table 1, which I hope shows these conclusions.

I apologize for making you squint  you can skip over the table to the close reading, here  but I felt that the columns needed to be adjacent. For a designer, the table also exemplifies Tuftes small multiples; its no accident that the left and liberal columns are almost the same length, and Marxist by far the smallest (For a full-size/full-resolution image of any example, Command-click (MacOS) or right-click (Windows) on the tables thumbnail and open image in new tab.)

To construct Table 1, I searched Mandate for the following terms: Left, Liberal, Marxist, and Radical. I collected 35 examples, which I believe are representative. If you will examine the examples, the incoherence  the irritable mental gestures  of Conservative Thought seem to me inescapable. I will refer to each cell by Column Heading and Number: For example, Left #1 is the topmost lefthand cell.

TABLE 1: The Other Side in Conservative Thought

#0 Left Liberal Radical Marxist #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #8 #10 #11 #12 #13 #14

Left #1 mentions the other side (that is, a Schmittian enemy). Does Mandate describe the other side coherently? Lets find out, going column by column: Left, Liberal, Radical, and (dread word) Marxist.

Left is the enemy, but what is the Left? Left #2 tells us there is a far left, apparently different from special interests, and radicals (whoever they are, but presumably not the Left), in government. Left #3 gives us an example, Antifa, but surely Antifa is not a special interest (nor in government; theyre anarchists). Left #4 tells us swathes of the State Departments workforce are left, but presumably not far left? Left #5 introduces left-of-center, but what is this center of which they speak? Not far, presumably, but what? Left #6 tells us that the left directs federal policy and elite institutions, but surely Antifa doesnt do that? Left #7 identifies the Google and Ford Foundation organizations as working to advance leftist agendas, the former surely coming as a surprise to Silicon Valley libertarians. Left #8 identifies the left with wokeness. Left #9 reinforces left-of-center, but are there any centrists who are woke? Why or why not? Left #10 introduces radical leftist organizations. so presumably there are left organiztionas that are not radical, but who are they? Antifa? The Ford Foundation? The State Department workforce? Left #11 identifies the left as thinking they are special. I thought all Gods children were special. Now in Left #12 we have left activists (antifa?) and investors (!!) who ignore the China threat, so presumably a portion of the left is motivated by profit. Does that make them special, or not? Left #13 identifies a bureacratic managerial class (presumably not, however. a workforce). Finally, Left #14 identifies the left as insane. Surely insanity is not limited to them? These categories are by no means mutually exclusive and exhaustive!

Liberals are the enemy too, except when theyre not. In Liberal #1, liberal democracy is A Good Thing (only when carried out by Conservatives, I suppose). Liberal #2 identifies liberals as opposing conservative policies, but the left does that too, so why do we have two words for the same thing? In any case, are conservative who oppose conservative policies liberals? Liberal #3 identifies liberal non-profits and radical Acorn-style pressure groups, so is the Rockefeller Foundation liberal or left? And is the Green Revolution like Acorn? Liberal #4 seems to propose that the more liberals there are in a population, the more left it is, so NPR is to the left of PBS. There are radical liberals in Liberal #5; are they NPR listeners? Liberal #6 introduces an illiberal chill, so apparently it is again A Good Thing to be a liberal. Or are radical liberals from Acorn to be chilled? Liberal #7 proposes that liberals in the 1970s were socialists. I suppose thats no longer true because the socialists were replaced by anarchists? Liberal #8 proposes bold liberalization, A Good Thing. Liberal #9 again frames the United States as a Liberal country, which is A Good Thing, but therefore the country would oppose conservative policies, which is The Bad Thing. Liberal #10 proposes that the identifying characteristic of liberals is the pursuit of absolute power, which is ahistorical to say the least. Perhaps the difference between Left and Liberal is that the Left is insane, but Liberals seek absolute power? Which one is Bernie Sanders, the socialist? Liberal #11 again claims the mantle of liberal democracy, A Good Thing.

Radicals are also the enemy. Radical #1 proposes radicals are woke, but so are liberals and the left, so now we have three words for the same thing. Radical #2 proposes radical equality as A Good Thing. However, Radical #4 distinguishes between the far left (PBS listeners?) and radicals in government, so presumbly we do not have three words for the same thing. Radical #4 identifies a radical left so presumbly the entire left (NPR listeners?) is not radical. Radical #5 proposes that there is a woke faction in the country: Madison would ask what property interest drives the faction. Radical #6 identifies radical liberals so I suppose the radical liberals are the Bad Liberals and the liberal liberals the Good Liberals?

Marxists, Lord help us. In Marxist #1, we learn that Marxists have infiltrated the military academies; this seems unlikely to me. Marxist #2 implies that China is weak and poor (that not what they meant, but it is what they wrote). Marxist #3 says, in essence, that critical race theory would turn over control of the means of production to the working class. Thats not the mainline interpretation, to say the least. Do the reading, for pitys sake.

Conclusion

Summarizing: Table 1 shows pervasive irritable mental gesturing on Conservative Thought.

There remains the question of whether Mandate is a blueprint for fascism. I would need to understand Project 2025s intentions for reorganizing the executive branch, especially the civil service, to answer confidently. However, there are two reasons to think that the answer will be in the negative.

First, Ive referred to fascism is a smorgasbord from which both parties are freely partaking. The Democrats alliance with the intelligence commmunity, whether for election interference, or, together with the Censorship Industrial Complex, for creating an information bubble for which Joseph Goebbels would be proud, strike me as being as fascist as anything todays Republican Party has proposed or done. So neither party owns the blueprint, if blueprint there is.

Second, when I, putting on my amateurs political hat, try to recall two parties that very rapidly and very successfully took power with a well-conceived, coordinated, unified plan and a trained and committed cadre of personnel I come up with two: The Republican Party of the 1860s, and the Nazis. Both parties defined their enemies very clearly: The enemy of Lincolns party was the the Slave Power; the enemy of Hitlers party was the Jews.[3] I think that Table 1 and a subsequent close reading show that todays Republican Party has not defined its enemy clearly at all (supposing, with Schmitt, that to be the purpose of a political party)[4]. We can therefore conclude that Trumps Republican party will not have the impact that Lincolns party did (or, for that matter, Hitlers). A comforting thought!

NOTES

[1] Back in 2004, Bush the Younger, having been re-elected, claimed a mandate (I have political capital. I intend to spend it), and the press and the opinion havers began referring to the Bush mandate. Google bombing was still possible then, and I Google-bombed Bush Mandate to the website for Mandate Magazine; the front cover, as I recall, featured a jaunty young man wearing a sailors cap. Happy, innocent days!

[2] The full quote from liberal critic Lionel Trilling (1950): [T]he conservative impulse and the reactionary impulse do not, with some isolated and some ecclesiastical exceptions, express themselves in ideas but only in action or in irritable mental gestures which seek to resemble ideas.

[3] Clearly the Bolsheviks and the CCP were successful and defined their enemies clearly, but the process by which they took power was protracted.

[4] It has occurred to me that Mandate, being an aggregation, aggregates the work product of various Republican factions and groupuscles, and so we have a rich sediment of verbiage laid down by different sets of policy entrepreneurs over decades; hence liberals here, the left there, Marxists over there, woke, the newest, sprinkled on top, and so forth. It may be that Project 2025 will be the vehicle to unify all this, Bolshevik-style; I doubt that very much. All Republicans would then be RINOs, just as all Democrats are DINOs.
Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville) and abortion fund member and attorney Rachel Welty on Monday brought a lawsuit against the district attorneys general for Middle Tennessee districts, alleging that a state law passed earlier this year infringes upon the First Amendment right of free speech.

The district attorneys general include Glenn Funk in Davidson County, as well as Bryant C. Dunaway, Jason Lawson, Jennings H. Jones, Robert J. Carter, Ray Whitley, Robert J. Nash, Stacey Edmonson, Brent Cooper, Ray Crouch and Hans Schwendimann.

The plaintiffs, represented by Daniel Horwitz, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee in Nashville on Monday, asking the states district attorneys general not to enforce the law. Monday is also the second anniversary of the reversal of Roe v. Wade.

The lawsuit is in response to an abortion trafficking law, which makes it illegal for adults to help minors obtain an abortion out of state without parental consent. That law (Public Chapter No. 1032) was signed by Gov. Bill Lee in May and is set to go into effect July 1.

+2 Bills Pass Limiting Minors From Seeking Abortion, Trans Care Out of State Behn called out of order as House Democrats see amendments to trafficking legislation shot down

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a similar law in Idaho from being enforced while a lawsuit challenging its constitutionality is underway. The judge asserts that the law violates the First Amendment right of free expression and the Fourth Amendment right to travel between states.

Under Public Chapter 1032 in Tennessee, an adult who intentionally recruits, harbors, or transports a pregnant unemancipated minor for the purpose of receiving an abortion or obtaining abortion pills would face a class-A misdemeanor for wrongful death of an unborn child, which could result in one year of jail time.

The effect of Public Chapter No. 1032  which is also its intended purpose  is to criminalize helping a pregnant unemancipated minor obtain legal abortion care regardless of where the abortion is to be procured and regardless of where the abortion-inducing drug is obtained, court documents explain. Thus, beginning July 1, 2024, helping a pregnant unemancipated minor obtain a legal abortion will be a crime in Tennessee.

The alleged criminalization of free speech lies in the term recruits, whose meaning is undefined in the law.

Regardless of how 'recruits' is defined, though, the prohibition criminalizes pure speech based on its content and the viewpoint a speaker expresses, court documents state. The First Amendment prohibits such content- and viewpoint-based censorship.

Abortion Trafficking Passes Senate, Would Penalize Adults for Helping Minors Get Abortions As the bill makes its way through the legislature, Democrat Aftyn Behn calls it a harbinger of even worse things to come

The law also violates the 14th Amendments vagueness doctrine, court documents assert.

While the "abortion trafficking" legislation was making its way through the legislature, Behn spoke against it and demonstrated with Abortion Care Tennessee. She tweeted that she welcomes the opportunity to take a young person out of state who wants to have an abortion even if it lands me in jail.

Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) read Behns statement on the House floor as an example when asked to clarify the meaning of "recruiting under the proposed bill, which caused Behn to fear prosecution under the new law, according to court documents.

"The freedom to fully control our bodies, lives, and futures is absolutely crucial for all of us," Behn tells Scene sister publication the Nashville Post. "This is about every young persons fundamental right to decide whether, when, and with whom to start a family. It's infuriating that extremists believe politicians should impose their personal beliefs on our most intimate decisions. We, on the other hand, fiercely defend our right to make these choices based on our own faith and values. I'm honored to stand up for our freedom, including our First Amendment rights, by joining this lawsuit."

Welty has a history of helping pregnant minors  many of whom were victims of rape and incest, court documents state  to receive access to abortions through judicial bypass before Tennessees abortion trigger ban went into effect. According to court records, she still receives calls from pregnant, unemancipated minors, whom she helps connect to out-of-state care, which she fears could put her at risk of prosecution.

Through her lawyer, Daniel Horwitz, she sent a letter to Middle Tennessee's district attorneys general earlier this month asking them to disavow enforcement of the law against her. None of them responded, court documents assert.

Tennessee is under a nearly total abortion ban that went into effect in August 2022, triggered by the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Exceptions for rape and incest failed this year at the state legislature, and legislation to protect termination of pregnancy in the event of fatal fetal anomalies never came to fruition.

District Attorney General Glenn Funk was unavailable to respond to the Post's request for comment, but he did make a 2021 statement that he will not prosecute an individual receiving an abortion or a medical professional performing the procedure.

Earlier this year, local plaintiffs joined a lawsuit against the state of Tennessee asking for clarification on what circumstances qualify for the medical exception to the Tennessee abortion ban.

This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday (24 June 2024) to discuss preparations for the Washington Summit in July.

The Secretary General praised France's key role in the Alliance, including its contributions to collective defence on the eastern flank with deployments in Romania and Estonia. He also thanked President Macron for Frances contributions to NATO's air policing in the Baltic skies and in the maritime domain, where "French naval ships keep our sea lanes open and safe". He further underlined that Frances nuclear forces contribute to the overall security of the Alliance.

Mr Stoltenberg called more support to Ukraine our most urgent task for the Washington Summit, saying he expects Allies to agree for NATO to lead the coordination and provision of security assistance and training for Ukraine. He has also proposed a long-term financial commitment. Our support is not about making NATO a party to the conflict; it is about ensuring that Ukraine can uphold its right to self-defence, he said.

Strengthening NATO's deterrence and defence will be another key topic at the Summit, and Mr Stoltenberg welcomed that a record 23 Allies, including France, will invest at least 2 percent of GDP in defence this year.

We will also address other important issues at the Summit, including work with the European Union and our Indo-Pacific partners. And the decisions well take in Washington will strengthen our Alliance for the future, the Secretary General concluded.
(As delivered)

President Macron,

Cher Emmanuel,

Thank you for your warm welcome and your kind words and thank you also for an excellent meeting this afternoon and let me also thank you for your strong personal commitment to the Transatlantic Alliance and to NATO.

It has really been a great privilege to work so closely with you over all these years.

It is always a pleasure to be in Paris, and to meet with you.

In just two weeks time, NATO leaders will meet for an historic 75th anniversary Summit in Washington.

And as always, France will play an important role.

Since NATOs founding, France has made vital contributions to our shared security and our collective defence.

Today, France lead our multinational battlegroup in Romania, and have deployed forces in Estonia.

A French air defence system helps to protect our borders in the Black Sea region.

French jets regularly patrol in the Baltic skies, and French naval ships keep our sea lanes open and safe.

Frances nuclear forces also contribute to our overall security, the security of the whole Alliance.

So thank you so much for Frances leadership in NATO.

At the Summit in Washington, more support to Ukraine will be our most urgent task.

Since Russias full-scale invasion, Allies have provided unprecedented support.

But recent gaps and delays have led to real consequences on the battlefield.

We must give Ukraine the predictability and accountability it needs to defend itself.

So I expect that Allies, when we meet at the summit, will agree for NATO to lead the coordination and provision of security assistance and training for Ukraine.

And I have also proposed a long-term financial pledge for Ukraine.

Our support is not about making NATO a party to the conflict.

It is about ensuring that Ukraine can uphold its right of self-defence.

A fundamental right which is enshrined in the UN Charter.

At the Summit, we will also address NATOs deterrence and defence.

Including investment.

And as you mentioned, President, I strongly welcome that this year, a record of 23 Allies  including France  will invest at least 2% of GDP on defence.

We will also address other important issues at the Summit, including work with the European Union and our Indo-Pacific partners.

And the decisions well take in Washington will strengthen our Alliance for the future.

So President Macron,

Thank you again for hosting me today.

I look forward to our Summit in Washington.

Let me also wish you all the best for a successful Olympic Games.

Thank you.
Joe Biden to expedite green card applications for undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens

President Joe Biden has signed another executive action that allows undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens to apply for lawful permanent residency without leaving the country

During the commemoration of the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) on June 18, Biden formally announced the measure that would provide legal status and deportation protections for approximately 500,000 American families and around 50,000 non-citizen children under 21 whose parents are married to U.S. citizens.

Undocumented individuals applying for permanent residency or a green card, which allows immigrants to legally reside and work in the U.S. but not vote in federal elections, must have lived in the country for at least 10 years and be legally married to a citizen. (Related: Job replenishment  migrants secured 75% of ALL new jobs under Biden.)

Under existing federal law, undocumented individuals who marry U.S. citizens must leave the country to request parole before applying for legal residency. However, the new executive action, set to go into effect by the end of the summer, eliminates this requirement and enables spouses to apply for residency without leaving the United States.

Moreover, the move also seeks to mend fences with immigration advocates and progressives who have criticized Biden for recent restrictive actions, including efforts to limit asylum processing at the U.S. southern border earlier this June.

In line with this, Biden criticized former President Donald Trump's past immigration policies and then claimed that he is "not interested in playing politics" on the border.

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.

"When he was president, he separated families and children at the border," Biden said of Trump. And now he's proposing to rip spouses and children from their families, homes and communities and place them in detention camps. He's actually saying these things, it's hard to believe it's been said, but he's actually saying these things out loud."

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas even advertised the new executive order in an interview, even claiming it is all "about family unity."

"It is about family unity. That is an ethic and a value of this country, and we will benefit significantly from it. We will keep families together, families including the undocumented spouses who have contributed so much to this country, in so many different ways."

Biden using ILLEGALS to boost chances of winning the November election

In March, POLITICO already hinted to the public about Biden quietly and secretly planning to grant amnesty and green cards to millions of illegal aliens in a deceptive ploy to rig elections and give Democrats permanent control in the United States.

"Like the Obama administration did in 2012 with the launch of the DACA program, Biden administration officials are also examining whether there's an action they could take for a different group of undocumented people who have long resided in the U.S., according to the three people familiar with the administration's planning," the outlet reported in March.

"One idea that has been floated among administration officials is opening access to the cancellation of removal program for people who have lived in the U.S. for over 10 years and have citizen or resident relatives who would 'suffer' if they were deported. If specific requirements are met and an immigration judge approves cancellation of removal, a migrant is able to obtain a green card."

As Democrats continue to lose voters in battleground states like Arizona, Nevada and Georgia, which are all crucial for Biden's re-election prospects, this newfound plan is part of a large-scale effort to secure more left-wing voters.

But despite several executive actions, the Biden campaign remains in denial of this tactic.

"Families belong together  its that simple. Its why President Bidens actions today are so important, and its also a powerful stark reminder of Donald Trumps unforgivable legacy of ripping crying children away from their parents when he put in place his family separation policy," said Biden's campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez.

Visit InvasionUSA.news for more stories about illegal immigrants coming to America.

Watch Mayor Eric Adams suggesting that illegal immigrants in NYC be housed in private residences below.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

INVASION USA: Report says Biden has granted amnesty to over 350,000 MIGRANTS since 2022.

CBP agent warns Bidens immigration executive order will NORMALIZE arrival of 2 million migrants annually.

Biden secretly planning to grant amnesty, green cards to millions of illegals in deceptive ploy to rig elections and give Democrats permanent control.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

Edition.CNN.com

POLITICO.com

Brighteon.com
Biden (supposedly) sending F-16s to be stationed inside Ukraine in defiance of Russian red line

In an interview withthis week, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan revealed that the U.S. taxpayer-funded F-16 warplanes the Biden regime is sending to Kiev will be stationed on Ukrainian territory.

Not long after President Biden and Ukrainian head Volodymyr Zelensky signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement to lock the U.S. into backing Kiev for at least the next decade, Sullivan dropped the bomb about where all Zelensky's new weapons of war will be stockpiled.

Zelensky, the world's most prominent welfare queen, started bragging not long after his meeting with Biden to sign the agreement that U.S. taxpayers will be forced to supply his regime with not only weapons like Patriot air-defense systems but also "squadrons" of fighter jets made up of F-16s and other aircraft.

The governments of Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands also pledged to send hordes of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, compliments of the labor of their respective taxpaying citizens and residents.

The reason why the parked location of the F-16s is significant is because previously the West suggested that the planes be stationed outside Ukraine in territories of neighboring NATO countries where they would be "safe."

"The plan is to put the F-16s in Ukraine," Sullivan said plainly, adding that the bilateral security agreement signed by Biden and Zelensky "reinforced this point."

"We want to help Ukraine have this capability," Sullivan added. "It should be a capability based in Ukraine."

(Related: Guess what? Putin has already promised to destroy every last one of those U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets once they arrive in Ukraine.)

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.

Crossing Russia's red lines once again

Another reason why this is major news is because Moscow previously warned against such an arrangement. Any Western weapons delivered to Ukraine will become legitimate targets for strikes by Russian forces, President Putin and his advisors previously indicated.

What the West is doing will only lead to more needless bloodshed, Russia also warned, because sending planes, weapons and cash by the boatloads will have zero impact on the ultimate outcome of the conflict, which is an eventual Russian win.

Even scarier for the populations living in the West is that Andrey Kartapolov, chair of the Russian parliament's Defense Committee, warned that if any F-16s in Kiev's name parked outside Ukraine are used in battle, then Moscow will consider those foreign bases to be "legitimate targets" as well.

"I'm sure even a kindergarten kid's not buying this lie," wrote a commenter online about Sullivan's claims about the U.S. delivering F-16s to Ukrainian territory. "They know those planes can't be stationed in Kiev without being blown up the same day. They are trying to fool people here."

Another said much the same, urging people "not to believe a thing Jake Sullivan has to say."

"The F-16s will be destroyed once the aircraft touches down for the first time," said someone else.

Another person pointed out that the F-16 "has never seen real combat against a well-trained military with equal capability."

"Up until 2003, we have seen 272 F-16s in total hull loss events. But the chances of aircraft failure have increased exponentially as the aircraft have passed their service life years."

"In the 21 years since 2003, the fatigue factor for the remaining F-16s puts them at serious risk. They can no longer survive high G maneuvers and their load carrying potential is severely reduced for combat missions. The numbers of F-16 total hull loss events since 2003 have been kept from the public domain due to the high numbers of crashes. Donor countries are happy to dump their redundant warplanes on Ukraine."

World War III is almost here  and some would argue it has already begun. Learn more at WWIII.news.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

NaturalNews.com
Canadian study accusing Disinformation Dozen of spreading most online anti-vaccine misinformation refuted by Meta for fraud

An unlikely advocate, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has come forward to publicly deny the false claims made in a March 2021 article out of Canada's McGill University accusing Sayer Ji and others from the "Disinformation Dozen" of spreading most of the "online anti-vaccine misinformation" that circulated during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic."

A recent statement from Meta indicated that there are fatal flaws in the report, which cited data from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) claiming that "two-thirds of anti-vaccine content shared or posted on Facebook and Twitter between February 1 and March 16, 2021, can be attributed to just twelve individuals," one of them being Ji, the founder of GreenMedInfo.com.

"There isn't any evidence to support this claim," said Monika Bickert, Meta's vice president of content policy, about the CCDH's central claim. "Moreover, focusing on such a small group of people distracts from the complex challenges we all face in addressing misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines."

(Related: Meanwhile, medical authorities are making up tales about why roughly 90 percent of the population now suffers from a mysterious new heart syndrome that looks exactly like spike protein organ damage.)

Is McGill University really a credible academic institution?

According to Bickert, the CCDH report "analyzed only a narrow set of 483 pieces of content over six weeks from only 30 groups." Describing this methodology as data cherry picking, Bickert said the sample "in no way representative of the hundreds of millions of posts that people have shared about COVID-19 vaccines in the past months on Facebook."

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.

Bickert also took issue with the lack of transparency at CCDH concerning how it classifies content as "anti-vax." Nobody seems to know or be allowed to say what constitutes "anti-vax" content, so what does the CCDH report actually prove? The answer is a whole lot of nothing.

The subsequent article from McGill's Jonathan Jarry failed to critically examine any of these serious methodological issues. Instead, Jarry simply parroted what the CCDH claims about the so-called Disinformation Dozen as if it is established fact, which it is not.

"This raises troubling questions about McGill's academic rigor and editorial standards," Ji commented about the revelations.

It turns out that McGill accepts millions of dollars from major pharmaceutical companies like Merck and Pfizer, which clearly influences the type of "science" that comes out of the school. McGill claims all that cash has no impact on the university's scientific content, but it obviously does.

McGill made some seriously false claims against honest people like Ji who were warning the public about the dangers of COVID injections very early on. According to Meta, the CCDH data that McGill used to make these claims is far too flimsy to support the conclusions made.

"In amplifying these spurious claims, Jarry and McGill engaged in precisely the sort of reckless dissemination of misinformation they accuse others of  with potentially defamatory consequences," Ji warns.

"This underscores the dangers of a politicized misinfo discourse in which academics, journalists, and activists feel emboldened to level inflammatory allegations against perceived opponents without due diligence or regard for truth."

Another thing this McGill scandal exposes is the insanity and hysteria surrounding "anti-vax misinfo" and all it does to fuel conspiratorial narratives while vindicating many skeptics' rightful perception that the medical establishment and its academic establishment supporters are biased when it comes to health-related issues.

"If we are to make real progress in the fight against misinformation, we must hold agencies like the CCDH and their scientific partners like McGill to the same high standards of accuracy, transparency, and integrity we expect of others," Ji says.

Big Pharma and the medical industry at large are freaking out over people learning the ugly truth about vaccines. You, too, can learn more about them at Vaccines.news.

Sources for this article include:

GreenMedInfo.com

NaturalNews.com
Los Angeles Unified School District implements cellphone and social media ban

The Los Angeles Unified School District's (LAUSD) board decided to ban cellphones and social media use during school hours  with five board members voting in favor and two against. This ban, which will start in the spring of 2025, extends beyond the previous policy that only restricted phone use during classes and limited social media to educational purposes.

The decision follows a Pew Research Center survey revealing that 72 percent of high school teachers in the United States see cellphone use as a major classroom problem. The old policy, in place since 2011, has become ineffective with the rise of smartphones.

"Our students are glued to their cellphones  not unlike adults," warned LAUSD board member Nick Melvoin, who supports the ban. "They're surreptitiously scrolling in school, in class time. They have their head in their hands walking down the hallways. They're not talking to each other or playing at lunch or recess because they have their AirPods in."

"Excessuve cellphone use impacts adolescents mental health and well-being and is associated with increased stress, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, feelings of aggression and suicidal thoughts," warned the LAUSD regarding research released supporting the ban. "Research indicates that limiting cellphone usage and social media access during the school day increases academic performance and has positive effects on student mental health."

Parents voice safety concerns over school cellphone ban

Parents worry that a complete ban could endanger their children in emergencies. Melvoin acknowledged these concerns, emphasizing the need for better safety measures in schools. (Related: Parents and school officials of small Irish town unite to BAN SMARTPHONES for children as old as 13.)

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.

"I think in emergencies and with parent communication, this is definitely where a lot of parents have expressed their concerns to me," said Melvoin. "I think it's such a tragic sign of the times, that this is what we initially think of. And we all need to do better in this country when it comes to gun violence prevention and keeping our students safe."

The bans implementation may vary by school. Some schools might require phones to be kept in lockers, while others may use magnetic pouches. The district plans to develop a system to keep parents informed during emergencies. Additionally, there are concerns that non-English-speaking students might need apps on their phones as translation aides.

LAUSD School Board President Jackie Goldberg explained the straightforward plan: Students must store their phones at the start of the day  either in a locker or a pouch  and retrieve them when leaving.

Administrators hope the ban will enhance social interactions and reduce bullying. The LA Times highlighted a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicating that 15 percent of U.S. high school students reported being bullied on school property and 16 percent experienced being bullied electronically via text or social media in 2021.

Learn more about the state of public education in the U.S. at PublicEducation.news.

Should cellphones be banned from schools? Watch this video.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Poll: Parents most concerned about excessive use of SOCIAL MEDIA and mobile devices as kids return to school.

Meta intentionally got children and teens ADDICTED to social media to exploit them for profit.

How smartphone addiction affects brain function and mental health.

SURVEY: Majority of American teenagers feel happy and peaceful without smartphones.

Less drama and fewer distractions: Minnesota middle school students happier after smartphone ban.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

PewResearch.org

LAUSD.org [PDF]

MSDManuals.com

Brighteon.com
NATO considers deploying more nuclear weapons to operational status

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is considering increasing its deployment of nuclear weapons, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said as he claimed that Russia and China have been threatening that they would not think twice about using their nuclear warheads when needs arise.

"I won't go into operational details about how many nuclear warheads should be operational and which should be stored, but we need to consult on these issues," he claimed while speaking at the NATO headquarters. He claimed that the alliance is considering taking out the weaponry from the storage into standby.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed that the deepening Western involvement in the Ukraine conflict could trigger an escalation and that they are serious about it. However, they "are not brandishing [nuclear weapons]," Putin told his audience at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 7. He reiterated that Russia would only consider using nuclear weapons if its sovereignty or territorial integrity were under threat. "I do not believe that is the case now," Putin emphasized. He warned, however, that changes to the doctrine "are not ruled out."

Moreover, Russia and Belarus began the second stage of their tactical weapon nuclear drills. According to Russia's Defense Ministry, the drills are in response to "provocative statements and threats of individual Western officials against the Russian Federation."

During the NATO meeting, Stoltenberg also warned of a perceived threat that China poses as it continues to develop its nuclear weapons arsenal. "NATO may face something that it has never faced before and that is two nuclear-powered potential adversaries  China and Russia. Of course, this has consequences," Stoltenberg said, referring to estimates that China may have as many as 1,000 nuclear warheads by 2030.

We are building the infrastructure of human freedom and empowering people to be informed, healthy and aware. Explore our decentralized, peer-to-peer, uncensorable Brighteon.io free speech platform here. Learn about our free, downloadable generative AI tools at Brighteon.AI. Every purchase at HealthRangerStore.com helps fund our efforts to build and share more tools for empowering humanity with knowledge and abundance.

The G7 also highlighted China and other third world countries "that materially support Russia's war machine," and said it would continue to sanction entities based in these countries "that facilitate Russia's acquisition of items for its defense industrial base."

Meanwhile, Stoltenberg urged NATO members to demonstrate nuclear transparency as a deterrent to nuclear aggression. "Transparency helps to communicate the direct message that we, of course, are a nuclear alliance," he told the Telegraph. "NATO's aim is, of course, a world without nuclear weapons, but as long as nuclear weapons exist, we will remain a nuclear alliance, because a world where Russia, China and North Korea have nuclear weapons, and NATO does not, is a more dangerous world.

On June 17, NATO spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah clarified Stoltenberg's comments. "NATO is committed to ensuring a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent," he said in a comment to the Kyiv Independent. "For that purpose, we have an ongoing modernization program to replace legacy weapons and aircraft. Beyond that, there are no significant changes to our nuclear deterrent." (Related: Declassified documents reveal U.S. secret nuclear war project named SIOP, aimed at killing Russians and Chinese people.)

NATO includes 32 member states, with the United States, United Kingdom and France boasting nuclear arsenals. U.S. nuclear weapons are located in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. The U.S. holds approximately 5,428 warheads, with 1,419 deployed. Russia has a larger arsenal, with an estimated 5,977 warheads and 1,549 deployed.

Putin to revise Russia's nuke doctrine due to adversaries' "ultra-low-power explosive nuclear devices"

During a state visit in Vietnam aiming to bolster ties in Asia amid its growing international isolation over its conflict with Ukraine, Putin has said he is considering changing Russia's nuclear weapon doctrine due to the development of ultra-low-power explosive nuclear devices by his country's adversaries.

Putin arrived in Hanoi on Thursday morning from North Korea after signing the strategic pact, which comes as both countries face escalating standoffs with the West and could mark their strongest connection since the end of the Cold War, Euro News reported. However, the Russian president said that he doesn't expect North Korea's volunteers to participate in the special military operation in Ukraine.

The West now worries that there could have been a possible arms arrangement in which North Korea provides Russia with munitions to be used in its war with Ukraine in exchange for Russian economic assistance and technology transfers that could enhance the threat posed by Kims nuclear weapons and missile programs. Both countries deny accusations of weapons transfers, which would violate multiple UN Security Council sanctions that Russia previously endorsed.

During the visit to Vietnam, Putin signed at least a dozen deals with his Vietnamese counterpart, including an offer to supply fossil fuels to Vietnam. He and Vietnamese President To Lam agreed to further cooperate in education, science and technology, oil and gas exploration and clean energy. The two countries also agreed to work on a roadmap for a nuclear science and technology center in Vietnam.

His trip was highly criticized by the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam. According to reports, the embassy said that no country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression and otherwise allow him to normalize his atrocities. "If Putin is allowed to travel freely, it could normalize Russia's blatant violations of international law," it said in a statement.

Head over to NuclearWar.news for updates on possible escalations of worldwide conflicts into a nuclear war.

Sources for this article include:

TheNationalPulse.com

Telegraph.co.uk

EuroNews.com
This is how Russia can get its stolen money back while leaving the financial West to collapse all on its own

editor Jim Rickards told Steve Bannon of "War Room" this week that Russia has an easy and obvious solution to the West's attempted theft of Russian assets: put a lien on $40 trillion at the Euroclear custodian, which will lead to financial chaos.

Western power brokers have schemed up a clever but deceptive structured product concept for their attempted theft of $300 billion in frozen Russian assets that they plan to use to fund a $50 billion "loan" to Ukraine. The glaring problem is that the structured product allows the West to steal the interest on frozen Russian assets.

"The way they're stealing the assets is a structured product," Rickards explained to Bannon, noting the similarities between this financial scheme and the one Western power brokers cooked up in 2008 to try to save themselves from the financial collapse.

"You go back to 2008 with all those garbage mortgages out there  how could you turn them into AAA securities? And Wall Street said 'hold my beer and I'll show you how to do it,' and they did, and of course it all collapsed."

As for the situation with the frozen Russian assets, the U.S. is basically trying to "lend" Ukraine $50 billion  backed by U.S. taxpayers, of course  by siphoning all the interest collected on the $300 billion in frozen Russian assets.

"The $300 billion is going to throw off about $13.5 billion in interest at 4.5 percent ... that's $67.5 billion in interest over five years," Rickards explained, breaking down the math.

"The interest on the $50 billion 'loan' is $2.25 billion per year, times five years is $11.25 billion, and you have to pay back the $50 billion in principle. So you are going to need $61.25 billion at the end of five years to pay back principle and interest on the loan. So we're going to steal $67 billion approximately from Russian interests and that's enough to pay for the $61.25 billion on the loan."

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 essence, the loan will be made; it will accrue interest; it will be repaid; and that repayment will come from Russian assets, which happen to be six times larger than the loan, at least for now.

"So it will produce enough interest to pay off the loan," Rickards says. "They're stealing the interest."

You can watch the full video interview with Bannon and Rickards at The Burning Platform.

(Related: Every move the West makes to try to punish Russia for its special military operation in Ukraine backfires like a boomerang.)

Time for Russia to drop the financial nuke

When the plot eventually fails  and it will  the Western financial house of cards will be shaken like never before. This is because all Russia has to do in response to this threat is to return the favor.

"They're going to seize European assets in Russia  oil, infrastructure, telecommunications, retail franchises, luxury goods, and a lot else," Rickards warns.

The really dangerous part, though, is how easy it will be for Russia to sue Euroclear, the clearinghouse that mediates all this in Europe, for wrongful conversion of assets.

"Russia will probably win and then take that judgment around the world to start seizing Euroclear assets," Rickards says. "Euroclear is a $40 trillion custodian. That will throw the global financial system into chaos."

Keep in mind that when this happens, Russia will not be the responsible party for the subsequent financial collapse. The West is responsible, having baked all this corruption into the financial s**t cake going back decades. Russia simply holds the launch button to deliver long-awaited judgment to the Mystery Babylonian system responsible for all these financial crimes against humanity.

The West is playing with fire concerning its relations with Russia. Learn more at Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheBurningPlatform.com

NaturalNews.com
Ukrainian DRONE SWARMS target four Russian oil refineries in largest drone attack yet

Four refineries in southern Russia were targeted Thursday night, June 20, in one of the largest drone swarm attacks ever reported since the beginning of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine.

Brent crude futures remained steady on despite rising geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe, which seems counterintuitive given that escalating war risks typically lead to supply disruptions. One facility was damaged, with 70 drones intercepted and destroyed over Crimea and the Black Sea, and 43 over the Krasnodar region, according to the Russian Defense Ministry on Telegram.

They did not specify the total number of drones involved. Ukraine's General Staff later confirmed the attacks on the Afipsky, Ilsky, Krasnodar and Astrakhan refineries in a Facebook post.

In the Seversky district of the Krasnodar region, where the Afipsky and Ilsky refineries are situated, administrative buildings at an oil refinery were damaged, local governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported on Telegram. Interfax noted that a fire covering 50 square meters (538 square feet) was extinguished by morning, with two people injured.

Additionally, drones targeted a military airfield in Yeysk during the broader attack on Krasnodar Krai.

Ukraine's military claimed responsibility for the drone swarm attack, stating that drones were launched against the Afipskiy, Ilskiy, Krasnodar, and Astrakhan oil refineries and an intelligence center in southern Russia. Drones also targeted a preparation and storage area in the Krasnodar region, causing a series of explosions and a fire with subsequent detonation.

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.

A security and defense source confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that a coordinated attack by the Security Service of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Navy's missile forces struck the 167th training center at the Yeysk military airfield, where Shahed drones were stored.

Earlier, the Krasnodar Krai Operations Center announced that several districts in the region had experienced a massive drone attack. The strike on the Ilskyi refinery resulted in a 50-square-meter fire, with preliminary reports indicating two injuries. Local authorities stated that the fire had been extinguished.

Ukraine increasingly targeting Russian industries to stymie funding for war effort

In recent months, Ukrainian forces have conducted multiple drone strikes to disrupt Russia's oil industry, which is vital to Moscow's war efforts and military operations. In May, attacks on oil depots in Krasnodar Krai reportedly affected operations at the Slavyansk-on-Kuban and Tuapse refineries. (Related: Ukraine claims to be developing "unstoppable" AI-controlled drones that can attack targets on the battlefield.)

In March, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna stated that oil refineries in Russia are "absolutely legitimate targets" from a military standpoint. The Biden administration has previously expressed concern over Ukrainian drone strikes in Russia due to the risk of driving Brent crude prices above $100 per barrel. However, in recent weeks, President Joe Biden has reportedly given the green light for Ukraine to attack deep within Russia using U.S. weapons.

Brent crude prices are set for the first back-to-back weekly gain since early April, ending the week around $85 per barrel. Escalating conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East reflect a higher war risk premium that should be factored into Brent crude prices.

A major concern is that if Ukraine continues targeting Russian oil infrastructure, Moscow could retaliate by attacking energy infrastructure relied upon by the West. This includes the CPC pipeline, which carries oil from Kazakhstan through Russia to the global market.

Learn more about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine with Russia at UkraineWitness.com.

Watch this video debunking the so-called "myth" of "billions of arms flowing into Ukraine."

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russia readying to attack French troops as U.K. sends Zelensky 1,000 drones.

Germany wants NATO to take down Russian missiles and drones hovering in Ukrainian airspace.

U.S. military and contractors are exploiting Ukraine conflict to test AI-powered military technology.

Ukraine now buying CHINESE DRONES because the American-made versions are unreliable.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

KyivIndependent.com

Brighteon.com
U.S. caught off guard by how quickly Russia is strengthening alliances with Americas adversaries

Russia has been busy forming new alliances and strengthening existing ones, and its efforts have been so successful that they completely caught the U.S. off guard

This is according to a report by the Wall Street Journal asserting the U.S. did not anticipate the recently strengthened partnerships between Russia and American adversaries such as North Korea, Iran and China.

U.S. intelligence analysts are reportedly surprised by how quickly and strongly the countries have expanded security ties, seemingly overlooking past disagreements to join forces in their resistance to American dominance on the global stage.

Wednesdays historic visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang, where he met with dictator Kim Jong Un, is the most recent example. During his visit, Putin signed a new mutual defense treaty and strategic partnership between Russia and North Korea. The countries have reached an agreement to provide mutual aid should either one of them be attacked, and it comes at a time when tensions between North Korea and U.S. ally South Korea are rising.

It was a surprising move despite the already close ties between the countries. It is not clear whether this means they will fight for each other in war scenarios or if it refers to other types of support. However, officials in the U.S. and South Korea believe that Russia may give North Korea space technology and other types of advanced systems in exchange for the short-range ballistic missiles and artillery ammunition they have been providing to Moscow.

The U.S. has accused North Korea of sending workers to Russia to serve on weapons production lines and selling them artillery shells and missiles to use in their offensive against Ukraine.

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.

When it comes to China, the U.S. believes the CCP has helped the Russian military industry get around Western sanctions by providing them with massive quantities of dual-use equipment, including machine tools, microelectronics  optics for tanks and armored vehicles, and turbo engines for cruise missiles.

American officials also claim China has assisted Moscow in improving satellite and other space-based technologies being used against Ukraine. However, they appear to be acting very cautiously to avoid providing weapons to Russia outright, which the U.S. has warned would lead to economic sanctions.

One defense official noted: They are very careful, but they are darn close to the line. They have been doing everything they can to support the Russians without having to pay any costs themselves.

Iran, meanwhile, has helped Russia build a factory for lethal armed drones that is responsible for manufacturing thousands of Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones per year, and they expect it to expand its capabilities to encompass other types of drones moving forward. This is also giving Iran the opportunity to expand its warfare knowledge by seeing how its drones perform in real war conditions as Russia continues to unleash them at Ukraine.

One Pentagon official told the WSJ that Iran is now Russias main supplier of weapons.

Russia and other nations want to put an end to U.S. global dominance

All three countries are also part of the BRICS+ alliance, a coalition that has been expanding lately. Dozens of countries are reportedly interested in joining, and one of their shared goals is shifting away from the U.S. dollar to avoid feeling the impact of Western sanctions.

At a joint news conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg commented: Russias war in Ukraine ispropped up by China, North Korea, and Iran. They want to see the U.S. fail. They want to see NATO fail. If they succeed in Ukraine, it will make us more vulnerable and the world more dangerous.

However, these expanded ties are not believed to be comparable to a formal military alliance such as NATO  at least not yet.

Former White House and CIA official Sue Mi Terry told the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank that for Russia, North Korea, even China, this is all a marriage of convenience, based on convergence or alignment of interests and goals right now, rather than some passionate love affair.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

WSJ.com
ZIONISTS GONE WILD: Former Trump-appointed U.S. ambassador to Israel says Americans must be imprisoned for antisemitism

Another prominent Zionist in Washington, D.C., is furiously tweeting about how American citizens must be thrown in prisonfor committing "antisemitism."

Former Donald Trump-appointed U.S. Ambassador to Israel David M. Friedman had a meltdown on X about the Biden regime not doing enough, in his opinion, to "arrest and prosecute" Americans for "hate crimes" against Jews.

"Antisemitism is now tolerated and even supported in the United States in ways never before seen in our country," Friedman complained. "It is a national crisis and an embarrassment. It has gone far beyond criticism of Israel, which itself was violent, vulgar and antisemitic."

At the federal level, Joe Biden or "whoever tells [him] what to do" needs to "get touch on Jew-hatred," according to Friedman. His suggestion? The launch of a massive "federal" effort to round up the "incredibly ugly mobs harassing and assaulting Jews."

"I see no real effort on the Federal [sic] level to arrest and prosecute the criminals for their hate crimes," Friedman further whined. "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!"

(Related: This is the same David Friedman, by the way, who conspired with other Zionists to oppress the Gaza solidarity protesters at American college and university campuses.)

Antisemitism "a precursor to the end of an empire," says Friedman

In a not-so-veiled threat against the U.S. and its people, Friedman continued in his digital rant to preach about "history" and how empires fall whenever a people embraces "antisemitism."

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.

"History teaches that out of control antisemitism is a precursor to the end of an empire," Friedman wrote. "If we don't stop this now, America is in dire jeopardy."

It turns out that Friedman failed to follow the news cycle closely enough to see that nearly 3,000 people  and some say this is a conservative number  were arrested at pro-Palestinian protests on at least 61 different college campuses across the country, this according to Axios.

A big motivating factor behind this crackdown were the dozen or so Jewish billionaires who worked secretly behind the veil alongside the Israeli government in a private WhatsApp chat group to conspire against Americans and their First Amendment right to free speech.

Many Republican congressmen are thrilled by this attack on the Constitution, by the way. Some of them are even ring-leading the political witch hunt that aims to punish pro-Palestinian Americans for making their voices heard publicly.

Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, for instance, wants to imprison two pro-Palestine protesters in his state using what was described in the media as "an ancient KKK anti-masking law." Fortunately for the defendants, a grand jury rejected Yost's failed attempt to sidestep and steamroll 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)," contends Chris Menahan from Information Liberation.

"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."

In the comments, someone flipped the script and called for Zionist tyrants like Friedman to be jailed for "displaying anti-humanism" by "not denouncing the Talmud and refusing to be associated with other Talmudic Jews" who seem to have a bloodlust agenda against free Americans.

The Zionists appear to be coming unhinged all over the place, but is it just theater? Find out more at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

InformationLiberation.com

NaturalNews.com
A new report said that Norway and Sweden are the only two nations that paid their fair share of nature finance to poor countries.

Financing Poor Countries

To address the increasing issues posed by biodiversity loss, the nations who are Parties to the Convention on Biological Biodiversity, the primary multilateral governance body for biodiversity, approved the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

As part of this framework, governments commit to a number of particular goals, one of which is to give poor countries at least $20 billion year by 2025, with that amount rising to at least $30 billion annually by 2030.

Finance for biodiversity is essential for poor nations. By looking at three case studies--Namibia, Nepal, and Mexico--it was discover that grants made possible by this framework allow developing nations to finance public goods that wouldn't bring in enough revenue from private investment.

A recent analysis has revealed that wealthy nations such as the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Italy, and Spain are not giving poor countries less than half of their fair share of environment finance.

Greece and Poland were at the bottom of the scale, contributing barely 10% and 5% of what they should, respectively, while the UK was contributing roughly 24% of its pledge.

Researchers who examined each country's progress using data from 2021, the most recent year for which governments submitted statistics, found that countries are falling $11.6 billion short of their financial commitment globally and that they need to "dramatically scale up." Although some more promises have been made in the last three years, experts claim that they haven't "substantially moved the needle."

Read Also: Island States Claim Rich Nations Failed To Meet Obligations To Mitigate Climate Change Effects

Wealthy Nations To Be Blamed

Over the past 60 years, wealthy nations have been mostly to blame for the destruction of natural areas worldwide. The payments made to less developed nations, who usually have smaller ecological footprints and the largest remaining biodiversity reserves, are intended to make up for this excessive use of the planet's natural resources.

Laetitia Pettinotti, the principal author and an ODI research fellow, expressed her hope that this report will serve as a wake-up call for high-income countries to fulfill their duties.

"Failing to reach the target undermines the UN convention on biological diversity and damages trust. But far more importantly, this failure represents a genuine threat to our shared prosperity, livelihoods, economies and health," she said.

The amount that each nation will contribute to the financial pot was not specified in the 2022 COP15 pact. This research determines how much each of the 28 donor countries must give to the $20 billion by taking into consideration their population, gross national product, and historical influence on the environment.

Sara Pantuliano, the CEO of ODI, said rich countries are frequently shielded from personal accountability by collective agreements. Australia, together with Germany and France, almost completely fulfills the required obligations.

According to an accompanying report by Campaign for Nature, which commissioned the research, some countries have made financial contributions since 2021: 29 countries committed to giving the Global Environment Facility the equivalent of $480 million annually, while Canada, Germany, Japan, Luxembourg, Spain, and the UK committed to giving the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund the equivalent of $32 million annually.

The US did not pledge to contribute to the target because it is not a party to the GBF. The analysis determined that if it were included, it would be among the lowest performing.

At COP16 in Cali, Colombia, world leaders will convene to examine these financial obligations.

Related Article: Developing Nations Urged To Be Transparent In Progress Of Cutting Greenhouse Emission and Climate Spending, COP29 Leader Says
Residents in the Eastern U.S. can expect another surge of hotter temperatures this week, according to a weather report. Homeowners should watch out for heat-related health concerns and advisories this week.

The beginning of June unleashed challenging heat in parts of the country, causing heat advisories and scorching heat. Vulnerable populations, including older adults, people with chronic diseases, children, and pregnant women, are mostly at risk of challenging heat.

While severe thunderstorms threaten some parts of the U.S., people should stay alerted to changing weather conditions, particularly heat advisories.

A recent weather report in Los Angeles warns of very warm conditions through Thursday, with potential 100-degree highs over the interior and widespread highs that can reach 96 to 108 highs. Additionally, increased concerns about grassfires are likely.

In a weather report by the National Weather Service, possible heatwaves can occur in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern Plains.

Eastern Weather Forecast: Where Will Challenging Heat Unload?

According to a weather report published on June 24, there is a risk of a surge of heat and high humidity in parts of the Eastern U.S. Commuters should watch out for challenging heat, especially for vulnerable populations.

The start of the late week is expected to bring relief from the scorching heat. A cooler weather outlook is forecast in Minneapolis, Omaha, Green Bay, Chicago, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Charleston, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Burlington.

On Tuesday, Des Moines, Kansas City, St. Louis, Buffalo, Peoria, Indianapolis, Detroit, and Green Bay could experience a potential rainy condition. However, challenging conditions could return this midweek.

In an NWS Weather Prediction Center on June 23, a dangerous heatwave is forecast in the Northeast Urban Corridor. Commuters can anticipate temperatures in the mid to upper 90s, with 100-degree highs possible.

On Wednesday, a heat surge is likely to unfold in the following areas:

New York

Boston

Portland

Washington

Durham

Virginia Beach

Pittsburgh

Charleston

Columbus

St. Louis

In St. Louis, residents should keep alert for prolonged hot weather on Monday and Tuesday. Homeowners should monitor for heat advisories in the region, particularly in central Missouri. Additionally, people should avoid strenuous activities this week.

In addition, possible heatwave concerns, reaching the mid-to-upper 90s, are likely in the Mid-Atlantic, I-95 Urban Corridor, including from Washington D.C. to New York City.

The widespread heat is forecast in the Southeast, Plains, and Mid-South. Heat index readings can reach 110 degrees in some places.

On Thursday, Louisville, Indianapolis, Chattanooga, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Buffalo, and Burlington are expected to experience a less humid weather outlook. Meanwhile, NWS Pittsburgh shows a risk for severe storms this week, but homeowners should still watch out for the return of scorching heat.

In Boston City, the forecast monitors possible strong and severe storms in southern New England. Other concerns are strong and damaging winds.

Also Read: Illinois, Indiana Weather Forecasts: Severe Thunderstorms to Unload Excessive Rainfall, Flash Flooding Concerns This Week

Weather Preparedness in Eastern US Due to Challenging Heat

Because of the threats of unusual heat this week, homeowners should limit outdoor plans or activities. The scorching heat can lead to heat-related health concerns and advisories, particularly in the Eastern U.S.

Staying hydrated at all times can mitigate the risk of heat-related health concerns in the region. Additionally, it is advisable to check the latest weather information and forecasts to stay safe from unusual heat.

Related Article: Central U.S. Weather Forecast: Scattered Showers to Bring Relief From Unusual Heat

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
In an effort to prevent the extinction of rare birds, millions of mosquitoes are being dropped from helicopters in Hawaii.

Honeycreepers Are Succumbing To Malaria

The indigenous, vividly colored honeycreeper birds of the archipelago are succumbing to malaria, which is spread by mosquitoes that were initially brought by American and European ships in the 1800s. The birds can perish from a single bite since they have not established immunity to the illness.

Thirty-three species of honeycreepers have gone extinct, and many of the 17 that are still in existence are in grave danger of going extinct in the next year or two if nothing is done. Now, using a novel tactic-releasing additional mosquitoes-conservationists are desperately attempting to save them.

Every week, 250,000 male mosquitoes carrying a naturally occurring bacteria that prevents conception are dropped from a helicopter onto the islands in the isolated archipelago. Ten million have been released thus far.

"The only thing that's more tragic is if [the birds] went extinct and we didn't try. You can't not try," said Chris Warren, the forest bird program coordinator for Haleakala national park on the island of Maui.

With just one bird known to remain in the wild on Kauai island, the population of the one honeycreeper, the Kauai creeper, or akikiki, has decreased from 450 in 2018 to five in 2023, according to the national park service.

Honeycreepers have an incredible diversity and canary-like song; each species has evolved with unique beak shapes, adapted to eating different foods, from fruit to nectar to snails. They are an important part of the ecosystem, helping to pollinate plants and eating insects.

Hawaii's birds have a very limited immune response to avian malaria since they did not evolve alongside it. The scarlet honeycreeper, or "i'iwi," for instance, has a 90% chance of dying if bitten by an infected mosquito.

The remaining birds typically reside at high altitudes above 1,200-1,500 meters (4,000-5,000 feet), where the temperature is too low for mosquitoes carrying the avian malaria parasite to survive. However, mosquitoes are shifting to higher altitudes as the temperature warms.

Read Also: Last 5 'Akikiki Bird Faces Possible Extinction as Non-Native Mosquitoes Bring Malaria to Hawaii

Incompatible Insect Technique

By releasing male mosquitoes with a naturally occurring bacteria that prevents the eggs of wild females they mate with from hatching, researchers are utilizing the incompatible insect technique (IIT).

Since female mosquitoes only mate once, the population is thought to eventually decline as a result. Most insects naturally harbor the bacteria Wolbachia, which is only able to procreate when two partners harbor the same strain of the germ.

Programs to apply the strategy to lower mosquito populations are still in place in Florida and California, having already proven effective in China and Mexico. This program's efficacy ought to be evident in the summer, when mosquito populations usually soar.

Dr. Nigel Beebe, from the University of Queensland, researched how the IIT technique works on other mosquito species and said that compared to employing pesticides that have significant off-target effects, it is far superior. In particular for matters like the preservation of endangered species.

Related Article: 6 Species of Hawaiian Songbirds Could Face Extinction in 10 Years Due to Climate Change and Rats
Authorities in Zambia warned tourists after an American woman died of an elephant attack while on a wildlife tour.

Fatal Attack

The second fatal attack in Zambia this year occurred on Wednesday, when an African elephant attacked and killed a 64-year-old tourist.

One of the elephants assaulted a parked tourist vehicle in Livingstone while it was viewing a herd near the Maramba Cultural Bridge. According to local news, Juliana Gle Tourneau, a visitor from New Mexico, was tossed outside and trampled to death.

Officials reported that Tourneau was a member of a group that had stopped close to the bridge because of the traffic the elephant herd was causing there.

This is the second attack of this kind that has occurred this year; the first one killed an American tourist in March while on a game drive in Zambia's Kafue National Park. In that particular event, the tourist was murdered and five others were injured when an elephant assaulted a truck and overturned it.

Gail Mattson, a 79-year-old Minnesotan, died in the attack, according to her family. Rona Wells said in a Facebook post that her mother passed away in a "tragic accident while on her dream adventure."

There is terrifying smartphone footage of the incident. Tourists captured the opening scene of the video while on a wildlife drive in an open safari truck.

Authorities in Zambia have advised visitors to observe animals throughout the nation with the utmost caution.

In recent years, there have been fatal elephant attacks reported throughout the nation.

Read Also: Elephant Herd Tramples Car After Hitting One of Their Calf in Malaysia

Pressure On Habitat And Herds

A wildlife expert believes that elephants' increased aggression toward humans is a result of mounting pressure on their habitats and herds. Over 200 people have died in Kenya as a result of elephant attacks, according to the World Wildlife Fund, in the previous seven years.

Joshua Plotnik, a researcher at Hunter College in New York City who studies elephant behavior and cognition, claimed that unfortunate encounters with elephants kill several hundred people in India every year.

"As human development expands and natural elephant habitat decreases, the frequency of interactions has inevitably increased. This leads to more elephant and human deaths, unfortunately,' he added.

The Oklahoma City Zoo's Chase LaDue, a conservation biologist, stated that an assault can be influenced by the location and timing of safari vehicles. And after going through a stressful event, elephants might become irritated and act out, much like people.

LaDue observed that during the March incident, the safari car was positioned in an unfavorable area with overgrown areas that made it challenging to provide the elephant with the necessary room.

Not every interaction has a tragic ending. In the Pilanesberg National Park of South Africa in March, a male elephant repeatedly lifted and lowered a truck meant for wildlife viewing with its trunk acting as a crane. Using loud noises like slamming the doors, shouting, and revving the engine, the guide drove the elephant away. Nobody was hurt.

Experts agree that there is risk involved with engaging with wildlife. They advise visitors to inquire about the type of training that the safari company's guides receive in order to guarantee a safer experience. They should, at the very least, have first aid and emergency medical care experience. He said that several nations also have accreditation schemes.

Avoid an elephant if you see one in a city or neighborhood. To lessen the strain on the enormous creatures, national parks, wildlife reserves, and protected places with wild elephants will restrict the daily number of tourists or automobiles.

Related Article: Elephant Tramples to Death College Student at Indian Village
A group of scientists studying infectious diseases and medicine have discovered evidence supporting the hypothesis that fungi may become more hazardous to people as the earth warms.

Adapt To The Growing Warmth

Fungal infections in humans were not thought to pose much of a hazard during the majority of modern history. There have been very few fungal illnesses, except for ringworms, nail infections, and yeast infections in women.

Since physicians have been reporting an increase in uncommon forms of fungal infections, that has started to change a little bit in recent years.

Previous studies have claimed that because fungi prefer colder temperatures than those found in and on the bodies of mammals, this is the reason they have not posed a greater danger until recently. However, as the researchers involved in this new study have discovered, that might be about to change.

Experts in infectious diseases have been forecasting an increase in many forms of fungal infections in humans in response to global warming. They propose that fungi will eventually adapt to the growing warmth of their surroundings and find the human body to be a suitable place to live.

During the years 2009-2019, the Chinese team investigated 96 hospitals for fungal diseases. Thousands of fungal strains were discovered, including one that had never before been known to infect people and that they discovered in two unrelated cases

Additionally, they discovered that it was resistant to two of the most widely used categories of treatments for fungal infections.

Motivated by curiosity, scientists injected lab mice with compromised immune systems with blood contaminated with the same sort of fungus that was gathered from the natural environment.

Scientists discovered two interesting things: the fungus flourished and transformed into a more aggressive form of itself.

Subsequently, they heated the fungal infection in a lab dish to 37 degrees Celsius, which is the same temperature as a human's body, and discovered that this caused it to become resistant to several anti-fungal drugs.

According to Linqi Wang, a microbiologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Microbiology and co-author of a paper on the fungi, the result "supports the idea that global warming may contribute to the evolution of this fungal pathogen or other new fungal pathogens."

Read Also: Soil Fungi Contributes to Biodiversity of Forests Near Equator, Study Finds

Not Yet A Threat

Fungal disease epidemiologist Matthew Fisher of Imperial College London does not yet consider it to be a growing danger. He believes humans rarely come into contact with related species because they have been discovered in the Dead Sea, the Baltic Sea, and Antarctic soil.

His initial impression is that these yeasts exist in unstudied conditions in China, and the two patients who were exposed to them were unfortunate.

Some experts said it's too early to tell, but they expect additional researchers to experiment with growing fungi at greater temperatures. They note that while it is improbable that they will all begin to change further, it is concerning if it occurs frequently enough that the pattern begins to recur.

Related Article: Mysterious Fungi Group Belongs to New Tree of Life Branch After Deviating from Other Fungi 300 Million Years Ago
In the face of a severe water shortage, the island of Capri demonstrates its ability to overcome adversity, ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents and visitors.

The Onset of the Crisis

The idyllic island of Capri, renowned for its stunning landscapes and as a haven for tourists, faced an unprecedented challenge when the aqueduct from the mainland suffered damage.

This critical infrastructure failure led to a dire water shortage, triggering an emergency response from local authorities.

Mayor Paolo Falco, prioritizing the welfare of the island's inhabitants and its resources, made the difficult decision to halt the influx of tourists.

This measure was essential to manage the limited water supply effectively and prevent a full-blown humanitarian crisis.

Emergency Response and Community Action

As the situation escalated, Mayor Falco and the local government sprang into action, implementing emergency measures to address the water shortage.

Residents were allowed to collect a rationed amount of drinking water from supply tankers, ensuring that no one was left without the essential resource.

Meanwhile, technicians worked tirelessly to repair the damaged aqueduct, and additional water shipments were arranged to alleviate the immediate needs of the island.

Restoration and Recovery

The community's efforts bore fruit as the technical issues were resolved, and the water supply was restored to the island.

With the crisis averted, Mayor Falco announced the lifting of the tourist ban, allowing the island to welcome back its visitors.

The hotels on the island, which had been tasked with ensuring their own water supply during the ban, were once again ready to host the influx of tourists who contribute significantly to Capri's economy.

Reflections on the Crisis

The water shortage crisis in Capri has highlighted the importance of infrastructure maintenance and the need for prompt crisis management.

It has also showcased the strength and unity of the Capri community, which came together to support one another during this challenging time.

As tourists return to the island, the local government remains vigilant, taking steps to prevent such emergencies in the future and to safeguard the delicate balance between tourism and sustainability.

Also Read: Water Parasite 'Cryptosporidium' Found in US Water Supply That Causes Diarrheal Disease Can Become Curable [Study]

How did local businesses cope during the tourist ban?

During the tourist ban in Capri, local businesses faced significant challenges due to the sudden drop in visitors, which directly impacted their revenue.

However, they demonstrated resilience and adaptability in coping with the situation. Here's how some of them managed:

Hotels and Accommodations

Hotels on the island, which are a cornerstone of Capri's economy, had to ensure their own water supply during the ban. They were allowed to operate and accept tourists who had prior bookings, provided they could guarantee water availability for their guests. This meant that hotels with their own water tanks or alternative water sources could still function, albeit at a reduced capacity.

Restaurants and Cafes

Restaurants and cafes, which usually thrive on tourist footfall, had to quickly adjust to serving the local population. Some establishments may have reduced their hours of operation or limited their menu offerings to conserve water and reduce operational costs.

Retail and Souvenir Shops

Retail businesses, particularly those selling souvenirs, likely saw a decrease in sales. These shops depend heavily on tourists, so the ban would have necessitated a shift in strategy, possibly focusing on online sales or local customers.

Transportation Services

Ferry and boat services, which are essential for bringing tourists to the island, were directly affected by the ban. They had to halt operations temporarily, causing a ripple effect on related businesses such as taxi services and tour operators.

Community Support

The community on Capri is known for its tight-knit nature, and during the ban, there was likely a collective effort to support local businesses. Residents may have chosen to shop locally more often to help sustain the economy during the challenging period.

Overall, while the tourist ban posed a significant hurdle, the businesses on Capri found ways to navigate through the crisis, showcasing the island's spirit of community and resilience.

With the ban now lifted, these businesses are once again looking forward to welcoming tourists and returning to normal operations.

In conclusion, Capri's experience serves as a valuable lesson in resilience, community spirit, and the importance of proactive governance.

The island's swift recovery from the water crisis ensures that it remains a cherished destination for travelers from around the world.

Related article: Smelly, Toxic Foam Befouls Tiete River in Brazil, Potable Water Supply at Risk
The European eel, a species critical to the aquatic biodiversity of Europe, has seen a dramatic decline in population over the past few decades. Researchers have now discovered a promising solution to one of the significant barriers to their survival.

A Lifeline for the European Eel

Once abundant in rivers across Europe, the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) has suffered a catastrophic population drop of more than 95% since the 1980s.

This decline has been attributed to a myriad of factors, including pollution, overfishing, and notably, the fragmentation of rivers by human-made structures such as dams and weirs.

These obstacles disrupt the eels' natural migratory patterns, which are essential for their life cycle and reproduction.

The European eel is an anadromous fish, meaning it is born in saltwater but spends most of its life in freshwater.

Their journey begins in the Sargasso Sea, where they are born and, after two years, make their way to Europe's rivers.

As they grow, they navigate upstream to mature, later returning to the Sargasso Sea to reproduce and die. However, human-made barriers have made this journey increasingly difficult, threatening the species' survival.

A Simple Yet Effective Innovation

Researchers have now developed a simple yet innovative way to assist these eels in their critical migration: textured tiles.

These tiles are designed to be installed on weirs and other obstructions, providing a surface that eels can grip and climb, effectively bypassing the barriers that have long hindered their passage.

The textured tiles offer a lifeline to young eels swimming upstream, enabling them to overcome the fast-flowing waters they would otherwise be unable to navigate.

This solution represents a significant step forward in conservation efforts, offering hope for the recovery of the European eel population.

Also Read: Eel Population Mysteriously Disappears in Somerset Habitats

The Textured Tiles

The textured tiles are an innovative conservation tool designed to assist the critically endangered European eel (Anguilla anguilla) in navigating human-made river obstacles during their migration.

Here's a detailed look at how these tiles work and their impact:

Design and Functionality

The tiles have a textured surface that allows eels to grip and climb over obstacles such as weirs, dams, and culverts.

This design is particularly beneficial for young eels, known as elvers, which face high-velocity water flows that they cannot swim against.

By fitting these tiles onto the beds of water channels, the flow velocity is reduced, enabling the eels to pass through using less energy.

Research and Development

Researchers at Cardiff University's School of Engineering conducted experiments to test the effectiveness of these tiles.

They created lab conditions that replicated fast-flowing river sections and observed the eels' ability to navigate through them with and without the tiles.

The study, published in Ecological Engineering, demonstrated that the eels passed through in higher numbers and expended less energy when the tiles were present.

Conservation Impact

The use of textured tiles offers a new solution for fish passage that could significantly aid in reconnecting rivers for the European eel.

By facilitating easier upstream migration, these tiles could help slow down the population decrease and benefit the environment.

The technology has already been deployed successfully in various locations to increase passage in culverts and weirs along rivers.

Adaptation and Behavior

Interestingly, the experiment also revealed that the eels adapted their swimming techniques to the new environment.

They developed an asymmetric swimming style that reduced their energy consumption and allowed them to take full advantage of the reduced velocity created by the tiles

Conclusion

The introduction of textured tiles to aid the European eel's migration is a testament to the power of innovative thinking in addressing environmental challenges.

As the eels face a multitude of threats, this new method could play a crucial role in ensuring their survival and the health of Europe's river ecosystems.

The continued support and implementation of such conservation strategies are vital to preserving the biodiversity that is so essential to our planet's well-being.

Related article: The Fascinating Life of Eels, Which Breed Only During Their Last Year of Life
Small cherry tomatoes reflect China-France cooperation in science, technology

People's Daily Online) 13:16, June 24, 2024

Workers have recently been busy harvesting cherry tomatoes at an intelligent greenhouse of the circular agriculture zone inside the China-France Agricultural Science and Technology Park in Gaoping district, Nanchong city, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The intelligent greenhouse is the first semi-enclosed greenhouse that operates efficiently in all weather conditions in southwest China.

A worker harvests cherry tomatoes in an intelligent greenhouse of the circular agriculture zone inside the China-France Agricultural Science and Technology Park in Gaoping district, Nanchong city, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Photo courtesy of the China-France Agricultural Science and Technology Park)

The park, with a total planned area of 17,000 mu (1,133 hectares), is a key project promoted at the 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference and a national-level project jointly implemented by China and France.

Construction of the park began in February 2017, and an area of 12,000 mu has been completed so far. The park fully showcases agricultural technologies and the wisdom of China and France.

The park's intelligent greenhouse featuring the application of cutting-edge technologies serves as an exemplary project of agricultural technology cooperation between the two countries.

The intelligent greenhouse project, with an investment of 100 million yuan ($13.78 million), occupies 30 mu.

"Unlike traditional cultivation, these cherry tomatoes are digitally managed and controlled throughout their lifecycle. The yield and efficiency are very impressive," said Jiang Min, site manager of the park's intelligent greenhouse. Jiang added that the core equipment and main consumables of the greenhouse are imported directly from France.

The greenhouse applies the world's most advanced environmental control technology and a highly efficient plant cultivation system, enabling intelligent year-round and all-season production.

Photo shows the circular agriculture zone inside the China-France Agricultural Science and Technology Park in Gaoping district, Nanchong city, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Photo courtesy of the China-France Agricultural Science and Technology Park)

Equipped with sunshade curtains and thermal curtains on the roof, as well as sensors and a weak current system, the greenhouse also ensures the intelligent and precise adjustments of indoor temperature and light intensity, creating the best environment for cherry tomatoes to grow, Jiang noted.

The 1,500-square-meter smart agricultural resource data center serves as the "brain" for all agricultural production in the park. A large screen in the center displays the temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration inside the greenhouse.

"This is the control center for all agricultural facilities in the park, including a water and fertilizer control system for over 3,000 mu of land. A single technician can operate the system," Jiang said.

"Across the park, we've installed sensors that transmit real-time data on the soil conditions and weather back to the data center. The data is then analyzed and displayed on the large screen. Our staff members will be promptly reminded of any abnormalities," Jiang noted.

The park's data center has integrated several smart agriculture platforms, providing data for the traceability of the quality and safety of agricultural products.

Senior civil servants from Uzbekistan visit the China-France Agricultural Science and Technology Park in Gaoping district, Nanchong city, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Photo courtesy of the China-France Agricultural Science and Technology Park)

"To better achieve integrated water and fertilizer management, we use imported coconut coir as the growing medium for cherry tomato plants and adopt computer-controlled water and fertilizer irrigation. We also recycle and purify rainwater for the growth of cherry tomatoes, saving over 70 percent of water and fertilizers," Jiang said. According to Jiang, coconut coir soilless cultivation is a modern agricultural technique adopted in countries of the European Union in recent years.

The greenhouse is equipped with over 100 sensors, over 1,000 controllers, and more than 20 types of monitoring equipment to constantly acquire and intelligently adjust data on temperature, lighting, water, fertilizers, air, and more, allowing plants to grow in a "comfort zone" all year round.

Over 40,000 cherry tomato plants of more than 10 premium varieties from the Netherlands, Germany, and France are grown in the greenhouse, Jiang said, adding that fresh cherry tomatoes are sold to first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.

With an annual production of more than 250 tonnes of cherry tomatoes, the greenhouse provides jobs for over 30 nearby villagers every year, with their per capita annual income reaching 50,000 yuan.

"Through technical cooperation with agricultural enterprises from France and the Netherlands, we installed an intelligent control system in the greenhouse and developed a carbon dioxide capture and utilization system," Jiang said.

This has helped increase the yield and quality of cherry tomatoes while achieving carbon neutrality and carbon utilization, Jiang explained.

According to long-term measurements by Jiang and other staff members, cherry tomato plants in over 20,000 square meters in the greenhouse can fix more than 200 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, equivalent to planting over 10,000 trees.

The park has also imported bumblebees from Belgium for artificial pollination, increasing the pollination rate while improving the yield and quality of cherry tomatoes.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
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Margot Robbie's husband says he spends '24 hours a day' with the 'Barbie' star

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ctress-producer Margot Robbie's husband, Tom Ackerley, praised his wife and said that the pair spends "24 hours a day" together.

Its seamless, Ackerley told the outlet when asked how they separate business and pleasure, reports People.com.

We dont have a toggle on, toggle off. Its all become one thing.

Adding that he feels like an honourary Aussie and that Margot feels like an honorary Brit, Ackerley said the duo only argues over whether Tim Tams or Penguins are better, referring to snacks from their respective home countries.

He also joked in the interview that he wished there was more of a sporting rivalry between Australia and England.

Robbie recently launched a new brand with her husband and three other friends.

As she told The Times, the movie business is about selling "an idea," while shes in the "straightforward" world of promoting her new brand.

"You have no idea how much its going to make, whos going to see it, if theyll see it, or how it will be received," she said of movies.

"This feels a lot more straightforward; its easier to predict things. You can lay this out on a spreadsheet in a way that you cant lay out a movie idea.

Robbie and her husband tied the knot in a private ceremony on Australia's Gold Coast in December 2016.

 Margot Robbie's husband says he spends '24 hours a day' with the 'Barbie' star

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Taylor Swift drops selfie with Prince William, his kids after Eras Tour Wembley show

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aylor Swift added a touch of royalty to her Eras Tour show at London's Wembley Stadium, where she was joined backstage by Prince William and his children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

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.

 Taylor Swift drops selfie with Prince William, his kids after Eras Tour Wembley show

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'Bridgerton's Simone Ashley defends co-star Nicola Coughlan against body shamers

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imone Ashley, renowned for her role as Kate Sharma in Netflix's hit series 'Bridgerton,' has stepped forward to defend her co-star Nicola Coughlan amidst recent instances of body-shaming directed towards the actress.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, at an event, Ashley addressed the criticisms aimed at Coughlan, who portrays Penelope Featherington in the series' third season. "Yeah, the haters are going to hate, and I think we can all relate to that, but I really don't think that she's allowing that to bother her," Ashley remarked, emphasizing Coughlan's resilience and strength.

Expressing admiration for Coughlan, Ashley continued, "She has a strong and fruitful career and entire life ahead of her. And I really believe in her, as the world does as well."

Ashley praised Coughlan's impact, noting, "I think Nicola is just absolutely flying. She is a gorgeous, strong, confident, intelligent woman, seeing her do this press tour and spread so much joy and inspiration to everyone especially women, all over the world. And I'm inspired by her as well."

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ashley also highlighted Coughlan's kindness, describing it as a universal trait that resonates with people.

"She's also a really kind human being, and I think that's such a universal language that people can relate to," Ashley added.

Earlier this month, Nicola Coughlan responded to speculation about her appearance in 'Bridgerton' season 3, particularly addressing comments suggesting her waist had been photoshopped.

"I saw some trolls. They were like, 'They photoshopped your waist,' and I was like, 'No, they did not,'" Coughlan clarified in an interview with People magazine.

Explaining the effects of wearing corsets for her role, Coughlan elaborated, "I think if you wear corsetry for long enough, your body really moulds to it. Sometimes they come in for a fitting for a fashion designer and they put a corset on me and I'm like, 'Oh, you can go tight,' and they go, 'What do you mean?' I'm like, 'My body now will go, 'Whew.'"

'Bridgerton,' known for its Regency-era costumes and intricate storytelling, continues to captivate audiences worldwide on Netflix.

 'Bridgerton's Simone Ashley defends co-star Nicola Coughlan against body shamers

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Anupam Kher extends gratitude to Mumbai Police for apprehending suspects behind his office robbery

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ctor Anupam Kher has expressed gratitude towards the Mumbai Police for their swift action in apprehending the suspects, who allegedly were involved in robbery that took place in his office.

In a post on Instagram, Kher shared his appreciation alongside a photo of the arrested individuals standing with the police.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8irHiKCa-t/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=1b66106c-b359-4738-9c15-451e30f07659&img_index=1

In his post, Anupam Kher wrote, "My heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the Mumbai Police for catching both the thieves who ransacked my office, stole my safe and the negative of #MaineGandhiKoNaiMara. The fact that it was done within 48 hours speaks of their amazing efficiency!! Jai Ho! (Folded hands, heart eyes and National Flag emojis)."

The suspects, identified as Majid Sheikh and Mohammad Daler Bahrim Khan, were apprehended by the Oshiwara police from Mumbai's Jogeshwari area.

Both suspects are known for their involvement in serial thefts across different parts of the city, often using auto-rickshaws to facilitate their crimes, as confirmed by the police.

The incident at Anupam Kher's office in Andheri West's Veera Desai Road coincided with another burglary in Mumbai's Vile Parle area on the same day, highlighting a spree of criminal activities in the city.

The Amboli police have registered a case under sections 454, 457, and 380 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) pertaining to house-breaking and theft in connection with the incident at Kher's office.

Anupam Kher himself had earlier taken to Instagram to report the incident, detailing the modus operandi of the thieves and expressing confidence in the police's capability to apprehend them.

"Our office has got an FIR done. And police have assured thieves will be caught very soon," Kher had affirmed in his social media post, which also included CCTV footage capturing the thieves fleeing in an auto-rickshaw with the stolen items.

Meanwhile, on the professional front, Anupam Kher is set to appear in the upcoming film 'Tanvi The Great'.

 Anupam Kher extends gratitude to Mumbai Police for apprehending suspects behind his office robbery

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Sonakshi Sinha, Zaheer Iqbal reach mosque ahead of wedding

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xcitement and anticipation are reaching a fever pitch in Mumbai's Bandra as Bollywood actors Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal are all set to exchange marital vows today.

The duo were seen arriving at a mosque in Bandra.

Earlier in the day, Sonakshi's mother Poonam Sinha was also spotted leaving her residence seemingly heading for the festivities in a white embellished traditional attire.

Recently, the 'Heeramandi' actor was spotted attending a puja ceremony with her mother, Poonam Sinha, dressed in a stunning blue co-ord set that accentuated her pre-bridal glow.

The Sinha residence, fondly known as 'Ramayana,' has been adorned with twinkling lights, setting a magical atmosphere fitting for the celebrations.

Close friends and family have been partaking in the festivities, adding to the joyous atmosphere.

Actress Huma Qureshi and her brother, Saqib Saleem, joined the pre-wedding functions at Sonakshi's home.

A photo believed to be from the couple's mehendi ceremony has taken social media by storm. The picture shows Sonakshi and Zaheer, dressed in traditional red attire, sharing smiles with loved ones.

Just days before the wedding, Sonakshi and Zaheer celebrated with their closest friends. Sonakshi shared glimpses of her party on social media, featuring a picture with her dear friend Huma Qureshi.

Zaheer was also seen enjoying quality time with Sonakshi's father, veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha.

Adding fuel to the wedding fire, an audio invitation featuring Sonakshi and Zaheer has gone viral.

The couple reportedly confirms their impending nuptials, expressing their excitement for the moment that will make them "each other's definite and official husband and wife."

Despite the swirling rumours and leaked invites, Sonakshi and Zaheer have remained tight-lipped about their relationship.

Though they co-starred in the 2022 film 'Double XL' and share friendly social media posts, they haven't publicly acknowledged their love story.

With the wedding just around the corner, all eyes are on Sonakshi and Zaheer as they embark on their happily-ever-after!

 Sonakshi Sinha, Zaheer Iqbal reach mosque ahead of wedding

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Kamal Haasan meets Hooch tragedy victims at Kallakurichi Medical College

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ctor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan met the Hooch tragedy victims at the Kallakurichi Medical College.

The death toll in the Tamil Nadu Hooch tragedy has risen to 56, according to the district administration's report released on Sunday.

https://x.com/ANI/status/1804794168277118985

As per the information shared by the District Collectorate, Kallakurichi, there were a total of 216 patients admitted to four hospitals in Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor.

In Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer), Pondy, 17 patients are alive and three have been declared dead, while in Vilupuram Medical College, four people are alive and four have been declared dead.

Most deaths occurred at Kallakurichi Medical College, where 31 people are dead and 108 are alive.

At Salem Medical College, 30 people are alive, whereas 18 have been reported dead."There are 160 people who were admitted to the hospitals mentioned above and 55 people are dead," according to official data.

152 male patients are alive in the incident, whereas 51 are dead. Meanwhile, BJP workers in Tamil Nadu on Saturday staged a protest over the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Kamal Haasan will be next seen in 'Indian 2'. Directed by S. Shankar, 'Indian 2' features an impressive ensemble cast, including Siddharth, SJ Suryah, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Kalidas Jayaram, Gulshan Grover, Nedumudi Venu, and many others.Produced by Lyca Productions and Red Giant Movies, the film showcases exceptional cinematography by Ravi Varman and Rathnavelu, with editing by A. Sreekar Prasad.

'Indian 2' is the sequel to the 1996 film Indian, which also starred Kamal as Veerasekaran Senapathy. The franchise brings back Kamal and director S Shankar for the sequel.

He also has 'Kalki 2898 AD' in his kitty.

Directed by Nag Ashwin, this post-apocalyptic film is inspired by Hindu scriptures and set in 2898 AD.

The trailer showed that director Ashwin loosely reimagined Mahabharat from a futuristic lens and added a dystopian touch. Kamal Haasan is a part of the film. Directed by Nag Ashwin, this post-apocalyptic film is inspired by Hindu scriptures and set in 2898 AD.

Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani are also a part of the film.

 Kamal Haasan meets Hooch tragedy victims at Kallakurichi Medical College

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I am here for biggest celebration...: Yo Yo Honey Singh excited for BFF Sonakshi Sinha's wedding

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s star couple Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal are all set to tie the knot, Sonakshi's best friend and rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh landed in Mumbai for the couple's big day.

He expressed his excitement and said, "I am here for the biggest celebration.....bina daaru ke naachunga mai..."

Earlier, Honey Singh sent his best wishes to the couple. Taking to Instagram Stories, Honey Singh wrote, "Tho i gonna b in London shooting Glory's first song. But I will make sure I will attend my best friend's @aslisona SONAKSHI's wedding. As she has been a big support in my career n helped me so many times in life. Best wishes to the power couple Sona n Zaheer!! Bholenath bless them."

They were recently seen in 'Kalaastar'. 'Kalaastar' is the extension of Sonakshi and Yo Yo Honey Singh's previous song Desi Kalaakar. Sonakshi and Honey Singh collaborated after 9 years for the song.

Sonakshi Sinha is getting married to her boyfriend Zaheer Iqbal on Sunday. Just a couple of days ago, the actors enjoyed bachelor and bachelorette parties with their close friends. Sonakshi had shared glimpses from a party hosted by her friends. One of the images shows Sonakshi posing with her close friend and actor Huma Qureshi.

On Thursday night, groom-to-be Zaheer was photographed with Sonakshi's father and film veteran Shatrughan Sinha in Bandra, Mumbai. The actor Zaheer happily posed together for the paparazzi stationed at the venue.

Amid the wedding buzz, interestingly, an audio invite of Sonakshi and Zaheer went viral. In the leaked invite, the duo reportedly confirmed the news of their marriage by saying that they are ready to arrive at 'the moment' which would turn them each other's 'definite and official husband and wife.

'The digital invitation is styled like a magazine cover with a headline.

The invitation featured a photo of Zaheer and Sonakshi in a snow-covered setting, with Zaheer planting a kiss on Sonakshi's cheek.

However, Sonakshi and Zaheer have been tight-lipped about their relationship since their dating rumours surfaced.Sonakshi and Zaheer starred in the 2022 film Double XL. While they have not publicly opened up about their love story, they have been seen sharing adorable photos with each other on social media.

 I am here for biggest celebration...: Yo Yo Honey Singh excited for BFF Sonakshi Sinha's wedding

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Sonam Kapoor enjoys best night with Anand Ahuja at Taylor Swift's concert in London

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ctor Sonam Kapoor recently attended Taylor Swift's Eras Tour show in London along with her husband Anand Ahuja, sister Rhea Kapoor, and Karan Boolani.

She shared glimpses from the event on her Instagram stories. She shared a video from Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour performance. She posed at Wembley Stadium with Ahuja, in another picture. Anand Ahuja also shared a picture of the two from outside the stadium.

Rhea Kapoor and Karan Boolani also posted BTS moments on their social media handles.

Meanwhile, actor Sonam Kapoor is set to attend Dior's Haute Couture Fall/Winter Show in Paris, marking her as the only Indian celebrity invited to the prestigious event.

The show which will take place on June 24 will feature the latest couture collections from Dior, drawing top fashion names from around the world. The 'Neerja' actress has become a regular fixture at international fashion events, including Paris Fashion Week, King Charles' Coronation, and the Cannes Film Festival, where she was the first Indian actress to attend.

A recent report listed Sonam among the most influential celebrities for luxury fashion brands in 2023, placing her alongside names like Zendaya and Kylie Jenner. Her presence at Dior's show continues this trend, showcasing her impact on the fashion industry.

Apart from her fashion credentials, Sonam has also become the sole Indian actor to be on the South Asia Acquisition Committee of the Tate Modern Museum.

Sonam Kapoor recently starred in the crime thriller 'Blind,' which premiered on July 7, 2023.

The actress is also preparing for two upcoming projects, with details to be announced soon.

 Sonam Kapoor enjoys best night with Anand Ahuja at Taylor Swift's concert in London

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Sonakshi-Zaheer Iqbal wedding: Aditi Rao Hydari-Siddharth, Aayush Sharma-Arpita, celebs snapped at Sinha's residence

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n the big day of Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal, their family members and industry friends are arriving at the wedding venue to shower their blessings on the couple. Heeramandi co-star Aditi Rao Hydari with her fiance Siddharth, Aayush Sharma with wife Arpita and others were snapped at the bride's residence.

Bibbojaan a.k.a Aditi Rao Hydari was snapped with Siddharth outside Sonakshi's home.

Sonakshi's close friend and actor Huma Qureshi looked stunning in ethnic wear as she was seen leaving in her car.

Salman Khan's sister Arpita and her husband-actor Aayush Sharma were also spotted at the wedding ceremony of Sonakshi.

A few hours ago, Sonakshi's father and veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha was snapped at Bandra in Mumbai.

In the video, he can be seen responding to the paparazzi with a smile as they congratulated him and his wife Poonam Sinha on their daughter's marriage.

As the media surrounded his car and congratulated him, Shatrughan Sinha replied with a smile, "Thank you". He looked graceful in a black kurta and a blue embroidered stole.

Poonam Sinha also thanked the media people after receiving congratulatory wishes from them.

A few days ago, Shatrughan Sinha was seen posing with Zaheer. Both, Zaheer and Shatrughan Sinha were seen smiling as they posed for the camera.

Sonakshi was also seen in a white coloured outfit.

Just a couple of days ago, the actors enjoyed bachelor and bachelorette parties with their close friends.

Sonakshi had shared glimpses from a party hosted by her friends.

One of the images shows Sonakshi posing with Huma Qureshi.

On Thursday night, groom-to-be Zaheer was photographed with Sonakshi's father and film veteran Shatrughan Sinha in Bandra, Mumbai. The veteran actor and Zaheer happily posed together for the paparazzi stationed at the venue.

Earlier, an audio invite of Sonakshi and Zaheer went viral. In the leaked invite, the duo reportedly confirmed the news of their marriage by saying that they are ready to arrive at 'the moment' that would turn them into each other's 'definite and official husband and wife.

'The digital invitation is styled like a magazine cover with a headline.

The invitation featured a photo of Zaheer and Sonakshi in a snow-covered setting, with Zaheer planting a kiss on Sonakshi's cheek.

However, Sonakshi and Zaheer have been tight-lipped about their relationship since their dating rumours surfaced.

Sonakshi and Zaheer starred in the 2022 film Double XL. While they have not publicly opened up about their love story, they have been seen sharing adorable photos with each other on social media.

 Sonakshi-Zaheer Iqbal wedding: Aditi Rao Hydari-Siddharth, Aayush Sharma-Arpita, celebs snapped at Sinha's residence

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India to host 30-nation ISO Council meeting on sugar, biofuels from June 25-27

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elegates from more than 30 countries and representatives from many international organisations have arrived here to attend the ISO Council Meeting from June 25-27 being hosted by India to deliberate on the critical issues of sugar and the biofuel sector, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution said on Monday.

As India is the worlds largest consumer and second-largest producer of sugar, the ISO Council nominated India as the Chair of the organisation for 2024.

As part of the meeting, India launched a series of events with an industrial tour of the international delegates to one grain-based distillery at Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday to showcase the country's adoption of the latest technology in the production of biofuels and other by-products.

On June 25, a workshop titled Sugar and Biofuels  Emerging Vistas will be organised at the Bharat Mandapam. which will be inaugurated by Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi.

International delegates, top management of Indian sugar mills, industry associations like ISMA & NFCSF, and technical experts will participate in the workshop.

This forum is expected to bring an opportunity for more than 200 delegates from different parts of the world to discuss the future perspective of the world on the global sugar sector, biofuels, sustainability, and the role of farmers.

The workshop also aims to strengthen the Global Biofuel Alliance, an initiative of Prime Minister Narender Modi, in bringing together countries to promote the development and adoption of sustainable biofuels in the world in an effort to reduce greenhouse emissions.

Many member countries of ISO and Global Biofuel Alliance are common and this can be another forum to expand the alliance and promotion of biofuels.

International Sugar Organisation (ISO) is a UN-affiliated body headquartered in London. It has about 85 countries as members covering almost 90 per cent of sugar production in the world. It is mandated to bring major sugar-producing, consuming, and trading nations together to bring mutual understanding and a progressive approach in dealing with issues pertaining to the sugar sector.

The ISO has also been working on biofuels, especially ethanol as sugarcane is the second major feedstock for ethanol production in the world.

On June 26 and 27, various committee meetings of ISO will be held which will be focused on administrative and functional aspects of the organisation.

 India to host 30-nation ISO Council meeting on sugar, biofuels from June 25-27

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Hugh Grant shares his experience of attending Taylor Swift 's Eras Tour, calls it incredible show

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ctor Hugh Grant shared his experience of attending Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in London. He called it an "incredible" show, reported Variety.

Taking to X, he wrote, "Dear @taylorswift13, You have an incredible show, an amazing and v hospitable team and excellent if gigantic boyfriend (#tequilashots.). Thanks so much from one ageing London boy, wife and thrilled 8 year old #halfgirlhalfbracelet."

Hugh Grant took to social media on Sunday to share his experience of attending Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in London, calling the show "incredible." The actor also implied that he did tequila shots with Swift's "excellent if gigantic" boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce.

In a post on X, Grant wrote, "Dear @taylorswift13, You have an incredible show, an amazing and v hospitable team and excellent if gigantic boyfriend (#tequilashots.). Thanks so much from one ageing London boy, wife and thrilled 8 year old #halfgirlhalfbracelet."

The actor was among the several well-known people who attended Swift's show in London. Tom Cruise, Liam Hemsworth, Rachel Zegler, Mila Kunis, and Ashton Kutcher were among the other well-known attendees.

Swift entertained the crowd with a mash-up of "thanK you AIMee" and "Mean" during the show's surprise song segment. She also performed a duet of "Castles Crumbling" with Hayley Williams of Paramore.

Taylor Swift added a touch of royalty to her Eras Tour show at London's Wembley Stadium, where she was joined backstage by Prince William and his children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

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. Prince William reciprocated the sentiment with another photo of the group, thanking Taylor Swift for a memorable evening.

Swift returned the favour by posting another selfie that also included Kelce. "Happy Bday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start," Swift wrote.

Sunday night marks the last of three shows at Wembley Stadium, though Swift will return in August for another five dates to end the European leg of the tour, reported Variety.

 Hugh Grant shares his experience of attending Taylor Swift 's Eras Tour, calls it incredible show

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India-Bangladesh MoU on military education significant: Defence Ministry

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he Ministry of Defence said on Monday that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, Tamil Nadu, and the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC), Mirpur, Dhaka, will go a long way in consolidating cooperation between the two countries in the field of military education.

The MoU was signed in New Delhi on Saturday during the State visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India.

Both colleges impart training to officers of tri-services, preparing them for higher staff and command responsibilities. They share a common ethos, training curriculum and methodology and face similar challenges.

The MoU for cooperation in military education in strategic and operational studies is expected to further enhance bilateral defence engagements.

"This MoU will assist in enhancing professional acumen, provide deep insight into strategic affairs, assist in sharing best practices and expertise as well as augment the academic capabilities of student officers and faculty members. It will facilitate the conduct of training packages, joint seminars, faculty exchanges, and reciprocal instructor visits, to name a few," the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Monday.

During their meeting at the Hyderabad House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh PM Hasina recognised that the India-Bangladesh partnership - founded on deep historical, linguistic, cultural, and economic linkages - has strengthened over the last decade.

Both leaders appreciated the significant role of the two countries in ensuring peace, stability and harmony in the region and agreed to further strengthen defence cooperation with a long-term perspective.

"In line with the plans for the modernisation of the Bangladesh armed forces, we will explore defence industrial cooperation 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," read the 'India-Bangladesh Shared Vision for Future: Enhancing Connectivity, Commerce and Collaboration for Shared Prosperity', which was released after the meeting between the two PMs.

 India-Bangladesh MoU on military education significant: Defence Ministry

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One evening last December, Tieqiao Zhang felt severe stomach pain.

After it subsided later that night, he thought it might be food poisoning. When the pain returned the next morning, Zhang realized the source of his pain might not be as "simple as bad food."

He didn't want to wait for an appointment with his regular doctor, but he also wasn't sure if the pain warranted emergency care, he said.

Zhang, 50, opted to visit Parkland Health's Urgent Care Emergency Center, a clinic near his home in Dallas where he'd been treated in the past. It's on the campus of Parkland, the city's largest public hospital, which has a separate emergency room.

He believed the clinic was an urgent care center, he said.

A CT scan revealed that Zhang had a kidney stone. A physician told him it would pass naturally within a few days, and Zhang was sent home with a prescription for painkillers, he said.

Five days later, Zhang's stomach pain worsened. Worried and unable to get an immediate appointment with a urologist, Zhang once again visited the Urgent Care Emergency Center and again was advised to wait and see, he said.

Two weeks later, Zhang passed the kidney stone.

Then the bills came.

The Patient: Tieqiao Zhang, 50, who is insured by BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas through his employer.

Medical Services: Two diagnostic visits, including lab tests and CT scans.

Service Provider: Parkland Health & Hospital System. The hospital is part of the Dallas County Hospital District.

Total Bills: The in-network hospital charged $19,543 for the two visits. BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas paid $13,070.96. Zhang owed $1,000 to Parkland  a $500 emergency room copay for each of his two visits.

What Gives: Parkland's Urgent Care Emergency Center is what's called a freestanding emergency department.

The number of freestanding emergency rooms in the United States grew tenfold from 2001 to 2016, drawing attention for sending patients eye-popping bills. Most states allow them to operate, either by regulation or lack thereof. Some states, including Texas, have taken steps to regulate the centers, such as requiring posted notices identifying the facility as a freestanding emergency department.

Urgent care centers are a more familiar option for many patients. Research shows that, on average, urgent care visits can be about 10 times cheaper than a low-acuity  or less severe  visit to an ER.

But the difference between an urgent care clinic and a freestanding emergency room can be tough to discern.

Generally, to bill as an emergency department, facilities must meet specific requirements, such as maintaining certain staff, not refusing patients, and remaining open around the clock.

The freestanding emergency department at Parkland is 40 yards away from its main emergency room and operates under the same license, according to Michael Malaise, the spokesperson for Parkland Health. It is closed on nights and Sundays.

(Parkland's president and chief executive officer, Frederick Cerise, is a member of KFF's board of trustees. KFF Health News is an editorially independent program of KFF.) The hospital is "very transparent" about the center's status as an emergency room, Malaise told KFF Health News in a statement.

Malaise provided photographs of posted notices stating, "This facility is a freestanding emergency medical care facility," and warning that patients would be charged emergency room fees and could also be charged a facility fee. He said the notices were posted in the exam rooms, lobby, and halls at the time of Zhang's visits.

Zhang's health plan required a $500 emergency room copay for each of the two visits for his kidney stone.

When Zhang visited the center in 2021 for a different health issue, he was charged only $30, his plan's copay for urgent care, he said. (A review of his insurance documents showed Parkland also used emergency department billing codes then. BCBS of Texas did not respond to questions about that visit.)

One reason "I went to the urgent care instead of emergency room, although they are just next door, is the copayment," he said.

The list of services that Parkland's freestanding emergency room offers resembles that of urgent care centers  including, for some centers, diagnosing a kidney stone, said Ateev Mehrotra, a health care policy professor at Harvard Medical School.

Having choices leaves patients on their own to decipher not only the severity of their ailment, but also what type of facility they are visiting all while dealing with a health concern. Self-triage is "a very difficult thing," Mehrotra said.

Zhang said he did not recall seeing posted notices identifying the center as a freestanding emergency department during his visits, nor did the front desk staff mention a $500 copay. Plus, he knew Parkland also had an emergency room, and that was not the building he visited, he said.

The name is "misleading," Zhang said. "It's like being tricked."

Parkland opened the center in 2015 to reduce the number of patients in its main emergency room, which is the busiest in the country, Malaise said. He added that the Urgent Care Emergency Center, which is staffed with emergency room providers, is "an extension of our main emergency room and is clearly marked in multiple places as such."

Malaise first told KFF Health News that the facility isn't a freestanding ER, noting that it is located in a hospital building on the campus. Days later, he said the center is "held out to the public as a freestanding emergency medical care facility within the definition provided by Texas law."

The Urgent Care Emergency Center name is intended to prevent first responders and others facing life-threatening emergencies from visiting the center rather than the main emergency room, Malaise said.

"If you have ideas for a better name, certainly you can send that along for us to consider," he said.

Putting the term "urgent" in the clinic's name while charging emergency room prices is "disingenuous," said Benjamin Ukert, an assistant professor of health economics and policy at Texas A&M University.

When Ukert reviewed Zhang's bills at the request of KFF Health News, he said his first reaction was, "Wow, I am glad that he only got charged $500; it could have been way worse"  for instance, if the facility had been out-of-network.

The Resolution: Zhang said he paid $400 of the $1,000 he owes in total to avoid collections while he continues to dispute the amount.

Zhang said he first reached out to his insurer, thinking his bills were wrong, before he reached out to Parkland several times by phone and email. He said customer service representatives told him that, for billing purposes, Parkland doesn't differentiate its Urgent Care Emergency Clinic from its emergency department.

BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas did not respond to KFF Health News when asked for comment.

Zhang said he also reached out to a county commissioner's office in Dallas, which never responded, and to the Texas Department of Health, which said it doesn't have jurisdiction over billing matters. He said the staff for his state representative, Morgan Meyer, contacted the hospital on his behalf, but later told him the hospital would not change his bill.

As of mid-May, his balance stood at $600, or $300 for each visit.

The Takeaway: Lawmakers in Texas and around the country have tried to increase price transparency at freestanding emergency rooms, including by requiring them to hand out disclosures about billing practices.

But experts said the burden still falls disproportionately on patients to navigate the growing menu of options for care.

It's up to the patient to walk into the right building, said Mehrotra, the Harvard professor. It doesn't help that most providers are opaque about their billing practices, he said.

Mehrotra said that some freestanding emergency departments in Texas use confusing names like "complete care," which mask the facilities' capabilities and billing structure.

Ukert said states could do more to untangle the confusion patients face at such centers, like banning the use of the term "urgent care" to describe facilities that bill like emergency departments.

Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by KFF Health News and NPR that dissects and explains medical bills. Do you have an interesting medical bill you want to share with us? Tell us about it!

Emily Siner reported the audio story.
A University of Queensland-led project will test a combination of technologies to improve the early detection of potentially fatal skin cancers in patients in regional and rural Australia.

Professor Monika Janda from UQ's Centre for Health Services Research said the aim is to inform work towards a national, targeted melanoma screening program for Australia.

Rates of skin cancer are higher in regional areas, however fewer than 10 per cent of dermatologists practice outside capital cities. We want to ensure equitable access to skin imaging services for regional Australians and reduce the time between detection and treatment, ultimately saving lives." Professor Monika Janda from UQ's Centre for Health Services Research

The project has secured $3 million in funding from the Medical Research Future Fund.

"Our study will look at how 3D total body photography, combined with artificial intelligence to support clinicians, can help improve and speed up skin cancer imaging," Professor Janda said.

"Along with technology, the project will include upskilling regional staff."

The research will be conducted at 9 regional hospital and health care centres across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, including a 3D total body imaging trial hub established in partnership with Mildura Base Public Hospital.

"All 9 regional hubs will use new technologies to test AI in healthcare and minimally invasive biopsy methods," Professor Janda said.

"Conversations with consumers in regional communities have been pivotal in shaping the project's focus.

"Geographical isolation and limited access to healthcare facilities exacerbate the challenges of living in regional Australia.

"Delivering services in rural areas is complex, but technology can help us to tackle the obstacles of distance and a shortage of medical specialists."

Professor Janda said the project will improve research and clinical trial opportunities for patients in regional areas.

The project is an initiative of the ACRF Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging and Diagnosis, comprising researchers from UQ, Monash University and University of Sydney.
Four months after seeking asylum in the U.S., Fernando Hermida began coughing and feeling tired. He thought it was a cold. Then sores appeared in his groin and he would soak his bed with sweat. He took a test.

On New Year's Day 2022, at age 31, Hermida learned he had HIV.

"I thought I was going to die," he said, recalling how a chill washed over him as he reviewed his results. He struggled to navigate a new, convoluted health care system. Through an HIV organization he found online, he received a list of medical providers to call in Washington, D.C., where he was at the time, but they didn't return his calls for weeks. Hermida, who speaks only Spanish, didn't know where to turn.

By the time of Hermida's diagnosis, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was about three years into a federal initiative to end the nation's HIV epidemic by pumping hundreds of millions of dollars annually into certain states, counties, and U.S. territories with the highest infection rates. The goal was to reach the estimated 1.2 million people living with HIV, including some who don't know they have the disease.

Overall, estimated new HIV infection rates declined 23% from 2012 to 2022. But a KFF Health News-Associated Press analysis found the rate has not fallen for Latinos as much as it has for other racial and ethnic groups.

While African Americans continue to have the highest HIV rates in the United States overall, Latinos made up the largest share of new HIV diagnoses and infections among gay and bisexual men in 2022, per the most recent data available, compared with other racial and ethnic groups. Latinos, who make up about 19% of the U.S. population, accounted for about 33% of new HIV infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The analysis found Latinos are experiencing a disproportionate number of new infections and diagnoses across the U.S., with diagnosis rates highest in the Southeast. Public health officials in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and Shelby County, Tennessee, where data shows diagnosis rates have gone up among Latinos, told KFF Health News and the AP that they either don't have specific plans to address HIV in this population or that plans are still in the works. Even in well-resourced places like San Francisco, California, HIV diagnosis rates grew among Latinos in the last few years while falling among other racial and ethnic groups despite the county's goals to reduce infections among Latinos.

"HIV disparities are not inevitable," Robyn Neblett Fanfair, director of the CDC's Division of HIV Prevention, said in a statement. She noted the systemic, cultural, and economic inequities  such as racism, language differences, and medical mistrust.

And though the CDC provides some funds for minority groups, Latino health policy advocates want HHS to declare a public health emergency in hopes of directing more money to Latino communities, saying current efforts aren't enough.

"Our invisibility is no longer tolerable," said Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, co-chair of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.

Lost without an interpreter

Hermida suspects he contracted the virus while he was in an open relationship with a male partner before he came to the U.S. In late January 2022, months after his symptoms started, he went to a clinic in New York City that a friend had helped him find to finally get treatment for HIV.

Too sick to care for himself alone, Hermida eventually moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, to be closer to family and in hopes of receiving more consistent health care. He enrolled in an Amity Medical Group clinic that receives funding from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, a federal safety-net plan that serves over half of those in the nation diagnosed with HIV, regardless of their citizenship status.

His HIV became undetectable after he was connected with case managers. But over time, communication with the clinic grew less frequent, he said, and he didn't get regular interpretation help during visits with his English-speaking doctor. An Amity Medical Group representative confirmed Hermida was a client but didn't answer questions about his experience at the clinic.

Hermida said he had a hard time filling out paperwork to stay enrolled in the Ryan White program, and when his eligibility expired in September 2023, he couldn't get his medication.

He left the clinic and enrolled in a health plan through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. But Hermida didn't realize the insurer required him to pay for a share of his HIV treatment.

In January, the Lyft driver received a $1,275 bill for his antiretroviral  the equivalent of 120 rides, he said. He paid the bill with a coupon he found online. In April, he got a second bill he couldn't afford.

For two weeks, he stopped taking the medication that keeps the virus undetectable and intransmissible.

"Estoy que colapso," he said. I'm falling apart. "Tengo que vivir para pagar la medicacion." I have to live to pay for my medication.

One way to prevent HIV is preexposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, which is regularly taken to reduce the risk of getting HIV through sex or intravenous drug use. It was approved by the federal government in 2012 but the uptake has not been even across racial and ethnic groups: CDC data show much lower rates of PrEP coverage among Latinos than among white Americans.

Epidemiologists say high PrEP use and consistent access to treatment are necessary to build community-level resistance.

Carlos Saldana, an infectious disease specialist and former medical adviser for Georgia's health department, helped identify five clusters of rapid HIV transmission involving about 40 gay Latinos and men who have sex with men from February 2021 to June 2022. Many people in the cluster told researchers they had not taken PrEP and struggled to understand the health care system.

They experienced other barriers, too, Saldana said, including lack of transportation and fear of deportation if they sought treatment.

Latino health policy advocates want the federal government to redistribute funding for HIV prevention, including testing and access to PrEP. Of the nearly $30 billion in federal money that went toward things like HIV health care services, treatment, and prevention in 2022, only 4% went to prevention, according to a KFF analysis.

They suggest more money could help reach Latino communities through efforts like faith-based outreach at churches, testing at clubs on Latin nights, and training bilingual HIV testers.

Latino rates going up

Congress has appropriated $2.3 billion over five years to the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, and jurisdictions that get the money are to invest 25% of it in community-based organizations. But the initiative lacks requirements to target any particular groups, including Latinos, leaving it up to the cities, counties, and states to come up with specific strategies.

In 34 of the 57 areas getting the money, cases are going the wrong way: Diagnosis rates among Latinos increased from 2019 to 2022 while declining for other racial and ethnic groups, the KFF Health News-AP analysis found.

Starting Aug. 1, state and local health departments will have to provide annual spending reports on funding in places that account for 30% or more of HIV diagnoses, the CDC said. Previously, it had been required for only a small number of states.

In some states and counties, initiative funding has not been enough to cover the needs of Latinos.

South Carolina, which saw rates nearly double for Latinos from 2012 to 2022, hasn't expanded HIV mobile testing in rural areas, where the need is high among Latinos, said Tony Price, HIV program manager in the state health department. South Carolina can pay for only four community health workers focused on HIV outreach  and not all of them are bilingual.

In Shelby County, Tennessee, home to Memphis, the Latino HIV diagnosis rate rose 86% from 2012 to 2022. The health department said it got $2 million in initiative funding in 2023 and while the county plan acknowledges that Latinos are a target group, department director Michelle Taylor said: "There are no specific campaigns just among Latino people."

Up to now, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, didn't include specific targets to address HIV in the Latino population  where rates of new diagnoses more than doubled in a decade but fell slightly among other racial and ethnic groups. The health department has used funding for bilingual marketing campaigns and awareness about PrEP.

Moving for medicine

When it was time to pack up and move to Hermida's third city in two years, his fiance, who is taking PrEP, suggested seeking care in Orlando, Florida.

The couple, who were friends in high school in Venezuela, had some family and friends in Florida, and they had heard about Pineapple Healthcare, a nonprofit primary care clinic dedicated to supporting Latinos living with HIV.

The clinic is housed in a medical office south of downtown Orlando. Inside, the mostly Latino staff is dressed in pineapple-print turquoise shirts, and Spanish, not English, is most commonly heard in appointment rooms and hallways.

"At the core of it, if the organization is not led by and for people of color, then we're just an afterthought," said Andres Acosta Ardila, the community outreach director at Pineapple Healthcare, who was diagnosed with HIV in 2013.

"Te mudaste reciente, ya por fin?" asked nurse practitioner Eliza Otero. Did you finally move? She started treating Hermida while he still lived in Charlotte. "Hace un mes que no nos vemos." It's been a month since we last saw each other.

They still need to work on lowering his cholesterol and blood pressure, she told him. Though his viral load remains high, Otero said it should improve with regular, consistent care.

Pineapple Healthcare, which doesn't receive initiative money, offers full-scope primary care to mostly Latino males. Hermida gets his HIV medication at no cost there because the clinic is part of a federal drug discount program.

The clinic is in many ways an oasis. The new diagnosis rate for Latinos in Orange County, Florida, which includes Orlando, rose by about a third from 2012 through 2022, while dropping by a third for others. Florida has the third-largest Latino population in the U.S., and had the seventh-highest rate of new HIV diagnoses among Latinos in the nation in 2022.

Hermida, whose asylum case is pending, never imagined getting medication would be so difficult, he said during the 500-mile drive from North Carolina to Florida. After hotel rooms, jobs lost, and family goodbyes, he is hopeful his search for consistent HIV treatment  which has come to define his life the past two years  can finally come to an end.

"Soy un nomada a la fuerza, pero bueno, como me comenta mi prometido y mis familiares, yo tengo que estar donde me den buenos servicios medicos," he said. I'm forced to be a nomad, but like my family and my fiance say, I have to be where I can get good medical services.

That's the priority, he said. "Esa es la prioridad ahora."

KFF Health News and The Associated Press analyzed data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the number of new HIV diagnoses and infections among Americans ages 13 and older at the local, state, and national levels. This story primarily uses incidence rate data  estimates of new infections  at the national level and diagnosis rate data at the state and county level.

Bose reported from Orlando, Florida. Reese reported from Sacramento, California. AP video journalist Laura Bargfeld contributed to this report.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is responsible for all content.

This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
Private bus operators have rolled out shuttle van services from key locations like Vadapalani, Velachery, Pallavaram, and Sholinganallur to the new Kilambakkam bus terminus.

This move comes in response to the upcoming deadline that will ban buses from entering city roads, aiming to improve last-mile connectivity for passengers.

According to TOI, once the new parking lot is ready, all private buses will be prohibited from city roads.

Explaining the decision, R Barathidasan, a private bus operator, said, With the end of summer vacation and no upcoming festivals, fewer people are using private buses. To compete with the 1,600 buses going to destinations like Madurai and Coimbatore, were offering shuttle vans from main pick-up points at no extra cost. It takes about two hours to reach Kilambakkam due to traffic, so weve adjusted our bus schedules.

Passengers appreciate the new service. R Chidambaram, a frequent traveler, commented, The shuttle vans are convenient for both departure and return to Chennai. Although the government says there are enough MTC buses from Kilambakkam to the city, we have to cross a busy highway and walk a kilometer to reach them. The shuttle vans drop us off at places like Tambaram, Kathipara, and Vadapalani, which is much easier.

The introduction of shuttle vans comes amid ongoing challenges with private buses not following boarding regulations. Despite orders from the Madras High Court, buses are still blocking traffic by boarding passengers at unauthorized spots. Residents hope this issue will be resolved when all bus operations move to Kilambakkam.

Anbalagan, head of the TN All Omni Bus Owners and Operators Association, mentioned that the government promised parking for all registered buses at Kilambakkam, but currently, only 110 of the required 800 spots are available. CMDA officials said 80 percent of the work at Mudichur is complete, and operations will be moved soon.
Bharti Airtel is talks with Vodafone Plc to buy 3 per cent additional stake in telecom towers company Indus Towers, reported CNBC TV18, citing unidentified sources. Bharti Airtel stock was little changed. It was trading at Rs 1,414.3, marginally down from the previous close.

Earlier, last week, Vodafone group had sold Indus Towers stake in block deals that saw 20 percent equity in the company change hands for Rs 17,200 crore. Bharti Airtel had bought 1 per cent additional stake in Indus Towers in the transaction, taking its holding in the towers company to nearly 49 percent.

The proposed additional stake acquisition would make Bharti Airtel the majority stakeholder in Indus Towers, taking it past 50 per cent mark. Airtel plans to Indus Towers with its data centre business Nxtra, reported CNBC TV18.

The merger would unlock value, and would also give exit to Carlyle from its investment. Private Equity major Carlyle had bought a 24 per cent stake in Nxtra in 2020.

Consolidation of the majority shareholding in Indus Towers, and then merging it with the data centre business is apparently part of Bharti Airtels mega plan to of two-pronged strategy to capitalise on Indus Towers.
As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget 2024-25 next month, reports are floating that the government is planning to impose higher taxes on futures and options (F&O) trading. According to a Financial Express report citing sources, the government is considering two significant steps  reclassifying F&O income from business income to speculative income, and introducing a tax-deducted-at-source (TDS) mechanism.

According to the experts, shifting F&O trading from business income to speculative income will stop such investors from offsetting losses from other business losses, much like cryptocurrencies. This reclassification would categorise earnings from these derivatives similarly to lottery winnings or cryptocurrency investments, which are currently subject to a flat tax rate of 30 per cent.

TDS will, however, help the government keep track of investors in the F&O market. Such a provision was introduced in the Budget 2023-24 also for cryptocurrencies.

Heres what is F&O trading and why the government might impose higher taxes on this in the upcoming Budget 2024-25:

What is F&O Trading?

Futures and options (F&O) are financial instruments that allow investors to trade contracts based on the future price of an underlying asset, such as stocks, indices, commodities, or currencies.

Futures Contracts: These are agreements to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a future date. Both parties are obligated to fulfill the contract at expiry unless they close their position beforehand.

Options Contracts: These give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy (call option) or sell (put option) an asset at a set price before or at the contracts expiry.

F&O trading enables investors to hedge against potential market movements, speculate on price changes, and leverage their investments. However, the high leverage involved can lead to substantial losses, making it a high-risk activity for investors.

Why the Government Might Impose Higher Taxes on F&O Trading?

Even as the stock market investments have become popular with the online trading apps, retail investors are more and more falling into high-risk F&O trading. This is leading to huge losses for them, leading to overall dampening of sentiments.

In view of this, the government and regulators have been worried for quite some time about the increased participation of retail investors in the derivatives market.

According to a stock market analyst, Retail investors usually participate in the futures and options market by getting information on social media platforms, instead of substantive expert advice or research. This leads to huge losses for them as has been witnessed recently.

Rajarshi Dasgupta, executive director (tax) of AQUILAW, said, Since the nature of F&O is to transact on a future price of a stock at a pre-determined price, this involves more of a speculation like any other speculative transaction i.e., lottery etc. with a pre-determined price set to trade in the future, therefore it would be a bold move to categorise F&O transactions as speculative income rather than business income.

He added that the government aims to deter excessive speculative activity and promote more cautious trading practices and the retail investors might be encouraged to shift towards more stable investment options like mutual funds, stocks, and bonds, fostering financial stability and wealth creation.

There will be a hit in the tax perspective as the rate of Income Tax under speculative income will be straight 30% (plus 4% cess) instead of applicable slabs of 5%, 20% or 30% on different slabs of income plus applicability of TDS and profit out of F&O transactions can be offsetted against loss of F&O transactions only resulting in lesser margins in the hands of the dealers, Dasgupta added.

An investment expert also said the government favors long-term investments over short-term speculation.

By reclassifying F&O income and introducing TDS, retail investors might be encouraged to shift towards more stable investment options like mutual funds, stocks, and bonds, fostering financial stability and wealth creation, he added.

He added that the move might also rein in market volatility as leveraged F&O trading often results in high market volatility. Also, excessive speculative trading poses systemic risks to the financial system.

The expert also said the move will also align Indias F&O trading with global F&O trading rules. In many developed countries, F&O trading income is treated differently from regular business income. For example, the US IRS Section 1256 categorises certain futures and options with distinct tax rules.
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani addressed the Hindenburg incident during the 32nd annual general meeting of the conglomerate, dismissing the short-sellers over 100-pages report as baseless accusations.

It was a two-sided attack  a vague criticism of our financial standing and, at the same time, an information distortion campaign, dragging us into a political battlefield. The attack was a calculated strike two days before the closing of our follow-on public offer, said Adani about the US short sellers scathing report against the conglomerate last year.

Hindenburg Case

Hindenburgs report accused the Adani Group of stock manipulation and misuse of tax havens, causing a significant sell-off in the conglomerate. However, a Supreme Court-appointed expert panel later found no conclusive evidence of stock manipulation. The panel did, however, suggest regulatory improvements to protect investors.

Adani criticised certain media segments for amplifying the attack, aiming to tarnish the groups reputation and erode market value. Amplified by a segment of vested media, it was designed to defame us, do maximum damage and erode our hard-earned market value, he added.

Despite these challenges, Adani emphasised the groups resilience, noting that they raised an additional Rs 40,000 crore to cover two years of debt repayment and pre-paid Rs 17,500 crore in margin-linked financing. This improved the groups net debt to EBITDA ratio from 3.3 to 2.2.

Strong Financial Backing

Adani highlighted the groups commitment to operational excellence and transparency, validated by rating agencies, the financial community, and respected global investors such as GQG Partners, TotalEnergies, IHC, QIA, and the US Development Finance Corporation.

Our commitment to operational excellence and transparent disclosures was validated not only by rating agencies and the well-informed financial community, but also by respected global investors, Adani affirmed.

Optimism for Indias Growth

The Adani Group is optimistic about Indias domestic growth, buoyed by the governments increased infrastructure spending, which has risen by 16 per cent to over Rs 11 lakh crore for the current financial year. Adani emphasized the crucial role of state governments in implementing infrastructure initiatives.

Given the multiplier effect, the government of India has rightly focused on infrastructure development by raising its funding by 16 per cent to over Rs 11 lakh crore for this financial year. It is worthwhile to note that annual spending has tripled in the last 5 years, Adani remarked.

Future Plans and Segment Updates

Adani outlined the conglomerates ambitious plans, including developing 30 GW of capacity in the next five yearsenough to power nations like Belgium and Switzerland. Adani Green Energy has revised its FY 2029-30 target from 45 GW to 50 GW, adding 2.8 GW this year alone, representing 15% of Indias total renewable capacity addition.

Passenger traffic at Adani-operated airports reached 88.6 million, and the groups cement ambitions aim for a combined capacity of 140 million tonnes per annum by 2028. Notably, Ambuja Cements was the lead supplier for Indias longest sea bridge, the 21.9 km Mumbai trans harbour link.

For Adani Energy Solutions, the transmission order book stands at 17,000 crore, with an expanded smart metering order book of 228 lakh units.

Adani Energy Solutions transmission order book stands at Rs 17,000 crore, and our smart metering order book has expanded to 228 lakh units.
Stanley Lifestyles IPO: The initial public offering (IPO) of luxury furniture brand Stanley Lifestyles Ltd, which was opened for public subscription on June 21, has so far been fully subscribed. Till 4:37 pm on the second day of bidding on Monday, June 24, the Rs 537-crore issue received a 5.19 times subscription, garnering bids for 5,28,48,400 shares as against 1,01,87,456 shares on offer.

The category for non-institutional investors fetched 8.91 times subscription, while the quota for retail individual investors (RIIs) got subscribed 6.15 times. The part meant for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) received 71 per cent subscription.

Stanley Lifestyles IPO Key Dates: Subscription, Allotment And Listing

The Stanley Lifestyles IPO will remain open till June 25. Its allotment will likely be finalised on June 26, while its listing will take place on both BSE and NSE on June 28.

Stanley Lifestyles IPO: Price and Lot Size

The price band of the Stanley Lifestyles IPO has been fixed at Rs 351 to Rs 369 per share.

Investors need to apply for a minimum of 40 equity shares and in multiples thereof. Hence, the minimum investment by retail investors would be Rs 14,760 (40 (lot size) x Rs 369 (upper price band)).

Stanley Lifestyles IPO: Category-Wise Quota

The issue has been reserved up to 50 per cent for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs), 15 per cent for non-institutional investors (NIIs), and 35 per cent for retail investors.

Stanley Lifestyles IPO GMP Today

According to market observers, unlisted shares of Stanley Lifestyles Ltd are trading Rs 172 higher in the grey market as compared with its issue price. The Rs 172 grey market premium or GMP means the grey market is expecting a 46.61 per cent listing gain from the public issue. The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing.

Grey market premium indicates investors readiness to pay more than the issue price.

Stanley Lifestyles IPO: Should You Subscribe?

Recommending for subscribe for long term, brokerage firm Anand Rathi Research in an IPO note, said, On the valuation front, at an upper band, the company is richly priced at a P/E of 60x post-issue of equity shares on a FY earnings basis, the company has no listed peers. We believe that the company has a scope for business improvement on the back of industry tailwinds, brand recall, and business scalability. We recommend a Subscribe for long term rating to the IPO.

Stanley Lifestyles IPO: More Details

The IPO comprises fresh issuance of equity shares worth Rs 200 crore and an offer-for-sale (OFS) component of 91.33 lakh equity shares by the companys promoters and other shareholders to the tune of Rs 337 crore at the upper-end of the price band.

A day before IPO, Stanley Lifestyles on June 20 said it has raised a little over Rs 161 crore from anchor investors.

Those who have been allotted shares are  SBI Mutual Fund (MF), Nippon India MF, ICICI Prudential MF, HDFC MF, Quant MF, Motilal Oswal MF, Bandhan MF, SBI Life Insurance Company and Max Life Insurance Company, according to a circular uploaded on BSEs website.

Stanley Lifestyles has decided to allot 43.66 lakh equity shares to 16 funds at Rs 369 a piece, taking the aggregate transaction size to Rs 161.1 crore.

The net proceeds from the fresh issue to the tune of Rs 90.13 crore will be used by the company towards expenditure for opening new stores, Rs 39.99 crore expenditure for opening the anchor stores and Rs 10.04 crore expenditure for renovation of existing stores.

Funds to the tune of Rs 8.18 crore for funding the capital expenditure requirements for purchase of new machinery and equipment by the company and its material subsidiary, SOSL (Stanley OEM Sofas Ltd) and for general corporate purposes.

Half of the issue size has been reserved for qualified institutional buyers (QIBs), 35 per cent for retail investors and the remaining 15 per cent for non-institutional investors.

Moreover, investors can bid for a minimum of 40 equity shares and in multiples of 40 equity shares thereafter.

Bengaluru-based Stanley Lifestyles is a luxury furniture brand and it is among the few Indian companies operating in various price categories, including super-premium, luxury, and ultra-luxury, through its multiple brands.

The company operates two manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru.

For FY23, the companys revenue from operations rose to Rs 419 crore, from Rs 292.20 crore a year ago, while net profit increased to Rs 34.98 crore in FY23, as against Rs 23.22 crore a year back.

Axis Capital, ICICI Securities, JM Financial and SBI Capital Markets Ltd are the book running lead managers to the issue. The equity shares of the company will be listed on BSE and NSE.
The Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) has invited online applications from eligible candidates for the Ayurvedic Medical Officer posts (Group-B) in the Health and Ayush Department, Haryana. Aspirants who meet the eligibility criteria can register online by visiting the official website of the Haryana Public Service Commission at regn.hpsc.gov.in or hpsc.gov.in.

It is to be noted that the application process is underway, and the last date to apply for the above-mentioned vacancies is July 12, 2024 (up to 5 PM). Under the recruitment drive, the Haryana Public Service Commission is aiming to fill up a total of 805 Ayurvedic Medical Officer posts.

HPSC AMO Recruitment 2024: Eligibility Criteria

Age Limit: Aspirants must not be less than 23 years and not more than 42 years, on or before June 1. However, the commission has relaxed the upper age limit for reserved category candidates.

Educational Qualification: To be eligible to apply, candidates must have a degree in Ayurvedic System of Medicine from any university or institution recognised by the government. They must also have knowledge of Hindi up to the Matric standard. The commission further mentioned that candidates should be registered with the Board of Ayurvedic/Unani System of Medicine, Haryana.

HPSC AMO Recruitment 2024: Steps to Apply

Step 1: Log in to the Official Website of the Haryana Public Service Commission at hpsc.gov.in.

Step 2: On the homepage, go to the Advertisements tab and locate the Ayurvedic Medical Officer recruitment post.

Step 3: Then, click on the application form link under the Ayurvedic Medical Officer (AMO) section.

Step 4: Fill in the complete academic and personal details as asked in the application form.

Step 5: Upload the necessary documents, including a photograph and signature, in the mentioned size and format.

Step 6: Pay the prescribed application fee, if applicable, and submit the form.

Step 7: Lastly, take a printout of the registration form for future use.

HPSC AMO Recruitment 2024: Application Fee

Male applicants belonging to the unreserved category are required to pay an application fee of Rs 1000, whereas Rs 250 is applicable to those falling under the reserved category.

HPSC AMO Recruitment 2024: Pay Scale

On being selected as Ayurvedic Medical Officer, candidates can expect a pay scale of Rs 47,600 as per the 7th pay commission.

Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website.
Another Revanna family member, Suraj, a JD(S) MLC and son of former Karnataka minister HD Revanna, has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a party worker. An FIR was registered against him at the Holenarasipura police station under Section 377 (unnatural sex) of the IPC.

The allegations against Suraj Revanna, 36, stem from a complaint filed by a 27-year-old male party worker.

I absolutely reject these allegations. They are part of a political conspiracy. An FIR has also been lodged against the complainant. Let the truth come out. I have faith in the law of the land, Suraj Revanna had said.

Who is Suraj Revanna?

Suraj Revanna, a member of the legislative council (MLC) in Karnataka, is the eldest son of Holenarasipur MLA HD Revanna, the brother of Prajwal Revanna and the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda. Suraj is the eighth member of the Gowda family to make his way into politics.

He began his political career by campaigning for his father during the Assembly elections in 2013, when he was a medical student. He showed an interest in joining active politics after completing his postgraduation in general surgery in 2015.

Suraj focused on strengthening the party organisation in Channarayapatna taluk while his younger brother contested and won the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. Suraj became an MLC in 2021.

During his active campaigning during the 2018 Assembly elections and the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Suraj and his associates were involved in arguments and clashes with other party workers. His affidavit for the MLC polls in 2021 showed that his name was dropped by the Hassan district in two cases, as per a report by The Hindu.

He got married in 2018 but did not mention about his marriage in the election affidavit in 2021. Later, a petition was filed in the high court for alleging suppressing the fact about his marriage in the affidavit, The Hindu report said.

Despite internal party squabbles over his candidature for the Legislative Council in 2021, Suraj won and represented Hassan.

What are the Charges against Suraj Revanna?

According to the complainant, Suraj Revanna allegedly committed unnatural offences and sexually abused him at his Gannikada farm in Holenarasipura on June 16.

In his complaint, the victim stated that he was an active JD(S) worker and had met Suraj at Kollangi village during the last Lok Sabha campaigns.

Suraj was brought to Bengaluru by the Hassan police on Sunday following his arrest. He was produced before the magistrate of Special Court of Magistrate for criminal cases against former and present MPs and MLAs, at his residence at Koramangala after he was subjected to a medical examination. The judge then remanded Suraj in judicial custody for 14 days.

The Holenarsipur Rural police registered the case against him and his associate Shivakumar HL, under Sections 377 (unnatural offences), 342 (wrongful confinement), and 506 (criminal intimidation).

What is the Revanna Family Controversy?

The entire Revanna family has been embroiled in a controversy after pen drives containing videos of Prajwal Revanna with different women surfaced in Hassan during the election campaign.

His father HD Revanna and mother Bhavani are out on bail. They have been accused of kidnapping and keeping an alleged victim of their son Prajwals sexual assaults.

Prajwal Revanna arrested by the SIT at the Kempegowda International Airport, in Bengaluru on May 31 following his return from Germany where he was holed up after rape and intimidation cases were registered against him. He is presently in custody of the Special Investigation Team, formed exclusively to probe the charges against him.
More than 1,300 people have died due to extreme heat during the annual Hajj pilgrimage that takes place in Saudi Arabia, authorities have said. Amongst the dead are 98 Indians, the Indian government has said.

More than half of those who died were unregistered pilgrims and joined the Hajj through irregular channels, leaving them unable to access facilities such as air conditioned tents and buses, news agency AFP reported.

Although Saudi Arabia has increased safety measures at the Hajj in recent years, but it still faces criticism for not doing enough, particularly for unregistered pilgrims.

As per MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal 98 Indians have died during the pilgrimage this year. We have heard that because it was very hot, and on the day of Arafat, the pilgrims who come there, several people suffered that day due to the heat wave. People from other countries suffered more. From our country, six people died on the day of Arafat, he said.

What is Hajj?

Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia that is required once in a lifetime of every Muslim who can afford it and is physically able to make it. Some Muslims make the journey more than once. It occurs once a year during the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar year.

Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, in addition to the profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving and fasting.

For pilgrims, performing Hajj fulfills a religious obligation, but its also a deeply spiritual experience of a lifetime for many. Its seen as a chance to seek Gods forgiveness for past sins, to grow closer to God and to walk in the footsteps of prophets.

What are the Reasons for Deaths This Year?

Extreme Heat: Severe heat conditions are believed to be the major factor behind the high death toll. The Saudi Arabia health ministry had warned pilgrims to avoid heat exposure and stay hydrated but many fell victim to heatstroke. Scientists have said that global warming is worsening the summer. Pilgrims who travel for Hajj face unfamiliar heat, strenuous physical activity, and many of them are elderly or unwell. According to Carl-Friedrich Schleussner of Climate Analytics, who spoke to Reuters, with a 1.5C rise in global temperatures above pre-industrial levels, the risk of heatstroke during Hajj could increase up to five times.

Overcrowding: The health authorities were called out for mismanagement that exacerbated extreme conditions, leading to crisis at some places. Pilgrims said accommodation and facilities were poorly managed, with overcrowded tents lacking adequate cooling and sanitation facilities, as mentioned in a BBC report. A government statement, however, said resources were made available for pilgrims, which included 189 hospitals, health centres and mobile clinics with a combined capacity of more than 6,500 beds, and over 40,000 medical, technical, administrative staff and volunteers.

Transportation: Some pilgrims had complained of walking long distance in extreme heat, with some blaming roadblocks and poor management. Saad Al-Qurashi, an adviser to the National Committee for Hajj and Umrah, told the BBC: Anyone who does not have a Hajj visa will not be tolerated and must return to [their] country.

What are Saudis Hajj Quotas?

Every year, the number of pilgrims performing Hajj increases, with billions spent on infrastructure by the Saudi authorities. In order to accommodate several thousands of pilgrims in one location, the Saudi authorities allot country-wise quotas, which determine the total number of people who can take the journey. This is largely done based on the number of Muslims in a particular country.

This year, Saudi Arabia allowed 1.75 lakh Indians to undertake the pilgrimage  1.4 lakh went through the official Haj Committee of India, and the rest went through more expensive private operators. The Hajj Committee of India (HCoI) distributes to different states on the basis of their Muslim population. A total of 1.8 million slots were handed out by the Saudis worldwide.

How Govt Helps Those Performing Hajj

The Indian government has a Hajj mission in Jeddah. It provides a medical mission, hospital, ambulances and arrangements for Indian citizens by Indian officials overseas.

According to the Union Health Ministry, nearly 40,000 people over the age of 60 years undertook the Hajj this year. Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra said harsh weather conditions this year have necessitated round-the-clock services for the pilgrims. A live portal was developed to provide real-time data and analysis on the pilgrims seeking medical care, and the services being provided.

History of Stampede at Hajj

Historically, Hajj has witnessed stampede-like situations and epidemics during the pilgrimage, which attracts over 2 million people from around the world.

In 2015, a stampede in Mina killed over 2,400 pilgrims, the deadliest incident ever to strike the pilgrimage, according to the Associated Press. Saudi Arabia has never acknowledged the full toll of the stampede. A separate crane collapse at Meccas Grand Mosque earlier the same year killed 111.

The second-deadliest incident at the Hajj was a 1990 stampede that killed 1,426 people.

More than 1.83 million Muslims performed the Hajj in 2024, including more than 1.6 million from 22 countries, and around 222,000 Saudi citizens and residents, according to the Saudi Hajj authorities.
The newly elected leaders of the BJP-led NDA government and Congress-led Opposition attended the first Lok Sabha session on Monday. The session will continue till July 3. The BJP member, Bhartruhari Mahtab, took the oath as pro-tem speaker. He is tasked with running the proceedings of the House until the Speaker is elected.

The BJP nominating seven-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro-tem speaker had ruffled Oppositions feathers, with the Congress backing its senior MP K Suresh for the post. Senior leader KC Venugopal called Mahtabs appointment an attempt to destroy democratic and parliamentary norms

Who is a Pro-tem Speaker?

Until the Speaker of Lok Sabha is chosen, the Pro-tem Speaker, which essentially means for the time being, is chosen to administer some important duties. The Constitution does not mention the post. However, the official Handbook on the Working of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs speaks about the Appointment and Swearing in of Speaker pro tem.

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.

The Speaker has to fulfill certain responsibilities regarding the day-to-day proceedings of the House. As per Article 94 of the Indian Constitution states: Whenever the House of the People is dissolved, the Speaker shall not vacate his office until immediately before the first meeting of the House of the People after the dissolution.

Whats the Row Over Mahtabs Appointment as Pro-Tem Speaker?

According to the Congress, Mahtabs appointment by the BJP deviates from the traditional practice of appointing the senior member, adding that it is an established tradition in the Lok Sabha that the senior-most MP becomes the pro-tem Speaker.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has alleged that K Sureshs nomination was ignored because of his Dalit lineage. If this argument is adopted, then why has Ramesh Chandappa Jigajinagi, a BJP MP who is also in his seventh consecutive term, not been considered? Is it because he is a Dalit like Suresh, the AICC general secretary in-charge of communications quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

The BJP, however, said the allegation of Congress falls flat as K Suresh has only served eight nonconsecutive terms, having lost in 1998 and 2004, compared to Mahtab who has served seven consecutive terms as Lok Sabha MP. Hence, this is only Sureshs fourth consecutive term as Lok Sabha MP, thus not qualifying him for the post of a Pro-tem Speaker.

What has been the Tradition of Pro-tem Speakers Appointment?

In the 17th Lok Sabha, the pro-tem was appointed based on the number of years the MP has served in Lok Sabha. Virendra Kumar was appointed as pro-tem speaker by the President as he was the longest-serving consecutively elected MP then compared to Maneka Gandhi who was the senior-most MP but in non-consecutive terms.

In 1956, Sardar Hukam Singh was appointed to the post of Pro-tem Speaker 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.

How is Pro-tem Speaker Chosen?

When the post of the Speaker falls vacant, the duties of the Speaker are to be performed by a Member of the House appointed for this purpose by the President as Speaker pro tem, according to the Handbook.

The primary duty of the pro-tem Speaker is to administer oaths to the new MPs. Under Article 99 of the Constitution, Every Member of the House shall, before taking his seat, make and subscribe before the President or some person appointed in that behalf by him, an oath or affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule of the Constitution.

According to the handbook, the senior-most members (in terms of number of years of membership of the House) are generally chosen for the purpose, though there have been exceptions.

After the new government is formed, the Legislative I Section of the Government of India prepares a list of the senior-most Lok Sabha members, which is submitted to the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs or the Prime Minister for identifying an MP as pro-tem Speaker and another three members for oath-taking.

About Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab

Bhartruhari Mahtab, son of Odishas former Chief Minister, Harekrushna Mahtab, was with Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) prior to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Mahtab, 66, had announced his resignation from the party in March, citing reduced activity within the party recently. Later, he joined the BJP.

Bhatruhari currently is the owner and editor of The Prajatantra, an Odia daily founded by his father  Harekrushna  who was a member of the Congress and played a crucial role in the Independence.

Bhatruhari has been elected as an MP seven times from Cuttack. He won the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the seat by more than 57,000 votes. Mahtab received the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award in 2017, and the Sansad Ratna Award 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 for his outstanding role as an MP.

Bhartruhari Mahtab became BJPs choice after the partys clean sweep in Odisha polls. The BJP dislodged Naveen Patnaiks 24-year regime, winning 78 seats, four above the majority mark, and formed the government in the state. The BJD won 51 seats, while the Congress won 14 and the CPI(M) won one seat. The BJP won 20 out of 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal did not get any relief from the money laundering case linked to liquor policy scam as the Supreme Court said that it will hear the matter next on June 26. The apex court further said that it will wait for the High Courts order on the stay application.

Arvind Kejriwal moved to the Supreme Court on Sunday challenging his bail order that was granted an interim stay by the Delhi High Court on Friday.

The bail order was earlier granted by the trial court in the money laundering case pertaining to the liquor policy scam.

On Thursday, Delhis Rouse Avenue court had granted bail to Arvind Kejriwal on a bail bond of Rs 1 Lakh, which was to be furnished before the duty judge the next day.

The stay order came after the ED sought a stay on the order and asked the court to give 48 hours to sign the bail bond so that the order could be challenged in the higher court.

The Delhi HC had also issued notice to Kejriwal seeking his response to the Enforcement Directorates plea challenging the trial courts June 20 order by which he was granted bail. The court had further said it was reserving the order for 2-3 days to review the entire record.
Following the postponement of NEET-PG 2024 as a precautionary measure, students who were set to take the exam the next day have been expressing concerns over the sudden decision. The postponement came amid protests over paper leaks and other alleged irregularities in the conduct of NEET undergraduate exam on May 5.

To put the story in perspective, NEET-PG usually takes place from December to January. It was delayed and scheduled for March 3 this year. Then it was postponed to July 7 and then advanced to June 23. And now, it stands postponed indefinitely.

Fresh date of this examination will be notified at the earliest, the ministry said in an official notice.

More than 2 lakh doctors were about to take the NEET-PG exam in the next eight hours and the abrupt decision to postpone it has been heavily criticised by the candidates, many of whom had to travel to other cities to appear for the exam  after taking leaves, spending money on travel, and booking accommodation in advance.

Social media is inundated with angry posts from NEET aspirants. Dr Suhas Ananthram, an aspirant, posted on X: I have traveled to another state, staying here for three days spendings thousand of rupees and this happens? What the hell?

The anger is understandable. However, its not the end of the road. The message to the candidates affected by alleged irregularities in NEET-UG and those impacted by the NEET-PG exam postponement is to stay resilient.

News18 spoke to multiple mental and physical health experts who advised taking control over emotions causing anxiety, irritability and frustration.

Any such uncertainty and disruption can undoubtedly impact the mental and emotional well-being of these aspiring professionals. Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, who was the first rank holder in Kerala state medical entrance in 1986, told me that the recent events make him cringe.

However, he shared multiple pieces of advice for the candidates while adding that if the prevailing uncertainty is making these aspirants anxious, remember that uncertainty is a part of being alive on the planet. He advised to seek professional help instead of self-diagnosing or turning to other substances for temporary relief.

Doctors are just as human as anyone else and can face the same physical and mental health issues. If you constantly feel a loss of interest or motivation, arent sleeping well, lack your usual energy, seek professional help instead of self-diagnosing, said Jayadevan, former president of the Kochi wing of the Indian Medical Association. He also warned that using alcohol or substances for temporary relief is dangerous.

Stay away from doom-scrolling: Mental health experts

Similarly, mental health counsellors also suggest reaching out for support by talking to friends, family, or a mental health professional to share your thoughts and feelings.

A psychotherapist, who works as a mental health counsellor at a public hospital, told me while requesting anonymity that some of the affected students have reached out to her to share their concern over the bleak future.

She advised that its essential to maintain a structured daily schedule and self-care routines to preserve a sense of normalcy. Take care of your physical and mental health by eating well, getting enough sleep, exercising, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

Mental health professionals acknowledge that entrance exams have always been stressful. However, the ongoing state of affairs would impact the candidates even more severely.

For instance, Dr Jyoti Kapoor, a senior consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist told News18 that the ongoing affairs could be quite frustrating for students.

Kapoor, who is also founder-director at Manasthali, Mental Health & Wellness Services, in Gurgaon advised that its important to accept that challenges like these are part and parcel of life and especially as medical practitioners, we face such issues as part of our profession itself, therefore taking care of ones health is of prime importance.

She also warned students to stay away from consuming too much news.

Beware of overuse of social media and doom-scrolling. Its better to just have enough necessary information and focus on ones goals.

Repeatedly reading opinions and counter opinions on the given situation only helps to increase the anger and frustration making one feel like a helpless victim. This impacts the focus and causes an overwhelming surge of negative feelings and emotions.

Entrance tests are not going to decide the quality of your life; you are going to do that. At the end of the day, success depends on an individuals satisfaction and happiness which depends on multiple factors only one of which is the choice of speciality.

In short, take control over your nerves and stay informed about any updates regarding the exam, but avoid excessive news consumption which can increase anxiety and agony. It is a challenging time. However, with patience and perseverance, one can overcome it.

According to Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, the NEET-UG fiasco has affected students as young as 16-18 years, many of who have hit the streets in protest. They should conserve their energies to fight bigger battles and emerge a better doctor in the future, said Kumar, who works at Apollo Hospital.
Mohammed Mujahid, a 20-year-old who hails from Sanjak village of Uttar Pradeshs (UP) Muzaffarnagar district had never imagined that a person whom he trusted the most would deceptively get his genitals removed by making him undergo a sex change surgery at a local medical college. While speaking to News18, Mujahid and his family members shared the entire story of how a happy-go-lucky person, a student of class 12, fell prey to the man, who also allegedly sexually harassed him for more than two years.

On the complaint of Mujahid and his family members, Muzaffarnagar Police booked the middle-aged person, identified as Om Prakash and is probing the matter.

Mujahid said it all began almost two years back when he first met Om Prakash, the main accused in the case, at a local factory where Mujahid initially worked as a daily wage labourer. Om Prakash ji was in-charge there. Quite often he used to help me out but I never thought that it was all a part of his plan, said Mujahid.

However, after a couple of months, Mujahid said that he left the job and started working at a local beauty parlour to assist his father, a farmer by profession, to meet the familys financial needs.

Unlike the local factory where I used to get Rs 150 a day, at the beauty parlour I used to get almost Rs 450 a day, which also included tips from the customers. However, my friendship with Om Prakash continued, Mujahid recalled.

The seemingly sweet friendship, however, turned out to be a strained one when one day, Om Prakash allegedly shot some nude videos of Mujahid and threatened to release them on the internet if he didnt obey his orders. Om Prakash used to call me to his rented accommodation where he used to harass me sexually. I didnt have any option than to obey his orders as he had threatened to put my videos on the internet, also he threatened me that he would kill my father if I raised an alarm, Mujahid said.

However, on June 3, things went to an extreme, when Mujahid said that Om Prakash called him to his accommodation, took away his mobile phone and other belongings and sedated him. I woke up to the horrifying words of Om Prakash, who told me that I am a woman now and he would take me to Lucknow and would marry me. He also threatened that If I resisted, he would kill my father, Mujahid told News18.

On waking up, Mujahid said that he realised that he was at Begrajpur Medical College, Mansoorpur, Muzaffarnagar, UP, he experienced a sharp pain in his abdomen and soon after he realised that his genital part was missing. It took me some moments to realize what actually had happened to me. I didnt even have my mobile phone, I took some hospital staffs phone to call my parents and asked them to reach the hospital immediately, said Mujahid, while accusing Om Prakash, doctors and the hospital staff of performing sex change surgery on him without his consent.

Allah unhe kabhi maaf nahi karega (God will never forgive them). I want justice. I am hopeful that UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji would help me and would make sure that the wrong doers get the strictest punishment, lamented Mujahid.

Mujahids father Mohammed Yameen, who seemed shattered, further blamed Om Prakash and the team of doctors who performed the surgery. On getting my sons call, we immediately rushed to the hospital. Be it Om Prakash or the doctors, all are hand in gloves. I want action against Dr Farooqi, the main surgeon who performed the surgery. I want to ask the hospital management why they didnt ask for the ID proof of my son and Om Prakash, who posed to be his father. On the basis of the IDs, they could have concluded the fact that they are not father-son, Mujahids father Yameen told News18.

On Mujahids fathers complaint, the Muzaffarnagar Police registered an FIR at Mansurpur Police Station and arrested Om Prakash. A case has been registered in which a person alleged that he was misled by another person and was made to undergo a sex change surgery. We have registered the case under sections 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), 420 (cheating) and 377 (unnatural offence) of IPC. The further investigation is on, said Ramashish Singh, Circle Officer of Khatauli Police Station in Muzaffarnagar.

Hospital Denies Mujahids Claim

However, hospital authorities denied Mujahids claim that he was deceptively operated on. According to Chief Medical Superintendent Kirti Goswami, the man had been regularly visiting the hospital for two months to meet Dr Raza Farooqui, a plastic surgeon. Goswami stated, The man identified as a woman and wanted to undergo sex reassignment surgery.

Dr Farooqui said he referred Mujahid to two psychiatrists to assess his mental condition, a legal prerequisite before a sex-change operation. The procedure was performed only after the psychiatrists deemed him mentally fit. The man came here to get admitted on June 4 and his operation was conducted on June 6. All these procedures are legal and were conducted under the supervision of Dr Farooqui, Goswami emphasised.

Additionally, Goswami claimed that the authorities had a video of the man before his operation, in which he could be seen discussing his desire to undergo gender change surgery. This video, according to Goswami, serves as evidence that Mujahids decision was informed and voluntary. The hospitals stance highlights the legal and procedural adherence throughout the process, contrasting sharply with Mujahids allegations of deception.
Families of the 1985 Kanishka bombing victims on Sunday turned away members of the pro-Khalistan Sikhs for Justice outfit during a prayer meeting in Canada to mark the 39th anniversary of one of the most heinous terror-related air disasters in the history of civil aviation.

The Montreal-New Delhi Air India Kanishka Flight 182 had exploded 45 minutes before it was supposed to land at Londons Heathrow Airport on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people on board, most of them Canadians of Indian descent. Eighty-six of the victims were children. The bombing was blamed on Sikh militants in retaliation to Operation Bluestar to flush out militants from the Golden Temple in 1984.

During Sundays prayer meeting, those present asked Sikh for Justice and other pro-Khalistani group members to leave, categorically stating that no Sikh wanted separate nation of Khalistan. The families of the victims also expressed disappointment that no representative of the Canadian government was present to mark the anniversary of the tragedy.

They also condemned the moment of silence held in Canadas House of Commons last Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjars death. Many of those asked to leave were wearing T-shirts with Nijjars photo.

This is open reflection of the Canadian Sikh community. They are overpowered by politicians and political will, and made to show the world that they want Khalistan. No Canadian Sikh wants Khalistan. They feel Western countries are doing this because they dont want India to compete with them, a source in the Indian High Commission said.

The Indian missions in Canadian capital Ottawa and Toronto city marked the anniversary of the 1985 Kanishka bombing. High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma paid homage to the victims of cowardly terrorist bombing, the High Commission in Ottawa posted on X along with a series of photographs from the event.

Addressing the gathering, Verma said, No government in the world should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains. Human lives are much more important than the transitory political interests. All terrorist activities should be met with exemplary legal and social actions, before they start harming the larger humanity. Governments, security agencies, and international organisations must work in concert to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their financing, and counter their twisted ideologies.

The Indian mission in Toronto also marked the day.

Consul General Siddhartha Nath laid a wreath at the Air India 182 memorial, Humber Park, Etobicoke in solemn remembrance of the 329 victims of the terrorist bombing of AI 182 on this day, 39 years ago, the Consulate General of India in Toronto posted on X along with a photograph.

In another post on X, the mission said the Consul General also attended the memorial service held at Queens Park Toronto for the victims and met with the bereaved families.

In his remarks he highlighted the importance of unified global efforts to combat terrorism and standing firm against its glorification, it said, sharing a series of photographs.

Earlier in the day, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in a post on X paid his homage to the memory of the 329 victims of AI 182 Kanishka who were killed on this day in 1985.

Today marks the 39th anniversary of one of the worst acts of terrorism in history, he said. My thoughts are with their families. The anniversary is a reminder why terrorism should never be tolerated, Jaishankar wrote.

On Friday, the Canadian police said the investigations into the bombing of the Air India Flight 182 remain active and ongoing, terming it the longest and one of the most complex domestic terrorism probes.

In a statement, 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 countrys 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.
Days after imposing stock limits on pulses, the government has now imposed stock limits on wheat from June 24, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

Food and Public Distribution Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said, With regard to wholesellers, it is 3,000 tonnes. For retailers, it is 10 tonnes, and for big chain retailers, it is 10 tonnes per outlet, and a total of 3,000 tonnes. For processors, the limit is 70% of their monthly installed capacity multiplied by the remaining months of the financial year 2024-25. These stock limits are in force until March 31, 2025.

Chopra said these limits would be reviewed based on requirements and necessity. We will be taking action as required which would ensure that the prices of wheat remain stable.

NO SHORTAGE OF WHEAT; PRICES STABLE

Chopra rubbished reports of shortage of wheat in the country. There is no shortage of wheat in the country. The opening stock of wheat, as on April 1, 2023, was 82 LMT. The opening stock of wheat on April 1 this year was 75 MLT, so it means 7 LMT less than 2023 . Having said that, we also have 4 LMT of additional procurement this year vis-a-vis last year. Our procurement this year, as of today, is 266 LMT against 262 LMT in the RMS 2023. That means our procurement has been more than last year and our opening stock was 7 LMT less than last year. Broadly, we are only 3 LMT less than what was the position last year. There is no shortage of wheat.

The government reiterated that so far the wheat prices have been stable. Prices have not gone up in 2023-24. Similarly, prices will be kept stable in 2024-25. The government has many tools at its disposal. Wheat stock limit is just one, there are other tools too. I would like to reiterate that all options are kept open with the government. No option has been closed, he said.

As of now, only one of the tools, stock limits, has been used. Based on the requirement, we would use the other tools as and when needed. The prices are stable and in the interest of the consumer of the country, we would like to maintain some stability in prices and not let them spike.

However, the question is if the price of wheat is stable and there is no shortage, why is the government imposing a stock limit? Shortage is not there, so why are we imposing stock limits? There are persistent reports coming in the media Vested interests are creating the image that the government does not have the stock. One report came from Jaipur, which was very alarming, that we dont have stocks to fulfil our PDS requirement. As people are hoarding, there is a lot of holding back of stocks by traders and they would obviously like prices to go up. That is what we are targeting traders and holding back on stocks, even while there is no dearth of wheat in the market. They should release the stock in the market which should make the availability very ample, explained Chopra.

PRICES OF PULSES

As far as pulses are concerned, the government claimed that there has been a moderation in prices just days after the stock limits were imposed. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Consumer Affairs, said, Since we imposed stock limits on tur and chana dal, we can see that there is already an effect on market rates and the prices have started coming down.

She also said that as far as chana is concerned, prices came down by Rs 50-200 per quintal in major wholesale markets; in case of Kabuli chana, prices came down from Rs 100 to 300 per quintal; and in case of tur, from Rs 50-200 in major markets.

Traditionally, pulses is a pain point, with the country resorting to imports year after year. However, in spite of challenges, the government is hopeful of creating a buffer stock of around 10 LMT of pulses for the first time. Khare said, There are several factors which help us in moderating the prices. One being very good rain prediction after almost one full year of El Nino and very high heat wave, which has impacted all vegetable, fruit and cereal production, including pulses. This is an opportunity for us to expect much more area to be sown under tur and urad for price realisation.

The state governments enhancement of area under sowing of tur and urad, constant dialogue between farmers and cooperative bodies such as NCCF and NAFED, distribution of good quality seeds and good monsoon forecast are leading to optimism within the government. We should be in a position not just to moderate prices of pulses, but also create some buffer stock. The stock limits on the two pulses have started bearing results. Given the good monsoon condition, we should be able to see reasonable prices, price moderation and softening of these prices, she added.

ONIONS AND POTATOES

The government has been watching the rising prices of onions and potatoes in the past one month. Because of the heat wave, production of green vegetables came down, which is why the consumers dependence on potatoes and onions has increased. However, because of the good monsoon, you will start getting green vegetables in the market again and the prices of potatoes and onions will also come down in the coming days.

The forecast for onion production is optimistic, with the targeted area for onion production going up from 285 lakh hectares to 353.35 lakh hectares. For the Kharif sowing, farmers have been very optimistic, looking at the high price realisation form the Rabi onion. This year, we can say that the actual target has also increased. Last year, when the actual sown area was 285 lakh hectares, this year, the targeted area is 353.35 lakh hectarea. And this is about the top 10 states. Other states, who also contribute to the cultivation of onions, will also be doing it. So this is also something which is positive.

The government said that as of now, there is no proposal to review the ban on wheat exports or restrictions on sugar exports.
A two-member team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reached Patna on Sunday to probe the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak. This came after the CBI began its probe into the paper leak case and filed an FIR.

The CBI team first went to the Shastri Nagar police station. The first FIR in the paper leak case was registered on May 4 at the Shastri Nagar police station.

After visiting the Shastri Nagar police station, the CBI team reached the EOU of Bihar Police.

This came after the Bihar government issued a notification to transfer the NEET-UG case to the CBI, facilitating the central agencys intervention. Bihar Polices EOU arrested five suspects from Jharkhand, linked to the paper leak, bringing the total arrests to 18.

The CBI is investigating the case under IPC sections like criminal conspiracy and cheating, focusing on the wider nexus behind the exam irregularities.

Paper Leak Racket Operated From Private School

The Bihar police on Sunday said that the question papers were received by the accused at Learn Play School that was used as a safe house by the accused. The economic offences unit said this is the work of an organised interstate racket operating out of Bihar.

According to police, the accused, Chintu, who was arrested from Devghat was also present at the playschool when the question papers were received. He got the solved question papers on the mobile phone, police said.

Police said Chintu received the solved question paper on his mobile phone on the morning of May 5, the day of the examination, and took printouts of it via a WiFi printer. The students were made to memorise the question paper, they added.

The Bihar police said it was well-planned as a drop-off point was made 2 km from the playschool and the students were brought to the playschool in taxi cabs.

The question paper received by the accused came from Oasis Play School in Hazaribagh, police said. There is evidence of tampering in the packaging of the question paper, they added.

Police have recorded the statements of those working in the State Bank of India, Hazaribagh, and also Blue Dart courier services.
The nationwide probe into the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam NEET-UG has gained momentum with the CBI filing an FIR and dispatching teams to states and the Bihar Police arresting five persons in a paper leak case, taking the total arrests to 18.

As demands for cancellation of the May 5 exam grow, Union Education Ministry officials reiterated the governments earlier stand that the incidents of malpractices were localised or isolated and it was not fair to jeopardise the careers of lakhs of candidates who cleared the exam rightfully. Here are some of the top updates in the NEET row:
The Supreme Court on Monday described the Delhi High Courts decision to grant an interim stay on bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case without issuing a final order as unusual. This remark came as the top court fixed June 26 for Kejriwals plea against the Delhi HC order.

In stay matters, judgments are not reserved but passed on the spot. What has happened here is unusual, the apex court was quoted as saying by the Bar and Bench. A vacation bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti said it would like to wait for the pronouncement of the high court order on the matter.

Orders on stay application was reserved and till then the lower court order granting bail was stayed. Parties were given the opportunity to file short submissions by June 24. Additional Solicitor General (ASG) says order on stay application will be passed shortly and this requests for an adjournment. We deem it appropriate that the case be listed day after and if High Court passes an order meanwhile the let that be brought on record, the court ordered.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal, sought vacating of the interim stay on the bail order. Stating that Kejriwal is not a flight risk, Singhvi urged the bench to stay the high court order before it is being pronounced. I know what I am asking. This court must stay the high court order before it is being pronounced just like the high court had stayed the bail order on mere mentioning by the Enforcement Directorate, he submitted.

ASG SV Raju, appearing for the ED, opposed the plea of Kejriwal, and said the high court is about to pronounce the verdict on its stay application. The bench noted that the high court had on June 21 asked the parties to file written submissions till June 24 and observed that the order is likely to be pronounced in a day or two.

Justice Misra, however, observed that the stay order is normally pronounced the same day and not reserved. Its unusual, he observed and added that the court would like to wait for the high court order to get the clear picture on the issue. The bench at the outset told Singhvi that pronouncing any order at this stage would be prejudging the issue.

We will be pre-judging the issue, if we pass any order at this stage. It is not some other court but the high court, the bench told Singhvi. The high court had on Friday paused Kejriwals release after the trial court granted him bail on June 20. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 21, could have walked out of Tihar jail on Friday last had the high court not granted the interim stay relief to the federal anti-money laundering agency.

In its bail order, the trial court had held that prima facie, Kejriwals guilt was yet to be established and that the ED had failed to furnish direct evidence linking him to the proceeds of crime in the money laundering case. The excise policy was scrapped in 2022 after the Delhi lieutenant governor ordered a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and corruption involving its formulation and execution. According to the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), irregularities were committed while modifying the policy and undue favours extended to the licence holders.
Mired in controversy, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is grappling with allegations of question paper leaks and irregularities in the conduct of some of the countrys largest and high-stakes entrance exams, including the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical aspirants.

Constituted in 2017 by the BJP government to conduct entrance examination admissions to higher education institutions, the testing agency is an autonomous body under the Department of Higher Education in the Union Ministry of Education.

What is it that has troubled the NTA? Insiders say it is the lack of a robust process and mechanism to handle such large examinations where more than 20 lakh students sit for an exam in a single day. This is what the high-level panel aims to address, an official told News18.

The NTA is facing allegations of irregularities in the conduct of the NEET-UG 2024, for which 24 lakh candidates had registered. Arrests have been made in Bihar where accused have detailed how they received the question paper on the eve of the exam.

Then there is the cancellation of the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) due to paper leak on the darknet. Around 9 lakh students had taken the exam.

Days later came the postponement of the CSIR-UGC-NET (conducted for fellowship in sciences and industrial research in universities), which affects over 2 lakh students.

Last week, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, acknowledging the issue, announced the setting up of a seven-member high-level panel led by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to review the functioning of the NTA. The panel is likely to hold its first meeting on Monday, said officials.

Whats Wrong with the NTA

When it was first set up, the NTA was only meant to conduct computer-based tests like the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) for admission to engineering colleges as well as University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET), which until this year used to be conducted online. The NTA would partner with a technical service provider to conduct the online exams, which have been foolproof.

This year, the UGC shifted the mode of examination to OMR (pen-and-paper optical mark recognition) mode, in which around 9 lakh students appeared in two shifts in a single day.

Conducting large national-level exams such as these in the pen-and-paper mode requires huge manpower and various levels of human interference starting from setting the question paper to printing and transporting it to different centres, allowing the exam to be exposed to gaps at every stage, said an official formerly associated with the NTA.

The UGC had earlier said that it shifted the exam from online mode to pen-and-paper mode to be able to conduct the exam across centres in a single day. This is the first time in 34 years that UGC-NET exam was leaked and then cancelled.

Several officials also pointed out that bringing the NEET-UG under the NTA was not the right move to begin with. NEET-UG came under the NTA in 2019 after the approval of the Union Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.

NEET-UG is Indias largest exam, which the health ministry has so far insisted on conducting in the pen-and-paper mode. Shifting the conduct of such a large-scale exam to the testing agency, which is handling a slew of other national and state level exams in itself was not the right thing to do. It can still be reversed, said an official formerly with the Department of Higher Education.

To conduct such a high-stakes exam, a separate body is needed with specific protocols just as in the case of the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC), the official added.

Now, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing both the NEET and NET paper leak cases after the Bihar Economic Offences Unit (EOU) submitted its report to the Centre.

High-Level Panel to Fix the Process

A high-level panel that has members from various universities is set to meet on Monday. It is supposed to discuss laying down of security protocols at each stage, including establishing a robust procedure for conduct of any exam by the NTA. This also includes rules of evaluation and setting of the question paper to its printing and distribution, said an official familiar with the panel.

The committee will also look at data security protocols used in the conduct of exams like JEE-Advanced, which is held in the computer mode.

The panel is to discuss strengthening of the second and third-rung leadership levels, assigning responsibility and fixing accountability at each level, which was likely amiss so far, the official added.
Amitabh Bachchan teased Prabhas by saying he is scared of his sister. The producers of Kalki 2898 AD revealed that Prabhas sister was one of the many assistant directors of the film. In a new video shared by the makers of the Telugu film, Prabhas confirmed that his sister is a part of Kalki 2898 AD. Amitabh then revealed that Prabhas introduced him to his sister and added that she would boss him around.

Big B admitted he was taken aback by the confession and requested her not to hit him. I know his sister was working with him. I was scared with her because one day, we were shooting with him. (He introduced) shes my sister. (Prabhas said) when we were young, she used to boss me. After that, I told her Mere ko mat maarna,'" Amitabh said.

Kalki 2898 AD producers Priyanka Dutt and Swapna Dutt revealed director Nag Ashwin enjoys working with young film enthusiasts for it gives him different perspectives. Watch the interview below:

In the chat, Amitabh also revealed he was mesmerised by Nag Ashwins vision for the film. When Nagi came to talk to me about this, he just brought a picture, a visual of what my character is going to look like and what Prabhas is going to look like. And I was this huge guy whos shoving off THE Prabhas. And al the fans of Prabhas, please, you know, please excuse me. Main haath jod ke maafi maang rahe hai, dont massacre me after you see what I do," Amitabh said.

Amitabh continued, That was so impressive. I said, Hes already got a vision in mind, hes got a picture of what hes going to look like. Very rarely do you see that."

At a recent press conference held in Mumbai, Amitabh confessed he was taken aback with the concept of Kalki 2898 AD. When Nag Ashwin came and explained his idea to me, for the long time after he left I was thinking, what the hell is Nagi drinking?" Amitabh said, leaving Rana and his other co-stars in splits.

Kalki 2898 AD is set to release on June 27, 2024.
Taking everyone by surprise, the Reply 1988 actor Sung Dong Il and his on-screen daughter Hyeri recently met and recalled their time on a recent episode of Hyells Club. The interview had many moments filled with laughter as the two actors talked about their shared past. Sung Dong Il had played Hyeris father in the beloved drama. During their conversation, he shared some insights regarding his opinion about Hyeri. He also recounted a specific moment when Hyeris confession had transformed his opinion about her.

During their conversation, Hyeri was curious about Sung Dong Ils initial impressions of her. She asked him directly regarding his first opinion of her. With his characteristic humor, Sung Dong Il said, I really wondered if she could act, but of course, I cant either." His reply definitely made the whole studio erupt in sudden laughter.

Not satisfied with his answer, Hyeri pressed further and wanted a more genuine answer from him. Sung Dong Il then said that he found her to be just ordinary. You were just normal. Your eyes are round, but I really like you. But then, it was like that when we finished working together," he explained.

Sung Dong Il went on to say that his opinion of Hyeri had actually changed one day when she had approached him and shared a special news she had been holding onto. She had recently bought a house for her parents. Dad, I bought my parents a house. Its so good. I really wanted to tell you, dad," she told him. This act of hers struck a chord with the actor. He also revealed that he hoped for his own children to grow up and develop a personality like her.

I started to see you differently then. Honestly, that was really nice of you. Thats why I told you that back then. I hope my children grow up like you, with a good personality and everything."

Watch the full interview below:

At one point in their conversation, Sung Dog II also said that he is very proud to be on the channel which his daughter runs. He had come there to promote his upcoming film. At the end of the interview, he also tells Hyeri, You are incredibly serious. You listen to other people well. You sympathise easily. You are also the brightest one."
After delivering strong women-centric films like Gunjan Saxena, Good Luck Jerry and Mili, Janhvi Kapoor is all set to step into the shoes of an IFS Officer in the much-awaited Ulajh. The actress recently announced her next film with Roshan Mathew and Gulshan Devaiah. Produced by Junglee Pictures, the film will be helmed by National award-winner Sudhanshu Saria. Today, the makers announced the release date of the film i.e August 2nd.

Janhvi took to her Instagram handle to unveil the release date. Sharing the video, she wrote, #Ulajh is now set to release on 2nd August in cinemas near you! See you guys with popcorn soon!  #UlajhInCinemas2ndAugust! Have a look:

Earlier in a statement, Janhvi Kapoor expressed her excitement on being a part of Ulajh. The actress shared, When I was approached with the script of Ulajh, it instantly attracted me because as an actor, I am constantly looking for scripts that make me break out of my comfort zone and portraying a character based in the celebrated world of the Indian Foreign Services was just that. Just as the name of the film suggests, my character and the story, have so many layers, emotions, and parameters, which are challenging and exciting at the same time. I am thrilled for the audience to see me in this new role envisioned by Sudhanshu, who has such a fresh approach towards dealing with this genre. I am also looking forward to work with such talented co-actors and a development studio like Junglee Pictures for the first time.

Director Sudhanshu Saria shared, In their typical fashion, Junglee Pictures has picked yet another original, bold and daring film to bring to audiences and Im so thrilled theyve entrusted me with the task of helming it. In Janhvi Kapoor, the film has found its beating heart and its going to be a treat for audiences to watch her spar with thespians like Rajesh Tailang and Sachin Khedekar, maverick actors like Gulshan Devaiah, Roshan Matthews and Meiyang Chang. We have a rollercoaster of a ride planned for our audience and I cant wait to start rolling cameras on Ulajh.

Sources close to the production house shared that Ulajh follows the journey of a young IFS officer, belonging to a prominent family of patriots, who gets embroiled in a dangerous personal conspiracy while far from her home turf, at a career-defining post. Written by Parveez Shaikh and Sudhanshu Saria, with dialogues by Atika Chohan, this new-age thriller promises to be unlike anything else audiences have seen in this genre.

The film also stars Rajesh Tailang, Meiyang Chang, Sachin Khedekar, Rajendra Gupta and Jitendra Joshi in pivotal roles.
Although the BJP-led NDA alliance fell short of its expected seat count in the Lok Sabha, it still secured a third consecutive term in government by winning 293 seats. However, the BJP, the largest party within the alliance, did not achieve a majority on its own as it had in the 2014 and 2019 elections, securing only 240 seats this time.

These results have emboldened the Opposition, particularly the Congress party, which was able to increase its seats to 99. Since the declaration of the results on June 4, the jubilant Opposition and its ecosystem have been claiming that Modi has morally lost the election as voters have rejected the Modi-led BJP. These claims are being made to create a perception in favour of the Opposition.

But these claims of the Opposition cant belittle the fact that despite 10 years of anti-incumbency, the BJP-led NDA under the prime ministership of Narendra Modi has been able to return to power  a historic feat since the 1962 elections. Opposition shouldnt forget the basic fact that the NDA is a pre-poll alliance fought with Modi as the face. Having said that, the BJP and its ecosystem have to accept the fact that challenges before Modi 3.0 government are numerous and these have to be addressed.

Addressing unemployment should be the priority

One of the prominent issues is unemployment. It has been a burning issue in India, and the Modi governments failure to adequately address it over the past ten years is widely seen as a significant factor in the BJPs loss of 63 seats nationwide and its inability to secure a majority on its own.

According to data provided by the Union government last year in the Parliament, there are nearly 10 lakh vacancies in various government departments. While the government has made efforts to fill these vacancies, including the distribution of over 1 lakh appointment letters to new recruits by PM Modi under Rozgar Mela, lakhs of vacancies still remain.

Modi 3.0 should prioritise filling these public sector vacancies as jobs in this sector are particularly important to the common people. However, simply filling existing vacancies is unlikely to completely address the pressing unemployment issue. Therefore, the government must create more jobs, recognising the limitations of public sector employment generation. As a result, the government should focus on stimulating job creation in the private sector.

An efficient system to prevent paper leakage

Modi 3.0 has faced a turbulent start, with students expressing anger over alleged paper leaks in the National Eligibility-cum Entrance Test (NEET). The matter is currently before the Supreme Court. Adding to the challenges, the government has cancelled the UGC-NET exams based on available information, citing a need to protect students interests. This cancellation raises serious questions about the inefficiency of the administration to conduct exams in a fair manner.

Allegation of paper leaks is a serious issue and cannot be taken lightly. These exams, whether NEET or UGC-NET, are crucial to students futures. This year, paper leaks in Uttar Pradeshs police recruitment exams, followed by cancellations, exposed the state administrations inefficiency. This affected 48 lakh students who had taken the exams, and the resulting dissatisfaction was reflected in the states Lok Sabha results, where the BJP lost 29 seats.

The current issue regarding NEET exams and the cancellation of the UGC-NET exams have undoubtedly dealt a blow to the Modi 3.0 government, which has already seen a dip in popularity among voters. The government must take decisive action to ensure these exams are conducted fairly. Continued irregularities will only further erode the current administrations standing.

PM Modis silence on critical issues

The recent Lok Sabha results have emboldened the Opposition, which has seized upon the alleged paper leak issue. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi has yet to publicly address the matter, his silence has been interpreted by some as a sign of indifference, potentially damaging his image and alienating voters. This silence, combined with his limited public statements on the Manipur situation, has contributed to the BJP-led NDAs loss in the two seats of the Northeastern state. By remaining silent on these critical issues, Prime Minister Modi risks allowing the Opposition to exploit the situation, potentially eroding public trust in his leadership.

Building an efficient communication system

To strengthen its connection with the public, the government must establish a more effective communication system that involves ministers and MPs directly at the grassroots level. Over-reliance on bureaucrats for communication can be detrimental, as they often lack the nuanced understanding of local realities, including caste, religion, tradition, and culture, that elected representatives possess. By engaging more directly with communities, the government can better understand their needs and concerns.

A review of the various welfare schemes

One of the key factors contributing to the BJP-led NDAs victory is the governments implementation of various welfare schemes over the past decade. Initiatives such as opening bank accounts, providing direct monetary aid for toilet construction, offering free gas cylinders, transferring funds to farmers three times annually, providing free medical check-ups up to Rs 5 lakh, and distributing 5 kg of free ration per person have undeniably benefitted recipients in ways unprecedented by previous governments.

However, Modi 3.0 should not rest on the laurels of these existing schemes. Regular review and adjustments are crucial, as welfare programs address short-term goals and must adapt to changing circumstances. Despite initial successes, there are allegations that some schemes are no longer effectively meeting current needs.

Take, for instance, the Ujjwala Yojana. Many beneficiaries are unable to refill their free gas cylinders due to rising prices, rendering the scheme less effective. This issue, coupled with the governments failure to address the price increase, received little mention among voters during the recent elections.

Similarly, the government should reassess its decision to provide 5 kg of free ration to over 80 crore people. Within this large group, there are marginalised families whose needs exceed the current ration allotment. The government should identify these families and increase their rations accordingly. Additionally, a thorough review is needed to determine if all 80 crore families are actually receiving the benefit and if this level of free ration is truly necessary for all recipients.

One of the prominent government schemes is the Jan Aushadhi scheme, which provides medicines at low prices. Unfortunately, this scheme isnt widely discussed. Despite receiving little attention in the mainstream media, high medicine prices are a crucial issue for a large part of the population  and the Jan Aushadhi scheme was launched to address this.

However, this scheme, despite helping some, isnt working as well as expected. Jan Aushadhi stores carry medicines with generic names, but doctors often dont prescribe medicines by their generic names. This creates problems for beneficiaries looking for medicines in Jan Aushadhi stores. Additionally, many essential medicines are often not found in these stores. The loopholes in this important scheme need to be reviewed, considering the large section of the population already worried about rising medicine prices.

Sagarneel Sinha is a political commentator and tweets @SagarneelSinha. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
A 46-minute documentary, Spies, secrets and threats: How the Modi regime targets people overseas, broadcasted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and featuring the infamous Australian journalist Avani Dias, declared its extreme antagonism towards the Hindu-centric Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Through this documentary, the state-run ABC also targeted the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), whose senior leader, Narendra Modi, has been elected prime minister for a third consecutive term.

The ABC documentary and Dias reek of bias and misrepresentation, constantly presenting the RSS as a paramilitary group despite its long-standing efforts as a cultural and service-oriented movement. Widely recognised as the worlds largest voluntary organisation, the RSS is dedicated to community service, particularly for the deprived sections of Indian communities. Overlooking this, Dias intentionally distorted its image, dismissing its substantial contributions to a larger society.

Selfless service work carried out by the RSS volunteers, inspired by its founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewars pre-independence movement experiences, has been largely ignored or intentionally set aside to paint a shady picture of an open flexible organisation.

Avani Dias seems to have blinded herself and the ABC viewers to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sanghs service activities through over 120,000 projects in areas ranging from education and healthcare to socio-economic empowerment. These projects have positively impacted millions of families in India. A whopping 2.145 million individuals and families in Bharat have benefitted and continue to be supported by projects across various sectors, contributing to improved living standards.

Beneficiaries in the healthcare sector separately have crossed 8.716 million and food support programmes have touched 2.735 million. Community well-being and development are the underlying objectives of RSS volunteers efforts, which are comprehensive and unique in their organisation.

Dias argued that minorities lack sufficient opportunities under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership, a claim seemingly supported by the ABC editorial board. However, this claim is factually incorrect and is contradicted by evidence of the Indian governments welfare initiatives aimed at minorities since 2014. For example, the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) provides five years of financial assistance, while the Padho Pardesh scheme offers interest subsidies for studying abroad at the Masters, MPhil, and PhD levels.

The Seekho aur Kama (Learn & Earn) initiative, in place since 2013-14, focuses on skill development for minorities, equipping young people with modern and traditional skills tailored to market demands. Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) targets the development of essential community infrastructure in underserved areas, aiming to improve the living standards of minority populations. Despite these existing initiatives with their stated goals, Dias seems to have peddled anti-India agendas and divisive ideas.

The documentarys most glaring flaw is its blatant endorsement of Pakistan-backed Khalistani terrorism. The script reads as though Khalistani supporters themselves crafted it, with Dias serving merely as their mouthpiece. This is a blatant attack on journalistic integrity and an insult to sufferers of Khalistani terrorism. In the 1980s, Khalistani terrorists unleashed a wave of horrific violence in Punjab, India, brutally murdering thousands of innocent people. Yet, Dias selectively disregarded this grave and historical truth, shamefully overlooking the horrific adversity and bloodshed caused by these separatists.

Dias parrots the Khalistani narrative, falsely claiming that Sikhs are victims under pressure in Australia. The fact is otherwise. A handful of aggressive Khalistani extremists have continued their campaign of violence and terror not just in India, but also in other nations including Australia.

In less than a month, pro-Khalistani outfits in Australia launched three distinct attacks on Hindu temples. On January 23, 2023, Hare Krishna Temple in Albert Park, Melbourne came under attack. On January 17, 2023, Melbournes historic Shiva Vishnu Temple at Carrum Downs was targeted. On January 12, 2023, Khalistan activists vandalised and destroyed BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, a Hindu temple in Melbourne, by spray-painting anti-India graffiti. The walls of Melbournes landmark Swaminarayan temple in the northern suburbs of Mill Park have been spray-painted with Hindustan Murdabad slogans.

Hundreds of innocent Indians in Australia have been threatened or abused by these terrorists, a reality that Dias completely ignores. Instead, she promotes Khalistani propaganda while overlooking their ongoing terrorist activities and the true threat they pose to peace and security. Its important to note that not the entire Sikh community in India, Australia, or elsewhere endorses this divisive agenda.

Despite the documentarys contentious storylines, it is crucial to highlight India and Australias developing strategic, economic and bilateral relations. Both countries have worked together extensively on a range of issues, including trade, defence, education, and cultural exchange. The relationship is based on mutual respect and democratic values with the goal of enhancing regional stability and economic progress. The documentarys description of chronic animosity and conflict is refuted by the upward trend in Indo-Australian relations. Collaborative initiatives in education, technology, and counter-terrorism demonstrate both countries commitment to fostering a robust and long-term alliance.

Diass report is a textbook example of biased and irresponsible journalism. It misrepresents the RSS, glorifies Khalistani crimes and dismisses recent improvements in Indo-Australian ties. This kind of reporting does more than just misinform; it actively fosters division and provides a platform for dangerous radical agendas. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation must be held accountable for airing such a blatantly biased and factually flawed story. True journalism should strive for honest representation, not act as a propaganda tool for violent extremists.

Avani Diass report is a disservice to the profession and, most importantly, to the countless individuals who have suffered at the hands of the terrorists whose ideology she so blatantly promotes.

The author is a doctoral fellow at Amity University in Gwalior, content head at Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
As many as 16 senior leaders of the Mumbai Congress have demanded that its city unit chief Varsha Gaikwad be replaced so as to strengthen the organisation ahead of the Maharashtra assembly polls due in October this year.

They feel that Gaikwad, who recently won the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha seat, will not have time to work at the organisational level and have objected to her style of functioning, sources said on Monday.

These leaders, in a letter dated June 16, have sought time from the Congress leadership to discuss rejuvenation of the party in Mumbai ahead of the assembly elections, and the Mumbai civic polls which are overdue.

Signatories of the letter include Rajya Sabha MP and Congress Working Committee member Chandrakant Handore, former city party chiefs Janardhan Chandurkar and Bhai Jagtap, senior leaders Naseem Khan, Suresh Shetty, Madhu Chavan, Charansingh Sapra, Zakir Ahmed and Maharashtra Congress treasurer Amarjit Manhas.

Most of these leaders have reached Delhi to meet Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leaders KC Venugopal and Rahul Gandhi to discuss how to strengthen the party in the city, the sources said.

A meeting related to Maharashtra is scheduled tomorrow.

Recently, at a protest in connection with the UGC-NET exam chaos, Gaikwad did not call all party leaders at the city unit office. Hence they had to stage a separate protest in suburbs, a source claimed.

It is now 13 months she is the city unit head, but she has not spearheaded any substantial activity to galvanize the party cadre, the source further claimed.

Mumbai North Lok Sabha seats Congress candidate Bhushan Patil has also claimed he received no help from the city party unit.

Patil has also complained that he did not get a lead in the Malad assembly segment (in the Lok Sabha poll) held by Congress MLA Aslam Sheikh, the source said.

In the 2019 Maharashtra assembly polls, the Congress won only 4 of the 36 seats in Mumbai.

During the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections, the Congress bagged 1 of the 2 seats it contested in the city.
Two senior parliamentarians  Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh- on Monday exchanged stormy barbs hours ahead of the first day of the 18th Lok Sabha Session.

The back and forth between the two leaders began when Rijiju posted a welcome message for members of the 18th Lok Sabha this morning adding that he will be available to assist in the smooth functioning of the house.

The First Session of the 18th Lok Sabha begins today, the 24th of June, 2024. I welcome all the newly elected Honble members. I shall be always available to assist the members as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. Im positively looking forward to co-ordination to run the house, he wrote on X.

The First Session of 18th Lok Sabha begins today, the 24th June, 2024. I welcome all the new elected honble members. I shall be always available to assist the members as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. Im positively looking forward for co-ordination to run the house. pic.twitter.com/kS3qdeO32O Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 24, 2024

However, the social media post received a sharp response from a senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP who said that he would believe the government when they showed their intent in actions.

Actions will speak louder than words Mr Minister. Walk the Talk, he said in reply to the ministers post.

Actions will speak louder than words Mr. Minister. Walk the Talk https://t.co/DrsuYAXf3p Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 24, 2024

To this, Rijiju gave a tit for tat response to the Congress leader calling him an asset to the House if he contributes positively.

Absolutely Jairam Ramesh Ji. You are an intelligent member and you will be a valuable asset to the house if you contribute positively. Differences will remain amongst political parties in Parliamentary Democracy but we are united in our service to the nation. Looking forward to your cooperation in maintaining Indias rich Parliamentary traditions, he wrote on X.

However, Ramesh did not seem the one to back down and responded to Rijiju with a vile dig regarding the National Testing Agency (NTA) amid the ongoing paper leak controversy.

Thanks Mr. Minister. I hope your certificate of my intelligence is not like the NTA grading. Is it with grace marks? https://t.co/dOe7NLVGkW Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 24, 2024

Thanks, Mr Minister. I hope your certificate of my intelligence is not like the NTA grading. Is it with grace marks? Ramesh added.

The opposition leaders remarks came amid a raging row over alleged irregularities in competitive exams, including the NEET-UG and the UGC-NET.

The education ministry on Saturday set up a panel to review the NTAs functioning, recommend exam reforms and ensure data security.

First Day of 18th Lok Sabha Session Begins

Meanwhile, the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha commenced on Monday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other newly-elected MPs taking oath as members of Lok Sabha.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari also took oath as members of the 18th Lok Sabha.
Ready to flex its muscle, armed with issues and labelling the government and PM as minus mandate  This captures the Oppositions placard for the Parliament session, the first after the Lok Sabha polls.

While the government has done some firefighting over the NEET issue, the Opposition is in no mood to be placated. Its an issue which it knows very well could resonate, especially with many students being upset with the last-minute deferment of NEET exams. So this is one issue which the combined Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc wishes to raise.

In fact, sources say the bloc plans to reach out to parties such as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP), which until now have preferred to stay away. The bloc feels the students issue would ensure expansion of the Opposition platform.

More than this, its the sheer optics on which the Opposition is riding. Topping the list for the Congress is the projection of Rahul Gandhi as the contender and achiever who humbled the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Adding to his muscle is Samajwadi Partys (SP) Akhilesh Yadav, whose performance in Uttar Pradesh (UP) has shocked the BJP. Together with Rahul Gandhi, the UP wale ladke plan to take them on.

The icing on the cake, as per the Opposition, is the sweet revenge in the win of KL Sharma from Amethi.

The return of Mahua Moitra is another big win the Opposition is looking at. She has won with a huge margin after being disqualified as a Member of Parliament (MP) in her last term on charges of cash for questions. She had vowed to return to fight and the entire bloc had stood behind her. Her return will be showcased as vindication.

Interestingly, after the acrimony between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Congress during the Lok Sabha polls, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee has promised to campaign for Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Wayanad, when the bypolls will be held. While the Congress awaits her entry into the Lok Sabha, Banerjees gesture will boost the INDIA bloc ties.

The TMC and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagams (DMK) performance in their states is one more point which they will raise against the BJP.

But the fulcrum of the Opposition strategy is the narrative they are building, that this is a zero mandate government. The Congress calls the PM a 1/3rd PM as the BJP failed to win a simple majority. Not just this, the Congress hopes that just as their United Progressive Alliance-2 was riddled and weakened by its tantrum-throwing allies, this National Democratic Alliance (NDA), too, will have to deal with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal United (JDU). This honeymoon wont last long, is what the INDIA bloc says.

The government is armed with ammunition, too, but the Opposition is unfazed. Even in this session, which is brief, with focus on Presidents speech and oath, and the governments expected fight on NEET, the Opposition is in no mood to step back.

The plan is to put up an aggressive counter at every step in the Lok Sabha  Rahul + Akhilesh + Supriya Sule + Mahua is the axis they are looking at to make the BJP look weak.

The Opposition feels their achhe din have come.
Parliament Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and members of his Council of Ministers, including Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, took the oath as members of the 18th Lok Sabha as the opposition members in an act of protest against the ruling coalition government held copies of the Constitution of India. BJPs Bhartruhari Mahtab was sworn in as the pro-tem Speaker of the House.

This term, the NDA holds a majority with 293 seats, while the BJP has 240 seats, which is just shy of the 272 majority mark on its own. The Opposition INDIA bloc on the other hand has 234 seats.

During the Prime Ministers oath-taking, opposition members rose to their feet, holding copies of the Constitution. When home minister Amit Shah was taking his oath, they again held up the copies of the Constitution but remained seated.

The opposition parties, including the Congress, said that they will not allow the Prime Minister to escape without accountability. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of attacking the Constitution.

Indias rich linguistic diversity was on full display during the oath-taking ceremony as newly-elected MPs took their oaths in their native languages. The oath-taking ceremony saw lawmakers taking their oaths in English, Sanskrit, Hindi, Dogri, Bengali, Assamese and Odia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers, along with the newly-elected MPs, took oath on Monday as the first session of Parliament after Lok Sabha Elections 2024 began. BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab was first administered the oath as the Pro-Tem Speaker by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan amid protests by the Opposition.

The Opposition INDIA bloc is looking to corner the Modi government over several issues, including the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak mess. The Opposition is also looking to attack the government over disregard to Constitution after the ruling NDA nominated Mahtab as the Pro-Tem Speaker.

Here are top updates on the Parliament session:
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday claimed that the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government led by Naveen Patnaik conspired to assassinate him for attempting to expose their alleged corruption.

To take revenge, the previous government had planned to kill me. They tried to kill me in a bomb blast at Mandua in Keonjhar. However, by the grace of people, I survived, God saved me, Majhi said during a felicitation event in Jhumpura, his hometown in Keonjhar district.

He further added, People had elected me to the State Legislative Assembly to fight against the corrupt system of Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government. As long as we have blessings from God, we will work for people.

Majhi was referring to an attack in October 2021 when two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants threw bombs at his vehicle while he was returning home, as per Hindustan Times report.

The 52-year-old senior BJP leader took oath as Odisha CM on June 12 in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His ascension marks the end of BJDs 24-year rule under Naveen Patnaik.

Majhi is the third tribal Chief Minister of Odisha after Giridhar Gamang and Hemananda Biswal of the Congress.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ousted the BJD in the recently held Assembly elections in Odisha.
The Constitution debate, key in the Lok Sabha campaigning of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, made a comeback on the first day of the Parliament session on Monday.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned the Emergency and attack on the Constitution, the Opposition leaders took oaths holding a copy of the Constitution and even protested outside with a copy of the book.

ALSO READ | Blot On Democracy: PM Modi Takes A Jibe At Oppn Over 1975 Emergency, Says Country Wants Substance, Not Drama

Ahead of the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, PM Modi took a swipe at the Congress over the Emergency, calling it a black spot.

Rahul Gandhi said they would not allow the Constitution to be attacked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

 25             ,          ,   25        25           ,  50              pic.twitter.com/4tWodeoZ3I  BJP (@BJP4India) June 24, 2024

WHAT MODI SAID

Modi said, Tomorrow is 25th June. 25th June marks 50 years of the blot that was put on the democracy of India. The new generation of India will never forget that the Constitution of India was completely rejected, every part of the Constitution was torn to pieces, the country was turned into a prison, and democracy was completely suppressed.

While protecting our Constitution, while protecting the democracy of India and the democratic traditions, the countrymen will take a resolution that no one will dare to do such a thing in India again, which was done 50 years ago. We will take a resolution of a vibrant democracy. We will take a resolution to fulfil the dreams of the common people as per the directions of the Constitution of India, he said.

The then prime minister Indira Gandhi, a stalwart Congress leader, had imposed the Emergency in 1975, suspending civil liberties, jailing opposition leaders and dissidents and effecting press censorship.

#WATCH | Delhi: When asked about Congress and other Opposition parties carrying copies of the Constitution to the Parliament today, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "The attack that the PM and Amit Shah are launching on the Constitution is not acceptable to us, we will not let pic.twitter.com/1d8inFNxEp ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2024

WHAT OPPOSITION SAID

Buoyed by its strong show in the Lok Sabha polls in which the NDA secured a majority, but with reduced numbers, the opposition INDIA bloc MPs gathered in the Parliament Complex on Monday in a show of strength.

Opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, leader Rahul Gandhi, Trinamool Congress Sudip Bandyopadhyay, DMKs TR Baalu, among others, assembled at the spot where the Gandhi statue once stood in the Parliament Complex. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi also joined the MPs.

ALSO READ | NEET, Pro-Tem Speaker, Constitution: Opposition Looks at Cornering Govt in Parliament as PM Modi, Others Take Oath

Holding copies of the Constitution in their hands, they raised slogans such as Long live Constitution, We will save Constitution, Save our democracy. This [BJPs attack on the Constitution] is not acceptable to us and that is why we held the Constitution and took oath. Our message is reaching the public and no power can touch the Constitution of India and we will protect it, Rahul Gandhi said.

Rahul Gandhis sister and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that the Constitution is the protective shield of the rights of the people in our country. In the last 10 years, the BJP government has tried to damage this protective shield in many ways and attacked the rights of the people. Even today, our young colleagues have been protesting for many days regarding transparency in examinations, but the government is not listening to their demands. In this era, the book of Constitution is our strength, the Constitution is the voice of peoples rights. Following the values given by the Constitution, we will raise the voice of the people from the streets to the Parliament, she wrote on X.

            10                                     -   , pic.twitter.com/XQhRmgBnM4  Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) June 24, 2024

Congress leader KC Venugopal said the INDIA bloc leaders entered the 18th Lok Sabha with Mahatma Gandhis blessings.

The Gandhi statue, which was a popular protest site for MPs, was recently relocated along with 14 other statues that dotted the complex to a new spot named Prerna Sthal.

#WATCH | Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and party MP KC Venugopal had a brief conversation with Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav and other Samajwadi Party MPs who demonstrated at the Samvidhan Sadan with copies of the pic.twitter.com/jjrrRigmFH ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2024

LEADERSPEAK

Goa CM Pramod Sawant said the Constitution was actually in danger during the Congress regime. Under PM Modis regime it is Sab Ka Sath Sab Ka Vikas, he said.

Union minister and former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy criticised the Congress MPs for carrying copies of the Constitution to Parliament. Calling it a gimmick, he said, He [Modi] is right [about Emergency]. He remembered what happened at that time.

#WATCH | Delhi: Goa CM Pramod Sawant says, "The Constitution was actually in danger during the Congress regime. Under PM Modi's regime it is 'Sab Ka Sath Sab Ka Vikas'" pic.twitter.com/UIIuJuoVl6 ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2024

LS POLL CAMPAIGN

In his LS poll campaign, Rahul Gandhi maintained that this is an election to save democracy, reservation, the Constitution and the rights of the poor. He had said that the BJP, if it won 400+ seats, as per their slogan, would uproot the Constitution and the rights of the poor. Refuting the claims, the PM had spoken about how Muslims are being given reservations in Karnataka against the ethos of the Constitution while robbing those who deserve it. He said they planned to give the quota meant for Dalits, SCs, STs, and OBCs to Muslims in the name of religion.

Several opposition parties have claimed that the mandate of 2024 Lok Sabha elections was against the ruling BJP, even though it was able to form the government with support of other parties. The INDIA bloc has also claimed that the results show that the people have backed the opposition parties to save the Constitution.
Google Pixel 8a, 7 Pro or even the Pixel 6a users in India have been warned about a major security risk by the government. The risk alert has been issued by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team or CERT-In earlier this month. Pixel devices are assured of quick security updates from Google but even then, a major zero-day security issue has come to light recently which affects millions of Pixel users across the globe and in India as well.

Google Pixel Security Risk: What Indian Govt Says

Going by the details of the zero-day vulnerability facing Pixel users, the issues can be exploited by threat actors to bypass the device security and plant malware or any other virus. These vulnerabilities exist due to improper input validation flaws within the Exynos RIL, Modem, LWIS, ACPM, Fingerprint sensor, telephony, audio, WLAN host, Trusty OS, Pixel firmware, LDFW, Goodix, Mali, avcp, CPIF, and GsmSs subcomponents in Pixel devices, CERT-In highlights the range of issues faced by Pixel devices.

Pixel Devices Affected By The Security Risk

 Pixel 5a

 Pixel 6a

 Pixel 6

 Pixel 6 Pro

 Pixel 7

 Pixel 7 Pro

 Pixel 7a

 Pixel 8

 Pixel 8 Pro

 Pixel 8a

 Pixel Fold

Google has issued its own security bulletin detailing these issues and even the security patch is already out there. So, if you use a Pixel device that is vulnerable to these issues, we suggest you update to the latest version or security patch right away. You can install the latest security update by going to Settings  System  Software Updates and install the version available from the company. Those of you using the Pixel 4a model in India are not affected by these issues and they will not be getting more updates from the company.
There is a wide variety of chocolate available across the world. Some popular ones include Cadbury, Hershey, Toblerone, Lindt and Ferrero Rocher. People with a sweet tooth relish the smooth and rich texture of chocolates. But, chances are that you will not find someone keen enough to trace back the origin of a chocolate brand. That was, however, not the case for a social media user who was so intrigued by the name of a particular chocolate that he unearthed the history behind it.

Recently, an X-user shared some information about a Dutch-based chocolate bar named Tonys Chcolonely on the micro-blogging platform. Intrigued by its melancholic name, he searched about its history and came upon an interesting revelation. My curiosity piqued by the oddly melancholic name of the chocolate bar I bought at Schiphol Airport, I went in search of backstory. I was not expecting this, he wrote.

In a detailed screenshot posted on X, the user revealed that Tonys Chcolonely was founded by Dutch television producer Teun van de Keuken. He was on a mission to eradicate slavery. But upon finding himself alone in the noble pursuit, he felt lonely. This prompted him to launch the chocolate company that echoed his gloomy sentiment.

My curiosity piqued by the oddly melancholic name of the chocolate bar I bought at Schiphol Airport, I went in search of backstory. I was not expecting this. pic.twitter.com/DzlcAucGoN Ashley Clark (@_Ash_Clark) June 22, 2024

After three years of unsuccessful attempts to change the industry through investigative efforts, Van de Keuken decided to start producing chocolate bars himself. The brand was called Tonys Chocolonely with Tony (Teun) and Chocolonely in reference to Teun van de Keukens feeling as if he was the only person in the industry who was interested in eradicating slavery. Van de Keuken sold 20,000 bars in two days, read the text.

The internet population was quick to react to the post. You know Ive eaten about 100 of these over the years and I always thought the name was Tony Chocoloney, like a fun rhyming name. I knew that the backstory, cant believe I misread that name for so long, shared an individual. Its also the most delicious chocolate in the world possibly, commented a chocolate lover. And honestly? Theyre amazingbetter than a lot of fancy gourmet brands. You would never guess it from the packaging, agreed another.

You know I've eaten about 100 of these over the years and I always thought the name was Tony Chocoloney, like a fun rhyming name. I knew that the backstory, can't believe I misread that name for so long mike blair (@MikeyBlair) June 23, 2024

Its also the most delicious chocolate in the world..possibly. AW (@welt_woman) June 23, 2024

And honestly? Theyre amazingbetter than a lot of fancy gourmet brands. You would never guess it from the packaging Jennifer Boeder (@jenniferboeder) June 23, 2024

So far, the post has garnered over 2.4 million views. Were you aware of the fact?
In a disturbing incident, a man discovered bugs inside chicken pieces in a biryani he ordered from a restaurant in Hyderabad. Identified as Sai Teja, the distressed customer posted pictures of the contaminated biryani from Mehfil Biryani in Hyderabads Kukatpally on X. A closer look at the photo revealed maggots inside the chicken pieces in the biryani he ordered online.

He tagged @cfs_telangana for intervention and reported the incident to Swiggy, where he received a response stating, We regret that your order did not meet expectations; packaging is managed solely by the restaurant.

Also Read: Bengaluru Resident Discovers Cockroach in Restaurants Chicken Dish, Turns to Reddit for Help

In an attempt to placate the customer, a Swiggy customer service representative offered a Rs. 64 refund for the affected items, out of a total bill of Rs. 318. Dissatisfied with the restaurant, Sai Teja took to social media, urging followers with a tweet: Avoid ordering from Mehfil Kukatpally. Furthermore, when attempting to lodge a complaint through the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) website, he encountered an obstacle, stating, Despite entering all necessary information, the system prompts me to fill in additional details.

Mehfil biryani, KukatpallyBugs in chicken pieces @cfs_telanganaThis is the response from @Swiggy (Refund of 64rs for a bill of 318rs : Order id  178009783111586)Please stop ordering from Mehfil kukatpally pic.twitter.com/o8UBaTCzk2 Sai Teja (@Karlmarx__07) June 23, 2024

The post quickly went viral, sparking public outrage. One commenter lamented, Its unfortunately common nowadays. Dont expect more than minimal taste. No one challenges this mafia-like system. Just boycott online food. Another user raised safety concerns, questioning, If consuming such items unexpectedly leads to harm, is a Rs. 64 refund sufficient compensation?

Echoing similar incidents, the third user shared, I faced the same issue and even found sharp plastic in the food. Swiggy seems focused solely on business with vendors.

Meanwhile, the fourth stated, At Vasista Srilakshmi, Kondapur, I found aluminum foil in the curry, but @cfs_telangana remains inactive.

Also Read: Bengaluru Woman Disgusted After Finding Cockroach In Zomato Order, Company Responds

However, he was later contacted by a Swiggy customer care person and refunded the full amount.
New York is set to build the tallest prison in the world at the heart of Manhattans Chinatown. Set to be as tall as Big Ben, the government plans to spend 12 billion (Rs 12.68 trillion) for this project. However, this project is facing a severe backlash from the people of Chinatown.

They argue that it will spoil the heritage and culture of the area along with safety risks at their disposal. The height of the jail scraper will be 300 feet or about 92 meters. This will be about a third of the height of the Empire State Building or Big Ben.

At the place of the future prison, there used to be a large building along with the other three, collectively known as The Tombs. A complex of four prisons was built, the first of which opened about 200 years ago. Now, they are being demolished with a bulldozer, and a new prison is being built in their place and this prison will be the highest prison on earth. The demolition is expected to be completed by early 2025, reports the New York Times.

This is all part of a plan to revamp New Yorks crumbling prison network, with the notorious Rikers Island going out of work. Jail scraper will house more than 1000 prison inmates. This announcement has upset the people of Chinatown. More than 12,000 people have signed a petition against the plan, organised by Welcome to Chinatown. It is an area where locals drink tea, and play chess and mah-jong, while people from further afield come to enjoy the markets, restaurants and shops.

Residents say they dont want a jail scraper and more than 1,000 criminals to haunt their lives. John Lee of Neighbors United Below Canal told Architectural Digest: Its a nightmare. For generations, Chinatown has been in the shadow of prisons. Our focus must be on safety, scale and preserving Chinatowns unique cultural identity.

The demolition before the construction of the highest prison also brings a lot of difficulties for Chinatown people. The cracks are becoming larger and the businesses have waned due to reduced foot traffic or costly renovations. A pediatric health centre has already moved, citing constant noise and ceiling leaks.
Students from across the country, who had travelled to various cities for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2024 scheduled for June 23, were left dismayed when the exam was unexpectedly cancelled just a few hours before its commencement. The last-minute decision sparked widespread frustration among candidates, many of whom had dedicated months of preparation. In response to the abrupt cancellation, many students voiced their discontent and criticised the authorities. A video now doing rounds online features a student condemning the Ministry of Education for ruining the lives of young students.

I Just found out that the NEET PG examination that was supposed to be conducted tomorrow, at 9:30 AM just got postponed and the circular for the postponement was released 15 minutes ago which means it was less than 12 hours before the actual paper was supposed to be conducted. Are the people in the Ministry of Education even eligible to make such decisions? Are they even eligible to be in that position of power and change and make policies that will ruin peoples lives like this? Do you not think before doing such things? You are trying to protect the integrity and sanctity of the examination, by stopping it 12 hours before the paper, the student said.

What did you do when you were releasing the admit cards? The NEET UG controversy was going on even then, what stopped you then and why are you doing it now, what point are you trying to prove here? These are doctors, these are not small kids, theyre writing an exam to stay in this very country that you are ruining with their policies and then you have the audacity to ask everybody, Why is everyone leaving the country? Its such a great system here, worst system you have, the frustrated student concluded.

Reacting to the post, a user said, I believe if more students start criticising the government they may get justice on time.

Hats off, Didi  I believe if more students start criticizing the government they may get justice on time.  (@_MentaLyst) June 23, 2024

The bureaucrats and the politicians have ruined the future of the student community, a comment read.

She is absolutely rightthe bureaucrats and the politicians have ruined the future of the student community.a science PhD from the top institute of India cannot even get a job of 50000/- per month in this countrythat is the disappointing truthand the same students gets Diganta Sircar (@diganta_sircar) June 23, 2024

Another wrote, The frustration is building up dont know when the government is going to open its eyes.

She said it very well. The frustration is building up dont know when the government is going to open its eyes. Pathetic system all over now Rani (@maharani3012) June 23, 2024

An individual shared, Agar exam postponed karna hi tha to 1-2 din pehle karte. (If they wanted to postpone the exam, they should have done it 1-2 days earlier).

Agar exam postponed karna hi tha to 1-2 din pahle karte 10 hour pahle karne ka kya matlab h pradeep kumar (@pk61736) June 23, 2024

One more suggested, All the PG Students should file a Defamation case against the Ministry.

All the PG Students should file a Defamation case against the Ministry  kabeer singh (@kabeersingh2) June 23, 2024

The Union Health Ministry announced the postponement of the NEET-PG 2024 exams, claiming that the decision was made to protect the students well-being and maintain the exam integrity. They also assured that new dates will be released as soon as possible.
Whether it is about the delicious street food or the vibrant nightlife, Delhiites and Mumbaikars often argue about which city is superior. But amid this rivalry, there is one thing they both face  the never-ending traffic jams. This time, the focus is on the financial capital of India, Mumbai. Entrepreneur Bhaumik Gowandes recent social media post underlined the traffic woes in the city, leading to a discussion in the online community.

Gowande recently shared his experience on X (formerly Twitter), detailing his encounter with Mumbais traffic upon leaving the airport premises. In the post, he recounted that despite arriving at the airport at around 7:15, it took nearly one hour for him to move just 600 meters from the airport exit.

Landing in Mumbai after living in New Delhi & just coming outside Airport gives me the Third World Ick. God this city traffic gives me middle class trauma. Disgusted. I landed at 7.15, I came outside the airport at 8.04. Its 8.44 & Im ONLY 600m away from airport, Gowande wrote.

See the viral post here:

Landing in Mumbai after living in New Delhi & just coming outside Airport gives me the Third World Ick. God this city traffic really gives me middle class trauma. Disgusted.I landed at 7.15, I came outside the airport at 8.04. Its 8.44 & Im ONLY 600m away from airport.  Bhaumik Gowande (@bhaumikgowande) June 20, 2024

Gowandes post sparked an online frenzy, igniting a lively debate among the users. Some resonated with his frustration while others shared contrasting perspectives.

One user retorted, Have you gone outside your gated community in Delhi?

Have you gone outside your gated community in Delhi? Dr Able Lawrence MD DM (@abledoc) June 21, 2024

Another chimed in, Mumbai needs a lot more flyovers. Its a nightmare to be driving in Mumbai.

Mumbai needs a lot more flyovers. It's a nightmare to be driving in Mumbai. Kush (@aslikush) June 21, 2024

A person countered with, You may not find city in best of shape. This city has been under make over since ages but yet it is a city with life. Once you get a habit of mumbai, its difficult to leave. You will find life & people much better.

You may not find city in best of shape. This city has been under make over since ages but yet it is a city with life. Once you get a habit of mumbai, its difficult to leave. You will definitely find life & people much better. SN  (@2606sn) June 21, 2024

While another remarked, Bro talking as if Delhi is some 1st world city.

Bro talking as if Delhi is some 1st world city.  (@OyeHoyePapaji) June 21, 2024

Someone quipped, You have poked the hornets nest. At least it has started a conversation. Good job.

You have poked the hornet's nest At least it has started a conversation. Good job  Craters of Mumbai (@CratersOfMumbai) June 21, 2024

Another user pointed out, While I dont like your tone, but the issues you raised are not invalid. Mumbai needs to double up on making travel better.

While I don't like your tone, but the issues you raised are not invalid. Mumbai really needs to double up on making travel better.  LostSanity (@LostSanity9) June 21, 2024

An individual shared, Oh how many times have I been stuck for 1.5 hours exiting Delhi T3 at the huge signal leading to the highway because one of the lanes leading to Gurugram is shut!

Oh how many times have I been stuck for 1.5 hours exiting Delhi T3 at the huge signal leading to the highway because one of the lanes leading to Gurugram is shut!  Aditya V. (@amvzrulz) June 21, 2024

And amidst the Delhi-Mumbai debate, a commenter shifted the focus, saying, Bruh come to bengaluru U will feel like cattle class Whenever I go to mumbai I feel like business class and to Delhi first class.

Bruh come to bengaluru U will feel like cattle class Whenever I go to mumbai I feel like business class and to Delhi first class Swathi Bellam (@BellamSwathi) June 21, 2024

The post has received over 6 lakh views since being posted.

What do you think about the Delhi and Mumbai traffic? Which city would you prefer to live in, if you had to choose between these two?
A US woman was shocked to discover that a $3.99 (Rs 333) vase she purchased a few years ago from a thrift store was actually a Mayan artefact. Anne Lee Dozier, from Washington, DC, safely returned the 1,200-year-old artefact to its native Mexico. In recognition of her efforts to restore this historic gem to its homeland, she was thanked by the Mexican embassy.

The embassy expressed gratitude to Dozier in Spanish, saying, Thanks to the generosity of Anne Lee Dozier, a US citizen, we recovered a classical vessel, dated between 200 and 800 AD.

Additionally, they said that the historical gem will be reintegrated into the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico.

Un valioso testigo de nuestra historia maya regresa a su hogar #Mexico. Gracias a la generosidad de Anne Lee Dozier, ciudadana estadounidense, recuperamos una vasija clasica, datada entre el 200 y 800 d.C. Esta joya historica sera reintegrada al acervo del @INAHmx para pic.twitter.com/ySsF1vCU5k  Esteban Moctezuma Barragan (@emoctezumab) June 18, 2024

Dozier said in an interview with CBCs As It Happens that she discovered the porcelain vase in 2019 close to an American Air Force base at a nearby thrift shop.

Anne Lee Dozier went on to say that she chose to purchase the item since it stood out from the other things on the shelf.

In fact, Anne could tell the vase was clearly from Mexico because she frequently visits there for work. Although Anne didnt think the vase would be this historical, she informed the news source that she believed it to be between twenty and thirty years old.

After visiting the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City for business in January, Dozierwho works for the human rights organisation Christian Solidarity Worldwidesaid something snapped.

Anne Lee Dozier realised that several items she was browsing through looked strikingly similar to those she already owned. Suspecting she had a cultural artefact, Anne asked a museum staff member what steps to take.

Dozier told the radio station that the employee advised her to get in touch with the Mexican embassy upon her return to the USA.

An official from the Mexican embassy, Sergio Aguirre Gamboa, informed the outlet that a protocol had been set up specifically for situations like this in 2021.

Its goal is to stop the selling of archaeological artefacts from Mexico and to foster communication with private organisations and museums in order to restore their cultural heritage.

According to him, Dozier provided images and details about the vase to the embassy, who subsequently forwarded them to Mexicos National Institute of Anthropology and History for verification.

The vase was identified by experts as an artefact from the Mayan Classic Period, which was created in what is now Southeast Mexico between 200 and 800 A.D.

Dozier stated that officials contacted her in April, stating that it is real and requesting its return. After wrapping the vase in a food delivery box stuffed with newspapers, Dozier headed to the Mexican Cultural Institute located in Washington, D.C.

She returned the vessel to the Mexican ambassador in a ceremony.
A horrific incident happened during a forest safari in Zambia, where a woman was thrown out of her safari by an elephant and trampled to death. The incident occurred near the Maramba Cultural Bridge in Livingstone where the group stopped due to traffic caused by a herd of elephants.

According to a report by Metro, a US woman named Juliana Gle Tourneau was brutally attacked by an elephant during a safari drive in Zambia. It was found that the elephant had mulled the woman out of the jeep and then severely injured her. After the incident, the woman was immediately taken to a clinic atMosi-oa-Tunya National Park. She was declared dead on arrival. After the police investigation, it was revealed that her injuries included deep wounds on the right shoulder blade and forehead, a fractured left ankle, and a slightly depressed chest. The tragic accident has turned out to be a nightmare for the travellers.

Until now, there has been no update on whether anyone else was injured after the elephants attack. In response to these incidents, Zambian authorities have urged tourists to exercise extreme caution while observing wildlife. They have also revealed that similar incidents have been observed in neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe and Botswana. In the past year, there has been an increase in the number of attacks by wild animals in these countries.

This is not the only incident that has occurred in recent times. A while back, another US woman named Gail Mattson, who was 79 years old, was attacked by a group of elephants in Zambias Kafue National Park. This happened when a group of elephants overturned a tourist jeep, resulting in killing the woman and injuring five other tourists.
Paying homage to the victims of the 1985 Kanishka terrorist bombing, the Indian High Commissioner in Canada on Sunday said no government in the world should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains.

High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Vermas remarks came as Indian missions in Ottawa and Toronto marked the 39th anniversary of the bombing in which 329 persons on board an Air India lost their lives in one of the deadliest terror-related air disasters in the history of civil aviation.

READ MORE: Remembering Air India Kanishka Bombing 39 Years Later: What Happened On June 23, 1985?

Human lives are much more important than the transitory political interests. All terrorist activities should be met with exemplary legal and social actions before they start harming the larger humanity, the Indian High Commissioner said during his address, in an apparent rebuke of the Canadian governments stance on pro-Khalistan activities in the country.

High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma paid homage to the victims of Air India flight 182 Kanishka in Ottawa today on the 39th anniversary of the cowardly terrorist bombing in which 329 innocent victims including 86 children, lost their lives.Addressing the gathering, High pic.twitter.com/iL4bpg86vh  India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) June 23, 2024

Vermas comment came days after an Indian-origin Canadian lawmaker warned that the dark forces of the Khalistan movement, which claimed the lives of 329 people in 1985, are energized again. In an address to the parliament, Chandra Arya cautioned about the enduring presence of Khalistani ideology within Canada, citing recent incidents that have sparked concerns among Hindu Canadians. During his speech, he condemned the cowardly act of terror orchestrated by Canadian-based Khalistani extremists, labeling it the deadliest mass killing in the countrys history.

Family members and friends of the victims, Canadian government officials, including Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner, Ireland envoy and more than 150 members of the Indo-Canadian community attended the solemn occasion, the High Commission said. India shares the sorrow and pain of the victims near & dear ones. India stands at the forefront of countering the menace of terrorism and works closely with all nations to tackle this global threat, it said.

The Montreal-New Delhi Air India Kanishka Flight 182 exploded 45 minutes before it was supposed to land at Londons 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. The Indian mission in Toronto also marked the day.

Consul General Siddhartha Nath laid a wreath at the Air India 182 memorial, Humber Park, Etobicoke in solemn remembrance of the 329 victims of the terrorist bombing of AI 182 on this day, 39 years ago, the Consulate General of India in Toronto posted on X along with a photograph. In another post on X, the mission said the Consul General also attended the memorial service held at Queens Park Toronto for the victims and met with the bereaved families. In his remarks he highlighted the importance of unified global efforts to combat terrorism and standing firm against its glorification, it said, sharing a series of photographs.

Today marks the 39th anniversary of one of the worst acts of terrorism in history.Pay my homage to the memory of the 329 victims of AI 182 Kanishka who were killed this day in 1985. My thoughts are with their families. The anniversary is a reminder why terrorism should  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 23, 2024

On Sunday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in a post on X paid his homage to the memory of the 329 victims of AI 182 Kanishka who were killed on this day in 1985. Today marks the 39th anniversary of one of the worst acts of terrorism in history, he said. My thoughts are with their families. The anniversary is a reminder why terrorism should never be tolerated, Jaishankar wrote.

On Friday, the Canadian police said the investigations into the bombing of the Air India Flight 182 remain active and ongoing, terming it the longest and one of the most complex domestic terrorism probes. In a statement, 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 countrys history as he offered deepest sympathies, understanding and support to the families of the victims.
A 32-year-old Indian national was fatally shot during a robbery at a convenience store in the US state of Texas.

Dasari Gopikrishna, who hailed from Bapatla district in Andhra Pradesh, came to the US less than a year ago. The incident occurred at a gas station convenience store in Pleasant Grove, Dallas on June 21.

Expressing condolences to Gopikrishnas family, Consul General D C Manjunath said, We are deeply saddened to learn about the tragic demise of Indian national Gopi Krishna Dasari in a robbery shooting incident at Pleasant Grove, Dallas, TX, and are in touch with local family members.

Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic demise of Indian National Mr. Gopi Krishna Dasari, in a robbery shooting incident at Pleasant Grove, Dallas, TxWe offer our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased. @cgihou is in touch with local family member & extending  India in Houston (@cgihou) June 23, 2024

Manjunath, who was in Dallas for a Yoga Day event on Sunday, confirmed to news agency PTI that the incident was unrelated to a shooting in Arkansas as previously reported by various reports. The Consulate, along with support from Indian associations, is providing all possible assistance to facilitate the repatriation of Gopikrishnas body to India following local formalities, including autopsy and death certificates.

Gopikrishna sustained critical injuries during the robbery and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries on Sunday morning while undergoing treatment. The incident has deeply affected the Indian community in Dallas and surrounding areas. Gopikrishna is survived by his wife and son.

I am deeply saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Dasari Gopikrishna from Bapatla due to a shooting incident in Texas, USA. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family. Rest assured, the Government of Andhra Pradesh will provide all necessary support to bring him back home. We stand firmly with the family during this tough time and pray that they find the strength to cope with their loss, BJP leader P Muralidhar Rao said in a post on X.

(With agency inputs)
Private cameras installed at residences and private spaces by civilians became the biggest tool for Hamas, denting the preparation of defence forces and giving Israel the biggest lesson from the digital world. Smart houses became a tool for Hamas to generate information which was used by terror outfits.

According to the Israeli government, before October 7 last year, Hamas not only got access to CCTV cameras installed all over the city by civilians, but also managed to control billboards with messages. The government has said that all cyberattacks had active involvement from Iran and Hezbollah.

Gaby Portnoy, Director General of Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD), said the government had inputs about such activities, but Hamas surprised them with the gravity of the cyber attack. We had enough information about October 7, but they succeeded in surprising us, Portnoy told News18 in Tel Aviv.

Portnoy has served in a series of senior positions, including the Head of Operations in the Intelligence Corps, commander of Unit 9900, and Head of Planning TKINA and Budgets in the Intelligence Corps before joining as DG INCD.

PREPARATION WHICH SURPRISED ISRAEL

Before executing the October 7 massacre, where over 360 people were killed during a music festival, Hamas, the terror organisation, managed get access to CCTVs installed at various residences and shops.

Smart houses equipped with technology faced a cyber attack. Officials involved in protecting cyber infrastructure of Israel said that Hamas connected the information gathered through these smart houses and CCTV footages to generate inputs before the attack.

Hamas also got access to billboards and started pushing messages which were pulled down by Israel cyber security agency INCD. Hamas attacked smart houses and billboards. Hamas collected private information through CCTVs. Till date, Israel has faced 1,992 potential cyber attacks, Portnoy told News18. The DG of top cyber security agency also said that all cyber attack groups acting on behalf of Iran and Hezbollah held relentless assaults against Israel.

The DG cautioned against the potential repercussions of AI-empowered influence campaigns, stressing the risks to digital trust and functional continuity in an era where loss of trust can be deeply damaging for governments and digital services.

WHAT ISRAEL DID?

Just after the October attack, the analysis showed how Hamas had so much information. Immediately, the Israel Government, in a first, controlled the cameras and pulled them down to avoid further usage to track movements of Israeli defence forces or to collect any other information.

SPECIAL WARTIME LAW

After the October attack, Israel introduced a new law and cleared it as well, which gave the Israeli Army and security services the access to private security cameras without the knowledge of the owner.

The Israel government said it will help make CCTVs hostile for terror outfits. Consequently, the IDF and the Shin Bet will be able to get access to private security cameras without requiring any permission from court.
Terming the frequent acts glorifying militancy in Canada as deplorable, India has emphasised that no government in the world should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains.

"We still await for full and desired justice to the families of the victims of the bombing. No government in the world should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains. -Sanjay Verma @HCI_Ottawa at th Memorial event for Kanishka Bombing pic.twitter.com/KvMsDgRJlg Abhishek Jha (@abhishekjha157) June 24, 2024

In a statement on the 39th anniversary of the 1985 Kanishka bombing, in which 329 persons, most of them Canadians of Indian descent, on board an Air India flight lost their lives, the Indian High Commission here said that terrorism knows no borders, nationality, or race.

The Montreal-New Delhi Air India Kanishka Flight 182 exploded 45 minutes before it was to have landed at Londons Heathrow Airport on June 23, 1985, killing all 329 people on board, including 86 children.

The bombing was blamed on Sikh militants in retaliation to Operation Bluestar to flush out militants from the Golden Temple in 1984.

The Indian High Commission in Ottawa and the consulates of India in Toronto and Vancouver organised memorial services on Sunday and solemnly remembered the victims of the dastardly act of terror in 1985.

Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma said, No government in the world should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains. Human lives are much more important than the transitory political interests. All terrorist activities should be met with exemplary legal and social actions before they start harming the larger humanity, he said.

Governments, security agencies, and international organisations must work in concert to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their financing, and counter their twisted ideologies, he added.

The memorial services were held at a time when relations between Canada and India are under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations in September last year of potential involvement of Indian agents in Nijjars killing.

New Delhi rejected Trudeaus charges as absurd and motivated.

Earlier, in a statement, the Indian High Commission said it was unfortunate that such actions are allowed to be routine on many occasions here when it should be condemned by all peace-loving countries and people.

While thirty-nine years have passed since the cowardly act, terrorism has unfortunately assumed proportions of an existential threat to international peace and security today, the Indian high commissions statement said.

Any act of glorifying terrorism, including the bombing of Al-182 in 1985, is deplorable and should be condemned by all peace-loving countries and people, it said.

It is unfortunate that such actions are allowed to be routine on many occasions in Canada, it added.

Last week, India strongly objected to the Canadian parliament observing a one-minute silence in memory of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was gunned down in British Columbia in June last year.

India also insisted on Friday that the Canadian authorities must take action against those advocating violence and carrying out an anti-India campaign in Canada.

India lodged a strong protest with Canada on Thursday over Khalistani extremists holding a so-called citizens court and burning an effigy of the Indian prime minister outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver.

Asserting that terrorism knows no borders, nationality, or race and it is a challenge that the international community needs to combat collectively, the Indian mission here said that over the years, India has led from the front to counter-terrorism with support from like-minded countries.

Terming the Kanishka bombing the worst ever in Canadian aviation history to date, the Indian mission said that the incident will remain an unbearable loss not only for the victims families but also for humanity as a whole.

The perpetrators and the co-conspirators of this dastardly act remain free, it said.

Quoting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the statement said, Nor must we countenance that political convenience determines responses to terrorism, extremism and violence. Similarly, respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs cannot be exercised in cherry picking. It called the spirit of the ministers statement from his speech at the United Nations General Assembly last year the best tribute to the victims of Air India Flight 182 bombing.

The Indian mission in Toronto also marked the day.

Consul General Siddhartha Nath laid a wreath at the Air India 182 memorial, Humber Park, Etobicoke, in solemn remembrance of the 329 victims of the terrorist bombing of AI 182 on this day, 39 years ago, the Consulate General of India in Toronto posted on X along with a photograph.

In another post on X, the mission said the Consul General also attended the memorial service held at Queens Park Toronto for the victims and met with the bereaved families.

The Indian mission in Vancouver also held a memorial service.

The CG @Masarung paid homage to the victims of Air India flight 182 Kanishka in Vancouver, it said in a post by X.

The flight was brought down in a dastardly terrorist attack. Family members and friends of the victims, BC Ministers, MP, MLAs & city officials attended the solemn occasion, it said.

India has been maintaining that the main issue between the two countries is that of Ottawa giving space to pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil with impunity.
Paying respect to the victims of Air India Flight 182 Kanishka on the 39th anniversary of the terror attack, the Indian mission in Canada on Sunday highlighted that terrorism has become an existential threat to international peace. The Montreal-New Delhi Air India Kanishka Flight 182 exploded 45 minutes before it was due to land at Londons Heathrow Airport on June 23, 1985.

The blast killed all 329 people on board, most of them Canadians of Indian descent. In a statement remembering those who lost their lives in one of the deadliest terror-related air disasters in civil aviation history, the Indian mission warned that any act of glorifying terrorism is deplorable and should be condemned by all peace-loving countries and people.

While thirty-nine years have passed since the cowardly act, terrorism has unfortunately assumed proportions of an existential threat to international peace and security today, the High Commission said. Any act of glorifying terrorism, including the bombing of AI-182 in 1985, is deplorable and should be condemned by all peace-loving countries and people. It is unfortunate that such actions are allowed to be routine on many occasions in Canada, the statement read, in an apparent reference to the Canadian governments inaction amid growing Khalistan activities in the country.

Amid increasing anti-India activity in the country, a Canadian journalist slammed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and highlighted the moral failures of his government. I dont think Trudeau really needs a reason to do the wrong thing. It is sort of a moral compulsion at this point. He was praised by Hamas, Churches are being burned down and he supported that. It is a confluence of his catastrophic moral failures, Daniel Bordman told the news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman says,  I dont think Trudeau really needs a reason to do the wrong thing. It is sort of a moral compulsion at this pointHe was praised by Hamas, Churches are being burned down and he supported that. It is a confluence of his pic.twitter.com/NJRMmREAyQ ANI (@ANI) June 24, 2024

Bordman also discussed concerns among some Sikhs about Khalistani influence in Canada. He noted growing Canadian apprehension about these issues, viewing Khalistani elements as exacerbating societal tensions. Initially, a lot of people are afraid, now a lot of Sikhs are very brave and, you know, when you start criticizing Khalistan, you know, the first. People who will, like, offer you a platform sometimes or come to help you out. A lot of them are Sikhs themselves who see this as, like, their duty. But we have a lot of crazy Gurdwaras in our country that has been infiltrated by the Khalistanis, he said while adding that Canadians are starting to get tired of this.
A 34-year-old hiker was rescued in the US state of California after being stranded in the mountains for 10 days, surviving on wild berries and one gallon of water daily.

Lukas McClish set out for a three-hour hike in the Santa Cruz Mountains on June 11 but lost his way due to landmarks destroyed by recent wildfires. His family reported him missing on June 16, prompting a multi-day search. There were multiple reports of witnesses hearing someone yelling for help, but the location was hard to establish.

McClish was spotted on Thursday by a drone from the Santa Cruz Sheriffs Office in the forest between Empire Grade Road and the Big Basin Highway. He was found with no major injuries and reunited with his family, described by the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office as a successful team effort.

CAL FIRE CZU firefighters assisted @SantaCruzSO1 @BoulderCreekFD with a rescue in Big Basin State Parks last night. There were multiple reports of witnesses hearing someone yelling for help, but the location of that person was hard to establish. READ MORE  pic.twitter.com/tQxHvVPVJO CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) June 21, 2024

With @SantaCruzSO1 drone Lukas McClish, 34, was located in the forest between Empire Grade & Big Basin Hwy near Foreman Creek in @sccounty. McClish was reported missing 5 days ago by family. CDCR and @CAStateParks assisted. We are grateful hes home, the San Mateo-based fire authorities said in a post on X.

CAL FIRE CZU firefighters assisted @SantaCruzSO1 @BoulderCreekFD with a rescue in Big Basin State Parks last night. There were multiple reports of witnesses hearing someone yelling for help, but the location of that person was hard to establish, they added.

In an interview with a local ABC News outlet, McClish recounted hiking with minimal gear  just pants, hiking shoes, a hat, a flashlight, and a Leatherman tool. He survived by drinking water collected in his boot, ensuring he consumed a gallon each day. However, nearing the end, his body needed sustenance beyond water.

Reflecting on his ordeal, McClish expressed gratitude for the rescue teams and described the experience as humbling and awe-inspiring. After the ordeal left him tired and sore, he indicated he would likely avoid wilderness activities for the remainder of the year.
After 39 years, justice remains elusive for the 329 victims of Air India Fligh-182 (Kanishka) bombing. Observing a memorial service to honour the victims of the heinous act of terrorism, in Ottawa, Indian High Commissioner in Canada Sanjay Verma said, We still await for full and desired justice to the families of the victims of the bombing. No government in the world should overlook the threat of terrorism emanating from its territories for political gains.

The disastrous event of June 23, 1985, took 329 lives including 86 children when a bomb blew open a hole in the left aft fuselage of the Air India Flight 182, which was en route from Montreal to London. The aircraft, which bore the name Kanishka, was blown apart, falling approximately 31,000 feet below into the Atlantic Ocean off the south-west coast of Ireland. All 329 people on board were killed, including 268 Canadian citizens, 24 Indian citizens, and 37 citizens of the United Kingdom. The majority of the victims were of Indian descent. The bombing was orchestrated by Sikh extremists based in Canada.

Speaking of the incident, Verma said that the act of terrorism was not just an attack on the passengers and crew of Flight 182 but also an assault on the values of tolerance, multiculturalism, and international cooperation. The victims were not only Canadians, Indians, or British citizens; they were global citizens  each with dreams, aspirations, and loved ones left behind to grieve an unimaginable loss, he said.

The Air India Bombing remains one of the deadliest incidents of terrorism. Ironically, the perpetrators of the deadly terrorist act largely went unpunished as the investigators in the case never found out who all were behind this crime. Inderjit Singh Reyat, a Canadian Sikh, was the only person convicted in the bombing. He pleaded guilty in 2003 to manslaughter for assembling the bombs and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The investigation into the 1985 bombing was led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), with assistance from international agencies such as the FBI and Irish police. Days before the 39th anniversary of the bombing, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) issued a statement saying that, investigative efforts remain active and ongoing in the Kanishka bombing case. We must never forget those innocent lives lost to this tragedy and other acts of terrorism, said the statement from Dave Teboul, Pacific Region Commander, Federal Policing RCMP.

The Khalistani elements, which have crimes like the Kanishka bombing in their name, have again become active in the social and political landscape of Canada. This has seen a significant surge in the last few years as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has joined hands with new political partners who provide necessary numbers in the parliament for the Trudeau government to remain afloat. One of his alliance partners, New Democratic Party (NDP) and its leader Jagmeet Singh Dhaliwal, have been notorious for backing Khalistani elements in Canada.

Understandably, the Trudeau governments oversight on the acts of vandalism, threat and intimidation to Indian community members and even Indian diplomats in Canada seems more like a political compulsion. Nevertheless, the cost that the Canadian Prime Minister is paying to remain in power by making an alliance with extremist elements may totally boomerang for Canadian society in the long run.
Gunmen opened fire on Sunday in a synagogue, at least two churches, and at a police post in the southern republic of Dagestan, Russia reported, killing a priest, several civilians, and more than 15 police officers. The attacks appeared to be coordinated and took place in the cities of Derbent and Makhachkala, CNN reports. Two of the attackers were killed, Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti said. "Father Nikolay was killed in the church in Derbent, they slit his throat," a regional official said. The priest was 66 and had served the Russian Orthodox congregation for 40 years.

Other priests locked themselves in the church while awaiting rescue, the official said, per the New York Times. News media showed video of the synagogue in Derbent in flames, and police said the synagogue and church had been "burned down." The officers were shot at a traffic post in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, about the same time as the other attacks, per the AP. Russian authorities said they've begun a terrorism investigation. Dagestan is predominantly Muslim and also has a significant Jewish population. Ethnic and religious tensions there have intensified since the Israel-Hamas war began, per the Times. This story has been updated with the latest death toll. (More Dagestan stories.)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the current phase of fighting against Hamas in Gaza is winding down, setting the stage for Israel to send more troops to its northern border to confront the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, the AP reports. The comments threatened to further heighten the tensions between Israel and Hezbollah at a time when they appear to be moving closer to war. Netanyahu also signaled that there is no end in sight for the grinding war in Gaza. The Israeli leader said in a lengthy TV interview that while the army is close to completing its current ground offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, that would not mean the war against Hamas is over. But he said fewer troops would be needed in Gaza, freeing up forces to battle Hezbollah.

"We will have the possibility of transferring some of our forces north, and we will do that," he told Israel's Channel 14, a pro-Netanyahu TV channel, in an interview that was frequently interrupted by applause from the studio audience. "First and foremost, for defense," he added, but also to allow tens of thousands of displaced Israelis to return home. The Iranian-backed Hezbollah began striking Israel almost immediately after Hamas' Oct. 7 cross-border attack that triggered the Gaza war. Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire nearly every day since then, but the fighting has escalated in recent weeks, raising fears of a full-blown war.

The top US military officer warned on Sunday that any Israeli military offensive into Lebanon would risk an Iranian response in defense of Hezbollah, which is much stronger than Hamas, possibly triggering a larger, region-wide war involving other Iranian proxies and perhaps Iran itself that could put US forces in the region in danger and cause heavy damage and mass casualties on both sides of the border. Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Iran "would be more inclined to support Hezbollah." He added that Tehran supports Hamas militants in Gaza, but would give greater backing to Hezbollah "particularly if they felt that Hezbollah was being significantly threatened," the AP reports. (More Israel stories.)
Innovative method, tool contribute to sand control in Shapotou, NW China's Ningxia

People's Daily Online) 14:56, June 24, 2024

Shapotou in Zhongwei city, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is situated on the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert, the fourth largest desert in China. Shapotou is notorious for being one of the areas most heavily impacted by sandstorms in history.

Workers make straw checkerboards, which are used to stabilize sand and prevent dunes from shifting. (People's Daily Online/Li Tiantian)

In 1954, China began constructing the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway to connect northwest and north China. With a total length of 990 kilometers, the railway traverses desert for 140 kilometers, navigating through sand dunes that can reach heights of up to 100 meters in Shapotou.

To ensure smooth train operations across the sandy expanse, researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted extensive experiments and explorations. Their efforts led to the development of a sand stabilization model that eliminated the need for irrigation, along with the proposal of a railway sand control system. Eventually, they found that a grid-shaped grass sand barrier proved to be highly effective, and developed straw checkerboards to stabilize the sand and prevent dunes from shifting.

Photo shows straw checkerboards in Shapotou, Zhongwei city, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Li Tiantian)

By implementing straw checkerboard sand barriers on both sides, the desert railway, once believed to have a maximum lifespan of only 30 years, has been able to operate smoothly for over 60 years.

Between 1950 and 1985, desert control workers implemented a sand control and protection system along a 55-kilometer stretch of the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway. This system covered multiple zones within a 500-meter radius on both sides of the railway.

Workers make straw checkerboards, which are used to stabilize sand and prevent dunes from shifting. (People's Daily Online/Li Tiantian)

Creating straw checkerboards was the first step in sand stabilization. Planting seedlings and grass within the checkerboards was necessary to establish permanent sand stabilization barriers.

Tang Ximing, chief engineer at a state-owned forestry farm in Zhongwei, has dedicated over 30 years of his life to desert control work.

In 2017, Tang crafted a steel tool that features two horizontal bars at the front tip. This innovative tool increases the survival rate of afforestation by 25 percent and reduces labor costs by 50 percent. It has been widely promoted and used in afforestation projects in regions such as Gansu Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
A woman staying at a lodge at a French zoo ended up jogging through the safari zone, where she was attacked by three wolves. The 37-year-old was staying with family at a lodge within Thoiry safari park and zoo 25 miles west of Paris when she was attacked on Sunday. Officials said she somehow strayed into the park's main safari zone, where only vehicles are allowed. Three Arctic wolves attacked the woman, biting her in the neck, back, and the calf of one leg, the BBC reports, noting that park attendants heard her screams. First responders arrived "very quickly," Maryvonne Caillibotte, the chief prosecutor in Versailles, told AFP .

The woman was taken to a nearby hospital. Caillibotte said it was not known whether she would survive her injuries. However, a source later told AFP the woman's injuries are no longer life-threatening. The woman had been staying in a lodge that promises "a one-of-a-kind, very intimate experience with the arctic wolves you'll be able to see from the living room." The park offers accommodations, protected by electric fences and ditches, near both the wolf and bear enclosures, per the BBC. A source told AFP the woman must have passed through "security systems, a trench and an electric fence supposed to keep the animals in." Caillibotte said it's unclear "whether she made a mistake or the trail wasn't clearly marked."

Wow Safari Thoiry CEO Christelle Bercheny said the woman "crossed the American reserve on foot," per CBS News. "The behavior of the animals in the reserves is that of animals in freedom or semi-liberty," she added. The zoo's website states the Arctic wolf, a subspecies of the grey wolf, is strictly carnivorous and "an outstanding hunter." The zoo is reportedly home to a dominant female, a dominant male, and their four cubs. (See one of them here.) It initially included 120 animals imported from Kenya when it was founded by a local chateau owner in 1968. The zoo, now home to some 800 animals, was purchased by a group of investors in 2018. (More wolf attack stories.)
A Florida rapper was fatally shot early Sunday while visiting Tampa to celebrate his 26th birthday. Julio Foolio, whom TMZ describes as an "up-and-coming" artist from Jacksonville that first made waves with his 2018 debut album 6toven and who Local 10 says was most well known for his 2019 song "Voo Doo," shared on Instagram Saturday afternoon that police had responded to his pool party at an Airbnb rental because there were so many guests. Hours later, the rapper, real name Charles Jones, was shot dead in the parking lot of a hotel to which he'd checked in after being kicked out of the vacation rental, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Jones' lawyer says the rapper was "ambushed" in the parking lot around 4:40am. Police found two cars there that had been shot at; three other people were injured in the incident, but were expected to survive. TMZ reports Jones, whose most recent album was released in April, commonly referenced murders (reportedly including ones that were gang-related) in the Jacksonville area in his lyrics, and he was reportedly open about his association with a Jacksonville-area gang. There was an attempt on his life in 2021, and his half-brother was fatally shot in 2018. A crime analyst tells News4Jax that retaliation is possible following Jones' slaying. (More Florida stories.)
Just weeks ago, when South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem was taking heat for the revelation that she killed her own dog, the question arose whether the commotion over that would blow her chances at being selected as Donald Trump's running mate. The answer appears to be yes: Noem popped up over the weekend on Meet the Press, and she confirmed she hasn't had an official vetting to be the next VP, reports NBC News. "I haven't received any paperwork. No, I haven't," Noem conceded on Sunday, adding, "I've had conversations with the president, and I know that he is the only one who will be making the decisions on who will be his vice president."

The female factor: In early June, the 52-year-old governor had suggested that Trump might be better off selecting a woman to be his vice presidential candidate, noting that "all the polls tell him in these swing states that a woman on the ticket helps him win." When asked Sunday, however, if Trump would be messing up by not picking a woman, Noem demurred, simply saying, "He needs to pick the best person for the job ... pick someone that will help him win."
There are 10,101 legal short-term rental accommodations in Barcelona, Spain, one of the most visited cities in the world. But in just four short years, there will be zero. That's according to Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni, who announced the "unexpectedly drastic move" to combat the city's high cost of living on Friday, reports Reuters . After November 2028, "tourist flats as we conceive of them today will disappear from the city of Barcelona," Collboni said, per the Guardian , adding that "we are confronting what we believe is Barcelona's largest problem."

The demand for tourist accommodations has caused rents to climb 68% in the past decade, while the cost of buying a home has jumped 38%, Collboni said, adding that young people are being priced out. "Those 10,000 apartments will be used by the city's residents or will go on the market for rent or sale," he announced at an event. The move follows similar restrictions on short-term rentals in Spain's Canary Islands as well as in other European cities. Amid protests against tourism, Barcelona has blocked all new tourist apartments in recent years while recovering about 3,500 short-term rentals for housing for local residents, per the Guardian.

This goes a step further. "It's about making all the necessary efforts to guarantee access to affordable housing," said Spain's housing minister, Isabel Rodriguez. However, Barcelona's tourist apartments association said the move was "a mistake that will lead to [higher] poverty and unemployment." The group also claimed the ban on tourist apartments would bring a rise in illegal tourist apartment rentals. The city government said it would maintain a "strong" inspection regime to prevent illegal tourist accommodations, per Reuters. (More Barcelona stories.)
The Washington Post reports that the US Postal Service allows law enforcement agencies to monitor the mail of Americansor at least the outside of iton a fairly regular basis. The postal service has received more than 60,000 such requests since 2015, and it has honored virtually all of them, according to the newspaper. Under what's known as the mail covers program, the postal services logs what the outsides of envelopes look like and passes the information onto such authorities as the FBI, the IRS, and the Department of Homeland Security. They can't provide details on what's inside the letters because that would require a warrant.
It was a terrifying descent for 125 passengers aboard a Korean Air flight that departed Incheon, South Korea, on Saturday, only to quickly return when the plane's pressurization system failed. A fault occurred less than an hour after takeoff as the plane bound for Taichung, Taiwan, was flying over the East China Sea, reports the Taipei Times. Data from Flightradar24 showed the Boeing 737 Max 8 dropped nearly 25,000 feet, or about 7,600 meters, in five minutes, per Business Insider. One passenger said he feared the plane would smash into the ground, per the Times. Another compared the feeling to being on an extreme roller coaster, per the New York Post.
A professional surfer and lifeguard who appeared in movies including Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides was killed in a Sunday afternoon shark attack off Oahu's North Shore in Hawaii. The AP reports Tamayo Perry, 49, died in an attack near Goat Island. Honolulu Ocean Safety and city emergency workers medical services departments responded to Malaekahana Beach just before 1pm in response to a caller who reported seeing a man who appeared to have suffered shark bites. Perry was taken to shore by lifeguards via jet ski and pronounced dead at the scene. More:
A railroad bridge collapsed during flooding in the Midwest that has forced water rescues, led to evacuations, caused at least one death and brought additional misery during a vast and stubborn heat wave. The bridge connecting North Sioux City, South Dakota, with Sioux City, Iowa, collapsed into the Big Sioux River late Sunday, an emergency manager said. Local media images showed a large span of the steel bridge partially underwater as floodwaters rushed over it, the AP reports.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said at a news briefing Monday that the bridge was the main rail link from her state into Iowa. Some of its trusses collapsed, Jason Westcott, an emergency manager in Union County, South Dakota, told KCAU. There were no reports of injuries from the collapse, which occurred around 11pm. The bridge's owner, BNSF Railway, had stopped operating it as a precaution during the flooding, spokesperson Kendall Sloan said. Trains are being rerouted. "We have damaged roads. We have damaged bridges," Noem said. "That will impact us for many, many months to come."

The South Dakota Department of Transportation built a berm Sunday night across Interstate 29 in North Sioux City, temporarily blocking it. Floodwaters have risen over days of heavy rain where South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska meet around Sioux City, as well as along the Iowa-Minnesota border. More rain is forecast, and many streams may not crest until later this week as the floodwaters slowly drain to the Missouri and Mississippi rivers.

story continues below

The Big Sioux River stabilized Monday morning at around 45 feet, over 7 feet higher than the previous record, Sioux City Fire Marshal Mark Aesoph said. Evacuations have begun for homes at low elevations, and more are expected as waters rise. Thirteen rivers flooded in that part of Iowa, said Eric Tigges of Clay County emergency management. Entire neighborhoods, and at least one whole town, were evacuated, and Spencer imposed a curfew Sunday for a second night after flooding that surpassed a record set in 1953. National Guard troops helped with water rescues and carted needed medications lost in flooding.

(More bridge collapse stories.)
The Foo Fighters had been playing in London Stadium on Saturday, when Grohl made a joke about playing in London the same weekend as Swift.

"We like to call our tour the Errors Tour,'" Grohl said. "We've had more than a few eras, and more than a few f**king errors as well. Just a couple. That's because we actually play live."

When the audience booed, he added, "What?! Just saying. You guys like raw, live rock n' roll music, right? You came to the right f**king place."

Perhaps realizing it's unwise to upset Swift fans, Grohl prefaced his remark by saying, "I tell you, man, you don't want to suffer the wrath of Taylor Swift."

Too late.

"Dave grohl is the last artist i expected that from," one fan wrote on X. "He's usually so kind, positive and a good force in the music industry, feeling disappointed [sic]."

It was an unexpected comment from Grohl, who in 2015 declared he was "officially obsessed" with Swift.
A pregnant woman who lost her baby after 33 weeks' gestation was failed by her obstetrician and gynaecologist, the Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner has found.

The woman, referred to as Ms A in the Commissioner's report released on Monday, underwent multiple assessments at her public hospital's maternity service in 2021.

At 33 weeks pregnant, Ms A's waters broke - she was experiencing ongoing clear vaginal discharge and given ongoing antibiotics, pain relief and steroids. At that stage, her discharge did not indicate infection.

She was admitted to hospital but discharged a few days later.

The following week at a pre-scheduled appointment, Ms A was seen in the maternity clinic as she had developed green vaginal discharge and was experiencing abdominal pain.

An induction of labour at 37 weeks' gestation was then arranged for the woman, before she was discharged home. She was advised to return to hospital if she had concerns.

But the next day she went to hospital experiencing labour contractions - it was there a foetal heartbeat could not be heard during a scan and the soon-to-be first-time mum sadly found out her baby was stillborn.

The woman delivered her baby vaginally and had the placenta removed surgically.

Following the traumatic experience, Ms A's mother raised concerns with the Health and Disability Commissioner.
Fairbanks, AK (99701)

Today

On and off snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low 24F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 30%..

Tonight

On and off snow showers this evening. Breaks in the overcast later. Low 24F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 30%.
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TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Work-related injuries suffered by foreign workers in Bahrain would have to be covered by employers going forward, suggests a proposal submitted by an MP of the Council of Representatives for amending Social Insurance Law.

The proposal, which would do away with the practice of separate deductions towards insurance for work-related injuries, was put forward by MP Mohammed Al Maarafi.

Through the proposal, the MP aims to limit employer contributions to the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO) to three percent of Bahraini workers wages.

This represents a substantial reduction from the current contribution rate, which varies depending on the workers salary and the industry. Notably, foreign workers would be exempt from these contributions altogether.

As per the details of the proposal, employers would be required to provide medical care for non-Bahraini workers in the event of a work injury. This includes covering the costs of treatment, daily allowances, and injury compensation.

The MP argues that the amendments are justified by the Health Insurance Law of 2018.

Law

The 2018 law requires employers to include their workers in health insurance, covering both the worker and their dependents if stipulated in the employment contract.

Al Maarafi emphasises that the proposed law would eliminate the need for separate insurance deductions for work-related injuries for expatriate workers, as their medical needs would be covered under the mandatory health insurance.

News about the proposal has sparked a debate, with concerns raised about the potential impact on both Bahraini and foreign workers.

Some argue that reducing employer contributions would negatively affect the financial sustainability of the SIO, potentially impacting the benefits available to Bahraini workers in the future.

Worry

Others worry that exempting foreign workers from social insurance contributions could create a two-tier system, with Bahraini workers receiving more comprehensive benefits.

The proposal also raises questions about the adequacy of the mandatory health insurance to cover work-related injuries for foreign workers. Some argue that relying solely on health insurance may not provide sufficient protection for workers who suffer serious injuries on the job.

An intense debate on the proposed amendments is expected in the coming weeks. It remains to be seen whether the proposal will be adopted in its current form or if modifications will be made to address the concerns raised.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, engaged in a bilateral meeting with Irans acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Dr. Ali Bagheri Kani, in Tehran yesterday to resume political relations and strengthen bilateral ties.

It was held within the context of the enduring fraternal relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Iran, marked by shared religion, geographical proximity, common history, and mutual interests.

The meeting was convened on the occasion of Dr. Al Zayanis official visit to Iran, following an invitation extended by his Iranian counterpart to participate in an Asian cooperation dialogue.

During the discussions, both parties reached an agreement to establish the necessary frameworks aimed at initiating talks between the two countries.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Following directives from His Excellency Shaikh Rashed bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, Minister of the Interior and Chairman of the Civil Defense Council, Bahrain has taken a significant step towards enhancing its civil protection and safety system.

Commander Rakin Tayar Ali Mohamed Al-Kubisi, Director General of the Public Administration of Civil Defense, signed a civil agreement in cooperation with the National Association for Fire Protection (NFPA). This agreement signifies Bahrain's commitment to continuous improvement in fire prevention and public safety.

The signing ceremony took place during the International Conference on Fire Protection held in the United States.

A delegation from the Bahraini Ministry of Interior participated in the conference, demonstrating their dedication to staying at the forefront of fire safety practices.
Selected fellows represent a diverse group of outstanding youth across Canada making a positive impact on people, society and the planet that will have the unique opportunity to attend the global One Young World Summit Montreal (Tiohtia:ke), 2024

TORONTO, June 24, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, AstraZeneca Canada and Plan International Canada announced the selected Fellows named to the 2024 Eureka Fellowship for Youth Changemakers in Canada (Eureka Fellowship), an initiative to spotlight and amplify the impact of inspiring youth changemakers from across the country who are focused on tackling some of the biggest sustainability challenges affecting Canada and the planet.

AstraZeneca Canada and Plan International Canada announce the 13 Fellows named to the Eureka Fellowship for Youth Changemakers in Canada with two of the Fellows, Kenisha Arora and Farkhunda Muhtaj, at the 2024 Plan International Canada Youth Leadership Celebration Event in Toronto, ON. (CNW Group/AstraZeneca Canada Inc.)

The 2024 Eureka Fellows were identified through a nationwide call for "determined optimists" who are actively working to make Canada  and the world  a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient place. Each Fellow will have the unique opportunity to attend the One Young World Summit in Montreal (Tiohtia:ke), from September 18  21, 2024, where they will engage in mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and capacity building opportunities to support and accelerate positive change in their communities.

"Our future depends on healthy people, a healthy society, and a healthy planet, which is why we're committed to investing in the next generation of sustainability leaders in Canada," says Gaby Bourbara, President, AstraZeneca Canada. "We believe in the incredible power of youth and with the Eureka Fellowship, we aim to harness and amplify the power of these individuals to make a difference when it comes to tackling some of the most pressing sustainability challenges of our time  from climate change and biodiversity loss, to health equity, health system resilience, and diversity and inclusion."

Join AstraZeneca Canada and Plan International Canada in welcoming the 13 Fellows to the newly launched Eureka Fellowship:

Kenisha Arora , Ontario

, Inaam Chattha , Alberta

, Reegan Jungkind , Northwest Territories

, Joelle Kabisoso, Ontario

Jenna Kedy , Nova Scotia

, Justin Langan , Manitoba

, Tiana Lemon , Yukon

, Farkhunda Muhtaj, Ontario

Ronaar Qureshi, Alberta

Kimia Shafighi , Quebec

, Maahi Shah, Saskatchewan

Kels Smith , Prince Edward Island

, Sophia Yang , British Columbia

After receiving over 800 applications, a joint committee from AstraZeneca Canada and Plan International Canada selected 13 youth to be a part of the 2024 Eureka Fellowship, each of whom represents one or more of the following sustainability areas of focus: access to healthcare and health equity, environmental protection and climate action, or championing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

"At Plan International Canada, we have seen firsthand the power of youth in fostering change, both in Canada and around the world," said Lindsay Glassco, President and CEO, Plan International Canada. "The 2024 Eureka Fellows are remarkable individuals who embody the spirit of change and are fueled by an unyielding belief in the power of equality. At the 2024 One Young World Summit, youth changemakers will connect with other like-minded individuals to amplify their social impact, both individually and as a global community. This is important work, and we cannot stop until we are all equal."

The Eureka Fellowship is a joint national program with a shared commitment to creating a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient planet. To learn more about the fellowship, its youth changemakers, and the difference they're making, follow AstraZeneca on Instagram where each of the 2024 Eureka Fellows will be spotlighted over the coming months: https://www.instagram.com/astrazenecacanada/

AstraZeneca has been partnering with One Young World for over eight years through its global Young Health Programme (YHP), a youth engagement initiative focussed on accelerating the delivery of sustainable healthcare, strengthening health systems and improving equitable access. The Eureka Fellowship is part of YHP, which aims to support the development of young leaders through mentorship, scholarships, and learning opportunities to foster sustainable, collective leadership focused on improving youth health, with an emphasis on under-resourced and marginalised communities in low- and middle-income countries. The YHP will also be supporting a global delegation of young health leaders from around the world to join the Eureka Fellows and bring learnings and inspiration back to their own communities.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical business whose innovative medicines are used by millions of patients worldwide. The company's core areas of scientific focus are Oncology; Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic (CVRM); Rare Disease; Respiratory & Immunology; and Vaccine & Immune Therapies. AstraZeneca employs roughly 1,800 people across Canada and recently announced a major expansion of its research footprint in Mississauga  including the expansion of its existing AstraZeneca R&D Hub and the creation of a new Alexion Development Hub for Rare Diseases. AstraZeneca was very recently recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers, one of Canada's Most Admired Corporate Cultures, and a Greater Toronto Top Employer. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.astrazeneca.ca. Additionally, to learn more about AstraZeneca's Young Health Programme, please visit yhp.astrazeneca.com"

About Plan International Canada

Plan International Canada is a member of a global organization dedicated to advancing children's rights and equality for girls. Plan International has been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years and is now active in more than 80 countries. We stand with children, especially girls, wherever they are oppressed, exploited, left behind or not equally valued. We're determined optimists and will continue to persevere until we are all equal. Visit plancanada.ca for more information.

About One Young World

One Young World is the global community for young leaders. Its mission is to create a fair, sustainable future for all, by developing young leaders who are taking action to solve the world's big challenges. It builds young leaders' expertise, elevates their profiles and inspires them to increase their impact.

One Young World offers an unrivalled platform to affect change at a global level. With a network of more than 17,000+ Ambassadors, innovative initiatives led by the One Young World community have directly impacted 50.42 million people globally since 2010. For every $1 invested, One Young World Ambassadors deliver $16 of social value.

Its annual Summit brings together the brightest young leaders from every country and sector who are working to accelerate social impact across the globe. Delegates from 190+ countries are counselled by influential political, business, and humanitarian leaders such as President Mary Robinson, Dr Jane Goodall, and Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, amongst many other global figures.

For further information:

Corporate Communication

AstraZeneca Canada

[email protected]

SOURCE AstraZeneca Canada Inc.
It was an electrician who made the horrifying discovery on a Monday afternoon in a vacant farm workers dwelling.

He was working with a carpenter in the rustic, one-story wooden building when he pulled back an overstuffed chair blocking an opening in a wall.
Welcome to the NJ.com food and culture teams local dining guide series, offering recommendations for foodie hubs in North, Central and South Jersey and everything in between. These lists are curated to give diners a mix of cuisines and the best restaurant experiences to indulge this summer and beyond. Lets dig in!

Editors note: This story was originally published in 2023 and has been updated.
Three Jim McGreevey posters outside a yet-to-be-opened Jersey City campaign office were vandalized with one of the dirtiest words a politician never wants hear: Gentrification.

The former governor-turned Jersey City 2025 mayoral candidate said Monday hes aware of the spray-painting incident outside 313 Pacific Ave., a Ward A office that he has not even opened yet. But he dismissed it as something you accept will happen when you run for office.

The poster says McGreevey for Mayor 2025 under a photo of McGreevey with his arm around his daughter, Jacqueline. The vandal spray-painted F**k Gentrification across the three panels, and took aim at the McGreeveys eyes and his name on the posters.

The former governor has not held office in Jersey City, so he laughed off the notion of being labeled a gentrifier.

Our hope is that there is a full vigorous discussion on how to make Jersey City better, McGreevey said. One of the key principal areas of our platform is workforce housing. Affordable housing is the cornerstone of our efforts.

With current Mayor Steve Fulop running for governor in 2025, McGreevey, Hudson County Board of Commissioners member Bill ODea and City Council President Joyce Watterman and former school board President Mussab Ali have all announced their candidacies. Its also possible Ward E Councilman James Solomon enters the fray.

Graffiti is unfortunate, but what counts are the bread and butter issues, McGreevey said. Its not the rhetoric, not the politics, its the basic services that impact out lives. ... At the end of the day what counts is affordability, taxes, rents, schools, cleanliness, city services. Those are the nuts and bolts, bread and butter issues.
Willie Nelson is ready to celebrate the 4th of July in New Jersey.

Nelsons annual Fourth of July Picnic will take place at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden, N.J.

Alongside the music icon will be several headliners, including Bob Dylan, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, Maren Morris, Mavis Staples and Celisse Join.

Fans can look forward to a day filled of live music, food and drinks to celebrate on July 4.

Tickets are available on StubHub, Vivid Seats, TicketCity and SeatGeek.

The cheapest ticket available at the time of publication, before fees, is $17 on Vivid Seats.

If you are struggling to secure tickets in the right price point or your preferred seating section on StubHub, you can find some tips and tricks here.

First-time Vivid Seats users can save $20 on ticket orders over $200 by entering promo code NJ20 at checkout.

TicketCity users can save $15 on orders over $400 using promo code TCITYSAVE15 at checkout.

A complete list of Willie Nelsons show dates is available here.

Upcoming 2024 tours heading to Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

Willie Nelson is not the only artist heading to the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion while on tour.

Here are a few more artists you dont want to miss out on: Avril Lavigne, Jason Aldean, Foreigner and Dave Matthews Band.

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Members of a Muslim student group at Piscataway High School said they were outraged to see that a Palestinian flag held during a yearbook photo was edited out of the picture when it was prepared for publication.

Students from the Piscataway High School Muslim Student Association and members of the public packed the districts board of education meeting on June 13 to share their frustration about not being included in a discussion over the flags disappearance from the yearbook, and accused the district of selective enforcement of district policies when it decided to erase the flag.

The original photo obtained by NJ Advance Media shows two students holding the Palestinian flag in the top row of a set of bleachers with students in the club seated below.

The picture that made it into the yearbook erased the flag and cropped the two students that were holding the flag into the last row of students, a photo shared with NJ Advance Media shows.

Khaled Zayed, a Piscataway parent and member of American Muslims for Palestine, said he has been attending recent township council meetings to encourage that body to pass a resolution supporting a ceasefire in Gaza, and a student approached him at a meeting regarding the yearbook photo.

I was told that MSA [Muslim Student Association] took a group picture for the yearbook and they had the Palestinian flag in the background, but somehow the picture was Photoshopped or edited and the flag was removed, Zayed told the school board and superintendent during the latest board meetings public comment portion.

Students in the club were surprised to see the club photo appear in the yearbook without the flag when the books were distributed to students on May 30, he said.

In this publication, we didnt feel like it was a place for a protest and thats where the decision and the rationale lied, Superintendent of Piscataway schools Frank Ranelli told a room full of students and community members at the meeting.

Ranelli summarized a discussion he said took place between students of the Muslim Student Association and Piscataway High School principal Christopher Baldassano regarding the flags appearance in the yearbook picture taken in December. Ranelli said the students told Baldassano that they wanted to protest the unrest in Gaza.

Its a situation where the flag in that picture was a protest of some sort, Ranelli said in answer to a parents question at the meeting. Our yearbook publication is not a place for political protest, and thats where we rested on the decision. In other places for the MSA throughout the year, there were allowances for the flags; there were allowances for many things.

Ranelli took responsibility for the lack of communication with students and the community that the flag would be edited out of the photo.

I will say that I personally apologize to everybody in this room and all of the MSA for the communication. I think that that was poor, he said. The students should have known that the photo was going to be photoshopped. Ill take the responsibility for that. And I do apologize.

Ranelli and Baldassano did not respond to multiple messages requesting comment.

Interim communications manager for the New Jersey chapter of the Center for American Islamic Relations, Aya Elamroussi, said the organization was aware of the incident at Piscataway High School and was dismayed at the removal of the Palestinian flag from the photo. She also alleged a lack of fairness in how the Muslim Student Association was treated compared to other multicultural club photos at the school.

When the Palestinian flag was displayed by the Muslim Student Association, it was removed for being political, Elamroussi said. However, the yearbook photo showing members of the World Language Honor Society holding European flags was left unedited. The vastly different responses to these similar photos sends a message of selective censorship that targets Muslim students at Piscataway High School.

She asserted that the Palestinian flag did not represent a political statement in the context of the yearbook photo and was used as a symbol of cultural identity.

To alter one photo while allowing the other one to remain unchanged creates a disparity that must be addressed, Elamroussi continued. It is not the presence of these flags that is political, but rather the decision to treat them differently. The decision to remove Palestinian representation and disregard Palestinian identity is dangerous and harmful to our community. This, to me, is unacceptable.

About two dozen parents, community members, students and alumni shared concerns about the administrations decision to erase the flag.

Some called the district hypocritical in sending communications to the community condemning the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 and showing solidarity with Ukraine after Russia invaded in February 2022.

Jewish Piscataway resident Nika Deitch responded to Ranellis statement about the Palestinian flag being political by saying all flags are political, adding they are symbols of a political state.

At the close of public comment, Ranelli said the yearbook would not be reprinted, but that he would communicate with the Muslim Student Association to find a way to move forward.

We will look into some possible remedies and talk to the MSA and see how we can make it right with them, Rannelli said. He has not responded to a message asking if a resolution has been worked out.

Other similar controversies have played out in schools across the state. Earlier this month, East Brunswick High School was caught in a yearbook controversy after local officials said the book replaced a photo of Jewish students with a picture of Muslim students.

An investigation into the incident found the mistake was a highly unfortunate error rather than an incident of malice towards Jewish students, the district reported on its website.

High school protests surrounding the issues in Gaza have also created controversies. A group of students at Eastern Regional High School had organized a walkout in support of Palestine, until two Camden County Commissioners sent a blistering letter to the district accusing the walkout of being antisemitic, and it was postponed.

The war in Gaza began after the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. The attack killed over 1,200 Israelis and about 250 hostages were taken back to Gaza by attackers. Israel invaded Gaza shortly after the attacks and has been accused of killing civilians, with over 40,000 deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The total number of civilian deaths in Gaza as a result of Israeli bombings and military operations has been disputed by Israel. Investigations by two international courts in the Hague, one through the International Criminal Court, have been opened as authorities look deeper into whether Israel has committed war crimes and genocide against Palestinians. The ICC is investigating Hamas, as well.

Material from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X.
A driver is facing criminal charges in a 90 mph crash that killed a college student last month in Morris County.

Gerald Veneziano, 41, of Belleville, was charged with second-degree reckless vehicular homicide on Friday, the Morris County Prosecutors Office said in a news release. He has since been released from custody after surrendering his drivers license and submitting to alcohol testing.

His pickup crashed with a small car on Howard Boulevard in Roxbury around 10:30 p.m. on May 31, officials said. The driver of the other vehicle, Jacob Davis, 19, of Flanders, was pronounced dead on the scene, prosecutors said.

Davis recently completed his freshman year at Northeastern University and was majoring in pre-med and behavioral neuroscience, according to his LinkedIn.com page.

Venezianos truck had been traveling 90 mph, authorities said.

Veneziano was treated at Morristown Medical Center for serious internal injuries. Police also found numerous open alcohol containers near his truck, prosecutors said.

On the night of the crash, he received motor vehicle summonses for reckless driving, unsafe lane change and operating under the influence of liquor or drugs, according to public court records.

Veneziano will appear in Morris County Superior Court on July 29 for a pre-indictment conference.

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The official July 4th holiday falls on a Thursday in 2024, setting the stage for fireworks 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 of places to see fireworks. Many towns have celebrations scheduled for multiple days. (Have an event we should add? Send the information to press@njnpublishing.com.)
The state Attorney Generals Office has filed a lawsuit against a local ironworkers union, alleging it created a hostile work environment and discriminated against Black members.

The suit was filed against Ironworkers Local 11, a New Jersey chapter of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers Union. It alleges the chapters management created a hostile work environment that included discrimination against members based on race, sexual orientation and sex.

It also alleges that Raymond Woodall, the chapters business manager from 2008 to 2022, used racial slurs including the n word, the word shine, as well as homophobic and sexist language. Local 11s leadership took no action to stop or prevent the hateful language, according to the lawsuit.

Allegations of pornographic images with homophobic language being distributed to members were also brought up in the suit.

The suit has accused the unions hiring hall of repeatedly bypassing qualified Black union members for jobs in favor of non-Black candidates. Additionally, when Black members were offered jobs, they were for inferior assignments and often lasted shorter durations, according to the lawsuit.

No one should be subjected to racism, discrimination, or harassment in the workplace, and we are committed to rooting out such despicable conduct, said New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. If you violate our laws, we will hold you accountable. We do not tolerate discrimination in New Jersey.

In certain instances, a former Black female union member was locked in a bathroom for hours at a time and repeatedly smacked on the buttocks while being called the n word, according to the lawsuit.

The case arose after a former member of the union, a Black woman, filed a complaint against the union with the Attorney Generals Division of Civil Rights. The office has since investigated.

The Attorney Generals Office is requesting the Ironworkers Local 11 pay damages to the victim as well as civil penalties for its violations of the Law Against Discrimination.

Union leaders did not immediately return requests for comment Monday, but when allegations of this nature first surfaced in 2022, they denied any wrongdoing.

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Donald Trump and his allies have spent months upon months drilling into his supporters that Joe Biden is senile and probably in the late stages of dementia.

And theres a good argument to push that strategy given countless polls have shown Bidens age weighs heavy on voters minds. But setting such a low bar for the president going into Thursdays debate could backfire against Trump if Biden comes off as cogent and in charge.

At least, Trump and his surrogates seem to think so given what they had to say about the upcoming debate and their change in Bidens mental health.

This guy has got the ability, North Dakotas Doug Burgum said on CNN over the weekend. When he needs to he can step up.

CNNs Kaitlin Collins noted Burgum has called Biden infirm and pressed the possible Trump vice presidential pick whether it was a mistake to paint such a bleak picture of the incumbent.

Well, I dont know if it was a mistake or not. I think ... America sort of looks at the State of the State. He stood up and he spoke strongly for over an hour, Burgum said. And then when were with a group of governors with him back in Feburary, we were limited to two questions: One Republican governor and one Democrat.

Gov. Doug Burgum, who has previously criticized President Biden as infirm, now raises expectations ahead of his debate with former President Trump Thursday night. pic.twitter.com/bER47Xp7fB  Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 23, 2024

Texas Congressman Ronny Jackson, who worked as a top White House physician under Barack Obama and Trump, echoed calls by some for Biden to submit to a drug test ahead of the debate to make sure Biden isnt using performance-enhancing drugs.

Rep. Ronny Jackson announces on Maria Bartiromo's show that he's writing a letter to the White House demanding that Biden submit to a drug test for performance enhancing drugs before the debate pic.twitter.com/eRD02jXKSc  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 23, 2024

Jackson, for his part, was scolded by the Department of Defenses inspector general for, among other things, violating its policy on drinking alcohol and taking prescription medication.

Trump made similar claims over the weekend.

They want to get him good and strong, so a little before debate time he gets a shot in the ass, Trump said at a rally to laughs. They want to strengthen him up.

Trump on the debates: So, a little before debate time, he gets a shot in the ass. They want to strengthen him up. So he comes out. He'll come out. Okay. I say he'll come out all jacked up, right? pic.twitter.com/5p1tKxmwsX  Acyn (@Acyn) June 22, 2024

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Pro-Trump venture capitalist David Sacks is getting called out again by former GOP Congressman Joe Walsh after he blasted CNN on social media ahead of Thursdays debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Sacks joined the chorus on the right who are now critical of the fact CNNs Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate the event. The pro-Trump voices say the two wont be fair to the former president, despite Trump already having agreed to the terms of the debate  including that the first one would be hosted by CNN.

Oh quit being such a snowflake. And quit making Trump out to always be such a poor little victim who has everything rigged against him. @jaketapper & @DanaBashCNN are pros. Theyre both tough, fair & objective journalists wholl do a stand up job. Grow up. Walsh posted to X in response to Sacks saying, Donald Trumps real debate opponent on Thursday will be CNN.

Oh quit being such a snowflake. And quit making Trump out to always be such a poor little victim who has everything rigged against him. @jaketapper & @DanaBashCNN are pros. Theyre both tough, fair & objective journalists wholl do a stand up job. Grow up. https://t.co/kkuly6ZEmz  Social Contract with Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) June 24, 2024

Walsh is a former conservative Illinois congressman who was popular with the Tea Party movement. Hes since broke with the party over its allegiance to Trump.

Hes gone after Sacks in the past over the war in Ukraine after Sacks said U.S. troops shouldnt be on the ground in the conflict.

Shame on you @DavidSacks. At least have the decency to apologize for this horrible tweet of yours. Come on man, do the right thing. Apologize. https://t.co/SYzfs6ba6c  Social Contract with Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) June 28, 2023

Trump and his allies over the weekend have rolled back comments about Biden over the years accusing him of being senile or having dementia.

This guy has got the ability, North Dakotas Doug Burgum said on CNN over the weekend. When he needs to he can step up.

CNNs Kaitlin Collins noted Burgum has called Biden infirm and pressed the possible Trump vice presidential pick whether it was a mistake to paint such a bleak picture of the incumbent.

Well, I dont know if it was a mistake or not. I think ... America sort of looks at the State of the State. He stood up and he spoke strongly for over an hour, Burgum said.

Texas Congressman Ronny Jackson, who worked as a top White House physician under Barack Obama and Trump, echoed calls by some for Biden to submit to a drug test ahead of the debate to make sure Biden isnt using performance-enhancing drugs.

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Liz Cheney doesnt miss an opportunity to take a jab at Donald Trump  even when it comes to a Taylor Swift concert.

The ousted GOP congresswoman took to social media to share a clip of Swifts concert at Wembley Stadium in London over the weekend to cheer the artist for giving us a million reasons to smile.

And then she turned her attention to Trump.

PS-@realDonaldTrump this is what a sold out crowd actually looks like, Cheney posted to X.

Thank you @taylorswift13 for giving us a million reasons to smile.

PS- @realDonaldTrump this is what a sold out crowd actually looks like. https://t.co/v7bDyunnlr  Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) June 24, 2024

The comment comes after Trump held a rally in Philidelphia and many on social media took notice of how Trump, who boasts about the sizes of his crowds, wasnt able to fill a 10,0000-seat arena despite telling his supporters we have people standing outside.

Trump says "we have a lot of ppl standing outside" and he "broke the all time record" in this arena. There are rows of empty seats here pic.twitter.com/ixbErKjrQu  Jonathan Tamari (@JonathanTamari) April 30, 2017

Trump recently brought up Swifts name when he huddled behind closed doors with Republican lawmakers during a trip to Washington and questioned why she wasnt a supporter.

Virginia Congressman Ben Cline told The Hill that the former president talked about how he did sign legislation during his administration to help the songwriters, and that he was surprised that Taylor Swift didnt  didnt support him.

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Dogs Trust Ilfracombe is issuing a crucial warning to pet owners as temperatures are set to soar to a scorching 30C in parts of the UK.

With the UK Health Security Agency placing most of England under yellow heat alerts, the welfare of our canine companions is at significant risk.

Dogs Trust highlights that dogs are particularly susceptible to heat-related health issues because they can't regulate their body temperature as effectively as humans.

In extreme heat, dogs can suffer from heatstroke, which can be fatal if not promptly addressed.

The charity has said that even a short walk or play session in such high temperatures can lead to severe health problems for dogs.

Flat-faced breeds, known as brachycephalic dogs, including English Bulldogs, Pugs, and French Bulldogs, are particularly vulnerable to the heat.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs include heavy panting, excessive drooling, lethargy, drowsiness, uncoordinated movements, vomiting, diarrhoea, and collapsing.

A recent study revealed that nearly 75 percent of heat-related illnesses in UK dogs were due to exertion, with over two-thirds of these cases resulting from walking alone.

Dogs Trust has provided vital advice for owners who suspect their dog is suffering from heatstroke:

Immediate Action: Prevent further worsening of your dogs condition.

Cool First, Transport Second: Move the dog to a shaded, cool area and begin cooling them urgently.

Cooling Techniques:

For young, healthy dogs: immerse in cold water, such as a paddling pool, keeping their head above water. Alternatively, douse continuously with cold water.

For older dogs or those with health conditions: spray with room temperature water, avoiding the face, and combine with air movement from a fan or air conditioning. Place ice, wrapped in a tea towel, in their groyne and armpits.

Monitoring: Closely monitor cooling and stop if shivering occurs.

Avoid Wet Towels: Do not place a wet towel over the dog as this can raise their temperature.

Veterinary Assistance: Call your vet urgently for further advice and transport the dog there as quickly as safely possible, ensuring the car is cool.

Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director of Dogs Trust, urges pet owners to be vigilant: Dogs cant regulate their body heat in the same way as humans, so extra care needs to be taken. As owners, we need to know the signs that our dogs are getting too hot and help them take a rest and cool down when they need to. Some dogs arent good at self-regulating and may continue to run and play even though theyre hot and tired, which increases their risk of heatstroke.

If you do spot the signs of heatstroke in your dog, take steps to cool them down and contact your vet immediately.

Furthermore, Dogs Trust advises against leaving dogs alone in cars, as temperatures inside vehicles can rise rapidly, becoming fatal within minutes.

If you see a dog in distress in a car, it is imperative to call 999 immediately.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) celebrated the conclusion of the Little Calumet River Flood Control and Recreation Project at a press event held Monday at Highland's Wicker Park Social Center.

The project, which has spanned nearly four decades, has been undertaken by the USACE in partnership with the Little Calumet River Basin Development Commission, a body created by the Indiana state legislature to serve as the project's local sponsor, as well as various local entities. The project's architects were tasked with protecting an area stretching from the Illinois State Line to Martin Luther King Drive in Gary from flooding up to the 200-year level.

The region's dire need for flood prevention measures was underscored in September 2008, when heavy rainfall caused the Little Calumet River to overflow its banks, killing two, displacing hundreds and causing $88 million in damage after a levee failed. At the time of the disaster, the flood prevention effort had partially stalled, and some levee sections constructed through it had fallen into disrepair.

"It's unfortunate that it took that type of a situation to bring light to this project," Commission Chairman William Baker said at the event.

The little Calumet River Basin Development Commission took much of the blame for the flooding. During the following year's legislative session, then-Governor Mitch Daniels signed a bill authored by state Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, allowing the governor to restructure the commission. Daniels tapped Baker to lead the body as part of the body's overhaul.

"This is an opportunity to help move this project forward," Baker recalled telling his father at the time. "And I sure as heck can't make it any worse than it is right now."

The flood control project has involved building 22 miles of levees and floodwalls along with nearly 17 miles of hiking trails. The USACE has also overseen the preservation of over 550 acres of wetland and the relocation of seven miles of river channel. Other flood prevention measures included modifications to highway bridges and a new a flood warning system.

Former U.S. Congressman Pete Visclosky, who represented Indiana's 1st Congressional District from 1985 to 2021 and was one of the project's key backers, told attendees of Monday's event that the work has made the region substantially safer.

"We will not have anyone else lose their life because the Little Cal flooded," Visclosky said. "I would anticipate we're not going to have any more property damage."

According to the USACE, the flood prevention project now shields more than 9,500 homes and businesses across Gary, Griffith, Hammond, Highland and Munster, and prevents nearly $11 million in average annual flood damages. The Commission, funded in perpetuity by the Indiana legislature, will continue to support maintenance of the project as needed.

"We're not done here," U.S. Congressman Frank Mrvan, Visclosky's successor, said in his remarks. "There are many more things that we have to do with the project."

PHOTOS: Close out of the historic Little Calumet River Flood Damage Reduction Project
HAMMOND  Now Lake County's largest city, Hammond started out as a company town called State Line Slaughterhouse when the Detroit industrialist George Hammond opened the GH Hammond Meat Packing Company on the Grand Calumet River and the Illinois border in 1869.

The slaughterhouse rivaled those in Chicago's nearby Union Stock Yards and pioneered the refrigerated railcar, allowing it to ship beef, mutton, veal and other meats to Boston and the Northeast.

The slaughterhouse, which handled highly flammable animal fats, eventually burned down.

But now Hammond is returning to its roots with a new $52 million meat processing plant, which will allow Meats by Linz to boost its production capacity.

The new 120,000-square-foot Meats by Linz factory can process 1,000 cases of fillets a week, sending steaks to high-end steakhouses around the world, including STK Steakhouse, Kinzie Chophouse, St. Elmo's Steakhouse, Harry & Izzy's and Rosebud Steakhouse. The refrigerated plant is kept at around 33 degrees at all times to keep the meat cold, requiring workers to wear puffy jackets embroidered with their names while sawing through hunks of meat at their gleaming stainless steel workstations.

"It was less than two years ago that we were standing here with shovels and broke ground," project manager Rob Ferrino with 219 Development said. "Chefs and restaurateurs from all over the world will be coming to this facility in Hammond. The notoriety is going to be incredible. The facility will literally process tens of millions of dollars of the best beef in the world. It boasts of the largest dry age room in the world."

Slabs of beef are stacked from floor to ceiling in stainless steel racks in the 4,000-square-foot dry age room, which allows Meats by Linz to expand its dry-age program. It can age 18,000 full muscles at a time, as compared to 12,000 at the old Calumet City plant. The larger capacity allows Meats by Linz to handle different requests from customers, who might want their beef aged for 21 days or 85 days depending on their needs.

"It's state-of-the-art with humidity, temperature and timing for the meats," Ferrino said. "It's just amazing. For me, this has been a wonderful project to be involved with."

Meats by Linz, long based in Calumet City, was looking for a site in Hammond for more than a decade. The city of Hammond helped by assembling a site large enough at the former Queen Ann Candy factory at 628 Hoffman St.

"Mayor Tom McDermott saw the vision. We were able to take a 6.5-acre parcel and get with the sanitary district and take several acres from them and then take a parcel we purchased from Screw Conveyor and then put together three parcels to actually get this site large enough to accommodate Meats by Linz."

Meats by Linz is a national brand name associated with quality that supplies high-grade meat to steakhouses, hotels, country clubs, casinos, cruise lines and resorts across the globe.

"They're going to put Hammond on the map," McDermott said. "This company advertises on CNBC. I hear it every day. You hear it on Squawk on the Street. You hear it regularly. That's now a Hammond company. Their corporate headquarters is located right here in Hammond. That's a huge win. Hammond needs this investment and we welcome you to the city."

Meats by Linz plans to employ 400 people in Hammond. It will transfer over all its employees from Calumet City, many of whom already lived in Northwest Indiana and will end up with a shorter commute.

It may also spur more development in the area, Ferrino said.

"The rising tide will rise all boats. We're looking at other sites all around here because of the investment. They're the first to come in here and make this investment," he said. "It's been incredible over the last several years getting to know the family and getting to know (owner) Fred (Linz). Their attention to detail and their quality and the product they're putting out, there's not another company on the planet that does what they do. They're a fourth-generation family-owned company. Fred's grandfather started the company in a butcher shop. They've taken it to the next level. This is unbelievable, the state-of-the-art facility that's going to be in our community."

Meats by Linz will ramp up operations at its new Hammond plant on Monday. Linz, who joked he needed a drink every time officials brought up the $50 million price tag, will be away in California at a corporate event for their client The Cheesecake Factory.

"We're really happy to be here in Hammond. It's been a longtime dream," he said. "We've been looking to come across the state line for quite some time now. It's probably been about 12 years. The ironic thing about this property here that was found is that it used to be Queen Ann Candy, which is where my grandmother worked for 35 years."

The new meat processing plant sources its beef from a ranch in Oklahoma. The cows are slaughtered in Nebraska and Iowa and sent to the Hammond plant, which workers cut at carving stations. They cut the meat into fillets, rib eyes, T-bones, New York Strips, Kansas City Strips and other cuts of steak.

"We're really excited to be in Hammond," he said. "We cover throughout the world. We're shipping throughout Asia, through the Caribbean, throughout Mexico, throughout the United States. This building is going to give us an opportunity to do things we've never been able to do before, seeing that we were overcapacity. We're just excited about it."

The company is vertically integrated, raising its own cattle at a ranch in Oklahoma and growing its own feed in Colorado.

"It's more than just a meat joint. It's different things that we've tried to separate ourselves from the norm," he said. "In order to do that, we've had to get into into the live side and do things differently from everyone else. Anybody can just trade beef and bring in boxed beef and sell it. That's not what we want to do. We don't want to be everybody else. We want to be somebody special."

The company supplies steak to many white-tablecloth steakhouses in the Gold Coast and around the country, including Gino's Prime and Surf, Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, Chicago Chophouse, the Chicago Firehouse Restaurant, the Oregon Grill, Ditka's Restaurant, The Ruxton, Dominick's Steakhouse, Shula's, Jeff Ruby's, The Choptank, Chamberlain's Steak and Fish and Maple & Ash.

"We're looking to keep this thing going for a very long time," Linz said. "We're looking to take this thing to the next level."

The plant will boost Meats by Linz's production capacity. It has eight truck bays instead of five so it can move more boxes of steaks, which it also wholesales and sells online. It has enough space to stage 24 pallets of steak  a full truckload  in front of each dock door.

The facility can hold up to 1,800 pallets of high-grade beef in a single freezer.

"We'll be able to do a lot more in a lot less time," Linz said.
Partisan hit jobs. Left-wing smears. Thats how Mark Robinsons aides characterize any attention to his diatribes against Jewish people, gay people, women. They want voters in North Carolina, where he is the Republican nominee for governor, to see him as just another conservative whose straight talk and religiousness come under predictable fire from the ambassadors of wokeness. Nothing to see here, folks, nothing but the usual disdain for MAGA might.

Thats a lie as big as any in an epoch of epic fabulism. And Robinsons fate will be an especially revealing referendum on just how much, in the America of 2024, tribalism trumps common sense and common decency and voters tune out the truth.

The governors race pits Robinson, whod be North Carolinas first Black governor, against Josh Stein, the Democrat, whod be its first Jewish one. To go by polls, its a dead heat. But the Stein campaign has only just begun its advertising blitz and three weeks ago released a whopper of an ad that spotlights Robinsons 2019 remark that abortion is about killing the child because you werent responsible enough to keep your skirt down.

Robinsons rants  mocking Paul Pelosi after he was attacked, suggesting that Michelle Obama is a man  are that hateful. And theyre the very foundation of his improbable political career: He was elected lieutenant governor of North Carolina in 2020 almost solely on the basis of a single speech in opposition to sensible restrictions on firearms. His work history included nothing  zilch  that prepared him for political leadership. But he could shout. He could spew.
Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, last week dropped most of the 46 cases against pro-Palestinian demonstrators charged in the April 30 siege of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University because prosecutors had little proof that the cases would stand up at trial.

There was limited video footage of what took place inside the campus building, Doug Cohen, a spokesman for the district attorney, said in a statement. The protesters wore masks and covered security cameras, preventing prosecutors from identifying those who had barricaded the doors and smashed chairs, desks and windows during the 17-hour occupation.

The district attorney announced the decision to drop 31 of the 46 cases during a court hearing on Thursday. Apart from trespassing, a misdemeanor, proving any other criminal charges would be extremely difficult, Mr. Cohen said.

For similar reasons, prosecutors also dismissed charges against nine of the 22 students and staff members at City College who were arrested inside a campus building and charged with burglary during a protest that took place on the same night as the arrests at Hamilton Hall.
The gunman who opened fire on Friday at a grocery store in Fordyce, Ark., killing four people and hurting 10 others, did not appear to target anyone, officials say, or have any known links to the victims. But the officers in the town of 3,400 who rushed there and eventually subdued the assailant could not have felt more connected.

They knew everyone personally, from the suspect to the victims on scene, said Col. Mike Hagar, the director of the Arkansas State Police. He said the officers and deputies were not referring to the victims generically. Theyre calling them by name. They know these people. Theyre their friends. Theyre their neighbors. And that, he said, has made this so personal and so difficult.

That level of closeness was among the revelations Sunday as the police provided the fullest account yet of what was essentially eight minutes of mayhem. Officers arrived at the Mad Butcher grocery store three minutes after the first shot was fired, then took down the gunman five minutes later.

Four people died: Callie Weems, 23; Roy Sturgis, 50; Shirley Taylor, 62; and Ellen Shrum, 81. An additional person was identified late Saturday as having been injured by the gunman, bringing the total to 10. Of the five people who remained hospitalized, one woman was still in critical condition at a hospital in Little Rock, Mr. Hagar said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering an award for information about two wildfires in southern New Mexico that left two people dead, prompted the evacuation of thousands and scorched more than 24,000 acres.

The agency is offering up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for starting the fires near the village of Ruidoso, N.M, the agency said in a statement.

The F.B.I. asked for the publics help in identifying what sparked the blazes.

Margot Cravens, a spokeswoman for the F.B.I.s field office in Albuquerque, declined to comment on Sunday evening but confirmed that the agency was assisting with the investigation.

The South Fork and Salt fires began on June 17 amid sweltering temperatures and were still burning on Sunday evening. Extreme temperatures, low humidity and heavy rain in the area have complicated efforts to extinguish the fires, which are burning in the Mescalero Apache tribal area, on U.S. Forest Service land and in areas around Ruidoso.
This interview contains spoilers for Season 2, Episode 2 of House of the Dragon.

One soul in two bodies. Thats how Ser Arryk Cargyll (Luke Tittensor), sworn member of the Kingsguard of Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), refers to himself and his identical twin, Erryk (Elliott Tittensor). But Ser Erryk is now a member of the Queensguard, knights dedicated to the service of Aegons half sister and rival for the Iron Throne, Rhaenyra (Emma DArcy). With this weeks episode, their lifelong unity comes to a bloody end.

In Episode 2 of House of the Dragon Season 2, Arryk is dispatched by his vindictive commander, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), to infiltrate Rhaenyras stronghold, Dragonstone, and assassinate her while posing as his own twin, one of her personal protectors. The ruse is exposed in horrific fashion when brother attacks brother; Erryk triumphs and saves his queen but kills himself rather than live with the pain of the act. As an allegory for the senseless squandering of human life in Rhaenyra and Aegons so-called Dance of the Dragons, it is a hard one to miss.

Yet, when it comes time to thank the actors for a chance to pick their brains about their brutal final duel for the fate of Queen Rhaenyra, I catch myself referring to their brain, singular. It speaks to the effectiveness of the Tittensor twins work as the doomed knights that their one soul in two bodies mentality is catching.

The brothers are self-effacing about having landed these pivotal roles, though. Im not sure how big the pool of identical twins that they had to look in was, but when our agents came knocking about the job, we already had the long hair and the beards, Elliott said in a joint video call on Thursday. In their eyes, we were pretty much ready to step into it.
Netanyahu said the war in Gaza could enter a new phase

The intensive phase of Israels war against Hamas is about to end, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday, adding that he did not mean that the conflict was over.

Netanyahus remarks, in an interview on Israeli television, were the latest suggestion by Israeli officials that the war could soon change. Israels defense minister, Yoav Gallant, said over the weekend that his meetings with Biden administration officials this week would include discussion of the transition to Phase C in Gaza.

Last October, Gallant outlined a three-part battle plan, beginning with a period of intense airstrikes against Hamas targets and infrastructure, then a period of ground operations to eliminate pockets of resistance.

The third phase, Gallant said then, would be to create a new security reality for the citizens of Israel  presumably by achieving Israels stated goals of dismantling Hamass military and governing capabilities in Gaza.
The E.U. bites into Apple

Apples feud with global regulators escalated after the European Union on Monday charged the iPhone maker with stifling competition on its App Store, a breach that carries potentially big penalties and could upend a hugely profitable area of the tech giants business.

The $3 trillion company is the first to be charged under the Digital Markets Act, a landmark 2022 E.U. law that was designed to reduce the dominance of six mostly American online gatekeepers. Of those, Amazon, Google and Meta are also under investigation, and The Financial Times reports that Microsoft could face charges tied to its market dominance.

Here are the E.U.s accusations against Apple:

The App Store violates so-called steering rules. Regulators say that app developers cannot easily inform their customers about new offerings, including cheaper deals, within Apples ecosystem.

The fees Apple charges are excessive.

The bloc is also investigating Apple again for noncompliance, including over a core technology fee that equates to a half-euro charge per user download.

Apple is facing a slew of regulatory hurdles at home and abroad, as the company plays catch-up in the artificial intelligence race. On Friday, Apple said it would delay rolling out new A.I. products and services in Europe because of regulatory uncertainties.

And the company already faces a $2 billion E.U. fine for impeding competition in the music streaming sector.
When the White House chief of staff, Jeffrey Zients, met with dozens of top executives in Washington this month, he encountered a familiar list of corporate complaints about President Biden.

The executives at the Business Roundtable, a group representing some of the countrys biggest corporations, objected to Mr. Bidens proposals to raise taxes. They questioned the lack of business representation in the Cabinet. They bristled at what they called overregulation by federal agencies.

While the meeting was not antagonistic, it was indicative of three and a half years of executive grousing about Mr. Biden. Business leaders have criticized his remarks on corporate greed and his appearance on a union picket line. They chafe at the actions of officials he has appointed  particularly the head of the Federal Trade Commission, Lina Khan, who has moved to block a series of corporate mergers.

A number of prominent figures in Silicon Valley and on Wall Street  including the venture capitalists David Sacks and Marc Andreessen, and the hedge fund magnate Kenneth Griffin  have grown increasingly vocal in their criticism of Mr. Biden, their praise of former President Donald J. Trump, or both.
Stephanie Loomis had hoped that the chaos besieging the global supply chain was subsiding. The floating traffic jams off ports. The multiplying costs of moving freight. The resulting shortages of goods. All of this had seemed like an unpleasant memory confined to the Covid-19 pandemic.

No such luck.

As head of ocean freight for the Americas at Rhenus Logistics, a company based in Germany, Ms. Loomis spends her days negotiating with international shipping carriers on behalf of clients moving products and parts around the globe. Over the last few months, she has watched cargo prices soar as a series of disturbances have roiled the seas.

Late last year, Houthi rebels in Yemen began firing on ships entering the Red Sea en route to the Suez Canal, a vital artery for vessels moving between Asia, Europe and the East Coast of the United States. That prompted ships to avoid the waterway, instead moving the long way around Africa, lengthening their journeys by as much as two weeks.

Then, a severe drought in Central America dropped water levels in the Panama Canal, forcing authorities to limit the number of ships passing through that crucial conduit for international trade.
This article is part of our Pets special section on scientists growing interest in our animal companions.

Amy Conroy sat alone in a veterinary exam room, hands clutching a water bottle, eyes blinking back tears. Her 16-year-old cat, Leisel, had been having trouble breathing. Now, she was waiting for an update.

The door opened, and Laurie Maxwell came in.

Ms. Maxwell works for MedVet, a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital in Chicago. But when she took a seat opposite Ms. Conroy on a Monday evening in May, she explained that she wasnt there for the cat. She was there for Ms. Conroy.

Ms. Maxwell is a veterinary social worker, a job in a little-known corner of the therapy world that focuses on easing the stress, worry and grief that can arise when a pet needs medical care.

Pets no longer exist at the periphery of the human family  to take one example, a survey in 2022 found that almost half of Americans sleep with an animal in their bed. As that relationship has intensified, so has the stress when something goes wrong. Those emotions can spill over at animal hospitals, where social workers can help pet owners work through difficult choices, such as whether to euthanize a pet or whether they can afford to pay thousands of dollars for their care.

Though still rare, social workers in animal hospitals are growing in their ranks. Large chains, like VCA, are beginning to employ them, as are major academic veterinary hospitals. The service is typically offered for free. About 175 people have earned a certification in veterinary social work from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, which is a center for the field.
In the middle of North America, there is a portal to the deep recesses of Earths rocky interior. The portals mouth  a furrowed pit about half a mile wide  spirals 1,250 feet into the ground, exposing a marbled mosaic of young and ancient rock: gray bands of basalt, milky veins of quartz and shimmering constellations of gold. Beneath the pit, some 370 miles of tunnels twist through solid rock, extending more than 1.5 miles below the surface. For 126 years, this site in Lead, S.D., housed the Homestake Mine, the deepest and most productive gold mine on the continent.

In 2006, the Barrick Gold Corporation donated the mine to the state of South Dakota, which converted it into the largest subterranean laboratory in the United States, the Sanford Underground Research Facility. Although the lowest tunnels flooded after mining ceased, it is still possible to descend nearly a mile beneath the planets surface. Most of the scientists who do so are physicists conducting highly sensitive experiments that must be shielded from interfering cosmic rays. But a few biologists also venture into the underground labyrinth, typically seeking its dankest and dirtiest corners  places where obscure creatures extrude metal and transfigure rock.

On a bitingly cold December morning, I followed three young scientists and a group of Sanford employees into the cage  the bare metal elevator that would take us 4,850 feet into Earths crust. We wore neon vests, steel-toed boots and hard hats. Strapped to our belts were personal respirators, which would protect us from carbon monoxide in the event of a fire or explosion. The cage descended swiftly and surprisingly smoothly. Our idle chatter and laughter were just audible over the din of unspooling cables and whooshing air. After a controlled plummet of about 10 minutes, we reached the bottom of the facility.

Our two guides, both former miners, directed us into a pair of small linked rail cars and drove us through a series of narrow tunnels. Within 20 minutes, we had traded the relatively cool and well-ventilated region near the cage for an increasingly hot and muggy corridor. Whereas the surface world was snowy and well below freezing, a mile down it was about 90 degrees with nearly 100 percent humidity. Heat seemed to pulse through the rock surrounding us, and the air was thick and cloying; the smell of brimstone seeped into our nostrils. It felt as though we had entered hells foyer.
When Jason Weaver arrived at his middle school in Chicago wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with The Lion King logo in 1993, his classmates sneered. The apparel had been a gift from Disney when Weaver recorded the singing voice of young Simba, but the blockbuster animated film had yet to be released.

They were like, What the hell is The Lion King? Weaver, 44, recalled in a recent video interview. They didnt believe in any way shape or form I would be involved with a Disney film  not a kid from the South Side.

Until then, Weaver had mostly done print and commercial work in Chicago. Hed landed a small role in the civil rights drama The Long Walk Home and played a young Michael Jackson in the ABC mini-series The Jacksons: An American Dream. But for kids, a Disney theatrical movie was on another level.

During an hour-and-a-half Lion King recording session in 1992, Weaver, who was turning 13, had sung the lead vocals for I Just Cant Wait to Be King, the braggadocious anthem belted by the lion cub Simba as he fantasizes about inheriting the pridelands from his father, Mufasa.
One of three masked intruders who told a Connecticut multimillionaire and her partner that they had been injected with a lethal virus and would receive the antidote only if they paid $8.5 million has pleaded guilty in the 2007 home invasion, prosecutors said.

After spending more than a decade as a fugitive, the man, Stefan Alexandru Barabas, 38, pleaded guilty last week to an extortion charge, the federal prosecutors office for the District of Connecticut announced. Three co-conspirators have already been sentenced.

Prosecutors said that just before midnight on April 15, 2007, Mr. Barabas, a Romanian citizen, and two other men entered an estate in South Kent, Conn., wearing masks and carrying knives and imitation guns. A fourth man drove them close to the home and later picked them up.

The men bound and blindfolded Anne Bass, an arts patron, and her longtime partner, Julian Lethbridge, an artist.
When an unheralded candidate for the State Assembly submitted a six-figure request for matching funds under New Yorks new public campaign finance system, it came with glaring red flags.

Of nearly 300 contribution cards turned in by the candidate, Dao Yin, only nine had donors phone numbers or email addresses as required under the systems guidelines.

The lack of compliance caused the state Public Campaign Finance Board to initially reject Mr. Yins request for most of the matching funds tied to cash contributions, records obtained by The New York Times show. But in April, the board threw Mr. Yin a lifeline, allowing him to submit copies of good-faith letters, documenting his supposed attempt to obtain the missing information from the donors.

The board soon sent him $162,800 in matching campaign funds, the eighth-highest amount awarded to a State Assembly candidate running this year. The board said no other state candidate has used the good-faith letters; neither Mr. Yin nor regulators provided any evidence that he had sent them to any of the donors in question.
Lawrence J. Fredella, Ms. Wus lawyer, could not immediately be reached for comment on Monday.

Ms. Wu was off duty at the time of the shooting. She was suspended without pay from the Police Department after being charged in connection with the shooting and was officially dismissed on Monday. Before her dismissal, Ms. Wu had worked in the department for five and a half years and had been assigned to a Brooklyn precinct.

Ms. Wu was waiting in Ms. Lis apartment in the Bensonhurst neighborhood on Oct. 13, 2021, when Ms. Li arrived with Ms. Liang in the late afternoon, according to police reports. The police received several 911 calls around 5 p.m.

When officers arrived, they discovered Ms. Li lying on the bedroom floor and Ms. Liang on the living room floor. Ms. Liang had been shot at least once in the chest and was pronounced dead soon after. Ms. Li had been wounded in the torso.

At a news conference after the shooting, Chief Michael Kemper, then the commanding officer of Patrol Borough Brooklyn South, said Ms. Wu had calmly confessed to the shooting when officers came to the apartment.

In September 2022, Ms. Li and Ms. Liangs father filed a wrongful-death lawsuit on behalf of Ms. Liangs estate against the city and Ms. Wu, claiming that the city had known that Ms. Wu was suffering from psychological issues that rendered her unfit to have a gun, but had permitted her to keep one anyway.
After a month and a half of testimony from government witnesses, lawyers for Senator Robert Menendez this week are expected to begin rebutting the web of corruption charges facing New Jerseys senior senator, once one of the most powerful Democrats in Washington.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan are likely to wrap up their case against Mr. Menendez by Wednesday. Mr. Menendezs lawyers will then begin to call witnesses; they have said they might call as many as four dozen.

Mr. Menendez, 70, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he doled out political favors to friends and foreign governments in exchange for bribes both eye-popping and mundane: hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, gold bars, a Mercedes-Benz, Formula One race tickets, a reclining chair and an exercise machine.

He is charged with acting as an agent of a foreign government and is the first senator in American history to be indicted twice in separate bribery cases  facts that have infused the proceeding with a sober, precedent-setting tone.
For years, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency sent millions of dollars each month to Gaza to pay employees and support hospitals, schools and other infrastructure, according to a new lawsuit. The money was wired from New York, where the agency has an office, to the West Bank, where financial institutions loaded some of that cash onto trucks to be driven across Israel to Gaza.

The suit, filed Monday in federal court in Manhattan, said some of those dollars ended up funding the military operations of Hamas, the Islamist group that has controlled Gaza for nearly 20 years and has pledged to erase the Jewish state. The money trail is at the heart of the case against seven current and former top UNRWA officials who are accused of knowing that Hamas siphoned off more than $1 billion from the agency to pay for, among other things, tunneling equipment and weapons that aided its attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

About 100 Israeli plaintiffs  including at least one who was held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, others who survived the attack, as well as the estates of some who died  are seeking unspecified financial damages. They claim that UNRWA is liable because it helped fund Hamas, which the United States and other countries deem a terrorist organization.

UNRWA has been sued several times since the attacks, with some cases claiming that the agency has abetted Hamas and others attempting to cut off UNRWAs funding. The case filed on Monday goes further, describing how the plaintiffs believe agency money ended up in the hands of Hamas and how the terrorists used its resources in the attack on Israel.
If youre a typical American voter in any party, allow me to let you in on a little secret: What matters most to you in a presidential debate probably isnt the same thing that gets the most attention from the candidates, the campaigns and their allies in the immediate aftermath of those big televised showdowns.

Ive learned this from studying American reactions to almost every general election presidential debate since 1992. Ive sat with small groups of voters selected from pools of thousands of undecided voters nationally, watching more than two dozen presidential and vice-presidential debates in real time, and it still amazes me that minuscule moments, verbal miscues and misremembering little details can matter so much in the spin room and to partisan pundits afterward. Yet those things often have little to no discernible impact on the opinions of many people watching at home.

To be fair, some of the debates I watched with voters, like Bill Clinton and Bob Doles in 1996, had no major impact on the electorates mood. Others  like the three-way town hall debate with Mr. Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot in 1992 and the first George W. Bush-Al Gore debate in 2000 and the three Donald Trump-Hillary Clinton collisions  arguably changed history.

As the first scheduled debate between President Biden and Mr. Trump unfolds this Thursday, the key moments that will have the greatest impact on the remaining undecided voters are those in which the candidates attack each other in defining ways or undermine the political case that each wants to present to Americans. Viewers will quickly decide whether the accusations are fair and the responses effective. From Ronald Reagans Are you better off than you were four years ago? in 1980 to Barack Obama emphasizing hope and change in 2008 to Mr. Trump telling Mrs. Clinton in 2016 that she would be in jail if he won, I think those key debate moments made a meaningful difference in shaping the opinions of undecided or wavering voters who related to what they heard; I certainly saw it in my focus groups and public opinion research. These moments mattered more than any candidate flub or gaffe.
Among the most fraught questions about this election is the health of the aging candidates themselves.

President Biden is 81 and former President Donald Trump is 78; the major presidential parties have never before put forth candidates who are as old. Both men have been seen as showing signs of cognitive decline, leading to calls for greater disclosure about the health of our presidential candidates.

These arguments raise hard questions that will not be addressed in this weeks debate, but they are still increasingly timely. How much information do our politicians owe us about their health? And more broadly as our society ages, who gets to decide how old is too old? It is natural to assume that physicians might have a better understanding than other voters of how healthy either Mr. Trump or Mr. Biden is. But its not that simple.

The health of politicians has long been characterized by secrecy and political maneuvering (recall President Franklin Roosevelt, whose wheelchair was rarely visible in photographs). But they are even more pressing today, as social media amplifies questions about the health and fitness of public officials. Take, for instance, Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, whose health was a topic of great debate when he ran for office while recovering from a near-fatal stroke. Or former President Trumps diagnosis of Covid in office and the attendant, and highly politicized, speculation about its severity.
Its a strange time for gay rights in America. As the country nears the 10th anniversary of the legalization of gay marriage nationwide, support for it has risen to 70 percent of the American public. But at the same time, L.G.B.T.Q. people are being targeted in ways not seen since the days of Save Our Children, Anita Bryants infamous 1977 campaign against gay rights that depicted gay men as human garbage and pedophiles.

In recent years, Republican-controlled state legislatures have banned drag shows, gender-affirming care for minors and adults, and the teaching of sexual orientation from kindergarten through the third grade, including the passage of Floridas Dont Say Gay law. Panic about grooming, a homophobic slur that exploits peoples worst fears about gay people and children, is having a moment.

Even Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriage nationally, is under attack. In 2020, Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas cast doubt on the legality of the ruling, which could yet go the same way as Roe v. Wade. The Respect for Marriage Act, passed by Congress in 2022, did not codify the ruling into law and would provide scant protection.

Clearly, marriage equality was not enough to bring full equality to L.G.B.T.Q. Americans. It would be wishful to think it could, perhaps. But the gay marriage campaign was a major missed opportunity to expand L.G.B.T.Q. equality. When compared with its foreign counterparts, the American campaign was notable for one thing: the extraordinary modesty of its framing.
This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email transcripts@nytimes.com with any questions.

michelle cottle

I am Michelle Cottle, a correspondent for New York Times Opinion. And I cover national politics. [UPBEAT MUSIC] House member Lauren Boebert is approaching the end of a primary fight for her political future. Boebert is the ultra-MAGA, over-the-top House member from Colorado who is known, depending on how you want to slice it, either for wanting to impeach Joe Biden and heckling him during his State of the Union speech or for getting thrown out of a Denver theater when she was caught vaping and playing gropey with her date. So if she loses Tuesdays primary, she will be probably by far the flashiest Trump minion to fall. If she wins, it will be in part because of her ability to modulate her message for different audiences, just like regular old politicians so often have to do. And either way, her fate is going to tell us something about the limits of extreme Trumpism by candidates not named Trump, and also how much room these kind of candidates have to maneuver within the strictures of the MAGA-verse. The tricky thing about Colorado for the GOP is that it is a purple-trending blue state. And in 2022, she came just a few hundred votes close to losing a safe Republican House seat to a largely unknown Democrat. So she has since moved across the state to the east side and is now running in a district that is even more safely Republican. But in her new district, some of the voter-rich areas arent really that MAGA Republican so much as they are old-school Republican, like Mitt Romney or Liz Cheney. All of this has her scrambling to tweak her image, expand her appeal, win over her new hopeful constituents. So I felt like I just had to go out to Colorado just to see how she was doing. It was a tale of two Boeberts. So Im at the Wide Open Saloon in Douglas County, Colorado, talking with fans of Lauren Boebert. The Wide Open Saloon Event was this upscale biker bar that was just Boebert fans and Trump fans. Are you a big Boebert fan?

female speaker

Yes, I am.

michelle cottle

So how long have you been paying attention to her?

female speaker

I guess I saw her on TV with Trump. And Trump is not perfect. But hes my man.

michelle cottle

Hes your man?

female speaker

Hes my man. And she supports him. And weve got to get this country back on track.

michelle cottle

Theres lots of biker gear and anti-Biden t-shirts and MAGA hats. And Boebert could really just Trump it up and appeal to the part of the party that the fans of hers on national TV and in conservative circles just absolutely adore.

female announcer

We have patriots in the house! Todd, thank you so much for opening up the Wide Open Saloon and bringing so many wonderful, hard-working, red-blooded conservative Americans who are tired of the political persecution, the election interference, the demise of our country and our Constitution. Every one of us here is ready to take a stand and take back our state and take back our country.

michelle cottle

But most of the stuff I saw when I was following her around was much lower key and was not that in-your-face, antagonistic, over the top attitude. Shes trying to convince her new district that she is more than just her MAGA warrior self, that when she needs to, she can be very pragmatic, she can be very productive, that she can work to get things done. I do think she is an interesting example of what do you do when youre this MAGA person, but youre too MAGA and you got to figure out can you de-MAGA without losing MAGA?

lauren boebert

It is wonderful to be here in Washington County tonight. Thank you so much to the Farm Bureau for putting this on.

michelle cottle

So there was an event way out in the middle of nowhere. It was this tiny candidate forum sponsored by the local Farm Bureau, where she was talking about forging compromises with Democrats to get stuff done, which was absolutely not the sort of thing that her MAGA national base wants to hear about.

lauren boebert

Water, water, water  this is absolutely one of our most important issues here in Colorado. And when it comes to water, I have legislation that I have co-sponsored with our senators, forming coalitions with Democrats that is commonsense and does not compromise our Republican principles.

michelle cottle

So in this campaign, she is looking to balance what feels irreconcilable, which is this persona as an uncompromising, over the top MAGA warrior hell-bent on destroying the libs and saving America from wishy-washiness and this message to skeptical Coloradans that shes an effective legislator who is pragmatic enough to deliver on the issues they care about, even if that occasionally means collaborating with the political enemy. And this speaks to a bigger problem that the Republican Party is facing, which is that very few politicians other than Trump can get away with just hardcore Trumping all the time. And heck, even he lost the presidency in 2020. [UPBEAT MUSIC] I specifically asked her about the tensions between balancing her national brand with her need to present a more pragmatic approach to local voters or whatever. And she dismissed the idea that there was any tension there. And in fact, when talking about the current race, she was very clear she has only one speed.

lauren boebert

That Im radically Lauren Boebert.

michelle cottle
On Sunday evening, in honor of International Olympic Day and just before the couture shows began, Anna Wintour, the editor of American Vogue and global chief content director of Conde Nast, flexed her muscles.

Metaphorically speaking, of course.

Literally speaking, she shut down Place Vendome  the gilded center of high jewelry brands in Paris and home of the Ritz hotel  for the third edition of Vogue World, the fashiontainment extravaganza she introduced in 2022 as a cousin to the Met Gala and as a potential path forward (and revenue stream) in the face of glossy magazines decline. Imagine P.T. Barnum meeting Florenz Ziegfeld and together they hatch a fashion show, and youll get the idea.

Like the Met Gala, Vogue World, which was previously held in New York and London, is a live expression of Vogues power and an effort to position the magazine as an arbiter of influence, culture and people. Like the Mets annual fund-raiser, it involves great eye candy, in terms of both clothes and celebrity. Unlike the Met, however, anyone who can afford a ticket, or wants to watch the livestream from afar, can get inside. Can be part, that is to say, of Vogues world. Aspiration is part of the price of admission  if you want to buy in.

This time around, that meant about 800 guests, many of them paying 3,000 euros (or $3,205, including tax) for a second-row seat, and 2,000 for third row, as well as the chance to hob nob (or at least be close to) the first row, which was largely reserved for every French designer under the sun as well as fashion-adjacent friends of Vogue such as Emma Chamberlain, Selma Blair and Russell Westbrook. Ms. Wintour herself was sandwiched between John Galliano  in yet another show of her support for that designer  and Pharrell Williams, the Louis Vuitton mens wear designer (among many other things).
Apple is imposing unfair restrictions on developers of applications for its App Store in violation of a new European Union law meant to encourage competition in the tech industry, regulators in Brussels said on Monday.

Apple is the first company to be charged with violating the Digital Markets Act, a law passed in 2022 that gives European regulators wide authority to force the largest online gatekeepers to change their business practices.

The charges signal that the European Union, already known as an aggressive regulator of the tech industry, plans to intensify its crackdown. Amazon, Google and Meta are also facing investigations under the new competition rules, while TikTok and X are facing probes under another law intended to force internet companies to more aggressively police their platforms for illicit content.

The E.U. rules threaten to fragment the global tech market as companies delay the releases of certain products and services because of regulatory concerns. Last week, Apple said it would not release a software update for iPhone users in the European Union that included new artificial intelligence features because of regulatory uncertainty. Meta did not release Threads, its Twitter-like service, in the bloc until five months after it was available in the United States for similar reasons.
Wanda and Randy Bliek awoke on Saturday to the sound of water lapping against the walls of their home in Rock Valley, Iowa.

The couple rushed to their pickup truck and drove onto the street, but surging water pushed them against the curb. Unable to open the truck doors, they said, they escaped through the windows and climbed out into the neck-high current gushing down their street.

For eight long blocks, they alternated between swimming and walking to safety while neighbors screamed for help from their roofs. At one point, Ms. Bliek, 65, told her husband she was not sure she could continue.
A group of parents in Louisiana filed a federal lawsuit on Monday seeking to block a new state law requiring that the Ten Commandments be posted in every public school classroom.

The law, which was signed by Gov. Jeff Landry last week and made Louisiana the only state with such a mandate, was widely expected to be challenged.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, one of the organizations representing the parents, has condemned the legislation as blatantly unconstitutional. But the laws supporters were eager for a legal fight, which they hoped would bring the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court. They were optimistic that the courts conservative majority would support the mandate and overturn a 1980 ruling that struck down a similar law.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, filed on Monday in Federal District Court in Baton Rouge, La., are nine families with children in Louisiana public schools. They include two Unitarian Universalist families; a Presbyterian family; a Jewish family; an atheist family; and nonreligious families.
In the decades that Roe v. Wade was the law of the land, abortion rights groups tried to shore up support for it by declaring Abortion Is Health Care.

Only now, two years after the Supreme Court eliminated the constitutional right to abortion, and just six months before the presidential election, has the slogan taken on the force of reality.

The public conversation about abortion has grown into one about the complexities of pregnancy and reproduction, as the consequences of bans have played out in the news. The question is no longer just whether you can get an abortion, but also, Can you get one if pregnancy complications put you in septic shock? Can you find an obstetrician when so many are leaving states with bans? If you miscarry, will the hospital send you home to bleed? Can you and your partner do in vitro fertilization?

That shift helps explain why a record percentage of Americans are now declaring themselves single-issue voters on abortion rights  especially among Black voters, Democrats, women and those ages 18 to 29. Republican women are increasingly saying their partys opposition to abortion is too extreme, and Democrats are running on the issue after years of running away from it.
Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, agreed to plead guilty on Monday to a single felony count of illegally obtaining and disclosing national security material in exchange for his release from a British prison, ending his long and bitter standoff with the United States.

Mr. Assange, 52, was granted his request to appear before a federal judge at one of the more remote outposts of the federal judiciary, the courthouse in Saipan, the capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, according to a brief court filing made public late Monday. He is expected to be sentenced to about five years, the equivalent of the time he has already served in Britain, according to a law enforcement official familiar with the terms of the agreement.

It was a fitting final twist in the case against Mr. Assange, who doggedly opposed extradition to the U.S. mainland. The islands are a United States commonwealth in the middle of the Pacific Ocean  and much closer to Mr. Assanges native Australia, where he is a citizen, than courts in the continental United States or Hawaii.

Mr. Assange is scheduled to appear in Saipan at 9 a.m. local time on Wednesday and is expected to fly back to Australia at the conclusion of the proceedings, Matthew J. McKenzie, an official in the Justice Departments counterterrorism division, wrote in a letter to the judge in the case.
A protest outside of a synagogue in Los Angeless most densely populated Jewish enclave on Sunday drew unusually swift and forceful condemnation from top Democratic leaders including President Biden, reigniting debates about the boundaries of acceptable protest as tensions over the war in Gaza continue to flare across the country.

The president, along with Gov. Gavin Newsom of California and Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles, joined Jewish groups in seeking to cast synagogues and other houses of worship as off-limits to demonstrators.

Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American, Mr. Biden said in a statement posted on Monday on social media. Americans have a right to peaceful protest. But blocking access to a house of worship  and engaging in violence  is never acceptable.

Pro-Palestinian groups criticized that characterization, defending Sundays demonstration and arguing that protesting an event at a synagogue was not inherently antisemitic.
A lifeguard and professional surfer who grew up on the beaches of Oahu, Hawaii, cementing himself as a local celebrity both in the water and in film and television appearances, died on Sunday after he was attacked by a shark while surfing, the authorities said.

The surfer, Tamayo Perry, 49, was a lifeguard for Honolulu Ocean Safety who made acting appearances in the fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie and in the television series Lost and Hawaii Five-0.

He was pronounced dead after rescuers brought him ashore, Shayne Enright, a spokeswoman for the Honolulu Emergency Services Department, said in a statement.

Mr. Perry had been surfing near Goat Island off the northeast shore of Oahu when a 911 call came just before 1 p.m. for what appeared to be a fatal shark attack, the statement said.
After decades of wielding political, military and economic power across Africa, France is scaling back its presence on the continent as it faces significant resentment in many African countries. Yet one nation has emerged as an exception: Rwanda.

As other African nations seek to reduce Frances influence, Rwanda is embracing it, celebrating French culture, language and food, despite decades of frosty relations with Paris over its role in the 1994 Rwanda genocide. In return, French companies are scaling up their investments in Rwanda.

The detente, which is being championed by Rwandas longtime leader, Paul Kagame, has garnered France a much-needed security partner in Africa and secured Rwanda millions of dollars in development and trade funds. The warming relations are also rare good news for the French president, Emmanuel Macron, who has faced a wave of indignation across Africa and was crushed by the far right in the European parliamentary elections this month.

We have a partner in Kagame, Herve Berville, a French minister of state, said in an interview in the Rwandan capital, Kigali.
At least 47 people have died in southern Chinas Guangdong Province after torrential rains set off flooding and landslides, according to the Chinese authorities.

The city of Meizhou, home to about 3.8 million people, began experiencing once-in-a-century rainfall last week, according to state media. On Monday, officials were still working to restore power and water to some residents, after they said on Sunday that around 9,000 households remained without electricity.

Initially, officials reported that nine people in Meizhou had died. But on Friday afternoon, the death toll leaped dramatically, as officials reported an additional 38 deaths in Pingyuan, a county under Meizhous jurisdiction. Two more people there were still missing, they said, though no more information has been released.

More than 100,000 people were evacuated, state media said.

Meizhou has been hit hard by extreme weather this year. In May, 48 people died after a nearly 60-foot segment of an expressway there collapsed, also after days of heavy rain.
Dagestan attacks revive terrorism fears in Russia

At least 20 people were killed on Sunday in a seemingly coordinated assault in the Dagestan region of southern Russia. It was the deadliest attack in the area in 14 years.

The Russian authorities have designated the attack as an act of terror, but it was not immediately clear who was responsible. The gunmen targeted a police station as well as synagogues and Orthodox churches. Fifteen of the victims were police officers. One was an Orthodox priest, who was killed in his church. It is not known whether the attackers were specifically targeting members of law enforcement.

Five attackers were eventually killed by security forces, officials said.

The attack was reminiscent of the intense violence that gripped the Northern Caucasus, a predominantly Muslim region, in the late 1990s and early 2000s. That bloodshed was caused by a combination of Islamic fundamentalism and organized crime. Suppressing it became one of the central bragging points for the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, after he came to power in 1999.

That legacy is now being threatened by a resurgence of violence. In March, four gunmen killed 145 people at a concert hall near Moscow. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for that attack.
A fire at a lithium battery factory near Seoul on Monday killed 22 workers, most of them migrant laborers from China, in one of the deadliest blazes in South Korea in years, officials said.

Officials said rescuers were still searching the building in Hwaseong, 28 miles south of Seoul, for one worker who had been reported missing. They said it was unclear whether the worker had been in the building when the fire broke out.

Two workers were hospitalized with serious injuries. Six others suffered minor injuries.

Kim Jin-young, an official with the Hwaseong Fire Department, said 102 people had been working in the factory, owned by the battery maker Aricell, when the fire broke out. The 22 victims included 18 migrants from China and one from Laos, as well as two South Koreans.

They were found dead on the 12,500-square-foot second floor of the factory. The floor had two unlocked exit staircases leading outside, but the workers appeared to have been overcome by the flames and toxic smoke before reaching them, Mr. Kim said.
Leila de Lima, a former senator in the Philippines who was detained for six years after she criticized President Rodrigo Dutertes war on drugs, was cleared on Monday of the last of the charges that the authorities had held her on.

Ms. de Lima was a sitting senator when she was detained in 2017 on charges of taking bribes from drug traffickers. She served as the public face of the opposition to a bloody campaign that left thousands of people dead.

Her detention sent a stark warning to those who dared to question Mr. Dutertes war on drugs, which had started soon after he took office in 2016.

Ms. de Lima consistently maintained that the charges were false and part of an effort to keep her quiet. The prosecution presented 26 witnesses against her, according to court documents. In November 2023, she was released on bail after five witnesses recanted their testimony in the case. By then she had already been acquitted of two of the three charges filed against her.
Greek authorities said on Monday that the body of a missing German man was recovered near a gorge on the island of Crete, the latest in a series of fatal incidents involving tourists undertaking demanding hikes in the scorching heat.

At least 10 tourists have gone missing or been found dead this year in similar circumstances, according to Greek authorities. The country has experienced back-to-back heat waves earlier than usual this year, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) in many areas for several days in a row.

The 67-year-old mans body was found in rugged and inaccessible terrain near the Tripiti Gorge in southwestern Crete, the fire service said in a statement. It was first spotted by a drone on Sunday evening. Early Monday, the fire service sent a helicopter, though it took responders several hours to reach the body.

As of Monday, the mans name and cause of death had not been released.

According to Constantina Dimoglidou, a police spokeswoman, the man had contacted his wife early Sunday afternoon, saying he had run out of water and felt ill. He did not know his location, but the authorities traced his cellphone signal.
A deadly attack on a police station and places of worship in southern Russia on Sunday raised the specter of a new wave of violence in the countrys restive Northern Caucasus region and underlined the mounting security challenges facing the Kremlin amid the demands of the war in Ukraine.

A seemingly coordinated assault by gunmen in the two largest cities of the Dagestan region, which left at least 20 people dead, was the deadliest attack in the region in 14 years. It evoked memories of the intense violence that had gripped Russias predominantly Muslim region in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

That violence was caused by a combination of Islamic fundamentalism and organized crime. Suppressing it became one of the central bragging points for President Vladimir V. Putin after he came to power in 1999.

That legacy is now at risk of being undermined by a new spate of extremist violence.

In March, four gunmen killed 145 people at a concert hall near Moscow in an attack claimed by the Islamic State. It was the deadliest terrorist attack in Russia in more than a decade, and was carried out despite the fact that the United States provided Russia a fairly detailed warning of the plot.
Two bloody attacks in Dagestan, in southern Russia, on Sunday ignited fears of extremist violence on the home front, as the Kremlin pours resources and bodies into its sprawling war in Ukraine.

Gunmen slaughtered at least 20 people and set fire to houses of worship, and video quickly circulated on social media of men with rifles standing in a street and shooting, including at passing vehicles. Though little else is known about the attacks, they touched a nerve in a region long strained by separatist and ethnic tensions.

Here is what we know:

What happened, and who is responsible?

Groups of gunmen launched seemingly coordinated attacks on synagogues and Orthodox churches in two cities  Makhachkala, Dagestans capital, and Derbent  that are more than 70 miles apart.

Though Russian officials called the violence acts of terrorism, they did not blame the attacks on any specific people or groups. No organization has claimed responsibility, and the motive remains unknown.
Iranian officials insisted for decades that the law requiring women to cover their hair and dress modestly was sacrosanct and not even worth discussion. They dismissed the struggle by women who challenged the law as a symptom of Western meddling.

Now, as Iran holds a presidential election this week, the issue of mandatory hijab, as the hair covering is known, has become a hot campaign topic. And all six of the men running, five of them conservative, have sought to distance themselves from the methods of enforcing the law, which include violence, arrests and monetary fines.

Elections aside, politics aside, under no circumstances should we treat Iranian women with such cruelty, Mustafa Pourmohammadi, a conservative presidential candidate and cleric with senior roles in intelligence, said in a round-table discussion on state television last week. He has also said that government officials should be punished over the hijab law because it was their duty to educate women about why they should wear hijab, not violently enforce it.

The hijab has long been a symbol of religious identity but has also been a political tool in Iran. And women have resisted the law, in different ways, ever since it went into effect after the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Irans supreme court has overturned the death sentence of a dissident rapper who backed nationwide protests, according to his lawyer, reversing an April decision that had brought widespread criticism and outrage from human rights organizations and others.

Amir Raesian, the lawyer for the rapper, Toomaj Salehi, said in a post on X that by overturning the sentence, the court avoided an irreparable judicial error. He added that the court found that Mr. Salehis earlier prison sentence of six years and three months to be excessive, and that the case would be sent back to a lower court for review.

Mr. Salehi, 33, was one of the most prominent voices during the nationwide protests against Irans clerical rulers two years ago after the death in police custody of a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini. Ms. Amini had been arrested after the countrys morality police said she had violated Irans rules on head scarves.

Mr. Salehi was arrested in October 2022 after he released music criticizing the government and encouraged his followers to participate in demonstrations touched off by the death of Ms. Amini.
News analysis

Israeli soldiers near the border with Gaza in southern Israel last week.

Israels prime minister says the war in the Gaza Strip will soon enter a new phase.

The intense stage of the war with Hamas is about to end, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a television interview on Sunday. This does not mean that the war is about to end, but the war in its intense phase is about to end.

But whatever relief those comments may bring after more than half a year of horrific bloodshed, Mr. Netanyahu quickly made two things clear: A cease-fire in Gaza is not at hand. And the next fight might be in Lebanon, with the forces of a Hamas ally, Hezbollah.

After drawing down troops in Gaza, he said, We will be able to move part of our forces to the north.

Mr. Netanyahu stopped well short of announcing an invasion of Lebanon, a move that would likely result in heavy Israeli and Lebanese losses, and instead left open the door for a diplomatic resolution with Hezbollah.

Any diplomatic resolution in Gaza remains uncertain, in part because Mr. Netanyahus coalition would likely collapse if Israel stopped fighting in Gaza without having removed Hamas from power.

Still, the prime minister appeared to be signaling that Israel, after finishing its current military operation in Rafah, Gazas southernmost city, will not seek to mount major ground invasions of cities in central Gaza, the only area of the territory where the Israeli military has not carried out such attacks.

While Israeli leaders have said since January that they were transitioning to a lower-intensity war, the end of the Rafah operation might allow for the completion of that process.

The remarks from Mr. Netanyahu, and recent comments by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who was in Washington on Monday, indicated that the focus of Israels political discourse and strategic planning is shifting to its northern border with Lebanon.

In a statement on Monday, Mr. Gallants office said that he had discussed with American officials the transition to Phase C in Gaza and its impact on the region, including vis-a-vis Lebanon and other areas.

Early in the war, Mr. Gallant outlined a three-phase battle plan that included intense airstrikes against Hamas targets and infrastructure; a period of ground operations aimed at eliminating pockets of resistance; and a third phase, or Phase C, that would create a new security reality for the citizens of Israel.

Image A funeral for a member of Hezbollah who was killed in an Israeli attack in Lebanon in May. Credit... Diego Ibarra Sanchez for The New York Times

Since October, Israel has been fighting a low-level conflict with Hezbollah that has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians on both sides of the border. But the fighting has been overshadowed by the larger war in Gaza.

The shift in rhetoric over the weekend could be the harbinger of a major escalation between Hezbollah and Israel.

Israeli officials have been warning for months that they may invade Lebanon if Hezbollah, a powerful Iranian-backed militia that dominates southern Lebanon, does not withdraw its forces from near its border. Hezbollah has also threatened to invade Israel.

But a diminution in the fighting in Gaza could also end up creating space for a de-escalation of the hostilities at the Lebanese border. Hezbollah joined the fight in October in solidarity with Hamas, and its leadership has indicated that it could wind down its campaign if the war in Gaza ebbs.

Here are four ways the shift in Israels stance in Gaza may play out.

1. Raids in Gaza, but smaller ones

Once the Israeli campaign in Rafah ends in the coming weeks, the military is expected to focus on hostage-rescue operations across the Gaza Strip, like the one that rescued four Israelis in early June and killed scores of Palestinians.

Military officials also say they will continue to briefly raid neighborhoods they captured during earlier phases of the war, to prevent Hamas fighters from regaining too much strength in those areas.

Templates for that kind of operation include Israels return to Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City in March, four months after first raiding it, or its three-week operation in May in Jabaliya, which Israeli forces also first captured in November.

2. A Gaza power vacuum

By withdrawing from much of Gaza without ceding power to an alternative Palestinian leadership, Israel might essentially allow Hamass leaders to retain their dominance over the ruined enclave, at least for now.



Image Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, last week. The Israeli government has not proposed a clear plan for the administration of Gaza after the war ends. Credit... Eyad Baba/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images

It is possible that if it raided Gaza regularly, the Israeli military could prevent Hamas from returning to its former strength  but that would prolong a power vacuum in which large clans and gangs compete with Hamas for influence. That vacuum would make it even harder to rebuild Gaza, distribute aid and alleviate civilian suffering.

Israel is expected to retain control of Gazas border with Egypt, to deter arms smuggling there. It is also expected to continue to occupy a strip of land that separates northern and southern Gaza, preventing free movement between the two areas.

3. War with Hezbollah, or de-escalation

By moving more troops to its northern border, Israels military would be better placed to invade Lebanon so it can force Hezbollahs fighters farther away from Israeli territory.

But a buildup of troops there could provoke more rocket strikes from Hezbollah, increasing the likelihood of a miscalculation that could spiral into all-out war. Hezbollahs leader, Hassan Nasrallah, warned last week that the group could invade Israel, and the risk of escalation appears closer than it has in months.

At the same time, Israels declaration that it is moving into a new phase in Gaza could also provide a context for de-escalation. Less fighting in Gaza could give Hezbollah an off-ramp. In February, Mr. Nasrallah said that his group would stop firing when the shooting stops in Gaza.

A period of relative calm along the Lebanon border might also prompt displaced Israelis to return home. That in turn would ease pressure on the Israeli government to take firmer action against Hezbollah. One of the main reasons Israeli leaders considered invading Lebanon was to create conditions in which displaced Israelis could be convinced to return home.

Image An depiction of Abbas al-Musawi, a co-founder of Hezbollah, near Baalbek, Lebanon, last month. Credit... Diego Ibarra Sanchez for The New York Times

4. Continued tensions with the Biden administration

By announcing a drawdown in Gaza, Mr. Netanyahu reduced one source of friction with President Biden, but maintained others.

Mr. Biden has criticized Israels conduct of the war, even as his administration continues to fund Israel and supply it with arms. A less destructive war in Gaza will offer less opportunity for arguments with Washington over Israeli military strategy.

But Mr. Netanyahus refusal to articulate a clear plan for postwar governance of Gaza, as well as the lingering possibility of an Israeli invasion of Lebanon, leaves ample opportunity for disagreement with Washington.

The Biden administration wants the fighting with Hezbollah to end, and it has pressed Mr. Netanyahu for months to empower an alternative Palestinian leadership in Gaza. But Mr. Netanyahu has kept Gazas future vague, amid pressure from his right-wing coalition partners to occupy and resettle the territory with Israelis.
An Israeli strike killed a top official in charge of ambulance services in the Gaza Strip, local health officials said on Monday, as the Israeli defense minister met with top American officials in Washington about a possible new phase in the Israeli offensive.

The official, Hani al-Jafarawi, who was the director of ambulance and emergency services in Gaza, was killed in a strike on a health clinic in Gaza City, the Gazan Health Ministry said.

The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment. It said earlier on Monday that it had killed another man, Muhammad Salah, whom it called a Hamas operative, in Gaza City on Sunday night. It was not clear if the two men were killed in the same strike.

Hundreds of health care workers in Gaza have been killed by Israels pulverizing bombing campaign or have been caught in the middle of ground combat between the Israeli military and Hamas, according to the Health Ministry.

The meetings in the Washington area by Israels defense minister, Yoav Gallant, with the C.I.A. director, William J. Burns, and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Monday coincided with a potential shift in the military campaign signaled by Israeli officials in recent days.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the intensive phase of Israels war against Hamas was about to end, although he made clear that Israel would not stop fighting in Gaza until Hamas was eliminated.




Greg Smedley-Warren teaches kindergarten in Nashville.

The kids are so excited. Its pure joy.









Brycial Williams teaches kindergarten in Wynne, Ark.

I knew where my heart belonged.









Dwayne Taylor teaches kindergarten in Frontenac, Kan.

Working with the littles, thats where my passion lies.





Boys Are Struggling. Male Kindergarten Teachers Are Here to Help.

Boys are falling behind in school. They are less likely than girls to be ready for kindergarten. They read at lower levels. They graduate from high school at lower rates. This gender gap in education has significantly widened just in the last generation.

One group is uniquely positioned to help put boys on the right track in their first year of formal schooling: men who teach kindergarten. Yet only around 3 percent of kindergarten teachers are men.

Many studies show that older boys benefit from having male teachers. There hasnt been as much research on the youngest students and their teachers  in large part because there are so few male teachers in early education to begin with.

Still, it stands to reason that men who teach kindergarten can make a difference for boys, said Thomas S. Dee, a Stanford professor who has for decades researched the effect of teacher demographics on students.

We interviewed a dozen men with the job about being a rarity in their field. The teachers spoke about drawing on their own experiences as boys in school to address the challenges boys face today.

They come in and you can already see  behaviorally, academically  theyre behind the girls, said Kevin Clifford, 58, a kindergarten teacher in Yonkers. Kindergarten is the basics, its the building blocks, so I want to be there for that. They come in and you can already see  behaviorally, academically  theyre behind the girls, said Kevin Clifford, 58, a kindergarten teacher in Yonkers. Kindergarten is the basics, its the building blocks, so I want to be there for that.

Kindergarten enrollment has declined since the pandemic, and enrollment is lower among low-income families. But nearly nine in 10 children in the United States attend kindergarten, which experts say is a crucial starting point for academic success.

Most children thrive with the female teachers who are the core of the profession, in kindergarten and beyond. But diversity in the profession may be increasingly important, especially for boys at earlier ages, researchers said.

Kindergarten is becoming more academic, gender gaps are opening earlier and more of the professionals in childrens lives are women, said Richard V. Reeves, author of Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It.

I really worry that the very idea of educational success is becoming increasingly female-coded, he said. If boys are seeing education as not for them, he said, thats the risk.





First role models

One way male teachers make a difference is by relating to boys, like presenting material in a way that is more relevant to them or not succumbing to stereotypes, such as those about boys misbehavior or achievement in reading.

Mr. Clifford said that when he was disruptive in class as a young student, it wasnt that I didnt understand.

My behavior was bad because I was bored, he explained. So I can personally relate to what the boys go through.

There is also a role-model effect. Sometimes a teacher is the first man with a major presence in boys lives, as one in five children grow up without a father at home.

Dwayne Taylor, 47, a kindergarten teacher in Frontenac, Kan., was drawn to the job in part because he was raised by a single mother, without male role models. I wanted to be that for future students, he said. Pedro Romanelli, Dallas Dwayne Taylor, 47, a kindergarten teacher in Frontenac, Kan., was drawn to the job in part because he was raised by a single mother, without male role models. I wanted to be that for future students, he said. Pedro Romanelli, Dallas

Research shows that children also benefit from teachers who are of the same race. One study found that having a Black teacher in elementary school increased college attendance for Black students, and another found that Latino students performance improved when schools had Latino teachers.

I think its more important than the studies show, said Pedro Romanelli, 55, a kindergarten teacher in Dallas.

Even students who arent in his class run to him in the halls or grab his hand, he said: Theyre always boys, and theyre always Latino. When they see someone who looks like them, they may see a path there.

Keith Heyward Jr., 31, who teaches in Charleston, S.C., reads his class a book called The King of Kindergarten, about a Black boy on his first day of school. When a student in his class this year said, That looks like me, Mr. Heyward said, his eyes teared up.

He grew up playing classroom, pretending to be a teacher. Yet his own school experience was dispiriting; he was not really feeling appreciated or seen, he said. I have a big personality, I talk a lot. Now I see why I got in trouble.

I try to be a voice for children who look like me, act like me, sound like me, he said. I often tell my parents, when I have those children who do express themselves like that, Do not let your boys be diminished. Do not. The next thing you know, your childs lost their voice. Keith Heyward Jr., Charleston, S.C. I try to be a voice for children who look like me, act like me, sound like me, he said. I often tell my parents, when I have those children who do express themselves like that, Do not let your boys be diminished. Do not. The next thing you know, your childs lost their voice. Keith Heyward Jr., Charleston, S.C.





Emotional education

Longtime teachers say kindergarten is strikingly different today.

A positive development, particularly for boys, has been more focus on understanding emotions, for both children and teachers.

Social-emotional learning has given them vocabulary to express their feelings, said Greg Smedley-Warren, 45, a kindergarten teacher in Nashville.

Teachers have also learned to understand misbehavior as communicating a need for help, he said: When someones acting out, you step back and youre like, What is it they need? What are they missing? rather than, Youre being bad. Get out of my classroom.

Yet kindergarten has also become more academic and test-focused. Teachers in many states said there was much less time for play, physical education or recess  on some days, children didnt play outside at all  and more time sitting at desks.

This is challenging for all young children, teachers said, but particularly for some boys, who tend to mature later than girls and are more active overall.

We teach it, we test it, we move on, Mr. Warren said. I wish we could slow down and bring more play into our classrooms. He has no desks or chairs in his classroom  children can sit, stand, wiggle wherever they want. Theres a classroom trampoline, and each day ends with a dance party. Greg Smedley-Warren, Nashville Dwayne Taylor, Frontenac, Kan. Howard Braden, Ocala, Fla. We teach it, we test it, we move on, Mr. Warren said. I wish we could slow down and bring more play into our classrooms. He has no desks or chairs in his classroom  children can sit, stand, wiggle wherever they want. Theres a classroom trampoline, and each day ends with a dance party. Greg Smedley-Warren, Nashville Dwayne Taylor, Frontenac, Kan. Howard Braden, Ocala, Fla.

In Howard Bradens classroom in Ocala, Fla., the children learn phonics by forming their bodies in the shapes of letters before returning to their desks to write them.

Their bodies arent really made to just stay in that chair all day long, Mr. Braden, 53, said. They need that movement.





Expanding gender roles

Nearly all the men said part of their role as male teachers was to show students, especially boys, a different model of masculinity to prepare them for a world in which gender roles are less defined.

We learn how to cook. We show respect for the custodial staff, Mr. Taylor said. There are no boy jobs and girl jobs. If there is a mess, we clean it up.

Many of the men said that when they were growing up, their fathers were the disciplinarians and their mothers were the nurturers. While teaching kindergarten, they have had to take on a different role.

Daniel Saenz, 38, served as an Army lieutenant before teaching kindergarten in Midlothian, Texas. Of his disciplinary style, he said, Simply giving them a look or raising my voice to a certain tone, they quickly understand that this authority figure is not messing around.

But he has also learned to soften his approach. His teaching mentors, he said, taught me what it is to really be a teacher, and that was to show empathy, to give a hug to students, remind them there is someone there for you.

Empathy is something nearly all the teachers said was crucial to the job. For Jeffrey Towle, 36, who teaches in Long Beach, Calif., developing that skill has been a learning experience.

I had a kid come today and say, I love you, Mr. Towle, he said. To have that is so rewarding. It changes the way you see yourself. Jeffrey Towle, Long Beach, Calif. Daniel Saenz, Midlothian, Texas I had a kid come today and say, I love you, Mr. Towle, he said. To have that is so rewarding. It changes the way you see yourself. Jeffrey Towle, Long Beach, Calif. Daniel Saenz, Midlothian, Texas

That ability to talk to them on that nurturing level was not my strong suit, he said. I have definitely grown in that way.





Overcoming a stigma

There are many reasons that more men dont teach kindergarten. A big one is stigma, the teachers said.

Its looked down upon for a man to want to spend his whole day with children, said Riley Lyons, 44, who teaches in Atlanta.

Another obstacle, they said, is the pay. The median salary for the job, which requires a college degree and a teaching license, is $64,000, lower than comparable jobs requiring a degree.

Some of the male teachers said it was a particular barrier for men, because they felt there was a societal expectation that their salary support a family.

David Feldman, 47, a kindergarten teacher in St. Petersburg, Fla., said the pay was the main warning he would give to men considering the job. The trade-off, he said, is watching the growth kindergartners make by the end of the year, when they are so proud of themselves.

Sometimes, parents are wary of male teachers. Some kindergarten teachers said they took care not to let children sit on their laps or to help a student with a button unless a female teacher was present or they were standing in a hallway, so there would be no assumptions that they were behaving inappropriately.

Many states have teacher shortages, and researchers say men would benefit from pursuing careers in fast-growing caregiving occupations like teaching. Yet there has been no major national push for recruiting more men into early education.

K through 3 is so formative in a young persons life that it should be more of the focus in recruiting male teachers, said Colin Sharkey, the executive director of the Association of American Educators. Its like unlocking a new market of potential educators.

The male kindergarten teachers said that from their perspective, the fulfillment of the job generally outweighed the negatives.

Riley Lyons, Atlanta I love that theyre just so sweet still and so curious, constantly asking questions, wanting to know more, Mr. Lyons said. David Feldman, St. Petersburg, Fla. I love that theyre just so sweet still and so curious, constantly asking questions, wanting to know more, Mr. Lyons said. Riley Lyons, Atlanta David Feldman, St. Petersburg, Fla.

Mr. Saenz said he left his post-Army job in supply-chain logistics because he realized he wanted to help people instead.

I have students come in knowing no letters, no sounds, no numbers, and now theyre writing complete sentences, he said. This is something theyre going to take with them the rest of their life. That right there is the greatest impact.




A 20-year-old Indian man claims to have been subjected to a sex change operation without his consent by another man who planned to marry him for his familys land.

Mujahid, a 20-year-old man from Sanjak Village in Uttar Pradesh, has become the talk of an entire country after claiming that a male rival tricked him into going to the Begrajpur Medical College in Mansoorpur where a team of doctors sedated him and performed a gender change operation on him without his consent. The victim told authorities that a man named Omprakash deceived him into believing that he was suffering from a serious medical condition and then offered to take him to Mansoorpur to be treated. Mujahid claims that shortly after arriving at the hospital, he was sedated and then operated on by a team of doctors who had colluded with Omprakash. When he woke up the next day, he was told he was no longer a man, but a woman.

Photo: Wendy Scofield/Unsplash

He brought me here, and the next morning I had an operation. When I regained consciousness, I was told that I had been changed from a boy to a girl, a sobbing Mujahid told NDTV reporters. When I woke up, Omprakash told me that I am a woman now and that he would take me to Lucknow to marry me. He threatened to kill my father if I resisted.

The 20-year-old claimed that Omprakash had been harassing him for the past two years in an attempt to steal his familys land and that his shocking ruse was meant to force Mujahid to marry him so he could legally get access to the coveted land. He is convinced that the doctors at Begrajpur Medical College were working with Omprakash, although staff there insist that he underwent the sex change voluntarily.



He said, I changed you from a man to a woman and now you have to live with me. I have prepared a lawyer and a court marriage for you, Mujahid said of Omprakash, who warned the youth that no one, not even his family, would accept him now. Now I will shoot your father and the land of your share will be named after me and then I will sell it and go to Lucknow.

Based on Mujahids claims, police have opened an investigation and arrested Omprakash, who continues to deny all the charges against him. The hospital staff is also under investigation for its involvement, but there are still many details to clarify, such as why Mujahid went to the hospital with a man he claims to had been harassing him for years.
Offaly dairy farmer, Ivan Thomas, from Rahan, has won the Lakeland Dairies Sustainability Award for outstanding commitment to sustainable milk production and environmental and economic sustainability.

The Milk Quality Awards are a recognition of the achievements of Lakeland Dairies milk suppliers who are committed to quality in all aspects of their milk production. Winning a milk quality award is a truly excellent achievement.

Derek Ray, Moate, Co. Westmeath was declared winner of the Republic of Ireland Best New Entrant Category.

The winners emerged from among 3,200 farm families across 17 counties who produce milk for the 2bn litres Lakeland Dairies milk pool.

The awards were presented by Lakeland Dairies Chairman Niall Matthews and Group Chief Executive Colin Kelly at a special event in Corick House Hotel, Clogher, Co. Tyrone, together with Edwin Poots MLA, Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Lakeland Dairies Supreme Milk Quality Champions:

The Supreme Champions of the Lakeland Dairies Milk Quality Awards are Brian, Gene and Gene (jnr) McGinnity, who farm in partnership at Scotstown, Co. Monaghan, winning the top prize for the exceptionally high quality of milk produced on their farm throughout the past year.

The McGinnitys also took home the <500,000 litre producer category award.

In addition to the Supreme Champion, Lakeland Dairies also announced winners in several categories of the Milk Quality Awards.

Republic of Ireland

>500,000 Litre Category Winners

Eoin Corrigan, Trim, Co. Meath won the >500,000 litre producer category award in the Republic of Ireland.

The highly commended runners-up in the >500,000 litre producer category was Oisin and Eamon Gallen, Ramelton, Co. Donegal

<500,000 Litre Category Winners

Brian & Gene and Gene (jnr) McGinnity, Scotstown, Co. Monaghan won the <500,000 litre producer category, and were declared Supreme Champions.

Sean Kiernan, Kilcogy, Co. Longford was the highly commended runner-up in the <500,000 producer category.

Northern Ireland

>1m Litre Category Winners

Stephen and Mark Montgomery, Drumahoe, Co. Derry/Londonderry, won the >1m litre milk producer category in Northern Ireland

Edwin and Gary Bryson, Craigavon, Co. Armagh were the highly commended runners-up in the >1m litre producer category of the awards in Northern Ireland.

<1m Litre Category Winners

Sean and Ciaran Mc Naughton, Ballymena, Co. Antrim won the <1m litre producer category in Northern Ireland.

Mark Rea, Ballygawley, Co. Tyrone was the highly commended runner-up in the <1m litre producer category in Northern Ireland.

Best New Entrants

Derek Ray, Moate, Co. Westmeath was declared winner of the Republic of Ireland Best New Entrant Category.

Mark Lewis, Portadown, Co. Armagh won the Northern Ireland Best New Entrant Category, for the high quality of milk he supplies to Lakeland Dairies.

Lakeland Dairies Young Farmer Award

Matthew Adams, Strangford, Co. Down won the inaugural Lakeland Dairies Young Farmer Award. The award is aimed at recognising the activity and involvement of young farmers in bringing fresh and new ideas to the family farm. The winner receives a bursary to take part in an agricultural study tour of their choice before the end of 2025.

Lakeland Dairies Chairman, Niall Matthews, paid tribute to the award winners: "The milk quality awards are a source of great pride, focusing on excellence in dairy farming. The markets we serve are demand-driven, with numerous supply channels available to customers and consumers. Every time dairy farmers step into the parlour, they are putting to use a lifetime of experience, knowledge, and dedication. Milk quality is the backbone of everything we do. It ensures that our products end up in the best markets in the world, maintaining our reputation and supporting our livelihoods.

The milk we collect from pasture-fed herds on family-owned farms is the high-quality raw material that has established our reputation as a leading global dairy provider. This status will continue based on the excellent achievements of our 3,200 farm families."

Lakeland Dairies Group CEO Colin Kelly said: "Lakeland Dairies has a clear strategy in place to pursue value-added international growth opportunities while optimising our operations and flexibility to compete successfully on a global stage.

Through their commitment to quality and sustainability, Lakeland Dairies milk producers are well positioned to meet global dairy demand, underpinned by the overall efficiency of our production and processing systems. The quality of our dairy farmers and the milk they supply is world-class.

This forms the foundation for further progress as a farmer-owned co-operative, exporting 240 different dairy products and food ingredients to customers in 100 countries worldwide."
A decision is expected this week in relation to plans for the refurbishment of a protected structure in Tullamore.

The works proposed by Cayenne Holdings on the former Moorhill House on the Clara Road, include the partial rear demolition of the building with proposed refurbishment and rear single and two storey extension to create a three-bedroom house. In the curtilage of the protected structure, 24 one-bedroom units are proposed in a single and three storey block with associated site works.

There had been a strong backlash from residents living along the Clara Road who argued that the planned apartments were out of character with the rest of the residences and would change the ambience of the neighbourhood.

A large number of objections were lodged with Offaly County Council and the application was put on hold for a period of time while further information was sought from the applicant.

The local planning authority, had concerns regarding ''the existing houses on the landholding'' which form part of the ''historical planning permissions and the current proposal could therefore facilitate unauthorised developments on the landholding,'' the council said.

In addition the local authority sought a separate site layout plan, showing the existing and proposed site boundary treatment, a green infrastructure master plan, a residential efficiency and climate change adaptation design statement, and a revised proposal meeting the construction and demolition waste management plan.

Furthermore it asked for a report from a qualified arborist, providing details of their qualifications and experience, indicating which trees along the front boundary were to be removed due to sight light requirements and which trees were to be retained

One submission to the council said, ''Offaly County Council speak about historical buildings and try to save them, what about Moorhill? The beautiful trees as we all know will go, due to the foundations being laid. This is just awful and sad to see these trees, years old, being cut down for a modern development.''

''Will the council be happy when the town is full of densely populated housing estates and apartment blocks and the knock on effect that this high density building will have in years to come?''

Another said, ''We chose to save, build and buy a once off property and worked hard for same. The Clara road was always known as a tranquil area and this can be observed with the amount of people taking a walk along the road every single day. Our road is becoming very unsafe, due to traffic and the number of motorised scooters using the footpaths.''

''There has been absolutely no consultation from the developers, which to me indicates the total lack of respect that they have for the residents of Clara Road,'' professed one resident.'' This is going to affect all our our lives and this modern building is totally out of character with the site that it is being built on.''

''As Tullamore has a history of 'rising from the ashes like the Phoenix, it would be much more appropriate to concentrate on the restoration of Moorhill to bring it to its former majesty. The proposed development is more in keeping with a streetscape, and if not well maintained to a high standard could very quickly become an eyesore. If this happens it will negatively impact the neighbourhood and negatively impact the first impression of Tullamore for strangers visiting the town for the first time'' one submission stated.

One resident welcomed what they termed the ''culturally sensitive re-development of Moorhill House in a manner synonymous with its former prestige.'' However, they went on, ''to that end we feel that the development of the site with a small number of bungalow style dwellings, perhaps replicating the courtyard area and outbuilding as highlighted on the 1890s OSI (Ordnance Survey Ireland) map, would be at harmony with the existing Georgian building.''

A decision is due on Wednesday June 26 next.
Members of the Defence Forces wearing their uniforms are not welcome to participate in Limerick Pride on July 13, reads a statement by festival director, Lisa Daly.

It follows the conviction on Wednesday of Cathal Crotty, aged 22, of Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha for assaulting Natasha O'Brien, 24, in 2022. Mr Crotty boasted on Snapchat hours after the assault, "Two to put her down, two to put her out".

Ms OBrien and her friend were walking home when they told a group of men, one of whom was Mr Crotty, not to use a homophobic slur which was shouted at a man on Limericks OConnell Street.

Ms Daly, in the statement, said the judge granted the attacker a three-year fully suspended sentence and ordered him to pay 3,000 compensation to the victim.

"Thats not justice! Limerick Pride Festival would like to send a strong message that the Defence Forces are not welcome to participate in Limerick Pride on July 13. Pride is and always will be a protest!

"We are very aware that there are many in the Defence Forces who are strongly against what has happened and many who are a part of our community who serve them too. If you identify or are allies, then you are more than welcome to attend and enjoy the day with family and friends but without uniforms or banners.

"Like our counterparts in Dublin, we are aware that there are huge numbers of our Defence Forces and Court Services personnel who are decent and hard-working, and they will always be welcome at Pride  but as our priority is to respond to calls from the wider LGBTQI+ community, we have asked they do so unbranded, if they choose to come this year," reads the statement.

READ MORE: Pearl Jam rock star speaks out in support of Limerick assault victim

The committee has voted all in favour of this decision and statement.

Ms Daly said they have heard many stories about homophobia from their local community over the last number of months, which is concerning.

"The message sent out very clearly from this case to the LGBTQ+ community both locally and nationally, is very disappointing.

"We ask that all departments educate and bring more awareness to their staff members regarding Pride and the LGBTQI+ community.

"This year marks 50 years since the first ever Pride movement in Ireland. While we have come a long way since then we still have so much more to do, unfortunately we are not equal.

"The LGBTQI+ community has shown its solidarity and resilience together for many years and will continue to do so taking to the streets on Saturday, July 13 as we march proudly to this years Limerick Pride theme, I am what I am.

"From all the Limerick Pride committee, we are sending you all lots of love. Happy Pride!" concludes the statement by Ms Daly.

If you have been affected by this story or are looking to reach out to someone for support, advice or just to talk, there are numerous services available for LGBTQ+ people, many of which offer instant messaging support:

GOSHH, Samaritans, SpunOut.ie, LGBT Helpline, The Switchboard Dublin, Lesbian Line, Belong To, TENI, LGBTQI Pavee Point Aware, Pieta House, Jigsaw, Mental Health Ireland. They have also added a tab to their website limerickpride.ie of LGBT services.
The Hartmann Report had an interesting article Saturday on climate change pointing out how Republicans are turning climate change into a new political cudgel. Hartmann also mentioned in passing that "the climate crisis is also an insurance crisis". That observation, while true, I consider to be misleading. The climate crisis is less an insurance crisis than it is a building code crisis - and it is a national problem; not just a problem in Florida where I live.

Over the past 50 years, I have visited throughout Europe lecturing, consulting, and visiting friends. We also own a 2nd house there. It is impossible to ignore the fact that, like our house, most houses in Europe are made with concrete walls and have tile roofs. That explains why so many of them are centuries old. Tile roofs do not blow off in hurricanes nor do concrete walls collapse. Moreover, toss a burning branch on a tile roof and it just burns out and blows away. It does not set the entire house on fire.

In contrast to Europe, the vast majority of American houses are made of wood and have lightweight flammable asphalt or wood shingle roofs. American houses are the antithesis of the Three Little Pigs story we learned in kindergarten. In storms, light roofs easily blow off followed by the wood walls exploding outward into kindling. In wildfires, burning branches fly onto flammable roofs easily setting the entire house ablaze.

Thirty years ago, Homestead Florida near Miami was flattened by Hurricane Andrew. Miami/Dade County drew up new building codes to harden both new construction and post-storm repairs. Briefly, if on the beach, a house should be built on concrete pilings 8-12 ft above ground, walls should be steel-reinforced concrete, and roofs should be hip-design covered with heavy tiles. Does the Miami/Dade code actually reduce storm damage? Absolutely, yes.

After Hurricane Michael flattened Mexico Beach Florida in 2018, several journalists mentioned that building code enforcement was all but nonexistent in the panhandle region. Besides, the codes in force were antiquated and useless as protection against climate change storms and wildfires. If you Google images for "Mexico Beach hurricane" you will see several pictures of the only house left standing on the beach. It conforms to Miami/Dade code and survived the storm without a scratch.

My spouse and I retired to the Central Florida beaches in 2012 and bought a house on A1A where the land is at least 3 meters above storm tide. It, and most homes in our development, meet Miami Code. Storm damage, if any, is usually caused by flying debris penetrating our pool screens - nothing requiring an insurance claim. Nevertheless, our insurance premiums have risen from $3K in 2012 to almost $8K in 2024.

Governor DeSantis and his GOP cronies loudly blame the rising rates on shyster lawyers and shady contractors who get away with false insurance claims. That is total Republican gaslight. Courts do not make awards for fraudulent damages. You cannot fake a house burned to the ground or flattened by wind.

If Florida, and the rest of the USA, were to start building houses with climate change in mind, insurance rates would likely begin to level off. Repairs to storm-damaged homes would have to meet the new codes, which would harden them more. Furthermore, states could use tax breaks and insurance discounts as incentives to encourage homeowners to retro-fit improvements.

The obvious conclusion is that treating climate change disasters as an insurance problem guarantees the problem will get way worse.
Nurses at six Providence hospitals across the state who walked off the job last week returned to work Sunday but they still dont have a contract and the two sides dont have any negotiations scheduled.

More than 3,000 nurses went on strike Tuesday at Providence St. Vincent near Beaverton, Providence Newberg, Providence Willamette Falls in Oregon City, Providence Medford, Providence Hood River and Providence Milwaukie.
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley summed up the new normal for Oregon summers on Monday as state and federal officials briefed him, fellow Sen. Ron Wyden and U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici on preparations for tackling wildfires.

Theres always a sense of hope and dread during this season, Merkley said at the kickoff of the morning conference in downtown Portland.
A woman died Saturday after she fell off of a boat in the Willamette River and then was hit by another boat, officials said.

Someone called emergency services around 8 p.m. to say a woman was unconscious in the water near the Hawthorne Bridge, the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office said. The 911 caller said the woman fell off of a boat before being hit by another boat, the sheriffs office said.

The woman, whose name hasnt been publicly released, was taken to OHSU hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The sheriffs office is investigating the incident.

This is the second Willamette River death in a week. On June 20 in Polk County, a kayaker collided with a ferry, fell into the water and failed to resurface, the Polk County Sheriffs Office said at the time.

 Fedor Zarkhin is a breaking news and enterprise reporter with a focus on crime. Reach him at 971-373-2905; fzarkhin@oregonian.

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Fewer and fewer Oregon high school graduates are going to college. Our education team set out this spring to learn why.

Higher ed reporter Sami Edge traveled to rural schools around the state, where the phenomenon is particularly pronounced. And K-12 reporter Julia Silverman followed the thread of teens in the Portland metro area on the cusp of making that huge decision. Ace photographer Beth Nakamura documented it all.
Listeners to Happily Never After: Dan and Nancy, the podcast from Wondery and The Oregonian/OregonLive, have heard some of the jaw-dropping details surrounding a scandalous Portland murder case.

The first five episodes have explored a case that The Oregonian/OregonLive covered in detail, and which gained national attention. Happily Never After: Dan and Nancy revisits the story of Nancy Crampton Brophy, the self-published romance novelist who was accused -- and later found guilty -- of killing her husband, Daniel Brophy, an instructor at the now-closed Oregon Culinary Institute in Portland.

The podcast episode titles indicate some of the reasons why this case captured so much attention, with one chapter titled Stranger Than Fiction and another called How to Murder Your Husband, which was also the title of a 2011 online essay by Crampton Brophy.

Related: Hear the full tapes from Nancy Brophys interactions with Portland detectives after husbands murder

Episode 6 of Happily Never After: Dan and Nancy is available beginning Monday. The title is The Wrong Wife, and the description is tantalizingly terse: The murder trial begins and an unexpected witness takes the stand.

As of today, Happily Never After: Dan and Nancy ranks at No. 12 on the Apple podcasts True Crime charts.

 Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com or @Kristiturnquist

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe
MoviePass, the infamous cinema subscription service that crashed and burned in 2020, has secured a new investor amid an ambitious comeback attempt.

The New York-based company announced last week that it had landed an investment from Forecast Labs, a venture group owned by Comcast. MoviePass did not disclose the amount invested or other financial terms.

The plan is for Forecast Labs to grow MoviePass subscriber base through TV advertising.

Todays investment will accelerate our mission to bring new technology and innovation to the film community that will spur growth and drive higher traffic to theaters, Stacy Spikes, chief executive and co-founder of MoviePass, said in a statement Thursday.

We are also continuing to invest in the development of our cinematic marketplace so that studios and partner theaters can see maximum value by engaging directly with movie fans on the platform.

Arjun Kapur, managing partner at Forecast Labs, added in a statement that the venture firm sees tremendous value in the new MoviePass and is confident in its ability to enhance ... the brand.

The investor announcement comes more than four years after MoviePass filed for bankruptcy due to a lack of funding needed to sustain its perplexing business model.

The service  which offered subscribers access to screenings at various movie theaters for a monthly fee  began to unravel after Helios and Matheson Analytics Inc. purchased a majority stake in the company and dramatically dropped the monthly subscription price to $9.95 instead of $30 to $50.

Despite courting fame and millions of customers, the new model proved too good to be true, tanking MoviePass and its owners stock value in about three years. The fall of MoviePass spurred shareholder lawsuits and an investigation by the New York attorney generals office.

Last month, HBO released a documentary chronicling the meteoric rise and spectacular demise of MoviePass.

Spikes revived the company in 2022 with the help of a crypto-focused gaming software and investment firm and has been mounting a comeback. Last year, the entrepreneur told The Los Angeles Times that he had the support of 25% of exhibitors  totally different from before  and seemed optimistic that other theaters would follow.

The $10 price point was ... just dumb, Spikes said at the time.

Theres no way to offer a subscription plan where you dont control the cost and you make it cheaper than a movie ticket. ... Just dont set unlimited at a $10 price point. Voila, youve avoided disaster.

2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Its not unusual for winners of various events to appear on the Today show, bask in the hosts attention, and smile while answering softball questions. While the food was festive, the champion getting applause on the Monday, June 24, episode of the NBC morning show was a bit different.

(Want to watch the entire episode? You can stream the Today show on Fubo, which offers a free trial.)

The champ this time was Wild Thang, an 8-year-old Pekingese who was the winner of this weekends Worlds Ugliest Dog Contest. Appearing with his owner, Ann Lewis, of North Bend, Wild Thang seemed to calmly fit right in, as the hosts and Lewis made the point that, as Lewis said, Even ugly dogs are lovable.

Gadi Schwartz, an NBC News correspondent, was on hand to introduce a video package filmed at this weekends Ugliest Dog event, held in Petaluma, California. Schwartz was one of the judges, and in his piece, he was shown interviewing attendees, praising one frazzle-furred contestants Beyonce hair, and introducing Wild Thang as a loose-tongued hairball.

After the video segment, which also included Lewis saying Wild Thang had entered the contest five times before, she and Wild Thang sat on a couch on the Today show set, joined by Schwartz, Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Carson Daly.

Lewis said she had fun even during the years Wild Thang didnt win, and added that the event is for a good cause, in that it advocates for adopting animals from shelters and rescue services.

Wild Thang, with his tongue dangling out of his mouth, sat on Lewis lap and seemed to make the point that, as she said, Even ugly is beautiful.

As the Press Democrat newspaper in Sonoma County reported, cash prizes for winners -- Lewis took home $5,000 for Wild Thangs top dog title -- were conditioned on NBCs Today show, a sponsor of the event, running an exclusive first interview live Monday.
Authorities in Oregon have known for over three decades that groundwater in the eastern part of the state, a rural region where many people rely on domestic wells for drinking water, is contaminated with high levels of nitrates and unsafe to drink  yet, until recently, have done little to address the problem.

Until 2022, many people in the region had no idea they had been drinking contaminated water for years. Some still dont know it because the state has tested only about half the affected domestic wells despite a 2023 deadline to finish the testing.

Research has linked high nitrate consumption over long periods to stomach, bladder and intestinal cancers, miscarriages, as well as thyroid issues. It is especially dangerous to infants who can quickly develop blue baby syndrome, a fatal illness.

In May and again earlier this month, three dozen nonprofits and two retired Oregon Department of Environmental Quality administrators sent a letter to Gov. Tina Kotek asking her to make good on her promises to test all domestic wells in the region, find a permanent source of water for those forced to rely on bottled water and take action to clean up the groundwater. Kotek had visited the area after becoming governor.

The letter called the nitrate contamination in the Lower Umatilla Basin among the most pressing environmental justice issues in Oregon. Most of the population in the region is poor, Latino or Indigenous.

Late on Friday, Kotek sent a response. In her letter, the governor said she has directed the Oregon Health Authority to, among other actions, complete the testing of the remaining wells and the retesting of some households identified as being at high risk by June 30, 2025.

She also said state agencies are currently working directly with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on developing a plan of actions to address the nitrate contamination, to be released later this summer.

My administration is committed to addressing the significant concerns to safe drinking water in the near term as well as making progress towards long-term solutions, Kotek wrote.

Kristin Anderson Ostrom, the executive director of Oregon Rural Action, said the community was glad the governor recognized the gravity of the contamination crisis. But, she said, allowing another full year to test the remaining wells and setting the bar low on retesting was not an adequate response.

This is an ongoing emergency and it needs to be recognized as one  the lives and health of thousands of our neighbors are at risk and its the States responsibility to protect them from further harm, Ostrom told The Oregonian/OregonLive via email.

Ostrom and Kaleb Lay, the groups director of policy and research, talked on Beat Check about why the contamination has taken so long to address, what can be done about it in the short and long term and what the crisis says about Oregons approach to environmental justice.

The eastern Oregon nonprofit, alongside the Morrow County public health department, has been instrumental in testing domestic wells in the region and pushing the state to do more testing and to limit nitrate pollution. Prior to Oregon Rural Actions door to door campaign in 2022, the state had only tested a small network of monitoring wells, Ostrom said. And though that data showed high nitrate levels, state officials did not inform local residents or test on a wider scale until spring of 2023.

I really do think that this would not be a problem three decades later if we were on the west side of the state, but this is a rural community and the votes out here dont elect governors, Ostrom said.

The Oregon Health Authority told The Oregonian/OregonLive that as of May 31, it has tested and provided test results for 1,903 of the affected households, about 58% of the total households that rely on domestic wells in the region. The agency said the remaining households were either not accessible due to trespassing signs or guard dogs, residents were not at home or declined to have their wells tested.

The agency also said it has conducted a 12-month media campaign to raise awareness about the contamination, a door-to-door canvassing effort and two open house community forums. It also has sent mailings to each household. The agency said it plans, along with the states Department of Human Services, to continue providing free initial testing, regular retesting for households most at risk, water delivery and water treatment installation for eligible households.

Oregon Rural Action and other advocates who are pushing for solutions to the crisis say the state also needs to do a lot more to rein in the sources of pollution.

Much of the nitrate contamination comes from farm fertilizer, animal manure and wastewater that are constantly applied to farm fields.

And the sources of the pollution  large swaths of irrigated farmland, confined animal feeding operations such as Threemile Canyon Farms, animal pastures and food processing facilities  also are the main employers in eastern Oregon.

Thirty-four years ago, Oregon designated the basin in northern Morrow County and western Umatilla County as a groundwater management area. It also tasked a volunteer committee  which includes three farm industry representatives out of 11 seats  to come up with voluntary measures to address nitrate pollution.

But those measures have yet to be effective; recent testing has shown that the contamination has gotten worse.

To date, the state has taken no substantive action to rein in the sources of pollution, Ostrom said. It has allowed the contamination to get worse with relative impunity. There in no indication in the the governors letter that this will change.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture, which is in charge of regulating water pollution from farms, oversees roughly 160,000 of the 360,000 acres in the groundwater management area, said spokesperson Andrea Cantu-Schomus -- meaning that regulators dont know how much nitrate is seeping into the groundwater. The agency is currently evaluating agricultural practices in the region, including crop types and rotations, livestock use, irrigation practices and utilization of nutrients, to identify the best tools to reduce nitrate levels, Cantu-Schomus said.

And the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, which regulates how much nitrogen-rich wastewater can be applied to farmland, has until recently shied away from enforcement actions over nitrate pollution at the Port of Morrow, one of the sources of the nitrate problem. The port collects wastewater from potato, onion and other food processing plants in the area and uses it to irrigate fields in the region.

In 2022, the agency issued the first substantial fine to the Port of Morrow: $1.2 million for over 1,000 permit violations. It later raised the fine to over $2 million. (The DEQ had issued violations prior to that date, but the penalties were insignificant.) But even the higher fines, among the highest in the agencys history, have done little to limit the pollution. Earlier this year, the department again fined the port for more than 800 violations of the permit.

The agency said a settlement allowed the port to expand wastewater applications to low-risk fields far from drinking water wells. The port is also in the process of constructing treatment systems and is on track to come into compliance by November 2025, said DEQ spokesperson Antony Vorobyov. By November 2026, the port will no longer be allowed to apply wastewater to fields during winter months when there are no plants to take up the nitrogen, Vorobyov said. Instead, the port will store the wastewater in lagoons.

And, as part of a supplemental agreement, the port will dedicate $1.9 million to fund Oregon Health Authoritys drinking water delivery and well testing program.

But Vorobyov said DEQ must keep in mind the significant economic harm from limiting or shutting down port activities.

If the port is shut down or prohibited from taking food process water, half of the people in the area lose their jobs since theyre employed either directly or indirectly by the port, Vorobyov told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Water for Eastern Oregon, a nonprofit group backed by the contaminated regions biggest agricultural businesses, did not reply to a request for comment.

 Gosia Wozniacka covers environmental justice, climate change, the clean energy transition and other environmental issues. Reach her at gwozniacka@oregonian.com or 971-421-3154.
The room buzzed with excitement as guests streamed into a well-lit event space at the Oregon Commission For the Blind office in Southeast Portland at noon Friday. Some followed a partners lead and others used canes or mobility aids to find their way around four rows of long black tables.

The Kalua-themed luncheon was complete with matching decorations. Green leaf placemats adorned each setting, and colorful flowers and grass tassels hung from a fifth table lined with Kalua pork, macaroni salad, tropical coleslaw and rolls. About 60 people sat at the tables, and 15 others stood in and around the doorways, positioned to serve food.

Fridays menu was prepared by visually impaired students who had just completed three months of meal preparation classes. Other students, family and staff at Portlands Orientation and Career Center for the Blind gathered to celebrate the end of the students term.

The center offers free training programs for students ages 14 and up who qualify for vocational rehabilitation services. To qualify for the centers services, clients must be considered legally blind or have a condition that will lead to legal blindness within two years, vocational rehabilitation director Angel Hale said.

The center is a program of the Oregon Commission for the Blind, a state agency established in 1937 that serves more than 600 clients annually through vocational rehabilitation services alone, she added.

Classes offered include orientation and mobility, Braille, adaptive technology, and a variety of home economics skills, including meal preparation. Each term lasts three months, and the center offers four terms yearly. Students work with an assigned counselor to pick a personalized curriculum of classes.

The center hosted its end-of-term celebration on Friday afternoon; the luncheon featured food prepared by meal preparation students.Riya Sharma

On Thursday afternoon, the centers training kitchen bustled with activity in preparation for the luncheon.

This is the heart of the center, instructor Ella Browning said.

Browning, who is also visually impaired, was a former student at the training center. This term, she worked with instructor Char Cook to teach one-on-one classes to 10 students for two hours a week.

Were big on keeping peoples dignity by allowing them to look very confident in the kitchen, she said.

A large rectangular counter cut the room in half, and four quadrant kitchens surrounded the island. Each quadrant contained a complete kitchen with cupboards, counters and appliances customized to students needs. One kitchen area had accessible shelving and wide pathways to accommodate people who used wheelchairs.

Many students either have a progressive condition  where they lose their eyesight little by little  or they have experienced a sudden loss of sight, Browning said.

That means that students come in with varying levels of confidence. Some have been cooking their entire lives and become blind, while others never learned to cook because their families worried for their safety.

Vision loss is not one size fits all, she said.

The kitchen was stocked with adaptive devices such as heat gloves that protect students from high temperatures while allowing complete dexterity. Browning used the gloves to demonstrate an oven safety technique that relies on tactile methods rather than visual cues.

Other adaptive devices relied on auditory feedback  thermometers and scales were programmed to speak out loud. A small white disk at the bottom of a pasta pot rattled to indicate when the water was boiling. The microwaves had braille buttons, the salt and pepper had different bump textures, and the measuring cups had notches along the handles.

Meal prep combines techniques of daily living and home management. This is a package. You cant just start cooking if youre not organized, or if youre not labeling things or cleaning things, she said.

Cook, a co-instructor, has worked at the center for 18 years. She is retired but helps Browning part-time.

There is isolation with vision loss, as you can imagine. You have a diagnosis that you never wanted, and then your phone stops ringing. People dont know what to say. But cooking  then you can pick up the phone and say, come over to my house for dinner, Cook said.

Cook does not have any usable vision, she said.

We try to live the talk, walk the talk. I want to learn from somebody who gets it more than somebody who tells me what to do. And I think thats a part of the success in this kitchen, Cook said.

As Cook talked, students gathered around the island table to listen.

Shannon Parker, a 61-year-old from Gresham, was one of Cooks students this term.

Her favorite dishes from the term were springtime fettuccine and a cheesecake with a homemade raspberry topping.

I look forward to coming here. It really opened my heart, she said.

Another student, Aiden Ronk, agreed from across the kitchen island. The 22-year-old stressed the importance of the community at the center. He and Parker plan to take classes together next term because theyve become close friends. Ronk will return to Portland Community College this fall after taking a break for his health, he said.

Ella Browning, the lead kitchen instructor, taught one-on-one classes in the training kitchen to 10 students this term.Riya Sharma

Jim Portillo, center director since January, said an important part of the centers training is for students to see each other at different stages of vision loss and skill development to navigate it.

Meal prep students Elias Lopez and Jesus Garcia come from vastly different backgrounds.

Garcia was born completely blind. When he signed up for a meal preparation class earlier this year, he had no experience in the kitchen. Now, two terms later, the 28-year-old lives independently and the skills hes learned at the center have been crucial for his success, he said.

Its a testament to how much this has actually benefited us. This has really given me the skills not only in the kitchen but in every facet of my life, Garcia said.

Elias Lopez, of Portland, has loved to cook his entire life. The 26-year-old was fairly comfortable in the kitchen but found he needed to adjust his skills once he started losing vision as a teenager. In sessions at the center, hes learned methods that make cooking safer.

It feels good to prepare food for other people because, you know, its not something everybody expects a blind person to be able to do, so its kind of nice to break some boundaries there, Lopez said.

As family and friends of clients enjoyed the dishes Friday that Garcia and Lopez had helped prepare, Portillo passed a microphone around for students to share their takeaways from various classes this term. One learned to navigate the Beaverton Transit Station; another completed Braille curriculum; and one adapted her meal preparation skills after suffering a stroke that cost her the ability to walk, speak, and stand. Another client shared a heartfelt poem with the room.

Center staff and volunteers lined up to serve the themed lunch that meal preparation students prepared.Riya Sharma

Lopez talked about the importance of the community he has found at the center, as he hopes to seek long-term employment next term.

He remembered how it felt when he first started losing his vision.

I had completely written off doing anything with my life, he said.

Lopez was unaware of how many opportunities were available to him despite his visual impairment. Hes a Safeway cashier now, something he didnt realize he could do. But his bigger goal is to work with the public  coming to the center has allowed him to realize the importance of impacting other people, he said.

Youre just starting, Portillo said.

 Riya Sharma covers Here is Oregon feature stories. Reach her at rsharma@oregonian.com or 503-294-5996.
World War II soldier George Davies has returned home to Oregon to be decorated with military honors and be buried by his family nearly 81 years after he was pronounced missing in action in Europe.

Davies died Aug. 1, 1943 in a bombing run on Axis fighters critical source of fuel in Ploiesti, Romania. The 27-year-old graduate of Gresham High School flew 27 missions as an engineer and gunner before embarking on the Operation Tidal Wave flight that claimed his life.
The worlds first look at Team USA during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games will also shine a spotlight on Oregon sheep ranchers who provided wool for the athletes blazers.

But this isnt the Shaniko Wool Companys first time to the parade.
I take issue with The Oregonian/OregonLive editorial (Editorial: Public schools are not for proselytizing, June 9) and a readers letter (Readers respond: Teachers shouldnt preach their opinions, June 9).

I support the Portland Association of Teachers. Israel is an apartheid state engaged in the ethnic cleansing and genocide of Palestinians. Zionism is a century old, settler-colonial project. I believe these are facts, not opinions, and should be age-appropriately taught in public schools.
An opaque political group that spent $3.25 million solely to attack congressional candidate Susheela Jayapal during the May primary has finally disclosed its donors  a month after the former Multnomah County commissioner lost her bid to represent the Portland area in Congress.

The group, Voters for Responsive Government, received its largest donation, $1.3 million, from an affiliate of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), federal filings show. The filings show Voters for Responsive Government also owes the powerful pro-Israel group $20,000 for administrative services.

The political action committee, which formed in April, received the remainder of the nearly $4 million it took in from donors in May from one business and seven individuals, most of whom have publicly reported ties to pro-Israel causes and groups.

The PAC paid for numerous negative ads and mailers calling out Jayapal as primarily responsible for rampant homelessness and open drug use in the Portland area as well as for something that never happened  the county providing drug pipes and other meth- and fentanyl-related paraphernalia. The incendiary hit pieces attempted to pin the failings of the Multnomah County Commission and its powerful chair on Jayapal alone, when in fact she was one of five commissioners in charge of county business between 2019 and her resignation in late 2023.

Anthony B. Davis, co-founder and president of Chicago-based private equity firm Linden Capital Partners, donated $1 million to Voters for Responsive Government. Davis was at one point the president of AIPAC Illinois, according to an article in Classic Chicago Magazine. The American Jewish Committee Chicago awarded him a human rights award in 2017.

Maryland-based Edgewater Partnership LP, which is associated with Maryland real estate developer Reed Cordish whose father served on AIPACs national board, donated $650,000. Jonathan Jacobson, former CEO of Boston-based Highfields Capital Management and a former chair of the International Board of Trustees of Israels Institute for National Security Studies, donated $350,000.

Neil L. Cohen, chairman of investment firm Emerald Development Managers, donated $253,000, while investment banker Kenneth Moelis donated $200,000. Both Cohen and Moelis have previously contributed to an affiliate of AIPAC.

Voters for Responsive Government didnt start receiving donations until May, enabling it to shield the donors fueling its multi-million dollar campaign against Jayapal until after Oregons May 21 primary.

Jayapal said she expected pro-Israel groups to weigh in against her, as they have in other races across the country.

Jewish Insider magazine wrote last year that Jayapal had drawn scrutiny from pro-Israel leaders after she declined to sign a county commission statement condemning Hamas for its Oct. 7 attack because it did not acknowledge Palestinians killed in Israels brutal response. She later explicitly condemned Hamas and called for a ceasefire. Jayapals sister, Pramila Jayapal, is a member of Congress representing the Seattle area and chairs the House Progressive Caucus, which has criticized Israel more sharply than House Democrats as a whole.

State Rep. Maxine Dexter ultimately won the competitive Democratic primary to represent Oregons 3rd Congressional District in May, receiving 47% of the vote to Jayapals 33%. Dexter is expected to coast to victory in November in her bid to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, who has represented the overwhelmingly Democratic 3rd District for nearly three decades.

Dexter benefited from a last-minute boost in donations from pro-Israel donors and outside spending, including from the 314 Action Fund, which aims to elect progressives with backgrounds in science to Congress. The 314 Action Fund, which spent $2.2 million to support Dexter, received two-thirds of its April donations from three donors, two of whom are strong supporters of Israel.

Dexter also benefited, however, from key endorsements and her track record in the state Legislature. Both The Oregonian Editorial Board and Willamette Week endorsed Dexter.

Maxine has the support of Oregon labor unions, gun violence prevention advocates, The Oregonian (Editorial Board), and dozens of Democratic leaders who know she has a record of progressive results, Nathan Clark, Dexters campaign manager, said during the primary.

Oregonian reporter Sami Edge contributed to this report.

 Jamie Goldberg oversees The Oregonian/OregonLives politics, education and homelessness coverage. She can be reached at jgoldberg@oregonian.com or 503-221-8228. You can find her on X at @jamiebgoldberg

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Sex education is a crucial part of a young person's development, providing them with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about their health and relationships. However, for sex education to be most effective, it needs to happen both at home and in schools. These environments work together, building upon and reinforcing each other's teachings.

Sex Education in Schools

Schools play a pivotal role in delivering structured and comprehensive sex education. In schools, trained educators can provide accurate information and teach important topics in a professional manner. These lessons cover a broad range of subjects, from human biology to respecting others' boundaries and understanding consent. Bill Taverner, an expert in the field, emphasizes that school-based programs are essential for providing consistent and reliable information to all students.

Why is it important for schools to teach sex education?

Schools provide a safe and professional environment for learning about sex education. They offer accurate information and cover important topics like health, consent, and healthy relationships. Bill Taverner believes that schools are crucial for ensuring all students get consistent and unbiased education on these topics.

The Role of Parents and Guardians

While schools offer a formal education on the subject, parents and guardians bring a personal touch to the conversation. Home discussions can adapt to a child's specific needs, questions, and concerns. Parents can share their values and expectations about relationships and behavior. This personal guidance is crucial and complements the information taught in schools. As Bill Taverner suggests, parents should view themselves as partners in sex education, working alongside schools to ensure that their children receive a well-rounded understanding.

What can parents do to support sex education at home?

Parents can start conversations about topics covered in school, share their values, and answer questions their children might have. By doing this, they make sure their kids understand and feel comfortable discussing these issues. Bill Taverner encourages parents to engage and actively reinforce the learning from school.

Bridging the Gap

To bridge the gap between home and school education, communication is key. Schools can help by providing resources that parents can use at home. They can also hold meetings and workshops that help parents understand what is being taught in school. This openness increases trust and allows parents to continue the conversation at home in a supportive way.

How can schools help parents get involved in sex education?

Schools can help by providing resources and information about what is being taught. They can organize workshops and meetings to explain the curriculum and discuss how parents can continue the education at home. This open communication helps build a partnership between schools and families.

Mutual Reinforcement

When sex education is supported both at home and in school, students receive consistent messages from the two most influential parts of their lives. This reinforcement makes the teachings more effective and helps students internalize the lessons. For instance, a concept introduced in school can be discussed further at home, providing clarity and reinforcing the learning. According to Bill Taverner, this combined approach ensures that students not only receive information but also understand how to apply it in their everyday lives.

How does reinforcement at home and school benefit students?

When both school and home consistently support sex education, students get a stronger and clearer message. This helps them understand and apply what they learn in real life. Bill Taverner highlights that mutual reinforcement ensures students not only receive information but are also prepared to use it responsibly in their daily interactions.

The Harm of Ignoring Sex Education

Not teaching sex education to adolescents can lead to many problems. Without proper education, young people might not understand how to make safe and healthy decisions about their bodies and relationships. This lack of knowledge can increase the risk of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Adolescents may also develop misunderstandings and myths about sex and health, which can lead to fear and stigma.

Furthermore, without sex education, adolescents might not learn about consent and respecting others' boundaries. This is crucial for helping them build healthy interpersonal relationships. Not having access to this information can leave them unprepared to navigate complex situations responsibly. Overall, skipping sex education deprives young people of the chance to learn important life skills that are necessary for their well-being and safety.

Why is it important for adolescents to receive sex education?

It's important because it helps them make safe and informed choices about their health and relationships. Without sex education, adolescents might not understand how to prevent unintended pregnancies or protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They also might not learn about consent and respecting others, which are key to healthy relationships. Overall, sex education provides vital knowledge and skills that keep them safe and responsible.

Resources for Parents and Educators

Parents and educational leaders looking for more resources on sex education, especially in New Jersey, have several options available. One excellent place to start is the Center for Sex Education, based in Morristown, New Jersey. This organization offers a wide range of materials and programs that cover various aspects of sex education. They provide curriculum guides, workshops, and training sessions that are specifically designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of both educators and parents.

Additionally, the New Jersey Department of Education website is another valuable resource. It provides guidelines and standards for what students should learn in their health and physical education classes, which include sex education. The website also lists upcoming conferences and professional development opportunities where educators can learn new teaching strategies and stay updated on the latest research in the field.

These resources help ensure that both parents and educators are well-informed and equipped to provide effective sex education that meets the needs of all students.

Conclusion

The effectiveness of sex education relies heavily on collaboration between educators and parents. Each setting offers unique benefits that, when combined, provide students with a comprehensive education on sex and relationships. Schools provide structure and breadth, while homes offer depth and personal relevance. Together, they create a balanced and effective educational experience that equips young individuals with the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate their developmental years. By supporting sex education in both environments, we can ensure that our young people grow into well-informed and responsible adults.
According to the sheriff's office, a 4-year-old boy who disappeared near a lake in Fresno County, California, on Thursday has been found unharmed after enduring nearly 24 hours alone in the woods.

Missing 4-Year-Old Boy Rescued in California Forest

Christian Ramirez was situated by members of the Tulare County Search and Rescue Team around 8 a.m. on Friday, about a quarter mile from where he was last seen. Rescuers found him under a tree.

According to Fresno County Sheriff's Lt. Brandon Pursell, "This morning, we were fortunate that when searchers called out for the boy, he responded." Authorities reported Christian was tired and hungry but otherwise in good condition. He has now been reunited with his parents.

Pursell said we were really lucky this time. There were many possible risks, and the result could have been very different. The family was lucky, and the boy was very lucky to be reunited with them.

Pursell characterized how Christian had spent the night in the woods, declaring, "It was evident that he had become lost and had stayed put for the entire night." The young kid, who is three feet tall and weighs 40 pounds, had been wearing only a t-shirt and shorts during his suffering.

Pursell remarked that Huntington is residence to bears and likely big cats, along with snakes and numerous other dangers like slips, falls, and waterways. Christian was reported missing from their campsite at Rancheria Campground in Huntington Lake around 11 a.m. on Thursday.

Pursell remembered that he vanished in under five minutes.

Following the disappearance, the Search and Rescue team, Air Support Unit, Forest Service rangers, and officers from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife launched a search effort in the northeastern area of Huntington Lake.

Throughout the night, dogs, helicopters, and nearly 70 rescuers combed the area.

"This operation showcased incredible teamwork and commitment. More than 50 deputies and volunteers from various law enforcement agencies worked tirelessly through the night," the sheriff's office stated. "The community's support also played a crucial role in the successful rescue and safe return of Christian."

The office noted that many people volunteered their help, stayed watchful, spread information on social media, and sent supportive thoughts. These combined efforts surely helped in bringing Christian back home safely.

Missing California Man Found Alive After More Than A Week

Lukas McClish, a California man, was found alive more than a week after he was reported missing. McClish, 34, was last seen in the Boulder Creek area of Santa Cruz, dressed in all-black attire, before several witnesses heard his cries for help near Foreman Creek around 3 p.m. local time on Thursday.

Deputies located him with the aid of drones in a remote canyon, and state park rangers and fire crews successfully brought him to safety from the densely wooded area, where roads and trails were absent.

Despite needing assistance to hike out, McClish sustained no serious injuries and has since reunited with his family.

He survived over ten days in the wilderness, sustaining himself with creek water and wild berries while disoriented and lost, showcasing remarkable resilience.
A twelve-minute piece that we recorded in Kirtland, Ohio, during the same May 2024 trip on which we filmed much of Who Actually Saw the Gold Plates? | A Marvelous Work Episode 5 has now gone up online as an extended cut: See School of the Prophets  Dan Peterson

I returned home from my service in the Switzerland Zurich Mission roughly a century and a half ago, perhaps somewhat less, but my brief recent stay there has led me to reflect just a bit on that time and on what effect, if any, my work there might have had.

I was, I suppose, a halfway decent missionary  neither the best nor the worst. I obeyed the rules; I did the work. Ill freely admit that I didnt wake up every morning brimming with confidence that I would bring somebody into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as I probably should have done. It simply didnt happen very often in those days (although a former companion and longtime friend and faculty colleague of mine is currently in Switzerland with his wife, where theyve spent time with a convert of his who has remained very active over the intervening decades, something that I can only envy). I came, perhaps to my shame, to see my mission on most days as simply knocking on doors from morning until evening, and then doing the same thing the next day, with little prospect of success. It was an endurance contest, a test of faith.

I recall the time when a new missionary handbook arrived and we were all asked to read it through and to study it. It was a little, pocket-sized, white booklet, and one of the things that it said was that we should strive to find a golden family each week and to baptize a family each month, or something to that effect. Im sorry, but at least several of us in Switzerland found that funny. Friends of ours on missions in Latin America were baptizing almost every week; rumors of a Swiss baptism or two wafted by us every month or so. Once, while I was serving in the mission home, my mission president shared the news with me that his stake mission back home had baptized more people during the preceding year than had the entire Switzerland Zurich Mission.

Four obvious gifts given to me by my mission have been the German language, a host of experiences (both good and bad) on which I continue to draw, a lasting and powerful affection for Switzerland, and life-long missionary friends with whom I still regularly interact. (They were and are a remarkable bunch, many of them. The year after I returned, the fifteen winners of BYUs most prestigious one-year academic scholarship were announced; as I recall, seven of the fifteen were contemporaries of mine from the tiny Switzerland Zurich Mission. I wasnt among them.)

Every time Ive traveled to Switzerland since then, though, Ive wondered whether my having been there had made any lasting difference at all, other than on me. The country is going on nicely, and very much as if I had never ever been there. I disappeared, as it were, without a trace.

But I wouldnt say that my mission was useless even as an effort toward building the Kingdom. There were, in fact, converts.

I recall, for instance, a young American woman who was working there for the summer college break in a tourist gift shop, hoping to improve her German. She was so golden that I actually wondered, for just a little while, whether she represented some sort of prank. She gave the answers to our questions that Brother Brown gave in the missionary manual that I had studied in the old Language Training Mission. It wasnt my area and I didnt make the initial contact with her, but I helped to teach and fellowship her, and I was there for her baptism. She returned to the States, transferred to BYU, and eventually married in the temple.

On one occasion, a woman answered the door while my companion and I were tracting  which I otherwise found, in my experience, to be an extraordinarily inefficient method of finding interested people  and the thought immediately crossed my mind, before either she or I had said a word, This woman is going to join the Church. That was something that had never happened to me before. And, in fact, we taught her two or three missionary discussions . . . and then she informed us that she was no longer interested. I was puzzled and a bit dismayed by that. Had what had seemed to be inspiration simply been wrong? That area, a major tourist destination, was shut down for the summer shortly thereafter and my companion and I were transferred to different areas. Several months later, though, a new set of elders returned to the area, saw her name in our records, renewed contact with her . . . and eventually baptized her. The inspiration had apparently been valid, but my assumption about the timing of its fulfillment had obviously been wrong.

Once, I drove with another elder from the mission home to deliver something  I dont recall what it was  to another pair of missionaries in the area of the Jura Mountains in northwestern Switzerland. While we were there, they introduced us to a longtime investigator of theirs. In fact, she was something that we missionaries had dubbed, perhaps a little bit cynically, a profi, a professional investigator. It was not an uncommon type in Switzerland; she had received her first missionary discussion fully seven years before.

She and I spoke briefly. Not for more than five minutes, I think. She was baptized the following week, and she said that it was our conversation that had made the difference. I would love to be able to take credit for her baptism but, for the life of me, I could never recall anything remarkable about our little talk. At least part of it was seriously  about the weather. I would love to be able to repeat whatever it was that so affected her with other investigators but, first of all, I dont know what it was and it probably wouldnt have worked with anybody else anyway. Ive used that story many times since, in sending missionaries off and, at least once, in a talk. Ive emphasized that its the Spirit that converts, not the missionary  but that the missionary has to do the work, has to be there, if the Spirit is to accompany him or her. Ive contrasted it to the several times when I was teaching investigators and wondered how they could possibly resist my logical and persuasive eloquence. But they always did resist it. And then there was this lady, whom something  definitely not I  converted.

I appeared on Swiss television once, too. They wanted to do a segment on Latter-day Saint missionaries, so I and one other elder were chosen to represent us. (I think that I did all the talking.) Humorously, they wanted to show us in one brief scene on our trademark bicycles. But no missionaries in the Switzerland Zurich Mission in my day used a bicycle. We used mopeds, so we were obliged to borrow bicycles from a relatively new member who owned a bicycle shop.

I received notice, just a few minutes ago, of the death of our long-time friend Thomas F. Rogers, a retired professor of Russian literature at BYU, a former president of the Russia St. Petersburg Mission, a significant Latter-day Saint playwright, and friend of ours for most of our lives. Ill have more to say about Tom tomorrow. Were deeply saddened by this news.
This bit of footage, shot back in May at the foot of Torleif Knaphuss Angel Moroni monument, which stands atop the Hill Cumorah near Palmyra, New York, somehow didnt survive into the Final Cut of Who Actually Saw the Gold Plates? | A Marvelous Work Episode 5. I cant imagine why!

I want to share a few passages that I marked for my notes during a reading of Lee Nelson, Visions from Beyond the Veil (Springville, UT: Cedar Fort, 2014)

1. Then I was aware that I was not alone. People were gathering around me and welcoming me. I felt surrounded by so much love. They were dressed in white and some of them embraced me. I felt so happy. I didnt know who the people were, but I felt like I knew them and they knew me. Together we began moving toward a white light. No, no, she has to go back, said a voice, stopping our progress toward the light. No, I dont want to go back, I protested. You must return. The voice was strong but not loud, the kind of voice you dont argue with. Three times it told me I must return. I could see my body again in the bedroom. I saw my mother return from the neighbors, climb the stairs, and go over to me on the bed. She took my hand, presumably to check my pulse. Then she dropped my arm back on the bed. She turned briefly toward the window. (133) 2. Suddenly all the pain was back again, and I was hurting and crying. Mother hurried back to my bed. (133) 3. One night as I was sleeping, I became aware that I was floating about a foot above the bed. I was still lying in a prone position, but above the covers. I was aware of many colors in the roombeautiful pastel colors like had never seen before. [Her college-age daughter, who had been killed instantly in an accident on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in 1978] Janill was standing in the doorway, smiling at me. She was different in that she too was very colorful, bathed in pastel shades of light. She was aglow with light, and her happiness was obvious. I dont remember going to her. All I know is that all of a sudden I was with her. We hugged each other. We were both standing above the floor. Nothing was said, but somehow I knew she had come to let me know she was happy and that everything would be all right. I felt extremely happy and peaceful. A feeling of total acceptance and forgiveness came over me. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that the accident was no ones fault. It had just happened. I told her that I loved her and missed her. Then we both said good-bye. When I awoke, I was in bed again. I remember thinking how heavy my body felt. I awakened my husband and told him what had happened. We prayed together, and I fell asleep again. The next thing I knew, I was floating above the bed, and the exact same thing happened again. I am grateful to my Father in Heaven for allowing that short visit from beyond the veil. I will always remember the feelings of love and peace I felt that night. I know that my mortal eyes could never have seen her, but only my spiritual eyes. My life was changed forever. (136-137)

Her daughter had died of a brain tumor at the age of five:

4. Then my eyes were opened to a most glorious sighta place, I think. Although I didnt actually see anything, I felt the presence of this. Place and the presence of a beautiful young lady. She wore a long, flowing gown and was radiant with love, beauty, and peace. She approached me and said, I love you, Mother. Her warm love embraced me. My Stephanie. She was released from her body and was now a beautiful, mature spirit. Once again, I felt the peace of our Saviors love, and I was able to rest that night. (159) 5. Suddenly, one of the cracks in the wall in front of me started opening up. Light from the widening crack filled the room. Inside the crack, I could see stairs leading upward. I felt myself moving way from my body toward the stairs. The pain was gone. The sickness was gone. I felt so good. I was on the stairs, and it was easy to move upward, but I looked back. I could see my mother sitting by my body. My fingernails were black. My body wasnt moving. Mother called for the nurse. They were both leaning over me. A doctor came and gave me oxygen. Two men in dark suits soon entered the room and gave me a blessing. They were strangers. The one who was praying said that the adversary was seeking to destroy me because of my ability to do good. He rebuked Satan and promised me I would live to be a mother in Zion. I knew I had to go back, but I didnt want to. Eventually, I moved toward my body and willed myself to reenter it. Ill never forget the horrible pain as I did so. It was awful. (162-163) 6. I remember lying on the couch in the living room when the doctor arrived. There were a lot of people in the room. I was surprised to see my father, who had died the year before in September. I remember wondering why nobody said anything about him being there. When neighbors came to administer to me, Dad was in the circle when they laid their hands on my head for the blessing. Nobody else seemed to notice him. Fay, you have to change your ways, Dad said to me when they finished the blessing. You are not living your religion. Youve got little kids and youve got to be more righteous. (163-164) 7. Suddenly, my body was tingling all over. It felt like someone was pulling on me. My spirit began to come out of my body, starting at the head, and then working down to my feet. I remember slowly rising above my body and [166] turning over so I could look down at myself. The pain and sickness were gone. I felt happy. I felt good. I could see the open incision where the doctors had started to operate on me. The doctors were moving about quickly. One began to pound on my chest. A nurse was crying. I turned to an upright position and returned to the floor. I walked behind the doctors, watching them work on me. Come to me, someone called out to me. I looked across the room where a man in a long, white robe was beckoning to me. I walked over to him. Look, he said, pointing to my body on the operating table. What are they doing? I asked. Trying to revive you, he said. Whats that? I asked, seeing the doctors were trying to cover my face with something. An oxygen mask, he said. Then he took my hand and told me he was taking me home. I refused to go with him. Whats wrong? he asked. I want to stay, I said. Why? he asked. Mother needs me, I answered. I was concerned about my brothers too. The man told me things about my mother. He said she didnt mean to hurt me when she became angry and that she loved me very much. Do you want to see somebody? the man asked. Yes, I said. He took me by the hand and led me to another man who was sitting in a chair. He was wearing a white robe [167] too. The man I was with picked me up and handed me to the man in the chair, who held me and talked to me. I cant remember the words, but I can remember the love I felt. I knew he loved me with a perfect love. He had white hair, but I couldnt see his face. Eventually he handed me back to the messenger, who took me by the hand and led me away. Look, he said, pointing to two young men in dark suits. He said someday I would join the Lords Church and these two young men would teaching me the gospel. Be good, were the messengers last words as he led me back to the operating table. The next thing I remember was seeing my mother come into my room the following morning. When I told her I saw the doctors placing the oxygen mask over my face, she told me I hadnt seen any such thing. I didnt say any more. Later I heard one of the doctors telling my father that I had almost died. (165-167)

To me, these accounts are utterly fascinating. I hope that you enjoy them, too.
Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?

You can almost hear the tone of voice of the apostles when they ask this. Cant you hear the fear, along with profound pain, that they feel, as their friend sleeps, apparently indifferent to the terrible situation? They wouldve asked, Jesus, have you forgotten us?

When my fathers illness took a turn for the worse, and his death was imminent, by mother called me on the phone, it was a few days after Christmas 2003. She asked if I could go to Peru where they were living at that time to help her. Her request at first seemed impossible. I was about to start my last semester of college in January, I had just finished my first year of seminary, and all was set for me to start seminary in Rome in a few months.

Needless to say, I went to Peru and the situation went from bad to worse. My father died days after I arrived, but then came the hardest part: business troubles, family discord, lawyers, betrayals, boardroom meetings, taxes and a slew of complications. I had just turned 21 years old, but there I was overseeing it all along with my mother. When it appeared that things couldnt get any worse, they did, and this continued on for months and months. The problems were crushing, the pain overwhelming, and the storm raged on without an end in sight.

Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?

One evening, probably a few weeks after my dad died, I went to daily Mass at the local parish and heard the words from Psalm 34  the Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those whose spirit is crushed.

Is He? I remember thinking. Is He really close to the brokenhearted? If he is, then, where is He?

I wonder if the apostles were more upset at the fact that Jesus was sleeping with his head on a cushion. Not only was he asleep at their moment of need, but the Gospel writer makes a point to record that Jesus was sleeping on a cushion. He was comfortably asleep, and had likely intentionally prepared to take a nap. If you just doze off, you usually dont have a cushion ready. Can you imagine the frustration of the apostles? Their sense of being abandoned?

Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?

When Jesus calmed the storm, he didnt address God the Father asking Him to calm the storm, Jesus spoke directly to the storm, quiet, be still! These are similar words Jesus used to exorcise a young man in the first chapter of Mark when he spoke directly to the demon, quiet, get out!

Jesus speaks with authority, the same authority of God the Father in creation when He said, let there be light and there was light, and also said let the earth bring forth vegetation, and the earth brought forth vegetation, and so forth for the days of creation.

Jesus never explains to the apostles why he slept while the storm raged. In a similar manner, God does not explain to Job in the first reading why Job is experiencing so much loss and pain. But in both instances, God calls us to greater and deeper faith. To trust that He is with us through the pain of the storm.

If I learned something from the storm that raged for the first six months after my father died, is that there are very few things or people in life worthy to cause me distress, fear, or doubt. All storms are manageable, not because they arent scary or because Im so great at dealing with them, but because I know that Jesus is there, and He has the power and authority to get me through it.

I wonder if his sleeping on the boat in a way, prefigures the sleep of Jesus from Good Friday until Easter Sunday. Just as on the boat, the apostles felt abandoned and afraid, hidden behind locked doors for fear that they may come to kill them too. As the storm raged from the fallout of his death, Jesus slept silently in the tomb. But when he rose, he rose not just to calm the storm, but to defeat the greatest all of our fears: sin and death. His resurrection does more than calming the storm, it crushes the storm. Jesus has victory over all.

Whatever storms we have faced, or face now, especially when we dont feel or see the presence of Jesus, we can face them unafraid knowing that in the end, the power of the resurrection brings redemption and healing to all things. The Risen Christ remains always awake and vigilant.

May we find in Jesus, the strength to persevere, not losing faith, but rather, responding to the storm with greater faith and conviction.

Picture taken from the public domain.
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The Ghana Police Service is investigating the destruction of a structure in Pusiga in the Upper East Region by some youth in the community on Saturday 22nd June 2024.



Police investigation including engagement with some authorities in the community so far suggest the destruction of the structure is not due to political rivalry as claimed in the viral video but rather, it was as a result of a misunderstanding between the youth and some elders of the community.



The Police would therefore like to caution the public against disinformation which has the tendency to cause fear and panic.



The Police are working with all stakeholders in the community to get the matter resolved while efforts are ongoing to get the perpetrators behind the destruction and the disinformation arrested to face justice.

Source: Ghana Police









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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In a powerful call to action, Queen Lady Nana Yaa Nsarko, Miss Malaika 2023 and National HIV Ambassador, addressed young Ghanaians during her Live On Campaign on the Ayi Mensa  Aburi mountain stretch.



The campaign, which took place early Saturday morning, saw many young men and women gathered for their routine exercise up the hill, where Nana Yaa Nsarko seized the opportunity to educate them on HIV prevention and distribute condoms.



Amidst the rising tide of HIV infections in Ghana, the Ghana AIDS Commission and its partners, the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) of the Ghana Health Service, estimated the 2023 national adult HIV prevalence at 1.53%.



This translates to approximately 334,095 people living with HIV in Ghana, including 316,545 adults and 17,550 children.



Addressing the crowd, Queen Lady Nana Yaa Nsarko urged the youth to be bold in knowing their HIV status.



Self-testing is a simple, private, and empowering way to take control of your health, she emphasized.



She encouraged the youth not to condemn themselves but to condom themselves, highlighting that one mistake is all it takes to contract HIV, and prevention is paramount.



During the event, Nana Yaa Nsarko distributed condoms and provided vital information on HIV prevention.



Knowledge is power, she stated, and knowing your status, irrespective of what it is, will give you the power to Live On and make informed decisions about your health and future.



Her campaign is a timely response to the current surge in HIV infections, aiming to empower the youth with the knowledge and tools necessary to curb the spread of the virus.



The Live On Campaign underscores the importance of proactive health measures and community support in the fight against HIV.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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At least 1,301 people died during Hajj, Saudi Arabia says, mostly unauthorised pilgrims who walked long distances in intense heat.



This year's pilgrimage took place during a heatwave, with temperatures at times exceeding 50C (122F).



More than three-quarters of those who died did not have official permits to be there and walked under direct sunlight without adequate shelter, the official Saudi news agency SPA said.



Some of those who died were elderly or chronically ill, the agency added.



Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel said efforts had been made to raise awareness about the dangers of heat stress and how pilgrims could mitigate this.



Health facilities treated nearly half a million pilgrims, he said, and some were still in hospital for heat exhaustion.



"May Allah forgive and have mercy on the deceased. Our heartfelt condolences go to their families," he said.



Saudi Arabia has been criticized for not doing more to make the Hajj safer, especially for unregistered pilgrims who have no access to facilities such as air-conditioned tents and official Hajj transport.



Temperatures in Mecca climbed as high as 51.8C, according to Saudi Arabia's national meteorological centre.



Countries across the world have been giving updates on the number of their citizens who died, but Saudi Arabia had not commented publicly on the deaths or provided an official toll until Sunday.



AFP news agency quoted an Arab diplomat as saying 658 Egyptians had died. Indonesia said more than 200 of its nationals lost their lives, while India gave a death toll of 98 people.



Pakistan, Malaysia, Jordan, Iran, Senegal, Sudan and Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region have also confirmed deaths.



Hajj is the annual pilgrimage made by Muslims to the holy city of Mecca. All Muslims who are financially and physically able must complete the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.



About 1.8 million people took part this year, Saudi Arabia said.



The fallout from the number of deaths has been growing.



On Saturday, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly stripped 16 tourism companies of their licences and referred their managers to prosecutors for enabling illegal pilgrimages to Mecca.



On Friday Jordan said it had detained several travel agents who facilitated the unofficial travel of Muslim pilgrims to Mecca. Meanwhile, Tunisian President Kais Saied fired the minister of religious affairs.

Source: BBC









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Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) has received a directive from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to recommence its monitoring activities in the downstream petroleum sector effective June 14, 2024.



This mandate follows a comprehensive audit conducted by KPMG into a contentious deal instigated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, which raised critical concerns over the compliance of SML contracts with statutory provisions, including violations of the Public Financial Management Act.



The audit report underscored that the multi-year contracts ought to undergo scrutiny and approval by Parliament as mandated by legislation.



The official announcement, issued in a GRA statement dated June 12, 2024, was disseminated to Bulk Oil Distributors (BODs) and is in keeping with directives issued by President Akufo-Addo subsequent to the release of the exhaustive KPMG report.



The GRAs statement emphasizes the imperative for SML to ensure the full functionality of all systems and adherence to relevant standards and regulations in order to deliver accurate, dependable, and timely monitoring services essential for reinforcing revenue assurance measures.



The cooperation of Bulk Oil Distributors is crucial to facilitating the seamless resumption of these monitoring operations.



Quoting excerpts from the statement We inform you that Strategic Mobilisation Limited (SML) is directed to resume its monitoring operations in the Downstream Petroleum sector effective June 14, 2024, as per the Presidential Directives on the KPMG report. SML must ensure all systems are fully operational and comply with relevant standards and regulations to provide accurate, reliable, and timely monitoring services to support our revenue assurance. The Bulk Oil Distributors must cooperate to ensure a successful resumption of the monitoring exercise.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has launched the Homowo Clean-up exercise and says all shops must remain closed on the day of the exercise.



"We expect all shops and businesses in the designated area to close on the day of the exercise. We also urge leaders of various groups and associations to participate fully," the Ga Mantse said when he launched the initiative at the premises of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) on Friday, June 21, 2024.



The clean up exercise is expected to start on July 2.



The one-month campaign, themed "Let's Keep Accra Clean", aims to promote good waste management practices, improve environmental cleanliness, and instill a sense of community ownership and responsibility towards environmental stewardship.



The exercise, a collaboration between the Ga Traditional Council (GTC), and other government agencies will take place in all the 25 local government authorities within the Greater Accra Region.



It will involve household registration for organised waste collection services, education on waste management techniques, and enforcement of bye-laws to ensure compliance with waste management regulations.



The Ga Mantse warned against the politicisation of the exercise, emphasising that environmental cleanliness affects everyone regardless of political affiliations.



He urged all residents to adhere strictly to sanitation bye-laws, clean their frontages, gutters, and premises, and called for the reintroduction of communal labor and intensified public education on sanitation.



He also issued a stern warning to those who refuse to comply with the sanitation bye-laws, stating that a special task force will be deployed to arrest offenders and ensure they face the full force of the law.



The Assemblies should also take up their responsibilities by making refuse bins available and at vantage points, he urged.



He announced an exciting twist to the clean-up campaignsanitation competitions, stating that schools, communities, markets, and lorry stations will vie for the top spot, with awards up for grabs for the cleanest.



These awards will motivate participants to go the extra mile, fostering a spirit of friendly competition and community pride, he said.



To this end, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II took the opportunity to issue a rallying cry to corporate institutions in the capital, urging them to embrace sustainable practices and green policies that prioritise environmental wellbeing.



In a show of support, collaborating government ministries pledged their resources and expertise to ensure the initiative's success, demonstrating their commitment to a cleaner, greener Accra.



The Accra Mayor, Elizabeth K.T. Sackey, called for change, decrying the city's persistent poor sanitary conditions.



She emphasised that a clean environment was pivotal to safety and security, and praised the Ga Mantse's involvement, saying, "His Majesty's participation underscores the gravity of this issue and the collective responsibility we must embrace to create a cleaner, healthier Accra for all.



She vowed that the AMA will spare no effort in ensuring the clean-up exercise was a resounding success, leaving no stone unturned in the quest for a cleaner, greener, and healthier Accra.



Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), Vincent Ekow Assafuah, praised the Ga Mantse's leadership, acknowledging his invaluable contributions to Accra's cleanliness.



He observed that the Homowo festival was not merely a celebration, but a poignant reflection of our cultural heritage, deeply rooted in the values of cleanliness and community pride."



For her part, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR), Lydia Seyram Alhassan, said her ministry was fully equipped and ready for the clean-up exercise.



She revealed an arsenal of resources, including 30 compaction trucks, over 30 tricycles, thousands of Wellington boots, 15,000 security personnel, a dedicated task force, and environmental health officers tasked with enforcing sanitation bye-laws.



She urged every citizen in Accra to join forces and play an active role in making the campaign a resounding success.



Greater Accra Regional Minister, Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus-Glover, commended his predecessor's efforts and expressed gratitude to the Ga Traditional Council (GTC) for reviving the 'Keep Accra Clean' campaign.



He noted that the exercise will be implemented in phases, with the first phase set to launch on July 2 in the Accra metropolitan area.



We have mobilised resources, and forged partnership to ensure the success of the clean-exercise, he assured.





Source: D.Graphic









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A former Managing Director of GCB Bank, Ernest Agbesi, has said that as the country enters another crucial electioneering period, people should be guided by the fact that no one wants to die just to elect someone.



Speaking to the media after he led a team on behalf of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to donate 15 motorbikes (the second batch in a series) to all the 9 orphan constituencies of the party in the Eastern Corridor of Ghana, Agbesi said that while Ghana is a peaceful country, should anyone foment trouble, they will be squarely matched.



He also expressed great confidence that the NDC will win back all the seats within the northern parts of Ghana that they lost during the 2020 general elections, adding that the current realities will go against the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).



Ghana is a peaceful country so I dont think we need people to come and be telling us or preaching peace to us. Nobody wants to die because of elections so I believe, personally, that theres not going to be any problem but as a party, like our leaders are saying, we are prepared for peace but if they bring violence too, I think our people are ready for it.



As for the Eastern corridor, we are taking it back because it is our traditional seats. Some places, they used money but Ghanaians have realised that if they give you money today and you spend, before the next four years, you are going to be suffering. So, we are wide awake now. I dont think anybody will go and collect money to sell his vote out. No. the reality is on the ground and people are seeing it. So, we are taking back the Eastern Corridor from Kpandai to Zagzugu Tatale, to Gushegu Karaga, Bunkurugu Yunyo, we are taking all because they are our seats, he stated.



Speaking on behalf of all the other constituencies, during the presentation of the motorbikes at Yendi, Abukari Dawumi, the Member of Parliament for Wulensi, expressed gratitude to Ernest Agbesi and the team for the generous donation.



He explained that with these motorbikes, it will be much easier to mobilise people ahead of the December polls and to ensure that people come out to vote for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).



Id like to thank Chief Agbesi and the team for intervening in this matter to support our constituencies to be able to carry out their work responsibly. Even though my constituency is not an orphan constituency, but I think that an intervention such as this one will help us to mobilise our members to come out and vote for the NDC to actually carry the day on December 7th. Our constituency happens to be one of the difficult constituencies where one election, one political party wins and another election, another political party wins but this time around, we intend to make history by making sure that this time around, the NDC becomes the first party to win the seat two terms consecutively.



And I think that the provision of motorbikes to support in our campaign will facilitate our chances of winning in the 2024 general elections for both the president and the parliamentary candidate. So, we cant thank Chief Agbesi and the team enough for this wonderful intervention, he said.



Ali Adolf, NDC Northern Regional Chairman, also indicated that the party is hungry for power and will do all that is legally possible to win it.



With the registration over here, we gave it every attention. It's nothing less than 90%. We gave it the attention that it required. We are very hungry for power. So, we took the pain to ensure that at least we sensitise the people and those who have attained the age of 18 got themselves registered.



If you don't have voters, you cannot talk about getting power. And so, we did a lot of sensitisation to let people come out to register. We are now assured that victory will come for sure, he said.



The NDC is looking for a comeback to political power in the December 2024 general elections, with its leader, John Dramani Mahama, hopeful of becoming president of Ghana again for his last four-year term.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Women Network For Peace, a Non-Governmental Organization has expressed its disgust at the leadership of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) over its failure to condemn the harsh treatment meted out to a student of the Christian Service University last week the security detail of the Former President and some members of the party.



The WNP is equally surprised at the apparent silence of the Former President, His Excellency John Mahama in whose presence the incident occurred for failing to call out his assigns in the interest of peace and security in the country.



Master Richard Asiedu, a student of the CSU was last beating to pulp by some members of the opposition party during a public lecture by the Former President after the student reportedly objected to some assertions by the former President during the course of his presentation.



The student, who is currently receiving treatment having suffered severe bodily harm at the hands of followers of Mr. Mahama, was said to have raised objection to some claims by the Former President which did not go down well with supporters of the party.



Since the incident, both the leadership of the NDC and Mr. Mahama have failed to comment on the matter despite the overwhelming condemnation by section of the public.



The latest to add to their voice to calls for the opposition party and its flagbearer to address the issue is the Women Network for Peace, an organized group of women advocating for peace and security in the Ghanaian society.



According to the President of the Network, Diana Oppong Mensah, the attitude of the Former President and the NDC does not augur well for peace and tranquility ahead of the December 7 polls, stressing that failure to condemn the act was not only worrying but can also heighten political tension in the country.



"Under no circumstance should anybody support such action by supporters of the NDC; we need to be tolerant with each other and use dialogue to resolve our differences instead of resorting to violence", she noted.



The WNP believes Former President Mahama and the NDC have missed a glorious opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to peaceful elections by failing to condemn the sordid act.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The much advertised and well-planned demonstration by the National Democratic Congress's branch in the United Kingdom failed to glitter as fewer than expected numbers turned up.



The Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who was in the UK to attend a fundraising event and a townhall meeting organized in his name was to be disrupted by a monstrous demonstration by members of the opposition NDC in the UK.



According to the opposition National Democratic Congress, Ghana's economy has been mismanaged by the Akufo-Addo administration with Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia leading the Economic Management Team, and therefore ought to be blamed for it.



The demonstration, however, could only send less than 20 NDC members onto the streets of London as party members cited the global economic crisis as the reason.



Though arrangements were made to transport the branch members of the party from Milton Keynes, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Luton, Birmingham and other parts of the UK to join their London colleagues, they never showed up.



"In as much as Ghana is not doing well economically, it doesn't mean that we should hold a demonstration against the government", a Manchester branch member said.



Another member had this to say; "Let's face facts, what is the basis for this demonstration? Is the UK doing any better? This is global and so we cannot blame the Ghanaian Government."



"What can our people do about the economy if we come to power? Until the global recession stops, not even angels can turn things around in Ghana. Have things turned around here in the UK? No! This is why I never went. Enough of the deceptive politicking", a member from London angrily said.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, made a significant statement with his leadership style, blending politics and tradition with religion to achieve social cohesion and inclusion.



He interacted with the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, and a delegation from the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana, led by Rev. Dr. Stephen Yenusom Wengam.



Dr. Prempeh's visit to the traditional ruler of the Abuakwa State on Thursday, June 20, 2024, sought the revered traditional ruler's wisdom and guidance. "Osagyefo's wise and fatherly counsel has been invaluable, shaping many aspects of my personal and political life, and so this was another profound opportunity to listen to his words of wisdom," Napo wrote on his Facebook and X pages moments after the visit.



The King of the Akyem Abuakwa Kingdom, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, in welcoming the Energy Minister, lauded his humility and dedication to Ghana's development.



He praised Napo's gesture of seeking wisdom and wise counsel from traditional authorities in his work.



Earlier on that day, Dr. Prempeh, in a gesture of interfaith dialogue and collaboration, welcomed a delegation from the Assemblies of God Church, Ghana.



"The nexus between politics and religion are though distinct, the two are intertwined in their impact on society," he underscored.



He stressed the need for a just, compassionate, and inclusive society built on shared values of integrity, empathy, and service that underpin both politica l and religious leadership.



Rev. Wengam and his team prayed for Napo and offered intercessory prayers for the country's political leaders.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Jacksonville, Florida, rapper Foolio, whose birth name is Charles Andrew Jones II, was been shot and killed in Tampa.

The incident happened at a Holiday Inn across from the University of South Florida, according to his attorney and multiple news outlets.

Jacksonville-based attorney Lewis Fusco confirmed Sunday that the rapper  his 26-year-old client  had been killed early Sunday morning.

The Tampa Police Department said it received a 911 call regarding a shooting at a hotel at 4:40 a.m. Upon arrival, authorities came across two vehicles that had been shot at in the hotels parking lot.

The victim in this mornings shooting is believed to be Charles Jones (DOB: 6-21-1998). Positive identification is pending confirmation from the Medical Examiners Office, the agency said in a statement to The Florida-Times Union.

Four people in total were injured in the shooting, with one pronounced dead.

The other three victims are in stable condition and are being treated at the hospital, according to NBC News.

A motive for the shooting has yet to be discovered as authorities are currently working to identify the individuals involved. The agency has not yet released a description of the shooter or shooters.

Social media posts from Jones account captured a pool party at an Airbnb.

Jones was celebrating his birthday the night of the fatal shooting and shared images promoting his party at Teasers, a gentlemens club in Tampa.

Later that night, he posted that police had shut us down and kicked us out of their Airbnb.

Mr. Jones had been in Tampa to celebrate his birthday over the weekend, Fusco said in a news release. Law enforcement reports indicate that he initially stayed at an Airbnb but was asked to leave due to exceeding occupancy limits. He subsequently relocated to the Holiday Inn, where he was involved in an incident in the hotel parking lot and reportedly ambushed.

While these events involving our client, Mr. Charles Jones, have been disclosed by law enforcement, we are unable to provide further comments at this time until additional details become public record, he continued. We kindly request that the privacy of Mr. Jones and his family be respected during this difficult time.

Earlier that day, the late rapper thanked fans for the birthday wishes he received on X, formerly known as Twitter, and

God thank you for allowing me to see another Year & To celebrate another birthday. Appreciate all the birthday wishes so far, he tweeted.
Popular tattoo artist and contestant on the sixth season of Ink Master Ryan Hadley passed away on June 20 at the age of 46.

The news was announced by the stars family via Instagram following a diagnosis of seminoma cancer. The post was shared on Hadleys official Instagram on June 21.

Ryan left this world last night surrounded by loved ones, his family wrote. While his life was cut short, in that time he left a legacy behind in both the art and tattoo world. He loved his many fans, his friends and clients, and most of all his children.

Hell be missed and always remembered. A legend forever. #rip [expletive] cancer, the family added.

Back in December 2023, Hadley revealed that he had been diagnosed with seminoma cancer, which came from testicular cancer and is a very fast-moving cancer cell that seems to make tumors wherever it goes per People Magazine.

He also explained that he was undergoing around 122 hours of chemotherapy, involving one week of treatment followed by two weeks off.

A GoFundMe page was also created to support his family while he took time off work to undergo months of chemotherapy.

While Ryan is going through aggressive treatment for seminoma, hes unable to work to keep his business and family afloat, the description stated. This GoFundMe is to help Ryan pay his bills and provide food for his family while hes undergoing treatment. Any amount will help!

In April, Hadley later revealed on Instagram that the chemotherapy was unfortunately unsuccessful, sharing that the non-treatable cancer had spread to his liver and lungs.

I may be around for another week or maybe another 3 months, either way it tears me apart that Im leaving my children behind. Death doesnt scare me in any way ... its the fact of abandonment with my kids is what pisses me off and theres nothing I can do about it. Ill keep everyone updated to a certain point in all this. Ill be signing off very soon forever, Hadley wrote.

After, on June 18, his family expressed gratitude for his followers support on Instagram and shared they were accepting donations to help with his end-of-life care.

Following the news of his death, many took to social media to express their condolences. One follower even shared about the time he received a tattoo done by the late artist.

Ryan was my artist the first time I was on Ink Master, they wrote. Such a nice dude. Distracted me from all the TV production stuff and sent me home with a great piece that still gets compliments today.

Another shared how the late artist how much he appreciated the late artist.

He helped my career tremendously, and I will never forget it. He will be missed, they said.

Hadley appeared on Ink Master in 2015 and made it to the second week of the competition. The show challenges tattoo artists from different walks of life with their skills and creativity.
Tourists just keep disappearing in Greece and no one knows exactly why that is.

But scientists have a working theory.

After hiking in scorching temperatures on the Greek island of Symi, doctor and well-known TV presenter Michael Mosley was discovered dead earlier this month. But his wasnt the only life that was lost, as a series of tourist deaths and disappearances have reportedly hit Greece as the country faces its early summer heat wave with temperatures soaring above 104 degrees.

Joining the dead are a Dutch tourist who was found on the island of Samos recently, and an American tourist who was found on Mathraki, a small island west of Corfu on Sunday. Regarding those who went missing, American tourist Albert Calibet hasnt been seen since he went for hike on June 11 on Amorgos, while two French women vanished on Sikinos after they went out for a walk.

Even though the bodies of those who died are to be examined to establish a cause of death, theres a stern warning from authorities to take the searing temperatures seriously.

There is a common pattern, Petros Vassilakis, the police spokesman for the Southern Aegean, told Reuters. They all went for a hike amid high temperatures.

To some scientists, whats happening in Greece provides a warning sign about the impacts of what extreme heat can do to the body and the brain, in particular. Extreme heat can cause confusion which affects the individuals decision-making abilities and how they may take risks.

Could this mean more deaths and disappearances during severe heat waves?

According to Damian Bailey, a physiology and biochemistry professor at the University of South Wales told CNN, the brain is the master switch for the body.

The brain, for me, is the key to it all, he said.

The brain regulates the bodys temperature where the hypothalamus, a small diamond-like structure, acts as a thermostat. Its job is to keep the bodys internal temperature at or very close to 37 degrees Celsius, or 98.6 Fahrenheit. In hot weather, the hypothalamus activates the sweat glands, widening the blood vessels to cool down the body. But in extreme heat, the heat can drain the bodys fluids and halt blood flow to the brain, according to Bailey.

He even compared the brain to a Hummer, concluding that the organ needs vast resources to function.

One test he ran on research participants in an environmental chamber, where he raised the temperatures from around 70 to 104 Fahrenheit, showed a significant drop by about 9% to 10% in blood flow to the brain.

That is a big deal in terms of not getting enough fuel into an engine which is running at high end all of the time, Bailey said to CNN.

Kim Meidenbauer, a neuroscientist at Washington State University, also told CNN that extreme heat can stop the brain from functioning properly.

Activities that we take for granted such as thinking, reasoning and remembering can get thrown out of whack, she added.

It also gets harder to make complex decisions and theres also evidence suggesting people being more likely to make risky decisions and engage in impulsive behavior when exposed to heat.

Youre not just talking about potentially getting a little bit too warm and maybe having a sunburn, Meidenbauer said to CNN. Youre talking about potentially life-threatening (situations), like making poor decisions, having your judgement clouded.

Scientists are in the beginning stages of decoding the range of impacts heat has on the brain.

Our understanding is really pretty minimal. Its a major unknown at this point, Meidenbauer added.

Older people, especially those over the age of 65, are high at risk due to their bodies not always thermoregulating well.

After all, the people who disappeared in Greece were all in their mid-50s and older.

Additionally, very young children and pregnant women also face an elevated risk, as well as those with pre-existing medical conditions, including mental health conditions.

But its important to remember that heat can be dangerous for anyone.

No one is immune to the health effects of heat, Jose Guillermo Cedeno Laurent, one of the research authors and an assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, added. Our brain is an exquisitely sensitive organ, he said.

You make wrong decisions and it can cost you your life.
Fans that missed Taylor Swift on her Eras Tour this past weekend (and thus missed seeing her boyfriend carry her onstage), can still see her perform at the iconic Wembley Stadium.

Swift performed there June 21-23 and will return for concerts there on on Aug. 15, 16, 17, 19 and 20.

Swifts boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce, attended her three London concerts and on the final night on Sunday appeared on stage with her before she sang I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.

Kelce also showed up in photos with Swift, Prince William and two of his children at a concert.

Swift heads to Dublin next for three sold-out shows, June 28-30, then to Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Fans hoping to catch the show at Wembley in August can find tickets here (prices are as of the time of this post):

Thursday, Aug. 15

Friday, Aug. 16

Saturday, Aug. 17

Monday, Aug. 19

Tuesday, Aug. 20

Her United States shows resume in October and November in Florida, Louisiana and Indiana. The tour ends in Canada on Dec. 8, 2024.
Rolls-Royce, a major British provider of power and propulsion solutions, announced recently a partnership with Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd to launch CATL's new TENER product line in the European Union and the United Kingdom. Experts said they view this partnership as a strategic move to capitalize on Europe's expanding market for power storage systems, driven by rapid development of renewable energies. It also signifies deeper China-Europe cooperation in manufacturing rather than just sales within this sector, to reduce risks from geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts, they said. CATL's TENER is touted by its maker as the world's first energy storage system with zero degradation in the initial five years of use, with a capacity of 6.25 megawatt-hours, that can be mass-produced. Rolls-Royce has already begun offering TENER products as part of its mtu EnergyPack QG solution for large-scale energy storage, primarily targeting grid operators. The new collaboration further includes potential developments of innovative smart products leveraging Rolls-Royce's mtu EnergetIQ intelligent automation solution, mtu Go! digital platform, as well as CATL's intelligent diagnostic platform and battery management system. Rolls-Royce said this partnership strengthens both companies' capabilities to handle large and complex grid-scale battery energy storage system projects. Rolls-Royce also said battery storage systems are a strategic focus and an area of growth for its Power Systems division. Large, or grid-scale, energy storage systems enable the integration of renewable energy sources, which may have intermittent or variable output depending on weather conditions, into an energy grid while enhancing stability and reliability. They also enable customers to utilize the latest grid and trading services, while supporting the energy transition by creating a more sustainable energy infrastructure, Rolls-Royce said. Last year, Rolls-Royce and CATL signed a long-term supply agreement to collaborate on more than 10 gigawatt-hours of storage capacity. "Europe's new energy industry is growing rapidly. Yet, integrating new energy into the grid presents challenges to the stability of grid operation. Energy storage systems are pivotal in enabling the uptake of new energy. China's energy storage sector is advanced in technology and production, and can meet massive market needs in Europe," said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University. "For Chinese power storage companies, partnering with local enterprises in overseas markets, instead of direct export, can reduce project costs and mitigate risks from geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts," he said. Alex Zhu, energy, infrastructure advisory, and carbon neutrality leader at Ernst & Young (China), emphasized the importance of Chinese energy companies forming strong collaborative ties with local producers in foreign markets. "The focus should be on expanding value chains, sharing benefits and jointly managing risks with local enterprises. This strategic approach ensures sustainable market entry and growth strategies rather than relying solely on sales," he said. Zhu highlighted the growing demand in foreign markets for localized energy production, investments, supply chains and services amid global trade uncertainties, aiming to secure supply chains and ensure timely deliveries.
By HYUNG-JIN KIM, Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  A fire likely sparked by exploding lithium batteries swept through a manufacturing factory near South Koreas capital on Monday, killing 22 mostly Chinese migrant workers and injuring eight, officials said.

The fire began after batteries exploded while workers were examining and packaging them on the second floor of the factory in Hwaseong city, just south of Seoul, at around 10:30 a.m., fire officials said, citing a witness. They said they would investigate the cause of the blaze.

The dead included 18 Chinese, two South Koreans and one Laotian, local fire official Kim Jin-young told a televised briefing. He said the nationality of one of the dead couldnt be immediately verified.

In the past few decades, many people from China, including ethnic Koreans, have migrated to South Korea to seek jobs. Like other foreign migrants from Southeast Asian nations, they often end up in factories or in physically demanding and low-paying jobs shunned by more affluent South Koreans.

Kim said that one factory worker remained out of contact and rescuers continued to search the site. He said that two of the eight injured were in serious condition.

The fire started at one of the factory buildings owned by a battery manufacturer, Aricell. He said that authorities would investigate whether fire extinguishing systems were at the site and if they worked.

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous in consumer goods from laptops to cellphones. They can overheat if damaged, defective or packaged improperly, leading to fires and explosions and making them a hazard for shipment aboard aircraft.

The video of the incident showed the factorys second floor being engulfed with blaze, about 15 seconds after a small amount of white smoke was seen billowing from a battery, senior fire official Jo Seon-ho told a briefing later Monday.

Jo, citing the footage, said workers at the site mobilized fire extinguishers but failed to put out the blaze. They later rushed to an area where there was no exit before they likely inhaled toxic smoke and lost their consciousness, he said. The dead foreign workers were daily laborers so they were not likely familiar with the buildings internal structure, he added.

Fire officials said a total of 102 people were working at the factory at the time of the fire.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, wearing a safety helmet and a mask, visited the site with other officials. He expressed condolences to the dead people and ordered officials to put in place measures to effectively deal with battery-related fires, according to Yoons office.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the countrys No. 2 official, and Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min also came to the site. Han asked officials to provide government assistance for funeral services and support programs for victims relatives, according to his office.

Mondays blaze is one of the deadliest in South Korea in recent years.

In 2020, a fire at a warehouse being built in Icheon City, south of Seoul, killed 38 construction workers. In 2018, 46 people died after a fire ripped through a small hospital with no sprinkler systems in the southern city of Miryang. In 2008, 40 workers, 12 of them ethnic Koreans with Chinese nationality, died after a fire and accompanying explosions tore through a refrigerated warehouse in Icheon city.

South Korea has struggled for decades to improve safety standards and change widespread attitudes that regard safety as subservient to economic progress and convenience.
The Adams County SPCA will remain closed to the public for the foreseeable future after staff members contracted scabies while dealing with animals recovered from a broken down bus in Adams County.

The SPCA posted an update on Facebook and said staff members began breaking out in blisters a few days after removing 36 animals, including birds, dogs, a pony and a bull, from a bus and trailer, where they lived in cramped, filthy conditions.

The owner of the bus, Shawn Hirschbine of New York, is being held in Adams County Prison on an arrest warrant from West Virginia charging him with distributing obscene materials to a minor, including a video showing a person having sex with an animal. That prompted Pennsylvania police to engage a veterinarian to examine the animals for signs of bestiality.
A driver suspected to be high on marijuana fled police in a stolen vehicle, reaching speeds of 125 mph early Friday morning.

Azuan Brady, 21, of Delaware, who police say was driving the car, has 16 charges relating to the incident, including three felony charges. Amber Thompson, 18, of Harrisburg, who police say was a passenger, is charged with evading arrest.

According to a criminal complaint, around 1 a.m., two state troopers were traveling east on Lincoln Highway in East Lampeter Township when they observed a black Chevy Camaro in front of them with a dead tag. The troopers called for backup, and in the area of Lincoln Highway East and Black Horse Road in Paradise Township, the trooper activated his lights and sirens.

The black car sped up, passing a tractor trailer in the center lane, which was turn only, and turning off their headlights and tail lights. Troopers gave chase, continuing east on Lincoln Highway at speeds exceeding 125 mph in a 35 mph zone. The black car passed multiple cars and ran a red light before turning onto Route 41 South, exceeding 130 mph until it appeared to run out of gas in Chester County.

Once the vehicle stopped, Brady left the drivers seat and ran into a field on the north lane of travel. Troopers chased him until he fell, when he told them there was a female passenger.

A criminal complaint says Bradys eyes were bloodshot, his pupils dilated and his mouth dry. After a field sobriety test, police say indicators of impairment were observed, and they eventually took his blood for testing. The affidavit does not say what the results of that testing were.

Police found Thompson walking in the north lane of Route 14, and she admitted to fleeing from the car.

The vehicle, which police said was stolen, was towed from the scene pending the authorization for a search warrant. Brady has a prior conviction for theft of a motor vehicle.

Brady and Thompson are both currently held in Lancaster County Prison after being unable to post bail of $225,000 and $5,000, respectively.
I read this statement in a Letter to the Editor: We, the Clergy of the Harrisburg region, are speaking with one voice to end gun violence in Pennsylvania. We ask the General Assembly to pass new laws that will make it more difficult for criminals to obtain guns.

But, I have yet to read in the newspaper, the story of a clergyman who has contacted the police and has given the name and location of a young man with a gun that they know of, and have acted as a witness.

The clergy and their members far outnumber the police and the government authorities. Tomorrow hundreds of guns and the criminals holding those guns could be removed from the street with the assistance of the clergy who wrote that letter.
The late president Ronald Reagan boldly referenced Russia as an Evil Empire. George W. Bush classified Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as an axis of evil.

The embodiment of evil is reformulating itself in the union of Russia and North Korea, both countries led by ruthless, murderous men who will stop at nothing in their drive to terrorize the rest of the world.

Engagement, diplomacy, and sanctions have proven fruitless with Kim Jong-Un and Vladimir Putin in efforts to implement world peace. Not even Donald Trumps exchanging of complimentary letters and falling in love with Un led to progress.
The president & CEO of the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia is now president of The Pennsylvania Society.

Members of The Pennsylvania Society elected Patricia Wellenbach in a unanimous vote during its annual meeting in Scranton as the successor to Elizabeth Preate Havey, who held the position since 2022 and was the organizations first female president.

My sincere thanks to Liz for serving the society with distinction over these last two years, Wellenbach said. I welcome the opportunity to serve as President of The Pennsylvania Society and work in partnership with the members of Council to advance the society and its mission and values. Now more than ever, the Societys commitment to civic engagement, civil discourse and fellowship will distinguish us in all that we undertake on behalf of the commonwealth and its citizens.

The society, now 125 years old, has more than 2,000 members and is the nations longest-lived organization of its kind.

Wellenbach said with Pennsylvania in the spotlight in 2026 as the nation celebrates its sesquicentennial, her hope is that the organization will be an exemplar of the vision that the founders saw for the future of the democracy they created.

Wellenbach has held her position at the museum since 2016 after first serving as its strategy adviser the year before. Since 2021, she has served as the first woman board chair of Thomas Jefferson University.

I could not be more delighted to pass the presidential baton to Trish, who during her time serving on council already has proven to be an exceptional leader and steadfast steward of the society, said Preate Havey. Working together with our new executive director Heather Greenleaf, Trish is well positioned for a successful tenure as the societys next president.

Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on X at @JanMurphy.
The warning was for Delaware County.

"The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe limits, and is exiting the warned area. Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However gusty winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm," states the National Weather Service.

Shielding yourself from approaching lightning: Expert safety guidelines

Each year, lightning strikes the United States approximately 25 million times, with the majority of these electrifying events occurring during the summer months. Unfortunately, lightning is responsible for claiming the lives of approximately 20 people annually, as reported by the weather service. The threat of lightning becomes more pronounced as thunderstorms draw nearer, peaking when the storm is directly overhead and gradually waning as it moves away.

To ensure your safety during a thunderstorm, consider the following recommendations:

1. Lightning safety plan:

When venturing outdoors, it's vital to establish a clear plan for seeking shelter in case of lightning.

Monitor the sky for threatening signs and listen for the sound of thunder. If thunder is audible, it's an indication that lightning is nearby.

Seek shelter promptly in a safe location, preferably indoors.

2. Indoors safety measures:

Once you've found shelter indoors, abstain from using corded phones, electrical appliances, or plumbing fixtures, and refrain from approaching windows and doors.

These precautions help reduce the risk of electrical surges, as lightning can follow conductive pathways.

3. Wait for the all-clear:

After the last lightning strike or thunderclap, wait at least 30 minutes before resuming outdoor activities.

It's important to remember that lightning can strike even when a storm seems to have passed, so exercise caution.

When indoor shelter isn't available:

If you find yourself outdoors without access to indoor shelter during a thunderstorm, take these steps to maximize your safety:

Avoid open fields, hilltops, or ridge crests, which expose you to greater lightning risk.

Steer clear of tall, isolated trees and other prominent objects. In forested areas, stay close to lower stands of trees.

If you're with a group, ensure individuals are spread out to prevent lightning current from transferring between people.

Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged. If you have no alternative, set up camp in a valley, ravine, or other low-lying areas. It's crucial to note that a tent provides no protection against lightning.

Do not approach water bodies, wet objects, or metal items. Although water and metal do not attract lightning, they conduct electricity effectively and can pose significant risks.

In summary, when facing the threat of lightning, preparedness and vigilance are your best allies. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of lightning-related incidents and prioritize your safety.

Rainy roadways ahead: Essential safety tips for heavy rain

When heavy rain strikes, safety is paramount. Equip yourself with these guidelines from the weather service to navigate wet roads and avoid hazards:

Beware of swollen waterways:

Avoid parking or walking in close proximity to culverts or drainage ditches, as the swiftly moving water during heavy rain can potentially carry you away.

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:

On wet roads, slowing down is paramount. Gradually ease off the accelerator and avoid abrupt braking to prevent skidding.

Choose your lane wisely:

Stay toward the middle lanes - water tends to pool in the outside lanes.

Prioritize visibility

Enhance your visibility in heavy rain by activating your headlights. Be particularly vigilant for vehicles in blind spots, as rain-smeared windows can obscure them.

Watch out for slippery roads:

The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil. Exercise heightened caution during this period.

Keep a safe distance from large vehicles:

Don't follow large trucks or buses too closely. The spray created by their large tires reduces your vision. Take care when passing them as well; if you must pass, do so quickly and safely.

Mind your windshield wipers:

Overloaded wiper blades can hinder visibility. If rain severely impairs your vision, pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Seek refuge at rest areas or sheltered 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.
Fission Uranium Corp. logo is shown in a handout. The company has signed a deal to be acquired by Australian company Paladin Energy Ltd. in an agreement valued at about $1.1 billion. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
Mostafa Haidary Tears Through the Final Four to Win Event #52: $5,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em

Alek Gillies Live Reporter Copy link

Mostafa Haidary has emerged the victor of Event #52: $5,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em, capturing his first bracelet as the Australian resident defeated German Bernd Gleissner in heads-up play to the tune of $656,747.

This event had 817 entrants, and the field was speckled with professional players. A prize pool of $3,762,800 was generated, and 123 players from the field made the money.

Event #52: $5,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em Final Table Results

Place Name Country Payout 1 Mostafa Haidary Australia $656,747 2 Bernd Gleissner Germany $437,821 3 Krasimir Yankov Bulgaria $300,293 4 Brandon Schwartz United States $206,606 5 Pedro Madeira Brazil $148,939 6 Matthew McEwan United States $107,770 7 Max Kruse Germany $79,436

Mostafa Haidary

Winner's Reaction

PokerNews asked Haidary how he felt after winning and his plans for the remaining summer and he responded.

Im so happy! My plans for the moment are to play more poker and celebrate with my wife and kids, who are back home. Im appreciative to be here

Haidary reflected on his Australian poker-playing background and explained, We have a great poker scene. There are a lot of great players in Australia, and Im lucky to be one of them.

With the roaring crowd of friends cheering him on from the rail, Haidary emphasized that great moments dont mean anything if they arent shared with friends. His triumph felt so much better with the good friends that he has.

Haidary shared that there were three big hands where I bluffed for pretty much all my chips on the turn. All three of them went through. This is when he felt confident that he would win the event.

Finally, when asked for any closing remarks, Haidary noted, I just woke up this morning and said Im as close as it gets to winning. Everything went smoothly, so it was great.

2024 World Series of Poker Hub Bookmark this page! All you need to know about the 2024 WSOP is here. Click here

Final Day Recap

All of the action from the final table can be found in the Day 3 recap. Haidary found himself heading into Day 4 as the chip leader and would tear through the remaining players until heads up. Haidarys aggressive play and patience helped him to take down the event.

Only four players returned for Day 4, and the short stack of Brandon Schwartz found an early double-up through Gleissner. Shortly after Gleissner found a double through Krasimir Yankov to leave him as the short stack.

Living on borrowed time, Schwartz was the first to exit as he was left short when he moved all in with big slick and was out-flopped. He was all in the following hand with the majority of his chips in for the big blind and ante. He couldnt beat Haidarys button raise as he was sent home.

Mostafa Haidary

Yankov fell shortly after when he lost a flip against Gleissner. At the time, Haidary held a little over two-thirds of the chips in play.

Early into heads-up play, Gleissner found a double to take the chip lead. Haidary soon got revenge as he hit two pairs with a higher flush draw than Gleissners open-ended straight and flush draw.

Haidary now sat confidently with three-quarters of the chips in play. Not long after, Haidary won a flip against Gleissner to take down the event surrounded by his friends and fellow players.

Mostafa Haidary

This concludes the PokerNews coverage of the event, but there is still plenty more action to come at the 2024 World Series of Poker at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas so stay tuned for all your live coverage needs.

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Mostafa Haidary has emerged the victor of Event #52: $5,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em, capturing his first bracelet as the Australian resident defeated German Bernd Gleissner in heads-up play to the tune of $656,747.

There were a total of 817 entrants in this event as the field was speckled with professional players. A prize pool of $3,762,800 was generated with 123 players from the field having made the money.

Event #52: $5,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em Final Table Results

Place Name Country Payout 1 Mostafa Haidary Australia $656,747 2 Bernd Gleissner Germany $437,821 3 Krasimir Yankov Bulgaria $300,293 4 Brandon Schwartz United States $206,606 5 Pedro Madeira Brazil $148,939 6 Matthew McEwan United States $107,770 7 Max Kruse Germany $79,436

Mostafa Haidary

Winner's Reaction

PokerNews asked Haidary how he felt after winning and his plans for the remaining summer and he responded.

Im so happy! My plans for the moment are to play more poker and celebrate with my wife and kids who are back home. Im appreciative to be here

Haidary reflected on his Australian poker playing background and explained that We have a great poker scene. There are a lot of great players in Australia and Im lucky to be one of them.

With the roaring crowd of friends cheering him on from the rail, Haidary emphasized that great moments dont mean anything if they arent shared with friends. His triumph felt so much better with the good friends that he has.

Haidary shared that there were three big hands where I bluffed for pretty much all my chips on the turn. All three of them went through. This is when he felt confident that he would win the event.

Finally, when asked for any closing remarks, Haidary noted that I just woke up this morning and said Im as close as it gets to winning. Everything went smoothly so it was great.

Final Day Recap

Any action missed from the final table can be found in the Day 3 recap. Haidary found himself heading into Day 4 as the chip leader and would tear through the remaining players until heads up. Haidarys aggressive play and patience helped him to take down the event.

Only four players returned for Day 4, and the short stack of Brandon Schwartz found an early double up through Gleissner. Shortly after Gleissner found a double through Krasimir Yankov to leave him as the short stack.

Living on borrowed time, Schwartz was the first to exit as he was left short when he moved all in with big slick and was out flopped. He was all in the following hand with the majority of his chips in for the big blind and ante. He couldnt beat Haidarys button raise as he was sent home.

Mostafa Haidary

Yankov fell shortly after when he lost a flip against Gleissner. At the time, Haidary held a little over two-thirds of the chips in play.

Early into heads-up play, Gleissner found a double to take the chip lead. Haidary soon got revenge as he hit two pairs with a higher flush draw than Gleissners open-ended straight and flush draw.

Haidary now sat confidently with three-fourths of the chips in play. Not long after, Haidary won a flip against Gleissner to take down the event surrounded by his friends and fellow players.

Mostafa Haidary

This concludes the PokerNews coverage of the event, but there is still plenty of more action to come at the 2024 World Series of Poker at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas so stay tuned for all your live coverage needs.
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 Event #59: $1,000 Super Seniors No-Limit Hold'em here at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.

This four-day event gets underway at 10 a.m. local time, with late registration open for eight levels. There will be 20-minute breaks every two levels, with a 75-minute dinner break at the end of Level 6 (~4:40 p.m.). One reentry is permitted in this event.

The starting stack is 20,000 chips, with the plan for Day 1 to play ten 60-minute levels. For the surviving players, Day 2 resumes at 11 a.m. Tuesday and closes after ten more levels. Day 3 follows the same structure, stopping when five players remain, before a winner is crowned on Day 4.

Last years event saw a field of 3,121 entries, generating a prize pool of $2,777,690. The winner was Klaus Ilk who defeated Ronald Lane heads up to win $371,603 and his first WSOP bracelet.

After the tournament, Ilk spoke to PokerNews and was asked what it meant to be only Austrias seventh bracelet winner.  More than I could possibly say. My main aim was to climb the ladder and win more money, so I am not sure if I am awake or asleep!

Year Entries Winner Country Payout 2023 3,121 Klaus Ilk Austria $371,603 2022 2,669 Massoud Eskandari United States $330,609 2021 1,893 Jean-Luc Adam France $255,623 2019 2,650 Michael Blake United States $359,863 2018 2,191 Farhintaj Bonyadi United States $311,451

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 2024 WSOP?

James Obst, chip leader of the $50K PPC
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 Event #61: $2,500 Mixed: Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better; Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better (8-Handed), which gets underway at 2 p.m. local time and sees players start with 35,000 chips and blinds of 200/300 and betting limits of 300/600 here at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.

The first six levels will be 40 minutes in length and will increase to 60 minutes from there on out. Day 1 will play for 12 levels with 15-minute breaks every two hours (no dinner break). Day 2 of the tournament will restart at 1 p.m. Tuesday and will play for ten levels with a 60-minute dinner break reserved after Level 18. Day 3, the start time of which has yet to be determined, will play down to a winner.

Last year's event drew 460 runners for a prize pool of $1,023,500 as Canada's Bradley Smith defeated heads-up opponent Nghia Le for $221,733 and his maiden bracelet.

"It's always been my dream to win a bracelet," Smith told PokerNews. "Anyone who plays poker, it's their dream to win a bracelet."

2023 $2,500 Mixed: Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better; Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better (8-Handed) Results

Place Winner Country Prize (in USD) 1 Bradley Smith Canada $221,733 2 Nghia Le United States $137,039 3 Nick Pupillo United States $94,681 4 Omar Mehmood United States $66,605 5 Timothy Frazin United States $47,721 6 Jonah Seewald United States $34,836 7 Philip Sternheimer United States $25,919 8 Yuval Bronshtein Israel $19,662

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 2024 WSOP?

James Obst, chip leader of the $50K PPC
During a call with reporters, the Biden administration discussed the impact of the Dobbs ruling and what they are doing to protect reproductive freedom.

What The Biden Administration Is Doing To Protect Reproductive Freedom

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jen Klein told PoliticusUSA during a call with reporters.

Were defending, of course, as you know, a womans right to emergency care before the Supreme Court, and we expect a decision imminently. Second, we have acted to protect access to safe and effective FDA-approved medication abortion. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court rejected a challenge to FDA, FDA ability to regulate medication abortion. Mifepristone, a drug that was approved by the FDA as safe and effective more than 20 years ago, remains available and approved for use, but attacks on medication abortion continue in states, in the courts and in Congress, these attacks are part of Republican elected officials extreme and dangerous agenda to ban abortion nationwide, while the Biden-Harris administration will continue to defend access to the safe and effective medication.

Third, we are strengthening privacy protections. In April, the Department of Health and Human Services issued a new rule to bolster reproductive health care privacy under HIPAA, because no one should have their medical records used against them, their doctor or their loved one just because they have sought or received lawful reproductive health care, forced or expanding access to affordable contraception. Last year, the FDA approved the first daily oral contraceptive for over the counter use and historic change.

The administration has also expanded contraceptive coverage at no cost under the Affordable Care Act, strengthened access through the Title 10 program, and improved contraception options for service members and veterans through lower costs and walk-in clinics. And finally, were supporting state partners who are on the front lines of both defensive and proactive fights to ensure access to reproductive health care. Vice President Harris has, of course, been the leading voice in this effort, traveling to more than 20 states and meeting with more than 250 state legislators, healthcare providers, and advocates in the past year alone. So thats just some of the work were doing across the Biden-Harris administration to defend reproductive freedom.

Ill close by saying that this administration believes that healthcare decisions should be made by a woman with her doctor, not politicians, and as we saw recently in Ohio and previously in Michigan, California, Kentucky, Vermont, Kansas and Montana, in every state where abortion has been on the ballot, the American people overwhelmingly vote to protect reproductive freedom, so President Biden and vice president Harris will continue fighting until we restore the protections of Roe versus Wade in federal law for all women in every state.

Biden Is Fighting To Protect Reproductive Freedom

The President is using all of his executive powers within the law to protect reproductive freedom. The steps that the Biden administration has taken do not get much if any, mainstream media coverage, but they are important for doing everything possible to protect womens rights.

The best way for the American people to protect reproductive rights is to vote for Democratic candidates in November. Biden cant do it alone. He needs a Democratic Congress. As Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said on Sunday, Democrats are ready to step up and get this done. They just need voters to give them the power to make it happen.

The second anniversary of Dobbs isnt a time to give up, but a moment to double down on the fight.
The Biden campaign believes that six swing states will decide the 2024 presidential election, and it is targeting each one for victory this fall.

Here is a transcript of an exchange between Pucks John Heilemann and Biden campaign chair Jen OMalley Dillon:

JH: Ive heard people in your world talk about how 6 percent of voters in six states will decide this election. As a reminder for non-junkies: Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, and Georgia are the six states were talking aboutthe undeniable battleground states. We can have a discussion about whether you want to include North Carolina.

JOD: Oh, we will have that discussion.

JH: Okay, but for now, lets focus on the notion of 6 percent in six states. Is that how you think about the universe of persuadable votersundecided voters, up-for-grabs voters, whatever you want to call themin 2024?

JOD: Heres how I would approach this. We have multiple paths to victory. We can talk about the states. There are a number of people that have been with us before, who are people we see every day that the presidents fighting for, but are the exact ones who are not engaged in this race. And so they are a group of persuadable voters we need to reach to make sure that they know whats at stake and that theyre going to vote.

[Then there are] the people who are actually on the edges and undecided, [and among them] theres a whole new cohort that has come in since 2020, who were not available to us [then] who we saw vote in 2022, post-Dobbs. They are the same people who, in primary after primary on the Republican side, protested Donald Trump.

And I definitely think theyre gettable. Is it a small number of states in the scheme of things and a small number of voters who ultimately are on the margins? Yes. But our programs and our campaign is built for a much broader strategy to reach all of our folks and really engage them now.

The Biden Campaign Strategy Of Early Engagement

The Biden campaign has opened hundreds of field offices and hired thousands of staffers in battleground states because it is actively engaging its potential supporters earlier. A deficit that Donald Trump might not be able to make up is that he hasnt been active in the 2024 campaign. Trump seems to believe that his voters will show up on their own, as he has turned over his operation to outside conservative groups.

The Biden campaign has already secured six states that will decide the election. While Trump wastes time campaigning in places like New York, New Jersey, and Virginia and cities like Detroit and Philadelphia, where there are precious few votes for him, Biden is building an operation in those states.

Elections arent won in media opinion polls. They are won on the ground through voter contact, and the Biden campaign feels confident that it will win because it is putting in the work to reach the voters who will decide the outcome of the presidential election.
Inflation in the United States dropped last month to its lowest point since it first began surging more than three years ago, adding to a spate of encouraging economic news in the closing weeks of the presidential race. Consumer prices rose just 2.4% in September from a year earlier, down from 2.5% in August and the smallest annual rise since February 2021. Measured from month to month, prices increased 0.2% from August to September. But excluding volatile food and energy costs, core prices, a gauge of underlying inflation, remained elevated in September, driven higher by rising costs for medical care and car insurance. Core prices in September were up 3.3% from a year earlier and 0.3% from August. Read moreU.S. inflation reaches lowest point in 3 years, though some price pressures remain
After 13 years at The Citadel, the last six years as Director of Athletics, Mike Capaccio announced his retirement as athletics director today. Capaccio has spent more than 40 years in college athletics as a player, coach, fundraiser and athletic director. A national search for a replacement Read moreThe Citadel AD retires
Next month, Myrtle Beach and Horry County leaders plan to revisit their beach ordinances, specifically to discuss rules related to wind-driven shading devices. Myrtle Beach allows the canopies in the offseason. The county doesn't allow them at any time. That could change. Read moreWill SC's busiest beaches allow Shibumi Shade? Some Grand Strand leaders are considering it.
If you have a hummingbird feeder in your yard, youre probably enjoying watching the hummers sipping nectar to fuel up for their long migration south in the coming weeks. But did you know that nectar makes up only a small percentage of a hummingbirds diet? Up to 80% of it comes from insects Read moreCommentary: Protect insects, protect birds
CAMPOBELLO  A frequent attendee of meetings across northern Spartanburg County was barred from Spartanburg County School District 1 events and property. Now she's suing the district to regain access.

Kim Sherwood sees her ban from the boardroom as the district retaliating for her exercising her First Amendment rights.

But the district paints her as an interloper who harassed officials at the small district office, struck a board member and interfered with professionals doing contract work for the school system, which serves a rural swath of Spartanburg County.

First Amendment warrior or gadfly?

Sherwood, 69, is an advocate for government transparency. Since moving to South Carolina in 2019, by her count, she has filed at least 100 requests under the Freedom of Information Act.

She uses what she learns to fill a gap in an area with little media coverage through her currently offline Facebook page, The Greater Landrum Observer, which she dedicated to keeping an eye on local governments.

District 1, a frequent target of Sherwood's critical eyes, in March sent her a cease-and-desist letter, penned by attorney Ken Darr, calling her information requests and behavior toward district officials "demeaning, defamatory, aggressive, unduly burdensome, overly broad, vague, repetitive" and demanded she stop or else the district would pursue legal remedies.

"District One is a small school district with limited staff. Many individuals associated with the district have had to spend an inordinate amount of their time addressing (Sherwood's) repeated harsh and inappropriate conduct," Darr wrote in the March 15 letter.

The fractious relationship escalated earlier in December 2023 when officials say Sherwood attacked newly elected school board member Barbara Hopper.

That encounter has resulted in Sherwood hiring two attorneys, one to defend her criminally and one to help her return to meetings with a lawsuit. The lawsuit filed by Sherwood is against the district, its superintendent and the chair of its school board.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 10:00:22

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Transaction will establish Aareon as an independent company majority owned by TPG and CDPQ as minority co-investor Aareal Bank and Aareon to continue to cooperatively support their clients following the transaction Gain on sale to be booked in Aareal Bank Group with closing in H2 2024, most transaction-related costs with signing in Q2 WIESBADEN, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Aareal Bank and Advent International ("Advent") today announced that they have entered into an agreement with TPG and CDPQ for them to acquire Aareon, a European provider of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions for the property industry. The financial terms of the sale are based on an enterprise value for Aareon of approximately  3.9 billion, valuing Aareal Bank's equity stake in Aareon at approximately  2.1 billion. Closing is expected to take place in the second half of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions and approvals.The transaction and partnership with TPG will provide Aareon access to additional, dedicated resources and expertise to drive innovation and further growth. TPG will invest in Aareon through TPG Capital, the firm's U.S. and European private equity platform, in consortium with CDPQ, a global investment group, who will co-invest alongside TPG for a minority interest in Aareon. Advent will continue its involvement in Aareon with the investment of new equity for a minority interest in the standalone company.With its Property Management System, Aareon promotes efficient and sustainable property management and maintenance. The company's portfolio enables seamless, automated end-to-end processes connecting property managers and owners across the residential and commercial real estate sectors. The company is headquartered in Mainz, Germany.Jochen Klosges, Chief Executive Officer of Aareal Bank and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Aareon, said: "We are pleased to have found new owners for Aareon who, thanks to their financial strength and pronounced industry experience, are well positioned to propel Aareon into its next major step of evolution. Over the past few years, we successfully developed Aareon into a Rule of 40' company, that has demonstrated impressive organic and inorganic growth. We look forward to maintaining our successful collaboration through our joint venture, First Financial Software, which not only fortifies our long-term partnership with Aareon but also opens up further growth prospects for all parties involved." Flavio Porciani, Partner at TPG, said: "For many years, we have admired Aareon's position as a leader in the European property management industry and are thrilled to partner with the Aareon team and our fellow investors to build on the successes of the business as a standalone company. The need for comprehensive property management solutions is growing amid a trend towards digitalisation of real estate workflows and an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Aareon's platform is built to support this evolution, providing owners and managers an integrated, modern system that improves connectivity and streamlines business operations." Jeff Paduch, Managing Partner of Advent International and Supervisory Board Member of Aareon, commented: "We are proud to have supported the leadership team and employees of Aareon in their successful transformation, which is culminating in one of the largest software buyouts in Europe in 2024. The company is well positioned to continue to lead innovation for its customers in the European housing ecosystem and is on a path of sustainable growth with exciting opportunities ahead for all stakeholders." Harry Thomsen, Chief Executive Officer of Aareon, said: "This transaction marks a milestone in the development of Aareon. Thanks to the strong support of our owners Aareal Bank and Advent International, the company has made excellent progress in recent years. Now, we have reached a point where we can take the next step in our development. We are in an ideal position to capture further growth opportunities and welcome TPG and CDPQ as experienced and strong new partners." Following the transaction, Aareal Bank and Aareon will continue to seamlessly cooperate to support their clients through their joint venture First Financial Software. First Financial Software provides clients with specialist expertise around payment software solutions for the property sector and related industries.Significant gain on sale after transaction related costs expected in 2024The sale of Aareon will lead to a significant gain on sale net of transaction-related costs in Aareal Bank Group of approximately  2 billion. The gain will be booked upon closing, which is expected in the second half of 2024. Meanwhile, most transaction-related costs of around  150 million will already have to be recognised in the second quarter, coinciding with the signing of the transaction. The gain on sale net of transaction-related costs had not been considered in Aareal Bank Group's previous guidance for the 2024 financial year, which will be adjusted upwards. In addition, Aareon will be reported as a discontinued operation according to IFRS 5 starting in the second quarter until closing.Aareal Bank's banking business excluding Aareon is well on track to achieve its operating target of  250 million to  300 million for the 2024 financial year. The Bank alone generated around  92 million of consolidated operating profit in Q1 2024 and accounted for an operating profit of  221 million in 2023. The Group's Common Equity Tier 1 ratio (Basel IV phase-in ratio) stood at 19.7 per cent at the end of the first quarter of 2024.Arma Partners acted as lead financial advisor and Goldman Sachs acted as financial advisor to Advent International and Aareal. CMS served as legal counsel for Aareal while Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP provided legal advice to Advent International. Morgan Stanley & Co. International Plc acted as financial advisor to TPG and CDPQ and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel.Contacts for the media:Aareal BankMargarita ThielPhone: +49 611 348 2306Mobile: +49 171 206 9740 margarita.thiel@aareal-bank.com Christian FeldbruggePhone: +49 611 348 2280Mobile: +49 171 866 7919 christian.feldbruegge@aareal-bank.com AdventOlaf ZapkeMobile: +49 170 7641971 olaf.zapke@fgsglobal.com TPGJames Madsen and Michael RussellPhone: +44 20 7952 2000 tpg@ greenbrookadvisory.com Contact for investors:Aareal Bank AG - Investor RelationsPhone: +49 611 348 3009 ir@ aareal-bank.com About Aareal Bank GroupAareal Bank Group, headquartered in Wiesbaden, is a leading international property specialist. The Bank uses its expertise to identify trends
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 15:03:27

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AD Solutions advances Florida expansion plans with a third acquisition.ORLANDO, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / AD Solutions, recently recognized on Inc. 5000's list of Fastest Growing Private Companies and a known leading provider of office technology, continues its ambitious growth trajectory by acquiring QualPath, an established office equipment dealership serving Miami and all of South Florida.AD Solutions Logo Founded in 2001, QualPath is a technology company renowned for delivering comprehensive business solutions and services, including document management, to Miami and its surrounding areas. QualPath has been a major player in the State of Florida, boasting an impressive market share in government contracts, which has undoubtedly contributed to accolades and honors such as Entrepreneur Magazine's Fastest-growing Companies in the USA List, and twice as the Top MPS Indirect Provider by the Managed Print Services Association. This strategic acquisition by AD Solutions promises to introduce innovative solutions to small, medium, and enterprise businesses throughout South Florida.Moody Hamdan, CEO of AD Solutions, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating, "We are thrilled to join hands with QualPath to bring bigger and better solutions to businesses across South Florida. We believe this acquisition will significantly benefit our customers by providing them with access to the most advanced office technology and integrated business systems." QualPath customers will now have access to an expanded range of products and services, including Sharp's robust copiers and printers, Dynabook laptops, Sharp Aquos Boards, VoIP solutions, and NEC video walls. This broadened portfolio aims to enhance operational efficiency and technological capabilities for businesses in the region.Kevin DeYoung, CEO of QualPath, is equally positive, stating, "I am thrilled that QualPath has been acquired by AD Solutions. Their commitment to innovation and excellence in the technology space makes them the perfect company to continue our legacy and drive our mission forward. We are excited about the incredible opportunities this acquisition will bring to our team, customers, and the industry as a whole." This acquisition marks the fourth in the last four years, underscoring the company's continuous growth and expansion of Managed Print and IT services statewide. With established offices in Orlando, Jacksonville, Deltona, Tampa, Melbourne, and now Miami, AD Solutions boasts an expert team of over 60 professionals and operates five warehouses across the state that support a strong supply chain and fast response times.About AD SolutionsAD Solutions is a workplace technology company headquartered in Orlando, Florida, that offers equipment, services, and software nationwide to simplify working and learning in a hybrid world. With the company's primary mission being "Service First and Foremost," AD Solutions helps businesses large and small by using a consultative approach to meet their unique needs. Solutions include Sharp copiers and printers, managed print and software services, interactive displays, NEC video walls, VOIP, IT Support, and more. Along with award-winning service and ongoing local support, AD Solutions utilizes remote diagnostic tools to be fast, reliable, and proactive. For more information, visit http://www.myadsusa.com Contact InformationShiza AhmedMarketing Content Specialistmarketing@ myadsusa.com (855) 272-2322SOURCE: AD SolutionsView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 15:04:03

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ALGONA, IA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / American Power Group Corporation ("APG") (Pink:APGI),the leading dual fuel diesel engine conversion technology company, is pleased to announce their sponsorship role as well as participation on a panel discussion of The Transport Project's Inaugural Better Than Zero Summit, to be held June 24-26, 2024 at the Westin Downtown Nashville, Nashville, TN. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., The Transport Project is a national coalition of roughly 200 fleets, vehicle and engine manufacturers, servicers, suppliers, fuel producers and fuel providers dedicated to the decarbonization of North America's transportation sector.APG is sponsoring the "Achieve Better Than Zero Today with RNG" panel discussion on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 which will address the growing popularity and use of renewable natural gas ("RNG") and how the use of RNG in lieu of fossil natural gas can significantly reduce a vehicle's emission profile. APG has received third party validation that it's Dual Fuel Solution displacing 50-60% of diesel consumption with RNG from dairy manure could generate an estimated carbon intensity ("CI") score of the fuel of between -104 to -145 gC02e/MJ and avoid between 500 to 610 metric tons of CO2 per year per vehicle.At 11 AM on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, APG's CEO/CFO Chuck Coppa, will participate as a panel member for the panel discussion "Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Technologies". Mr. Coppa will be discussing APG's practical, affordable, and proven alternative fuel solution to convert existing Class 8 diesel trucks with APG's V7000 Dual Fuel System. With no loss of power and torque, the V7000 Dual Fuel solution provides the ability to realize meaningful net fuel savings through the substitution of up to 60% natural gas including low-carbon and negative-carbon renewable natural gas. This can significantly lower diesel-related criteria pollutants and improve a fleet's CI footprint. APG has an industry-leading 500+ EPA engine family approvals and multiple CARB Executive Orders for vehicular solutions.Mr. Coppa stated, "We believe there is no one silver bullet solution available to reduce heavy-duty diesel truck emissions but APG's dual fuel technology is one of the readily available options to diesel fleets who want to start dipping their toes into alternative fuels on a very cost-effective basis. While ideally, from an emissions perspective, heavy-duty trucks should be running 100% on some form of natural gas, electricity or hydrogen, we know cost is one of the key drivers in making the decision to move away from diesel to an alternative solution. According to the American Trucking Association, 95.8% of all carriers operate 10 or less trucks and 99.7% operate 100 or less trucks so we believe most are either just hesitant of change or don't have the financial resources to completely swap out their entire diesel fleet for cleaner burning vehicles. We see ourselves as a transition technology available to fleets to start the process now, especially in the heavy-duty transportation segment." About American Power Group Corporation ( www.americanpowergroupinc.com American Power Group's subsidiary, American Power Group Inc., ("APG"), provides cost-effective alternative fueling solutions for diesel engines to significantly reduce methane criteria pollutants and help accelerate a low-carbon future. APG's Dual Fuel conversion technology is a unique patented hardware and software solution that enables high-horsepower diesel engines to safely displace up to 60% of diesel fuel with natural gas. Engines equipped with APG's Dual Fuel technology can use renewable natural gas (RNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), captured flare-stack methane and conditioned well-head gas resulting in lower cost, lower carbon, and lower criteria pollutant emissions. Additionally, APG's Dual Fuel conversion technology remains fully compatible with eligible biodiesel blends and renewable diesel fuels further reducing a diesel engine's carbon footprint and provide users with a proven regulatory compliant technology to meet their Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance ("ESG") objectives.About The Transportation Project ( www.transportproject.org) Headquartered in Washington, D.C., The Transport Project is a national coalition of roughly 200 fleets, vehicle and engine manufacturers, servicers, and suppliers, and fuel producers and providers dedicated to the decarbonization of North America's transportation sector. Through the increased use of gaseous motor fuels including renewable natural gas and hydrogen, the United States and Canada can achieve ambitious climate goals and greatly improve air quality safely, reliably, and effectively without delay and without compromising existing commercial business operations.Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and OpinionsThe matters described herein contain forward-looking statements and opinions, including, but not limited to, statements relating to outstanding dual fuel conversion quotes for $4.5 million + and our ability to turn these quotes into actual orders. These forward-looking statements and opinions are neither promises nor guarantees but involve risks and uncertainties that may individually or mutually impact the matters herein, and cause actual results, events, and performance to differ materially from such forward-looking statements and opinions. These risk factors include, but are not limited to, the fact that we may not be able to convert the $4.5 million+ of quotes into actual orders, the fact our dual fuel conversion business has lost money in prior fiscal years and the risk that we may require additional financing to grow our business, the fact that we rely on third parties to manufacture, distribute and install our products, we may encounter difficulties or delays in developing or introducing new products and keeping them on the market, we may encounter lack of product demand and market acceptance for current and future products, we may encounter adverse events or economic conditions, we operate in a competitive market and may experience pricing and other competitive pressures, we are dependent on governmental regulations with respect to emissions, including whether EPA approval will be obtained for future products and additional applications, the risk that we may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights, factors affecting the Company's future income and resulting ability to utilize its NOLs, the fact that our stock is thinly traded and our stock price may be volatile, and the fact that the exercise of stock options and warrants will cause dilution to our shareholders. Readers are cautioned not to place un
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 03:12:03

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Pilot unit production is expected to commence in July 2024Highlights:Anson Resources has signed an agreement with Koch Technology Solutions for testing of a Li-Pro Lithium Selective Sorption (LSS) pilot unit using brine from the Green River Lithium Project.The pilot unit will be located on Anson Resources' 100% owned private land at Green River and process fresh brine under commercial production conditions from Bosydaba#1 well into lithium chloride, that may be used to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate.The pilot unit results will be used for process optimisation and product verification for a proposed commercial scale plant. Results will provide important inputs for a full-scale Li-Pro unit within Anson Resources' planned lithium extraction facility.Pilot unit production is expected to commence in July 2024.Anson Resources and KTS have agreed on a cost sharing framework involving an investment by KTS through a convertible note to cover the Green River Lithium Project piloting development.NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2024 / Anson Resources Limited (ASX:ASN ) (" Anson Resources " or " the Company ") is pleased to announce its collaboration with Koch Technology Solutions ("KTS"), a Koch Engineered Solutions ("KES") company, for the commissioning of its Li-Pro process pilot unit for lithium extraction at the Company's Green River Lithium Project ("Project") in Utah, USA. The pilot will be jointly funded by Anson Resources and an investment from KTS through a convertible note as the companies work to develop a further commercial relationship.KTS completed their detailed treatability study in May 2024 using brine from Anson Resources' Green River Lithium Project. KTS' testing has indicated exceptional results for lithium recovery and element rejection rates and suggests superior results to those achieved in Anson Resources' Definitive Feasibility Study, see ASX announcement 8 September 2022 . The Company is in the process of determining any revisions to CAPEX and OPEX from the results achieved.Through an agreement completed on 21 st June 2024, the companies will partner to expedite the commissioning of the pilot unit. Results from the pilot unit, if successful, will provide detailed feasibility engineering and cost data for deployment of the full-scale Li-Pro process at the Green River Lithium Project's lithium extraction facility.The pilot unit is expected to be operational in July 2024 at Anson Resources' private land in Green River, Utah and will run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the next two to four months. The unit will process fresh brine from the Company's Bosydaba#1 well into lithium chloride, replicating commercial production conditions. This pilot unit is in addition to Anson Resources' operational sample demonstration plant ("SDP") at Green River that utilises the existing flow sheet , see ASX announcement 15 April 2024. The two direct lithium extraction ("DLE") technologies will be tested concurrently using brine from the collected during the drilling program of the Bosydaba#1. Test results of the brine collected from the Leadville Formation, Mississippian Units indicated that lower levels of contaminants, higher porosity, and higher pressure than at the Paradox Lithium Project, see ASX announcement 20 th May, 2024.Anson Resources and KTS have agreed to a commercial arrangement whereby KTS, via a convertible note investment, helps pay for piloting, testing, and detailed feasibility engineering costs for the Li-Pro pilot unit at Green River (see material terms below).If the initial pilot work is successful and if Anson Resources and KTS mutually agree to move into a commercial Li-Pro unit, further costs could be funded through additional investment from KTS. KTS' Li-Pro process is used in other operational pilot facilities elsewhere in North America. KTS has announced that the Li-Pro process is being used in its commercial-scale lithium extraction demonstration plant near El Dorado, Arkansas. That plant was commissioned in April 2024 and is believed to be the largest continuously operating DLE facility in North America.Anson Resources Executive Chairman and CEO Bruce Richardson commented:" Anson Resources is focused on fast-tracking the development of our Green River Lithium Project. This announcement highlights our commitment to accelerating development while enhancing both Project returns and environmental credentials. Partnering with one of the USA's preeminent technology providers, KTS, a leader in delivering commercialized lithium extraction processes, significantly reduces project risk through their advanced technology and engineering experience.Importantly, our recent drilling work at Bosydaba#1 1 provides the ability to supply fresh brine identical to real operating conditions. This is a step-change for the Company and will allow us to super-charge development, comparing the output of the existing DLE extraction and the KTS Li-Pro processes to achieve the best results for our investors. The brine is slightly different to that of the Paradox Lithium Project and several USA companies have technologies that can be applied to to extract the lithium from the brine. At this stage of the Green River Lithium Project, we are looking at several technologies that can provide the company with the best outcome for extraction and the downstream purification to electric vehicle grade lithium carbonate.The development of the sample demonstration plant provides the utilities and other infrastructure that is needed to conduct test work with technology providers, and we are delighted that KTS has agreed to locate this pilot unit at our Green River site and we look forward to a long a productive relationship. Ensuring domestic supply has been a critical focus of the Company and today's announcement is a significant step towards Anson Resources building a commercial scale battery grade lithium carbonate plant." Martin Rizo - Commercial Director - Americas for KTS noted:" Green River has the potential to become a key U.S. domestic battery grade Lithium Carbonate project. The site's existing infrastructure and strategic location combined with A1 Lithium's lithium extraction experience will support KTS in efficiently delivering and operating our Li-Pro pilot unit. KTS is excited to be a part of this significant opportunity in the U.S. domestic lithium supply chain.About Koch Technology SolutionsKTS is the technology licensing business of Koch Engineered Solutions (KES), is a private company established in 1945. KTS creates value for its customers across a growing portfolio of technologies including direct lithium extraction, the polyester value chain, and
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 02:31:09

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HIGHLIGHTSAppointment of new CFO with +25 years' South Australian mining and oil & gas experience Expansion of Barton's commercial development, project finance and grant funding focus ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / June 23, 2024 / Barton Gold Holdings Limited (ASX:BGD)(OTCQB:BGDFF)(FRA:BGD3) (Barton or the Company) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Nicola Frazer as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective today.Nicola is a Chartered Accountant (CA) with over 25 years' corporate finance, accounting, investor relations, commercial development and grant funding experience in South Australia's mining and oil & gas sectors.Nicola joins Barton as it moves into early analyses, financial optimisation and development planning for its large-scale Tunkillia Gold Project (Tunkillia), where initial Scoping Studies are currently underway.Ms Nicola Frazer, Chief Financial OfficerFrom 1998 to 2007 Nicola was a Manager of Business Development and Investor Relations for Normandy Mining (subsequently Newmont Australia), from 2009 to 2020 a Senior Commercial Advisor at Beach Energy (ASX:BPT), and most recently an Associate Director with KPMG's Government Incentives and Grants where she focused on securing non-dilutive State and Federal Government funding incentives for South Australian commercialisation and development initiatives.Based in Adelaide, Nicola will play a key role in Barton's corporate and project-level development initiatives and financing strategies as the Company leads the development of a new large-scale gold industry in the central Gawler Craton.Commenting on Ms Frazer's appointment as CFO, Barton Managing Director Alex Scanlon said:"Barton is at an exciting stage in its corporate evolution, and we are pleased to grow our leadership team with the appointment of another skilled professional who shares our passion for South Australia's advancement."Having been part of the team that grew Normandy Mining to over 2 million oz annual gold production before its sale to Newmont, Nicola brings many valuable insights to us as an emerging South Australian gold developer."Her experience with non-dilutive State and Federal grant funding initiatives will also be of high value to Barton. Since its 2021 IPO, Barton has distinguished itself by generating ~$10 million in non-dilutive funding through asset monetisation initiatives and grant programs. This has been immensely valuable to our shareholders and will continue to be a key focus area as we lead the redevelopment of the central Gawler Craton's gold industry." Authorised by the Board of Directors of Barton Gold Holdings Limited.For further information, please contact:Alexander ScanlonManaging Director a.scanlon@ bartongold.com.au +61 425 226 649 Shannon CoatesCompany Secretary cosec@ bartongold.com.au +61 8 9322 1587About Barton GoldBarton Gold is an ASX, OTCQB and Frankfurt Stock Exchange listed Australian gold developer targeting future gold production of 150,000oz annually, with ~1.6Moz Au JORC Mineral Resources (52.2Mt @ 0.94 g/t Au), multiple advanced exploration projects and brownfield mines, and 100% ownership of the only regional gold mill in the renowned central Gawler Craton of South Australia.*Tarcoola Gold ProjectExisting brownfield open pit mine within trucking distance of Barton's processing plant Under-explored asset with untapped scale potential Tunkillia Gold Project1.5Moz Au Mineral Resources (51.3Mt @ 0.91 g/t Au)*District-scale structures with advanced satellite targets Infrastructure650ktpa CIP process plant, mine village, and airstrip Tarcoola ~40 person lodging to support mine operations Tunkillia camp to support dedicated project teamCompetent Persons Statement & Previously Reported InformationThe information in this announcement that relates to the historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources as listed in the table below is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation prepared by the Competent Person whose name appears in the same row, who is an employee of or independent consultant to the Company and is a Member or Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG) or a Recognised Professional Organisation (RPO). Each person named in the table below has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration and to the activity which he has undertaken to quality as a Competent Person as defined in the JORC Code 2012 (JORC).ActivityCompetent PersonMembershipStatusTarcoola Mineral ResourceDr Andrew Fowler (Consultant)AusIMMMemberTarcoola Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021)Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant)AIGMemberTarcoola Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021)Mr Marc Twining (Employee)AusIMMMemberTunkillia Exploration Results (until 15 Nov 2021)Mr Colin Skidmore (Consultant)AIGMemberTunkillia Exploration Results (after 15 Nov 2021)Mr Marc Twining (Employee)AusIMMMemberTunkillia Mineral ResourceMr Ian Taylor (Consultant)AusIMMFellowChallenger Mineral ResourceMr Dale Sims (Consultant)AusIMM / AIGFellow / MemberThe information relating to historic Exploration Results and Mineral Resources in this announcement is extracted from the Company's Prospectus dated 14 May 2021 or as otherwise noted in this announcement, available from the Company's website at www.bartongold.com.au or on the ASX website www.asx.com.au . The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the Exploration Results and Mineral Resource information included in previous announcements and, in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the Prospectus continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the applicable Competent Persons' findings are presented have not been materially modified from the previous announcements.Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis document may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "expect", "target" and "intend" and statements than an event or result "may", "will", "should", "would", "could", or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information is subject to business, legal and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those c
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 16:46:55

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Technology Firm Argus Introduces Groundbreaking Solutions to Enhance Business Efficiency and Security.SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Argus, a pioneering force in the technology industry, proudly announces the launch of its state-of-the-art crypto payment gateway alongside a cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) application. These innovative offerings are set to transform how businesses manage financial transactions and leverage AI to optimize operations, providing unprecedented levels of efficiency, security, and intelligence.Crypto Payment Gateway: Secure and Seamless TransactionsArgus's crypto payment gateway is designed to meet the growing demand for secure, efficient, and transparent financial transactions in the digital age. This gateway supports a wide array of cryptocurrencies, enabling businesses to accept and process payments with ease and confidence. Key features include:Enhanced Security: Leveraging advanced encryption technologies and blockchain protocols, the Argus crypto payment gateway ensures that all transactions are secure, minimizing the risk of fraud and cyber threats.Global Reach: By supporting multiple cryptocurrencies, Argus opens up new opportunities for businesses to engage with customers worldwide, breaking down traditional financial barriers.User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive design of the gateway allows for seamless integration with existing business systems, ensuring a smooth transition and minimal disruption.Real-Time Processing: Instantaneous transaction processing enables businesses to maintain a steady cash flow and provide better customer experiences."With the crypto payment gateway, addressing the critical need for secure, efficient, and versatile financial solutions in today's digital economy," said CEO of Argus. "Empowering businesses to operate on a global scale, with confidence in the security and reliability of their transactions." Artificial Intelligence Application: Intelligence at FingertipsIn addition to revolutionizing financial transactions, Argus's new AI application is set to redefine how businesses operate and make decisions. This powerful tool harnesses the capabilities of artificial intelligence to deliver insights and automation that drive efficiency and innovation. Key features include:Educational assistant: With the new features of the Argus app can redefine all the sessions of a classroom, this feature is also available for all students and businesses.Predictive Analytics: Using advanced machine learning algorithms, the AI application provides businesses with predictive insights, helping them make informed decisions and stay ahead of market trends.Automated Processes: From customer service to supply chain management, the AI application automates routine tasks, freeing up valuable time and resources for more strategic initiatives.Personalized Experiences: By analyzing customer data, the AI application enables businesses to deliver highly personalized experiences, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.Scalable Solutions: Whether for small businesses or large enterprises, the AI application is designed to scale according to the unique needs of each organization."AI application represents a significant leap forward in how businesses can leverage technology to drive growth and innovation," said CEO of Argus. "By integrating AI into their operations, businesses can unlock new levels of efficiency and intelligence, staying competitive in an ever-evolving marketplace." AboutArgus is a technology company dedicated to providing innovative solutions that enhance business efficiency, security, and intelligence. With a focus on cutting-edge technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, Argus is committed to helping businesses navigate the complexities of the digital age and achieve their full potential.Media ContactOrganization: ArgusContact Person: shivansh kotiaWebsite: http://www.arguscompany.io Email: info@ arguscompany.io Contact Number: +14153583888City: San FranciscoState: CaliforniaCountry: United StatesSOURCE: Argus
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 15:35:21

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AB 2223 Unnecessarily Upends Low Dose Beverage Market Thriving in California, Says CCGHCDANVILLE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Responding to legislative challenges in California, Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Company (CCGHC) announces its opposition to AB 2223 (Aguiar-Curry D-Winters) unless amended, stating that the bill could severely impact the availability of popular hemp-derived THC beverages and other low-dose products currently sold statewide in liquor stores.Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Company AB 2223 is not without merit as it seeks to build upon previously approved AB 45 but unfortunately, says the organization, introduces limitations that would render responsibly produced and marketed compliant products, which adhere to current regulations, non-compliant under the new law."Public safety, consumer demand, and industry viability are at the heart of our mission," stated Brandon Harshbarger, President of Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Company. "Our low-dose hemp THC beverages are rigorously tested and proven safe. They should be regulated similarly to alcohol, not restricted to a 1 milligram standard that is unnecessarily prohibitive and does not align with consumer or business needs." Andrew Lee, Chief Legal Officer at CCGHC and Board Member of the Hemp Beverage Alliance, highlighted the importance of appropriate regulatory distinctions: "As part of our commitment to consumer safety, we emphasize the necessity for regulatory frameworks that differentiate between responsibly produced, low-dose hemp beverages and the unregulated high-dose products often marketed inappropriately," explained Lee. "Aligning the regulation of our tested, low-dose products to be similar to how alcohol is regulated will serve public desire for low-dose THC options, address health and safety, and positively advance the cannabis industry as a whole." The hemp industry significantly contributes to California's economy and public wellness. The proposed legislative changes risk eliminating this growing category, removing beneficial alternatives responsibly provided by hemp-derived products.Ted Whitney of Squared also voiced support for refining legislation: "Under AB 45 these drinks are legal and regulated. We're seeking to further clarify those laws and build on the success of this category in CA. Low dose beverages provide a massive benefit to distributors, retailers, and consumers in CA, and the amendments we're proposing will be great for everyone." As discussions around AB 2223 continue, CCGHC remains committed to advocating for regulations that ensure public safety without hindering innovation or access. The company urges all stakeholders to support legislative measures that acknowledge hemp's significance to California's social, economic, and health frameworks.For more information about Cheech and Chong's Global Holding Company and their initiatives to support the hemp industry, please visit CheechandChong.com Contact InformationBrooke Mangum Chief Marketing Officerbrooke@ cheechandchong.com SOURCE: Cheech and Chong's Global Holding CompanyView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 10:00:21

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The Acquisition Adds to Conversion's Global Footprint, Digital Marketing Services for Verticals Outside of Truck Driver RecruitingBRENTWOOD, TN / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Conversion Interactive Agency announced today the organisation has acquired majority interest in digital marketing agency SR Consulting (SRC). This acquisition propels Conversion Interactive Agency to continued leadership in marketing and adds to the company's global capabilities and verticals outside of trucking exclusively.Conversion Interactive Agency Full Color Logo PNG"SR Consulting folds seamlessly into our organisation, and we are privileged to work with the brands they represent in helping them reach their marketing and branding goals," said Kelley Walkup, president and CEO of Conversion Interactive Agency. "I am confident our technology and marketing strategy can help continue to build the brands for the companies SR Consulting represents today." SR Consulting (formerly Curtis Gabriel), previously managed by Simon Curtis, will roll up under Conversion Interactive Agency, and Curtis will continue to lead the efforts for the clients he represents. Curtis and his team are excited about becoming a part of the Conversion family, and his decision to sell controlling interest was a strategic one for his current client base and the future of his business. "I was looking for a partner who could help take our business to the next level through innovation, strategy, and a team with hundreds of years' experience in marketing and advertising," said Curtis. "Kelley and the Conversion team are the perfect fit, and they bring an expansion to our services that will greatly benefit the SR Consulting client base on both sides of the Atlantic." With offices in the US, U.K., Australia, and the Philippines, SR Consulting will continue operations under the Conversion Interactive Agency brand, and SRC customers have the power of Conversion's industry-leading technology behind them to boost their marketing and advertising efforts in challenging talent markets. Walkup recognises that Curtis and his thought leadership will also be beneficial for the partnership. "Simon's knowledge and leadership in the industries he serves is exciting for us as we use the power of our technology to help brands recruit top talent and customers," added Walkup.To find out more about Conversion Interactive Agency, visit www.conversionia.com About Conversion Interactive AgencyConversion Interactive Agency is a full-service advertising agency specializing in driver recruiting and retention for the trucking industry.-XXX-Media Contact: Priscilla Peters, Chief Marketing Officer, Conversion Interactive Agency, 615-377-2595, ppeters@ conversionia.com Contact InformationPriscilla PetersChief Marketing Officerppeters@ conversionia.com 615-377-2595SOURCE: Conversion Interactive AgencyView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 09:00:15

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Cozycozy, the emerging accommodation search engine, is expanding its global footprint, with more 53 markets available to its millions of monthly users. With new market entries in Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea, Slovakia, Czechia, Vietnam, Norway, Costa Rica and South Africa, cozycozy is positioning itself as the go-to platform for travelers worldwide, offering a simplified search experience for all types of accommodations from 100+ providers, including Airbnbs.cozycozy homepage cozycozy homepage searchbar Transforming Vacation Accommodation Search WorldwideCozycozy is on a mission to simplify vacation accommodation search for every single traveler across the globe. With recent expansion into new markets, the platform is now more accessible than ever. By aggregating all types of accommodations-from hotels and apartments to unique stays like treehouses and boats-cozycozy ensures that users can find exactly what they need, all in one place.The platform's user-friendly interface and advanced search filters make it easy for travelers to compare prices, locations, and amenities from all available offers in their searched destination. By presenting all available options, cozycozy guarantees that users get the best prices and offers, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable travel experience. Cozycozy's commitment to continuous expansion and innovation drives the transformation of how people search for vacation accommodations.Summer Travel SurgeAs the summer season approaches, cozycozy's expansion comes at a critical time. With an expected increase in travel, more people will be using cozycozy to find and book their summer accommodations. The platform's user-friendly interface and comprehensive listings make it a valuable tool for those planning their summer getaways, whether for a beach vacation, a mountain retreat, or a city break.Simple and Efficient SearchCozycozy's platform aggregates all types of accommodations, including hotels, apartments, hostels, homestays, and unique lodging options like treehouses and boats. This comprehensive approach ensures that users can find exactly what they need, all in one place. The platform is designed to be easy to use, allowing users to use multiple filters to compare prices and find the place that best meets their needs.Future GrowthCozycozy's global expansion is ongoing, with plans to enter additional international markets and continuously improve its platform. As it grows, cozycozy aims to become the leading accommodation search engine worldwide. By inviting travelers from all over the world to use its platform, cozycozy is set to revolutionize the way people find and book accommodations.For more information about cozycozy and to start planning your next trip, visit www.cozycozy.com About CozycozyCozycozy is the world's only search engine that browses over hundreds of booking platforms, including Airbnb, so travelers can find their perfect stay in just one click. Launched in 2019 in Paris, the platform is now operating in 53 countries worldwide.Contact InformationRomain ClaudelCo-founderpress@ cozycozy.com SOURCE: CozycozyView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-25 00:55:14

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The court has issued summons to DEA Director Anne Milgram and other DEA personnel involved in the illegal appointments. This trial is poised to address the DEA's disregard for presidential and congressional marijuana laws and its manipulation of cases to the agency's favor.WASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / In a significant development, the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Anne Milgram, has been summoned by the Rhode Island Federal Court in relation to the agency's handling of MMJ BioPharma Cultivation's application to grow pharmaceutical marijuana. This action follows allegations that Milgram illegally appointed Administrative Law Judge Teresa Wallbaum to oversee MMJ BioPharma Cultivation's case.BackgroundMMJ BioPharma Cultivation, MMJ Biopharma Labs, and MMJ International Holdings are at the forefront of pharmaceutical cannabis research. These companies have made substantial progress, filing FDA Investigational New Drug (IND) applications to conduct clinical trials for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Huntington's Disease (HD). MMJ International Holdings has developed proprietary THC and CBD non-synthetic soft gelatin capsules derived from marijuana plant extracts, which have been submitted to the FDA for approval. This marks them as the only company with a natural final dose THC and CBD medicine ready for human clinical trials.Persistent DEA DelaysDespite these advancements, MMJ faces significant delays from the DEA in processing their application to cultivate strain-specific cannabis. MMJ's President, Duane Boise, has criticized the DEA for hindering marijuana research and development, impacting their business operations and delaying potential treatments for patients.Illegal Judge Appointment and Legal ActionThe legal battle intensified when Megan Sheehan and Associates, lawyers representing MMJ BioPharma, discovered that DEA Director Anne Milgram had illegally appointed Administrative Law Judge Teresa Wallbaum for MMJ's administrative law trial. This prompted MMJ BioPharma Cultivation to file a lawsuit in Rhode Island federal court, seeking to halt the DEA's unconstitutional actions.The court has issued summons to DEA Director Anne Milgram and other DEA personnel involved in the illegal appointments. This trial is poised to address the DEA's disregard for presidential and congressional marijuana laws and its manipulation of cases to the agency's favor.Broader Legal and Regulatory ImplicationsThe Rhode Island Federal Court is poised to limit the discretion federal agencies like the DEA have in interpreting ambiguous laws. Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to issue decisions on two cases that could significantly impact the DEA's operations. One case involves the deference courts give to federal agencies in interpreting laws, while the other addresses the use of administrative law judges in enforcement cases. Oral arguments have been heard, and decisions are expected by late June.Duane Boise emphasized the potential for 2024 to be a monumental year in administrative law, affecting all federal agencies, including the DEA.Failed DEA Marijuana PolicyThe case also highlights broader criticisms of the Biden administration's marijuana policy. Despite public assurances, there has been little meaningful action. The DEA's anti-marijuana stance continues to stymie research and development. With six approved DEA growers, none are currently cultivating marijuana for research, and the University of Mississippi remains the only source of marijuana for research purposes.Tim Moynahan, attorney and chairman of MMJ BioPharma Cultivation, hopes that challenging the constitutionality of the DEA's actions will lead to a resolution. He emphasizes the critical need for MMJ to complete its research to help patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and Huntington's Disease.ConclusionThe legal challenges faced by MMJ BioPharma underscore the urgent need for regulatory reform in the cannabis research landscape. The outcomes of these legal battles and the forthcoming Supreme Court decisions will be pivotal in shaping the future of pharmaceutical cannabis research and ensuring patients have access to new treatments.MMJ is Represented by Attorney Megan Sheahan and AssociatesCONTACT: Madison Hisey media@ mmjih.com 203-231-8583SOURCE: MMJ BioPharma Cultivation
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 13:00:53

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CRANBROOK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 /Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (TSXV:EPL) (or "Eagle Plains") is pleased to announce that crews have been mobilized to EPL's 100% owned Mount Polley West (MPW) gold-copper project. The 9663 ha MPW project is located in south-central BC, 54 kms north-northeast of Williams Lake and adjacent to Imperial Metals' Mount Polley Property and Osisko Development's past producing QR Deposit. MPW is prospective for porphyry copper-gold and epithermal gold deposits.Project HighlightsLarge contiguous land position adjacent to two significant mineral deposits Historical trenching returned 1.12% Cu over 35m, including 7.12% Cu over 5m Excellent infrastructure that supports cost-effective exploration Multiple documented mineralized intrusions similar in nature to the Mount Polley Intrusive Complex (MPIC) Coincident geophysical and geochemical anomalies that support the presence of additional prospective intrusions See Mount Polley West Compilation Map and Webpage hereDue to the proximity to the Mount Polley Mine Complex and extensive forestry activity in the area the project has excellent infrastructure including the paved Likely Road and a high-voltage powerline 5 km south of the property boundary.Exploration in the region began in conjunction with the Caribou placer gold rush in the 1890's with the first documented hard-rock exploration on the property conducted in 1966, shortly after the discovery of the Mount Polley Mine. Mount Polley is an alkalic porphyry copper deposit, hosted in intrusive breccias and stockwork veins of the late-Triassic Mount Polley Intrusive Complex (MPIC). Recent compilation of historical mapping, rock sampling, and limited drilling within the current MPW property boundaries indicate several occurrences of intrusions similar in nature to the MPIC.Eagle Plains' first claims in the region were acquired in 2022 with subsequent additions made through staking and third-party agreements. After acquiring the core MPW claims, Eagle Plains completed geological mapping and soil and rock geochemical sampling on the property. 2022 work confirmed copper mineralization on the property, interpreted to be indicative of a deeper porphyry copper source.Although there are 10 BC MINFILE occurrences on the property, bedrock exposure is limited with varying depths of glacial till cover. Interpretation of historical work and work by Eagle Plains has identified glacial till sampling as an effective tool in vectoring toward bedrock sources of mineralization. Analyses of gold grains in wide spaced till samples collected by Eagle Plains in 2023 in the NW of the property indicate the potential for an up-ice mineralized source to the south. Tills down-ice from Mount Polley show similar gold grain counts and grain morphology.2024 fieldwork will focus on increasing the density of till sampling in the central part of the property, up- ice from the anomalous 2023 till results and in the area of overlapping radiometric and magnetic geophysical anomalies which are consistent with the geophysical signature of Mount Polley. The 2024 work program will be managed by TerraLogic Exploration of Cranbrook, BC.The compilation of historical work in conjunction with a review of modern geophysical surveys and results from 2023 fieldwork by Eagle Plains are highly encouraging. The results from the 2024 program will be integrated with historical data to aid in planning the next stage of work which may include deep-looking airborne MT geophysics, ground IP geophysical surveys and mechanical trenching to identify drill targets.The MPW Project is available for option and Eagle Plains is actively seeking partners.Rock grab samples are selective samples by nature and as such are not necessarily representative of the mineralization hosted across the property. The above results were taken directly from MINFILE descriptions and assessment reports filed with the BC government. Management cautions that historical results were collected and reported by past operators and have not been verified nor confirmed by a Qualified Person but form a basis for ongoing work on the subject properties. Management cautions that past results or discoveries on proximate land are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved on the subject properties.Qualified PersonTechnical information in this News Release has been reviewed and approved by C.C. Downie, P.Geo., a director and officer of Eagle Plains, hereby identified as the "Qualified Person" under N.I. 43-101.About Eagle Plains ResourcesBased in Cranbrook, B.C., Eagle Plains is a well-funded, prolific project generator that continues to conduct research, acquire and explore mineral projects throughout western Canada, with a focus on critical metals integral to an increasingly electrified, decarbonized economy.The Company was formed in 1992 and is the ninth-oldest listed issuer on the TSX-V (and one of only three that has not seen a roll-back or restructuring of its shares). Eagle Plains has continued to deliver shareholder value over the years and through numerous spin outs has transferred over $100,000,000 in value directly to its shareholders, with Copper Canyon Resources and Taiga Gold Corp. being notable examples. Eagle Plains latest spinout; Eagle Royalties Ltd. (CSE:"ER") was listed on May 24, 2023, and holds a diverse portfolio of royalty assets throughout western Canada.Eagle Plains' core business is acquiring grassroots critical- and precious-metal exploration properties. The Company is committed to steadily enhancing shareholder value by advancing our diverse portfolio of projects toward discovery through collaborative partnerships and development of a highly experienced technical team.Expenditures from 2010-2023 on Eagle Plains-related projects exceed $38M, the majority of which was funded by third-party partners. This exploration work resulted in approximately 50,000m of diamond-drilling and extensive ground-based exploration work facilitating the advancement of numerous projects at various stages of development.Throughout the exploration process, our mission is to help maintain prosperous communities by exploring for and discovering resource opportunities while building lasting relationships through honest and respectful business practices.On behalf of the Board of Directors of Eagle Plains"C.C. (Chuck) Downie, P.Geo" President and CEOFor further information on EPL, please contact Mike Labach at 1 866 HUNT ORE (486 8673)Email: mgl@ eagleplains.com or visit our website at https://www.eagleplains.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsNeither 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 adeq
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 08:40:07

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HONG KONG, CHINA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / The cryptocurrency community is buzzing with excitement over theEarthMeta Token (EMT) presale, widely hailed as an anticipated crypto presale of 2024. With unprecedented interest from investors, including prominent cryptocurrency whales, EarthMeta is making a significant impact in the metaverse space.EarthMeta smashes presale expectationsEarthMeta Token is not just another entrant in the crowded metaverse space; it is set to compete with other major players in the industry. The unique features and robust incentives EMT offers are already attracting significant attention from metaverse specialists and users as early participants may benefit from the project's innovative bonus structure and high-yield staking rewards.Presale bonusesOne of the standout features of the EMT presale is the bonus structure. Early participants in the first stage had received up to a 30% bonus on their token purchases, making it an incredibly attractive proposition for early adopters. Today, there's still a great opportunity to grab a 20% bonus before stage 2 ends.In addition to token bonuses, participants can receive exclusive Cities NFTs. These NFTs unlock significant benefits on the EarthMeta platform, set to launch in four months. The more NFTs you unlock, the greater the advantages you will have.EarthMeta offers high staking rewards in the market, with participants able to earn up to 180% annual percentage yield (APY) on their staked tokens. These rewards can be calculated directly on the EarthMeta platform for transparency and ease.Why EarthMeta stands outTransparency is at the core of EarthMeta's mission. The team is committed to maintaining open lines of communication with the community, providing regular updates, and addressing any questions or concerns promptly. Due to the overwhelming response and rapid participation, the phases offering the highest bonuses are progressing and closing swiftly. As a result, we anticipate that the presale will conclude sooner than planned.Also, with metaverse-related crypto-assets like $MANA and $SAND outperforming Bitcoin and Ethereum in 2023-2024, the metaverse market projected to grow 48% annually to at least $1.3 trillion by 2030, EarthMeta's presale is perfectly timed and well-positioned.Presale success and future potentialAs the market gears up for the anticipated bull run and being at the intersection of the Metaverse and AI market, EarthMeta is poised to capitalize on emerging opportunities, offering significant value to its community.Join the EarthMeta movementThe presale is still ongoing, and there is an opportunity for newcomers to join the EarthMeta movement. With the first stage of the presale completed and the second stage already halfway through, the platform is well on its way to setting new records and achieving its goal of becoming a leading name in the metaverse space.Media Details Company Name: Earthmeta LtdMail: marketing@ earthmeta.ai Website: https://earthmeta.ai City & Country: Hong Kong, HKSOURCE: Earthmeta Ltd
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 14:31:55

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BELLEVUE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 /Fresh Consulting, a Bellevue, Washington-based global innovation firm, announced a strategic partnership with Balanced Engineering LLC, a prominent engineering firm specializing in advanced automation and safety solutions for autonomous vehicles and off-road manufacturers.The partnership's focus is delivering global automation and autonomy engineering alongside local implementation to the fast-growing vehicle engineering and manufacturing regions. As many industrial OEMs shift their operations to Mexico, Fresh and Balanced Engineering are positioning resources in Monterrey to accelerate the development of safe, leading-edge autonomous equipment for their clients.The collaboration between Fresh Consulting and Balanced Engineering leverages each company's strengths to spearhead industrial AgTech innovation, particularly for autonomous vehicles and robotics. The partnership aims to combine Fresh's multifaceted approach to innovation - with strengths in strategy, design, software, robotics, and hardware execution - with Balanced Engineering's advanced engineering and consulting capabilities, especially in the area of safety, which is critical for commercialization.Founded by industry experts Alex Foessel and Rick Weires, Balanced Engineering has made substantial strides in advanced engineering solutions, contributing to groundbreaking projects in the autonomous vehicle and robotics sectors. The team brings extensive experience in off-road automation with direct product development and commercialization in off-road and transport industries adding over 100 years of combined experience including commercialization in Europe, North America, and Latin America."The fusion of Fresh's innovative execution with Balanced Engineering's technical consulting creates a formidable force in the world of autonomous vehicles and robotics," said Jeff Dance, founder and CEO of Fresh Consulting. "We're especially excited about the unique opportunities this partnership brings to Latin America clients." Alex Foessel, co-founder of Balanced Engineering LLC, emphasized the potential impact of this partnership. "By joining forces with Fresh Consulting, we are well-positioned to accelerate the development and deployment of sophisticated autonomous systems and robotic solutions that bring ROI and automation to our clients. We look forward to offering our combined capabilities to companies operating in Mexico for global markets." The partnership is set to address common challenges faced by ag companies, including navigating complex technological landscapes, ensuring cybersecurity in autonomous systems, and developing scalable, real-world solutions. Moreover, the collaboration will explore new avenues in automation and robotics, driving the advancements crucial for modernizing production and operational efficiencies across diverse sectors.About Fresh ConsultingFresh Consulting is a strategy, design, software, and hardware innovation company that offers end-to-end services with integrated teams. We design and build strategies, brands, products, robotics, systems, and apps to help companies stay fresh. Learn more at freshconsulting.com About Balanced Engineering LLCBalanced Engineering is a premier consulting firm specializing in automation, electrification, and safety for off-road machinery, especially in agriculture and construction. We provide strategy, architecture, and commercial approaches to evolve from selling conventional products to delivering automated, electrified, and robotic solutions ensuring top-tier safety. Learn more at balanced.llc Contact InformationMatthew MacKaySolutions Consultantmatthew.mackay@freshconsulting.com 425-201-3713Alex FoesselManaging Partnerinfo@ balanced.llc SOURCE: Fresh ConsultingView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 15:01:26

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Context Analytics is introducing a Generative AI application for US equities.CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / In today's financial landscape, leveraging advanced technology is crucial for gaining an edge. As a provider of AI-driven financial data solutions, Context Analytics (CA) is introducing our Generative AI application for US equities. This tool offers investors real-time insights and summaries of relevant Twitter conversations.Tesla Alert Tesla receives over 500 financial-related tweets and receive a summary of the conversation along with sentiment metrics, key recent tweets, and trending topics. Generative AI Summaries for US EquitiesAt CA, we collect millions of tweets from various sources to capture a wide range of opinions and information, providing a comprehensive view of market sentiment. By analyzing these tweets, investors gain access to diverse perspectives on market trends and key conversation topics.Our Generative AI application excels in offering easy-to-digest summaries that highlight the main conversation topics and trends. This feature is particularly beneficial for investors who need quick insights without sifting through large amounts of data. The AI-generated summaries help identify potential red flags and positive signals. Additionally, the time saved from using these summaries allows investors to focus on other critical aspects of their strategies.Real-Time Data Feed via APIThe Generative AI application offers seamless integration of tweet data into existing infrastructures through an API. This ensures continuous monitoring and real-time data ingestion, providing investors with up-to-date information. The API endpoints can be customized to meet specific needs, allowing for efficient data integration.Summarization on Front-End PlatformThe Active Trader platform offers an interface for easy access and interpretation of summarized tweet data. This platform includes sentiment metrics, time series visuals, and a real-time filtered Twitter feed for all US equities. With daily refreshed summaries, investors are assured of up-to-date information.AI Generated Summary and Email AlertsThe AI-generated summaries are refreshed daily at 9 am ET, ensuring that investors have access to the latest information before the market opens. This daily update includes summaries for securities with five or more tweets on the topic.Investors can set up email alerts to stay informed about the securities they are interested in. These alerts provide real-time updates on Twitter activity so that investors never miss important market conversations. The email alert feature offers a convenient way to stay updated without constantly monitoring the platform.ConclusionThe Generative AI application by CA is a significant advancement in financial technology. By leveraging AI to analyze a filtered stream of financial data from Twitter, investors can make better-informed decisions and assess risks more effectively. This application offers comprehensive data collection, real-time insights, and a user-friendly front-end platform, making it a valuable resource for modern investors.As the field of generative AI continues to evolve, more advanced tools and features will emerge. CA is dedicated to enhancing its products to meet the evolving needs of investors. Adopting Generative AI can help investors stay ahead in the competitive financial market.Contact InformationMadison WrayBusiness Development Analystmadison@ contextanalytics-ai.com (312) 788-2607Related FilesGenerative AI Deck (1)SOURCE: Context Analytics Inc.View the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 18:16:45

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Signature Performance, Inc. has disclosed a data breach affecting the personal information of consumers. The breach impacted numerous individuals who entrusted their sensitive personal information to Signature.WHAT HAPPENED? In early February 2024, Signature detected that an unauthorized third party gained access to its IT network. On June 10, 2024, Signature began sending notice letters to individuals impacted by the data breach.WHAT INFORMATION WAS IMPACTED? The following types of sensitive personal information may have been exposed as a result of the data breach:Full nameDate of birthSocial Security numberHealth insurance informationMedical informationWHAT'S THIS ABOUT? Compensation may be available for Signature Performance clients who received notice that their personal information had been breached.WHY AM I ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION? Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers break into networks to steal your personal information to sell it on the dark web or commit identity theft, financial theft, or other frauds. The company may be liable for failing to secure your privacy.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED? If you received a data breach notification letter from Signature Performance, you are affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:ABOUT LEVI & KORSINSKYLevi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-25 00:16:48

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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Metrobloks, a US-based data center infrastructure development startup, has emerged from stealth mode after securing an oversubscribed $5.2M seed round. The funding, led by Current Equity Partners with the backing of Serena Capital, will enable Metrobloks to deliver high-performance data centers to urban metro markets, enhancing the landscape of data infrastructure.Metrobloks is addressing a critical need in the data center market: low-latency computing for AI workloads. With this need in mind, they have developed a unique approach to design, deploy, and operate modular and scalable data centers in underserved urban markets. This approach will not only enhance performance for businesses but also significantly impact urban communities by increasing access to high-performance computing at scale."Over the past year, we have seen AI capabilities firmly placed in the hands of consumers. Recent news and product announcements have underscored that AI will be everywhere, integrated directly into edge and endpoint devices. Metrobloks' goal is to extend data center capacity to these devices, especially in underserved metro markets. By providing 'AI at the edge,' we enable real-time processing and decision-making without reliance on cloud servers. This decentralization of AI processing offers low-latency capabilities and improved reliability to enterprise customers and traditional hyperscalers, whose services are often located in congested and over-developed campuses far away from end users" said Ernest Popescu, CEO of Metrobloks.The Metrobloks founding team consists of data center experts, real estate developers, entrepreneurs and tech innovators with extensive experience with industry giants like AWS, Meta, and Iron Mountain, previous roles where they enabled more than 12GW capacity across 25 countries. This unique combination of expertise positions Metrobloks at the forefront of providing high-performance data center solutions tailored to the unique needs of AI/ML, IoT, gaming, and streaming services."We want to be the easy button, creating an ecosystem of data centers operating between the Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) and the Availability Regions (ARs)," said Ernest Popescu, CEO of Metrobloks. "Our vision is to reinvent how data centers are built and operated by integrating modularity, sustainability, software, and AI to help data center infrastructure perform to its maximum potential, benefiting both providers and end-users. This gives us a significant advantage over traditional data centers trying to rethink their design, layout, and equipment choices to accommodate AI workloads." Metrobloks found the right investors with Current Equity Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in the new digital economy, and Serena Capital, one of the largest tech venture capital firms in Europe. These firms recognize the critical role that Metrobloks will play in the future of urban data infrastructure while bringing their own expertise around two of Metrobloks' core tenets: sustainability and innovation."One of our primary goals was finding the right investment partners that could amplify our vision for sustainable and future-proof data centers in underserved urban markets around the world," added Alejandro Maldonado, Chief Strategy Officer of Metrobloks. "As we continue to develop different sites and our programmatic investment platform grows, we will continue to focus on engaging the right equity partners." "We are thrilled to partner with Ernest and the broader metrobloks team as they address a growing crucial need in the data center market," said PJ Fielding, Managing Partner at Current Equity Partners. "Their deep experience and innovative approach make them well-positioned to transform how data centers operate in metropolitan areas." Commenting on his firm's participation in the equity funding round, Bertrand Diard, partner at Serena Capital mentioned, "We believe the Data Center space is ripe for significant innovation. By adding a technology layer Metrobloks will be able to make a larger impact on this industry".For more information about Metrobloks, visit https://metrobloks.com About MetrobloksMetrobloks is revolutionizing data infrastructure in major metro areas across North America. With a focus on providing low-latency, high-capacity data solutions for AI/ML, IoT, Gaming, Streaming and other data intensive services, Metrobloks delivers future-proof multi-tenant colocation facilities to underserved urban markets. Founded by a diverse team of industry veterans, Metrobloks is committed to shaping the future of digital connectivity.About Current Equity PartnersAn investment firm founded by J.C. Frey and P.J. Fielding. The firm is focused on supporting the infrastructure build-out of the new digital economy. The team empowers, supports and provides financial backing to founders with differentiated expertise and nuanced investment experience to generate above-average risk-adjusted returns. The firm invests on behalf of its principals and other like-minded ultra-high net worth individuals.About Serena CapitalSerena is one of Europe's leading investment funds. Founded in 2008, Serena finances and supports innovative start-ups from pre-seed to Series A, with initial checks ranging from 500k to 15m. Focus sectors: AI, SaaS, Climate Tech, Impact. The portfolio includes successful exits such as The Fork (acquired by Tripadvisor), Aramis Auto (acquired by Peugeot). They have invested in nearly 100 companies across the globe.For any Press & Media inquiries please contact:Alejandro MaldonadoChief Strategy Officer press@ metrobloks.com (510) 982-1335SOURCE: Metrobloks
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 22:15:20

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TAMPA, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) announced its combined April and May 2024 sales volumes and revenue by business segment.PotashApr/May 2024 Apr/May 2023 Sales volumes (000 tonnes(1) )1,314 1,617Sales revenues (million USD)$ 371 $ 672 PhosphatesApr/May 2024 Apr/May 2023 Sales volumes (000 tonnes(1) )932 1,329Sales revenues (million USD)$ 671 $ 948 Mosaic FertilizantesApr/May 2024 Apr/May 2023 Sales Volumes (000 tonnes(1) )1,237 1,305Sales Revenues (million USD)$ 606 $ 791(1)Tonnes = finished product tonnesPrevious second quarter 2024 guidance is reiterated. Potash sales volume and MOP prices at the mine are expected to be in the range 2.2-2.4 million tonnes, and $210-$250 per tonne, respectively. Phosphates sales volumes and DAP prices at the plant are expected to be in the range of 1.6-1.8 million tonnes, and $530-$580 per tonne, respectively.About The Mosaic CompanyThe Mosaic Company is one of the world's leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients. Mosaic is a single source provider of phosphates and potash fertilizers and feed ingredients for the global agriculture industry. More information on the company is available at www.mosaicco.com Mosaic will publish a market update on the company's investor relations website immediately after this press release. Mosaic - Market Education ( mosaicco.com) The Mosaic Company Contacts Investors: Media:Joan Tong, CFA, 863-640-0826 joan.tong@mosaicco.comBen Pratt, 813-775-4206 benjamin.pratt@mosaicco.comJason Tremblay 813-775-4226 jason.tremblay@mosaicco.com This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about proposed or pending future transactions or strategic plans and other statements about future financial and operating results. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of The Mosaic Company's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: political and economic instability and changes in government policies in Brazil and other countries in which we have operations; the predictability and volatility of, and customer expectations about, agriculture, fertilizer, raw material, energy and transportation markets that are subject to competitive and other pressures and economic and credit market conditions; the level of inventories in the distribution channels for crop nutrients; the economic impact and operating impacts of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the effect of future product innovations or development of new technologies on demand for our products; changes in foreign currency and exchange rates; international trade risks and other risks associated with Mosaic's international operations and those of joint ventures in which Mosaic participates, including the performance of the Wa'ad Al Shamal Phosphate Company (also known as MWSPC), the future success of current plans for MWSPC and any future changes in those plans; difficulties with realization of the benefits of our natural gas based pricing ammonia supply agreement with CF Industries, Inc., including the risk that the cost savings initially anticipated from the agreement may not be fully realized over its term or that the price of natural gas or ammonia during the term are at levels at which the pricing is disadvantageous to Mosaic; customer defaults; the effects of Mosaic's decisions to exit business operations or locations; changes in government policy; changes in environmental and other governmental regulation, including expansion of the types and extent of water resources regulated under federal law, carbon taxes or other greenhouse gas regulation, implementation of numeric water quality standards for the discharge of nutrients into Florida waterways or efforts to reduce the flow of excess nutrients into the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf of Mexico or elsewhere; further developments in judicial or administrative proceedings, or complaints that Mosaic's operations are adversely impacting nearby farms, business operations or properties; difficulties or delays in receiving, increased costs of or challenges to necessary governmental permits or approvals or increased financial assurance requirements; resolution of global tax audit activity; the effectiveness of Mosaic's processes for managing its strategic priorities; adverse weather conditions affecting operations in Central Florida, the Mississippi River basin, the Gulf Coast of the United States, Canada or Brazil, and including potential hurricanes, excess heat, cold, snow, rainfall or drought; actual costs of various items differing from management's current estimates, including, among others, asset retirement, environmental remediation, reclamation or other environmental regulation, Canadian resources taxes and royalties, or the costs of the MWSPC; reduction of Mosaic's available cash and liquidity, and increased leverage, due to its use of cash and/or available debt capacity to fund financial assurance requirements and strategic investments; brine inflows at Mosaic's potash mines; other accidents and disruptions involving Mosaic's operations, including potential mine fires, floods, explosions, seismic events, sinkholes or releases of hazardous or volatile chemicals; and risks associated with cyber security, including reputational loss; as well as other risks and uncertainties reported from time to time in The Mosaic Company's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.SOURCE: The Mosaic Company
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 23:00:33

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Did you purchase Nike, Inc. (NYSE: NKE) shares between March 19, 2021, and March 21, 2024, inclusive, and lose money on your investments?Do you want to discuss your rights?NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired Class B common stock of Nike, Inc. ("Nike" or the "Company") (NYSE:NKE) between March 19, 2021, and March 21, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its senior officers (the "Complaint").If you purchased or acquired Nike Class B common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Nike, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later thanAugust 19, 2024 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.According to the Complaint, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that NIKE's direct-to-consumer strategy was unable to generate sustainable revenue growth and that NIKE's purported competitive advantages were unable to protect the Company from competitive pressures. Specifically, defendants materially misled investors about: (1) NIKE's ability to generate sustainable revenue growth under its direct-to-consumer strategy; (2) NIKE's purported competitive advantages to protect the Company from intense competitive pressures despite focusing on its direct-to-consumer strategy; and (3) as a result, defendants' representations about NIKE's business, operations, and prospects. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damagesInvestors slowly learned the truth through a series of disclosures on June 27, 2022, September 29, 2022, December 21, 2023, and March 21, 2024. On March 21, 2024, NIKE reported declining revenues and Defendant Donahoe finally admitted that "NIKE is not performing [to its] potential." When the truth entered the market, the share price of NIKE Class B common stock significantly declined.If you purchased or acquired Nike Class B common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Nike, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2024 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.Contact Information:Peter AlloccoInvestor Relations ManagerBernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com (212) 951-2030 pallocco@ bernlieb.com SOURCE: Bernstein Liebhard LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 14:32:12

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LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Net Savings Link, Inc. (OTC PINK:NSAV), a leading Web3, blockchain and digital asset technology company, announced today the completion of a Revenue Sharing Agreement (RSA) with Staynex Group PTE, Ltd., effective June 18, 2024.Under the terms of the Agreement, NSAVx.com , Inc. will market Staynex's Monthly Subscription Membership Plans, JETset (Travel) Passes, and Time-share and Experience-Share NFTs to its expanding user base on its NSAVx.com CEX Exchange https://nsavx.com/ and the Company's TheAlley.io website https://www.thealley.io . For each order placed for these products, Staynex will pay NSAVx.com , Inc. a 20% commission in perpetuity.Staynex boasts over 2.5 million hotels, resorts, and serviced apartments onboarded. As a disruptive Web3 travel and stay membership platform, Staynex leverages AI and blockchain technology to offer Travel2Earn loyalty program with gamification, crypto payments, crypto debit/credit cards and AI curated listings.Kevin Simon, CEO of NSAV, stated, "We are proud to align NSAV with Yuen Wong and the Staynex team. This fully executed RSA is the first step in what we believe will be a long-term relationship. Effective immediately, we begin marketing the Staynex portfolio of products to our growing customer base. With the global travel industry reaching $1.9 trillion in 2023, we see the Staynex Web3 platform as a global disruptor to this growing industry. It is our intention to begin testing NSAVpay within the Staynex sandbox, with a goal of integrating their 2.5 million hotels, resorts, and apartments into our crypto marketplace." Yuen Wong, CEO of Staynex, added, "Staynex is delighted with this long-term strategic partnership which additionally will also bring travel joys with cheaper rates to the NSAV community as well. As a welcome gift to the NSAV community, we are happy to offer whitelist allocations for our One-Price-For-All Public Round Token Offering coming in July." For Staynex whitelist allocation specifically for the NSAV community, please send an email with the subject "Whitelist" to hello@ nsavxtoken.com and indicate your wallet address.For more information about the Staynex Web3 platform, including the upcoming token launch information, please visit www.staynex.vip For more information about Staynex and its key features, please visit https://x.com/staynexcom.About Net Savings Link, Inc.: NSAV's vision is the establishment of a fully integrated technology company, which provides turnkey technological solutions to the Web3, blockchain and digital asset industries. The Company drives innovation in the digital currency space by developing advanced blockchain technologies, digital assets, and market solutions that bridge the gap between traditional business frameworks and the future of decentralized technology. Over time, the Company plans to provide a wide range of services such as software solutions, e-commerce, financial services, advisory services and information technology.For further information please contact NSAV at info@ nsavholdinginc.com For further information please contact NSAVx.com at hello@ nsavxmail.com The NSAV corporate website can be accessed at https://www.netsavingslinkinc.com The NSAV CEX website can be accessed at https://nsavx.com/ TheAlley.io can be accessed at https://www.thealley.io The AirdropX.co website can be accessed at https://www.airdropx.co/ The Swopx.io website can be accessed at https://www.swopx.io The NSAV Stock information website can be accessed at https://www.nsavstock.com The NSAVx Token website can be accessed at https://www.nsavxtoken.com/nsavx-token The NSAVx Discord Server can be accessed at https://discord.com/invite/7Q2Vv5NmKd The NSAV Twitter account can be accessed at https://twitter.com/nsav_tech This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the ability of Net Savings Link, Inc. to accomplish its stated plan of business. Net Savings Link, Inc. believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward- looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Net Savings Link, Inc. or any other person.ContactNet Savings Link, Inc. info@ nsavholdinginc.com Media ContactOrganization: Net Savings Link IncContact Person: James TiltonWebsite: https://www.nsavholdinginc.com Email: info@ nsavholdinginc.com Contact Number: +17185698815Address: 26 Grosvenor Street, MayfairAddress 2: W1K4QWCity: LondonCountry: United KingdomSOURCE: Net Savings Link Inc
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 13:00:20

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Aclara Resources Inc. ("Aclara" or "Company") (TSX:ARA) is pleased to announce that, after a five-business day review period, it has received confirmation of the admissibility of its Environmental Impact Assessment ("EIA") application by the Environmental Service Assessment ("SEA") in Concepcion, Chile. This confirmation marks the first step in the application process.In addition, on June 22, 2024, an extract of the EIA was published by SEA in the Official Gazette. This publication initiates the citizenship participation process, which lasts 60 business days. In parallel, the initial technical review process for the first round of observations is underway and is expected to last approximately 30 business days. Subject to SEA's confirmation that there are no further requirements of material information, the technical assessment will advance to the next phase of the process. The Company anticipates that the EIA will undergo an evaluation period of approximately 18 months and is committed to working with the SEA throughout the assessment and review process.About AcaraAclara Resources Inc. (TSX: ARA) is a development-stage company that is focused on heavy rare earth mineral resources hosted in Ion-Adsorption Clay deposits. The Company's rare earth mineral resource development projects include the Penco Module in the Bio-Bio Region of Chile and the Carina Module in the State of Goias, Brazil.Aclara's rare earth extraction process offers several environmentally attractive features. Circular mineral harvesting does not involve blasting, crushing, or milling, and therefore does not generate tailings and eliminates the need for a tailing's storage facility. The extraction process developed by Aclara minimizes water consumption through high levels of water recirculation made possible by the inclusion of a water treatment facility within its patented process design. The ionic clay feedstock is amenable to leaching with a common fertilizer main reagent, ammonium sulfate. Further, harmful levels of radionuclides, typical of hard rock rare earth deposits, are not concentrated within the Aclara's processing flowsheet. In addition to the development of the Penco Module and the Carina Module, the Company will continue to identify and evaluate opportunities to increase future production of heavy rare earths through greenfield exploration programs and the development of additional projects within the Company's concessions in Brazil, Chile, and Peru.Forward-Looking StatementsThis news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects the Company's current expectations regarding future events, including statements with regard to, among other things, the Company's expectations including statements with regard to, among other things, the EIA submission, and the review thereof by the SEA and other evaluation services resulting in the continuation of the EIA evaluation process. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form dated as of March 22, 2024 filed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile. Actual results, timing, performance, achievements or future events or developments could differ materially from those expressed or implied herein. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward-looking information contained in this news release is provided as of the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws.For further information, please contact:Ramon BaruaChief Executive Officerinvestorrelations@ aclara-re.com SOURCE: Aclara Resources Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 16:01:38

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The Dayton, Ohio-based facility will extend the sales, support and delivery of advanced in-store media networks to retail customers globallySAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Premier Retail Networks (PRN) today announced the opening of a new "Sales Center of Excellence" which will extend PRN's capability to create, deploy and support in-store retail media networks globally, with a primary focus on in-store and connected TV networks. PRN, part of the STRATACACHE family of companies including Scala and Walkbase, has nearly 30 years of experience creating successful networks in many of the largest retailers in the world. The new sales center will help PRN accelerate services for retailers competing for the $120+ billion annual retail media spend in 2024 and beyond.Premier Building Premier Building, home of PRN's new Sales Center of ExcellenceThe PRN Sales Center will grow in the Premier Building at 110 N. Main and deliver expertise that covers a full scope of in-store retail media, including in-store digital networks, programmatic retargeting, streaming/CTV, mobile and digital out of home. While many retailers have mature online retail media platforms, in-store digital and CTV opportunities are extremely high-growth, high-margin areas for retailer expansion. The PRN Sales Center will help retailers and global brands reach customers in new ways and generate high-value audiences to monetize those impressions."Retail media networks have been dominating conversations among major brands and retailers, and this is an area where PRN has a proven record of excellence in delivering in-store strategy and execution," said Kevin Carbone, CEO of PRN. "The new Sales Center will elevate PRN's ability to fully align retailer and brand needs, delivering new in-store revenue streams for retailers and more personalized, targeted, and measurable in-store messaging and promotion for brands. Global brands and retailers are struggling with the transparency and efficacy of programmatic ad tech in the store. PRN provides the people and services necessary to directly overcome those challenges and ensure successful, attributable audience conversions all the way through the transaction." The Sales Center will create more than 100 new tech jobs in downtown Dayton. As part of the STRATACACHE Digital City agenda, attracting STEM-savvy talent in data science, advanced sensors, digital display and complex network operations to the area is a key initiative. PRN will be actively recruiting data scientists, retail media sales professionals, strategic agency specialists and CPG/FMCG ambassadors as part of this launch."Continuing to expand and evolve the Dayton tech ecosystem is critical for the growth of the local economy," said Chris Riegel, CEO of STRATACACHE. "We're committed to a continuous growth of not only our digital media businesses, but also our investment in the Dayton community." Learn more about retail media networks and PRN at www.prn.com/solutions and STRATACACHE at www.stratacache.com Contact InformationAndrea PoleyDirector, Communications & Digital Marketingandrea.poley@scala.com 610-704-8142SOURCE: PRNView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-25 00:21:24

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SEATTLE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Product Creation Studio (PCS), a premier provider of engineering and design services, is excited to announce a new partnership with PatchClamp Medtech Inc. (PMI). This collaboration focuses on developing PatchClamp's novel dural repair graft placement system, designed to address the challenges of durotomy-perforations in the dura during cranial and spinal surgeries-which can lead to severe complications if not properly sealed.PatchClamp Medtech Inc. - Neurosurgery and Spinal Procedure Device - Seattle, WA The PatchClamp device quickly and effectively provides an immediate watertight seal for dura openings encountered in MIS and open surgical procedures. This prevents the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, which frequently leads to serious complications.The innovative PatchClamp device, facilitated by PCS's development expertise, is designed to utilize a unique graft-clasp to enable safe and immediate watertight sealing of durotomies. This device aims to improve outcomes in minimally invasive and open craniospinal procedures. This single-hand disposable applicator allows surgeons to work in constrained spaces. This new system addresses the limitations of direct dural repair by incorporating 3D-printed components and commercially available bioresorbable materials, providing proof of concept through in vitro and in vivo testing.A testament to this groundbreaking collaboration, PatchClamp Medtech Inc. has been awarded the highly competitive NIH SBIR award by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), recognizing the potential impact of their technology on neurosurgical procedures. Further validating their innovation, PatchClamp has secured patents in the United States and Japan.Dr. Marc Mayberg, co-founder of PatchClamp Medtech Inc., emphasized the technology's impact, stating, "Our device is not just a step forward in neurosurgical technology; it is a leap towards fundamentally changing how surgeons approach dural repairs. Achieving a watertight seal in a challenging surgical environment enhances patient safety and recovery, setting a new standard in surgical care." Scott Thielman, Chief Technology Officer at Product Creation Studio, commented on the partnership, "Working with the PatchClamp team has been inspiring. Their groundbreaking approach to surgical repair meshes perfectly with our mission to accelerate medical technology development that advances the field and improves patient outcomes." Disclaimer: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved this device.About Product Creation StudioLocated in Seattle, Washington, Product Creation Studio has been an innovation accelerator since 1999, transforming ideas into market-ready products. With extensive expertise in medical devices, life science tools, industrial equipment, and consumer products, PCS is dedicated to enhancing user experience and expediting time to market for groundbreaking technologies.Learn more: https://www.productcreationstudio.com/ About PatchClamp Medtech Inc.PatchClamp Medtech Inc. is a medical device company enhancing surgical outcomes in neurosurgery and spinal procedures. With a commitment to innovation and patient safety, PatchClamp is developing novel devices that enable safe and immediate watertight repair and sealing of durotomies encountered during minimally invasive and open craniospinal procedures. Their technologies address the challenges of durotomy repair, offering neurosurgeons a solution to prevent complications related to cerebrospinal fluid leaks.Learn more: https://www.patchclamp.tech/ Contact InformationKadee GrayMarketing Managerkadee@ productcreationstudio.com SOURCE: Product Creation StudioView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 10:00:10

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Q Precious and Battery Metals Corp. ("QMET" or the "Company") (CSE:QMET)(OTC PINK:BTKRF)(FRA:ONB) is pleased to announce that the company has now mobilized a diamond drill onto the La Corne South project located north of Val d'Or, Quebec. The drilling is scheduled to commence in the following days.The first drill hole of this current campaign is positioned to test a TDEM conductive target and magnetic high that is coincident with sulphide mineralization intercepted in historic diamond drilling, containing significant copper, silver, with some zinc and gold values returned from core sampling (Falconbridge report GM 62134, also see QMET news releases dated April 16 and June 20, 2024).The geologic team, including Explo-Logik Inc. located in Val d'Or, will monitor the drilling to identify and sample mineralized intercepts, and to continue interpretation for targeting of future drill holes. Drill core logging and sampling will take place at the Explo-Logik facility in Val d'Or. The geologic team has recently discovered exposures of pillow basalt lavas with veining and disseminated sulphides indicative of Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) style mineralization to the immediate south of the area currently targeted for drilling. The regional geology combined with local indicators suggests strong potential for massive sulphides.Q BATTERY METALS CORPQ Battery Metals exploration programs undertaken in Quebec are supervised by Dr. Mathieu Piche, OGQ, with office located north of Val d'Or. He is also a Q Battery Metals company director. The company has 100% interest in mineral claims within Quebec, targeting critical and precious metals. Projects include the La Corne South VMS + Pegmatite Lithium Project, McKenzie East Gold property, and the recently acquired Pontax Lithium and Versant rare earth elements (REE) properties.Cautionary StatementThis press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions as of that date. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development; the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing; the Company's limited operating history; the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations; fluctuations in the prices of commodities; operating hazards and risks; competition and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Prospectus dated September 8, 2017 available on www.sedar.com . Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions, and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.On behalf of the Board of DirectorsRichard PennCEO(778) 384-8923SOURCE: Q Battery Metals Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 21:00:34

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SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Shareholder rights law firm Johnson Fistel, LLP has launched an investigation into whether the board members of Juniper Networks (NYSE:JNPR) ("Juniper" or "the Company") breached their fiduciary duties in connection with the proposed sale of the Company by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE:HPE).You can click or copy and paste the following link to join this investigation: https://www.johnsonfistel.com/investigations/juniper-networks On January 10, 2024, Juniper announced that it had entered a deal to merge with HPE. Under the terms of the deal, Juniper shareholders will receive $40.00 per share in an all-cash offer.The investigation concerns whether the Juniper board failed to satisfy its duties to the Company shareholders, including whether the board adequately pursued alternatives to the acquisition and whether the board obtained the best price possible for Juniper shares of common stock.If you are a shareholder of Juniper and believe the proposed buyout price is too low or you're interested in learning more about the investigation, please contact lead analyst Jim Baker ( jimb@ johnsonfistel.com ) at 619-814-4471. If emailing, please include a phone number.About Johnson Fistel, LLP:Johnson Fistel, LLP is a nationally recognized shareholder rights law firm with offices in California, New York, Georgia, and Colorado. The firm represents individual and institutional investors in shareholder derivative and securities class action lawsuits. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://www.johnsonfistel.com Attorney advertising.Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.Johnson Fistel, LLP has paid for the dissemination of this promotional communication, and Frank J. Johnson is the attorney responsible for its content.Contact:Johnson Fistel, LLP501 W. Broadway, Suite 800, San Diego, CA 92101James Baker, Investor Relations or Frank J. Johnson, Esq., (619) 814-4471 jimb@ johnsonfistel.com or fjohnson@ johnsonfistel.com SOURCE: Johnson Fistel, LLP
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 05:33:13

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Crypto Valley, Switzerland, June 21, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - The Swiss WEB3FEST 2024 has concluded with outstanding success, setting new benchmarks in the world of blockchain and WEB3 innovation. From June 5-13, 2024, the event brought together an impressive 4500 attendees, 200 speakers, and 50 exhibitors across 28 events. Some highlights of the festival was the participation of Edward Snowden and the Crypto Valley Visionaries list, honoring the pioneers and innovators of the blockchain space. This years festival was embedded around the pivotal Crypto Valley Conference in Switzerland, combining several ecosystems and welcoming both national and international guests and speakers from all over the world.Event Highlights:One of the major highlights of the Swiss WEB3FEST 2024 was the fireside chat with Edward Snowden and Brittany Kaiser at SHED Zug. Snowden, the world-famous whistleblower, joined via video link for a 2-hour discussion on Friday and a 30-minute keynote at the Unconference on Saturday. He discussed data sovereignty, digital privacy, and the role of blockchain in decentralizing power and enhancing privacy. Snowden emphasized, "Not individuals, but large tech companies and state authorities now possess the right to privacy," highlighting the critical need for blockchain technology in protecting digital rights. This session offered unique insights from two leading figures in the realm of digital security.Additionally, the Unconference, held at the FIVE Hotel in Zurich, was another standout with six different areas, each with its own stage,agenda and presenting projects. This dynamic setup fostered in-depth discussions and hands-on experiences across AI, NFTs, the metaverse, gaming, finance, tokenization, and more on the Web3 space.Lastly, the Sustainability Day, co-hosted by DFINITY, was another impactful day in which industry leaders showcased their initiatives towards a greener future.. This event underscored the importance of green blockchain initiatives and sustainable corporate practices, emphasizing the positive impact of blockchain technology on the environment.Recap of Key Sessions:Investor Brunch: Partnered by Animoca Brands, VNTR and Outlier Ventures, this event set the stage for impactful discussions on investment and innovation in the WEB3 space.Protocol Roundtable: An exclusive luncheon for layer-1 blockchain leaders, fostering collaboration and networking.Future of Protocols Sessions: Engaging keynotes and panels featuring industry leaders like Mihai Alisie (Akasha), Dominic Williams (DFINITY), and Lily Liu (Solana Foundation).Corporate Innovation Day: A summit focusing on blockchains transformative effects on finance, impact, and consumer engagement, held at Decentral House in Geneva.Looking Ahead:The success of the third edition of the Swiss WEB3FEST sets the stage for future editions around the globe. We are excited to announce the UAE WEB3FEST, scheduled for October 2024, and the second Swiss WEB3FEST Winter Edition in January 2025. The upcoming events will continue to drive innovation, collaboration, and growth in the global WEB3 ecosystem, while demonstrating their impact and contribution to attendeesJoin the next editions and contribute to reshape the future of WEB3Whether you are a tech veteran or a curious newcomer, there is something for everyone at the WEB3FEST.For more information on tickets, participation, or sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.web3fest.ch Some example material from our event-series, reach out to us if you have specific needs.Recap Video Opening DayRecap Video Snowden & Brittany Fireside ChatRecap UnconferencePhotos UnconferenceAbout WEB3FESTWEB3FEST is a biannual series of events designed to showcase the core themes of WEB3, shaping the future of the internet's next generation. It covers a comprehensive range of topics such as AI, blockchain, digital assets, cryptocurrencies, gaming, sustainability, IoT, metaverse, NFTs, and more. The festival offers a platform to foster innovation, advance networking, and engage with the latest technological advancements, making it a must-attend event in the global tech calendar.About Crypto ValleyLocated in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Crypto Valley is one of the world's leading ecosystems for blockchain and cryptographic technologies. It is a thriving hub of innovation and collaboration, attracting entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, and global leaders looking to reshape industries and revolutionize business practices.About Crypto OasisThe Crypto Oasis is the largest WEB3 ecosystem in the world focused on the Middle East and Africa region and is supported by initiators of the Crypto Valley Switzerland. The core elements needed for its development are Talent, Capital, and Infrastructure. The Ecosystem's stakeholders include Investors & Collectors, Start-Ups & Projects, Corporates, Education & Research Institutions, Service Providers, and Government Entities & Associations. Crypto Oasis is the leading Blockchain ecosystem in the world. Today it is the fastest growing, with more than 2,040 blockchain-related organisations in the UAE alone.Swiss NFT AssociationThe Swiss NFT Association is the go-to educational hub for NFT expertise and thought leadership. The Association serves as a knowledge space; it is the primary resource for all matters concerning NFTs, actively curating quality content and building a thriving community.Contact:Inacta Ventures Press OfficePascal Arnold
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 15:01:07

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Crestcom International, LLC welcomes Terrance McCray to its global franchise networkGREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Crestcom International is proud to announce a new authorized licensee, Terrance McCray, founder and owner of Principes Consulting. Terrance will provide leadership development for clients in the Arlington, Alexandria, and Southern Fairfax areas of Virginia.Terrance McCray With over 29 years of leadership experience, Terrance has gained insight from a broad range of experiences working his way up from front-line associate, supervisor, and manager to department head and director, within the aerospace and logistics industries, to chief operations and chief executive as an entrepreneur.Terrance also earned his Master's in Business Administration and has completed all but the dissertation requirements for a PhD in Organizational Leadership. He is passionate about unraveling the intricacies of leadership and people management within complex and unpredictable environments.Terrance is deeply committed to continuous learning and developing new leaders. When asked why he wanted to partner with Crestcom, he explained, "In my years of experience, Crestcom provides an essential element to leadership training that is commonly missing in other programs, and that is an application plan and accountability to individual development. Most other programs make the trainee feel good about leadership, providing them insight on what they should do' but fall short on providing them with insight on how to do it' as it relates to their current circumstances. When I realized that Crestcom offers this essential element, I knew I wanted to partner with them in adding value to others." Terrance is an excellent addition to Crestcom's global network of leadership development professionals. His expertise in driving results and his passion for helping people grow as leaders make him a valuable resource for any organization striving to unlock its full potential.Interested in working with Terrance McCray? Get in touch with him here: https://crestcom.com/leadership-trainer/terrance-mccray/ About CrestcomCrestcom International, LLC is an international leadership development organization that has trained more than one million leaders for 25,000 businesses in 60 countries across the globe. Crestcom does this through a unique blend of live-facilitated multimedia video, interactive exercises, and shared learning experiences, followed by action plans and accountability sessions to ensure measured development in key leadership competency areas.For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Cara Rufo at cara.rufo@crestcom.com Contact InformationCara RufoDirector of Marketingcara.rufo@crestcom.com (303) 267-8200SOURCE: Crestcom InternationalView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-25 00:45:26

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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. ("Arbor" or "the Company") (NYSE:ABR) for violations of the securities laws.The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Arbor is the subject of a report issued by Viceroy Research November 17, 2023, titled, ""Arbor Realty Trust - Slumlord Millionaires." According to the report, "Arbor's high-risk multifamily bridge loans, which comprise substantially all of its asset book, are going bad fast The end is near." Viceroy Research then issued a follow up report on December 5, 2023, titled "Arbor - Jacksonville Case Study." In the second report, Viceroy Research claims that the Company's "entire loan book is distressed and underlying collateral is vastly overstated." Based on this news, shares of Arbor fell by more than 5% over the next two trading sessions.If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com , or by email at bschall@ schallfirm.com The class in this case has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.CONTACT: The Schall Law FirmBrian Schall, Esq. www.schallfirm.com Office: 310-301-3335 info@ schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 23:50:13

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THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESTORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / TRU Precious Metals Corp. (TSXV:TRU)(OTCQB:TRUIF) ("TRU" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has retained HE Capital Markets Ltd. ("HE Capital"), a global investor relations firm based in London, United Kingdom to secure third party publicity and interviews. HE Capital's extensive network and wide audience distribution enables optimized visibility in North American and European markets.TRU Co-Founder and CEO Joel Freudman commented: "We are looking forward to working with HE Capital and their team. This program will support our efforts to introduce TRU and its gold and critical minerals prospects at the Golden Rose Project to a larger audience, including in the United States to leverage our recently reactivated OTCQB Venture Market listing." The engagement of HE Capital is for USD$6,500 in cash, to be deployed during the anticipated 2-month engagement term, which commenced today, primarily for securing interviews. The Company will pay such fees from its working capital at the beginning of the two-month term Additional services may be added for additional cost as the program is rolled out. There are no performance factors impacting compensation and HE Capital will not receive common shares or options of the Company as compensation.HE Capital is at arm's length from the Company. As of the date hereof, HE Capital owns 15,000 common shares of the Company and does not have any right or intent to acquire additional interest in the Company or its securities. HE Capital has an office located at 3 London Bridge Street, London, United Kingdom, 3E1 9SG.The engagement is subject to regulatory approval by TSX Venture Exchange.About TRU Precious Metals Corp.TRU (TSXV:TRU, OTCQB:TRUIF) is on a mission to build long-term shareholder value through prudent natural resource property development and transactions. TRU is exploring for gold and copper in the highly prospective Central Newfoundland Gold Belt on its 100%-owned Golden Rose Project, originally optioned from TSX-listed Altius Minerals. Golden Rose is a regional-scale 264.25 km2 land package, including 45 km of strike length along the deposit-bearing Cape Ray - Valentine Lake Shear Zone, directly between Calibre Mining's Valentine Gold Project and AuMEGA Metals Ltd.'s Cape Ray Gold Project. In addition, TRU has an option to acquire up to an aggregate 65% ownership interest in two claim packages covering 33.25 km2 including a 12 km strike length along the Shear Zone within Golden Rose. TRU is approximately 37%-owned by European strategic investor Ormonde Mining plc (AQSE:ORM).TRU is a portfolio company of Resurgent Capital Corp. ("Resurgent"), a merchant bank providing venture capital markets advisory services and proprietary financing. Resurgent works with promising public and pre-public micro-capitalization companies listing on Canadian stock exchanges. For more information on Resurgent and its portfolio companies, please visit Resurgent's website at https://www.resurgentcapital.ca/ and follow Resurgent on LinkedIn at https://ca.linkedin.com/company/resurgent-capital-corp For further information about TRU, please contact:Joel FreudmanCo-Founder & CEOTRU Precious Metals Corp.Phone: 1-855-760-2TRU (2878)Email: ir@ trupreciousmetals.com To connect with TRU via social media, below are links:X: https://x.com/MetalsTru YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruMetalsCorp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tru-precious-metals-corp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TRUMetals/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TRUMetals/ AcknowledgementTRU would like to thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for financial support through the Junior Exploration Assistance Program and the Federal Government for its critical mineral assistance funding for the exploration activities at Golden Rose.Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including those relating to regulatory approval and to the timing of the Company's investor relations program with HE Capital. These statements are based on numerous assumptions believed by management to be reasonable in the circumstances and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including without limitation: regulatory approval; volatility in financial markets, economic conditions, and precious metals prices; and those other risks described in the Company's continuous disclosure documents. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements herein. Investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements herein except as required by applicable securities laws.Neither TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: TRU Precious Metals Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 18:04:52

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / VIGO Photonics is delighted to announce the continued expansion of Vigo Photonics USA into the North America market. Our deeper commitment to bringing leading edge Infrared detector technology as well as applications and engineering expertise closer to the customer has resulted in three new employees joining our team.VIGO Photonics USA Expansion Daniel Hirsh, Director of Sales, Industrial Gas Sensing has had a rewarding career in the gas monitoring markets and will be leading our strategy for implementing solutions that will help our customers with tools to effectively monitor and manage their emissions, while combating climate change and supporting the energy markets. Initiatives such as US Methane Emissions Reduction Program continue to fuel the need for improved detection capabilities as well as faster sample and acquisition measurements where Vigo Photonics detectors bring a great deal of value.Merry Ann Libonate joins us with an impressive career working alongside US defense contractors, government agencies and national laboratories. In the role of Director Sales, Security & Defense, she is spearheading our ITAR compliance project and fostering relationships with those who serve to defend our country by designing cutting edge technology that make our world safer.Robert Myers, Senior Applications Engineer recently has joined the US team in a key role locally assisting our clients and commercial team on all technical aspects of infrared detectors. Robert has extensive background working with industry leading manufacturers in the photonics market where he utilized his electrical engineering degree to help solve application intensive problems with novel optical solutions. His background also includes time as product manager, commercial sales leader and senior scientist where he has led high performing teams. Collaborating closely with our R&D and Applications team at our factory headquarters in Poland, Robert is quickly on track to being our resident technology expert for the North America market.We continue to gear up to meet the expanding market for infrared sensors in both the US and Canada created on the backs of initiatives in security & defense, gas sensing and laboratory grade instrumentation. Our sights are next on developing an engineered services function of highly skilled R&D individuals also based in the US to assist in integration and system design that will aid our customers in bringing disruptive technologies to market in a timely fashion. I am very excited to be joined by this caliber of professionals and look forward to further growing this business collectively.Scott RiggiPresidentVigo Photonics USAContact InformationMichael BaezDirector of Marketingmbaez@ vigophotonics.us +1(727) 388-1515SOURCE: VIGO PhotonicsView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 15:03:50

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W3Expo 2024 returns to Istanbul on August 13-14 at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti, spotlighting Web3 gaming with a direct-to-consumer approach. W3Expo, part of Istanbul Blockchain Week, highlights Turkey's status as a leading gaming and Web3 hub, expected to attract over 4,000 attendees. With live esports, interactive game stations, and a focus on immersive gaming experiences across all platforms in web2 and web3, W3Expo 2024 sets the stage for innovation in the heart of one of the world's top Web3 adopters.ISTANBUL, TURKEY / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / After a groundbreaking debut in 2022, the W3Expo, organized by web3 Marketing & PR Agency EAK Digital, is set to make a triumphant return on August 13-14 at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center, reaffirming its commitment to the Web3 gaming industry.With a unique vision that prioritizes gaming first, the W3Expo is dedicated to placing Web3 games directly into the hands of consumers. Unlike typical B2B events or being tucked away in the NFT corner of crypto conventions, W3Expo stands out as a dedicated gaming showcase that merges the worlds of web2, web3 and esports. It welcomes all genres across PC, mobile, and console platforms and features live esports action on stage.Turkey's reputation as a hotspot for gaming is well-earned, with its vibrant casual gaming market capturing the hearts of millions. As a nation, it has swiftly climbed the ranks to become one of the top five global adopters of Web3 technology, further solidified by its burgeoning esports industry. This unique combination of passion for gaming, technological embrace, and competitive spirit makes Turkey the ideal host for W3Expo 2024. Integrated within Istanbul Blockchain Week (IBW), the expo is set to draw an international audience exceeding 4,000, comprising gamers, developers, and Web3 enthusiasts eager to explore the latest in gaming innovation.The design of W3Expo's exhibition spaces is a testament to immersive and interactive gaming experiences. They feature intuitively designed walk-up-and-play game stations equipped with PCs and mobile devices. Every setup is linked to large monitors, ensuring that the thrill of gameplay is shared with onlookers. This creates a community atmosphere where every victory and defeat can be collectively experienced.Avalanche is set to present its gaming repertoire by presenting Raini: Lords of Light along with Providence, Spellborne, RoboKiden and Fableborne, each uniquely leveraging Avalanche's robust blockchain technology. These additions promise to enrich the W3Expo experience, offering players diverse, immersive experiences ranging from strategic battles to innovative gameplay mechanics in the other titles.Commenting on the return, Damian Bartlett, W3E Team Lead at W3Expo, said:"We're excited to bring W3Expo back to Istanbul, 2022 was a ground-breaking event where we merged web3 gaming in its infancy, with web2 and esports. Our focus is on prioritizing gaming, ensuring it reaches true enthusiasts, and showcasing web3 alongside the traditional gaming industry on an equal footing."With Turkey's strong gaming and esports culture, along with its leading position in web3 adoption, there's no better place for W3Expo 2024."Join us at W3Expo 2024 to experience the forefront of Web3 gaming innovation. Whether you're a gamer, developer, or enthusiast, this is your chance to be part of an event that celebrates the future of gaming.What is Istanbul Blockchain Week?Istanbul Blockchain Week 2024 is set to illuminate the vibrant city of Istanbul on August 13-14 at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center, marking its return as the nexus for Web3 innovation in the Eurasian region. This event not only builds on the success of previous years but also expands its horizons with more speakers, activations, and Web3 education, leveraging Turkey's burgeoning role as a crypto powerhouse. With the nation's dynamic tech ecosystem and strategic geographic position, Istanbul Blockchain Week promises a confluence of international and local experts driving the Web3 revolution.Entrance to W3Expo is included in the Istanbul Blockchain Week tickets and earlybird tickets can be purchased here.About W3EW3E is at the forefront of Web3 and gaming innovation, dedicated to enriching the gaming and esports scene within the web3 ecosystem. Under the leadership of team lead Damian Bartlett, W3E has made significant strides, including hosting the world's first Web3 LAN tournament at the ESA Esports Arena during Istanbul Blockchain Week 2022. As part of the EAK Global Group, W3E is building an all-in-one gaming ecosystem that supports games with their go-to-market strategies, while also offering the consumer-facing W3Expo and esports events for players. The team, boasting extensive backgrounds in the gaming industry, provides a robust platform for emerging projects, game testing, and networking among gaming, blockchain, and esports enthusiasts, aiming to bring legitimacy and facilitate growth in the web3 gaming space.To learn more, visit w3expo.gg About Istanbul Blockchain WeekIstanbul Blockchain Week is an annual event bringing together blockchain enthusiasts, industry experts, and thought leaders from across the globe. Following its remarkable success in 2022 and 2023, which witnessed an impressive turnout of over 8,000 attendees and featured 180+ international and Turkish speakers such as Changpeng Zhao, Ziya Altunyaldz, Yoshihisa Hashimoto, and Sant Manukyan, IBW returned to Turkey's prominent crypto hub on August 13th to 14th. As a dynamic platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and exploration of the latest advancements in blockchain technology, Istanbul Blockchain Week creates an environment conducive to collaboration and innovation. The event offers attendees a diverse program featuring keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions that delve into various aspects of web3. Istanbul Blockchain Week presents a unique opportunity for individuals to immerse themselves in the blockchain world and connect with like-minded visionaries actively shaping the future.To learn more and get IBW tickets, visit istanbulblockchainweek.com Contact Information:For any information about this release, please contact sara.vermes@eakdigital.com.If you want to become an Istanbul Blockchain Week 2024 media partner, please contact sara.vermes@eakdigital.com SOURCE: Istanbul Blockchain Week
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 14:31:51

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DUBAI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Wei Art Collections, a visionary in the intersection of art and blockchain technology, proudly announces the launch of its groundbreaking Innovation Series 21 and Ethereum creations, marking a significant milestone in the world of contemporary art.As the demand for crypto-related artworks continues to surge globally, Wei Art Collections has positioned itself at the forefront with the introduction of the most expensive physical crypto artworks to date. These monumental pieces, each measuring 4' by 8' and weighing approximately 130 pounds, embody the essence of blockchain innovation and artistic expression.Jean Marquette's Innovation Series 21 features artworks inspired by Bitcoin and Ethereum, aligning with their technological significance. These huge, physically exclusive works are housed in warehouses located in the UAE and the United States, reflecting the global impact of Wei Art Collections' vision. The Bitcoin Innovation Series 21 is limited to only 21 unique pieces, each meticulously crafted to merge the aesthetics of contemporary art with the cutting-edge technology of blockchain.Jean Marquette from Wei Art Collections emphasizes a forward-looking approach to art that blends technology with creativity. Their latest series not only challenges contemporary art forms but also underscores their dedication to evolving the crypto/blockchain contemporary art sector. Inspired by artists like Andy Warhol, who famously depicted iconic brands of his time such as Campbell's Soup cans and Coca-Cola bottles, Wei Art Collections employs a methodology akin to Warhol's approach. They also draw from artists like Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons, leveraging a collaborative process involving skilled craftsmen to integrate various elements into unified artworks. This approach transforms Wei Art Collections into a digital odyssey, showcasing diverse talents working synergistically to realize Jean Marquette's artistic vision.Wei Art Collections anticipates that these physical artworks will not only adorn the walls of esteemed galleries and museums but also attract a new wave of collectors who recognize the value of merging art with digital assets.The mission of Wei Art Collections is to lead as a premier designer, producer, and collector of contemporary abstract and cryptography art, celebrating the burgeoning field of Cryptography through blockchain technology. Each piece from the Wei Art Collections Series not only serves as a testament to artistic innovation but also as a potential investment that can be appreciated over time.For more information about Wei Art Collections and how to be a part of this art world innovation, please visit https://weiartcollections.art/ About Wei Art Collections:Wei Art Collections is dedicated to exploring the convergence of physical art with blockchain and other new technologies. Through its Innovation Series 21, Wei Art Collections aims to redefine contemporary art by integrating digital assets and blockchain technology into physical artworks.Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weiartcollections Media ContactCompany: Wei Art Collections Contact: Jean Marquette Email:info@ weiartcollections.artWebsite:https://weiartcollections.art/ Address: Nassima Tower, 4th floor, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesSOURCE: Wei Art Collections
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 17:01:05

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WyoTech recently inducted its 2024 Hall of Fame class in a ceremony on May 31st.LARAMIE, WY / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / WyoTech, a leading automotive, collision/refinishing, diesel, and welding trade school, recently celebrated its second annual Hall of Fame event. The event, a closed, intimate ceremony, took place in coordination with the WyoTech Annual Car Show.2024 WyoTech Hall of Fame inductees Offering hands-on training since its founding in 1966, WyoTech has graduated nearly 60,000 alumni. In 2023, the school launched its Hall of Fame initiative to recognize these graduates based on their leadership skills, philanthropy, character, and experience.To learn more about WyoTech's Hall of Fame inductees, visit WyoTech.edu/HOF Phillip Cato:Phillip Cato joined the United States Air Force after graduating high school, working in vehicle maintenance. Upon returning home after his time in the service, he attended WyoTech and eventually worked his way to opening an upholstery shop.Travis and Tyler Groth:Travis and Tyler Groth attended WyoTech in 2003, and after working in the diesel industry for a few years, decided to start their own Monster Truck team brand, Mirror Image Racing.Rick Crook:Rick Crook worked in a local body shop for a few years after high school and years later attended WyoTech for professional training so he could open his own business. Afterwards, he worked in a large collision shop, until he had the opportunity to purchase his own shop.John Hurd:John Hurd attended WyoTech in 1990, and after working in both the construction and auto body worlds for a couple of years, John began teaching at WyoTech in 1992. After 17 years, he then moved to the construction industry and eventually became a store manager for RDO Equipment Co.Lon Phillips:Lon Phillips' early years were marked by a fascination with mechanics and engineering. After WyoTech, he worked for many years in the diesel industry. He seized the opportunity to start a Diesel Equipment Technology Program from scratch at Lanier Technical College in May 2019.Ian Vance:Building cars was a dream Ian Vance had as a little boy. He decided to attend WyoTech to become a skilled professional in the automotive field. He now uses the skills and knowledge he learned from WyoTech daily in his own "Rods and Fab" shop.Richard Wood:Richard Wood graduated from WyoTech in 1982 and went on to open his own shop, Custom Car Crafters (CCC). It grew to be one of the largest body shops in Texas. After 40 years, Richard decided to sell CCC and downsize to a small custom shop, which he is still running today.About WyoTechWyoTech, formerly known as Wyoming Technical Institute, is a for-profit technical school founded in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1966. WyoTech provides training programs that prepare students for careers as technicians in the automotive, collision and refinishing, and diesel industry with nine-month training programs that focus on hands-on experience and has recently established a top-tier, six-month welding and fabrication program.Contact InformationIsabelle MathisMarketing Managerimathis@ wyotech.edu SOURCE: WyoTechView the original press release on newswire.com
PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-24 15:31:01

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Xcyte Digital to power online access to MCON's global expos for the military veteran community, providing access to disabled veterans unable to physically attend MCON 2024 to expand to reach audiences virtually for the first time with Xcyte DigitalNOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICESPOMPANO BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2024 / Xcyte Digital Corp. (TSXV:XCYT) ("Xcyte" or the "Company"), a trusted global events technology partner, specializing in next-generation event technology for physical, hybrid, virtual, immersive, and phone-based events that enhance participant engagement announces that further to its June 13, 2024 press release, the Company has completed the share exchange and asset purchase agreement (the "Agreement") with MCON Live Inc., a Nevada corporation ("MCON"), pursuant to which, among other things, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xcyte has acquired 5% of the common stock of MCON (the "MCON Shares") and 100% of MCON's online business (the "Transaction"). MCON is a veteran-owned company that hosts various annual events that bring the military community together through a celebration of military culture.MCON's next live event is expected to be held on October 24, 2024 and will be a global event powered by Xcyte Digital, enabling an immersive/hybrid format for the first time in its history. The event is expected to feature a wide range of activities and attractions, including live music and performances, speakers and exhibits, cultural experiences, curated culinary and beverage experiences, family-friendly activities, and networking opportunities. Experiences are expected to include the MCON Wellness Village, Gaming Pavilion, Possibilities Expo, Military Impact Summit and more."Xcyte Digital is proud to partner with our veterans," said Xcyte Digital CEO, Randy Selman." The last MCON event had over 1,500 in-person attendees, and we look forward to expanding MCON's reach via our platform to be able to engage the estimated 5.4 million active military personnel, veterans and their families who would like to attend virtually." About MCON Live Inc.MCON was created by veterans to bring the military community together for an epic celebration of military culture. It is an organization that values service, purpose, and sacrifice, whose mission is to create community, facilitate connection and improve the well-being of those who served and their families. For more information, visit https://mcon.live About Xcyte Digital Inc.Xcyte Digital (TSXV:XCYT) is a trusted global events technology partner, specializing in next-generation event technology for physical, hybrid, virtual, immersive, and phone-based events. Combining proprietary technology with a robust partner ecosystem, Xcyte offers both do-it-yourself and managed services, ensuring secure and scalable solutions worldwide. Thousands of clients, from innovative startups to major corporations, rely on Xcyte's cost-effective, multi-platform subscription model to meet their event needs. Xcyte Digital is headquartered in Canada and the USA, with operations across the globe. Visit us at xcytedigital.com For further information, please contact:Xcyte Digital Corp. Randy Selman, Chief Executive Officer and DirectorPhone: (647) 777 7501Email: investment@ xcytedigital.com Investor Relations Nikhil Thadani, Sophic CapitalEmail: nik@ sophiccapital.com Phone: (647) 777 7501To receive Xcyte investor news, please sign up at https://xcytedigital.com/investors/ 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.Forward-Looking InformationCertain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements and forward-looking information under applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking information"). Forward-looking information in this release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the expected timing of the Closing, the expected synergies that Xcyte may realize as a result of the completion of the Transaction, the impact that the Transaction may have on Xcyte's growth prospects generally, and MCON's next live event expected to be held on October 24, 2024. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events. Forward looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements and future events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including that the MCON may not perform or generate revenue at the levels experienced historically; that the Company may not obtain the approval of the TSXV for the Transaction; that the synergies anticipated by the completion of the Transaction may not materialize to the extent expected or at all; and other factors that apply to the Company's business generally as described in greater detail in the documents filed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca . Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Investors are cautioned that undue reliance should not be placed on any such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update the forward-looking information in this release except as otherwise required by applicable law.SOURCE: Xcyte Digital Corp.
Hundreds of residents of Iwo Road-Lalupon communities in Ibadan, on Monday, carried out a peaceful protest at a division of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) in the Monatan area of Ibadan.

They embarked on the protest to register their displeasure because their communities have been without electricity supply for the last ten years.

As early as 8:30 a.m., the protesters had mobilised themselves, displaying placards and banners bearing various inscriptions of their demands. But staff members at the IBEDC office shut their gate against the protesters.

Some of the inscriptions on the banners and placards read: IBEDC is a scam, Light Up Iwo/Lalupon, We reject darkness, Fourteen years, our children havent seen electricity, and We are tired of darkness, among others.

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES, the chairman of the Protest Committee of Iwo-Lalupon Electricity Feeder Consumers, Tajudeen Omotosho, said their communities have been in perpetual darkness for the past ten years.

He said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had awarded a contract to a specific contractor to resolve the electricity issue affecting Iwo/Lalupon feeder consumers in Iwo town in December 2023.

He claimed that IBEDC referred to the contractor as Alagbara and refused to mention his name. He added that the contractor ought to have arrived on site by 5 January this year, but the communities never saw the contractor.

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We want to know which Alagbara denied us our rights. There are two contracts, Oyo and Lalupon, and the letters of award were issued at the same time. The contractor for Oyo has completed his job and is about to turn on the light. We have never seen the contractor awarded the contract for our area. We want to know who collected the money, Mr Omotosho said.

After registering their displeasure at the IBEDC office, the protesters, with over eight buses and cars, made their way to the Oyo State Secretariat at Agodi.

Addressing journalists on the issue, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Odukoya Sunday, a retired Commissioner of Police, said it is not the governor that will provide them electricity, saying that there are representatives of government who will attend to the issue.

Mr Odukoya, however, assured the protesters that since they have brought their demands to the notice of the government, it will take steps to ensure that electricity is restored in their communities.

We are happy their protest has been very peaceful; this is the type of thing we want people to do, not to become violent in presenting matters that are bothering them.

We have formed a committee among them now. We are now going to my office to ensure everything is normalised, Mr Odukoya added.

Some of the demonstrators shared their plight and grievances with PREMIUM TIMES.

A local technician, Oluwashina Abiodun, stated that the joint communities protest was to seek urgent redress after several meetings with the IBEDC regarding the restoration of the power supply.

He explained that the electronic equipment he uses to work has now been damaged as a result of the lack of electricity.

We are over 400,000 people in those communities, and we have never owed IBEDC, Mr. Abiodun added.

A fashion designer, Adeola Akinrinade, also lamented how the lack of electricity supply adversely affected her job during the festive period, saying that she has not used her electronic whipping sewing machine for years.

She appealed to the IBEDC to restore electricity to their communities and stop giving excuses.

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Billionaire tycoon Femi Otedola bought 797.7 million new shares in the financial services group FBN Holdings, the lender said in a regulatory filing on Monday.

With the transaction, Mr Otedola secured a top ownership position in the holding company.

The transaction worth N17.2 billion was conducted on Monday, according to a regulatory filing seen by PREMIUM TIMES, implying that the majority owner of Geregu Power has splurged more than N36 billion on FBN Holdings in less than a week.

Last Thursday, Mr Otedola procured 863.2 million shares in two separate deals that accounted for more than 99 per cent of the trading activities of the corporation.

While he purchased 316.5 million units valued at N6.9 billion directly in his name, he acquired 546.7 million units through his nominee, Calvados Global Services Limited, in a deal estimated at N12 billion.

The Thursday acquisition helped Mr Otedola, who is the chairman of FBN Holdings board of directors, regain his position as the biggest shareholder, having lost the coveted honour last year to Barbican Capital Limited in which Obafemi Otudeko, the groups former chairman, has significant control.

With the new acquisition, Mr Otedolas holding now stands at 11.6 per cent compared to Mr Otudekos 8.7 per cent.

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FBN Holdings has shed 15.1 per cent of its market value since the beginning of the year, placing it in the 130th position in terms of performance of the 154 stocks listed on the Nigerian Exchange.

The group reported a fourfold leap in net profit to N208.2 billion in the first quarter of the year. Total assets stood at N21.6 trillion compared to N16.9 trillion at the end of last year.

In January, Mr Otedola spent N6 billion in acquiring shares in Dangote Cement Plc, currently Nigerias biggest company by market capitalisation with a valuation of N11.2 trillion.

Shares in Geregu Power, where Mr Otedola holds the controlling stake, has returned 900 per cent since the company went public in October 2022.

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They say that sometimes, all it takes for an individuals life to change for the better is opportunity meeting preparedness. This is Fola Stags testimony.

The Lagos-based photographer, whose real name is Fasanmi Afolabi, has been plying his trade for over seven years, working with some of Nigerias biggest consumer brands and celebrities.

However, none of his works ever commanded the level of attention his striking shots of investment banker Farooq Oreagba, who stole the show at the just-concluded Ojude Oba festival, commanded.

Last week, the world was bombarded by the beauties and the uniformities of colours through the two-day Ojude Oba festival in Ogun state. The two-day event is an annual festival held at Ijebu Ode, the history capital of the Ijebu people, to celebrate by showcasing their rich cultural heritage, pride and unity.

The festival honours Awujale, the king of Ijebu-Ode and celebrates the rich traditions of the Ijebu people, drawing notable figures from near and far.

One man stood out during the Ojude Oba festival: Mr Oreagba. Fola Stags brilliant shot effortlessly showcased Mr Oreagbas looks, outfit, cigar, and tattoos.

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Stroke of luck

What appeared to be just another regular shot of his was a blessing in the sense of the word. It has propelled him to the limelight, and his following has soared in thousands. Interestingly, he has never missed capturing images at the festival in the last year.

But in 2024, he got what many have tagged as his big break.

He said, I remember 2019. I was there to take photos with my phone, saying, I wish more people could experience this with me and show the world. I am glad that Ojude Oba is getting all the well-deserved recognition, and it is going viral.

As of press time, he boasts over 14,000 Instagram followers and his X account has over 28,000 fans.

Mr Oreagbas image received over 15,107 likes and still counting, the highest ever on his Instagram account.

It caused Mr Oreagba to become one of Nigerias most searched persons all weekend.

This attention led to the businessmans interview with Arise TV. It was in the interview that he revealed he survived cancer. This news also endeared him even more.

According to Fola Stag, after the interview, he had a video call with Mr Oreagba, who celebrated him. The photographer posted a screenshot of their video call on his social media handles.

He added that Mr Oreagba acknowledged him for posting his photos, thereby getting the attention that earned him the popularity he gained.

He captioned, Briefly spoke to Mr Farooq this morning after his interview with Arise TV; he said, You don change my life.

About Fola Stag

A pinned post on his X account reads, My name is Fola Stag. I am a commercial Food and Portrait Photographer. He studied Business Administration at Babcock University, and even though he hated school, he realised he had to apply what he learned there to his business.

The 30-year-old is a food and portrait photographer. His work reflects his enthusiasm for his job. His first shot at fame came in 2020 when he entered the OPPO Reno3urban24 photography contest.

He has always been a food photographer, wrapping his contest around food photography, though he used a phone at the time.

Fola Stag isnt just a food or portrait photographer. He is also a chef.

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Nollywood star Efa Iwara and reality TV sensation Elozonam Ogbolu joined the Scottish whisky brand, The Macallan, for an exclusive tasting of their latest limited edition, A Night On Earth  The Journey.

The soiree was held over the weekend at Booze.ng Victoria Island, Lagos. The attendees immersed themselves in what the organisers described as an ethereal whisky experience,  celebrating the universal bonds that transcend borders and sharing treasured moments.

The event, designed to celebrate the luxury and heritage of The Macallan, featured a star-studded guest list, including TV host Wakanow Group Vice President Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi and reality TV star Diane Russet.

Other celebrity attendees included Yemicregx and a range of entertainers and lifestyle influencers such as Moet Abebe, Folu Storms, Vine Olugu, Sunky O, and David Eyo.

Highlights of the event include music performances, a memorable product tasting and loads of networking opportunities.

Idorenyin Emmanson, assistant brand manager for Edrington Portfolio Nigeria, described the new release from the 200-year-old brand as a blend crafted for memorable celebrations and reunions. She said,  Its a blend of aged whiskies, held in delicate packaging that invites cherished memories.

The managing director of Booze. Bennet Imasuen emphasised the importance of the partnership with The Macallan in his remarks, as it reflects both brands commitment to delivering exclusive and immersive experiences to our consumers.

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As Nigerias luxury market grows, The Macallan continues to elevate the whisky experience. It is renowned for its exceptional single malt whiskies, a tradition upheld since Alexander Reid founded it in northeast Scotland.

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The Lagos State Police Command has responded to allegations made by actress Laide Bakare regarding a traffic incident.

She accused the police of brutality and misuse of power after her car was stopped for allegedly driving in the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane, an accusation she vehemently denied.

The actress expressed outrage about the drama as she described what occurred on the Ikorodu expressway.

According to the police, her crime was a BRT lane violation.

The BRT lane is reserved for mass transit buses to ensure smooth and rapid transportation. Unauthorised use of this lane disrupts traffic flow and undermines the effectiveness of the BRT system. To deter such violations, authorities typically impose penalties or fines on drivers who misuse these lanes.

In a video of the occurrence, Bakare can be seen yelling, When everybody is passing this same way, why? Everybody is on the same road. What are you doing in my car?

The actress maintained that she never tilted towards any BRT lane.

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I had a minor in my car, and I was being careful. You people were purposely looking for big vehicles, she alleged.

Bakare described the incident as a terrible experience, emphasising the brutal treatment she faced while driving with her 14-year-old daughter.

The actress recounted, They targeted big cars and vulnerable people to exploit and rob. This is my lane, following the traffic flow in the heavy rain.

Contravened laws

Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson, clarifying, said the incident occurred when Bakares vehicle was intercepted at Owode Elede, Ikorodu, for violating traffic regulations.

Mr Hundeyin explained in a tweet, You were stopped for contravening traffic laws by driving on the BRT lane.

He detailed how she refused to comply with the officers instructions after her vehicle was stopped, creating a scene.

You chose to remain out of your vehicle when it was taken to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA office). The officers were not going to succumb to your gimmick to hold them down at that spot, Mr Hundeyin justified.

In a defence, he maintained that the police followed standard procedures in enforcing traffic regulations.

Daughters ordeal

The actress, who was distressed over the incident, questioned how a police officer could enter someone elses car and drive away with a minor.

The actress recalled that the confrontation took a disturbing turn when a police officer entered her car and began driving her daughter to an unknown destination.

Her daughter, sharing her perspective on the incident, said, Yesterday, my mom and I were going to a party, and on our way, the police stopped us for a reason I dont know. The police were yelling, and someone was recording my mom.

My mom said, I am going to record you too because why are you recording me? Someone immediately got into the car and just drove me away. I was so scared because I didnt know who he was. Even though he was a police officer, he drove away with me inside without telling my mom.

The young girl continued, When my mom was talking with the police officer, I was scared and asked him to please stop the car, saying that I didnt know him and didnt know where I was going. He ignored me. We got to a place that looked like a police station, but I didnt know where it was.

My moms phone was in the car, and I couldnt contact her. She had to borrow someones phone to call me. I was sitting there for hours. I was tired; it was terrible. When I asked the police officer where we were, he ignored me.

Already infuriated, the actress criticised the system, stating, In a sane country, no officer or agent would ever drive a 14-year-old girl who is confused about where she is being taken. A lot of things are happening in this country that need to be attended to, Bakare fumed.

According to Bakare, the officers stopped her car and dragged her out into the rain, adding that despite her pleas and assertions that she had done nothing wrong, they were unrelenting.

I am not a lawbreaker; I have never broken any law, done nothing wrong, and have evidence. If Nigerians cannot help, Id take this to an international level. This is police brutality. This is a misuse of power. More than 15 men with guns attacked me and my underage daughter, she lamented.

Legal bounds

The police spokespersons tweet response included an attached receipt showing the payment of the actresss fine, the car model (a White Toyota Highlander), the offence, and the time committed.

Addressing Bakares claims of brutality and misconduct, the police spokesperson stated, You rightly paid the correct fine for your offence  N70,000  into government coffers. You left with the receipt and your vehicle. Not a finger was laid on you.

The spokesperson said that the actions taken were within the legal bounds and were necessary to enforce traffic laws.

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Information on womens status and lived realities is inadequate, especially in Africa. This lack of gender data not only prevents measuring progress on gender equality but achieving sustainable development overall.

Most of Africa wont meet the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 or even in the next 10 or 20 years in some cases. The continent is hamstrung by the legacy of colonisation, internal conflict and external meddling, which has dampened its growth prospects and hindered equitable development.

African countries are also battling to meet gender equality goals. A UN Women report shows that women are still overburdened with unpaid care work, face verbal and physical abuse daily, and earn less money for the same work done. This is the case even after controlling for factors such as education, level of productivity and experience.

Without relevant data, ending gender inequality in Africa will be difficult. And the data required is not just that which categorises information by male and female, but information that captures individuals lived experiences, better reflecting gender roles, relations and societal inequalities.

Women living in rural areas face unique challenges. They lack access to resources, bear a heavier care work burden and are more likely to be subjected to traditional cultural norms than their urban counterparts. African LGBTQI+ women experience extreme discrimination and prosecution in many African countries. Restrictions on same-sex relationships, lack of freedom of expression and association, and limited protections are common. Data reflecting the particular challenges women face is crucial for developing policies and laws to address these problems.

The lack of gender data is a global problem, spanning geographical regions and income groups, with similar challenges faced across the board. According to the UN Women report, in 2023, over 80 countries were missing information for at least one of the indicators used to track progress towards the gender equality SDG. At current rates, it will take 22 years for all the SDG gender data to be available globally.

There are diverse reasons for the slow progress. Policies and laws that encourage gender data gathering and integrate gender goals into wider national development plans are lacking.

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Financing for gender data collection is also stagnating, with overall spending on generating statistics at a national level falling since COVID-19. A report by Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century found three characteristics of this financing gap: few donors fund gender data; data production is prioritised over other statistical activities; and gender data activities arent mainstreamed and are often tied to narrow project aims.

Outside countries such as Rwanda, Burkina Faso and Ghana, African statistical offices face similar funding restraints. Also, funding stems from governments and international development partners  a mix that shapes the focus of data generation and hinders the creation of regular gender data. A lack of staff trained to gather this data effectively worsens the problem.

What are the effects of these gaps on Africa? First, governments cannot know whether or not their actions to combat gender inequality are working. Second, womens real needs remain unseen. In some cases, limited gender data is available and collected regularly, but paints only a partial picture of the issue. Third, the lack of gender data precludes governments from making informed decisions that could boost economic growth, climate-resilience and overall health outcomes.

Some steps have been taken in Africa. Significant progress has been made in education and healthcare gender data generation, with statistics on maternal mortality, educational enrolment and life expectancy routinely collected and disaggregated.

UN Women runs a dedicated strategy, Women Count, which promotes gender data production and use through missions in nine countries, six of which are in Africa. UN Women also developed a Minimum Set of Gender Indicators for Africa to help governments know what to monitor and how best to harmonise new gender data within existing frameworks.

The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and partners are drafting a continental informal cross-border trade data collection framework and methodology to consolidate data gathering. Cross-border trade is a highly gendered aspect of Africas trade landscape. A pilot project launched in 2019 by ECAs African Trade Policy Centre and the African Export-Import Bank to better monitor informal cross-border trade between Abidjan and Lagos is an example of a successful initiative.

The first step towards sustained change is simply to implement existing plans. Various documents have been drafted to fill the gender data gap, but concrete action remains absent.

The African Programme on Gender Statistics should serve as a platform for continent-wide action. But an evaluation of its 2018-21 implementation phase showed that one of the partners  the African Union Commission  failed to engage adequately. Regional economic communities also didnt participate. The support of both bodies is vital for creating African gender data infrastructure.

Other essential interventions relate to financing, better alignment of gender data with national priorities, and political commitment. Given that international donors often have narrow, time-sensitive focus areas regarding gender data, African governments must fund data systems that include gender data.

Changing gender norms and instilling gender-equal attitudes among citizens is the most effective and durable solution. Grassroots activism aimed at educating children and the youth on gender equality is crucial, but needs government finance and support.

By investing in comprehensive gender data collection and analysis, African nations can make informed decisions that promote gender equality and benefit society as a whole.

Du Toit McLachlan, Research Officer, African Futures and Innovation, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Pretoria

(This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish).

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The Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, projected on Monday that the Nigeria for Women Project would contribute to making Nigeria one of the highest fish exporters in the world.

She expressed her commitment towards the projects success, vowing to ensure that her ministry uses its $500 million fund strictly for its programmes.

This money is called Nigeria for Women Project, and that is exactly and only what it will be used for. Any other thing will be totally unacceptable by women, and as far as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had signed a memo to that effect, I dont see anywhere any human being who can change it, she said on Arise Televisions Morning Show on Monday.

The minister, who expressed worry that only 10 per cent of women own properties in Nigeria, said she was determined to make the programme achieve its intended goals.

The minister said the womens empowerment scheme focuses on, among other businesses, including fish farming.

She said, We are targeting from now till February next year to give Nigerians 15 million tons of fish.

She further explained that Nigerians would consume two million tons while the remaining would be exported.

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So that we can be able to export 13 million tons of fish. That will make us one of the highest in export of fish, she said.

She said she had written to the Minister of Water Resources to help provide a dam in Anambra State for fish farming to achieve this goal.

She also said modernised farming tools would be purchased and given to targeted women to support their livelihoods.

Nigeria for Women Project

In June 2023, shortly after the President Tinubu administration came on board, the World Bank announced its approval of $500 million for the Nigeria for Women Project, referred to in full as Nigeria for Women Program Scale Up (NFWP-SU).

According to the World Bank, the scale-up financing would help support the Nigerian government to invest in improving the livelihoods of women in Nigeria.

The NFWP-SU will help to ensure better economic opportunities for women, which is essential for addressing gender inequality; guaranteeing better education, health, and nutrition outcomes for families; and building womens and communities resilience to climate change, the World Bank statement added.

A product of the partnership between the World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Nigerias Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and the Federal Ministry of Ministry of Affairs, the first phase of this project will run for five years.

It was initially designed to start in six pilot states  Abia, Akwa Ibom, Kebbi, Niger, Ogun and Taraba  representing each of the six geopolitical zones of the country.

But Ms Kennedy-Ohanenye said on Monday that it is now simultaneously in place across Nigerias 36 states and Abuja, the federal capital.

Update

Giving an update on the programme, she said women who are vulnerable and genuinely in need of empowerment from local communities were already onboarding women.

She also said the ministry was partnering traditional rulers, who, she said, were helping to create opportunities for dialogue to ease penetrating local communities.

On her watch, the minister said the ministry had moved away from the past administrations tradition of spending the lions share of available funds on advocacies, meetings, consultancies.

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Nigeria has recorded 53 deaths and 1,528 suspected cases of cholera across 107 local government areas (LGAs) in 31 states as of Monday.

The fatalities represent a case fatality rate of 3.5 per cent since the beginning of 2024, according to the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), Jide Idris.

Mr Idris gave the updates at a press briefing on Monday in Abuja. He also announced the activation of the National Cholera Multi-Sectoral Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to coordinate a robust response to the outbreak.

He noted that experts who conducted a risk assessment last week placed Nigeria at high risk of increased cholera transmission and impact.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako in a statement on Monday, also advised Nigerians to avoid locally made drinks like kunu, zobo, and fura to prevent the spread of cholera disease.

Avoid locally prepared drinks like kunu, zobo, fura da nono, koko, and fruit juice among others except it is certain that the preparation was done hygienically and safely, Mr Salako said.

Wash hands regularly with soap under running water, especially after using the toilet, cleaning a child who has gone to the toilet, before preparing food, before and after eating, and after playing with animals.

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Cases rise, as Lagos investigates cause

In Lagos State, the death toll from cholera has increased to 29, with 30 other patients hospitalised, the states Health Commissioner, Akin Abayomi also revealed on Monday during a press briefing.

Mr Abayomi noted that 579 suspected cases have been recorded with 43 confirmed through laboratory analysis, just as he attributed the increasing death rate to late presentation in the hospital.

Most of these deaths were caused by patients presenting very late at a stage where we could not resuscitate them because they had severe rehydration and many patients were brought in dead, he said.

Nearly two weeks after the disease outbreak, the state authority is yet to ascertain the specific source that caused the sudden spike in cases across the state.

So far, we have not been able to identify a source, but investigations are continuing because we want to see if we can identify a particular source or sources, Mr Abayomi said.

But moving forward, we are going to keep active surveillance around our water sources and the distribution of beverages in Lagos State, Abayomi said while giving an update on the disease.

He noted that cases of severe gastroenteritis have been reported in communities around Eti-Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu, and Kosofe Local Government Area of the state.

Also, in Ogun State, the Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, disclosed that the state has recorded one death and 25 suspected cholera cases across seven LGAs: Adoodo/Ota, Remo North, Odeda, Sagamu, Ijebu North, Ewekoro, and Obafemi Owode.

READ ALSO: Lagos clarifies claim on cause of cholera outbreak

Nigerias effort

Speaking further during the press briefing, the NCDC DG explained that the activated EOC will be the central hub for coordinating and directing the countrys response to the cholera outbreak.

Supporting affected states, facilitating rapid communication, data analysis, and decision-making processes, mobilising resources, expertise, and support from partners and stakeholders at all levels of government.

An Incident Manager has been appointed to oversee the day-to-day activities of the EOC, which will focus on surveillance, case management, oral cholera vaccine distribution, coordination, infection prevention and control, logistics, support, and research, he said.

Mr Idris noted that before the activation of the EOC, the NCDC had prepositioned medical supplies, provided onsite support to affected states, conducted training for laboratory scientists and community mobilisers, and distributed public awareness materials.

He said the agency provided offsite and onsite support to states (Lagos and Ogun) and followed up for daily reporting and progress with response activities.

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The police have confirmed that security has been beefed up at the two palaces being occupied by the two princes contending for the stool of the Emir of Kano.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the police took over the security of the main palace from local hunters guarding the reinstated Lamido Sanusi.

The hunters, known locally as Yan Tauri, were drawn from across the state by the state government. This followed a rumour that federal authorities wanted to relocate Aminu Ado-Bayero to the main palace.

Mr Ado-Bayero, who was removed by the state government last month, is at the Nasarawa mini palace.

The outgoing Commissioner of Police in the state, Usaini Gumel, in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, said the two palaces have been fortified with additional security agents.

He said the officers were deployed to check security threats until the resolution of the tussle over the emirship of the state.

Mr Gumel, an assistant inspector-general of police, said the command reinforced personnel deployment to ensure adequate security and peaceful coexistence in the state.

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Armed personnel have been deployed to provide security at the Kofar Kudu Palace, the residence of Emir Malam Mohammadu Sunusi, and the Nasarawa Mimi Palace, the residence of Emir Aminu Bayero.

The police appeal for public support and urge residents to provide information that could aid in maintaining peace, progress, and political stability.

The command is committed to providing the required security that will enable all residents to pursue their legitimate activities without threats to lives and property, NAN quoted the commissioner saying.

PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that the Federal High Court voided Mr Sanusis reappointment, having asked the state government to halt the implementation of the Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, 2024.

The judge, Abdullahi Liman, ruled that the reappointment of Mr Sanusi was null and void because the government disobeyed the courts earlier order restraining it from taking further action on the new emirate council law of the state.

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Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has appointed 23 non-indigenes to the recently inaugurated local government caretaker committees in the state.

The governor, on Wednesday, inaugurated a new caretaker for local governments in the state following the expiration of the three-year tenure of the former elected council officials on Monday.

In a statement on Friday, The Director of Mobilisation of a group, Non-Indigene SIMplified Movement, Uchenna Okokoba, applauded Mr Fubara for the appointment

SIMplified Movement is a new political movement in Rivers State canvassing grassroots political support for Governor Fubara.

In the seven-member caretaker committee, the governor appointed one non-indigene into each of the 23 local government councils in the state.

Special appreciation to the Governor of Rivers State for this sense of inclusivity given to non-indigenes in the state by giving us 23/23, Mr Okokoba said.

We will not fail in delivering at all levels in support of the good works of the administration, he added.

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Caretaker committee

Prior to their inauguration, there had been confusion in Rivers State which is deeply divided among two factions  one loyal to Governor Fubara and the other loyal to former governor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the FCT minister.

The outgone elected officials who are loyal to the FCT minister had refused to vacate office citing an amended Local Government Administration Law by 27 pro-Wike lawmakers.

The law had stripped Governor Fubara of the power to appoint caretaker committees for local councils and also extended the tenure of the elected officials by six months in a situation where the state government failed to conduct local government elections.

However, Victor Oko-Jumbo, after emerging as speaker of a three-member Rivers House of Assembly, obtained an interlocutory injunction from a State High Court restraining the pro-Wike lawmakers from parading themselves as members of state assembly.

The trial court had also invalidated all the resolutions made by the pro-Wike lawmakers from last December that their seats were declared vacant after they defected from the PDP to the APC.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the trial court, the pro-Wike lawmakers appealed against the court order. They asked the appellate court to vacate the order, a request the Appeal Court declined, and instead urged parties to maintain the present status quo, pending the determination of the appeal.

The inauguration of the new caretaker triggered violence among supporters of Mr Fubara and those of Mr Wike, leading to the death of two persons, including a police officer.

The commissioner of police in Rivers, in response, ordered police operatives to take over the secretariats of the 23 local government councils in the state.

Mr Fubara had told chairpersons of the council, during their inauguration, that it did not matter where they operated from at the moment, but that what mattered was that they had been given the mandate to operate.

The governor appears to have taken control of the grassroots political structure in the state with the inauguration of the new caretaker committee, a key political gain that the allies Mr Wike did not want to see happen.

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A researcher and public policies analyst, Dan Mou, said on Monday that the worsening insecurity in the country is due to successive governments failure to proffer deeper solutions to address the problems from their roots.

The situation of security got worse under the last government. And as this government came. Aside from changing the leadership, they have not really done anything significant about this, said Mr Mou, the executive chairperson of the Centre for Poverty Eradication, Development and Equal Opportunity.

The author of different books focusing on governance, security, poverty, and national security said that instead of addressing the problems, the policies that have been introduced so far are the ones that have made things worse in terms of poverty and unemployment.

According to a recent report which reviewed the countrys security situation under President Bola Tinubus leadership, kidnapping, for instance, continued unabated in the first year of the coming on board of the administration.

This, according to data gathered from the Armed Conflict & Event Data Project (ACLED), has resulted in more than 4,556 fatalities and 7,086 abductions between 29 May 2023 and 22 May 2024.

ACLED, a global data hub that collects real-time conflict-related data, also said that when compared to the previous years data, the figures showed that more people were killed across Nigeria in the first year of the Tinubu administration than in the preceding year.

According to another ACLED data analysed by PREMIUM TIMES, 2,606 Nigerians were killed, while 3,523 others were abducted between 29 May 2022 and 29 May 2023.

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What to do

The author of National Security and Democratic Governance in Nigeria and State Power, Agrarian Policies and Peasant Welfare also noted the contributions of open grazing and criminal elements among herdsmen to insecurity in the country.

As long as these herdsmen continue to move around with their cattle, fighting farmers and taking over their farms, how are the farmers expected to cope with business? And you can see the government has not done anything significant regarding that, said Mr Mou, former Secretary of the defunct federal governments National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP).

Mr Mou, a scholar with three doctorates from Nigeria and the United States specialising in public policy analysis and African politics as well as international law and diplomacy, argued that addressing the countrys high poverty rate could help reduce insecurity in Nigeria.

The researcher said a strategic increase in the minimum wage based on productivity could reduce poverty.

The minimum wage will reduce poverty. But to address minimum wage a lot of things have to be addressed. Minimum wage has to be tied to productivity; it has to be done in a way that can be easy to implement.

Insecurity in diverse forms has plagued Nigeria with mass kidnappings, armed robberies and killings of, including military personnel, taking place across states.

Last week, Glory Adekolure, a 22-year-old recent graduate of the University of Benin, was allegedly raped and killed on 13 June 2024 by yet-to-be-identified persons while on her way home from processing her clearance at the university. Her body was found in the Iyowa Community, Benin City, Edo State.

On Saturday, a 70-year-old retired brigadier general, Uwem Udokwere, was stabbed to death by yet-to-be-identified robbers, who invaded his home at Sunshine Home Estate in Abuja.

A statement by the spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, said the incident occurred at approximately 3 a.m. and that the Police Commissioner, Benneth Igweh, had promptly ordered a thorough and discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding the regrettable event.

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Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has declared his intention to lead the effort to abolish the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), a federal government agency responsible for the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

Mr Bago made this declaration during an interview with journalists in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

In a video posted on social media, the governor stated that he would lead a campaign to dissolve the agency, arguing that the federal body should act as a regulator rather than managing the entire Hajj.

As a state governor, I want to lead a committee of the governors and the NGF to scrap NAHCON. NAHCON is not helping matters.

The federal government is too big to be worried about Hajj problems. This is a local government issue, not a state one. State governments should be able to organise pilgrimages and engage agents from the private sector who can manage this more effectively, as other countries do. The government has no business in doing this, he said.

Mr Bagos criticism appears to have stemmed from the shortage of space in the VIP section where he and others stayed in Muna.

According to the governor, some of the VIPs were embarrassed by the lack of sufficient tents.

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Can you imagine governors of Nigeria, the Speaker of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, paying to NAHCON and having no place to sleep and being embarrassed? People will say it is because governors have been affected. Yes, they have been affected, but it is good that we are affected, and this is the time for us to change the narrative, he said in the video.

Mr Bagos position aligns with one of the recommendations of the Oronsaye Report, which recommended the scrapping of NAHCON and the Nigeria Christian Pilgrimage Commission (NCPC).

Contention between states and FG over Hajj operations.

There has always been contention between NAHCON and state governors over the management of Hajj operations. Governors believe that their welfare boards should be in charge of organising Hajj, with NAHCON limited to a regulatory role.

Under the current arrangement, NAHCON is responsible for the feeding and accommodation of pilgrims in Medina; state boards take care of their pilgrims in Mecca, while Saudi-authorised vendors manage feeding and accommodation in Muna.

NAHCON also oversees the operation of Nigerian clinics in Medina, Mecca, and Muna.

Decentralisation of operations

Mr Bago argued that there is a need to decentralise Hajj operations and relieve NAHCON of some responsibilities.

We have failed and continue to fail. NAHCON is supposed to be a regulator, not an operator, but it has continued to act as an operator and has, therefore, failed pilgrims.

Can you imagine that feeding, accommodation in Medina, tents in Muna, transportation, and healthcare workers are all managed by NAHCON? No other country in the world does this, the governor said.

Mr Bago said he would have done better managing the feeding of his state pilgrims.

NAHCON has no business chartering flights; it is not their responsibility to feed the pilgrims. For example, I am from Niger State. If you allow me to feed pilgrims, I will be able to transport food that people are locally used to to Saudi Arabia to feed my own pilgrims.

I will be able to get a kitchen that will prepare food familiar to my pilgrims, rather than giving them a slice of bread or a boiled egg, leaving them starving. We have different cultures; you cannot force Arabian cuisine on our people, and that is why they are falling ill, he said.

Feeding was also a major challenge during the 2023 Hajj, however, NAHCON blamed the Saudi government for the food crisis, stating that it was due to the policy of the Saudi authorities.

Failure despite N90 billion subsidy

Mr Bago also questioned utilising the N90 billion federal governments intervention fund for the 2024 Hajj, suggesting that the fund could have served other purposes, such as education.

The government-subsidised the 2024 Hajj with N90 billion following the increase in Hajj fees occasioned by the devaluation of the naira.

Imagine sharing this money with the 36 states. Some states also paid subsidies. In Niger State, I paid N3 billion. That N90 billion is enough to fund UBEC for four years. So, we cant be handing our resources to people. Some people paid N8 million for this operation and received just $400. This is ridiculous, he stated.

PREMIUM TIMES sent a message to the spokesperson of NAHCON, Fatima Sanda-Usara, for reaction, however, she had not responded at the time of filing this report.

Mr Bago is the second Nigerian governor to criticise NAHCONs handling of the 2024 Hajj operations.

A few days ago, the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, raised similar concerns and called for the decentralisation of the commissions operations.

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The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has visited the family of Obiora Agbasimalo, the abducted 2021 LP governorship candidate in Anambra State.

Mr Agbasimalo was abducted on 18 September 2021, less than a month before the governorship election in Anambra State which was held on 6 November 2021.

Charles Soludo, a renowned banker and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, would later win the election.

Mr Soludo, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in the exercise, was sworn in as governor on 17 March 2022.

Mr Agbasimalo had resigned from Zenith Bank to join the governorship race in the state, after about 15 years of a successful career in the banking sector.

The LP candidate was abducted at Lilu, a community in Ihiala Local Government Area of the South-east state, while on a campaign tour to Azhia, another community in the council area.

He was abducted alongside one of the police officers attached to his convoy.

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Peter Obis visit

Eucharia Agbasimalo, wife of the abducted LP candidate, told PREMIUM TIMES Saturday night that Mr Obi visited the family at their residence in Lagos State on 16 June.

It was a relief. I said finally, somebody for the first time is showing to be human. Before now, it was looking like nobody cared; Obiora is not a human being or his life didnt matter, she said, highlighting the significance of Mr Obis visit.

She said she told Mr Obi how her husband was abducted in 2021 and the efforts being made to rescue him.

She said the presidential candidate hinted that he was not aware of the incident until around February this year.

She added that Mr Obi sympathised with the family over the incident and promised that he would help them in the matter.

How my husbands abduction caused death of his father

She told this newspaper that Mr Agbasimalos father died in May, nearly three years after the LP candidate was abducted.

She said her father-in-law grew increasingly frustrated with the failure of Nigerian authorities to rescue the abducted LP candidate.

The man practically died out of frustration. He was just waiting and hoping (that his son would be rescued). Recently, he had just been lamenting about my husbands abduction. He was so pained that his first son was nowhere to be found, she said.

Sometimes, he would call me and ask, what are the police and SSS saying? At some points, we would just try to give him hope.

Initial rescue efforts

As previously reported by PREMIUM TIMES, the leadership of the LP had reportedly prevailed on Mr Agbasimalos family not to report his abduction to security agencies or speak to the media, claiming that the abductors had promised to release him after the governorship election.

But when the election was concluded without Mr Agbasimalos release, his family petitioned various security agencies, including the police and the State Security Service (SSS).

The petitions to the police and the SSS led to the arrest and arraignment of two suspects: Chukwudi Odimegwu, who was a driver to the abducted politician, and one other suspect, Maxwell Nwokolo.

Messrs Odimegwu and Nwokolo are facing trial at the Anambra State High Court, Nnewi where they pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy and kidnapping.

The SSS is prosecuting the case.

The second suspect, Mr Nwokolo had claimed in October 2021, that he is a member of the Eastern Security Network, the militant wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB, a group leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra from the South-east and some parts of the South-south Nigeria, is linked to some deadly attacks in the two regions.

Like the leadership of the LP, Mr Nwokolo also reportedly told the distraught wife that her husband was being held in an IPOB camp in the state and that the family should not report the matter to the police or speak to the media, assuring that the victim would be released immediately after the election.

Court hearing

The last time the court sat on the matter was on 26 May 2024 when Godwin Agbasimalo, an uncle and sponsor of the abducted LP candidate, was cross-examined by the defence counsel.

The next court sitting is expected to be in the second week of July, according to sources from the family.

Besides the arraignment of the suspects, a distressed Mrs Agbasimalo had met with and sought help from several influential people in Anambra and beyond, but her husband had still not been found.

Among the people she sought help from, were the senator representing Anambra South District, Ifeanyi Ubah, a chieftain of the LP, Pat Utomi, and Governor Soludo.

Silence, inaction

The investigation and prosecution of Mr Agbasimalos abduction appears to be sluggish.

Besides, the leadership of the LP has shown no concern in the matter, with some of their officials reportedly telling the family that they (the party) had exhausted all their efforts.

Take up the matter. We have done our own part, the party reportedly told the family.

Similarly, despite video evidence, the then National Organising Secretary of the LP, Clement Ojukwu, denied saying the party was in contact with Mr Agbasimalos abductors.

Mr Ojukwu, who was also the chairperson of the LP candidates campaign council, is now the partys deputy national chairperson.

The partys National Chairperson, Julius Abure, did not respond to several calls and a text message seeking his comment on the matter.

Another governorship election will take in Anambra State next year, 2025.

A member of Mr Agbasimalos family, who asked not be named, said they were wondering if the party would have the courage to field another candidate when it had not accounted for the whereabouts of Mr Agbasimalo who was their candidate in 2021.

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The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has clamped an indefinite suspension on a magistrate who allegedly ordered money to be transferred from a frozen bank account into her own.

Talatu Makama was sanctioned alongside another magistrate and a registrar of the State High Court, Abdu Nasir, who also allegedly received official payment through his personal bank account.

The JSC spokesperson, Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, announced this in a statement he issued in Kano on Monday.

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission at its 72nd meeting held on the 11th June 2024, has taken disciplinary actions against Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama, magistrate Court No 29, Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir, magistrate Court No 48 and Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir of Appeal section, High Court Kano.

Sequel to the findings of the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC) in respect to three petitions filed and investigated upon against Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama, the commission has adopted the recommendations of the JPCC.

The JPCC conducted a thorough investigation on the matters and equally examined the chief magistrates response came up with the findings that her actions amounts to gross misconduct.

She made an order to GT Bank to transfer money in the petitioners account already frozen, into her personal account which she clearly admitted in her response, the official statement said.

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The statement said the JPCC in the second petition also found elements of judicial bias by the chief magistrate.

In the third petition, the council also found that her conduct was despicable of a judicial officer where her worship (lordship) was found receiving case and making order to the police even before the case was directed to her.

Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama is recalled from the bench and relieved of all judicial duties (indefinite suspension) effective immediately, the statement said.

Also, the spokesperson said another magistrate, Rabi Abdulkadir, was suspended for one year after the commission found her wanting in reckless handling of a case.

Following the review of the circumstance surrounding the handling of the case between Commissioner of Police Vs Abubakar Salisu, by Rabi Abdulkadir, Senior Magistrate Court No. 48, the Commission found the actions of the Senior Magistrate to amount to judicial recklessness and therefore the Commission has resolved to recall the Magistrate and relieved her from judicial duties for a period of one calendar year. She has been instructed to cease all duties at Magistrate Court No. 48.

The JSC also considered the investigation report on the alleged misconduct of Senior Registrar, Mr Nasir, of the Appeals Department of the High Court and found unsatisfactory the response of chief magistrate court 60, Tijjani Minjibir, thus, equally got sanctioned for official wrongdoing.

The report confirmed that Abdu Nasir received payments of fees meant for court records into his personal account, which constitutes serious misconduct.

Consequently, the commission issued a strong warning to Abdu Nasir and also deferred his promotion for one year, the spokesperson said.

The commission also at its 73rd meeting held on 20th June 2024, deliberated on the petitions received against chief magistrate court 60 manned by Tijjani Saleh Minjibir. The response to the queries issued were found unsatisfactory.

The commission viewed the actions of the chief magistrate to amount to serious misconduct and judicial recklessness and unanimously took the decision to recall Tijjani Saleh Minjibir from judicial duties for a period of one year effective immediately. He is to cease all judicial activities and report to the High Court Headquarters for posting, Mr Jibo-Ibrahim said.

The commission will continue to apply the appropriate sanctions against any erring staff particularly those saddled with judicial responsibilities in order to safeguard the integrity and accountability of the judicial system and maintain the confidence of the public.

These disciplinary actions underscore the Judicial Service Commissions commitment to maintaining the highest standards of judicial conduct and ensuring the integrity of the legal system, the JSC warned.

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Nigerian authorities should drop all criminal charges against Precious Chukwunonso, publisher of the privately owned outlet News Platform, who was detained for nearly three weeks following a complaint about his reporting, and allow journalists to work without fear of arrest, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday.

On 27 May, police arrested Mr Chukwunonso at his home in Badagry, a coastal town west of Nigerias biggest city, Lagos, and held him at the Zone 2 Command Headquarters on Lagos Island, according to news reports.

Mr Chukwunonso was released on bail on 14 June, the journalist and his lawyer, Femi Adisa-Isikalu, told CPJ.

Mr Chukwunonso is due back in court on 2 July for a hearing on charges of conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace, provoking a breach of the peace by offensive publication, and conspiracy to commit a felony, according to the charge sheet, reviewed by CPJ, and his lawyer.

If found guilty, the journalist could be jailed for up to two years, fined up to N90,000 ($60), or both, under the 2015 Criminal Law of Lagos State.

The charges relate to Mr Chukwunonsos 8 May article for News Platform, which alleged that a local businessman, Chris Igwe, who heads the petroleum distribution firm Mainland Oil and Gas Limited, was involved in a confrontation with a neighbor in a Lagos residential estate, during which shots were fired, those sources said.

Precious Eze Chukwunonso joins a shamefully long list of Nigerian journalists who have been thrown behind bars simply for doing their jobs, said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator, Muthoki Mumo, in Nairobi. Authorities in Lagos should drop the pending criminal charges against Chukwunonso and allow him to continue his journalistic work without further harassment.

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Mr Chukwunonso told CPJ that police arrested him without a warrant and confiscated his phone, which they had yet to return. Mr Chukwunonso said that the police questioned him about his sources during his detention and on 29 May, the businessman, who is the complainant in the case, came to the police station and threatened to deal with Mr Chukwunonso and show him where power lies.

On 30 May, authorities made a request to Ebute-Metta magistrates court in Lagos to keep Mr Chukwunonso in detention but the court declined on the grounds that remand was reserved for serious offences, Mr Adisa-Isikalu told CPJ.

The court wondered why it should grant a remand order for a journalist for just writing something, the lawyer said, adding that the police were ordered to bring the journalist before the court the next day.

On 31 May, the court ordered that Mr Chukwunonso be freed under the condition that two employed people stand surety for his return to court, each undertaking to pay a bail bond of N500,000 ($330) should the journalist not comply with the conditions for his release.

Mr Chukwunonso was transferred to Ikoyi Prison in Lagos where he waited until 14 June to be freed as the court did not approve his second surety until 10 June and that person did not finalize paying taxes required to stand surety until 13 June, Mr Adisa-Isikalu said.

CPJ has recently documented the arrest of several journalists in Nigeria over their reporting.

On 20 May, police in the capital Abuja summoned and briefly detained two journalists with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting following a complaint over a corruption report. On 22 May, armed police arrested Madu Onuorah, publisher and editor-in-chief of Global Upfront Newspapers, at his home in Abuja, over an allegation of defamation. He was released on bail the following day.

Lagos State police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin did not respond to CPJs repeated calls for comment and queries sent via messaging app.

On 21 June, CPJ contacted Mr Igwe through a number listed on the Mainland Oil and Gas website and when asked to comment on the criminal allegations against Mr Chukwunonso a person who answered the phone said, I have nothing to say to you, and referred CPJ to the authorities for comment.

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An aide of Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has accused federal lawmakers from the state elected under their New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) of indifference to the emirate crisis rocking the state.

SalisuSalisu Hotoro, the social media aide to the governor, said in a viral Facebook post on Wednesday that the lawmakers have abandoned the fight to the governor and their political godfather, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Governor Yusuf reinstated Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano on 24 May after signing an amendment to the emirate law 2019. The amendment scrapped the four emirates created under the 2019 law and led to the deposition of Aminu Ado-Bayero as the Emir of Kano.

Mr Ado-Bayero is challenging his removal in court and has occupied the mini palace of the emir in defiance of directives by the state government.

Mr Hotoro said the senators representing Kano South, Kawu Sumaila, his colleague representing the central district, Sani Hanga, and the NNPP members in the House of Representatives from the state have not been protecting the interests of the state government on the issue at the National Assembly.

He said the lawmakers should have raised the emirate crisis at the National Assembly to call the federal government to order, but have behaved as if the fight was only for the governor.

Mr Hotoros post came on the heels of a debate in the state on why only two federal lawmakers from the constituencies in the Kano metropolis have so far visited the reinstated emir, Lamido Sanusi. The others, whose districts fall under the scrapped emirates, have stayed away, allegedly not to be in the bad books of their constituents.

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This is clearly the habit of I have gotten what I want, and I dont care about what will happen to others,' Mr Hotoro said about the lawmakers.

In 2016 when then-senator Rabiu Kwankwaso could not enter Kano due to a rift with then Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, senators Barau Jibrin and Kabiru Gaya defended Mr Gandujes action and convinced the then-senate president, Bukola Saraki, to align with them even though he was against their stand.

Its disheartening to see that we (NNPP members) are in a critical condition in dire need of their (the lawmakers) voices at their respective chambers to caution the present police authorities not to be partisan in the crisis and do the needful, but our lawmakers thought that the fight is not theirs, Mr Hotoro said.

He said if the governor failed in his struggle, the lawmakers, too, would have failed.

Also, he lamented that while Lagos lawyers Femi Falana and Ladipo Johnson were loud in voicing support for the governor, the Kano lawmakers had remained silent.

In the latest development in the tussle for the emirs stool, the Federal High Court voided Mr Sanusis reappointment on Thursday and ordered the state government to halt the implementation of the Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, 2024.

The judge, Abdullahi Liman, ruled that the reappointment of Mr Sanusi was null and void because the government disobeyed the courts earlier order restraining it from taking further action on the new emirate council law of the state.

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The Police in Rivers State have confirmed the abduction of a police orderly and driver of a popular traditional ruler in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that gunmen had invaded the residence of Cornwell Ihunwo, the paramount ruler of Rumu-Elechi, Nkpolu Orowurokwo around 8 p.m. on Saturday.

NAN also reports that the gunmen had invaded the place with the intention of abducting the traditional ruler, but could not find him.

The hoodlums then took the royal fathers police orderly and driver at gunpoint to an undisclosed location.

The police spokesperson in Rivers, Grace Iringe-Koko, said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday that the commands tactical team has been deployed to rescue the victims.

The Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Rilwan, has ordered the swift arrest of the perpetrators to face the full wrath of the law.

The Octopus Strike Force unit has already commenced a full-scale investigation to ensure the victims regain their freedom unhurt, she stated.

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Ms Iringe-Koko, a superintendent of police, said that the police commissioner had visited the scene of the abduction for an on-the-spot assessment.

The Chief Security Officer of Nkpolu Orowurokwo community, Godstime Ihunwo, told reporters that the traditional ruler was unharmed during the incident.

At about 9 p.m. on Saturday, I received a call regarding HRM Ihunwos abduction. I immediately rushed to his house on Eagle Island, where I met him.

Chief Ihunwo told me that the gunmen had taken away his driver and police orderly, he said.

NAN gathered that Mr Ihunwo is the younger brother of Victor Ihunwo, a former Port Harcourt City Local Government Council chairperson.

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A prosecution witness insisted in court on Monday that former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, awarded contracts to companies belonging to his wife and a brother-in-law.

Michael Agboro, the seventh prosecution witness (PW7) to testify in Mr Emefieles trial at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, responded to cross-examination questions from defence team at Mondays proceedings.

Mr Emefiele, governor of the CBN for nearly a decade, faces corruption charges in separate trials in Abuja and Lagos instituted against him after President Bola Tinubu removed him from office last June.

In the case that came up on Monday, the EFCC charged him with 20 amended counts of conferment of corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining about $6.23 million by false pretence.

Evidence-in-chief

Mr Agboro, led in evidence by EFCCs prosecuting lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had said in his evidence-in-chief, in March that Mr Emefiele awarded 45 contracts, cumulatively worth billions of naira, to family members, including his wife, Margaret Emefiele, and associates.

The witness, an investigator with the Independent, Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), identified April 1616 Investment Limited, owned by Saadatu Ramalan Yero, a CBN employee, and Mr Emefieles associate, as one of the two beneficiaries of the slew of contracts.

He told the court that the inter-agencies investigation, involving the ICPC, EFCC, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and the State Security Service (SSS), showed that Mr Emefiele awarded the contracts to confer corrupt advantages on the beneficiaries.

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Cross-examination

On Monday, the witness doubled down on his claims during cross-examination by Mr Emefieles counsel, Mathew Burkaa, a SAN.

When asked if Mr Emefiele conferred an unfair and corrupt advantage on himself, he answered, he conferred on Saadatu Yaro, who is a public officer working under him. He also conferred on his wife and brother-in-law, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

When asked if Mr Emefiele could singlehandedly approve and award contracts, the witness answered that the defendant approved the contracts in question.

Answering whether there was no difference between CBN and Mr Emefiele, he said, The difference is that the defendant was an employee of CBN.

Responding to a question about whether the defendant was a member of the tenders board or procurement department, the witness said he did not know.

 We limited our investigation to him, his wife, relatives and associates, Mr Agboro added.

However, he said investigations revealed that the defendant was not a director or shareholder or an account signatory in either April 1616 Limited or Architekon Nigeria Limited.

He also admitted that there was no evidence showing that the companies paid money to Mr Emefiele as a reward for his official duties.

The defence also asked him if his team interviewed relevant CBN officials during investigations to determine whether the two firms executed the contracts. The witness said, Yes.

But when asked if his teams final report indicated that the firms executed the jobs they were engaged to carry out, the witness said he could not remember.

The trial judge, Hamza Muazu, adjourned the matter until Tuesday for re-examination of the witness by the prosecution.

Charges

The prosecution charged Mr Emefiele with 20 counts of criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence when he served as the CBN governor.

It also alleged that the former CBN governor forged a document titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions dated 26 January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201, which he allegedly claimed to be from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

EFCC accused him of using his office as CBN governor to confer unfair and corrupt advantages on two companies  April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

According to Mr Agboros testimony in court on 11 March, the controversial contracts awarded to the companies varied from the supply of vehicles to house renovations.

The witness said the vehicles supplied to the CBN under the controversial contracts awarded to the companies by Mr Emefiele comprised Toyota Avalon cars, Toyota Land Cruiser V8 and Toyota Hilux units.

The other contracts listed by the witness comprised landscaping of the CBN governors residence at over N39 million, procurement of furniture items at N97 million, procurement of a power line at the same CBN governors residence at over N68 million and renovation of the CBN Governors residence at No 2. Global Road, Ikoyi Lagos.

The testimony centred on CBN contracts awarded in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

During the 11 March proceedings, EFCC prosecuting counsel, Mr Oyedepo, tendered through the witness several documents, including company registration and contract award documents and evidence of payments for contracts relating to the two forms.

(NAN)

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On Saturday, a 70-year-old retired brigadier general, Uwem Udokwere, was stabbed to death by yet-to-be-identified robbers, who invaded his home at Sunshine Home Estate in Abuja.

A statement by the Spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, said the incident occurred at approximately 3 a.m. and that the Police Commissioner, Benneth Igweh, had promptly ordered a thorough and discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding the regrettable event.

Although the police did not give the details of the attack, PREMIUM TIMES was told during a visit to the estate located in the Lokogoma area of the federal capital that Mr Udokwere, a father of two, was stabbed when he was trying to protect his family.

How he was killed

The house security guard, who refused to disclose his name, said he saw three of the robbers trying to force themselves to jump into the compound.

He said upon hearing the disturbing sounds and movement of the robbers, Mr Udokwere opened the door, came down from the top floor of the duplex where his wife and two children were, and was immediately attacked and stabbed.

I saw three of them, they were trying to open the door and so he came down when he heard the sound of the door. He was stabbed when he came out, the security man said.

The Vice Chairman of the Estate, Benedicta Odeigba, who spoke with this newspaper, narrated how the generals wife reached her on the phone when the robbers arrived at their home.

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When they entered, the wife called me on the phone saying that they had entered their house. This is the third time they would attack the house using the same route, the fence (pointing).

Maybe two weeks ago or something, the wife still called me that they were hearing sounds of some people jumping down from the fence.

After the womans call, I didnt hear from her again. They hid around while some of them entered, she said.

Mrs Odeigba further narrated the ordeal of one of the security guards at the main entrance to the estate, Ihakuo Umar.

She said Mr Umar heard a sound from where he was observing his duty that night and demonstrated bravery by running towards the place.

She said unknown to the security man, some of the robbers were hiding inside the gutter.

Mrs Odeigba stated that Mr Umar was tied, dragged on the floor and dumped in a security tank close to the deceased home.

He heard that something was going on because if you like that part (pointing) you could easily see the whole estate. He saw them and rushed there not knowing they were hiding under the gutter. They hit him on the head. He fell on the floor and lost consciousness immediately. With blood they proceeded to tie him and then dragged him from that place to the security tank where they also taped his mouth in order not to shout, she said.

Another account given by some residents said five of the robbers whose number could not be ascertained, hid themselves around Mr Udokweres house while others waited at the back of the fence they came into the compound.

The residents said three of them entered the compound to rob the family.

According to Chinedu Odeigba, who took Mr Udokwere to the hospital, the general died before he got to the hospital because he had lost a lot of blood.

When I carried him, his legs had already stretched, and I could feel he was lifeless in my hand. The blood was too much. Even when we took him out of the car, the car was filled with his blood, he said.

Mr Odeigba, who said he was traumatised by the incident, further stated that he could not identify where the deceased was stabbed because blood had covered his entire body.

While the robbery was going on, a resident, Danladi Umar, said he had phoned the police who responded immediately.

Police make arrests

Meanwhile, the police have arrested four suspects in connection with the robbery and killing of Mr Udokwere.

A report by the Utako Police Division listed the names as Ibrahim Rabiu m 33 years old from Dala LGA Kano State and resident at Rasha Apo Roundabout; Nafiu Jamil m 33 years old from Tofa LGA Kano, but resident at Apo Pantekar; Aliyu Abdullahi m 47 yrs old from Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State and resident at Apo Roundabout Abuja, and Mohammed Nuhu m 28 yrs old from Kumbotso LGA Kano State, also resident at Apo Primary School.

It also said the suspects have confessed to the crime.

Robbery attacks around Lokogoma

Residents who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES said there had been several robbery incidents in the Lokogoma area, especially at the Peace Corps junction, directly behind Mr Udokweres residence.

You dont want to stay here till 6. If you stay here till that time something else will happen. Everybody in this area knows that, so whenever you are coming in your car at night, you dont stop or apply a break. If you do, they will rob you and still stab you, Ozor Chike, a motorcyclist, told this reporter.

There have been many cases of robbery at that junction and the bush there is contributing to it.

READ ALSO: Police arrest four suspects in murder of retired army general in Abuja

Danladi Umar said the estates residents have been worried about the bush behind the fence of the generals house.

Those boys used to make use of the path of the bush to invade the estate and do as they liked. We have been asking for the owner of that path to come and work on the land or do something, he said.

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The Federal High Court acquitted on Monday a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, of money laundering charges filed against him over 12 years ago by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge, Mohammed Liman, also acquitted the former speakers then-Personal Assistant and co-defendant, Oyebode Atoyebi, of all 54 charges.

With a chequered history, the trial has lasted over 12 years, journeying to and back from the Supreme Court.

It passed through two trial judges before Mr Liman, who delivered Mondays judgement.

EFCC charged Mr Ikuforij Mr Atoyebi with 54 counts of money laundering in March 2012, accusing them of conspiring to illegally accept cash payments in the aggregate sum of N338.8 million from the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The prosecution alleged that the defendants accepted cash payments above the threshold the Money Laundering Act set without going through a financial institution.

Mr Ikuforiji faced a count of using his position to misappropriate funds belonging to the Lagos State House of Assembly.

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The EFCC alleged that the defendants committed the offences from April 2010 to July 2011 in violation of sections 15 (1d), 16(1d) and 18 of the Money Laundering Act of 2004 and 2011.

Judgement

Delivering judgement on Monday, Mr Liman struck out the first count on the grounds of discrepancies in the timeline.

He went ahead to strike out the other 53 counts, which, he said, were charged under a non-existent law.

He noted that the pertinent question was which substantive law was in place when the defendants were charged.

Charging a person under a law that was non-existent at the time of an alleged offence runs afoul of the law, he said.

The court also acquitted the defendants on the grounds of insufficient evidence presented by the EFCC.

He said the commission failed to prove the predicate offences  the more minor offences the defendants tried to conceal by indulging in money laundering.

The Money Laundering Prohibition Act of 2004/2011 requires clear evidence of intent and the actual act of laundering money.

It is difficult to prove the offence of money laundering without the predicate offence; the prosecution has failed to prove this.

The prosecution has not proved the offence of money laundering beyond a reasonable doubt.

Consequently, the defendants are acquitted of all the allegations of money laundering levelled against them in courts two to 54 of the charge, he said.

Trial

EFCC re-arraigned Mr Ikuforiji and his co-defendant in December 2019 when the case reached the third judge, Mr Liman.

Again, the two defendants pleaded not guilty as before the two earlier judges.

The judge allowed them to remain on the bail granted them in 2012.

EFCC closed its case on 17 March 2021 after calling two witnesses.

The defence counsel, Dele Adesina, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), opened his clients defence on 4 May 2023.

He called three witnesses, including Mr Ikuforiji, who testified that he was prosecuted based on a faceless petition.

Mr Ikuforiji had told the court that the case arose from a petition written by an unknown person, alleging that he stole about N7 billion from the Lagos House of Assembly.

12-year journey

The defendants were first arraigned on 1 March 2012, over 12 years ago, before Okechukwu Okeke, a now-retired judge of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

They were arraigned on 20 counts of money laundering.

The charges centred on the allegations of receiving millions of naira in cash beyond the threshold of cash transactions stipulated in the anti-money laundering law from the House of Assembly without passing through a financial institution.

The EFCC said the alleged offence contravened Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.

They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail by Mr Okeke.

The defendants were later re-arraigned before Ibrahim Buba, now retired, following the re-assignment of the case..

Mr Buba granted them bail in the sum of N500 million each, with two sureties in like sum.

On 26 September 2014, Mr Buba discharged Ikuforiji and his aide after upholding their no-case submissions.

Mr Buba had held that EFCC failed to establish a prima-facie case against them.

Dissatisfied with the judgement, EFCC, through its counsel, Godwin Obla, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), filed an appeal dated 30 September 2014 against the judgement.

Mr Obla argued in the appeal that the trial court erred in law when it held that the counts were incompetent because they were filed under Section 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, which was repealed by an Act of 2011.

He further argued that the trial court erred in law when it held that provisions of Section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2004 and 2011 only applied to natural persons and corporate bodies other than the government.

He also submitted that the trial court erred in law when it concluded that the testimonies of prosecution witnesses supported the innocence of the defendants.

In its judgement, the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, in November 2016, upheld EFCCs submissions and ordered a fresh trial of the defendants before another judge.

Following the Court of Appeal decision, the defendants headed for the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the judgment of the verdict.

In its verdict, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal and ordered that the case be sent back to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to another judge.

(NAN)

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The police have arrested four suspects in the killing of a retired brigadier general, Uwem Udokwere, in his Abuja home on Saturday.

The Utako Police Division stated this in a report it issued on Sunday.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how Mr Udokwere was murdered at his home, House, No 9 Sanga Street Sunshine Homes by Kabusa Junction Lokogoma, Abuja during a robbery attack.

The sudden death of the former army officer has left his wife and two children in grief and the whole community in panic.

On Sunday, the police operatives led by Victor Godfrey, a chief superintendent of police, commenced an investigation and subsequently apprehended the culprits after tracking the phone one of them mistakenly dropped while they were being chased the previous day.

The Chairman of the estate, Odulami Ayotunde, said the report was given to its residents on Monday.

We went to the police station yesterday, and we were told that one of them dropped his phone and they tracked it and arrested him and others, he said.

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The report listed those arrested as Ibrahim Rabiu m 33 years old from Dala LGA Kano State and resident at Rasha Apo Roundabout; Nafiu Jamil m 33 years old from Tofa LGA Kano, but resident at Apo Pantekar; Aliyu Abdullahi m 47 yrs old from Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara State and resident at Apo Roundabout Abuja, and Mohammed Nuhu m 28 yrs old from Kumbotso LGA Kano State, also resident at Apo Primary School.

FCT Police Spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, could not be reached for comments as she did not respond to our call and text message to her.

Read the full report

ARREST OF NOTORIOUS MURDERERS/ARMED ROBBERS AND RECOVERY OF EXHIBITS:

Good morning. Full report on the Arrests

23/06/2024 at Kabusa and Pigbakasa Apo in FCT, Abuja Utako Div.operatives led by Csp Victor O Godfrey arrested four suspects who robbed and murdered a retired Brigadier General, Gen. Uwen Harold (Retd) N/5575 15th Regular course at house no.9 Sanga street Sundshine Homes by Kabusa Junction Lokogoma FCT, Abuja.

They are (1) Ibrahim Rabiu m 33 yrs old from Dala LGA Kano state but resident at Rasha Apo Roundabout (2) Nafiu Jamil m 33 yrs old from Tofa LGA Kano, but resident at Apo Pantekar (3) Aliyu Abdullahi m 47 yrs old from Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara state but resident at Apo Roundabout Abuja (4) Mohammed Nuhu m 28 yrs old from Kumbotso LGA Kano state but resident at Apo primary school.

The suspects have all confessed to the heinous crimes of murder and armed robbery of the late General. They stated that during the armed robbery incident, they murdered the Gen. to prevent him from harming them with his pistols he brought out to defend himself but couldnt effectively manipulated it.

They also confessed to have stolen Laptops, phones among other valuables from the deceased home. As fate would have, the knife in which they stabbed him to death was recovered.

The deceased black GSM phone Redmi made was also recovered. Effort is on top gear to recover two pistols they confessed to have taken away from the General house.

Effort is on top gear to arrest the fleeing remaining suspects and recover the weapons. Investigation has commenced. Further developments will be communicated Sir.

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A community in Enugu State, South-east Nigeria, has invoked deities against unknown persons stealing equipment from a hospital in the area.

The community, Ogurute-Uno in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the state, was said to have grown increasingly frustrated by frequent theft in the hospital.

The facility, Ogurute-Uno General Hospital, was newly constructed by the Enugu State Government.

It was inaugurated in February 2023 by the then governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Ogurute-Uno is a community created from Enugu Ezike Community within the same council area of the state.

A video clip, which has now gone viral, showed some members of the community invoking the deities in front of the hospital.

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The five-minute clip was uploaded on Facebook on 20 June.

In the clip, an unidentified community member was heard invoking the deities while lamenting frequent equipment theft in the hospital.

We are people of Ogurute-Uno. We have come here for no other reason apart from the issue of this general hospital built by the government.

They (government) have brought every necessary medical equipment for treatment, including beds, television sets, solar batteries, solar panels, and others, the man said in Igbo language.

Continuing he said: But after they brought all the equipment, we dont know people who come here and steal them. We now say it is bad and unacceptable.

We, therefore, hand over this general hospital to you all. Any man, woman, child or adult that stole the equipment, please fight for us.

The community member asked the deities to kill those who stole the equipment if they failed to return them to the hospital.

He listed equipment stolen from the facility to include LED television, solar battery, beds, stretchers, fans, air conditioners and emergency response vehicles.

He stressed that no one has accepted responsibility for the theft in the hospital.

No more theft

The community member appealed to the deities to henceforth kill anybody who attempts to steal any equipment from the hospital.

Several members of the community who surrounded the man chorused in unison at the end of the invocation.

Were tired

An indigene of Enugu Ezike, a neighbouring community in the area confirmed the development to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday.

The indigene, simply identified as Afamefuna, said the deities were invoked earlier in June.

He said the community members and residents were tired of recurrent theft in the hospital.

It (the invoking of deities) was for those who stole in the hospital, he said.

Frequent theft in the hospital

An indigene of Imufu, another neighbouring community in the council area, who claimed to be part of people involved in the efforts to stop the theft, narrated to PREMIUM TIMES why the deities were invoked.

The man who identified himself simply as Emeka said the traditional ruler of the Ogurute-Uno Community, Ogbonnaya Ekere, approved the invoking of the deities following the failure of security agencies to stop the recurring theft in the hospital.

Emeka recalled that Mr Ekere had petitioned Igbo-Eze North Traditional Rulers Council, who converged at the community where the decision to invoke the deities was taken.

It was the traditional rulers council led by Igwe Gabriel Agbedo that resolved to support the community to do the traditional invoking of deities. I went round with them, he said.

He said the traditional rulers subsequently reported the theft to Ogurute-Uno vigilante operatives who promptly arrested a suspect and handed him over to the police, but police authorities allegedly failed to investigate the matter.

Police never went to the hospital for investigation. At one point, they released the suspect, he said.

Police silent

The police spokesperson in Enugu State, Daniel Ndukwe, did not respond to calls and WhatsApp messages seeking his comments.

Mr Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police, would later send a text message requesting our reporter to send an SMS to him.

But, as of the time of filing this report, he was yet to respond to an SMS seeking to know if the frequent theft in the community was ever reported to the police.

Not the first time

This is not the first time a community in the state would resort to deities for help on security matters.

PREMIUM TIMES exclusively reported that a neighbouring community in the area, Enugu Ezike, two months ago, invoked some deities over the frequent attacks and killings by pro-Biafra gunmen in the area.

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Banning open grazing nationally, so that bandits and Boko Haram may no longer pose as herdsmen or continue to decimate the population of farmers under false pretences. Already, I have written about many ranching initiatives such as the ones established in Kano by former Governor Ganduje, which all state governments interested in ranching can emulate.

If we could end the Nigerian Civil War in 30 months at a time when our military and their armaments were less sophisticated, how come we are unable to defeat Boko Haram and its allied agents of terror in 15 years? That was the fat question posed by one of the advocates of non-kinetic interventions in the anti-terror drive, Professor Usman Yusuf, who once served as the executive secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

In battling the present state of national insecurity, every voice counts because valuable clues that will help defeat the problem may come from unexpected quarters.

Yusuf is one of the members of the Northern Elders Forum, a body that believes in the carrot-and-stick strategy in defeating banditry and terror. For quite a while, the group has been campaigning for Sheikh Ahmad Gumi to be given government backing to negotiate with the bandits, with the hope that such a move will solve the problem, case by case.

Plea To Negotiate

Last March, NEF appealed to President Tinubu to commission Sheikh Gumi to undertake negotiations with bandits for the release of 200 internally displaced women in Borno State and 287 pupils in Kaduna. He pleaded with the president not to make the same mistake made by his predecessor, former President Buhari, who refused to negotiate with criminals, even though he was aware that some governors were paying ransom to secure the release of their people.

NEFs spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said Gumi should be supported to bring about a peaceful resolution of the problem. He said, While some may question the legitimacy of negotiating with criminals, it is important to consider the potential benefits of engaging in dialogue. In conflict resolution, dialogue is often seen as crucial to finding peaceful solutions. By engaging with the bandits, Gumi may be able to understand their grievances and motivations, which could potentially lead to the safe release of the abducted children. Additionally, opening lines of communication with the bandits could pave the way for addressing underlying issues such as poverty, lack of education, and marginalisation that contribute to the cycle of violence.

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By initiating talks, Gumi may be able to secure the release of the schoolchildren and potentially prevent future abductions. While dialogue with bandits may seem controversial, it can be a necessary step in resolving conflicts and ensuring the safety of hostages

Anyone who has been paying attention to the subject will know that banditry has become an industry in Nigeria. Contrary to the claim that it is a northern phenomenon, it is now a pan-Nigerian thing. Marksmen with Sahelian physical features have taken over many forests in the Southern states, killing at random and making hefty sums in ransom payments.

The Federal Government has pointedly rejected the suggestion, saying it wont pay a kobo for the release of abducted persons. The governments decision seems to be informed by the plethora of literature and other research findings available on social media showing that banditry has become an industry. When terrorists are begged to accept money in exchange for their victims, the state is admitting that it has lost its claim to being a sovereign and is no longer enjoying a monopoly of violence within its geographical space.

No sensible government will share the money it should be using in procuring arms and ammunition with terrorists who, in several cases, are already outgunning security agencies. With more ransom money, bandits are able to acquire more sophisticated arms and enforce the institutionalisation of their criminal enterprise.

Banditry Now An Industry

Anyone who has been paying attention to the subject will know that banditry has become an industry in Nigeria. Contrary to the claim that it is a northern phenomenon, it is now a pan-Nigerian thing. Marksmen with Sahelian physical features have taken over many forests in the Southern states, killing at random and making hefty sums in ransom payments. When theyre not decimating the population of farmers, they turn the interstate highways to their hunting ground where, at times, they abduct the entire passengers of buses plying these routes.

Although many of the so-called bandits opened shop as aggrieved herdsmen, whose cattle had been rustled by gunmen who crossed into Nigeria from Chad and Niger, there is a conspiracy of silence between the thieves and a section of the elite. Listening to some of their defenders, you would think the poor farmer in Kaduna, Okigwe, Auchi, Maiduguri, Yola, Jos, Gusau, Oyo or Ilesa should be blamed for prospering, while his cattle herding compatriot is allegedly suffering. What, I ask, is the link between the rustling of cattle in the far North and the terrorisation of agrarian communities in other parts of the country under the pretence of farmers-herders clashes. Now that it is clear to everyone that in some parts of the country, there are only bandits and terrorists determined to seize the ancestral lands of farmers, should we still be living the lie that non-kinetic solutions will do the trick?

The recent declaration by the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Dalijan Shehu, that banditry is now an industry in the state, plainly showed the extent of the problem. According to him, the class of people involved in banditry has compounded the situation. He disclosed that a former local government chairman has been arrested for involvement in banditry. In the same vein, a district head has been implicated in the supply of drugs to the criminals, while a member of the State House of Assembly was implicated in banditry.

The police do not have the number of men and requisite firepower to confront the enemies of the people. Indeed, in some cases, the local vigilantes and traditional hunters have been known to rescue police operatives captured or trapped by bandits.

I notice that the National Assembly has been working on the anti-grazing bill with gusto. It shouldnt be a divisive issue. In fact, without much ado, the lawmakers should carefully consider the judicial work that has already been done on the subject, instead of pretending that the herder-farmer problem is a new development. We should remind them that the matter has since been settled in law by Honourable Justice Adewale Thompson

As a matter of urgency, the suggestions made by commentators in the public space over the last 12 months should be considered by the Federal Government. The To Do list of deliverables within the next one year should include the following:

Establishment of State Police

Immediate prosecution and punishment of all the sponsors, informants, bagmen and other collaborators of bandits, no matter how highly placed.

Carrying out enhanced intel-based military intervention simultaneously in contiguous terror-endemic areas.

Coordinated use of drones to take out identified kingpins of banditry.

Retooling of relevant squadrons of the police involved in the anti-banditry war with superior arms that are more advanced than the terrorists weapons.

Franchising out identified notorious bandits/terrorists zones to mercenaries (never say never)!

Banning open grazing nationally, so that bandits and Boko Haram may no longer pose as herdsmen or continue to decimate the population of farmers under false pretences. Already, I have written about many ranching initiatives such as the ones established in Kano by former Governor Ganduje, which all state governments interested in ranching can emulate.

Ranching Legislation

I notice that the National Assembly has been working on the anti-grazing bill with gusto. It shouldnt be a divisive issue. In fact, without much ado, the lawmakers should carefully consider the judicial work that has already been done on the subject, instead of pretending that the herder-farmer problem is a new development. We should remind them that the matter has since been settled in law by Honourable Justice Adewale Thompson in Suit no AB/26/66 at the Abeokuta Division of the High Court on 17 April, 1969, as follows:

I do not accept the contention of Defendants that a custom exists which imposes an obligation on the owner of a farm to fence his farm whilst the owner of cattle allows his cattle to wander like pests and cause damage. Such a custom if it exists, is unreasonable and I hold that it is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience and therefore unenforceable in that it is highly unreasonable to impose the burden of fencing a farm on the farmer without the corresponding obligation on the cattle owner to fence in his cattle.

Sequence to that I ban open grazing for it is inimical to peace and tranquillity and the cattle owners must fence or ranch their animals for peace to reign in these communities.

Wole Olaoye is a Public Relations consultant and veteran journalist. He can be reached on wole.olaoye@gmail.com, Twitter: @wole_olaoye; Instagram: woleola2021.

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Real men who are not in the business of eating sour grapes are now needed in our society. These are kingdom men. Men who are truly saved. Men who carry the spirit of excellence and the touches of grace. Men who are more concerned with leaving values for their children than material things. Men who will not just be men because they wear trousers but will be men and fathers because they convey values, Christlike values, and virtues in their homes and in the larger society.

Karl Marx was an historian who pioneered and institutionalised the socialist movement in Europe and across the globe. One of his motives for promoting socialism in the politics of Western nations was the elimination of the bibliocentric leadership roles of men in marriages. Marx publicly advanced this cause by advocating for the dissolution of the bibliocentric marriage structure that positioned the man as the head of a marriage unit.

According to Marx, the freer the wife and children are from mens control, the freer and healthier the society would be. In other words, men and fathers were perceived from a socialists worldview, as major obstacles to the advancement of the cause of freedom and equality in a modern society. The negative effect of Marxs Satanic ideology on Western civilisation, till date, remains significant, sadly. In fact, a famous historian jokingly said, Marx is still ruling from the grave.

The Bible, to which I subscribe, and which shapes my thoughts and values, more than anything else, is very sacrosanct about the roles of men in virtually every stratum of life and nation building. Men are leaders at home, in the church, and government. For every home that failed in the scriptures, God held the men accountable. Such was the example of Eli, who was judged and disciplined by God in 1 Samuel 2 for being an enabler in the criminal acts of his children. Have you bothered to ask this fundamental question? Where was Mrs Eli when God was judging Mr Eli?

Similarly, for every nation that failed in the scriptures, God held the men (fathers) accountable. Such was Gods judgement of several kings of Israel, such as Ahab and Saul, both of whom He held accountable for the failure of their nations. Where were their wives? When King David fell into adultery with Bathsheba, it was he who bore the consequences. In fact, it was the teaching and manuscripts from divinely selected men that formed the canon of the scriptures. In other words, the divine providence of God allowed most of the books of the Bible to be written by men, and they were ultimately included in the canon of scriptures. These speak volumes. By divine providence, which no one can question, God has chosen to hold men responsible and accountable for so many things and in so many ways. This doesnt diminish the important contributions and values of women in the church and in society.

Kingdom pastors think not only about their churches, but about the entire body of Christ. Kingdom politicians think not only about their political career, but about the future of others and of their nations. Kingdom husbands think not about their careers, but about the success of their families and of others in their spheres of influences.

However, the roles of fathers are strategic, and the consequences of their actions and inactions are not just generational, but trans-generational. At the moment, we live in a world that is constantly shaped by controversial worldviews  feminism, universalism, socialism, humanism, and pragmatism, and all the isms to mention a few  all of which have led to the production of fathers who are constantly setting the teeth of their children on edge because of the sour grapes they have continued to eat. (Ezekiel 18:2).

No nation can be greater than the quality of its men. No marriage can be stronger than the quality of the husbands. When fathers fail, nations fail. When husbands fail, marriages fail. Fathers shape values faster and stronger in children and societies than any other method. Real men who are not in the business of eating sour grapes are now needed in our society. These are kingdom men. Men who are truly saved. Men who carry the spirit of excellence and the touches of grace. Men who are more concerned with leaving values for their children than material things. Men who will not just be men because they wear trousers but will be men and fathers because they convey values, Christlike values, and virtues in their homes and in the larger society.

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

Kingdom pastors think not only about their churches, but about the entire body of Christ. Kingdom politicians think not only about their political career, but about the future of others and of their nations. Kingdom husbands think not about their careers, but about the success of their families and of others in their spheres of influences.

Father in the name of Jesus, please raise kingdom men for your daughters as husbands, for our nations as politicians, and for our churches as pastors. I am still celebrating the fathers.

Ayo Akerele is the senior pastor of Rhema Assembly and the founder of the Voice of the Watchmen in Ontario, Canada. He can be reached through ayoakerele@gmail.com.

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Recently, drivers of forklift trucks were seen busy loading boxes containing 400 televisions into a rail container at the assembly center of China-Europe freight train services in Shenyang, Liaoning province. The TVs were scheduled to arrive in Moscow in early June, where they will be distributed and sold at various department stores and e-commerce platforms across the country. "We mainly export home appliances to Europe. There is a risk of component corrosion with maritime transport, and the cost of airfreight for home appliances is too high," said Guan Jun, vice-president of Shenyang Zhicheng Trading Co Ltd, a Shenyang-based foreign trade company. After comparing various options, Guan said the company chose the China-Europe freight train services in 2022. It takes about 12 days to reach Russia and about 16 days to reach Germany from Shenyang. This long-haul cargo train service has become a popular option for the export of home appliances from Shenyang and its surrounding areas, with an increasing number of companies choosing the cargo train service, he added. Data showed that from January to April this year, Liaozhong Customs, a branch of Shenyang Customs, supervised the export of over 3,300 TVs worth more than 9.4 million yuan ($1.3 million). The majority of them were shipped by the Shenyang-Europe freight train services. Exporters and business leaders said rising global geopolitical tensions and security concerns in the Red Sea maritime passage will further increase the importance of the China-Europe freight train services, a critical complement to China-Europe trade this year. The hesitance shown by global shipping companies to use the Suez Canal may continue to impact China-Europe trade this year, putting operational costs for businesses under pressure on both sides, said Lin Meng, director of the Modern Supply Chain Research Institute at the Beijing-based Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation. In response to disruptions in international shipping due to security concerns in the Red Sea region, many freight forwarders have adopted rail services as an alternative mode of transportation between China and Europe, said Lin. As these challenges persist, the role of the China-Europe freight train services in supporting international commerce will continue to evolve and expand over the long run, said Li Muyuan, executive vice-president of the China Container Industry Association in Beijing. Together with the China-Laos railroad service and China-Central Asia freight trains, regional connectivity and business connections between China and these regions will be further enriched, Li added. That sentiment is in line with the latest data. The number of China-Europe freight train services grew by 10 percent year-on-year to 6,184 trips in the first four months of 2024, data from Beijing-based China State Railway Group Co Ltd (China Railway) showed. About 675,000 20-foot equivalent units of goods were transported via freight trains during this period, up 11 percent on a yearly basis, according to the country's railroad operator. By the end of May, about 90,000 China-Europe freight train trips had been completed in total, serving 223 cities across 25 European countries. Since its inception in 2011, the range of products transported by the China-Europe freight train services has grown significantly, from just 53 items to over 50,000 products by the end of April, data from the General Administration of Customs showed. Numerous cities have introduced tailored services, including dedicated trains for transporting specific goods like timber, tea, edible oil and new energy vehicles, said Zhang Tao, deputy director of the GAC's department of port control. Eager to reach more destinations in Europe and other regions, China Railway has initiated transport testing for the China-Europe freight trains from Xi'an, Shaanxi province, Chongqing, and Yiwu, Zhejiang province to Poti, Georgia, and Istanbul, Turkiye, this year. Other new routes have also been opened. These include Harbin, Heilongjiang province to Tilburg in the Netherlands; Shijiazhuang, Hebei province to Belgrade, Serbia, and Qingdao, Shandong province to Moscow.
In its painful metamorphosis, however, a final stage remains for our democracy. Having savoured government-by-the-intimate (and we are struggling with it), we could do no worse than vote along the lines of merit at the end of this electoral cycle. The alternatives are unpleasant.

One of the few redeeming features of the domestic echo chamber is the ludicrous ease with which it flits from the bathetic to the pathetic. This supports the sense, amongst most observers, of its unreliability as a bellwether of domestic trends. But at least, on one fact, it currently appears in consensus: since 1999, our current essay at democratic governance has struggled. Examples of this drudge abound. But none personifies the crises more than the succession of policy flip-flops that the incumbent Federal Government has been through since it assumed office. In a sense, this policy yo-yo works as a metaphor of the precipice at the edge of which the domestic economy is perched. For the burden of our current attempt at running a democracy has had two natures.

A quarter of a decade after, our government of the people, by the people, and for the people continues to scruffle with perceptions of how truly representative of the popular will our electoral outcomes are. This, despite countless reform efforts designed to ensure that every legitimate vote is counted, and that, in turn, every vote cast counts. A non-participant observer could, thus, be pardoned for supposing that this aspect of our democratic deficit will endure until the other half of the burden it continues to bear is worked out.

This is what the other half of the burden looks like. Emotionally, if not philosophically, our democracy looks like having run the full gamut of experiences that is available to it. Given its military antecedents, it was little surprise that the Obasanjo years leaned on the myth of the strongman. The country had just escaped descent into chaos by fleeing the clutches of a homicidal dictator. Chaos still threatened. And the imperative of reining in fissiparous tendencies required a steady hand on the tiller. Inevitably, at the governments sidelines, non-commissioned garrison commanders, as well as unelected godfathers ran their subplots  of course, to the detriment of the collective will. Rumours of the Obasanjo administrations attempts at succeeding itself were, thus, par for the course. In the end, the discombobulation of the self-succession shenanigan has been the bane of the Leninist recourse to the idea of the National Front as a route to dynastic rule  it never quite succeeds.

Small astonishment, then, that compulsively turned in on its omphalos towards its last days in office, the Obasanjo administration eventually yielded to a risible (although potentially lethal to the body polity) effort by a kitchen cabinet to assume the task of managing the state in the name of a severely incapacitated president. In the Jonathan government, the electorate appeared to plump for the underdog, either as: the most prominent victim of the cabal that earlier sought to undermine the institutions of the state; or simply as a reflection of the moral and material circumstances of most of the voting population  that the would-be president was unshod as a child was but icing on this cake.

The leading lights of the new government had manned barricades against one of the more roguish administrations the country has ever had, their mannerisms were familiar to the bus conductors in most motor parks. How could the government not do well by us? This is the question that the electorate will have to find answers to come the end of this electoral cycle.

Against the backdrop of the strongman narrative that propped up the Obasanjo administration, recourse to retired General Muhammadu Buhari as Goodluck Jonathans successor would appear odd at first blush. But the example of a President Jonathan who seemed to stand for few things, and appeared persuaded by just about every argument, was tonic enough. Besides, as the China-led commodity supercycle ebbed, and the economy was beginning to tank, what better choice than to have a decisive helmsman at the tiller.

After the insipid, namby-pamby, mealymouthed approach of the Buhari administration to the task of governing, it was not exactly out of place that the people voted for their own government. Instructively, the Yoruba omo wa ni; e je o se phrase that lends philosophic grounding to this new governance ism, has all the resonance of the Sicilian Cosa nostra (incidentally, this phrase also means Our thing): all boneheaded loyalty, and nary a worry about knowhow. The leading lights of the new government had manned barricades against one of the more roguish administrations the country has ever had, their mannerisms were familiar to the bus conductors in most motor parks. How could the government not do well by us? This is the question that the electorate will have to find answers to come the end of this electoral cycle.

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 its painful metamorphosis, however, a final stage remains for our democracy. Having savoured government-by-the-intimate (and we are struggling with it), we could do no worse than vote along the lines of merit at the end of this electoral cycle. The alternatives are unpleasant.

Uddin Ifeanyi, journalist manque and retired civil servant, can be reached @IfeanyiUddin.

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Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has directed stakeholders to come up with the best way to mitigate the potential impact of flooding in areas identified by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet,) in the state.

The Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Abubakar Buba disclosed this during a sensitisation campaign held at the Lagos Garage, Mando in Igabi Local Government Area.

According to him, Governor Sani directed the Ministry and other stakeholders to look at all the proactive measures to be taken to avert the flood. He said that part it is sensitisation, which all the MDAs of the state have started to work on for the past two to three months.

Mr Buba reiterated that the team decided to kick start the campaign at a centre like Mando Motor Park, which is highly populated and the exercise is to distill all the drainage.

He added that the project Distilling Drainage is a Kaduna Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (KAD-ACReSAL) supported by the World Bank.

Since it is the rainy season, we have decided to distill all the drainages within the city centre and the three senatorial zones, Kaduna, Kafanchan, and Zaria Metropolis. We are going to distill 160,000 meters of drainage within the City centers of the three senatorial zones.

In doing this, we are sure that by the time the rain comes to its peak, it will have a way to flow back into the river which can prevent any likely occurrence in the state.

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We called on citizens of Kaduna State to ensure that they cooperate with the Government by coming out to assist, and also stop disposing of garbage in the drainage system and also ensuring that they keep their areas clean and together with the efforts of the Government, it will be a success.

All the flood-prone areas have drainage systems and the only thing is that most of the drainage is blocked. We involve the people in the work we are doing so that at the end of the day, sustainability can be achieved.

Theres a monitoring and evaluation team which comprises all the stakeholders, KEPA, SEMA, and others from the LGA Council and even the traditional rulers and also the youths, men and women of the community will be involved. We are going round to ensure that it is a success and everybody will participate in it, Mr Buba added.

Speaking earlier, Jibril Dahiru Rufai of (KAD-ACReSAL) said the project is World Bank-assisted and aimed at addressing the challenges of land degradation and climate Change in Northern Nigeria on a multi-dimensional scale.

According to him, the ACReSAL project will help restore one million hectares of degraded land in the northern part of the country.

The project will also help reduce the vulnerability of millions of extremely poor people in northern Nigeria, strengthening their role in line with achieving environmental sustainability.

Today, we are participating as key stakeholders in distilling drainage as proactive measures to flooding.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA,) Muhammed Muazu Mukaddas said It would be recalled that for the last six weeks, weve been moving around with KEPA and other key stakeholders, trying to sensitive the citizens on the need to be safe and at the same time, mitigate the flood highlighted areas.

I must say with full happiness that the Ministry of Environment under the leadership of the commissioner, has made this proactive, not just with drainage but informing citizens on the impact and the need to come out fully to support the Government and others by making sure we mitigate the effect of the graded plots.

The report is something we have been receiving for almost three years even though we are on a high level one will understand that one of the main agendas is safety.

We went out to 738 points in the State with all the Ministries, KEPA, and Ministry of Environment in the State to sensitise citizens living in those flood areas.

The Government can only provide haven centres so that per adventure we experience any kind of food, we hope these efforts will mitigate the effect.

This is to say there is an expectation, but with this kind of proactive measures taken, we are certain that if we continue like this and if the communities come together, and listen to the instructions from concerned agencies, we will be able to mitigate the high level of risk that can attract the flood.

Similarly, the Managing Director of Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA,) Dr Yakubu Yusuf Arrigasiyyu explained that the target of the operation is to distill all drainage in the state so that there is free flow of water to avoid any blockage that can cause damages to the houses or flooding.

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An investigation carried out by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the state on Monday reveals that some farmers embarked on early planting despite warnings from meteorologists against such decisions.

NAN reports that farmers from Billiri, Kaltungo, Shongom, Balanga and some parts of Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Areas of the state were among those insisting on early planting.

NAN further learnt that some farmers from Gombe, Dukku and Akko council areas had yet to embark on planting.

The Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Gombe State, Banyula Hala, said the low rainfall due to the effect of climate change had become a cause for serious concern.

Mr Hala said the situation might impact negatively on productivity in this years wet cropping season.

The low rainfall will affect wet farming this year, but since rains are from God, farmers should turn to God and be optimistic that in a weeks time or thereabouts, there will be more rainfall.

Some farmers have planted while some are yet to plant. Those who planted could not get enough rainfall, so the seed didnt germinate as expected, and they would have to replant, he said.

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The AFAN chairman said that some farmers comprising Christian and Muslim faithful from the state had started organising special prayer sessions for improved rainfall.

Mr Hala said many farmers had migrated to Taraba State because the weather was better than that of Gombe.

The AFAN chairman, therefore, advised farmers in the state to remain calm.

As long as we are praying for rain, let us be patient and see what God will do for us, he said.

The Secretary of Soyabeans Farmers and Marketers Association, Gombe State Chapter, Usman Adamu, said his members had planted their crops in Billiri, Balanga, Akko, and Kwami council areas despite the low rainfall recorded in the state.

Since rainfall is something that is beyond the government, we must pray for rainfall, and that is what we are doing now, he said.

Ibrahim Abubakar, an extension worker with the Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) Special Project in Gombe State, said most farmers were not ready to plant because of the low rainfall.

Mr Abubakar said most farmers in Akko LGAs had complained that rainfall had only been witnessed once in the last week.

My concern is that it will affect productivity this year because farmers do not have enough water to plant as well as to apply fertilisers, he said.

Usman Kabiru, a retiree who embraced farming business in Gombe, said he migrated to Taraba State (Southern part of the state) to embark on his farming activities because of the poor rainfall in Gombe.

Mr Kabiru said many farmers from the state had relocated to Taraba to rent farmlands and cultivate them for better yields.

He lamented the impact of climate change, which he said was responsible for the rainfall pattern in the state.

Mr Kabiru said that the dry spell that happened last cropping season in Gombe State caused most farmers to incur huge losses and be unable to get back their investments, which further pushed many farmers to Taraba to avoid unnecessary losses.

With the rainfall uncertainties in Gombe, many farmers relocated to Taraba because inputs are expensive so no one wants to take the risk associated with low rainfall.

As it is now, many farmers in Taraba south are almost ready to harvest their crops while some of their counterparts in Gombe State have yet to plant, he said.

NAN recalls that during the inauguration of fertiliser distribution and sales for the 2024 wet season on 20 June, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State urged farmers and all stakeholders to pray more for Gods intervention for more rainfall in the state.

(NAN)

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The police have arrested a councillor and three village chiefs over the theft of an electricity transformer in Gombe State.

The police spokesperson in the state, Buhari Abdullahi, paraded the suspected in Gombe on Monday.

The councillor, Abdullahi Panda, represents Kumo East ward in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.

The other suspects arrested are Muhammad Majidadi, 40, who is the village head of Garin Majidadi; Muhammed Sani, 43, who is the Sarkin Yaki quarters in Kumo; and Bello Ardo Kumo, 59, also a traditional title holder.

On June 21, 2024, at about 17:45, while acting on credible intelligence information, police detectives from Akko Division intercepted those mentioned above suspected electric transformer stolen from Garin Majidadi village. The transformer was sold to Bello Ardo Kumo for N1.5 million.

The police spokesperson said over 20 other suspects were arrested for various offences, including homicide, armed robbery, and other crimes in the state.

READ ALSO: Many Gombe farmers relocate to Taraba

He said the police would sustain intelligence-led policing to deny criminal elements an avenue to thrive in the state.

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The Commissioner of Police, CP Hayatu Usman, urged all peace-loving people of Gombe State to continue cooperating with the police and report any suspicious movement of people or items to the nearest police formation in the state, he said.

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The remains of Maryam Albishir, mother-in-law to Vice President Kashim Shettima, were on Monday laid to rest today in Kano following funeral prayers at her family residence.

The deceased, aged 69, was the mother of Nana Shettima, wife of Vice President Kashim Shettima.

She died after a prolonged illness.

Her death is undoubtedly a great personal loss for the family of Nigerias Vice President.

The solemn event drew a large gathering of family members, friends and associates paying their final respects.

Among them were Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, Acting Governor of Borno State Umar Kadafur, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari, and Minister of State for Steel Development Uba Ahmadu.

National Assembly members, former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, along with several former deputy governors of Borno State, were also in attendance at the funeral.

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The deceased was known as an exemplary and kind-hearted mother in her community and also a devoted Muslim.

She was respected for her wisdom, compassion, and dedication to charitable causes. Many remember her as a source of guidance and support, both within her family and in the wider community in Kano.

Stanley Nkwocha

Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications

(Office of The Vice President)

24th June, 2024

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The police in Akwa Ibom State said they have rescued a 63-year-old man who was recently kidnapped by gunmen in the state.

The rescued man is a retired worker of Shell Petroleum Development Company.

The police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Uyo.

Ms John, an assistant superintendent of police, said that the victim, who was abducted on 17 June and held hostage by his abductors, was rescued unhurt in a compound at Ikot Udobong Village in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

She said that the rescue followed reliable intelligence information which prompted the police operatives to swing into action.

Ms John said that the kidnappers engaged the police rescue team in a shootout.

Upon sighting the police, the kidnappers opened fire at them, one of the kidnappers was fatally wounded in the process while the others fled, she said.

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The police spokesperson said that the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Waheed Ayilara, had ordered the commands SWAT operatives to immediately swing into action.

Efforts are seriously ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang for possible prosecution, she said.

The police spokesperson said that preliminary investigations revealed that the kidnappers had initially demanded N50 million ransom.

They later agreed to take N20 million, but I tell you on good authority that no ransom was paid as at the time of the rescue, she said.

(NAN)

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The police in Rivers State on Monday allowed former chairpersons of Rivers local councils to hold protest marches in some parts of Rivers, the same day the police had advised the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the state to suspend its planned protest.

Most of the former chairpersons of the local councils are supporters of Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers, who is engaged in a protracted political battle with his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Mr Wike is now the FCT minister.

The police in the state had since last Wednesday taken over the 23 council secretariats in the state after violent clashes between supporters of Governor Fubara and those of Mr Wike resulted in the death of two persons, including a police officer.

The closure of the council secretariats has prevented local government workers from having access to their offices, a situation that forced NULGE to give police a four-day ultimatum to vacate the secretariats or face protest.

The organised labour  the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Rivers State had expressed support for the planned protest by NULGE, PREMIUM TIMES reported.

But the police spokesperson in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement on Sunday, a day before the expiration of the ultimatum advised the NULGE to suspend the planned protest.

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The police command respects the right to lawful assembly but has received credible intelligence indicating potential infiltration of the planned protest on Monday.

Hoodlums plan to hijack the protest and instigate chaos in the state.

Consequently, the command advises the organisers to suspend the planned protest to avert any possible breakdown of law and order, Mrs Iringe-Koko, a police superintendent, said.

In apparent compliance with the police order, the organised labour in the state in a joint statement issued on Sunday said it had uncovered plans by some miscreants to cause mayhem in the state under the cover of ultimatum it issued to the inspector general of police to order the police to vacate council secretariats.

The union dissociated itself from the wicked plan which it said was aimed at promoting the call for a declaration of a state of emergency in the state by mischief makers.

Rivers State Organised Labour has not directed anyone or group of persons to embark on any form of industrial action or demonstration following the lockout of our members at various local government councils in the state.

Impacted affiliates union, especially NULGE is hereby directed to remain on standby until further notice for likely lawful industrial action, organised labour said.

But some former council chairpersons who are allies of Mr Wike held a protest march in Port Harcourt on Monday, the same day the police advised NULGE to suspend its planned protest.

The police spokesperson in the state, Mrs Iringe-Koko did not respond to calls and text messages seeking her comments on the development.

Stay away from council until court verdict  Ex-council chairperson

In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, Samuel Nwanosike, the former chairperson of Ikwerre local council said the former chairpersons are protesting across the 23 council areas.

We want everybody to stay away from the council until the court gives a valid order for us to follow, Mr Nwanosike said, a similar position which is canvassed by the police.

We will not allow hoodlums to take over our offices and cart away hard earned materials and resources we have gathered.

We have confidence in the police but the people are already blackmailing the police  those who are already involved in the matter like members of the caretaker committees, he said, when asked if they do not trust the capacity of the police to protect the secretariats.

Citing the protest notice earlier issued by NULGE if police failed to vacate the secretariat, Mr Nwanosike said members of NULGE cannot be a judge in their own case.

For instance, there are NULGE people who are civil servants who did not resign their position before taking up appointment in the caretaker committee. Some of them are chairpersons of various councils of NULGE.

They are now part of the (caretaker) committee, how can they be a judge in their own matter? They are telling the police that they want to go to work. If you allow such miscreants to intimidate the police, for how long can the police hold guard to it?

Civil servants appointed as caretaker committee members

Former council chairpersons in the state had in a statement on Sunday listed the names of 21 civil servants and active members of NULGE who were appointed and inaugurated as members of caretaker committee in the state by Governor Fubara.

The statement was forwarded to PREMIUM TIMES by Mr Nwanosike.

Mr Nwanosike specifically pointed out that Thankgod Ichem, a member of the recently inaugurated caretaker committee did not resign as a civil servant in Ikwerre local council before taking up the political appointment.

PREMIUM TIMES confirmed that Mr Ichems name made the list of the caretaker committee members screened and approved by the Rivers House of Assembly for Ikwerre local council.

This newspaper could not, however, reach Mr Ichem to confirm if he had resigned before taking up the appointment.

When contacted, Nelson Chukwudi, the spokesperson to Governor Fubara denied knowledge of the appointment of civil servants into caretaker committees in the state.

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The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on the federal government to ensure the safety of journalists in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Ondo and Edo states.

NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo, made the appeal in a state-of-the-nation address during the NUJ National Executive Convention (NEC), which ended in Ibadan on Sunday.

The union implored security agencies and politicians to allow journalists carry out their constitutional duties without fear during the upcoming elections in the two aforementioned states.

It condemned the frequent and arbitrary arrests and detention of journalists by security agencies, stressing that the media remained a critical stakeholder, and incarceration could not aid democracy.

It also appealed for the improvement, and restoration where applicable, of electricity supply across the country.

This was as it frowned at the frequent vandalism of power installations supplying electricity to some northeastern states and other parts of the country, urging the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Ministry of Power to immediately restore power to the affected states.

The union revealed that it received reports about outages of electricity in some parts of Ibadan and Adamawa State for three months, and that life had become unbearable for residents in those areas.

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

Weighing in on the challenge of illegal mining activities in the country, NUJ demanded for an urgent regulation of illegal mining in Zamfara State and across the country to avert further disasters.

On the issue of flooding, the NUJ asked the communities in flood prone zones to adhere strictly to the early warnings by the Federal Ministry of Environment to avoid regrets occasioned by flood disaster.

NEC equally calls on the government to address the perennial flooding affecting most parts of the country. The impact of flooding is always better imagined; the experience of incidences in Bayelsa, Kogi, Adamawa and some other states are still fresh. Something must be done and urgently too, Mr Isiguzo said.

The NUJ also called on the federal government to address insurgency in the North-east, banditry in the North-west, rising militancy in the South-South, as well as kidnapping and ritual killings in the South-west.

According to him, We understand the primary strategic responsibility of a responsible government. The issue of protecting citizens lives and property, as well as improving citizens welfare is extremely sensitive. And if the people are now terrified, you can only imagine how bad things have gotten.

The NUJ also expressed dismay at the rising cost of living, particularly the prices of essential commodities, which have become unbearable for Nigerians, and urged the federal government to take immediate action to alleviate the sufferings of citizens.

READ ALSO: Nigerian authorities detain journalist for 18 days

It conveyed its concerns about the Dangote Refinerys production delay, which could have lessened the nations current economic hardship.

You would concur with me that a major portion of the hardship we are going through was caused by the federal government eliminating subsidies. It is a challenge; so if you are a farmer in a particular community or even just want to transport your goods, you will have to spend a lot more money than you would even on your farm to be able to do so. For this reason, we believe that the government needs to act quickly to ensure that this situation is addressed before it gets out of control, Mr Isiguzo said.

The Union also appealed to the Governor of Adamawa State, Umaru Fintiri, to, without further delay, sign the Media Enhancement Bill into law, saying that the bill would go a long way in enhancing the operations of the media in the state.

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DUBAI, UAE, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Since its ambitious launch at the Sologenic Meet-up event in London on November 22, 2022, XRP Healthcare has rapidly positioned itself as a trailblazer in the intersection of blockchain and healthcare. In just 18 months, the company has achieved milestones that many in the blockchain industry, and even traditional businesses, aspire to reach within years.

After Just 18 Months, Is XRP Healthcare (XRPH) One of the Fastest Growing Companies on the Blockchain? (PRNewsfoto/XRP Healthcare)

XRP Healthcare's meteoric rise can be attributed to its strategic initiatives and methodical approach, setting a solid foundation for exponential growth in its Web3 activities. One of the key aspects of their strategy has been the expansion into Africa, targeting the consolidation of the fragmented private healthcare sectors through mergers and acquisitions. This move is set to tap into the burgeoning African healthcare market, estimated to be worth USD 259 billion and expected to become the second largest market globally by 2030.

Through these upcoming mergers and acquisitions of private healthcare facilities, XRP Healthcare is entering a multi-billion-dollar real-world business. This strategic expansion helps diversify the company's reliance on the crypto market and opens up further opportunities for impact investing. The money raised from its blockchain activities will be reinvested to fund its expansion, ensuring sustainable growth and a wider impact on global healthcare.

Key Achievements:

XRPL Validator: Establishing itself as a key player in the XRP Ledger ecosystem.

CMC Verified: Recently verified by CoinMarketCap, the ranking has surged from #2700 to approximately #1400, significantly enhancing its credibility in the cryptocurrency market.

Open Source XRPH App/Wallet: Launching an app that enhances user engagement and accessibility.

All-Star Team: Building a robust team of industry veterans and experts.

Global Partnerships: Forming strategic alliances with renowned entities.

Africa Expansion: Actively pursuing mergers and acquisitions of private healthcare businesses in Africa.

Incorporation: Incorporation in Dubai and Uganda.

Trademarks: Securing trademarks in the UK and Uganda, reinforcing its brand presence.

Autonomous Operations: Ensuring complete operational independence from third parties.

XRP Healthcare Magazine: Publishing the 3rd issue of their magazine, available online via ISSUU and in physical copies at chosen locations in Africa, America, Dubai, and the UK.

Global Exchanges: Listing the XRPH token on prominent exchanges such as MEXC, Bitrue, Bitmart, LBank and Coinstore.

Legal Opinion: Establishing that the XRPH token is a utility token, supported by legal frameworks in Dubai and Uganda.

XRP Healthcare Prescription Savings Card: Launching a card usable at over 68,000 pharmacies, including Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens, offering up to 80% off prescriptions.

Finite Token Supply: Creating a limited supply of 100 million tokens, enhancing value and scarcity.

Growing Community: Rapidly expanding its social media presence on platforms like Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

XRP Healthcare's strategic expansion into Africa is poised to leverage the continent's significant healthcare needs, with Africa importing roughly 70% of its pharmaceuticals from outside the continent. This positions XRPH to address critical healthcare challenges and capture substantial market share.

Kain Roomes, Founder and CEO of XRP Healthcare, commented on the company's rapid growth: "Our goal has always been to bridge the gap between cutting-edge blockchain technology and real-world healthcare needs. By focusing on strategic mergers and acquisitions, we're not only expanding our footprint but also creating sustainable value in the healthcare sector."

Laban Roomes, Co-founder and Business Development Officer, added: "Our entrance into the African market is a game-changer. The potential here is immense, and we are committed to making a positive impact on healthcare accessibility and affordability across the continent."

Whitney Lynn, Chairman of XRP Healthcare, highlighted the company's methodical approach: "We believe that a step-by-step strategy is crucial for long-term success. Every move we make is carefully planned to ensure we are not only meeting our immediate goals but also setting the stage for future growth and stability."

While XRP Healthcare's current achievements are impressive, industry observers speculate that the company has even bigger goals in sight. The strategic moves suggest preparations for large-scale initiatives that could revolutionize healthcare delivery and access, not only in Africa but globally. Given its aggressive growth and innovative solutions, XRP Healthcare might be preparing for an expansion into new markets or developing groundbreaking healthcare technologies that could further cement its position as a leader in the blockchain-based healthcare sector.

By setting a strong foundation and pursuing innovative strategies, XRP Healthcare is not just one of the fastest-growing companies on the blockchain but a potential game-changer in the global healthcare industry.

Despite never having experienced a bull run, there is considerable discussion that XRPH is one of the most undervalued tokens with many believing its true value is significantly higher.

About XRP Healthcare:

XRP Healthcare is the first pharma and healthcare platform built on the XRP Ledger, aiming to revolutionize healthcare through the integration of blockchain technology and strategic mergers and acquisitions. The company is committed to enhancing healthcare accessibility and affordability, leveraging its innovative solutions and strategic partnerships.

Infographic - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2445746/XRP_Healthcare_Infographic.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2365357/XRP_Healthcare_Logo.jpg

SOURCE XRP Healthcare
PARIS, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 21st, the China-France Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum 2024 and the second installment of the China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) France Roadshow was held in the French capital. The event coincided with the visit of a Chinese business delegation led by Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). Keynote speakers included Ren Hongbin; Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former Prime Minister of France and Chairman of Foundation Prospective and Innovation; Caroline Penard, General Manager of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (CCIFC); Xiao Liang, Chairman of CCIFC; and Andre Chieng, Vice President of the France-China Committee.

Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Cited Numerous Examples of Supply Chain Alliances and Mutually Beneficial Cooperation between China and France, Expressing Hope that Companies from Both Nations Will Leverage Their Respective Advantages to Unlock Potential Cooperation.

Mr. Ren spoke on the deep integration and complementary strengths between China and France, citing numerous examples of successful supply chain alliances and mutually beneficial cooperation. He noted that the business communities are both architects and beneficiaries of Sino-French relations, expressing hope that companies from both nations will leverage their respective advantages, expand potential cooperation, and enlarge the scope of shared interests. He encouraged greater French participation in the upcoming Second CISCE to enhance Sino-French supply chain collaboration and stabilize the global supply chain.

Mr. Raffarin underscored the close ties between China and France since they established diplomatic relations 60 years ago, highlighting the significant investment by French businesses in China and the exemplary bilateral economic and trade ties. He emphasized the importance of enhancing understanding and mutual trust to boost global economic growth.

Ms. Penard indicated CCIFC's support for increasing French involvement in the Expo to further foster cooperation and innovation. During the forum, Chinese and French corporate executive shared case studies on industrial and supply chain partnerships, exploring themes of bolstering collaboration and advancing industrial partnerships to ensure a stable and efficient supply chain.

China International Exhibition Center Group, organizer of the 2nd CISCE, signed agreements with several French businesses and organizations at the event. Nearly 300 executives from Chinese and French companies participated.

The second CISCE, scheduled for November 26th to 30th, 2024, in Beijing, will feature exhibition areas for advanced manufacturing, intelligent vehicles, green agriculture, clean energy, digital technology, healthy living, and supply chain services. Preparations are well underway, with robust registration from both Chinese and international companies.

Please visit https://en.cisce.org.cn/ and https://en.prnasia.com/mediaroom/23651-0.shtml for more information.

SOURCE China International Supply Chain Expo
Enabling users to save time and reduce risks in the IP filing and prosecution process

LONDON, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarivate Plc (NYSE: CLVT), a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, today launched the IP Collaboration Hub at the 2024 Clarivate Ignite conference held in San Diego, U.S. The new solution integrates with Clarivate IP management systems (IPMS) to provide a central hub for collaborating with local agents worldwide.

The IP Collaboration Hub enables users to save time and reduce risks in the IP filing and prosecution process by providing a portal for instructors and local agents to collaborate and exchange information, while automatically docketing everything in the IPMS. This portal addresses a critical issue in the IP industry  over-reliance on email for communication  which introduces risk into the process. The Hub automates and standardizes communication management between law firms, corporations and their local agents.

Gordon Samson, President, Intellectual Property, Clarivate, said: "As we navigate the rapidly evolving IP landscape, staying ahead requires strategic and seamless collaboration as well as innovation. This launch is part of a broader strategy to serve the market as the central hub for IP management, including expanding software support across the IP lifecycle while continuing to invest in our leading patent maintenance and IP management software (IPMS) capabilities.

"Our clients innovate and move quickly, and so do we. At Clarivate we think forward, innovating to redefine the future of IP management. With an improved user experience, system stability, and the integration of FoundationIP and Memotech, IP Collaboration Hub enables clients to dramatically reduce time spent assembling documents and communicating with agents."

The new solution enables users to manage their entire foreign filing and prosecution process for patents and trademarks from a single, structured mechanism for automated docketing fully integrated with their IPMS. The structured process eliminates human errors or missing documents when sending instructions, avoiding mistakes that could lead to loss of IP rights.

Find out more about IP Collaboration Hub here.

About Clarivate

Clarivate is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. We offer enriched data, insights & analytics, workflow solutions and expert services in the areas of Academia & Government, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare. For more information, please visit www.clarivate.com

Media Contact:

Sofia Nogues, Sr. External Communications Manager

[email protected]

SOURCE Clarivate Plc
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Browse in-depth TOC on "Drip Irrigation Market"

150  Tables

90  Figures

300  Pages

By component, filters & fertilizer injectors constitute to grow at a consistent rate in the drip irrigation market.

Filters are essential components that prevent clogging of emitters and drip lines by filtering out particles and debris from the irrigation water. They help maintain consistent water flow and distribution, thereby optimizing irrigation performance and reducing maintenance downtime. Fertilizer injectors, on the other hand, enable precise and controlled application of fertilizers and nutrients directly into the irrigation system. This capability ensures that crops receive the right amount of nutrients at the right time, promoting healthier plant growth and maximizing yield potential. The increasing adoption of drip irrigation systems worldwide, coupled with advancements in filter technology and fertilization practices, underscores the rising demand for filters and fertilizer injectors as integral components of efficient and sustainable agricultural practices.

In the crop type segment, vegetable crops constitutes significant share in the drip irrigation market.

Drip irrigation systems are becoming increasingly popular in vegetable cultivation across various crops such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. These systems offer precise water and nutrient delivery directly to the root zones of plants, which is crucial for optimizing growth and yield. For tomatoes, consistent moisture levels provided by drip irrigation promote even fruit development and reduce blossom-end rot, a common issue with fluctuating soil moisture. Peppers benefit from controlled irrigation that enhances fruit quality and uniformity, while cucumbers thrive with the targeted application of water, reducing soil moisture fluctuations that can lead to fruit deformities. The efficiency and effectiveness of drip irrigation in these vegetables not only improve crop health and yield but also contribute to sustainable farming practices by conserving water and minimizing environmental impact.

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The Europe region is projected to grow at a consistent rate during the forecast period in the drip irrigation market.

The drip irrigation market in Europe is driven by several factors contributing to its growth and adoption. Firstly, increasing awareness and regulations promoting sustainable water management practices propel the demand for efficient irrigation technologies like drip systems. These regulations aim to conserve water resources and minimize environmental impact, encouraging farmers to invest in water-saving irrigation solutions. Secondly, the expansion of commercial agriculture and horticulture sectors in Europe necessitates precision irrigation methods to optimize crop yields and quality. Drip irrigation systems offer precise water and nutrient delivery directly to plant roots, enhancing crop health and productivity.

Key players in this market include Rivulis (Isarel), The Toro Company (US), Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. (India), HUNTERS INDUSTRIES INC. (US), NETAFIM (Isarel), Mahindra EPC Irrigation Limited (India), Rain Bird Corporation (US), Chinadrip Irrigation Equipment (Xiamen) Co., Ltd. (China), Elgo Irrigation Ltd. (Isarel), Shanghai Irrist Corp., Ltd. (China), Antelco (Australia), Microjet Irrigation Systems (South Africa), metzer (Isarel), Grupo Chamartin S.A. (Spain), and Azud (Spain).

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Browse Adjacent Reports @ Agriculture Industry Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Drippers Market by Type (Inline and Online), Crop Type (Field Crops (Corn, Cotton, Sugarcane, Rice), Fruits & Nuts, Vegetable Crops), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Rest of the world) - Global Forecast to 2027

Irrigation Automation Market by System (Automatic, Semi-automatic), Component (Controllers, Valves, Sprinklers, Sensors, Other components), Irrigation Type (Sprinkler, Drip, Surface), Automation Type, End-Use and Region - Global Forecast to 2027

About MarketsandMarkets

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MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients.

Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes.

The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry.

To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Contact:

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MarketsandMarkets INC.

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CHICAGO, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Pharmaceutical Scientist, Inc., biosimilars are copies of biological drugs introduced after the expiry of the patents or exclusivity of new biological drugs as a more affordable choice for patients. In the US, the legislation has also created an interchangeable class of biosimilars that requires extensive clinical efficacy testing, and the first interchangeable product gets one year of exclusivity. Developers have used the interchangeable status to claim the superiority of their product despite the FDA warnings in a new guideline1 that ensures that both classes of biosimilars are equally safe and effective. More significant is the concern that the additional studies are redundant and tantamount to human abuse, as proven by Professor Niazi2 and later confirmed in the studies conducted by the FDA3. But the FDA does not have the right to remove the interchangeable status, so Professor Niazi, who has been advising the FDA for many years,4 filed a Citizen Petition in 20235 advising the FDA how to go around this problem by allowing interchangeability without requiring additional studies, a decision that the FDA has the right to make, and do it until the US Senate votes on a pending bill presented by Senator Lee, with advice from Professor Niazi, to remove the interchangeable status.6

FDA Agrees with Professor Niazi to allow Interchangeable status to biosimilars

The FDA accepted Professor Niazi's advice and issued a guideline on 20th June 2024,7 allowing developers to claim interchangeability by presenting an argument that the data presented is sufficient to receive interchangeable status; the FDA has that right, but the developer must assert this. Also, the first filer will get 12 months of exclusive interchangeability, which should encourage the entry of many new biosimilar products.

This is the second change to the regulations of biosimilar approval; the first change, the FDA Modernization Act 2 enacted in 2022, was also based on Professor Niazi's publications in the Science magazine8 asserting that animal toxicology testing in animals is useless and can be detrimental to the safety evaluation of biosimilars.

Professor Niazi is now anticipating a third change, wherein the FDA will remove efficacy testing altogether based on the robustness of analytical and clinical pharmacology testing, which is more sensitive than efficacy testing9 that is now considered by the European Medicines Agency and allowed by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency; while the FDA also agrees, interference by the big pharma has held it back since this will reduce the development cost of biosimilars to allow entry of smaller companies and eventually remove big pharma competing in the field of biosimilars. This will, however, be the best solution, as promoted by Professor Niazi.10

"Regulatory agencies were unsure about the safety of biosimilars in the beginning, but now that their safety and efficacy are well established, it is time that the FDA adopt the most rational plan for their approval; removing efficacy testing will reduce the development cost by more than 80% without compromising safety, and this change will revolutionize access to biological drugs globally," stated Professor Niazi, in the letter he sent to Dr. Sarah Yim of the FDA who oversees the biosimilars program at the FDA, thanking her for accepting his recommendations.

Professor Niazi is an adjunct professor at the College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois, and a consultant to regulatory agencies and developers.

For more information, please write to [email protected]

1 https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/labeling-biosimilar-and-interchangeable-biosimilar-products

2 Niazi SK. No two classes of biosimilars: Urgent advice to the US Congress and the FDA. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2022 Sep;47(9):1352-1361.

3 Herndon, TM, et al., 2023, Safety Outcomes When Switching Between Biosimilars and Reference Biologics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, PLoS ONE, 18(10):e0292231; Kurki, P, et al., Safety, Immunogenicity and Interchangeability of Biosimilar Monoclonal Antibodies and Fusion Proteins: A Regulatory Perspective, Drugs, 81(16):18811896; Kurki, P, et al., 2017, Interchangeability of Biosimilars: A European Perspective, BioDrugs, 31(2):83-91.

4 https://www.regulations.gov/search?agencyIds=FDA&filter=niazi

5 https://www.regulations.gov/document/FDA-2023-P-3766-0001

6 https://www.lee.senate.gov/2023/7/lee-seeks-increased-competition-in-biological-drug-market

7 https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/considerations-demonstrating-interchangeability-reference-product-update

8 Niazi SK. End animal testing for biosimilar approval. Science. 2022 Jul 8;377(6602):162-163.

9 Niazi S. Scientific Rationale for Waiving Clinical Efficacy Testing of Biosimilars. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2022 Aug 24;16:2803-2815

10 Niazi SK. Biosimilars Adoption: Recognizing and Removing the RoadBlocks. Clinicoecon Outcomes Res. 2023 Apr 12;15:281-294.

SOURCE Pharmaceutical Scientist, Inc.
Fortune Next to Lead will spotlight emerging business leaders at Fortune 500 companies

Fortune Next to Lead to include weekly newsletter, power list  the Fortune Next to Lead 50  of rising star executives, and more

Fortune Next to Lead newsletter launches today, in partnership with West Monroe

NEW YORK, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fortune Media announced today the launch of Fortune Next to Lead, an expansive editorial-driven initiative dedicated to the next generation of business leadership at Fortune 500 companies  people who are on the rise at major companies and on the fast track at America's largest organizations.

Fortune Next to Lead will span Fortune's editorial platforms. The Fortune Next to Lead community will be supported by a weekly newsletter, Fortune Next to Lead, launching today; a new power list, the Fortune Next to Lead 50, recognizing dynamic rising stars at Fortune 500 companies, to be published in Fall 2024; and more to come.

Ruth Umoh, Editor of Fortune Next to Lead, will oversee the new list and newsletter, which will feature interviews with transformative business leaders, researchers, and career development consultants, providing readers with the strategies, tactics, and competencies they can use to open the door to the C-suite. It will cover what's top of mind for executives who are on the cusp of today's Fortune 500 C-suites and boards, highlighting insightful takeaways from corporate achievements but chronicling missteps as well.

"Future leaders of the Fortune 500 will have to handle unprecedented challenges and a rapidly evolving corporate landscape. They'll also have to develop new skills and competencies that give their companies a competitive edge," Umoh said. "Fortune Next to Lead will spotlight leaders who prioritize both profitability and purpose and who show signs they'll soon be ready to run Fortune 500 companies."

"Fortune is committed to making business better by making today and tomorrow's leaders stronger, smarter , and more resilient for all of us," said Alyson Shontell, Fortune Editor in Chief and Chief Content Officer. "Fortune Next to Lead will spotlight the next crop of star talent inside the Fortune 500. Ruth will expand Fortune's unrivaled access to the world's most powerful CEOs to also reach future leaders. Fortune Next to Lead will arm the next generation with the skills, insights, and networks needed to prepare them for top jobs and lead in a way that benefits all stakeholders."

The Fortune Next to Lead newsletter launches in partnership with West Monroe, the global business and technology consulting firm. Casey Foss, chief commercial officer at West Monroe, said, "We are incredibly excited to partner with Fortune on their newest franchise, Fortune Next to Lead, created for the next generation of business leadership and innovation. Our mission has always been to build the next generation of leaders and we see that in action every day with our people co-creating with clients. We are focused on building the skillsets our people need to challenge the status quo and drive value through technology. We've also proudly helped numerous client executives ascend to the C-Suite through the successful initiatives we've led and executed together. This audience is sure to benefit from Fortune's editorial excellence and community."

To receive the free Fortune Next to Lead newsletter, subscribe here. To be considered for the Fortune Next to Lead 50 list, complete the submission form or email [email protected].

About Fortune:

Fortune is a global multi-platform media company built on a legacy of trusted, award-winning reporting and information for those who want to make business better. Independently owned, Fortune tells the stories of the world's biggest companies and their leaders as well as a new generation of innovators who are moving business forward. Digitally and in print, Fortune measures corporate performance through rigorous benchmarks, and holds companies accountable, in regions around the world. Its iconic rankings include Fortune 500, Fortune Global 500, Most Powerful Women, and World's Most Admired Companies. Fortune builds world-class communities by convening industry thought leaders for exclusive summits and conferences, including the Fortune Global Forum and Brainstorm Tech. For more information, visit fortune.com.

Media Contact:

Fortune

Patrick Reilly

[email protected]

SOURCE Fortune Media (USA) Corporation
BLOMBERG, Germany, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- (06/24) Frank Stuhrenberg, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Phoenix Contact, will retire at the end of December 2024 after 33 years with the company. He will be succeeded by Dirk Gorlitzer, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer (COO) since 2020. To ensure a smooth transition, Frank Stuhrenberg and Dirk Gorlitzer will share the role of Chief Executive Officer from July 1. Frank Stuhrenberg will remain associated with the Phoenix Contact Group in the future as chairman of the supervisory board of the newly founded company Phoenix Contact E-Mobility Holding SE.

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Dipl.-Ing. Eberhard Veit, Dirk Gorlitzer, Frank Stuhrenberg, and Dr. Frank Eisert

"We are very pleased about this internal succession arrangement, which ensures maximum stability and continuity in the company's management team," says Dr. Dipl.-Ing. Eberhard Veit, chairman of the advisory board of Phoenix Contact. "Frank Stuhrenberg has made a significant contribution to the global growth and success of our company over many years. At the same time, he has played a major role in shaping the culture within the company and the direction of the current Group Executive Board in cooperation with the advisory board and shareholders. His planned departure at the end of this year now presents his successor, together with his long-standing management colleagues, with good prospects to continue successfully developing the strategy and positioning of Phoenix Contact based on the current approach."

Frank Stuhrenberg, born in 1963, studied economics with a focus on business systems. He has been with Phoenix Contact in Blomberg since 1992, many years of which he spent in senior sales positions. In 2006, Frank Stuhrenberg was appointed to the Phoenix Contact Group Executive Board and has been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since January 2015.

Dirk Gorlitzer, who studied electrical engineering, has been with Phoenix Contact since 1994. His career has taken him from being a product manager to Head of the Business Area Industrial Components and Electronics (ICE), and on to the current Phoenix Contact Group Executive Board.

"Our family business is characterized by the fact that top management is also driven by a family spirit of togetherness and responsibility," emphasizes Dr. Frank Eisert, shareholder and member of the Phoenix Contact advisory board. "After around 30 years at Phoenix Contact, Dirk Gorlitzer embodies not only technical and entrepreneurial success, but also  like Frank Stuhrenberg  the values that characterize our company beyond that: trust, respect, partnership, and reliability. As a passionate advocate of our future vision of the All Electric Society, he will continue to consistently develop the strategic direction of Phoenix Contact."

Following the departure of Frank Stuhrenberg, the Group Executive Board of Phoenix Contact will continue to include the current members Torsten Janwlecke (COO), Ulrich Leidecker (COO), Frank Possel-Dolken (CDO), and Axel Wachholz (CFO), in addition to Dirk Gorlitzer (CEO).

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2443966/Pictured_right_to_left.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2280983/Phoenix_Contact_Logo.jpg

SOURCE PHOENIX CONTACT
LONDON, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ATFX, a leading global online trading broker, is pleased to announce the appointment of John Bogue as the Director of Institutional Operation. With over 30 years of experience in the FX market, John brings invaluable expertise in trading, prime brokerage, and e-brokerage to ATFX.

FX Veteran John Bogue Joins ATFX as Director of Institutional Operation

John's extensive background includes significant roles at NatWest Markets Plc and Euronext FX Inc., formerly FastMatch. His deep understanding and seasoned oversight have been honed through his exposure to all facets of the FX asset class, including operations, risk management, and sales functions.

John's prior position was as Director for EMEA FX at TraderTools. He was instrumental in rolling out their PriceOn algo offering across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. His work significantly enhanced the technology's penetration among banks and brokers within these regions.

"We are thrilled to welcome John Bogue to our team," said Joe Li, Chairman at ATFX. "John's relentless focus on accuracy, clarity, and prioritization of clients and team will be immensely beneficial as we continue expanding our capabilities and services."

This recruitment is a strategic step for ATFX after their recent integration of PriceOn from TraderTools. With AI technology and algorithms, ATFX can optimize liquidity flow and provide top-notch services for institutional and retail clients. Competitive pricing accelerates global business growth and meets clients' dynamic needs worldwide.

With the addition of John Bogue and ATFX's recent hires of FX industry masters Drew Niv as the Chief Strategic Officer, Siju Daniel as the Chief Commercial Officer, Hormoz Faryar as Managing Director of Institutional, and Aditya Singh as Business Development Director International, this reaffirms ATFX's commitment to long-term success and solidifies its position as a dominant player in the global financial marketplace.

About ATFX

ATFX is a leading global fintech broker with a local presence in 23 locations and licenses from regulatory authorities, including the UK's FCA, Cypriot CySEC, UAE's SCA, Australian ASIC, and South African FSCA. With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction, innovative technology, and strict regulatory compliance, ATFX provides exceptional trading experiences to clients worldwide.

For further information on ATFX, please visit the ATFX website: https://www.atfx.com.

SOURCE ATFX
PITTSBURGH, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB) announced today that Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Vincent J. Delie, Jr., hosted Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro for a tour of its new headquarters, FNB Financial Center, on June 18, 2024.

FNB CEO Vincent Delie highlights FNB Financial Centers unique features and benefits during a tour with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (left) and Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary Rick Siger (center). Photo courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services. Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis (left) and Governor Josh Shapiro (center) joined CEO Vincent Delie at F.N.B. Corporations new headquarters in the Hill District neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Photo courtesy of Commonwealth Media Services.

Located in Pittsburgh's Hill District, a historic majority-minority community, FNB Financial Center anchors a development that is the catalyst for an expected nearly $1 billion in economic expansion for the region. One of the most socially responsible urban redevelopment projects taking place in the U.S.  and one of the only projects of its magnitude underway in Pittsburgh  the development will result in the creation of thousands of jobs (construction and permanent) and stimulate essential additional tax revenue for the city.

"By investing heavily in Pittsburgh and building its new headquarters there  FNB Financial Center  FNB is sending a powerful message about their commitment to Western Pennsylvania," said Governor Shapiro. "FNB leadership is committed to growing here in Pennsylvania and supporting communities across our Commonwealth, and I'm hopeful FNB Financial Center will serve as an engine for growth in Pittsburgh and the entire region."

Delie added, "FNB's investment in FNB Financial Center drives employment opportunities and economic expansion that translate directly to broader prosperity for our communities. We appreciate the support we have received from the Governor's Office and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania throughout our project's planning and implementation and are proud of our Company's role in Pittsburgh's bright future."

FNB Financial Center is slated to open later in 2024, which is FNB's 160th year in business. Intended to accommodate FNB's continued growth, the 26-story LEED Silver-certified building adds modern workspace and best-in-class amenities designed to attract talent and businesses to the downtown area.

Under Delie's leadership, FNB ensured its headquarters development would bring economic benefits to the community. The Company assisted in the monetization of the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) tax benefit that generated approximately $7.2 million available to be distributed to the community. In addition, FNB financed multiple projects across the Hill District to promote low-income and minority home ownership, business formation and development, financial literacy and wealth building. To enable local individuals and businesses to participate in the construction of its building, FNB has supported job training programs and invested in a fund that provides capital for minority-owned construction firms  and the development team collectively continues to be on track to exceed its significant commitments to include minority- (30 percent) and women-owned (15 percent) businesses in construction. FNB also has been a strong contributor to the Hill District Federal Credit Union, providing capital and other support. Learn more about FNB Financial Center and FNB's overarching community commitment.

About F.N.B. Corporation

F.N.B. Corporation (NYSE: FNB), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a diversified financial services company operating in seven states and the District of Columbia. FNB's market coverage spans several major metropolitan areas, including: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Cleveland, Ohio; Washington, D.C.; Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham and the Piedmont Triad (Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point) in North Carolina; and Charleston, South Carolina. The Company has total assets of nearly $46 billion and approximately 350 banking offices throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.

FNB provides a full range of commercial banking, consumer banking and wealth management solutions through its subsidiary network, which is led by its largest affiliate, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, founded in 1864. Commercial banking solutions include corporate banking, small business banking, investment real estate financing, government banking, business credit, capital markets and lease financing. The consumer banking segment provides a full line of consumer banking products and services, including deposit products, mortgage lending, consumer lending and a complete suite of mobile and online banking services. FNB's wealth management services include asset management, private banking and insurance.

The common stock of F.N.B. Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FNB" and is included in Standard & Poor's MidCap 400 Index with the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) Regional Banks Sub-Industry Index. Customers, shareholders and investors can learn more about this regional financial institution by visiting the F.N.B. Corporation website at www.fnbcorporation.com.

SOURCE F.N.B. Corporation
** Leveraging latest AI technologies with evidence-based behavioral research to empower non-experts to screen high-risk targets within the most vulnerable communities in the USA **

NEW YORK, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hughes Holden Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to supporting initiatives that improve mental healthcare to marginalized and underserved communities in the U.S., is proud to announce a significant gift to Columbia University.

This contribution will support groundbreaking work at Columbia University's Fu Foundation School of Engineering & Applied Sciences ('Columbia Engineering') in two key areas ('Research Program'):

i) Applied Research into the design and development of multimodal AI-based screening tools or use by non-experts for early detection of and intervention in high-risk cases.

ii) Applied Research into the psychological impact of loss of mobility in geriatric communities and targeted care.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play an important role in the early detection and triage of higher risk mental health cases, especially among vulnerable populations such as adolescent, immigrant and geriatric communities, so precious limited professional services can be directed to those who need them most.

The funding will provide fellowships for graduate students at Columbia Engineering working with a multi-disciplinary team of faculty, graduate researchers and undergraduates under the stewardship of Dean Shih-Fu Chang and Professor of Biomedical Engineering X. Edward Guo. The Research Program will combine the latest evidence-based behavioral research and methodologies with advanced machine learning, generative AI models and biomedical expertise to develop multimodal decision-support systems so less-qualified clinicians, social workers and counselors in target communities can act as advocates and case managers for early intervention.

Dr. Peter Holden and Mr. Tony Hughes, who established the Foundation in 2023, made the following joint announcement about the gift and selecting Columbia University for this important work:

"While there is much research around the scientific aspect of behavioral health, there is a dearth of practical, in-field solutions which can be used at scale by those best positioned in communities to help with early detection and intervention. We chose Columbia Engineering because of its multidisciplinary, pragmatic approach to designing solutions which can be implemented in the real world for maximum impact"

Shih-Fu Chang, Dean of Columbia Engineering, thanked the Foundation for its support:

"We are extremely grateful for the generosity shown by the Hughes Holden Foundation in bestowing this gift on Columbia. With our shared values of using advanced technology in the service of social goods like physical and mental health, this partnership underscores the critical need for research to support new and innovative methods for improving people's lives."

Columbia University's Department of Biomedical Engineering is also active in the field of ageing and geriatric applied research and the impact of reduced mobility on well-being with a particular focus on osteoporosis. This Department is developing solutions to combat not only the physical and biological aspect of osteoporosis but also, with funding from the Hughes Holden Foundation, its psychological and behavioral impact on mental health and resilience. Very often mobility cases are handled by general practitioners or orthopaedic specialists with little mental health awareness. The Research Program will also explore the efficacy of using AI-driven decision support tools in these situations to screen higher risk candidates early on and refer to behavioral healthcare specialists.

About the Hughes Holden Foundation: The Hughes Holden Foundation is a non-profit organization with registered offices in Stamford, CT, dedicated to improving mental health awareness, psychiatric education and targeted treatment, with a specific focus on those in most need  the marginalized and underserved communities in the USA. Founded by tech entrepreneurs Mr. Tony Hughes and Dr. Peter Holden, the Foundation reflects their deep connection and personal commitment towards democratizing quality mental healthcare for all.

Further Details & Inquiries :

HHF Foundation:

Peter D. Holden, President

(M) +1-949-212-6350

Email: [email protected]

Columbia University:

Holly Evarts, Director of Strategic Communications and Media Relations

(M) 347-453-7408 (O) 212-854-3206

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Hughes Holden Foundation
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- iBusiness Funding LLC (iBusiness), the technology and lending services division of Ready Capital Corporation (NYSE: RC), and Funding Circle Holdings plc are pleased to announce a share purchase agreement, positioning iBusiness Funding, LLC as the new owner of FC USA and its subsidiaries, contingent on the return of its Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) license to the SBA.

iBusiness Funding Logo (PRNewsfoto/iBusiness Funding)

Founder and CEO of iBusiness Funding LLC Justin Levy expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "We are thrilled to welcome the exceptional FC USA team to the iBusiness family. FC USA's mission to be the largest SBA lender for loans under $500,000 aligns with our goal to support underserved borrowers, the only difference is iBusiness achieves this goal through many SBA-approved lenders in our network."

Funding Circle CEO Lisa Jacobs said, "We are pleased to have reached an agreement with iBusiness Funding, one of the leading processors of loans to US small businesses. In iBusiness, we have found a partner that shares in our mission, and we look forward to seeing the success of the combined entity."

Ready Capital CEO Thomas Capasse said, "We're excited to acquire FC USA and expect the acquisition to yield meaningful revenue and earnings to the combined company in the years to come."

iBusiness Funding puts a heavy focus on compliance in small business lending, and is particularly impressed with FC USA's compliance program. iBusiness Funding was built with a foundation of compliance with SBA rules, as well as BSA, AML, and various other state, federal, and banking regulations.

The combined entity will bring together FC USA 's embedded partnerships and automated, tech enabled customer experience with iBusiness' Lending as a Service (LaaS) and LenderAI product offerings to deliver a best in class partner experience.

Levy further commented on the strategic direction stating:

"Throughout the due diligence process, we were continually impressed with FC USA's compliance program and their portfolio's industry-leading low default rates for over a decade, even in COVID-impacted vintages, which was especially noteworthy. FC USA has uniquely uncovered the ability to implement bank-level compliance at speed.

"After getting under the hood and seeing the processes and procedures FC USA has in place, it is no wonder that they were granted an SBLC license, as the robustness of their compliance programs is more in line with a large scale national bank as opposed to a FinTech  on top of their industry-leading low default rates and great customer experience.

"We are thrilled to offer these enhancements to our bank client network. Given that our vision is to revolutionize small business lending by supporting all banks and lenders looking to embrace technology and streamline processes, FC US's SBLC license is not essential to our business.

"Success to us is when a small business can quickly know with certainty whether they are going to be approved by their bank or lending institution, and if they aren't approved, having a roadmap to a future approval and lower cost of financing. When getting a business loan is as easy as getting a mortgage, then we know we've done our job."

About iBusiness Funding, LLC



iBusiness Funding is a leading provider of lending solutions for banks and lenders of all sizes with a specialization in SBA lending. The company is dedicated to streamlining the business lending process to allow lenders to efficiently deliver capital to small and medium-sized businesses. iBusiness Funding has processed over $7 billion in SBA loans to date, and the team processes over 1,000 business loan applications through its platform daily.

About Ready Capital Corporation



Ready Capital Corporation (NYSE: RC) is a multi-strategy real estate finance company that originates, acquires, finances and services lower-to-middle-market investor and owner occupied commercial real estate loans. The Company specializes in loans backed by commercial real estate, including agency multifamily, investor, construction, and bridge as well as U.S. Small Business Administration loans under its Section 7(a) program. Headquartered in New York, New York, the Company employs approximately 350 professionals nationwide.

About Funding Circle

Funding Circle (LSE: FCH) is a lending platform for small business borrowers. Established in the UK in 2010, and now the leading lending platform to SMEs, the Group also has a material and growing presence in the US. Globally, Funding Circle has provided 15bn in loans to c.135,000 businesses. For small business borrowers, Funding Circle provides a leading-edge customer experience, delivered through its technology, machine learning, and data science, coupled with a human touch. Its solutions continue to help customers access the funding they need to succeed. For lending investors, Funding Circle provides access to an alternative asset class in an underserved market and delivers robust and attractive returns.

SOURCE iBusiness Funding
MUNICH, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PHONO Solar, a global leading provider of solar products and integrated solutions under SUMEC Group, showcased its latest high-efficiency N-type modules, advanced lightweight modules, and a new solar PV carport solution at Intersolar 2024 in Munich. These products highlighted the company's commitment to innovation and urban green energy infrastructure enhancement.

The exhibition featured PHONO's Helios HJT series and the newly launched Draco TOPCon series, which uses 210R rectangular wafers. The Helios series, boasting a module conversion efficiency of up to 23.5% and a temperature coefficient of -0.24%/C, showcased advanced technology and reliable performance. The Draco series, offering high power ranges from 400W to over 700W, catered to various applications due to its high efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

PHONO also presented its innovative lightweight modules. Advanced modules offering significant improvements in weight and installation flexibility. These enhancements adapt to various complex roofing scenarios. Designed with sustainability in mind, PHONO's lightweight modules are ideal for future building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) solutions and contribute to the company's efforts to enhance urban green energy infrastructures.

Additionally, the company introduced its latest solar PV carport solution, combining sustainable construction with electric vehicle charging stations. PHONO's Draco modules, certified for European buildings, transforms the carport into a hub for renewable energy generation. The smart, sustainable design is not only aesthetically appealing and practical but also enhances urban space utilization.

As a brand guided by its core values of innovation, reliability, and sustainability, PHONO has solidified its position as a top-tier industry player through a series of notable achievements. It has been recognized as a BNEF Tier 1 PV module manufacturer by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) since 2014, and further cemented by its receipt of multiple prestigious awards. PHONO was named a Top Performer by PVEL, a leading independent lab, and has been designated as a Top Brand PV by EUPD Research, the Best Solar Panels Brand by CER (Clean Energy Reviews) and SolarQuotes in Australia, and one of the Top 10 PV module brands in the US consumer market in 2023.

In a testament to its environmental leadership, PHONO was awarded the 100% Green Energy Consumption Certification by the China Quality Certification Center (CQC) in 2023. The company has also obtained the TUV SUD Carbon Neutrality Verification Statement and the Greenhouse Gas Verification Statement. Moreover, PHONO has maintained its TUV SUD WMT (Witness Manufacturer Test) laboratory qualification for ten consecutive years, further validating its manufacturing excellence.

PHONO remains dedicated to advancing PV technology and fostering a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future. The company believes in collaboration and seeks to work with stakeholders from all sectors to drive the renewable energy transition forward. By continuing to lead with its innovative products and solutions, PHONO aims to expand market reach and hasten the worldwide renewable energy transition.

For more information, please visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/phono-solar/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2444910/PHONO_Solar.jpg
THE POPULAR MANGA MAKES ITS ANIMATED DEBUT GLOBALLY ON THE BIG SCREEN BEGINNING ON AUGUST 31

LOS ANGELES, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc. announced in partnership with ADN, GKIDS, and MUSE, a global theatrical premiere beginning on August 31, outside of Japan, for its highly anticipated anime series DAN DA DAN.

The theatrical poster for DAN DA DAN, featuring the leads, Momo and Okarun, and many of the paranormal creatures they'll encounter. Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA, DANDADAN Production Committee

Based on the popular manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, DAN DA DAN is an action-packed love letter to sci-fi and horror with the heart of a ruthlessly funny teen rom-com. The upcoming series is brought to life by Science SARU, the same innovative studio behind such hits as "DEVILMAN crybaby", "INU-OH", "Scott Pilgrim Takes Off", and more. The global theatrical premiere of DAN DA DAN, released under the moniker DAN DA DAN: First Encounter will feature the first three episodes of the series. The premiere will also feature an exclusive interview with Yukinobu Tatsu and Shihei Lin, the author and editor of the original manga, Fuga Yamashiro, Director of the upcoming anime series, and Shion Wakayama and Natsuki Hanae, voice actors for the leads Momo and Okarun respectively.

WATCH THE OFFICIAL PV HERE

"When making this series into an anime, I incorporated playful and visually stunning techniques unique to video to create a very fun structure for the series. I believe you will enjoy it in a slightly different way from the manga and I hope you have a good time at the theatrical release!", said Fuga Yamashiro.

Global Theatrical Release

Commemorating the launch of the new TV animation series scheduled for October, the theatrical premiere of DAN DA DAN: First Encounter begins with screenings in Asia on August 31, in Europe on September 7, in North America on September 13, and the global rollout will expand to over 50 countries and regions, including Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, and Africa through mid-September.

Scheduled cities include hubs like New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Taipei, Hong Kong, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Bangkok with further release details to be announced in collaboration with the theatrical premiere partners in each region.

"DAN DA DAN is a truly wonderful anime born from the combination of fantastic original work and the dedication of a talented creative team. We are thrilled to be able to bring this work to you a little earlier through this special theatrical release, thanks to the cooperation of many supporters. We are confident that you will enjoy it. Look forward to it!", said Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc. producer Hiroshi Kamei.

ABOUT DAN DA DAN:

DAN DA DAN is a popular manga by Yukinobu Tatsu, serialized in Shueisha's manga magazine application "Shonen Jump Plus" (updated every Tuesday), with a total circulation of 3.2 million copies and over 370 million views.

DAN DA DAN follows Momo, a high school girl from a family of spirit mediums, and her classmate Okarun, an occult freak. The two of them start talking after Momo rescues Okarun from getting bullied. However, an argument ensues between them  Momo believes in ghosts but denies aliens, and Okarun believes in aliens but denies ghosts.

To make the mutual deniers believe in each other, Momo goes to an abandoned hospital known for its UFO sightings, and Okarun goes to a tunnel that is said to be haunted. In each place, they encounter overwhelming paranormal activity that transcends comprehension. Amid these predicaments, Momo awakens her hidden power and Okarun gains the power of a curse to challenge the paranormal forces! Their fateful love begins as well!?

The story of the occult battle and adolescence starts!

Original Work: Yukinobu Tatsu

(Serialized in "Shonen Jump Plus" BY SHUEISHA)

Director: Fuga Yamashiro

Script: Hiroshi Seko

Music: kensuke ushio

Character Design: Naoyuki Onda

Creature Design: Yoshimichi Kameda

Color Design: Satoshi Hashimoto

Art Director: Junichi Higashi

Compositing Director: Kazuto Izumita

Editor: Kiyoshi Hirose

Sound Director: Eriko Kimura

Animation Production: Science SARU

Opening Theme Song: Creepy Nuts "Otonoke"

Shion Wakayama as "Momo"

Natsuki Hanae as "Okarun"

Nana Mizuki as "Seiko"

Ayane Sakura as "Aira"

Kaito Ishikawa as "Jiji"

Kazuya Nakai as "Serpoians"

Mayumi Tanaka as "Turbo Granny"

Official website: https://anime-dandadan.com/

Official website (EN): https://anime-dandadan.com/en/

Official X: @anime_dandadan

Official X (EN): @animeDANDADANen

Official Instagram (EN): @anime_dandadan_en

Rights Notation

Yukinobu Tatsu/SHUEISHA, DANDADAN Production Committee

Theatrical Premier Partners

For Asia

Muse Communication

Founded in 1992, Muse Communication has over 30 years of expertise in the anime IP industry, collaborating with more than 60 IP providers. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including film & video distribution, licensing, merchandising, and marketing. Muse's distribution network spans both international and local platforms, reaching over 40 countries. In Asia, Muse works with 60 partner platforms and connects with 30 million social media subscribers, solidifying its strong market presence in the region.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/museacg/

For Europe and French-speaking Africa

Animation Digital Network

ADN (Animation Digital Network) is a platform dedicated to video-on-demand animation. Launched in 2013, the VOD service now offers a varied selection of Japanese series, classic titles, films, short films, non-Japanese animation series and series for younger audiences. Thanks to programmes available H+1 after their broadcast in Japan, ADN subscribers can comfortably and legally discover the best of Japanese pop culture in real time, available in original and/or dubbed versions. ADN supports creation by co-producing new original series.

Website: https://animationdigitalnetwork.fr/

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/ADNanime

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/animationdigitalnetwork/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ADNanime/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@animationdigitalnetwork

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnimedigitalnetworkFradn

For North America, Latin America, Australia & New Zealand

GKIDS

GKIDS is the Academy Award-winning producer and distributor of artist-driven and award-winning animation from around the world. After an astounding 13 Best Animated Feature nominations, the company took home the Oscar in 2024 for Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli's acclaimed feature, The Boy and the Heron. The company's previous nominations include The Secret of Kells in 2010, A Cat in Paris and Chico & Rita in 2012, Ernest & Celestine in 2014, The Tale of The Princess Kaguya and Song of the Sea in 2015, Boy and the World and When Marnie Was There in 2016, My Life as a Zucchini in 2017, The Breadwinner in 2018, Mirai in 2019, Wolfwalkers in 2021, and The Boy and the Heron in 2024. For more than a decade, GKIDS' influence on cinema has redefined the perception of animation as an artistic medium on par with live-action film through its stewardship of the Studio Ghibli catalog and by introducing American audiences to the critically-acclaimed films of other master filmmakers from around the world such as Mamoru Hosoda (Mirai, Belle), Tomm Moore (The Secret of Kells, Wolfwalkers), Benjamin Renner (Ernest & Celestine), Makoto Shinkai (Weathering With You), Nora Twomey (The Breadwinner), Alberto Vazquez (Unicorn Wars) and Masaaki Yuasa (Inu-Oh, The Night is Short, Walk on Girl), among countless others. Also, GKIDS is the founder and host of ANIMATION IS FILM, the annual LA-based film festival which embraces the highest aspirations of animation as a cinematic art form, and is a vocal advocate for filmmakers who push the boundaries of the medium to its fullest range of artistic expressions.

X | Instagram | TikTok

www.gkids.com

About MBS

Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc., (MBS) is known as a pioneer in the Japanese broadcasting industry. Tracing back through history, MBS was one of the first commercial radio stations in Japan, starting its first radio broadcasts in 1951 and later beginning terrestrial television broadcasting in 1959. MBS has its head office in Osaka, which is the business center of Kansai, the western part of Japan, with new emerging businesses and innovative ideas. For anime, MBS has been co-producing and broadcasting for more than half a century. The broadcaster is the TV home to numerous global hit anime franchises like "Attack on Titan," "Full Metal Alchemist" and "Jujutsu Kaisen." In addition to co-producing those and many other series, MBS was a co-producer of "Akira," seen as one of the most influential anime films of all time. https://www.mbs.jp/english/

About Science SARU

Science SARU is an animation production company committed to nurturing new talent and implementing cutting-edge creative technology; the company has produced projects across different mediums, including for television, film, and streaming. Some of Science SARU's best-known works include Lu Over the Wall (which won the Annecy International Film Festival's Cristal Award for Best Feature Film), The Night is Short, Walk On Girl, DEVILMAN crybaby, Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!, Inu-Oh, and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. SARU's future releases include Naoko Yamada's new feature film, The Colors Within, which competed at the 2024 Annecy International Film Festival and will be theatrically released in Japan on August 30th, 2024, Garden of Remembrance (2024), as well as the TV anime The Ghost In The Shell, planned for broadcast in 2026. https://www.sciencesaru.com/english

SOURCE Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc.
A leader in the growing women's beauty & wellness market, Stripes Beauty will increase investment in innovations and community to support healthy aging with science-backed solutions

NEW YORK, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Naomi Watts, acclaimed actress and advocate for women's health, and L Catterton , a leading consumer-focused investment firm, are pleased to announce their partnership in the acquisition of Stripes Beauty .

In 2022, Naomi Watts launched the holistic wellness line Stripes Beauty, which offers products specifically formulated for menopausal women.

Launched in 2022, Stripes Beauty was founded by actress Naomi Watts with the mission to normalize conversations about menopause and other symptoms associated with natural hormonal changes as women age. Since its creation, Stripes Beauty has made a significant impact on the healthy aging and menopause market, building its business through traditional e-commerce and on Amazon. With the capital support of L Catterton, Stripes Beauty will continue to build on this success by accelerating growth both domestically and internationally, fueling marketing investments and team expansion, developing an innovation pipeline, and servicing existing and new customers in the attainable luxury channel.

"This is an exciting moment for Stripes Beauty, and I'm grateful to L Catterton for believing in our brand and sharing our vision of supporting women in menopause," said Naomi Watts. "Stripes Beauty's mission, products, and community are deeply meaningful to me, and I'm thrilled to partner with L Catterton, who is also dedicated to providing solutions to this underserved community."

"As consumer-focused investors, we have followed the success of Stripes Beauty and believe in their mission to develop a community of support for women as they age," said Whitney Casey, who led the deal for L Catterton. "We are proud to invest in women and contribute to developing a health platform to address the full range of women's unique lifestyle needs. Led by a team of strong industry experts, we will nurture and grow the Stripes Beauty brand, its community, and consumer loyalty."

To reinforce its position as the leader in menopause symptom solutions, Stripes Beauty will expand into sleep support with The Dream Date, a clinically-backed supplement featuring melatonin, magnesium, and red clover to help you fall and stay asleep. Additionally, along with scaling in DTC and on Amazon, the brand will launch at QVC and in Canada later this year.

With this strategic alliance, L Catterton will fuel the brand's growth under the new leadership of Executive Chair Debra Perelman (former Revlon CEO) and President Cara Kamenev (former L'Oreal executive), both of whom bring extensive experience in beauty, strategy, retail, and operations.

For more information on Stripes Beauty and its portfolio of science-backed menopause wellness solutions, visit https://iamstripes.com/ .

About Stripes Beauty

Stripes Beauty is a beauty and wellness Age Well lifestyle brand founded by actor, entrepreneur, and activist Naomi Watts, and majority-owned by leading global investment firm, L Catterton. The consumer brand provides science-backed personal care and beauty products across the categories of nutritional supplements, skincare, haircare, and vaginal wellness. The brand is on a mission to destigmatize menopause, empowering women both physically and emotionally through its products, community, and expert menopause education. For more information, visit iamstripes.com and www.lcatterton.com and follow @Iam_Stripes on Instagram.

About L Catterton

L Catterton is a market-leading consumer-focused investment firm, managing approximately $35 billion of equity capital across three multi-product platforms: private equity, credit, and real estate. Leveraging deep category insight, operational excellence, and a broad network of strategic relationships, L Catterton's team of more than 200 investment and operating professionals across 17 offices partners with management teams to drive differentiated value creation across its portfolio. Founded in 1989, the firm has made over 275 investments in some of the world's most iconic consumer brands. For more information about L Catterton, please visit www.lcatterton.com .

SOURCE L Catterton; Stripes Beauty
ATLANTA, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NEWSTAR (or the "Company") announces the acquisition of 40 acres in Jacksonville, Florida (the "Property") in partnership with Red Cedar Development LLC ("Red Cedar"). The site is planned for development into a 137-townhome community known as Marigold Ridge. Prior to acquiring the Property, NewStar and Red Cedar entered into a lot purchase agreement with a national homebuilder contracting for sale of the finished townhome lots.

The Property is well-located in north Jacksonville approximately 1 mile from I-95 and 3 miles from I-295, with convenient access to Downtown Jacksonville (13 miles) and the Jacksonville International Airport (2 miles). Newly constructed homes within a 5-mile radius are selling from the $300,000's to over $500,000. The Property is less than five minutes from River City Marketplace, the largest shopping complex in northern Jacksonville.

"We are excited to announce the closing of our second investment for NewStar Equity Lot Finance Funds and our third investment in Florida," said Joe Gibson, Chief Investment Officer for NEWSTAR. "Marigold Ridge will offer convenient access to Downtown Jacksonville and a wide array of amenities, making it an ideal community for prospective homebuyers."

Clearing and sitework is expected to begin in the third quarter with finished lots delivered for sale beginning in the second quarter of 2025.

For more information on the Project, NewStar Equity Lot Finance, or NEWSTAR, please contact [email protected].

SOURCE NewStar Asset Management
TORONTO, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Power Nickel Inc. (the "Company" or "Power Nickel") (TSXV: PNPN) (OTCBB: PNPNF) (Frankfurt: IVV) is pleased to announce that it has closed an over-subscribed flow-through offering (the "Offering") for gross proceeds of $20,062,497.50 through the issuance of 16,049,998 flow-through units (the "FT Units") at a price of $1.25 per FT Unit. Each FT Unit is comprised of one flow-through common share and one-half of one share purchase warrant (each whole, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant exercisable to purchase one common share at a price of $1.25 per common share for three years from the date of issuance. Each flow-through common share will qualify as a flow-through share for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) ("ITA").

Industry legends Robert Friedland and Rob McEwen joined with several other leading mining investors, including CVMR Inc. and Terra Capital, to provide the investor buyback of the FT Units financing for Power Nickel.

"Power Nickel is grateful for the support of some of the leading investors in mining. Like us, they believe Nisk has exceptional exploration upside. With this capital, we will be able to substantially increase our already very successful exploration efforts. We currently have one drilling rig targeting the extension of the Lion Zone and soon we will have a second rig advancing the exploration program developed by our team, with substantial guidance from Dr. Steve Beresford. It is a very exciting time for our shareholders, stakeholders, and staff," commented CEO Terry Lynch.

The Company worked with Wealth Creation Preservation & Donation Inc. and IA Capital Markets on the financing front end and used advisory services of Red Cloud Securities Inc. and H&P Advisory Limited in connection with the Offering. Back-end purchasers acquired the underlying common shares and Warrants from the front-end buyers of the FT Units, at $0.66 per common share and half-Warrant (combined).

The Company will use the gross proceeds from the sale of the FT Units for exploration activities on the Company's Nisk property located in Quebec and to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses", within the meaning of the ITA, that will qualify for the federal 30-per-cent critical mineral exploration tax credit.

The Offering is subject to the Company's final filing requirements with the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") approval. All securities issued under the financing are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance.

The Company paid finder's fees on the financing, including 265,027 finder warrants exercisable for a period of 18 months from closing into a common share at $1.25 per common share and cash commissions and advisory fees of $387,239.64 as permitted by the policies of the TSXV and applicable securities laws.

About Power Nickel Inc.

Power Nickel is a Canadian junior exploration company focusing on developing the High-Grade Nickel Copper PGM, Gold and Silver Nisk project into Canada's next poly metallic mine.

On February 1, 2021, Power Nickel (then called Chilean Metals) completed the acquisition of its option to acquire up to 80% of the Nisk project from Critical Elements Lithium Corp. (CRE: TSXV).

The NISK property comprises a large land position (20 kilometres of strike length) with numerous high-grade intercepts. Power Nickel is focused on expanding the high-grade nickel-copper PGM, Gold and Silver mineralization with a series of drill programs designed to test the initial Nisk discovery zone, the Lion discovery zone and to explore the land package for adjacent potential poly metallic deposits.

In addition to the Nisk project, Power Nickel owns significant land packages in British Colombia and Chile. Power Nickel is expected to reorganize these assets in a related public vehicle through a plan of arrangement.

For further information, readers are encouraged to contact:

Power Nickel Inc.

The Canadian Venture Building

82 Richmond St East, Suite 202

Toronto, ON

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This message contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" concerning the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "indicates," "opportunity," "possible" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, among others; the timing for various drilling plans; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under its property agreements going forward and conduct drilling and exploration; to maintain its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing; to explore and develop its projects; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associates with mineral exploration and mining operations; future prices of nickel and other metals; changes in general economic conditions; accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates; the potential for new discoveries; the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the projects and if accepted, to obtain such licenses and approvals in a timely fashion relative to the Company's plans and business objectives for the applicable project; the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, dependence on key management personnel and general competition in the mining industry.

SOURCE Power Nickel Inc.
Milestone event brings together record-breaking 1,300 plus families, physicians, researchers, caregivers, industry partners, and those living with Duchenne and Becker in person and virtually to connect, share information, and learn the latest progress in the fight for every future.

ORLANDO, Fla., June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) , a nonprofit organization leading the fight to end Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne) , will host its 30th Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, June 2729. Each year, the Duchenne and Becker community gathers to learn about the latest progress in the fight to end Duchenne and connect with leading experts. Now in its 30th year, PPMD's Annual Conference returns to Orlando, the location of the organization's very first Annual Conference in 1994, to engage more of the Duchenne and Becker community than ever before.

PPMD expects a record-breaking 1,300 plus families, researchers, clinicians, and industry partners from all over the world for three days of informative and interactive sessions featuring the latest news in research, clinical trials, approved and emerging therapies, care initiatives, quality of life issues, and more. Before the Conference officially kicks off, PPMD will host a Becker Care Professional Meeting, June 2627, aimed at initiating discussions within the healthcare professional community regarding the creation of consensus-based standards of care for Becker muscular dystrophy.

Founded in 1994 by a group of parents and grandparents, and led by Founding President and CEO Pat Furlong, PPMD is the largest, most comprehensive nonprofit organization in the United States focused on ending Duchenne. Since its first meeting 30 years ago, PPMD has convened families with researchers, clinicians, industry partners, advocacy organizations, and most importantly, people with Duchenne and Becker and their families at the largest Duchenne-specific conference held in the U.S.

Furlong is excited about this year's milestone Conference and looks forward to bringing the Duchenne and Becker community together: "From PPMD's first Annual Conference 30 years ago to our momentous return to Orlando this week, this community's unwavering commitment, passion, and resilience have been the driving force behind our fight for every future. We have faced challenges and celebrated victories and we have motivation to keep progressing. PPMD's 30th Annual Conference will be filled with a variety of interactive experiences to spark conversation, foster new and familiar relationships, learn from one another, and continue to drive change in the fight to end Duchenne."

PPMD is grateful to all of our industry sponsors, whose support helps make the Annual Conference possible, especially our 30th Anniversary Star sponsor Sarepta Therapeutics, our Platinum sponsors Catalyst Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer, Inc., and our Gold sponsors Avidity Biosciences, Dyne Therapeutics, Edgewise Therapeutics, ITF Therapeutics, NS Pharma, Inc., Upsher-Smith Laboratories, and Wave Life Sciences. For sponsorship opportunities, please click here .

PPMD's 30th Annual Conference agenda will feature stories from multiple keynote speakers, and interactive discussion panels addressing comprehensive, multi-dimensional approaches to care for Duchenne and Becker. Unique topics to this year's conference include:

Approved therapies in Duchenne, including presentations on the recently expanded label for ELEVIDYS and newly-approved therapies AGAMREE and DUVYZAT, as well as a clinician panel discussion on the eight currently approved therapies.

Becker-specific breakout sessions, including discussions on neuromuscular care, cardiology, genetic counseling, and physical therapy, as well as industry updates about emerging therapies for Becker.

What we have learned over time about outcome measures, including Functional Reach, Stride Velocity, Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA), and Northstar and Performance of Upper Limb (PUL).

Cardiac, neuromuscular, and adolescent care for carriers, as well as physical therapy implications and research in progress in the field of Duchenne carriers.

Unique experiences and perspectives on life, living, and hope, as well as daily life care such as sleep and behavior; decision making around steroids, weight, and nutrition; pain; exercise; social connection; and more.

This year's Conference will also feature dedicated updates from more than 20 partners currently in clinical trials, with panels including:

Strategies to restore dystrophin

The current and evolving landscape of gene therapy

Approaches to alter disease progression

PPMD's role in moving the needle in clinical research

A variety of breakout sessions and social gatherings will also be offered during PPMD's 30th Annual Conference, encouraging attendees to create their own, unique experiences, in-person or virtually, by participating in:

Special programming for Newly Diagnosed Families

A dedicated track for Teens and Adults with Duchenne/Becker

Expanded Sibs Track sessions, offering a safe place for siblings to be together, talk, and open up about topics that they face

Breakout sessions according to age, covering multiple aspects of care

One-on-one private appointments with Physical Therapists, Genetic Counselors, and behavior, speech, and language experts to help provide guidance on every family's unique needs

Small group Lighthouse Mini-Sessions focused on self-care, effective communication, asking for help, and staying connected and finding belonging

A Build Your Own Care Binder station for families to create personalized binders filled with important information regarding Duchenne/Becker care to help navigate routine care and emergencies

A robust Resource Fair enabling resource providers and the community to connect about practical services, research and more

A meet and greet for diverse families in Duchenne to share their unique experiences and foster connection

Social activities for moms, dads, grandparents, siblings, and, of course, tweens, teens, and adults with Duchenne and Becker

Fun and interactive sessions for kids

Ahead of the Conference, all registered attendees were given access to PPMD's online Conference Hub & App to stream sessions and personalize their agenda and Conference experience. This year's Hub & App offers an enhanced experience for both in-person and virtual attendees, allowing for engagement with exhibitors and increased interaction during live sessions. AI-powered live translation will also be available for main sessions in dozens of languages.

It is not too late to attend this year's meeting, in-person or virtually. To register for PPMD's 30th Annual Conference, click here . To learn more about PPMD, please visit our website .

SOURCE Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD)
BRUSSELS, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A new report from The Conference Board, based on a survey of 78 of Europe's largest employers, finds that the EU's new Pay Transparency Directive is pushing businesses to set global policies on pay. 55% of senior human resource executives surveyed say that they have, or are planning, a single approach to pay across their international operations. However, the report also highlights the need for accelerated action to implement the Directive, with 41% of respondentswhose companies collectively employ approximately three million people globallysaying that they have yet to begin preparing.

Under the Directive, effective starting June 2026, companies that employ more than one hundred workers in the EU must disclose information about pay levels to employees and candidates, and report annually on their gender pay gap. If the gap is higher than five percent, they must take mitigating action or face mandatory fines.

The report, Countdown to the EU's New Law on Pay Transparency, notes that there are strong concerns among employers about the new requirements. Many are apprehensive about how the regulation will affect wage bills, competitiveness, and the ability of managers to reward their best performers.

The report was launched at The Conference Board's Future: Reward Europe event, held in Brussels. In a separate live poll conducted at the gathering of senior executives responsible for pay, 44% of participants said that they were "concerned or very concerned" about the impact on wage bills, with only 3% "not at all concerned". Of the 75 respondents to the live poll, 43% said that the Directive could increase their European wage bills by between 2.6% and 5%.

"Our analysis shows that complying with the Directive is data-intensive and requires a high level of cross-functional collaboration, so it is a concern that many businesses have not yet begun to prepare for it," said Jean-Marc Verbist, Leader of The Conference Board Human Capital Center, Europe. "Compliance is likely to come with a significant cost. Beyond the anticipated short-term rise in wage bills, businesses will also need to invest in training, data gathering, and internal and external communications. Chief Human Resource Officers need to ensure their boards and senior managers are aware of the risks of non- and low-quality compliance: not just potential fines, but also increased workplace tensions and loss of productivity."

Key highlights from the report include:

SETTING GLOBAL STANDARDS:

Pay transparency is gathering momentum around the world:

10% of survey respondents already have a global framework for pay transparency in place, while 45% say that they are planning a global approach.

30% say that they will restrict pay transparency to EU regulatory requirements, while 15% remain undecided.

REGULATORY READINESS

Businesses are off to a slow start in preparing to comply with the EU Directive:

16% of businesses assess themselves as being a significantly long way from readiness, and 41% have not yet begun preparing for implementation.

Less than 2% of businesses believe that they are already compliant with the regulation, while 10% believe they are close to readiness.

44% of respondents say that their internal systems and data require additional work to capture and analyze the data required by the Directive.

IMPACT ON EMPLOYEES

Managers see the upside of pay transparency regulations, but there are risks:

30% of respondents believe that the Directive will help them to address the gender pay gap and improve female representation at a senior level.

25% say that the Directive will enable managers to have open discussions with staff and debunk perceptions around pay.

In discussion, executives voiced concerns about the impact on labor relations and negotiations with social partners, including unions and works councils.

About The Conference Board

The Conference Board is the member-driven think tank that delivers Trusted Insights for What's Ahead. Founded in 1916, we are a non-partisan, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States. www.ConferenceBoard.org

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/624268/The_Conference_Board_Logo.jpg
NEW YORK, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Ecopetrol S.A. ("Ecopetrol" or the "Company") (NYSE: EC). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether Ecopetrol and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On May 22, 2024, Ecopetrol issued a press release "report[ing] that between May 3, 2024 and May 9, 2024, the Company and its subsidiaries, Cenit Transporte y Logistica de Hidrocarburos S.A.S. ('CENIT') and Oleoducto Central S.A. ('Ocensa') were notified" that Colombia's "Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC) opened an investigation and formulated charges to determine alleged infringements to the laws on protection of free economic competition".

On this news, Ecopetrol's American depositary receipt ("ADR") price fell $0.41 per ADR, or 3.34%, to close at $11.88 per ADR on May 22, 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.

CONTACT:

Danielle Peyton

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9980 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
Rovira Amplifies Firm's Position in the Financial Services Sector with Enhanced Creditor Rights and Lender Side Restructuring Capabilities

NEW YORK, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Alex Rovira, a seasoned restructuring attorney, has joined Troutman Pepper's New York office as a partner in the firm's Finance and Restructuring Practice. He joins the firm from Sidley Austin LLP.

Alex Rovira, Partner, Troutman Pepper

"We are thrilled to welcome Alex to our team at Troutman Pepper. His extensive experience across various industry sectors will enhance our Finance and Restructuring practice," said John Leonti, chair of Troutman Pepper's Regulatory and Finance Department. "Alex's diverse background in complex distress situations and his proven track record in corporate restructuring and insolvency matters align perfectly with our commitment to providing our clients with effective solutions."

Rovira has over 20 years of experience advising financial institutions, private credit lenders, hedge funds, bondholders and distress investors, as well as private equity owners, their portfolio companies and boards in all aspects of complex distress situations both in and out of court. With a career spanning across various international offices, including London and Hong Kong, Rovira has cultivated a broad and diverse range of experience in representing clients on a multitude of corporate restructurings and workouts, financings, distressed M&A, creditors' rights, bankruptcy, and insolvency matters.

Rovira's practice includes advising on liability management transactions, structuring finance transactions, exercising and enforcing lender remedies and all aspect of distress asset sales and purchases. His work encompasses representing both debtors' and creditors' rights in complex U.S. Chapter 11 and Chapter 15 cases, solvent and insolvent schemes of arrangements proceedings in England, Hong Kong, and the Cayman Islands, and cross-border reorganizations.

"I am excited to join Troutman Pepper," Rovira said. "I look forward to working alongside the exceptional team here and contributing to the firm's dynamic Finance and Restructuring Practice. My focus remains steadfast on delivering unparalleled service and strategic guidance to my clients in this ever-evolving financial landscape."

Rovira earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M. year-long course work in Corporate Insolvency from University College London, and his A.B. from Harvard University.

"Alex's addition to our New York office is a significant asset," said Steven Khadavi, managing partner of the firm's New York office. "Alex's vast experience and in-depth knowledge of complex insolvency matters will be invaluable in serving our diverse client base. His arrival amplifies our commitment to being a leading firm for financial restructuring and insolvency issues, meeting the needs of our clients both in New York and across the country."

Troutman Pepper's Financial Restructuring + Insolvency Practice Group provides clients with creative solutions in financial restructuring and insolvency matters that prioritize recovery or return on investment. The team's deep understanding of pre- and post-insolvency issues from every stakeholder's perspective enables the group to help clients prevent and prepare for financial crises and to serve as trusted advisors to effectively respond to financial distress.

About Troutman Pepper

Troutman Pepper is a national law firm with 1,100+ attorneys strategically located in more than 20 U.S. cities. The firm's litigation, transactional, and regulatory practices advise a diverse client base, from startups to multinational enterprises. The firm provides sophisticated legal solutions to clients' most pressing business challenges, with depth across industry sectors, including energy, financial services, health sciences, insurance, and private equity, among others. Learn more at troutman.com.

SOURCE Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wiygul Automotive Clinic announced its plans to expand into Fauquier County today.

The company's newest store will be located at the former site of Murphy's Automotive at 164 Broadview Ave, Warrenton, Virginia.

It is expected to open late this summer and will be the ninth location for the Wiygul family in the Washington Metropolitan area.

Wiygul Automotive Clinic offers a comprehensive range of automotive services, including routine maintenance, vehicle diagnostics, new tires and alignments, brakes, AC repair, and more. With state-of-the-art equipment and a team of friendly and highly skilled technicians, Wiygul Automotive Clinic is committed to delivering trusted, high-quality repairs at a competitive price.

"Wiygul Automotive Clinic's expansion into Warrenton marks an exciting milestone for our family," said William Wiygul, Partner at Wiygul Automotive Clinic. "We are grateful for the opportunity to further our grandparents' vision of making top-quality automotive repair and maintenance services available to as many DC area communities as possible."

Upgrades to the newest location are currently underway. The team plans to share exciting details about the grand opening and store hours in the coming weeks.

For more information about Wiygul Automotive Clinic, please visit our website at www.wiygul.com.

About Wiygul Automotive Clinic

Wiygul Automotive Clinic is a leading provider of automotive services in the DC Metro region since 1976. Although the company has evolved into a progressive and modern business, the Wiygul family and its entire team continues to draw on its rich history and old-fashioned principle of excellent customer service. Each team member strives to deliver unmatched service to vehicle owners through their commitment to quality, integrity, technology and customer satisfaction. For more information, visit: www.wiygul.com.

Contact:

Taran Sodhi, Media Representative

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 571.305.1287

SOURCE Wiygul Automotive Clinic
Patna, June 24 : A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team probing a paper leak case was attacked in a village in Bihar's Nawada district over suspicion of being fake officers, officials said on Sunday.

The incident took place on Saturday evening at Kasiyadih village under the Rajauli police station area.

Confirming the incident, Nawada's Superintendent of Police (SP) Ambrish Rahul said that an FIR has been registered and so far, four persons including a woman have been arrested in connection to the attack.

The CBI team from Delhi reached the village after tracing the mobile phone location of an accused in the paper leak case. Villagers suspected them of being fake CBI officers and attacked them. They also vandalised the vehicles of CBI officials, sources said.

The CBI sleuths somehow informed the district police about the incident and a team of Rajauli police immediately reached the village and rescued them. Later, in the presence of local police, the CBI sleuths seized two mobile phones from a house.

"We have registered an FIR against eight persons. Besides, more than 150 unknown persons have also been booked for attacking the CBI team. The FIR was registered following a written complaint from a CBI official," said Rajesh Kumar, the SHO of Rajauli police station.
Jerusalem, June 24 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that intense fighting against Hamas is "very close" to an end.

In an interview with Israeli Channel 14 TV news, Netanyahu on Sunday said that "the intensive phase of the war in Rafah is about to end", and the Israeli forces were "very close" to concluding the "intensive phase" in the entire Gaza Strip.

However, he said, this does not mean an end to the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, and operations will persist with the fighting against Hamas targets, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Israeli news broadcaster.

After the conclusion of the "intensive phase" in Gaza, "we will continue northward," Netanyahu said, referring to Israel's warnings of launching a full-fledged war against the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

He said that any agreement to secure a ceasefire along the Israel-Lebanon border, where Israeli and Hezbollah forces have traded fire since October 7, 2023, "will have to meet our terms."

He stated he would only agree to a deal that would see Hamas removed from power in the Gaza Strip and the release of about 100 hostages who are still held in the Palestinian enclave.
Riyadh, June 24 : Saudi Arabia has announced that it recorded 1,301 deaths among pilgrims during the Haj season, 83 per cent of whom were unregistered individuals.

The Saudi Health Minister Fahd Al-Jalajel said on Sunday that the kingdom's healthcare sector addressed "numerous" heat stress cases, with some individuals still in medical care, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

"Among the deceased were several elderly and chronically ill individuals," the minister said, indicating that the heat affected unregistered pilgrims most as they had walked long distances under direct sunlight without adequate shelter or comfort.

All victims have been identified and their families notified, despite the initial lack of personal information or identification documents. Proper processes were followed for identification, burial, and the issuance of death certificates, he added.

Al-Jalajel praised efforts made by the competent authorities to raise heat stress awareness and preparedness among pilgrims facing high temperatures, as well as the support by first responders and the Haj security forces in handling heat stress cases, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Saudi Press Agency.

He declared health management during the past Haj season was a success, "with no recorded outbreaks of epidemics or widespread diseases".

Notably, the health system provided over 465,000 specialized treatment services ranging from emergency care and surgeries to dialysis, including 141,000 services to those who didn't obtain official authorization to perform Haj.

Approximately 1.3 million preventive services were delivered, including early detection, vaccinations, and medical care upon arrival.
Hyderabad, June 24 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K. T. Rama Rao has tried to play down defections of his party MLAs to ruling Congress saying the power of people is always stronger.

He reacted to the latest defection of Jagtial MLA M. Sanjay Kumar through a post on 'X' on Monday.

"The power of people is always stronger than the people in power. We have faced several defections of MLAs in the past in 2004-06 when Congress was in Government. Telangana responded strongly by stepping up the people's agitation and eventually Congress had to bow its head. History shall repeat itself," wrote KTR, as the BRS leader is popularly known.

Sanjay Kumar joined Congress on Sunday in the presence of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

The Chief Minister, who is also the President of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC), welcomed Sanjay into the party.

Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, former minister Sudershan Reddy and Chief Minister's advisor Vem Narender Reddy were present.

Sanjay was re-elected for a second consecutive term from the Jagtial Assembly constituency in Nizamabad district in the elections held in November 2023.

He is the fifth BRS MLA to switch loyalties since Congress came to power in December last year.

This came two days after senior leader and former Assembly Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy joined the Congress party.

Pocharam Srinivas Reddy is a BRS MLA and a prominent leader from Nizamabad district.

BRS had won 39 seats in the 119-member Assembly. Its strength has now come down to 33 as it also lost the recent Secunderabad Cantonment by-election to the ruling party.
Ahmedabad, June 24 : Amid the geopolitical tensions and uncertainties that are straining global relationships, the world is witnessing the rise of India and this is India's moment, Gautam Adani, the Chairman of the Adani Group, told shareholders on Monday.

Addressing the Adani Enterprises' Annual General Meeting (AGM), Gautam Adani said India is now the force for stability, cooperation and progress in a complex world.

"And it is India's macroeconomic stability and ambitious growth plans that inspire our confidence," the Adani Group Chairman said.

Given the multiplier effect, the union government has rightly focused on infrastructure development by raising its funding by 16 per cent to over Rs 11 lakh crore for this financial year.

Gautam Adani said that it is worthwhile to note that annual spending has tripled in the last five years.

"What is even more relevant is that, while the national narrative sets the stage for infrastructure spend, large parts of the funding and action are at the state level. In our case, with our operations spread across 24 Indian states, we are first-hand witnesses to the critical role state governments play in implementing the initiatives," the Group Chairman emphasised.

"I am proud to say that our record-breaking achievements in 2023 underscore our alignment to national priorities as well as our ability to execute the most complex, large-scale projects with unmatched expertise," Gautam Adani added.

Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) is developing the world's largest renewable energy project of 30,000 MW on barren land at Khavda in Gujarat.

"I would like you to picture Khavda, set in one of the world's toughest deserts and now home to the world's largest Renewable Energy installation spanning several hundred square kilometres. Already generating 3,000 MW of clean energy, our aggressive timeline aims to develop 30 GW capacity in the next five years," said Gautam Adani.

This will be enough to power nations like Belgium and Switzerland.

"Furthermore, visualise the world's largest redevelopment project in Mumbai's Dharavi as we transform the world's largest slum over the next decade. Not only will this provide dignity of living to its over one million residents but, at the same time, this will build an unmatched ecosystem of sustainable living and innovation in the heart of Mumbai," the Adani Group Chairman informed.

"Or envision the Drishti 10 Starliner UAV, a symbol of Indian innovation, soaring through the skies, protecting the borders of our nation. These are not just machines - they symbolise our unwavering commitment to India's security and well-being," the Group Chairman told the shareholders.

This ability to conceptualise and then handle complexity and execute very large projects in difficult conditions is an unmatched competency that "we continue to get better at."
Mumbai, June 24 : Actress Sharvari, who stars opposite debutante Junaid Khan in the recently released 'Maharaj', said she will happily accept being a "surprise factor." Mumbai, June 24 (IANS) Actress Sharvari, who stars opposite debutante Junaid Khan in the recently released 'Maharaj', said she will happily accept being a "surprise factor."

Sharvari, who has a guest appearance in the film, said: "I'm really thrilled to read that people are calling me a big 'surprise factor' of 'Maharaj'."

"As an actor, I want to make an impact in every role and in every film that I work on. So, I will happily and humbly accept all the compliments for being a 'surprise factor' in a film," she said.

The actress added: "It means my performance created a major impactful moment. I strive to give it my best always because I treat every film as a stepping stone for something bigger and better in my next choices."

Sharvari is elated with the month she's had professionally, with 'Munjya' and 'Maharaj' releasing back-to-back.

"It has been an awesome month for me professionally. To have a huge blockbuster to my credit in the second film of my career, 'Munjya', is an absolutely amazing feeling. Interestingly, people again thought I was the 'surprise factor' of the film, and it meant the world to me," she said.

The actress said: "Plus, the love coming my way for 'Maharaj' is also an incredible feeling. Being called the surprise factor is a huge compliment in any film."

Sharvari will release her next film, 'Vedaa', directed by the maverick filmmaker Nikkhil Advani, in which she plays the titular role. She has also been cast in Aditya Chopra's spy verse with Alia Bhatt.

Calling herself 'Greedy', Sharvari said that she works really hard to bring something different with each character she portrays, and validations are hugely rewarding for her.

"It motivates me to work harder and put up better performances each time I come on screen," she said.

'Maharaj' is a period drama set in pre-independent India and is based on the Maharaj Libel Case of 1862.

The film revolves around the landmark case following a fearless journalist and social reformer Karsandas Mulji, who stood against the powerful religious establishment of the Vallabhacharya sect.
Seoul, June 24 : About 20 bodies were found at the site of a lithium battery plant fire in Hwaseong, south of Seoul, on Monday, firefighters said, after the blaze had already left one worker dead and three others injured earlier in the day.

The deceased are believed to be among 23 people unaccounted for in the fire, they said, amid fears the death toll could rise further, reports Yonhap news agency.

Of the 23 people missing in the fire, 20 are believed to be foreigners, including Chinese nationals, they said, adding the number is subject to change as the daily list of full and part-time workers was destroyed.

The blaze started at lithium battery maker Aricell's plant in Hwaseong, 45 kilometres south of Seoul, at around 10:30 a.m. local time, they said, noting the main fire was under control as of 3 p.m.

Earlier, TV footage showed small explosions kept going off with showers of sparks in the burning plant.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control around 3:10 p.m., more than four hours after it started, and made their way into the plant and found the bodies.

Earlier in the day, the other deceased worker died after being taken to a hospital following cardiac arrest, while another was seriously injured, and two sustained minor injuries, they said.

The fire reportedly occurred for unknown reasons at the three-storey, reinforced concrete building with a total floor space of about 2,300 square metres.

Firefighters reportedly had difficulties completely putting out the blaze because burning lithium batteries is difficult to handle by conventional fire extinguishing methods.

One witness, who escaped from the second floor of the plant, told the Hwaseong Fire Station that explosive combustion occurred in one battery cell at the time of the fire.

The station said the fire spread rapidly as the battery cells inside exploded continuously, making it difficult for rescuers to go inside and search. At least 35,000 batteries are believed to be inside the plant.

The government convened an emergency meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters in the afternoon to discuss measures to minimise casualties from the disaster.

At the meeting, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min asked all relevant government agencies and local governments to mobilise all available resources and personnel to extinguish the fire and rescue survivors.

Earlier, President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed Minister Lee to make all possible efforts to search for and rescue the missing people by mobilising all available manpower and equipment.
Kolkata, June 24 : Newly elected Trinamool Congress legislator from Baranagar assembly constituency Syantika Banerjee on Monday said that despite getting an invitation from Raj Bhavan for the swearing-in ceremony on June 26, she will not be attending the ceremony.

Another newly elected legislator, Reyat Houssen Sarkar from Bhagawangola constituency has claimed that he is yet to receive any such invitation from the office of the Governor.

On June 22, the office of the Governor informed that invitations have been sent directly to the newly elected legislators for attending the swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan premises on June 26.

However, Syantika Banerjee said that instead of office of the Speaker sending the invitation, the office of the Governor had sent it directly to her.

"In case of bypolls, generally the oath of the legislator is administered either by the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker. However, that tradition has not been followed in our case. I have been sent the invitation keeping the Assembly in the dark. I heard the newly elected legislator from Bhagawangola has not been sent any invitation. So there is no reason for me to attend the programme alone and I will not be going," Banerjee told media persons on Monday.

Sarkar confirmed that he has not got any invitation from the Raj Bhavan. "I will do whatever I am advised by the Speaker," Sarkar said.

Trinamool has been critical of the development of sending the invitation for the oath ceremony directly to the newly elected legislators.

The state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay said that the fresh communiques have breached the traditional rituals for swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected MLAs.

"It has been just said that anyone nominated by the Raj Bhavan will administer the programme. This is highly insulting and against protocol," Chattopadhyay said.

He also said that it is also highly insulting that instead of office of the Speaker sending the communiques, it has been forwarded to the individual MLAs.

"We will discuss the matter within the party and will take decisions as per the directive of the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee," Chattopadhyay said.
Bhubaneswar, June 24 : A crucial meeting of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) parliamentary party was held under the chairmanship of the party president Naveen Patnaik at his residence here on Monday.

Patnaik instructed all the nine MPs in the Rajya Sabha to raise issues concerning Odisha in a more sharp and powerful manner. The party also decided to emerge as a strong opposition voice in Rajya Sabha.

Following the poll debacle in the just concluded general elections, BJD for the first time in its electoral history has no representation in the Lok Sabha.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party registered almost a clean sweep winning 20 out of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general elections. Congress however managed to retain the Koraput Lok Sabha seat despite the strong Modi wave in Odisha.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, BJD MP Sasmit Patra said that the party will emerge as a strong opposition voice in the upper house of the Parliament and raise issues concerning the interests of Odisha.

"We will emerge as a strong opposition party under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik in the Rajya Sabha. The people of Odisha will witness how BJD will raise its voice on each of the issues in a sharp and powerful manner on the floor of the house. The party president has directed us to raise different issues in the interest of Odisha, be it Special category status for the state, national highway, railway, telecom, digital connectivity, banking, tribal development, youth, education health," said Patra.

"We the MPs of BJD as the voice of Odisha will raise issues concerning the state in the Rajya Sabha. The party president also instructed that if the voice of 4.5 crore people of Odisha wasn't duly respected then BJD will emerge as the strongest opposition in India," he further added.

--IANS

gyan/dan
Hyderabad, June 24 : The joining of BRS MLA M. Sanjay Kumar into Congress has triggered differences within the ruling party in Telangana with senior leader T. Jeevan Reddy contemplating resignation from the Legislative Council.

The former minister is unhappy with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for admitting Sanjay Kumar, the MLA from Jagtial, into the party without even informing him.

The senior leader was holding consultations with his followers on Monday to decide his future course of action.

In the November 2023 Assembly elections, Jeevan Reddy lost to Sanjay Kumar in Jagtial constituency in Nizamabad district. The Congress leader had lost to the same rival in 2018.

Sanjay Kumar, who had lost to Jeevan Reddy from the same constituency in 2014, joined the Congress party on Sunday night.

The development came as a shock to Jeevan Reddy, who had already found fault with the Chief Minister for admitting senior BRS leader and former Assembly Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy into the party.

Jeevan Reddy had Saturday dubbed the entry of Srinivas Reddy, a MLA from Banswada, into the Congress party as political opportunism.

"It is an example of political opportunism. Any political party should fight and work according to its principles," Jeevan Reddy had said.

He also questioned the need for encouraging defections from other parties when the Congress government is stable with 65 MLAs.

"There is no need for the Congress party to allow defections into the party," he said.

The Chief Minister had personally visited Srinivas Reddy's house on June 21 to invite him to join the Congress party. The former minister immediately accepted the invitation and joined the party.

On Sunday night, Sanjay Kumar also joined the ruling party.

He is the fifth BRS MLA to switch loyalties since Congress came to power in December last year.

BRS had won 39 seats in the 119-member Assembly. Its strength has now come down to 33 as it also lost the recent Secunderabad Cantonment by-election to the ruling party.
New Delhi, June 24 : The IT and Business Services market in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.3 per cent to reach $20.7 billion by the end of 2028, a report showed on Monday.

Last year, the domestic IT & Business Services market was valued at $14.5 billion and clocked a 6.1 per cent year-over-year (YoY) growth as compared to 7.4 per cent in 2022, according to International Data Corporation (IDC).

The moderation in growth rate is due to Indian enterprises remaining cautious of their IT spending due to volatile macroeconomic conditions, it noted.

Indian enterprises focused on cost optimisation while prioritising IT projects with quicker returns.

They continued to invest in areas like enhancing customer experience and improving operational efficiency to gain a competitive advantage by leveraging technologies like cloud, analytics, and AI/ML.

"In the coming years, IT service investments will be driven by interest in GenAI. Enterprises will continue engaging with IT service providers to develop potential use cases and POCs and also to transform and manage their complex IT infrastructure and applications," said Harish Krishnakumar, senior market analyst, IT Services, IDC India.

In the IT and Business Services market, the IT Services market contributed 78.4 per cent and grew by 6.6 per cent in 2023, compared to the 8.1 per cent growth in 2022.

"The industry today is incredibly dynamic, driven by the advent of AI and GenAI, prompting enterprises to rigorously examine use cases to ensure the delivery of measurable business outcomes," according to Neha Gupta, senior research manager, Software and IT Services Market, IDC India.
New Delhi, June 24 : Delegates from more than 30 countries and representatives from many international organisations have arrived here to attend the ISO Council Meeting from June 25-27 being hosted by India to deliberate on the critical issues of sugar and the biofuel sector, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution said on Monday.

As India is the worldas largest consumer and second-largest producer of sugar, the ISO Council nominated India as the Chair of the organisation for 2024.

As part of the meeting, India launched a series of events with an industrial tour of the international delegates to one grain-based distillery at Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday to showcase the country's adoption of the latest technology in the production of biofuels and other by-products.

On June 25, a workshop titled aSugar and Biofuels a" Emerging Vistasa will be organised at the Bharat Mandapam. which will be inaugurated by Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi.

International delegates, top management of Indian sugar mills, industry associations like ISMA & NFCSF, and technical experts will participate in the workshop.

This forum is expected to bring an opportunity for more than 200 delegates from different parts of the world to discuss the future perspective of the world on the global sugar sector, biofuels, sustainability, and the role of farmers.

The workshop also aims to strengthen the Global Biofuel Alliance, an initiative of Prime Minister Narender Modi, in bringing together countries to promote the development and adoption of sustainable biofuels in the world in an effort to reduce greenhouse emissions.

Many member countries of ISO and Global Biofuel Alliance are common and this can be another forum to expand the alliance and promotion of biofuels.

International Sugar Organisation (ISO) is a UN-affiliated body headquartered in London. It has about 85 countries as members covering almost 90 per cent of sugar production in the world. It is mandated to bring major sugar-producing, consuming, and trading nations together to bring mutual understanding and a progressive approach in dealing with issues pertaining to the sugar sector.

The ISO has also been working on biofuels, especially ethanol as sugarcane is the second major feedstock for ethanol production in the world.

On June 26 and 27, various committee meetings of ISO will be held which will be focused on administrative and functional aspects of the organisation.
Seoul, June 24 : South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik on Monday called for expanding security cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), saying it will strengthen Seoul's war deterrence capabilities.

Shin made the remarks after South Korea was invited to this year's NATO summit in Washington next month for the third straight year amid growing ties between Seoul and the 32-member alliance, reports Yonhap news agency.

"I believe the more we deepen security cooperation with NATO, the stronger our war deterrence will become," Shin told reporters. "Expanding cooperation with NATO is the right direction."

Shin said if South Korea were to face a "serious security concern," he believes NATO countries would "surely" provide support, noting that many of the countries that sent troops to back South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War were NATO members.

Seoul has recently made efforts to strengthen ties with NATO, with President Yoon Suk Yeol pledging to increase military information sharing with NATO during a summit involving the alliance's member states and partner nations in Vilnius last year.
Jerusalem, June 24 : Israel's military claimed on Monday that it killed a senior Hamas weapons expert in the Gaza Strip while the offensive in Rafah city is continuing.

In an update, the military said that an airstrike killed Muhammad Salah, identified as being in charge of projects and development in Hamas' weapons manufacturing headquarters, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Salah was part of a project to develop strategic weaponry" and commanded several squads that worked on developing weapons, according to the military.

The military also said that troops were "continuing intelligence-based, targeted operations in the Rafah area", adding that operations were continuing in central Gaza as well.

Israel has been carrying out a large-scale offensive in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a Hamas rampage on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken hostage.

The Israeli assault caused a severe humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave and killed about 37,600 people, according to the health authorities in Gaza.
Jaipur, June 24 : The Rajasthan police have arrested a youth, Vinod Meena (18), on the charges of posting a video of foreign female tourists in which he is seen passing lewd comments about them in Jaipur, the police said on Monday.

In the video, Meena can be seen introducing the foreign travellers by passing lewd remarks while the tourists being unable to understand his language can be seen waving their hands.

The youth was also arrested two months ago but was released later.

His video on passing lewd comments went viral on June 23 and he was arrested on Sunday night, the police said on Monday

The police have registered a FIR against the accused under the Molestation and IT Act as well as the Rajasthan Tourism Business Act as he also forced the tourists to buy goods from his designated shops.

Amer SHO Antim Sharma said that Meena has been arrested for making videos of female foreign tourists and passing lewd comments about them.

Earlier, the accused was arrested and then released on May 6 considering his age and he being a student of class XII. He also apologised and deleted the videos he had posted on social media.
Lucknow, June 24 : In an attempt to bolster tourism across Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has embarked on developing 12 major tourism circuits.

Among these initiatives, a significant thrust has been placed on enhancing the spiritual circuit, tapping into its vast potential.

According to a government spokesperson, a meticulous action plan has been chalked out to foster tourism within the spiritual circuit.

The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department has now commenced preparations to implement this detailed strategy.

Key components of the action plan include conducting surveys of tourist destinations and performing gap analysis to identify areas for improvement and emphasising adherence to the UP Tourism Policy Document 2022 with the plan to prioritise standards based on the 7 S' -- Suchna (Awareness), Swagat (Welcome), Suvidha (Amenities), Suraksha (Safety), Swachthta (Cleanliness), Sanrachna (Infrastructure) and Sahyog (Support).

In recent years, Uttar Pradesh has significantly advanced its tourism sector, emerging as a key destination attracting tourists from around the globe.

The development of Kashi Vishwanath Dham and Ayodhya Dham, along with their respective corridors, has elevated these sites to premier tourist attractions within the state.

Additionally, the upcoming Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj in 2025, expected to draw a staggering 30 crore participants, further underscores Uttar Pradesh's growing prominence on the tourism map.

To strategically enhance tourism development across various circuits, including the spiritual circuit, a detailed project report (DPR) is slated for preparation. This DPR will conduct thorough tourist gap analyses, setting a new course for tourism initiatives.

Furthermore, this report is significant in terms of branding and marketing, among other aspects. It will determine standards such as the handling capacity of tourist destinations within the spiritual circuit.

Based on these criteria, decisions will be made regarding the optimal strategies for developing each tourist destination.

Data will also be collected from photography, video clips and drone coverage.

According to the action plan, the agency chosen by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department to conduct tourist gap analysis will collaborate closely with department officials to determine the survey methodology tailored to departmental requirements.

The survey report will encompass feedback sampling from visitors, along with photography and video documentation of all selected tourist destinations, to be included in the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

The action plan entails gathering feedback from visitors at all selected tourist spots and destinations, as outlined in the DPR.

This process includes collecting tourism statistics, evaluating growth trends and capacity, and prioritising a citizen-centric approach. By implementing national and international best practices, drawing from global experiences, and leveraging advanced technology, this comprehensive approach aims to effectively operate and upgrade these locations.

These efforts are expected to enhance the state government's revenue and attract higher tourist footfalls, while also fostering substantial foreign investments. This influx of investments is anticipated to generate employment opportunities, improve local facilities, and contribute to the overall development of the region.
Seoul, June 24 : South Korea, the United States, and Japan on Monday condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the expanding military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, days after the signing of the two isolated states' new treaty on mutual defence aid at the leaders' summit last week.

A joint statement came after Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un signed the "comprehensive strategic partnership" treaty during Putin's visit to Pyongyang last week, Yonhap news agency reported.

The treaty calls for the provision of 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.

"The United States, South Korea, and Japan condemn in the strongest possible terms deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including continued arms transfers from North Korea to Russia that prolong the suffering of the Ukrainian people, violate multiple United Nations Security Council Resolutions, and threaten stability in both Northeast Asia and Europe," the statement read.

The three countries said that the new treaty between Moscow and Pyongyang should be of "grave concern" to all concerned parties that uphold the non-proliferation regime.

They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation to counter the threats posed by the North and prevent the escalation of the situation.

The US said that its commitment to the defence of Korea and Japan remains "ironclad."

"The United States, South Korea and Japan also reaffirm that the path to dialogue remains open and urge North Korea to cease further provocations and return to negotiations," it said.

The statement was issued under the names of Jung Pak, the US senior official for North Korea; Cho Koo-rae, the South Korean vice foreign minister; and Namazu Hiroyuki, assistant minister for Asian and Oceanian Affairs at Japan's foreign ministry.
Tehran, June 24 : Iran and Bahrain have agreed to start talks on the resumption of bilateral political relations following an eight-year diplomatic freeze, the two countries announced in a joint statement.

Iran's Caretaker Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani met in the Iranian capital Tehran on Sunday within the framework of the two countries' historical and brotherly relations, religious and neighborly bonds, shared history and mutual interests, according to the joint statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website early Monday.

"In this meeting, the two sides agreed on the creation of the necessary mechanisms for starting bilateral talks on how to resume relations between their countries," the statement said, reports Xinhua news agency.

The meeting was held as the Bahraini minister is on a visit to Tehran at the invitation of the Iranian caretaker foreign minister to attend the 19th Meeting of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Ministerial Meeting on Monday, according to the joint statement.

In 2016, Bahrain severed diplomatic relations with Iran following Saudi Arabia's decision to cut ties with Tehran. The move came in response to attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran, which occurred after the execution of a Shiite cleric by Saudi Arabia.

In March 2023, Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a groundbreaking agreement in China to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies and missions. The two countries formally declared in April of last year the resumption of diplomatic relations with immediate effect.
Kolkata, June 24 : Apprehensions loom over the closure of Britannia Industries' factory at Taratala in southern Kolkata with the company offering a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) to all its permanent staff.

While the 120-odd permanent staff there are said to have accepted the VRS offer, no company officials have divulged what the fate of the factory would be after their exit.

Sources said that the lucrative VRS offer includes a one-time separation compensation ranging from Rs 13 lakh to Rs 22 lakh in addition to the accumulated provident fund and gratuity. The one-time compensation has been decided on the basis of the years of service left for the permanent employees and has three slabs. The VRS package was negotiated directly with the employees and the unions operating at the factory were involved in the negotiation process thus making the process smooth, sources added.

The management has notified the relevant stock exchanges about the VRS scheme being offered, and that the measure will not impact the companyas profitability.

However, the management is tightlipped about future plans relating to 250 odd contractual staff associated with the factory situated on 11 acres taken on lease from Kolkata Port Trust.
United Nations, June 24 : A staggering 113 countries worldwide have never had a woman serve as head of state or government, and only 26 countries are led by women as of Monday, according to UN Women's global data on Women Political Leaders 2024.

Despite progress, women are still "largely excluded" from positions of power and diplomacy, with the highest levels of influence and decision-making predominantly occupied by men, UN Women said in a press release about the data.

Globally, women's underrepresentation in decision-making remains "a stark reality," according to the release.

UN Women's new data on gender parity across leadership positions is published as the world commemorates the International Day for Women in Diplomacy on June 24, created to recognise and celebrate how women are breaking barriers and making a difference in diplomacy.

As of January 1, 2024, only 23 per cent of ministerial positions are held by women and in 141 countries women make up less than a third of cabinet ministers. Seven countries have no women represented in their cabinets at all.

Male dominance in diplomacy and foreign affairs extends to the permanent missions to the UN, where women remain underrepresented as permanent representatives, reports Xinhua news agency.

As of May 2024, women held 25 per cent of permanent representative posts in New York, 35 per cent in Geneva, and 33.5 per cent in Vienna.

"Our work is guided by the belief that when women lead, the world is better for all people and the planet. As many countries head to the polls this year, we all must put women first, at the pinnacle of power, where and when it matters the most. Women's equal participation in governance and leadership is key to improving lives for all," said UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.

Electing and appointing women in leadership positions "signals strong political will for gender equality" and demonstrates a collective commitment to tackling the challenges the world faces today, said the release.

"As we prepare to mark 30 years since the passage of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the world's most progressive blueprint for advancing women's rights, UN Women continues to work to ensure women lead and thrive in shaping and driving positive change, including through occupying the most senior positions of power," it added.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995.
New Delhi, June 24 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday chargesheeted eight more accused in a case relating to trafficking of Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas through the India-Bangladesh border as part of a trans-national racket.

Tightening the noose around the human trafficking syndicates operating across India, the agency in its supplementary chargesheet filed on Monday named Jalil Miah, Hanan Miah, absconder Kajal Sarkar, Adhir Das, and Anwar Hussain 'Mama', all of whom were operating from Tripura.

According to a statement issued by the NIA, the other chargesheeted individuals have been identified as absconder Kamal Das, brother of chargesheeted accused Amol Chandra Das, who was operating from Silchar, besides West Bengal-based Liton Chakraborty.

The eighth chargesheeted accused is a Bangladeshi national named Rabiyl Hasan, also known as Rabiul Hassan.

As per the NIA investigations, Liton Chakraborty was engaged in preparing Indian ID documents for Bangladeshi nationals on fake or forged supporting documents and certificates through clandestine means.

Rabiyl Hasan was found to be well-connected with the arrested accused in Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

The NIA had earlier filed a chargesheet against 24 Bangladeshi nationals under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, Foreigners Act, and Passport (Entry into India) Act.

Investigations conducted by the NIA, which is continuing with its search for the absconders and other suspects, have exposed a massive network of transnational human trafficking operated by various facilitators, touts, and traffickers in Assam, Tripura, West Bengal, and Bangladesh.

The probe has revealed a strong nexus between all such operatives.

As per investigations by the agency, which registered the case in October 2023, the trafficked individuals were being forced into hard labour on low wages and were exploited under threat of arrest by the police.

The case was originally registered by the Assam Special Task Force (STF) in September 2023.
Kolkata, June 24 : West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, on Monday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting nixing of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and restoration of the previous system of states conducting their own examinations.

This suggestion comes in the wake of the recent NEET paper leak and bribery cases that have taken the country by storm.

According to the Chief Minister, restoration of the old system of entrance examinations being conducted by state governments will help restore normalcy and the confidence of aspiring medical students in the system.

In the letter to PM Modi, a copy of which is available with IANS, CM Banerjee has stated that the instances of paper leak and bribery not only jeopardise the future and confidence of aspirants, but also hits the quality of medical education in India, which in turn, adversely affects the quality of medical facilities and treatment in the country, the CM has stated.

CM Banerjee has pointed out that the previous system, which was in place before 2017, was functioning smoothly as it was better attuned to the regional curricula and educational standards.

"The decentralised system was later changed to a unitary and centralised system of examination (NEET) so as to take complete control of admissions in the country to medical courses without any involvement of state governments. This is completely unacceptable and violates the true spirit of the federal structure of the country," the letter from the CM to the PM read.

"Further, the present system has led to massive corruption which benefits only the rich who can afford to pay, while the meritorious students belonging to the poor and middle class suffer and are the biggest victims," the letter from CM Banerjee read.
Kolkata, June 24 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, requesting the latter not to take important bilateral decisions with neighbouring Bangladesh, especially on the Teesta River water sharing and India-Bangladesh Farakka treaties, without involving the state government in the discussions.

In the letter, a copy of which is available with IANS, the Chief Minister referred to the recent State visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her meeting with PM Modi.

"It seems that water-sharing issues relating to Ganges and Teesta Rivers were discussed during the meeting. Such unilateral deliberations and discussions without consultations or opinions of the state government are neither acceptable nor desirable," the letter read.

Claiming that the Indian government is in the process of renewing the Indo-Bangladesh Farakka Treaty (1996) which is set to expire in 2026, the Chief Minister claimed that the issue involves the interests of the people of West Bengal.

"It is a treaty which delineates the principles of sharing water between Bangladesh and India and as you are aware, it has huge implications for the people of West Bengal for maintaining their livelihood as the water which is diverted at the Farakka Barrage helps maintain the navigability of the Kolkata Port," The Chief Minister said in the letter.

On the issue of the proposed Teesta water sharing accord, the Chief Minister claimed that any bilateral cooperation between India and Bangladesh for the restoration of Teesta in Bangladesh would largely impact the livelihoods of the people in North Bengal, considering that the health of Teesta River has already suffered from the construction of hydroelectric projects in Sikkim.

"I am surprised that no concrete steps have been taken by the Ministry of Jal Shakti to restore the river in its original form on the Indian side. In addition, Teesta water is also needed to meet the drinking water requirements of the residents of North Bengal. It is therefore not feasible to share Teesta water with Bangladesh," the letter read.

"Finally, it is to convey my strong reservations that no discussion on sharing Teesta water and the Farakka treaty should be taken up with Bangladesh without the involvement of the state government. The interest of the people of West Bengal is paramount, which should not be compromised at any cost," the letter concluded.
London, June 24 : European Union (EU) regulators on Monday opened a new investigation into Apple's support for alternative iOS marketplaces in Europe under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), adding that the App Store's "steering" policies violate the DMA meant to encourage competition.

London, June 24 (IANS) European Union (EU) regulators on Monday opened a new investigation into Apple's support for alternative iOS marketplaces in Europe under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), adding that the App Store's "steering" policies violate the DMA meant to encourage competition.

Margrethe Vestager, who heads competition policy in Europe, said their preliminary position is that Apple does not fully allow steering.

"Steering is key to ensure that app developers are less dependent on gatekeepers' app stores and for consumers to be aware of better offers," she said in a statement.

The EU regulators said they are concerned as Apple's new business model makes it too hard for app developers to operate as alternative marketplaces and reach their end users on iOS.

"We will look into Apple's new business model - the commercial terms Apple imposes on app developers who want to reach end users on the iOS platform," said the regulators.

The regulators also said that they have adopted their first preliminary findings in a case of non-compliance.

"And it is again about Apple. About the many ways in which their new terms fall short of the DMA requirements regarding steering users to options outside the Apple App Store. As they stand, we think that these new terms do not allow app developers to communicate freely with their end users, and to conclude contracts with them," they added.
New Delhi, June 24 : The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), which comes under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, on Monday, warned users of multiple vulnerabilities in Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) which could allow an attacker to compromise the targeted system.

The affected software includes Microsoft Edge Stable versions prior to 126.0.2592.68.

"Multiple vulnerabilities have been reported in Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) which could allow an attacker to compromise the targeted system," said the CERT-In advisory.

According to the cyber agency, these vulnerabilities exist in Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) due to "type confusion in V8, inappropriate implementation in WebAssembly, out of bounds memory access in dawn and use after free in dawn".

An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by persuading a victim to visit a specially crafted webpage, the agency mentioned.

CERT-In advised users to apply appropriate security updates as mentioned by the company.

Meanwhile, CERT-In has joined hands with financial giant Mastercard to promote cooperation and information sharing in the area of cybersecurity related to the financial sector.

The two entities will leverage their shared expertise regarding the financial sector in the fields of cybersecurity incident response, capacity building, sharing cyber threat intelligence specific to the financial sector and advanced malware analysis.
Patna, June 24 : Thousands of guest teachers who have lost their jobs protested on the streets of Patna on Monday.

The protestors were demanding reinstatement in the education department. They assembled near the Patna Zoo on Monday afternoon.

As they were in large numbers and not ready to leave the place, the police resorted to a lathicharge to disperse them.

"We were protesting at Bailey Road when the police arrived and initiated a lathicharge without any warning. The majority of the guest teachers were associated with the education department for 15 to 20 years. Now we are around 50. How would we get a job at this age?" said a protestor.

The Bihar government has sacked the guest teachers and appointed new teachers who have passed the BPSC examination. The district magistrate's office of the respective districts issued the order to remove the guest teachers.

Reacting to the incident, YH Khan, the duty magistrate, said that the teachers were protesting near Patna Zoo which is wrong. The administration first warned them to vacate the place. When they did not move, a mild lathicharge was undertaken. No one was reported to have been seriously injured in this incident.

Around 4200 guest teachers in Bihar lost their jobs following the order of the state government. Since then, they have been continuously protesting demanding their reinstatement.
New Delhi, June 24 : The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), announced in 2015 subsequent to Pakistan's engagement with China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, represents a considerable collaborative venture. Originally valued at $46 billion, the project focuses on sectors such as energy, transportation, and industry, aiming to connect China's Kashgar in northeastern Xinjiang with Gwadar port in Pakistan's Balochistan province across approximately 3,000 kilometers.

Subsequently, CPEC, often referred to as a 'flagship project', escalated into a $62 billion initiative projected for completion by 2030.

At the time of its announcement, Pakistan was grappling with a precarious economic condition characterised by a shortage of Foreign Direct Investment, significant electricity deficits, macroeconomic instability, and a severe internal security crisis due to terrorist activities.

Consequently, CPEC was perceived as a transformative element for Islamabadas economic framework.

For China, the successful completion of CPEC promises enhanced access to the Indian Ocean and beyond.

Some experts believe that the project was also anticipated to mitigate separatist tensions in Xinjiang through increased infrastructural development and connectivity with Pakistan. Nonetheless, nearly nine years post-launch, the progress of projects under CPEC has fallen significantly short of its objectives, raising severe concerns regarding its actual benefit to China.

To date, Chinese investment in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has reached approximately $25 billion.

Of the 122 projects initially announced under CPEC, only 36 have been completed. Although CPEC was envisioned as a transformative force for Pakistan's economy, it has not succeeded in alleviating Islamabad's economic troubles.

Furthermore, the projects have been marred by allegations of corruption within Pakistan, including reports that Chinese investors were assured significant annual returns on their investments.

Additionally, the suspension of several CPEC projects in 2018 during Imran Khan's administration contributed to Beijingas frustration.

Concurrently, Pakistan's total debt to China has escalated to $30 billion, exacerbating its economic challenges, which remain unaddressed despite the initiation of numerous CPEC projects.

The primary endeavor of the CPEC, the development of Gwadar port, has been embroiled in controversy due to Pakistan's apparent neglect of the interests of local Gwadar residents and Baloch nationalist groups.

This oversight has precipitated increasing resentment within the province, exemplified by the emergence of the Gwadar Haq Do Tehreek (Gwadar Rights Movement).

Despite being declared 'fully operational' in 2021, Gwadar port has attracted minimal traffic and has underperformed compared to smaller ports, failing to secure any regularly scheduled deep-sea lines, thereby generating no significant cargo revenue for Pakistan or China.

In addition to its lackluster performance, political and economic instability in Balochistan; one of Pakistan's most impoverished regions, has severely impeded the port's potential as CPEC's "game changer".

This situation has intensified major unrest among natives and separatist groups in Balochistan, who demand a greater share in CPEC's benefits. Chinese officials have repeatedly voiced concerns to Pakistan, emphasizing that the success of CPEC hinges on improving the conditions in Gwadar and alleviating poverty in Balochistan.

The frequent attacks on Chinese nationals involved in CPEC projects by insurgents have further decelerated progress, leading to significant investment losses and heightened security concerns for China.

Whether dealing with isolated terrorist incidents or orchestrated attacks targeting Chinese interests, Beijing is confronting diminishing returns from CPEC amid escalating security risks to its nationals in Pakistan.

This growing concern has compelled China to press Pakistan to prioritise addressing Beijing's security apprehensions, highlighting a primary challenge in advancing CPEC initiatives.

The ambitious vision of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in a country grappling with economic and political challenges, such as Pakistan, has proven costly for Beijing.

In response to security concerns for its investments near the Wakhan Corridor compromised by Pakistan's inability to secure the safety of Chinese nationals, China had resolved to expand CPEC into Afghanistan in May of the previous year, thereby incorporating the Taliban-led government into this flagship initiative.

This decision to seek alternatives, particularly with the Taliban regime, arises from Pakistan's consistent failure to safeguard Chinese personnel and its ongoing issue with cross-border terrorism.

Nonetheless, this strategic shift appears to counteract Beijingas initial intentions, as China now faces security issues in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, notably concerning attacks by Pakistani militant groups like Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other factions such as Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K), which is a staunch adversary of the Taliban, threatening Chinese interests in the region.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif undertook a five-day visit to Beijing in early June 2024 with the objective of soliciting foreign investment to alleviate Pakistan's financial distress, was perceived as an attempt to rejuvenate the CPEC.

During this visit, both nations agreed to progress CPEC to its second phase, despite the incomplete status of the majority of Phase I projects.

However, it is widely believed that Sharif's commitments to enhance security for these projects did not sufficiently reassure China, considering previous experiences.

Notably, despite the declaration of upgrading CPEC, Sharif was unable to secure any new investments or debt restructuring arrangements from Beijing as anticipated.

Just days prior to the visit, Islamabad's plea for an additional $17 billion to support nine infrastructure and energy projects, along with a $15 billion debt restructuring proposal, received a tepid response from Beijing.

This reflects China's definite scepticism regarding Pakistan's management of economic and security issues.

Furthermore, reports suggest that Pakistan plans to reallocate CPEC funds towards military activities along the Indian border, indicating a blatant disregard for both China's security concerns and its own economic predicaments.

Evidently, the ambitious CPEC has become a strategic liability for China, presenting a complex challenge that it struggles to resolve.

Not surprising, an article in 'The Diplomat' claims that China had been upset with Pakistan and has subsequently downgraded Pakistan's status from 'Highest Priority' to just 'Priority'.

Regardless of the veracity of the claims made in 'The Diplomat' article, Pakistan has seen its relations with China and Afghanistan turn cold recently owing to its turbulent internal security dynamics.
Moscow, June 24 : The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned US Ambassador Lynne Tracy and delivered a formal protest, or demarche, regarding Sunday's deadly Ukrainian attack on Sevastopol, according to a statement released on Monday.

The Ministry accused Washington of sponsoring and arming Ukraine, as it warned that retaliatory measures would be forthcoming.

It said that by providing Ukrainian armed forces with advanced weapons, the United States has become a party to the conflict, reported Xinhua news agency.

The US-supplied ATACMS tactical missiles with cluster warheads that were used against the residents of Sevastopol were targeted and coordinated by American military specialists, the Foreign Ministry claimed.

The attack occurred at around 12:15 p.m. local time on Sunday and involved the use of US-supplied ATACMS tactical missiles equipped with cluster warheads, the Russian Defence Ministry said earlier in a statement.

According to the latest information, four people, including two children, have died and around 153 have been injured, local media reported on Monday, citing the head of the Sevastopol Health Department, Vitaly Denisov.
New Delhi, June 24 : Leading low-cost airline IndiGo on Monday announced the launch of additional daily, non-stop flights between Mumbai and Jeddah from August 15 this year.

The airline said it would double the frequency of flights between Jeddah and Mumbai to 14 every week. This strategic expansion caters to the growing demand for travel between India and the Middle East and will provide more convenience and flexibility for travellers, it added.

Vinay Malhotra, IndiGo's head of global sales, said: "With these additional daily flights connecting Mumbai and Jeddah, we will now operate 42 weekly flights to Jeddah from 5 cities in India. These flights will not only enhance trade and tourism opportunities between India and the Middle East but also provide customers with even more options to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

Jeddah, the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia, is a vibrant hub renowned for its stunning Red Sea coastline, historical architecture, and thriving cultural scene.
Mumbai, June 24 : In the upcoming biennial elections to the Maharashtra Legislative Council for 11 seats slated for July 12, the Ajit Pawar led NCP will contest two seats. The party plans to field one nominee from the politically influential Maratha community and another from the Muslim, tribal or Dalit communities.

Mumbai, June 24 (IANS) In the upcoming biennial elections to the Maharashtra Legislative Council for 11 seats slated for July 12, the Ajit Pawar led NCP will contest two seats. The party plans to field one nominee from the politically influential Maratha community and another from the Muslim, tribal or Dalit communities.

A NCP functionary said that there are about 25 aspirants who have evinced interest in getting the party nomination.

The NCPas core committee led by national president Ajit Pawar met on Saturday and discussed its strategy for the council election. The nomination from the Maratha community is to send a positive message especially amid the ongoing protest by pro-Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil. On the other hand, the nomination of a member from the Muslim, tribal or Dalit communities is to lure them ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. The party was hit badly as they voted against it fearing that their existence will be in jeopardy in the wake of a change in the Constitution.

The core committee has zeroed in on Rajesh Vitekar for nomination. Vitekar, who was the partyas nominee for the Lok Sabha elections from Parbhani, could not make it as during the seat-sharing arrangement the seat went to the Rashtriya Samaj Paksha which fielded its founder Mahadev Jankar who lost to Shiv Sena UBT nominee Sanjay Jadhav. Vitekar is a Maratha and a close confidant of Ajit Pawar. In addition, former chief minister AR Antulayas son-in-law Mushtaq Antulay, party general secretary Shivajirao Garje, party leader from Amravati Surekha Thakre, Advocate Nazir Qazi from Buldhana among others are keen to get the party nomination.

A senior NCP minister said aaIt was decided that of the 25 names a fresh list of aspirants will be shortlisted and from that one will be picked as there is unanimity on Vitekaras nomination.aa

Considering the present strength of 103 legislators in the state assembly, the BJP can field five nominees, the Shiv Sena two nominees based on its 37 legislators, NCP two nominees with its 39 legislators. The Congress can contest one seat with its 37 legislators while the Maha Vikas Aghadi can field one nominee based on the Congress partyas excess votes and also with the support of 16 legislators of the Shiv Sena UBT and the NCP SPas 13 legislators.

Considering the total number of assembly members is 274, the quota comes to 23 votes.
New Delhi, June 24 : The Delhi High Court will on Tuesday pronounce its order on the Enforcement Directorate's plea seeking a stay on the release of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on bail in a money laundering case related to the now-scrapped excise policy.

On June 21, the court had reserved its order and had said that it would pass its order in two to three days.

Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain will pronounce the judgement at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The ED moved the high court after a trial court on June 20 granted bail to the Chief Minister in the case. The high court then stayed the order till it pronounced its final order on EDas plea, meaning that Kejriwal would remain in judicial custody till then.

The ED had sought a 48-hour deferral in signing the bail bond following the pronouncement of the order. However, the trial court firmly denied the ED's plea for a stay.

Additional Solicitor General, S.V. Raju, on behalf of the ED, urgently mentioned the plea before the high court's vacation bench comprising Justices Jain and Ravinder Dudeja.

"I am moving for an urgent stay. The order was pronounced yesterday at 8 p.m. The order is not uploaded. We were not given a clear opportunity to oppose bail," he argued.

ASG Raju further said that his prayer for a stay on the bail order wasn't even considered. "I am demanding that the order be stayed and the matter be heard as soon as possible. We were denied the full opportunity to argue the case. I am making allegations with full seriousness," he stated.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing CM Kejriwal, opposed the stay request, citing legal precedents. "There are ten Supreme Court judgments that cancellation of bail is radically different from grant of bail," he contended.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the High Court directed that the bail order should not be enforced until the matter is heard in full. "The bail order will not be given effect. We have not passed the final order. You may argue as much as you can," the Bench stated, effectively halting CM Kejriwal's release.
Bengaluru, June 24 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday handed over the murder case of a college student reported from Bengaluru recently to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) after the deceased's mother voiced suspicions against the state police and claimed threats to her life and family.

The decision was taken by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah following a meeting with the mother, K.R. Sowmya, who, along with a delegation of social activists, submitted a memorandum regarding the case.

Sowmya, in her submission, stated that she was raising concerns about the non-cooperation of the local police, wilful negligence, attempts to destroy evidence, collusion with the murderers, and threats to her. She demanded a comprehensive investigation of the case, justice, and protection.

Sowmya, a social activist who advocates for Dalits, oppressed communities, social justice and equality, stated that she is facing the most challenging time of her life following the murder of her daughter Prabuddha.

Prabuddha, a second-year BBA student at BMS Women's College, was murdered at her residence on May 15.

"From day one, the Subramanyapura police investigating officers and team behaved suspiciously and caused immense pain. The team didn't even listen when I repeatedly said that my daughter was not a coward to commit suicide. They tried to project it as a case of suicide for the first three to four days. They helped the murderer and protected his parents, who also tried to hush up the case," Sowmya stated.

"The police are showing utter negligence when I insist on the CCTV footage. The cops are refusing to give a patient hearing to my case. The father of the killer is running a liquor shop, and despite the destruction of evidence no action has been taken. They have not provided any information to the advocate at the Juvenile Justice Board, resulting in the accused coming out on bail within 10 days and moving around without any tension," Sowmya charged.

"I am a single parent, getting my children educated with great difficulty. Now, I fear for my life. I am concerned about my aged mother and son," she said.

Prabuddha was found dead at her residence in the Subramanyapura police station limits on the evening of May 15, with her throat slit and cut marks on her hands. Initially, the police registered the case as an unnatural death. After a week, they registered it as a murder case. A 15-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the murder, and the accused confessed that he killed the victim out of fear of being exposed over the theft of a petty amount of money. The accused was a friend of the deceased girl's brother.
Mumbai, June 24 : The Shiv Sena-UBT on Monday demanded a law for keeping aside 50 per cent of flats for the sons of the soil in all new buildings constructed in Mumbai, in order to ensure the survival of Marathis and arrest their declining population.

SS-UBT leader Anil D. Parab, who is a candidate for the Mumbai Graduates Constituency in elections to the Legislative Council, said that last year, he had introduced a private bill in this regard.

"The bill was introduced to resolve the problems of housing faced by the Marathi-speaking people in the city and their declining population as they are deprived of a home on grounds of either religion or their (non-vegetarian) food habits. Accordingly, I feel there is an urgent need for such a law for the Marathis," Parab told media persons.

He also said that there are many complaints of denial of homes to the Marathi people and expressed hope that the MahaYuti government will fulfil the demands of affordable housing for the sons of the soil in the legislature session.

The current estimated population of Mumbai is around 1.80 crore, including nearly 40 per cent living in big and small slums spread across the city and suburbs, while the Mumbai Metropolitan Region population is in the range of 2.61 crore.
Kolkata, June 24 : Amid complaints of massive corruption in the system of floating tenders by different municipal bodies in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday stripped them of their power to individually float tenders at the local level.

The entire tendering system will henceforth be centralised under the direct supervision of the state government, namely the Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Department.

The decision was taken during a meeting at the state secretariat chaired by the Chief Minister, which was attended by the commissioners of different municipalities and police officers.

Sources said another important decision was taken at the meeting to bring the performance of all the officials of different municipalities under 'review vigilance'.

"Their performance will be reviewed by a separate committee which will have representatives from the state vigilance department, district police superintendent, representatives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the directorate of security,

The Chief Minister has said that the performance of every official in all the municipal bodies will be under constant scanner now, informed a state government official present at the meeting.

He also said that Mamata Banerjee was furious at the performance of certain municipal authorities with regard to the rendering of public services.

"She clearly said that the works of certain municipal bodies have been restricted to appointing their own confidants and impose taxes on people instead of concentrating on rendering public service," the official said.

She was also critical of the complaints of rampant land grabbing and construction of illegal buildings in areas under certain municipalities.

The Chief Minister reportedly expressed concern that because of this rampant land grabbing and illegal constructions, the nature and the population of the areas concerned are changing," the official said.
New Delhi, June 24 : Union Health Minister, J.P. Nadda on Monday launched the national STOP Diarrhoea Campaign 2024 to curb deaths related to diarrhoea in children under the age of five years.

Diarrhoea is the third leading cause of childhood mortality in India.

"The STOP Diarrhoea Campaign aims to attain zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea," the Health Ministry said in a statement.

The STOP Diarrhoea Campaign, has been rebranded from the long-standing Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) initiative, which began in 2014.

Compared to the existing 2-week strategy of pre-positioning ORS, the new strategy involves a 2-month long campaign with pre-positioning of 2 ORS packets and zinc as a co-packaging to under-5 children.

"Various initiatives of the Union Government like the National Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and expansion of the Ayushman Arogya Mandir network has cumulatively helped in reducing childhood mortality due to diarrhoea in the country," said Health Minister J.P. Nadda.

The campaign's 2024 slogan, "Diarrhoea ki Roktham, Safai aur ORS se rakhen apna dhyaan" highlights the significance of prevention, cleanliness, and appropriate treatment.

The campaign will be implemented in two phases -- the Preparatory Phase from June 14 to 30, and the Campaign Phase from July 1 to August 31.

The health minister also emphasised on the importance of sensitising health workers along with enhancing capacity building efforts to strengthen diarrhoea management effort in India.

"If our healthcare workers could reach the remotest corners of the country and administer 220 crore doses of Covid vaccines, I am sure that our frontline healthcare workers can create the same robust delivery mechanism during the STOP Diarrhoea Campaign too," J.P. Nadda said.
Mumbai, June 24 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday spoke to Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar and directed him to initiate strict action against illegal pubs and bulldoze all structures which are against the building rules.

He also directed the initiation of renewed action against drug peddlers to make Pune a drug-free city.

Shindeas directives came hours after a video surfaced purportedly showing young women using drugs in the washroom of a pub situated on a high-profile Fergusson College Road in Pune.

The opposition NCP-Sharad Pawar slammed the state government, terming Pune as the aahome of drugs and pubs.aa Similarly, the BJP demanded that all pubs be removed from the city.

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena staged a protest while Patit Pavan Sanghatana pelted stones at the pub. Amid uproar, the Pune police swung into action and sealed the pub.

The Police Commissioner has ordered an inquiry. Police have also nabbed owner Santosh Kamthe, franchisee Ravi Maheshwari, manager Manas Malik and staffers Utkarsh Deshmane and Yogendra Girafe.

A police inspector and an assistant police inspector have been suspended for dereliction of duty. Pune MP and Union Minister Muralidhar Mohol claimed that it was after his instructions that the city police had suspended two officials of Shivajinagar police stations.
Bengaluru, June 24 : Kannada superstar Darshan, who is in judicial custody for his alleged involvement in the brutal murder of one of his fans, barely spoke to him, said popular actor Vinod Prabhakar after meeting the former at the Central Prison here on Monday.

Speaking to reporters outside the prison, Vinod said, "I met Darshan today. He was very quiet when I greeted him. He only spoke for one second, and addressed me as 'Tiger,' while I addressed him as 'boss'. Darshan did not talk about anything else. I shook his hand and came out."

"I met him (Darshan) under unusual circumstances. I was clueless and didnat know what to say. I was made to sit in a separate room. May Renukaswamyas (the victim) soul rest in peace. His wife is pregnant, and I pray to God to give strength to his family. This should not have happened. I had met Darshan four months ago on his birthday," he said.

"Some people are saying that I am not coming forward to support Darshan. I had also gone to meet him at the Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station but I could not meet him there. See, if the problem could have been solved by social media posts, I would have made one lakh posts. But this is a serious issue. No one is above the law, and everyone should get justice," Vinod added.

Meanwhile, Darshanas wife Vijayalakshmi also came to the prison with her son but left soon after seeing the waiting mediapersons.

Darshan, his 'partner' Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others have been arrested on charges of murdering Renukaswamy (33), a resident of Chitradurga.

The probe revealed that Renukaswamy, a big fan of Darshan, had sent derogatory messages to Pavithra Gowda on social media. The victim was allegedly kidnapped, brought to Bengaluru, kept in a shed, and tortured to death.

Darshan is presently in judicial custody till July 4.
Kolkata, June 24 : 'Bongo Bibek', an apolitical platform with affiliation to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), took out a protest rally in Kolkata on Monday against reports of continuing post-poll violence in the state.

The rally started from Wellington Square and culminated on Rani Rashmoni Road with hundreds of people taking part in it.

The organisers claimed it to be an apolitical rally as they asked people to raise their voices in protest against the continuing post-poll violence in the state.

"There are many people who have more good sense than the so-called intellectuals. We invited them to join the rally and raise their voices so that the conscience of the state administration and the ruling party is shaken and the menace of post-poll violence is stopped," said an organiser.

The participants at the rally carried posters with slogans like 'Save Democracy, Save West Bengal', 'Violence, Hatred, and Terror: Three cards of Trinamool Congress', and 'Rapists and murderers have no place in the state of Rabindranath Tagore', among others.

"The Lok Sabha elections were held across the country. But West Bengal is the only place to be hit by post-poll violence. The state administration is turning a blind eye to the matter. That's why we decided to hit the streets as a mark of protest. If necessary, we will take out similar rallies in the future as well," said another organiser.
New Delhi, June 24 : Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, on Monday launched the auction of 21 blocks of critical and strategic minerals as part of the fourth tranche.

Out of these 21 blocks, 11 are fresh blocks spanning six states, including Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Arunachal Pradesh. These blocks contain a variety of minerals, including graphite, glauconite, phosphorite, potash, nickel, PGE, phosphate, and rare earth elements (REE).

Further, as part of this tranche, 10 critical mineral blocks are on offer as "second attempt" blocks of previous tranches of auction. These 10 blocks are located in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, containing important critical minerals like tungsten, vanadium, graphite, glauconite, cobalt, and nickel.

Critical minerals are essential raw materials for sectors like electronics, electric vehicles, renewable energy, defence, and high-tech telecommunications.

Currently, the extraction of these minerals is dominated by a few countries such as China, which makes the supply chain vulnerable to geopolitical uncertainties.

India is viewed as part of the alternative supply chain that needs to be developed to break China's dominance in this crucial segment.

The occasion also witnessed a string of other events that included the declaration of preferred bidders for the six blocks put up for auction during the first tranche, handing over of certificates to two newly Notified Private Exploration Agencies (NPEAs), and the issuance of sanction letters to R&D institutes in the critical mineral sector.

Till now, 31 projects for different commodities have been taken by the NPEAs from the NMET fund amounting to approximately Rs 35.23 crore.

The Minister also handed over the sanction letters of grant of funds to 24 R&D institutes and 10 startups for a total amount of Rs 12.37 crore and Rs 11.26 crore, respectively.

On the occasion, Minister Reddy announced a scheme for partial reimbursement of exploration expenses of the exploration licence holders. Under the scheme, exploration expenditure of up to 50 per cent of the cost, subject to an upper limit of Rs 20 crore, will be reimbursed.

The provision of exploration licence was introduced through an amendment in the MMDR Act in 2023.

A total of 20 blocks for exploration licence were handed over to various states, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Karnataka and Rajasthan are the first states to notify the auction of exploration licence. Currently, the auction for nine exploration licences has been notified by various states.

The Minister also announced that the Mines Ministry has made a plan to launch the first tranche of auctions of offshore mineral blocks within the first 100 days of the new government.
Bengaluru, June 24 : The Karnataka government has passed an order imposing a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh and punishment from seven years up to life imprisonment for using artificial colours in chicken kebabs, fish, and vegetable dishes across the state.

The order was passed by the Food Safety and Standards Department after complaints were received that eateries across the state were using artificial colours in these dishes, causing health hazards for the people.

The department collected 39 samples of kebabs and examined them in the state laboratories. Among these, eight samples were found to be using sunset yellow and carnosine artificial colours, which are classified as unsafe under Rule 3(1)(zz)(viii) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

As per Rule 16.0 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, the use of artificial colours is banned as they cause severe health hazards.

In March, the state government banned the use of artificial colours in edible items such as gobi manchurian and cotton candy.
Washington, June 24 : A top US official said on Monday that progress in the bilateral relationship with India has finally achieved "escape velocity", using a term from space exploration to describe the velocity required by a body to soar without the pull of gravity.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell was speaking on a sustainable and enduring US policy in the Indo-Pacific region at an event at the Council on Foreign Relations, a leading think tank.

He was recently in India along with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan for a much-anticipated visit that also turned out to be the first trip by senior US officials to New Delhi in Prime Minister Narendra Modias third term.

Campbell also made a strong pitch for according to a higher preference to increasing the intake of Indian students in STEM fields in US universities, than to students from China, who are not trusted in high-technology fields.

"The United States and India have launched an effort to intensify defence industrial cooperation on jet engines and armoured vehicles," Campbell said about ties with India in the context of America's sustained engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.

"After working in India for decades, I can tell you that it is my view that finally, the use-end rate relationship has reached escape velocity. I think we have a partnership that can be sustained and there is ambition in both Delhi and Washington to take important next steps. We've worked together on a variety of other issues between the United States and India including announcing new initiatives where we will work together for the first time in the Indian Ocean."

Campbell was previously the White House czar for President Joe Bidenas Indo-Pacific policy, which has seen this administration elevate the Quad platform with India, Australia, and Japan to the level leaders, the launch of the Australia, UK and US partnership called AUKUS and deepening bilateral, trilateral and multilateral ties with Indo-Pacific countries with the shared goal of managing Chinaas aggressive rise.

The jet engine cooperation that Campbell mentioned is the joint production of GEas F414 jet engine with HAL that was announced during Prime Minister Modias state visit in June last year.

India and the US are also in talks to co-produce Stryker armoured infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs or infantry combat vehicles). India is looking to this vehicle as a replacement for its fleet of ageing Russian-made ICVs.

India and the United States cooperate on a wide suite of issues and people-to-people is one of the most important of them. Indian students in US universities are a key part of it. Indians account for the second largest cohort of foreign students and their numbers are growing rapidly.

Campbell's strong pitch for a larger intake of Indian students came in response to a question on what needs to be done to shore up declining numbers of Chinese students. "Right now the largest increase that we need to see going forward would be much larger numbers of Indian students that come to study in American universities on a range of technology and other fields more directly," he said.
Vijayawada, June 24 : Leading Telugu film personalities will meet Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu soon to discuss the problems faced by the film industry.

Leaders of various associations, representing all stakeholders, will submit a representation to the Chief Minister on their problems.

A decision in this regard was taken when leading Tollywood producers met Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan at his camp office in Vijayawada.

Producers Ashwini Dutt, Allu Arvind, Chinna Babu, AP Film Chamber President Dil Raju, A.M. Ratnam, S. Radhakrishna, Naga Vamsi, D.V.V. Danayya and others met Pawan Kalyan and congratulated him on assuming the office of the Deputy Chief Minister.

In a formal interaction, the producers requested Pawan Kalyan to facilitate a meeting with Chief Minister Naidu, so all associations could congratulate him on the formation of the government and also submit representations to him.

The filmmakers said the industry faced many problems and hoped that the new government in which Pawan Kalyan himself is holding a key position would address them. They said enhancing cinema ticket prices was not the only issue which needs to be addressed. Tollywood bigwigs had met then Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy in February 2022 amid a huge controversy following the governmentas decision to reduce the cinema ticket prices.

Megastar Chiranjeevi, elder brother of Pawan Kalyan, had led the delegation. The delegation, which included Mahesh Babu, Prabhas and S. S. Rajamouli, was assured that the government would draft a ticket pricing policy, treating big-budget films. The filmmakers had also agreed to shoot 20 per cent of all films in the state.

--IANS

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Hyderabad/New Delhi, June 24 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday appealed to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to transfer 2,500 acres of defence land to the state government for taking up the widening of roads and other civic infrastructure development projects in Hyderabad.

During the meeting with Rajnath Singh in the national capital, Revanth Reddy brought to his notice that 2,462 acres of land, owned by the state government, was currently being used for the Imarat Research Centre (RCI) at Ravirala village.

Since the defence wing is using state lands for RCI, the Chief Minister requested Rajnath Singh to transfer 2,450 acres of land for the construction of roads, flyovers and other infrastructure in Hyderabad city as well as surrounding areas.

He urged the Defence Minister to accept the mutual transfer of lands between the state government and the Defence Department.

The Chief Minister also brought to the notice of the Defence Minister that the Union government has already sanctioned a Sainik School for Warangal but the previous state government did not take any steps for the construction of the school. He requested Rajnath Singh to renew or grant a fresh permit for the Warangal Sainik School as the permission granted earlier has expired.

MPs Mallu Ravi, R. Raghuram Reddy, Balaram Naik, Suresh Shetkar, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, K. Raghuveer Reddy, Kadiyam Kavya and Gaddam Vamsi, Rajya Sabha member Anil Kumar Yadav, and Chief Minister's Special Secretary B. Ajith Reddy were also present.

The Chief Minister also met Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and requested him to sanction 2.70 lakh houses to the state under the BLC (Beneficiary Led Construction) model in the 2024-25 financial year.

He told Khattar that the state government decided to construct 25 lakh houses for the poor in their own habitations. A total of 15 lakh houses, out of the proposed construction of 25 lakh houses, will come under the purview of the Urban Development Department and they will be built under the BLC system.

Khattar said that the Prime Minister's Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) has been approved by the Central government and hence the funds sanctioned under it for the year 2024-25 will be enhanced. The houses which are being constructed in the state will be built according to the guidelines of PMAY-U. The Chief Minister reminded him that 1,59,372 houses have already been sanctioned to Telangana under PMAY-U and a grant of Rs 2,390.58 crores has also been announced. He said that only Rs1,605.70 crore has been released so far and requested the Union Minister for the release of pending funds immediately. The CM also appealed to Khattar to extend the deadline for the completion of the Smart City Mission till June 2025 as the works are yet to be completed and are pending at various levels.
Bhopal, June 24 : Two days after Kartikeya Singh Chouhan, the son of Union Agriculture Minister and former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, created a stir for saying that "entire Delhi is bowing down" before his father, Jaivardhan Singh, the son of Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh, claimed the statement reflected the 'arrogance' of Chouhan Junior.

Bhopal, June 24 (IANS) Two days after Kartikeya Singh Chouhan, the son of Union Agriculture Minister and former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, created a stir for saying that aentire Delhi is bowing down" before his father, Jaivardhan Singh, the son of Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh, claimed the statement reflected the 'arrogance' of Chouhan Junior.

Speaking at a public event in the Budhni Assembly segment on Saturday, Kartikeya Chouhan hailed his father's victory in the Lok Sabha polls by over eight lakh votes from Vidisha, following which the ex-Chief Minister was appointed the Agriculture Minister in the Modi 3.0 Cabinet.

aI just returned from Delhi. Earlier too, our leader (Chouhan) was popular as the Chief Minister. But it seems that he has become more popular now. The whole of Delhi also bows down before him today," Kartikeya Chouhan had said.

Jaivardhan Singh, a former state minister, on Monday termed Kartikeya Chouhan's remarks as "arrogance" of success.

"Shivraj Singh Chouhan's son said Delhi bows down before his father. If a family talks like this, it means they have become arrogant. And those who show arrogance also witnesses a down fall," Jaivardhan Singh said while addressing Congress workers in Budhni.

Notably, senior BJP leader and four-time former CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who won six elections from the Budhni Assembly seat, resigned as an MLA after taking over as the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister.

With Budhni now set to go for bypolls. speculation is on as to whom the BJP will pick as its candidate. Kartikeya, who managed his father's campaign in Budhni in November last year, is one such name that is doing the rounds in the political circles of the state.
Jaipur, June 24 : The Rajasthan Congress led by its state unit chief Govind Singh Dotasra on Monday staged a protest in Kota against the alleged irregularities in National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate), unannounced power cuts, and deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Claiming that 2,875 cases of rape have come to light during the six-month tenure of the BJP government in the state, Dotasra said atrocities against SC-ST community members and the poor have also increased.

Dotasra said, "Congress' Prahlad Gunjal contested the Lok Sabha elections from Kota against BJP's Om Birla. People expected Om Birla to lose the elections. However, Birla was sent to Delhi because the government machinery was misused two days before the polling," Dotasra said.

Former state minister and Congress MLA Ashok Chandna said that if crops are damaged due to the frequent power cuts, the farmers will never forgive the Power Minister and the state government.

Speaking on the occasion, Prahlad Gunjal attacked the government on the NEET paper leak row, holding the Centre guilty of damaging the future of lakhs of students.

He also said that the Congress will never let the BJP governments at the Centre and the state take a sound sleep in the next five years.
Guwahati, June 24 : At least five persons were arrested in Assam's Udalguri district for allegedly raping a minor girl who was returning from tuition, police said on Monday.

Guwahati, June 24 (IANS) At least five persons were arrested in Assamas Udalguri district for allegedly raping a minor girl who was returning from tuition, police said on Monday.

The incident happened in the Majbat area in Udalguri district.

According to police, the minor girl was returning from a tuition centre on Saturday evening when one of the accused offered her a lift on his motorbike. However, he, along with his four associates, took the victim to a brick kiln where all of them allegedly raped her in turns.

Meanwhile, locals enraged over the incident set ablaze the house of one accused on Monday. The district administration has deployed paramilitary forces to avoid any untoward incident in the locality.

Assam DGP G.P. Singh ordered an inquiry into the whole incident. Further investigation is underway.
Jalandhar : , June 24 (IANS) In the run-up to the Jalandhar West (Reserved) Assembly bypoll in Punjab, the Congress and the BJP on Monday had a setback as several of their local leaders joined the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

AAP state President and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann formally inducted all leaders into the party in the presence of AAP candidate Mohinder Bhagat and welcomed them into the party.

Many local leaders of Jalandhar, including Jalandhar Municipal Corporation councillors Rajiv Onkar Tikka and Darshan Bhagat joined the AAP.

In a statement, Chief Minister Mann said the Aam Aadmi Party is the first choice of the people of Jalandhar (West). This time the people here will answer the betrayers and get their security deposits forfeited, he added. All leaders who joined the party thanked the Chief Minister and said that they would work selflessly for the party. They promised that in this election they would work hard with full dedication to make Bhagat win.

Both the AAP and the BJP have fielded turncoat candidates for the bypoll.

While the ruling party announced BJP rebel Bhagat as its candidate, the BJP announced former AAP MLA Sheetal Angural as its nominee.

Bhagat, who left the BJP and joined the AAP in April 2023, is the son of former minister Chuni Lal Bhagat.

The bypoll will be held on July 10 and counting of votes will take place on July 13.

The by-election was necessitated following the resignation of Angural.

Bhagat had unsuccessfully contested the Jalandhar West seat in 2017. By fielding him, the AAP is looking to woo 30,000 Bhagat community voters. Angural, who had joined the BJP on March 27 in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, had defeated then Congress candidate Sushil Kumar Rinku by 4,253 votes.
Imphal, June 25 : The Manipur government warned it would take stern action against those who would spread fake and unverified information and messages that trigger panic among the people, officials said.

Manipur Home Department's Officer on Special Duty Rehanuddin Choudhury, in a statement on Monday, said that panic-mongering by fabrication, rampant sharing, and forwarding of unverified messages on social media and other mass media platforms would be viewed seriously and appropriate action would be taken against the enablers under relevant laws.

He said that it is a matter of grave concern that many rumours and speculations are being circulated in social media and online messaging platforms that additional central security forces are being sent to Manipur in view of the current situation in the state

"It is clarified that this speculation of reinforcement into the state has no basis, and it should be ignored as misinformation. The fact is that the security personnel requisitioned outside Manipur for the conduct of the Lok Sabha elections are returning to their original bases in Manipur," Choudhury said.

The statement appealed to all civil society organisations, media, both print and electronic and individuals not to amplify any wrong information that may inflame public sentiments and cause untoward incidents, paranoia and a difficult atmosphere for law enforcement agencies to operate smoothly and effectively.

"It is to reiterate that the state government is taking all necessary measures to control the current imbroglio and restore peace in the state. All concerned are requested to cooperate with the state government in its earnest efforts to bring normalcy and peace," the statement said.

Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh met his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati on Sunday and discussed the security concerns of his state's mixed-population Jiribam district, which abuts Assam's Cachar.

Jiribam is restive following violence after the killing of 59-year-old farmer Soibam Saratkumar Singh on June 6. While around 900 tribals belonging to the Kuki and Hmar communities fled to take shelter at the homes of relatives and friends in two villages in Cachar, around 1,000 people, mostly belonging to the Meitei community, are now sheltered in seven relief camps in Jiribam. Though there was no official statement about the meeting, sources said that Chief Ministers focused on enhancing coordination among their respective police forces to effectively counter militant activities along the border.
Panaji, June 25 : Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi and discussed issues pertaining to the development of the state.

The Chief Minister's Office in a statement said Sawant congratulated PM Modi on taking oath as the Prime Minister of the country for a third consecutive term and extended his best wishes for a successful tenure.

Sawant also met Home Minister Amit Shah, and called on Union Health Minister & BJP president J.P. Nadda; Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari; Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan during his Delhi visit.

The Goa CM said that during his interaction with the Prime Minister, he sought PM Modi's guidance and support for 'Viksit Goa' under the ambitious vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Sawant also said that he discussed various issues related to hosting the 55th edition of International Film Festival of India 2024, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Jaipur, June 25 : The Union Power Ministry on Monday decided to provide electricity to Rajasthan from the unallocated quota of two regional pools of the Central Generating Stations to ensure uninterrupted power supply as the state continues to reel under intense heat, said officials of the Chief Minister's office (CMO).

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma had recently met Union Power Minister Manohar Lal in New Delhi. Following the meeting, the Union Power Ministry wrote a letter to the Central Electricity Authority on Monday and directed to provide a total of 400 MW of electricity 24 hours a day from the unallocated pool of South and West Regions of the Central Generating Stations to Rajasthan, the officials said, adding that the supply of this unallocated electricity will start from June 26.

"Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, continuous work is being done for energy production and power supply in the state. Recently, a decision was also taken to supply 4 lakh metric tonnes (about 100 racks) of coal stuck in Chhattisgarh to Rajasthan. This coal will increase the coal reserves in the power plants of the state and adequate electricity will be available to the general public," they added.
BAGHDAD, June 23 (Xinhua) -- In a Wushu club located in the city of Sulaymaniyah in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, over 100 local Chinese martial arts enthusiasts clad in traditional training attire are diligently practicing Wushu routines, with each strike executed with power, precision, and a thunderous short yell "he-ha." Despite the midsummer heat of Sulaymaniyah, where the temperature has soared to above 40 degrees Celsius, their passion for Wushu burns even hotter. Amidst the intense training, Burhan, the founder of this Wushu club, weaves through the lines of students, correcting and guiding their techniques. Like many foreign enthusiasts of Chinese Kung Fu, Burhan's fascination was sparked by Bruce Lee's movies. He devoured books, bought DVDs, and sought local masters, starting his martial arts journey at the age of eight. As he delved deeper, his interest in Chinese culture grew stronger. "To master Chinese martial arts, one must understand the culture and philosophy behind it," Burhan explained. "Just like an Arab proverb says, 'Seek knowledge even if you have to go as far as China.' the same applies to Wushu," he added. In 2011, Burhan embarked on a journey to China's Henan Province to pursue his Chinese Kung Fu dream. This dream-fulfilling journey provided Burhan with comprehensive Wushu training and a deeper understanding of the cultural logic and traditional spirit behind various Chinese martial arts styles. "Shaolin Kung Fu emphasizes both internal and external cultivation, Tai Chi embodies the wisdom of conquering the unyielding with the yielding, and Wing Chun balances both hardness and softness. Every move in Chinese Wushu embodies the essence of ancient Chinese philosophy," Burhan said. Over the following years, Burhan returned to China multiple times for advanced training. In 2017, he established the Shaolin Wushu club in Sulaymaniyah, where he not only teaches Chinese Wushu but also introduces Chinese culture to numerous Iraqis. The school has since enrolled over 3,000 Iraqi Wushu enthusiasts, ranging from children to elderly adults. Soran, a 59-year-old Wushu lover, said that his 15-year Wushu journey made him realize that the essence of Chinese Kung Fu is not about fighting but about challenging one's inner fears. "Learning Wushu has deepened my understanding of Chinese culture. The purpose of Wushu is not to dominate or intimidate others but to cultivate confidence, independence, and a strong character with a large heart and tolerance," Soran said, adding that this aligns with China's image in the international arena. Seventeen-year-old Daniel, who was born in China's Shenzhen and lived in China for five years before returning to Iraq with his parents, often reminisces about his childhood in China. "I always sought ways to reconnect with my memories of China, and then I found this Wushu club. It has reconnected me with China. Although learning Wushu is challenging, it has taught me discipline and the perseverance to never give up," Daniel said. Burhan is pleased to see that so many Iraqis have developed a strong interest in China's development and culture through Wushu. In his view, Chinese Kung Fu is not only a bridge connecting China and Iraq but also a window for Iraqis to understand Chinese culture. "The Chinese often say 'making friends through martial arts,' which reflects the broad-mindedness of Chinese civilization towards cultural exchange," Burhan said. "Wushu not only strengthens the body but also brings people's hearts closer. Despite the great distance, Iraq and China have become closer with the help of Wushu," Burhan said.
Kiev, June 25 : Ukraine is expecting to sign a security agreement with the European Union (EU) in the near future, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said.

"Ensuring a just and lasting peace for Ukraine will guarantee Europe's long-term security and adherence to international law," Kuleba was quoted as saying by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's press service on Monday.

Speaking about Ukraine's military needs, the minister said that the country is requiring more air defence systems, including Patriot and SAMP/T, Xinhua news agency reported.

Besides, Ukraine needs constant supplies of air defence missiles, artillery systems and shells, long-range missiles, drones, and electronic warfare systems, Kuleba added.

In mid-June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kiev had signed 17 security agreements and was preparing to sign another ten.
Jerusalem, June 25 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israel is "committed" to the deal proposal outlined by US President Joe Biden for a ceasefire in Gaza in return for the release of hostages.

"We are committed to the Israeli proposal that President Biden endorsed," Netanyahu said on Monday during a special plenum session of the Knesset (parliament) summoned by the opposition, noting "Our position has not changed".

Biden first presented the deal proposal to end the ongoing conflict in late May. Netanyahu's remarks marked the first time the Israeli side has confirmed that Israel has approved and supports the proposal, Xinhua news agency reported.

Netanyahu told the Knesset that Israel will not end the conflict "until we bring back all the hostages, all 120 of them -- both the living and the fallen" and until Hamas is "eliminated" and the residents in southern and northern can safely return to their homes.

Israel has been carrying out a massive offensive in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a Hamas rampage on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 were taken hostage.
Summer continues to bring on the heat in the form of new books dropping this month. Readers can embrace the beach weather along with a picture book about a sea creatures contributions to an ecosystem, a middle grade novel following a foodie tweens road trip, a contemporary YA novel examining bullying, complicity, and social media, and more.

Picture Books and Early Readers

Bibsy Cross and the Bad Apple

Liz Garton Scanlon, illus. by Dung Ho. Knopf, $16.99 (128p) ISBN 978-0-5936-4441-6; $6.99 paper ISBN 978-0-593-64440-9. Ages 710. Ebullient eight-year-old Bibsy Cross lands in Mrs. Stumpers class and struggles when the teacher doesnt appreciate Bibsys enthusiasm. The book received a starred review from PW.

The Case of the Golden Bone (Detective Sweet Pea #1)

Sara Varon. First Second, $22.99 (208p) ISBN 978-1-250-23637-1. Ages 610. Blue-hued pooch Sweet Pea and her new friends sniff out the perpetrator whos stolen the legendary Golden Chew Bone on display at the Parkville Art Museum.

City of Leafcutter Ants: A Sustainable Society of Millions

Amy Hevron. Holiday House/Porter, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-8234-5318-4. Ages 48. Via vivid prose, Hevron introduces the leafcutter ants of Central Americas tropical forests, beings whose highly organized social structure supports millions of inhabitants. The book received a starred review from PW.

Desert Song

Laekan Zea Kemp, illus. by Beatriz Gutierrez Hernandez. Holiday House/Porter, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-8234-5392-4. Ages 48. A desert sunset cues a large family to make music alongside the coyotes, the cicadas,/ and the giant barn owls....// a chorus in need of a band, in this lyrical picture book. The book received a starred review from PW.

The First Week of School

Drew Beckmeyer. Atheneum, $18.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-6659-4042-9. Ages 48. A classroom full of different kinds of students come together when they discover an extraterrestrial peer. The book received a starred review from PW.

Home in a Lunchbox

Cherry Mo. Penguin Workshop, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-0-5936-6134-5. Ages 48. Jun, who has recently moved from Hong Kong to an American suburb, finds comfort in the food prepared for her in a lunchbox. See Mos essay on the real-life inspiration behind her story. The book received a starred review from PW.

Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall

Lynn Brunelle, illus. by Jason Chin. Holiday House/Porter, $18.99 (48p) ISBN 978-0-8234-5228-6. Ages 48. Magnificent watercolor and gouache spreads by Caldecott Medalist Chin capture the grace of a blue whale in life alongside the bustling ecosystem that surrounds it in death, as its body provides nourishment for countless creatures that will feed, grow, have babies, and thrive on the body of this whale. The book received a starred review from PW.

Little Shrew

Akiko Miyakoshi. Kids Can, $19.99 (72p) ISBN 978-1-5253-1303-5. Ages 58. Miyakoshi examines the everyday life of a small shrew who lives modestly among humans. The book received a starred review from PW.

Soul Step

Jewell Parker Rhodes and Kelly McWilliams, illus. by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu. Little, Brown, $18.99 (48p) ISBN 978-0-316-56271-3. Ages 48. A young narrator seeks knowledge from Mama and her close circle about the history of stepan act that underlines the books high-level exploration of sisterhood and Black culture. See our In Conversation with the mother-daughter collaborators.

The Yellow Bus

Loren Long. Roaring Brook, $19.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-250-90313-6. Ages 36. This thought-provoking story by Long models how a cast-aside object, such as the titular yellow bus, might endure. See our q&a with Long.

Middle Grade

The Cookie Crumbles

Tracy Badua and Alechia Dow. Quill Tree, $19.99 (320p) ISBN 978-0-063254-58-9. Ages 812. After the attempted murder of a judge derails a cooking competition for tween bakers, soon-to-be eighth graders Lucy and Laila resolve to find the would-be killer. See our In Conversation with Badua and Dow.

Dinner at the Brake Fast

Renee Beauregard Lute. Quill Tree, $18.99 (208p) ISBN 978-0-063324-90-9. Ages 812. Tacoma Jones and her parents run the Brake Fast Truck Stop, but long to try new foods. After her fathers treasured photograph goes missing, Tacoma resolves to track it down, believing that its retrieval will help her dad navigate his latest depressive episode. The book received a starred review from PW.

The New Girl

Cassandra Calin. Graphix, $24.99 (272p) ISBN 978-1-338-76246-4; $12.99 paper ISBN 978-1-338-76245-7. Ages 812. Having just moved from Romania to Montreal with her family, Lia struggles to acclimate to their new home: the language barrier makes befriending her new classmates a challenge and, worst of all, shes been experiencing extremely painful menstrual cramps. See our Flying Starts interview with Calin. The book received a starred review from PW.

A Place to Shine

Marie Arnold. Versify, $18.99 (288p) ISBN 978-0-06-325175-5. Ages 812. As their grandmothers health worsens due to dementia, Sunny Williams and her eight-year-old brother Miles are determined to avoid the foster care system. Believing that the cure for her grandmothers failing memory rests in the pages of her favorite book, Sunny searches Chicago for the magical components. The book received a starred review from PW.

Red Bird Danced

Dawn Quigley. Heartdrum, $18.99 (176p) ISBN 978-0-0632-2362-2. Ages 812. Ojibwe author Quigley crafts the story of Ariel and Tomah, two Ojibwe kids learning to cope with sorrowful life events. The book received a starred review from PW.

The Spindle of Fate

Aimee Lim. Feiwel and Friends, $17.99 (304p) ISBN 978-1-2508-8619-4. Ages 812. Twelve-year-old Chinese American Evie Mei Huang traverses the netherworld searching for her mother.

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

Gennifer Choldenko. Knopf, $17.99 (320p) ISBN 978-1-5247-1892-3. Ages 10 and up. Eleven-year-old Hank Hoopermans mother has disappeared, forcing him and his little sister to stay with a family friend. There, Hank continues his search for his mother, unaware that it could carry disastrous consequences.

Young Adult

Brownstone

Samuel Teer, illus. by Mar Julia. Versify, $26.99 (320p) ISBN 978-0-358-39475-4; $18.99 paper ISBN 978-0-3583-9474-7. Ages 14 and up. Almost-15-year-old Almudena meets her father for the first time in this affecting 1995-set graphic novel exploration of identity and family. The book received a starred review from PW.

The Color of a Lie

Kim Johnson. Random House, $19.99 (336p) ISBN 978-0-593-11880-1. Ages 12 and up. In 1955, Black 17-year-old Calvin is told by his family to present himself as white by disassociating from anything rooted in Black culture. When he witnesses Black new student Lily being mistreated by his white peers, he uses his passing privilege to defend her, setting him on a path toward liberating other Black youth. The book received a starred review from PW.

The Deep Dark

Molly Knox Ostertag. Graphix, $27.99 (480p) ISBN 978-1-338-84000-1; $16.99 paper ISBN 978-1-338-83999-9. Ages 14 and up. High school senior Mags and childhood friend Nessa rekindle their easy friendship and unearth memories from their past of a boys decade-old accidental death and its cause, which is caged in Magss basement to protect everyoneexcept Mags herself. See our q&a here. The book received a starred review from PW.

If You Cant Take the Heat

Michael Ruhlman. Penguin Workshop, $19.99 (320p) ISBN 978-0-593-52344-5. Ages 12 and up. A talented jock discovers a passion for cooking after a grievous injury sidelines him for the summer in this savory 1980s read set in Cleveland. The book received a starred review from PW. See our q&a with Ruhlman on bringing his culinary expertise to his first YA novel.

Lockjaw

Matteo L. Cerilli. Tundra, $17.99 (328p) ISBN 978-1-77488-230-6. Ages 14 and up. Cerilli delivers a stunning debut in this gripping paranormal horror novel about queer teens growing up in a community that doesnt accept them, and the insidious danger of apathy. The book received a starred review from PW.

Looking for Smoke

K.A. Cobell. Heartdrum, $19.99 (416p) ISBN 978-0-06331-867-0. Ages 13 and up. Blackfeet teens have been going missing for month, and the latest case lands friends of the victim Rayanne, Loren, Eli, Brody, and Mara as suspects. See our Flying Starts interview with Cobell. The book received a starred review from PW.

Louder Than Words

Ashley Woodfolk and Lexi Underwood. Scholastic Press, $19.99 (336p) ISBN 978-1-338-87557-7. Ages 12 and up. When new student Jordyn Jones is targeted by an anonymous podcast revealing students secrets, Jordyn sets out to unmask the podcaster and take a stand against bullyingeven as she endures escalating threats demanding that she publicize her own deep, dark secret. See our In Conversation with Woodfolk and Underwood.

Of Jade and Dragons

Amber Chen. Viking, $20.99 (480p) ISBN 978-0-593-62275-9. Ages 12 and up. Following the murder of her father, Ying makes her way to the renowned, male-dominated Engineers Guild, the place where her father achieved great successand where he stored his secrets. Ying gains a spot in the guilds apprenticeship trial and throughout the ordeal, she contends with guild masters who held contempt for her father, mechanical beasts on the prowl, and the killer, still at large. See our Flying Starts interview with Chen.

Spilled Ink

Nadia Hashimi. Quill Tree, $19.99 (336p) ISBN 978-0-06-306049-4. Ages 13 and up. Following a racist incident at an open mic, Afghan American 17-year-old Yalda Jamali and her family face discrimination and violence from their town. The book received a starred review from PW.

Take All of Us

Natalie Leif. Holiday House, $19.99 (256p) ISBN 978-0-8234-5661-1. Ages 14 and up. As his body and mind decay after dying and coming back to life, Ian and his new allies investigate what triggered their towns sudden evacuation as well as whats reanimating the dead. The book received a starred review from PW.

There Is a Door in This Darkness

Kristin Cashore. Dutton, $19.99 (384p) ISBN 978-0-803739-99-4. Ages 12 and up. Cashore examines themes of grief informed by the 2020 presidential election and the Covid-19 pandemic via a speculative narrative in this intimate read. See our q&a with Cashore.
Tamela Phillips Disability Rights Michigan holds a COVID-19 clinic at the Burma Center.

Taylor Scamehorn Priscilla Lal

Taylor Scamehorn Translator Kyu Senia

Taylor Scamehorn Nurse Teresa Crawford and DRM's Tamela Phillips at the Burma Center COVID-19 clinic.

Global Detroit Destine Brown

Global Detroit DRM holds a COVID-19 clinic at a Global Detroit resource fair.

Global Detroit Rezaul Chowdhury

The Burma Center recently hosted a vibrant cultural heritage event, drawing attention to the diverse traditions and entrepreneurial spirit within the Battle Creek community.The highlight of the event included a traditional Burmese fashion show and a contest for small businesses, offering them a chance to win funding for expansion. In addition to celebrating culture and supporting local businesses, the event also featured a COVID-19 vaccination clinic, aiming to make health care more accessible to this underserved population.In Michigan, many individuals from refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities face significant challenges in accessing preventive health care services, including COVID-19 vaccinations. Disability Rights Michigan (DRM) has been at the forefront of efforts to bridge this gap by integrating vaccination clinics into community events.Tamela Phillips, a DRM vaccine advocate, highlights the importance of this strategy.We work closely with organizations across the state that support these communities, providing translators to ensure everyone has access to the information and services they need, Phillips explains.The clinic offered the opportunity for vaccination access and information to be shared with another group of people that may not have received it due to the language barrier. It was nice to be able to reach out.Several dialects were spoken at the event, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the attendees.We are a very small community in Battle Creek, says Priscilla Lal, program manager at the Burma Center in Springfield, outside of Battle Creek. The nonprofit supports the Burmese community in a variety of ways, including housing, job opportunities, assisting with medical appointments, and finding other resources.They needed help with phone calls and navigating a new country and culture and doing small, essential, everyday things, says Lal. Language access is still a big part of everything that we do here and is still impacted a lot.Michigan's demographic statistics reveal that while English is the primary language for over 91% of residents, a significant portion of the population speaks other languages, including Spanish, Arabic, and various Asian languages. This linguistic diversity necessitates tailored approaches to health care outreach.DRM's collaboration with the Burma Center has included multiple COVID-19 clinics, with the latest one held on May 18. The turnout was pretty good, Lal notes.On Michigan's east side, DRM has partnered with Global Detroit to support immigrant populations with limited English proficiency. Destine Brown, Global Detroits social cohesion program manager, emphasized the impact of these efforts.DRM has joined us at community resource fairs and festivals, providing mobile clinics and crucial information, Brown said.The partnership has been instrumental in overcoming barriers to health care access. People needed that extra step where someone could explain and answer their questions, Brown says.Often, people didn't even have information about vaccinations. Pairing the information with an incentive made it an easy decision.Some of the feedback we heard is that folks were happy that they were able to get this service on a weekend because sometimes they can't take off work or they don't have the time during the week to make it to these places, Brown says. There was also no documentation required, which can be a barrier for some immigrants in obtaining services.Working with Kristen Milefchik, a DRM vaccine advocate, has changed how the nonprofit selects venues for events.We had a challenge come up where we invited them to a local school, and they didn't have ramps or elevators, making it difficult for people who use wheelchairs or older folks with mobility issues, Brown says.She says that experience helped the group think more inclusively during project planning.In Detroits Banglatown neighborhood, DRM works with Rezaul Chowdhury, a community engagement specialist with Global Detroit. Chowdhury, who serves as a trusted connector within the Bangladeshi immigrant community, played a key role at the vaccination clinic by providing translation services and encouraging participation.I explained the vaccination process and the incentives, and people were happy to line up and get vaccinated, Chowdhury said.As a trusted connector, he is out in the community helping small business owners and community members navigate matters big and small to help them get the resources they need and deserve.Chowdhury worked as a translator and Bangla speaker at the clinic.I was a resource for a lot of people who showed up. Some of them are not very interested or sometimes they are going to learn about what it is about. If they were struggling to understand, I jumped in and translated, says Chowdhury. I explained they were giving vaccinations and they were giving gift cards. They were happy to participate, and they lined up. We did a lot of vaccines.The collaborative efforts of organizations like DRM, the Burma Center, and Global Detroit illustrate the power of community-based approaches in addressing public health challenges and supporting immigrant and refugee populations. By combining cultural celebrations with essential services, these initiatives ensure that more people can access the resources they need to thrive. Disability Inclusion is a series exploring the state of Michigans growing disability community. It is made possible through a partnership with Disability Rights Michigan
Scranton, the Electric City and boyhood home of President Joe Biden, will likely figure in the political headlines throughout the 2024 election season. Thats largely because its located in Northeastern Pennsylvania  one of the swingiest areas of arguably the most important swing state. The city received visits from both major party candidates during the 2020 campaign and has already seen a two-day presidential visit in 2024.

A prominent issue for Scranton and its surrounding communities is violent crime. During the first five months of 2024, the city recorded five homicides, far exceeding any annual total in recent memory. During all of 2023, Scranton saw three homicides, and in the years prior, it recorded one to two homicides per year. It wasnt uncommon for the city to see zero homicides in a year, as it did in 2019.

Scranton residents are not used to this type of carnage so close to home. In March, a young man, Jose Miguel Tatis-Camilo, was shot during an armed robbery of a gas station convenience store; he died a few days later. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A few days later, a man was killed in his home during a drug-related robbery. In April, a gang-related beating and shooting took place near a city park that resulted in one dead. Later in April, in a dispute between two siblings, a man took his brothers life. Finally, in May, an unresponsive male was found in a car; he had been shot following a drug deal gone bad.

Other acts of violence have also unnerved Scrantonians. Car theft has been rampant; one resident was carjacked at gunpoint. The year 2024 got off to a horrible start when Scranton Police Detective Kyle Gilmartin was shot twice in the head during a police investigation of gang-related shootings early on a January morning. Miraculously, the detective survived. Later that month, a juvenile was detained outside of Scranton High School with a firearm; he had planned to shoot a rival gang member. In April, attendees at a Scranton Preparatory School lacrosse game had to be escorted to their vehicles by police following gunshots nearby. In June, Scranton police and S.W.A.T. team members faced gunfire when responding to a domestic incident.

Scranton residents are wondering when the lawlessness will end. County commissioners recently approved sectioning off a wing of the county jail to hold juveniles since there is no more space at juvenile detention facilities.

The crime wave has been eye-opening for many longtime Scranton residents. Until recently, gang issues and shootings were not a concern for most. Its true that many areas across the United States have seen an uptick in crime since the pandemic, and it is also true that many other small to midsize cities would be envious of Scrantons relative safety, even now. Thats little consolation, though, for residents now fearful to walk around their own neighborhoods.

It remains to be seen if crime concerns will have an impact on the electorate. National polls consistently show that voters trust Republicans, often by wide margins, to handle crime. Most Scranton area Democrats, who have controlled city and county government for decades, take a more tough on crime and pro-police stance than many of their vocal, far-left counterparts in other areas of the country.

The Scranton area may be critical in races that decide the balance of power in Congress. Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Casey is, like Biden, a Scranton native. He faces a tough battle for reelection against Republican Dave McCormick.

The area is also home to one of the most competitive U.S. House races, where newcomer Rob Bresnahan is running against longtime Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright. Scranton and its surrounding communities are key to Cartwrights reelection chances. If the general election results in the Scranton area are a few shades of blue lighter than normal in this traditionally Democratic area, it may be enough to put Bresnahan over the top, since the rest of the district is more friendly to the Republican.

The crime concerns could even have an impact on a critical statehouse race. Currently, Democrats hold a one-seat advantage in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The 118th District is one of the top seats Republicans are looking to flip. The 118th, represented by Rep. Jim Haddock, does not include Scranton but does include towns that directly border it. Its easy to imagine voters there being concerned about violence spilling over into their communities.

The editorial board at one local newspaper isnt having any of this, though. In its May 26, 2024, edition, the paper urged readers: Dont buy the rhetoric; crime is down across the board. The editorial declares that public concerns about crime are overblown, magnified by partisan rhetoric. The paper assures Scrantonians that our neighborhoods are safer than they have been in more than a decade.

Come November, well find out whether the paper or the public is right about crime in Scranton. And that verdict may well have ramifications beyond Pennsylvanias sixth-largest city.
Artists and festival goers at the second annual Athens Art Book Fair during day two of the 2024 AthFest Music and Arts Festival in Athens, Georgia on Saturday, June 22, 2024. The fair was held at the Athenaeum. (Photo/Forest X. Dynes)
'With new projects and recently awarded projects kicking in, capital expenditure should only increase going forward.'

IMAGE: The Gurugram-Delhi Expressway. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Centre is considering a 5 to 10 per cent increase in capex deployment for highway development in the country in the upcoming Union Budget for 2024-2025, according to senior government officials.

The ministry of road transport and highways was allocated Rs 2.72 trillion for capital expenditure in the interim Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in February.

At that point, the spending on highway construction was pegged at 2.9 per cent higher than the revised estimates of 2023-2024.

Experts believe the amount is reasonable, given the high base the highway budget is operating on due to back-to-back bumper hikes in the previous two financial years.

As of May, the highway ministry has already absorbed over Rs 57,000 crore (Rs 570 billion) of its allocated capital spending budget for the ongoing fiscal, which is approximately 22 per cent of the total.

Over the past few years, capital-intensive ministries have been asked by the finance ministry to front-load their expenditure to meet targets. Since 2020, most infrastructure ministries have overshot their capex targets.

"The capital expenditure so far is being done on projects that were awarded in the past few years. With new projects and recently awarded projects kicking in, capital expenditure should only increase going forward," a senior official pointed out.

Deliberations will go on in the run up to the Budget, he added, but it is reasonable to expect a 5 to 10 per cent hike in highway capex.

The highway ministry will look to start awarding new projects and projects pending in the first phase of the Bharatmala Pariyojana, the ministry's flagship Rs 5 trillion programme, the cost estimates for which have risen to Rs 10 trillion due to delays in land acquisition and other factors.

The plan has now been subsumed under a new Vision 2047 Cabinet note by the highway ministry.

The plan, currently being deliberated at the Union cabinet level, will entail spending of Rs 20 trillion for the ministry to meet its targets under the Viksit Bharat 2047 document a government-wide initiative to identify sector-wise gaps and improve on them to make India a developed country by 2047.

The vision now is not just to look at national highways as number of kilometres, but quality as well, Highway secretary Anurag Jain had told reporters in February.

According to ministry data shared by officials earlier this year, highways with four lanes and more have increased by 2.5 times to 46,720 kilometres over the last 10 years, while those with two lanes or less have halved to 14,350 kilometres, which are now only 10 per cent of the total highway network.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has held discussions with ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) secretary Manoj Govil on the Aggregation of CA Firms and the roadmap to create big Indian firms, a press statement by ICAI said.

Earlier in May, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that the ICAI should take it as a challenge to set up an Indian big four and seek global clients.

Interacting with the ICAI in Patna, Sitharaman had sought its commitment to start work towards the goal of setting up such a firm as part of the new governments 100-day agenda for Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Why is it that in spite of the large number of high-quality CAs in India  respected all over the world  our CAs become leaders and partners in Big Four firms.

"But youd rather become a partner in a Big Four but not form a Big Four in India, Sitharaman said.

The interactive session of the ICAI and MCA, held on June 21, saw active participation of large, medium and small firms in the CA profession.

This format allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the diverse and emerging needs of firms across different scales of operation, the press statement said.

The meeting was also attended by Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal, president of ICAI, Charanjot Singh Nanda, vice-president of ICAI, Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, chairman, Committee for Aggregation of CA Firms, and Inder Deep Singh Dhariwal, joint secretary, MCA.
Shareholders of industry giants Adani Enterprises, Reliance Industries, and Tata Motors  the latter two are part of the Sensex  will decide on combined related-party transactions of more than Rs 2.68 trillion proposed for this financial year and later.

Related-party transactions for BSE 500 companies touched at least a six-year high of Rs 42.1 trillion in FY23, the Capitaline data shows.

The Rs 42.1 trillion includes related-party transactions both at balance-sheet and profit-and-loss levels.

Adani Enterprises, Reliance Industries, and Tata Motors have been some of the main non-banking companies to report higher related-party transactions in the past.

For FY25, Adani Enterprises is seeking shareholder approval for related-party transactions worth Rs 1.04 trillion, as part of the resolutions at the upcoming annual general meeting (AGM) on Monday.

Tata Motors will put up a proposal for more than Rs 89,000 crore to shareholder vote the same day.

Shareholder voting for Reliance Industries proposed related-party transactions, worth Rs 74,800 crore for FY25, through postal ballot was closed on Thursday, and the results are expected next week.

Shriram Subramanian, founder and managing director, InGovern, said: We do not see any unusual rise in related-party transactions other than the new approval regime introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India starting April 1, 2022.

In FY21, before the start of the new approval regime, the value of related-party transactions of BSE-500 companies was Rs 27.8 trillion, rising 52 per cent by FY23.

So far, only 85 companies of the BSE500 have reported their annual reports for FY24, and their value of related-party transactions that financial year was Rs 8.7 trillion.

Subramanian said: We suggest companies put out details, the logic for getting into for such transactions, their independent validation, etc.

"A related-party transaction not in the ordinary course of business needs to be disclosed in detail and presented to shareholders in a compelling manner.

Some transactions shareholders will vote for this financial year include one for Rs 36,000 crore to be undertaken over FY24-25 and FY25-26, between Reliance Industries subsidiary and that of Jio Financial Services, for selling customer premises equipment/devices and telecom equipment.

Adani Enterprises is seeking shareholder approval for transactions with Adani Power, another listed group entity, for selling and purchasing services and providing financial assistance, with a combined value of up to Rs 10,293 crore.

Tata Motors is seeking approval for a transaction of Rs 13,950 crore between its subsidiaries and Tata Autocomp Systems, a subsidiary of Tata Sons during FY25.
Ms Swaraj was a conscientious woman who understood suffering and pathos and attempted in her inimitable way to mitigate them, recalls Rup Narayan Das.

IMAGE: Sushma Swaraj will long be remembered for being that rare minister who exuded such warmth that people didn't hesitate to reach out to her in times of need. All photographs: PTI Photo from the Rediff Archives

Today (June 24) when the United Nations observes the 'International Day of Women in Diplomacy', it is propitious to recall the indelible imprint of the late Sushma Swaraj, who was India's external minister during Narendra D Modi's first tenure as prime minister, for her ingenious use of Twitter as a tool to mitigate men and women in distress.

Foreign Policy magazine in 2016 included Ms Swaraj in the list of 15 global leaders for fashioning a novel brand of Twitter diplomacy. Others on the list included, among others, then German chancellor Angela Merkel, then US secretary of state Hilary Clinton, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and then UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.

Foreign Policy noted that when around 10,000 Indians working in Saudi Arabia faced a 'food crisis' in 2016, Ms Swaraj tweeted about the issue to six millions of her followers on social media.

She posted information for the migrants about rations provided by the Indian embassy in Riyadh, claims for unpaid wages and transportation to India by the government. The week-long campaign produced the desired result.

Earlier through her twitter handle Ms Swaraj reached out to Indians stranded in Yemen, and also Indians who lost their passports abroad.

Stories of her twitter outreach abound. In a heart warming gesture while she was recuperating at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi after her kidney transplant, she tweeted that she had asked for a report from the Indian consulate in Dubai about an Indian national who had walked long distance to get a court order to return home.

In June 2016, she rescued charity worker Judith D'Souza after she was kidnapped in Kabul.

When a man tweetd that his sister, a flight attendant, was held in Saudi Arabia by traffickers, she coordinated with local authorities there to free her.

In June 2016 at her behest her office brought home a 12-year-old boy from Bangladesh six years after he was kidnapped.

In October 2017, she came to the aid of a Pakistani national by granting him a medical visa for a liver transplant at a hospital in Delhi. The Pakistani national, Hamid Ali, had put out a series of tweets tagging Ms Swaraj requesting a medical visa.

On the morning of March 10, 2019, when an Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed shortly after take off in Addis Ababa, there were four Indians among the 157 dead, she used Twitter to reach out to family members.

Ms Swaraj was not only an outstanding parliamentarian, she was a conscientious woman who understood suffering and pathos and attempted in her inimitable way to mitigate them.

On one occasion she chose to attend her house maid's marriage ceremony. She explained her gesture carried a powerful social message that the maid had excess to powerful people which would deter any harm to her.

Her genteel nature and mannerism disarmed the Opposition and endeared her to all cutting across party lines.

At a time when China attempted to impose its footprint in South Asia in an aggressive way to out space India, she very meaningfully noted while China is the big brother, India is the elder brother.

The observation that women tend to engage more eagerly in transformative, rather than self-serving, leadership resonated well in Sushma Swaraj's persona.

Data amply demonstrate that when women serve as Cabinet ministers or in high Constitutional positions or in statutory bodies they introduce progressive legislation relating to social protection, education and economic empowerment.

Dr Rup Narayan Das is a former senior fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses and also the Indian Council of Social Science Research. The views expressed are personal.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
'I have serious doubts about the longevity of the NDA government and the longevity of the 18th Lok Sabha itself.'

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi being felicitated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during the PM Kisan Samman Sammelan, in Varanasi, June 18, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Political economist Parakala Prabhakar was one of the few commentators in India who had predicted before the elections that the Bharatiya Janata Party would not get more than 240 seats! And he was bang on!

In his interview to Rediff.com, Prabhakar -- who is married to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman -- had said, "Modi fatigue has set in, and the BJP is in for huge punishment by the electorate."

"There is no point in pretending that things are what they were before. No, they have changed. The sooner the government and people in power recognise the shift in the ground, the better for them," Prabhakar tells Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier in the concluding segment of a two-part interview:

Part 1 of the Interview: 'Difficult For Modi Govt To Win Floor Test'

You know Chandrababu Naidu very well having worked with him for many years. Do you think he will continue to support Narendra Modi?

Remember the TDP (Telugu Desam Party) walked out of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government in 2018. That was done because the Centre was not ready to give special category status to Andhra Pradesh.

Now, in order for Mr Naidu to continue with the NDA and support the government, he will have to tell the people, 'This is what I got in lieu of support', and that cannot be anything other than special category status.

So, there will be enough pressure on him from the people of the state to get the special category status.

If Andhra Pradesh is given special category status, Bihar will ask. And many other people also will ask.

So, you need to have a sensible Union government which accommodates all these demands.

They have taken a very strong stand against giving special category status in 2018. Now, they have to go back on that.

Now that you spoke about going back on the stand taken earlier, do you think we will not hear about Hindi, Hindu, Hindustan or Hindu Rashtra for some time?

Times are different now. They might make some noises here and there, but you have to remember that none of their allies are ideological allies.

I have my doubts about them going along with the BJP on such issues and issues like Gyanvapi or Mathura.

Will the BJP have the courage to go ahead with Gyanvapi or Mathura now that they have lost Faizabad where the Ayodhya Ram temple is?

Is it not symbolic of people speaking against the kind of politics they were indulging in?

Yes, there is a very clear message from the verdict; that no more of the Hindu-Muslim, Musalman, Mangalasutra kind of politics, and concentrate on the issues that affect people.

If the BJP and the government do not recognise that mandate, and move as though nothing has changed, I think they are going to get a huge backlash.

IMAGE: Modi offers prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, June 18, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

What will happen to the Electoral Bond scam, the PM Cares controversy and the latest stock market controversy now that they are back in power?

The reason why they want to stick to power is that if an Opposition government comes into power, all these things will be unearthed.

They will be probed, and they will be in a deep soup.

There are scams starting from the Rafale deal to Pegasus to Electoral Bonds to PM Cares to the stock exchange.

People have calculated that the discrepancy in the difference between the official income of the BJP and the expenditure in terms of building so many swanky offices all over the country, is close to Rs 60,000 crores (Rs 600 billion).

Do you feel the scams were not discussed or debated in the country because the mainstream media did not perform its duty?

The so-called mainstream media have become another department of the information and broadcasting ministry.

It's like the DAVP (Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity).

That's the reason why a lot of people's pent-up anger came through the independent media.

I have always maintained that in this election, the fight was between Narendra Modi and the people of India, the BJP and the people of India and the NDA and the people of India.

The people of India have spoken very loudly, and they have totally dejected this kind of politics in spite of the control of the media, in spite of no level playing field, in spite of the control of the Election Commission, in spite of jailing chief ministers, in spite of freezing the accounts of the main Opposition party...

Imagine for a while, if it were a level playing field, things would have been very, very drastically different.

IMAGE: Modi arrives at BJP headquarters in New Delhi, June 4, 2024. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Looking at the results, do you feel the people of India are basically secular in nature?

If you want to draw an analogy from economics and markets, you see when the markets get over heated, they get corrected.

Similarly, the Indian polity has undergone a process of correction.

The people have pulled the BJP back into the political centre from when it was trying to change the trajectory to far right.

IMAGE: Parakala Prabhakar IMAGE: Parakala Prabhakar

Your final thoughts?

The first message of the election is, Indian people have very clearly said, 'We do not want to go down the road of Hindutva, Hindi, Hindu, Hindu Rashtra kind of politics. We want a life where we live together with everybody. And India belongs to everybody. Don't drag us down the road of majoritarian, fascist and dictatorial kind of politics.'

The second message is that people want the government to focus on livelihood issues, employment, price rise, rural distress, farmers' issues, etc.

The third message is, the Modi magic has vanished.

The fourth message is, there is no point in pretending that things are what they were before. No, they have changed.

The sooner the government and people in power recognise the shift in the ground, the better for them.

Finally, my forecast is, I have serious doubts about the longevity of the Modi government, longevity of the NDA government and the longevity of the 18th Lok Sabha itself.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Delhi Water minister Atishi's health condition has deteriorated on the fourth day of her indefinite fast on Monday and doctors have advised her to be admitted to a hospital, the Aam Aadmi Party said.

IMAGE: Delhi Water Minister Atishi gets her blood pressure check during her indefinite hunger strike over the water crisis, in New Delhi on Sunday. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo

Atishi has, however, refused to be treated at a hospital, despite adverse health effects until Haryana released the 'rightful share of Delhi's water'.

"My blood pressure and sugar levels are dropping and my weight has gone down. Ketone level is very high which can have harmful effects in the long run. No matter how much my body suffers, I will continue the fast till Haryana releases water," she said at the site of hunger strike at Jungpura's Bhogal.

In a statement, the AAP said that Atishi's weight and blood pressure is decreasing rapidly, which doctors from LNJP Hospital said was 'dangerous'.

'Water Minister Atishi's weight is also decreasing unexpectedly. Before sitting on hunger strike on 21st June, her weight was 65.8 kg which has come down to 63.6 kg on the fourth day of the hunger strike. That is, her weight has decreased by 2.2 kg in just 4 days,' the statement said.

Her blood sugar level has decreased by 28 units on the fourth day as compared to the first day of the hunger strike, the party said.

'Along with this, her blood pressure level has also decreased. Doctors have described the speed at which Water Minister Atishi's blood sugar level, blood pressure and weight have decreased as dangerous. Along with this, Minister Atishi's urine ketone level of water is also increasing. Such an increase in the amount of ketone in her body will be dangerous for her health,' it said.

The AAP said doctors have advised Atishi to be admitted to a hospital in view of her deteriorating health but she is fighting for Delhi's rightful share of water by 'risking her life'.

A doctors' report said the 'patient has been counselled for admission and oral intake' but she refused.

Atishi has claimed that Delhi was getting 100 MGD less for the last three weeks.

The 100 MGD less water has caused a shortage, affecting 28 lakh people in Delhi, she said.

Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena after a meeting with a delegation of AAP leaders on Sunday said Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has assured that he will look into whether his state can provide extra water to Delhi.
Border defence forces of India and Bangladesh on Monday resolved to strengthen bilateral cooperation and coordination to combat crimes along the boundary, officials said.

IMAGE: BSF and BGB representatives at the border meeting on the third day in Kolkata, June 24, 2024. Photograph: Courtesy BSF on X

Personnel of the Border Security Force and the Border Guard Bangladesh continued discussions on the third day of the annual coordination conference here, they said.

Both sides resolved to jointly address security challenges along the India-Bangladesh border, as we have the shared commitment for peace and security, a BSF official said.

The Joint Record of Discussion, signed by heads of the two sides during the meet, referred to issues like attacks by Bangladeshi miscreants on BSF personnel, attempts to snatch weapons from security forces and infiltration, among others, he said.

The Border defence forces reached a consensus to combat transnational crimes in an effective manner, the official said.

They also concurred to step up efforts to curb smuggling of wildlife, cattle, drugs and fake currencies across the border, he said.

The conference underscored the need to have coordinated patrols and sharing intelligence inputs on real-time basis for better border management.

A 14-member Indian delegation led by Ayush Mani Tiwari, IG, BSF South Bengal Frontier, is holding talks with the 11-member Bangladeshi delegation.

The BGB delegation is led by Brigadier General Shamim Ahmed, ADG, region commander, South Western Region, Jessore.
A 30-year-old female graphic designer and a henchman, who she had hired to burn the face of her ex-boyfriend, have been arrested in outer Delhi's Nihal Vihar area, an officer said on Monday.

The woman wanted to take revenge from her ex-boyfriend and colleague for jilting her and getting engaged to someone else, the officer said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) Jimmy Chiram said Omkar, 24, who is also a graphic designer, was attacked by three people in Ranhola area on June 19.

The three came on a motorcycle and attacked him with a knife, cut him at several places, he said.

Police pulled the CCTV camera footage of the area and the call details of Omkar to zero in on the woman and the three attackers.

On June 23, based on a secret input, a trap was laid near Dwarka Mor and one of the suspects, Vikash, was nabbed, Chiram said.

During interrogation, Vikash revealed that he, along with Harsh alias Bali and Rohan, had attacked Omkar with a knife.

He also disclosed the hideout of the woman at whose behest they carried out the attack.

The woman, whose name was withheld by police and lives near Tilak Nagar Metro Station, was held from Nihal Vihar, he said.

The woman revealed that she and Omkar both were colleagues and had been having an affair for the last three years.

She became infuriated when he became engaged to some other woman and hired the three men for Rs 30,000 to carry out an acid attack and also gave them a bottle filled with acid, police said.

The woman also alleged the victim threatened to upload her private pictures online when she objected to his engagement, the DCP said.

According to the plan, the men contracted were supposed to throw acid at Omkar's face, but couldn't and had to decamp after knifing him, he said.

A hunt is on for two other accused, he added.
Alleging that civic amenities almost everywhere in West Bengal have gone for a toss, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday questioned the ministers, MLAs and bureaucrats whether they expect her to sweep the streets of the state or not.

Photograph: / Rediff.com IMAGE: West Bengal CM and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee in a group photo with newly elected party MPs Abhishek Banerjee, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Yusuf Pathan, Shatrughan Sinha Saugata Roy and others during a meeting, at her residence, in Kolkata.

Chairing a meeting held at the state secretariat, primarily to review the performance of the various civic bodies in the state, an angry Banerjee slammed a minister, a former Trinamool Congress mayor and a few bureaucrats for their below-par performance.

"Do I have to go out to sweep the roads now? You cannot walk looking up in the sky at times; you also have to look down. Nobody sees the condition of the roads and the street lights. They are just raising taxes and deploying people and both the police and the (civic) administration are not doing anything," Banerjee said at the meeting.

The Trinamool Congress supremo also said that the performance of the civic body officials will be reviewed by a team including vigilance department officers, the additional director general of police (Law & Order), an additional commissioner of police, officers from the CID and the director of security.

The chief minister said all tender processes will be centralized from now on to check illegal monetary deals.

She said the state urban development department has been allocated Rs 51,500 crore since 2011 when the TMC came to power in West Bengal.

The government will not take a bad name for the actions of some individuals. I don't want master extortionists. I want people's servants. If they cannot perform, they must leave. In the coming days, only those who work for the people will get tickets (to contest elections)," she said.

Banerjee named Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose and held him accountable for encroachment in Rajarhat area near Kolkata.

"Government property and land are being encroached upon and it was being allowed for money. Government property is not anyone's private property. I will not allow any illegal activity and encroachment," she said further alleging that those who encroached land "have voted for the BJP".

The chief minister also holds the land and land revenue department.

She also named former Howrah mayor Rathin Chakraborty, who joined the BJP from the TMC, accusing him of ruining the city neighbouring Kolkata.

Rathin Chakraborty ruined Howrah when he was the mayor. Illegal buildings have come up near (state secretariat) Nabanna. The police and everyone else involved have turned a blind eye to it. Do I have to look after everything? she questioned.

The state secretariat is located in Howrah.

Banerjee also said she was aware that several TMC leaders, a section of the bureaucracy and the police were involved in raising money through illegal means.

The TMC chief also accused sub-divisional officer Amrita Roy Burman of neglecting Bally municipality, which is without a civic board.

She said that multiple interest groups have cropped up in every part of the state.

At the meeting, representatives from two civic bodies -- Taherpur in Nadia district and Jhalda in Purulia district  were not invited, officials said.

Banerjee alleged that the MLAs were doing whatever they felt like taking advantage in those municipalities where the boards had not been elected.

"I will clean up the entire system and then go for fresh elections. If need be the clean-up should start from my home, she said.

Banerjee alleged that Bengal's true identity was tarnished.

Emphasising the need to protect the culture of Bengal, she said, "We like other cultures too and respect them. I am warning all who are conspiring to alter Bengal's identity. In exchange for money, Bengal's identity should not be destroyed. This is my first and last warning."

The chief minister, however, did not name anyone in this connection.

"If this continues, the state's identity will be finished. We will not find Bengali-speaking people anymore. Everyone knows Hindi and English today, she said adding that she was not demeaning any language.

Responding to Banerjee's outburst, BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said it is very surprising that the CM has "suddenly woken up to the malpractices of her councillors and local leaders.

It appears she was unaware of the wrongdoings till the other day, the Rajya Sabha MP said.

"Everyone is aware of the illegal building construction in pockets of Lake Town, Salt Lake, New Town and other parts of the city. Everyone will tell you how many water bodies had been filled up in recent years and buildings surfaced at those spots disturbing the ecology of the area, Bhattacharya said.

It is good if she criticizes her party men who are involved in the racket, but there is a stronger possibility that this is meant for public consumption, he said.
The Delhi high court will pronounce on Tuesday its verdict on a plea by the Enforcement Directorate seeking a stay on the trial court order granting bail to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case stemming from the alleged excise scam.

IMAGE: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal before surrendering at Tihar Jail in New Delhi on June 2, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The order is scheduled to be pronounced at 2.30 pm.

In his written submission filed on Monday, the Aam Aadmi Party leader defended the bail order and asserted that no prejudice would be caused to the ED if he is released at this stage as he could be sent back to custody in case the high court subsequently decides to set aside the order.

Staying the operation of 'the well-reasoned bail order' would amount to virtually allowing the petition for cancellation of the bail, Kejriwal argued.

A vacation bench of Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain had reserved the order on June 21 after the agency challenged the trial court's decision and put it in abeyance until the pronouncement.

The AAP national convenor, who was arrested on March 21 by the ED, could have walked out of Tihar jail had the high court not granted the interim relief to the central anti-money laundering agency.

The trial court granted bail to Kejriwal on June 20 and ordered his release on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh, and imposed certain conditions, including that he will not try to hamper the investigation or influence the witnesses.

The ED has contended that the trial court's order was 'perverse', 'one-sided' and 'wrong-sided and that the findings were based on irrelevant facts.

In a note filed on Monday in relation to the plea to stay the bail order, the ED said the decision did not consider the material demonstrating the AAP leader's 'neck deep involvement' in the offence of money laundering linked to the alleged excise scam.

Kejriwal, in his written submissions, said the assertions of the ED are 'palpably wrong, misleading and tantamount to subterfuge and misrepresentation'.

"The repeated contention of the ED that it was not given a proper opportunity of hearing and/or all its contentions have not been dealt with warrant to be rejected at the outset. As stated, the order granting bail not only deals with all the relevant contentions of both the sides but also the reasons for grant of bail duly reflect a due and proper application of mind by the Learned Court on each and every aspect," he said.

It is not a case of perversity which is apparent on the face of the record, he submitted, adding the fact that he is a political figure who is opposed to the dispensation at the Centre, cannot be the ground for 'cooking up' a false case against him and to deny him the due process of law.

"Respondent (Kejriwal) is gravely aggrieved by the stay order on his bail order which has rendered justice to be a casualty and the same ought not to be continued even for a moment any further," he said.

"The order passed by the Special Judge granting bail was not only well reasoned but prima facie showed a due application of mind in considering as well as faithfully recording and dealing with relevant arguments and contentions raised on behalf of both the parties'. Therefore, to stay the order would tantamount to virtually allowing the petition at the threshold," he said.

On June 20, Special Judge Niyay Bindu, who sat as the vacation judge, granted bail to Kejriwal in the money laundering case, saying the Enforcement Directorate (ED) failed to furnish direct evidence linking him to the proceeds of crime in the money laundering case.

On June 21, the high court had put in abeyance the operation of the bail order till the pronouncement on the issue of stay and asked the parties to file written submissions by June 24.

Kejriwal has approached the Supreme Court against the interim stay on his bail.

On Monday, the top court fixed June 26 for hearing his plea, saying it would like to wait for the pronouncement of the high court order on the issue.

The excise policy was scrapped in 2022 after the Delhi lieutenant governor ordered a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and corruption involving its formulation and execution.

According to the CBI and ED, irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy and undue favours extended to the licence holders.
In a show of strength, the Opposition INDIA bloc members on Monday waved copies of the Constitution in Parliament as Prime Minister Narendra Modi took oath as a member of the 18th Lok Sabha.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: @kharge/X

Home Minister Amit Shah was also greeted in a similar manner.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan took oath as Lok Sabha member amid chants of NEET-NET by the opposition members even as a controversy is raging on the entrance examinations that has put the government in the dock.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Trinamool leader Kalyan Banerjee, and Samajwadi Party leaders Akhilesh Yadav and Awadhesh Prasad were seated in the first row in the opposition benches.

In a prestige battle, Prasad defeated the two-time sitting Bharatiya Janata Party MP Lallu Singh from Faizabad, the constituency that comprises Ayodhya, by a margin of 54,567 votes.

Congress member Kodikunnil Suresh, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's TR Baalu and Trinamool Congress' member Sudip Bandyopadhyay walked out of the House when the oath-taking began as a mark of protest over the appointment of Mahtab as pro-tem Speaker.

The three Opposition members were named on the panel of chairpersons to assist the pro-tem Speaker.

The panel of chairpersons was administered oath immediately after Prime Minister Modi who is the leader of the 18th Lok Sabha.

With Suresh, Baalu and Bandyopadhyay choosing to remain absent, the other two members named on the panel -- BJP Radha Mohan Singh and Faggan Singh Kulaste were administered oath after the Prime Minister.

The Opposition members were heard raising the slogan "violation of Constitution" when the panel was sworn in.

Hugs and greetings marked the beginning of the 18th Lok Sabha as members walked into the cavernous chamber of the lower house, with some touching the threshold reverentially as they embarked on the journey as public representatives.

First term lawmaker Bansuri Swaraj, the daughter of BJP stalwart late Sushma Swaraj, was among the early entrants to the Lok Sabha chamber. She mingled with the fellow members, exchanging greetings and clicking photographs.

Members of the Telugu Desam Party, a key ally of the BJP, sported yellow scarves while the Samajwadi Party members walked in the Lok Sabha chamber wearing red caps and pale-red coloured 'gamchas'. They waved copies of the Hindi version of the Constitution.

TDP's K Ram Mohan Naidu, the youngest member of the Union cabinet, hugged fellow minister Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas and warmly greeted Arvind Sawant of the Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray.

Actor-politician Ravi Kishan of the BJP came to the House dressed in a dhoti-kurta, while Anita Chouhan, the first-term BJP member from Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, donned traditional attire.

BJP member from Meerut, Arun Govil, who played the role of Lord Ram in television serial Ramayan, was seen going around and greeting fellow members as he began his political innings.

Another actor-politician Kangana Ranaut, who won for the first time on a BJP ticket from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, entered the Lok Sabha chamber wearing a white saree.

Both Ranaut and Govil were seen seated in the eighth and the ninth rows respectively.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was seated in the third row.
As the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha is set to begin today, INDIA bloc leaders decided not to sit in the Speaker's chair to assist the pro-tem Speaker during the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected MPs.

IMAGE: President Droupadi Murmu administers oath to BJP MP B Mahtab as 'speaker pro-tem' of the newly-constituted 18th Lok Sabha. Photograph: ANI on X

The Congress and other opposition parties are disappointed that seven-time MP Bhratruhari Mehtab was made the pro-tem Speaker instead of eight-time Congress MP K Suresh.

Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu on Monday administered oath to Mahtab as 'speaker pro-tem' of the newly-constituted 18th Lok Sabha.

A seven-time MP, Mahtab, along with a panel of chairpersons is tasked with running the proceedings of the Lok Sabha on Monday and Tuesday when winning candidates will take oath as members of the 18th Lok Sabha.

On Wednesday, he will preside over the House when a new Speaker will be elected.

Congress leader K Suresh said that there is an eighth-term MP in the House, but a seventh-term MP has been appointed as pro-tem Speaker.

"We are claiming that an eighth-term MP should be the pro-tem Speaker...They have done wrong, and now the whole country is criticising the decision of the BJP government," K Suresh said.

Congress MP Hibi Eden said that the NDA government has violated all the traditions and customs.

"There are certain customs related to the Parliament of India, and it is always the senior-most member, irrespective of the party, who is given the opportunity to become the pro-tem speaker. It is merely a matter of two days, but it is the respect given to the member, whichever party he/she is from," Eden said.

"Unfortunately, a Dalit member, who is an 8-time MP from Kerala has been denied the right to become the pro-tem speaker. This shows the attitude of the NDA government towards the Dalit and the oppressed community of this country. They have violated all the traditions and customs... Even though this session is hardly for 8 days, it should have been in consensus with the opposition because we are representing almost 45 per cent of the country," he added.

The first session is expected to be stormy as the opposition is likely to corner the BJP-led NDA government on the election of the Speaker on June 26, discussions regarding allegations of paper leaks in NEET-UG and UGC-NET, and a row over the appointment of the pro-tem Speaker.

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha is set to commence on June 24, starting with the oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected legislators.

The election of the Speaker is scheduled for June 26.

President Droupadi Murmu is expected to address Parliament on June 27.
The Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh Police on Sunday arrested six members of a gang, including a staff of a printing press, for their alleged involvement in leaking the examination paper for the posts of review officers and assistant review officers.

IMAGE: Police detain students during a protest demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the cases of paper leaks in Lucknow. Photograph: ANI Photo

The arrests were made in Prayagraj, the STF said in a statement.

The exam, conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC), was held across the state on February 11.

The state government cancelled the exam on March 2, following reports that the paper was leaked.

Those arrested are -- Sunil Raghuvanshi, a resident of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh and a printing press worker, Subhash Prakash, a resident of Madhubani in Bihar, Vishal Dubey and Sandeep Pandey (residents of Prayagraj), Amarjeet Sharma, a resident of Gaya (Bihar), and Vivek Upadhyay, a resident of Ballia.

A laptop, six mobile phones and five blank cheques were seized from them, the STF said.

Prior to this, 10 people were arrested in this connection.

A case under sections 419 (punishment for cheating by personation), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 465 (punishment for forgery), 467 (forgery of valuable security, will etc.), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 34 (common intention), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence or giving false information to screen offender) of the IPC has been lodged at the Civil Lines police station in Prayagraj.

Charges under the Uttar Pradesh Public Examination Act, 1998 and Information Technology Act have also been slapped on the arrested accused, police said.

The STF also said that during interrogation of the arrested accused, it was found that the question paper of the said examination was leaked in two ways.

First, this question paper was leaked from the examination centre itself on the day of the examination on February 11 at around 06.30 am before the commencement of the examination by scanning it with the help of mobile phones by Kamlesh Kumar Pal alias KK, Dr. Sharad Singh Patel, Saurabh Shukla, Arun Singh and Arpit Vineet Yashwant, who looks after the examination work of Bishop Johnson Girls School and College Prayagraj.

All five have already been arrested by the UP STF and sent to jail in this connection, they said.

The second way in which the said question paper was leaked was from the printing press. Sunil Raghuvanshi, an employee of the press, was involved in this, the STF said.

On February 3, Raghuvanshi was present in the press on the pretext of repairing the machine. Upon getting an opportunity, he came out of the press with his drinking water bottle and brought the question paper out by hiding it inside, they said.

He took the question paper to his house and kept it there.

He informed Vishal Dubey about this and Dubey told Rajiv Nayan Mishra alias Rahul and Subhash Prakash.

After this, it was decided among these people that on February 8, they will gather at Komal Hotel with the candidates and solvers. The question paper will be solved by the solvers in the hotel itself and the candidates will be made to read it. Rajiv Nayan Mishra alias Rahul and his gang members had fixed Rs 12 lakh each from each candidate, they said.

On February 8, as per the pre-planned plan, Vishal Dubey first reached Komal Hotel along with Sandeep Pandey. After this, Sunil Raghuvanshi reached there after getting 06-06 photocopies of the question paper.

Following reports of the paper leak, the Uttar Pradesh government on March 2 cancelled the preliminary exam conducted on February 11 for the recruitment of review officers (ROs) and assistant review officers (AROs).

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had then directed that the exam be conducted again within six months.

The STF was assigned the task to investigate the matter.
Delhi cabinet ministers have written a letter to Prime Narendra Modi and urged him to resolve the water crisis in the national capital on a priority basis, Environment minister Gopal Rai said on Monday.

IMAGE: Delhi Water Minister Atishi drinks water during the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) indefinite hunger strike over the water crisis. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai and others are also seen. Photograph: Sanjay Sharma/ANI Photo

Addressing a press conference, Delhi cabinet ministers said Atishi's indefinite fast has entered the fourth day and her health is deteriorating.

The ministers held a meeting at the hunger strike site in Jangpura's Bhogal, where they decided to write a letter to the prime minister seeking a solution to the issue.

"We also invite Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena, all officers to Wazirabad, Bawana to see the readings of flow metres and see the water levels of the river there. Data is available for the water released by Haryana and they can see for themselves how the water has reduced," he said.

Asserting that Delhi should get its due share of water, the minister announced that in the evening a candle light march will be carried out in support of Atishi's indefinite fast.
Keane Aures, owner of North Chair, is keeping the Whetstone Brewery going with some small modifications but building off the success of the brand.
U.S. Senator Peter Welch, D-Vt., speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony of the new Amtrak station in Brattleboro on Monday, June 24, 2024.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 39F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 39F. Winds light and variable.
Rockingham voters overwhelmingly said yes to holding town meeting on the Saturday before the traditional first Tuesday in March town meeting, starting next year.
Robert Beck of Peterborough, N.H. served for 30 years overseas with the United States government in embassies in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He now teaches foreign policy classes at Keene State Colleges Cheshire Academy for Lifelong Learning. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
A Chinese Major Xu Hui claimed in an interview on June 2 that U.S. President Joe Biden had said the U.S. would help Ukraine fight to the last Ukrainian.

But the claim is false. Keyword searches found no official or credible reports to back the claim.

Xus statement was made on the third day of the latest Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore from May 31 to June 2 and was later cited by Chinese media outlets such as Guancha, Sina Military as well as Taiwans United Daily News.

President Biden said something quite frightening. He said he would support Ukraine and fight until the last Ukrainian, said Xu, as cited by Guacha. Xu did not give a source for the comment he attributed to Biiden.

If they fight until the last Ukrainian, what are the Ukrainian people fighting for? If there are no people left, whats the point? Hes not talking about fighting until the last American while supporting Ukraine. Hes selling ammunition to Ukraine, supporting them in the war, and continuing to sell ammunition even if only the last Ukrainian is left.

Screenshots from Guancha, Sina and United Daily News





Several influential online users on X and Weibo later said that Xu inaccurately translated Bidens statement, saying that Biden in fact said: As long as there is a single Ukrainian fighting against Russian aggression, the United States will fully support it.

But both claims are false.

Several influencers claimed Xus statement was inaccurate while themselves providing an unsourced quote of Biden that later proved false. (Screenshot/Weibo)





Keyword searches found no official or credible reports to show that Biden made such a remark.

A deputy spokesperson for the White House National Security Council told AFCL that Biden never made remarks claimed by either Xu or social media users.

AFCL found several pro-Beijing media outlets, including The Paper, China Daily, and Xinhua, had reported similar claims before Xu made his remarks.

These outlets cited an opinion piece from the magazine American Conservative titled Washington Will Fight Russia to the Last Ukrainian.

The allies are prepared to back the Zelensky government as long as it fights Moscow to the last Ukrainian  which has always been the Wests approach to Kyiv, the article reads in part.

While the wording in this opinion piece is similar to the statement Xu attributed to Biden, it does not mention Biden making such a remark.

Translated by Shen Ke. Edited by Shen Ke and Taejun Kang.

Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) was established to counter disinformation in todays complex media environment. We publish fact-checks, media-watches and in-depth reports that aim to sharpen and deepen our readers understanding of current affairs and public issues. If you like our content, you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Some fear security laws could be used to target them for their overseas social media activity, if they return.

Transgender activist Henry Tse, who won the appeal to change the gender on his ID card, poses with a dummy ID card outside the immigration office after receiving his new ID card in Hong Kong, China, April 29, 2024.

Hong Kong residents will need to replace their ID cards over the next two years, authorities say, which could force those living in the United Kingdom or elsewhere to choose between going back and risking possible arrest, or being unable to return indefinitely.

Smart ID cards issued before Nov. 26, 2018, will be invalidated in two phases in 2025, the government said on June 18. Cards belonging to people born in or after 1970 will expire on May 12, 2025, while cards issued to people born in 1969 or before will expire on Oct. 12 next year.

Anyone outside of Hong Kong will be given a 30-day grace period to allow them to replace their old ID card on their return, the statement said.

But overseas Hong Kongers who fled a political crackdown on dissent in the wake of the 2019 protest movement said they could be forced to choose between risking arrest on their return, and losing the ability to return to the city in future, where many still have families and property.

Many Hong Kongers who settled in the United Kingdom on the British government's lifeboat program for holders of the British National Overseas, or BNO, passport also hold a Chinese passport that is specific to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

A second-generation Hong Kong smart ID card issued in 2018 (left), with a first-generation Hong Kong ID card (right). (Illustration/ Photo: Matthew Leung/ RFA)





But anyone seeking to renew their Chinese passport without traveling back to Hong Kong could be stymied by a lack of valid ID card, a prerequisite for passport renewal applications.

When the British government launched the BNO visa program, offering a pathway to long-term residency and citizenship, China reacted angrily, and announced it would no longer recognize the BNO passport.

The catch

While permanent residents won't lose their right of abode in Hong Kong, and can get back into Hong Kong with a valid ID card alone, once the card expires returning Hong Kongers will effectively need a Hong Kong-issued SAR passport or another country's passport to be allowed in through the immigration checkpoint.

"There are always worries about going back to Hong Kong," a said Hong Konger in the U.K. who gave only the nickname Ringo for fear of reprisals. "Some people weren't planning to go back, while others may be waiting until after naturalization [as a British citizen]."

"But now they're going to feel a lot more nervous if they need to go back to Hong Kong before their ID cards expire," she said.

Hong Kong's deputy director of immigration Eric Wong displays Smart ID Cards in his office, Feb. 20, 2002, in Hong Kong, as Hong Kong prepares to make its 6.9 million citizens carry "smart" identity cards. (Vincent Yu/AP)





"And it's more expense because they'll need to spend money on a flight back to Hong Kong in the next year or so, which they might not have counted on doing," Ringo said.

A former Hong Kong immigration assistant who gave only the surname Chan for fear of reprisals said the announcement was likely an attempt to intimidate people who had fled the crackdown.

"It's obvious that they're using the ID card replacement scheme to intimidate some Hong Kongers who emigrated to the U.K., making them feel as if they could face further difficulties if they go back to Hong Kong to renew their ID cards," Chan said.

The Hong Kong government slammed last week's report from RFA Cantonese on the move, saying that the replacement of ID cards was part of measures to combat fraud and identity theft, and not to suppress or intimidate Hong Kongers.

Police form a cordon at Causeway Bay on the 35th anniversary of the crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators at Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989, near where a candlelight vigil is usually held, June 4, 2024, in Hong Kong, China, (Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





"The invalidation of old ID cards will not affect one's right of abode in Hong Kong and they could still travel in and out of Hong Kong as long as holding a valid travel document," the government said in a June 21 statement.

But the statement didn't address the status of BNO passport holders whose Hong Kong SAR passports had expired.

Passports revoked

Exiled Hong Kongers also told RFA Cantonese that they are also concerned that the authorities have the power to revoke a person's Hong Kong SAR passport at any time.

Earlier this month, the city government announced it had revoked the Hong Kong SAR passports of six U.K.-based activists including former pro-democracy lawmaker Nathan Law, imposing financial sanctions on them and hitting back at the British government for "deliberately discrediting" the city with spying charges against one of its officials.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang revoked the Chinese passports of U.K.-based activists Christopher Mung and Finn Lau, former pro-democracy lawmaker Nathan Law, former British consular employee Simon Cheng, who co-founded the advocacy group Hongkongers in Britain, and overseas YouTube hosts Johnny Fok and Tony Choi.

And many overseas Hong Kongers fear that they could be arrested under national security laws for social media activity carried out overseas.

A man waves farewell to friends as departs for a permanent move to U.K. at the Hong Kong airport, June 30, 2021. (Vincent Yu/AP)





Last November, a Hong Kong court handed down a two-month jail term to former overseas student Yuen Ching-ting, 23, after she pleaded guilty to "publishing online speech with seditious intent" to social media starting in September 2018, before the national security law took effect.

The case against her was based on her posting of "inflammatory remarks" to social media platforms, including the banned 2019 protest slogan "Free Hong Kong! Revolution now!" while she was studying in Japan.

Yuen was arrested in March after returning to Hong Kong from Japan, where she was studying. Local media outlets reported that she was in the city to change her Hong Kong identity card. She was initially arrested on suspicion of inciting secession, a crime under the national security law.

At least 191,000 people have applied to the BNO visa program so far, according to British government figures released in November.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
The Arakan Army took control of the site in Rakhine state on Sunday after a month of attacks.

Ethnic rebels seized the airport that serves one of Myanmars premiere resort beaches in Rakhine state on Sunday, as thousands of civilians fled fighting between the military and rebel forces in embattled Thandwe township, according to residents.

The takeover is the latest win for the Arakan Army, or AA, since November, when it ended a peace treaty that had been in place since the militarys February 2021 coup detat and embarked on an offensive in Rakhine state.

The AA took control of the airport, which serves the Ngapali resort beach in Thandwe, after junta troops withdrew from the site, a township resident told RFA Burmese on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.

"The junta troops stationed at the airport retreated and the AA took control, he said. Artillery fire can still be heard and fighter jets are flying over the area amidst the sound of bombing, but the targets remain unknown.

The AA began attacking Thandwe on April 22 and have been trying to take the airport since early June. Armed conflict began about 32 kilometers (20 miles) north of the seat of Thandwe and is now within 8 kilometers (5 miles) of the urban center.

The military has responded by reinforcing its local battalion, the town and its prison, while using airstrikes and naval vessels to defend its positions.

A fisherman throws a net to catch fish, Oct. 15, 2015, in the shallow waters of Ngapali beach in Myanmar's western Rakhine state. (Gemunu Amarasinghe/AP)

Clashes are now underway near the militarys No. 566 Infantry Battalion, which is located near the airport, and the militarys No. 55 Light Infantry Battalion, some 3 kilometers (2 miles) away.

As of Monday, neither the AA or the junta had released any statement on the airport takeover. Attempts by RFA to reach AA spokesperson Khaing Thukha and junta spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun went unanswered.

Pro-junta channels on the social media network Telegram claimed that the airport was still under military control, but said fighting in the area remained intense on Monday.

Thousands of civilians flee

Meanwhile, thousands of civilians from Thandwe township have fled the fighting to Gwa township and other areas in neighboring Ayeyarwady region, said another Thandwe resident, who also declined to be named.

"The fighting is getting closer to the town [center] where we live and some locals have been trapped, the resident said, adding that none of his family members had been able to leave. We plan to flee 24-32 kilometers (15-20 miles) to the south of Thandwe township and do whatever we can to live normally."

Pe Than, a veteran ethnic Rakhine politician and former Lower House MP, told RFA that the Thandwe area is the strategic key to controlling southern Rakhine state, which is why the AA is trying to seize the entire township.

The junta can no longer rely on its ground troops, while its navy vessels are too large to enter the creeks and rivers, so they can only fire ineffectively from a distance, he said, adding that the military could be totally removed from Rakhine state by the end of 2024.

In the meantime, civilian casualties have increased in Thandwe amid the militarys use of artillery fire and airstrikes, residents told RFA.

At least 23 civilians were killed by airstrikes and artillery in Thandwe township in May, they said, while 22 civilians were killed and 32 injured since the start of June.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
Justice for Myanmar linked Geedge Networks and a state-run company to the architect of the Great Firewall.

A man checks his phone while sitting at the Yangon Jetty, April 5, 2020, in Myanmar.

Two Chinese companies are helping Myanmars military junta to limit citizens access to the internet, a covert group of activists opposed to military rule said.

Justice for Myanmar linked the two companies, Geedge Networks and the state-owned China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation, or CEIEC, to scientist Fang Binxing, who was instrumental in creating Chinas Great Firewall that controls access to the internet.

Leaked plans show two products from the Chinese company Geedge Networks for the junta's surveillance and censorship system, Justice for Myanmar wrote in a Facebook post June 19.

The group said CEIEC has been involved in a proposed location tracking system for the junta controlled communications ministry.

A man uses his mobile phone to check Facebook, March 16, 2021, in Naypyidaw, Myanmar. (Photo by AFP)

Since the end of May, the junta has blocked Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, which mask the location of the devices people use to access the internet. This has coincided with a crackdown by police and soldiers on pedestrians to check their smartphones for VPN software.

Myanmar is the second-worst among 70 countries included in the Freedom on the Net report released in October 2023 by the U.S.-based Freedom House group. China was in last place.

Aiding crimes against humanity

Justice for Myanmar also accused a Myanmar-based conglomerate, Mascots Group of Companies, of acting as an intermediary between the junta and the Chinese companies. The Mascots Group includes around 30 companies operating in Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand, Justice for Myanmar said.

The activist groups spokeswoman Yadana Maung said in a statement that providing surveillance and censorship technology to the junta will cost lives.

The junta is killing, torturing and arbitrarily detaining people across Myanmar and this new Chinese technology will further aid and abet the juntas crimes against humanity as it seeks to track down those who oppose the militarys illegitimate coup attempt, she said, while accusing the junta of being a terrorist organization.

A street vendor checks her mobile phone as she waits for customers,Nov.3, 2015, in Yangon, Myanmar. (Mark Baker/AP)

RFA attempted to contact all three business entities, as well as the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar and the juntas spokesperson, but received no response.

Other activist organizations echoed Justice for Myanmars call for sanctions.

The VPNs are now closed, and the internet is shut down, websites are blocked. Internet usage is also limited, said Thinzar Shun Lei Ye, campaign leader for the Acting Committee for Democracy Development.  Many townships have no access to the internet.

She said that blocking off the internet in this manner is a violation of the publics right to access information.

That's why, at the same time as trying to take action against the military, these companies are helping to control the Internet, she said. We need to take action on the participation of companies and countries.

A person uses a mobile phone to film members of the "Peacock Generation" activist troupe during a traditional "Thangyat" performance, April 15, 2022, in Kayin state, Myanmar. (AFP)

A technology expert, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said the support of Chinese companies could lessen security of information of VPN users in Myanmar.

"If the personal Information is not safe. People could be using free VPNs where their data may not be secure, he said. When we use free VPNs, if we can't provide enough protection, our data can be accessed through (the juntas) intercepted firewalls. Locations andIP addresses can be detected by detecting these.

He also said that information from accounts could be easily stolen when security is weak.

Ko Phyo, 24, a protester who lost one leg during an anti-coup protest, plays a video game with his mobile phone at his home on the outskirts of Yangon, Myanmar, May 4, 2021. (Reuters)

A former army officer, who did not want to be named for security reasons, said the government is trying to control the Internet to prevent leaks of military information.

"Although our country is at war, our government is very generous with allowing the public to get internet access in the country where photos of military aircraft taking off are immediately uploaded online, he said. The junta did it to prevent information leaking.

He said that the actions by the junta to regulate internet use would likely not cause a nationwide outrage.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
But Min Aung Hlaing said troops fired on his car for security reasons when it failed to stop.

Officials of the juntas Bago region government read an apology letter from junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, June 24, 2024 at the Win Neinmitayon Monastery.

Myanmars junta chief issued a rare apology on Monday for last weeks fatal shooting of a senior Buddhist monk, but claimed that military troops fired on his vehicle for security reasons.

Sayadaw Bhaddanta Munindabhivamsa, the 77-year-old abbot of Win Neinmitayon Monastery in Bago region, was shot dead in his car as it left an airport in central Mandalay region on the morning of June 19.

Television broadcaster MRTV announced initially that the abbots car was caught in a firefight between junta troops and guerillas from the rebel Peoples Defense Forces, or PDF, a grassroots militia formed by citizens opposed to the militarys February 2021 coup detat.

But on Monday, junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing published a letter of apology for the shooting, which Tin Oo Lwin, the juntas minister of religion and culture, read to monks presiding over the abbots funeral.

Officials of the juntas Bago region government read an apology letter from junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, June 24, 2024 at the Win Neinmitayon Monastery. (Eleven Media Group via Facebook)

In the letter, Min Aung Hlaing expressed deep regret for Sayadaw Bhaddanta Munindabhivamsas death, but noted that the shooting occurred for security reasons because the abbot was in a civilian vehicle with closed windows that failed to stop at a checkpoint.

A senior monk presiding over the funeral on Monday said during the ceremony that he would never forget the incident.

"We know they apologized, and we feel a mixture of sadness and heartbreak, he said. It's something that will be impossible to forget."

While the junta initially claimed that the PDF was responsible for Sayadaw Bhaddanta Munindabhivamsas death, on June 20, another monk involved in the incident named Baddanta Gunikabhivamsa  the abbot of the Kanthonsint Pariyatti School in Yangon  said that it was military troops who fired on the car.

Officials of the juntas Bago region government read an apology letter from junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, June 24, 2024 at the Win Neinmitayon Monastery. (Eleven Media Group via Facebook)

The following day, junta spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun issued a clarification, admitting that the military was responsible and vowing to investigate the incident.

The spokesperson said junta troops providing security in Bago are facing many difficulties and that it is difficult to verify immediately whether they [passengers] are enemies or civilians.

Several Buddhist institutions have issued statements expressing their condolences over the death of Sayadaw Bhaddanta Munindabhivamsa, while a monk association in Mandalay condemned the shooting, labeling it an act of terrorism.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
The air force apparently bombed a monastery under the control of junta forces by mistake.

Sagaing regions Indaw town, capital of Indaw township, taken on an unknown date.

Myanmar junta forces killed 17 people in an airstrike on a monastery where people were taking shelter from fighting after insurgents battling to end military rule attacked a nearby army camp, members of anti-junta militia groups told Radio Free Asia on Monday.

The juntas air force launched the attack on Saturday night on a monastery in Nant Thar village in the central region of Sagaing, killing a monk and 16 other people including three members of the same family, they said.

Sagaing has seen unprecedented levels of violence since a 2021 military coup triggered an insurgency by pro-democracy activists who formed Peoples Defense Forces around the country to confront the military.

Junta forces have been accused of razing villages, carrying out mass shootings and bombing villages indiscriminately as they hunt for members of the Peoples Defense Forces.

The airstrike in Indaw township followed an attack on a junta camp carried out by an alliance of fighters including members of the Indaw Peoples Defense Force, the Kachin Independence Army, the All Burma Students Democratic Front, and other groups, activists said.

Nant Thar has two monasteries, one under the control of rebel forces and another occupied by junta forces, said an official of the anti-junta Indaw Revolution group, who declined to be identified for security reasons.

People were called to the monastery and locked down by the junta troops when fighting erupted and the jet then bombed the monastery at midnight while people were locked down, the group official said.

They must have wanted to bomb the monastery on the mountain, he said, referring to the monastery controlled by anti-junta forces. They dropped the bombs on their own monastery by mistake.

The military has not released any information about the incident and calls to Sagaing regions junta spokesperson, Nyunt Win Aung, for more information went unanswered.

Junta troops have cut communication links to the village, a frequent tactic after big attacks.

More than 10 people, including children, were wounded, the Indaw Revolution official said, adding that some were in critical condition.

The dead were cremated on Monday, he said.

The village has been largely empty since April last year when anti-junta forces repeatedly attacked the military camp in Nant Thar, which is on a major road, residents said. But junta troops had prevented remaining residents from leaving, including those killed on Saturday, they said.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn.






U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink has visited Vietnam for talks with senior officials on bilateral relations and regional issues including the disputed South China Sea where, he said, China had been engaging in irresponsible and deeply destabilizing behavior.

Kritenbrinks visit comes just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin spent a day in Vietnam meeting top leaders but Kritenbrink denied that his trip on the weekend had anything to do with that.

Tensions have been rising sharply in the South China Sea, in particular between China and U.S. ally the Philippines, whose vessels have been confronting each other near the Second Thomas Shoal in Philippine waters, which China also claims.

The Philippines accused the Chinese coast guard of ramming and boarding Philippine navy boats during a June 17 confrontation, causing severe injuries to Filipino personnel. China disputed that saying its personnel had acted lawfully.

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 destabilizing, Kritenbrink told a press briefing in Hanoi on Saturday.

The assistant secretary of state said that many of Chinas actions  should be of great concern, we think, for the entire region, according to a recording of the briefing reviewed by RFA.

"We think every country in the region, including China, needs to respect international law and needs to behave responsibly in the maritime domain," Kritenbrink added.

He reaffirmed that the mutual defense treaty obligations that the U.S. has with the Philippines are ironclad.

We are going to continue to stand with our Filipino allies, Kritenbrink said, while declining to engage in discussion of any hypothetical situation.

Deeply concerned

The U.S. assistant state secretary met with Vietnams minister of foreign affairs, Bui Thanh Son, and one of his deputies, vice minister Ha Kim Ngoc.

The Vietnamese government reported on its website that Son and Kritenbrink stressed the importance of resolving disputes, including in the East Sea, Vietnams name for the South China Sea, through peaceful measures, in accordance with international law.

Earlier, a Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesperson said that her country was closely monitoring and deeply concerned about the incident on June 17.

Pham Thu Hang said Vietnam urged China and the Philippines to show restraint and act appropriately in accordance with international law, respecting the sovereignty and jurisdiction rights over the exclusive economic zones and continental shelves of coastal nations, which are established in accordance with the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS.

That call for respect of international law was until now the most explicit expression of support for the Philippines from Vietnam, which has always been careful not to antagonize its big neighbor China.

China claims historic rights over more than 80% of the South China Sea, more than any other claimant.

Philippine officials on Friday said Manila has not considered invoking the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the U.S. which obliges the United States to come to support it if Philippine forces, ships and aircraft come under an armed attack, including in the South China Sea.

Giving a platform

Asked about Putins less than 24-hour visit to Russias old ally Vietnam on Thursday, Kritenbrink said: Only Vietnam can decide how best to safeguard its sovereignty and advance its interests.

Prior to Putins arrival, the U.S. embassy in Hanoi said in a statement that no country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression and otherwise allow him to normalize his atrocities.

Both the United States and Russia are comprehensive strategic partners of Vietnam.

While Russia is Vietnams main supplier of weapons and other military equipment, the U.S. has become its largest export market, worth US$97 billion in 2023, according to official statistics.

Kritenbrink said on the social platform X that during his visit, he discussed with Vietnamese partners how our nations can continue to implement the critical U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and bolster strong supply chains, high tech partnerships, educational ties, and bilateral investment.

The senior diplomat, who served as U.S. ambassador to Vietnam from 2017 to 2021, insisted that trust between the two former enemies was at an all-time high and the U.S.-Vietnam partnership has never been stronger."

Edited by Mike Firn.
Its another way of erasing Uyghur religion, history and culture, a human rights group says.

A vehicle drives past a signboard reading 'Welcome to the Hotan Unity New Village' in Hotan, northwestern China's Xinjiang region, Sept, 21, 2018.

China has changed the names of about 630 Uyghur villages to Mandarin words such as Harmony and Unity to promote ethnic harmony in Xinjiang, a report by a human rights group found,

The move is part of Chinese governments efforts to erase the cultural and religious expression of the more than 11 million predominantly Muslim Uyghurs living in Chinas far-western Xinjiang region, New York-based Human Rights Watch, or HRW, said in its June 18 report.

How these village names are being kind of erased and replaced shows how dystopian the whole project of the Chinese government in the Uyghur region is, Maya Wang, acting China director at HRW.

Its about repressing people and  the past, and erasing the future, and erasing what they can imagine as a possibility for their own children or grandchildren, she said.

The results came after HRW and Norway-based Uyghur Hjelp scraped names of villages in Xinjiang from the website of Chinas National Bureau of Statistics.

All told, China hanged the names of 3,652 of 25,000 Uyghur villages in Xinjiang between 2009 and 2023, but most of these changes have been mundane, such as correcting numbers or the way the names were written, they found.

But 630 of the changes were more dramatic and religious, cultural or historical in nature. And most renamings occurred between 2017 and 2019, when the Chinese governments repression escalated in the region, the report said, but they appear to be continuing.

Erasing symbols

For example, Aq Meschit, or White Mosque, village in Akto county, Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture, was renamed Unity village in 2018.

The same year, Hoja Eriq, or Sufi Teachers Creek, village in Aksu Prefecture was rechristened Willow village.

And Dutar, a village named after a Uyghur musical instrument, in Qaraqash county of Hotan prefecture, was renamed Red Flag in 2022.

The Chinese government has used the village renamings along with other tactics, including the banning of hijabs for women, beards for men, and Muslim names for children, to wipe out Uyghur culture and to humiliate the ethnic group, Wang said.

On a very fundamental level, erasing the symbols of people, the language and culture is about erasing who they are and teaching them to fear, she said.

The village renamings are also part of the greater set of serious rights abuses and crimes against humanity involving the detentions of an estimated 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Turkic people in re-education camps, torture, forced labor, sexual violence and the forced sterilization of woman, Wang said.

Uyghur children play in a square where a propaganda poster shows Han Chinese and Uyghurs posing together in a photograph with the words 'Hotan City Unity New Village Unity Square' at the Unity New Village in Hotan, northwestern China's Xinjiang region, Sept. 20, 2018. (Andy Wong/AP)

Campaign for Uyghurs, a Washington-based Uyghur advocacy group, condemned the village renamings.

The names, which have now been changed to empty CCP [Chinese Communist Party] slogans, once reflected our long history and rich culture and have been in our homeland for hundreds of years, said Rushan Abbas, the groups executive director, in a statement.

Although the CCP appears to celebrate Uyghur culture by showcasing elements like our music and dance, these displays are nothing but hollow propaganda masking the regimes ongoing and systematic suppression of cultural and religious expression, Abbas said.



In response to such measures, foreign governments, especially those in Muslim-majority nations, can put pressure on the Chinese government to stop its abuses involving religious and ethnic minorities and condemn such behavior, said Ibrahim Hooper, national communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Washington.

Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcom Foster.
Following a human trafficking scandal, Rohingya migrants sit on the floor, May 9, 2015, at the authority's district office of Rattaphum, Songkla province, southern Thailand, as they were found abandoned in Khao Kaew mountain near the Thai-Malaysia border.

For the second year in a row, Vietnams ranking in the U.S. State Departments annual Trafficking in Persons report has improved, and the country is now clear of some of Asias worst human trafficking locales, including China, Cambodia, Myanmar and North Korea.

The report was released on Monday in Washington, with officials focussing on the growing use of technology in facilitating trafficking, including the use of social media for online scam operations.

Cambodia and Vietnam both fell to the worst Tier 3 category in the 2022 report amid surges in sex trafficking and kidnappings linked to cyber-scam operations, but Vietnam last year was upgraded to Tier 2 watchlist as officials made some efforts to tamp down on the crime.

Vietnam was again upgraded this year and now sits in the regular Tier 2 list, which includes countries that do not yet meet the State Departments standards for eradicating trafficking but that are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance.

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Tier 2 watchlist, meanwhile, refers to countries where the numbers of victims are increasing with few efforts to combat trafficking, and Tier 3 refers to countries that do not meet the reports standards to eradicate human trafficking and are not making significant efforts to do so.

In Asia and the Pacific, the Tier 3 list includes China, North Korea, Myanmar, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Macau, Papua New Guinea and Brunei, all of which have been in the category for many years.

The report says Vietnam was upgraded out of the Tier 2 watchlist because its government had demonstrated overall increasing efforts to fight trafficking, including submitting a new draft of an anti-trafficking law to its legislature and increasing the prosecution of traffickers.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers remarks during the release of the 2024 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, June 24, 2024 at the State Department in Washington. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Reuters)

But it says the country still does not meet the standards of Tier 1 countries, noting among other things that a senior diplomat accused of facilitating trafficking of Vietnamese nationals to Saudi Arabia in 2021 had a case against him dropped and was given a new job.

North Korean nationals working in Vietnam may be operating under exploitative working conditions and display multiple indicators of forced labor, it adds, also noting that Cuban doctors working in Vietnam may have also been forced into the roles by the Cuban government.

Worst human traffickers

China remained in the worst Tier 3 category, even as the report noted that Beijing had made external efforts to counter human trafficking.

Despite the lack of significant [domestic] efforts, the government took some steps to address trafficking, including by raising awareness of the risk of forced labor in online scam operations in Southeast Asia, it says, praising Chinese authorities for cooperating with foreign law enforcement where Chinese nationals were accused of trafficking.

Still, the widespread forced labor programs targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang and the use of forced labor in Belt and Road Initiative programs kept China in the Tier 3 category.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, dismissed the evaluation of China as political lies and ideological bias and said the situation in Xinjiang was not about human rights but about countering violent terrorism, radicalization and separatism.

The Chinese government attaches high importance to cracking down on human trafficking and has achieved notable results. The U.S. has no authority to act as a judge on human rights, Liu said, accusing the United States of using human rights as a cover to attack China.

Some anti-China forces have been fabricating and spreading groundless disinformation about Xinjiang by distorting facts to smear Chinas image, vilify its Xinjiang policy and meddle in its internal affairs in an attempt to fool the world, he told Radio Free Asia.

Separately, Cambodia and Myanmar, which form part of the epicenter of the rampant problem of forced cyber-scam compounds in Southeast Asia, also continued to languish in the bottom-most category.

The report says that corruption and official complicity in Cambodia, where forced scam compounds are rife, meant that authorities were not only failing to counteract human trafficking but were facilitating it.

Samson Inocencio Jr. of the Philippines poses for a photo with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken after receiving a certificate honoring their work combatting human trafficking during a ceremony marking the release of the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report, June 24, 2024, at the State Department in Washington. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/Reuters)

Officials actively impeded countervailing efforts, including reportedly undermining anti-trafficking law enforcement and victim protection efforts and dispelling reported accusations through minimization and denial in public messaging, the report says.

Forced scamming

Speaking at the reports launch, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cited the rise of cyber-scam compounds as the biggest growing threat to global anti-trafficking efforts, with the industry now worth billions of dollars and more and more regular people being tricked into captivity.

He spoke about a case where people in Southeast Asia answering online job ads were taken to an isolated guarded compound in Burma, where the phones were confiscated and they were forced to carry out romance scams to swindle people into sending cryptocurrency.

One trafficking survivor, a chemical engineer from India, told a reporter that he was locked in a cell and starved until he agreed to take part in the scams, he said. This practice of combining human trafficking with cyber scamming is becoming more and more common.

The increasing numbers of people falling victim to such criminal operations across Asia each year disproved false but widely held notion that trafficking only affects women and girls, he added.

Edited by Malcolm Foster
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.
Iranians will choose a new president on June 28, more than a month after the death of Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash. Four candidates, including one lone reformist, have been handpicked by the Islamic republic's political establishment. The winner could play a major role in choosing the successor to aging Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But some Iranians told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that they will boycott an election they see as being engineered. (UPDATE: Two hard-line candidates mentioned in this video have since dropped out of the race: Alireza Zakani, the mayor of Tehran, and Amirhossein Qazizadeh Hashemi, who served as a deputy to Raisi.)
Details are still emerging about the June 23 violence in Russia's North Caucasus region of Daghestan.



At least 20 people were killed, including 15 police officers, according to Russia's Investigative Committee, when gunmen attacked two synagogues, two Russian Orthodox churches, and police targets in the regional capital, Makhachkala, and the city of Derbent, some 120 kilometers to the south. Five gunmen were reportedly killed, while 16 people -- including 13 police officers -- were reportedly injured.



There was no immediate claim of responsibility.



The incident came in the context of Daghestan's decades-long simmering unrest, with fuel thrown on the fire by Russia's war against Ukraine.



Vilayat Kavkaz



The Russian authorities have not released the names of the five slain gunmen. However, Caucasus-related Telegram channels have identified two of them as sons of Magomed Omarov, a local district head and ruling United Russia party official who was promptly expelled over the incident. Another of the killed attackers was said to have been Omarov's nephew. Omarov has reportedly been detained on suspicion of abetting terrorism.



The Telegram channel Baza, which has ties to law enforcement, claimed that Omarov said under questioning that he knew his sons and nephew were extremists and had not been in contact with them "for the last few years." There was no way of verifying that account or a report by the Telegram channel Mash that one of the sons, Osman Omarov, had returned in April from spending 18 months in Turkey.

The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote on June 23 that the attack may have been coordinated by the North Caucasus branch of the extremist group Islamic State, which is known as Vilayat Kavkaz. A media channel tied to a broader regional IS affiliate issued a statement praising their "brothers from the Caucasus," which ISW analysts interpreted as a strong indication that Vilayat Kavkaz had carried out the attack.



Russia's counterterrorism agencies have been cracking down on people they claim are members of Vilayat Kavkaz since the March 22 attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue outside Moscow that killed 145 people and was claimed by IS, though most of the suspects in that attack were Tajiks and there was no known connection to the North Caucasus.



Accusing Ukraine And The West



Without providing evidence, several Russian officials quickly placed responsibility for the attacks on Ukraine and NATO, just as they did after the Crocus City Hall attack.



"Today we find ourselves participants in those events that are happening around the world," Daghestan head Sergei Melikov said on June 24, seemingly seeking to lay blame outside his region and outside Russia. "We must understand that war has come to our house."



Magomed Gadzhiyev, a member of Russia's lower parliament house from Daghestan, claimed without evidence that the attacks were "in one way or another tied to the secret services of Ukraine and NATO countries." They were, he added, an "attempt to destabilize the situation in our country" against the backdrop of "the successes of our forces" in Ukraine.

Dmitry Rogozin, prominent former diplomat and a member of the upper parliament house, cautioned against such conclusions, saying that blaming NATO for every such incident could prevent Russia from identifying internal threats and "lead to big problems."



Likewise, a North Caucasus analyst who asked not to be named out of security concerns for speaking to RFE/RL said that Russia should seek the root causes of the radicalization of youths in Daghestan.



"They need to figure out what motivates them, rather than trying to hush up the incident by citing 'the influence of Ukraine or the West,'" the analyst told RFE/RL's Caucasus.Realities.



Simmering Discontent



Daghestan, with a population of more than 3.1 million, is the largest region of Russia's North Caucasus. It is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse areas in the world, a mountainous patchwork with 14 official languages and a dozen major ethnic groups. More than 80 percent of the population is Sunni Muslim. There is a significant conservative Salafi minority that has long been accused of extremism by the Russian authorities and targeted for repression.

One of Russia's poorest and least-developed regions, Daghestan regularly reports one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. It played a role in the wars in neighboring Chechnya in the 1990s and 2000s and was embroiled in an Islamist insurgency in the North Caucasus that stemmed from those conflicts.



The June 23 violence was the first major incident of its type in the region in about 15 years. However, unrest has been on the increase since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Daghestan is one of a number of impoverished, non-ethnic-Russian regions that has disproportionately contributed troops to the war.



After President Vladimir Putin announced a massive military call-up in September 2022 amid battlefield setbacks in Ukraine, Daghestan became a locus of anti-mobilization protests.

Separately, in October 2023, a mob of more than 1,000 people shouting anti-Semitic slogans stormed the airport in Makhachkala amid inflammatory social media reports that the region was accepting Israeli refugees from the Gaza War. Russian officials sought to blame the West for that violence as well.

As has been the case across Russia since the Ukraine invasion, analysts say, security forces in Daghestan have been primarily occupied with suppressing dissent over the war, compounding anger among restive citizens and leaving the country more vulnerable to potential extremist attacks.

Written by RFE/RL's Robert Coalson based on reporting by Current Time. RFE/RL's Russian Service and Caucasus.Realities also contributed to this report.
The United States responded on June 24 to Russia's claim that it was to blame for a deadly attack on Crimea on June 23 by pointing the finger back at Moscow for starting the war and by saying that the weapons it provides are for Ukraine to use to defend its territory against Russian aggression.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that the June 23 strike near Sevastopol involved five longer-range missiles that the United States began supplying to Ukraine this year.

It also claimed that U.S. specialists had set the missiles' flight coordinates based on information gathered from U.S. satellites.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller responded by saying it was not unusual for Moscow to make "ridiculous, hyperbolic claims about responsibility that aren't borne out by fact."

He noted that Russia initially blamed Washington for a terrorist attack on a Moscow concert hall in March that killed more than 140 people and was later claimed by the extremist Islamic State group.

"We regret any civilian loss of life in this war. We provide weapons to Ukraine so it can defend its sovereign territory against armed aggression -- that includes in Crimea which, of course, is part of Ukraine," Miller told reporters. "Russia could stop this war today."

Miller said the United States had no assessment on the attack on Crimea, which Russia said killed four people, including two children, and injured 151. Moscow claimed it was carried out by U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile Systems, known as ATACMS, loaded with a cluster warhead.

Pentagon spokesman Major Charlie Dietz said that Ukraine "makes its own targeting decisions and conducts its own military operations."

Russia summoned U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy to the Foreign Ministry earlier on June 24 to face accusations that Washington was "waging a hybrid war against Russia and has actually become a party to the conflict" and was told that the attack would not go unpunished.

"Of course, the involvement of the United States in the fighting, as a result of which peaceful Russians are dying, cannot but have consequences," Peskov said. "Which ones exactly -- time will tell."

While he declined to provide specifics, Peskov cited Russian President Vladimir Putin's comments on June 6 about supplying conventional weapons to regions near to the United States and near U.S. allies.

Putin also has said that Russia might supply weapons to North Korea, suggesting this would be a mirror response to the West supplying military arms and equipment to help Ukraine defend itself in the full-scale invasion that Russia launched in February 2022. Since the start of the invasion, Russian attacks have killed more than 11,000 Ukrainian civilians, according to the United Nations.

While the Russian Defense Ministry said four people died in the attack on Crimea when they were hit by falling debris from the missiles, Sevastopol's Russian-appointed governor, Mikhail Razvozhayev, said that five people were killed.

Video footage aired by Russian media and posted on social media showed vacationers running to safety and injured people being evacuated from a beach said to be on the north side of the city, which is a popular tourist destination and home to the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

Russia seized and illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and installed a local government, although the territory is still officially part of Ukraine.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyiv has vowed to restore control of its territory and has targeted key Russian military and naval installations in Crimea.

The attack came as Russia continues to pound Ukrainian energy infrastructure and strike the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, near the border with Russia.

At least two people were killed and more than 50 were injured on June 22 when an apartment building was struck by a Russian bomb. On June 23, the air strikes on the city continued, killing one person.

Russian forces also attacked Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region on June 24, killing at least four people and injuring 34. Regional Governor Vadym Filashkin said that two Iskander-M missiles destroyed a home and damaged 16 others in the town of Pokrovsk.

Russian military bloggers sharply criticized the Russian Defense Ministry and occupying authorities in Crimea following the missile strike near Sevastopol, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

In a June 23 report, the ISW said that "Russian sources criticized Russian authorities for not using air-raid sirens to alert civilians to seek shelter."

The U.S. think tank also said that Russian authorities were criticized for "failing to detect and destroy all the missiles before they approached Sevastopol."

Ukraine has in recent months stepped up attacks against Russian forces in Crimea, which Russia has militarized since annexing it in 2014. There are more than 200 Russian military sites on Crimea, including air bases, naval installations, training grounds, air defense and rocket forces, as well as signals and communications facilities.

The Kremlin has been promoting Crimea as a tourist destination despite the danger of attacks. Crimean officials have organized festivals and concerts this summer as the peninsula is heavily dependent on tourism to sustain its economy. The Kremlin and Russian businessmen have poured tens of billions of dollars into infrastructure, hotels, and real estate since 2014.

Tourists who go there have been told to heed official warnings, like air alarms. At the same time, Ukrainian authorities have been warning Russians since 2022 not to vacation in Crimea.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters
A Russian missile strike on the city of Pokrovsk in Ukraines Donetsk region on June 24 killed at least four residents and injured dozens, including children. As locals surveyed destroyed residential buildings, authorities said the attack was one of the most devastating in recent months. (RFE/RL's Donbas Realii)
WASHINGTON -- When the U.S. Congress approved $61 billion in aid for Kyiv in April after a six-month delay that cost Ukraine territory and a large chunk of its energy system, a nagging question immediately emerged: Was this the last major support package for a country fighting a massive Russian invasion?

With U.S. public backing for Ukraine withering after more than two years of full-scale war, especially among Republican voters, would there be enough will in Congress to pass another large aid package in 2025? Would there be any U.S. aid package if former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican contender in the November 5 election, returns to the White House in January?



Over the past two weeks, the United States and European governments have taken some of the urgency out of the answers to those questions, approving steps aimed to ensure that Ukraine remains financially afloat and able to defend itself well into 2025 regardless of election outcomes.

Meeting in southern Italy on June 13-15, the Group of Seven nations agreed to loan Ukraine $50 billion that will be paid down by the interest income and profits generated from the $260-300 billion in Russian central bank reserves frozen in the West as punishment for the invasion. Ukraine will begin receiving the money this year; it will be used for military procurement, budget needs, and reconstruction -- particularly of its energy infrastructure, which has been devastated by Russian attacks.

On the sidelines of the summit, U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement, echoing similar pacts that other Western allies have concluded with Kyiv. Under the agreement, the United States will encourage U.S. defense companies to set up joint ventures with Ukrainian companies and co-produce critical weapons and ammunition inside the country, reducing its dependence on Western aid.



"Putin's strategy is to wait out the West and wait out Ukraine and eventually to win" by turning it into a failed state, Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and professor of international affairs at Georgetown University, told RFE/RL.



"The allies made it clear to Putin that it wouldn't happen. It is an extraordinary message to send," he said.



Additional Western support for Ukraine may be on the way. At a July 9-11 summit in Washington, NATO is expected to announce an agreement by member states to continue military support, further buttressing Ukraine through 2025. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is seeking an annual commitment of $40 billion and is also due to announce plans by NATO to take the reins of coordinating allied military aid from the United States.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration announced on June 20 that it had agreed with allies to ship Patriot and National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) rolling off the production lines and initially destined for other nations to Ukraine to help repel Russian attacks.



Ukraine will begin receiving the Patriots and NASAMS later this summer, and the supply will be sufficient to cover the country's needs through late 2025, the White House said. They will help Ukraine defend itself against Russian jets and intercept missiles aimed at its energy sector, among other targets.



A major reduction or end to U.S. aid could be severely detrimental to Ukraine's war effort, as evidenced by the setbacks it suffered as ammunition and air defense ran low while Republican lawmakers with Trump's support were blocking the $61 billion package proposed by Biden in October.



The United States is Ukraine's largest backer, having allocated about $175 billion in military, financial, and humanitarian aid to the country since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, and has played the lead role in coordinating military support from NATO allies.

In a June 20 report, Liam Peach, senior emerging markets economist at London-based research firm Capital Economics, said the $50 billion loan "may help to safeguard support for Ukraine over the coming years against potential changes in political winds in the West including a victory for Donald Trump in the U.S. election." The amount is slightly greater than Ukraine's budget deficit for 2024.



Kupchan cautioned that large-scale Western support through 2025 and beyond is not etched in stone, with Trump and European right-wing leaders vying for power. French President Emmanuel Macron, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, this month called snap parliamentary elections after France's right-wing party had a strong showing in EU elections.



"Is this a full-proof plan? Absolutely not, because we don't know who is going to win the U.S. election and the French election. If you have governments ready to turn off the spigot of aid, then things get a lot more complicated," he said.



Trump has not said clearly what he would do about aid to Ukraine if elected. At a campaign rally on June 16, two days after the West announced the $50 billion loan, he said Zelenskiy's lobbying for aid "never ends."



Trump also repeated a claim that he would end the war quickly, saying he would "have that settled" within weeks if he wins the election. He has not said how he would do that, and there is no sign that the sides are close to negotiations.

Steven Pifer, the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine from 1998-2000 and now an analyst with the Brookings Institution, told RFE/RL the $50 billion loan to Ukraine and NATO's greater role going forward in organizing assistance to Ukraine represents "a sort of a hedge against a Trump victory" in November.



Pifer said he would not expect Trump to request another aid package for Ukraine in 2025 if he wins. A Biden victory, on the other hand, might make passage a bit easier even if the Republicans still control the House of Representatives, he said.



Kupchan said he thinks Trump would approve an aid package next year if elected in November.



"Trump's default position will be to very significantly diminish foreign aid across the board with assistance to Ukraine being at the top of his list," he said.



But it wouldn't go to zero next year, he predicted, because "Trump doesn't want to go down in history as the American president who threw Ukraine under the bus and who handed Ukraine to Vladimir Putin."
A fresh mark on one of Ukraine's Polovtsian statues is distinct from older injuries. A shard of shrapnel hit almost at the heart of one of the ancient statues. This is one of the famous Polovtsian figures, estimated to be around 1,000 years old. The monuments were created by a nomadic Turkic group called the Cumans, or Polovtsy, who lived in southern Ukraine.

The shrapnel-scarred Polovtsian statue was evacuated by volunteers from Velika Novosilka, a town in Ukraine's Donetsk region that today stands just 5 kilometers from Russian positions. The stone monument is one of several that stood in the center of the town and were its calling card until the Russian invasion. Now Velika Novosilka is half in ruins, says Hryhoriy Demyanov, one of the volunteers who helped to evacuate the monuments. Since early March 2024, a total nine sculptures have been evacuated to the relative safety of Dnipro. Money for each of the five trips was donated by Ukrainians and foreigners. "We took out the first two monuments in a car with a trailer. We used crowbars, a winch, and our hands," Demyanov recalls.

For the second evacuation mission, the team prepared better. With heavy equipment they managed to free the third statue relatively quickly. They also found a crane truck and driver who agreed to work in Velika Novosilka. "The shelling was heavy, a glide bomb flew over the village, and drones were operating -- we had to work very quickly," Demyanov says. Specialized equipment for loading the sculptures could be obtained only once. The other evacuations were made using improvised methods. "First, a wooden pallet was tied to the sculpture, after which she was excavated and carefully laid back on the already tied pallet, which served as a support," Demyanov recalls. "This is a very important historical artifact. There are not many of them left, so they must be saved. This is our history, our identity," the volunteer stresses.

Since their evacuation from the front lines, the Polovtsian statues and several other ancient monuments have been given temporary shelter in Dnipro. Oleksandr Starik, acting director of the Dnipropetrovsk National Historical Museum, told RFE/RL's Donbas.Realities that removing such treasures from the battlefield is essential. "If the enemy captures these territories, he will not need the monuments. Quite the opposite, because they do not fit into the [Russian] historical myths that they plant in the captured territories," Starik says. "They say these territories originally belonged to them, that they were Slavic territories associated with their version of Russia. The nomadic people here, the Polovtsy people, do not fit in with their myths."

Starik takes me on an impromptu tour of the site where the Polovtsian statues are currently stored. They once stood atop mounds visible from afar and served as markers in the steppe showing the boundaries of different tribes. "Each of them is individual. Each one is unique. Clothes, hands under the stomach, bowls in their hands, small legs -- all these features are characteristic of Polovtsian sculptures," the historian says. He believes sacrifices were made at the sites where the groups of statues stood. The statues may have been treated as living ancestors. "They were seen as alive, and could be communicated with," Starik says. In some cases they appear to have been punished. Some of the statues were buried face down.
By David Young, PA

The fall-out from Brexit, discord over calls for a united Ireland and Stormonts perilous financial position dominated in the first major TV debate of the UK general election campaign in Northern Ireland.

Senior representatives from Sinn Fein, the DUP, Alliance Party, Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP participated in the UTV debate on Sunday.

The line-up included three party leaders  the DUPs Gavin Robinson, Alliances Naomi Long and the SDLPs Colum Eastwood  while Sinn Fein was represented by its North Belfast candidate John Finucane and the UUP by its deputy leader and Lagan Valley candidate Robbie Butler.

The debate, which was largely even-tempered in nature, was held in UTVs studios in the City Quays 2 building in Belfast and moderated by the broadcasters political correspondent Vicki Hawthorne.

The debate took place at UTVs City Quays 2 studios. Photo: Alamy/PA.

The hour-long programme began with Mr Robinson being challenged on the DUPs endorsement of the UK government command paper on post-Brexit trade that the party used to justify dropping its two-year blockade on powersharing at Stormont earlier this year.

The DUP leader said he did not accept the suggestion that his party had oversold the deal, as he claimed the package of measures achieved some progress in addressing unionist concerns over trade and sovereignty, but that work remained to be done.

Its very clear the roadmap is there, we have attained progress when others either did not care or did not try and we are standing on our record of achieving for the people who elect us, he said.

Mr Finucane was pressed on Sinn Feins long-standing abstentionist policy at Westminster in the context of the decisions taken on the shape of the Brexit withdrawal over recent years.

He insisted his partys voice had been clearly heard in London through direct meetings with UK government ministers and senior opposition MPs.

Mr Finucane said Sinn Fein representatives had also brought their message to the heart of the political establishment in Brussels and Washington.

If we go back and actually look at the outworking of what the British government were intent on doing, there wasnt a single vote (in Parliament) that was going to stop the Brexit project, he said.

And I think that when we have a chamber that, by its very nature, is designed to make MPs from here irrelevant, the real work gets done when we engage with them directly. And thats what weve been doing.

Mr Eastwood was asked what difference the SDLP actually made by taking its seats in Westminster. He said he firmly believed that unless elected MPs attend Parliament you just dont count.

He said his party had been a voice for common sense in the House of Commons.

If youre asking MPs from across the political spectrum in Westminster, they wouldnt really know who Sinn Feins MPs are, he added.

Ms Long said there was a need for other voices other than the DUP to be represented at Westminster.

The DUP have delivered in the last term  they delivered the chaos of Brexit, they delivered collapse of the Assembly, they delivered a very negative outlook from Northern Ireland, she said.

What I want to do and what my colleagues want to do is to project that more positive element of Northern Ireland, to talk about what we can achieve and what we can do and the support that we need to be able to enable that. I think that that more positive voice needs to be heard.

Those remarks prompted one of the debates more robust exchanges, with Mr Robinson then accusing Ms Long and the other parties of ignoring unionist concerns about post-Brexit trading agreements.

They did not care for our concerns, and that is damaging, that is not how progress will be made in Northern Ireland, he said.

Ms Long said the fault for the problems Northern Ireland had faced post-Brexit lay at the door of the DUP, for not only campaigning for a UK exit from the EU but also by championing the hardest Brexit.

Its unfair I think to create a problem and then expect everyone else to take responsibility for the consequences of it while you live in denial, she told Mr Robinson.

Mr Butler said his party had been consistent through the Brexit process, warning of the potential damage a UK exit from the EU might inflict on Northern Ireland.

The UTV Election Debate with moderator Vicki Hawthorne lasted an hour (Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye/PA)

He also accused Sinn Fein and the DUP of making the people of the region suffer the consequences of political failure with their moves to collapse powersharing for two lengthy periods over the last seven years.

He said his party would pursue more positive politics at Westminster.

It would be making Northern Ireland work, and it wouldnt be the belligerent politics which I grew up with, which I want to see changed, he said.

The second part of the debate focused on Stormonts bleak financial picture.

Mr Finucane insisted it was a lazy narrative to suggest the solution was Stormont imposing more revenue-raising measures on people in the region.

He said the local parties instead needed to take a united approach in pressing the Treasury for more money.

What we need is that collective voice pushing back against the Treasury, pushing back against Westminster, and demanding the bare minimum resources that we need to improve, particularly public resources like health and education, he said.

Mr Butler was challenged whether his party had acted responsibly in recently voting against the Stormont budget that was agreed by the other Executive parties. Former UUP health minister Robin Swann opposed the budget plan after claiming the allocation to his department would inflict significant damage on health service delivery.

We have responsibility for the health portfolio and its very clear that hundreds of millions of pounds short is going to cause harm to the people of Northern Ireland, said Mr Butler.

We dont think there was a fair allocation and were working with our Executive partners to see that remedied and we want to see that remedied as quickly as possible.

Ms Long accused political rivals of avoiding difficult decisions when it came to reforming and restructuring public services in Northern Ireland.

She also said there were other ways to raise revenue, such as taxing corporations and the super-rich, rather than introducing new charges on hard-pressed families.

Ms Long said Northern Ireland was underfunded from London but she said there was also a need to address the cost of division in the region, with many services duplicated as a consequence of the need to provide services to divided communities.

There can be no escaping the reality that when we get that money, we have to be accountable for how we spend it, she said.

We cant overspend, we cant waste. And we need to look, before we start dipping into the pockets of hard-pressed members of the public, we need to look at the money that is wasted on the cost of division in our society.

Mr Eastwood said Northern Ireland was an economic basket case and the financial situation once again demonstrated the need for local MPs to attend Westminster to press the next government for more funding.

Whilst we would love to see more fiscal powers in Northern Ireland, the powers right now rest in London, so weve got to go there, as much as I dont want to, weve got to go there, hold them to account and speak up for the people here, he said.

Mr Robinson made clear his party was opposed to revenue-raising measures. He said people had a higher tax burden now than at any time since the Second World War.

Im not sure that theres a strong appetite there to hear about more fiscal devolution, which means more revenue raising, which means more difficulty for hard-pressed working families, he said.

The final part of the debate focused on the long-running wrangle over Northern Irelands constitutional future.

Mr Robinson said he had no interest in participating in a societal conversation about breaking up the United Kingdom.

As a unionist I can say this is a boring repetition of an aspiration which has gained no traction whatsoever over the last 25 years, he said.

The combined vote of nationalists and republicanism within Northern Ireland has not grown one bit in 25 years. So, its not gaining traction.

As a unionist, the idea of having a casual or a polite or an engaging conversation about this issue about severing my own country is about as attractive as having a polite conversation about severing my own leg.

Mr Finucane was asked about recent comments from former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar when he suggested the process of changing hearts and minds in relation to constitutional change would require the republican movement making a specific apology for its actions during the Troubles.

The senior Sinn Fein representative, whose father Pat was murdered by loyalists during the Troubles, said his party had not been found wanting when it came to moves towards reconciliation.

But he said issues around forgiveness should be detached from the debate on a new Ireland.

Thats a separate conversation, its a personal conversation, and its something that is very emotive and I would say should be divorced at the right time from this conversation, which is about looking towards the future, he said.

Ms Long was pressed several times on why her party did not take a position on the constitutional question.

She urged her political rivals to respect the fact she was neutral on the issue.

But she said Alliance still wanted to participate in the wider debate.

We want to be part of that conversation because it will be our future as much as anyone elses, she said.

The important thing though for me is that, first and foremost, as politicians, we wont be the people who make those decisions, itll be the public who make those decisions at the ballot box in a referendum.

Mr Butler said nationalists and republicans had been unable to agree a shared vision of what a united Ireland might look like.

As a unionist, it is my responsibility to see Northern Ireland work, to see Northern Ireland thrive and Im not picking up anything certainly from the unionist community and even from many in the nationalist community, who are not having that conversation (about unification) at the moment, he said.

And thats not to diminish the rights of the SDLP or Sinn Fein or any others to take part in those conversations. But Im not picking up any sense that were at that point.

And, in fact, my priority will be to have the alternative conversation, which is to make Northern Ireland the most prosperous place in the United Kingdom and indeed on these islands.

Mr Eastwood said reconciliation had to be at the heart of any debate about unifying Ireland.

I want that conversation to be a process of reconciliation where we explain to people that we can unite these communities again, we can bring people together, we can give people a better chance in life, a better economic outlook, better public services.

I think thats a prize worth having, and being part of the European Union again, he said.

I think no matter who you are, no matter what your background is, we have to understand this is not about fixing historic wrongs, this is about building a future together.
A Naval Officer who pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend still serving in the Defence Forces and a rise in house prices is among the headlines in Monday's papers.

The Irish Times reports a Naval Officer who pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend left one of her eyes permanently displaced is still in the Defence Forces a year after making his plea.

The Irish Examiner leads with Bishops rejecting recommendations on assisted dying, warning that the proposals will undermine the confidence of terminally-ill people.

The Echo leads with a nine per cent rise in house prices in Cork in the latest Daft.ie report.

The Irish Independent reports home buyers and spending 30,000 more than the asking price when purchasing property.

The Irish Daily Mail leads with the Aer Lingus industrial action, as pilots accuse the airline of intimidation.

The Irish Daily Star leads with a woman who was assaulted by her Garda ex-husband wants to meet Natasha O'Brien to "make a stand together."

UK Papers

Politics dominates Mondays front pages as the final full week of campaigning gets underway ahead of the UK general election.

The Guardian, The Independent and the i all lead with senior Tories questioning Rishi Sunaks leadership over the alleged betting scandal enveloping the Conservative Party.

GUARDIAN: Sunak urged to drop candidates as betting investigation widens #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/Blr7nT4IGx  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) June 23, 2024

INDEPENDENT: Tories turn on PM over failure to get a grip on bet scandal #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/bT3CjjHwcF  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) June 23, 2024

Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph and The Times report Labour could ditch guidelines banning children from being taught there are more than two genders.

The front page of today's Daily Telegraph:



'Labour to rip up school trans ban'



Sign up for the Front Page newsletterhttps://t.co/x8AV4OoUh6 pic.twitter.com/jPVQCB9mMt  The Telegraph (@Telegraph) June 23, 2024

TIMES: Labour plan for changing gender with less evidence #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/fLcEejgM9s  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) June 23, 2024

The Daily Express carries comments from the Prime Minister that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wants to unpick Brexit, while the Daily Mail leads with Mr Sunak warning voters have 10 days to save Britain from the disaster of a Labour super-majority.

Monday's front page: Rishi: Starmer will unpick Brexit and rejoin EU by back door https://t.co/s8ptn1qcGq#TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/m9gXnlcA27  Daily Express (@Daily_Express) June 23, 2024

MAIL: Ten days left to stop disaster of a Starmer supermajority #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/uQGxmhM7uo  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) June 23, 2024

The Financial Times cites a survey which says the Tories have lost a third of their voters since January.

FT UK: Conservatives lose a third of their voters since January, survey finds #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/BRUY6ccod5  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) June 23, 2024

The Daily Mirror leads with Iceland boss Richard Walker revealing Mr Sunaks stern reaction to him speaking out about soaring foodbank use.

MIRROR: Frozen out by Sunak for telling the truth #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/mVoYLb8art  Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) June 23, 2024

The Met Office has said Britain could experience its first heatwave of the summer this week, according to the Metro.

And the Daily Star leads with Harry Kanes reaction to Gary Linekers criticism of the England teams play.
ho is Archana Makwana? Know All About Her Golden Temple Controversy

Punjab Police File Case Against Archana Makwana for Allegedly Hurting Religious Sentiments

Who is Archana Makwana and what is her Golden Temple's Yoga Controversy? Ever since the picture of Archana doing Yoga at the Golden Temple in Amritsar went viral on social media, the Sikh community have been shocked and expressing anger over the girl's move.

Punjab police has registered a case against Archana Makwana, after the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) alleged she hurt religious sentiments by performing meditation and a headstand ("Shirsasana") at the Golden Temple on June 21, International Yoga Day.

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Following online death threats, Gujarat police has also placed her under protection and advised her to stay home.

The SGPC criticized the act, prompting Makwana to delete the photos and issue a video apology, stating, "I thought performing a Shirsasana at such a sacred site would convey unity and fitness. I never imagined it would offend anyone."

Who is Archana Makwana, the girl who did Yoga at Golden Temple and stirred controversy?

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Archana Makwana is an Instagram influencer and entrepreneur who runs a fashion design brand named House of Archana in Gujarat's Vadodara. The influencer also has a brand named 'Healing Tattvas' where she documents her travel experiences as a blogger.
June 24, 2024

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 24.06.2024, 14:00

VISIT  Chief of Defense Staff, General Gheorghita Vlad, on Sunday met the Defense Minister of Luxembourg, Yuriko Backes, and Luxembourgs Chief of Defense Staff, Steve Thull on the sidelines of his visit to Luxembourg. According to a Defense Ministry release, the agenda of talks focused on security developments in the extended Black Sea region, defense architecture in Euro-Atlantic space, as well as intensifying cooperation by means of multinational exercises on Romanias territory. General Vlad highlighted the contribution of Luxembourgs troops to the Forward Presence Battle Group deployed to Romania with a view to consolidating NATOs deterrence and defense posture.

FAC  Also in Luxembourg, Romanias Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu on Monday is taking part in the Foreign Affairs Council meeting. Participants will address Russias aggression against Ukraine, developments in the Middle East and Georgia. According to the Romanian MFA, talks on Russias war in Ukraine will focus on recent developments on the ground and EU military assistance to Kyiv. New sanctions against Russia and Belarus will also be discussed, in addition to EU-Ukraine security commitments and the conclusions of the Ukraine Peace Summit, hosted by Switzerland over June 15-16. As regards the Middle East, EU Foreign Ministers will consider the possibility of re-launching political talks for ensuring sustainable peace in the region. As part of an informal breakfast meeting with partners in the Western Balkans, participants will exchange views regarding the impact of geopolitical and security developments on this region.

EU ACCESSION  The European Union on Tuesday is expected to launch EU accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, the Belgian presidency has announced. The two countries negotiation chapters will be assessed separately. We recall the EU officially launched negotiation talks with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova in mid-December 2023. Earlier this month, the European Commission announced Kyiv and Chisinau have officially met all requirements to open negotiation talks.

INCIDENT  The body of the third young Romanian who drowned on May 31 in Italy was found on Sunday, the Romanian Foreign Ministry announced. According to Radio Romanias correspondent, the Italian authorities are investigating the intervention of response teams in the wake of this tragedy, more specifically how rescue teams were deployed and how emergency call operators responded. We recall that 3 Romanians died in May after the waters of Natisone River rose to dangerous levels in the wake of flash floods.

WAR IN GAZA  Israels Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, is paying an official visit to Washington to hold talks with US officials about developments in Gaza. On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said heavy fighting in Rafah against the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas are about to end. According to Benjamin Netanyahu, the war wont end until all Hamas control over Gaza is eliminated. We recall hostilities broke out in Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

BLOUSE  June 24 marks the International Day of the Romanian Blouse, a specific item of traditional clothing. Last weekend, Romanian and Moldovan communities in Belgium celebrated this special day. A symposium was held at Chateau de la Solitude, a heritage building in Auderghem, Brussels. Two debates were also held on this occasion, attended by a large audience, interested to learn more about ethnography and folklore, the process behind the manufacturing of the Romanian blouse and the transition from tradition to modernity. The connection between the Romanian blouse and the celebration of the Sanziene, gentle fairies in Romanian mythology, as well as literature on related folk stories were also topics of debate.

RECORD  The Romanian-Moldovan-German Cultural Center in Nuremberg, Germany, entered the Guinness Book of Records twice for the longest belt manufactured within the space of three months, measuring over 1,600 meters and the heaviest belt, weighing 70 kg. The initiative was launched at the end of February, and since then over a thousand Romanians from all over the world have joined the project and helped manufacture the longest chain belt. Each segment displays the motif of a specific area of Romania, Ionela van Rees-Zota, coordinator of the Cultural Center, told Radio Romania. We have a representative or an association from almost every county in Romania. We have people from all over the world, from New Zealand to the Republic of Moldova and from Norway to Asia, Ionela van Rees-Zota said. (VP)
June 24, 2024 UPDATE

A roundup of domestic and international news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 24.06.2024, 20:00

FAC  On the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) meeting in Luxembourg, EU Foreign Ministers on Monday adopted a new package of sanctions against Russia, the 14th since the start of the invasion in Ukraine. EU Foreign Ministers also adopted a military assistance package for Ukraine worth 1.4 bln EUR. For the first time, the funds will be disbursed from the frozen assets of Russias Central Bank. The EU plan to use frozen Russian assets is separate from the decision taken by G7 leaders this month to use future Russian frozen assets to fund 50 bln EUR worth of loans to Ukraine. Representing Romania was Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu.

FUNDS  The European Union disbursed nearly 3 bln EUR from the Modernization Fund to 39 energy projects to be implemented in 10 Member States, including Romania. This is the largest such disbursement so far. The funds will help Member States attain their climate and energy goals and will contribute to attaining EUs long-term objective of becoming climate neutral by 2050.

EU ACCESSION  The European Union on Tuesday is expected to launch EU accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, the Belgian presidency has announced. The two countries negotiation chapters will be assessed separately. We recall the EU officially launched negotiation talks with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova in mid-December 2023. Earlier this month, the European Commission announced Kyiv and Chisinau have officially met all requirements to open negotiation talks.

BLOUSE  June 24 marks the International Day of the Romanian Blouse, a specific item of traditional clothing. Last weekend, Romanian and Moldovan communities in Belgium celebrated this special day. A symposium was held at Chateau de la Solitude, a heritage building in Auderghem, Brussels. Two debates were also held on this occasion, attended by a large audience, interested to learn more about ethnography and folklore, the process behind the manufacturing of the Romanian blouse and the transition from tradition to modernity. The connection between the Romanian blouse and the celebration of the Sanziene, gentle fairies in Romanian mythology, as well as literature on related folk stories were also topics of debate.

RECORD  The Romanian-Moldovan-German Cultural Center in Nuremberg, Germany, entered the Guinness Book of Records twice for the longest belt manufactured within the space of three months, measuring over 1,600 meters and the heaviest belt, weighing 70 kg. The initiative was launched at the end of February, and since then over a thousand Romanians from all over the world have joined the project and helped manufacture the longest chain belt. Each segment displays the motif of a specific area of Romania, Ionela van Rees-Zota, coordinator of the Cultural Center, told Radio Romania. We have a representative or an association from almost every county in Romania. We have people from all over the world, from New Zealand to the Republic of Moldova and from Norway to Asia, Ionela van Rees-Zota said.

FITS  The International Theatre Festival in Sibiu (FITS) continues. Over 830 events involving 5,000 artists from 82 countries, including reputed theatre directors and playwrights such as John Malkovich, Tim Robbins, Pippo delBono or Neil LaBute are expected to take part. The Performance Exchange was opened on the sidelines of the festival on Monday. Having reached its 27th edition this year, the event brings together over 80 representatives of cultural institutions and organizations in over 30 countries to establish connections and carry out joint projects. (VP)
Business sentiment survey data from Germany is the only major economic report due on Monday.

At 3.00 am ET, the Czech Statistical Office is slated to release sentiment data for June.

At 4.00 am ET, Germany's ifo business confidence survey data is due. The business sentiment index is forecast to rise to 89.7 in June from 89.3 in the previous month.



In the meantime, retail sales data is due from Poland.

At 6.00 am ET, the Confederation of British Industry is slated to release Industrial Trends survey data. The order book balance is forecast to improve to -26 percent in June from -33 in May.

Track market moving Economic Events that impact Commodities, Stock, and Forex by using realtime RTTNews Economic Calendar this week.

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Business News
Valneva SE (VALN) announced that Health Canada has approved IXCHIQ, the company's single-dose vaccine for the prevention of disease caused by the chikungunya virus in individuals 18 years of age and older. IXCHIQ is the world's only licensed chikungunya vaccine.

Valneva began commercializing the vaccine in the U.S. in the current year. It plans to sell first doses in Canada in the fourth quarter of 2024. The European Medicines Agency recently recommended marketing authorization of the vaccine in Europe, and a formal decision is expected in the third quarter of 2024.

For More Such Health News, visit rttnews.com.

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Business News
The Czech economic confidence strengthened in June to the highest level in two years, survey results from the Czech Statistical Office showed on Monday.

The economic sentiment index rose to 98.0 in June from 96.4 in May. Further, this was the highest reading since June 2022, when it was 98.9.

Data showed that the sentiment index also improved to a 14-month high of 97.4 from 95.4 a month ago.

The industrial confidence index climbed to 94.8 from 90.5, while the sentiment index in trade weakened to 95.6 from 96.4 in the previous month.

Data showed confidence among consumers weakened further in June, and the sentiment index dropped to 101.0 from 101.6 in May. The number of respondents expecting deterioration in the overall economic situation in the next twelve months significantly increased again.

Don't get caught off guard. Track key Economic Events with RTTNews Economic Trading Calendar.

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Business News
Biogen Inc. (BIIB) announced Monday that the European Commission (EC) has granted approval for TOFIDENCETM, a biosimilar monoclonal antibody referencing ROACTEMRA.

The intravenous formulation of TOFIDENCE has been granted marketing authorization by the EC for the treatment of moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis and COVID-19.

The company said the approval of TOFIDENCE offers European patients with several inflammatory and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases access to an additional affordable biologic treatment option with comparable safety and efficacy to the approved reference product.

The EC approval of TOFIDENCE is based on the totality of evidence comprising a comprehensive analytical, non-clinical and clinical data package. Extensive analytical characterization of the structural, physicochemical, and biological properties of TOFIDENCE was conducted and supports comparability with the reference biologic product.

Additionally, a randomized double-blind, single-dose, three-arm, parallel group Phase 1 study compared the pharmacokinetics, safety and immunogenicity of TOFIDENCE with both the EU and US reference tocilizumab in healthy volunteers

A randomized, double-blind, multi-dose, three-arm, parallel group Phase 3 study also compared TOFIDENCE with tocilizumab to establish equivalent efficacy and comparable pharmacokinetic, safety and immunogenicity profiles.

The company said the totality of evidence demonstrated TOFIDENCE is a biosimilar of the reference biologic.

Biogen and Bio-Thera entered into a commercialization and licensing agreement for TOFIDENCE in April 2021. Under the agreement, Biogen has exclusive regulatory, manufacturing, and commercial rights to TOFIDENCE in all countries excluding China, including Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

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Business News
Novavax (NVAX) has filed for a type II variation of existing Marketing Authorization with the European Medicines Agency for JN.1 COVID-19 vaccine, NVX-CoV2705, for individuals aged 12 and older. The company said the submission is in line with guidance from EMA and the World Health Organization to target the JN.1 lineage this fall.

John Jacobs, President and Chief Executive Officer, Novavax, said: "Our updated COVID-19 vaccine is active against current circulating strains, including KP.2 and KP.3."

Novavax plans to have its vaccine in unit-dose vials available for distribution in the European Union for immediate release post-approval.

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Business News
The U.S. Government has asked federal employees to update their Pixel devices before July 4 or "discontinue use of the product", according to a report by Forbes.

The announcement comes as Alphabet-owned (GOOG) Google stated about a high-severity firmware vulnerability in the Android operating system, which could leave the devices to "limited, targeted exploitation".

"Android Pixel contains an unspecified vulnerability in the firmware that allows for privilege escalation," read the government's warning in Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, managed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

GrapheneOS, an operating system based on Android, posted on X/Twitter, "CVE-2024-32896 which is marked as being actively exploited in the wild in the June 2024 Pixel Update Bulletin is the 2nd part of the fix for CVE-2024-29748 vulnerability".

The organization noted that the issue is not limited to Pixel devices only, but extends to all Android devices.

However, GrapheneOS added that the issue has been resolved in Pixel devices with the June update, while the same will be resolved in Android devices with Android 15 update.

"If they don't update to Android 15, they probably won't get the fix, since it has not been backported," the firm added.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Lethabo Makweya in a radiant red dress [PIC CREDIT] Siqhamo Hlubi Jama

By: The Division of Communication & Advancement

During her second year at Rhodes University in 2020, Lethabo Makweyas journey through the National Arts Festival (NAF) began. Music composer Stacey van Schalkwyk Naidoo was searching for a talented writer and performer. Lalu Mokuku, a supervisor and Drama lecturer at Rhodes University who formed MEQOQO Playback Theatre Collective, recommended Makweya. The excitement was palpable, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the festival's cancellation that year, forcing plans to be postponed.

In 2021, the festival transitioned to an online platform, providing a chance to realise the postponed project. The online show titled "Humans Listen" was created. This transition to a digital medium presented new challenges, especially for those who had only been involved with live performances until then. Reflecting on this experience, Makweya noted, "This online platform was new territory for me."

By 2022, Makweya again collaborated with Stacey van Schalkwyk Naidoo and her dedicated team. She took a six-month break from her studies at Rhodes University to fully immerse herself in writing and rehearsing for the National Arts Festival. Their hard work culminated in a performance titled "Fragments," where Lethabo performed her poetry alongside a talented band of musicians. Their effort paid off, and they were honoured with that year's Standard Bank Ovation Award. Lethabo described the experience as "a moment of immense pride and accomplishment."

The following year, 2023, brought another exciting opportunity. Lethabos supervisor, Dr Alan Parker, offered the Honours Physical Performance cohort a chance to perform in Nelisiwe Xabas "Fake News." The cohort was approached to provide dancers for Xaba's piece, an intriguing and enriching collaboration that added another layer to Makweyas festival experience. "It was definitely an interesting opportunity," she remarked.

Now, in 2024, Lethabo is part of MEQOQO, a playback theatre collective making its debut at the National Arts Festival. Their performance, titled "Mamemamena 'Listen'," will occur from the 26th to the 29th of June in the B2 Arena, Monument. Being a part of this collective and preparing for this performance has been exhilarating. Makweya is eager to see how audiences will receive their work and continue growing through these diverse artistic experiences. She expressed her excitement, saying, "I am excited to see how we are received by the audiences."

Reflecting on her journey, from the uncertainty of a cancelled festival to the thrill of live and online performances, Makweya is grateful for every moment and opportunity that has shaped her artistic path. The National Arts Festival has been a significant part of her growth, and she looks forward to many more years of creativity and collaboration.
Tata Motors is the only brand to offer twin cylinder CNG tanks in their cars  Hyundai is getting ready to launch the same in their CNG cars

One of the leading car manufacturers in India, Hyundai, is on the verge of stepping up its game in the CNG realm. The company currently offers a factory fitted single-cylinder CNG kit with its affordable models like Grand i10 NIOS, Aura and Exter. But Hyundai is working on dual-cylinder CNG kits and a new marketing term to make it more mainstream.

Hyundai Hy-CNG Duo Name Trademarked

Considering the high fuel prices, a lot of car buyers have been foraying into alternate fuel options. With Hydrogen still a distant blur in the Indian car market, the best bet in alternative fuels is either fully electric or CNGs. The latter has lower up-front costs and is more widely accepted by mainstream audiences.

The company has been offering CNG with Grand i10 NIOS, Aura and Exter. But it needs a systematic approach to push more volumes and compete with Maruti Suzuki S-CNG and push technological boundaries and compete with Tata Motors i-CNG with its brilliant and vastly more convenient dual-cylinder CNG kit.

So, Hyundai is doing just that. A systematic approach. As seen in the recent trademarks filed by HMIL (Hyundai Motor India Limited), there is a new marketing term called Hy-CNG which stands for Hyundai CNG, of course. The second trademark is for Hy-CNG Duo. Both name trademarks were filed recently, on 31/05/2024 and status reads Formalities Chk Pass.

The two-wordmark approach might just be an IP protection measure or two CNG lineups. Lower-end vehicles get Hy-CNG single-cylinder kits and more premium vehicles get Hy-CNG Duo twin-cylinder kits. We would lean more on the former.

What to expect?

Just like i-CNG kits on Tata Motors vehicles, we should expect a more elegant luggage area solution with Hy-CNG Duo. It was a commendable approach by Tata Motors to split CNG storage into two cylinders and neatly tuck them away in the boot. Not only will this liberate more luggage area, but it is not a sore sight and looks like it can be implementable on premium vehicles too.

Hyundai seems to be following in similar footsteps as Tata Motors. Also a commendable move by Tata Motors, is the fact that affordable vehicles like Tiago, Tigor and Punch get the same dual-cylinder tech that first debuted on Altroz i-CNG. With Hy-CNG, i20 and Venue might gain major fuel efficiency and running cost perks.

With nicer packaging, Hyundai is likely to expand its CNG portfolio to include i20 and Venue. Especially considering i20s rivals like Baleno, Glanza and Altroz get CNG and Venues rivals like Brezza get CNG and Nexon is getting CNG soon. If there is enough demand, Hyundai might also consider Creta Hy-CNG as Grand Vitara and Hyryder get CNG and upcoming Tata Curvv is expected to get CNG.
Curvv will be available with EV and diesel powertrain options initially; a petrol option can be introduced at a later stage

Tata Motors is getting ready to make its entry into the crowded compact SUV segment. With its coupe-inspired profile, Curvv will come across as a unique offering in this space. It will primarily rival the upcoming Citroen Basalt. Latest spy shots are credited to automotive enthusiast Nikaiit, which reveal the upcoming Tata Curvv from the top.

Tata Curvv  Design, features

With its coupe-like sloping roofline, Tata Curvv looks distinctive among the current bunch of compact SUVs. It can appeal to folks who are looking for something unique. Overall, the exterior styling takes styling cues from other Tata SUVs such as Nexon, Punch, Harrier and Safari.

For example, the LED DRLs are borrowed from Nexon EV. Parts such as the headlamp housing, air dam, and grille are familiar to that of Harrier and Safari. Other highlights include flush door handles, robust wheel arches, 18-inch sporty alloy wheels and piano black cladding.

As there is intense competition in the compact SUV segment, Tata Motors will ensure that Curvv gets a comprehensive range of features. The equipment list is expected to include multiple best-in-class and segment-first features. A test mule spotted recently had revealed a large touchscreen infotainment system, similar to the 12.3-inch unit seen with Nexon EV. The fully digital instrument console appeared similar to that of ICE Nexon.

Some features such as the large 4-spoke steering wheel seems similar to that of Harrier. It comes with mounted controls and illuminated Tata logo. Curvv centre console gets a gear selector and a drive mode dial. The SUV is expected to get features such as a panoramic sunroof, electronic parking brake, a 360 camera, ventilated front seats and dual-zone climate control. Level-2 ADAS suite will also be available with Curvv SUV.

Tata Curvv  Powertrain options

It is speculated that Curvv EV will have a range of around 500 km. Details about the battery pack and motor are not available at this point of time. The diesel variant will be using the 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine from Nexon. It generates 115 PS and 260 Nm. Transmission choices include 6MT and 6AMT. It is possible that Curvv will get the petrol option at a later stage. The 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine will be borrowed from Nexon. However, it is expected to be offered in a higher stage of tune, producing 125 PS and 225 Nm.

Tata Curvv launch date, pricing

It is expected that Tata Curvv will be launched later this year. With the EV variant of Curvv, Tata Motors can get the early mover advantage. Taking on bestsellers like Creta, Seltos and Maruti Grand Vitara in the ICE segment will be a tough challenge. In comparison, the compact SUV EV segment has huge unlocked potential. After Curvv EV, there will be other products in this space such as Creta EV, Maruti eVX and Toyotas version of eVX.

Curvv diesel variants can also attract customers. Thats because only the Creta and Seltos have diesel options in the compact SUV segment. All other brands such as Grand Vitara, Hyryder, Taigun, Kushaq, Elevate and C3 Aircross offer only petrol engine options. Talking about pricing, Curvv EV could start at around Rs 16 lakh. Top-spec variants could be priced at around Rs 22 lakh. The ICE variants of Curvv are expected to be offered at a starting price of around Rs 11 lakh.
BEIJING, June 22 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready for dialogue and consultations on electric vehicles (EVs) if the European Union (EU) is willing to sit down at the negotiating table with sincerity, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said Saturday.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, the Ministry of Commerce said in a press release.

China is willing to consider both parties' reasonable concerns to avoid the escalation of trade frictions in a rational and professional manner, Wang said.

China hopes that Germany will play a positive role in the EU, prompting the European side to meet China halfway, he told Habeck, who is also the Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

If the European side adheres stubbornly to its wrong way, China will take necessary measures, including lodging a case under the World Trade Organization dispute settlement mechanism, to firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests, Wang added.

Noting that Germany and China are supporters and beneficiaries of globalization, Habeck said the German government is deeply concerned about the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs, which will negatively impact Europe's green transition and consumer interests.

Habeck believes that imposing tariffs is the worst approach as it could lead to a vicious spiral of trade friction escalations, stressing that dialogue and consultations are the only way to solve problems.
Activist investor Engine Capital sent a letter to the board of C&C Group on Monday in which it urged the Magners and Bulmers owner to explore strategic alternatives for the drinks company, including a potential sale.

Engine Capital, which owns a stake of just under 5% in C&C, said the company has been "a perennial underperformer and today is deeply misunderstood and undervalued by the market because of a combination of structural and self-inflicted problems".

It continued: "Given the companys underperformance, poor track record of execution, discounted valuation, and CEO succession risks, we believe it is time for the board to consider a different path forward and explore strategic alternatives for the company.

"In our view, a sale could deliver returns far superior to the standalone value of the company, especially considering the time value of money and the execution risks of attempting to reverse self-inflicted issues."

It urged C&C to strengthen the board with necessary financial and M&A expertise, arguing that it was critical to have individuals in the boardroom "who possess the relevant financial skillsets and a shareholder mindset to assist the company".

It said the board should add new directors with "strong financial backgrounds - particularly in M&A, capital markets and capital allocations".

Engine Capital also called on C&C to initiate a strategic review process to monetise the company. It said C&C makes for an attractive acquisition target given the quality of its assets.

"We suspect the optimal strategic acquirer of C&Cs assets is a scaled company with a global, established brand that could optimise marketing expenses, benefit from UK manufacturing capabilities, reduce general and administrative expenses, benefit from procurement savings, and leverage C&Cs leading distribution businesses to accelerate the growth of its own branded and higher margin products," it said.

"Regardless of whether C&Cs assets are sold together or transacted separately, a combination with one or multiple strategic acquirors will create significant synergies."

Finally, it said the board should incentivise management to ensure the best possible outcome.

"We encourage the Compensation Committee to consider a transaction bonus pool for critical employees and the potential acceleration of unvested securities, as well as potential change of control payments if an executive is let go within 12 months following a transaction," Engine Capital said.

"We believe instituting this type of compensation framework will go a long way toward calming and motivating the relevant employees."
Tech giant Apple has been charged with breaking new European Union laws over allowing small companies to compete on its app store.

The European Commission, which is also the EU's antitrust and technology regulator, said Apples rules did not comply with the Digital Markets Act as they prevent app developers from freely steering consumers to alternatives channels for offers and content.

For too long Apple has been squeezing out innovative companies  denying consumers new opportunities and choices, said Thierry Breton, the European commissioner responsible for digital markets.

The company has 12 months to comply before it faces fines of up to 10% of its global revenues for failing to comply.

In addition, the commission said it had opened a new non-compliance procedure against Apple over concerns its new contract terms for third-party app developers also fall short of the DMAs requirements.

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com
The outgoing chair of John Lewis has insisted that the retail group is back on track and more fit for the future with an improving financial position enabling it to spend money refurbishing Waitrose supermarkets and opening convenience stores. Sharon White, who will retire as chair of the John Lewis Partnership in September, said the upmarket Waitrose brand was underrepresented in convenience as it sought new avenues of growth.  Guardian

The UKs drive to replace gas boilers with heat pumps is being stymied by a lack of consumer demand and a shortage of skilled installers to fit heat pumps where they are wanted, according to an industry survey. The most comprehensive poll of heat pump installers to date found that the biggest barrier was the low number of households choosing to get one fitted.  Guardian

Rishi Sunaks Covid start-up fund has pushed dozens of companies into liquidation in an attempt to recover taxpayer loans. The Future Fund has issued winding up petitions to 32 companies that it backed during the pandemic, according to court records. In many cases it has resulted in the business being ordered to cease trading by courts and the company wound up without the fund recouping its investment.  Telegraph

The EU has clinched last-ditch talks with Beijing over plans to impose higher tariffs on Chinese imports of electric cars amid fears of a looming tit-for-tat trade war. Trade ministers from China and the European Commission agreed to start negotiations to settle a dispute over EU plans to raise tariffs on electric vehicle imports from China to up to 48pc.  Telegraph

Burnout, toxic management and a lack of meaningful work are three of the main reasons that workers quietly quit, according to an expert who has studied the phenomenon. Employees dubbed quiet quitters are so-called because they do the minimum work required in their job and do not go above and beyond in their efforts. Research from Gallup found this month that the UKs employees were among the least motivated by their work in Europe, with only 10 per cent saying that they were engaged in their job. The lack of engagement in work is estimated to cost the UK economy 11 per cent of GDP, or 257 billion annually.  The Times

The chairman of THG is on course to avoid an investor revolt at the health and beauty retail groups annual meeting against his reappointment after criticism from an activist investor. Shareholders are due to support the re-election of Lord Allen of Kensington at the companys annual meeting despite calls from Kelso Group, a small shareholder, for a debate about his future.  The Times
Monica Ali, Joseph Coehlo, and Niall Ferguson were among the authors recognized on the King's Birthday Honors List in the U.K., the Bookseller reported. Ali, who was given a CBE for services to literature, said, "It was a huge surprise, totally unexpected, and it's great for authors to be recognized because it's a signal that literature matters, that reading is important, that we need novels and novelists. Now, perhaps more than ever, when opinions and attitudes are so polarized, we can look to fiction to provide nuance and complexity and help us see the world from other angles, other points of view."

Niall Ferguson, who was awarded a knighthood, told the Oxford Mail, "When an individual is honored by the King, implicitly his formative influences are the real recipients of the honor."

Children's Laureate Coelho (OBE) was recognized for services to the arts, to children's reading and to literature. Other authors on the honors list include Susie Dent (MBE), Rory Cellan-Jones (OBE), and Jamila Gavin (MBE).

Richard Charkin (OBE for services to literature), a recent past president of the International Publishers Association, former CEO of Macmillan Publishers, executive director of Bloomsbury from 2007 to 2018, an executive at a range of other publishers, and author of the memoir, My Back Pages, said: "It's strange receiving such an honor. I am not sure what, if any, privileges it confers but so far the best thing about it is hearing from friends and colleagues in the books business worldwide. Thanks so much for the good wishes."

Other honorees include Jenny Brown, founder of literary agency Jenny Brown Associates, who was given an OBE for services to literature; Nicholas Poole, past CEO of the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals (OBE for services to libraries, to the arts and to museums); and Di Speirs, audio executive editor for books at the BBC (MBE for services to broadcasting and to literature).

Also honored were Sarah Hosking (MBE), who founded Hosking Houses Trust, as well as librarians Sally McInness and Julie Kay.

---

Matt Davis, Bookseller of the Year

BookPeople, the association of Australian bookshops, announced winners of the Bookseller of the Year and Book of the Year Awards on June 16 at the gala dinner and awards night during the 2024 BookPeople Conference in Melbourne, Books + Publishing reported. This year's winners are:

Bookseller of the year: Matt Davis of the Bookshop at Queenscliff in Queenscliff, Victoria

Young bookseller of the year: Madeleine Delany of Fullers Bookshop in Hobart, Tasmania

Children's bookseller of the year: Katherine Matthews; Mary Martin Bookshop in Melbourne, Victoria.

Books of the Year:

Adult fiction: Edenglassie by Melissa Lucashenko

Adult nonfiction: Wifedom: Mrs. Orwell's Invisible Life by Anna Funder

Children's: If I Was a Horse by Sophie Blackall

---

Montreal Secret showcased "the seven most beautiful bookstores in Montreal," noting: "These literary havens offer an enchanted escape, where time seems to stretch and words dance between the shelves. In every corner of the city, these bookshops offer much more than just books. They are refuges, portals to infinite worlds, where Montrealers come to seek warmth and literary nuggets. Each, in its own way, helps weave the rich cultural fabric of Montreal, inviting lovers of words to explore and dream."

Among the bookshops highlighted were Drawn and Quarterly ("charms locals and visitors alike"), Le Port de Tete ("a literary hub for the Plateau's French-speaking community"), Gallimard ("a French-style literary experience"), The Word ("the ultimate haven for bibliophiles"), Appetite for Books Bookshop ("offers a delightful exchange of culinary reflections"), Argo Bookshop ("a literary hub for the Plateau's French-speaking community has survived with panache for over fifty years"), and Paragraph Bookstore ("the main supplier of English-language books to Quebec libraries"). --Robert Gray
Known for its business-friendly environment, tax benefits, and available profitable business opportunities, Commitbiz LLC was incorporated in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as Commit FZE in 2007. The firm has established itself in the UAE due to its unwavering commitment to fostering entrepreneurial growth by guiding business setups all over the Middle East.

Over the years, their business professionals have delivered expert guidance and tailored business solutions to ensure a smooth business incorporation experience for both aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs. With the vision of providing end-to-end business services, Commitbiz LLC goes beyond consulting conventions to help clients achieve their business goals and dreams. The business consultants are capable of overcoming the challenges of business setup and help clients in navigating through the legalities.

Due to its visionary strategies, the management consultancy firm has been able to grow its network by collaborating with top industry leaders over the years. Working closely with multiple government authorities in the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East, they have ensured successful incorporations of over 10,000 businesses across sectors for clients from over 150 nationalities.

Innovate, Empower and Succeed

The services offered by Commitbiz LLC empower entrepreneurs to streamline their business setup in Dubai. They help with company registration, licensing, documentation, PRO services, opening a bank account, securing visas and other legal requirements. By delivering comprehensive expertise and constant support, they help clients realise their potential and achieve business objectives.

Commitbiz has come a long way from establishing its first international branch in Bahrain in 2015. For providing excellent service, the management consulting firm has also been rewarded with multiple prestigious awards.

The business advisors understand the importance of being flexible and adapting to regulatory changes across different jurisdictions. The packages offered for business setup are in accordance with the changes, enabling them to provide clients with relevant services. It ensures that Commitbiz LLC stands out from its competitors in the market.

Looking Ahead

Navigating through the legalities and other business complexities before establishing a business presence is important. Commitbiz LLC helps remove redundancies and transform your business dreams into reality.

The team of business consultants ensure clients can effectively capitalise on available opportunities and benefits while setting up their business. The business advisors enable clients to obtain a deep understanding of the legalities. From providing information about business licenses in Dubai to intellectual property services, assistance related to all aspects of business setup in all jurisdictions is offered.

We have emerged as the chosen partner in several innovative and path-breaking initiatives undertaken by various businessmen worldwide. We help leaders make distinctive, lasting, and substantial improvements to the performance of their organisations. We tackle their most complex issues and serious challenges. Our scale, scope, and knowledge allow us to address problems no one else can. At heart, we are a network of people passionate about taking on immense challenges that matter to leading organisations and, often, to the world, says Manu Thomas V, General Manager at Commitbiz LLC.

Join the Happy Clientele

Each word of their motto, Supporting business growth and ensuring long-term success, has a profound meaning and purpose. Encouraging entrepreneurs to embark on their business voyages by actualising their vision empowers the team to enhance the quality of services they provide. From in-depth client interactions to offering other business set-up services, the principle of empowering clients, promoting innovation, and visualising success will be the focus of the advisors.

The business consultants of Commitbiz LLC offer business individuals the opportunity to explore different possibilities and benefits that the Middle Eastern market has to offer. They ensure that entrepreneurs are able to enjoy minimal legal intervention, business flexibility, compliance with set regulations and other blueprints to achieve excellence in their business operations. Business advisors at Commitbiz are experienced in solving doubts and providing them with clarity and customised business packages at competitive prices.

The business consultancy firm not only focuses on enabling the development of different businesses in UAE and the Middle East but also prioritises diversity in the company. It is evident from the fact that they maintain a 50-50 ratio of male and female employees. They also focus on giving back to the community by donating a small percentage of their profit to charities. The team also fulfils its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by maintaining the brand image in the market.

From generosity to guiding clients to achieve their business dreams and goals, Commitbiz is the pioneer of management consulting in the UAE and the Middle East.
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) stands out as a global leader in offshore company incorporation, attracting businesses worldwide with its streamlined processes and favourable regulations. The strategic location of the country along with its tax incentives are the major reasons why entrepreneurs are drawn here. Availing the assistance of a professional consultancy like Business Setup Worldwide (BSW) can help ease the offshore company setup process.

Why choose BVI as an offshore destination?

BVI adopted the International Business Companies Ordinance in 1984, and since then, a significant number of offshore companies have been registered here.

Some of the reasons why BVI is the go-to destination for registering an offshore company are listed below:

A BVI offshore company is exempt from income tax on interests, rents, royalties, dividends, capital gains and other compensations of the company. The company is also exempt from stamp duty which is applicable at the time of transferring any type of property such as assets, debt obligations, shares and other securities.

A BVI offshore company must have a single owner, shareholder and director and all of these positions can be held by the same person.

The company's shareholders and directors can be of any nationality

Holding an annual meeting in the country is not mandatory. It can be held anywhere in the world.

The offshore companies in BVI are obligated to file an annual return within nine months after the end of the fiscal year. All the accounting details of the company will be disclosed publicly.

All the personal information of the beneficial owner, shareholder, and director will be kept confidential at the office of the registered agent. The only documents that are publicly available are the Memorandum of Association (MoA), Articles of Association (AoA) and the Register of Directors.

Avail BSWs Services for BVI Company Registration

The BVI offshore company formation can be complex and requires a thorough understanding of the process. Here, professional assistance from consultancies such as Business Setup Worldwide can be helpful. It has a proficient team of expert business consultants with knowledge of company registration in BVI.

With BSW at your disposal, you can opt for the following services:

Company Registration Services

With a proven track record spanning 7+ years, Business Setup Worldwide takes the stress out of overseas business registration, empowering you to focus on your entrepreneurial journey. They offer a complete package for British Virgin Islands company formation which includes annual reporting and the services of a registered agent.

Account Opening Services

A corporate bank account is essential for a smoothly operating BVI company.. Maintaining a bank account will ensure effortless business operations and safeguard your finances. Numerous banks are available for corporate account opening in the BVI, and Business Setup Worldwide will help you choose the best one suitable for your business.

BSW's streamlined process elevates client's experience

BSW has designed and developed a workflow for the formation of the BVI offshore company which will help set up the company in a hassle-free manner. To avail of their services, the following steps must be followed:

Fill out the Application form:

Fill out the online form on the BSW website providing the company structure and other key details.

Prepare the Documents

Once you fill out the form, their consultants will contact you within 24 hours. You will be asked to submit the relevant documents, such as the MOA, AOA, and Register of Directors, as verification documents.

Obtain Government Approval

Once you have finalized your company details, you must pay the government fees associated with obtaining official approval.

Avail Additional Services

After company incorporation in BVI, BSW experts can provide additional services, such as opening a bank account for the business, if required.

Receive Company Kit

Once the whole process is completed, you will receive the company incorporation kit, which contains the necessary documents for the smooth operation of the business.

Why Choose BSW for Company Registration in BVI?

By seeking the expert assistance of BSW, you will be able to set up the offshore company without much hassle and take advantage of the customized business solutions that it provides.

Here are some of the advantages of availing the services of Business Setup Worldwide:

BSW provides a streamlined and hassle-free offshore company setup process to its clients.

The BSW business consultants are knowledgeable about company registration in the BVI and can help you understand the jurisdiction's business environment.

BSW offers affordable company setup packages and also provides the option to customize the business package if required.

From company formation in the BVI to business renewal, BSW takes pride in assisting entrepreneurs by providing tailored services according to their business requirements. With its expertise and quality services, Business Setup Worldwide can assure the success of businesses in the British Virgin Islands.
The Korea-India Economic Cooperation Forum, held successfully in Hyderabad, has strengthened industrial collaboration between the two nations. The Telangana state government extended an invitation to Korean companies to increase their investments in the state. In addition to promising world-class infrastructure and a talented workforce, the government also offered a dedicated support system to guide Korean investments. By rolling out the red carpet, Telangana aims to attract more Korean companies to invest in the region.

The event, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency), the India-Korea Business Cooperation Center, and the Honorary Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hyderabad, with support from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), aimed to enhance cooperation in various emerging industries and offered numerous opportunities for business networking.

Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Minister of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (ITE&C) and Industries & Commerce (I&C), Telangana, said, To address specific needs of the Korean companies, the state government not only offers the state-of-the-art infrastructure and talent pool, it will also have a dedicated desk under Invest Telangana Cell to handhold Korean investments and provide single window service.

Chang Jae-bok, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, said that over the past decade, we have witnessed successful implementation of Indias initiatives like Make in India, Self-reliant India, and Act East. These policies have significantly deepened the bilateral relationship between Korea and India, with trade volumes reaching an all-time high of $27.8 billion in 2022. Major Korean companies such as Samsung, Hyundai, LG, and Kia, along with MSMEs, are actively expanding their investments in India, further strengthening our economic ties, he added.

Suresh Chukkapalli, the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Hyderabad, stated that South Korea continues to be a leading player in India, particularly in well-known sectors represented by brands like Hyundai, KIA, and Samsung. In recent years, Telangana has attracted several major Korean brands, including YoungOne. Additionally, the Korean semiconductor company APACT is initiating a joint venture project with ASIP in Hyderabad.

While presenting a Korea-India Economic Cooperation Plan, Ms. Jeongseon Lee, Executive Director of the India-Korea Business Cooperation Center at KOTRA, said, Major transformations are taking place in the global value chain, and these changes can potentially lead to new prospects for collaboration between India and Korea. For example, global companies are expanding their GCC presence, notably in Hyderabad, to leverage Indias IT talent. These GCCs are not only playing key roles in back-office operations but are also serving as important innovation centers. Several Korean companies have already followed suit to benefit from these advantages. I hope more companies will join these movements in the coming days.
Stocks to watch on Monday, June 24, 2024: Indian markets may open lower on Monday, following mixed global trends. The GIFT Nifty futures indicate a lower start, trading 103 points below Nifty50 futures at 23,384 levels. In Asia-Pacific markets, Japan's Nikkei 225 is up 0.23 percent, and the broader Topix index is up 0.27 percent. On the other hand, South Korea's Kospi is down by 0.67 percent, and the small-cap Kosdaq has slumped by 1.08 percent.

CarTrade Tech: Highdell Investment and Macritchie Investments plan to sell 7% and 3.4% of their stakes, respectively, through block deals on Monday. The floor price for the shares has been set at Rs 820 each, which is a 4.3% discount to Fridays closing price. The total deal size is expected to be around Rs 400 crore, with an option to increase by an additional Rs 100 crore. After the transactions, the sellers will be subject to a 75-day lock-in period. As of the end of the March quarter, Highdell Investments held a 17.36% stake in the company, while Macritchie Investments held a 16.3% stake.

Fertilizer Stocks: The GST Council has referred the request to reduce the GST on fertilizers to the Group of Ministers (GoM) on rate rationalization for further consideration.

TVS Motors: The company has partnered with CSC Grameen e-Stores to expand the reach of its range of three-wheeler commercial vehicles. This collaboration will enable CSCs village-level entrepreneurs to act as touchpoints for TVS Motors commercial vehicles.

Cipla: The US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has issued a Form 483 with six observations for the companys Goa facility. The inspection took place from June 10 to June 21, 2024. It's worth noting that this facility has been under a warning letter since February 2020. In addition, the companys Indore plant has also been under a warning letter since November 2023.

Sun Pharma: The company has announced the outcome of its Phase-1 obesity trial for GL0034 (Utreglutide), a GLP-1 inhibitor drug. Belonging to the same class as Novo Nordisks Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as Eli Lillys Mounjaro, Utreglutide is still in the early stages of development but significantly enhances the prospects of the companys specialty business. GLP-1 drugs achieved nearly $50 billion in sales in 2023, with projections indicating growth to $100 billion by 2029.

Pfizer Limited: The company has received an order from the Deputy Commissioner of State Tax in Dehradun, imposing a penalty of Rs 14.19 lakh for the financial year 2017-18 under the Value Added Tax Act, 2005. In response, the company has stated that, based on its assessment, it believes the demand is not justified. They are currently preparing to appeal against the order.

Religare Enterprises: Religare has received an Order-In-Appeal from the Commissioner of Central Tax (Appeal-II), New Delhi, imposing a penalty of Rs 15.64 crore for the period from FY 2007-08 to 2014-15. The company is currently evaluating its next course of action in response to the order.

Lupin: The company's Somerset manufacturing facility has received an Establishment Inspection Report (EIR) from the USFDA, with a Voluntary Action Indicated (VAI) status. The inspection was conducted from May 7 to May 17, 2024.

IREDA: The company raised Rs 1,500 crore through bond issuance, comprising a base issue of Rs 500 crore and a green shoe option of Rs 1,000 crore. The bond issuance was oversubscribed by 2.65 times.

MCX: The company's board has finalized candidates for the roles of its next Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. The company will now commence the process of obtaining regulatory approvals for the appointment.

Prestige Estate: The company's board has approved a plan to raise up to Rs 5,000 crore through Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) and other methods.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A man twice convicted on robbery charges is headed back to prison for a third time, for what prosecutors described as an armed foot chase last year in a Staten Island neighborhood.

On Friday, Markim Quick, 36, of Lamport Boulevard in South Beach, was sentenced to seven years prison followed by five years post-release supervision in connection with the March 14, 2023, incident.

The case was headed toward trial when Quick entered a guilty plea to second-degree robbery before Justice Lisa Grey, in state Supreme Court, St. George.

Following that hearing, the defendants attorney, Michael Vitaliano, said he was extremely pleased with the outcome.

Mr. Quick received the minimum sentence allowable under the law. Through diligent negotiation and collaboration with the prosecution, we were able to secure a resolution that not only serves the interests of justice but also reflects my clients acknowledgment of responsibility and commitment to moving forward positively.

After the sentencing hearing Friday, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon issued a statement noting the quick and safe apprehension of a gunman on a residential street.

With this conviction, we reaffirm our message to all Staten Islanders that gun violence will never be tolerated on our shores and those who carry or brandish illegal firearms will only be met with the strictest of penalties in the courtroom, McMahon said.

We commend our partners in the NYPD for their heroic efforts to apprehend this gun-toting defendant and Assistant District Attorneys Kate Malloy and Taylor Goodspeed for ensuring this defendant was held fully accountable for his reckless and dangerous actions.

THE INCIDENT

Police said it was around 4:45 p.m. when NYPD officers spotted Quick chasing a man out of an apartment building at the South Beach houses, while brandishing a loaded handgun.

He was apprehended moments later, according to court documents.

Quick was seen by officers tossing the firearm, which was recovered by a member of Narcotics Borough Staten Island, prosecutors said.

Alprazolam pills, a sedative, were seized from the defendants person, court documents furthered.

PRIOR CONVICTIONS

In 2018, Quick pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery in Westchester County and was sentenced to five years incarceration.

Prior to that, he was convicted for a 2011 robbery in Brooklyn, records show.

He was on parole at the time of his arrest on Staten Island.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A car jumped the curb and came to a rest on the sidewalk in front of a store following a two-car crash on busy Bay Street in Stapleton on Monday afternoon.

One person was taken to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton from the crash called at 1:37 p.m. outside the District Bazaar at 543 Bay St. at the corner of Prospect Street, according to a spokesman for the FDNY/EMS.

An FDNY truck and engine responded, the spokesman said about the incident that was closed at 2:02 p.m.

A blue sedan with major front-end damage ended up next to the curb.

A gray SUV with a crumpled rear fender and passenger side came to a rest on the sidewalk. The rear of the SUV ended up near the glass on the storefront and the front of the vehicle faced the street.

It wasnt immediately clear whether the SUV actually struck the storefront.

A person was seen being taken away in an ambulance.

FDNY confirmed to the Advance/SILive.com that one person was brought to Richmond University Medical Center. The condition of the injured person was not immediately available.

This is a developing story and more information will be posted when it becomes available.

A SUV ended up on the sidewalk in front of the District Bazaar at 543 Bay St. at Prospect Street on the afternoon of Monday, June 24, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel

A SUV ended up on the sidewalk in front of the District Bazaar at 543 Bay St. at Prospect Street on the afternoon of Monday, June 24, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel

A SUV ended up on the sidewalk in front of the District Bazaar at 543 Bay St. at Prospect Street on the afternoon of Monday, June 24, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel

A SUV ended up on the sidewalk in front of the District Bazaar at 543 Bay St. at Prospect Street on the afternoon of Monday, June 24, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel

A SUV ended up on the sidewalk in front of the District Bazaar at 543 Bay St. at Prospect Street on the afternoon of Monday, June 24, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel

A SUV ended up on the sidewalk in front of the District Bazaar at 543 Bay St. at Prospect Street on the afternoon of Monday, June 24, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel

A SUV ended up on the sidewalk in front of the District Bazaar at 543 Bay St. at Prospect Street on the afternoon of Monday, June 24, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Police identified a motorcyclist who died in a crash on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge as Marcos Castro, 46, of Brooklyn, and arrested a second biker on charges that include manslaughter in the tragedy that allegedly was fueled by alcohol.

Castro, of Dyker Heights, was rushed to the hospital where he died after the crash that police responded to on Sunday at about 4:59 a.m. at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge exit lane for the Belt Parkway, according to a preliminary investigation by the NYPD Highway Districts Collision Investigation Squad.

Raymond Cardona, 39, of 89th Street in Jamaica, Queens, has been charged by police with vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, vehicular assault in the second degree, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and driving while ability impaired by alcohol, according to the police statement.

Castro and Cardona were driving separate motorcycles on the Brooklyn-bound side of the span. The pair failed to properly navigate the roadway and struck a wall.

EMS transported both men to NYU Langone Hospital  Brooklyn where Castro succumbed to his injuries and Cardona was treated for minor injuries.

The continuing investigation led to the arrest of Cardona later on Sunday morning, according to the police statement.

Information about the suspects attorney is not yet available in public records.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  One retail worker was threatened and other was bitten in two unrelated robberies at two different businesses on Staten Island this month, according to police.

The first robbery occurred on June 10. Around 12:30 p.m., two unknown individuals entered a store located at the Staten Island Mall and removed approximately $1,500 worth of perfume from the location, an NYPD spokeswoman stated.

The 25-year-old female employee said the duo threatened to hurt her as they fled in a white Nissan Altima, according to the NYPD.

No injuries were reported as a result of this incident, and there are no arrests in this ongoing investigation, police noted.

SECOND ROBBERY

Days later, on the afternoon of June 16, police said Aliya Brock, of Mariners Harbor, entered a commercial establishment located at 985 Richmond Avenue and removed approximately $25 of household goods from the location, police say.

A Shoprite supermarket is listed at the address police gave.

A 42-year-old male employee attempted to stop Brock from taking the goods, and she allegedly bit him on his right arm, causing pain and bruising.

The victim was treated at the scene by EMS, according to authorities.

Brock, 29, has since been charged with robbery, petit larceny, assault, criminal possession of stolen property and harassment.

According to online court records, Brock entered a not guilty plea on all charges she faces, and she was released from police custody with non-monetary conditions.

Brocks next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 7, according to city records.
Actor and director Ben Affleck flipped out on paparazzi outside his Beverly Hills home June 23, after the photographers repeatedly flashed their cameras in his direction as he was driving, creating a dangerous situation, according to TMZ.

The Dazed and Confused actor was leaving the marital home that he shares with his wife, pop superstar Jennifer Lopez, when he exited his car to confront the paparazzi, according to the report, scolding them for creating distractions to his driving and potentially causing harm.

TMZ also reports that the Academy Award winner warned the photographers not to flash their cameras at his daughter, who would also be planning to drive down the street.

Affleck, 51, and Lopez, 54, have been discussing divorce as an option, according to a report in Us Weekly, after less than two years of wedded bliss. The couple, dubbed as Benifer, married in July 2022 and has been navigating personal challenges.

In May 2024, when JLo canceled her concert tour, Live Nation announced the On the Floor star is taking time to be with her children, family and close friends.

Amid marital tensions, Lopez and Affleck have been quietly trying to sell the $61 million Beverly Hills marital home they bought together in 2023.

Jennifer Lopez arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 24, 2019, left, and Ben Affleck appears at the premiere of "Justice League" in Los Angeles on Nov. 13, 2017. The A-listers rekindled their romance 17 years after they broke up in 2004. (AP Photo)AP

The couple first reunited in May 2021 after a failed previous engagement to one another in 2003. It was in May 2021 when they were again repeatedly spotted together, following JLos April 15 break up from NY Yankees star Alex Rodriguez.

The couple were married in a Las Vegas wedding ceremony in July 2022 at the iconic Little White Chapel. The Marry Me star announced the nuptials in her newsletter to fans, On the JLo, which she signed Mrs. Jennifer Lynn Affleck.

Fans will recall that back in 2002, Affleck and JLo were engaged, but postponed their wedding in 2003, officially splitting up a year later. JLo also sought comfort from her post-break up blues at the time with ex-hubby Marc Anthony, with whom she shares twins, Max and Emme, 15.

Affleck shares three children, Violet, 17, Seraphina, 14, and Samuel, 11, with ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
Princess Anne was hospitalized June 23 for injuries suffered from a horse-related accident, according to a Buckingham Palace statement.

The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening, said officials. Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery.

The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery.

The Princess Royal is 73 and is the sister of King Charles III. Her concussion and other injuries were sustained from impact from a horses head or legs.

According to NBC, emergency personnel were called to the estate; the Princess Royal was treated on-site before being transferred to Southmead. Her husband, Vice Admiral Tim Laurence, accompanied her.

Princess Anne is one of the hardest working members of the royal family, having stepped in and taken more duties in light of Charles cancer diagnosis. However, for now, all her engagements in the near future will be postponed, including a state dinner being held in the honor of the emperor of Japan.

In October 2022, the Princess Royal visited Staten Island, even riding the Staten Island Ferry to a reception in Manhattan in her honor, in support of the National Lighthouse Museum.

Anne, one of the great champions in the international lighthouse community, was bestowed the title of honorary chair for the National Lighthouse Museums Campaign for Illuminating Future Generations, a comprehensive effort that launched in January to raise funds toward expansion, education, gallery space and preservation.

The former Olympian is also a staunch supporter of lighthouses and their intrinsic historical value, which caught the attention of museum executive director Linda Dianto in 2019.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Three New York officials are proposing to make June 28 Stonewall Day.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D  NY), alongside Congressman Ritchie Torres (D  NY) and Congressman Dan Goldman (D  NY), presented the legislation ahead of the Stonewall Rebellions 55th anniversary, according to a written statement.

The rebellion began after police stormed the Stonewall Inn on June 28, 1969, spurring protests that lasted for days, the written statement explained. LGBTQ+ leaders, like Marsha P. Johnson, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, Storme DeLarverie, and Sylvia Rivera were involved in the protests and continued to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in the years after the uprising.

Additionally, the statement said that the rebellions anniversary inspired the very first Pride marches as people across the country gathered in support on June 28, 1970.

The events at the Stonewall Inn in 1969 were a turning point for the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. I led this resolution to establish June 28th as Stonewall Day in honor of the brave protestors who used their voices to fight injustice during the Stonewall uprising and the activists who are still fighting for equality today, Gillibrand said. The Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center will be the first park visitor center honoring LGBTQ+ history, and I am honored to celebrate its grand opening after six years of planning. Recognizing these brave Americans and telling the full history of our country is important now more than ever as we fight growing bigotry and intolerance in the United States. The LGBTQ+ community is essential to the fabric of our nations culture, history, and diversity, and I will never stopfighting to ensure every person in America can live free from discrimination.

Furthermore, Democratic senators across the country are banding together alongside Gillibrand, Torres, and Goldman as cosponsors: Padilla (D-CA), Fetterman (D-PA), Wyden (D-OR), Baldwin (D-WI), Welch (D-VT), Duckworth (D-IL), Blumenthal (D-CT), Klobuchar (D-MN), Coons (D-DE), Warren (D-MA), Merkley (D-OR), Cardin (D-MD), Murphy (D-CT), Booker (D-NJ), Schumer (D-NY), Hickenlooper (D-CO), Cortez Masto (D-NV), Casey (D-PA), Bennet (D-CO), Kaine (D-VA), and Whitehouse (D-RI).

This years anniversary of the uprising coincides with the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Centers opening, the statement said.

As the only openly gay member of Congress from the great state of New York and a co-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, the immense significance of the Stonewall Uprising is never lost on me. I am able to live as an openly gay man in 2024 directly because of the bravery of those individuals at Stonewall who put their feet down and said enough is enough. We have made immense progress as a nation in accepting and celebrating LGBTQIA+ rights in the 55 years since Stonewall, but there is still so much more to be done, Torres said.

I am proud to join Congressman Goldman and Senator Gillibrand in introducing this resolution today to ensure that the nation never forgets what happened on June 28, 1969 in New York City. From Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Storme DeLarverie, to Miss Major Griffin-Gracy  the heroes of Stonewall must be remembered as American heroes for years to come. I urge my colleagues in the House to join me in passing this crucial resolution.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  In honor of those who have died, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here.

Laura Ann Pilieri (nee Critelli), 58, passed away on June 5, 2024, in Staten Island, New York. Born on Aug. 31, 1965, in Brooklyn, NY, Laura was a lifelong New York resident known for her kindness, warmth, and devout faith as a member of St. Charles Catholic Church.

She received her GED in 1983 and briefly worked at Pine Factory at the Staten Island Mall. Laura was renowned for her sweet nature, love for children and cats, and diverse interests including cooking, computers, and the New York Mets.

Laura is survived by her domestic partner, Thomas Joseph Masters, and numerous friends and family members. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to P.A.W.S. No services will be held per her wishes.

Read the full obituary on SILive

Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by Advance Media staff.
The Star has issued a sombre trading update as high rollers continue to avoid its three casinos and the costs associated with its regulatory compliance eat into its earnings.

The countrys second-biggest casino business said on Monday its interim chief financial officer, Neale OConnell, will also take over chief executive officer duties, as the group continues its recruitment efforts for both roles. Ex-Crown head Steve McCann has been considered to be the frontrunner for the top job since the companys former boss, Robbie Cooke, abruptly left The Star in March.

The Star expects to report $1.68 billion in revenue this financial year, falling further from its low point in 2023. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

OConnell addressed analysts and investors on Monday morning, saying the business expects to make up to $1.68 billion in total revenue across its two casinos in Queensland and one in NSW this financial year. This is a fall from the $1.8 billion in 2023, which was originally thought to be the low point for the embattled business.

The Star said it will post normalised earnings before tax, interest, depreciation and amortisation of between $165 million and $180 million for the 12 months to June 30.
Anyone who knows anything about ABC chairman Kim Williams will vouch that he is always on top of absolutely everything.

The media executive, sports lover, arts patron and polyhistor (look it up  we had to) has been setting the pace as ABC chair with a headland speech last week, when he accompanied the board and executive to that ABC regional outpost known to the rest of Australia as Melbourne.

ABC Chairman Kim Williams. Credit: John Shakespeare

In an important speech to the Redmond Barry Society at State Library Victoria, Williams put his staff on notice about his desire for ABC renewal. He also said Aunty was well-placed to be a national campfire and inoculate the country against the threat from anti-democratic populist actors weaponising social media.

It was quite the intellectual hit-out. But there is one aspect of work/life balance where Williams has lost control  his inboxes. CBD can reveal that after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Williams in the role in March, the media maestro was deluged with more than 4500 direct messages.
This time last year, I wrote a story with the headline: Who will win the Gold Logie? And why will it be Hamish Blake again? As it turned out, the piece was a misfire. Blake didnt win his third Gold Logie. Instead, Sonia Kruger (whose employer, Channel Seven, was broadcasting the Logies for the first time since 1995) took out the top gong.

Fast-forward 12 months, and I wont be making the same mistake. Mostly because Blake isnt nominated, and its easier to seem right in retrospect if you hedge your bets.

All of which leads me to declare this years Gold Logie race will be a three-way battle between ABCs Tony Armstrong, the nicest man on TV Larry Emdur, and Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! co-host Robert Irwin.

Who will it be of these three? Tony Armstrong, Robert Irwin and Larry Emdur are up for the Gold Logie. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

The Logies nominations were announced in Sydney yesterday, with Emdur, Armstrong and Irwin named alongside Andy Lee, Asher Keddie, Julia Morris, and Kruger as contenders for the gold. You can argue anyone on that list deserves to win, but realistically, only three people have a chance. Lets unpack.
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Eating outRestaurant news The surprising toddler-inspired dining trend sweeping Sydney restaurants Forget the 7.30pm dinner. Sydneysiders now prefer to eat at 6pm or even earlier, according to dining data and veteran restaurateurs. Scott Bolles June 25, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

The latest dining trend to grip Sydney isnt driven by food or design. Instead, were in the midst of a phenomenon of eating early. Very early. By 9.30pm restaurants are done, says Maurice Terzini, the veteran restaurateur with a stable of Sydney venues that stretches from city to surf. Terzinis view is echoed by restaurateurs across Sydney. Diners are edging in on the traditional time and turf of families with kids and high chairs. At an hour when many European countries are accepting their first bookings, our stragglers are fetching the bill. On a typical night last week, the hot new King Clarence restaurant in the Sydney CBD  part of a stable that includes the hatted Bentley and Monopole  had more than 60 per cent of its bookings in the slot between 5pm and 6pm. By 9.30pm restaurants are done, says Maurice Terzini. James Brickwood Everyone goes to bed earlier, says King Clarence co-owner Nick Hildebrandt, pointing to the snoozing and streaming cultural shift kick-started by COVID lockdowns. Hildebrandt cites the example of Bentleys early days, when its later 8.30pm start was always the more popular, and full. Everyones in early tonight, he says.

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The anecdotal shift is backed up by data from restaurant booking platforms. Based on the millions of reservations booked at SevenRooms ... over the last six months, 6pm is the most popular time for dining out, a SevenRooms spokesperson said. Likewise, OpenTable analysed data from as early as last year that showed Australians are eating earlier, with 6pm our favourite timeslot and 5pm offering the largest year-on-year growth. During COVID everyone was eating early and going to bed early, and thats become a habit, says Attila Yilmaz, the owner-chef at Pazar Food Collective in Canterbury, who has also watched booking times skew earlier. We have a generation of diners who [became adults] during COVID, are they staying at home having UberEats parties? Terzini, who observes a wide Sydney demographic with venues such as Jacksons on George in the CBD and his glam Bondi restaurant Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, believes Sydneys lockout laws rolling into COVID lockdown shaped our new early-bird culture. And he argues we can throw in the fact that Sydney doesnt have a lot of late-night places to kick on to. More than 60 per cent of bookings fall between 5pm and 6pm at King Clarence. Jennifer Soo Yilmaz agrees with Terzini. I think its sad were going backwards instead of embracing the Euro style of dining later. In Turkey, no one goes out until 9pm, and it doesnt have to be drinking after dinner, you might go to a great patisserie. Sydney has the perfect climate for [that lifestyle].

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Nigel Ward, the owner of Passeggiata in Waverley, also subscribes to the theory COVID changed our dining habits, eating earlier at home during the pandemic and learning to make our own cocktails. He also believes the shift from traditional three-course dining to more shared plates has consumers finishing their meals faster and exiting restaurants earlier. It could also be that the industry itself has encouraged this trend, by having two or three sittings each evening during the boom years, and training diners to eat earlier because many customers dont want the late 8.30pm slot. Even the fact King Clarence is open at 5pm, no one opened that early five years ago, Hildebrandt says of Sydneys new dining landscape. And he isnt entirely unhappy with the early-bird shift. From a business perspective its fine, he says, pointing to lower operational costs from closing earlier.

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Loading There are nine different potential offer rounds for year 12 students starting university in semester 1, 2025, with each round having different deadlines for application and payment, document upload and preference change, so be sure to check the key dates carefully here. The other key date is the early bird processing charge deadline on September 30, 2024. If youre planning to apply, be sure to make your UAC account and pay the $80 early bird processing fee before October 1 to avoid paying the larger standard fee of $215. Victoria The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) doesnt have an early offer round for year 12 students, only what they call timely applications. VTAC applications open from July 29, with the timely application deadline of 5pm, September 30, 2024. The application fee increases from $60 to $150 after this date.

To avoid higher fees, you need to create a VTAC account and submit a course application by September 28. Dont worry, youll still be able to change your preferences after that date. There are then two further deadlines for late (November 1) and very late (December 6) applications, which both have even higher fees. VCE students and select interstate students will receive the first round of offers on December 23. The second offer round for all domestic students takes place on 10 January 2025. Queensland Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) is yet to confirm the key dates for year 12 applicants for semester 1 2025 but, based on previous years, it is expected applications will open in early August 2024.

The early offer rounds usually commence in the second half of August, while the main offer round is in early to mid-January 2025. Loading QTAC generally release specific dates in mid-July, so check back then for more details. Western Australia In WA, the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) applications are already open. There are five conditional early offer days for WA year 12s on September 2 and 24, October 14, November 18 and December 2.

TISC suggests you submit your applications at least two weeks before the offer day to be considered in that round. This type of offer is only made on first preferences and can be confirmed in the main round if all conditions have been met with actual results and if the course has been retained as the first preference. Not all courses are part of the conditional early offer schemes and such offers are non-binding, so you can change your mind. Wednesday, December 11 at 11.59pm is the final date to upload transcripts and documents to be considered for the main round of offers, which are made on December 21. How do you apply for early entry? Early entry applications are generally the same as main round applications and require you to fill in your details and order your preference. Youll need to go to the website of the relevant authorities for the state you want to apply in  UAC for NSW and the ACT, VTAC for Victoria, QTAC for Queensland and TISC for WA  make an account and follow the prompts to submit your preferences. What kinds of courses follow a different timeline?

Generally speaking, courses such as veterinary sciences and direct-entry pathways to Medicine often have different application requirements, but no matter your interest, its important to check the deadlines for your specific course preferences in case they follow a different timeline. Loading How many uni courses can I apply for? Every state allows applicants to enter a series of preferences. That means you place the courses you want to be considered for in order of your preference. Each state allows a different number of preferences to be entered. In Victoria, you can enter eight courses, in NSW and the ACT its five courses, and in WA and Queensland, you can list six courses. Youll only receive one offer per round, so make sure the course you want to be accepted into most is listed first.

How do I change my preferences? Once you have submitted your application, you can log back in and change or reorder your preference as many times as you like before the deadlines. You can also reorder your preference after each offer round if you change your mind and want to be considered in a different order or for different courses. How do the preferences work? In most states, you can only receive one offer in each offer round, and institutions will consider your course preferences according to the order in which you list them. So your courses must be listed in order of how keen you are. All preferences are given equal consideration, so it doesnt matter if its your fourth preference and someone elses first preference, youll be offered the highest preference on your list that you are qualified for.
A former Brisbane chef accused of more than 20 offences including the sexual assault and stalking of young women told another employee who allegedly witnessed the behaviour it was all just a joke.

Mitchell James Efeimoff, 34, was charged last month with 18 counts of sexual assault and four counts of unlawful stalking, intimidation or harassment.

Mitchell Efeimoff was charged with multiple sexual assault and stalking offences.

Before his arrest, he had been working for hospitality venues across Brisbane for more than 15 years.

Efeimoff, who has been in custody for two months, applied for bail in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Monday.
The religious order that runs Catholic boys school Xavier College is facing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit after a Supreme Court judge overturned a settlement struck to compensate the victim of a serial recidivist paedophile who abused a student at the elite school.

The victim, a 69-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, successfully appealed the agreement struck in August 2011 between him and the Society of Jesus in Australia, which included a term that Xavier College in Kew cover tuition for his two sons and pay him $150,000.

Xavier College faces a multimillion-dollar lawsuit from a former student abused by a staff member. Credit: Joe Armao

In a decision released last week, the victim claims priest Noel Bradford abused him in 1968 and 1970 while he was a boarder. The former student is now claiming loss of past earnings and superannuation of between $1,248,791.62 and $4,952,307.62 in damages.

The Society of Jesus in Australia, more commonly known as the Jesuits, runs Xavier College and would be financially liable for any settlement. The college declined to comment.
Victoria will get a pill-testing trial over summer after an official announcement by Premier Jacinta Allan.

Further details of the program are yet to be released, but it was approved at a cabinet meeting on Monday.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has softened her view towards a pill-testing trial. Credit: Joe Armao

In a video posted on her social media, Allan said paramedics had attended more drug overdoses at festivals in the first three months of this year than during all of last year.

She said young people wanted information and similar schemes around the world had shown it worked.
A family beat four others at auction on Saturday to pay $4.62 million for a Canterbury house, with potential plans to rebuild the comfortable home.

The four-bedroom house at 14 Avenue Athol featured a modern style, with raked wood-panelled ceilings, and an indoor pool and sauna.

The home had a quoted price range of $3.9 million to $4.1 million. Jellis Craig Hawthorn listing agent and auctioneer Mike Beardsley said the buyers were willing to pay $520,000 more than the top of the range because of the houses location.

In the right areas, the market is still strong, said Jellis Craig Hawthorn listing agent and auctioneer Mike Beardsley.
Tenerife: Missing British teenager Jay Slater was last seen staggering around and worse for wear in a Tenerife nightclub just hours before his disappearance.

The 19-year-old was seen stumbling to his feet at Papagayo club in Playa de las Americas in the early hours of June 17. A few hours later he went missing in the north of the Spanish island.

Jay Slater pictured in the grey top he was reportedly wearing when he went missing. Credit: Facebook

As the search for the teenager reached its seventh day, a witness reported seeing him at the venue in one of Tenerifes most popular night-life areas.

The man, 20, said: It was a good atmosphere, it was hard dance music and everybody was having a good time vibing away.
Cairo: The deaths of more than 1000 pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj have put a spotlight on an underworld of illicit tour operators, smugglers and swindlers who profit off Muslims desperate to meet their religious duty to travel to Mecca.

While registered pilgrims are transported around the shrines in air-conditioned buses and rest in air-conditioned tents, undocumented ones are often exposed to the elements, making them more vulnerable to extreme heat. Some pilgrims this year described watching people faint and passing bodies in the street as temperatures hit 48 degrees or higher.

Muslim pilgrims use umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun. Credit: AP

On Sunday, in an interview on state television, Saudi Health Minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel said that 83 per cent of the more than 1300 deaths occurred among pilgrims who had not had official permits.

The rise in temperatures during the Hajj season represented a big challenge this year, he said. Unfortunately  and this is painful for all of us  those who didnt have Hajj permits walked long distances under the sun.
Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the intense phase of the Gaza war is almost finished. Does this mean that Netanyahu himself is nearly finished?

Most Israelis hope so. Hes not a popular figure. Eighty per cent of Israelis think he should take responsibility for the Hamas attack on October 7, according to a poll taken for Maariv newspaper a couple of weeks after that shocking day.

Protesters during a demonstration against the Israeli government and Benjamin Netanyahu in January. Credit: Getty Images

More Israelis would vote for a man whos not even in parliament if an election were held today, according to a poll published on Friday. The Channel 12 poll found that Netanyahu would attract just 28 per cent of the vote against 36 per cent for former prime minister Naftali Bennett, whos rumoured to be considering a comeback.

But as long as Netanyahu is waging war against Hamas, he has strong licence to remain as prime minister. The instinct of most Israelis is, Lets finish the job of defeating Hamas, says the respected veteran Israeli journalist Ehud Yaari.
Washington: A Texas woman has been accused of the attempted drowning of a three-year-old Palestinian-American Muslim girl, and police on Monday said the incident was motivated by bias and the suspect made racially motivated statements.

The incident occurred in May but gained media attention on Monday after the Council on American Islamic Relations offered support to the victims and issued a press statement identifying them by religion and ancestry.

Elizabeth Wolf, who is charged with trying to drown a 3-year-old girl at a Texas apartment complex pool in May 2024. Credit: AP

The Euless Police Department believes the crime was committed because of bias or prejudice and that is part of the case as it has been filed with the Tarrant County District Attorneys office, police said in a statement on Monday.

The district attorneys office said it was reviewing the case.
Rarely have I witnessed a company so severely mistreated by its own shareholders as is the case with GEBE. We all recognize our current situation, and its temptingespecially for someto blame the current management for mishandling matters.

However, this decline didnt start recently; it has been a decades-long drama. While I wont pretend to understand all the technical challenges, one thing is clear: no other electricity company in the former Netherlands Antilles or Aruba has made such poor decisions at the shareholder level.

During my intermittent tenure as a consultant with the company, Ive seen competent management boards dismissed, supposedly in the name of good governance, while utterly inept managers and directors were appointed, dismissed, and sometimes reappointed. How can we manage one of the islands most critical companies with such flip-flopping decisions? While GEBE was never beloved, it was at least respected and, to some extent, stable.

Too much political interference has brought GEBE to its current state. Decisions were often driven by personal or political agendas rather than objective, professional considerations. Aqualectra in Curacao, WEB Aruba, WEB Bonaire, STUCO on Statia, or Saba Electric Company SECnone face the issues plaguing GEBE. Why is that?

Isnt it time to entrust a competent, forward-thinking body with a broad mandate to define the companys path? If this company isnt too important to fail, then which one on the island is?

Sometimes, having the government as a shareholder is a blessing. In this case, it has proven a terrible curse. One of the really sad parts is that GEBE has many excellent, well-qualified employees. They, too, deserve better management at the Top and, especially on a Shareholder level.

Harald Linkels

Organizational psychologist
PHILIPSBURG:--- I believe that focusing on and capitalizing on our ability to farm and grow food locally is essential to food security, rather than continuing to rely heavily on imports, said Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT).

The minister visited four farms on a fact-finding mission last week where she met with farmers from Yellow Sage Farm, Arrowroot Farm, Eco St. Maarten Agriculture Research Foundation, and Hillside Plantation Farm.

Min. Grisha Heyliger-Marten said that key to the purpose of visiting the farmers was to observe their operations, listen to their challenges, and understand the obstacles they face in their sector.

By hearing directly from the farmers, I aim to gather vital information and learn about the industry, seeking their input and suggestions on ways to properly establish the agriculture department that we need to move the sector forward, Heyliger-Marten said.

My primary objective is to enhance food security on the island, the Minister continued. According to her, this will lead to more economic stability, improved health and nutrition, environmental sustainability, resilience, and job creation.

Recognizing these benefits, I am committed to promoting local farming and reducing dependency on imported foods, Heyliger-Marten said. She added that, By focusing on local farming, we can build a sustainable and resilient food system that benefits everyone on the island.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, president of the One St. Martin Association (One SXM), was the sole delegate from St. Martin at the BIG international conference on decolonization in New York last week.

Arrindell was an invited speaker at the conference, Towards Independence and Fundamental Freedoms: The Role of the C-24 in Ending Colonialism, hosted by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

Arrindell read the One SXM statement on June 20, highlighting the associations ongoing campaign to bring awareness to St. Martin and international communities about St. Martin peoples quest for sovereignty and how it is thwarted by politicians on the island and in Europe.

Arrindell said that the One SXM position provided a historical overview and questioned why St. Martin, south and north, was not on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories while others with similar political structures were included.

An author and leading educator of the island, Arrindell, told the gathering that the blunder that was made in 1955 to not include the territories of Sint Maarten and Saint Martin on the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories should be corrected today.

She added that, St. Martin needs friendly nations to assist us with creating amendments to Resolution 945, and we are counting on you to be among them.

Delegates at the conference also represented Polynesia, Kanaky (New Caledonia), Corsica, Comoro Islands, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guiana, and Bonaire, among others, each sharing their territorys ongoing experience with colonialism, said Arrindell.

The BIG conference concluded with participants signing a petition to support the Kanaky people and condemning Frances violent actions against the people in Kanaky, Martinique, and Mayotte.

According to BIG, its international conferences feature discussions of legal frameworks to address the decolonization challenges while also examining case studies of regions that have successfully transitioned to independence.

The C-24 is the Special Committee on Decolonization, established in 1961, which annually reviews the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories for progress in promoting human rights and territories rights to self-determination, according to the United Nations.
Recently, the promotion event for the Great Yellow Mountain High-end Business MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) Bases (Shanghai) was held at the Huangshan Reception Room in Shanghai Global Harbor of Yuexing Group. The event, themed "Misty Great Yellow Mountain, A Resting Place for the Soul," introduced Great Yellow Mountain's first batch of high-end business MICE bases through three chapters: leisure, wellness, and vacation. At the event, the promoter shared Great Yellow Mountain area's superior entrepreneurial environment, resource endowment, and tourism experiences based on personal experiences. Chen Zhen, Vice President of Shanghai Yuexing Group, endorsing the area through his personal involvement in the Huangshan Yunshuijian MICE base project. "With the opening of the super-loop high-speed rail connecting the Yangtze River Delta, it's more convenient to reach the Great Yellow Mountain area from the YRD region. We look forward to working with all of you to create international conference forums, events, and high-quality leisure vacation tourism products, sharing the vast source market of the Yangtze River Delta, and contributing to the Great Yellow Mountain's development as a world-class leisure, vacation, and wellness tourism destination." The Great Yellow Mountain is a place of exquisite mountains and waters, a place to experience Chinese culture, a treasure trove for entrepreneurship and investment, and an ideal destination for MICE tourism. Shanghai and Anhui are connected by mountains and waters, and share cultural ties. Shanghai is a major source market for Great Yellow Mountain's MICE tourism. This event, as the first stop in a series of promotional activities for Great Yellow Mountain's high-end business and MICE tourism bases, not only vividly showcased Great Yellow Mountain's unique resources for high-end business and incentive travel but also established a new platform for cooperation and development of the MICE tourism industry between the two regions. In the future, Anhui will seize the golden period of summer tourism, continue to carry out a series of promotional activities in key source markets such as the Yangtze River Delta, and sincerely invite tourists to Anhui, especially the Great Yellow Mountain area, for leisure vacations and wellness retreats, to experience the unique charm of Anhui's culture and scenery. Source: anhuinews.com
Dominance, data, disinformation: Europe's fight with Big Tech



Paris, June 24 (AFP) Jun 24, 2024



The European Union warned Apple on Monday that its App Store is breaching its digital competition rules, placing the iPhone maker at risk of billions of dollars in fines.

It is the latest in a years-long battle between Brussels and giant tech firms, covering subjects from data privacy to disinformation.



- Stifling competition -

Brussels has doled out over 10 billion euros in fines to tech firms for abusing their dominant market positions.

The latest threat for Apple comes three months after the bloc hit the California firm with a 1.8-billion-euro ($1.9 billion) penalty for preventing European users from accessing information about cheaper music streaming services.

Among big tech firms, only Google has faced a bigger single antitrust fine -- more than four billion euros in 2018 for using its Android mobile operating system to promote its search engine.

Google has also incurred billion-plus fines for abusing its power in the online shopping and advertising sectors.

The European Commission, the EU's executive, recommended last year that Google should sell parts of its business and could face a fine of up to 10 percent of its global revenue if it fails to comply.



- Privacy -

Ireland issues the stiffest fines on data privacy as the laws are enforced by local regulators and Dublin hosts the European offices of several big tech firms.

The Irish regulator handed TikTok a 345-million-euro penalty for mishandling children's data last September just months after it hit Meta with a record fine of 1.2 billion euros for illegally transferring personal data between Europe and the United States.

Luxembourg had previously held the record for data fines after it slapped Amazon with a 746-million-euro penalty in 2021.



- Taxation -

The EU has had little success in getting tech companies to pay more taxes in Europe, where they are accused of funnelling profits into low-tax economies like Ireland and Luxembourg.

In one of the most notorious cases, the European Commission in 2016 ordered Apple to pay Ireland more than a decade in back taxes -- 13 billion euros -- after ruling a sweetheart deal with the government was illegal.

But EU judges overturned the decision saying there was no evidence the company had broken the rules, a decision the commission has been trying to reverse ever since.

The commission is also fighting to reverse another court loss, after judges overruled its order for Amazon to repay 250 million euros in back taxes to Luxembourg.



- Disinformation, hate speech -

Web platforms have long faced accusations of failing to combat hate speech, disinformation and piracy.

The EU passed the Digital Services Act last year, which is designed to force companies to tackle these issues or face fines of up to six percent of their global turnover.

Already the bloc has begun to show how the DSA might be applied, opening probes on Facebook and Instagram for failing to tackle election-related disinformation.

The bloc has also warned Microsoft that the falsehoods generated by its AI search could fall foul of the DSA.



- Paying for news -

Google and other online platforms have also been accused of making billions from news without sharing the revenue with those who gather it.

To tackle this, the EU created a form of copyright called "neighbouring rights" that allows print media to demand compensation for using their content.

France has been a test case for the rules and after initial resistance Google and Facebook both agreed to pay some French media for articles shown in web searches.

jxb/lth

Apple

GOOGLE

Meta

Amazon.com
First Myanmar junta conscripts to begin duty at end of month



Yangon, June 24 (AFP) Jun 24, 2024



A first batch of 5,000 conscripts called up by Myanmar's junta will begin duty at the end of this month, military sources told AFP on Monday, as the generals struggle to crush opposition to their coup.

The junta enforced a conscription law in February, three years after it seized power and sparked a widespread armed uprising that has spread across swathes of the Southeast Asian country.

The law allows the military to summon all men aged 18-35 and women aged 18-27 to serve in the armed forces for at least two years.

"The first batch of recruits, who started in early April, will conclude training at the end of this month," one military source said.

The source said that upon graduation the 5,000 conscripts would be posted to "different military commands around the country to serve their duty", without giving details on how they would serve.

He requested anonymity as he was not authorised to talk to the media.

Another military source who also requested anonymity said individual military commands would decide how to employ the recruits they received.

"It will be up to the commands they arrive at after their training," he said.

Myanmar has 14 regional military commands across the country, from the Himalayan foothills in the north to the sprawling Ayeyarwady delta region bordering the Indian Ocean.

At least 10 of them are currently engaged in fighting established ethnic minority armed groups or newer "People's Defence Forces" that have sprung up to resist the junta.



- 'Challenges' -



The military service law was authored by a previous junta in 2010 but was never brought into force.

The terms of service can be extended up to five years during a state of emergency -- which the junta declared when it seized power.

Those ignoring a summons to serve can be jailed for the same period.

Thousands of young men and women have been trying to leave the country since the law was enforced.

Conscripts from the third batch of 5,000 recruits have already begun arriving at training centres, the first source said.

A junta spokesman previously told AFP the military has the capacity to train 50,000 a year although about 13 million people will be eligible to be called up.

Last month, state media quoted the junta's defence minister as saying the military had faced "challenges" in filling quotas.

Local media have reported cases of young men being pulled off the streets in Yangon and other cities and taken away to undergo military training.

The junta has denied the reports.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military coup in February 2021 toppled the government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Since then, more than 5,200 people have been killed in the military crackdown on dissent, and more than 26,000 others arrested, according to a local monitoring group.
Philippines condemns China's 'illegal use of force' in sea clash



Manila, June 24 (AFP) Jun 24, 2024



The Philippines on Monday denounced Beijing's "aggressive and illegal use of force" during last week's South China Sea clash between its navy and the Chinese coast guard.

Chinese sailors wielding knives, sticks and an axe foiled a Filipino attempt a week ago to resupply marines stationed on a derelict warship that was deliberately grounded atop the disputed shoal to assert Manila's territorial claims.

A Filipino soldier lost a finger in the clash, with Manila also accusing the Chinese coast guard of looting guns and damaging inflatable boats and other equipment.

"We are not downplaying the incident. It was an aggressive and illegal use of force," Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told a news conference.

It was the latest and most serious incident in a series of escalating confrontations between Chinese and Philippine ships in recent months as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to nearly all of the strategically located waterway.

"We will not give up an inch, not even a millimetre of our territory to any foreign power," Teodoro said, restating President Ferdinand Marcos' South China Sea policy.

Teodoro said Manila will continue to resupply its warship at Second Thomas Shoal without asking for permission or consent from any other state.

Second Thomas Shoal lies about 200 kilometres (120 miles) from Philippine's Palawan island and more than 1,000 kilometres from China's nearest major landmass, Hainan island.

Beijing insisted its coast guard behaved in a "professional and restrained" way and blamed Manila for the clash.

In previous confrontations Chinese forces have used water cannon and military-grade lasers and collided with Filipino resupply vessels and their escorts.

"We see the latest incident in Ayungin (Second Thomas Shoal) not as a misunderstanding or an accident. It is a deliberate act of the Chinese officialdom to prevent us from completing our mission," Teodoro said.

Marcos, addressing the sailors who took part in the resupply mission, said Sunday the country "will not be intimidated or oppressed by anyone" but will "continue to exercise our freedoms and rights in support of our national interest, in accordance with international law".
No French troops in Ukraine if we win election: far-right leader



Paris, June 24 (AFP) Jun 24, 2024



French far-right leader Jordan Bardella vowed Monday to be "vigilant" in the face of any Russian threats and said his party would not send troops into Ukraine if it wins snap elections.

Setting out his programme, Bardella said he was in favour of continuing to provide "logistical support and defence equipment" to Ukraine but added that he would oppose sending French troops or long-range missiles to the war-torn country, calling those moves "very clear red lines."

"This would create the conditions for French interference and escalation in the face of a nuclear power," the 28-year-old told reporters.

France has been one of Ukraine's main Western backers since Russia unleashed its full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022.

In February, President Emmanuel Macron rattled his European partners by saying he would not rule out the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine -- a move ruled out by Germany and many other allies.

While warning against a showdown with Russia, Bardella said his party would be "extremely vigilant" in the face of Russian attempts to intervene in France's affairs.

"I see Russia as a multidimensional threat to both France and Europe," said Bardella.

He accused Moscow of challenging France's interests "in our historical spheres of influence in Africa, the Black Sea and also in our overseas territories".

Opponents have long pointed to the warm ties that Bardella's extreme-right National Rally (NR) has enjoyed with the Kremlin in the past as well as a massive loan that the NR's previous incarnation, the National Front, received from a Russian bank in 2014, which it has since repaid.

With the war now in its third year, Ukraine is struggling to repel Russian advances and is in desperate need of greater Western military aid.

Macron said in early June he wanted to finalise a coalition of military instructors to train Ukrainian troops and lashed out at what he called a "camp of pacifists" over Ukraine's fight against Russia.
Foreign diplomats tour Beirut airport after weapons claims



Beirut, June 24 (AFP) Jun 24, 2024



Senior Lebanese officials on Monday defended procedures at Beirut airport during a tour for journalists and diplomats, a day after a British daily alleged Hezbollah was storing weapons at the facility.

The accusations came during escalating exchanges of fire and bellicose rhetoric between Lebanon's Hezbollah movement and Israeli forces, which have engaged in near-daily fire since war in Gaza began.

Hezbollah has been acting in support of its Palestinian ally Hamas since the militant group's October 7 attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war.

On Sunday, British daily The Telegraph reported that Hezbollah was storing missiles and rockets at Beirut airport, where "whistleblowers" had reported the arrival of "unusually big boxes" from Iran.

Hezbollah has not made any official comment.

"The airport adheres to international standards," said Transport Minister Ali Hamieh, who led the visit together with Lebanon's ministers for foreign affairs, tourism and information.

Representatives from foreign missions including Egypt, Germany and the European Union delegation joined the tour of the airport's warehouse facilities.

Hamieh on Sunday held a press conference to reject The Telegraph report as false and "to say that there are no weapons entering or leaving Beirut." He invited ambassadors and reporters for the tour.

At the airport, Hamieh described The Telegraph report as part of "psychological war" on Lebanon and said it was a "distortion of the reputation" of Lebanon's only international airport.

The tour "included an import and export centre... that accounts for 20 percent of the import traffic and is concerned with services for Iranian planes which were the subject of The Telegraph report", Hamieh said.

Another warehouse accounted for the remaining 80 percent of imports and exports, he told a press conference.



- 'Lies' -



Israel has for years accused Hezbollah of keeping weapons in installations throughout Lebanon, including near Beirut airport, an accusation Hezbollah has denied.

Israel bombed Beirut airport when it last went to war with Hezbollah in 2006.

The airport's manager, Fadi El-Hassan, said all aircraft arriving at the facility, including Iranian planes, "are subject to the same customs procedures".

Egyptian ambassador Alaa Moussa said that while diplomats were not responsible for inspecting the airport for prohibited items, "our presence (at the tour) is a message of support" to Lebanon and "a message to all parties that what is needed... is calm".

More than eight months of cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces have left at least 481 people dead in Lebanon, mostly fighters, but also including 94 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

Israeli authorities say at least 15 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed in the country's north.

Housewife Rola Qassem, aged around 50, who had just arrived from Ivory Coast to spend summer in south Lebanon with her family, said she didn't believe the reports of weapons being stored at the airport.

"It's all lies so that people are afraid to go to Lebanon, to stop tourism," she told AFP.
Zelensky dismisses senior Ukrainian army commander



Kyiv, Ukraine, June 24 (AFP) Jun 24, 2024



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky replaced a high-ranking army official leading troops in the country's embattled east on Monday after he was accused of incompetence and abuse of power during the Russian invasion.

The move came as Kyiv has struggled to hold back Moscow's forces in the east for months, almost two and half years into the war.

"I have decided to replace the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Yuriy Sodol, with Brigadier General Andriy Gnatov," Zelensky said in his daily evening address.

He gave no details on the reasons for the dismissal but the decision came after criticism from a commander of the Azov brigade, known for its links with the far right.

The Azov commander, Bogdan Krotevych, had a day earlier filed a complaint to the SBU security service, calling for an investigation into Sodol.

According to media reports, Krotevych accused Sodol of incompetence and blamed him for the death of Ukrainian soldiers at the front.

Ukraine -- outgunned and outmanned by Russia -- has been on the back foot for months, with Moscow's forces claiming new villages in the east almost every week, but without making a major breakthrough.
Israeli defense minister vows hostage efforts in US talks



Washington, June 24 (AFP) Jun 24, 2024



Israel's defense minister on Monday vowed during a visit to Washington to work to bring back hostages from Gaza, and urged close cooperation with the United States after strains in the relationship.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with CIA chief Bill Burns, the key US pointman in negotiations to free hostages from Hamas, and later met for around two hours with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"I would like to emphasize that it is Israel's primary commitment to return the hostages, with no exception, to their families and homes," Gallant said before starting his meetings.

"We will continue to make every possible effort to bring them home," he said.

He made no further comment as he left the meeting with Blinken, as a couple of dozen protesters outside the State Department chanted to call him a "war criminal."

President Joe Biden on May 31 laid out a plan for a ceasefire in Gaza and release of hostages, ahead of talks on ending the war.

Hamas, which launched the conflict with its October 7 attack on Israel, has come back with its own demands, and the United States hopes the gaps can be bridged.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has faced major protests calling for him to accept the deal, in recent days has annoyed the Biden administration by accusing Washington of cutting back arms and ammunition deliveries.

Gallant took a different tack, saying, "The alliance between Israel and the United States, led by the US over many years, is extremely important."

Other than Israel's own military, "our ties with the US are the most important element for our future from a security perspective," he said.

Biden, who has faced criticism from parts of his own base over his support for Israel, held back a shipment that included heavy 2,000-pound bombs.

Netanyahu -- who has close relations with Biden's rivals in the Republican Party -- told a cabinet meeting on Sunday that there was a "dramatic drop in the supply" of US weapons around four months ago.

Asked about his latest comment, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said, "I don't understand what that comment meant at all."

"We have paused one shipment of high-payload munitions. That shipment remains on pause," Miller told reporters.

"There are other weapons that we continue to provide Israel, as we have done going back years and years, because we are committed to Israel's security. There has been no change in that," Miller said.

Gallant said he would also discuss the next phase of the war after Netanyahu said that the "intense" fighting with Hamas in Rafah was "about to end."

Miller said the United States would press Israel to work on longer-term arrangements after the end of the fighting.

"We don't want to see in Rafah what we've seen in Gaza City and what we've seen in Khan Yunis, which is the end of major combat operations and then the beginning of Hamas reasserting control," he said, referring to two other major cities targeted by Israel earlier in the war.

Gallant is also expected to meet in Washington with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, senior White House official Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein, who is focusing on tensions over Lebanon.
To be fair to us, the circumstances havent exactly been kind. The various Covid lockdowns created a seemingly interminable backlog in learner drivers seeking lessons and tests across the UK, which has put some people off completely. The average car driving test waiting time is currently over 18 weeks. All that demand coupled with cost of living has pushed prices for lessons up too; learners in London are now regularly paying 50 an hour. It has also provided fertile breeding ground for fraudsters  reports of driving test fraud through impersonations have more than trebled in the past five years. Last year, the BBC found more than 600 social media pages with thousands of followers promising illegal licences without taking tests.
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Hence the need for extra manpower  to backfill all the low-level support roles. It might bring relief to the starving families of North Korean workers. Putin now has more than four million engaged in the Ukraine fight. In defence industry, support and combat, Putin now has more than four million engaged in the Ukraine fight.  and he is not winning.
But a rather more niche interest formed in Naruhitos early adulthood inspired a longstanding relationship with the UK. One day, while roaming in the palace grounds as a young boy, he discovered the remnants of an ancient roadway. This sparked a lifelong fascination with the history of transport, which would eventually become the subject of his masters thesis at Oxford. I have had a keen interest in roads since childhood, he once said at a press conference. On roads, you can go to the unknown world. Since I have been leading a life where I have few chances to go out freely, roads are a precious bridge to the unknown world, so to speak.
And one thing we know about Keir Starmer is that he has no problem going back on his promises. His career is a story of commitments dropped as soon as they became too difficult to keep.
The Tories are finished in Scotland, and while a vote for the SNP can send them packing this election, by sending SNP MPs to Westminster we can continue to put Scotlands interests first and make the case for independence so that we can get rid of the Tories in Scotland for good.
"That plays into Putin's hands. That kind of appeasement is dangerous for Britain's security, the security of our allies that rely on us and will only embolden Putin." Mr Farage, who is standing to be MP for Clacton, also clashed with Boris Johnson, after the former prime minister accused him of writing nauseating ahistorical drivel about Ukraine.
The best people to make choices about the future of Scotland are the people who live here. Why should our parliament be unable to increase the wages of workers who live here? Why should we be unable to tax the wealth of the huge corporations who do business here? And why should our parliament be denied the borrowing powers that would allow us to invest in our communities and the services we all rely on?
The general election takes place on Thursday July 4

The restriction of Government activity during the pre-election period is to ensure public money is not used to support the campaign of the party in power, while maintaining the impartiality of the civil service.

For the forthcoming general election the pre-election period, known as purdah, began when parliament was prorogued on May 24.

However, Government activity is restricted during the pre-election period, which usually comes into force when parliament is dissolved but has sometimes begun before this event.

The Government continues to function and the prime minister, his cabinet and junior ministers continue in their roles.

Does the Government continue operating as normal during a general election campaign?

Exit polls, which have been conducted in various ways since 1974, have correctly predicted the largest party at every election since, according to the Institute for Government.

Soon after polling stations close at 10pm an exit poll is announced. This poll is the results of a survey of in-person voters in a sample of about 150 constituencies across the UK.

What happens when polling stations close?

People voting in person will have to provide photographic identification for the first time at a general election.

The locations, which often include schools, town halls and other public buildings, will be set up and listed by local councils.

Polling stations in constituencies are open between 7am and 10pm.

What happens on polling day?

The deadline for postal vote applications was 5pm on June 19.

People who qualify for this process include those registered as an overseas voter and those with a medical issue or disability.

Voting by proxy involves asking someone else to vote on your behalf if you are unable to attend a polling station.

Postal voting can either be a direct vote by an individual, or a vote by proxy.

Registered voters can either vote in person on July 4 or by post in advance.

How can people vote?

People serving jail sentences and peers who have seats in the House of Lords are unable to vote in general elections.

UK citizens who live abroad can register to vote in the constituency where they were previously residents, or on the electoral role.

The deadline for registering to vote was June 18.

Anyone who is over 18 and on the electoral register can vote, as long as they are a British citizen, a Commonwealth citizen who meets the residency requirements, or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland with an address in the UK.

Who is able to vote?

This process was conducted in accordance with the Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act, which replaced the Fixed-term Parliament Act in 2022.

Parliament was dissolved by the King on May 30 and polling day set for 25 working days later. The proclamation also confirmed the date for the return of Parliament after the election as July 9.

The general election takes place on Thursday July 4 and was announced by Rishi Sunak on May 22.

When is the general election taking place?

MPs are elected under a first past the post system, which means the candidate with the most votes automatically enters parliament.

However, some candidates will be independents who are not affiliated to any political party.

There are 650 parliamentary constituencies across the UK, with most candidates representing political parties.

Voters select one candidate each in their constituency to represent them in the process of debating, scrutinising and voting on proposed legislation and policy.

The general election is the process of electing members of parliament who will sit in the House of Commons.

What is a general election and how many MPs will be elected?

Here is all you need to know about how polling day works and how to vote.

The general election 2024 is fast approaching and will be a historic moment as voters decide which party , or parties, will form the next government.

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Climate change could make the risk even greater. A 2019 study by experts at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that even if the world succeeds in mitigating the worst effects of climate change, the Hajj would be held in temperatures exceeding an "extreme danger threshold" from 2047 to 2052, and from 2079 to 2086.
You know, it is hard, cause I think women with my body type, women with perfect breasts We do not get to see ourselves onscreen enough, she said during a Q&A for the screening of the second part of Bridgerton season three in Dublin, Ireland.
Justice minister Alina Gorghiu said that there will be a hearing on Monday at the Court of Justice of the European Union in the preliminary ruling procedure referred by the Romanian court in Prince Paul of Romania's case.

"Today there will be a hearing at the Court of Justice of the European Union in the preliminary ruling referred by the Romanian court in Prince Paul's case. It is about the referral made by the Brasov Court of Appeal, which concerns issues of compliance with EU legislation on the European arrest warrant in the case of Prince Paul's surrender," the minister said.

According to the minister, the case is "particularly important" for the Romanian state, and the request to debate it under urgent procedure has been admitted.

Alina Gorghiu said that the written phase has been finalized, all the parties involved have submitted materials on their points of view, and on Monday there will be the hearing phase.

The Justice minister emphasized that the opinion of the European Commission was in agreement with that of the Romanian state.

Alina Gorghiu thanked her colleagues from the Ministry of Justice, the enforcement court, the Romanian Police and all the authorities involved.

On June 10, Justice Minister Alina Gorghiu announced that a court in Malta had admitted the appeal of the public prosecutor's office and overturned the first decision of the judges refusing the surrender of the fugitive Paul-Philippe of Romania, and that the case would be retried.
Foreign Affairs Minister Luminita Odobescu will take part in the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the EU Member States in Luxembourg on Monday, where they will discuss Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, developments in Georgia and the Great Lakes region.

The European foreign ministers will also have an informal exchange of views with their counterparts from the Western Balkans during a working lunch, according to a press release sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) on Sunday.

According to the cited source, the discussions on Russia's aggression against Ukraine will focus on recent developments on the ground and the support the EU should provide to Ukraine, especially in the military field.

They will also discuss new restrictive measures against Russia and Belarus, the state of EU-Ukraine security commitments and the assessment of the Ukraine Peace Summit (Switzerland, June 15-16, 2024).

As regards the situation in the Middle East, talks will further focus on "the perspective of relaunching the political process for a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region and the ways the EU can contribute".

At an informal lunch with partners from the Western Balkans, the MAE also notes that there will be an exchange of views on the impact of the current geopolitical and security context on the region, in particular on increasing resilience in the face of hybrid threats, avoiding circumvention of EU sanctions against Russia, and the importance of cooperation and good neighborly relations in the region.

Discussions on developments in Georgia will take place in the context of the adoption by the Georgian legislature of the "foreign agents" law.

With regard to the situation in the Great Lakes region, ministers will discuss ways in which the EU could assume a greater role in strengthening stability and overcoming the current crisis situations in the region, the MAE press release further mentions.
The General Mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, announced on Monday that the works for the modernization of the district heating system with non-reimbursable European funding are progressing, with the goal set for 2024 being the replacement of 70 km of pipes.

"If last year we changed 50 km of pipes, this year's set goal is 70 km of modernized pipes," Nicusor Dan wrote on Facebook.

The main pipes have already been replaced over a length of 25.5 km on the 11 construction sites opened under the Large Infrastructure Operational Program (POIM) in all six districts of the capital, and at the same time the heating network is also being modernized through construction sites opened with funding from the local budget and co-funding from the Ministry of Development, Nicusor Dan further said.
The the Romanian-Moldo-German Cultural Center "Dumitru Dorin Prunariu" in Nuremberg, Germany, has managed to get twice in the Guinness World Records for the longest Romanian traditional waist belt handmade in three months, measuring 1,667.41 meters and also the heaviest, weighing 70 kilograms.

The Romanian traditional waist belt was measured a day ago by a commission from the Guinness World Records in the center of Nuremberg's Jakobsplatz.

"Romanians from all over the world made history in Nuremberg! We got into the record book twice: first, for the longest Romanian traditional waist belt handmade in 3 months - 1667.41 meters. Second, for the heaviest traditional waist belt weighing 70 kilograms. On this occasion, we would like to thank all those who were actively involved in making this traditional waist belt, my colleagues Valentina Banu and Daniela Lostun, as well as the hundreds of people who had the patience to stand with us today during the measurement, which lasted more than three hours," coordinator of the Dacia e.V. Association in Germany and of the Romanian-Moldo-German Cultural Center in Nuremberg Ionela van Rees-Zota wrote on Facebook.

The start of the project was given on February 24, 2024, on Dragobete, when the Romanian-Moldo-German Cultural Center "Dumitru Dorin Prunariu" in Nuremberg launched an invitation to all Romanians from all over the world to sew, weave, handcraft a traditional waist belt of at least one meter, which they would have to send to Nuremberg by June 23, one day before the Universal Day of Romanian Blouse.

"There were many organizations from many countries, from New Zealand to the Republic of Moldova, and more than 1,000 people gathered, because there are associations, there are Romanian quilting-bees from all countries and from Romania, bringing tother hundreds of people or dozens of people and they wove as much as each one could. From one meter up. We had associations that sent 40 meters. Two records were set. It is the longest Romanian traditional waist belt handmade by Romanians from all over the world, but also the heaviest, because it was weighed," Ionela van Rees-Zota told AGERPRES on Monday.

Each person who contributed to this record was able to choose a favorite model for the belt they made, the only requirement was that it had to be 7-8 centimeters wide and at least 1.5 meters long.

The organizers of the action for the Guinness World Records were the Romanian-Moldo-German Cultural Centre "Dumitru Dorin Prunariu" in Nuremberg, Valentina Banu EU-RO Connect Consulting and Daniela Lostun, the Romanian Quilting bee Nuremberg.
Last week, Border Police teams carried out more than 33,000 checks in the eDAC application, and during the checks carried out at airports they discovered several citizens who tried to leave the country, although they did not meet the legal requirements.

The General Inspectorate of Border Police informs in a press release that in the week of 17-23.06.2024 border police officers carried out over 33,000 checks in the eDAC application to establish the validity of travel conditions and travel documents of persons and were detected unaccompanied minors or without supporting documents, but also Romanian citizens, adults, who had annulled travel documents.

In all cases, the persons' trip was interrupted and legal measures were taken.

Thus, on 19.06.2024, a mixed patrol, consisting of a border police officer and a police officer from the Air Transport Police Office of the Craiova Airport Border Crossing Point, checked a young man who intended to travel to Italy, Rome. As he was unaccompanied, the officers asked for his ID and found out that he was a minor under the age of 16.

A similar situation was also found at the Henri Coanda International Airport in Bucharest, where an unaccompanied minor was detected near a gate where passengers were boarding a flight to Frankfurt.

Another situation was found by the border police officers at Iasi Airport, who checked a female Romanian citizen who was accompanying her minor daughter and who wanted to travel to Charleroi - Belgium. Following the checks carried out, it was found that the mother did not have the necessary documents to leave Romania with the minor, and their journey was interrupted.

On June 22, Border Police patrols from the Henri Coanda Bucharest International Airport carrying out checks in the Schengen terminal area, requested the ID of three Romanian citizens who intended to travel to Hamburg and Rome. Following the checks made in the eDAC application database, it was found that the documents presented by them were invalid.

The police retained the documents in question, and because the persons did not present other valid travel documents, they were not allowed to leave the country.

* * *

The General Inspectorate of Border Police reminds that since the integration into the Schengen area with air and sea borders, border police officers, together with colleagues from the police, immigration and gendarmerie, carry out specific and unannounced checks in airports and ports to verify the identity and legal status of persons, but also to prevent and combat possible illegal deeds.

Mobile devices using the eDAC application connected to the relevant databases of the Romanian and Schengen Area authorities are used for efficiency.
CREVE COEUR  A late Saturday afternoon showing of the animated film Inside Out 2 turned into a harrowing experience for a theater full of families when a masked boy stood up toward the end of the movie and started firing a plastic bead gun into the crowd, according to police and witnesses.

Police responded to the AMC Creve Coeur 12 on Olive Boulevard around 5:30 p.m. and quickly apprehended the juvenile suspect in the parking lot of a nearby gas station.

Officers discovered a toy rifle known as a gel gun or water bead blaster, which sprays pellets made of biodegradable water-filled beads, along with 500-round cartridge.

No one was seriously injured, but movie-goers were rattled as mass shootings remain commonplace in America, many in public spaces like schools, concerts, night clubs, churches, grocery stores  and movie theaters.

On a summer night in 2012, 12 people were killed in Aurora, Colorado, when James Holmes opened fire during a packed showing of a Batman movie.

Thats what was going through my mind, said Gabby Durham, who is seven months pregnant and was watching the movie with her husband and two stepchildren, ages 12 and 13.

I wish it wasnt a world we live in at all and people could bring in bags and this would not be a reality, but unfortunately in our world today, it is something that is always in the back of my mind, said Durham, 30, of Clayton.

Durham said she saw a small group of teens come into the theater about halfway through the movie. She assumed they did not have tickets, she said, as they were moving around the few open seats.

With about 10 to 15 minutes left in the movie, one boy stood up, wearing a mask covering everything except his eyes and nose. He stood near the exit ramp facing the first rows of the inclined seats, yelling incoherently and waving the colorful gun, Durham and another witness told the Post-Dispatch.

Durhams husband began to sit up and shield his family. The shooter yelled an expletive and told him to sit down, Durham said. Thats when her assumption that the boy had a fake gun quickly disappeared.

When he pointed it and told by husband to get back, then all those fears kicked in. Is this real, actually? she said. I was terrified.

The teen began spraying the rows of people with the pellets, Durham said. She worried others with him might have real guns or someone in the audience might be carrying a gun and was going to shoot back.

People were screaming, she said, and young children were in tears.

Wallace Bell III, 40, of St. Ann, was watching the movie with his two sons, ages 6 and 12. His youngest was crying after being hit in his eyelid and cheek.

People were balled up in their seats and were pinned down, and he was just shooting and shooting, Bell said.

Thats when Bell said he jumped out of his seat and chased the shooter out of the theater before losing sight of him outside. Bell said another youth told him, Hey, chill, chill, thats my brother.

The brother could see in my face that this wasnt a joking matter, Bell said. These are my kids.

The theater quickly emptied, and some were provided vouchers for a free movie, the witnesses said.

Upon leaving, Bell said he caught sight of the perpetrator and his brother in a nearby parking lot.

Bell again gave chase. The suspect fled to a gas station across the street, he said, where police cars converged and arrested the boy.

Creve Coeur police Chief Jeffery Hartman praised Bell for helping lead officers to the suspect.

Hartman said while a small group of juveniles were involved, officers believe the perpetrator acted alone.

We know who all the kids are, but we only made one arrest, he said.

Because the suspect is a juvenile, Hartman said he is limited in what information he can release. But, he said, These were kids that were doing a prank, were not thinking about the consequences of it.

Durham said her stepchildren were not as terrified as she was. They know of a social media trend, she said, where teens post videos of themselves firing the gel guns at random, unsuspecting people.

This should not be a thing, Durham said. This is not OK.

Wallaces wife, Rebecca Bell, 39, said their 6-year-old had welts on his face and is scared to go back to a movie theater.

He was asking me, Could this happen at the zoo? Could this happen at the park? Where else can this happen? Rebecca Bell said.

Rebecca Bell said she thinks management could have done more to protect patrons by more closely monitoring the theater and what people carry in. The suspect had a backpack, police confirmed.

We have had a theater shooting in our country and have a huge weapons problem in our country, Rebecca Bell said. For there to be no sort of metal detectors or scans and big backpacks allowed ... the fact that he was able to bring in the necessary equipment to pull this prank off, thats an AMC problem, and they need to address it.

Durham agreed. I would say the big concern is that he was just able to walk in with a backpack, and it had this fake gun in it, she said. It couldve easily been a real one.

Officials with AMC Theatres did not respond to a request for comment early by Sunday afternoon.

The mothers say they are thankful the movie did not end up in a real shootout, with the prankster shot and others caught in the crossfire.

Im so grateful my husband treated it in the appropriate manner ..., Rebecca Bell said. Other peoples reaction couldve been much different.

Hartman urged witnesses to contact the police department at 314-737-4600 with statements and reports of injuries.

Blythe Bernhard of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
How Google Leverages First-Party and Partner Data to Improve Consumer Experiences

For data machines like Google, the problem is never having too little customer dataits all about managing the data overload to pinpoint the right data to leverage to build customized, targeted, personalized experiences that satisfy users and keep them engaged.

At Streaming Media NYC, Evan Shapiro, CEO, ESHAP, talks with Rob Caruso, Product & User Experience, Google TV, about the ways that Google leverages first-party and partner data to improve consumer experiences.

I imagine the amount of data provided inside an organization like Google, which is, at the end of the day, a data machine, is just daunting and intimidating and can almost prevent you from investigating and gaining insight, Shapiro says. How do you manage that? Are there secrets to it that Google understands on managing the amount of information that the rest of us need to catch up on? And do you see  from a patterns and trends standpoint  where the consumer is headed, where their minds are going, and how to make those correct investments for publishers to make sure they're meeting the needs of the consumer and their own business goals?

Caruso says, You can very quickly, at a place like Google or at a place like Netflix, get sucked into an echo chamber of your data, your insights, and how your employees are consuming it. He emphasizes that finding the balance between internal and external trends is crucial, and he highlights the importance of collaboration with partners to inform recommendations and create a personalized user experience.

Caruso notes that Google TV users do not all use Google or Android services. You might be using an iPhone to interact, he says. So the partners also have a perspective on what they think you should be watching next. So we're working with them in a way that's a little less binary, where it's like us presenting what we think you should have, or you go into the app, and then, say, Netflix presents to you what they think you should have. And we're trying to have more of a blend where partners can help inform some of those recommendations alongside our own. And that would be sort of the perfect nirvana where you could almost fact-check the recommendations you will make on the platform with every partner in real-time before you make them.

See more highlights and interviews from SMNYC.

Watch full sessions from SMNYC on-demand.

Join us in August 2024 for more thought leadership, actionable insights, and lively debate at Streaming Media Connect.

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Air Force Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart leaves a courthouse at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in January 2024. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes )

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas  Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart pleaded guilty Monday morning to two of the lesser charges against him just before opening arguments were to begin in his court-martial for sexual assault of a subordinate officer.

The two-star Air Force general pleaded guilty to pursuing an unprofessional relationship with a subordinate officer and adultery during the motions hearing that began at 8:30 a.m. in a courtroom at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston in Texas.

However, Stewart did plead not guilty to the remaining charges against him: two counts of sexual assault, dereliction of duty for flying a training aircraft within 12 hours of drinking alcoholic beverages and conduct unbecoming an officer.

The general is accused of sexual assault and flying an aircraft after drinking at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma in April 2023, according to the charge sheet.

The pursuit of an unprofessional relationship stretched between March and May 2023, according to authorities. This violated an Air Education and Training Command regulation in place since 2020.

Stewart acknowledged Monday that the sexual encounter occurred when he pleaded guilty to adultery. At the time of the encounter at Altus AFB, Stewart was married, but it was noted during the court hearing that he is now divorced.

For pleading guilty to the charges, Stewart faces punishment of forfeiture of pay, a reprimand or up to 18 months in prison.

Stewart requested a court-martial by jury panel for the remaining charges. The trial will begin Monday with military judge Col. Matthew Stoffel. The jury must consist of officers of equal or greater rank than Stewart.

A selection of eight jurors ended Saturday night with six men and two women chosen to serve during a trial that is expected to last through the week.

At the time of the charges, Stewart commanded the 19th Air Force  the unit responsible for pilot training within Air Education and Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Air Force Base.

Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of the training command, fired Stewart in May and decided last year to move forward with the court-martial despite a report from a hearing in October recommending against it.
Brig. Gen. Jason E. Bartolomei will assume command of AFRL during a change of command ceremony July 10, 2024. (U.S. Air Force)

(Tribune News Service)  Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the Air Forces research and development powerhouse, will soon welcome a new commander.

Brig. Gen. Jason E. Bartolomei will assume command of AFRL during a change of command ceremony hosted by Air Force Materiel Command Commander Gen. Duke Z. Richardson July 10 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Forces Hangar 2.

Bartolomei, a one-star general, will assume command from Maj. Gen. Scott A. Cain, who has led AFRL since June 2023.

Cain, in turn, will assume command of the Air Force Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on July 30, AFRL said Monday.

Bartolomei received his commission from Marquette Universitys Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1997.

With a background in mechanical engineering, systems engineering, acquisitions and national resource strategy, Bartolomei comes to AFRL after serving as the program executive officer for weapons and director of the Armament Directorate, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, AFRL said.

As AFRL commander, Bartolomei will lead a workforce of more than 12,500 Air Force airmen, Space Force guardians, Department of Defense civilians and contractors, while managing an annual budget of $9.5 billion.

AFRL is headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Bartolomei is no stranger to Wright- Patterson. His first two assignments as an officer were at Wright-Patt, first (from late 1997 until May 2000) as product team lead/engineer at the F-22 System Program Office, and then, from May 2000 to June 2001, as executive officer at the Engineering Directorate of what was then the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patt.

And in 2001, he earned a master of science degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patt.

Bartolomei will be responsible for formulating a comprehensive technology portfolio that anticipates future warfighter needs while promoting risk-taking and problem-solving, AFRL said. He will accelerate the delivery of cross-domain solutions through partnerships with industry, academia and international allies and execute an additional $3 billion in externally funded research and development.

(c)2024 the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio)

Visit at www.daytondailynews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(Tribune News Service)  Six years after the federal government learned that the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station was one of the worst polluted military sites in the nation with PFAS, it still has no cleanup plans.

The ubiquitous and insidious per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals are present in groundwater at the station in levels up to 300,000 times greater than drinking water standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to studies conducted by a consultant for the military.

The pollution came from foam, called aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, that firefighters used mostly in training activities at the station from the 1960s through late 1990s.

PFAS chemicals have since made their way into Cayuga Creek, according to studies by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The creek runs through the station and is a tributary of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, a major drinking water source for thousands of people in the United States and Canada.

The chemicals particularly concern scientists because they bioaccumulate  meaning the body doesnt flush them out like it would other contaminants  earning them their colloquial name, forever chemicals.

Exposure to them has been linked to increased chances of getting some types of cancer, suppressed immune functions, small decreases in birth weights, increases in cholesterol levels, and pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

The DAF ( Department of the Air Force) has not established a time-line for possible clean-up actions for the PFAS found at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Lindsay Mairs, a remedial program manager for the Air Force, wrote in an email to The Buffalo News. But we always have the ability to take immediate action if we identify an imminent risk to human health.

Low levels of PFAS chemicals have been detected in the drinking water provided by the Niagara Falls Water Board, which serves about 50,000 people. The water purveyor takes its water from the Niagara River directly downstream of Cayuga Creek, according to Sean Costello, executive director of the Water Board.

The boards water treatment system has kept PFAS levels in its customers drinking water below EPA and New York State Department of Health standards since it began testing in 2021.

But drinking water isnt the only victim to the PFAS pollution.

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper has found high levels of PFAS chemicals in the surface water of Cayuga Creek downstream of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station at Porter Road. Up to 147.7 parts per trillion of a PFAS chemical were detected in the creeks surface water  one of the highest detections of 114 waterways sampled by waterkeeper organizations around the nation in 2022.

Additionally, the state DEC found levels of PFAS of up to 3,960,000 ppt in fish from the creek during surveys in 2019. There is an existing advisory for Cayuga Creek warning people to not eat any fish from the creek due to elevated levels of PCBs and dioxins found in the animals.

PFAS are in our water, theyre in our blood, theyre in our wildlife, theyre in our food we eat, Waterkeeper Executive Director Jill Jedlicka said. But we know where its coming from. And we know how to stop it.

Longstanding PFAS use

PFAS pollution was found at high levels in the surface water, groundwater and soil at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in several areas where the AFFF used by firefighters leaked or was likely directly sprayed on the ground.

The chemicals also are found in many household items, including non-stick cookware, dental floss, waterproof makeup and smartphone screens.

Studies conducted by chemical manufacturers 3M and DuPont in the 1950s and 1960s found PFAS could be toxic to humans, but such information was kept private.

U.S. Department of Defense studies conducted beginning in the 1970s showed that the PFAS-containing AFFF used on military bases to fight fires was toxic, according to documents obtained by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group. By the 1980s, the agency said it had evidence that PFAS chemicals could pose environmental and health risks.

PFAS were used in firefighting foam because they are particularly effective at putting out petroleum fires. The foams use at airports around the nation has led to new and widespread efforts to identify which airports have PFAS contamination issues. In some cases, entire city or town drinking water sources have been polluted with PFAS leaching from airports.

Public concern over the substances toxicity began in the 1990s, after news broke that PFAS were found to contaminate water near a 3M plant in West Virginia.

The EPA didnt implement drinking water standards for some PFAS chemicals until April. In the standards, the agency acknowledged there is no safe level of exposure to PFOA and PFOS, the most commonly found of the thousands of synthetic chemicals that fall under the PFAS umbrella, but set the limit each could be in drinking water at 4 ppt.

U.S. Department of Defense officials issued a rule in 2023 prohibiting any use of AFFF after Oct. 1 at any military installation.

The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station expects to receive firefighting foam free of PFAS, called fluorine-free foam or F3, later this summer, according to station Fire Chief Aaron McLane. The foam is being rolled out at airports around the nation.

AFFF hasnt been used at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station since the 1990s, but it has been kept on site in case of emergencies, McLane told The News in a written statement.

More testing scheduled

Testing completed in 2018 found PFOA and PFOS combined in groundwater at a firefighter training area at the station in levels up to 1,310,000 ppt. Six other spots on the property had PFAS detections in groundwater at the time ranging from 7.7 ppt to 49,000 ppt, according to reports prepared by an engineering firm for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Those detections placed the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station as the seventh-most PFAS polluted military installation in the United States, according to a 2019 list by EWG.

A contract to conduct further testing and determine the full extent of PFAS pollution at the air reserve station was awarded in 2022, according to Mairs. The results of such testing have not yet been released publicly.

More site testing is planned for 2026. This round of testing will determine any unacceptable risk from PFAS at these sites, which will inform need for any cleanup remedies needed at this site, Mairs told The News.

Because of the chemicals prevalence, the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station isnt the only source of PFAS in the Niagara River, Jedlicka said, but its a source that has been identified and found to have direct impacts on Cayuga Creek.

With a source area that is flaming hot right now, 1.3 million parts per trillion, she said, thats a source area that needs to be remediated or all thats going to continue to leach through Cayuga Creek into where the drinking water intakes are.

(c)2024 The Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.)

Visit at www.buffalonews.com

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Members from the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of West Point pose in front of the newly unveiled Buffalo Soldier Monument Statue on Sept. 10 at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, NY. (Jorge Garcia/U.S. Military Academy)

Three months after the World War II battle at the Cinquale Canal in northwest Italy, searchers with the U.S. Armys Graves Registration Service found the body of an American soldier buried in an isolated location.

It was actually half a body. The chest, head and arms were missing, a testament to the brutality of the fighting between the Germans and the regiments of the African American 92nd Infantry Division. Enemy artillery, mortars and machine guns cut down scores of Black soldiers.

Especially hard hit was Company L of the 366th Regiment, which lost 13 men that day, including Pfc. Lemuel Dent Jr., from Charles County, Md., whose body was lost in the aftermath of the fighting.

But this month, the Pentagons agency that works to account for missing service members announced that 79 years after the Feb. 8, 1945, battle, the remains in the grave have been identified as those of Dent.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) said the identification was part of an ongoing project to account for the roughly 50 men from the 92nd Division who were listed as missing in action during World War II.

The 92nd was called the Buffalo Division, after a name initially given to African American soldiers who served in the western United States in the late 1800s.

In World War II, the division was criticized by the Army for its poor performance in battle. But historians have said it was poorly trained, poorly led and largely unready when it was thrown into the fighting in Italy in 1944 and 45. These individuals were serving in a segregated military, in which they were not treated as the other soldiers, said DPAA forensic anthropologist Traci Van Deest, who heads the 92nd Division project.

They were not treated with the same type of honor and respect, she said in a video interview. Its important that their lives are remembered and their stories are told now, she said.

Dent, who was 30 when he was killed and hailed from rural Ironsides, Md., is only the fourth soldier from the division to be identified, and the first one in five years, the DPAA said.

When the remains in the grave were found near the battlefield on May 5, 1945, the Army believed the soldier had been a member of the 92nd Division. But there was no way at the time to make an identification.

The body was designated unknown and buried in what is now the Florence American Cemetery, just south of the Italian city.

In June 2022, the Department of Defense and the American Battle Monuments Commission exhumed the remains for forensic analysis, the DPAA said. Most of the 92nd Divisions missing are buried in the Florence cemetery.

The remains were taken to the DPAAs laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base outside Omaha for anthropological study. Examination of the bones suggested they might be from a person similar to Dent in stature. He was 5 feet 5 inches tall.

The bones also showed evidence of blunt trauma and projectile trauma that can be consistent with blast incidents, Van Deest said.

DNA was extracted from one of the thigh bones, and experts in the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System matched it with DNA samples from members of Dents family to make the identification, the DPAA said. Members of his family could not be reached for comment. In the 1930 Census, Lemuel Dent Jr., then 16, and his father and two brothers were described as wood cutters. In 1940, the census listed the elder Dent as a farmer.

There were many other Dents in the community, according to the census, and in subsequent years, several - including Lemuel Jr. - appear to have moved north from rural Maryland.

When he entered the Army in 1941, he had been living in Linwood, Pa., a small industrial town south of Philadelphia, according to government records and the Chester Times newspaper.

When he was killed, the newspaper reported that he had been employed by the nearby American Viscose Corporation, a firm that made rayon in a plant on the Delaware River.

Dents 92nd Division was mostly made up of Black soldiers and White officers - except for the 366th Regiment, which had officers of color. Company L was commanded by Capt. Wejay S. Bundara, who was of Indian descent and a graduate of Howard University.

The Americans were fighting in Italy to drive out powerful armed forces of Nazi Germany, which was allied with fascist Italy during the war.

Dent was riding on a tank as he and his company crossed the shallow Cinquale Canal where it emptied into the Ligurian Sea on Italys northwest coast.

The tank hit a mine. The Germans caught the Americans in the open, and with mortars, machine guns and artillery, they killed Dent and 12 other soldiers from Company L.

Part of the battle was described by Company Is Lt. Dennette Harrod of Washington, D.C.: The tanks had stopped on the beach, some hit by artillery, some knocked out by mines.  I dont know how we did it, but we kept moving up, through all that shelling and mortar and machine-gun fire, losing killed and wounded every step of the way. After the battle, the Black soldiers were withdrawn from action and criticized by the Army brass.

The infantry of this division lacks the emotional and mental stability necessary for combat, said Lt. Gen. Lucian K. Truscott Jr., according to Hondon B. Hargroves 1985 book, Buffalo Soldiers in Italy.

Seven hundred men from the 92nd Division gave their lives in Italy, the DPAA said, and thousands more were wounded. Almost half of the men still unaccounted for are from the 366th Regiment.

Two men from the division, 1st Lts. Vernon J. Baker and John R. Fox, were given the Medal of Honor, the nations highest award for valor, in 1997.

Fox was killed in action. He had called in an artillery strike on his own position as the enemy swarmed around him. When the gunners hesitated, he ordered: Fire it! Theres more of them than there are of us.
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric M. Smith, seen here at a May 29, 2024, town hall meeting in Naples, Italy, said June 21 that a new littoral regiment is planned for Guam. (Marc Imprevert/U.S. Marine Corps)

The U.S. Marine Corps plans to establish a new littoral regiment on Guam in the next several years to counter Chinese aggression in the region, Japanese media reported over the weekend.

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith told reporters during a press conference in Washington, D.C., that the new regiment will be able to rapidly deploy into the Philippine Sea 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, Kyodo News reported Saturday.

He did not specify a timeline but said it would be deployed to Guam in a few years, according to the report.

Spokespeople for the III Marine Expeditionary Force on Okinawa and Marine Corps Camp Blaz on Guam referred all questions about the announcement to the Marine Corps headquarters in Virginia.

The service had not responded to Stars and Stripes email request for additional details as of Monday afternoon.

The announcement comes less than a year after the Marines in November converted the 12th Marine Regiment on Okinawa into the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment. The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, the first in the Indo-Pacific, was established in March 2022.

The Marines restructuring initiative, first announced in 2020, has planned for a third regiment in the region and since at least 2023 has considered Guam as the likely location, according to a June 2023 report from the Congressional Research Service.

The Marines consider littoral regiments a key component of their planned Force Design transition that emphasizes island warfare and maritime maneuverability, according to the report.

The regiments typically consist of about 2,000 Marines and are intended to be able to rapidly deploy to islands, coastlines, and observation posts along chokepoints, while also being easy to maintain, according to the report.

Guam, a 212-square-mile island already home to major military installations, including Andersen Air Force Base and Naval Base Guam, has undergone significant military expansion over the past several years.

Camp Blaz, the first new Marine Corps installation since 1952, activated in 2020 and is expected to host 1,300 members of the III MEF and another 3,700 additional Marines as a rotational force.

In May 2023, the Missile Defense Agency proposed a comprehensive, 360-degree missile defense system that is currently under consideration and going through its scoping process.
U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 and Philippine sailors run a fuel line after refueling a KC-130J Super Hercules at Laoag International Airport, Philippines, June 15, 2024. (Nikolas Mascroft/U.S. Marine Corps)

American and Filipino marines recently concluded six weeks of coastal defense and aviation training in the Philippines, a 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing spokeswoman said Monday.

The forces conducted the Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum from May 12 to June 7 along with Marine Aviation Support Activity from June 3 until Friday, 1st Lt. Madison Walls said in an email to Stars and Stripes.

Around 2,200 U.S. troops and 590 Filipinos were training in the islands last week, she said.

Elements of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, along with other units, were spread across the Philippines, Walls said.

They operated at Fort Bonifacio, in Manila; Clark and Cesar Basa air bases just north of the capital; Laoag, on northern Luzon; and El Nido, on the island of Palawan, she said.

The coastal defense continuum was a series of exchanges and training events between U.S. and Philippine marines aimed at bolstering the Philippines coastal defense strategy, she said.

The Marine aviation activity is an annual Philippine-U.S. exercise, Walls said.

The drills allow the Marines to refine their operation in the region in a way that can be focused and amplified through our allys military assets and capabilities, Walls said.

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371 and Philippine sailors run a fuel line after refueling a KC-130J Super Hercules at Laoag International Airport, Philippines, June 15, 2024. (Nikolas Mascroft/U.S. Marine Corps)

The Marine aviation exercise was underway when an ongoing series of clashes between the Chinese and Philippine coast guard and Philippine navy escalated June 17 off the Philippines western coast.

Chinese boats intercepted Philippine boats attempting to resupply a grounded vessel that serves as a Philippine military outpost on the contested Second Thomas Shoal, according to the Philippine coast guard. A fight ensued between the boat crews.

This incident, in which at least one Filipino crew member was injured, prompted Secretary of State Antony Blinken to call his Philippine counterpart, Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, and reassure him of the U.S commitment under the mutual defense treaty.

One Marine taking part in both exercises, Gunnery Sgt. Angelo Villaseran, a motor transport chief with Marine Wing Support Squadron 371, helped provide logistics at Clark for the past six weeks.

Marines at the former American air base have been working with the Philippine air force and contractors to offload planes and support the movement of forces around the islands, he said by phone June 15.

We cover all the logistics support such as forklifts and tractor trailers and ground movements, he said.

The logistics Marines also helped improve a road at the Crow Valley Military Reservation north of Clark, where U.S. and Philippine forces often conduct live-fire training, he said.

Villaseran, who lived in Manila until age 12, also helped fellow Marines navigate local culture to build relationships, he said.
Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily, with Mt. Etna in the distance. Since being established in 1959, NAS Sigonella has grown from a single airstrip to a hub with more than 40 commands. It recently celebrated its 65th anniversary. (U.S. Navy)

NAPLES, Italy  When Paolo Graziano arrived to work at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily more than four decades ago, the base had only a handful of aircraft hangars.

Today, NAS Sigonella has grown to 1,300 acres and about 40 tenant commands, among them Space Force, Army, Marines and Air Force detachments. The military community of more than 6,000 also includes civilians, service member families and Italian workers, according to Navy figures.

NATOs Alliance Ground Surveillance main operating base, including all five of its RQ-4D Phoenix remotely piloted aircraft, also calls NAS Sigonella home.

Looking back on that growth as the base celebrated its 65th anniversary earlier this month, Graziano counted several construction and engineering projects, such as one replacing an aging JP-5 jet fuel facility around 1992. That facility also included a land purchase that doubled the size of the bases operations site, he said.

We did a good job allowing NAS Sigonella to be open to new operations, new forces, said Graziano, an engineer and planner for Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, whose career at the base started in 1982.

A view of Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily from a P-8 Poseidon on Nov. 12, 2022. The base, which recently celebrated its 65th anniversary, plays a part in a variety of U.S. and NATO operations. (Andy A. Anderson/U.S. Navy)

The base now comprises an administrative site called NAS I and an operations site, NAS II, about 7 miles away. It also operates a support facility at a nearby NATO pier and a separate naval radio transmitter facility, according to the installations website.

NAS Sigonella was established on June 15, 1959, primarily to house a P-2V Neptune patrol and anti-submarine unit that was stationed at a British air base in Malta.

Its location originally was an abandoned World War II Axis airfield that included communication tunnels, command structures and an ammunition dump that eventually were built over, the Navy said.

Construction on the base, then designated a naval air facility, began in September 1957, with its airfield ready for daylight flights in August 1959. By the end of November that year, there were 359 personnel assigned to the base. A further 234 were in deployed squadrons, according to the Navy.

When now-Capt. Aaron Shoemaker arrived at Sigonella in 2001 for a six-month deployment as a P-3 Orion pilot assigned to Patrol Squadron 26, or VP-26, the bases current commissary and exchange had not been built. Neither had a family housing complex now near NAS II, he said.

Now the NAS Sigonella commander, Shoemaker didnt make many observations of the base as a young pilot at the time. His focus was more on the busy operational tempo, which included missions related to conflict in Eastern Europe, he said.

Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8 and HC-4 Squadron out of Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily practice rappelling from the back of a Navy CH-53 Super Stallion in 2007. The base, which has grown to support a variety of interservice missions, recently celebrated its 65th anniversary. (Stars and Stripes) The NAS Sigonella air terminal under construction in December 1997. The base in Sicily recently celebrated its 65th anniversary. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes) Sailors and their families enjoy an afternoon at what was then a new NAS Sigonella base pool in 2005. The base in Sicily recently celebrated its 65th anniversary. (Stars and Stripes) A pack of Ferraris zooms down a course set up along a taxiway at Naval Air Station Sigonella in November 1997. In all, 34 Ferraris were on display for a show commemorating the 50th anniversary of Ferrari in Sicily. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes) Rear Adm. David Mercer is joined by Capt. Thomas Quinn and Italian air force Col. Luca Tonello in the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate 50 years of partnership between the U.S and Italy on June 12, 2009, at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily. The base began operations in 1959 as a support hub for aircraft transiting through the Mediterranean Sea area. (Jonathan P. Idle/U.S. Navy) A bird's-eye view of NAS I, one of two sites of Naval Air Station Sigonella in eastern Sicily. (U.S. Navy) Capt. Brent Trickel, center, Italian Col. Federico Fedele and Kelly Degnan, the charge daffaires at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, escort President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump to Air Force One after a visit to NAS Sigonella in May 2017. (Christopher Gord/U.S. Navy) Petty Officer 2nd Class Nana Piccione, left, and Petty Officer 3rd Class Henry Kessler, both assigned to Patrol Squadron 9, launch a P-3C Orion maritime patrol plane at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily in 2015. (Amber Porter/U.S. Navy) Vice Adm. Gene Black, commander of U.S. 6th Fleet, has his temperature checked upon arrival at Naval Air Station Sigonella on July 27, 2020, as part of COVID-19 safety measures. (Kegan E. Kay/U.S. Navy) A U.S. sailor plays with a child evacuated from Afghanistan as they wait to check in after arrival at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy on Aug. 27, 2021. (Caine Storino/U.S. Navy) An MQ-4C sits on the tarmac at NAS Sigonella, Italy, on May 20, 2024. The aircraft's arrival to the 6th Fleet area of operations marked the second forward-deployed detachment for the VUP-19 squadron. (U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet)

But he did notice that the local Sicilian community treated U.S. personnel like family, an impression reinforced during a subsequent deployment in 2010 and again when Shoemaker took charge in April 2022.

Its as true now as its ever been, he said.

Shoemaker believes that the relationship is rooted in the shared sacrifices of the Allied invasion of Sicily, or Operation Husky, nearly 81 years ago.

There is an understanding of what things like liberty and democracy mean in a country that was once occupied by Nazi fascism, he said. This continent dealt with occupation, and that is not something that the U.S. has ever had to contend with like the European theater has.

That context, along with NAS Sigonellas establishment some 10 years after the formation of NATO, is important in recognizing the bases milestone anniversary, as well as the installations growing role within in the alliance, he said.

There are things going on the world that want to challenge those ideals and values that NATO represents, said Shoemaker, alluding to Russias military campaign in Ukraine, Houthi threats in the Red Sea and the Israel-Hamas war. You cant assure those values if you arent in the area where conflicts are happening, or you cant reach them.
An audio wedding guest book offered for rent by FeteFone. The bridal market is crowded with companies renting or selling vintage phones for guests to record their well wishes. (Michael Radolinski/AP)

The bridal couple cant come to the phone right now. Theyre busy getting married. Please leave your well wishes at the beep!

Capturing recorded messages on vintage phones is the latest twist to the wedding guest book. Couples who have embraced them said guests had a ball, returning to the phones again and again as their weddings unfolded.

It felt a little bit more personal. You could hear the inflection in peoples voices and they were genuinely having a good time. You can hear what theyre excited about and what they enjoyed about the wedding, said Nick Gaines, who married last September in Chicago.

The market is crowded with companies offering the phones for purchase or rent, from fancy 1920s-era looks to rotaries from the 50s and 60s. One vendor, FeteFone, offers a phone in the shape of pink lips and another shaped like a cheeseburger.

This photo shows another audio wedding guest book offered for rent by FeteFone. FeteFone also offers a phone in the shape of pink lips and another shaped like a cheeseburger, among its options. (Michael Radolinski/AP)

Some rental companies provide related services like noise reduction, and mini speakers and vinyl records for playback.

Gaines and his wife used LifeOnRecord, a rental service thats been around since 2006. Its prices range from $99 for a toll-free, call-in number and online portal open for a year, to $299 for a phone on site with a battery pack good for 12 hours. Guests need only pick up the handset, listen to an introductory greeting from the couple and leave a message.

The phones play into a broader interest in recent years in all things retro in fashion, decor and housewares.

For several years, weddings have been LifeOnRecords most popular events, though people also use the company for an array of things, from terminally ill patients whose loved ones want to record memories to birthdays, bar mitzvahs and retirements.

Alaa El Ghatit, founder of LifeOnRecord, notes that people can talk a lot faster than they can write in a paper book.

The phone is very approachable to people, he said.

An audio wedding guest book from LifeOnRecord. LifeOnRecord, which has been around since 2006, also provides phones for other events like birthdays, bar mitzvahs and retirements. Its prices range from $99 for a toll-free, call-in number and online portal open for a year, to $299 for a phone on site with a battery pack good for 12 hours. If people want to use their own phones, they can scan a QR code. (Alexandria El Ghatit/AP)

Sean Taylor and her husband married last year in Richmond, Va. They set up a blue photo booth adorned with flowers to offer guests some privacy while leaving messages. She first heard of the phones on TikTok and used a rental service called After the Tone.

My husband is really into collecting records so we had them press the messages into vinyl, she said. I encouraged people to leave messages throughout the night. After a few drinks, the messages toward the end of the night are definitely a little more chaotic, but in a fun way.

Taylor also offered guests the chance to put pen to paper in a traditional guest book.

Andy White, founder of The Telephone Guestbook, offers phone rentals in the U.S. and England. He was providing photo services for events when he hit on the idea of audio guest books.

I would say 95% of our business is now weddings, he said. Our business has grown significantly over the past two years.

An audio wedding guest book from The Telephone Guestbook. Andy White, founder of The Telephone Guestbook, also provides cards with prompts in case guests have an attack of the shies or are otherwise stumped on what to talk about. The cards suggest things like funny tales, relationship stories, marriage advice and cherished memories. (Andy White/AP)

White provides cards with prompts in case guests have an attack of the shies or are otherwise stumped on what to talk about. The cards suggest things like funny tales, relationship stories, marriage advice and cherished memories.

People love to talk. Its easy to pick up a phone, White said.

Some couples listen to their messages on their anniversaries or other special occasions.

East Coast wedding planner Danielle Rothweiler, whose clients spend a minimum of $100,000 on their nuptials, has been swamped with requests for audio guest books over the past two years. Most of her bridal couples dont bother putting out a paper book as well.

Guests coming to weddings want to see things that are different. No one is asking, where is the traditional guest book? said Rothweiler, who is based in Verona, N.J.

LifeOnRecord also offers QR codes for scanning if people want to use their own phones.

Youre able to tell stories, and thats what our guests liked about it, said Abbigail Bliss, who got married in December 2022 in Grand Rapids, Mich., and used one of LifeOnRecords phones.

White, Rothweiler and others suggest doing what Taylor did and setting up the phone in a nook or booth slightly off the beaten track so people dont feel rushed and have a bit of privacy.

Add-on kitsch like audio guest books arent for everybody. Several high-end wedding planners said theyre not getting a lot of requests.

The audio guest book trend is still fairly new, but we are seeing the activity pop up at more and more weddings, said Hannah Nowack, senior editor at The Knot, an online wedding vendor marketplace.

Over the years, weve seen couples leaning into personalization with their guest books, she said. In the past, guest book alternatives ranging from Polaroid guest books to vinyl records for signing have popped up at celebrations in lieu of traditional guest books. Audio guest books are the latest.
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
A man prays front of a new monument commemorating wartime malaria victims on Hateruma Island, Japan, on June 15, 2024. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)

ITOMAN, Okinawa  One memorial to the cost of World War II memorial was recently updated, and another created, both in Okinawa prefecture, ahead of the 79th anniversary of the culminating battle of the war.

Another 181 names, including those of 24 Okinawans and 157 from elsewhere in Japan, were added Wednesday to the Cornerstone of Peace at Okinawa Peace Memorial Park in time for a ceremony Sunday, a spokesperson for Okinawa prefecture Peace and Subnational Diplomacy Promotion Division told Stars and Stripes by phone Friday.

Sunday marked the 79th anniversary of the end of fighting. The final action occurred in the Itoman area where the memorial park is today. A memorial event takes place each year at the site.

The Cornerstone of Peace was built in 1995 on the battles 50th anniversary. The monument holds the names of nearly 250,000 who died during the fighting: 14,010 Americans and 227,636 Japanese.

The newly added names, all Japanese, include sailors of the Imperial Navy who perished on the Yamato, for a time during World War II the largest battleship afloat, the spokesman said.

Some official spokespeople in Japan may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

The Battle of Okinawa began April 1, 1945, and lasted 82 days. More than 14,000 Americans, about 110,000 Japanese troops and at least 140,000 Okinawan civilians were killed during or after the fighting.

On Hateruma island, the southernmost inhabited island in Japan, a monument went up March 31 in memory of the islands wartime malaria victims. Hateruma, a part of Okinawa prefecture, is 132 miles east of Taiwan.

In the Yaeyama islands, where the U.S. troops did not land, many people were killed by bombardment and malaria, according to Yaeyama Peace Memorial Museums website.

Japanese soldiers forced the residents of Hateruma to evacuate to nearby Iriomote island in April 1945 as the Battle of Okinawa began. Of the evacuees, 1,587 contracted malaria and 477 died of the disease, according to a Yaeyama Peace Memorial Museum spokeswoman.

Nearly 200 names were added this year to the Cornerstone of Peace at Okinawa Peace Memorial Park in Itoman, Okinawa, Japan, on June 19, 2024. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)

There is a monument in Iriomote island, but we didnt have one here in Hateruma, Isao Uchihara, 75, director of the group that erected the monument, told Stars and Stripes by phone Friday.

The 13-foot-tall monument stands on a hill with a view of Iriomote, according to Uchihara.

We wanted to teach the preciousness of peace with this monument, Uchihara said.

About 250 people, including local students and relatives of the victims, attended a dedication ceremony June 16 at the memorial.

June is the month of peace in Okinawa, the survivors teach about the war and the importance of peace in many schools, Uchihara said. Many of them are getting older and its getting difficult to teach about the victims of malaria, so we wanted to teach it through this monument.
Japan alleged that China Coast Guard vessel 2103, seen here on Aug. 16, 2021, entered Japanese territorial waters in the East China Sea on Jun. 23, 2024. (Japan Coast Guard)

This story has been corrected

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  Four Chinese coast guard vessels since Thursday have repeatedly entered the 12-mile territorial limit around the Senkaku chain, a potential flashpoint approximately halfway between Okinawa and mainland China, according to the Japan coast guard.

The last intrusion, the 23rd of the year, occurred Sunday when two Chinese vessels passed the 12-mile limit between 3:16 p.m. and 3:17 p.m., both vessels were still sailing in Japanese waters Monday, according to a Japan coast guard news release Sunday.

Two other Chinese vessels were in and out of the territorial limit since Thursday, according to the Japan coast guard.

Japans Foreign Affairs Ministry has lodged multiple complaints since Thursday with the Chinese Embassy in Japan and with the Chinese government in Beijing, a ministry spokesman said Monday.

We asked them to leave the area, the spokesman said. Some government officials in Japan are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

The Senkakus  five uninhabited islets and three rocks 105 miles east of Taiwan  are administered by Japan but claimed by China and Taiwan, who refer to them as the Diaoyu and Tiaoyutai, respectively. The area reportedly holds a wealth of natural resources, including fish, oil and natural gas.

The first Chinese vessel Sunday passed the territorial limit south-southwest of Uotsurijima, followed by a second vessel south of the same island, according to the release. Both were trailing a Japanese fishing boat.

The Chinese ships were met by a larger contingent of Japanese coast guard vessels, a Japan coast guard spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday. The Japanese ships positioned themselves between the fishing boat and the Chinese vessels and warned the Chinese by radio and electronic message boards to leave the area.

Chinese ships came within 12 miles of the Senkakus 34 times and remained for a total of 42 days in 2023, the coast guard spokesman said. The record is 2013, when Chinese vessels entered the territorial limits 52 times and remained there for 54 days.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping, during a November visit to a Chinese coast guard command in Shanghai, highlighted the necessity to constantly strengthen Beijings claim on the islands, Kyodo News reported in December, citing unnamed sources.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel lambasted the plan in January in a post on X. On New Years Day [Chinese] leadership announced that they will keep ships in and around Japans Senkaku Islands for 365 consecutive days, quite the New Years resolution, he wrote.

Chinese vessels have been spotted sailing within Japans exclusive economic zone near the Senkakus for 186 straight days, the longest record ever, according to the coast guard spokesman.

A new Chinese law which took effect June 15 authorizes its coast guard to detain for up to 60 days foreign nationals who intrude into Chinese territorial waters.

Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Yoko Kamikawa said Japan has been monitoring with high concern the movements of China in maritime-related fields, including the details of the announcement, when was asked about the new law during a regular press conference held in Tokyo on May 31.

The Government will continue to closely follow relevant developments to ensure that the enforcement of the regulations does not infringe upon the legitimate interests of the countries concerned, including Japan. We have also firmly communicated our intentions to China through diplomatic channels, she said in a clip posted to the ministrys website.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported rescuing 13 Chinese citizens off the coast of Guam on June 23, 2024. (U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micrones)

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 13 Chinese boaters over the weekend off the coast of Guam after their boat went adrift, according to a spokeswoman for the service.

The boaters called 911 on Sunday morning after their 23-foot-recreational vessel, the Helen, ran out of gas, according to a statement that day from Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sara Muir, spokeswoman for U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam.

Watchstanders dispatched a 45-foot medium response boat and crew from Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor and located the boaters about 15 miles north of Guam. Weather conditions were mild, with no watches or warnings in effect, according to Muir.

Coast Guardsmen took all 13 boaters - 10 women and three men - aboard the response boat and brought them to Hagatna. Several of the boaters were severely seasick, and one was severely dehydrated, but they all refused treatment from Guam Fire Rescue, according to the statement.

Even with good weather conditions, having 13 people on a 23-foot boat can be risky. Our seamless collaboration with Guam Fire Rescue and other agencies ensured a swift and effective response, said Coast Guard Lt. Chelse Garcia, rescue coordinator, in the statement. This incident highlights the necessity of having reliable communication devices and lifejackets aboard, as they can make all the difference in emergencies.

Once in Hagatna, agents from the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Guam Police Department and Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, met with the boaters and confirmed they were Chinese citizens, according to Muir.

Muir did not respond to an email request for additional details, including the boaters intended destination, as of Monday afternoon.

Chinese citizens over the past several years have regularly used the island of Saipan, part of the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth, as a gateway for illegal immigration into Guam, which is about 120 miles southwest of Saipan.

Guam Customs and Quarantine has reported at least 118 unlawful or attempted unlawful entries to Guam by Chinese citizens since 2022, agency spokeswoman Alana Chargualaf-Afaisen told Stars and Stripes in February.

Saipan offers a visa waiver program that allows Chinese citizens to stay up to two weeks and citizens of other countries to stay up to 45 days.
The Pentagon is seen on Oct. 21, 2021. A federal court has refused to dismiss a class-action lawsuit brought against the Defense Department by more than 35,000 LGBTQ+ veterans who claim they were wrongfully discharged because of their sexual orientation. (Robert H. Reid/Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON  A federal court in San Francisco has refused to dismiss a class-action lawsuit brought by more than 35,000 LGBTQ+ veterans against the Defense Department, claiming they were wrongfully discharged because of their sexual orientation and often disqualified for veterans benefits.

Attorneys representing the veterans described the court decision as a major milestone for veterans wrongfully discharged.

About 30,000 veterans out of more than 35,000 discharged because of sexual orientation received ratings below honorable, according to the lawsuit.

The plaintiffs are seeking discharge status upgrades and the removal of information about sexual orientation from military records and discharge paperwork, according to the complaint.

The case, filed in August 2023, is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

The class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of veterans discharged from the armed forces because they were LGBTQ+  lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender non-conforming, nonbinary and intersex, according to the complaint.

Joseph Spero, a U.S. magistrate judge, denied the Defense Departments motion to dismiss the case last week and has ordered the parties to meet again July 14 for a case management conference.

The military ended its ban more than a decade ago on individuals who were gay or lesbian from service.

The veterans who are plaintiffs largely were discharged from duty under the Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy implemented by the Defense Department in 1994 and repealed in 2011.

Under the policy, the military was barred from taking actions against service members who were LGBTQ+ as long as they did not publicly disclose or reveal their sexual orientation.

LGBTQ+ veterans discharged later were denied many benefits and services unless they sought corrective action through a character of service review for benefits eligibility, according to the lawsuit.

Determinations are made by the Discharge Review Board or Board for Correction of Military Records for each veterans branch of service.

Plaintiffs suffer new injuries attributable to defendants each time they must present their paperwork disclosing their sexual orientation to obtain benefits or are unable to access benefits that would have been available to them if they had received honorable discharges, the court wrote in its opinion.

The lawsuit states the discharge paperwork of the veterans identifies their actual or perceived sexual orientation as the reason for their discharge, discharged them with ranks below an honorable discharge and banned them from reenlisting in the armed forces.

Because the reason for discharge stays in their military records, veterans continue to face invasion of privacy, denial of access to benefits and barriers to hiring, the lawsuit claims.

These veterans have been forced to carry official yet discriminatory paperwork from the U.S. government that unnecessarily indicates their sexual orientation any time they try to prove their status as veterans, according to a statement from the Impact Fund, Legal Aid at Work and King & Spalding, which represent the veterans.

Plaintiffs named in the lawsuit are Navy veteran Sherrill Farrell of Texas, Army veteran Steven Egland of Michigan, Navy veteran James Gonzales of California, Marine Corps veteran Jules Sohn of California and Navy veteran Lilly Steffanides of California.

All five were discharged from the military because of their sexual orientation, according to the lawsuit.

The veterans in the case declined Monday to comment through their attorneys.

The Defense Department argued the court should dismiss the case because the discharges were more than 6 years old. The department cited a provision under the Little Tucker Act, citing a general six-year statute of limitations for pursuing a claim against the United States.

The Defense Department also argued it announced plans to review cases of veterans whose separations were the result of their sexual orientations and received less-than-honorable discharges.

In refusing to dismiss the case, the court supported the veterans argument that they continue to be discriminated against because the process for obtaining an honorable discharge is lengthy, traumatizing and burdensome.

Honorable discharges entitle veterans to health care benefits, college loans through the GI Bill and assistance with home loans and other housing support.

The veterans assert they were denied equal protection under the Fifth and 14th amendments based on the inclusion of sexual orientation information on their discharge paperwork that was not required of other service members.

The lawsuit seeks the removal of narratives and separation codes that disclose the veterans sexual orientation and seeks upgraded discharge statuses for veterans who were discharged under the Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy and similar policies that preceded it.

The lawsuit also states though the VA has stated it would no longer deny benefits to veterans with less-than-honorable discharges based on sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status, the policy has yet to be implemented.

The governments continued failure to remediate the discriminatory effects  on nearly every aspect of a veterans life after service, constitutes ongoing discrimination and a deprivation of these veterans constitutional rights, according to the lawsuit.
A photo of Army 1st Lt. Nathan Baskind is displayed at his burial ceremony June 23, 2024, at Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Baskind fought in World War II and was initially buried in a mass grave with enemy German soldiers. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France  A Jewish American soldier who was killed in France during World War II and mistakenly buried in a mass grave for German soldiers has finally joined his fallen comrades in Normandy.

The remains of 1st Lt. Nathan Baskind were interred at the Normandy American Cemetery on Sunday, 80 years to the day when he died in combat at age 28. His coffin was lowered into the earth under a Star of David grave marker, and he received full military honors.

He was an American hero, said consul Elizabeth Webster, who represented the U.S. government at the burial. He will at last rest with his American brothers and sisters in arms who fought alongside him to defeat fascism and restore democracy.

Baskind, the son of Lithuanian and Russian immigrants who settled in Pittsburgh, was 26 when he was drafted into the Army in 1942.

Steward Sadowsky, left, and Samantha Baskind, relatives of 1st Lt. Nathan Baskind, lower the soldiers casket into the ground at Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, on June 23, 2024. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

On D-Day, he landed on Utah Beach, about 13 miles from the cemeterys location, and led four M-10 tank destroyers in the Armys 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion.

On June 23, 1944, during the Battle of Cherbourg, German soldiers ambushed Baskind and his driver, who were conducting a reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines.

The driver managed to escape and described how Baskind had been hit by machine gun fire, according to the National Archives. He was presumed dead and listed as missing in action on July 13, 1944.

Nearly eight decades later, in 2022, an American genealogist visiting a cemetery in Normandy for German soldiers noticed Baskinds name on a mass grave, raising his suspicions.

He later contacted Operation Benjamin, a group whose main mission is to identify Jewish soldiers at American military cemeteries who were mistakenly buried under crosses.

A military honor guard carries the flag-draped casket of Army 1st Lt. Nathan Baskind to his final resting place at Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, on June 23, 2024. Baskind died during World War II and had been buried with Germans in a mass grave. Germany transferred his remains to the U.S. in May. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Working with the German War Graves Commission, Operation Benjamin learned through German military records that Nazi forces captured Baskind after he was shot and brought him to a German hospital in Cherbourg, where he died the same night.

German authorities allowed remains to be exhumed from the site in December. There were thousands of bone fragments in the grave, according to Operation Benjamin. Nevertheless, researchers managed to find remains that matched DNA samples provided by Baskinds surviving relatives.

On Sunday, Brig. Gen. Dirk Backen, secretary general of the German War Graves Commission, said at the ceremony that soldiers like Baskind helped liberate Germany, not just France, from tyranny.

I wish Nathan B. Baskind could  see that all the bloodshed, the pain, the suffering here at the beaches of Normandy, it was not in vain, Backen said. It would not have happened if men like Nathan B. Baskind had not crossed an ocean and went directly into furious battles and gave their days for our tomorrow.

Rabbi Jacob Schacter, the president of Operation Benjamin, underscored the Germans involvement in helping to identify Baskinds remains.

The Jewish people were subjected to the worst inhumanity that could possibly be ever perpetrated by one people against another, Schacter said. And today we meet in peace, with mutual respect, with admiration.

Samantha Baskind inserts a gold rosette into the Wall of the Missing next to the name of 1st Lt. Nathan Baskind at Normandy American Cemetery on June 23, 2024, signifying that her great-uncles remains have been found. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

The German army handed over Baskinds remains to the U.S. at a ceremony at Ramstein Air Base in May.

Days before, Baskinds great-niece Samantha Baskind, an art history professor at Cleveland State University, received his Purple Heart from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. She hadnt known much about her uncle growing up but was involved with the recovery efforts.

Speaking at the burial ceremony, she shared the little information she knew about him, including that his middle initial stood for Brother, as stated on his birth certificate.

His twin sisters legal middle name was Sister, she said, suggesting that perhaps their immigrant parents were confused by the birth certificate forms they had to complete.

Dirt is shoveled into the grave of Army 1st Lt. Nathan Baskind, who was buried at Normandy American Cemetery in France on June 23, 2024, exactly 80 years after his death in World War II. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Nathan Baskinds mother and father died years ago without ever knowing what happened to their son. Samantha Baskind and family member Steward Sadowsky lowered Baskinds coffin into the ground Sunday.

The new grave adds to those of roughly 9,400 men and four women buried at Normandy American Cemetery. Baskinds name is among over 1,557 included on the cemeterys Wall of the Missing.

After his burial, his great-niece inserted a rosette into the wall next to his name, signifying hes been found.

Nates journey, and our journey, is complete, she said.
CAB claim that house, shop and 23,000 cash are the proceeds of crime

A convicted drug dealer and father of 15 has said a Limerick property worth 295,000 and 23,000 cash came from compensation claims and saving social welfare money.

Dermot Calvert also denied claims by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) that 205,000 worth of refurbishments on his two-bed semi-detached house were paid for with criminal cash.

He laughed when the CAB valuation was put to him during a garda interview and told them at one point he was in receipt of 1,600 just in child benefits alone.

His wife, Martina Harty, who has five children, has said the house  bought for 17,000 in 2014  was paid for with compensation cash she had received.

The couple, along with Calverts daughter Stacey, are being targeted by CAB, who claim the property along with a car and seized bundles of cash are the proceeds of crime.

Dermot Calvert and Martina Harty at the CAB hearing

Evidence was given that Calvert is a career criminal who is involved with prominent gangland figures in Limerick city and has no visible income.

His 91 previous convictions include four for the sale and supply of drugs and seven income generating offences. His daughter, Stacey, who was also named in the case had no criminal background, it was heard.

She currently lives in the house at Singland Crescent with her partner and three children, while her father and Ms Harty live in the granny flat at the back of the home.

Counsel for CAB said that the family could not have funded their lifestyle, which included building a granny flat and buying a derelict shop, from their stated income.

In his evidence, the Bureaus Chief Officer, Michael Gubbins, said that it was his belief that the property was acquired directly or indirectly from the proceeds of crime.

The case began when gardai carried out a raid on the home in June 2019 in response to information that drugs were being sold from there, it was heard in court.

Two bundles of cash worth just over 17,000, along with 2,000 empty plastic baggies were found hidden behind the kitchen kickboards in the granny flat.

Another 5,850 was found a year later in a bedside drawer, which Ms Harty said did not come from criminal activity.

She said money had come from the sale of a camper van as well as a compensation claim and from working as a cleaner.

Ms Harty also has no visible income since social welfare payments were stopped in 2017, according to the Bureau.

Counsel for CAB said that it was incredible that money could have been saved from social welfare payments and that by their own figures, the couple had 38 a week to live on.

Stacey Calvert, whose partner David Casey has drugs convictions, has never been employed but has had seven cars registered to her name, it was heard.

A 151-reg VW Passat being targeted by CAB had been registered in Ms Calverts name but to an address in Swords, Co. Dublin, where she was wasnt known.

Counsel for CAB said that Stacey Calvert fails to give an explanation for this in her affidavit evidence.

The house where she now lives at Singland Crescent was bought in 2014 for 17,250 which CAB say was bought under value.

A surveyor has now valued the house at 170,000 and estimated that 205,000 was spent on refurbishing the property, building an extension and a granny flat at the back.

The assertion that the work was carried out by her partner and his father and little cash was spent on the property are not credible, according to CAB.

Counsel added that Caseys father was on disability payments, which were collected on his behalf by an appointed agent since 2016.

Another property, a derelict shop at Cloughan Court, was bought for 13,000 using 3,000 in cash and a 10,000 Credit Union loan.

The loan was paid off in cash instalments, which CAB say come from the proceeds of crime.

It is estimated that 48,000 was spent refurbishing the property, which is now valued at 125,000.

Mr Calverts claim that compensation money from 17 months previously was used are not credible.

The granny flat was built without planning permission in 2018, a year after Mr Calvert and his wife had been cut off by social welfare.

The court heard in one affidavit Mr Calvert said he had been paid a total of 23,000 in three separate insurance claims.

At one point, he said he and his previous wife were in receipt of 1,600 a month in child benefit allowance.

In a replying affidavit Mr Calvert denied that the refurbishment cost as much as estimated by the Bureau.

He also denied being involved in a criminal organisation and that people he had been seen with by gardai were neighbours or ex-neighbours.

He also said the plastic baggies found in his kitchen were simply food bags and there was nothing untoward about them.

Stacey Calvert had previously been granted free legal aid for the case, while an application was made ahead of this weeks hearing for Dermot Calvert and Martina Harty to each have their own counsel.

Judge Owens decided a single free legal aid certificate could be split between two counsel to represent them.

The hearing is due to be continued again next month.
The garda said it was the prosecutions case that Mr Farrell shouted Im going to f**king kill you as he chased the man with the iron bar

A man threatened to kill a new tenant at his house while chasing him with a crowbar after setting fire to his scooter, it is alleged.

The tenant had just moved into John Farrells house when he burned the mans property, then threatened him when the conflict moved outside, gardai said.

Judge David McHugh adjourned the case at Blanchardstown District Court for Mr Farrell to decide how he intends to plead.

The accused, of Glenfield Close, Clondalkin, is charged with committing arson by damaging clothing and an e-scooter by fire at Glenfield Close on July 29 last year.

He is also charged with threatening to kill or cause serious harm to the man and producing a crowbar in the course of a dispute.

The prosecuting garda said the accused had already been charged with arson and he further charged him with the other two offences before the court sitting.

Mr Farrell made no reply to either charge after caution and was handed copies of the charge sheets, he said.

The DPP consented to the case being dealt with at district court level, subject to the judge considering the issue of jurisdiction.

Outlining the proposed evidence, the garda said it was alleged the accused had burned the property of a new tenant who had just moved into his house.

The conflict went out on to the public street and it was alleged the accused picked up a crowbar and chased this man, threatening to kill him.

Judge McHugh asked what the words allegedly used by the defendant were.

The garda said it was the prosecutions case that Mr Farrell shouted Im going to f**king kill you as he chased the man with the iron bar.

Judge McHugh accepted jurisdiction, allowing the case to remain in the district court instead of being sent forward to the circuit court, which has tougher potential sentencing powers.

The accused was remanded on continuing bail to a date in September.

Mr Farrell was not required to address the court during the brief hearing and has not yet entered pleas to the charges.
The men face drugs and organised crime charges after some 2.25 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated value of more than 157 million was seized from the Panamanian-registered large bulk carrier MV Matthew

The seizure of 157m of cocaine from the MV Matthew off Cork was the biggest in the history of the State. Photo: PA

Eight men charged in relation to the largest seizure of drugs in the history of the State after a Panamanian cargo ship was dramatically stormed by an elite special forces unit off the southeast coast last year have been given a trial date at the Special Criminal Court.

The men face drugs and organised crime charges after some 2.25 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated value of more than 157 million was seized from the Panamanian-registered large bulk carrier MV Matthew in Irish waters in September 2023.

At the three-judge court today, Mr Justice Tony Hunt fixed a trial date of January 13, 2025, and told the accused men that a guilty plea would only be considered an early one in mitigation if it is entered before December 13.

Defending barrister Mark Lynam SC said the case was a very complicated one.

John Berry BL, for the State, said a vast amount of disclosure had already been provided by the prosecution.

Mr Justice Hunt adjourned the matter to October 21 for mention by videolink.

The eight men charged are Ukraine nationals Vitaliy Lapa (61) of Rudanka, Regina Stn, Bendyousk, Ukraine; Mykhailo Gavryk (31) and Vitaliy Vlasoi (31) both with unknown addresses; Jamie Harbron (31) of South Avenue, Billigham, UK; Soheil Jelveh (49), address unknown; Philippines national Harold Estoesta (30), Iran national Saeid Hassani (38) and Cumali Ozgen (49) of Delftselaan, Den Hag, Netherlands.

Vitaliy Lapa and Jamie Harbron are accused of an offence contrary to Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 on dates between September 24, 2023 and September 26, 2023, both dates inclusive for possession of drugs within the State.

Vitaliy Lapa is also charged with an offence under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 that between July 15 and September 25, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, he contributed to an activity intending to or being reckless as to whether such activity could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation.

Mr Harbron is also charged with the same Section 72 offence on dates between September 21 and September 25 2023.

Soheil Jelveh, Mykhailo Gavryk, Vitaliy Vlasoi, Harold Estoesta, Saeid Hassani, Cumali Ozgen face similar Section 72 charges and are further charged with an offence under the Criminal Justice (Illicit Traffic by Sea) Act 2003 and the Misuse of Drugs Act on dates between September 24 to September 26, both dates inclusive.

On September 26, 2023, a joint task force, comprising members of the Revenue Customs Service, Naval Service and An Garda Siochana interdicted and detained the MV Matthew, which was on a course originating in South America.

After Army Rangers secured the vessel, members of the navy, the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and Revenue were transferred to the cargo vessel and the ship was then escorted into port.

Last month, State solicitor Ciara Vibien successfully applied to have all eight mens cases heard at the non-jury court, which deals with terrorism and organised crime-related offences.

The Special Criminal Court can hear certain cases where the Director of Public Prosecutions certifies that the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice and the preservation of public peace and order.
The suspect, aged in his 60s, was detained by members of the Garda Extradition Unit at Dublin Airport this morning.

A man wanted by Northern Irish authorities in relation to the murder of a member of the British army 45 years ago has been arrested in Dublin.

The suspect, aged in his 60s, was detained by members of the Garda Extradition Unit at Dublin Airport this morning.

He is wanted in connection with the murder of Joseph James Porter who was shot dead by the Provisional IRA on June 24, 1979.

Mr Porter was a farmer and member of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR), an infantry regiment of the British Army.

He was off-duty when he was shot dead at his farmhouse in Mountnorris, County Armagh, and his home ransacked.

The PSNIs Historical Investigations Unit has been carrying out inquiries into the murder in recent years.

As part of that investigation an extradition warrant was issued for a suspect under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement by Northern Irish authorities.

This morning members of the extradition unit, attached to the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, arrested a male in his 60s at Dublin Airport.

He was brought to a garda station in north Dublin and is expected to appear before the High Court this afternoon.
Sinead Lennon was stealing due to a crack cocaine problem

A serial thief who stole candles, meat, perfume and cosmetics in a spate of shoplifting offences in Dublin city centre has been jailed for six months.

Sinead Lennon was stealing due to a crack cocaine problem that developed after she became addicted to morphine prescribed for back pain, a court heard.

Judge Michael Connellan sentenced her after hearing she had 150 previous criminal convictions, including 79 for theft offences.

Lennon (45), with an address at Smithfield Gate, North King Street, pleaded guilty to multiple theft charges.

Dublin District Court heard she stole clothing worth 522 at River Island, Grafton Street; candles worth 10 from Active Life Pharmacy on Eden Quay; hundreds of euro worth of perfume and cosmetics from Brown Thomas on Grafton Street; goods including a handbag worth more than 400 at Marks & Spencer, Mary Street; and meat and steaks valued at more than 100 at Aldi, St Margarets Road, Finglas.

The offences happened on dates between December last year and May this year.

Lennon, who was struggling with addiction, came very late to drugs after being prescribed morphine for chronic back pain that began during a pregnancy, her defence solicitor Tracy Horan said.

This drove her into addiction and she began abusing crack cocaine while on the streets, the court was told.

She understood the error of her ways and was now trying to get help for her problem, Ms Horan said.

She needs help, the solicitor added, asking the judge to be as lenient as he could.

Judge Connellan gave the accused two consecutive three-month sentences on two charges, a concurrent sentence on another and took the rest into consideration.
Reece Murphy (18) was not "in any way homophobic, his defence said

A TEENAGER charged over an alleged violent disturbance in the Phoenix Park has insisted it was not "some sort of attack on the gay community.

Reece Murphy (18) was not "in any way homophobic, his defence said when he appeared in court today accused of wielding a hammer and other charges.

The incident had been raised in the Seanad last week by Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward who alleged three gay men were chased down by a gang in the park.

Gardai have since been in contact with LGBTQ+ community representatives.

At Dublin District Court today, Judge Treasa Kelly granted Mr Murphy bail on condition he stays out of all public parks, and adjourned the case for DPP directions.

The apprentice steel fabricator from Rowlagh Avenue, Clondalkin, is charged with violent disorder, production of a hammer as a weapon and dangerous driving. The offences are all alleged to have happened at Military Road, Phoenix Park on June 17.

Detective Garda Mark Reilly gave evidence of the accuseds arrest, charge and caution at Cabra garda station. He made no reply to the charges when cautioned yesterday and was handed copies of the charge sheets.

Det Gda Reilly had no objection to bail subject to conditions.

Defence solicitor Wayne Kenny said he was consenting to the bail terms.

Judge Kelly set bail at 800, with no cash lodgement required. Under conditions, Mr Murphy is to sign on three times a week at his local garda station, keep a night time curfew between 11pm and 6am and stay out of the Phoenix Park and any other public park at all times.

Explaining the need for the curfew, Det Gda Reilly said the alleged offences took place after 10pm.

Mr Murphy must also surrender his passport and provide a contact phone number.

Mr Kenny said the accused would need 24 hours to comply with this as the gardai had seized his phone when he was arrested.

The judge said when the phone number is provided, it must be switched on and charged at all times and Mr Murphy must answer when gardai call.

Mr Murphy is to live at his home and notify gardai of any change of address.

He is also to have no contact, directly or indirectly, with any of the prosecution witnesses including the alleged injured parties.

Judge Kelly said this included bumping into them on the street and there were also to be no references to them on social media.

The prosecution sought time for DPP directions.

Judge Kelly remanded the accused on bail to appear in court again on September 16. She also granted free legal aid following a defence application.

My client wishes me to mention in open court that he is not someone who is in any way homophobic and this isnt some sort of attack on the gay community, Mr Kenny said before the short hearing concluded. "I am instructed to say that in open court, that he is anxious that there is media present."

Mr Murphy has not yet entered pleas to the charges, which are under the Public Order, Firearms and Offensive Weapons and Road Traffic Acts.

The offence of violent disorder, on conviction on indictment, carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment.
Burglarly mob members change plea to guilty after arrest for theft of pensioners jewellery

Three members of the notorious Cock-Wall burglary mob charged with a 20k jewellery robbery have dramatically changed their pleas with the court being told: There are no Walls left. Theyve all collapsed.

Martin Wall (42), from Pollardstown, Co. Kildare, his nephew Patrick Wall (21), from Fortunestown Crescent, Tallaght, along with a third man who cannot be named as he is also before the courts on another matter, were due to go on trial at Dublin Circuit Court this week

They were accused of stealing 20,000 worth of jewellery from a 78-year-old womans home while she was there.

Their arrest, which came at the height of lockdown, made national headlines after it emerged one of the burglary mob had Covid  sparking fears that Garda officers involved in their capture could be infected.

The trio had been charged with burglary contrary to section 12 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act.

Martin Wall

However, this week, all three men changed their pleas to guilty with a barrister telling the court: There are no Walls left standing, judge. Theyve all collapsed.

The offence carries a sentence of up to 14 years in prison. The men are part of a notorious gang suspected of carrying out burglaries across the country.

It also emerged this week that charges against Martin Wall over an alleged incident in 2019 in which Jim Mansfield Jnr was threatened with a sword have been dropped

At one court appearance it was heard that Wall would be strenuously denying the charges that included false imprisonment and assault.

He was first charged in relation to that alleged incident involving Mansfield Jnr in 2019, but the State dropped the charges earlier this year.

Patrick Wall

In this weeks separate burglary case it was heard in court that gardai had mounted an operation after receiving information about a gold-coloured Mercedes.

Gardai had been watching the vehicle carrying five occupants when it stopped at Watson Road in Killiney, Dublin, on February 19, 2021.

Two members of the gang then got out of the vehicle and entered a property.

Lights were then seen moving around in the downstairs of the property before the men re-emerged and got back into the car.

The court heard the Mercedes was then stopped by gardai at 6.25pm that evening at Mackintosh Park and the five people arrested.

Gardai said a burglary was confirmed to have occurred at the address the men entered and jewellery valued at 20,000 taken.

The jewellery had been thrown from the car before officers moved in.

Gardai told a previous hearing that a 78-year-old woman was in the house at the time of the incident, which happened at the height of the Covid pandemic.

Following his arrest, one of the gang told gardai he had tested positive for Covid on the morning of his arrest.

Michael Myles Connors, aka Pale Miley

As a result, when he appeared in court the following day, proceedings were delayed several times as the courtroom had to be sanitised after each accused appeared.

Martin Wall was recently named in a High Court action by the Criminal Assets Bureau as being arrested with a member of the Pale Miley Gang in connection with two break-ins

The case was brought by CAB against another member of the gang and his wife over a house in Newbridge which was bought with the proceeds of crime.

There was Garda evidence that Wall had been arrested or implicated in 62 burglaries between 2000 and 2019 and had convictions for burglary, robbery and handling stolen goods.

The Pale Miley Gang was the top target of An Garda Siochanas Operation Fiacla, which was launched 10 years ago to combat the rise of urban and rural burglaries.

Earlier this year, two other relatives of the men, brothers Michael (30) and Thomas (39) Wall, were both jailed for 18 months after they were caught in a field using shovels and a mini-digger to dig up almost 80,000 which was derived from burglaries.

Martin Wall pictured leaving court

The Garda helicopter recorded footage of the men digging up their ill-gotten gains which had been stored in coffee jars and buried in a field in Keatings Park in Rathcoole. Co. Dublin, on August 14, 2020.

Gardai had received confidential information that members of the gang were going to recover cash buried in the area and set up an operation to catch them.

They arrested the men at the scene, who later claimed they were building fences for horses before gardai found the cash.

Bottles of Lucozade and packets of Monster Munch, which one of the Walls had earlier been seen on CCTV footage buying in a local Applegreen filling station, were found in the hole.

The court heard the brothers began digging after becoming aware the landowner was carrying out groundworks at the location.

They had approached local businesses earlier in the day to inquire about the works and ask that they be stopped

Jim Mansfield Jr

Michael Wall, of Fortunestown Lane, Tallaght, and Thomas Wall, of Fortunestown Crescent, Tallaght, were initially charged with money-laundering offences but guilty pleas to possession of stolen property were accepted by the DPP.

Martin Wall had also previously been charged with the alleged incident at Jim Mansfield Jnrs house in Saggart in 2019.

Mansfield was allegedly attacked in a raid at his home by a gang of sword- and blade-wielding intruders.

The son of late billionaire Jim Mansfield Snr was punched by Martin Wall, who then swung an ornamental sword around, it was alleged.

He and another man were charged with aggravated burglary with weapons, false imprisonment and assault causing harm. However, the charges were dropped earlier this year.

Mansfield Jnr was released from prison last year after serving 13 months for attempting to pervert the course of justice in an unrelated matter.

 In a separate CAB hearing, a court heard Mansfield was previously given 4.5 million of Kinahan Cartel cash to launder through investments in the Dublin realty market.
Seamus Marley was released from the Co Laois prison early this morning.

A former IRA member who was jailed for raping two teenage boys has walked free from the Midlands Prison at 6.30am this morning.

In 2019, Seamus Marley (52) was sentenced to seven years in prison for the sexual assault and anal rape of two boys in Co Louth on dates in the early 1990s.

The savage attacks took place at, what was described as a republican safe house, close to the border in Co Louth when the when the two boys were 13 or 14 and 16 or 17.

Shortly after 6.30am this morning, rapist Marley walked out the from gates of the Co Laois prison after completing his sentence.

It has been reported that the authorities have been informed he will be living in the Donnybrook area of Dublin 4.

During his trial, the court heard how Marley had threatened one of the boys that he would be found dead on a border road that if he ever told anyone about what happened.

In a victim impact statement, one of the boys said that Marley preyed on him, groomed him and ruined him during his most important years.

The abuse began in 1991 when Marley, then in his early 20s, was hiding out from police in Co Louth.

Paudie McGahon, one of Marleys victims, told the court his father, Jack McGahon, a staunch republican supporter, allowed the family home to be used as a safe house for republican terrorists on the run from the police.

When Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced Marley to seven years in jail, he said the terrorist had used his standing in the republican movement, which was well capable of clandestine killings to silence his victims.

Speaking to the Irish Independent last week, Mr McGahon said he believes Marley still poses a risk to children.

The probation services and the gardai must keep a close eye on Marley because I absolutely believe that he is still a danger to children, Mr McGahon, who waived his anonymity to speak out on behalf of himself and the second victim, said.

Despite what he did to me and the other victim, and the fact that the jury had no doubt that Marley was guilty as charged, the authorities have informed us that he has never sought therapy or admitted his guilt or shown any kind of remorse  he is in complete denial.

During his trial the court was told how Marley, who is now a born-again Christian, had been in a relationship with a Spanish man for 16 years and engaged in extensive charitable work in that period.

His father, Larry Marley, was a leading republican who was murdered by loyalists in 1987.

Larry Marley is said to have been the mastermind behind the 1983 IRA mass prison escape from the Maze.

Sentencing Marley, Judge Paul McDermott noted that he had pleaded not guilty and had not offered sincere remorse.

The judge ordered that, when Marley completes his sentence, for the protection of society he complete a two-year supervision programme.
The man was allegedly attacked by youths using belts, leaving a large amount of blood spattered outside the drivers cabin

Siptu have called for improved security on public transport following an alleged incident where a Dublin Bus passenger was assaulted by a number of youths.

On Friday evening a man on a Dublin Bus was allegedly attacked by youths using belts, leaving a large amount of blood spattered outside the drivers cabin.

The bus was travelling on the N4 towards Blanchardstown and a female driver was on board when the incident took place.

Siptu, which represents transport workers, is highlighting the incident as part of its Respect Transport Workers campaign, aimed at tackling abuse towards transport workers and improving safety on public transport.

The trade unions Dublin Bus representative Stephen Millane said the driver was very shaken up after the incident.

"There was an individual who wouldnt get off the bus for some reason and other youths that had got off the bus were waiting for him, he said.

"They got back on the bus, there was four or five of them. They set on this fella and beat him to a pulp, there was blood all over the cab right at the front doors and in front of the driver.

The scene of the alleged attack which took place on a bus in Dublin on Friday

Mr Millane said violent incidents like this are becoming more frequent on public transport.

"Since Covid the incidents have increased and also got more severe. Buses have between eight and 12 very high quality cameras, but its like these people just dont care.

"Thankfully the driver, she is shook by the incident and its traumatised her, but she isnt physically hurt. She was in her workplace, her workplace is her cab, and when you have someone being beaten within an inch of their life, blood sprayed all over the place, this is something that cant continue to happen.

As part of the campaign Siptu is calling for dedicated transport policing to deal with incidents like this, a service Mr Millane said is badly, badly needed.

"Irish Rail and the Luas have private security and initially it worked in the short term. Then the people responsible for anti-social behaviour on public transport realised they have no powers, theyve started pushing back at them and now the security guards are actually receiving a lot of abuse.

"Someone could get a bus into town, cause trouble on the bus. Then they might get on a Luas to Heuston Station and cause trouble again, then get on a train. Theres no way of associating the same people with all these incidents on public transport.

With staff safety a huge concern, the well-being of the travelling also needs to be taken into account, he said.

"The public are fully aware and theyre not going to travel on buses, especially at certain times and in certain areas. Its not just violence, its drug use as well.

The number of female bus drivers in Dublin is around 7pc and there have been recruitment drives aimed at women. Mr Millane said driver safety and anti-social behaviour can push women away from the profession.

"Im not saying a man wouldnt be affected by the incident on Friday night, but a woman trapped in a small unit in the cab and someones getting kicked around the place, it was very scary for her. It does turn women off the job.

An Garda Siochana said it did not have information on the alleged incident when contacted by the Irish Independent.
On June 23rd, reporters learned from the Hefei Customs that in the first five months of this year, Anhui province exported 313,900 vehicles (including chassis), an increase of 23.3% compared to the same period last year. Among these, both the volume and value of exports in May set historical records. According to customs statistics, in the first five months of this year, the province exported 313,900 vehicles (including chassis), marking a 23.3% increase compared to the same period last year; the value reached 31.16 billion yuan, up by 28.1%; with an average export price of 99,000 yuan per vehicle, showing a 3.9% increase. In particular, in May, 80,200 vehicles were exported, up by 46.3%; valued at 8.04 billion yuan, an increase of 52.1%, with both the volume and value of exports reaching all-time highs. In terms of new energy vehicle exports, in the first five months of this year, Anhui Province exported 24,000 new energy vehicles, an increase of 142.1% compared to the same period last year, with a value of 3.25 billion yuan, up by 112.3%. In May, Anhui Province exported 9,080 new energy vehicles, an increase of 325.5%, valued at 1.25 billion yuan, marking a growth of 340.6%. The volume and value of exports in May both grew more than threefold. In May, Brazil, Israel, and Indonesia were the top three export destinations for Anhui's new energy vehicles, with the combined exports to these countries accounting for over 70% of the total.

Source: Hefei Evening News
A woman was being treated in hospital yesterday after her head was hit by a number of shotgun pellets

Detectives have launched an attempted murder investigation after shotgun pellets were fired into a house in Ballygowan on Saturday night. Pic: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.

A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion on attempted murder after a woman in her 60s was struck by shotgun pellets in County Down.

The man was also arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and criminal damage after the attack shortly after 11pm on Saturday.

He remains in custody at this time.

Detective Sergeant Bell said: "Police received a report that at around 11pm on Saturday, a woman was struck on her head and back with a number of shotgun pellets, which were fired through the window of a house in the Brae Grove area.

"We are continuing to appeal to anyone who has any information, dashcam or CCTV footage relating to this incident to call Police on 101 quoting reference 1815 22/06/24.

"We would also appeal to anyone who noticed a white van acting suspiciously in the area over the last week to get in touch."

The attack on the woman, who was being treated in hospital on Saturday, is linked to the ongoing paramilitary dispute in Newtownards, the Sunday World understands.

A loyalist source told this newspaper the incident is linked to the ongoing paramilitary feud in Co Down centred on the Weavers Grange area of Newtownards.

There is no suggestion that the victim is linked to any criminal or paramilitary activity.

The shotgun was fired through the window of a property in the Brae Grove area around 11pm.

PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Kerry Brennan said on Sunday that a man, who was also in the house at the time, was uninjured.

We believe the male suspect made off in a white Transit style van, she said.

We are lucky that we are not investigating a murder this morning, there is no place in society for criminals who risk the safety of our community by bring firearms onto our streets.

Weavers Grange in Newtownards in 2023. (Photo by Kevin Scott)

It comes after police last week charged a 36-year-old man with intimidation and possessing ammunition without a certificate after shotgun cartridges were left outside a number of homes in the Weavers Grange estate.

The cartridges were left outside the homes of new residents and those due to have new tenants on Tuesday.

Last year, the estate was at the centre of a loyalist paramilitary feud sparked in March when the South East Antrim UDA said they had expelled members living in Newtownards.

The move left those members without the support of the paramilitary group, but the deposed loyalists refused to leave, saying they would be operating as the Real UFF.

The gang had clashed with a rival UDA faction and homes and businesses were attacked.

Around 30 families fled the area during the feuding, with an almost constant police presence for weeks on end.

A number of people have been charged in connection with the gathering, while local women also organised street protests demanding those involved in criminality leave the area.
UDA boss gone before Duck released from jail

UDA crime boss Gary Fisher is plotting to escape Northern Ireland by the end of July, a source has claimed.

The Sunday World understands he is anxious to get out before convicted drug offender, South East Antrim hardman William Duck McTaggart, gets out of jail.

McTaggart had been due for release from Maghaberry in the early New Year but has been held back and remains behind bars.

McTaggart had been earmarked to take the reins at the head of the SEA crime operation and is said to be furious at Fishers intention to anoint his trusted sidekick Clifford Trigger Irons his successor as Brigadier.

The elusive Fisher has been plotting his departure for months since his dramatic return as Brigadier following a heart attack.

His desire to get out has been an open secret but he has ruffled feathers by his blatant attempt to feather his nest to smooth his exit.

clifford irons

Sources in Carrickfergus say there is anger among the leadership group but because of the convention that the outgoing Brigadier selects his successor there is little they can do.

Fisher has been preparing his departure for months, with Liverpool expected to be his destination.

Convicted drug offender and mortgage fraudster Irons was his right hand-man for years, overseeing SEAs lucrative drug rackets.

He is regarded with deep suspicion by much of the membership. His tenure as commander in Carrick was bolstered by having enforcer Colin Simms keeping a tight rein on dealers and collecting the money.

Convicted killer and drug runner Simms is out in the cold after being caught with his hands in the till and being a prime suspected in the brutal murder of Glenn Quinn.

McTaggart is said to be furious about Fishers successor plans, especially as he has no respect for Irons, who he regards as weak.

It is understood Duck will not be released until after the marching season is over by which time Fisher hopes to be starting his new life in Liverpool.

He doesnt want confrontation with Duck, said our source.

He knows Duck wont be happy about this but all his focus is on getting out with his money, and putting Trigger in place means he still expects a cut of the profits.

It is thought Fisher, who has never served a day behind bars, is worth upwards of 1 million off the back of SEAs drug and racketeering activities.

He has regained control of SEA after a turbulent few years which saw him have a heart attack and a lengthy stay in hospital.

He was temporarily stood down while a three-man committee and a newly installed Brigadier took over. They have since stepped back, allowing Fisher to take back control.

Irons is believed to be keen to step into his shoes. He has been sidelined in recent years and has moved away from Carrick to live close to his old boss in nearby Greenisland.

Long-standing members have many question marks over Irons. He was in place during the UDA feud in 2016 which resulted in the murder of former commander Geordie Gilmore in 2017. In December 2016 he was arrested and charged after police recovered two handguns and ammunition from his car.

They also recovered a number of other items including a to-do list which allegedly contained details of a planned attack on an individual.

Despite a couple of court appearances and the PSNI stating they could link Irons to the offences, the charges appear to have been quietly withdrawn.

The PSNI has come under pressure, particularly from Glenn Quinns family, for their failure to move against SEA.

There has been seven unsolved murders attributed to SEA under Fishers watch.
Detectives attached to the Gardas Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit took part in days of action between June 3 and 9, and inspected a number of properties in Dublin, Clare and Limerick

Gardai identified several potential victims of human trafficking as part of an international operation targeting organised crime groups involved in exploitation.

In total 39 countries took part in operation Global Chain which resulted in 219 arrests and more than 1,300 victims being identified.

The initiative, led by Austrian authorities in conjunction with Europol and Interpol, aimed to disrupt high-risk criminal networks involved in sexual exploitation and forced criminality.

Detectives attached to the Gardas Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit took part in days of action between June 3 and 9, and inspected a number of properties in Dublin, Clare and Limerick.

During these inspections a number of potential victims of human trafficking were spoken to, while several sex workers were identified and provided with information on support agencies.

Gardai were also present at Shannon Airport, Connolly Train Station and Dublin Port as part of a high-visibility awareness raising campaign.

While no arrests were made during the Irish aspect of the operation, gardai said their actions demonstrated their ability to combat serious criminal gangs targeting the most vulnerable in society.

Detective Superintendent Derek Maguire, of the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, said: "We are committed to supporting victims of human trafficking, and to bringing persons intent on exploiting human beings for personal gain, to justice.

Across the globe 219 people were arrested and 1,374 victims identified, of which 153 were children.

Europol said that in one particularly gruesome case, authorities in Hungary arrested a couple for forcing six of their own children into sex as well as begging on the streets in their village.

The underage children were physically, mentally and sexually abused by their own parents, with their own father assaulting them with sticks, belts and his bare hands, Europol said in a statement.

Officers found the children neglected, underfed and in an overall bad health condition. Tying them up in a room in the household, the parents offered their children to other persons in the neighbourhood to have sex against payment, it added.

Europol also said that gardai spoke to thousands of passengers as they disembarked their trains in Dublin and were actively looking for indicators of human trafficking, and informing the public about the crime area.

While no victims were identified, the initiative generated great engagement from the public, Europol said.

The operations were carried out as part of joint action by EMPACT (European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats) which provides for an integrated approach to EU internal security.

A Garda spokesperson added that they will continue to work closely with Europol and other law enforcement partners in the identification of new victims so they can also be removed from harm.

An Garda Siochana appeals to any person who may be the victim of human trafficking or sexual exploitation to come forward and speak with them, either at a local Garda station, or to call the Garda Confidential Phone number on 1800 666 111. An Garda Siochana appeals to any person with any information on these heinous crimes or suspects to speak up.
When flights are cancelled or delayed, passengers have rights to refunds, re-routing, care and in some cases compensation

Delays and cancellations are part and parcel of modern air travel, with a work-to-rule and strike by Aer Lingus pilots impacting passengers, and French air traffic control strikes already having caused Ryanair flight cancellations this summer.

So what exactly are your rights if your flight is affected?

The rights of passengers in the event of cancelled or delayed flights are set out under EU Regulation 261/2014.

How do I know if my flights are affected?

In the event of a strike or cancellation, airlines should contact affected passengers by email or SMS.

You can also check the airline website (Aer Linguss latest cancellations list is here), and your airport's online departures boards.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?

If your flight is cancelled for any reason, and regardless of when you are notified, your airline must offer you the choice between:

Re-routing as soon as possible, subject to availability, free of charge. Re-routing at a later date. A full refund within seven days.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled?

How do I arrange a re-routing or refund?

In the event of a cancellation or delay, airlines are obliged to inform passengers of their options. If this happens at the airport, staff should be on hand to talk you through the various scenarios. Otherwise you will receive an email or text message to the contact details attached to your booking.

You can also check your carrier's website (Aer Lingus and Ryanair). It should include the steps to process your own refunds or bookings (a voucher may also be an option).

If you booked through a third-party (for example a travel agent or tour operator), the original sales agent should contact you or be your source of contact.

Am I entitled to care and assistance?

If your flight is cancelled and you choose to be re-routed as soon as possible, then you are entitled to meals and refreshments, hotel accommodation and transfers between the airport and hotel as required.

If the airline does not provide these, and you end up paying yourself, keep the receipts - you are entitled to a reimbursement of reasonable expenses.

NB. A five-star hotel may not be a reasonable expense!

Bear in mind that if your flight is cancelled and you choose a full refund, then the airline's obligations to you end there and then.

Planes at Cork Airport during Storm Emma in 2018. Photo: Cork Airport/Twitter

What about my accommodation?

An airline is not liable for any missed accommodation, events or other knock-on effects of a delay or cancellation  solely for the flight. However, if you booked through a travel agent or a tour operator as a package holiday, you may be in a better position to re-organise or reschedule accommodation. Adding travel disruption cover to your travel insurance policy (well in advance of travel) can also provide additional cover for expenses and accommodation (see below).

Am I entitled to compensation?

Financial compensation depends on the flight length and the reason for the cancellation. It differs to care and re-routing/refund obligations that must be offered (as outlined above), and generally ranges from 250 (short-haul, less than 1,500km) to 600 (long-haul, over 3,500km).

You are not due compensation if the airline gives you two weeks or more notice of the cancellation.

However, you may be entitled to compensation if you receive between seven days and two weeks notice and your arrival times are later than four hours on the reroute, or if you receive less than seven days notice and your arrival time is later than two hours on the reroute.

If the air carrier can prove the cancellation was due to extraordinary circumstances, then you may not be entitled to compensation. However, you are still due a refund or re-routing.

Is a strike an extraordinary circumstance?

That's the six million dollar question!

Airlines may or may not claim them not be, depending on the circumstances involved. For example, French air traffic control strikes are external, and therefore usually classed as extraordinary and beyond an airlines control.

In the case of an internal strike, industrial action by the airlines own staff is considered within its control, according to the Irish Aviation Authority.

Compensation claims are evaluated on a case-by-case basis - so if you believe you have a strong one, go ahead and make it.

Bad weather generally is considered an extraordinary circumstance.

Travel tips: Protect your holiday with these six tips for passport care and safety

How do I claim compensation?

Compensation claims are never evaluated or resolved at the airport. If you believe compensation is your due, then the first step is to formally contact the air carrier. If you're not satisfied with its response, then you can escalate by contacting the National Enforcement Body - which, in most cases for Irish passengers, is the Commission for Aviation Regulation (01 661-1700; iaa.ie).

If my outbound flight is cancelled, what happens my return flight?

If a flight isn't subject to disruption, technically you are not entitled to any care or compensation. However, airlines do tend to take a logical view, and normally work with passengers to refund or reschedule flights impacted in this way. If you have booked through a travel agent or tour operator, you should receive assistance from them.

What if my flight is delayed?

If your flight is delayed by more than five hours, and you choose not to travel, then you are entitled to a full refund. If you accept this refund, the airline is no longer obliged to provide onward travel or assistance.

If your flight is delayed by at least two hours (short-haul), three hours (European) or four hours (long haul), you are entitled to care and assistance as outlined above.

If you arrive at your destination more than three hours after the scheduled arrival time, you may be entitled to between 250 and 600 compensation, depending on the flight distance.

How can my travel insurance help?

In the event of a flight cancellation, the first source of refunds and re-routing should be with your airline (see above).

Standard travel insurance policies don't offer much help here, but 'missed departure' cover can help you secure a new flight, or an additional night's accommodation.

If your policy includes extra "travel disruption" cover, you should be covered for additional transport or accommodation costs up to around 1,000pp.

This covers most of scenarios with flight cancellations due to weather, strikes and so on, but note that it covers transport and accommodation-related expenses only - i.e. not lost annual leave, business opportunities or deposits, concert tickets or museum or attraction fees booked in advance online.

Passenger rights. Source: IAA

Is it too late to take out travel insurance?

Travel Disruption cover can be added retrospectively to a policy, but not to claim on an event that has already happened (or been forecast).

There can also be a moratorium on travel disruption from the time you take out the policy to the time you will be covered (eg. seven days) - however, 'missed departure' cover should still apply.

What happens if my baggage is delayed or lost?

Travel insurance can cover claims of lost, delayed or damaged luggage, but air passengers also have rights under the Montreal Convention, including limited entitlements to compensation.

Some airlines offer a daily allowance for delayed bags, so it's worth asking about this. Compensation for lost or delayed bags is limited under the Convention to 1,000 SDRs (approx 1,230 on current conversion rates).

If your luggage fails to appear on the carousel, report the problem immediately with the airline and/or ground handler by filling out a Property Irregularity Report providing details of your bag (be sure to take a photo of the report).

While you wait for your bag, keep receipts for any essential items you have to buy. Most baggage will eventually be delivered, but luggage is considered lost 21 days after it was supposed to have arrived.

After the delay, you may want to claim on your travel insurance, or on the airline's liability through their reporting procedures - Ryanair's info is here, and Aer Lingus's here.

If you are very worried, it may be worth avoiding the possibility of delayed or lost bags by using carry-on luggage only.

If you must check a bag, keep a record of its tag number (a photo is a good idea) and remember not to carry valuables or essential medicines and documents in your checked luggage.

Ryanair passengers. Photo: Getty

Im nervous about travel. Can I get a refund?

No. If you cancel your holiday without the Department of Foreign Affairs declaring travel to be unsafe, it could be deemed "disinclination to travel".

As such, you may have to pay a cancellation fee or forfeit some or all of the cost of your air fare or holiday package.

That said, it's worth noting that Irish tour operators have in the past worked to facilitate customers affected by exceptional events, so it's always worth a phone call.

Where can I find more information?

For full details on your air passenger rights in the event of cancellation, delays, downgrading and denied boarding, see the Irish Aviation Authoritys website, iaa.ie.

NB: This article has been updated and republished.
In June 2023, five mobile 5G masts were set alight in the west of the city

Firefighters deal with a 5G mast fire at Distillery Street in west Belfast on June 24th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Firefighters deal with a 5G mast fire at Distillery Street in west Belfast on June 24th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Firefighters deal with a 5G mast fire at Distillery Street in west Belfast on June 24th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Firefighters deal with a 5G mast fire at Distillery Street in west Belfast on June 24rd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Firefighters deal with a 5G mast fire at Distillery Street in west Belfast on June 24th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

Firefighters have extinguished a 5G mobile mast that was set alight overnight in west Belfast.

The suspected arson attack happened shortly after midnight on Distillery Street close to the Westlink.

Watch: West Belfast mobile 5G mast torched in overnight arson

Three fire appliances including an aerial platform from the nearby Springfield fire station were tasked to the blaze, which saw the Westlink closed for a short period.

Police officers closed the city-bound carriageway at its junction with Broadway due to fears the structure may collapse.

In a brief initial statement a police spokesperson said: Due to a fire at the Westlink in Belfast this morning, Monday 24th June, city bound traffic is being diverted at the Broadway roundabout.

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service are in attendance and motorists should avoid the area.

Firefighters deal with a 5G mast fire at Distillery Street in west Belfast on June 24th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

In June 2023, five mobile 5G masts were set alight in the west of the city during a spate of arson attacks that spanned four hours.

Masts on the Donegall Road, Owenvarragh Park, Monagh Bypass, Springfield Road and Stewartstown Road were torched in the previous attack.
Locals in the close-knit area of Kilgobnet, near Dungarvan, have said they are disgusted by the situation

CCTV camera at the house, and the church and grounds in Kilgobnet, Co. Waterford

Obscene noises being blasted out as people attend funerals and visit graves at a rural Waterford parish are coming from a house beside the church, the Sunday World can reveal.

This week, the nation has been gripped with the tale that gardai are investigating reports of noises of a sexual nature being played on a loudspeaker near a quiet rural Waterford church.

Locals in the close-knit area of Kilgobnet, near Dungarvan, have said they are disgusted by the situation which has escalated from loud music being played through a speaker during services, to a looped recording of a woman repeatedly saying w**ker .

The church and grounds in Kilgobnet, Co. Waterford

Not only are people planning burials, but theyre also having to plan to have the guards on site, said local woman Ailish Hickey.

Another local, John McCarthy, said the situation was going on for years but he became irate when the w**ker recording was blasted loudly as he visited his dads grave on Fathers Day.

Its crazy behaviour. It started off with the radio blaring loud when funerals and weddings were on. Then w**ker started off lowly. I stopped going to the grave for a little while, then I went on Fathers Day and it was really loud, said Mr McCarthy.

The sounds are coming from a speaker outside a house, which is located right beside an entrance to the graveyard and church.

Councilor Conor McGuinness and resident Ailish Hickey talking to reporter Alan Sherry near the church and house

The Sunday World called to the house, which has multiple CCTV cameras, this week and a radio station was being played through the outdoor speaker.

Our reporter had hoped to speak to the owner of the house, believed to be a woman aged in her 40s who previously lived in Northern Ireland, but nobody answered despite the music playing and a dog barking inside the house.

A sticker in a car outside the property with the title Practical Lawful Dissent refers to the Magna Carta and says I do NOT consent to unlawful laws imposed by unlawful government. I must be allowed travel freely without hindrance.

Another notice in the window of the house also refers to the Magna Carta, stating treason being committed in parliament.

The road leading to a house near the church in Kilgobnet, Co Waterford

The property is situated on a public road  but it is understood the owner of the house is unhappy with people using the thoroughfare and had tried to have bollards erected in the area.

Mr McCarthy said the road leads to a gate which is particularly convenient for elderly people or people with mobility issues.

Ive had a broken ankle and had chronic pain so couldnt walk and I used that lane and drove right up to the gate. My fathers grave is the second grave in.

My father is gone a few years. I hadnt been up in a while and it was Fathers Day  I went up to the grave but it was that loud (the speaker), you couldnt hear your thoughts

Theres a beautiful view of the bay of Dungarvan and he always loved views, and I say to him when Im up there that you have the best view in the house now. It ruins it.

Our reporter Alan Sherry at a house near the church

Locals say that music was playing from the house during the recent funeral service of a young child who died in tragic circumstances.

Ms Hickey said people in the area are fed up of what is happening and added that gardai have been present at funerals to monitor the situation.

There was at least three guards here and a squad car parked outside our house just to ensure she doesnt play anything too loud or anything explicit [at a recent funeral].

Ms Hickey said she could hear music playing while she was in the graveyard but it wasnt as loud as the w**ker recording.

She said people going to a funeral shouldnt have to put up with what is happening.

Youre going through the worst time of your life and you have to think, God, I have to ring the guards to be here just to make sure she doesnt play her music.

You shouldnt have to think like that.

A CCTV camera at the house

Ms Hickey added that a vehicle was previously parked blocking the road the night before a funeral and gardai were called.

We got the number and the guards towed away the car that night, but when the guards called up she wouldnt answer the door, she said.

Local Sinn Fein councillor Conor McGuinness has contacted the council and local gardai about the noise situation and officers said they would investigate the matter.

Everybody has a right to attend their place of worship, bury their loved ones, and visit their relatives graves, and to do so in peace, not to feel harassed or intimidated, Mr McGuinness said.

Its a really quiet area and rural community, there are generations of people buried here. Everybody in the area has family laid to rest here and for people not to be able to come here and visit the graves and services in peace is just not right.

He said it was very clear from the w**ker recording that what was happening was deliberately meant to offend.

The house (top left) which was blasting lewd audio near the church (top right) in Kilgobnet, Co Waterford today

It has become really clear since that incident that it is being done on purpose to be as disruptive as offensive and disrespectful as possible. There is no excusing it now or explaining it away.

It is as anti-social as you can get, to disturb people and try and prevent them accessing their place of worship or access graveyards

If there is no power for the Guards or local authority to intervene then there should be.

People shouldnt be allowed hold a community to hostage. People shouldnt be allowed to repeatedly cause real hurt and offence to people. That needs to be addressed.

He said people are entitled to use the road.

It a public road and people can come up here and she has no right to stop them.

The woman who owns the house bought it several years ago and re-opened it as a pub.

Locals said they were happy to see the pub reopened and the owner told them she had plans to expand it.

Youd only fit 10 people in there. She talked about doing an outdoor area, said Ms Hickey. We were excited.

However, those plans never materialised and she later closed the pub.

Mr McCarthy said: She had a pub going but she fell out with everyone and barred them out of the pub, so thats not open anymore.

While the pub is currently closed the owner still holds a licence for it according to the licensing register.

Locals say they rarely see the owner out in public.

We never see her. I couldnt tell you the last time I saw her. You never really saw her anyway. She kind of kept to herself in the end.

Mr McCarthy added: What she is doing is crazy. I would be ashamed to show my face in public.

I would be mortified.
The establishment of new Community Beat Teams in major cities across New Zealand has been announced by NZ Police.

The announcement was made on Sunday by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster.

The Commissioner also announced the launch of Operation Safer Streets in Auckland to target anti-social behaviour and crime in the Central Business District.

Auckland will be the first to benefit from the additional investment in these teams, which will provide a more visible, reassuring and responsive policing presence on main streets, in shopping malls and at transport hubs.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says Community Beat Teams will be staffed from additional constabulary officers confirmed in Budget 24.

This is the start of a staged two-year roll out, which will see 63 additional staff deployed in new Community Beat Teams across Aucklands three policing districts (21 in each), 17 in Wellington and 10 in Christchurch.

We know communities want to see more Police out and about, particularly in those areas experiencing challenges with anti-social behaviour and retail crime.

The additional 21 staff to be based in Auckland CBD will provide further support in the busiest spaces, from Karangahape Road, to downtown and along the Viaduct.

Ultimately, this will grow the existing Beat Team to more than 50 staff in the CBD.

Our intent is to move to a 24/7 beat model in the CBD, working on a rostered basis with five teams, each led by a Sergeant, to increase Police visibility around the clock, says Commissioner Coster.

Increased visibility deters crime and encourages a sense of safety through positive engagement with the public and business owners.

Community Beat Teams, alongside our existing response, prevention and investigation staff, will continue to deploy to areas of high demand.

Crime trends have changed in recent years with more anti-social behaviour and public place crime and were responding by changing our deployment patterns to increase visibility and community reassurance.

Its heartening to see crime in the Auckland central city now starting to trend in the right direction, but recent incidents have rightly caused concern.

Thats why we are also announcing Operation Safer Streets  an intensive deployment operation to target anti-social behaviour and crime in the CBD.

This operation will continue until the new Community Beat Team is fully established and embedded.

Police regularly meet groups such as the K Road Business Association, Heart of the City, Auckland Council, as well as elected representatives and residents groups.

Most of the issues were facing in Auckland CBD are complex and cant be solved by Police alone, says Commissioner Coster.

Its vital we continue to work with partner agencies and other groups invested in Aucklands success.

Future decisions about the allocation of the 500 will be made in due course.
Be aware of an 'investment' thats "too good to be true", warns NZ Police.

Members of the Chinese community are advised to be highly vigilant about an investment scam emerging on some social media.

Police are investigating two cases where victims have been conned out of millions of dollars.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rob Hunkin says the scammers are initially contacting victims through WeChat or Telegra asking them to invest in an Australian investment platform.

Once victims are hooked, an initial investment payment is made by international bank transfer," says Detective Senior Sergeant Hunkin.

Eventually, the scammer will advise victims to pay into the scheme further in cash only.

Payments are then being made in person with offenders going to a victims house or pre-arranging to meet them at a set location.

The truth is that there is no investment platform  this is a scam, says Detective Senior Sergeant Hunkin.

Police are continuing to investigate these two cases, but we need the communitys support to help raise awareness of what is happening.

Police recognise that these schemes may sound rewarding.

Be aware, scammers continue to reinvent ways of deceiving people out of their money, Detective Senior Sergeant Hunkin says.

Our advice to anyone is to be extremely cautious if you are ever approached about making an investment into a project or scheme.

It is essential that you do research to ensure the company is genuine before you hand over any money.

If you cannot verify whether a person or scheme is what they say they are, never hand over any money and cease any contact.

A legitimate investment will never require cash being handed over.

We are asking the community to assist Police in sharing this message amongst their friends and family.

The last thing we want to see is more people fall victim to these scams.

Remember:

- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

- Seek advice from a trusted friend or family member, or someone who has knowledge of investments before sending any money anywhere

- If you are being contacted by scammers, cease communicating with them.

- Never hand over any money, as well as a personal or financial information

- If you believe you are or have been the victim of fraud, contact Police at 105.police.govt.nz, or call Police on 105 and report the matter.
Ignacio Lillo Malaga Monday, 24 June 2024, 17:08 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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The typical summer weather in these southern latitudes of mainland Spain, almost always very hot and dry, will take a few more days to arrive. The arrival of an isolated high level depression (Dana) could bring rain, storms and a drop in temperatures to Malaga province in the middle of this week. This is what the weather forecast models indicate, although meteorologists warn that it is still too far away to make a more accurate prediction.

In any case, the threat is there, especially on Thursday (27 June) in parts of the Serrania de Ronda, western Costa del Sol, Guadalhorce valley and Antequera areas. According to the current scenario, Malaga city and the Axarquia region will escape with only a few light showers.

"The Dana on Wednesday is centred to the west of Galicia and throughout the day it will move along the Atlantic coast of Portugal towards the south, and on Thursday it will be almost in the Gulf of Cadiz, and from there it could affect us," explained the director of Aemet, Spain's state weather agency centre in Malaga, Jesus Riesco. The possible evolution is that on Friday it will move inland and then dissipate.

Depending on how it is positioned, it could leave precipitation in the south of Spain. "Malaga province may be in the area affected by the Dana, with precipitation of a certain intensity; but we will have to follow its evolution before we can confirm it, because anything small changes could alter everything," warned the meteorologist. "There is still a lot of uncertainty, if now it looks like rain could fall in Cordoba and Malaga provinces, the same could happen later in Cadiz and Seville, or in Granada and Jaen, it is not at all clear although there is a threat".

The truth is that June has been rather more unstable than previous months due to the entry of successive weather troughs that have collaterally touched the province, which have helped to alleviate the high temperatures although they have left very little water, apart from the occasional isolated downpour. On this occasion, "it is likely that there will be locally heavy rainfall in some areas of Andalucia, perhaps in Malaga, but we will have to wait and see how it develops," said Riesco.

The weather models give possible accumulated rainfall of up to 35mm in the Ronda area on Thursday

If it does happen, it will do so in the form of showers, thunderstorms and also with a drop in thermometers, which is almost certain for the interior of the province between Wednesday and Friday. A general drop in the mercury is expected, more pronounced inland but hardly noticeable on the coast. Riesco added, "In Antequera, we will go from being above 30C in the first half of the week, to 26 degrees on Thursday and Friday, so there will be a drop due to the Dana".

Up to 35mm of rain

What is certain is that, if it does occur, the European weather model forecasts a significant amount of relief for the Malaga countryside, especially in the areas of Ronda and the Guadalhorce valley, where a possible accumulation of up to 35mm is expected, and around 20mm the Vega de Antequera, according to data provided by Jose Luis Escudero, an expert in Malaga meteorology who is also monitoring this phenomenon.

"The two main models, the European and the American, place the Dana this Thursday in the Gulf of Cadiz", he warned, so the probability of this rainfall is high. However, he agreed that there is still a lot of uncertainty about the position of the precipitation band, which is moving between Cadiz and Malaga, especially the westernmost area of the province.

On the other hand, Escudero predicted the possibility of mild 'terral' warm wind in Malaga city between Friday and Sunday; while in parts of the Antequera and Ronda areas temperatures will drop, especially the minimum temperatures. In addition, calima is forecast for this week, although the density of Sahara desert dust in suspension is expected to be low.
The night of fire that officially welcomed in summer on the Costa del Sol All along the coastline of Malaga province, people young and old have celebrated the traditional festival of San Juan, and many had the same wish this year

Francisco Gutierrez Malaga Monday, 24 June 2024, 10:05 | Updated 10:10h. Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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From Manilva in the west to Nerja in the east, all the Costa del Sol municipalities of Malaga province have celebrated the long-awaited arrival of summer. Thousands of locals and tourists of all ages took the traditional midnight swim and celebrated around the purifying fire on the shortest night of the year.

People filled beaches and promenades along the coast, as well as bars and restaurants. The partying started on Saturday night following Malaga CF's epic ascent to the second division, with many beachgoers wearing the team's shirts and colours.

Free space on the beach of La Malagueta beach in Malaga city was scarce, while families were also grouped together on grass and beneath the shade of palm trees. There were many rubbish bins provided along the beaches to avoid people littering and prevent the piles of waste which were left along the Malaga coastline last year.

El Cable beach in Marbella. Josele

As in previous years, the San Juan evening organised by Malaga city hall took place on the beach of La Misericordia. The band A Compas entertained crowds gathered at Glorieta 1 de Mayo from 10pm onwards.

The music and the traditional burning of the 'jua' on a bonfire are a great attraction, with a noticeably large group of people gathered to enjoy it. This was the case for Mariela and a number of friends of different nationalities. They have been meeting on the night of San Juan for several years. They lay towels on the beach and enjoy some typical food from each other's home countries. For Mariela, she is reminded of the festival in the countryside of her native Argentina, where dolls were stuffed and burnt.

Maria, Antonia, Juan and Adela had already taken their places at La Misericordia to listen to the music and watch the fireworks. They live nearby, in the area of Las Delicias and La Luz. Adela expresses her wish for this year, which is "for the price of oil to go down". "We have to cook with sunflower oil, and it's not the same," she said.

Zoom Patri, Yesica, Sergio, Alberto, Pedro, Virgina and the children Nacho and Dalia, in the tent they took to the beach. Isidro Gonzalez

Under another tent, Patri, Yesica, Virginia, Sergio, Alberto, Pedro and children Nacho and Dalia waited for nightfall. Patri, eight months pregnant, will wish for everything to go well. Meanwhile, Virginia wishes to pass the exam to become a primary school teacher which she took on Saturday.

Around a portable barbecue, Mariela, Camila, Romina and Rafael were preparing something for dinner. They are originally from Paraguay, but have been in Malaga for some time and like to participate in the traditions of the city that has welcomed them. "At 12am we will take a dip in the sea for good luck," Mariela said.

Shortly before midnight, a fireworks display kicked off from the Espigon de la Termica. The fireworks illuminated the Malaga sky for a quarter of an hour, competing with a full moon. This year's jua, also set up in La Misericordia, made reference to the price of oil: the creative and technical expert of Fiestas Fernando Wilson represented two oil cans and above them the Parthenon, the Olympus of the gods, crowned with the symbol of the euro - the wish of many present which was for the price of olive oil to fall.
Oswego, N.Y.  The Oswego County Department of Social Services commissioner who came under fire after the deaths of three children has retired.

Stacy Alvord, who retired Friday, worked in public service for 44 years, according to a statement released by the county on her behalf.
Syracuse, N.Y.  A 23-year-old man was shot Sunday evening on Syracuses East Side, police said.

Officers responded around 10:40 p.m. to a call for a shooting in the 1900 block of East Fayette Street near King Solomans Food Mart, according to a news release Monday from Syracuse police. They found the man shot in the abdomen, they said.
Police officers search Lincoln Park near the corner of Hawley Avenue and Mather Street in Syracuse on Saturday, June 22, 2024. A body was found in the 1100 block of Hawley Avenue that morning.Fernando Alba | falba@syracuse.com
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP)  Six people were wounded in a shooting early Sunday at a park in Rochester, New York, police said. None of the injuries are believed to be life threatening.

Rochester Police Chief David Smith said at least one person started shooting into a crowd of people during an argument at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square around 2:45 a.m. Sunday.

Police said the victims were a 17-year-old boy; three men ages 18, 21 and 33; and two women, ages 20 and 25.

No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, but police did charge a man they said fought with officers as they were responding to the shootings. One officer was injured while attempting to detain the man and was taken to a hospital for treatment, Smith said.

The man, 38, was charged with second-degree assault, second-degree obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and second-degree harassment, Smith said.

When you have people that are actively fighting with officers who are trying to render medical attention, obviously that makes it that much harder, Smith said at a news conference Sunday.
CEF_Beasts Distinguished - BHPian



Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,845 Thanked: 19,326 Times

re: 2024 Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid Review | Silent Katana Variant + Colour Selection, Booking and Waiting Period Fiasco

With my college placement done, the car buying decision was back on the table. My parents also finally said, yes its time to replace the Fortuner. My father in between had got a very bad lower backache which was the catalyst for this decision, and my mother always had trouble climbing in and out of the Fortuner.



So 6 days before I was leaving for my first job in a different city and state of India, we finally headed over to Lakozy Toyota, Malad from where we have purchased 2 of our Toyotas in the last 19 years and deposited the 50k booking amount for a VX(O) 8 seater Innova HyCross. We never got to see a VX(O) in person (even till date), but still booked one.



My mother has always preferred lighter colours for cars due to good visibility of the car in pitch dark conditions, meanwhile my father was fed-up of light colours. Whenever my dad has bought a car, the first colour he has chosen has always had a very long waiting period. This has happened with his 800, then the Ikons Paprika Red colour as well, so he was in no mood to go for a silver/bronze car this time around. Our 2005 Innova was Silver Metallic and the Fortuners colour is Silky Gold Mica Metallic.



Toyota India had discontinued the Grey Metallic colour across their line-up (on actual Toyota products, not rebadged ones) which wouldve ideally been our first preference, and is available in the Indonesian market. Which left the Indian Market with 3 different shades of Black, 2 whites, a silver and a bronze.



The Sparkling Black Crystal Shine is a colour that has purple sparkles embedded in the base black colour, this was a colour I really loved when the Fortuner facelift was unveiled in 2021. Although I felt the same colour didnt feel all that special on the HyCross, so was eventually rejected.



The TD car at Lakozy Malad, was in Blackish Ageha Glass Flakes, which was also the launch colour. This was the colour we finally chose since it was something different and showcases different hues depending on the lighting.



Hence, we booked the Innova HyCross VX(O) 8str in Blackish Ageha Glass Flake colour.



The waiting period quoted for this variant was 12-18 months, which was absolutely mind-numbing. But with great pricing this was expected.



In April 2023, Toyota closed bookings for the ZX and ZX(O) due to crazy demand. By then the black marketing of the HyCross (ZX and ZX(O)) had already begun.



We were in no hurry, since my parents would be able to fund the car only in 2024. In October end, the SA sent a message in the WhatsApp group they had created saying that Toyota India has sent them the allocation of 2023 for their dealership and our car isnt in it, well provide the next upgrade in Jan-end / beginning of Feb 2024.



We said cool and waited till the end of Jan 2024, when I messaged in the group saying, any indication by when can we expect our car to come?



The next response received was a very cold one, saying, we have already mentioned the estimated waiting period of 12 to 18 months, do not expect the car before that and everyone is getting the car according to the waiting period initially quoted only, if not later.



This response really shook me and I was having doubts regarding the credibility of the dealership. I thought if they cant answer their 19 year old customer properly why the hell did we book the car with them ?! There has to be some kind of information whether the car has entered production or not status and if not then by when, but they were not willing to share anything, or even our position in their waitlist.



Meanwhile other dealerships were already charging hefty premiums and giving deliveries of ZX and ZX(O)s to customers who were ready to pay the premium irrespective of which customer was before them. This led to innumerable cancellations across India.



I was under the impression that Lakozy was also doing black marketing.



I was in double minds to cancel the HyCross and somehow convince my parents to buy a Fortuner Petrol instead. Also because of the poor headlights and few other issues being reported by members on the forum on the HyCross. The poor headlights issue I had shared with the Lakozy folks as well, to which they said, our drivers havent mentioned/experienced any such issue with the headlights at night time.



On 12th Feb 24 I had compiled this list of issues that I had read or heard till date faced in the HyCross.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/offic...ml#post5717310 (Toyota Innova Hycross Review)



On an unrelated note which later became relevant. I had gone to TD the Hyundai Tucson, at the nearby Modi Hyundai showroom, Kanjurmarg, on 2nd Jan 2024, since I was in the vicinity of the dealership and I had some time to kill. The SA I met there was welcoming and knowledgeable and kept following up on whether I wanted to book a Tucson. During the TD I had already told him that I have a HyCross VX(O) booking pending from Sept 2023. A month or so later he randomly called out of the blue saying Ive started working with Madhuban Toyota Lower Parel and have a few ZX(O)s available for immediate delivery with me.



Since we were not wanting the ZX(O), I told him we only want the VX(O) by May/June and not earlier and cut the call.



Next what followed were regular follow-ups, so and so ZX(O) variants are available for immediate delivery. Premium of 2 - 2.5 Lakh will be charged by us on the compulsory accessories thatll have to be bought. I did share this with a few other folks on T-BHP and off the forum as well, who were after the ZX or ZX(O) HyCross but couldnt make it into the waiting list after Toyota closed bookings. And I was not at all ready to buy any compulsory accessories let alone pay any premium.



Towards Feb-end, I again asked Lakozy the status of our booking and they had no clue. By this time the Madhuban Lower Parel SA was behind me for taking a ZX(O). To me it seemed Toyota India was offloading/dispatching more cars to Madhuban than Lakozy.



I told my parents about this new development/discovery and mentioned that we shouldve booked the car with Madhuban.



In the beginning of March 24, I told my dad to speak to the Lakozy SA regarding our car and finally the SA revealed that, Sir, we havent received a single VX(O) 7/8str in Blackish Ageha Glass Flake colour, in the past 2 months. This was in line with what was written on the forum by a member that VX(O) production has been curtailed to clear the backlog of ZX and ZX(O) bookings. We were 45 in Lakozys wait list for the VX(O) in the Blackish Ageha colour.



I had had enough of this by now, I told my parents that we should make another booking with Madhuban.



By March-end the news of ZX and ZX(O) bookings officially being re-opened by Toyota were starting to come in.



In between my dad did mention of an accident that one of his clients experienced, basically rear-ending the car into a moving truck due to drowsiness. So I told my parents, its 2024 and we are going to keep the car for 10+ years so why not consider the ZX(O) which has ADAS, for proper future-proofing the garage and let go of that 8 seater requirement. My parents also gave in if it meant earlier delivery of the car. I had planned a myriad of upgrades on the VX(O) if we did get one, like the 17-inch alloys from the Crysta, wheel spacers to bring the tires in-line with the body of the car, DRLs akin to the ZX trims and few others, which they were not in favour of, so they agreed for the ZX(O) on this no-modification condition.



So the Lakozy Booking was converted from VX(O) to ZX(O) on 1st of April 2024. The SA pushed hard for changing the colour chosen since it was the Blackish Ageha colour that has the highest waiting. My dad was not ready to budge from the initial colour chosen, even though I tried hard to persuade him for the Sparkling Black which was available in abundance by now and was being offered readily by Lakozy. The Lakozy SA mentioned that they have some 45-50 orders of the ZX(O) pending from last year (2023) that would have to be fulfilled before we would be given a car.



Meanwhile I spent a small amount from my income on making a fresh booking for the ZX(O) in Blackish Ageha colour with Madhuban Lower Parel on 1st April 2024.



Right after I pay the booking amount, the same SA (who moved from Modi Hyundai to Madhuban Toyota) has the audacity to call and tell me that, Sir, Im no longer part of the HyCross Team, my colleague will look after your booking. Ive recently been shifted to the Fortuner, Camry and Hilux team. My heart sank on hearing this and rightfully so, the fake promises made earlier didnt mean anything! He got his booking amount and I was left in the lurch.



There was some address correction that the Madhuban team was not able to solve, we went and met them on 7th April and cleared it. But the SA assigned to us just couldnt understand and solve it, the Team leader had to step in to resolve it. My dad was really pissed off at them, when even after correcting them they came up with the wrong address a 3rd time. By then I had realised I have wasted my money by making this second booking.



Till date (June 24) there has been no message on the Madhuban WhatsApp group that they created. Neither has anyone responded to my message from 1st of May 24 nor has the SA who I was initially speaking to called me.



And I initially thought Lakozy was the dealership that didnt have credibility, I couldnt have been any more wrong than trusting Madhuban Toyota Lower Parel (they were doing black marketing since the beginning itself) and the SA who I initially believed. A lesson Im going to remember for a long time to come.



By now both my dad and I were on my wits end.

It had just been 2-3 days since we had spoken to the Lakozy SA when they called saying there is a ZX(O) in Blackish Ageha that has just landed at their stockyard and since many people are on summer vacation and have decided to postpone their purchase, if we want we can go ahead with this vehicle.



We didnt want to miss this golden opportunity, so gave the go ahead for this 13th May 2024 8:50AM manufactured ZX(O) HyCross in the colour we wanted.



Couldnt do a PDI since I wasnt in town, came home for 3 days just to take delivery and going back tomorrow. The car had 18 kms on the ODO when we took delivery. Also the SA did mention the car wouldve to be brought to the showroom for the PDI, since they dont allow people inside their stockyard and those many kilometres would be added on the odo to and fro from the stockyard, which was in line with what had happened when I had gone to do the PDI of another BHPian's Toyota bought from Lakozy.



The first glimpse I got of the car:





Delivery date was set for 15th June 2024, before which the accessories selection would be done, fitment would be completed, registration would be done and balance payment would be made.



Overall we ended up paying 38.6L; which includes the accessories selected, 4th and 5th year extended warranty, 2 year Smiles Package and Underbody anti-rust coating.



The accessories selected were: Front Under run

Rear Under Run

Toyotas DVR Front + Rear

Side moulding on the doors

Sun visors

Grill Jewel Garnish (Chrome)

Muffler Cutter

Mudguards

Basic Rubber floor mats

Rubber Trunk mat (High Grade)

Interior footwell lighting

Welcome door lamp

2 No.s Safety belt pad they gave for free

Underbody anti-rust coating

Hence, the long and arduous roller-coaster of a booking experience comes to an end after 10 months !!!



The D-Day

I was at my workplace while everything was happening in the background, I took a three day leave from office to be able to be present on the day of delivery.



I landed in Mumbai on the morning of the delivery at around 10AM, went home freshened up, had lunch and my parents and I left for the dealership in our trusty 14 Fortuner.



The delivery experience was good, nothing too extravagant. With Maruti Suzuki cars coming into Toyota showrooms the footfall Toyota dealerships have started receiving is on another level. In my 20 years Ive been dealing with this dealership never have I seen the showroom so crowded, this was a Saturday afternoon !!



The car was parked towards the outside so that delivery could be done easily, otherwise bringing the car out would have been a nightmare.



They have started taking a video for their social media handle during the cars unveiling and key handover. Since we had gone in our 14 Fortuner, they took a video with both as a testimonial.



Received a Key-chain, Ferrero Rocher box, unisex perfume and a wallet from them. I handed over a Parker Pen to the lady SA as a token of appreciation for answering all my questions and my constant pestering over the 10 months of waiting on when will the car arrive



The car parked in the delivery bay ready for the Pooja:





The car had 18kms on the ODO when we took delivery:





The car ready for unveiling, during which they would shoot a video for their social media handle as well:





Taking delivery after completing the customary Pooja:





The first tank-up done at a HP petrol bunk, the car gulped down 45L of fuel.





Parked up in our parking once home:





Even the monkeys took part celebrating in the way they like, by peeling and eating bananas right on the sunroof which someone gave them, much to my dismay :





The engine bay with the 2.0L NA engine running the Atkinson cycle and motor generator:





The INNOVA branding on the front doors added as an accessory, looks cool at night:





Opening the door of our car for the first time:





The dashboard inspired to some extent from the Toyota Voxy/Noah, quality is decent though not great:

With my college placement done, the car buying decision was back on the table. My parents also finally said, yes its time to replace the Fortuner. My father in between had got a very bad lower backache which was the catalyst for this decision, and my mother always had trouble climbing in and out of the Fortuner.So 6 days before I was leaving for my first job in a different city and state of India, we finally headed over to Lakozy Toyota, Malad from where we have purchased 2 of our Toyotas in the last 19 years and deposited the 50k booking amount for a VX(O) 8 seater Innova HyCross. We never got to see a VX(O) in person (even till date), but still booked one.My mother has always preferred lighter colours for cars due to good visibility of the car in pitch dark conditions, meanwhile my father was fed-up of light colours. Whenever my dad has bought a car, the first colour he has chosen has always had a very long waiting period. This has happened with his 800, then the Ikons Paprika Red colour as well, so he was in no mood to go for a silver/bronze car this time around. Our 2005 Innova was Silver Metallic and the Fortuners colour is Silky Gold Mica Metallic.Toyota India had discontinued the Grey Metallic colour across their line-up (on actual Toyota products, not rebadged ones) which wouldve ideally been our first preference, and is available in the Indonesian market. Which left the Indian Market with 3 different shades of Black, 2 whites, a silver and a bronze.The Sparkling Black Crystal Shine is a colour that has purple sparkles embedded in the base black colour, this was a colour I really loved when the Fortuner facelift was unveiled in 2021. Although I felt the same colour didnt feel all that special on the HyCross, so was eventually rejected.The TD car at Lakozy Malad, was in Blackish Ageha Glass Flakes, which was also the launch colour. This was the colour we finally chose since it was something different and showcases different hues depending on the lighting.Hence,The waiting period quoted for this variant was 12-18 months, which was absolutely mind-numbing. But with great pricing this was expected.In April 2023, Toyota closed bookings for the ZX and ZX(O) due to crazy demand. By then the black marketing of the HyCross (ZX and ZX(O)) had already begun.We were in no hurry, since my parents would be able to fund the car only in 2024. In October end, the SA sent a message in the WhatsApp group they had created saying that Toyota India has sent them the allocation of 2023 for their dealership and our car isnt in it, well provide the next upgrade in Jan-end / beginning of Feb 2024.We said cool and waited till the end of Jan 2024, when I messaged in the group saying, any indication by when can we expect our car to come?The next response received was a very cold one, saying, we have already mentioned the estimated waiting period of 12 to 18 months, do not expect the car before that and everyone is getting the car according to the waiting period initially quoted only, if not later.This response really shook me and I was having doubts regarding the credibility of the dealership. I thought if they cant answer their 19 year old customer properly why the hell did we book the car with them ?! There has to be some kind of information whether the car has entered production or not status and if not then by when, but they were not willing to share anything, or even our position in their waitlist.Meanwhile other dealerships were already charging hefty premiums and giving deliveries of ZX and ZX(O)s to customers who were ready to pay the premium irrespective of which customer was before them. This led to innumerable cancellations across India.I wasthat Lakozy was also doing black marketing.I was in double minds to cancel the HyCross and somehow convince my parents to buy a Fortuner Petrol instead. Also because of the poor headlights and few other issues being reported by members on the forum on the HyCross. The poor headlights issue I had shared with the Lakozy folks as well, to which they said, our drivers havent mentioned/experienced any such issue with the headlights at night time.On 12th Feb 24 I had compiled this list of issues that I had read or heard till date faced in the HyCross.On an unrelated note which later became relevant. I had gone to TD the Hyundai Tucson, at the nearby Modi Hyundai showroom, Kanjurmarg, on 2nd Jan 2024, since I was in the vicinity of the dealership and I had some time to kill. The SA I met there was welcoming and knowledgeable and kept following up on whether I wanted to book a Tucson. During the TD I had already told him that I have a HyCross VX(O) booking pending from Sept 2023. A month or so later he randomly called out of the blue saying Ive started working with Madhuban Toyota Lower Parel and have a few ZX(O)s available for immediate delivery with me.Since we were not wanting the ZX(O), I told him we only want the VX(O) by May/June and not earlier and cut the call.Next what followed were regular follow-ups, so and so ZX(O) variants are available for immediate delivery. Premium of 2 - 2.5 Lakh will be charged by us on the compulsory accessories thatll have to be bought. I did share this with a few other folks on T-BHP and off the forum as well, who were after the ZX or ZX(O) HyCross but couldnt make it into the waiting list after Toyota closed bookings. And I was not at all ready to buy any compulsory accessories let alone pay any premium.Towards Feb-end, I again asked Lakozy the status of our booking and they had no clue. By this time the Madhuban Lower Parel SA was behind me for taking a ZX(O). To me it seemed Toyota India was offloading/dispatching more cars to Madhuban than Lakozy.I told my parents about this new development/discovery and mentioned that we shouldve booked the car with Madhuban.In the beginning of March 24, I told my dad to speak to the Lakozy SA regarding our car and finally the SA revealed that, Sir, we havent received a single VX(O) 7/8str in Blackish Ageha Glass Flake colour, in the past 2 months. This was in line with what was written on the forum by a member that VX(O) production has been curtailed to clear the backlog of ZX and ZX(O) bookings. We were 45 in Lakozys wait list for the VX(O) in the Blackish Ageha colour.I had had enough of this by now, I told my parents that we should make another booking with Madhuban.By March-end the news of ZX and ZX(O) bookings officially being re-opened by Toyota were starting to come in.In between my dad did mention of an accident that one of his clients experienced, basically rear-ending the car into a moving truck due to drowsiness. So I told my parents, its 2024 and we are going to keep the car for 10+ years so why not consider the ZX(O) which has ADAS, for proper future-proofing the garage and let go of that 8 seater requirement. My parents also gave in if it meant earlier delivery of the car. I had planned a myriad of upgrades on the VX(O) if we did get one, like the 17-inch alloys from the Crysta, wheel spacers to bring the tires in-line with the body of the car, DRLs akin to the ZX trims and few others, which they were not in favour of, so they agreed for the ZX(O) on this no-modification condition.So the. The SA pushed hard for changing the colour chosen since it was the Blackish Ageha colour that has the highest waiting. My dad was not ready to budge from the initial colour chosen, even though I tried hard to persuade him for the Sparkling Black which was available in abundance by now and was being offered readily by Lakozy. The Lakozy SA mentioned that they have some 45-50 orders of the ZX(O) pending from last year (2023) that would have to be fulfilled before we would be given a car.Meanwhile I spent a small amount from my income on making aRight after I pay the booking amount, the same SA (who moved from Modi Hyundai to Madhuban Toyota) has the audacity to call and tell me that, Sir, Im no longer part of the HyCross Team, my colleague will look after your booking. Ive recently been shifted to the Fortuner, Camry and Hilux team. My heart sank on hearing this and rightfully so, the fake promises made earlier didnt mean anything! He got his booking amount and I was left in the lurch.There was some address correction that the Madhuban team was not able to solve, we went and met them on 7th April and cleared it. But the SA assigned to us just couldnt understand and solve it, the Team leader had to step in to resolve it. My dad was really pissed off at them, when even after correcting them they came up with the wrong address a 3rd time. By then I had realised I have wasted my money by making this second booking.Till date (June 24) there has been no message on the Madhuban WhatsApp group that they created. Neither has anyone responded to my message from 1st of May 24 nor has the SA who I was initially speaking to called me.By now both my dad and I were on my wits end.It had just been 2-3 days since we had spoken to the Lakozy SA when they called saying there is a ZX(O) in Blackish Ageha that has just landed at their stockyard and since many people are on summer vacation and have decided to postpone their purchase, if we want we can go ahead with this vehicle.We didnt want to miss this golden opportunity, so gave the go ahead for this 13th May 2024 8:50AM manufactured ZX(O) HyCross in the colour we wanted.Couldnt do a PDI since I wasnt in town, came home for 3 days just to take delivery and going back tomorrow. The car had 18 kms on the ODO when we took delivery. Also the SA did mention the car wouldve to be brought to the showroom for the PDI, since they dont allow people inside their stockyard and those many kilometres would be added on the odo to and fro from the stockyard, which was in line with what had happened when I had gone to do the PDI of another BHPian's Toyota bought from Lakozy.The first glimpse I got of the car:Delivery date was set for 15th June 2024, before which the accessories selection would be done, fitment would be completed, registration would be done and balance payment would be made.Overall we ended up paying 38.6L; which includes the accessories selected, 4th and 5th year extended warranty, 2 year Smiles Package and Underbody anti-rust coating.The accessories selected were:Hence, the long and arduous roller-coaster of a booking experience comes to an end after 10 months !!!I was at my workplace while everything was happening in the background, I took a three day leave from office to be able to be present on the day of delivery.I landed in Mumbai on the morning of the delivery at around 10AM, went home freshened up, had lunch and my parents and I left for the dealership in our trusty 14 Fortuner.The delivery experience was good, nothing too extravagant. With Maruti Suzuki cars coming into Toyota showrooms the footfall Toyota dealerships have started receiving is on another level. In my 20 years Ive been dealing with this dealership never have I seen the showroom so crowded, this was a Saturday afternoon !!The car was parked towards the outside so that delivery could be done easily, otherwise bringing the car out would have been a nightmare.They have started taking a video for their social media handle during the cars unveiling and key handover. Since we had gone in our 14 Fortuner, they took a video with both as a testimonial.Received a Key-chain, Ferrero Rocher box, unisex perfume and a wallet from them. I handed over a Parker Pen to the lady SA as a token of appreciation for answering all my questions and my constant pestering over the 10 months of waiting on when will the car arriveThe car parked in the delivery bay ready for the Pooja:The car had 18kms on the ODO when we took delivery:The car ready for unveiling, during which they would shoot a video for their social media handle as well:Taking delivery after completing the customary Pooja:The first tank-up done at a HP petrol bunk, the car gulped down 45L of fuel.Parked up in our parking once home:Even the monkeys took part celebrating in the way they like, by peeling and eating bananas right on the sunroof which someone gave them, much to my dismayThe engine bay with the 2.0L NA engine running the Atkinson cycle and motor generator:The INNOVA branding on the front doors added as an accessory, looks cool at night:Opening the door of our car for the first time:The dashboard inspired to some extent from the Toyota Voxy/Noah, quality is decent though not great: Last edited by CEF_Beasts : 23rd June 2024 at 17:47 .
In brief: We're still seeing companies testing underwater data centers, but Microsoft has decided to call time on its experiment, Project Natick. It sounds as if placing the 40-foot-long tube filled with 12 racks of servers off the coast of Scotland was a success, but Redmond is now focusing on its land-based data centers.

Project Natick's origins stretch all the way back to 2013. Following a three-month trial in the Pacific, a submersible data center capsule was deployed 120 miles off the coast of Scotland in 2018. It was brought back to the surface in 2020, offering what were said to be promising results.

Microsoft lost six of the 855 servers that were in the capsule during its time underwater. In a comparison experiment being run simultaneously on dry land, it lost eight out of 135 servers.

Microsoft noted that the constant temperature stability of the external seawater was a factor in the experiment's success. It also highlighted how the data center was filled with inert nitrogen gas that protected the servers, as opposed to the reactive oxygen gas in the land data center.

Despite everything going so well, Microsoft is discontinuing Project Natick. "I'm not building subsea data centers anywhere in the world," Noelle Walsh, the head of the company's Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) division, told DatacenterDynamics.

"My team worked on it, and it worked. We learned a lot about operations below sea level and vibration and impacts on the server. So we'll apply those learnings to other cases," Walsh added.

When asked whether Microsoft had learned if it could one day have human-free data centers filled with robots, Walsh said: "We're looking at robotics more from the perspective that some of these new servers will be very heavy. How can we automate that versus having people push things around?"

"We are learning from other industries on robotics, but we're also very cognizant that we need people. I don't want people worried about their jobs," she added.

Microsoft also patented a high-pressure data center in 2019 and an artificial reef data center in 2017, but it seems the company is putting resources into traditional builds for now. "I would say now we're getting more focused," Walsh said. "We like to do R&D and try things out, and you learn something here and it may fly over there. But I'd say now, it's very focused."

"While we don't currently have data centers in the water, we will continue to use Project Natick as a research platform to explore, test, and validate new concepts around data center reliability and sustainability, for example with liquid immersion."

In December, China sank the first modules of what it says is the world's first underwater commercial data center. These were the first of more than 100 cylindrical modules, spanning over 731,945 square feet, that will be lowered around 115 feet onto the bottom of the sea  a journey that takes three hours to complete. The structure will ultimately offer the performance of around 60,000 computers working in unison, according to the report. The cold seawater is forecast to save 122 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 105,000 tons of freshwater annually.

In May, researchers discovered that the unique environment of underwater data centers makes them vulnerable to a specific attack: sound waves. A study detailed how sound at the resonant frequency of the hard disk drives causes vibrations at a given velocity and intensity directly proportional to the sound pressure level, affecting the read/write performance of the disk.
A hot potato: Many predict that the artificial intelligence revolution will disrupt society and the workplace in an unprecedented manner. Its potential to put so many people out of a job while also concentrating power in the hands of what could be trillionaires has led to calls for a Universal Basic Income (UBI), but Dario Amodei, CEO of AI startup Anthropic, thinks such a plan still wouldn't be enough.

We've previously heard OpenAI CEO Sam Altman talk about a UBI to help address problems caused by the impact of generative AI on the jobs market. Anthropic boss Amodei agrees that something needs to be done, but worries that it needs to be more than just a UBI.

"I certainly think that's [UBI] better than nothing. But I would much prefer a world in which everyone can contribute," Amodei told Time magazine. "It would be kind of dystopian if there are these few people that can make trillions of dollars, and then the government hands it all out to the unwashed masses," he stated, adding, "It's better than not handing it out, but I think it's not really the world we want to aim for."

Dario Amodei spoke with TIME about AI safety, the company's culture, and economic inequalityhttps://t.co/KCLUcY5WVj  TIME (@TIME) June 23, 2024

Amodei used to work for OpenAI before launching Anthropic with his sister and five other OpenAI colleagues in 2021. The company's goal is to develop "responsible" general AI systems and language models, an ambition that helped it attract a $4 billion investment from Amazon.

Amodei also talked about the prospect of AI doing pretty much everything better than humans, and what that would mean for the world. "I do believe that if the exponential [rate of AI progress] is right, AI systems will be better than most humans, maybe all humans, at doing most of the things humans do," he said.

"I think in the long run, we're really going to need to think about, how do we organize the economy, and how humans think about their lives? One person can't do that. One company can't do that. That's a conversation among humanity. And my only worry is, if the technology goes fast, we'll have to figure it out fast."

OpenAI boss Sam Altman was so concerned about how AI will affect society and jobs that he ran experiment in 2016 showing how a UBI could negate some of these issues. That program gave between $50 and $1,000 a month to more than 3,000 enrollees.

Recently, Altman said he wondered if the future looked more like universal basic compute than universal basic income, in which everyone receives a slice of GPT-7's compute that they can use, resell, or donate. It's a proposition that hasn't received much support.

Elon Musk, whose xAI artificial intelligence company recently said it would raise $6 billion in its Series B funding round, has also called for a "universal high income." He said last year that there will come a point where no job is needed as AI will end the requirement for human employment.

In related news, Anthropic launched its Claude 3.5 Sonnet AI model last week, claiming it outperforms GPT-4o in some tests.
TL;DR: Intel has now confirmed that its Lunar Lake processors will start shipping in September 2024, quashing recent rumors that they were delayed. The new CPUs are expected to power the next-generation AI PCs and compete directly with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X-series SoCs and AMD's Ryzen AI 300 processors.

Intel's confirmation comes just days after Taiwanese publication Digitimes reported a delay in the shipping date for the Lunar Lake lineup. In a statement refuting the claim, Intel told Chinese tech site Benchlife that its upcoming AI processors have "not been delayed" and that they will start shipping in Q3, targeting the Holiday season.

Lunar Lake-powered laptops are expected to be unveiled between the 17th and 24th of September, and they will reportedly go on sale by the 25th. Intel will host its "Innovation" event on September 24, so it remains to be seen if the company will show off its new processors on that day.

Intel is also expected to launch the first batch of Arrow Lake-S desktop CPUs in October before releasing more SKUs early next year. According to rumors, the initial launch will include the K-series unlocked chips, while the locked non-K units are likely to land next year. Arrow Lake will require new Z890 motherboards, which are also expected to arrive this October alongside the new processors. Intel's new desktop CPUs will compete against AMD's Zen 5-based Ryzen 9000 "Granite Ridge" platform, which is thought to launch in July.

While Arrow Lake is aimed at desktops and DIY enthusiasts, the Lunar Lake "Core Ultra 200V" CPUs are designed for thin and light notebooks that will compete against the recently-announced Copilot+ AI PCs powered by the Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X Plus processors. AMD is also expected to throw its hat in the AI PC ring with its Ryzen AI 300 "Strix Point" APUs that are slated to hit retail shelves next month.

Microsoft has confirmed that laptops powered by Lunar Lake and Strix Point CPUs will not launch with the Copilot+ feature, but will get it in an update after release. This is in direct contrast with the new Snapdragon-powered devices that were launched with Copilot+ built-in. Devices powered by the upcoming chips from Intel and AMD will meet Microsoft's Copilot+ standard that requires laptops to include an NPU powerful enough to process 40+ trillion operations per second (TOPS).
In an era dominated by digital connectivity, concerns about children's safety and privacy on social media have sparked legislative action in New York and other states in the United States.

These state-level initiatives underscore a bipartisan commitment to safeguarding children online, highlighting New York's proactive stance in navigating the complex intersection of technology and youth protection.

New York Banning Addictive Social Media Feeds for Teens

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed two bills into law that aim to protect children and teenagers from potential harms associated with social media.

Known as the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, the first mandates parental consent for social media platforms to employ "addictive feeds" driven by recommendation algorithms for users under 18.

This legislation seeks to mitigate the impact of continuous, algorithm-driven content consumption on young users. The New York Child Data Protection Act, which addresses concerns about data privacy by limiting the collection of minors' data without explicit parental consent, was also signed into law.

It will also restrict the sale of such information, although it does not mandate age verification. These measures come amid ongoing federal discussions on similar proposals, positioning New York as a proactive state in protecting youth from potential online risks.

The Child Data Protection Act will take effect in a year. States nationwide are leading efforts to implement internet safety legislation for children, which is a rare bipartisan consensus emerging in the political landscape.

While Republican and Democrat approaches vary, policymakers share a common urgency in enacting regulations to safeguard children online. In March, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis enacted a law requiring parental consent for children under 16 to create social media accounts.

In May, Maryland, Governor Wes Moore signed comprehensive data privacy legislation. The state implemented the Kids Code, prohibiting features designed to prolong minors' engagement on social media, such as autoplay and excessive notifications.

Despite differing partisan strategies, these actions reflect a growing recognition of the need to protect young internet users across state lines.

Read Also : Florida Social Media Ban For Kids to Take Effect on January 2025

Challenges in Balancing State, Federal Internet Safety Laws

Despite the introduction of well-received proposals like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) at the federal level, these measures have not yet advanced to floor votes.

Opposition from groups concerned about potential impacts on resources for underrepresented communities, such as the LGBTQ+ community, has slowed their progress. In response to federal delays, states have taken the initiative to implement their own regulations, resulting in diverse laws across the country.

Industry leaders argued that this regulatory patchwork poses challenges for smaller players, making it difficult to navigate and comply with varying standards. Hochul expressed skepticism about the likelihood of a federal resolution during a recent press conference preceding the signing ceremony.

The sponsors of New York's SAFE for Kids Act outlined its objectives to safeguard children's mental health from the impact of addictive social media feeds and disrupted sleep caused by late-night social media use.

Alongside restrictions on algorithms, the legislation prohibits platforms from sending notifications to minors between midnight and 6 a.m. without parental consent.

The bill mandates the attorney general's office to establish suitable age verification methods, stipulating that these methods cannot exclusively rely on biometrics or government-issued identification.

The law will take effect 180 days after New York's attorney general formulates regulations. It will enable the state to fine non-compliant companies up to $5,000 per violation.
GXO, one of the world's leading logistics firms, is conducting trials of Apptronik's Apollo humanoid robot in warehouses. Apollo's lab performance will be assessed before deployment to a U.S. distribution facility.

Apollo's linear actuators match human muscle dynamics for complete movement. The 5'8" robot can lift 55 pounds, and it has a customizable safety zone border and force control architecture to operate safely with humans. It has swappable batteries with the longest runtime, according to Interesting Engineering.

Adrian Stoch, GXO's Chief Automation Officer, noted that the humanoid robot can boost repetitive work processes in distribution centers. They can also enhance safety and "let employees focus on higher-value tasks."

GXO's second humanoid robot alliance shows its warehouse automation superiority. GXO tested various innovative hardware and software solutions, including AI-powered robotics and autonomous vehicles, to enhance warehouse automation by 50% in 2023.

Apptronik co-founder and CEO Jeff Cardenas said that their goal is to help technology giant GXO manage its shipping operations and create a safer, more engaging environment for its workers using Apollo by creating "versatile robots."

Apollo, based on over 10 general-purpose robots, including NASA's Valkyrie, is designed for warehouses and factories. Apptronik wants Apollo to work in construction, oil and gas, electronics, retail, home delivery, elder care, and more.

Apollo is the first commercial humanoid robot with pleasant contact, mass manufacturability, large payloads, and safety, according to the manufacturer.

Tesla to Employ 1,000 Humanoid Robots

This development comes after Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed his plan to deploy 1,000 Optimus humanoid robots in factories by next year. Musk announced this huge undertaking during the Tesla shareholders' meeting, expressing confidence in the Optimus project's future.

TechTimes previously reported that the tech mogul highlighted Optimus' development, which he believes will change manufacturing processes. He predicted that Tesla's most important product, the humanoid robot, would earn enormous revenue.

Musk hopes to build and sell 1 billion humanoid robots each year, with each Optimus robot costing $10,000 and selling for $20,000. Tesla hopes to meet 10% of this demand and make $1 trillion.

Read Also : OpenAI Boosts AI Capabilities With Rockset Acquisition

Optimus humanoid robot "will have an increased presence next year, particularly in the workplace, where it will complete factory tasks," Elon Musk said. He also mentioned that by 2026, robots will be customizable, allowing consumers to customize software and programs.

Musk did not identify which factory tasks humanoid robots would replace, but he made significant assertions. However, Musk's goal of extensive autonomous robot deployment will shape Tesla's future operations with the Optimus project.

AI is Speeding Up Humanoid Robot Development

In China, humanoid robot research is accelerating because of continued AI advancements. Baidu's local AI models and chatbots improve robotics research.

Shenzhen-based LimX Dynamics COO Li Zhang said generative AI is helping robots comprehend and perceive their environment, a technology accelerating humanoid robot development, per CNBC.

He initially thought LimX would need eight to 10 years to develop industry and domestic robots. But the current AI breakthroughs make him foresee some humanoid robot applications in five to seven years.

This sector's rapid growth attracts big investments. OpenAI supports humanoid robot startups, while Tesla is creating Optimus. Chinese corporations like BYD invested in Shanghai-based Agibot early after its creation.

Stanford's newest AI Index research shows that China currently installs more than 50% of industrial robots worldwide, surpassing Japan in 2013. Industrial robot installation in China is highest in electronics, automotive, and metal and machinery.
Clearview AI, a face recognition firm, settled an Illinois complaint alleging privacy violations due to its massive facial picture collection for over $50 million, according to attorneys.



Plaintiffs in the federal litigation receive unusual compensation for a portion of Clearview AI's future worth. The settlement allocates $20 million for attorneys' costs.



On Friday, Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman of the Northern District of Illinois approved the settlement, combining complaints from across the United States accusing Clearview of using social media and other online images to create a database that other companies marketed.



In a 2022 Illinois settlement, Clearview agreed to stop selling database access to private groups but will continue to work with federal agencies and local law enforcement outside Illinois, where digital privacy rules are tighter.

Clearview AI Settlement a 'Creative Solution' But Does Not Address the Root Problem

In the current settlement, Clearview AI has not admitted wrongdoing. Clearview AI attorney James Thompson said that the firm is "pleased to have reached an agreement in this class action settlement," according to a report from AP News.



Jon Loevy, the lead plaintiffs' attorney, called the agreement a "creative solution" needed by Clearview's finances. Loevy stressed that affected people might benefit from Clearview's activities and regain some control over their biometric data.



The settlement applies to US residents whose photographs or data Clearview AI has stored since July 1, 2017.



The settlement requires a countrywide outreach campaign to alert potential litigants. Retired federal judge Wayne Andersen emphasized Clearview AI's financial inability to pay a large court judgment during negotiations.



Privacy activists and plaintiffs have criticized the deal. Sejal Zota, legal director for Just Futures Law, representing plaintiffs in a California complaint against Clearview AI, criticized the settlement for not addressing privacy violations and corporate operations.



Zota remarked that the agreement does not resolve "the root of the problem. Clearview may continue capturing and selling faces without consent and training its AI tech."



The settlement is a landmark in biometric privacy rights and face recognition ethics lawsuits, per the report.

Read Also : MIT's AI Chatbot Lets You Talk to Your Future Self to Help Reduce Anxiety

Experts Raise Concerns on AI Privacy

AI monitoring and surveilance are some of the serious issues as artificial intelligence technology continues to develop. Law enforcement uses facial recognition to follow suspects in public settings. This raises concerns about privacy and technology misuse.



To safeguard privacy, experts advise that AI must comply with the GDPR while collecting, using, and processing personal data. AI algorithms should limit personal data collection and processing while maintaining data security, according to a report from the Economic Times.



AI's ability to analyze large amounts of data allows unparalleled individual surveillance, including tracking movements, social media interactions, and biometric data like facial expressions. Moreover, the article noted that AI systems may also propagate prejudices and discrimination, raising concerns. Training data can bias AI systems, affecting hiring decisions.



Responsible AI technology development and deployment are needed to address these issues, per tech experts. Transparent and secure data collection and processing give individuals control over their data. AI systems must also be rigorously designed and tested to discover and prevent biases. Ethical and equitable AI applications require constant monitoring and control.



Gary Grossman, the Edelman EVP of Technology Practice and worldwide lead of the Edelman AI Center of Excellence, stressed in his article on VentureBeat the uncertain future of AI, combining possible positives with serious threats. To guarantee AI benefits society, he advocated informed discourse, ethical development, and proactive supervision.



He noted that "responsible AI development" is crucial as society navigates "this rapidly evolving landscape."
There may be a new collaboration coming from Apple and Meta, as a recent report suggested they are discussing bringing another AI model for iOS 18 to access. This will be available under Apple Intelligence, the latest AI experience coming soon for iPhones and other devices, best known for its original partnership with OpenAI using ChatGPT.

It would be the first time Apple and Meta would collaborate after facing tumultuous years of tech rivalry, including Facebook's massive criticism of the App Store commission, among many others.

Apple, Meta in Talks for AI Partnership on iOS 18

The latest report from the Wall Street Journal suggested that Apple and Meta are now discussing a possible partnership to bring new AI models from the social media company to Cupertino's iOS 18. This is similar to the 'talk' Apple had with OpenAI before, and while it was initially rumored, ChatGPT ended up coming to the different Apple operating systems.

Currently, both parties are only discussing the partnership they would have to bring more AI models into Apple Intelligence, and there are still no concrete plans for now.

It remains unknown what part of Meta's AI models and developments would be coming to Apple, with its most powerful now, the Llama 3, known for powering Meta AI.

Apple Intelligence: iOS 18 AI Models

Apple Intelligence is known for integrating a third-party AI model with OpenAI's ChatGPT, and it would have Siri or other systems asking users which model they prefer to answer their prompts for them. It is known that ChatGPT and OpenAI are not allowed to collect data from users and their prompts, which is one of Apple's promises when it introduced Apple Intelligence.

Apple Intelligence and Its Tech

WWDC 2024 introduced the world to Apple Intelligence, which will make its way to various devices and operating systems like iOS 18 for the iPhone, iPadOS 18 for the iPad, and macOS 15 for the Mac, offering its take on artificial intelligence. Apple's take on this latest AI development offers on-device and cloud-centered experiences centered on massive features for users.

One of Apple's main focuses for this release is its Siri revamp, which will make the renowned assistant more powerful by onboarding new capabilities and features powered by Apple Intelligence. Moreover, Siri will no longer appear as a round, shapeshifting object at the bottom of the screen; it will be all over the display and keep tabs on one's activity.

Of course, Apple is offering Apple Intelligence access without the need to open Siri with its heavy integration in various apps like Photos, iMessage, Mail, Apple Music, and more.

With the ChatGPT integration coming soon as its first partner experience accessible on Cupertino's devices, new reports suggest that Apple is also looking at Meta to deliver its AI models to enhance it further for all.
The latest from Tech Times' CryptoWatch brings you the top news in blockchain and digital assets. It centers on the massive attack against Kraken, with security researchers using the exploit they found to steal $3 million. The renowned crypto exchange platform Binance also faces a new penalty in India for alleged anti-money laundering violations.

Moreover, there is the controversial move from Elon Musk on the up-and-coming X Payments, one that would not support cryptocurrency transactions despite being known as a massive supporter.

Kraken: Security Researchers Stole $3M Using Exploit

Earlier this month, Kraken suffered a massive attack by a certain, unnamed group under its Bug Bounty program, which allowed them to steal as much as $3 million from the crypto exchange's wallet. This was made possible after they were notified of an exploit allowing users to reflect a balance before the deposit was transferred successfully.

Kraken's Chief Security Officer, Nick Percoco, revealed this via a thread on X, detailing the events and how the exploit was done.

Despite multiple exchanges from both parties, the white-hat hacker company has not yet returned the money, and Percoco claimed that they have coordinated with law enforcement officials to do so. Kraken assures its users that their money is safe and that none was stolen from them.

Binance Faces Money Laundering Penalty in India

After facing wire fraud and money laundering violations in the United States, Binance was again hit with another fine in India for alleged anti-money laundering violations. India's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) fined the company $2.25 million to pay for its violations.

It is known that Binance also recently faced the same violation in Canada. Binance applied for a license to operate in India in May. The government requires crypto exchange companies to register with the FIU and comply with its rules and regulations.

Elon Musk: No Crypto for X Payments

Despite being known as a massive cryptocurrency supporter, Elon Musk's upcoming venture for his social media, X Payments, will not support crypto transactions once it is released soon. It is expected to debut this fintech feature on the platform before 2024 ends, and the company is actively seeking licenses in all 50 US states before its launch.

Bloomberg reported that X had already submitted 350-page documents and emails supporting its application. In its submission to Maine, X revealed "no plans" for storing and trading crypto via X Payments.

It is unclear if this declaration is only for now and will offer this experience sometime soon.
NASA is gearing up to launch a new solar flare early warning system.

This new space weather system is designed to provide real-time alerts to help defend space technology and astronauts from solar flares caused by the unpredictable behavior of the sun.

NASA to Launch New Instrument to Detect Solar Flares

On June 25, Tuesday, a small fleet of scientific instruments known as the Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensors (EXIS) will be launched into 22,000 miles in space.

Developed by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder, EXIS represents the culmination of nearly 20 years of work by the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP).

These instruments are designed to detect the early signs of solar flares, massive bursts of energy from the sun that can have serious effects on Earth.

The launch is set to take place from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with the instruments aboard the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-U (GOES-U).

Once in orbit, GOES-U will be renamed GOES-19. The satellite will be launched into space by a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, marking a significant milestone for space weather monitoring.

Why NASA Needs to Detect Solar Flares

The sun periodically unleashes solar flares, which can send torrents of charged particles hurtling toward Earth. These energetic particles can damage electronics, disrupt communications, and even pose a threat to astronauts in orbit.

Last month, NASA observed several large solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) erupting from the sun. These events sent waves of charged particles and magnetic fields toward Earth, resulting in the strongest solar storm experts have seen in over two decades.

In a separate incident in Dec 2023, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured a powerful solar flare that caused temporary radio communication disruptions on Earth.

Frank Eparvier, the associate director for science at LASP and lead scientist for EXIS, emphasized the importance of this mission in a press release: "If we want to understand these things that can affect our technology and safety on Earth, we need to look at the source, and that's the sun."

Read Also : ESA Scientists Use Meteorite Dust to Create 3D-Printed LEGO Bricks to Help Build Astronaut Shelters on Moon

How the New Space Instruments Work

The EXIS instruments are designed to provide an early warning system by detecting solar flares before any other instrument in space. The suite includes two main sensors: the X-Ray Sensor (XRS) and the Extreme Ultraviolet Sensor (EUVS).

The XRS detects X-ray energy from the sun, identifying the first signs of a solar flare. The EUVS monitors fluctuations in the sun's activity that can influence Earth's atmosphere, causing it to inflate and deflate and potentially dragging down satellites in orbit.

Once a solar flare is detected, the data is relayed to Earth in seconds. Researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will evaluate this data and send real-time alerts to satellite operators and space agencies worldwide.

This early warning system is especially critical as we are currently in Solar Cycle 25, which is expected to peak with intense solar activity around the summer of 2025.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.
Since announcing the creation of a "smart city" near Mount Fuji, Toyota is ready to welcome the first people who will live in the Woven City.

This innovative project, envisioned as a "living laboratory," is somewhat futuristic. It will test and develop cutting-edge technologies such as hydrogen power, autonomous vehicles, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI).

A 'Living Laboratory' for Future Technologies

Woven City, with an estimated cost of 8 billion ($10.13 billion), is nearly complete.

According to Toyota, the first residents will move in by the end of 2024, allowing experts to gather crucial data on the city's mobility patterns.

Residents will live in eco-friendly smart homes, primarily built from wood, powered by hydrogen, and equipped with solar panels.

Toyota president Akio Toyoda emphasized the uniqueness of building a city from the ground up, providing a rare opportunity to develop future technologies.

Related Article : Hawaii Wildfires Spark Bizarre Conspiracy Theory Claiming They Are Part of Intentional Effort to Turn Maui Into AI-Run City

Smart Infrastructure: Zones for Pedestrians, Autonomous Vehicles, and Cyclists

The design of Woven City includes three distinct zones: pedestrian-only areas, roads for autonomous vehicles, and routes for active travel options such as bicycles.

To realize this vision, the Japanese automaker partnered with the renowned international architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), known for projects like VIA 57 West in New York and LEGO House in Denmark.

The Woven City will soon receive its first residents, described by Toyota as "guinea pig residents," to help test and refine the city's innovative features.

Covering 7,620,849 square feet (708,000 square meters), Woven City is being constructed on the former site of Toyota's Higashi-Fuji Plant, which closed four years ago, per Interesting Engineering.

Toyota aims to transform from an automobile manufacturer to a mobility company, focusing on enhancing the quality of life through efficient and enjoyable mobility solutions for people, goods, information, and energy.

Fast-Tracking Technological and Service Innovations

Woven City's comprehensive support will accelerate the development of new technologies and services.

Toyota highlights that the various support provided by Woven City will drive innovations that redefine the future of mobility and promote well-being for all. This initiative aligns with Toyota's objective to evolve from merely transporting people to uplifting and enhancing their lives through advanced mobility solutions.

A Historic Site Transformed

The Higashi-Fuji Plant, located in northeastern Japan's Tohoku region, was significantly affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

In 2020, Toyota announced the transformation of this site into Woven The carmaker wants to make it interesting in everyone's sight.

Researchers and businesses worldwide will have the opportunity to work on projects related to personal mobility, autonomous technology, AI, and robotics in this futuristic urban environment.

Honoring Sakichi Toyoda

The city is named in honor of Sakichi Toyoda, the founder of Toyota. Toyoda invented an automatic loom to simplify the weaving process for his mother, laying the foundation for the industry giant we know today. This project continues his legacy of innovation and dedication to improving lives through technology.

A New Era of Urban Living

Toyota's Woven City is one step ahead of other smart cities of this world, creating smarter, more connected urban environments.

By integrating advanced technologies and sustainable practices, Woven City serves as a model for future urban developments.

As the first residents move in and the city begins to operate, it will provide valuable insights and innovations that could transform cities around the world, setting a new standard for urban living and technological advancement.

In Europe, Greece teased plans to build a large smart city that will cover 6.2 million square meters of land. The project was dubbed "Ellinikon" and it was named after the former Ellinikon Airport near Athens.
Apple is planning to reduce its reliance on human labor in iPhone assembly by up to 50%, a move driven by advancements in automation.

This transition, while aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing costs, could have significant repercussions on the international labor market, particularly in regions heavily dependent on tech manufacturing jobs.

The Role of International Labor in Apple's Supply Chain

Historically, Apple has relied on international factory workers, particularly at Foxconn, to meet its production timelines. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 highlighted the critical importance of these workers when supply chain disruptions caused delays.

The situation repeated in 2022 when riots broke out at Foxconn's main iPhone factory in Zhengzhou, China, over poor working conditions and inadequate pay.

Related Article : Apple Delays Launch of New AI-Powered Features in Europe Due to Regulatory Concerns

Strategic Automation Initiatives

According to a report by The Information, Sabih Khan, Apple's senior vice president of operations, directed managers to reduce the workforce on iPhone assembly lines by up to 50% in the coming years.

To achieve this, the Cupertino titan has revived and heavily invested in automation projects that were previously shelved due to high initial costs. These efforts have already been partially implemented in the production of the iPhone 15.

The Economic Impact of Automation

The shift to automation is expected to lower production costs by reducing labor expenses. However, the high cost of automation technology, which can run into hundreds of millions of dollars, poses a significant barrier. Many of Apple's manufacturing partners are reluctant to make such a substantial investment.

Despite these challenges, Apple's motivation to automate includes minimizing issues associated with human labor, such as health-related absences, demands for better working conditions, and the need for specific accommodations. Additionally, automation can mitigate risks related to geopolitical tensions and trade regulations.

Challenges in Automation Implementation

The iPhone maker's transition to automation has not been without issues. Robots used in assembly have struggled with precision tasks, such as placing small components accurately and securing screws with the correct torque. These technical difficulties indicate that while automation promises numerous benefits, it also requires overcoming substantial technical hurdles, per 9to5Mac.

Potential Consequences for China's Labor Market

The impact of automation on China's labor market could be profound. Millions of workers are part of Apple's supply chain, and a significant reduction in the workforce could lead to widespread unemployment and economic instability.

Apple's 2023 supply chain report indicated a decrease in monitored employees from 1.6 million in 2022 to 1.4 million in 2023, a 12.5% reduction and the first decline in over a decade.

Strategic Acquisitions Bolstering Automation

Apple's success in automation has been partly fueled by strategic acquisitions.

Earlier this year, the company acquired Canadian startup DarwinAI, which specializes in inspecting components like printed circuit boards for defects. Moreover, the purchase of Drishti, a startup focused on identifying assembly line bottlenecks in real-time, has further strengthened Apple's automation capabilities.

Future Plans and Adjustments

Apple had planned to automate the installation of buttons and other components for the iPhone 16. However, due to a high defect rate, the company has postponed its workforce reduction targets for another year. This delay highlights the complexities and challenges involved in fully transitioning to an automated production process.

Apple's push toward automation could improve its production game, but it should be noted that it will not be smooth sailing. Although it's projected to reduce cost and increase efficiency, technical issues are inevitable, not to mention the potential economic impact on the labor force.
Hong Kong is preparing to regulate the bitcoin business with other Asian nations. This weekend, the HKSAR Legislative Council created a panel to write crypto legislation.

Hong Kong authorities place a high priority on Web3 business appeals. Financial hazards aside, the global crypto sector is currently worth $2.26 trillion.

Johnny NG Kit-Chong, a member of the HKSAR Legislative Council, announced the crypto-focused subcommittee on social media, according to Gadgets 360. The panel will examine Web3 and virtual asset rules.



Moreover, the panel will promote Web3 and AI within a regulatory framework. To boost market confidence, the virtual asset subcommittee protects investors and consumers. Other tasks include investigating stablecoin uses and hazards in Hong Kong and implementing regulatory procedures that maintain financial stability without restricting innovation.

Virtual assets have increased the demand for professional custody services; hence, the subcommittee will examine custody techniques and regulations.



The group wants public input on Web3 aspects, including decentralized autonomous organizations. Kit-Chong said he would review them and offer them to the administration through the Legislative Council.



Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) said last month that it will audit crypto exchanges for AMLO compliance. Hong Kong approved Bitcoin and Ether ETFs in April, following the US, to promote institutional investor interest.

Taiwan Crypto Companies Form Alliance to Fight Fraud

In Hong Kong's neighbor Taiwan, Taiwanese cryptocurrency firms founded an association to promote self-regulatory rules for the digital asset industry, per Cointelegraph.



The XREX exchange said that 24 crypto businesses founded the Taiwan Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) Association on June 13. The association's vice chair is XREX Chief Revenue Officer Winston Hsiao, while BitoPro founder and CEO Titan Cheng chairs it. The organization promotes and facilitates rigorous and fair laws to build the global blockchain financial industry.

Read Also : Octopus Energy, Tesla Partner to Revolutionize Home Energy Production and Storage

Singapore Identifies Crypto 'Higher Risk' in Money Laundering Schemes

Separately, Singapore's enforcement authorities classified cryptocurrency-related operations as "higher risk" in a report, pushing the banking industry to strengthen money laundering procedures amid worries about illegal cash flows.



The investigation finds that crypto players, precious stone and metals traders, and corporate service providers are all considered vulnerable to financial fraud, as reported by Nikkei Asia.



In the 126-page paper, enforcement authorities warn Singapore's banking industry about rising cross-border crypto transaction dangers by highlighting Bitcoin and Ether. This follows a major city-state money laundering bust over a year ago.



Monetary Authority of Singapore Anti-Money Laundering Department executive director Thong Leng Yeng stressed that the measure aims to maintain Singapore's reputation as a "trusted hub" in the region.



According to their investigation, there has been an increase in suspicious digital token transaction reports and foreign requests for assistance in virtual asset crimes.



Singapore arrested 10 passport holders from China, Turkey, Cambodia, Cyprus, Vanuatu, Dominica, and St. Kitts and Nevis in its greatest money laundering investigation last August. It was followed by the confiscation or freezing of over $3 billion in Singaporean assets. The court convicted all 10 initial suspects, and further links have emerged.



Singapore scrutinizes crypto participants for money laundering and terrorism funding. After the 2022 virtual currency market failed, it scrutinized digital asset firms further.
Recent sightings of Tesla Cybertrucks listed as "totaled" on auction sites have raised alarms about the repair costs associated with these electric pickups.

The unique design and materials of the Cybertruck, including its massive windshield and straight stainless steel panels, have contributed to significant repair expenses and insurance challenges.

Speaking of which, we have previously reported that some customers complained about the windshield wiper problems of the vehicle which caused delivery issues.

Now, some of them are up on an auction site.

High Repair Costs: A Growing Issue For Tesla Cybertrucks

The cost of repairing a Tesla Cybertruck can be staggering. For instance, replacing the truck's giant windshield costs around $1,900.

Similarly, an early owner received a quote of $2,800 to replace the rear quarter panel. These high costs are largely due to the Cybertruck's novel construction and design elements, which complicate repairs.

Insurance Woes for Cybertruck Owners

As Electrek reports, the Cybertruck's unique features have caused concern among insurers. Some insurance companies have refused to cover the vehicle, while others have provided owners with exorbitant quotes. This cautious approach from insurers is typical with new vehicle models but is especially pronounced with the Cybertruck due to its distinctive design and high repair costs.

Totaled Cybertrucks Hit Auction Sites

Recently, some of the first Tesla Cybertrucks deemed "totaled" by insurers have appeared on auction sites like IAA. One of these vehicles, located in Seattle with 3,932 miles on the odometer, suffered a significant front-end impact that resulted in airbag deployment.

Despite its relatively intact appearance, such impacts often lead to hidden issues like suspension damage and body alignment problems.

Another Cybertruck up for auction, with only 26 miles on the odometer, was totaled due to flooding.

IAA provided a picture of the "flood line," which is surprisingly below the cabin level. This raises questions about the vehicle's resilience to water damage despite Tesla CEO Elon Musk's claims about the Cybertruck's waterproof capabilities.

Musk's Claims vs. Reality

Elon Musk has made bold assertions about Tesla vehicles, including the Cybertruck, being able to float and serve as boats temporarily.

Last year, Musk stated that the Cybertruck would be "waterproof enough" to cross rivers, lakes, and even non-choppy seas. He envisioned the truck being able to traverse the water between SpaceX's Starbase and South Padre Island in Texas, a distance of about 360 meters (1,100 feet).

Warranty Limitations on Water Damage

Despite these claims, Tesla's warranty policies suggest otherwise. The company introduced a 'wade mode' for the Cybertruck, designed to increase the ride height and pressurize the battery pack for water traversal. However, Tesla clearly states that damage incurred while off-roading, including water damage, is not covered under warranty. The recommended water depth limit is 2'7, and the wade mode's effectiveness lasts only 30 minutes.

The auctioned Cybertruck likely remained submerged beyond this limit, resulting in extensive damage and a total loss classification.

The high repair costs and insurance challenges associated with the Tesla Cybertruck have become apparent as "totaled" units begin to appear at auctions.

While the Cybertruck's innovative design offers numerous benefits, it also presents alarming repair and insurance hurdles. As more of these vehicles hit the roads, the industry will need to adapt to address these challenges effectively.
Senegal tightens anti-Covid controls after Mecca deaths



Dakar, June 24 (AFP) Jun 24, 2024



Senegal said Monday it had implemented voluntary Covid-19 screening tests and reimposed the wearing of masks at Dakar's international airport for returning pilgrims fearing the virus was linked to the deaths of some Mecca pilgrims.

Dakar suspects that a number of the some 1,300 deaths -- according to a Saudi tally -- are down to a respiratory syndrome ailment such as Covid-19, Health Minister Ibrahima Sy said on Sunday.

"Initially, we thought it was related to heatwaves because the temperature was excessively high, but we realised that there is a respiratory syndrome with the cases of death," Sy said of the deaths during the hajj pilgrimage, which took place during intense heat.

"We told ourselves that, probably, there is a respiratory epidemic, and it was our duty to be able to monitor the pilgrims on their return by putting in place a screening system for everything Covid-19 related," said Sy in remarks carried by Senegalese broadcasters.

The health ministry said it had "strengthened the health surveillance system" by deploying a team at the airport to provide voluntary screening tests and identify pilgrims suffering from flu-like illnesses.

The ministry also urged the population "to be vigilant, to show restraint and to be more serene to avoid an epidemic".

Out of 124 rapid diagnostic tests, 78 proved positive for the Covid-19 virus, 36 of which were later confirmed by PCR tests, the ministry said.

Charles Bernard Sagna, chief medical officer for the airport, said the alert was raised when the Senegalese medical team based in Jeddah had reported "a significant number" of passengers with respiratory problems.

"There is no cause for alarm but there also has to be prevention," the ministry said Sunday.

Senegalese daily L'Observateur reported that five of the dead at the hajj were Senegalese nationals.

They were among an around 12,000-strong officially registered Senegalese contingent.

Saudi Arabia's official SPA news agency earlier reported 1,301 deaths at the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, where temperatures climbed as high as 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the country's national meteorological centre.

More than 80 percent of pilgrims attending mainly outdoor rituals were "unauthorised" and walked long distances in direct sunlight, according to SPA.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that all Muslims with the means must complete at least once in their lives.

Saudi officials have said 1.8 million pilgrims took part this year, a similar number to last year, and that 1.6 million came from abroad.
Tourist toll rises in heat-hit Greece after German found dead



Athens, June 24 (AFP) Jun 24, 2024



An elderly German hiker was found dead on the island of Crete Monday, the fire department said, the latest tourist fatality during a period of unseasonally high temperatures in Greece.

The man had been declared missing on Sunday and was found near a rugged ravine in the south of the island, the fire department said in a statement.

State news agency ANA said the area where the 68-year-old was found was so inaccessible that it could not be reached by helicopter and the body had to be moved by rescuers on foot.

It was the sixth fatality this month among foreign visitors to Crete and other popular Greek island destinations, following the death of BBC presenter Michael Mosley, whose body was found on Symi island on June 9.

An 80-year-old Belgian man was found dead near the ancient city of Lato in eastern Crete a few days later, followed by a 55-year-old Dutch man who was found dead in his car on the edge of a cliff in the island's southeast on June 19, according to state TV ERT.

A 74-year-old Dutch man was found dead on the island of Samos on June 15, followed by a 55-year-old American man on the island of Corfu the following day.

In addition, two French women aged 73 and 64 have been missing on the island of Sikinos for over a week, while a 59-year-old American man visiting the island of Amorgos remains unaccounted for since June 11.

Greece's public health authorities earlier this month issued warnings on the risk of heat exposure, advising against staying outdoors during the hottest hours of the day.

Greece on June 11-13 experienced its earliest summer heatwave on record, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in many areas.

Similar temperatures near 40 degrees Celsius were recorded in various parts of the country last week.
The first time my 97-year-old granddad took a bullet train in Japan was during the 1970s. He was supposed to be shaving 23 minutes off what would otherwise have been a half-hour drive to a business meeting, but that seven-minute trip ended up taking him more than a day. Why? Because he didnt realise how quickly he would be disembarking and ended up nearly 200 kilometres away from his intended destination.

Millie Muroi at a bullet train station in Japan.

Nearly five decades later, Ive taken dozens of bullet trains to visit relatives in different parts of the country. Reaching speeds of up to 320km/h, these trains still fill me with awe.

High-speed rail has been written off by critics in Australia for decades, mostly owing to the countrys smaller population and density compared to Japan  and the seemingly huge cost of building the infrastructure required. But with Australian property prices chugging along aggressively and NIMBYs putting the brakes on housing density, theres an ever-growing need to encourage decentralisation.

While satellite cities such as Parramatta in greater western Sydney and Dandenong in south-eastern Melbourne are gaining traction, theres still a strong need for people to be connected to our countrys major business districts or inner suburbs, whether for work or leisure.
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Review Eating outHurstbridge This restaurant is smaller than some families dining rooms. Exclusive, yes. Elitist, no. You wont find the baller beef, caviar bumps and gold leaf of other tiny fine-diners here. Greasy Zoes trades in a different kind of indulgence: the preciousness of time. Emma Breheny June 25, 2024 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

This venue appears in the June 2024 Melbourne hit list. See all stories .

1 / 7 Zoe Birch in the tiny dining room at Greasy Zoes in Hurstbridge. Simon Schluter 2 / 7 Dark-crusted slices of house-made bread with kefir and miso butter. Simon Schluter 3 / 7 The opening snack of charred broccoli leaves, curd and buttery house-made pastry. Simon Schluter 4 / 7 Zoe Birchs non-traditional chawanmushi (savoury custard) with wood-grilled mushrooms, lions mane schnitzels and mushroom dashi (in jug). Simon Schluter 5 / 7 Dry-aged chicken from Heidys Pasture Chickens with house-dried fig and blanched warrigal greens. Simon Schluter 6 / 7 The highly seasonal feijoa dessert, made with sliced feijoa, black koji meringue and cultured cream. Simon Schluter 7 / 7 Its difficult to imagine how owner-chef Zoe Birch can make so much herself from scratch. Bonnie Savage Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat Good Food hat 16.5 / 20 How we score Contemporary$$$$ Theres a thirst around the world right now for ultra-exclusive restaurants. Some, like Frog Club in New York, dont permit photos, and their websites give away little. For others, you need to have the right connections, a bit like getting into the MCC Members Dining Room. At the extreme end, you may need to enlist a scalper, something even Melbourne diners have resorted to for Chae, one of the citys smallest restaurants. Greasy Zoes in Hurstbridge serves eight diners at a time, which is, by any definition, exclusive. It costs $190 a head to eat there (drinks are extra), a bill thats not within everyones reach. Yet, nothing about this restaurant feels elitist. Couple Zoe Birch and Lachlan Gardner started out with 14 seats and a choice of a la carte or set menu when they opened seven years ago, but have settled on eight as the magic number for a few reasons. It means they dont need staff, can work with suppliers whose ethics they support, and get more time with their two young children.

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Just six seats a night: Whats driving the teeny-weeny restaurant trend? Despite nearly halving in size, they doubled their headgear, earning two hats after the pandemic as Birch tightened her focus to suppliers with stronger eco-credentials while expanding her set menus and the techniques on show. You wont find the baller beef, caviar bumps and gold leaf of other exclusive fine-diners. Greasy Zoes trades in a different kind of indulgence: the preciousness of time, and having a chef slow down to make butter by hand for guests, then use it in her house-made croissants. Rounds of buttery house-made pastry topped with charry broccoli leaf and curd. Simon Schluter As a first bite, little wheels of Birchs croissant dough hold a few clues about whats in store. Slathered in creamy curd, they might have been topped at other restaurants with anchovy or cured meat. But she crowns the pastry with broccoli leaf, an heirloom vegetable distinct from boring old broccoli (yes, its news to me, too). Grilled briefly over the fire, the bitter leaves are as delicious and charry as any sausage cooked on a backyard Weber. They may just be greens, but in Birchs hands they become something gutsy.

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Its difficult to imagine how so much  curd, croissant, butter  can be made from scratch by one person in this speck of a restaurant, smaller than some families dining rooms. Walk through the front door and after about two steps, youre standing in the middle of the place. A pitched timber ceiling, earthy colour scheme, turntable and knick-knacks make it feel like a one-room alpine cottage, although for some that could feel a little too homey. Greasy Zoes has a log cabin feel, which enhances the cosiness of the eight-seat dining room. Justin McManus But the size is spot on for a one-man floor team. Gardner keeps each table pretty well in sync with dishes and paired drinks, including wines from family-run estates and booze-free things made there. Blackberry jun is a bright, fermented drink similar to kombucha but not as sour. In between top-ups, Gardner will also flip records and tell you about the guy who carved the mushroom sculptures that sit on your table. Its difficult to imagine how so much can be made from scratch by one person in this speck of a restaurant.

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Around this little shack is spun a web of makers and growers. Celeriac, one of the most unfortunate-looking vegetables, is given the type of love normally reserved for fish, perhaps because Birch and Gardner know this celeriac took the farmer five months to grow. A sweet nub of the knobbly root vegetable comes in a luscious butter emulsion brightened by finger lime and dill. Youll reach the sixth course before you even realise youve not had meat. And you probably wont miss it. The seventh course, slow-raised and dry-aged chicken thigh with house-dried fig and warrigal greens. Simon Schluter When it arrives, its chicken thigh with deeply gamey flavours thanks to slow rearing and dry-ageing. The dark meat is cooked over redgum until the skin is like a piece of malty, delicious bark. This is Birchs most exceptional skill  her command of smoke, making it the most subtle element of a dish through to its defining feature. As she calmly cooks over embers, she also plates up and washes dishes.

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Dark-crusted slices of house-made bread with kefir and miso butter. Simon Schluter I couldnt in good conscience tell you to travel to Hurstbridge for bread and butter. Were living in a golden age of restaurant bread; we hardly even look up when another dark-crusted slice is placed before us. But Greasy Zoes is the loaf Id pick 10 times out of 10. Its sinewy insides pull apart almost like a croissant and, slathered in kefir butter made dangerously good by sunflower seed miso, its every bit as satisfying. Its just one of her many old-school methods that coax the maximum out of the ingredients around her. Theres room for restaurants of all sizes and models in cities today. But Im happy that Greasy Zoes is leading the pack of tiny diners pursuing ambitious, delicious cooking while still looking after their people. Thats much more impressive than getting past a roped-off entrance. The low-down Vibe: Intimate and homely. Think small, then halve it. Go-to dish: Broccoli leaves, croissant pastry, pumpkin seeds, curd Drinks: Family-owned or small-scale labels, all-local beers, exciting 0% alcohol choices Cost: Tasting menu $190; wine pairing $110; non-alcoholic pairing $70 Pocket rockets: Melbournes smallest restaurants, from sushi bars to bush cabins

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Health experts are concerned that surging cases of respiratory syncytial virus in children will create a new wave of asthma sufferers in Australia, with infections in the first half of 2024 nearing the number for all of last year.

While the virus, known as RSV, can cause short-term symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, wheezing, breathing difficulties and fever, it has also been strongly linked to the onset of asthma in children who would otherwise not develop the chronic condition.

Cat Irvine believes multiple RSV infections led to her son Parker developing asthma. Credit: Stefan Gosatti

Asthma Australia medical adviser and respiratory physician Professor John Blakey said the highly contagious virus was estimated to be responsible for the development of up to 22 per cent of asthma cases in children under five. The infection is also linked to up to 27 per cent of asthma cases in children aged between five and 11.

We know that viral infections interfere directly with the lining of the air tubes, Blakey said.
Plans to develop a major new source of gas that could help avert looming supply shortfalls are set to proceed after Senex Energys long-delayed $1 billion Atlas project in Queenslands Surat Basin gained federal environmental approval.

The Australian Energy Market Operator last week dialled up its warnings of a gas crunch, issuing a threat notice about the potential for gas to run short in Victoria, NSW, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT until the end of September.

The Ocean Onyx drill rig, which is being used to produce oil and gas in the Otway Basin, off Victorias coast.

The warning comes amid the rapid depletion of gas supplies from the 50-year-old Gippsland Basin gas fields in Bass Strait, which have traditionally supplied the bulk of eastern Australias domestic gas demand, without enough new drilling projects coming online to replace them.

Senex Energy, which is owned by Korean steel group Posco and mining billionaire Gina Rineharts Hancock Energy, tonight said it had received federal approval permitting it to proceed with its $1 billion expansion of its Atlas and Roma gas developments in Queensland that could deliver sorely needed new domestic gas.

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Senex chief executive Ian Davies said the approval cleared the last major hurdle standing in the way of the project, which faced delays of more than 18 months amid regulatory uncertainty due to the government intervention in the market to tame soaring gas prices following Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

We now have the necessary investment confidence and regulatory approvals to proceed with our expansion and deliver sorely needed natural gas supply to the east coast market, Davies said.

This announcement is especially timely given the current pressures that the east coast energy system is experiencing, particularly in southern states.

Government policies banning gas hook-ups in new residential buildings and encouraging people to switch gas appliances to electric alternatives are successfully driving down long-term gas demand forecasts for the fossil fuel, which is a significant contributor of greenhouse gas emissions. But the shift is not happening fast enough to avert the threat of shortfalls for a fuel that remains widely used in heating, cooking, power and manufacturing, authorities warn.

Senex chief executive Ian Davies says the gas in the Atlas project is sorely needed. Credit: Jeremy Piper

Major Australian gas users including manufacturers CSR, BlueScope Steel and Orora, which rely on gas as a feedstock in their factories processes, as well as energy retailers including AGL and EnergyAustralia, have struck deals to buy gas from Senexs Atlas project.
Fittingly, the Liberal Partys 80th birthday will be best remembered for Opposition Leader Peter Dutton going off-script and calling Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a child in a mans body during his speech at the federal council on Saturday. Lord knows what Robert Menzies wouldve made of it all.

The night before Duttons rush of blood, Liberals were in a festive mood. The partys good and great gathered at Sydneys Hyatt Regency for a special gala dinner. John Howard was once again wheeled out to gee-up the troops as they busied themselves on marinated eye fillet and a patriotic dessert menu of raspberry lamingtons, ANZAC crumble and our favourite, cherry ripe cheesecake.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton with colleagues Simon Birmingham (left) and Sussan Ley at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney on Saturday. Credit: Rhett Wyman

Meanwhile, the Moderate faction gathered around the corner at El Loco, a Justin Hemmes-owned Mexican pastiche (the name appropriately translates as the crazy) for their Black Hand Dinner (a steal at $60-a-head with a cash bar), or the winners circle, as former defence minister Christopher Pyne once described it.

Pyne sadly couldnt make Fridays event, but ensured his jovial presence was felt by buying everyone drinks from afar. It was an otherwise fairly standard crowd of mods  former attorney-general George Brandis, ex-South Australian premier Steven Marshall, Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto, NSW MP James Griffin and rebellious backbencher Bridget Archer, who were shocked to see at a Liberal event.
The first part of high-speed rail in NSW should be from Sydney to the Central Coast as part of a staged construction of a new line to Newcastle, given the enormous cost and the engineering challenges, says the British rail expert who led a wide-ranging review into fast rail in the state.

Professor Andrew McNaughton, a former technical director for a major high-speed rail project in the UK, believes a dedicated Sydney-Newcastle link for trains travelling at up to 250km/h should be built before other potential corridors to Canberra and Wollongong.

British rail expert professor Andrew McNaughton is in Sydney this week. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

A speed of 250km/h for trains would achieve the magic number of an hour-long journey from Sydney to Newcastle, spurring businesses and young people to move to the latter while making it a 30-minute trip from either city to the Central Coast.

You can change the face of Newcastle  it becomes the next city of NSW. It could easily be a million or two [residents], McNaughton said.
Anyone who knows anything about ABC chair Kim Williams will vouch that he is always on top of absolutely everything.

The media executive, sports lover, arts patron and polyhistor (look it up  we had to) was setting the pace as ABC chair with a headland speech last week when he accompanied the board and executive to that ABC regional outpost known to the rest of Australia as Melbourne.

ABC chair Kim Williams Credit: John Shakespeare

Williams put his staff on notice, in a speech to the Redmond Barry Society at the State Library of Victoria, about his desire for ABC renewal. He also said Aunty was well placed to be a national campfire, inoculating the country against the threat from anti-democratic populist actors weaponising social media.

It was quite the intellectual hit-out. But there is one aspect of work/life balance where Williams has lost control  his inboxes.
Getting their attention

Australian politicians have for decades debated where the waste from our nuclear operations can be safely stored. It needs to be kept somewhere it can be constantly monitored and readily accessed should urgent action be required at short notice. Peter Duttons vision of a future with nuclear power stations will only increase the need to answer this question. May I suggest the waste be stored in a purpose-built bunker under Parliament House in Canberra. In this location we can be confident that every politician will have its safe storage at the front of their mind well into the foreseeable future.

Robin Anderson, Mentone Energy security

One issue associated with depending on seven nuclear power plants that has failed to attract sufficient attention is that of security. Those war hawks should be most concerned that our power security would become an easy target. Consider also the resulting contamination and the unliveable resulting situation for all should they be targeted. I would think many solar panels and wind turbines spread throughout our nation is a far more secure option.

Denis Liubinas, Blairgowrie Worthwhile shift

Dutton and the Coalitions apparent denials of climate change aside; their move to adopt nuclear power is both much better than their past stances on environmental and energy issues, and astute policy. Nuclear power is measurably the cleanest and safest form of energy generation. While meltdowns were a risk with the older technology, it is not so with newer technologies that use molten salts as their core.

We have strong reasons to want to develop civil nuclear power: it will replace coal and gas, it will allow for us to develop manufacturing industries related to emerging civil nuclear technologies, such as batteries that last centuries, and SMR manufacturing, both of which can be exported to appropriate partner nations, both of which help reduce waste and pollution. Adapting the bureaucratic process to suit the needs of the actual technology to keep the public and the environment safe, instead of applying standards unilaterally to every site, will dramatically reduce the lifetime cost of these plants. The centralised mass production nature of SMRs will also bring down the cost.

Lastly, we need to accept that we can no longer completely rely or depend on the US nuclear umbrella.

Dale Hartley, Brentwood, WA Credit: Matt Golding Nuclear debate

The latest polling shows Australians are divided on Peter Duttons plans for nuclear power plants. Not the first time hes managed to divide Australians.

Bruce McMillan, Grovedale

Distractions

Well done Peter Dutton, for successfully getting everyone thinking and talking about nuclear. No costings, proper time frames, disposal of waste and so on, only tossed an idea into the air that has taken on a life of its own. Brilliant.

Margaret Collings, Anglesea Never?

Dutton is promising nuclear on the never-never; Id prefer the never ever.

Dale Crisp, Brighton Conversations

Another topic for our mature conversation with Peter Dutton  a price on carbon emissions.

Sarah Brennan, Hawthorn Vision

What a coincidence, your correspondent saying Dutton will be seen as a visionary pushing the nuclear option (Dutton the Brave, 24/6) is how I see Daniel Andrews driving forward public transport infrastructure despite the short-sighted opinions of others.

Peter McGill, Lancefield THE FORUM

NATO: A defence

NATO isnt a hostile neighbour to Russia (Farages words, Letters, 24/6). Its purely a defence pact, at the heart of which is Article 5, which regards an attack on one member state as an attack on all. Its been invoked only once in its long existence; with the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. NATO members are free to stand aside if another member state starts a war of aggression as happened in Iraq in 2003. Putin doesnt like NATO because it limits his ability to wage war.

Wayne Robinson, Kingsley, WA Go green

The development of seven new towers, ranging from 19 to 50 storeys high in Box Hill (High-rises up to 50 storeys get green light for Melbourne suburb, 24/6) containing 1700 homes, emphasises the need for more parkland. The towers would presumably house at least 3000 new residents. On the near south of these new towers lies the privately owned (and fenced off) old Box Hill Brickworks, a site of seven hectares adjoining another area of sporting and aquatic facilities.

A parkland area, Box Hill Gardens, near the current towers, is just the north of Box Hill station. It is already heavily used. And some space in those Gardens is to be taken over for the suburban rail loop build. There is the opportunity of a lifetime for the government or council to buy the Box Hill Brickworks site. Quiet space on the Brickworks site, for walking or getting away from it all, would contribute to the attractions of the new Box Hill.

Box Hill needs a vision much bigger than the notion offered by developers of an urban park squeezed in among the new towers, the bustle, the trade and the traffic.

Elaine Hopper, Blackburn Out, not up

Is it good for ones health to live in a high-rise tower? (Where states housing will boom, 16/6). Melbourne is one of the worlds most liveable cities. The ability to live in suburbia surrounded by gardens, and other joys of the natural world, brings health and happiness. Not far from Melbourne are beautiful regional cities like Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong. If express trains linked these cities with Melbourne, and if businesses moved there to attract workers, regional cities could grow and prosper. New arrivals could enjoy the benefits of work in Melbourne, a beautiful place to live and perhaps growing work opportunities in their newly adopted cities. This could also enable more people to own their own home instead of being shut out of the housing market in more expensive Melbourne.

Marguerite Marshall, Eltham Simple shopping

Its simple what Australians want from their supermarkets (Woolworths and Coles face billion-dollar fines under stronger grocery code, 23/6): healthy competition, Australian-made and Australian-owned brands where possible, a decent stock range, prices that are fair to both the consumer and the grower/manufacturer, and a reduction in plastic packaging. How hard is that?

Vikki ONeill, Ashburton Lift our game

I have recently visited Brisbane and surrounds where the cleanliness and minimum graffiti of public spaces and transport; the mown verges and lack of weeds and rubbish on roads and freeways is in stark contrast to Melbourne. Customer service in all public areas was exemplary. Melbourne was once a beautiful city to be proud of  it is not now. Melbourne needs to lift its game in all areas.

Heather Kroll, Mt Waverley

Hit the trails

Melbourne is blessed with many trails and connected paths and, on my bike, I have travelled nearly all of them. There are some hidden gems of natural areas as well as historic industrial sites and relics to look over. Many coffees along the way. When I travel past the gymnasiums, people are paying to puff on their stationary bikes and staring at screens or through the tinted windows. I wonder why dont they get out in the fresh air and see interesting Melbourne from a moving bike saddle.

Ray Barnett, Pascoe Vale South Verification pains

I waited on the phone for an hour to speak to a person at a government agency to ask them to unlock an account so I could access it online. Having gone through the ID process, the responder merrily said access would be available in two or three days. Five days later I sent an email. A week later I received a phone call, the number showing on my phone as the agencys. I was asked to confirm my details, including account details, for security purposes. As they had phoned me, I refused and asked how I could confirm the caller was legit. He agreed that I couldnt. My only option is to phone back. Oh for a real building to walk into.

Heather Barker, Albert Park Quiet cheers

You wont hear it but the sound of jubilant celebration is echoing around darkened bedrooms across Australia. Silent and invisible, armies of people suffering from ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis) have been doggedly fighting from our beds for over two decades for unsafe clinical guidelines to be replaced. We wrote endless emails to anybody who would listen as well as to those who looked the other way. We formed alliances with patients whose voices we never heard and faces we never saw. Many keyboard warriors vanished only to reappear to resume the fight when symptoms eased. Some were never heard from again.

Last week, Health Minister Mark Butler announced funding for new clinical guidelines. Keyboards rattled as a silent cheer erupted.

Jenny Meagher, East Malvern AND ANOTHER THING Transport

While we wait and wait for the airport rail link, we need an airport bus link that is part of the public transport network. Not privately run and relatively expensive, as at present.

Phil Lipshut, Elsternwick
The Yindjibarndi people of WAs Pilbara have opened another front in their war with Andrew Forrests Fortescue, calling for the WA government to impose tougher conditions on the miner to protect their cultural heritage and the environment.

Michael Woodley, chief executive of the Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation said Fortescues 400 square kilometres Solomon iron ore mine had destroyed or damaged 249 indigenous heritage sites and operated under more lenient conditions than more recently approved similar mines.

Our community not only endures poor environmental and cultural management, which is a source of ongoing hurt and distress, but out native title rights and interests have also been disrespected, he said.

Fortescue chair Andrew Forrest and Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Michael Woodley. Credit: Composite image

Fortescue received environmental approval from the WA government to develop the Solomon mine in 2011.
The seven wonders of the Iguazu Falls, Brazil/Argentina

The falls of Iguazu (or Iguacu in Portuguese) combine to create the worlds largest waterfall system. Heres what you shouldnt miss.

1 Be dazzled by the Devils Throat

The falls and the Devils Throat. Credit: iStock

Iguazu is made up of 275 falls, but the most magnificent up-close encounter is at Devils Throat in Argentina, where the ground shivers and the air dances with rainbows. The horseshoe of 14 cascades, best viewed in late afternoon with the sun behind you, is easily appreciated from walkways at the top of the plateau, some right at the lip of waterfalls. The roar and slide of water is mesmerising. The outlook from Salto San Martin is the best of eight viewpoints.
Moscow: Russia has blamed the United States for a Ukrainian attack on the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula after missile fragments fell on beachgoers in an incident that killed four people, including two children, and injured 151 more.

The Russian Defence Ministry said four of the US-delivered Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles, equipped with cluster warheads, were shot down by air defence systems and the ammunition of a fifth had detonated in mid-air.

Footage shared on Telegram of people seeking treatment on the beach. Credit: Telegram

Footage on Russian state television showed people running from a beach and some people being carried off on sun loungers.

Russian-installed authorities in Crimea said missile fragments had fallen just after noon near a beach on the north side of the city of Sevastopol where locals were on holiday.
Governor Gordon speaking on the phone with Gerald Crist of Greybull, the 2024 winner of the Wyoming Governor's Wild Bison raffle.
Centre needs to examine demands of Andhra, Bihar for special category status carefully





NEW DELHI,

THE Union Government needs to examine the long-standing demand of Andhra Pradesh and Bihar for special category status carefully and not in a hurry, as it could set a precedent and may put extreme pressure on the Centres fiscal resources, former Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar said on Sunday. Andhra Pradesh has been demanding special category status after its bifurcation in 2014 on the grounds of revenue loss as Hyderabad became capital of Telangana. Bihar has also been demanding the special status since 2005 when Nitish Kumar was sworn in as its Chief Minister. The State also suffered revenue loss after the mineral-rich Jharkhand was carved out of it in 2000. This (SCS) is their (Bihar and Andhra Pradesh) long-standing demand...This is a demand which needs to be considered very carefully because you have to carefully examine in detail the economic parameters on the basis of which this demand is being made, he told PTI in a video interview.

For special category status states, the Centre meets 90 per cent of the funds required in a centrally sponsored scheme against 60 per cent in the case of normal category States. The remaining funds are provided by the State Government. Because...If you do it in a hurry, then this might set a precedent, which is not going to be fiscally possible because more and more states will be making the same demand if we do this here, and that would mean extreme pressure on the Governments fiscal resources, the economist added. The 14th Finance Commission raised the share of States in taxes collected by the Centre to 42 per cent from 32 per cent but abolished special category States. So, I think this issue has to be reviewed and carefully studied. Maybe the Finance Commission should do this task, he opined. Under relentless opposition attack over its failure to secure special category state status for Andhra Pradesh, in 2018, the states ruling party Telugu Desam Party (TDP) pulled out of the Modi government. Recently, Congress Party General Secretary Jairam Ramesh asked the Prime Minister whether he would fulfil his 2014 election promise and the ten-year-old demand of his ally and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar by giving special category status to Bihar.

There has been a demand for this, but the PM did not break his silence on the issue, he added. With support from N Chandrababu Naidus TDP and Nitish Kumars JD(U), which won 16 and 12 seats in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, respectively, and other alliance partners, the NDA has crossed the halfway mark. Ramesh also said, On April 30, 2014, in the holy city of Tirupati, you promised to give special category status to Andhra Pradesh so that massive investment comes in. Its been 10 years, but it has not happened. Will that promise be fulfilled now? Will the PM give special category status to Andhra Pradesh. The special status category was introduced in 1969 on the recommendation of the Fifth Finance Commission to benefit certain backward states with hilly terrains, strategic international borders, and economic and infrastructural backwardness.
NEW DELHI,

UNION Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said at least 50 large ponds should be created in the northeast to divert water of the Brahmaputra to help tackle floods and develop agriculture, irrigation and tourism. Chairing a review meeting on preparedness for flood management during the monsoon, Shah also emphasised on optimum use of satellite imagery provided by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for flood and water management. He also took stock of the preparations to deal with Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF). Shah said efforts should be made to upgrade the forecast system of water level of rivers for better flood management. He said at least 50 large ponds should be created in the northeast so that the water of the Brahmaputra can be diverted and stored in these ponds, according to an official statement.

This will help develop agriculture, irrigation and tourism in those areas at a low cost and also help tackle floods, eventually benefiting the local economy, he added. Recurring flooding of the Brahmaputra is a major issue for Assam and the northeastern region as it claims scores of lives and inundates thousands of hectares of land every year. Many people were killed, hundreds rendered homeless and communication lines and road networks snapped in Sikkim and Uttarakhand in the last few years following flash floods created due to the glacial lake outburst, which has become another major concern for the Government during monsoon. The Home Minister said the natural drainage system should be an integral part of the designs of road construction to deal with their inundation in case of floods.

Shah said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indias disaster management is moving forward with a zero casualty approach. He instructed the departments concerned to conduct a detailed study of the recent floods in Sikkim and Manipur and submit a report to the Union home ministry. The Home Minister said flood monitoring centres of the Central Water Commission (CWC) should be in accordance with the requirements and of international standards. Shah emphasised on the need to integrate weather, rainfall and flood warning related apps developed by various departments.
China, EU are open to talks on plans to hike tariffs on Chinese EVs





By Elaine Kurtenbach

Bangkok, Jun 24 (AP)

China and the European Union are open to holding talks on the EU's recent decision to sharply raise tariffs on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles, officials from both sides say.

China's Commerce Ministry and Germany's economy minister said over the weekend that each side was willing to hold talks on the issue. Meanwhile, Chinese state media said Monday that Beijing is pushing for the EU to give up plans to sharply raise tariffs on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles by July 4.

Escalating a trade dispute over Beijing's subsidies that Brussels worries are hurting European automakers, the EU plans to impose provisional tariffs of 17.4% to 38.1% on EVs from China for four months starting on July 4. That's on top of the 10% dutues for all imported EVs. They would apply to vehicles exported to Europe by both Chinese and foreign brands, including Tesla.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said preliminary results from an investigation into Chinese EV subsidies showed the country's battery electric vehicle value chain benefits from unfair subsidization that hurts EU rivals.

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a video conference with European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a notice Saturday on its website.

The two sides agreed to launch consultations on the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles, it said.

The doors are open for discussions. And I hope that this message was heard, Germany's economy and vice chancellor, Robert Habeck, said Sunday while on a visit to China.

China's Commerce Ministry on Thursday accused the EU of making unreasonable demands in its investigation into imports of Chinese electric vehicles before it announced it was raising tariffs by as much as 38%.

Ministry spokesman He Yadong said the European side had demanded excessive amounts of information from Chinese automakers and then unfairly accused the Chinese companies of failing to cooperate.

The European side has said it wants to discuss the findings of its investigation with Chinese authorities to find ways to resolve the issues.
Dy Cm Shukla kicks off Pulse Polio Drive in MP





Staff Reporter

Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla on Sunday kicked off National Pulse Polio campaign in Madhya Pradesh by administering polio drops at JP Hsopital. Addressing the programme, Minister Shukla said that Madhya Pradesh is free from polio since 2018. He also appealed to people to be alert and do not miss polio drops to their ward below five years. Public Health and Medical Education Minister Narendra Shivaji Patel said that MP is pride of being free from polio and it is significant to continue the same with alertness. On Sunday, polio campaign held in State capital caught attention of everyone as children below five years were administered drops at railway stations, bus stands, door to door and other public places. A special campaign to administer pulse polio drops among floating population of Bhopal was conducted at railway stations, bus stands and other public places. Special centres were also set up at brisk place to ensure polio drops to children aged below five years. A team was also assigned to offer door-to-door polio drops to children in Anna Nagar and nearby areas. There were 314 transit teams who visited high risk spots to administer pulse polio drops to children.

District Health Office has targeted to include at least three lakh of children in this campaign by giving them the drops. The campaign was also carried out in December 2023 in which team visited door to door, bus stand and railway stations. But there were many children left in this campaign. In order to provide pulse polio drops to the children who were left last week, special campaign is being carried out from June 23. Health officials informed that team has been also assigned at high risk spots like brickyard, lower area of water source, vegetable fields, etc. Mobile team was sent at construction sites, brick klin, crushers, etc and children of nomadic population of Bhopal districts were administered the drops. Similar arrangements were made for transit teams to dispense medicines at railway stations, bus stands and check points. The campaign was also launched at Bhopal railway station by administering polio drops to the children in presence of Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Devashish Tripathi and Chief Health Superintendent Dr Ajay Dongra. Total 12 booths are set up in railway colonies, railway hospitals.
Our Correspondent

SUKMA,

IN a major breakthrough, the alert security forces, for the first time, have uncovered a sophisticated Naxal network engaged in the printing and supply of counterfeit currency notes in forested Korajguda under Bhejji police station limits in restive Sukma district. The joint operation, carried out by the District Force, District Reserve Guard (DRG), Bastar Fighters and 50th battalion of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) led to seizure of substantial evidence implicating the insurgents in economic sabotage and clandestine activities. According to the police, Naxalites were allegedly using the fake currency notes in weekly markets of interior areas of Bastar region for a long time and duping innocent tribals. Naxalites were also trying to destabilise the Indian economy with this move, Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran G Chavan claimed. Acting on intelligence inputs regarding outlaws plans to print and circulate counterfeit currency, a composite team of the District Force (DF), Bastar Fighters, DRG and 50th CRPF battalion launched special operation in the Naxalite hideouts near Gram Mailasur, Korajguda and Danteshpuram on Saturday. As security forces advanced through jungles and thickets, the extremists retreated into the forests and hills of Korajguda upon detecting their movements in the evening.

The subsequent intensive searching of the area uncovered hidden equipment used by Maoists for printing counterfeit notes, including colour printers, inverter machines, colour ink and samples of counterfeit notes in denominations of 50, 100, 200, and 500 rupees. The security forces also recovered from the spot a cache of firearms, muzzle guns, wireless sets, magazines, Naxalite black uniforms and a large quantity of explosive materials. If sources are to be believed, in the year 2022, each area committee member of major Naxal cadres received training in printing counterfeit currency. Subsequently, these trained Naxals have been printing counterfeit notes within their respective area committees and infiltrating weekly markets in remote regions to circulate these notes, falsely portraying themselves as advocates of tribal welfare while engaging in deceitful activities. Local tribals inadvertently use these counterfeit notes to purchase goods, thereby unknowingly aiding Naxals in their nefarious schemes aimed at destabilising the Indian economy.

As per police sources, the entire recoveries include one colour printer machine, one black printer machines, one inverter machine, counterfeit notes (50, 100, 200, and 500 rupee denominations), two muzzle guns, one muzzle gun barrel, four printing machine cartridges, 118 units of Image king, GPS powder (printer machine), 23 units of printer ink, nine printer rollers, two electronic cleaner, one multimeter, one calculator, six wireless sets, six wireless set chargers, two wireless set batteries, four wireless set antennas, seven wireless set clips, five chargers, eight battery clips, one battery charger, 16 cordex wire coils, two small soldering machines, one steel scale, one mobile charger, one dry DC battery, four magazine pouches, one anklet, one backpack, three boxes stapler pin boxes, Naxalite banner cloth, two pairs of Naxalite black uniforms, one dholak, two combat barrel caps, medicines and many daily-use Naxal materials.
Indias neighbourhood first policy





By Lt General M K Das

IT WAS heartening to see heads of State of Indias neighbours and Indian Ocean region attending the swearing in ceremony of Modi 3.0 Cabinet on 9 June 24. The seven leaders from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Seychelles, Mauritius and Maldives brought confidence to the policy mandarins. The presence of Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu during the event is indeed significant. Now with the visit of External Affairs M inister S Jaishankar to Sri Lanka on 20 June 24, the focus is back to reinvent and reinvigourate Indias Neighbourhood First Policy (NFP). NFP was conceived in 2008 and it aimed at fostering stronger ties, enhance regional cooperation and address mutual concerns with immediate neigbouring countries. With the stagnation in the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), India had to look beyond. Prime Minister Modi made NFP a foreign policy priority on assuming power in 2014. The policy as such gave good dividends but this too needs to be reinvented by the Modi 3.0 Government. With continuity of S Jaishankar as the Foreign Minister, the foreign policy now has to graduate to the next level. China has made rapid strides in our neighbourhood. It started with the String of Pearls in 2004, with creation of Chinese military and commercial network along sea lines of communication. In our context, China targeted the facilities in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives. Along with China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative, this sort of encirclement is a major security concern for India. With its economic might, it has virtually lured some of our neighbours into a well-planned debt trap. India has to calibrate the foreign policy with this grim reality. First about the SAARC.

With eight members in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan and Pakistan, we can easily see where does it stand. Afghanistan and Pakistan are virtually out of the ambit. No heads of state summit has taken place since 2014. With Afghanistan under Taliban control since 2021 and obstinate nature of Pakistan, SAARC clearly does not have a bright future. Time has come to resuscitate the organisation as SAARC 2.0 by extending membership to SAARC Observer States like Mauritius, South Korea and Japan. The necessary economic teeth may come from the new members and India can extend goodwill of COVID-19 vaccine diplomacy to influence the decision making. We can continue with Pakistan and Afghanistan as dormant members. India is also a founder member of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi  Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) since 1997. The seven-member body has India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and Thailand from Bay of Bengal region and they collaborate in 14 priority sectors of economic cooperation. A free trade agreement is on the anvil and India has major stakes in its success including the Act East Policy.

A glance at the comparison between SAARC and BIMSTEC clearly indicates that interests and ideas have to converge for the success of a regional grouping. Secondly, the relations have to recognize the big brother in the grouping. India is already the fifth largest economy in the world and the key driver of both the groupings. But we do not find the member countries supporting the cause of India as the permanent member of the UN Security Council. As regards the immediate neighbourhood, the regional groupings can only take you this far. The foreign policy has to explore new areas of cooperation. As things stand today, time has come to build military alliances. So far being part of a military alliance has been untouchable subject for the policy makers. We also find that some immediate neighbours do not buy arms and ammunition from us but depend on China and other nations. Many of these nations train with our Armed Forces but continue to pursue a different policy for procurement of armament. India has never pursued any expansionist agenda as part of its foreign policy. Therefore, our immediate neighbours have nothing to fear.

Indian Armed Forces are being reorganised into Theatre Commands and would be in much better position to lead a military alliance in the South Asia, Indian Ocean Region and Bay of Bengal. To counter balance the threat from China in the long run, a military alliance must seek the attention of those who shape the national security strategy. The proposed military alliance need not be a copy of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation). There is no requirement of keeping permanent bases in the member countries. A beginning can be made in equipping the armed forces with similar or compatible armament, communication tools, protocols and procedures. India already participates in multi nation training exercises and these can be tailor made to meet the regional challenges. The training methodology and military exchanges can be formalised. We can plan for the next five years and get a fair idea of each other before inking a formal military alliance. Fight against terrorism including sea piracy can be another area of congruence. Most of the member nations suffer from this scourge and a formal agreement with like-minded nations is feasible.

We are witnessing resurgence of sea piracy and the maritime resources are already stretched to deal with this menace. It is my belief that a universal acceptance of a definition of terrorism is unlikely anytime soon but a limited number of nations can agree to the broad tenets to achieve the much-needed synergy in countering terrorism. The ultimate test of a great foreign policy is hassle free travel among the neighbours. Visa free travel for a short duration, say up to a week can be a terrific people friendly gesture. Some sort of arrangement already exists and the facility can be extended. India has emerged as the medical hub for our neighbours and I recall military officers of friendly foreign countries all praise for our medical tourism. The impetus on foreign policy and international relations is high on the agenda of the new Government as evident from the Prime Minister Modis visit to interact with G7 leaders in Italy. I am sanguine that the NFP will also be reinvented in tune with the changed regional dynamics and emerging challenges. (Lt General MK Das, PVSM, SM**, VSM (Retd))
Delhi excise policy case: SC adjourns for June 26 plea of Kejriwal against interim stay on his release





New Delhi [India], June 24 (ANI):

The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned for June 26 the plea of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging the order of the Delhi High Court granting interim stay on bail to him in the Delhi excise policy case probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

A vacation bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti observed that the decision of the High Court to grant an interim stay on Kejriwal's bail without passing a final order in the matter was "unusual."

"In stay matters, judgements are not reserved but passed on the spot. What has happened here is unusual. We will have it (the case before it) the day after," the bench said.

On June 21, the High Court ordered an interim stay on bail while reserving its order. The order of the High Court had come on a plea of the Enforcement Directorate seeking stay on the release of Kejriwal.

Kejriwal then filed an appeal in the top court against the High Court order.

During the hearing today, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told the bench that the High Court would shortly pronounce the order on the stay application and requested adjournment of the case.

The apex court then said that it would be appropriate to wait for the final order, which is to be pronounced by the High Court in a day or two.

Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, questions the High Court order granting stay on bail on the first day of hearing.

He submitted that the procedure of staying on bail on the first day is unprecedented. "Suppose the High Court dismisses ED's appeal, how does the judge compensate for the time he (Kejriwal) lost?," Singhvi asked.

Singhvi argued that at 10:30 am on June 21, the order of the High Court was passed without any reason, and arguments were heard after it stayed the order of bail.

The senior counsel further said that there are several Supreme Court judgements that hold that bail, once granted, cannot be stayed without special reasons.

As Singhvi requested the bench pass an order on the plea, the apex court said, "If it passes an order now, it will be pre-judging the issue. It is not a subordinate court; it is a high court.".

Senior advocate Vikram Chaudhary, also appearing for Kejriwal, told the top court that Kejriwal does not have any criminal antecedents and is not a flight risk.

On June 20, the trial judge granted bail to Kejriwal in the money laundering case.

The next day, the ED moved an urgent petition before the High Court challenging the bail order. The High Court heard both sides extensively reserve orders on the ED's application to stay the bail order, and it halted the release of Kejriwal until the pronouncement of its order. (ANI)
Man fakes kidnapping, abandons girlfriends son on train, arrested





Staff Reporter

Following a dispute with her husband, a woman fled her maternal home with her four-year-old son. While residing in Nagpur, she befriended a young man. However, the man harboured animosity towards her son. Allegedly hatching a conspiracy, he took the boy to the railway station, where he boarded a train and left the child alone. With assistance from the Government Railway Police (GRP), Ganeshpeth police successfully located the boy at Wardha railway station. The police reunited the boy with his mother and arrested the accused, identified as Hansraj Dyaneshwar Dakhne (25), residing in Pora, Lakhani, Bhandara.

According to the police, the 30-year-old woman had left her village a few months ago due to disputes with her husband. She found work at a lodge in Nagpur and began residing there with her son. During this time, she developed a relationship with Hansraj, and they started living together. Hansraj expressed a desire to marry her, which she accepted. However, Hansraj viewed her son as a hindrance to their relationship. On Friday, under the pretext of taking the boy to school for admission, Hansraj escorted him to platform number 4 at Nagpur railway station. A train bound for Wardha arrived at the platform, and Hansraj boarded it with the boy. Before the child realised what was happening, Hansraj disembarked and left the boy alone on the train.

Upon returning home, Hansraj falsely informed the woman that their son had been abducted by three men. Shocked, the woman grew suspicious of her husbands involvement and lodged a complaint with Ganeshpeth police. During questioning, both the woman and Hansraj were interrogated which led the police to suspect Hansrajs role in the incident. After intensive questioning, Hansraj confessed to leaving the boy on the train bound for Wardha. The police swung into action and contacted the GRP Wardha, who located the boy crying on the train. The child was identified based on a photograph circulated on social media. The police reunited the boy with his mother, and a case under Sections 317, 363, and 182 of the Indian Penal Code was registered by Ganeshpeth police.
MPPSC 2024 pre-exam held amid tight security





Staff Reporter

Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (PSC) Preliminary examination 2024 was held in two different shifts at various centres in Bhopal. First paper was conducted for general studies from 10 am to 12 noon while second paper was for general awareness from 2:15 pm to 4:15 pm. The examination has been conducted for 110 vacancies for which 1.83 lakh candidates appeared. There were senior retired officers assigned as observer at various centres to monitor examinees and resolve the doubt. As various controversies are being reported for competitive examinations, including NEET, UGC-NET, nursing etc for past 11 days, tight security was arranged at all centres. Examinees were also worried for the paper after being aware of the recent allegations made on competitive exams.

Each candidate was searched properly before entering the exam hall. Examinees were asked to remove their socks, shoes, accessories like earrings, rings, bangles etc. Examinees who got late even for two minutes were not allowed to enter. The Commission has released in its guidelines that correction, overwriting or cut on any word, sentence is not allowed in OMR sheet. After distribution of OMR sheet, no candidate was allowed to enter the exam hall. Even examinees were not allowed to go out of hall after receiving paper. There were six times symbolic bells rang during the exam and no electronic device was allowed inside the hall. Many candidates opined that the paper was easy. After writing the examination, when examinees came out of the centre, they said around 30 to 40 per cent questions were from the syllabus. They said questions were also from tribal community and Madhya Pradesh awareness.

There were 42 centres in Bhopal including Nutan College, Subhash School, Raja Bhoj School, Excellence School. For monitoring of centres in Bhopal, retired IAS Manohar Dubey and former member of the Commission Dr Devendra Singh Marcom were assigned as observer. Apart from this, 1,563 students who received grace marks in NEET results, reappeared for the exam on Sunday. Their re-exam was scheduled from 2 pm to 5:20 pm but examinees were asked to appear at centre by 11 am. National Testing Agency (NTA) had released admit cards of these candidates on June 20 and results of the re-examination will be declared on June 30. Counselling for these candidates will begin from July 6. On June 22, NTA Director Subodh Kumar was suspended by the Government in connection of the alleged scam. Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed as Director General, NTA. NEET-PG exam that was scheduled for June 23 got postponed late in the night on June 22.
NEET, NET fiasco: Students, parents suffering Who is responsible?





Principal Correspondent

While the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) for admissions to undergraduate health sciences courses continues, the Government has cancelled the National Eligibility Test (NET), an eligibility examination for teachers. As if that was not enough, the Union Health Ministry, on Saturday night, postponed the NEET for admissions to Post Graduate health sciences courses. Cancellation, postponement, mess of important competitive tests by the Government is making students suffer a lot. Who is responsible? Does anyone care of students mindset at all? Will dismissing the head of National Testing Agency (NTA) resolve the issue? The answer to all the three questions is a big No. Parents, students dont want to know how the fiasco took place. They are worried about their future. Many students who wrote NEET (UG) and came out with flying colours are experiencing anxiety due to fear that the Government might cancel it. If that happens, then they have to appear for the test again and face the pressure. Why should our wards suffer if some handful of students got involved in irregularities, questions an angry parent.

Students prepare for four years for the examination and then they appear with a particular mindset, write the examination and crack it. Those who appeared in this years NEET feel that it would be difficult for them to appear again with the same tempo and score the marks. Some students told The Hitavada on condition of anonymity they scored well since Class X, Class XII, and then they prepared for NEET with a focus for the past four years, studied 10 to 15 hours daily, and cracked it. Some of us scored 100 percentile. It will be very much disappointing for us if Government re-conducts the test. For the last one and a half months we have not studied for the NEET as we were waiting for the admission. Some students at a few centres got involved in unfair means and we having to pay for that is unjustifiable, a student said. According to some parents, it should be re-conducted only for the students who appeared at a few centres where the glitches came to the fore. Option can be given to the students of reappearance if they feel so. But it should not be conducted for all the students who have not involved in any irregularity.
SBIs Plea For Rejecting Suit





By Adv. R. S. Agrawal

IN THE Commercial Summary suit filed by the- plaintiff Bombay Iron and Steel Labour Board against the State Bank of India (Original Defendant), the Bank has failed to get the plaint rejected /returned on the ground that the same is barred under the law and cannot be tried under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015. This prayer was made by the defendant-Bank through an interim application filed by it under Order VII Rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. The Plaintiff Board has filed reply to the same. It is not in dispute that the plaintiff-Board placed fixed deposits of Rs 45 crores with the defendant-Bank upon the terms as contained in the said fixed deposit receipts, as annexed to the plaint. The fixed deposit receipts are term deposit receipts which imply promise to pay the amounts mentioned in the fixed deposit receipts with interest on maturity. It is also not in dispute that out of the fixed deposits of Rs 45 crores, the plaintiff Board has been paid the fixed deposits of Rs 9 crores with interest on September 2, 2021. That, therefore, what remains outstanding is the payment of fixed deposits of Rs 36 crores with interest. It is alleged that the fixed deposits of Rs 36 crores were fraudulently, prematurely withdrawn and siphoned off. That some part of it namely, an amount of Rs 11,39,62,531 which has been siphoned off and deposited with Akhand Anand Co-operative Bank in Gujarat, has been debit frozen.

There are allegations that a Manager of the defendant-Bank had committed fraud and misappropriation due to which the premature withdrawal / siphoning off has taken place. There are also criminal proceedings pending with respect to the same. A perusal of the plaint indicates that the plaintiff Board has made a claim of Rs 36 crores with interest in prayer clauses 58(a), (b) and (c) along with further interest in prayer clause (d) for the recovery of the said amounts. It is not in dispute that the plaintiff-Board had placed the fixed deposits with the defendant  Bank which carries on the business of banking. As can be seen, the defendant Bank, which is a banking company /banker had in the ordinary course of its business, accepted the deposits from the plaintiff-Board, which is repayable on demand or maturity and issued fixed deposit receipts which are mercantile documents and the suit has been filed for enforcement of the fixed deposit receipts as the defendant Bank has failed to repay the amounts payable to the plaintiff-Board, despite demand/legal notice for recovery. Therefore, in the HCs view, the dispute is a commercial dispute, squarely falling within the definition of commercial dispute as defined under section (2)(1)(c)(i)of the Commercial Courts Act. That, there are criminal proceedings pending against Manager of the defendant-Bank or other co-conspirators for fraud committed on the defendant-Bank or that, there has been a purported siphoning off / embezzlement of funds, would not, in my view, change the character or nature of the dispute, to not being a commercial one.

Mention of fraud, forgery, embezzlement in the plaint would not change the cause of action of the suit, which is set out in paragraph 52 of the plaint. It is quite clear that the cause of action is the failure of the defendant-Bank to pay the amount of Rs 36 crore with interest accrued thereon as per the fixed deposit receipts, despite legal notice as well as the pre-institution mediation, which failed, due to the refusal of the defendant-Bank to participate in the mediation process. The aforesaid paragraph clearly refers to the fixed deposit receipts with numbers and amounts on which the commercial summary suit is based. The relationship between the plaintiff and the defendant-Bank is that of creditor and debtor and by no stretch of imagination, the said relationship can be said to be not a commercial one. Justice Abhay Ahuja, who dismissed the interim application of the defendant-Bank on June 10, 2024, has expressed agreement with the plaintiffs counsel Shailesh Naidu, at the Bombay High Court on June 10, 2024, that the dispute is commercial one, arising out of ordinary transaction between a banker and customer for enforcement of fixed deposit receipts by the customer for recovery of amounts of principal and interest placed under the fixed deposits with the defendant-Bank.

The HC also agreed with Advocate Naidu that the decision of the Delhi HC in the case of IHHR Hospitality (Andhra) Pvt. Ltd. v. Seema Swami and Others- (2022) SCC OnLine Del. 3635, relied upon by the defendant-Banks counsel is clearly distinguishable as the said suit therein was between a company and wife of the accused, who had embezzled huge amounts through cheques and also made fraudulent direct transactions from the bank account of the plaintiff-Company and siphoned off the money. Therefore, the said suit was held to be based on fraud committed on the basis of forged cheques and falsification of accounts, which is not the case here, as even though there may have been embezzlement of funds by an employee of the bank along with other co-conspirators, however, the present suit is claim by the plaintiff  Board against the defendant-Bank for recovery of fixed deposits of Rs 36 crore along with interest and not against the employees or persons involved in the fraud or embezzlement, and therefore, the reliance by the defendant-Bank on said decision is misplaced. Accordingly, the High Court has held that the dispute is a commercial dispute as defined under section 2(1)(c)(i) of the Commercial Courts Act. The suit claim is of more than Rs 36 crore, which is more than the specified value, and therefore, has been correctly registered under the commercial category as a commercial summary suit. In view of this, the High Court has stated that it is inclined to dismiss the application as the suit is not barred by the Commercial Courts Act. The HC has dismissed the interim application under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC holding that the question of rejecting /returning the plaint does not arise.
Tokhan Sahu meets CM





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at his official residence in the State Capital on Sunday. The Chief Minister warmly welcomed Union Minister of State Sahu at his residence and congratulated him on becoming the Union Minister of State. Chief Minister Sai discussed in detail with Union Minister of State Sahu about the issue related to accelerating housing and urban development schemes in Chhattisgarh. Raipur North MLA Purandar Mishra and BJP workers from Bilaspur, Lormi, Takhatpur and Mungeli areas were present. Later, Union Minister of State Sahu left Raipur for New Delhi by a regular flight on Sunday evening.
Given the noticeable gaps in both policy and its implementation in terms of service delivery, Independent Hajj Reporters, (IHR) a civil society organization that monitors and reports hajj in Nigeria has called on the National Assembly to amend the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Act to ensure a cohesive and effective hajj operating system in the country.

IHR in a statement on Monday, signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad in Makkah, Saudi Arabia said the call also becomes necessary because of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajjs adjustment of hajj policy and calendar of events  which is a detailed approved guideline for all hajj participating countries.

Nigeria is the fifth largest hajj country and the first in Africa with an allocation of 95,000 slots.

Nigeria is the only country out of the Top 10 Hajj participating countries which includes Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, Morocco and Malaysia that does not operate a centralized system. We operate a three-tier system in Nigeria (Federal, State and Local Governments). All the countries mentioned above have a unified and central control hajj administration with a coordinating unit at zones, so they found it easy to run 5 to 6-year hajj rolling plans.

Local Government Pilgrims officers do Pilgrims Registration under the control of state Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards. Thereafter the State Pilgrims boards deposited such funds in their respective accounts before it will be moved to the NAHCON operational account on request  all within one hajj calendar year.

Management of hajj operations is strictly time-limited to start thinking of continuing with these time-consuming bureaucracies.

We support an advocacy for improved services to our dear pilgrims but the recent calls for the decentralisation of NAHCON and devolving powers to the states would be a very wrong move, IHR said.

The CSO also said For example, the new calendar of activities released by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah recently scheduled 4th September for the kickoff of arrangements for the 2025 hajj.

By virtue of diplomatic protocol, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj only relates with National Hajj missions not regional bodies. Decentralisation as being touted will allow 36 states' pilgrims welfare boards and agencies to send 36 different delegations to Saudi Arabia (the first in the History of Hajj operation) to liaise with Saudi Arabia (host country) on Hajj plans. 36 states will also sign different hajj memorandum of understanding with one country.

On service delivery, NAHCON controls Airlines and accommodation in Madina. In the last few years, Nigerian pilgrims have been housed in a 4-star hotel within the vicinity or 5 minutes walk close to the Prophet's Mosque.

On the other hand, States are responsible for choosing their accommodation in Makkah. This year for example, our team currently in Saudi Arabia observes that Niger state pilgrims accommodation is located in an isolated area, far away from the holy Mosque, this invariably denies quite a number of the pilgrims the opportunity to observe their obligatory prayers at the Haram.

Also, registration of pilgrims starts from the local governments after which the funds are transferred to state pilgrims boards before being transferred to NAHCON.

There are allegations that most of the delays experienced every single year, that affects the smooth operations of the Hajj, including this year is as a result of the failure of some state boards to remit their collected fares to NAHCON in time because governors have used the monies for other purposes and are being awaited to make refunds.

We, therefore, call on the National Assembly to make it possible for pilgrims to pay their deposits directly to NAHCON (where the funds will end up anyway) so that the commission can in turn meet its obligations in time and avoid a situation where the entire operation will be put in jeopardy.

This, we believe, is also the best way to truly hold the commission to account in case of any service failure, IHR said.

E-Sign

Ibrahim Muhammed

National Coordinator

Independent Hajj Reporters

Misfala Makkah, Saudi Arabia

24th June, 2024


There has never been a time in Nigeria when the call for restructuring of the nation is on increase than now. Reasons are so obvious and politically conspicuous that even a blind person could see it. Restructuring Nigeria is simply a call for the total restoration of the nations Federalism, which is the foundational cum constitutional structure to which all Nigerians subscribed as encapsulated in the Independence Constitution of 1960. The Constitution was violated in 1966 and the violation consequently set in motion a chain of events that culminated in the present abnegation of a 36 state-structure against the four regional structures that emanated from the Independence Constitution.

However, given the view of some that Nigeria is presently a Federation, it is not surprising therefore, to see different political actors giving different perspectives to the concept of restructuring. I shall attempt in this article to focus on the need to apply the principles of Federalism in line with 1960 Constitution as against its conventional practice.

Some questions that have continued to amaze and bamboozle many of us are, how did we get to where we are today? What are the reasons for ethnic secession? The article shall further examine our unity in diversity as strength to functional union. The benefits of restructuring are enormous and shall not be overlooked, as there shall be viable recommendations, especially on the incessant insecurity problems in Nigeria.

Nigeria operates a centralized system of government, which in feature is unitary than true federalism. The federal government controls virtually all the affairs of the country, developmental projects and its resources, while the component States derive sustenance from it. Ordinarily, what Nigerians understand in restructuring is the devolution of powers and as such that more powers be vested on the State governments. They want the component federated states to control the internal affairs and resources, while the federal government controls international affairs, foreign policy, defence, and economy.

Everywhere in the country, the concept and need of restructuring Nigeria prevails. Both the well-enlightened and less enlightened citizens are preoccupied with the topic, all call for restructuring as the only option for a united and progressive Nigeria. And as such, as early as at the heat-ups of last year, which threatened the unity and integrity of the country, some prominent Nigerians spoke extensively on restructuring Nigeria.

For the former President, General Ibrahim Babangida, Nigeria needs to be restructured to ensure devolution of powers to the effect that more responsibilities will be given to the component States, and the federal government rests only with specific responsibilities bordering on defence, foreign policy, and economy.

A former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, opines that Nigerian component States needs to be made viable, by taking away the federation allocations from the federal government and bestow it on the state governments, and thus have a changed federalism. The central powers and resource control have to be devolved. True federalism has to be restored and not federal unitary system that Nigeria operates.

It is obvious that Nigeria is not practising federalism as stipulated in the 1960 Constitution. What Nigeria practises is pure unitary republic, and we fault the initial founders and operators of these systems of government for their obvious ignorance which has plunged the nation since the Junta regimes till date, into the incessant socio-political and economic crises.

In true federalism, does the federal government create State governments? That is unitary system which General Ironsi practised, but General Gowon and subsequent Heads of Nigeria federal governments created states, instead of the federated States which in this situation are the various ethnic nationalities that were amalgamated into Nigeria, to create a federal government as it did in 1960.

In a federal State like America, does the federal government give monthly allocations as it does in Nigeria to State governments, control the natural resources, and sustain states government? The contrary is the case in a true federalism. State governments give some quota of its resources to the federal government, including oil resources.

Generals Ironsi, Gowon, and all the Federal Heads of State, especially the Muritala-Obasanjos remodelling of Nigeria presidential system of government into the America system, deviated from true federalism and thus violated the principles of true federalism of the 1960 constitution.

The half century violation of the 1960s Independence Constitution and the 1963 republicanism has caused innumerable hardships for the federation. Thus, it is exigent to restructure Nigeria. There must be devolution of powers and thus a decentralised government given the present problems the country is facing. It will solve the security challenges in the country, electricity problems, stop the reliance on federal allocations for states developments; without the onus of competitions that create developments, agitation for secessions and outcry on marginalisation or domination by ethnic majorities, etc.

It is in this backdrop that Tola Adeniyi (2017) argued that Nigeria must return to the 1963 Constitution, to regionalism and parliamentary democracy, and thus jettison the corrupt-laden presidential system, collapse unviable States, and make legislature part-time and generally severally reduce the humongous cost of governance.

Since the history of the country, Nigeria has so far experienced different types of government. The (ethnic) regional government in the parliamentary democracy of 1960 to 1963, the (federal) representative democracy of 1963 to 1966, and the Military unitary government of January 1966 practised different socio-economic and administrative policies, while the highlight is the struggle to control the power at the centre.

To solve this problem, the first political shift from parliamentary to federal system of government took place and only a region was partially carved out (from the West) in order to cool the tension and opposition tempo, by way of controlling the situation militarily, the second political shift was made, and to totally dissolve the regional socio-economic might, competitions, agitations and political weights, another shift to federalism took place.

One can conclude that historically, the present statism in Nigerian federalism is as old as the first regional state created by the act of parliament in 1963. In her article, The Future of Democracy in Africa: Case Study- Nigeria 1992, Miriam Ikejiani-Clark noted that, over the last 20 years, Nigeria has progressively evolved towards a unitary state with a strong decentralising component, power and the authoritative allocation of resources have been increasingly concentrated at the federal level, a trend which went along with the atomisation of the countrys geo-political units owing to the fissiparous nature of Nigerias federalism. During this period also, the decentralised nature of Nigerias political system has been sustained by the introduction of a specific formulae of the distribution of federal revenue among the states and the institutionalisation of the federal character principle. This principle is adhered out of the belief that only federalism can guarantee the plural nature of Nigerian society, hence the federal character principle.

Consequently, Nigerian federalism developed as a solution to progressive ethnic separation or fissiparity rather than as an aggregation or by an association (or cooperation) of the component units to the initial one. And out of the 64 years of her political Independence, the Nigerian military was the locus of power in the political system for many years and militarised civilian government for 12 years (Obasanjo and Buharis democratic leadership, as these military chiefs ordinarily removed their military togas). All these democratic years, Nigeria has not been able to evolve and operate a functional democracy, mostly because of her inability to evolve relevant political institutions that through political socialisation are made effective. As such, economic state, institutional factors and insecurity are today at the forefront of the socio-political problems in Nigeria.

A perfect example of this is the lopsided nature of the federalism of the First Republic. It has a heavy structural imbalance, in terms of geographical and numeric size of the regions, which electorally and politically favoured the northern region. Ever since then, the shifts to political systems, innumerable economic policies and transition programmes subsequently show that previous institutionalisation patterns, which are adopted, were mere systemic failures. This is heightened by the fact that in 1979, Nigeria was imposed another institutional pattern: The American presidential democracy, which like other shifts of government systems implied a rejection of the last democratic institutional pattern- Parliamentary system.
Paradox of arming and disarming citizens

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No doubt, disarmament is a fundamental step towards containment of the protracted violence traumatizing the state of Manipur for the last more than 13 months. Disarmament alone may not be able to resolve the crisis but it can definitely open a way forward. Disarmament should be applied to both sides of the conflict in equal measures. There is no denying the fact that civilians taking up arms is not a healthy sign for any society. At the same time, it is also an unmistakable sign of state failure. While pursuing any active policy of disarmament on both sides of the conflict, the state must admit its colossal failure to protect its own citizens. The state must ponder on why the citizens took up arms at the first place. How the citizens armed themselves is a secondary question, one must focus on why they took up arms. But the state, at the moment, seems to be more concerned on how a section of citizens armed themselves. Self defence in the face of threats to ones life is not only an inherent right but also an instinct of every living being, and this is not restricted to human being alone. Here it would be worthwhile to recall how the widespread violence unfolded. Many have already made it clear that the violence could have been prevented had the security forces stopped the rally at Churachandpur on May 3, 2023. Security forces did not stop the rally. They watched silently when a large number of war-mongering people, dressed in combat fatigue and armed with sophisticated weapons, joined the rally and marched all the way to Torbung Bangla, only to unleash terror upon unarmed Meitei civilians and ignite a vicious cycle of widespread violence. Had the security forces stopped the rally from making its way beyond Churachandpur or at least protected the unarmed Meitei civilians of Torbung Bangla and their houses, the violence could have been nipped in the bud, and there would not have been any need for the Meitei youth/villagers to take up arms.

It was this abject failure of the state which contributed in a very big way in scripting a bloody history of Manipur. Had the houses of those helpless villagers of Torbung Bangla protected, there would not have been any retribution from Imphal. Again, if the villagers of Torbung Bangla were armed, they certainly would have defended their homes from the marauding aggressors. This was the first instance of the state failure and the state failed multiple times in the coming months. With their homes built with years of hard labour and earnings completely reduced to ashes, the villagers felt the urgent and dire need to arm themselves. Had the State and its armed forces defended the unarmed citizens, no one would have thought of looting weapons. The state must admit its failures and acknowledge this fact while going on with the process of disarmament. At the same time, the state must not mix disarmament with crackdown on unlawful elements like extortionists or criminals. A clear line must be drawn while dealing with criminals and those defending vulnerable villages from aggression. Unleashing the states might on those defending vulnerable villages from the relentless aggression in the name of disarmament would be a gross injustice and a classic case of victimising the victims. It is also equally important to see that the disarmament process goes simultaneously on both sides of the conflict. What is of paramount importance which must go hand in hand with the disarmament process is creating a sense of security among all sections of the society. The state has a detailed account of the number and types of weapons looted from its armouries. In another word, the State knows exactly the number of weapons which are in the hands of citizens. Is the state equally aware about the arsenal of the aggressors? Yes, there were reports of the state regularly inspecting the camps of militant groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO), and it was said the weapons were found intact. At the same time, the aggression at Meitei villages was going on unabated. It only implies that the Kuki-Zo militant groups have alternative huge arsenals of arms and ammunition, outside the supervision of the state. Any process of disarmament must start with identification of the source of this seemingly endless supply of sophisticated arms and ammunition. Until and unless this endless supply of arms and ammunition is cut off, any disarmament process will be unfair and incomplete.
A mob attacked a vagrant on suspicion of child-lifting on Saturday night in Bongaon, leaving him badly injured, in the latest such incident in North 24-Parganas. The severely injured man was rescued and admitted to Bongaon Sub-Divisional Hospital by police. According to hospital sources, his condition is critical. The incident occurred in Thakurpalli area of Ward No. 9 of Bongaon Municipality.

Police have already detained two individuals. Local sources reported that the vagrant had been wandering around Thakurpalli area since Saturday afternoon. In the evening, some locals asked him his name and identity. It is alleged that soon after, a few locals started beating him up on suspicion of being a child abductor.

Nirmalendu Biswas, the secretary of the local club, said: Residents noticed an unknown person wandering in the area at night. Suspecting him to be a child abductor, they beat him up. We went there, rescued him, and informed the police. The police came and admitted him to Bongaon Sub-Divisional Hospital in a critical condition. This incident has caused a sensation in the area. It is worth noting that the incidents of mob beatings on suspicion of child abduction began after the murder of a boy in Barasat. Subsequently, similar incidents occurred in Ashoknagar and Barrackpore. Despite repeated warnings from the police administration, the same incident was repeated in Bongaon

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Prem Singh Tamang, the Chief Minister of Sikkim, yesterday met Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah to convey his appreciation for the prompt assessment carried out by the Inter-Ministerial Central Team. Additionally, Mr Tamang provided a brief update on the Post-Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) report, which details the required funds for full recovery and has been submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Stressing the importance of ongoing assistance in permanently repairing damaged infrastructure, CM Mr Tamang has appealed for the allocation of funds and emphasized the crucial role of the Union Home Minister in reconstructing Sikkim and fortifying it against potential calamities. I also conveyed my sincere appreciation for his assistance after the destructive sudden floods in Sikkim on October 3rd and 4th, 2023. I acknowledged the timely allocation of funds from the National Disaster Response Fund, Mr Tamang said. The Sikkim Chief Minister of Sikkim also called on outgoing Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Mr Kiren Rijiju in Delhi today. This meeting was an important opportunity for me to express my gratitude for Mr Birlas distinguished service and seek his guidance on legislative matters of significance, official sources quoted Mr Tamang as saying.

Additionally, the Chief Minister held productive discussions with the Union Minister regarding the possibility of bringing the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje to Sikkim. The Union Minister assured his support for improving monastic schools and suggested a phased approach to upgrading monasteries. He also promised to release funds for ongoing social welfare initiatives, including the Singtam hospital, officials said. The Chief Minister was accompanied by MP (Lok Sabha) Indra Hang Subba, MP (Rajya Sabha) DT Lepcha, Chief Secretary VB Pathak, and Secretary (Chief Ministers Office) SD Dhakal.

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In the wake of the arrest of a terror suspect youth from Panagarh in West Burdwan, Subhendu Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in Bengal today claimed that the Bengal government has been harbouring such modules over the years, which weve repeatedly condemned. Yesterday, the Special Task Force of Bengal police arrested a youth, Habibullah Sheikh from Panagarh. Hes a student of Computer Science of Mankar College in the neighbourhood.

His brother and four others were also picked up by the STF from Nababhat in Burdwan town. They, the STF claimed, were planning to join Shahadat  an extended organization of Ansar- al-Islam, a terror outfit banned by Bangladesh in 2015. In 2016, an engineering student Ashik Sheikh was arrested from Panagarh by the NIA for his suspected link with a terror outfit. He, however was released next year as the charges against him was found concocted. Mr Adhikari, while meeting his party workers who had taken shelter at the Burdwan BJP office, said: This TMC government has accommodated Siddiqullah Chowdhury  a mastermind of a number of rioting cases in the state cabinet.

Itd sent a SIMI (Students Islamic Movement of India) leader like Ahmed H Imran to Rajya Sabha. He added: In Gujarat, a madrassa provided a forged authorisation to a Hindu youth. Its not just an issue of Hindu-Muslim, its a matter of protecting our own motherland, which this state government hasnt paid serious heed to.

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A young woman from Chinsurah, Hooghly, died in a road accident in New Town. It is alleged that the accident occurred due to the reckless speeding by the app-based bike rider she had hired. Police have begun investigating the incident. Meanwhile, the sudden death has left the residents of Kodalia-1 Gram Panchayats Pallishree area in Chinsurah in mourning. According to local sources, the deceaseds name is Priyasi Pal. The 22-year-old was studying journalism. Her family members said that after completing her postgraduate studies in journalism, she was doing a summer internship at an institution in New Town. Priyasi used to commute to New Town from home every day.

Her mother, Mousumi Pal, reported that Priyasi left home at around 1:30 p.m.on Saturday. She first took a train to Howrah, from where she hired an app-based bike to reach the institution. At around 6:45 p.m. Mousumi received a call from an unknown number informing her that her daughter had been seriously injured in an accident. Later, she received a call from a private hospital in New Town. She rushed to the hospital, but by then, her daughter had already passed away. Priyasis family claims that the accident was the result of the bike being driven recklessly. It was not immediately possible to ascertain the physical condition of the bike rider.

The deceaseds mother said: My daughter was heading towards New Town using a bike hired through the Rapido app. Thats where the accident happened. Sukanta Ghosh, the head of Kodalia-1 Gram Panchayat, stated that he learned of this tragic news from the family. He reported that Priyasi died due to a severed neck artery caused by the bike accident. He has called for police action.

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The Bihar government will hand over the investigation of alleged irregularities in the 2024 NEET-UG exam to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough probe. The Economic Offences Unit shall hand over all the updated case records to the central agency, said an official on Sunday.

Bihar government is to hand over the case related to the irregularities in the NEET UG examination held on May 5 to the CBI. The CBI team is expected soon in Patna to take over the investigation of the case. Economic Offences Unit shall hand over all the updated case records to CBI, according to Economic Offences Unit (EOU) DIG, Nayyar Hasnain Khan.

The EOU official informed about the same and said, The state government issued a notification on Sunday to accord its consent to the CBI in order to investigate the FIR no. 5117081240358 dated May 5, 2024, registered at Shastrinagar PS Patna case under sections 407, 408, 409, and 120B IPC,, which relates to irregularities in the NEET UG 2024 examination held on May 5, 2024.

The CBI team is expected soon in Patna to take over the investigation of the said case. EOU shall hand over all the updated case records to CBI, he said.

After taking over the probe into the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG exams in 2024, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has formed special teams to investigate the case, the central agency said in a statement on Sunday.

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According to the CBI, special teams are being rushed to Patna in Bihar and Godhra in Gujarat, where local police cases have been registered.

This comes after the central government entrusted the CBI with the matter of alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam in 2024 for a comprehensive investigation.

National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the NEET (UG) Examination on May 5, 2024, in OMR (pen and paper) mode. Certain cases of alleged irregularities, cheating, impersonation, and 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 a comprehensive investigation, the government saidThe Central Government has also enacted the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to prevent unfair means in public examinations and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, it said.

The government is committed to ensuring the sanctity of examinations and protecting the interests of students. It is reiterated that any individual or organisation found to be involved will face strictest action, it added.

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 out of 720, which added to the concerns.
Edtech company Byjus, mired in several controversies amid a cash crunch, has moved the Karnataka High Court against the order of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), which restrained it from going ahead with its second rights issue.

The second rights issue commenced on May 13 and was expected to end on June 13.

The edtech company has been restrained from utilising any funds from the second rights issue by the NCLT.

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The companys fresh plea in the Karnataka High Court is likely to come up for hearing on Monday, according to sources.

Byjus is exploring out-of-court settlements with two of its creditors, Teleperformance and Surfer Technologies.

The NCLT had adjourned the cases to June 26.

The company is facing multiple headwinds, in India as well as in the US against its subsidiary.

Once valued at $22 billion, the edtech company is now worth zero, according to a recent research note by the financial firm HSBC.

HSBC assigned zero value to investment company Prosus nearly 10 per cent stake (or about $500 million) in Byjus.

We assign zero value to Byjus stake amid multiple legal cases and funding crunch, according to the note.

Earlier this month, a group of lenders petitioned against new entities, tied to the US subsidiary of Byjus, into bankruptcy in a US court, alleging that these entities were not paying their debts.

In February 2024, Byjus Alpha had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US.

The company managed to process the employee salaries for May from monthly collections.
After its official social media handle on X was hacked, Canara Bank on Sunday acknowledged it, saying their X handle has been compromised.

The hacker changed the username of the handle to ether.fi.

The official account (@canarabank) has around 2.55 lakh followers.

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Canara Bank would like to inform all concerned that the banks official X (formerly Twitter) account has been compromised, the bank said in a statement.

All concerned teams are investigating the matter and working closely with X to regain access to Canara Bank X handle at the earliest, it added.

Till about 4 P.M., no new posts have been made on the account after being hacked.

The bank urged users not to post anything on its X page.

We will inform you immediately when it is restored and working in Canara Bank controls. The inconvenience caused is regretted, said the bank.

In a similar cyber attack, Axis Banks support handle on social media platform X was hacked on June 17.

During that time, some posts were made by hackers regarding tech billionaire Elon Musks company Tesla.

In a post, Axis Bank had responded: We are investigating the possible hack of the banks support handle. We are trying to resolve the issue at the earliest. Please ignore all posts made during this period and do not click on any unauthorised links.

In another post, Axis Bank wrote, The bank never asked for any kind of personal details regarding internet and mobile banking passwords, OTP, ATM PIN, or otherwise. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Delhi Water Minister Atishi said all of Delhis water comes from neighbouring states, alleging that the BJP government of Haryana has withheld 100 MGD or more than 46 crore litres of water from the citys share.

This is day four of her Jal Satyagraha and she insisted that she will not stop until Haryana releases Delhis share of water.

In a video message, she said that 100 MGD water is used by more than 28 lakh people in a day.

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Atishi further said that doctors had come for her check-up on Sunday and told that her Blood Pressure has dropped, while sugar levels are also low, Ketone levels are on a rise, and her weight has also reduced.

Doctors have advised that such a spike in the ketone levels is not good for health and could cause long term damage to the body, she said further.

However, she asserted that, My indefinite hunger strike will continue until the Haryana government releases the water which was due to the 28 lakh people of the city.

According to the Lok Nayak Hospitals medical team that came for Atishis check-up, the minister was asked to take hospital admission, however, she denied.

They observed general weakness and palpitation, according to the progress record of the patient.

The AAP minister, who began her indefinite fast on June 21, has been continuously pressing for Delhis water shortage and demanding that Haryana release more water, claiming that the state is not releasing national capitals full share, both from river Yamuna at the Wazirabad barrage and also at the Munak canals Bawana contact point.

Delhi gets water supply from Yamuna and Munak, as the city does not have its own water source, the minister had said.

Atishi had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue seeking his intervention to get more water released for Delhi from Haryana.

On the second day of her fast, she had alleged that some people were sent to disrupt her Jal Satyagrah, but she had asserted that she is not scared of such things and will continue her indefinite fast until Delhis water demand is met and Haryana releases 100 MGD more water.

Meanwhile, the city has been reeling under water crisis since the recent past, while Delhiites were also thrashed by the heat wave conditions. Residents in several areas were worst hit, especially those who depend on tankers for the supply of the natural resource.

Atishi had earlier informed that the Delhi government took many important steps to make water available to those areas where shortage had hit hard including rationing of water supply, invoking fines on wastage, banning use of potable water supply for construction work, and also creating control rooms for monitoring the situation regularly, and providing water tankers to those affected.
Delhi Mayor Dr Shelly Oberoi on Monday held an important meeting with Municipal Commissioner Ashwani Kumar and asked him to improve the sanitation system in the city, and ensure cleaning of drains as well.

The meeting was aimed to strengthen the sanitation system and emphasize the cleaning of drains before the monsoon.

The Mayor stated that cleaning of drains should be done on a war footing before the monsoon to prevent water logging in Delhi this year.

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She has stressed that locations prone to waterlogging should be identified and additional pumps should be deployed at such places.

She also directed the officials to take immediate action in areas where citizens report water logging problems.

Mayor has asked all the DCs to inspect their zones on the ground to identify the issues.

She also mentioned that she herself and the area councilors would also conduct field inspections to ensure work is being carried out at the ground level.

Deputy Mayor Aaley Mohammad Iqbal, Leader of House Mukesh Goel, Deputy Commissioners of all zones, Engineer in chief and other senior officials of the MCD attended this meeting.

All the officials briefed the Mayor and the Commissioner about the issues and problems of their respective areas.

The Mayor has directed the concerned officials to take appropriate steps to improve the sanitation system across all zones, and also said that additional sanitation workers should be deployed in the areas, and strict measures should be taken against the concerned zones concessionaires to ensure proper cleaning.

She directed all DCs to hold meetings with their zones concessionaires and ensure timely garbage collection from households by auto- tippers, and the mayor has stressed special attention to vulnerable points regarding garbage.

Oberoi has directed to make special arrangements for the removal of construction and demolition waste in all zones.

She emphasized the need for coordination with all agencies to make Delhi a clean and garbage free city.
A 40-member Indo-Pakistan team along with World Banks experts on Monday flew to Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir to examine two hydroelectric projects under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT).

The team arrived at Jammu on Sunday and flew to Kishtwar in helicopters to examine the power projects coming up on the Chenab River that comes under the IWT.

The 9-member Pakistani team is led by Syed Ali Murtza, secretary of water resources in Pakistan. Syed Mohammed Mehar Ali Shah, Pakistans IWT commissioner is also accompanying the team.

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The Indian delegation consisting of 12 members is also visiting these projects.

A three-member Pakistan delegation had earlier inspected the Pakal Dul, Ratle and Lower Kalnai hydro electric power projects last time in January 2019, before the ties between the two countries froze following the abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

This is the first visit of a Pakistani delegation to Jammu and Kashmir in more than five years under the dispute settlement mechanism of the 1960 IWT.

India and Pakistan signed the IWT after nine years of negotiations, with the World Bank being a signatory of the pact which sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two sides on the use of waters of a number of cross-border rivers.

Immediately after landing at an army camp near, the visiting delegation visited the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) headquarters, the officials said, adding they left for the 85 MW Ratle hydroelectric power project site at Drabshalla for dam inspection.They are also visiting the 1000 MW Pakal Dul hydroelectric project on river Marusudar, a tributary of river Chenab, and other power projects during their stay in Kishtwar, the officials said.

Pakistans initial request to the World Bank in 2016, concerning its objections to the design features of the two hydroelectric power projects, sought a settlement through a Neutral Expert.

However, Pakistan later withdrew this request and sought adjudication through a Court of Arbitration. India, on the other hand, insisted that the issue should be resolved solely through Neutral Expert proceedings.

After failed negotiations, the World Bank appointed a Neutral Expert and the chair of the Court of Arbitration in October 2022. Issuing a notice for modifying the Treaty, India warned that such parallel consideration of the same issues is not covered under any provision of the IWT. In July 2023, the Court of Arbitration ruled that it was competent to consider and determine the disputes set forth by Pakistans request for arbitration.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has appointed 25 liaison officers each in Jammu and Srinagar to coordinate the visit of neutral experts along with delegations from India and Pakistan.

The IWT allocates the three Western Rivers- Indus, Jhelum and Chenab to Pakistan and the Eastern Rivers- Ravi, Beas and Sutlej to India. The treaty allows each country certain uses on the rivers allocated to the other.

While the Indus originates and flows to Pakistan through Ladakh, Jhelum flows from Kashmir and Chenab originates in the Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh from where it flows to the Jammu region and then to Pakistan.

India is building several hydroelectric projects on the Chenab and the earlier objections of Pakistan particularly on the height of the dam of some of these projects were overruled by the World Bank that is an arbitrator for resolving such disputes.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi on Monday held a meeting with party leaders from the poll-bound state of Jharkhand.

During the meeting at the Congress headquarters, they discussed strategy for the upcoming Assembly polls in the state.

In a post on X, after the meeting, Kharge said, The Congress party is completely dedicated to the rights of all sections of Jharkhand, including water, forests, land and tribal society.

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In an apparent reference to the arrest of former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, he said, BJP has insulted the identity of Jharkhand by playing conspiratorial politics.

For the upcoming Assembly elections, every Congress worker has to remain among the public.We are all committed to social justice and participation. Today we discussed election strategy with leaders of Jharkhand Congress, the Congress chief said.

Assembly elections in Jharkhand are due later this year.

Kharge and Rahul are scheduled to hold meetings with other poll-bound states of Maharashtra on 25th June and Haryana on 26th June, and Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir on 27th June.

It may be mentioned that in the recently concluded Lok Sabha election, the Congress had won 99 out of the 543 Parliamentary seats.
BJP national president J P Nadda wrote to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressing shock over the stoic silence of the grand old party over the recent hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadus Kallakurichi region which resulted in the death of more than 56 people.

The letter of Nadda, who is also Union health minister, to Kharge read: The ghastly images of burning funeral pyres, from Karunapuram village in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu, in the aftermath of Tamil Nadus worst-ever spurious liquor consumption tragedy, that has left 56 dead until now and almost 159 persons hospitalised, have shaken the conscience of the entire nation.

He further wrote, Kharge ji, the tragedy in Kallakurichi is entirely a man-made disaster and perhaps, if the deep nexus between the ruling DMK-INDI alliance dispensation and illicit liquor mafia did not exist, today 56 lives could have been saved. In May 2023, around 23 people once again succumbed to illicit liquor in Villupuram and Chengalpattu. At that time too, the BJP had cautioned the ruling DMK-INDI Alliance government of complicity and nexus between their functionaries and the illicit liquor mafia. But no attention was paid to our sincere exhortations.

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Nadda demanded an immediate stop to the sale of illicit liquor in the state and the sacking of the minister concerned. At this juncture, the BJP and the entire nation demand that you press upon the DMK-INDI Alliance Tamil Nadu government to go for a CBI probe and ensure immediate removal of Muthuswamy as minister, the BJP chief wrote in the letter.

We also urge you to pursue Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to either pay a visit to the victims families or at least muster the courage to raise their voice on this issue rather than maintaining a deafening selective, hypocritical silence, Nadda added.
Leaders of the INDIA bloc, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, on Monday staged a protest at the Parliament premises here, alleging attack on the Constitution under the Narendra Modi-led government.

The Opposition leaders held the demonstration at the location where the statue of Mahatma Gandhi was there, on the first day of the 18th Lok Sabha. They shouted slogans while holding aloft copies of the Constitution.

Modi ji tried to break the Constitution. Therefore, we are protesting here where the Gandhi statue was there. He is breaking every democratic norm. We want to tell Narendra Modi you should move ahead according to the Constitution, the Congress president said.

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Notably, last week, he wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha chairman and demanded restoration of the statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Babasaheb Ambedkar, and other national leaders to their original locations in the Parliament premises.

Later in a post on X, Kharge referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modis address to the media before the start of the maiden session of the 18th Lok Sabha, said, PM Modi made a longer than usual customary address today. Clearly, even after moral and political defeat, the arrogance remains.

The nation was hoping that Modi ji would say something on many important issues. He will show some sympathy towards the youth regarding the paper leak in NEET and other recruitment examinations, but he did not take any responsibility for the massive rigging and corruption of his government. Be it the floods in Assam and the northeast, the backbreaking price rise, the historic fall of the Rupee, or be it the exit poll-stock market scam, Modi ji is mum, he said.

On the caste census, the Congress chief said, Modi government has kept the next census pending for a long time, PM Modi was completely silent even on the caste census.

He also slammed the Prime Minister over his Emergency remark and said, You are reminding us of the 50-year-old Emergency, but have forgotten the last 10 years of Undeclared Emergency, which was ended by the people. People have given their mandate against Modi ji. Despite this, if he has become the Prime Minister, then he should work. People need substance, not slogans- remember this yourself.

Recalling the 1975 Emergency imposed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister said, Tomorrow marks 50 years since a dark chapter was written into Indias democracy. The new generation of Bharat must never forget how the Constitution was completely disregarded, torn apart, and the country was turned into a prison, with democracy utterly suppressed. 

These 50 years since the Emergency remind us to protect our Constitution and democracy with pride. The countrymen must resolve that such a travesty will never be allowed to happen again, he said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, The attack on the Constitution by Prime Minister, Amit Shah ji is not acceptable for us. We will not allow this to happen under any circumstances.

We will raise the voice of the people and will not let the Prime Minister escape without accountability, he said, raising various issues including the NEET scam and recent train accident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for cooperation from the Opposition as the first session of 18th Lok Sabha commenced on Monday.

Addressing reporters ahead of the session, Modi said that the country needs a responsible opposition.

The people of the country expect good steps from the opposition. I hope that the opposition will live up to the expectations of the common citizens of the country to maintain the dignity of democracy. People do not want drama or disturbance. People want substance, not slogans. The country needs a good opposition, a responsible opposition, and I have full faith that the MPs who have won in this 18th Lok Sabha will try to fulfil these expectations of the common man, Modi said.

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Modi also mentioned the emergency imposed by former Prime Minister and Congress leader Indira Gandhi in 1975 and called it a block spot on democracy.

Tomorrow is the 25th of June. 25th June marks 50 years of the blot that was put on the democracy of India. The new generation of India will never forget that the Constitution of India was completely rejected, every part of the Constitution was torn to pieces, the country was turned into a prison, democracy was completely suppressedWhile protecting our Constitution, while protecting the democracy of India, the democratic traditions, the countrymen will take a resolution that no one will dare to do such a thing in India again which was done 50 years ago. We will take a resolution of a vibrant democracy. We will take a resolution to fulfil the dreams of the common people as per the directions of the Constitution of India, the PM said.

During the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, newly-elected MPs, including Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Amit Shah, took oath as Member of Parliament.

Modi was also sworn in as Leader of the House. The oath was administered by Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab.

Meanwhile, the Oppositions INDIA bloc leaders held a protest in front of Mahatma Gandhis statue in Parliament over the appointment of Mahtab as Pro-tem speaker. The INDIA bloc leaders held a copy of the Constitution to mark the protest.

The Opposition has objected to the appointment of Mahtab as Pro-tem speaker, claiming it was against the established traditions of the House.

Usually, the senior most MP is appointed as Pro-tem speaker to administer the oath of new MPs and oversee the House proceedings until a full-time Speaker is elected.

Congress MP K Suresh said he has been an MP eight times, whereas Mahtab has been elected only 7 times, which makes him the preferred choice for the post.
A political slugfest has erupted between the opposition parties and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) over the horrendous hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi town, 244 km south of the capital Chennai, which has claimed 58 lives so far. This is one of the worst-ever setbacks to strike Tamil Nadu in more than a decade.

While the principal opposition AIADMK staged protest demonstrations at Kallakurichi and across the state, demanding a CBI probe into the incident and resignation of Chief Minister MK Stalin, the BJP submitted a memorandum to Governor RN Ravi to press for an investigation by the central agency. The BJP had organised a similar state-wide protest on Sunday.

As the opposition continued to mount their attacks accusing the Stalin government of being incompetent in curbing the illicit liquor menace, the DMK chose to turn the tables on the AIADMK and BJP. DMK Organising Secretary and former MP, RS Bharathi alleged that both the AIADMK and the BJP were hand in glove with the liquor mafia in Kallakurichi.

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Addressing the media in Chennai, he said The demand for a CBI probe is made with an ulterior motive to gain political mileage. It is a diversionary tactic. Reports emerging everyday indicate the involvement of those belonging to the AIADMK and the BJP in the spurious liquor business. The truth will come out.

Debunking the claim that the CBI is better than the state police, Bharathi said the CBI had not even filed an FIR in the incident pertaining to the seizure of Rs 570 crore cash near Tirupur even after 8 years. In the gutkha scam (top police officials and two former AIADMK ministers are accused), nothing has moved. The Chief Minister has entrusted the Kallakurichi hooch case to the CB-CID and the probe is moving fast. Further, a one-man judicial commission has been constituted to look into all aspects of the issue.

On Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman joining the chorus for the CBI probe, he said She is ignorant of history. Illicit liquor was there even during the regime of former chief minister and AIADMK founder MG Ramachandran and hooch had claimed many lives then and in many other states.

Earlier in the day, addressing the protest gathering in Kallakurichi AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami squarely blamed the DMK government for the deaths. The Kallakurichi District Collector (now transferred) had asserted that the initial death of three persons was not due to spurious liquor. This was the reason for the deaths later on. Was he under pressure to hide the fact? He reiterated his demand for Chief Minister Stalin to step down.

Former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundara Rajan, who accompanied BJP state president K Annamalai, to meet the Governor, later told the media that a CBI inquiry alone could reveal the truth. We do not have faith in the CB-CID. They could not go against the government. Only a CBI inquiry would be impartial.

In a related development, the Tamil Nadu government is planning to develop the scenic Kalrayan hill range, part of the Eastern Ghats abutting Kallakurichi district, into a tourist destination. Tourism minister K Ramachandran, intervening in a debate in the Assembly, said Kalrayan hill range has a notorious connotation for being a hub of illicit liquor distillation. The Government is planning to change this by making it into a tourist destination.
Increased consumption of tobacco and related products are driving head and neck cancer cases in India, said health experts on Sunday.

Head and neck cancer includes cancers in the tongue, mouth, and other parts of the pharynx like oropharynx, nasopharynx, hypopharynx, salivary glands, nasal cavity, larynx (voice box), etc.

The prominent cause of oral cavity cancers is having tobacco and tobacco-related products, betel nuts and smoking, alcohol. Sometimes HPV infections also contribute to it, Pritam Kataria, Consultant, Medical Oncology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, told IANS.

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To cut down the head and neck cancers, the expert called for strict regulations regarding the tobacco and tobacco-related products and on the intake of alcohol.

If the tobacco and related products are taken off, the majority of the head and neck cancer incidents will come down in the end. Thats a big challenge, because the awareness among the masses, and changing behaviour are some of the difficult aspects of cancer prevention, Pritam said.

Accounting for 30 per cent of all cancer cases, head and neck cancer is the most common in India and its burden is higher in the country than in the US, UK, Australia, Africa and Brazil.

In India, the number of cancer cases is rising. According to GLOBOCAN 2020, there will be 2.1 million new cancer cases in India by 2040, an increase of 57.5 per cent from 2020.

To curb the problem, Prathmesh Pai, Director and surgeon, Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Head and Neck Cancer Institute of India stressed the need to raise public awareness of the harms of tobacco, betelnut, and alcohol.

Engage the parents and schools to prevent the adoption of these habits by the youth, public campaigns to ban the sale of tobacco, betelnut, and alcohol to the youth, ban production and sale of tobacco, betel nut, and alcohol, he told IANS.
Realizing the desired emphasis on digitisation and virtual teachinglearning process, higher spending on education is desirable to upgrade digital infrastructure. Getting private sector spending may be a plausible solution. Instead of building new infrastructure in the domain of higher education institutions, the existing government structures could be rebuilt in modern mode. Public-Private-Partnerships could be reinvented in a better way so that equitable education opportunities to all through EdTech platforms can be extended. Our immediate attention is caught by EdTech in the new normal situation in education which holds the promise of a more effective and equitable education experience.

This commitment holds sway of late with advanced technology at the forefront. Augmentation of quality of teaching goes hand in hand with these initiatives to prepare a pool of trained manpower for post-Covid campuses. In this respect, the government may collaborate with the private industry to ensure continuous skill enhancement of educators. EdTech rose to the occasion during the prolonged lockdown periods. It was feared that prolonged out-of-school learning might lead to children staying away from school systems. But later years saw improvement in Gross Enrollment Ratio in schools. In FY22, enrollment in Indias nearly 1489115 schools stood at 26.5 crore children with 19.4 lakh additional children enrolled in primary to higher secondary levels. Schemes such as Samagra Shiksha, RTE Act, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya and the POSHAN Scheme play an important role in enhancing enrollment and retention of children in schools.

The education infrastructure in the form of schools, amenities and digitisation has to be steadily promoted along with a focus on pedagogy. Under the ICT component of the Samagra Shiksha Scheme, the government is bound to support classrooms and ICT labs in schools, including support for hardware, educational software and e-content for teaching. The availability of teachers measured by a pupil-teacher ratio ~ an indicator which is inversely related to improvement in the quality of education ~ has to be improved at all levels. Under the PM SHRI scheme 2022, there is provision for setting up more than 14500 PM SHRI schools, over a period from FY23 to FY27 by strengthening the existing infrastructure in all the schools. These schools will be equipped with modern infrastructure and showcase the implementation of the NEP.

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With a focus on developing cognitive, effective and psychomotor abilities and also early literacy and numeracy for students in the age groups of 3+, 4+ and 5+, Project Balvatika was launched in 49 Kendriya Vidyalayas. The Samagra Shiksha Scheme has been aligned with the recommendations of the NEP and extended from FY22 to FY26. In spite of an increase in awareness to get children educated and their enrolment, Indias learning crisis remains critical. NEP-2000, which suggested a huge restructuring of the school curriculum, envisages learners through the school and higher education system being exposed to vocational education.

Vocational courses through distance mode would also be encouraged. Skill-based training is being prioritized with greater implementation of modern technology. But there are challenges that the government must address in order to expedite the implementation process. In the absence of unequivocal operational guidelines regarding curriculum priorities, the education sector came up with different approaches recently to keep the show going. Some priorities concerned the academic skills and knowledge that students needed to maintain in subjects such as language, mathematics, science and history, considering the rest of the curriculum, say the arts, as non-existential.

Keeping the pandemic situation in mind, the idea already in vogue is that students were hardly able to transfer the knowledge and skill acquired in school to everyday situations. The narrative could accelerate the idea that school is boring and less worthy in the making of an individual.

It is worth mentioning that the OPEC called for an effort to make education more meaningful through revamped curricula that are more challenging and interesting for students. The Council of Ministers of Education in Canada stressed the importance of giving priority to global competencies within curricula that could be leveraged in different situations. The Covid situation in our country raised questions about the usefulness of certain curriculum content. The NEP can draw on the UNs 2030 Sustainable Development Goals as a source of framing contextualized and authentic learning situations relating to the challenges facing mankind.

The NEP might require certain revisions in the areas of strengthening the normative framework of the RTE Act instead of restricting it. It will need to situate equity, inclusion and diversity accordingly. The one nation, one channel or one digital framework thereby may not be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. While NEP-2020 lays emphasis on foundational literacy and numeracy, our youths are led to believe that those are not the only components that could lead them to build their careers. A lot remains to be done in order to improve the state of foundational literacy in the country, which includes increased investment in and strengthening of public education, a reduction in student-teacher ratios, a comprehensive revamp of teacher education, greater decentralization of decision-making and a focus on conceptualizing curriculum, textbooks, pedagogy and assessments.

NEP-2000 endorsing the 6 per cent norm certainly intends to curb commercialization of education, especially tertiary education. However, certain other provisions made therein may encourage private sector participation which may further lead to commercialization of private education. Research shows that public expenditure on education is a key factor fostering growth and reducing inequalities. In the US, school education is more or less public funded as higher education is left to the private sector, but still the economically poor are supported with public funding through scholarships.

In our country, the private sector continues to occupy the majority space in school and higher education as well. A country with nearly 50 per cent of its population below 25, India needs extra emphasis on education. Education, that happens to be on the Concurrent List, has seldom been a priority of either the Centre or state governments. The allocation for education in the current budget reflects the same trend and, like the previous budgetary exercises, lacks the components that can help the Indian education sector take a giant leap forward, especially when the NEP is allembracing. The task before the education minister is, of course, a challenging one.

A K GHOSH The writer, a former Associate Professor, department of English, Gurudas College, Kolkata, is presently with Rabindra Bharati University
As summer continues in the Northern Hemisphere, we are once again reminded of the relentless and devastating power of extreme heat. Heat waves sweeping across continents are not just a harbinger of discomfort; they are a stark reminder of the growing impact of climate change on our lives. This year, as temperatures break records from the United States to Saudi Arabia, the urgency of addressing this global crisis has never been more apparent. Indias plight exemplifies the global nature of this crisis.

Delhis record nighttime temperature of 35.2C is a chilling reminder that heat does not relent after sunset. With more than 40,000 suspected heat stroke cases and at least 110 deaths in the country, the human toll is staggering. This enduring heat wave, coupled with a record number of hot days, paints a dire picture of the future if climate change continues unchecked. In Saudi Arabia, the extreme heat has turned the sacred Haj pilgrimage into a perilous journey. Temperatures soaring above 51C have tragically claimed hundreds of lives, a grim testament to the deadly potential of heat waves. The situation underscores the vulnerability of even well-prepared societies to the caprices of extreme weather, and the need for robust measures to protect the most vulnerable. The United States is no stranger to the blistering effects of heat.

With over 86 million people under heat alerts, cities across the Northeast and Midwest are sweltering under a heat dome. This phenomenon, where a high-pressure system traps hot air, is a stark reminder of the atmospheric changes driven by global warming. Cities like Phoenix are bracing for temperatures nearing 45.5C, pushing public health systems to their limits and highlighting the urgent need for adaptive infrastructure. The Balkans and Mediterranean regions are also reeling from the heat.

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Serbia and Montenegro are experiencing temperatures around 40C, prompting health alerts and urging residents to stay indoors. The impact extends beyond health, as these high temperatures fuel forest fires from Portugal to Greece, devastating landscapes and livelihoods alike. What we are witnessing is not an isolated phenomenon but a pattern that is becoming alarmingly frequent. The World Meteorological Organisations prediction that future years will likely surpass current temperature records should be a wake-up call for global leaders. The scientific community has been clear: without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, heat waves will become more frequent, more intense, and more deadly. The time for complacency has long passed.

Governments, corporations, and individuals must recognise that climate change is not a distant threat but a present reality. Investment in sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, and comprehensive climate policies is imperative. Public awareness and community resilience programmes can mitigate the immediate impacts, but only a global commitment to reducing emissions will address the root cause. In this pivotal moment, the heat waves scorching the globe should serve as a catalyst for action. Sadly, the worlds leaders appear unconcerned.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, paid a visit to Pyongyang last week and signed a defence pact with reclusive North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, as he looks for new allies who can help him increase Russias supply of munitions for the war in Ukraine. As part of this mutual aid deal, the two leaders promised that each country will come to the defence of the other if attacked. Kim also promised North Koreas full support for Putins invasion of Ukraine. Whats interesting about the entire Russia-North Korea showy display of camaraderie is Chinas response: silence.

China has misgivings about how things are unfolding, which reports suggest prompted Chinese president Xi Jinpings call to Putin to call off the latters visit to Pyongyang. Obviously, Putin didnt heed Xis request. Why would Beijing be so rattled by the Russian-North Korea defence treaty? After all, China has its own defensive pact with North Korea, which was inked in 1961 and renewed in 2021. Beijing also has a no limits partnership with Russia. Logically, if China could sign its own defence treaty with North Korea, so can Russia. But the pact made by Putin and Kim severely threatens Chinese security. China was already worried that whatever control it has over North Korea was weakened when Pyongyang reportedly supplied almost 7,000 containers worth of weapons to Moscow.

And this is why, in April, the Middle Kingdom sent its third most senior leader within the Chinese Communist party hierarchy, Zhao Leji, to assure the North Korean strongman that Beijing was still a strong ally. Now the defensive pact that draws Moscow and Pyongyang closer threatens to further diminish Chinas influence over Kim. The Kremlin knows that one of Beijings greatest fears is that a renegade North Korea may one day point its weapons at China. And this is a key reason behind Putins peace treaty with Pyongyang.

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For decades, China had tried to maintain its influence over Pyongyang by being the mediator between North Korea and the rest of the world. This included attempting to curb North Koreas nuclear ambitions. Beijing does so to safeguard its own safety and survival, and probably believes that as long as North Korea remains dependent on China, it wouldnt bite the hand that feeds it. China also remains North Koreas biggest trade partner. This all sounds awfully bizarre, since Chinas mutual defence pact with North Korea suggests that both nations are close allies. But North Korea has a tradition of defying China, and this deal with Russia might embolden it further  and that will be worrying Beijing.

In 2017, for instance, Kim Jongun, in clear defiance of China, ordered the assassination of his half-brother, Kim Jong-nam, in Malaysia. And when China retaliated by halting all coal imports from North Korea into China, North Korea not only condemned Beijing for dancing to the tune of the United States, but also vented its anger by firing missiles in the direction of Japan. But where the missiles originated from in North Korea and the distance that they covered towards the direction of Japan provided China with a rather grim check on reality: North Koreas weapon capabilities extend to major Chinese cities.

The Sino-Korean animosity dates back centuries and took shape when Korea was a vassal state of imperial China. Unfortunately, this animosity extended to modern times when Mao Zedong decided to station Chinese troops in North Korea even after the conclusion of the Korean war, and when Beijing did not aid Pyongyang in its nuclear ambitions. It didnt help either that the founding leader of North Korea, Kim Il-sung, was suspected of espionage and was nearly executed by the Chinese Communist party in the 1930s.

All this history plays a part in what decisions and alliances are being made today, and why. It would be a serious mistake to think that the Russians, even in desperation, would believe that making North Korea an ally would turn the tide of the Ukrainian-Russian war in Russias favour. But this move, and his recent trip to Vietnam, shows Putins desperation. Even if Pyongyang continues to supply Russia with muchneeded ammunition and weapons, Moscow will need greater technology and firepower to win against an Ukraine that uses weapons supplied by the US and Europe. This fact is not lost to Putin, and he knows that for Russia to stand a winning chance in the war that he started in 2022, requires its partner of no limits to stand firmly by Russias side. But beyond supplying Russia with the dual-use technology (which could be used for civilian or military purposes) to fuel Russias industrial war complex, China appears to have fallen short of supplying actual weapons to Russia. Even if China wanted to provide weapons to Russia it cant.

This is because it fears further antagonising the west, and triggering economic sanctions would prove lethal for an already ailing Chinese economy. China knows that it needs a strong Russia so that the west doesnt consolidate its resources to deal with the perceived Chinese threat. But on the other hand, helping Moscow may prove too much for Beijing to stomach since that would harm Chinas economy. So, Putin needs to force Beijings hand, and the peace treaty that he just signed with North Korea might just do the trick.

(The writers are, respectively, Assistant Professor of Business Economics, University of Nottingham and Associate Lecturer in International Relations, University of St. Andrews. This article was published on www.theconversation.com)
I n a historic judgment in a writ petition  M.K. Ranjitsinh & Ors. Vs Union of India  filed regarding the conservation of two critically endangered species of birds, the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and the lessor Florican, the Supreme Court has expanded the umbrella of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution and acknowledged that people have a right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change.

The Court observed that despite governmental policy and rules and regulations recognizing the adverse effects of climate change and seeking to combat it, there is no single or umbrella legislation in India which relates to climate change and the attendant concerns. However, this does not mean that the people of India do not have a right against the adverse effects of climate change. Background: Article 48A inserted by the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act, 1976 directed the State to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and the wildlife of the country. Article 51A (g) enumerates a fundamental duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures. This Amendment also made certain changes to the 7th Schedule of the Constitution. This Schedule contains three lists namely Union, State and Concurrent to enumerate matters on which the Centre, the State and both can make laws.

Entry 17 A  forests, 17B  Protection of wild animals and birds, 20 A  Population control and family planning have been added to the concurrent list, empowering both Centre and State to make laws and policy on these matters. In 1992, in the principal majority opinion of a Bench of nine judges, Justice Jeevan Reddy said in Indira Sawhney vs. Union of India, that those who wrote the Constitution and finalised it did not rest content with evolving the framework of the State. They also pointed out the goal and the methodology for reaching the goal; in the preamble, they spelt out the goal and in Parts III and IV, they elaborated the methodology to be followed for reaching that goal.

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In 1996, in M.C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath, the Supreme Court observed that any disturbance of basic environmental elements namely, air, water and soil which are necessary for life would be hazardous to life and cant be polluted. In this context, Article 14, Right to Equality, and Article 21, Right to life and liberty, and their innovative interpretation by the activist Supreme Court have played a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life of citizens. Article 21 is the fountainhead of rights and the Apex Court has also invented emerging new rights from its scope and implications and also in the context of norms developed by United Nations and other International forums .

Now, on 21 March, for the first time, the Supreme Court has expanded the Scope of Article 14 and 21 to include categorically the right against adverse effects of climate change. A three judge-bench presided by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud observed, Article 21 recognises the right to life and personal liberty while Article 14 indicates that all persons shall have equality before law and equal protection of law. These Articles are important sources of the right to a clean environment and the right against the adverse effects of climate change. The Supreme Court has acknowledged Article 21 as the heart of fundamental rights in the Constitution and noted that the intersection of climate change and human rights has been put into sharp focus in recent years, underscoring the imperative for States to address climate impacts through the lens of rights.

The Court also observed that there are certain sections of society that become all the more vulnerable to climate change and these groups include the poorer communities, tribal and indigenous communities. In this case, the Court in its order dated 19 April 2021, imposed restrictions on the setting up of overhead transmission lines in a vast area of about of about 99,000sq km in the habitat of the Great Indian Bustard in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The Ministry of Power, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy had applied for modification of the order. While considering an appeal for the modification of its order, the Court while acknowledging that its earlier order was not feasible to implement has directed experts to assess the feasibility of underground power lines in specific areas after considering factors such as terrain, population density and infrastructure requirements.

Referring to environment-related aspects of the Directive Principles of State Policy, the Court observed that these have to be read together with the right to live and personal liberty under Article 21. While emphasizing the global transition towards cleaner energy sources, the Court said, it is essential to harness power from sources of renewable energy in Rajasthan and Gujarat to meet the rising power demand in the country in an expeditious and sustainable manner.

This is also necessitated by Indias international commitments with respect to climate change. Our Parliament has already enacted a plethora of laws like Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, amended last in February 2024; Air ( Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, amended last in 1987; the Environment ( Protection ) Act 1986; the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, amended last in 2022 and the India Forest Act, 1927, amended last in 2019. But none of these legislations addressed the right against adverse effects of climate change.

Implementation of these laws is also a challenge for the administration. Rationalization and simplification of laws is the need of the hour. The Supreme Court has mandated for an umbrella legislation to ensure better protection of the environment and a healthy life for citizens. Climate change is among the most difficult challenges facing the world today. The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm, Sweden is the first comprehensive attempt to lead the world community to environmental awareness and the utmost need for specific national and international actions to ensure that economic growth is planned in full appreciation of the long-term value of environmental protection and conservation of natural resources. The development must be sustainable in terms of the entire human community and environment at large.

After the Stockholm Declaration, the Earth Summit, 1992 in Rio De Janeiro is a further development towards conservation and emphasizes on two aspects to ensure better environment:

(i) Conservation and sustainable use of biological diversities, and

(ii) Protection of climate system for the benefit of present and future generations of mankind.

The year 2015 witnessed two landmark international events, the historic climate change agreement under the United Nations Frame Work Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) successfully conducted in Paris in December and the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals in September. The Paris Agreement sets a roadmap for all nations in the world to take actions against climate change in the post 2020 period. The Millennium Development Goals (SDGs) guide the international community and national governments on a pathway towards sustainable development for the next fifteen years. In October, 2021, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution recognizing the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right that is important for the enjoyment of human rights.

In July 2022, the UN General Assembly also adopted a resolution recognizing the same right. These resolutions are the culmination of a lengthy diplomatic process to recognize the greening of existing human rights. Without a clean environment which is stable and unimpacted by the vagaries of climate change, the right to life is not fully realised. To sum up, can we say that the Supreme Court has impliedly recognized the right of nature and all other living beings around us to be protected from aggression in the name of development and the entire human community has to work together to ensure a sustainable development to ensure their own rights to live a meaningful life? The most viable answer is yes.

The judgment of the Court has rightly acknowledged and captured the developments in the international forums and fortified environmental jurisprudence in the light of our Constitution. India with a dream of a $5 trillion economy and Viksit Bharat has to reconcile its much-needed development with the spirit enunciated in this judgment. In the public domain, this judgment would facilitate debate and discussion. At the same time, it will enhance our integration with nature. Parliament may also consider a comprehensive umbrella legislation to implement the spirit of this judgment.

(The writer is a lawyer, author and social activist.)
It is now almost common knowledge that a Bill passed by the legislature of any State mandatorily needs assent of the Governor of the state, meaning his approval to mature the Bill into an Act. Assenting to a Bill is not a privilege of the Governor, it is his Constitutional duty.

When a Bill, not being a money Bill, is presented by the legislature to him he may either assent to the Bill or return the Bill as soon as possible to the legislature for its reconsideration  either of the entire Bill or any of its provisions (Article 200). Occasions for signifying Governors assent to a Bill is the rule and the occasions for a Governor returning a Bill for reconsideration is an exception to the rule. And if on reconsideration the legislature once again passes the Bill with or without any amendment and again presents the Bill, the Governor has no option but to signify his assent. Instead of assenting to a Bill the Governor may reserve a Bill for consideration of the President for some obscure reasons for protection of the powers of High Court mentioned in the second proviso to Article 200 of the Constitution.

And, if the Bill is so reserved for consideration of the President, the President may declare his assent to the Bill or withhold his assent and, unless the Bill is a money Bill, the President may direct the Governor to return the Bill to the legislature for its reconsideration within a period of six months from the date of receipt of the Presidents said direction.

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If on reconsideration of the Bill, the legislature also passes the Bill with or without any amendment, the Bill is required to be presented to the President for his consideration and in such event Constitution surprisingly remains silent without casting any compulsive obligation on the President to give his assent either within any fixed time or at all. Such an unprecedented bizarre situation is required now to be addressed and resolved by the Supreme Court in a writ petition filed on 23 March 2024 against the Governor and the President by the Kerala Government under Article 32 of the Constitution.

Incidentally, Money Bills have been exhaustively defined in Article 199 and the special procedure in respect of such Bills has been provided in Article 198 of the Constitution. But neither of the Articles has any relevance in the present context. The bizarre situation is created by the Constitution itself because of its dissimilar treatment of two almost similar situations.

In the case of the Central Legislature i.e. Parliament passing any Bill for the second time after the Bill is returned by the President to Parliament for reconsideration, the Constitution casts a compulsive obligation on the President to give his assent by expressly barring him from withholding his assent (Article 111).

Treatment of similar situations differently seems to be constitutionally incongruous and against the spirit of the Constitution. No explanation is also available for the aforesaid differential treatment in the debates of the drafting committee of the Constituent Assembly held respectively on 20 May 1949 and 1 August 1949. Article 176 of the Draft Constitution, which is now Article 201 of the Constitution, was adopted and incorporated in the Constitution as drawn by the drafting committee without any amendment at all on 1 August 1949.

But Article 91 of the Draft Constitution was deliberated on 20 May 1949 at length and by way of amendments a phrase

(i) as soon as possible (Provided that the President may, as soon as possible after the presentation to him of a Bill for assent, return the Bill . with a message requesting that they will reconsider the Bill) at the beginning and the words

(ii) President shall not withhold assent thereform (and if the Bill is passed again by the Houses with or without amendment and presented to the President for assent, the President shall not withhold assent therefrom) at the end were added to the proviso to Article 91 of the Draft Constitution which is now Article 111 of the Constitution. Significantly neither amendment finds place anywhere in Article 201 of the Constitution. There seems to be no rationality behind the aforesaid differential treatment creating a bizarre situation in the working of Constitutional provisions which has now necessarily saddled the Apex Court with the responsibility of resolving the glaring dissimilarity and incongruity while deciding the said Writ Petition under Article 32 of the Constitution filed by Kerala Government against the President, Governor of Kerala and others seeking redressal against the conduct of the Governor of the State first, and of the President in not assenting to as many as seven Bills which were presented to the Governor by the State Legislature for his assent since 2021.

Of these, four were referred by the Governor to the President for his consideration and are pending since long. The President has withheld consent for long without any reason or explanation therefor although none of the provisions of the said Bills has any implication for any affairs of the Central Government. It is to be noted in this context that in terms of Article 74 of the Constitution, the President is to act on the aid and advice of the Ministry at the Centre just as the Governor is to act on the aid and advice of the Ministry in the state (Article 163).

In this context, provisions of Article 311 of the Constitution providing immunity from personal liability to both the Governor and the President for their commissions and omissions also appears to have no relevance. In the present context there is no question of, nor can there be, personal liability either of the Governor or of the President arising in any event. Moreover, there are judicial authorities upholding amenability of both the Governors and the Presidents conduct to judicial review under Article 32 of the Constitution.

Both stoic silence for a long period for withholding assent and that too without any reason are likely to be held against each of them as unreasonable and arbitrary. If it is so held by the Apex court that would likely demean the dignity and honour of the Governor as also the President. There also seems to be no reason why the Constitutional Court cannot direct issuance of a mandamus directing each of them to act to give effect to the spirit of relevant Constitutional provisions of a democratic polity in giving assent to each of the pending Bills within a fixed time. Such findings of the Apex Court are reasonably expected and are likely to work as a guideline for the future also for such unwelcome and unfortunate imbroglios.

A sweet or sour relationship between the Governor and an elected government matters hugely to the welfare of the state and to Constitutional ethics and morality of a democratic polity as the government is the reflection of the will of the majority people of the polity. The constitutional history of our country confirms that until recently, instances of a sour relationship between the State Ministry and the Governor were not only few but also far between and mostly of temporal nature. But unfortunately such instances are now being seen more frequently and for longer period to the detriment of welfare of the people at large.

It is unfortunate that such instances are peculiarly more and more visible in a few states like West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh and also in the two union territories of Puducherry and Delhi where in place of Governor there are Lieutenant Governors in the Constitutional government structure. Whether Governors or Lieutenant Governors, all are appointees of the President on the advice of the Central Ministry at the head of which is the Prime Minister.

The ministry at the Centre is now formed by National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of which the Bharatiya Janata Party is the main constituent since 2014. In all the aforesaid states and union territories parties other than those constituting the NDA have formed the Ministries. In the existing unwelcome situation of discord between the Governor and the Governments in some States, the ever-suspicious political critics cannot be blamed for smelling a rat! It is a matter of great regret and wholly undesirable that in spite of clear and unambiguous provisions of our Constitution, the two constitutional functionaries have embroiled themselves in unnecessary confrontation with no meaningful consequence for the welfare of the State.

In the first place, it must be made absolutely clear that in normal circumstances, there is no legitimate scope for any confrontation between the two and more so when there is no question or occasion for giving rise to an issue either

(i) on the question of formation of government in the State, or

(ii) on the question of whether the Government of the State can be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. To be more specific there was no, nor could there be any issue with regard to formation of government (Articles 163 and 164) and similarly there was no, nor could there be an issue with regard to any failure of constitutional machinery in the State (Article 356).

A Governor of a State in India, unlike a governor of a State in the United States or elsewhere, does not govern a State although the Constitution has made him the head of the executive of the State and all executive powers of the State are vested in him. The executive powers vested in him are required to be exercised by the Governor either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. In all these situations he need not and does not depend upon the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.

It has also been held by the Supreme Court that a Governor can exercise his discretionary power only if there is a compelling necessity to do so. He is otherwise to be aided and advised by the Council of Ministers of which the Chief Minister is the head. It has also been judicially held that Ministers are officers subordinate to the Governor. Article 163 of our Constitution read with Article 166 has also made the position absolutely clear when it says that the Council of Ministers are to aid and advise the Governor in exercise of his functions except in so far as he is by and under the Constitution required to exercise his functions or any of them in his discretion and unless a particular Article expressly provides so. An obligation of the Governor to act in his discretion cannot however be inferred by implication.

As said earlier there are a very few constitutional provisions which require a Governor to act in his discretion. In addition, a Governor has certain responsibilities which he has to discharge according to the directions issued by the President and in those circumstances he does not have any need to be advised by the Council of Ministers. While exercising these powers there is hardly any room for confrontation as the areas are distinct and have no relation with the executive powers of the Government of the State of which he is the Governor. Our constitution envisages a parliamentary system of Government meaning thereby that a Governor is not to exercise any function personally. Executive functions are allocated according to Rules of Business made under Article 166 (3).

The Supreme Court has said that a Chief Minister and a Governor must always be conscious of their constitutional obligations and not sacrifice either political responsibility or parliamentary conventions at the altar of political expediency. In S.R. Chaudhuri Vs State of Punjab, the Court had borrowed the observations of constitutionalist Prof. Nwabuezes book Constitutionalism in the emergent States which says that The successful working of any constitution depends upon what has aptly been called democratic spirit, that is, a spirit of fair play, of selfrestraint and of mutual accommodation of differing interests and opinions. There can be no constitutional government unless the wielders of power are prepared to observe the limits upon governmental powers.

Prof. Nwabuezes observations were preceded by his assertion that Experience has amply demonstrated that the greatest danger to constitutional government in emergent States arises from human factor in politics, from the capacity of politicians to distort and vitiate whatever governmental forms may be devised. We expect that neither the government nor the Governor of the State will enter into such a confrontation which will in effect vitiate the pleasant political atmosphere in the State. The Government and the Governor of any state are therefore reasonably expected to coordinate in the matter of governance of the state in a manner that the judiciary is not burdened with the responsibility of deciding avoidable occasions of dispute between them. (

The writer is Barrister-at-Law and Sr. Advocate, and former Advocate General of West Bengal.)
Imagine waking up to the aroma of fresh ilish (hilsa) fish sizzling in mustard in the kitchen, knowing that your day is off to a delicious start. Your Maa hollers your daak naam (pet name), urging you to hurry up and take a bath. You know that after savouring some shorshe diye ilish, youll be rewarded with a delightful bhaat ghum, cuddled up with your beloved kolbalish or pashbalish (cylindrical pillow or bolster). And who knows, maybe later youll indulge in a Satyajit Ray classic! So unfolds the archetypal Bangali (Bengali) life, or Bangaliyana, in all its winsome glory.

Bangaliyana: Doodles, Cartoons and Musings from a Probashi Bengali written by Rajiv Banerjee offers a uniquely humorous take on the intersection of the native and the cosmopolitan. Born and raised in Mumbai, Banerjee is a probashi, meaning, he was brought up outside his linguistic community of West Bengal. The books pulse is humour, brought to life by a whimsical mix of doodles and cartoons. For the past decade, the author, (a self-taught cartoonist, a former journalist and a successful corporate communications leader) spent most weekends sketching, creating a treasure trove of cartoons. Banerjees passion for cartooning ignited at the tender age of six as he watched his father craft witty cartoons in a small black diary. His primary learning source thereafter was studying the works of renowned cartoonists like R.K. Laxman, Mario Miranda and Ajit Ninan. His deep dive into Bengalis and Bangaliyana filled a sketchbook to the brim, planting the seed for this book.

The book kicks off with a chapter titled Daak Naam. Every Bengali boasts a charmingly peculiar daak naam that often makes more sense to the heart than to the head. The author humorously recounts how his entire neighbourhood knew him only by his pet name. When outsiders asked for his address using his formal name, the neighbours were left scratching their heads in bewilderment, having no clue who that was.

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Maacher jhol and bhaat (fish curry and rice) is synonymous with Bengalis but imagine the horror on the faces when I announce, Ami maach khai na (I do not eat fish), writes Banerjee in the chapter titled Tumi Maach Khao Na?. He humorously narrates his trips to the Mumbai fish market, where the sellers blatantly ignore him, instinctively knowing hes no fish connoisseur. The kakimas, pishimas, kakus and dadus (aunties, uncles and grandfathers) are the prized clientele and command all the attention. Most fishmongers have, over the years, picked up a smattering of Bengali phrases too add to their sales pitch, Aasun, kakima, ilish nao, khub bhalo (Welcome, aunty, there are some good hilsa for sale), Banerjee writes in his book.

The book boasts chapters like Sunday Breakfast, Lunch and Ghoom, Kol Baleesh, Bhaat, Aloo Bhaja, and Muchmuche. In these, Banerjee hilariously reminisces about staging epic battlefield scenes with his kol balish as the star, savouring elaborate Sunday feasts, and Bengalis undying love affair with muchmuche aloo bhaja (crispy fried potatoes).

And then theres Boroline, the green tube of wonder ointment. Got a cut? Boroline. Chapped lips? Boroline. World ending? Well, Boroline might not fix that, but it will certainly make you feel better. I distinctly recollect a mother admonishing her child aloud for not applying Boroline, inside the train compartment, Banerjee writes in the chapter titled Boroline.

There are plenty of delightful scents in the world, but then there are the prototypical fragrances of incense sticks, dhuno and bhog proshad including khichuri. One whiff and you know Maa eshe gechen. Banerjee dives into the essence of this festival in the chapters, capturing the true pujo vibe through chapters titled Pujo Pujo Bhaab, Bhog Prasad at the Durga Pandal, Pujor Chhuti and Durga Puja Chanda and Sponsorship.

I first encountered the term wanderlust (which translates to bhromon er nesha, meaning a strong desire to travel) around the age of seven or eight. I discovered it through Satyajit Rays film Agantuk, where the maternal uncle, Manmohan Mitra, mentioned how his wanderlust compelled him to leave home and explore the world. It was then that I also learned the word has German origins.

In Bangaliyana, Banerjee discusses the Bengali fondness for travel, particularly their enthusiasm for pilgrimage to Puri, Odisha, and their adoration for hill stations such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Gangtok. A Bengali family holidaying in the hills is a sight There is a sweater, a muffler, a shawl and a mankey tupi (monkey cap), he writes in the chapter titled Wanderlust.

Jana Aranya by Satyajit Ray holds a particularly special place in my heart. More than just a film, it serves as a cynical social commentary. The film vividly portrays the depths of debasement within society. Banerjee, in the chapter titled Satyajit Ray, highlights my favourite scene where Utpal Dutt (Bishu Da) instructs Pradip Mukherjee (Somnath) in the ways of conducting business. Dutts condescending tone when Somnath hesitates at the idea of engaging in trade is striking, particularly his remark, You can beg on the streets, but you wont sell chanachur (snacks).

Bangaliyana scoffs at the idea of fitting neatly into a single genre. Its part memoir, part short story, and one hundred per cent humour. Think of it as a treasure hunt through the authors memory bank, unearthing stories that will strike a chord with probashi Bengalis everywhere. The book is not about critiquing Bengali culture; its a heartfelt love letter to the true-blue Bengali spirit. Whether youre a probashi or just someone intrigued by the Bengali way of life, this book promises to tickle your funny bone and tug at your heartstrings. From the quirky anecdotes to the hilarious doodles, its a riot of laughter, nostalgia and a celebration of everything that makes Bengali culture wonderfully unique.

Spotlight

Bangaliyana: Doodles, Cartoons and Musings from a Probashi Bengali

By Rajiv Banerjee

BluOne Ink, 2024

116 pages, Rs 399/-
This year, a young illustrator and artist, Kuhoo Mitras one-day solo exhibition was exhibited at Calcutta Rowing Club on Sunday, 16th June. Mitra is a student of the bachelor of fine arts in illustration at the School of Visual Arts, New York City, and will begin her final year in the coming fall.

I used to read a lot of childrens books and would love to draw my own characters and scenes passionately since childhood, and my parents have supported and encouraged me a lot in this field, she said.

Mitra decided to pursue her career as a freelance illustrator at an early age, and immensely admired iconic painters and illustrators like Satyajit Ray, Nandalal Bose and Bikash Bhattacharya.

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In this exhibition, she displayed 21 paintings and five illustrated, hand-bound books done by herself.

She has been illustrating and publishing books since her school days. Her first illustrated book of Bengali poems, Somoyer Chokhe, was written by Subhanu Mitra and published by Bani Sansad Publishing House in Kolkata in 2018. One of her best illustrated books covers Bengali short stories titled Oder Golpo, written by Shreya Ghosh and published by Parampara Prakashan in Kolkata in 2020. A fifteen-page illustrated book written in Bengali and depicting through pictures the various rituals and events that take place is titled Durga Puja. The writing, typography, design, screen-printing and binding were all done by Kuhoo herself. She used the Japanese stab-binding method for this book, which was made in New York in 2023. She has illustrated a few accordion books, Creature of the Deep Sea and Cracking India in 2023.

Kuhoo has been experimenting in different mediums, sizes, styles and subject matter, though in this exhibition she focused on water colour, gouache and coloured pencils. Kuhoo has expertise in mediums like water colours, acrylics, pen and ink, graphite and charcoal.

I was highly enchanted by the Western illustrators and writers at the age of 34 years. I got the primary idea of illustration and storyboard drawings from them and their illustrated picture books and magazines, she says.

This was Kuhoo Mitras first solo exhibition, where she expressed a strong commitment to creating illustrated books in Bengali. She observed that despite the growing diversity in the picture book industry, Bengali culture remains underrepresented in English-language picture books. Consequently, Kuhoo aims to produce more illustrated books featuring Bengali protagonists, exploring unique aspects of Bengali culture. Her upcoming works will address themes like breaking stereotypes about Bengalis, celebrating Bengali customs, food and culture, and delving into the history of Bengal and the Indian subcontinent.

The writer is a freelance contributor
This is not the first book in which writer and academic Saikat Majumdar has looked at what he likes to call non-normative relationships between two human beings, irrespective of gender.

Even if there is fluidity in this concept, how it really plays out in our real lives is the subject of his various books that deal with, among other subjects, sexuality, homelands, religion and race in an immediate environment, which could be Kolkata, Delhi, or North America. More recently, his time spent at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study as a fellow pushed this, his latest novel, The Remains of the Body, to the finishing line. Something that is not easy at all. He acknowledges: It has been a year of flight and mooring, through the burnt-orange twilight of the haunting South African sky, which will never leave my dreams. It provoked and disciplined him.

Available in hardcover, this book is more of a novella (the cover reminds one of Picassos cubic painting The Kiss) and reads quick of two men, one married but whose marriage is already crumbling, who meet again to perhaps get another stab at rekindling the sparks of their childhood and adolescent years spent together as they discovered their bodies and each other. This theme of natural attraction with the same sex is also the theme of one of his earlier novels, The Scent of God, where two boys are drawn to each other, as it often happens in a same-sex boarding school, usually monastic.

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Two male friends, one married but with the marriage breaking, resurfaced in North America as seasoned professionals. They negotiate their own lives through academia and research in a country in which immigrants try to fit in but often feel sad and isolated. This is not always because of the quietness and sterile surroundings, but due to traces of racial tension beneath the surface. At the weekend parties in well-appointed homes where goat curry and wine are abundantly served, the body I feel becomes the metaphor for home.

There is bonding between not just two but three friends, as desire is like secret coils of energy. Unfurled, they could light a flame in the water.

The novel looks into human desire. It is complex. Like shapeless water, it can take on the shape of whatever vehicle it is carried in. Round, square, or trianglewhatever happens in the novel can happen in life, but circumstances vary. The smaller details are against the larger picture of what the daily grind of living is and the stoicism we choose to suppress it with.

In a novel, the writer can give wings to the story to fly so that the reader can re-imagine it in the best ways possible, and that is the beauty of this piece of work. The prose is evocative and reflects the war that often takes place in the theatre of our minds, when not spilling over in terms of crisis. The book compels us to look at the unpredictable nature of human desire, intimacy and passion while they last (in our bodies) in kinder and more humane ways. The role of the opposite sex is no less here, and it entwines in ways that the author wishes to surprise us with.

Is it love, or is it the body? And can the two be segmented? These are questions raised, but there is a deep bonding between the two individuals that remains. It may not always be overtly sexual, but a certain erotic charge in our relationships, whoever it may be with, is what makes life beautiful, if not painful.

Excerpts from an interview with the author who launched The Remains of the Body in Kolkata recently.

Q1. You have positioned your book in the LGBTQIA+ genre. Can we expect more from you in this category?

As a novelist, I dont think I have much control over what I write about. Compelling moments and questions take hold of you and demand that you make novels of them. But I feel that disruptive forms of desire, including forbidden ones, have become a primal imaginative force for me. That is how I understand queernessany desire that lies outside socially normative reproductive activity but also beyond the binary of gay and straight. Transgressive desire is a narrative energy of its own, as nothing pushes narrative like unfulfillment; such desires rarely come to fruition. Sometimes, they can be destructive, in small and large ways, and that destruction, too, is artistically fascinating. Their moments of happiness are also tiny acts of rebellion, almost always transient. I have the stirrings of a similar narrative, but its too early for me to even fully imagine it. But it feels like it will require me to return to Calcutta, the original milieu of my fiction.

Q2. Who are some of the Indian writers who have already dealt with this? Any favourite international writers?

The obvious names in Indian English writing are Vikram Seth and Hoshang Merchant in poetry and essays; R. Raja Rao, Sandip Roy and Hansda Sowvendra Sekhar in fiction; Akhil Katyal in poetry; and Ruth Vanita in poetry and fiction. But there are writers in the Indian languages who have dealt with more subterranean forms of desire, sometimes radically and clearly queer, but often more grey and undefined. Niladri Chatterjee has been translating the queer fiction of Bengali writers like Krishnagopal Mullick and Shibram Chakraborty. But there are stories of strange and unclassifiable tremors, such as Saadat Hasan Mantos story Peerun or the moment in U.R. Ananthamurthys story A Horse for the Sun, where a man gets a head massage from an old friend, a man who is seen as a village idiot.

Of international writers, my classic favourites are those by writers such as D.H. Lawrence and Vladimir Nabokov. I also enjoyed the Irish writer Sally Rooneys first two novels and the work of the Maori writer Witi Ihimaera.

Q3. How much of you is in the book?

All fiction, as P.D. James had said, is autobiographical, and all autobiographies are lies. In other words, all fiction has something of the author in them. But its hard to say what of the author. A limb, a memory, a wisp of laughter, a belief, a question? Its unpredictable. Factual things, like places are easyI write about places Ive known myself. Otherwise, I cannot make them come alive. As for characters, its more complicated. Many Indians may recognise the kind of chaddi-buddy friendship Avik and Kaustav share in the novel. Kaustavs questionwhy doesnt the intensely physical dimension of this friendship become erotic?might be a twist in that tale. I have asked myself that question: Why are we not pansexual? Why is it that all of us dont get attracted to multiple genders? But its a question that has come to me intellectually, though in an intensely personal way. But for Kaustav, this is not just an intellectual question; it is a bodily one too. The embodiment of an intellectual question is the fiction that Ive tried to shape.

Spotlight

The Remains of the Body

By Saikat Majumdar

Vintage Books, 2024

184 pages, Rs 499/
Research and development (R&D) expenditures by major South Korean companies hit an all-time high last year despite their falling sales amid an economic slowdown, data showed on Sunday.

The countrys top 1,000 companies made investments of 72.5 trillion won ($52.12 billion) combined in 2023, up 8.7 per cent from a year earlier, according to the data from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology.

It was the largest ever amount, it showed, reports Yonhap news agency.

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The increase came despite their sales falling 2.8 per cent on-year to 1,642 trillion won, and the proportion of corporate R&D investment out of sales rose 4.4 per cent in 2023 from the previous years 3.9 per cent.

Tech giant Samsung invested the largest amount in R&D last year with 23.9 trillion won, which was up 14.4 per cent on-year and accounted for 32.9 per cent of the total investment by South Korean companies.

Leading carmaker Hyundai Motor came next with 3.7 trillion won, which marked 15.6 per cent on-year growth. R&D spending by chip behemoth SK hynix fell 10 per cent year-on-year to 3.6 trillion won.

Home appliances giant LG Electronics increased its R&D expenditure by 10 per cent to 3.3 trillion won, and Samsung Display Co. spent 2.8 trillion won on R&D last year, up 12 per cent on-year.

Kia Corp. was the fifth-largest R&D investor last year with 2.2 trillion won, the data showed.

Of the 1,000 companies, 171 were large conglomerates and 491 were second-tier mid-sized companies. The remaining 338 firms were mid- and small-sized companies.

The number of mid-sized companies that were among the top 1,000 major R&D investing companies has risen over the past years. The government will extend support for companies to increase investment for innovation, a ministry official said.
Afghan counter-terrorist police have discovered a massive weapon cache containing a variety of weapons in east Afghanistans Paktia province, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said on Sunday.

The contraband, which included ten pieces of AK-47, 20 cartridges, and ten hand grenades, was discovered in operations in the Ahmad Abad district recently, the ministry said in a statement posted on X.

Additionally, more than 2,000 shotgun shells have been discovered, reports Xinhua news agency, citing the statement on X.

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Police will not allow anyone to keep military equipment illegally, the statement said.


remaining of

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Job Title: Head of Technology. FibreCo

Organisation: MTN Uganda

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Managing Director  FibreCo

About Organisation:

MTN Uganda is a subsidiary of MTN Group, a multinational Telco operating in Africa and Middle East, with over 280milllion subscribers, making it the largest in Africa

Job Summary: The Head of Technology is expected to implement & manage the technology roadmap for Opco FibreCo by aligning and managing efficient and effective network roll out set up, operate a cost effective and future proof network & infrastructure, delivering excellent quality of service, coverage, and capacity.

This role is to provide sound technical leadership in all aspects of business. The role is expected to be the technology go-to expert and play an integral role in setting up the fibre infrastructure & service orchestration. The Head of Technology will oversee overall IT Network & Infrastructure development utilization plans and manage all information technology resources for the Opco FibreCo.

Context

Bayobab is entering a new phase where operational and commercial excellence to maximize value from its Infrastructure business. FibreCo is a fully owned subsidiary of Bayobab that has been set up to drive Fiber connectivity. The management team of Bayobab FibreCo is expected to drive synergies across verticals of the infrastructure business, create an integrated InfraCo with a one stop shop value proposition for end customers and minimise operational costs.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: The Head of Technology & Network will be accountable to achieve the following objectives:

Strategy Development and Implementation

Cascade the Group strategy to create functional strategy aligned with the overarching business goals, under oversight of the Bayobab CTIO

Ensure effective implementation of the functional strategy by means of providing direction, structure, frameworks, models, plans, and roadmaps.

Oversee regular review of the functional strategy and roadmap, under oversight of the MD, to ensure its alignment with the changing dynamics of the internal and external ecosystem.

Staff Leadership and Management

Source, induct and manage talent in accordance with legislative guidelines.

Continually develop a culture of strong collaboration and effective team working

Ensure open communication channels with staff and implement change management interventions where necessary.

Provide definition of roles, responsibilities, individual goals, and performance objectives for the team

Set KPIs and provide regular performance feedback through a well-defined and implemented performance review program.

Develop and implement a training plan to build and develop skills within the team.

Performance manages resources in accordance with HR policy and legislation where necessary.

Actively participate in leadership team and develop skills of own team.

Promote a partnership approach to develop strong relationships with other working groups and ensure adherence to Group governance.

Governance

Strategic Meetings

Participate and provide input in strategic meetings.

Provide inputs & drive OpCo wide transformation initiatives, elicit inputs from relevant parties.

Provide inputs to and ensure adequate risk mitigation and controls in the function.

Perform evaluation baseline of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and KPIs

Drive preparation of proposals/ business case on change initiatives SLA, policies, and procedures

Escalations

Escalate issues that will result in severe time, scope, productivity, and cost or resource impact to MD / Bayobab Technology teams.

Manage and provide solutions to escalations that have multiple processes / functions impact on critical path of service delivery.

Function Tactical

Review and finalise objectives, targets, and budgets for the function, under oversight of MD.

Review key risks, issues and dependencies and set mitigation actions, seeking guidance from the MD as and when required.

Sign-off / make decisions regarding tactical changes and where required seek sign-off from Management.

Performance

Monitor Technology & Network functional performance and alignment with overall OpCo strategy.

SLA approval and exception performance review

Budgets

Manage functions budgets in line with business objectives, under oversight of MD.

Ensure that the cost of operations is managed, in line with a least cost operating strategy stemming from the business drivers, under oversight of the MD.

Operational Delivery

Functional Leadership:

As the functional leader of the Technology & Network vertical, the role is accountable to:

Monitor and align the direction, strategy, and results of the Technology & Network vertical, collectively and as individual work areas in the OpCo, ensuring that the Group guidelines are duly complied with.

Lead and deploy an integrated solution development and problem-solving philosophy across the function.

Serve on the executive committee to align technology goals to other departmental and organizational objectives.

Delivery Leadership:

As the delivery leader of the Technology & Network vertical, the role is accountable for the following work area outcomes:

Manage the Technology Infrastructure, Network and Service delivery for International IP Leased Lines, National IP Transit, Backhaul, National & Metro Leased Lines

Manage Fiber assets & capex more than 20 Mn USD

Oversee team, resources, and service providers to ensure provision and quality of service and connectivity and to support implementation of changes to support service delivery.

Accountable for the architectural and design to the develop of the Fibre Network and supporting Infrastructure environment.

Manage technical implementation of agreed initiatives working with all required parties to ensure successful delivery.

Assist Group Technology team in deploying IT Infrastructure and assets within the OpCo and monitor to ensure that Infrastructure & assets usage, performance & maintenance is as per standards.

Oversee Technology & Network work packages including fibre network design, underground conduit design, and fibre splicing design.

Oversee Fiber infrastructure Network Deployment plans in line with Bayobab Technology team guidelines.

Accountable for network resilience and redundancy plans for the network

Oversee & Manage equipment providers, subcontractors (civil engineering), technical teams.

Oversee & manage Network Planning & Capacity, Network operations and Infrastructure roll out.

Manage the enterprise Information Security & IT service management for the Opco.

Ensure customer complaints & escalations are resolved within the agreed SLA timelines with the Manager Services provider.

Understand the technology trends in telecom infrastructure and need to validate and apply relevant technology changes to evolve the company infrastructure to meet changing business and customer requirements.

Build quality assurance and data protection processes and policies by ensuring accurate SOPs and maintenance of critical documentation.

Develop, track, and maintain network availability and quality metrics for all routes.

Knowledgeable in the Disaster Recovery processes of the systems & infrastructure

Oversee & ensure appropriate maintenance processes are in place to protect the performance of the service in the longer term









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Education:

Minimum B. Tech/B.Eng. /B.Sc.

Minimum 4-year degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field

Masters degree in technology/engineering is preferred.

Experience:

Minimum 5 to 8 years relevant experience in a similar position with at least 3 years in a managerial role

10 to 12 years of Professional/Technical Experience in wholesale/infrastructure/B2B Telecommunications sector/ industry with good knowledge in Planning & Designing of FTTX Networks

Experience working in a service-based business for FTTx and Telecommunications Design of Infrastructure (Civils and Fibre) will be advantageous.

Experience in MapInfo/Spatial net/GIS Tools/AutoCAD will be useful.

Good knowledge of BOQ and BOM for FTTx Designs

Proven track record in leading and delivering successful network rollout projects.

Experience working in a global/multinational enterprise with a good understanding emerging market.

Functional Knowledge:

FTTX Network solution design & planning

Backbone transmission planning & roll-out

Service Orchestration

Cabling & leased line management

Network operations management.

Outsourcing contract management

IT service & platform management

Service monitoring.

Required Skills:

Strategic thinking

Technical Acumen

Business Acumen

Analytical thinking

Conflict management

Data interpretation

Decision making

Delivery focused.

Leadership

Negotiations

Innovation

Presentation

Authorities

As per FibreCo and Bayobab DoA

Collaboration

NB: Presentation of false academic documents and certification will lead to criminal prosecution. Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification. Should you not hear from us within fourteen (14) days from the closing date of this advertisement, you may consider your application to be unsuccessful. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply:

All candidates who wish to join MTN Uganda in this capacity should apply online at the link below.

Click Here

Deadline: 1st July June 2024

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline

Date Posted 2024-06-24T11:59 Valid Through 2024-06-24T00:00 Employment Type FULL_TIME Hiring Organization MTN Uganda Job Location Kampala, Kampala, Kampala , 0256, Uganda

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After the Union Health Ministry handed over to CBI the investigation into the alleged irregularities in the conduct of the NEET examination, the officials of the Central agency arrived in Bihar's Patna on Monday morning to take forward the probe.

The CBI filed an FIR on Sunday in this regard after the Union Health Ministry, in its complaint to the probe agency, stated that "certain isolated incidents" occurred in a few states during the conduct of the examination.



The case was investigated by the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar Police. The EOU arrested 18 people in connection with the case, all of who will now be handed over to the CBI for questioning. "The CBI officers are collecting evidence related to the case from the EOU," an official told PTI.



The evidence collected by the EOU includes pieces of the burnt question paper recovered from a house in Patna, mobile phones of those arrested, SIM cards, laptops, post-dated cheques and reference question papers provided by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The official added that all 18 accused will be taken to Delhi for detailed interrogation by obtaining transit remand from a Patna court.



Of those in custody, a junior engineer in Danapur Town Council, Sikander Prasad Yadvendu, may face additional charges of disproportionate assets (DA) since he was found to possess huge assets that are disproportionate to his known source of income. Yadvendu, originally from Samastipur, has been identified as the prime suspect in the case, he said.



"He has a history of involvement in criminal activities. Before becoming a junior engineer in 2012, he worked as a contractor in Ranchi. He was previously implicated in an LED scam worth Rs 3 crore. He has served a jail sentence for his role in that case," the officer told PTI.



Meanwhile, the NTA on Sunday debarred 110 students from Bihar after detection of "malpractices". These include 17 candidates who appeared from centres in Bihar, 30 from Gujarat's Godhara and 63 others.



Several persons linked to the custody chain of the question papers, including bank officials and employees of a courier company, are also being quizzed as part of the investigation. Officials believe Sanjeev Mukhiya's gang is behind the crime and a manhunt is on to nab him.



"The NTA also provided the roll code of 15 aspirants during the course of investigation for their detailed examination. While four have been examined, the remaining 11 have not turned up before the investigators for their examination," it said. Now the case is being handed over to the CBI for further investigation, it added.


The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin on Monday, which will see a resurgent opposition put the new government on the dock for the controversies surrounding the NEET irregularities.

The session will also see the new MPs take the oath or make affirmation over the next two days before the Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab and the panel of chairpersons. The new Lok Sabha Speaker will be elected on Wednesday.

President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to address the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, setting out the agenda of the NDA government for the next five years. Both Houses will take up the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, which will be replied to by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 2-3.

However, unlike the last two terms, the opposition which has become stronger this time is likely to counter the government on multiple issues, including NEET irregularities. The Congress-led parties have already accused the government of incompetence for the exam cancellations happening every day.

The INDIA bloc has already raised protests over the appointment of the pro-tem speaker and has made it clear that they would not assist Mahtab in administering oaths to newly elected Lok Sabha members.

The Congress had protested Mahtab's appointment as a pro-tem speaker, stating 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. Party spokesperson Jairam Ramesh claimed that the senior most MPs in the 18th Lok Sabha were Kodikunnil Suresh (Congress) and Virendra Kumar (BJP), who are both now serving their 8th term.

Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc MPs will assemble in the Parliament complex Monday morning and will march to the House together on the first day of the first session. The MPs will gather near Gate No 2 of the old Parliament building, where the Gandhi statue once stood, a senior opposition party leader said.

The Gandhi statue, which was a popular protest site for MPs in the Parliament complex, was recently relocated along with 14 other statues that dotted the complex. All these were installed in one area, Prerna Sthal. The politician said some MPs will hold copies of the Constitution of India and they will all walk down to the Parliament building.

This session will conclude on July 3 and reassemble for the monsoon session on July 22.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider abolishing NEET, and reverting back to the system of conducting the exam by states in the wake of the paper leak row.

In a letter to the PM, Banerjee also called for strong action against those involved in the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam.

I strongly urge upon you to consider and take immediate steps to restore the previous system of conducting this examination by the state governments and abolish the NEET examination. This will help restore normalcy and confidence of the aspirant students in the system, she said in her two-page letter.

Drawing the PM's attention to allegations of paper leak, taking bribes by certain people and the officials involved in the conduct of the examinations, opening of window to accommodate certain students to apply for examinations, grace marks etc, the chief minister dubbed those as serious issues which need complete attention and requires a thorough, clean and impartial probe.

Stressing that such instances jeopardise the career and aspirations of lakhs of students, Banerjee called the developments as those that not only compromise the quality of medical education in the country, but adversely impact the quality of medical facilities/treatment in the country.

She maintained that the erstwhile system of states conducting their own entrance tests alongside the Centre was functioning smoothly and without much problems.

This was better attuned to the regional curricula and educational standards. The State Government usually spends more than Rs 50 lakh per doctor on education and internship. Therefore, the state should be given freedom to select medical students through Joint Entrance Examination, the CM argued.

Banerjee highlighted that the decentralised system was changed post 2017 to a unitary and centralised system of examination (NEET) so as to take complete control of all the admissions in the country without any involvement of the State Governments.

This is completely unacceptable and violates the true spirits of the federal structure of the country, she alleged.

Banerjee added that the present system has led to massive corruption, benefiting the rich and causing suffering to the poor and meritorious.
Continuing its attack on the INDIA bloc over the hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu, the BJP called it a "man-made disaster" and alleged that the "deep nexus between the ruling DMK-INDI ALLIANCE dispensation and illicit liquor mafia" was responsible for the deaths and called the deaths state-sponsored murder.

In a letter to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, BJP chief J.P. Nadda, who is also the Union health minister, said the incident in Kallakurichi has shaken the conscience of the entire nation.

He said he is writing to the Congress chief not merely as the president of the BJP but "more importantly as a Bharatiya."

"The ghastly images of burning funeral pyres, from Karunapuram village in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu, in the aftermath of Tamil Nadus worst ever spurious liquor consumption tragedy, that has left 56 dead until now and almost 159 persons hospitalized, has shaken the conscience of the entire nation," Nadda wrote.

Visuals of crying women and children who have lost their husbands, sons and fathers have left everyone speechless, Nadda said as he called the incident "a human tragedy of enormous proportions, which words alone can never truly encapsulate."

He said his party has been providing "utmost support to every distraught family."

"...Even as we collectively mourn this great loss I am constrained to acquaint you with a few shocking facts and circumstances, which perhaps could have helped in averting this mindless loss of innocent lives. And if, even at this stage, I dither from my moral obligation to present these facts before you for your cognizance and action, I would be failing in my responsibilities towards humanity as a whole, Nadda wrote.

Perhaps if the deep nexus between the ruling DMK-INDI ALLIANCE dispensation and illicit liquor mafia did not exist, today 56 lives could have been saved, the BJP chief alleged.

He said when 23 people died in Villupuram and Chengalpattu after consuming spurious alcohol in May 2023, the BJP had cautioned the ruling DMK-INDI Alliance government of complicity and nexus between their functionaries and the illicit liquor mafia, but no attention was paid to the warnings.

Nadda reminded Kharge that the Congress that the party's manifesto for the 2021 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu had a detailed plan for liquor prohibition in the state.

"Ironically, your DMK-INDI Alliance government is now the biggest patroniser of illicit spurious liquor trade that has claimed hundreds of lives whenever you are in power."

Accusing the state government of cover-up, Nadda said, "...media and investigative reports so far have made it clear as to how this business of illicit liquor was functioning with impunity, right in the open and during broad daylight, obviously with patronage from the state and police. When the disaster struck, instead of immediately taking accountability and saving lives, the state administration was busy in trying to cover up."

There are documented accounts about how one of the main accused was let off by the police just a few days ago, perhaps because of his political patronage and corruption in the law and order system, of which there is proof too. In light of these incontrovertible facts coming to the public domain, can this be termed as anything other than a 'state-sponsored murder'?

He said Kharge, with his vast experience in public life and administration would reach the same conclusion he has.

Nadda alleged that the M.K. Stalin-led government continues to block a free and fair independent probe by opposing a CBI investigation.

When there is clear political patronage and nexus involved, will the true perpetrators ever be brought to justice by such a probe, Nadda asked.

The BJP chief claimed that the voices of opposition are muzzled in Tamil Nadu and questioned the silence of the Congress over the tragedy.

"I was shocked that when such a huge disaster has taken place, the Congress party led by you, has maintained a stoic silence on this. Certain issues require us to rise above and beyond party lines and the welfare and safety of the SC, ST community is one such issue. Kharge ji today it is time to truly walk the talk on Nyay and not reduce it to a catchy campaign slogan, deployed for the launch of a failed political dynast."

He asked Kharge to press up on the ruling government to go for a CBI probe into the deaths.
As expected, the first day of the 18th Lok Sabha turned out to be stormy, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi raking up the Emergency and the Congress responding to it with a show of strength inside the Parliament and calls to save the Constitution.

Addressing the media in the Parliament complex at the beginning of the first session of the new Lok Sabha, PM Modi observed that Emergency's 50th anniversary falls on June 25, and described it as a "black spot" on India's democracy when the Constitution was discarded.

Taking a dig at the opposition, Modi said, India needs a responsible Opposition and people want substance not slogans. They want debate, diligence not disturbance in Parliament.

Kharge reacts

The Congress was quick to react to this jibe, with Mallikarjun Kharge claiming that Modi is resorting to diversion as he has nothing new to offer. He said Modi made a longer than usual customary address "but clearly, even after the moral and political defeat, the arrogance remains".

"Narendra Modi ji, you are giving advice to the Opposition. You are reminding us of the 50-year-old Emergency, but have forgotten the last 10 years of Undeclared Emergency, which was ended by the people. " he said in a post on 'X'.

Opposition show of strength

In what appears to be a show of strength, the INDIA bloc marched to the Lok Sabha chamber on the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, holding copies of the Constitution in their hands. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Rahul Gandhi, TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay and T.R. Baalu were part of the show of strength.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of attacking the Constitution and said the opposition would not allow the prime minister to escape without accountability.

"We would not allow the attack on the Constitution that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are doing. This attack is not acceptable to us" he told reporters in Parliament complex.

Asked whether the message of the opposition was reaching out to the people, Gandhi said, "Our message is reaching the public and no power can touch the Constitution of India and we will protect it."

Later, taking social media, Gandhi said the prime minister is busy saving his government

"Psychologically on the backfoot Narendra Modi is busy saving his government. The attack on the Constitution by Narendra Modi and his government is not acceptable to us - and we will not allow this to happen under any circumstances," he said.

"INDIA's strong opposition will continue its pressure, raise the voice of the people and will not allow the Prime Minister to escape without accountability," he added.

Modi, council of ministers take oath

Modi and members of his council of ministers, including Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, took the oath as Members of Parliament.

Modi took the oath in Hindi amid slogans of "Jai Shri Ram" raised by members of the treasury benches.

Before them, senior members Radha Mohan Singh and Faggan Singh Kulaste (both from the BJP), who will assist the pro-tem speaker in administering the oath to the newly elected MPs, were sworn in as members of the new House.

They will help pro-tem speaker B Mahtab run the House when the members take the oath on Monday and Tuesday.

Congress member K. Suresh (Congress), T.R. Baalu (DMK) and Sudip Bandyopadhyay (TMC), who were called to take oath as they were also appointed as panel of chairpersons like Singh and Kulaste, did not turn up to take oath.

The Congress had taken objection to Mahtab's appointment, contending that the claim of eight-term member Suresh, a Dalit leader, was overlooked. The INDIA bloc has said opposition leaders Suresh, Baalu and Bandopadhyay would not join the panel of chairpersons as a mark of protest.

With PTI inputs
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concerns over the talks on water sharing between India and Bangladesh.

"I am writing this letter in context of the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. It seems that water sharing issues relating to the Ganges and Teesta rivers may have been discussed during the meeting. Such unilateral deliberations and discussions without consultation and the opinion of the state government is neither acceptable nor desirable," she said in her letter.

Prime Minister Modi on Saturday announced India and Bangladesh will begin technical-level talks for the renewal of the 1996 Ganga water treaty, and an Indian technical team will visit Bangladesh soon for the conservation and management of the Teesta river.

An India-Bangladesh Shared Vision document, released after Modi and Hasina held delegation-level talks during the latter's visit to New Delhi, said both sides welcome the formation of a Joint Technical Committee to initiate discussions for the renewal of the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty of 1996.

Earlier, the Trinamool Congress criticised the Centre for not consulting the state before taking the decision to start negotiations with Bangladesh for the renewal of the treaty.

TMC's Parliamentary Party Leader in Rajya Sabha, Derek O'Brien, said the state is a party to the treaty, but was not consulted.

"Dredging of the Ganga has been stopped. It is the primary reason for floods and erosion. This is a plan to sell off Bengal," he alleged.

What is Ganges Water Treaty

India and Bangladesh signed the Ganges Water Treaty in 1996. The 30-year treaty is due to expire in 2026 but may be extended by mutual agreement. Under the treaty, the upper riparian India and lower riparian Bangladesh agreed to share the water of this transboundary river at Farakka, a dam on Bhagirathi river around 10 kms from Bangladesh border.

States concerns

West Bengal and Bihar had objected to the treaty, saying Farakka barrage was the primary reason for erosion, siltation, and floods in the states. In February 2022, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had written to Prime Minister Modi expressing concern over the continuous erosion along the Ganga in Malda, Murshidabad and Nadia districts.

Bihar has blamed the Farakka barrage for increased siltation on several occasions. In 2016, at a meeting chaired by PM Modi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had demanded removal of Farakka barrage on river Ganga saying it has more disadvantages than benefits.

With PTI inputs
The Delhi High Court is likely to pronounce its verdict on Tuesday on a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate challenging the bail granted to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the trial court in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam.

The high court had on Friday put an interim stay to the trial court order and reserved its verdict for 2-3 days as it wanted to go through the entire records.

The ED on Monday filed its written submissions before the high court opposing any relief to the Aam Aadmi Party leader.

The impugned order passed by trial court deserves to be stayed and set aside as a vacation judge has returned perverse findings in almost every paragraph of its order on both the facts and the law after admittedly not examining the material placed on record by the prosecution, the agency told the court.

The ED further claimed that the vacation judge had not considered the new material collected against Kejriwal after 2023.

Earlier, during the hearing at the trial court, the ED sought to link Kejriwal to the alleged proceeds of crime and co-accused, and the defence that claimed the prosecution has no evidence to nail the chief minister.

The agency told the court that Kejriwal stayed at hotel Grand Hyatt in Goa on on November 7, 2021 during the assembly poll campaign and the bill was paid by Chanpreet Singh, who is alleged to have managed the AAP funds in the coastal state.

The court, however, dismissed EDs arguments and granted interim bail to the chief minister, which was later stayed by the high court.

Kejriwal has already moved the Supreme Court challenging the high court order. The top court, however, refused to grant immediate relief to the chief minister and posted the matter for hearing on June 26.

A vacation bench of Justices Manoj Misra and S.V.N. Bhatti said it would like to wait for the pronouncement of the high court order on the issue.

Kejriwal, who was arrested on March 21, is currently in judicial custody.

On May 10, the Supreme Court had granted him bail to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. He surrendered in Tihar jail on June 2 after his bail period ended.
A couple of days back the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that it had successfully completed its third reusable launch vehicle (RLV) landing experiment (LEX) at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka. This time, it showed that the launch vehicle could land on its own, even in tougher conditions. This mission tested the approach and landing conditions for a vehicle returning from space at high speeds. It confirmed that ISRO had the necessary skills to develop an RLV. Earlier ISROs LEX-01 mission on April 2, 2023, and LEX-02 mission on March 22, 2024, had also been executed flawlessly.

Following these successful missions, ISRO announced that the RLV LEX-03 mission had, once again, demonstrated the vehicles ability to land autonomously. This time, it performed under tougher conditions, including a wider release range of 500 metres compared to LEX-02s 150 metres and more challenging wind conditions. The 21-foot-long winged vehicle, called Pushpak, was dropped from an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter at a height of 4.5 km, and a similar distance away from the runway. Pushpak then automatically adjusted its course, approached the runway and made a precise horizontal landing right at the centre of the runway.

As this vehicle has a low lift-to-drag ratio, it had to land at a speed of over 320 km/h. In comparison, commercial planes usually land at around 260 km/h and fighter jets typically land at about 280 km/h. A low lift-to-drag ratio means an aircraft or object generates a relatively smaller lift compared to the drag it experiences, resulting in less efficient flight performance and increased fuel consumption. Drag is the force that resists an objects motion through air or fluid, slowing it down and requiring energy to overcome, explained space expert Girish Linganna.

ISRO noted that this mission tested and confirmed an advanced guidance algorithm that corrects errors in both forward and sideways directions. This system is crucial for future missions where vehicles re-enter Earths atmosphere from orbit.

The RLV-LEX uses a combination of sensors, including an inertial sensor, radar altimeter, flush air data system, pseudolite system and NavIC. The space agency highlighted that the RLV-LEX-03 mission reused the winged body and flight systems from the previous LEX-02 mission without any changes. This shows ISROs strong ability to design flight systems that can be reused for multiple missions, added Linganna.

After the success of the LEX programme, ISROs Reusable Launch Vehicle-Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) project is set to advance by testing an unmanned Orbital Re-entry Vehicle (ORV). This new vehicle will be about 1.6 times larger than Pushpak. It will be launched into a 400-km orbit within the next two years using a modified geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV).

The ORV mission will carry out several experiments in space. These tests are designed to evaluate a heat shield that protects against high temperatures during re-entry into Earths atmosphere, as well as a foldable landing gear system.

Over 50 years ago, the idea of reusable launch vehicles emerged. However, it was SpaceX that transformed this concept into reality. In December 2015, SpaceX achieved a historic milestone by successfully landing the first stage of a Falcon 9 rocket vertically on a landing pad at Cape Canaveral. Since then, the restoration of Falcon 9 boosters has become routine, and SpaceX continues to push the boundaries with innovations like the reusable nose cone and the Starship rocketa fully reusable space vehicle currently in testing.

An RLV is a vertical (retrograde) multistage launch system that allows for the reuse of some or all of its component stages. Unlike science fiction depictions, we haven't yet created an all-encompassing reusable launch engine that operates both in the air and space. However, progress is underway, with projects like the Sabre engine in development. Reusing the first stage and nose fairing can slash overall launch costs by 3040 percent. SpaceX's RLV can compete across multiple payload classes (medium, heavy, and transitional) by adjusting boosters and choosing between reusable and disposable options, said Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, which is into design, fabrication and launch of small satellites, spacecraft and ground systems.

Vehicle-Technol India's space agency, ISRO, has been developing the RLV-TDa scaled-down prototype to test technologies for future reusable launch vehicles. The RLV-TD has undergone successful hypersonic flight experiments, demonstrating crucial aspects like aerodynamic manoeuvring and autonomous landing, she added.

This expert says that achieving vertical reusability demands intricate engineering and precise landing capabilities. Other reusable technologies, such as horizontal (winged) launch systems, exist. These use jet aircraft as accelerators, simplifying launch requirements but sacrificing payload mass. SpaceX's success has inspired other players. As the industry evolves, RLVs will continue to shape the future of space exploration, making access to space more sustainable and economically viable, said Kesan.

Besides India several countries have pursued, or are pursuing, programmes similar to ISROs RLV-TD. For instance, in the United States, the Space Shuttle is one of the most famous reusable spacecraft programmes, that operated from 1981 to 2011 and X-37B is an unmanned, reusable space plane operated by the US Air Force. Similarly in the US SpaceX Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy were partially reusable launch vehicles with landing boosters and Blue Origins New Shepard a reusable suborbital launch vehicle.

In Russia, too Buran which was similar to the US Space Shuttle, only flew once in 1988 and the Federation spacecraft (in development) is a planned partially reusable crewed spacecraft. Also in Europe Space Rider (in development phase) is an unscrewed, reusable space plane by the European Space Agency. China too has a reusable experimental spacecraft which was tested in 2020 but details are limited.

When one compares ISROs RLV-TD with other global peers it is a small-scale technology demonstrator, while some other programmes (such as Space Shuttle) were full-scale operational systems.  RLV-TD is primarily focused on demonstrating technologies for future reusable vehicles, while some other programmes are or were operational launch systems. In design terms also RLV-TD uses a winged body design similar to the Space Shuttle and X-37B, but different from vertical landing systems, such as SpaceXs Falcon 9. RLV-TD is still in the early testing phases, while some other programmes are operational, or in advanced stages of development. Also like the X-37B, RLV-TD is designed for autonomous operation, unlike crewed systems, such as the Space Shuttle, pointed out Linganna.

While ISROs RLV-TD programme is not as advanced as some other countries reusable spacecraft programmes, it represents a significant step for India in developing this technology. The programme aims to reduce launch costs and increase access to space, which aligns with global trends in the space industry.
The Russian foreign ministry on Monday accused the United States of involvement in the Sevastopol attack in Crimea that claimed the lives of four people including two children on Sunday.

"The US involvement in this horrible crime is beyond any doubt," the ministry pointed out. "A response to this crime will certainly follow," it said.

According to the Russian defence ministry, the missiles used by Ukraine were US-supplied ATACMS missiles and were programmed by US experts.

"On June 23, the Kyiv regime, with the support of the United States and its satellites, committed another heinous terrorist crime against the civilian population of Russia. Sevastopol came under attack," the statement said. The of the Holy Trinity was intentionally chosen for the terror attack, it added.

"Four people died, among them a two-year-old playing on the city beach and a nine-year-old girl. As many as 151 people sought medical help, 82 of them were hospitalised- 55 adults and 27 children, many are in serious condition. Everyone is receiving quality medical care," the ministry said.

Russia also alleged that an American Global Hawk reconnaissance drone was on duty in the skies near Crimea when the attack took place.

The conclusion was made after Russias Investigative Committee launched a probe into the attack. All those responsible for the terrorist attack will be brought to justice, the ministry said.

"Washington and its satellites have created and fostered the neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv, actively nurturing and supporting their Ukrainian puppets, waging war against Russia with their hands and encouraging them to commit acts of international terrorism, to kill Russian civilians, including with the use of one of the most terrible types of inhumane weapons - cluster munitions," it added.

"We mourn with all of Sevastopol, where a day of mourning has been declared today. We express our condolences to the relatives of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured," read the statement.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had called the missile strike "barbaric".

The video footage that emerged on social media showed chaos on the beach in the Uchkuyevka area as people ran from the falling debris.

The Russian foreign ministry had summoned the US Ambassador Lynne Tracy on Monday before issuing a statement accusing the US of involvement in the attack.
At least 19 people including police officials were killed after Islamic militants went on a rampage in Russia's Dagestan region. The gunmen targeted police posts, churches and a synagogue in coordinated assaults that took place in two cities of Derbent and Makhachkala.

Police had killed six gunmen involved in the attack. Among those killed, 15 were police personnel.

In the wake of the incident, Dagestan, a Muslim republic in southern Russia, has declared three days of mourning.

The coordinated attacks on Sunday had targeted cities on the Orthodox festival of Pentecost. An Orthodox priest, Nikolai Kotelnikov (66) was also killed in the attack.

This latest assault is one of the major attacks in Russia since March when 145 people lost their lives as gunmen opened fire at a concert in Moscow.

Though no one has claimed responsibility for the Sunday attacks, reportedly, the Islamic State group is believed to be behind the act. The Moscow concert attack was claimed by the Islamic State group days after the incident.

The video footage posted on social media showed people wearing dark clothes shooting at police cars. In Derbent, gunmen set Kele-Numaz synagogue and a church on fire.

Though assailants were not formally identified, Russian media reports said that the gunmen included two sons of Magomed Omarov, the head of the main Kremlin party United Russia's regional branch in Dagestan. Omarov has been detained by the police for questioning.

Meanwhile, in a video statement, Dagestan Gov. Sergei Melikov accused Ukraine of involvement in the attacks. "We understand who is behind the organisation of the terrorist attacks and what goal they pursued," he said.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia's President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences to those who lost their loved ones and offered all efforts to help the victims.

The Investigative Committee, the country's state criminal investigation agency, said all five attackers were killed.
North Korea has called the US warship's docking at South Korea's Busan port a 'very dangerous' move that will "leave doors open for North Korea's overwhelming demonstration of deterrence." The reaction comes two days after the US Navy's aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt, docked at Busan port, as part of a joint military exercise between the US, South Korea and Japan.

The nuclear-powered warship's arrival at Busan also coincides with Russian President Vladimir Putin's high-profile visit to North Korea.



Washington, Seoul and Tokyo also released a joint statement on Monday condemning deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia. A statement by the US, South Korea and Japan read that they "condemn in the strongest possible terms deepening military cooperation between the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea and Russia."



The warm relations shared by the heads of the states, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, also resulted in the Freedom Edge exercises, a result of the agreement made by the defence chiefs of the US, South Korea and Japan.



Under the agreement, the exercise will take place across various domains, including air, maritime, underwater and cyber.

Sending the USS Theodore Roosevelt to Busan also suggests Washington's commitment to its ally South Korea. The US had earlier too shown its support to South Korea by sending B-1B bombers for a live-fire exercise on the peninsula, the first time in seven years. Last week, a US Air Force AC-130 gunship also performed live-fire strikes on the same range where the B-1s dropped their bombs.



Meanwhile, North Korea's state news agency KCNA lashed out at the Western allies for the joint exercise. North Korea's vice minister of defence, Kim Kang Il, said the U.S. sending an aircraft carrier to the Korean peninsula was a "very dangerous" show of force.

The military officials also hit out at the US for supplying arms to Ukraine. Pak Jong Chon, one of North Korea's top military officials, said Moscow had the "right to opt for any kind of retaliatory strike" if Washington kept pushing Ukraine to a proxy war" against Russia. "It could provoke a stronger response from Moscow and a new world war," Pak said. He referred to comments by the Pentagon last week that Ukrainian forces can use U.S.-supplied weapons to strike Russian forces anywhere across the border into Russia.
Kolkata, Jun 24 (PTI) FMCG major Britannia Industries Limited said that all the permanent workers at its factory at Taratala in Kolkata have accepted the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) offered to them.

An official of the company said that due to this acceptance of VRS by all the permanent workers of the plant, there will be no material impact on the business operations of the company.

The company had informed the bourses recently about all permanent workers of the Taratala plant accepting the VRS.

The Taratala plant, one of the oldest biscuit manufacturing plant of Britannia in the country, the land had been given on lease by erstwhile Kolkata Port Trust (now Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Trust) to the company more than seven decades ago.
Gaborone (Botswana), Jun 24 (AP) The forced US troop withdrawals from bases in Niger and Chad and the potential to shift some troops to other nations in West Africa will be key issues as the top US military officer meets with his counterparts this week at a chiefs of defence conference.

General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Botswana Monday as the US faces a critical inflection point in Africa. Increasingly, military juntas that overthrew democratic governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger are reassessing their ties to the US and the West and turning instead to mercenaries linked to Russia for security assistance.

Speaking to reporters as he travelled to Gaborone, Brown said as the US pulls its 1,000 troops out of Niger, including from a critical counterterrorism and drone base there, other West African nations want to work with the US and may be open to an expanded American presence.

The conference, he said, will give him a chance to speak with a number of his African counterparts, and listen to their objectives and concerns.

"There's other countries in the region where we already have either small presence or have relationships, Brown said. Part of this is looking at how we continue to build on those relationships which may provide opportunities for us to posture some of the capabilities we had in Niger in some of those locations.

The US needs to have a dialogue with those nations to see what type and size US military presence they would want, he said, adding, That's why this conference is important.

Brown and other defence officials say the conference is a chance to show African leaders that the US can listen and accept local solutions. The US, said one defence official, has to adjust to the solutions that Africans have identified and not impose external Western ideals.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military relationships, said the Botswana meeting is an opportunity to foster military relationships throughout the continent.

The troop cuts at key bases in Africa's Sahel region raise questions about how to battle what has been a growing tide of violence by extremist groups, including those linked to the Islamic State group and al-Qaida.

The defence official said the US is concerned about the spread of extremist activity from multiple groups into coastal West Africa in particular.

Niger's ruling junta ordered US forces out of the country in the wake of last July's ouster of the country's democratically elected president by mutinous soldiers. French forces had also been asked to leave as the junta turned to the Russian mercenary group Wagner for security assistance.

Washington officially designated the military takeover as a coup in October, triggering US laws restricting the military support and aid. The fracture has broad ramifications for the US because it forced troops to abandon the critical drone base at Agadez that was used for counterterrorism missions in the Sahel.

The senior defence official said the withdrawal of US forces and all the equipment from Niger is about 30% complete, and will be completed on Sept 15 as required. The official said that the pace of the pullout will ebb and flow, as troops leave based on when their weapons systems and equipment are taken out. Roughly 600 troops currently remain there.

Soon afterward, Chad ordered US forces out of Adji Kossei Air Base near N'Djamena. About 75 US Army special forces relocated to Europe, and about 20 troops remain in the country along with Marine security forces assigned to the US Embassy.

The US has described the troop cuts in Chad as temporary and could be revisited now that the presidential election there is over. And Brown said that the US will work with the embassy leadership in Chad to take a look at what the future US presence there will be.

Some African nations have expressed frustration with the US for forcing issues, such as democracy and human rights, that many see as hypocrisy, given Washington's close ties to some autocratic leaders elsewhere. Meanwhile, Russia offers security assistance without interfering in politics, making it an appealing partner for military juntas that seized power in places like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso in recent years.

A key element in any US discussions with African leaders is to recognise that America must calibrate what it asks and expects of those governments and their militaries, said Mvemba Dizolele, director of the Africa Programme at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D C.

Security and defence policy makers in the United States should not approach Africa thinking that deep inside every African military officer is an American officer waiting to come out, said Dizolele. That's just not realistic. Every African officer is an officer who's trying to do the best within the conditions that they've been dealt.

He said the US is not always ready to engage with some African countries because of various obstacles such as the Leahy Law that prohibits certain military assistance to foreign forces that violate human rights, and congressional spending restrictions that limit aid to countries whose leadership was overturned in a coup.

Meanwhile, other countries such as Russia and China will provide any military aid and equipment that the African countries can afford to buy, said Dizolele. (AP) SCY

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Dubai, Jun 24 (AP) A possible attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Monday targeted a ship further away from nearly all of the previous assaults they've launched in the Gulf of Aden, officials said, potentially part of a widening escalation by the group.

The attack comes as the US has sent the USS Dwight D Eisenhower back home after an eight-month deployment in which it led the American response to the Houthi assaults. Those attacks have reduced shipping drastically through the route crucial to Asian, Middle East and European markets in a campaign the Houthis say will continue as long as the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip rages on.

The attack happened Monday morning in the Gulf of Aden some 450 km (280 miles) southeast of Nishtun, a town in the far reaches of Yemen that's close to the border with Oman, according to the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre. That region for long has been held by forces allied to Yemen's exiled government, which has battled the Houthis since the rebels took the capital, Sanaa, back in 2014.

The attack was just off to the northeast of Yemen's Socotra Island, also held by allies of the exiled government.

The master of a merchant vessel reports an explosion in close proximity to the vessel, the UKMTO said. The crew are reported safe and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call.

It offered no other immediate information about the attack.

Suspicion immediately fell on the Houthis, who did not immediately claim the assault. It can take the rebels hours or even days to acknowledge their attacks. Somali pirates have been known to operate in the region as well, though they typically seize vessels for ransom rather than launch attacks against them.

However, the attack happened near the outer reaches of the Gulf of Aden where it becomes the Arabian Sea and then ultimately the Indian Ocean. Of the more than 60 attacks launched by the Houthis since November that specifically targeted vessels, this would be one of the furthest.

In May, a Portuguese-flagged container ship came under attack by a drone in the far reaches of the Arabian Sea in an attack claimed by the Houthis. However, the distance at which it was struck led experts to question whether Iran, the Houthis' main benefactor, could have launched the attack. The Houthis have claimed attacks later assessed to have been conducted by Iran, including the 2019 attack on Saudi Arabia's oil fields that temporarily halved the kingdom's energy production.

The Houthis have made a series of claims without evidence they've targeted vessels at even greater distances, even though there's been no independent confirmation of any of those attacks actually taking place.

The rebels have 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 on May 30 killing at least 16 people and wounding 42 others, the rebels say.

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  including those bound for Iran. (AP) SCY

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London, Jun 24 (PTI) The UKs Opposition Labour Party on Monday criticised the governing Conservatives of having over-promised and under delivered on relations with India and declared that it is ready to go on striking a free trade agreement (FTA) if it wins the July 4 general election.

Addressing the India Global Forum (IGF) in the final full week of the election campaign, the partys shadow foreign secretary David Lammy laid out his ambitions of the FTA being a floor not a ceiling of the partnership he aspires to with his friend external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar.

India and the UK have completed 13 rounds of FTA negotiations to enhance the estimated GBP 38.1 billion a year trading relationship, with talks currently stalled amid the election cycles in both countries.

Many Diwalis have come and gone without a trade deal and too many businesses have been left waiting," said Lammy, referring to the missed Diwali 2022 deadline set by former prime minister Boris Johnson for the FTA.

"My message to [Finance] Minister [Nirmala] Sitharaman and [Trade] Minister [Piyush] Goyal is that Labour is ready to go. Lets finally get our free trade deal done and move on, he said, adding he will be in Delhi before the end of July if elected to government on July 4.

Describing India as a priority for the party and an economic, technological and cultural superpower, Lammy sought to set the tone for his future tenure in a Labour-led Cabinet  hopeful of taking charge as the countrys foreign secretary.

With Labour, the days of Boris Johnson reciting that old verse from Rudyard Kipling in Asia are over. If I recite a poem in India, it will be Tagore...because with a superpower like India the areas of cooperation and the areas for learning are limitless, he said.

From a wider foreign policy perspective, Lammy stressed on a free and open Indo-Pacific" working in partnership with India.

We stand for a rules-based order and against those who wish to redraw borders by force with a new form of imperialism, like [Russian President] Mr Putin in Europe; and those in Asia who wish to impose their will on their neighbours denying them free choices, he said.

Europe and Asia are not two separate worlds...In this challenging environment, Britain will remain and seek to ramp up the security partnership with India  from military to maritime security, from cyber to critical and emerging technologies, from defence and industrial cooperation to supply chain security, Lammy added.

With Labour far ahead of the incumbent Tories in all pre-election opinion polls, Lammy also drew parallels with the shared democratic values in both countries as he congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his re-election.

"I deeply believe that Indias democratic elections, with almost a billion voters, are the most important statement, the most important validation, not only of the democratic ideal but of democratic practice in todays world. This is something that binds us together, Lammy said.

Flagging climate change as one of the key areas of collaboration, the frontline Labour politician said the UK stood in solidarity with India through the extreme temperatures across the country.

There can be no energy transition without an Indian energy transition. India is the indispensable partner, not only to Britain but the whole developed world, he noted.

He also hailed the extraordinary contribution of British Indians, not only the largest diaspora community in the UK but without whom it would be hard to even imagine modern Britain.

Guyanese-heritage Lammy concluded by highlighting his own personal India connect, saying his great-grandmother was an Indian from Calcutta who set sail as an indentured labourer to the Caribbean.

India contributes so much to British prosperity already. Last year, India was our second-largest foreign direct investment contributor...but it could be so, so much more as India is only our twelfth-largest trade partner, he said.
Kuala Lumpur, Jun 24 (AP) Police in Malaysia have detained eight people with suspected links to the Islamic State militant group and thwarted possible threats against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the nation's king and other dignitaries, the government said Monday.

Six men and two women, aged 25 to 70, were detained without trial in four states during a police operation over the weekend, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution said. Their arrests followed several operations carried out in May, he said, adding that detainees included a former university lecturer, housewives and a construction worker.

Malaysia has taken tough measures to curb the influence of militant cells linked to the Islamic State, with hundreds of people suspected of having ties to IS detained in the country before 2020. Such arrests have been more rare in recent years.

Saifuddin said that an investigation revealed threats to Anwar, the prime minister, and Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, who holds the country's rotating monarchy, as well as top police officials and prominent individuals."

The police investigation was continuing, he said, without providing more details.

Saifuddin said there was no need to worry about public safety because police had taken steps to counter any extremist threat at an early stage. But he urged the public to remain vigilant, saying modern technology and social media were increasingly being misused to spread dangerous ideologies.

Earlier this month, a man was charged with spreading IS ideology to incite terrorism in his family after his son raided a police station and was shot dead after killing two officers. The man's Singaporean wife and three other children also were charged in court. (AP)



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Colombo, Jun 24 (PTI) President Ranil Wickremesinghe will address the nation on Wednesday night during which he is likely to brief Sri Lankans on the cash-strapped country's economic challenges and provide an update on the foreign debt restructuring efforts.

President Wickremesinghe, who also holds the portfolio as the finance minister, will address the nation at 8.00 p.m. on Wednesday (June 26), the Government Information Department announced on Monday.

It is understood that Wickremesinghe, 75, who is expected to contest the presidential election in the coming months, will 'declare an end to bankruptcy' following an agreement reached with bilateral creditors and private bondholders on external debt restructuring.

The government is to enter an MoU with the official creditor committee and the Paris Club of Nations and an agreement with the Exim Bank of China and the private bondholders group tomorrow.

Public posters have appeared on the city walls captioned good news which appears to be part of the political campaign on the success of the debt restructuring effort which took so long to achieve.

Sri Lanka in mid-April of 2022 declared its first ever sovereign default since gaining independence from Britain in 1948.

The International Monetary Fund had made external debt restructuring conditional to the USD 2.9 billion bailout  the third tranche of which came to be released last week.

Wickremesinghe supervised the IMF programme while setting in motion hard economic reforms prescribed by the world lender.

On Sunday, he made his first public statement on the presidential election, which is likely to take place in the last quarter of this year.

Addressing a group of youth, he said that the election could take place either in September or October.

Wickremesinghe is yet to announce his candidacy while two other main opposition leaders have already declared themselves to be in the fray.

In July 2022, Wickremesinghe was elected through parliament to become stop-gap president for the balance term of Gotabaya Rajapaksa who resigned following public protests over his inability to handle the economic crisis.
Cairo, Jun 24 (AP) The reconnected US-built pier off the coast of the Gaza Strip cannot supply Palestinians with anywhere near the level of aid they need, the head of the World Health Organisation's Eastern Mediterranean region said Monday.

Dr. Hanan Balkhy made the remarks after the US military began delivering aid through the floating pier again, after it was removed a second time because of rough seas.

"The pier has supported a little bit, but it's not to the scale that is needed by any stretch of the imagination, Balkhy told The Associated Press in an interview. So we need to emphasize on the land routes to ensure the amount and the quantity and the efficiency.

The organisation says that since Israel launched its ground operation into Rafah, aid delivery had declined by 67%, with over 50 WHO trucks stuck on the Egyptian side of the crossing into the southern city. Meanwhile, just three trucks were allowed into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing.

Israel says it has allowed hundreds of truckloads of aid through the crossing, but says the UN has failed to pick it up. The UN says it is too dangerous for trucks to move through the area due to rampant lawlessness, despite Israeli pledges to carve out a safe corridor.

Israel's war against Hamas, now in its ninth month, continues to face growing international criticism over widespread destruction in Gaza and a huge toll in civilian lives.

Aid groups have regularly criticized the plan to deliver aid to Gaza by sea as ineffective and a distraction that has taken pressure pressure off Israel to open land border crossings that can deliver aid in larger numbers.

The Israeli military's ground offensives and bombardments, following Hamas' surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, have killed over 37,600 people and wounded over 86,000 others, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Some 1.3 million people displaced from the southern city of Rafah, over half the strip's population, now shelter in tents and cramped apartments in central Gaza.

And despite some increased aid into northern Gaza, experts say the enclave is at high risk of famine. Overcrowded hospitals struggle to keep the lights on due to lack of fuel and there are medicine shortages, while also sheltering many displaced Palestinians.

Delivering aid through two key Gaza land border crossings has been especially difficult after Israeli troops seized the strategic Rafah crossing with Egypt in May. WHO has also struggled to evacuate some 10,000 patients in Gaza who it says urgently need treatment abroad.

WHO says its last dispatch of aid that reached Gaza was a rare delivery into the north to the Kamal Adwan and Al Awda hospitals.

"Almost everything is being prohibited, and some of the needed commodities are being delivered, but as I mentioned not at the scale that is needed for the people of Gaza, Balkhy said.

She warned that the dire condition of hospitals as well as poor living conditions and significant malnutrition, is ripe for the spread of infectious diseases.

We're talking about larger numbers of children, and patients with scabies, diarrhea, lice, rashes of unknown causes, she said. Every time there's a lack of hygiene, infectious diseases caused by pathogens start to flourish." (AP) ZH

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Thane, Jun 24 (PTI) A 16-year-old girl allegedly committed suicide in Maharashtra's Thane district after her father asked her not to download a messaging app on her mobile phone, police said on Monday.

The incident took place on Friday night at Nilje in Dombivli area, they said.



The girl had downloaded the Snapchat application on her mobile phone. Her father asked her not to do so, which angered her, an official from Manpada police station said.

The girl allegedly hanged herself from the ceiling of a bedroom in her house on Friday night, he said, adding the family found her dead the next day.

After being alerted, the police sent the body for postmortem and registered a case of accidental death, the official said.
Thane, Jun 24 (PTI) A man allegedly cheated a 29-year-old woman from Maharashtra's Thane district of Rs 59.56 lakh after promising to marry her, police said on Monday.

The woman, resident of Khadakpada in Kalyan area, in her police complaint said she came to know the accused through a matrimonial site in July last year.

After promising to marry her, the man took the money from her on multiple occasions under some or the pretext, an official from Khadakpada police station said.

To fulfil his demands, the woman also took money from her family members and friends. The man also forced her to take a loan on credit card and failed to repay it, he said.

When the woman asked for the money, he tried to avoid her.

Based on her complaint, the police on Saturday registered an FIR against the man under Indian Penal Code sections 420 (cheating) and 406 (criminal breach of trust), the official said, adding a probe was on into the case.
Bhopal, Jun 24 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh police have rescued more than 50 cattle being transported in three trucks from Punjab to Maharashtra for slaughtering and arrested nine persons in this connection, an official said on Monday.



The trucks were intercepted on Saturday at Kakarda post under Maheshwar police station limits on the Agra-Mumbai highway in MP's Khargone district, an official release said.



The police had got information that the cattle were being taken from Amritsar (Punjab) to Solapur (Maharashtra) in three trucks having Punjab number plates, it stated.



Following the tip-off, the vehicles were intercepted on the Agra-Mumbai road.

When the truck covers were removed, the animals were found crammed in the vehicles and their necks tied with ropes, the release said.



The drivers and other persons in the vehicles told the police that they did not a valid permit for transporting the cattle, it said.



During questioning, it was found the animals were loaded in the trucks at Majitha in Amritsar by two persons -- Sukhdev Singh alias Kaka and John -- and were being transported to Solapur for slaughtering to earn money, the release said.



The police freed the cattle registered a case against 11 persons under provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Anti Cow Slaughtering Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.



Nine of the accused were arrested while search was on for two others, the police said.

The cattle, valued at Rs 15 lakh, were shifted to a 'gaushala' at Nimrani in Khargone, they said, adding that the trucks were impounded.
Jalandhar, Jun 24 (PTI) Nomination papers of 16 out of 23 candidates for the bypoll to the Jalandhar West reserve assembly constituency in Punjab were found valid, officials said on Monday.

District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal said the nominations of seven candidates were rejected during scrutiny.

A total of 23 candidates had filed their nomination papers for bypoll. The last date for the withdrawal of nominations is June 26.

Aggarwal said among candidates whose nomination papers were found valid included Sheetal Angural of the BJP, Sarabjit Singh of the SAD (Amritsar), Binder Kumar of the BSP, Mahinder Bhagat of the AAP, Surinder Kaur of the Congress, and Surjeet Kaur of the SAD.



The bypoll will be held on July 10 and the votes will be counted on July 13. It was necessitated following the resignation of Sheetal Angural as an Aam Aadmi Party legislator.

Angural, who is now the BJP's candidate from the constituency, tendered his resignation on March 28, a day after joining the saffron party. His resignation was accepted by the Punjab Assembly Speaker on May 30.
Bengaluru, Jun 24 (PTI) A court here on Monday remanded JD(S) MLC Suraj Revanna, who has been arrested in connection with a case of alleged sexual abuse of a man, in the custody of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) till July one.

Suraj Revanna, brother of former MP Prajwal Revanna who is facing allegations of sexually abusing several women, was arrested by police in Hassan on Sunday. The case was then handed over to the CID by the state Government.

After shifting him to Bengaluru from Hassan, the CID had on Sunday night produced the 37-year-old before the 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court (ACMM) judge, who remanded him in judicial custody for 14 days..

The police have filed an FIR against him under IPC sections 377 (unnatural offences), 342 (wrongful confinement), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) following a complaint filed by the 27-year-old, a JD(S) worker, who alleged that he was sexually assaulted on June 16 by the MLC at his farmhouse in Ghannikada.

. After getting the case file, the CID approached the court on Monday seeking his custody. The judge remanded him to their custody for eight days till July one.

Suraj Revanna. who is the eldest son of Holenarasipura MLA H D Revanna and grandson of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, has categorically denied the charge.

He had also alleged that the JD(S) worker had filed a "false complaint" in a bid to extort Rs five crore from him.

On Friday, the police registered a case of extortion against the man on a complaint by Suraj Revanna's close aide Shivakumar.

Shivakumar had alleged that the party worker was trying to extort money from Suraj Revanna by threatening to lodge a false case of sexual abuse against him.

It has been alleged that while the man demanded Rs five crore from Suraj Revanna, later it was reduced to Rs two crore.

Suraj's father was arrested recently for allegedly kidnapping a sexual abuse victim of Prajwal Revanna to prevent her from testifying against the former MP, and is out on bail. His mother Bhavani Revanna has secured anticipatory bail in the same case.


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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 (37 degrees Celsius).

Thats 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 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.

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 (35 Celsius) 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 (30.5 Celsius). 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 (28 degrees Celsius), 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 125.6 degrees (52 degrees Celsius), while the elderly had to stop at 109.4 (43 degrees Celsius). 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 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.

(AP)
Two young Jewish boys, ages 5 and 6, received a chilling death threat from an older youth  who threatened to kill them and their mom  while innocently riding their bikes in the Jackson 21 development. The boys, understandably shaken, fled the scene and recounted the horrific incident to their parents.

The parents, determined to address the situation, confronted the parents of the child who made the threats. Shockingly, they admitted that their child had indeed made such threats, and blamed it on the influx of Jewish families moving into the area.

This disturbing incident is not an isolated one; Jewish residents of Jackson 21 have reported numerous instances of harassment since the development began.

The root of the problem, according to residents, lies with investors who purchase homes as rentals, without properly vetting their tenants. These tenants often engage in disruptive behavior, including drug use and harassment of their neighbors. The thriving community is now plagued by a growing sense of unease and danger, and the noted problems have made it less attractive to prospective upstanding homeowners.

Residents are placing blame squarely on the investors who prioritize profits over people. They are destroying this place for the sake of lining their own pockets, one resident said.

Pressure is now mounting on the HOA to implement new rules requiring homebuyers to occupy their properties, rather than renting them out to potentially troublesome tenants.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
As fears of a breakout of a full-scale war between Israel and Lebanon grow, CNN reported that senior Biden administration officials told senior Israeli officials last week that the US would fully back Israel if a full-scale war breaks out between Israel and Lebanon. However, the US will not deploy US troops on the ground.

National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer met with senior Biden administration officials on Thursday, including US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and White House Middle East affairs coordinator Brett McGurk.

US officials said that they were concerned that if Hezbollah launched a massive barrage of missiles at Israel during a full-scale war, it would overwhelm Israels Iron Dome missile defense system.

Hezbollah published a video overnight Motzei Shabbos of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatening [with English and Hebrew subtitles] that if a full-scale war is imposed on Lebanon, Hezbollah will fight Israel without rules, restraints, or limits.

The video then displayed images of Israeli targets in central and northern Israel, and ended with the words [in Arabic, Hebrew and English]: Whoever thinks of war against us will regret it.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Thousands of jihadists from Iran-backed groups in the Middle East are ready to come to Lebanon to join with the Hezbollah terror group in its battle with Israel if the simmering conflict escalates into a full-blown war, officials with Iran-backed factions and analysts say.

Over the past decade, Iran-backed terrorists from Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan fought together in Syrias 13-year conflict, helping tip the balance in favor of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Officials from Iran-backed groups say they could also join together again against Israel.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a speech Wednesday that terror leaders from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and other countries have previously offered to send tens of thousands of terrorists to help Hezbollah, but he said the group already has more than 100,000 terrorists.

We told them, thank you, but we are overwhelmed by the numbers we have, Nasrallah said.

Nasrallah said the battle in its current form is using only a portion of Hezbollahs manpower, an apparent reference to the specialized terrorists who fire missiles and drones.

But that could change in the event of an all-out war. Nasrallah hinted at that possibility in a speech in 2017 in which he said terrorists from Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan and Pakistan will be partners of such a war.

Officials from Lebanese and Iraqi groups backed by Iran say Iran-backed fighters from around the region will join in if war erupts on the Lebanon-Israel border. Thousands of such fighters are already deployed in Syria and could easily slip through the porous and unmarked border.

Some of the groups have already staged attacks on Israel and its allies since the Israel-Hamas war started Oct. 7. The groups from the so-called axis of resistance say they are using a unity of arenas strategy and they will only stop fighting when Israel ends its offensive in Gaza against their ally, Hamas.

We will be (fighting) shoulder to shoulder with Hezbollah if an all-out war breaks out, one official with an Iran-backed group in Iraq told The Associated Press in Baghdad, insisting on speaking anonymously to discuss military matters. He refused to give further details.

The official, along with another from Iraq, said some advisers from Iraq are already in Lebanon.

An official with a Lebanese Iran-backed group, also insisting on anonymity, said fighters from Iraqs Popular Mobilization Forces, Afghanistans Fatimiyoun, Pakistan Zeinabiyoun and the Iran-backed rebel group in Yemen known as Houthis could come to Lebanon to take part in a war.

Qassim Qassir, an expert on Hezbollah, agreed the current fighting is mostly based on high technology such as firing missiles and does not need a large number of fighters. But if a war broke out and lasted for a long period, Hezbollah might need support from outside Lebanon, he said.

Hinting to this matter could be (a message) that these are cards that could be used, he said.

Israel is also aware of the possible influx of foreign fighters.

Eran Etzion, former head of policy planning for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a panel discussion hosted by the Washington-based Middle East Institute on Thursday that he sees a high probability of a multi-front war.

He said there could be intervention by the Houthis and Iraqi militias and a massive flow of jihadists from (places) including Afghanistan, Pakistan into Lebanon and into Syrian areas bordering Israel.

Daniel Hagari, Israels military spokesman, said in a televised statement this past week that since Hezbollah started its attacks on Israel on Oct. 8, it has fired more than 5,000 rockets, anti-tank missiles and drones toward Israel.

Hezbollahs increasing aggression is bringing us to the brink of what could be a wider escalation, one that could have devastating consequences for Lebanon and the entire region, Hagari said. Israel will continue fighting against Irans axis of evil on all fronts.

Hezbollah officials have said they dont want an all-out war with Israel but if it happens they are ready.

We have taken a decision that any expansion, no matter how limited it is, will be faced with an expansion that deters such a move and inflicts heavy Israeli losses, Hezbollahs deputy leader, Naim Kassem, said in a speech this past week.

The last large-scale conflict between Israel and Hezbollah occurred in the summer of 2006, when the two fought a 34-day war that killed about 1,200 people in Lebanon and 140 in Israel.

(AP)
A joyful graduation ceremony at PS 682 in Gravesend, Brooklyn, turned into a violent and traumatic experience for a Jewish family when they were attacked by an Arabic-speaking family, who taunted them with anti-Semitic slurs and death threats.

The incident occurred just after the fifth-grade graduation, which ironically had a theme of All you need is love. The Jewish mother, Lana, and her husband Johan, were assaulted by members of the other family, who targeted them because of their Jewish faith.

The attackers shouted Free Palestine!, Gaza is Ours!, and Death to Israel! as they punched, kicked, and choked Johan, leaving him with scrapes, bruises, and swelling on his head, face, and body. Lana was also assaulted, suffering a gash on her leg, while their 16-year-old son was punched in the face.

The NYPD initially failed to classify the incident as a hate crime, but after the couple urged them to reconsider, the Hate Crimes Task Force is now investigating.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Violent clashes erupted in the Pico-Robertson area as pro-Hamas terrorists confronted Jews.

The violence started near the Adas Torah synagogue on Pico Boulevard on Sunday morning.

At 10:52 a.m., pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in front of the Adas Torah synagogue at 9040 W. Pico Blvd., west of Robertson Boulevard, and blocked the doors. They were met by counter-demonstrators, some carrying Israeli flags, according to Los Angeles Police Department Officer Tony Im.

Police in riot gear arrived to restore order.

What began as heated verbal exchanges escalated into physical altercations. Videos posted on social media showed punches being thrown, people being wrestled to the ground, and kicked. The violence began when pro-Palestinian protesters tried to stop people from entering the synagogue.

Do your message, spread your message, its the First Amendment. But when youre pepper-spraying little girls, its messed up, said Mishah Klein, a local resident.

Several people were detained at the scene, but according to the LAPD, no one was officially arrested. One person was cited for refusing to disperse.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The Hezbollah terror group in southern Lebanon launched an anti-tank missile at Metula in northern Israel on Sunday evening, hitting a vehicle and injuring two members of the local security squad, one seriously.

The victims were evacuated to Rambam Hospital in Haifa.

The incident occurred as the security members were accompanying a family from Metula who had come to see their home, which had been damaged by Hezbollah missiles.

Hezbollah later claimed responsibility for the attack.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Roi Levi, the head of the Federation of Local Authorities [an umbrella organization of all municipalities and local councils in Israel] and the mayor of Nesher, a town near Haifa, spoke on North Radio [104.5FM] on Monday about the possibility of an extended power outage in the case of a war with Hezbollah.

In all the scenarios we simulate, the discussion is about a minimum of 72 hours without electricity, he warned. And I tell people to prepare for longer than that because if there are 72 hours without electricity or even 24 hours it is still better to be prepared when you dont have medicine or an energy source to heat food for the baby and you have no way to use necessary basic services. It wont help me if they restore power to a cellular antenna but I dont have a battery in my phone.

Theyre preparing for a very difficult scenario of 4,000 missiles at our region for at least a day. Thats why all these stories that if an electrical installation is damaged, theyll immediately repair it  dont seem so plausible. I cant see workers being able to repair anything in a scenario of 4,000 missiles a day. We need to prepare for at least 72 difficult hours, maybe even more. I say to prepare even for a week. Its clear that at the end of that week, there wont be a trace of Lebanon and theyll beg for a break. But we must be strong and be part of the battle because a strong homefront will allow the IDF to win and decrease the threat from the north.

Last week, Shaul Goldstein, the head of of Israels Independent System Operator Ltd. [NOGA], warned that Israel is not properly prepared for a real war with Hezbollah.

When asked if Israel will be able to ensure electricity supply in the event of a war [with Hezbollah missiles targeting electrical infrastructure], he said the answer is no.

Israel is an energy island and we have to provide for ourselves. When I entered office and began to evaluate the threat to the electrical infrastructure, I asked  lets say a missile hits the power grid and theres a power outage for an hour, three hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, and beyond. What happens in such a situation? The bottom line is that after 72 hours, it will be impossible to live in Israel. People dont understand how much our lives depend on electricity.

I have 15 inspectors throughout the country. If theres a power outage, then after 5 hours, I dont have a phone to call them. If the inspector goes to a gas station, theres no gas  no gas station is working. Theres a line miles long, if not more. I wont delve into sensitive matters  but were not ready for a real war. We live in a fantasy world.

If Nasrallah wants to down Israels power grid, he only has to pick up the phone to the person in charge of Beiruts electrical system, which looks exactly like Israels. He doesnt even need a surveillance drone. He can call a second-year electrical engineer and ask him where the most critical points are in Israel  everything is on the Internet.

The realization of our situation hasnt penetrated. If the war is postponed for a year, five, ten years  our situation will be better.

Meir Shpilger, the CEO of the Israel Electric Company, slammed Goldstein for his comments, saying that his words were irresponsible, disconnected from reality and will cause panic among the public.

Energy and Infrastructure Minister Eli Cohen responded by saying that Israel is preparing for every scenario and can generate electricity from many sources, including gas rigs, diesel fuel reserves, coal reserves and renewable energy.

Our energy sources reserves are spread out in many protected and classified locations, Cohen said. There are many other actions we have taken to ensure regular energy supply, which I cant reveal here.

The chance of a power outage for many days is very low. In addition, I need to make it clear to our enemies: if theres an hours-long power outage in Israel, there will be a months-long power outage in Lebanon, he warned.

On the other hand, Oren Helman, the former VP of Israels Electric Company, said: I wouldnt underestimate and dismiss the difficult and powerful words of Shaul Goldstein, even if he retracted them. The role of leaders is to tell the public the truth, even if it is not pleasant, and maybe sometimes scary. Its a responsibility to say things that arent pleasant.

Coordinating expectations with the public must be done! Certainly not to underestimate the capabilities of the enemy, who unfortunately knows our electrical system very well.

Meanwhile, the public discussion on the issue has led to a surge in generator sales, especially in northern and central Israel.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
A planned tour of Beirut airport, intended to debunk allegations of Hezbollah weapons storage, was disrupted when reporters and cameramen were denied access to a cargo-handling area. The tour, arranged by Lebanons Transport Ministry, aimed to refute claims that Hezbollah has stockpiled weapons from Iran at the airport, including ballistic missiles and other armaments  but only added fuel to the fire.

Lebanons Hezbollah-affiliated Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamieh, had invited journalists and ambassadors to prove that there is nothing to hide. However, during the tour, only diplomats were allowed to enter a cargo-handling building due to organizational issues, leaving dozens of journalists waiting outside in the heat.

The incident has raised further questions about Hezbollahs activities at the airport, despite Minister Hamiehs earlier dismissal of the allegations as ridiculous. The failed tour has only added to the controversy, with many left wondering what the ministry has to hide.

The allegations, first published by The Telegraph, claimed that Hezbollah has stored weapons, including ballistic missiles, unguided artillery rockets, and laser-guided anti-tank guided missiles, as well as a highly explosive and toxic white powder known as RDX, at the airport.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Carlsberg has upped the pressure on the board of UK soft drinks group Britvic to engage on a 3.1billion-plus takeover offer.

Britvic provides bottling facilities for PepsiCo, which has waived a change-of-control clause that could have been a stumbling block to a future deal.

Among the reasons why trade and private equity buyers for UK companies have, in the recent past, been so triumphant in capturing FTSE 350 firms is the vulnerability of non-executive directors to persuasion.

It required a rigorous financial response, such as that put up by Stuart Chambers at Anglo American, to see off predator BHP.

Mining giant Anglo was more prepared than most for the fight because of an earlier skirmish about releasing value with activist Elliott Advisors.

Takeover threat: Britvic provides bottling facilities for PepsiCo, which has waived a change-of-control clause that could have been a stumbling block to a future deal with Carlsberg

In executing takeovers, investment bankers  in this case Nomura  often target non-executive directors.

A lack of quality and less-than-robust attitudes of independent directors is a weakness exploited by buyers.

When it comes to deals, one will hear the target company mouthing all kinds of waffle about fiduciary duty.

There is very little attention to duties enshrined in company law towards all stakeholders, including the workforce, consumers, suppliers and the ill-defined public interest.

Presentations by those propagating the bid focus heavily on director responsibilities. The analysis can be deeply misleading.

UK companies are grotesquely undervalued when compared to American counterparts. London shares have been on something of a tear, rising 44 per cent over the last five years.

That may sound glorious but over the same period, S&P 500 returns are up 114 per cent. There is a huge valuation gap.

Better prepared companies will be armed with a sum-of-the-parts valuation, plus often-ignored brand values (critical in the case of Britvic), which demonstrate the would-be buyer is chancing its arm.

It requires a tough non-executive chairman and board to withstand an assault when the bankers and other advisers hammer away about duty to accept a deal.

In Ian Durant, formerly of Greggs, Britvic has an experienced chairman. Simon Litherland, a refugee from Diageo, has been chief executive for more than a decade. It is their task to see the Danish threat off the field of combat.

Carlsberg has had a serious setback in Russia. Its current goal is to win control of Britvic brands, non-alcoholic beverages and an opening to the valuable Brazilian market on the cheap.

Breath taking

Glaxo chief Emma Walmsley is a huge advocate for UK pharmaceuticals and courageously makes the case for preventative medicine in the NHS.

So it is a blow to find that the Government has chosen Pfizer over Glaxo in the battle to protect vulnerable mothers and the elderly from respiratory disease using an RSV vaccine.

GSK has been trumpeting the prospects of its RSV vaccine as the next big thing after its blockbuster jab for Shingles.

It has regulatory approvals on both sides of the Atlantic. GSK already supplies two-thirds of its RSV protection to the much larger and more remunerative US market.

Losing out in the firms home territory is disappointing. If the NHS were serious about eradicating disease and making sure its patients receive only the best inoculation, it would have chosen the GSK vaccine, which is 10 per cent more efficacious. Pfizer, in seeking to muster support for its alternative RSV treatment, came in with a much cheaper tender.

It is only right that there is competitive bidding for any product. But it is about time Whitehall and an ill-functioning NHS recognised a broader responsibility to provide only the very best treatments to UK citizens.

The NHS also needs to put muscle behind British R&D, science and innovation. The RSV decision is an own goal for UK plc.

Mind the step

High Street stalwart Frasers and online shopping platform THG may be terrific businesses.

But they dont win many prizes for transparency. So making head or tail of their multi-year partnership, without providing financial data to investors, is tricky.

Frasers appears delighted to have acquired access to THGs much scrutinised Ingenuity platform. And Frasers is taking designer clothing site Coggles (bought out of administration) off THGs hands.

The mind boggles.
The Government has snubbed a British drugs giant by choosing a blockbuster respiratory vaccine from an American rival.

GSK lost out to Pfizer in a deal that will see the US group provide 4.9million Abrysvo jabs to older adults and pregnant mothers across England and Northern Ireland over the next two years.

The vaccine rollout will start next month to protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes cold-like symptoms but can be dangerous for the elderly and vulnerable as well as newborn babies.

Rebuff: GSK boss Emma Walmsley (pictured)is pushing ahead with her turnaround strategy at the FTSE 100 group

The jab has the potential to prevent thousands of hospital admissions each year.

But the Governments decision to back Pfizer is a bruising setback for GSK amid a battle to dominate RSV protection.

GSK appeared to steal a march on its rival last year when its RSV vaccine Arexvy became the first in the world to be approved.

Having won approval from US regulators, Arexvy brought in some 1.2billion of sales in 2023, well ahead of the 699million that Pfizers rival drug generated.

The GSK jab also made up around two-thirds of all RSV vaccines administered.

The success of Arexvy up to now has been a major boost for GSK chief executive Emma Walmsley as she pushes ahead with her turnaround strategy at the FTSE 100 group.

Her plan saw GSK offload its consumer healthcare division Haleon as she re-focuses the pharma giant on vaccines and infectious diseases.

The pivot came after GSK fell behind rival Astrazeneca and Pfizer to create a Covid vaccination during the pandemic.

But the Governments decision to award the lucrative RSV contract to Pfizer has significantly undermined GSKs ascendancy.

A GSK spokesman said the group was disappointed by the result but remained very confident in its jab.

The Department of Health and Social Care did not explain why Pfizer came out on top, but it is understood the US firm offered an extremely competitive price.

The Pfizer drug is also approved for both the elderly and pregnant women. GSKs only has approval for the elderly.

Derren Nathan, head of equity research at Hargreavess Lansdown, said that while GSK may have been hoping for a home side advantage the Pfizer jabs wider approvals are likely to been the deciding factor.

The contract setback will add to concerns for GSK investors. This month the company was plunged into crisis after a US judge opened the floodgates for 70,000 lawsuits claiming the heartburn drug Zantac causes cancer.

This wiped more than 7billion off GSKs value in just one day.

The group has also come under pressure for its pipeline of new drugs. This has held back its share price in recent years as it struggles to replicate the success of shingles vaccine Shingrix.

In a separate update, GSK announced it has received approval from Japanese regulators for its Omjjara treatment for myelofibrosis, a type of bone marrow cancer and revealed the European Medicines Agency accepted its application to expand the use of cancer medicine Jemperli.

GSKK shares rose 0.6 per cent, or 9.5p, to 1608.5p yesterday.
A company that wants to turn Second World War tunnels under London into a major tourist attraction will list in Amsterdam, in the latest blow to the City.

The London Tunnels confirmed yesterday that it has abandoned plans to float on the London stock market in favour of the Euronext exchange.

The Mail on Sunday revealed the U-turn was coming after the firm appointed Dutch investment bank ABN Amro to handle the flotation.

The snub comes as the stock market grapples with an exodus of companies and a dearth of listings.

Tunnel vision: London Tunnels wants to turn Second World War tunnels under London into a tourist attraction to rival the London Eye

London Tunnels chief executive Angus Murray said a Euronext listing is in the best long-term interests of the company, its shareholders and the future ambitions for the development.

It signalled a change of tone after Murray previously said it should be listed in London when it announced plans to float in the City in January.

The company is planning to turn the capitals Second World War tunnels into an attraction to rival the London Eye, saying it aims to welcome up to 3m visitors a year.

It wants to open the Kingsway Exchange Tunnels in central London to tourists in 2027.

The mile-long network of tunnels was built under Chancery Lane tube station in the early 1940s as a shelter big enough to protect 8,000 Londoners from German bombs during the Blitz.

During the war, it was used as offices for the London Civil Defence Region and Ministry of Works.

The network was later used by Winston Churchills Special Operations Executive, the forerunner to the MI6 intelligence service.

The tunnels are thought to have been the inspiration behind Ian Flemings description of Q-Branch in his James Bond novels.

Later, after expansion, the underground site was used as a secure government communications centre.

After the war the tunnels were transferred to the General Post Office in 1949 and in 1956 became the termination point for the first transatlantic telephone cable.

Ownership of the site was transferred to BT and for many years they housed telephone switches and equipment.

The London Tunnels has received planning approval for the project from the City of London Corporation and is waiting for a decision from Camden Council, which is expected by September.

Shares will start trading on Thursday under the ticker symbol TLT, and The London Tunnels is eyeing a market capitalisation of 130million.

The company is planning to raise up to 30million through the listing, and has already received commitments from 15 investors for nearly 25million.

The firm said it will need to raise additional funding of around 120million between 2025 and 2027 to complete the project.

Murray said: We believe a public listing of The London Tunnels is the logical next step, improving our ability to raise further capital over the coming years to support the companys growth strategy and create long-term value.

He added: The London Tunnels can now take advantage of the size and scale of both the equity capital markets and debt capital markets of Europe.
Activist threat: Magners Cider maker C&C also owns Scottish beer Tennents and Irish cider Bulmers

An activist investor has demanded a shake-up at Magners Cider maker C&C that could see it sold.

In a letter to the board, hedge fund Engine Capital urged it to launch a strategic review and find a potential buyer, with private equity seen as an option.

It said the drinks group  which also owns Scottish beer Tennents and Irish cider Bulmers  has been a perennial underperformer.

Shares have halved in value in the last five years.

Engine Capital, which owns just under 5 per cent of the manufacturer, took a swipe at succession missteps, strategic mistakes, execution blunders, and an inability to return to its higher historical earnings profile for stifling its valuation potential.

In response, C&C said it welcomes feedback from all shareholders and has a clear focus on creating shareholder value.
US prosecutors have called for criminal charges to be brought against Boeing relating to a settlement over two fatal crashes.

Two accidents within six months involving the firms 737 Max aircraft resulted in the deaths of 346 passengers.

A flight run by Indonesias Lion Air crashed in October 2018, killing 189. That was followed by an Ethiopian Airlines crash in March 2019, in which 157 people died.

Campaign: Victims' families (pictured) have urged prosecutors to seek a record 14.6bn fine against Boeing

Investigators found that flawed flight control software caused the deadly accidents, after which all 737 Max planes were grounded for 20 months.

In 2021, Boeing agreed to pay a 2billion settlement and prosecutors asked the court to drop criminal charges after three years if the firm met certain criteria.

But last month the US Department of Justice said Boeing had breached the terms of the deal.

Victims families have urged prosecutors to seek a record 14.6billion fine against Boeing and pursue criminal charges.

Prosecutors have recommended the DoJ pursue charges. Boeing has previously denied violating the agreement.
ESBs Ardnacrusha Power Station is to once again open the gates of Irelands first national hydro-electric station to the general public for the 2024 summer season, providing a unique visitor experience in Co Clare.

The guided public tours are free and will run from 1 July to 6 September 2024, Monday to Friday. Each tour runs for approximately 90 minutes, accommodating groups of up to 30 people. This phase of public tours follows school tours that have seen hundreds of students pass through the gates since May.

Visitors will begin their tour at the visitors centre before going out on site. Visitors will begin their tour at the visitors centre before going out on site to view the impressive headrace canal, locks and tailrace.

Once inside the power station, the living heritage of the Shannon Scheme is brought to life through a series of animations which celebrate the history and impact of this iconic project.

Visitors are given access to the very heart of the station with unique views of the turbine hall and a visit to the original control room.

Brendan Shine, Plant Manager at Ardnacrusha said: The Ardnacrusha Experience tells the story of the critical role that the Shannon Scheme has had in enhancing Irish life, paving the way for the social, economic, and industrial development of Ireland, making progress possible through the electrification of the country.

Visitors will get the chance to learn not just about the history of the station but also our Net Zero by 2040 strategy. Drawing inspiration from the development of Ardnacrusha almost 100 years ago, ESB is committed to a future powered by clean electricity.

We are looking forward to welcoming all those with an interest in engineering, history and heritage for pre-booked visits over the summer.
The man who tragically drowned off the south west Donegal coast on Saturday has been named locally as Patrick Doran.

Mr Doran was one of over 100 divers taking part in the North West Dive Rally at Teelin.

The planned two-day event was plunged into shock and sadness at around noon on Saturday.

A search operation was launched after two divers were reported as missing.

The body of Mr Doran, aged in his 40s and a native of Leitrim Village, was recovered from the water and he was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

Mr Doran was a diving enthusiast and regularly took part in similar events.

A second diver, a man aged in his 60s, was rescued from the water and is currently receiving treatment at Galway University Hospital.

The local coroner, Dr Denis McCauley, has been notified of Mr Doran's death and a post-mortem will take place in the coming days.

The Coast Guard's 118 Rescue helicopter, based at Strandhill in Sligo, was dispatched to the scene.

A crew from the Killybegs Coast Guard also attended in their Delta RIB after being tasked by the Malin Head Coast Guard, who coordinated the operation.

Local gardai and other emergency services assisted.

A spokesperson from the Department of Transport told Donegal Live that the Irish Coast Guard Marine Rescue Sub Centre (MRSC) in Malin co-ordinated a response to a diving incident that was reported off Teelin at 12.20pm.

A spokesperson said: The co-ordinated response involved the Sligo-based Rescue 118 helicopter, Killybegs Coast Guard Boat & Shore Crews, the National Ambulance Service and An Garda Siochana.

One male casualty (in his 40s) was pronounced dead at the scene and a second male casualty (in his 60s) was airlifted by Rescue 118 to Galway University Hospital (GUH) where he is receiving care.

Organisers of the North West Dive Rally immediately called off the remainder of the competition.
The former Missouri Senator advises against pulling any punches.

Some might want to discount her advice since she ended her career with a loss. HOWEVER, let's not forget that she garnered a great deal of support throughout her career and managed to achieve victory several times in a red state.



Here's the crux of her strategy . . .

Biden has to absolutely be willing to get down and fight with this guy in a way that shows people hes strong. What he says is not as important as how he says it, McCaskill said on MSNBCs The Weekend.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Again . . . Our blog www.TonysKansasCity.com blog community reminds readers that Summer is traditionally the start of the most violent time of the year in KCMO.

Accordingly . . .

Here's the latest police report . . .



Homicide Bannister and Raytown Rd

This morning around 9:30 AM officers were dispatched to the area of Bannister and Raytown Rd on a reported dead body.



They were directed to a nearby parking lot where they located an unresponsive male suffering from an apparent gun shot wound. EMS was summoned to the scene and pronounced the victim deceased.



This is being investigated as a homicide. Detectives are canvassing the area to look for potential witnesses and possible surveillance footage of the incident. Crime scene personnel are working to gather evidence to determine what led up to the shooting.



If anyone has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.



We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency.



We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.

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Developing . . .


A bit of a new tradition emerges on this blog . . . For Sunday we want our www.TonysKansasCity.com readers to take it just a bit easier and so we share nicer news items that don't really fit anywhere else on this blog.



Despite so much hater commentary, cynicism and doubt . . . Here's a reminder that there's a lot of good things happening in Kansas City this Summer . . . We start with just a bit of pop culture sensationalism to, hopefully, garner a bit more interest and move to more important grassroots reporting . . .



Travis Kelce Joins Taylor Swift on Stage for Surprise 'Eras Tour' Appearance and Literally Sweeps Her Off Her Feet Travis Kelce, dressed in a tuxedo and top hat, literally swept Taylor Swift off her feet at her Eras Tour concert in London on Sunday night.

Kansas City Public Library's Kids Cafe Resumes - addressing Summer Food Insecurity - Northeast News Emily WheelerEditorial Intern Kids Cafe at Kansas City Public Library (KCPL) resumed June 10 - offering free, nutritious meals for children up to 18 years old. Its North-East branch will serve meals through Aug. 12, from 3 to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Each meal includes milk, meat/meat alternatives, vegetables, fruits and grains.

'We're giving them access to change their lives': Essential Families' latest effort in closing digital divide Essential Families is a nonprofit organization addressing the digital divide and working to close the gap.

Fallen Fairway police officer Jonah Oswald honored with lemonade stand Kaitlin and Laurin Stotts, sisters from Leawood, held their annual lemonade stand fundraiser on Saturday.

'I'm a fighter': KC man uses adversity to overcome rare genetic condition According to the Rural Health Information Hub, 111 of Missouri's 114 counties face a primary care physician shortage. Nearly two-thirds of Kansas counties face the same shortage.

JFS Summer Splash open house begins toilet paper drive The recent Jewish Family Services (JFS) open house at its Brookside location began its food pantrys summer Wipe Out campaign to collect toilet paper.

The Village Cafe shares update with community 1 month after opening to help returning citizens The Village Cafe opened in April of 2024 to hire and help returning citizens learn skills such as cooking to help them find work once they are released from prison.

Independence community comes together to make schools shine Hundreds of volunteers came together to help spruce up schools with the Independence School District.

Saint Luke's NICU sees baby boom among nursing staff Mothers are beaming inside of Saint Luke's neonatal intensive care unit while they share their new bundles of joy with the world.

Kansas City Area High School Students Get Big Scholarships Great Jobs KC on Saturday will formally award $48 million in college scholarships to 1,210 students from 87 high schools in the Kansas City area.

Troost Ave. cafe and community services are coming back home Thelma's Kitchen, located at 3101 Troost Ave. in Kansas City, is named after Thelma Altschul. Thelma and her husband Father Alexii Altschul are known today for the outreach work they complete...

'It's about community': Mattie Rhodes Center to host 3rd-annual Tamale Fest The Mattie Rhodes Center is set to host the community for its third-annual Tamale Festival, an event that goes beyond the food.

This art education center in Johnson County aims to teach and entertain the community The nonprofit Olathe Visual Artists in Johnson County offers ways for local residents to learn about and participate in artistic endeavors.

Here's a Summer 'Staycation' Guide for Families on a Budget Summer is officially here, and the kids are already getting bored. Here to help is handy local outdoor "staycation" guide for people on a budget.

Developing . . .
Tonight we celebrate the strength and hotness of angel Taylor as share another check on pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Mayor Q Move Forward

Lucas looks ahead to second half of 2024 as Mayoral Conference ends More than 200 mayors were in Kansas City this week for the annual Conference of Mayors.

Fans Prefer Blowout Over Draw

Current dominate Thorns to tie NWSL unbeaten streak The Kansas City Current are still undefeated after disposing of the Portland Thorns 4-1 on Sunday afternoon.

Show-Me GOP Leaders

Kehoe, Bailey make pitches in respective races ahead of Missouri August Primary On this episode of 4 the People it's a "Show-Me State" version of "Candidate Conversations," featuring Mike Kehoe, seeking the governor's office, and Andrew Bailey, seeking a full-term as att...

Rock Chalk College Costs Rise

Kansas Board of Regents unanimously approves tuition rate increases for five universities The Kansas Board of Regents unanimously approved tuition rate increases for five institutions during this month's board meeting. Here's what to know.

Another Peek At Kansas City's Favorite Celebrity Couple

Taylor Swift stuns London crowd by bringing Travis Kelce on stage during Eras Tour concert | CNN For Taylor Swift, simply going "Instagram official" with Travis Kelce just isn't big enough apparently.

Angel Survives Tragedy

Victoria's Secret Model Taylor Hill Reveals She Suffered a Pregnancy Loss 3 Years Ago Taylor Swift, a Victoria's Secret model, opened up to Jay Shetty about suffering a pregnancy lost three years ago.

White House Losing Holy Land War Of Public Opinion

Warnings signs for Biden's Jewish support as war in Gaza drags on and antisemitism rises | CNN Politics Alarm is rising in Democratic circles that the turmoil set off by the October 7 attack by Hamas and Israel's bloody war launched in response is becoming yet another weight on President Joe Biden's reelection, with warning signs flashing over Jewish voters' support for the president.

MAGA Rallies For Debate

Exclusive: Trump takes debate prep to campaign trail, calls it a winning strategy Former President Trump expressed confidence in his debate prep strategy, dismissing the notion that President Biden could pose a threat onstage in a Fox News interview.

Red Army Sends Warning

Ukraine war briefing: Russia blames US for deadly Ukrainian attack on occupied Crimea Moscow says responsibility for strikes using US-supplied Atacms missiles 'borne above all by Washington'. What we know on day 852

Holy Land Conversation Cont'd

Netanyahu again claims the US is withholding arms shipments, days after Washington denies it Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his Cabinet that there had been a "dramatic drop" in U.S. weapons deliveries for Israel's war effort in Gaza.

Pope Moves Toward Far East

Vatican doubles down on courtship of China This week the Vatican appears to be re-upping its efforts to secure further goodwill with Chinese authorities, as two top officials are poised to speak at a presentation on a key figure in the development of the Church in China.

Local Inferno Tonight

Crews work weekend fire that started in abandoned KC building Crews continue to work a weekend fire that originated in an abandoned structure in Kansas City, Missouri.

Home Team Suffers Hard Times

Dangerous slide continues for struggling KC Royals The KC Royals are struggling and slumping. What happened to them Sunday in Texas didn't help matters at all.

Griggs Gets Us Ready For EPIC Heat Wave

Extreme heat will impact the start of the week Monday and Tuesday will both feature heat index levels that are well into the 100s

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
An upcoming election do-over is likely going to return the same result.

Even worse . . .

Kansas City activists & politicos will argue against more police funding in the midst of the Summer homicide uptick.

Here's progressive news offering their explanation of the decision . . .



When you look at your Aug. 6 Missouri ballot and see the same question about funding for the Kansas City Police Department as two years ago, thats not a mistake  in April, the Missouri Supreme Court ordered the state to run the vote again.



Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucass lawsuit challenging the police funding question prompted the court to throw out the results from Nov. 2022 and order a new election for Aug. 6.



Heres everything you need to know about the ballot measure . . .

Actually . . . It's not EVERYTHING . . . Voters might want to think about KCMO's historic homicide spike amid this vote as well.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
What we're witnessing is possibly one of the most impressive displays of loyalty, advocacy and commitment in Kansas City history.



Against all odds, court decisions and mainstream media sentiment, this lady persists and argues for her husband.

Agree or disagree . . . Her perseverance can't be denied.

Her latest social media message, update and a link to a recent conversation . . .



"My husband Eric DeValkenaere should not have spent one single day in prison yet its day 250 for doing his job. I hope and pray this NEVER happens to another LEO in Missouri or anywhere for simply doing your job as you were trained to do."

Take a listen via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

NPA Report: Jason Johnson & Sarah DeValkenaere Join host Sgt. Betsy Brantner Smith (Ret.) spokesperson for the National Police Association (https://nationalpolice.org/main/) for interviews with law enforcement experts on their thoughts about the anti-police media, the crime crisis, and leadership.

Developing . . .
Alaska Airlines has reached a preliminary agreement with its flight attendants' union. This announcement came on Friday. The union, which speaks for over 6,500 flight attendants, has been in talks with the airline for two years.

Details of the deal will be polished and reviewed in the coming days before being presented to members for approval.

Alaska Airlines Deal Nears Final Review

The deal comes after a lengthy period of negotiations, marked by the union's strong push for significant pay raises. They advocated for increases between 40 percent and 56 percent, depending on the seniority of the staff.

The exact figures included in the new agreement remain undisclosed. The union had gained substantial support, even from lawmakers, strengthening their position to negotiate effectively with Alaska Airlines.

According to The Hill, the union's efforts were supported by the National Mediation Board, ensuring fair play in negotiations. Over the next few days, both Alaska Airlines and the union will work together.

They aim to finalize the wording of the contract. This step is crucial before the Alaska Airlines Master Executive Council (MEC) can review the agreement. After this review, the deal will be sent out for a vote by all union members.

In their announcement to the flight attendants, the union leaders highlighted the collective effort that led to this tentative agreement. They praised the persistence and solidarity shown by their members throughout the bargaining process.

Once the contract language is finalized, roadshows are planned. These will allow union members to fully understand the new agreement before casting their votes. The union promises to release detailed information to its members at each stage, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making.

Related Article : Alaska Airlines Reunites Passenger With Dog After Airport Escape

Alaska Airlines Crew Sickened by Odor

An Alaska Airlines flight was canceled late Monday night after two flight attendants fell ill due to an unknown odor on the aircraft. The incident occurred during the boarding of flight ASA 828, which was scheduled to depart from Honolulu to Anchorage at 11:45 p.m.

The situation developed around 11:15 p.m. when two female crew members began to feel unwell. They were treated by Honolulu Emergency Medical Services and taken to the emergency room in serious condition, as confirmed by a spokesperson for Honolulu EMS.

Alaska Airlines stated that the likely cause of the illness was an unidentified odor in the rear of the plane, as per USA Today. The airline has reported the incident to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.

According to Alaska Airlines, the ventilation systems in most airplanes do not use a filter to bring fresh air through the engines. Occasionally, toxic fumes from other parts of the aircraft can enter the main cabin.

This can lead to air contamination, potentially causing symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headaches, or cramping among passengers and crew.

Studies indicate that incidents involving toxic fumes on planes are relatively rare, occurring between 0.09 and 3.9 times per every 1,000 flights. This equates to roughly two to three incidents daily across the U.S.

Flight attendants, who spend a considerable amount of time in aircraft cabins, are the most susceptible to such exposures.

The airline confirmed that the affected crew members have since been medically cleared to return to flying. Alaska Airlines emphasized its commitment to passenger and crew safety, promising thorough follow-up on the matter.
A major power outage at Manchester Airport led to chaos on Sunday, affecting over 90,000 passengers. Flights were grounded, and arrivals were diverted. By Sunday afternoon, numerous flights had been cancelled, and the airport struggled with baggage handling issues.

Manchester Airport Fault Disrupts Thousands

Early on Sunday, Manchester Airport experienced a severe electrical fault, causing a power surge that disrupted operations, particularly security and baggage screening processes.

This incident resulted in the cancellation of 66 outbound flights, which is 25% of all departures, and 50 incoming flights, or 18% of all arrivals, were redirected to other UK airports.

According to BBC, passengers faced long lines and significant delays throughout the day. Social media was flooded with images of overcrowded terminals and luggage piling up. Some travelers reported that their baggage failed to be loaded onto their planes, adding to the frustration.

By 7:30 PM, airport officials announced that flights had resumed. However, they also stated that an investigation into the outage would be conducted to prevent future incidents.

Chris Woodroofe, the managing director of Manchester Airport, apologized for the inconvenience and assured that efforts were being made to minimize further impact.

The largest number of flight cancellations was from EasyJet, which described the delays as beyond their control and expressed commitment to reducing the disruption's effects.

Additionally, international flights, including those from Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways, were forced to land at airports in London and Birmingham instead of Manchester.

The airport confirmed that the disruption stemmed from a cable fault, which had unexpectedly impacted the power system. As the airport returns to normal operations, airline representatives are reaching out to affected travelers to arrange alternative flights and accommodations.

Related Article : Long Queues Hit UK Airports After E-Gate Glitch

Apologizes for Major Disruption

Manchester Airport faced significant disruptions after a power outage early Sunday affected its operations. The managing director, Chris Woodroofe, expressed deep regret over the incident, which impacted thousands of passengers.

By midday, Manchester Airport had cancelled 25% of its outgoing flights and 18% of incoming flights, affecting a total of 66 outbound and 50 inbound journeys.

The source of the problem was identified as a cable fault that caused a power surge, leading to the shutdown of security systems and baggage screening processes.

The Standard reports Woodroofe stated that the power cut had halted all morning departures from terminals 1 and 2, creating large queues and chaos. He apologized for the inconvenience and assured that an investigation into the cause of the outage was forthcoming to prevent future incidents.

Passengers traveling from terminal 3 experienced fewer issues, although some early flights were delayed.

EasyJet, operating primarily from terminal 1, reported severe delays, with passengers only able to board with hand luggage due to issues with baggage handling.

Manchester Airport has been working closely with airlines to minimize the disruption and manage the flow of passengers. Woodroofe reiterated the airport's commitment to resolving the issues swiftly and preventing further impact on travelers.
Explosions rang out in temporarily occupied Crimea late on Sunday, June 23.

That's according to Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne Crimea, Ukrinform reports.

"I heard two very powerful explosions in the city. The windows were shaking in my home, and the sirens of ambulances and police cars could be heard in the city," a resident of Yevpatoria told Suspilne.

The occupation governor of the city, Mikhail Razvozhaiev, reported on Telegram that an air raid alert was issued in Sevastopol at 22:03.

According to the Telegram channel Crimean Wind, about eight explosions were heard in Zaozerne, Yevpatoria and Donuzlav.

Many ambulances were reportedly heading towards Vitino.

Explosions were also heard in Molochne.

According to the Telegram channel, there was a strike on the military unit between Molochne and Uiutne.
Russia likely purposefully stations military targets nearby civilian areas in temporary occupied Crimea in an effort to deter Ukrainian strikes.

This is said in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), according to Ukrinform.

The Russian MoD claimed on June 23 that Ukrainian forces launched five ATACMS missiles armed with cluster munitions against Sevastopol and that Russian forces intercepted four missiles.[16] The Russian MoD claimed that the impact from a Russian air defense interceptor caused one missile to deviate from its flight path and detonate

Read also: Invaders introduce state of emergency in Sevastopol

The Russian MoD later blamed the United States for civilian casualties in Sevastopol given that the ATACMS are a US-provided system, despite acknowledging that a Russian air defense interceptor caused the missile to deviate from its flight path and detonate.

ISW noted that they cannot independently verify if Ukrainian forces used ATACMS missiles armed with cluster munitions.

The Russian MoD's blaming of the United States for civilian causalities is an attempt to deter the United States from providing further security assistance to Ukraine, the report says.

As noted, Russian milbloggers widely criticized the Russian MoD and Russias occupation authorities in Crimea for failing to prevent the strike and sufficiently protect Russian civilians on June 23. In particular, several Russian milbloggers criticized Russian authorities for failing to detect and destroy all the missiles before they approached Sevastopol and for failing to build reinforced shelters within walking distance of the beach, specifically comparing the lack of shelters near this beach in contrast to Russia's efforts to build shelters in Belgorod region near the international border with Ukraine.

It is stressed that Russian sources criticized Russian authorities for not using air raid sirens to alert civilians to seek shelter.

Footage and imagery indicate that Russian forces have been stationing military equipment in civilian areas in Crimea since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the report says.

According to ISW, Russian authorities have irresponsibly encouraged Russian tourism to occupied Crimea during wartime while the Russian military continues to leverage the occupied peninsula as a rear staging area

The Russian military likely purposefully stations legitimate military targets nearby civilian areas in Crimea in an effort to deter Ukrainian strikes, the report says.

ISW recalled that Russian forces have been recorded leveraging the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and schools in occupied mainland Ukraine to shield Russian military equipment.

Russia is likely violating its own regulations on the application of International Humanitarian Law, which states that the military command shall avoid deploying military objectives in densely populated areas or in their vicinity, the report says.

As reported by Ukrinform, on June 23, according to preliminary data, more than 120 people were injured and five more were killed by the missile attacks and air defense operations in the temporarily occupied city of Sevastopol.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has decided to replace the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Yuriy Sodol, with Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov.

The president said this in his video address, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The Commander-in-Chief, the Chief of the General Staff, and the Minister of Defense were present. We discussed the situation in key areas, with the main focus currently on the Donetsk region and supplying our forces with everything they need, Zelensky said.

They also discussed personnel issues within the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Zelensky noted.

Read also: Another country joins Peace Summit communique

I decided to replace the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Yuriy Sodol, with Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov, Zelensky said.

As reported by Ukrinform, the State Bureau of Investigation confirmed the receipt of a letter from Bohdan Krotevych, the chief of staff of the Azov National Guard Brigade, regarding the need to investigate the actions of one of the Armed Forces generals due to the significant losses sustained by Ukrainian troops on the battlefield.

The SBI noted that investigators are currently examining the circumstances outlined in the letter. The Bureau representatives did not disclose the name of the general in question.

Earlier, some media outlets reported that it was the commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Yuriy Sodol.
In the past few days, two substations were damaged in the temporarily occupied city of Enerhodar, where most of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) staff live.

According to Ukrinform, this is said in a report on the website of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The city where most staff of Ukraines Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) live was left without electricity for 16 hours over the weekend after a second sub-station in the area sustained damage and was taken out of operation, the report says.

The IAEA team of experts stationed at the ZNPP on Saturday visited the site of the latest affected sub-station, Raduga, in the city of Enerhodar to observe damage to one of its two transformers that the plant said was caused by a drone attack the previous evening. The substation was used to partially supply five districts of Enerhodar with electricity. On Wednesday, another substation in Enerhodar, Luch, was destroyed.

Two days after visiting Enerhodar to assess the extent of damage to the Luch sub-station, the IAEA experts yesterday saw electric components and other drone debris at the Raduga sub-station, as well as an unexploded device on the ground near the damaged transformer, the report says.

The substation was used to partially supply five districts of Enerhodar with electricity. It is noted that on Wednesday another substation in Enerhodar, Luch, was destroyed.

Representatives of the Russian occupation authorities at the scene said that a hole in the transformer had caused a cooling oil leak that prompted the sub-station to shut down. They added that the oil spill had been covered by sand and that repairs were under way, which were completed later in the afternoon.

The IAEA experts did not see any oil traces on the transformer itself. The sub-station appeared to have suffered less damage than the transformer at the Luch sub-station and there was no fire or firefighters in the area, the report says.

As was the case with the damage to the Luch sub-station, the loss of electricity from Raduga did not directly impact the two power lines that are still available for the ZNPP. The plant continues to receive the off-site electricity it needs for cooling its shutdown reactors from its last remaining 750 kilovolt (kV) main power line and the last 330 kV backup power line.

As reported, ZNPP has been under Russian occupation since March 4, 2022. Over this time, the Russians have repeatedly violated nuclear safety principles by deploying military equipment on the nuclear plant's territory, mining its area and terrorizing the staff. The invaders ignore the IAEA decision to return ZNPP to Ukraines Energoatom control.
Malawi has joined the communique of the first Peace Summit held in Switzerland on June 15-16.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated this in his video message, Ukrinform reports.

"Today we have several results in our relations with partners. Another country - Malawi - joined the Peace Summit communique. Greater African representation in the global efforts for peace means greater pressure on Russia to stop this criminal aggression," he noted.

According to the President, the more countries and leaders stand with Ukraine, the sooner it will be possible to restore the full force of the UN Charter.

As Ukrinform reported, the Global Peace Summit was held in Switzerland on June 15-16. It focused on the issues identified in the Ukrainian Peace Formula, including nuclear and food security, as well as the return of Ukrainian children and other humanitarian issues.
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Published June 24, 2024

CAPTION: (L-R) Executive Director of ULM Foundation Susan Chappell, ULM President Ron Berry, ULM Alumni Board member Mario Payne, AgriOvum CEO Allan Corbin, ULM Director of Alumni Affairs Medria Buford, ULM Foundation Board member Glen Corbin

MONROE, LA  The University of Louisiana Monroe and President Ron Berry received the prestigious Hattie Corbin Award for Excellence in Education. The Hattie Award is given to individuals, educational programs, and institutions aimed at uplifting disadvantaged students around the country. The award includes a monetary gift to further those aims. This years gift included a $10,000 donation to ULMs TRIO programs, which are designed to assist first-generation and income-eligible students in reaching their full academic potential.

"The Hattie Award" was presented during the African American Alumni Reunion Brunch by Mario Payne on behalf of AgriOvum, LLC. AgriOvum is a poultry hatchery support services company located in Alabama. AgriOvum serves some of the largest poultry hatcheries in North America. Its Founder and CEO, Allan Corbin received a B.S. in Agricultural Business from ULM in 1984, and his wife, Jennifer Hendricks Corbin, received her B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from ULM, also in 1984. Their son Mario Payne completed his B.S. in Computer Information Systems in 2006 and sits on the Alumni Board of Directors. Accompanying the presentation was family member and ULM Foundation board member, Glen Corbin, B.S. Business Marketing 1985.

The Corbin family has a unique connection to ULM. Their son Mario was taught by ULM President Ron Berry, and President Berry's high school math teacher was Marios grandmother, Mrs. Mordessa Corbin.

The kindness and generosity shown by the Hattie Corbin family are deeply appreciated and will significantly aid in furthering the mission of the ULM TRIO Programs, said Dr. Catherine Estis, ULM TRIO Executive Director.

TRIO Programs play an integral role on the ULM campus by providing a highly structured environment that supports motivated students in overcoming obstacles, ultimately resulting in a higher number of students achieving their academic goals. ULM is home to three TRIO ProgramsEducational Talent Search (ETS), Student Support Services (SSS), and Child Care Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS).

The ULM TRIO Programs make a direct impact in the lives of first-generation eligible students by ensuring successful navigation toward achieving a college degree. This generous donation will enhance our ability to support these students and help them overcome barriers, added Dr. Estis.

The African American Alumni Reunion Brunch was held by BNLU/ULM. According to BNLU/ULM President Lavelle Hendricks, BNLU/ULM is a group of alumni beloved by NLU and ULM who were given an affordable and equitable education that we are thankful for, and incumbent on giving back through time, service, and monetary donations to make a difference for our university.

About Hattie Corbin

The Hattie Corbin Award for Excellence in Education is presented in honor of education pioneer Hattie Corbin. Mrs. Corbin, born in 1910, began traveling via buggy in the late 1920s to receptive local plantations teaching African American children the basics of reading, writing, and mathematics. Struggling to complete her own education, she successfully attended Grambling State University and finally completed her post-graduate work at Tuskegee University in Alabama. Prior to integration, she became the Supervisor of Colored Schools in Franklin Parish. After integration, she was selected as the first African American Supervisor for Elementary Education for all of Franklin Parish.
The Pell Grant program, a crucial source of financial aid for low-income students in the United States, is expected to run a significant surplus of $11.4 billion for the fiscal year, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

This development alleviates concerns about potential funding cuts that could have adversely affected millions of students. The surplus marks a moment of relief for policymakers and educators alike, but it also brings into focus several important considerations for the future of the program and the broader landscape of federal financial aid.

Understanding the Surplus: Key Factors and Implications

The CBO's projection of a surplus stands in contrast to earlier estimates by the Biden administration, which had requested an additional $2.1 billion for fiscal year 2025. This request aimed to increase the maximum Pell Grant award from $7,395 to $8,145 and to cover a projected funding gap in the program. However, with the latest CBO estimates suggesting a surplus, the urgency of this budget request appears to have diminished.

Several factors contribute to this unexpected surplus. One significant element is the reduction in the number of Pell Grant recipients. The CBO estimates that approximately 5.94 million students will receive a Pell Grant in 2024, about 490,000 fewer than projected last year. This decrease is largely attributed to a drop in financial aid applications, partly due to complications in the rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The CBO projects a 10 percent decrease in FAFSA submissions for 2024 and 2025 compared to 2023, influenced by early submission rates that were 30 to 40 percent lower than the previous year.

Additionally, changes in eligibility criteria have also played a role. Congressional adjustments to the Pell Grant formula are expected to cut off approximately 100,000 students from eligibility starting in the 2025-26 award year. These combined factors have resulted in a lower-than-expected demand for Pell Grants, contributing to the surplus.

READ MORE : House Rules Committee Rejects Legislation Expanding Pell Grants To Short-Term Workforce Programs

The Future of Pell Grants: Challenges and Opportunities

Despite the current surplus, the future of the Pell Grant program is not without challenges. The Biden administration's estimates for fiscal year 2025 anticipated costs of around $30 billion, a figure significantly higher than the CBO's $26.5 billion projection. This discrepancy underscores the uncertainties and dynamic nature of financial aid needs and budget forecasting.

One critical issue is the potential impact of the reduced number of FAFSA applications on overall college enrollment and completion rates. Lower application rates may indicate that fewer low-income students are accessing the financial aid they need to pursue higher education. This could have long-term implications for social mobility and economic equality.

Moreover, while the surplus suggests a temporary reprieve, it does not eliminate the need for ongoing investment and reform in the Pell Grant program. The American Association of Community Colleges notes that the current CBO projection shows the Pell Grant program will not face a shortfall until fiscal year 2029, assuming costs remain stable. However, maintaining this stability will require careful management and potential adjustments to ensure the program continues to meet the needs of future students.

Policy Implications and the Path Forward

The CBO's budget baseline will play a crucial role in guiding appropriators in the House and Senate as they allocate federal dollars. This baseline provides a framework within which policymakers can make informed decisions about funding levels and priorities for higher education.

One potential policy response to the current surplus could be to revisit the Biden administration's proposal to increase the maximum Pell Grant award. While Congress appears unlikely to move forward with this increase immediately, the surplus offers an opportunity to reconsider and potentially enhance the support provided to low-income students in future budget cycles.

Additionally, addressing the issues with the FAFSA rollout should be a priority. Ensuring that the application process is accessible and efficient is vital for maximizing the reach and impact of the Pell Grant program. Simplifying the application process and increasing outreach efforts could help reverse the decline in FAFSA submissions and ensure that more eligible students receive the aid they need.

The Pell Grant program's unexpected $11.4 billion surplus offers a moment of relief and an opportunity for reflection. While the surplus averts immediate funding concerns, it also highlights the need for ongoing vigilance and proactive policy measures to support low-income students. By addressing current challenges and planning for the future, policymakers can help ensure that the Pell Grant program continues to be a cornerstone of educational opportunity and equity in the United States.
Former United States President Donald Trump has taken an unexpected turn from his previously stringent immigration stance by proposing to automatically grant green cards to foreign graduates of U.S. colleges.

In a recent podcast interview with Silicon Valley tech investors, Trump discussed the importance of retaining talent within the U.S. and emphasized the potential benefits of this new policy. This proposal, while aimed at bolstering the American workforce, raises several questions and has elicited mixed reactions from various quarters.

A Shift in Immigration Policy

In the All-In Podcast with hosts Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, David Sacks, and David Friedberg, Trump lamented the departure of graduates from top U.S. universities. He proposed that graduates should receive a green card along with their diploma to remain in the country, extending this offer to junior colleges as well. This proposal marks a significant shift from Trump's earlier hardline immigration policies, which included reducing the number of green cards and immigrant visas during his tenure, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Trump's new stance is driven by the belief that retaining foreign graduates will foster innovation and economic growth within the U.S. He highlighted instances where talented graduates had to leave the country due to visa constraints, only to establish successful businesses abroad. By offering green cards as part of their diploma, Trump aims to keep these bright minds within the U.S., contributing to the economy and creating jobs.

Reactions and Implications

The proposal has sparked a range of reactions. Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, called it a "cockamamie proposal," expressing concerns about the potential for exploitation and an influx of foreign graduates competing with American workers. "If this proposal were adopted, you would see an explosion of quickie, one-year master's programs around the country as a way of selling green cards to foreigners," Krikorian said.

On the other hand, Trump's campaign spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, assured that the policy would involve an "aggressive vetting process" to ensure only the most skilled and thoroughly vetted graduates are granted green cards. This, she claimed, would not undercut American wages or jobs but rather attract top talent to drive innovation and growth.

The proposal could significantly impact the U.S. higher education system, which already attracts over a million foreign students annually. Institutions might see an increase in applications from international students seeking a pathway to permanent residency, thereby boosting their revenue. However, it could also intensify competition for American students in an already tough job market.

Balancing Innovation and National Interests

Trump's proposal aims to strike a balance between fostering innovation and addressing national interests. While his stance on illegal immigration remains stringent, with promises of mass deportations and strict border controls, the green card proposal for foreign graduates represents a more nuanced approach to legal immigration.

By retaining foreign graduates, the U.S. can potentially benefit from their skills and entrepreneurial spirit. However, the policy must be carefully crafted to prevent exploitation and ensure it serves the broader interests of the American workforce. This includes rigorous vetting processes and measures to avoid the proliferation of subpar educational programs designed solely to offer a shortcut to green cards.

Trump's suggestion could fundamentally alter the terrain of U.S. immigration policy, especially regarding legal immigration. It reflects a recognition of the importance of global talent in driving economic growth and innovation. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how this policy will be received by the public and whether it will gain traction in the political arena.

Trump's green card proposal for foreign graduates is a bold move that departs from his previous hardline immigration rhetoric. It underscores the need to balance innovation with national interests and highlights the complex nature of immigration policy in the U.S. As this proposal unfolds, it will be crucial to address the concerns of all stakeholders to ensure it achieves its intended goals without unintended negative consequences.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, it disrupted numerous aspects of daily life, including the college admissions process. With testing sites for the SAT and ACT closing, around 2,000 higher education institutions in the United States adopted test-optional or test-free admissions policies.

This shift aimed to alleviate the stress on prospective students and accommodate the new realities of pandemic-era education. Interestingly, this change resulted in a significant increase in applications and enrollments from underrepresented communities, providing a broader pool of students the opportunity to pursue higher education.

The Return to Standardized Testing: Motivations and Criticisms

As the immediate threat of the pandemic has receded, some prestigious universities and state institutions have reinstated SAT and ACT requirements. Schools like Brown University, Dartmouth College, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Tennessee have cited standardized tests as reliable indicators of potential academic success. They argue that high test scores can help highlight the abilities of under-resourced students, potentially increasing diversity by making their applications stand out.

However, this move has faced significant criticism. Opponents argue that standardized tests predominantly benefit affluent, white students who have greater access to preparation resources and can afford multiple test attempts. Research has consistently shown that SAT scores correlate more strongly with a student's socioeconomic background than with their academic potential. Critics fear that reinstating these requirements could reverse the gains made in diversifying college campuses during the test-optional period. Furthermore, some academics warn that the reinstatement of standardized tests, along with the recent Supreme Court ruling banning affirmative action, could exacerbate racial inequalities in higher education.

READ MORE : UT Austin To Reinstate Standardized Testing Requirement For Fall 2025 Admission

Navigating the Path Forward: A Holistic Approach

The debate over standardized testing underscores a broader conversation about fairness and access in college admissions. Historically, the SAT has roots in racial biases, designed initially to favor certain demographic groups over others. This legacy continues to impact admissions today, as demonstrated by studies showing that standardized test scores often reflect family income and race more than a student's academic abilities.

Despite the controversy, many institutions are exploring alternative approaches to admissions. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have maintained their test-optional policies, recognizing that standardized tests do not fairly assess the potential of Black and brown students. These schools have found that a more holistic review process, emphasizing grade point averages and other achievements, can better promote diversity and inclusion.

A growing number of researchers advocate for this holistic review approach, suggesting that it offers a more equitable way to evaluate students. They recommend that colleges and universities consider their missions and analyze application and enrollment data to ensure they are admitting diverse student bodies. By focusing on a student's overall performance and potential rather than their ability to perform on a standardized test, institutions can create a fairer and more inclusive admissions process.

Rethinking College Admissions for Greater Equity

The reintroduction of standardized testing by some institutions has reignited debates about equity and fairness in college admissions. While proponents argue that tests are necessary for identifying talented students from under-resourced backgrounds, critics highlight the inherent biases and inequalities these tests perpetuate. As colleges and universities navigate these complex issues, many are finding that a holistic admissions process, which takes into account a range of student achievements and backgrounds, may offer a more inclusive path forward.

Ultimately, creating a more equitable higher education system involves looking beyond traditional measures of merit. Investing in historically underfunded institutions like HBCUs, community colleges, and tribal colleges can help build a diverse and inclusive academic landscape. By rethinking admissions policies and focusing on the broader goal of access and equity, higher education institutions can better serve all students, regardless of their background or financial means.
Creating a classroom environment where students are eager to participate can significantly enhance the learning experience. Instead of relying on ambiguous and inconsistent participation-grading requirements, educators should focus on fostering a welcoming and supportive atmosphere that naturally encourages student engagement.

This approach can be particularly effective, as demonstrated in three years of teaching professional military education in the Air Force, where participation was never graded. Instead, an emphasis was placed on having meaningful classroom conversations and ensuring students understood the material.

From both personal experience and numerous research studies, Anna Broadbent shares five essential techniques that can transform a classroom into a nonthreatening and accepting space for all students.

1. Learn Students' Names

Knowing students' names is fundamental to building a community centered on communication and collaboration. Pronouncing names correctly is equally important. This personal touch fosters a sense of mutual respect and belonging. In larger classes, where memorizing every name may be impractical, using nametags and a seating chart can help. This effort to know students' names pays off by increasing their motivation to participate and enhancing the quality of classroom discussions.

2. Get to Know Students Individually

Beyond learning names, connecting with students on a personal level is crucial. Icebreakers at the beginning of the course can help instructors learn about students' interests and values. For larger classes, distributing a questionnaire can achieve similar results. The goal is not to gather comprehensive life stories but to show students that their individual identities are acknowledged and respected. This personal connection can make students feel more comfortable and valued, thereby encouraging greater participation.

3. Implement Purposeful Cold Call and Warm-Call Techniques

Cold calling, when used strategically, can significantly boost voluntary student participation. The key is to ensure that cold calling is not intimidating but rather an integrated part of the class routine. Warm-up techniques can help, such as providing prompts beforehand or allowing a few minutes for students to reflect before answering. Using a hierarchy like Bloom's taxonomy can also help, starting with simpler questions and gradually moving to more complex ones. This method ensures that students are prepared and more willing to engage in discussions.

4. Encourage Self-Reflection and Self-Assessment

Participation should be viewed as a skill to be developed, rather than a fixed aspect of personality. By reframing participation as an improvable skill, students can set personal goals and work towards them. Instead of grading participation on a rigid scale, instructors can assign self-reflection tasks. Students can evaluate their participation in various aspects, such as preparation, teamwork, active listening, critical thinking, and research. Regular self-assessment helps students identify areas for improvement and track their progress over the semester.

5. Acknowledge and Praise Contributions

Positive reinforcement is essential for promoting active participation. Recognizing correct answers and good points with verbal praise provides real-time feedback and encouragement. However, it's equally important to acknowledge and support students even when they make mistakes. Praising their effort to speak up and using their incorrect responses as learning opportunities can boost their confidence and willingness to participate. This supportive approach is crucial, especially when peers might be critical.

Implementing these strategies requires educators to critically examine their current practices and motivations. Participation requirements should not be included merely because "that's how it's always been done." Instead, educators should focus on creating a collaborative environment that naturally encourages student participation. Cold calling should be used thoughtfully to assess understanding, not to catch students off guard.

By removing rigid participation requirements and fostering a supportive environment, educators can help students develop essential communication skills and a genuine interest in classroom discussions. This shift can lead to a more engaging and effective learning experience, where students feel empowered to contribute and grow.
(@FahadShabbir)

SUKKUR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jun, 2024) Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday visited the Sukkur Barrage to inspect the situation and repair works of gates no 44 and 47.

The Secretary Irrigation, Zareef Khero briefed the Chief Minister about the extent of the damage and combating the emergent situation that necessary repair works of both gates were started on an emergency basis by utilising all available resources with the irrigation department.

He said that the Irrigation Department is determined to repair both gates and restore supplies to all canals off-taking from Sukkur Barrage today.

CM Sindh said that a five-member investigative committee has been already formed to probe into the damage to the gates of Sukkur Barrage and to determine the cause of damage.

He said that the committee has also been directed to determine the causes of the incident.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jun, 2024) As the world observes the International Day of Women in Diplomacy on Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar appreciated the services and contributions of Pakistani women in the field of diplomacy.

At the UNGA's 76th Session, the United Nations General Assembly by consensus declared the 24th of June each year to be the International Day of Women in Diplomacy.

The deputy prime minister wrote on his X timeline that throughout the country's history, Pakistani women had made tremendous contributions in the field of diplomacy.

"Stalwarts like Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan, Madam Shaista Ikramullah, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and many others broke barriers and set the path for hundreds of women diplomats who continue to represent Pakistan on the international stage with grace and dignity," he remarked.

The deputy prime minister applauded the women diplomats and thanked them for their services and contributions.
(@FahadShabbir)

The Senate on Monday unanimously approved the resolution unequivocally commending mob lynching incidents occured in Sargodha and Swat and demanded the federal and provincial governments to ensure public safety of all including that of vulnerable communities and minorities

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jun, 2024) The Senate on Monday unanimously approved the resolution unequivocally commending mob lynching incidents occured in Sargodha and Swat and demanded the federal and provincial governments to ensure public safety of all including that of vulnerable communities and minorities.

Speaking on the floor of the House, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, Senator Sherry Rehman amid ruckus of the Opposition members' protest said counter terrorism operations across the country were critical to stem the menace of terrorism resurgence.

"Do PTI want instability, extremism and violence against minorities? I am shocked to see that PTI members in the National Assembly didn't sign the resolution on Swat mob lynching incident that demanded not to weaponise religion and extremism. They have learnt no lesson from the past," she said.

She added that the attitude of PTI lawmakers was disgrace to 90,000 civilians and armed forces' martyrs who sacrificed their lives in war on terror.

The Senator read the Resolution while tabling it at the floor of the House, saying, "The House unequivocally condemn the recent mob lynching in Swat and Sargodha of persons accused of offences pertaining to religion. The right to life is the most fundamental right as guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan, and must remain inviolable.

The House, therefore, urge the Federal and Provincial Governments to ensure the safety and security of all persons living in Pakistan, including religious minorities, and vulnerable communities.

The House also demands the Provincial Governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab to take all measures to ensure that the persons involved in these heinous crimes are identified, investigated and prosecuted without loss of any time.

The House also expects that the court dealing with these cases shall ensure justice."

APP/ajb-raz
Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa on Monday questioned why the Pakistan Thehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members had committed suicide by joining the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), as it was already a political party

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jun, 2024) Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa on Monday questioned why the Pakistan Thehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members had committed suicide by joining the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), as it was already a political party.

The 13-member full court bench presided by the CJP and comprising justices Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Munib Akhtar, Yahya Afridi, Amin ud Din Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Ayesha Malik, Athar Minallah, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Shahid Waheed, Irfan Saadat Khan and Naeem Akhtar Afghan, heard the SIC's appeal with regard to the reserved seats in National Assembly. The proceedings of the case were live-streamed on the SC's website and YouTube channel.

During the course of proceedings, the chief justice remarked that even if 90% members in the National Assembly were independent, the reserved seats would be given to the political parties with 10% members.

Addressing SICs lawyer Faisal Saddique, the CJP said that it was an old practice that the political parties had to submit their lists for the reserved seats first and "now you have brought a new system".

The chief justice questioned that why the PTI did not hold intra-party elections despite the requests of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and why 0.85 million PTI members were ignored.

The court would only view the matter in accordance with the Constitution, he remarked.

Faisal Siddiqui said that new system had not been introduced rather a new issue had come to the fore, which required solution.

The chief justice asked the lawyer to explain the bench as per the Constitution that how the reserved seats could be given to the SIC.

Faisal Siddiqui said that each party should be given reserved seats based on its representation in the assembly after the inclusion of independent candidates.

At this, the CJP asked whether the court should ignore the natural meaning of the Constitution.

Justice Mandokhail questioned that why those who did not bother to contest elections should be given reserved seats.

Addressing the lawyer, Justice Irfan Saadat Khan said that the words written in the Constitution "will become ineffective with your arguments as the SIC is not a political party".

The CJP said that the PTI still existed as a political party, and "why did you commit suicide by joining another party which goes against your arguments".

The independent members could have joined the PTI, he added.

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said that the PTI had taken many wrong decisions during the elections and repeated its mistakes.

Faisal Saddique Advocate concluded their arguments.

Kanwal Shauzebs lawyer Salman Akram Raja said that an independent candidate could join the assembly at any time during the prescribed period, and then join a party even after three days.

The chief justice said that the people should know who are the candidates and what are the political parties.

Later, the court adjourned the case till next date.
Marine Fisheries Internships Pave Way for Future USM Scientists

Mon, 06/24/2024 - 12:55pm | By: Gabriela Shinskie

A collaborative effort between The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and the Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCEMFIS) provides significant research opportunities that benefit the Mississippi Gulf Coasts blue economy. Student internships represent one reward from the impactful partnership.

Molly Spencer and Catherine Wilhelm - USM graduate students in the School of Ocean Science and Engineering (SOSE) - were paired with the National Science Foundation (NSF) Internship Program that prepares the next generation of fisheries scientists in response to climate change, the blue economy, and coastal impacts.

Molly Spencer

Spencers research work with the program focused on the effects of climate-inducing warming on commercial imports such as Atlantic surfclam and ocean quahog in the Mid-Atlantic Bight. Analyzing the effects of increasing temperatures on habitats has sparked her passion for fisheries at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) in Woods Hole, Mass.

"The internship with NEFSC gave me a greater sense of just how important it is for scientists and industry partners to work together, Spencer said. Lots of changes are occurring in our oceans right now, and Im fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in research that was both scientifically rewarding as well as impactful to the coastal community.

SCEMFIS seeks to unite industry, government, and academics to support research in the fisheries industry along with undergraduate and graduate internships. These opportunities welcome a collaborative environment for scientists to network and lead future fisheries projects.

Dr. Eric Powell, director of SCEMFIS and a USM Coastal Sciences faculty member, said the future of science must include students involved in research as often as possible.

Our interns have contributed to some of the most important recent work done by the Center, and the Center has served as a great launching point for many scientific careers, said Dr. Powell.

The mission of the center also involves support for careers and opportunities for hands-on experiences benefiting the blue economy. Students also have opportunities to have their research published and find jobs in marine science.

Catherine Wilhelm

Wilhelm was awarded an NSF Non-Academic Internship to work with Omega Protein Corporation and conduct research for the Gulf of Mexico menhaden purse seine fishery. She worked under the supervision of Dr. Robert Leaf, interim director for the SOSE.

Wilhelms contributions helped develop an internet-based data portal to gather fishery-independent data from the Gulf states in a sustainable way to improve management and understanding of the Gulfs menhaden resource. Wilhelms efforts have landed her a position at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission as a data analyst.

Working with the fishing industry was such an amazing experience for me, stated Wilhelm. Coming from the academic side of research, it was incredibly eye opening and integral to be able to learn about and understand the human side of fishery ecology. It worked out so well as the graduate school was close the fishery plants and business locations.

Catherine played a critical part in the development of the data portals index of relative abundance which was necessary to assess Gulf menhaden resource condition in relation to an index-based reference point developed for Gulf menhaden, said Dr. Leaf.

Added Spencer, Its one thing to learn about these science techniques and theories in class, but it's a completely different experience when using these skills in practice.

Learn more about SCEMFIS and SOSE along with continued efforts to provide first-class internship opportunities and training future scientists.
Two free public screenings of the role of caregivers for people living with dementia -- recently featured in a Wyoming PBS documentary -- will take place next month in Cheyenne and in Riverton.

A State of Mind: The Caregivers, part of the Wyoming PBS documentary series exploring the mental health crisis in the state, features several members of the Wyoming Dementia Together (WDT) family. WDT is a statewide, nonprofit caregiver network operating through the University of Wyomings Wyoming Center on Aging (WyCOA).

The first public screening of the program will be held in Cheyenne from 5-6:30 p.m. Monday, July 1, in the Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium at Laramie County Community College, located at 1400 E. College Drive.

The second screening will take place in Riverton from 5-6:30 p.m. Monday, July 22, in the Little Theater at Central Wyoming College, located at 2660 Peck Ave.

The journey of Kent Shurtleff, of Riverton, a participant in the WDT program and a longtime caregiver for his wife, Minnie, is featured prominently. The expertise of two members of the WDT team also is featured: Carol Taylor, from Jackson, and UWs Sabine Schenck, WDT facilitator.

The State of Mind episode featuring WDT members can be found here. The screenings in Cheyenne and Riverton will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.

WDT meets by Zoom call every other Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Programs feature guest speakers and allow time for interaction from those who attend online. WDT includes dementia care professionals, licensed clinical social workers, a neuropsychologist, an occupational therapist and caregivers themselves. WDT began meeting in fall 2020 and since has been offering online programming help.

For information about registering for Zoom calls or other free services offered by WDT, call WyCOA at (307) 766-2829 or email wycoa@uwyo.edu.

More information is available online on the WDT Caregiver Network website.
Beijing wants the EU to scrap its preliminary tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles by July 4, China's state-controlled Global Times reported, after both sides agreed to hold new trade talks.

Provisional European Union duties of up to 38.1% on imported Chinese-made EVs are set to kick in by July 4 while the bloc investigates what it says are excessive and unfair subsidies.

China has repeatedly called on the EU to cancel its tariffs, expressing a willingness to negotiate. Beijing does not want to be embroiled in another tariff war, still stung by U.S. tariffs on its goods imposed by the Trump administration, but says it would take all steps to protect Chinese firms should one happen.

Both sides agreed to restart talks after a call between EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and China's Commerce Minister on Saturday during a visit to China by Germany's economy minister, who said the doors for discussion are "open."

China's Global Times, citing observers, said the best outcome is that the EU scraps its tariff decision before July 4.

But the Commission, analysts and European trade lobby groups stressed that talks would be a major undertaking and China would need to come willing to make major concessions.

"Nobody will dare to do this now. Not before the elections in France," said Alicia Garcia Herrero, senior fellow at Bruegel, an influential EU affairs think tank, on whether the planned curbs could be dropped.

"The Commission can't change a decision it has been pondering for months on months on months," she added. "Yes, China is putting pressure on the member states, but they would need to vote with a qualified majority against the Commission."

The tariffs are set to be finalized on Nov. 2 at the end of the EU anti-subsidy investigation.

"The EU side emphasized that any negotiated outcome to its investigation must be effective in addressing the injurious subsidization," a Commission spokesperson said on Monday.

The Chinese commerce ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Talks are a 'good sign'

Siegfried Russwurm, head of Germany's biggest industry association BDI, said it was a "good sign" that both sides would hold talks in the ongoing dispute.

"You know the old saying: as long as there are talks you're not shooting at each other," he told German public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.

Russwurm, who also serves as chairman for German conglomerate and car supplier Thyssenkrupp, said tariffs was the last thing Germany needed as a major exporting nation.

At the same time, Brussels' move to apply tariffs of varying degrees suggested a thorough analysis has taken place and that this was not an effort that targets the entire Chinese car sector in equal measure.

Meantime, Maximilian Butek, executive director at the German Chamber of Commerce in China, said there was "zero chance" that the preliminary tariffs would be removed by July 4 unless China eliminated all the issues flagged by the European Commission.

EU trade policy has turned increasingly protective over concerns that China's production-focused development model could see it flooded with cheap goods as Chinese firms look to step up exports amid weak domestic demand.

China has rejected accusations of unfair subsidies or that it has an overcapacity problem, saying the development of its EV industry has been the result of advantages in technology, market and industry supply chains.

"When European Commission President Von der Leyen announced she would investigate China's new energy vehicles ... I had an intuitive feeling it was not only an economic issue but also a geopolitical issue," said Zhang Yansheng, chief research fellow at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.

Armed and ready

Trade relations between the 27-strong bloc and the world's No. 2 economy took an abrupt turn for the worse in May 2021 when the European Parliament voted to freeze ratification of what would have been a landmark investment treaty because of tit-for-tat sanctions over allegations of human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang region.

They came to blows again that year when China downgraded diplomatic ties with Lithuania and told multinationals to sever relations with the Baltic state after Vilnius invited democratically governed Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory, to open a representative office in the capital.

Although calling for talks, Beijing has also indicated that it has retaliatory measures ready if the EU does not back down, and that it considers Brussels wholly responsible for the escalating tensions.

The Global Times, which first reported China was considering opening a tit-for-tat anti-dumping investigation into European pork imports  which the commerce ministry confirmed last week  has also teed up an anti-subsidy investigation into European dairy goods and tariffs on large engine petrol cars.

Chinese authorities have dropped hints about possible retaliatory measures through state media commentaries and interviews with industry figures.

"It seems probable that Beijing will raise tariffs up to 25% for Europe-made cars with 2.5 or above liter engines," said Jacob Gunter, lead analyst at Berlin-based China studies institute MERICS.

"Pork and dairy are already on the table for Beijing, and likely more agricultural products will be threatened," he added.

"On the EU side, there are a variety of ongoing investigations ... so we should expect some sort of measures targeting distortions on [Chinese] products ranging from medical devices to airport security scanners to steel pipes."
The number of Americans studying in China has dropped dramatically in recent years from around 11,000 in 2019 to 800 this year, and the slump is so bad that some China scholars worry the United States could lose a generation of "China experts" as a result.

David Moser, an American who has lived and worked in China for more than three decades and is the former academic director of China Educational Tours (CET) in Beijing, said that I havent seen an American student in years.

CET, which was launched in 1982, is a Washington-based organization that recruits American students for short-term language and culture studies in China. Moser said that his position as academic director recently went away and that the organization continues to struggle to get more students to return to China.

CET once carried out short-term study-abroad programs in several cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Harbin and Hangzhou. Now, the program is only available in Beijing and Shanghai. Harbin's page on the website shows that programs are "suspended until spring 2025."

"We have already lost a very crucial generation who would need to be continuing right now in China with studies or whatever, Moser said, so that 10 years from now, they would already be ... very experienced China hands [experts].

During the 2011-12 school year, the number of American students in China was around 15,000. Since then, with Xi Jinpings rise as Chinas leader and growing frictions between the two countries, the number has declined, dropping dramatically after the pandemic to about 200 at its lowest point.

Loss of understanding

Moser said the lack of talented people who understand China is undoubtedly a huge loss for the United States.

"You really need people who understand the two academic systems, the two college systems, and the way these things work in order to not make a huge mistake, he said.

Compared with China, however, CET's projects in Taiwan are in full swing.

Moser said CET started its first summer study abroad program at National Taiwan University in 2022, which attracted more than 120 American students. He said a program was set up in Taiwan because too few American students wanted to go to China.

He said he believed that starting around 2008, when Beijing held its first Olympics, Chinas pollution and human rights violations turned some American students away, and that the trend has not reversed.

China's strict lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic was also a crucial turning point. At that time, many foreigners, including American students, left China. After the Chinese government suddenly lifted the lockdown at the end of 2022, most foreigners did not immediately return.

China's increasingly aggressive posture on the international stage under Xi, and its hostile propaganda against the West at home, is likely to have prevented foreign talents from visiting China for cultural and business exchanges.

A revised counterespionage law that took effect on July 1, 2023, has also made many Americans hesitant to travel to China, let alone study there.

As U.S.-China relations deteriorate, official academic exchanges have also been coldly received. Former U.S. President Donald Trump suspended all Fulbright exchange programs to China and Hong Kong in July 2020.

After the counterespionage law negatively affected China, the Chinese government sought to extend goodwill at the level of people-to-people exchanges. Xi announced during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in San Francisco in November 2023, "In order to expand exchanges between the people of China and the United States, especially the younger generation, China is willing to invite 50,000 American young people to come to China for exchanges and studies in the next five years."

High school students visit

In January 2024, more than 20 students from Muscatine High School in Iowa visited Beijing, Hebei and Shanghai. In March, 24 students from Lincoln High School and Steilacoom High School in Washington state also boarded a plane from San Francisco to Beijing.

Wenzhou University and Kean University in New Jersey signed an agreement to jointly establish Wenzhou-Kean University in May 2006. At the time, Xi was the party secretary of Zhejiang, home province of Wenzhou, and he attended the signing ceremony in 2006.

In a letter to Kean's president on June 7, Xi encouraged universities in the two countries to strengthen exchanges and cooperation. However, three days later, four American teachers who were giving short-term courses at Beihua University in Jilin, China, were stabbed by a Chinese man. Chinese officials quickly deleted the relevant content on social media, and a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson called the incident an "accident" that would not affect relations between the two countries.

Meghan Burke, a former sociology professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, said that although the attack on American teachers was a shocking and unexpected incident, she still hoped that it would not affect Americans' confidence in studying and traveling in China.

"I think it's always been there, but I think with the pandemic, there was some really racially loaded misinformation and fears that I wouldn't be surprised if that came into play in some students' and some families' decisions about where they were willing to go abroad," she said.

Asked about the 800 American students in China today, Burke said that was a big regret for the United States.

"Language is key to understanding culture. So, any limitations on learning Mandarin or other Chinese languages only hold back our ability to have a broader and more complex intercultural understanding and international perspective that I think benefits everyone who is involved in those conversations," Burke said.

In contrast, 300,000 Chinese students are studying in the United States.

"Asymmetry is bad for China, but it's much worse for the United States because asymmetry is in one direction, which is towards us, Moser said. The Chinese have very good knowledge of the U.S., of its culture, of its government, everything."

Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.
A fresh surge of unrest hit the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, with several buildings set on fire overnight, including a police station and a town hall, authorities said Monday.

The new spike in violence comes as France prepares to vote in historic legislative elections this weekend and support for the far-right surges across the country.

In mid-May, rioting and looting erupted in New Caledonia over an electoral reform plan that Indigenous Kanak people feared would leave them in a permanent minority, putting independence hopes definitively out of reach.

The unrest left nine dead and damage estimated at more than 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion).

In recent days French authorities had insisted that Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia, which is located nearly 17,000 kilometers (10,600 miles) from Paris, was back under their control.

But the new violence erupted after seven independence activists accused of orchestrating the deadly riots had been sent to mainland France for pre-trial detention over the weekend.

On Monday, the pro-independence group CCAT denounced France's "colonial tactics" and demanded the "immediate release and return" of the activists, including its head Christian Tein, saying they should be tried in New Caledonia.

French prosecutors said the independence activists had been sent to mainland France "in order to allow the investigations to continue in a calm manner, free of any pressure."

'Attacks on police and arson'

The High Commission, which represents the French state in the archipelago, said in a statement that the night was "marked by unrest throughout the mainland [of the territory] and on the island of Pins and Mare, requiring the intervention of numerous reinforcements: with attacks on the police, arson and roadblocks."

A 23-year-old man in a state of "respiratory distress" died during the night after visiting the barricades in Noumea, public prosecutor Yves Dupas said.

The prosecutor's office has launched an investigation, Dupas said, adding that the victim had told his parents that he had not been "injured by the police."

A motorist also died on Sunday evening in a head-on collision with another vehicle in Paita, near Noumea, after having been "forced to make a U-turn because of a roadblock erected by pro-independence militants," officials said.

In Dumbea, north of the capital, the municipal police station and a garage were set alight. Four armored vehicles intervened, an AFP journalist said.

Several fires broke out in the Ducos and Magenta districts of Noumea, while police and separatists clashed in Bourail, resulting in one injury, AFP learned.

The High Commission reported "several fires were extinguished", particularly in Ducos and Magenta, adding that "premises and vehicles of the municipal police and private vehicles" were set on fire.

"Abuses, destruction and attempted fires were also committed in several places in Paita," in the Noumea suburbs, added the High Commission, which said police in Mare had also been attacked.

On Monday morning, many schools were closed due to the renewed unrest.

The French government has responded to the violence by sending more than 3,000 troops and police to New Caledonia.

Nearly 1,500 people have been arrested since the unrest began, including 38 on Monday.

President Emmanuel Macron has said that the controversial voting reform would be suspended due to the snap parliamentary polls in France.
Fresh flowers lie at the feet of an outsized statue of Josef Stalin. His mustachioed face overlooks the wide, marble entrance hall of the museum in the city of Gori, Georgia dedicated to the life of the Soviet dictator. Groups of tourists  a mixture of Western, Russian and Chinese  jostle for position to take perfect selfie photographs alongside the pallid carving.

Stalin was born in Gori in 1878. The city still celebrates its local hero. The vast museum  built in 1957, four years after his death  encapsulates Georgias struggle to reconcile a contested and turbulent twentieth-century history, as the country tries to forge a new future aligned to the West.

Stalin shrine

The museum appears to have changed little over the past seven decades. One of the most popular displays recreates Stalins office in the Kremlin, complete with original furniture and telephone. Canvases depict him holding aloft smiling children or holding Soviet committees in rapt attention with apparent oratorical flair. The gift store at the exit sells Stalin-branded wine, cigarette lighters bearing his beaming face, or mini bronze-cast busts.

One of the most jarring displays shows Stalins death mask on a spotlit plinth in the middle of a temple-like, circular atrium. It feels more like a shrine than a museum.

Stalin is lauded for helping to lead the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. He is also blamed for the deaths of an estimated 30 million people.

A small room under the stairs  added only in 2010  sketches over Stalins crimes: the gulag prison camps, the forced famines, the killing of millions of citizens, including Georgians.

Russian occupation

Seventy-one years after Stalins death, Russia is still trying to exert power over the former Soviet republic.

A few kilometers north of Gori lies the Russian occupation line. Its troops still occupy 20 percent of Georgian territory after the civil war in the early 1990s and the Russian invasion of 2008, when Moscows troops briefly occupied the city before retreating toward the mountains.

The Russian troops still pose a danger for residents. The key is to avoid crossing the occupation line. If you cross it, you will be detained, local farmer Gela Bolatashvili told VOA.

Those past and present troubles form the backdrop for Georgias current political turmoil, as its people prepare for a crucial election in October. The government is led by the Georgian Dream party, founded and backed by the oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, who made billions of dollars in the chaos of 1990s post-Soviet Russia.

Critics accuse Ivanishvili and his party of turning away from Georgias constitutionally stated aim of joining the European Union and seeking to rekindle ties with Moscow. The party denies this, and insists it wants to join the EU by 2030.

Nevertheless, a stream of anti-Western government propaganda is accompanied by warnings that the United States and NATO are seeking to drag Georgia into Russias war on Ukraine. A recent foreign agent law is widely seen as an attempt to silence critical Western-funded nongovernmental organizations and independent media ahead of the election, prompting Washington to impose sanctions earlier this month on some Georgian Dream MPs.

Recent polls suggest more than 80 percent of Georgians are in favor of joining the EU  and its likely to be a key issue in the lead up to Octobers poll.

EU hopes

East from Gori, along the foothills of the Caucasus mountains, an ancient industry is hoping for a new future inside the EU. Archaeological evidence suggests wine has been made in Georgias Kakheti region for around 8,000 years, longer than anywhere else in the world, earning it the moniker the birthplace of wine.

The Nekresi wine estate makes 50,000 bottles a year for domestic and international markets, including the United States, France and South Korea. It aims to increase production to 250,000 bottles in the coming years.

We are targeting foreign markets, particularly in Europe, to sell our products, said Nara Silagadze, the manager of the Nekresi estate. Georgias potential European Union membership would be a significant advancement for our business, she told VOA.

The EU has invested over $2 billion of public and private money in Georgia under its Global Gateway strategy. The bloc says the investment is aimed at strengthening "digital, energy, and transport connections in Georgia and between Georgia and the EU and supporting small and medium-sized businesses.

Nekresi wine estate is among those to benefit.

Until now, we have relied on our own resources. But as we have grown, we have acquired additional support. EU funds have provided this assistance. The hotel we are constructing is energy-efficient and the EU has decided to collaborate with us and support its development, Silagadze said.

Geopolitical tensions

Both Europe and the United States have invested heavily in Georgias economy and democracy since it gained independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Amid renewed geopolitical tensions between east and west, the countrys political path is under renewed focus.

As the crucial October election approaches, Georgians are caught between contested histories and future hopes, overshadowed by a propaganda-fueled fear of renewed conflict.
A heat wave sweeping across Greece has claimed the life of a 67-year-old German man, whose body was found Monday on the island of Crete. He was the sixth tourist in Greece to die in the extreme heat.

After hiking alone Sunday in a canyon in the Sougia region, the victim called his wife and said he felt unwell.

His body was discovered in a rugged ravine near the southern portion of the island, a statement from the fire department said.

The area was so remote that it could not be accessed by helicopter, according to state news agency ANA, and the victims body was removed by a rescue team on foot.

Police did not identify the man.

"A search and rescue operation started immediately, and a special rescue unit with drones spotted the man's [body] in Trypiti canyon," a police official said.

The German nationals death is the latest of several tourist casualties and disappearances connected to exposure to temperatures reaching or surpassing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Last week, the body of an American was found on Mathraki Island. The body of BBC TV presenter Michael Mosley was found June 9 on the island of Symi after a four-day search. A few days later, an 80-year-old Belgian man was found dead in Lato in eastern Crete. On June 15, a 74-year-old Dutch man was found dead on the island of Samos, and four days later, the body of a 55-year-old Dutch man was found in his car in southeastern Crete, according to state TV ERT.

Rescue missions are ongoing.

Teams are also searching for two French women who have been missing for more than a week on the island of Sikinos, and an American man on Amorgos Island. He has been missing since June 11.

Greek public health authorities have warned the public against heat exposure and encouraged people to remain indoors during the warmest periods of the day.

Some information for this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
U.S. presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump meet Thursday for the first of their two scheduled debates. Russia's war on Ukraine is expected to be one of the top foreign policy questions. VOAs Tatiana Vorozhko looks at how the two candidates differ in their approach to Ukraine.
State and federal police in Australia are coordinating an investigation into an attack by a masked gang on the Melbourne office of a Jewish lawmaker.

Windows were smashed, and fires were lit, and the slogan "Zionism is fascism" was painted in red over a picture of the face of Josh Burns, a member of Australias House of Representatives.

Investigators in the state of Victoria believe a group of at least five people broke windows, spray-painted anti-Semitic slogans and threw red paint into Burns' office.

Police have confirmed the masked group also started two small fires. No one was hurt in Wednesdays attack, but residents living in apartments above the lawmakers office in Melbourne had to be evacuated. No arrests have yet been made.

A chorus of politicians and community groups has condemned the vandalism.

The Anti-Defamation Commission, a Jewish campaign group, said it was an "assault on our democracy and our sense of safety."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Australian radio that it was a distressing escalation of tensions that have been inflamed since the start of Israels war with Gaza in October.

Burns said the assault on his office was "premeditated, reckless and dangerous" and that he had been targeted in the past by vandals defacing his election posters.

He told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that the abuse has been escalating.

"Since the war in the Middle East began on Oct. 7, you know, my staff have been at the receiving end of some pretty horrendous comments and abuse on the phones," he said. "You know, I really do not want to see an escalation in political violence in Australia. We do not want to see a conflict on the other side of the world to be arriving here on our communities and our streets and in our neighborhoods. We want to remain the wonderful and peaceful multicultural Australia, where people are respected and free to live their lives in the Australian way."

Australia has said Israel has the right to defend itself after the Oct.. 7 attack by Hamas militants.

Australia advocates a two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist within internationally recognized borders.

Earlier this month, pro-Palestinian graffiti was daubed on the offices of senior government officials, including Attorney General Mark Dreyfus and Immigration Minister Andrew Giles.

Police in Victoria state have been monitoring suspected crimes incited by the conflict in Gaza. Around 200 incidents have been reported, and 60 people have been arrested for alleged criminal damage and offensive behavior. Official data has shown that of the incidents reportedly linked to religious affiliation, 88 related to antisemitic attacks and 16 involved Islamophobia.

A Victorian police spokesperson has said previously that there was "no place in our community for hate crimes of any kind."
Yoav Gallant, the Israeli Defense Minister is in Washington for a series of meetings with U.S. officials as talks on a ceasefire in Gaza have stalled and as tension with Hezbollah is on the rise. Also in Israel, the families of some of the hostages held by Hamas have released video showing their loved ones being taken. A synagogue and multiple churches have been badly damaged in attacks in Dagestan, in southern Russia and the offices of a prominent Jewish member of Australias parliament has also been vandalized. Well get an update from Kyiv and a look at the deadly fire in South Korea.
Kenyan police officers may be set for deployment to Haiti on Tuesday, according to local reports and the French news agency, AFP. Multiple inquiries to the government of Kenya for confirmation of such reports were not answered. This development comes after numerous delays and court challenges, including the newest lawsuit that accused Kenyan President William Ruto of contempt of court.

Last year, a United Nations Security Council resolution approved the Kenyan-led mission, but earlier this year the High Court of Kenya ruled against the deployment, saying it was unconstitutional. Issues cited by the court include the lack of a "reciprocal agreement" between the countries.

The Kenyan government eventually secured that agreement but the same people who sued the government in the first place filed another lawsuit seeking to block the deployment.

From a legal perspective, the legitimacy of the agreement is still in question, lawyer Wallace Nderu told VOA.

"The ground for this application is that when the then-prime minister of Haiti was signing this agreement with Kenya, there was no known government in Haiti. The president had been assassinated; there were no elected leaders in Haiti. So where does he drive the mandate to negotiate an agreement on behalf of his country Haiti comes into question," said Nderu, a lawyer and a program officer at ICJ Kenya, the International Commission of Jurists, a non-governmental, non-profit, member-based organization.

Nderu also said Kenyans feel the agreement was hastily put together, noting its content has not been shared with the population.

"Part of the provisions in the law  indicates that these agreements, after being signed, have to be gazetted in the official Kenya Gazette, Nderu said. So, concern is raised that this particular agreement is very secretive. We are not aware of the content of the agreement  it raises the legitimacy of the government deploying the police to Haiti."

The Kenya Gazette is an official government publication that contains legal notices, government appointments, and other official announcements.

A new commander for the police force was appointed Monday by the inspector general.

President Ruto has maintained that stabilizing the troubled Caribbean nation is "a mission for humanity  a mission for solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Haiti."

In addition to Kenya, other nations including Benin, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados and Chad said they will join the mission.

While some Kenyans support the mission in Haiti, others have wondered why their country wants to lead the multinational force, given that nations more powerful and better equipped have not been willing to step forward.

The reported deployment will take place on the same day that protests against proposed tax increases that have rocked Kenya in the past week are to resume.
North Korea resumed launching balloons filled with trash toward South Korea on Monday night, marking a renewed phase in their ongoing Cold War-style campaign on the Korean Peninsula.

According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, the balloons from North Korea, likely carrying debris, are drifting southeastward toward South Korean territory. The military has cautioned citizens not to handle any fallen objects and to promptly report sightings to authorities.

"The launches came shortly after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a major defense deal," South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

The recent solidification of the defense pact between Kim and Putin has raised concerns among international observers about potential provocations from Pyongyang.

In a joint statement, South Korea, the United States, and Japan condemned the growing military collaboration between North Korea and Russia, emphasizing their commitment to enhancing regional security.

"The U.S. commitments to the defense of South Korea and Japan remain ironclad, it said.

North Korea's balloon campaign started in May, when it sent more than 1,000 balloons filled with materials such as manure, cloth scraps, and discarded batteries into South Korea. Pyongyang claims these actions are retaliation against South Korean activists who send anti-regime leaflets and cultural materials northward.

In response, Seoul has redeployed large loudspeakers along the border to broadcast anti-North Korean propaganda, including K-pop music and criticism of Pyongyang's policies.

In response to the heightened tensions, the United States has deployed a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to South Korea for upcoming joint military exercises. North Korea has criticized this move as provocative, accusing the U.S. of using military drills as preparations for an invasion.

Amid these developments, experts caution about the potential for further escalations and unpredictable actions from North Korea, given its increased confidence following the defense pact with Russia.

"We also can't rule out the possibility that North Korea might take more drastic provocative actions," said Hong Min, a senior fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, and Agence France-Presse.
Russian missile attacks hit Ukraine's major cities, causing death, injury and infrastructure damage. The first EU portion of frozen Russian assets are expected to be delivered to Ukraine Monday. At least 20 people were killed, including civilians and police officers, when gunmen opened fire at two Orthodox churches, two synagogues, and a police station in separate attacks in Russia's North Caucasus region of Dagestan. EU leaders approve more sanctions against Russia. A Ukrainian teenager seeking safety through in music in the U.S. city of Chicago.
Senegal said Monday it had implemented voluntary COVID-19 screening tests and reimposed the wearing of masks at Dakar's international airport for returning pilgrims fearing the virus was linked to the deaths of some Mecca pilgrims.

Dakar suspects that a number of the some 1,300 deaths  according to a Saudi tally  are down to a respiratory syndrome ailment such as COVID-19, Health Minister Ibrahima Sy said on Sunday.

"Initially, we thought it was related to heatwaves because the temperature was excessively high, but we realized that there is a respiratory syndrome with the cases of death," Sy said of the deaths during the hajj pilgrimage, which took place during intense heat.

"We told ourselves that, probably, there is a respiratory epidemic, and it was our duty to be able to monitor the pilgrims on their return by putting in place a screening system for everything COVID-19 related," said Sy in remarks carried by Senegalese broadcasters.

The health ministry said it had "strengthened the health surveillance system" by deploying a team at the airport to provide voluntary screening tests and identify pilgrims suffering from flu-like illnesses.

The ministry also urged the population "to be vigilant, to show restraint and to be more serene to avoid an epidemic."

Out of 124 rapid diagnostic tests, 78 proved positive for the COVID-19 virus, 36 of which were later confirmed by PCR tests, the ministry said.

Charles Bernard Sagna, chief medical officer for the airport, said the alert was raised when the Senegalese medical team based in Jeddah had reported "a significant number" of passengers with respiratory problems.

"There is no cause for alarm but there also has to be prevention," the ministry said Sunday.

Senegalese daily L'Observateur reported that five of the dead at the hajj were Senegalese nationals.

They were among an around 12,000-strong officially registered Senegalese contingent.

Saudi Arabia's official SPA news agency earlier reported 1,301 deaths at the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, where temperatures climbed as high as 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the country's national meteorological center.

More than 80 percent of pilgrims attending mainly outdoor rituals were "unauthorized" and walked long distances in direct sunlight, according to SPA.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam that all Muslims with the means must complete at least once in their lives.

Saudi officials have said 1.8 million pilgrims took part this year, a similar number to last year, and that 1.6 million came from abroad.
The United States is carefully studying a new mutual defense pact between Russia and North Korea, which Washington believes could aid Pyongyang in its nuclear and long-range missile development programs.

There are also signs of tensions between North Korea and its longstanding ally, China, following the signing of the agreement.

China anxious

In a keynote address on sustaining U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific at the Council on Foreign Relations Monday, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said China is probably worried that North Korea will be encouraged to take provocative steps that could lead to a crisis in Northeast Asia.

I think it is fair to say that China is somewhat anxious about what's going on between Russia and North Korea. They have indicated so in some of our interactions, and we can see some tension associated with this, Campbell said.

Campbell said he had a call with South Korean officials Sunday night to discuss next steps to enhance deterrence more clearly.

"We believe that that there are discussions about what North Korea gets in exchange [from the deal with Russia] and they could be associated with its nuclear, long range missile development plans," he said.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang for the first time in more than 20 years. U.S. officials have said while there are limits to their partnership, it cannot be ignored.

The State Department's second-ranking diplomat also voiced concerns over China and North Korea's support for Russia's efforts to rebuild its defense industrial base since the start of its war on Ukraine.

South China Sea tensions

Campbell said Washington has significantly demarched Chinese interlocutors following what he called Beijing's military provocations in the South and East China Sea and near the waters around the Second Thomas Shoal, known as Renai Jiao in China and Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines.

According to an international tribunal's legally binding decision issued in July 2016, the Second Thomas Shoal is located within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, and China has no lawful maritime claims to the waters around this low-tide feature. Beijing has rejected the ruling.

The Philippines are very cautious at this juncture. They do not seek a crisis with China. They are seeking dialogue, Campbell said. They're seeking discussion, and they want the United States to be purposeful with other allies and partners about our goals to maintain peace and stability and to send a very clear message of deterrence and reassurance.

However, he stopped short of stating whether Washington would invoke a mutual defense treaty with Manila. "I'm not going to speculate in public. I will say we have continually reaffirmed its significance and relevance to these situations at the highest level," he said.

In a phone call with Philippine Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro last week, Campbell reaffirmed that Article IV of the 1951 United States-Philippines Mutual Defense 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 the State Department.
Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said Monday that China "has no right to punish" Taiwanese people for their views or advocacy, after Beijing warned "diehard" supporters of the island's independence could face the death penalty.

China claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory and has refused to rule out using force to bring the island under its control.

Beijing has stepped up pressure on Taipei in recent years and held military drills around the self-ruled island days after Lai's inauguration last month.

On Friday, Beijing published new judicial guidelines that included the death penalty for "particularly serious" cases involving "diehard" supporters of Taiwanese independence, state media reported.

When asked to comment on the guidelines, Lai said: "I want to emphasize that democracy is not the source of crime. Autocracy is the crime."

"China has no right to punish the people of Taiwan just because of what they advocate. China has no right to pursue cross-border prosecution of Taiwanese people."

Lai warned that relations between the two sides would become "more and more alienated" if China does not "face up to the existence of the Republic of China (Taiwan's official name) and conduct exchanges and dialogues with Taiwan's democratically elected and legitimate government."

"This is the correct way to enhance the well-being of people on both sides" of the Taiwan Strait, he said.

Lai's Democratic Progressive Party has long asserted Taiwanese sovereignty, and Beijing has not conducted top-level communications with Taipei since 2016, when his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen came to power.

China has branded Lai a "dangerous separatist" and denounced his inaugural speech as a "confession of Taiwan independence."

During that speech, Lai signaled an openness to resuming dialogue with Beijing, calling for both sides to develop exchanges.

China, however, has appeared to rebuff those overtures.

It continues to maintain a near-daily presence of naval vessels and warplanes around the island, and Taiwan's military said Monday that 23 Chinese warplanes and seven naval vessels had been detected in the last 24 hours.
Afghanistan's Taliban are touting a United Nations invitation to an international conference in Qatar later this month, viewing it as an acknowledgment of their administration's growing significance globally.

The two-day U.N. meeting between the Taliban and international envoys on Afghanistan is set for June 30 in Doha, the capital of the Gulf state, amid sharp criticism from human rights groups for excluding Afghan women representatives.

It will be the third session of what is known as the Doha process, and the fundamentalist de facto Afghan rulers have agreed to attend for the first time.

The Doha meeting will be held in the coming days, and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has been officially invited to attend, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi announced in a video statement released by his office on Monday.

The Taliban returned to power nearly three years ago and established their hardline male-only government in Kabul, named the Islamic Emirate, which has yet to be recognized by the international community.

We have developed good relations with neighboring and regional countries and are also actively pursuing positive and cordial ties with Western and U.S. governments, Muttaqi said while addressing his ministry staff in the Afghan capital.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched the Doha process a year ago to establish a unified international approach to engagement with the Taliban, who have banned Afghan girls from education beyond the sixth grade and many women from public and private workplaces.

Guterres did not invite de facto Afghan rulers to the first Doha conference in May 2023, and they refused to take part in the second this past February, citing the participation of Afghan civil society representatives and human rights activists.

U.N. officials have defended the upcoming rare dialogue with the Taliban, promising that special envoys from about 25 countries at the meeting will forcefully raise restrictions on womens and girls rights, among other human rights concerns.

On Friday, 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.

They would tell them [the Taliban] that, 'Look, it doesnt work like this, and we should have women around the table and also provide them with access to the business,' she told reporters in New York after briefing a U.N. Security Council meeting on the Afghan situation.

Speaking at the meeting, Otunbayeva said that her mission had met with hundreds of Afghans, especially women, around the country in the run-up to the third Doha meeting.



These consultations revealed a broad agreement that it was important for the de facto authorities to attend the meeting but that there should also be no recognition of the de facto authorities until the issues of womens rights, girls education, and an acceptable constitution were broadly addressed, the UNAMA chief said.

Otunbayeva stated that the U.N. would consult Afghan civil society and rights representatives in Afghanistan and abroad before the June 30 meeting. She noted that U.N. political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo and envoys from various countries will meet separately with Afghan rights activists in Doha on July 2, a day after the meeting with the Taliban ends.

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have sharply criticized the U.N. for inviting the Taliban to the Doha talks rather than holding them accountable for crimes against Afghan women and girls.

"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," Tirana Hassan, executive director at Human Rights Watch, said of the third planned Doha meeting.

Otunbayeva said the Doha meeting would mainly focus on private sector business, the Afghan banking sector, and counternarcotics, issues she attributed to women's rights in the country.

The Taliban have vehemently defended their governance, claiming it is aligned with Afghan culture and their harsh interpretation of Islamic law. The hardline group seized power in August 2021 as U.S.-led NATO troops withdrew from Afghanistan after nearly two decades of engagement in the war with the then-insurgent Taliban.

Guterres chaired the previous Doha meetings, but the coming session will be hosted by DiCarlo. She traveled to Kabul in May and invited Muttaqi to attend the talks. The Taliban have not yet confirmed whether their foreign minister will lead the delegation at the meeting.

"We are trying to establish a process and preserve an important mechanism of consultation. We must be realistic about how much each meeting in this process can deliver, especially at this early stage where confidence and trust are insufficient, stressed Otunbayeva in her speech to the U.N. Security Council on Friday.
Russia promised retaliatory measures on the United States Monday when it summoned U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy to the Foreign Ministry and blamed the U.S. for a strike on Russian-occupied Crimea.

Russia claims the attack was carried out with U.S.-supplied missiles.

Retaliatory measures will certainly follow, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. It did not provide further information.

Russia said U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, was used in the strike that killed at least four people and wounded 150.

John Bass, the State Departments acting undersecretary for political affairs, told VOA he was not aware of the strikes death toll, but he said there has been a marked contrast in the way Ukraine and Russia execute their attacks.

He said Ukraine seeks to minimize civilian casualties, while Russias strikes have been brutal from the beginning.

Last week, the U.S. gave Ukraine permission to use U.S.-supplied longer-range missiles inside Russia but only for self-defense. Western countries have been reluctant to let Ukraine use their weapons in Russia because they do not want to provoke Russia and escalate the conflict.

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, a move that most of the world has rejected. Russia, however, continues to consider Crimea part of Russia.

New EU sanctions

The European Union approved Monday its 14th round of sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

The package includes a ban on the practice of reloading Russian liquefied natural gas containers in an EU country, which is then sent to a third country.

There are sanctions targeting 116 people and entities, and increased measures to ensure companies do not circumvent existing sanctions.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he stressed the importance of the new sanctions to further strangle Putins war economy, as he addressed a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday.

Separately, I emphasized the need to expedite military aid deliveries, especially air defense, and expand defense industrial output, Kuleba said on X. We can and must defeat Russian aggression on Ukrainian soil to ensure long-term peace and stability throughout Europe.

Ahead of Mondays council meeting, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters in Luxembourg, Ukraine needs more help, and needs more help now.

Borrell pointed to the Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland earlier this month, contrasting what he said was the opening of a diplomatic process to the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea to try to secure more weapons for Russias war effort.

Borrell said Putin is clearly preparing for a long war.

Ukrainian officials reported a Russian missile attack Monday on the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa that injured at least three people.

Ukraines military said Russia used two cruise missiles in the attack, with Ukrainian air defenses preventing one of the missiles from reaching its target.

Oleh Kiper, the regional governor of Odesa, said on Telegram the attack hit civilian infrastructure and caused a fire.

Russias Defense Ministry said Monday its air defenses destroyed four Ukrainian aerial drones over the Rostov region.

Regional Governor Vasily Golubev said on Telegram that falling debris from a downed drone hit an industrial site, but there were no reports of injuries.

Some information for this story was provided by Reuters.
The U.N.'s cultural organization said Monday it recommended adding Stonehenge, the renowned prehistoric site in England, to its world heritage list of sites in danger, in what would be seen as an embarrassment for London.

The site has been in the U.N. organization's sights because of British government plans to construct a controversial road tunnel near the world heritage site in southwestern England.

In a written decision seen by AFP, the World Heritage Committee recommended that Stonehenge be added to the U.N. list of world heritage sites in danger "with a view to mobilising international support."

The decision will have to be voted upon by the member states of the World Heritage Committee at a meeting in New Delhi in July.

One diplomat told AFP that the decision will likely be approved.

Stonehenge has had UNESCO world heritage status since 1986.

Placement on the U.N. body's world heritage list of endangered sites is seen as a dishonor by some countries.

Last July the British government approved the construction of a controversial road tunnel near Stonehenge despite efforts by campaigners to halt the 1.7 billion ($2.2 billion) project.

The diplomat pointed out that London had decided to approve the project "despite repeated warnings from the World Heritage Committee since 2017."

The planned tunnel is intended to ease congestion on an existing main road to southwest England that gets especially busy during the peak holiday periods.

Experts have warned of "permanent, irreversible harm" to the area.

Druids have held protests against the tunnel at a site they consider sacred and where they celebrate the summer and winter solstice  the longest and shortest days of the year.

Built in stages between around 3,000 and 2,300 B.C.E., Stonehenge is one of the world's most important prehistoric megalithic monuments in terms of its size, sophisticated layout and architectural precision.

UNESCO runs a list of sites with World Heritage status around the world, a prestigious title that countries compete to bestow on their most famous natural and man-made locations.

A listing can help boost tourism  but it comes with obligations to protect the site.

The port city of Liverpool in northwest England lost its World Heritage status for its docks in 2021 after UNESCO experts concluded that new real estate developments in the city had taken too much of a toll on its historical fabric.
The head of the United Nations agency that helps Palestinian refugees on Monday defended the organizations work in Gaza while addressing concerns about funding shortfalls and difficulty delivering aid in the territory.

The breakdown of civil order has resulted in rampant looting and smuggling that impede the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini told a meeting of the agency's advisory commission in Geneva.

For more than two million Gazans, it is a living hell. A nightmare from which they cannot wake, he also said.

Agencies from the U.N. have voiced concern about shortages made worse by the land-access restrictions and closure of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.

Lazzarini highlighted the challenges that UNRWA has faced.

Israeli security forces have deployed inside some UNRWA facilities during military operations in Palestinian refugee camps, he said. Arbitrary measures imposed by Israel severely restrict the presence and movement of staff.

Hamas militants launched a shock attack on southern Israel October 7, killing about 1,200 people and seizing some 250 hostages. The protracted military operation with which Israel responded has left more than 37,500 Palestinians dead, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and militants.

Lazzarini said 193 UNRWA employees have been killed on the ground since October 7. He also alleged that Israel is using legislative initiatives to dismantle UNRWAs work by threatening to evict staff from the agencys compound in Jerusalem and label the group a terrorist organization.

The Israeli diplomatic mission in Geneva dismissed Lazzarini's statement on Monday.

Lazzarini also addressed Israeli allegations that some UNWRA staffers were involved in the October 7 attack, stating that he terminated the accused individuals following a U.N.-backed probe. One person has since been reinstated, four cases have been suspended pending additional evidence, and 14 others are ongoing.

The accusations prompted several nations including the United States to freeze an estimated $450 million in UNWRA funding. Some countries have resumed funding. Lazzarini also raised the prospect of the agency not being operational past August unless the funding concerns are addressed.

The United States, UNWRAs top contributor, has yet to resume funding.

VOA U.N. correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information came from Agence France-Presse.
The U.S. State Department moved Brunei and Sudan to Tier 3 on the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report released Monday, which could subject the countries to sanctions or cutbacks in U.S. assistance.

The U.S. deems the countries in Tier 3 to not be doing enough to act against human trafficking and not compliant with the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA).

"Around the globe, an estimated 27 million people are exploited for labor, services, and commercial sex," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a message to readers of the report. "Through force, fraud, and coercion, they are made to toil in fields and factories, in restaurants and residences. Traffickers prey on some of the worlds most marginalized and vulnerable individuals  profiting from their plight."

Brunei is reported to not have convicted any traffickers for seven consecutive years, with the U.S. alleging that the country may have punished victims of trafficking via prosecution or deportation.

In the departments 2023 report, Sudan was in Tier 2, meaning that it was not in full compliance with the TVPA but was making significant efforts to do so. In the same 2023 report, Brunei was on the Tier 2 watch list.

Tier 1 implies that a country is complicit in the TVPA and is making efforts to combat trafficking.

Countries on the Tier 3 list may be subjected to U.S. sanctions or restrictions on assistance, such as non-humanitarian related support, if authorized by the U.S. president.

The State Department named 13 countries with a documented policy or pattern in state-sponsored trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, the Peoples Republic of China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Myanmar, Russia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Turkmenistan.

The report noted prevalent human trafficking issues within the Western Hemisphere, saying that there are broad commonalities in trafficking trends. This includes governments falling short on targeting forced labor, inconsistencies in victim protection, and faults in criminal justice responses.

Global law enforcement data, which the U.S. requires foreign governments to submit as a minimum requirement for Tier 1 consideration, listed 18,774 prosecutions of human traffickers in 2023.

The 2024 report outlines how digital platforms can be used to take advantage of victims of human trafficking, using online programs such as dating apps or social media to lure potential victims.

In online scam operations, traffickers largely recruit victims through deceitful job listings online, confine them in gated compounds, and force them to engage in online criminal activity under threat of serious harm, the report says.

The report additionally highlights the role of government, law enforcement, the financial sector, nongovernmental organizations, the technology industry and anti-trafficking stakeholders in human trafficking. It also describes steps that each sector could take to further prevent the issue.

In terms of governments, efforts to legislate and regulate tech companies to better prevent and address human trafficking will have broader impacts in areas such as privacy, security, and innovation, so careful consideration with a wide range of stakeholders will be needed, the report states.

Since 2004 the State Department has honored individuals from across the globe who have worked to combat human trafficking, deemed TIP Report Heroes. The 10 TIP Report Heroes for 2024 were honored at the release of the annual report.

Founder and Executive Director at the Center for Domestic Training and Development Edith Murogo was named a 2024 Tip Hero and spoke on behalf of her fellow recipients. She proposed five actions to combat human trafficking: Raise awareness, support survivors, strengthen legislation, promote economic opportunities and build partnerships.

Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time, we are the ones weve been waiting for, she said.

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse.
U.S. prosecutors are recommending to senior Justice Department officials that criminal charges be brought against Boeing after finding the planemaker violated a settlement related to two fatal crashes, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The Justice Department (DOJ) must decide by July 7 whether to prosecute Boeing. The recommendation of prosecutors handling the case has not been previously reported.

In May, officials determined the company breached a 2021 agreement that had shielded Boeing from a criminal charge of conspiracy to commit fraud arising from two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 involving the 737 MAX jet.

Under the 2021 deal, the Justice Department agreed not to prosecute Boeing over allegations it defrauded the Federal Aviation Administration so long as the company overhauled its compliance practices and submitted regular reports. Boeing also agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle the investigation.

Boeing declined to comment. It has previously said it has "honored the terms" of the 2021 settlement, which had a three-year term and is known as a deferred prosecution agreement. Boeing has told the Justice Department it disagrees with its determination that the company violated the settlement, Reuters reported this month.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department declined to comment.

The two sides are in discussions over a potential resolution to the Justice Department's investigation and there is no guarantee officials will move forward with charges, the two sources said. The internal Justice Department deliberations remain ongoing, and no final decisions have been reached, they added.

Criminal charges would deepen an unfolding crisis at Boeing, which has faced intense scrutiny from U.S. prosecutors, regulators and lawmakers after a panel blew off one of its jets operated by Alaska Airlines mid-flight Jan. 5, just two days before the 2021 settlement expired.

The sources did not specify what criminal charges Justice Department officials are considering, but one of the people said they could extend beyond the original 2021 fraud conspiracy charge.

Alternatively, instead of prosecuting Boeing, the DOJ could extend the 2021 settlement by a year or propose new, stricter terms, the sources said.

In addition to financial penalties, the strictest settlements typically involve installing a third party to monitor a company's compliance. The DOJ can also require the company to admit its wrongdoing by pleading guilty.

Boeing may be willing to pay a penalty and agree to a monitor, but believes a guilty plea, which typically incurs additional business restrictions, could be too damaging, said one of the sources. Boeing derives significant revenue from contracts with the U.S. government, including the Defense Department, which could be jeopardized by a felony conviction, one of the sources said.

Relatives of the victims of the two fatal 737 MAX crashes have long criticized the 2021 agreement, arguing that Justice Department officials should have prosecuted the company and its executives.

At a Senate hearing in June, Chief Executive Dave Calhoun acknowledged the company's shortcomings on safety and apologized to the families who lost loved ones.

Last week, the families pressed prosecutors to seek a fine against the planemaker of nearly $25 billion and move forward with a criminal prosecution.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday warned Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant against allowing the conflict with Hamas in Gaza to expand to include Lebanon and Hezbollah.

Blinken "underscored the importance of avoiding further escalation of the conflict and reaching a diplomatic resolution that allows both Israeli and Lebanese families to return to their homes," according to a statement from State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

Blinken also pressed Gallant to take more steps to protect aid workers in Gaza.

The Israeli defense minister will meet with other U.S. officials during his visit to Washington this week, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

Earlier Monday, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters in Luxembourg that the risk of the war spilling over was growing bigger every day.

"I think that, unhappily, we are on the eve of the war expanding," Borrell said.

He also said a cease-fire in Gaza was desperately needed to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid, saying "delivery of humanitarian assistance inside Gaza has become impossible."

A temporary pier that was built for delivering aid into Gaza via a sea route paused deliveries Monday because of scheduled maintenance, Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder told reporters.

Sunday marked the U.S.-built piers largest delivery day to date, with 720 metric tons of aid moved to the Gaza beach that day. Since the pier operations began on May 17, the U.S. military has delivered more than 6,200 metric tons of aid via the sea route to the Gazan coast for delivery to Palestinians, according to Ryder.

However, aid organizations say corridors intended to funnel that aid from the Gazan shore to Palestinians in need are unsafe and unusable.

Ryder also told reporters Monday that the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group would remain briefly in the Mediterranean Sea before returning home. The aircraft carrier left the U.S. Central Command region after being deployed for more than seven months.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt will leave the Pacific region in the coming days to deploy to the Middle East to promote regional stability, deter aggression and protect the free flow of commerce in the region, he added.

The top U.S. military officer warned Monday that an Israeli offensive in Lebanon would raise the risk of a broader conflict that draws in Iran to aid Hezbollah.

Israel has been battling Iran-backed Hamas in its offensive in the Gaza Strip for months while also engaging in daily skirmishes with Hezbollah along the Israel-Lebanon border.

Air Force General CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters that Iran would be more inclined to provide greater support to Hezbollah, describing the militants as having more resources than Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the "intense phase" of fighting against Hamas in Gaza would be ending "very soon." But he added that Israel would likely shift troops to the border with Lebanon.

In an interview with Israel's Channel 14, Netanyahu said moving troops north would bolster the country's defensive posture against Hezbollah and allow Israelis who fled the fighting near the Lebanon-Israel border to return home.

He added that while he hoped a diplomatic solution to the conflict with Hezbollah could be found, Israel could "fight on several fronts, and we are also preparing for it.

The war is now in its ninth month with no immediate end in sight. President Joe Biden has outlined a cease-fire that would halt fighting for six weeks and facilitate the release of Hamas-held hostages. Hamas has said any agreement must result in an end to the war, a demand Israel has rejected.

The war was triggered by a shock Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel and led to the capture of about 250 hostages. Israels counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 37,500 Palestinians, mostly civilians but also thousands of combatants, according to the territorys Health Ministry.

VOA's Chris Hannas contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
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Rejoice Ngwenya of the Common Market for Liberal Solutions says the Anti-Corruption Commission's catch and release moves are a big political deception meant to fool Zimbabweans. He made these remarks after Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu's surrendered themselves to ZACC over a ZEC deal.
Photo: Ollie Upton/HBO

The House of the Dragon Scorecard is an accounting of the events of this weeks episode in which points are awarded to characters and dragons on a scale of 0 to 10. Points will be awarded for any or no reason.

We are now two episodes and two failed assassination attempts into the second season of House of the Dragon. Failed might be understating it a bit. These were two of the most bungled murder plots youll ever see. The first one involved hiring a ratcatcher who couldnt find his target and beheaded a toddler instead. This one involves impulsive idiots sending a twin on a suicide mission where he poses as his brother. Criston basically tries to kill Rhaenyra using the plot from The Parent Trap. If this last sentence sounds like a terrible idea, its because it is. RIP to the Cargylls.

Elsewhere in the realm: Rhaenyra confronts Daemon, and he pouts about it and flies away on his dragon; Aegon hangs the ratcatchers and fires his grandpa; and Alicent takes to her bathtub in depression. Yes, again. War is approaching rapidly and everyone is falling apart. At least the dog got justice.

Lets get into it.

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ON ONE HAND: Everyone is running around accusing her of having assassins decapitate a child on purpose, which is absolutely one of the worst things you can be accused of, especially when it was your idiot husbands fault and you had nothing to do with it.

ON THE OTHER HAND: She looks Daemon in the eye and calls him pathetic and says a lot of other true things that she probably could and/or should have said a while ago, which must have felt pretty cathartic even if it hurt to admit.

ON ANOTHER, THIRD HAND: She barely survives an assassination attempt in her own bedroom and loses one of her most trusted warriors in the process, which must have been unsettling on a number of levels.

You could say this about most characters on this show, but I really feel like Rhaenyra could use a week at an all-inclusive resort in Aruba.

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Alicent is taking a lot of baths this season. Not good baths, though. These are not relaxing little soaks. These are the kinds of baths where you try to scrub years of shame away along with a few layers of skin on your upper arm.

The kinds of baths where you submerge your whole head under the water in a way that implies you might ask a maester if theres a way you can just go live in peace under the sea.

The kinds of baths you take after your grandson gets murdered and you blame yourself because the head of the security detail was giving you a thorough bonking in your bedroom when he was supposed to be working.

The kinds of baths you take when you have to ride through the whole city with the dead child and his mother on a rickety wagon in the name of public relations.

The kinds of baths you take when your snotty tyrant son hangs a bunch of innocent men in the streets and conspires with your bozo boyfriend to try to murder your former best friend.

The kinds of baths you take when you cant stop sleeping with the bozo because, even though you know its a bad idea and he sucks, he makes you feel a teeny bit good for 45 seconds of your awful day.

You know. Those kinds of baths.

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RHAENYRA: You are an idiot.

DAEMON: I am not!

RHAENYRA: I see why your brother never trusted you.

DAEMON: I was the strongest boy!

RHAENYRA: Everyone thinks you are a loser.

DAEMON: [Pouting, storming out] Im going to ride my dragon to  to  Harrenhal!

RHAENYRA: [Sighs] Fine.

.

Look, its not the biggest problem this little demon has on his hands (those would be in no particular order: grief over a dead son, an impending war he has no clue how to fight let alone win, loss of public support due to rash and stupid executions, a wife who hates him and a group of advisers who see him as a malleable chump, etc.), but now that hes killed every experienced ratcatcher in the city, hes going to have rodents everywhere.

And its not going to be easy to hire new ones, either. Not after he had the last ones hanged in the streets. Again, not his biggest problem. But there are a lot of rats, man.

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GOOD NEWS: Hes the new Hand!

BAD NEWS: Uhhhhh, I believe we have mentioned the whole left his guard to hook up with Alicent and a child was murdered while he was away and so he tried to make up for it by initiating a Parent Trap assassination ruse with Arryk posing as Erryk that failed and is going to make things much, much worse business, yes? Because I can go on if you want.

Between Daemon going behind Rhaenyras back with his failed plan and Criston going behind Alicents back with this failed plan, Im starting to think Rhaenyra and Alicent should dump their partners and just take that Aruba trip together.

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Last week in this Scorecard, I said the following: It is my strong suspicion that we are headed toward a sword fight between the two of them where I will have no clue which one is which, just a flurry of clanging steel and people shouting names that both sound like Eric until one of them kills the other and makes my life much easier going forward.

I said one of them! One! Come on!

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Two important things this week:

(1) Larys walks into the dungeon cell and the assassin immediately fingers Daemon for the whole dumb plot in the hopes of not getting tortured before his execution, which doesnt work out because 

(2) Larys then curries favor with Aegon by letting the wee king womp on the man who killed Jaehaerys.

Hes a weasel, yes. But he gets results.

Otto Hightower  1 point

Otto uses his great-grandsons death to whip up support for the idiot grandson he made king (cynical, devious) and then gets fired by the idiot grandson a few days later for pointing out that hanging innocent pest-control specialists as a message to the public does more harm than good (rational, correct). This is a Classic Otto situation.

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Aemond pops up briefly in this episode, naked and sad and being swaddled like a lost pet by Sylvi, the owner of the local brothel he frequents. Its a good reminder that a lot of the despicable people in the world are really just very broken inside and acting out to cover up their insecurities.

I still do not like him.

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Sylvi seems like a cool lady.

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Alyn might be the smartest man on this show. He gets home and his brother tries to press him about working for the Sea Snake and striking it rich, and Alyn is just like, LOL, no, those people are all crazy.

Alyn just wants peace and quiet. And stew. Peace and quiet and stew. What more could anyone want, really?

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If I were Halaena, and I were becoming increasingly miserable with my loveless royal marriage and its various obligations, I sure might keep Caught the kings mother riding the head of security like a devastatingly handsome steed on the night my son was murdered tucked away in my pocket for a bit.

Its what Mysaria would do. Hey, speaking of Mysaria 

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You saw it, right? The curious little look that flashes across Mysarias face when she sees one Cargyll twin get off a boat when the other is clearly on dry land back by the castle? What do we think is happening there? Did she try to tip someone off? Did she, a woman who is very good at exchanging information for favors, see an opening after Rhaenyra released and subsequently banished her? If she did tip someone off about the situation, why did it still get so close to happening? Or was she just noticing something odd and filing it away in case it could be investigated and used at a later date? What is she up to here???

I would watch a show where Mysaria solves a new murder each week. She fascinates me.

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Hugh has a sick child and a wife who is fed up with the price of food. Hugh still has not been paid for the scorpions hes building, despite Aegons promise in the previous episode. Aegon is now very distracted and crying about it and has almost certainly forgotten about Hugh and the craftsmen Hugh assured would be paid soon.

Hugh is absolutely going to Do Something in the next few episodes. It will not work out great for him, I suspect, if only because this is a prequel and the original series was not littered with people regaling each other with tales of Hugh the Magnificent.

I am worried about Hugh. Hes doing the best he can.

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Rhaenys delivers another withering putdown to a man who steps over the line and then she snuggles in bed with the Sea Snake. Not a meaty episode for her, but still efficient. She and Corlys seem to have the healthiest romantic relationship on the show. Thats not exactly a mountain to climb given the chaos around them, but its still nice.

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See above.

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Hes a sweet boy.

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There are three things I know for sure about Baela after this episode 

(1) She hates her dad a little bit, which is cool because I hate her dad a little bit, too.

(2) She rides a dragon named Moondancer, which we already knew but is still cool.

(3) She can shoot the hell out of a crossbow, which is extremely cool.

We cannot let anything bad happen to her.

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Did you ever have a teacher in school who withheld recess from the whole class because one kid did something bad and no one confessed or told the teacher who did it? That really sucked.

But it does not suck as much as YOU AND ALL YOUR CO-WORKERS GETTING MURDERED BY ORDER OF THE KING BECAUSE AN IDIOT WHO KICKS HIS DOG BEHEADED THE PRINCE.

Tough week for the ratcatchers.

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Theres a moment in this episode when the camera lingers on the dogs face as it looks up at the lifeless body of its former owner swinging from a noose, and all I wanted in the whole world was for the dog to bark and for a subtitle to pop up below his face that just said, Good.

Season Totals
The moment that Lestat walks onstage is the moment that she reaches peak frustration. Photo: Larry Horricks/Larry Horricks/AMC

Spoilers follow for the Interview With the Vampire episode I Could Not Prevent It, which premiered on AMC June 23.

Vampires are supposed to live forever. And in all versions of Interview With the Vampire, from Anne Rices 1976 novel to the 1994 film to the AMC TV adaptation, the death of the young vampire Claudia is a tragedy. Trapped in the body of a child as she ages and punished for breaking edicts she was never taught, Claudia shoulders the mistakes of nearly every adult male vampire around her  and had only recently begun flourishing on her own terms. In Rolin Joness TV adaptation, shes made when father figure Louis (Jacob Anderson) begs his lover Lestat (Sam Reid) to turn her after she nearly dies in a fire  although Lestat understands that Claudias destiny to be stuck at 14 years old forever is a kind of curse. Through the years, Claudia becomes the third wheel in their romance, is sexually abused and held captive by her own vampire love interest, and plays second fiddle to Louiss passions again when the two try to kill Lestat and flee to Europe, where Louis falls in love with Armand (Assad Zaman), the leader of a vampire coven which doubles as theater troupe Theatre des Vampires.

All that parental negligence and sexual frustration could have made Claudia pitiful, but actress Delainey Hayles, who took over the character in season two from Bailey Bass (who left the series after joining the Avatar franchise), plays her like a dynamo. Shes disgusted when Louis ignores her after Armand enters his life, infuriated when she realizes the coven and its lead actor Santiago (Ben Daniels) only want to leverage her eternal youth when they cast her as the infantilized Baby Lu in one of their avant-garde plays, and sympathetic toward Madeleine (Roxane Duran), a woman scorned by her neighbors for her affair with a Nazi who eventually becomes Claudias companion. Hayles gives Claudia a profound inner life and vibrant personality, complete with spitfire line readings like Now I know what two blood-fat cocks slapping hands feel like, so thank you for that. But to play Claudia is to know, Hayles says, that shes a doomed character.

That doom comes in season twos penultimate episode, I Could Not Prevent It, in which Louis and Armand finally tell journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian) what happened to Claudia. Im a chronic overthinker, so that was always on my mind, Hayles says of Claudias immolation death sentence, enacted by the coven for breaking a number of the vampiric Great Laws, including her attempt to kill her maker Lestat. Her final line of dialogue as shes burning into ash, I dont like windows when theyre closed, repurposes a line the coven made her sing as Baby Lu but puts her own fuck-you energy into it. I think the way the writers wrote it was, shes the strongest vampire and she would only go out this way, says Hayles. It felt like, whew. I thought Id feel more stress before, with the anxiety of filming, but actually, it was afterward. It felt like, Oh my God, her storys done.

Claudias death is such a climactic moment. I know you read Anne Rices novel after being cast. What were some emotions you anticipated bringing into this scene?

The thing I thought about mostly was anger. Claudias not going to go out without a fight. And then I also thought, Is there a bit of relief in it? Because the circumstances are so torturing. Is it like, Shes singing, and thats representing that, in a way, shes finally free? I was combatting both, and then director Emma Freeman put everything together for me. She said I know Claudia better than anyone, so I should do what I feel she would do. Which is what I did. Theres other elements that come into play, like CGI. But she told me thats not something I need to think about. Just think about the performance, which is obviously what I know how to do  better than special effects.

Take me back to what you felt that morning of filming. Did you feel like you had everything honed in, or did you leave some fluidity?

Ill always leave fluidity. I was trying to stay relaxed because I can start doom-thinking. [Laughs.] I really wanted to do her justice. It was a heavy, heavy movement. Before we started filming, I had a conversation with writer Hannah Moscovitch and Sam about the last looks between Lestat and Claudia. You have your own interpretation, and then you hear others and you meet in the middle. After every take, Emma and Hannah would both come to me and Roxane and be like, That was great. Heres one thing were gonna tweak. They did that each time, just to make sure we were still okay with what we were filming or if it was taking a toll. It was really lovely to not be by yourself. I felt very hugged by everyone.

Claudia doesnt beg for her life. You have a great Can I cry and say that Im sorry, too? line where Claudia mocks all the sympathy the coven and audience are giving Lestat. What kind of emotional arc did you want to give Claudia during the trial and before her death?

She feels, in the beginning stages, a lot of confusion. When the bag is ripped off her head, shes just trying to get her bearings, and shes the first that puts together whats happening before Louis and before Madeleine. Thats when reality sinks in  when Lestat walks onstage, its like, Lets get this over with now. Shes a realist, so she knows whats to come. The moment that Lestat walks onstage is the moment that she reaches peak frustration, and then from there, she can only go up in frustration when the story is being told. Shes bubbling and then shes boiling and then shes overflowed. [Pantomimes a volcano exploding]

Was there one aspect of the scene that felt easiest for you, and one aspect that felt most difficult?

I felt so supported by Sam in that last look. He had a job to do, but he was really supporting me through it. Its not very fun to do when youre screaming and his little face is crying. That was what brought everything together.

The hardest thing was the start of the death, because I was dealing with the shock of Santiago and the sun hitting and reacting at the same time. But I was very thankful Roxane was there and we had each other. I havent seen the full episode yet; Ive seen drafts of it. But when Madeleine disintegrates first, that was very, very sad.

What technical details went into filming the sequence?

We did it a couple of times, and then the special-effects team mapped out what we did naturally, however I held Roxane, and told us to keep doing that, because we were focused on leading with the performance first. There were moments where I would kind of change it  not purposely, just because I was in the scene  and they would come afterward and be like, Can you lower your hand a tiny bit? And Tami Lane, the makeup head, was liaising with Ted, who supervises VFX. The practical process was wed film a bit, and once everybody was happy with that, wed go back to prosthetics with Tami, have another element thrown on us, go back and do it all over again, and once that was good, wed add more. I think we had four or five rounds of prosthetics added until I reached my final form. We reached a crescendo where it was like, Lets go full out.

During the trial, Santiago imitates your voice, and theres an animated caricature of Claudia as part of the projections. It felt to me like there was a racial, xenophobic element to how the coven presented you and Louis. Im curious if you felt that too.

I dont think thats something that we talked about in filming, but I can see how that would be construed. I think it was just that the coven is so terrible. You could be God himself and they would not care. Youre coming to their coven and you need to behave correctly. That was mainly what we were focusing on. Santiago mocking Claudia was just another instance of, hes an actor, its what he does. He mimics Louis, thats his thing, thats his niche, to take the piss out of you and get you riled up. If, in another world, Lestat was on trial, he would also imitate a French accent. Its just his way of pissing off everybody.

And hes very good at it!

Hes very good at it. I love Ben so much. His Santiago, I was struggling to keep a straight face. He would ad-lib a lot, so youre in a scene, you know what line comes next, and hed throw something completely different. And youre like, Oh, I really love that! Okay, let me stay in it. Ben is wicked.

You were in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on the West End. Im wondering if there was an aspect of your theatrical training or experience that helped you play Claudia doing theater as Baby Lu.

Her first performance, I wanted to portray that she was a bit nervous, because when you do your first performance, you know what youre doing, youve rehearsed so long, and then the moment comes and youre like, Actually, do I know what Im doing? But she does. And then she just hates it from there, so that was really fun to play.

What I loved about Levan Akins direction is that he treated it like every performance was a theater performance. We had new extras and audience members, and it was the first time they were seeing it. Each time I did it, Id have new faces to see. They were confused, but they were enjoying it. And in the trial, we had audience members and they got told to react how they wanted to. There were bits where they heckled, and I think those got kept in. Thats what the directors and Rolin wanted, that element of it being real for the actors, because we did perform in front of strangers. And you want to do it well, because youre like, Theyve never seen it before. And, yes, Im wearing this blue costume, but just keep watching, it gets better. When Claudia hates it, I could see that some extras were confused, like, Why is she not doing it properly? [Laughs.] I think I work best when I have a little bit of pressure on me.

One of the tragic things about Claudia is that shes stuck at 14 years old physically, although she ages mentally. Was there any quality of yourself at 14 that you thought about during this performance?

What stuck with me was how uncomfortable I was at 14 and how that is Claudias constant circumstance. I dont really remember myself at 14 because I think I blocked out all those memories.

Me too. Id have the same answer if I asked myself this.

Yeah, and I think thats what I remember  that thing of trying to find yourself, but thats not yourself. Or trying to find your people, but you dont know your people cause you dont know yourself. Thats kind of what I connected with, with Claudia, her being constantly uncomfortable, in a way, but asserting herself to seem like shes okay in who she is.

I Dont Like Windows When Theyre Closed is a real bop. Did it get stuck in your head while you were performing it?

Rehearsal is what really made it stick in my head. Before takes, Id start singing it, and then Id walk around and Id hear catering singing it, and then Id hear Gustave, one of the other vampires played by Jake Cecil, singing it. It got stuck in everyones head. It was a really catchy song, however much Claudia hates it. I can still sing it right now. Im not going to.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Sangiuliano was speaking at book festival in Sicily.

Italian culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano came under fire on Sunday over a gaffe involving the explorer Christopher Colombus and the scientist and astronomer Galileo.

"Columbus wanted to reach the Indies by circumnavigating the Earth on the basis of Galileo Galilei's theories", Sangiuliano said at TaoBuk, the Taormina Book Festival.

However Columbus landed in the Americas in 1492 and died in 1506, while Galileo was born almost six decades later, in 1564.

Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano says that 'Christopher Columbus wanted to reach the Indies by circumnavigating the Earth based on the theories of Galileo Galilei'.



Columbus died in 1506, while Galilei was born almost sixty years later, in 1564.



June 23, 2024 https://t.co/o4jsbXK4q8 pic.twitter.com/FdRLzS0Nct Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics (@CrazyItalianPol) June 23, 2024

The comment sparked a sea of social media memes poking fun at Sangiuliano who has faced criticism in the past for making gaffes at cultural events.

Last summer the minister raised eyebrows by implying that he had not read the books shortlisted for the Strega Prize, Italy's top literary award, despite having voted.

Earlier this year, while introducing Rome's New Archaeological Walk, the minister said: "When people think about London, they think about Times Square".

Sangiuliano also caused a stir last year when he claimed that the mediaeval poet and philosopher Dante Alighieri was the founder of Italian right-wing thinking.
Outcry in Italy over death of Satnam Singh.

The Italian government is to step up measures to combat gangmasters and the exploitation of migrant workers, the labour minister Marina Calderone said on Saturday.

Pledging to double the number of labour inspections on farms, Calderone said the aim was to "declare war on gangmastering", an illegal practice known as caporalato.

The gangmaster system is rife in the agricultural sector, particularly in the south, with many migrants working up to 14 hours a day in slave-like conditions.

The clampdown follows an outcry over the death of Satnam Singh, a 31-year-old Indian farm worker who died last week after being abandoned by his employers on a road in the Latina area with his mutilated arm.

Singh, who did not have a regular employment contract, was caught in a plastic wrapping machine, towed by a tractor, which severed his right arm and crushed his lower limbs.

Instead of calling for an ambulance or taking him to hospital, the man was loaded into a van and abandoned near his home, while his severed arm was left in a fruit box.

Singh's Italian employer is now under investigation for manslaughter, violation of workplace safety regulations and failure to provide aid.

The horrific death of Singh was widely condemned by trade unions and politicians, including prime minister Giorgia Meloni who described it as an inhumane act" and stated: "I hope that this barbarity will be punished harshly.

Italy's president Sergio Mattarella said the gangmaster system must be "totally eliminated", slamming it as "exploitation of the weakest and most defenceless, with illegal and cruel methods and conditions".

Around 5,000 people gathered in Latina on Saturday to demonstrate against the exploitation of migrant farm labourers, many of whom do not possess valid residence papers or contracts.

Following the death of Singh, his widow Soni was granted a special permit to stay, to end her illegal status in Italy.

Another protest is scheduled to take place on Tuesday in the Latina province where trade unions representing farm workers have called a two-hour strike.

Photo: Open
Dining chat: A waiter gave our anniversary bubbly to the table next to us. What should we have done?
People from across Waterford's business community came to Belview Port on Thursday, June 20, to hear about the ambitious new developments ahead for the Port of Waterford.

Waterford Chamber President Niall Harrington addresses the event.

President of Waterford Chamber Niall Harrington shared words of welcome for the attending guests at the Chamber's Business After Hours event and shared the potential impact of the new expansion of the Port.

He said: "Waterford Port is progressing with the expansion and development of the port and port-related activity. The initial expansion will require 17 million of investment that will allow for Port activity growth.

Agnes Paslawska, Port Of Waterford, John Treacy Chair of the Port of Waterford, and Gerard O'Donnell, Port of Waterford.

"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."

CEO of the Port of Waterford David Sinnott highlighted the significant 27% reduction of carbon for businesses who use container shipping via the Port of Waterford versus using Dublin Port.

David said: 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.

"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 South East shortly  Id very much like to feel the pressure from businesses in the region to deliver new the shipping routes to make this happen.

Guests were treated to a smorgasbord of fine food and beverages, and invited to go on an in-depth tour of the facilities.

Visitors got to glimpse the inner workings of the port, from the railway infrastructure to the transport of wind turbines.
Fianna Fail's Councillor Jason Murphy is the new Mayor of Waterford City and County, following his election at the Annual General Meeting of the incoming Plenary Council, which took place on Friday, June 21, in City Hall.

The AGM marked the beginning of a five-year term for the new members, which include a number of first-time councillors among their ranks following the local elections on June 7.

Cllr Murphy was nominated for the position of Mayor by his Fianna Fail party colleague, Councillor Adam Wyse, who was himself elected to the position of Deputy Mayor.

In making his nomination Cllr Wyse was full of praise for Cllr Murphy and said it was his privilege to do so.

"Jason and I have served many years of service on this Council," said Cllr Wyse, commenting that they had both "pretty much learned the ropes together" within the chamber.

He said Cllr Murphy, coming from Larchville, was a proud Waterford man who was dedicated to the people of the city and county.

He noted that he was supported by a wonderful family, who were present in the chamber. Cllr Wyse noted that Cllr Murphy's father, Michael, was in attendance and commented: "Michael is a proud Fianna Fail man but an even prouder father, I am sure, at this moment to witness this. I also know that Jason's mother, Annette would be incredibly proud to see her son become the first citizen of Waterford."

Cllr Wyse's nomination address was at times witty, referencing Cllr Murphy's time working with Morris's DIY and how when someone would ask him for assistance he would "promptly go and find someone who actually knew what they were talking about".

However, despite the humorous comments, which was taken in very good spirits, the respect Cllr Wyse had for his party colleague was obvious.

"As we start this new Council term we need somebody experienced, somebody approachable and ready to lead with both heart and humour and I personally believe Jason Murphy is that person," said Cllr Wyse. Cllr Wyse's nomination of Cllr Murphy was seconded by Cllr. Lola OSullivan (FG), who said it gave her great pleasure to do so.

"He would make an excellent Mayor and it's wonderful to see his family here today," she said. Cllr O'Sullivan said it was also indicative of the type of person Cllr Murphy is that he managed to get a Fine Gael member and a Sinn Fein member to mind his dog, Bertie, while away on holidays.

"That shows he can manage anything and anybody," she said.

"He did that over a two-year period and I don't think the Sinn Fein member or myself realised that each of us was minding Bertie," she said.

She then wished him the best of luck in the role.

Cllr Murphy's appointment comes after previously having served as Mayor for the Metropolitan District of Waterford City.

Sinn Fein's Councillor Conor McGuinness, seconded by Councillor Joeanne Bailey, proposed his party colleague Councillor Jim Griffin for the role of Mayor of Waterford City and County, and Councillor Mary Roche, from the Social Democrats, proposed Independent Councillor David Daniels for the position. Her proposal was seconded by Independent Councillor Donal Barry.

Political Pact

However, when the matter went to a recorded vote it was Cllr Murphy who received the majority support within the chamber with 21 votes. These came from all the Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Labour members and five Independents, who had formed a pact, leaving Sinn Fein out of play for Mayoral positions across the term of the current Council.

The Independents to supported the pact included Cllrs Declan Clune (formerly Sinn Fein), Declan Barry, Joe Kelly, Joe Conway and Blaise Hannigan. As a result, the Mayors for the next five years will be: Liam Brazil (FG), Damien Geoghegan (FG), Seamus Ryan (Lab) and Eamon Quinlan (FF).

The AGM was attended by all 32 Council members, the Council executive, Matt Shanahan TD, several former Oireachtas members, clergy members, including Bishop Cullinane, and several former mayors. The Council Chambers public gallery was also full to capacity with family members and well-wishers of those elected.

During the meeting, the newly elected Mayor thanked everyone in attendance for bestowing "the honour" of being Mayor on him and expressed his gratitude towards voters at the recent local elections. He also thanked his family for their support, as well as the outgoing mayor Cllr. Joe Conway, promising to work diligently to represent Waterford and address the concerns of all constituents.

"I am honoured to take on the role of Mayor of this great city and county," he said.

"I am committed to continuing the work of my predecessors and representing all the people of Waterford from Tallow in the west, to Dunmore in the east," he added.

Cllrs Murphy, Wyse and each political grouping added their sentiments and best wishes to the outgoing Mayor, Cllr. Joe Conway. In his outgoing address, Cllr. Conway bid a warm welcome to the seven newly elected councillors present, noting that the Council now had a broad range of experience to draw on.

Speaking briefly on his election to the office of Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Adam Wyse said: "It is a privilege to be elected as Deputy Mayor and I look forward to working alongside Cllr. Murphy to address the needs of our constituents and make a positive impact on our city and county."

This year's AGM was particularly noteworthy as it followed the recent local elections, which resulted in the addition of seven new councillors to the council. At the same time, five sitting councillors lost their seats, with two sitting councillors not standing for re-election. Two former councillors regained their seats.
Last weekend, shoppers in Waterford City were left confused as the popular UK franchise store, Dealz (known as Poundland in the UK) was closed unexpectedly.

When customers approached the store on Michael Street, the doors were closed, staff members were not to be seen and the store was left in darkness.

A brief notice on the door stated that they apologised for the inconvenience to their customers, with little detail as to why the store had closed and when it is expected to reopen.

It had been reported that a fire broke out in the store over the weekend.

A spokesperson from Waterford Fire Station told the Waterford News & Star that an emergency call was received by the service at 8.31am on Saturday, June 22.

A commercial fire was reported in the store, to which four vehicles and two crews responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, the crew established that the fire had broken out on the first floor of the building. This led to two teams of breathing apparatus crew working to extinguish the fire on the upper floor of the building.

While the building has been damaged by both smoke and fire, no injuries were reported from the incident.

The fire was controlled by Waterford City Fire Station and extinguished by 10.20am. The reopening of the city store has not been confirmed as of yet and the Waterford News & Star awaits comment from the Dealz media spokesperson.
Portlaw National School was one of the primary schools that visited Leinster House to call for better supports and funding for Special Education Needs (SEN).

Principals from across Ireland gathered at the Dail to present the difficulties facing children, teachers and staff in accessing adequate services.

The event stressed that teachers across the country are facing burnout and fatigue due to the demands of both teaching and administrative duties, further compacted by insufficient supporting staff.

Waterford Senator John Cummins, Marc O Cathasaigh TD, Matt Shanahan TD and the PA for Minister Mary Butler all attended the event at Dail Eireann.

Brian Barron, principal of Portlaw NS, said: A reassessment of the Ancillary Grant is necessary to ensure it adequately covers the wages of secretarial staff, as well as cleaning and caretaking costs.

"Furthermore, additional resources are required to support schools integrating refugee and asylum-seeking children, ensuring they receive necessary academic and social support.

Children with special needs have also been impacted by the under-resourcing of SEN. The number of Special Needs Assistants and Special Needs Teachers have been frozen since the austerity times of 2011.

According to Principal Barron: "The current allocation model, based on outdated 2016 data and relying on enrolment numbers, literacy/ numeracy scores, and educational disadvantage metrics, is flawed as it lacks individual profiling."

He added: The removal of 'Complex Needs' as a criterion has left many younger students without essential support. National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) are overwhelmed and under-resourced, with temporary measures like the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA) proving insufficient.

Angela Dunne, a principal from Tipperary, said: Parents need to be aware of these pressing issues and the steps the government is taking, or not taking to address them."
More than 130 primary students from fourth and fifth class of five schools across Waterford city and county participated in the LEAP Project in June 2024.

In its eighth year, LEAP has provided over 1,500 students with a platform to interact with role models from the world of work and pitch their ideas at the final showcase at South East Technological University (SETU).

LEAP encourages "early-stage entrepreneurship" among primary school students, helping them learn how to become entrepreneurs by designing business plans that focus on innovation and enterprise.

This entrepreneurial initiative is supported by Waterford Local Enterprise Office in partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI).

The five participating schools are Scoil Mhuire, Butlerstown NS, Faithlegg NS, Realt Na Mara NS, Waterpark NS, and St. Declans NS.

Business professionals from local companies, along with Junior Achievement Ireland, visited each class regularly and worked with the students to discover what makes an entrepreneur, brainstorm ideas for their companies, understand the importance of logos and how to design them, learn about the significance of business names, the 4 Ps of marketing, prototyping, and negotiation skills.

Local business volunteers Danielle Kennedy (Lloyds Hair), Emer Cowman (Fidelity Investments), Joanne Galvin (MCX Training and Development), Greta Nagle (Sanofi), Catherine Ryan (West Pharma), and Angela Carew (Waterford City & County Council) supported the delivery of the classroom programme, My First Business, and shared their business experiences, hints and tips with the students.

During the LEAP showcase event, each school presented their final business ideas to local business people who acted as judges, referred to as FROGS (For Recognition of Greatness in Students). The FROGs had the opportunity to invest in the 24 new companies having viewed their business plans, prototypes and pitches, which sometimes included jingles and dress up.

Included in this were: Jamie Whitty from Waterford LEO, Ronan Walsh from RKCW, Jimmy Kearns from Carrowbaun Business Consultants, Ronan Cleary from Eagle Media, Shona McGailey from Green Acre Marketing, John OGorman from Fieldmaster, Danielle Kennedy from Lloyds Hair and Rapunzel Foundation, Ciaran Cullen from Enterprise Ireland, Alex Hill from Propelor BIC, and Angela Carew from Waterford City & County Council.

At the end of the showcase, each student received a Certificate of Achievement to recognize their participation, and each school was awarded a special plaque for their outstanding contribution to the LEAP Project in one of the following categories: Best Business Plan, Best Idea to Help the Community, Best Innovative Idea, Best Negotiation Skills, Best Marketing Campaign, and Best Sustainable Business Idea.

We are delighted to partner with Waterford LEO and local businesses on the LEAP Project. It is a fantastic journey for students to learn the basics of entrepreneurship and develop their own business ideas with the support of entrepreneurs from the local community," said Denise Power, Area Manager of South East for JAI.

"These mentors have shared their own real-life experiences with the students and inspired and motivated them to become future entrepreneurs in the making," she concluded.
With changes on the political front, both nationally and locally, it raises the question of the future of Waterford Airport.

Most recently, Waterford City and County Council agreed to increase its proposed funding for the expansion of the runway, however, since the issue of the airport's business plan was raised by Matt Shanahan, TD, in the Dail, with the Minister for Transport unknowingly having the document in his office for reviewal, the Minister, Eamon Ryan, has stepped down as Green Party leader.

He will continue in his Ministerial role until July 9, when the Green Party will then make a decision on how they will proceed with their new leader and other governmental duties.

On a more local level, the former Mayor and Green Party Councillor, Jody Power, who lost out on his seat at the local elections, told the Waterford News & Star that he's confident that Waterford Airport will serve the region commercially, but that it's just a question of when.

Mr Power also served on the Airport Board, over the past five-year term, with Sinn Fein Cllr Jim Griffin also representing the Council.

"It's one of the key pieces of the jigsaw to make Waterford the capital of the South East," said Mr Power.

"It's the only region in Ireland that is not serviced by an airport," he continued.

Despite such confidence and positivity from Mr Power, Cllr Griffin doesn't share the same views. He wished to continue his position on the airport board, however, due to the new pact formed for this term of the Plenary Council, Councillors Jim D'Arcy (FG) and Declan Barry (Independent) will take up the two board positions for the next five years.

Cllr Griffin told the Waterford News & Star that he "pleaded with the full Council" to have him stay on in his role as a board member.

Cllr Griffin said he also feels that by having two "inexperienced" councillors, it is "a wasted opportunity".

"This is a voluntary role. These political parties had nothing to gain financially and I offered to even relinquish the position after a few meetings had taken place and the airport was over the line, but they chose to select a councillor that lost his seat in 2014 and a newly elected councillor instead.

"I honestly just hope that they have the best intentions for Waterford and the airport," concluded Cllr Griffin.
Eoin Reynolds

A tribunal examining how the Defence Forces deals with claims of abuse, including allegations of sexual assaults and torture, has invited members, civilians and civil servants to come forward and tell their stories.

Ms Justice Ann Power formally opened the inquiry on Monday afternoon at the Tribunal's headquarters on George's Lane, near Smithfield in Dublin.

She called on anyone with knowledge, documents or information relevant to the tribunal to submit a written statement before August 16th.

She said that some people have already indicated their willingness to come forward but others may have chosen not to do so until now.

"This is the opportunity to be heard," she said. "To participate in the fact-finding process that aims to establish the truth about the complaints' process and the culture around the making of specific complaints in the Defence Forces."

Whether a person has had a negative or positive experience, whether they have something damaging or constructive to say, Ms Justice Power asked people to "come forward and assist the tribunal in establishing the truth".

While she acknowledged that people may be reluctant to share private, sensitive, confidential or personal information, the tribunal will only allow interference with privacy rights where it is "necessary and proportionate".

She said it is not possible to guarantee absolute confidentiality, but the tribunal will approach such matters with sensitivity and will only disclose to third parties where it is required by law.

Statements

The first stage of the process will be for statements to be gathered from those with relevant information.

The tribunal will then assess that information and determine what evidence it must inquire into.

At phase three, the tribunal will notify all those affected by the relevant evidence, and they will be given an opportunity to consider it.

Phase four will consist of oral hearings where witnesses may be cross-examined "should the need arise," Ms Justice Power said.

The judge emphasised that the tribunal is inquisitorial, not adversarial, and "it is not about winning or losing but establishing the truth".

At the final stage, Ms Justice Power will draw up her report and make any recommendations she deems appropriate to the Taoiseach.

Ms Justice Power described the work of the Tribunal as "urgent" and said she will endeavour to complete it within three years.

The tribunal will not make findings of fact regarding any specific allegation and will make no findings of criminality, she said.

Outside the tribunal building, members of the Women of Honour group welcomed the opening statement.

Retired army captain Diane Byrne said: "It's very real now... It's great to see the seriousness of it because it reflects the efforts and the importance of the issues we are raising."

She said the gathering of statements in the coming weeks is vital.

"Putting a voice to something that you have buried, and you have held alone for so long and joining with other people is having a huge effect. So I would ask people to really consider coming forward because the freedom that comes from eliminating that sense of misplaced self-blame or shame that people are feeling, where they have no need to be feeling that, to step out into the light and say, no, it's not okay.

"That's very powerful, and we really hope people take that opportunity, so they can go and live their lives in peace without the weight of trauma hanging around their necks."

Allegations

The tribunal was set up following serious allegations of discrimination, bullying, harassment, physical torture, physical assault, psychological harm, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct within the Defence Forces.

The tribunal will investigate how the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence handled complaints of abuse and whether those who complained suffered reprisals in the form of retaliation, intimidation, penalty or burden.

The tribunal has invited any members present or past, civilians or civil servants who worked with the forces since January 1st, 1983, to come forward.

Those who did not make a formal complaint of abuse at the time, whether due to a perceived culture of fear of retaliation or otherwise, will be permitted to give evidence to the tribunal.

However, Ms Justice Power said it is clear from the terms of reference that the tribunal is not tasked with establishing whether any individual complaint of abuse is well-founded.

The tribunal is also tasked with investigating the response of the Defence Forces and department to complaints about the use of hazardous chemicals at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell.

Anyone with relevant information is invited to email the tribunal at info@toidf.ie or make contact by phone on 01-5391550. Submissions can also be made by post to The Infinity Building, Third Floor, George's Court, George's Lane, Smithfield, Dublin, DO7 E98Y.
Another one is hybrid fulfilment, which folds multiple fulfilment options (from The Iconic or the supplier itself) that minimises the appearance that an item is out of stock. A third method that Calmes says is proving popular is Fulfilled by The Iconic, a blend of drop-shipping and wholesaling in which products are warehoused and couriered by The Iconic while allowing the vendor to retain control over pricing. Becoming more flexible in how it works with brands is both The Iconics biggest opportunity and its greatest challenge. Changing the norms, in general, is the most difficult thing, Calmes said. The real challenge is making sure that the market sees us the way we want to be seen: [as] a differentiator player, e-commerce at scale, and its very focused on fashion. We bring something to the market that nobody else has. The Iconic wants to cement itself as a fashion destination amid higher competition and at a tough time for retail. The Iconic is defending its territory as the leading online retailer amid a very tough trading environment. Cost of living pressures have made shoppers more discerning and more reluctant to open their wallets. As insolvencies hit record highs month after month, fashion labels are collapsing.

Consumers are trading down for more affordable options. People are adding to their wish lists but not necessarily to their carts as they wait for promotions, forcing The Iconic to price-match more often. Thats the hygienics of business. You cant be more expensive than your competitors, said Calmes. If they were to buy two dresses, theyre gonna buy one. Youre seeing that. Its not easy times. Cost of living pressures have also acted as a tailwind for ultra-cheap clothing giants Shein and Temu, which Calmes described as both proof people want to shop on apps and as a threat to the overall retail industry. Return rates are slightly higher  half a percentage point  than what they used to be: some customers have returned items because they couldnt afford it. Amid all of this, Calmes says while shopping frequency is down, basket sizes have grown, and the new platform model is working. Brands that previously drop-shipped had migrated to the fulfilled-by model and had sales improved by 25 per cent, he said. This fulfilment model has also attracted the likes of Spanish brands Bershka and Pull & Bear, which did not have a foothold in the Australian market until recently. That starts the flywheel going, and I think then itll turn into FOMO.

Online fashion retailer The Iconic chief executive Jere Calmes. As The Iconic is an online pure play, Calmes is acutely aware of the importance of staying ahead of the competition. Bricks-and-mortar retailers have understood the importance of having a strong ecommerce offering: department stores David Jones and Myer are pouring more investment into this space. The Iconic has been incorporating artificial intelligence to improve search, chatbots and personalisation and it is eager to flaunt these credentials. What I think is not known is how amazing of a tech company we are. Charting a growth story In its 13 years of operation, The Iconic has never notched a profit on the books. In 2022, it reported losses of more than $11 million, more than double the year before. Calmes signalled this trajectory is shifting now that the business has moved to a platform model, lifting the volume of service fees and deliveries.

For the last 12 years, The Iconics been very focused on growth because of the opportunity of growing in the online world. Were still going to grow, but our focus turns a bit more towards whats the rational type of growth, and how do we grow together with our partners. At the operational level, weve broken even, but it was a decision not to be profitable as a decision actually to go after growth. Loading The Iconic made 116 roles redundant last year. This masthead has previously uncovered issues that plagued the business, including a poor culture where working conditions and pay discrepancies were not paid attention to, which predate Calmes appointment. The chief executive, who said he walked the floor of The Iconics fulfilment centres once a week, said culture was the most important thing in a company and extolled the capabilities of his leadership team.
Four members of the billionaire Hinduja family were found guilty of exploiting poorly paid servants at their Geneva villa, in a damning verdict for the Swiss branch of one of Indias wealthiest and most influential clans.

Family scion Ajay Hinduja, his wife Namrata and his parents Prakash and Kamal illegally took advantage of staff hired in India, paying them wages a fraction of the going rate in Switzerland, Judge Sabina Mascotto said in a ruling.

Billionaire family members Namrata Hinduja (left) and Ajay Hinduja (second from right) received four-year sentences. Credit: AFP

The elder Hindujas  who failed to attend the trial, citing poor health  were both sentenced to 4  years in prison. Ajay and his wife, who were not present in the courtroom, were given four years. All four were acquitted of human trafficking. Despite the judgment, its uncertain whether any of the family will serve jail time.

The Hinduja family sits at the top of the Sunday Times rich list in the UK.
Taylor Swifts boyfriend Travis Kelce made his Eras Tour debut on Sunday, joining the pop star on stage during her third and final show in this leg of the tour at Londons Wembley Stadium.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end has attended a number of Swifts shows, including her first Sydney concert in February, but this marked his first time on stage as part of the official production.

NFL star Travis Kelce (right) dons a top hat and tails to join girlfriend Taylor Swift on stage in London. Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty

Dressed in a morning suit and top hat, Kelce scooped Swift into his arms during the I Can Do It With a Broken Heart transition. This was followed by a jazzy dance routine alongside two of her backup dancers.

Kelces surprise appearance sent fans wild. They quickly posted footage on social media, generally praising Kelce for supporting his partner and giving it his all on stage (particularly where his dance moves were concerned).
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 Portraits of marital hell dont come much more brutal than Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, so you might imagine the last thing a pair of married actors would want to do is risk their own relationship by taking it on. But, boldly throwing caution to the wind, thats precisely what Kat Stewart and David Whiteley are doing as the revival of Edward Albees 1962 play moves from the tiny 80-seat Red Stitch Theatre in St Kilda to the 800-seat Comedy Theatre next month, thus becoming the first production in the companys 23-year history to make the giant leap to the commercial main stage. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, says Stewart of the chance to work with her husband for the first time since 2007. Its a rare gift, Whiteley agrees. We didnt think wed get the chance ever again. Kat Stewart and David Whiteley met at Red Stitch in 2002. Credit: Simon Schluter The pair met at Red Stitch in 2002, when Whiteley  a founding member of the company  auditioned the young marketing graduate turned aspiring actress. They very strategically got me in because then theyd have a publicist, she jokes. When I joined there were 12 actors, and we all did everything. We cleaned the toilets and put the posters up in the front of house. Whenever I did a show I got another actor to do the publicity because it would have been weird otherwise.

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Theyve been together since 2004, and have two children, aged eight and 12. But as Stewarts TV work took off  she won an AFI award and a Logie for her turn as Roberta Williams in the original Underbelly (2008), and was one of the stars of long-running series Offspring and Five Bedrooms  their professional lives diverged. She last performed with Red Stitch in 2010, though she has frequently been back on stage since with the Melbourne Theatre Company. Loading Whiteley, meanwhile, has been a mainstay of Red Stitch, which continues to foster new writing, give opportunities to emerging actors and directors, and produce challenging theatre for a loyal audience. What it hasnt done before is take one if its micro-productions to a major commercial venue (though a couple of shows have enjoyed brief runs at the Arts Centre). The idea of staging one of the classics of 20th-century American theatre was born out of a desire to mark the companys coming of age. This is not a play Red Stitch would usually have done, says Stewart. It was the 21st anniversary, and we were having a drink at the party and being nostalgic about old times, and I said, Id love to come back someday. And [artistic director] Ella [Caldwell] said, Id love you to come back. What if we did something special? So doing a classic was something quite different. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton in a scene from the 1966 film of Edward Albees play. Credit: Warner Brothers/Getty Images For director Sarah Goodes, who oversaw the production mounted on the postage stamp-sized stage at the companys St Kilda home and is also helming its transition to the wide-open space of the Comedy, the idea of pairing Stewart  with whom she had worked at the Melbourne Theatre Company  and Albees bitingly funny work about a couple who love and loathe each other in equal measure was instantly intoxicating.

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Kat said, Im really interested in doing a play about female rage, and I went, youre on. That was the end of the conversation, Goodes says. But revisiting the play never felt like an exercise in dusting off a museum piece. Whats so great about doing the classics is you go, Oh, people have been dealing with the same stuff for years, Goodes says. But also, it isnt just about rage. Its about how much they love each other, and how being alone in a relationship is terrifying. Loading Theres an undeniable frisson in the idea of a real-life couple playing the hard-drinking, twisted game-playing academic George and his wife, Martha, who is just as smart as her husband but doomed by the times to have very few avenues to display it. The most famous rendering of the play was the 1966 film, in which Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor  then three years into the first of their two stormy, obsessive, booze-filled marriages  starred, alongside a young George Segal and Sandy Dennis as the young couple lured into the older pairs toxicity. The film won five Oscars, including for Taylor and Dennis. For Whiteley and Stewart, the biggest challenge has been dovetailing professional and family responsibilities when both parents are at the office at the same time. Logistically its a nightmare, says Stewart. If one of them gets sick ... well, no one can get sick.

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When we get into the theatre, thats fun, thats easy, adds Whiteley. Its just all the other stuff thats hard to organise. But, if we can be candid here for a moment, do you two fight in your real-life relationship? Oh yeah, says Whiteley. How dare you? says Stewart. Kat fights, he quips. I just agree. Phwoah, she scoffs. I think its unhealthy when couples dont fight  it means theyre not engaged. I think its important to fight a bit. We dont fight like George and Martha, though. These guys are off the charts. Its savage. I mean, were not trying to destroy each other. Whiteley says: People ask, do you get confused between your character and your real life?

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And in some breaking news now, Kerry Stokes-controlled Seven West Media, which owns The West Australian newspaper, will make up to 150 jobs redundant as it grapples with a weak advertising market and braces for the end of a lucrative commercial deal with Meta.

The cuts come after the network flagged further cost-cutting exercises in February.

Chief executive Jeff Howard will on Tuesday inform staff of the company-wide cuts, according to a source with direct knowledge of the decision not authorised to speak publicly.

Sevens spokespeople did not respond to a series of questions.

The job cuts are not limited to any one division, with journalists from the television and print divisions, sales and marketing staff, as well as some printing staff to be cut.

It comes less than a week after Howard told a parliamentary inquiry into social media that the network would need to find cost efficiencies should the revenue from its commercial arrangement with Meta dries up this year.

Read more here.
From May 20 to 24, 2024, the WCO conducted a Competency-Based Human Resources diagnostic mission to benefit of the State Customs Committee (SCC) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, with financial support from the Customs Cooperation Funds of Japan and Germany.

This diagnostic mission aimed to provide the SCC with a comprehensive overview of its current human resources situation and offer recommendations for modernizing HR management in line with the WCOs Framework of Practices and Principles on Customs Professionalism. Specifically, the diagnostic aimed to review and assess current HR policies and practices, identify processes and frameworks that add value at every step to ensure excellence in HR for the SCC, and align HR strategically within the organization to establish it as a valuable partner.

The diagnostic involved meetings and interviews with multiple department heads and engagement sessions with employees from various units, the Customs Academy, the Dog Training Centre, airport operations, seaport operations, and other internal stakeholders.

At the end of the mission, the Chairman of the SCC, Mr. Shahin Baghirov, expressed his commitment to the WCO Competency-Based HRM approach and thanked the WCO Secretariat for its ongoing support in modernizing the SCC.

For more information on the WCO Human Resources Management and Development Programme, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.
The first national litter survey of 2024 by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) shows Castlebar is cleaner than European norms. The county town has been ranked sixth out of 40 Irish towns and cities surveyed.

The study reveals an overall improvement in litter levels, and a decrease in cans and plastic bottles on our streets on foot of the new Deposit Return Scheme.

The report found that Castlebars approach routes were presented well, creating a positive first impression of the town.

This was sustained for the majority of the remaining sites surveyed, and there were no heavily littered sites.

The An Taisce report said it was "another very strong showing from Castlebar".

Sligo town was ranked 8th and was deemed "Cleaner than European Norms"

Galway city centre securing 21st place, and described as "Cleaner than European Norms"

Roscommon town was "Moderately littered in 34th place and Galway Iner City  was at the very bottom of the rankings.
A Mayo legal firm is celebrating a major success in the annual Irish Law Awards 2024.

Swinford-based P OConnor & Son, scooped the accolade of Law Firm of the Year 2024 (Regional Connaught/Ulster).

There was a double success as Managing Partner, Samantha Geraghty was named Practitioner of the Year (Regional Connaught Ulster).

The annual Irish Law Awards aim to recognise excellence in Irelands legal profession.

The 2024 Dye & Durham Irish Law Awards Winners were revealed at a gala awards ceremony in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin, hosted by Ivan Yates.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Geraghty said the latest awards could be attributed to the tremendous efforts of the entire team at the firm.

Ms Geraghty is a former recipient of the Irish Language Practitioner of the Year award.

The Irish Law Awards aim to identify, honour and publicise outstanding achievements, while also recognising those who have dedicated their lives to serving in the legal profession.

The annual event is designed to recognise excellence in the legal profession in Ireland, commending the achievements of lawyers.

Staffed by a highly qualified team of solicitors, legal executives and legal secretaries, P OConnor & Son, founded in 1900, provides a comprehensive range of legal services and advice.

Among the many accolades secured by the firm over the decades was the Quality Mark for services and the Irish Quality Associations National Award for services.The firm was the first in Mayo to achieve these awards.
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
Pathfinder to illuminate the path for more women

A woman of many firsts, Prof. Nthabiseng Audrey Ogude has been appointed CEO of the Female Academic Leaders Fellowship programme.

Ogude is a groundbreaker who has more than 30 years experience in higher education. The Analytical Chemist and Science Educator took her seat on 1 June 2024 and brings critical skills into the position having climbed to the highest echelons of academia  both as an educator and a leader.

Launched in 2021, the Female Academic Leaders Fellowship (FALF) programme advocates and provides financial support and mentorship to African and mixed-race (coloured) South African women. The main objective is to transform the racial and gender profile of academic leaders and transform knowledge production and promote inclusion and equity.

Professor Ogude has held senior management positions as Vice-President of the Pan African University, Vice-Chancellor at Tshwane University of Technology, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Learning and Student Affairs at the University of Pretoria, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic (Research and Teaching & Learning) at the former University of Port Elizabeth as well as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation) at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. She was the first Black woman to hold these strategic leadership positions.

Ogude says her current position feels like a dream come true and is an opportunity to continue contributing to women empowerment. Having left for exile with her parents shortly after the 1960 Sharpeville massacre, Ogude says she was devastated upon her return to witness the legacy of apartheid.

Growing up in Lesotho (where she completed her BSc degree), I was always surrounded by women scientists. Black women scientists were also common at the University of Nairobi where she read for her Masters in Analytical Chemistry. It was thus both a moment of triumph and sadness when she became the first Black woman to receive a PhD degree in Chemistry at Wits University in 1992.

Although she knew that apartheid was aimed at keeping black people intellectually and materially inferior, the full gravity and extent of its impact only dawned on her, on her return. She was disturbed on realising how it impacted on her students and how females of her generation were disenfranchised by being denied a decent education. Just because of the time and place they were born, Somebody decided their future, she says referring to the apartheid regime which limited the educational attainment of the African population.

Her belief system was severely tested by the intractable legacies of apartheid and resolved that as black women we should not allow such injustice to happen again.

Her upbringing and ascent in academia is captured in her book The Making of a Sharpeville Girl: Narratives of Educational Experiences in Exile and on the Return to South Africa, published by Staging Post in 2023.

Progress but limited mobility

Although the face of academia is changing, the mobility of women into strategic positions is still a problem, she says.

In her role as the CEO and working closely with the FALF Board, she will provide strategic leadership and direction to FALF and ensure that its mission and vision remain compelling. Key to her role will be to manage the Fellowship Programme and ensure that it continues to grow to all 26 public universities and become sustainable.

Dr Judy Dlamini, Wits Chancellor and Founder of FALF says it is an honour to have someone of Prof. Ogudes calibre with a passion for upliftment, lead the FALF organisation.

While all public universities have initiatives to redress what was well structured and implemented apartheid policies, none use an intersectional approach to transformation. As shown by several studies the current approach that assumes that all women are the same leads to inequitable benefits for different racial groups, leaving African and Coloured South African women at the bottom of the value chain.

South Africas commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), especially SDG 5 and 10, require an approach that prioritises those that are most left behind, first. This is what FALF seeks to achieve starting at Wits University and scaling to all 26 public universities with the next three years. FALF is on track to have 100 Fellows in her first five years, with 91 after only four years. The FALF CEO will lead the launch of two Research Chairs, the GBVF Research Chair at Wits and the Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion Research Chair which will be hosted at Tshwane University of Technology. We look forward to Prof. Ogudes leadership, growing FALF to be a national movement, explains Dlamini.

Ogude is passionate about mentoring academic leaders especially women to succeed and excel in their careers. She has wide experience in teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, has several papers published in accredited journals. Her research interests are in the areas of science / chemistry education, women in science, student access and success, higher education policy, and academic management and leadership. She is an American Council on Higher Education Fellow, a member of several professional organizations and served as chairperson and member of several university committees and external Councils and Boards.

A full life

She is married to Professor James Ogude, Director of the Centre for Advancement of Scholarship at the University of Pretoria and has two children, Dr Didi Refiloe Ogude, a lecturer at Oxford University, London and Dr Omondi Thabo Ogude, an Oncologist based at Sandton Oncology Clinic. She is a proud grandmother of three children, Leo, Mila and Naia.

Read related articles

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Global pandemic treaty will help fight future threats

The 194 member states of the WHO are negotiating a pandemic accord, only the second health accord after the 2003 convention against tobacco.

For the past two years the World Health Organizations 194 member states have been negotiating an international accord on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. This was driven by the need to ensure the world is better prepared for future pandemics.

The outcome of the government-led negotiations was presented to the annual meeting of the World Health Assembly in May 2024 and countries required more time to develop this first-ever global pandemic accord. Negotiations have been extended until May 2025.

Precious Matsoso was appointed co-chair of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body, which was established after governments decided, in December 2021, to develop an international pandemic agreement. She has more than 25 years of executive management experience in health matters, both nationally and internationally.

She tells Nadine Dreyer about the complexities of drafting the accord and why she is optimistic about getting the deal done.

Why do we need a pandemic accord?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, inequitable vaccine distribution protected people in the global north but left the worlds poorest at the back of the queue.

Problems arose when high-income countries were accused of stockpiling pharmaceuticals for domestic use, curbing other nations supplies.

One analysis estimated that 1.3 million people died in lower-income countries because of inequitable distribution of vaccines.

In the first seven months of the worldwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign, more than 80% of the doses were concentrated in high-income and upper-middle-income countries.

At the heart of the proposed accord is the need to ensure equity in access to the tools needed to prevent pandemics and in access to healthcare for all people.

This historic treaty will be only the second such health accord after the 2003 Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, a treaty which aims to reduce smoking around the world.

What successes have been achieved so far?

The very first article of the accord that got the green light was one that dealt with human resources, the health workforce. Im very pleased it at least guarantees these workers will be protected.

Remember, theyre the front line. So when we have vaccines, they must be the first to get them. Weve also added conditions like decent work, safe working conditions and so on.

And then there is finance. There, negotiations are almost done.

Without finance we dont have a treaty.

If you go back to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the reasons countries failed was that preparedness was grossly underfunded. But it wasnt just about financing for preparedness; some countries did not have sufficient funds to respond to COVID.

There needs to be a proper finance coordinating mechanism.

There has been a debate about whether to create a new funding mechanism or to reform the Pandemic Fund.

This fund, launched in 2022 by the World Bank, was the first multilateral financing mechanism dedicated to providing grants to help low- and middle-income countries become better prepared for future pandemics.

Theres one argument that instead of creating a new fund, we need to establish how to make the Pandemic Fund work most effectively and equitably, reform its governance and address criticisms that decision-making was left in the hands of a small group of predominantly wealthy nations and philanthropies.

Others have argued that there is still a need for additional funding. The argument put forward is that member states cant just ask for money. They must also invest in pandemic preparedness. There must also be a systematic way of identifying gaps. There are also provisions that allow for domestic financing as countries cant just wait for handouts; its a sign of commitment on their part.

Proper assessments have to be conducted to identify gaps.

But we have people and we have money, so at least you can do something towards fighting future pandemics.

What are the remaining stumbling blocks?

This depends on whether you see the glass half full or half empty. I see the glass as half full.

My view is that some negotiators, because of their ideology, will still hold the same position even when given extensions. Ten years later they will stick to their positions.

This means we needed to find another way of resolving this.

We started seeing different groups being formed such as Friends of the Treaty, created to push for the pandemic treaty as at the time perceptions were that others were not serious about the accord. Others, like the Group for Equity, mainly from developing countries, argued for pathogen access and benefit-sharing on an equal footing.

Friends of One Health, mostly from Europe and the UK, wanted the whole agreement to be framed by One Health, a concept which looks at the relationship between people, animals, plants and our environment.

There was a call for informal meetings among member states where they could negotiate among themselves. The beauty of informal meetings and consultations was that it encouraged dialogue because I also think we were dealing with trust issues.

The developed countries, including the US, with a handful of developing countries like South Africa, felt very strongly about supply chain and logistics: identifying medicines and vaccines and quantities needed, and transparency in cost, pricing and other relevant data on products, including raw materials.

Two of the most difficult negotiations centre on a Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System and technology transfer.

Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing System: disagreements centre on sharing information about pathogens that cause pandemics and a formula for global sharing of vaccines and medicine during international health emergencies. The African region and Group for Equity were adamant that without pathogen sharing there would be no pandemic treaty. They wanted access to genetic resources and pathogen samples from developing countries to be met with the shared benefits that were produced by them, such as vaccines and diagnostics.

Technical transfer: this is geographically diversified production through mechanisms such as compulsory licensing and product information, in particular for the benefit of developing countries. Developed countries have voiced support for voluntary technology transfer goals in the agreement, but they have been critical of including language that requires mandatory technology transfer.

When we started the whole process, the World Health Assembly said before we wrote anything on paper we had to get input from all 194 countries. The member states had to tell us what substantive elements had to be included in the pandemic treaty, which was complex as obviously there were diverse views, different perspectives and priorities with tight deadlines. It was a highly prescriptive process with tight deadlines

So throughout the process all 194 member states have stated their positions on all the articles of the treaty. Some wanted gender included in the wording of the treaty, some dont. Some want equity language, liability, and compensation provisions. Others dont.

The complexity was: how do we come up with something that will be acceptable to all parties? Clearly, the Pandemic Treaty has to be balanced but not weak. If you have very weak text, that is not going to be helpful at all. Nothing will change, it will just be maintaining the status quo.

So we need a bit of time to find alternative language and to find ways to convince some about outstanding issues.

I am confident that we can come to an agreement and complete this treaty within the next year.

Precious Matsoso, Academic and treaty negotiator, University of the Witwatersrand. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Senedd backs plan for British Sign Language Bill to improve deaf access

This article is old - Published: Monday, Jun 24th, 2024

The Senedd backed plans to introduce a bill to encourage the use of British sign language and improve access to public services for deaf people.

Mark Isherwood said his proposed British sign language (BSL) legislation would give deaf people a real voice in the design and delivery of services.

He told the Senedd that if the bill fails to become law, Wales will be the only part of the UK that is not covered by a specific BSL law.

The North Wales MS welcomed the UKs 2022 British Sign Language Act but pointed out that the reporting and guidance duties do not apply to Wales.

Mr Isherwood, who won a ballot among MSs to propose the bill, said: Existing legislation does not meet the needs of the deaf community and BSL signers.

Flourish

The Conservative explained the bill would establish a BSL commissioner, with the same powers as the Welsh language commissioner.

This would show a significant message of support to the BSL signing community, he said.

Mr Isherwood told the chamber the bill would place a duty on the Welsh Government to publish an annual report on progress in promoting and facilitating the use of BSL.

He quoted the British Deaf Association: BSL is not just a language  it is also a gateway to learning and the means whereby deaf people survive and flourish in a hearing world.

Mr Isherwood estimated the annual cost of the bill at about 800,000 for the first five years, stressing that early intervention and prevention will reduce cost pressures on other services.

Not needed

Lesley Griffiths suggested the Welsh Government will not support the opposition bill as Mr Isherwood attempts to navigate the Senedds legislative process.

Wales social justice secretary said: While I fully appreciate the intention behind this bill, I do not think it is needed. We can  and have  made significant progress without a bill.

Ms Grifiths pointed out that the Welsh Government did not need a bill to include BSL in Wales new curriculum or to ensure BSL/English interpreters at press conferences.

She said: We can, and we will, use policy levers to create effective change and equality, adding that Welsh ministers recognised BSL as a language of Wales in 2004.

Ms Griffiths raised the role of the disability rights taskforce which was set up following a report, entitled Locked out, about the impact of the pandemic on disabled people.

Clear gap

Plaid Cymrus Sioned Williams said Wales cannot rely on the goodwill of organisations alone, warning the lack of standards on BSL is a clear gap in our legislative framework.

She said: More widely, this is an example of the wide-ranging social barriers that face the deaf community in Wales, which become clear, very often, very early on in their lives.

The shadow social justice secretary raised alarm about the lack of any accredited auditory verbal therapists, who provide specialist early intervention for deaf children.

Ms Williams said deaf learners are 26% less likely to gain GCSE grades A* to C in English, Welsh and maths, compared with their hearing contemporaries.

She raised concerns about unequal access to health care, warning: This puts their health at risk, undermines their human rights and dignity, and is a clear example of inequality.

Excluded

Sam Rowlands paid tribute to Mr Isherwood, who chairs cross-party groups on disability, deaf issues and autism, for his campaigning during two decades as a Senedd member.

The shadow health secretary argued his Conservative colleagues bill has the potential to revolutionise the lives of deaf people in Wales.

Mr Rowlands told the chamber his mum has been learning British sign language in Wrexham but she has reached a point where more advanced courses are not available.

The North Wales MS said: Its struck me and my family that theres a chance to consider how we include deaf people and how we can play our part in learning BSL.

Its simply not right or fair that deaf people are excluded from too many parts of life because of their disability.

Obstacles

Peredur Owen Griffiths raised Welsh Womens Aids concerns that a lack of BSL support prevents women at risk of, or experiencing, domestic abuse from seeking help.

The Plaid Cymru MS for South Wales East warned that around 22 deaf women are at risk every day but they continue to face significant barriers when accessing support.

He said: These communication barriers cause additional obstacles for survivors wanting to access help and support, making it more difficult for them to leave perpetrators.

He backed a reporting requirement, saying: What gets measured gets done, so putting a duty on reporting is so important in creating a culture where use of BSL is embedded.

In closing, Mr Owen Griffiths asked: Parity between Welsh and English is enshrined in law, so why not add a third Welsh language, BSL?

Betrayal

Natasha Asghar, who also represents South Wales East, said she attended a basic BSL course in Newport, which was a hugely exciting as well as beneficial experience.

She warned: Many deaf BSL signers have a lower reading age than the general population as a result of linguistic exclusion. This in turn can lead to social exclusion.

Replying to the debate, Mr Isherwood said it would be a matter of shame and a gross betrayal if Wales was the only part of the UK not covered by specific BSL legislation.

Members voted 24-16 to allow Mr Isherwood to introduce the bill, with three Labour backbenchers  Alun Davies, Rhianon Passmore and Buffy Williams  abstaining.

With the Senedds backing, the BSL bill now moves to stage one of the legislative process but a series of crunch votes loom on the horizon before it can become law.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
Are you a flight attendant at American, Alaskan, United Airlines or another carrier? Tell us what your working conditions are like and what youre demanding in the next contract by filling out the form below. All submissions will be kept anonymous.

A pair of American Airlines jets are parked on the airport apron at Miami International Airport in Miami. [AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee]

Contract talks between American Airlines and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) end Thursday without reaching an agreement.

After years of bargaining, including almost a year of mediated talks with the assistance of the National Mediation Board, and despite the Unions best efforts, American Airlines did not come to the table with an agreement that adequately compensates Americans 28,000 Flight Attendants, said APFA National President Julie Hedrick. Flight Attendants will move the process forward to secure overdue economic improvements.

American airlines released a statement as well on Thursday declaring an agreement was within reach and that it looked forward to additional [talks] being scheduled.

Flight attendants at American are fighting for their first raise since January 1, 2019, when their last contract expired. They are also demanding retroactive pay for the period of delayed talks caused by the lockdowns in the early stages of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The end of talks takes the 28,000 flight attendants one step closer to a national strike. Flight attendants right to strike is highly restricted under the Railway Labor Act, which also covers workers in the airline industry. The law, first signed in 1926 and amended in 1934 and 1936, mandates an extensive, byzantine mediation process designed to prevent workers from striking. Under conditions where workers right to strike is severely limited and controlled by the pro-corporate government, this invariably results in contracts impose which are favorable to the companies, as the law is designed to do.

In extreme cases, arbitration ends with work rules being imposed directly by Washington through a strike ban. This happened in the railroad industry in early December 2022 when self-described pro-labor President Joe Biden signed into law a dictatorial bill to impose a contract on rail workers which tens of thousands of railroad workers previously voted to reject.

The National Mediation Board (NMB), which has been overseeing negotiations between American Airlines and the APFA during this stage, has a flow chart that describes the process. According to this, American Airlines flight attendants could be on strike in 30 days, if allowed to do so by government mediators.

If the NMB declares an impasse and releases the APFA from mediation, it will next suggest voluntary binding arbitration. If either American Airlines or the APFA decline binding arbitration, a 30 day cool-off period will begin while flight attendants continue to work under the rules of the long-expired contract and are unable to take any work action like striking.

If an agreement is still not reached after the cooling off period ends, the parties could be sent back to mediation with the NMB to start a new cycle of negotiations. Another alternative, which happened with the railroad workers in 2022, is that the White House could appoint a Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) to propose a contract. Only if neither of these steps are taken at the end of the 30 day cooling off period would flight attendants be allowed to go on strike. It is clear that the company and federal government will always intend to use the endless provisions of the pro-company RLA to not ever let that happen.

Even if a strike is allowed, the union does not have to call a strike immediately. In 2022, the railroad unions stalled for months after being released from mandatory talks in September, giving Biden and Congress the time they needed to ban the strike before it took place.

The APFA has talked about targeting certain flights that might change daily rather than commit to an all-out strike. This would be similar to the bogus standup strike in the auto industry last year, which affected only a few plants and led to a contract which signed off on thousands of job cuts.

The APFA claims this is so most flight attendants will still get paychecks because the union lacks the funds in a strike fund to pay workers during a strike. The union has also told flight attendants to be prepared to miss credit card payments if they strike, an indication that the bureaucracy is prepared to starve out workers rather than provisioning them adequately for a struggle.

The union does not want to strike, is not prepared to strike, and is attempting to persuade their members it is in their interests not to go on strike. Killing a strike before it happens benefits management and the union bureaucracys cozy relationship with both management and politicians on Capitol Hill.

The situation has been created intentionally to show workers that it is in their best interests to capitulate to American Airlines managements demands for austerity for workers and record profits for shareholders.

American Airlines management is well aware they can rely on the APFA bureaucracy to postpone strike action by enforcing the mediation stages of the RLA until either workers give up and accept a sell-out contract, or until one is imposed upon them.

There is an established pattern where airline unions drag out negotiations for years, wearing down workers resistance by accommodating endless management extensions and delays. A totally inadequate contract deal is eventually announced with a hasty vote called, where workers are only given contract highlights to make their decisions. If the agreement is voted down, it is simply repackaged during further negotiations until the pro-company deal can be rammed through the weakened resistance.

The last strike by any flight attendants in the United States was 31 years ago, in 1993, when American Airlines flight attendants struck for four days. Since then, pay and working conditions have continually worsened in the intervening years.

Instead of waging a united struggle for better pay and conditions, the airline unions have ensured that airline workers are separated from each other by job roles and companies, laboring under work rules from separate contracts with staggered expiration dates. Likewise, the unions have kept airline workers separated from workers in other industries, including other transportation workers in other industries and parts of the world who share very similar conditions and struggles.

United Airlines and Alaska Airlines are also in negotiations for flight attendant contracts that are intentionally staggered to benefit airline management, with the lowest common denominator contract that is possible. They will attempt to drag out negotiations until American Airlines beats down their employees with the lowest contract they can manage to make workers accept.

United and Alaska will then take that contract as the new industry standard and either exceed it to show that they are industry-leading or attempt to undercut it using Americans industry-leading contract as an excuse. Either way, workers at all the airlines lose in this scenario.

The struggle at American Airlines will have repercussions throughout the industry. Flight attendants at American Airlines need to realize this and fight to unite across the industry with other workers for a common fight for adequate wages and working conditions.

Workers need to oppose this union-management-government conspiracy in order to win their demands. In order to wage this struggle, workers need their own organizations, under their own control where they have a democratic say in their own lives.

These organizations are called rank-and-file committees, where workers can discuss their issues in a democratic manner and plan their struggles. Rank-and-file committees must then wage the broadest struggle possible, uniting workers from different airlines, industries, and countries. Only by waging their struggles independently and united with other workers can they avoid betrayals by organizations with different interests from their own and win their demands.
Two thousand residents rallied in the country town of Mansfield in Victoria on June 15 to oppose threats to their local hospital after the state health department told 20 small health services their funding would be cut by up to 30 percent.

Local residents in Mansfield protest on June 15, 2024 against Victorian Labor government funding cuts to regional hospitals [Photo: Instagram/annabelle4euroa]

The substantial turnout, in a town with a population of only around 4,000, reflects growing hostility to the slashing of health, education and other social spending by Labor governments at the state and federal level. This is part of a broader austerity agenda, including cuts to jobs and real wages throughout the public sector.

The latest round of cuts will exacerbate an already dire shortage of staff and resources throughout the health system, but especially acute in rural and regional areas. This is a direct result of decades of funding cuts and privatisation, in which Labor governments and the health unions have played the central role.

A similar event was held on Saturday in Yea, with a future protest planned in Alexandra. Some rural health services had their funding slashed by millions of dollars.

One health service CEO told the Standard, a Warrnambool newspaper, that the level of cuts depended on how much cash the service had in reserve. Basically, if you had money put away, you had your funding slashed.

Mary-Anne Thomas, the state Labor governments health minister, disingenuously denied that any hospitals would close, but flagged mergers.

We have more health services than the rest of Australia combined. NSW [New South Wales] has 16 or 17. Queensland is similar. One of the issues associated with that is variations in care that can compromise safety, she declared.

In fact, a NSW parliamentary inquiry into rural, regional and remote healthcare in August 2021 pinpointed the disastrous health outcomes in that states health networks. These included patients facing significant problems in accessing care, and critical staff shortages, including some emergency departments having no doctors.

In Victoria, an advisory board led by Bob Cameron, who is chair of statutory government body WorkSafe, has been considering optionsi.e., amalgamations of the hospitals. This includes reducing the number of health services from 76 down to 12, six in Melbourne and six in rural areas. A foregone conclusion has undoubtedly been reached, with all that remains a public announcement of the decision.

Several austerity measures had already been announced before the latest plan to claw back the meagre cash reserves these facilities had not been forced to spend.

Administrative cuts were imposed in early February, with some hospitals told to cut back-of-house costs by up to 50 percent. Some health services were also ordered early this month to create budget action plans by the end of June without any funding guidance or targets.

Mansfield residents oppose Labor government cuts attacks on regional hospitals [Photo: Facebook/Hands off Mansfield Hospital - Our Community, Our Choice]

Many small health services are heavily dependent on community fundraising to build up funds for necessary life-saving equipment. This money, however, makes up the cash reserves that they are now being told by the health department to use for day-to-day operations.

As one rural nurse explained to the World Socialist Web Site: A poster at the front of the town says, Were raising money for a life-saving ventilator at the hospital. This means we all need to get out and volunteer to raise money for an essential life-saving piece of equipment in a rural town. Are you kidding me?

Our medical centre hasnt enough money, which means that if I go and ask for an upgrade of our blood pressure machinesproper ones that take three measurements and average them outthen the hospital goes to the op shop [charity store] to get it to raise money for the hospital. It is so outrageous.

Im so over this business of spending my weekends volunteering. Its a fantastic initiative by our wonderful community to raise money for the hospital, but what a sad state of affairs it is when our taxes cant cover essential medical equipment for a rural town.

[The government] will make it so your health services cant function because it restricts where you can put your funding. And then suddenly, you cant fund certain things. Youll lose your doctor and once that happens you cant run a hospital. Itll be just [closures] by stealth.

There used to be a saying when I was growing up that it would be a good day when the defence department has to go out to have a cake stall to raise money for their fighter jets, rather than the kindergarten or the school having to do it, she said.

The World Socialist Web Site also spoke to a general practitioner in one of the regional cities where some smaller hospitals would be amalgamated. She explained that this would exacerbate existing problems.

We already need more funding. We have a very small emergency department; people wait six to eight hours and still are not seen. Its a terrible situation.

When I send patients for an orthopaedic appointment its a two-year waiting list, and with nose and throat issues theres no way they can see anybody. We dont have an eye surgeon, a dermatologist or a neurologist in the hospital, so patients need to go to Melbourne. The wait time to see a psychiatrist is nine months and twelve months for a paediatrician. Everything has a waiting list.

Its worse in Victoria than in Queensland so a lot of my elderly patients go to Queensland for the three months of winter. They get their knee surgeries and hip replacements done there because the waiting list isnt as long.

The situation in the rural and regional areas is very grim. We dont have a vascular surgeonone comes from Melbourne once a monthor a plastic surgeon, and we need urology. The government needs to increase the incentive for those doctors to come to rural areas but instead they cut, which is not right.

The doctor said rural and regional hospitals already had difficulties finding beds for patients, I had a patient with a pulmonary embolism and they had to keep him in emergency until they found him a bed, and then they put him in the COVID area. One patient had a miscarriage but they had to put her in the paediatric ward because they couldnt find a bed.

On what basis are they [the health department] making all these assessments and decisions? she asked.

The opposition to health funding cuts demonstrated by the rallies in rural Victoria is significant. But to go forward, this must be linked with a political and industrial struggle by health workers, across the state and more broadly, against Labors deepening attacks on their jobs, wages and conditions, and on the public health system itself.

This is impossible within the framework of the trade union bureaucracy. The announcement of the hospital budget cuts has been met with a deafening silence from the state leadership of the health unions, even though the threatened amalgamations would slash jobs.

The Victorian Labor government, which is cutting rural hospital budgets, is also seeking to further slash the real wages of public-sector nurses throughout the state. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation is collaborating closely with Labor to impose these cuts, and has done nothing to mobilise workers against the governments attack on rural health funding and jobs.

This underscores the need for health workers to build new organisations, rank-and-file committees, in hospitals and other health facilities. These are the only mechanism through which health workers, along with affected local residents, can fight to reverse decades of attacks on public health by capitalist governments that subordinate the health and lives of the working class to the profit interests of the corporate elite.

Above all, what is posed is a fight for a political alternative, socialism, under which societys vast resources can be used to provide free health care of the highest quality, along with secure, well-paid full-time jobs for all workers.
Four people were killed and 144 were injured Sunday when a US-made long-range missile fired from Ukraine released cluster bomblets over a busy beach in Sevastopol, Crimea.

Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev said 82 people were hospitalized and 27 children were injured.

Rubble and scattered beach toys on Sevastopol beach following missile attack, June 23, 2024. [Photo: RT]

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed the targeting of the beachgoers was deliberate, saying:

Responsibility for the deliberate missile attack on the civilians of Sevastopol is borne above all by Washington, which supplied these weapons to Ukraine, and by the Kyiv regime, from whose territory this strike was carried out.

Russias Defense Ministry claimed that four US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles were shot down mid-air over Crimea, and that one released its bomblets, killing and wounding the beachgoers. It claimed that the coordinates for the ATACMS missiles were transmitted by US spy satellites.

Fallen cluster munitions hit the beach. There is a high density of people there, hence there are so many victims, one Russian think tank analyst told Sputnik News.

Sputnik reported: At the moment when ATACMS were launched at Sevastopol, a US RQ-4 Global Hawk long-range surveillance drone was detected over the Black Sea.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called for Russia to retaliate, saying he hopes the USA will burn in hell ... in earthly fire. Medvedev declared: The bastards from the USA supply missiles with cluster charges to [Ukrainian fascist Stepan] Banderas supporters and help guide them to the target.

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill noted that the attack occurred on the Eastern Orthodox holiday of Trinity Sunday, declaring: There was no justification whatsoever for a missile strike on civilians.

The assault on Sevastopol is the latest in a series of escalatory moves by the US intended to open the entirety of Russia up for strikes by US-provided weapons launched from Ukraine.

In April, the Biden administration began supplying Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, which have a 300-kilometer (186-mile) range, while claiming they would not be used for strikes inside Russia itself.

Last month, the US expanded the rules of engagement for its weapons, with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan declaring that Ukrainian forces were free to target Russian forces anywhere inside Russia.

In an interview with PBS, Sullivan was asked if US permission to strike Russia extends beyond the Kharkiv region, including into the Sumy region where Russian forces have also been targeting Ukraine? Sullivan replied:

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. That has happened in Kharkiv, and weve seen initial indications that Russia has made exploratory moves across in Sumy. And so it would apply there as well. This is not about geography. ... 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.

In 2022, Biden published an op-ed in the New York Times titled, What America Will and Will Not Do in Ukraine, which declared: We are not encouraging or enabling Ukraine to strike beyond its borders.

In May, the New York Times explained the implications of Bidens decision to allow Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia, stating:

Since the first American shipments of sophisticated weapons to Ukraine, President Biden has never wavered on one prohibition: President Volodymyr Zelensky had to agree to never fire them into Russian territory, insisting that would violate Mr. Bidens mandate to avoid World War III. But the consensus around that policy is fraying.

The strike follows the announcement by the White House earlier this month that the US is moving to abandon all numerical constraints on the deployment of nuclear weapons.

All these escalatory moves form the backdrop of the upcoming July 9-11 NATO summit in Washington, which is expected to announce a major expansion of direct US/NATO involvement and participation in the Ukraine war, including the possible deployment of ground troops.

In May, US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Q. Brown told the New York Times that the NATO military alliance will eventually send significant numbers of active-duty NATO troops to Ukraine, which the newspaper said meant the deployment was inevitable.

The latest attack came as the Ukrainian government continued to press more people to fight on the front lines. In a rare honest portrayal of the terror to which Ukraines young men are subjected, the New York Times reported that as officers scour the countrys cities to draft men of military age, currently 25 to 60, many young men have gone into hiding, fearful that conscription is a one-way ticket to the front line.

The Times quoted one 28-year-old web developer as saying: Im afraid I wont get enough training, and then Ill be moved closer to the front and then Ill die senselessly.

The Times commented:

Those fears are backed by some military analysts, who say that Ukrainian troops often lack adequate training, which makes it difficult for Kyiv to hold its lines as they are quickly sent into battle to replace combat losses.

Amid the escalating NATO-backed attacks inside Russia, there are indications that the Russian government is moving to change its official military doctrine to make the decision to launch nuclear weapons more rapid.

On Sunday, RIA Novosti quoted Andrei Kartapolov, the head of the Russian lower house of parliaments defense committee, who raised the prospect of changing the terms under which nuclear weapons can be used.

If we see that the challenges and threats increase, it means that we can correct something in (the doctrine) regarding the timing of the use of nuclear weapons and the decision to make this use, RIA quoted Kartapolov as saying.
Quebecs ruling elite is relentlessly stepping up its campaign of nationalist, anti-immigrant incitement. This is a key element in its response to the mounting social anger exemplified by the recent wave of public sector strikes and the ongoing demonstrations at multiple universities across Canada against the genocide of Palestinians perpetrated by the extreme right-wing Israeli regime with the full support of Washington and Ottawa.

Premier Francois Legaults national-autonomist Quebec First Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) is vying with Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondons pro-independence Parti Quebecois (PQ) to see who can be more extreme and inflammatory in their denunciations of immigrants as the source of myriad social problemsall with the purpose of obscuring their real cause, the failure of capitalism.

For its part, Quebec Solidaire (QS)the pseudo-left organization that is the third-party in the Quebec National Assemblyhas timidly criticized the virulent tone of the CAQ and PQs anti-immigrant rhetoric. However, it is lending legitimacy to their xenophobic positions. QS is particularly indulgent towards the PQ, with which it shares the reactionary independantiste perspective of establishing a capitalist Quebec republic that would be a member of imperialist war alliances like NATO and NORAD and the Canada-US-Mexico trade bloc.

On May 29, PQ Member of the National Assembly Pascal Berube tabled a motion in the Quebec legislature aimed at providing democratic legitimacy to the anti-immigrant agitation. It affirmed that debates on immigration policies and reception conditions in Quebec are desirable and legitimate and advocating a reduction in immigration levels is not a form of intolerance. QS blocked the motions adoption on the grounds that the two amendments it proposed had been rejected by the PQ.

After the PQ denounced QS on X (the former Twitter) for scuttling its motion, QS immigration spokesman Guillaume Cliche-Rivard rushed to mend fences with the PQ and adapt to its anti-immigrant campaign. This included grossly lying about the PQs xenophobia and declaring his partys sympathy for its anti-immigrant policies: Lets be very clear, the Parti Quebecois is not intolerant on the issue of immigration, declared Cliche-Rivard. Quebec Solidaire itself is suggesting a reduction in temporary immigration.

The PQ published this image as part of its attack on Quebec Solidaire for blocking its National Assembly motion affirming the legitimacy of its anti-immigrant agitation. [Photo: PQ/X (Twitter)]

QS leader Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois subsequently added his own apologia for the PQ, with the claim that there is a distinction between the PQs declamations against immigrants and portrayal of them as a threat to the Quebec nation and the intolerant rhetoric of far-right figures like Donald Trump and Marine Le Pen. In reality, the openly anti-immigrant chauvinism of Quebecs ruling class is part of an international phenomenon and is animated by the same fundamental class aims to sow confusion within and split the working class.

All over the world, in response to the crisis of the capitalist system and the growing opposition of the working class to its reactionary policies of austerity and war, the ruling class is turning to the far right, adopting authoritarian forms of rule and attacking the democratic rights of immigrants and the entire population.

Xenophobic agitation not only serves to scapegoat immigrants for the social crisis and divide the working class. It also provides a pretext for strengthening the repressive powers of the state.

This phenomenon is not limited to the far right, such as Trumps Republican Party or Le Pens Rassemblement National in France. In the United States, Democratic President Joe Biden has just issued an executive order to abolish, in contravention of international law, the right to asylum for migrants crossing the border between the United States and Mexico.

Similarly, the entire ruling class in Quebec and across Canada has launched a full-scale campaign against immigrants as part of a broader assault on democratic rights.

Recent months have seen a pronounced shift in the discourse of the national political elite and mainstream media in English Canada. Claims that Canadas immigration system is broken are now omnipresent, and prominent politicians like Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are ever more explicitly blaming the housing crisis and collapsing public services on supposedly excessive levels of immigration.

In Quebec, the ruling elite has not only blamed immigrants for the housing crisis and chronic underfunding of the public education and health systems. They also associate them with crime and generally present them as a threat to the Quebec nation. The most virulent elements, such as the Journal de Montreal and the leader of the PQ, go so far as to speak of a federal government plot to drown French-speaking Quebec in a sea of immigrants who are either English-speaking or hostile to Quebec valuesadvancing what is in effect a Quebec nationalist variant of the fascist Great Replacement canard.

In a new escalation, Quebec Premier and CAQ leader Francois Legault declared in a June 4 radio interview that we have to make a connection between the explosion in the number of asylum seekers and the explosion in the number of homeless people, adding that immigration puts a lot of pressure on our mental health services, homelessness, social assistance, education, everywhere. Later when challenged on this claim, Legault doubled down, insisting that immigrants are 100% responsible for the housing crisis in Quebec.

A demonstration in Montreal against the CAQ's Bill 21, chauvinist legislation which discriminates against religious minorities, especially Muslim women. . [Photo: McGill Students Union/Twitter ]

As for the PQ, it combines the same anti-immigrant rhetoric with increasingly hysterical claims that if the Quebec nation does not become independent by 2030, so as to seize control of its borders and limit the use of English, it will be destroyed. At the PQs national council meeting in April, PQ leader Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondon asserted that the federal government was openly and explicitly planning Quebecs decline, and that it was trying to crush Quebeckers if it couldnt assimilate them.

Questioned in the days that followed about the extreme nature of his remarks, Saint-Pierre Plamondon elaborated on them. Invoking longstanding Quebec nationalist myths based on half-truths and distortions, he claimed that there is an unbroken continuity of federal government/English Canadian attempts to assimilate Quebec, from the deportations and executions of Francophones by the British colonial regime to the current assault.

The PQ fulminations against colonialism are an utter fraud. Like the CAQ government and the entire Quebec elite, it fully supports the predatory actions of Canadian imperialism on the world stage, including Ottawas unwavering backing for the genocide of the Palestinians, its full participation in the US-NATO war against Russia, massive rearmament drive, and its preparations for war against China.

More recently, the PQ has proposed two McCarthyite-style measures to force the population to rally behind its nationalist campaign, under threat of being denounced as disloyal.

First, it tabled a bill in the National Assembly to make the presence of a Quebec flag mandatory in all Quebec classrooms. The bill would also sanction the government appointing inspectors who would be empowered to enter classrooms to verify compliance with the law, paving the way for a regime of denunciation and surveillance worthy of a dictatorship.

Then, in response to a federal report that trumpeted the intelligence agencies lurid and unsubstantiated claims that Canadian democracy is threatened by foreign interference, Saint-Pierre Plamondon laid the blame for the alleged foreign interference on multiculturalism. He said the federal governments multicultural policy had resulted in an ideological drift, which encouraged people resident in Canada to be more loyal to foreign states than to our own society.

The PQ leader went on to menacingly declare that in an independent Quebec, all Quebeckers will be asked to be loyal. He also repeated the propaganda used by US, Canadian and European imperialist governments to justify preparations for a Third World War, claiming without any proof that Quebec was threatened by Russia and by clandestine Chinese police stations.

None of these statements are intolerant enough, however, to lead QS to frankly denounce what can only be called xenophobia. Playing its role as the left flank of bourgeois politics in Quebec, QS limits itself to making a few polite criticisms of the most extreme anti-immigrant rhetoric and only in order to maintain its own increasingly discredited left image.

As the representative of privileged middle-class strata, QS cannot and will not denounce the fundamental reasonsmercenary class interestsbehind the universal turn of the Canadian and Quebec ruling elite towards a type of chauvinism historically associated with and restricted to the far right.

Quebec Solidaire leader Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois (left) and PQ leader Paul St. Pierre-Plamondon during the "Immigration, Language and Identity" section of the 2022 Quebec election debate. [Photo: St. Pierre-Plamondon/X (Twitter)]

Despite its occasional criticisms, when the time comes to take a stand, QS systematically sides with the ruling class. Thus, after Saint-Pierre Plamondons statements at the PQs April national council meetingwhich included the call, out of loyalty to Quebec, for a sacred union for Quebec independence uniting right and left Nadeau-Dubois simply deplored that the PQs discourse was based on resentment and fear. This, he went on to warn, risked driving young people away from the independence project they both support.

Shaken by internal conflicts linked to its turn to the right, QS is trying to revive the myth of Quebec independence as a progressive vehicle for implementing social reforms. Meanwhile the PQ, which represents the most important sovereignist factions of the bourgeoisie, embraces reaction and spells out that it intends to base a new drive for independence on an explicitly anti-immigrant, chauvinist and national-exclusivist program.

Workers and young people must reject Quebec nationalism and anti-immigrant prejudiceboth in the unabashedly chauvinist forms advocated by the Parti Quebecois and the CAQ government and the hypocritically polite, ostensibly inclusive variant promoted by the pseudo-left Quebec Solidaire.

Whatever the tone, their nationalist agitation is aimed at splitting workers in Quebec along ethnic and linguistic lines and dividing them from their class brothers and sisters elsewhere in Canada and around the world, while making immigrants scapegoats for the social consequences of the austerity and war policies imposed by the ruling class.

The urgent task for workers, in Quebec as around the world, is to reject the differences stoked by the ruling class on the basis of ethnicity, race, gender or religion, and unite on the basis of their common class interests, those of the international working class. The working class is the only social force capable of putting an end to the rotten capitalist system responsible for ever widening social inequality and deepening poverty and economic insecurity, the genocide of the Palestinians and the growing threat of a third imperialist world war.
The European elections on June 9 strengthened the far right, which in future will make up around a fifth of the 720 members of the European Parliament (MEPs). In Germany, the fascistic Alternative for Germany (AfD) became the second-strongest party behind the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU), with 15.9 percent.

The shift to the right is particularly pronounced in eastern Germany, on the territory of the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). Here, the AfD emerged from the European elections as by far the strongest party with just under 30 percent. In Saxony and Thuringia, where the next election to the state parliament will be in September, it was well over 30 percent, while in Brandenburg, where elections are also due, it was slightly lower.

What is the reason for the rise of a party that continues in the fascist traditions of the Nazis?

Pseudo-left cynics are reacting to the election result by insulting the electorate. Arnold Scholzel, an old-school Stalinist, wrote in Junge Welt: The election result is a disaster ... State-ordered murder of other peoples certainly has a mass base in this country. Apparently, the situation is similar in almost all EU countries.

Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, whose MERA25 party ran unsuccessfully in elections in Germany, Greece and Italy, lamented on X/Twitter: Our sick societies, caught between the radical centre and neo-fascism, cannot help a dying Palestine, a war-torn Ukraine and our own people.

This voter abuse is intended to distract from these parties own responsibility for the rise of the far right. This is not the result of a mass movement from below but of a shift to the right from above. The fascists are needed and strengthened by the ruling elites in order to push through their policies of imperialist war, genocide, social inequality and dictatorship. The entire European election campaign was characterised by this.

It is not the masses who support the state-ordered murder of other peoples, as Scholzel claims in the Junge Welt, but the establishment parties, from the coalition government partiesSocial Democrats (SPD), Greens and Liberal Democrats (FDP)to the CDU/CSU, the AfD and the Left Party. They all fully support the genocide that the Netanyahu regime is committing against the Palestinians in Gaza and denounce, suppress and criminalise any opposition to it.

The censorship, banning and violent dispersal of pro-Palestinian demonstrations characterised the entire European election campaign. Even academic teaching staff who defended the right of students to demonstrate were threatened with sanctions and the cancellation of funding. In this way, an authoritarian police state is being established that suppresses any form of social and political opposition; this strengthens the most right-wing forces and puts the AfDs programme into practice.

The escalation of the war against Russia in Ukraine was at the centre of the election campaign. NATO is risking a nuclear war in order to bring Ukraine under its control and subjugate Russia militarily. During the election campaign, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the deployment of French troops to Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz gave the green light for attacks on Russian territory using German weapons.

Varoufakis MERA25 and the Left Party also support the war in Ukraine.

The AfD, which favours rapprochement with Russia against the USA, was even able to present itself as an opponent of the war, although it also advocates aggressive militarism and support for NATO. Its European election manifesto advocates the immediate restoration of Germanys defence capabilities, an increase in the defence budget, the extensive procurement of new weapons systems, the reintroduction of compulsory military service and the expansion of the German arms industry.

In terms of anti-refugee agitation, the core issue of the extreme right, all other parties sought to outdo the AfD on the right. Repelling asylum seekers was a central theme of the entire election campaign. The German government and the European Union are putting into practice what the fascists are demanding: The hermetic sealing of Fortress Europe, even if thousands die in the process.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the G7 summit in Italy [Photo by governo.it / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

The supposed firewall repeatedly invoked by the establishment parties against collaboration with the fascists is a farce. Giorgia Meloni, long-time admirer of Il Duce (Mussolini), is being fiercely courted by all European heads of governmentabove all by Germanys Chancellor Scholz and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

President Macron dissolved parliament after his partys election defeat and rolled out the red carpet for the far-right Rassemblement National to come into government. In Ukraine, NATO is arming an ultra-right-wing regime that erects monuments to mass murderers and Nazi collaborators from the Second World War and brutally suppresses political opposition.

In the same way, the establishment parties will welcome AfD leaders Chrupalla, Weidel, Hocke and Co. into the ministries and state chancelleries of the federal and state governments. There is no political reason not to do so. Their policies already differ only in nuance.

With their right-wing policies, the establishment parties, especially the so-called left parties, have not only paved the way for the AfD, they have also created the conditions for the far-right demagogues to exploit the anger of desperate petty-bourgeois layers, and even workers, for their reactionary purposes.

Above all, the result of the European elections in Germany was a protest against the policies of the SPD, the Greens and the Left Party. With 13.9 percent, the SPD recieved its worst national election result in 137 years. The Greens fell from 20.5 percent to 11.9 percent. The Left Party lost more than half its share of the vote and ended up with 2.7 percent.

More than half of young voters under the age of 25 voted for parties that have never been in government. Five years ago, more than a third of them had voted for the Greens, now it was only 11 percent. They no longer perceive the Greens as an environmentalist party, but as a party of war.

Millions of workers, the self-employed, small business operators and young people have long seen the SPD, the Greens and the Left Party, and the trade unions allied with them, as pioneers of social cuts and the enrichment of the wealthy. The Hartz laws, which introduced benefit cuts and worsened labour protections, the raising of the retirement age to 67, the cuts in health, education and social spending, the tax cuts for the rich and the billions in gifts to the banks and corporations all bear their hallmarks.

The federal coalition has supported the war in Ukraine with arms supplies totalling 23 billion and has increased the military budget from 68 to 91 billion since last year alone. It is passing these costs on to working people in the form of social cuts, reductions in real wages, exorbitant energy prices and unaffordable rents.

The opposition to this harbours enormous revolutionary potential. However, this is not finding conscious political expression within the existing institutions and parties. The AfD has been able to capitalise on the social catastrophe in part because the pseudo-left parties and organisations systematically prevent the anger and indignation with this situation from being directed against the entire ruling class and its bankrupt, capitalist system.

Yanis Varoufakis is the prototype of such pseudo-left politicians, who represent the interests of the rich and the wealthy middle-class layers under the guise of left-wing phrases. He became finance minister in Greece in 2015 after the Coalition of the Radical Left (Syriza) surprisingly won the elections with the promise to end the EUs austerity dictates.

Syriza formed a coalition government with the far-right Independent Greeks. Instead of ending the austerity, it reached an agreement with the representatives of the EU and international finance capital on an even worse austerity programme that decimated the living standards of the Greek working class. It prevented resistance to austerity from threatening capitalist property, and its betrayal then paved the way back to power for the right.

Varoufakis tried to repeat this con trick in the European elections. MERA25 presented itself as an opponent of the genocide in Gazabut at the same time supported the European Union and the NATO war against Russiaalthough the EU, NATO and the USA are the driving forces behind the genocide.

In Germany, the Left Party, Syrizas political twin, has played a similar role for a long time. It emerged in 2007 as a reaction to the resistance against the Hartz laws, which it immediately began to suppress. In Thuringia, where it has provided the state premier for 10 years in the person of Bodo Ramelow, the social situation is catastrophic. The issues of poverty and health inequality are omnipresent in Thuringia, according to a study by the Cooperation Network for Equal Health Opportunities.

Arnold Scholzel, a member of the Stalinist DKP (German Communist Party), was editor-in-chief of Junge Welt from 2000 to 2016. This publication has played a key role in covering up the rotten politics of the Left Party. It serves as a platform for various Stalinist and pseudo-left tendencies within and around the Left Party, who occasionally criticise one or another aspect of its policies but steadfastly maintain support for the party.

Now, the Left Party is sinking into insignificance. It had previously spat out the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), a breakaway faction which competes with the AfD in terms of nationalism and hostility towards immigrants.

The fact that the AfD primarily receives protest votes against the war and social policies of the governing parties does not make it any less dangerous. The danger today does not stem from the fact that it is leading a radicalised, violent mass movement, like the Nazis before Hitler came to power. It comes from the fact that the AfD has intimate ties to the state and security apparatus and is systematically supported by the other parties.

Hans-Georg Maassen, who supported the AfD as head of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (as Germanys domestic secret service is called) while placing the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) on the official list of supposed left-wing extremist organisations, is just the tip of the iceberg. The growing influence of right-wing extremists and fascists is the result of the rightward development of the entire ruling elite. Massive rearmament, war and social inequality are not compatible with democracy. The suppression of social and political opposition requires fascist methods.

The fight against this is not a question of parliamentary arithmetic but of class struggle. The rise of the AfD cannot be stopped by voting for supposedly democratic parties. The policies of the SPD, Greens and Left Party have strengthened the AfD and will continue to do so if no one opposes them.

In France, where the prospect of a far-right government has met with fierce resistance, the pseudo-left La France Insoumise of Melenchon, the Socialist Party, the Communist Party and the Greens have formed a New Popular Front (Nouveau Front Populaire-NFP). The NFP is a right-wing manoeuvre. It has expressly declared its willingness to continue President Macrons pro-war policy in the event of an election victory, with all the political and social consequences that entails.

The fight against the AfD requires the unconditional rejection of the SPD, the Greens, the Left Party, the BSW and the trade unions allied with them, which themselves advocate an extreme right-wing programme and suppress the class struggle. It requires the development of an independent movement of the working class and youth that combines resistance to war, fascism and social inequality with the struggle against their cause, capitalism.

The conditions for such a movement are developing rapidly. The scale of the social crisis and discontent is enormous. But this movement needs a clear perspective and a political leadership that knows how to unite the international working class in the struggle for a socialist programme. This leadership is being built by the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei and the International Committee of the Fourth International.
In a 6-3 decision Friday, the US Supreme Court upheld the Biden administrations assertion of unrestricted powers to separate married US citizens from their immigrant spouses. The decision prepares the way for a vast escalation of attacks on basic rights.

The U.S Supreme Court is seen on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Washington. [AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib]

What was done to Sandra Munoz and Luis Asencio-Cordero is one of countless injustices perpetrated by US immigration authorities on a daily basis.

Munoz, a US citizen, married Asencio-Cordero, originally from El Salvador, in 2010. Because Asencio-Cordero had originally entered the US without documents in 2005, the couple was required to undergo a protracted and arduous process for him to acquire lawful immigration status.

Munoz and her husband met all the deadlines and checked all of the boxes, including the degrading requirement that they prove that their marriage was bona fide or genuine. However, as a condition for obtaining a visa, the government required Asencio-Cordero to travel to El Salvador for an interview in 2015. When he did, authorities refused to allow him to returnand refused to tell the couple why.

Luis Asencio-Cordero and Sandra Munoz, separated for over 8 years and counting [Photo by Sandra Munoz]

After years of bitterly contested litigation, the government was finally forced to state a reason for denying Asencio-Cordero a visa. His tattoos, officials claimed, were gang-related. But as Munoz and her attorneys proved in court, her husband was never in a gang, he has no criminal record, and his tattoos (including Catholic religious imagery and a portrait of Sigmund Freud) have no plausible connection to anything illegal.

The governments position remained unchanged throughout the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations. Asencio-Cordero has been forced to remain in El Salvador ever since, unable to live with his wife or to be a part of her daily life. It was not until 2022 that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals finally ruled that Munozs rights had been violated by the governments refusal to give any reasons for the visa denial for so long.

If the Biden administration had taken no action at that point, the family could have been reunited by now. Instead, the Biden administration took the vindictive step of appealing the Ninth Circuit decision in order to keep the family separated and to prevent any diminution of its allegedly unchallengeable powers over immigration. The Biden administrations petition to the Supreme Court took the most authoritarian positions possible, which the Supreme Court ratified in its decision Friday.

The Munoz case is significant because it features the Biden administration in an open alliance with the Supreme Courts Republican-aligned majority. The result of this unholy alliance is a decision so reactionary, both in its immediate content and its implications, that it was the subject of a dissenting opinion by the three Democratic-aligned justices in the minority, including Bidens own Supreme Court appointee Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Many prominent reports in the US media following the decision Friday downplayed its significance, framing the case as a question of tattoos or suggesting that Asencio-Cordero was, after all, a gang member. Contrary to these misleading reports, the case was about whether the government had to give Munoz and her husband any reason at all for denying his visa. The New York Times, a mouthpiece for the Biden administration, did not prominently report the decision at all, likely because it would conflict with its efforts to promote Bidens recent electoral maneuver promising a limited pathway to legal status for some immigrant spouses.

The more openly fascistic wing of the American political establishment, spearheaded by Trump and the Republicans, responded to the ruling with gloating, lying and racist incitement, celebrating the exclusion of an MS-13 gang member from the country.

The alliance between the Biden administration and the far-right Supreme Court majority is another manifestation of the effective coalition that now exists between the Biden administration and the Republican Party in Congress, based on a joint program of war abroad and attacks on democratic rights at home. Specifically, this includes massive military spending for the US-NATO war in Ukraine, preparations for war with China, full backing for the Israeli genocide in Gaza, a joint assault on the rights of immigrants and refugees and the suppression of strikes and protests inside the US.

The basic argument advanced by the Supreme Courts decision in the Munoz case is that all rights that are not specifically enumerated in the Constitution or Bill of Rights, and which, according to the far-right majority, are not otherwise deeply rooted in national tradition, have no constitutional protection. Christian fundamentalist Justice Amy Coney Barrett, writing for the majority, concluded on this basis that a citizen does not have a fundamental liberty interest in her noncitizen spouse being admitted to the country.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing for the three dissenters, countered with a citation to Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 ruling that protects same-sex marriages, which states, The right to marry is fundamental as a matter of history and tradition. Even more importantly, Sotomayor observed, the majoritys tendentious logic is a departure from decades of precedent, clearing a path for a vast expansion of efforts to weaken or abolish other basic democratic protections.

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, said attorney Eric Lee, who represented Munoz at oral arguments before the Supreme Court in April, in response to the ruling.

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.

Indeed, wherever anything progressive in American social and political development has found reflection in a legal reform, that reform is currently under attack. Today marks exactly two years since the Supreme Courts decision abolishing the right to abortion, one of a string of reactionary rulings attacking democratic rights across the board.

This string of rulings coincides with a historic corruption scandal on the Supreme Court. More recently, Justice Samuel Alito was exposed for flying political flags at his home associated with the January 6, 2021 coup attempt, a conspiracy in which Justice Clarence Thomass wife Virginia Ginni Thomas was implicated at the highest level.

But as the Munoz case makes clear, the rampage against basic rights is not just emanating from the fascistic Republican wing of the political establishment. Socialist Equality Party presidential candidate Joseph Kishore, the only candidate who signed a petition demanding Asencio-Cordero be brought home, stated in a response to the ruling on X:

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.

For all of the official political rhetoric about freedom and democracy, the staggeringly undemocratic character of the American political setup is becoming more and more apparent. All state power is in the hands of a narrow set of grotesquely wealthy individuals and their agents and accomplices. Insulated from democratic accountability by the Electoral College and ballot access laws that are practically impossible to satisfy, the ruling class is doing everything in its power to prevent popular opposition to its rule from expressing itself.

Every institution of the state is infected with the dictatorial consequences of endless war and extreme levels of social inequality, from the Congress of millionaires, to the massive military-police apparatus, to the executive presidency. The latter was the focus of an attempted fascistic coup just three-and-a-half years ago, spearheaded by the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party in the 2024 elections, Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Biden is focused on backing a genocide in Gaza and escalating the US-NATO war with Russia in Ukraine, with the most catastrophic consequences, entirely behind the backs of the population.

The Supreme Court, the branch of government most insulated from democratic accountability, is stacked with far-right political operatives. All nine justices are appointed for life, and on the present Court most were appointed by presidents who lost the popular vote. There is no appeal from their decisions, and as recent experience has made clear, there are no functioning mechanisms for addressing the justices rampant corruption or their refusal to adhere to logic or established precedent.

In 1857, shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War, the Supreme Court issued its infamous decision in the Dred Scott case. Dred Scott, a slave, had sued for his freedom on the grounds that he had lived in areas where slavery was illegal. Out of all the possible grounds for deciding the case, the Supreme Court chose the most reactionary grounds imaginable, declaring that Scott could never be a citizen because of his African ancestry, that he had no constitutional rights, and moreover that Congress had no right to restrict slavery in the territories.

The Dred Scott decision was not overturned by any act of self-correction on the part of the Supreme Court. It was overruled by a revolutionary struggle that mobilized masses of people, which culminated in the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of 3.5 million human beings.

The constituency for the defense of democratic rights is the working class, in the US and throughout the world. It is not through appeals to a corrupt and discredited political system, but through the development of the class struggle that authoritarianism and dictatorship will and must be opposed.

The logic of these struggles is the conquest of power by the working class, the expropriation of the oligarchs, the creation of genuine institutions of participatory democracy, and the establishment democratic control over social and economic life. For these reasons, the defense of democratic rights is inseparable from the struggle for socialism.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited Japan from June 1720 to strengthen trade and security ties as the two countries, along with other US allies in the Indo-Pacific region, advance their preparations for war against China.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shake hands prior to their bilateral meeting in Tokyo, June 19, 2024 [AP Photo/David Mareuil]

In a joint statement, Luxon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced a new Information Security Agreement, which provides a framework for sharing classified information between the two countries. They also agreed to increase joint activities and exercises, including in the area of maritime security.

The two leaders pledged to strengthen military cooperation in the Pacific region, voiced serious concerns about recent developments in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, and called for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The statement denounced the continued militarisation of disputed features [in the South China Sea]; unsafe and unprofessional behaviour at sea and in the air; and other dangerous actions by coast guard and maritime militia The leaders opposed any unilateral actions that could escalate tensions and undermine regional stability and the international rules-based order.

These statements, aimed at demonising China, are thoroughly hypocritical and are an inversion of reality. It is the US and its allies that have militarised the region, staging provocative exercises and pouring weapons into Taiwan in an effort to provoke China.

The aim of US imperialism is nothing less than the complete subjugation of China, its main economic rival. Even as the US and NATO escalate the war against Russia in Ukraine, and support Israels genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, the imperialist powers are fomenting a potentially catastrophic confrontation with nuclear-armed China, with the aim of transforming it into a semi-colony.

New Zealand, which relies heavily on trade with China, has sometimes been reluctant to openly join in this warmongering, despite being a member of the top level, US-led Five Eyes intelligence sharing network. Chinese Premier Li Qiang visited New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia this month in an attempt to reinforce economic ties and push back against Washingtons influence.

During his visit to Japan, however, Luxon made clear that New Zealands ruling elite is fully committed to joining the expanding alliance for war. He announced, for the first time, the deployment of a New Zealand navy vessel to Japan, the auxiliary ship HMNZS Aotearoa, as part of the encirclement of North Korea.

Kishida welcomed New Zealands continued engagement in monitoring and surveillance activities against such illicit maritime activities, including the recent deployment of the Royal New Zealand Air Forces P-8A Poseidon. In addition, New Zealands military contribution to the United Nations forces in the Korean Demilitarized Zone, is set to increase significantly from 12 soldiers to 53.

In a speech delivered in Tokyo, Luxon touted New Zealands military and non-military support for Ukraine. He denounced Russian President Vladimir Putins visit to Pyongyang, saying it underlines the interconnection between what happens in Europe, and stability in our region.

In fact, such statements underline the fact that the US and its allies are in the opening stages of a world war, against both Russia and China, aimed at establishing imperialist control over the resources and wealth of the entire Eurasian landmass.

New Zealands army, navy and air force deployments to Japan and Korea mean it will immediately be involved when conflict erupts in the region. The National Party-led coalition government did not seek public support for this agenda in the 2023 election, nor has it explained the potential implications for the population. Tens of thousands of New Zealanders were killed during World War I and II, in order to ensure that the country could benefit from the imperialist redivision of the world.

The latest deployments are fully supported by the opposition Labour Party. This exposes the hollowness of the partys stated concerns about the AUKUS (Australia-UK-US) military pact, which is aimed at militarising Australia and the Pacific and equipping Australia with nuclear-propelled submarines. The New Zealand, South Korean and Japanese governments intend to join pillar two of AUKUS, which will expand military technology sharing between member countries.

The 20172023 Labour-led government, which included the Green Party, strengthened the alliance with US imperialism, including by sending NZ troops to Britain to help train Ukrainian forces for the US-NATO proxy war against Russia. Last year, Labours Defence Minister Andrew Little declared that the armed forces had to be prepared in case they were called on to play a role in a war in the South China Sea.

The Labour government also signed agreements with Japan to strengthen intelligence sharing and military cooperation against China. Labour is also supporting the National governments major increase in funding for the military, at the expense of healthcare and other basic services that are being starved of resources.

A propaganda campaign is ramping up in New Zealand to demonise China and prepare public opinion for war, led by the media outlet Stuff and supported by pro-Labour commentators such as those on the Daily Blog, and pro-US academics like Anne-Marie Brady. These forces are demanding an official inquiry into alleged Chinese interference, surveillance of Chinese groups in New Zealand, and an even stronger alignment with the US.

On June 20, Stuff published an article attacking Chinese-born National Party MP Nancy Lu, on the grounds that she was mentored by former National MP Jian Yang. The latter was accused by Brady, without any evidence, of being a spy for the Chinese Communist Party.

Meanwhile, the latest episode of Stuffs political podcast Tova sought to overcome widespread concerns about the danger of nuclear war. James Acton, co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, told the podcast the risk was actually pretty low. He added that the limited use of nuclear weapons might not have catastrophic consequences, and even declared that the existence of nuclear weapons does help prevent large-scale conflict by acting as a deterrent, thus making the world safer!

Workers and young people must not be fooled into thinking that cool heads will prevail and the ruling class will be deterred from all-out war. The fact that the US and all the imperialist powers, including New Zealand, are supporting Israels genocide in Gaza and an escalating war in Ukraine that has killed hundreds of thousands, demonstrates that they are prepared to impose mass death to achieve their strategic objectives.

The global protests against the Gaza genocide must be expanded and transformed into a political struggle, mobilising the working class against the genocide, the US-NATO war with Russia, and the war plans against China. This movement must be based on a socialist perspective to abolish the capitalist system, which is the root cause of all these wars and which is threatening to plunge the whole planet into barbarism.
A number of minor incidents, where individuals have painted graffiti on Labor Party electorate offices condemning the governments backing for the Israeli genocide in Gaza, have been blown out of all proportion.

Damaged door and graffiti on Labor parliamentarian Josh Burns' office in Melbourne [Photo: Twitter/X @Ostrov_A]

No one has been injured, nor have there been any credible threats to safety. Labor, however, along with its affiliated union bureaucrats and the corporate media, are up in arms, presenting the small-scale acts of vandalism as politically motivated violence and an assault on democracy.

The campaign is extraordinarily cynical. The government has actively supported the Israeli mass murder, now estimated to have killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, politically, diplomatically and materially, including through ongoing defence exports that are shrouded behind national security secrecy provisions.

The manufactured outrage over graffiti has gone hand in hand with the burying of what is actually taking place in Gaza. The official medias coverage is now limited in the extreme. Gaza is often not mentioned on the websites of the major outlets at all. Such horrors as the Israeli massacre earlier this month of some 274 Palestinians in Rafah are reported in the most perfunctory manner and then dropped entirely.

The hysteria over the vandalism has been spearheaded by Labor at the highest levels. On June 6, its Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined with Liberal-National Coalition leader Peter Dutton to accuse the Greens of responsibility, without a shred of evidence. Those unfounded accusations clearly have an electoral dimension, with fears that the environmentalist partys posturing against the Israeli onslaught will win votes from Labor.

More broadly though, the campaign has served to delegitimise all protest activity against the genocide. In their statements, Albanese and other senior Labor leaders have deliberately conflated acts of vandalism with peaceful demonstrations outside the electorate offices. Media articles have noted that the Greens have condemned the vandalism but have provocatively raised that its condemnations of the genocide and the governments complicity may have incited the property damage.

The campaign was ratcheted up further, after unknown individuals defaced the office of Labor MP Josh Burns in the early hours of Thursday morning in Melbourne. They graffitied its front walls in red paint, including with the slogan Zionism is fascism. The masked group is also alleged to have smashed windows and to have attempted to tamper with the buildings electrics.

The response of Labor and the media was immediately to brand this as something approaching a hate crime, on the basis that Burns happens to be Jewish. Nothing done to the office, however, suggested racial vilification in the slightest.

Albanese, appearing on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) radio Thursday morning, nevertheless proclaimed: For some people, they feel very strongly about issues in the Middle East. But its no reason to target MPs half a world away in Australia, and in particular the targeting of a Jewish MP is very distressing.

Without substantiation, Albanese sought to present the targeting of the office as part of a widespread campaign. This is an escalation of the attacks that weve seen, he said. Weve been talking about this. Weve got to dial this down.

Similar comments were made by other Labor leaders. Its Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned against reproducing the conflict in the Middle East in Australia. The suggestion that the onslaught on Gaza is half a world away and has nothing to do with Australia is a crude attempt to cover over Labors active backing of the onslaught.

Burns, an ardent Zionist, is a case in point. In December, he led a cross-party delegation to Israel, which fawned over the same figures in the government who have declared their aim of removing the Palestinians from Gaza in a blatant ethnic-cleansing operation. The same month, Burns publicly denounced tepid ceasefire proposals in the United Nations, insisting that the onslaught had to continue until full Israeli victory.

That record has simply been buried in the coverage of the incident at Burns office. He has been given a host of sympathetic interviews, well-wishes from all corners of the political establishment and various platforms to declaim against violence.

Despite having been slandered and defamed by the government for weeks, Greens leader Adam Bandt joined the nauseating spectacle, posting on X/Twitter that Violence has no place in our community & vandalism and damage like this are completely unacceptable. My thoughts are with Josh Burns, his team, and the local community.

Victorian Trades Hall, the headquarters of the states union bureaucracy, was also targeted twice last week. Graffiti included a call for Palestinian freedom and denunciations of the fact that the Police Association is an official Trades Hall affiliate.

After the second incident, Luke Hilakari, Trades Hall secretary, fired off an angry statement Friday morning, denouncing the cowards involved. If you think graffiti will help reach peace, youre delusional, he wrote.

The comments were immediately picked up by the Murdoch-owned Australian newspaper, which has led the media charge to denounce all opposition to the genocide as illegitimate and antisemitic. Hilakaris diatribe was featured alongside the comments of state opposition Liberal representatives, calling for the graffiti incidents to be investigated by counter-terrorism police.

Hilakari and assorted shills for the union bureaucracy have not even been able to address why Trades Hall was targeted, instead shooting off a flood of invective.

Hilakari and the union officialdom in Australia has not called so much as an hour-long strike or industrial action to oppose the slaughter in Gaza and Australias role in it. They have in practice rejected a desperate appeal from Palestinian trade unions for such measures to halt the genocide, and have remained completely aligned with the Labor Party that is backing it.

Having responded to the mass murder of tens of thousands of Palestinans with what amounts to a shrug of the shoulders, the union officialdom has found something to be angry about: very minor property damage to their building, with graffiti that could be removed in hours or less.

The reaction underscores the broader character of the union bureaucracy as an arm of the state and the political establishment. The suggestions by Hilakari and the union bureaucrats that the defacement of their building is some sort of attack on the working class is absurd. The union officialdom, alongside its support for imperialist foreign policy and war, plays the lynchpin role in enforcing a continuous assault on the jobs, wages and conditions of workers.

Hilakari personifies the corporatised character of the bureaucracy. He has moved back and forth between government and union leadership for decades. Hilakari is currently on at least three committees of the Victorian Labor administration, which has a memorandum of understanding with the Israeli military, and in May brought down an austerity budget inflicting brutal cuts to healthcare, education and other essential services.

The response to the graffiti again underscores the bankruptcy of any perspective of pressuring Labor and the unions to shift course on Gaza. This has been the line presented for the past eight months by the Greens and fake-left organisations such as Socialist Alliance and Socialist Alternative. In practice, this has meant subordinating opposition to the very Labor government supporting the genocide, while promoting the union bureaucracy that has prevented any mobilisation of the working class against it.

It is in the context of that suppression and the dead-end of protest politics that the graffiti incidents have occurred. There are undoubtedly growing layers desperate to take action that will end the mass slaughter. It must be said, however, that the graffiti and other vandalism has shown itself to be a fruitless exercise.

It is not individual actions that will end the genocide, but only the mobilisation of the social and political power of the working class, in a struggle against the broader eruption of imperialist militarism, including Australias frontline role in US-led plans for war against China. What is required is a political struggle against Labor, the union bureaucracy and the entire establishment, based on a socialist perspective directed against the source of the barbarism, capitalism itself.
This summary has been prepared by the WTO Secretariats Information and External Relations Division to help public understanding about developments in WTO disputes. It is not a legal interpretation of the issues, and it is not intended as a complete account of the issues. These can be found in the reports themselves and in the minutes of the Dispute Settlement Bodys meetings.

DS613: European Union  Measures Concerning the Importation of Citrus Fruit from South Africa

DS624: European Union  Additional Measures Concerning the Importation of Citrus Fruit from South Africa

South Africa submitted two requests for panels in disputes it initiated concerning European Union regulations governing the importation of citrus fruits, which impact imports from South Africa. The measures in question concern import restrictions imposed by the EU to control spread of the insect Thaumatotibia leucotreta, or False Codling Moth, and the fungus P. citricarpa, known as citrus black spot. Consultations with the EU aimed at resolving the dispute took place but did not resolve in a mutually agreed solution.

South Africa said that in both cases, the EU measures were not based on scientific principles, are maintained without sufficient scientific evidence, and are more trade-restrictive than necessary to achieve the EU's appropriate level of protection. South Africa also said the EU failed to account for regional differences with regards to pest risk in the application of the measures. The measures are having a severe impact on South Africa's citrus exports, which provide jobs to more than 140,000 people in the country, it added. Moreover, the measures affect other countries in the region that depend on South Africa's infrastructure for their citrus fruit exports.

South Africa said it needed to ensure that its rights are safeguarded through WTO dispute settlement procedures but that it is open to continued talks with the EU in order to secure a mutually agreed solution.

The European Union said it regretted South Africa's decision to pursue panel proceedings in the two cases but maintained that its pest control measures are entirely justified and that it would succeed in any dispute proceedings. The EU added that it was not ready at this meeting to agree to the requests for panels from South Africa.

The DSB took note of the statements and agreed to revert to these matters, should a requesting member wish to do so.

DS597 United States  Origin Marking Requirement (Hong Kong, China)

For the 11th time, the United States raised the matter of the panel ruling in DS597 at a DSB meeting. The US said it was raising the matter again as a result of recent developments in Hong Kong, China regarding free speech and human rights. The US referred back to its previous statements regarding its position on essential security and its reasons for placing this item on the DSB agenda.

Hong Kong, China said the US once again raising this matter at the DSB was an abuse of WTO rules. Previous WTO panels have dismissed US claims that invoking national security in defense of a trade-restrictive measure is entirely self-judging. Any objections should be heard by the WTO's Appellate Body, which remains blocked due to the US refusal to allow appointment of new Appellate Body members, said Hong Kong, China.

China reiterated its firm belief that a restored appeal mechanism is the proper place to address claims of error made by the panel and rejected in the strongest terms what it said was US interference in the internal affairs of another WTO member.

Appellate Body appointments

Colombia, speaking on behalf of 130 members, introduced for the 77th time the group's proposal to start the selection processes for filling vacancies on the Appellate Body. The extensive number of members submitting the proposal reflects a common concern over the current situation in the Appellate Body which is seriously affecting the overall WTO dispute settlement system against the best interest of members, Colombia said for the group.

The United States repeated that it does not support the proposed decision to commence the appointment of Appellate Body members as its longstanding concerns with WTO dispute settlement remain unaddressed.

Twenty-five members then took the floor to comment. Many of these members referred to their previous statements made on this matter at earlier DSB meetings and underlined the urgent need to meet the mandates set out at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) and MC13 to conduct discussions, with the view to having a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system accessible to all members by 2024. Several welcomed the start of the formal dispute settlement reform process and the appointment of co-coordinators to assist the facilitator, Ambassador Usha Dwarka Canabady of Mauritius, in her work.

Colombia said that on behalf of the 130 members it regretted that for the 77th occasion members have not been able to launch the selection processes. Ongoing conversations about reform of the dispute settlement system should not prevent the Appellate Body from continuing to operate fully, and members shall comply with their obligation under the DSU to fill the vacancies as they arise, Colombia said for the group.

The DSB chair, Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel (Saudi Arabia), concluded by expressing his full support for the facilitator in her efforts towards achieving a positive outcome within the mandated time frame.

Surveillance of implementation

The United States presented status reports with regard to DS184, US  Anti-Dumping Measures on Certain Hot-Rolled Steel Products from Japan, DS160, United States  Section 110(5) of US Copyright Act, DS464, United States  Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Measures on Large Residential Washers from Korea, and DS471, United States  Certain Methodologies and their Application to Anti-Dumping Proceedings Involving China.

The European Union presented a status report with regard to DS291, EC  Measures Affecting the Approval and Marketing of Biotech Products.

Indonesia presented its status reports in DS477 and DS478, Indonesia  Importation of Horticultural Products, Animals and Animal Products.

Next meeting

The next regular DSB meeting will take place on 26 July 2024.
Video shows Tristan Turner wrestling the bronze whaler shark in shallow water before 'riding' it back into the ocean in front of a gathering crowd.

A brave dad has gone head to head with a bronze whaler shark, wrestling it in the water, as stunned onlookers watched on in disbelief. Tristan Turner was fishing with his two sons off the jetty in Kangaroo Island, South Australia, where they live when they accidentally hooked the massive shark, prompting the daring dad to jump into action.

While the shark, said to be up to three metres long, was eventually released back into the ocean safely, Turner first had to remove the hook from its mouth  and what followed amazed spectators. Video capturing the incident shows the shirtless dad splashing around in knee-deep water, wrangling the restless shark and holding it by its tail as the animal attempts to free itself from the man's grip.

Bronze whaler sharks are often spotted close to shore around Australian beaches and are not considered aggressive. However, there are some fatalities caused by the species on record. Turner didn't appear concerned by the close encounter however.

Dad fulfils dream, takes shark 'for a ride'

The incident occurred over the Easter weekend in April however footage has recently emerged on social media. After wrestling the shark in order to safely remove the hook, the dad appeared to guide it back out to the ocean. But not without another daring stunt to impress the crowd that had gathered around him.

In one video, Turner was seen gripping the shark's dorsal fin before the pair dove underwater out of sight, a stunt that attracted laughter from his family. Turner told 7News he'd always wanted to swim with a shark in the ocean, and so he took the chance while he had it.

"People that know me [know] I love the water and some out there stuff," he told the network on Sunday. "It has always been a dream of mine to swim with one and I had the opportunity when I let it go to hang onto its fin and I went for a ride."

After releasing the hook from its mouth, the dad swam out to sea while 'riding' the shark. Source: 7News/Facebook

On Facebook where the video was shared, social media users applauded the dad for his bravery. He was even dubbed a "legend" and "Aquaman" by some, referring to the popular fictional character.

Previously, a group of Perth fishermen detailed their terrifying encounter with a bronze whaler after it attempted to bite into their boat's propeller. Also in WA, another group were praised for their quick-thinking, jumping into the ocean to help a distressed shark with "six hooks" in its mouth.

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"Thats Such A Disgusting Thing To Say": People Are Calling Out Ariana Grande's "Incredibly Weird" And "Offensive" Comments About Jeffrey Dahmer

When you think about your dream dinner guest, you might imagine an icon, a late family member, or a historical figure.

But for Ariana Grande, it's Jeffrey Dahmer.

Dahmer was a serial killer who murdered 17 men and boys before his arrest in 1991. He died three years later in prison. Marleen Moise / Getty Images

"I was infatuated with serial killers when I was younger," Ariana confessed on the Podcrushed podcast on Monday.

Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

She told the hosts, Penn Badgley, Sophie Ansari, and Nava Kavelin, that she previously revealed this information during a Q&A with "young fans."

Nbc / Todd Owyoung / NBC via Getty Images

"It was in between me being Cat [on Sam & Cat] and pop stuff," Ariana said, "so it was like a younger group, and they were with parents, and someone said, 'If you could have dinner with anyone living or dead, who would it be?'"

Bruce Glikas / FilmMagic

"I was like, 'Oh, you're so cute,'" she continued, remembering she asked their parents if it would be OK to answer truthfully. "They were like, 'Sure, whats the answer?' and I was like, 'I mean, Jeffrey Dahmer is pretty fascinating.'"

Gilbert Carrasquillo / GC Images

"I think I would have loved to have met him," she said, smiling. "You know, maybe with a third party or someone involved. But I have questions."

Jc Olivera / Getty Images

While Sophie and Nava laughed, people online didn't find it funny.

"We are not joking about a serial killer who murdered with impunity because the police did not care about black men and gay men. Kindly f*** off!" one redditor wrote.

Jim Spellman / WireImage

"Unless the question is 'which serial killer would you have dinner with' and you have a gun to your head theres no damn reason to say this," another commented in part.

Valerie Macon / AFP via Getty Images

Someone else said Ariana's comments were "vile" and "horribly offensive" to the families of Dahmer's victims.

"This is so vile," they wrote. "I have a great interest in crime cases but the LAST thing Id want to do is have dinner with a serial killer. Jeffrey Dahmer was a pedophile who murdered innocent people, mainly people of colour because he knew police wouldnt take their disappearances as seriously. Joking about wanting to have dinner with him is sick and horribly offensive to the victims families, who are still alive and affected by the tragedy fyi. Lets stop glorifying these psychos and pretending they are intensely enamoring people - theyre not, and if you met them in real life you would quickly realize why." John Shearer / Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter

"Full fucking stop. Aint nothing cute, edgy, cool, or okay with saying this," another declared. A fan agreed, "Thats such a disgusting thing to say."

Steve Granitz / WireImage

So far, Ariana hasn't addressed the criticism, but we'll let you know if she does. Until then, you can view her comments here around the 30:50 mark.
Elon Musk confirms 12th child as he and Shivon Zilis welcomed new baby earlier this year

Elon Musk confirms 12th child as he and Shivon Zilis welcomed new baby earlier this year

Elon Musk has confirmed he welcomed a new baby earlier this year with Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, the pairs third child together and Musks 12th offspring.

The business magnate, 52, told Page Six his newest addition was not by any means a secret, but thought releasing a statement on the birth would have just been a bit bizarre.

As for secretly fathered, that is also false, he told the outlet. All our friends and family know. Failure to issue a press release, which would be bizarre, does not mean secret.

The baby, whose name or sex has not been revealed, is Musks 12th child and was born sometime earlier this year, reports say. Before the birth, Musk already had two children with 38-year-old Zilis, who is the executive of Musks brain-computer interface company, Neuralink.

The news of the tech businessmans 12th child was first reported in a Bloomberg article published on Friday that delved into Musk and his commentary on birth rates.

Elon Musk, Shivon Zilis and their twins. Musk announced the couple welcomed a new baby earlier this year (Shivon Zilis/X)

In July 2022, it was reported that Musk welcomed two children with Zilis. Court documents obtained by Insider revealed Musk and Zilis children were born in November 2021  weeks before Musk and Grimes welcomed their second-born.

Almost two years after the twins were born, it was revealed their names were Strider and Azure.

In his biography Elon Musk, Walter Isaacson also confirmed in September 2023 that Musk and the musician Grimes had a third child, named Techno Mechanius, who goes by Tau.

Grimes and Musks first child, a boy named X  A-Xii, or X, was born in 2020. In March 2022 , they announced the birth of a girl, Exa Dark Siderl Musk, nicknamed Y, who was born in December 2021.

Musk has been married twice before. He met his first wife, Canadian author Justine Wilson, while the pair were studying at Queens University in Ontario, Canada. Musk and Wilson tied the knot in 2000 and welcomed their first child Nevada Alexander Musk two years later.

Tragically, their first-born died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome when he was 10 weeks old.

There is nothing worse than losing a child, Musk said in an email in 2018 to a father who lost his son in a Tesla crash.

My firstborn child died in my arms. I felt his last heartbeat, he also wrote on X in 2022.

Elon Musk and Grimes at the Met Gala in 2018. The pair have three children together (Getty Images)

Wilson and Musk went on to have a set of twins, Griffin and Vivian, in 2004 and triplets, Kai, Saxon, and Damian Musk, in 2006.

In June 2023, it was reported that Musk and Wilsons teenage daughter had been granted the name and gender change that she requested. Their daughter identifies as a trans woman and, in an April court filing with the Los Angeles County Superior court, she requested to have her name reflect her new gender identity and to sever all ties with Musk.

I no longer live with or wish to be related to my biological father in any way, shape or form, the paperwork filed in Santa Monica read.

At the time, Wilson said she was proud of her daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson for taking the decision to cut ties with Musk.

Musk, who now has fathered a total of 12 children, has long spoken out about his belief that declining birth rates could lead to the collapse of civilization.

In 2022, the billionaire tweeted that population collapse due to low birth rates is a much bigger risk to civilisation than global warming.

He also echoed a similar sentiment about declining birth rates after news broke that he fathered twins with Shivon Zilis.

Doing my best to help the underpopulation crisis. A collapsing birth rate is the biggest danger civilization faces by far, he tweeted, making light of the reports. I hope you have big families and congrats to those who already do!
Elon Musk Welcomes 12th Baby & Issues a Statement to All Those Who Say It Was a 'Secret'

Elon Musk is officially a dad of 12! The CEO of Tesla confirmed the news to Page Six that he and Shivon Zilis welcomed a new baby earlier this year. The babys name and sex have not been revealed, and Musk has a message for those who will say this was all a secret.

As for secretly fathered, that is also false, he told Page Six. All our friends and family know. Failure to issue a press release, which would be bizarre, does not mean secret.

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And we do hear what hes saying. The important people knew, it would have indeed been weird to issue a press release, and though he doesnt owe the public anything in regards to his kids (no celebrity does!), it would have been fitting if he or Zilis posted a birth announcement on social media. Especially given his supposed obsession with birth rates.

Many countries are already well below replacement rate, and the trend is that almost all will be. This is simply a fact, not a debunked theory,' he told Page Six.   2.1 kids is replacement rate, and obviously the world as a whole will soon drop below that point.

So was his and his partners decision to have well over 2.1 kids merely a product of trying to increase birth rates?

And now were also wondering  will Musk and Nick Cannon start swapping parenting tips? After all, the SpaceX founder and the Drumline star are both dads to a dozen kids. Tragically, they both also lost one son in infancy.

Musk welcomed his first son, Nevada Alexander, with ex-wife Justine Wilson in 2002. At just 10 weeks old, Nevada died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The former couple then welcomed twins Vivian and Griffin in 2004 and triplets Kai, Saxon, and Damian in 2006.

He also shares three kids with Grimes. They welcomed X  A-Xii (pronounced X Ash Archangel Twelve) in 2020, Exa Dark Siderl via surrogate in 2021, and Techno Tau Mechanicus in 2023. Tau was deemed a secret by the public after his birth was only discovered via Walter Isaacsons biography, Elon Musk.

Musk also secretly (though, again, he might take issue with that word) welcomed twins Strider and Azure with Zilis in 2021  just one month after Exa was born.

Though Musk and Wilson share custody of their five kids, his battle with Grimes is undecided and messy. Musk came under fire last year after he reportedly evaded being served custody papers by Grimes legal team more than a dozen times in multiple locations across the country. As of last week, Musk and Grimes still havent reached a custody agreement as they fight to establish which state the case should even be heard in.

All the Celebrities Who Managed to Keep Their Baby News a Secret.



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A onetime friend and aide to Melania Trump predicted that the former first lady will continue to barely be present on the 2024 campaign trail, but that, ultimately, she and Donald Trump will never part ways.

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff observed that Melania Trump has not been by her husbands side whatsoever as he seeks a return to the White House.

I would say, several years ago, she would have been there more, she said on the MeidasTouch Podcast.

However, Winston Wolkoff theorized, since the former presidents conviction in his criminal hush money trial, his wife is going to be around less and less.

He will continue to move forward. His base doesnt need her there, she continued. But as far as Melania is concerned, shes going to keep her head low. Shes going to only do what she wants to do. She and Donald, I do not believe, are ever, ever going to part ways.

Earlier in the interview, she commented that one might not think the former first lady was being strategic by not appearing to support her husband at the trial or on the campaign trail, but everything she does is intentional.

She does not plan on putting herself in a position where shes going to be the object of conversation unnecessarily, she said.

Winston Wolkoff knew Melania Trump for more than 15 years, and worked with the Trumps on the 2017 inauguration and as an unpaid adviser afterward.

After their relationship soured, she published a tell-all book, Melania and Me, and she often speaks out against the family.

Donald Trump was convicted last month on all charges of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, who sought ahead of the 2016 presidential election to publicize her claim she had sex with him in 2006 while he was married to Melania Trump.

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Real Housewives of Atlanta fans never warmed up to Kenya Moores husband, Marc Daly. The duo tied the knot in 2017. When Marc filmed with his wife, he often belittled her and called her Ken. Well, Ken was much quieter and meeker than the Kenya that fans knew from RHOA. Their marital dynamic was puzzling to both viewers and her Atlanta co-stars.

So, it wasnt a shock when the couple split in 2019. Finally, after dragging on for years, their divorce is settled.

Marc Daly must pay Kenya child support for their daughter

Photo Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo

In Touch reported that Marc and Kenya will share joint legal custody of their daughter, Brooklyn Daly. Kenya will have primary custody of the 5-year-old. While Kenya brings home more cash than her ex, Marc was still ordered to pay $2,000 per month in child support, plus another $1,000 for a college savings account.

The settlement documents read, Respondent must provide proof and a start date must date back to January 2024. Kenya also has final decision-making authority to sign, monitor, and control any and all economic opportunities for Brooklyn. After 24 months, Marc and Kenya will attend mediation to discuss who will have the authority to make these decisions in the future. The exes will split their daughters uninsured medical charges, and Kenya will pay for Brooklyns health insurance.

According to the parenting plan for Brooklyn, Kenya will decide whether to include the minor child on the Bravo show or for any other economic opportunities for Mother. But the Atlanta peach has to discuss the situation with Marc and notify him about the appearance. But, Mother shall have final authority to decide whether to include the minor child on a television show or for any other economic opportunities for Father, the parenting documents read. And Marc has to notify Kenya if Brooklyn will appear on camera.

Neither Marc nor Kenya will receive any spousal support. And Marc wont be getting a piece of Moore Manor. The settlement agreement read, Both parties will retain all rights, titles, and possession of any real property located in Georgia, all equity therein as sole and exclusive property. In addition, Kenya and Marc are solely responsible for all debt secured by the real property, both personal and business. The former couple will also keep the vehicles that are in their name.

Kenyas been driving the struggle bus

Photo Credit: Jenny Kim/Bravo

This news comes after a rocky period for Kenya. Kenya allegedly showed posters of co-star Brittany Eady performing a sex act at the launch of her Kenya Moore Hair Spa. This shocking action reportedly led to Kenyas RHOA suspension. Now Twirls Bravo paycheck could possibly be in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Kenya was also slammed with a whopping $15,000 tax bill for neglecting to pay her 2023 taxes in Fulton County, Georgia.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta is streaming on Peacock.

TELL US  ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT IT TOOK SO LONG TO SETTLE KENYA AND MARCS DIVORCE? DO YOU THINK SHE WILL RETURN TO RHOA AFTER HER SUSPENSION?

The post Kenya Moore Divorce Settled: Marc Daly Must Pay $2K Monthly Child Support appeared first on Reality Tea.
Liz Cheney trolls Trump with Taylor Swift video: This is what a sold out crowd actually looks like

Liz Cheney used a video from a Taylor Swift concert to troll Donald Trump over his crowd size (Getty)

Former Republican Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney shared a video of a Taylor Swift concert to mock former President Donald Trumps rally attendance.

Thank you @taylorswift13 for giving us a million reasons to smile. PS- @realDonaldTrump this is what a sold out crowd actually looks like, Cheney wrote on X on Sunday night.

Trump has long posted about the size of crowds at his rallies, but faced criticism on social media over the weekend as his rallies in Philadelphia showed half-filled arenas.

The video shared by Cheney featured a moment from Swifts Eras Tour performance in London when she brought on boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce.

Kelce and Swift received nationwide attention when they started dating, and their partnership also elicited right-wing ire and baseless conspiracy theories after The New York Times reported in January that President Joe Biden was seeking Swifts endorsement.

Cheney was ousted from the Republican leadership in the House and later from her Wyoming seat over her consistent criticism of Trump. She was only one of two Republicans to serve on the House Select Committee investigating the Capitol riot that took place on January 6.

Following the conservative attacks on Swift in the wake of Biden seeking her endorsement, Cheney defended her in a post on X.

Taylor Swift is a national treasure, Cheney wrote in late January of this year.

Trump has recently mentioned Swift on a number of occasions. During a meeting with House Republicans behind closed doors, Trump said he was surprised that Swift hadnt supported him, Virginia Republican Representative Ben Cline told The Hill.

Cline said Trump had spoken about how he did sign legislation during his administration to help the songwriters, and that he was surprised that Taylor Swift didnt support him.

Thank you @taylorswift13 for giving us a million reasons to smile.

PS- @realDonaldTrump this is what a sold out crowd actually looks like. https://t.co/v7bDyunnlr  Liz Cheney (@Liz_Cheney) June 24, 2024

Variety co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh wrote in a book published last week that Trump referred to Swift as unusually beautiful.

But he added: I think shes liberal. She probably doesnt like Trump.

Trump has boasted about his crowd sizes for years, most famously, he forced his then-press secretary Sean Spicer to use his first press conference in the White House in early 2017 to claim that the crowd at his inauguration had been the largest in history when photos clearly showed otherwise.

Last month, MSNBC noted that Trump overestimated how many people attended his recent rally in The Bronx. Trump claimed that 25,000 people attended while The New York Times reported that the campaign had a permit from the police for an event attended by 3,500 people.
No stranger to national attention, former Municipal Court judge and "Caught in Providence" star Frank Caprio was featured in a feel-good piece on "CBS Mornings" on Monday.

"Ive never gotten more requests from viewers for a story on anyone than I have for one on Judge Caprio," CBS correspondent David Begnaud wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Caprio oversaw parking and speeding tickets in Providence Municipal Court for 38 years and achieved viral fame for his compassion and willingness to give defendants a break. In 2023, amid questions about the profits from his TV show, he cut a deal with the City Council that allowed him to retire but take on the title of "judge emeritus."

Municipal Chief Court Judge Frank Caprio.

The 87-year-old was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in December. According to the CBS piece, he completed treatment a few weeks ago.

"I really thought I could be an inspiration to other people if I survived," Caprio tells Begnaud during the eight-minute segment, which is viewable online at cbsnews.com.

"You are an inspiration, as you are surviving," Begnaud replies.

"So far, so good," Caprio responds.

More: Retirement takes Frank Caprio, 'Caught in Providence' judge, far from Rhode Island

What made it into the CBS piece?

The "CBS Mornings" piece features numerous clips from "Caught in Providence," which began as a low-budget show broadcast on public access television.

Shot live in the courtroom, the show was later picked up by the Law & Crime Network and gave Caprio millions of followers on Facebook and YouTube. Though it's been more than a year since he stepped down, his social media channels continue to post new videos on a regular basis, many of them shot when he was still on the bench.

The profile also briefly recounts Caprio's story of growing up poor in Providence in a cold water flat, and working as a shoeshine boy in Federal Hill.

Judge Frank Caprio greets well-wishers under the Federal Hill arch during 2021 Columbus Day festivities.

"Every time you talk, it's like a testimony," Begnaud tells Caprio. "You're like a little street preacher from the bench."

"I'm just a small-time municipal court judge who's trying to do good," Caprio says. "That's all I am."

"You know what it's like not being able to afford shoes that match," Begnaud replies.

Talking about 'Caught in Providence'

For the segment, Begnaud also brought Caprio back to his old courtroom, now named in his honor.

"I've watched so many of your videos," he tells the retired judge. "Tell me about one or two of those that you will always remember."

Caprio immediately mentions Victor Colella, a 96-year-old who got a speeding ticket while taking his 63-year-old son, who had cancer, to a doctor's appointment.

"I have a surprise for you," Begnaud replies. "Victor is here."

"C'mon," Caprio says. In a made-for-television moment, the door swings open and Colella slowly walks out.

"The best friend I ever had," Colella says as the two men embrace, and a beaming Begnaud places his hands on Caprio's shoulders. "There's not a better man on Earth than you."

Note: The author of this piece had a speeding ticket dismissed by Judge Caprio in 2022, and footage from that court appearance was published on the "Caught in Providence" YouTube channel earlier this year.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI's viral Judge Frank Caprio gets CBS segment amid cancer fight
Making further inroads into markets in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond, Studiocanal, one of Europes top production-distribution-international sales powerhouses, has clinched further sales on premium daily drama The Vow (La Promesa), closing Poland and two Baltic States, as well as France.

Produced by Spains Bambu Producciones (Velvet, Cable Girls), a Studiocanal company, Studiocanal and national Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, The Vow has been acquired by Polish pubcaster TVP Poland, state-backed network ERR Estonia and state-owned LTV Latvia.

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In additional new sales, Dubai TV has closed rights to MENA territories. French free-to-air channel C8, owned like Studiocanal by the Canal+ Group, will begin airing the series in July.

Mediaset Italy has now acquired all three seasons of The Vow, as has Dori Media Israel and Finnish state network YLE.

HRT Croatia and LTV Lithuania and commercial network KTV Kosovo, which have broadcast Season 1, have signed up for further seasons.

Created by Josep Cister Rubio (Acacias 38, Dos Vidas) and written by Cister Rubio, Susana Prieto, Ruth Garcia and Carmen Llano, The Vow begins in 1913 as Jana, a maid at the declining but still ruthless house of Lujan seeks revenge for the murder of her mother. What Jana doesnt anticipate, however, is that she will fall in love with Manuel, son of the Count of Lujan, who swears his love for her but cannot publicly commit to her, given the class gulf.

Deals are announced on the first day of NATPE Budapest, and just after the conclusion of Spains Conecta Fiction.

They also come after The Vow has punched sterling ratings performance across the world. In Spain, where it launched on Jan. 12, 2023 on RTVEs La1, its 14.2% share on June 5 this month was the second best in the series history and 5.1 percentage points over La1s channel average in May.

In Latin America, where RTVE sold The Vow to HBO Max, thanks to No. 1 or No. 2 performances in near all territories, the series ranked No. 4 among all Max series worldwide on June 23.

Headed by Ramon Campos, Bambu Producciones has launched multiple milestone revolutions in Spanish TV: the introduction of a U.S. pace iton free-to-air Spanish primetime shows (Desaparecida, 2007); direct sale of a Spanish original to Latin America without need for dubbing into neutral Spanish (Gran Hotel, 2011-13); the creation of free-to-air series which channel the constant twists and turns and surprises of melodrama in shows of premium production values of cable TV (Velvet, 2014-16 ).

In The Vow, empowered by muscular financing from RTVE and Studiocanal, Bambu has produced a premium daily drama not only often shot on location but very recently including scenes set in WW1.

Production of The Vow Season 3 is in progress, starring Ana Garces, Arturo Sancho (Heirs to the Land), Eva Martin (Amar es para siempre), Manuel Regueiro (Acacias 38) Maria Castro (Seis Hermanas) and Antonio Velazquez (Cable Girls, Tierra de lobos).

Central & Eastern Europe continues to be a vibrant market for daily series, with The Vow appealing to many and attracting loyal audiences across the region, said Sarah Mottershead, VP sales, Studiocanal.

Its a compelling, high quality production embracing romance, mystery and family relationships all set against a beautiful backdrop with glossy period details, she added. These qualities, combined with exceptional writing and acting skills, make it a real ratings winner with viewers. We are thrilled to have a third season in production ready to deliver even more irresistible storylines for this captivating long-running drama.

The Vow is showing very consistent and positive rating dynamics and its becoming one of the most popular telenovelas thats been broadcast on LTV in recent years, enthused Zane Valeniece, head of acquisitions at LTV Latvia.

She continued: LTV broadcasts high quality telenovelas at 10:30 am from Monday until Friday and its also an important content on the LTV digital platform. The show, which offers a rich storyline with amazing actors and filming locations, gives an exciting and strong daily habit for the audience.

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Ever wonder what goes into Better Business Bureau accreditation and how it handles complaints? If so, you're not alone.

Better Business Bureau accreditation seal next to its "The Sign of a Better Business" motto (Credit: Better Business Bureau)

With a legacy of more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is the go-to watchdog for evaluating businesses and charities. The nonprofit organization maintains a massive database of accredited and non-accredited businesses, providing ratings based on several factors. The goal is to give consumers an objective resource to assess a company's reputation and, hopefully, avoid bad ones.

When researching an organization or service, you've likely seen the BBB seal on a company's website or advertising. Businesses seek BBB accreditation because it's a simple, important way to signal to consumers that they are trustworthy. It's an even better sign if the company maintains a good rating with the organization.

But what goes into BBB ratings? And how does the organization handle complaints from customers? Here's everything you need to know.

What is BBB accreditation?

A BBB-accredited company agrees to abide by a set of accreditation standards BBB says are "attributes of a better business." These include honesty in advertising, transparency, and responsiveness to complaints, among others. Accredited companies must maintain these standards or risk losing accreditation. To police this, BBB requires companies to respond promptly to inquiries and show documentation where necessary, particularly when a review is triggered via complaints.

In addition to abiding by BBB's standards, companies must pay a fee to become accredited. This fee varies by business size and geographic location, so it's not the same flat fee for all organizations. The fees are then used to fund BBB's operations.

How are BBB's letter grades determined?

Both accredited and non-accredited businesses listed by BBB can have ratings. To maintain accreditation, businesses must maintain a B rating or higher. Seven major factors go into scores for ratings, with each adding or subtracting points from a 100-point scale that's mapped to letter grades, according to BBB's rating overview. Those factors include:

Business complaint history with BBB

Type of business

Time in business

Transparent business practices

Failure to honor commitments to BBB

Licensing and government actions known to BBB

Advertising issues known to BBB

Perhaps the most important factor in a BBB grade is how a company handles complaints, with the emphasis being on responding to them promptly, Melanie McGovern, director of public relations and social media for the International Association of Better Business Bureaus (IABBB), told Yahoo Local. IABBB is a network hub for BBBs in the U.S. and Canada.

"If a company answers or resolves complaints, their letter grade stays the same because they're upholding the BBB standards of being responsive, which is the number one standard of trust," McGovern told us. "At the end of the day, we're looking to get that resolution for the consumer and the business."

When comparing companies that have different ratings, it's important to read the complaints listed on the business' BBB profile, McGovern said. "A lot of times when a rating falls, it is because of a volume of complaints. We always encourage [consumers] to look at the complaints and to see if and how the company responded."

The number of complaints required to trigger a rating change depends on a company's size. "If it's a national company that has 50 complaints, that's not so much of an alarm bell as a local, small company that has 50 complaints," McGovern said.

How are BBB complaints handled?

For all companies, each complaint initiates a process through which BBB acts as a mediator between the company and the consumer. Typically, McGovern said, the process can take up to 30 days and it's handled by a person from BBB the entire time.

"There are 94 Better Business Bureaus [BBBs] across North America, and each of those BBBs has a team of people who just work on complaints, so a human is always interacting with the complaint and the business to make sure [it's] going in a timely fashion," McGovern said. "If we keep getting the same complaint about a company from multiple consumers, then we will look into the company [and] will send them correspondences asking them to clear up the pattern."

If a business doesn't clear up a pattern of complaints, BBB lowers that company's letter grade or puts custom language on its profile to warn the public about the potential problem, McGovern said.

Complaints live on a company's profile for three years. If they're resolved, they're marked as such, but they aren't removed before the three years are up. This allows customers to view how a company has responded to previous complaints while not punishing a company that may have undergone major changes since older complaints were filed.

"You could have an experience with a company in 2019, and that company could have all new management, all new workers, and cleaned up their profile in that time," McGovern added. "So it's always important to keep checking our website for the most current information."

Do customer reviews impact BBB ratings?

BBB profiles can include customer reviews. These review ratings are out of five stars, and they're separate from BBB letter grades and accreditation. That means you could find a company with three out of five stars among reviews, but an A+ rating. This is intentional, McGovern said.

"If you look at the ratings overview and how the elements work together, a customer review is a customer's opinion of their interaction with a company; it's not based on any facts," McGovern explained. "So it's because it's an opinion, it doesn't factor into the company's letter grade."

BBB says it goes further than many other review sites to ensure its reviews are genuine. The organization doesn't allow anonymous reviews, for example, and it requires reviewers to confirm their email addresses, phone numbers and names. It then verifies the interaction occurred with the proper business and allows it to respond. Reviewers can continue to submit comments on their reviews.

Is it bad if a company is not BBB accredited?

No. Companies that choose not to pay for accreditation are not somehow worse than those that do, and it isn't a perfect system. However, BBB acts as a neutral third party to help resolve issues with accredited companies and hold them accountable for disputes.

Why should you care about BBB accreditation?

Ultimately, BBB accreditation means a company is held to a different standard than non-accredited companies.

"[Consumers] should care because it means that company took that extra step to show consumers that they're a trustworthy business," McGovern said.

BBB accreditation is only one data point to consider when researching organizations. Referrals from friends and family still drive a lot of business for companies of all sizes for a reason, and they can be an important component when picking the right company for you. Also, take reviews and recommendations from a variety of sources into account before making a final decision.

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This week, we asked readers to vote on outfits from stars like Celine Dion, Eva Longoria and Brooke Shields.

Celebrity fashion can easily become a topic of heated debate, especially when trying to decide which star wore the best  and, unfortunately, worst  outfit of the week. With frequent events like red carpet premieres and awards shows, to even minor occurrences like celebrity sightings, there's bound to be a swath of interesting looks to deliberate over.

This past week, we asked Yahoo Canada readers to vote for the best and worst-dressed celebrity from events including the 2024 Tony Awards, a Louis Vuitton fashion show and several movie premieres. For our five best-dressed celebrity options this week, we put together Angelina Jolie, Austin Butler, Eva Longoria, Cynthia Erivo and Laverne Cox; our options for worst-dressed star included Constance Wu, Colman Domingo, Celine Dion, Emma Stone and Brooke Shields.

Looking at the poll results, Yahoo Canada readers were quite divided on this week's celebrity fashion. Below, read more about how people voted over the past few days  and, of course, see which stars won best and worst dressed.

BEST DRESSED WINNER: Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie wore Atelier Versace for the 77th Annual Tony Awards at New York's David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on June 16. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)

There's an aura about Angelina Jolie that makes it seem as if she has an immense level of wisdom  and that certainly rang true this week with her knowledge of style. Out of more than 1,300 voters, 43 per cent of people chose the 49-year-old actress as the best-dressed star this week.

The mom-of-six wore a light teal Atelier Versace gown for the 2024 Tony Awards, where won her first-ever prize from the awards show for producing "The Outsiders" musical. Jolie's custom strapless velvet piece featured a sweetheart neckline that revealed the actress's latest tattoo, a sparrow-like bird spreading its wings to fly.

For accessories, she opted for several bracelets, including a hand-carved and hand-sculpted lucite bangle by Alexis Bittar. Celebrity hairstylist Renato Campora tousled Jolie's luscious locks using the Maria Nila True Soft Argan Oil; makeup artist Raoul Alejandre gave her a magical look with a soft pink lip. In our secondary poll, more than 1,000 voters were a bit divided about this look: Forty-one per cent agreed it was beautiful, while 30 per cent indicated it was a bad outfit and 29 per cent were in between.

Jolie attended the awards show with her 15-year-old daughter, Vivienne, who also worked on "The Outsiders" musical. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

For the awards show, Jolie attended with 15-year-old daughter Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, who worked as a production assistant on the musical adaptation of the 1967 novel. The teen actress matched her mom's cool tones, wearing a crisp blue suit, a matching bowtie and a white buttoned shirt.

Speaking to Deadline, Jolie explained she learned more about her child after the mother-daughter duo worked together, sharing "my daughter Viv loves theatre" and that she had been very drawn to the story.

"It was a very different experience of understanding, of how this is having a significant effect on her as a young person right now, and she's communicating something to me, and that is the power of this material," Jolie noted. "And then I had the privilege of watching everyone work over this last year to make it into what it is, and Vivienne has been there the whole way.

BEST DRESSED RUNNER UP: Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria wore Simkhai during an appearance on the "Today" show in New York on June 20. (Photo by Gotham/GC Images)

When it's right, it's right: Out of those more than 1,300 voters, 31 per cent chose Eva Longoria as the best-dressed celebrity this week. The 49-year-old actress went fire red in Midtown New York wearing Simkhai's Orson One Shoulder Midi Dress. In out secondary poll, readers were more confident this was a strong outfit: Sixty-five per cent of more than 1,000 voters called the piece stunning, whereas 11 per cent weren't fans and 24 per cent were divided.

The mom-of-one's all-leather piece showed off her next-level curves, and even featured a thigh-high slit and a tied rope-like element on the bodice. The "Desperate Housewives" actress wore the look for an appearance on the "Today" show where she talked about her TV series "Land of Women" as well as motherhood: "I think there's a dire need to leave this world a better place when you have children. You're like, 'Oh my gosh, I can't leave it the way it is.'"

WORST DRESSED WINNER: Constance Wu

Constance Wu wore Miu Miu at the Queerty Celebrates Pride50 Gala at The Edison Ballroom on June 17 in New York City. (Photo by Manoli Figetakis/Getty Images)

A fluffy party look isn't capturing the hearts of many Yahoo Canada readers. Unfortunately, Constance Wu was named this week's worst-dressed celebrity with her coral pink Miu Miu two-piece look for the Queerty Celebrates Pride50 Gala.

However, our worst-dressed celebrity poll was quite divided on which star had the most unpleasant outfit this week. Out of more than 1,100 voters, only 24 per cent of people believed the "Crazy Rich Asians" star won the title this week.

While it was a tight race, there was a consensus the 42 year old didn't dress to impress for her New York party. Our secondary poll shows 82 per cent of more than 1,000 voters thought this look was bad. That's opposed to only three per cent of people who liked the outfit, and 15 per cent of voters who were unsure.

Wu's coral pink look featured a crop top and mini skirt, both of which had feather trims. (Photo by Manoli Figetakis/Getty Images)

Wu's feather-trimmed outfit featured a satin crop top with thin straps, and it was paired with a matching mini skirt. The "Hustlers" actress accessorized with metallic strappy Rene Caovilla Juniper sandals, a light pink short necklace, pearl earrings and a shiny hair clip.

WORST DRESSED RUNNER UP: Emma Stone

Emma Stone wore Louis Vuitton for the New York premiere of "Kinds of Kindness" at the Museum of Modern Art on June 20. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Emma Stone narrowly missed out on the worst-dressed celebrity title this week. In that poll, 22 per cent of voters chose the 35-year-old actress as this week's worst-dressed star. Attending the New York premiere of her film "Kinds of Kindness," Stone wore an all-black piece from the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2025 show.

The outfit featured a sheer polka dot coverup with cutouts, which the "La La Land" star paired with black mini shorts and a pair of ankle-strap heels. For accessories, she opted for simple silver stud earrings and garnet red nails. While the gown was a miss, Stone looked stunning with a glittering makeup look that featured a bright red lip. Her brown hair was parted down the middle, and slightly tucked behind her ears to fall down her back.

Our secondary poll voters agreed this wasn't the best look of the week: Out of more than 1,000 people, 78 per cent indicated they didn't like this outfit. On the other hand, eight per cent shared they were fans, while 14 per cent were left in the middle.

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Aussies have expressed dismay at the shambolic attempt to ostensibly blackmail the driver or commit insurance fraud.

Australian drivers are paying millions more in car insurance due to exaggerated or fraudulent claims. And this video shows why. Source: Reddit

An Aussie driver has sounded the alarm after being the suspected target in a bumbling insurance fraud attempt after an unknown woman approached his car in the middle of the road and suddenly laid down in front of it. Seconds later a man appears out of nowhere to capture the bizarre scene on his phone  but thankfully it wasn't the only camera rolling.

Dash cam footage captured the surreal situation as it unfold in broad daylight in Quakers Hill in Sydney's west last week. After catching sight of the woman, who calmly approached the moving vehicle, the driver stopped and the woman proceeded to lie down in front of the car, out of sight from the dash cam.

A man appears from the side of the road and begins to record a video  with the intention seemingly to stage an accident.

"These people are scamming drivers in Quakers Hills," a friend of the driver wrote on social media, as a warning to other road users.

A driver stopped his car as a woman (right) approached his moving vehicle in a suspected insurance fraud attempt. Source: Reddit

"They accused him of hitting the woman with his car and threatened him to pay them."

After witnessing the footage online, many drivers said this was a perfect demonstration of why dash cams can really come in handy. Overwhelmingly, Aussies expressed dismay at the shambolic attempt to ostensibly blackmail the driver or commit insurance fraud, calling the attempt "stupid" and "grubby".

Yahoo News understands the incident has not been reported to NSW Police.

Insurance fraud affects every Aussie driver

This isn't the first time a dash cam has captured a suspected insurance fraud attempt, with a driver getting quite the scare last year in Browns Plains, Queensland after a woman ran out in front of their car at night. She stopped in the middle of the road as the driver slammed on the brakes, with the woman bouncing off the bonnet.

The driver in that incident reported that "several people" approached the vehicle "instantly" after the incident but the driver took off, sensing they were being targeted for a fraudulent claim or a carjacking.

A woman can be seen on camera running on to Grand Plaza Drive in Browns Plains before being hit by a car. Source: Dash cam Owners Australia

Not only do these dodgy instances impact the drivers involved, it also affects every road user who has an insurance policy.

"The costs associated with exaggerated or fraudulent claims push up the cost of insurance for every Australian policyholder," a spokesperson for the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) recently told Yahoo News about such behaviour.

According to the ICA, in 2023 insurance providers detected $560 million cases of opportunistic insurance fraud for motor and home policies alone, with undetected fraud estimated to cost the industry about $400 million a year.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
"Here's What People Don't Get About Us...": Non-Republicans Are Getting Very Candid About What It's Like To Live In A Red State

Recently, I asked Americans in the BuzzFeed Community who live in conservative states but don't agree with conservative politics to share things about their lives that people in liberal areas might not know or understand. In response, people shared their challenges and their fears, and some also shared their hopes for a better future. Here's what people had to say:

1."Were raising a trans child in a state that recently passed legislation barring gender-affirming health care for minors. When our kid progressed from blockers to hormones, the prescription was denied by the national pharmacy chain. We had to get extra documentation from multiple doctors, petition the corporate office for the pharmacy, and jump through a million hoops to prove our child was 'grandfathered' and could receive the necessary medical care recommended by their pediatrician and endocrinologist."

"We live in fear every day that they will reject the treatment plans again, and we will have to consider moving away from the only home our family has ever known. And where could we move that is safe?" Jennifer, North Carolina Fotostorm / Getty Images

2."I do policy work in Kansas and Missouri, and it's actually refreshing to be a progressive in a red state. There's a certain amount of strategic action and practicality that you can take to build coalitions that focus on policy, not politics. For example, we killed a bill that would've made it harder to adopt citizen-led ballot initiatives by playing conservatives off one another in the Missouri Senate. Guess what? That means it'll be easier for us to adopt initiatives that'll be on the ballot this year: overturning the abortion ban, increasing the minimum wage, and ensuring at least one week of guaranteed paid family and medical leave."

"Honestly, I feel like more blue-state folks would benefit from a stint out in the red states. It's a good reminder of why we fight for the things we do. People are driven more by how you can help them rather than who can be hurt. Hope ALWAYS sells well. Fear is just a temporary sugar rush. Come join us as we build power out here!"

Nate, Missouri

3."I hate it so much. I recently moved from Atlanta to Florida for employment purposes, and I regret it at least once a month. I went from being very politically involved (even considered running for local politics) to forgetting to vote for the first time in my adult life. It sucks knowing that no matter what you do, those around you are going to vote in ways that oppress you and your family."

"To make matters worse, I'm a minority in a very white area. My son never encountered racism until we moved here, and he's probably going to have to go back to therapy to survive this state. I'm hesitant to make friends with white people here because I always wonder what they 'really' think about me as a Black woman."

Carmen, Florida

4."I'm a queer disabled cis woman who lives in Missouri, where the state government has been almost 100% right-wing for 20 years. I'm terrified for SO many things right now. One is the well-being of myself and many of my loved ones because of all of the super oppressive policies that have been pushed in our state legislature in the last several years."

"Another thing I'm anxious about is my meds, especially my birth control, and whether the state will try to make that inaccessible. And finally, I'm scared shitless how much worse things could get for a lot of us here after the election, especially those of us who are LGBTQIA, disabled, not white, not a cis man, or some combo of any of these." potatoblorb Rattankun Thongbun / Getty Images

5."I am a gay Mexican man who was born and raised in Southern California. I moved to Great Bend, Kansas, two weeks before my 26th birthday. I am now 39, living in Wichita, Kansas. White men have no problem calling me all the racial and homophobic slurs out loud to my face. Ive been told to 'go back to my country' when I dont speak Spanish and have never left the country, even for a vacation. I am fourth generation Mexican."

"When I first moved from California to the small town (Great Bend), it was really rough. So many stares and comments to me. I moved from there two years later to Wichita. Wichita is much better. But it still has work to do."

alexchris95

6."I live in Kentucky. Heres the thing people dont get about us: one-quarter of the state's population lives in just two cities: Louisville and Lexington. Both cities are heavily blue-leaning. The problem is that our state legislature has a Republican supermajority and keeps gerrymandering our districts so that the only blue district is the one that Louisville is in. Our only saving grace is that our governor is a very even-handed Democrat."

"This is why I get angry when people say, 'The South should just secede' or some variation of just cutting off red states. There are WAY more people in the red states that arent rightoid bible thumpers than people give us credit for. Were more or less trapped here under the thumb of Republicans who wrote themselves into power, and tossing us under the bus puts a huge number of vulnerable populations into imminent danger (more than we already are) because many cant afford to 'just move.'

The very idea that picking up and moving on a whim to a state with a much higher cost of living is a feasible option is incredibly privileged, especially when you look at the disparity of average income."

luxahoy

7."QAnon is alive and well around here. They are very vocal about it both in person and online. Its very common for people to come straight from church and then say the most homophobic, transphobic, or racist thing youve ever heard. People here wholeheartedly believe that Trump won the 2020 presidency and believe that everything on CNN is 'liberal propaganda.'"

"The lack of proper education surrounding abortion access or plan B is alarming. The scariest part is the most aggressive people who want Christian nationalism are the women. Its tough out here if you dare to go against their traditional Christian values." Nox, Arkansas Olivier Douliery / AFP via Getty Images

8."I moved to Richmond, Virginia, from Delaware six years ago. I live in a VERY red county, literally one of the leaders of book banning and anti-LGBTQIA legislation nationwide. I was very depressed during 2020 and begged my husband for us to move back to Delaware. But since mortgage rates are through the roof and we are stuck here, I found groups of like-minded people in my town."

"I helped start a social justice group for literary access and got involved in more political movements. It is still VERY hard to live here as a woman of color, but knowing there are more and more people who don't like the things that are happening here either helps immensely."

n49bb21b12

9."I am an Independent living in my home state of Florida. My family sailed here from Spain to St. Augustine in the 1700's. It was a beautiful and carefree upbringing. I was raised to respect different opinions and political views. We had Walter Cronkite, who gave the straightforward news of the day without opinion pieces. Now, in my historical and colorful home state, there is selective hatred from many of my fellow Floridians, hatred directed at anyone with a different opinion or worldview other than their own."

"I love my state. There are many transplants here, and that is a bonus for Florida. I wish for everyone to enjoy living here but it's difficult. Folks are wearing their politics on their sleeves and broadcasting hateful, unkind rhetoric.We have serious issues here: rising seas, Category 5 hurricanes, overdevelopment, homelessness, and a stressed fresh water supply.

Listen to one another and respect other viewpoints, please. Let's focus on our present problems together."

Dee, Florida

10."I've lived in Iowa my whole life, 35+ years. We were once a truly purple, almost progressive state, leading the country as one of the first to legalize gay marriage in 2010, topping the education charts, and holding the first presidential caucuses each election cycle. Remember when Pete Buttigieg won the Iowa caucuses?! Things have taken a turn in the last 10 years or so."

"Our governor (Kim Reynolds, *insert boos here*) doesn't care about anything besides pandering to the MAGA crowd and getting donations. She has introduced multiple bills in the last few years relating to stripping constitutionalized workplace rights for members of the LGBTQ+ community, extensive book bans, reducing the number of Iowans eligible for Medicaid, stripping funding from public schools, etc. Fortunately, many of these bills were shot down by the Democrats in the Iowa senate, but the state only continues to grow more red as time goes on. I used to be proud to be an Iowan, but now I feel like a captive." malloryu2 Pabradyphoto / Getty Images/iStockphoto

11."My family is a very old family of southern Democrats. My Grandfather was a state senator. My family remained Democrats (because it was the right thing to do) when many southern Democrats abandoned the party over Desegregation. We are proud Southerners, and we are fire-breathing Democrats. We live in western North Carolina (Asheville). Asheville dominates the western part of the state and is a breathtakingly beautiful, progressive blue bubble in a red state. There are literally millions upon millions of Democrats and progressives living in North Carolina and in the South, in general. I think most of us see ourselves as putting (and keeping) our money where our mouths are, so to speak."

"We stay, and we fight, and we vote here because our votes truly matter MORE here than they would if we moved to the West Coast or the Northeast. And, well.... armchair Democrats are a dime a dozen in those places.

As I see it, if Democrats really want to make a change, then they have to move from their comfort zones and get out into the red states to live. Then vote, to make sure that those states turn blue. Be sure to invite your friends and families, too. Three red states that could be flipped fairly easily come to mind: North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. But only if Democrats make it their mission to move and are prepared to fight for progressive values via the ballot box.

Yeah, it can be scary. But it can also be exhilarating. AND it's the right thing to do. Fight like hell and fight for every single state. Come make our blue bubble larger, safer, and stronger. We NEED you guys! There are an awful lot of dark words coming out of MAGA's mouths these days. It's time to stand up and be counted."

Stephen, North Carolina

12."It can feel really unsafe to be a non-Republican in the area of Arizona where I live. Many of my neighbors fly Trump flags and believe the election was stolen. I'm the president of the PTA at my kid's school and am shocked that fellow parents don't think their kids should learn about the Civil War, particularly that slavery happened. At all. They want it erased."

"I was on campus, and another parent called me a 'liberal c***' because I was wearing my Eras Tour shirt. It's worrisome because these community members fit the bill of the gun-loving, racist, uneducated far-right Republican trope. They openly carry weapons everywhere and have bumper stickers threatening harm against Joe Biden or Liberals, etc.

Even more concerning is the fear that our public schools are indoctrinating our children with liberal ideals. I have seen quite the opposite; many parents in the Phoenix Metro area homeschool so that their children are not exposed to facts that they find uncomfortable. Additionally, my cousin has taught his 3-year-old daughter to tell her Grandpa she's mad at him because he voted for Biden. As a public school parent, I have not seen any indoctrination of any sort, although when my child was at a public charter school, he was forced to pray before every meal and snack. It's just so hypocritical and absurdly stubborn."

Emily, Arizona

13."I lived in a college town in Alabama for seven years while I was in graduate school, including during the 2016 election and its aftermath. Although I was in a deeply red state, being both at a university and in an academic discipline that tends to be pretty liberal, I felt surrounded by Democrats/progressives. With the exception of the students I taught, I rarely encountered people with whom I disagreed politically (in the classroom, I tried to keep my politics to myself, however). I felt just as blindsided by the results of the 2016 election as people in historically blue states, even though I knew Alabama would go to Trump."

"When my fellow graduate students would complain about students having regressive views, I often told them that we were doing the Lord's work, as it was and remains critically important for students from small towns where everyone thinks the same way to be exposed to views different from their own and to see difference and diversity as a strength rather than something to fear. I now teach in Georgia and still feel that way." Deborah, Georgia Rana Faure / Getty Images

14."I live in Arkansas. Its almost as if you are the only one living in reality, and everyone else is plugged into the Matrix. Republicans(friends and family) treat Trump as if he is the second coming of Jesus, which is blasphemous, but they cannot see the blasphemy because this is being taught in the churches as well."

"Ive seen the good, honest, and decent people I grew up around turn into conspiracy theory nutters who discuss the latest Q predictions at the local cafe when once only the weather or local gossip was talked about.

Joe Biden is talked about like he is the Antichrist, and once-sweet little old grandmas are spewing hate rhetoric about LGBTQ+ individuals that they hear from their local pulpit.

I hear authoritarianism and fascism being embraced in a community that once revered their military parents and grandparents who fought against the same evil back in World War II. It makes me sad to see how these people have forgotten their values and sacrifices."

silkyturtle681

15."Ive had no issues at all since moving to central Arkansas a few years ago. Honestly, I think people like to create chaos in their own head for sympathy. My neighbors and coworkers are wonderful. Crime is low in my area. The cost of living is amazing. My community actively supports and replenishes food banks, diaper depots, and social aid. I have bought a gun and furniture at the same store."

"Seriously, we should work towards stopping this unnecessary divide because questions like this only fan the flame and feed the stereotype."

Amy, Arkansas

16."There's a difficult nuance in being a liberal in a conservative state and still wanting to remain close to my family, both geographically and relationally. It would probably be easier if I were the kind of person who could just cut off my family because we believe different things, especially since we are likely more similar than we both realize. It's very awkward and disheartening to be at a gathering with my parents and their friend group and hear some of the uninformed, sometimes even hateful, things they say about communities that are different from theirs. I love my parents, and they are genuinely good people, but it's been challenging to my mental health to feel a responsibility to have conversations with them about my beliefs that almost always just end in yelling and fighting."

"It is discouraging to know that I am living in a state whose majority feels (and votes) from a place of hate, ignorance, and violence. I take comfort in my pocket of friends and social circle that generally share the same beliefs that I do. And to those people who would tell us to simply leave the state and go somewhere with less friction, I would say that it is the responsibility of those of us down here who have a voice to use it to make positive change where we can. We have to stay and fight, and we are doing so." Carolann, Alabama Milorad Kravic / Getty Images

17."Idaho resident here. I am in high school and have decided that I am not even going to consider dating. As a young woman, the place that could go is just too dangerous. I have had an older friend leave the state after a horrible experience with the abortion laws here. Honestly, I am planning to follow her. For me, its off to the East Coast as soon as I can get out of here."

"I am so done with being a second-class citizen. I have not even considered staying here for college. And I have two trans friends who feel the same. None of us plan to stay here a minute longer than we have to."

silkyknight81

18."I live in Utah and am consistently shocked that people around me still think the way they do. Our neighbor casually dropped the 'n-word' several times while talking to my husband. I bought a pride flag for our window, and we decided not to put it up for fear that our children would have to deal with the consequences. We sometimes have to tell our childrens friends and even grown adults that blatant racism wont be tolerated in our home."

"There are too many examples to list, but it really is jarring and sad that so much prejudice still exists in 2024, and no one seems ready to admit it."

grouchyshark188

19."I am a blue dot in the red state of Tennessee, and I am disgusted by our state GOP which has taken every opportunity to change laws to their benefit and go directly against the peoples protest and voices by making it easier to obtain guns, refusing to expand healthcare with Medicaid, and refusing to raise the minimum wage."

"When they are not overtly going against the people, they are quietly changing laws that will directly affect peoples lives. And yes, I constantly hear comments that I should move to another state if I dont like it, and I was born here!" glitterysnail22 Nathan Bilow / Getty Images

20."We moved to North Carolina over 10 years ago from Portland, Oregon. Charlotte has always been progressive, but we live in a conservative county a little ways outside of Charlotte. At first, I was nervous, being a female POC. But despite our political differences, every single person we've met here has been extremely kind and helpful. When I was battling cancer, our conservative neighbors politely demanded to take care of our lawn for us over our objections."

"No neighbor in our old Portland neighborhood would have stepped up like that and helped out virtual strangers. Overall, it's been a great experience living here. Regardless of political affiliation, there are genuinely kind people everywhere, and I truly hope we can see past the politics to each other's humanity."

Jamie, North Carolina

21."In Idaho, I don't feel 'free' at all. I'm scared to express any contempt for legislative practices and restrictions on reproductive healthcare for fear of retaliation. Conservatives in Idaho are quick to pull a gun, claiming to be the 'good guy with a gun' in literally any instance. There's now a bar that celebrates Straight Pride."

"It's so embarrassing. I'll never place an American flag at my house because of the correlation between the flag and MAGA. Pretty sad."

Amanda, Idaho

22."Lets be real: it fucking sucks. It feels as if voting is worthless because your vote will barely make a dent in the conservative block. You feel powerless as those in power continue to take away basic rights and cheat to stay in power. What also really sucks is the reactions from progressives who live in blue states. Anytime theres any sort of natural disaster or crisis, youll see them saying stuff like, 'Oh well, they deserve it because theyre all just conservative rednecks.'"

"First of all, no one deserves to suffer in a crisis, regardless of their political stance. Secondly, not everyone in a red state agrees with their leadership.Dont underestimate the input of progressives from red states; they probably have more experience fighting oppression than you do." Anonymous, Texas Gdagys / Getty Images

23."I live in Texas, and no one talks about how alone you feel. I have made several friends who have the same beliefs as me, but at the same time, hearing all of the nasty things that I so strongly disagree with out of everyones mouth really starts to take a toll on you after a while. You begin to believe that you are the only one who doesnt think like that, and it truly starts to take a toll on your mental health."

"As a woman, the policy part of it is just horrible as well, and I wish I could move me and my family out of the country, but its just not possible at this time. Texas needs to do better."

awkwardsnail85

24."Another fellow Texan. The feeling of almost hiding what I believe to ensure my physical safety is something I never imagined I'd do. After Robb Elementary, I remember walking outside, trying to just breathe and calm down, and watching a MAGA fan drive past my house with a fully adorned Trump mobile, complete with flags. Don't they see the absolute destruction going on because of their policies?"

"As for our governor, his callousness towards the immigrant community AND the victims of gun violence is shocking."

s42bb9c35d

25.And finally, "In a lot of ways, it really sucks, but also its an important lesson in learning empathy and understanding in a lot of different ways. I grew up upper-middle class in the South and spent a lot of my younger years around people who tended to be pretty conservative. But being Christian, I have a pretty big issue with thinking you can treat someone poorly just because theyre non-Christian, LGBTQIA+, living with a mental illness, neurodivergent, or non-white. So I always leaned more liberal, even if I dont much care about financial stuff outside of the social policy implications."

"It was hard growing up that way, but then I moved up north for college, and I loved it. That was hard in its own way, too, though, because people did make assumptions about me as I was a white, Southern Christian, and they thought I would be super conservative. But I seemed to show them pretty easily they were wrong, and there wasnt much pushback. It also showed me that a bunch of (but certainly not everyone) really didnt *understand* southerners or Republicans. Now, I dont agree with those groups on most things, but I do understand why they feel the way they do, and I think it makes me much more effective at really explaining why something doesnt work or why X is a better idea. I think everyone needs to do a much better job of trying to understand before dismissing. If someones wrong, and their ideas are harmful, then they should definitely be dismissed  Im not saying give them latitude to be awful for the sake of playing understanding. But I think my time in the South has made me much better at understanding why people have the wrong beliefs that they do. Having more understanding allows you to debate much better. When you can show someone that you do care about and understand their point of view, but that theyre wrong in how theyre going about things." Cat, South Carolina Tommy Lee Walker / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Can you relate? Share your experience with living in a red state in the comments below.
Previously, we spoke about a woman whose boss demanded she work a last-minute shift or be fired, so she quit. Inspired, dozens of members of the BuzzFeed Community weighed in with their own similar stories involving the most unfair or ridiculous request they received from their boss.

BuzzFeed

Here's what they shared:

1."I was uploading a Pride month post and had chosen a generic office picture to accompany it, which happened to have a person in a wheelchair in it (amongst a load of able-bodied looking people)."

"I was asked to remove said picture because 'it looks like we're trying to say gay people are disabled.' I think that says more about said senior person than anything else. I obviously refused to remove the image."

 julie-anneg

2."I put my holiday in for a festival, and my boss came in the next day having booked his holiday that same week. We were a small shop; only one staff member could be off at a time. He actually admitted, when he saw Id booked my time off, that he was in the wrong and should have checked the holidays that had been booked before paying for his own."

"But he then expected me to rearrange my dates or pay the fee for him to rearrange his own holiday. I did neither, as Im sure you can imagine. I did, however, post plenty of photos of me all over my socials that weekend of me having lots of lovely fun in the sun, rocking out to my faves."

 garebehr

3."I was working at the hospital in admissions and doing fertility treatments. Several women in our department were pregnant and going on leave. My boss comes up to me and tells me I couldnt get pregnant."

"I went off on him, telling him he had no right to say that to me. I was so appalled that he would say that to someone who was struggling to conceive. I turned him into Human Resources, and he claimed he was joking. My husband told me if I was uncomfortable working with him to quit. I turned in my resignation a few days later."

 Debby Cirelli

4."I work for a pediatrician and had to translate because there was a language barrier between the patient's family and the doctor.

"Right as we finished the consult, my boss/doctor told me to tell the patients they smelled badly. I told her I wouldnt be saying that and walked away."

 slyghost733

5."Hurt my knee while cleaning at work and was asked not to file for workers comp."

"This was when I was a teen and didnt know better. I wasnt offered any sort of compensation for it at all. Ended up having to go to physical therapy."

 adtime

6."While managing an apartment building, I found a tenant who had sadly unalived himself, and instead of calling the proper clean up people, the new owners wanted me to clean up the blood and bodily fluids myself and start showing the apartment asap."

"I quit after they tried to harass me into doing the cleaning."

 hiddenorc25

7."This was in the 1970s. My mom once worked with one of the worst sexist chauvinist pigs. Well, one day he told her she had to go with him out of town."

"She told him she couldn't go because she had young children at home and he said if she couldn't go, she was fired. Luckily, she got a better offer with a female boss. She ran into that man afterwards and he asked her how her new job was, and she said, 'It's the best decision I made!'

A footnote: this guy is now married to one of my mom's very domineering relatives. Love watching him squirm at large family gatherings!"

 crafty_gm

8."This happened when I was 20, working a minimum-wage retail job."

"I was on lunch when I checked my phone and saw I had so many messages asking me if Id heard from my sister; there was a shooting at her school. I was sobbing uncontrollably when a coworker found me. I couldnt talk, so I showed her the texts. She dragged me onto the sales floor to find our boss so she could tell her what happened and have her send me home. After she told her, our boss looked me in the eyes and said, 'Theres nothing you can do if you go home. Youll stay and finish your shift' with zero emotion. I was so shocked I stopped crying."

Anonymous

9."My boss asked me to do the online defensive driving course FOR HIM!!! He's a real piece of work!"

Anonymous

10."The new owner of my store owned two others of the same kind. The General Manager at one of the other stores needed to step down, so the owner and my store manager decided that I was the only one who could handle it and I ended up transferring. My first day there, almost every employee showed up late to their shift."

"Two of the employees ended up getting into a fight in front of customers. Hell, the high schoolers that worked night shift were more capable than the adults. To top it all off, they were only going to give me a dollar raise to deal with all this. I decided it was definitely not worth it and was nice enough to put in a month's notice for them to find a replacement. One night, I got a call from the owner where he told me that I could not quit, and that I CHOSE to take the job, and that I owe it to them to stay. I lost it on him and told him the exact date for my last day. They didnt find a replacement until two days before my last. The guy quit after two weeks."

 marveloussmoothie83

11."I was ordered to drive around during a blizzard to pick up my five coworkers since the buses werent running and the boss was leaving for vacation. It was my second day."

Anonymous

12.I was the closing assistant manager for a Chick-Fil-A."

"My great-grandmother was ready to say her goodbyes and got to, to every member of the family except for me, who had the closing shift that night."

 PattyNev

13."Had a boss at a pizza place that had me clean the coils in a cooler. No big deal. I was new. Ill do anything. He gave me the chemicals to do so and left. After cleaning, I noticed my hands, arms, and knees were burning."

"Went to ask him about it. He informed me, 'Those chemicals are corrosive and will eat you alive.' Needless to say, I wish he had told me sooner."

 silvermeat31

14."My boss made us bring our own toilet paper to work."

 crispyknight526

15."I was to receive a very well deserved promotion after about a year and a half of very hard work, sometimes overtime and sometimes underpaid. I couldnt wait for a raise and better responsibilities. My boss however had other plans. I came into work early at the last day of the work year and instead of a promotion, my boss handed me a mop."

"He told me that since I arrived before the custodian, I would have to clean up a carpet spill near the front office. I was absolutely furious at him and told him then and there that I had been working there long enough to get to a better place, not to be in charge of the cleanup, as that was well below my expected and current pay grade. He then had the AUDACITY to say that my 'outburst' proved I didnt deserve the promotion. (May I add that my boss is an absolute d**k and hates everyone that doesnt suck up to him.)

...I shoved the mop into his hands and told him to do it himself, I quit. That was the best decision I made and I dont regret it one bit. I am now working my way up in a much better and respectful company."

Anonymous

16."The heater went out, and he asked me to go on the snow-covered roof to reset it. I'm a receptionist."

Anonymous

17."It was Christmas Eve. My boss called me and another coworker, and we went to his house at 1 a.m. to set up a trampoline because his kids still believed in Santa Claus."

"He came outside after an hour and told us 'good job' and gave us a bottle of water each. He quit two months later."

 Peter Deutz

18."I work as a radiographer. The job required four weeks' notice to leave. I gave them six, so they had as much notice as possible to advertise for my replacement. A few hours after handing my notice in, I was summoned to the manager's office. It was a big department, so there were two male duty managers who were easily double my age then. They told me that they had already done the Christmas rota (Christmas was the week after I was due to leave), so it didnt suit them for me to leave, and they were going to call my new job and negotiate my start date to after Christmas."

"Young me honestly thought they were joking, but safe to say they werent. I was too intimidated to challenge them there and then. I gave them more than enough notice, upholding the end of my contract, and the fact the Christmas rota would need to be changed was their problem, not mine."

Anonymous

19."Working as a realtor, you are required to pass an ethics exam every other year."

"My broker, who owned our franchise, asked me to take the ethics course and pass the test for him. He offered me $100 to pass an ethics course."

Anonymous

20."Worked in an office for a construction company on a military contract. The company would let pretty much anyone operate the big trucks and heavy equipment with or without a license. I kept my mouth shut as I was told. Until there was an accident, and I was told to lie outright to the inspector and say that someone else who was licensed was driving at the time."

"To make matters worse, the driver was a 16-year-old illegally employed and not even legally able to be on a construction site. So not only were his injuries going to be swept under the rug and get him screwed, but the driver that I was supposed to say was driving would have that on his record as well. And I could have even been arrested for lying about it. Needless to say, that was the last straw, and when I refused, I was fired on the spot."

Anonymous

21."I hit my head badly on the job once, and my boss wanted me to keep working rather than go to the doctor."

"I told her to deal with it and went to the doctor (which I paid for out of pocket), and it was indeed a concussion."

Anonymous

22."I worked in a preschool, and my school was a large school broken down into three buildings. My building hosted four classrooms with a total of 57 students ages ranging from 1 to 4 years old. Our building had co-directors, which means not one, but two people in charge. One was the best friend of our senior managements sister, and the other was a ditz. Between the two of them, I dont know who was worse: S, or N. N would screw up constantly, and S always had her back without question."

"We had a case of head lice in our 3-year-old room, which spread throughout the class and to our 1-year-old room. It stayed for the better part of six weeks because N told us we couldnt send children home with live lice and/or nits present, as it was school policy they could stay. We tried telling her that was not the policy and she kept forcing us to not call parents to pick up their child with head lice. She also told us we didnt need to check their heads upon arrival and that they were fine with lice and nits present. This was a major violation of both DHFS rules, and had licensing found out about this, our center would faced a write-up and a fine. We attempted to convince N otherwise, but all she did was argue, so we let the chips fall and watched as parents complained to senior management, who sadly ignored Ns leadership behavior."

Anonymous

And finally...

23."My VP asked me to impersonate his recently deceased wife to an airline and ask that her frequent flyer points be transferred him. When I objected he told me not to be so silly and just do it."

Anonymous

WOW. Now I'm curious if you've experienced anything similar.

Tell us the most unfair request you've received or the most ridiculous thing your boss has ever asked you to do at work in the comments below. Or, if you'd like to remain anonymous, feel free to share via this Google Form. Your answer may appear in an upcoming post.
The Food Network host and mom of two isnt interested in playing dress-up with her kidsand thats ok.

Courtesy of Molly Yeh

My kids know that while I can let loose and laugh at the silliest jokes, Im terrible at building pillow forts and dreaming up rainy day crafts. But Molly Yeh? I expected the irrepressibly cheery host of the Food Network show Girl Meets Farm to be the official merry maker of her family. Her last name is even pronounced yay! So I was surprised to discover that the mom of two is a kindred soul. My reaction: the more, the, um, not merrier! I recently spoke to her from the sugar beet farm in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, where she lives with husband Nick Hagen, a fifth-generation farmer, and daughters Bernie, 5, and Ira, 2.

Parenthood is a twisty road with surprises around every corner. Whats been your biggest realization as a mom?

Im not the fun parent. I try not to stress out over the fact that I'm terrible at just playing. As far as wrestling with the kids and reenacting princess scenes, my brain just doesn't do that naturally. They know that Im happy being with them. I just cant do the loud screaming and chasing. But I will create a very good setting for them in which to play.

You make sure fun happens! What would you say is your parenting superpower?

I can make any food they ask for from scratch. This past weekend Bernie saw a picture of a hot pretzel in a book and then we made some that day. Kid food and comfort food are my fortes as a cook. Anytime they want something store-bought, like goldfish crackers and Cheez-Its, I can create homemade versions.

What about cultural foods? Any specialties?

My husbands family is from Norway and mine is from China and Hungary. There arent many other Jewish or Asian people where we live. We have to make the dumplings and matzo ball soup because we cant just order them in a restaurant. As soon as Ira is out of diapers and no longer napping, I would love to go to the countries of our heritage and dig into those roots. Visiting these countries will be important for how my kids tell their story.

I love having things to look forward to to break up my familys usual routine. Speaking of, what do mornings look like in your house?

Bernie crawls into bed with us anywhere between six and seven, and then jumps in the shower with me. Shell hang out as I go through my routine. I just have to get my stuff done first. Its like when you're on the airplane and youre supposed to put the oxygen mask on yourself before helping others. Ill shower, put on makeup, and then go for a walk on the treadmill. Bernie will do her little stretches while I work out. And yes, I do my exercise after putting on makeup. Its not that strenuous.

Whatever works for you. How do you find joy when life gets overwhelming?

Im an organizer. If Im looking at a long to-do list, I like to get really specific on my calendar and figure out when everything will get done. That puts me at ease. I get peace of mind knowing that I can expect things to play out a certain way over the next few weeks. I thrive on routine.

A final thought.

Talking to Molly got me thinking about how we all have our own strategies to get through the day when life gets bumpy. For me, it involves hot yoga. Ill admit I thought I would pass out during those first few classes. But I persevered. Getting acquainted with my breath and knowing how to use it has certainly helped me be a better mother, especially when my patience runs dry. So, deep breaths, everyone. Id love to know, how do you find joy?



Until Next Time,

Grace

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One parent decided to find out.

Edgar Barragan Juarez/Getty Images

Fact checked by Elizabeth BrownfieldFact checked by Elizabeth Brownfield

Before I became pregnantbefore I was even sure I wanted to be a mother, reallyI knew I would name my child Ellis. Theres family history behind it, but I also loved the literary connection (Emily Brontes pen name was Ellis Bell).

But then I found out I was expecting twins.

It never occurred to me before that I might need two names, but I found the challenge exciting. The search started small, at first. I casually scrolled through baby name lists, lurked in various Reddit communities, and asked a few friends and family members what they liked.

When that didnt yield results, I asked my parents and mother-in-law to send family records. I kept going deeper down the rabbit hole, even dragging my husband to a local cemetery to spend an afternoon looking at tombstones for unexpected vintage names. I reached out to baby name consultants I followed obsessively on TikTok, desperate for their suggestions. Still unsatisfied, I considered giving up all control and letting my husband just surprise me.

I knew I was overthinking the whole thing and taking it too far. But as a writer, I couldnt let go of the feeling that words matter. That a name can shape who we are, good and bad. My daughter, Ellis, would have a name that held so much significance. Didnt my son deserve the same?

Related: How to Create a Unique Baby Name

I was seven months into my pregnancy when I had an idea: What if I let him have a say? Would a psychic be able to connect to my unborn baby and...simply ask?

As it turns out, Im not the first person to do this. The two psychics I ended up working with both told me they frequently see pregnant clients. Not so surprising when you consider that one in three Americans say theyve experienced a psychic moment, according to YouGov Omnibus.

The Internet and social media have normalized interest in once taboo topics like astrology and belief in the paranormal, something that became more than clear to me when I was pregnant. Anytime I shared my due date, the response was almost always, I love Libras!

Elizabeth April, a clairvoyant, intuitive psychic, and the author of Youre Not Dying Youre Just Waking Up, says its absolutely possible for parents-to-be to be in conversation with their child before the little one arrives earthside.

Psychic or not, I believe that we can all connect with what I call baby beings, or little baby spirits, she says. Typically, when youre contracted to have children, those spirits will be around you for life so a psychic or medium can tap in and see what souls are attached to you and wanting to come through. And yes, sometimes theyre very opinionated on names. Sometimes theyre just like, hey, whatever goes.







"Typically, when youre contracted to have children, those spirits will be around you for life so a psychic or medium can tap in and see what souls are attached to you and wanting to come through. And yes, sometimes theyre very opinionated on names."

Elizabeth April







She points to herself as an example: When she was 18, April was in a deep meditative state when a little boy came into her consciousness and said, Hi, mom. My name is Bodhi. It wasnt a name shed heard or considered beforebut when she gave birth years later to a son, she knew immediately what his name would be.

I had to Google the name, she says, laughing. But it was great because he even gave me the spelling. Its spelled like the bodhi tree, which means enlightenment or awakening, which, of course, is totally my vibe.

If your future child doesnt have an attachment to a name, April says, you can still ask a psychic or medium about their disposition to help influence your decision. Even if the psychic doesnt give you the direct name, tapping into the personality can really match one to their vibe, she says. Like, Oh, she is whimsical and loves nature. Or, Hes super artistic.

Related: How to Choose a First, Middle, and Last Name for Your Baby

Thats what happened to me. The psychics I worked with both said my son didnt have a particular name in mind, but that he liked the idea of something formalnames that conveyed strength and had some weight, in their wordswith the option for a quirky nickname. Interestingly, they also were aligned in describing his personality: an old soul, smart, a natural leader, introverted but with a great sense of humor.

Dear departed loved ones may want to weigh in on your baby name too. A parent by the name of Carissa tells me she was considering hyphenating her childs last name to honor her late grandmother when she saw a medium.

They said, Whats this about your childs name? Shes saying, You dont have to do that, Carissa says. It kind of validated things for me, because I had been going back and forth.

But according to April, you dont really need to meet with a psychic or medium to learn if a name is the right fit or not. I believe everyone has intuition, she says. A lot of the time, we have to ask ourselves these questions and then just be really open-minded and patient enough to listen to the answers.

Is there a name that keeps coming up at seemingly random times? Did you hear a name and immediately get a positive feeling in your gut? Pay attention, April says, because those could be signs youre on the right path.

Related: The Twin Telepathy Challenge Is TrendingIs It Actually a Thing?



I want to empower the individual not just to go seek advice and psychic readings, but to find those answers from within, April says. And to know that they are more connected to their children, born or unborn, than even a psychic could be. It just takes a great amount of listening to tune in.

And just because you talk to a psychic doesnt mean its law. After hearing so much about my sons personality and name preferences, I asked if my unborn daughter had thoughts on being named Ellis. She doesnt really like it, one said bluntly. The other was a little softer in her approach, telling me that she kept seeing flowers whenever she connected to my daughter. She may end up nicknamed after a flower in some way, she predicted.

Well see if that comes to passfor now, I cant picture calling my children anything other than their given names, Ellis and Harrison Sonny Earl.



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Fast food establishments don't just reward customers via loyalty apps, though there are some pretty nice ones. Many also provide employees with discounts on food and beverages either while they are working or when they come in on a day off. This, of course, provides the employees with needed nourishment, but also educates them on the menu. But some companies take it a step further and offer free food to employees, generally while they are working. Certain McDonald's locations around the world, for instance, provide free meals and sodas during shifts. So, where does Starbucks, a company that has at times been at loggerheads with its employees, fall on the issue of free food and drinks?

According to the company's food and beverage benefits page, employees -- referred to as "partners" internally -- may consume an unlimited amount of "handcrafted beverages" during a shift. That means everything from drip coffee to artisan espresso drinks are gratis, but, presumably, not pre-packaged coffees and other sealed drinks. Additionally, partners are afforded a ration of seven "free food items from the pastry or ready-to-eat case per week." Given Starbucks' wide gamut of comestibles, that essentially covers meals if say a sandwich is taken, but could also just be a sweet treat like a signature cake pop.

Read more: 31 Popular Coffee Brands, Ranked

The Inside Scoop On Starbucks

starbucks drink - Dontree_m/Getty Images

As it turns out, Starbucks isn't only giving free food to its employees. With most customers simply getting a beverage when they visit, the pastry case can, at times, be quite full at closing time. Freshness being key to baked goods, this leaves each location to decide what to do with pastries and other food items that are still fine to eat but outside of the coffee shop's quality standards. Partners get first crack at these items, but what's left over Starbucks donates to charities, such as food banks. We know this because one of our own writers, Dani Zoeller, recounted her experience as Starbucks barista in an article.

In addition to the generous food donations Starbucks makes to provide food for those experiencing hunger, Zoeller says that the unlimited drink program is a hit with employees. The caffeine is flowing as baristas sip on frappuccinos, iced tea, and everything in between, including off-menu combinations of their own creation. Thus, they're fonts of knowledge when it comes to what you might like, so feel free to ask them for recommendations as they've likely tried various amalgams of coffee, syrups, and creams that you've never dreamed of.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
Travel company names Assateague Island National Seashore a 'best beach in the world'

Planning your next coastal getaway?

Look no further than Assateague Island National Seashore. The 37-mile long barrier island  located at 7206 National Seashore Lane in Berlin, Maryland  was recently named one of the 'best beaches in the world' by Enjoy Travel.

FIREWORK SHOWS ON LOWER SHORE: 4th of July fireworks 2024: Here's where to enjoy them in Ocean City, Salisbury and more

Assateague Island ranks no. 18 out of 50 for 'best beaches in the world'

Two Assateague horses stand on Bayberry Drive at Assateague Island National Seashore on Sunday, July 11, 2021. Cars maneuvered slowly around the horses.

Enjoy Travel, a travel company that compares travel products worldwide, used aggregated scores from social media and contributions from its editorial team to round up 50 of the best beaches worldwide.

Assateague Island National Seashore ranked no. 18 out of 50.

"For a totally unique coastal experience, theres the Assateague Island National Seashore," EnjoyTravel.com said.

Assateague Island is best known for its pristine beaches, wild ponies and abundance of saltwater marshland. The barrier island rests on the East Coast, along the Atlantic Oceanof Maryland and Virginia. Altogether, it stretches from Chincoteague, Virginia, to the end of Route 611 in Berlin, Maryland.

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE: Assateague Island announces big changes with new speed limit, two trail reopenings

Visitors enjoy the waves at Assateague Island National Seashore on Friday, Sept 14, 2018.

In addition to wild ponies, the island is also home to an impressive ecosystem of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects, mollusks and fish, Delmarva Now previously reported.

Travelers may also choose to indulge in the island's nature trails, primitive camping and seasonal nature programs.

BEST OCEAN CITY BUSINESSES: Ocean City's best restaurants, bars and Boardwalk spots, as picked by OceanCity.com

"Home to wild horses that roam its shores, this pristine barrier island features untouched beaches, salt marshes and unique wildlife spots. Hike nature trails, paddle a kayak or just relax on the soft sands. If a day isnt enough for you, bring your tent and camp under a canopy of stars," EnjoyTravel.com said.

Piha Beach in New Zealand finished at No. 1 on Enjoy Travel's list. To check out the full list of beaches, visit EnjoyTravel.com.

CHINCOTEAGUE PONIES: Meet the teen Chincoteague ponies champion who led in making them Virginia's official pony

Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Plan your next trip to 'top beach' Assateague Island National Seashore


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



This month, fashion designer Marc Jacobs revealed, with stunningly long, rhinestoned nails, his latest obsession: a white TOTO toilet in his home. It's surrounded by green marble walls, it has a control center to manage functions like jetting water and gusts of warm air, and the sensory cover lifts up as soon as you come near it. "The most [frequently asked question] that I've been getting recently is how you keep yourself clean," he told his Instagram followers. "And TOTOs are much more hygienic and certainly greener than paper."

The rise of fancy toilets can be seen from every level, from blue-chip art to public necessity. In 2019, an 18-karat gold toilet (valued at $5.95 million) named "America" by Maurizio Cattelan was so coveted that it was stolen from an art exhibition at Blenheim Palace. It took four years for the robbers to be charged with theft. If you're besties with the rapper Drake, you might receive a TOTO toilet (or four) as a birthday gift, just like DJ Khaled did for his 47th birthday. While residents of San Francisco's Tony Noe Valley celebrated the opening of a $1.7 million public restroom, Abbey Whalen continues to rack up followers (she's over 270,000 on TikTok) for reviewing bathrooms around the world, from the toilets in Hermes to those on Spirit airplanes. In a world where design aficionados are trigger-happy to post their new Mario Bellini couches or china pantries, could it be that the next big-deal status symbol for your home is something that's long been ignored?



But, today's high-end porcelain thrones aren't the toilets of yore. Take Kohler's Numi 2.0 model, to begin with. It is a toilet Tesla: modern, high-tech, and fun, thanks in part to its ambiant lighting and speaker system. "Luxury, especially in the context of the cultural renaissance of quiet luxury, is about restraint and the purposeful attention to quality and details," Michael Corr, Senior Brand Marketing Manager at Kohler tells T&C. "It is a thematic homage to making everyday moments and rituals better through the intention of use."

Courtesy Kohler





Traditionally, the most ornate bathrooms would have a marble toilet next to a separate bidet. But, high-tech toilets that combine botha combo known as a washlet and pioneered by TOTO in the 1980sare slowly coming into favor in America. They're already reportedly in more than 80% of Japanese homes, according to Japan Today,

They're so popular, in fact, that TOTO toilets have their own Museum in Kitakyushu, Japan. Shihohiko Takahashi, an urban designer and professor emeritus of Kanagawa University explained to CNN that the appliance addressed the "nation's 'shame culture'" while also promoting Japan as a high-tech innovator."

Courtesy of Layton Campbell

Could a similar cultural impact be taking place in the U.S.? "If we're being candid, going to the bathroom is still a taboo topic," Charlotte, NC-based interior designer Layton Campbell tells T&C. "To have a bidet or an advanced toilet here is considered a luxury, but it's really just hygiene and we shouldn't be so prudish about it."

So, how should one go about putting theory into practice? While the bathrooms off a primary bedroom, or others that people live in full time, are a given, adding these thrones to guest bedrooms and powder rooms are how status is truly telegraphed.

"Welcoming friends into your home is one of life's great pleasures, and the guest water closet has emerged as something of a star player for discerning hosts," James Lentaigne, the creative director of bathroom appliance company Drummonds tells T&C. (Conveniently, they've just launched a collection with interior designer Steven Gambrel to help glamorize your washroom). It's true: water closets and guest bathrooms are easy opportunities to say to your guests: I can indulge in luxurious toiletries, and I have enough means so that you can, too. I can putde Gournay wallpaper in my bathroom and yours. Those hand towels? Those are Matouk, honey, and we switch them out for SFERRA every once in a while.

Courtesy of Drummonds

But, Campbell also addresses the shock value a super-charged toilet might have on guests. "If someone is only there for dinner, then the likelihood of going through those steps of a bidet might make it obvious. But, a guest room is always an appropriate place to put it, and guests would probably appreciate that."

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"Even though the rain is slowing down, we need to keep vigilant," said South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem in a statement

Sioux County Sheriff via AP This image provided by Sioux County Sheriff shows City of Rock Valley, Iowa on June 22, 2024

Various parts of the Midwest, including South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota, have been impacted by flooding due because of heavy rain

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a state disaster proclamation for 22 counties

Additional rounds of rainfall in the Northern Plains and the Upper and Middle Mississippi Valley are expected to continue through the week, said the National Water Prediction Service

At least one person has died in South Dakota as parts of the Midwest experienced major flooding attributed to heavy rain in recent days.

At a news conference on Sunday, June 23, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem announced the fatality due to flooding, the Argus Leader reported. However, she did not further elaborate on the nature of what happened out of respect for the victim's family.

According to National Weather Service hydrologist Kevin Low, areas below Sioux Falls, South Dakota, endured rainfall measuring 10 to 15 inches over three days, per CBS News.

On Saturday, June 22, Noem signed an executive order declaring an emergency for the storms and associated flooding in South Dakota. Even though the rain is slowing down, we need to keep vigilant. The worst of the flooding along our rivers will be Monday and Tuesday, she said in a statement.

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.

Sioux County Sheriff via AP This image provided by Sioux County Sheriff shows City of Rock Valley, Iowa on June 22, 2024

Meanwhile, a railroad bridge that links North Sioux City, South Dakota, with Sioux City, Iowa, collapsed in the late evening of June 23 into the Big Sioux River, the Associated Press reported.

We have been monitoring the region through our increased track inspections and had not been operating over the bridge at North Sioux City as a precaution, given conditions," Burlington Northern Santa Fe, which owns the railway, wrote in a statement obtained by NBC affiliate KTIV. "All trains are being rerouted via Creston, Iowa. We will continue to monitor and inspect conditions in the area and execute recovery operations as needed.

Related: At Least 2 Dead as Heavy Rain and Significant Flooding Continues in South Florida: See the Photos

According to the National Weather Service, flood warnings have been in effect in parts of South Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Illinois. Additional rain is forecasted to arrive and the rivers are not expected to crest until later in the week, per the AP.

In Iowa, the flooding has resulted in evacuations and damage to almost 2,000 properties, via NBC News. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a state disaster proclamation for 22 counties, the Des Moines Register reported. She said on June 23 that she called for an expedited presidential major disaster declaration.

I can tell you the devastation is severe, and it is widespread," said Reynolds.

Related: Toddler Dead, Mom Critically Injured After Tornado Sends 'Massive' Tree into Home As They Slept

Reynolds also said that 250 water rescues were conducted Saturday and over 1,000 people have been housed, the Times reported.

Over the last two days, about 7-10 inches of rain fell in southern Minnesota, said Brent Hewett, a National Weather Service meteorologist, Minnesota Public Radio reported. The heavy rainfall in the Minnesota town of Waterville caused two lakes and the nearby Cannon River to ascent to "uncontrollable levels," per CBS News.

Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz authorized the Minnesota National Guard to be available to provide support for emergency flood operations, according to a statement from the governors office.

Related: What to Do If a Car You're in Gets Submerged in Water, According to an Emergency Room Doctor

Across the state, intense rain has had catastrophic effects, Walz said. Flooding has left entire communities under feet of water, causing severe damage to property and numerous road closures. As flooding continues, the National Guard is ready to step up to help our neighbors Their response will provide invaluable support that will be critical in ensuring the safety of Minnesotans during this difficult time.

In its advisories for the various Midwest states affected by the flooding, the National Weather Service cautioned drivers that "most flood deaths occur in vehicles," and that motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive cars through flooded areas.

The National Water Prediction Service said on June 24 that additional rounds of rainfall in the Northern Plains and the Upper and Middle Mississippi Valley are expected to continue through the week, bringing the potential for flash, urban and small stream flooding, per The Washington Post.



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Read the original article on People.
CHICAGO  A man is dead and two others are hospitalized on Sunday night after a shooting on the citys West Side.

According to Chicago police, the deadly shooting unfolded just before 5 p.m. in the 2800 block of South Kedzie Avenue, in Little Village.

Officers responded to the area following an alert from gunshot detection technology and after arriving on the scene, they found an unresponsive 19-year-old man who had suffered several gunshot wounds.

Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines

The victim was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Officers later confirmed that two other victims, a 19-year-old woman who suffered a gunshot wound to her leg and a 20-year-old man who suffered several gunshot wounds to his body took themselves to the hospital after the shooting.

The 20-year-old man was listed in critical condition and the woman was listed in good condition.

Currently, it is unclear what led to the shooting and authorities say no arrests have been made.

Authorities have not yet identified the victim killed.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact CPD Area Four Detectives at 312-746-8251 or dial 911.

Those with information that could help detectives in their investigation can also leave a tip for police at CPDtip.com. Tips can be filed anonymously.

Cooler temperatures are expected to continue on Monday, but the heat could soon return. An updated look at what to expect in the week ahead NEXT

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
After moving into a caravan to travel Australia last year, the family faced the devastating blow.

An Aussie family are shattered after their caravan home erupted in flames, leaving them with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Victorian Maddy Brown, 22, was visiting her mum with her two children Kahlani, 4, and Frankie, 2, when she received a call from her partner Connor, 28, on Friday last week telling her everything they owned had burnt to the ground.

Its believed a diesel heater inside the caravan was the cause of the blaze, and Maddy says its a miracle no one was inside at the time of the blaze. The mum, who admits she considered cancelling the insurance on their caravan multiple times just to have enough money to feed her family, is now warning others after the horror incident.

We never thought this would happen to us, she told Yahoo News Australia. There were times where we were asking ourselves 'do we pay our insurance or feed our kids'? My message is to keep those payments going as hard as it is. Were still in an awful position where we have nothing, but we hold onto hope our insurance will come through.

Maddy received a heartbreaking phone call from her partner that their family had lost "everything". Source: Supplied

Family turn to caravan life to spend more time together

Maddy told Yahoo the family decided to hit the road in April last year to spend more time together after struggling to make ends meet during the cost-of-living crisis. They quickly fell in love with the lifestyle and plan to continue living in their caravan for the foreseeable future.

Its been amazing, it has been the best time of our lives, she said of the move. We had a house full of stuff before, and now we had a caravan that had everything we needed and its the happiest weve ever been."

At the time of the fire, the family had parked their caravan on Connors bosss land in the outer Melbourne suburb of Diggers Rest. He was working as a truck driver when he got the call about the blaze, and initially feared Maddy and the kids were inside the caravan.

After calling her several times, he finally got through to Maddy and broke the tragic news. I didnt believe him at first, Maddy told Yahoo. He said Its gone, everything is gone, and I just started crying, I was just in such disbelief.

The couple went to see the ruins of their home with Maddy describing the scene as awful. It was our entire lives just sitting in a pile of ashes on the ground," she said.

The tragic remnants of the fire in the family's caravan home. Source: Supplied

Mum's stark warning to caravan owners

Maddy posted about her ordeal on social media warning others about the risks of caravan fires. Weve seen other people have similar experiences but we never thought it would be us," she said.

The response has been amazing, weve had offers of kids' clothes and people lending us caravans to stay in while we get back on our feet.

For now, the family are staying with Maddys mum, but have been told it could be up to eight weeks before they get the funds from their insurance company to replace the caravan.

The lesson Ive learned is to never be that naive to think that something like this wont happen to you.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family get back on their feet.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
1 year later: What weve learned about the Titan submersible implosion

A year after an experimental submersible imploded en route to the Titanic, unanswered questions linger  with no immediate answers.

Tuesday marks one year since the Titan vanished on its way to the historic wreckage site. After a five-day search that captured the worlds attention, officials said the craft had been destroyed and all five people on board killed.

The U.S. Coast Guard quickly convened a high-level investigation into what happened. Concerns leading up to the investigation included the Titans unconventional design and its creators decision to forgo standard independent checks.

Read: Surfer Tamayo Perry dies in apparent shark attack off the coast of Oahu

A look at the one-year anniversary of the Titan tragedy:

The investigation is taking longer than expected

Coast Guard officials said in a statement last week that they would not be ready to release the results of their investigation by the anniversary. A public hearing to discuss the findings wont happen for at least two more months, they said.

Investigators are working closely with our domestic and international partners to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the incident, Marine Board of Investigation Chair Jason Neubauer said, describing the inquiry as a complex and ongoing effort.

The Titan was owned by a company called OceanGate, which suspended its operations last July, not long after the tragedy. OceanGate said in a Tuesday statement that it has ceased all operations and is continuing to cooperate with authorities, including the U.S. Coast Guard, in their investigations. The company also said in its statement that it expresses our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones, as well as everyone impacted by this tragedy.

The Titan made its last dive on June 18, 2023, a Sunday morning, and lost contact with its support vessel about two hours later. When it was reported overdue that afternoon, rescuers rushed ships, planes and other equipment to the area, about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. Johns, Newfoundland. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said Monday that there are other submersibles operating within Canadian waters, some of which are not registered with any country.

In addition to OceanGate co-founder Stockton Rush, the implosion killed two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman Dawood; British adventurer Hamish Harding; and Titanic expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

Read: Judge sentences Bessman Okafor to death more than a decade after teens murder

Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible

Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible

Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible

Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible

Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible

Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible

Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible

Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible

Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible

Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible

Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible

Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible

Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible

Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible

Mike Reiss and his wife took a trip to the Titanic on the submersible

Remembering those who died

David Concannon, a former adviser to OceanGate, said he will mark the anniversary privately with a group of people who were involved with the company or the submersibles expeditions over the years, including scientists, volunteers and mission specialists.

Harding and Nargeolet were members of The Explorers Club, a professional society dedicated to research, exploration and resource conservation.

Then, as now, it hit us on a personal level very deeply, the groups president, Richard Garriott, said in an interview last week.

Garriott said there will be a remembrance celebration for the Titan victims this week in Portugal at the annual Global Exploration Summit.

Read: Sheriffs office increases reward to $100,000 for 30-year Volusia County cold case

The tragedy wont stop deep-sea exploration

The Georgia-based company that owns the salvage rights to the Titanic plans to visit the sunken ocean liner in July using remotely operated vehicles, and a real estate billionaire from Ohio has said he plans a voyage to the shipwreck in a two-person submersible in 2026.

Several deep-sea explorers told The Associated Press that the Titan disaster shook the worldwide community of explorers, but it remains committed to continuing its missions to expand scientific understanding of the ocean.

Read: Deputies: 4 Illegal gambling operations shut down in Lake County

Garriott believes the world is in a new golden age of undersea exploration, thanks to technological advances that have opened frontiers and provided new tools to more thoroughly study already visited places. The Titan tragedy hasnt tarnished that, he said.

Progress continues, he said. I actually feel very comfortable and confident that we will now be able to proceed.

Veteran deep-sea explorer Katy Croff Bell said the Titan implosion reinforced the importance of following industry standards and performing rigorous testing. But in the industry as a whole, the safety track record for this has been very good for several decades, said Bell, president of Ocean Discovery League, a nonprofit organization.

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Walmart is one of the top retail grocery chains in the U.S., with over 4,500 stores in operation throughout the country as of April 2024. Though it provides shoppers with unrivaled choice at every location, the huge number of available products offered at each Walmart also greatly increases the chances it will have to issue product recalls.

Now, to its credit, Walmart appears to recognize the need to quickly react when food products are found to be potentially unsafe for human consumption; prompt recalls can be the difference between life and death, after all. Still, like many other retail chains, the company has been forced to issue a number of recalls in recent years (including one of the biggest food recalls of 2024 so far).

While there are many theories as to why these have occurred, there's no denying some product recalls been fairly problematic for the company -- even if it was caused by a manufacturing error unrelated to Walmart itself. No matter the underlying explanation, many of the ensuing recalls have been especially damaging to the store and its image. With that in mind, keep reading as we examine 12 food recalls that will always haunt Walmart.

Read more: The Best Grocery Store In Every State

Peanut Butter Recalled Due To Salmonella Outbreak

Walmart peanut butter shelf display - Billy F Blume Jr/Shutterstock

Given how the modern food supply chain is built in the U.S., it's not uncommon for food produced at a single plant to be sold in stores across the country. While this is often the most efficient and cost-effective method, it also increases the likelihood of a nationwide foodborne illness outbreak. This risk was highlighted in 2006, when peanut butter produced by a plant in Georgia infected at least 628 people from 47 states with Salmonella -- leading to recalls being issued for a pair of products sold at Walmart.

Now, no deaths were reported, but two of the most popular peanut butter brands were involved: Peter Pan and Walmart's Great Value. More than that, unopened jars of both Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter were found to contain Salmonella after testing in early 2007. Following an investigation, it was reported that damp conditions caused by a leaking roof had led to the bacteria growing on peanuts used to make peanut butter.

Eventually, in 2016, it was announced that ConAgra (the company that operated the plant) had agreed to a plea deal settlement payment of over $11 million. The case revolved around whether or not ConAgra had knowingly continued shipping the tainted product despite lab tests having detected Salmonella. Though Walmart wasn't associated with ConAgra's legal troubles following the peanut butter recall, the connection to such practices was likely damaging to its reputation.

Noodles Recalled Due To Mislabelling

Saimin frozen noodles - Walmart/S&S

Accurate labeling is incredibly important in the food industry. Not only does it provide consumers with vital nutritional information, but it also alerts them to the presence of potential allergens. With that in mind, despite the fact that S&S Cup Saimin contained egg white powder, the common allergen wasn't declared on the label. This led to a recall of just over 37,000 cases of the frozen noodle product in May 2024, including some from a handful of Walmart locations.

Since individuals with egg allergies can develop a variety of serious symptoms upon ingesting egg or egg products (including anaphylaxis), failing to list the ingredient was a potentially fatal mistake. Sun Noodle's S&S Cup Saimin was stocked by various retailers in Hawaii, California, Utah, and Nevada, though Walmart was only required to recall the product from 11 of its Hawaii-based stores.

Thanks to prompt recalls by Walmart and other retailers -- plus a little good luck -- no illnesses appear to have been associated with the consumption of Sun Noodle's S&S Cup Saimin. But considering it was the fourth food recall issued by Walmart in May 2024 alone, it's easy to imagine its reputation took a hit.

Ground Beef Recalled Over E. Coli Concerns

Packages of ground beef - RYO Alexandre/Shutterstock

The Escherichia coli bacteria (commonly known as E. coli) associated with beef causes a huge number of foodborne illnesses every year. This bacteria subtype (E. coli O157:H7) can be introduced to the surrounding environment through cattle's manure and may contaminate the meat if the animals aren't properly cleaned after slaughter. This appears to be what happened in May 2024, when Cargill Meat Solutions recalled 16,243 pounds of raw ground beef from Walmart locations over fears the meat had been contaminated with E. coli.

Unfortunately for Walmart, the affected beef was distributed exclusively by the company. As a result, it issued recalls for six different raw ground beef products -- including 93% lean 7% fat all natural lean ground beef, 80% lean 20% fat ground beef chuck, and prime rib steak burgers -- from stores across 12 states. While no illnesses have been reported as a result of these recalled products, this incident is one more reason why ground beef is a meat to avoid at Walmart.

Fruit Recalled Due To Hepatitis A

Frozen strawberries - Kuricheva/Getty Images

As a food group that's often eaten raw, fruit poses a significant risk when it comes to foodborne illnesses. This was exemplified in 2023 when contaminated strawberries caused a hepatitis A outbreak that led to 10 reported infections, four hospitalizations, and the recall of several strawberry products from Walmart locations.

An investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention traced each infection back to strawberries produced by specific farms in Baja California, Mexico. These strawberries were frozen and disturbed to several major retailers, including Walmart, Costco, and Trader Joe's. Though the hepatitis A virus isn't usually fatal, it can result in a number of unpleasant symptoms, and can take weeks or months to fully recover from. Given this, Walmart recalled three products from stores in 32 states in response to the viral outbreak: Great Value Sliced Strawberries, Great Value Mixed Fruit, and Great Value Antioxidant Fruit Blend.

Baby Cereal Recalled Due To High Arsenic Levels

Parent's Choice rice baby cereal - Walmart

Inorganic arsenic is a toxic heavy metal that often contaminates water in many countries. While harmful to anyone if repeatedly exposed, it can be particularly damaging to the developing bodies and brains of children. This explains why there was such concern when Maple Island announced its Parent's Choice Rice Baby Cereal -- which was only sold at Walmart locations -- had tested above the Food and Drug Administration's guidance for naturally occurring inorganic arsenic in 2021, leading to a recall.

Now, many players in the baby food industry have struggled at times to keep the level of certain heavy metals below the FDA's guidelines. In fact, Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, noted in 2021 that "baby food manufacturers should consider pulling infant rice cereal from the market until they are able to implement effective mitigation measures to address inorganic arsenic." This is exactly what Maple Island did, recalling products from Walmart stores nationwide as a result.

In this instance, the high levels of arsenic may have been attributable to the presence of rice in the cereal, as the crop is known to contain significant levels of the metal. Although no illnesses were reported, many parents feared they had fed their children potentially harmful food, which likely continues to haunt those families (and Walmart).

Candy Recalled Over Salmonella Concerns

Candy aisle at Walmart - Joni Hanebutt/Shutterstock

Palmer Candy is a major supplier of confections in the U.S., with products carried by retailers such as Walmart, Hy-Vee, and Target. Of course, being such a large company, it relies on a long, interconnected, nationwide chain for both production and distribution, which presents a risk. After all, a single mishap can impact the entire process, which is precisely what happened in May 2024 when Palmer issued a nationwide recall that included items sold at Walmart.

The recall occurred after Palmer Candy's liquid coating supplier received notice that an ingredient used in certain coatings could be contaminated with Salmonella. Consequently, the company recalled any and all of its confectionary items that were covered with a white coating. Walmart (along with other affected retail companies) acted swiftly, recalling a huge variety of coated snacks, candies, and other confectioneries. Overall, 32 Palmer Candy products were recalled, and though no illnesses have been reported in association with the contaminated products, it's easy to imagine the recall still haunts Walmart.

Multiple Salads Recalled Due Listeria Outbreak

Dole Cajun ranch salad - Dole/Walmart

Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria that (if ingested) can cause listeriosis. If this disease spreads beyond the gut, it becomes known as invasive listeriosis: a serious illness that causes flu-like symptoms and, on average, kills one in every 20 people who contract it. Since listeriosis is also extremely dangerous for newborn children, Rizo-Lopez Foods was forced to issue a recall in February 2024 for all of its cheese and dairy products over concerns they were contaminated -- with Walmart alone being forced to recall nine different salad kit products (including a ranch salad kit).

Upon investigation, it was discovered that the specific Listeria strain responsible for this outbreak had actually been present since 2014 -- suggesting the same food had been making Americans sick for nearly a decade. During this time, 26 people were reportedly infected. Moreover, as a result of listeriosis, 23 of those individuals were hospitalized, with two passing away, and one person suffering a pregnancy loss. These tragedies will undoubtedly haunt Walmart -- as they will every other brand involved -- for many years to come.

Pancake And Waffle Mix Recalled Due To Foreign Objects

Great Value pancake mixes on shelf - ZikG/Shutterstock

Pathogens and allergens are not the only reasons why food is recalled. In fact, many food products end up recalled because they contain inedible objects that were erroneously introduced during the manufacturing process, which is exactly what happened in 2022 at Walmart. That year, Continental Mills recalled Walmart's Great Value Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix (along with Kroger's Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix) because it contained fragments of a cable.

Foreign objects like those found in the recalled pancake mix from Walmart pose a clear risk due to the potential to lacerate, choke, or otherwise injure unsuspecting consumers. Thankfully, no customers reported finding cable fragments in their Great Value Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix and there were no reported injuries -- quite the escape considering the pancake mix was distributed by Walmart nationwide. Then again, the fear of encountering these foreign objects may have turned some customers off from purchasing the Great Value Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix, if not buttermilk pancakes entirely.

Baby Formula Recalled Due To Bacteria

Enfamil newborn formula - Walmart/Enfamil

While everyone is vulnerable to foodborne illness, those with weakened or underdeveloped immune systems are particularly at risk. A contamination can have potentially fatal consequences for such individuals, after all, so certain products, like baby formula, are usually manufactured under strict guidelines. Retailers may exercise extra caution with such items, as well, which likely led Walmart to remove one baby formula product from shelves in 2011 -- despite no official recall having been issued.

The recall occurred after the tragic death of 10-day-old Avery Cornett in December 2011, who had contracted a Cronobacter sakazakii infection. Since Cornett had consumed Enfamil Premium Newborn Powder prior to his death, some suspected this had caused his illness, given the Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria has previously been linked with contaminated baby formula. Testing by the FDA, CDC, and the manufacturer (Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.) found no evidence of the bacteria in the powder, and no formal recall was issued. However, Walmart took the decision to recall one type of Enfamil Premium Newborn Powder from stores across 49 states.

In the aftermath, several families (including Cornett's parents) tool Mead Johnson to court, seeking damages for negligence and product liability amongst others. While Walmart wasn't involved in the lawsuit in any way, the horrific nature of the entire series of events undoubtedly haunts all parties involved.

Ground Turkey Recalled Due To Salmonella Concerns

poultry section at Walmart - The Toidi/Shutterstock

In August 2011, Cargill Solutions issued a recall for 36 million pounds of ground turkey products over fears the poultry product was contaminated with Salmonella. While the entirety of this contaminated meat came from one facility in Arkansas, it was distributed across the U.S. at a number of stores, including Walmart locations.

What made this recall all the more concerning was that the specific strain of Salmonella was resistant to several different drugs, making infections more complicated to treat. The resulting outbreak was predictably damaging: 79 people were infected, with 22 requiring hospitalization -- and one person even dying as a result of the Salmonella infection. Illnesses were recorded across 26 states, making this a particularly widespread outbreak. Although retail chains such as Walmart did everything possible to minimize the spread, the public was rightly outraged by the extent of this outbreak, which will always haunt the company.

Romaine Lettuce Recalled Due To E. Coli

romaine lettuce bags at Walmart - Billy F Blume Jr/Shutterstock

Romaine lettuce is particularly suited to charring -- if it's safe to eat. Unfortunately, in November 2020, supplier Tanimura & Antle Inc. issued a voluntary recall for romaine lettuce heads that were believed to be contaminated with E. coli (specifically E. coli O157:H7). A total of 3,396 cartons of lettuce were recalled from retailers in 20 states, and approximately 1,000 Walmart stores were involved.

This wasn't the first lettuce recall for Walmart. In fact, there have been several other recalls involving romaine lettuce over the years, which may be because of the ease with which E. coli bacteria can contaminate the vegetable. After all, as food safety research and testing expert, James E. Rogers, told Consumer Reports in 2020, "By the time growers combine multiple batches of lettuce, mix it around, rinse it, and wash it, that little bit of bacteria may spread over a lot of lettuce."

While the 2020 outbreak was not the largest of Walmart's lettuce-related recalls, it may have been one of the most publicly damaging. Many angry customers took to Reddit to complain about yet another lettuce recall. Some even held up the recall as proof that people shouldn't buy fresh produce at Walmart -- hardly the kind of response you want to see as a grocery store brand.

Chia Seeds Recalled Because Of Salmonella

Chia seeds in spoon - M-chin/Getty Images

Another food product Walmart recalled in May 2024 was its Great Value Organic Black Chia Seeds. This was voluntarily recalled by Natural Sourcing International, the product's supplier, over concerns the seeds were contaminated with Salmonella. The recall was issued nationwide, though only Walmart stores appear to have been impacted.

One of the main concerns with this food recall revolved around the product's distant expiration date. The recalled chia seeds aren't set to expire until October 2026, meaning customers who are unaware of the recall may continue to store -- and eventually eat -- the contaminated product. Both National Sourcing International and Walmart have tried to raise awareness of the recall as best as possible. Of course, since some have raised concerns that grocery store brands aren't as effective as possible when it comes to notifying customers about recalls, the risk of customers falling ill due to contaminated chia seeds in the future continues to exist for Walmart.

Read the original article on The Daily Meal.
Police in Montgomery, Ala. are investigating a shooting that left 13 people injured Saturday night. Image by Simaah from Pixabay

June 23 (UPI) -- At least 13 people were injured in a barrage of bullets after an overnight party Saturday in a Montgomery, Ala. neighborhood, police said.

More than 350 rounds were fired at a crowded party in the North Pass area of the city, Mayor Steven Reed said Sunday in a Facebook post. All of the shooting victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Three other people were injured in a "vehicle versus pedestrian collision," and one woman suffered minor injuries from broken glass, according to a city spokesperson.

"This morning, more than 362 rounds were fired at a crowded party in the North Pass area," Reed said in a statement Sunday morning. "Nine were wounded and at least four more were injured in the chaos that followed."

Officers from the Montgomery Police Department, ATF and FBI are in the process of interviewing witnesses and suspects.

"We are working tirelessly to identify those involved, and we urge anyone with information to come forward and help us put a stop to this sort of senseless, violent activity," Reed continued.

A social media video showed a scene in which multiple weapons were fired for about two minutes in an outdoor area of the gathering as crowds of people ran for cover, the Montgomery Advertiser reported.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WKRG)  A shooting at a party in Alabamas state capital left nine people with gunshot wounds and four people injured as a result of trying to flee from the chaos.

According to Montgomerys Police Chief John Hall, their officers responded to the intersection of North Pass Road and Alabama River Parkway, and noticed two people suffering from gunshot wounds at the scene.

At 1:48, MPD was dispatched to the shots fired call, Hall explained. At 1:50, that call was changed from shots fired to a subject had been shot, and in the first MPD officers arrived at 1:55, so it was a seven-minute response time from the time the calls came into the call center until we had MPD on site over in North Pass.

He said during a press conference that those two were taken to the hospital, and the remaining seven gunshot victims took themselves to the hospital.

Four other victims suffered with injuries he said; three people were injured due to a pedestrian and car accident and one other person was injured by broken glass.

Chief Hall said that 350 shell casings were recovered.

The FBI and ATF are assisting Montgomery Police with their investigation, and Mayor Steven L. Reed says hes upset to see another act of gun violence harm people in his city.

We are certainly looking for who really perpetrated this crime, not only on the victims, but also on the entire community, Mayor Reed said. This is something very serious, and we are concerned about those who have been injured. Our sympathies go out to them and their families, but weve got to make sure that in our city, theres a greater appreciation for life. Theres a greater appreciation for conflict resolution, and theres a greater appreciation for de-escalating situations without pulling the gun.

According to Hall, all injuries from Sundays shooting are non-life-threatening.

The motive is unknown, and no suspects are in custody.

View the citys press conference on their Facebook 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 WKRG News 5.
Work on 15th sanctions package against Russia to 'start immediately,' Finnish FM says

The work on the 15th sanctions package against Russia will "start immediately," Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said on June 24 during the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg.

"I'm sure that we will be able to update also those lists of sanctioned entities," Valtonen said.

The EU Council adopted the 14th round of sanctions against Russia on June 24, aimed at tackling the circumvention of existing measures and to further restrict profits from Russia's energy industry.

The new package adds 116 individuals and entities to the sanctions list and adds several additional measures, including the prohibition of any EU facilities to be involved in the transshipment of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) to any third-party countries.

Read also: EU Council announces 14th round of sanctions against Russia

Valtonen said the negotiations on the 14th sanctions package took a long time, but the sanctions range is very broad in scope. All EU member states had their viewpoints, which had to be considered, she added.

"I appreciate the 14th sanctions package and also the steps we are going to take to make the use of the shadow fleet by Russia impossible in the Baltic Sea region, or at least more difficult (for Russia)," Valtonen.

The Finnish foreign minister also recalled the recent increase in Russian sabotage operations in Europe, the spread of disinformation, and cyber threats targeting citizens of the EU.

Valtonen added, "There is no observer status in Europe anymore to Russia's aggression."

"We are all victims of Russia's aggression, and therefore, it is crucial that we keep on aiding Ukraine because Russia only understands power."

Despite 13 previous rounds of EU sanctions and additional measures from the U.S. and other allies, Russia's economy has remained unexpectedly resilient.

A survey conducted by the Russian Levada Center earlier in June found that only 11% of respondents said that sanctions had personally affected them or their families.

Read also: EU devises workaround for possible Hungary veto of funds for Ukraine, FT reports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  An 18-year-old woman was arraigned on charges Sunday morning in connection with a shooting Saturday on Bailey Avenue that left a 53-year-old woman wounded, according to the Erie County District Attorneys Office.

Police responded to the 1600 block of Bailey around 3:20 p.m., where a car had allegedly been shot at. A 13-year-old and her mother were in the car at the time and the vehicle was struck multiple times, according to police.

While officers were on scene, a second 911 call was made stating that a woman had been shot while in her home near the first report of shots fired. Police said the woman heard the shots and was standing near her front window when she was hit.

The teen, identified as Cecelia Medina of no permanent address, was apprehended on Shepard Street a short time later. A loaded Glock 17 with an extended magazine was also recovered, police said.

She was arraigned Sunday morning on the following charges:

second-degree attempted murder, one count

first-degree attempted assault, two counts

second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count

first-degree reckless endangerment, one count

third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count

If convicted of the highest charge, Medina faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. She is scheduled to return June 28 for a felony hearing and was held without bail.

Police said that Medina allegedly gave officers a false last name initially.

The 53-year-old woman remains at ECMC for a gunshot wound to her lower abdomen and is listed in stable condition.

Latest Local News

Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
All riders were rescued within 35 minutes of fire crew members arriving on the scene, according to the Ventura County Fire Department

VCFD_PIO/X The Zipper ride

Approximately 18 people were trapped when a carnival ride got stuck in Thousand Oaks, Calif., according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

Firefighters responded to the scene shortly after 8 p.m. local time on Sunday, June 23, and were able to rescue all riders within 35 minutes, the fire department wrote in a statement on their official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, June 24.

Sunday night, VCFD firefighters responded to a technical rescue at the Conejo Creek Park as approximately 18 people were trapped on an amusement park ride, the statement reads.

Firefighters were able to successfully rescue all riders, by manually lowering the amusement ride. No injuries reported. Fire crews were on scene for about 35 minutes. 911 call received at 8:05 pm and all riders were rescued from the ride by 8:35 pm.

The ride is part of the Conejo Valley Days Carnival which runs from June 20 to June 30, according to their official website.

Related: More Amusement Park Riders Speak Out After Being Stranded Upside Down, 'Completely Helpless'

Kay Kastl of Kastl Amusements  the company that owns the carnival ride  confirmed to PEOPLE that it was the Zipper that got stuck.

In an official statement, Kastl says, the computer control system on the Zipper ride detected an anomaly and stopped the ride's operation as it was designed to do. The passengers remained safely secured, were not upside down, and were in no danger at any time.

Kastl adds that while the fire department did arrive at the scene, it was the ride staff who were able to successfully unload the riders. Ventura County Fire Department could not confirm to PEOPLE whether ride staff also helped rescue the riders.

The evacuation procedure, while seemingly slow, is carefully designed to maintain the balance of the ride vehicles and keeps the passengers safe at all times, Kastls statement continues. All passengers were unloaded safely by ride staff with no reported injuries.

According to the companys official website, the ride is designed so that, as the center boom rotates, so do the free flipping cars around it.

Related: Teen 'Thought We Were Going to Die' While Stuck Upside Down for 20 Minutes on Amusement Ride

Portland Fire and Rescue/Facebook Riders trapped upside down at Oaks Amusement Park in Oregon

The incident comes nearly one week after 28 people were trapped upside down for almost 20 minutes on Portland's Oaks Amusement Park's AtmosFEAR ride on Friday, June 14.

Passengers were suspended upside down in its "apex position" at around 2:55 p.m. when the ride stopped in its place, the park said in a statement shared to X (formerly Twitter).

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"We wish to express our deepest appreciation to the first responders and our staff for taking prompt action, leading to a positive outcome today, and to the rest of the park guests who swiftly followed directions to vacate the park to make way for the emergency responders to attend to the situation," park officials wrote in the statement. "Most of all, we are thankful that the riders are safe and with their families."



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Read the original article on People.
ST. LOUIS  Four years after he was killed, a retired St. Louis Metropolitan Police captain leaves behind a powerful legacy. the Captain David Dorn Foundation has donated more than $300,000 worth of equipment to officers, firefighters, and medics.

Dorn spent nearly 40 years in law enforcement, as a captain with SLMPD, and later as chief of Moline Acres. In June 2020, following the unrest from the death of George Floyd, Dorn was shot and killed as he provided security to a friends business in north St. Louis. His killer was sentenced to life in prison.

His wife, Ann, established the Captain David Dorn Foundation in 2022 to honor her husband, who was known for taking care of his fellow officers. Since its inception, the foundation has donated equipment that would otherwise not be available to first responders, especially those working in smaller departments, and those in more rural communities. Flash lights, work boots, and tourniquets are among the many items donated.

Fox 2s Jasmine Huda has more on the Captain David Dorn Foundation and the $1 million grant it recently received to support first responders.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
UPDATE: Power was restored to customers near Montwood High School after a brief power outage Monday afternoon, El Paso Electric officials said. The cause was mylar balloons coming into contact with power lines.

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  About 2,400 customers are without power in East El Paso on Monday afternoon, June 24, according to the companys outage map.

The outage is affecting the area near Montwood High School. According to El Paso Electrics outage map, the outage was first reported at about 2:30 p.m. Power is expected to be restored about 4:45 p.m.

An El Paso Electric spokesman said they are investigating the cause of the outage and other details.

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.
BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Two Brookshires supermarkets in the Big Country allegedly received bomb threats, along with other locations across the state.

According to Brownwood News, Assistant Manager Idalis Murguia was informed by the corporate offices Asset Management that a bomb threat was received via email on Sunday morning. The Brownwood Police Department searched the building but did not find a bomb. The store reopened after the evacuation.

Murguia also informed Brownwood News that other stores in Albany, Bridgeport, four in Tyler, and several in the Dallas-Fort Worth area had also received threats.

BigCountryHomepage contacted Brookshires stores in Brownwood and Albany, Brownwood PD, and the Shackleford County Sheriffs Office, but no comments are available at this time.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
A machete and extendable batons were allegedly brandished during the robbery of a teen that sparked a lockdown and evacuation at Adelaide's biggest suburban shopping mall.

The incident unfolded at Westfield Marion in Adelaide's south just before 3pm on Sunday, triggering widespread reports of an armed person inside.

Two boys, aged 15 and 16, both from Mitchell Park, appeared in the Adelaide Youth Court via video link on Monday following their arrests overnight.

Both were charged with aggravated counts of affray, robbery and assault.

Opposing bail, the prosecutor told court there was "a great sense of fear instilled in all shoppers who remained at Marion, as it took some time to determine the nature of the offending and the risk to the public".

Shoppers were evacuated at the shopping centre on Sunday. Source: NCA NewsWire

"Brandishing items of this nature, being a machete and extendable batons, is something that's not trivial," he said.

"The risk to the public that's caused by persons engaging in wanton violence of this nature in such a public atmosphere causes great risk to public safety."

'Expensive' hoodie allegedly at centre of robbery

Earlier, the court was told the alleged robbery victim had noticed three males following him to the shopping centre and he feared they were about to take the Trap Star hoodie he was wearing.

"It's an expensive hoodie," the prosecutor said.

He told court the alleged victims and his friends went to the KFC outlet at the centre's food court, where there were about 100 people.

"(The alleged victim) observes the other three boys approach one of his three friends. The weapons are alleged to have been brandished by all three. The friend returned to the hoodie owner and indicated they were demanding his jumper," the prosecutor said.

"It's at that point that the accused has produced a machete and has pointed it towards the group."

Read more here.

- AAP
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Bakersfield police are searching for two burglars who allegedly broke into a business on Union Avenue and fled with liquor and lottery tickets, according to the police.

BPD said the burglars broke into a business in the 1700 block of Union Avenue on June 18 while the business was closed. The two men allegedly fled with liquor, lottery tickets, and boxes of cigarettes.

Bakersfield man beat girlfriend to death with stick: report

Officials released surveillance video of the two men during the alleged burglary.

The first suspect is described as an adult man in his 40s with a slim build. He was last seen wearing a red t-shirt and tan shorts.



Photos provided by courtesy of the Bakersfield Police Department.

The second suspect is believed to be in his 40s with tattoos on his left arm and a slim build. The unidentified man was wearing a blue hat, black T-shirt and blue jeans.

Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage

Anyone with information on the identity or suspects whereabouts is asked to call BPD Detective C. Jordan at 661-326-3859 or BPD 661-327-7111.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
2 migrants rescued out in desert by Sunland Park Fire

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Sunland Park Fire Department assisted two migrants who had been out in the desert Sunday night, June 23, according to the Fire Department.

The Fire Department says they located the migrants after an engine was flagged down off Highway 9 in Sunland Park.

The Fire Department says the migrants had been out in the desert for about 12 hours and had not eaten. They were also dehydrated.

Border Patrol then took them into custody, according to the Fire Department.

No further information has been released.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
The message "You are not alone, support is here" is painted on the window of the Planned Parenthood Great Plains on Friday in Overland Park, Kansas (Anna Spoerre/Missouri Independent).

When Missouri outlawed abortion two years ago, Nicole was far more worried for her grown children than for herself.

It had been two decades since she last gave birth, when she suffered a serious stroke during labor followed by severe postpartum depression. She was outraged that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion, but pregnancy was in Nicoles past.

That changed a couple weeks later, when her IUD failed.

Are you kidding me? she recalls thinking, looking around at the life she and her husband had built together in southwest Missouri.

In her 40s and living in a state where virtually every abortion is now banned, Nicole  who asked to only be identified by her middle name for fear of prosecution  was among the first of thousands of Missouri women forced to navigate abortion access in a post-Roe world.

On June 24, 2022, Missouri became the first state in the country to respond to the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health, striking down Roe v. Wade and the constitutional right to an abortion. The Republican-run state quickly enacted its trigger law banning all abortions with limited exceptions in cases of medical emergencies.

In the two years since, countless women like Nicole have faced already tough decisions made more excruciating by having to find discreet ways to manage their own health or travel far from home for care.

Missouri already had some of the strictest abortion regulations in the country, pushing most women seeking access to the procedure out of state. But the end of Roe raised the stakes, leaving women in Missouri  which already has some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country  fearful that in the most extreme cases, the ban could mean their death.

Last year, approximately 2,860 Missourians traveled to Kansas last year for abortions, and 8,710 traveled to Illinois, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research group that closely tracks abortion data. But they made up only about 10% of the total abortion patients in each state.

After Dobbs, Missourians access to care in states like Kansas and Illinois became precarious as abortion bans became more widespread.

In a matter of months, we started serving patients from Texas and Arkansas and Oklahoma, Emily Wales, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, said of the time immediately following the Dobbs decision. Missourians had to really compete for too few appointments.

The longer wait times at clinics and barriers to traveling for abortions has led Missourians to increasingly consider self-managed abortions.

That includes Nicole, who received an envelope at home marked with international postage containing Mifepristone and Misoprostol after consulting an online doctor she found through Plan C, a nonprofit that helps people find providers.

Missourians navigate abortion access after Dobbs

For Nicole, the decision to end her most recent pregnancy was simple. To continue felt unsafe, she said, and she and her husband didnt want to start over raising a child.

But the conversations that followed were kept strictly between the husband and wife.

With pervasive uncertainty around whether or not women could be prosecuted for self-administering medication abortions in Missouri, the stakes are higher than ever for those trying to end unwanted or medically complicated pregnancies.

Its why Nicole didnt tell her pastor at church. She didnt tell friends or family. Nicole didnt even tell her gynecologist, fearing she would be reported by someone in their corner of the state where anti-abortion messaging proliferates billboards, bumper stickers and handwritten signs staked into yards.

Ultimately, Nicole couldnt imagine fleeing her state for the procedure. She wanted to be home.

I felt really angry that I would have to leave my community, she said. Its not a shameful thing, its a procedure. Its a medical health care procedure.

In the six months after the Dobbs decision, the number of self-managed medication abortions rose by more than 26,000 across the U.S. according to a study published in JAMA, the American Medical Associations journal.

While medication abortions are overall very safe, effective and approved by the FDA to end pregnancies up to 10 weeks, there is some risk associated with any medication. Self-managing an abortion alone, without a local medical providers guidance, can be nerve-wracking.

In the unlikely situation that Nicole started hemorrhaging, she and her husband mapped out the closest Kansas hospital that would have the level of care they needed.

When the time came, they both took a day off work and snuggled on the couch. Nicole pressed a heating pad to her abdomen to soothe the cramps, which she described as similar to period pains. Then came the relief.

After the abortion, her husband got a vasectomy. She kept the IUD. Despite their precautions, sex is now accompanied by paranoia as Nicole counts down the days to her period each month.

She ordered extra abortion medication in case anyone she knows might need it. And despite the nearly two years since her abortion, Nicole said she still cant shake the absurdity she felt hunkering down in her home that day.

I make decisions for myself every day, and I make good decisions, she said. The audacity that people think I cant make the best healthcare decisions for myself  its hard for me to put into words how upsetting it is.

I am desperate

Stories of women desperate to end their pregnancies proliferate the internet.

Reddit is increasingly a gathering place for those seeking answers and assurance. Many of the posts  all anonymous  illustrate how terrified many Missourians are.

In one post from mid-June, a 23-year-old woman from Missouri feared she was pregnant by her abusive boyfriend but didnt have the money to travel for an abortion.

I will drink an entire bottle of vodka if I have to idc, she wrote. Other anonymous users quickly took to the page to offer other solutions.

In a 2023 post, someone inquired about getting an abortion for their pregnant 15-year-old sister in Missouri without parental consent.

This experience is causing her to have suicidal thoughts, crippling anxiety, and extreme depression, the user wrote. All of which she already had before this. I need help. I am desperate. I do not want to lose my baby sister.

Even for those who work in abortion-rights advocacy, navigating an abortion post-Roe is anxiety-inducing.

Maggie Olivia first got pregnant while living in St. Louis in 2020. She was on birth control at the time.

Because of Missouris targeted regulation of abortion providers laws, including mandatory pelvic exams for medication abortions and 72-hour waiting period between the initial appointment and a surgical abortion, she was encouraged to go to a Planned Parenthood in Illinois.

It was clinic escorts with Abortion Action Missouri who guided Olivia into her appointment just across the Mississippi River and reassured her ahead of the procedure. She was so moved by their kindness that Olivia went on to volunteer with the group, and now serves as a senior policy manager with the abortion-rights group.

In the months after the Dobbs decision, Olivia, like many in abortion advocacy work, was navigating the ever-changing landscape of abortion access. At the same time, Olivia said she was mistakenly denied her birth control prescription by a pharmacist after switching contraceptive methods.

When a pregnancy test came back positive several weeks later, Olivias first call was to her boss, who she said offered immediate support and guidance.

But even that close proximity to the reality of the crisis doesnt make being pregnant when you dont want to be any less horrifying, she said.

Unlike with her first pregnancy, Olivia decided not to tell her health care providers in Missouri.

But after ending up in the emergency room for unrelated reasons, her pregnancy was noted in her records. Months later, Olivia said she was denied access to an unrelated medication because her medical records said she was pregnant, compounding the fear she already had of being punished in some way for having an abortion, however legal, in Illinois.

It was very upsetting, Olivia said. And I had thought that I had taken steps to be precautious.

When she had her second abortion at the same Illinois clinic from two years prior, she also had an IUD placed.

Your access to abortion doesnt need to be attached to some traumatic, horrifying situation in of itself, Olivia said. Being pregnant when you dont want to be is scary enough, is horrifying enough.

Higher stakes for providers

When a sonographer approaches Dr. Jennifer Smith, a St. Louis OB-GYN, her heart drops.

Every time I look at a fetal ultrasound, it takes on new intensity and new anxiety, she said, concerned that her patient will have a diagnosis they cant be of help with in Missouri.

Missouri physicians are balancing medically complex pregnant patients with legal restrictions that could land them in prison for up to 15 years if they perform an abortion the state finds was unnecessary, and, therefore, illegal.

No providers have been prosecuted at this point, but the ways something could go wrong keep Smith up at night. So, too, does the future of not only maternal health care, but also motherhood in Missouri.

Missouri women are afraid to be pregnant in Missouri, Smith said. They are so worried that they might die while pregnant, or that they may get pregnant with a baby with anomalies and have no options because they live in Missouri.

While Smith is often helping women who want to be pregnant, a couple miles across the river in Illinois sits the regional logistics center for Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. There, three patient navigators help those trying to end their pregnancies.

Kenicia Page, the call center manager, said she saw a tremendous increase in callers from the West Palm Beach area, more than 1,100 miles south, when Floridas ban went into place on May 1.

Right now, she says the clinic receives about 100 calls a day.

They act as pseudo travel planners and financial aid counselors, helping book transportation and finding funding for patients.

Despite the comparative proximity, transportation can still be a headache for some Missourians, particularly those in rural parts of the state without access to public transportation like Greyhound buses or Amtrak, Page said. Sometimes, when the patient doesnt have a vehicle, nor access to public transportation or car rental services, their next best option is to rent a U-Haul to drive to their appointment.

But more often, Page said, she hears from Missourians trying to find and afford child care, or from minors who need a legal guardian to give consent for financial assistance. Some days Page still finds herself breaking the news to Missouri callers that abortion is illegal within their state borders, and that they will likely have to take a multi-day trip to Illinois to get care.

Page recently spoke with a woman who was homeless and living in a hotel with her children. She had no child-care options, nor a place to stay after the procedure. Pages team helped connect the woman to funders who assisted with the day care fees and made sure she had a safe place to recover overnight in Illinois.

Their work is done when they get the final call or text from a patient saying theyve returned home safely.

It gives you that extra energy or extra push, determination, to continue to do what you do, Page said. Because it is definitely making a difference.

Alison Dreiths hotline through Midwest Access Coalition, an abortion fund based in Illinois, used to serve a majority of Missouri clients. As of mid-June, only 26 of the total 1,052 callers this year were from Missouri. Now most of her calls come from Texas, Indiana and Tennessee as patients from red states crowd clinics in Illinois and Kansas.

Every time a new state goes, Dreith said, it has the ripple effect that reaches the Midwest.

The need for child care is a refrain for patients, particularly lower-income Missourians,traveling to Kansas overnight for the procedure, said Wales, with Planned Parenthood Great Plains.

The short drive from Kansas City to Wyandotte or Johnson counties in Kansas has expanded from a fissure to a canyon for some patients. Those requesting medication abortions are usually seen within a week, but patients needing in-clinic abortions can wait two or three weeks to be seen, Wales said.

We have to explain that we may be close to you, but we are seeing patients from around the region, she said. It doesnt make it easier, necessarily, to get an appointment.

Wales said many patients are also coming to them later in gestational age, and increasingly with fetal abnormalities. This is a theme across the country, as patients work to find an appointment, save up money and arrange time off work.

Because of the increase in demand, Planned Parenthood Great Plains will soon start seeing patients for abortions in Pittsburg, making it the fourth Kansas clinic to offer the procedure. She hopes that will cut down on drive times for Missourians in regions including Joplin and Springfield.

Julie Burkhart, co-owner of Hope Clinic, an abortion provider in Granite City, Illinois, has seen the number of Missourians served at her clinic more than triple since 2019. But even so, the percentage of total patients from Missouri has gone from more than 60% to less than half as patients from 28 states made their way to her clinic near the Mississippi River last year.

Wait times hover between one and two weeks. In May, the clinic saw 732 abortion patients; 45 were from Missouri.

Funding needs have skyrocketed since Roe fell, and shes seen the number of Missouri patients seeking abortions in their second trimester increase to 17% this year. Before Roe, it was closer to 8% for all patients.

With Roe falling, people who dont have to think about abortion access every day dont quite know where to look, who to call, who to talk to, Burkhart said. Its put people in more desperate situations.

This story was corrected at 4:45 p.m. to accurately describe the nonprofit Plan C.

The post 2 years after Missouri banned abortion, navigating access still involves fear, confusion appeared first on Missouri Independent.
MOAB, Utah (ABC4)  Twenty stranded hikers were rescued from a canyon near Moab on Friday night as a thunderstorm drenched the sandstone landscape, causing rivers and streams to run dangerously high.

The Grand County Sheriffs Search and Rescue said the six-hour rescue happened at Grandstaff Canyon, a popular hiking spot roughly 5 miles north of Moab. Crews initially received a report in the evening that three people were stranded due to the high flood waters in the canyon.

Update: Nearly 2,400 acres burned in Little Twist fire, about 10% contained

They were able to establish voice contact with the party that had called 911, and they also noticed lights farther up the canyon, officials wrote in a Facebook post. A drone with thermal capabilities was launched from the parking area and confirmed that there were 17 additional people trapped by the flood.

As the sun began to set, the hikers were becoming cold and wet, and the threat of hypothermia was increasing, officials said. A helicopter was requested in case the stranded hikers needed to be airlifted out.

However, around 11 p.m., the floodwaters receded enough to allow crews to cross the creek and establish a handline to help the hikers get out of the canyon. Many of them didnt have flashlights or headlamps, officials said.

When the hikers were returned to the trailhead, emergency medical workers assessed them. No injuries were mentioned by officials, and the rescue wrapped up shortly after midnight.

Always check the weather forecast before your adventure, Grand County Sheriffs Search and Rescue wrote on social media. If there is rain, especially thunderstorms, in the forecast, do not enter canyons, washes, or streambeds.

The storm that swept over the Moab area knocked over power poles and closed several roads. Over the weekend, crews were working to clear the streets of debris and repair critical local infrastructure.

More flash flooding is possible Monday in other areas of southern Utah, including Capitol Reef National Park, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Glen Canyon Recreation Area. The National Weather Service says slot canyons and dry washes are most likely to see flash flooding.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Firefighters walk through the wreckage of the factory in Hwaseong, South Korea. ANTHONY WALLACE/Getty Images

A fire at a battery factory in South Korea has killed 22 mostly Chinese workers.

Officials told Reuters the fire began after several lithium battery cells exploded.

Concerns are growing over lithium battery fires, which can be harder to put out than regular fires.

22 workers have died after a fire tore through a lithium battery factory in South Korea.

Local fire officials told Reuters that the fire at the Aricell battery factory in Hwaseong began after several battery cells exploded inside the warehouse.

The cause of the explosion remains unclear, but officials said that the blaze was now extinguished.

Local fire official Kim Jin-young, citing information from Aricell, told Reuters that 18 of the deceased workers had been Chinese.

He earlier said that two others had suffered burns and serious injuries, and that due to the intensity of the blaze it was difficult to identify the dead.

The fire is the deadliest in South Korea since 38 people died in a construction site near Seoul in 2020.

Videos on social media showed enormous plumes of smoke rising from the battery plant, where 102 people had been working, according to The New York Times.

Although rare, lithium battery fires can be notoriously difficult to extinguish. A Tesla "Megapack" that caught fire in Australia in 2021 took 150 firefighters four days to put out.

Last year, a container ship carrying nearly 2,000 tons of lithium-ion batteries was forced to remain moored off the coast of Alaska after a fire broke out on board.

Korea's National Fire Agency and Aricell did not immediately respond to a request for comment made outside normal working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
23 June attack on Kyiv: 72 private houses, 8 high-rise buildings and 13 other buildings damaged  photos

The aftermath of the Russian attack on Kyiv Oblast on the night of 22-23 June. Photo: National Police of Ukraine

As a result of the Russian missile attack on Kyiv Oblast on the night of 22-23 June, 72 private houses and apartments in eight high-rise buildings, a hospital and 13 other buildings were damaged in Obukhiv district.

Source: Kyiv Oblast Military Administration

Details: As of 21:30 on Sunday, 72 private houses were damaged by falling missile pieces in the Obukhiv district of Kyiv Oblast. In addition, apartments in eight high-rise buildings were damaged.

Two people with minor injuries sought medical assistance. No hospitalisation was required.

The pieces also damaged the hospital buildings.

      23 ,  

The aftermath of the Russian attack on Kyiv Oblast on the night of 22-23 June

Photo: National Policeof Ukraine

Moreover, 13 buildings were damaged. Among them are a utility company, a driving school, a pharmacy, a petrol station, a grocery store, an employment centre, a hotel, a medical centre, a number of businesses, and a car wash. Windows, balconies and doors were smashed, and facades and roofs were shattered.

A total of 28 cars were also damaged.

The aftermath of the Russian attack on Kyiv Oblast on the night of 22-23 June

Photo: National Policeof Ukraine

The aftermath of the Russian attack on Kyiv Oblast on the night of 22-23 June

Photo: National Policeof Ukraine

Background:

On the night of 22-23 June, explosions were heard in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast during an air-raid warning, and Ukrainian air defence was responding to the attack.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down two of the three Kalibr cruise missiles launched by the Russians in Kyiv Oblast.

It was reported in the morning that falling pieces had damaged six high-rise buildings and more than 20 private houses, and two people were slightly injured.

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Democrat Jodi Habush Sinykin at her election night watch party in Mequon in 2023. (Baylor Spears | Wisconsin Examiner)

Democratic candidates for Wisconsins state Legislature are betting reproductive rights will help motivate voters to head to the polls in November and are using the second anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision as an opportunity to highlight their support for protecting access to abortion, birth control, in vitro fertilization treatment (IVF) and more.

Reproductive rights have become an essential part of Democratic campaigns since the Dobbs decision, which eliminated federally protected abortion rights, came down on June 24, 2022. The strategy has been effective at times including in the 2023 election that flipped the Wisconsin Supreme Court election to a liberal majority for the first time in 15 years.

The issue will likely play a key role in Wisconsin state legislative races as Democrats seek to make gains in the Senate and Assembly. The Wisconsin Examiner spoke with three Democratic state legislative candidates ahead of the Dobbs anniversary about the role that reproductive rights will play in their campaigns.

Jodi Habush Sinykin, Democratic candidate for the 8th Senate district and an environmental advocate, said the fate of reproductive rights, including abortion access, will depend on voters electing candidates like herself during a campaign event ahead of the Dobbs anniversary last week. She pointed out that abortion access, specifically, has been tenuous since the overturn of Roe v. Wade with services halting in the state immediately following the Dobbs decision, then being restored last year following a Dane County judges ruling. That decision is now being appealed to the state Supreme Court.

Make no mistake. Things are not secure in Wisconsin until we have legislative solutions and guarantees that womens health care access will be restored in its entirety as it was under Roe v. Wade, Habush Sinykin said at the event on Thursday. We need a return back to that time and certainty for our doctors so we do not lose more doctors and more medical students.

Habush Sinykin is challenging Sen. Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville) in the district that runs north of Milwaukee and includes Whitefish Bay, Mequon, Menomonee Falls, Germantown, Port Washington, Cedarburg and Grafton. It is her second run for the state Senate. The district is one of four that Democrats are heavily targeting in the Senate as it is more competitive with new legislative maps in place.

Habush Sinykin lost her first bid for the 8th Senate district in a special election against Sen. Dan Knodl (R-Germantown) last year in the same cycle which liberal state Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz was elected. The district was traditionally Republican under the old maps, but Habush Sinkykin ran a close race, coming within two percentage points of winning. She told the Wisconsin Examiner that she attributes the closeness in that race to women and families in the district who are really concerned about womens reproductive health care, particularly the access issues.

She also said the issue of reproductive rights is just as relevant, if not more so, today than it was during the special election.

Habush Sinykin called attention to the Republican Legislature and Stroebel in particular.

Republicans tend to try to limit the issue of reproductive health care, just to abortion access, what they are missing or trying to not address is a far greater impact on limits to access for women at every stage of their lives, Habush Sinykin said. The extreme bills advanced and supported by Sen. Stroebel, for example, compromises the ability of women to have doctors, OBGYNs in particular, available to provide the care that we need at all ages.

Habush Sinykin told the Examiner that Stroebels opposition to the expansion of postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to a year shows a lack of compassion and a lack of leadership. She also criticized his support of a bill introduced by Republicans this year that would have allowed voters to decide whether the state implemented a 14-week abortion ban.

We certainly need to understand that the Legislature that is in place after these coming November elections in Wisconsin will be taking up legislation, Habush Sinykin said. Will they impose restrictions that Sen. Stroebel has advocated for in the past and recently, or will we proceed with the will of Wisconsinites to reinstate Roe v Wade protections?

Sarah Keyeski, candidate for the 14th Senate District and a rural mental health care provider, said in an interview that reproductive rights are an important issue to her and will be a piece of the pie in her campaign. She is challenging Sen. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan), who was elected to the Senate in 2020, for the seat north of Madison that includes parts of Sauk, Juneau, Dane, Richland and Columbia counties. Its another district Democrats are seeking to flip this year.

The idea of taking away rights from women and now raising my identical twin girls in a world where they have less rights than Ive had is very disturbing to me, Keyeski, who is a mother of six, said. Im compelled to make sure that they live in a world where they have autonomy over choices over their body, over their family planning, that they have options and safeguards for their health and well being that are available to them if they would need them.

Keyeski said she wants to see Roe v. Wade codified into law, birth control access made more accessible and a right to IVF treatment protected.

Assembly candidate says some underestimate feelings on reproductive rights

Democratic candidates for the state Senate will not be the only ones to focus heavily on reproductive rights during the 2024 elections as the party is seeking to flip the Assembly. The issue is top of mind for Alison Page, a River Falls resident who is running against state Rep. Shannon Zimmerman (R-River Falls) in the race for the newly competitive 30th Assembly district seat, which covers parts of western Wisconsin.

It was one of the first things that Page, who ran an unsuccessful campaign for the Assembly in 2022, noted in her campaign announcement in May.

In an interview with the Examiner, Page recalled her reaction to the Dobbs decision that threw access to reproductive rights into flux.

Youre kidding me. I mean, you are kidding me, Page said. Were gonna go back to a world where someone else feels like they should judge [a womans decision], and doctors arent going to want to help women make these decisions, because they wont want to take the risks themselves to be involved. Thats not a good world. Thats not a good world for families, and thats not a good world for women.

Page, who has worked over the course of her career as a nurse, hospital administrator and as CEO of Western Wisconsin Health, said the issue will play a decisive role, including in competitive districts like the one she is running in. She said that she has been hearing from voters already about the importance of the issue when she is knocking doors.

There are a lot of people who are underestimating how strongly women feel about this issue and access to their reproductive freedom. They are underestimating it, said Page. There are some people who would like to focus all the conversation and all the attention on the economy, but if youre a woman, having access to reproductive health care is an economic issue.

Her views on the issue have been shaped in part by her own personal experience. Page said she had to make the extremely personal decision in 1982 to have an abortion after her pregnancy started to cause her health problems. With three kids at the time, Page said she felt she needed to prioritize her life as well as the needs of her children.

Looking back on it, I cant imagine a world in which it would be anyone but a woman, her family, her doctors and her God, making a decision. Page said It was a very, very difficult decision, and these decisions werent black and white, theyre all shades of gray and a continuum of risk, and how much risk are you willing to take with your own life, and that might vary for people.

Ideally, Page said Wisconsin would make a similar move to Michigan, where voters passed a measure to guarantee abortion access in the state Constitution. However, that would be harder to accomplish in Wisconsin, where constitutional amendment proposals have to pass the state Legislature in two consecutive sessions before going to voters.

We need to work to enshrine access to reproductive health care in our laws, and its not just access to abortion. Its access to birth control. Its access to in vitro fertilization, Page said. We dont need the government telling us what to do in our reproductive lives. I trust women to make good decisions for their families and good decisions.

Correction: This story has been updated to correctly identify which towns are in the new 8th Senate district.

The post With 2nd Dobbs anniversary, Democratic candidates say reproductive rights still motivating issue appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
MIDWEST CITY  More than 19,000 jobs in Oklahoma  from those in the military, to banking, to aerospace, to engineers of all types  require some sort of skill in artificial intelligence, or AI, according to data from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. That number is projected to grow by 21% during the next 10 years.

AI is transforming both society and the workforce, and as a response, three higher-education institutions in Oklahoma  one a community college, another a regional university and yet another a major research institution  now will be the first in the state to offer degrees in the subject, starting this fall.

Last month, in the span of minutes, state regents approved those programs at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Rose State College in Midwest City and Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. Those schools have decidedly different missions, but they all see an emerging need to educate students in the proper use of AI, said Whitney Alvis, the dean of workforce development at Rose State.

Whitney Alvis, the dean of workforce development at Rose State College.

AI is here, and we dont know where its going, but its not going to stop, Alvis said. Wed better start training people.  You have to know how to use it, which is why its important to train people on the ways to use it, where its blind spots are, how to recognize those, how to ethically use it.

Stephanie Beauchamp, the associate vice chancellor for academic affairs for the state regents, defined AI as using machine learning to develop applications and systems that help organizations be more efficient. She said jobs requiring AI knowledge in Oklahoma often command six-figure salaries and noted the job opportunities in Oklahoma are very high for AI specialists.

AI capabilities and applications in education and business are evolving quickly, and Oklahoma public higher education is at the forefront of this changing landscape, said Allison Garrett, the states high education chancellor, who represents Oklahoma on the Southern Regional Education Boards Commission on Artificial Intelligence in Education. Ours was the first system in the nation to establish a statewide committee focused on AI impacts in higher education. The goal is to equip our institutions to remain on the leading edge of the AI field and produce the skilled graduates required to meet our states current and future AI workforce needs.

Rose State, Southwestern worked closely in the development of their respective degree programs

At Rose State, Alvis said college officials recognized the need for a degree program in the burgeoning academic field after conversations with those in the state higher education community, as well as local business leaders.

There is not an industry that this is not touching, she said.

The associate in science degree in artificial intelligence and machine learning technology is the first academic degree that will be conferred by Rose States workforce development department. In addition to the four new AI courses created by the college, Alvis said teaching ethical guidelines to using AI in business will be a key component of the program. Toward that end, there are two key courses required  Ethics of Data Science and a philosophy class called Logic and Critical Thinking.

More: New state program offers Oklahomans free training in using Artificial Intelligence programs

Its not just the techie, computer science pieces, she said. It is important to teach the logic and ethics. If we dont train people how to ethically use it, and how to know its blind spots, there are problems. You have to know what youre looking at on the tail end.

Joel Kendall, the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Southwestern, said that university had a similar thought process while developing its Bachelor of Science degree program in AI.

Joel Kendall, the provost and vice president of academic affairs at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

AI, Kendall said, doesnt just make everything easier. It also brings with it a lot of issues. We built it to be a cross-college program, with psychology and philosophy components. We want more than the practical application of AI, we want the theoretical knowledge. There are ethical and societal impacts of AI, and we want people to understand all of implications of it. We want (graduates) to understand what the ethical implications of this whole area are and to communicate it to others.

Kendall said the leaders in Southwesterns technology and computer science divisions should be credited with the vision to develop whats a cutting-edge degree program. Southwesterns smaller size allowed for the flexibility to create such a program in a relatively short time span, he said.

Were small enough to be adaptive and agile, Kendall said. We can change or add programs that we see are going to be a need. This is going to be one of those examples. If it keeps going like its going, this will be a big need for institutions of any size. We dont mind being the first ones.

Kendall and Alvis both said Southwestern and Rose State have worked closely in developing their respective degree programs. The idea, Alvis said, is for graduates of Rose States program to be able to seamlessly transfer to Southwestern. Rose State also is working toward the same goal with officials at OU, which will offer a Bachelor of Science degree in AI.

We truly want that to be a pipeline, Kendall said of the agreement with Rose State. That was the whole goal  we didnt want to build something separate from each other.

For time being, some classes will be taught by outside experts instead of professors

One challenge both Rose State and Southwestern are facing is the lack of professors with advanced degrees who have the credentials to teach AI to college students. For the time being, both institutions will be using adjunct professors  people with practical knowledge and experience, who are really good at teaching others in doing it, as Kendall says  to teach the AI specialty classes. Alvis said Rose State and Southwestern officials have even interviewed job candidates together in an attempt to streamline the process.

All three schools are projecting high enrollments, relative to their size. OU told state regents it expected a minimum of 50 students majoring in its program by fall 2028 and 40 grads by 2028-29 academic year.

Rose State projects a minimum of 20 majors by 2028 and 10 graduates by 2028-29, while Southwesterns numbers are 12 and five, respectively.

AI is going to create pathways for every student to have a personalized education, state Education Secretary Nellie Tayloe Sanders said. Students deserve a dynamic educational environment where everyone can realize their potential. Im excited that university students will now have the opportunity to take a deeper look at AI and all of its applications here in Oklahoma.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU, Rose State, Southwestern Oklahoma State now offering AI degrees
3-Year-Old Hit by Car After Being Left Unattended in Motel and Walking Along Highway with 2-Year-Old

The child's mother was arrested on two counts of felony endangering the welfare of children

Jefferson Hills Police Department Shawnae Galberth

A toddler in Pennsylvania was struck by a vehicle on a state highway over the weekend after police say the child's mother left two kids unattended in a motel room.

Shawnae Galberth was taken into custody and charged with two counts of felony endangering the welfare of children after her 3-year-old was hit by a car in the area of State Route 51 outside a local motel, according to the Jefferson Hills Police Department.

The department shared to Facebook a day later that the child "walked out of the Econo Lodge and into the northbound lanes of Route 51," and that the driver of the vehicle was "cooperating with the investigation" and remained on the scene.

"The child was transported by EMS to an area hospital in critical condition," police noted. "The roadway was closed for an extended period and the SHACOG Crash Reconstruction Team responded to assist."

Officers later discovered that Galberth left the 3-year-old unattended with another 2-year-old child  before both kids "exited the room and subsequently walked along" the highway.

Galberth has since been taken to the Allegheny County Jail.

Related: 3-Year-Old Boy Was Driving Truck That Fatally Struck Girl, 2, in Parking Lot: 'We Want Justice,' Mom Says

Getty A stock image of police lights

The arrest comes three months after the Visalia Police Department in California arrested two people on multiple criminal charges  including child cruelty  after finding four children living in what they described as horrendous conditions.

Police made the discovery after a 52-year-old woman was left at a local hospital extremely emaciated and in medical distress, before they learned she was under care of an adult daughter.

When visiting the home, detectives found Cecilia Colleen Rodriguez, 34, Gregory Paul Chavez, 61, and four children living in conditions with "bugs, feces and trash scattered throughout the home."

Adult Protective Services, Child Welfare Services and Code Enforcement were then called to the home. The kids were placed in the custody of Child Welfare Services and the adults had been charged with elder abuse, child neglect and abuse.

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.



According to the American Society for the Positive Care of Children, 4.3 million child maltreatment referral reports were received in 2022. Roughly 74.3% of victims (415,445) are neglected, with the American SPCC noting that 5 children die every day from child abuse. 1,990 children died from abuse and neglect in 2022.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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Read the original article on People.
Mapped: Top destinations for cruises across the world in 2024

Travellers from Sweden, Ghana and Kenya are lusting after the Caribbeans white sands (All Clear Travel Insurance )

A new map has revealed the most popular cruise destinations in each country  and the Caribbeans tropical waters floated to the top of the list for seafaring travellers.

Travel insurance company All Clear compiled the map of over 100 cruise destinations from every continent based on Google search volumes between April 2023 and March 2024.

Though ancient harbours in the Mediterranean and frosty drifts past Antarcticas icebergs make for impressive cruise itineraries, island-hopping cruises around the Caribbean were found to be the most popular perspective voyage.

For tourists from Lithuania, Sweden, the UK, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius and much of South America, the Caribbeans paradise islands topped the cruise route wish list.

With over 2.8 million searches in 11 months, holidaymakers seemed keen to explore palm-studded white sand ports, including Disneys Castaway Cay and Royal Caribbeans Perfect Day at CocoCa, as part of their next getaway.

Journeys to see the sundrenched Med and marine life in Alaska were the second and third most searched destinations with 2.1 million and 1.8 million searches respectively.

Mediterranean journeys were found to be particularly alluring to Europeans seeking Spain, France and Italy, while Australians and New Zealanders long to discover Antarctica and the idyllic Maldives presented the biggest draw for Asian travellers.

With new multi-port routes making their maiden voyage each cruise season, setting sail on your choice of the seven seas has risen in popularity.

According to research from the insurance provider, 66 per cent of Brits are considering a cruise for their next trip overseas as demand for the all-inclusive holidays on the water spikes.

Letitia Smith, head of communications at AllClear, said: Its fascinating to see the number of travellers eager to set sail on unforgettable journeys around the worlds oceans, seas, and rivers.

From the beautiful islands of Greece to chilly Antarctica, its been fantastic to see such a rise in interest in cruising holidays taking place all over the world in recent years.

Top 20 most searched for cruises worldwide 2024
38-year-old man killed, 2 others injured in broad-daylight stabbing on out-of-control NYC street: cops

One person was killed and two people were injured in a broad-daylight stabbing on an East Village sidewalk Sunday evening, cops said.

A 38-year-old man was fatally stabbed in the neck while a 52-year-old woman was stabbed in the leg and a 31-year-old man knifed in the lower back near Avenue A and East 14th Street in Manhattan at around 5:45 p.m., police said.

One man was arrested following the stabbings. William C Lopez/New York Post

The crime scene had blood and items all over the place. G.N Miller/NY Post

All three victims were initially rushed to Bellevue Hospital where the 38-year-old victim succumbed to his wounds, authorities said.

The woman is in critical condition and the younger man is in stable condition.

A 30-year-old man was taken into custody at the scene, cops said. No charges have been filed against him so far.

A cutting instrument was also recovered, according to the NYPD.

A 38-year-old man was killed after he was stabbed in the neck. Kevin C Downs for New York Post

Pools of blood soaked into the sidewalk as litter, clothers and other items were strewn about following the triple stabbing.

Following the fatal attack, Council Member Keith Powers called for a dedicated police presence in the area to curb frequent violence and other crimes  which he described as out of control and madness.

The situation on 14th St is out of control Its unacceptable to continue to have the conditions on the street remain status quo, he wrote in a statement.

We need every elected official and agency working to solve these problems: A dedicated NYPD presence to curb illicit activities, continued enforcement of illegal vendors, on-going [sic] attention to trash and sanitation cleanup, and more, Powers added.

More information about what motivated the stabbing was not immediately revealed by cops. Its also unclear if there was a connection between the victims.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Four Grand Rapids men will serve prison time on federal drug trafficking charges linked to the death of a man in the Holland area.

Conspiracy ringleader Anthony Sanders, 30, was sentenced to 25 years; his brother, Amon Sanders-Outlaw, 23, will serve 14 years; Marquan Staffney, 28, will serve 6.25 years; and Javon House, 32, will serve 4.5 years, the U.S. Attorneys Office said Monday.

Doctor: Users dont know theyre getting zombie drug

The case stems from an overdose death in Holland on Jan. 14, 2023. Federal prosecutors say police found text messages showing the person who died got the drugs from Sanders.

Undercover U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officers then bought meth and fentanyl cut with the sedative xylazine from Sanders and his partners six times, prosecutors say. That led to raids at three Grand Rapids addresses in April 2023, including at one of Sanders relatives apartments, where investigators say they found five pounds of meth and fentanyl.

Sanders was arrested at an Airbnb. There, prosecutors said, there was evidence that he and others had been mailing drugs to prisons by making the packages look like they were legal mail.

Specifically, investigators found fake return labels and return stamps for three Grand Rapids law firms and a roster of prisoners throughout the nation, a Monday release from the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Investigators had previously linked Sanders, and related defendant Marquan Staffney, to a package seized on July 22, 2022, at the Lakeland Correctional Facility in Branch County, purporting to be legal mail and containing a hallucinogenic controlled substance known as K2.'

Authorities say Sanders was leading the drug ring. They said that on at least one occasion, he told his brother to give people free drugs if they brought in more customers.

An emerging threat: Drug mix of xylazine, fentanyl

Prosecutors added that during a video call from jail after pleading guilty, Sanders told someone to post information about a witness online in an apparent effort to intimidate that witness.

Sanders was already on federal supervised release after being convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, prosecutors say.

Illicit street drugs are extremely dangerous and claim more lives across Michigan and the United States than ever before, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said in a statement. Everyone who uses illegal substances takes their life in their own hands. Only a speck of fentanyl can kill. And so often it laces other drugs. A user who thinks theyre taking one drug doesnt realize theyre also taking a lethal dose of fentanyl and is dead in minutes. Moreover, the addition of xylazine means naloxone cannot reverse the effect of fentanyl. My office is committed to disrupting the pipelines that distribute these poisons in our communities, causing so much devastation.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
A 63-year-old woman was killed and a 64-year-old man injured in a Russian attack on the town of Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast, regional officials reported on June 24.

"The city came under attack around 10 am today," Governor Vadym Filashkin wrote in a post on Telegram, adding that a house was hit and the wounded man had been taken to hospital.

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.

Russian forces have reportedly increased their attacks near the town after a "long lull" in fighting in the area.

According to the crowd-sourced DeepState monitoring service, Russian troops recently allegedly captured the village of Shumy, located some 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Toretsk.

On June 21, multiple attacks on Toretsk killed two residents and injured one, damaging 13 houses, an administrative building and an infrastructure facility.

"Russian strikes on front-line cities do not stop for a single day. So I urge everyone: do not risk your life and health! Evacuate!" Filashkin said.

Read also: Fighting ongoing in Toretsk sector amid reports of captured village in gray zone

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW)  A 76-year-old Myrtle Beach man will serve 10 years in prison after robbing an Aynor bank in March 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice said on Monday.

John Henry Stack was convicted by a federal jury earlier this year. He was sentenced in federal court in Florence by Senior U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie.

According to evidence presented in a two-day trial in March, Stack entered the Anderson Brothers Bank in Aynor wearing a blue medical scrub shirt over a black jacket, a winter hat, sunglasses and a medical-style mask. He put a pillowcase on the tellers counter and pulled a lighter from his pocket.

Stack concealed the lighter under his hand to make it look like a gun, pointed it at the teller and demanded money, the DOJ said. Stack took more than $2,100 and left.

After the robbery, Myrtle Beach police found the Ford Focus he was driving, which had significant passenger-side damage, according to the DOJ. At about 10 p.m. the night of the robbery, police conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, and Stack confessed he had robbed the bank.

Stack previously served time in federal prison for bank robberies in both North and South Carolina. He was released in 2022 and was on supervised release during the 2023 Aynor bank robbery.

Stack was sentenced to 120 months in prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision, the DOJ said. He was also ordered to pay $2,130 in restitution, the amount he stole from the bank.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
80-year-old woman killed in mobile home fire in Alexander County

80-year-old woman killed in mobile home fire in Alexander County

ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  An 80-year-old woman died in a mobile home fire in Alexander County Sunday, officials say.

Multiple fire departments responded to a home on Frank Smith Mobile Home Park Drive in Taylorsville.

Officials confirm that there are no additional injuries. The Red Cross is assisting the family members who were also occupants.

It was determined that the fire was accidental, caused by an extension cord under an aluminum door.

Alexander EMS, Sheriffs Office, Fire Marshals Office and NC Office of State Fire Marshal were assisting in the investigation.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
The greatest activity of the Russian forces since the beginning of the day on 24 June is observed on the Siversk and Pokrovsk fronts; the total number of Russian assault actions on the frontline increased to 81.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook; information as of 17:57 on 24 June

Details: The Russians use aircraft and launch guided aerial bombs from their territory. Airstrikes were launched on the Kharkiv front, namely on Vovchansk, Grafske, Tykhe, Ternova, Lyptsi, Zelene, and Okhrimivka. In addition, six assaults have been repulsed on this front since the beginning of the day.

On the Kupiansk front, three clashes are still ongoing in the vicinity of Stelmakhivka.

Two combat clashes are currently underway in the vicinity of Nevske on the Lyman front. Today, the Russians attempted to break through in this area 10 times.

Four attacks continue on the Siversk front. The Russians are especially active near Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske and Vyimka. Since the start of the day, the Russians have attempted to enhance their tactical position twenty times.

On the Toretsk front, the Russian forces attack from the south and north. They have carried out four assaults trying to improve their tactical position.

On 23 June, the most intense clashes took place on the Pokrovsk front. Specifically, 11 Russian attacks were repulsed, while 14 are still underway. Battles take place in the vicinity of Sokil, Novoselivka Persha, Novooleksandrivka, Yevhenivka, Oleksandropol and Vozdvyzhenka. The situation in other areas of the front remained quite stable.

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A woman who deposited money into a Bitcoin ATM  after a scammer claiming to be from her bank told her to  received a happy ending to the situation, according to White Settlement police.

The 84-year-old woman was being scammed out of $40,000. She withdrew the money from her banks ATM and went to the Chevron at 2025 Cherry Lane in White Settlement to deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM.

Thats where a customer at the shop saw her and thought something was wrong. She called 911, according to a news release from police.

I was in here getting money out of the ATM and I noticed an elderly lady feeding thousands of dollars into the crytocurrency machine, the customer told 911 in a recording released to the public. They have her Facetiming to make sure shes putting the money into the machine. I just dont think shes aware of what shes doing. ... It just seems so suspect.

The 911 caller said she tried to stop the older woman to stop putting money into the machine, but the woman said she was correcting a mistake that somebody else made, the she says in the 911 recording. She couldnt get the woman to stop putting money into the machine and saw that she was tiring from standing, so she got her a chair and called police.

The scam

Police said the woman got a call from someone claiming to be a Chase Bank employee and demanding that she get $40,000 from her account and take it to the Bitcoin machine at the convenience store.

The scammers were able to spoof their number so it appeared the call actually was coming from the bank. They even arranged a ride share for the woman, taking her to the bank and then to the convenience store, according to police. They told her that if she didnt follow their instructions she would be arrested.

As police would later point out to the scammers and the would-be victim, Chase Bank wouldnt tell any customer to take money out of their account and deposit it into any form of cryptocurrency.

Officers arrived to find the woman sitting in the chair and continuing to put money into the machine. The caller told police the woman had already put more than $23,000 into the machine.

Talking to the scammers

The officer took the phone from the woman to speak to the person on the other end, body camera video released by police shows. The person on the other end said they were with Chase Banks security team and the White Settlement officer, Sgt. James Stewart, identified himself as being police and told them to call his dispatch if they really were with the bank.

OK, let me speak to the customer please, the person on the other end said in a thick accent.

Stewart told them they werent going to speak with the woman anymore even while the person on the other end continued to demand to speak with her.

If you want to speak with her, you call my dispatch first, Stewart told them.

The person on the other end continued to demand that Stewart let them speak with the woman, who they called the customer, and that he turn on the camera for Facetime and put it on the screen so they could see money getting deposited.

You have no business doing this, the person on the other end of the call said to Stewart.

Yes, I do, Stewart responded. This is fraud and theft.

They continued making demands, including telling the woman to take the phone from the police sergeant, and refused to call White Settlement Police Department dispatch. Eventually they begin trying to get the woman to click Im done on the screen, which would finalize the deposit of $23,900 and send the money to the scammers.

Thats when Stewart got upset.

She is not clicking on anything, he yelled at the scammers. Do you really want to fight this fight with me?

They tried telling him that it was not your problem, but Stewart wasnt having any of it. He told them they were committing a crime and that made it his problem. They kept trying to speak to the woman, calling her by the wrong name, and that made Stewart even more upset.

You still havent gotten her name right, you frickin moron, he shouted at the scammers.

The happy ending

The woman put the money in but didnt click anything to end the deposit. That made it possible for police to help her.

White Settlement police Chief Christopher Cook said on social media that police were able to get a check for the $23,900 shed deposited and Stewart even got to be the one to deliver the check to the woman.

Stewart said he became angry with the scammers because as he was trying to help the woman he kept thinking of his mother.

I wish we could find this guy and place him behind bars for a very long time because he is probably doing this to other people, Stewart said in the news release.

Police said the woman who intervened will be recognized for her actions at the next White Settlement council meeting.

The police department worked with the Bitcoin law enforcement liaison and the Tarrant County District Attorneys Office to get the money back for the woman.
I-94's expansion is a $1.74 billion, six-year project. It will be the topic of two public meetings

Interstate 94's planned expansion on Milwaukee's west side  a $1.74 billion, six-year project  will be the subject of two new public information meetings.

The open house-style meetings are scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with the Tuesday meeting at Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W. Vliet St., and the Wednesday meeting at State Fair Park's Tommy Thompson Youth Center, 640 S. 84th St., West Allis.

The meetings "provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the project, and updates to its design and schedule. Project representatives will be present to discuss the study on an individual basis," said a Wisconsin Department of Transportation statement.

Interstate 94's expansion, which will include a new Stadium Interchange, is the subject of two new public information meetings.

The project centers on widening I-94 from six lanes to eight lanes between 16th and 70th streets. Construction work is scheduled to run from late 2025 to 2031.

WisDOT says that's needed to reduce congestion and improve safety. Business groups and construction labor unions are among those supporting the project.

Opponents say those goals can be accomplished with a six-lane rebuild. They say adding lanes would bring more auto emissions that add to climate change.

WisDOT announced March 8 the project had received final approval from the Federal Highway Administration  with U.S. taxpayers providing most of the funding. Meanwhile, the administration is conducting a project civil rights review.

The Sierra Club and other opponents say the project's benefits favor suburban commuters over Black and brown people living near the freeway  many of whom don't own cars. They also say the project will bring increased air and water pollution and other harmful impacts which disproportionately affect people of color.

WisDOT says it continues to minimize any harmful effects. The review could result in WisDOT taking additional action to mitigate against any harmful impacts.

Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, X and Facebook.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: I-94's $1.74 billion expansion to be discussed at two public meetings
Miller Wilson just happened to be wandering past when he spotted something on the creek floor.

Miller Wilson was praised for rescuing the turtle after it was caught in mud during low tide. Source: TikTok

A young Aussie who rescued a stranded turtle during low tide has been held up as an example of how best to help wildlife when they are in need, with it likely the turtle would have "cooked in his shell" if the man hadn't been on hand to help.

Miller Wilson, 20, is a wildlife enthusiast who was on the hunt for mud crabs when he spotted sight of a turtle stuck in a muddy Queensland creek. He initially thought it was dead but as he took a closer look the turtle opened its eyes.

"I was walking through the mangroves looking for mud crabs and there's this turtle, he's probably like 20 metres away from the water... I think he's just timed the tide wrong," he said in a video on social media while on the phone to a wildlife rescuer. "I don't want to get in trouble by grabbing him."

Aussie's key act to ensure 'absolute best' for stranded turtle

With the wildlife rescuer's permission, Wilson picked the turtle up while following instructions on how best to handle the animal  which involved picking it up from the top and bottom sections of its shell. The turtle "paddled" in the air as it was moved closer to the water and once relocated, it was able to swim back to safety.

After sharing footage of the rescue online, Wilson was commended on his efforts, especially for seeking out advice from a licensed individual.

The turtle was barely visible in the mud (right) before it was returned back to the water. Source: TikTok

"Love that you actually sought expert advice first, you really did your absolute best for that turtle," one person wrote, while many others thanked him for his good deed.

Government department commends 'right' move of rescue

Most of Queensland's native wildlife is protected under the Nature Conversation Act meaning there are strict guidelines around their handling.

However, interference like Wilson's can be vital for an animal's survival and reaching out for advice from a licensed individual or wildlife group is the "right" course of action.

"Based on what is shown in the video, it appears that this person has done the right thing by reporting the stranded turtle and following directions," a Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) officer told Yahoo News.

The DESI recommend sharing as much information when on the phone to help aid the rescue process, like describing the location and what is wrong with the animal, as well as sending pictures if possible.

"All marine animal strandings should be reported to the DESI as soon as possible by phoning 1300 130 372," the spokesperson said.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
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. (Anne Angus | Courtesy photo)

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 was 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.

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 for Angus as IVF becomes new political target

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. (Anne Angus | Courtesy photo)

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.

The post After an abortion for fetal anomalies, she hoped IVF would build her family. Now thats in doubt. appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Monday marks two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade which removed the federal right to an abortion. It left regulations up to the states and ignited intense debates about access and restrictions.

Most national Democrats want to restore Roe at the federal level while Republicans largely support leaving abortion policy to the states.

This is a health care crisis, said Vice President Kamala Harris.

On the campaign trail Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris accused former president Donald Trump of stealing reproductive rights from women.

When he was in the White House, Donald Trump hand-picked three members of the United States Supreme Court because he intended for them to overturn Roe v. Wade, said Harris.

Protesters faced off Monday in front of the Supreme Court which still has an abortion rights case to rule on this term.

Harris warns a second Trump presidency would be even worse.

He proudly takes credit for overturning Roe, said Harris.

Over the weekend Trump celebrated the decisions anniversary.

Weve gotten abortion out of the federal government and back to the states, said Trump.

While President Joe Biden wants to bring back the federal right, Trump said voters in each state should decide.

And thats the way it should be, Trump said.

Ahead of the candidates first debate in this presidential election Thursday, South Dakota Republican Governor Kristi Noem said she supports Trumps stance.

Every state will look different, and I think thats appropriate, said Noem.

However, New York Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul says its an advantage for President Biden.

He should lean hard into the fact that now one out of three American women live with an abortion ban, said Hochul.

A growing list of anti-abortion groups are calling on Trump to commit to a national abortion ban if elected, but he has yet to do so.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Tamayo Perry always had a cautious fascination with sharks.

A professional surfer and lifeguard who grew up on the beaches of Oahu, Hawaiiand whose talent and local celebrity yielded appearances in Pirates of the Caribbean and Blue Crushhe often posted online about sharks and shark attacks.

In July 2015, he mused on Facebook about the infamous moment surfer Mick Fanning was attacked by two sharks in South Africa. He described it as a great indication that Jesus mercy is more then [sic] sufficient before noting that scientists are unsure if sharks can identify color and that the apex predator cannot swim backyards.

Regardless, sharks freak me out and I'm glad the Good Lord had Mick's back today, Perry wrote. Only the Lord can say when it's your time.

In another online post, Perry, 49, described himself as a Jaws Fan. In a third post, Perry even admitted he could sense when sharks were around while he was surfing. One friend even told The Daily Beast that after spending almost every day surfing in a northeast Oahu spot known for sharks, Perry always alluded to the fact that he has seen them and felt their presence.

Can people smell sharks around??? I dont know if its my imagination but I swear I can smell when theyre around, Perry wrote in a June 2019 Facebook post.

Perrys online musings about sharks now appear both prophetic and harrowing after his tragic death on Sunday from a shark attack. Authorities say he was attacked in the oft-frequented northeast Oahu surfing spot near Goat Island, and was brought ashore on Malaekahana Beach by rescuers just before 1 p.m.

He appeared to have multiple shark bites, though the type of shark that attacked him is still unclear, authorities said. According to Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources, Perrys death was one of four shark incidents in the state this year and while most of the local shark attacks involve surfers, only a small percentage are fatal.

The attack sent shockwaves throughout the surfing community, who remember Perry as a beloved friend, actor, and athlete.

Perry was humble and always a joy to have around, said Matt Paul, a professional photographer who described the surfer as one of the nicest guys ever whom he was lucky to call a friend for more than a decade.

He would always say hello and took the time to know everyones name, Paul said. He was a friendly, jolly soul who was always ready to surf and help others out. He always wanted to collaborate with photographers.

Paul said that he joined Perry several times at the northeast Oahu surfing spot where Perry surfer was found dead, describing it as infamously sharky and a spot where guys go since there are no waves in the North Shore in the summer.

Everyone thinks and talks about sharks when they go out in that spot, he said. One time, I was about to paddle out there and Tamayo made a friendly funny comment like, Oh its sharky out there, be careful.

He said that while Perrys death is a tragic loss, he is taking solace in the fact that the surfer died doing his favorite activity.

Even though its a horrible way to go, he went doing what he loves, he added. It feels very Pirates of the Caribbean when I think about it.

Perry jumped onto the pro surfing scene in 1999, when he won the Pipe Masters Trials, and continued competing for 15 years. After surviving a near-fatal head injury after being hit by a rogue surfboard, Perry dedicated a portion of Oahu Surf Experience, the surf school he ran with his wife, to safe surfing practices and etiquette.

In 2016, Perry became a lifeguard on the North Shore and the County of Honolulu Ocean Safety. His success yielded many acting gigs, including starring in an episode of Hawaii Five-0 and a role in the film, The Big Bounce.

Tamayo Perry, an eight-year veteran of Ocean Safety and well-known North Shore waterman, exemplified bravery, commitment, and a deep sense of duty, serving our community with unwavering dedication, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a Monday statement. His heroic actions and tireless efforts to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors will never be forgotten.

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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  Adam Frisch, who is running for congress, visited Grand Junction Wednesday, specifically, Community Hospital and the Business Incubator. He chose to visit Community Hospital because rural healthcare is a major challenge across western Colorado, and because its one of the few independently owned hospitals in the country.

Later that day, Frisch went over to the Business Incubator where he met some of the local entrepreneurs. Frisch also hosted a meet and greet with locals to hear their concerns.

Some of the concerns Frisch has heard while traveling around not just around Grand Junction, but all of District 3 are the cost of living, the cost of childcare and elder care, as well as the cost of affordable housing, the prices of groceries and the price of gasoline. He also noted mental and physical health was another concern.

If elected to represent District 3, Frisch tells WesternSlopeNow he just wants to get stuff done. Frisch says bringing true representation to District 3 is important to him. He also believes he has the ability to work across party lines and focus on things that matter to the constituents of western and southern Colorado.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
Thirty-six years ago, Audrey Cardenas moved to Belleville to start her career in journalism.

She had just graduated from Texas A&M University and landed a job as an intern reporter with the Belleville News-Democrat.

But after living in Belleville for just over a week, the 24-year-old disappeared. She didnt show up for work on Monday, June 20, 1988.

Cardenas body was found on Sunday, June 26, 1988, in a creek bed at Belleville East High School, where investigators believe she had been jogging. She was an avid runner who would log six miles a day. Decomposition kept the medical examiner from determining the cause of death. Findings indicated she did not die from a blow to the head.

Now Cardenas mother, Billie Fowler, a Texas resident, wants the Belleville Police Department to see if advancements in DNA technology applied to identify suspects in criminal cases could be used to solve her daughters murder.

Belleville Police Chief Matt Eiskant said Fowlers request to reopen the cold case is being considered and that he would talk to her about the steps the department could take. One possibility would be consulting with the Illinois State Police, he said.

A final decision will be based on whether investigators have new information or new technology, Eiskant said.

Its glimmer of hope is how Fowler described her reaction to Eiskants comments. She had been feeling ignored, frustrated and wondering if she needed to camp out on Eiskants doorstep to refocus investigators attention on her loss.

One man, Rodney Woidtke, was convicted of killing Cardenas, but he was later acquitted in a retrial after serving 13 years in prison. He died in 2014 at age 53.

A second man, Dale Anderson, who died at 71 of prostate cancer in a state prison last year while serving a life sentence for killing a Belleville woman and her son, was obsessed with the Cardenas case and had tried to frame his bosses for the killing. Also, he once was charged with impersonating a police officer after calling Cardenas father. A former FBI analyst who once led the agencys team that profiled serial killers, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in 1999 that Anderson is her likely killer.

An Illinois State Police analyst testified in 2001 that DNA evidence showed Woidtke didnt have contact with Cardenas. But that was 23 years ago and Fowler noted DNA technology has improved tremendously.

In one new development in DNA technology, analysts can make an identification with as little as 15 to 20 cells, according to an expert. Fowler would like to see if DNA analysts can find evidence linking a suspect to her daughters death.

I keep up to date with it, because I have a vested interest in it, she said. And, you know, the things I read and the things I hear on the news and other resources, its incredible what they can do with DNA.

Fowler follows news reports about police departments using DNA evidence to solve cases from the 1980s like her daughters.

I mean, they can use the tiniest piece of things that youd never even think would have DNA on it, she said.

Fowler thinks Anderson is a prime suspect and she believes in my heart Woidtke was innocent.

To me, Dale Anderson is the prime suspect in my mind because I know hes capable of doing something that horrible, Fowler said. So that needs to be put to bed one way or the other. And DNA can do that.

Police response

Eiskant said he couldnt place a timeline on when a decision would be made to reopen the Cardenas case. He also said he would not publicly release anything about the investigation.

I understand that she wants some questions answered, and it takes time, Eiskant said of Fowler. This case was a 1988 case, and theres no new fresh leads. If there are fresh leads that come upon this case, we would definitely look into it and if theres any new technology, we would definitely look into it.

But I understand her frustration. And, you know, as a police chief, I want justice for everybody and if we can look at this case, or look at parts of this case to bring her some closure, well definitely do that.

Eiskant said the department has a vault where investigators keep all evidence from homicide cases, including Cardenas death. He would have to find out what evidence remains that would be probative to test for DNA.

The chief also said he doesnt have an opinion that one person or another killed Cardenas but he has spoken to officers who originally investigated the case and they believe it was Woidtke.

Fowler, who turned 80 on Friday, said she understands why Eiskant has not said exactly when a decision would be made but added, obviously, Id like it to see to be in my lifetime.

Those words are pretty encouraging, she said of Eiskants remarks. I dont want to get up a lot of false hope only to have that hope shattered a year or two down the road.

Belleville Police Chief Matt Eiskant

Advances in DNA technology

Bill Christine, who started his journalism career with the East St. Louis Journal in the early 1960s and retired from the Los Angeles Times, is writing a book about Cardenas death as well as the unsolved homicide of another woman, 19-year-old Kristina Povolish, whose body was found in 1987 in St. Clair County.

Like Fowler, Christine believes investigators should examine whether the advances in DNA technology could shed light on the deaths of Cardenas and Povolish. Christine often shares with Fowler news reports from across the country about police departments that have solved cold cases by reviewing DNA evidence.

DNA is the genetic material present in the cells of all living organisms, according to a report by the National Institute of Justice, the research agency of the U.S. Department of Justice. DNA is the fundamental building block for an individuals entire genetic makeup. A persons DNA is the same in every cell.

And every individuals DNA is unique, with the exception of identical twins, according to Kathleen Corrado, executive director of the Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute at Syracuse University in New York.

If we are able to analyze the DNA left at the crime scene, we can get what we call a DNA profile that will be specific to an individual, Corrado said. And then we can compare it to various different individuals, whether they are victims or suspects or databases to try to see if we can identify who that DNA belongs to.

Corrado noted that she has not investigated Cardenas death and could not comment on the specifics of that case. She outlined several developments in the DNA field, however, that have improved in recent decades.

There definitely has been significant improvements over the years that really makes it important that we revisit these old cases to see if theres any evidence available that can be retested now, she said.

Corrado, who previously worked as a DNA analyst on a cold case task force in New York, said reviewing evidence is something all investigators should consider.

She gave these highlights regarding the capabilities of DNA technology today:

 Investigators now can use much smaller amounts of DNA to get a match as compared to when investigators first began using the technology.

We only need about 15 to 20 cells that someones left behind to be able to get a relatively good DNA profile, Corrado said.

This is in contrast to when investigators needed a blood sample the size of a coin to get a DNA match.

While we still use blood and saliva and things like that, we now can even get DNA just from cells that are left behind, like when someone touches something, Corrado said.

A piece of clothing worn by someone could be tested to see if someones cells are on the clothing, she said.

Analysts can also check for DNA if someone has just handled something like the handle of the weapon, such as a knife or screwdriver.

 Analysts also can now make a DNA match from samples that have been degraded, Corrado said.

If evidence has been outside in the heat or the evidence is old, the DNA can become fragmented, but analysts can often get results from degraded DNA that previously could not have been used.

 Corrado said investigators now have access to DNA profiles in a federal database that wasnt available at the time of Cardenas death. The federal Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, has about 20 million profiles, she said.

 Along with this federal database, investigators can get access to DNA profiles in a private companys database of people doing genetic genealogy searches. Corrado said a suspect may not have entered a sample in the private companys database, but a relative may have and investigators can make a link.

 The DNA technology that is available today has not advanced to a point where exhuming a crime victims body decades after burial could yield new evidence connecting a suspect to a crime.

There would be little value in exhuming the body to look for evidence left by the suspect, Corrado said. Any biological evidence on the body would not likely be viable.

The best chance for probative evidence would be from clothing or swabbings taken at the time of the crime that have been stored appropriately.

 Like the technology used in DNA research, the process of comparing a suspects fingerprints left at a scene with fingerprints in databases has improved, Corrado said.

The matching algorithms are a lot better, she said. Even if someone had had a fingerprint from a perpetrator that they searched 20 years ago, we would always encourage them to reload it and re-search it today.

A mothers memories

Fowler said her daughter was totally dedicated to anything that she tackled.

So whatever she took on, that was her passion, she said. And she would not let go of it until she was completely finished, whether if it was a school project, whatever it was, it was going to be finished and it was going to be completed and done in the right way.

Cardenas was petite and ran everyday unless there was bad weather. She only weighed about 100 pounds and because of her petite size, people would notice her, Fowler said.

Screenshot showing Billie Fowler, mother of Audrey Cardenas, who was murdered in 1988 while starting an internship for the BND.

She had beautiful black hair and a lot of it, Fowler said. I wouldnt call her glamorous, but she was very cute.

Fowler described her daughters personality as very friendly, outgoing but cautious. She would make friends with someone as soon as she felt that you were an OK person.

Fowler proudly remembers how her daughter graduated with a degree in journalism and was starting her career.

I think in early high school, like her freshman year, we discussed the fact that she wanted to pursue journalism as a career and I encouraged her of course, Fowler said. In my mind, I thought that might change because a lot of times kids do change their mind over time but she stuck with that.

I think she would have had a wonderful career.
The leader of the Black/African American Advisory Board (BAAAB) confronted district leaders about their inaction in addressing the disproportionately high number of Black students enrolled in special ed.

Terrence Gladney refused to back down from the podium at a school board meeting Thursday, demanding answers. This resulted in a 15 minute standoff in which he ultimately chose to walk away, escorted by security.

He confronted the Board of Trustees during the allocated time for reports from district advisory committees, questioning the lack of action toward fixing the dire problems Black students of the district are facing. Those problems were outlined in a scathing grand jury report released Monday that gave the district an F for its special ed program. The grand jury report discusses the special ed programs failure to meet the needs of its students with learning, physical, and behavioral disabilities, plus the over representation of Black students in special ed.

The report highlighted similar issues that the BAAAB had previously brought to the board.

Gladney started his remarks by saying that he would not leave until the board adequately addressed the problems the BAAAB presented to them a month earlier.

We were the first to give you guys an F, he said. Over a month ago, I stood before you guys on behalf of our organization and presented our presentation. And yet, I still have not heard from you guys as a body, what your priority is.

After completing his statements, Gladney again affirmed his intention to remain at the podium until the board discussed the issue. He ceded the rest of the three minutes of public comment his board was allocated to the board in hopes that they would take the time to discuss the issue.

Ill cede my time to you guys but Im not leaving this podium, he said. So whatever you guys need to do, we can hold the meeting up. I dont want to disrespect peoples time, but I also dont want to disrespect our students.

Gladney stood at the podium silently for the rest of the three minutes each board advisory committee is allocated. He remained in his place as 2nd Vice President of the board Chinua Rhodes tried to move on to the next agenda item. When Gladney did not move, Rhodes asked security to escort the BAAAB member out, but made clear that he would have to move by choice as the guard would not physically intervene.

Gladney stood his ground, saying that he was not comfortable going back to the students he represents with nothing new to tell them.

After another 10 minutes of tense back and forth between Gladney and Rhodes, he ultimately walked away after Rhodes promised that the topic would be agendized at one of the two first board meetings of the following school year.

Gladney was not escorted from the building and was allowed to stay for the remainder of the meeting, according to a district spokesperson.

Black students suffering in the district

The BAAAB was formed in 2019 as a part of an initiative of then-Superintendent Jorge Aguilar to improve the outcomes of Black students. The advisory board provides guidance to the Board of Trustees and district staff on how to develop and implement ways to reduce the achievement gap along racial lines.

Gladney has been a part of the BAAAB since its inception, but his advocacy within the district stretches back to 2009. Two of his children graduated from Sacramento City Unified schools, but he said most of his work on different district committees has been more on behalf of the wider community than it has been on behalf of his own kids.

In an interview, Gladney said that his actions were also inspired by deficient response to recommendations the BAAAB made to the board at a meeting last month. As committee chair, Gladney presented an annual report of the performance of Black students in the district and made four actionable recommendations, including the formation of a subcommittee that would oversee special education. None of the recommendations have been acted upon, he said.

I didnt do that so I could have a Sac Bee reporter reach out to me, I did it so the community can think about what we can each individually do and collectively do as a society to change this, he said about the Thursday board meeting. The ongoing state of Black students in this district and in this country should be considered a state of emergency.

Gladney pointed to stagnant or declining graduation rates, college and career readiness rates and the disproportionate amount of Black students in special education as indications of this emergency.

In retrospect, Gladney feels that the bold move was necessary to give visibility to the problem in the district. He regards the boards decision to agendize the topic at a near future meeting as a step in the right direction.

Time will tell, but I think that for everyone to be collectively comfortable in this district, and in all institutions that werent built for everyone, were going to have to go through uncomfortable moments.
Democrat Stanley Campbell announces his candidacy for the U.S. Senate last November in Fort Pierce. Campbell said he's been endorsed by the Florida AFL-CIO in the Democratic primary to challenge incumbent Sen. Rick Scott.

Other than former congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Democrats running for U.S. Senate against Rick Scott have been relatively low-key in a race to be determined in less than two months.

One of Mucarsel-Powell's opponents, though, hopes that will change with his announcement of a key endorsement.

Stanley Campbell, a Palm City businessman, has landed the state AFL-CIO's endorsement.

Rich Templin, director of politics and public policy at the AFL-CIO Florida, said the endorsement required a two-thirds vote by members at an endorsement conference over the weekend.

"This was a reflection of members wanting to do something new, something different," Templin said. "(Campbell's) answers showed a deep understanding of what our issues are in Washington, D.C."

They liked Campbell's background as a tech entrepreneur and former Navy pilot who "laid out a good plan for the election."

The Florida Future Labor Leaders, a group affiliated with the AFL-CIO, also posted about the endorsement on Facebook Sunday, stating the group "is proud to announce an official Florida AFL-CIO endorsement of Mr. Stanley Campbell to represent Florida in the U.S. Senate seat."

The AFL-CIO, which is a collection of 500 local labor unions and 10 councils in Florida, has more than 1 million members, counting retirees and families of members.

"I am beyond honored to have the working people of Florida behind my campaign," Campbell said. "They know I am their champion, with a lifetime of showing my willingness to fight for the working class and to revive the energy to take Florida back."

Mucarsel-Powell was shown leading Alan Grayson, a former Orlando congressman by a 43-to-12 margin in a Florida Atlantic University-Mainstreet Research poll taken on June 8-9. Grayson has since dropped out, leaving Campbell, former state Rep. Brian Rush and Rod Joseph, a combat veteran, to challenge her.

That same poll showed Mucarsel-Powell closing a gap that had Scott well ahead of her both in a previous FAU poll as well as others. The most recent poll showed Scott ahead 45 to 43, within the margin of error.

"Mucarsel-Powell was largely unknown in earlier surveys, said Luzmarina Garcia, assistant professor of political science at FAU. However, as voters have been introduced to her, she has been gaining in the race. If this trend holds, it could be close in November.

Mucarsel-Powell was planning a news conference in Broward County Monday to discuss the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, overturning the Roe v. Wade precedent legalizing abortion nationwide.

She has announced dozens of endorsements from state and federally elected Florida officeholders, including U.S. Reps. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, Kathy Castor, Lois Frankel and Maxwell Frost, and labor unions the Florida CWA, SEIU Florida and American Federation of Government Employees.

AFL-CIO is Florida's largest labor union

Campbell said he spoke to the 2024 Committee of Political Education Endorsing Convention, joining other candidates in responding to a 30-page questionnaire, followed by a screening interview.

Campbell said he has been an advocate for the AFL-CIO for most of his adult life, after his father, Stanley Campbell, Sr., had worked as a school custodian.

"My father would be so proud of this moment. He was a union member for most of his working life," Campbell said. "When you're raised in a union family, you understand how critically important workers' rights are to the working class.".

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Democrat secures key primary endorsement in race for U.S. Sen. Rick Scott's seat
What does justice mean to Andrew Bailey?

Its hard to figure out from his public actions. Last week, Missouris attorney general announced that hes filing a lawsuit against the state of New York for its prosecution  and conviction by a citizen jury  of Donald Trump in the hush-money case involving his brief affair with a porn star to interfere with the 2016 election.

Apparently, its not fair for the Empire State to enforce its own laws.

The blatant assault on our democratic process by radical progressives in New York has no place in a free and fair election process, Bailey said in a social media post. He called the prosecution of Trump unconstitutional lawfare and vowed that he would always stand with the former president.

Trump, of course, has his own presumably well-compensated attorneys appealing the conviction. Hes a billionaire, supposedly. And you dont often see state-level prosecutors  which Bailey is  rush to the defense of criminal defendants halfway across the country from their own jurisdiction.

But Bailey just volunteered to aid Trumps defense, funded by Missouri taxpayer dollars.

That would be odd enough on its own, though entirely keeping with Baileys approach to the office of attorney general. He frequently takes on high-profile right-wing culture war fights  targeting a media outlet that criticized Elon Musk, sending letters threatening Target for Pride month displays, suing Planned Parenthood for hypothetical violations of state law  that dont do much to serve Missourians but do earn him a lot of face time on Fox News and other right-wing media outlets.

Sounds a lot like lawfare, doesnt it?

Bailey is so relentless with his politicization of his public post that it starts to feel silly pointing it out over and over again. But he keeps doing it over and over again, so here we are.

And its almost understandable. Bailey was appointed to his job. Hes running right now to be elected in his own right  and facing one of Trumps own lawyers in the August primary. Mans got to make an impression somehow.

Still, you wonder what Missourians would think if New York sued the Show-Me State to prevent it from enforcing its own laws. Whats good for the goose, right?

And also: Theres still that question of justice.

Keeping innocent Sandra Hemme in prison

Why? Because at the same moment he was suing New York to keep Trump out of prison, Bailey was also working to keep an almost-certainly innocent woman behind bars.

Earlier this month, a judge found that Sandra Hemme  who has spent 43 years in prison for a 1980 murder in St. Joseph  had established evidence of actual innocence in the crime and ordered her to be released from prison within 30 days. The judge ruled that evidence from the crime pointed instead to another suspect, a now-deceased former police officer who served prison time on unrelated charges.

Bailey, naturally, is trying to block Hemmes release from prison.

Ms. Hemme is a sixty-four year old woman whose family is desperate to reunite with her, her attorneys at the Innocence Project told the Associated Press.

Unfortunately, New York wont sue Missouri to free Hemme. Thats not how things are done.

And Bailey, of course, is just the latest in a long line of Missouri attorneys general who have worked to keep people in prison despite well-founded claims of innocence. It is a sordid and dishonorable history.

That record is particularly stark when you realize that there is precisely one criminal defendant in the United States who gets Baileys full-throated advocacy, backed by the full might and power of the Missouri attorney generals office: the former president of the United States.

Which gives us a clear picture of Baileys priorities. Impunity for the rich and powerful and Republican. Grinding, relentless prosecution  whether or not its deserved  for everybody else.

Thats justice for Andrew Bailey. But its not real justice at all, is it?

Joel Mathis is a regular Kansas City Star and Wichita Eagle Opinion correspondent. Formerly a writer and editor at Kansas newspapers, he served nine years as a syndicated columnist.
A two-star Air Force general pleaded guilty Monday to adultery and dereliction of duty for pursuing an unprofessional relationship as the rare court-martial of a high-ranking officer got underway at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.

Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart, the Air Forces former pilot training boss, entered a guilty plea ahead of opening statements in the case, an Air Force spokesperson and a spokesperson for Stewarts defense team confirmed to Air Force Times.

Jury selection begins in Air Force generals sexual assault trial

He initially pleaded not guilty to all charges during a hearing in March. The defense teams spokesperson declined to answer why Stewart opted to switch his plea on multiple charges.

Stewart maintains he is not guilty of allegedly sexually assaulting an unnamed woman and allegedly taking control of an airplane within 12 hours of consuming alcohol during a work trip to Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, in April 2023.

Stewart allegedly penetrated a womans vulva with his mouth and penis without her consent on multiple occasions while visiting Altus, a training hub for airmen across the air mobility enterprise, according to a charge sheet obtained by Air Force Times. His attorneys have contended that while he did have sex with the woman, it was consensual.

Stewart was fired from his job leading 19th Air Force, which manages a large swath of airman training programs, in May 2023 amid a misconduct investigation by Air Education and Training Command boss Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson. He was charged in September 2023 with two counts of sexual assault, two counts of dereliction of duty, one count of conduct unbecoming of an officer, and one count of extramarital sexual conduct.

In January, the two-star asked Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to allow him to retire in lieu of facing military trial. That request was denied in February, paving the way for the second time in Air Force history that a general officer has stood trial, as well as the second time that a general has faced court-martial for sexual assault.

The case stalled last week over jury selection. Stewart opted to be tried by a panel of his peers, requiring the service to assemble an eight-person jury comprised of Air Force officers who outrank him or who pinned on a second star before him  limiting the pool of potential jurors to 68 airmen. The Air Force brought 18 jurors in for questioning before seating a panel on Saturday, AETC spokesperson Capt. Scarlett Trujillo said Monday.

Air Force 2-star pleads not guilty in sexual assault case

Stewart faces a reprimand, fine, dismissal, forfeiture of pay and up to 18 months confinement on the adultery and dereliction of duty charges. If found guilty on all charges, he faces a minimum sentence of dismissal or dishonorable discharge, or up to 66 years in confinement and forfeiture of pay.

Maj. Gen. Bill Cooley, the former Air Force Research Laboratory commander who in April 2022 became the first general officer to face court-martial for sexual misconduct, retired as a colonel in June 2023 after being convicted by a military judge of abusive sexual conduct for forcibly kissing his brothers wife. An appeal with the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals is pending.
(Bloomberg) -- Former Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi will lead the opposition New Democratic Party in Canadas oil-rich province Alberta, the party announced in a live-streamed meeting on Saturday.

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Nenshis task now is to recapture the popularity the NDP achieved under Rachel Notley, who won provincial power in 2015 and ended a 44-year run of victories for the Progressive Conservatives.

In his victory speech, three-time Calgary mayor Nenshi criticized the leadership of United Conservative Party Premier Danielle Smith, suggesting the province suffered from political interference in civil services such as health care, teaching and regulation.

The Progressive Conservatives merged with the right-of-center Wildrose Party to form the United Conservative Party, which then ousted the NDP in the 2019 election, and won again in May 2023. Notley announced she would step down in January 2024, triggering the NDP leadership race.

Albertas next provincial election is currently scheduled for October 2027.

Nenshi won with 62,746 votes, said Amanda Freistadt, chief returning officer for the leadership race. That was 86% of the total votes, a record turnout, she said, meaning Nenshi beat rivals Kathleen Ganley, Sarah Hoffman and Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse by a large margin.

Nenshis parents immigrated to Canada from Tanzania, and he was the first Muslim mayor of a major Canadian city.

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Rima Hanano, member of the advisory board and project manager of the CLAIM Alliance against Islamophobia and Muslimophobia, speaks at the presentation of a campaign against anti-Muslim racism. Germany's CLAIM alliance against Islamophobia recorded 1,926 anti-Muslim incidents during the course of last year, or more than five such incidents per day, according to a report presented by the alliance in Berlin on 24 June. Britta Pedersen/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa

Germany's CLAIM alliance against Islamophobia recorded 1,926 anti-Muslim incidents during the course of last year, or more than five such incidents per day, according to a report presented by the alliance in Berlin on Monday.

The alliance, which is supported by the German Family Affairs Ministry, said the figure was more than double the previous year's, although it added that the way the data had been collected had changed, as there were more reporting points last year.

There had been a sharp rise since the October 7 attacks mounted on Israel from the Gaza Strip, the report said.

The report includes verbal and physical attacks, discrimination and damage to property, but not Islamophobic internet content. CLAIM believes that the incidents are seriously underreported.

"The breeding ground for racism has become much larger," CLAIM head Rima Hanano said. Islamophobia had become more socially acceptable than ever before and could be seen in the centre of German society, she said.

Around two thirds of the reported cases in 2023 concerned verbal attacks, including hate speech and insults, and threatening letters to restaurants whose owners are perceived as Muslim. A total of 90 attacks on places of this kind and religious facilities were recorded.

Apart from 1,277 verbal attacks, the report listed 363 cases of discrimination and 286 cases of "injurious behaviour," including 178 of physical injury, four attempted homicides, 93 cases of damage to property, five cases of arson and six other violent acts.

Many cases concerned Muslim women and were seen in all areas of life, from house hunting to visits to the doctor to attending school. Children were often the target.

Family Minister Lisa Paus said that preventive work from a young age, in particular with children and youth, was essential to reduce racism.

Jochen Kopelke, head of the GdP police union, said unreported incidents needed to be brought to light. He called for online complaints to be expanded.

"The Muslim community must and can place greater confidence in prosecutors and the police," he said. The reported cases were being taken seriously by the authorities, Kopelke said.
The state of California is hitting Amazon with a fine of nearly $6 million based on the e-commerce giants treatment of workers.

Last week, the California Labor Commissioners Office said the Seattle-based corporation violated the states warehouse and distribution center quota law, which limits companies from enacting and enforcing so-called productivity quotas.

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Enacted in January 2022, AB 701 aims to ensure that warehouse workers are given written notice of any speed quotas they must follow, including the number of tasks theyre expected to perform on an hourly basis. It also protects their rights to state-mandated meal and bathroom breaks.

The $5.9-million fine is the largest ever levied against a company under the quota law.

According to the Labor Commissioners office, two Amazon distribution centers in Riverside and San Bernadino counties were the subject of a nearly two-year investigation that began in September 2022. The facilities were found to have committed 59,017 violations between October 2023 and March 2024. Under the law, penalties are set at $100 per violation.

The government agency said Amazon neglected to provide employees with written notice that speed quotas were in place. While the e-tailers management argued it didnt need a quota system because it utilizes a peer-to-peer evaluation model, the Labor Commissioner defines a quota as work that must be performed at a specified speed or the worker suffers discipline.

That was apparently the case at the Moreno Valley and Redlands facilities, the agency said. In addition to placing limits on quotas that interfere with meal and rest breaks, the law also protects workers from being subjected to quotas that could impact compliance with occupational health and safety laws. A quota may be illegal if it is not disclosed to workers or precludes employees from exercising these statutory rights, the Labor Commissioners office said.

The peer-to-peer system that Amazon was using in these two warehouses is exactly the kind of system that the Warehouse Quotas law was put in place to prevent, California labor commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower said. Undisclosed quotas expose workers to increased pressure to work faster and can lead to higher injury rates and other violations by forcing workers to skip breaks.

Amazon took issue with the states investigation, with spokesperson Maureen Lynch Vogel telling Sourcing Journal that the company has appealed the decision.

The truth is, we dont have fixed quotas. At Amazon, individual performance is evaluated over a long period of time, in relation to how the entire sites team is performing, she said. Employees canand are encouraged toreview their performance whenever they wish. They can always talk to a manager if theyre having trouble finding the information.

Despite the companys denials that it employs quotas to measure worker performance, lawmakers across the country are heeding their constituents complaints. Californias warehouse and distribution law has set a precedent that the rest of the nation may soon follow.

In May, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, along with Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.), put forth the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, which would prohibit dangerous work speed quotas that lead to worker injury. It would also require companies to disclose their quota policies from the outset.

The National Employment Law Project (NELP), along with other labor rights organizations, released a report this spring showing that one in every 15 Amazon warehouse and distribution center employees suffer injuries. The company represents 79 percent of large warehouse employment in the U.S., and 86 percent of all injuries at such facilities happen under its purview.

The groups polling of workers across the country showed that more than half of those employed by Amazon (54 percent) and Walmart (57 percent) experienced production quotas that made it difficult for them to take bathroom breaks at least some of the time. NELPs reporting confirmed that quotas are also sometimes implemented without disclosure to employees, meaning theyre being held to standards they dont know about.

The Warehouse Worker Protection Act is about dignity, safety, and respect for the workers that make companies run, Sen. Markey said at the time. When corporations repeatedly use and abuse warehouse workers, they show us that their number one obligation is to their profits. This bill would guarantee that we have basic standards in place to protect warehouse workers from the worst of corporate greed and move us one step further towards true worker justice.

I approach this issue with the core belief that all companies should follow the law and treat their workers fairly, Sen. Smith added. Many workers in large warehouses that use aggressive quota systems are pushed to the brink every day and sometimes cant even take a break to go to the bathroom.

This bill will protect these workers and increase transparency from warehouses that use quotas so that they cant take advantage of their workers, she said.
Authorities  concerned about an increasing number of mountain lion encounters including one earlier this year that killed a man and severely injured his brother  are asking residents of one California county to turn to Facebook to spread the word.

Over the weekend, the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office took to its social media channels to encourage residents to go online as part of its protocol for mountain lion safety. They touted a group named El Dorado County Mountain Lion Sightings, which had 7,000 members as of Monday, to report mountain lion activity across the county.

The announcement encourages anyone who sees a mountain lion to post details on the Facebook feed, which is listed after calling 911 if a mountain lion poses an immediate threat and calling the local agricultural department if pets or livestock get hurt or killed by a cougar, an animal common to the Sierra foothills that has increasing been seen in populated areas.

The postings on the page include surveillance footage, photos of droppings and other safety announcements.

The page was created in early May, weeks after two brothers were attacked by a mountain lion resulting in the death of 21-year-old Taylen Brooks. His brother, Wyatt, required multiple surgeries but survived the attack. It happened March 23 off Darling Ridge Road east of Auburn on the outskirts of the Eldorado National Forest.

The attack shocked the foothill community and was the first deadly mountain lion encounter in California in 20 years.

Experts said after the attack that the brothers did the right things when they were pinned down by the cougar, which included making themselves appear bigger, shouting at it and throwing a backpack to try to scare it away. But instead of leaving, the 90-pound mountain lion became aggressive and attacked the brothers. County trappers, who located the cat next to Brooks body and scared it away, eventually re-located the mountain lion and killed it.

Attacks are rare, according to Josh Rosenau the director of policy and advocacy for the Mountain Lion Foundation.

So much about this situation is unusual and surprising, Rosenau said of the attack at the time. For the most part, mountain lions try to avoid people. They dont like human voices. They recognize human shapes. They tend to avoid people and things that are not obviously food.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported just 21 mountain lion attacks on humans in the state since 1986, including none since the attack on the Brooks brothers in March. It marked the fourth attack that resulted in a death since records have been kept and the second in El Dorado County. The states previous deadly encounter came in Orange County in January 2004.

El Dorado deputies said the agency receives calls to 911 for a significant volume of mountain lion sightings each day in the county. In developing the new protocol, the Sheriffs Office worked with the Outdoor View, a website dedicated to educating and empowering your voice for the great outdoors, as well as county agricultural officials.

It was determined that, at this time, simple sightings should be posted on the El Dorado County Mountain Lion Sightings Facebook page, the Sheriffs Office said.

The page provides a phone number to report livestock kills and other non-emergency assistance but deputies said that in a situation to protect yourself, your family, pets and livestock if you are at immediate risk or under attack, 911 remains the first option for help.
(Bloomberg) -- The US and Mexico have reached a deal to restart inspections of mango and avocados from the state of Michoacan more than a week after they were halted over security concerns, Governor Alfredo Ramirez Bedolla announced in a press conference.

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The agreement followed a Monday meeting between Ramirez Bedolla, who leads Michoacan, and US Ambassador Ken Salazar. It will include close communication between authorities in both countries and an emergency plan, Salazar said during the press conference.

The US Department of Agriculture notified the Avocado Exporting Producers and Packers of Mexico of its decision to halt new exports out of Michoacan on June 14, after local news reports that two American agricultural inspectors were held against their will amid a protest over police pay.

Earlier Monday, Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador criticized the US for acting unilaterally to freeze some avocado shipments from the country, saying it could have been avoided if officials from both countries had discussed the matter earlier.

We asked the government of the United States not to act in a unilateral manner, since we have a good relationship, and we are working together, so this is not the way, Lopez Obrador said at his daily press briefing in the National Palace in Mexico City.

The suspension was the second by the US on Mexican avocados in the past two and a half years due to security concerns. Exports from other states continued throughout the partial freeze.

(Recasts story with news of agreement and comments from press conference)

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Animal advocacy group hopes dog race betting is on its last legs in North Dakota

Carey Theil, executive director for GREY2K USA Worldwide, delivers remarks to the Judiciary Committee on June 19, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

A national greyhound advocacy nonprofit is urging North Dakota lawmakers to eliminate betting on remote, out-of-state dog races.

North Dakota and Oregon are the only two states that allow gambling companies to process advance-deposit wagering (ADW) bets on greyhound racing, making North Dakota a hub for online dog race wagering, said Carey Theil, executive director for GREY2K USA Worldwide.

Live greyhound racing is not legal in North Dakota, so I do think its odd that this is happening, Theil told members of the Judiciary Committee Wednesday. A lot of the betting that is going through both Oregon and North Dakota is actually foreign dog tracks  not even in the U.S.

There are only two remaining live greyhound race tracks operating in the U.S., both in West Virginia.

There is about $350 million bet each year, thats whats left of the industry, he said. At its peak in the early 1990s, there was about $3.5 billion wagered, so weve essentially seen a massive decline.

Live greyhound racing is illegal in 43 states, according to the groups website. Theil raised concerns about the treatment of dogs, particularly at foreign dog tracks. He cited reports of animals being stacked in crates for up to 23 hours per day, an increased risk of broken legs and risk of electrocution if they catch a motorized lure.

Theil also said the Oregon Racing Commission funded a study on greyhound racing in 2023 that showed of the more than 6,000 greyhound race starts on U.S. tracks, more than 550 dogs were injured.

Bruce Johnson, executive director for the North Dakota Racing Commission, warned lawmakers that outlawing betting on greyhound racing could lead to a push to eliminate horse racing. North Dakota has horse racing tracks in Fargo and Belcourt.

Bruce Johnson, executive director for the North Dakota Racing Commission, delivers remarks to the Judiciary Committee on June 19, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

I just think thats going to be a logical progression, I really do, Johnson said. If this group, and (Theil), get their foot in the door, who knows whats next? Its just an opening that I dont think the state of North Dakota should allow.

Theil said his organization does not have a position on horse racing. He said greyhound racing has been resistant to change and does not have the same level of regulation or protection of animals as horse racing.

During the 2022-23 fiscal year, $60.7 million in greyhound racing bets were processed in North Dakota, according to information the Racing Commission provided to GREY2K USA Worldwide. Those bets generated about $145,000 in tax revenue for the state, split among five different state funds.

We certainly do not view that as a significant revenue source for the state, Theil said.

In response to questions from Rep. Pat Heinert, R-Bismarck, Johnson said less than 1% of bets placed on greyhound racing were from North Dakota residents.

In an interview with the North Dakota Monitor, Heinert said he questions whether its worth it to continue allowing betting on remote greyhound racing given the small number of North Dakotans participating and the amount of money the state receives in tax revenue.

It just doesnt seem like its right anymore, Heinert said.

Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, chair of the Judiciary Committee, said she wasnt aware North Dakota was a hub for online racing transactions before the presentations to the committee on Wednesday.

To find out were a hub for whatever little money it is, its something North Dakotans, I believe, would want to know  were a go-through channel for greyhound racing around the world, Myrdal said. In our state, we have animal cruelty laws on the books here, but allowing greyhound racing to be channeled  portaled in our state that has taxpayers funding, is completely unethical to me because we dont have animal cruelty control over those dogs somewhere.

She said the committee will not advance a bill on the issue to the full Legislature because the topic falls outside of the Judiciary Committees purview. However, she wanted the comments and presentations to be part of the committees study on the racing industry as a whole.

Myrdal said individual lawmakers may draft their own bills for introduction to the legislative session.

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The post Animal advocacy group hopes dog race betting is on its last legs in North Dakota appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
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Fidelity Investments, one of the world's largest asset managers, has confirmed that over 77,000 customers had personal information compromised during an August data breach, including Social Security numbers and driver's licenses. The Boston, Massachusetts-based investment firm said in a filing with Maines attorney general on Wednesday that an unnamed third party accessed information from its systems between August 17 and August 19 "using two customer accounts that they had recently established. We detected this activity on August 19 and immediately took steps to terminate the access, Fidelity said in a letter sent to those affected, adding that the incident did not involve any access to customers Fidelity accounts.
Another Folsom police officer is suing the city. Heres what hes accusing the department of

A former Folsom police officer is suing the city, alleging he faced racial discrimination and harassment from colleagues based on his Latino heritage.

The lawsuit, filed June 10 in Sacramento Superior Court by former officer Homer Limon, adds to ongoing claims raised against the department. Last year, Limon was also one of three officers named in another lawsuit centered around racism.

As a result of the unlawful conduct of the defendants, Limon has suffered severe emotional distress, wage loss and loss of benefits, diminution of his lifetime pension benefits and damage to his career, the lawsuit alleged.

Christine Brainerd, a spokeswoman for the city of Folsom, said in a statement that the city takes the recent allegations very seriously and is reviewing and addressing the complaints.

Limon, who was hired in 2003, claims he began experiencing harassment and retaliation after reporting the alleged misconduct of three fellow officers.

The misconduct included online searches for hot girls, using department money for sexual favors at massage parlors and driving to the city of Chico to have sex while on duty, according to the lawsuit. Two of the officers  Carl Siegler and Brian Unden  were terminated in 2009, following an investigation into inappropriate contact with college girls in Chico.

The lawsuit alleges the discriminatory behavior toward Limon started around this time.

During police briefings, superiors and officers would mockingly ask Limon to pronounce arrestees names, according to the lawsuit. After arrests, Limon would hear comments such as We just arrested your son on the street and Limon, we arrested your people today.

During his employment, the lawsuit alleges, Limon was one of only four Hispanic officers. About 13% of Folsoms residents are Latino.

The discriminatory comments persisted for years, the lawsuit alleges.

In another instance, while he was on family leave, Limon says a fellow officer informed him that she saw a stick-figure picture drawn on the whiteboard with a man wearing a sombrero hat and labeled Limon.

Limons career stalled due to the harassment and retaliation, according to the lawsuit. He ultimately decided to retire without seeing any improvements in the department.

Limons attorney, David Foyil, did not respond to a request for comment.

More racist claims against department

Two other officers  Kimberly Moy Lim-Watson and James Dorris  have also reported similar discriminatory claims against the department. Both Watson and Dorris are of Asian descent.

Dorris filed a lawsuit last September, alleging officers put anti-Asian and racially offensive stickers on his locker, made comments about his slanted eyes and mimicked an Asian accent.

In Limons lawsuit, he claims to have witnessed Dorris and Watson receiving comments regarding their race, skin color and slanted eyes. Limon also noted anti-Asian stickers that repeatedly appeared on Dorris locker.

The city of Folsom maintains Dorris lawsuit is retaliatory after he was fired in January 2022 for using racist language and allegedly engaging in sexual activity while on duty. The citys decision was approved by an independent arbitrator, who concluded Dorris should be let go for sending racist texts and lying during the investigation.

Lim-Watson, who is still employed with the department, has not filed a lawsuit.

None of the three officers named in the lawsuits could be reached for comment.
Republicans in Arizona are calling for pro-Trump state Senate candidate Steve Slaton to drop out of the race after allegedly fudging his military service record.

On Sunday, the Navajo County GOP issued a letter accusing Slaton of providing an altered DD-214 claiming combat veteran status and showing qualifications and awards which you have not earned.

That unfortunately has cast a shadow of dishonesty on your campaign, and by extension, on the Republican Party organizations in [Legislative District 7], the group wrote. For these reasons, we respectfully request, for the good of the Republican Party, the conservative movement in general, military service members, and veterans that you withdraw from the Republican Primary race for Representative of Legislative District 7.

Slaton, the founder and owner of a Trump merchandise store in Show Low, Arizona, had previously claimed to be a combat veteran who had flown a helicopter during the Vietnam War. I was a combat veteran in Vietnam for four months in support of the missions of the South Vietnamese and patrolled along the DMZ, Slaton told an Arizona radio station KMOG in April. His campaign website claims he served overseas in Vietnam and Korea with the 128th Aviation Company, 8th U.S. Army I Corps.

According to the Mountain Daily Star, Slaton provided KMOG with a DD214, a document given to veterans upon their retirement that includes a record of their service and awards. The document produced by Slaton claimed he had earned a National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary (Korea); Vietnam Service Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; Army Commendation Medal. The document also stated that he served in the Nixon Vietnamese Program 1974.

However, an official copy of Slatons DD214 obtained by Guardians of the Green Beret (GOTGB)  an online group of former and current Green Berets who find and investigate those who falsely claim to be a Green Beret  paints a very different story.

The document obtained by GOTGB from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) showed that Slaton was stationed in Korea between January and December 1974 as a helicopter repairman. He never received medals for his service in Vietnam because he had never actually been deployed there. The Vietnam Service Medal that Slaton touts in his edited DD214 was discontinued months before he even enlisted. The Army Commendation Medal and Army Good Conduct Medal listed in the document presented to KMOG were also never awarded to him.

Slaton responded to the accusations and the calls for him to drop out of the race on Sunday. I am a Vietnam combat veteran  no left wing smear campaign will ever deny that fact, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. These people doing this are doing to me what the liberals did to my fellow Vietnam veterans decades ago when they returned  spitting on them and mocking them.

In response to the local Navajo County losers:



I am a Vietnam combat veteran  no left wing smear campaign will ever deny that fact. These people doing this are doing to me what the liberals did to my fellow Vietnam veterans decades ago when they returned  spitting on them and  Steven Slaton (@SteveSlatonAZ) June 24, 2024

Slaton is not the only Republican facing accusations of falsifying his military record. In the U.S. Congress, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) is facing scrutiny for his regular use of a Combat Infantryman Badge for which hes unqualified. According to a Monday report from NOTUS, the Army confirmed to the publication that while Nehls was awarded the badge in 2008 after being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, the honor was rescinded in 2023 because Nehls served as a member of the civil affairs branch, and not in a combat role.

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The Royal Family is not having the best year, with unfortunate events happening one after the other, and Princess Anne is the latest on the list.

Following King Charles III and Kate Middleton's cancer diagnoses, The Princess Royal was hospitalized on Sunday evening after suffering a concussion. Buckingham Palace shared her predicament in a statement on Monday.

Princess Anne is the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. She is the third senior royal to suffer a health scare in 2024.

Princess Anne Hospitalized With Minor Injuries

MEGA

According to a statement released by Buckingham Palace, King Charles III's sister Princess Anne was hospitalized after an unspecified accident left her with "minor injuries and a concussion."

The health scare reportedly occurred on the Gatcombe Park estate, and the Princess Royal was admitted into the Southmead Hospital, Bristol. She remains at the facility to date "as a precautionary measure for observation."

Fortunately, there does not seem to be negative impacts on Princess Anne's health as the statement noted she "is expected to make a full and swift recovery." As for the Royal Family's reaction to her hospitalization, Buckingham Palace added:

"The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery."

The Royal Family Suffered A Double Cancer Scare

MEGA

As stated, Princess Anne is the third senior royal to suffer a health crisis in 2024, with King Charles III and Kate Middleton battling cancer. The Blast reported the monarch opened up about his struggles during a candid interview with British Army veteran Aaron Mapplebeck.

Mapplebeck, who underwent chemotherapy for testicular cancer, could relate to the King's health issues. Charles revealed to the army veteran that he, too, had lost his sense of taste during his cancer treatments.

The Head of the Commonwealth realms first announced his cancer diagnosis earlier this year; however, Buckingham Palace has not disclosed the specifics of his treatment.

Nonetheless, it was known that Charles was receiving chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer.

King Charles III Transferred Command Of Prince Harry's Former Regiment To Prince William

MEGA

Buckingham Palace previously announced that the King would transfer the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to Prince William at the Army Aviation Centre, where his second son, Prince Harry, trained to fly.

As expected, King Charles transferred command of Harry's former regiment to William in an official ceremony. This meant his oldest son would now represent the Army's airborne wing, including his brother's ex-unit, 662 Squadron.

During the handover ceremony, Charles, who was Colonel-in-Chief as the Prince of Wales for 31 years, proudly celebrated William's skills.

"The great thing is he's a very good pilot indeed... I can't tell you how proud it has made me to have been involved with you all this time," the doting father raved.

Princess Anne Bestowed An Honor On Daniel Craig

Weve been expecting you ?The Princess Royal presents Daniel Craig with The Order of St Michael and St George - the same honour held by his character James Bond - in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film and theatre. pic.twitter.com/X20TP6BogL  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 18, 2022

The Royal Family has been depicted in various media, especially in the James Bond franchise. However, Daniel Craig became the first person who portrayed the beloved 007 agent to receive the same honor the fictional character got from the British empire.

In October 2022, The Blast reported the Royal Family honored Craig with the same title his fictional character had in the movies.

They announced the exciting news on their official X page, with a picture of the actor humbly receiving the honor from Princess Anne alongside the words:

"We've been expecting you The Princess Royal presents Daniel Craig with The Order of St Michael and St George - the same honor held by his character James Bond - in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film and theatre."

The Late Queen Elizabeth II Paid Tribute To Daniel Craig Before Her Death

MEGA

The honor bestowed on Craig was one of Queen Elizabeth II's final acts before her death in September 2022. The Hollywood veteran made the late monarch's annual New Year's honors list for his "outstanding contribution to film and theatre."

Although he could not receive the title from the Queen, Craig could also reminisce about the time he starred alongside the late ruler in the opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics in London.

The pair performed in a pre-taped clip, where the "Knives Out" actor was summoned to Buckingham Palace for a special mission. He had to escort the Queen to the Olympics venue, which the duo entered by parachuting off a helicopter.
The members of the Zonta Clubs worldwide recently had the opportunity to attend the bi-annual Zonta International Foundation convention in Brisbane, Australia from June 27 through June 30.

At these conventions, a new international board is elected, policies and procedures are voted on, and plans are made to help Zonta move forward in the coming years.

One of the goals of Zonta is the implementation of the strategic plan, which focuses on gender equality with emphasis on the following areas: education equality, climate justice, ending gender-based violence, and ensuring women are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men. In order to achieve this, there are four main areas that Zonta will focus on, as quoted from the Zonta website.

Credible and visible voice: Provide a place for members to contribute their ideas to an ongoing global conversation, and to increase their actions as gender equity advocates to drive the change women and girls need. Develop and deliver programs and initiatives that provide cross-cultural community building and knowledge sharing on topics relevant to womens rights and that make a difference in the lives of women and girls. Expand international content and communication strategies to demonstrate authority on issues facing women and girls in the world.

Club success: Clubs serve as a welcoming and inspiring environment to those who wish to work to empower women and girls and create information and resources necessary to focus on the most important issues facing women and girls. Increase focus on the value of Zonta Clubs to deliver impact in their local communities. Expand focus and support for forming and chartering new Zonta Clubs. Recognize the right of clubs and individuals to have self-determination. Encourage the Zonta spirit for a healthy club life and inclusive environment.

International leadership and sustainability: Zonta manages its resources, including both time and money, to meet the vision and ensure the organizations long-term viability and success. Zonta modernizes its governance structure to align with its strategic plan, ensure innovative thought and allow for effective decision-making. Sustain current sources of revenue while evaluating operational and cost structures to be best positioned for the future. Protect Zontas assets with prudent management and a long-term view of organizational health. Address Zonta International governance, leadership and internal structures to enable the effective achievement of our mission. Enhance trust in the Zonta Foundation for Women for its work with unique and impactful programs that will attract donations and raise new funds from diverse avenues

Engagement of audiences and allies: Zonta creates customized pathways to connect to Zonta, develops collaborations with like-minded organizations, and expands revenue streams to further our mission and extend our voice. Leverage and market programs and engagement opportunities to introduce Zonta to new audiences of gender equity advocates. Broaden Zontas support base by attracting and welcoming new Zontians to our clubs and wider membership. Enhance existing collaborations with like-minded organizations to increase information and resources for our members, while seeking opportunities to elevate Zontas message with others. Seek out new collaborations with like-minded organizations to expand alliances, partnerships and sponsorships.

Come find out why you should join Zonta:

Gain fulfillment by serving your community with Zonta spirit.

Expand your knowledge of gender equality issues.

Become a better advocate for Women and girls locally and globally.

For more information, please reach out to Mimi White at mcw729@gmail.com or Terry Mahoney at terembe@verizon.net, and check out our Facebook page @ZontaClubofAuburn.
Another tax increase for Tacoma Fire? Leaders say it is needed to modernize department

The Tacoma Fire Department is urging voters to support a new levy-lid lift. Proponents say it would help the department pay for much-needed improvements, including modernizing stations and replacing old fire engines.

On June 18, the Tacoma City Council approved ballot language for the proposed fire levy-lid lift, which is up for a vote on Nov. 5. It would increase the citys regular property tax levy by $0.65 per $1,000 of assessed value, raising around $30 million per year.

Our facilities are in desperate need of repair due to deferred maintenance, Fire Chief Tory Green told The News Tribune. Our apparatus [vehicles] are well past their useful life. Much of our firefighting equipment is well past its useful life.

Passing the levy would mean the average homeowner (with a house worth $450,000) would pay an extra $25 per month, according to the city. By contrast, last years EMS levy-lid lift  aimed at expanding emergency medical services in Tacoma  translated to an additional $9.04 each month for the owner of a property valued at $493,000.

More than 450 firefighters across 17 stations serve the areas overseen by Tacoma Fire Department, according to the city.

During a June 11 study session, Green told city leaders that a recent study from a consultant showed that 85% of the departments facilities are in critical or poor condition. Call volume ballooned over the past decade, he said, yet more than 60% of the departments fleet is beyond its useful life.

Money from the levy-lid lift would help the department obtain two fire engines each year and a ladder truck every other year, Green said. The department would be able to replace its entire fleet every eight years.

Green added that its arguably the best fleet-replacement plan hes seen in three decades.

Sounds like its a little overdue, Council member Olgy Diaz said during the study session. Thats exciting.

Its a bit overdue, Green agreed.

What else would the levy-lid lift do?

Property tax is a key source of the departments revenue, Green told The News Tribune. State law caps annual property-tax increases at 1%, but that rate doesnt even come close to keeping up with the departments increase in expenses, he said.

The city has warned that if the levy isnt approved in November, residents could see longer emergency-response times. The News Tribune previously reported that in 2018, it took crews department-wide an average of 7 minutes to get to the site of an emergency. In 2023, the average response time was 8 minutes and 20 seconds, fire department spokesperson Chelsea Shepherd said via email. The condition of stations, equipment and apparatus also could keep declining.

Some vehicles intended to respond to 2,500 incidents per year have wound up fielding roughly 4,500, Green said. Even though the citys population has steadily increased, the departments fleet has not.

When I came on to the fire department in 1993, we had 20 first-response units: 16 engines and four ladders [fire trucks], Green said. And this is 2024, and we still have 20 first-response units: 16 engines and four ladders.

Shepherd noted via email the estimated price for purchasing and outfitting a fire engine is about $1 million. It costs around $2 million for a ladder truck.

The Tacoma Fire Department responded to approximately 51,500 emergency incidents last year, according to the citys website. Its 2023-24 total budget is around $245.9 million, roughly 62% of which comes from the citys general fund.

The departments call volume has risen by 36% since 2010, the citys website states.

Green partly attributes that increase to Tacomas continued growth: Today its population is nearly 223,900, having welcomed roughly 20,000 people since 2014, according to World Population Review. The more people who move to the area, the more calls there will be  and it will likely only get busier in the coming years.

By 2050, Tacomas population is anticipated to increase by 36%, according to the citys 2024 Fire Facilities Master Plan.

Green cited another major factor in the uptick in calls: People who lack access to primary healthcare providers often rely on 911 for help.

The majority of the growth of our calls is in emergency medical services, by far, Green said.

For example, Shepherd said, the department saw a 42% increase in EMS calls from 2006 to 2023.

What equipment does the Fire Department need?

Approving the levy-lid lift would mean the department would see benefits beyond replenishing its fleet. Green said other crucial, potentially life-saving items that the department needs include:

Self-contained breathing apparatus, used for breathing in smoke-filled environments.

Extrication equipment, used to cut people out of cars.

Thermal-imaging cameras, used to see through smoke.

The proposed levy increase would help the department begin to address deteriorating facilities with about $8 million per year, Green said.

Most of the departments facilities were constructed for a different era, Green added. For instance, three fire stations were built with horse-drawn equipment in mind.

Whats next for the proposal?

The ballot language for the fire levy-lid lift has been approved. So, whats next?

Applications to join committees for and against the proposal will be reviewed in mid-July, according to Greens study-session presentation. Later that month, the City Council is expected to adopt those committees.

The city clerk will send pertinent levy materials to the Pierce County Elections Office in August. Election Day is Nov. 5.

How Tacomans would vote on another levy-lid lift is yet to be determined. One critic of last years EMS-related proposal told The News Tribune that such tax hikes are hard on property owners and residents.

I just was shocked they just want to enact another tax  it never goes away, Donna Walters told The News Tribune at the time. They shouldnt be asking the property owners to pay for every ill of our city. Its on our shoulders and its getting heavier, the burden is getting heavy.

Green said he appreciates how lifting the levy could affect residents. He noted that there are exemptions for qualifying veterans, seniors and others.

The department doesnt want to increase the burden on taxpayers, Green said. But if the proposal doesnt pass, then the services people get after calling 911 could take a hit.

I think Ive helped to describe a picture of the state of the current Fire Department, and if that doesnt get addressed, the call volume and the number of people moving here doesnt get impacted  that continues to go up, Green added. And yet, we dont have the resources to do the work sufficiently today.

Its a recognized impact, but its an impact for the community.
Vice President Harris on Sunday argued the implications of anti-abortion laws go beyond the medical procedure and present a larger crisis for other womens health treatments.

Harris, speaking with MSNBC on Sunday, and two years since the Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, warned everything is at stake in the upcoming election regarding abortion and other reproductive freedoms.

Fundamentally, on this issue, its about freedom, and every person of whatever gender should understand that if such a fundamental freedom such as the right to make decisions about your own body can be taken, be aware of what other freedoms may be at stake, Harris told MSNBC Morning Joe co-anchor Mika Brzezinski.

The vice president pointed out reproductive care clinics offer more than just abortion services, underscoring the threat state abortion bans can present to other reproductive care services.

This issue really does present a health care crisis in America, including the fact that I am, as it turns out, the first vice president  and no president  has visited a reproductive care clinic. And one of the reasons I went to that clinic was to highlight  in those clinics that are trusted in the community  you can get a pap [smear], breast cancer screening, HIV screening, Harris said. The things that where people want to be able to walk into a health care facility and be treated with dignity and without judgement so they can address their health care concerns.

Thats what these clinics do, and in states where they pass these Trump abortion bans, these clinics are closing, which means that there is a reduction of very essential health care across the board for a lot of people, she added.

Harriss interview with MSNBC was done alongside Hadley Duvall, a 22-year-old woman who is an abortion rights advocate following sexual abuse by her stepfather.

Duvall called on voters to take a stand on the issue at the ballot boxes this November.

It does not matter if you have never voted Democrat in your life. Its get off your high horse, because women, we dont get to choose a whole lot, and you at least can choose who you can vote for, Duvall told Brzezinski.

The interview came alongside the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade, which eliminated the 1973 precedent granting the constitutional right to abortion.

The nations high court granted states authority to limit or ban abortion procedures, and in the months that followed, several Republican-led states moved to pass legislation restricting or prohibiting residents access to the procedure.

A total of 14 states have stopped nearly all abortion services, while three states have six-week bans, according to a tally from ABC News.

More of the interview is set to air Monday morning.

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Apartment building evacuated, three people treated after carbon monoxide leak in KC

Three people were treated after a carbon monoxide exposure at an apartment building in Kansas City Sunday night.

Fire crews responded just before 9:30 p.m. to an apartment building at 10450 Wornall Road, according to Michael Hopkins a spokesman for the Kansas City Fire Department.

Crews found three people showing symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure, and measured 1400 parts per million of carbon monoxide.

The building was evacuated, and the patients were taken to a hospital to be evaluated and treated.

A faulty boiler in the buildings basement caused the carbon monoxide leak, Hopkins said. Spire shut down the boiler, and fire crews aired out the structure with fans.

Residents were allowed back in the building once there was no measurable carbon monoxide remaining.

Hopkins had no further updates on the conditions of the three people who were treated.
APD investigating death of man while in police custody

AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Austin Police Department said it is investigating the death of a man who died in police custody one week ago.

On Monday, police identified the man as 35-year-old Jermaine Sims.

Police said Austin 911 got multiple calls at 4:02 p.m. June 17 about a disturbance at a Circle K store on the South Interstate 35 frontage road near Slaughter Lane in south Austin. Callers said a man was acting erratic and throwing things inside the store.

Police said the man stole a pick-up truck from a gas pump at about 4:05 p.m. and turned onto the frontage road in the wrong direction, hitting multiple vehicles. APD officers arrived at the scene at 4:09 p.m. and took the man into custody at 4:10 p.m.

Austin-Travis County EMS medics took the man to a hospital. He died at 6:04 p.m., according to police.

APD said because the man died in police custody, the department is investigating the incident as an in-custody death.

Officer body-camera video and video from a dash camera will be released within 10 business days, police said.

There will be two investigations into the in-custody death incident. The APD Special Investigations Unit and Travis County District Attorneys Office will conduct a criminal investigation. The APD Internal Affairs Unit and Office of Police Oversight will conduct an administrative investigation.

People with information can call the special investigations unit at 512-974-6840. Anonymous tips can be sent to Capitol Area Crimestoppers at 512-472-8477 or at austincrimestoppers.org.

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SANTIAGO, Chile  The Argentine Army will begin receiving its first modernized 2CA2 medium tanks in September, with a dozen to be delivered by years end, military sources in Buenos Aires told Defense News.

The more detailed confirmation follows a hint from the president during a June 20 event in the capital. In front of attendees, Argentine President Javier Milei asked Defence Minister Luis Petri: Is it true that we will have new toys?

Yes, Mr. President, Petri replied. We will start receiving the modernized tanks this year.

The program is expected to be worth $30 million and involve the modernization of 74 of Argentinas existing 200-plus medium tanks by 2027. The initial budget for this effort is $3 million, but the government plans to allocate more money between fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2027, the sources said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the program.

Argentina launched the tank upgrade project in 2010 under a cooperation agreement with Israel where Elbit Systems would provide technological support to the South American country. For its part, Argentine private firms involved in the metal mechanic sector would participate.

The initial budget was approved in 2021, and contracts were finalized by July 2023 following a technical and operational evaluation of the final prototype. Work started in late 2023.

One of the main priorities of President Javier Milei is rebuilding the capabilities of Argentinas armed forces, neglected by governments since the 1980s and 1990s, and even more after the financial meltdown of 2000, according to Emilio Meneses, an independent analyst based in Santiago, Chile.

Milei wants to make a difference. The recent procurement of F-16s, coupled with the decision to phase out older fighter jets like the A-4AR and the Super Etendard, confirms his priorities  and it is the same with the upgrade of the [medium tank], Meneses told Defense News.

According to the military sources, the Army would like to modernize up to 50 more medium tanks over those already earmarked in the current program.

What are the upgrades?

The tank modernizations are expected to improve the 2CA2 medium tanks detection, targeting, engagement and destructive capabilities. To that end, Elbit is providing a new fire control system and associated technology.

The main local subcontractor, IMPSA, which specializes in precision engineering and the production of components for nuclear reactors, is refurbishing and modifying the turrets, replacing the original hydraulic action system with a new, indigenously designed servo-electric version that includes improved stabilization and reaction.

IMPSA is also integrating the new fire control and subsystems provided by Elbit. These include the Israeli firms E-LAWS laser warning system, which can simultaneously detect up to 10 threats, establishing an order of priorities for engagement.

Each tank is to receive two COAPS-L sight systems  one for the tank commander position and one for the aimer  fitted with optronics for thermal detection and vision as well as laser range-finding. The systems provide a day and night, all-weather capacity for target acquisition and tracking. The driver position is being fitted with a thermal vision system.

They will also receive a new communications suite, both for internal and external communications, with data transfer capabilities, as well as an auxiliary generator to secure electricity supply for electronic systems.

The tanks main weapon is not changing; it is currently a Rheinmetall-made RH-105-30 105mm gun, manufactured under license by the local state-owned firm Fabricaciones Militares.

Protection improvements are currently on hold. However, the plan is to use a custom-designed, add-on applique armor proposed by Israeli company IMI, which is now a part of Elbit.

Arsenal Battalion 602, the Armys main maintenance and support center for mechanized equipment, will use its facilities at Boulogne-Sur-Mer to complete any remaining work, testing and acceptance efforts of the upgraded tanks.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announces a lawsuit against two pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) at his office in downtown Little Rock on Monday, June 24. 2024. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin filed a lawsuit Monday against two pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), alleging that they used data from drug manufacturers and distributors to maximize their financial gain instead of using it to mitigate the opioid addiction epidemic.

PBMs are companies that serve as middlemen to negotiate prescription benefits among manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies and health insurance providers. The companies rank prescription drugs, with the highest-tiered products costing consumers the lowest out-of-pocket costs.

Griffin argued in his Pulaski County Circuit Court complaint that PBMs set their rankings based on what will make them the highest profits instead of patient safety.

PBMs benefited financially from the opioid crisis by negotiating favorable deals with opioid manufacturers and by not taking sufficient action to curb excessive opioid prescriptions, the 60-page complaint states.

GRIFFIN v UNITED HEALTHCARE 06.24.24

The defendants, OptumRX and Express Scripts, are two of the three largest PBMs in the nation, with CVS Caremark being the third. The two are owned by UnitedHealth Group and Cigna, respectively, two of the worlds largest insurance companies.

In May 2022, the state sued the drug manufacturers Novo Nordisk, Sanofi and Eli Lilly, accusing them of conspiring with PBMs, including OptumRX and Express Scripts, to inflate the cost of insulin. The case is still pending in Pulaski County Circuit Court under Judge Mackie Pierces jurisdiction.

However, the state has not yet challenged PBMs directly, Griffin said at his Monday morning press conference announcing the lawsuit.

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If you look at those players, the PBMs are uniquely situated to know what was going on and to take action to deal with it, he said. At the front end, they were uniquely positioned to prevent it, and at the back end, they were uniquely positioned to respond. Instead, what they did was prioritize maintaining their profits.

The complaint asserts that OptumRX and Express Scripts colluded with the opioid manufacturers and engaged in a scheme to increase the sale of prescription opioids, despite the known dangers of these drugs.

The complaint also accuses the defendants of unjust enrichment, negligence and public nuisance. Part of the public nuisance claim arises from the defendants making it more expensive or more difficult to obtain known, efficacious non-opioid medications for pain and to access drugs typically used to treat opioid addiction, the complaint states.

In response to questions from reporters, Griffin said he could not share all the information that led him to make the allegations in the lawsuit, but suffice it to say it was not a close call.

Arkansas is not new to litigation regarding the opioid epidemic. In September 2022, the state received more than $2.5 million from three opioid distributors as part of a national $26 billion settlement. It was the first share of $216 million the state will receive under the agreement through annual payments over 18 years.

The money will be divided evenly among the state, counties and cities, as written in an October 2021 memorandum of understanding.

PBMs have long been a source of frustration for local pharmacies nationwide. A 2015 Arkansas law required PBMs to pay pharmacies at least as much as what the stores pay wholesalers for the drugs. The law was challenged in federal court upon its passage, and the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed the law in 2020.

Despite state regulations, independent pharmacies continue to see take-it-or-leave it contracts and cuts in reimbursement, Blake Torres, owner of West Side Pharmacy in Benton, told the Legislatures Joint Performance Review Committee in August.

John Vinson, CEO of the Arkansas Pharmacists Association, told a legislative panel earlier this month that PBMs still overcompensate themselves and need to be regulated further.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  During a press conference on Sunday, officials with the Arkansas State Police released additional details of Fridays deadly mass shooting in Fordyce that left four dead and several injured.

During the briefing, ASP Colonel Mike Hagar stated that the number of people injured from gunfire include 12 civilians and two law enforcement officers.

Victims killed in Fordyce mass shooting identified

The four civilians include 62-year-old Shirley Taylor, 23-year-old Callie Weems, 50-year-old Roy Sturgis and 81-year-old Ellen Shrum.

ASP officials said that five female and three male civilians, ranging in age from 20 to 65, survived injuries in the incident. Five of those remain hospitalized, including a woman who is in critical condition.

It was just a completely random senseless act, Arkansas State Police discuss deadly Fordyce mass shooting

Officer James Johnson with the Fordyce Police Department was released from the hospital Saturday evening after being treated for a gunshot wound. Officer Jacob Murry, also with the Fordyce Police Department and the Dallas County Sheriffs Office was also treated for minor injuries related to gunfire.

The suspect, 44-year-old Travis Posey of New Edinburg is facing four counts of capital murder with additional charges pending. He was also treated for non-life-threatening injuries after exchanging gunfire with law enforcement and was transported to the Ouachita County Detention Center.

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The U.S. Armys new Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) short-range ballistic missile has, for the first time, been successfully employed against a moving target at sea. Taking place during the Valiant Shield 24 Sink Exercise (SINKEX), the engagement also involved high-altitude balloons, equipped with electromagnetic spectrum sensors and radio networking equipment, and an ultra-long-endurance aerial drone, which were part of the kill chain. The scenario is very much indicative of the kind of distributed sensor/shooter network the Army has been working on for years now and which is seen as particularly relevant in the Pacific theater. On June 16, 2024, the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force and 1-181 Field Artillery Regiment of the Tennessee National Guard employed the Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (AML) and two Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) as part of the Valiant Shield 24 SINKEX. U.S. Army U.S. Army/Sgt. Perla Alfaro Two PrSM missiles were fired during the SINKEX, from the Armys Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (AML), in Palau, Micronesia, on June 16. This was, according to the Army, the first time that PrSM and AML had been employed outside of the United States. The units responsible for operating these systems were the Armys 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force (3MDTF) and 1-181 Artillery Regiment of the Tennessee National Guard. Valiant Shield 24, which ran from June 7-18, on Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, and at sea around the Mariana Island Range Complex, was a multinational field training exercise which, according to the U.S. Navy focused on integrating interoperability in a multi-domain environment. This included joint forces working together to detect, locate, track, and engage units at sea. The target vessel for the SINKIEX part of the maneuvers was the decommissioned hulk of the Austin class amphibious transport dock ex-USS Cleveland (LPD-7), located in the North Pacific Ocean, more than 40 nautical miles from the nearest land. As a combined SINKEX, other assets were also involved in attacking the target, including U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornets, which were noted carrying live examples of the AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) or AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) during the exercise. Former USS Cleveland (LPD-7) Austin-class amphibious transport dock under tow from Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility Oahu  May 18, 2024. Possibly prepping for sinkex in RIMPAC 24. #nismf #usscleveland #lpd7 pic.twitter.com/ZW2O6S044u Ed Schaefer (@ES12071207) May 19, 2024 Just as notable, however, were the other assets involved in the live-fire exercise and their distributed nature within the kill chain. Hundreds of miles away from Palau, in Guam, the U.S. island territory in the Western Pacific, soldiers launched Aerostar Industries high-altitude balloons (HABs) from Won Pat International Airport. Once launched, the HABs rapidly ascended above 50,000 feet and began operating around the Marianas Islands, the Army explained in a statement. Equipped with electromagnetic sensing and mesh communications equipment, the HABs helped inform future maritime domain awareness innovation and experimentation. As you can read about here, the Army has a longstanding plan to develop a network of high-altitude balloons that can fly in the stratosphere, from where they will operate as sensor platforms collecting various kinds of intelligence, as communications relays, or even deploy other surveillance systems including swarms of drones. As well as the advantages conveyed by their high-level perch, balloons of this kind are also, in many cases, able to hold position despite prevailing winds, by moderating their altitude. You can also read much more about Aerostars high-altitude balloons and their use by the U.S. military in this previous article. Launch of an Aerostar high-altitude balloon in support of Valiant Shield 2024 at Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam, on June 10, 2024. Screencap/U.S. Navy Video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan A. LeCompte and Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael J. Flesch Meanwhile, another contractor, Platform Aerospace, launched its Vanilla ultra-long-endurance unmanned aircraft system (UAS), a small aircraft thats able to remain aloft for more than eight days. While Vanilla can also be configured for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), in these maneuvers it was equipped as a communication relay platform, operating during a 27-hour flight, much of which was conducted during what the Army described as a violent storm. As we have observed in the past, Vanilla reflects growing interest across the U.S. military toward developing long-endurance, lower-cost ISR assets, which have particular relevance when operating over the vast expanses of the Pacific theater. All these assets were brought together during the exercise by the 3MDTF All-Domain Operations Center (ADOC) on Oahu, in Hawaii, and a battalion command that was set up in Japan. Vanilla, an ultra-long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, awaits deployment in support of Valiant Shield 2024 on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, on June 13, 2024. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. ZaBarr Jones Sgt. ZaBarr Jones Another view of the Vanilla drone during Valiant Shield 2024. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. ZaBarr Jones Sgt. ZaBarr Jones Personnel conduct final preflight checks on a Vanilla drone at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. ZaBarr Jones Sgt. ZaBarr Jones Valiant Shield enabled us to integrate with the Combined Joint Force and operate distributed while forward in theater, explained Col. Michael Rose, the 3MDTF commander. We were able to build new relationships and continue to deepen existing ties. Valiant Shield and like exercises in the region enable us to test our systems and processes as well as integrate new capabilities alongside our partners and allies, contributing to the continuous transformation of our multi-domain capability and increasing our warfighting readiness. As we have reported in the past, PrSM is poised to bring an extremely important new weapon into the hands of the Army, with the service hoping to achieve initial operational capability with the system sometime this year. The Army received its first operational PrSMs late last year. Currently designed to be ground-launched from M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) vehicles, PrSM is set to replace the Armys current Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles. Being smaller than ATACMS, PrSM allows the overall missile payload to be doubled, with two missiles per launch pod. A PrSM missile is fired from an M142 HIMARS launcher during a test. U.S. Department of Defense The missile has a range of at least 310 miles, although this could potentially be increased to well over 400 miles in the future. The baseline version of the PrSMs missile, also known as Increment 1, is capable of hitting static targets only using a GPS-assisted inertial navigation system (INS) guidance package. Such targets might include air defense systems, ballistic missile launchers, command and control centers, troop assembly/staging areas, and other objectives with fixed coordinates. However, the Army is already working on an Increment 2 version  also known as the Land-Based Anti-Ship Missile (LBASM)  with an additional seeker system primarily for use against ships, even ones on the move. The service hopes to be able to start fielding PrSM Increment 2 as soon as 2026. While the Army didnt state which version of the missile was used in the Valiant Shield 24 SINKEX, the reference to a moving target indicates it was either representative of Increment 2 or an earlier iteration of the same capabilities. A screen grab from a Lockheed Martin promotional video offering basic dimensional and other details about PrSM. Lockheed Martin capture That would also make sense given the Army revealing in January this year that initial flight testing of the seeker for PrSM Increment 2 was completed in 2023, as we reported at the time. With its ability to strike moving warships, Increment 2 PrSM addresses an arguably significant gap in the U.S. militarys armory, especially with anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) being a major topic of discussion in the context of a potential future conflict between the United States and China in the Pacific. This year, ASBMs have also been employed in combat for the first time, as part of the Houthi campaign against shipping in and around the Red Sea. Overall, ASBMs are establishing themselves as a critical weapon against ships, which are generally less well-defended against attacks of this kind. At the same time, there has been no footage released so far of the SINKEX so its not immediately how the target vessel was moving, although its possible it was under tow. A SINKEX targeting a moving vessel is rare for the U.S. Navy, although China recently released footage of a Type 074 amphibious landing ship being destroyed by a torpedo in one of its own sinking exercises, as you can read about here. As well as PrSM Increment 2, the Army is busy exploring other new weapons that will allow it to strike enemy warships at extended ranges. Chief among these are land-based launchers that will be able to fire multi-purpose SM-6 and Tomahawk cruise missiles, both of which can have a long-range anti-ship function. In addition, the Army is looking at the possibility of further expanding the mission scope and range of PrSM. The planned PrSM Increment 4 missile is expected to incorporate an air-breathing propulsion system and have a maximum range of 620 miles. Meanwhile, PrSM Increment 3 is expected to carry unspecified enhanced payloads, which could include swarms of loitering munitions, also known as kamikaze drones. An Army briefing slide discussing potential future payload options for PrSM, including loitering munitions. U.S. Army Another interesting aspect of the SINKEX was the use of the AML, an uncrewed launch vehicle derived from the HIMARS. Capable of a certain degree of autonomous operation, AML was developed with the Pacific theater very much in mind. Concepts of operation call for the remote launcher to be airlifted onto islands via austere airstrips. Once there, it can launch PrSM missiles  as well as precision-guided 227mm artillery rockets and ATACMS  against a wide variety of targets. A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J conducts approach training at Northwest Field, Guam, on June 11, 2024, during Valiant Shield. Airlifters like this would play a crucial role in moving AML missile launchers around the Pacific battlespace. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristen Heller Staff Sgt. Kristen Heller AML is designed to navigate using a combination of cameras, LIDAR sensors, and GPS. In its initial form, AML has a drive-by-wire capability that can autonomously follow a series of waypoints or operate in a follow-the-leader mode tethered to another vehicle, such as a crewed HIMARS launcher. It can receive targeting information and launch commands remotely or directly, the latter through a control panel on the side of the vehicle. As we have discussed in the past, an uncrewed launcher of this kind offers multiple benefits. On the one hand, larger numbers of launchers can be deployed without having tp significantly increase the number of personnel. Operating autonomously, it is quicker and easier to move AMLs to a new location or distribute them across a broader area, increasing their operational flexibility, while also reducing their vulnerability to counterattacks. The Autonomous Multi-domain Launcher (AML) prototype. U.S. Army On the one hand, a live-fire test of the PrSM against a naval surface target in the Pacific was a milestone in itself and one that points to the growing emphasis on maritime strike capabilities in the context of a potential future high-end conflict against China. Just as importantly, the exercise also stressed the Armys emerging capabilities in terms of long-range sensors and communications, to ensure a seamless engagement across a significant distance, including gathering and distributing the required targeting data. Distributed assets  including command and control  are seen as a critical aspect of warfare in the Pacific theater and were also integral to the Valiant Shield SINKEX. Significantly, the exercise also comes at a time in which the Army increasingly finds itself having to justify its role in a future campaign in the Pacific, of the kind that would be expected to be fought against China. With that in mind, the importance of the Valiant Shield 24 SINKEX shouldnt be understated. As well as proving the ability of the Armys new short-range ballistic missile to target ships, the exercise also provided a powerful reminder of the relevance of the U.S. Army in the Pacific theater, including its ability to adapt to new and non-traditional missions. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

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Arrest made after juvenile stabbed in Dartmouth Mall parking lot, police say

One juvenile was hospitalized and another was taken into custody after a stabbing in a plaza parking lot on Sunday afternoon.

Officers responding to the Dartmouth Mall for a report of a possible stabbing in the parking lot outside of Five Below found a juvenile victim suffering from stab wounds, according to police.

The victim was transported to an area hospital with injuries not considered to be life-threatening.

Authorities say a juvenile suspect was arrested in connection to the stabbing.

The incident remains under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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DENVER (KDVR)  An Arvada firefighters car was broken into and items were stolen while he was fighting deadly wildfires blazing in New Mexico.

Matthew Ramos was part of a Colorado crew that traveled to help battle the South Fork Fire and Salt Fire, which have burned thousands of acres near Ruidoso, New Mexico, about eight hours south of Denver.

Colorado crew helps fight New Mexico wildfires

While helping out the community, Ramos car was parked outside of a fire station near the burn zone. When he got back, a duffle bag full of gear and some money had been stolen.

It looks like they broke my car door handle somehow and got in. Its an older vehicle so its not hard to break into, Ramos told FOX31. You know, maybe they were in a bad spot and needed it more than I did. But its just unfortunate to see really.

Escape from killer New Mexico wildfire was absolute sheer terror, says woman who fled the flames

Ramos has returned to Arvada, and said fighting the fire was traumatizing and said the full impact of the massive blaze has not set in.

Houses destroyed by the South Fork Fire are pictured in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., Saturday, June 22, 2024. . (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

The remains of the Wild West Ski Shop, destroyed by the South Fork Fire, are pictured in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Smoke rises off the remains of a house destroyed by the South Fork Fire in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

The flattened remains of the Swiss Chalet Hotel are shown after it was destroyed by the South Fork Fire in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

A tree that split in half due to the South Fork Fire is pictured in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Despite the robbery and traumatizing experience, Ramos said he hopes to return and help fight the fire if his help is needed again.

FBI offers reward for information about deadly southern New Mexico wildfires

The Associated Press reports that the blaze killed two people and destroyed hundreds of homes in the past week.

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Actress and activist Ashley Judd speaks before a crowd in Richmond, Virginia on the second anniversary of the overturn of federal abortion protections. Charlotte Rene Woods / Virginia Mercury

My story includes abortion  a guy Ive known since I was a kid raped me, actress and activist Ashley Judd shared with a crowd of about 100 in Richmond on Monday to mark the two-year anniversary of the overturn of federal abortion protections.

And when I became pregnant, I was so grateful that I was able to access safe and legal abortion, she said.

Judd, who was a prominent figure amid the #MeToo movement to advocate against sexual assault and harassment, joined state and federal lawmakers Monday to stress the significance of abortion access amid this years presidential and congressional elections.

Though the personal story Judd shared was grim, the attitude of the event was light at times; Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, celebrated the Democratic gains made in the state legislature last year while U.S. Reps. Jennifer McClellan, 4th District, and Abigail Spanberger, 7th District, celebrated camaraderie among women in politics.

But the seriousness of abortion laws was central to the gathering.

Signs held by participants read This is Trumps fault  a reference to how President Donald Trumps U.S. Supreme Court picks gave conservatives the majority to overturn Roe v. Wade, the nearly 50 year-old case that had guaranteed abortion rights.

If you think Dobbs was the beginning, it wasnt, McClellan said, in reference to the 2022 case that overturned Roe.

She noted how in the years following, legislators and legal cases have challenged contraception and in vitro fertilization, as well.

Trump will face off against current president Joe Biden this November, as will congressional and U.S. Senate candidates around the nation. While Biden has made abortion protection a key pillar of his campaign, another Trump presidency and GOP gains in congress could usher in further abortion restrictions.

We cannot afford Republican-controlled governance. We cannot afford a Republican-controlled Congress, Lucas told the crowd. Our freedoms are at stake: Freedom to vote, freedom to contraception, freedom over our bodies.

Lucas and Spanberger stressed how before Democrats held their line in the state senate and flipped the House of Delegates last year, theyd blocked Republican-led attempts to restrict abortion in Virginia.

Meanwhile, Spanberger, who is not seeking another term in congress and is instead running for governor, could be the person to sign other reproductive health-related legislation into law in 2026. That year, voters statewide could also see a potential ballot referendum to decide if abortion protections should be enshrined in Virginias constitution.

We are in a place where we have seen desperate people come from other states, because Virginia is the only state in the South that has not put additional restrictions in place, Spanberger said.

That fact was reiterated several times later in the morning in a roundtable discussion at the VCU Health Hub in Richmonds east end. McClellan was joined by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services acting director Melanie Fontes Rainer, Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax and Del. Rae Cousins, D-Richmond to hear from reproductive health professionals.

A turning point

From various providers of reproductive healthcare, to those who assist with births and political advocates, each person had insight to share.

Longtime OB-GYN William Fitzhugh, Whole Womans Health CEO Amy Hagstrom Miller, Kenda Sutton-El of Birth in Color and Stephanie Spencer of Urban Baby Beginnings shared concerns about the influx of out-of-state abortion patients.

Hagstrom Miller said that theres been an uptick in patients visiting Whole Womens Health from Georgia and Florida  where most abortions are banned after six weeks.

She noted how last year, a patients menstrual cycle had continued after she conceived, so she was unaware she was pregnant until she had lost the ability to receive an abortion in Georgia. The patient, Chasity Dunnans, then traveled to Whole Womans Healths Charlottesville clinic for the procedure. As many other southern states impose near-total bans or six-week limits, North Carolina and Virginia stand as a point of access for some. But North Carolinas 12-week cap meant Dunnans had to travel further.

We are at a turning point here in Virginia, Boysko said.

She has carried a proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine abortion access in Virginias constitution. This would make access less subject to partisan turnover in the state legislature.

To alter the constitution, Boyskos resolution will need to clear the legislature two years in a row, with a House of Delegates election in between, before appearing on statewide ballots for voters to accept or reject. Pending its first passage next year, this could happen in 2026.

Abortion isnt always a partisan issue, Hagstrom Miller said. Everytime we put abortion on the ballot, it wins.

In the two years since Roe was overturned, voters have backed abortion rights in red states like Kansas and Ohio and blue states like California, and in competitive states like Michigan.

But a patchwork quilt of different abortion laws exist around the country. So, as people travel to other states to receive abortions, privacy and criminalization concerns have emerged.

Rainer noted a new Biden administration rule that strengthens privacy protections. It will prevent reproductive healthcare information from being shared for criminal investigations.

Bolstered patient privacy and trust isnt just about your records, she said. Its about am I too scared to go back to an emergency room or to go back to a facility to get the care that I need? Am I too scared to keep information from my doctor because Im trying to protect myself or Im trying to protect my doctor? Or is my provider too scared to give me information because they risk criminal liability?

Similarly, Virginia has taken on the issue at the state level. After vetoing it previously, this year Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a bill this year to prohibit menstrual health data from being subject to search warrants. But he vetoed a companion bill that would have prevented Virginia from complying with extradition requests for patients who travel from states with bans to receive abortions in Virginia.

Concurrent with abortion legislation, lawmakers from Virginia and nationwide have sought to protect access to contraception and in vitro fertilization. Youngkin vetoed a right-to-contraception bill this year while congress right-to-contraception and IVF efforts have been stalled as well. Lawmakers say they will keep trying.

It is imperative that we take action at the state and federal level, Cousins said. Its concerning to me that with one election, we could go all the way backward.

Meanwhile, Judd noted how some who seek abortions are already mothers and may not be able to afford to care for more children, an example of the various reasons a woman may need to end a pregnancy.

Becoming a mother or a parent is a profoundly human endeavor. It rests on our hearts and on our souls, Judd said. It involves circumstances that are deeply practical  our light bill, our pocketbooks, housing, social support  and it often involves faith and prayer. And what it should not include is the United States government.

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Small business owners who were impacted by the recent water crisis can apply for funding from the city starting Monday.

Two major water main breaks crippled homes and businesses throughout the city for nearly a week. The Atlanta City Council voted unanimously to move $7.5 million into a recovery fund to help businesses bounce back.

We want to make sure we have the ability to support every small business, who would like some help, said Councilman Matt Westmoreland, who sponsored the city ordinance.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

For a business to get approved, they must be registered with the Georgia Secretary of States Office, have an active 2024 City of Atlanta business license and be located within the impacted boil water advisory areas.

Its appreciated. No one was expecting it, Keisha Frederick, manager at Steam House Lounge, told Channel 2 Action News.

The Steam House in midtown Atlanta was one of dozens of businesses where the water crisis shut them down for days. Fredrick told Channel 2 that the restaurant will apply for some of the relief funds.

The applications will close on July 8, 2024. The city says funds that are not claimed by June 30, 2025 will revert back to the Water & Wastewater Revenue Fund.

If your business was impacted, you can apply for the funds here.

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Atlanta police release body camera footage of judges arrest after incident with officer

Atlanta police release body camera footage of judges arrest after incident with officer

Atlanta police have released body camera footage of the moments leading up to the arrest of a Douglas County probate court judge.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

The video, released Friday night, shows the confrontation between an off-duty Atlanta police officer and Judge Christina Peterson at the Red Martini bar in Buckhead.

Darryn Moore with Action News Jaxs sister station WSB-TV went through the nearly two hours of video to see what happened in the moments before her arrest.

There was an argument and fight in an area outside the lounge. When an officer got involved, he said the judge hit him. She said it was an accident.

CLICK HERE to read the full story by WSB-TV.

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Insights from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal

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Gunmen carried out seemingly coordinated attacks on churches and synagogues in Russias southern Dagestan region, killing at least 19 police officers and several civilians. Six gunmen also died, but the perpetrators and their motivations have yet to be identified by Russian authorities.

The incident in the North Caucasus republic on Sunday marks the latest flare-up of apparent extremist violence inside Russia in recent months: In March, gunmen targeted a Moscow concert, killing 145 people and injuring hundreds more.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Attacks highlight vulnerability of Russias internal security

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Russias Caucasus region has long faced religious and ethnic tensions. The area, home to a Muslim-majority population, has seen many terror attacks following the Kremlins war against separatists in Chechnya during the nineties. Sundays attack underscores the countrys continued vulnerability to interethnic and religious violence, The Wall Street Journal noted, raising questions about Russias internal security. While the majority of extremists that once targeted the country have left for Syria and Iraq, others have relocated to Afghanistan, where ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) has flourished and set its sights toward Moscow.

Some Russian politicians blame West again

Source: The New York Times

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill I, said the enemy is not giving up on attempts to destroy interreligious peace and harmony within our society, but did not elaborate on who the enemy might be, The New York Times reported. In March, the Kremlin pointed to the West and Ukrainian allies as the perpetrators of the attack in Moscow, and some politicians again argued without evidence that the US was responsible for Sundays violence. The Islamic State claimed the March attack.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has chosen the No. 3 official in the State Department as the Pentagons new chief of staff, the Defense Department announced Monday.

Derek Chollet, the State Departments current counselor, will start his new Pentagon role in July, replacing current chief of staff Kelly Magsamen, who will leave this month.

An adviser to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Chollet has played a key diplomatic role in the Biden administrations response to the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

The choice, first reported by The Washington Post, comes as the Biden administration looks to shore up defense priorities ahead of the November election.

He is one of the most distinguished, far-sighted, and skillful national-security practitioners of his generation, and I am grateful to him for taking on this key assignment at such an important moment, Austin said of Chollet in a statement.

Blinken, meanwhile, described Chollet as providing wise counsel and steady hand as a leading diplomatic figure over the past nine months since Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.

Chollet has also taken leading roles on U.S. policy in Asia, on the civil war in Myanmar, on ties with Europe pushing back against Russias war in Ukraine, and amid dialogues in the Balkans.

He previously served at the Pentagon as assistant secretary of Defense for international security affairs from 2012-2015, and last year the White House nominated him to be the buildings top policy official.

His nomination, however, was bogged down by Senate Republicans who vowed to oppose the pick due to the Pentagons abortion policy as well as Chollets role in the Biden administrations panned 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Austins announcement comes after Magsamen  a key figure in the January hospitalization scandal involving the Pentagon chief and members of his staff  said earlier this month she would step down.

Austin and his aides were intensely scrutinized after it was revealed he had undergone a surgery to treat prostate cancer in December and was later hospitalized Jan. 1 in intensive care but had not notified the White House, Congress or the public for several days.

Chollets role at the State Department will be filled by Tom Sullivan, a veteran foreign policy hand serving in the Obama administration and the younger brother to Bidens national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

Tom has an unmatched depth of knowledge about how national security policy is formulated and implemented, one that he brings to bear every day on behalf of the American people, Blinken said in a statement.

He has traveled the world with me and been by my side for meetings with heads of state, foreign ministers, and other world leaders as we rebuilt our alliances and partnerships, confronted Russias aggression against Ukraine, stabilized our relationship with China while standing up for American interests, and worked to build lasting peace, security, and stability in the Middle East, he continued. I look forward to continuing to draw on his wit and wisdom in this new role.

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By Lewis Jackson

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia will water down a planned world first ban on vaping after opposition from the Greens party led the government on Monday to agree to amend a bill that would have restricted vapes to those with a doctor's prescription.

The agreement between the ruling centre-left Labor party and the Greens will see legislation pass later this week that restricts the sale of vapes to pharmacies and removes them from retail shelves, where they have fuelled a boom in youth vaping.

However the bill stops short of the government's initial ambition to limit sales only to those with a doctor's prescription, which would have been a world-first. The ammended bill will come into effect on 1 July.

Under the compromise deal, first reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, vapes will move "behind the counter" in October and customers will need to have a conversation with the pharmacist before making a purchase. Under-18s will need a prescription.

Health Minister Mark Butler said in a statement that the government "welcomed constructive engagement with the crossbench and secured the support of The Greens for our world leading vaping laws".

The Labor party does not have a majority in the upper house and must negotiate with other parties and independent senators to pass legislation.

In a statement, the Greens said they opposed blanket prohibitions and also wanted to remove financial barriers to those seeking to quit smoking, a reference to the cost of visiting a doctor for a prescription.

Already home to some of the strongest anti-smoking laws in the world, Australia banned the import of most vapes earlier this year and limited the number of flavours that can be sold.

About 22% of Australians aged 18-24 have used an e-cigarette or vaping device at least once, data last year showed.

(Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by Michael Perry)
Kym Allen Parsons, 73, admitted to carrying out 11 armed robberies in South Australia between 2004 and 2014

A bank robber nicknamed the bicycle bandit who was sentenced to 35 years in prison will soon be allowed to end his life voluntarily.

Kym Allen Parsons, 73, last week admitted to carrying out 11 armed robberies across South Australia between 2004 and 2014.

His sentencing at the Supreme Court in Adelaide was brought forward so that Parsons, who has stage four cancer, could access assisted dying.

Justice Sandi McDonald described Parsons crimes as morally reprehensible.

Parsons, who has stage four cancer, told bank staff to 'hurry up or there will be blood on the floor'

His modus operandi was to enter a bank wearing either a motorcycle helmet or balaclava, with a pair of dark sunglasses, the court heard.

Striding up to the counter, he would produce a rifle from a canvas bag and order the teller to open up the safe and hand over the contents.

This is a hold-up, give me all your money, he would demand.

At times, Parsons would resort to threats, telling staff to hurry up or there will be blood on the floor, the court heard.

He was nicknamed the bicycle bandit because he fled the scene of several hold-ups on two wheels.

One of Parsons' victims said that the bank robber 'gets to take his own life on his selfish terms'

In total, Parsons stole A$358,967 (188,229) in cash during 10 armed robberies. He also attempted to rob an 11th bank but left empty-handed.

Parsons robbed one bank on three occasions, and confronted the same teller twice.

You saw the terror in your victims eyes, and yet you went back and repeated that conduct over and over again, Justice McDonald said.

During a heist in the town of Balaklava in 2008, Parsons fled when a police officer arrived at the bank and confronted him. He cut his leg while climbing over a fence, leaving behind the DNA evidence that led to his arrest in 2023.

Firearms seized by South Australia police in its investigation into Parsons' crimes - SA Police

Justice McDonald said staff at other banks across South Australia feared they could be next.

Handing down the sentence, she said: It is notorious that during the period that these offences were committed that there was considerable publicity  you must have known the alarm you were causing the community, yet you continued to offend.

But Parsons, who was given a non-parole period of 28 years, has effectively secured an early escape through South Australias voluntary assisted dying laws.

The bank robber is believed to have only weeks to live and has been granted access to the procedure.

Patients who are terminally ill, including prisoners, have been able to take advantage of the procedure since last year.

Victims again the losers

Rose Lindner, one of Parsons victims, said she was left feeling that victims of this crime are again the losers today.

The banks get their money back, his family get to keep all of their assets and he gets to take his own life on his selfish terms, she said.

Ms Lindner added that she and other victims had been left to deal with his cowardly actions every day.

As I lived it, it was horrific, she said outside court. He came in, he pulled his balaclava down, pulled out his weapon, asked our customer to lie on the floor and took all the money.

Parsons, a former firefighter who was reported to have contracted cancer through his job, apologised to his victims in court and pledged to repay the money he had stolen.

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TUESDAY, 06/25/2024, 1:38 p.m.

TROY, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in southeast Wisconsin have given an update regarding the critically missing 48-year-old woman who was last seen on Sunday night.

According to the Walworth County Sheriffs Office, Sarah J. Ballman, 48, has been located safe.

No additional details were provided.

Authorities in Wisconsin searching for missing endangered woman last seen at home

TUESDAY, 06/24/2024, 3:04 p.m.

TROY, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in southeastern Wisconsin are searching for a critically missing 48-year-old woman who was last seen on Sunday night.

According to a release, the Walworth County Sheriffs Office is attempting to locate Sarah J. Ballman, 48, who was reported missing from her residence early this morning and was last seen at the house around 9:00 p.m. on June 23.

Wisconsin man sentenced to prison for 23 child sex crimes committed over 11 years

Deputies say that Ballman does not have a vehicle or a cellphone with her. She has medical issues that require medications, but the medications were left at the house.

The only item missing was Ballmans brown leather card holder, which held her DL/ID and credit cards. Authorities say it is unknown where Ballman may be headed or who she may be with.

Multiple injured after boat crash on Lake Michigan, Wisconsin DNR leading investigation

She is described as a white, 48-year-old woman. She is 510 and weighs around 190 pounds. Ballman has green eyes and brown hair and was last seen wearing pajamas with black polka dots and a black/gold sweatshirt with the East Troy Trojans school logo on it. Additionally, Ballman has a tattoo on her right and left ankle, as well as one on her back.

Anyone with information on Ballmans whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Walworth County Sheriffs Office at 262-741-4400. No additional details were provided.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
By Ben Blanchard

TAIPEI (Reuters) -Democracy is not a crime and autocracy is the real "evil", Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Monday after China threatened to impose the death penalty in extreme cases for "diehard" Taiwan independence separatists.

China, which views Taiwan as its own territory, has made no secret of its dislike of Lai, who took office last month, saying he is a "separatist", and staged war games shortly after his inauguration.

On Friday, China ramped up its pressure on Taiwan by issuing new legal guidelines to punish those it says support the island's formal independence, though Chinese courts have no jurisdiction on the democratically governed island.

Asked about China's move at a news conference at the presidential office in Taipei, Lai first reiterated his sympathy for recent flooding in southern China before responding.

"I want to stress: democracy is not a crime; it's autocracy that is the real evil. China has absolutely no right to sanction Taiwan's people just because of the positions they hold. What's more, China has no right to go after Taiwan people's rights across borders," he said.

According China, anyone who does not uphold "reunification" is therefore a Taiwan independence supporter, Lai added.

"I also want to call on China to face up to the existence of the Republic of China and have exchanges and dialogue with Taiwan's democratically elected, legitimate government," he said, using Taiwan's formal name. "If this is not done, relations between Taiwan and China will only become more and more estranged."

The U.S. State Department on Monday also expressed its concern at China's threats.

"We strongly condemn the escalatory and destabilising language and actions from PRC officials," spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters, referring to the People's Republic of China. "Threats and legal warfare will not achieve peaceful resolution to cross-strait differences."

CHINESE MILITARY FLIGHTS

Taiwan said that since Thursday, there has been a sharp increase in Chinese military flights as Beijing carried out a "joint combat readiness patrol" near the island.

Between Thursday and Sunday, Taiwan says it detected 115 Chinese military aircraft operating nearby, getting as close at 31 nautical miles (57 km) from the southern tip of the island.

Taiwan has said that for the past four years China has carried out regular military activity around the island as part of a "grey zone" pressure campaign.

Taiwan's annual Han Kuang war games next month will aim to mimic actual combat as closely as possible given a rapidly rising "enemy threat" from China, a senior official said.

Lai rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims and says only Taiwan's people can decide their future. He has repeatedly offered talks with China but been rebuffed.

China says any move by Taiwan to declare formal independence would be grounds to attack the island.

The government in Taipei says Taiwan is already an independent country, the Republic of China, and that it does not plan to change that. The Republican government fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war with Mao Zedong's Communists.

Lai also faces domestic challenges, as his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lost its majority in parliament in the same election in January that brought him to power.

Speaking at the news conference on Monday, Lai said he would ask the constitutional court to stay a package of contested parliament reforms the opposition has passed and consider whether they comply with the constitution.

The opposition says the reforms, which among other things criminalise contempt of parliament by government officials, are needed to bring more accountability, but the DPP says they were forced through without proper discussion.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Gerry Doyle)
Azov Brigade Chief of Staff asks Ukraine's SBI to look into heavy losses caused by Ukrainian army general's poor command

Bohdan Krotevych, the Chief of Staff of the Azov Brigade of the National Guard, has filed a statement with the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) calling for an investigation into Lieutenant General Yurii Sodol, the commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Source: Krotevych on Telegram; the SBI in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda; an UP's source in the Ukrainian military and political leadership

Details: The SBI confirmed to Ukrainska Pravda that it had received such a statement and added that investigators were working on it.

The Bureau did not specify the general's name, nor was it mentioned in Krotevych's post, but according to Ukrainska Pravda's sources, it is about Sodol.

UP writes that Krotevych accuses the general of power abuse and incompetent command of the troops, which led to the loss of a large part of Ukraine's territory, and asks to check the commander for collaboration with Russia. The Azov Chief of Staff also expressed his readiness to testify in the case.

Quote from Krotevych: "...I wrote a letter to the State Bureau of Investigation calling for an investigation into a military general who, in my opinion, had more Ukrainian soldiers killed than any Russian general. I don't give a s**t if they open an investigation against me, and I don't give a s**t if they put me in jail.

It bothers me that they convict commanders of battalions and brigadiers for the loss of an observation post, but they don't convict a general for the loss of oblasts and dozens of cities and the loss of thousands of soldiers.

The conditions under which the brigades are fighting now, I would say, are unbelievable heroism  first and foremost, that of soldiers, platoon, company, battalion and brigade commanders.

And their heroism lies in the fact that they are holding back the enemy not thanks to [favourable conditions], but in spite of [unfavourable ones].

Sometimes it seems to me that the world sends us scum [to fight against so as] to unite us. And all the military now understand who I'm talking about because 99% of the military hate him for what he does.

This man launches investigations against commanders who advance and do not lose their ground, but he does not initiate internal investigations against himself.

I'm sick of it; the Rubicon has been crossed."

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  One of Bakersfields oldest synagogues caught fire Sunday and forced a two-alarm response from firefighters.

On June 23, the Bnai Jacob Synagogue caught fire around 8:30 a.m. The Bakersfield Fire Department and Kern County Fire Department responded to reports of brown smoke coming from a building at 17 Street and S Street. Crews reported an active fire at an abandoned building upon arrival, according to Battalion Chief Mike Lencioni, with the Bakersfield Fire Department.

The Bakersfield Juneteenth Celebration kicked off at Silver Creek Park Saturday in Bakersfield.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, one suffering burns to the face and arms. Crews worked to knock down the flames in about 15 minutes but stayed for an extended period of time due to hay in the roofing catching fire.

Arson investigators are on the scene and the cause of the fire has not been determined.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
One of Madrids most famous museums is facing a backlash for holding an exhibition examining its own artworks links to colonial violence.

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, one of three museums in the capital which make up the Golden Triangle of Art, is examining its conscience through its own collection.

But it faces accusations of revisionism and cosying up to the progressive Left-wing government, which has ordered a review of all state museum collections for their colonial connections.

Guillermo Solana, the Madrid museums artistic director, made an impassioned defence of the show on Monday, saying it was Thyssens most important exhibition of the year.

He said: I dont see what is controversial about this. Nor do I know anyone who admires the exploits of the English in India, the Belgians in the Congo, the US in Vietnam, or anyone in Spain who still approves of slavery.

Portrait of David Lyon - MUSEO NACIONAL THYSSEN-BORNEMISZA

The exhibition, Colonial Memory in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collections, uses 58 works from the museums main historical collection and 17 contemporary pieces from its spin-off TBA21 collection to highlight the consequences of colonialism [and] its presence in Western iconography through idyllic and exoticising images that mask inequality and colonial violence.

From the inclusion of black slaves in 17th-century scenes to the cultural appropriation of Paul Gauguin and Pablo Picasso in their depictions of black people, the show charts the variants of colonial and racist attitudes as reflected in art through the centuries.

Included from the main Thyssen collection is a portrait of a British sugar plantation owner, David Lyon, lent a dandified air in an 1825 painting by Sir Thomas Lawrence  just a few years before he was paid a fortune in compensation for the emancipation of about 2,500 slaves on his Jamaica estate.

Fishing Party on Long Island Sound off New Rochelle by James Goodwyn Clonney - MUSEO NACIONAL THYSSEN-BORNEMISZA

Reacting to criticism by newspaper art critics such as Mario de las Heras in El Debate, who called the show revisionist, Mr Solana said that examining how art reflects colonialist attitudes and other discarded values of the past has been a reality for decades.

I have not received any orders from the government, said Mr Solana

Spains conservative and far-Right opposition parties have been critical of the decision by Ernest Urtasun, the Left-wing culture minister, to review all state museum collections for their colonial connections.

The Thyssen-Bornemisza is run by a private foundation but with involvement from the state, which leases the artworks from the Spanish widow of the late German art collector Heinrich Thyssen.

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A rendering the upcoming music and entertainment venue that is set to replace Coney Island following its closure at the end of 2023.

Earlier this year I voted "yes" on House Bill 2 because it secured $2 billion in state funds to drive economic growth across Ohio. That included $42 million of funds for Hamilton County dedicated to several local entities to improve economic development and community investments.

That was a "yes" vote to send almost $1 billion to higher education institutions and public K-12 school buildings in our state, $400 million for grants and loans to local governments for road and bridge projects, freshwater treatment and distribution systems, and storm sewer systems across Ohio, $22 million here at home for the Hamilton County Convention Center and $8 million and $4 million for our great University of Cincinnati Health and Xavier University, respectively.

My opponent in the upcoming November election wrote an op-ed for this publication claiming my vote on HB 2 was only a vote for the Riverbend 2.0 project. Curt Hartman either doesnt know how the state-funding process works, or he's purposely spreading misinformation in an attempt to mislead people about the truth. Neither of these traits would be good in a future state representative.

Curt Hartman: State Rep. Rachel Baker tries to rewrite history of support for 'Riverbend 2.0' | Opinion

The truth is I hear loud and clear that our community does not want funding to go to this project. Riverbend 2.0 is not now, and has never been, a priority project, in my view. But did I oppose the Riverbend 2.0 project enough to vote "no" on the entirety of HB 2 and all the good resources it brings to our community? I did not.

My opponent is trying to call out my previous vote in a political game hoping our voters are misinformed. But the voters of District 27 are smarter than this. While we may not agree on 100% of things, I will always listen to my voters, consider their views, incorporate their perspectives into my decisions, and vote in a way that represents the view of the majority in my district. I will always be transparent in my decisions with an open-door policy to constituents so that I can hear feedback and improve the way I represent our community.

CSO gives Cincinnati arts a bad name: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra gives the arts a bad name by erasing historic Coney Island

HB 2's pros outweigh the cons

Demolition continues at the former Coney Island Sunlite Pool in Anderson Township, Ohio, on Friday, March 22, 2024. Demolition of Coney Island's Sunlite Pool began Thursday, despite advocates efforts to raise money to buy the iconic Cincinnati structure and get elected officials to help save it.

The process of how state funds are proposed, fought over and eventually dispersed to counties, like Hamilton, is not very glamorous, and it is not very efficient. Local business leaders and local elected officials advocate their county delegations at the Statehouse to include certain projects in the overarching state proposal. Then, the horse trading begins. During that convoluted process, I have been focused on funding projects in Hamilton County that I feel will help bring jobs to our community, refurbish our city centers, and improve the quality of life for every person in Hamilton County.

At this Wednesday's House of Representatives session, unless there are changes to the bill, I plan to vote "yes" on the final version of the community project investments bill. Just like the previous vote, I have the choice to vote "yes" or "no" on the entire package of projects. While I continue to oppose state funding of Riverbend 2.0, the pros of this bill outweigh the con of this being included.

A rendering the upcoming music and entertainment venue that is set to replace Coney Island following its closure at the end of 2023.

This bill appropriates more than $6.2 billion of state funds across all of Ohio. The latest version includes a grand total of $100 million for Hamilton County projects such as the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Cincinnati, Meals on Wheels facility, Best Point Mental Health Center, Addiction Services Council, Cincinnati Art Museum, YWCA Domestic Violence shelter, Cincinnati Observatory, Cincinnati Public Radio and the Clear Creek bike trail. From the HB 2 version, this budget includes an additional $24 million for the Hamilton County Convention Center, and millions more for both the University of Cincinnati Health and Xavier University. Riverbend 2.0 will not get one additional penny.

I have always held the same guiding belief that state funds should go to improve the lives of people in Ohio. I will listen to my constituents and advocate for them during negotiations, and I will work to make the best compromise I can get to support our community. And, if this is considered "flip-flopping" as my opponent states, then Ill proudly trade in my heels for flip-flops every day of my service.

State Representative Rachel Baker is currently serving her first term in the Ohio House of Representatives representing House District 27, which includes the eastern side of Hamilton County and portions of Cincinnati.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: HB 2 brings resources, funding to Ohio. I'm voting 'yes' for that
Alex Jones speaks to the media after arriving at the federal courthouse for a hearing in front of a bankruptcy judge, June 14, 2024, in Houston. A U.S. bankruptcy court trustee is planning to shut down Jones' Infowars media platform and liquidate its assets to help pay the $1.5 billion in lawsuit judgments Jones owes for repeatedly calling the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting a hoax. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, file)

A U.S. bankruptcy court trustee is planning to shut down conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' Infowars media platform and liquidate its assets to help pay the $1.5 billion in lawsuit judgments Jones owes for repeatedly calling the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting a hoax.

In an emergency motion filed Sunday in Houston, trustee Christopher Murray indicated publicly for the first time that he intends to conduct an orderly wind-down of the operations of Infowars' parent company and liquidate its inventory. Murray, who was appointed by a federal judge to oversee the assets in Jones personal bankruptcy case, did not give a timetable for the liquidation.

Jones has been saying on his web and radio shows that he expects Infowars to operate for a few more months before it is shut down because of the bankruptcy. But he has vowed to continue his bombastic broadcasts in some other fashion, possibly on social media. He also had talked about someone else buying the company and allowing him to continue his shows as an employee.

Murray also asked U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez to put an immediate hold on the Sandy Hook families' efforts to collect the massive amount Jones owes them. Murray said those efforts would interfere with his plans to close the parent company, Free Speech Systems in Austin, Texas, and sell off its assets  with much of the proceeds going to the families.

On Friday, lawyers for the parents of one of the 20 children killed in the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, asked a state judge in Texas to order Free Speech Systems, or FSS, to turn over to the families certain assets, including money in bank accounts, and garnish its accounts. Judge Maya Guerra Gamble approved the request, court records show, prompting Murray's emergency motion.

The parents, Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, whose 6-year-old son, Jesse Lewis, was killed in the shooting, won a $50 million verdict in Texas over Jones' lies about the shooting being a hoax staged by crisis actors with the goal of increasing gun control. In a separate Connecticut lawsuit, Jones was ordered to pay other Sandy Hook families more than $1.4 billion for defamation and emotional distress.

Referring to the families' collection efforts, Murray said in the Sunday court filing that The specter of a pell-mell seizure of FSSs assets, including its cash, threatens to throw the business into chaos, potentially stopping it in its tracks, to the detriment of his duties in Jones' personal bankruptcy case.

The Trustee seeks this Courts intervention to prevent a value-destructive money grab and allow an orderly process to take its course, Murray said.

Murray also asked the judge to clarify his authority over Jones' bank accounts. As part of Jones' personal bankruptcy case, his ownership rights of FSS were turned over to Murray. Jones has been continuing his daily broadcasts in the meantime.

It was not immediately clear when the bankruptcy judge would address Murray's motion.

Bankruptcy lawyers for Jones, Heslin and Lewis did not immediately return messages seeking comment Monday.

Christopher Mattei, a lawyer for the Sandy Hook families in the Connecticut lawsuit, said they supported the trustee's new motion. He also said the families were disappointed with the motion filed Friday in the Texas court by Heslin and Lewis, which he said would undercut an equitable distribution of Jones' assets to all the families.

This is precisely the unfortunate situation that the Connecticut (lawsuit) families hoped to avoid, Mattei said.

The families in both lawsuits, who have not received anything from Jones yet, appear likely to get only a fraction of what Jones owes them.

Jones has about $9 million in personal assets, according to the most recent financial filings in court. Free Speech Systems has about $6 million in cash on hand and about $1.2 million worth of inventory, according to recent court testimony.

On June 14, Lopez, the bankruptcy judge, approved converting Jones' personal bankruptcy case from a reorganization to a liquidation, which Jones requested. Lopez also dismissed the reorganization bankruptcy case of FSS, after lawyers for Jones and the Sandy Hook families could not agree on a final bankruptcy plan.

The bankruptcy cases had put an automatic hold on the families' efforts to collect any of the $1.5 billion, under federal law. The dismissal of the FSS bankruptcy meant the families would have to shift those efforts from the bankruptcy court to the state courts in Texas and Connecticut where they won the legal judgments.

Jones and Free Speech Systems filed for bankruptcy protection in 2022, the same year that relatives of many victims of the school shooting that killed 20 first graders and six educators won their lawsuits.

The relatives said they were traumatized by Jones hoax conspiracies and his followers actions. They testified about being harassed and threatened by Jones believers, some of whom confronted the grieving families in person saying the shooting never happened and their children never existed. One parent said someone threatened to dig up his dead sons grave.

Jones is appealing the judgments in the state courts. He has said that he now believes the shooting did happen, but free speech rights allowed him to say it didn't.
After banning abortion, Republicans want to take away birth control access in Indiana

In June 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in the landmark Dobbs ruling, stripping federal protections from abortion access.

This decision  along with defying medical expertise and endangering Americans  signaled the next frontier in an ongoing battle for Hoosiers liberty and self-determination: health care.

Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization revoked a long-held right and kneecapped womens bodily sovereignty. The overturn of Roe was hardly popular. Since 2019, around 60% of Americans have believed reproductive freedom should remain intact, and only 35% believed it should be overturned.

Barely a full month after the Dobbs decision, the Indiana legislature held a special session to pass an invasive, draconian, near-total ban on abortion with near-zero support. Since then, the number of abortions in Indiana has approached zero, while clinics in Illinois have seen surging numbers of Hoosiers cross the border.

The need is still there. Women are still suffering. The Republican supermajority intentionally and knowingly put women in these crisis situations.

The ban has also been dogged since day one by lawsuits, which challenge the bills unconstitutional infringement on religious expression and attempt to expand the bills unforgiving and vague language about health exemptions.

Beyond abhorrent policy choices, though, we should look at this as the new modus operandi for an increasingly radical conservative movement. Unpopular, un-American policies  anti-choice bills, crackdowns on voters rights and attacks on the LGBTQ+ community  are stripped of federal protection and sent back to states that have been gerrymandered to hell and back.

Abortion-rights supporters and anti-abortion supporters gathered to protest during a special session Monday, July 25, 2022, at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis.

States' rights is the rallying cry. The ultimate goal is the revocation of your rights.

The end of abortion rights is only a piece (albeit an essential one) of a larger, creeping attack on reproductive health care and freedom. Just a few days ago, Republican senators (including current Indiana gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun) blocked a bill that would affirmatively protect IVF and other forms of fertility treatments.

Indiana Senate Republicans in 2022 blocked amendments to the abortion ban legislation that would have affirmatively protected Hoosiers access to FDA-approved contraceptives, guaranteed insurance coverage for contraceptives and established a ballot initiative process in Indiana. Autonomy and democracy denied, in one fell swoop.

Birth control access is the next target for conservative Republicans across the country. Republicans in at least 17 states have blocked efforts to pass laws ensuring the right to birth control, according to the Washington Post. Republican legislators in Missouri this year attempted to prohibit Medicaid funding of IUDs. Conservative groups are actively promoting misinformation about birth control safety and falsely claiming it causes abortions.

This kind of legislation based on bogus information is commonly boilerplate language circulated by national think tanks. Its not made for, or by, Hoosiers and it doesnt serve our interests.

The message from this anti-liberty movement is clear. Health care isnt a right for Hoosiers; its a privilege. Health care is available on Republicans' terms only, governed by their morality, and denied to anyone deemed unworthy.

Soon, health care providers who just want to help their patients as best they can will have to get medically sound treatment essentially rubber-stamped by our legislature and our attorney general  who do not hold medical degrees  to avoid undue scrutiny and punishment.

Hoosiers should have access to every form of safe, medically-approved care available to us. I fought against Senate Enrolled Act 1 and Ill stand against further attempts at intrusion on Hoosier health care.

The fight is now in our state and local governments. I call on my Republican colleagues to take seriously protecting birth control access and pass comprehensive, affirmative legislation this session. In fact, call for another special session! Write and pass a bill guaranteeing Hoosiers access to FDA-approved contraception and fertility treatments.

Take it a step further and incentivize private business owners to guarantee insurance coverage of contraceptives. Finally, for the sake of democracy and liberty, pass my bill restoring abortion access, which Ive offered each year since the Dobbs ruling. Hoosiers want their bodies back.

To Hoosiers: Know your legislators records. Talk to your neighbors. Continue to call, write, email, testify, protest. Together we can return to the Indiana we recognize  one where our ideals of self-determination, autonomy, freedom, and compassion are upheld.

State Sen. Shelli Yoder is the assistant minority leader and serves District 40 in the Indiana Senate.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: After banning abortion, Indiana Republicans will target birth control
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 licenses 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.

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 rentals 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 signaled he could relax the restriction.

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.

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Barcelona plans to end short-term rentals by 2029 to address the housing crisis.

Rents in Barcelona rose 36% from 2018 to 2022 amid a broader Spanish rental crisis.

Opponents argue the ban won't significantly impact housing availability or rental prices.

Barcelona plans to end short-term rentals after complaints that tourism has priced locals out of the housing market.

In a blow to platforms such as Airbnb, the Spanish city will stop issuing new licenses and will not renew existing ones, Barcelona's mayor, Jaume Collboni, said at a press conference on Friday. The plan is that by 2029, no homes will be allowed to operate as short-term tourist accommodations.

"The city cannot allow such a large number of flats to be used for tourist activity at a time of difficulty of access to housing and when the negative effects of tourist overcrowding are obvious," Collboni said.

Like other Spanish cities, Barcelona requires properties to have a tourist license before they can be listed as rentals. There are about 10,000 apartments registered as tourist rentals.

The move is the latest by Spanish authorities to ease the housing crisis and reduce the cost of renting. Rents in Barcelona spiked 36% between 2018 and 2022, while those in the Spanish capital of Madrid were up 16%, according to an EY property report.

Barcelona became a short-term rental hot spot as tourists flocked to the city: The number of tourists increased from 7.4 million in 2012 to 15.6 million last year. Government officials have sparred with Airbnb and similar platforms over the years, imposing fines and various kinds of regulation that stopped well short of the new plan to not renew licenses.

Airbnb didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside standard business hours.

In April last year, the Spanish government passed a historic housing law to address the issue, which included caps on rent increases, price limits in special zones, and an end to surprise evictions. Earlier this year, the government also scrapped "golden visas" to non-EU nationals, saying the visa program was adding to housing-supply pressures.

But critics say the Barcelona ban will do little to change the rental climate.

The opposition politician Damia Calvet said that not all 10,000 homes would go back on the market.

"Pretending that all 10,000 will have a residential use is not realistic," he told local media. Calvet said not all homes with licenses were actually rented out to tourists, with many owners keeping the license just to add value to the property in case they wanted to sell down the line.

"Tourist apartments represent just 0.77% of Barcelona's housing stock," Enrique Alcantara, the president of the Barcelona Tourist Apartments Association, told media after the announcement. "All it will do is increase the number of illegal tourist rentals," he added.

Global short-term rental restrictions

Other cities are similarly eyeing short-term rental restrictions to manage skyrocketing housing costs in what's been deemed the "Airbnb effect."

In Irvine, California, a ban on short-term stays in 2018 brought the cost of long-term rentals down 3%, or an average decrease of $114 a month, according to a study published in Real Estate Economics. Late last year, New York City implemented a similar move.

Cities including Vancouver, Tokyo, London, Amsterdam, and Paris have all placed restrictions on the short-term rental market.

Some Southeast Asian countries have banned short-term rentals completely.

In Singapore, it's illegal to rent any residential property for less than three months, while Thailand, like Irvine, forbids rentals for less than 30 days.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Bay County logs 2 more beach drownings on Sunday to make six in 4 days and 7 for the year

PANAMA CITY BEACH  Two more beachgoers drowned Sunday in waters off of Bay County, making six in four days and bringing back sad memories of the nine tourists that drowned in 2023.

According to officials with Bay County and Panama City Beach, two beachgoers drowned Sunday while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Bay County. One happened in unincorporated Bay County near Carillon Beach, while the other happened within Panama City Beach's city limits near Beach Access 54.

These deaths add to five other local beach drownings that have happened so far this year. There were three on Friday off unincorporated beaches, one on Thursday in Panama City Beach and another on March 27, also in Panama City Beach.

All of the victims were tourists who entered the Gulf under single-red-flag conditions and got caught in a rip current.

Double red flags fly last week during rough surf conditions at Dog Beach near Russell-Fields Pier in Panama City Beach. In four days, Bay County had six beach drownings, bringing the total for the year to seven. All the drownings happened under single red flag warnings.

For Daryl Paul, beach safety director for Panama City Beach Fire Rescue, the string of recent drownings proves just how dangerous it can be to swim in the Gulf.

"We want everyone to be safe," Paul said. "We want you to visit Panama City Beach responsibly and safely. We want you to come here and make long-lasting memories with your friends and family. ... When you see the flags, when you see the text alerts and social media posts (about) single red flags and double reds, we need you to heed the warnings because the rip currents are very hazardous."

The latest on the weather: Bay County beaches at double red flags due to 'life-threatening' conditions: June 24, 2024

Past reports note that between June and July of 2023, Bay County logged nine beach drownings. Six were in PCB and three were off the coast of unincorporated Bay County. Two occurred under single red flags, and seven occurred with double red flags overhead.

Like the victims so far this year, all the victims of 2023 also were tourists who got caught in rip currents.

Rip currents are fast-moving currents created by channels in sandbars. The channels run perpendicular to the shoreline, causing water to funnel faster out into deeper waters. Rip currents can vary in strength, depending on how developed the channels are. They can sometimes be identified from shore where there is a gap in the wave break  areas where the white caps of the breaks are less noticeable.

Rips can exist when there are larger waves, as well as when the Gulf appears calm from the shore. Because of this, local beach flags do not represent how large the waves are, but the strength of rip currents at that time.

Local beach safety officials have said the best thing swimmers can do if they're caught in a rip current is swim parallel to shore, meaning toward the left or right of where they are in distress. If they do this, they can break free from the current, often landing on a sandbar where they can stand. If they still cannot stand, they will at least be in calmer water where it will be easier to make it back to shore.

Recent attacks: Bay County closes beaches following two shark attacks in neighboring Walton County

Common flag colors used in beach flag warning systems include a green flag for low hazard conditions, a yellow flag for medium hazard conditions, one red flag for high hazard conditions and two red flags for very dangerous conditions.

Panama City Beach and Bay County, however, never fly green flags since officials say beachgoers should always be cautious anytime they enter the Gulf. It also is illegal in PCB and Bay County to swim in double-red-flag conditions under penalty of a $500 fine.

To sign up for daily text alerts on local beach flag conditions, text "PCBFLAGS" to 888777.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: 2 more tourists drown at Bay County beaches Sunday, making 6 in 4 days
BOSTON  Taking a proactive step in light of an anticipated Supreme Court ruling in two cases involving emergency abortion care, Massachusetts Gov. Maura T. Healey Monday issued an executive order that she said established the state as a "beacon" for reproductive rights.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey clarifies state laws and regulations regarding access to reproductive health care, including abortion, Monday, June 24, as a preemptive measure to safeguard access in the state pending an anticipated decision this week from the Supreme Court regarding a federal law that requires hospitals supply emergency medical interventions regardless of a patient's financial circumstances. The Courts are expected to rule on whether Idaho's abortion ban supersedes federal regulations.

Flanked by representatives from the health care industry, insurance providers, legislators, state health-related agencies and advocates, Healey said that women in Massachusetts and those traveling to the state will always have access to emergency life-saving care, including abortion care.

In essence, the order puts the states insurance industry, emergency medical providers, health care providers and state agencies on notice that such emergency medical treatment is available on demand.

In this building, we are showing unity on this issue, Healey declared. Today we make clear a womens choice. Her reproductive choices are hers. There is no question they are defended in Massachusetts.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on two cases, Idaho v. United States and Moyle v. United States, that deal with Idaho's near-total abortion ban and whether it conflicts with federal law.

The Supreme Court is to decide whether people with pregnancy complications should be allowed to live, said Rebecca Hart Holden, president of Reproductive Equity Now.

Rebecca Hart Holder, president of Reproductive Equity Now, discusses the Dobbs decision and the war on women's bodily autonomy and the criminalization of reproductive health care at a press conference designed to clarify Massachusetts laws in regards to reproductive health care Monday, June 24. It is the second anniversary of the overturning of Roe that allowed individual states to decide whether to allow birthing people the right to access abortion care.

We have to be prepared, be ready and make clear what the law is in Massachusetts, Healey said.

Massachusetts has already codified a womans right to abortion, which is legal in the state up to 24 weeks (later abortions are decided on a case-by-case basis). Following the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the state passed a shield law designed to protect patients and providers from criminal prosecution and lawsuits under other states' abortion restrictions.

The state anticipated a 37% increase in the demand for services in the four months after the Dobbs decision due to patients from out of state traveling to Massachusetts seeking abortion care, according to a study conducted by the Brigham and Women's and the ASPIRE Center and referenced by the state Dept. of Public Health.

The state has a stockpile of the medication, purchased in the wake of the Dobbs decision. That stockpile, 15,000 doses, is not being distributed outside of the state.

We will continue to keep those for us; I dont trust what the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice or others will do, Healey said.

The issue is clear. The Supreme Court, federal courts and state legislators are taking on abortion, IVF (invitro-fertilization) and contraception; the beat goes on and on and on, Healey said, explaining that her action Monday offers clear guidance on Massachusetts law.

Providers have said they are afraid to travel to other states, that they will be detained, interrogated and investigated for their role in providing abortions to patients from other states, Healey said.

Abortion bans in other states impact Massachusetts, Healey said. Local health care providers are seeing increases in their patient loads, she said, and other states' abortion restrictions have pushed women past early termination windows when abortions are safer and less expensive.

There are many reasons women need abortions, Healey said  they have miscarriages, they suffer life-threatening conditions like ectopic pregnancies and preeclampsia that require a rapid response. Early interventions are safer, more effective and do not pose as great a risk to women.

Earlier in June, Healey announced a public education campaign targeting so-called crisis pregnancy centers. The campaign includes a hotline that directs residents to certified health care providers.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Gov. Maura Healey acts to ensure access to abortion in Mass.
Visiting the concession stand is an essential part of any amusement park experience. But guests at Anakeesta Adventure Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee recently got much more than just popcorn and hot dogs when a black bear decided to help itself to the food.

Harrowing video shows what happened after the bear got inside the stand, aptly named the "Bear Can." It then attacked an employee as she tried to get inside.

"The bear was then exiting through that employee entrance, at which point it encountered a worker entering the concession stand, startling both the employee and animal," officials said, per WVLT. "At that point, the bear and employee made brief physical contact."

A black bear snuck into a concession stand at Anakeesta Adventure Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, startling employees. pic.twitter.com/HerJoHUaI2  ABC News (@ABC) June 24, 2024

Even scarier, visitors were not allowed to leave the park while it was still on the loose, as the whole place was put on lockdown. One guest told TMZ the exit gates were locked and patrons were held for half an hour before being allowed to leave.

Related: Black Bear Infiltrates Walt Disney World, Triggers Shutdown

As for what happened to the bear, a representative for Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency told WVLT that it hasn't been caught yet, but it will be euthanized if they track it down. City officials, meanwhile, believe that the bear likely got to Anakeesta in the first place as a result of humans feeding it.

Anakeesta isn't your average amusement park and is, by its design, more immersed in nature than the environments of places like Disneyland and Universal Studios. There are a variety of activities available for the whole family to enjoy, from ziplining and gem mining to a treetop obstacle course. You can still get the traditional rollercoaster experience if that's what you want, though you'll be flying through trees and down mountainsides rather than a sterile concrete area.

"Bears are a big part of the magic in the Great Smoky Mountains," park communications manager Austin Martin told WVLT. "The Anakeesta team works diligently to create a safe space to co-exist with the native wildlife."
Beaufort City Councils use of secret ballots to appoint two members to the historic district review board on June 11 has raised concerns among residents about potential violations of state open records laws. However, two attorneys disagree on whether the use of secret ballots is illegal  with one arguing it violates state laws, while the other contends it does not.

During the meeting, the council appointed Mike Sutton to the seat set aside for professionals with expertise in historic preservation, architecture, landscape architecture, history, architectural history, planning, archaeology, or related disciplines. They also appointed Kim Petrella to the seat for someone who either lives or owns property in the Historic District. Unlike in previous sessions where council members announced their votes publicly, this time the votes were cast by secret ballot, tallied by the city clerk and then announced by Mayor Phil Cromer.

Residents who watched the meeting were quick to notice the change, with local resident and Cultural Heritage Partners attorney Will Cook noting that the secret ballot defies South Carolinas Freedom of Information Act, which he said is designed to uphold government transparency.

Elected officials are supposed to adhere to the laws designed to keep government open and honest, Will wrote in a letter to the editor of the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette. Public trust in local government hinges on City Councils willingness to correct its recent Open Meetings Law violation and ensure that all future votes are conducted openly, as required by law.

Cook cited state law 30-4-70 that governs legal voting conduct at public meetings.

However, Cromer and Jay Bender, a seasoned expert in South Carolina media and open government laws, assert that the council acted within legal bounds. Bender argued that unless the council requested that the minutes include the votes by members and the votes taken by members then secret votes are not prohibited.

Despite the controversy, Cromer acknowledged the publics backlash to the secret vote. The council in the past used to nominate individuals after executive session leading the public to believe they voted while in session, which is not allowed, Cromer said. To address this, he said the council decided to hold a secret ballot to demonstrate that nominations were not prearranged.

For transparency purposes, we will probably not do that again, Cromer said.

The citys Historic District Review Board (HRB) is charged with vetting applications for renovations and demolitions in the Beaufort National Historic Landmark District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.
In 2014, Kris Moloney was preparing to launch Sheepdog Church Security, a national company that trains volunteer safety and security teams to protect their houses of worship while keeping faith at the center. He figured hed better start by poking around to see whether any other businesses were already doing this kind of work. At the time, he found almost nothing online, he told the Idaho Statesman in a video call.

Ten years later, hes part of a booming industry. If you just Google church security, he said, therell be 100,000 hits. And theres demand for expertise on the topic: Moloneys books, including Shepherding the Sheepdogs, Defending the Flock and Active Shooter Mitigation, have plenty of company in Amazons Christian Books & Bibles section.

Kris Moloneys book on church security, Shepherding the Sheepdogs, is one of many books available on the topic. Amazon lists the books under Christian Books & Bibles.

Moloney, who served in the military, worked in law enforcement and ran a safety team at his own church in Minnesota, has now trained over 6,000 people in churches and other houses of worship nationwide. His website and email listserv weave together Christian and security-related imagery, quoting the Bible in articles about defending against violent intruders at churches, using stock images of a handgun sitting atop a Holy Bible, and billing him as a Protector of the People and Guardian of the Church.

Emails from Sheepdog Church Security weave together religious and security-related imagery.

Hes seen interest in his offerings  from trainings on how to develop safety policies to a manual of safety drills for churches  increase as religious institutions report a growing sense of threat and vulnerability, and churches build out what many call safety ministries. These are often a mix of armed and unarmed volunteers ready to respond to emergencies, whether thats a medical case requiring CPR or an active shooter in the building.

Idaho has seen its own increase in these teams in recent years, as residents started to see some actions against churches nationwide and wanted to ensure people werent just wandering in and harming folks, state Rep. Sage Dixon, a Republican from Ponderay, told the Statesman by phone. In this years legislative session, Dixon sponsored a bill that takes effect July 1 to grant these religious organizations security teams legal immunity from civil damages.

Constituents who approached him in November to propose the idea had these teams at their churches and wanted to ensure that if something ever did occur there, that they wouldnt be held liable for those actions, as they were trying to protect other congregants and themselves within the church.

Volunteer security teams vary in their makeup, as there is no standardization or regulation governing these teams size or approach  though consultants like Moloney advise on best practices in their training programs. This guidance sometimes draws on law enforcement procedures or responses to school shootings, but is tailored to the needs of a house of worship.

For Steve Boyle, the coordinator of the safety team at Canyon Springs Christian Church in Middleton, Moloneys training was especially valuable, because it focused on security considerations that are specific to churches  for example, the fact that the security teams are made up of volunteers rather than full-time employees, and the need to provide security without making a church seem like an armed camp.

You want it to be open and welcoming and so forth, and yet provide (the) safety and security needed, he said. So those of us who do carry firearms, we do so on a concealed basis. We have the protection we need, and yet were not ostentatious about it.

Nervous about terror, mental illness, domestic violence

For Keith Graves, Hamass attack against Israel on Oct. 7 was a clear inflection point in the threat against American houses of worship.

Graves, a former police officer from California, leads his churchs security team in Eagle and runs a website called Christian Warrior Training, which shares security-related news and training in an effort to empower churches with the knowledge and tools they need to create a safe and secure environment. Through his work on the site, and its mailing list of 24,000 people, he is in touch with church leaders from all over the country, he said.

In the weeks after Hamass attack, the Islamic State group called for its supporters to target Jewish people and synagogues  but churches also saw an uptick in violence, often from people with mental illness, Graves said. Hes seen the number of security teams nationally increase exponentially since then.

In response, he organized a group of 30 Treasure Valley churches safety teams to regularly meet and share information about threats theyve encountered, as well as updates they receive from law enforcement.

Everybodys nervous about the direction of whats going on in the world, (and) you have the same thing in the church, he told the Statesman by phone. He cited concerns about rates of mental illness, domestic violence and other problems that may spill over into churches.

The Islamic State groups threat only compounded these fears, as did a February shooting at a Houston megachurch, he said.

Moloney sorts crime against religious institutions into two broad categories: random crime that just happens to occur on the property, like a fight in a church parking lot; and attacks that specifically target an institution. He attributed attacks in that second category in part to a changing attitude toward churches.

When I was a teenager, the churches were essentially unlocked 24/7, he said. Even as a kid who was not exactly a very good kid, it never occurred to me to go into a church and do something stupid.

Public leaders and politicians used to never say a thing against the church. Now, its very common, he added. I think as time has gone by, the general respect for religious authority has diminished greatly. So attacking a church is no longer off-limits  is what it comes down to.

The data paints a more muddled picture of the threat. A February study by the Family Research Council, an evangelical activist group and think tank, found that acts of hostility against churches more than doubled between 2022 and 2023. Those acts included violent crimes and property-related incidents like vandalism and arson.

Violent attacks against houses of worship, meanwhile, nearly tripled from 2018 to 2019, and in 2022 (after a COVID-19-era dip) had returned to 2019 levels, according to a study by the A-Mark Foundation, which funds investigative journalism.

As for active-shooter events, the latest FBI data shows that in 2022, two of 50 incidents nationwide involved a religiously affiliated location. From 2000 until 2019, there were 15 active-shooter events at houses of worship. (FBI data does not identify which religious group was targeted.)

Theres been some big ones that I think sometimes, the general public, they latch on to certain things because of media coverage and the shock value of a vulnerable group being targeted, Shawn Harper, the community services division lieutenant for the Meridian Police Department, told the Statesman in an interview. So sometimes, what people think is reality is actually not.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which since 2018 has offered grants to help nonprofits  including religious institutions  bolster their security, saw a steep uptick this year in the number of Idaho organizations applying. But Matt McCarter, the offices Idaho branch chief, said that may be a result of the agencys outreach rather than a growing sense of threat.

Most of the religious organizations who applied for the grant in Idaho have been Jewish organizations until this year, when five Christian organizations applied, according to data obtained through a public records request. For Jewish communities, the sense of vulnerability is nothing new, though concerns have increased since Oct. 7, Rabbi Mendel Lifshitz of the Chabad Lubavitch of Idaho told the Statesman by phone.

Generally we take security very seriously  obviously, as a Jewish organization, he said. I believe its obvious that there is a rise in antisemitism throughout the country, and sadly, the events in the Middle East, as well as our political discourse, have definitely caused a rise in ugly behavior.

Roy Ledesma, the executive director and security manager of Boises Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel, said the synagogue has kept a close eye on its security ever since a gunman killed 11 worshipers at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018. Since that event, the Boise synagogue has hired Boise Police Department officers to sit outside the building during services and religious school.

We need presence, he said.

A Boise police officer maintains a security presence at Boises Congregation Ahavath Beth Israel during a Saturday Shabbat service in June.

Were in Idaho  guns are in the church anyway

Moloney acknowledges that some congregations, especially those that lean left politically, will bristle at the idea of having a security team  or at least, at what they think that will mean: cameras, barbed wire fence, working dogs  thats the extreme people imagine.

Addressing those who want to start a team at their own house of worship, his website offers suggestions for how to ease hesitant congregations into the idea of relying on armed volunteers.

Some of those people that are against it, we can  move them slowly towards the idea of having armed safety team members, he said. Lets start with medical. Lets start with fire safety  something thats not going to disturb anyone at all.

Starting there allows a new team to build credibility and trust with a congregation, he said, in preparation for taking security to the next level.

At some point, were going to have to have the discussion of violent shooters, he said. We have to.

Graves sometimes hears pushback from those who oppose the idea of bringing guns into a house of worship, but he views that as something of a sunk cost.

Youve got to realize were in Idaho  guns are in the church anyway, he said.

If anything, he said, more formalized teams offer a chance to professionalize security, training members just like we train law enforcement to think through their role in responding to an attack in a more measured way.

Graves said he regularly hears from church leaders who believe that, as Christians, they should be pacifists, reliant on God to protect their congregations. But some express changing perspectives because theyre nervous about the risk of attack, he said.

Some people say, youre a Christian  you should be a pacifist, he said. And there are other people who say, look at (the Gospel of) Luke: Jesus said, sell your cloak and buy a sword.

One of the things I like mentioning is OK, yes, God is going to protect us, but you still look both ways before you cross the street, he said. God is going to look out for you, but he also gives you these tools to help you watch out for yourself.

What happened to that Idaho bill? Stay updated on latest with this 2024 tracker

Keep your religion out of our government. Dangerous activists coming to Idaho Capitol | Opinion
Reese Hughes often talked to his father about repairing a neglected well in the heart of Bedford which played an important role during the citys early history.

Reese, 14, is repairing the well near the Silver Dollar Winery at 1937 Bedford Road by replacing a decaying roof and carefully cleaning the stonework for a project to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

But he is taking that journey without his father there to guide him. Robert Hughes, who was an assistant scout master, died unexpectedly in 2020.

He wanted to become a scout master for me, when I would go into Boy Scouts, Reese said. He passed away before I could make it into Boy Scouts so I kind of worked to get Eagle for him.

Reeses mother, Angie Hughes, said the project would have been right up his dads alley.

Rob could fix anything. He was a jack of all trades. It would have been a great father and son project, she said.

Hughes family friends begin to work on the Bedford Well during a restoration project in Bedford on Saturday. Hughes chose to repair a well that is significant in Bedfords history as the citys founder built it as a rest stop for travelers going from Grapevine to Fort Worth.

Interest in repairing the well

Reese, friends and volunteers spent Saturday in the scorching heat nailing wooden shingles to repair the roof that covers the well and cleaning the stones that were grimy from years of neglect.

Reese describes himself as a history buff, and he and his father often talked about the Bedford well, which was built by Weldon Wiles Bobo, of Bedford County, Tennessee, who founded the city in northeast Tarrant County.

The well was a rest stop for travelers going from Grapevine to Fort Worth, according to the city. It stood next to the Bedford store, owned by Bobos son, Joel Hayden Bobo.

Hughes family friends begin to work on the Bedford Well during a restoration project in Bedford on Saturday. Hughes chose to repair a well that is significant in Bedfords history as the citys founder built it as a rest stop for travelers going from Grapevine to Fort Worth.

The well was in use until the store burned in 1969, and in 1979, it was restored as a memorial to Bedfords founders.

But the well was neglected for years until Reese Hughes came up with his plan to repair the roof and clean the stones.

I looked around and saw this well. It didnt look great, but it looked like it had historical significance, Reese said. I thought it was really cool. It was kind of depressing that it wasnt being kept up.

There is water in the well, but it is no longer used for drinking. A metal grate covers the well.

David Hammonds takes out nails in the roof of the Bedford Well during its restoration in Bedford on Saturday.

Help from friends and strangers

Reese met with Bedford officials, including parks and recreation director Mark Long and facilities manager Chris Clark.

Long said in an email: As with all Eagle Projects, our involvement is very surface level. Its up to the Scout to pick the project, get approval, plan, manage, and execute the project from start to finish.

The historical marker for the Bedford Well is next to the well that is being restored by Boy Scout Reese Hughes and close family friends on Bedford Road in Bedford.

Long said he and Clark met with Reese to discuss logistics, such as equipment needs and the closest sources for water and electricity.

Reese also organized a car wash, a Go Fund Me page and contacted businesses for donations.

He raised $775 from the car wash, $750 from the Go Fund Me site and $380 from a dropoff site in Bedford.

He received $100 in coupons from the Home Depot and wood stain from Sherwin Williams.

Reese soon realized that he was going to need help bringing his plans to fruition. He turned to his brother-in-law, Allen Williams, who has experience in woodworking, and his fathers two best friends, David and Randy Hammonds, who stepped in after his fathers death.

Randy Hammonds, who lives in Austin, said Reese is a special kid.

Boy Scout Reese Hughes, left, watches as his brother in law Allen Williams uses a power saw to cut out the new roof of the Bedford well for his Eagle Scout project.

We are not blood related, but we believe that we are brought together for a far greater purpose, he said. Reese can learn how to complete projects, rally the community and step up to challenges in life where he can help.

David Hammonds, who is Randys brother, agreed.

Its sad that his dad isnt there to watch him step by step, David Hammonds said.

Hammonds said they make it a point to be there for Reese on special occasions such as birthdays.

Williams, who also helped Reese plan how to repair the roof, said he was proud of his brother-in-law, who contacted Bedford officials and attended meetings with them.

When we first started planning this out, I was explaining a lot of geometry to him as if he were a 5-year-old. he started spouting off equations and finding the right angles, Williams said.

Reese wants to do things to make his father proud, Williams said.

This is a personal goal to push himself to be an Eagle Scout.

Reese has achieved the rank of Life Scout, just below the Eagle rank.

His next steps involve completing paperwork on the well project and meeting with scouting officials who will give him the final approval.

Ryan Cazzell, an assistant scout master, is mentoring Reese for his Eagle Scout project.

Cazzell said he was impressed with Reeses organizational skills and the detailed description of his project.

One of the wood panels with the signatures from everyone working on the Bedford well restoration project in Bedford.

It was really cool to see him grab onto the concept of this project, he said. Its pretty exciting to see the results.

Angie Hughes said after her husband died, Reese was considering getting out of scouting because he no longer had his dad to help him.

But when his fathers friends stepped in, Reese was encouraged to continue with scouting.

I am so proud, and the well is so beautiful, Angie said. I just want to pick it up and put it in our front yard and stare at it every day.

When asked how he felt about creating a beautiful space in Bedford, Reese said he is happy with his accomplishment.

I feel pretty good that I made a nice change for the city that I love.
These are the best airlines in the world, according to a survey of travelers  see the full list

Airline ratings company Skytrax has released its 2024 list of the best airlines in the world.

Qatar Airways took the top spot from Singapore Airlines, 2023's winner.

No airlines from the US made it in the top 20.

Qatar Airways has reclaimed the title of best airline in the world after losing out in 2023, according to travel industry rating company Skytrax.

Skytrax announced the results of the World Airline Awards, which polled travelers from over 100 countries on their impressions of more than 350 airlines, at a gala on Monday in London.

Once again, airlines from Asia and the Middle East dominated the awards, sweeping the top six spots and taking 12 of the top 20.

European carriers accounted for seven of the top 20 spots, with Turkish Airlines ranked highest in seventh.

No airlines from the US made the top 20 after Delta Air Lines fell one spot in this year's rankings to 21st. Delta was one of only two US airlines to crack the top 50, with United in 42nd.

Here's a closer look at the 20 best airlines in the world for 2024 according to Skytrax:

20. Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines)

Saudi Arabian Airlines Airbus. Vytautas Kielaitis/Shutterstock

Saudia, which changed its name from Saudi Arabian Airlines last year, jumped up three spots to finish 20th in this year's rankings.

Saudia is Saudi Arabia's flag carrier and is a member of the Sky Team alliance. It's also one of the few major airlines in the world the not serve any alcohol on board its flights.

19. Etihad Airways

An Etihad Airbus A380. Etihad

Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways fell six spots in this year's rankings but managed to stay in the top 20 at 19th.

Etihad reintroduced its Airbus A380 fleet and its luxurious The Residence suite after a four year hiatus.

18. Lufthansa

A Lufthansa Airbus A350-900. CHRISTOF STACHE via Getty Images

Lufthansa jumped three spots to 18 this year. The German national airline is a member of the Star Alliance and recently introduced its first new aircraft with the long-awaited Allegris cabin.

17. Virgin Atlantic Airways

A Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 Dreamliner. EQRoy/Shutterstock

Virgin Atlantic jumped up five spots to 17th in this year's rankings. The British carrier, co-owned by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Delta Air Lines, is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its founding this year.

16. Vistara

NOAH SEELAM / AFP) (Photo by NOAH SEELAM/AFP via Getty Images

Vistara is ranked 16th for the second consecutive year and remains India's top airline. The carrier, founded in 2013 as a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, is in the process of merging with Air India.

15. Iberia

An Iberia A350. Airbus

Spain's Iberia fell one spot to 15th in this year's rankings. The Spanish national carrier is an Oneworld alliance member alongside its International Airlines Group sibling, British Airways.

14. Fiji Airways

Fiji Airways' Airbus A330-243. Marcio Rodrigo Machado/S3studio/Getty Images

Fiji Airways moved up one spot this year to 14th. Fiji Airways is now Oceania's only representative in the top 20 after Air New Zealand fell to 23rd this year.

13. British Airways

A British Airways Boeing 777. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

British Airways moved up five spots in the rankings to 13th place. BA is the highest-ranked of the International Airlines Group (IAG) carriers, which also include Iberia (15th), Aer Lingus (49th), and Vueling (56th).

British Airways also won this year's award for the world's most family friendly airline.

12. Hainan Airlines

Hainan Airlines' Boeing 737-800. China Daily CDIC/Reuters

Hainan Airlines dropped one spot to 12th this year. Hainan has consistently been China's highest-rated carrier and the only one of the country's four major airlines not owned by the Chinese central government.

11. Korean Air

A Korean Air A380. DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images

Korean Air slipped one spot to 11th place this year. South Korea's largest airline is still awaiting final approval from the US government for its proposed merger with Asiana, which was announced in late 2020.

10. Swiss International Air Lines

A Swiss International Air Lines Airbus A330. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images

Swiss International Airlines jumped two spots in the 2024 ranking to 10th place. Swiss, founded in 2002 following Swissair's bankruptcy, is the highest-ranking member of the Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa (18th), Austrian (28th), and Eurowings (70th).

9. Air France

An Air France Boeing 777-200. Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Air France slipped two spots to 9th place this year despite winning a host of awards, including the world's best first-class catering, best first-class lounge dining, and best airline in Western Europe.

8. EVA Air

EVA Air Boeing 777 Huy Thoai/Shutterstock

Taiwanese carrier EVA Air moved up one spot to 8th this year. The carrier is a subsidiary of container shipping giant Evergreen Group.

7. Turkish Airlines

A Turkish Airlines Airbus A350. Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

In seventh place is Turkish Airlines. It's once again Europe's highest-ranked airline.

6. Japan Airlines

A Japan Airlines Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Marcio Rodrigo Machado/S3studioGetty Images

Japan Airlines dropped one spot to sixth this year. The Japanese flag carrier also won this year's award for the world's best premium economy cabin.

5. Cathay Pacific Airways

A Cathay Pacific Airbus A350. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific moved into the top five this year, up from eighth position in 2023. Cathay also took home the prize for this year's best economy-class cabin.

4. All Nippon Airways (ANA)

An ANA Airbus A321neo. ryo a/Shutterstock.com

All Nippon Airways or ANA fell one spot to fourth place this year. Despite that, the Japanese carrier managed to snag awards for the world's best airport services and the best airline staff service in Asia.

3. Emirates

An Emirates Airbus A380. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Dubai's Emirates Airline moves into the top 3 this year after spending 2023 in fourth position. Emirates remains the world's largest operator of the A380 Superjumbo, with more than 100 in its fleet.

2. Singapore Airlines

A Singapore Airlines Airbus A380. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

After spending 2023 as the world's best airline, Singapore Airlines is back in second place, a position it also held in 2022 and 2021. Second place is nothing to scoff at. The airline also picked up honors for the world's best cabin staff and the world's best first-class cabin.

1. Qatar Airways

A Qatar Airways A350-900. PASCAL PAVANI/AFP via Getty Images

Qatar Airways takes the No. 1 spot again after falling second behind Singapore Airlines last year. It's a familiar position for the airline, which also claimed top honors in 2022, 2021, and 2019.

This year, Qatar Airways also won awards for the best business class cabin and lounge.

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Best Ranger Competition 2024: See photos of the murderous 3-day event winners endured

Best Ranger Competition 2024: See photos of the murderous 3-day event winners endured

Over 100 US Army troops endure grueling challenges to determine the service's toughest soldier.

More than 50 teams of two competed in the annual Best Ranger Competition in April.

Two first-time competitors came out on top  the 75th Ranger Regiment's fourth win in a row.

For four decades, US Army troops have tested their strength and endurance to determine the toughest soldiers during the annual Best Ranger Competition.

Over the course of 62 nearly continuous hours, Ranger-qualified soldiers compete in two-person teams, participating in a gauntlet of challenges mirroring real-world Ranger operations.

From the early hours of the morning to the dead of night, competitors demonstrate tactical skills, complete difficult obstacle courses, and traverse dozens of miles on both land and water.

In April, more than 100 US soldiers competed in the Best Ranger Competition, a mix of an outdoor adventure course with the soldiering's most grueling tasks. This is a look at the contest's three unforgiving days and the first-time competitors from the 75th Ranger Regiment who took home the title.

A measure of determination

US Army soldiers catch their breath following an event during the Best Ranger Competition. US Army Photo by Sgt. Paul Won

The Lt. Gen. David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition was first held in May 1982 at Fort Moore, then known as Fort Benning, near Columbus, Georgia.

Initially a contest among members of the Ranger Training Brigade, it has since expanded to include personnel from across the service, including Special Operations and Army National Guard.

"This competition is not just to see who is the toughest or the most physically fit," Lt. Gen. David E. Grange Jr., a commanding general of then-Fort Benning and namesake of the competition, once said. "It is to see who is mentally the strongest, the most determined to finish."

Competitors and participants

US Army Cpt. Nicholas Yancey and 1st Lt. Anthony Capobianco hug after completing the full Ranger Competition. US Army Photo by Spc. Justin Yarborough

According to Ranger Training Brigade Staff Sgts. Kevin Teran and Jim Moran, who won the competition in 1999, there are "two basic types of people that enter the Best Ranger competition  competitors and participants."

"Some arrive with the aim of simply surviving the challenges thrust upon them and to win a 't-shirt.' Such individuals usually fall out early on and even get injured," they wrote in an essay for the Association of the US Army. "Competitors are there to win. They exude the guts, mental toughness, intensity, and burning desire to succeed that characterize the US Army Ranger."

"These are the folks that are champions, both at the Best Ranger Competition and in their units," they added.

A challenge right at the start

US Army soldiers complete a ruck march. US Army Reserve photo by Sgt. DeAndre Pierce

Even before the sun rose on the first day of the competition in mid-April, soldiers were already put to the test in the first event  a 7-mile run wearing a weighted vest and carrying a 60-pound sandbag.

Teams were required to cross the finish line together to complete the event, and the time to complete the race determined each team's ranking.

Malvesti Obstacle Course

US Army 1st Lt. Ethan Bates climbs up an obstacle during the Malvesti obstacle course. US Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Eric Kestner

Competitors had to clear all six obstacles of the Rangers' notoriously difficult Malvesti Obstacle Course as quickly as possible.

The obstacle course is part of the Army's Ranger School and tests students through a series of pull-ups, rope climbs, ladders, and the "worm pit," a shallow, muddy pit of water covered in barbed wire.

Competitors had little time to recover before proceeding to the Ranger Mile, a series of events that included carrying two 40-pound kettlebells, doing six dead hang chin-ups, and running two runs totaling three miles.

Fast-roping

A US Army soldier propels down a rope from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during an urban operations event. US Army photo by Patrick A. Albright

Teams were also tested on their fast-roping skills, following commands to load onto a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and exiting the aircraft in one minute.

Marksmanship

A US Army Soldier fires his shotgun during the Two-Gun event at Best Ranger Competition. US Army photo by Spc. Kelsey Kollar

Competitors demonstrated their marksmanship with several different firearms, including an M240 machine gun, an M17 pistol, and an M4 shotgun. Each team was given two minutes to familiarize themselves with the weapon, followed by one minute to load, fire at five targets, and unload the weapon.

Rankings in the event were determined by the team's total number of targets hit, and in the event of a tie, the number of rounds remaining after the course was considered as the tiebreaker.

Putting their skills to the test

US Army 1st Lt. Andrew Winski aims the M252 mortar as another soldier observes. US Army Photo by Spc. Justin Yarborough

The second day of the Best Ranger Competition featured a round-robin series of events, including mortar emplacement. Lobbed mortars can rain explosives on enemy positions like trenches and can suppress fire for infantry movements.

Heavy lifting

A US Army first lieutenant tries to turn over a tire. US Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Eric Kestner

Competitors put their physical strength to the test, lifting heavy objects like tires.

Difficult maneuvers

A US Army soldier has a pained expression as he carries a weighted sandbag while low crawling through razor wire. US Army photo by Capt. Stephanie Snyder

Other events included lifting, throwing, or crawling with weighted sandbags.

Simulating real-world Ranger operations

A US Army staff sergeant cuts through an obstacle designed to simulate a steel-reinforced window. US Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Eric Kestner

Competitors tackled obstacles resembling real-world Ranger operations, such as cutting through a steel-reinforced frame or using tools to pry open a door.

Zip-line to the finish

A Best Ranger competitor propels down a zipline during an obstacle course. US Army Photo by Sgt. Paul Won

After completing the day-stakes events, soldiers then underwent an arduous tactical water movement event, which included tasks on land, water, and air. First, competitors embarked on a run to a zip-line tower and zip-lined across the Chattahoochee River.

Paddling along the Chattahoochee

US Army soldiers paddle their kayaks down the Chattahoochee River. US Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Eric Kestner

They then used rafts to paddle along the river, after which they carried on land to the finish line to complete the event.

Another obstacle course

US Soldiers sprint toward swinging ropes to clear a wooden obstacle during the Best Ranger Competition. US Army Reserve photo by Sgt. DeAndre Pierce

The final day of the competition included yet another obstacle course, requiring competitors to climb a rappel tower using a rope. The rest of the course was split into two tracks, allowing teams to compete side-by-side.

3-gun event

A US Army soldier competing in the Best Ranger Competition aims a rifle while positioned on the ground. US Army Photo by Sgt. Paul Won

The third day featured another marksmanship event using an M1911 pistol, an XM7 assault rifle, and an M1 rifle.

Competitors were tasked to move through the course as quickly as possible while engaging with as many targets as they could, with time penalties given for missed targets.

Helocasting

Two US Army Soldiers descend into the water from a UH-60A Black Hawk during the Helocast event. US Army Photo by Spc. Justin Yarborough

As part of the competition, soldiers also had to complete a "helocast," a little-known insertion and exfiltration technique used by US special operations in hostile territory.

Competitors had 10 minutes to construct a poncho raft, which they had to load onto a UH-60 helicopter. The helicopter carried them to an exit point over a pond, where competitors had to swim and transport the raft and equipment to a finish point on shore.

Final buddy run

US Army soldiers run toward the finish line of a race course lined with flags during the Best Ranger Competition. US Army Photo by Sgt. Paul Won

The final event of the three-day competition is a buddy run, in which both team members carry an inert M4 while traveling together toward the finish line.

Newcomer team named Best Ranger

US Army 1st Lt. Andrew Winski and Sgt. Mathew Dunphy hold up their SigSauer P320-M17 pistols next to the Best Ranger Competition Trophy. US Army Photo by Spc. Justin Yarborough

At the end of the competition, scores from all of the events were tallied to determine team rankings  and a team of newcomers came out on top.

Team 40  First Lt. Andrew Winski and Sgt. Matthew Dunphy  earned the highest cumulative marks out of all 56 teams, granting them the title of Best Ranger. Among more than 100 competitors, Winski had the highest marks on marksmanship.

Both first-time competitors, the duo represented the 75th Ranger Regiment, marking the fourth year in a row that members of the unit won the competition.

"It means a lot to me, mostly for my partner, I didn't want to let him down, and we didn't want to let the regiment down," Winski said after completing the buddy run event.

Winski said he was "truly grateful" for the opportunity to participate in the competition and show "what the Army's Ranger Regiment is and  what kind of Rangers we produce."

Gen. James Mingus, the Army's vice chief of staff, acknowledged that completing the competition is no small feat.

"At the end of the day, the physical, mental  all those things have got to come together in a technical way," Mingus said during the awards ceremony after the competition. "You have to be a master at your craft, you have to be at the top of your game physically and intellectually and mentally, which sets this apart from, I think, any other long endurance event that's out there."

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Sen. Debbie Stabenow at the Flint drive-in rally for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden with former President Barack Obama, Oct. 31, 2020 | Andrew Roth

The Biden-Harris Michigan campaign is launching what it characterized to the Advance as a pre-debate offensive against likely GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump with several events across the state this week.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, both Democrats, are vying for reelection in November. Biden and Trump will participate in a 90-minute presidential debate on Thursday at CNN studios in Atlanta. Trump served as president for one term, 2017 to 2021, and lost to Biden in 2020.

This is the first debate between the two men this election. Its taking place months earlier than debates in recent cycles, as absentee voting has become more common.

The Biden campaign is slated to host 25 debate watch parties across the state, including gatherings in Grand Rapids, Detroit and Oakland County.

The Advance reached out to the Michigan Republican Party for comment on its plans this week but did not receive a response.

On Monday, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) and other leaders are scheduled to mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned with events in Flint and Clawson. Aisha Harris, a physician, is slated to participate at the event in Flint. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is slated to join the Clawson rally.

Wayne County Commissioner Alisha Bell (D-Detroit) and former Wayne County Board of Canvass member Jonathan Kinloch on Tuesday are scheduled to headline a press conference in Detroit that will highlight the grave threat Donald Trump poses to democracy with an event in Detroit headlined by leaders who saw Trumps threats of political violence in 2020 firsthand, according to the Biden-Harris campaign

Kinloch, a Detroit Democrat, is also a Wayne County commissioner who was a Wayne County canvasser in 2020 when Republican members first voted against certifying Bidens win over Trump in Michigans largest county and includes Detroit. A recording of a phone call during the day of the meeting obtained by the Detroit News showed Trump pressuring the two GOP Wayne County canvassers, Monica Palmer and William Hartmann, to reject the results.

The canvassers eventually did certify the results, which showed Biden secured about 68% of the vote and Trump received about 31%.

On Wednesday, small business owners in Lansing are slated to sit down for a roundtable discussion with Mayor Andy Schor to discuss Bidens efforts to support small business growth. In Detroit that day, union leaders and members are scheduled to do an event with Mayor Mike Duggan about Bidens pro-union record.

The post Biden campaign plans pre-debate events across Michigan this week appeared first on Michigan Advance.
President Biden on Monday condemned the pro-Palestinian protest outside of a California synagogue, calling the demonstration antisemitic.

Im appalled by the scenes outside of Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles. Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American, Biden said in a post on the social platform X.

A protest on Sunday outside of Adas Torah synagogue turned violent with physical altercations between two groups captured on videos, including footage of people punching and kicking others, KTLA 5 reported.

The president added in his statement, Americans have a right to peaceful protest. But blocked access to a house of worship- and engaging in violence- is never acceptable.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) is set to meet with law enforcement, faith leaders and other officials after the events of Sunday, according to KTLA 5.

Biden also condemned a pro-Palestine protest in New York earlier this month, when demonstrators protested the war in Gaza outside of an exhibit for Oct. 7 victims. He called the protests horrifying.

The White House has condemned antisemitism seen in protests across the U.S., including when Biden noted that some protests on college campuses in May crossed the line toward antisemitism.

During remarks at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museums Annual Days of Remembrance in May, he called on Americans who are ignoring the events of the Holocaust and the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel to stop.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Joe Biden greets Sarah Palin after their vice presidential debate on October 2, 2008 in St. Louis. Credit - Win McNameeGetty Images

This article is part of The D.C. Brief, TIMEs politics newsletter. Sign up here to get stories like this sent to your inbox.

Joe Biden had the final word that August day back in 1987, delivering the final closing remark on a crowded debate stage in Iowa. There was just one problem: his best lines were cribbed. Biden and his team recognized the error instantly and wrongly bet that his intentions mattered more than the offense, that his reputation would overpower any stench of sloppiness.

Almost four decades later, that experience remains the most devastating flub of Bidens long history as a debater, the one that torpedoed his first presidential bid. The moment is most certainly coloring his inner circles preparations for Thursdays debate against former President Donald Trump. Its not enough to own the higher ground if the presentation of the facts gives your opponent fresh ammunition.

A review of Bidens performances on debate stages finds some standout moments, but none as consequential as that one 37 years ago ahead of the Iowa caucus. Seated at tables covered with red cloth and positioned on stage in front of garish yellow curtains, the seven Democratic candidates at that point in the campaign spent two hours fielding questions before an audience still shopping for a nominee. Most of the harsh rhetoric from a field known dismissively as the Seven Dwarfs was firmly directed at the wrapping-up Reagan administration, with a few jabs at the frontrunner, Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, for good measure. But it was largely a familial event at that early leg of the campaign, and in an era before campaign hacks and flacks alike were chained to their smartphones, the stakes were relatively low. Its tough to make something go viral when its on half-inch VHS tapes. Or at least that was the prevailing thinking as the day began.

Biden, then an ambitious senator and chairman of the powerful Judiciary Committee that was considering the nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court, thought he had things under control. He was an only-in-Washington star of the Bork drama unspooling under his watchful leadership. But as he was returning to the campaign trail in Iowa, one thing stuck with him: he didnt much like his closing remarks for that afternoons session at the state fairgrounds. A young aide (and future Democratic National Committee chairman), David Wilhelm, suggested Biden could swap in some language hed been using for the last few weeks, part of a standard speech he borrowed from a British Labor Party Leader Neil Kinnock about breaking barriers. ("One of my great moments," Wilhelm later deadpanned.) Biden said hed try it on for a test.

As soon as Biden climbed down from the debate stage and made his way to his team, he saw the anxiety on the faces of aides Larry Rasky and Tom Donilon. After some back and forth, the trio convinced themselves that reporters had heard Biden use the language beforewith attributionand would give him the benefit of the doubt. The New York Times, in its dispatch from the fairground, mentioned Biden in just one paragraph to note his idea to pay for expanded government programs with sin taxes on booze and cigarettes. There was no mention of any British-birthed phrasing.

From his perspective, Biden was already looking ahead to the next lines on his schedule. The Bork hearings had to be just right, Biden kept telling aides. Everything, including nascent queries about the Kinnock crib, was noise. Tanking the Reagan nominee had to be his priority. Instead, Biden tanked his own chase for the White House nomination.

At the time, Tom Donilon, whose brother Mike is now the chief strategist for the Biden bid in 2024, explained the Kinnock chaos this way: "He didn't know what he was saying. He was on autopilot." In other words, Biden was distracted and paid the price.

And that is often a problem for Biden: he has been doing this so long and at such a high level, he can sometimes be like the rushed student racing the clock on a math quiz. As long as the answer is right, showing his work can be fudged in his mind.

This was the case in 1987, and it took Biden two decades to rebuild his credibility, at which point he launched his 2008 bid with one of his cringiest gaffesdescribing then-Sen. Barack Obama as the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. His also-ran showings on the debate stages against the likes of Obama, Hillary Clinton, and John Edwards left Biden decidedly in the second tier and among the first to quit, although his barb against former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani was first rate: Theres only three things that he mentions in a sentence: a noun, a verb, and 9/11. It was plucky language that most Democrats would not have dared to play, even seven years after the 2001 terror attacks.

Bidens second bid failed but led to Obama tapping him as a running mate, setting up Bidens lone 2008 vice presidential debate against Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. His performance that night was hardly a home run, but Bidens tentativeness was understandable. Not only was his oldest child, Beau Biden, deploying to Iraq the next day, but the Obama campaign was sensitive to how Biden should handle himself against a female candidate, particularly after Obamas own likable enough gaffe against Clinton earlier that year.

Four years later, a far looser Biden came roaring back when he faced GOP VP pick Paul Ryan. Unbridled from fears of coming off as a return of Rick Laziothe Republican who ran against Hillary Clinton in 2006s Senate race in New York and became an avatar for political misogynyBiden didnt have to worry about gender politics. Malarky! Biden erupted when Ryan tried to promote the GOP platform. And when Ryan tried to defend a proposal to lower tax rates by invoking John F. Kennedys balance sheets, Biden gleefully pounced: Oh, now youre Jack Kennedy? he demanded of Ryan, evoking Sen. Lloyd Bentsens famous ding of Dan Quayle during the 1988 VP debate.

But that Biden boldness quickly falls away whenever he feels trapped, as was the case in 2019 in Miami. When then-Sen. Kamala Harris challenged Bidens record on desegregation, Biden remembered all of the drills from 2008 about how to handle jabs from women on a debate stage and clammed up. I did not oppose busing, Biden said, keeping his words careful and tight. Elsewhere in that debate, he found himself cutting his own answers off: My time is up. Im sorry.

It may not have been Bidens strongest debate performance, but Democrats are hoping he can adopt that same discipline on Thursday against Trump. Discipline will be critical for Biden, who has shown he has little patience for his abrasive predecessorand potential successorin these settings. Will you shut up, man? Biden demanded with incredulity in response to Trumps constant interruptions four years ago during one of their two debates. These days, Biden tends to avoid even saying Trumps name, instead opting for the other guy as a go-to euphemism.

Despite all evidence, Biden continues to act as if his audience will be more forgiving of him than he has any reason to expect. That was the mistake in 1987, and it may be happening again this cycle amid concerns about the 81-year-old Bidens ability to handle the job of President for four more years. Against a rival who never lets merit or facts get in the way, a long-winded Biden might be right 95% of the time, but its the 5% that will bring him the most troubles And in that sliver of events, the 2024 race may be decided, no matter how much of his decades of self-confidence he has at the ready.

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Write to Philip Elliott at philip.elliott@time.com.
Biden and Trump

President Biden and former President Donald Trump are seen during their September 29, 2020 debate. The two will debate again this Thursday June 27. (Photo by Morry Gash-Pool/Getty Images)

Since their advent in 1960, modern televised presidential debates have always taken place in the latter days of the campaign  usually in October.

This year, things will be very different. The first of two debates between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will take place this Thursday, June 27 in Atlanta  in the heat of summer and prior even to the formal party nominations that each man will receive in July (Trump) and August (Biden). A second earlier-than-usual debate is currently scheduled for Tuesday, September 10.

And in keeping with what has clearly been an all-out effort by the Biden-Harris campaign to capitalize on the momentum it senses it has gathered in the aftermath of Trumps conviction in May on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a hush money payoff to a porn star, North Carolina  a state that Trump won handily in 2016 and narrowly in 2020  has risen to become priority for the Democratic ticket in 2024.

Its already been widely reported that President and First Lady Jill Biden will travel to the Raleigh area on Friday as one of their first stops after the debate, but Newsline has learned that the Friday appearance will actually serve as the culmination of a week of intense campaign activity in the state  one that commenced last Friday with an event highlighting the second anniversary of the Supreme Courts Dobbs ruling that ended the constitutional right to abortion and continued on Sunday with the opening of a Raleigh campaign office.

Among the events scheduled in the coming days, according to a campaign representative:

Monday, June 24: Dobbs Anniversary Press Conference with U.S. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, Congresswoman Alma Adams, and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles: On the day of the anniversary of the Dobbs decision, U.S. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Congresswoman Alma Adams, and State Representative Diamond Staton-Williams will join local leaders, health care providers and storytellers to campaign for President Biden and Vice President Harris and underscore the threat a second Donald Trump term poses to North Carolinians reproductive freedoms.

Tuesday, June 25: Dobbs Anniversary Roundtable with State Representative Lindsay Prather, former State Senator Terry Van Duyn, storytellers, advocates and providers: North Carolina elected officials, providers, and advocates will hold a roundtable discussion to underscore the importance of this election in determining our reproductive freedoms.

Tuesday, June 25: Campaign Reception in Charlotte with First Lady Jill Biden: Ahead of the debate and a rally in Raleigh with President Joe Biden, the First Lady will attend a campaign reception in Charlotte.

Wednesday, June 26: Pre-debate press call with economists and business leaders about Trumps threat to our economy: Economists and business leaders from across the state will hold a press call focused on the contrast between President Bidens delivering for working and middle class families across North Carolina, ushering in the strongest economy in the world and bringing unemployment to historic lows, with Donald Trumps push to slash taxes for his billionaire friends and large corporations.

Thursday, June 27: Debate Watch Parties across North Carolina: The campaign will host 24 watch parties across the state with over 1000 attendees  with countless other North Carolinians hosting watch parties in their homes. Watch parties will serve as a way to fire up volunteers and demonstrate to voters the stark contrast between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Friday, June 28: Immediately following the debate, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will travel to North Carolina for a rally in the Raleigh area.

The representative told Newsline the campaign will also host more than 150 events across the state next weekend  canvass launches, phonebanks, volunteer trainings, and other events  leading up to Fridays presidential visit.

CBS reports that Donald Trump, who has not campaigned in North Carolina since severe weather scuttled a planned Wilmington rally in April, has announced that his first post-debate campaign event will take place somewhere in the Virginia Beach-Hampton Roads region of Virginia  an area that is accessible to many residents of northeastern North Carolina.

The post Biden-Harris campaign planning a flurry of activity in NC during debate week appeared first on NC Newsline.
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.
President Joe Biden on Monday weighed in after a 42-year-old Texas woman was accused of trying to drown a Palestinian American girl at a swimming pool.

The president said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he was deeply disturbed by reports of the attack.

No child should ever be subjected to a violent attack, and my heart goes out to the family, he said.

The incident took place on May 19 in Euless, a Dallas suburb, and has prompted calls from the local chapter of CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, for a hate crime investigation. The girl and her family are Muslim, and they were confronted while her mother was wearing a hijab, CAIR said.

According to Euless police, the 3-year-old girl was playing at the pool with her 6-year-old brother and mother when they were confronted by Elizabeth Wolf.

The girls mother told police that Wolf asked where she was from and if the children were hers before grabbing the boy. He pulled away, then Wolf grabbed the 3-year-old and forced her underwater, authorities said.

The 3-year-old girl and her brother were playing at the pool while their mother watched them. CAIR

Her mother pulled her from the water, and both children were evaluated and cleared by medics, authorities said. Wolf was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication and later charged with attempted capital murder and injury to a child.

The mother of the two children stated that Wolf made statements about her not being an American and other racial statements, police said.

According to CAIR, as Wolf was being arrested, she allegedly shouted to a bystander who was comforting the mother, Tell her I will kill her, and I will kill her whole family.

In a statement provided by CAIR, the mother said her daughter remains traumatized.

We are American citizens, originally from Palestine, and I dont know where to go to feel safe with my kids, she said in the statement. My country is facing a war, and we are facing that hate here.

Related...
Joe Biden has singled out Donald Trumps influence on rolling back abortion rights in an attack on his presidential rival on the second anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned.

The president hit out at the presumptive Republican nominee for appointing three conservative justices to vacancies on the Supreme Court, which ripped away reproductive health rights two years ago.

Biden also highlighted how Trump brags about the Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision, which overturned the federal legal right to an abortion.

Donald Trump is the sole person responsible for this nightmare, Biden said in a statement issued by his reelection campaign team.

Monday marks two years since the seismic ruling, and the Biden campaign is using the anniversary to rally support for the Democratic Party ahead of Novembers vote. To that end, Vice President Kamala Harris is spearheading more than 50 events championing reproductive rights in battleground states.

Trumps position is that reproductive rights should be left to the states. Over the weekend, Trump said his administration did something that was amazing with Dobbs as he spoke at an evangelical conference.

The Biden statement read: Two years ago today, Donald Trumps Supreme Court majority ripped away the fundamental freedom for women to access the health care they need and deserve. The consequences have been devastating: in states across the country, Trumps allies have enacted extreme and dangerous abortion bans  many with no exception for rape or incest  that are putting womens lives at risk and threatening doctors with jail time.

Donald Trump is the sole person responsible for this nightmare, the statement continued. For him, these cruel state bans are a beautiful thing to watch  and theyre just beginning. This is a man who brags about overturning Roe v. Wade, has called for women who access reproductive health care to be punished  and says he would rule as a dictator on day one. If given the chance, there is no question he will ban abortion nationwide, with or without the help of Congress. You dont have to take my word for it  his advisors have already laid out the plans to do it.

The statement added: I will never let that happen. Everywhere I go, I hear from people who are worried about the state of reproductive health care in America. My message to Americans is this: Kamala and I are fighting like hell to get your freedom back. And we wont stop until we restore the protections of Roe v. Wade for every woman in every state.

Related...
President Joe Biden and Donald Trump return to the debate stage Thursday for the first time in four years -- but this time under a significant new set of rules.

ABC News spoke with experts on how that could help, or hurt, each candidate -- and what difference it could make for American voters watching the showdown.

The two rivals will face off in a studio at CNN's Atlanta headquarters in prime time on Thursday for the first presidential debate of the 2024 election.

While it won't be the first time Biden and Trump have gone toe-to-toe on policy (the two sparred twice in 2020) it will look a lot different from debates past because of the guidelines established by CNN and agreed upon by both campaigns.

The candidates' microphones will be muted unless it's their turn to speak. There will be no live studio audience to react to zingers or other "moments" during the 90-minutes, a first since the 1960 debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.

MORE: Biden, Trump agree to ABC News and CNN debates

There will be two commercial breaks, though Trump and Biden won't be able to consult with their teams during them. The candidates are not allowed any props or prewritten notes, and will only be given a pen, paper and water.

A CNN coin flip won by Biden means he will stand at a lectern on the the right-side of the stage while Trump will be on the left, though Trump will get the last word by delivering his closing statement second.

Overall, experts told ABC News the rules could make for a more substantive, issue-focused debate rather than the raucous personal attacks and talking over each other that defined the first Biden-Trump matchup .

Still, they said there is more than enough room for the buzzy theatrics that have defined modern presidential debates.

"Despite the fact that these rules are pretty strict, we're going to see some fireworks," Brandon Rottinghaus, a professor of political science at the University of Houston, told ABC News.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden and moderator and Fox News anchor Chris Wallace speak during the first presidential debate in Cleveland, OH, Sep. 29, 2020. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

"How will Joe Biden handle a kind of off-the-leash Donald Trump? How bold will Trump be?" Rottinghaus said. "This is really a clash of personalities, and as much as it was in 2020, I think you'll see those factors as important in this debate as any other."

Many of the debate conditions were set out by the Biden campaign when it challenged Trump last month to participate in two debates before November. The campaign posted a video baiting Trump to agree, which he and his team did almost immediately.

Several experts said they believe the format will in fact benefit Biden.

"I can't think of a better scenario for Joe Biden," said presidential historian Douglas Brinkley. "Whereas, Trump plays better in front of a crowd. A shut-off microphone for Trump with no audience seems to me a demotion from his grandiose campaign style."

Mitchell McKinney, a professor of political communication at the University of Akron, agreed that the various rules "really do play into Biden's advantage."

MORE: Debates offer candidates large, risky platform for contrast: ANALYSIS

Trump's bombastic style made for memorable moments in the 2016 cycle when he lashed out at his Republican primary opponents and later lurked behind Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

The first 2020 debate between Biden and Trump spiraled into near-constant interruptions and candidates speaking at the same time. At one point, Biden turned to Trump and told him, "Will you shut up, man?"

Some microphone muting was implemented for their second and final debate, which turned out to be more civil.

There are still questions about how CNN's rule about microphone muting will work in practice on Thursday.

Biden and Trump will be given two minutes to answer questions posed by moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, followed by one-minute each to respond and rebut. A red light will to warn each candidate he has five seconds remaining. When their allotted time is up, the light will turn solid red. It's unclear if a candidate's microphone will be cut off if he's are still speaking.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden participate in the first presidential debate in Cleveland, OH, Sep. 29, 2020. (Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

It also remains to be seen whether the speaking candidate's microphone will pick up efforts to interrupt by his opponent -- even though that candidate's mic would be muted.

"The attempt to control that, I think, is a good thing," Alan Schroeder, a professor emeritus of journalism at Northeastern University who has written several books about presidential debates, told ABC News. "I don't know in practice how that will work."

Some experts said the more subdued setting could be good for Trump in that it could rein in some of his more inflammatory conduct -- which was not popular with viewers in 2020.

MORE: Trump expects Biden to be a 'worthy debater' after spending months attacking his mental fitness

"There's a risk that no audience could make Trump look and act more like a normal candidate," said Rottinghaus. "If there was an audience, he would definitely ham it up and would play to them, which oftentimes leads him astray."

The CNN debate will be the first of two debates this cycle, and marks the earliest debate in U.S. history. The second will be hosted by ABC News on Sept. 10.

"I think it's going to be an historic and epic debate," Brinkley said. "The fact is that with Trump and Biden, it's the first time ever that we've had two people that have been president going at each other."

Biden-Trump debate's a rematch, but will muted mics and other new rules make a difference? originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
With the CNN presidential debate on Thursday, President Joe Biden and the GOP frontrunner Donald Trump are well into their preparation. It will be the first match-up between the pair during the 2024 election season.

Like everything else about the Democratic and Republican rivals, their debate preparations are at odds with one another.

U.S. President Joe Biden in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 19, 2024, and Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump in Atkinson, New Hampshire on January 16, 2024.

How is Biden preparing for the debate?

Unsurprisingly, Biden is sticking with a well-tested script for his debate prep. The president has reportedly flown with top advisors to Camp David to prepare. The private retreat in the secluded Maryland mountains has long been a favorite among presidents undergoing debate prep.

Advisors told ABC News that Biden will focus on Trumps track record during his presidency and recent remarks on the campaign trail about reproductive rights, the economy, and immigration policy. Another sticking point for Biden will be Trumps comment that he plans to be a dictator on day one.

U.S. President Joe Biden disembarks from Air Force One to board Marine One en route to Camp David at Hagerstown Regional Airport in Hagerstown, Maryland on June 20, 2024.

Those hoping to see Dark Brandon on stagethe internets edgier Biden alter egomay be disappointed. Advisors said Biden will likely appear more disciplined on stage, purposefully positioning himself in stark contrast to Trumps unruly style.

Biden is getting some direct experience with that style this weekor as close as he can get without Trump in the room. According to POLITICO, Bidens personal attorney, Bob Bauer, is rumored to be acting as a stand-in for Trump during mock debates at Camp David. This would be a reprisal of his role from 2020 debate prep, when Bauers job was anticipating how Trump would attack Biden on stage.

He told POLITICO the goal of these mock debates was to approximate as closely as you possibly can how it is that that individual, the opponent, is going to debate That doesnt mean high theater. This is not a Saturday Night Live impression. You dont want to detract from the serious business of prepping the candidate.

How is Trump preparing for the debate?

Trump reportedly takes a less calculated approach to debate prep, campaigning much of the week. That isnt to say its left his mindhe talked about the upcoming debate for long stretches during his 90-minute rally on Saturday.

Former President Donald Trump campaigns for reelection in Philadelphia on June 22, 2024.

He ridiculed Biden for making the trip to Camp David, telling the Philadelphia crowd, Its been reported that right now, Crooked Joes gone to a log cabin to study, prepare.

Trump claimed that was false: No, he didnt. Hes sleeping now because they want to get him good and strong.

The former president even suggested Biden would be given cocaine to enhance his debate performance, saying, So a little before debate time, he gets a shot in the ass Hell come out all jacked up Whatever happened to all that cocaine that was missing a month ago?

His rhetoric, popular among his supporters at rallies, may not play as well at debates, Republican officials warned. The Hill reported that Senate Republicans urged Trump to tone down the personal attacks at the debate.

If I were President Trump, I would talk about right track, wrong track, Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham told The Hill. I dont think he needs to be overly aggressive.

Despite the bombastic talk, Trump is doing some untraditional debate prep. According to ABC News, Trump has been meeting with policy experts and advisors between campaign rallies and fundraisers. Hes held sessions with experts on immigration, the economy, and democracy.

The Thursday debate will show how Trump and Bidens differing styles resonate with voters. The CNN presidential debate will be available at 9 p.m. ET on CNN or simulcast on USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump, Biden prepare differently for CNN presidential debate
Biden's Education Department is considering avenues to make 450,000 more workers eligible for a key student-debt cancellation program

US President of the United States Joe Biden delivers remarks on student debt and lowering costs for Americans at Madison College in Madison, Wisconsin, United States on April 8, 2024. Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images

The Education Department is requesting information on expanding Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility.

It's considering the inclusion of for-profit early childhood educators in PSLF.

450,000 more workers could benefit from the program if they have federal loans, per federal estimates.

President Joe Biden's Education Department wants feedback on making more student-loan borrowers eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

PSLF forgives student debt for government and nonprofit workers after 10 years of qualifying payments, and under Biden, over 900,000 borrowers have been approved for relief through the program.

However, according to an announcement from the Education Department last week, the program has excluded early childhood educators since its inception in 2007 because many of them run small businesses, and their own or their employer's for-profit tax statuses make them ineligible for PSLF.

As a result, the Education Department issued a Request for Information on what it would entail to extend PSLF eligibility to early childhood educators. This could make 450,000 workers eligible for the program if they have federal student loans, according to data from the HHS's National Survey of Early Care and Education.

"Early childhood educators help young children learn, grow, and thrive. But they are often poorly compensated, and student debt is a problem," Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal said in a statement. "If these educators can access Public Service Loan Forgiveness, we can help our youngest children, their families, and their communities."

The public can submit comments to the Federal Register regarding information, research, and suggestions on including for-profit early childhood educators in PSLF here. The public comment period ends on July 22.

According to background information from the Education Department, this information request will not be used as part of the formal rulemaking process related to for-profit workers and PSLF eligibility; rather, it'll be used to help the department develop non-rulemaking approaches related to this issue.

Expanding student-loan forgiveness eligibility to these workers could be significant, particularly because early childhood educators are among the lowest-paid jobs in the US, largely made up of women. According to Berkeley's Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, those working full-time with toddlers and infants are paid up to $8,375 less a year than those who work with preschoolers. Immigrants and women of color are disproportionately impacted by this disparity.

This follows work the Education Department has already done to reform PSLF. Through its one-time account adjustments, the department is bringing borrowers' payments through PSLF and income-driven repayment plans up to date, getting them closer to the loan forgiveness promised through the programs.

Are you an early childhood educator who would benefit from Public Service Loan Forgiveness? Share your story with this reporter at asheffey@businessinsider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The biggest questions the Supreme Court will answer this week

The Supreme Court will likely issue the final rulings of its current term this week, wrapping up some of the highest profile battles from the past nine months.

The cases still in need of resolution include former President Donald Trumps request for presidential immunity, a challenge to the Chevron doctrine, a clash over emergency room care for pregnant women and a battle over whether Jan. 6 protesters were charged with the right crime.

Heres an overview of some of the key questions the court is expected to answer this week.

Remaining Supreme Court cases

Trump v. United States

Key questions: Whats the scope of presidential immunity? Can Trump be prosecuted for allegedly working to overturn the 2020 presidential election while in office?

Lower court ruling: The lower courts rejected Trumps claim that presidents enjoy broad immunity from criminal prosecution.

Why it matters: In the short term, a ruling for Trump would derail the election interference case against him and potentially make it easier for him to be reelected in November. In the long term, the ruling could change the nature of the presidency, making future leaders feel either more invincible or more vulnerable.

Relentless v. Department of Commerce

Consolidated with : Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo

Key question: Should federal agencies have broad authority to interpret and enforce vague policies passed by Congress?

Lower court ruling: The federal government won at the circuit court level in each of the now-consolidated cases. The judges upheld whats called the Chevron doctrine, deferring to a federal agencys interpretation of a law governing commercial fishing.

Why it matters: Chevron deference has shaped the work of the federal government since the 1980s, influencing the rule-making process for everything from the environment to religious freedom. If the court overturns it, the pressure would be on Congress to pass clearer policies.

Moyle v. United States

Consolidated with: Idaho v. United States

Key question: What wins out when state-level abortion bans conflict with a federal law regarding emergency medical treatment for pregnant women?

Lower court ruling: The Biden administration, which is fighting to block Idahos near-total abortion ban, won at the district court level and again when the full 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard the case. Those rulings put Idahos abortion law on hold, but the Supreme Court allowed it to go into effect when it agreed to hear the case.

Why it matters: A ruling for Idaho would build on the Supreme Courts 2022 decision returning control over abortion rights to the states, further complicating the Biden administrations effort to protect abortion access.

City of Grants Pass v. Johnson

Key question : Do bans on public camping turn homelessness into a crime?

Lower court ruling : The lower courts ruled against the city of Grants Pass, Oregon, saying that its anti-camping law amounts to cruel and unusual punishment because there arent enough beds at shelters in the area to serve the homeless population.

Why it matters: The courts ruling could affect how communities nationwide, including in Utah, respond to the homelessness crisis.

Fischer v. United States

Key question : Were Jan. 6 protesters prosecuted for the wrong crime?

Lower court ruling : More than a dozen lower court judges have ruled that it was appropriate to charge the protesters with violating a federal law prohibiting obstructing or impeding official proceedings. But in Fischer v. United States, a district court judge ruled that the law shouldnt apply in the context of Jan. 6 since it was designed to address evidence tampering. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit then reinstated the charge, per SCOTUSblog.

Why it matters: If the Supreme Court rules that the federal statute in question should not apply to Jan. 6 protesters, prosecutors across the country would likely need to revisit more than 100 cases and change their approach to hundreds of others, including one against Trump.

Moody v. Netchoice

Consolidated with: Netchoice v. Paxton

Key question: Can states regulate social media sites content moderation policies?

Lower court rulings: The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a law in Texas that aims to prevent social media sites like Facebook and X from basing content moderation decisions on the views a user is promoting. But the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals blocked most of a similar law in Florida from taking effect.

Why it matters: The Supreme Courts ruling will clarify the scope of social media sites free speech rights and move conservative politicians long-term battle against these sites into a new phase.

Ohio v. EPA

Consolidated with: Kinder Morgan v. EPA; American Forest & Paper v. EPA; U.S. Steel Corp. v. EPA

Key question: Can the Environmental Protection Agency implement its plan to reduce ozone pollution?

Lower court rulings: Lower courts have not yet ruled on whether the EPAs plan can take effect permanently. In these four cases, state officials and companies affected by the proposed air quality rules are challenging a D.C. Circuit ruling saying the plan can take effect at least temporarily.

Why it matters: The Supreme Courts ruling will likely hint at how the justices feel about the EPAs actions, giving court watchers a sense of how much authority the EPA will have in the future to combat air pollution.

When is the Supreme Courts next decision day?

The Supreme Courts next decision day is Wednesday, June 26.

Opinions will be released on the courts website beginning at 8 a.m. MDT.

The Supreme Court will likely also release opinions on Thursday and Friday.

The justices typically wrap up their term by July 1.

Major Supreme Court decisions handed down so far

The Supreme Court has already issued rulings in most of the cases from this term.

Read these stories to catch up on the most notable decisions:
The Generation Schools Network held a ceremonial bill signing for House Bill 24-1216, which establishes a bill of rights that schools must follow for K-12 students involved in the juvenile or criminal justice system. (Courtesy of Generation Schools Network)

Michelle Villanuevas 16-year-old son, who has autism, was arrested when he was 11 for what she believes was disability-related behavior with a bully in school. Five years later, her son is just now getting back on track in school, she said.

Villanueva didnt know where to go or who to talk to when her son was arrested, and while he spent only a day in jail, his arrest has slowed his progress in school. Had she been connected to the right resources sooner, the transition back to school could have been smoother for her son, Villanueva said.

Thats what a new state law promises to provide.

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House Bill 24-1216 establishes a bill of rights that schools must follow for K-12 students involved in the juvenile or criminal justice system. The bill outlines different paths those students can follow to get back into school, earn credit for school work they do while in the system, and work toward graduation.

As soon as a student is released from custody, a school under the new law must contact their family within three days to begin conversations on the students return to school, and the student must be reenrolled within 10 business days. Students must also be evaluated for giftedness, and they must receive credit for coursework completed while theyre incarcerated and be set up with a graduation plan.

Over the next year, a working group established by the bill will meet to determine specifics around the new policies and best practices. Schools will need to have the new requirements implemented by August 2025, ahead of the school year.

House Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, a Denver Democrat, who sponsored the bill, said it affirms that justice-engaged students have the same rights as any other K-12 student. It also ensures the various state agencies that keep records on the same students communicate properly and share relevant data.

The state keeps track of kids in so many different ways, but the systems werent talking to each other, Bacon said. They were aware of each other, but they werent connected in a way to provide a continuum of support for kids.

Jose Silva, vice president of equity initiatives at Generation Schools Network, a Denver-based nonprofit that works to improve school environments, said his organization worked directly with a group of justice-engaged students to see what prevented those students from getting back into school and succeeding. They held community forums where students, families and school leaders talked about what they needed, recommendations that eventually led to the bill being introduced this spring.

They believe that these are kids that fall through the cracks, and that it is a better investment in getting them reconnected to school than having them drop out or just recidivating, Bacon said about GSN.

The bill also establishes a hotline that families and justice-engaged students can reach out to for support. Silva said the hotline will be the game changer in the bill, as it will not only help students already involved in the justice system, but it also can prevent other students from getting into trouble. He said people who contact the hotline with concerns or questions will be connected to the proper resources.

(The bill) reiterates our values that we have all proclaimed in these systems, but may not really be happening in reality.

 House Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon

Villanuevas son was arrested after he was involved in a physical conflict with another student, she said. Her son is sensitive to touch and isnt always verbal, and his response during the experience, which included repeatedly hitting his head and face on a seat back while handcuffed in a police car, resulted in injuries, she said.

Villanueva said she had to pay bond to get her son out of custody. She checked him into a childrens hospital, where he stayed for nine days. A requirement of his bond was that he had to be in school, and she wasnt sure how to proceed, given his hospital stay. She spoke with a variety of lawyers and advocates throughout the process, as she didnt know who was the right person to talk to. She connected with an educational advocate  as would now be required by the new law. If she hadnt, she isnt sure how long her son would have been out of school.

This bill builds clarity as far as, Hey, if youre engaged, you call this point of contact, and theyre responsible for getting you education, Villanueva said.

Villanueva said that had the policies in the new law been implemented when her son was arrested, she would have had better direction and a roadmap on how to work through the various processes.

In the first year after the policies are implemented, Silva said as many as 22,000 students will receive additional support under the new requirements. He said the bill will have major economic benefits for the state if more of these students are able to graduate, pursue higher education and join the workforce, instead of costing the state money in corrections.

What I hope is that we partner together collectively as a coalition, as a state, and ensure due diligence and do right by these students, many of which ended up justice-engaged due to social situations, epigenetic trauma, and then we just toss them to the wayside, Silva said.

Silva said school district leaders can start to think about how they will implement the new bill of rights for justice-engaged students, but the working group will help them establish essential definitions and standard practices. Each school district will have to designate a staff member to be the primary point of contact for students involved in the criminal justice system within their district.

Valerie Mosley, a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Education, said the department is still identifying a facilitator to support the working group, with updates anticipated later this summer. She said the department is working with the courts and the Colorado Department of Human Services to determine who will serve on the working group.

Bacon said kids have to go to school even while in custody, and if their school wont accept the credits they earned while incarcerated, theyre more likely to drop out. She said the bill will lead to school districts not only reenrolling students, but providing the services and support they need to work toward success and avoid recidivism.

It reiterates our values that we have all proclaimed in these systems, but may not really be happening in reality, Bacon said. So we wanted to be sure that were doing what we said were supposed to be doing.

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Bird flu virus has been a longstanding issue in Idaho, having plagued Idahos poultry and waterfowl populations for years. But this years strain is bringing something new  its ability to infect cows.

Since cows from a Texas dairy farm in March marked the first U.S. case of a cow infected with H5N1, the latest strain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the virus has spread to 12 states, including Idaho. Dairy workers and public health officials are now grappling with how to protect an industry worth billions of dollars to the state, according to the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation.

Cassia County dairy cows were the first to become infected after exposure to Texas-imported cattle in March, and the virus has now spread to at least 21 other dairy operations in Idaho  many of which have not been exposed to out-of-state cattle, according to the Department of Agriculture.

State officials and the Dairymens Association told the Idaho Statesman dairy farms are doing their best to reduce the spread of H5N1.

As best we can, were trying to help out dairy operations to protect their workers and make sure they have the information on hand, Idaho State Epidemiologist Christine Hahn told the Statesman, and can decide the things that are really most critical  (to) keep infection potentially from spreading from facility to facility.

Dairies struggle with losses from H5N1

Cows sick with H5N1 can significantly impact dairy farm revenue. The hardest-hit dairies can lose up to 20% of their milk production for up to a month, Rick Naerebout, chief executive officer of the Idaho Dairymens Association, told the Statesman. The American Association of Bovine Practitioners estimated that H5N1 infections can cause a financial loss of up to $200 per cow.

But Idaho dairy farmers have been reluctant to report H5N1 cases and to give regulatory agencies open access to their operations. That access can include invasive requests from the USDA for nasal swabs and blood tests on workers and regular testing of cows, Naerebout said. He said dairy farmers in Idaho would be willing to provide anonymous data and analysis testing but wouldnt want to be identified.

Farmers also havent yet seen the compensation they were promised from the USDA, Naerebout added, which is partly why theyre hesitant to share more information. The USDA is required to compensate farmers for 90% of lost milk production that is due to H5N1, but dairy farms in Idaho have yet to see open applications for lost milk reimbursement, Naerebout said.

Marissa Perry, a spokesperson for the USDA, told the Statesman by email that the agency is working to make the funding available soon. Naerebout declined to say how much compensation hes expecting dairy farms to need.

Theres been little upside for dairy producers coming forward and inviting agencies on their dairy, Naerebout told the Statesman. Just because there is a hesitation to invite federal agencies into our operation doesnt mean that the dairymen arent doing the right thing and taking all the proper precautions to try and prevent spread to other dairies and their workers.

Idaho responds to H5N1 cases

Hahn, the state epidemiologist, said the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is working with the Department of Agriculture and the Dairymens Association to provide personal protective equipment. The Dairymens Association has also helped to provide protective equipment to its members through the National Stockpile, a national repository, Hahn said.

Idahos State Veterinarian Scott Leibsle noted that many dairy workers wore protective equipment even before reported H5N1 cases because cows often carry other viruses or bacteria.

While there has yet to be a positive human case in Idaho, any infected workers will be offered the antiviral Tamiflu at no cost, Hahn said, which was recommended by the CDC. If workers know they were exposed or think they might be sick, they can reach out to their health district and provide a sample, Hahn told the Statesman. The sample is sent to a public health lab, and the results can be received as quickly as within 24 hours.

But Idahos restrictions remain looser than some states. At the height of cattle exhibition season, Minnesota, for example, is restricting cattle shows, and requiring cows to have negative H5N1 test results and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, according to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Most of Idahos H5N1 safety protocols, like personal protection equipment, are recommendations and not requirements.

What the farm workers do is really their business, Hahn said.

What we know about bird flu

One hurdle to stopping the spread of bird flu is the lack of information about how its transmitted among cows. The virus spreads in birds through their saliva, mucous and feces. According to the CDC, thats likely how cows were initially infected in March, through contaminated food and water sources  but its unclear how the virus has spread since then.

While birds may still be spreading the virus, were still trying to figure it out, Leibsle told the Statesman. Is it from cattle movement, virus on your boots or your tires or on equipment?

Identifying contamination risks and stiffening up protocols on personal protective equipment will be important for containing the spread in Idaho, Leibsle said.

To get a better understanding of virus spread, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has started to look for H5N1 in wastewater samples, Hahn said, which is a testing technique that gained popularity during COVID-19. H5N1 has shown up a few times in one of the Boise wastewater treatment plants, Hahn said, though the agency hasnt identified the source of the particles.

Testing for H5N1 in wastewater could someday give valuable information about the presence and spread of the virus and inform officials about a potential outbreak, Hahn told the Statesman.

If an outbreak were to happen, were feeling much more confident than COVID-19 that we would be able to respond quickly should we start to see cases in humans, Hahn said.
The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast at Bay Preserve in Osprey has received a $350,000 grant from the Bishop-Parker Foundation to support the purchase of a 58-acre conservation easement in Manatee County.

BRADENTON  The Bishop-Parker Foundation recently awarded more than $1.5 million in grants during its spring 2024 grant cycle, including $736,164 in grants to eight nonprofits in Manatee County.

The awards feature the foundations first foray into environmental support with a $350,000 grant to the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast.

Ned and Patty Bishop and Mary Parker greatly valued Manatee Countys waterways and natural features, said Wendy Deming, CEO of Bishop-Parker Foundation. The environment was an integral part of why they lived here, so the foundation wants to do all it can to protect Manatee Countys shorelines and natural lands.

The grant will support the Conservation Foundations purchase of a 58-acre conservation easement in Manatee County  one of the last large, undeveloped land parcels west of I-75 that borders Gap Creek (a tributary to the Braden River).

By preserving this land, we are protecting the drinking water supply of the city of Bradenton and protecting animal habitat that is quickly getting paved over, said Christine Johnson, president of Conservation Foundation. Protecting this land is vital to safeguarding local waters and increasing community resiliency.

The Bishop-Parker Foundation also awarded a $90,000 capital grant to The Center of Anna Maria Island for the installation of a new air-conditioning system. The Florida Center for Early Childhood received an $86,000 capital grant to establish an office location in Manatee County.

The Bishop-Parker Foundations spring 2024 grant cycle includes support for ongoing education, health, and human services programs in Manatee County:

 $70,000 to Academy at Bradenton for its nutrition enhancement program.

 $25,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast for its one-on-one mentoring program.

 $50,000 to Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County for its Spot On program.

 $50,000 to Easterseals Southwest Florida for its Summer Excel program.

 $50,000 to Forty Carrots Family Center for its Partners in Play program.

 $35,000 to Healthy Teens for operating funds.

 $20,000 to Jewish Family & Childrens Service of the Suncoast for mental health services.

 $30,000 to Neuro Challenge Foundation to support a care adviser position in Manatee County.

 $97,800 to Pace Center for Girls to support an education coordinator position.

 $17,500 to Stillpoint Mission for utility bill funding for clients.

 $48,000 to Take Stock in Children for scholarships for disadvantaged Manatee County students.

 $20,000 to The Haven for health care services for residents.

 $40,000 to Truly Valued for its I AM Academy.

 $200,000 to Turning Points for dental services for low-income adults.

 $64,000 to UnidosNow for funding for a Manatee County program manager.

 $35,000 to Womens Resource Center for resource advising.

The complete list of Bishop-Parker Foundation spring 2024 capital grants is $350,000 to Conservation Foundation for land preservation; $25,000 to Foundation for Dreams for the purchase of adaptable furniture; $40,000 to Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center for Hurricane Ian repairs; $70,679 to Manatee Childrens Services for roofing and termite removal; $25,000 to Our Daily Bread of Bradenton for a refrigerated van; $49,485 to Step Up Suncoast for shaded playground improvements; $90,000 to The Center of Anna Maria Island for a new air-conditioning system; and $86,000 to The Florida Center for Early Childhood for establishing a Manatee County office.

More information is available at bishopparkerfoundation.org.

Submitted by Wendy Deming

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Bishop-Parker Foundation makes first foray into environmental support
Blue Springs residents seeing increase in car break-ins

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo.  Some Blue Springs residents have seen an uptick in car break-ins recently.

One Stonebridge resident shared Ring surveillance footage with FOX4 that shows that moments after thieves broke into her neighbors cars.

Drug investigation leads to four-person arrest, one baby deer saved

According to the Blue Springs Police Department, theft from cars tends to rise in the summer months.

I havent experienced anything at my house. I do leave a car out, but I make sure that it is locked; I try to, Blue Springs resident Curtis Walton said.

Linda Young, a Blue Springs resident, said her license plate was stolen from her car not too long ago.

Young said that, fortunately, she hasnt been the victim of a car break-in and takes precautions to ensure that she will not be.

I do have a neighborhood app and I do notice posts about things being stolen things out of cars. I just havent had that problem, but I park my car in my garage, Young explained.

According to the Blue Springs Police Department, theft from cars tends to rise during the warmer months.

BSPD encourages people to lock their cars, take all items inside, and never leave any belongings in plain sight.

Toddler, teen ejected in overnight serious injury crash in Kansas City

Additionally, the Police Department said residents should never leave a firearm in the car as more than half the guns stolen in the U.S. come from vehicles.

Any suspicious activity or theft from vehicles should be reported to your local police department.

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The hull of the burned boat at Lakeshore Drive Boat Ramp can be seen in the water with a portion of the boat close to the dock and other pieces visible in the water.

EUSTIS  The Eustis Fire Department is working with Florida State Fire Marshals Office to investigate a fire that burned a boat down to the water line as it was being launched on Sunday afternoon, June 23, at the Lakeshore Drive Boat Ramp. The incident resulted in injuries.

One person was sent to a hospital in Orlando with injuries on Sunday, said Fire Chief Mike Swanson.

According to a city press statement, the Eustis Fire Department responded immediately to the fire and remained on scene for several hours to douse the flames and mitigate any damage from leaking fuel.

It appears that the cause of the fire was mechanical failure and was unintentional, said Swanson in a media release.

The boat will remain in the water until the investigation is fully complete.

The burned boat is visible from the boat ramp, and appears to be in at least two separate pieces. Although the ramp is now open, boaters are urged to steer clear of the wreckage as it is unsafe and part of an active investigative scene. Arrangements will be made to remove the boat this week.

For additional information, contact the Eustis Fire Department at 352-357-6585.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: One personal hospitalized after Eustis boat fire
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A body believed to be the 50-year-old hiker who went missing on Black Mountain was found Monday morning following more than a day of search and rescue efforts.

Diem Dina Le Nguyen began the hike at Nighthawk Trail with a large group of people around 8 a.m. on Sunday, San Diego Police Department Lt. Dan Meyer said.

The hike was part of an annual 5k fundraiser for the nonprofit, Build a School Foundation. According to organizer Jimmy Thai Dtm, part of the group turned around midway to the top, while Le Nguyen continued up to the summit with those that stayed on the hike. The family members she was with were among those who opted to head back down early.

Earthquakes strike San Diego County two days in a row

She can be seen in a livestream by Thai Dtm of the group at the mountains summit taking the picture that was later distributed when she went missing. At another point in the video, she can be seen headed east, apparently beginning the trek back to the bottom of the mountain.

Le Nguyen was last seen by the group at about 9:30 a.m. Around 10:08 a.m., she made a distress call to her sister, saying she was extremely hot and needed water, according to Meyer. That was the last anyone heard from her.

Authorities said Le Nguyen was considered missing at risk due to the difficulty of the trail and the extreme heat in the hours after she went missing. An excessive heat advisory was in place at the time she went missing.

Search and rescue efforts began, led by San Diego police, San Diego County Sheriffs Department and park rangers. The search for Le Nguyen continued overnight, as a ground crew and three helicopters searched the area until 1 a.m.

At 7:30 a.m. Monday, search and rescue efforts resumed. Then around 9:15 a.m., police were notified a body had been found. The body was first spotted by a helicopter, and first responders were sent to the location, where they confirmed it was the body of an Asian female.

Diem Le Nguyen

The body was found about a quarter-mile from the intersection of Carmel Mountain Road and Via Remeni. According to SDPD, she likely became confused about where she was given the twists and overlaying trails on Black Mountain while enduring heat-related exhaustion.

She nearly made it out, Meyer said.

Child dies after non-water incident at California water park

Shortly before finding the body, crews had found a hat, but it was too soon to know whether it belonged to the hiker.

The San Diego County Medical Examiners Office will investigate the death and confirm the bodys identity. Authorities have notified Le Nguyens family of their discovery.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Body of man swept away by river after last hug found in Italy

Patrizia Cormos (L), Cristian Molnar and Bianca Doros all died in the river Natisone in Italy in late May

Italian specialist divers have recovered the body of a young man who was swept away by floodwaters with his two female companions nearly a month ago.

Divers from the Italian fire service found the body of Cristian Molnar, 25, wedged beneath a boulder in an eddy of the Natisone River in the northeastern Friuli Venezia Giulia region.

A drop in the level of the water enabled them to explore stretches of the river that were previously too dangerous.

Mr Molnar was on an outing in the countryside on May 31 with his friends Bianca Doros, 23, and Patrizia Cormos, 20.

They hopped across to a small gravel island in the middle of the river but torrential rain upstream resulted in the level rapidly rising.

Video of the three friends, all of them Romanian, clutching each other in a desperate attempt to withstand the swirling floodwaters went viral.

The strength of the river eventually proved too much for them and they were swept to their deaths.

The bodies of the two young women were found downstream just a few days after the tragedy.

We have learnt of the sad news that, after many days, Cristians body has been found. This is a moment of great pain, said Gaetano Laghi, a lawyer representing the young mans family. Relatives finally have a body to cry over, he said.

Michele De Sabata, mayor of the local town Premariacco, said: Cristians body was found underwater in an area that had been searched several times. But it was almost impossible to access those places with the river at the level that it was.

He said fire service divers had risked their own lives to retrieve the body.

The young mans body had been found beneath an enormous boulder, inside a sort of tunnel that was covered with driftwood and vegetation.

The mayor added: This closes one of the saddest chapters in the history of our small community.

An investigation has been launched to determine whether there were delays in the response of the emergency services and whether the three young friends could have been saved.

Now that we have located his body, I want the truth and justice for Cristian, said Petru Radu Molnar, his older brother.

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Boeing should face criminal charges over 737 Max crashes, say US prosecutors

David Calhoun, Boeing's chief executive, apologises to relatives of those killed on its Boeing 737 Max planes - Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg

Boeing should face criminal charges after violating a settlement over two fatal crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft, US prosecutors have said.

The aerospace giant has been accused of breaching a settlement related to the crashes, which took place in 2018 and 2019.

The two crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people, resulting in the longest grounding of a commercial jet in US history for the 737 Max.

US prosecutors have said that Boeing violated the terms of its settlement and have recommended that the Department of Justice bring criminal charges, according to Reuters.

Under the 2021 deal Boeing agreed to pay $2.5bn (2bn) in fines and compensation to customers and families involved in the crashes and to overhaul its compliance practices. The settlement gave Boeing protection from claims that it deceived regulators into approving the 737 Max aircraft.

The two Boeing 737 crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people - Getty Images/Getty Images

However, the Department of Justice last month told a Texas court that Boeing had failed to design, implement and enforce a compliance and ethics programme to prevent and detect violations of fraud laws, breaching the settlement. Boeing has said it believes it honoured the terms of the deal.

Talks are ongoing and officials have until July 7 to decide whether to prosecute the business.

A spokesman for Boeing declined to comment.

The threat of new legal action comes at a time when Boeing is facing pressure after a panel blew off one of its planes mid-flight on Jan 5.

It follows years of recriminations over the fatal crashes, which took place within six months of each other.

In both, the aircraft crashed after a new flight control system sent the planes into a series of automated nosedives which the pilots had not been trained to recover from.

Relatives of crash victims demand that US officials bring forward criminal penalties against Boeing - Samuel Corum/AFP

Two years later Boeing agreed to settle claims that it had concealed information from regulators, who were responsible for signing off on pilot training materials, about the critical upgrades to its systems.

The Department of Justice said at the time that Boeing employees chose the path of profit over candour.

Relatives of the crash victims have since demanded that US officials seek a $25bn fine and bring forward criminal penalties against Boeing.

According to Reuters, the US government could charge Boeing, or it could extend the length of the settlement or impose stricter terms. It could also appoint a third party to monitor the company or demand it pleads guilty to wrongdoing.

Earlier this month, David Calhoun, Boeings chief executive, faced a grilling by US politicians in Congress as he apologised to relatives of those killed on its Boeing 737 Max planes.

However he insisted was proud of the companys safety record.

The hearing was watched by families of the victims of the 2018 and 2019 crashes. One was heard to shout: You should be in jail.

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Justice Department prosecutors are recommending that Boeing face criminal charges, claiming it violated a settlement related to two fatal crashes, Reuters reported Sunday.

The department faces a July 7 deadline to determine whether to charge the airline giant.

The 2021 settlement agreement came after a pair of fatal crashes related to defects in the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, killing nearly 350 people in 2018 and 2019. The agreement shielded the company from criminal liability for fraud in exchange for a promised overhaul of its compliance system, in addition to a $2.5 billion fine.

The department found Boeing in violation of the agreement last month, which the company has contested. Boeing and the DOJ are in negotiations over next steps, and a final decision over charges has not been reached, according to Reuters.

Justice Department prosecutor Glenn Leon said in court last month that Boeing violated the agreement by failing to design, implement, and enforce a compliance and ethics program to prevent and detect violations of the U.S. fraud laws throughout its operations.

Boeing told The Hill in a statement last month that it believes it remains in compliance with the agreement.

We believe that we have honored the terms of that agreement, and look forward to the opportunity to respond to the Department on this issue, the company said.

Senators grilled Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun over the settlement and other safety concerns with the airline during a Homeland Security subcommittee hearing last week. In his testimony, Calhoun apologized to the families of those who died in the two crashes.

I want to personally apologize, on behalf of everyone at Boeing. We are deeply sorry for your losses. Nothing is more important than the safety of the people who step on board our airplanes. Every day, we seek to honor the memory of those lost through a steadfast commitment to safety and quality, Calhoun said.

The next day, a group of families of victims published a letter calling on the Department of Justice to bring aggressive criminal prosecution against Boeing.

Because Boeings crime is the deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history, a maximum fine of more than $24 billion is legally justified and clearly appropriate, although it might be partially suspended if funds that would otherwise be paid are devoted to appropriate quality control and safety measures, attorney Paul Cassell wrote on behalf of some victims families.

Cassell also said the families believe that the Department should launch criminal prosecutions of the responsible corporate officials at Boeing at the time of the two crashes, including in particular former Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg.

The looming question of prosecution adds to an ongoing crisis at Boeing over aircraft safety. The company has been reeling since January, when a door blew out of a 737 Max 9 aircraft mid-flight. Nobody was injured, but the incident grounded all similar planes and sparked a massive Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigation.

The investigation found lax safety checks and manufacturing errors in Boeings build process, and the company has since faced pressure from regulators and Congress to address the issues.

There are issues around the safety culture in Boeing. Their priorities have been focused on production and not on safety and quality, FAA Administrator Michael Whittaker said in March. And so, what we are really focused on now is shifting that focus from production to safety and quality.

The FAA said its six-week audit of Boeing found multiple instances when the companies allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements.

The Hill has reached out to the DOJ for comment.

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Beijing (Gasgoo)- On June 24, Geely Automobile revealed detailed information about its new compact battery-electric SUV, the Galaxy E5, which is expected to hit the market in early August with an estimated price range of 130,000 yuan to 170,000 yuan.

Photo credit: Geely

According to official information, the Galaxy E5 features the advanced Galaxy 11-in-1 intelligent electric drive system, which integrates 11 key components, including the motor, controller, and reducer. This system has a volume of only 72 liters and weighs just 79.8 kg, achieving a comprehensive efficiency of 90.04% and a minimum electricity consumption of 11.9 kWh/ 100 km.

The drive system is powered by the Infineon TC397 chip, known for its high communication efficiency and rapid power response. Enhanced by the GEA architecture and various self-developed technologies, the Galaxy E5 offers excellent vehicle balance, mitigating common discomforts associated with electric vehicles. The four-stage intelligent energy recovery system adjusts braking force based on relative vehicle distance, traffic congestion, and road slope, ensuring a smooth ride without jerks.

The Galaxy E5 also features Geely's self-developed G-TCS all-weather traction control system, which regulates torque output based on road surface adhesion, maintaining optimal grip. Using R&H virtual calibration technology, the vehicle has undergone over 10,000 calibration iterations to achieve fine-tuning down to 0.1 degrees. The CTB battery-body integration technology provides a balanced front-to-rear axle load ratio of 50:50, resulting in a lower center of gravity.

Photo credit: Geely

Design-wise, the Galaxy E5 adopts a tiger-face biomimetic design with striking LED headlights and C-shaped daytime running lights inspired by tiger whiskers for enhanced visual impact. Inside, the E5 features a traditional design with a floating central control screen, digital instrument panel, and HUD, all powered by the Flyme Auto system and SiEngines 7nm automotive-grade chip, SE1000. The SUV measures 4,615 mm in length, 1,901 mm in width, and 1,670 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm.

In terms of power, the Galaxy E5's motor delivers a maximum output of 160 kW. It offers two battery options, 49.52 kWh and 60.22 kWh, both using Geely's self-developed Aegis battery, providing a CLTC-rated range of 440 km and 530 km, respectively.
On a Thursday two years ago today, at exactly 10:10 in the morning, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Dobbs, the landmark case overruling Roe v. Wade and ending the federal right to abortion. The decision was not necessarily a surprise  almost two months earlier, a leaked draft of the ruling was published by Politico  so much as a confirmation of abortion rights supporters worst fears.

The real surprise, as New York Times reporters Elizabeth Dias and Lisa Lerer write in their new book The Fall of Roe, was the date of its release. Almost everyone was caught off guard  from the White House counsel, to Julie Rikelman, the Center for Reproductive Rights lawyer who argued the case, to House Democrats, whod chosen that inopportune moment to gather on the Capitol steps and sing God Bless America in celebration of the passage of an unrelated piece of legislation.

Most had assumed the decision would come out, as most major rulings do, in the last week of the courts term, but it landed a week early, puzzling observers. Catholic Americans, however, found a special reason to celebrate not just the decision itself, but the fact that it arrived on June 24, a date that, in 2022, coincided with one of the holiest days on the Churchs calendar: the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

And for Leonard Leo  the Catholic architect of the Supreme Courts conservative majority  that particular holiday holds additional significance. The Leos, and many of their powerful friends, associate Leos daughter Margaret, who died from complications of spina bifida at age 14 in 2007, with the sacred heart. A portrait of Margaret, whom Leo credits with deepening his commitment to the anti-abortion cause, hangs on the wall in the Catholic Information Center in Washington, D.C., which also hands out prayer cards emblazoned with her image. According to a book written by the conservative activist Austin Ruse, for some believers, the sacred heart has become a symbol that Leos late daughter has interceded on their behalf.

There is a strong suggestion that delivering the Dobbs decision on this particular day would have represented something of a gift to Leo, if the timing was intentional  though Dias and Lerer never say outright that it was. When they ask Leo himself, he demurs. It wouldnt have been Sams, Clarences decision anyway, Leo tells the reporters, referring to Justices Alito and Thomas, with whom he has close, personal relationships. (Thomas reportedly keeps a drawing by Margaret Leo, whom he apparently called his best friend, on his desk.) Leo went on to say that Chief Justice John Roberts would have decided the order of decisions that would come out that day. And I dont think he well, I dont know. Maybe he knew it was the Feast of the Sacred Heart.

Who decided that millions of American women would lose access to the full suite of reproductive health care  and at that particular time? Was it a political partisan on the Court who chose that day with a wink and nod to his benefactor? Was it God himself? Was it just a weird coincidence?

For Dias, who has reported on religion for 15 years, in the space between those possibilities lies the fundamental tension at the heart of American politics today: There is a set of people who look at this [decision] and say, What a miracle! God was with us all along in this fight, this was a spiritual fight, and there was divine intervention and we won. And then theres a majority of Americans who look at this and say: This is an unbelievable example of earthly might. Look at the strategy. Look what the right did here to make this happen. They each represent two very different visions for where the country is going to go.

The Fall of Roe is a rich narrative that begins the moment the Dobbs decision came down, then tracks backwards, guiding readers through the hotel ballrooms, law office conference rooms, and political chambers where each pivotal moment and critical misstep took place in the decade preceding the momentous decision. The book is stuffed with interviews with activists  the authors spoke with more than 350 of them over the two years they spent reporting  on both sides of that fight.

On the right, that group includes not just Leo, but Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. One of, if not the single most influential anti-abortion activist in the country, Dannenfelser, Dias and Lerer write, actually grew up pro-choice, and resolved to get an abortion herself rather than have her education and career derailed during a pregnancy scare at the start of her freshman year in college. (She was not actually pregnant, it turned out.) It was a Catholic boyfriend who, a few years later, changed her mind on the issue, and introduced her to the philosophy that would underpin her lifes work.

On the left, its people like Cecile Richards, the long-time president of Planned Parenthood, and Hillary Clinton, whose 2016 loss to Donald Trump represented one of the pivot points that hastened Roes demise. The story of the Roe era, Dias says, is really a story of conservative Christianity versus liberal feminism  and you can see that through Clintons story.

But, rather than pinpoint the 2016 election as the what if moment that could have changed the course of history, the book makes the more complicated case that there was a small, powerful network of activists and lawyers determined to end Roe and, for a number of reasons  including because of mistakes made by supporters of abortion rights  they likely would have succeeded eventually, whether or not Clinton was in office.

The fight would have absolutely continued, Dias says. It may have looked very different had Trump lost  [But] one of the main lessons about the anti-abortion movement  and it is a conservative Christian movement  is that its a generational fight for them  They see this as the biggest moral battle of the modern age, theyre deeply devoted to that conviction that, at its heart, its a spiritual battle that operates on an eternal timescale. Its not operating on election cycles.

There is an unsettling refrain, vocalized by activists on both sides of the abortion fight, throughout the book: the powerful, ultra-religious individuals who helped engineer the fall of Roe are just getting started. But that cuts both ways, Dias notes. This is the very beginning for Democrats, abortion rights activists figuring out new ways to win  and in some ways, they have. Their ballot initiatives have been enormously successful.

Dias says she has been shocked by how quickly the landscape has changed since Dobbs was decided. The book opens on June 24, 2022, at a crisis pregnancy center in Ohio, the moment that states trigger law banning abortion at six weeks went into effect. Two years later, the right to an abortion, up to 22 weeks, is now enshrined in the states constitution. Its a very different place, Dias says. And a lot of that has been the work of new activism for Democrats.

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Boston police seek assistance identifying man in connection with assault in South Boston

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Anti-abortion groups like Operation Save America share a philosophy of forcing federal, state and local governments to follow Gods law, and have called for legislation that would grant personhood status to developing fetuses (Getty Images).

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

The post For both sides, abortion policy 2 years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on Missouri Independent.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

Abortion rights protesters at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

This report has been updated to reflect Maine is not on the list of states with ballot questions this fall.

The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

Abortion rights protesters at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Jane Norman | States Newsroom)

This story was updated on June 24 at 5:46 p.m. to reflect Maine is not on the list of states with ballot questions this fall.

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are homing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union, and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception, and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont, and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63 percent of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36 percent say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41 percent of Republicans and 85 percent of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57 percent of Republicans and 14 percent of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

Abortion rights protesters at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Jane Norman | States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

Abortion rights protesters at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Jane Norman | States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

Editors note: This report has been updated to reflect Maine is not on the list of states with ballot questions this fall.

The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

Abortion rights protesters at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

UPDATE: This report has been updated to reflect Maine is not on the list of states with ballot questions this fall.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

Abortion rights protesters at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

This report has been updated to reflect Maine is not on the list of states with ballot questions this fall.

The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

People holding up signs in front of the U.S. Supreme Court saying Bans Off Our Bodies.

Abortion rights protesters at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

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Updated at 3:23 p.m. to correct that Maine is not on the list of states with ballot questions this fall.

The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

Abortion rights protesters at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

A woman's hand taking tablets out of blister pack

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

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Correction: This report has been updated to reflect Maine is not on the list of states with ballot questions this fall.

The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

Abortion rights protesters at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

Abortion rights protesters at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

Abortion rights protesters at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on Utah News Dispatch.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

Abortion rights protesters at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are homing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

Abortion rights protesters gather at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. (Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

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Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

Abortion rights protesters at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on Michigan Advance.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

Abortion rights protesters at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

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The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November

Abortion rights protesters at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  Exactly two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, the battles rage among both advocates and lawmakers over the future of reproductive rights at the state and federal levels.

Anti-abortion groups that have achieved considerable success in deep-red parts of the country are working to sway voters away from approving ballot questions in more than a dozen states this November that could bolster protections for abortion. Several will be decided in states that will have an outsized role in determining control of Congress and the White House.

Abortion opponents are also preparing a game plan to implement if former President Donald Trump regains the Oval Office, a prospect that could lead to sweeping executive actions on abortion access as well as at least one more conservative Supreme Court justice.

Reproductive rights organizations are honing in on the numerous ballot questions as a crucial way to remove decisions from the hands of lawmakers, especially in purple or conservative-leaning states.

Abortion rights supporters are also trying to shore up support for Democrats in key races for the U.S. House and Senate as well as hoping to keep President Joe Biden in office for another four years.

$100 million to be spent by abortion rights advocates

Both sides plan to spend millions to win over voters.

The Center for Reproductive Rights, National Womens Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations announced Monday theyre putting at least $100 million toward building a long-term federal strategy to codify the right to abortion, including lobbying efforts, grassroots organizing, public education, and comprehensive communication strategies to mobilize support and enact change.

Anti-abortion lawmakers have already banned or severely restricted abortion in 21 states with devastating consequences, and they wont stop until they can force a nationwide ban on abortion and push care out of reach entirely, even in states that have protected abortion access, they wrote.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and PAC Women Speak Out announced they would dedicate $92 million to make contact with at least 10 million voters in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser wrote in a statement released Monday that there is still much work ahead to ensure that every mother and child is supported and protected.

Meanwhile we are just one election cycle away from having every gain for life ripped away, Dannenfelser wrote. Joe Biden and the Democrats are hell-bent on banning protections for unborn children, spreading fear and lies, and forcing all-trimester abortion any time for any reason  even when babies can feel pain  as national law.

Democrats have tried repeatedly to enact protections for abortion access, contraception and in vitro fertilization in Congress  both when they had unified control of government following the fall of Roe in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, and during divided government.

None of Democrats bills have garnered the support needed to move past the Senates 60-vote legislative filibuster.

In addition to calling on Congress to restore the protections that existed under Roe, the Biden administration is attempting to defend abortion and other reproductive rights through executive actions as well as in front of the Supreme Court.

Abortion pill, emergency care

Earlier this year, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued two cases on abortion access.

The first case, brought by four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors, addressed access to mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortions.

The justices unanimously ruled earlier this month that the groups didnt have standing to bring the case in the first place, though they didnt address any other aspects of the case.

The second case, yet undecided, has to do with when doctors can provide abortions as emergency medical care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA.

Assistant to the President and Director of the Gender Policy Council Jennifer Klein said on a call with reporters Monday that theres not much the Biden administration will be able to do if the justices side with Idaho in the case.

If the court rejects our current interpretation, our options on emergency medical care are likely to be limited, Klein said.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in July 2022, shortly after the Dobbs ruling came out, released a letter saying that EMTALA protected health care providers who use abortion as stabilizing care.

The letter stated that if a physician believes that a pregnant patient presenting at an emergency department, including certain labor and delivery departments, is experiencing an emergency medical condition as defined by EMTALA, and that abortion is the stabilizing treatment necessary to resolve that condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

And when a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life and health of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted, Becerra wrote.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently established a new portal that is supposed to make it easier for people to file complaints under EMTALA if theyre denied an emergency abortion.

Comstock Act repeal

Klein also said on the call the White House will likely support a bill introduced last week in Congress to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 anti-obscenity law, that could be used to bar the mailing of medication abortion during a future GOP administration.

We support all actions by Democrats in Congress to protect reproductive freedom, including this one, Klein said, after noting the interagency process for determining whether the Biden administration will support the bill was still ongoing.

The legislation, however, is unlikely to pass in a Congress with a Republican-controlled House and a Democratic majority in the Senate. And divided government appears likely to continue during the next four years, regardless of which presidential candidate wins in November.

Ballot questions in states

A Bans off our bodies pin was worn to an election night watch party in Louisville celebrating defeat of an anti-abortion constitutional amendment in Kentucky on Nov. 8, 2022. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

Outside of court cases and executive actions, ballot referendums are shaping up to be the more fruitful battleground for those supportive of abortion access, though anti-abortion groups are hoping to make some headway this fall.

Advocates in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania and South Dakota have either secured questions for the November ballot or are in the process of doing so, according to the health news publication KFF.

Residents in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio have all previously decided to bolster or add protection for abortion access in the two years since the Supreme Court ruling was released.

Polling from the Pew Research Center conducted earlier this year shows that 63% of Americans support abortion access being legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The polling shows that Democrats and Republicans hold views in both directions, with 41% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats saying it should be legal in most or all cases, while 57% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats say it should be illegal in most or all cases.

The issue, as well as Biden and Trumps records on abortion, are likely to be a central part of the first presidential debate on Thursday, just three days after the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling.

The post For both sides, abortion policy two years after Dobbs decision hinges on November appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) is fighting for political survival in the ugliest Democratic primary of the cycle, as his political future  and the partys progressive power  hang in the balance.

The race for New Yorks 16th Congressional District has pitted Bowman, a progressive, against centrist George Latimer, who has the backing of high-profile figures like Hillary Clinton, in an explosive and expensive fight that has put competing special interests, outside spending and personal attacks front and center.

Polls suggest Bowman, a member of the squad, is in serious danger of losing after his criticism of Israel sparked an all-in effort to remove him from Congress. Some are warning that this could be the end for the outspoken progressive lawmakers run in the House.

Hes super vulnerable, said a Democratic campaign strategist working to reelect Bowman. Hes not necessarily the most liked internally.

Folks think that hes not going to win, the strategist added grimly.

The Tuesday primary has emerged as one of 2024s biggest litmus tests on the topic of Israel. Unlike other contests that have tested the strength of leftist insurgencies against the establishment, the race for the Westchester County-Bronx district is not being fought over nuances in support for President Biden or economic issues such as health care and education reform.

Instead, its centered around the conflict in the Middle East after Hamas launched an attack in Israel on Oct. 7, killing nearly 1,000 Israeli civilians and sparking an Israeli response that has led to tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths. The conflict has deepened a long-running split in the Democratic Party, where staunchly pro-Israel Democrats find themselves at odds with those on the left who are incensed at the mounting number of civilian deaths in the Gaza strip.

Its definitely become a big dividing line, said Sam Drzymala, founder of Progressive Victory, a network of online content creators that hosted a rally for Bowman this weekend.

Israel-Palestine has driven a lot of interest and energy and the long-term implications of the race are far larger than just one issue, Drzymala added.

Bowmans primary is emerging as the latest flash point in the intraparty debate.

While Latimer has not snagged any endorsements from Bowmans House colleagues, some of them are openly criticizing the incumbent and have warned they might wade into the race as Tuesday inches closer.

Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), who represents the neighboring 15th District, got into a public spat with his fellow New Yorker after Bowman, during a podcast interview last week, said Torres was very calculated and trying to gain political power for himself towards an ultimate objective when discussing his stance on Israel.

Torres shot back, suggesting an endorsement against the incumbent could be on the horizon.

I have a general rule of not weighing in against a Congressional Democrat who has not weighed in against me, he said in a statement. But Bowmans gratuitous attack on my character might cause me to rethink that rule. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Jewish Democrat from Florida, declined to take a stance in the New York race when asked about it on CNN last week but did not shy away from bashing her House colleague over his position on Israel.

All Ill say about that race is that it is terribly, terribly unacceptable that the rhetoric that Jamaal Bowman has used  hes engaged in antisemitic rhetoric, Wasserman-Schultz said, claiming that he has engaged in conduct unbecoming of a member of Congress, and its terribly unfortunate.

His constituents will have to decide whether they want to return him to the Congress, she added.

On the other hand, fellow progressive former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) did endorse Latimer, igniting a firestorm among left-wing lawmakers and activists who saw it as an affront. Jones himself is trying to reenter the halls of Congress in the 17th Congressional District on Tuesday.

Amid the mudslinging, the progressive coalition from Washington to New York City is playing defense, pulling out all the stops to make sure Bowman survives the brutal, uphill climb to secure a third term.

He has two of the lefts most influential elected figureheads  Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.)  in his corner, with the pair hosting a rally for him in the sweltering heat in the Bronx on Saturday.

The Bronx is a place of significance to all three Democrats: Ocasio-Cortez grew up there, while Sanders was the first presidential candidate in decades to visit the area during his 2016 bid. Bowman, a middle school principal in his past life, is counting on residents in the district to receive his surrogates warmly.

Both leaders have framed the race in part as a fight against the influence of special interests in primaries  specifically, the spending from pro-Israel groups that have targeted lawmakers on both sides of the aisle over their stances on the war.

Members of the left have long sought to push back against the influence of groups such as the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which have poured millions of dollars into candidates that support their cause. The progressive effort against AIPAC and related groups mirrors their years-long push for other forms of corporate reform.

Big money, from AIPAC to Wall Street, have poured millions to buy this election, Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a post on the social platform X, advertising the rally with Sanders.

They have great influence, Bowman told the Night School podcast last week when discussing pro-Israel lobbying groups.

He went on to argue that if he entered Congress in 2021 as a reliable supporter of Israel, his political future would look different.

If I came in on some tweeting in support of Israel all the time, like when I first got in  my bank account, first of all, would be flushed, right? To the point where the left  cause I would then be on the right, so the left would, like, not really want to challenge me because I would have a flush bank account, he added.

Progressives see the shattered financial records as a key indication of the interest in the race and the dynamics at play over Israel. A tally of spending by AdTrak, a political metrics tracking site, noted the race has seen over $23M in spending and reservations, making it the most expensive House primary ever, according to a post on X. United Democracy Project, AIPACs super PAC, contributed the vast majority of that funding, at just more than $14 million.

Thats seven times the amount Bowmans campaign spent, according to the tracker.

That issue has been hugely galvanizing on a lot of different sides, including a huge amount of debate, Drzymala said.

Bowman, who has been fending off other scandals this term, from pulling a fire alarm in the House to apologizing for saying allegations of rape of Israeli women were a lie, has seen signs that his standing is slipping with voters over the past several months.

As soon as I got the additional information from the U.N., we condemned the sexual violence, we voted to condemn it, and were continuing to do the work, Bowman told WNYC this week.

A poll from Emerson College/The Hill/PIX-11 taken earlier this month shows Latimer, the Westchester County executive, up a significant 17 points over Bowman among likely voters, a rare advantage for a lesser-known candidate challenging an incumbent. But the poll also found a large chunk of voters  21 percent  were undecided.

Another survey conducted by Mellman Group, which runs the Democratic Majority for Israel super PAC, shows the same 17-point figure.

Bowman was one of the Democratic caucuss earliest supporters of a cease-fire, pushing for an end to the fighting when many in the party felt Israel had not adequately responded to the deadly attack on its civilians. As those calls amplified among other progressives in and out of Congress, Bowman doubled down in his support.

Latimers approach has been to suggest that Bowmans words against the conservative government in Israel hamper its right to exist and weaken the United Statess top Middle East ally. Bowman, for example, does not support increasing financial support for the Iron Dome.

Bowman, meanwhile, has repeatedly accused Latimer of using racist dog whistles. He slammed the moderate for a remark that Bowmans constituency is in Dearborn, Mich.  a largely Arab-American city  and alleged Latimer was trying to characterize him as an angry Black man.

Some argue Bowman is not on the same footing as other progressive Democrats whose fates have been tested by pro-Israel and moderate rivals. Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) won her primary bid this cycle, and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) has a fundraising advantage and earned critical endorsements leading up to her primary in August.

These other ones have always constantly been challenged, said the Democratic strategist about vulnerable squad members. They keep winning  but Bowman, the source noted, may be the exception.

I think hes super vulnerable, and thats why folks are putting money behind us  to go out and do work for him on the side, the source added. The prognostication game to me is always scary.

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Boy, 4, Rescued After Nearly 22 Hours Wandering Alone in California Woods: 'Family Got Lucky'

Christian Ramirez was found under a tree near Huntington Lake on Friday, June 21

Fresno County Sheriff's Office Christian Ramirez was found safe in the woods on Friday, June 21, 2024

A four-year-old boy who disappeared from a California campground has been found almost a day after he went missing in Fresno County.

On Friday, June 21, the Fresno County Sheriffs Office confirmed in a statement that Christian Ramirez had been found by members of the Tulare County Search and Rescue Team.

Ramirez, who was rescued around a quarter mile away from where he was reported missing, was described as being in good condition but tired and hungry. He has since been reunited with his parents.

In a video shared by the Sheriffs Office, the little boy was carried by a member of the rescue team while holding onto a sandwich.

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Fresno County Sheriff's Office Christian Ramirez found safe in the woods on Friday, June 21

Related: 4 Missing Divers Found Floating Less Than 50 Miles from Cape Fear, N.C., Coast Guard Says

After missing for 22 hours, search and rescue team members found Christian Ramirez nestled under a tree near Huntington Lake, the Sheriffs Office wrote. He was hungry and exhausted, but otherwise in good health. We got him a sandwich and then carried him out to be reunited with Mom and Dad.

The video also captured Ramirez being hugged by his father, as well as him eating his food and being wrapped in a jacket.

It was pretty clear that he had been lost and he had kind of hunkered down for the entire night, Fresno County Sheriffs Lt. Brandon Pursell told CNN affiliate KABC. Theres a lot of things that could have gone really, really wrong with this one, and we got lucky, the family got lucky. The boy is very, very fortunate to be with his family.

Related: Missing Houston Woman Found Safe 2 Weeks After She Disappeared on Morning Walk with Her Dog

Authorities had previously reported that Ramirez went missing at Huntington Lake just before 11 a.m. on Thursday.

A family at the Rancheria Campground reported their 4-year-old boy was missing, they stated at the time. They had been searching for him about an hour before they called our department.

The Fresno County Sheriffs Search and Rescue team searched for Ramirez in the northeastern region of the lake alongside Forest Service rangers and officers from California Fish & Wildlife officers and an air support unit.

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The 12-year-old boy who died at a wilderness therapy camp in western North Carolina in February suffocated, and his death was a homicide, according to a newly released autopsy report.

The boy, who had just arrived at the Trails Carolina camp in Lake Toxaway the previous day, was sleeping in a cabin in a one-person nylon tent called a bivy, the report said

The autopsy report, released Monday, doesnt state that anyone intentionally tried to kill the boy. But it suggests that camp staff didnt ensure that he would get sufficient oxygen when they put him inside the bivy.

A mesh flap on the boys bivy was torn, the reports states, and a weather resistant door was instead used to secure the opening.

It should be noted that a common warning on commercially available bivy products indicates that the outer, weather resistant opening should not be fully secured as it may lead to condensation and breathing restriction, the report states.

A spokesperson for Trails Carolina didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Staff members at the camp were required to check whether children were breathing at 12 a.m., 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., according to an inspection report issued by the state Department of Health and Human Services in April.

On the night of Feb. 3, camp staff members said they thought that they heard heavy breathing coming from the boys tent around 3 a.m. and quieter breathing around 6 a.m., according to the state report. The boy was found dead and cold at 7:45 a.m.

Routine checks were performed throughout the night, but due to the outer, opaque layer of the bivy being closed, he could not be visualized, the autopsy report states.

One camp staff member told state investigators: I didnt check as thoroughly as I should have, according to the DHHS report. My actions that night was to perform night checks... that was my responsibility, which I failed on... I do feel like the bivy had a lot to do with it.

Autopsy documented no other harm

The autopsy didnt find any dangerous drugs in the boys system and found no evidence of trauma.

But when his body was found, it was oriented opposite to the intended use which would have allowed the waterproof material to fall onto his head and face, the autopsy report stated.

The outer, waterproof opening of the bivy was fully secured and could not be opened by the boy, the autopsy notes. It was equipped with an audible alarm to prevent escape.

He was placed into this compromised sleeping area by other(s) and did not have the ability to reasonably remove himself from the situation with the alarm securing the opening, the autopsy stated.

Sleeping in the bivy tents can make campers feel claustrophobic, staff members told state investigators. One camper said that it was difficult to get help while sleeping in one.

Trails Carolina, based about 140 miles west of Charlotte, says it was founded in 2008, largely on the belief that a wilderness setting enhances the benefits of therapy. It took children, ages 10 to 17, on wilderness expeditions, and its therapists met with children on a weekly basis.

The 12-year-old wasnt the first young person to lose his life while enrolled there. Alec Sanford Lansing, 17, died of hypothermia after running away from the program in November 2014.

In mid February, the state removed all children from the camp after concluding the move was needed to ensure their health and safety.

And on May 17, DHHS told Trails Carolina that it was revoking the programs license. The program had 60 days from that date to contest the decision.
Brian Walshe, Cohasset man accused of murdering and dismembering his wife, to appear in court

Brian Walshe, the Cohasset man accused of murdering and dismembering his wife, will be back in court Monday for his pre-trial hearing.

Prosecutor: Brian Walshe dismembered his wife, Ana Walshe, and disposed of her body

Prosecutors allege the 48-year-old Walshe killed his wife, Ana Walshe, 39, and misled investigators about her disappearance last year.

Ana Walshe, a mother of three young children and a real estate professional who worked in Washington D.C. went missing on New Years Day 2023, authorities said.

Brian Walshe is also serving a prison sentence for pleading guilty in to selling two counterfeit Andy Warhol paintings in an international art fraud scheme.

In January 2023, days after she went missing, a hacksaw and a blood-soaked rug believed to contain biological evidence were recovered by investigators.

Police later searched trash bins, dumpsters, trash trucks, and trash facilities in the areas where Brian Walshe traveled following her disappearance.

Brian Walshe, left, is facing murder and other charges following the disappearance of his wife, Ana Walshe, left, on Jan. 1, 2023.

Prosecutors have also previously said that a broken knife with blood on it was found in the basement of the Walshe family home.

Anas body has never been found.

Brian Walshe is scheduled to appear before a judge in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham on Monday afternoon.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Admittedly, the recent Scottish experience also shows that the re-introduction of rent controls can be difficult - JANE BARLOW/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

In 1971, Lord Sandford  a Conservative minister  stood up in the House of Lords and explained that by and large, the system of rent regulations introduced by the [Heath] government is working well.

His colleague, Julian Amery, made an identical statement in the Commons on the same day. Rent controls, they said, were fair to both landlords and tenants. No government minister could begin to describe todays housing system in such glowing terms without being laughed out of the chamber.

Sandford and Amery were speaking to introduce the conclusions of the Francis Committee, which was one of several major national inquiries into the twentieth centurys system of rent controls.

The first, in 1918, concluded that controls (which had been brought in three years earlier) were so popular and effective that a majority of landlords supported them.

Over the next 70 years, governments of all stripes maintained and cherished a system that ensured that housing was affordable, that taxpayers spent very little on landlordism, and that wage bills were not forced to keep pace with rack-renting.

Over the last 25 years, by contrast, the national rent bill has trebled. It rose from less than 30bn in 2000 to more than 90bn today. For scale, at the end of the 1990s, the nations landlords received roughly the same amount as its military, but Britain now spends nearly twice as much on landlordism as it does on defence.

A great deal of this is funded by the taxpayer  only three Whitehall departments have budgets that are larger than the housing benefits bill. The remaining costs are borne, indirectly, by employers.

The curious thing is that the same period has seen an impressive per-capita growth in housing supply. Since the relatively comfortable days of the 1990s (at least in housing terms), England has seen its ratio of homes-per-head rise from 0.41 to 0.44  an increase of more than 7pc.

Housing has not just kept pace with population growth, but has outstripped it. It is difficult to make a case that the present crisis is founded on migration or scarcity  rents have tripled even while net housing stock has been growing.

Instead, what we have seen are the long-term effects of the abolition of rent controls in the late 1980s. Thatchers deregulation of tenants rights had the specific aim of tempting landlords back into the market, and we are now in the absurd position that we have four times as many landlords as teachers.

This cohort is a phenomenal drain on resources, diverting funds from economically useful activities into unearned personal wealth.

To give an example of the mischief of landlordism  at the start of the pandemic, the Government raised the housing benefit rate in an attempt to ward off lockdown-related arrears. At that time, I was working with a community group, and one of our members immediately received a letter from her landlord notifying her that the rent would be put up to match the new housing benefit level.

Without rent controls, even the most benevolent social policy can serve to simply increase the transfer of wealth from the taxpayer to an asset-holder.

And this rent increase did not only improve the landlords monthly income, it also meant that our members home generated a better yield. The home had therefore become commensurately more valuable as a commodity to anyone else who wanted to buy it.

This is a problem, because homebuyers (particularly first-time buyers) are forced to compete with buy-to-let landlords. The housing market does not distinguish between landlords and occupiers, and the value of housing therefore reflects the price that the average landlord would be willing to pay.

Landlords are willing to pay rather a lot, given the pace at which rents rise, which means that the profitability of the private rented sector drives up the cost of housing across the board.

In other words, unfettered landlordism is a problem for everyone. It is the enemy of affordable house prices, a public spending black hole, and a key driver of the need for wage increases.

There are wider social consequences, too. Local authorities like Nottingham and Croydon have declared bankruptcy in recent months. The UKs second city, Birmingham, is facing a 100pc cut to its arts and cultural funding. These councils are candid about the fact that landlordism is at the heart of their budget problems.

The cost of temporary accommodation is one major cause. Another is the cost of homelessness, which tends to be caused by economic evictions (rent increases, and the generalised unaffordability of the private rented sector).

We could, if we wanted to, decimate local authority spending by restoring rent controls, but it seems that we would prefer to see local government flounder.

Opponents of rent controls often try to distract us with theoretical discussions about policy failures in San Francisco or Berlin or New York. They have less to say about recent cases like Barcelona, where the implementation of rent controls has worked well.

But the simple point is that we know for a fact that rent controls were a great success in Britain for the best part of a century. This is not a case of taking a radical idea from elsewhere and testing it in Britain, but a case of reversing the abolition of rent controls and re-introducing the much better system that saw us through the twentieth century.

Admittedly, the recent Scottish experience also shows that the re-introduction of rent controls can be difficult. It can lead to urgent rack-renting, as landlords exploit the last of the sunshine to make their hay. Structural changes in the economy are often painful to implement.

But the question that faces us is whether the disease is worse than the cure.

This is a question that we ought to put to the UKs world-beating homeless population, to the tenants paying increasingly unaffordable rents, to the taxpayers and employers who are sponsoring those payments, and to the homebuyers who are forced to compete with the money-printing system of buy-to-let landlordism.

Rent controls may have their disadvantages, but their absence is intolerable.

An aversion to free-market landlordism is not nearly as bizarre or outrageous as it sounds. Calls to increase the numbers of first-time buyers or to boost the amount of social housing are, by definition, demands for a smaller private rented sector, as the households concerned move from one form of tenure to another.

And we have come startlingly close to abolishing the private rented sector altogether. In the mid-1970s, there was a broad consensus that private landlordism was shrinking so quickly that it would soon reach the point of collapse. Conservatives responded with a mixture of enthusiasm and indifference, as private renting gave way to the other, better, forms of tenure.

Past experience shows that a decline in the private rented sector does not amount to a decline in the number of homes, but instead to the retooling of those homes as owner-occupied or social housing. When land markets are not dominated by uncontrolled rent-seeking, it also becomes much easier for local authorities to acquire sites for new affordable homes.

Indeed, it is remarkable that the Conservatives have become so convinced that private landlordism is such a good, necessary thing, given the horrifying realities of the present housing situation.

Anyone who rents today will have come to see the annual rent-gouging ritual as an inevitable and natural fact of life. But it neednt be, and those soaring housing costs have broad and drastic implications for everyone.

It is within our ability to put a stop to this, and to return to the sensible, popular mechanism that so successfully dominated twentieth century housing policy. We know from experience that it worked  that it was (to use the words of Conservative ministers) fair to both landlords and tenants.

It is time to admit that the experiment in abolishing rent controls has failed.

Nick Bano is a barrister at Garden Court Chambers, and author of Against Landlords.

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Britain's Princess Anne is "recovering well" after she was hospitalized Sunday evening, according to a new comment from her husband Sir Tim Laurence.

Laurence visited her at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, Tuesday and shared an update.

"She is recovering well, thank you. We are both profoundly grateful to the medical team and hospital support staff for their expert care - and to the emergency services who were all so wonderful at the scene," the 69-year-old said.

"We are both deeply touched by all the kind messages we have received from so many people near and far. It means a great deal," Laurence added.

The princess was taken to the hospital following an "incident" at Gatcombe Park, Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Monday.

PHOTO: Princess Anne, Princess Royal attends day 2 of the 2024 Royal Windsor Horse Show in Home Park, Windsor Castle on May 2, 2024 in Windsor, England. (Max Mumby/indigo/Getty Images, FILE)

The palace said the princess was being treated in the hospital "as a precautionary measure" and the 73-year-old is "expected to make a full and swift recovery."

"The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery," the palace added in its statement.

It's not clear precisely how the "incident" occurred, but the princess sustained injuries to her head while out walking on her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire. There were horses nearby, and the medical team who examined her said that her head injuries are consistent with a potential impact from a horse's head or legs.

The British royal family has been preparing for an official state visit by Japan's Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako, who arrived in the United Kingdom on Saturday. The state visit officially began Tuesday but a Palace spokesperson said Princess Anne "will be unable to attend the State banquet" Tuesday night and added that her remaining engagements for the week have been postponed.

The princess is the only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the late Prince Philip and the younger sister of King Charles III.

Anne has been a working member of the royal family since 1969, when she started public engagements at the age of 18, according to her official biography. She is married to Laurence and shares two children with Captain Mark Phillips -- Peter Phillips and Zara Phillips Tindall.

Britain's Princess Anne 'recovering well' following 'incident,' husband says originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
Mount Vesuvius in Italy where temperatures in many areas have climbed to 40C - Andrii Kozak/iStockphoto

A British tourist has died climbing Mount Vesuvius in Italy amid a spate of heat-related fatalities in southern Europe.

The UK visitor, named by Italian media as Mark John Irwin, was approaching the summit of the volcano near Naples at the weekend when he suddenly fell ill.

He reportedly suffered a heart attack and despite the efforts of rescuers, died on the spot.

Mr Irwin, 56, was based in the US and was visiting Italy with his wife and two children.

A spokesman for the British embassy in Rome said that officials were supporting the family of a British national who died in Italy.

Italy has been in the grip of a heatwave in the past few days, with many parts of the country hit by temperatures of up to 40C (104F).

He was right up at the summit when he collapsed, Paolo Cappelli, the president of an association of mountain guides who work on the volcano, told The Telegraph.

His wife told us that he had had an operation on his heart two or three months ago. We think he may have had a heart attack.

Its very sad. It is pretty rare for this to happen on Vesuvius. We have one death every one or two years which is not much considering the fact that around 3,000 people climb to the top of the volcano each day.

Conditions at the top of the volcano were not extreme, said Mr Cappelli. Last week, the temperature reached 40C in Naples but on Sunday, when this happened, there was a breeze and it was around 27C.

Elsewhere in Europe, in Crete, a 67-year-old German hiker was found dead after setting off alone on a hike in the Trypiti gorge near the village of Sougia on the islands rugged south coast.

A few hours into the hike, he called his wife to say that he was feeling unwell.

A search and rescue operation started immediately and a special rescue unit with drones spotted the mans (body) in Trypiti canyon, a police official told Reuters.

Trypiti gorge is to the west of the much better-known Samaria Gorge, a dramatic canyon that plunges from Cretes mountainous interior to its south coast and which each year attracts tens of thousands of hikers.

Across Europe, a number of tourists have died or disappeared on hikes as the continent is hit by unusually high June temperatures.

Rescuers are still searching for two French women, aged 73 and 64, on the Aegean island of Sikinos, after they went missing on a walk.

Officials are also looking for a 59-year-old American retired policeman who vanished while on a hike on the island of Amorgos.

Last week, a 55-year-old American was found dead on the island of Mathraki near Corfu in the Ionian Sea, while a Dutch tourist died on the island of Samos died earlier in the month.

Michael Mosley, the British health guru and television presenter, died on the Aegean island of Symi earlier this month after setting out on a solo hike in temperatures that reached about 40C.

In Tenerife, a large operation has been launched to try to find missing British teenager Jay Slater.

The 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer from Lancashire went missing eight days ago, with his last known location being in a rugged area of steep ridges and deep canyons near the tiny mountain village of Masca.

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Bronx man sentenced for stealing money from skilled gaming machines in Pennsylvania, Virginia

A man from the Bronx was sentenced to prison for stealing money from skilled gaming machines in Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Rolando Jose Pena, 47, was sentenced to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on his conviction of interstate transportation of stolen money.

The Department of Justice said Monday that between April 2022 and March 2023, Pena and his co-defendants broke into and stole money from skilled gaming machines throughout both states. They then took the stolen cash back to New York.

In total, Pena and his co-defendants stole more than $800,000 from over 40 places, officials said.

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5 people injured in stabbing at Schenley Park 3-year-old left unattended in Jefferson Hills motel room hit by car; mother arrested, police say 80-year-old woman, 81-year-old man found dead after apparent murder-suicide in Marshall Township VIDEO: Bystander hurt when multiple people open fire in a Pittsburgh neighborhood, police say DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
Buc-ees to open second location in Kentucky

AUSTIN (KXAN)  Buc-ees will unveil its newest travel center in Smiths Grove, Kentucky on Monday.

Buc-ees Smiths Grove is the second Buc-ees location in Kentucky. The first, Buc-ees Richmond, opened in April 2022.

After the opening of Buc-ees Smiths Grove, Buc-ees will operate 50 stores across Texas and the South, according to a press release.

Smiths Grove may be small, but the community has welcomed us with as much love and enthusiasm as our largest cities, so were excited to be here and watch this partnership grow, said Stan Beard of Buc-ees.

Buc-ees said the travel center will occupy 53,000 square feet and offer at least 200 jobs to the area.

The latest Buc-ees location in Central Texas opened in Luling on June 10. It is the largest in the country, with the travel center occupying 75,000 square feet.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Buffalo Bill Cody Homestead closes

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Buffalo Bill Cody Homestead (at 28050 230th Ave. at Bluff Road in Scott County) is closed until further notice, the Scott County Conservation Board announced Monday.

If you would like additional information, call 563-328-3280.

The 1847 Cody homestead is at 28050 230th Ave., at Bluff Road, in Scott County.

The boyhood home of Buffalo Bill Cody (1846-1917)  born in LeClaire, government Scout and Wild West showman  is located in the valley of the Wapsipinicon River, a 20-minute drive from I-80. The 1847 farmhouse, entered in the National Registry of Historic Places, was built by Isaac Cody, Buffalo Bills father, of native limestone and contains walnut floors and trim.

The Homestead has been restored and furnished with items typical of the mid-19th century. The Cody Homestead is nestled in scenic hillside overlooking the rich Iowa prairie where buffalo graze on the land surrounding the house, according to the county website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
Burien man sentenced for delivering suitcases of meth to drug ring with ties to prison gang

A Burien man who delivered suitcases full of methamphetamine  30 to 40 pounds at a time  will spend more than 7 years in prison.

Gustavo Castellanos-Tapia, 38, was a former attorney from Mexico. He was a significant supplier of meth to a drug trafficking organization with ties to the Aryan Family prison gang, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman.

Authorities said he came to the U.S. in 2020 when the pandemic caused an economic downturn. He started out painting boats but began dealing drugs to make more money.

Eventually, he began delivering suitcases full of meth every few weeks, surveillance by police showed.

Castellanos-Tapia and 23 others were indicted and arrested in March 2023.

Throughout the investigation, agents seized from members of the drug organization about:

255 pounds of meth

830,000 fentanyl pills

26 pounds of powdered fentanyl

Cocaine

6 pounds of heroin

$668,000 of suspected drug money

225 guns

Prosecutors asked for a 9-year prison sentence and pointed out that Washington states overdose deaths increased more than 27% in the year ending December 2023.

Castellanos-Tapia was sentenced on Friday to 90 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
The pair paid themselves in gift cards and fake commission for the alleged sale of household items - Carol Yepes/Moment RF

A businessman conned the University of Edinburgh out of more than 3m in a breathtaking scam centred on cleaning products.

Aasim Johar, 54, colluded with the universitys former assistant director of estates and buildings, Geoff Turnbull, to order cleaning products that were not needed and were rarely delivered.

The decade-long operation saw Turnbull, who has since died, order cleaning materials through Johars employers, Universal Solutions (International).

Johar then collected commission on the orders while Turnbull received gift cards, vouchers and other promotions worth a total of 112,010, in the bogus procurement scheme they ran between 2005 and 2015.

This was a complex and elaborate fraud which cost the University of Edinburgh millions of pounds in misappropriated funds over a period of 10 years, said Sineidin Corrins, the deputy procurator fiscal at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

The scale and breadth of Aasim Johar and Geoff Turnbulls elaborate and fraudulent scheme and dishonesty during that period was breathtaking.

Their systematic dishonesty caused enormous financial damage to a famous educational institution.

During the trial a jury heard that Johar, of Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, managed Kent-based Universal Solutions account with Edinburgh University when he formed a business relationship with Turnbull in 2005.

Under the plan, Turnbull regularly placed orders with Johar for quantities of cleaning products which the university did not need and rarely turned up.

Johar, who was known to Turnbull as Alan Scott, received an eight per cent commission on rising sales to the university.

In 2005, annual purchases for goods seemingly bought by the university came to 47,801, but by 2014-15 the yearly expenditure had climbed to 853,371, with purchases totalling 3.3 million over the period.

The scheme then began to unravel after university officials identified suspicious transactions with Universal Solutions which had been overseen by Turnbull, who quit the university in 2015.

When police searched Turnbulls North Berwick home in April 2016, they found evidence of the promotions he had received through companies linked to Johar and Universal Solutions.

These included gift cards and vouchers for Tesco, Next, Marks & Spencer and Rocco Forte Hotels.

They also found iPads, iPhones and Apple watches linked to the scam.

Johar, who has maintained he is innocent, will be subject to action under Proceeds of Crime legislation to recover the financial benefit he fraudulently obtained.

He was sentenced to seven years in prison at Edinburgh High Court on Monday, having been convicted by a jury in May.

A University of Edinburgh spokesman said: The university thanks Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for their handling of this case.

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.
FORT SALONGA, N.Y. (PIX11)  Good Samaritans jumped into action Sunday evening when they saw a car crashed into a pole and smoking on Long Island.

The woman, Tempestt Harris-Buckner, swerved to avoid hitting an animal on Bread and Cheese Hollow Road near Pulaski Street around 6 p.m., sending her crashing into a utility pole, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.

1 dead, 2 others injured in East Village stabbing: NYPD

When the pole and car started to catch fire, bystanders jumped into action, police said.

Shane McCoy, 25, of Long Island was on his way home from work when he saw the car smoking. He pulled over and hopped out with a few other men, he told PIX11 News Monday morning.

We got to get her out of here now, McCoy recalled telling the other men. I just didnt think.

The men grabbed Harris-Buckner from her car and pulled her about 50 feet away before the car became totally engulfed in flames, according to police and McCoy. To keep her calm, the men talked to her while they used belts and towels to treat a bad leg injury, McCoy said.

The woman was rushed to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to SCPD.

In total, around six people had come to help out, according to McCoy, a volunteer firefighter and EMT. One person grabbed a fire extinguisher from their house to help, he said. Police identified the other men as Michael Susinno, John McPartland and Michel Pitre.

It was really nice to see, McCoy said. There is still good in people.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered New York City since 2023. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
California budget deal: Heres who won and who lost in $300 billion spending plan

Social safety net programs emerged as one of the big winners of a budget deal hammered out between Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers with both sides compromising on some fronts to get to the nearly $300 billion budget agreement right under the deadline.

Lawmakers agreed with the governor to delay the minimum wage hike for health care workers and Newsom made concessions on other items, including acquiescing to legislators desire to keep flowing $1 billion in state money to combat homelessness in a new round of funding.

The measures were agreed to in a budget deal announced over the weekend to fill a nearly $47 billion shortfall.

Newsom listened to leaders and allies in the Democratic-controlled Legislature on several fronts to cobble together the agreement. In some areas lawmakers went further than Newsom and offered more ways to save money, while in others they rejected the governors budget proposals.

Here are some winners and losers from the 2024-25 budget deal:

WINNERS

Subsidized child care: In a tough budget year, Newsom wanted to hit pause for an indefinite period toward achieving an agreed-upon 200,000 subsidized child care slots in the state by 2026.

The proposal would have frozen the number of available slots at 119,000 and also clawed back funding for some 11,000 additional slots already authorized, saving $1.4 billion over two years.

The final agreement funds the approximately 11,000 new slots that had already been awarded and pauses additional expansion of slots by two years, after which additional slots will be subject to future budget appropriations.

Child care providers applauded the agreement. Some 40,000 are represented by the Child Care Providers United (CCPU).

The voices of child care providers, parents, and leaders of the Legislative Womens Caucus are clearly reflected in the budget agreement, which protects Californias progress on supporting working families child care access and early education for our youngest learners, Rasiene Reece, a child care provider in Victorville, said in a statement from the union.

A stronger economy and a healthier state budget are only possible when the states lowest-paid workers, including those working irregular hours, have a safe place for their children to learn during work shifts, Reece said.

Middle Class Scholarship recipients: Funding for the states Middle Class Scholarship program will continue for students seeking to attend four-year schools with the agreement maintaining $637 million in ongoing funds and $289 million in one-time money.

The deal calls for an ongoing reduction of $110 million for the program starting in 2025-26.

Thousands of California students from middle class families would have had a tougher time attending four-year schools had Newsom and state lawmakers not been able to agree as their separate budget proposals were $826 million apart on how much money should be allocated for the Middle Class Scholarship program.

Newsoms plan called for $100 million in the scholarship pot after his proposed trims. The Legislature wanted $926 million, aiming to continue what was previously planned and including a one-time $289 million addition for the next two years.

The scholarship is open to undergraduates and students seeking teaching credentials at state universities with family income under $217,000.

City and counties homelessness efforts: $1 billion will continue in a sixth round of funding to help cities and counties combat homelessness tied to accountability measures. Newsom said previously he would listen to legislators on the issue and had not included the funds for the next round.

The governors revised budget in May had not set $1 billion aside for a sixth round of funding for the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program, or HHAP, which provides flexible grant dollars to cities, counties and for care across the state.

The budget approved by the Legislature had included the money.

In the final deal announced Saturday morning between Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, another round of $1 billion in grants will continue in 2024-25 but will be tied to increased accountability measures.

Local leaders had encouraged the administration and lawmakers to keep the homelessness money coming, calling it a lifeline. They expressed relief when the deal was announced.

Cities like mine depend on the state homelessness dollars that had previously been considered for elimination and the fact that they have been restored  and at their current level  will allow us to continue to tackle the biggest issue in the state, which is homelessness, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, chair of the California Big City Mayors coalition, told The Sacramento Bee Saturday.

Losers

Health care workforce: Minimum wage hikes for health care workers will be delayed and there will be a reduction of about $746 million for health care workforce programs.

Newsom last year signed into law a bill that created a framework for the wage hikes that the Department of Finance projected would cost $4 billion to implement. In January, he proposed setting up a trigger that would make the increases subject to funding availability.

The agreement includes the trigger to implement the health care worker minimum wage increases pursuant to Senate Bill 525 by Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, D-Los Angeles, which created a framework for the wage hikes.

The deal also includes statutory changes to exempt state facilities and other implementation clarifications, according to the agreement.

Prisons: A trim of $750 million to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is part of the final budget agreement. Newsom had already proposed saving $82 million by deactivating 46 housing units at 13 prisons.

Progressive Democrats had been urging cuts to prison spending to keep social safety net programs intact.

The $750 million in reductions apply over a three-year budget window of 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25  the bulk of the savings coming in the next fiscal year, according to an Assembly floor report.

Actual impact as yet unclear

Ongoing state operations reductions: Lawmakers and the governor have agreed to trim state operations  cuts to nearly all department budgets  by nearly 8% for an overall expected savings of approximately $3 billion a year.

The reduction involves all categories of spending, including personnel, operating costs and contracting to achieve the savings, the agreement notes.

The cuts to state operations would build on a December budget letter Newsoms Department of Finance sent to all state departments and agencies that enacted a current year budget freeze in anticipation of the looming deficit.

The precise contours of those reductions will not be known for several months.

The nonpartisan Legislative Analysts Office previously cautioned lawmakers that savings from the cut to state operations may not materialize and that would pose a larger deficit in the next budget year.
(FOX40.COM)  El Dorado County continues to experience a heightened level of mountain lion sightings that has caused local law enforcement to establish an official mountain lion sighting and reporting protocol.

In March, El Dorado County and the community of Georgetown became the center of mountain lion news in California after a mountain lion killed a man and severely injured his brother.

Video Above: Account of mountain lion attack against California brothers (From March 2024)

This was the first fatal human-mountain lion encounter in 20 years.

In the following months, El Dorado County residents continued to report mountain lion sightings to which the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office has created an official sighting and reporting protocol.

What is Californias mountain lion population?

In a social media post, the sheriffs office wrote that they met with The Outdoor View and the County Agricultural Department to create these protocols.

The groups decided that simple sightings can be posted to the El Dorado County Mountain Lion Sightings Facebook page.

Since early May, a number of videos and photos of mountain lion sightings, aftermath of lion attacks and written descriptions of mountain lions sightings have been posted to the page.

If injured/dead livestock or pets are discovered and the mountain lion has left the area residents should call the El Dorado County Agricultural Department at 530-621-520.

Mountain lions, bears, and wolves: These are the animals in California capable of causing human-wildlife conflicts, CDFW says

In the case of an attack immediate risk attack on you, your family, pets or livestock call 911 directly.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, mountain lions inhabit most areas of California excluding the Sacramento and Central valleys, the high sierra and deserts of Southern California and areas of higher human population density.

There is an estimated 185,000 square kilometers of habitat for mountain lions in California, with almost two lions occupying a 100 square kilometer habitat, according to the Mountain Lion Foundation.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Democrats in the California Legislature are running out of time to get their act together on sentencing reform or risk losing control of the issue to a public fed up with the states epidemic of retail theft. Its everyday voters  not a handful of powerful politicians  who are likely to reform matters one way or the other.

The collective desires of legislative leadership and Gov. Gavin Newsom is to leave untouched a landmark sentencing reform law, Proposition 47 (passed a decade ago), which converted some nonviolent crimes such as petty theft and drug use into misdemeanors. But pretending that the issue isnt coming back is looking more delusional by the day.

An initiative has qualified for the November ballot that could lead to increased jail sentencing for repeat shoplifters and chronic drug users. The most realistic way to get initiative backers to leave the measure off the ballot is if Democrats pass a compromise alternative.

But it seems Democrats simply dont know what to do.

Opinion

Credit Sacramentos Kevin McCarty, chairman of the Assembly Public Safety Committee, for helping to kill a really bad idea.

It appeared that Newsom and legislative leadership were looking to pass a package of crime reform legislation with language that would kill the entire package if voters in November were to pass the so-called Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act. But that was a wildly cynical idea to gain leverage that Newsom and legislative leadership simply never had.

Threatening a form of legislative suicide proved to be a self-inflicted wound, with legislative Republicans and pragmatic Democrats like McCarty wanting no part of such tactics.

So with poison pills now off the table, whats left? The Democrats can try to quickly pass a series of modest reforms and then claim a November initiative is not necessary. A less risky path is a compromise initiative, but that would deeply split the Democrats in the California Legislature.

Prop. 47 made petty theft (stealing up to $950) a misdemeanor, a reasonable threshold. But this law also effectively allowed someone to go into a store and commit petty theft each and every day, with these crimes never adding up to anything more serious.

Defenders of Prop. 47 are loath to reopen the issue, fearing that stiffer sentencing would lead to mass incarcerations of poor Californians who are resorting to thievery to survive. So Democrats have been advancing different reforms they can tolerate.

McCarty, as an example, has a bill that would allow stores facing chronic theft problems to send their evidence directly to a county district attorney, bypassing police altogether.

But now that an initiative that would lead to more jail time for chronic shoplifters and drug users refusing treatment has qualified for the ballot, Democrats have no realistic way to avoid the voters. The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Ac is backed by district attorneys and businesses.

I hope we can find a compromise, McCarty said. He hopes to make some strategic changes to Proposition 47 which will bring more accountability to offenders, but, conversely, wont bring back mass incarceration in our state prison system.

Initiative backers have until June 27 to withdraw their measure from the ballot. Without a meaningful alternative from the legislature, its changes to Prop. 47 are heading to the ballot.

McCarty thinks the initiative has gone too far on greater sentencing. Maybe Newsom can convince enough voters to reject it come November. But voters continue to see shoplifting with their own eyes as part of modern California life. And Newsoms popularity is on the decline.

Only the voters can significantly change the sentencing guidelines in Prop. 47. Its another example of the states legendary initiative process: Once voters take legislating into their own hands, they can keep control of the issue.

For the powerful Democrats in Sacramento, thats one pill thats hard to swallow. But thats where we are. There is no possibility of intimidating district attorneys like Yolo Countys Jeff Reisig, a key backer of the qualified initiative. The only alternative is negotiation, compromise and pragmatism. Those words are like a foreign language these days in our halls of power.

The paralysis of the legislative Democrats reveals a party divided. Its hard to identify appropriate consequences for crimes like shoplifting in ways that  hopefully  break the cycle of crime and incarceration and, instead, lead to better outcomes, such as drug treatment when theft is fueled by addiction. If the threat of stiffer sentences leads to rehabilitation rather than prison time, that is the kind of compromise that may work.

Now, Sacramentos majority party are down to only a matter of days to advance something meaningful. For a party accustomed to getting its own way in town, it is in some unfamiliar territory.
FILE -- State Sen. Ben Allen, D-Santa Monica, speaks at the Capitol on Friday, May 27, 2016, in Sacramento, Calif. On Monday, June 24, 2024, lawmakers voted to remove a measure from the November ballot that would have asked voters to repeal a law requiring voter approval for some publicly-funded affordable housing projects. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California lawmakers on Monday abandoned their attempt to repeal the nation's only law requiring voter approval for publicly funded affordable housing projects, a provision added to the state Constitution more than half a century ago that aimed to keep people of color out of white neighborhoods.

Most everyone in the state Capitol agrees the law needs to go, and no organized opposition has emerged to repealing it. But the measure is one of more than a dozen that have qualified for the November election, and supporters worry about raising the millions of dollars it will take to campaign for its passage.

That's one reason why lawmakers voted to withdraw the measure on Monday just three days before the secretary of state must certify the ballot for the November election.

While (the repeal) was one of many efforts to help address the housing crisis, the November ballot will be very crowded and reaching voters will be difficult and expensive, said Democratic state Sen. Ben Allen, who authored the bill to remove the measure from the ballot.

California has a robust initiative process that lets the public bypass the state Legislature to propose and pass laws via a statewide election. Each election, there are sometimes more than a dozen measures crowding the ballot competing for voters' attention.

This year, initiatives have qualified that would raise the minimum wage to $18 per hour, increase penalties for certain drug and theft crimes and require high-school students to take a personal finance course before they can graduate.

Some ballot measures have been removed. The California Supreme Court last week removed a measure that would have made it harder to raise taxes. Business groups and legislative leaders reached a compromise last week to withdraw a measure that would have repealed a state law that allows workers to sue their employers for labor violations.

The ballot measures that are left will require expensive campaigns to advocate for or against them  campaigns that can cost as much as $20 million or more because California has some of the country's most expensive media markets.

Going to the ballot is more than just expensive  it's risky. Once a campaign fails, it can take years for supporters to try again. Voters have rejected attempts to either repeal or change California's housing law three times before, in 1974, 1980 and 1993.

The housing law dates to 1949, when the federal Housing Act banned racial discrimination in public housing projects. A year later, voters passed a constitutional amendment requiring the government to get voter approval before using public money to build affordable housing.

Decades later, California is the only state that has a law like this, and it only applies to public funding for affordable housing, which is disproportionately used by people of color.

Over the years, lawmakers have found ways around the law. They changed the definition of low-rent housing project to mean any development where more than 49% of the units are set aside for people with low incomes. Anything less than that doesnt require an election.

And last year, lawmakers passed and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law that exempted housing developments that received funding from various state programs.
California lawmakers agreed to loan Pacific Gas & Electric Co. an additional $400 million to extend the life of Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, ceding to Gov. Gavin Newsoms push for the loan after initially refusing to pay in a public budget spat.

Newsom, who brokered a 2022 deal to extend the nuclear plants operations with state loans to be covered by the federal government, has argued that Diablo Canyon is critical to maintaining grid stability as the state transitions to clean energy.

Legislative leaders questioned the necessity and cost-effectiveness of keeping the plant open, initially rejecting the loan out of concern that taxpayers and PG&E ratepayers could end up footing the bill for substantial parts of $1.4 billion in loans.

But the budget deal released over the weekend after weeks of negotiations between the governor and lawmakers includes the $400 million allotment, along with a requirement for the Department of Water Resources to report on how the money will be spent and unpaid balances.

The final budget deal with the Governor represents a total capitulation to PG&E and its shareholders, Utility Reform Network attorney Matthew Freedman wrote. This $400 million will never be paid back to the general fund, forcing taxpayers to absorb the costs.

The governors office deferred questions to the DWR, which oversees the PG&E loans. Several lawmakers did not respond to requests for comment.

Keeping Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant online is prudent and cost effective, said DWR spokesperson Ryan Endean in a written statement, citing the need for grid reliability under extreme heat waves.

Its important that PG&E receive money from the state needed to extend its operating license, Endean said, or else the plant will be ineligible for federal funds and none of the $1 billion the state has already loaned to PG&E could be repaid.

Diablo Canyon, Californias last nuclear power plant, contributes roughly 9% of the states energy on a given day. It was initially set to close in 2025 in an agreement with labor unions after years of pressure from environmental groups and community organizations.

Two years ago, during a budget surplus and searing summer heat that threatened blackouts, Newsom passed SB 846 to extend its life to 2030. He said it would preserve reliability of the grid with zero-carbon electricity as more renewables come online.

The governors 2022 extension deal authorized a $1.4 billion loan from the states general fund to support the plants operations, with the expectation that PG&E would repay it using a federal grant  but the U.S. Energy Department awarded the utility only $1.1 billion.

According to communications between PG&E staff to DWR, the federal award guarantees only $741 million, with the potential for $1.1 billion. Finance department and legislative analyst staff also agreed that timing and amount for loan repayment remains uncertain.

At a legislative hearing last month, Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park said We are frustrated, Im frustrated. When you hear the numbers on PG&E profits at a time when were asked to give additional loans... It doesnt add up.

PG&E reported last year that the company saw its profits surge by almost 25%, almost immediately after issuing substantial rate hikes.

Friction between governor and lawmakers during budget negotiations unfolded as environmental and anti-nuclear advocates warned of a growing price tag to keep the plant open, roughly doubling from $6 billion to nearly $12 billion.

An anti-nuclear environmental group also sued the federal Energy Department, arguing the agency failed to consider environmental impacts from extending the plants life such as disaster risk from potential earthquakes.

David Weissman, executive director of the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility, said the deal was struck based on promises that taxpayers and ratepayers would not foot the bill and large amounts of battery storage have drastically improved grid reliability.

Were disappointed in this decision and I dont know why the legislature changed their mind over 24 hours, he said. The cost of this extension continues to balloon and skyrocket... We think this money is better spent continuing to develop technologies in the renewable sector.

PG&E, the plants operator, said Diablo Canyon continues to be Californias single largest source of clean energy.

The notion that Diablo Canyon Power Plant provides little public benefit could not be further from the truth, said PG&E spokesperson Suzanne Hosn in a written statement, saying the net benefit of the plants operation amounts to $500 million per year.

Diablo Canyon remains the only cost-effective resource available to meet the states energy demands, the Governor and state Legislature have directed us to continue operating the plant until its output can be replaced by renewable energy resources.

The San Luis Obispo Tribunes Stephanie Zappelli contributed reporting.




Wolf in sheep's clothing

(Global Times) Although the Philippines' latest provocation in the waters off China's Ren'ai Jiao (also known as Ren'ai Reef) in the South China Sea has failed under the decisive law enforcement by the China Coast Guard (CCG), the US is still trying to hype the tension in the region, as it wants more regional countries to be used and seek hegemonic interests from conflicts, said Chinese experts after a senior US diplomat made groundless accusations in Vietnam against China recently.

Washington's meddling is the root cause of the current tension disrupting regional peace and stability, and it using the mutual defense treaty with Manila to harm China's sovereignty is doomed to fail, experts said. Apart from the law enforcement forces like the CCG, the Chinese navy is also well-prepared for any further potential provocation from the US navy in the region, said analysts as the vessels of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy have recently conducted training exercises and patrols in relevant waters.

US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink visited and held talks in Vietnam on Saturday, according to the AP. Kritenbrink pointed finger at China's necessary, lawful, justified, professional and restrained law enforcement against the Philippines' provocation on June 17.

"China's actions, particularly its recent actions, have been irresponsible, aggressive, dangerous, deeply destabilizing," Kritenbrink said, stressing that defense treaties between the US and its ally the Philippines were "ironclad."

In response to the remarks from the US official, the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam released a statement on Sunday saying that "China has indisputable sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and rights of jurisdiction over relevant waters  The history of the issue of Ren'ai Jiao is very clear. For its own geopolitical interests, the US has repeatedly meddled in and provoked the maritime issues between China and the Philippines. On the one hand, it has encouraged and supported the Philippines' infringement and provocations in the South China Sea, and even blatantly supported the Philippines by threatening to invoke the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty at every turn."

"On the other hand, the US has ignored facts, distorted right and wrong, amplified disputes and provoked confrontation, and made groundless accusations against China's legitimate rights protection. What the US has done seriously violates international law and basic norms governing international relations; undermines China's sovereignty and rights and interests; and jeopardizes regional peace and stability. China expresses strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to this."

Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Sunday that "the international community, including all regional countries, can see clearly from relevant videos and photos that it was the Philippines who sent its military personnel to intrude into China's territorial waters, and the provocation met with decisive actions from the Chinese law enforcement forces. Who is provoking? Who has been forced to respond to provocation? Who is aggressive and who is being restrained? Who wins and who loses? Answers to these questions are all clear."

However, the US doesn't want to give up its meddling, so it sends the diplomats to Vietnam, not the Philippines, to try to expand the mess to other countries, to try to instigate more regional countries to fall into the trap of confrontation, and played up the so-called mutual defense treaty over and over again despite that the US ally has paid heavy prices after having direct frictions with China but only receive lip service from Washington, said Li.
California logs biggest job gain since October with 40,000 new jobs, unemployment rate stays up

Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

CA SEES STEADY JOB GROWTH

Via David Lightman

California gained 43,700 nonfarm jobs last month, the states biggest monthly increase since October.

The states jobs numbers have lagged, logging the nations highest unemployment rate in recent months. Despite the May gains, the rate slipped only slightly, to 5.2%, according to the latest jobs report from the states Employment Development Department.

The state rate was well above the national rate of 4%, and higher than Californias 4.5% a year earlier. The states rates have remained high for several reasons, including tech layoffs, small business struggles and less government spending.

But there were promising signs last month. California has 11% of all jobs nationwide, but the states May gain accounted for 16.1% of the national job increase.

Among the 11 sectors that make up Californias job market, eight saw increases last month.

The biggest increase was in hospitality jobs. EDD said that was largely because of drying out from wet weather across the state earlier in the year.

Also up significantly was the number of jobs in the accommodations and food services area.

Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated the growth in a statement last Friday.

California is creating good jobs all throughout the state to support Californians and their families, he said. As the states economy grows and hits new milestones, we need to continue supporting and uplifting every community across California.

NEWSOM SIGNS MAIL TRANSPARENCY BILL

Via Vik Jolly

Help is on the way for Californians sorting through their mail and trying to figure out whether a legit looking envelope and enclosed letter is from a real government agency or their financial institution. Or whether its an advertisement or solicitation.

Among some dozen bills that Newsom has recently signed into law is the mail transparency legislation that targets solicitors who send the confusing letters to consumers.

The legislation, Senate Bill 1096, by Sen. Kelly Seyarto, R-Murrieta, requires a disclosure statement to appear in at least 16-point bold type on the front of the envelope that contains a solicitation. The statement must disclose that the item is an advertisement, and that the recipient is not required to make a payment or take any action.

Seyartos bill amends the Consumers Legal Remedies Act, which decades ago made it illegal to engage in unfair or deceptive practices to sell goods or services to consumers.

It will help people from being tricked into joining something or paying for something they would not ordinarily, Seyarto said. It isnt a super flashy bill but in the end it will have a lot of benefits for a lot of people.

The senator said he authored the bill to address growing concern from constituents, especially the elderly, about the official looking documents that arrive in the mail that are confusing to them.

It makes you think either theres a check inside or the state is sending you an official Youre in trouble letter,  Seyarto said. A lot of people panic and it causes them anxiety .

The legislation, which will go into effect in January, is the first to require disclaimers to be printed on front of the envelope. Previous bills required disclaimers to be on the letter inside.

MAJORITY OF CALIFORNIANS CONCERNED ABOUT STATE REFERENDUMS, NEW POLL SHOWS

A majority of California registered voters say they are concerned with the growing presence of corporate or industry-sponsored referendums to attempt to undo laws passed by the state legislature, according to a Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll that was released Friday..

According to the poll of 5,095 registered voters in the state, 75% of voters across party lines shared this concern, though 88% of Democrats voiced their concern while just 55% of Republican voters did.

One such example is the California Oil and Gas Well referendum, which seeks to overturn a 2022 law that prevents new oil and gas wells from being built within 3,200 feet of sensitive areas such as homes, schools, nursing homes, and hospitals. The referendum is led by the California Independent Petroleum Association, which launched a Stop the Energy Shutdown campaign to get the ball rolling on the referendum, which will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot this fall.

A slightly smaller percentage of voters  six out of 10  also said they were concerned about the use of recall elections to remove public officials from office.

Overall, though, 52% of voters are satisfied with democracy at large in the state, while 44% report being unsatisfied. Satisfaction with how democracy is working in California was sharply different among the two major parties; eight of 10 Republican or conservative voters said they were not satisfied while close to 75% of Democrats said they were.

The Berkeley IGS survey took place online in early June and focused on voter attitudes toward a wide range of issues about the states democracy. The poll was conducted in five languages.

California voters offer a mixed evaluation of the states democracy, said Eric Schickler, co-director of the Institute of Governmental Studies. There is broad satisfaction with the methods available for voting, but important concerns about the way the referendum and recall processes are currently being used.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Louisiana has the worst crime rate in the nation  but this is their priority.

- Gov. Gavin Newsom after Louisiana became the first U.S. state to require the Ten Commandments be posted in public school classrooms

Best of The Bee:
California man, 34, was supposed to go on a 3-hour hike. He was found 10 days later covered in mud

California man, 34, was supposed to go on a 3-hour hike. He was found 10 days later covered in mud

A Californian man who embarked on a three-hour hike has been found after being stranded for 10 days in the mountains, surviving mostly off water.

Lukas McClish, 34, covered in dirt, reunited with his family late last week afer his ordeal in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

McClish told KGO that he set out on a hike on June 11 from his hometown of Boulder Creek in what he thought would be a short outing that Tuesday on his way to work; however, the further he got into the hike he became lost after he did not recognize several guiding landmarks that had been burned down in wildfires.

McClish, a hiker and experienced backpacker who does landscaping in forests that have been destroyed by wildfires, told The New York Times that he was intending to go and look at a granite outcropping in a nearby woods, but ended up becoming lost in the area that was devastated by the CZU Lightning Complex fire in 2020.

Thats one thing that I didnt take into consideration  when the fire comes through like that and decimates it, it turns into the desert, and youre unable to find your bearings, he told the outlet.

On June 16, McClish was supposed to attend a Fathers Day dinner with his family, but after becoming a no-show, he was declared missing that day once they had alerted authorities.

34-year-old Lukas McClish reunites with his family after getting lost in the Californian wilderness for around 10 days (Cal Fire CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit)

Four days later, McClish was found after multiple reports came into local agencies that they could hear the sound of someone yelling for help in the Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Just help, help. Im over here. Or is anybody out there? I want a burrito and a taco bowl, thats what I thought about every day when after the first five days, when I started to kind of realize that I might be in over my head, McClish told KSBW.

Around 3pm in the afternoon, several witnesses reported hearing someone yelling for help in Foreman Creek off Big Basin Highway, the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office wrote in a social media post.

McClish was reported missing by his family after he did not show up for a celebration on Fathers Day (Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office)

The deputies from the sheriffs office, State Parks, Cal Fire and Boulder Creek Fire Department all responded to the area, where they eventually found McClish, who had been missing for around 10 days at that point.

The agencies used drones to find McClishs exact location, and State Park rangers were shortly on scene with the missing man, with fire crews behind them to bring him to safety.

Fortunately, the hiker had no major injuries and was able to reunite with his family, the sheriffs office wrote.

The hiker told KGO that he was overwhelmed by the amount of personnel that joined in his rescue.

Rescue personnel from different agencies all assisted in the search for the missing hiker (Cal Fire CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit)

"It was just really humbling and I dont know, it was an awesome experience," McClish said.

"I left with just a pair of pants, and my pair of hiking shoes, and a hat. I had a flashlight, and a pair of folding scissors, like a Leatherman tool. And that was about it," McClish added.

While he was lost in the Big Basin State Parks area, McClish told the outlet he managed to survive by drinking lots of water.

"I just make sure I drank a gallon of water every day, but then after, getting close to the end of it, my body needed food and some kind of sustenance," McClish said.

McClish survived mostly off water during his attempts to find his way out of the wildnerness (Cal Fire CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit)

He told KSBW that on the days he was out in the wilderness, he just kept hiking, going up and down canyons, and even encountered a mountain lion while trying to find his way out.

I felt comfortable the whole time I was out there; I wasnt worried, McClish, who has backpacked through other regions in the US, told the outlet. I had a mountain lion that was following me, and it was cool. It kept its distance. I think it was just somebody watching over me.

McClish, who likes to embrace the wilderness, used the opportunity to test his survival skills while he was lost; however, the hiker ended up losing around 30 pounds in 10 days, the New York Times reported.

Now he has been rescued, he told KGO that he thinks he has done enough hiking for probably the whole rest of the year.
New California state jobs pay up to $8,000 monthly, no degree required in Sacramento

(FOX40.COM)  The state of California is currently hiring for roles that pay up to $8,000 per month and dont require higher education.

 Video Above: What does it take to be middle class?

Think you need a college degree to work for the State of California? Think again!, CalCareers said on its website. There are plenty of state careers that dont require a college degree. Find what works best for you and your skills.

Search thousands of open positions in California on FOX40 Jobs

The state recently posted several open positions in Sacramento that also come with benefits.

CA State job listings in Sacramento

 Custodian (up to $4,316 per month): Custodial duties include keeping an office, building, area, correctional facility, residential facility, or medical facility clean and orderly; sweep, mop, scrub, wax, vacuum, polish, dust, empty and clean waste receptacles, and more.

 Personnel Specialist (up to $6,116 per month): Personnel duties require a thorough and detailed knowledge of how to apply appropriate laws, rules, regulations, and contract language related to personnel transactions.

 Staff Services Manager (up to $8,398 per month): Manager duties may include supervising groups, budgeting, data analysis, personnel relations, project management, and more.

 Student Assistant (up to $4,023 per month): Assistant duties include participating in training programs, learning policies and procedures, computation, data analysis, and other related activities in the assigned department.

Low-cost airline adding two daily flights between Sacramento and Burbank

 Office Assistant or Office Technician (up to $4,440 per month): General office duties include typing, filing, record keeping, cashiering, ordering and maintaining supplies, mail and document handling, and oral communications.

 Legal Secretary (up to $5,418 per month): Legal secretaries work in multiple jurisdictions including State, Federal, and appellate courts or Office of Administrative Hearings. Some duties include complex clerical work, and coordinating court-related services.

For more information on California state job qualifications or listings visit calcareers.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.
How to get into California state parks for free this year

Californians can once again get access to hundreds of the states parks for free through at least December 2025 after the state legislature restored a popular program.

The Library Parks Pass Program allows Californians with valid library cards to check out a park pass from their local library to be used for a single-vehicle entry at more than 200 state parks, beaches and recreation areas.

Cardholders can check out a pass and visit as many as 54 state parks throughout the year, free of charge.

The program was a victim of budget cuts earlier this year, according to supporters, including the California State Parks Foundation.

But a grassroots effort to secure funding for at least another year saw more than 5,000 letters sent to legislators urging them to protect the program, officials from the nonprofit organization said.

The California legislature has since set aside $6.75 million of its upcoming budget to fund the program through the end of 2025. Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to approve and sign the states budget proposal later this week.

We commend the Legislature and Governor for reaching an agreement to restore full funding for this highly effective and popular program providing free access to California state parks, said Rachel Norton, the California State Parks Foundations executive director. The California State Library Parks Pass is critical to our states goal of a healthier, more equitable California for All.

Norton said admission and parking fees can act as a barrier for Californians who want to visit the states boundless natural wonders, particularly those with lower incomes. This, Norton said, can prevent families from experiencing the physical and mental health benefits, educational opportunities, and recreational activities that these spaces offer.

The state has placed more than 33,000 park passes in more than 1,100 public libraries, and the program has proven to be very popular.

According to a survey conducted by the nonprofit organization, a majority of respondents, including many in lower income households and members of the BIPOC community, said cost of getting into a state park had previously been the main reason for not visiting.

Thanks to the park pass program, a staggering 90% of respondents now plan to visit state parks over seven times a year, the organization said in a news release.

For more information about the California State Library Parks Pass program, including a list of participating parks, click here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's ambassador to Beijing visited the region of Xinjiang last week and expressed concerns about human rights violations directly to local leaders, the Canadian foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

A 2022 report by the then U.N. human rights chief said China's treatment of Uyghurs, a mainly Muslim ethnic minority in Xinjiang, in the country's far west, could constitute crimes against humanity. Beijing denies the allegations.

Ambassador Jennifer May visited Xinjiang from June 19-22, the first such visit by a Canadian envoy in a decade.

"(This) served as an opportunity to communicate Canadian concerns about the human rights situation directly to the leadership of Xinjiang," the ministry statement said.

"Ambassador May raised concerns over credible reports of systematic violations of human rights occurring in Xinjiang affecting Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities, including those raised by U.N. experts," it continued.

The Chinese embassy in Ottawa was not immediately available for comment.

May visited Xinjiang a few weeks after Canada said it had warned China against meddling in its elections. In April, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Beijing had tried to interfere in the last two national votes, a charge China dismissed.

Campaign groups on Saturday urged U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk to take more action over what they said were documented abuses against Uyghurs and other Muslims.

May also reiterated Canada's calls for China to allow U.N. independent experts unfettered access to all regions of China, the statement said. Canada, like the United States, has imposed sanctions on individuals and entities over alleged rights abuses in Xinjiang.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; editing by Diane Craft)
A candidates bounced check means another Miami-Dade commissioner gets four more years

A Miami-Dade County commissioner was automatically reelected to a second four-year term on Monday after his challengers check to qualify for the race bounced, according to the Elections Department.

Rene Garcia, who represents parts of Hialeah and surrounding areas as the District 13 commissioner, was declared unopposed in the Aug. 20 election after challenger Ian Anthony Medina did not replace a bounced $360 filing check he delivered hours before the noon qualifying deadline on June 11.

READ MORE: With zero ballots cast, three Miami-Dade commissioners get four more years in office

After the check was returned for insufficient funds, an elections administrator wrote Medina on Thursday to say that state rules would give him until Monday at 3 p.m. for the first-time county candidate to deliver a cashiers check for the proper amount, according to a copy of the email provided to the Miami Herald through a records request.

Once that deadline passed, the Elections Departments website changed both candidates statuses, marking Garcia as unopposed and Medina as did not qualify.

Medina and Garcia were not immediately available for comment.

The change makes Garcia the fourth commissioner this year to win reelection for lack of a challenger. The other three had no opponents when the June 11 filing deadline passed: District 1s Oliver Gilbert, District 5s Eileen Higgins and District 9s Kionne McGhee.

Three others face challengers in the Aug. 20 election: District 3s Keon Hardemon, District 7s Raquel Regalado and District 11s Roberto Gonzalez.

Ian Anthony Medina, pictured here on his website, is accused of working as an attorney in Miami without a law license.

Garcia, 49, is a former Republican state senator who was elected to his first term on the commission in 2020.

Medina, 30, was in the news in 2022 during a failed run for the Miami Lakes town council when he was arrested on charges of practicing law without a license. Court records show the case was closed under a diversion program that allows defendants to avoid convictions. Medina said he was required to complete courses on legal ethics and volunteer for community service.

A Federal Election Commission database shows in March he registered a committee to run as a nonpartisan candidate for U.S. president in 2024, but Medina said earlier this month that was just a joke.
Car crash causes power outage for over 1,000 people in Sacramento area

(FOX40.COM)  Over 1000 people are without power in Sacramento County after a car crashed into a powerline on Sunday.

Around 3:50 p.m., the Citrus Heights Police Department reported a traffic collision northbound on Sunrise Blvd at Twin Oaks. As a result, the roadway was blocked off because of a downed power line and police said to expect delays in that area.

According to a SMUD outage map, 1,132 are without power and electricity and the estimated restoration time is 9:15 p.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin, and Doug Parker, assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, hosted a town hall at Workers Defense Project in East Austin on Thursday to announce a proposed federal rule to strengthen workers' protections from heat-related hazards.

Just over 12 years ago, Jose Lainez, a construction worker and Honduran immigrant, died while building a bridge between Austin's U.S.183 and U.S. 290 under a beating June sun. Employed by the state, he wasn't guaranteed the right to water breaks, and his family believes he died of heat exhaustion.

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar helped plan a vigil for Lainez in 2012 while working for Workers Defense Project, an immigrant laborers' advocacy group headquartered in East Austin.

The effect that Lainez's death had on Casar was palpable as the Austin Democrat returned to the project's building Thursday to announce that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which enforces labor laws, will soon publish a draft proposal for a federal rule that would increase workers' protections against heat-related hazards.

It used to be that we were talking about climate change and climate denialists said we were making up a monster, Casar said during his opening remarks to the crowd of union members and other local laborers. Well, the monster is here.

Casar was accompanied by Doug Parker, OSHAs assistant secretary of labor, who spoke about the agencys efforts to implement the new federal rule.

Doug Parker, OSHA's assistant secretary of labor, told the audience about the bureaucratic process required to administer a new federal rule and how long it could take.

Parker spoke to the audience about the bureaucratic process required to administer a new federal rule, explaining that after the rule is approved by the White House, it will be published for a public comment period, which will last 60 days at a minimum. After public comments are submitted, OSHA must review and address all substantive concerns contained in the comments before putting the new rule in place.

In the meantime, OSHA has increased heat and worker safety inspections, allowing it to enforce federal laws that guarantee workers the right to protection from "known hazards," which include heat.

The fight for heat protections has driven the former Austin City Council member throughout his career, as he told the audience. While he was at Workers Defense Project, the group successfully pushed the council to pass a city ordinance requiring employers to give workers water breaks. The 2012 ordinance remained in effect until Gov. Greg Abbott signed the "Death Star" bill in 2023, overruling that and other local policies that enact broader restrictions than are in state law.

In July, Casar staged a thirst and hunger strike outside of the U.S. Capitol in protest of Abbotts moves to limit local protections as well as the lack of federal action to create nationwide regulations.

"I can't think of anything better for Texas workers and anything better as a response to what Gov. Abbott did, that if we lost water breaks here and a couple of Texas cities, that would spur winning heat protections and the safety protections for every single worker in this country," Casar said.

More: Rep. Greg Casar leads thirst, hunger strike at U.S. Capitol. Here's why he was striking.

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, also joined the town hall to support Casar, whom he met while Casar was still an activist for Workers Defense Project.

"I don't think there's a stronger advocate in all Congress for working families and workers' rights than Greg Casar," Doggett said.

Because the power to reverse agency rules lies in the presidency, several attendees voiced concern that the outcome of the 2024 election would greatly affect the longevity of a narrower and less forgiving OSHA regulation.

Talking about the arcane process they have to go through to put a rule in place, I wish we could just pass a law, Casar said. Were going to fight to have a Congress that will put it in law, and we could put it in law tomorrow if we had a speaker that would bring this to the floor and a Democratic majority.

Another concern voiced by members of the audience was the extent to which federal OSHA rules would apply to undocumented workers in Texas.

While Parker was adamant that OSHA did not consider documentation status when receiving complaints from workers, he also acknowledged the reality that undocumented workers are shown to be significantly less likely to report concerns to OSHA when compared with U.S. citizens.

I want to stress that the immigrants that have been here for so long, over 30 years, and have been contributing with taxes and contributing to the economy are not being taken into account, Irene Araiza Medrano, a Mexican American retiree who posed a question about the status of undocumented workers to Casar, told the Statesman through an interpreter.

Throughout the town hall, Casar and other speakers highlighted the death toll associated with improper efforts to protect workers from severe weather conditions during long shifts. He emphasized that previous OSHA action had significantly curbed the trajectory of workplace deaths that existed before the agency's establishment.

Concerns about the timing of OSHAs rule drafting process were highlighted by audience members who asked questions during the latter half of the event.

Parker explained that he could not predict the amount of time that might lapse between the comment period being opened and the federal rule taking effect.

Rules simpler than the heat rule is expected to be can generate more than 10,000 comments, and OSHA is required to respond to each unique, substantive point that commenters make, a process that can take years. Though the rule has been expedited by the Biden administration, Parker said, it is still likely to take one or two more years to go into effect.

"It's very difficult to say exactly when it would be completed, because that is like making a prejudgment about what we're going to do, and that's not allowed," Parker told the audience. "I can tell you that it is our highest priority rule."

Workers Defense Project member-leader and construction laborer Eva Maroquin has known U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin, for more than 10 years.

Eva Maroquin, a Workers Defense Project member and construction laborer who attended Thursday's event, saw the town hall as an example of Casar's commitment to workers. She has known him since working with him in the early 2010s.

"Greg Casar is a people's leader, and he puts actions to his words," Maroquin told the Statesman through an interpreter. "I've seen it throughout his entire political career, from his start here all the way up until last year in Washington, D.C., for the thirst strike."

She emphasized that it will take not just a rule, but also consistent enforcement efforts to improve conditions for workers.

"That's the biggest thing, just to follow through with these promises," Maroquin said. "But it's the start of something good."

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar speaks at a Rethink35 rally at Sanchez Elementary School on Nov. 5. Rethink35 is a nonprofit opposing the Austin Interstate 35 expansion project.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Casar discusses heat hazards and proposed OSHA rule at town hall
Flooding that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has described as "catastrophic" has taken over much of the state, leaving "entire communities under feet of water."

Officials in Waterville said their area is experiencing the worst flooding in its history and that the Minnesota National Guard has been activated to help with the toll. Walz declared a peacetime emergency for the state over the weekend, which allowed the National Guard to deploy.

"Across the state, intense rain has had catastrophic effects. Flooding has left entire communities under feet of water, causing severe damage to property and numerous road closures," Walz said.

The emergency proclamation says that Waterville, which is wedged between Tetonka Lake and Sakatah Lake in Le Sueur County, received between 14 and 18 inches of rainfall, pushing those lakes and the Cannon River to "uncontrollable levels."

"Residents have been evacuated and the flood has already caused significant damage," the proclamation, issued on Saturday, says.

"It's all hands on deck here in Waterville. The water continues to rise and officials say they don't know when it's going to stop," CBS News Minnesota's Jason Rantala reported on Sunday.

"We just have too much water," Le Sueur County Commissioner David Preisler said.

Locals have been posting countless photos and videos of the damage on social media. One resident said on Sunday evening that "hundreds of cabins and homes" have been flooded, along with most of the downtown area. At his home, he said there was about 18 inches of water in the shed and around the cabin.

"The water is 3+ feet deep in some places," they wrote on Facebook. "Several roads in town are impassable and they have the fire department limiting access in many places."

CBS News Minnesota also reported that officials called this the worst flooding event to ever hit Waterville as 1,000 people volunteered to fill sandbags over the weekend to try and prevent even worse damage.

The National Weather Service says the weather playing into the flooding across Minnesota may not be over yet. Monday's early morning forecast shows that there's a slight risk of severe thunderstorms during evening hours, and the service says that if storms do form, "they'd likely have significant severe weather." Local river levels are also still rising and flooding continues to be a concern, forecasters said.

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(PUEBLO, Colo.)  The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has identified the victims involved in the double homicide from early morning Friday, June 21.

Dustyn Courtney, 29, and 20-year-old Trevion Lucas, both from Pueblo, died following the shooting by an unidentified suspect near Sailboard Beach after midnight.

According to the CBI, it appears the unknown man and Courtney got into an argument and a physical fight that resulted in the suspect pulling out a handgun and shooting Courtney.

UPDATE: Two dead in Lake Pueblo shooting

The CBI said that it does not appear Lucas was a part of the original dispute and it is still being investigated as to why he was shot.

Witnesses say the suspect fled the park and remains on the run. The incident occurred on the north side of the lake, not far from the dam, where a group was fishing from the shore.

Autopsies for both victims will take place on Tuesday, June 25. The Colorado Parks and Pueblo County Sheriffs Office is assisting the CBI who has taken over as lead agency in the case.

Currently, the CBI is conducting witness interviews in hopes of identifying a suspect.

Sailboard Beach reopened on Saturday afternoon, June 22. The rest of the park, campgrounds, and marina remained open.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CDK Global is now calling the cyberattack that took down its software platform for its auto dealership clients "a ransom event."

In a note to clients Saturday, CDK for the first time acknowledged that the hackers that made its dealer management system, or DMS, unavailable to clients for days, are demanding a ransom to restore its systems.

"Thank you for your patience as we recover from the cyber ransom event that occurred on June 19th," CDK said in a memo to clients on Saturday, according to a copy of the email obtained by CBS MoneyWatch.

CDK added in the note that it has started restoring its systems and expects the process of bringing major applications back online "to take several days and not weeks."

Beware of phishing

In its memo, the company also warned car dealerships to be alert to phishing scams, or entities posing as CDK but who are in fact bad actors trying to obtain proprietary information like customers' passwords.

A CDK spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch that it is providing customers "with alternate ways to conduct business" while its systems remain inoperative.

The cybercriminals behind the CDK attack are linked to a group called BlackSuit, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing Allan Liska of computer security firm Recorded Future. In a June 21 story, the media outlet also said the hackers were demanding tens of millions of dollars and that CDK planned to pay the ransom.

Liska didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. CDK itself hasn't pointed to any group behind the attack on its system that has disrupted car dealerships across the U.S. since last week. Companies targeted in ransomware schemes are often reluctant to disclose information in the midst of negotiations with hackers on a payment.

"When you see an attack of this kind, it almost always ends up being a ransomware attack," Cliff Steinhauer, director of information security and engagement at the National Cybersecurity Alliance, told the Associated Press. "We see it time and time again unfortunately, [particularly in] the last couple of years. No industry and no organization or software company is immune."

"Doing everything manually"

The hack has left some car dealers unable to do business altogether, while others report using pen and paper, and even "sticky notes" to record transactions.

Tom Maoli, owner of Celebrity Motor Car Company, which operates five luxury car dealerships across New York and New Jersey, on Monday told CBS MoneyWatch his employees "are doing everything manually."

"We are trying to keep our customers happy and the biggest issue is the banking side of things, which is completely backed up. We can't fund deals," he said.

Asbury Automotive Group, a Fortune 500 company operating more than 150 new car dealerships across the U.S., in a statement on Monday said the attack has "adversely impacted" its operations and has hindered its ability to do business. Its Koons Automotive dealerships in Maryland and Virginia, however, which don't rely on CDK's software, have been able to operate without interruption, the company said.

Ransomware attacks are on the rise. In 2023, more than 2,200 entities, including U.S. hospitals, schools and governments were directly impacted by ransomware, according to Emisoft, an anti-malware software company. Additionally, thousands of private sector companies were targeted. Some experts believe that the only way to stop such attacks is to ban the payment of ransoms, which Emisoft said would lead bad actors to "quickly pivot and move from high impact encryption-based attacks to other less disruptive forms of cybercrime."

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of State offered $10 million in exchange for the identities of leaders of the Hive ransomware gang, which since 2021 has been responsible for attacks on more than 1,500 institutions in over 80 countries, resulting in the theft of more than $100 million.

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WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 01: Advocates, legislators, and pregnant workers rally on Capitol Hill in support of The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act on December 01, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for A Better Balance)

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) went into effect almost one year ago on June, 27, protecting pregnant and postpartum workers by allowing them access to reasonable accommodations within the workplace. This is an anniversary worth celebrating!

Yet to realize the vision of this critical legislation  and other legislation that would support working mothers nationwide  we must renew efforts to inform pregnant and postpartum workers of their rights, and advocate for more family-friendly policies.

Implementing the PWFA has been long overdue: In 2022, nearly one in four pregnant workers considered dropping out of the labor force as a result of being denied reasonable accommodations and fearing reprisal. An additional one in five pregnant workers experienced discrimination. While this data is recent, the challenge of accessing workplace rights is not a new one. Since the 1970s, with the decline of labor power, some workplaces have increased violations of workplace protection laws. Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, and Uber, just to name a few, have all fought against empowering their workers either through unions, legislative advocacy, or through denying accommodations as simple as needing more bathroom breaks.

This anti-worker behavior has undermined all kinds of workers, yet raises particular concern for the treatment of pregnant women. Lack of accommodations can lead to health harm for both the mother and the child she is expecting, an alarming thought in light of Indianas precarious position in the country as the state with the third highest maternal mortality rate.

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In addition to promoting maternal health, the PWFA provides pregnant and postpartum workers fair treatment within the labor force that financially helps the nearly 51% of families in Indiana who rely on mothers as a primary breadwinner. These benefits conflict with Indianas legal actions, as the state recently joined 16 others in a lawsuit to undermine the power of the PWFA (after failing to pass state-level protections for pregnant and postpartum workers to boot).

Because this is an issue that impacts the fabric of our societal wellbeing, taking time to spread awareness on new postpartum and pregnant worker rights is a small but crucial step to get started on the wider issue at hand: supporting the invaluable role played by mothers and carers nationwide. Helping others realize their rights within the workplace paves the way for bigger steps forward, such as national paid family and medical leave for all, and broader access to affordable childcare. So share this article with any workers who are thinking of, in the process of, or recovering from pregnancy, and consider how you, and your vote, can be used to support mothers and mothers-to-be through policy.

More information on accommodations and what your legal rights are can be found from A Better Balance, a nonprofit which has free and confidential legal assistance in Spanish and English, and offers extensive resources on knowing and asking for your rights. The Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute also offers resources in English and Spanish on our Know Your Rights Page.

Education could help someone more than you know.

The post Celebrating the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Central Florida mayor seeks safer and quieter Brightline railroad crossings

Brightline trains pass through Brevard County 32 times per day and many those railroad crossing are in the City of Melbourne.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

That means hours of horn blasts for area residents.

Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey told Action News Jaxs sister station WFTV, Its very loud and its constant. So, its a quality-of-life issue within the City of Melbourne and many, many, many of our residents, they want the quiet zone. So, if we can get these upgrades done, thats something that we can approach.

Alfrey told WFTV that the city is pursuing federal grants with the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization to make improvements like quad gates at additional crossings that would put the city in a better position to apply for the quiet zone designation through the Federal Railroad Administration.

CLICK HERE to read the full story by WFTV.

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Historic flood in the Midwestern U.S. in recent days has caused widespread damage and has pushed Minnesota's Rapidan Dam to the brink failure as officials warned residents of potential evacuations on Monday.

Across the northern and central Plains, communities reeling from record-breaking floods over the weekend remained under threat of rising rivers as floodwaters headed downstream and forecasts project more rain this week. Floodwaters breached the Rapidan Dam in southern Minnesota and local officials warned Monday that the dam is in "imminent failure condition."

Authorities asked residents to watch out for possible evacuations. Blue Earth County Emergency Management said it was made aware of "accumulating debris" at the dam on Sunday, which is currently being monitored by Blue Earth County Public Works and law enforcement.

"We do not know if it will totally fail or if it will remain in place, however we determined it was necessary to issue this notification to advise downstream residents and the correct regulatory agencies and other local agencies," the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook early Monday.

By Monday afternoon, the sheriff's office reported a "partial failure" of the dam on the west abutment but noted that the dam was still intact and there were current plans for a mass evacuation. Residents who were in "imminent danger" were notified, according to the sheriff's office.

Scattered, fast-moving showers were slated to impact the region early this week before more organized thunderstorms bring heavy rain by Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Last week, parts of the region were hit with a month's worth of rain in a span of 48 hours. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, received 6.33 inches of rain from Thursday to Saturday, with 10.8 inches of rain so far in June, AccuWeather said.

"So much rain has fallen in a zone from southwestern Minnesota to northeastern Nebraska, including northwestern Iowa and southeastern South Dakota, that multiple rivers are on the rampage," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.

Meanwhile, heat advisories warning of potentially record-breaking temperatures remained active on Monday across a vast swath of the U.S. Tens of millions of people across the country, from South Dakota to Texas to parts of northern Florida and Georgia, face heat indices  temperatures that take humidity into account  in the high 90s and up to 110 degrees, according to the weather service.

Minnesota dam breached by floodwaters

On Monday, the department of emergency management in Le Sueur County said the Rapidan Dam was "breached," and urged residents to prepare for potential evacuations. The dam is located downstream from Mankato, Minnesota, about 80 miles southwest of Minneapolis.

"Residents of Le Sueur County in low-lying areas of MN River Valley communities of Kasota, Le Sueur, St. Peter and Ottawa are advised to closely monitor situation and potentially evacuate. This does not effect residents of Waterville or surrounding area."

The Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office said in an update Monday afternoon that a portion of the river flow was diverted "around the west side of the dam and water continues to flow."

Authorities evacuated homes on Birch Avenue and Neubert Lane, which is just northwest of the dam. Various roads in Mankato were also closed due to flooding.

North Mankato declared a flood emergency earlier as city crews rushed to construct a temporary earth wall levee, city officials said in a Facebook post.

An Xcel Energy substation at the dam was washed away early Monday after heavy rain over multiple days caused the Blue Earth River to flood. The utility company said nearly 600 customers were without power as a result and crews were working to replace the substation and restore power.

A U.S. Geological Survey gauge tracking water in the area also lost power, according to the weather service.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said on Monday afternoon agencies are in close contact with county and local officials about the dam. "Emergency management is on the ground and acting quickly to ensure the safety of Minnesotans as the situation develops," he posted on X.

Water flow of Minnesota river rapidly increased over the weekend

Water flow in the Blue Earth River at the dam grew by 3.5 times between Friday morning and Monday morning, its flow increasing from 9,530 cubic feet per second to 34,500 cubic feet per second, according to USGS data.

The rivers height at the gage rose from 8.2 feet at 5 a.m. on Friday to 16 feet at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday. By Monday morning, it had risen another two feet, the third-highest level on record.

The record height was set at 23.63 feet on Jan. 18, 2020, according to the USGS data. The previous record height had been 21.36 feet on April 9, 1965. Records for the location date back to at least 1951.

The Rapidan Dam was constructed between 1908 and 1910 and measures about 475 feet in length and about 87 feet from the top of the dam to the stream bed, according to the Blue Earth County government website.

High temperatures continue in parts of U.S.

Lows will mostly remain in the mid-to-upper 70s, "bringing little relief from the heat overnight," the weather service said.

Meanwhile, east-central South Carolina could experience a heat index of 110 degrees, and a stretch of Southern California is forecast to bake under temperatures between 90 to 100 degrees on Monday.

"The arrival of this more intense heat early in the Summer season leads to a higher level of heat-related stress, especially for those outdoors and without reliable air conditioning available," according to the weather service.

The shift west for the scorching heat comes as a cold front brings relief to millions across New England and the mid-Atlantic regions, where record-breaking afternoon highs reached the high 90s and surpassed 100 degrees throughout last week and over the weekend.

The heat will bear down on the central U.S. before concentrating mostly on the South by the latter half of the week, the weather service said.

Hundreds rescued; nearly 2K buildings damaged in Iowa floods

Between Friday and Sunday, some areas of northwest Iowa  where the ground was already saturated  recorded up to 15 inches of rain, a deluge that damaged public infrastructure and triggered hundreds of evacuations and rescues. At least 16 flood gauges recorded historic river levels as waterways across the northwest region of the state rose several feet above previous record levels.

At least 250 people were rescued over the weekend while 1,900 properties were "impacted" and hundreds were destroyed, said Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds at a news conference on Sunday.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during a news conference addressing the flooding in northwest and north central Iowa on Sunday at the Iowa National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters in Johnston.

"The devastation is severe and it's widespread," Reynolds said. "While we're still very early in the response, the projected damage is staggering."

Officials reported at least 10 city water systems and 21 waste water systems have been disrupted by the floods, leaving many residents without drinkable water. Well over 1,000 Iowans took to shelters over the weekend.

John Benson, Iowa director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, said at the news conference the "flood" is not over, warning that as the water recedes, much of it will flow into larger waterways, including the Missouri, Big Sioux, South Fork and Mississippi rivers, which are expected to reach "major flooding" stages in the coming days. The expected rain this week only adds to the flood threat.

"(The flooding) is not going to cease, it is going to blossom across the state," Benson said.

Contributing: Gabe Hauari, Cybele Mayes-Osterman, Dinah Pulver, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heat wave to bake central US as Plains faces more rain, flooding
Second gentleman Douglas Emhoff and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro were among the dignitaries marking the groundbreaking Sunday of a new structure replacing the Tree of Life synagogue, where 11 worshippers were murdered in 2018 in the deadliest act of antisemitism in U.S. history.

Plans for the new complex include a cultural center, sanctuary, educational center and museum along with a memorial to the worshipers from three congregations who were murdered on the Sabbath morning of Oct. 27, 2018. The new design is by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, whose previous works include Jewish museums, Holocaust memorials and the master plan for the redevelopment of the World Trade Center after 9/11.Emhoff, the first Jewish spouse of an American president or vice president, said his purpose on Sunday was to send a message to the Jewish community of Pittsburgh, to the country, and to the world, that we must never forget what the poison of antisemitism can do.We are turning what was once a tragic crime scene into a place of hope and inspiration  a place that is full of light, said Emhoff, who has met previously with Tree of Life family members and survivors of the attack.

Survivors were among the speakers at the groundbreaking, including Tree of Lifes rabbi, Jeffrey Meyers.

Today we announce, loudly and clearly, to the entire world that evil did not win  that it did not chase us from our home, and it never, ever will, Myers said.

Shapiro, who is Jewish, reminded the audience that when he was sworn in as governor 18 months ago, one of the bibles on which he swore his oath was from the Tree of Life. To this day, that bible sits on his desk in the Capitol, he said.

Far too many people in todays world either ignore or failed to learn from the atrocities of the past, Shapiro said. The task of remembering requires us to stand up, speak out, and ensure that everyone in this country knows the stories of the 11 people who were murdered here  and the dangers of antisemitism.

Much of the original synagogue complex, which had been unused since the shootings, was demolished earlier this year. The reconstruction is being overseen by a new non-profit organization, named Tree of Life. The building will include worship space for the historic congregation of the same name along with space for other activities.

The attack claimed the lives of 11 worshippers from Dor Hadash, New Light and Tree of Life congregations, which shared space in the synagogue in Squirrel Hill, the heart of Pittsburghs Jewish community. Two worshippers and five responding police officers were also injured in the attack.

The attacker was sentenced to death in 2023 after being convicted on 63 counts, including hate crimes resulting in death.

The end of our story is not victimhood, its about how we as Jewish people define ourselves and, out of the worst moments, our capacity to be resilient, to get up and to rebuild, said Carole Zawatsky, chief executive officer of the Tree of Life non-profit organization overseeing the project in tandem with the congregation of the same name.

Organizers aim to have the project completed by the end of 2026, she said in an interview,

She said the project aims to honor the memories of the 11 who were killed and to combat the hatred behind such attacks.

What were truly doing is looking at the root of all identity-based hate, she said. In a society where antisemitism is allowed to flourish, all forms of hate are allowed to flourish. It is an American problem.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to attend a major industry event, the Industry Conference 2024, in Berlin on Monday.

At the Hanover Trade Fair in April, Scholz defended the economic policy of his coalition government and countered criticism from the Federation of German Industries (BDI).

BDI President Siegfried Russwurm had spoken of two lost years with regard to the three-party coalition of Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP). Scholz replied that it was more a case of two "turnaround years."

Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck of the Greens is also expected to attend the Industry Conference on Monday, followed by Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the FDP on the second day of the event on Tuesday.

Scholz, Habeck and Lindner have been negotiating a government draft for the 2025 budget for weeks. Several departments do not want to comply with Lindner's savings targets. A package is also planned to boost weak economic growth in Germany.
What are the chances of a shark attack on the Oregon Coast?

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Several notable shark attacks occurred across the U.S. this month, drawing widespread media attention.

A notable surfer, lifeguard and actor died on the North Shore of Oahu on Sunday after suffering multiple shark bites, Hawaiian officials said. Three people were also injured in two separate shark attacks that occurred on Floridas Gulf Coast on June 7, causing local officials to temporarily close several beaches in the area.

Oregon Pekingese wins 2024 Worlds Ugliest Dog Contest

Despite the recent attacks, Oregon State University shark expert Taylor Chapple told KOIN 6 News that the odds of a shark attack occurring in Oregon, or anywhere else on the West Coast, are very low. According to a study co-authored by Chapple in 2015, while records of shark attacks increased in California between 1950 and 2013, the actual risk of shark attacks plummeted.

Risk has gone down by approximately 90% over the last 60 years, Chapple said. So, people should be much more worried about getting to the beach, than sharks at the beach.

The sharp decline in shark attack risk may be related to undetected, long-term declines in shark populations or changes in the behavior and spatial distribution of sharks and people, the study states. Safety precautions are the best way to improve public safety and conserve endangered marine predators, the study recommends.

Promoting safer behaviors among human ocean users could prove orders of magnitude more effective than [killing sharks], the study reads.

Injured hiker carried 2 miles on Saddle Mountain Trail

Oregons only known fatal shark attack happened in 1975, The Oregonian reports. The victim of the attack was 62-year-old Grace Conger. The Shark Research Institute has recorded 30 shark attacks in Oregon since 1974. Oregons most recent shark attack occurred near Seaside in December of 2020, when a surfer was bitten on the leg.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission offers the following tips for avoiding a shark attack:

Always stay in groups since sharks are more likely to bite a solitary individual.

Do not wander too far from shore, this isolates an individual and places him or her far away from assistance.

Avoid being in the water during darkness or twilight hours when sharks are most active.

Do not enter the water if bleeding from an open wound or if menstruating, a sharks ability to smell blood is acute.

Wearing shiny jewelry is discouraged. When light reflects off shiny jewelry, it resembles the sheen of fish scales.

Avoid waters with known discharges or sewage and waters used for any type of fishing

While there are myths and anecdotes about dolphins saving humans from shark bites, the presence of dolphins does not indicate the absence of sharks, both often eat the same foods.

Use extra caution when waters are murky.

Remember that sharks see contrast particularly well. Uneven tans and bright-colored clothing may draw a sharks attention.

Refrain from excess splashing, as this may draw a sharks attention.

Do not allow pets in the water: their erratic movements may draw a sharks attention.

Be careful when occupying the area between sandbars or near steep drop-offs, these are favorite hangouts for sharks.

Swim only in areas tended by lifeguards.

Do not enter the water if sharks are known to be present and get out of the water if sharks are sighted.

Never harass a shark!

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Charlotte city council to vote on $650 million for BofA stadium renovations

Charlotte city council to vote on $650 million for BofA stadium renovations

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Charlotte City Council members are scheduled to vote Monday on contributing $650 million to the proposed $1.3 billion renovation of Bank of America Stadium.

The decision has been preceded by weeks of vigorous debate from Panthers fans, Charlotte residents and area business owners.

Queen City News

Bank of America Stadium Renovations

The council is set to meet Monday, June 24 at 5 p.m. The meeting is available to view live on the citys YouTube channel.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
During Juneteenth celebrations last week, Cherokee Nation leaders shared the findings of a recent task force focused on identifying service gaps and improving equality for tribal citizens of Freedmen descent.

Here's what the task force reported.

Cherokee citizens of Freedmen descent show little participation in tribal programs

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. signed an executive order in 2020 based on equal protection and equal opportunity under tribal law, according to a Cherokee Nation press release. The order was later expanded in 2024 to create a task force that would study whether Cherokee citizens of Freedmen descent are provided equal access to tribal programs and services.

As proud as we are of all of the efforts we have made to ensuring we serve all citizens of the Cherokee Nation, Deputy Chief [Bryan] Warner and I are not afraid to take a critical look at what we do," Hoskin said in the release. "On the issue of Freedmen and equality, we believe firmly that we cannot hope to heal if we close our eyes to the history of slavery, if we close our eyes to the consequences of slavery. We cannot make progress if we are unwilling to examine whether our efforts at healing today are adequate. This task force report gives us some important answers, and some guidance, and challenges us to ask even more questions.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. in February asked a task force to identify the level of tribal services being utilized by Cherokee citizens of Freedmen descent and to provide recommendations on how the tribe can make improvements.

According to a press release from the Cherokee Nation, the task force found that there are more than 15,600 Cherokee citizens of Freedmen descent living across the country, including nearly 3,000 inside the tribes reservation and more than 12,700 living at-large.

Cherokee citizens of Freedmen descent represent about 3.3% of overall tribal citizenship, but some tribal programs see less than 2% of Freedmen participation through programs under the tribe, the task force found. According to the release, many Cherokee citizens of Freedmen descent are unaware of certain programs for which they may qualify.

A task force found that there are more than 15,600 Cherokee citizens of Freedmen descent living across the country, including nearly 3,000 inside the tribes reservation and more than 12,700 living at-large.

With these findings from the Task Force on Equality, Cherokee Nation can better identify the gaps that exist today and make more informed decisions that not only better the experience for Cherokee citizens of Freedmen descent, but the tribe as a whole, Deputy Chief Warner said. Im thankful for the individuals on the task force who took this project to heart and worked hard to have what, at times, may have been difficult discussions. Equality for all Cherokee Nation citizens is a critical part of how we should be serving, and this report will help us do just that.

The task force recommends tribal departments work to ensure inclusion and outreach to Cherokee citizens of Freedmen descent, according to the release. It also recommends developing initiatives to raise awareness about the history and contributions of Freedmen descendants within the Cherokee Nation.

Cherokee Nation's history of slavery

The Cherokee Nation was the largest holder of chattel slaves among the Five Civilized Tribes, according to the Oklahoma Historical Society. It had 4,600 slaves by 1860, and many tribal members depended on them as a bridge to white society.

When Native Americans were forcefully removed from the Southeast during the 1830s and 1840s, Native Americans from the Five Tribes  the Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek), Choctaw, Chickasaw and Seminole  brought enslaved African Americans along with them on the "Trail of Tears" to Indian Territory, or present-day Oklahoma.

Slavery existed in Indian Territory until the Reconstruction Treaties of 1866 abolished slavery and extended citizenship, including land rights, to the freed slaves.

Cherokee Nation leaders gathered with Cherokee citizens June 19 to celebrate Juneteenth in historic downtown Tahlequah.

The Treaty of 1866 didnt say some of the rights of native Cherokees; it didnt say, some of the rights, some of the time, and most assuredly, the Treaty of 1866 doesnt say that Cherokee descendants have to beg for their rights at the ballot box," Hoskin said in the release. "Thats a true statement, and we need to say it every chance we get. Equality is the order of the day at the Cherokee Nation. The work toward equality and freedom goes on at the Cherokee Nation. We seek to give deeper and broader meaning to Juneteenth.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Gaps in equity for Cherokee Nation citizens of Freedmen descent
Chicago woman missing in Bahamas after going for yoga certification retreat, police say

A Chicago woman has gone missing in the Bahamas after not being seen since last week, police said.

Taylor Casey, 41, is being searched for by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, according to a Facebook post the department shared on Friday.

Casey was last seen on June 19 in the area of Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas, police said. It is unclear what clothing she may have on, or if she is in danger.

USA TODAY contacted the Royal Bahamas Police Force on Monday but has not received a response.

Why was Taylor Casey in the Bahamas?

Casey has been in the Bahamas for a yoga certification retreat, according to a Facebook group created for her called "Finding Taylor Casey."

"Im currently in shock & can't believe Im making this post. Taylor is such a sweet person who cares so deeply about the community," Anna DeShawn, a member of the Facebook group, said in a post on Monday.

Missing person poster for Taylor Casey, a 41-year-old Chicago woman who disappeared while in the Bahamas.

The yoga retreat center in Paradise Island noticed Casey was not in class on June 19 so they notified her family the following day, according to DeShawn.

Casey's family is preparing to travel to the Bahamas, the Facebook group wrote in a post on Monday afternoon.

"We send our love, prayer, and energy to Taylors family as they begin their travels to the Bahamas," according to the social media post. "Together, we share our strength and our resolve to find our beloved Taylor."

USA TODAY reached out to Casey's family and friends but has not received a response.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Taylor Casey, of Chicago, reported missing in Bahamas, police say
Child care worker Marci Then helps her daughter, Mila, 4, put away toys to get ready for circle time at the Little Learners Academy in Smithfield, R.I. A state program for child care workers subsidizes Milas tuition. A handful of other states have similar programs, which advocates say has beneficial ripple effects through the state economy. (Photo by Elaine S. Povich/Stateline.)

SMITHFIELD, R.I.  Child care worker Marci Then, 32, looked over at two 4-year-olds in her care who were tussling over a toy plate in a model kitchen set. Are we sharing? she gently asked them. They both let go.

Then works at Little Learners Academy child care center near Providence, Rhode Island. Her daughter, Mila, 4, is enrolled there, so Then is able to keep a watchful eye on her in addition to about a dozen other 4-year-olds. Mila calls her mother Miss Marci at school, but Mom at home.

Most of the time, Mila is in another room with a different worker at the center, adhering to rules that dont allow parent caregivers to watch their own children in a licensed setting. But for today, Mila is around her mom for a bit to show a reporter around.

Mila proudly chirps her age, then helps put toys away so the kids can quietly gather for circle time.

Then said that without help she would not have been able to afford the $315 a week for Mila to come to Little Learners. But she is taking advantage of a one-year state pilot program that authorizes the use of federal funds to pay for care for the children of early education workers.

Its been life-changing for me, said Then, a single mom who is also responsible for a disabled young adult whom she adopted. Without it, Id have to rearrange my life.

In 2022, Kentucky lawmakers changed the employer child care assistance program to specifically include child care workers at all income levels who work at least 20 hours a week. Other states, including Rhode Island, have since launched programs modeled after the one in Kentucky. The Kentucky program was to end Sept. 30, but Stephanie French, spokesperson for the states Cabinet for Health and Family Services, wrote in an email that the state will be using a combination of federal and state funding to continue the program.

At least half a dozen states now have similar programs or are considering legislation to start them, according to EdSurge, a news site that covers education issues.

Supporters, including Republicans and Democrats, see retaining child care employees as a benefit not only to the workers and the centers facing worker shortages, but also to the states economies. For many people, the lack of affordable child care is a barrier to joining the workforce.

Charlene Barbieri, founder and owner of four Little Learners Academy locations in Rhode Island, said in an interview that it is difficult to hire and keep qualified employees. The child care subsidy program helps, she said.

Early learning here is very expensive as we know, right? Barbieri said. So any supplemental programs, monetary or otherwise, are exceptionally beneficial.

We have had many teachers come to us to say that if this program wasnt here, we could not afford to send our children to child care and still help our families by bringing in additional income, she said.

Rhode Island lawmakers added the child care subsidy to its fiscal 2025 budget this spring, moving the program out of the pilot category. Democratic Gov. Dan McKee is expected to sign the budget this week.

Its a good program, and weve seen great results with it, Rhode Island House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi, a Democrat, said in an interview. We have a labor shortage across the whole spectrum of our labor market. So, by giving [caregivers] free child care, theyre able to get back in and take care of other kids, which allows more people to enter the workforce.

Other states that have launched programs or are considering them include Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa and Nebraska, according to EdSurge.

The Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, a research center at the University of California, Berkeley, estimated that if every state followed Kentuckys lead, some 234,000 workers with children under age 6 could benefit.

We see it as a no-brainer, said Anna Powell, senior research and policy associate at the center, who co-authored a report on the program. The educators are parents  why shouldnt they be at the front of the queue? Every time an educator stays in the field, it benefits many parents.

Budget challenges

In some states, though, budget woes are challenging lawmakers who want to make their pilot program a permanent one.

Arizona had a one-year Education Workforce Scholarship program that assisted child care workers and public school teachers with paying for their own kids child care, but that program was funded with federal pandemic dollars and ends June 30. Its unlikely to be renewed because of state budget shortfalls.

Child care workers who now get that assistance would instead need to apply for aid through the states broad child care assistance program. That program, administered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, is based on income levels, Tasya Peterson, a department spokesperson, wrote in an email to Stateline.

Barbie Prinster, executive director of the Arizona Early Childhood Education Association, a nonprofit that represents child care centers, said 3,541 children were approved for care subsidies under the early educator program this year, about three-quarters of them from families with a child care worker. The rest are from teachers families.

She predicted that hundreds of workers may have to quit if the subsidy isnt renewed.

I think providers are employing more moms that have young children because of this subsidy, she said.

In Nebraska, state Sen. John Fredrickson, a Democrat and the dad of a 5-year-old son, introduced a bill this session that would have granted no-cost child care to employees of state-licensed child care programs, whether in-home care or at centers, who work at least 20 hours a week.

He estimated the potential subsidy, which he modeled on Kentuckys idea, could have brought in 2,175 parent-providers. If each worker cared for eight children, there would be 16,000 children receiving care, and at least that many parents working, he estimated.

Fredrickson said the initial fiscal estimate for the bill was about $20 million, which proved to be a heavy lift, so he halved it to $10 million. But even that proved to be too much, he said, and the effort failed. He plans to reintroduce his bill next year.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, approved a bill May 1 extending a child care subsidy pilot program for early childhood caretakers and educators, regardless of income, for two years at a cost of $10.2 million using the states Childcare Development Fund.

Colorado agreed to continue a program for child care providers with children ages 6 weeks to 13 years old, giving them full child care benefits, regardless of the employees income.

And Indiana agreed to study the issue of child caregiver and early educator compensation.

Good for Rhode Island

Sitting together in a hearing room just off the Rhode Island House chamber earlier this month, Democratic state Reps. Mary Ann Shallcross Smith and Grace Diaz said they understand the issue of caring for children firsthand. Both are mothers, though their children are grown now, and both are experienced child care center owners.

Shallcross Smith remembers putting up flyers in the local drug store, advertising her in-home care. She now owns 15 centers. When the issue of paying child care workers for their own kids tuition came up this year, she was all for it, and went to House Speaker Shekarchi with her arguments.

No. 1, its good for Rhode Island, she said, adding that its also good for business.

Diaz, a mother of five, said she, too, talked to the speaker. But perhaps the biggest driver in getting the program into the state budget, she recalled, was the day that they brought a bunch of little kids from various child care settings to the Capitol to be a living example of the need.

When they saw the little kids at the State House, they all wanted a picture, Diaz said.

Back on the Little Learners playground, care worker Kayla Champagne, 39, of Lincoln, Rhode Island, smiled up at her 3-year-old son, Jaxson, who peeked over the top of a climbing structure. Champagne, who has three other children ages 18, 14 and 8, is relieved that she can take advantage of a program that helps her pay for Jaxsons care.

She used to work at another day care place but could only afford to send Jaxson there a few days a week, she said. At Little Learners, staff helped her apply for the state subsidy.

Thats one of the reasons I left my other child care to come here, she said. Now I can work full time while having four kids.

Rhode Island Current reporter Nancy Lavin contributed to this report.

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LEHMAN TWP., PIKE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  A bus driver is facing various charges after police say she slammed the brakes causing children to be sent to the hospital.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, on April 11 around 4:00 p.m., troopers were called for a disturbance at Pine Ridge Community in Lehman Township. Police say on the scene they found angry parents, a bus driver, and crying children.

Through further investigation, troopers said they learned Kerry Sullivan of Delaware Township, a bus driver for the East Stroudsburg Area School District, had suddenly hit the brakes of the bus she was operating.

Husband allegedly strikes wife in head with metal hammer

Sullivan told troopers that she pulled the emergency brakes twice after she told the students to stop screaming, as stated in the affidavit.

PSP stated this caused the children to go forward and hit several points of the buss interior in a sudden fashion.

A total of 39 children were in the school bus at the time of the incident, two victims were taken to the hospital and were released.

Sullivan has been charged with the following;

Endangering the welfare of children

Simple assault

Recklessly endangering another person

Harassment

Careless driving

Reckless driving

On June 21 Sullivan turned herself in to police and was released on her own recognizance by the judge.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
China, EU are open to talks on plans to hike tariffs on Chinese EVs

FILE - Leapmotor vehicles are parked outside a showroom in Hangzhou in eastern China's Zhejiang province on May 14, 2024. China and the European Union are open to holding talks on the EUs recent decision to sharply raise tariffs on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles, officials from both sides say. (AP Photo/Caroline Chen, File)

BANGKOK (AP)  China and the European Union are open to holding talks on the EUs recent decision to sharply raise tariffs on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles, officials from both sides say.

Chinas Commerce Ministry and Germanys economy minister said over the weekend that each side was willing to hold talks on the issue. Meanwhile, Chinese state media said Monday that Beijing is pushing for the EU to give up plans to sharply raise provisional tariffs on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles by July 4.

Escalating a trade dispute over Beijings subsidies that Brussels worries are hurting European automakers, the EU plans to impose provisional tariffs of 17.4% to 38.1% on EVs from China for four months starting on July 4. That's on top of the 10% dutues for all imported EVs. They would apply to vehicles exported to Europe by both Chinese and foreign brands, including Tesla.

The European Commission, the EUs executive arm, said preliminary results from an investigation into Chinese EV subsidies showed the countrys battery electric vehicle value chain benefits from unfair subsidization that hurts EU rivals.

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a video conference with European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a notice Saturday on its website.

The two sides agreed to launch consultations on the EUs anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles, it said.

The doors are open for discussions. And I hope that this message was heard, Germany's economy and vice chancellor, Robert Habeck, said Sunday while on a visit to China.

In Berlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he had pushed hard for the EU to offer China further talks when it made its decision on the tariffs.

Theres still a bit of time until July 4, Scholz said in a speech to the main industry lobby group in Germany, which has Europes biggest economy. But its clear, of course, that we will also need serious movement and progress from the Chinese side.

Its important that the EU takes its opportunity until the end of the month, but also that the Chinese government takes its opportunity to bring about an agreement, he said.

Its not a small issue for us, Scholz added, pointing to Germanys export strength and its auto sales to China. Our industry is confident in global competition; thats perhaps the difference between the German business and industrial model and some others, where protectionist measures generate more enthusiasm.

Chinas Commerce Ministry on Thursday accused the EU of making unreasonable demands in its investigation into imports of Chinese electric vehicles before it announced it was raising tariffs by as much as 38%.

Ministry spokesman He Yadong said the European side had demanded excessive amounts of information from Chinese automakers and then unfairly accused the Chinese companies of failing to cooperate.

Beijing said last week that it was opening an anti-dumping investigation into pork exports from Europe. In announcing that, the Commerce Ministry did not mention EV tariffs. But the investigation into various pork products was widely seen as a response to the EU measures on electric cars.

The European side has said it wants to discuss the findings of its investigation with Chinese authorities to find ways to resolve the issues.

___

Associated Press writer Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.
(Bloomberg) -- Beijing has suggested Germanys luxury car manufacturers could benefit if Berlin convinces the European Union to drop tariffs on Chinese electric-vehicle exports.

Most Read from Bloomberg

China floated lowering its existing tariffs on large-engine cars in return for scrapping planned EV levies on imports from the Asian nation, according to people familiar with the discussions, who asked not to be identified as the talks were confidential. Beijing currently imposes a 15% fee on passenger vehicles from the bloc.

Chinas Commerce Minister Wang Wentao hinted at the possibility of the advantages to his German counterpart Robert Habeck during a meeting on Saturday in Beijing, one of the people said. Habecks three-day visit to the worlds No. 2 economy came weeks after the EU proposed hiking charges on electric cars to as high as 48% later this year.

The exchange reflects a mismatch between how the EU and China are approaching the dispute. The European Commission says its setting tariffs based on the legal conclusions of an in-depth study into Beijings massive state subsidies. The levies look to level the playing field by offsetting the Chinese aid with something of equal value.

But that legal exercise was always vulnerable to political pressure, and President Xi Jinpings government has been dangling both carrots and sticks to persuade Berlin to help it horse-trade. Beijing had previously signaled it could unleash a 25% fee on large European cars, a move that would hit German luxury carmakers including Mercedes-Benz Group AG and BMW AG.

The danger for the commission is that Berlin  which already opposes the tariffs  might be persuaded by its massive auto industry to break rank and pressure the blocs executive arm and other member states, by using its weight as the EUs biggest economy.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday underscored his governments wish for a negotiated solution. There is still time for that before provisional duties are set to be introduced from July 4, Scholz said in a speech to a business lobby congress in Berlin.

However, it is clear that we will also need serious movement and progress from the Chinese side, Scholz said.

The European Commission and Chinas Ministry of Commerce didnt reply to requests for comment. Germanys Economy Ministry declined to confirm Wangs comments.

Officials in Beijing still have some room left for negotiation, according to Deborah Elms, head of trade policy at the Hinrich Foundation.The EU could always opt to postpone the imposition of tariffs, pending the outcome of negotiations, she added. As long as the two sides are making sufficient progress towards an answer, its possible to stop the clock.

The bartering in Beijing came as the EUs trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis held a candid and constructive video call with his Chinese counterpart over the weekend. Senior officials from the two sides have barely spoken to each other during the probe.

The two sides agreed to engage on the basis of facts and in full respect of WTO rules, said Olof Gill, a European Commission spokesperson. The EU side emphasized that any negotiated outcome to its investigation must be effective in addressing the injurious subsidization.

For China, stopping the tariffs could send an important signal to other major economies. Canada is now also mulling potential fees on Chinese EVs in order to align with actions taken by the EU and US, where President Joe Biden has announced a 100% charge on such products.

In recent months, Chinese government departments, party-controlled media and other state-affiliated groups have rolled out an escalating campaign of threats targeting French brandy, Spanish ham, German large-engine vehicles and other sectors such as aviation.

China has looked to transform discussions into a mercantile negotiation and has been trying to divide member states by pressuring them bilaterally, some of the people said. While the EU is open to solutions that would achieve the same effects as countervailing tariffs, those would need to abide fully with World Trade Organization rules.

Ideas such as China introducing self-imposed quotas on its EV exports instead of tariffs are unlikely to meet those criteria, said one of the people familiar.

The EU notified EV manufacturers earlier this month that it will introduce new provisional tariffs in July following a months-long investigation. Duties will initially be introduced by a guarantee, only to be collected if definitive fees are imposed in November.

Some companies face tailored rates. SAIC Motor Corp. is bracing for a 38.1% tariff on top of the existing 10% rate, BYD an additional 17.4% and Geely  which owns Volvo Car AB  an extra 20% charge. Other EV producers in China that cooperated with the investigation but have not been sampled will be subject to a weighted average duty of 21%, while others will see a 38.1% levy.

China has blasted the move as protectionist and not based on objective criteria. It has threatened to retaliate and has already launched anti-dumping probes into pork and brandy imports.

As talks continue, China could also try to provide greater transparency on industry policy funding or offer to withdraw subsidies the EU has identified as being inconsistent with WTO obligations, according to Scott Kennedy, a China specialist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Id be surprised if we see anything significant before an 11th-hour offer from China just prior to the deadline for final penalties in early November, he added.

--With assistance from Jorge Valero, Lucille Liu, Josh Xiao, Fran Wang and Michael Nienaber.

(Updates with Scholz comments starting in seventh paragraph)

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China is greenlighting possible death penalties for 'diehard' supporters of Taiwan gaining independence

Chinese police officers wear protective masks at Beijing Station before the annual Spring Festival on January 22, 2020 in Beijing. Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

China officially says that supporting Taiwan's independence can be a crime.

Punishments include prison sentences of more than 10 years and even the death penalty.

It's the first time the country has so clearly outlined a set of legal guidelines aimed at Taiwan.

China on Friday outlined a list of behaviors that it defines as criminal acts related to supporting Taiwan's independence, saying punishments may go as far as the death penalty.

Top legal bodies in the country  including its Supreme Court, national prosecutors, and three government ministries  jointly issued a statement telling courts and prosecutors at all levels in China to "severely punish 'Taiwan independence' diehards."

These are China's first official guidelines designating support for Taiwan's independence as a crime, underscoring how Beijing is hardening its stance toward the self-governed island.

Taiwan declaring independence has long been a red line set by Beijing.

Broad definitions of the crimes include promoting the idea of "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan" and creating an organization that tries to attain Taiwan's independence. Relying on "foreign forces" and institutions to achieve independence was also listed.

Notably, the list criminalizes public attempts to undermine the concept that Taiwan is part of China in the "fields of education, culture, history, news media, etc."

The punishments include prison sentences or detention of up to 10 years, with that limit removed for those leading organizations that try to help Taiwan secede.

Crimes deemed "particularly heinous" may carry the death penalty, the authorities added.

The new guidelines come just a month after Taiwan's new president, Lai Ching-te, assumed office on May 20.

Lai's political faction, the Democratic Progressive Party, has focused heavily on resisting China, and his securing of power this year has prompted a building wave of aggressive posturing from Beijing.

When Lai took office in May, the Chinese military conducted live-fire exercises around Taiwan. China has also continually issued public statements and scenario videos hinting at how it may attack the island.

China has no legal jurisdiction in Taiwan, but recommendations like the one issued on Friday are likely to put a further dampener on Taiwanese business.

Taipei has already been dropping support for long-standing tourism programs to China, citing worries that it may not be safe for its people to travel to the mainland.

And Taiwanese investment in China, which was on the rise in the late 2000s, has plummeted to its lowest levels since 2001.

In 2023, new spending in China from Taiwan dropped nearly 40% to $3.06 billion despite the island reporting investment highs of $26.6 billion that year.

Meanwhile, its companies rapidly expanded investment in the US from $1.1 billion in 2022 to $9.7 billion the next year.

Read the original article on Business Insider
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand  Despite Chinas notorious secrecy surrounding all things defense, there are indications it is making progress on a sixth-generation fighter.

Perhaps the clearest admission came from a WeChat social media post by Aviation Industry Corporation of China in January 2019. In an interview discussing sixth-gen fighters, Wang Haifeng, the chief designer at AVIC subsidiary Chengdu Aerospace Corp., said preparations were underway to research a combat aircraft that would be ready to protect the sea and sky by 2035.

At the time, Wang mentioned elements like manned-unmanned teaming, the use of artificial intelligence, as well as improved stealth and omnidirectional sensors.

In 2022, the head of U.S. Air Combat Command said those efforts are on track.

By and large, they see it [sixth-gen fighter technology] greatly the way we see it in terms of an exponential reduction in signature and exponential acceleration in processing power and sensing, and the ability to iterate in terms of open-mission systems, to be able to essentially reprogram at the speed of relevance, Gen. Mark Kelly said.

Fast forward to the present, and Rick Joe, who has written extensively about the Chinese military, considers the sixth-gen efforts a program of record, noting that indicators since 2019 in the semiofficial space have only increased. Examples include AVIC artwork depicting generic next-gen fighter configurations, academic papers, and statements from military and industry officials. In addition, satellite imagery of a tailless fighter-like airframe was seen at Chengdu Aerospace facilities in October 2021.

Zhuhai Air Show 

6th Gen Fighter Aircraft Concept

PLAAF Loves Tailless Jet Design pic.twitter.com/hyTPqZlHGT  David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) November 6, 2022

Joe told Defense News that demonstrator testbeds, possibly subscale versions, have already flown.

For lack of an official name, he referred to the mysterious fighter as the J-XD. I fully expect the J-XD to have some subsystems (like engines), which will be less capable than a U.S. equivalent initially, simply because there are some domains where they are still catching up, albeit with significant closing of gaps over the past few decades.

Joe noted that sixth-gen fighters are typically expected to include aerodynamic design and control; radiofrequency materials; flight control software; sensing technologies; data-linking and combat-management systems; weapons; and the integration of collaborative combat aircraft, or complementary drones.

I see them as playing in the general ballpark of other nations pursuing a sixth-gen capability, Joe said.

But when Defense News asked Brendan Mulvaney, the director of the U.S. Air Forces China Aerospace Studies Institute, whether China currently has the capability to develop these advanced fighters, the response was slightly less optimistic for Beijing.

Today? No. Twenty years from now? Absolutely. And weve seen this time and time again. Were getting better at not ... underestimating what the Chinese system is capable of when it sets its mind to it, Mulvaney said.

The official said mastering jet engines has been Chinas bane, but it is getting better. At the end of the day, thats just science. I tell people that physics works the same in Berlin as it does in Beijing. So if you put enough time and effort ... you can make a good aerospace engine, especially for the military side.

Working with drones

Mulvaney said China has described its future fighter as unmanned, but he believes the design is more likely optionally manned, as it depends on how quickly industry can develop AI systems, alongside other requisite technologies. You dont have to have a man [in it] and you potentially let it go off on its own, or it could serve as a loyal wingman.

Chinas drone manufacturers are ambitious, but its not entirely clear where that technology stands in terms of complementing a future sixth-gen fighter. Notably, Joe said, Chinese-made combat drones and collaborative combat aircraft that have appeared at air shows are likely not representative of actual in-development [unmanned combat aerial vehicles] intended for the [Peoples Liberation Army], which are almost certainly more ambitious in scope.

The stealthy GJ-11 combat drone was unveiled at a military parade in Beijing, China, in 2019. (Gordon Arthur/Staff)

He also said its fair to assume various sophisticated combat drones are in advanced development/testing or even limited trial service.

An in terms of trialing manned-unmanned teaming, Chinas existing J-20 fighter could contribute, as the country developed a twin-seat version where a backseat operator can control drones. However, this variant is currently a technology demonstrator.

If the Chengdu Aerospace chief designers predictions of a sixth-gen fighter being operational in 2035 hold true, Joe said a maiden flight would need to take place at least five years before then, and thus a prototype would need to be ready around 2028. He expressed confidence this is possible, although Mulvaney predicted it will probably take China until the late 2030s, if not the early 2040s, to reveal a meaningful design.
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As Russian President Vladimir Putin glided through the crowd-lined streets of Pyongyang atop a luxury Mercedes-Benz alongside his North Korean host Kim Jong Un last week, the two autocrats most important partner was watching from the sidelines hundreds of miles away in Beijing.

Five years ago, Xi Jinping was offered the same open-top ride with Kim when he became the first Chinese leader to visit Pyongyang in 14 years. At the time, the two leaders vowed to strengthen ties and deepen cooperation, but the language paled in comparison with the breakthrough new partnership struck by Kim and Putin.

In a wide-ranging treaty spanning political, trade, investment, and security cooperation, North Korea and Russia pledged to use all available means to provide immediate military assistance in the event the other is attacked.

Putin said Russia and North Korea have ramped up ties to a new level. Kim, meanwhile, called the new alliance a watershed moment in bilateral relations.

The new landmark defense pact agreed by the two nuclear-armed regimes rattled the United States and its Asian allies. Japan voiced grave concerns about Putins vow not to rule out cooperation with Pyongyang on military technology. South Korea responded by convening an emergency national security meeting and said it would now consider sending arms to Ukraine.

In contrast, the reaction from China, the main political and economic patron for both Russia and North Korea, has been all but muted.

A spokesperson for Chinas Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the treaty, calling it a bilateral matter between Russia and North Korea.

Beneath the official reticence, however, China is likely watching warily, analysts say.

China aims to control the situation

The deepening ties between two wayward autocrats risk creating new uncertainty for Xi, who needs peace and stability in Northeast Asia as he grapples with a raft of domestic challenges, especially the slowing economy.

Beijing is worried that Moscows assistance to Pyongyang  especially on military technology  would further enable and embolden the erratic Kim regime, which has drastically accelerated the buildup of nuclear weapons and missile programs, said Liu Dongshu, an assistant professor focusing on Chinese politics at the City University of Hong Kong.

When it comes to the North Korea issue, China aims to control the situation and prevent escalation, but it also does not want North Korea to completely collapse either  a scenario that Beijing fears would allow the US to extend its control right to its doorstep, Liu said.

Previously, Russia had been largely aligned with China on the issue, but its desperate need for North Korea to support its grinding war in Ukraine risks undermining the delicate balance.

Kim Jong Un takes Chinese leader Xi Jinping on a ride through the streets of Pyongyang, North Korea, on June 21, 2019. - KCNA/Reuters/File

Russia has received more than 10,000 shipping containers  the equivalent of 260,000 metric tons of munitions or munitions-related material  from North Korea since September, according to a US statement in February. Both Russia and North Korea have rejected the claim.

And while the US has accused China of providing Russia with dual-use goods that bolster the warring nations military industrial complex, Beijing has refrained from offering direct military assistance to Putin and has steered clear of supporting Kims nuclear and missile programs.

If Putin provides more support to North Korea on nuclear issues, including some technical assistance, it will become more difficult for China to control the situation on the Korean Peninsula, Liu said.

The mutual defense pact signed by Kim and Putin harks back to a 1961 treaty between North Korea and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. That deal was replaced with one that offered much weaker security assurances after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

But North Koreas mutual defense treaty with China, also signed in 1961, remains in place after multiple renewals.

The Sino-North Korea Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance is the only formal military alliance treaty China has signed with another country, though Beijing doesnt admit it as such and remains deliberately vague about whether China is obliged to automatically come to North Koreas defense when a war breaks out.

Similarly, it remains unclear what Russia and North Korea are willing  and able  to do for one another under the new defense pact.

The new treaty comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, where Kim has ramped up fiery rhetoric and scrapped a longstanding policy of seeking peaceful reunification with South Korea. After the end of the Korean War in 1953, a formal peace treaty was never signed between the two Koreas, leaving them technically in a state of war.

But the political message of the pact is loud and clear. Driven by a shared hostility to the US and its allies, the two autocratic nations are seeking to undermine and create an alternative to the Western-led global order  a goal shared by China.

Speaking after his meeting with Kim, Putin rankled against what he called the imperialist policy of the United States and its satellites.

Putin and Xi attend a concert together in Beijing on May 16, 2024. - Alexander Ryumin/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

A month ago, Putin and Xi delivered a similar swipe at the US during the Russian leaders visit to Beijing. In a sweeping joint statement, the two old friends took aim at what they described as a global security system defined by US-backed military alliances  and pledged to work together to counter it.

Western observers have warned against a loose but growing coordination of interests among China, Russia, North Korea and Iran  something one senior US military commander recently likened to a new axis of evil.

As Moscow and Pyongyang deepen their alliance, Beijing would be cautious to keep a distance, Liu said, adding that China certainly doesnt want to be seen as part of a new Axis.

But despite the absence of Xi, China would have been the elephant in the room throughout Putin and Kims meeting.

Any such meeting will also include discussion of China, said Edward Howell, a lecturer in politics at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, who focuses on the Korean Peninsula.

Russia will know full well that China does not want to be left out of any substantial negotiations involving North Korea, not least since China is far more important  compared to Russia  to North Korea.

Yun Sun, director of the China program at the Washington-based Stimson Center think tank, said China doesnt feel it can control the pace and extent of the deepening engagement between Russia and North Korea.

But they do know that China plays an irreplaceable role for both Russia and North Korea, she said.

China remains the largest trade partner to both Russia and North Korea, providing a crucial lifeline to the heavily sanctioned economies. Beijing also lends significant political support and diplomatic cover to the two international pariahs.

China doesnt think that an alliance between Russia and North Korea would be a betrayal, said Liu with the City University of Hong Kong.

Neither of the two countries has the capacity to betray China. They still need to rely on China despite their alliance.

CNNs Simone McCarthy contributed reporting.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued multiple recalls last week, including notices for over one million Chrysler vehicles for malfunctioning rear cameras.

Are you looking to see if any recalls were issued on your vehicle? If the car isn't listed below, owners can check USA TODAYs automotive recall database or search NHTSAs database for new recalls. The NHTSA website allows you to search for recalls based on your vehicle identification number or VIN.

Here is what to know about the vehicle recalls published by NHTSA from June 16 to June 22.

Toyota recalls: 13,000 cars over camera defect that increases risk of hitting pedestrians

PACCAR recall broken parts leading to loss of control

PACCAR is recalling its 2025 Peterbilt vehicles for broken parts.

PACCAR is recalling 3,887 of its trucks. The large commercial truck company said the tie rod or drag link assembly may contain an improperly heat-treated ball stud. This can cause the ball stud to break. A broken ball stud can cause a truck driver to lose steering control of the vehicle. This can increase the risk of a crash, the NHTSA report said.

Right now, PACCAR is advising owners with the affected vehicles to not drive their trucks until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the tie rod and drag link assemblies as necessary. All services will be free. Notification letters are expected to be delivered by August 11. Owners may contact Kenworth customer service at 1-425-828-5888 and Peterbilt customer service at 1-940-591-4220. PACCAR's numbers for this recall are 24KWG and 24PBG.

Recalled vehicles:

2025 Kenworth K270

2025 Kenworth K370

2025 Kenworth T280

2025 Kenworth T380

2025 Kenworth T480

2025 Kenworth T680

2025 Kenworth T880

2025 Kenworth W900

2025 Kenworth W990

2025 Peterbilt 220

2025 Peterbilt 536

2025 Peterbilt 537

2025 Peterbilt 548

2025 Peterbilt 567

2025 Peterbilt 579

2025 Peterbilt 589

Toyota recalls Crown for cameras not displaying an image

Toyota is recalling 13,077 of its 2023 Crown vehicles after water may enter into the front and rearview camera.

Toyota is recalling 13,077 of its 2023 Toyota Crown vehicles that are equipped with rearview and/or front view cameras. In the NHTSA report, the automotive manufacturer said the issue was caused by an insufficient laser welding which can lead to the camera cases separating, As a result, water may leak into the cameras and short circuit. The rearview and front view camera images may not display or show a distorted image.

For free Toyota dealers will inspect and replace the rearview and frontview cameras as necessary. Recall notification letters are expected to be delivered by July 30. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB08 and 24TA08.

Recalled vehicles:

2023 Toyota Crown

Chrysler recall for rearview camera image not displaying

Chrysler is recalling its 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee after rearview camera image fails to display.

Chrysler is recalling 1,033,433 of its vehicles. In the NHTSA report, the automobile manufacturer said that the radio software in the recalled vehicles may prevent the rearview image from displaying. When the image of the rearview camera fails to display, it decreases the driver's visibility behind the vehicle. This will increase the risk of a crash.

The NHTSA also said that these vehicles in the Chrysler recall fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

To resolve the issue, Chrysler dealers will update the radio software. This service will be completed for free. Recall notification letters are expected to be mailed out on August 2. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66B.

Recalled vehicles:

2021-2022 Dodge Durango

2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica

2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

2022 Ram 1500

2022 Ram 2500

2022 Ram 3500

2022-2023 Jeep Compass

2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2022-2023 Jeep Wagoneer

2022-2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer

2022-2023 Ram Promaster

Ahjane Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjane covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at aforbes@gannett.com . Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Check car recalls: Chrysler, Toyota, PACCAR among 1 million recalled
The day authorities raided Ald. Ed Burkes office five years ago, news of the butcher paper covering his windows and swarming FBI agents tore through City Hall.

The building was quiet Monday with no meetings scheduled. But despite the stillness, the two-year prison sentence and $2 million fine delivered to the longest-serving Chicago alderman ever was already reverberating around the City Council he long lorded over.

It is really shameful to see elected officials abuse the public trust, said Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, 25th. Nobody is above the law.

Burke  first elected in 1969  had long been an emblem of Chicago old-guard politics: a well-positioned alderman who carried essential clout in his own ward and the power and standing within City Hall to help or hinder council colleagues (and mayors) who were seeking to advance their own agendas.

But after a six-week trial, a four-day jury deliberation and a final five-hour hearing Monday, Burkes clout came to a resounding end as he was sentenced on racketeering conspiracy, bribery and attempted extortion in a series of schemes to use his office to try to win business from developers for his private property tax law firm.

Justice, even at the end, matters, to send a message to the public, Sigcho-Lopez said.

Joining Chicagos long list of disgraced council members should taint Burkes reputation, alongside his role leading white aldermen in the Council Wars of the 1980s that saw Chicagos City Council split along racial lines when Mayor Harold Washington governed, Sigcho-Lopez said.

Still, for some aldermen who long served with Burke, seeing the old colleague be sent away is painful.

Ald. Nick Sposato, 38th, held out hope after hearing the sentence that Burke will get out early for good behavior.

He is a friend. Im loyal to the death. I stand behind my friends, and I was hoping it would not be more than a year or so, Sposato said. He did a lot of good things. He did a really terrible thing at the end there. Still hard for me to comprehend, and he is paying a price.

Sposato, always quick to share folk wisdom when he speaks in council meetings, summed up the lesson he thought his colleagues might now learn: You do something wrong, you gotta pay the price.

But that lesson, he added, is one Chicago aldermen surely should have already grasped. You always think this will be the last time, Sposato said.

I know theres some aldermen who I feel arent that intelligent that I could see if something did happen to him, I could say, well, he or she was not very smart. That doesnt surprise me, he said. But you know, when a smart person does something and they know theyre doing wrong, its just hard to comprehend.

I dont know if it will ever stop, he said.

One alderman notably did not react to the news of Burkes sentencing. When a Tribune reporter called Burkes 14th Ward successor, Ald. Jeylu Gutierrez, a half-hour after the decision, she said she had not yet heard the news.

Gutierrez declined to comment on Burkes sentence.

I just need to read more about the case, she said.

The sentencing was top of mind Monday for Ethics Committee Chair Ald. Matt Martin, 47th.

When elected officials like Ald. Burke use their position to enrich themselves and those close to them, the public loses, Martin said.

He hoped the case would motivate Chicagos elected officials to reflect on their dismal corruption record. The City Council and mayor need to rebuild trust and improve their reputation, he said.

One way to do that, he added, is by embracing ethics-focused reforms like the plan to partially publicly finance aldermanic campaigns that he introduced in the City Council earlier this month, he said.

Its really important that we take verdicts and sentences like this to heart, Martin said.

jsheridan@chicagotribune.com
City Council pauses vote to rebuild the iconic Port Royal Club in Naples until August

City Council delayed a decision on a member-driven application to build the Port Royal Club "bigger and better" in Naples.

While the project is supported by more than 90% of the club's members, Terry Mullen, one of the closest neighbors, is fighting it.

The pause by council will allow for more negotiations between the private beach club's leadership and Mullen to address his lingering concerns, and to firm up a list of concessions.

Rendering of new Port Royal Club.

A newer resident and member, Mullen, who lives directly south of the club, off Gordon Drive, wants a redesign. He feels he'll be unfairly impacted by the rebuild, especially by the noise coming from the new pool, which would sit much closer to his property line than the old one.

After about five hours of presentations, discussions and debate last week, council voted unanimously to continue the public hearing on the petition to Aug. 21  its first meeting after summer recess.

The club's leadership presented a list of late-hour concessions at the hearing on June 19, in hopes it would be enough to win council's blessing that day.

Many on council, however, felt the language needed to be tweaked, to make the promises more absolute, understandable and enforceable.

A city attorney described some of the conditions proposed by the club as "mere ideas."

The conditions include building a taller wall and adding more landscaping as a buffer between the pool and Mullen's house, enclosing an upper-level dining area facing his house  and eliminating a private beach access, near his border.

At its next meeting in August, council expects to hear the club's outdoor dining request, too.

Mayor Teresa Heitmann emphasized everything to do with the club would then be voted on the same day, allowing it to move forward on time.

"We will be right on target," she said. "And we won't have lost time."

More: 'Community jewel': Reimagining of exclusive club in affluent Naples neighborhood clears hurdle

And: Exclusive Port Royal Club to be rebuilt bigger, better after wallop by Hurricane Ian

Conditional use approval required from city council

For the club to be rebuilt, council must grant a conditional use for a new two-story clubhouse, and give a thumbs up to site-specific parking plans, including valet services. The roughly 5.5-acre property sits in a public service district, which allows for such a project, but only with a special exception, under city code.

"This is going to happen," Heitmann said. "We just want to make sure that it happens so that the neighbors are happy and there is no unintended consequences."

She explained she just wanted council to be "fair and just" to all sides.

"One person does matter, especially if it's you," Heitmann said.

She stressed the details are important and if they're not worked out in the right way, "it will come back and haunt us," possibly leading to a lawsuit against the city.

City Manager Jay Boodheshwar recognizes Mayor Teresa Heitmann before she is sworn in for another term during a City Council meeting at Naples City Hall on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

The mayor helped persuade others on council to support the continuance.

In the end the vote was unanimous, with a motion coming from councilwoman Linda Penniman, and a second from vice mayor Terry Hutchison.

If not for the delay, Hutchison said he would have voted to deny the petition, with lingering questions about compatibility.

While councilman Ray Christman sided with the rest of the board, he did so hesitantly.

Before the vote, he said he wasn't convinced the negotiations between the club's leadership and Mullen were going to get "anywhere productive."

He said it appeared Mullen would only be happy if the club was completely redesigned, and he was hired as the architect.

"I think it's outrageous," he said.

Naples City Councilman Ray Christman speaks during a council meeting on May 25, 2021.

Hurricane Ian wrought so much damage to the iconic Port Royal Club that it could not be salvaged.

Built in 1959, the one-story club, steps from the Gulf of Mexico, served as a social hub for Port Royal residents for decades. The right to membership is one of the reasons the wealthy have flocked to the community, named for the famous Jamaican pirate haven.

With a West Indies look, fitting of its name, the reimagined clubhouse would meet the latest hurricane standards, while offering a larger footprint, with more dining options. The goal is to preserve the charm of it as much as possible, with a design that will stand the test of time, lasting another 70 years.

View of the outside patio of Port Royal Club after Hurricane Ian passes through Southwest Florida on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

Neighbor fears impact of larger club

Although Mullen loved the old club, he said the new one would materially and adversely impact his family's quality of life and the enjoyment and value of their home.

On top of the pool shifting from the center to the southwest corner of the club's property, closest to his house, Mullen is concerned about the height of the clubhouse, and the design of its open-air restaurants and bars. He's not only worried about his views and noise, but more traffic and lighting, from the larger operation, which will include a new parking garage.

He told council when he first saw the magnitude of the plans "it really looked like Four Seasons Naples, south campus."

"It didn't show discretion," he said. "It didn't show restraint."

Rendering of new Port Royal Club in Naples.

He and his team of experts argued the project would not be compatible with the surrounding neighborhood, in part due to its height of 48.6 feet.

However, Erica Martin, the city's planning director, said the height meets the city's requirements at 30 feet, above the required base elevation of 18.6 feet.

Although one of Mullen's primary concerns is noise, she said the club has not been "inordinately noisy," and it would be subject to the city's usual rules and code enforcement. She pointed out council could adopt more stringent limitations, as part of the conditional use approval.

The club's members are older and genteel, so its leadership emphasized they're not ones to party hard or get rowdy.

"It's not Miami Beach. It's a lovely beach club that has existed for 70 years," said Nancy Carlson, the club's board president.

"It's the 'Naples way.' There is not a lot of drunks, or cigar smokers," she said.

Events, including weddings, are limited to members and their families, with no outside sponsors allowed.

One of Mullen's experts who challenged the club's noise study was picked apart by the petitioner's attorney and others for his lack of experience in acoustics. Councilman Bill Kramer said based on the professional's credentials, filed with the city, he was not the "homerun hitter guy" he would have expected.

He gave kudos to the club's leadership for working with Mullen, describing it as a "step in the right direction."

Many members urged council not to delay a vote

Many club members urged council not to put off a vote on the conditional use petition, expressing their eagerness to reopen and reignite their cherished clubhouse, which feeds a communal spirit among Port Royal residents.

A line of speakers in support included Bob Kohlhepp, a member of the club's board of directors. He argued if there are further delays in getting the project built, property values could soon start to erode in Port Royal, which ranks as one of the most expensive neighborhoods in America.

He added that a redesign would not only set the project back, but cost millions of dollars, requiring more work from the club's architectural team, and resulting in higher construction costs, which continue to rise locally and nationally. As it is, members will pay hefty assessments to help fund construction.

The end result of an alternate design, Kohlhepp warned, could be a club that's grossly inadequate and doesn't meet the needs or expectations of the community now, or into the future.

The club has already lost members since Ian. Membership is capped at 700, but it's less  about 660 now.

Ahead of the hearing on the conditional use, council received dozens of letters in support of the new design.

After a review by all city departments, city planners found the site plan sufficient in March. They determined all city standards had been met by the petitioners, including compatibility, recommending six conditions if council should approve the petition.

The city's planning advisory board also voted in favor of the multimillion-dollar project, with conditions of its own.

The Design Review Board gave the project preliminary approval in November, but asked for a few changes, and more information when the club comes back for final approval, including on landscaping and signage.

Final approval is required from the Design Review Board before building permits can be issued. The project can't go before the board again until city council signs off on the plans.

If all the necessary approvals are obtained by fall, construction could still start later this year as planned. The new club would take about two years to build, with a grand opening anticipated in late 2026.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples City Council delays vote on petition to rebuild Port Royal Club
Closely contested races on the ballot to monitor in the New York primary election

Closely contested races on the ballot to monitor in the New York primary election

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11)  Tuesday is Primary Election Day in New York, a day that is especially important in the City, where the majority of the districts are heavily Democratic so the Primary winner is very likely to end up representing voters in Albany or in Washington.

While New Yorks 16th Congressional District in the Bronx and Westchester has gotten much of the attention, there are other closely contested races particularly at the State Assembly level.

More Local News

On Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint, PIX 11 met several people plugged in to Tuesdays Democratic Primary with strong opinions about Assemblywoman Emily Gallagher.

Gallagher rose to represent the 50th District with support from Democratic Socialists of America and other left-leaning groups. Her challengers are Andrew Bodiford and Anathea Simpkins.

It is on a similar story along a bustling stretch of Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing.

There is fiercely competitive Democratic primary here too. District 40 Assemblyman Ron Kim, a progressive champion, most well-known for taking on former Governor Andrew Cuomo, is trying to hold off Yi Andy Chen and Dao Yin in a district that is becoming increasingly more moderate.

Bowman vs. Latimer: Key takeaways from NY-16 Democratic primary debate on PIX11

Meanwhile, in Corona and East Elmhurst there is once in a generation contest to replace Jeffrion Aubry in the 35th Assembly District. He is retiring after serving more than 30 years in office.

Vying for the Democratic nomination are Hiram Monserrate, who was expelled from the State Senate after a domestic assault conviction, and later sent to jail on federal corruption chargesand longtime community activist and civic leader Larinda Hooks.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools offers free summer meals at locations scattered throughout the county, but its hard to find where to go.

Most CMS schools  111 of the total 184  participated this year in the National School Lunch Acts Community Eligibility Provision, which allows them to give free lunches to all of their students.

The status is determined by the proportion of students at each school who receive Social Security benefits, experience homelessness, are in foster care or qualify for Medicaid. Schools are eligible if at least 40% of their students automatically qualify for free school meals. Around 15% of Mecklenburg County households are considered food insecure, according to national nonprofit Feeding America.

So, what happens when kids arent in school for the summer?

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools offers meals during the summer regardless of whether the child attends one of the districts schools.

CMS offers free breakfasts and lunches for kids at community centers and school campuses throughout Mecklenburg County, even if theyre not enrolled in the district. Vilma Leake, District 2 county commissioner, said some community members complain the program isnt running as smoothly as it should.

My people are telling me theyre having issues with poor service, said Leake. The communication is terrible, and I want to know if my kids are being taken care of.

Leake says there are about 100 students in her district who need meals through the summer lunch program. She says parents have complained there hasnt been enough communication from the district. Thats why I set out to figure out how easy or hard it might be to track down meals locations and how theyre operating.

The sites seem to be running smoothly, but parsing through contradictory and incomplete information about where to find them made getting there tricky.

What our reporter found

My search for Mecklenburg County summer meals started in a place you might expect: Google. The first result was a page on the North Carolina Department of Public Instructions website titled How to Find Summer Meals.

The NC Site Finder map showed five meal distribution centers in all of Mecklenburg County. Four of them were open during a check on Monday. Each was open for a 45-minute window, from noon to 12:45 pm.

Five food distribution sites for a school district with 141,000 students seemed scant, especially when there were as many as 53 hot meals sites as recently as 2018. So, I moved forward by following the websites directions to text my full address, zip code or city to NCDPIs number to find the closest food distribution center.

Just typing Charlotte produced an error message. So, I texted my specific address.

The addresses and hours for three food distribution sites popped up in my inbox, none of which matched any of the five on NCDPIs map. The webpage also offered a hotline: 1-866-3-HUNGRY. To make matters more confusing, the operator on that line gave the location of yet another meal distribution site. It wasnt any of the three that had been texted to me or on NCDPIs map.

CMS school nutrition webpage neither offers any clarity nor does it have a list or map of meal sites. The operator gave me a few different options, confirmed theyre open and asked if I had a particular one in mind.

Some dont take walk-ins, she said. Some schools may be over-capacity for what their cafeterias can hold, so that often plays into it.

She didnt have an estimate of the number of sites that take walk-ins, since she said it varies. At all of the urban meal distribution sites, she said, the food must be eaten on-site in the cafeteria, rather than taken to-go.

I would advise that people interested in finding meals should just give us a call, and well help them find the location closest to them, she said.

A spokesperson for CMS said they cant yet give an exact total on the number of meal distribution centers in the district.

It is too early in the cycle for data, said Susan Vernon-Devlin, CMS executive director of media relations and crisis communications. We have several summer meals locations in areas of the county where the need for nutrition is greatest. Those who need meals reach out and find means to access them.

Visit to summer meal sites

I went to four meal distribution sites around the county. At all of them, people working there said the meal program was going off without a hitch.

Its been going great, said Jessica Spann at Ivory Baker Recreation Center, which was hosting a CMS summer food distribution location and summer camp. The food deliveries are always on point and precise, and the kids love the lunches.

Spann said Ivory Baker has been a summer meal site for a few years, but its meal program for this summer started up Monday.

It was a similar story at Southview Recreation Center, in Leakes district.

Everything has been pretty smooth so far, said Phillip Gottlieb, who was overseeing food distribution and a summer camp at the community center. The lunches are for the campers, but we also get a mixture of folks from the community who come to get food.

Gottlieb and Spann both said they always had enough meals to meet demand.
CNN's Kasie Hunt cut off Karoline Leavitt after she made disparaging remarks about Jake Tapper and Dana Bash instead of answering a question about Trump's debate strategy

CNN Kasie Hunt and Karoline Leavitt on 'CNN This Morning' on June 24, 2024

A tense moment unfolded on CNN on Monday, June 24, when a spokesperson for Donald Trump made disparaging comments about two of the interviewer's colleagues.



CNN's Kasie Hunt had Trump's national press secretary Karoline Leavitt on CNN This Morning to discuss the upcoming presidential debate between Trump, 78, and President Joe Biden, 81. The event  which is slated for Thursday, June 27  will be moderated by Hunt's fellow CNN anchors Jake Tapper and Dana Bash.

Related: Joe Biden and Donald Trump Agree to 2 Presidential Debates in June and September

When Hunt, 39, asked Leavitt, 26, how the former president would be preparing for the debate, Trump's spokeswoman said: President Trump knows what he wants to say, and hes going to relay his vision to the American people to make this country strong, safe, secure and wealthy again."

"Hes been doing that across this great nation to all corners of this country, Leavitt continued.

And thats why President Trump is knowingly going into a hostile environment on this very network, on CNN, with debate moderators who have made their opinions about him very well known over the past eight years and their biased coverage of him.

Gary Miller/FilmMagic Jake Tapper speaks during the 'CNN Democratic Town Hall' in 2019

Hunt then defended Tapper, 55, and Bash, 53, saying that they "have acquitted themselves as professionals as they have covered campaigns and interviewed candidates from all sides of the aisle."

She added that "if you're attacking the moderators, you're usually losing," and reiterated that she was more interested in hearing about Trump's specific plans for this debate.

Related: Trump's 2024 Veepstakes Are Nearing a Decision: Inside His Top Choices for Running Mate

Leavitt, however, attempted to double-down on her previous argument regarding Tapper and Trump. Hunt cut Leavitt off before she could say more, bringing the interview to an abrupt end.

Maam, were going to stop this interview if youre going to keep attacking my colleagues," Hunt said. The camera cut away from Leavitt as Hunt thanked her for taking the time to appear on CNN and suggested that she's welcome back any time if she would like to discuss Trump.

Related: Every Crime Donald Trump Has Been Charged With, Explained

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post/Bloomberg via Getty Karoline Leavitt, national press secretary for Trump's campaign, appears at the Manhattan criminal court on May 29, 2024, to support her boss ahead of his felony convictions

In response to Monday's heated interview, a CNN spokesperson told PEOPLE in a statement that Jake Tapper and Dana Bash are well respected veteran journalists who have covered politics for more than five decades combined."

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.

"They have extensive experience moderating major political debates, including CNNs Republican Presidential Primary Debate this cycle," the spokesperson continued. "There are no two people better equipped to co-moderate a substantial and fact-based discussion and we look forward to the debate on June 27 in Atlanta.

The first general election debate of 2024 is set to begin at 9 p.m. on Thursday, and the second will take place on Sept. 10, moderated by ABC News' David Muir and Linsey Davis.



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Read the original article on People.
A Bismarck man who was under investigation in February for possession of child sexual abuse images is now facing nearly two dozen charges in a new case.

Austin Diede, 33, entered not guilty pleas to 22 counts of possession of prohibited materials during a court appearance held earlier in June. The charges were filed while Diede was in custody in connection with the February case, which was dismissed last week.

Each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Diede remains in custody at the Burleigh Morton Detention Center on a $500,000 cash bond.

Bismarck police obtained a search warrant for a cellphone and electronic devices found at Diede's residence during his arrest in February, according to a probable cause affidavit. A search of the phone allegedly revealed a folder connected to an encrypted cloud-based file storage and hosting service known as Mega, based in New Zealand.

Investigators verified two email accounts associated with Diede had been used to create a Mega account, according to the affidavit. Bismarck police, aided by Homeland Security Investigations, then obtained a federal search warrant for Diede's accounts.

Within those two accounts, investigators downloaded more than 6,000 individual files. At the time of the affidavit's filing, more than 5,000 files remained to be viewed. Of the roughly 1,000 files processed, investigators with Bismarck Police's Internet Crimes Against Children unit found 21 separate files that contained explicit images of adult males performing sex acts on infants and toddlers, according to the affidavit. The majority of the children depicted in the video files are males, the affidavit stated.

Mega provided information to ICAC investigators indicating that Deide had the account for roughly 7  years, from late July 2016 until he suspended it in late December 2023, according to the affidavit.

A trial in Diede's case is scheduled to begin on Aug. 20.
CNN unceremoniously booted a Donald Trump spokesperson off the air Monday after she refused to stop criticizing the networks journalists set to moderate the first presidential debate this Thursday.

CNN This Morning anchor Kasie Hunt repeatedly warned Trump campaign national press secretary Karoline Leavitt to quit taking shots at Jake Tapper and Dana Bash or else the interview would be stopped. But rather than focusing on how her boss would deal with President Joe Biden in the debate, Leavitt ignored the warnings and continued blasting Hunts colleagues instead.

CNN Wants to Mute Trump at Its Debate. Good Luck With That

Hunt opened the interview asking how Trumps approach would be different in Thursdays debate from the tactics he pursued in 2020. Leavitt started out by saying that Trump is well prepared for the showdown, adding that unlike Joe Biden, he doesnt have to hide away and have his advisers tell him what to say.

President Trump knows what he wants to say, and hes going to relay his vision to the American people to make this country strong, safe, secure, and wealthy again, Leavitt said. Hes been doing that across this great nation to all corners of this country.

Things quickly went off the rails from there.

Thats why he was in Detroit, Michigan last week, Leavitt continued. He was in Philadelphia for a big rally on Saturday night. And thats why President Trump is knowingly going into a hostile environment on this very network, on CNN, with debate moderators who have made their opinions about him very well known over the past eight years and their biased coverage of him.

When Leavitt finished speaking, Hunt immediately defended her coworkers. So Ill just say, my colleagues, Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, have acquitted themselves as professionals as they have covered campaigns and interviewed candidates from all sides of the aisle. She added that if you talk to analysts of debates previous, youll find that if youre attacking the moderators, youre usually losing.

Hunt then tried to steer Leavitt back to focusing on the debate itself, playing some comments from Trump and asking what theyre expecting from Biden.

Well, first of all, it would take someone five minutes to Google Jake Tapper Donald Trump to see Jake Tapper has consistently Leavitt began saying, prompting an intervention from Hunt.

Maam, were going to stop this interview if youre going to keep attacking my colleagues, Hunt said. The pair then started talking over each other, with Hunt reiterating that shed pull the plug if Leavitt kept it up.

I am stating facts that your colleagues have stated in the past, Leavitt said, which was apparently the final straw.

Okay, Im sorry guys, were going to come back out to the panel, Hunt said, waving her hand. As Leavitt was taken off the air, the anchor added, Karoline, thank you very much for your time, you are welcome to come back at any point. She is welcome to come back and speak about Donald Trump.

You come on my show, you respect my colleagues, Hunt wrote in an X post after the calamitous interview. Period. I dont care what side of the aisle you stand on, as my track record clearly shows.

Last week, several activists protested outside Tappers home to criticize the way hes covered Israels war in Gaza. One of the individuals taking part in the demonstrationwhich accused Tapper of spreading Israeli propagandawas a volunteer with Codepink, according to USA Today, though the organization didnt formally organize the stunt.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The Columbus Riverwalk is flooding more. How often is the citys icon underwater?

The Columbus stretch of the Chattahoochee River rises and falls like vital signs on a heart monitor throughout the year. Shallow summer lows reveal caramel-brown boulders while winter and spring high depths cover entire trees and create whitewater that makes the river roar.

The volume and height of the water have fluctuated since record-keeping began in the Columbus area in 1929, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey archives and current monitors at the 14th Street bridge.

But significant high water events of at least 25 feet in the Chattahoochee have happened more in the last 10 years than in the previous 30, when the Columbus Riverwalk was constructed. Its also taking longer for water levels to fall, causing the river to become more like a temporary lake and drowning the Columbus Riverwalk for days.

From 1993 to 2024, there were 100 days in which the riverwalk was underwater from 42 flood events. Seventy-five of those days were from 2014 to 2024, explained Senior Service Hydrologist, Laura Belanger at the NWS.

There are a lot of factors that are creating this increase in flood frequency and duration, Belanger said.

Its hard to draw one specific conclusion but there are things we know for sure and that is, in theory, its going to get worse from climate change, she said.

When the 31-year-old riverwalk is underwater from flooding, the consequences are much more significant than recreational access.

Arguably, the largest economic driver in Uptown Columbus comes from the river, which draws in millions of tourists who use the river to white water raft and kayak every year. On any given day an angler will have their fishing pole hanging on the rails of the riverwalk. In 2023, Muscogee County had 13,631 fishing licenses, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Flood events damage the riverwalk itself, and those incidents add more bacteria to the river from sewage inundation, and parts of the sewage system back up throughout Columbus.

Portions of the wall on the Riverwalk are breaking off. This wall started losing bricks in the Spring after significant three flood events all above 25 feet in height. This is below the Chattahoochee River Club. Taken on 6/18/24

The maze of combined sewer overflow pipes snake below the riverwalk and throughout the city. The system was built to handle a certain amount of water before the rainwater and sewer overflow during high rain events. At 25 feet in crest height, the river begins approaching the riverwalk in Columbus, at 27 feet it begins to flood.

These are the signs that the river is flooding more often and for a longer duration:

Since 1993, there have been 42 flood events (where the river level rose above 25 feet).

More than half, 25, happened in the last 10 years.

16 of the 25 in the last 10 years have been above 27, considered a minor flooding stage.

The 16 events in the last decade lasted on average 4.7 days. Between 1993 and 2014, they lasted only 3.25 days.

What interests Belanger is that the duration of the events is increasing, she said in an email.

This graph represents the total number of days the Riverwalk flooded (at 27 feet) between 1994-2024. Most of the flooding has occurred in the last 10 years, at 75 total days.

Gabriel Perez, a hydrologist who studies the effects of extreme floods, called the last 10 years of high crest events, striking.

It is the city icon, Billy Turner, former president of Columbus Water Works and project leader for the Riverwalk path construction in the early 1990s, said when describing the riverwalk.

[The riverwalk] was designed to be flooded, Turner told the Ledger-Enquirer. We expected it to be flooded on average about twice per year. It was designed around rain events to provide for the treatment capacity in the system.

So why is the expected average of two days up to four and a half days in the last decade?

The why is complicated

The Chattahoochee River basin has 4,630 square miles of drainage area. Its sheer size complicates this question.

One of the most difficult things to answer is whether rainfall can equate to streamflowespecially because the Chattahoochee is such a long and big basin, Perez said.

Four main elements are all happening in tandem to cause flooding events, according to several hydrologists interviewed by the Ledger-Enquirer:

Heavy and extreme rainfall locally in Columbus (more frequently induced by human-caused climate change).

Rain events above the North Highlands Dam (including events in Atlanta) and Georgia Powers decision to release outflow.

West Point Lake Dam outfall fluctuations, determined by NWS and the Army Corps of Engineers.

Drought in the regionsoil moisture conditions around the basin that either leave the ground ripe for water sequestration or over-saturation

Locally, rainfall has increased in the last 10 years, according to the rain gauge at the Columbus Airport.

Since 2009 there have been more heavy rain events in Columbus above 2.5 inches, with nine events above 4 inches, compared to only four events from 1990 to 2008, recorded at the Columbus Airport rain gauge.

Daily precipitation recorded at the Columbus Airport. from 1990-2024. There is an increase in heavier rain events and above 2.5 inches since 2009.

There is a clear trend of increased precipitation in the region, Perez said.

Because Columbus is at the bottom of the massive basin, all rain events between North Highlands Dam and Atlanta need to be considered.

Next, and perhaps most significantly, is the West Point Lake Dams outflow that dictates what will come down the river to Columbus. It was built for flood control purposes.

These streamflows are in cubic feet per second, and this is different from flooding or crest events. This is the amount that is being discharged and the volume, which is partially a result of the West Point Lake dam outflow.

Prior to the construction of West Point dam in 1971, the river got up into the street, all the way up to Broadway, Turner said.

When a rain event happens in Atlanta, the Army Corp of Engineers, NWS and other entities coordinate to ensure West Point Lake can handle the incoming inundation from Atlanta, which means more water comes to Columbus.

West Point ACOE tries to get rid of water a little bit at a time and uses our forecasts to do that, said Todd Hamill, hydrologist at the NWS.

The Columbus stretch of the Chattahoochee after 1975 created an entirely different river reality in Columbus.

Then, theres drought. The last several years have not had as much drought, according to Hamill.

There was a significant drought in the early 2000s. But in the last 10 years we havent had much drought, Hamill said.

El Nino years tend to be wetter, which is an added consideration, he added.

If the basin system is dry, the watershed has more capacity to absorb the water that is coming from precipitation and that will add into stream flow or peak flow magnitude in the system, Perez said. The soil conditions will depend on the land use from urban areas.

To understand a single flood event, hydrologists would have to consider all of these factors, making a single attribution nearly impossible.

But these three points scientists know for certain:.

It is raining more in the Southeast

Columbus floods linger longer

There is more water vapor on a warming planet.

Scientists know that more moisture in warmer air increases the chances that rain falls in heavier downpours.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) used 33 models to determine the precipitation patterns. Perez showed the Ledger-Enquirer the new pinpoint feature where you can now go to exact coordinates.

On a 1.5 degree C warmer planet Columbus will see more rain during rain events by 10%. So if it is 2 inches today that may look like 2.2 inches in years to come.

The southeast has experienced an increase of 37% in heavy downpour days since the late 1950s.

The ripple effects  what can the system handle?

The $100 million dollar riverwalk project included two combined sewer treatment facilities (one near the Civil War Naval Museum and Second Avenue and 19th Street).

The large pipes that extend under the riverwalk were designed to eliminate combined sewer overflow problems, Turner said.

When the area gets more than 0.63 inches of rain per hour, the stormwater flows into the sanitary sewer system and the combined flows overwhelm the wastewater treatment plants.

When the system can no longer manage the amount of combined flows, a mix of minimally treated wastewater and stormwater is discharged into the Chattahoochee River (primarily through pipes that release underwater and out of sight), Ashley Desensi, technical program manager for the Chattahoochee River Keepers, said in an email. There is a high likelihood that the water contains high levels of bacteria.

Vic Burchfield, the VP of Columbus Water Works who works to maintain the water and sanitary sewer system said the sewer line is designed to only collect so much sewage.

Its designed for dry conditions, he said.

The sanitary sewer system is designed to handle 0.23 inches of rain per hour, according to Burchfield. Sanitary system overflows can happen when discharge from commercial and residential customers drain combined with high flooding, and the manholes get covered in water or water pours off them.

The city will put up barricades before an event after they are notified by the NWS.

The clean up process can not begin until the water has receded and it can persist for months after a significant event, Public Works Director Drale Short said.

The Columbus Emergency Management Department told the Ledger-Enquirer they work closely with the NWS, Georgia Power, and the city during high rain events.

We discourage people from fishing, kayaking, boating when the river is in flood stage because we want them to be safe, Chance Corbett, EMS director said.

Occasionally we have a kayaker who gets in the water, but most people understand they should stay away, Fire Department Chief Rick Shores said. Drowning happens on really hot days when people want to get in.
Opinion editor's note: Editorials represent the opinions of the Star Tribune Editorial Board, which operates independently from the newsroom.



The University of Minnesota's recent decision to pause the hiring process for director of its Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies  after first offering a job to an Israeli historian whose appointment drew controversy  was correct but not without cost.

The turn of events further illustrates the reach of the conflagration triggered by last October's murderous attacks on Israeli citizens by Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007 without subsequent elections and which several nations consider a terrorist organization, and by Israel's subsequent invasion of Gaza, which has led to tens of thousands of civilian deaths and which many consider a genocide. The Star Tribune Editorial Board understands Israel's need to neutralize the Hamas threat but is disheartened by the disproportionality of the response and cannot discern an acceptable long-term plan for Gaza by the current Israeli government. The board also believes that "genocide" is a term that does not clearly apply in a sovereign nation's defense against aggressors who promise its eventual demise.

Raz Segal, an associate professor of Holocaust and genocide studies and an endowed professor in the study of modern genocide at Stockton University in New Jersey, reads the situation differently. In an analysis published Oct. 13 in the magazine Jewish Currents, just six days after the initial attacks, he wrote that Israel's intended response  along with comments from its leaders and citizens  met the definition of genocide. (Jewish Currents describes itself as being "committed to the rich tradition of thought, activism, and culture on the Jewish left and the left more broadly.")

Those comments proved critical in Segal's prospective directorship of the U Holocaust Center. After he was given a job offer June 5, the article was cited amid a wave of opposition from supporters of Israel, including the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas. Two board members of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies resigned in protest of the appointment. A few days later the university paused the director search, and a week later interim President Jeff Ettinger told regents it would be resumed in the 2025-26 school year.

The center was established in 1997 in the University of Minnesota's College of Liberal Arts. It describes itself as promoting "academic research, education, and public awareness of the Holocaust, other genocides, and current forms of mass violence." It's important to note the breadth of that ambition. The genocide by Nazi Germany against Jews between 1941 and 1945 is a significant but not sole concern. The center cannot only look back.

Yet there's an argument that such an institution is not just an academic pursuit but a beacon in the broader community, and that its leader should unify, not polarize. Segal is undoubtedly a polarizing figure.

In a meeting with the Editorial Board last week, Ettinger said "it's not that we're guaranteeing any particular group a seat on the committee, but we need to be more mindful of the fact that the director spot does have that kind of connected point."

Bruno Chaouat  a U professor, former Holocaust Center director and one of the two board members who resigned in protest of Segal's appointment  told an editorial writer in an email that in an ideal future candidate "I would like to see a scholar who can speak to the academic and nonacademic community about genocides and who remains nuanced in his or her analysis. While I recognize the importance of polemic and robust disagreement for a lively academic community, I also think that the functions of a director of such a center demand moderation."

Still, the university is now vulnerable to accusations of selective listening. Segal told an editorial writer that petitions with thousands of signatures, including those of many Jewish people, went ignored. "The response has been overwhelming support of me and anger at the university. The anger stems from the crude violation of academic freedom, the crude political interference in a regular hiring process at a public university, and the crude violation of the procedures of the university itself," he said.

Meanwhile, members of the College of Liberal Arts Assembly have characterized the administration's involvement as an "unprecedented interference in the college's hiring process" and last week produced a 24-6 vote of no confidence in Ettinger and Provost Rachel Croson. (Ettinger's role as interim president ends July 1, when Dr. Rebecca Cunningham is to begin her tenure in the permanent role.)

There can be little argument that Segal has been treated poorly, but leadership roles have broad obligations and the university must get them right. The decision to pause the search buys time. The result should be a good-faith effort to work out the dispute over process and to navigate the legitimate but competing interests of academic freedom and community representation, at a volatile time when the community is itself divided. The conflict has not yet undermined the center's mission irredeemably, but it has cast a chill.
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.

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.

Spokespeople for the Justice Department, which is led by the named defendant in the case, Attorney General Merrick Garland, did not immediately respond to a request for comment

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.

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The S.S. United States is seen Sunday, June 16, 2024, at Pier 82, along the Delaware River, in Philadelphia. (Elizabeth Robertson/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)

The conservancy that oversees the SS United States has launched an urgent $500,000 fundraising campaign to help cover relocation expenses for the historic ship amid its uncertain future.

The 1,000-foot ocean liner, which still holds the transatlantic speed record it set more than 70 years ago, must leave its berth on the Delaware River in Philadelphia by Sept. 12, a federal judge ruled earlier this month.

Besides finding a new home, the conservancy also must obtain funds for insurance, tugs, surveys and dock preparations for moving the ship, which is incapable of self-propulsion. The group is focusing its efforts on finding a temporary berth in the Philadelphia area or on the East Coast, and fears that if a temporary home cannot be found soon, the vessel could be lost forever.

Our search for a new temporary or permanent location has been ongoing and began well before the litigation, but if a dock cannot be found in the coming weeks, well be forced to commit to reefing or scrapping the vessel, conservancy board member Warren Jones said in a statement posted on the groups website.

Reefing refers to sinking the ship and turning it into an artificial reef and diving destination.

U.S. District Judge Anita Brodys ruling ended a years-old rent dispute between the conservancy and its landlord, Penn Warehousing. It stemmed from an August 2021 decision by Penn Warehousing to double the ships daily dockage to $1,700, an increase the conservancy refused to accept.

When the conservancy continued to pay its previous rate, set in 2011, Penn Warehousing terminated the lease in March 2022. After much legal wrangling, Brody held a bench trial in January but also encouraged the two sides to reach a settlement instead of leaving it up to her.

She ultimately ruled that the conservancys failure to pay the new rate did not amount to a contract breach or entitle Penn Warehousing to damages. However, she found that under Pennsylvania contract law, the berthing agreement is terminable at will with reasonable notice.

Christened in 1952, the SS United States was once considered a beacon of American engineering, doubling as a military vessel that could carry thousands of troops. On its maiden voyage in 1952, it shattered the transatlantic speed record in both directions, when it reached an average speed of 36 knots, or just over 41 mph (66 kph), The Associated Press reported from aboard the ship.

On that voyage, the ship crossed the Atlantic in three days, 10 hours and 40 minutes, besting the RMS Queen Marys time by 10 hours. To this day, the SS United States holds the transatlantic speed record for an ocean liner.

It became a reserve ship in 1969 and later bounced to various private owners who hoped to redevelop it but eventually found their plans to be too expensive or poorly timed.

It has loomed for years on south Philadelphias Delaware waterfront.
Construction work has begun on a project aimed to prevent accidents at the intersection of Hwy 296 and the Fall Line Freeway in Jefferson County.

Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) contractors have begun construction on a project aimed at saving lives at what some Jefferson County emergency responders say is by far the deadliest single intersection in the area.

Dave Beachy, chief of the nearby Hillcrest Fire Department, said that he has begun to loathe the tone for a motor vehicle accident, saying he feels far too many are at the intersection of State Route 296 and Highway 88, also known as the Fall Line Freeway.

When they drop the tone you just know its going to be at that intersection, Beachy said. It seems like were averaging one there every two or three weeks and we have had two in one day there. And we have had as many as five fatalities in one vehicle.

On Monday, June 17, Georgia DOT contractors began construction of a Reduced Conflict U-Turn (RCUT) design that will force drivers using Hwy. 296 to cross the Fall Line Freeway in a completely new way.

According to Will Volk, a District 2 Communications officer for GDOT, the new design will prevent vehicles traveling both north and south along State Route 296 from going straight across the intersection or from crossing two lanes of oncoming traffic to turn immediately left onto the Fall Line Freeway. Instead, all vehicles coming to this intersection from Hwy. 296 will have to turn right onto the freeway and have an opportunity to make a U-turn a short distance away. Vehicles traveling east and west along Hwy 88/the Fall Line Freeway, will be able to use a new concrete median to turn either north or south onto Hwy 296.

There is a Federal Highway Administration study that said they (RCUT designs) reduce severe crashes in intersections like this by more than 50 percent, Volk said. Basically, youre cutting off a lot of conflict points here, by restricting traffic on 296 from going straight or left. That reduces the number of types of angle collisions you can have there.

Contractors work Friday, June 21 to widen the paved areas near the U turn areas near the intersection of Hwy 296 and the Fall Line Freeway so that larger and longer vehicles wiil have more space to make their turns once the current intersection is blocked by a concrete median.

Volk added that contractors have already begun adding extra padding that will allow larger and longer vehicles to be able to make the Uturns.

Drivers in this area have been notified to expect temporary lane closures near the intersection over the next several weeks as construction is anticipated to continue until August. The project will also include the construction of concrete medians, signage and pavement markings.

Volk went on to explain that the RCUT is a temporary solution, as DOT plans to follow the recommendation of a recent traffic safety study on this intersection that suggests a roundabout as the long-term solution. Plans for the roundabout are still in the pre-construction phase, Volk said, with work estimated to begin on that project in 2027.

The roundabout is the ultimate solution, Volk said. This is just an interim, quick response. If you go further down the Fall Line Freeway, theres one (a roundabout) that was recently installed at State Route 540 and State Route 24 in Washington County. The roundabout will be the ultimate solution, but RCUTs are proven to work in the interim.

In past years DOT has added rumble strips, yield signs, stop ahead signs and flashing lights leading up to the intersection. And yet, collisions continue to occur there.

That intersection has a very long history of fatalities and lives matter, Beachy said. These deaths need to stop. And not only the deaths. There are wrecks that happen and lives are ruined. There was a wreck where five siblings were in the vehicle, one died, one was air lifted, two others went by ambulance. It has messed that family up. It just needs to stop.

Keith Boulineau, Wrens Fire Chief, said that his department is dispatched to nearly every major motor vehicle accident at that intersection to provide support and often, to cut away the twisted metal trapping people in their wrecked vehicles.

According to Boulineaus records, Wrens firefighters have responded to 34 calls at this intersection in the last seven years.

Right off the top of my head I can think of six people who have passed away at that intersection, Boulineau said.

He worries about complications that may come from the way drivers negotiate the RCUT changes.

"I think you are going to see people on 296 who try to weave their way through the intersection. And when you have these big log trucks that are going to have to try to make that Uturn, theyre going to swing wide and theyre going to take up every lane, Boulineau said.

He added that while drivers on the freeway are often driving too fast, he believes the problem in more with drivers on Hwy 296 attempting to cross.

Beachy summed up the feelings of a number of local residents who have expressed concerns online that the RCUT design may not be enough, soon enough.

I feel like they should go ahead and put the roundabout in instead of doing this, Beachy said. They put down rumble strips and then they put in lights and then they added stop signs and yield signs. To me, its like theyre giving a crying baby pacifiers instead of going ahead and feeding the baby, instead of doing what needs to be done. This mess has been going on for eight years.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Construction begins at deadly Jefferson County intersection
Coroner IDs Boise man who died of complications after crash near hospital. He was 79

A Boise man died roughly two weeks after he was involved in a two-vehicle crash near the Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, according to the Ada County Coroners Office.

Alva Haynes died just before 3 p.m. Saturday at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise from complications of the blunt force injuries he sustained during a crash, the Coroners Office said in a news release. He was 79.

The crash occurred around 9:35 p.m. June 9 near the 6000 block of West Emerald Street, which is behind the hospital. Haynes was the only one in his vehicle. Its unclear whether the other driver, or any possible passengers, sustained injuries.

Boise police are investigating the crash, according to the news release. The Idaho Statesman has reached out to the police department for additional information.
Corpus Christi Public Works will hand out more free sandbags to residents next weekend

Employees with the Corpus Christi Public Works Department grab free sandbags to load into residents' vehicles at Waldron Field Saturday, June 22, 2024.

A Corpus Christi Public Works Department employee places seven sandbags in a resident's vehicle at Waldron Field Saturday, June 22, 2024.

A dump truck starts to release sandbags while residents wait in line at Waldron Field Saturday, June 22, 2024.

Residents were up early to receive free sandbags from the Corpus Christi Public Works Department at Waldron Field in Flour Bluff Saturday.

In anticipation of future rainfall and potential flooding, the department handed out about 2,500 sandbags at the site with the help of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi volunteers, as well as about 2,500 additional bags at the City Service Center on Civitan Drive at 5352 Ayers Street this past weekend.

The group will hold another distribution from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 29. Residents can pick up sandbags at West Guth Park at 9700 Up River Road or the City Service Center.

A total of about 10,000 sandbags will be given out from all four distributions.

Tessy Gonzalez, work coordinator of vegetation management, said residents who come to the second event need to remain in their vehicles and have their tailgates or trunks open for the crew. Keeping them closed will slow down the process.

People will receive a maximum of seven sandbags per vehicle.

More: Corpus Christi residents receive free sandbags during city's distribution Saturday

More: Corpus Christi to give out free sandbags in anticipation of flooding, heavy rain

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Public Works will hand out more free sandbags to residents on weekend
Council of EU to approve text of security agreement with Ukraine on Tuesday

The Council of the European Union will approve the text of the security agreement between Ukraine and the EU on Tuesday, 25 June.

Source: Interfax-Ukraine news agency, citing a high-level European diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The source said the text of the security agreement between Ukraine and the EU will be approved at an EU General Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg on Tuesday and signed in the coming days.

"The formal approval of this agreement will take place tomorrow (Tuesday) within the framework of the EU General Affairs Council, and the signing will be organised on Wednesday or Thursday in Brussels," the diplomat said.

Background:

The Ukrainian President's Office announced last week that Ukraine and the European Union had held the final round of negotiations on the bilateral security agreement and that it would be signed shortly.

An agreement between Ukraine and Poland is also in the final stages of preparation, with the last round of talks taking place on Friday, 21 June.

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The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Tuesday it will withdraw a request for $1.2 million in state funding to address overcrowding, instead shifting more inmates to county jails.

The department said it has partnered with the Heart of America Correctional and Treatment Center in Rugby, the Burleigh/Morton Detention Center and the Williams County Correctional Center in Williston, in addition to its current partner, the McKenzie County Correctional Facility in Watford City, to increase the number of beds for male inmates, according to a news release.

The partnership is expected to add 40 beds for male inmates across the county facilities, a department spokesperson said.

North Dakota state prisons reached their capacity of 1,624 male inmates last July. It had been housing additional inmates in McKenzie County, but that county jail reached its capacity in May. Today, North Dakota is housing 1,723 male inmates, about 100 more than the states capacity, the North Dakota Monitor reported.

On June 6, Corrections officials asked the states Emergency Commission for $1.2 million to convert a dining hall at Bismarcks Missouri River Correctional Center into a 40-person dormitory to house additional inmates. That request was tabled to discuss conflicting language in the century code about the request.

Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, R-Minot, a member of the Emergency Commission, said Tuesday the commission lawyers informed legislators that century code would not permit renovations or additions to state correctional facilities without a vote from the full Legislature.

We understand that we cannot approve a building modification request like that because the statute is quite explicit, Hogue said.

He said he thinks sharing capacity with county correctional facilities is a good temporary step to address the bed shortage until next years legislative session.

I think its a good short-term solution and I hope the counties will step up and help the state because its clear they need some help, Hogue said.

Hogue added the temporary solution may cost taxpayers more to house inmates due to differing labor and housing costs at the county facilities.

The Tuesday news release said Corrections plans to work with the cooperating county jails on providing remote access to rehabilitation programs for inmates.

The DOCR recognizes this is a multifaceted issue that will take support not only from our correctional partners, but also from community partners and stakeholders, Colby Braun, director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, said in the news release.

The arrangement with county jails is a temporary solution, the news release noted.

Although many jails and correctional facilities are experiencing their own capacity and staffing issues, its important we keep public safety the number one priority for the communities in North Dakota, Maj. Trent Wangen, assistant administrator for the Burleigh/Morton County Detention Center, said in a statement.

The department also said the overcrowding problem could have been a lot worse without the help of transition programs to help inmates find adequate employment, housing and transportation. Additionally, DOCR contracted with the Ward County Jail and Southwest Multi-County Correction Center for re-entry housing and other rehabilitation programming.
They saved their whole lives for this, Saida Wurie said of her parents' trip to the holy city

Angela Alsobrooks/X (L-R) Alieu Dausy Wurie and Isatu Tejan Wurie

A couple from Maryland are among the over 1,3000 people who died while making this year's Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia amid extreme heat.

The deaths of Isatu Tejan Wurie, 65, and Alieu Dausy Wurie, 71, both of Bowie, Maryland, were confirmed by the couples daughter in an interview with CNN on Saturday, June 22.

"All we know is that it was natural causes and someone from the U.S. Embassy advised the natural causes could have been due to heat stroke, which based on the temperature, people were saying it was 110 degrees," Saida Wurie told the news outlet of her parents, who died on June 15. "There are millions of people and they have to walk long hours."

Saida told the outlet it had been her mom and dads lifelong dream to make the journey to Mecca,  and that they spent $23,000 for a tour package through a travel operator, according to CNN.



They saved their whole lives for this, she said.

Related: Great-Grandparents and Dog Died Inside Home After AC Broke amid Extreme Texas Heat: 'Huge Loss'

Saida said her family received a phone call from someone who was part of Isatu and Alieus travel group, saying the couple went missing on Mount Arafat, where the group was gathering to pray, and had not returned to their hotel. Attempts by the family to call the couple were unsuccessful.

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The daughter told CNN that before her parents deaths, she had been in touch with them and learned that the tour company allegedly lacked the proper credentials and transportation for the journey. She believed her parents were not prepared for the trip, which included 100 other fellow travelers in their group.

CNN did not identify the tour company by name, but said it was registered in the state of Maryland. The company did not respond to their request for comment



Related: 'Beloved' Wife and Mother Who Went Missing While Hiking in Arizona Heat Found Dead

Saida went on to say that when she confirmed the news of their deaths via the U.S. consulate generals office in Saudi Arabia, she also learned they had been buried.



We did ask the Saudi government to hold the bodies in order for us to travel to Saudi Arabia to at least give them the proper burial with [their] children being present and to be able to identify the bodies, she said, per CNN. Unfortunately, they have already been buried.

Saida said that she and her family are hoping to meet with American officials when they arrive in Saudi Arabia to help them locate her parents burial site.

Additionally, the Wuries deaths were confirmed by Angela Alsobrooks, a U.S. Senate candidate, CBS affiliate WJZ reported. According to the outlet, Isatu worked on the politician's campaign.

It is with heavy hearts that my team and I received some devastating news today. Two beloved members of #TeamAlsobrooks, Alhaji Alieu Dausy and Haja Isatu Wurie, passed away during a pilgrimage to Mecca due to the severe heat.



Haja Isatu Wurie was an incredibly active member of pic.twitter.com/oyVMLhPo2l  Angela Alsobrooks (@AlsobrooksForMD) June 22, 2024

Haja Isatu Wurie was an incredibly active member of our community. She was involved in several community organizations, making transformational impacts that were felt both locally and globally, Alsobrooks wrote in her X post.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with their families during this difficult time. Their loss is profound, and they will be deeply missed, she continued.

Related: Hiker Who Died in Death Valley Spoke to Reporter About Risking Extreme Heat Hours Earlier: 'Why Not?'

As reported by National Public Radio, about 1,300 people died during the pilgrimage to Mecca, according to Saudi officials. At the time, temperatures in the area topped 115 degrees last week.

Fahd al-Jalajel, a Saudi health minister, said that about 80 percent of the deaths involved travelers who did not have permits as they walked miles during the oppressive heat, per The New York Times.

According to Britannica, the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca is a rite that an adult Muslim must make at least once in their life. The Times reported that about 2 million participate in Hajj each year.



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The Iowa Judicial Branch's mission is to provide independent and accessible forums for fair and prompt resolution of disputes, administering justice equally to all persons. (Gavel photo by Getty Images; seal courtesy the State of Iowa)

The Iowa Supreme Court has reinstated the license of an attorney who showed up at the courthouse intoxicated, was convicted of vandalizing a vehicle and committed other ethical violations.

Court records indicate that in June 2023, Jennifer Jo Weaver of Marshalltown, then known as Jennifer Jo Frese, was representing Cesar Ventura in a Tama County criminal trial on a charge of interference with official acts for resisting arrest in a domestic violence case.

The Attorney Disciplinary Board would later allege that on an evening during the week in which the trial was underway, Weaver intentionally consumed alcohol to such an extent that she was intoxicated the next morning when she appeared at the courthouse.

According to an affidavit she later filed with the court, Weavers blood-alcohol level that morning was .079  just within the .08 legal limit for driving.

As a result of Weavers condition, the trial was temporarily suspended. According to the board, her actions showed disrespect for the law and the judicial system and were part of a pattern of criminal conduct.

The board alleged Weaver then lied to her client and his family regarding the cause of the delay in the proceedings, telling them she had a sick child, and even requested the court join in her deception by providing a false explanation for the delay to the jury, which the court refused to do.

Also in June 2023, Weaver was charged with 5th degree criminal mischief for allegedly uprooting flowers from a pot at an undisclosed office building in Marshalltown. The charge was later dismissed.

The board also cited Weaver for ethics violations related to her July 2023 arrest and eventual conviction on a charge of 3rd degree criminal mischief. In that case, police alleged Weaver caused $2,7000 worth of damage to the truck of her former husband and law partner shortly after she moved her belongings out of the office

In August 2023, Weaver was charged with third-degree harassment after being accused of sending several text messages and photos to an individuals personal cell phone. According to police, the messages  which are not described in the police report  were intended to cause the victim both annoyance and alarm. The harassment charge was later dismissed.

The Attorney Disciplinary Board also accused Weaver of a conflict of interest for representing a man in a child custody battle while her law partner at the time represented her clients adversary in the proceedings.

In August 2023, Weaver consented to the indefinite suspension of her law license based on a disability. In March of this year, with that suspension still in effect, the board recommended the court suspend Weavers license for a period of no more than 30 days based on the alleged ethics violations, which the court did on April 9.

On May 14, the court lifted the 30-day suspension tied to the ethics violations, but added that the disability-related suspension of August 2023 would remain in effect until further order of the court. On June 6, the court lifted the August 2023 suspension, reinstating Weavers license.

Other Iowa attorneys who have recently faced charges from the Attorney Disciplinary Board include:

 Joel E. Fenton of Des Moines, who is facing a possible 90-day suspension of his license. Court records indicate that in 2002, six years after he was licensed to practice in Iowa, the Iowa Supreme Court placed Fentons license on a disability suspension.

Ten years later his license was reinstated, but in 2017 he was issued a private admonishment for ethics violations. In 2020, the Iowa Supreme Court suspended Fentons license for 60 days due to neglect of client matters.

In 2022, after additional misconduct was alleged, Fenton entered into an agreement with the Attorney Disciplinary Board in which any further discipline was deferred based on Fentons promise of compliance with ethics rules over the next year. As part of that agreement, Fenton acknowledged having repeatedly failed to respond to two clients inquiries as to their workers compensation cases.

Soon after the deferral agreement was reached, the board learned that Fenton had failed to meet court-imposed deadlines and failed to appear as required for all scheduled trials, hearings and other court proceedings. The board alleged that in 2023 Fenton failed to appear in court on numerous occasions where he represented clients in both state and federal criminal cases.

In recommending a 90-day suspension of Fentons license, the commission noted that Fenton failed to attend five hearings, missed seven filing deadlines and did not progress cases for at least five clients over several months  In several instances, these were incarcerated individuals who already have limited access to their case and counsel.

According to the commission, Fenton has informed the panel that he voluntarily suspended his practice early this year and is seeking diagnosis and treatment for attention deficit disorder. The court has yet to act on the commissions recommendation.

 Carl F. Stiefel II of Victor, who recently consented to a 30-day suspension of his law license. In an affidavit filed with the court, Stiefel acknowledged that as attorney and executor of a probate case involving a relative, he failed to take action to disburse more than $400,000 in proceeds from the estate.

Stiefel is one of three family members who are beneficiaries in the case.

I still have not distributed the assets remaining in the estate, Stiefel told the court last month, which was 15 years after the probate case was first opened, seven years after the court ordered him to take action, and six years after he received a public reprimand for his handling of the case. The court recently imposed the agreed-upon 30-day suspension.

The post Court reinstates license of attorney whose drinking delayed clients trial appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
As IATSE nears what is likely to be the final round of talks with the studios over a new three-year contract beginning Monday, safety is again one of the primary concerns of guild members.

In December, a woman died in a car accident after a lengthy overnight shoot on Peacocks upcoming series Hysteria! Her death was not previously reported widely or linked to the production but, earlier this year, more on-set accidents did begin to make the news.

More from Deadline

In February, a crew member on the set of Marvels Wonder Man died after falling from a catwalk. In April, several crew members were injured after a stunt-gone-wrong on the set of Eddie Murphys Amazon film The Pickup.

May brought another crew death. This time, Rico Priem, a grip for more than two decades, had just finished a 14-hour production day on the first responder procedural 9-1-1 when he died in a car accident shortly after leaving set at 4 a.m. He was driving from Pomona to his home in Woodland Hills when he experienced sudden cardiac dysfunction due to cardiomegaly, according to his autopsy report.

Deadline spoke with below-the-line folks from across the country, who point to bloated production hours and diminishing quality of life as contributing factors that are largely overlooked but can lead to myriad health and safety issues both on and off set.

In Priems case, sources tell Deadline that he and his family were aware of his cardiomegaly, which means an enlargement of the heart. Studies show that lack of sleep and increased stress can lead to complications with that condition.

[The studios] focus on physical dangers of the job, but the most dangerous thing is the overworking, an Atlanta-based crew member tells Deadline.

IATSE is going back into talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers through Thursday, with the potential for some additional bargaining sessions in early July. The below-the-line unions are racing toward a July 31 expiration date on their current contracts, and all have said they are not interested in extending to accommodate further talks.

A Typical Workday

Priem died after a 14-hour Fraturday  a term used by crew to describe a Friday overnight shift that extends into Saturday morning. Deadline understands this shift was preceded by another 14-hour shoot the night before. The crew had about a 10.5-hour turnaround time between shifts, about 30 minutes longer than the rest period required by IATSEs current contract with the studios.

Disney, parent company of 9-1-1 producer 20th Television, did not respond to Deadlines request for comment on what happened to Priem. If it does, this post will be updated. After the accident, a spokesperson for the studio said: On behalf of the studio and everyone at 9-1-1, we send our sincere and deepest condolences to Rico Priems family and friends.

Lengthy production hours have become a central part of the conversation between below-the-line unions and the AMPTP in recent years. In 2021, IATSE sat on the brink of a historic strike after contract negotiations stalled largely due to the unions insistance on longer turnaround times between production days.

The union eventually secured 10-hour rest periods for its members (an additional two hours compared to the previous contract). On weekends, crews are entitled to a 54-hour turnaround time, per the contract. However, these rest periods, when honored, begin when the production wraps, meaning they include any round-trip commute in addition to time with family and sleep.

On 9-1-1, Priem faced at least a 90-minute commute to Pomona each day he worked. Deadline understands Priem was hired temporarily to assist the production as it pulled off a particularly difficult stunt that required a more robust crew  which was ultimately what led to the even longer production hours.

Prior to his death, a source close to production tells Deadline that Priem and the rest of the crew had been scheduled for a 12-hour day that was extended due to complications with a controlled burn that was being used for a stunt.

To its credit, the source calls the 9-1-1 set, which pulls off flashy stunts on a near episodic basis, one of the safest that Ive ever worked on. However, those safety protocols take time, which can lead to ballooning production hours to pull them off.

I know friends who are working 14- to 16-hour days every week, one Texas-based crew member, who had his own harrowing accident falling asleep at the wheel after a long production day, told Deadline. This used to be the exception and now its becoming more of the norm.

As for The Pickup, sources tell Deadline that production days were regularly around 10 hours. But, while the hours werent as grueling and nothing about the on-set accident pointed to sleep deprivation as the primary culprit, the level of hurry up that we get from production is excessive, one crew member who worked on the film said.

If its not 14-plus hours to make a day, its trying to shoehorn 13 hours into a 10-hour-day instead of taking care and precaution, the source said, voicing a concern of many that any reduction in current hours would only lead to more safety concerns due to rushed schedules.

The Regularity Of Production-Related Accidents

When one of these accidents makes it into the news, tributes pour in to honor the affected crew, along with calls to action. Crew-related social media pages call for change in the form of improved working conditions. Priems death, which came during IATSEs current bargaining cycle, even prompted the focus of negotiations to momentarily shift to quality-of-life issues.

But, as many crew members point out, for every story that is publicized, there are countless that fly under the radar.

Throughout the process of reporting this story, Deadline discovered that one woman died in an overnight car accident after working a 16-hour shoot on the Atlanta set of Peacocks Hysteria! The 27-year-old, who worked in the shows costume department, died from blunt force trauma to the head shortly before 5 a.m. on December 15 after her vehicle collided into [an] unoccupied utility vehicle on the shoulder of the highway, according to police and autopsy records.

A crew member who also worked on Hysteria! told Deadline that, following her death, the production scaled back to 10-hour days and did not wrap later than 2 a.m.

Deadline reached out to Universal Content Productions on this matter and have not received a response. If the studio responds, this post will be updated.

This type of story has become all too common in the film and television industry, as one Los Angeles-based grip with more than two decades of work history says: Well never be able to even reach our retirementbecause well die before we get there.

The Complexity Of Finding A Solution

Despite repeated calls for change from crew members across the country, the problem persists. Currently, the below-the-line unions contracts dont dictate the length of production, and there is only a financial penalty for studios that violate crews contracted rest periods.

But, the financial penalty is not really a penalty. Its just something they can budget around, adds an L.A.-based crew member. Its a sentiment echoed by more than a dozen crew members Deadline has spoken with about the issue.

While the hope was that these penalties would disincentivize studios to regularly impede on crews rest times, the idea that theyve by-and-large been ignored has prompted the unions to again bring this issue back to the bargaining table for ongoing contract negotiations.

We see that some of these companies or productions will continue to film excessive hours that are way over the top  and they dont even blink at the fact that its costing them more money, so obviously they can afford it, Teamsters chief negotiator Lindsay Dougherty tells Deadline. So that tells us that we should be asking for more, which is exactly what were going to be doing in terms of these penalties.

In addition to IATSE, the Hollywood Basic Crafts have also turned their attention to quality-of-life issues, including overworking, that plague their members. Deadline understands that, as Dougherty mentioned, the Basic Crafts have broached the subject of higher penalties with the AMPTP, though its not clear how responsive the studios have been to the proposal.

But even if the unions achieve a higher penalty, many worry it wont be enough to stop the trend from continuing; as one crew member puts it, There is no doubt that there is a financial benefit [for crews] to working overtime.

In fact, relatively stagnant wages over the past several contract cycles has put some below-the-line folks in a position to rely on the penalties they receive to make ends meet. Its part of the reason why substantial wage increases have become a cornerstone of the unions current negotiations with the AMPTP.

Deadline also hears that revisions have been made to the soft language in IATSEs contracts that encourages productions to provide rideshare or hotel rooms to overworked crew after more than 14 hours. But, as many have pointed out to Deadline, the language doesnt require the studio to offer, instead putting the impetus on the individual to ask for such accommodations.

My experience is the crew is not that comfortable asking, especially if youre a daily hire, an L.A.-based crew member said.

Others expressed they felt comfortable asking and had not received any pushback when doing so, but they did also say that, even if approved by the production, the crew member still has to seek out their own accommodations and submit for reimbursement. This means fronting the cost and potentially eating into their rest period even further, if they have trouble finding a hotel room or a ride so late at night.

These conflicts suggest that there is a limit to how much influence a stronger contract will have on this ongoing problem. Dougherty says she believes the most meaningful way to address it is through legislation.

I think, at the end of the day, there are going to be productions that continue to film more than 12 hours a day. They will continue to do whatever it takes to make their product, even though it requires their workers to be exhausted at the same time, she said. There are countries out there that will not allow workers to work more than 12 hours a day  and these employers [abiding by those laws abroad] happen to be the same studios and streamers were talking about right now.

It remains to be seen how far the new contracts will go to address overworking and quality of life issues like this one, though, it is at the forefront of rank-and-file members minds as they weather a continually tough time for below-the-line workers.

As an Atlanta-based crew member posits: If the only thing that makes the job a good job is the check that comes after a 70-plus hour week, then maybe its not that great a job.

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A suspect has still not been identified in the shooting death of rapper Julio Foolio but a Jacksonville crime analyst believes the shooter at large could be from a rival group in Jacksonville, where Foolio is from.

Tom Hackney, a crime analyst in Jacksonville, thinks this because what happened in the Tampa hotel parking lot across from the University of South Florida wasnt the only time Foolio was shot.

While fans and loved ones mourn the loss of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio, Tampa Police are working to bring his murderer to justice.

There are cameras here and our officers are working to view all of the cameras and talk with people you know who mightve seen anything or heard anything, said TPD Public Information Officer Jonee Lewis.

Three other people were victims of this shooting. The other victims are believed to be in stable condition.

At this point, it seems they were coming to the hotel to get a room, Lewis said.

This is after Julio Foolio and his friends got kicked out of an Airbnb where they were celebrating his 26th birthday, according to Foolios social media.

A Jacksonville crime and safety analyst for WJXT believes those posts might have played a big role in Foolios death.

After doing this for so long, I would tend to think this is more of a Jacksonville-based regional kind of beef between two groups, maybe took advantage of a foolish posting saying where he was, Hackney said.

According to a report from WJXT, Julio Foolio was shot at least twice in the last few years before he was shot and killed in the Tampa hotel parking lot.

The other most recent shooting incident he is connected to was in October when he was shot in the foot.

In 2021, Julio Foolio was grazed by a bullet in a drive-by shooting in Jacksonville.

So his murder comes and somebody from a rival group is now going to get out there and need to be retaliated against in their eyes for his murder and then that just keeps going, Hackney said.

Julio Foolios lawyer told a Jacksonville reporter his client was basically ambushed.

8 On Your Side counted at least 10 bullet holes in the front windshield of one of the cars that were being investigated in the hotel parking lot.

Weve reached out to Tampa police to find out if there are any new leads on a suspect. 8 On Your Side will continue to provide updates on this story.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Authorities have closed their investigation into bomb threats targeted at a Lancaster library and other area institutions in the springtime.

Those threats came as the Lancaster Public Library was set to host a Drag Queen Story Hour.

The emails were created by someone from Nigeria, Africa, and the account was connected to other threats against similar events that day elsewhere in the U.S., the Lancaster County District Attorneys office announced Monday.

PREVIOUS COVRAGE-> New details emerge about email that sent bomb threats, caused Lancaster City evacuation

District Attorney Heather Adams said in a statement that the threats are similar to the ones that targeted Jewish institutions and schools in 2023.

This entire incident, from its nationwide scope, the chosen medium and the origin of the accounts, is not unlike similar bomb threats made in late 2023 in which malicious actors targeted Jewish institutions and schools, and even more recent threats that targeted similar events planned since April of this year in other states, Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams said in a statement.

A cell phone was used to make the threats, which were all created two weeks prior to being sent. It is still unknown who made the threat, the DAs Office says.

The emailed threats were sent around noon March 23 and they threatened detonation at 1:30 p.m. Other than the Lancaster Public Library, the threats targeted Lancaster Online | LNP, and individuals of LNP, the library and Lancaster Pride.

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Residents were sent evacuation notices until law enforcement was able to clear the area, finding no explosives.

During a pre-planned sweep at the library before the Drag Queen Story Hour event, a suspicious package was found that was later determined to have USDA coloring books inside of it.

There will be no arrest in the case, DA Adams said, but law enforcement will remain on high alert and will always take any threat of violence seriously.

State Trooper injured after 125 MPH+ Lancaster County chase where vehicle ran out of gas

While an arrest is unable to be made, the public deserves to know that the responsibility for these threats clearly lies outside our community, outside our state, and outside our nation and on those who simply wish to wreak havoc in our daily lives, Adams said. Certainly, threats of this nature to anyone, or any group, are unacceptable and law enforcement will remain on high alert and continue to take any threat of violence seriously.

In April, residents in Mountville Borough also received similar bomb threats via email regarding the rescheduling of the Drag Queen Story Hour, which had already been canceled. Officers searched the area, keeping it closed off to the public for two hours, and found no explosives.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Dagestan official removed after sons suspected of Makhachkala and Derbent Attacks

Sergei Melikov, head of the Dagestan Republic, announced the dismissal of the Sergokalinsky district's head, Magomed Omarov, after his sons were suspected of participating in yesterdays terrorist attack in Makhachkala and Derbent.

Melikov emphasized that if Omarov's involvement is confirmed, he will face full responsibility, though the investigation will determine his exact role.

Omarov was detained after it was reported that his sons Osman and Adil, along with his nephew Abdusamad Amadziev, were involved in the attacks on religious sites and a police post, which resulted in 20 deaths, including 15 police officers.

Omarov claimed to have had no contact with them in recent years. Additionally, another nephew of Omarov, Ali Zakarigaev, was killed in a counter-terrorism operation following the attacks.

Dagestan is a multi-ethnic, majority-Muslim republic located in Russia's North Caucasus region. It is also home to an ancient Jewish community whose numbers have dwindled in recent decades.

As part of the spillover from the wars in Chechnya, Dagestan saw repeated acts of terrorism in the early 2000s. A violent but low-intensity insurgency against the government also went on for several years in the area.

Read also: Kyrgyz man sentenced to 5 years in prison for fighting for Russia in Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BALTIMORE  The ship that launched multiple federal inquiries and knocked down an iconic Baltimore structure has left town.

Three months after it crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge and sent the span tumbling into the Patapsco River, the 984-foot Dali container ship began slowly sailing under its own power  assisted by four tugboats  just before 8:30 a.m. Monday to Norfolk, Virginia. After a trip of 16 to 20 hours, the Dali was expected to tie up early Tuesday to unload all of its containers and receive more extensive repairs.

With crushed containers still resting on the bow and a tarp covering a hole in the hull, the ship left the Port of Baltimores Seagirt Marine Terminal and then turned right to follow the federal shipping channel. Marine tracking data indicated the ship traveled at roughly 9 knots (10 mph) for the bulk of its transit during the day Monday.

Traffic on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge near Annapolis was halted for roughly 20 minutes at 11 a.m., as the ship approached the bridge. To avoid distracting drivers, the Maryland Transportation Authority sometimes stops traffic on the bridge when vessels of high public interest sail underneath.

About 100 people gathered at Sandy Point State Park, in the shadow of the Bay Bridge, to spectate as the damaged Dali  still carrying fragments of Key Bridge  safely sailed beneath the span that links Central Maryland to the Eastern Shore. The crowd, some of whom peered through binoculars, fell so silent as the ship approached that birds could be heard chirping. As the Dali safely transited the bridge, observers called out: Threading the needle and Clearing the goal posts.

Did you notice how quiet everyone was? said Paula Schnabel, of St. Margarets. It was almost solemn.

The Dali had been in Baltimore since it lost power in the early hours of March 26, colliding with a Key Bridge pier and collapsing the structure, killing six construction workers. Debris from the disaster blocked Baltimores shipping channel for more than two months, and the bridges demise eliminated one of only three harbor crossings, slowing car and truck traffic in the area.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the FBI are both investigating the calamity. As the Dali sailed Monday, the NTSB released a rare update to its investigation, noting that it is focusing on a small electrical component of a circuit that connects two wires, known as a terminal block. The NTSB took the component to a lab for further testing, it said in a statement, also noting it had completed interviews with the 21 crew members aboard the ship at the time of the incident.

Prompted by the collapse, the Coast Guard has also initiated a board of inquiry to evaluate potential risks to other bridges in the U.S.

Last month, crews used explosives to cut up a piece of the Key Bridge that sat atop the Dali, then refloated the vessel. Five tugboats moved the ship to the Seagirt Marine Terminal, where some of the wreckage on its crumpled bow was removed. Some of that debris remained on the vessel as it transited Monday, however, and several workers could be seen standing on the bow as the vessel began its voyage. The ship will undergo further cleanup and repairs in Norfolk.

Containers remained on the Dali in Baltimore to weigh the ship down so it fit under the Bay Bridge, which has about 185 feet of vertical clearance.

The Coast Guard enforced a 500-yard safety zone around the Dali during its voyage, and there will also be a 100-yard safety zone once the ship is moored near Norfolk to protect from potential hazards created by the heavily damaged M/V Dali while it offloads cargo, according to a Coast Guard memo.

A few people gathered at Fort Armistead Park earlier in the day to watch the ships departure from the Port of Baltimore, including George M. Treas III, who lives nearby. He likened the bridge collapse to losing somebody and said visiting the area is like going to a graveyard.

As Treas watched the ship slowly depart, he said: It feels good. I feel safer now. They caused enough havoc here.

Bob and Karen Merrey had to tend to some business on the other side of the Bay Bridge from their home on Kent Island, and they left early Monday to avoid the spans closure.

They had been scheduled to take Royal Caribbeans Vision of the Seas cruise out of Baltimore on April 4, but with the port closed at the time, they themselves had to travel to Norfolk to board. Retirees from the Towson area with a son who lives near the Key Bridge, the couple had driven across that span the day before the catastrophe.

They quietly watched Monday from Sandy Point State Park as the Dali passed before them and beneath the Bay Bridge.

I still, Bob said, get goosebumps.

-------

(Baltimore Sun reporter Alex Mann contributed to this article.)

-------
Senior CPC official visits Pakistan

Xinhua) 15:58, June 22, 2024

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.

(Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Zhong Wenxing)
North Dakota lawmakers are setting aside an additional $1.5 million for the North Dakota Insurance Department to research policy solutions to help residents weather an unusually volatile property insurance market.

The request came alongside the release of a report that explores the effect of recent investment, insurance and policymaking trends on North Dakota  especially those related to environmental, social and governance criteria, or ESG.

We wouldnt be here today without the ESG study, North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread recently told members of the Legislatures Budget Section.

The study, requested by the Legislature in 2023 and spearheaded by the state-owned Bank of North Dakota, included several insurance-related recommendations, the North Dakota Monitor reported.

It noted that due to factors such as increased severe weather events and global economic trends, insurance across the country is getting more expensive and more difficult to obtain.

Many of you are probably seeing rate increases, whether its homeowner or auto insurance -- youre likely getting those phone calls just like we are, Godfread said, noting some consumers have seen rates go up 30-40%.

Insurance coverage has been especially hard to find for coal companies, he added.

To help keep pressure off of North Dakotas economy, the state could consider measures such as standardizing statewide building codes and look into creating a multistate insurance pool for the energy states, the report found.

The Insurance Department wants to hire consultants to help turn those recommendations into policy proposals lawmakers can consider next session, Godfread said.

The $1.5 million will come from the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund, according to the Budget Section agenda.

The Budget Section also voted to approve several other requests forwarded by the Emergency Commission earlier this month, including approval for the Secretary of States Office to access $1 million in federal money from the Help America Vote Act.

The money goes to support election-related expenses such as voting technology, Secretary of State Michael Howe told lawmakers during the hearing. The federal grant requires a 20% match, so the Legislature will have to earmark an additional $200,000 for the Secretary of States Office during the 2025 session, he said.

In addition, lawmakers greenlit a request for $468,770 from the Office of Management and Budget to demolish the former North Dakota Water Resources building. The 70-year-old building has been vacant for almost two years and is infested with mold, John Boyle, facilities director for the Office of Management and Budget, told the Budget Section.

Lawmakers also received updates on state finances.

As of May 31, North Dakota general fund revenues this budget cycle have outpaced projections by nearly $267 million, according to a finance report by OMB.

The general fund is expected to receive $5.2 billion in revenue by the end of the 2023-25 budget period, according to the report. As of the end of May, its accrued roughly $2.7 billion of that.

After the Budget Section adjourned, members gathered into four smaller divisions as part of a new initiative approved in March.

The four groups  Leadership, Government Operations, Human Resources and Education and Environment  mirror the divisions of the Appropriations Committees that meet during the legislative session.

The purpose of the new divisions is to give lawmakers in the Budget Section more training on budget-related issues ahead of the 2025 session, Chair Sen. Brad Bekkedahl, R-Williston, said.

Its an effort to prepare legislators for the impacts of North Dakotas new term limits law. Up to 69 lawmakers could meet their term limits in 2028, according to a Legislative Council analysis.

With more veteran legislators on their way out, newer members will have to learn the state budgeting process more quickly.

Its a learning curve that were trying to push forward faster, Bekkedahl said.
DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  In two unrelated cases, two men from Danville have been sentenced to five and nine years in prison for possessing guns that they were not allowed to have.

The Vermilion County States Attorneys Office said 37-year-old Michael Townsell and 20-year-old Jayuonta Cunningham both have criminal history that made them ineligible to possess a gun. But officers found both of them to be armed in two separate incidents: one in 2022 and one in March of this year.

Decatur Facebook sale ends with robbery attempt: Police

Evidence presented in court during Townsells sentencing on Thursday showed that on Oct. 21, 2022, police were dispatched to Williams Street in Danville for a report of a pedestrian with a gun. Near the reported location, officers found Townsell, who matched the suspect description, and a search found a loaded gun in his pocket.

Townsell was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, which he pleaded guilty to. He was sentenced to nine years in prison, followed by one year of parole.

The next day, Cunningham was sentenced to five years in prison for possession of a weapon while being ineligible for a FOID card. He was arrested on March 12, 2024, after officers responded to Tennessee Avenue for a report of shots being fired. After determining shots were fired from a home, officers searched it and found two guns in Cunninghams dresser.

Cunningham also pleaded guilty to the charge against him. After release from prison, he will spend six months on parole.

$50k of apartment TV equipment damaged: Champaign Co. Crime Stoppers

Jacqueline Lacy, the Vermilion County States Attorney, thanked the Danville Police Department for their efforts in both cases and their assistance in holding both men accountable.

Community safety is the common goal of all law enforcement agencies, Lacy said. My office will continue to work with police officers to keep guns out of the hands of felons and to protect the safety of the citizens of Vermilion 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 WCIA.com.
GAITHERSBURG, Md. (DC News Now) The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) said a 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection to a deadly shooting on a Metrobus in February 2023.

On Feb. 17, 2023, officers on patrol in the Vista at White Oak apartments found the bus pulled over on Lockwood Drive.

The officers stopped to assist and discovered a shooting had happened.

Police: Man arrested in connection to Northwest DC shooting

While on the scene, officers found 19-year-old Justice TZiyan Elliot injured.

Police began performing life-saving measures until fire and rescue arrived. However, crews were unsuccessful and he died at the scene.

As the investigation developed, detectives identified 22-year-old Trevon Hatcherson-Ross, of Washington, D.C., as a suspect.

After obtaining an arrest warrant, Hatcherson-Ross was charged with first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and reckless endangerment-related charges.

On Friday, June 14, he was extradited from a detention center in Washington, D.C. to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he is being held without 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.
As the deadline looms, uncertainty and conflicting reports cloud whether the Justice Department will prosecute Boeing

The Justice Department is considering whether to bring criminal charges against Boeing.

The NYT reported it could offer a second settlement, while Reuters said prosecutors recommend charges.

If convicted of felony fraud, Boeing would risk losing significant government contracts.

Conflicting reports suggest indecision at the Justice Department about whether to prosecute Boeing.

The planemaker is under scrutiny as officials examine the terms of a 2021 settlement. Boeing was charged with fraud conspiracy after 346 people died in two 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019. It paid $2.5 billion as part of a deferred prosecution agreement.

That deal was due to expire just two days before January's Alaska Airlines blowout. A door plug came off a 737 Max in midair, sparking a crisis at Boeing while the DoJ examined whether this violated the settlement.

In a May court filing, it said the planemaker had broken the terms of the agreement, and as a result, "Boeing is subject to prosecution by the United States." Boeing said it believes that it has honored the terms of the agreement.

The Justice Department has until July 7 to make a decision on whether to prosecute Boeing.

On Friday, The New York Times reported that Boeing could avoid criminal charges. The firm could instead be given another deferred prosecution agreement as a result of breaking the previous one, per the NYT.

In an email to Business Insider, Paul Cassell, an attorney representing the families of victims of the 737 Max crashes, said he received a letter from Glenn Leon, the DoJ's criminal fraud chief, calling The Times' report "simply not correct."

"The Department has not made a decision on how to proceed or whether to pursue prosecution of Boeing," Leon added.

Cassell, a criminal law professor at the University of Utah, said: "We hope that the DoJ is not claiming to have made 'no final decision' as a ploy to gain additional time to hammer out a deferred prosecution agreement deal with Boeing."

"There is no reason to think a second DPA deal would be any better than the first," he added.

On Sunday, Reuters reported that prosecutors are recommending to Justice Department officials that they do bring charges against Boeing.

The NYT's report said that the Justice Department believes it's unlikely that a jury would find Boeing guilty.

And if Boeing was convicted of felony fraud, it could jeopardize its contracts with the government  including the Defense Department  which make up significant revenue.

The DoJ and Boeing did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent by Business Insider outside US working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Insights from Reuters, Financial Times, The New York Times, and Associated Press

The News

A fire at a lithium battery plant near South Koreas capital Seoul killed 22 people, most of them migrant workers from China.

It is one of the countrys deadliest workplace blazes in recent years, though South Korea has long struggled with industrial accidents.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Lithium batteries pose special danger

Sources: Reuters, BBC

South Korea is home to some of the worlds major producers of lithium-ion batteries, components that power electric vehicles and pose a particular fire risk. Battery materials such as nickel are easily flammable, a professor told Reuters. So often, there is not enough time to respond, compared to a fire caused by other materials. Lithium-battery production also involves toxic chemicals, which are more likely to have caused the death of the workers than the fire itself, another expert said. Firefighters in the incident had to rely on dry sand rather than water to extinguish the fire, as lithium can react strongly to water, a process that took longer than anticipated, the BBC wrote.

Workplace safety in South Korea remains low despite efforts

Sources: Financial Times, Korea Economic Institute of America

South Korea remains one of the countries with the highest industrial death rates in the world, the Financial Times wrote, with over 600 reported fatal incidents in 2023. Leading companies like Samsung and Hyundai have faced disputes over their health and safety measures. The government has made efforts to improve safety, with the passing of a law in 2021 that holds company executives accountable for deaths caused by lax enforcement of safety rules, leading to potential fines that could reach $800,000 or imprisonment for up to a year.

South Korea increasingly relies on migrant labor

Sources: Associated Press, The New York Times

South Korea has become a top destination for job-seeking Chinese nationals in the past few decades, the Associated Press wrote, who often take up physically demanding and low-paying jobs in factories that South Koreans avoid. Low birth rates in the country have led some industrial sectors to become increasingly reliant on the migrant workforce to fill jobs, and many factories such as the one in Mondays blaze would not be able to function without them, The New York Times wrote. One fifth of the half a million foreigners that traveled to South Korea on temporary work visas in 2023 were from China, according to government data.
Authorities say a house fire that killed an elderly Georgetown woman on Saturday night was caused by a small refrigerator.

Crews responding to 238 Main Street just before 11 p.m. found heavy flames shooting from the single-family home, according to State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine.

Three occupants in the home safely escaped, however, 80-year-old Nancy Holbrook became entrapped.

Firefighters eventually located and removed her through a second-floor window and attempted to revive her at the scene.

Holbrook was transported to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead Sunday morning.

Woman dead after 4-alarm fire in Georgetown

Woman dead after 4-alarm fire in Georgetown

Woman dead after 4-alarm fire in Georgetown

Woman dead after 4-alarm fire in Georgetown

Woman dead after 4-alarm fire in Georgetown

Woman dead after 4-alarm fire in Georgetown

Woman dead after 4-alarm fire in Georgetown

Woman dead after 4-alarm fire in Georgetown

A dozen regional fire departments responded to help contain the flames.

Investigators from the State Fire Marshals Office determined the fire originated from a small refrigerator in a wooden bar on the first floor near the front of the front of the building. An electrical or mechanical failure involving the appliance was deemed to be the cause by officials.

State Fire Marshal Devine says that between 600 and 700 structure fires are attributed to electrical events every year in Massachusetts.

Please take a few minutes today to check your smoke alarms, said State Fire Marshal Davine. The manufacturing date is printed on the back of the device. Smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years, and new alarms should have a sealed, long-life battery and a hush feature. If your alarms still take alkaline batteries, change the batteries twice a year. And test those alarms every month to be sure you and your loved ones are protected.

Fire Chief Matt McKay echoed similar sentiments and expressed his condolences to the friends and family of Nancy Holbrook.

Ms. Holbrooks family and loved ones remain in our thoughts today, said Chief McKay. On behalf of the Georgetown Fire Department and the community, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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As many as 22 people were killed in a fire at a battery factory in South Korea. Photo by Yonhap

June 24 (UPI) -- At least 22 workers, mostly Chinese nationals, were killed in a lithium battery plant fire in Hwaseong, south of Seoul, Monday, firefighters said, in what could be the worst accident to occur at a chemical factory in the country.

The death toll could rise further as one went missing while being out of contact, according to the authorities.

As of 6:30 p.m., 22 workers had been killed, with two seriously injured and six others suffering mild injuries.

Among those confirmed killed, 20 are foreigners -- 18 Chinese nationals, one Laotian and another whose nationality is not known, they said.

The blaze started at lithium battery maker Aricell's plant in Hwaseong, 45 kilometers south of Seoul, at around 10:30 a.m., authorities said. Firefighters went inside the building to search for the missing person after the main fire was under control at around 3:10 p.m.

The deceased were all found on the second floor of the factory's No. 3 building. Other details of the dead have yet to be verified and DNA tests will be carried out as the blaze severely damaged the bodies.

"The foreign ministry plans to closely cooperate with the diplomatic missions of related countries in South Korea to support the victims and their families," a ministry official said.

President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the site of the fire and ordered government officials to draw up measures to prevent similar accidents from occurring, his office said.

He also expressed his condolences to the victims and their families.

The fire reportedly occurred for unknown reasons at the three-story, reinforced concrete building with a total floor space of about 2,300 square meters.

Firefighters reportedly had difficulties completely putting out the blaze because burning lithium batteries are difficult to handle by conventional fire extinguishing methods.

One witness, who escaped from the second floor of the plant, told the Hwaseong Fire Station that an explosive combustion occurred in one battery cell at the time of the fire.

The station said the fire spread rapidly as the battery cells inside exploded continuously, making it difficult for rescuers to go inside and search. At least 35,000 batteries are believed to be inside the plant.

CCTV footage unveiled by the fire authorities showed a small amount of smoke started from one battery cell and sharply grew to fill the inside of the factory in just 15 seconds.

"Human losses seemed to increase as foreign workers, who were mostly dispatched from an outside employment service firm (for temporary jobs), were not aware of the inside structure of the factory," said Cho Sun-ho, the chief of the fire authorities in Gyeonggi Province.

The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police, which oversees Hwaseong, will carry out a joint survey of the site with the firefighting authorities, the National Forensic Service, the labor ministry and other relevant organizations on Tuesday morning to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Meanwhile, the prosecution formed a special team to solely investigate the circumstances leading to the fire and determine those responsible, while the labor ministry created a separate task force to look into the cause and identify possible violations of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act.
The defense has rested its case in the Karen Read murder trial after calling its final three witnesses to the stand on Monday. Read, 44, of Mansfield, has pleaded not guilty to charges including second-degree murder in the death of John OKeefe, her Boston police officer boyfriend. The judge in the case is spoke with attorneys about the instructions she will be giving to jurors.

Prosecutors say Read backed over OKeefe with her Lexus SUV and left him for dead in a snowstorm outside 34 Fairview Road in Canton in January 2022 after a night of heavy drinking. The defense aims to prove that OKeefe was murdered by someone inside the home and then tossed into the snow.

The judge told the jurors that they had heard all the evidence, and closing arguments would be on Tuesday, with one hour for each side, before deliberations begin.

Breaking: Defense rests in Karen Read trial. Closings tomorrow. They each get one hour. Judge says deliberations tomorrow.  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) June 24, 2024

One of the final witnesses was a retired forensic pathologist who testified Monday that some of the injuries suffered by a Boston police officer who was left for dead in a snowbank were inconsistent with being struck by his girlfriends heavy SUV.

Dr. Frank Sheridan, who worked previously as chief medical examiner for San Bernardino County in California, testified Monday that he wouldve expected more bruising if OKeefe had been hit by a vehicle, based on his review of autopsy results.

He also said OKeefes injuries could have been sustained in a fight, saying some of the injuries he saw were consistent with a physical altercation. And the marks on his arm, he testified, were consistent with being scratched and possibly bitten by an animal like a dog.

Sheridan was among the final three witnesses to testify. Another defense witness testified about extensive independent testing that suggested the SUVs damage was inconsistent with the prosecutors version of events.

Prosecution rests, defense calls plow driver, dog bite expert to stand in Karen Read murder trial

DAY 29 OF WITNESS TESTIMONY:

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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It's officially summer.

But there are still some education updates to share in Delaware, from students winning international film awards, to new school safety measures and budget expenditures eyed for the next year.

In this weekly roundup, we'll catch you up on updates you may have missed.

[Did we miss another good education story? Tell me about it: kepowers@gannett.com.]

Saint Mark's High School wins 19 awards in 16 international film festivals

Saint Mark's announced June 13 its Students In Action Club won 19 awards in 16 various international film festivals for their film "Remember Me," which captured the club's service trip to the Dominican Republic in January 2024.

Saint Mark's announced its Students In Action Club won 19 awards in 16 different international film festivals for its "Remember Me" film.

The film was shot in January, the Catholic school said in a press release, during the clubs service trip to the Dominican Republic. Just about six minutes long, the short documentary looks to capture "the essence" of students' work and personal impact.

Even though there were countless stories from each of our 20 participants  too many to capture  I feel so lucky that we were able to capture the essence of the transformative experience of serving in the Dominican Republic through this film, said Lauren Tyree, rising junior at Saint Marks and vice president of Service Programs for Students in Action.

This team created such an impactful experience, and I am so blessed to get to work alongside such thoughtful and selfless classmates.

The list of awards included best of show, best short documentary, most inspirational film, best human spirit and best PA student filmmaker, according to Saint Mark's. Festival locations included Berlin, Paris, Cannes, Toronto and Los Angeles, as well as closer to home in Philadelphia, Jim Thorpe and Rehoboth Beach.

Summer in Delaware: 12 fun spots and activities on Wilmington's Riverfront for this summer

Saint Mark's announced June 13 its Students In Action Club won 19 awards in 16 various international film festivals for their film "Remember Me," which captured the club's service trip to the Dominican Republic in January 2024.

Delaware lawmakers approve $6.1B budget. What's headed to education?

The Delaware General Assembly approved a $6.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2025 late last week.

New investments in public schools, state employees and child care join a list of expenditures. The funding continues the state's efforts to increase base salaries for Delawares educators, specialists and support staff.

Following in step, a $168.3 million supplemental spending bill for one-time expenditures also passed last Thursday.

At a glance:

$17.5 million to continue providing enhanced mental health support in public schools.

$10 million increase in Opportunity Funding to support for lower-income and multilingual learners.

$10.3 million for Delawares Purchase of Care program, which helps lower-income families afford early childhood and after-school care for children younger than 13. The additional funding increases reimbursement rates and covers expanded eligibility for families with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level.

$3.5 million for the states Early Childhood Assistance Program, adding 204 seats for pre-K learners.

One-time supplemental bill:

$3.5 million for residential and childhood lead prevention and remediation programs.

$250,000 for a voluntary middle and high school cell phone pouch pilot program to reduce classroom learning distractions. The Department of Education could not yet provide a plan or additional details regarding this pilot program last Thursday, June 20.

This budget not only addresses immediate needs, but also invests in the future of our state, providing critical funding for education, health care, and social services, said Rep. Kim Williams, co-chair of Joint Finance Committee and chair to the House Education Committee, in a press release ahead of the vote.

"For the third year in a row, we were able to deliver well-deserved raises for our state workers and educators, bolstering our workforce, ensuring we remain competitive with neighboring states, and enabling us to attract and retain top talent.

Full overview: Delaware lawmakers approve $6.1B budget for 2025. What made the cut?

Brandywine School District names new superintendent

Felicia Harrington, left, and Lisa Lawson participate in a Wilmington Learning Collaborative workshop at the Delaware Contemporary in Wilmington on April 3, 2024. Lawson has been named Brandywine School District's new superintendent.

Brandywine schools named Lisa Lawson its new superintendent.

As Lincoln Hohler retires after 30 years of service in the district, Lawson prepares to step in July 1. She has already served as deputy and assistant superintendent, as well as director of pupil services since joining the district in 2015. Her priors include service as paraprofessional, teacher, principal, senior director of Special Services and more with Christina School District.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the Brandywine School District community and work collaboratively with our dedicated staff, students and families," Lawson said in a statement. "I look forward to working with all stakeholders to nurture a challenging and supportive educational environment that will prepare our students for success in a rapidly changing world."

The Delaware native has also served on many boards and organizations related to education. She has earned doctorate, master's and bachelor's degrees from the University of Delaware.

ICYMI: Real estate powerhouse, Delaware philanthropist dies peacefully at 93

ICYMI: Seaford schools to move forward with weapon detection systems, clear bag policy

Seaford schools will move forward with new weapon detection systems and a clear bag policy for students.

"We heard a lot of positive feedback from our parents and community members about the use of the Weapons Detection System over the last few weeks of school," Superintendent Sharon DiGirolamo wrote in a statement last week.

Now, her district plans on purchasing four more.

"Next school year, four will be used on a daily basis at Seaford High School, and two will be available as needed for other schools," she said. More information is coming this summer, as the district works out the details. DiGirolamo said parents can expect the option to purchase clear backpacks at a low cost through the district.

More: Seaford schools to move forward with weapon detection systems, clear bag policy

Got a story? Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for Delaware Online/The News Journal and USA TODAY Network Northeast, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on X @kpowers01.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware students clinch 19 awards in 16 international film festivals
Democrats aren't shying away from abortion talk this election  they're capitalizing on it

Democrats have made abortion and reproductive rights a central issue this year.

Senate Democrats are launching ads in key swing states attacking the GOP's anti-abortion stance.

Polling shows rising support for legal abortion, with Democrats hoping to sway centrist voters.

Democrats are putting abortion  a topic they've historically downplayed  front and center this election.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee announced Monday, on the second anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, that it's launching an ad blitz targeting women voters in key swing states. The online ads attack the Republican agenda to limit access to reproductive care, ban abortions nationwide, and eliminate a person's right to make decisions about their bodies.

The ads will appear on women-focused lifestyle websites such as Cosmopolitan.com, HarpersBazaar.com, ThePioneerWoman.com, and WellPlated.com, the committee said in a press release Monday. And they'll reach voters in 10 key swing states  Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.

One of the ads that will appear on women-focused lifestyle websites. Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

"Senate Republicans have spent years using every tool they have to take away women's right to make our own health care decisions," Annie Lentz, a spokesperson for the Senate Democrats' campaign arm, said in the press release.

"The anniversary of the Republican Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade underscores the stakes of this year's Senate elections and the importance of protecting Democrats' Senate majority with the power to confirm or deny Supreme Court justices," Lentz continued. "These ads will remind voters of the threat GOP Senate candidates pose to our rights, freedoms, and health and why they must be defeated in November."

The debate is no longer just about abortion  it's become about pregnancy itself and access to life-saving medical care.

According to a recent poll from Pew Research Center, a record-high 63% of US adults believe abortion should be legal in all or most states  2 points higher than the months before the Dobbs decision came down in June 2022. And a record percentage of Americans  32%  now say they would vote for a candidate solely based on their abortion stance, according to a Gallup poll.

Even Republican and moderate women are increasingly evolving their views away from the traditional GOP stance of a total ban  in February, 39% said their party's views on abortion are "too extreme," The New York Times reported, citing a public opinion researcher.

Democrats know the issue could be a turning point for independent voters and even some Republicans, and they're using it to their advantage.

Senate Democrats have been bringing more bills focused on reproductive rights to a vote  like the "Right to IVF Act," which Republicans blocked earlier this month.

And President Joe Biden has made it a central point of his 2024 reelection campaign. He's hoping that the issue of abortion can turn Florida blue this fall, and he's repeatedly promised to restore Roe.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A group of Democrats led by the congressional Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday calling for a comprehensive, thorough, and unbiased assessment of the controversial Sentinel nuclear missile program, which has soared in costs over the years.

In the letter, provided first to The Hill, the lawmakers expressed concerns that the Pentagons review of the Sentinel program, which is mandatory after a significant cost overrun in January, was being prepared with an end-state in mind.

Given the imperative of advancing nuclear policies that promote stability and prevent escalation, we demand a thorough review of all alternatives, they wrote. At this critical juncture, we must not allow momentum and preconceived notions to cloud our judgment in reviewing whether this program provides for our national security or is wasting U.S. taxpayer dollars.

The American people have a right to know how their money is being spent and to what end, particularly for our nations nuclear policy, the lawmakers added.

The congressional working group, which is holding a July hearing on Sentinel, is co-chaired by Democratic Sens. Ed Markey (Mass.) and Jeff Merkley (Ore.) and Reps. John Garamendi (Calif.) and Don Beyer (Va.).

The letter was also signed by several other Democrats, including Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (Md.), and Ron Wyden (Ore.) and Reps. Sara Jacobs (Calif.), Mark Pocan (Wis.), Barbara Lee (Calif.), Jim McGovern (Mass.) and Jerry Nadler (N.Y.).

The Monday letter signals that concerns are growing about the embattled Sentinel nuclear missile program, with more Democrats pressing for an honest review of the initiative and of the alternatives.

Sentinel aims to replace the more than 50-year-old Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) scattered across the rural western U.S. in underground silos. The 400 ICBMs are one part of the nuclear triad, along with bomber planes and submarines.

But the program, which awarded its first contract in 2020 to defense giant Northrop Grumman, the contractor likely to keep developing the program, overran its costs by 37 percent in January, triggering a Nunn-McCurdy breach that requires a Pentagon review.

Sentinel is expected to now cost around $130 billion, far more than the original roughly $60 billion about a decade ago. Much of the increase is tied to a vast real estate project as the Air Force looks to modernize related infrastructure for the new missiles.

In the letter, the lawmakers said the Air Force has relied on a budget projection that underestimated costs, made poor assumptions, and relied on incomplete data to gain Congressional approval for the programs authorization.

Its unacceptable that such flawed assumptions were the basis for a project of this magnitude and that these types of errors persist to this day, they wrote.

Supporters of Sentinel argue that it is critical for the U.S. to maintain its nuclear triad and modernize each leg as competition increases with China and Russia. Skeptics have questioned whether ICBMs provide a necessary deterrence, considering they lack the abilities of fast bomber planes or clandestine submarines.

Skyrocketing cost of US nuclear missile program spurs reckoning

Modernization, however, remains a key national security strategy under the Biden administration, and Air Force officials have said that Sentinel must be funded.

The Democratic lawmakers on Monday said Sentinel, after the Nunn-McCurdy breach, can only be continued if there are no alternatives, the programs cost is reasonable and can be constrained further, and if the program is essential to national security and a higher priorirty than other programs that may be cut.

In the letter, however, they pointed to past comments by the Air Force and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William LaPlante, vowing that Sentinel will be funded as concerning signs that past preferences prejudiced the outcome of this new review.

There must be an honest evaluation of the necessity of proceeding with this program now and at what cost we are willing to continue, lawmakers said. Inevitably, this means making hard decisions about how and where to spend taxpayer dollars. Billions of dollars and at least a decade have been spent justifying the $130 billion Sentinel program. This requires reevaluation.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
People gather for the Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom Bans OFF Columbus rally for Issue 1, October 8, 2023, outside the statehouse in Columbus, Ohio.

People gather for the Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom Bans OFF Columbus rally for Issue 1, October 8, 2023, outside the statehouse in Columbus, Ohio. (Graham Stokes/Ohio Capital Journal)

A slew of Democratic politicians have fired off campaign statements and staged events in Oregon and across the country to mark the second anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision against abortion rights.

On June 24, 2022, the conservative court ruled 6-3 in favor of a Mississippi ban on abortion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. That ruling overturned 50 years of constitutional abortion rights established by Roe v. Wade, kicking the decision on abortion back to states.

Since then, restrictions on abortion have spread, and today only nine states and the District of Columbia protect abortion rights. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit that tracks abortion rights, Oregon and Vermont are the only states nationwide with full protections.

The issue has become a central part of Democratic campaigns, especially in swing districts like the 5th Congressional District in Oregon. Janelle Bynum, a Democratic state representative whos vying to replace incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, repeated her support of abortion rights on Monday.

I have fought tirelessly to protect reproductive rights and abortion access here in Oregon, and Im ready to take the fight to Washington, Bynum said in a statement.

Citing Capital Chronicle reporting, Bynum blasted Chavez-DeRemer for flip-flopping on the issue.

In the 2022 Republican primary, Chavez-DeRemer made clear that she supported a nationwide abortion ban after six weeks, before most women even know theyre pregnant. A few months later, she then pledged she wouldnt oppose funding for reproductive care. But in Congress, she revealed her true intentions  siding with anti-choice groups to block the federal government from reimbursing service members for their reproductive care and endangering IVF services.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has thrown its weight behind Bynum, announced Monday its launching a billboard campaign targeting Chavez-DeRemer on abortion rights, saying she had worked with extremists in supporting four anti-abortion bills that have passed the U.S. House.

Over the next five months, we will ensure Oregonians do not forget that it was Lori Chavez-DeRemer who praised Donald Trumps Supreme Court for ending reproductive freedom as we know it, said Dan Gottlieb, a committee spokesman.

Chavez-DeRemer released her own statement on Monday. She praised the Dobbs decision but said she wouldnt try to overturn abortion rights in Oregon.

The Supreme Courts decision took power away from unelected judges and put it in the hands of the people through their elected state legislators, Chavez-DeRemer said. Over the years, Oregonians have repeatedly made it clear that they want reproductive health rights protected. Thats why Ive pledged to oppose federal policies that would fundamentally change reproductive health care access for women in Oregon.

Abortion rights are also an issue in the campaigns for Oregons 4th Congressional District, held by Democratic Rep. Val Hoyle. A member of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, Hoyle repeated Monday her support of abortion rights.

This anniversary serves as a reminder that the fight for reproductive equality is far from over. Anti-choice extremists are still working to take away reproductive freedoms, and we cannot stand by as these attacks continue, Hoyle said.

Hoyle is a first-term representative like Chavez-DeRemer and also represents a district that could determine future control of the U.S. House. Hoyles opponent, Republican Monique DeSpain, told the Capital Chronicle she supported the Dobbs decision but said she wouldnt support a nationwide abortion ban. DeSpain did not release a statement on the anniversary on Monday.

But Oregon Right to Life did. In the May primary, the organization was instrumental in unseating the only Republican in the Legislature who supports abortion rights. State Rep. Charlie Conrad, trounced in a one-issue campaign by Republican Darin Harbick, has switched to the Independent Party, as the Capital Chronicle revealed.

On Monday, Oregon Right to Life celebrated the enactment of abortion restrictions but said the groups work is far from done.

Abortion is still legal on-demand until the moment of birth here in Oregon, and politicians at the national level want to codify Roe and undercut the efforts of pro-life advocates at every turn, the group said. Oregon Right to Life is determined to continue working to ensure that the unborn are recognized as human beings with inherent dignity and value and afforded equal rights and protection under the law.

Support for abortion rights remains strong in Oregon, where the Legislature has repeatedly passed bills to shore up them up. And polls nationally show that a majority of Americans do not favor abortion bans, even in states like Ohio, which has a Republican governor, secretary of state and attorney general and Republican-controlled Legislature. Nevertheless, last November voters there approved a constitutional amendment protecting reproductive and abortion rights.

The post On second anniversary of Dobbs, Democrats press their support for abortion rights appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has stated at a joint press conference with Bjrn Arild Gram, his Norwegian counterpart, that Ukrainians will not be able to continue training on F-16 fighter jets in Denmark after 2024.

Source: European Pravda with reference to the Ritzau agency

Details: Poulsen stated that Denmark "would not be able to continue training Ukrainian pilots after 2024", when it switches to F-35 fighter jets  the Skrydstrup air base, where Ukrainians are training now, will be used for them.

He announced that by the end of the training programme "about 20" Ukrainian pilots will have finished the training on the F-16s.

He noted that his country would continue its contribution into training Ukrainian pilots, but in other countries.

"Today Ukrainian pilots are also training in Romania but it is not decided yet whether Denmark will join this process, and if yes, then how," Poulsen explained.

Denmark jointly with the Netherlands led the international fighter jet coalition, within which Ukrainian pilots are training on the F-16 fighter jets.

Denmark is working "at full capacity" to deliver this summer the first 4 F-16 fighter jets out of the 19 promised to Ukraine.

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DENVER (KDVR)  Heat advisories are in effect this week as temperatures in Denver weather heat up to the high 90s.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hot temperatures can make a persons body unable to properly cool itself, which can lead to serious health problems. The CDC recommends knowing how to avoid, spot, and treat heat-related illnesses.

How to know if you have heat exhaustion or heat stroke

With the above-average temperatures, Denver is hosting several cooling centers across the city for people who need to cool off.

Heat advisories for Monday, Tuesday

The National Weather Service issued heat advisories for Monday and Tuesday due to hot temperatures and dry conditions.

Denver weather: Hot again Sunday, heat advisory Monday

The Pinpoint Weather team is expecting a high of 97 degrees Monday and 95 degrees Tuesday.

Mondays heat advisory lasts from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and includes areas around the Denver metro and west Interstate 25 corridor, which includes areas near Denver, Boulder, Lakewood and Aurora.

Where to find cooling stations in Denver

Denver Parks and Recreation will have a designated space in each of the recreation centers for the public to use to cool down during normal business hours during extreme heat events, including Monday and Tuesday. They will have places to sit, restrooms and drinking water, according to a press release from the city.

The city added that Denver Public Library also serves as a place where the public can get relief from the heat.

Additionally, street outreach teams are warning people experiencing homelessness of heat illness and providing referrals to shelters and cooling centers.

Denvers network of shelters provides a setting where individuals experiencing homelessness can seek refuge from severe weather while getting connected to case management and other stability services, the city said in the release. More information on overnight and day shelters can be found on the Department of Housing Stabilitys Find Shelter webpage.

Tips to stay cool

The NWS is reminding Coloradans to stay hydrated, find shade or air-conditioned areas, and take frequent breaks from outdoor work and activities.

Is it legal to break a car window to save a person or dog from heat in Colorado?

The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment offers the following tips to avoid getting sick from the heat:

Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. Air conditioning is the No. 1 way to prevent heat-related illness. If you do not have air conditioning, visit one of Denvers cooling stations.

Hydrate: drink more water than you normally would, even if you dont feel thirsty.

Fans dont prevent heat-related illness in extreme heat: take cool showers or baths to cool down.

Dont use the stove or oven to cook as it emits heat.

Avoid alcohol or beverages that contain caffeine.

Limit outdoor activity, especially in the middle of the day when the sun is hottest.

Check on neighbors and friends during extreme heat.

Never leave children or pets unattended in a hot car.

These are the hottest temperatures recorded in Colorado

DDPHE recommends staying inside during the heat of the day, but offers these tips if you must be outside during that time:

Wear and reapply sunscreen frequently.

Take regular breaks and pace yourself.

Pay attention to muscle cramping as it is an early sign of heat-related illness Combat cramping due to heat by drinking more water.

wear loose, lightweight and light colored clothing and a hat.

Keep animals safe from heat

Sighs of a dog suffering from a heat-related illness include heavy panting, excessive drooling, glazed eyes, rapid pulse, unsteadiness, bloody nose, diarrhea, vomitting, Dry, deep red or purple tongue, Hemorrhages in gums or under the skin, and body temperatures over 104 degrees, according to the Humane Society.

If its 90 degrees outside, how hot is it for your dog inside the car?

The Humane Society recommends seeking veterinary care as soon as possible, even if the dog appears to be improving. In the meantime, you can provide care with these steps from the Humane Society:

Move the dog to a cool area

Apply cool, not cold, water or soak in a cool bath

Place cool, wet towels over the back of the neck, armpits, paws, ear flaps, groin area

Direct a fan on wet areas to speed evaporative cooling

Offer fresh, cool water if the dog is alert and wants to drink, but do not force it

What to do if you see a child or animal stuck in a hot car

A bill was passed in Colorado in 2017 that protects people who render emergency assistance to an at-risk person or animal locked in a hot car.

People making bad choices about pets in hot cars

The bill provides immunity from civil and criminal liability, but the person must check all the following steps listed in the bill:

Ensure the vehicle is not a law enforcement vehicle

Have a reasonable belief that the person or animal is in imminent danger of death or suffering serious bodily injury

Verify the vehicle is locked

Make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or operator of the vehicle

Contact a law enforcement or other first responder agency prior to forcibly entering the vehicle and not interfere with the actions of any such responding law enforcement agency

Use no more force than reasonably necessary to enter the locked vehicle

Remain with the at-risk person or animal in a safe location close to the vehicle until law enforcement or other first responder arrives at the scene; except that, if the person rendering assistance has to leave the scene before the owner or operator of the vehicle returns, prior to leaving the scene, the person rendering assistance shall leave a notice on the vehicle with his or her name and contact information and the name and location, if any, of the facility to which he or she took the at-risk person or animal. Also prior to leaving the scene, the person rendering assistance shall contact law enforcement, animal control, or other first responder to provide them with the same information.

DDPHE says if you see a dog in a hot car, you should call 311 or Denver Animal Protection at 720-913-2080.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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)  The Denver Police Department will offer free bike registration at several locations in the city for Bike to Work Day on Wednesday, June 26.

The city partners with 529 Garage for its bike registration system, which it said enhances bicycle theft prevention, lost or stolen bike recovery and stolen bike investigations, among other things.

Denvers extremely popular e-bike rebate program returns for June

Registrations document things like the bikes serial number and make, model and color for easier identification and return if lost or stolen.

Volunteers will be at five locations throughout the city on Wednesday to encourage people to register and help people register:

Denver Zoo from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

REI at 1416 Platte St. from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Cherry Creek Trail at South University Boulevard and Cherry Creek North Drive from 6:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

East 29th Avenue Town Center at East 29th Avenue and North Roslyn Street from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Skyline Park at 16th Street and Arapahoe Street from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

According to police, more than 400 bikes that were recovered in 2022 were never claimed or returned to their owners due to lack of registration.

The Denver Police Department offers tips to help prevent bike theft. (Denver Police Department)

The Denver Police Department offers tips to help prevent bike theft. (Denver Police Department)

Thieves reportedly steal $12K worth of bikes from Boulder garage

People who register at the locations will receive a 529 Shield decal, which police said could let thieves know that the bike is registered, as well as help police in stolen bike recovery.

People can also register their bikes online for free either through the DPD website or the 529 Garage 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 FOX31 Denver.
A high school classroom in Florida. A state senator has prefiled a bill that would provide compensation to teachers injure on the job. (Getty)

The executive director of the Alabama Department of Youth Services (DYS) Friday laid out potential changes to the department operations that he said reflected the changing needs of the population they serve.

Steven Lafreniere said at a meeting that the department, which administers juvenile justice and services, needed to accommodate longer-term stays of the children coming to the department.

Were getting in more serious kids, I would say or high risk kids that have more health, behavioral health needs as well as mental health needs, he said.

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He cited a change of code in 2008 and said he hopes those kids were served by diversion programs.

In 2008, Rep. Tammy Irons, D-Florence, sponsored HB 28, or the Juvenile Justice Act, which altered the code around juvenile justice, including types of persons who cannot be detained or confined in secure custody. According to a contemporary Tuscaloosa News article, the goal was to divert some juveniles to community programs.

Lafreniere also pointed to HB 352, sponsored by Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, and passed earlier this year, which makes the department financially responsible for any costs incurred by the countys detention if DYS does not take the child after 12 business days, or 16 days from Oct. 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2025. The director said it would be a big challenge to do that.



Lafreniere said that the situation was aggravated due to issues around staffing and described it as a perfect storm.

It was an opportunity to take advantage of a crisis, I will say, he said.

A message was left with Lee on Friday afternoon.

Sonny Brasfield, executive director of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, said Friday that the aim of the bill was to speed up the process and that it is modeled after how the process works with state inmates.

We really dont want the department to have to go through the payment process thats in the bill, he said. What we hope happens is that this speeds the process up, and that the kids can get into the programs that they need a little more quickly.

He said that they are looking to move towards a program lasting three to six months.

In DYS education committee, which met ahead of the full board meeting, Tracy Smitherman, superintendent of the system, said that they are moving towards having teachers accredited in core subjects in math and English. She said they have already hired a science teacher, and that the department employs a certified history teacher who plans to stay with them.

The students werent there long enough to go through the special ed process, she said.

Lafreniere said at the main board meeting that it would open more beds and take kids off of the waiting list.

So, again, trying to right-size, he said.

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The post Department of Youth Services trying to right size programs to shifting populations appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
DeSantis signs bill allowing people to shoot Florida bears in self defense. What to know

Florida bears will soon be able to be legally shot in a controversial self-defense law that will take effect soon.

Gov. Ron DeSantis quietly signed a bill on Friday which would allow people to shoot a bear if they feel it poses a threat to themselves or their homes. A decision that has sparked debate between politicians, activists and Floridians alike.

What is HB 87?

Its not every day you encounter a bear when youre out for a walk  not even in Southwest Florida. John and Carol Levengood, of Fort Myers, were walking along a trail June 15 at Bird Rookery Swamp, north of Immokalee Road, when a Florida black bear crossed their path. They werent alone. Also on the trail were members of the Gulf Coast High School girls cross country team. It was a rush of a lifetime, John Levengood said. He crossed the trail and jumped into the water and moved along. Carol Levengood added: It was hilarious. Three hours after the bear left, I was still nervous.

HB 87, dubbed the "Taking of Bears" bill, seeks to provide an exemption from penalties for killing bears without permits or authorization under certain circumstances. It passed 88-29 in the Florida House on Feb. 15 while the Senate's version SB 632 passed 24-12 in the Florida Senate days later.

Described as the Self Defense Act, the bill's analysis says it would exempt people from any administrative, civil or criminal penalties for killing a bear if:

The person is believed that it was necessary to avoid imminent death or serious bodily injury to their self, another person or a pet.

The person did not lure the bear with food or attractants for an illegal purpose, including, but not limited to, training dogs to hunt bears.

The person didnt intentionally or recklessly put their self or pet in a situation where they would need to use lethal force.

Anyone who takes a bear must notify FWC within 24 hours, who will dispose of the body. No one may possess, sell or dispose of the bear or its parts.

Has DeSantis addressed HB 87, or the 'Bear Bill,' publicly?

After signing the bill on Friday, DeSantis did not comment on the bill and has since not discussed it publicly.

What do critics, supporters of Florida's bear bill say?

Since the bill was first proposed, it drew in heavy criticism from wildlife activists, residents and even other lawmakers.

Defenders of Wildlife, a nonprofit conservation organization, voiced their concern from the start. After it was signed by DeSantis, officials for the organizations stated that the bill's language could leave room for bears to be killed without them posing any actual threat.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is responsible for managing and conserving Floridas wildlife. This bill sets a dangerous precedent by allowing lawmakers to give that authority to all Floridians, said Elizabeth Fleming, senior Florida representative with Defenders of Wildlife, in a statement. Lawmakers should fund programs to educate people about living responsibly with local wildlife to avoid conflicts in the first place. Instead, landowners have been permitted to take a dangerous, unwarranted, violent course of action.

Towards the end of their statement, they shared that they think some residents may interpret this new law as a "permission slip to take lethal action against other wildlife."

However, some have shared their support for bill. In an interview with Politico, hunting advocate Lane Stephens said the bill would allow residents to feel assured they could protect themselves in their homes, especially in rural North Florida.

If that bear is in the house and doing damage and tearing the place apart you will be able to take care of that bear and not have to worry about being arrested, Stephens said.

When does HB 87 go into effect?

The bill goes into effect on Monday, July 1.

Are Florida black bears rare? How many black bears are in Florida?

A young black bear wanders a trail system at Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve in Collier County on Thursday, June 1, 2023. State wildlife managers sent out a press release this week stating that bear encounters are more likely in the summer. Photographed with a 400mm lens with a 1.4 converter.

The Florida black bear, which is one of 16 subspecies of the American black bear, is listed as a "Recovered species." Florida black bears have been seen in nearly every part of Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

A Tallahassee Democrat report shared biologists estimate there are a little over 4,000 bears in Florida. They are mostly shy and reclusive and live in hardwood forests. They usually weigh up to 350 pounds and eat mostly plants and insects.

Are Florida black bear attacks common?

According to data from the FWC, its rare for bears to injure people during an encounter. The organization shared its attack data with the Pensacola News Journal, highlighting 40 incidents of physical contact in Florida since 2006.

See date here: Florida black bear attacks are rare, but this new bill wants to loosen rules on killing them

What do you do if you see a Florida black bear? What should you not do?

A Florida towboat captain spotted an unlikely sailor, a black bear on the deck of a 50-foot catamaran in Naples.

The FWC says if you encounter a bear at close range, they suggest you "remain standing upright, back up slowly and speak to the bear in a calm, assertive voice."

"Never approach or surprise a bear. If you see a bear from a distance, enjoy the experience, but do not move toward the bear. If you are close, do not make any sudden or abrupt movements. Back way slowly and be sure the bear has an obvious escape route."

As for what not to do, the FWC advises you:

Do not make any sudden or abrupt movements

Do not run, this can trigger a chase instinct and bears can sprint up to 35 mph

Do not play dead, black bears eat dead things

Do not climb a tree, they can climb faster than you, too

Do not approach or surprise a bear, especially if one might be injured

The FWC says that you should aggressively fight back if a black bear attacks you. People have successfully fended off black bear attacks using simple tools like rocks and sticks or even their bare hands.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida bears can be shot under new self-defense law. What it means
Last week, Governor DeSantis vetoed $32 million in arts and cultural funding to 640 organizations around the State of Florida. This included $26 million in Cultural and Museum Grants, which would have provided critical general operating support to 625 organizations, and $6 million in Cultural Facility Grants for 15 organizations. This has a $3.1 million impact on Palm Beach County (51 grants). If you combine Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, the vetoes impact $12.1 million in arts and cultural grant funding. With this unprecedented action, Florida ranks at the bottom of the list in terms of state support for the arts.

The arts industry in the State of Florida is strong. According to the Arts & Economic Prosperity Study released in October by Americans for the Arts, the sector in Florida contributes $5.7 billion in annual economic impact, $1.1 billion in federal, state and local tax revenue, 91,270 jobs, and 63 million attendees annually. In Palm Beach County, the arts generate $335.3 million in economic impact and 4,360 jobs every year. The arts also influence tourism, enhance education, and have social impact. The study shows that 87% of Americans believe arts and culture are important to their communitys quality of life and livability.

The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts on June 4, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Public funding to the arts and cultural sector is critical. The state grant program is administered by the Florida Division of Arts and Culture. Every year, applications are vetted, scored, and ranked through a rigorous process, including a live panel review. Twice annual reporting is required, and all grants must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the organization, which is often leveraged through private philanthropy or other public funding sources. Data shows these grants have a 9 to 1 return on investment.

More on budget cuts: Palm Beach County feels DeSantis vetoes with $21 million hit. Here's who took the biggest cuts

We are fortunate in Palm Beach County to have strong leadership at the state and county level. Our Tourist Development Council prioritizes arts funding through a robust grant program managed by the Cultural Council that is designed to market cultural tourism and bring visitors to the destination. The Board of County Commission recently approved funding for the planning and development of a Palm Beach County Black History Museum and a Multicultural Resources Center.

The arts are a nonpartisan issue. Our nonprofit organizations provide free services to communities, valuable educational resources, family programming, and high-quality exhibitions and performances that connect audiences. State funding is a valuable piece of an organizations budget.

More on the arts: Lake Worth Street Painting Festival 2024 is a masterpiece

What happens next? The Cultural Council is working with the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation, Florida Cultural Alliance, Division of Arts and Culture, and our local cultural partners to create an action plan. As the chief arts advocates for Palm Beach County, our job will now be to focus resources and messaging to restore arts funding in the next legislative session

Jennifer Sullivan

Your voice matters. As we prepare for the next legislative session, your calls, emails, and letters to your House and Senate representatives will be needed. Research and vote in November for the candidates who support public funding for the arts. In the meantime, however, arts and cultural organizations need your support now  your time, talent, and treasure  as they rebound from these devastating cuts to critical operating support.

Jennifer Sullivan is senior vice president, Cultural Council for Palm Beach County.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: DeSantis arts and cultural vetoes require strong pushback from public
After DeSantis vetoes nearly $32.6 million in Lee County projects, who are winners, losers?

In an effort to trim state spending, Gov. Ron DeSantis wielded his veto pen earlier this month, slashing nearly $32.6 million in Lee County projects from the budget lawmakers approved in March.

The $116.5 billion budget DeSantis signed includes nearly $950 million in statewide project cuts.

Some vital Lee County projects that survived include:

$15.55 million for a new Fort Myers Beach town hall and revenue replacement

$1.2 million to permanently repair Little Pine Island Bridge

$100 million in funding toward Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida SouthWestern State College programs and renovations

DeSantis approved about $15.55 million for Fort Myers Beach, including $8 million to purchase commercial property at 6231 Estero Blvd., which will become the new town hall. In 2023, Fort Myers Beach demolished its former town hall after it was deemed unusable in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

"This would increase public access, which has been greatly limited since Hurricane Ian," the request for funding states. "The purpose of the project is to quickly reestablish a stable venue for town government, with a time frame of less than 8 months versus a 3-4 year build-out."

Nearly $7.5 million in remaining funds will be allocated for revenue replacement, according to a press release Wednesday.

Lee County also received $1.2 million to replace Little Pine Island Bridge, which was damaged during Hurricane Ian. The bridge serves as the sole transportation link for residents, tourists and other visitors to Pine Island, Saint James City and Bokeelia.

The funding request, submitted earlier this year, outlines project plans by the Florida Department of Transportations Design and Build team to enhance the bridges resiliency, with an estimated construction completion date of Jan. 30, 2025.

Millions in funding for Florida SouthWestern survived Gov. Ron DeSantis' veto pen.

FGCU gets $56 million for health sciences building

This years budget also includes $4.1 billion and $1.7 billion in state operating funding for the State University System and Florida College System, respectively.

In Lee County, FSW secured $12 million, including:

$5.9 million to renovate the campus police headquarters

$2.4 million to enhance its radiologic technology program by expanding clinical facilities and labs

$1.5 million to create an Institute of Innovation and Emerging Technologies for collaborative research, learning and industry engagement, including robust security measures

The rest of FSWs state funds will be allocated toward projects at its campuses outside Lee County

The state granted FGCU $88 million.

FGCU is appreciative of the ongoing support it has received from Governor Ron DeSantis, our Florida legislators, and the Southwest Florida community, Pamela McCabe, FGCUs Director of Communications and Media Relations, said in an email.

DeSantis kept about $56 million to support the buildout of a FGCU academic building, a facility McCabe said will expand the school's health sciences programs and likely become home to the Shady Rest Institute on Positive Aging.

Finally, FGCU was named in $32 million worth of research initiatives related to water quality, which McCabe said is a testament to the incredible research and work happening at The Water School.

Earlier this year, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo sponsored a request for funding toward renovations at FGCUs Reed Hall and the Wilson G. Bradshaw Library and Annex. The upgrades would meet student learning standards and accommodate growing enrollment and evolving academic needs.

DeSantis vetoed the funding.

Even without funding for the renovation projects, McCabe said FGCU still has much to celebrate from the states budget.

These renovations werent the only line items DeSantis vetoed. Lee County saw $32.6 million in funding for 10 projects slashed.

This budget delivers historic support for education, infrastructure, and conservation, yet spends less than the year before and includes major tax relief, DeSantis said in a press release.

Estero and Cape Coral water project funding vetoed by DeSantis

Other Lee County project funding DeSantis cut include:

$4.6 million for the Estero Septic-to-Sewer Project Phase Two

$4 million for the Cape Coral Northeast Reservoir Water Transmission Main and Regional Water Supply Project

The Estero Phase 2 Septic-to-Sewer Project will replace septic tanks and package wastewater treatment plants with municipal sewer services in Estero, improving water quality in the Estero River and Estero Bay, according to a funding request. It will also extend reliable municipal drinking water and fire hydrants to several areas, enhancing public health and safety. The project reduces nutrient and bacteria pollution and ensures safer water sources for residents along Broadway Avenue in Estero and throughout Lee County.

The Cape Coral Northeast Reservoir Water Transmission Main and Regional Water Supply Project will transfer up to 1.44 billion gallons of water annually from a Charlotte County reservoir to Cape Coral's freshwater canal system for fire suppression and lawn irrigation, as outlined in a funding request. The project aims to reduce strain on the Floridian Aquifer, benefiting over 200,000 residents in Cape Coral and maintaining water levels in neighboring Lee and Charlotte Counties.

Even without the additional state funding, Cape Coral has secured about $7.6 million in grant funding for the project and plans to pursue further funding as the project moves toward construction, Kaitlyn Mullen, the Citys public information officer, said in an email.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Lee County projects vetoed by DeSantis: Here's what was cut
The front page of the Deseret News on June 24, 1948, as word that the Soviet Union had cut off power and other essential services to Berlin, Germany, began to be known.

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.

On June 24, 1948, Communist forces cut off all land and water routes between West Germany and West Berlin, prompting the Western Allies to organize the Berlin Airlift. The move required a response, and the four Allied powers delivered in a big way.

And a sweet way.

Heres the story:

At the end of World War II, Germany was divided between the four Allied powers: France, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Soviet Union. Its capital, Berlin, suffered the same fate with the added complication that West Berlin became an enclave within the Soviet zone.

Two years later, tensions mounted between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union, primarily over the reconstruction and monetary reform of Germany. At this point, the Soviet Union began impeding communications between the Western Allies, West Germany and West Berlin.

Joseph Stalin, the Soviet leader, imposed the Berlin Blockade, which would continue until May 12, 1949.

The Western Allies responded with a massive airlift to come to West Berlins aid.

Beginning June 26, two days after the blockade was announced, U.S. and British planes carried out the largest air relief operation in history, transporting some 2.3 million tons of supplies into West Berlin on more than 270,000 flights over 11 months.

The front page of the Deseret News on June 25, 1948, as the Allied forces began the Berlin Airlift. Also mentioned is the return of the bodies of the four Bergstrom brothers for burial in northern Utah.

According to reports compiled through the years, the Western Allies showed that they could sustain the operation indefinitely. At the same time, the Allied counter-blockade on eastern Germany was causing severe shortages, which, Moscow feared, might lead to political upheaval. By May 1949, the blockade had been lifted.

According to historians, the Berlin Blockade, and the Allied response in the form of the Berlin Airlift, represented the first major conflict of the Cold War.

Now the sweet story of the Candy Bomber.

Col. Gail Halvorsen, a senior officer and command pilot in the U.S. Air Force, was born in Driggs, Idaho, and raised in Tremonton in Box Elder County in northern Utah.

As the airlift got under way, Halvorsen felt impressed to provide supplemental drops in Berlin in the form of little parachutes with candy attached to the chutes.

Called Operation Little Vittles, Halvorsen piloted C-47s and C-54s and dropped tons and tons of goodies to German children.

As a note, Halvorsen didnt get permission first, but he eventually received authorization. He became known as the Berlin Candy Bomber, the Chocolate Flier or Uncle Wiggly Wings. It is estimated that with support from all over the nation, Halvorsen dropped over 23 tons of candy to the residents of Berlin.

Halvorsen was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and several other military awards. Not content to stop there, he continued candy drops in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Guam, Iraq and Japan.

Celebrated and honored in Utah through the years, and a strong advocate for the military and humanitarian causes, Halvorsen was a popular speaker at schools and patriotic gatherings through the years. He died on Feb. 16, 2022, at age 101.

Here are some wonderful stories about the Berlin Airlift and Utahs famed Candy Bomber from the Deseret News archives:

Utah pilot honored as Berlin Airlift remembered on 70th anniversary of blockades end

Berlin Airlift re-enacted with candy drop

Opinion: The anomaly of NATO

Modern-day airlift sought

Gail S. Halvorsen, the Berlin Candy Bomber, dies at 101

As Utahs Candy Bomber turns 100, his sweet story remains timeless

Opinion: The candy bomber taught America how to handle power

Bomber is about more than candy
Details of hazardous cargo must be provided by railroad immediately after derailment, new rule says

During last years Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, firefighters tried to extinguish the flames without knowing exactly how to respond. A new federal rule finalized Monday aims to ensure first responders can find out what hazardous chemicals are on a train almost immediately after a derailment so they can respond appropriately, the Associated Press reports.

PHOTOS: Massive explosion at start of controlled release of chemicals at train derailment

In East Palestine, the local fire chief said it took 45 minutes before he knew exactly what was on the train.

Those running toward a fire need to know the risks they face so they can have the right gear and evacuate those in danger, said Tristan Brown, deputy administrator of the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration agency that proposed the rule.

The rule was published a day before the National Transportation Safety Boards final hearing on the East Palestine derailment.

Norfolk Southern sent Channel 11 the following statement:

We applaud the aims of the DOTs new rule, which aligns with the work weve been undertaking to support first responders. Last year, we were the first Class I railroad to commit to improving our communication during an emergency through our partnership with RapidSOS, a digital platform that connects communications devices with over 16,000 emergency response agencies.

As part of this collaboration, Norfolk Southern will automatically share consist information through RapidSOS with first responders after an incident. Once complete, this integration aims to cover 100 percent of the emergency response agencies across our rail network, providing first responders with real-time access to train consists, train locations, and AskRail emergency response information.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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JOHNSTON, Iowa (KCAU)  More than 1,000 Iowa residents slept in shelters Saturday night after floodwaters inundated the northwestern part of the state and destroyed hundreds of properties, Gov. Kim Reynolds said.

Entire neighborhoods were forced to evacuate after 13 rivers flooded the region following weeks of rain, the Associated Press reported.

After four years of drought, the state has experienced unusually heavy rainfall this spring, Reynolds said during a press conference on Sunday. Some areas up in northwest Iowa got up to 15 inches of rain over two days.

I can tell you, the devastation is severe, and its widespread. In almost every community impacted, the rivers crested several feet above record levels from the floods of 1993, she added.

Once-in-a-lifetime explosive event in space expected soon: What to kno

Reynolds declared a disaster for 21 counties, including Sioux County, where drone footage showed roofs and treetops poking above the water, with streets completely submerged.

Businesses are shuttered. Main streets have been impacted, Reynolds said. Hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities were evacuated. Cities are without power, and some are without drinkable water.

She reiterated that while its still early, the projected damage is staggering.

Its not over yet. As the flood water begins to recede in the far northern communities that water will head downstream. And areas to the south are planning for rivers to crest at record levels, she said, adding that more rain is expected later this week.

Officials estimate 1,900 properties have been impacted and hundreds have been destroyed by the recent flood  including agricultural land, businesses, and community centers.

Sunscreen vs. sunblock: Whats the difference, and which should you use?

The governor said she has directed the Iowa National Guard and Urban Search and Rescue teams to assist in recovery efforts. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources conducted 250 water rescues on Saturday alone, she said.

This is, as the governor correctly noted, this is a very serious flood we are in right now, said Jon Benson, the director of Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, during the press conference. And it is not going to cease; it is going to blossom across the state.

Reynolds said she spoke with the regional FEMA administrator and submitted a request for an expedited Presidential Disaster Declaration.

Meanwhile, Benson said theyre working to ensure resources  like medicine, cots and food  are being moved across the state as needed.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
A new developer is taking over an "extremely troubled" planned housing development in northeast Palm Springs, aiming to kickstart building on the long-vacant site of an old golf course.

With neighbors frustrated with what they see as the empty promises of former owner PS Country Club LLC, Irvine-based SunCal is stepping in on the roughly 126-acre project known as Serena Park on the site of the old Palm Springs Country Club golf course.

First approved by the city in 2016, development of the property failed to move forward for years. In 2021, the city approved a revised performance plan, but the developer blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for the lack of progress. After paying only $500,000 of the $3 million development fee, PS Country Club LLC was declared in default by the city in 2022.

A project consideration sign along Whitewater Club Drive at the former site of the Palm Springs Country Club golf course, seen June 21, 2024.

Now, the current owner has entered escrow to sell the property to SunCal, which should become official when an amended development agreement is approved on second reading by the city council in the upcoming weeks.

SunCal, which calls itself one of the largest real estate development companies in the United States, believes it can be the company to finally bring 386 residential units to the troubled area.

"We're excited about this particular project because we love Palm Springs," said Fernando Dutra, vice president of development for PNG1 LLC, the subsidiary of SunCal developing the project locally. "We think that Palm Springs is a fantastic community. And we wouldn't bring our investors' monies into this community unless we felt confident we can: A, add value to the existing community. And B, bring a product to Palm Springs that everybody can be proud of."

Dutra spoke following a meeting of the Palm Springs City Council last week in which the sale and an updated development agreement was initially approved. During the meeting, SunCal representatives committed to cleaning up the blighted property while it pursues entitlements for specific lot plans. Once those entitlements have been obtained, builders can begin construction.

But some neighbors remain skeptical of a project that has been stalled for years.

"The question that all of them are asking us is why should we believe this developer when we could not believe the last one?" Councilmember Lisa Middleton said during the city council meeting.

A portion of the old Palm Springs Country Club golf course, as seen in 2020.

Dutra countered by pointing to resources available to SunCal, which he said was immediately ready to fund the necessary improvements.

The city has levied a $3.2 million fee on top of the $500,00 already paid. That creates a powerful incentive for SunCal to get shovels in the ground and houses sold, the company argues.

Still, only time will tell if this developer can bring the necessary wherewithal to complete the project, which is north of Vista Chino and west of Gene Autry Trail.

"Weve been down this road before," Middleton said. "Frequently it is the new ownership coming in that makes all the difference in the world. We hope thats the case this time. But if its not, the leash is going to be very short.

A barricade blocks a path to the former site of the Palm Springs Country Club golf course, as seen from along Golden Sands Drive in Palm Springs on June 21, 2024.

Sam Morgen covers the city of Palm Springs for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Long-delayed plan for 386 homes in Palm Springs revived
Did Jacksonville Rapper Julio Foolio Invite His Murderers to His Own Birthday Party?

In June, Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio was shot to death at his own birthday party in Tampa, Fla. The incident occurred at an address where Foolio advertised an air bnb pool party to his more than 1 million Instagram followers on June 14. He instructed his followers to message him for the address.

He told followers his official birthday party would be the next day at Teasers, a gentlemans club. Tampa Florida you already got added to the pool party, he stated in an Instagram video.

Now, three suspects have been charged with premeditated first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of rapper Julio Foolio. All of the suspectsIsaiah Chance, 21, Sean Gathright, 18, and Alicia Andrews, 21have pleaded not.

Another person of interest, Rashad Murphy, will have an arraignment hearing next month, according to Tampa News Channel 8. Davion Murphy, who is a fifth suspect in the crime, currently remains at large.

Chance, Gathright and Andrews are accused of working with Rashad and Davion Murphy to kill the Jacksonville rapper (born Charles Jones II) on June 23 at his own birthday party in Tampa, Fla. The suspects were arraigned in a Hillsborough County courtroom on Monday (Aug. 26).

Following the shooting, Jones and three other victims were transported to a nearby hospital, according to the Tampa Police Department, which explained in a statement they received a 911 call on Sunday around 4:40 a.m. about a shooting. He was just 26 at the time of his death.



Jacksonville Sheriffs Office released a statement about the tragic incident. Our dedicated officers and detectives do not cease to ensure and provide safety and security for our city which will always be of paramount importance as we aim to deter any potential issues that may arise in the foreseeable future, it said.

The killing is reminiscent of other recent incidents in which rappers announcing their location on social media led to their deaths. Tampa rapper Rollie Bands was shot dead in front of his home in 2022, minutes after challenging his opponents on social media.



Rapper PnB Rock was killed during a robbery at a restaurant in 2022 while having a meal with his girlfriend; its believed that being tagged in a social media post led the robbers to his location.

In January, Jones said on Instagram that he had survived five attempts on his life.

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Activists for disability rights protested outside a state Department of Health and Human Services building most of Monday, even attempting to block exits at the end of the workday.

At about 3:30 p.m., protesters in wheelchairs moved outside each exit of DHHSs Adams Building on the Dorothea Dix campus.

State Capitol Police officers escorted employees out of the Adams Building to their cars as protesters remained outside the exits. About 20 officers were on the scene by mid-afternoon, stationed at the doors and around the building, and threatening to arrest the protesters.

According to Chris Murphy, a disability rights activist who traveled from Minnesota, one able-bodied protester was arrested.

Rhoda Gibson, a wheelchair user from Boston, said she suspected more arrests would occur later in the afternoon once the police had a vehicle that was wheelchair accessible.

But after a couple of hours, the officers left their posts and gathered in a circle away from the advocates to talk together.

By 5:45 p.m., all officers and vehicles had left the scene. Protesters cheered as law enforcement left. The activists then dispersed at approximately 6 p.m.

Additional protests were anticipated for Tuesday. In an email sent Monday evening, all DHHS staff based in the Adams Building were told to shift to working remotely Tuesday.

Prepared to be arrested

Pam Auer, an activist from Pennsylvania, said State Capitol Police gave the individuals at the front of the building three warnings that if they did not move, they would be arrested and charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and disorderly conduct.

Auer and Colleen Flanagan, another activist and wheelchair user, remained in front of the main entrance, saying they were prepared to be arrested.

We are willing to do what it takes to bring attention to the issue because false imprisonment is what we live everyday, Flanagan said.

Nicky Boyte blocked another one of the three entrances to the building in her wheelchair. Officers initially told her that she was going to be under arrest, but no action was taken.

Boyte is from Greensboro and is a member of the North Carolina chapter of ADAPT, a national grassroots disability rights group. The individuals at the protest came from across the United States to increase awareness of and support for accessibility.

The organizations main goal is to end the institutional bias in Medicaid that forces people with disabilities from their home and families into expensive institutions and nursing homes, according to a leaflet that activists handed out at the protest.

Several activists chanted, Id rather go to jail than die in a nursing home, outside the side entrance that Boyte was blocking as police officers stood nearby.

Boyte broke down in tears when the police left. Not of relief, she said, but because it made her feel less human.

Do you know anyone else who blocks doors and doesnt go to jail? asked Boyte.

Protester demands

About 50 protesters with ADAPT had gathered outside the building earlier in the day Monday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Courts Olmstead decision, which prohibited unnecessary segregation and institutionalization of people with disabilities and emphasized the right to receive services in their communities.

The groups leaflet listed their demands for North Carolina, including equitable person-centered care delivered in homes and communities, affordable accessible housing for people with disabilities, support to live in integrated settings and increased state funding to serve people with disabilities.

People in wheelchairs block exterior doors of the NC Department of Health and Human Services building in Raleigh at times chanting Id rather go to jail than to die in a nursing home. Protesters with the National ADAPT organization demanded improved service and support and an opportunity to speak with NC DHHS Sec. Kody Kinsley. At around 6 p.m. police left the scene without arrests.

Community-based services are more cost effective and what people would choose if they had the chance, but North Carolina still has policies that prevent disabled Americans from living in the community, the organizations flier said.

But more than anything, they wanted to talk with North Carolina DHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley. According to Murphy, the activists began the protests at 11 a.m. and planned to remain there until they talked to Kinsley.

Murphy said representatives of the DHHS came out of the building to talk to the protesters and offered to bring a small group inside. But they declined the offer, instead asking for Kinsley to meet them outside. Boyte said North Carolinas chapter of ADAPT had previously attempted to meet with Kinsley three times.

Hes had plenty of chances to contact us and he doesnt, Boyte said.

A DHHS spokesperson said that the department offered the protesters an opportunity to sit down with senior executives, out of the heat, and discuss their concerns, but that [offer] was not responded to.

Mitigating the heat

The disability rights protesters remained outside as temperatures hit the upper 90s.

Joe Tate, who came from Austin, Texas, made rounds through the protesters with a personal mister, spraying them with cool water. As a personal care attendant, he said it was his duty to help the activists with disabilities get to the protest and remain safe.

Joe Tate, a personal care assistant, mists Karen Burrison, among demonstrators rallying outside the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on Monday, June 24, 2024. About 50 demonstrators with National ADAPT rallied outside the office to mark the 25th Anniversary Rally of the Olmstead Decision in North Carolina.

Tate checked in with protesters multiple times throughout the demonstration, providing water and care.

Were OK, Joes taking good care of us, Daniel Saenz, an activist from Austin, Texas, who uses a wheelchair, said.
Pedestrians walk dogs past the Snow White Cafe on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. (Patrick T. Fallon / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

A Disney-themed bar and restaurant in Hollywood that has been open for nearly 80 years appears to have fallen into a death-like sleep. Only this time, there may be no handsome prince coming to save it.

Snow White Cafe, at 6769 Hollywood Blvd., was first opened in 1946 by a friend of Walt Disneys, whose artists painted murals of the movie's characters on the walls, according to the restaurants website.

In a Sunday Facebook post by Vintage Los Angeles called "Goodbye Snow White," a picture of what appears to be the restaurant's interior shows the walls and flooring stripped and demolition debris strewn about. The celebrated "Snow White" murals are nowhere to be seen.

Calls to the phone number listed on the restaurant's website went to a line that appears to have been disconnected. The restaurant's Instagram page also appears to have been removed.

Read more: A beloved Beverly Hills burger joint mysteriously closed 27 years ago. What happened?

Locals and tourists alike commented on the Facebook post, expressing their disappointment that the historic restaurant may be gone for good.

"Very sad," one comment read. "Every time I was in that area I stopped in. The artwork, the mural, the history ... it survived for decades. And that's amazing for Hollywood. I will miss it."

The restaurant once included a mural of Snow White above the front door with the message: "We hope we have pleased you," according to Discover Los Angeles. The walls also featured paintings of the film's dwarfs, which were created by the film's animators.

Snow White Cafe is the second iconic restaurant to close in Hollywood this year. This month, the Arby's on Sunset Boulevard shut its doors after 55 years.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The ESSER cliff is coming. Most districts and states that initiated high-impact tutoring using federal ESSER dollars are scrambling. Many believe they must eliminate or reduce the scope of their programs; but this is not the case. Here are six durable funding streams that could replace the ESSER dollars to help provide highly effective tutoring in new, cost-saving ways.

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Title 1 : Of all the federal Education Departments funding streams, Title 1 is the best-known, the largest and the most appropriate for tutoring (although the others are also useful places to look). It was designed to target extra resources to high-need schools, specifically for math and reading. The good news is that a tutor is not needed for every student for every subject, so only a portion of Title 1 dollars is necessary. Tutoring is most important for students struggling with their coursework, including those who are not on track for proficiency in reading by the end of third grade or for passing Algebra 1 by the end of ninth. Students who meet these benchmarks are four times more likely to graduate from high school as those who dont. Districts should look hard at how they are spending Title 1 dollars to help students reach these two goals, redirecting staff positions or funds to tutoring programs with demonstrable return on investment.



Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: Districts across the nation use Multi-Tiered Systems of Support to target appropriate interventions for students with learning, social, emotional, or behavioral difficulties. Many districts could improve these offerings by using a high-impact tutoring approach, making sure their interventions build relationships between students and educators that motivate, engage and target students growth areas using data and high-quality instructional materials. Schools can integrate high-impact tutoring with the funds already being used for MTSS by reallocating resources to more effective approaches.



AmeriCorps: One of the priorities of this 30-year-old program is to support effective tutoring for high-need students. AmeriCorps awards tens of millions of dollars in grant funding for tutoring and mentorship in early learning and K-12 schools. Districts can apply directly for federal funds through their State AmeriCorps commissions. These three-year grants can largely cover the costs of tutors and supervisory staff. Districts can also seek vendors that are AmeriCorps partners to provide tutoring, which brings a subsidy from the vendor directly into the district.

Work-study : This 60-year-old program enables lower-income students to work their way through college. Of the 20 million undergraduates in the U.S., about 600,000 receive work-study as part of their financial aid packages. This allows colleges to use federal funds to subsidize work by their students. Recent guidance has called on colleges and universities to spend at least 15% of those funds on community-based jobs, and tutoring is among the roles prioritized. With a district as a community partner, a college can subsidize up to 100% of a tutors wages.



U.S. Department of Education teacher preparation funds : The 60-year-old Hawkins Program is designed to increase the number of well-prepared teachers from diverse backgrounds. The focus is on the various aspects of the teacher preparation pipeline, including the recruitment, support and placement in underresourced schools with underserved students. This fund goes directly to higher ed; districts should partner with local colleges to design a tutor-to-teacher pathway.



U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship funds: These can support apprenticeship programs for future teachers. State departments of education can help districts address teacher shortages by strengthening the pathway to the classroom through the real-world experience of tutoring in schools. New Jerseys Tutor Corps, for example, has just become a federal apprenticeship provider.

Since school districts often lack the capacity to seek grants or manage compliance requirements, leaders could ask local philanthropies for help. They could also rethink some of their current procedures to save money in the short and long term.

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Equity Builder or Racial Barrier: Debate Rages Over Role of 8th-Grade Algebra

For example, some contracts pay providers based on student hours, not tutor hours. In other words, instead of paying a vendor $25 an hour for a tutors time (and overhead), some districts paid $75 for an hour in which that tutor worked with three students. Districts should renegotiate those contracts to pay for tutor time, regardless of how many students were assigned. They should also monitor tutoring implementation and effectiveness in order to make adjustments, maximizing impact; outcomes-based contracts with vendors can help.

And, they can reevaluate the timing of their tutoring programs.

Offering high-quality tutoring during the school day makes it easier to connect to the kids and teachers, as theyre already in the building, than providing services outside of regular class time; helps cultivate a pipeline of talent entering the education system; and may help stem chronic absenteeism and reduce dropout rates.

Investing in third-grade literacy and Algebra 1 tutoring specifically makes sound long-term financial sense. Holding onto more kids is not only the right thing to do morally and educationally, but it provides a financial benefit. Allocating $500 to $1,000 per student for high-impact tutoring in grade 9 can yield an average of $15,000 in annual state per-pupil funding for each student who remains in high school for the next three years, until graduation. It is essentially an insurance policy that potentially preserves up to $45,000 in future funding per student, which can sustain tutoring initiatives and support other school needs.

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Tutorings New Game: Better Academic Results Yield Bigger Payoffs for Providers

It is clear that districts have options for sustaining high-impact tutoring programs. Some may require challenging choices and changes, while others will require schools to form partnerships, which takes time and coordination. But if schools are to help students recover from the effects of COVID-related learning interruptions, they will need to focus on the strategies that can provide the strongest outcomes. Schools that make high-impact tutoring a funding priority now will enable their students to succeed for years to come.

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4 Things Districts Should Do Right Now  Before the Fiscal Cliff
DNA collected from beneath the fingernails of a woman violently killed in her Maryland home in 2001 led cold-case investigators to a suspect  her daughters ex-boyfriend  according to a newly released arrest warrant obtained by HuffPost.

Eugene Teodor Gligor, 44, was arrested on June 18 in Washington, D.C., and charged with first-degree murder in the 2001 killing of Leslie Preer, 49. Montgomery County Police Department detectives said in the court documents that they had collected Gligors DNA on June 24 from a water bottle they saw him use and discard at Dulles International Airport on June 9. Authorities said his DNA was a match to crime scene evidence that could only belong to Preers killer.

Blood collected from beneath Leslie Preer's fingernails after her 2001 killing matched the DNA of her daughter's ex-boyfriend, authorities alleged. MONTGOMERY COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT

Preer, 49, was attacked and brutally beaten in the foyer of her Chevy Chase home on the morning of May 2, 2001, investigators said. A medical examiner listed her cause of death as multiple blunt force trauma and strangulation. The blood found under her fingernails and bruising on her arms indicated that she had fought her suspected attacker, whose blood was also found in the dining room and a hallway and on the kitchen door leading to the backyard, authorities said.

Preers injuries were consistent with manual strangulation and her head being battered onto the foyer floor, authorities said. Some of the cuts to her head were V-shaped, authorities said, consistent with the sharp corners of the molding in the foyer and front door area.

Her body was found in the shower of her primary bedroom, where investigators believe her killer had carried her from the foyer so he could wash away the blood and prevent further bleeding in the house.

The killer tried to clean up the crime scene, investigators said, based on luminescence testing that revealed additional evidence of blood in the foyer, a trash can, and sinks in the kitchen and downstairs bathroom, and on door frames and the back door.

In spite of that evidence, the case went cold. Neighbors hadnt seen anything unusual on the day Preer was killed. A 2001 analysis was only able to determine that the DNA belonged to an unknown male, and it excluded her husband and other men she knew, authorities said.

In 2022, police submitted the DNA collected from the bloody crime scene to the Texas lab Othram, which used advanced technology to develop a more complete DNA profile of the suspect, according to the arrest warrant.

That profile was then sent to the consumer-based genealogy company FamilyTreeDNA, which offers its customers the option for authorized law enforcement agencies to view specific elements of their DNA in violent crime investigations. The results obtained in the FamilyTreeDNA database included the Gligor surname, which a detective in June connected to a tip in the original case file about Gligor and his previous relationship to Preers daughter, according to the arrest warrant.

Gligor has a criminal history, including weapons possession, driving under the influence and theft, authorities said, but none of his previous arrests would require investigators to submit his DNA to the national law enforcement DNA database known as CODIS.

Authorities have not identified a motive for the killing. Preers daughter, Lauren Preer, told The Washington Post that she dated Gligor for five years but hadnt spoken to him for several years at the time of her mothers death. Her mother always had been fond of Gligor, Lauren said, and he often joined the Preers on family outings and vacations.

Attorneys for Gligor did not respond to HuffPosts request for comment. A judge on Monday denied his request for bond. His next hearing is set for July 19.

Related...
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried blames former President Donald Trump for abortion restrictions during a press conference on June 24, 2024, the second anniversary of the Supreme Court Dobbs ruling. (Photo by Jackie Llanos/Florida Phoenix)

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Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Floridas six-week abortion ban, but to the contraception advocates who brought a 20-foot inflatable IUD to Tallahassee on the second anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Donald Trump ultimately is to blame.

Americans for Contraception and Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried warned Floridians Monday that access to birth control and IVF are at risk if Trump and Sen. Rick Scott are re-elected in November. Fried highlighted the restrictive abortion bans in place throughout the country, saying the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in the Dobbs case, which ended the constitutional right to abortion, created chaos.

That chaos was caused by Donald Trump, and today we are living under one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country, Fried said during the press conference.

She continued: If this is the damage that has been done in just two years, imagine what would happen if there was another four more. Were already seeing the signs. First, it was an abortion. But they didnt stop there. Today Republicans are not just restricting access to abortion, theyre coming after IVF, birth control, emergency health care.

Speakers pinned the Dobbs decision on Trump, given that he tilted the Supreme Court toward a conservative supermajority. The conference was the last Florida stop on Americans for Contraceptions IUD Express tour.

Five months ahead of the election, Florida Democrats continue to stress the abortion landscape to criticize Trump and Scott and drum up support for Amendment 4, which would enshrine abortion rights in the Florida Constitution.

Rubio defends Dobbs decision

So far Monday, Trump and Scott have remained quiet on this anniversary. However, Sen. Marco Rubio, who is not up for reelection this year, expressed support for the overturning of Roe with multiple posts on X.

Unborn children, like any children, cannot vote or protest. But this is no reason to leave them unaccounted for, Rubio wrote on Sunday.

Future generations will look back on Dobbs as a great victory for freedom, but our work is far from over. Pro-life Americans must recommit to protecting the unborn and providing families, mothers, and their children  in the womb and out of it  with the support they need to thrive, he continued.

Addressing a conference of Christian conservatives on Saturday, Trump stressed that abortion restrictions should be up to the states, according to USA Today.

But June 24 marks another anniversary Republican lawmakers are acknowledging: The Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside that killed 98 people. DeSantis, Rubio, and Scott wrote posts on X offering their condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the incident.

Floridas six-week abortion ban went into effect on May 1, closing an important point of access to abortion in the southeast and forcing patients to seek the procedure in other states. Since then, Planned Parenthood has helped 200 Floridians connect with out-of-state abortion providers, according to a press release from the organization.

Abortion bans dont eradicate the need for abortion care; they merely dictate who has access. Those with the means to travel face hurdles, while those without are compelled to carry pregnancies against their will, exposing themselves to life-altering and sometimes life-threatening risks, wrote Alexandra Mandado, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of South, East, and North Florida, in a Monday press release.

Our communities have long lacked adequate access to abortion care. The right to an abortion has never guaranteed access. Its time to envision new possibilities for our communities, a future centered on equity, she added.

On the other hand, groups such as Florida Voice for the Unborn are celebrating the end of Roe. The anti-abortion group is hosting a banquet in Winter Park aimed at defeating Amendment 4. Florida House Republicans Webster Barnaby of Volusia County and Berny Jacques of Pinellas County are set to deliver keynote speeches.

The post Dobbs anniversary: Contraception advocates, FL Democrats blame Trump appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Emily Wales, right, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, speaks at a news conference alongside U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Kansas Democrat

Emily Wales, right, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, speaks at a news conference alongside U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Kansas Democrat. The press conference covered abortion issues on the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade. (Allison Kite/Kansas Reflector)

OVERLAND PARK  In the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court removed constitutional protections for abortion, Kansas providers have seen a surge in patients.

While states across the country moved swiftly to restrict access to abortion after the court struck down Roe v. Wade, Kansas voters opted to keep protections in place.

Now, a leading abortion rights advocate says, the next fight could be over allowing patients to travel to receive abortions.

That is coming, said Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes. Legislators are not ending their attacks on abortion. Theyre just getting more nuanced.

Wales spoke Monday alongside U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Kansas Democrat, at a press conference on the anniversary of the Supreme Courts Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which struck down Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that guaranteed the right to an abortion.

Davids said she has heard from constituents over and over that they fear their children and grandchildren are going to grow up with fewer rights than they did. And despite Kansas voters decision to keep abortion protected under the state constitution, Davids noted anti-abortion legislators continue to add restrictions and hurdles to patients seeking access.

And any day now, we anticipate a decision from the Supreme Court that has the potential to once again erode or rip away health care, reproductive health care rights and, again, puts women at serious risk of not just illness but death, Davids said.

She called it unacceptable and concerning and said pro-abortion rights Americans were not being heard.

Have we not made our voices clear? Davids said. Have we not made our intentions and desires as citizens of this country clear? We should be expanding access to reproductive health care.

Wales called the anniversary of the Dobbs decision a solemn occasion, saying Planned Parenthood patients went from being able to make their own decisions to having the government interfere directly.

We are fortunate to be in a state where we do have access to abortion, Wales said, and we are now serving so many patients from out of state. We are seeing firsthand what a public health crisis looks like in Kansas.

The Kansas Supreme Court in 2019 ruled the state constitutions right to bodily autonomy extends to the decision to terminate a pregnancy. Kansas voters then rejected a constitutional amendment to remove the right to an abortion by a 59-41 margin in August 2022, two months after the Dobbs decision.

Since Roe was overturned, Wales said, Planned Parenthoods Kansas clinics have seen a surge of patients from Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and other states that enacted severe abortion restrictions. She fears states that have restricted access to abortion may soon make it harder for patients to travel to receive one.

Planned Parenthood is also challenging legislation passed by Kansas lawmakers  over Gov. Laura Kellys veto  this spring that requires patients to answer a series of questions about whether they have been raped, if their partner is abusive or whether the pregnancy resulted from incest before receiving an abortion. The survey also would collect demographic information, including age, home state, race, level of education and marital status.

Kansans for Life, the states leading anti-abortion group, released a statement criticizing Planned Parenthoods court challenge of that law and Kellys administration for holding the release of annual state statistics on abortion. The state in previous years has released the report before June 30.

Gov. Kellys decision to not release the numbers shows the very reason the legislation was needed in the first place, Kansans for life said. Is she afraid of Kansans seeing abortions are skyrocketing while one of the largest abortion clinics was operating without medical oversight?

The statement was referring to the Trust Women clinic in Wichita that closed earlier this month, citing staff and protocol changes.

As we said on last years (Dobbs) anniversary, the Kansans for Life statement said, we will continue to work for a day the Sunflower State is a place that empowers women and gives them the tools to choose life  not the ever-growing destination for cruel abortions it has become.

Jill Bronaugh, communications director for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said in a statement that the state agencys decision to release the abortion data later this year came before lawmakers enacted a requirement that providers survey abortion patients and the state public statistics on abortion twice each year.

KDHE is evaluating the reporting requirements and internal methods to determine when the biannual reports will be released, Bronaugh said. No dates have been set at this time.

She said all abortion data will be included in the agencys annual vital statistics report released in the late fall.

Wales welcomed the news that abortion statistics will be included with other health care information released annually. She said it doesnt change anything for Planned Parenthood, which reports to the state monthly.

It is nice to see abortion treated like other types of statistics in the state, she said, instead of being a political report that comes out on its own and gets lots of attention. It makes sense that public health officials would use data like they do in every other type of medical care.

The post On Dobbs decision anniversary, Kansas abortion rights supporters look to next battle appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Protesters rallied in downtown Nashville on their way to the Tennessee Capitol and the federal courthouse. (John Partipilo | Tennessee Lookout)

In Arizona, the states highest court upheld a Civil War-era abortion ban. Florida and South Carolina moved to restrict abortion to six weeks  before many people know they are pregnant. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children, temporarily throwing fertility treatments, such as IVF, into uncertainty and igniting a national debate.

Meanwhile, anger and fear unleashed citizen-driven ballot initiatives around the nation that sought to protect abortion access, and in some cases, competing efforts to codify no right to abortion in some state constitutions.

And amid all of that, emergency room physicians in Idaho and other states nationwide are still waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether they are subject to criminal penalties for providing an abortion even during a medical emergency.

It has been two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision after 50 years and ushered in the Dobbs era, allowing states to freely regulate abortion access for the first time since 1973. Dobbs triggered confusion and chaos in the reproductive health care landscape as patients and providers attempted to parse an ever-changing patchwork of laws around the country during considerable legal wrangling.

Some trends have emerged with particular salience and offer a possible preview of what is to come before and after the November election.

Ban states see as much as 26% reduction in medical residency applications

One of the most significant effects of Dobbs is among obstetric providers in the 14 states with abortion bans. The Association of American Medical Colleges published data in May showing fewer new graduates of U.S. medical schools applied to residency programs in states with bans. The decreases were particularly noticeable in ban states such as Tennessee and Alabama, with decreases of about 20% in both between 2023 and 2024.

Missouri showed one of the largest decreases at 25.7%, a drop from the previous year, which was still down almost 11%. Arizona experienced an even steeper decline of 26.4%, even though it is a state with a 15-week ban rather than a near-total ban.

Kendal Orgera, lead research analyst at the Associations Research and Action Institute, said the data is collected between September and May 31 each year, and overall, there was an increase of just eight applicants for OB-GYN specialties nationwide.

The biggest thing is the areas that already have problems with access to care are going to feel the impact first and foremost, Orgera said.

Some ban states, such as Idaho and Mississippi, do not have residency programs specifically for OB care and have to rely on outside recruitment. That can make it especially difficult to fill positions in those states, Orgera said, in part because many people who match with a residency program tend to stay in that state to practice full time.

People [who are in residency programs] are in their 20s and 30s, and they want to choose a home for the long term, she said. These are people who want to settle down and have families. Would a physician who wants to become pregnant choose a state with ban laws?

It was the reason Dr. Leilah Zahedi-Spung left her job in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after her fellowship. In January 2023 she moved to Denver, Colorado where abortion is legal. It became abundantly clear I had a giant target on my back as the only person doing this kind of care, she told Tennessee Lookout last year. There was nothing that anyone, including the hospital, could do to protect me from criminal prosecution.

For now, Orgera said she cant say with certainty whether the restrictive abortion laws are actually the reason for the drop in applications, but the Association is working on a survey that would be given to prospective residency applicants in September asking them to give those reasons.

Im hoping the sample size is large enough to give us some good data to work from, she said.

Infant, maternal mortality rates expected to rise in states with restrictions

Prior to the Dobbs decision, maternal and infant mortality rates were already higher in states that attempted to restrict abortion access as much as possible without outright bans, including placing limits on who could provide an abortion and instituting waiting periods.

Now, as physicians in some states struggle to determine sometimes vague language in the law about when an abortion is deemed acceptable, pregnant patients have been forced to wait to receive care, resulting in near-catastrophic consequences. A doctor in a rural area of Idaho said in a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court that after a patient of hers experienced a very premature rupture of membranes, when the amniotic sac breaks, she felt forced to wait until the patient developed a serious infection called chorioamnionitis before she felt safe to intervene and terminate the pregnancy.

Florida resident Anya Cook had a similar story of her water breaking at 16 weeks  just after the deadline of 15 weeks for an abortion that existed in Florida at the time  and she was sent home. She later miscarried and hemorrhaged so much blood she nearly died.

A group of women in Texas sued the state over its abortion ban because they experienced serious medical complications and said they couldnt receive proper treatment. The Texas Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit at the end of May, but similar lawsuits are still pending in Tennessee and Idaho.

Maternal mortality rates across the country decreased between 2021 and 2022, the last year of available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but it remains much higher among Black women and higher in states with more abortion restrictions. As of 2022, the rate for Black women was 49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 19.0 among white women and 16.9 for Hispanic women.

Cumulative data from the CDC between 2018 and 2022 showed Tennessee with the highest maternal mortality rate of 41.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by Mississippi with 39.1 and Alabama at 38.6. All three states have high Black populations and are often classified as maternity care deserts, with entire counties that do not have hospitals or providers for obstetric care. Research has shown that maternal mortality increased between 1995 and 2017 in states that increased their abortion restrictions.

The numbers are much lower in states with broad abortion access, including California with the lowest number at 10.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by Minnesota at 12.3.

The data for post-Dobbs years is still undetermined, but experts have predicted those numbers will increase further now that the procedure is criminalized for providers in 14 states. Some experts have also speculated that the data in states with bans may become less reliable as well because of fears of prosecution.

Numbers for infant mortality are consistent with the maternal mortality trends as well. The same set of CDC data between 2018 and 2022 shows the highest infant mortality rate in Mississippi, with a death rate of 8.7 infants per 1,000 births. The next highest is in Arkansas, with a rate of 7.63, followed by Louisiana with 7.56. Inadequate access to prenatal care is again cited as a contributing factor, and one recent study from the American Journal of Preventative Medicine linked abortion restrictions with an increase in unintended pregnancies among families that already struggle to access adequate health care.

With the widening gap in comprehensive reproductive care access across the U.S., it is very concerning to consider that the current disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes will likely be exacerbated, the study said. Unless policies are implemented to improve the equitable access to and provision of comprehensive reproductive care, birthing individuals will have very different experiences of care and health outcomes depending on geography. This includes not only access to abortion facilities but to health insurance and access to care in rural areas.

We are still in the very nascent stages of abortion ballot initiatives

With lawmakers and special interest groups continuing to pass abortion bans and restrictions, some citizens have taken matters into their own hands and asked voters to weigh in on what state policy on abortion should be.

So far, four state ballot initiatives meant to enshrine abortion access have officially qualified for the November ballot, in Colorado and Maryland, where access is already broadly legal, and in Florida and South Dakota, where a six-week ban and near-total ban are in effect, respectively. As of Friday, the organizers working to ensure abortion access remains in Montana said they collected more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot there as well.

Arizona, Arkansas and Nebraska face deadlines for signatures in July, according to the Fairness Project, a ballot initiative-focused group that has been assisting volunteers with financial and organizational resources in Arizona, Florida, Montana and Missouri. The Project also worked on the successful ballot initiatives in Michigan and Ohio over the past two years.

Kelly Hall, executive director of the Fairness Project, said the initiatives require significant financial resources. Even if it looks like abortion-rights advocates have a lot more funding than the anti-abortion rights side, as was the case in Ohio and Kansas, the resources required to pass an initiative are vast in order to gather enough signatures and reach out to voters ahead of the election.

They arent in a place where theyve had to show any of their cards, Hall said. Their side is just getting to sit on whatever war chest they have to use later this year.

Kansas was the first testing ground for a ballot measure focused on abortion in the wake of the Dobbs decision. That election took place on Aug. 2, 2022, less than two months after the opinion was released. It would have amended the state constitution to say there is no right to an abortion and given the legislature authority to then pass laws regulating and potentially banning it. It was resoundingly defeated by a nearly 59-41 point spread, and abortion is still legal in Kansas until 22 weeks.

However, legislators in Kansas have continued to pass anti-abortion measures, including a bill in April that requires providers to ask patients for the most important reason for their abortion before the procedure. The Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood Great Plains are suing the state over the law.

Although some could take that as a negative sign of the effectiveness of successful ballot initiatives, Hall said that initiative was different because it was not affirming access to abortion. In Ohio, voters gave explicit approval to add reproductive rights to the state constitution.

Ohio had a six-week abortion ban that was poised to go into effect, Hall said. The courts dismissed that ban and now  Ohio lawmakers [are] saying, The voters have spoken, and you need to recalibrate your expectations. So Kansas is not the right comparator, because their lawmakers still do feel that they have a lot of wiggle room about what they can do because theres no explicit constitutional protection.

Hall said for as many states as there are already going after initiatives, she thinks this is just the beginning.

We are still in the very nascent stages of reproductive rights ballot measures being a thing in this modern era, she said.

Litigation overload is a strategy for a national ban, ACLU attorney says

One thing thats certainly been difficult to keep track of in the post-Dobbs era is how many cases are pending in courts nationwide at the state and federal level, including two recent cases before the U.S. Supreme Court involving access to mifepristone and emergency abortion care.

Jennifer Dalven, director of the Reproductive Freedom Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, said the firestorm of litigation is part of the overall strategy of anti-abortion activists.

In the Dobbs majority opinion, there was this notion that the decision would somehow end litigation, and the briefs on our side certainly said that wasnt true, that wasnt going to happen, in part because the other side  this was never their endgame, Dalven said. The endgame is to ban abortion nationwide and not to stop there. Abortion is obviously at the forefront of what were seeing most often but were seeing other aspects of reproductive care, including IVF and contraception, under threat.

While the mifepristone and ER abortion care cases are examples of anti-abortion litigation, many more lawsuits are taking place at the state and district court levels to challenge the bans and other abortion-related laws that have passed since 2022. Many challenges to the overall abortion bans have been unsuccessful, while others are still pending. Other lawsuits are still underway to preserve access to the abortion pill, to challenge abortion laws meant to restrict interstate travel, or to clarify that an abortion is permitted in medical emergencies to preserve a patients health, not just to prevent death. Another recent lawsuit is challenging Kansas recent law requiring providers to gather information about a patients most important reason for getting an abortion.

If former President Donald Trump wins in November, Dalven said she expects anti-abortion litigation and lawmaking to increase, especially if Trump follows the outline of the Heritage Foundations abortion and reproductive health care wish list in Project 2025.

Its incredibly important that people know that when they are thinking about casting their ballot in November, she said.

Some advocates find silver linings in the past two years

Some reproductive rights scholars, even those who have been researching the issue for more than 30 years like Tracy Weitz, have found reasons to hope in the post-Dobbs era.

I think whats inspiring is the extent to which the resilience of the abortion delivery system has shown up, Weitz said.

During the COVID pandemic, access to medication abortion through the mail rapidly expanded, she said, and it made it easier to ramp up that system further when the Dobbs decision came in June 2022. Now, about 18% of all abortions in the U.S. are obtained through telemedicine, particularly in states that have passed shield laws to protect providers from prosecution by other state governments where abortion is banned.

Many of us knew that before Dobbs, access was terrible, Weitz said. Even in states where access was good before Dobbs  were seeing increased utilization of abortion because some of the barriers in those states have been reduced.

She added that more people are realizing there is more than just one type of abortion patient  not just those who dont want to have a baby  and both populations are hurt by abortion bans.

I think people who banned abortions really thought you could distinguish between the kind of OB care thats necessary when someone has a wanted pregnancy and the kind of OB care that you do in abortion, and they didnt understand that its the same medical intervention, Weitz said. You cant ban one without impacting the other.

The post The Dobbs effect today: Abortion ballot initiatives, expected higher mortality, more litigation appeared first on West Virginia Watch.
An abortion rally in downtown Nashville took protesters on a route to the state Capitol and the federal courthouse. Photo by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout.

In Arizona, the states highest court upheld a Civil War-era abortion ban. Florida and South Carolina moved to restrict abortion to six weeks  before many people know they are pregnant. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children, temporarily throwing fertility treatments, such as IVF, into uncertainty and igniting a national debate.

Meanwhile, anger and fear unleashed citizen-driven ballot initiatives around the nation that sought to protect abortion access, and in some cases, competing efforts to codify no right to abortion in some state constitutions.

And amid all of that, emergency room physicians in Idaho and other states nationwide are still waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether they are subject to criminal penalties for providing an abortion even during a medical emergency.

It has been two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision after 50 years and ushered in the Dobbs era, allowing states to freely regulate abortion access for the first time since 1973. Dobbs triggered confusion and chaos in the reproductive health care landscape as patients and providers attempted to parse an ever-changing patchwork of laws around the country during considerable legal wrangling.

Some trends have emerged with particular salience and offer a possible preview of what is to come before and after the November election.

Ban states see as much as 26% reduction in medical residency applications

One of the most significant effects of Dobbs is among obstetric providers in the 14 states with abortion bans. The Association of American Medical Colleges published data in May showing fewer new graduates of U.S. medical schools applied to residency programs in states with bans. The decreases were particularly noticeable in ban states such as Tennessee and Alabama, with decreases of about 20% in both between 2023 and 2024.

Missouri showed one of the largest decreases at 25.7%, a drop from the previous year, which was still down almost 11%. Arizona experienced an even steeper decline of 26.4%, even though it is a state with a 15-week ban rather than a near-total ban.

Kendal Orgera, lead research analyst at the Associations Research and Action Institute, said the data is collected between September and May 31 each year, and overall, there was an increase of just eight applicants for OB-GYN specialties nationwide.

The biggest thing is the areas that already have problems with access to care are going to feel the impact first and foremost, Orgera said.

Some ban states, such as Idaho and Mississippi, do not have residency programs specifically for OB care and have to rely on outside recruitment. That can make it especially difficult to fill positions in those states, Orgera said, in part because many people who match with a residency program tend to stay in that state to practice full time.

People (who are in residency programs) are in their 20s and 30s, and they want to choose a home for the long term, she said. These are people who want to settle down and have families. Would a physician who wants to become pregnant choose a state with ban laws?

It was the reason Dr. Leilah Zahedi-Spung left her job in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after her fellowship. In January 2023 she moved to Denver, Colorado where abortion is legal. It became abundantly clear I had a giant target on my back as the only person doing this kind of care, she told Tennessee Lookout last year. There was nothing that anyone, including the hospital, could do to protect me from criminal prosecution.

For now, Orgera said she cant say with certainty whether the restrictive abortion laws are actually the reason for the drop in applications, but the Association is working on a survey that would be given to prospective residency applicants in September asking them to give those reasons.

Im hoping the sample size is large enough to give us some good data to work from, she said.

Infant, maternal mortality rates expected to rise in states with restrictions

Prior to the Dobbs decision, maternal and infant mortality rates were already higher in states that attempted to restrict abortion access as much as possible without outright bans, including placing limits on who could provide an abortion and instituting waiting periods.

Now, as physicians in some states struggle to determine sometimes vague language in the law about when an abortion is deemed acceptable, pregnant patients have been forced to wait to receive care, resulting in near-catastrophic consequences. A doctor in a rural area of Idaho said in a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court that after a patient of hers experienced a very premature rupture of membranes, when the amniotic sac breaks, she felt forced to wait until the patient developed a serious infection called chorioamnionitis before she felt safe to intervene and terminate the pregnancy.

Florida resident Anya Cook had a similar story of her water breaking at 16 weeks  just after the deadline of 15 weeks for an abortion that existed in Florida at the time  and she was sent home. She later miscarried and hemorrhaged so much blood she nearly died.

A group of women in Texas sued the state over its abortion ban because they experienced serious medical complications and said they couldnt receive proper treatment. The Texas Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit at the end of May, but similar lawsuits are still pending in Tennessee and Idaho.

Maternal mortality rates across the country decreased between 2021 and 2022, the last year of available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but it remains much higher among Black women and higher in states with more abortion restrictions. As of 2022, the rate for Black women was 49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 19.0 among white women and 16.9 for Hispanic women.

Cumulative data from the CDC between 2018 and 2022 showed Tennessee with the highest maternal mortality rate of 41.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by Mississippi with 39.1 and Alabama at 38.6. All three states have high Black populations and are often classified as maternity care deserts, with entire counties that do not have hospitals or providers for obstetric care. Research has shown that maternal mortality increased between 1995 and 2017 in states that increased their abortion restrictions.

The numbers are much lower in states with broad abortion access, including California with the lowest number at 10.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by Minnesota at 12.3.

The data for post-Dobbs years is still undetermined, but experts have predicted those numbers will increase further now that the procedure is criminalized for providers in 14 states. Some experts have also speculated that the data in states with bans may become less reliable as well because of fears of prosecution.

Numbers for infant mortality are consistent with the maternal mortality trends as well. The same set of CDC data between 2018 and 2022 shows the highest infant mortality rate in Mississippi, with a death rate of 8.7 infants per 1,000 births. The next highest is in Arkansas, with a rate of 7.63, followed by Louisiana with 7.56. Inadequate access to prenatal care is again cited as a contributing factor, and one recent study from the American Journal of Preventative Medicine linked abortion restrictions with an increase in unintended pregnancies among families that already struggle to access adequate health care.

With the widening gap in comprehensive reproductive care access across the U.S., it is very concerning to consider that the current disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes will likely be exacerbated, the study said. Unless policies are implemented to improve the equitable access to and provision of comprehensive reproductive care, birthing individuals will have very different experiences of care and health outcomes depending on geography. This includes not only access to abortion facilities but to health insurance and access to care in rural areas.

We are still in the very nascent stages of abortion ballot initiatives

With lawmakers and special interest groups continuing to pass abortion bans and restrictions, some citizens have taken matters into their own hands and asked voters to weigh in on what state policy on abortion should be.

So far, four state ballot initiatives meant to enshrine abortion access have officially qualified for the November ballot, in Colorado and Maryland, where access is already broadly legal, and in Florida and South Dakota, where a six-week ban and near-total ban are in effect, respectively. As of Friday, the organizers working to ensure abortion access remains in Montana said they collected more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot there as well.

Arizona, Arkansas and Nebraska face deadlines for signatures in July, according to the Fairness Project, a ballot initiative-focused group that has been assisting volunteers with financial and organizational resources in Arizona, Florida, Montana and Missouri. The Project also worked on the successful ballot initiatives in Michigan and Ohio over the past two years.

Kelly Hall, executive director of the Fairness Project, said the initiatives require significant financial resources. Even if it looks like abortion-rights advocates have a lot more funding than the anti-abortion rights side, as was the case in Ohio and Kansas, the resources required to pass an initiative are vast in order to gather enough signatures and reach out to voters ahead of the election.

They arent in a place where theyve had to show any of their cards, Hall said. Their side is just getting to sit on whatever war chest they have to use later this year.

Kansas was the first testing ground for a ballot measure focused on abortion in the wake of the Dobbs decision. That election took place on Aug. 2, 2022, less than two months after the opinion was released. It would have amended the state constitution to say there is no right to an abortion and given the legislature authority to then pass laws regulating and potentially banning it. It was resoundingly defeated by a nearly 59-41 point spread, and abortion is still legal in Kansas until 22 weeks.

However, legislators in Kansas have continued to pass anti-abortion measures, including a bill in April that requires providers to ask patients for the most important reason for their abortion before the procedure. The Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood Great Plains are suing the state over the law.

Although some could take that as a negative sign of the effectiveness of successful ballot initiatives, Hall said that initiative was different because it was not affirming access to abortion. In Ohio, voters gave explicit approval to add reproductive rights to the state constitution.

Ohio had a six-week abortion ban that was poised to go into effect, Hall said. The courts dismissed that ban and now  Ohio lawmakers (are) saying, The voters have spoken, and you need to recalibrate your expectations. So Kansas is not the right comparator, because their lawmakers still do feel that they have a lot of wiggle room about what they can do because theres no explicit constitutional protection.

Hall said for as many states as there are already going after initiatives, she thinks this is just the beginning.

We are still in the very nascent stages of reproductive rights ballot measures being a thing in this modern era, she said.

Litigation overload is a strategy for a national ban, ACLU attorney says

One thing thats certainly been difficult to keep track of in the post-Dobbs era is how many cases are pending in courts nationwide at the state and federal level, including two recent cases before the U.S. Supreme Court involving access to mifepristone and emergency abortion care.

Jennifer Dalven, director of the Reproductive Freedom Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, said the firestorm of litigation is part of the overall strategy of anti-abortion activists.

In the Dobbs majority opinion, there was this notion that the decision would somehow end litigation, and the briefs on our side certainly said that wasnt true, that wasnt going to happen, in part because the other side  this was never their endgame, Dalven said. The endgame is to ban abortion nationwide and not to stop there. Abortion is obviously at the forefront of what were seeing most often but were seeing other aspects of reproductive care, including IVF and contraception, under threat.

While the mifepristone and ER abortion care cases are examples of anti-abortion litigation, many more lawsuits are taking place at the state and district court levels to challenge the bans and other abortion-related laws that have passed since 2022. Many challenges to the overall abortion bans have been unsuccessful, while others are still pending. Other lawsuits are still underway to preserve access to the abortion pill, to challenge abortion laws meant to restrict interstate travel, or to clarify that an abortion is permitted in medical emergencies to preserve a patients health, not just to prevent death. Another recent lawsuit is challenging Kansas recent law requiring providers to gather information about a patients most important reason for getting an abortion.

If former President Donald Trump wins in November, Dalven said she expects anti-abortion litigation and lawmaking to increase, especially if Trump follows the outline of the Heritage Foundations abortion and reproductive health care wish list in Project 2025.

Its incredibly important that people know that when they are thinking about casting their ballot in November, she said.

Some advocates find silver linings in the past two years

Some reproductive rights scholars, even those who have been researching the issue for more than 30 years like Tracy Weitz, have found reasons to hope in the post-Dobbs era.

I think whats inspiring is the extent to which the resilience of the abortion delivery system has shown up, Weitz said.

During the COVID pandemic, access to medication abortion through the mail rapidly expanded, she said, and it made it easier to ramp up that system further when the Dobbs decision came in June 2022. Now, about 18% of all abortions in the U.S. are obtained through telemedicine, particularly in states that have passed shield laws to protect providers from prosecution by other state governments where abortion is banned.

Many of us knew that before Dobbs, access was terrible, Weitz said. Even in states where access was good before Dobbs  were seeing increased utilization of abortion because some of the barriers in those states have been reduced.

She added that more people are realizing there is more than just one type of abortion patient  not just those who dont want to have a baby  and both populations are hurt by abortion bans.

I think people who banned abortions really thought you could distinguish between the kind of OB care thats necessary when someone has a wanted pregnancy and the kind of OB care that you do in abortion, and they didnt understand that its the same medical intervention, Weitz said. You cant ban one without impacting the other.

The post The Dobbs effect today: Abortion ballot initiatives, expected higher mortality, more litigation appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
An abortion rally in downtown Nashville took protesters on a route to the state Capitol and the federal courthouse. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

In Arizona, the states highest court upheld a Civil War-era abortion ban. Florida and South Carolina moved to restrict abortion to six weeks  before many people know they are pregnant. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children, temporarily throwing fertility treatments, such as IVF, into uncertainty and igniting a national debate.

Meanwhile, anger and fear unleashed citizen-driven ballot initiatives around the nation that sought to protect abortion access, and in some cases, competing efforts to codify no right to abortion in some state constitutions.

And amid all of that, emergency room physicians in Idaho and other states nationwide are still waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether they are subject to criminal penalties for providing an abortion even during a medical emergency.

It has been two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision after 50 years and ushered in the Dobbs era, allowing states to freely regulate abortion access for the first time since 1973. Dobbs triggered confusion and chaos in the reproductive health care landscape as patients and providers attempted to parse an ever-changing patchwork of laws around the country during considerable legal wrangling.

Some trends have emerged with particular salience and offer a possible preview of what is to come before and after the November election.

Ban states see as much as 26% reduction in medical residency applications

One of the most significant effects of Dobbs is among obstetric providers in the 14 states with abortion bans. The Association of American Medical Colleges published data in May showing fewer new graduates of U.S. medical schools applied to residency programs in states with bans. The decreases were particularly noticeable in ban states such as Tennessee and Alabama, with decreases of about 20% in both between 2023 and 2024.

Missouri showed one of the largest decreases at 25.7%, a drop from the previous year, which was still down almost 11%. Arizona experienced an even steeper decline of 26.4%, even though it is a state with a 15-week ban rather than a near-total ban.

Kendal Orgera, lead research analyst at the Associations Research and Action Institute, said the data is collected between September and May 31 each year, and overall, there was an increase of just eight applicants for OB-GYN specialties nationwide.

The biggest thing is the areas that already have problems with access to care are going to feel the impact first and foremost, Orgera said.

Some ban states, such as Idaho and Mississippi, do not have residency programs specifically for OB care and have to rely on outside recruitment. That can make it especially difficult to fill positions in those states, Orgera said, in part because many people who match with a residency program tend to stay in that state to practice full time.

People (who are in residency programs) are in their 20s and 30s, and they want to choose a home for the long term, she said. These are people who want to settle down and have families. Would a physician who wants to become pregnant choose a state with ban laws?

It was the reason Dr. Leilah Zahedi-Spung left her job in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after her fellowship. In January 2023 she moved to Denver, Colorado where abortion is legal. It became abundantly clear I had a giant target on my back as the only person doing this kind of care, she told Tennessee Lookout last year. There was nothing that anyone, including the hospital, could do to protect me from criminal prosecution.

For now, Orgera said she cant say with certainty whether the restrictive abortion laws are actually the reason for the drop in applications, but the Association is working on a survey that would be given to prospective residency applicants in September asking them to give those reasons.

Im hoping the sample size is large enough to give us some good data to work from, she said.

Infant, maternal mortality rates expected to rise in states with restrictions

Prior to the Dobbs decision, maternal and infant mortality rates were already higher in states that attempted to restrict abortion access as much as possible without outright bans, including placing limits on who could provide an abortion and instituting waiting periods.

Now, as physicians in some states struggle to determine sometimes vague language in the law about when an abortion is deemed acceptable, pregnant patients have been forced to wait to receive care, resulting in near-catastrophic consequences. A doctor in a rural area of Idaho said in a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court that after a patient of hers experienced a very premature rupture of membranes, when the amniotic sac breaks, she felt forced to wait until the patient developed a serious infection called chorioamnionitis before she felt safe to intervene and terminate the pregnancy.

Florida resident Anya Cook had a similar story of her water breaking at 16 weeks  just after the deadline of 15 weeks for an abortion that existed in Florida at the time  and she was sent home. She later miscarried and hemorrhaged so much blood she nearly died.

A group of women in Texas sued the state over its abortion ban because they experienced serious medical complications and said they couldnt receive proper treatment. The Texas Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit at the end of May, but similar lawsuits are still pending in Tennessee and Idaho.

Maternal mortality rates across the country decreased between 2021 and 2022, the last year of available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but it remains much higher among Black women and higher in states with more abortion restrictions. As of 2022, the rate for Black women was 49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 19.0 among white women and 16.9 for Hispanic women.

Cumulative data from the CDC between 2018 and 2022 showed Tennessee with the highest maternal mortality rate of 41.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by Mississippi with 39.1 and Alabama at 38.6. All three states have high Black populations and are often classified as maternity care deserts, with entire counties that do not have hospitals or providers for obstetric care. Research has shown that maternal mortality increased between 1995 and 2017 in states that increased their abortion restrictions.

The numbers are much lower in states with broad abortion access, including California with the lowest number at 10.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by Minnesota at 12.3.

The data for post-Dobbs years is still undetermined, but experts have predicted those numbers will increase further now that the procedure is criminalized for providers in 14 states. Some experts have also speculated that the data in states with bans may become less reliable as well because of fears of prosecution.

Numbers for infant mortality are consistent with the maternal mortality trends as well. The same set of CDC data between 2018 and 2022 shows the highest infant mortality rate in Mississippi, with a death rate of 8.7 infants per 1,000 births. The next highest is in Arkansas, with a rate of 7.63, followed by Louisiana with 7.56. Inadequate access to prenatal care is again cited as a contributing factor, and one recent study from the American Journal of Preventative Medicine linked abortion restrictions with an increase in unintended pregnancies among families that already struggle to access adequate health care.

With the widening gap in comprehensive reproductive care access across the U.S., it is very concerning to consider that the current disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes will likely be exacerbated, the study said. Unless policies are implemented to improve the equitable access to and provision of comprehensive reproductive care, birthing individuals will have very different experiences of care and health outcomes depending on geography. This includes not only access to abortion facilities but to health insurance and access to care in rural areas.

We are still in the very nascent stages of abortion ballot initiatives

With lawmakers and special interest groups continuing to pass abortion bans and restrictions, some citizens have taken matters into their own hands and asked voters to weigh in on what state policy on abortion should be.

So far, four state ballot initiatives meant to enshrine abortion access have officially qualified for the November ballot, in Colorado and Maryland, where access is already broadly legal, and in Florida and South Dakota, where a six-week ban and near-total ban are in effect, respectively. As of Friday, the organizers working to ensure abortion access remains in Montana said they collected more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot there as well.

Arizona, Arkansas and Nebraska face deadlines for signatures in July, according to the Fairness Project, a ballot initiative-focused group that has been assisting volunteers with financial and organizational resources in Arizona, Florida, Montana and Missouri. The Project also worked on the successful ballot initiatives in Michigan and Ohio over the past two years.

Kelly Hall, executive director of the Fairness Project, said the initiatives require significant financial resources. Even if it looks like abortion-rights advocates have a lot more funding than the anti-abortion rights side, as was the case in Ohio and Kansas, the resources required to pass an initiative are vast in order to gather enough signatures and reach out to voters ahead of the election.

They arent in a place where theyve had to show any of their cards, Hall said. Their side is just getting to sit on whatever war chest they have to use later this year.

Kansas was the first testing ground for a ballot measure focused on abortion in the wake of the Dobbs decision. That election took place on Aug. 2, 2022, less than two months after the opinion was released. It would have amended the state constitution to say there is no right to an abortion and given the legislature authority to then pass laws regulating and potentially banning it. It was resoundingly defeated by a nearly 59-41 point spread, and abortion is still legal in Kansas until 22 weeks.

However, legislators in Kansas have continued to pass anti-abortion measures, including a bill in April that requires providers to ask patients for the most important reason for their abortion before the procedure. The Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood Great Plains are suing the state over the law.

Although some could take that as a negative sign of the effectiveness of successful ballot initiatives, Hall said that initiative was different because it was not affirming access to abortion. In Ohio, voters gave explicit approval to add reproductive rights to the state constitution.

Ohio had a six-week abortion ban that was poised to go into effect, Hall said. The courts dismissed that ban and now  Ohio lawmakers (are) saying, The voters have spoken, and you need to recalibrate your expectations. So Kansas is not the right comparator, because their lawmakers still do feel that they have a lot of wiggle room about what they can do because theres no explicit constitutional protection.

Hall said for as many states as there are already going after initiatives, she thinks this is just the beginning.

We are still in the very nascent stages of reproductive rights ballot measures being a thing in this modern era, she said.

Litigation overload is a strategy for a national ban, ACLU attorney says

One thing thats certainly been difficult to keep track of in the post-Dobbs era is how many cases are pending in courts nationwide at the state and federal level, including two recent cases before the U.S. Supreme Court involving access to mifepristone and emergency abortion care.

Jennifer Dalven, director of the Reproductive Freedom Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, said the firestorm of litigation is part of the overall strategy of anti-abortion activists.

In the Dobbs majority opinion, there was this notion that the decision would somehow end litigation, and the briefs on our side certainly said that wasnt true, that wasnt going to happen, in part because the other side  this was never their endgame, Dalven said. The endgame is to ban abortion nationwide and not to stop there. Abortion is obviously at the forefront of what were seeing most often but were seeing other aspects of reproductive care, including IVF and contraception, under threat.

While the mifepristone and ER abortion care cases are examples of anti-abortion litigation, many more lawsuits are taking place at the state and district court levels to challenge the bans and other abortion-related laws that have passed since 2022. Many challenges to the overall abortion bans have been unsuccessful, while others are still pending. Other lawsuits are still underway to preserve access to the abortion pill, to challenge abortion laws meant to restrict interstate travel, or to clarify that an abortion is permitted in medical emergencies to preserve a patients health, not just to prevent death. Another recent lawsuit is challenging Kansas recent law requiring providers to gather information about a patients most important reason for getting an abortion.

If former President Donald Trump wins in November, Dalven said she expects anti-abortion litigation and lawmaking to increase, especially if Trump follows the outline of the Heritage Foundations abortion and reproductive health care wish list in Project 2025.

Its incredibly important that people know that when they are thinking about casting their ballot in November, she said.

Some advocates find silver linings in the past two years

Some reproductive rights scholars, even those who have been researching the issue for more than 30 years like Tracy Weitz, have found reasons to hope in the post-Dobbs era.

I think whats inspiring is the extent to which the resilience of the abortion delivery system has shown up, Weitz said.

During the COVID pandemic, access to medication abortion through the mail rapidly expanded, she said, and it made it easier to ramp up that system further when the Dobbs decision came in June 2022. Now, about 18% of all abortions in the U.S. are obtained through telemedicine, particularly in states that have passed shield laws to protect providers from prosecution by other state governments where abortion is banned.

Many of us knew that before Dobbs, access was terrible, Weitz said. Even in states where access was good before Dobbs  were seeing increased utilization of abortion because some of the barriers in those states have been reduced.

She added that more people are realizing there is more than just one type of abortion patient  not just those who dont want to have a baby  and both populations are hurt by abortion bans.

I think people who banned abortions really thought you could distinguish between the kind of OB care thats necessary when someone has a wanted pregnancy and the kind of OB care that you do in abortion, and they didnt understand that its the same medical intervention, Weitz said. You cant ban one without impacting the other.

The post The Dobbs effect today: Abortion ballot initiatives, expected higher mortality, more litigation appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
A woman holds a sign aloft reading "I am engraged" at an abortion rally in downtown Nashville. She is among several other protesters with their own signs.

An abortion rally in downtown Nashville took protesters on a route to the state Capitol and the federal courthouse. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

In Arizona, the states highest court upheld a Civil War-era abortion ban. Florida and South Carolina moved to restrict abortion to six weeks  before many people know they are pregnant. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children, temporarily throwing fertility treatments, such as IVF, into uncertainty and igniting a national debate.

Meanwhile, anger and fear unleashed citizen-driven ballot initiatives around the nation that sought to protect abortion access and, in some cases, competing efforts to codify no right to abortion in some state constitutions.

And amid all of that, emergency room physicians in Idaho and other states nationwide are still waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether they are subject to criminal penalties for providing an abortion even during a medical emergency.

It has been two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision after 50 years and ushered in the Dobbs era, allowing states to freely regulate abortion access for the first time since 1973. Dobbs triggered confusion and chaos in the reproductive health care landscape as patients and providers attempted to parse an ever-changing patchwork of laws around the country during considerable legal wrangling.

Some trends have emerged with particular salience and offer a possible preview of what is to come before and after the November election.

Ban states see fewer medical residency applications

One of the most significant effects of Dobbs is among obstetric providers in the 14 states with abortion bans. The Association of American Medical Colleges published data in May showing fewer new graduates of U.S. medical schools applied to residency programs in states with bans. The decreases were particularly noticeable in ban states such as Tennessee and Alabama, with decreases of about 20% in both between 2023 and 2024.

Missouri showed one of the largest decreases at 25.7%, a drop from the previous year, which was still down almost 11%. Arizona experienced an even steeper decline of 26.4%, even though it is a state with a 15-week ban rather than a near-total ban.

Kendal Orgera, lead research analyst at the Associations Research and Action Institute, said the data is collected between September and May 31 each year, and overall, there was an increase of just eight applicants for OB-GYN specialties nationwide.

The biggest thing is the areas that already have problems with access to care are going to feel the impact first and foremost, Orgera said.

Some ban states, such as Idaho and Mississippi, do not have residency programs specifically for OB care and have to rely on outside recruitment. That can make it especially difficult to fill positions in those states, Orgera said, in part because many people who match with a residency program tend to stay in that state to practice full time.

People (who are in residency programs) are in their 20s and 30s, and they want to choose a home for the long term, she said. These are people who want to settle down and have families. Would a physician who wants to become pregnant choose a state with ban laws?

It was the reason Dr. Leilah Zahedi-Spung left her job in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after her fellowship. In January 2023 she moved to Denver, Colorado where abortion is legal. It became abundantly clear I had a giant target on my back as the only person doing this kind of care, she told Tennessee Lookout last year. There was nothing that anyone, including the hospital, could do to protect me from criminal prosecution.

For now, Orgera said she cant say with certainty whether the restrictive abortion laws are actually the reason for the drop in applications, but the Association is working on a survey that would be given to prospective residency applicants in September asking them to give those reasons.

Im hoping the sample size is large enough to give us some good data to work from, she said.

Infant, maternal mortality rates

Prior to the Dobbs decision, maternal and infant mortality rates were already higher in states that attempted to restrict abortion access as much as possible without outright bans, including placing limits on who could provide an abortion and instituting waiting periods.

Now, as physicians in some states struggle to determine sometimes vague language in the law about when an abortion is deemed acceptable, pregnant patients have been forced to wait to receive care, resulting in near-catastrophic consequences. A doctor in a rural area of Idaho said in a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court that after a patient of hers experienced a very premature rupture of membranes, when the amniotic sac breaks, she felt forced to wait until the patient developed a serious infection called chorioamnionitis before she felt safe to intervene and terminate the pregnancy.

Florida resident Anya Cook had a similar story of her water breaking at 16 weeks  just after the deadline of 15 weeks for an abortion that existed in Florida at the time  and she was sent home. She later miscarried and hemorrhaged so much blood she nearly died.

A group of women in Texas sued the state over its abortion ban because they experienced serious medical complications and said they couldnt receive proper treatment. The Texas Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit at the end of May, but similar lawsuits are still pending in Tennessee and Idaho.

Maternal mortality rates across the country decreased between 2021 and 2022, the last year of available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but it remains much higher among Black women and higher in states with more abortion restrictions. As of 2022, the rate for Black women was 49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 19.0 among white women and 16.9 for Hispanic women.

Cumulative data from the CDC between 2018 and 2022 showed Tennessee with the highest maternal mortality rate of 41.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by Mississippi with 39.1 and Alabama at 38.6. All three states have high Black populations and are often classified as maternity care deserts, with entire counties that do not have hospitals or providers for obstetric care. Research has shown that maternal mortality increased between 1995 and 2017 in states that increased their abortion restrictions.

The numbers are much lower in states with broad abortion access, including California with the lowest number at 10.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by Minnesota at 12.3.

The data for post-Dobbs years is still undetermined, but experts have predicted those numbers will increase further now that the procedure is criminalized for providers in 14 states. Some experts have also speculated that the data in states with bans may become less reliable as well because of fears of prosecution.

Numbers for infant mortality are consistent with the maternal mortality trends as well. The same set of CDC data between 2018 and 2022 shows the highest infant mortality rate in Mississippi, with a death rate of 8.7 infants per 1,000 births. The next highest is in Arkansas, with a rate of 7.63, followed by Louisiana with 7.56. Inadequate access to prenatal care is again cited as a contributing factor, and one recent study from the American Journal of Preventative Medicine linked abortion restrictions with an increase in unintended pregnancies among families that already struggle to access adequate health care.

With the widening gap in comprehensive reproductive care access across the U.S., it is very concerning to consider that the current disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes will likely be exacerbated, the study said. Unless policies are implemented to improve the equitable access to and provision of comprehensive reproductive care, birthing individuals will have very different experiences of care and health outcomes depending on geography. This includes not only access to abortion facilities but to health insurance and access to care in rural areas.

Nascent stages of abortion ballot initiatives

With lawmakers and special interest groups continuing to pass abortion bans and restrictions, some citizens have taken matters into their own hands and asked voters to weigh in on what state policy on abortion should be.

So far, four state ballot initiatives meant to enshrine abortion access have officially qualified for the November ballot, in Colorado and Maryland, where access is already broadly legal, and in Florida and South Dakota, where a six-week ban and near-total ban are in effect, respectively. As of Friday, the organizers working to ensure abortion access remains in Montana said they collected more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot there as well.

Arizona, Arkansas and Nebraska face deadlines for signatures in July, according to the Fairness Project, a ballot initiative-focused group that has been assisting volunteers with financial and organizational resources in Arizona, Florida, Montana and Missouri. The Project also worked on the successful ballot initiatives in Michigan and Ohio over the past two years.

Kelly Hall, executive director of the Fairness Project, said the initiatives require significant financial resources. Even if it looks like abortion-rights advocates have a lot more funding than the anti-abortion rights side, as was the case in Ohio and Kansas, the resources required to pass an initiative are vast in order to gather enough signatures and reach out to voters ahead of the election.

They arent in a place where theyve had to show any of their cards, Hall said. Their side is just getting to sit on whatever war chest they have to use later this year.

Kansas was the first testing ground for a ballot measure focused on abortion in the wake of the Dobbs decision. That election took place on Aug. 2, 2022, less than two months after the opinion was released. It would have amended the state constitution to say there is no right to an abortion and given the legislature authority to then pass laws regulating and potentially banning it. It was resoundingly defeated by a nearly 59-41 point spread, and abortion is still legal in Kansas until 22 weeks.

However, legislators in Kansas have continued to pass anti-abortion measures, including a bill in April that requires providers to ask patients for the most important reason for their abortion before the procedure. The Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood Great Plains are suing the state over the law.

Although some could take that as a negative sign of the effectiveness of successful ballot initiatives, Hall said that initiative was different because it was not affirming access to abortion. In Ohio, voters gave explicit approval to add reproductive rights to the state constitution.

Ohio had a six-week abortion ban that was poised to go into effect, Hall said. The courts dismissed that ban and now  Ohio lawmakers (are) saying, The voters have spoken, and you need to recalibrate your expectations. So Kansas is not the right comparator, because their lawmakers still do feel that they have a lot of wiggle room about what they can do because theres no explicit constitutional protection.

Hall said for as many states as there are already going after initiatives, she thinks this is just the beginning.

We are still in the very nascent stages of reproductive rights ballot measures being a thing in this modern era, she said.

Strategy for national ban

One thing thats certainly been difficult to keep track of in the post-Dobbs era is how many cases are pending in courts nationwide at the state and federal level, including two recent cases before the U.S. Supreme Court involving access to mifepristone and emergency abortion care.

Jennifer Dalven, director of the Reproductive Freedom Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, said the firestorm of litigation is part of the overall strategy of anti-abortion activists.

In the Dobbs majority opinion, there was this notion that the decision would somehow end litigation, and the briefs on our side certainly said that wasnt true, that wasnt going to happen, in part because the other side  this was never their endgame, Dalven said. The endgame is to ban abortion nationwide and not to stop there. Abortion is obviously at the forefront of what were seeing most often but were seeing other aspects of reproductive care, including IVF and contraception, under threat.

While the mifepristone and ER abortion care cases are examples of anti-abortion litigation, many more lawsuits are taking place at the state and district court levels to challenge the bans and other abortion-related laws that have passed since 2022. Many challenges to the overall abortion bans have been unsuccessful, while others are still pending.

Other lawsuits are still underway to preserve access to the abortion pill, to challenge abortion laws meant to restrict interstate travel, or to clarify that an abortion is permitted in medical emergencies to preserve a patients health, not just to prevent death. Another recent lawsuit is challenging Kansas recent law requiring providers to gather information about a patients most important reason for getting an abortion.

If former President Donald Trump wins in November, Dalven said she expects anti-abortion litigation and lawmaking to increase, especially if Trump follows the outline of the Heritage Foundations abortion and reproductive health care wish list in Project 2025.

Its incredibly important that people know that when they are thinking about casting their ballot in November, she said.

Some advocates find silver linings

Some reproductive rights scholars, even those who have been researching the issue for more than 30 years like Tracy Weitz, have found reasons to hope in the post-Dobbs era.

I think whats inspiring is the extent to which the resilience of the abortion delivery system has shown up, Weitz said.

During the COVID pandemic, access to medication abortion through the mail rapidly expanded, she said, and it made it easier to ramp up that system further when the Dobbs decision came in June 2022. Now, about 18% of all abortions in the U.S. are obtained through telemedicine, particularly in states that have passed shield laws to protect providers from prosecution by other state governments where abortion is banned.

Many of us knew that before Dobbs, access was terrible, Weitz said. Even in states where access was good before Dobbs  were seeing increased utilization of abortion because some of the barriers in those states have been reduced.

She added that more people are realizing there is more than just one type of abortion patient  not just those who dont want to have a baby  and both populations are hurt by abortion bans.

I think people who banned abortions really thought you could distinguish between the kind of OB care thats necessary when someone has a wanted pregnancy and the kind of OB care that you do in abortion, and they didnt understand that its the same medical intervention, Weitz said. You cant ban one without impacting the other.

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The post The Dobbs effect today: Abortion ballot initiatives, higher mortality, more litigation expected appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
An abortion rally in downtown Nashville took protesters on a route to the state Capitol and the federal courthouse. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

In Arizona, the states highest court upheld a Civil War-era abortion ban. Florida and South Carolina moved to restrict abortion to six weeks  before many people know they are pregnant. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children, temporarily throwing fertility treatments, such as IVF, into uncertainty and igniting a national debate.

Meanwhile, anger and fear unleashed citizen-driven ballot initiatives around the nation that sought to protect abortion access, and in some cases, competing efforts to codify no right to abortion in some state constitutions.

And amid all of that, emergency room physicians in Idaho and other states nationwide are still waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether they are subject to criminal penalties for providing an abortion even during a medical emergency.

It has been two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision after 50 years and ushered in the Dobbs era, allowing states to freely regulate abortion access for the first time since 1973. Dobbs triggered confusion and chaos in the reproductive health care landscape as patients and providers attempted to parse an ever-changing patchwork of laws around the country during considerable legal wrangling.

Some trends have emerged with particular salience and offer a possible preview of what is to come before and after the November election.

Ban states see as much as 26% reduction in medical residency applications

One of the most significant effects of Dobbs is among obstetric providers in the 14 states with abortion bans. The Association of American Medical Colleges published data in May showing fewer new graduates of U.S. medical schools applied to residency programs in states with bans. The decreases were particularly noticeable in ban states such as Tennessee and Alabama, with decreases of about 20% in both between 2023 and 2024.

Missouri showed one of the largest decreases at 25.7%, a drop from the previous year, which was still down almost 11%. Arizona experienced an even steeper decline of 26.4%, even though it is a state with a 15-week ban rather than a near-total ban.

Kendal Orgera, lead research analyst at the Associations Research and Action Institute, said the data is collected between September and May 31 each year, and overall, there was an increase of just eight applicants for OB-GYN specialties nationwide.

The biggest thing is the areas that already have problems with access to care are going to feel the impact first and foremost, Orgera said.

Some ban states, such as Idaho and Mississippi, do not have residency programs specifically for OB care and have to rely on outside recruitment. That can make it especially difficult to fill positions in those states, Orgera said, in part because many people who match with a residency program tend to stay in that state to practice full time.

People (who are in residency programs) are in their 20s and 30s, and they want to choose a home for the long term, she said. These are people who want to settle down and have families. Would a physician who wants to become pregnant choose a state with ban laws?

It was the reason Dr. Leilah Zahedi-Spung left her job in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after her fellowship. In January 2023 she moved to Denver, Colorado where abortion is legal. It became abundantly clear I had a giant target on my back as the only person doing this kind of care, she told Tennessee Lookout last year. There was nothing that anyone, including the hospital, could do to protect me from criminal prosecution.

For now, Orgera said she cant say with certainty whether the restrictive abortion laws are actually the reason for the drop in applications, but the Association is working on a survey that would be given to prospective residency applicants in September asking them to give those reasons.

Im hoping the sample size is large enough to give us some good data to work from, she said.

Infant, maternal mortality rates expected to rise in states with restrictions

Prior to the Dobbs decision, maternal and infant mortality rates were already higher in states that attempted to restrict abortion access as much as possible without outright bans, including placing limits on who could provide an abortion and instituting waiting periods.

Now, as physicians in some states struggle to determine sometimes vague language in the law about when an abortion is deemed acceptable, pregnant patients have been forced to wait to receive care, resulting in near-catastrophic consequences. A doctor in a rural area of Idaho said in a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court that after a patient of hers experienced a very premature rupture of membranes, when the amniotic sac breaks, she felt forced to wait until the patient developed a serious infection called chorioamnionitis before she felt safe to intervene and terminate the pregnancy.

Florida resident Anya Cook had a similar story of her water breaking at 16 weeks  just after the deadline of 15 weeks for an abortion that existed in Florida at the time  and she was sent home. She later miscarried and hemorrhaged so much blood she nearly died.

A group of women in Texas sued the state over its abortion ban because they experienced serious medical complications and said they couldnt receive proper treatment. The Texas Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit at the end of May, but similar lawsuits are still pending in Tennessee and Idaho.

Maternal mortality rates across the country decreased between 2021 and 2022, the last year of available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but it remains much higher among Black women and higher in states with more abortion restrictions. As of 2022, the rate for Black women was 49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 19.0 among white women and 16.9 for Hispanic women.

Cumulative data from the CDC between 2018 and 2022 showed Tennessee with the highest maternal mortality rate of 41.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by Mississippi with 39.1 and Alabama at 38.6. All three states have high Black populations and are often classified as maternity care deserts, with entire counties that do not have hospitals or providers for obstetric care. Research has shown that maternal mortality increased between 1995 and 2017 in states that increased their abortion restrictions.

The numbers are much lower in states with broad abortion access, including California with the lowest number at 10.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by Minnesota at 12.3.

The data for post-Dobbs years is still undetermined, but experts have predicted those numbers will increase further now that the procedure is criminalized for providers in 14 states. Some experts have also speculated that the data in states with bans may become less reliable as well because of fears of prosecution.

Numbers for infant mortality are consistent with the maternal mortality trends as well. The same set of CDC data between 2018 and 2022 shows the highest infant mortality rate in Mississippi, with a death rate of 8.7 infants per 1,000 births. The next highest is in Arkansas, with a rate of 7.63, followed by Louisiana with 7.56. Inadequate access to prenatal care is again cited as a contributing factor, and one recent study from the American Journal of Preventative Medicine linked abortion restrictions with an increase in unintended pregnancies among families that already struggle to access adequate health care.

With the widening gap in comprehensive reproductive care access across the U.S., it is very concerning to consider that the current disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes will likely be exacerbated, the study said. Unless policies are implemented to improve the equitable access to and provision of comprehensive reproductive care, birthing individuals will have very different experiences of care and health outcomes depending on geography. This includes not only access to abortion facilities but to health insurance and access to care in rural areas.

We are still in the very nascent stages of abortion ballot initiatives

With lawmakers and special interest groups continuing to pass abortion bans and restrictions, some citizens have taken matters into their own hands and asked voters to weigh in on what state policy on abortion should be.

So far, four state ballot initiatives meant to enshrine abortion access have officially qualified for the November ballot, in Colorado and Maryland, where access is already broadly legal, and in Florida and South Dakota, where a six-week ban and near-total ban are in effect, respectively. As of Friday, the organizers working to ensure abortion access remains in Montana said they collected more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot there as well.

Arizona, Arkansas and Nebraska face deadlines for signatures in July, according to the Fairness Project, a ballot initiative-focused group that has been assisting volunteers with financial and organizational resources in Arizona, Florida, Montana and Missouri. The Project also worked on the successful ballot initiatives in Michigan and Ohio over the past two years.

Kelly Hall, executive director of the Fairness Project, said the initiatives require significant financial resources. Even if it looks like abortion-rights advocates have a lot more funding than the anti-abortion rights side, as was the case in Ohio and Kansas, the resources required to pass an initiative are vast in order to gather enough signatures and reach out to voters ahead of the election.

They arent in a place where theyve had to show any of their cards, Hall said. Their side is just getting to sit on whatever war chest they have to use later this year.

Kansas was the first testing ground for a ballot measure focused on abortion in the wake of the Dobbs decision. That election took place on Aug. 2, 2022, less than two months after the opinion was released. It would have amended the state constitution to say there is no right to an abortion and given the legislature authority to then pass laws regulating and potentially banning it. It was resoundingly defeated by a nearly 59-41 point spread, and abortion is still legal in Kansas until 22 weeks.

However, legislators in Kansas have continued to pass anti-abortion measures, including a bill in April that requires providers to ask patients for the most important reason for their abortion before the procedure. The Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood Great Plains are suing the state over the law.

Although some could take that as a negative sign of the effectiveness of successful ballot initiatives, Hall said that initiative was different because it was not affirming access to abortion. In Ohio, voters gave explicit approval to add reproductive rights to the state constitution.

Ohio had a six-week abortion ban that was poised to go into effect, Hall said. The courts dismissed that ban and now  Ohio lawmakers (are) saying, The voters have spoken, and you need to recalibrate your expectations. So Kansas is not the right comparator, because their lawmakers still do feel that they have a lot of wiggle room about what they can do because theres no explicit constitutional protection.

Hall said for as many states as there are already going after initiatives, she thinks this is just the beginning.

We are still in the very nascent stages of reproductive rights ballot measures being a thing in this modern era, she said.

Litigation overload is a strategy for a national ban, ACLU attorney says

One thing thats certainly been difficult to keep track of in the post-Dobbs era is how many cases are pending in courts nationwide at the state and federal level, including two recent cases before the U.S. Supreme Court involving access to mifepristone and emergency abortion care.

Jennifer Dalven, director of the Reproductive Freedom Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, said the firestorm of litigation is part of the overall strategy of anti-abortion activists.

In the Dobbs majority opinion, there was this notion that the decision would somehow end litigation, and the briefs on our side certainly said that wasnt true, that wasnt going to happen, in part because the other side  this was never their endgame, Dalven said. The endgame is to ban abortion nationwide and not to stop there. Abortion is obviously at the forefront of what were seeing most often but were seeing other aspects of reproductive care, including IVF and contraception, under threat.

While the mifepristone and ER abortion care cases are examples of anti-abortion litigation, many more lawsuits are taking place at the state and district court levels to challenge the bans and other abortion-related laws that have passed since 2022. Many challenges to the overall abortion bans have been unsuccessful, while others are still pending. Other lawsuits are still underway to preserve access to the abortion pill, to challenge abortion laws meant to restrict interstate travel, or to clarify that an abortion is permitted in medical emergencies to preserve a patients health, not just to prevent death. Another recent lawsuit is challenging Kansas recent law requiring providers to gather information about a patients most important reason for getting an abortion.

If former President Donald Trump wins in November, Dalven said she expects anti-abortion litigation and lawmaking to increase, especially if Trump follows the outline of the Heritage Foundations abortion and reproductive health care wish list in Project 2025.

Its incredibly important that people know that when they are thinking about casting their ballot in November, she said.

Some advocates find silver linings in the past two years

Some reproductive rights scholars, even those who have been researching the issue for more than 30 years like Tracy Weitz, have found reasons to hope in the post-Dobbs era.

I think whats inspiring is the extent to which the resilience of the abortion delivery system has shown up, Weitz said.

During the COVID pandemic, access to medication abortion through the mail rapidly expanded, she said, and it made it easier to ramp up that system further when the Dobbs decision came in June 2022. Now, about 18% of all abortions in the U.S. are obtained through telemedicine, particularly in states that have passed shield laws to protect providers from prosecution by other state governments where abortion is banned.

Many of us knew that before Dobbs, access was terrible, Weitz said. Even in states where access was good before Dobbs  were seeing increased utilization of abortion because some of the barriers in those states have been reduced.

She added that more people are realizing there is more than just one type of abortion patient  not just those who dont want to have a baby  and both populations are hurt by abortion bans.

I think people who banned abortions really thought you could distinguish between the kind of OB care thats necessary when someone has a wanted pregnancy and the kind of OB care that you do in abortion, and they didnt understand that its the same medical intervention, Weitz said. You cant ban one without impacting the other.

The post The Dobbs effect today: Abortion ballot initiatives, expected higher mortality, more litigation appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
An abortion rally in downtown Nashville took protesters on a route to the state Capitol and the federal courthouse. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

An abortion rally in downtown Nashville took protesters on a route to the state Capitol and the federal courthouse. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

In Arizona, the states highest court upheld a Civil War-era abortion ban. Florida and South Carolina moved to restrict abortion to six weeks  before many people know they are pregnant. The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children, temporarily throwing fertility treatments, such as IVF, into uncertainty and igniting a national debate.

Meanwhile, anger and fear unleashed citizen-driven ballot initiatives around the nation that sought to protect abortion access, and in some cases, competing efforts to codify no right to abortion in some state constitutions.

And amid all of that, emergency room physicians in Idaho and other states nationwide are still waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether they are subject to criminal penalties for providing an abortion even during a medical emergency.

It has been two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision after 50 years and ushered in the Dobbs era, allowing states to freely regulate abortion access for the first time since 1973. Dobbs triggered confusion and chaos in the reproductive health care landscape as patients and providers attempted to parse an ever-changing patchwork of laws around the country during considerable legal wrangling.

Some trends have emerged with particular salience and offer a possible preview of what is to come before and after the November election.

Reduction in medical residency applications

One of the most significant effects of Dobbs is among obstetric providers in the 14 states with abortion bans. The Association of American Medical Colleges published data in May showing fewer new graduates of U.S. medical schools applied to residency programs in states with bans. The decreases were particularly noticeable in ban states such as Tennessee and Alabama, with decreases of about 20% in both between 2023 and 2024.

Missouri showed one of the largest decreases at 25.7%, a drop from the previous year, which was still down almost 11%. Arizona experienced an even steeper decline of 26.4%, even though it is a state with a 15-week ban rather than a near-total ban.

Kendal Orgera, lead research analyst at the Associations Research and Action Institute, said the data is collected between September and May 31 each year, and overall, there was an increase of just eight applicants for OB-GYN specialties nationwide.

The biggest thing is the areas that already have problems with access to care are going to feel the impact first and foremost, Orgera said.

Some ban states, such as Idaho and Mississippi, do not have residency programs specifically for OB care and have to rely on outside recruitment. That can make it especially difficult to fill positions in those states, Orgera said, in part because many people who match with a residency program tend to stay in that state to practice full time.

People (who are in residency programs) are in their 20s and 30s, and they want to choose a home for the long term, she said. These are people who want to settle down and have families. Would a physician who wants to become pregnant choose a state with ban laws?

It was the reason Dr. Leilah Zahedi-Spung left her job in Chattanooga, Tennessee, after her fellowship. In January 2023 she moved to Denver, Colorado where abortion is legal. It became abundantly clear I had a giant target on my back as the only person doing this kind of care, she told Tennessee Lookout last year. There was nothing that anyone, including the hospital, could do to protect me from criminal prosecution.

For now, Orgera said she cant say with certainty whether the restrictive abortion laws are actually the reason for the drop in applications, but the Association is working on a survey that would be given to prospective residency applicants in September asking them to give those reasons.

Im hoping the sample size is large enough to give us some good data to work from, she said.

Infant, maternal mortality rates expected to rise

Prior to the Dobbs decision, maternal and infant mortality rates were already higher in states that attempted to restrict abortion access as much as possible without outright bans, including placing limits on who could provide an abortion and instituting waiting periods.

Now, as physicians in some states struggle to determine sometimes vague language in the law about when an abortion is deemed acceptable, pregnant patients have been forced to wait to receive care, resulting in near-catastrophic consequences. A doctor in a rural area of Idaho said in a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court that after a patient of hers experienced a very premature rupture of membranes, when the amniotic sac breaks, she felt forced to wait until the patient developed a serious infection called chorioamnionitis before she felt safe to intervene and terminate the pregnancy.

Florida resident Anya Cook had a similar story of her water breaking at 16 weeks  just after the deadline of 15 weeks for an abortion that existed in Florida at the time  and she was sent home. She later miscarried and hemorrhaged so much blood she nearly died.

A group of women in Texas sued the state over its abortion ban because they experienced serious medical complications and said they couldnt receive proper treatment. The Texas Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit at the end of May, but similar lawsuits are still pending in Tennessee and Idaho.

Maternal mortality rates across the country decreased between 2021 and 2022, the last year of available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but it remains much higher among Black women and higher in states with more abortion restrictions. As of 2022, the rate for Black women was 49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 19.0 among white women and 16.9 for Hispanic women.

Cumulative data from the CDC between 2018 and 2022 showed Tennessee with the highest maternal mortality rate of 41.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by Mississippi with 39.1 and Alabama at 38.6. All three states have high Black populations and are often classified as maternity care deserts, with entire counties that do not have hospitals or providers for obstetric care. Research has shown that maternal mortality increased between 1995 and 2017 in states that increased their abortion restrictions.

The numbers are much lower in states with broad abortion access, including California with the lowest number at 10.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, followed by Minnesota at 12.3.

The data for post-Dobbs years is still undetermined, but experts have predicted those numbers will increase further now that the procedure is criminalized for providers in 14 states. Some experts have also speculated that the data in states with bans may become less reliable as well because of fears of prosecution.

Numbers for infant mortality are consistent with the maternal mortality trends as well. The same set of CDC data between 2018 and 2022 shows the highest infant mortality rate in Mississippi, with a death rate of 8.7 infants per 1,000 births. The next highest is in Arkansas, with a rate of 7.63, followed by Louisiana with 7.56. Inadequate access to prenatal care is again cited as a contributing factor, and one recent study from the American Journal of Preventative Medicine linked abortion restrictions with an increase in unintended pregnancies among families that already struggle to access adequate health care.

With the widening gap in comprehensive reproductive care access across the U.S., it is very concerning to consider that the current disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes will likely be exacerbated, the study said. Unless policies are implemented to improve the equitable access to and provision of comprehensive reproductive care, birthing individuals will have very different experiences of care and health outcomes depending on geography. This includes not only access to abortion facilities but to health insurance and access to care in rural areas.

We are still in the very nascent stages

With lawmakers and special interest groups continuing to pass abortion bans and restrictions, some citizens have taken matters into their own hands and asked voters to weigh in on what state policy on abortion should be.

So far, four state ballot initiatives meant to enshrine abortion access have officially qualified for the November ballot, in Colorado and Maryland, where access is already broadly legal, and in Florida and South Dakota, where a six-week ban and near-total ban are in effect, respectively. As of Friday, the organizers working to ensure abortion access remains in Montana said they collected more than enough signatures to qualify for the ballot there as well.

Arizona, Arkansas and Nebraska face deadlines for signatures in July, according to the Fairness Project, a ballot initiative-focused group that has been assisting volunteers with financial and organizational resources in Arizona, Florida, Montana and Missouri. The Project also worked on the successful ballot initiatives in Michigan and Ohio over the past two years.

Kelly Hall, executive director of the Fairness Project, said the initiatives require significant financial resources. Even if it looks like abortion-rights advocates have a lot more funding than the anti-abortion rights side, as was the case in Ohio and Kansas, the resources required to pass an initiative are vast in order to gather enough signatures and reach out to voters ahead of the election.

They arent in a place where theyve had to show any of their cards, Hall said. Their side is just getting to sit on whatever war chest they have to use later this year.

Kansas was the first testing ground for a ballot measure focused on abortion in the wake of the Dobbs decision. That election took place on Aug. 2, 2022, less than two months after the opinion was released. It would have amended the state constitution to say there is no right to an abortion and given the legislature authority to then pass laws regulating and potentially banning it. It was resoundingly defeated by a nearly 59-41 point spread, and abortion is still legal in Kansas until 22 weeks.

However, legislators in Kansas have continued to pass anti-abortion measures, including a bill in April that requires providers to ask patients for the most important reason for their abortion before the procedure. The Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood Great Plains are suing the state over the law.

Although some could take that as a negative sign of the effectiveness of successful ballot initiatives, Hall said that initiative was different because it was not affirming access to abortion. In Ohio, voters gave explicit approval to add reproductive rights to the state constitution.

Ohio had a six-week abortion ban that was poised to go into effect, Hall said. The courts dismissed that ban and now  Ohio lawmakers (are) saying, The voters have spoken, and you need to recalibrate your expectations. So Kansas is not the right comparator, because their lawmakers still do feel that they have a lot of wiggle room about what they can do because theres no explicit constitutional protection.

Hall said for as many states as there are already going after initiatives, she thinks this is just the beginning.

We are still in the very nascent stages of reproductive rights ballot measures being a thing in this modern era, she said.

Litigation overload strategy

One thing thats certainly been difficult to keep track of in the post-Dobbs era is how many cases are pending in courts nationwide at the state and federal level, including two recent cases before the U.S. Supreme Court involving access to mifepristone and emergency abortion care.

Jennifer Dalven, director of the Reproductive Freedom Project at the American Civil Liberties Union, said the firestorm of litigation is part of the overall strategy of anti-abortion activists.

In the Dobbs majority opinion, there was this notion that the decision would somehow end litigation, and the briefs on our side certainly said that wasnt true, that wasnt going to happen, in part because the other side  this was never their endgame, Dalven said. The endgame is to ban abortion nationwide and not to stop there. Abortion is obviously at the forefront of what were seeing most often but were seeing other aspects of reproductive care, including IVF and contraception, under threat.

While the mifepristone and ER abortion care cases are examples of anti-abortion litigation, many more lawsuits are taking place at the state and district court levels to challenge the bans and other abortion-related laws that have passed since 2022. Many challenges to the overall abortion bans have been unsuccessful, while others are still pending. Other lawsuits are still underway to preserve access to the abortion pill, to challenge abortion laws meant to restrict interstate travel, or to clarify that an abortion is permitted in medical emergencies to preserve a patients health, not just to prevent death. Another recent lawsuit is challenging Kansas recent law requiring providers to gather information about a patients most important reason for getting an abortion.

If former President Donald Trump wins in November, Dalven said she expects anti-abortion litigation and lawmaking to increase, especially if Trump follows the outline of the Heritage Foundations abortion and reproductive health care wish list in Project 2025.

Its incredibly important that people know that when they are thinking about casting their ballot in November, she said.

Some advocates find silver linings in the past two years

Some reproductive rights scholars, even those who have been researching the issue for more than 30 years like Tracy Weitz, have found reasons to hope in the post-Dobbs era.

I think whats inspiring is the extent to which the resilience of the abortion delivery system has shown up, Weitz said.

During the COVID pandemic, access to medication abortion through the mail rapidly expanded, she said, and it made it easier to ramp up that system further when the Dobbs decision came in June 2022. Now, about 18% of all abortions in the U.S. are obtained through telemedicine, particularly in states that have passed shield laws to protect providers from prosecution by other state governments where abortion is banned.

Many of us knew that before Dobbs, access was terrible, Weitz said. Even in states where access was good before Dobbs  were seeing increased utilization of abortion because some of the barriers in those states have been reduced.

She added that more people are realizing there is more than just one type of abortion patient  not just those who dont want to have a baby  and both populations are hurt by abortion bans.

I think people who banned abortions really thought you could distinguish between the kind of OB care thats necessary when someone has a wanted pregnancy and the kind of OB care that you do in abortion, and they didnt understand that its the same medical intervention, Weitz said. You cant ban one without impacting the other.

The post The Dobbs effect today: Abortion ballot initiatives, expected higher mortality, more litigation appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
U.S. Supreme Court | Susan J. Demas

With the U.S. Supreme Court expected to decide this month whether federal law protects emergency room abortions  including where the procedure is banned  doctors in states with abortion on the ballot this November urged the high court to preserve access.

As physicians weve taken an oath to care for our patients and ensure their best outcomes and do no harm. These bans directly oppose our oaths and the standards of science-based, data-driven medical care, said Arizonas Dr. Hiral Tipirneni, an ER doctor in Glendale, during a June 14 online news conference hosted by the Committee to Protect Health Care, a left-leaning group whose membership includes more than 20,000 doctors and health care advocates.

In April, the Biden administration argued that a near-total abortion ban in Idaho, which criminalizes doctors for performing an abortion except in cases of rape or incest or when women face life-threatening complications, violates the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.

The law, commonly referred to as EMTALA, requires hospitals that participate in Medicare (which is the vast majority of them) to provide patients facing critical health conditions with stabilizing care before discharging or transferring them. A ruling is expected by the end of June but its unclear in which direction the court will move, as the justices appear split on the issue.

The ruling could impact states where abortion remains legal after the 2022 Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade. In 2022, Michigan voters approved an amendment enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution.

The case also has the potential to further narrow abortion access in states with restrictive laws, including in Arizona, which is currently under a 15-week ban, with no exceptions for rape or incest. A near-total ban from 1864 that threatened doctors with prison time for performing abortions for any reason other than saving a womans life was briefly in effect in 2022 until a court ruling blocked it.

An attempt to revive that Civil War-era law was thwarted by Democrats in the state legislature who successfully repealed it and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, who used legal maneuvers to ensure that repeal has time to go into effect this fall.

A ballot measure headed for the November ballot seeks to enshrine abortion rights in the state Constitution up to the point of fetal viability, with ample exceptions beyond that time if the health care provider deems it necessary to preserve the life, physical or mental health of a patient. The Arizona Abortion Access Act has so far exceeded its signature requirement to qualify for the ballot and is poised to undergo the final step, signature verification, next month.

The committee sent the U.S. Supreme Court a letter in May signed by 6,000 doctors from all 50 states calling for the preservation of EMTALA.

Tipirneni said Arizonas anti-abortion laws undermine the work of doctors, who are dedicated to helping their patients stay safe.

She added that the bans are driving doctors in Arizona out of the profession, and increasing the likelihood of women being forced to travel out of state to receive care. Access to abortion in Arizona is already severely limited, with only nine clinics in Arizona providing the procedure.

There is so much uncertainty that I know there are a lot of physicians and providers that have been involved in abortion care that have fully removed themselves from doing so because of the concern of the backlash  whether it is criminal proceedings or fines or a threat to their practices, she said.

Dr. Joey Adashek, a maternal and fetal medicine specialist based in Las Vegas, Nevada, where voters will consider their own constitutional protection in November, said that preserving EMTALA is more important than ever, as anti-abortion politicians move to attack the procedure across the country.

We just want to do whats right for our patients and its sickening to think that a court of nine people could tell us You dont get to do that.'

 Dr. Rob Davidson, a West Michigan ER physician

This boils down to whether hospital emergency departments in states that ban abortions can refuse care to patients who need an abortion even if its to save their life, he said. Denying life-saving care goes against everything we believe and work for as doctors.

And, he added, upending the protection for emergency abortions threatens to undermine the legal shield for all other emergency care. Before the federal law was approved in 1986 to mandate that doctors and hospitals ensure patients receive immediate care for critical conditions, many were turned away without help.

Can you imagine being in an emergency health crisis, showing up at the hospital, and being told to leave? Adashek asked. Can you imagine being pregnant, suffering a life-threatening complication, and being told in an emergency room that theres nothing that the doctors can do  even when there is? That will be the reality in cases and states across the country if the Supreme Court rules that EMTALA doesnt apply to abortion care.

Some doctors shared stories of patients who were negatively impacted by the abortion bans they lived under, and said they feared the elimination of EMTALA protections would lead to even more women facing life-threatening conditions.

Dr. Cecilia Grande, an OB-GYN in Miami-Dade County, Florida, said that women in her area would need to book a flight or drive for more than eight hours to access out-of-state care, leaving many with little recourse to resolve pregnancy complications. One of Grandes patients was found to have an irreversible cervical dilation at nearly 20 weeks into her pregnancy.

While doctors should have been able to induce labor to lessen the womans pain, they were prevented from doing so by Floridas restrictive 6-week abortion ban until she presented with a fever or a premature ruptured membrane, which risks infection.

Another woman had a blood test done to check for what was suspected to be Edwards Syndrome in the fetus, a rare genetic condition that causes multiple birth defects and usually prevents children from surviving beyond their first year. Waiting for the results of the test, which is administered only as early as 10 weeks, would take several days and even with results of the fatal fetal condition, two doctors would need to testify that an abortion was warranted and a willing hospital would need to be found to schedule the procedure  most, Grande said, are hesitant to do so.

I want my colleagues in the emergency room to be able to act to help my patients in their moment of need. The government should not be getting in the way, she said.

Like in Arizona and Nevada, Florida voters are also expected to consider a ballot initiative to preserve abortion access and strike down the states restrictive ban in November.

Missouri OB-GYN Dr. Jennifer Smith pointed out that hostile abortion laws dont only affect women, but also the healthcare field as a whole. A recent report from the Association of American Medical Colleges found that states with abortion bans have a marked decrease in medical residency applications, with emergency medicine and obstetrics and gynecology seeing a worse decline in states with bans than in those without them.

In Arizona, the rate of emergency medicine residencies, which had already seen a 19.3% decline in the 2021-2022 application year, didnt improve in the following years, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to abortion and the state teetered between some access and virtually no access to the procedure.

In the first full year after the Dobbs decision, residency applications for emergency medicine plummeted as much as 30% in the Grand Canyon State. The next year continued to be dismal, with a decline in applications of 15.5%.

And the number of OB-GYN applications in 2023-24 dropped 26.4%, the worst rate in five years.

Dr. Rob Davidson, an ER doctor from West Michigan, criticized the continued effort from Republican politicians and conservative judges to cut women off from abortion care. Abortion, he said, is health care, and should be treated the same as all other kinds of emergency medical interventions.

There just isnt another issue where politicians and judges have decided to jump in and say, Well, you can treat heart attacks to a certain point. If theyre going to die, yes treat them. But if its just a matter of, theyll be a little medically compromised or go into heart failure or be disabled from heart failure, well at that point you cant do it, he said.

Davidson pointed out that doctors and hospitals have undergone years of training and numerous certifications to be able to provide medical care, while the politicians and judges seeking to enact restrictions against abortion have no such expertise.

We just want to do whats right for our patients and its sickening to think that a court of nine people could tell us You dont get to do that, he said.

Arizona Mirror is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jim Small for questions: info@azmirror.com. Follow Arizona Mirror on Facebook and X.

The post Doctors speak out as U.S. Supreme Court weighs future of ER abortions appeared first on Michigan Advance.
Lloyd Ligaos pork sisig, a bed of citrus soy-marinated, pan-fried pork topped with spicy birds-eye chilis and a fried egg, is one of his most popular dishes. He serves it at his Downtown Bazaar restaurant, Pinoy Boy.

Its also on the menu at the Taste of Diversity, an annual West Side food festival that celebrates the various cultures and cuisines of Buffalo residents. It will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 29 on Grant Street between Lafayette and Auburn avenues.

Being the only Filipino cuisine, I feel good representing my food and my culture, Ligao said.

Pinoy Boy is one of around a dozen food vendors participating in the Taste of Diversity. Once a potluck in a church basement, the Taste of Diversity has evolved into a festival attended by around 2,000 people, where chefs of diverse cultural backgrounds share their signature recipes.

We always suggest [to] try something you havent tried before, said festival co-chair Jen Silverman-Van Treese. You can really have anything from Thai food to pastelillos to whatever else. Theres plenty of things going around to try.

Like other taste of festivals, attendees purchase $1 tickets, which they use to buy small taste portions or larger meals from the food vendors. Most of the vendors are people of color, immigrants or refugees.

Longtime participants, such as Downtown Bazaar restaurant Abyssinia Ethiopian Cuisine and the Salvation Army, which sells Puerto Rican food, will return. 007 Chinese Food, a Hamburg restaurant that originated in the West Side Bazaar, will sell a variety of Chinese buns. KT Carribean will be making pholourie (fried split pea fritter served with chutney), oxtail, jerk chicken, rice, fried plantains and mac and cheese.

Those looking for classic American food will find it from A-maize-ing Roasted Corn and More, which is serving roasted corn on the cob, hot dogs, burgers, Philly cheese steak and fries.

Tiny Thai, a food truck with a takeout kitchen (27 Chandler St.), will have authentic Thai dishes, such as pad Thai and drunken noodles. House of Sandwich (800 Tonawanda St.) will have Puerto Rican staples, such as pastelillos, pinchos (grilled kebabs) and pina coladas.

New this year, Kings and Queens Ice Cream will offer dessert, from iced cream to baked goods. Chef Big Waynes Jamaican Cuisine, a newer West Side Bazaar restaurant, will serve authentic Jamaican foods. Mexico City, a Mexican restaurant in Hamburg, will provide braised birria tacos, empanadas, nachos, queso fries, elote (creamy, charred corn) and homemade unfiltered fruit juices called agua frescas.

Many of the participating vendors either have permanent restaurants or also vend at other festivals throughout the summer, so if you like something, go back to the restaurant later, Silverman-Van Treese advises.

At his Pinoy Boy booth, Ligao will serve his most popular dish, pork sisig, along with barbecue chicken thighs marinated in soy sauce, vinegar, Sprite and banana ketchup (a Filipino ketchup made from mashed banana, vinegar, sugar and spices), and egg rolls with beef, cabbage and carrots. He also will have two deep purple desserts utilizing ube, a purple yam common in Filipino cuisine, an ube Basque cheesecake and ube ice cream.

Ligao, a West Side resident, loves being a part of the communitys culturally diverse fabric and contributing his take on the bold flavors cooked in the Philippines.

Its a nice festival for the West Side just to bring people in and show how much the West Side has grown over the years, Ligao said.

While the Taste of Diversity beckons many hungry visitors, it also draws attendees for its musical and dance performances, kids section and artisan vendors.

The family fun zone has kid-friendly activities, games and a tell-your-own-story craft inviting children to write their own comic books.

On the main stage at Auburn Avenue, dancers and musicians will perform from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Expect to find Henri Star and Muhammad School of Music Chamber Players performing classical music, Red Curry and the Boss Sauce playing funk, soul and rock, and Son BoriKu performing Afro Cuban music. Several DJs will rotate through the DJ stage at Lafayette Avenue, playing reggae, Latin, R&B and more beats.

More than two dozen vendors will sell their handcrafted goods including art, fragrances, crocheted clothes, jewelry and spices at the festivals marketplace.

PREVIEW

Taste of Diversity

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 29 on Grant Street between Lafayette and Auburn avenues. It is free to attend. Food tickets are $1 each (both cash and card are accepted). Shoppers can purchase directly from non-food vendors in the marketplace.

Buffalo Myanmar Water Festival

This festival, celebrating the Myanmar New Year, will share Grant Street with the Taste of Diversity. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 29, between Lafayette and West Delevan avenues, the festival will feature water-throwing and cultural performances. Tickets cost $10.
The doctors union will take the medical regulator to court over the increasing use of physician associates, which is aimed at easing the pressure on the NHS.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said it needed to take action before the uncontrolled experiment in the use of physician and anaesthetist associates, known as PAs and AAs, leads to more unintended patient harm.

Professor Philip Banfield, the unions chairman, said plans for the General Medical Council (GMC) to regulate the PAs, who do not have formal medical training, as well as doctors, would create a dangerous blurring of lines for patients.

The BMA plans to block the move and will contest plans for PAs to be called medical professionals, operating under the same guidance  called Good Medical Practice  as doctors.

The planned expansion of PAs by the NHS and the Government, which wants to increase their number from around 3,500 to more than 10,000, has come under intense scrutiny.

One patient, Emily Chesterton, a 30-year-old actress, died after she was twice misdiagnosed by a PA as having an ankle sprain, when in fact she had a blood clot that travelled from her leg to her lung. Ms Chesterton had been under the impression she was seeing a GP.

Ms Chesterton died after a PA failed to diagnose that she was suffering from a blood clot

Doctors are concerned about PAs expanding scope of practice, with some being drafted into GP surgeries to replace family doctors.

The union and several royal colleges have called for a recruitment freeze while concerns are addressed.

From December 2024, the GMC will become the regulator for both PAs and AAs, which have not been regulated at all for two decades.

Prof Banfield was cheered and applauded when he told the unions annual meeting in Belfast that we are taking legal action against the GMC.

He said: Were taking this action because of the dangerous blurring of the lines between doctors and medical associate professionals, specifically with challenging their frankly unsafe use of the term medical professionals when theyre referring to people who are not doctors.

This legal action is supported by our colleagues, the grassroots movement Anaesthetists United, who will be pursuing a complimentary legal challenge.

We are standing up for both doctors and patients to block this ill-thought-through project, before it leads to more unintended patient harm.

Prof Banfield says patients are being put at risk of 'unintended harm' - CARL COURT/GETTY

He added it was not too late to row back from this uncontrolled experiment in dumbing down the medical skills and expertise available to our patients.

The BMAs letter for action states that it is seeking to challenge the GMCs decision to apply its central guidance for doctors equally to PAs and AAs, and that it will contest the regulators use of the term medical professionals as a collective description for doctors, PAs and AAs.

Dr Richard Marks, co-founder of Anaesthetists United, which represents consultant anaesthetists, said: Doctors and their patients are united over their opposition to the outgoing governments plans for replacing doctors with associates. Taking legal action seems to be the only way forward.

A GMC spokesman said: In 2019 the GMC was asked by the four UK governments to take on regulation of PAs and AAs. Earlier this year, legislation introducing the regulation of PAs and AAs was passed by the UK and Scottish parliaments.

This means that we will start to regulate PAs and AAs from the end of the year. Regulation will help to assure patients, colleagues and employers that PAs and AAs are safe to practise and can be held to account if serious concerns are raised.

As a multi-professional regulator, we will recognise and regulate doctors, PAs and AAs as three distinct professions. PAs and AAs dont have the same knowledge, skills and expertise as doctors.

They are not doctors but they can, and do, play important roles within multidisciplinary teams when appropriate and effective clinical governance and supervision are in place.

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US prosecutors are recommending to the Justice Department that criminal charges should be brought against Boeing, according to reports, after allegedly finding the company violated a settlement relating to two fatal crashes.

The apparent recommendation for charges were first reported by Reuters, who cited two unidentified people familiar with the matter.

The decision is not final, however, as the Justice Department must decide whether to prosecute Boeing by July 7.

Officials allegedly found last month that the company breached the terms of a 2021 settlement..

Five years ago, Boeing agreed to pay $2.5bn as well as make improvements after two new 737 Max jets crashed in separate incidents, within the space of five months, one in Indonesia in 2018 and one in Ethiopia in 2019, killing a total of 346 people.

Boeing has disputed the DoJs findings, saying that the company has honored the terms of the agreement and looked forward to the opportunity to respond to the Department on this issue.

As we do so, we will engage with the Department with the utmost transparency, as we have throughout the entire term of the agreement, including in response to their questions following the Alaska Airlines 1282 accident, a spokesperson for Boeing told The Independent last month.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun testifies at a Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Investigations at the Capitol Hill Tuesday, June 18 in Washington (AP)

The two sides are reportedly currently in discussions over a potential resolution to the DoJs investigation, and there is currently no guarantee that the officials will move forward with the charges, Reuters two sources said.

Internal Justice Department deliberations are ongoing, and no final decisions have yet to be made, the sources added.

In 2018, 189 people were killed after a Lion Air flight from Indonesia plunged into the Java Sea just 13 minutes after take-off. Just five months after this horrific incident, an Ethiopian Airlines took off from Addis Ababa, when six minutes in, it crashed only 30 miles from the airport, killing all 157 people on board.

When investigations into the disaster crashes were underway, authorities pointed to a flight-control system that Boeing added to the Max without telling pilots or airlines, which Boeing did not overhaul until after the second crash.

Boeing received just four orders in May 2024 as sales suffer amid ongoing safety concerns about their aircraft (AFP via Getty Images)

After a series of negotiations, the government agreed not to prosecute Boeing on a charge of defrauding the United States by deceiving regulators about the flight system. The settlement included a $243.6 million fine, a $500 million fund for victim compensation, and nearly $1.8 billion to those airlines whose Max jets were grounded for nearly two years.

US officials claimed this year that Boeing had violated that deal, with DoJ lawyers writing in a letter to a federal judge that for failing to fulfill completely the terms of and obligations under the [deferred prosecution agreement], Boeing is subject to prosecution by the United States for any federal criminal violation of which the United States has knowledge.

Boeing has also been under intense scrutiny ever since a door panel blew off mid-air out of a 737 Max plane during an Alaska Airlines flight in January, along with a string of accusations made by whistleblowers over recent months regarding the companys manufacturing process.

Boeing CEO David Calhoun appeared in front of a Homeland Security investigations subcommittee last week, where he was questioned on production inspection processes, and whistleblower safety as well as facing calls for his resignation.

During the hearing, the CEO apologized to the families of the crash victims, saying the embattled company was totally committed to future aircraft safety.

In March, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced he would be resigning from his role at the end of the year following what he described as a watershed moment for the company after the Alaska Airlines incident.

Boeing declined to comment to Reuters. The DoJ also declined to comment to The Independent. The Independent has contacted Boeing for further comment.
Miami was the place to retire  until it slid 150 spots down the popularity list

Miami was the place to retire  until it slid 150 spots down the popularity list

For a few years during the pandemic, it seemed like the snowbird, the stereotypical retiree moving to the sunny acres of Florida, might be going extinct.

An annual study of where US seniors choose to retire logged a precipitious drop in the Sunshine States most famous city. In 2021, Miami was the number eight retirement destination in the country, according to the research by financial advisor SmartAsset. The following year, it had tumbled more than 150 places, all the way down to number 168.

News reports heralded a great Florida exodus, with nearly 500,000 moving out of state in 2022, a worrying sign for a state that was also the top choice for retirees nationwide that year. Others pointed to Baldwin County, Alabama as the next big thing in senior living.

Perhaps it was all the uber-wealthy snapping up scenic real estate during the pandemic. The number of millionaires and billionaires living in Miami grew by 75 per cent over the last decade, according to a study by investment migration firm Henley & Partners and New World Wealth. By the end of 2023, the cost of living in Miami was well above the national average.

A for sale sign in front of a home in Miami, Florida, part of the wave of homes being bought and sold during the pandemic (Getty Images)

Perhaps Governor Ron DeSantis had reached the limit of acceptance for his particular adversarial brand of politics, in which gay people, trans people, Black history, librarians, vaccines, and the Walt Disney corporate were all but deemed enemies of state.

Perhaps, but perhaps not. Whatever was going on during the peak pandemic years seems to have receded, and the path of the snowbird is still as vibrant as ever towards Miami.

At the end of the day, a lot of people are moving out of state in retirement, Nicolas Dumas, of Malta, New Yorks Retirement Planning Group, LLC, told The Independent.

And for many New Yorkers, as ever, the destination is Florida. The Empire State consistently ranks as among the top states losing retirees, and Florida consistently ranks as the top state gaining them.

All of Florida has no income tax, and a generally lower cost of living than other parts of the country, but one region reigns supreme for retirees: Miami. According to a study from moving company Hire a Helper, analyzing US government population data from 2023, the 70 mile stretch encompassing the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach areas was the number one retirement destination in the country.

A general view of the atmosphere as Haute Living supports our veterans at America First gala at Mar-a-Lago on April 11, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida (Getty Images for Haute Living)

Thats even though the financial considerations of moving to Miami have shifted considerably. The draw of the city has long been about dollars and cents: you could move from a place like New York City, with its astronomical cost of living, to another global city, riding into retirement with some extra money and a whole lot more sun to boot.

However, between 2019 and 2023, it got a whole lot less advantageous to make the move, thanks to housing costs rising about 40 per cent in the last four years, and the price of utilities and gasoline rising even faster than in New York. All told, in 2023, someone with a $100,000 salary in Manhattan would save an estimated $37,166 a year by moving to Miami, down from more than $51,000 in savings just four years earlier, according to a study from SmartAsset.

Those werent the only financial changes. Last year, the price of car insurance in Florida was up over 24 per cent, while the price of homeowners insurance grew by nearly double that amount, while home prices were up roughly 60 per cent since 2020.

If the idea of moving to Florida was to make a pension or government retirement benefits go a little further, changes like these complicate the picture.

Still, these factors dont seem to have slowed down the retirement train to Miami.

In fact, looking back at the last decade or so, the Florida Chamber of Commerce found that not only is migration into Florida growing, its rate of growth has also been increasing steadily since 2017.

It seems that despite the changes to the economy and politics of Florida, Miami wont lose its status as a retiree haven any time soon, and the more than 72,000 residents of the city aged 65 and over will continue to be in good company.

Boats are anchored off the South Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach (Getty Images)

As The Independent has reported, population trends rarely follow one set model. Just because a state is getting more expensive, doesnt mean its going to suddenly see a massive population decline or enter a doom loop  just look at California.

You might think the state, which has a sky-high cost of living and population growth slowing to a trickle, might collapse in on itself like the faded Rust Belt regions of the upper Midwest or Appalachia, but that hasnt been the case.

Some people outside of the state like the idea of California being basically in a doom loop and everything is a disaster here, Hans Johnson of the Public Policy Institute of California recently told The Independent. If you look at the reality, I would say that the desirability to live in California is quite high, based on pretty direct measures which include the cost of housing.

The same goes for Miami. Sometimes, a state or city just has that special something, and makes its own trends. For Miami, the recipe is simple.

They like the weather down there and the tax breaks, Dumas said.

And neither of those look like theyre going to be changing anytime soon.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Dona Ana Community College (DACC) is putting on a free health fair this week for veterans and the community.

The fair, hosted by the DACC Nursing Program, will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 25 at the Espina campus, 3400 S. Espina St. in Las Cruces.

The fair is for all veterans, family members and students. The event will include information about veteran services, benefits, and programs from the Las Cruces Vet Center.

For more information, please contact the Las Cruces Vet Center at (575) 674-2603.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
'I have done nothing wrong.' Oakland mayor declares herself innocent in fiery speech after FBI raid

FBI agents raid the house of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao on Thursday as part of an investigation that included a search of at least two other houses, authorities said. (Jessica Christian / San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

In a tearful speech, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao declared herself innocent Monday, speaking for the first time since her house was raided by federal authorities last week.

The first Hmong mayor of the Bay Area city cast herself as the victim  not a criminal  in the probe and sought to link the "FBI intrusion," as she called it, to a recall campaign seeking to remove her from office in November.

"I want to be crystal clear. I have done nothing wrong. I can tell you with confidence that this investigation is not about me," said Thao during the 10-minute speech.

The FBI has not disclosed what prompted the raid but it coincided with a second raid at the home of Andy Duong, one of the Duong family members who owns and runs Cal Waste Solutions, which has been under investigation by a city ethics panel over campaign contributions to Thao and others.

Thao appeared frustrated and shed tears during the news conference as she recounted the fear she felt when agents entered her home Wednesday.

Read more: L.A. mayors dog helped stop man who shouted 'Karen!' during break-in, sources say

"It's hard to imagine now, but at the time my first thought was that the FBI was at my door to help me, to protect me," said the mayor.

Thao quickly linked the FBI raid to a campaign launched recently to get her recalled from office. The day before the raid, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters announced that there were enough signatures to put Thao's recall on the ballot in November. Thao is the first Oakland mayor to face a recall vote. The effort has been led by a former Alameda County Superior Court judge whom Thao removed from the city's Police Commission.

The recall initiative comes as the city wrestles with a surge in crime.

The crime issue has led to several high-profile businesses closing locations in the city, including In-N-Out Burger and Denny's.

In February, Gov. Gavin Newsom sent 120 Highway Patrol officers to Oakland to bolster police presence in the city.

During the news conference, a tearful Thao spoke about her struggle to overcome poverty in the United States. She asked why the FBI did not contact her and seek her voluntary cooperation before raiding her home.

Read more: Column: 'I'm going to keep succeeding': Huntington Beach's Latina MAGA mayor speaks

"This wouldnt have gone down the way it did if I was rich, if I had gone to elite private schools or if I had come from money," she said.

Thao was elected in the fall of 2018 when she won a seat on the City Council, representing residents of the 4th District, which includes neighborhoods such as Montclair, Laurel and Melrose.





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
An image shows a flooded ditch along 480th Avenue on Saturday afternoon, June 22, 2024, near Lake Alvin.

The death of a man who crashed a UTV in Lincoln County is the same the flood-related death Gov. Kristi Noem mentioned during a Sunday press conference.

The South Dakota Department of Public Safety confirmed the two events are one and the same to the Argus Leader in an email Monday.

At about 2 p.m. Saturday, an 87-year-old man died following a UTV crash near Lake Alvin, 5 miles east of Harrisburg, according to a press release from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety press release Sunday afternoon.

Brad Reiners, DPS director of communications, told the Argus Leader the victim's name will be released Wednesday morning.

Noem told reporters a person had died from the region's multi-day flood event during a 2:30 p.m. press conference Sunday, but she did not elaborate on where the death took place or who was involved.

The crash happened in the 27000 block of 480th Avenue and involved a 2013 Kawasaki Mule side x side UTV.

The man was traveling northbound on 480th Avenue from 273rd Street, but the road was closed at the time as the east shoulder of the road had washed away, according to preliminary information from the department.

"As the driver attempted to turn around, he went backward over the edge of the washout," the release states. "The UTV began to roll and the driver was ejected. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene."

More: Aging Lake Alvin spillway submerged by flood waters

An Argus Leader reporter observed increased water levels at the lake 5 p.m. Thursday. Lake Alvin's spillway, a structure used to control water levels, was completely submerged when the reporter arrived.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: DPS confirms fatal crash near Lake Alvin was flood-related
Three drag queens are taking to Capital Hill to lobby against the wave of anti-LGBTQ+ bills sweeping the United States, many of which aim to restrict their art.

Jiggly Caliente, Joey Jay, and Brigitte Bandit will meet with lawmakers on Tuesday, dubbed Drag Lobby Day by organizing group MoveOn Political Action, to lobby for the Equality Act. The legislation would amend the 1964 Civils Rights act to include gender identity and sexual orientation, encompassing the groups under federal nondiscrimination policies.

The three artists  Caliente and Jay being alumni of reality series RuPaul's Drag Race  will also lobby for the Transgender Bill of Rights. Introduced last year by Democratic legislators, the landmark law would "guarantee certain rights for transgender and nonbinary people with respect to public services and accommodations, employment, housing, health care, and other specified areas."



MAGA Republicans have been viciously assaulting the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQ+ community for far too long, campaign director Nakia Stephens told The Hill. Our bodies and lives are on the line, and we will not be silenced.

More than 550 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced in 2023, and 80 were passed into law, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Just halfway through 2024, 523 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced, with 39 passed into law. 25 of the proposed bills have levied restrictions against the art of drag, and while 20 have been defeated, five are currently advancing.

Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who is expected to appear at the rally, added in the group's statement that "the demonization of drag performers and hatred spewed by some of my Republican colleagues is both incredibly harmful to the performers themselves, as well as to any LGBTQIA person who expresses and presents themselves outside of the set of strict gender norms imposed by conservative politicians in Washington."
At least two men are dead after a late-night double homicide in northwest Atlanta.

Officers said two men were shot and killed as a white sedan pulled up on Old Gordon Road just after 11 p.m. on Sunday.

The alleged shooter then drove off and may be in the Mableton area, according to police.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Police believe the shooting was the result of an ongoing conflict with the suspect or another group.

Channel 2 Action News has contacted the Cobb County Police Department to see if it is assisting with this search.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Early voting numbers could spell trouble for embattled Rep. Jamaal Bowman as Hochul snubs the Squad member

Gov. Kathy Hochul threw shade at Rep. Jamaal Bowman ahead of Tuesdays Democratic primary, while early voting numbers could spell trouble for the embattled Squad member.

During an interview on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday, Hochul said she hadnt taken sides in the race between Bowman and moderate challenger George Latimer, who serves as the Westchester County executive.

But she made it clear she disagrees with Bowmans view on the Israel-Hamas war when asked about the congressman accusing the Jewish military of committing genocide in Gaza.

Gov. Kathy Hochul threw shade at Rep. Jamaal Bowman ahead of Tuesdays Democratic primary, while early voting numbers could spell trouble for the embattled Squad member. Andrew Schwartz / SplashNews.com

I stand strongly with Israel, Hochul said.

I went to Israel after Oct. 7. It was traumatizing still to see the images of women who were raped and what the country endured, the governor said.

Bowman apologized last week after saying that reports of rapes and child murder by Hamas militants in Israel on Oct. 7 were a lie and propaganda at a November anti-Israel rally.

Meanwhile, Jewish residents in parts of the 16th District, which stretches from Co-Op City in The Bronx through much of Westchester, voted in large numbers via mail-in ballot or early voting in person  a welcome development for Latimer and trouble for Bowman.

Nearly 80% of registered Democrats who are congregants of the Young Israel synagogue of New Rochelle  676 out of 873 had voted either by mail ballot or early voting in person, according to organizer Bruce Schanzer.

Antisemitism is on the ballot, said Schanzer, a Young Israel of New Rochelle congregant.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) speaks at a news conference calling for a ceasefire in Gaza outside the US Capitol building on Nov. 13, 2023, in Washington, DC. Getty Images

We are American Jews who support Israel  the only liberal democracy in the Middle East. Bowman hasnt represented the district well, and that was before October 7, he said.

Schanzer credited the Teach New York Coalition/Westchester United group, an arm of the Orthodox Jewish Union, for helping set up a database that tracks whether congregants who are registered Democrats voted in the primary. If they didnt, theyd be pinged.

Four other synagogues in Westchester had at least half of their Democratic congregants vote already, the Teach New York representative said.

Election data provided to The Post said overall, 15% or 3,537 registered Democrats in New Rochelle voted through Saturday.

Elsewhere, 17% or 4,102 Democrats voted already in Greenburgh, an area Latimer is expected to carry.

Bowman, however, is expected to do well in the 82nd Assembly District in the Bronx which includes Co-Op City, where more than 2,000 people voted already.

People hold Palestinian flags and shout slogans in support of Palestinians at Times Square in New York, United States on Oct. 13, 2023. Anadolu via Getty Images

The incumbent was in the hot seat after throwing a cringe-worthy rally Saturday with fellow lefty Squad Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Ben. Bernie Sanders.

Meanwhile, Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres said Bowman should be embarrassed by his potty-mouthed antics during the event.

The level of profanity here is so shocking as to be unbecoming of a Member of Congress, Torres said in a statement on X.

There is nothing in Jamaal Bowmans unhinged tirade that remotely resembles the decency of the people I know and represent in the South Bronx.
I-10 4-vehicle crash at University Avenue overpass puts two in hospital, 1 critical

I-10 4-vehicle crash at University Avenue overpass puts two in hospital, 1 critical

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)  Eastbound I-10 was at a standstill in Lafayette this morning after a 4-vehicle crash sent two people to the hospital, authorities said.

Lafayette Police investigated a major vehicle crash on the eastbound I-10 overpass at University Avenue. I-10 eastbound was shut down and all traffic was diverted to an alternate route.

Lafayette Police confirmed all lanes were back open at about 9:45 a.m.

Investigators said a total of four vehicles, including one motorcycle were involved. Preliminary investigation revealed that the motorcyclist lost control of his motorcycle and crashed.

Due to the motorcyclist crashing, traffic began to stop on the interstate causing a second crash. Vehicle 2 was traveling in the inside lane of travel and struck the rear right side of Vehicle 3 and then struck the rear of Vehicle 4 who was stopped in the outside lane.

The motorcyclist was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and the driver of Vehicle 4 was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.

Impairment is not believed to be a factor in this crash, authorities said. This crash is still under investigation by the Lafayette Police Departments Traffic Unit.

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It took almost no time at all for the ACLU and other civil liberties groups to file federal suit against the state of Louisiana after GOP Gov. Jeff Landry signed a bill that would require state-funded schools at all levels  from kindergarten on up  display a poster of the Ten Commandments, along with a so-called context statement.

Once again, its time for this song and dance, where public officials waste everyones time and judicial resources by attempting to trample the separation of church and state for none other than some political rabble-rousing.

Lawyers for Louisiana will likely try to roll out a variety of highly technical arguments around why this directive is not a violation of the Constitutions Establishment Clause, probably centering around the idea that the document is being used in some permissible educational capacity. They will present this argument in court in bad faith, knowing full well it is a pretext, and we hope federal judges wont let them get away with it.

Theres no need to so thoughtfully consider evasive legal maneuvers when state officials including Landry himself have been crystal clear about the religious motivation of the law, having said that respecting the rule of law requires starting from the original lawgiver, which was Moses.

Well, Moses wrote in Hebrew, not English and this is not an educational effort but an ideological one, and one that clearly puts the conception of the Ten Commandments above the foundational rules of other religions, which is in exact contravention of the Constitutions requirement that the government not prioritize one religion over another.

If this all seems a little bit familiar to you, it might be because the Ten Commandments in particular has become a go-to symbol for Christian conservatives to try to push the envelope. Over and over, they have tried to put up Ten Commandments displays and crosses in schools, courthouses and other public buildings, and been almost unanimously slapped down by the courts.

Even with the sharp rightward turn of the U.S. Supreme Court over the past few years, this is not really an edge case. Landry and his cadre have overstepped, and are very unlikely to succeed. Even Justice Sam Alito, recently recorded agreeing that the country needed to return to a place of godliness, is unlikely to play ball here. Its a case that seems designed to be lost, and maybe thats not an accident.

After signing the statute, Landry saidI cant wait to be sued, appearing to understand not only he definitely would be but that this would be excellent political fodder, not even if he wins, but especially if he loses. That will give him the ability to rail against the godless heathens and Commies who have taken over the courts and spurned this nations supposedly integral Christian character, which is of course what this is really all about.

Landry doesnt care that much if the poster really ends up in schools or not; on the off chance it does, he can claim a victory for his movement, but in the much likelier scenario that it doesnt he can turn that loss into donations, Fox News hits and the energizing of an evangelical base. Theres little downside for him, unless voters show him in the only poll that matters that they dont appreciate his antics.

___
In February 2023, Los Angeles City Council members Tim McOsker and Hugo Soto-Martinez proposed updating the police discipline process to permit the chief of police to fire officers and to alter the composition of the Board of Rights  the three-member appeals panel that considers serious discipline.

The idea was to craft a ballot measure to correct the problem created by a previous council in 2017, when it sent voters a measure that weakened police accountability, under the guise of strengthening it.

Read more: Editorial: The LAPD needs a better way to fire cops. So why are city leaders slow-walking reform?

It's now more than a year later, and with just days to go before the deadline to get a new measure on the Nov. 5 ballot, council members and other city officials are still haggling over the details and it's unclear whether whatever language makes it to the ballot will be an improvement. It's infuriating that despite having more than 16 months to plan and vet details, the City Council has put off this topic so long that it may be on the verge of bungling police accountability yet again.

That late start meant that by the time the details were vetted in committee, and the full council instructed the city attorneys office to draft language for a new ballot measure to replace the old one, the deadline for the ballot was looming.

Things appeared to blow up Friday, as McOsker and representatives of the LAPD and the city attorneys office argued, sometimes heatedly, in the councils rules committee over whether the draft language reflects or distorts the councils intention, and whether it would best provide police accountability for serious misconduct.

Read more: Editorial: Misstep on L.A. police discipline can still be walked back  if City Council and activists up their game

Several days earlier, a member of the Board of Police Commissioners  the panel of mayoral appointees who set department policy  asked why the commission hadnt been consulted on the new discipline proposals. Another member asked why the council couldn't just return to the police discipline system that existed before 2017, which the ballot measure from that year appears to permit. It's a fair question.

How could city leaders have reached what should be the end of the debating and drafting process without allowing important parties to have weighed in?

Council President Paul Krekorian said the process took so long because leaders were trying to strike a balance between the due process rights of our employees and the authority of the chief to be able to take immediate action in serious situations.

Thats fine, but Angelenos deserve to know whether the police discipline ballot measure they face in November has been fully thought through, and is less deceptive and better for the city than the misbegotten Charter Amendment C that it would replace.

Thats the question council members should ask themselves Tuesday when they consider whether to put the new measure on the ballot.

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Veerinder "Vinny" Taneja has been selected as the city of El Paso's director of public health, effective August 2024.

El Paso has a new public health director after more than two years without a permanent hire. The city announced on Friday afternoon the hiring of Dr. Veerinder Vinny Taneja, the former public health director of Tarrant County.

Starting in August, Taneja will take over duties from current city-county health authority, Dr. Hector Ocaranza, a New Mexico-based pediatrician who served as interim public health director while the city struggled to fill the position.

Taneja worked at his previous post from September 2014 to February 2024. He resigned earlier this year, a day after the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported on a 2022 human resources report in which current and former employees described a toxic and hostile work environment under his leadership.

The city of El Pasos news release does not mention the human resources report or his resignation.

Dr. Tanejas extensive background and proven track record in public health leadership make him an invaluable addition to our city, said interim City Manager Cary Westin in the news release. His dedication to community health and innovative approaches will undoubtedly advance our efforts to enhance public health outcomes across El Paso.

El Paso Matters reached out to the city for Tanejas salary, but did not receive a response at the time of writing. He earned $233,000 at the time of his resignation from Tarrant County.

Recruitment agency Baker Tilly listed a salary of $108,740 to $201,600 for the El Paso public health director position.

Ocaranza will remain in the department as the city-county health authority.

More: Ruidoso residents set to return Monday amid fire containment progress: live updates

Controversial tenure in Tarrant County

Tarrant County placed Taneja on administrative leave and intended to fire him before his resignation.

County administrator Chandler Merritt wrote in a Feb. 2, 2024, notice that Taneja created an irreparable level of distrust in your ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of your position, according to public documents obtained by the Fort Worth Report.

At least 16 current and former employees made complaints about their leaders, including Taneja, in interviews with Tarrant Countys human resources department, the Star-Telegram reported. Staff said Taneja made threatening phone calls, sent emails with extremely inflammatory language, yelled and cursed at them and dismissed their concerns about mental health and working conditions.

Employees also accused Taneja and deputy director Angela Hagy of not following COVID-19 pandemic protocol.

Taneja denied these claims in interviews with investigators and his response to Merritt.

My performance appraisals have been great, with stellar scores, Taneja wrote to Merritt. I have never had a disciplinary action ever in my entire career. Not even a verbal or a write-up. In fact, I was lovingly called the hardest working man in Tarrant County, by several of our county-elected officials.

El Paso Matters late Friday reached out to the city for comment from Westin and Deputy City Manager Mario DAgostino on whether they were aware of the accusations and how it affected their hiring decision.

More: When is the next presidential debate? What to know about the first Biden-Trump showdown

Tanejas new role in El Paso

Tanejas appointment follows a string of turnovers in the El Paso Department of Public Health.

Angela Mora, the previous director, retired in May 2022. Mora replaced longtime director Robert Resendes, who resigned in May 2020. Resendes and Mora joined the exodus of public health leaders who left amid political blowback during the pandemic.

More than 50 people applied for El Paso public health director since November 2022, according to public records obtained in April by El Paso Matters. Tanejas cover letter and resume were not among the applications El Paso Matters received. Its unknown if Taneja applied for the job after the city provided the documents.

As leader of the department, Taneja will oversee the budget, day-to-day operations and programs promoting the health of city and county residents. Programs include epidemiology, immunization, HIV prevention, public health emergency preparedness and community clinics. He will also be in charge of identifying sources of funding for the department.

El Paso Matters late Friday requested comment from Taneja through city spokesperson Laura Cruz-Acosta.

Taneja earned his medical degree from the Manipal Academy of Higher Education in India and holds a Master of Public Health from Eastern Kentucky University, according to the news release. He served as the president of the Texas Association of City and County Health Officials from 2017 to 2018.

The National Association of County and City Health Officials named Tarrant County Public Health as the Large Local Health Department of the Year in 2017.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: New health director Taneja placed on administrative leave by Tarrant County
The News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the end of the intense phase of his countrys war with Hamas was very close, adding that forces would be redeployed to the countrys northern border with Lebanon.

Although Netanyahu had vowed to pursue a war in Gaza until Hamas is completely destroyed, near-daily exchanges with Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia backed by Iran, have forced Israel to shift its military capabilities north.

Experts have warned that a war with Hezbollah  the worlds best-armed non-state group  would be devastating, with some forecasting Israels Iron Dome defense system could be overwhelmed. In response, tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border have fled, CNN reported.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  City of El Pasos Public Libraries will be hosting new pop-up locations for residents to get their Enhanced Library Cards (ELC).

City to launch new enhanced library card

The pop-ups are in collaboration with the El Pasos County Community Services Department and the Border Network for Human Rights and will be for residents living outside of the city limits to obtain their ELCs, according to the news release by the County.

A press conference will be hosted by the County at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25 to unveil the locations.

An ELC is a free full-service library card that can also be used as a supplemental form of identification, according to the County.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Eternal flame in Columbus was supposed to last forever. So why is it covered up now?

An eternal flame was dedicated at the south side of the Columbus Government Center on May 23, 1991, the Thursday before that years Memorial Day in the city considered as the birthplace of the holiday, dating to 1866.

The dedication plaque for the eternal flame proclaims, May this eternal flame burn forever in memory of those brave and patriotic members of the armed forces who sacrificed so much to ensure the freedom of our great nation.

Forever lasted 33 years.

The eternal flame and other memorials around the Government Center have been put in storage or covered since construction of the citys Judicial Center started this spring.

The stone on one of the memorials (the eternal flame) was damaged, and out of respect and to respond to questions, a tarp was put over the stone until a plan can be developed, Columbus deputy city manager Pam Hodge told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email. All memorials, eternal flame, etc. will be reinstalled on the Judicial Center site or other location if approved.

But that construction project is on the north side of the Government Center, which still is being used and whose tower isnt supposed to be demolished until the Judicial Center opens. And the public still has access to the south side of the Government Center, so why is the eternal flame memorial covered by a tarp now?

Most of the memorials were on the north side of the property, so out of an abundance of caution, all of the memorials were decommissioned and put in storage, Hodge said.
By Julia Payne

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -European Union countries adopted a 14th package of sanctions on Russia that aims to close some loopholes and hits Russia's gas exports for the first time, EU foreign ministers said on Monday.

Western powers imposed sweeping sanctions on Moscow after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which have been progressively ramped up since.

The new restrictions on gas aim to reduce Russia's revenues from liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports by banning trans-shipments - transferring cargoes from one ship to another - off EU ports and a clause allowing Sweden and Finland to cancel some LNG contracts.

The measures stop short of an EU ban on LNG imports, which have risen since the start of the war.

The sanctions will take effect after a nine-month transition period. The package also prohibits new investments and services to complete LNG projects under construction in Russia.

Gas market experts say the measure will likely have little impact as Europe still buys Russian gas itself and trans-shipments via EU ports to Asia represent only around 10% of total Russian LNG exports.

An EU official said the estimated hit on Russia would be in the millions of euros rather than billions.

Some central European countries still receive pipeline gas from Russia via Ukraine. The EU banned Russian oil imports in 2022 with some limited exemptions.

SANCTIONS LIST

The new package aims to limit circumvention of sanctions by creating more responsibility and penalties at member state level for those found flouting the regulations.

It adds 116 entities and individuals to the sanctions list bringing the total to more than 2,200.

In a separate move, the EU also announced sanctions against six people it said were involved in Russian "malicious cyber activities" against EU countries and Ukraine. It linked four of them directly to Russian intelligence and security services.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, had also proposed expanding the so-called "No Russia clause" passed in a previous package. The measure would have obliged subsidiaries of EU companies in third countries to prohibit the re-export of certain goods to Russia, including those with a dual-use for military purposes, as well as ammunition and firearms.

However, it was scrapped at Germany's behest. The clause may be added later pending an impact assessment, diplomats said.

In a further move to hurt Moscow's ability to trade, the package bans EU banks outside Russia from using Moscow's SPFS system, its equivalent to the global payments system SWIFT. Western powers banned Moscow from SWIFT in 2022.

"It also allows the Council to draw up a list of non-Russian third country banks connected to such system; those banks will be banned from doing business with EU operators," a statement from the European Commission said.

SHADOW FLEET

The package aims to crack down on the so-called shadow fleet helping Russia's war effort by creating a framework to add ships to the list of sanctions, such as oil tankers circumventing the Russian oil price cap set by the Group of Seven nations as well as vessels moving North Korean ammunition to Russia.

Vessels could be designated for instances including the "transport of military equipment for Russia, the transport of stolen Ukrainian grain and...the transport of LNG components or trans-shipments of LNG," the EU ministers' statement said. Diplomats said 27 ships- mostly tankers - would be listed initially with more to be added later.

The EU has also sanctioned Russia's state-owned shipping behemoth Sovcomflot and its CEO Igor Vasilyevich Tonkovidov, according to the measures published in the EU's Official Journal on Monday.

Included in the measures are restrictions on helium, rare earths and manganese ores as well as limits to Russian funding for think tanks and NGOs.

The EU also delayed the start of mandatory full-traceability scheme for imports of rough and polished diamonds to the bloc by six months - until March 1, 2025 - as the latest package amended the import ban on Russian diamonds, one of the industry's biggest shake-ups in decades, agreed in the 12th package.

The United States is re-evaluating the strictest elements of the ban on Russian diamonds from the G7 major democracies, after opposition from African countries, Indian gem polishers and New York jewellers, seven sources told Reuters in May.

EU countries are now debating a package that would better align sanctions against Belarus that predate Moscow's invasion of Ukraine with the ones targeting Russia since 2022. Belarus has been major loophole for goods reaching Russia, but members have been reluctant to tackle this over concerns around Belarus' major fertilizer exports.

(Reporting by Julia Payne, additional reporting by Bart Meijer, Andrew Gray and Polina Devitt; Editing by Alex Richardson and Ros Russell)
Reward offered for information on shooting that killed boy, 3

Crime Stoppers WNY is offering a reward of up to $7,500 for information about Friday nights shooting that killed a 3-year-old boy and wounded his 7-year-old sister.

The shooting happened shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Domedion Avenue, off Genesee Street near the Buffalo-Cheektowaga border, Buffalo police said.

Ramone L. Carter, nicknamed Red for his hair color, was declared dead at Erie County Medical Center. Jamia Griffin, 7, was grazed by a bullet, police said. The children were outside playing when gunshots were fired.

Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia told The Buffalo News on Monday morning that the investigation is moving forward but that he could not share any details beyond the information distributed at a Saturday news conference.

He said detectives have been canvassing the area for video and that tips from the community have been helpful to the investigation.

There was a lot collected over the weekend and detectives have been reviewing all of it, Gramaglia said. And that takes time.

The reward is offered for information that leads to an arrest or indictment.

Authorities ask anyone with information to call 716-867-6161 or submit a tip through Crime Stoppers Buffalo Tips app.

 Aaron Besecker

and Justin Sondel
The EU Council approved a ban on June 24 on access within the bloc to four key Russian state-run or controlled media outlets. The measure will go into effect the following day.

The four outlets are Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, and Izvestiya.

Czechia's government announced in March that it uncovered a Moscow-financed propaganda network linked to Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, which used Voice of Europe to spread disinformation.

Rossiyskaya Gazeta and RIA Novosti are both Russian state-owned outlets, and Izvestiya is state-controlled.

The EU previously banned other Russian propaganda outlets, such as RT and Sputnik.

After the initial plans to block the four additional outlets were announced in May, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova threatened that there would be countermeasures impacting Western media operating in Russia.

"If these measures are taken against the Russian media, Russian journalists, then, despite the fact that Western correspondents will not want to, they will also have to feel our retaliatory measures," Zakharova said at the time.

"If just one Russian media outlet is subjected to unjustified restrictions, then it will ricochet off their colleagues here in Russia, I mean, Western journalists."

Zakharova repeated her threats after the ban was announced, saying that Russia had prepared an unspecified response.

Russia has taken extensive measures to crack down on independent media.

The Kremlin passed a bill in May to expand the purview of its media bans to include foreign state-funded organizations, such as media outlets like the BBC or Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also estimated that Russia currently has imprisoned at least 22 journalists. Two of those detained, Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, have U.S. citizenship.

Read also: Media: EU ambassadors agree on broadcast ban of key Russian propaganda outlets

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The EU Council announced on June 24 that it had adopted the 14th round of sanctions against Russia, aimed at tackling the circumvention of existing measures and to further restrict profits from Russia's energy industry.

Despite 13 previous rounds of sanctions from the EU and additional measures from the U.S. and other allies, Russia's economy has remained unexpectedly resilient. A survey conducted by the independent Russian polling firm the Levada Center earlier in June found that only 11% of respondents said that sanctions had personally effected them or their families.

The new package adds 116 individuals and entities to the sanctions list, and adds a number of additional measures, including the prohibition for any EU facilities to be involved in the transshipment of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) to any third-party countries.

It also forbids any new investments or provision of goods toward Russian LNG projects, such as the Arctic LNG 2 and Murmansk LNG.

The new package bans the usage of the "System for Transfer of Financial Messages" (SPFS), a tool employed by Russia's Central Bank to help combat existing sanctions.

In order to counter malign political and societal influence from Russia, the measure prohibits any political parties, foundations, NGOs, think tanks, or media outlets from receiving funding from Russia and its proxies.

The package also applies targeted measures toward ships involved in the transportation of various Russian goods, as well as more than 60 companies that directly support Russia's military-industrial complex.

"Our sanctions have already significantly weakened the Russian economy and prevented (Russian President Vladimir) Putin from accomplishing his plans to destroy Ukraine, although he still continues the illegal aggression targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure," said Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat.

"The 14th package of sanctions demonstrates our unity in supporting Ukraine and seeking to limit Russias criminal activities against Ukrainians, including efforts to circumvent EU measures."

Read also: US issues new sweeping sanctions against Russia  will they make a difference this time?

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EU creates loophole to circumvent Hungary's veto on support for Ukraine  the FT

The European Union has developed a legal workaround to bypass Hungary's veto on the purchase of weapons for Ukraine using profits obtained from frozen Russian assets this year, which could also clear the path for the G7 to disburse US$50 billion to Kyiv.

Source: Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in an interview with Financial Times, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Borrell said since Hungary abstained from the previous agreement to postpone revenues from frozen Russian assets, it "should not be part of the decision to use this money".

He added that the workaround is "sophisticated as every legal decision, but it flies".

EU foreign ministers will discuss the loophole in Luxembourg on Monday.

He also mentioned that Brussels offered Hungary a deal similar to the one NATO concluded with Prime Minister Viktor Orban last week: Budapest rejected support measures for Ukraine in exchange for not vetoing other alliance members actions, but it was rejected.

"We have offered Hungary: your money will not be used to support Ukraine in any means. Not just lethal, but on anything. Take your money. Put your money out of the box. I dont want to use your money," Borrell said, adding that Hungary answered "no".

He added that Budapest's position "has something to do with the strong links that they have with Russia".

The Financial Times noted that bypassing Hungary's veto could also remove the obstacle that could complicate the G7's efforts to send a US$50 billion credit paid from future revenues to Kyiv by December. Such a decision was made by leaders at the summit in Italy.

Meanwhile, according to officials, Hungary can still block EU sanctions, under which Russian assets are frozen, a decision that 27 EU countries must unanimously renew every six months.

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EU devises workaround for possible Hungary veto of funds for Ukraine, FT reports

The EU has developed a legal workaround to prevent Hungary vetoing a move to use profits from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on June 24.

The EU Council agreed on May 21 to use profits from the frozen Russian sovereign assets to aid Ukraine, releasing up to 3 billion euros ($2.7-3.26 billion) annually, with most of it allocated to Kyiv's military needs.

But concerns have been raised about a potential veto of the move from Hungary.

Budapest has repeatedly opposed Ukraine's accession to NATO and the EU, sanctions on Russia, undermined Western aid efforts for Ukraine, and maintained close relations with Moscow throughout the full-scale war.

According to the FT, EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell said Hungary "should not be part of the decision to use this money" given it had abstained from a previous decision to use the funds in this way.

The legal workaround is scheduled to be discussed at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on June 24.

According to the FT, it will also be crucial for pressing forward with a G7 plan announced earlier this month to provide Ukraine with a $50 billion loan by the end of the year using interest from some $300 billion in frozen Russian assets.

The bulk of this money is held in EU countries meaning Hungary could vote to keep the assets immobilized indefinitely.

Hungary is also blocking three separate 500-million-euro ($540 million) tranches under the European Peace Facility (EFF) fund, as well as 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) allocated for the EFF's Ukraine Assistance Fund.

Read also: It really is insane: Ex-defense minister on Slovakias pro-Russian turn

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BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union will downgrade political contacts with Georgia and consider freezing financial aid to the government after it pushed through a controversial "foreign agent" law, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday.

Speaking after a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers in Luxembourg, Borrell said the Georgian government was moving the South Caucasus country away from the EU, which it officially aspires to join.

"If the government will not change the course of action, Georgia will not progress on the European Union path," he said.

"We will downgrade our political contacts ... We will consider putting on hold financial assistance to the government," he told reporters.

Borrell said the EU would increase its support to civil society and media and "adapt measures" as necessary. He said the EU would also reconsider its support for Georgia through a military aid fund, the European Peace Facility.

The Georgian law, which requires organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from overseas to register as "agents of foreign influence", has been slammed by domestic and international critics as a Kremlin-style authoritarian move.

Georgia's ruling party has defended it as a necessary step to secure transparency of funding.

Borrell said 26 of the EU's 27 members shared the view that the government was moving Georgia away from the EU.

He did not name the dissenter but diplomats said it was Hungary. Budapest has tried to clamp down on foreign funding of NGOs and political actors at home and maintains warm ties with Russia, which seeks to maintain influence in Georgia.

For two months, the Georgian bill's opponents mounted some of the largest protests since independence from Moscow in 1991 to try to get the legislation thrown out.

"We stand with the Georgian people and their overwhelming choice in favour of democracy and Georgia's future inside the European Union," Borrell said.

(Reporting and writing by Andrew Gray and Benoit Van Overstraeten; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Tomasz Janowski)
EU foreign ministers to adopt new Russia sanctions after German delay

A general view of the EU Foreign Ministers council. EU foreign ministers are to adopt new Russia sanctions on Monday, diplomats told dpa, after Germany's concerns over business regulations led to several weeks of delay. Francois Lenoir/European Council/dpa

EU foreign ministers are to adopt new Russia sanctions on Monday, diplomats told dpa, after Germany's concerns over business regulations led to several weeks of delay.

Designed to crack down on the evasion of sanctions and stop Russia from obtaining Western technology for making weapons, Berlin was concerned the 14th sanctions package went too far, especially for subsidiaries.

EU diplomats said a compromise was reached, allowing measures halting exports to Russia - the so-called "No Russia" clause - to not apply to subsidiaries for the time being. The issue is to be revisited.

The new salvo of EU punitive measures comes as a boost to Ukraine. Kiev is also set to sign a security commitment with the bloc later this week, an EU official said.

Ukraine has already agreed similar bilateral arrangements with EU countries like Germany and France.

EU foreign ministers are also expected address payments for EU countries that supplied Ukraine with arms from an off-budget fund called the European Peace Facility (EPF).

Each EU member state has veto on the payments and Hungary has been blocking the disbursements for nearly a year.

Also blocked by Hungary is a 5-billion ($5.3-billion) support fund for Ukraine from the EPF. EU diplomats are not expecting a breakthrough in Luxembourg.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is to brief his EU counterparts on the war situation via video call.

Western Balkan foreign ministers are also invited to discuss foreign policy.
A general view of the EU Foreign Ministers council. EU foreign ministers are to adopt new Russia sanctions on Monday, diplomats told dpa, after Germany's concerns over business regulations led to several weeks of delay. Francois Lenoir/European Council/dpa

EU foreign ministers are to adopt new Russia sanctions on Monday, diplomats told dpa, after Germany's concerns over business regulations led to several weeks of delay.

Designed to crack down on the evasion of sanctions and stop Russia from obtaining Western technology for making weapons, Berlin was concerned the 14th sanctions package went too far, especially for subsidiaries.

EU diplomats said a compromise was reached, allowing measures halting exports to Russia - the so-called "No Russia" clause - to not apply to subsidiaries for the time being. The issue is to be revisited.

The new salvo of EU punitive measures comes as a boost to Ukraine. Kiev is also set to sign a security commitment with the bloc later this week, an EU official said.

Ukraine has already agreed similar bilateral arrangements with EU countries like Germany and France.

EU foreign ministers are also expected address payments for EU countries that supplied Ukraine with arms from an off-budget fund called the European Peace Facility (EPF).

Each EU member state has veto on the payments and Hungary has been blocking the disbursements for nearly a year.

Also blocked by Hungary is a 5-billion ($5.3-billion) support fund for Ukraine from the EPF. EU diplomats are not expecting a breakthrough in Luxembourg.

Recent threats by the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah movement to the EU island of Cyprus over cooperation with Israel as the situation on the border with Lebanon continues to deteriorate are also to be discussed.

Despite multiple EU warnings, the Georgian government passed a controversial law with strict rules for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in receipt of foreign funding.

EU diplomats said ministers are to consider responses like a freeze on high level meetings and channelling EU funding directly to NGOs without harming pro-EU sentiment among the Georgian people.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is to brief his EU counterparts on the war situation via video call.

Western Balkan foreign ministers are also invited to discuss foreign policy.
The Council of the European Union has approved additional restrictive measures against six Russian hackers involved in cyberattacks against EU countries and Ukraine.

Source: Statement by the EU Council

Quote: "For the first time, restrictive measures are being taken against cybercriminal actors that use ransomware campaigns against essential services, such as health and banking," the Council of the EU added.

Details: The new lists include two members of the Callisto Group, Ruslan Peretyatko and Andrey Korinets.

The Callisto Group is a group of Russian military intelligence officers who conduct cyber operations against EU member states and third countries through sustained phishing campaigns aimed at stealing sensitive data relating to critical government functions, including defence and foreign relations.

The sanctions were also imposed on Alexander Sklyanko and Nikolai Chernykh of the Armageddon hacker group, which is overseen by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB). The group carried out various cyberattacks on the governments of EU member states and Ukraine, including through phishing emails and malware, Brussels said.

The sanctions also targeted Mikhail Tsarev and Maksim Galochkin, key players in the deployment of the Conti and Trickbot malware, as well as members of the Wizard Spider hacker group. Trickbot is a malicious spyware created and developed by the Wizard Spider group, which has conducted ransomware campaigns in various sectors, including essential services such as healthcare and banking, and is therefore responsible for significant economic losses in the European Union.

In total, the EU cyber sanctions regime has been applied to 14 individuals and 4 legal entities. It provides for the freezing of assets and a ban on the entry of cybercriminals into the EU, as well as the seizure of their accounts in banks in EU member states.

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Russians in Crimea demonstrate what they stole from Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Photo: the Tauric Chersonesos Museum-Reserve in Crimea

The 14th package of EU sanctions against Russia includes measures to combat the import and sale of historical and cultural property illegally exported from Ukraine.

Source: press service of the Council of the European Union, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The approved decision states that it is prohibited to purchase, import, transfer and export Ukrainian objects of cultural value and other objects of archaeological, historical, cultural, religious significance or scientific rarity if there are sufficient grounds to believe that they were illegally exported from Ukraine.

In addition, the package restricts the acceptance of applications for registration of certain intellectual property rights in the EU by Russian citizens and companies in response to steps taken by the Russian authorities and courts that unlawfully deprive EU intellectual property rights of protection in Russia.

In addition, the new EU sanctions include measures against Russian liquefied natural gas. Moreover, the new package targets tankers belonging to Russia's oil "shadow fleet".

Background:

As previously reported, the new package of EU sanctions against Russia includes additional tools to combat the circumvention of existing restrictive measures.

The restrictive measures also apply to the System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS) developed by the Central Bank of Russia as an analogue of the SWIFT system.

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High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, attends a European Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. -/European Council/dpa

EU foreign ministers approved 1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) in military aid for Ukraine, with the package to be financed for the first time by proceeds from frozen Russian Central Bank assets, diplomats told dpa on Monday.

Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell said the funds need to reach Ukraine quickly and "avoid any blockage" ahead of their approval at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

The approval comes as a welcome boost for Kiev amid Hungary's ongoing opposition to other packages from an off-budget fund called the European Peace Facility (EPF) worth more than 6 billion.

Each EU member state has a veto on EPF payments and Hungary has been blocking some disbursements related to Ukraine for nearly a year. A 5-billion support fund is also blocked.

A general view of the EU Foreign Ministers council. EU foreign ministers are to adopt new Russia sanctions on Monday, diplomats told dpa, after Germany's concerns over business regulations led to several weeks of delay. Francois Lenoir/European Council/dpa
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, attends a European Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. -/European Council/dpa

EU foreign ministers approved 1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) in military aid for Ukraine, with the package to be financed for the first time by proceeds from frozen Russian Central Bank assets, diplomats told dpa on Monday.

Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell said ahead of the ministers' meeting in Luxembourg that the funds needed to reach Ukraine quickly and "avoid any blockage."

The approval comes as a welcome boost for Kiev amid Hungary's ongoing opposition to other packages from an off-budget fund called the European Peace Facility (EPF) worth more than 6 billion.

Each EU member state has a veto on EPF payments and Hungary has been blocking some disbursements related to Ukraine for nearly a year. A 5-billion support fund is also blocked.

EU diplomats were not expecting a breakthrough on the EPF deadlock with Hungary. As a result, Ukraine military aid from the proceeds is a useful alternative means of support.

Careful legal footwork to enable aid

EU member states first gave their approval to the use the proceeds to buy arms for Ukraine in May however it was unclear when the first payments would flow due to Hungary's veto.

A legal analysis noted that as Hungary abstained on the decision to use the frozen assets for Ukraine, and that the new aid is derived from the Russian Central Bank assets and not EU funds, Budapest's veto does not apply.

Borrell said on Monday the finances "cannot get stopped. It has to be used. We have a legal procedure in order to avoid any blockage."

Hungary opposes military aid for Ukraine fearing an escalation of the conflict with Russia and expresses doubts about Western support for Ukraine, preferring instead to call for a ceasefire.

However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has previously linked decisions on aid for Ukraine to freeing up EU funds for Hungary that have been frozen due to concerns about the rule of law.

Military and financial aid for Ukraine

The military aid for Ukraine uses the interest and other profits from the assets, but not the underlying assets themselves, which will remain frozen.

A total of 90% of the money will fund military aid, while 10% will go directly to Ukraine as financial aid.

Under the agreement, Germany and the Czech Republic have been selected as the first to use the proceeds to provide Ukraine with air defence equipment and artillery shells, EU diplomats said.

Other EU member states may administer the proceeds in the future.

According to the European Commission, around 210 billion worth of Russian Central Bank assets are frozen in the EU.

The Brussels-based financial institution Euroclear, which holds the lion's share of the assets, recently announced that the assets had made around 4.4 billion in interest in 2023.

Russian LNG targeted in EU sanctions first

EU foreign ministers also adopted new punitive measures to crack down on sanctions evasion and stop Russia from obtaining Western technology for making weapons.

A further 69 individuals and 47 entities linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine have been sanctioned with an asset freeze and a travel ban to the European Union.

The new salvo of sanctions target Russia's multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector for the first time.

These punitive measures ban ports such as Zeebrugge in Belgium from shipping Russian LNG to countries outside the EU after a nine-month transition period.

Also targeted is Russian President Vladimir Putin's so-called "shadow fleet" used to avoid sanctions including 27 specific vessels.

German opposition to the 14th sanctions package needed to be overcome, EU diplomats said, as Berlin was concerned the 14th sanctions package went too far, especially for subsidiaries.

EU diplomats said a compromise was reached, allowing measures halting exports to Russia - the so-called "No Russia" clause - to not apply to subsidiaries for the time being. The issue is to be revisited.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba briefed his EU counterparts on the war situation via video call.

Western Balkan foreign ministers were also invited to discuss foreign policy.

A general view of the EU Foreign Ministers council. EU foreign ministers are to adopt new Russia sanctions on Monday, diplomats told dpa, after Germany's concerns over business regulations led to several weeks of delay. Francois Lenoir/European Council/dpa
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, attends a European Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. -/European Council/dpa

EU foreign ministers approved 1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) in military aid for Ukraine, with the package to be financed for the first time by proceeds from frozen Russian Central Bank assets, top EU diplomat Josep Borrell announced on Monday.

The approval comes as a welcome boost for Kiev amid Hungary's ongoing opposition to other packages from an off-budget fund called the European Peace Facility (EPF) worth more than 6 billion.

Each EU member state has a veto on EPF payments and Hungary has been blocking some disbursements related to Ukraine for nearly a year. A 5-billion support fund is also blocked.

EU diplomats were not expecting a breakthrough on the EPF deadlock with Hungary. As a result, Ukraine military aid from the proceeds is a useful alternative means of support.

Borrell referred to this blockade from Hungary as a "structural difficulty" in a press conference after the EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg.

Careful legal footwork to enable aid

EU member states first gave their approval to use the proceeds to buy arms for Ukraine in May however it was unclear when the first payments would flow due to Hungary's veto.

A legal analysis noted that as Hungary abstained on the decision to use the frozen assets for Ukraine, and that the new aid is derived from the Russian Central Bank assets, and not EU funds, Budapest's veto does not apply.

Borrell said that due to Hungary's absention, "it's not necessary" to involve Budapest in carrying out the decision.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto slammed the move as a violation of EU rules, according to Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs on X.

Hungary opposes military aid for Ukraine fearing an escalation of the conflict with Russia and expresses doubts about Western support for Ukraine, preferring instead to call for a ceasefire.

However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has previously linked decisions on aid for Ukraine to freeing up EU funds for Hungary that have been frozen due to concerns about the rule of law.

Military and financial aid for Ukraine

The military aid for Ukraine uses the interest and other profits from the assets, but not the underlying assets themselves, which will remain frozen.

A total of 90% of the money will fund military aid, while 10% will go directly to Ukraine as financial aid.

Under the agreement, Germany and the Czech Republic have been selected as the first to use the proceeds to provide Ukraine with air defence equipment and artillery shells, EU diplomats said.

Other EU member states may administer the proceeds in the future.

According to the European Commission, around 210 billion worth of Russian Central Bank assets are frozen in the European Union.

The Brussels-based financial institution Euroclear, which holds the lion's share of the assets, recently announced that the assets had made around 4.4 billion in interest in 2023.

Russian LNG targeted in EU sanctions first

EU foreign ministers also adopted new punitive measures to crack down on sanctions evasion and stop Russia from obtaining Western technology for making weapons.

A further 69 individuals and 47 entities linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine have been sanctioned with an asset freeze and a travel ban to the EU.

EU sanctions also targeted organizations for providing services or goods used by the Russia military based in China, Turkey, and India. Goods that may be repurposed for military uses may not be sold to these sanctioned companies from the EU.

The new salvo of sanctions target Russia's multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector for the first time.

These punitive measures ban ports such as Zeebrugge in Belgium from shipping Russian LNG to countries outside the EU after a nine-month transition period.

Also targeted is Russian President Vladimir Putin's so-called "shadow fleet" used to avoid sanctions including 27 specific vessels.

Another target was the Financial Messaging System of the Central Bank of Russia (SPFS). EU banks are to be banned from using the service which the bloc views as a Russian initiative to evade sanctions.

Media, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and political parties are to be banned from accepting funding from the Russian state or other proxies.

German opposition to the 14th sanctions package needed to be overcome, EU diplomats said, as Berlin was concerned the package went too far, especially for subsidiaries.

EU diplomats said a compromise was reached, allowing measures halting exports to Russia - the so-called "No Russia" clause - to not apply to subsidiaries for the time being. The issue is to be revisited.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, attends a European Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. -/European Council/dpa

EU foreign ministers approved 1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) in military aid for Ukraine, with the package to be financed for the first time by proceeds from frozen Russian Central Bank assets, top EU diplomat Josep Borrell announced on Monday.

In Moscow, the agreement was dismissed as being an ineffective plan that would end up hurting the European Union more.

"The purpose of the sanctions was to strangle the Russian economy and destroy the cohesion of society, said Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko in Moscow.

"The EU has achieved the opposite," he said. Russia also warned of a renewed rise in EU energy prices.

Plan approval seen as key boost to Ukraine

The approval comes as a welcome boost for Kiev amid Hungary's ongoing opposition to other packages from an off-budget fund called the European Peace Facility (EPF) worth more than 6 billion.

Each EU member state has a veto on EPF payments and Hungary has been blocking some disbursements related to Ukraine for nearly a year. A 5-billion support fund is also blocked.

EU diplomats were not expecting a breakthrough on the EPF deadlock with Hungary. As a result, Ukraine military aid from the proceeds is a useful alternative means of support.

Borrell referred to this blockade from Hungary as a "structural difficulty" in a press conference after the EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg.

Careful legal footwork to enable aid

EU member states first gave their approval to use the proceeds to buy arms for Ukraine in May however it was unclear when the first payments would flow due to Hungary's veto.

A legal analysis noted that as Hungary abstained on the decision to use the frozen assets for Ukraine, and that the new aid is derived from the Russian Central Bank assets, and not EU funds, Budapest's veto does not apply.

Borrell said that due to Hungary's absention, "it's not necessary" to involve Budapest in carrying out the decision.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto slammed the move as a violation of EU rules, according to Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs on X.

Hungary opposes military aid for Ukraine fearing an escalation of the conflict with Russia and expresses doubts about Western support for Ukraine, preferring instead to call for a ceasefire.

However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has previously linked decisions on aid for Ukraine to freeing up EU funds for Hungary that have been frozen due to concerns about the rule of law.

Military and financial aid for Ukraine

The military aid for Ukraine uses the interest and other profits from the assets, but not the underlying assets themselves, which will remain frozen.

A total of 90% of the money will fund military aid, while 10% will go directly to Ukraine as financial aid.

Under the agreement, Germany and the Czech Republic have been selected as the first to use the proceeds to provide Ukraine with air defence equipment and artillery shells, EU diplomats said.

Other EU member states may administer the proceeds in the future.

According to the European Commission, around 210 billion worth of Russian Central Bank assets are frozen in the European Union.

The Brussels-based financial institution Euroclear, which holds the lion's share of the assets, recently announced that the assets had made around 4.4 billion in interest in 2023.

EU measures target sanctions evaders

EU foreign ministers also adopted new punitive measures to crack down on sanctions evasion and stop Russia from obtaining Western technology for making weapons.

A further 69 individuals and 47 entities linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine have been sanctioned with an asset freeze and a travel ban to the EU.

EU sanctions also targeted organizations for providing services or goods used by the Russia military based in China, Turkey, and India. Goods that may be repurposed for military uses may not be sold to these sanctioned companies from the EU.

The Russian armaments holding Vysokotochnye Kompleksy (High Precision Systems) announced that the sanctions against its companies, including a tank factory, were a sign of recognition that the military complex was working successfully. The sanctions would have no impact on weapons production in the future, it said.

Russian LNG targeted in EU sanctions first

The new salvo of sanctions target Russia's multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector for the first time.

These punitive measures ban ports such as Zeebrugge in Belgium from shipping Russian LNG to countries outside the EU after a nine-month transition period.

Russian analysts spoke of a blow to LNG producers. However, the sanctions were comparatively soft and there was a transitional period that would allow Russian companies to find new customers and alternative routes, as was the case with the oil embargo, they said.

India and China - and the Asian region as a whole - were already benefiting from the comparatively favourable energy offers from Russia, a major raw materials power, they said.
Flames can be seen on a gas stove. According to the European Court of Auditors, the EU still has "a lot" of homework to do to ensure a secure gas supply in the long term and be prepared for new crises. Marijan Murat/dpa

The European Union is not adequately prepared for a gas supply crisis, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) warned on Monday.

The ECA, which scrutinizes the value and effectiveness of EU policies, said the EU should improve its system for monitoring the affordability of gas throughout the bloc, streamline the procedures for member states to report the sustainability of their supplies, and improve cooperation between EU countries.

The ECA report takes stock of the supply crisis that followed Russia's full-scale invasion of EU ally Ukraine in February 2022, Before the invasion about 45% of the EU's gas imports came from Russia. Wholesale gas prices reached 339 ($428) per megawatt-hour in August 2022, compared to 51 a year earlier.

While the EU was successful in reducing its dependence on Russian gas and restoring prices to pre-crisis levels by this year, more work needs to be done to prepare for another supply shock in the future, the auditors say.

For example, cooperation among EU countries still falls short. "Many member states are still reluctant to sign bilateral solidarity agreements," an ECA statement said. "Some EU countries would even envisage cutting off their gas supplies to a neighbour in response to an emergency."

"Overall, we found that the EU pre-crisis framework did support gas security of supply, although unequally, but the critical importance of crisis response measures cannot be demonstrated, even though they may have sent signals to help stabilize the market," said auditor Joao Leao in a press conference.
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has confirmed that the EU member states have agreed to use the proceeds from frozen Russian assets to procure armament for Ukraine and the first tranche of 1.4 billion.

Source: Borrell at a press conference following a meeting of foreign ministers of EU member states, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Borrell confirmed that the EU member states had reached an agreement regarding the allocation of the proceeds from frozen Russian assets in favour of Ukraine and the size of the first tranche, namely 1.4 billion.

Quote: "Ministers today agreed on a legal framework for the use of profits from immobilised Russian assets to be allocated to the European Peace Fund."

Borrell stated that these funds would be used in favour of Ukraine "in the safest possible way".

"1.4 billion will be available in the course of next month and another billion by the end of the year. This will be allocated for Ukraine for these three purposes  air defence, ammunition, supporting of the Ukrainian industry," Borrell specified.

Borrell noted that the EU found a way to circumvent Hungary's constant attempts to block the decision.

"We understand that legally, since one of the member states didn't participate in the decision to use these assets, it has no right to decide to which purpose they are allocated. We will now speed up without having this blockage that we still have to solve on the European Peace Facility. The leaders will discuss it at the next summit," he said.

Background: Earlier on 24 June, Politico reported about this agreement with reference to sources.

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The EU plans to continue sending missiles and other lethal aid to Ukraine - US Army

The European Union will use a legal procedure to get around Hungarys veto of a plan to buy weapons for Ukraine using seized Russian cash, the blocs top foreign diplomat said on Monday.

The loophole could also allow Brussels to support efforts by the G7 nations to loan Kyiv 50 billion (42 billion) using income from Russian assets in Europe frozen under sanctions.

We have these revenues coming from the frozen assets and we have to look for a way in order to use them avoiding any kind of blockage, Josep Borrell told reporters ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

He added: This money cannot get stuck, it has to be used and we have a legal procedure to avoid any kind of blockage.

On Monday, EU member states approved a 1.4 billion (1.2 billion) lethal aid package for Kyiv, using the assets. Mr Borrell said it would be released as early as next week and added that a second tranche of 1.1 billion (930 million) was being readied.

Josep Borrell is the EU's High Representative for foreign affairs and security policy - Olivier Hoslet/Shutterstock

The previously-agreed payments were vetoed by Hungary, where Viktor Orban, the prime minister, is often seen as Vladimir Putins closest ally in Europe.

But the European Councils legal service has now advised national capitals that the veto is invalid because Hungary abstained from an earlier vote on the creation of the EUs Ukraine Assistance Fund  a cash pot used to buy weapons for Kyiv.

The decision is clear

Mr Borrell said: We consider that since Hungary didnt participate in the decision its not necessary they could participate in the implementation.

The decision is clear: the revenues coming from the Russian frozen assets will be used to increase our military support to Ukraine

We need to use [the money] and we have a legal procedure in order to advance avoiding any blockage from some member state that were not part of the decision.

Jens Stoltenberg, Nato secretary general (L) with Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, last month - Attila Kisbenedek/AFP

The bloc agreed to legally exclude Hungary from the process after Mr Orban turned down a deal similar to one he struck with Nato last week, which gave him an opt-out from Ukraine actions in return for not blocking other member states from assisting Kyiv.

G7 plan also at risk

There are hopes the EUs legal workaround can next be used to prevent Budapest from blocking the EUs sign-off of a G7 agreement to raise 50 billion (42 billion) in loans for Kyiv by December.

Earlier this month, G7 leaders in Italy announced that returns from some 300 billion (252 billion) in frozen Russian central bank assets would secure the loans, which can be used by Kyiv to buy military gear or for its economic recovery.

Around 200 billion (177 billion) of that is held by EU countries  mainly Belgium  making the blocs support for the scheme crucial if it is to raise the money by the end of the year.

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Even the Supreme Courts conservative justices are polarized about the state of American politics

Polarization is both essential to a functioning democracy and a threat to it.

Too little disagreement among citizens and leaders is unlikely to produce the fruitful political debate that leads to better policy and law. Too much dissension  especially if groups form opposing camps closed off from one another  may result in violence and destroy democracy.

To borrow a quote from another time and context, polarization is like the bubble in a carpenters level. If the bubble veers too far to either side, something is askew.

On June 3, 2024, conservative Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and John Roberts, in conversations with documentary filmmaker and liberal activist Lauren Windsor, who surreptitiously recorded them, offered starkly different views about where the polarization bubble sits in todays America.

While Windsor does most of the talking in her conversation with Alito, the justice does agree with her characterization of polarization as a win-lose phenomenon. For Alito, polarization is very dangerous because there are differences on fundamental things that really cant be compromised.

While its not surprising to hear Alitos conservative views, his bluntness on polarization is striking. Theres no talk of judges being like umpires, calling balls and strikes, as Chief Justice John Roberts put it in his 2005 Senate confirmation hearing.

Instead, Alito appears to be a justice willing to express his views on the ideological divide in the nation, and in agreeing with Windsors words, hes seemingly ready to use his position to return our country to a place of godliness.

Roberts takes a different position on polarization in those recordings. The chief justice offers a more optimistic view of todays politics by pointing to other periods of great conflict in U.S. history, including the Civil War, the New Deal and the Vietnam War. He asks Windsor for examples of a non-tumultuous time. To him, the current state of affairs is nothing new.

The divergent views of the two justices may well be reflected in both their respective understanding of the role of the Supreme Court in American life, as well as in consequential decisions in which they played a decisive role.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito says that the polarization in the U.S. is very dangerous. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Fearful or sanguine

Of course, the conservative Alito is not alone in describing polarization in such unsettling terms. Many on the left agree with him. They fear for the future of American democracy, particularly if Donald Trump wins the presidency again in November 2024.

For Alito, one side or the other is going to win. The chance for compromise is unlikely and, he suggests, may be unwanted. Again, many on the left agree.

In Roberts more positive statement to the filmmaker, he disagrees with her characterization that polarization is so extreme it might be irreparable. For him, polarization thats extreme is like the Civil War  [and] during Vietnam [when] people were getting killed.

Is the Vietnam War era a fair comparison to today?

Certainly, in some areas, there is greater polarization now than during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Consider, for example, party-line voting in Congress.

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was not uncommon for members of both parties to unite to pass significant legislation. The Clean Air and Clean Water acts are just two examples. When President Richard Nixon vetoed the latter in 1972, Congress overwhelmingly overrode Nixons veto mere hours later. It did so with bipartisan support just weeks before an election that Nixon would win in a landslide.

But I do not believe Roberts was focusing on the ease of enacting new laws. In using the word killed in referring to the Vietnam era in the quote above, political violence appears to be front and center in his thoughts.

And here, Roberts is undoubtedly correct.

Chief Justice John Roberts compares the divisions in the U.S. today to the unsettled politics of the 1960s and 70s. Jabin Botsford - Pool/Getty Images

Assassinations, police brutality

The 1960s and 1970s were riddled with political violence. The most obvious manifestations were the political assassinations. Leaders like President John F. Kennedy, Black nationalist Malcolm X, civil rights champion Martin Luther King Jr. and senator and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy  to list just a few  were all murdered in the prime of their lives.

John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy were 46 and 42, respectively. King and Malcolm X were just 39. In 1972, an attempted assassination ended the presidential campaign of George Wallace, the 52-year-old segregationist governor of Alabama.

There was political violence in the streets as well. Mass arrests and police brutality defined the scenes from Chicago during the Democratic Convention there in 1968. But that was just a single event.

In her 2022 book America on Fire, historian Elizabeth Hinton recasts what have previously been called urban riots as political rebellions. She details that between May 1968 and December 1972, some 960 segregated Black communities across the United States witnessed 1,949 separate uprisings.  Over these four years, nearly 40,000 people were arrested, more than 10,000 were injured, and at least 220 people were killed.

In his 2016 book, Days of Rage, journalist Bryan Burrough examines the widespread domestic bombings of the 1970s. While few of them resulted in fatalities, as he writes, during an eighteen-month period in 1971 and 1972, the FBI reported more than 2,500 bombings on U.S. soil, nearly 5 a day.

Jeers greet Chicago police on Aug. 29, 1968, as they chase demonstrators outside the Conrad Hilton, the Democratic National Convention headquarters in Chicago. AP Photo/Michael Boyer

A rough and tumble, but enduring, democracy

While politics in the U.S. is characterized by deep polarization and bitter division now, it is not characterized by widespread and sustained political violence.

One event in particular stands out as a contrary example. The Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol was an attack on the nations democracy without a comparison. Never before had supporters of the defeated candidate threatened to overturn the election results by violently storming the Capitol to prevent the certification of the elections victor.

But while the events of Jan. 6, 2021, shook the core of U.S. democracy, members of that mob have not escaped prosecution and punishment.. And, of course, Trump has been indicted for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

In a couple of minutes of recorded conversation, Roberts seemingly wanted his listener to understand that America has faced troubled times before. Its democracy has been tested by division and discord and has come through stronger in the end.

Roberts implies that we should expect as much now, as well.

The openness of democracy, as American history has shown time and again, often produces messy politics. Roberts view is certainly more confident about the state of America today than that of Alito.

But as a political scientist who incorporates historical analysis in his work, I believe Roberts comparison of current U.S. politics to the politics of the 1960s and 1970s is an apt one. Indeed, in a time when so many have raised deep concern about the threat of polarization, it is an important reminder of both the rough-and-tumble nature and the enduring power of American democracy.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.

It was written by: Kevin J. McMahon, Trinity College.

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Kevin J. McMahon 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.
This event raised not muddy money, but clean money for a great cause

MINDEN, WV (WVNS)  People gathered at Ace Adventure Resort to help raise some money for a good cause.

The Gritty Chix Mud Run was hosted at Ace Adventure Resort.

Northside Properties lots in Raleigh County are annexed into City of Mount Hope

Teams that signed up made their way through an obstacle course with tubes, walls, and most of all, mud. This race benefited a non-profit organization called New River Conservancy.

Dave Bassage, New River Gorge Program Coordinator with New River Conservancy, said working with Ace Adventure Resort has always been a pleasure.

Its great. Theyve been great partners. We work with them on river cleanups, weve held meetings here in the past. The local business community that thrives in this water shed likes to support our efforts, said Bassage.

Bassage told 59News that their mission focuses on numerous aspects of nature. Specifically, in the Appalachian Region.

Gritty Chix Mud Race is coming back to Ace Adventure Resort

Were a conversation organization that covers the entire New River Water Shed. It starts in North Carolina, flows through Virginia, and goes to West Virginia. Basically, we are concerned with the waters, woodlands, and wildlife in the entire New River Water Shed, said Bassage to 59News.

The Gritty Chix Mud Race was an action packed event that not only brought the community together, but helped raise not muddy, but clean money for a great cause.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
"Everybody was shocked": Trump joked about Nazi ovens" in meeting with Jewish business leaders

A former vice president of the Trump Organization said Donald Trump once jokingly referenced "Nazi ovens" in a meeting with several Jewish executives.

Barbara Res told MSNBC host Ali Velshi that Trump was bragging to his team about a new hire, who was German. And he looked at a couple of our executives who happen to be Jewish, and he said Watch out for this guy, he sort of remembers the ovens, you know, and then smiled, Res said.

Everybody was shocked, she said. I cannot believe he said that. He was making a joke about the Nazi ovens and eating people, referencing Trumps stated "support" for fictional cannibal Hannibal Lecter.

Velshi then asked Res for her thoughts on Trumps allegiance to the religious right.

His embrace of religion is absolute nonsense, Res replied, adding that Trump would mock religious people. She left the Trump organization in 1998, saying Trump mistreated her and her colleagues.

Leading up to the election, Trump has repeatedly tried to shame Jewish Americans into voting Republican. In March, Trump said Jews who vote for President Joe Biden should be "ashamed of themselves."
**ONE USE ONLY*** Tree of Life member Audrey Glickman leads a shofar blowing at the groundbreaking ceremony for the synagogue Sunday, June 23, 2024, in Squirrel Hill. The shofar, a ram's horn, which is traditionally sounded to commemorate the Jewish New Year, symbolized the renewal of Tree of Life. (Andrew Goldstein/Pittsburgh Union Progress)

PITTSBURGH  The groundbreaking ceremony Sunday for what will soon become the reborn Tree of Life synagogue maintained a keen focus on the past even as it marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Squirrel Hill congregation.

The memories of the 11 Jews killed by an antisemitic gunman at the same site not even six years ago were honored by the speakers and the attendees who vowed to never forget those who were murdered simply for practicing their faith.

But the resiliency of the members of Tree of Life and the two other congregations that came under attack at that building on Oct. 27, 2018  the deadliest crime against Jews in American history  also was on display.

Today we announce loudly and clearly to the entire world that evil did not win, Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers said. It did not chase us from our home, and it never, ever will.

The approximately 500 people at the ceremony crowded beneath a massive white tent in place along Wilkins Avenue where a portion of the synagogue formerly stood. Demolition of that part of the building, where the attack largely occurred, took place earlier this year.

A new structure designed by world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind will soon begin to rise in that location and will include a memorial, a center for Jewish life, a museum and education center, and an institute for countering hate and antisemitism. While a full timeline for the opening of the building has not been laid out, Rabbi Myers said on Sunday he looked forward to welcoming the community to the synagogue in 2 years.

As we embark on this next chapter in our journey forward, our hope is that the Tree of Life becomes a beacon of hope, a symbol of resilience in this community, and a call not only to take bold actions against extreme forms of bias but a beckoning to all of us to do one extra good deed each day in honor of each of the 11 who were taken from us, said Jeffrey Solomon, a board member of the Tree of Life rebuilding committee.

The amount of money that has been raised for the project has not been made public, but the ceremony program listed 10 entities that donated more than $1 million and 41 organizations and individuals who gave more than $100,000.

It took more than financial support to get the Tree of Life community to this point.

Alan Hausman, president of Tree of Life, remembered the diverse communities that stood in solidarity with Pittsburghs Jewish population in the wake of the massacre. He noted the friendship formed between his congregation and Shadysides Calvary Episcopal Church, which allowed Tree of Life to hold its High Holiday services at the church the year following the shooting.

Thank you to every one of you here today for your support, your care, your partnership that you have offered the survivors, victims families and all of us who were impacted on that horrific day five years ago, Hausman said. While the tragedies of Oct. 27 will forever be in our memories, the way that our community responded in the hours and the days after are what have gotten us here today, celebrating a new chapter for this holy site.

CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer, who emceed the event, also recalled the way that the victims, survivors and their families were embraced in the aftermath of the shooting.

This community captivated the nation, and we watched together as the people of Pittsburgh and around the world embraced you in the spirit of mourning and rebuilding, he said.

Gov. Josh Shapiro addresses the crowd Sunday at the Tree of Life groundbreaking ceremony in Squirrel Hill. (Andrew Goldstein/Pittsburgh Union Progress)

Mayor Ed Gainey, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, U.S. Rep Summer Lee (D-12th District) and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) were among the many dignitaries in attendance at the ceremony. Doug Emhoff, second gentleman of the United States, and Gov. Josh Shapiro also provided remarks.

Shapiro, who was the states attorney general at the time of the massacre, said he had an opportunity to visit the site of the attack, where he saw a bullet-riddled altar, the path where Rabbi Myers and others escaped the synagogue, and art from students from 2018 still hanging on the walls. That day, he said, he brought his college-age daughter, Sophia, along with him so that she, too, could bear witness.

Each of us has a responsibility to continue to share the stories of that day, who we lost, and of the resilience that followed, he said. That responsibility is especially important in this particular moment. Far too many people in todays world either ignore or fail to learn from the atrocities of the past. Some even seem hellbent on repeating it. But its on all of us to remember our shared history, to learn from it.

The ceremony concluded with victims families, shooting survivors, first responders and other officials stomping on glass in the tradition of Jewish weddings, symbolizing the importance of remembering the pain of the past even while experiencing times of joy.

Diane Rosenthal, whose brothers Cecil and David were killed in the shooting, said that even on Sunday she could feel their presence around her. Her brothers attended services at the synagogue every Saturday and served as greeters, helping to pass out prayer books and assisting however else they could.

When the new building opens, she said, it will be a place to remember the lives that were taken as well as a testament to the strength of the Jewish community.

My hope is that this new chapter will be an opportunity to welcome more people in, Rosenthal said, just as my brothers, Cecil and David, once welcomed everyone who came here to the Tree of Life.

The post Evil did not win: Tree of Life in Pittsburgh celebrates groundbreaking of new building appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
An accused former school teacher who was in four-hour standoff with sheriffs deputies Friday has been booked at the Sacramento County Jail and is scheduled to return to court Tuesday.

After the standoff with deputies, Steven Richard Kester, 78, was treated for injuries at a hospital over the weekend and booked Sunday evening at the jail, where he was being held without bail, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office said.

Kester is accused of sexually abusing students in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District. He worked as a full-time teacher in the school district for more than 30 years until he retired and worked there as a substitute teacher until May 2021, when district officials learned of the investigation that led to ex-teachers arrest the following month.

Steven Richard Kester, a former Folsom Cordova Unified School District teacher accused of sexually abusing students, was taken into custody after a four-hour standoff with sheriffs deputies Friday at his home in Orangevale.

The former teacher faces criminal charges from the alleged sexual abuse. Kester also is being sued in a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of four former Folsom Cordova Unified students, who allege the teacher groomed and sexually abused them while they were his students.

Kester, who was free on his own recognizance while awaiting prosecution in the criminal case, was supposed to be in Sacramento Superior Court on Friday morning but failed to show up without notifying his attorney or the court.

Jay Dyer, Kesters defense attorney, was concerned about his clients well-being and asked sheriffs deputies to check on Kester. Judge Satnam S. Rattu also revoked the courts order for Kester to remain free on his own recognizance and issued a warrant for his arrest.

The same morning, deputies found Kester at his apartment in the 9200 block of Madison Avenue, near Blue Oak Drive on the border of Orangevale and Fair Oaks. Sheriffs officials said Kester pointed a gun at himself and stabbed himself with a knife as the deputies tried to de-escalate the situation.

Kester went back inside his apartment and refused to come out until about 1:15 p.m., when he surrendered without further incident. He was placed onto a gurney and taken by ambulance to a hospital.

Steven Richard Kester, who taught in the Folsom Cordova Unified School District, is taken into custody at his Orangevale home after missing a hearing in Sacramento Superior Court on Friday. He was arrested on suspicion of multiple felony counts of child sexual abuse in June 2021.

The former school teacher is scheduled to appear in court at 3 p.m. Tuesday for an arraignment hearing in the child abuse criminal case, court records show. He faces charges of committing lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 in the criminal case. Jail records did not indicate he faces new charges based on Fridays standoff with deputies.

The child sex abuse civil case is scheduled for a case management conference June 27 in Sacramento Superior Court. The plaintiffs allege serial molestation beginning in the 1990s, with the most recent case of abuse taking place in 2021 at Cordova Meadows Elementary School.
Former US Navy doctor turned Texas congressman Ronny Jacksoon may have broken campaign finance laws by using donor funds to cover thousands of dollars worth of bills at a swanky Texas club, according to the nonpartisan House Office of Congressional Ethics.

The six-member House Ethics Committee, which is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, voted unanimously to continue a two-month-old probe into Jacksons conduct that was touched off by allegations that his campaign committee, Texans for Ronny Jackson, had paid his personal bills at a members-only restaurant in Amarillo, Texas called the Amarillo Club.

In a press release, Chairman Michael Guest (R-Miss) and Ranking Member Susan Wild (D-Penn) said the panel was continuing to review the matter of Jacksons alleged violations but would not make any further public comments while the investigation remains ongoing.

The announcement of the continued probe into Jackson  who in July 2022 was demoted to the rank of Captain by the Navy after a probe into his conduct while he served as the head of the White House Medical Unit and the physician to presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump  comes after the Office of Congressional Ethics said there is substantial reason to believe that he violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law by using funds donated to his campaign committee on personal expenses.

Donald Trump (left) shakes hands with Ronny Jackson (right) in 2018. (AFP via Getty Images)

Federal regulations specifically state that campaigns for federal office cannot pay pay dues, fees or gratuities to a country club, health club, recreational facility or other nonpolitical organization except when covering the costs of fundraisers held at such facilities.

Both House rules and the House Ethics Manual also proscribe using campaign funds for dues, fees or gratuities at country clubs or other private membership clubs.

Jackson is accused of potentially violated those rules by having his campaign pay bills at the Amarillo Club, even after OCE stated in a December 2021 referral that there was reason to believe the payments were not related to any campaign purpose.

In the period of time since the OCEs December 17, 2021 referral ... Rep Jackson has continued to make payments to the club undeterred, the report said.

The OCE report also stated that Jacksons campaign has paid membership fees totaling at least $6,839.18 at the club since October 2020, including $4,910.11 worth of payments between October 2021 and January 2024.

Jacksons campaign committee also spent $11,928.27 during that 2020 to 2024 period for fees, meals and other services but the OCE was unable to determine whether any of that was legitimately campaign related because neither Jackson nor the club cooperated with the offices investigation.
Former Trump spiritual advisor Robert Morris told his sexual abuse accuser that she could be criminally prosecuted if he paid her money to prevent her from going public, according to emails.

Cindy Clemishire, who has accused the megachurch pastor of molesting her for years when she was a child, emailed him in 2005 asking for restitution.

In emails, obtained by NBC News, Morris replied with a warning that she could be criminally prosecuted if he paid her.

Last week, Morris admitted that he had engaged in "sexual behavior" with a child, and resigned from his leadership duties at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas. He has not been charged with a crime.

Morris was a leading figure in the Evangelical Christian community, and served on former president Donald Trumps spiritual advisory board.

In the emails, Clemishire, now 54, accused Morris of "destroying" her life, and asks for compensation for "pain and damage". The emails were sent between April and October 2005.

Pastor Robert Morris applauds after Donald Trump speaks at Gateway Church's Dallas campus on June 11, 2020. Morris resigned from his leadership role at the church last week after Cindy Clemishire publicly accused him of molesting her while she was a child in the 1980s (Alex Brandon/AP)

Twenty-three years after you began destroying my life, I am still dealing with the pain and damage you caused, an email, on September 20, 2005, read. "I want some type of restitution. Pray about it and call me."

Two weeks later, Morris responded to the email. He wrote that he had already asked for forgiveness from Clemishire's father and so, in his mind, the matter was settled, according to NBC.

Debbie and I really do care for you and we sincerely want Gods best for you, Morris wrote, referring to his wife.

He explained that since he confessed his abuse to Clemishire's father, he believed that he had "obtained your forgiveness as well as your family's."

Then he warned her if she pursued legal action against him, she could be tried for blackmail, NBC reported.

My attorney advises that if I pay you any money under a threat of exposure, you could be criminally prosecuted and Debbie and I do not want that, he wrote. If you need more information, have your attorney contact mine.

The Independent has contacted Morris and Gateway Churchs leadership for comment on the emails.

In one email, Clemishire expressed her frustration that Morris faced no consequences for his actions.

Cindy Clemishire gives an interview detailing the years of sexual abuse she says she suffered as a child at the hands of Gateway Church pastor Robert Morris. Morris, who once sat on Donald Trumps spiritual advisory board, has since resigned (screengrab/WFAA)

Men that have over 100 counts of child molestation go to prison, she wrote. Men who pastor churches that have over 100 counts of child molestation go to prison and pay punitive damages. You have not had to do either.

Clemishire made the decision to go public with her story last week. A website that collects church abuse allegations, The Wartburg Watch, published her blog post where she detailed the years of abuse she suffered at the hands of Morris, beginning when she was 12. She said the abuse began in 1982 and continued until 1987, when she told her parents.

Morris admitted in his twenties that he had sexual encounters with a "young lady," but said that he had since repented.

When I was in my early twenties, I was involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in a home where I was staying. It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong, Morris said.

He said that in 1987, after Clemishire told her parents about the abuse, that he "confessed and repented" to the Shady Grove Church, where he was pastor at the time, and to Clemishire's father.

A group of protesters outside Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, calling for pastor Robert Morris to step down last week (screengrab/CBS Texas)

They asked me to step out of ministry and receive counseling and freedom ministry, which I did. Since that time, I have walked in purity and accountability in this area, Morris said in his statement. He added that he and his wife met with the survivor and her family in 1989.

Last week, Gateway Church's Board of Elders announced that Morris had resigned from his position at the church.

The church leaders claimed that they had been lead to believe Morris had cheated on his wife, not that he had molested a child.

The elders prior understanding was that Morriss extramarital relationship, which he had discussed many times throughout his ministry, was with a young lady and not abuse of a 12-year-old child, the leaders said in a statement announcing his resignation.

Boz Tchividjian, Clemishire's attorney, issued a statement to NBC News questioning why the elders did not investigate his client's claims earlier.

It seems as if it was preferable for them to simply accept his vague narrative instead of seeking the truth regarding a sexual offense perpetrated upon a minor, Tchividjian said. The leaders at Gateway had the responsibility to find out what happened and not to blindly accept his words.

One of the elders, Tom Lane, had email interactions with Clemishire in 2005 regarding her accusations against Morris.

Lane told NBC News that he "did not fully understand the severity and specifics of the sexual abuse she experienced, nor did I know she was 12-years-old when the abuse began."

The broadcaster reports that the emails do not appear to indicate that Lane knew about Clemishire's age or the nature of the abuse.
Exasperated Democrats try to stamp out talk of replacing Biden

Senate Democrats are feeling exasperated by their inability to stamp out persistent speculation that party leaders have a plan B to replace President Biden atop the Democratic ticket due to concerns about his age and weak poll numbers.

Theyre tired of hearing about the hand-wringing of Democratic voters and donors over Bidens age and electability and sick of reading about Rube Goldberg-like schemes, some of them pushed by Republicans or conservative media, to shake up the Democratic ticket.

One Democratic senator feigned putting a make-believe pistol to their temple when asked about the prospect of yanking Biden off the ticket before the Democratic National Convention in August or the general election in November.

The senator, who requested anonymity, said stories about replacing Biden on the ticket sound juicy but are nothing more than a sign that political pundits have too much time on their hands.

Theres no way in hell thats true. Not a chance in hell thats true, the lawmaker insisted. I dont know what to say.

The senator said Biden has seen a small bump in the polls since a Manhattan jury convicted former President Trump on 34 felony charges of falsifying business records.

The latest national [poll] has him at 50 [percent]. I think thats real, the senator added.

Biden and Trump are tied at 40 percent in a head-to-head match-up, according to the latest analysis of recent national polls by FiveThirtyEight, but Trump previously had a small lead over the president for months.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said stories about Biden dropping off the ticket this summer or fall are simply bizarre.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) also poured cold water on the speculation.

Ive heard no credible plan B, and Im not counting on a plan B, he said.

The Democratic senator said Thursdays debate between Biden and Trump will be a really critical point in the campaign and would set the trajectory of the race.

All of the questions that people are asking right now will have different answers after this debate, he said. At the end of the day, its going to be a choice between the two of them. I think Biden is so much sharper, quicker, knowledgeable than even Democrats give him credit for.

We all have moments when we cant remember a name, but thats not whats important about being president of the United States, he said. I dont have a plan B; Im not looking for a plan B.

Democratic senators have insisted for months that Biden will be their nominee for president in November, and they feel confident he will beat Trump in the general election.

But that hasnt stopped speculation from bubbling up in the media that there could be a last-minute overhaul of the ticket.

One Democratic fundraising consultant said Democratic strategists and donors sometimes ask whether Biden will still be the partys nominee for president in November, but the conversation usually fizzles out pretty quickly.

If people mention that, if its talked about in settings, even if somebody says we need to have an alternative, its not really taken as something that seriously could happen, the strategist said.

Youre in a conversation with somebody, somebody says, Do we have a backup? Something like that. Because, honestly, [Vice President] Harris is not really seen as ready for prime time, the source added.

The Democratic consultant said theres zero chance of replacing Biden.

Business Insider earlier this month published a list of the 7 Democrats who could replace Biden if he drops his 2024 reelection bid.

That was followed by Fox and Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade asking Democratic Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, who was one of the names on Business Insiders list, in an interview Wednesday if he would be ready to replace Biden. Moore quickly waved away the theory and declared Biden the best candidate for the presidency.

Politico published a piece Thursday reporting that Democratic voters are enthusiastic about Democratic candidates but not about Biden, citing it as another ominous sign for the president.

Politico Magazine published an analysis in February warning Democrats might need a Plan B and offering possible scenarios.

Douglas MacKinnon, a political and communications consultant for former Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush, wrote an op-ed for The Hill last month declaring, Democrats can still jettison Biden as an August Surprise.

The Boston Herald reported this week that a number of Democratic consultants are speculating that top party officials could be very quietly looking to remove Biden from the ticket before the convention and find a younger, more dynamic leader such as Michelle Obama.

The paper asked if Hillary Clinton, whos kept her name in the news, might be paving the way for Democrats to pick her as the presidential nominee.

British journalist Piers Morgan hosted a lengthy panel discussion on his show Piers Morgan Uncensored about replacing Biden atop the ticket after airing clips of Biden seeming confused during a fundraising event in Los Angeles with former President Obama.

The White House later slammed the video clip as selectively edited misinformation to make the president look bad, while Trump shared it on his media platform, Truth Social, with the comment, Is this really who you want to be your President?

The media speculation about Biden dropping off the ticket has been fueled by polls showing that a majority of voters think hes too old to be an effective president.

A New York Times/Siena College survey of voters nationwide published in March found that 73 percent of voters thinks that, including 61 percent of voters who backed Biden in 2020.

Kathleen Parker, a columnist for The Washington Post, this month suggested that Democrats could address voters concerns about Bidens age by replacing Harris with former secretary of State and first lady Hillary Clinton, the partys 2016 nominee.

Bidens steady decline the past few years  his stumbles, his search for words, his occasional blank stare  have been impossible to ignore, she wrote.

She argued Harris is a significant obstacle to Biden because independents and disenchanted Republicans might swing for Biden if it werent for the prospect of a President Harris.

Durbin, the Senates No. 2 Democratic leader, however, panned the idea of Clinton running for president or vice president as implausible.

No, I dont think shes likely to run again, he said.

Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) acknowledged Democratic voters are alarmed over polls showing Trump has a solid chance of beating Biden in the fall.

Everyones seen the polls and I think people are so alarmed that we could elect someone whos kind of revealed themselves to be a demagogue, he said, referring to Trump.

Maybe hell only be a dictator for a day  but hes revealed himself, and I think people are very, very concerned about that, he said. People look at those polls, and theyre nervous and anxious, but I dont think there are any other alternative plans.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Experts say it's time to speed up the return of Africa's stolen history

Johannesburg  Much of Africa's cultural treasure was looted during colonial times and has remained in museums and private collections in Europe and North America ever since. For the last few decades, however, African nations have been asking for the stolen treasures to be returned.

Last week, 39 artifacts were formally handed back to the government of Uganda by Britain's famed University of Cambridge. While the return is technically a three-year loan between museums, it is extendable, and could see them remain in their country of origin.

Martin Mugarra, the minister of tourism, said that while many important artifacts remain overseas, it was still a significant return of cultural objects. In a social media post, he said the process to get the pieces back started in 2016 under the "rethinking Uganda Museum" project, in collaboration with the University of Michigan.

Mark Elliott, center, senior curator in anthropology at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge, displays traditional artifacts repatriated by the university, in Kampala, Uganda, June 12, 2024. / Credit: Hajarah Nalwadda/AP

"These invaluable pieces were taken from Uganda during the 1890s and early 1900s by British colonial administrators, anthropologists, missionaries and soldiers," he said.

The pieces had been kept at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge for more than 100 years. The collection includes human remains taken from the Wamala tombs, a headdress made of human hair and a traditional Bunyoro drum.

Ugandan heritage specialists say the pieces will be acclimated to Ugandan conditions before being put on display in 2025 or 2026.

Restitution remains a common issue for many African governments and communities. More and more are seeking accountability and the return of items of cultural value looted either before or during colonial rule.

In April, the popular Victoria and Albert Museum in London loaned 32 artifacts that were taken from what is now Ghana more than 150 years ago back to the country's current king. The objects were stolen from the court of the Asante king during conflicts between his people and British soldiers.

Looted Asante artifacts, returned on loan from the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, are seen on display at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, Ghana, May 12, 2024. / Credit: Ernest Ankomah/Getty

A gold peace pipe, a sword and other significant pieces were returned, again on a long-term loan from the museum to the king. In the Asante culture, the gold artifacts are believed to be invested with the spirit of former kings, so the return of the treasures was described as the return of "the soul of the people."

Why are artifacts loaned and not just returned?

In February, the Fowler Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles permanently returned seven looted objects to the Asante people in Ghana. In a statement issued at the time, the museum's management said they considered themselves "temporary custodians of the objects in our collection."

"In the case of pieces that were violently or coercively taken from their original owners or communities, it is our ethical responsibility to do what we can to return those objects," said Erica Jones, the senior curator of African arts and manager of curatorial affairs at the Fowler Museum.

Asante King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II greets delegates from the Fowler Museum at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Ghana, Feb. 8, 2024. / Credit: Misper Apawu/AP

The collections in many European museums tend to be owned by the state, however, with laws in place to govern their care  and in many cases, bar them from being removed, even to return to original owners, which is referred to as deaccessioning. To permanently give back contested antiquities from their collections, those countries would need to change their laws.

A 1963 law bans the British Museum in London from removing an artifact from its collection unless it is a duplicate, is damaged or is deemed "unfit" for the collection.

The National Heritage Act of 1983 prevents the V&A from legally returning its artifacts.

More museums in the United States are privately owned, with the notable exception of those run by the state-owned Smithsonian Institution. That means institutions like the Fowler Museum can more easily and quickly repatriate artifacts back to their original owners.

"I agree that in order to maintain public trust in museums, deaccessioning should not be taken lightly," Ngaire Blankenberg, a museum specialist with the Creative Repair Studio and the former director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art, told CBS News.

She added, however, that "where there is will, legislation can be changed."

"Most of the laws prohibiting restitution were enacted long after the work in question was taken, or in some cases, in order to justify criminal activity," Blankenberg said. "If a law can be made only in 1983, for example, there surely is a mechanism to repeal or amend it in 2024?"

Within a few weeks of her arrival at NMAFA in Washington D.C., Blankenberg launched the process to hand back Benin bronzes that had long been in the museum's collection.

From left, Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture in Nigeria, signs a contract with Lonnie Bunch, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, during a ceremony to repatriate more than two dozen Benin Bronzes to modern-day Nigeria, at the National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C., Oct. 11, 2022. / Credit: Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/for The Washington Post via Getty

"As an African, it is personally offensive to see looted African work displayed as a trophy, even if the text below it acknowledges the circumstances of its removal from its source," she said. "So, I immediately took them off display and began a conversation with the Nigerian Commission of Museum and Monuments about what they would like to do with the Bronzes. They indicated they wanted them back, and so began the process."

"It's not just a question of ownership"

How contested artifacts are displayed is an issue unto itself.

There are tens of thousands of African artifacts spread across the Western world, most of which are unlikely to be returned anytime soon given the slow pace of deaccessioning thus far.

Blankenberg said it was important for museums and galleries to consider how such works are displayed, including whether there are accompanying explanations of why ownership is contested, and what words are used to describe them and their significance.

"It's not just a question of ownership, but spiritual significance," she said. "In some cases, what are referred to as 'inanimate objects' described only by the material they are made with, are in fact considered living beings or 'with spirit' by their societies of origin. Using eurocentric reference points robs these works of their context and meaning and results in misunderstandings, assumptions and stereotypes about the cultures they originate from. So the issue is not only about who owns these, but also who gets to decide who sees them, how they are displayed, how they are documented and the role they play in our understanding of the world."

Looted artifacts have been controversial for decades, but many museums in the West might not exist in their current forms if it wasn't for these collections.

Items from a collection of metal plaques and sculptures taken from modern-day Nigeria in 1897, commonly referred to as the Benin Bronzes, are seen in a gallery of African relics in the British Museum, Aug. 23, 2023, in London, England. / Credit: LEON NEAL/Getty

While countless researchers, conservators, registrars, scholars, administrators and curators have built their careers on their expertise in managing these collections, African institutions and scholars suffer from a chronic lack of resources and often need to go to the West to access work from their own cultures.

"We need to recognize not just the harm of the original theft, but the ongoing harm that depriving cultures of their masterpieces, their spiritual guides, their cultural icons does to a people. What has undoubtedly added value to Western museums, has been to the detriment of African societies and scholarship," Blankenberg said.

Moving forward to make amends for the past

There is a growing movement among antiquities experts, who feel reparative restitution must include more than just a handover, and incorporate an acknowledgement of the harm that's been done as well as financial reparations in the form of money and other resources.

They believe fundamental apologies are also warranted, along with commitments to never repeat the crimes of the past.

As the Ugandan art returned last week is studied and prepared to be put on display back on its home soil next year, experts in the field agree it should not be seen as an end, but the beginning.

Blankenberg and others hope there's an opportunity to start building strong, sustainable, well-resourced institutions in Africa to rebalance the relationship between African art and knowledge and the continent's former colonizers.

Molemo Moiloa is the co-founder of Open Restitution Africa, which is looking at the restitution process and gives small grants across the continent to activists and other researchers involved in returning artifacts to their rightful owners.

The group compiled a report in 2022 that did show "a massive shift in the discourse and action  but this is only from a zero base, a total refusal, disengagement, up to now," Moiloa told CBS News.

"We are just starting to see policy developments in practice, and people acknowledging that there is a need for return, but not actually returning it yet," she said, noting that experts estimate as much as 90% of Africa's cultural and historical material has been held outside the continent for hundreds of years.

Traditional artifacts repatriated by the University of Cambridge are shown in Kampala, Uganda, June 12, 2024. The British university returned the 39 items, which range from tribal regalia to delicate pottery, to the East African country. / Credit: Hajarah Nalwadda/AP

The decision to return artifacts currently depends entirely on the leadership of Western museums and their owners.

"Africans need to be given the resources to deal with returns, and ultimately allowed to be in charge of every aspect of the decision making," said Moiloa.

"What we have found is that many museums have many African art pieces in storage, and as they open new wings or put work out on public display it creates a certain visibility that then requires accountability," she said. "It's just one step in a conversation; where many museums see the opening of a wing as the end, it should be seen as an opening to the public for a conversation  a transparent engagement with what is in their collections, and that could lead to what Africans want back."

Several recent visits to the continent by Max Hollein, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and Emmanuel Kasarherou, from the Quai Branly Museum in Paris, were taken as potential good signs of a new approach toward Africa.

It might be an indication that France, for example, will make good on the promise issued by President Emmanuel Macron in 2018 to repatriate all African artifacts held in French museums.

Artifacts being returned to their home countries on loan is, in the end, just an exercise in diplomacy. The real test will be what happens next.

Will the hundreds, if not thousands of contested works from Africa in the Quai Branly actually find their way back home? How will the Met deal with the contested works in its collection when it opens its new gallery of African art next year?

"We need to go beyond lip service and see some concrete and speedy action," said Blankenberg.

John Dickerson: What's the point of a Biden-Trump debate?

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When Social Security mistakenly overpays benefits, you might get a bill | 60 Minutes
Nevada democratic congressman Steven Horsford talks with John Langeler about his role as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, immigration executive orders, affordable housing, and his race against republican John Lee.

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WASHINGTON  The only reason John Arthur is able to be a public school teacher is because his wife makes much more money than he does.

Arthur  the 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year  testified on Thursday at a hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on the challenges facing public school teachers.

Arthur, who is also a member of the National Education Association and holds National Board Certification, pointed to pay as the main reason for both teachers leaving the profession and parents not wanting their children to become teachers.

The No. 1 solution to addressing the issues we face must be increasing teachers salaries, said Arthur, who teaches at Meadowlark Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Gemayel Keyes, a teacher at Gilbert Spruance Elementary School in Philadelphia, told the committee that even as an educator, he still has an additional part-time job.

The special education teacher spent most of his career in education as a paraprofessional. At the time he moved into that role, the starting annual salary was $16,000 and the maximum was $30,000.

Its still pretty much the same, he said.

Minimum teacher salary

Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, introduced a bill in March 2023 that would set an annual base salary of $60,000 for public elementary and secondary school teachers.

We understand that the children, young people of this country, are our future and there is, in fact  nothing more important that we can do to provide a quality education to all of our young people, and yet, for decades, public school teachers have been overworked, underpaid, understaffed, and maybe most importantly, underappreciated, Sanders said in his opening remarks.

Compared to many other occupations, our public school teachers are more likely to experience high levels of anxiety, stress and burnout, which was only exacerbated by the pandemic, he said.

Sanders said 44% of public school teachers are quitting their profession within five years, citing the extremely low pay teachers receive as one of the primary reasons for a massive U.S. teacher shortage.

For the 2023-24 school year, a whopping 86% of K-12 public schools in the country documented challenges in hiring teachers, according to an October report from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Maryland sets $60,000 minimum

But a minimum annual teacher salary of $60,000 is not far off for every state.

In Maryland, the Blueprint for Marylands Future raises the starting salary for teachers to $60,000 a year by July 2026.

William E. Kirwan, vice chair of Marylands Accountability and Implementation Board, said the multi-year comprehensive plan, passed in 2021 in the Maryland General Assembly, addresses all aspects of childrens education from birth to high school completion, including most especially, the recruitment, retention and compensation of high quality teachers.

Kirwan said the Blueprints principle for teacher compensation is that, as professionals, teachers should be compensated at the same level as other professionals requiring similar levels of education, such as architects and CPAs.

An allocation issue

Sen. Bill Cassidy, ranking member of the committee, dubbed Democrats solution of creating a federal minimum salary for teachers as a laudable goal.

But he noted that the federal government dictating how states spend their money does not address the root cause of why teachers are struggling to teach in the classroom.

More mandates and funding cannot be the only answer we come up with. We must examine broken policies that got us here and find solutions to improve, the Louisiana Republican said.

Nicole Neily, president and founder of Parents Defending Education, a parents rights group, argued that schools dont have a resource issue but rather an allocation issue.

Theres a saying: Dont tell me where your priorities are, show me where you spend your money, and Ill tell you what they are. Education leaders routinely choose to spend money on programs and personnel that dont directly benefit students, said Neily.

Neily pointed to a 2021 report from the Heritage Foundation, which found that standardized test results show that achievement gaps are growing wider over time in districts with (chief diversity officers). Such staff members commonly encourage efforts at diversity, equity and inclusion in schools.

Robert Pondiscio, a senior fellow at the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute, said higher pay does not ease the burden we place on teachers or add hours to their day.

By all means, raise teacher pay, but do not assume that it will solve teacher shortages or keep good teachers in the classroom. Poor training, deteriorating classroom conditions, shoddy curriculum and spiraling demands have made an already challenging job nearly impossible to do well and sustainably, he added.

The post Extremely low pay cited at U.S. Senate hearing as prime reason for teacher shortage appeared first on Michigan Advance.
Claim:

Martin Luther King Jr. was denied a concealed-carry gun permit in 1956.

Rating:

Rating: True

Over the years, people have repeatedly shared a claim online that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. tried to get a gun license but was denied  and Snopes' readers have asked us whether it's true.

In the r/liberalgunowners subreddit on Reddit, a user posted (archive) in 2018 that "Martin Luther King Jr. applied for a permit to carry a concealed firearm in 1956, after his house was bombed. His application was denied."

An X user shared (archive) the claim that same year, writing that "the local police had discretion to determine who was a suitable person to carry firearms" but didn't think the civil rights leader qualified. Even the National Rifle Association has written about King's denied permit. On Jan. 21, 2019  Martin Luther King Jr. Day  the gun advocacy organization posted (archive) the claim:

Today, the men and women of the @NRA honor the profound life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King applied for a concealed carry permit in a "may issue" state and was denied. We will never stop fighting for every law-abiding citizen's right to self-defense. #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/wtSQOO5Kaq  NRA (@NRA) January 21, 2019

In short, the claim is accurate. It seemingly originated from Adam Winkler, an author and law professor at UCLA. In an article (archive) for HuffPost, Winkler wrote about King's effort to legally carry a firearm:

As I found researching my new book, Gunfight, in 1956, after King's house was bombed, King applied for a concealed carry permit in Alabama. The local police had discretion to determine who was a suitable person to carry firearms. King, a clergyman whose life was threatened daily, surely met the requirements of the law, but he was rejected nevertheless. At the time, the police used any wiggle room in the law to discriminate against African Americans.

A Feb. 4, 1956, newspaper article in The Montgomery Advertiser corroborated Winkler's claim. The article, titled "Negro Leader Fails to Get Pistol Permit," covered the events following King's house being firebombed and King subsequently applying for a "pistol permit":

A Negro boycott leader whose home was bombed earlier this week has been denied a pistol permit, the Sherrif's department said yesterday. The Rev. M.L. King and two other clergymen requested the permit Wednesday, Sheriff Mac Sim Butler said. Sherriff Butler said he declined to issue a pistol permit which King said he wanted for a night watchman at his home. He said threats against him have been received "continuously" and he felt the need for a watchman.

Because this claim is well-documented, we have rated it "True."

Sources:

"Feb 04, 1956, Page 11 - The Montgomery Advertiser at Newspapers.Com." Newspapers.Com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/256253402/. Accessed 19 June 2024.

"MLK and His Guns." HuffPost, 18 Jan. 2011, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mlk-and-his-guns_b_810132.
Firefighters work at the site of a burnt lithium battery manufacturing factory in Hwaseong, South Korea, Monday, June 24, 2024. (Hong Ki-wonj/Yonhap via AP)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  A fire likely sparked by exploding lithium batteries swept through a manufacturing factory near South Koreas capital on Monday, killing 22 mostly Chinese migrant workers and injuring eight, officials said.

The fire began after batteries exploded while workers were examining and packaging them on the second floor of the factory in Hwaseong city, just south of Seoul, at around 10:30 a.m., fire officials said, citing a witness. They said they would investigate the cause of the blaze.

The dead included 18 Chinese, two South Koreans and one Laotian, local fire official Kim Jin-young told a televised briefing. He said the nationality of one of the dead couldnt be immediately verified.

In the past few decades, many people from China, including ethnic Koreans, have migrated to South Korea to seek jobs. Like other foreign migrants from Southeast Asian nations, they often end up in factories or in physically demanding and low-paying jobs shunned by more affluent South Koreans.

Kim said that one factory worker remained out of contact and rescuers continued to search the site. He said that two of the eight injured were in serious condition.

The fire started at one of the factory buildings owned by a battery manufacturer, Aricell. He said that authorities would investigate whether fire extinguishing systems were at the site and if they worked.

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous in consumer goods from laptops to cellphones. They can overheat if damaged, defective or packaged improperly, leading to fires and explosions and making them a hazard for shipment aboard aircraft.

The video of the incident showed the factory's second floor being engulfed with blaze, about 15 seconds after a small amount of white smoke was seen billowing from a battery, senior fire official Jo Seon-ho told a briefing later Monday.

Jo, citing the footage, said workers at the site mobilized fire extinguishers but failed to put out the blaze. They later rushed to an area where there was no exit before they likely inhaled toxic smoke and lost their consciousness, he said. The dead foreign workers were daily laborers so they were not likely familiar with the building's internal structure, he added.

Fire officials said a total of 102 people were working at the factory at the time of the fire.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, wearing a safety helmet and a mask, visited the site with other officials. He expressed condolences to the dead people and ordered officials to put in place measures to effectively deal with battery-related fires, according to Yoon's office.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the countrys No. 2 official, and Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min also came to the site. Han asked officials to provide government assistance for funeral services and support programs for victims relatives, according to his office.

Mondays blaze is one of the deadliest in South Korea in recent years.

In 2020, a fire at a warehouse being built in Icheon City, south of Seoul, killed 38 construction workers. In 2018, 46 people died after a fire ripped through a small hospital with no sprinkler systems in the southern city of Miryang. In 2008, 40 workers, 12 of them ethnic Koreans with Chinese nationality, died after a fire and accompanying explosions tore through a refrigerated warehouse in Icheon city.

South Korea has struggled for decades to improve safety standards and change widespread attitudes that regard safety as subservient to economic progress and convenience.
Six years after the federal government learned that the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station was one of the worst polluted military sites in the nation with PFAS, it still has no cleanup plans.

The ubiquitous and insidious per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals are present in groundwater at the station in levels up to 300,000 times greater than drinking water standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to studies conducted by a consultant for the military.

New EPA water quality standards on PFAS may impact public rates, Buffalo area water suppliers say The EPA's new drinking water standard is stricter than the state's as it recognizes that no levels of PFAS chemicals in water are safe, but it is technologically infeasible for the chemicals to be completely removed from water.

The pollution came from foam, called aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, that firefighters used mostly in training activities at the station from the 1960s through late 1990s.

PFAS chemicals have since made their way into Cayuga Creek, according to studies by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The creek runs through the station and is a tributary of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario, a major drinking water source for thousands of people in the United States and Canada.

The chemicals particularly concern scientists because they bioaccumulate  meaning the body doesnt flush them out like it would other contaminants  earning them their colloquial name, forever chemicals.

Exposure to them has been linked to increased chances of getting some types of cancer, suppressed immune functions, small decreases in birth weights, increases in cholesterol levels, and pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

The DAF (Department of the Air Force) has not established a time-line for possible clean-up actions for the PFAS found at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Lindsay Mairs, a remedial program manager for the Air Force, wrote in an email to The Buffalo News. But we always have the ability to take immediate action if we identify an imminent risk to human health.

Low levels of PFAS chemicals have been detected in the drinking water provided by the Niagara Falls Water Board, which serves about 50,000 people. The water purveyor takes its water from the Niagara River directly downstream of Cayuga Creek, according to Sean Costello, executive director of the Water Board.

The boards water treatment system has kept PFAS levels in its customers drinking water below EPA and New York State Department of Health standards since it began testing in 2021.

But drinking water isnt the only victim to the PFAS pollution.

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper has found high levels of PFAS chemicals in the surface water of Cayuga Creek downstream of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station at Porter Road. Up to 147.7 parts per trillion of a PFAS chemical were detected in the creeks surface water  one of the highest detections of 114 waterways sampled by waterkeeper organizations around the nation in 2022.

Additionally, the state DEC found levels of PFAS of up to 3,960,000 ppt in fish from the creek during surveys in 2019. There is an existing advisory for Cayuga Creek warning people to not eat any fish from the creek due to elevated levels of PCBs and dioxins found in the animals.

PFAS are in our water, theyre in our blood, theyre in our wildlife, theyre in our food we eat, Waterkeeper Executive Director Jill Jedlicka said. But we know where its coming from. And we know how to stop it.

Longstanding PFAS use

PFAS pollution was found at high levels in the surface water, groundwater and soil at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in several areas where the AFFF used by firefighters leaked or was likely directly sprayed on the ground.

The chemicals also are found in many household items, including non-stick cookware, dental floss, waterproof makeup and smartphone screens.

Studies conducted by chemical manufacturers 3M and DuPont in the 1950s and 1960s found PFAS could be toxic to humans, but such information was kept private.

U.S. Department of Defense studies conducted beginning in the 1970s showed that the PFAS-containing AFFF used on military bases to fight fires was toxic, according to documents obtained by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group. By the 1980s, the agency said it had evidence that PFAS chemicals could pose environmental and health risks.

PFAS were used in firefighting foam because they are particularly effective at putting out petroleum fires. The foams use at airports around the nation has led to new and widespread efforts to identify which airports have PFAS contamination issues. In some cases, entire city or town drinking water sources have been polluted with PFAS leaching from airports.

Public concern over the substances toxicity began in the 1990s, after news broke that PFAS were found to contaminate water near a 3M plant in West Virginia.

The EPA didnt implement drinking water standards for some PFAS chemicals until April. In the standards, the agency acknowledged there is no safe level of exposure to PFOA and PFOS, the most commonly found of the thousands of synthetic chemicals that fall under the PFAS umbrella, but set the limit each could be in drinking water at 4 ppt.

U.S. Department of Defense officials issued a rule in 2023 prohibiting any use of AFFF after Oct. 1 at any military installation.

The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station expects to receive firefighting foam free of PFAS, called fluorine-free foam or F3, later this summer, according to station Fire Chief Aaron McLane. The foam is being rolled out at airports around the nation.

AFFF hasnt been used at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station since the 1990s, but it has been kept on site in case of emergencies, McLane told The News in a written statement.

More testing scheduled

Testing completed in 2018 found PFOA and PFOS combined in groundwater at a firefighter training area at the station in levels up to 1,310,000 ppt. Six other spots on the property had PFAS detections in groundwater at the time ranging from 7.7 ppt to 49,000 ppt, according to reports prepared by an engineering firm for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Those detections placed the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station as the seventh-most PFAS polluted military installation in the United States, according to a 2019 list by EWG.

A contract to conduct further testing and determine the full extent of PFAS pollution at the air reserve station was awarded in 2022, according to Mairs. The results of such testing have not yet been released publicly.

More site testing is planned for 2026. This round of testing will determine any unacceptable risk from PFAS at these sites, which will inform need for any cleanup remedies needed at this site, Mairs told The News.

Because of the chemicals prevalence, the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station isnt the only source of PFAS in the Niagara River, Jedlicka said, but its a source that has been identified and found to have direct impacts on Cayuga Creek.

With a source area that is flaming hot right now, 1.3 million parts per trillion, she said, thats a source area that needs to be remediated or all thats going to continue to leach through Cayuga Creek into where the drinking water intakes are.
A Fairview Heights thrift store quietly opens. Grand opening plans are set for July

I recently reported that the St. Vincent de Paul National Thrift Store in Fairview Heights set a grand opening date.

St. Vincent de Paul National Thrift Store will celebrate its grand opening Monday, July 8, at 9 a.m.

I was also awaiting a response from Jim Conley, National Store Support Manager for St. Vincent de Paul, about a few details, including store hours. Over the weekend I received that response.

Starting July 8, the stores hours will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

However, the store is currently open.

Conley wrote in an email to the BND that soft opening hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday until the July 8 grand opening.

Donations are currently accepted from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Items most needed are shoes, linens, electronics and quality furniture. Also accepted are mens, womens and childrens clothing, accessories and housewares, such as pots and pans, dishes, decorations and more.

All donated items should be in good condition with no stains or damage.

St. Vincent de Paul National Thrift Store is located at 10850 Lincoln Trail, Suite 2, in Fairview Heights.

For more info, call 618-270-3453 or visit thriftstores.ssvpusa.org.
Idahos physical therapy community is rallying behind new legislation introduced in Congress that would help expand access to critical physical and occupational therapy (PT/OT) services for seniors enrolled in Medicare. The bipartisan Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act (H.R. 7618) would expand Medicare coverage to include a falls risk assessment provided by a physical or occupational therapist  falls expert  as part of the programs annual wellness visits and initial preventive physical exams.

This small but significant change would help address the growing epidemic of senior falls in the United States that is threatening the health and well-being of older Americans while driving up healthcare costs and prescription drug dependence.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 30 million elderly Americans  or roughly 25% of all seniors  experience a fall every year. These falls result in roughly 3 million emergency room visits, 300,000 hip fractures and an additional $50 billion in associated healthcare costs annually.

As a physical therapist and clinic owner with practices across Idaho, I personally know the immense value physical and occupational therapy services can provide for our nations seniors. Physical therapy helps elderly patients stay steady on their feet and ultimately helps them avoid falls, more effectively manage their pain, and live more active, independent lives. By integrating physical therapist-provided falls risk assessments into Medicares annual wellness visits and physical exams, we can better help Idahoans avoid injury-causing and life-threatening falls.

Its that simple  the SAFE Act would help safeguard the physical health of my older patients by reducing fall-related injuries.

Moreover, reducing falls among older Americans would provide immense cost-saving benefits for our entire healthcare system. According to CDC data, the average hospital cost for a fall-related injury is roughly $30,000, and by 2030, the projected cost of treating senior falls in Americas hospitals is expected to reach over $100 billion annually. Proactively providing seniors in Medicare with physical and occupational therapy services can greatly reduce their chances of falling.

The SAFE Act not only helps protect older Americans; it would also help reduce overall healthcare spending.

According to a report released last year, physical therapy can lead to a significant reduction in hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and opioid use among Medicare beneficiaries. Seniors who utilize physical therapy services, according to the report, were 50% less likely to visit the emergency room or be hospitalized in the six months after a fall and 39% less likely to use opioids. Ultimately, the study found that expanding the use of PT/OT services among older Americans could help reduce Medicare spending by $10 billion annually.

Physical therapy has a transformative impact on the quality of life and well-being of my patients; helping them improve their balance, strength, and independence. At the same time, increasing access to physical therapy services  like falls risk assessments through the Medicare program can help prevent costly and often avoidable injuries. Right here at home, 27% of older Idahoans, or more than 112,000 seniors, are at risk for a serious fall  many of which we can prevent.

Physical therapists in Idaho, and across the country, are already trained to perform falls risk assessments, during which we evaluate a patients living space and help identify any potential fall hazards. According to research, older Americans who received home assessment services from a trained professional were able to lower their risk of a fall by 31%. It is time these services are made available to all Medicare beneficiaries as part of their annual wellness visits.

I urge Congress to pass the SAFE Act without delay. This commonsense legislative solution will help protect seniors from fall-related injuries and deaths while reducing healthcare spending. I call on Idahos congressional delegation to support falls prevention for our states growing population of older Americans.

Bryan Wright PT, DPT, OCS is the founder and CEO of Wright Physical Therapy.
Falls supervisors to consider 'nondisclosure' agreement with U.S. Steel redeveloper

Update: Falls Township supervisors removed the NorthPoint Development nondisclosure agreement from its June 24, 2024 agenda before the meeting.

Falls Township supervisors are expected to consider approving a new agreement with its largest commercial developer, but it wants to keep the details of it secret.

A nondisclosure agreement between the township and NorthPoint Development, owner of the U.S. Steel Mill property is on the agenda for the June 24 council meeting.

But the details of the agreement, including what it would protect, were unknown as of Monday afternoon.

The redevelopment inside the Keystone Industrial Port Complex could expand to 15 million square feet at an investment cost of $1.5 billion  making it the largest e-commerce, logistics and multi-model industrial project on the East Coast.

Traffic woes from Keystone Trade Center 'Bumper-to-bumper' trucks to Keystone warehouse site snarling traffic in Morrisville

Falls Solicitor Michael Clarke declined to release a copy of the agreement before the meeting stating that his interpretation of the Right to Know Law is that a record is not public until it is presented to a quorum for deliberation.

He added if the board receives the agreement Monday night, the public can file a Right to Know request for a copy.

But Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association staff attorney Melissa Melewsky disagreed with Clarke's interpretation.

She contends that once a public entity is in possession of a record to be discussed and voted on at an advertised public meeting, it is considered a public record under the law. Otherwise the public has no way to meaningfully participate in discussions on the item, she said.

Its a significant problem from a transparency and accountability standpoint," Melewsky added. "Folks shouldnt have to guess what their public officials are reading during a public meeting and law says they dont have to guess.

While some records are exempt under the law, it does not give government agencies the ability to hold them in executive session or allow nondisclosure or confidentiality agreements, she said.

She added that nondisclosure agreements are a common practice between private companies, but when the government is involved, it is a completely different process and it is an open process.

Its never a good thing when you have a government agency saying were going to keep this secret, she added.

A Keystone Opportunity Investment Zone tax break program has been approved for more than 1,800 acres of the U.S. Steel site in Falls.

NorthPoint Development LLC is a privately held commercial real estate operating company in Missouri specializing in industrial and multi-family development with $19.5 billion in assets under management, according to its website.

The company is investing more than $1 billion into remediation and redevelopment of the former U.S. Steel property site in Falls, a project known as the Keystone Trade Center.

Falls supervisors green lighted the project in 2020 and NorthPoint broke ground in 2021. When completed, approximately 20 warehouses, logistics-centered industrial buildings will be located on its 1,700 acres along the Delaware River. With 10 million square feet of commercial space available, Keystone Trade Center is billed as the largest industrial park on the East Coast.

Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Falls supervisors, NorthPoint Development want nondisclosure agreement
Two familiar faces in Hawaii politics, former U.S. Representative Kai Kahele and former state senator Clayton Hee, are making a comeback as they gear up for the upcoming primary elections later this summer.

Hee is running on the Democratic ticket to become a state senator for a rural district on the North Shore of Oahu on August 10. If successful, hell face Republican state senator Brenton Awa in a race that promises to be one of the years most compelling in one of Hawaiis rare swing districts.

Clayton Hee served in the Hawaii Senate from 2004 to 2014 and previously from 1984 to 1988. He held the position of chairman of the state Senate's Judiciary and Labor Committee during his tenure.

Its uncommon to see both a strong Republican and a strong Democrat competing in a district that could swing either way, Colin Moore, a public policy professor at the University of Hawaii, told USA TODAY.

Moore explained that voters would have to choose between two candidates known for their independent streaks and no-nonsense reputations.

More: Hawaiis election season is here. What to expect from House, mayoral races

Kai Kahele, a controversial former congressman and unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate, is now running to head the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), which advocates for Native Hawaiian rights and welfare, including financial aid, land management, policy development, and community engagement.

U.S. Representative Kai Kahele (D-Hawaii) from the 117th session of Congress

During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2021 to 2023, Kahele continued to work as a commercial pilot for Hawaiian Airlines. He was accused of breaking U.S. House proxy voting rules by allegedly staying in Hawaii for his gubernatorial campaign.

Ultimately, the Office of Congressional Ethics found no evidence of wrongdoing and Kahele left office to run for governor in 2022.

OHA, like many other agencies in this state, has struggled, at times, with trust, transparency, fiscal accountability, internal controversy, dysfunction, and relevance, Kahele said in a recent campaign ad. But despite its shortcomings, I truly believe OHA is the institution with the greatest potential to make a difference in the lives of Native Hawaiians.

In other races, veteran state Reps. Gene Ward, R-Hawaii Kai-Kalama Valley and Della Au Belatti, D-Makiki-Punchbowl, are assured of reelection, being the sole candidates in their districts.

In contrast, state Reps. Lauren Matsumoto, R-Mililani-Waipio Acres-Mililani Mauka, and Kanani Souza, R-Kapolei-Makakilo, face single Republican challengers in their respective primaries.

State Rep. May Mizuno, D-Kamehameha Heights-Kalihi Valley, was appointed by Governor Josh Green to fill her late husbands seat. She is contending with two Democratic challengers in her bid for reelection.

State senator Maile Shimabukuro, D-Nanakuli-Waianae-Makaha, resigned, prompting both Republican and Democratic candidates to vie for her seat, including Democratic U.S. Representative Cedric Gates, who vacated his position to seek a role in the U.S. Senate.

Jeremy Yurow is a politics reporting fellow based in Hawaii for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at JYurow@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter @JeremyYurow

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hawaii's elections see return of veteran politicians Kahele, Hee
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections Madison offices. (Henry Redman | Wisconsin Examiner)

When youre locked up in prison, talking someone you care about takes on new significance. It may be one of the only things to look forward to, one of the only things holding you together. When that lifeline is suddenly cut, both your life and the lives of people waiting for you on the outside can be thrown into freefall. Its something experienced by many Wisconsin families, who say theyre forced to navigate often unreliable phone and video services provided by the Department of Corrections (DOC).

The phone lines do randomly go down for an hour or two at a time, said Emily Curtis, who knows someone incarcerated in the Stanley Correctional Institution (SCI). The phones will just randomly hang up on you in the middle of a call, youll try to press five to accept the call and it doesnt work, just things like that  very, very terrible and unreliable service. Part of an advocacy group called Ladies of SCI, Curtis said that the video services arent any better. Those work maybe 50% of the time, and Im being generous, she told Wisconsin Examiner.

A Green Bay Correctional Institution watch tower and guard. (Photo | Isiah Holmes)

At Stanley and other DOC facilities, phone calls and video visits are provided by ICSolutions. In 2018, a contract was signed with CenturyLink for those services. Two years later in 2020, ICSolutions took over after acquiring CenturyLinks phone business. DOC spokesperson Beth Hardtke told Wisconsin Examiner that from 2019 to 2023, some facilities may have used Zoom for visitation. However, ICSolutions now provides all video visitation and phone call services for persons in our care. There are no additional vendors currently.

Squeezed for contact

In Wisconsin, ICSolutions has cornered the contract for corrections communications. More than 22,000 people, according to recent population reports, are in DOC facilities. Not everyone has someone on the outside, but many do. And even those who dont have family to contact still need phone and video access to the outside world.

We pay $2.50 for a visit, and most of the time they wont connect, or theyll cut out in the middle of the visit, said Curitis. Or, you know, just various technical issues with these visits. And, if it shows that it connected on their end, which it does most of the time even when it doesnt connect, they still charge us that $2.50 for the visit. Refunds are possible, said Curtis, but only if ICSolutions can see that the visit doesnt start. But if it does start and cuts out, or even sometimes it doesnt even start but it shows on their end that it did, were still charged for it. And thats a huge expense, when youre talking $2.50 per visit, that adds up, and its really expensive.

Amber Ostergaard, whose loved one  whom she prefers not to identify for fear of retaliation  is at SCI, has also felt the financial strain. In the last year alone, Ostergaard says shes spent at least $1,000 on phone calls alone. These phone calls are their lifeline, theyre our lifeline, she told Wisconsin Examiner. Similar to solitary confinement, Ostergaard feels that not being able to contact friends and family is its own form of isolation for incarcerated people. This is how they can reintegrate back into society. This is how they have support, you know? This is supposed to be a rehabilitative system. Its not rehabilitative. Its punitive; its purely punishment. And its not only them thats being punished, its us thats being punished outside those walls. Were also being isolated from them when we cant receive their call, and thats not right.

Even during in-person visits, limitations keep incarcerated people at arms length. Families connected to Stanley Correctional told Wisconsin Examiner that the facility limits hugs and kisses to just a few seconds. Since making in-person visits can be costly and time consuming, remote communication is in high demand. Not only do calls cost money, but the number of phones available is limited. The number of minutes incarcerated people are allowed for calls can also be reduced according to the needs of the facility.

Hardke said that for phone calls, adults are charged 6 cents per minute, while juveniles are charged 1 cent. DOC does not pay ICSolutions to provide phone services, said Hardtke. The company is paid through the fees on phone calls made by persons in our care. Hardtke explained that ICSolutions keeps 100% of call revenue at juvenile correctional facilities. In adult facilities, 4 cents per minute is returned to DOC with the remaining 2 cents going to the company. State law requires that two-thirds of the commission paid to DOC be sent to the Department of Administration, she explained. The remaining one-third can only be spent by DOC on things to benefit persons in our care  this is how the state subsidizes things like video visits, free postage, microwaves in housing units, etc.

Although incarcerated people may get four free video visits a month, additional video visits are charged $2.5o per visit. Because the number of video visits persons in our care choose to take part in doesnt meet the minimum set in the contract, DOC is also required to pay a fee for this service, said Hardtke. So in the calendar year 2023, ICSolutions took in $8.8 million in revenue from phone calls at DOC facilities and paid DOC nearly $5.9 million in commission. Per state law, two-thirds of the funds paid to the DOC went to the Department of Administration (DOA).

The entire system is backwards, it doesnt make sense, Amy Ruth, whose family member is also incarcerated, told Wisconsin Examiner. You have all these families spending hundreds of thousands of dollars each month and theyre making millions, and the services are not reliable.

I cant understand why the monopoly is in place the way it is, Ruth added, when youre already facing the isolation of your loved one  to just make it even harder. And on top of it, youre making all of this money.

Amy Rolack, whose partner is incarcerated at Fox Lake Correctional, has experienced the same issues. Describing how little she trusts the DOC and ICSolutions, Rolack told Wisconsin Examiner, its a money pit.

A blackout raises suspicions

High fees and frequent service failures have made families of incarcerated people suspicious of the DOC. Wisconsin Examiner has interviewed family members of seven people incarcerated in Wisconsin prisons who all shared similar experiences. Some were concerned that speaking out might lead to retaliation against their incarcerated family members. The fears were heightened recently by the news about wrongdoing leading to deaths at Waupun Correctional Institution (WCI).

In early June, news broke that Waupuns prison warden and eight other staff members had been jailed. Their charges stemmed from investigations into the deaths of four people incarcerated in the prison. Wisconsins oldest prison, Waupun began attracting controversy after implementing a restrictive movement order, or lockdown. Activity, recreation, communication and movement generally for its population were heavily curtailed Several people died during the lockdown, and the Dodge County sheriff pointed to negligence and indifference among staff as contributing factors. Word of the arrests led to protests outside the prison and reports of protests inside the prison circulated online.

After the arrest of Waupuns warden, Ruth, Curtis and Ostergaard noticed that their own contact with incarcerated family members had ceased. I believe it was around the 6th [Thursday], Ostergaard told Wisconsin Examiner, I noticed that I had not gotten a call. Ostergaard thought perhaps the phones were busy, or maybe the service was being reliably unreliable. And it went pretty much throughout the entire day so Im sitting here thinking, OK, Im starting to get a little bit worried here. Going online to support groups like Ladies of SCI, Curtis saw messages about similar problems from other families. This isnt just at Stanley, this was widespread, said Ostergaard.

Curtis also noticed that days passed without a call since the outage of June 6. And it was interesting because there were facilities like Chippewa Valley Correctional, 30 minutes away from Stanley, but their phones were not out, said Curtis. So it was just odd, she said, noting that numerous facilities across a wide geographic range were affected. The phones began working intermittently Saturday morning, they were down again Saturday afternoon, they came up again Saturday evening, said Curtis.

Rolack recalled that the morning the news about Waupun broke, she heard from her husband. That was the last time I heard from him, said Rolack. And I finally heard from him again Saturday night, so I want to say that was Thursday morning. So I didnt hear from him all the rest of the day Thursday, all of Friday, all of Saturday until Saturday night.

Rolack reached out to Fox Lake, and was told that ICSolutions was fixing the phones and that it was an internal issue. But the phone service didnt return when the facility said it would. Rolack had experienced problems with ICSolutions before, particularly over the last month. They get two free calls every Sunday, she said. But every time he tries to use his first free call, she said, the call drops, and its been doing that for a month. So he has to actually use a call that I paid for first, and then he can call back later and use the free call. So then its a free call lost because they think that hes used it.

Hardtke said that 11 DOC facilities were among a number of customers who experienced phone outages over the weekend due to a problem with fiber optic cable. Phone and video services were disrupted by the outage, which began June 6, the day after news broke about the Waupun arrests. Although Hardke said service was restored on June 8, some of the family members who spoke with Wisconsin Examiner continued having problems the following week. Spanning nine Wisconsin counties, facilities with interrupted phone service were:

Lincoln Hills/Copper Lake Schools for Boys and Girls (Lincoln County)

Stanley Correctional Institution (Chippewa/Clark Counties)

Black River Correctional Center (Jackson County)

Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution (Crawford County)

Wisconsin Secure Program Facility (Grant County)

Redgranite Correctional Institution (Waushara County)

Fox Lake Correctional Institution (Dodge County)

Flambeau Correctional Center (Price County)

St. Croix Correctional Center (St. Croix County)

Gordon Correctional Center (Douglas County)

Jackson Correctional Institution (Jackson County)

According to an ICSolutions document dated June 13, the fiber optic cable was cut by a third party construction crew in Red Wing, Minnesota. Technicians dispatched to locate the problem found that the construction crew was digging in a restricted area and inadvertently cut a major fiber, the document states. It added, to complicate the issue, repair work needed to be performed in an area controlled by the railroad authority and required manual excavation. A new fiber was installed to restore service on June 8, according to the document.

ExecutiveSummary_June_2024_JK

ICSolutions didnt respond to a request for comment. Hardke said in a statement, no telecommunications vendor is perfect and many outside factors including storms, cut wires or cables and more can impact service. DOC uses a competitive contracting process to select vendors and works closely with the selected provider to resolve issues quickly and provide the best service we can.

For families, assurances from DOC and ICSolutions are worth little. Nicole Christine recalled once not being able to reach her loved one for more than 48 hours. Both Ruth and Nicole added that at times, other members of their families could get through more reliably. The pattern led Ruth to contact ICSolutions wondering whether her phone had been blocked, but she was told there was no issue on the companys end.

In the days after the arrests and protests at Waupun, Ruth participated in solidarity actions and helped spread the word. I was going to the protests in Waupun, she said, and I dont know if it was just coincidence or because the calls are recorded or monitored, but he tried calling 22 times and out of those 22 times, we couldnt connect once. And just the level of frustration is incredible because youre paying for these calls.

A protesters sign during a rally outside Green Bay's prison. (Photo | Isiah Holmes)

While Ruth and others describe the recent blackout as suspicious, theres also the broader issue of poor service by ICSolutions, and on top of that the problems of overcrowding and understaffing across Wisconsin prisons.

Families also described other problems with Wisconsin prisons. Often they hear concerns about the quality of food and water, overcrowding due to transfers from other prisons, and excessive punishments of prison residents for minor infractions. None of this, the families interviewed by Wisconsin Examiner said, can help lead someone to a better place before their prison time ends.

Curtis wondered, Do you want just to warehouse somebody, and neglect them, and treat them like garbage for 10 years and then let them out and expect them to be great citizens, or do you want to provide them with the opportunities that they need to be able to change and to grow?

There are people who have already done that, she added. They have already been rehabilitated. And they are just sitting there just waiting and wasting taxpayer dollars.

Her partner owns a real estate company from prison, and has five degrees in business, accounting and other certifications. At the end of the day, Curtis said, people in Wisconsins prisons need to be seen as people.

Correction: An earlier version of this piece mistakenly stated that additional video calls are charged at $25 per visit. In fact the charge is $2.50 per visit. We also corrected the spelling of Beth Hardtkes name and the loction of the fiber-optic cable that was cut, which was in Minnesota, not Michigan. We regret the errors.

The post Families raise alarm about prison phone and video issues in Wisconsin appeared first on Wisconsin Examiner.
Families Share Grief After 3 Dads Were 'Swept Up in a Rip Current' While on Vacation

Harold Denzel Hunter, Jemonda Ray and Marius Richardson were enjoying time off in Florida at the time of the incident

gofundme Jemonda Ray

Three families are mourning their loved ones who died after going swimming on vacation last week in Florida.

Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford identified Harold Denzel Hunter, 25, and Jemonda Ray and Marius Richardson, both 24, as the victims, AL.com, CNN and Alabama TV station WALA reported.

According to verified GoFundMe accounts from their relatives, the three men were traveling with friends and family at the time of the incident on Friday, June 21.

The swimmers  who were visiting Panama City Beach, Florida, from Alabama  became "distressed" in the water on Friday night, 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 a local condo building. One swimmer was located quickly and received medical care, while rescue efforts to save the other two continued.

Now the loved ones of the three men are sharing more about who they were and what their loss means.



Yalonda Spates set up a GoFundMe for Richardson, who was married to her cousin. "Your prayers are always needed and appreciated," she wrote.

Getty Panama City Beach, Florida -- stock image

Richardson leaves behind wife Jasmine and her 2-year-old son, JaMari, according to Spates.

The funds will be used to help Jasmine and baby JaMari navigate the days ahead, Spates wrote.

Related: Man Drowns During Fathers Day Fishing Trip After Waders Fill with Water, Authorities Say

Hunters sister Selina Black wrote via a separate GoFundMe that the victims were part of a a group of 6 cousins and friends" who had gone to the beach "for a quick, weekend getaway.

According to Black, the group arrived on Friday and after going for a swim, three were swept up in a rip current.

Harold, a cousin, and a family friend were pronounced deceased, Black wrote. Hunter is survived by two children, a son and a daughter, who were not identified in the post.

gofundme Harold Hunter gofundme

This was all so unexpected and hit the family hard. We will appreciate any and all blessings, Black wrote.

Jayla Ray wrote via her brother Jemondas GoFundme account that "what was supposed to be a fun trip turned into a tragedy,

Jemonda was remembered as a brother, a son, a father, an uncle, and also a friend.

He will be missed dearly. We are grateful for any and all blessings, his sister wrote.

His funeral is scheduled for Friday, June 28.

Related: Mom Hears Screams, Sees Son, 4, 'Bobbing Up and Down' in Backyard Pool: 'His Lips Were Blue'

Getty Panama City Beach, Florida

In a statement shared to Facebook on Saturday, June 22, Sheriff Ford thanked the community and first responders for their efforts while also expressing his grief.

I witnessed so many people, including visitors to our community, come together last night on the beach to desperately search for them," Ford said.

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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, Ford said. I worry about the emotional toll that these situations take on first responders as I know Im struggling with it as well.



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The family of Rodney Riviello, the Plymouth man who was missing for four days and found dead over the weekend, is demanding answers from the hospital that released him.

We have a lot of unanswered questions that we need answers and clarity to, so we know to focus our efforts to make sure no other family goes through this, Michelle Norris, Rodneys daughter said.

Missing Plymouth man is found dead after several days of searching

Michelle and her brother, Dan Riviello, are in deep mourning for their father,

But they are determined to see that policy changes are made.

Rodney Riviello disappeared last Tuesday after being released from Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Plymouth.

He apparently vanished while the hospital was trying to arrange a ride-share service for him.

Rodney fell during a morning walk, and EMS brought him to the emergency room where he was treated for a broken nose, and cuts and bruises.

A CT scan revealed he had a brain condition that affects decision making and can lead to dementia.

Rodneys family was never notified that he was at the hospital, or that he was being released.

He was never seen alive again.

Its unimaginable and I wouldnt wish this on anyone, Dan Riviello said.

Four days after Rodney was last seen, his body was discovered on Saturday.

Rodneys family tells me Rodney was found within a mile of the hospital. And they say it is not clear where he was going.

As Michelle and Dan make funeral arrangements, they want to know why Rodney was released from the hospital on an extremely hot day with no one to pick him up.

They want hospital policies changed

I would like to know if protocols were followed. Were there safety nets in place that just somebody had a bad day and didnt follow them? Or are there truly no protocols. And then we would know where to focus our efforts on what change we can affect, Michelle Norris said.

For a hospital, a caretaker to let a man go, seeing what they saw on his scan that day. With no identification and no phone and family member to pick him up at the door, I just cant imagine thats right. It might be legal, but its not right, Dan Riviello added.

In a statement, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Plymouth said, quote, We are saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Riviello, and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. In the interest of patient privacy, BID Plymouth does not comment on or share individual patient health information.

The Plymouth County District Attorneys Office is investigating Rodney Riviellos death.

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Family suing NASA after space debris from ISS crashed through their home

***Video above: Lunar landing made possible by Northeast Ohio tech.***

NAPLES, Fla. (WJW)  A Florida family is suing NASA after space debris from the International Space Station crash through their roof earlier this year.

The cylindrical metal object hit Alejandro Oteros home in Naples on March 8. His son, who was home at the time, found the space junk had torn through the roof and damaged the floor.

After the crash, the object was taken to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

In a blog post, NASA later confirmed the object was part of flight support equipment used to mount batteries on a cargo pallet.

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NASA ground controllers used a robotic arm on the International Space Station to release the cargo pallet after new lithium-ion batteries were installed. The blog post said, although the hardware was supposed to burn up in the atmosphere, a piece of the space junk made it to Earth and struck the Florida home.

NASA officials confirmed the object, made of alloy Inconel, was 1.6 pounds, 4 inches in height and 1.6 inches in diameter.

An attorney representing Oteros family submitted a claim to NASA in May, the law firm announced Friday, seeking recovery from damages caused by the crash.

The damages for the Otero family members include non-insured property damage loss, business interruption damages, emotional/mental anguish damages and the costs for assistance from third parties required in the process, the law firm said in a press release.

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Attorney Mica Nguyen Worthy is calling the lawsuit the first of its kind as a real life example of what can happen if space debris makes it to the Earths surface.

My clients are seeking adequate compensation to account for the stress and impact that this event had on their lives, said Worthy. They are grateful that no one sustained physical injuries from this incident, but a near miss situation such as this could have been catastrophic. If the debris had hit a few feet in another direction, there could have been serious injury or a fatality.

FOX 8 reached out to NASA for a statement.

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Nigel Farage is right to say he is consistent. He argued for placating Vladimir Putin during Russias invasion of Crimea in 2014, blaming the European Union. He did the same during Putins invasion of all Ukraine in February 2022. He does the same now. This consistency has no virtue, however, because its premise was always false.

It flies in the face of the fact that Putins version of history is, like Hitlers in the 1930s, a fiction designed to justify aggression. This column is no fan of European Union foreign policy, but it is not the EUs fault that Putin broke the post-Cold War agreement which Russia made with the West to grant independence to Ukraine in return for Kyiv giving up its nuclear weapons.

Can Mr Farage identify a single moment, after Putin reopened this issue, when he offered good-faith negotiations? He has said the West should not poke the Russian bear with a stick, but what is one supposed to do when the bear, unpoked, lumbers forward, seeking whom it may devour?

I am curious to know why Mr Farage is making this electoral play now. Is he slightly crazed by his desire to eclipse Ukraines most active defender, Boris Johnson, or by his adulation of Donald Trump or by the dream of winning an imagined Munich Peace Prize? I find his intervention surprising because Mr Farage likes popularity. There is little sign that waving the white flag to tyrants is popular with British voters.

Polling by Crosby Textor, conducted shortly before the general election was called, shows consistently high British support for Ukraine in the war, with 80 per cent rating Putin least favourably of all world leaders (President Zelensky being the only world leader rated favourably by most), whereas Mr Farage thinks the Russian autocrat miles ahead of our leaders.

The poll broke down peoples views by party allegiance and by dividing Intended Conservatives from Conservative defectors. The views are very similar across party. It is true that the Tory defectors are somewhat more sceptical about the war in Ukraine than the party loyalists but, even so, most support both Ukraine and the present Governments policy on the subject.

The Farage defeatist clarion call from Clacton to Kyiv feels silly, perhaps worse than silly.

Ivans tale: From investment banker to frontline fighter

I was in Ukraine last week, at a conference in the port of Odessa. In its margins, I met a youngish Crimean-born man called Ivan. Despite being a US-educated investment banker  the poor usually bear the brunt of war  he volunteered in February 2022. He applied for the elite 10 Mountain Assault Brigade (I thought I could be their finance dude, but I became an infantryman). After two weeks of exiguous training with only half a clip of ammo, he was sent to Bakhmut, which was to fall to the Russians in May 2023 after 10 months of ferocious fighting.

In its first combat deployment there, Ivans company found themselves surrounded. For 10 days, they fought all day and all night, their positions shelled non-stop for the last three. Typically, in a position of 10 men, two would be shooting, a couple more passing the ammunition and the other six crouching, paralysed with fear.

Such fear is not rebuked by comrades  Everyone understands  but it must be overcome to survive. If you refuse an order, you become cannon fodder. Ivan was one of these terrified six at first, depending utterly on a veteran sergeant of the Crimean invasion, the period during which Mr Farage was first publicly arguing that Russia should be appeased. Im going to f---ing kill you unless you start shooting!, the sergeant shouted. At first, Ivan jumped up, Somali-style, shooting wildly into the air. After a bit, he learnt to be useful.

The assault brigades opponents were the Wagner group, divided between mercenary veterans of the Afghan, Syrian and Chechen campaigns and prison inmates released with Russian promises of pardon and money. The latter were often without bullet-proof vests and overloaded with ammunition and grenades. They would charge and be killed in huge quantities. The mercenaries would then advance, using their dead comrades as cover and raiding their corpses for their kit.

In the face of such assaults, those defending Ivans units flank ran away. After six days of being ordered via Starlink that they must do just one more day, he and his comrades were told to break out. They managed to slip through the woods undetected, but came under heavy fire as they fled in the pick-up that came for them on the other side. None was injured. In 15 minutes, we were in a place where you could sit safely and play the guitar.

Ivan was resting in just such a place when a vehicle arrived so loaded with dead and wounded that its floor was slopping with blood. His order was to get into that pick-up and go where it will take you. He said the anticipation of what would happen on that journey was the worst fear. He served for seven months in Bakhmut, without home leave. He was concussed four times, in the end so severely that he was discharged. He still cannot cope with noisy rooms and sometimes gets disoriented walking downstairs. Now he runs a defence acquisition company with an R&D centre in Ukraine, manufacturing in the Baltics and a holding company in Britain.

Ivans account, though striking, is just one of thousands in this war. I juxtapose it with Mr Farages view because the contrast is instructive.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A father and his 9-year-old son are safe after a harrowing moment at Little Cottonwood Creek on Sunday, June 23.

The Unified Police Department told ABC4.com that the two were near the creek when the 9-year-old was swept away by the water. The boy was able to grab onto a log, where he held on, waiting to be rescued.

The boys father jumped into the creek after him, however, Unified Police said the fast-moving waters swept him away as well.

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A responding officer with the Unified Police Department was able to get a rescue rope to the 9-year-old and pulled him safely to shore. The father was reportedly able to safely get out of the water on his own.

Both were treated at the scene and released.

Significant danger at the waters edge

The Utah Department of Natural Resources said the states rivers and streams could become raging torrents as the winters snowpack continues to melt downstream. Data from the United States Geological Survey shows that Little Cottonwood Canyon is running well over its average from late July to March when the runoff isnt as strong.

While the water is a welcoming sight for the states supply, the high levels could provide a significant danger for those who get too close to the waters edge.

We urge everyone to stay away from river and stream banks until the runoff subsides, as this is the safest thing you can do for yourself, your family, and even your pets, DNR officials warn.

DNR recommends keeping a close eye on family members and pets near water during the runoff season when the water is higher. Officials recommend wearing a personal floating device as a safety precaution, even if you dont plan on entering the water. It is also crucial to stay aware of weather conditions as water levels may rise quickly and without warning during storms or periods of heavy rain.

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If someone does fall into the water, DNR recommends not jumping in after them but instead throwing them something that could help keep them afloat and calling 911.

Should you fall into a fast-moving river or stream yourself, the Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture offered some important water safety tips that could save your life, such as not trying to stand up in the water.

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Father accused of trying to drown his twins at Connecticut beach

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  A New York man was in custody Monday after police say he tried to drown his twins at a beach in Connecticut over the weekend.

At 2:30 a.m. Saturday, patrol officers approached a parked SUV at the beach in West Haven and, shortly afterward, heard screaming coming from the water, authorities said.

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The patrol officers followed the screams and found an adult male and two small children in the water. As the officers entered the water, police say, the adult male yelled, Stay back. Officials said that is when it was clear the male was deliberately drowning his children.

Additional officers and rescue boats arrived and entered the water almost 100 yards away from shore. A human chain was formed to get the children to shore, and life-saving measures were performed.

Dawson Avenue Beach in West Haven. (WTNH)

The children, who are under 3 years old, were at Yale New Haven Childrens Hospital in critical condition in the intensive care unit, but said to be improving. Authorities say the children are twins  a boy and a girl.

Later Sunday evening, Borer posted on Facebook that the kids were both under pediatric critical care and making slight progress, with one of the twins taken off intubation.

Three police officers were also treated for minor injuries.

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Romney Desronvil, 41, of New York, was taken into custody and charged with two counts each of attempted homicide and risk of injury.

The childrens mother was in New York at the time of the incident but has since arrived in New Haven, Connecticut, to be with her children.

At a press conference Saturday evening, West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer praised the officers and fire department members for their quick action.

The seconds and the timing of the police officers that just happened to be driving by when this incident was occurring, its really remarkable, she said.

Borer said when she met with the mother at the hospital to provide any support she needed.

West Shore Fire Chief Stephen Scafariello said first responders are getting peer support and help from the employee assistance program to deal with trauma after the incident.

Years ago, we had to keep everything bottled up inside, he said. It didnt work very well for all of us, so were encouraging them to talk to someone, share your emotions.

This particular case hits home even harder, he said, seeing as it concerned children so young.

All of our police officers, our firefighters, theyre dedicated, he said. To have that helpless feeling, to not be able to help a child is terrible.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  A Fayetteville man arrested in connection with a fatal shooting in May has pleaded not guilty, according to Washington County Deputy Prosecutor Denis Dean.

Hugh Kane, 69 (Courtesy: Washington County Jail)

Hugh Kane, 69, was arrested on May 26 on capital murder and possession of firearms by certain persons charges.

The Washington County Sheriffs Office said around 8 p.m. on May 26, deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting at an address on Oakland Zion Road, just outside of the Fayetteville city limits.

Washington County Sheriffs Office arrest man in connection with Sunday homicide

Weston Miller, 48, was found dead at the scene, according to a news release.

Kane was being held Monday in the Washington County Detention Center on a $750,000 bond.

Dean confirmed Kanes next court date is set for December 9.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
A flyer published on June 22, 2024 by the FBI Albuquerque Division asks the public for information about the origins of the South Fork and Salt fires. (Image courtesy of FBI Albuquerque)

Federal police are seeking help from the public about the cause of a wildfire in southeastern New Mexico that has killed two, injured one and destroyed hundreds of buildings.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Albuquerque Division on Saturday night published a flyer and media alert saying theyre asking for help from the public in identifying the cause of the South Fork and Salt fires near the Village of Ruidoso and the Mescalero Apache Tribe.

FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for starting the fires.

We ask that anyone who may have any information pertaining to the cause of the fires to please call 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov, the agency wrote.

Tipsters can also text BIAMMU to 847411 then MESCALERO FIRE + the tip or just BIAMMU to 847411 and the tip.

The cause of the fires remains undetermined, according to the latest incident status summary report published at 11:35 a.m. on Sunday by the Southwest Area Team 5.

Margot Cravens, a spokesperson for the FBIs Albuquerque field office, declined to comment on whether the agencys involvement in the investigation indicates that a possible crime has been alleged.

Cravens also declined to answer the Santa Fe New Mexican whether the FBI believes the fires were intentionally set on tribal lands, or whether the agency believes both were ignited by the same suspect or suspects.

FBI told CNN on Thursday theyre helping local authorities investigate the fires cause.

A Source New Mexico review of records from the Alamogordo Interagency Dispatch Center shows a cluster of confirmed fire starts on June 16, 17 and 18. Among the cluster are two fire starts that incident commanders have listed as the ignition points of what became the fires.

Data show the last lighting strike in the area of the fires was 10 days before they started.

Ruidoso and several other communities nearby remain evacuated, according to the incident commanders report, and homes, buildings and infrastructure remain threatened by the fire.

The South Fork fire was 17,551 acres, and 31% contained, according to the report, while the Salt fire was at 7,775 acres and 7% contained.

Incident commanders were last updated on how many structures have been lost around June 19, when they were told 600 homes were destroyed, and another 8,000 are threatened, according to the report.

There was minimal fire activity as rains reached the area over the last couple of days.

Over the next week, high pressure in the area will warm up and dry out the air, and slow the winds, according to the report. Even though last weeks storm moved out, there will be enough moisture over the Sacramento mountains for some rainfall and thunderstorms, the report states.

The post FBI offers $10,000 reward for information about South Fork and Salt fires cause appeared first on Source New Mexico.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the deadly New Mexico wildfires.

The wildfires broke out last Monday near the village of Ruidoso, N.M., leaving two people dead and forcing thousands of residents to flee.

The FBI, in a notice over the weekend, said it was seeking public assistance in identifying the cause of the fires. However, the federal agency also suggested humans were responsible by offering a reward that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for starting the fires.

The fires in southern New Mexico damaged or destroyed more than 1,400 structures, and nearly 1,000 homes were lost, The Associated Press reported, citing the Lincoln County Manager Randall Camp.

Full-time residents of Ruidoso were allowed to return to the area Monday morning, local officials said. Residents returned to homes that may be without gas, electricity and water and were told to bring at least one weeks worth of groceries and water.

President Biden issued a major disaster declaration for New Mexico last week, unlocking federal funding for impacted people in the Mescalero Apache Tribe and Lincoln County, per the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The declaration allows for temporary housing and home repairs, loans for uninsured property losses and other programs, FEMA added.

As of Sunday, the South Fork Fire, which reached 26 square miles, was 26 percent contained, while the Salt Fire fanned out over 12 square miles and was 7 percent contained, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

Full containment is not expected until July 15 as the South Fork and Salt fires continue to burn on both sides of Ruidoso, the AP reported.

The fires downed power lines and damaged water, sewer and gas lines and electric officials warned outages could be expected for several days.

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A federal judge in California has ruled that a lawsuit brought by LGBTQ + veterans against the Department of Defense will move forward. The forward momentum of the suit, which claims the Pentagon has failed to discharge LGBTQ+ service members honorably post-dont ask, dont tell, marks a significant victory for those caught up in the homophobic policy.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph Speros decision allows the plaintiffs to argue that the process of correcting their discharge papers is not only lengthy but also re-traumatizing, Reuters reports . These veterans, discharged under discriminatory policies, contend that being forced to navigate a complex system to amend their records violates their constitutional rights to equal protection and due process.

The class action, filed in the Northern District of California, aims to mandate the Defense Department to proactively update the discharge statuses of LGBTQ+ veterans. Lawyers for the plaintiffs celebrated the ruling, noting its importance during Pride Month as a step towards rectifying past injustices.

The lawsuit highlights the struggles of veterans who have been unfairly labeled with less-than-honorable discharges. Such discharges can prevent them from accessing crucial benefits, including healthcare, loans, job opportunities, and tuition assistance. The discharge papers often explicitly state the reason for their discharge, effectively outing them whenever they need to present their military records.

Related: Gay Democratic reps demand Pentagon resolve cases of dont ask, dont tell dishonorable discharges

Requiring LGBTQ+ veterans to first bear the stigma and discriminatory effects of carrying indicators of sexual orientation on their DD-214s, and then navigate a broken record correction process to seek resolution, violates their constitutional rights, the lawsuit states.

While the Pentagon cited an existing procedure for discharge upgrades, Spero noted that this process might need to be revised and could perpetuate discrimination. The Pentagon argued that a two-page application process exists for veterans seeking discharge corrections, claiming that legal representation is unnecessary and that most cases are resolved within ten months. However, the plaintiffs argue that the process is opaque and burdensome, often requiring legal assistance and forcing veterans to relive their traumatic experiences.

In January, three gay Democratic U.S. congressmen  California Rep. Robert Garcia, Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan, and New Hampshire Rep. Chris Pappas  sent a letter to the Department of Defense, urging a quicker response to resolve cases of LGBTQ+ service members dishonorably discharged under DADT and the outright ban that preceded it. Garcia, Pocan, and Pappas emphasized the moral obligation of the U.S. government to correct these wrongs and restore honor to LGBTQ+ veterans. Our service members made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our country. Dont Ask, Dont Tell was a policy that should have never existed in the first place, but were unfortunately still feeling the repercussions of it to this day, Garcia said in a press release.

The case, Farrell v. U.S. Department of Defense, seeks to address the systemic issues within the department by ensuring that all veterans discharged under DADT and similar policies receive the honorable discharges they deserve. This move could affect thousands of veterans who served their country but were discharged due to their sexual orientation.
FILE - The Richard B. Russell Federal Building stands, July 21, 2012, in Atlanta. A new federal lawsuit challenges a Georgia law that expands cash bail and restricts organizations that help people pay bail so they can be released while their criminal cases are pending. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)

A new federal lawsuit challenges a Georgia law that expands cash bail and restricts organizations that help people pay bail so they can be released while their criminal cases are pending.

Senate Bill 63, which was signed into law last month by Gov. Brian Kemp and which takes effect July 1, includes a section that limits people and organizations from posting more than three cash bonds in a year unless they meet requirements for bail bond companies. That means passing background checks, paying fees, holding a business license, securing the local sheriffs approval and establishing a cash escrow account or other form of collateral.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection at Georgetown University Law Center filed the lawsuit last week. They represent Barred Business Foundation, an Atlanta-based nonprofit whose activities include facilitating campaigns to pay cash bail, and two people who live in Athens and run a charitable bail fund in association with their church.

The lawsuit argues that the section of the law is unconstitutional and asks the judge to prevent its enforcement. It also asks for a preliminary order to keep the law from being enforced while the legal challenge plays out.

The lawsuit says the law imposes what are arguably the most severe restrictions on charitable bail funds in the nation" and says the imposition of those restrictions on charitable bail funds is incredibly burdensome  perhaps insurmountable  and is both irrational and arbitrary. It asserts that if the law is allowed to take effect, these restrictions will effectively eliminate charitable bail funds in Georgia.

Earlier this month, the Bail Project, a national nonprofit that helps thousands of low-income people post bond, announced that it had closed its Atlanta branch because of the new law.

The law is cruel and costly, forcing people to languish in jail because they can't pay for their release, and prohibiting others from being able to help them become free, ACLU of Georgia legal director Cory Isaacson said in a news release. With this law, the State of Georgia makes it illegal for people to exercise their First Amendment rights to help those who are detained simply because they are poor.

Similar arguments were made by Democrats and other critics of the Republican-backed legislation as it was debated by lawmakers earlier this year.

Supporters of the measure argued that well-meaning organizations should have no issue following the same rules as bail bond companies. The measure comes amid conservative efforts to restrict community bail funds, which were used to post bond for people involved in 2020 protests against racial injustice and, more recently, to free those jailed while protesting a new public safety training center being built near Atlanta.

State prosecutors have noted that some Stop Cop City protesters had the Atlanta Solidarity Funds phone number written on their bodies, which they allege was evidence that the activists intended to do something that could get them arrested. Three of the bail funds leaders were charged with charity fraud last year and are among 61 indicted on racketeering charges.

Named as defendants in the lawsuit are Kemp and state Attorney General Chris Carr, as well as the Fulton County and Athens-Clarke County solicitors general, the prosecutors whose offices handle lower-level crimes in those counties. Representatives for Kemp, Carr and the Fulton County solicitor general's office declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. The Associated Press has also reached out to the Athens-Clarke County solicitor general's office seeking comment.

The new law also requires cash bail for 30 additional crimes, including 18 that are always or often misdemeanors, including failure to appear in court for a traffic citation.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  The trial for a Texas man accused of killing two women in Clovis is being pushed back.

Alek Collins is accused of murdering two women, shooting a five-year-old girl, and kidnapping an infant.

Police said Collins was found with the infant in Abilene, Texas, a few days after taking her.

NMSP: Man steals truck, Lincoln County deputy shoots at him

His trial was originally scheduled for next month, but federal court documents now say both sides agreed to push the trial to October.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin on October 7 in Albuquerque.

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When Jorge Leon invented at the age of 22 a small device that turns Glock pistols into fully automatic weapons, he said he intended it to be used for the good of society, to help the military and police in his native country of Venezuela.

But 26 years after being granted a U.S. patent for his "fire selector system," U.S. law enforcement officials say his creation is flooding the streets of American cities with these outlawed machine guns and many have fallen into the hands of teenage criminals indiscriminately using them to wreak havoc on communities both large and small.

"After seeing and reading about all those deaths, those unnecessary deaths of youngsters, of police officers, of broken families, I dont feel nice about that, I dont feel good," Leon, now 59, told ABC News. "I regret filing that patent because ... my technology, which was very well protected at that time, is free for everybody."

PHOTO: Jorge Leon, the father of the Glock switch, says he regrets inventing the device. (ABC News)

Leon said that soon after his U.S. patent expired in 2016, he no longer had legal recourse to stop unscrupulous developers from taking his intricate drawings and detailed explanations of how his invention works and manufacturing them for the black markets as so-called "auto sears" or "Glock switches" and illegally selling them on the internet for as little as $20.

I felt very bad, sure. I felt very bad because I created my invention always looking for the future to help, to help the military, to help SWAT teams, to help like a tool," said Leon, who now invents surgical equipment.

With the official start of summer here, police across the nation are bracing for what one law enforcement expert described to ABC News as the "next level" of gun violence. Law enforcement officials attribute a dramatic increase in the number of shots fired at crime scenes across the country to a lethal combination: multiple people drawing guns in crowded settings to settle disputes and a growing number of criminals using Glock firearms converted to machine guns with extended magazines.

In numerous shootings that have erupted this year, police said Glock pistols fitted with auto sears devices have dramatically increased the number of people killed or injured.

"What that's telling us is that criminals who already are owning these handguns illegally are now taking it to the next level, and they are trying to maximize the destruction that they cause," Jillian Snider, a former New York City police officer and an adjunct lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told ABC News.

In a recent interview with ABC News, Martin Collins Jr. said his 19-year-old son, Marsiah, was one of four people killed in a shooting that erupted at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama, on April 15, 2023, in which, according to police, a Glock with an auto sear device was used. Another 32 people were wounded in the shooting and police collected 89 shell casings at the scene.

"It's the worst invention in American history, in world history," Collins called Leon's device.

In the year since his son was killed, Collins, a Marine who served in Iraq, said he has spoken with local, state, and federal officials, telling them converted guns are not just killing victims, but devastating entire families.

"I tell every congressman, congresswoman, senator, state representative, local representative until you walk into a funeral home and see your 19-year-old son wrapped in plastic from the morgue and knowing what they did to him, you will never understand," Collins said. "But I live with that every day because I went to see what they did to my son."

PHOTO: A machine gun conversion device for a Glock hand gun was in custody of the ATF Boston Bureau. (John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

"They're falling into the wrong hands. They are falling into the hands of teenagers and young adults. Folks are making just horrible decisions, impulsive decisions with the inability to resolve relatively basic conflict," Detroit Police Chief James White told ABC News after four people were wounded, two critically, in a June 1 shooting in which 93 shell casings and eight guns, including a Glock with an auto sear, were recovered at the crime scene.

On March 6, eight teenagers, ages 15 to 17, were shot at a Philadelphia SEPTA bus stop by three masked gunmen who opened fire, spraying more than 30 shots in a matter of seconds, according to the Philadelphia Police Department. One of the guns seized in the crime was a Glock 22 pistol with an auto sear and laser sights. Five suspects, ranging in age from 15 to 19, were arrested and charged in the shooting, according to police.

On April 20, two people were killed and seven were injured at a block party in Memphis, Tennessee, when multiple people pulled out guns, including at least one fitted with a auto sear, and opened fire, according to the Memphis Police Department.

On April 12, 2024, Memphis police officer Joseph McKinney was killed and two other officers were wounded in a firefight that erupted as they responded to a suspicious vehicle call. They were confronted by two teenagers in the car, one armed with a handgun modified with an auto sear, according to the Memphis Police Department. An 18-year-old suspect was killed and a 17-year-old accomplice was wounded, police said.

On April 11, 2024, a 14-year-old boy was arrested in Columbia, South Carolina, and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy and his father during a robbery, according to the Columbia Police Department. Police said the young suspect, who shot himself in the leg during the incident, was armed with a pistol illegally modified with an auto sear.

PHOTO: Nationwide seizures of machine gun conversion devices (ABC News)

According to a 2023 report by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 5,454 guns with machine-gun conversion devices were taken into ATF custody at crime scenes between 2017 and 2021, a 570% increase in the five-year period.

'It's going to get worse'

Asked about teenagers as young as 14 wielding guns equipped with an auto sear that can now be produced with 3-D printers, Leon responded, "I feel terrified."

He said there are tens of millions of Glock pistols in the United States, most owned by responsible gun owners, but each capable of being converted into machine guns in as little as 15 seconds.

"It's going to get worse. Just imagine the quantity of Glock pistols that are out on the streets," he said of one of the most popular guns sold in the United States.

From slingshots to guns

Leon said he has had a passion for inventing things since he was a child, recalling that at age 12 he built the most powerful slingshot on his block.

"At 15, I designed my own car, and I built it. At the same age, I made a working microscope for biology class," he said. "Guns were something that caught my attention because of the precision required and the complexity of the components in order to function."

Leon said that he was 16 years old and working at a gun repair shop in Venezuela when Glock first introduced its firearms in the county in the mid-1980s. He said that after studying the Glock pistol closely, he discovered it did not have an external manual safety but did come with a trigger safety mechanism that prevents the guns from firing if accidentally dropped or bumped from the side.

He said he became obsessed with inventing an external manual safety for the Glock. But as he set out to build one, he discovered what he described as "a gate left open" by inventor Gaston Glock: Manipulating the gun's trigger bar could convert the weapon from a semiautomatic, which requires a pull of the trigger for each shot fired, into a fully automatic weapon in which numerous rounds can be fired by depressing the trigger and holding it.

I discover some kind of a design flaw in that particular gun," Leon said.

Leon said that when Gaston Glock, an Austrian engineer, got word of his full-automatic conversion device, he asked to meet him while on a visit to Venezuela in the late 1980s.

"We sat and had breakfast at his hotel for him to see my invention. So that happened. And he suggested to me to leave that as a curiosity," said Leon.

Georgia-based Glock Inc. does not make the auto sears and has no affiliation with those who manufacture them. The company did not respond to requests from ABC News for comment.

Leon said he continued working on his design in private, creating six different prototypes. The last one, he said was "very light, very reliable, with very few moving parts."

He said he did nothing further with his invention until a friend working in the intellectual property field asked him in 1996 if he was interested in getting the device patented in the United States.

MORE: Man charged with selling guns from prison had contact with Buffalo mass shooter Payton Gendron

"Together, with intellectual property lawyers in New York, I filed that document and I introduced that patent in 1996," Leon said. "Two years later, I got the patent pending certificate."

Leon said he was "surprised" that his patent was approved, given the laws against possessing machine guns in the United States.

In 1934, the National Firearms Act was signed into law by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, outlawing machine guns that were being used by gangsters against police and rivals, including the 1929 Saint Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago when famed mob boss Al Capone's crew used machine guns, or Tommy Guns, to kill seven members of a rival gang. The law defined the term machine gun to include "parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun."

In 1994, five years before Leon's invention was patented, President Bill Clinton signed the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, which outlawed military-style semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines that hold more than 10 bullets. The ban expired in 2004.

MORE: 4 people killed, 32 hurt in mass shooting at Alabama birthday party

My technology was clearly defined in that patent, every dimension, every detail, the physics, the properties, how it works ... so in this way, there was very explicit information there in the patent. Anyone reading the patent could understand perfectly how it works," Leon said.

Under the rules of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the agency must grant a patent when an application meets the statutory requirements under which a patent may be obtained, including being novel, non-obvious, adequately described and enabled, and falls within one of the classes of subject matter that are eligible for patent protection.

There is no statutory authority for the U.S. Patent and Trade Office to determine whether the invention is beneficial to society and the potential uses of an invention can significantly change as technology continues to develop, according to the agency.

"Ownership of a patent does not grant an individual or entity the right to produce the invention, but rather the right to exclude others from making it, using, offering for sale, selling, or importing into the United States the invention claimed in the patent," according to the agency's website.

I feel like I tried to do the correct thing to keep my technology in safe hands during all that time. But what happened was all the information that was available for everyone who wanted to print out the patent and to make very light, reverse technology and manufacture an illegal Glock switch," Leon said.

Leon said he offered the device to police departments and the military at what he described as a low price. He estimates he has made little money on the device and ceased manufacturing it several years ago.

'No control'

After his patent expired, Leon said his invention "escaped from my hands."

"That, for me, [was] like a heart-crushing feeling because you care about something, then it's not any more yours. Its something hard because there was no control on that technology anymore," Leon said.

Leon said he felt "frustrated" and helpless as he saw his invention being co-opted and used by criminals.

"We have to find a way how to control this unleashed bad thing that occurred, joined together with the bad design of a Glock pistol and with the stolen technology of the U.S. patent that belonged to me," he said.

According to a lawsuit filed in March against Glock Inc. by the city of Chicago, the Chicago Police Department recovered more than 1,000 Glock guns that had been modified into automatic weapons between January 2021 and Dec. 31, 2023.

"These terrifying weapons have caused death and destruction throughout Chicago: they have been recovered in connection with homicides, aggravated assaults, batteries, kidnappings, burglaries, home invasions, carjackings, and attempted robberies," according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges that Glock Inc. has known about the dangerous workaround for decades, and mentions in a footnote Gaston Glock's meeting "with the inventor of the 'Fire Selector System'" in the late 1980s.

"Glocks willful decision to not take any meaningful action to address this problem in its sales to civilians -- despite its awareness -- is immoral, unethical, oppressive, unscrupulous and unreasonable," the lawsuit states. "This is especially so given that the aspect of Glocks that allows the pistols to be so easily modified can also be easily changed to prevent that modification."

MORE: 17-year-old boy shot 9 times at Philadelphia bus stop, in critical condition; 7 others hurt, gunmen at large

The lawsuit notes that other guns produced by manufacturers like Smith & Wesson or Sig Sauer cannot be easily converted and would "require time-consuming and difficult engineering well beyond the capability of most civilians."

On June 10, Glock Inc. responded to the lawsuit by filing a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Nothern District of Illinois asking that the litigation be dismissed. In its motion, the company argued that the city of Chicago's complaint "asserts claims that are barred by the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act [PLCAA]."

"The Citys attempt to hold Glock, Inc. liable for the actions of criminal third parties is precisely the kind of action that prompted Congress in 2005 to enact the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act," according to Glock's motion. "With limited exceptions, the PLCAA bars actions that seek to hold firearm manufacturers like Glock, Inc. liable for alleged injuries 'resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse' of a firearm by a third party."

In its lawsuit, the city alleged Glock is violating the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (ICFA), but Glock countered that the "ICFA is unconstitutional because it interferes with interstate commerce, is unconstitutionally vague, and violates the Second Amendment."

"Just as Chicago looks to blame certain carmakers for the Citys inability to stop auto thefts in the City, Chicago seeks to place the blame on Glock, Inc. for crime involving the use of Modified Glock Pistols," according to the company's motion. "Chicago does not claim that Glock pistols fail to function properly when they are sold by Glock, Inc. and, in light of their popularity and reliability, does not seek to restrict their sale to, or use by, law enforcement."

Glock's attorneys also stated in its motion, "Like all semi-automatic pistols, Glock pistols can be illegally converted to fire fully automatic through the installation of a device known as an auto sear."

The company added that the city filed a similar lawsuit against Glock and other gun manufacturers 20 years ago "arguing that their sale of legal handguns created a public nuisance in the City based on third parties who illegally possessed them and used them to commit crimes."

"The Illinois Supreme Court unanimously held that the Citys complaint failed to state claims under Illinois law based on lack of duty and proximate cause," according to Glock's motion.

'The American people don't deserve this'

Leon said he sent a letter on May 13 to Glock's general counsel Carlos Guevara about re-designing the mechanical configuration of its guns so they will no longer accept auto sears, but has received no response.

He said he hopes to speak with American lawmakers soon to explain to them the problem and come up with a solution.

PHOTO: Several people were injured after a shooting at a SEPTA bus stop in Philadelphia, March 6, 2024. (WPVI)

The Glock mechanical configuration should be banned, just the configuration until the company comes up with a newly designed weapon," Leon said.

He added that such a ban has to be national instead of state by state, noting that people could go to neighboring states with no ban to purchase Glock weapons.

"When something wrong happens with a car and provokes an accident or something, they recall all the cars in order to make a correction. But what do we see in the gun industry? Nothing. People die every day and the gun industry is mute," Leon said.

He said he began speaking out earlier this year for the first time after being contacted by a Minnesota television journalist about the rise of the auto sear. Leon said he decided to publicly address the issue after undergoing life-threatening open heart surgery late last year that gave him a new lease on life.

"If I am going to invest my time in something, the time I have left, I want to do it for the right causes. I want to do it for something that will promote life," Leon said. "This is my word of commitment that I am looking forward to helping and cooperating with a solution because the American people don't deserve this. They don't deserve this crime rising because of the full-auto."

'I feel terrified': Inventor of 'Glock switch' technology says he regrets creation originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A fight for abortion rights in America's most pro-life state could ripple across the South

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas  Kristin Stuart stood in the street, clipboard in hand, at a Pride festival in downtown Little Rock  the 200,000-person capital of the otherwise largely rural state.

Stuart was a volunteer collecting signatures for a ballot measure to reverse the states near total ban on abortions, which went into effect after the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision in 2022.

She and the other volunteers didnt seem to mind the baking midday June heat as they sallied forth from their tents shade to engage the festively dressed passersby.

Mostly, she was met with enthusiastic responses, but she worked to explain the current ban even to those initially unsympathetic to the proposed constitutional amendment.

Sometimes it changes their mind. Sometimes it doesn't, she said. But every signature counts.

Ellie Hill, left, a volunteer with Arkansans for Limited Government, holds Carl Robinson's umbrella while he signs the petition for the Arkansas abortion amendment during the 15th Annual Juneteenth in Da Rock celebration at S. Arch Street in Little Rock, Ark., Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Even some Republicans have told Stuart the Arkansas law, which allows for abortion only to save the life of the mother, goes too far.

Arkansas, where Republicans control all three branches of government, has been ranked the most pro-life state for the past four years by the anti-abortion group Americans United for Life. In 2023, no abortions were performed here, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.

Organizers hope many Arkansas voters view abortion in less black-and-white terms than the states GOP leaders. To get the measure on the ballot  let alone win in November  they know they will need support from conservatives in a state that former President Donald Trump won in 2020 with 62% of the vote.

The Arkansas amendment is one of 10 proposed ballot initiatives across the U.S. to expand or restore abortion access. The Arkansas measure, however, is less permissive than the others, and not a single national abortion rights organization has officially backed the effort.

Even the name of the organizing committee, Arkansans for Limited Government, signals this different approach, one that supporters hope could be a model for other efforts across the conservative South to restore some access to abortion, even if it isnt to the level guaranteed by Roe v. Wade.

We do have a lot of folks in more rural counties and smaller counties who are not supportive of abortion, but even more so theyre not supportive of the government intervening in it, said Lauren Cowles, executive director of Arkansans for Limited Government.

The birth of a ballot measure

Ezra Smith had pretty much given up on Arkansas politics. After college, he worked on political campaigns. He was elected president of the Young Democrats of Arkansas in 2013 and traveled to all 75 counties in the state. He watched as Republicans took power in the state that launched the career of President Bill Clinton.

We were fighting a huge tide. I said, Not only is it unproductive, but its really hard personally to deal with, said Smith, a lawyer in Fayetteville, the home of the states flagship university and one of the few islands of blue in the conservative state.

Dina Epstein, center, an OBGYN and physician leader with Arkansans for Limited Government, helps a visitor sign the petition for the Arkansas abortion amendment during the 15th Annual Juneteenth in Da Rock celebration at S. Arch Street in Little Rock, Ark., Saturday, June 15, 2024.

He saw Arkansans abandon Democrats over two issues: a dislike of President Barack Obama and abortion.

This year, Smith returned to politics, coordinating volunteers collecting signatures across the state for the abortion ballot measure. Abortion, the issue that once made Smith feel defeated, could be a winner this election. But with Arkansas near total ban on abortion, the issue feels more urgent to him than party politics.

I dont really care about this being a helpful issue for Democrats, he said. Thats not why Im doing this."

Smith was part of a group of Arkansans that began talking after the U.S. Supreme Court issued the Dobbs ruling in June 2022 and Arkansas trigger ban went into effect. By November, they registered a ballot question committee called Arkansans for Limited Government.

Abortion bans across the US: Which 14 states have abortion bans?

The name was chosen to cast Arkansas abortion ban as government overreach and win the support of conservative voters wary of government power.

The Arkansas Family Council, which advocates for Christian policies, rejects the idea that allowing wider access to abortion would be a check on government power. But Jerry Cox, the groups founder and president, does worry the argument could sway some conservative voters in the state.

The voter Im most concerned about are the people who take an extreme libertarian view, Cox said.

Even though the ballot measure is more restrictive than similar efforts in other states, it covers 99% of the abortions performed in Arkansas before Dobbs, according to Arkansans for Limited Government.

A visitor signs the petition for the Arkansas abortion amendment during the 15th Annual Juneteenth in Da Rock celebration at S. Arch Street in Little Rock, Ark., Saturday, June 15, 2024.

Before Roe was overturned, abortions were legal nationwide without state restrictions until the 24th week of pregnancy.

We found 18 weeks seems to be a timeframe at which most Arkansans are comfortable, Cowles said. You start using the word viability and 24 weeks and many Arkansans are uncomfortable with that.

Women in Arkansas are still getting abortions, if they can travel. Last year, more than 2,600 women in the state went to Kansas and Illinois for the procedure, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion rights research organization. Before Dobbs, roughly 3,000 abortions were performed annually in Arkansas.

The organizers also think the reality of living in a state where abortion is only available to save the life of a mother, but not to preserve her health, has changed attitudes about the procedure.

The number of stories Ive heard from people on why theyre signing, I think the evidence is there that this has left the political buzzword space and become a reality to so many people, Smith said.

The politics of abortion

Even before the Dobbs decision, Americans views on abortion were more complex  and less passionate  than the political rhetoric would suggest, said Steven Greene, a political science professor at North Carolina State University who has studied the subject for decades.

There really are a lot of people who think abortion should be mostly legal, but they arent quite sure when and dont have the strongest feelings on it, Greene said.

Region by region: How these states could broaden abortion access

Lynette Panique, a volunteer who was canvassing at the Pride event in Little Rock for the ballot measure, inhabits that middle ground of the abortion debate. Until 10 years ago, she would have called herself strictly pro-life.

Even as a Christian, she said, I still believe in the right to choose, just because its not a black and white issue.

Lynette Panique collects signatures for a statewide ballot measure which would allow for abortion access at the SoMa Pride festival in Little Rock, Arkansas, on June 1, 2024.

Republicans staunch opposition to abortion appealed to a passionate base, Greene said. The protections Roe v. Wade provided for 50 years meant that Republicans with more ambivalent attitudes on abortion could view their partys fierce anti-abortion stance as merely rhetorical.

The Democratic Party, Greene said, has also hardened its stance on abortion in recent years.

People (in the party) have said we need to be proud of abortion and we just need to defend that, he said. I think thats bad politics.

What a win in Arkansas would mean nationally

So far, national abortion rights organizations have not backed the Arkansas ballot initiative. Planned Parenthood objects to an 18-week limit on abortions. The organization believes that with more years of on-the-ground organizing in the state, Arkansas voters would accept abortion access without time limits.

The work is not yet done, said Sarah Standiford, the national campaign director for the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. I think theres an opportunity to create a longer onramp to a measure that will more fully provide care and restore care.

But the Arkansas ballot organizers say they cannot wait. State politicians have been working to curtail the ability of voters to introduce ballot measures. The legislature recently increased the threshold for how many counties need to be represented to get a measure on the ballot from 15 to 50.

Dina Epstein, left, an OBGYN and physician leader with Arkansans for Limited Government, helps Chris Hayman, center, and Toni Hayman sign the petition for the Arkansas abortion amendment during the 15th Annual Juneteenth in Da Rock celebration at S. Arch Street in Little Rock, Ark., Saturday, June 15, 2024.

State legislatures are trying to eliminate this process for enacting citizen driven change, Cowles said.

The ballot organizers are confident they will submit more than the required 90,704 signatures needed by the July 5 deadline.

"If it qualifies, I believe it will pass, said Janine Parry, an expert on direct democracy at the University of Arkansas. The current policy of basically a total ban has only been supported by about 15% of Arkansans for 30 years."

Cox of the Arkansas Family Council, however, thinks the organizers have misjudged their fellow Arkansans.

Arkansas is a much more conservative state than Ohio or any other state where abortion has been on the ballot, he said.

A win in a deep red, Southern state could upend the national debate on abortion, the organizers believe. It could make Republican politicians, they say, rethink their support for anti-abortion measures nationwide.

Still, Greene, the political scientist, is skeptical a win for abortion rights in Arkansas would have an effect beyond the state.

When abortion is presented as a ballot measure, voters have supported easing restrictions, even in conservative states like Ohio. But those same voters still elect politicians who oppose abortion. And in the South, only Arkansas, Florida and Oklahoma currently allow voter-driven ballot measures.

Most voters, Greene believes, support some abortion access, but the issue is not a high enough priority to determine which politicians they elect.

I think the evidence is pretty clear that state legislators who vote for very extreme bans do not seem to be punished for it, he said. Certainly not in red states.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas abortion ballot measure lacks national support. Here's why.
Fight over a kiss leads to Myrtle Beach, SC area mans nose nearly sliced off from sword

A fight over a kiss resulted in a man having the tip of his nose nearly sliced off, according to an Horry County Police report.

The fight started after the victim allegedly kissed the attackers family member, the report said. It resulted in the victim having the tip of his nose almost cut off with a katana sword.

Peter Tighe, 36, was arrested for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature early Saturday morning. He is being held at J. Reuben Long Detention Center with a $15,000 bail.

Tighe approached and confronted the victim about kissing one of his family members in a Circle K parking lot, 4700 Holmestown Road. He then began swinging around a katana sword  a long, Japanese sword  at the victim, hitting him in the nose, the police report said.

(The victim) had a large piece of skin flapped off his nose and was hanging, the police the report stated. He also had a cut above his left eye. The victim was taken to the hospital.

Police found Tighe nearby and arrested him. The report said, he is always carrying unique knives/weaponry.
Fights break out at Gaza protest outside of LA synagogue; mayor to meet with LAPD chief

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass ordered additional patrols around a prominent Los Angeles synagogue after violence outside of it on Sunday. File Photo by Eric Thayer/UPI

June 24 (UPI) -- Los Angeles authorities boosted security around a local synagogue after pro-Palestinian demonstrators who tried to block an entrance into the place of worship clashed with counter-protesters on Sunday.

The protests at the Abas Torah synagogue in the prominent Los Angeles Jewish neighborhood of Pico-Robertson drew an immediate response from pro-Israeli supporters, which led to punches and kicks when the demonstrators gathered at the entrance.

"I don't think the Jewish would go in front of a mosque or the Christian people would go in front of a mosque to do such a thing, nobody would accept this, but here, when it comes to the Jews and Israel everything is kosher, everything is okay," Rabbi Hertzel Illulian said, according to CBS News.

Witnesses said that intense verbal confrontations in front of the synagogue quickly turned violent. While there were no official reports of injuries during the violence, LAPD said one person was arrested.

"Today's violence in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood today was abhorrent and blocking access to a place of worship is unacceptable," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. "I've called on the LAPD to provide additional patrols in the Pico-Robertson community as well as outside the houses of worship throughout the city.

Bass added she would meet with LAPD Chief Dominic Choi on Monday "to further discuss the safety of Angelenos" following the protest.

"I want to be clear that Los Angeles will not be a harbor for anti-Semitism and violence," she said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom sounded a similar tune on X.

"The violent clashes outside the Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles are appalling," Newsom said on social media." There is no excuse for targeting a house of worship Such anti-Semitism hatred has no place in California."
For millions of years, mighty baobabs have been standing sentry on three different landmasses, posing each other an existential question: Who came first?

The giant trees, swollen of trunk and stubby of canopy, are unmistakable. Baobabs can live for more than 1,000 years, acting as the keystone species in dry forest environments in Madagascar, a swathe of continental Africa, and northwest Australia. Known as mother of the forest and the tree of life, nearly every part of the tree can be used by humans and animals, meaning theyre of enormous value to each ecosystem they inhabit.

Their reputation has only been burnished by the mystery as to where they originated. Until now, science has had to make do with multiple conflicting hypotheses  the dominant theory being that they came from mainland Africa. Not so, according to a study published last month in the journal Nature. A team of international academics successfully sequenced the genomes of each of the eight baobab species, examining their relationship with one another and concluded that they originated in Madagascar.

The news comes as the trees face a precipitous decline on the island, home to six baobab species, with one likely to become extinct by 2080 according to the study, unless significant interventions are put in place.

Biologists had struggled to determine the trees origins, as no fossils of ancient baobabs or their ancestors have been discovered, explained Dr. Wan Jun-Nan, one of the authors of the study, a researcher at the Wuhan Botanical Garden in Hubei, China. What genetic data had been retrieved from baobabs in previous studies was limited, he continued. But with the first full genome sequence of each species, we can tell a good story about the evolutionary history, he argued.

That story begins with the rise of baobabs in Madagascar around 21 million years ago, before the genus (scientific name Adansonia) began to diversify, and two species made their way to Africa and Australia around 12 million years ago. This occurred well after the separation of the supercontinent Gondwana, so the baobab is likely to have spread through seeds carried across the ocean on floating debris caused by flash floods, according to the researchers.

The study, a collaboration between Wuhan Botanical Gardens, China, the Royal Botanic Gardens in the UK, the University of Antananarivo in Madagascar and Queen Mary University of London, was also able to trace the interspecies gene flow of the eight types of baobab for the first time. This data, which demonstrated low genetic diversity between two species, and inbreeding of one species with another more populous species, offers insights into the competition between baobabs today, said Dr. Wan, and could help protect the trees of tomorrow.

We hope that in the future, the people of Madagascar can take care of baobabs (by) considering them as different species, not as a whole, he added.

"Avenue of the Baobabs" in Western Madagascar is one of the most spectacular collections of the unusual trees. - Gavinevans/Creative Commons

Only one baobab species is not included in the IUCNs Red List of Threatened Species: A. digitata, which populates mainland Africa. Three species in Madagascar are threatened with extinction, and the study recommended the IUCN recategorize one, A. suarezensis, from endangered to critically endangered. Climate modeling indicated the species could become extinct within 50 years without greater intervention.

That prediction is plausible and highlights the urgent need for action, according to Dr. Seheno Andriantsaralaza, a tropical ecologist working in Madagascar.

Dr. Andriantsaralaza, who was not involved in the research, supported the call to update the IUCN status of certain Malagasy baobabs. Though she described the study as fantastic and meaningful, yielding valuable genetic data insights, she cautioned that it represented just one piece of the puzzle in understanding the evolutionary history and dispersal mechanisms of these iconic giant trees.

The studys modeling concluded the range of baobab species has been reducing on the island for millennia, with human-caused climate change and ongoing deforestation exacerbating the shrinkage and fragmentation of baobab populations in recent decades.

Dr. Andriantsaralaza said its crucial to recognize that amidst the challenges, there are local success stories and initiatives led by local organizations and local researchers.

She cited conservation group Madagasikara Voakajy, which coordinates projects on the north of the island that have focused on protecting A. perrieri and A. suarezensis. Also PEER, a USAID-backed program she is involved in, aims to empower locals to contribute to the sustainable management of the ecosystem.

Madagascars baobab forests belong to the local communities that rely on natural resources to feed their families, she added. They should be part of the solution, not the problem.

Dr. Wan said he hoped the research and media attention would prompt further conservation efforts of the islands baobabs.

While hailing the breakthrough, he acknowledged the studys limitations  only one individual per species was sequenced  though hoped future research would expand sampling and answer further outstanding questions about the trees.

The likelihood of finding fossil evidence to rubberstamp the conclusions of the genetic data is slim, Dr. Wan conceded. So perhaps these majestic trees may retain some of their mystery after all.

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Fire that destroyed vacant Tumwater restaurant was a second, larger blaze, officials say

Olympia area fire crews and local law enforcement responded to two fires at a long-vacant former restaurant Sunday afternoon.

The first fire was initially extinguished, but then a second larger blaze emerged, according to a Tumwater fire official.

Crews and police were dispatched to the first fire about 2:10 p.m. Sunday at the South Pacific restaurant at Custer Way and Capitol Boulevard, Tumwater Fire Department Chief Brian Hurley said.

South Pacific, a former Cantonese-style restaurant, has been closed for about 10 years.

Hurley said the first small exterior fire was found on the restaurants back deck. Crews extinguished it, but were later called back to a much larger blaze in the same area.

It took about three hours to get the second fire under control, he said.

Roads were closed in the area  Custer Way at Cleveland Avenue, Capitol Boulevard at E Street and Custer Way at Boston Street  Hurley said, but they were back open by early Monday morning.

Tumwater fire, Olympia fire and McLane/Black Lake fire departments responded to the scene.

Hurley, echoing what police said on Sunday, said a detective responded to the scene and was trying to find a witness. The fire is under investigation. A fire investigator also will be called to the site of the fire to determine the cause and origin of the blaze.

The city has tagged the property and officials are working with the property owner to secure the area, he said.
More than 100 Big Apple residents and elected officials rallied outside Brooklyns Floyd Bennett Field on Sunday, calling on city leaders to shut down a troublesome migrant tent city at the federal site.

Fired-up locals draped in US flags converged on the massive site in a 90-vehicle long caravan and demanded that City Hall not renew a lease for the 2,000-bed migrant shelter that has been the focus of neighborhood complaints since it opened last year.

Illegals are being prioritized over New Yorkers and many, many New Yorkers feel that this crisis is just not debatable and theres no end in sight, Marine Park resident Brenda Lee told The Post.

A caravan 90 vehicles long arrived at Floyd Bennett Field on Sunday as protesters demand that the lease for a migrant shelter at the site not be renewed. Gregory P. Mango

We need to speak up about exactly what, you know, where this is gonna go and where, how is it going to end? Lee said. Is it gonna end?

Cars and trucks pulled up to the scene with signs hanging from their windows reading preserve the American dream and stop migrant crime  as well as revoke the lease to Floyd Bennett.

There are other places now that the migrants from that base camp can go, city Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Brooklyn) told protesters at the site. We need to be able to go to our national park and enjoy it. That was taken from us.

Its been taken from us this summer and it must not be renewed, she said.

Also speaking at the raucous rally was state Assemblywoman Jaime Williams (R-Brooklyn)

About 90 vehicles draped in US flags arrived at Floyd Bennett Field Sunday to protest a migrant tent city at the site. Gregory P. Mango

The 2,000-bed migrant shelter at Floyd Bennett Field is one of dozens dotting the Big Apple  and facing protest from New Yorkers over crime concerns. Paul Martinka

Today were saying no more,' Williams said. Its time that we take our community back, our city back, our state back. But let this be known that we are sending a very clear message to those individuals that are acting like thugs that we need our borders closed.

Floyd Bennett Field is one of scores of shelters throughout the five boroughs converted into shelters to accommodate thousands of migrants who have flooded into the Big Apple since 2022.

The vast majority are asylum seekers who crossed the US border with Mexico and were shipped north to sanctuary cities like New York  and who have overburdened the citys capacity to house them.

The Post reported in January that the former airfield had become a hotbed of unrest and violence since the site was converted into a migrant shelter. The shelter saw a domestic assault in December and has been the site of a string of assault arrests  and even a gun bust, according to police.

Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa told protesters Sunday that locals will continue to pressure City Hall to shut down a migrant shelter at Floyd Bennett Field. Gregory P. Mango

In January migrants, including children had to be briefly evacuated from the site in the middle of the night as dangerous winds closed in on the city, raising concerns of toppled tents or fatal flooding.

Local residents have continually griped about their unruly and unwanted neighbors.

This isnt about politics, Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa told protesters Sunday. Its about whats right and wrong. This rally says we support immigration  legal immigration.

Its not safe for the migrants. Its a flood plain and its horrible for the neighborhood and the quality of life, he added. Were going to keep the pressure on until we close Floyd Bennett Field.
First debate of the cycle has a history tripping up former presidents

Joe Biden was on cleanup duty.

The day was October 4, 2012, the morning after Barack Obama had turned in a debate performance so bad even Obama himself would come to judge it a stinker.

Flat, convoluted and passive, Obamas turn at the podium was calamitous enough that aides backstage appeared paralyzed before emerging reluctantly to face reporters in the spin room.

It was left to Biden, the vice president, to stand outside a grocery store in Iowa and find a charitable way of describing his bosss performance.

He was presidential, Biden offered, acknowledging later what had by then become obvious: All debates are tough.

Twelve years later, the memory of Obamas tortured outing in Denver is lingering in the background as Biden undergoes practice sessions at Camp David ahead of his own first debate as an incumbent as he faces off with former President Donald Trump on Thursday in Atlanta.

Bidens team  some of whom helped prepare Obama for his debates  undoubtedly hopes to elude a curse afflicting incumbents going back at least four decades: a weak first debate that left an opening for their rivals to gain the initiative.

Presidents are steeped in prose. They havent debated in four years, they know a lot and they tend to want to defend their records, said David Axelrod, a CNN contributor who served as a senior adviser to Obama and helped prepare him for the debates. The wildcard here is Trump, who is also a former president and hasnt debated in four years.

Televised debates have long been a storied part of presidential campaigns, with history-making moments for candidates. Sitting presidents face the added challenge of delivering strong performances on a rare night the trappings of the office are set aside and they come face-to-face with their rivals.

Then-President Barack Obama talks with Ron Klain during debate preparations in Henderson, Nevada, in 2012. - Pete Souza/The White House

Unaccustomed to such direct and hostile confrontation after the insulated deference of the Oval Office and Air Force One, presidents are rarely forced to square off in public. In the past, that has translated into first debate performances that seem flat-footed, meandering  or, in the case of Obama, contemptuous of the entire exercise.

Trump himself fell victim to the first-debate curse in 2020, when he arrived to the stage in Cleveland looking slightly unwell (he tested positive for Covid a few days later) and proceeded to hector and interrupt Biden until the Democrat told him to shut up. Trump later told aides he felt he could have been less aggressive.

Biden is hardly entering the showdown at CNNs studio in Atlanta expecting deference from Trump. And unlike past incumbents, he is facing a rival who himself has been insulated in a world of obeisance since he left the White House.

This year, for the earliest debate in memory, neither candidate has the benefit of any recent real-world practice. Trump skipped this years Republican primary debates, passing up a training exercise past challengers have enjoyed.

In some ways, that puts both men on equal footing when they walk onto Thursdays debate stage.

You have two people who dont like each other very much, so the question becomes can they keep the debate centered on issues rather than themselves? said Brett ODonnell, a Republican strategist who has spent years preparing presidents and candidates for debates.

Nancy Reagan showing off her "4 more in '84" sweater during at Camp David, Maryland. - National Archives

Ronald Reagan, who like Biden retreated to Camp David for debate preparations in 1984, did not appear to his aides entirely engaged in the exercises. When briefing books were left out for him to peruse at night, they were found in exactly the same place the next morning  cast aside while Reagan watched movies.

Walking off the debate stage after a rambling final answer, Reagan confessed to aides that hed flopped. So bad was the performance that at a news conference two days later, the Republican National Committee chairman was reduced to explaining it wasnt because of any physical or mental deficiency.

While Reagan went on to defeat Walter Mondale in a 49-state landslide, the first debate served as a nerve-racking wakeup call inside the White House.

Eight years later, George H.W. Bush failed to land punches while on-stage with Bill Clinton. Unlike Reagan, however, he wasnt able to dramatically improve his performance by the second debate, when he was caught on camera glancing at his watch while Clinton was engaging with an audience members question about the recession.

Was I glad when the damn thing was over? Yeah, and maybe thats why I was looking at it, only 10 more minutes of this crap, Bush would recount later  after hed lost the election.

Clinton is the one incumbent over the last several decades who avoided the first-debate curse. His successor, George W. Bush, wasnt so lucky: his first face-off with John Kerry in 2004 was marred by scowls, smirks and the general sense that he was surprised to be confronted by someone after four years in the presidential bubble.

For Obama, the disastrous showing in 2012 came down to a variety of factors. He was distracted in the lead-up by the duties of the presidency, yes, but also disdainful of performative politics and displeased at having to stand as Republican candidate Mitt Romneys equal on stage.

Then-President Donald Trump and then-Democratic presidential candidate and former US Vice President Joe Biden and moderator NBC News anchor Kristen Welker participate in a debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, on October 22, 2020. - Chip Somodevilla/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

They are out of practice and they are treated with such deference usually, its discomforting, Axelrod said in an interview. It throws them off their game to treat them with no deference at all.

Over a weekend of prep sessions outside Las Vegas, where an exact replica of the debate stage was constructed inside a hotel ballroom, Obama openly complained about how bored he was. He escaped at one point to visit the Hoover Dam.

Its a drag, he told a group of reporters whod tailed him to Nevada. Theyre making me do my homework.

Walking off the debate stage in Denver, Obama did not initially realize just how bad his confrontation with Romney had gone. It was only later, after being forced to review videotape of the encounter, did he come to recognize the extent of the damage.

On Social Security, weve got a somewhat similar position, Obama told Romney during one of the exchanges that caused Obamas advisers to cringe.

Obama ultimately blamed himself for the poor outing. When the aide who led his practice sessions in Las Vegas, Ron Klain, volunteered to resign, Obama rejected the offer.

Twelve years later, Klain spent this past weekend at Camp David, helping Biden prepare to face Trump.

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RAPIDAN TOWNSHIP, Minn.  Flooding on the Blue Earth River caused an abutment of the Rapidan Dam to partially fail on Monday morning, and it remains in "imminent failure condition."

On Tuesday morning, Blue Earth County Public Works Director Ryan Thilges said the breach threat has diminished, though officials are still concerned because the dam was built on sandstone bedrock that can further erode.

Thilges says the dam itself was not breached. Instead, he described it as a "partial failure of the west abutment." The structure is intact but water continues to flow around it, eroding the slope and forcing an evacuation of the family home of the owners of the Rapidan Dam Store. Late Tuesday night, most of the iconic home collapsed into the river.

Blue Earth County Sheriff Jeff Wersal said the water level in a "catastrophic event would not be that significant."

/ Credit: WCCO

If there is a full collapse of the dam, county leaders say the river could rise another 2 feet or so. There is a levee system protecting the city and officials are confident it will hold up.



Officials say the bridges spanning County Roads 33 and 90 are being closely monitored for debris passing downstream and may be closed if needed.



Xcel Energy says it has been fortifying several other facilities downriver with sandbags and barriers to protect them if the dam becomes compromised and reaches the substations.



Hundreds of people were without power on Monday night. Xcel says it restored power to about 600 homes and businesses near the dam around midnight.

/ Credit: WCCO

The Blue Earth River begins in northern Iowa and meets with the river's west branch in Faribault County in southern Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. From there, it flows 108 miles north past the cities of Blue Earth, Winnebago, and Vernon Center to Mankato, where it enters the Minnesota River.

There are 21 cities in that watershed, of which Mankato and Fairmont are the largest.

The National Inventory of Dams rated the Rapidan Dam in poor condition as of April 2023, classifying its hazard potential as "significant."

The Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are still assessing the damage.

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Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks Sunday at the State Emergency Operations Center in Johnson addressing historic flooding in northwest and north central Iowa.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said Sunday she had requested an expedited presidential major disaster declaration as a slowly unfolding flooding disaster across northwest and north central Iowa continues.

The declaration would give residents of affected counties access to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Individual Assistance Program, and U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans.

Reynolds, who toured the flooded area Saturday via helicopter, already has issued a state disaster proclamation for 22 counties. Flanked by state department directors in a news conference at the State Emergency Operations Center in Johnston, she cited the scope of the devastation.

Yesterday afternoon I had the opportunity to take an aerial tour of the affected regions with several of my cabinet members, she said. I can tell you the devastation is severe, and it is widespread.

While were still very early in the response, the projected damage is staggering, she said. At this time, its estimated that at least 1,900 properties are impacted, and hundreds have been destroyed."

Many cities are without power or other utilities, she said. A National Weather Service representative said the area already has received eight times more rain than average over the past several days, and that more is possible over the next week to 10 days.

Across the region, rivers remained at record or near-record levels on Sunday, and the weather service was issuing new warnings for both major and minor flooding in downstream communities. The affected rivers include the Big Sioux, Little Sioux, the Rock, the east, west and main channels of the Des Moines, the Floyd, the Winnebago and the Cedar.

The weather service said the Missouri River also could reach major flooding levels.

Its not over yet, Reynolds said. As the water begins to recede, it will flow downstream.

Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director John Benson joins Gov. Kim Reynolds Sunday at the State Emergency Operations Center in Johnson to highlight the state's response to historic flooding in northwest and north central Iowa.

"This is an active flood, said John Benson, Iowa director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, forecasting more to follow along the Missouri River. Its very dangerous.

He was one of several Reynolds cabinet members to describe their roles in the ongoing response, Benson said his department along with Iowa Department of Health and Human Services worked Saturday "on addressing emergency medical issues, with state troopers literally running medicine across the state.

Stephan Bayens, commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, said troopers also have been facilitating evacuations and establishing access control points.

Weve been escorting supplies where theyre needed, he said. Additionally, we have established a bit of a taxi service. There are a number of individuals without transportation that have high-priority needs.

Scott Marler, director of the Iowa Department of Transportation, said his office has been moving pumps where theyre needed, transporting cots to shelters and moving Hesco barriers to help control floodwater.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon speaks Sunday at the State Emergency Operations Center in Johnson to highlight the state's response to historic flooding in northwest and north central Iowa.

Kayla Lyon, director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said DNR officers have been responsible for many rescues.

We had two officers that were dispatched to a medical call, she said. There was a wheelchair-bound individual whose house was flooding.

The officers quickly disassembled the railing on a deck in order to transfer him to the boat and then to a medical center, she said.

'We have never seen this kind of water'

The man was among thousands of residents who were displaced as floodwaters threatened their homes, and more may need to seek shelter as floodwaters surge down several Iowa rivers.

In Cherokee County, as in so many others across the affected region, emergency managers on Sunday were nervously eyeing their local river, the Little Sioux. They posted on Facebook that their river gauge apparently had been swept away.

"Based on communications from sensors up stream, and the known crest depth of around 31' the new models show a second crest around 6:00pm somewhere between 35-37'," they wrote. "It is very important to note: These are guesses using information supplied and not able to run through normal prediction models. However, 37' is almost a whole foot higher than our record.

"We have never seen this kind of water. PLEASE start taking precautions immediately. If these numbers prove accurate, we will see almost an 11' increase in water by 6-7pm."

Plymouth County emergency managers said they were running out of sandbags.

"What is left is all we have," they posted on Facebook. "Please be considerate of others."

Reynolds on Sunday added Palo Alto County to the list of 21 she issued disaster proclamations for Saturday: 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.

The proclamation enables authorities to use state resources and activates assistance programs for affected, qualified residents, with grants of up to $5,000.

From Saturday: Northwest Iowa residents evacuated because of flooding; Gov. Kim Reynolds declares disaster

Citing the flooding, Reynolds canceled a news conference she had set Monday at a North Liberty restaurant to voice concerns about federal enforcement in Iowa of child labor laws stricter than those mandated by recently loosened state laws.

Flooding pushing downstream on more than a half-dozen rivers

The National Water Prediction Service said flooding had reached record levels along the Rock River in Rock Rapids and Rock Valley; on the Big Sioux River in Hawarden and Akron; and on the Little Sioux River at Milford. Charles City also was seeing major flooding.

The Floyd River at Le Mars, Little Sioux at Linn Grove, Ocheyedan River at Spencer and the west fork of the Des Moines River were just below record levels and expected to remain in major flooding for most of the week.

Record levels are expected Monday on the Big Sioux at Sioux City and the Little Sioux at Correctionville. The Des Moines River at Fort Dodge is forecast to reach major flooding level on Wednesday, and the city said urged resident to help fill sandbags.

From Saturday: How much rain has northwest Iowa gotten? See 24-hour totals

There were numerous warnings of minor to moderate flooding, including on the Winnebago River in Mason City, the Cedar in Cedar Rapids and the Des Moines near Boone. The Mississippi River also is expected to rise throughout the week.

Matthew Dux,, lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which handles forecasting for northwest Iowa, said the flooding was on par with historic Missouri River flooding in the region in 2019, though this time, it is tributary rivers that are the most affected.

Dux said that in some places, water rose to record levels in a short timeframe, in particular the Little Sioux River near Spencer, which has risen to 20 feet from 9 1/2 feet, and the Big Sioux River near Haward, which reached 40 feet from 15 feet, both since June 16.

Ryan Magalhaes is a reporter for the Register. Reach them at rmagalhaes@dmreg.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Surging rivers to bring more flooding in Iowa; Reynolds seeks aid
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  An Inverness woman was found guilty of stealing over $100,000 of retirement money for their ex, the Office of the State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida announced Monday.

On June 20, 58-year-old Robin Joanna Bell was found guilty of grand theft of over $100,000, two counts of Fraudulent Use of Personal Identification Information, witness tampering, and forgery of a public record.

Credit: Office of the State Attorney-5th JC

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Theft, particularly when its from someone who was once close to you, can be devastating. Let this serve as a reminder that cheating, stealing and deceiving victims, for your benefit, will not go unchecked in Citrus County, said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. Protecting our most vulnerable population is a top priority for this office.

Initial Retirement Agreement

In July 2021, the victim told the Citrus County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) that their ex-wife, Bell, had filed forged documents to obtain retirement benefits against court orders, the State Attorneys Office said.

The victim reportedly told investigators that while finalizing their divorce, Bell asked for half of the victims retirement. The victim agreed on the condition that when Bell retired, the victim would get half of Bells retirement.

The judge finalized the terms of the agreement, which gave both parties equal rights to half the retirement of the other party, the State Attorneys Office said.

The Investigation

Then, in December 2020, the victim was notified that Bell had retired. The victim then contacted the Florida Retirement System (FRS) to receive half of her retirement, which is when they learned the FRS received a document with their signature signing over all rights to the retirement to Bell.

That is when the victim contacted law enforcement authorities.

During the investigation, it was determined that the documents were forged, with the notary saying they never notarized the document for Bell.

Detectives made numerous attempts to contact Bell and her attorney but turned to the FDLE when attempts were unsuccessful. Eventually, the FDLE contacted the supposed witness of the signing of the document, who said they had never seen nor signed any document provided to the FRS by Bell.

Bell was arrested on Jan. 1, 2023. While out on bond, Bell contacted the victim in an attempt to get the charges dropped, leading to the tampering charge.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Florida family is suing NASA after a discarded battery from the International Space Station crashed into their home.

According to a release from Cranfill Sumner LLP, attorney Mica Nguyen Worthy filed a claim on behalf of Naples resident Alejandro Otero, who was the owner of the house.

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The firm said on March 8, 2024, a piece of space debris crashed through the Otero home while Alejandros son, Daniel Otero, was inside. The junk ended up punching a hole through the roof and into the subflooring, the attorneys said.

NASA later confirmed that the debris was a stanchion, a type of support equipment, that was used to mount old nickel hydride batteries onto a cargo pallet in March 2021 after they were replaced with new lithium-ion batteries.

The pallet and its hardware, which weighed a total of 5,800 pounds, was released from the station and was supposed to burn up after making entry into the atmosphere on March 8, 2024.

Instead, the 1.6-pound nickel-chromium stanchion ended up surviving entry and damaged the Otero home.

My clients are seeking adequate compensation to account for the stress and impact that this event had on their lives, Worthy said in the release. They are grateful that no one sustained physical injuries from this incident, but a near miss situation such as this could have been catastrophic. If the debris had hit a few feet in another direction, there could have been serious injury or a fatality.

According to the firm, Worthy previously wrote on the dangers of the Kessler Effect, a dangerous phenomenon in which space debris becomes too dense in low-Earth orbit and causes collisions that cause destruction in orbit and down on here on Earth.

As such, the attorney filed a claim to not only help pay for damages but to also show how space debris can pose a real threat if it survives onto the Earths surface.

Cranfill Sumner LLP said the claim is being filed to articulate a negligence claim, but Worthy argued that U.S. residents should not have to file a claim under negligence when the federal government already claims liability for space debris incidents under international treaty law.

If the incident had happened overseas, and someone in another country were damaged by the same space debris as in the Oteros case, the U.S. would have been absolutely liable to pay for those damages under the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects also known as the Space Liability Convention, she said. We have asked NASA not to apply a different standard towards U.S. citizens or residents, but instead to take care of the Oteros and make them whole.

Here, the U.S. government, through NASA, has an opportunity to set the standard or set a precedent as to what responsible, safe, and sustainable space operations ought to look like. If NASA were to take the position that the Oteros claims should be paid in full, it would send a strong signal to both other governments and private industries that such victims should be compensated regardless of fault.

NASA has six months to respond to the claim under the Federal Torts Claim Act.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Florida Marine gets 17 years for trying to entice minor into sex

Florida Marine gets 17 years for trying to entice minor into sex

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Marine has been sentenced to more than 17 years in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity, according to the Department of Justice.

Schyular Quinton Willis, 24, of Sebastian, pleaded guilty in January, and was sentenced Monday to 17.5 years behind bars.

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According to court documents, the victims father contacted the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office last October after he found nude images of Willis and the victim in a text message thread on the victims phone.

At the time, Willis was an active-duty lance corporal stationed at Camp Pendleton in California. The sheriffs office learned he had recently visited Florida and spent time with the victim.

Willis was arrested at Camp Pendelton on Oct. 10. He admitted to talking to the child in a sexual manner, calling it a mistake, and consented to a search of his devices.

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Investigators searched Willis phone and found texts between him and the minor dating back to July 25, 2023. In those texts, they discussed sexual intercourse and producing child sexual abuse images several times, officials said.

Willis had been in custody at Camp Pendelton since last October. He entered a guilty plea on Jan. 31.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
When President Joe Biden came to Tampa in April, he said something bold.

I think Floridas in play, nationally, Biden told a room full of supporters at Tampas Hillsborough Community College. The room erupted in applause.

Three months later, the presidents campaign doesnt sound as optimistic about the Sunshine State. In an interview published Sunday in the outlet Puck News, Biden campaign chairperson Jen OMalley Dillon was asked whether Florida is a battleground state.

She responded: No.

The remark came in during a discussion about the states that will decide the election in November. To Dillon, those states are Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, North Carolina and Georgia.

Republicans have long derided the Democrats chances of turning Florida blue in November. Most recent polls show Trump leading by at least five points in the state. Republicans have opened up a voter registration gap on Democrats thats inching toward seven figures. Earlier this year, Ron DeSantis laughed when asked when asked if Biden could win the state.

When asked about the comment, the Biden-Harris campaign noted that it continues to invest in Florida.

Florida is in play for President Biden and Democrats up and down the ballot, said Dan Kanninen, the campaigns battleground states director in a statement. Trump and his out of touch loyalists are taking the state for granted, while their extreme agenda continues to increase costs and rip away Floridians freedoms.

When asked about OMalley Dillons comments, Florida Democratic Party chairperson Nikki Fried said her party is working hard to win Florida back from Republicans.

Were not naive about the challenges ahead, but were building the foundation of Democratic success, not just for this cycle, but for the years and decades to come, Fried said in a statement. Dont count Florida out.

Democrats had been projecting optimism for weeks. The party fielded a candidate for every legislative seat this election cycle, and the Biden campaign made more than two dozen hires in Florida  both efforts that national Democrats have cited with pride. In a statement, a Democratic National Committee spokesperson predicted that in a year where abortion will also be on the ballot, there is still a path to victory in Florida.

Last week, DNC chairperson Jamie Harrison traveled to Florida with a similar message.

The stars are aligning, the planets are aligning, and Florida, Florida, Florida is going to be in that mix, Harrison told WPTV. And its going to be one of the states that people all across the country will be watching very closely in November.
Florida state employees will get an extra day off for 4th of July weekend

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  State offices will be closed in Florida on July 5 in addition to July 4, according to a news release from the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

In a statement, DeSantis said he hoped state workers would take the extra time off to enjoy Floridas Freedom Summer with their loved ones and celebrate America.

I am proud to reward our state employees, DeSantis said. Following another historic legislative session that delivered tax breaks and record investments for Floridiansall while reducing spending.

The closure creates a four day weekend for the nearly 100,000 employees in the State Personnel System, the news release said.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
By the time former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke ambled up to the courtroom lectern at the end of a nearly six-hour sentencing hearing Monday, he looked and sounded little like the Democratic powerhouse who had sermonized in the City Council for decades and was caught on an FBI wire talking about making the cash register ring.

Instead, Burke looked every bit of his 80 years, a deposed politician with silver, thinning hair, in a dark suit and pocket square, striking a humbled tone.

In a measured voice, reading from a single sheet of paper with handwritten notes, Burke was uncharacteristically brief, saying hed been blessed with a long career and was sorry to see it end like this. Then he asked the judge for mercy.

Whatever amount of time God has decided to leave me on this earth, Id like to spend as much of it as possible with my devoted wife, my wonderful children and grandchildren, Burke said.

As he spoke, his wife, former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, bowed her head in the courtroom gallery and appeared to be crying.

Moments later, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall sentenced Burke, the former chairman of the citys Finance Committee and one of the last vestiges of the old Chicago political machine, to two years in federal prison in a corruption case that rocked city politics and ended his storied and controversial six-decade career.

In addition to the time behind bars, Kendall levied a stiff $2 million fine, saying in her estimation the financial penalties for politicians who engage in corruption should be far higher and noting the money will go to help victims of crime in which the defendants are not as wealthy as Burke.

I think that really does send a message, if you want to commit public corruption by being greedy, then the disgorgement of your own funds will go toward the people, Kendall said.

It was a somewhat subdued coda to a rollicking trial that featured colorful wiretapped phone calls, an alderman-turned-FBI mole, and some of the most memorable quotes  such as, Did we land the tuna?  to come out of federal court in years.

Many court watchers expected Burke to get more time in prison, especially in a building where judges have recently harangued against the costs of corruption.

In her view, Kendall agreed the courts have to deter other public officials from thinking of going down the same path as Burke, saying political corruption leads to part of this erosion, part of this chipping away at our democracy, really whittling away at our rule of law.

When citizens lose faith (in their public officials) they begin to take the law into their own hands, she said. If a citizen starts thinking Oh thats just the Chicago Way, thats when were eroding it.

Still, the prison term she handed Burke was eight years less than the 10-year term that prosecutors originally sought.

Even the hefty fine is likely of limited consequence for Burke, whose net worth was calculated in court as somewhere near $30 million and who is eligible under a generous state law to convert to personal use about $2.45 million from the nearly $8 million still in his political fund.

Burke can transfer the money from his campaign fund to his personal account, pay taxes on the income and pay his fine with the money, Kent Redfield, a campaign finance expert who worked on the 1998 law, told the Tribune on Monday.

He has enough in his campaign fund to cover it, Redfield said of the fine. Never underestimate the Illinois politicians.

It just becomes personal income, and he can spend that money any way he chooses, Redfield said.

In announcing her ruling, Kendall said she had never in her career received so many letters vouching for a defendants good character, and seemed touched by the stories of everyday people to whom Burke reached out, unprompted, to help.

The relatively limited period of criminal conduct for which Burke was convicted at trial does not wipe away those decades of good works, Kendall said.

The judge also saved some criticism for the U.S. attorneys office for its unprecedented deferred prosecution agreement with former Ald. Daniel Solis, who wore a wire against Burke and others and was rewarded with a deal that will keep him even having a conviction on his record  let alone serving jail time.

It is uncomfortable for me to see that when the government steps up and says you must send a strong message to elected officials, that Solis has been allowed to skate, she said.

Seated at the defense table with a stoic look on his face, Burke did not appear to react to the sentence when it was handed down. After the hearing ended, however, Burke appeared to be pleased with the outcome, grinning and hugging his attorneys, relatives and supporters who had packed into Kendalls 25th floor courtroom.

Among his well-wishers was Pete Andrews, Burkes longtime 14th Ward aide who was acquitted at trial of helping Burke put the squeeze on the wealthy owners of a Burger King franchise by shutting down their renovation project. As court let out, Andrews approached Burke and greeted him warmly, putting an arm on his shoulder.

Moments earlier, Burke had addressed the judge in a highly anticipated moment of the long-running case. Though not known for his brevity on the City Council floor, Burke kept his remarks to the judge very short, and stopped short of apologizing for any of the crimes for which he was convicted.

The blame for this is mine and mine alone. I regret the pain and the sorrow that I have caused my family and my dear friends and I would ask your honor to have compassion and mercy, he said.

Burke was ordered to surrender to prison by Sept. 23. His lawyers asked the judge to recommend the federal facility in Oxford, Wisconsin  a prison that has seen its fair share of convicted Illinois politicians over the years.

Burke huddled with his attorneys and supporters for nearly an hour after the hearing, then left the courthouse on South Dearborn Street without commenting and departed in a black SUV while reporters shouted questions.

In a statement after the sentencing, acting U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual said that corruption in the City Council tears at the fabric of a vital body of local government.

When an alderman fails to discharge his duties with honesty and integrity, he betrays not only the citizens of Chicago, but his fellow public officials who do their jobs the right way, Pasqual said.. Our office will continue to vigorously prosecute corruption and hold public officials accountable for violating the public trust.

Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who battled Burke while she was mayor and criticized giving Solis a lenient deal, said Burke should be grateful that his sentence wasnt longer  it certainly could have been justifiably so. Over decades, Ed Burke caused real harm to people and communities, by abusing the power hed amassed and by monetizing his public service position, Lightfoot said.

Burkes attorneys declined to comment.

The hearing was among the most anticipated proceedings in years in Chicagos federal court, a building that has seen countless politicians, both Republicans and Democrats, handed prison terms, a veritable parade of aldermen, county commissioners, state representatives, senators, governors and even a former speaker of the U.S. House.

But perhaps none wielded so much power for so long as Burke, the head of the vaunted Finance Committee who not only worked the citys purse strings but also was a shrewd ward boss, political tactician and judicial slate-maker.

Burke was convicted by a jury in December of racketeering conspiracy, bribery and attempted extortion in a series of schemes to use his considerable City Hall clout to try and win business from developers for his private property tax law firm.

Among them were efforts to woo the New York-based developers of the $600 million renovation of the Old Post Office, extorting the Texas owners of the Burger King, who were seeking to renovate a restaurant in Burkes 14th Ward, and intervening on behalf of a developer in Portage Park who wanted help getting the pole sign approved for a new Binnys Beverage Depot location.

Burke was also found guilty of threatening to hold up a fee increase for the Field Museum because he was angry the museum had ignored an internship application from his goddaughter, who is the daughter of former 32nd Ward Ald. Terry Gabinski, Burkes longtime friend.

The hearing kicked off with attorneys attempting to put a price tag on Burkes crimes: The money that was lost, or potentially lost, due to his efforts at extortion and bribery. The number that Kendall eventually settled on  about $215,000  was far below what prosecutors had argued, which lowered Burkes sentencing guidelines to about six to eight years behind bars.

In arguing for a sentence at the high end of that range, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker said the evidence in the case, including the undercover recordings, showed Burke was a seasoned professional who abused his power again and again and again and again over a period of years, working in his own best interest instead of the publics.

His conduct hurt not only the specific victims in his case, but all residents of the city of Chicago who have a right to honest government, she said. That trust will not easily be repaired.

Burke attorney Charles Sklarsky, meanwhile, urged the judge to consider an alternative to prison, noting the deluge of letters from people vouching for Burkes character and good works.

Ed Burke doesnt deserve compassion because hes a public official or hes somehow above the law  but hes not below the law either  he deserves compassion because hes done so much good with his life, not only for well-heeled people but for strangers, Sklarsky said. Hes done it with no expectation of anything in return.

Sklarsky said the Ed Burke he knew was so saintly that he could have been a man of the cloth.

Ed is really a priest without a collar, he said. Because he has done so many good deeds that are priestly in nature.

And no disrespect to the jury, Sklarsky said, but they hardly could have been a jury of peers: Ed Burke doesnt really have any peers in this city when it comes to acts of kindness and generosity and compassion.

As a federal prosecutor decades ago, Sklarsky was one of the forces behind Operation Greylord, a sweeping investigation that exposed corruption in the state court system. He argued in at least one Greylord case involving the conviction of a Cook County judge that a severe prison term would send an important message and deter future corruption.

But on Monday, Sklarsky claimed that when he was a prosecutor, he didnt particularly care much about the harshness of the sentence. What I cared about was doing justice to get the facts out, and let the court decide justice, he said.

Meanwhile, Streicker said in her argument that Burkes lengthy career is actually an aggravating factor, because he was in the best position to know what he was doing was illegal.

He had over $30 million, yet he was greedy, she said. An opportunist looking for more ways to exploit his position for his own gain.

She also said many of the good acts described in the letters were a product of the immense power the defendant accumulated as alderman.

He was in the business of dispensing favors, she said.

Streicker also brought up the corruption conviction of ex-Ald. Edward Vrdolyak, one of Burkes longtime colleagues who teamed up with Burke in the 1980s to thwart former Mayor Harold Washington, the citys first Black mayor, at virtually every turn.

Vrdolyak was initially given probation, a decision that was later overturned by the Appellate Court which ruled then-U.S. District Judge Milton Shadur had given too much weight to the support letters from friends and family.

Charity acts from the wealthy shouldnt be treated as a get-out-of-jail-free card, Streicker said, paraphrasing the 7th Circuit ruling.

Burkes high-profile, six-week trial featured some 38 witnesses and more than 100 secretly recorded videos and wiretapped recordings, offering a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of Chicagos top political power brokers at work.

At the heart of the case were dozens of wiretapped phone calls and secretly recorded meetings made by Solis, the former 25th Ward alderman who turned FBI mole after being confronted in 2016 with his own wrongdoing.

In closing arguments, prosecutors put up on large video screens a series of now-notorious statements made by Burke on the recordings. Among them: The cash register has not rung yet, They can go (expletive) themselves, and Did we land the tuna?

Meanwhile, Mondays hearing marked the final chapter of the downfall of a political titan. And it ended on a quiet almost-pious note.

After hours of arguments that heavily featured Burkes Catholic faith, Kendall, shortly before adjourning court, made a final comment to Burke that included an apparent reference to a much higher authority than the Northern District of Illinois.

Mr. Burke, I wish you well, said Kendall, who is herself Catholic. This is my court and my sentence. You have other courts that are not mine, and you know that.

Burke stood at the defense table and nodded, saying, Thank you, your honor.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.

rlong@chicagotribune.com

mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com
News / National

by Staff reporter

Under the Second Republic, Zimbabwe has seen significant infrastructure development, aligning with its goal of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030, President Mnangagwa stated. During a tour of the newly commissioned Madokero Mall Phase 2 Extension, Mnangagwa expressed pride in the country's progress, noting the modern facilities rival global standards.He emphasized the importance of unity in overcoming Western-imposed sanctions and promoting local industries to build a robust domestic supply chain. Mnangagwa highlighted that over 60 local companies contributed to the mall's construction, illustrating the benefits of fostering local industry.The Madokero Complex and Mall feature contemporary architectural designs and sustainable technologies. Mnangagwa also commissioned the Madokero Creek housing project, which offers 148 units for rent and purchase, all owned by the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF). The PSPF, established four years ago, has grown to exceed ZiG74 billion, investing in diverse sectors across eight provinces. This is part of the government's commitment to improving retirement prospects for public servants in line with Vision 2030.
CHICAGO  Former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke was sentenced Monday to 2 years in federal prison in a corruption case that rocked city politics and ended the Democratic stalwarts storied and controversial six-decade career.

U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall handed down the sentence, and a $2 million fine, after a lengthy hearing that featured Burke making a brief statement to the court on his own behalf.

Kendall said she had never received so many letters vouching for a defendants good character, and seemed touched by the stories of everyday people to whom Burke reached out, unprompted, to help. The sentence was well below what prosecutors sought.

The two-year period of criminal conduct for which Burke was convicted does not wipe away those decades of good works, Kendall said. But the courts have to deter other public officials from becoming part of this erosion, part of this chipping away at our democracy, really whittling away at our rule of law, she said.

The hefty $2 million fine is unusual, Kendall acknowledged. But the money will go to help victims of crime in which the defendants are not so wealthy, she said.

I think that really does send a message, if you want to commit public corruption by being greedy, then the disgorgement of your own funds will go toward the people, she said.

Burke did not appear to react to the sentence. Moments earlier, though not known for his brevity on the City Council floor, he kept his remarks to the judge very short.

Saying he was blessed to have a good family and a long career, Burke, reading from a piece of paper, said he was sorry to see that career end like this.

The blame for this is mine and mine alone. I regret the pain and the sorrow that I have caused my family and my dear friends and I would ask your honor to have compassion and mercy, he said. Whatever amount of time God has decided to leave me on this earth, Id like to spend as much of it as possible with my devoted wife my wonderful children and grandchildren.

Burke had walked into the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse shortly after 9:15 a.m., dressed in a dark suit, green tie and black pocket square, passing a horde of news cameras in the lobby without comment. He was accompanied by his wife, former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, who bowed her head and appeared to be crying as Burke read his statement.

The hearing kicked off with attorneys attempting to put a price tag on Burkes crimes: The money that was lost, or potentially lost, due to his efforts at extortion and bribery. That number could affect the guidelines under which Burke is sentenced.

Burke abused his power again and again and again and again over a period of years, working in his own best interest instead of the publics, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Streicker said, asking Kendall to sentence the seasoned professional to serious time.

His conduct hurt not only the specific victims in his case, but all residents of the city of Chicago who have a right to honest government, she said.  That trust will not easily be repaired.

In return, Burke attorney Charles Sklarsky urged the judge to consider the deluge of letters from people vouching for Burkes character and good works.

Ed Burke doesnt deserve compassion because hes a public official or hes somehow above the law  but hes not below the law either  he deserves compassion because hes done so much good with his life, not only for well-heeled people but for strangers, Sklarsky said.  Hes done it with no expectation of anything in return.

Attorneys spent much of the morning trying to establish opposing potential losses attributable to Burkes conduct. Streicker put the loss estimate in the case at a staggering $829,525.

The value of the Binnys pole-sign incident in the case alone was more than $612,000, Streicker said, given the money that could have been lost long-term if the pole sign was not approved. If Burke had not shut down construction on a Burger King in an attempt to squeeze its developers, it would have made about $65,000; the value of the Old Post Office bribe to Burke was $105,000; and the Field Museum salary that might have been offered to Burkes goddaughter was $47,500.

Burke attorney Chris Gair attacked many of the government numbers as pure speculation, saying there was no guarantee that Burkes goddaughter would actually have gotten the Field Museum job, and it was inappropriate to assume the Binnys lease would have been extended decades into the future.

Theres no reason to speculate about the future, Gair said, arguing the actual loss related to the pole sign was closer to $60,000.

Burkes attorneys called two witnesses to explain their calculations: an analyst who looked at the potential losses related to the Binnys pole sign and an attorney who formerly worked with Burkes law firm, who explained the firm was paid on contingency  that is, only if property-tax appeals were successful.

After nearly three hours of testimony and arguments about the numbers, Kendall determined that, for purposes of the sentencing guidelines, the losses from Burkes corruption totaled $215,877.07.

Burke, 80, was convicted by a jury in December of racketeering conspiracy, bribery and attempted extortion in a series of schemes to use his considerable City Hall clout to try and win business from developers for his private property tax law firm.

Among them were efforts to woo the New York-based developers of the $600 million renovation of the Old Post Office, extorting the Texas owners of the Burger King, who were seeking to renovate a restaurant in Burkes 14th Ward, and intervening on behalf of a developer in Portage Park who wanted help getting the pole sign approved for a new Binnys Beverage Depot location.

Burke was also found guilty of threatening to hold up a fee increase for the Field Museum because he was angry the museum had ignored an internship application from his goddaughter, who is the daughter of former 32nd Ward Ald. Terry Gabinski, Burkes longtime friend.

Kendall has a wide range of options when it comes to fashioning a punishment for Burke.

Prosecutors have asked for 10 years in prison, saying Burkes schemes, many of which were captured on undercover wiretapped recordings, show he was no novice when it came to graft, but a savvy and sophisticated professional when it came to identifying his marks.

Burkes legal team, meanwhile, has asked for an alternative to prison such as home confinement, arguing hes in ill health and that his lapses do not erase the life of a fundamentally decent man who did a lot of good for his city over a six-decade career.

People hoping to get into Judge Kendalls main courtroom on the 25th floor assembled early, including Burkes former ward aide, Peter Andrews, who was acquitted of extortion charges at the trial in December.

Burke will have an opportunity to speak to the judge directly. Hes not required to do so, and judges typically assure defendants they will not hold their silence against them.

If Burke does choose to speak, the notably loquacious parliamentarian might be forced to walk a fine line, apologizing but perhaps stopping short of admitting guilt, as hes expected to appeal his conviction to a higher court.

Kendall cleared the case for sentencing in a 47-page ruling late Friday denying Burkes requests for a new trial or outright acquittal on key counts, acknowledging Burkes storied career in Chicago politics but standing solidly behind the verdicts.

In fact, it is the context of Burkes powerful political career that provides support for jurors verdicts on some of the counts, Kendall wrote, such as the guilty findings related to his tempestuous exchanges with Field Museum officials.

Those same words spoken by a layperson could possibly constitute blowing off steam. But spoken by the longest-serving alderman and Chairman of the Committee on Finance during a phone call seeking acquiescence for their pending fee increase  that he had previously opposed  means the implications and consequences are night and day, Kendall wrote.

That is to say, a jury could reasonably conclude that Burke knew what he was doing and how his words affected (the museum officials), who ultimately kowtowed to Burkes threats.

The sentence requested by the U.S. attorneys office would mean that Burke could very well die in prison. But a lengthy term behind bars is warranted, prosecutors say, given the mountain of evidence in the case  including hundreds of undercover recordings  that captured Burke in his own words and make it obvious that Burke was no novice when it came to corruption.

Burke operated as a seasoned professional when it came to identifying new potential clients for his law firm and exploiting his power and position in order to secure their business, prosecutors wrote in a recent court filing asking for 121 months behind bars.

To bolster their argument about the cost of Burkes crimes, prosecutors estimated the overall financial loss he caused amounted to nearly $830,000.

Lawyers for Burke, meanwhile, argued the trial evidence showed Burke did not receive a single penny from his offenses, nor did he cause any serious financial harm to any party. Even the witnesses who were allegedly being shaken down testified Burkes demeanor was respectful, professional, and friendly  never aggressive, threatening, nor intimidating, Burkes filing stated.

They also have submitted an avalanche of character letters from friends, family and clergy, as well as current and former politicians, judges and others in the legal community.

Burkes high-profile, six-week trial featured some 38 witnesses and more than 100 secretly recorded videos and wiretapped recordings, offering a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of Chicagos top political power brokers at work.

At the heart of the case were dozens of wiretapped phone calls and secretly recorded meetings made by Daniel Solis, the former 25th Ward alderman who turned FBI mole after being confronted in 2016 with his own wrongdoing.

In closing arguments, prosecutors put up on large video screens a series of now-notorious statements made by Burke on the recordings. Among them: The cash register has not rung yet, They can go (expletive) themselves, and Did we land the tuna?

Regardless of what Burkes final sentence is, Mondays hearing will provide a coda to the downfall of a political titan.

The hearing is among the most anticipated proceedings in years in Chicagos federal court, a building that has seen countless politicians, both Republicans and Democrats, handed prison terms, a veritable parade of alderpersons, county commissioners, state representatives, senators, governors and even a former speaker of the U.S. House.

But perhaps none wielded so much power for so long as Burke, the head of the vaunted Finance Committee who not only worked the citys purse strings but also was a shrewd ward boss, political tactician and judicial slate-maker.

____
A former Lexington County deputy has been charged with multiple counts of domestic violence, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

SLED took former Lexington County Sheriffs Deputy Joshua Jones, 33, into custody on Monday after he was charged with five counts of domestic violence, spanning from January to May, according to a news release.

When I became aware of Mr. Jones alleged conduct, I launched an internal investigation that led to his termination of employment and referral to SLED for an independent criminal investigation, Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said in a news release. Deputies are held to a higher standard as part of their duty to protect and engage community members. Thats why we hold them accountable when they fall short.

In January, Jones allegedly threw a bottle towards the victim, who has yet to be identified, causing the victim to suffer a bruised eye, according to an arrest warrant.

In March, Jones reportedly threw a lamp at the victim before shoving the victim against a wall, resulting in bruising on their chest, according to an arrest warrant.

In April, Jones pinned the victim between a cars door and its frame, after engaging in a verbal alteration. The victim suffered bruising on their forearm and above their pelvic area, an arrest warrant says.

And twice in May, Jones caused additional harm to the victim, namely on May 13, when Jones is accused of kicking the victim in the side while they were on the floor. He then picked the victim up, carried them upstairs before punching them in the face with a closed fist, bruising both of the victims eyes and arms, according to an arrest warrant.

In addition, on May 26, Jones subjected the victim to physical abuse by pushing them against a linen closet door, causing it to break and resulting in both of the victims arms being bruised, a warrant said.

Jones, who was hired by the Lexington County Sheriffs Office in 2020, was terminated on June 13 following the allegations.

He was booked into the Lexington County Detention Center Monday morning, the release said.
Ray Holmberg (Photo provided by the North Dakota Legislative Assembly)

Former North Dakota state Sen. Ray Holmberg has signed an agreement indicating he will plead guilty to a child sex tourism charge.

A plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court on Monday says Holmberg will voluntarily plead guilty to a charge of traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity.

In the agreement, the longtime legislative leader acknowledges he repeatedly traveled between June 24, 2011, and Nov. 1, 2016, from Grand Forks to Prague, Czech Republic, for the purposes of engaging in commercial sex with adolescents under age 18, the document states.

Holmberg, a Republican from Grand Forks, resigned from the North Dakota Legislature in 2022. He served more than 45 years and held the powerful position of chairing the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Under the plea agreement, prosecutors agree to dismiss a charge of receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography. Prosecutors also agree to seek a sentence on the low end of sentencing guidelines.

Defense attorney Mark Friese said in an email that federal sentencing guidelines for the charge provide a range of between three and four years in prison, which may increase or decrease depending on factors determined by the court.

The maximum sentence for the charge is 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime of supervised release.

Holmberg, 80, also acknowledges in the agreement that he would be required to register as a sex offender.

The agreement states that it does not prevent a prosecutor in another jurisdiction from pursuing future charges against Holmberg. It also does not bar civil claims.

Holmberg was set to go to trial in Fargo in September. A date for the plea hearing has not been set.

Holmberg was among lawmakers who traveled internationally on taxpayer-funded cultural exchange trips through the organization Global Bridges. Its unclear if the criminal allegations coincide with the state-funded trips. Travel records compiled by the North Dakota School Boards Association show that Holmberg did visit Prague while in Europe for Global Bridges trips.

The association has informally resolved an ethics complaint related to the Global Bridges program and returned state funding that was earmarked for future trips. The ethics complaint was not made public.

The post Former North Dakota lawmaker to plead guilty to child sex tourism charge appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
Former North Dakota lawmaker to plead guilty to traveling to pay for sex with minor

FILE - North Dakota Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, speaks on the Senate floor at the state Capitol in Bismarck, N.D., in November 2021. The former North Dakota lawmaker who was one of the most powerful members of the Legislature has signed a plea agreement with federal prosecutors on a charge that he traveled to Europe with the intent of paying for sex with a minor. It was filed Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike McCleary/The Bismarck Tribune via AP, File)

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  A former North Dakota lawmaker who was one of the most powerful members of the Legislature has signed a plea agreement with federal prosecutors on a charge that he traveled to Europe with the intent of paying for sex with a minor.

Former Republican state Sen. Ray Holmberg, 80, of Grand Forks, signed the plea agreement last week. It was filed Monday. He agreed to plead guilty to travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual activity.

Prosecutors will recommend the low end of the sentencing guideline range and move to dismiss Holmberg's other charge, receipt and attempted receipt of child sexual abuse material, according to the plea agreement. He would have to register as a sex offender under the plea deal.

The maximum penalties are 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and lifetime supervised release, according to the document. Prosecutors will likely recommend a prison sentence of roughly three to four years, Holmberg attorney Mark Friese said. The court will schedule a plea hearing and order a presentence investigation report, he said. Sentencing is likely to happen sometime this fall, he said.

The travel offense doesn't carry a mandatory sentence; the receipt charge has a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, Friese said.

Prosecutors alleged Holmberg repeatedly traveled to Prague in the Czech Republic with intent to pay for sex with a minor from around June 2011 to November 2016. The indictment against Holmberg was unsealed in October 2023.

Holmberg served in the Legislature from 1976 until mid-2022. He first announced his intent not to seek reelection, but he resigned following reporting from The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead that he exchanged dozens of text messages with a man in jail for child sexual abuse material.

His trial was scheduled to begin in September in Fargo. He initially pleaded not guilty.

For many years, Holmberg chaired the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, which writes budgets. He also chaired the Legislative Management panel, which handles the Legislature's business between biennial sessions. That job let him approve his own travel.

Records obtained by The Associated Press showed that Holmberg took dozens of trips throughout the U.S. and to other countries since 1999. Destinations included cities in more than 30 states as well as Canada, Puerto Rico and Norway.

Earlier this year, the North Dakota School Boards Association returned about $142,000 to the state and ended its role in the Global Bridges teacher exchange program months after releasing travel records following Holmberg's indictment that showed he traveled to Prague and other European cities in 2011, 2018 and 2019, utilizing state funds. It's unclear whether the misconduct alleged by authorities occurred during any of those trips.
The Fort Worth Independent School Districts plans to provide infant and toddler care at its Morningside Elementary campus have been put on pause amid an ongoing facilities study, which is expected to result in school closures within the district.

The proposed early childhood center at Morningside was to be the first space of its kind in Fort Worth ISD with plans to open at the beginning of the 2023-24 school year in August. District officials recently confirmed to the Star-Telegram that the center, intended to provide child care for children up to 3 years old, will no longer open at that time.

FWISD is committed to supporting a strong early childhood educational system. We are actively assessing programs and potential locations as part of our comprehensive master facility planning process. We will keep the community informed with updates as this process progresses, District spokesperson Jessica Becerra said in a statement.

The districts ongoing, $2-million facilities study comes as enrollment is steadily declining in the district. Its expected to be finished halfway through this upcoming school year and include recommendations for school closures. The district recently weighed a consolidation proposal of downsizing seven middle schools into three larger campuses, but the school board didnt move forward with it. District officials said theres a chance those campuses could still be eyed for closures as a result of the study.

Plans for the $6.8-million proposed center at Morningside came forward after voters approved a bond in 2021 that would fund four early learning centers across the district in areas where affordable, high-quality child care was needed. The Morningside site was proposed to have five classrooms, but it was unclear how many children would have been accommodated and whether the district or an outside organization would operate the center. In October, district officials said the design phase for the 9,217 square-foot space was almost 20% complete, and the goal was to finish construction this summer.

The centers operations would have been similar to Hargrave Elementary Schools early childhood center in neighboring Crowley ISD, which offers the federally-funded Early Head Start program for infants and toddlers from low-income families. The center is run by Child Care Associates, one of the largest child development organizations in North Texas. Although Child Care Associates had no formal role in Fort Worth ISDs proposal at Morningside Elementary, staff at the organization gave Fort Worth ISD administrators a tour of its operations at Hargrave Elementarys center.

Child Care Associates CEO and President Kara Waddell declined to comment for this story.

Retha Wilson, owner and director of Like My Own Childcare center located down the street from Morningside Elementary, told the Star-Telegram she was somewhat relieved to hear about the districts project being put on hold. If it opened in August, there was a potential for her business to take a hit as a result of local families choosing to enroll at the school instead. The beginning of the school year is typically her busiest time for new enrollments for Wilson, as she serves children from 6 months old to 12 years old.

Maybe that will bring more business to me. Maybe I have a better chance to pick up some more business, Wilson said of the pause.

Although Morningside Elementarys ZIP code, 76104, is not considered to be a child care desert, the neighboring 76115 zip code only has 23 child care seats per 100 children of working parents, according to Children at Risk, a statewide child advocacy organization. A child care desert is defined by the organization as an area where the demand for child care, for newborns to 5-year-olds, is at least three times greater than the supply. There must be at least 30 children in the area for it to qualify as a desert.
Franklin County is expected to reach an agreement to amicably end its administrators contract this week, but hes already in the running for a new gig.

The City of Yakima announced Monday that Franklin County Administrator Mike Gonzalez is one of three finalists to be their next city manager. Hell join the other finalists for interviews and a community meet and greet next week, according to a news release from the city.

The other finalists are Wellton, Ariz. Town Manager Richard Marsh, Jr. and Yakima Valley Conference of Governments Deputy Director Vicki Baker.

Mike Gonzalez

Gonzalez told the Herald that he was excited about the citys vision.

Im really excited about the potential opportunity to lead the City of Yakima, he said. Ive been on the ground for several days talking with city staff, the development and small business community. Ive always loved Yakima and I believe incredible things are ahead. The city council has a great vision and I am the person that can execute that.

The meet and greet is set for Monday, July 1 at the Yakima Convention Center at 6 p.m. Theyll be interviewed by the Yakima City Council the following day.

Gonzalez has been with Franklin County since March 2023. Before that he was the City of Pascos Economic Development Manager and a Public Relations Director for Franklin PUD. Prior to moving into local government work, Gonzalez was a journalist and news anchor.

He was the news director for KAPP/KVEW ABC before leaving Tri-Cities and Yakima to take a job at a station in Phoenix, Ariz.

Yakimas city council terminated the contract of its former city manager Bob Harrison in January, according to the news release.

Since then retired Pasco City Manager Dave Zabell has served as interim city manager. He did not apply for the permanent city manager position. Zabell is expected to stay on until a new city manager is hired.

Franklin County crossfire

Since January, Gonzalez has been caught in the crossfire of a criminal investigation into whether several Franklin County elected officials broke the law in an alleged attempt to manipulate a payment and then stop the criminal investigation that was opened to look into it.

The commissioners announced last week that they were moving to reach a mutual agreement to end his contract.

Gonzalez was given whistleblower protection when the investigation began, and secretly recorded a meeting in which Commission Chairman Rocky Mullen and Auditor Matt Beaton tried to convince him to write a letter to investigators saying he had misunderstood what happened, and end the investigation.

In the audio, which was obtained by the Herald via Washington Public Records request, Beaton repeatedly said he was acting at the direction of Commissioner Clint Didier.

A special prosecutor is reviewing the investigation, which was done by Benton and Franklin County sheriff investigators, who looked into whether Mullen, Beaton and Didier committed official misconduct, witness tampering, criminal conspiracy and making false statements to law enforcement officials.

Since the investigation began the courthouse has been plagued by reports of concerning behavior by elected officials, including shouting matches and attempts to undermine the investigation. Last week Franklin County Sheriff Jim Raymond publicly warned elected officials that its illegal to conceal carry a gun in the courthouse or change locks on their offices.
Free meals offered by YMCA of Superior California to combat summer hunger

(FOX40.COM)  According to the YMCA of Superior California, nearly 17 million kids receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year; however, only 2.3 million have access to meals during their summer break.

Hoping to help those children during the summer months, the YMCA announced that it will offer free nutritious meals to children through its Meal Sites, which has provided over 500 free lunches a day each summer to youth at partner locations throughout Sacramento.

New program offers free pool access for Sacramento youth

Sharna Braucks, the president and CEO of the YMCA of Superior California, said, The YMCA is continuing our mission to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Braucks continued, Making sure kids continue to have free nutritious meals available during the summer is another way the YMCA can continue to service our community.

Northern California police partner with OfferUp for safe exchange zones

Here is a list of locations that will host Meal Sites:

EPIC, 2945 Ramco St #200 West Sacramento, CA: Service begins June 10 and ends July 26. Lunch will be served from 11 -12:30 pm and a snack will be served from 3  3:30 p.m.(Closed July 1  4)

La Familia, 5523 34th St Sacramento, CA: Service begins on June 24 and ends on August 2. Lunch will be served 12:30  1 p.m. Monday Thursday

Elmo Slider, 7851 35th Ave. Sacramento, CA: Service began June 17 and ends August 16. Lunch is served Friday from noon  1:00 p.m. Snacks are provided Monday  Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Sacramento Central YMCA: 2021 W Street, Sacramento, CA: Service begins June 17 and ends August 16. Lunch is served Monday  Friday 12:00  12:30 pm. Snacks will be served Monday  Friday 3:15  3:45 p.m.

North Highlands Academy, 900 Grace Street Sacramento, CA: Service begins June 6 and ends July 28. Snacks will be served from Monday  Friday 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Rancho Boys and Girls Club, 10455 Investment Circle Rancho Cordova, CA: Service begins June 3 and ends July 25. Lunch will be served from 12:30 p.m. and Snack at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Woodland Boys and Girls Club, 433 West Cross Street Woodland, CA: Service begins June 17 and ends August 2. Lunch will be served on Mondays at 12:30 and snacks at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Laguna Boys and Girls Club, 7400 Imagination Parkway Sacramento, CA: Service begins June 24 and ends August 9. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. and snacks at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Freedom Caucus Chair Wants To Stop The Certification Of His Primary In A Key City

Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) told Steve Bannon on his War Room podcast Monday that he plans to challenge his primary outcome and hopes to stop the certification of votes in his districts largest city due to his lack of confidence in the results.

Virginia Sen. John McGuire leads Good, chair of the House Freedom Caucus, by 344 votes overall in the states 5th District, though the June 18 race hasnt been called yet for McGuire. Good has already said he wants a recount, which state law permits given the close margin.

The 5th District contains all or part of 21 largely rural counties and the cities of Charlottesville, Danville and Lynchburg. Lynchburg, the biggest city, is home to Liberty University, one of the countrys largest Christian universities. Good is ahead of McGuire by about 842 votes in Lynchburg.

Were going to be making the legal challenge in the next couple of days to demonstrate that Lynchburg, the biggest city, cant be certified, Good told Bannon, who has endorsed Good and campaigned for him in the days leading up to last Tuesdays election. Theres other concerns around the district with the results, but Lynchburg is the big key. That cant be certified. Theres no confidence in Lynchburgs results from either side, quite frankly.

On Thursday, Good raised suspicions about fires occurring in three separate precincts on election day, writing on social media, AI estimates the probability being 0.0000000318% chance.

But election officials in the counties encompassing those precincts said they were fire alarms that didnt significantly interfere with voting. In one case, the alarm was triggered by steam from a water heater, HuffPost reported Friday.

Goods campaign said Monday its latest concerns were over chain of custody issues with the drop boxes for mail in ballots, citing two Lynchburg city council candidates in a similarly close race who brought up the same issue.

The Lynchburg voter registrars office, which said its election day fire alarm only impacted voting at a single polling site for 15 minutes, wrote in a statement it was investigating seven absentee ballots.

Goods campaign also cited two other counties in the south-central Virginia district where canvassing meetings were not held with proper notice given to observers, in addition to failure for observers to witness the opening of sealed, mailed-in ballots, and more.

Good could become the first House Republican to lose a contested primary this election cycle. McGuire has Donald Trumps endorsement and has also benefited from outside spending tied to allies of ex-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). As the chair of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus, Good was among the eight hard-right Republicans who ousted McCarthy from leadership last year for not catering to some of the Houses most extreme members.

Just look at whos funding my opponent. It is the Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy, Eric Cantor types, Good told Bannon. The swamp folks, the RINOs for whom the endless wars, allegiance to the military industrial complex  thats whos funding my opponent. Thats whos supporting my opponent. He would vote very differently from me in Washington.

McGuire did not respond to a request for comment about Goods threat of a legal challenge to halt certification.

CORRECTION: This story has been amended to clarify that the 5th District is home to Charlottesville, not Charlotte, and that Good leads by 842 votes in the city of Lynchburg, not Lynchburg County.

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News / National

by Staff reporter

The commission of inquiry appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to investigate the governance of Harare City Council since 2017 will commence public hearings today following the issuance of a warrant of search and seizure for critical documents. Harare provincial magistrate Dennis Mangosi granted the warrant on June 13, 2024, upon application by Simba Mabasa from the CID commercial crimes division. The warrant mandates the council to provide current contracts of employment for all employees from directors to the town clerk.The commission, chaired by retired judge Justice Maphios Cheda, aims to address allegations of financial mismanagement and ensure a thorough and transparent investigation into the city council's governance. The commission's scope includes examining financial management systems, compliance with the Public Finance Management Act, and the management of revenue from special vehicle companies and outsourced arrangements.Harare Residents and Ratepayers Trust director Precious Shumba expressed concern over the motives behind the commission, questioning the necessity of a search and seizure warrant and suggesting a lack of cooperation between the council and investigators. Reports indicate that some top officials, including the town clerk, Hosiah Chisango, have been operating without contracts, raising further questions about administrative transparency within the council.Mayor Jacob Mafume acknowledged awareness of the search but did not elaborate further. The commission's inquiry is expected to shed light on these issues and evaluate the council's adherence to procedural standards in its operations, including the convening of meetings and compliance with established rules.
Far-right National Rally party president Jordan Bardella gives a press conference, Monday, June 24, 2024 in Paris. The upcoming two-round parliamentary election will take place on June 30 and July 7. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

PARIS (AP)  Far-right leader Jordan Bardella sought to reassure French voters, European partners and international observers on Monday that his potential government would lead realistic economic policies and not weaken Frances voice abroad, if his party wins the upcoming parliamentary election.

Bardella, who could become prime minister if voters choose a majority of his National Rally party's candidates in the two-round parliamentary election on June 30 and July 7, unveiled his program at a news conference.

Polls show that the outcome of the early election, called by President Emmanuel Macron after his centrist alliance suffered a major defeat in this month's European Parliament election, remains highly uncertain. Macron is aligned against both the National Rally and the New Popular Front, a coalition of far- to center-left parties.

Dressed in a crisp gray suit and black tie, Bardella was notably affable, smiley and poised. He was seeking to project himself as a polished potential national leader despite his complete lack of experience in government and his age  which, at 28, would make him by far Frances youngest-ever prime minister.

He vowed to implement realistic, credible" economic policies amid European Union criticism about France's excessive debt.

The countrys worsening budgetary situation, with 300 billion (euros) in additional debt in the past two years and record public and trade deficits, must be taken into account, he said.

Bardella promised to defend purchasing power by cutting taxes on fuel, gas and electricity. He also promised tax cuts for companies, if they increase their low- and medium-paid employees wages by up to 10%.

He pledged to roll back Macrons pension changes that raised the retirement age last year to 64, and put it back to 62  on the condition that people work for at least 42 years.

Bardella sought to counter concerns that his partys campaign pledges may require many tens of billions in state financing to realize. He said he would finance the measures by cutting on expenses that encourage legal and illegal immigration and closing some tax loopholes.

A 21-page pamphlet of pledges that the National Rally released didnt cost out its plans. Bardella said that one of his first steps as prime minister would be to order an audit of Frances finances, meant to give him a better idea of how measures could be financed.

Bardella also has redoubled his partys efforts to counter critics allegations that it has long been friendly toward Russia and President Vladimir Putin. He repeated that he regards Russia as a multidimensional threat both for France and Europe, and said he would be extremely vigilant of any Russian attempts to interfere with French interests. He said that he supports continued deliveries of French weaponry to Ukraine to enable it to defend itself.

Yet his approach to Moscow appeared much more accommodating than Macrons stance.

Bardella said that he opposes sending French troops to Ukraine, and French deliveries of long-range missiles and other weaponry capable of striking targets within Russia itself. He called those my red lines.

In Europe, our arrival in office will also mark Frances return to the European stage to defend its interests, Bardella said, explaining that he was willing to negotiate exceptions to EU rules.

He laughed and smiled when asked whether, if he becomes prime minister, he would deliver speeches with an EU flag in the background. Im thinking about it, he said. Bardella's campaign for the European Parliament election featured the French flag only, not the EU one.

In response to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz saying that he's worried about the upcoming French election, Bardella calmly acknowledged it's normal for him to express political reservations about us, because he is a political rival." Scholz, who belongs to the center-left Social Democrats, said that he's hoping the far right wont win Sunday in an interview with German public broadcaster ARD.

As prime minister, "of course, I'd be willing to talk to all (European) heads of government... and I hope to get the opportunity to talk to the German chancellor, Bardella said.

At home, he said that promoting law and order and tighter regulation of migration would be his immediate priorities, in line with the party's favorite themes.

He said that dual nationals would be barred from some specific key jobs as state employees in the defense and security field.

Bardella promised a big bang of authority for schools, detailing plans to create special centers to educate disruptive pupils. He said that cellphones would also be banned for pupils starting from the new academic year in September, including in high schools, and students would be obliged to address teachers as vous  the more formal way in French of saying you"  rather than tu.

Bardella also played up another long-term campaign strategy of the National Rally, arguing that France is a country in dangerous decline and that the party would bring a firm hand to help it regain its standing, strength and influence.

I want now to address myself to all those French people whose hearts are bleeding as they look at the state of the country, he said.

But he also sought to reassure voters terrified at the prospect of France installing its first far-right government since its Nazi occupation in World War II. In power, the National Rally wouldnt curtail individual rights and would be the guarantor of absolute respect for the rights of opposition parties because pluralism is a formidable wealth, as are freedom of expression and the circulation of ideas, he said.

___

Stephanie Liechtenstein contributed to the story from Berlin.
(Bloomberg) -- Feminist groups in France protested on Sunday against the prospect of Marine Le Pens party governing the country even as the National Rally pulls in a greater proportion of women voters.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The several thousand protesters marching in Paris were reckoning with a difficult reality: Le Pen has made progress in casting her party as a defender of womens rights despite the distrust among many feminist groups.

Marine Le Pen has succeeded with her effort to de-demonize her party, but we wont be fooled, said Chloe Rougeyres, 32, holding a sign opposing Le Pens deputy, Jordan Bardella, 28, who would be the partys choice for prime minister should it win a majority of seats in parliament. The problem is that he may fool some people who arent following politics closely.

Le Pen has made a considerable attempt to overhaul her partys image and move past comments by its co-founder  and her father  Jean-Marie Le Pen that were seen by many as misogynistic, antisemitic, racist, and homophobic. Its an effort that has had an impact. The proportion of women prepared to vote for the National Rally jumped 10 points to 30% between European parliamentary elections in 2019 and 2024, according to polling company Ipsos.

Among her actions, Le Pen ousted her father from the party and rebranded herself as a feminist who isnt hostile toward men. She also altered her position on abortion and backed French President Emmanuel Macrons bill to enshrine the freedom to have an abortion in the constitution, which was approved this year.

Bardella has also made an effort to appeal to women.

Ill be the prime minister who unfailingly guarantees the rights and freedoms of every girl and woman in France, he said in a video posted on several social media sites last week. Equality between women and men, the freedom to dress as you please, the fundamental right to control your own body  these are non-negotiable principles.

Protesting in Paris

Yet those protesting in Paris point to evidence that the changes dont run deep in the National Rally.

While Le Pen backed the constitutional change on abortion, 12 of her fellow members of parliament in her party voted against it and another 14 abstained, out of a total of 88. National Rally lawmakers in the European parliament have either voted against or abstained from measures regarding abortion and anti-harassment training.

More than 200 associations, NGOs and unions called for protests on Sunday afternoon in some 30 French cities, according to Agence France-Presse. Some 13,000 people protested in Paris, according to the police. Organizers claimed a total of 75,000, AFP reported.

The Rassemblement National is a threat to womens rights, labor union CFDT said in a statement. Its members of parliament abstain from or vote against votes in favor of gender equality, the fight against violence against women, measures that could help womens purchasing power or health care.

Leading Polls

Its an argument that doesnt appear to be affecting her voters. In Frances legislative election, the National Rally is leading in opinion polls a week before the vote ahead of an alliance of leftist parties and with Macrons bloc trailing in third place. Macron dissolved the National Assembly after getting trounced Le Pen in this months European Parliament elections. The legislative vote, which consists of two rounds, is scheduled for June 30 and July 7.

While predicting the number of seats each party will secure is difficult given Frances two-step electoral system, the polling companies that have released seat projections all predict the National Rally will pull in the biggest number. They generally show it falling short of an outright majority.

Bardella has repeatedly said he would only agree to become Prime Minister if his party secures the 289 seats needed for an absolute majority.

For 29-year-old Alix, who declined to provide her last name, the National Rallys electoral lead isnt a reason to give up. The feminist milieu is among the last fringes of the population they still havent fully gotten into, she said at the protest. I dont see how Marine Le Pen could be a feminist.

Get Bloombergs coverage of the French election in your inbox by signing up to our newsletter, The Paris Edition. Terminal users can sign up here. If youre reading this online, this is the link you need.

(Adds number of protesters in 10th paragraph.)

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Insights from Hakai Magazine, New Scientist, The Diplomat, and Dialogue Earth

The News

India is set to launch a vast and long-delayed engineering project that will connect several rivers into a single grid spanning from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.

The goal is to irrigate farmland, boost hydroelectric power, and ward off drought. But researchers have voiced concerns about the ecological impact of the plans and the efficacy of the science behind it.

The government has obtained clearances for the first link in the grid, with a contract for its construction likely awarded soon, the head of Indias water agency told Hakai Magazine, a Canada-based outlet.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

The science may not add up

Sources: Hakai Magazine, New Scientist

India hopes the project will balance out disparate water supplies, but diverting large amounts of water risks worsening water stress in dry regions, the lead author of a study on the initiatives potential impact told Hakai: Rivers are already interconnected, so changes in one [part of the system] can lead to changes in another, he argued. Plus, any immediate benefits could come at the cost of displacing an estimated half a million people, a data scientist added. Making flooding a thing of the past also ignores the value of flooding, without which saltwater will gradually intrude inland and lead to desiccation and desertification, a geologist told New Scientist in 2016.

The project could trigger water conflict

Source: The Diplomat

Key so-called donor states in India  regions where water is deemed to be in surplus, a concept hotly disputed by scientists  have refused to get on board with the plan, and conflicts could easily emerge in the future should they run out of water, a columnist warned in The Diplomat in 2016. Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, which would be directly impacted by the project, are also watching with apprehension, and may fear the consequences of Indian unilateralism on their own ecosystems, she added.

Fears over lack of transparency

Source: Dialogue Earth

Independent environmental experts consulted as part of the Indian Supreme Courts judgment on the project have raised concerns over the use of secret hydrological data to categorize basins as being in surplus or deficit, a columnist wrote in Dialogue Earth. One member of the Ministry of Water Resources expert committee on river interlinking from 2009 to 2011 told the publication he was refused access to the data, which the director-general disputed.
Garage, last remnant of Canton Apartments, to be torn down but rebuilding is uncertain

The parking garage for the former Canton Apartments is pictured Friday. The garage is set for demolition once OG&E removes its equipment from the site.

The last remnant of the Canton Apartments at Classen Curve is set to be demolished two years after the development was destroyed in the largest commercial fire in Oklahoma City history.

In a statement to The Oklahoman, Humphreys Capital and Hines reported the two firms had hoped to begin demolition in March, but faced delays waiting for OG&E to remove transformers and equipment located next to the garage.

The clearing of the site coincides with an ongoing legal battle more than two years after alleged errors by an OG&E contractor led to the largest commercial fire in Oklahoma Citys history.

Post-demolition vision and future redevelopment following the demolition of the garage and removal of the debris, the site will be maintained as an irrigated lawn as it awaits redevelopment," the statement said.

OG&E crews are shown Friday removing equipment by the parking garage of the former Canton Apartments at 6161 N Western Ave.

Humphreys Capital and Hines are suing OG&E and its contractors, alleging the utility is responsible for the blaze, which took place on Feb. 8, 2022.

The 325-unit complex was just weeks away from opening, and its location was one of the more desirable in the city being within walking distance of upscale retailers, restaurants, a Whole Foods and Trader Joes.

Smoke and water damage also shut down the newly opened Ellison Hotel across from the apartments, prompting an evacuation of guests and closing of the hotel for several weeks after the blaze.

More: Behind two major OKC blazes were unlicensed OG&E contractors, no oversight or inspections

Firefighters are shown in this Feb. 8, 2022, photo battling the blaze that destroyed the Canton Apartments at 6161 N Western Ave.

Construction and interest costs have spiraled since the complex was built, but the development team indicated they still hope to rebuild. In the meantime, the area will be turned into greenspace.

Demolition of the garage is being applauded by neighbors.

"We greatly appreciate the continued efforts of Humphreys Capital and Hines to enhance the site under such challenging circumstances, said H.K. Hatcher, president of NBC Bank. Their resilience and commitment in the wake of the fire have made them truly outstanding neighbors. We look forward to the future development of the site and are excited to see the positive transformations they will bring to our community."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Garage that survived OKC's largest blaze set for demolition
Gavin Newsom will deliver delayed California State of the State speech with budget done

California Gov. Gavin Newsom will release a delayed State of the State address Tuesday in a recorded speech to be broadcast across his offices social media channels and website.

The Governors Office said Sunday that Newsoms remarks to Californians will be released at 10 a.m. after a copy of the speech is transmitted to the Legislature.

Newsoms remarks will come on the heels of a budget agreement announced Saturday, closing a $47 billion shortfall in a $297.9 billion spending plan.

The address, originally scheduled for March, was pushed off as the administration awaited the results of a ballot measure, Proposition 1, the governor had championed. Prop. 1, which taps nearly $6.4 billion to target those who are in crisis, experiencing chronic homelessness or who have mental health or substance abuse problems, as well as for veteran housing, was approved by voters in March by a razor-thin margin.

The annual State of the State speeches generally highlight accomplishments and lay out an administrations goals and policies. Newsoms past addresses have focused on the states most pressing issues, including homelessness, climate change, housing and wildfires.

In 2023, Newsom didnt give a formal speech. Instead, the governor opted to unveil new policies and goals during a planned four-stop tour of the state.

Newsoms decision to not give a formal address was not unprecedented. Former Gov. Jerry Brown combined his swearing-in ceremony with the address in 2015.

Newsoms first State of the State speech in 2019 covered his priorities, from wildfires to job creation to holding local officials accountable for housing production.

In 2020, the governors speech focused on fixing the states homelessness crisis. In 2021, he delivered his speech to an empty Dodger Stadium, which served as one of the states largest COVID-19 vaccination sites. In 2022, among other priorities, Newsom also spoke about rising gas prices and the Ukrainian crisis.
Gavin Newsom is on political defense. Why its pushing him to do a video State of the State

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday will share an unusual State of the State message, but it wont involve an in-person speech or answering questions about his policy priorities.

The governor will instead release a prepared video message, sent in written form to lawmakers, and hold a private reception with the Legislature.

Political consultants said its a strange political maneuver at a time when Newsom is fighting several battles and could use the opportunity to commune with lawmakers and assert himself on any number of issues.

It was a few months of delay of game and and now its almost an afterthought, said Steve Maviglio, a Democratic political consultant. And its too bad, because its a real opportunity for him to engage with the Legislature and put forth what his ideas are. This year hes been playing defense, and I think thats reflected in the way hes handling the State of the State.

Newsom has postponed the speech since March, when he was originally supposed to deliver it in the Capitol before the close Proposition 1 vote prompted him to push it back.

His team said the move to do a recorded speech has to do with scheduling  never mind that the governor could likely find a way to deliver remarks about the health of California at a place and time of his choosing, if he so desired.

Newsoms political troubles

Newsom is facing difficulties on a few different fronts.

The governor and legislative leaders announced an agreement on a $297.9 billion budget during the weekend, but he acceded to lawmakers on some significant cuts and spending items.

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, D-Hollister, and Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, were able to secure $1 billion for another round of homelessness grants, slice prison funding by $750 million and restore money for housing and social safety net programs that Newsom wanted to cut.

The leaders got a lot of what they wanted at a time when the state is facing an estimated deficit of $45 billion. The budget is meant to close a $47 billion shortfall.

Newsom hasnt dealt with the challenging budget processes state leaders saw in decades past, due to a Democratic supermajority in the Legislature and rule changes that allow lawmakers to more easily pass spending plans.

Working out a spending plan in a time of deficit, though, hardly attracts positive media coverage, said Andrew Acosta, a Democratic political consultant.

Theres a lot of sort of negative headlines about the budget, Acosta said. Its not hunky dory. Were not throwing money in a bunch of programs. Now were having to trim back and delay. And so its harder for the governor to claim some credit for things when not all of the news coming out Sacramento is great.

At the same time, the governor, Rivas and McGuire are struggling to get proponents of an initiative changing portions of Proposition 47 to remove it from the November ballot ahead of a Thursday deadline.

Newsom since January has been clear he does not want to alter the 2014 voter-approved measure, which made certain theft and drug crimes misdemeanors and set a $950 threshold for shoplifting.

The governor, Rivas and McGuire have been pushing their alternative to the initiative, a package of bills that would toughen penalties for retail theft crimes, but not in a way that would require voters to roll back parts of Proposition 47, the 2014 ballot measure that created the current system.

The leaders have attempted to back ballot measure proponents into a corner by making changes to some of the bills voiding the legislation if the initiative passes. So far, this has only divided Democrats and enraged the Republicans who previously supported the bills.

Last week, Newsoms administration was embarrassed by a CBS 13 story that revealed leaked emails between chief of staff Dana Williamson and Greg Totten of the California District Attorneys Association, the 2024 ballot measures strongest backer.

The emails showed Williamson playing hardball with Totten, saying the administration wouldnt engage with the district attorneys unless they agreed to move the initiative to the 2026 midterm election ballot.

Its unclear whether Newsom will mention the retail theft issue in Tuesdays address.

Is the speech a big deal?

Does the State of the State even matter to most Californians?

If somebody wants to criticize the governor, they can find something to criticize him on, Acosta said. I dont think average people are waiting around to see what the State of the State is. Its probably not top of mind for most people that he hasnt done it and that not doing it the quote, unquote traditional way really means anything.

Maviglio still sees some value in giving a speech, even though, he said, Newsom has never been fond of traditional podium-style moments.

Theres some things you ought to do when youre governor, he said. And thats address the legislature, address the people. Lay out your priorities. I mean, its our equivalent to the State of the Union. Its an opportunity to grab headlines and roll out things.

Both agree that it has given Republicans  who have been attacking him about the lack of a speech for months  more of a chance to attack him.

Maybe its like, Okay, the Republicans beat me over the head about this for three months. Im just going to be nonchalant about it and say was never a big deal, Maviglio said.
Palestinians pictured on their daily life amid the war surrounded by the enormous destruction caused by Israeli bombing as displaced Palestinians return to Khan Yunis. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

At least seven people have been killed and a further 22 have been injured in an Israeli air attack on Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, a staff member of the European Hospital in the city reported.

A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the report was being investigated. Reports from residents of the city said that those killed had been escorting humanitarian aid on the orders of Hamas.

There have been increased reports of looting of aid by civilians in the Gaza Strip, amid warnings from aid organizations that public order is breaking down.

A Palestinian young girl holds jerry cans as she walks through the enormous destruction caused by Israeli bombing as displaced Palestinians return to Khan Yunis. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa

Palestinian young girls walk around the enormous destruction caused by Israeli bombing as displaced Palestinians return to Khan Yunis. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa
General Staff: Russia has lost 535,660 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

Russia has lost 535,660 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 24.

This number includes 1,300 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 8,031 tanks, 15,413 armored fighting vehicles, 19,304 vehicles and fuel tanks, 14,246 artillery systems, 1,108 multiple launch rocket systems, 863 air defense systems, 359 airplanes, 326 helicopters, 11,382 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

Read also: Ukrainian army says some Russian troops withdrawing from Vovchansk area

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Energy and Power Development minister Edgar Moyo addressed Parliament regarding the current power supply crisis in Zimbabwe, attributing it to hydrological challenges at the Kariba South Hydroelectric Power Station. He disclosed that these challenges had led to a loss of 800 megawatts in power generation capacity.Lake Kariba, crucial for hydropower generation, had seen its water levels drop significantly, with the lake's current level reported at 477.31 meters compared to 479.92 meters the previous year. The usable live storage for power generation had also decreased from 31.23% in 2023 to 12.54%, translating to a reduction in usable live storage volume from 20.23 billion cubic meters to 8.12 billion cubic meters.As a result of these hydrological issues, Zimbabwe has been enduring severe rolling power outages lasting over 12 hours on some days. Minister Moyo explained that despite the capacity of Kariba being 1,050 megawatts, only around 214 megawatts could be generated on average due to water rationing necessitated by low inflows into the lake.To mitigate the power deficit, the government has taken steps including the commissioning of Hwange Thermal Plant Units 7 and 8, which produce 600 megawatts daily. Units 1 to 6 of the same plant contribute an additional 300 megawatts, although some units require ongoing repairs to enhance reliability and efficiency.Moreover, the government has licensed over 100 small Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects in recent years, with a combined capacity of 1,300 megawatts. However, many of these IPPs are yet to become operational.In response to the crisis, some business entities have been compelled to reduce operations, and there have been reports of temporary staff layoffs due to the acute power cuts affecting the country.
Bjoern Hoecke, chairman of the Thuringian AfD party, and his defense lawyer Ralf Hornemann enter the courtroom in Halle/Saale after a break in the proceedings. Hoecke is on trial for using a banned Sturmabteilung (SA) slogan. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa

A prominent politician from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is back in court on Monday for using a banned Nazi slogan.

Bjorn Hocke, the AfD's firebrand leader in the central German state of Thuringia, is on trial for using the the slogan of the Nazi's Stormtrooper (SA) street-fighting paramilitary group, "Everything for Germany."

The proceedings are being held at the Halle District Court in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt.

Hocke has already been convicted in a separate trial for quoting the same slogan in a speech at an AfD election campaign event in Merseburg in Saxony-Anhalt in May 2021.

He was under indictment for that when, in December 2023, he allegedly uttered the first two words of the "Everything for Germany" slogan as a speaker at an AfD event in the town of Gera in Thuringia.

He used gestures to encourage the audience to shout the third word of the slogan, according to the public prosecutor's office.

Hocke, a former history teacher, and the audience would have known that it was a banned Nazi slogan, the prosecutor argued.

Hocke denied on Monday that he meant to encourage the audience to chant the rest of the slogan, and claimed he was surprised when they did so.

"I am also completely innocent in this matter. I know that I am being sentenced. But it doesn't feel fair to me," the 52-year-old Hocke said on Monday.

Hocke also said he doesn't see why the slogan should be outlawed. He said the phrase is made of "everyday words" that the Nazi's SA had also used.

His lawyers on Monday argued that the court lacked jurisdiction in the matter, and also complained about a media "barrage" against their client. They argued that the extensive negative press coverage of Hocke made a fair trial impossible.

In the current proceedings, Hocke is accused of using symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations.

On May 14, the regional court in Halle sentenced the AfD politician to a fine of 100 daily rates of 130 ($139) for the same crime over the Merseburg speech.

That judgement is not final. Hocke's defence lawyers have lodged an appeal.

The AfD is campaigning for three upcoming elections for regional state parliaments: Thuringia and Saxony on September 1 and Brandenburg on September 22. The AfD is riding high in the polls.

Bjoern Hoecke, chairman of the Thuringian AfD party, sits in the Halle/Saale district court after a break in proceedings. Hoecke is on trial for using a banned Sturmabteilung (SA) slogan. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa

Bjoern Hoecke, chairman of the Thuringian AfD party, sits in the courtroom of the Halle/Saale district court. He is accused of using symbols of unconstitutional and terrorist organizations. Ronny Hartmann/AFP Pool/dpa
The German government has rejected the idea that Ukrainian refugees who are not willing to work should be deported.

Source: n-tv, as reported by European Pravda

Details: A Foreign Ministry representative in Berlin noted that deportations are impossible when Russia is attacking Ukraines civilian facilities on a daily basis and attempting to destroy the infrastructure in the country's west.

"So I dont know where in Ukraine is supposed to be a safe place," the representative emphasised in response to the demand made by Alexander Dobrindt, leader of the Christian Social Union of Bavaria (CSU).

"More than two years after the outbreak of the [full-scale] war, the principle now applied should be: get a job in Germany or return to the safe areas of western Ukraine," Dobrindt said earlier.

Background:

Earlier, it was reported that the JobTurbo programme for the accelerated integration of Ukrainians into the German labour market had attracted about 33,000 people, six times fewer than the German government expected.

German Federal Minister of Labour Hubertus Heil called on employers to hire Ukrainian refugees who have not yet mastered German at the proper level but have basic knowledge of the language.

A number of politicians in Germany have called for the standard unemployment benefits for Ukrainian refugees, known as "citizens income" (Burgergeld), to be withdrawn.

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A hiker makes his way at sunrise. A 67-year-old German tourist has died on Crete after setting off on an hour-long hike and presumably straying from the path. Thomas Warnack/dpa

A 67-year-old German tourist has died on Crete after setting off on an hour-long hike and presumably straying from the path.

The man had set off on Sunday morning from the village of Omalos on a plateau in the regional district of Chania, as the Greek news channel ERT reported on Monday, citing the authorities.

His destination was the fishing village of Sougia, more than 30 kilometres away.

His wife is said to have reported him missing on Sunday afternoon. According to media reports, the man had previously called her and stated that he was not well.

The rescue services asked the hiker to call the emergency number 112 so that they could locate his cell phone.

His body was located and recovered early on Monday morning by helicopter in the rocky, difficult-to-access gorge of Tripiti.

The authorities assume that he lost his bearings and took a wrong turn. He had walked dozens of kilometres from the starting point of the hike to where he was found.

It is the sixth death in connection with tourist hikes in Greece in the month of June alone. Three more people have been missing for over a week after setting off on hikes.

Authorities and locals have tried to warn tourists against underestimating the intense heat in Greece, especially during the midday hours.

Temperatures so far this June have been the highest in Greece this year since records began, sometimes exceeding 40 degrees.
Eike Schmidt, art historian from Germany, former museum director of the Uffizi Gallery (2015-2023) and center-right candidate for the office of mayor in Florence, gestures next to an election poster with the inscription: "Lista Civica Eike Schmidt Sindaco". Schmidt has failed in his attempt to become mayor of Florence after a run-off election conducted in the Italian city on 23 and 24 June. Christoph Sator/dpa

German national Eike Schmidt has failed in his attempt to become mayor of Florence after a run-off election conducted in the Italian city on Sunday and Monday.

Schmidt, who was backed by Italy's right-wing national coalition led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, secured 39.4% of the vote behind Social Democrat Sara Funaro with 60.6%, the electoral commission announced. Funaro will be the city's first female mayor.

Florence, a city with a population of 360,000, is seen as a left-wing bastion, and Funaro's victory had been widely predicted. She succeeds Dario Nardella, another Social Democrat, who was not eligible to stand after two terms in office.

Schmidt, who holds Italian citizenship, stressed security and the battle against mass tourism in his campaign.

Schmidt was director of the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most important museums in the world, for eight years. He has been director of the Capodimonte Museum in Naples since January, from which he is currently on leave.

He had made clear beforehand that he would return to his work there in the event he failed to be elected.
Germany condemned the way an injured Palestinian was tied to the bonnet of a military vehicle in the northern West Bank city of Jenin over the weekend, calling for "clarification and consequences," a Foreign Ministry spokesman said in Berlin on Monday.

The video clip showing the incident was "difficult to bear," the spokesman said.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday confirmed the incident in which IDF troops tied the injured man to the bonnet of a jeep and drove past two ambulances in the city.

It said the troops had been on their way to a counterterrorism operation in the greater Jenin area, when they had come under fire.

"Terrorists opened fire at IDF troops, who responded with fire. During the exchange of fire, one of the suspects was injured and apprehended," the IDF said.

The conduct of the IDF troops had been in violation of military procedures, and the incident was being investigated, the IDF said.

The injured suspect had been handed over to the Red Cross for medical treatment, it said.

The German Foreign Ministry spokesman said he was aware that this conduct represented a violation of IDF rules and that the German government now expected "rapid clarification, rapid results and corresponding consequences for those responsible."
Germany donates over 40 lorries for Ukrainian border guards serving on front line

Germany has handed over 41 Mercedes Arocs lorries to Ukraine for use by Ukraine's State Border Guard Service.

Source: Martin Jaeger, German Ambassador to Ukraine, on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: The ambassador posted a photo of the handover ceremony in Kyiv.

"These 41 Mercedes Arocs lorries will help the Border Guard Service units to ensure logistics at the front line. This is yet another German contribution to support Ukraine's defence struggle against the Russian aggressor," he said.

Background:

Germany has also recently donated special equipment to help Ukraine rebuild its energy infrastructure.

In mid-June, Germany reported that it had transferred a large batch of weapons to Ukraine, which included IRIS-T air defence systems, tanks and HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems.

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Germany supplies Ukraine with over 40 trucks for border guards on front line

Germany provided Ukraine with 41 trucks for Ukrainian border guards serving on the front line, German Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Jaeger announced on June 24.

"Germany stands with Ukraine. Forty-one Mercedes Arocs trucks will help State Border Guard Service units provide logistics at the front," Jaeger wrote on Twitter.

"This is another way Germany is contributing to Ukraine's defense against the Russian aggressor."

Initially a hesitant partner, Berlin has become Ukraine's second-largest military donor after the U.S.

Germany announced a new military aid package for Ukraine in mid-June that included HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, infantry fighting vehicles, and Leopard tanks.

The package also included IRIS-T air defense systems and tens of thousands rounds of 155 mm ammunition.

Berlin also planned to up its military aid to Ukraine by another 3.8 billion euros ($4.13 billion) in 2024, Reuters reported on May 21, citing an undisclosed source.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz yet is still against sending long-range Taurus missiles because he fears the move will draw Germany into the war.

Read also: Scholz says his partys support for Ukraine is connected to its declining popularity

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Annalena Baerbock German Foreign Minister, speaks at the Herzliya Conference at Reichmann University in Tel Aviv. In view of growing concerns about an escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Baerbock is traveling to Israel for the eighth time since the Hamas attack on October 7. Hannes P Albert/dpa

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on Monday for a permanent end to the violence in the Gaza Strip and stressed that long-term security for Israel goes hand in hand with lasting security for Palestinians.

"Lasting security for all Israelis will only be possible if there is lasting security for Palestinians," she said, and vice-a-versa.

"One is not possible without the other," Baerbock told the Herzliya Security Conference in Tel Aviv. The meeting was organized by the Institute for Policy and Strategy (IPS) and Reichman University in Tel Aviv.

Ways had to be found to halt the violence in Gaza to create durable security, Baerbock said. This was the aim of all talks in Israel, whether with US, European or Arab partners, she said.

Referring to Germany's reacceptance into the international community after World War II, Baerbock said Germany knew how important broad and long-term international engagement was for efforts of this kind.

Turning to her Israeli audience, she said that Germany wanted to be there for Israel in the way its partners had been there for Germany at the time.

Baerbock repeated her call for the Israeli government to respect human rights and international law in its military operations in the Gaza Strip. She termed reports of the abuse of Palestinian prisoners disturbing, while also demanding that Hamas ended "this horror" and release all its hostages.

Hamas had attempted to destroy Israel's security and its legitimacy and to unleash regional escalation with the aid of its international supporters, she said.

Baerbock also going to Ramallah, Beirut

The visit was Baerbock's eighth since the October 7 attacks by Hamas. A meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz is planned in Jerusalem.

On Tuesday, talks are planned in Ramallah with the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Mohammed Mustafa, on the situation in the West Bank and the PA's reform efforts.

On Tuesday evening, Baerbock plans to speak with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in the country's capital Beirut.

Annalena Baerbock German Foreign Minister, speaks at the Herzliya Conference at Reichmann University in Tel Aviv. In view of growing concerns about an escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Baerbock is traveling to Israel for the eighth time since the Hamas attack on October 7. Hannes P Albert/dpa
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is travelling to Tel Aviv on Monday in view of growing concerns about an escalation in the conflict between Israel and the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia.

The Green politician is scheduled to give a speech on Monday evening at the Herzliya Conference organized by the Institute for Policy and Strategy (IPS) and Reichman University.

It will be Baerbock's eighth visit to Israel since the October 7 attacks on the country by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement and Israel's ensuing war in Gaza.

On Monday, Baerbock is due to first take part in the regular meeting of the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. The meeting is expected to focus on joint support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia and the situation in the Middle East.

According to a spokeswoman for the Foreign Office in Berlin, Baerbock's talks in Israel and the Palestinian Territories on Tuesday will focus on the war in the Gaza Strip and the continuing catastrophic humanitarian situation there.

As on previous trips, the path towards a two-state solution will also be a topic of discussion, she said.

On Tuesday, talks are planned in Ramallah with the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA), Mohammed Mustafa, on the situation in the West Bank and the PA's reform efforts.

A meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz is planned in Jerusalem.

On Tuesday evening, Baerbock plans to speak with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in the country's capital Beirut.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Two Zimbabwean businessmen, Mike Chimombe and Moses Mpofu, are set to appear before the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) this morning for investigatory interviews regarding their involvement in a controversial elections tender with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec). They returned from a business trip in China last Thursday and have been awaiting this process in Harare.Their lawyers had informed Zacc last week that they were overseas and would present themselves upon their return. The investigation revolves around a corrupt US$40 million tender for elections, implicating Chimombe, Mpofu, and their associate Wicknell Chivayo. Other key figures allegedly involved include Zec chairperson Priscilla Chigumba, Isaac Moyo (Director-General of the Central Intelligence Organisation), and Martin Rushwaya (Chief Secretary to the Cabinet). Gold trader Pedzisayi "Scott" Sakupwanya is also mentioned in connection to the scandal.Zacc chair Michael Reza emphasized that substantial evidence has been gathered, asserting a commitment to thorough investigation without bias, echoing President Emmerson Mnangagwa's stance on tackling corruption without exemptions for influential figures close to him. This stance aims to dispel concerns about potential favoritism towards Mnangagwa's associates during the investigation.
Girl shot after deputy fires into car suspect tried to steal at gas station, GBI says

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed a child was shot when a deputy fired into a car at a gas station.

Investigators say the deputy was shooting at a suspect who tried to carjack a drivers BMW.

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The shooting happened Monday morning at BP gas station on Fulton Industrial Blvd near Interstate 20. The GBI says it started when Roshauny Mike Palmer escaped from the back of a cop car in Dallas on Sunday night.

A Douglas County deputy spotted Palmer in his Dodge Charger on I-20 and did a PIT maneuver. Investigators said Palmer crashed his car into a tractor-trailer and ran away to the nearby gas station.

The GBI said Palmer tried to steal the BMW at the gas pumps. That is when the deputy fired at the car, which had two adults and a little girl inside. One of the deputys bullets hit the girl, who was sitting in the backseat.

Shes being treated for her injuries at the hospital. The GBI did not give an update on the little girls condition. The deputy has not been identified.

Palmer faces a long list of charges with Dallas police, Douglas County Sheriffs Office and the GBI.

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IN OTHER NEWS
Were going to keep fighting: Judge denies man a new trial even as prosecutors dont oppose motion

Were going to keep fighting: Judge denies man a new trial even as prosecutors dont oppose motion

Family members of a man who says he was wrongfully convicted of murder filled a courtroom gallery at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Monday waiting to hear if he would be coming home.

They felt they had reasons to be hopeful: Cook County prosecutors were not opposing the motion to vacate a murder conviction for Kevin Jackson, who is serving a 45-year sentence for a 2001 fatal shooting at a Southwest Side gas station. And a review of the case by special prosecutors hired to examine the evidence on behalf of the states attorneys office found that the witnesses who later recanted gave consistent and detailed descriptions of mistreatment by detectives who have a history of allegations of coercion.

Cook County Judge Angela Petrone, though, denied the motion, finding that Jacksons conviction was sound as sheriffs deputies crowded into the courtroom and emotional family members walked out.

In a lengthy ruling that recapped more than two decades of the history of the case, Petrone said the court found it troubling that the Cook County states attorneys office asked her to sign off on a motion to vacate, finding that the witnesses were improperly assessed by the special prosecutors report, which laid the foundation for the states decision-making.

In at least two other cases involving three defendants, Petrone has denied motions to vacate convictions even when prosecutors agreed not to oppose them, according to the National Registry of Exonerations. In each of the cases, an Illinois appeals court reversed Petrones decision and vacated the convictions, leading to the release of three men.

Jacksons attorneys said they plan to appeal the ruling.

Were going to keep fighting, everyday, Jacksons sister Lakisha Jackson said after the hearing.

In a statement released by his attorneys, Jackson called on the states attorneys office to double down their efforts to fight for justice within the legal system.

We are disappointed and frustrated, but not broken as our fight for justice continues, he said.

The case traces back to a shooting at a Citgo gas station at 55th Street and Damen Avenue on May 6, 2001, when 54-year-old Ernest Jenkins was killed and another person was injured.

Multiple witnesses gave statements implicating Jackson, according to court records, but later recanted at trial, describing threats and harassment by Detectives Brian Forberg and John Foster, whose work has since come under scrutiny. At least a dozen defendants have accused Forberg, who retired last year, and other detectives of misconduct, including coercing witnesses into falsely implicating people in murders and other serious felonies.

Forbergs marriage to a former assistant states attorney who worked closely with the Conviction Integrity Unit, now called the Conviction Review Unit, has also raised concerns about conflicts of interest because the unit has been tasked with reviewing cases involving allegations of misconduct by Forberg. The prosecutor, Kirsten Ann Olson, died in May 2022.

This conflict, when raised to the states attorneys office by defense attorneys, resulted in a second review of Jacksons case by special prosecutors Thomas Geraghty and Robert Owen who investigated for more than 14 months, according to Jacksons lawyers Elizabeth Bacon and Brandon Clark. The unit had previously found that there was not sufficient evidence to support Jacksons claim of innocence.

Geraghty and Owen re-interviewed the witnesses in Jacksons case and found that they gave accounts of coercion that were consistent with their prior statements and affidavits, according to a redacted version of the report. It noted at least nine other cases with documented allegations of witness coercion by Forberg.

According to Petrones ruling, Geraghty and Owens report found that the Conviction Integrity Unit did not critically examine alllegations of patterns and practices of CPD misconduct.

In her ruling, she noted that the states attorneys office no longer opposes vacating the convictions nor does it intend to recharge him based on the findings of Geraghty and Owens report.

Petrones ruling, though, found Geraghty and Owens assessment of the civilian witnesses lacking, and she said Jacksons appeals have not uncovered evidence that is new, or couldnt have been discovered at the time of the trial.

Jacksons attorneys plan to make a motion to the Appellate Court that he be released while the appeal is pending.

In a message to her brother, Lakisha Jackson told him to stay strong.

You coming home soon. Its just a matter of time, Lakisha Jackson said.
Out on Tumwaters east side in between subdivisions lies a tiny oasis that can make you forget youre in the city. Percival Creek runs four miles from Trosper Lake, down and around several neighborhoods to Capitol Lake and out into Puget Sound.

But salmon havent been able to reach their natural habitat in the headwaters of the creek for nearly 100 years due to a culvert that runs under Sapp Road. Thats about to change.

The city of Tumwater received grant funding to replace the culvert and open up the creek to coho, chum and trout for the first time since the road was originally constructed.

Project Manager Meridith Greer Jacobo said the city has received $2.3 million in grant funding so far to replace the culvert and reconstruct the roadway over it. The project will include adding sidewalks and bike lanes to the road, along with switching out the 5-foot-diameter culvert with a 19-foot box culvert.

Were looking forward to seeing what this means for salmon in the area, Jacobo said. Weve heard stories  a lot of landowners who have lived here for a while have told me that they remember as kids seeing the salmon come up Percival Creek.

Meridith Greer Jacobo and Dan Smith to talk about a culvert that needs replaced under Sapp Road to allow for safe salmon passage through Percival Creek.

Jacobo said it will be a big change for the area because it will involve shutting down the road in both directions for some time. She said the project has been on the books for years, and its actively been worked on since 2020. Construction will start in summer 2025.

To be able to really open this up to not only benefit fish being able to get through but ultimately be a lot more pedestrian friendly, really improving the roadway is super important, Jocobo said.

Its unclear how long the culvert has been a passage barrier to fish, but the U.S. Geological Survey has maps of Tumwater dating as far back as 1937 that show a road intersecting the creek.

Restoration efforts on Percival Creek

Dan Smith, director of Water Resources and Sustainability, said good water quality and salmon habitat restoration have been missions of the city of Tumwater for decades. Since the late 1990s, he said crews have worked to restore parts of Percival Creeks environment, starting with the construction of fish ladders downstream.

The plan to replace the culvert under Sapp Road has been on the citys books since 1999, Smith said, well before the state Department of Transportation began looking at salmon passage barriers. Thats when the city bought 12 acres of old homestead property adjacent to the culvert for restoration efforts.

Since then, invasive species have been replaced with native trees that are now 30 feet tall.

When Jacobo joined the project, she, Smith and an expert from Wild Fish Conservancy came out to the culvert to perform Environmental DNA testing. That confirmed the presence of salmon up to where the culvert was in Percival Creek. Its been identified as the only full barrier to fish in the waterway by the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Jacobo said its considered a significant culvert to replace because about a third of Percival Creek is south of Sapp Road. Its headwaters are in Trosper Lake along with a lot of its wetland complex.

WDFW rated the habitat upstream of the culvert as excellent for salmon rearing.

Weve got a lot of macroinvertebrates for them to eat, weve got good water quality, some of which is spring fed, Jacobo said. The water is pretty darn cold, which is really good for fish, especially during the summer. So being able to open up such a significant portion, not only in terms of length, but also in habitat quality, is really, really exciting.

A culvert on Somerset Hill Drive has been identified as a partial barrier and will be replaced after this one. Jacobo said fish are able to get through that culvert about a third of the time.

Jacobo said the creek is almost entirely in Tumwater, so its a unique opportunity for the city to do everything it can to ensure theres healthy habitat for fish and those who live around the water.

A volunteer effort

Smith said the city is developing a detailed restoration plan for Percival Creek. What people can see to date has only been the early stages of restoration.

He said there are plans to build out a public trail through whats being called Sapp Road Park, where people can view the creek and its wetlands, and the old structures that are remnants of a cattle farm. There already are trails through the park, but theyve become overgrown. More restoration of the habitat will be done through volunteer work.

Smith said not only is the culvert replacement an environmental project, but a community project, too.

We want to make the road more passable, we want multi-modal transportation where people can bike and walk along here, because if you cant bike and walk to places like this, how can you appreciate places like this? Smith said. You have the reconnection of salmon to its habitat and the environmental benefits that come from that. You cant have a healthy community without a healthy environment.

Smith said its going to take some time to bring Percival Creek back to its former glory. He said hes hoping to get community members out to the site who want to get their hands dirty and learn about maintaining the habitat.

More project details

The city of Tumwater originally received a grant from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board that helped with design permitting. Since then, Jacobo said the city has received another grant from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board and construction funding from PROTECT, a Washington state Department of Transportation program. It provides funding to help make sure surface transportation is more resilient to climate change and natural disasters.

Jacobo said the city was lucky enough to receive the first round of PROTECT funding in Washington and was one of only a handful of jurisdictions to do so. Funding from the second round will go toward the Somerset Hill culvert replacement project.

Jacobo said many of the citys volunteer restoration efforts were accomplished through the Stream Team. a county-wide volunteer program thats funded and run by the cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater and Thurston County. Each city has its own team.

She said the Stream Team hosts free educational programs, hands-on science and learning activities, restoration events and more.

Its a really cool opportunity for the community to connect with these awesome natural places, alongside really knowledgeable people from the cities and county, she said.

There also have been efforts to improve the water quality in the creek. Those efforts will be heightened during culvert replacement. Jacobo said the project will have stormwater treatment in the form of mechanical treatment in catch basins.

Thats really important as were learning more about 6PPD-Q, which is tire dust particles, Jacobo said. As they break down, they are actually really toxic in water for coho salmon specifically. Ultimately, what we dont want to do is remove a physical barrier to fish and still have a chemical barrier from a water quality perspective.
Traffic on the Bay Bridge was stopped briefly Monday while the Dali, the ship that hit and destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, sailed underneath on its way to repairs in Norfolk. Screenshot of Maryland Transportation Authority video.

The Dali  the cargo ship that collided with Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge, leading to its collapse on March 26  finally left Baltimore Monday on its way to port in Norfolk, Virginia.

Traffic on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge was temporarily suspended late Monday morning by the Maryland Transportation Authority out of an abundance of caution, as the 984-foot marine vessel Dali passed beneath, the authority said. Bay Bridge traffic was held for about 30 minutes, reopening just before 11:30 a.m., the authority said.

Officials said the decision was made in consultation with the U.S. Coast Guard and that four tug boats are accompanying the Dali to provide anchoring support on its way to Norfolk. The Coast Guard is providing a 500-yard safety zone around the cargo ship during its trip.

The ships departure came the same day that the National Transportation Safety Board released an update on its ongoing investigation into the crash. The NTSB said it has determined that two circuit breakers unexpectedly opened when the vessel was three ship lengths from the Key Bridge, causing the first blackout  to all shipboard lighting and most equipment, causing it to veer off course. The agency said it is continuing to test wiring and electrical equipment that was removed from the ship.

The FBI has also launched a criminal investigation.

For the last month, the Dali has been docked at Baltimores Seagirt Marine Terminal as it awaited approval for relocation and repairs in Norfolk. It started moving shortly before 8:30 a.m. with four tugboats.

MDTA thanks Bay Bridge motorists for their cooperation and patience, as the M/V Dali passed beneath the bridge on its way to Norfolk. #MDOTScenes #MDShorebound pic.twitter.com/A6BOugUWg4  MDTA (@TheMDTA) June 24, 2024

The Coast Guard said the Dali was scheduled to go directly to Virginia International Gateway to unload roughly 1,500 cargo containers still on the ship, to reduce draft. The vessel is then scheduled to travel further to Norfolk International Terminal, where it will undergo continued salvage and repairs from damage caused during the bridge collapse.

The Dali left the Port of Baltimore and drove past the site of the former Key Bridge after 9 a.m. WTOPs Luke Lukert said the ship was moving a lot quicker than when tugboats escorted the ship back to port in mid-May.

The 170-mile journey to Norfolk is expected to take between 16 and 20 hours.

On March 26, the Dali had crashed into, and effectively destroyed, Baltimores Key Bridge after the vessel lost power and veered off course. Six construction workers on the bridge were killed in the crash, and it is predicted that reconstruction of the bridge will take years, potentially costing billions.

Last week, under an agreement confirmed by a federal judge, members of the Dalis crew were allowed to head home. None of the crew members had been able to leave the U.S. since the crash. Under the agreement, the crew members can return home but must be available for depositions.

Regarding Mondays trip past the Bay Bridge, WTOPs Dave Dildine said, with so much attention, it was probably a good idea that traffic will be held, so drivers wont be tempted to slow down, watch and take their eyes off the road.

As part of Maryland Matters content sharing agreement with WTOP, we feature this article from Joshua Barlow, to which the Associated Press contributed. Click here for the WTOP News website.

The post Goodbye, Dali: Ship that caused Key Bridge collapse leaves Baltimore three months later appeared first on Maryland Matters.
GOP runoff will decide if SC keeps any of the Republican sister senators

Signs for Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, and her challenger, Carlisle Kennedy, seen on Sunset Boulevard in West Columbia. (Abraham Kenmore/SC Daily Gazette)

COLUMBIA  The last remaining Republican woman in the state Senate is fighting to keep her seat in a primary runoff Tuesday with a former legislators son.

The opposition to Sen. Katrina Shealy has centered on her votes over the last two years on banning abortions in South Carolina, when she joined with her fellow sister senators to help block a near-total ban and ultimately voted against the law that made it illegal past six weeks of pregnancy.

Her challengers have cited Shealys abortion votes in casting the Senates lone female chairwoman as no longer conservative. And Personhood South Carolina, a group pushing to ban all abortions, is working to oust her.

This has been the most negative race that Ive ever run in, Shealy told the SC Daily Gazette of the primary.

Yet, despite a nasty re-election race that has seen protesters outside her church, giant billboards and a website that call her a liar, and even a broken back window, Shealy stands by all of her votes.

Senate Family and Veterans Services Chairwoman Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, talks to Sen. Tom Young, R-Aiken, on the opening day of session Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (File/Mary Ann Chastain/Special to the SC Daily Gazette)

Ideally, she said, shed prefer a state law that bans abortions after the actual heartbeat of a fetus can be heard, while keeping exceptions for victims of rape or incest and to save the mothers life.

The states so-called fetal heartbeat law is a misnomer, as it bans abortions as soon as an ultrasound detects cardiac activity. What the ultrasound detects at six weeks are electrical impulses in a growing embryo, not the pumping of a fetus developed heart, which doesnt happen until at least nine weeks.

Shealys runoff challenger, attorney Carlisle Kennedy, supports the six-week ban, according to his campaign website. Its unclear how he would vote in next years renewed GOP push for a ban from the outset of pregnancy. The former prosecutor, in his first bid for elected office, did not respond to multiple requests from the SC Daily Gazette.

We need younger people, a new generation of leadership to step up and take the reins, he told the Gazette in April after filing to challenge Shealy. I believe she has been in the Columbia swamp too long.

Senate GOP support

While Shealy didnt vote with most Republicans on the six-week law, shes been instrumental in passing other legislation on the GOP agenda, said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, explaining why his caucus is spending money to keep Shealy in the upper chamber.

The campaign against Katrina Shealy has tried to paint her as squishy and ineffective, and the reality is the exact opposite, said Massey, R-Edgefield. Theres nothing about Katrina Shealy that is weak. Shes a fighter, and were trying to make sure everybody understands how important and effective shes been.

Republicans have had a very successful four-year Senate term, he continued, rattling off a list that includes a $1 billion income tax cut and taxpayer-funded scholarships for private K-12 tuition. Those big-ticket conservative wins would not have happened without Katrina Shealy.

In the June 11 primary, the chairwoman of the Senate Family and Veterans Services Committee picked up 40% of the vote in a three-way contest for the District 23 seat thats entirely in ruby red Lexington County.

Kennedy, the son of former state Rep. Ralph Kennedy, trailed her in the primary at 36%. The third candidate in the race, former missionary and conservative activist Zoe Warren, has endorsed Kennedy for the runoff. Others backing Kennedy include state Rep. R.J. May of Lexington, a founder of the hardline Freedom Caucus in the House, which is looking to expand into the state Senate.

Shealys other supporters include her predecessor, former state GOP Sen. Jake Knotts.

Twelve years ago, Shealy defeated Knotts as a petition candidate after a lawsuit from his supporters  challenging a campaign filing technicality  resulted in Shealy and hundreds of other candidates statewide being tossed off primary ballots. Shealy was the lone petition candidate to win a Statehouse seat.

Now, hes broadcasting his support for Shealy with a campaign sign in his yard.

Shes doing a pretty good job, Knotts told the SC Daily Gazette, adding he doesnt know Kennedy at all.

He applauds her for voting against a total ban. Republicans who argue abortions should never be legal, even in cases of rape or incest or when the mothers life is in jeopardy, dont make sense, he said.

In those scenarios, my daughters and my wife are going to win every time, said Knotts, who has two daughters and a granddaughter.

Accusations and a razor blade

Shealy said that some of the negativity from the race spilled into actual harassment in the runup to the primary. She is not, however, accusing Kennedy of being behind it.

Somebody did slit my tire at church because there was a razor blade. We got the razor blade out of it, she said. Things like that, you know somebody did, but you cant prove who did it.

Shealy did not report the slit tire to police, but she did file a police report after a window in her home was broken. According to the April 19 report from the Lexington County Sheriffs Department, the window was broken from the outside. Shealy thinks someone shot the window with a pellet gun.

Shealy is the longest serving woman in the Senate. When she was elected in 2012, she was the only female in the 46-member chamber.

The Senates two other GOP women definitely wont return next year. In the June 11 primary, freshman Sen. Penry Gustafson, R-Camden, was trounced by an overwhelming margin, while Sen. Sandy Senn, R-Charleston, lost by just 33 votes.

All three GOP women attracted challengers with their abortion votes last year. But Shealy said the attacks on her went too far.

Theyre throwing crazy things up on billboards like, Im not pro-life. Im a baby-killer, Thats just a lie, said Shealy, pointing to her record of advocating for children and families. Ive done more for children in South Carolina than any other legislator.

Personhood South Carolina has been particularly vocal, labeling Shealy, Senn and Gustafson sisters for death  a phrase Shealy called childish  putting up a website calling Shealy a liar and no longer pro-life, and buying other ads.

The group was founded in 2015 by state Sen. Richard Cash, R-Powdersville, whose main issue is banning abortions. But he told the Gazette that he resigned from the organization the day before being sworn in as a senator in a special election in 2017. The current leadership of the organization could not be reached for comment.

Shealy is proud of her record and says it has allowed her to gain the support of a broad range of elected officials  including conservative fellow state senators like Josh Kimbrell and Shane Martin, state Attorney General Alan Wilson and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott.

She has several legislative proposals that she hopes to continue working on if re-elected, including a bill on domestic violence. But she knows there will be a renewed push for banning abortions from the outset of pregnancy.

Were getting over the top here with what were doing to women, Shealy said.

On his website, Kennedy lists a typical list of Republican priorities  business friendly policies, backing law enforcement, defending gun rights, securing the border. But he thinks his outsider status will help shake things up.

In his campaign, Kennedy has emphasized his long family history with Lexington County. His website includes a whole page laying out his family history in the area back to 1750 and highlights the next generation of his family  Kennedy and his wife are expecting their first child.

With a baby on the way, the stakes for me are personally higher than ever, his website reads. Im running to safeguard the freedoms and rights we cherish today for the sake of our unborn child and all future generations.

Shealy has far outraised Kennedy, with over $200,000 total as of a pre-primary election filing. Kennedy raised almost $22,000, and took out a $50,000 bank loan as well as loaning the campaign almost $10,000 of his personal funds.

SC Daily Gazette Editor Seanna Adcox contributed to this report.

The post GOP runoff will decide if SC keeps any of the Republican sister senators appeared first on SC Daily Gazette.
Gov. Jeff Landry vetoed legislation that would allow him to pardon people for minor marijuana offenses more easily. (Canva image)

Gov. Jeff Landry vetoed legislation that would have made it easier for him and future governors to pardon people for minor marijuana possession convictions. He said the proposal reflected a soft-on-crime attitude and alleged it violated the state constitution.

Under House Bill 391, by Rep. Delisha Boyd, D-New Orleans, the governor would have been able to bypass the traditional pardon process to clear the criminal records of people who met a narrow definition of a marijuana offender.



Democrats outside Louisiana have used similar laws to issue mass pardons. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore ordered more than 175,000 pardons for marijuana offenses earlier this month. President Joe Biden also gave out thousands of pardons for minor marijuana offenses at the end of last year.

If Boyds bill had gone into law, people would have qualified for the accelerated pardon only if they had been convicted of possessing 14 grams or less of marijuana or related products. Fourteen grams of marijuana is the equivalent of approximately 28 joints, an amount small enough that it is considered for personal use, as opposed to drug dealing.

The legislation is in keeping with bipartisan efforts to loosen Louisianas marijuana laws in recent years. The state already allows residents to possess the drug legally with a medical marijuana prescription.



In 2021, former Gov. John Bel Edwards and the Republican-controlled Legislature also significantly lowered penalties for possession of small amounts of recreational marijuana.

Now, people caught with 14 grams or less of the substance face a $100 fine as a penalty and no jail time, even if they are ticketed for the crime multiple times. Prior to 2021, they faced up to $300 and 15 days in jail for a first-time marijuana possession offense and they could be jailed for up to six months for a second infraction. They were eligible for eight years of incarceration after being caught four times.

But Landry painted Boyds pardon bill as part of a partisan agenda.

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House Bill 391 appears to be an attempt to have Louisiana accept President Bidens invitation to the states to join his soft-on-crime, no-consequences-for-criminals agenda, Landry wrote in a letter explaining his veto. On behalf of Louisiana and her great people, I decline such an invitation and will continue to fight to strengthen our criminal justice system and the rule of law in Louisiana.

Boyd was taken aback by the implication that she wanted to be lax on criminals, especially after she co-sponsored another bill allowing judges to order the physical castration of sex offenders.



Her bill also got through the Legislature with several Republican legislators support. Lawmakers voted 31-7 in the Senate and 63-30 in the House for the proposal.

Do we want to make everything about party here? Boyd said in an interview Friday. Ive never said I want to be like Biden.

The Democrat sponsored the measure so Landry and future governors would be empowered to give people with minor marijuana convictions a second chance. Criminal records, even for minor offenses, make it more difficult for people to get housing and certain types of jobs, she said.



Marijuana has also become mainstream. Most Americans live in a state where recreational use of the drug is legal. Twenty-four states and Washington D.C. permit it. Another 14 states, including Louisiana, allow for medical marijuana, according to the Pew Research Center.



Marijuana is recognized as a medicine in our state, said Peter Robbins-Brown, the executive director of Louisiana Progress, a left-leaning advocacy organization that supported Boyds bill. These are not folks who have been convicted of a dangerous crime. These are minor offenses.



In his veto letter, Landry also argued the bill should be thrown out because it violated the Louisiana Constitution. The legislation would have allowed the governor to issue pardons without a recommendation from the Louisiana Board of Pardons, which the state constitution requires, he said.

The governor also said an exception in the state constitution already covers many of the people Boyd was seeking to give relief. It permits people who have been convicted of one nonviolent offense to automatically receive pardons at the end of their sentences.

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Boyds legislation would have captured a larger swath of the community. Her bill applied to people who have been convicted possessing a small amount of marijuana, regardless of whether it was a first-time offense or if they had been found guilty of another crime.



Though Landry vetoed the bill, he signed into law another piece of legislation Boyd authored that lowered criminal penalties for possessing marijuana paraphernalia, such as a bong.

The post Gov. Jeff Landry rejects easier pardon process for minor marijuana offenses appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, at the podium, and State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood speak about the state's first investments toward a $1 billion pledge to build an Education Future Fund. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Gov. Jim Pillens route to property tax reform could come through the State of Nebraska taking over all funding for K-12 schools instead of using local property taxes to pay a portion of the cost.

Pillen, in his monthly radio call-in show Monday afternoon, said the living, breathing document that will be his property tax reform plan will include asking lawmakers to take on every penny of K-12 funding. Locally, about 60% of collected property taxes go to K-12 schools.

Our goal of our plan is to not have property tax fund one iota of K-12 education. Zero, Pillen said. The [Nebraska] Constitutions crystal clear: Our job is to educate our children. The State of Nebraska is supposed to  not property tax payers.

Doing so would mirror legislation in 2023, when the state took on community college funding.

In 2023, Nebraskans paid about $5.3 billion in property taxes, $3.7 billion in income taxes and $3.2 billion in sales taxes. Of those taxes, Pillen said its supposed to be the opposite.

Pillen said most school board members do not have a financial background, and coupled with a confusing state aid formula for schools, Nebraska quit on our kids. Before changes to state law were made in 2023, the state did not give aid to about 180 of the states 244 school districts.

This does nothing but strengthen [public schools], Pillen said of his proposal. Its never been the intent that property taxes educate our kids.

A caller asked Pillen to comment on valuations and tax levies, to which the governor said valuations shouldnt be the issue because people want valuations to go up. Instead, he said, the hard core reality is that all taxing subdivisions  of which there are more than 2,000 in the state  always fail to lower levies, which he said goes against the current spirit of the law.

We have hard caps [on increased spending]. Then whatever the valuations are has no impact, Pillen said.

Pillen hopes to fund his ideas through a broad-based sales tax system, which could include ending some sales tax exemptions and increasing sin taxes on alcohol, vaping or cigarettes.

With lots of work to do with state senators, and a 12-day trade mission to Indonesia in early July, Pillen said hes just not prepared to formally release his plan. However, he remained firm that lawmakers will return to Lincoln as he indicated in a save-the-date announcement last week.

We dont have them [the dates] locked down in gold yet, but somewhere between July 26 and August 15 is when well ask for the special session, Pillen said.

Pillen said he had signed a letter for the Legislature regarding a possible special session before joining the radio show, but the offices for the Clerk of the Legislature and Speaker John Arch said they had received no letter as of Monday afternoon.

Laura Strimple, a spokesperson for Pillen, said the letter will be available after it is presented to the Legislature.

Editors note: This article has been updated to correct the total amount of sales taxes paid in 2023.

The post Gov. Pillen eyes Nebraska taking over K-12 school funding instead of local property taxes appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Flags around Arkansas will be lowered to half-staff Friday as a show of support and mourning for the victims of the deadly mass shooting at a Fordyce grocery store the week prior.

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday issued a statement saying US flags and Arkansas state flags will fly at half-staff on Friday, June 28, from sunrise to sunset, in memory of the lives lost at the Mad Butcher grocery store seven days earlier.

Fordyce community honors victims in Friday shooting, holds candlelight vigil

Four victims  Callie Weems, Roy Sturgis, Shirley Taylor and Ellen Shrum  were killed in the shooting. Another 10 people, including two Fordyce Police Department officers, were injured by gunfire at the shooting, while a police officer from Stuttgart was also injured responding to the scene.

In the order, Sanders noted how the victims were loved by their families and by the Fordyce community and that the deaths were a tragedy for the entire State of Arkansas.

She was always a hero in my book Arkansas family finding peace after daughter is recognized for bravery during mass shooting

She also talked about how the community of around 4,000 has been there as they mourned, stating neighbors, friends, and family have come together to comfort each other in the wake of this event and offer prayer and a helping hand to anyone in need.

The governor promised the state would provide resources and aid for the town, adding that Arkansans are praying for the town of Fordyce, the families of the victims, and all impacted by this senseless tragedy.

The suspect in the shooting, 44-year-old Travis Eugene Posey, is currently in custody at the Ouachita County Detention Center.

Travis Posey, suspect in Fordyce Mad Butcher mass shooting, to go before judge Tuesday

Posey faces at least four counts of capital murder in connection with the shooting, with other charges being expected. He is scheduled to go in front of a judge Tuesday.

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Gov. Kevin Stitt speaks at a news conference on May 31, 2024, at the state Capitol. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  Gov. Kevin Stitt has approved a controversial set of rules from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, as expected after the Legislature declined to take action on the regulations.

Stitt approved the rules on Friday, giving them the force of law. His office did not respond to a request for comment on them.

The package of about 20 regulations comes from state Superintendent Ryan Walters administration. Among them is a rule that will downgrade a school districts accreditation status if fewer than half of its students score at a basic performance level in reading and math tests. The districts standing with the state would continue to drop if it fails to show 5% improvement on annual test scores.

Other rules create a potential punishment for schools that continue to employ educators under investigation of wrongdoing and would allow schools to fire teachers for engaging in acts that promote sexuality in the presence of a minor or in a manner available to a minor online.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters said it was a great day when Gov. Kevin Stitt approved all new rules proposed this year at the Oklahoma State Department of Education. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

This is a great day for Oklahoma students and their parents, Walters said in a statement Monday. Oklahoma is leading the nation in education reform and these new rules hold our schools accountable for results. We are leaving behind failed policies and are completely focused on empowering parents, protecting our students from predators, and improving academic outcomes for our kids.

House Democrats criticized the rules and the Legislatures lack of action. They and some education advocates said tying accreditation to test scores would unfairly punish schools that serve mostly students living in poverty or who are learning English as their second language.

But the House Republican supermajority decided not to bring the regulations to a vote by the full chamber. Rather than voting and possibly sending the rules to the Senate, the House GOP caucus allowed the governor to decide whether to approve them.

Before that, the House Administrative Rules Committee had passed all but one of the regulations. The lone exception was a provision to allow scores from the Classic Learning Test to apply to academic scholar and seal of biliteracy awards, adding it to the list of eligible tests with the ACT and SAT. But the lack of a House floor vote meant the governor had the final decision on all of the rules, even one the committee rejected.

Some Republicans opposed it because the Classic Learning Test isnt accepted by many Oklahoma universities. It was developed in 2015 and tests reading, grammar and math with an emphasis on classic literature and historical texts.

Other rules establish foundational values for the Education Department, including references to the Creator, and implement Stitts executive order banning state funds from applying to diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

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The post Gov. Stitt approves all of Walters new Education Department rules appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Wicknell Chivayo, a prominent Zimbabwean businessman with close ties to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, remains in Harare and has not yet been interviewed by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) regarding his alleged involvement in a corrupt US$40 million elections tender scandal. This scandal has implicated high-profile government officials including Chief Secretary to Cabinet Martin Rushwaya, Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) Director-General Isaac Moyo, and Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) chair Priscilla Chigumba.Chivayo's absence from Zacc's interview process comes amidst speculation that he may still be out of the country. He has recently been embroiled in a dispute with his former business partners, Moses Mpofu and Mike Chimombe, who accuse him of financial misconduct related to the deal.In response to media reports suggesting they may be extradited, Chivayo posted a video from a restaurant in Harare to debunk claims that he and his associates are evading authorities. Meanwhile, Mpofu and Chimombe returned from overseas trips (China and South Africa respectively) last Thursday and are scheduled to appear before Zacc today at 8:30am.The timing of Chivayo's surrender to Zacc remains unclear, raising questions about the commission's readiness to confront him given his influential political connections. Chivayo is reportedly leveraging his relationship with Mnangagwa to avoid scrutiny. His claims of political influence have drawn ire from the Zanu PF youth league and information department.Another associate implicated in the scandal, Pedzisayi "Scott" Sakupwanya, a prominent figure in the gold trade, has maintained a low profile amidst the unfolding controversy.The scandal involving Zec and South African printing company Ren-Form has caused significant disruption within state institutions, the government, and Zanu PF, shedding light on extensive corruption and misuse of public funds.
As of early May, more than three years after New York legalized recreational marijuana, just 119 licensed dispensaries were serving that market in the entire state. Unauthorized pot shops outnumbered legal outlets by 20 to 1, according to The New York Times, with more than 2,000 operating in New York City alone. The state had less than one licensed pot store per 100,000 residentsin contrast with about six in Massachusetts, 10 in Maine, 11 in Colorado, 19 in Oregon, and 48 in New Mexico.

Legislators and regulators could have avoided this "disaster," as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently called it, had they learned from the mistakes of other states that have struggled to displace the black market. Yet New York politicians somehow did not anticipate what would happen after people could legally use marijuana but could not obtain it from legal sources.

Legislators did not allow home cultivation, and they initially did not allow medical dispensaries to serve recreational consumers. New York created a complicated, costly, and sluggish licensing process that prioritized "equity" and "diversity" above efficiency. The state imposed burdensome fees, taxes, and regulations that made it difficult for legal dispensaries to compete with the unlicensed stores that sprang up to fill the supply gap.

New York did not let medical dispensaries enter the market until last December. Even then, it charged companies $20 million for the privilege of operating up to three outlets.

New businesses faced fees up to $300,000, and regulators gave priority to retail applicants who were deemed disadvantaged, including people with marijuana conviction records and their relatives. Those preferences provoked lawsuits that further delayed the licensing process, and they blocked applicants who might have been better equipped to run a successful business.

Despite these problems, Hochul remains proud of New York's "social equity" program. But she has ordered a bureaucratic overhaul to speed up retail license approvals and has voiced support for cutting the state's heavy marijuana taxes, which currently include a three-tiered wholesale tax based on THC content as well as a 13 percent retail tax.

Legislators should keep in mind that licensed shops are competing with a black market where the tax rate is zero. New York also should reexamine the onerous regulations that make legal weed more expensive and less accessible.

Although Hochul has promised to "shut down illicit operators," any such crackdown is apt to inflict the sort of harm that legalization was supposed to ameliorate, punishing entrepreneurs for filling the yawning gap left by the state's misguided policies and administrative incompetence. Nor is enforcement likely to succeed, given the abysmal track record of the war on weeda crusade that legislators supposedly ended three years ago.

The post The Government Caused New York's Legal Pot 'Disaster' appeared first on Reason.com.
The rest of us should probably get on that too.

The US government has issued a dire warning to employees with Pixel phones, mandating a security update by July 4, as originally reported by Forbes. This is due to a high-severity firmware vulnerability within the Android operating system that could open up devices to limited, targeted exploitation.

Theres already a patch for the zero-day exploit but it requires a visit to the settings app to make sure the device is up to date. Government employees who do not install the security update by July 4 must discontinue use of the product. It should go without saying that the rest of us should also heed these warnings, particularly those who connect to enterprise servers.

Google has remained mum as to the actual details of the vulnerability, but government involvement makes it seem a bit more serious than your average exploit. The federal mandate is directed exclusively at Pixel devices, but it looks like the exploit could extend to other Android phones.

The folks behind GrapheneOS, an operating system based on Android, note that the vulnerability is not exclusive to Pixel phones. The organization says a fix will be part of any update to Android 15, which releases in August, but that it hasnt been backported. So, if you opt not to update the OS, you likely wont get the patch. It remains unclear if there are any other options for mitigation. We reached out to Google and will update this post when we know more.

CVE-2024-32896 which is marked as being actively exploited in the wild in the June 2024 Pixel Update Bulletin is the 2nd part of the fix for CVE-2024-29748 vulnerability we described here:https://t.co/c4xnnbje04



As we explained there, none of this is actually Pixel specific.  GrapheneOS (@GrapheneOS) June 13, 2024

The warning issued by the US government, as described in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, is also stingy with the details. The advisory simply states that Android Pixel contains an unspecified vulnerability in the firmware that allows for privilege escalation. GrapheneOS says the exploit fails to wipe the memory when running a firmware-based fastboot mode, which potentially allows nefarious actors to exploit the system to get previous OS memory.

To recap, update your Pixel Phone immediately via the settings app, while those with other Android phones should sit tight for now. Its never wise to mess with these zero-day exploits and the involvement of the US government has certainly heightened the threat level a bit here.
Gov. Kevin Stitt's chief of staff looks Feb. 27, 2024, on as the governor prepares to sign a law eliminating the grocery tax cut. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  Brandon Tatum will serve as the next executive director of the Regional University System of Oklahoma, or RUSO.

The regents of RUSO appointed Tatum to the position with a vote on Friday.

Tatum has served as Gov. Kevin Stitts chief of staff since November 2022 and will begin the new position Aug. 1. Tatum will serve as CEO of the Board of Regents of RUSO and as a liaison between the regents and the university presidents.

I am excited to continue to serve the state of Oklahoma in this capacity, Tatum said. I look forward to continuing to work with all the key stakeholders across the state as we make our higher education system the best in the nation.

The RUSO is the largest four-year university system in the state and governs six of the states regional universities.

The system includes East Central University, Northeastern State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University and University of Central Oklahoma.

Dr. Tatums extensive experience in higher education and government made him a clear choice among the hundreds of candidates we had apply for this position, said Jane McDermott, chair of the RUSO board.

Tatum received his doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Abilene Christian University and previously worked at Oklahoma Christian University as the executive vice president and chief strategy officer.

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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Trader Joes will host a grand opening ceremony for the new Meridian Township location this Friday. This store is the first in the Lansing area and the ninth in Michigan.

The 10,000 sq. grocery store is located at 2755 East Grand River Ave. Before the doors open, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will happen at 9 a.m., with store associates greeting and welcoming customers.

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We are thrilled to welcome Trader Joes to Meridian Township and are very pleased that they have chosen to locate with us, Meridian Township Supervisor Scott Hendrickson told 6 News. Meridian Township continues to be a magnet for exciting businesses like Trader Joes because of our national stature as a fabulous place to live and work. We are certain that Trader Joes will be a tremendous success and that it will prove to be a wonderful new addition to our community!

In January, our 6 News reporter Rae Sherman said, A new Trader Joes has been a topic of online conversation for months- with more than 5-thousand people posting to the Trader Joes in East Lansing Facebook page.

Normal operating hours for Trader Joes Lansing location are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Lured by glorious beaches, world-class archaeological sites and comforting cuisine, some 33 million people visited Greece in 2023, around five million more than in 2022. According to the Greek National TourisM Organisation (GNTO), 2023 was also a landmark year for cruising in Greece, with seven million passengers visiting the country aboard 5,230 cruise ships, compared to 4.38 million passengers and 4,614 cruise ships in 2022.

In an unprecedented step last month, however, the Greek ombudsman, an independent organisation created to combat maladministration and ensure the effective exercise of citizens rights, stressed the need to regulate tourism in a sustainable way, saying Greece must not exhaust its potential, wasting it and making our tourist destinations unattractive over time.

Reacting to the statement last week, Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis vowed to put a cap on cruise tourism  an industry that some say is being used as a scapegoat for wider issues of overtourism  by limiting the number of berths available to ships via a bidding process that vessels would need to use in order to secure the slots. Unlike Amsterdam, Venice and Barcelona, where restrictions have already been implemented, Greece has yet to introduce a daily limit on cruises to the countrys most popular destinations, but there are fears that capping the number of ships could have a negative effect on the tourist industry which accounts for a quarter of Greeces economy.

With approximately 1.5m passengers in 2023, Piraeus, the port for Athens, tops the list of popular cruise destinations in Greece, followed by Santorini with 1.3m and Mykonos with almost 1.2m.

In Santorini, where overtourism has angered many locals, Kathrin of tour company Santorini Experts doesnt agree that cruises are to blame for the islands chronic overcrowding. She says: I really dont like the term overtourism  it feels like were only calling it that because of the chaos that ensues when there are lots of cruise ships visiting at once. If we just had a different port that didnt require cruise ship passengers to go through the whole tendering and cable car process, I believe half of our problems would vanish.

Overtourism is becoming a major problem in Santorini - David Kilpatrick / Alamy

Santorini-based hotelier Daniel Kerzner disagrees, however. The influx of large cruise ships strains the infrastructure, congests and deteriorates the experience for all travellers and provides little value to the island the current move to restrict cruises is essential to protecting our island paradise, says the owner of Santorini Sky, a luxury hotel in the mountain village of Pyrgos, far from the volcanic caldera where most hotels are situated.

Business owners on the island are also angry at the lack of revenue that cruise tourism brings. They have everything on board  even souvenir shops  so they come here and just walk around and then go back to their boat without buying anything, says Maria Dimitirou, who owns a gift shop in Oia.

Dr Lauren Siegel, senior lecturer in tourism and events management at the University of Greenwich agrees: Cruises bring a huge amount of passengers to a port for a limited duration of hours. Its often not long enough to have a meaningful experience or make an impactful economic contribution in any given place. I do understand the ease and convenience for those who want to take cruises, but this model only works if the host community also benefits. Unfortunately, many of the ports of call in Greece have become tourist enclaves with nothing left for the locals.

Although Piraeus, Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes are the main cruise destinations in Greece today, a growing number of passengers are choosing to explore further afield.

CEO of Greek company Variety Cruises, Filippos Venetopoulos says that by using smaller ships that carry fewer passengers his company can be more versatile and offer a different  and far more authentic  experience. Variety Cruises specialises in small boat cruises offering our clients the chance to enjoy a range of different island stopovers in the Cyclades and in the Ionian and Aegean Seas. We value the environment and do our utmost to limit our impact whilst investing in projects that help minimise overtourism, he says.

Local business owners complain that cruise ship passengers only come for short visits and don't buy anything - ACORN 1 / Alamy

Hitherto less visited islands including Serifos and Lefkada are complaining of the strain on the sustainability of resources prompted by a sudden uptick in visitor numbers since the Covid pandemic, however.

Pollution, too, is a problem on islands visited by a large number of cruise ships. Recent tests by the Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS) and air pollution experts from Germanys Nature and Biodiversity Union (NABU) have revealed spikes in ultrafine particles, carcinogenic compounds and soot in the air near Greek islands that are popular cruising destinations. The real problem is not the total number of tourists. The problem is that most tourists are concentrated in the typical tourist areas we all know. There needs to be a plan to promote other areas in Greece, says Mike Kapsilis who works for a tour company on Chios, an island in the north Aegean which is rarely visited by the larger cruise ships.

Dimitris Stavrakopoulos, director of Hermoupolis Heritage, a not-for-profit company based on the Cyclades island of Syros which aims to protect the islands cultural heritage, believes that the problem lies with the way that cruise tourism is managed. Cruise tourism would have great potential here in Syros, as long as the visitor is encouraged to get a taste of the local culture. The ultimate goal of the islands tourism development should be based on a philosophy of preserving the cultural heritage and thus turning it into a tourist product that will bring livelihood to the local community, he says.

In a recent report, the GNTO, which estimates that Greece will welcome more than 36 million passengers by 2026, says that sustainability and social responsibility are pivotal to the global cruise industry.

UK expert Dr Lauren Siegel agrees that there could be a positive future for cruise tourism if its properly regulated. Although research has shown us cruise passengers tend to be less motivated by cultural curiosity in favour of budget or convenience, I do think that cruise tourism can be more sustainable if there are limitations to the size and scope of the ships, she says.

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New Hampshire gubernatorial candidates (seated from left) Chuck Morse, a Republican, Cinde Warmington, a Democrat, and Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, at a gubernatorial forum hosted by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), on June 20, 2024. Democrat Joyce Craig did not attend the debate. (Ethan DeWitt | New Hampshire Bulletin)

Last year, a superior court judge delivered a jolt to the states education system: He ruled that New Hampshire should be paying nearly twice what it currently does per student. This year, the question is dividing the race to succeed Gov. Chris Sununu.

Republican candidates have denounced the ruling and urged the Supreme Court to overturn it; Democrats have hailed it as an acknowledgement that the state is underfunding its schools.

Speaking at a candidate forum hosted by the National Federation of Independent Business of New Hampshire (NFIB), Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington appeared supportive of the November ruling. And she criticized Sununu for allowing Attorney General John Formella to appeal it.

We need to have a bipartisan discussion around what we are going to do about school funding in our state. And unfortunately, this administration opted to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court, and so were not having that discussion right now, Warmington said.

That problem is only going to be solved when we all sit down and talk to each other.

In his ruling in Contoocook Valley School District et al v. State of New Hampshire, Judge David Ruoff held that the states annual, per-pupil funding given to school districts is too low and that the state was not meeting its constitutional requirement to provide an adequate education. Currently, the state distributes at least $4,100 per year per student to public school districts, with more given to students from lower incomes, students who need special education services, English language learners, and others. But school districts argued that that amount is too low for them to cover the basic expenses needed to provide an adequate education.

In his November ruling, Ruoff agreed with plaintiffs, holding that the state must pay school districts no less than $7,356.01 per student, a number he ruled reflected the actual cost of teacher pay, building and program costs, and other expenses for those districts to provide an adequate education. That increase would require New Hampshire to spend about $537.6 million more per year than it does, a more than 50 percent increase of current spending.

The state has challenged the decision, which has been stayed as it is appealed to the state Supreme Court, and Republican lawmakers have spoken against it. After the ruling came out last year, Sununu called it deeply concerning and an overreach into a decades-long precedent appropriately placed in the hands of our elected representatives in Concord.

Warmington disagrees, as does another Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig. Craig was not at the debate Thursday. But in an interview with the Bulletin in July 2023, Craig said she supported the lawsuits.

Manchester is part of that lawsuit, Craig said, referring to the fact that Manchester School District is a co-plaintiff in the school funding lawsuit. I feel strongly that we  all of us, the state  need to make sure that students within our state have an education no matter where they live. Its a basic need.

But Republicans running for governor opposed the ruling, arguing it was an inappropriate move by the judge to dictate to the Legislature a direct funding decision.

I certainly think it would be wrong for us in the Legislature to react to a non-elected official, a judge, that said a number that he didnt even know if it would work for the state of New Hampshire, said former state Senate President Chuck Morse, speaking at the forum. He just threw it out. Thats not the way to govern.

Former U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte said she disagreed with Ruoff that the state needs to increase education spending by so much.

I dont believe that that model of whats going up to the Supreme Court right now is the correct model, she said. And I hope that the Supreme Court will see it that way.

The comments illustrate deep divides between Republican and Democratic candidates around school funding. Ayotte and Morse have praised school choice initiatives that provide alternatives to public schools, such as the education freedom account program and charter schools, and argue that public schools already receive enough funding. Warmington and Craig have opposed the education freedom account program and argued that public school districts are struggling to operate under current funding levels.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  Pennsylvania Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman recently announced funding for the rabbittransit bus depot in Harrisburg.

According to Senator Caseys office, the newly announced funding will be for a new bus transfer center, as well as a new maintenance and operations facility in Harrisburg for rabbittransit.

As part of this new project, a new Compressed Natural Gas-compliant maintenance and operations transit facility will be constructed for rabbittransit. This project will also construct a new transfer center which includes about 16 bus berths, tick and pass sale booths, real-time passenger information, canopies, seating, and weather protection for passengers.

Any day that we can announce more federal dollars heading to Pennsylvania is a good day, Senator Fetterman said. Countless Pennsylvanians rely on public transit to get to work and school investing in it is critical. This funding will support the construction of a new bus facility to replace the current 120-year-old, outdated facility. Im proud to have fought for this funding alongside Senator Casey that will ensure that SRTA can continue to provide good, reliable service to Capital region residents.

Because of the infrastructure law, we are improving and modernizing public transportation across Pennsylvania, Senator Casey said. I fought for this funding to better connect Capital region residents with resources and opportunities in their community and beyond. Ill keep working to deliver funding to make the region more livable for all who call it home.

Funding for this project comes from a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) Grant, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

This funding is a significant step forward in enhancing our transit infrastructure and improving mobility for residents throughout the Capitol region, Richard Farr, executive director of rabbittransit said. Rabbittransit extends its deepest gratitude to Senator Casey and Senator Fetterman for their unwavering support and commitment to our community. Their advocacy and dedication have been instrumental in securing this grant to replace the 120-year-old facility, which will enable us to provide more efficient, reliable, and sustainable transit services. This new facility will not only streamline our operations and maintenance, but will also serve as a vital hub for transit connections, benefiting countless commuters and residents. By improving our transit capabilities, we are fostering greater accessibility and convenience, which are essential for the growth and prosperity of our region.

abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

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Former pro surfer known for riding huge Pipeline waves dies in shark attack while surfing off Oahu

In this undated image released by Christa Funk, shows well-known Hawaii lifeguard Tamayo Perry pipeline surfing. Perry was killed in a shark attack, Sunday, June 23, 2024, off Ohau, Hawaii. (Christa Funk via AP)

A well-known Hawaii lifeguard who was killed in a shark attack while surfing off Oahus North Shore was a former professional surfer with acting credits to his name, including a role in one of the Pirates of the Caribbean" movies.

Tamayo Perry, 49, was killed Sunday near Goat Island, Shayne Enright of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department said in a statement.

It's not known if Perry was the first professional surfer to be killed in a shark attack, since the definition of a professional in the sport can be blurry, said Brendan Buckley, the editor of Stab Magazine, a website devoted to surfing.

But in terms of a high-level surfer that people around the world know and respected, he's the first that I'm aware of, Buckley told The Associated Press Monday from his office in Portugal.

Perry and his wife, Emilia Perry, operated the Oahu Surfing Experience, offering surfing lessons. According to his biography on the business' website, he surfed professionally for over 15 years, highlighted by winning the Pipeline Master trials in 1999.

The Pipeline off Oahu's North Shore is famous for creating a tube that surfers ride for as long as they can. But it's also the most deadly wave in the world, killing some of the world's best surfers, Buckley said. Surfing it became Perrys specialty, he said.

Surfers either focus on competitions or what they can do outside of those meets.

Perry was never like somebody that was going to contend for a world title, Buckley said. "He was more of the type to just kind of hunt down big, crazy waves and have that documented.

For a while, he was one of the top, top, top people out there," Buckley added. He got some of the craziest waves of his era. He was insanely respected by obviously everybody there and everybody around the world for what he did.

Perry said on his website that he took to heart lessons learned from a near-fatal accident while surfing the Pipeline years ago.

The lessons Ive taken from that event have inspired me to my goal of instilling proper surf etiquette and safety into those whom I teach, he wrote.

Emilia competed as a professional bodyboarder in western Australia before moving to Hawaii when she was 18. She and Tamayo met when she was bodyboarding out to a Pipeline wave.

A few years later, I picked up a surfboard, we got married and there was no turning back, she wrote. The vast amounts of ocean knowledge that Tamayo has ingrained in me over the years is priceless.

Tamayo Perry began his career as a lifeguard on the North Shore for the City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety in July 2016, Enright said.

Perry's other passion was acting. He had several small roles credited to him on the film website www.imdb.com, including playing a buccaneer in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in 2011. That same year, he appeared in an episode of the television series Hawaii Five-0. He was also in a couple of national commercials.

"When Im not acting, Im still quite a character, so theres always a ton of fun to be had," he said.

Photographer Brian Bielmann had known and worked with Perry for 25 years, shooting the surfer in both Hawaii and Tahiti. Perry and several friends wound up at a party about five months ago, when Bielmann said they had an incredible bonding experience.

Theres about five of us there, and weve all called each other and just said, We just are so thankful that we had that night with him, he said. Everybody is just shaken to the core. I mean, its a gnarly thing to have happen no matter who it is, but to find out it was Tamayo, its crazy, man.

Honolulu Ocean Safety and the city's fire, police and emergency medical services departments responded to Malaekahana Beach on Oahu's North Shore just before 1 p.m. Sunday after a caller reported seeing a man who appeared to have suffered shark bites, Enright said.

Lifeguards brought Perry to shore, where he was pronounced dead, Enright said.

Ocean Safety personnel posted shark warnings in the area following the attack, Enright said.

Honolulu Ocean Safety Acting Chief Kurt Lager said Perry was a lifeguard loved by all.

Tamayo's personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more," Lager said at a news conference.

Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said, calling Perrys death a tragic loss.

The last fatal shark incident in Hawaii was Dec. 30 when a man surfing off Maui was attacked about 150 yards (137 meters) from shore.

___

Thiessen reported from Anchorage, Alaska.
(Bloomberg) -- Iranians will elect a new president on June 28, in a poll triggered by the death in a helicopter crash last month of Ebrahim Raisi. Voters will choose from six men selected by the Guardian Council, a powerful and unelected chamber of 12 theologians and legal experts. Most of the candidates are anti-US hard liners but a lone reformist candidate, former Health Minister Masoud Pezeshkian, leads the latest poll released by the state-run Iranian Students Polling Agency.

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Pezeshkian has edged into the lead over the past week, ahead of the hawkish former nuclear-programme negotiator Saeed Jalili, according to the ISPA poll published Monday. Of the 4,057 people surveyed over the weekend, just over half said they will either definitely vote or are very likely to vote, and a third said they wont take part or are very unlikely to. Acting President Mohammad Mokhber, who stepped up after Raisis sudden demise, chose not to stand.

The new president will oversee a government operating under the watchful eye of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans most senior authority figure who has the final say over foreign and military policy. His challenges will include the handling of unprecedented levels of domestic dissent, a sanctions-hit economy and Irans role in regional conflicts such as the war in Gaza.

Below are the six candidates in the race. The winner is likely to be announced on Saturday or Sunday.

The Reformist: Masoud Pezeshkian, 69

A heart surgeon and one of the few reformist lawmakers in Irans hard liner-dominated parliament, Pezeshkian is a veteran politician from the moderate bloc and a former minister under reformist ex-President Mohammad Khatami. The Guardian Councils approval of his candidacy has surprised many, because moderates have been largely marginalized from politics since the collapse of the 2015 deal with world powers over Irans atomic activities.

Javad Zarif, Irans former foreign minister  who became the global face of Irans efforts to secure that landmark accord  has joined Pezeshkians campaign team to draw more moderate voters to polling stations. He appeared alongside Pezeskhian in a live TV debate last week, his first major public appearance since being pushed out of politics in 2021.

Some prominent reformists have said Pezeshkians presence on the ballot could inspire disillusioned voters and boost turnout, yet the faction has lost a lot of credibility and support over recent years. Younger voters, who led uprisings against the Islamic regime in 2019 and 2022, believe moderates like Khatami and later, Hassan Rouhani, arent strong enough to challenge hard liners at the top of powerful institutions like the judiciary and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Hard Liner: Saeed Jalili, 58

Jalili is making his third run at the top job in government and is probably the most conservative candidate on the ballot. A deeply religious man, he is resolutely anti-West and believes that Iran should eschew trade relationships with those countries, particularly in Europe. Hes suspicious of any efforts to improve ties with the US and believes Iran should prioritize its Islamic identity above all else.

Jalili is a longterm critic of the now-defunct nuclear deal and, as a former negotiator, was known for his tough stance during the talks. If hes elected, hes likely to steer Iran closer to Russia and Asian countries such as China. Ali Bagheri, the acting foreign minister, is a former colleague and ally.

Hes considered a frontrunner in the election in part due to his support among pious regime loyalists, but his insular view of the world means hes unlikely to be concerned about trying to free Iran from sanctions or reintegrating the Islamic Republic into the global economy. His radical views are deeply unpopular with educated, middle-class Iranians in the countrys urban centers.

The Operator: Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, 62

Former Tehran mayor and current parliament speaker Qalibaf is a serial presidential candidate standing for a fourth time. A former IRGC commander and the ex-head of Irans police force, hes been criticized for his role in beating and suppressing student protesters in 1999 and the early 2000s.

Qalibaf likes to frame himself as both a traditional family man and modernizer at the same time, yet is widely thought to have amassed a personal fortune, either through institutional links or big infrastructure projects. His familys wealth has raised questions about his finances and hes been accused of corruption, which he denies. Hes known for some very conservative views and has called for public sidewalks to be gender segregated.

Along with Jalili, hes one of the frontrunners because of his ties to the IRGC and fierce loyalty to Khamenei. While he has a lot of support in conservative areas, such as his home province of Razavi Khorasan, moderate-minded voters are likely to be less enamored.

The Cleric: Mostafa Pourmohammadi, 64

The only cleric on the ballot, Pourmohammadi has been close to the religious establishment since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and was appointed a judge in Irans southern port city of Bandar Abbas when he was just 20 years old, according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency. Like Raisi, hes a conservative cleric with a reputation for administering harsh punishments and human-rights groups including Amnesty International have accused him of playing an important role in the mass execution of hundreds of political dissidents in the 1980s.

He is likely to gain limited support from voters in the countrys urban centers but may be seen elsewhere as a safe pair of hands because of his proximity to the establishment and religious credentials.

As the lone theologian in the race, his candidacy might raise questions about whether he is looking to eventually succeed Khamenei as Supreme Leader. He will be seen as a law and order candidate because of his experience running both the justice and interior ministries and his campaign has so far focused on his anti-corruption work, having previously run Irans top public audit office.

The Rest: Alireza Zakani, 58, and Amirhossein Ghazizadeh Hashemi, 53

Zakani, the mayor of Tehran, is the most radical and right-wing candidate on the ballot. Hes never held a senior government position and has been disqualified from running in two previous presidential elections. He is a very religious politician known for his intolerance.

Ghazizadeh Hashemi is one of Irans vice-presidents and is head of the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, which provides financial support and loans to veterans and the families of fallen soldiers. A surgeon by training, he was previously a lawmaker for Mashhad, Irans second-largest and holiest city. He was once spokesman for the same hard line, radical political party as Jalili and may decide to step aside in order to avoid splitting their vote.

--With assistance from Arsalan Shahla and Gina Turner.

(Updates subheadlines and introduction with latest state-run polling agency results; adds details in fifth paragraph.)

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The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) says it isn't surprised that a top official of the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) has been charged with fraud.This simply underlined their belief that some IEC officials were not worthy to ensure that the elections were free and fair. This is after the IEC's Nomsa Masuku appeared in a Johannesburg court on Friday on a fraud charge arising from her previous employment at Standard Bank.Masuku, who was the head of Standard Bank's Corporate social investment programme (CSI), was one of the founders of the bank's Adopt A School Scholarship Trust chaired by Cyril Ramaphosa established in March 2011.While the IEC sought to downplay the court appearance, the MKP's Musa Mkhize said it emphasised their concerns that some of the individuals that were part of the IEC were not worthy to oversee the election."Now when you have an individual who is charged with fraud, what does that say about the credibility of the process and the result?" said Mkhize.He said Masuku's case would be part of the evidence the MKP would seek to use when their elections dispute was heard in court.Bishop Maroti Mashashane, president of African Amalgamated Restorative Movement (AARM), also expressed shock at Masuku's court appearance, adding that this raised further suspicions about the swift announcement of the election result despite opposition from some parties.The AARM was one of the parties that opposed the declaration of the results, citing irregularities.Mashashane also noted that the National Prosecuting Authority appeared to have had knowledge of Masuku's questionable past but had sought to delay taking action against her."On Friday in court, the NPA stated that they had an arrangement with this fraudster that they would only charge her after the results had been declared, and now we know why the rush at the expense of fair and free elections," he said.He added that Masuku's court appearance amplified their support for the rerun of elections, especially to give all citizens who were turned back unfairly their right to vote."How can we declare free and fair elections delivered by fraudsters who lack integrity?"If Standard Bank only noticed her R1.2 million fraud after she left, how much rigging will only be noticed after she leaves the IEC, and who knows if she corrupted all officials? Hence, they did not even excuse her when they were informed of her allegations," he said.Masuku was granted R20 000 bail and will be back in court on September 4.
A balloon carrying various objects including what appeared to be trash, believed to have been sent by North Korea, is pictured at the sea off Incheon

SEOUL (Reuters) -Among the trash that balloons carried over the border from North were articles printed with Hello Kitty characters, badly worn clothing, and soil containing traces of human faeces and parasites, South Korea said on Monday.

North Korea has flown balloons carrying trash since late May, with hundreds landing in South Korea. South Korea deployed military explosives units and chemical and biological warfare teams to inspect the objects.

The items also included clothes that had been donated from the South that were slashed and cut up, and general trash that appeared to be hastily collected, the South's Unification Ministry, which handles the North, said in a report.

North Korea has said the balloons were retaliation for a propaganda campaign by North Korean defectors and activists in the South who regularly send over balloons carrying food, medicine, money and leaflets criticising the North's leaders.

Parasites and human DNA were found in the dirt in some of the plastic bags, which shows it contained fertilizer that used human faeces, the ministry unification ministry said.

North Korea, which suffers a chronic food shortage, depended on South Korea for massive shipments of chemical fertilizer until such aid was suspended in 2007 as Pyongyang accelerated weapons development.

The trash contained worn items of clothing with Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and Hello Kitty characters as well as socks, gloves and children's clothes that had been heavily patched up, masks with fabric stitched by hand and two layers of shirts sewn together.

Late on Monday, South Korea's military said the North has launched balloons that appeared to carry trash. North Korea last week warned it would send more balloons carrying trash.

(Reporting by Jack Kim, Hyunsu Yim and Ju-min Park. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
She died doing what she always does: helping, says her father, Tommy Weems

Callie Weems/Facebook Callie Weems in her nursing scrubs with her 10-month-old daughter, Ivy.

When gunfire erupted at the small town Arkansas grocery store on the morning of Friday, June 21, a nurse rushed to the aid of one of the fallen.

Instead of fleeing from the obvious danger, Callie Weems, 23, was fatally struck as she tried to render life-saving aid to another gunshot victim, Colonel Mike Hagar of the Arkansas State Police said at a press conference over the weekend.

During the incident, we observed the very best and the very worst of humanity, said Hagar, commending the young womans selfless actions" during the mass shooting.

Weems  the mother of a 10-month old baby girl  was the third generation in her family to pursue a career in nursing.

She died doing what she always does: helping, her father, Tommy Weems, told The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Ouachita County Detention Center Travis Eugene Posey in mugshot taken June 21, 2024.

Related: 3 Dead, Multiple Others Shot at Arkansas Grocery Store, Police Say

The suspect, Travis Eugene Posey, 44 had no personal connection with any of the 14 gunshot victims, according to Hagar.

It was just a completely random, senseless act, he said.



The suspect will be charged with four counts of capital murder, with additional charges pending, Arkansas State Police said in a Sunday, June 23 press release. (His online booking record lists capital murder and attempted capital murder.)



The suspect allegedly opened fire at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, Ark., around 11:38 a.m., according to Arkansas State Police.

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Exiting his truck, he immediately began engaging victims in the parking lot Hagar said, adding that once inside he was firing indiscriminately at both customers and employees, who Hagar called targets of opportunity.

Police arrived less than three minutes from the first shot and apprehended the suspect within less than five minutes, according to Hagar.

In that short time, 15 people  12 civilians, two police officers and the suspect  were shot, according to police.

Ellen Shrum, 81, Roy Sturgis, 50, and Shirley Taylor, 62, also died from their injuries.

Of the surviving civilian victims  five women and three men ranging in age from 20 to 65  five remain hospitalized, including one critically, as of Sunday, June 23.

GoFundMe; Facebook (3) Clockwise: Callie Weems, 23, Shirley Taylor, 62, Roy Sturgis, 50, and Ellen Shrum, 81.

Fordyce Police Officer James Johnson, 31, was treated for a gunshot wound and released from the hospital Saturday night. Jacob Murry, 26  of both the Fordyce Police Department and the Dallas County Sheriffs Office  was also treated for minor injuries related to gunfire, police said in a series of press releases.

The suspect  who sustained non-life-threatening injuries during a gunfire exchange with law enforcement  was treated and booked into Ouachita County Detention Center at 6:26 p.m. Friday, according to police and his online booking record.

Ainsley Platt/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette via AP

A court date has not been set, per his booking record, and it was not immediately clear if he had retained a defense lawyer.



Weems who enjoyed riding horses in her spare time  was called Woodrow for the character of the same name in the Western book and TV series Lonesome Dove, her father told The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

About an hour before gunfire broke out in the tight-knit Fordyce, Ark. community of some 3,200 people, Weems was texting with her mother, Helen Browning, the 53-year-old told the Associated Press in a phone interview over the weekend.

Go Fund Me Callie Weems, with her infant daughter, Ivy.

In the text exchange, Weems told her mother excitedly that her infant daughter had finally let her sleep in until 9 that morning.

I bet you feel like a new mom, her own mother responded in what would ultimately be their last conversation.

Browning, who now plans to raise her 10-month-old granddaughter, Ivy, told the AP that the little girl would grow up to know that her mother loved her, and that she was the sunshine of mommas eyes.

Timber Harmon, a friend of Weems', created a GoFundMe page to help Browning with the cost of her funeral and Ivys future expenses.

Calling the young nurse a phenomenal mom and a hero, Harmon added on the campaign page: She died trying to save someone else. What a special friend we all had!

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Editors Note: This article has been updated to correct the description of Black Mountain as part of northern San Diego County.

UPDATE: Search for missing hiker at Black Mountain enters second day

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Authorities are searching for a woman who went missing while hiking on Black Mountain in Rancho Penasquitos Sunday morning.

According to the San Diego Police Department, 50-year-old Diem Le Nguyen was reportedly last seen around 9:30 a.m. on Nighthawk Trail on Black Mountain, in northern San Diego County. The address to the trailhead is 9711 Oviedo Way.

Authorities have been searching all day with helicopters and a drone unit, along with the sheriffs search and rescue team.

Police say the woman was with a group of about 100 hikers and was seen in a livestream at the top of the mountain, but had become separated from the group. She hasnt been seen since.

Due to the extreme weather and difficulty of the trail, the police department said she is considered missing at risk. This comes as much of the region was under a heat advisory Sunday.

With the heat advisory this weekend, its extremely hot, dehydration is very much a big factor for this. Theres not a lot of shade on that trail, its just low-lying brush. So the heat will get to you very quickly, plus the elevation gain of a couple hundred feet from here, said Officer Darius (DJ) Jamsetjee with the San Diego Police Department.

Le Nguyen is described as an Asian woman who stands around 5 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 105 pounds. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a black shirt with a pink heart on the front, black pants, a brown hat and sunglasses. She was also carrying a backpack.

Police say they havent yet found any items of hers on the trail, but neighbors have been sending in tips.

We do have a lot of community members calling in possible sightings throughout the various neighborhoods that surround this area. Our officers through the northeastern division are investigating each of those leads and are following up to try and hopefully track down where she is, said Officer Jamsetjee.

Diem Le Nguyen

Roger Sunahara says he hikes this area weekly, and when he heard a hiker was missing, he came to help.

Were taking lots of fluids and goos and stuff just in case we do find her and shes dehydrated and needs assistance. In the meantime, we have our cell phones, and theres good reception which is great, said Sunahara.

Sunahara says he knows the hike and area very well, and that the about 3 to 4 mile trail she was last seen on is an open area.

As long as youre staying on the trail youre going to be fine. Theyre pretty wide open, theres not a lot of trees so you cant really get lost. If you took the wrong trail and you try to get back and you slipped and tripped or something, thats always a possible scenario, and with this heat and its been a while, I could see that being dangerous, said Sunahara.

Several members of the group she was hiking with were still at the trail Sunday night.

Police are asking people who live in the surrounding areas to check your ring cameras to see if she may have wandered off.

Because of the heat this weekend and now that its nighttime, there is an increased sense of urgency to find the missing hiker. She has been missing for over 12 hours at this point.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts or who may have seen her on the trail is encouraged to call 911.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
After a California hiker was found after being stranded in the Santa Cruz Mountains for 10 days, he shared the survival tactics which ensured his safe return home.

Lukas McClish, 34, set off on June 11 for a hike that was supposed to last only three hours. He didnt even wear a shirt on his fateful journey. I left with just a pair of pants, and my pair of hiking shoes, and a hat. I had a flashlight, and a pair of folding scissors, like a Leatherman tool. And that was about it, McClish explained to ABC 7 Los Angeles.

McClish was eventually reported missing on June 17 after he failed to show up for a planned Fathers Day dinner. He was rescued last Thursday.

McClish said he survived his terrifying 10 days stranded in the mountains by eating wild berries, sleeping on beds of wet leaves, and drinking one gallon of water each day out of his own boot.

I just make sure I drank a gallon of water every day, but then after, getting close to the end of it, my body needed food and some kind of sustenance, McClish told the outlet. I [would] go up a canyon, down a canyon to the next waterfall and sit down by the waterfall and drink water out of my boot, he explained of his daily routine.

McClish said that, while stranded, he screamed continuously for help to no avail. Just Help, help. Im over here, he recalled. Or, Is anybody out there? I want a burrito and a taco bowl,'" he joked. Thats what I thought about every day after the first five days, when I started to kind of realize that I might be in over my head.

After McClishs family reported him missing on June 17, they spent an agonizing four and a half days searching with authorities before they found him Thursday afternoon in Big Basin State Park.

There were multiple reports of witnesses hearing someone yelling for help, but the location of that person was hard to establish, Cal Fire San MateoSanta Cruz wrote in a social media post following McClishs rescue.

McClish was uninjured from the episode, but said that he was slightly sore and had lost his voice. He recalled the amazing moment he saw boot and paw prints from rescue crews and their search dogs. It was just really humbling and I dont know, it was an awesome experience, McClish said of his rescue. "I did enough hiking for probably the whole rest of the year."

"Me too," McClishs father responded. "We've all hiked a lot," his mother agreed.
Snow White Cafe, a Disney-themed restaurant and bar in the heart of Hollywood that has been in business for more than 75 years appears to be gone for good.

Located at 6769 Hollywood Boulevard next door to the Hollywood Wax Museum, the vintage cafe first opened in 1946. It served up classic American fare with a large selection of beers on tap in a unique fairy-tale setting.

The cafe featured a mural of Snow White above the door with the message, We hope we have pleased you, Discover Los Angeles reported. There were also paintings of the films dwarfs on the wall that, like the Snow White mural, were created by actual Disney animators.

The cafe was originally opened by a friend of Walt Disneys, who asked Disney animators to paint murals on the walls, the restaurants website says. The murals depict scenes from the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and they are still on display today.

Not anymore.

A photo of a Snow White mural adorning the wall of Snow White Cafe in Hollywood seen in this undated image. (credit: Brian Donnelly)

A painting of one of the seven dwarfs from Disneys Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on the wall at Snow White Cafe in this undated photo. (Snow White Cafe)

A painting of one of the seven dwarfs from Disneys Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs seen on the wall at Snow White Cafe in this undated photo. (credit: Brian Donnelly)

A painting of one of the seven dwarfs from Disneys Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs seen on the wall at Snow White Cafe in this undated photo. (credit: Brian Donnelly)

The interior of Snow White Cafe in Hollywood seen in this undated photo. (credit: Brian Donnelly)

A vintage undated photo of Snow White Cafe seen here. (Snow White Cafe)

An interior photo of Snow White Cafe in Hollywood, founded in 1946, seen in this undated image. (credit: Brian Donnelly)

Exterior of Snow White Cafe on Hollywoods Walk of Fame seen in this undated photo. (credit: Brian Donnelly)

Pedestrians walk dogs past the Snow White Cafe on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on Thursday, April 2, 2020. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg via Getty Images

With a caption on Facebook reading only, Goodbye Snow White Cafe, Vintage Los Angeles posted at least one picture that appears to show the interior of the restaurant completely gutted and, from what can be seen in the photo, the iconic Snow White murals gone.

Calls to the iconic Hollywood restaurant went to a number that appears to be disconnected.

A call to the Hollywood Wax Museum next door on Sunday did not yield much information, but an employee there confirmed that the restaurant, which lists its hours as 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. daily, would normally be open.

KTLA has also emailed Snow White Cafe and is awaiting a response.

If reports of the restaurants closure are true, it will be the second iconic Hollywood eatery to close its doors this month. The Arbys Roast Beef franchise at 5920 Sunset Boulevard closed after 55 years in business.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Angelo Amante

ROME (Reuters) - The Amerigo Vespucci, which Italians call the world's most beautiful ship, is taking a taste of its homeland on a round-the-world tour, with temporary expositions at several stops showcasing Italian products and heritage, authorities said.

Tall ship Vespucci, named after the explorer who gave his name to America, is a navy boat that entered service in 1931. Some 2,700 square metres (29,000 square feet) of sails are tied to its three masts, and it has a crew of over 260 sailors, supplemented by trainees.

It set off from Genoa in northern Italy last July for its first world tour in 20 years, which will take it to over 30 ports in five continents to help provide training for those onboard.

The national expos, dubbed Italy villages, will be established in eight ports and the first is to be set up in Los Angeles next week, the defence ministry said on Monday.

"We managed to link the history of the Vespucci to Italy, to turn an ancient thing into something that can be a driving force for the present," Minister Guido Crosetto told a news conference.

Other events will be staged in cities including Tokyo, Singapore, Mumbai and Darwin, in Australia.

Pavilions will overlook the main square of the Italy villages, where visitors will be able to watch cooking shows, conferences and exhibitions, while also getting onboard the Vespucci.

The Los Angeles expo will also feature a show by the Frecce Tricolori, the aerobatics team of the Italian air force, the ministry said.

The Vespucci has completed about half of the tour stops and is expected to return to Italian waters in March 2025. In April, it passed through Cape Horn, the closest land mass to Antarctica at the tip of South America, for the first time in its history.

Ship commander Giuseppe Lai, who was connected via a video link from the vessel currently sailing off Mexico, said the Vespucci was receiving particular attention from people of Italian origins living around the world.

"We have what it takes to represent Italy," he said.

(Reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Mark Potter)
(FOX40.COM)  A man was arrested for a DUI on Saturday night after police learned he was involved in a hit-and-run in Northern California.

According to the Fairfield Police Department, the hit-and-run occurred around 8 p.m. at East Tabor Avenue and San Gabriel Street.

When officers arrived at the scene, they were able to gather witness statements near Grange Middle School and Bluebird Way, which led to them quickly locating the suspect on Thrush Way, about a mile north of the middle school.

Several DUI checkpoints to come in Northern California, heres when

Twenty-nine-year-old Saul Tolentino Chavez was arrested by Fairfield police when officers found him on foot and discovered he was under the influence.

Chavez was booked on multiple charges, including DUI and driving with a suspended license, police added.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
Greece: Warning issued to tourists as 'high temperatures will be more and more frequent'

Greece: Warning issued to tourists as 'high temperatures will be more and more frequent'

Tourists and visitors to Greece have been warned not to "take unnecessary risks" in the wake of the deaths of Europeans during the recent heatwave.

Three tourists were found dead in just one week, more went missing and today a 68-year-old German man was found unresponsive on the Greek island of Crete.

Greece has been hit by its earliest ever heatwave, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees. The Greek Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis put this down to the climate crisis saying, "People need to understand that climate change is happening and that they need to be very careful".

Greece's geography and proximity to Africa are some of the factors that make it particularly vulnerable to the effects of human-caused climate change. Read more on why Greece is warming so fast.

Don't 'underestimate' the impact of extreme heat

The government minister said, "We have had cases of foreign travellers who lost their lives in Greece. They lost their lives because they underestimated the phenomenon [of climate change]".

He went on to say holidaymakers need to be "very careful" while visiting the country as it grapples with soaring temperatures, and to not take "unnecessary risks".

While tourist attractions such as the Acropolis frequently close to protect visitors, the tourists who have died had mostly gone out walking at the height of the day's heat.

Read our guide to expert advice on hiking in hot weather.

Watch out for the signs of heat stroke

Confusion, difficulty in making decisions and an altered perception of risk are a few of the warning signs that you may be suffering from the effects of heat.

According to experts, getting into the shade or a cool place, drinking water and seeking medical help are the best options.

There are certain populations who are especially in danger during heatwaves. Babies, young children, people with pre-existing health conditions and the elderly should take particular care to stay indoors.

See more of Greece's heatwave in the video above.
A Korean Air flight had to be diverted due to a severe fault on Saturday after it descended 26,900ft in just 15 minutes, resulting in the hospitalisation of 17 passengers.

Passengers on the Korean Air flight KE189 finally arrived safely in Taichung, Taiwan, a day after it was diverted back to the Incheon International Airport.

Nearly 50 minutes into the flight on Saturday, a fault in the Boeing 737 Max 8s pressurisation system reportedly triggered alarms inside the flight. As a result, the aircraft rapidly descended 26,900 feet in just 15 minutes, according to online flight tracker Flightradar24s data.

Passengers reportedly experienced hyperventilation and ear pain, with 17 people requiring hospitalisation upon landing in Taichung, Taiwan. Korean Air, in a statement shared with The Independent, said: 17 passengers have been attended to by medical professionals in Korea, and have been discharged without severe injuries.

The flight with 125 passengers onboard was scheduled to fly to Taiwan at around 4.45pm local time on 22 June. The flight circled back to Incheon Airport three hours after takeoff due to the emergency, according to Korea JoongAng Daily.

The plane returned to its departing airport at 7.38pm, Yonhap news agency reported.

Despite the frightening ordeal, there were no major injuries reported. The flight resumed the next morning with a different aircraft, following investigations into the incident by Korean Air.

Passengers described scenes of panic and distress onboard, with oxygen masks deployed and children crying during the sudden descent. One passenger, who was identified as Tseng by The Taipei Times, told the outlet that children on the flight were crying when oxygen masks were deployed during the flights plunge.

He said he was afraid that the plane might hit the ground.

Meanwhile, a Korean Air spokesperson was reported as saying that the airline is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the pressurisation system malfunction, intending to address any maintenance issues before returning the aircraft to service.

Earlier this year, a Korean Airlines plane came into contact with a Cathay Pacific Airways aircraft at New Chitose Airport on Japans northern island of Hokkaido. There were no injuries.

Last year, Korean Air confirmed on its website that it would be measuring the average weight of passengers along with their carry-on items for flight safety. It followed a similar move announced by Air New Zealand in June last year.

Earlier this month, Singapore Airlines offered compensation to all passengers who were injured after a flight to London suffered extreme air turbulence last month.

The airline sent emails offering $10,000 (7,800) each to passengers who sustained minor injuries. It said it was open to discussing further compensation for those who suffered more serious injuries.

The SQ321 flight from Bangkok to London suffered severe turbulence over Myanmar, causing it to instantly plunge 178ft.

Korean Air said: We are fully cooperating with all relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. We have provided comprehensive support to affected passengers, including accommodation, meals, and transportation arrangements.

Korean Air also apologised to all affected by this incident.
HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD)  A day before the two-year anniversary of the overturn of Roe v. Wade, activists rallied in Holland, hoping to raise awareness in the community.

Monday marks two years since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion.

The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Heres the state of abortion rights now in the US

In Holland, activists gathered Sunday afternoon to mark the anniversary. They marched from Unity Bridge to Centennial Park.

Today, were working just to bring some awareness that our reproductive rights, our body autonomy is still under fire, activist Jenn Manninen said. We are trying to bring some awareness in Holland, in a space that is particularly known for being more Christian, pro-life. And we want to let people in our community know that we are here to support you. We are here to fight for rights of all peoples body autonomy.

Activists march in Holland one day before the two-year anniversary of the overturn of Roe v. Wade. (June 23, 2024)

Activists march in Holland one day before the two-year anniversary of the overturn of Roe v. Wade. (June 23, 2024)

As they marched, attendees chanted, No justice, no peace.

A lot of people, when they talk about Roe v. Wade being overturned, theyre scared for our future, Mariah Stewart, another activist, told News 8. We cannot be scared. We have to make a change.

Many marchers held signs, bearing messages like I march for my daughter and yours and Keep abortion safe and legal.

We trust people to know whats best for their bodies and to make decisions between them and their doctor. That health care, abortion, all of that is a human right, Manninen said. We all deserve to make those choices. I dont know whats best for someone else, and I dont expect them to know whats best for me.

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ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM)  A homeless man was arrested after police say he stole a motorcycle in Elmira and was involved in a police chase.

Edward W. Robinson, 33, was arrested on June 21. According to the Chemung County Sheriffs Office, someone saw Robinson stealing their motorcycle near Burger King on Lake Street at about 10:30 p.m. on Friday. The motorcycles owner followed Robinson, who fled north out of the City of Elmira.

Allegany County man arrested on murder charge after Woodhull shooting

The Elmira Heights Police attempted to stop Robinson on Lake Road in the Town of Elmira, but he didnt stop. Police then started a pursuit, and the Chemung County Sheriffs Office assisted in the area of Lake Road and Lenox Avenue. The chase continued into the Village of Horseheads where Robinson was taken into police custody without resisting. The motorcycle was not damaged during the pursuit.

Robinson was taken to Arnot Ogden Hospital, examined, and released. He was then arrested by the Chemung County Sheriffs Office.

Two arrested on manslaughter charges in 2023 fentanyl death of 2-year-old son

Robinson was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property (a class E felony) and four class A misdemeanors: unlawfully fleeing a police officer, second-degree obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest, and third-degree unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was also issued 14 traffic tickets.

Robinsons charges were read in the Veteran Town Court and he was taken to the Chemung County Jail because he had prior felony convictions and was a parole absconder from New York State Parole.

The Elmira Heights Police Department and the Horseheads Police Department assisted the Chemung County Sheriffs Office with this arrest.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
A June 24, 2024, view of a home destroyed by flooding the previous night at McCook Lake in southeast South Dakota. (Courtesy of Dirk Lohry)

A June 24, 2024, view of a home destroyed by flooding the previous night at McCook Lake in southeast South Dakota. (Courtesy of Dirk Lohry)

Homes were ruined, roads were washed out, sinkholes opened up, a railroad bridge was destroyed, and rescuers worked through Sunday night into Monday morning to save people from rising floodwaters in the McCook Lake area of southeastern South Dakota.

It looks like the Grand Canyon here, and its just pouring in. What a disaster, said McCook Lake Association President Dirk Lohry while kayaking the lake and surveying the damage Monday morning. He waded through trash and navigated currents that he said rivaled the Missouri River.

The lake is a 273-acre, horseshoe-shaped body of water ringed by homes around its northern shore. Its just west of Interstate 29, while the Big Sioux River is just east of the interstate and the Missouri River is a short distance to the south.

As of Monday morning, the water on McCook Lake was still rising and was already 10 feet above normal levels, Lohry estimated. While dozens of homes were flooded near the lake, several more were under threat as the water continued to rise.

The state, North Sioux City and private contractors built a levee Sunday evening across the interstate at Exit 4 in an effort to tie it in with other protective structures and reduce impacts to North Sioux City from the Big Sioux, which is swollen from three days of rain last week.

Gov. Kristi Noem, speaking at a Monday morning press conference in North Sioux City, said the Big Sioux rose higher and faster than authorities anticipated Sunday as they were mobilizing the effort.

The river crested at a record 44.98 feet overnight, according to a gauge in North Sioux City, surpassing that segments old record from 2014 by 7.28 feet. Noem said the crest was 2 feet higher and came 17 hours sooner than an earlier forecast.

We expected that we had overnight to build a levee, Noem said, adding, and then within an hour that had changed dramatically. We had to build that levee within a few hours.

The Big Sioux River at Sioux City rose rapidly on June 23, 2024, and set a new record crest, as shown in this graph. (Courtesy of NOAA)

The state Department of Transportation closed a portion of Interstate 29 at 6 p.m. Sunday to build the levee. Noem said workers used sandbags as the water rose but soon switched to truckloads of clay offered by a local resident.

Noem said a levee was built in the same location during a 2014 flood, and water never reached it. This time it did, and Noem said the levee did divert water.

State and local authorities did not immediately have a count on the number of homes destroyed at McCook Lake. Union County Emergency Management Director Jason Westcott said rescuers conducted two sweeps of McCook Lake and would do a third, and he was feeling pretty comfortable that almost everybody is out of that area.

Westcott said work was underway Monday morning to open a donation site in North Sioux City, to open a shelter for displaced residents, and to draft a debris management plan for the cleanup. He encouraged people to check Union County Emergency Managements Facebook page for updated information.

Were also asking everyone  this includes residents  to stay out of the flooded areas, Westcott said. A lot of these flooded areas are very dangerous at this time.

The flooding resulted from 10 to 15 inches of rain that fell from Thursday to Saturday in the hardest-hit area of southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota, with totals exceeding 17 inches in some locations. Twenty-one of South Dakotas 66 counties experienced flooding, and the National Weather Service reported Monday that June 20-21 was the wettest two-day period ever recorded in Sioux Falls (6.49 inches) and Mitchell (7.7 inches).

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)

Noem said Sunday that at least one person had died as a result of the flooding, but she declined to provide further details on the death. The state Department of Public Safety separately reported that an 87-year-old man died Saturday near Harrisburg when he accidentally backed a utility terrain vehicle over a washed-out road section. The department confirmed Monday that the 87-year-old mans death was the one Noem was referencing.

The heavy rainfall filled rivers and creeks that run south and east to the Missouri River in the southeast corner of the state, putting McCook Lake, North Sioux City and Dakota Dunes in the crosshairs of the collected floodwater. Authorities issued a voluntary evacuation order for the Dakota Dunes area Sunday.

The road in front of Morgan Speichingers McCook Lake home was washed away overnight. Her familys house is flooded. Some of her neighbors homes are almost entirely submerged, and another is split in half.

Speichinger evacuated with her husband, two toddlers and dogs before the water reached her home, alerting neighbors to evacuate as well.

There was nobody telling people that water was in our backyards, Speichinger said. Within 30 minutes of us seeing the water and leaving, there was water in our basement.

Beyond the damage at McCook Lake, Westcott, the local emergency manager, said some damage in other areas was prevented.

What occurred yesterday was a result of a mitigation effort, Westcott said Monday morning. Mitigation is designed to lessen the effects of flooding in our area, and also lessen the effects on critical infrastructure. If we did not take the mitigation effects that we took yesterday, much of North Sioux City would be under water.

But that diverted water went straight into McCook Lake and into Speichingers backyard, she said. Her house was delisted from the flood zone a few years ago after officials reviewed and updated a flood map, so she doesnt have flood insurance. Shes worried that the actions of Gov. Kristi Noem and other authorities  or lack thereof  have cost her family their home and that they wont find an acceptable replacement.

Gov. Kristi Noem leads a press conference June 23, 2024, in North Sioux City on flooding in the area. (Courtesy of Governor's Office)

Im pretty mad at Kristi, because she makes it sound like they did a great thing, but in reality it hurt a huge part of our community, Speichinger said. They said they had this plan set in place since at least the previous flood. Im angry that they saved the Dunes and the business district but not us.

Lohry said that his association attempted to have city officials review the diversion plan in 2014, but lamented that they didnt push hard enough and that their concerns fell on deaf ears. Officials should review the plan now, he said.

Scott Vetos lakeside house hadnt flooded yet Monday morning, but his pontoon and lift were on the other side of the lake. While the state did build a levee, it wasnt fast enough to help McCook Lake residents, he said.

This was intentional. This is basically a triage thing, Vetos said. To us, living on the lake, were not happy about the Lets flood McCook Lake and save Sioux City move.

Lohry estimates that once the water stops flowing into McCook Lake, the water level will drop about an inch per day. He said itll take months for the lakes residents to return to normal.

Beyond the damage around McCook Lake, Noem said Monday that a BNSF Railway bridge on the Big Sioux River had been destroyed by the flooding.

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Noem encouraged everyone affected by floods to document their damages and share the information with their insurance provider and local emergency manager. She said that information will help the state prepare its application for aid to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson attended the Monday press briefing and said he and the states two U.S. senators will press hard for federal support.

Having seen some of the damage, having a sense of how high these waters are, I would be surprised if there will not be a robust federal assistance when we talk about recovery, Johnson said.

Some Missouri River tributaries  including the James and Vermillion rivers  were still rising Monday, with crests not expected until later this week. State Geologist Tim Cowman said the varying pace of crests on those rivers should help prevent further damage in the McCook Lake, North Sioux City and Dakota Dunes area.

It will take a while for that water to get down here, Cowman said. Our feeling is that the Big Sioux will obviously be past its crest and will have dropped enough that well be seeing drops in the Missouri by the time those pulses from the James and the Vermillion get here. So I dont anticipate that the Missouri River later in this week would get any higher than it is today, and actually would be lower than it is today.

Noem welcomed those projections but cautioned against complacency.

As you can tell, clearly, things change quickly.

The state Department of Transportation, meanwhile, said the I-29 closure was extended Monday morning between exits 2 and 26. A lengthy detour has been established with maps available on sd511.org.

EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated since its initial publication with further information about the one known flood-related death, and about new rainfall records.

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The post Homes and roads in McCook Lake area ravaged by flooding appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A man was arrested at the Salt Lake City International Airport on Sunday in connection to the May 2024 shooting death of a 30-year-old, according to police.

Nay Blusoe, 21, was arrested on one charge of aggravated murder, as well as one count of obstruction of justice. He was apprehended at the airport after returning to Salt Lake City on Sunday, according to the Salt Lake Police Department.

PREVIOUS STORY: 1 dead after W. Fortune Rd. shooting in Glendale, police asking witnesses for help

According to police, after Blusoe was identified as one of the shooters, detectives learned that he had left Utah after the incident and made his way to Detroit, Michigan. At the airport, homicide detectives and officers with the Airport Division of SLCPD safely arrested Blusoe.

Blusoe was taken into custody just days after another suspect  Abdihakim Mohamed, 19  was arrested in connection to the death of Nico Christopher Patino, 30. On May 26, Patino died at the scene after officers responded to reports of a shooting.

Detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Departments Homicide Squad responded and through their investigation, determined the killing of Patino to be a coordinated effort with several shooters on foot and in a car, SLCPD said in a press release.

RELATED: 19-year-old arrested for May shooting death in Glendale

Police said the investigation is still ongoing, and more people may be arrested. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation.

Police said they are not releasing further information at this time.

Anyone with information  including photos or videos  has been asked to call 801-799-3000. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be submitted through the City Protect App and reference case number 24-113488.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 25: Anti-abortion and abortion rights activists protest on multiple floors within the Indiana State Capitol rotunda on July 25, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)

A new poll by Our Choice Coalition, an abortion-rights political action committee, shows 64% of surveyed Hoosiers believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases and 58% believe Indianas current abortion ban is too restrictive.

The survey, conducted in May among 1,275 registered voters in Indiana, is nearly equally divided among Democrats and Republicans as well as by gender and age.

This polling shows Hoosiers overwhelmingly oppose our lawmakers actions and are ready to hold them accountable. The more Hoosier voters know about the states ban, the more they oppose it, said OCC Co-Founder and Board Chair Liane Groth Hulka.

Other highlights of the poll show:

78% want direct ballot access through an initiative or referendum on the states abortion policy;

70% are less likely to support incumbents who voted for the 2022 abortion ban;

72% are less likely to support incumbents who voted to block a referendum on the states abortion policy;

58% say abortion is very important or will be the most important issue for them in determining how they will vote this fall.

Indiana was the first state to enact a near-total ban on abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision legalizing abortion, in June 2022.

Indiana bans all abortions except in cases of rape or incest (if access to abortion is obtained in the first ten weeks), fatal fetal anomaly (if access to abortion is obtained in the first 20 weeks), or a serious risk to the health or life of the mother.

The poll also shows how Hoosiers feel about other reproductive health matters.

For instance, 95% oppose allowing access to medical records that include information about patients who received abortion. Other findings include:

94% oppose restricting access to birth control, including intrauterine devices (IUDs);

92% oppose making in-vitro fertilization (IVF) illegal;

80% oppose banning the use of mifepristone (the abortion pill) without exceptions; and

63% oppose granting personhood status to a fetus at conception.

The poll is believed to be the first deep dive into how Hoosier voters feel about abortion and reproductive rights since the enactment of the near total abortion ban of 2022.

The upcoming general election is the first statewide after the abortion ban went into effect.

During the midterm election of 2022 an Indiana circuit court stayed enactment of Senate Bill 1. It didnt officially go into effect until the Indiana Supreme Court reversed the lower court in June of 2023.

Our Choice Coalition is dedicated to electing candidates for state and local offices in Indiana who support access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion.

We urge candidates to educate their voters that a near-total abortion ban is in effect in Indiana and to advocate for direct ballot access. Our poll shows voters dont trust elected officials to make private reproductive health care decisions that should be left to individuals and their doctors. And they certainly understand that there are times abortion is necessary health care and not a choice made by individuals, Hulka said. The states near-total abortion ban is dangerously misaligned with the actual beliefs and health care needs of Hoosiers.

Of those surveyed, 39% said they voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 election for President and 48% voted for Donald Trump.

Thirty percent voted in this Mays primary election  11% in the Democratic primary and 19% in the Republican primary. More than 90% say they plan to vote in November.

The post Hoosier voters oppose strict abortion ban, new poll finds appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
FILE - Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, argues for an amendment at the start of House Judiciary Committee meetings at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 1, 2023. The House Ethics Committee said Monday, June 24, 2024, it was reviewing accusations that Hunt and Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, violated ethics rules by using campaign funds to pay membership dues at private social clubs. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The House Ethics Committee said Monday it was reviewing separate accusations against two Republican congressmen from Texas that allege they violated ethics rules by using campaign funds to pay membership dues at private social clubs.

The bipartisan panel released findings that Rep. Ronny Jackson's campaign committee had paid over $6,800 in membership dues to The Amarillo Club, a fine dining club and gym in downtown Amarillo. And the ethics committee also released a report on a separate probe that found Rep. Wesley Hunt's campaign had paid over $5,400 in dues to The Oak Room, a private social club in Houston.

The Ethics Committee said it will dig further into the payments, but that does not mean there are proven violations of ethics rules.

Attorneys for Hunt said in a response to the Ethics Committee that the congressman had not used the membership for personal use but instead for meetings with campaign donors and consultants. Hunt believed the Post Oak Club membership, which includes access to a meeting room, would be a more prudent use of campaign funds than a campaign office, his attorneys said.

Lawyers for Hunt pointed out that the Federal Election Commission allows candidates to use campaign funds for memberships in an organization that would have political interests, such as the Capitol Hill Club, a private Republican club that is steps from House offices, or the nearby National Democratic Club.

A spokeswoman for Jackson said the probe was based on a previous complaint from two years ago, that no new information had been raised and that his office had complied with the committee.

The Office of Congressional Ethics, which conducted the investigations, said that neither lawmaker agreed to cooperate with the reviews. The independent, non-partisan office is tasked with reviewing allegations made against members and other House staff and referring issues it finds to the House Committee on Ethics, which is comprised of lawmakers.

This is sadly not the first time the leftists at OCE (Office of Congressional Ethics) have decided to waste taxpayer dollars going after public servants for absolutely nothing, Jackson's office said in a statement.

Jackson has previously faced scrutiny. Before being elected to the House in 2020, he was a top White House physician under former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump and became known for his pronouncements about Trumps health.

Trump nominated him to be the secretary of Veterans Affairs, but withdrew his nomination amid allegations of professional misconduct. An internal investigation at the Department of Defense later concluded that Jackson made sexual and denigrating comments about a female subordinate, violated a policy on drinking alcohol on a presidential trip and took prescription-strength sleeping medication that prompted worries from his colleagues about his ability to provide proper medical care.

Jackson has denied those allegations and described them as politically motivated.

In the matter before the Ethics Committee, Jackson's campaign had paid monthly dues of about $175 to The Amarillo Club since 2021. Starting in April last year, the campaign disclosed the monthly payments as membership for exclusive campaign purposes, according to the committee report.

The social club, which also has a gym and gives members access to affiliated clubs across the country, says on its website that its members have created lasting bonds and a network of connections.

The House ethics manual instructs lawmakers not to use campaign funds for personal use, including to enhance their lifestyles or pay personal obligations. However, it gives them wide discretion in determining what counts as a campaign or political expense.
Charles H. Wright Museum | Susan J. Demas

House lawmakers last week approved legislation asking Wayne County residents to vote on a new millage to create the History Museum Authorities Act.

If the millage is approved, voters will be empowering the Wayne County Board of Commissioners to establish a history museum authority to provide funding support for historical museums owned by the city of Detroit, according to a news release from state Rep. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit), who sponsored the bill.

Additionally, the Detroit Historical Society  which operates the Detroit Historical Museum and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum  and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History  would also receive funding and support.

Weve heard testimony from leadership of both organizations in committee about the underfunding and large amounts of deferred maintenance for their museums. These cultural resources in our community deserve sustainable funding support. With this legislation, residents can enjoy the perks and access to the museums. This is similar to what places like The Detroit Zoo and the Detroit Institute of Arts already receive, Carter said in a statement.

House Bill 4177 passed the House Thursday along party lines, winning support from the chambers slim 56 member majority, as 53 Republicans voted against the bill, with one member not present and voting.

After the bill passed the House, state Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford) released a statement criticizing the legislation for potentially raising property taxes.

Property taxes should support essential community services, but this proposal could tax Oakland County homeowners to subsidize museums in Detroit that they may not ever visit, Harris said.

Taxpayers in our county are already subsidizing an art museum and metro-area buses regardless of whether we use them. People can voluntarily support historical education by paying museum admission or making donations. Oakland County residents dont need yet another property tax hike to pay for attractions outside our county, he said.

The post House passes legislation that could boost support for Detroit museums appeared first on Michigan Advance.
The House is diving into the fiscal 2025 government funding process this week, with three spending bills scheduled to hit the floor.

The trio of measures  funding the departments of Homeland Security, State, Defense and Foreign Operations  were all opposed by House Democrats in committee, meaning they are all but certain to be rejected in the Democratic-controlled Senate if they clear the lower chamber.

But House Republicans, nonetheless, are looking to pass the legislation to give them a leg up in eventual negotiations with the Senate over funding the government. The House thus far has passed one appropriations bill, funding military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Lawmakers are staring down a Sept. 30 funding deadline, though Congress is expected to pass a short-term stopgap bill to kick the shutdown cliff to after the November election.

This week will also feature a whos who of celebrities on Capitol Hill with former Olympian Michael Phelps, reality TV star Paris Hilton and country music singer Randy Travis set to testify before House committees on a variety of topics.

The Senate is out of session this week.

House to take up trio of spending bills

House lawmakers will weigh in on three government funding bills this week as Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) looks to make good on his rigorous schedule for the appropriations process.

The chamber will vote on legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security; the departments of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs; and the Department of Defense.

The bills are set to go before the House Rules Committee at 2 p.m. EDT Tuesday. More than 230 amendments were filed for the Homeland Security bill, several of which focus on the border; upward of 210 amendments were put forth for the State/Foreign Operations measure, with some focusing on Ukraine; and around 400 amendments were proposed for the Pentagon legislation.

The Rules Committee will determine which amendments receive votes on the floor.

The trio of bills all advanced out of the appropriations committee despite opposition from Democrats, meaning they are all but certain to languish in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Top House Republicans, however, are still moving forward with the votes, hoping the cleared legislation will put them on stronger footing during negotiations with the Senate down the road.

The votes this week also come as Johnson looks to meet the government funding timeline he laid out before he secured the top job in October.

Johnson, at the time, said he planned to complete House consideration of fiscal 2025 appropriations bills by July, an ambitious timeline amid the GOPs intraparty disagreements.

If the House does not clear all its appropriations bill by August recess, he said in October, the House should not break for the district work period.

The House has passed just one fiscal 2025 spending bill thus far  funding military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs  which the White House said it would veto if the measure made its way to President Bidens desk.

Michael Phelps, Paris Hilton, Randy Travis to testify

A handful of celebrities are set to testify on Capitol Hill this week, bringing attention to a variety of topics in Washington.

Michael Phelps, who has 23 Olympic swimming gold medals, is set appear before the House Energy and Commerces Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee about antidoping measures ahead of the 2024 Olympics.

The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. Phelps will be joined by fellow former Olympic swimmer Allison Schmitt and CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency Travis Tygart.

Olympic athletes dedicate years of their lives to perfect their craft in order to represent the United States on the world stage. They  as well as athletes from every other country  deserve to compete on a level playing field thats free of banned performance enhancing drugs, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) said in a statement last week.

The World Anti-Doping Agency, the governing body responsible for enforcing fair standards, has a questionable track record of fulfilling that mission, they continued. This hearing will give Members a chance to examine that track record, identify opportunities for improvement, and ensure that the best athletes are the ones taking home gold medals.

Paris Hilton, who is no stranger to Capitol Hill, is expected to testify before the House Ways and Means Committee about the abuse of foster youth who were placed in residential treatment facilities. She is also set to meet with lawmakers to discuss the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, legislation she has discussed in previous visits to the Capitol.

Additionally, Randy Travis  known for the country song Forever and Ever, Amen  Is set to appear before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet for a hearing focused on music and copyrights.

The hearing, titled Radio, Music and Copyrights: 100 Years of Inequity for Recording Artists, is scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. Travis will be joined by SoundExchange CEO Michael Huppe.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
For all the fanfare of Vladimir Putins visit to Kim Jong-un last week, there was something of a dance of the desperate. Both men needed each other, in their military adventures and posturings. Already millions of shells and rockets have been shipped from North Korea for the Ukraine war, according to US and South Korean intelligence.

They agreed for more military hardware and know-how to be exchanged, but that was on the cards anyway. Less obvious was the bargaining over employing North Korean manpower as Russias security problems become more urgent.

The news this weekend from Dagestan, the southern-most republic of the Russian Federation in the Caucasus, highlights the issue. Attacks by gunmen, well-trained and equipped (to judge by the first video images and eyewitness accounts), on a synagogue and churches have killed 16 policemen and an Orthodox priest, according to initial reports. Six gunmen were killed, officials say.

The signs are growing that Putin has a major manpower problem for the Ukraine special operation

Dagestan, with a population of around three million, is largely Muslim with a range of minorities and ethnic groups, the largest being Avars, roughly a third of the total  while the Russians are only three per cent. Derbent, where the synagogue was attacked, has a significant Jewish minority.

Russia is facing a spate of terrorist attacks. On March 22, some 145 were killed and 521 injured in a carefully choreographed attack at the Crocus City Concert Hall just outside Moscow. The attack by the four hitmen was admitted by the Islamic militants of the increasingly active Isis-Khorasan group, recently expelled by the Taliban from Afghanistan and now largely based in and around Tajikistan.

Initially, Kremlin media tried to blame Ukraine for the Crocus City attack, but that soon stalled. There has been a feeble attempt to link the Dagestan attacks to Ukraine this morning, but this has had no support from Moscow officialdom.

The signs are growing that Putin has a major manpower problem for the Ukraine special operation and an increasingly difficult and complex domestic security picture. There is the threat from Islamists, especially in the Caucasus. There are continuing reports of civil unrest in the remote border regions with China.

In Ukraine itself, Russias summer offensive is struggling  with the major assault on Kharkiv stalling.

Hence the need for extra manpower  to backfill all the low-level support roles. It might bring relief to the starving families of North Korean workers. Putin now has more than four million engaged in the Ukraine fight. In defence industry, support and combat, Putin now has more than four million engaged in the Ukraine fight.  and he is not winning.

Despite the rictus grin on the podiums in North Korea and Vietnam last week, beneath the mask Putin must be getting desperate. And when he gets desperate, he gets really dangerous.

Robert Fox is the Evening Standards defence editor
The Ukrainian military is set to be one of the first to use a so-called soft recoil artillery piece in combat, if it hasnt already, according to U.S. defense and automotive contractor AM General. The weapon could give Ukraines forces a useful new shoot-and-scoot artillery capability. How the self-propelled 105mm low-recoil howitzer performs in Ukraine might have impacts beyond the battlefields there, especially for the U.S. Army, which has had an on-again-off-again interest in weapons of this type. Mike Evans, AM Generals Director of Soft Recoil Technologies & Fires Programs, mentioned during a panel talk at the U.S. Field Artillery Associations Fires Symposium 2024 back in May. His comments only came to wider attention this past weekend after a video, seen below, from the symposium began circulating on social media. Evens does not mention the system in question by name in the clip, but AM General only publicly offers one soft recoil 105mm, the Hawkeye Mobile Howitzer System (MHS), mounted on an up-armored M1152 two-door cargo truck version of the 44 Humvee (sometimes referred to as a 2-CT type). "We recently put a 105 mm system into . We shipped it in April..We trained it for two weeks..That system is destined to be one of the first soft recoil systems in combat.. It's going into combat to test on live targets" Mike Evans AM General (US FA Association) #HAWKEYE pic.twitter.com/eIkYAuoSqd AirPower 2.0 (MIL_STD) (@AirPowerNEW1) June 22, 2024 Ill give you a recent experience that we have. We recently put a 105[mm] system into Ukraine. We shipped it  [in] April.  We trained [on] it for two weeks. They immediately went into testing. And that system is destined to be one of the first soft-recoil systems in combat, Evans said. Its going right into combat to test on live targets. A Humvee-mounted Hawkeye Mobile Howitzer System on the move. AM General AM General has been working on the Hawkeye MHS since at least 2016 in partnership with Mandus Group, which developed the howitzer itself. As already noted, Hawkeyes most notable feature is its soft-recoil system. The vast majority of modern howitzers feature a recoil mechanism wherein the barrel and breach assemblies move backward to help absorb the force of firing. The platform the weapon is mounted on, whether it be a vehicle or a towed carriage, still typically experiences significant strain in the process. This, in turn, generally precludes lighter vehicles like the Humvee from being used as the chassis for self-propelled howitzers. Cold War-era U.S. 105mm M101 howitzers, as seen in the video below in use in Ukraine, are an example of a design with a traditional recoil system. In a soft-recoil system, also sometimes called a forward-recoiling or fire-out-of-battery system, barrel and breach are held back in some fashion and released when the trigger is pulled. The round in the chamber only fires when the entire assembly reaches a certain point and the forward momentum adds to forces counter-acting the resulting recoil. The video below offers a general look at how Hawkeye functions. In addition to lower recoil than a comparable howitzer, a weapon of this kind can offer weight savings overall. For comparison, the U.S. Armys standard 105mm M119 howitzer with its traditional recoil mechanism weighs nearly 4,270 pounds, of which the cannon itself accounts for 1,389 pounds. Mandus Group says Hawkeye, complete with a digital fire control system, tips the scales at 2,550 pounds, with the cannon and breach assemblies together weighing 1,145 pounds. Hawkeye has a sustained rate of fire of three rounds per minute, but can safely fire up to eight rounds per minute for three minutes, if required, according to Mandus Group. The howitzer uses U.S. standard 105mm ammunition, including the extended-range rocket-assisted M913, a high-explosive type that can hit targets out to just over 12 miles (19.5 kilometers). Altogether, a system like Hawkeye offers a light, mobile, and flexible artillery package that could be of particular use to Ukrainian forces. Artillery has been and continues to be a key factor on both sides of the battlefield in Ukraine. Russian forces have a much larger total artillery capacity, a disadvantage for Ukraine that has been exacerbated by a major slow-down in U.S. and other Western aid in the past six months or so. The U.S. government has been working to reverse that trend, but this will take time, and lags in foreign military assistance have already had negative impacts on Ukraines positions on the battlefield. Hawkeyes ability to provide shoot-and-scoot artillery support could also be very valuable given the threats that both sides in the conflict face if they remain in one place for too long. Drones, especially highly maneuverable first-person view kamikaze types, have proven to be a menace to forces on the move let alone ones that remain static for any extended period of time. Unarmed uncrewed aerial systems have also become a pervasive means of finding targets that can then be attacked indirectly in various ways. Destruction of the Russian 2S19 Msta self propelled howitzer with the help of the FPV drone.https://t.co/iate5lO52v pic.twitter.com/l0Cs4BCpcI Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) May 4, 2024 A video of a Russian 2S19 Msta-S 152mm self-propelled howitzer being hit by the Ukrainians presumably with an FPV drone which resulted in internal ammunition ignition and epic detonation.The crew managed to escape. pic.twitter.com/TGactkIxZp Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@Archer83Able) August 29, 2023 It is very difficult to remain concealed in this environment [in Ukraine]. It is a very contested and congested battlespace, Under Secretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo said during an online talk the Center for a New American Security think tank hosted in May. We know that electromagnetic signature[s], the availability of ISR [intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance] capabilities brought about by these UAVs [uncrewed aerial vehicles], really prevents any forces from being largely concealed or massed together. It is worth noting that it is unclear how many Hawkeyes Ukraine has received so far. The comments from AM Generals Evans in May point to just one of these howitzers being provided so far, which would be a very limited new capability. Depending on how the system performs, this could still open the door to more deliveries in the future. It is worth noting here that Ukraine has increasingly become a weapons testing ground, especially for the United States. Hawkeyes performance in Ukraine could have significance elsewhere, especially for the U.S. Army, which has tested the weapon in the past. The service has also experimented with a larger 155mm soft-recoil howitzer from AM General and Mandus Group, called Brutus, mounted on a 66 Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) cargo truck. So far, the Army has not moved to field either of these systems. Since the 1960s, the Army has tested a number of other soft-recoil howitzers designs as well. However, on June 1, the Army Contracting Command-New Jersey announced it was conducting a new market survey on behalf of Project Director Tactical Artillery Systems (PD TAS) to identify potential benefits and limitations of soft recoil technologies when applied to 105mm howitzer weapon systems. That contracting notice the [U.S.] Government is interested in exploring soft recoil system technologies and applications to the 105mm caliber weapon systems, but did not elaborate on what underlying requirements or driving factors behind them might be, and stress that there was still not firm intention currently to actually buy any such weapons. At the Fires Symposium in May, AM Generals Evans did make a comment about how the process of getting the soft-recoil 105mm howitzer to Ukraine and into combat was moving faster than typical U.S. government procedures. Its moving very quickly. Theres no IOT&E at Yuma, he said, referring to the U.S. militarys initial operational testing and evaluation processes and the U.S. Armys Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, which is a major hub for that kind of work. How the low-recoil 105mm howitzer Ukraine has received from AM General performs in combat remains to be seen. The weapon could offer Ukrainian forces a useful new set of artillery capabilities, but could also increase interest in Hawkeye outside of that conflict. Contact the author: joe@twz.com

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SMITHS GROVE  Towering over Interstate 65, a baseball cap-wearing beaver sign welcomed motorists to its one-of-a-kind travel center in south central Kentucky for the first time Monday.

Drivers entered the beaver's residence to find an array of gas pumps and a sprawling storefront unlike any roadside stop in the region. There were inflatables, swimwear and pillows bearing the cartoon logo. Even a beaver mascot was in attendance, taking photos with joyful fans.

Buc-ee's, the popular gas station and convenience store chain rapidly expanding in the United States, settled in its smallest town yet  Smiths Grove. About 800 people live in what is usually a quiet community just outside Bowling Green, the city home to the National Corvette Museum and Western Kentucky University.

Monday's grand opening of the new travel center was anything but as hundreds of fans descended on the site on Smiths Grove-Scottsville Road. Among the line of eager customers waiting to enter the store at 6 a.m. was Karina Benitez, a first-timer at Buc-ee's. The pit stop in Smiths Grove was a pleasant surprise for her and her family, as they had no idea they were walking in to a brand new Buc-ee's location.

"We pulled up and I was like, 'Why is there a line? Why are there so many cars?' I wanted to know what the hype was all about and now I've seen it this morning, with all the other people in line," said Benitez, who was traveling from Houston to Columbus, Ohio with her son, mother and step-father.

Buc-ee's opened their second location in Smiths Grove, Kentucky Monday morning June 24, 2024. It was a crowded scene at the Texas-based gas station and convenience store with freshly-made bbq sandwiches, stuffed beaver toys and snacks.

Benitez said her parents had been to a Buc-ee's near Houston previously, so she pulled up to the Smiths Grove store with some knowledge about the chain's homemade brisket, beef jerky and friendly beaver mascot. She left Kentucky with a carload full of Buc-ee's merchandise, including a blanket, foldable lawn chairs, a stuffed animal and free t-shirts.

The most popular scene inside the new Buc-ee's may have been the "Texas Round Up," where chefs sporting cowboy hats chopped and sliced warm brisket, which they announced proudly by chanting "Fresh brisket on the board!"

Leading the barbecue stand Monday was Buc-ee's head pitmaster Randy Pauly. Pauly, who is based in the Houston area, came to Smiths Grove for two days to ensure the new staff could meet the company's standard for slow-cooked, Texas-style barbecue. New employees were also aided by experienced staffers who had worked at other locations across the country.

"We are constantly looking at the quality because it is the details that matter," Pauly said. "The details that are going to make that chopped brisket taco or brisket sandwich the absolute best, and that's what we are chasing because our guests deserve it."

Pitmaster Randy Pauly gives a high-five to customer Sheila Williams as sister Edna Pile, far left, looks on during the grand opening of the Buc-ee's in Smiths Grove, Kentucky Monday morning June 24, 2024.

Pauly, who pitched the "Texas Round Up" concept to Buc-ee's when he joined the company in 2017, said the chant is a central part of the barbecue pit because it shows how Buc-ee's is cooking brisket, pulled pork, turkey and other meats all day, no matter the time of day.

Deborah Yarberry and her daughter, Anna Hall, who are both from Bowling Green, grew to enjoy Buc-ee's brisket and the atmosphere inside the store when they stopped at travel centers in Leeds, Alabama and Richmond, Kentucky. For the grand opening in Smiths Grove, they both wore t-shirts featuring the beaver logo.

"We knew we were going to be here on opening day. We were so excited," Yarberry said, adding she and her daughter had caught up with the news of the store's opening through a Facebook fan page. They planned to buy Buc-ee's coffee mugs and try the fresh tortillas made in house.

Founded in Texas in the early 1980s, Buc-ee's has since grown into a 50-store chain, with at least four more locations set to pop up through 2026. The store in Smiths Grove is Kentucky's second after the Richmond location opened in 2022.

Nancy Persell readies some roasted nuts for customers during the grand opening of the Buc-ee's in Smiths Grove, Kentucky Monday morning June 24, 2024.

Buc-ee's seems to meet the "everything is bigger in Texas standard" of its home state. At just over 53,000 square feet, the new travel center in Smiths Grove has a wide footprint. Even the spacious bathrooms have earned high marks from road trippers.

The Buc-ee's store in Smiths Grove is staffed with other 200 employees, a company spokesperson said. The company still had some open positions as of Monday, according to its website.

More: 'Going to surprise you': 10 most popular food items at Buc-ee's, including its famous BBQ

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Buc-ee's in Kentucky: 2nd travel center opens in Smiths Grove
Hungary will appeal against EU decision to give 1.4bn in Russian assets for weapons to Ukraine  Hungary's foreign minister

Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto confirmed during a press conference for pro-government Hungarian media in Luxembourg that the European Union had authorised 1.4 billion sourced from frozen Russian assets to be allocated for military aid to Ukraine. Szijjarto also announced Hungary's intention to appeal the decision.

Source: European Pravda, citing Hungarian news outlet HVG.hu

Details: Szijjarto believes that "the EU has crossed a red line" by using 1.4 billion in proceeds from frozen Russian assets to finance the supply of weapons to Ukraine, while "in fact, Hungary did not want this and a unanimous decision would have been needed".

Hungarys chief diplomat complained that "military fervour has blinded the decision-makers" in the EU and warned that the Hungarian side was already exploring "legal possibilities" to challenge the decision.

Lastly, Szijjarto claimed that the move poses a long-term risk to the functioning of the European Union.

Background:

On Monday, the EU countries reportedly approved the first tranche of up to 1.4 billion in military aid to Ukraine through the Ukraine Assistance Fund (UAF), sourced from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets.

The EU Council's Legal Service has stated that Hungary cannot stop this funding, as it abstained from voting earlier this year to create the UAF, and the funds do not come from EU taxpayers.

Despite today's agreement, Hungary continues to block the disbursement of 6.6 billion as partial compensation to EU states for weapons purchased for Ukraine.

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Hunter Biden, the son of President Biden, requested a new trial on federal gun charges Monday over a procedural matter.

The presidents son was convicted earlier this month for lying about using illicit drugs when applying to purchase a gun six years ago and unlawfully possessing it thereafter.

In court filings Monday, Hunter Biden attorney Abbe Lowell claimed his clients convictions should be vacated because the judge overseeing the case did not have the jurisdiction to impanel a jury and hold a trial prior to a higher court giving a formal go-ahead.

Lowell wrote that Hunter Biden filed two appeals with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, both of which were ultimately dismissed. However, the appeals court still has not issued a formal mandate denying one of those appeals, Lowell said, claiming that procedural issue should render the verdict void.

Naturally, any district court action taken after it has been divested of jurisdiction by an

appeal must be vacated, Lowell wrote.

Hunter Bidens three felony convictions stemmed from his 2018 purchase of a Colt Cobra 38 SPL revolver. On a federal gun purchase form, he checked no when asked if he used or was addicted to illegal drugs. Then, he unlawfully possessed the firearm for 11 days.

The trial put a spotlight on Hunter Bidens well-documented addiction to cocaine, which he and his father, the president, have openly addressed. Three women from his past, including his ex-wife, and his brother Beaus widow  with whom he had a brief relationship  testified in the governments case.

Hunter Biden faces a maximum of 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines, though first-time offenders are rarely given the maximum penalty. His sentence will be at the judges discretion. Federal sentencing guidelines recommend 15-21 months in prison for defendants like Hunter Biden.

A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Two substations, Luch and Raduha, have been destroyed in the city of Enerhodar (Russian-occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast) in drone attacks over the past week, leading to a prolonged blackout but not affecting the power supply to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP).

Source: Interfax-Ukraine news agency, citing the website of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Details: "As a result of recent days damage to the electrical infrastructure, the IAEA was informed that Enerhodar had no electricity from around 8pm on Friday to noon on Saturday," the IAEA said.

The IAEA reported that a drone damaged one of the two transformers at the Raduha substation on Friday night, causing oil to leak out. Another substation in Enerhodar, Luch, was destroyed just a few days earlier, on Wednesday, 19 June.

The organisation explained that after the Luch substation, which supplies electricity to part of Enerhodar and other areas, was destroyed, it was partially replaced by the Raduha substation before it sustained damage. The power supply to Enerhodar was restored using its backup transformer.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi noted that the situation further boosted his concerns about the fragility and vulnerability of Ukraine's electricity infrastructure, which is also crucial for nuclear and radiation safety, even though the power supply to the six Zaporizhzhia NPP reactors was not affected this time.

The plant is continuing to receive the electricity needed to cool the shutdown reactors from the last 750kV main power line and the last 330kV backup power line.

However, the accident at the Raduha substation affected the power supply to the industrial zone adjacent to the plant, as well as stopped the operation of the plant's transport hub, water supply pump and some external radiological environmental monitoring stations.

"Whoever is behind this, it must stop. Drone usage against the plant and its vicinity is becoming increasingly more frequent. This is completely unacceptable and it runs counter to the safety pillars and concrete principles which have been accepted unanimously," Grossi said.

During a Monday briefing at the Media Centre of Ukraine in Kyiv, Hryhorii Plachkov, former Chairman of Ukraine's State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate, commented on the damaged substation. He stated that this situation could have negative consequences for the ZNPP, as it requires a stable electricity supply to meet its needs. Plachkov added that the situation at the ZNPP is not improving.

Background:

As of June, Energoatom, Ukraine's state nuclear energy regulator, had direct losses exceeding UAH 210 billion (roughly US$5.1 billion) due to the Russian occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

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Idaho Democratic Party members participate in finalizing the party platform at the 2024 state convention held at the University of Idaho in Moscow

Idaho Democratic Party members participate in finalizing the party platform at the 2024 state convention held at the University of Idaho in Moscow on June 23, 2024. (Mia Maldonado/Idaho Capital Sun)

The Idaho Democratic Party adopted changes to its platform at its biennial convention on Sunday, adding significant changes to the partys stance on education, health care and natural resources.

The updated platform will guide the party for the next two years. This years changes highlight the Idaho Democratic Partys response to laws passed in recent years in Idahos supermajority Republican Legislature that restrict abortion and library material access. The updated platform also represents the partys opposition to using public funding for private school vouchers.

On the last day of the convention held at the University of Idaho, party members spent the first 30 minutes finalizing the platform by debating inclusive terminology, including how to refer to LGBTQ+ people and minorities. After closing debate on inclusive terminology and grammar suggestions, the party moved to vote in favor of its new platform.

What is in the Idaho Democratic Partys platform?

There are seven parts to the Idaho Democratic Partys platform  beginning with its preamble. The biggest change to the partys preamble is newly added support for the Second Amendment and gun safety.

In the education section of the platform, the party voted to stand against siphoning off public tax dollars for nonpublic school voucher schemes, and to protect access to books and educational materials in libraries and in the classroom. The platform also added a sentence to support early childhood and special education.

In the economy section of the platform, Idaho Democrats added sections in support of renewable energy and child care investments, and members voted on protecting Medicare and Social Security benefits, the right to unionize, and promoting local agriculture.

The Equity, Justice and Opportunity for All section remains largely the same, which states that the party will promote equal rights, particularly for minorities.

The party made significant changes to its health care section, calling for more reproductive freedom  such as legal access to abortion, contraceptives and in vitro fertilization. The updated platform includes support for the right of individuals to make their own medical decisions, including gender-affirming care. The updated platform also addresses concerns that health care providers are leaving Idaho, and it states that the party will support policies for health care providers who fear criminalization for providing evidence-based care.

Additions to the democracy section of the platform include fighting against white supremacy and promoting government transparency. During a platform committee meeting Saturday afternoon, party members agreed to include support for freedom of the press in response to journalists being barred from two days of activity at the Idaho Republican Partys state convention last week in Coeur dAlene. Journalists were allowed to attend all proceedings at the Idaho Democratic Partys convention.

Lastly, the party added changes to its stance on natural resources, affirming scientific evidence of climate change and supporting renewable energy investments. The party also called to protect Idahos water resources and public lands use for agriculture and recreation.

The 2024 party platform will be uploaded to the Idaho Democratic Partys website at a later time.

Idaho Democratic Party takes stances on local, national issues

The party also passed nine resolutions addressing local and national issues, including resolutions that:

Support funding public education and condemn private school vouchers

Condemn House Bill 710, which codifies procedures for Idaho libraries to follow when patrons believe a library material is harmful to minors

Support immigration reform to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and enhance border security.

Support the LGBTQ+ community

Support funding domestic violence programs in Idaho

Support reproductive health care

Support improvements in health care for veterans, including support for medical marijuana

Support Idahos democratic process, including support for a state-funded voter guide, open primaries, government transparency, the 17th Amendment and civil discourse

Support mitigating climate change and promote sustainability policies

Resolutions are adopted by the Idaho Democratic Party directing the party to take action or to express its formal stance on a specific topic.

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I'm an American who visited Portugal for the first time. The affordability and walkability of Lisbon blew me away.

I traveled to Lisbon for the first time and was surprised by many things.

The capital city felt smaller and more affordable than the other European destinations I've visited.

I wish I had spent four days rather than a week in Lisbon and explored more of Portugal.

As someone who's spent their entire life in the tristate area, I'm always interested in comparing other metropolitan areas to New York City.

My mom and I have had the Portuguese capital on our travel bucket lists for a while and wanted to see everything it had to offer. We flew seven hours from New York to Madrid before hopping on a short hour-and-a-half flight to Lisbon.

We explored different neighborhoods, like Bairro Alto and Chiado, and visited sites such as the Belem Tower and the Jeronimos Monastery.

These were some of the biggest surprises during my first trip to Lisbon.

Editor's Note: The writer took this trip in February 2022.

The first thing I noticed was how much smaller Lisbon felt compared to the other European cities I've visited.

The Belem Tower is one of the most popular sites in Lisbon. Rachel Dube

When I visited other European cities, it sometimes took me a while to find my bearings and figure out how to get around. However, Lisbon felt much smaller and easier to navigate.

For reference, Lisbon is around 33 square miles, which is smaller than Paris (around 41 square miles), Rome (around 500 square miles), and London (around 600 square miles).

Even though Lisbon is almost as big as Paris, it felt smaller since everything was so close together.

Almost all of the destinations on our itinerary were within walking distance from where we stayed or just a short ride away from our hotel. The furthest spot we visited in Lisbon was a 25-minute drive away.

Each neighborhood had a distinct feel, and I couldn't believe how easy it was to tell them apart.

We took time to admire the city's pastel-colored buildings. Rachel Dube

Lisbon is divided into several different neighborhoods, and I had no trouble telling each one apart.

Baixa is a central neighborhood that's home to popular attractions like Restauradores Square, Praca do Comercio, and Rossio; Bairro Alto has some of the city's best nightlife spots; and Chiado is the go-to area for great shopping and beautiful public squares. All of them were worth a visit.

In addition to the above neighborhoods, my other favorites were Alfama and Belem. Tourists should visit each area to take in its unique beauty and ambiance. I found it super interesting to compare their similarities and differences.

Overall, Lisbon didn't feel like New York in the slightest, especially without all the honking and other noises. But I adored the European city's colorful buildings and the way its neighborhoods all intertwined.

I could walk almost everywhere I wanted to go in the city  but it was very hilly.

The view from my balcony at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz. Rachel Dube

Before you decide where to stay in Lisbon, it's important to research the city's different neighborhoods, especially if you plan on walking everywhere.

I chose the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz in the Marques de Pombal neighborhood because it was within walking distance of Baixa and Chiado. Plus, my room had a gorgeous view of the city.

Places were even closer than they seemed on the map. On our first day in Lisbon, the hotel concierge told us to take a taxi to Chiado and Rossio. However, we decided to walk and ended up arriving in less than 30 minutes.

As someone who's always on their feet in New York, this journey was a breeze compared to the daily walks I take with my dog. However, the city is hilly, and walking for too long can be brutal. There's no shame in taking a car back.

Also, Lisbon has a prominent nightlife scene. So if you don't plan on going out or don't want to hear music blasting all night long, you might want to stay in a quieter area.

I'm so glad I visited during the off-season. The temperature was mild, and there were fewer crowds.

When I visited Lisbon in the winter, I was comfortable walking outside with a light jacket. Rachel Dube

We visited in February, which is considered Lisbon's winter and offseason. It was the perfect time to go.

The city was less crowded than it would've been during the summer season, but the weather was still warm enough on several days of our trip that we could wear light jackets or short-sleeve shirts.

The food, transportation, and souvenirs were more affordable in Lisbon than I expected.

The Rossio Square is located in Baixa. Rachel Dube

My trip to Lisbon was more affordable than my vacations in other European cities  including London, Paris, Rome, and Milan.

To be fair, prices may have dipped since I visited during the offseason, but I budgeted a lot more for the trip than I ended up spending.

When my mom and I went out to dinner, I spent between $25 and $35 on both meals, which included appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Our most expensive meal in Lisbon was around $45, and we ordered a lot of food.

Prices vary depending on the restaurant. I didn't go to any Michelin-starred eateries during my trip, but I did go to upscale restaurants.

Additionally, the priciest Uber I took in Lisbon was $15, and it went all the way to the other side of the city.

In some other European cities, I spent a lot more money on transportation and dining (many restaurants charged over $50 for an appetizer, two main courses, and a dessert), so the prices in Lisbon were a pleasant surprise.

The famous Pasteis de Belem were worth all of the hype.

I tried a Pastel de Belem in Lisbon and talked about the delicious pastry for the rest of my trip. Rachel Dube

Lisbon is famous for its Pasteis de Belem, a sweet pastry with custard filling, and they were worth the hype.

Pasteis de Belem originated at a shop in Belem with the same name. The rest of the country calls the sweets "Pasteis de Nata," but Pasteis de Belem come from this specific shop in Lisbon, which has used the same secret recipe to make them since 1837.

When I tried my first Pastel de Belem, it was heavenly. I completely understood why people raved about them. Not only was the treat delicious, but it was affordable too. Each one cost around $1.34.

Our tour guide said Pasteis de Belem has crazy lines during Lisbon's busy summer season from June to August, and the shop sells thousands of its pastries each day.

Thankfully, I visited during off-hours in the winter, so I only had to wait a few minutes. But I talked about the pastry for the rest of our trip.

I felt like I only needed a few days to explore the city and regretted not seeing more of Portugal.

We walked by the water in Lisbon, which was very relaxing. Rachel Dube

The biggest mistake I made when planning this trip was budgeting an entire week for Lisbon. I didn't expect the city to be as small as it was.

I saw the bulk of the city in four days and then spent the rest of the time relaxing. It was nice, but I wouldn't follow the same itinerary if I visit again.

Portugal is a beautiful country, and I would've liked to see more of it. I wish I'd spent three or four days in Lisbon before exploring another area, like Porto.

Pictures didn't do Lisbon justice, so I recommend seeing the city with your own eyes.

The miradouros were the best places to get great views of the city. Rachel Dube

After arriving in Lisbon, I was surprised by the city's beauty. Though I wouldn't put the Portuguese capital in the same category as Paris or Rome, I was still very impressed by its pastel-colored buildings, ornate tilework, and picturesque scenery.

I'd seen plenty of photos before I visited, but it was still surreal to see Lisbon in real life.

The miradouros, or viewpoints, were the best places to see the city. I visited as many as possible and was amazed by the incredible view at each one of them.

Overall, I'd recommend a visit to Lisbon. From its beauty to its charming neighborhoods, the city is like a real-life watercolor painting.

This story was originally published on August 31, 2022, and most recently updated on June 24, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Building Florida's First AI Degree Program

The Campus Technology Insider podcast explores current trends and issues impacting technology leaders in higher education. Listen in as Editor in Chief Rhea Kelly chats with ed tech experts and practitioners about their work, ideas and experiences.

Miami Dade College recently announced the launch of a new bachelor's degree in applied artificial intelligence  the first such degree in the state of Florida and one of the first in the country. At the heart of MDC's approach is the conviction that education in artificial intelligence is for everyone  people at all levels need understand how to apply AI in their lives and careers. We spoke with Antonio Delgado, vice president of innovation and technology partnerships at Miami Dade College, about how the degree program was developed, the foundational AI skills that students need to succeed, and creating spaces that bring people together around AI.

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I'm the parent of a trans daughter. There's nothing conservative about blocking her care.

I write as the proud father of a courageous, kind and empathetic 24-year-old transgender daughter to provide some insight into our familys experience with gender-affirming care and hopefully to correct some of the most egregious misinformation about it.

In the past year, there has been a tsunami of anti-transgender legislation in the United States, with bills targeting transgender people introduced in nearly every state. These bills and their sponsors are supported by a richly financed group of anti-LGBTQ+ groups such as the Alliance Defending Freedom, which received more than $96 million in contributions and grants in its 2022 fiscal year.

Most distressing is this networks focus on banning gender-affirming care for adolescents, which has been passed into law in 25 states. We know from our own experience just how radical and cruel these laws are.

When our daughter came out to us as transgender just before her 16th birthday, we listened to her intently, trying to understand what she was going through and how we could best support her. And we questioned, like many parents of transgender children do initially, whether this was just a phase that she would outgrow. In hindsight, we didnt really comprehend then what it would mean for her to be transgender, but we understood clearly that she was suffering.

Sean and Anne Madden with their daughter, Allie, in September 2023.

One of the most common misconceptions about being transgender is that it reflects a choice, closely related to the false narrative of social contagion whereby children allegedly are influenced to identify as transgender by peer pressure, especially through social media.

However, when we consulted experts in transgender care, we came to understand what a federal court at the time found after hearing the evidence: that being transgender is not a 'preference,' that being transgender has a medically-recognized biological basis, and that it is an innate and non-alterable status.

In response to questioning whether our daughter was going through a phase, her medical and mental health care team informed us that a transgender individual is someone who consistently, persistently, and insistently identifies as a different gender than their assignment at birth, in contrast to cisgender (i.e., nontransgender) people who may merely experiment with gender expression that does not conform to stereotypical notions of gender-appropriate appearances.

Judge's ruling offers hope: Judge struck down Florida ban on gender-affirming care for trans kids. It's the right move.

We came to another important realization on our familys transition journey: Inaction is not a neutral option, and for adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria, nonintervention increases the risk of adverse mental and physical health outcomes.

Gender dysphoria is a medically recognized condition suffered by many transgender individuals, characterized by debilitating distress and anxiety resulting from the incongruence between a persons gender identity and sex assigned at birth. The onset of puberty and its associated development of secondary sex characteristics can trigger or exacerbate gender dysphoria.

Myths around gender-affirming care are designed to scare parents

This was exactly the situation for our daughter, but in hindsight we failed her: In our desire to be deliberate and diligent about her care, we lacked the requisite sense of urgency reflective of her intense dysphoria-driven distress.

Critics of gender-affirming care for adolescents baselessly claim that children are rushed into such care, but the opposite is true: A recent study found that the median wait time for transgender adolescents is 10 months between contacting a clinic and receiving puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones.

This long wait reflects both the care and deliberation families invest in such decisions and the scarcity of qualified medical professionals providing such care.

Coming out saved my life. LGBTQ+ ex-Christians like me deserve to be proud of ourselves.

For adolescents approaching the onset of puberty, puberty-blocking medicines may be appropriate for delaying the development of secondary sex characteristics not matching their gender identity, an intervention that could be reversible.

Subsequently, cross-sex hormone treatment may further treat gender dysphoria by bringing the body more into alignment with the individuals gender identity.

Our daughter achieved substantial relief from her depression and dysphoria once she started taking puberty blockers and then initiated hormone therapy. She has told us, and repeated publicly, that she may not have survived her teen years without this medically necessary care. Those who would deny teens this medically necessary care can offer no medically approved alternative therapy whatsoever.

The anti-LGBTQ+ groups that promote bans on gender-affirming care are the same groups pushing book bans in the name of parental rights. If parents have the right to direct what their children read, surely they must have the right to direct their adolescents medical care in consultation with their childrens doctors.

Interfering with safe medical care isn't a conservative value

I was a registered Republican for decades, and I know there is nothing conservative about interposing the state between a child and their parents and physicians who know best how to care for that child.

Politicians should stay out of families medical decisions, especially when those decisions are in accord with medical consensus.

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Unlike the political arena, where unscrupulous ideologues can recklessly promote junk science, courts of law make decisions based on evidence presented under stringent rules. Nearly every U.S. trial court to consider the evidence in challenges to bans on gender-affirming care has concluded that such care is medically necessary, safe and effective, and supported by every major medical association in the country.

Last year, a trial court in Montana, no bastion of liberalism, barred enforcement of the states recently enacted ban on gender-affirming care, observing:

The Court is forced to conclude that the purported purpose given for (the statute) is disingenuous. It seems more likely that the (statute)s purpose is to ban an outcome deemed undesirable by the Montana Legislature veiled as protection for minors. The legislative record is replete with animus toward transgender persons, mischaracterizations of the treatments proscribed by (the statute), and statements from individual legislators suggesting personal, moral, or religious disapproval of gender transition.

This description could apply to any of the other 25 state laws that ban gender-affirming care.

Politicians should stop trying to impose one-size-fits-all, statewide mandates and interfering in the private, individualized medical decisions of families with transgender children and their physicians.

Sean P. Madden, Esq, is a director of GRACE (Gender Research Advisory Council & Education), a nonpartisan communications and public affairs nonprofit that provides evidence-based education about transgender people and the health care they receive. He is a retired attorney, investor and transgender rights ally and advocate. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife.

You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: My daughter is trans. Gender-affirming care is every parent's right
Japan has become the latest country to sanction an Indian tech company for its alleged role in helping Russia evade sanctions imposed due to its war in Ukraine.

The sanctions were part of trade restrictions, including asset freezes, against 11 entities in five countries, including China, Kazakhstan, UAE, and Uzbekistan, on Friday.

This is the first time Japan has imposed sanctions on an Indian company since 1998 and the first time for China-based firms in connection with the war in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan sanctioned the Bengaluru-based firm Si2 Microsystems, which has a complex history, having been banned by the US in November 2023 and sanctioned by the European Union in February 2024.

Si2 Microsystems faced sanctions from the US and the EU for its alleged transport of dual-use technology to Russia. The US Department of Commerce said it was banned for providing support to Russias military and/or defence industrial base by exporting chips without a license.

The company is a partner of Indias Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras to research the fabrication of chips with silicon photonic processor cores, according to reports.

The Chinese firms hit with sanctions included Hong Kong-based Asia Pacific Links Ltd, which provided microchips for Russian drones, and China-based Yilufa Electronics Limited.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (L), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) chat before a family photo with G7 heads of the states (AFP via Getty Images)

These sanctions follow Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishidas statement that the government was considering a new sanction package for entities based in third countries collaborating with Russia, made during the G7 Summit in Italy.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Mr Kishida at the summit, which he attended at the invitation of Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni. The two leaders highlighted the need to advance ties across various strategic sectors, including defence, technology, and semiconductors.

As Russias war in Ukraine continued in its third year, India has avoided directly criticised president Vladimir Putin for his invasion of Ukraine due to its close trade and diplomatic ties with Moscow. Delhi has called for an end of hostilities through negotiations and talks.

India was one of the few countries that did not sign a final communique that called on Russia to respect Ukraines territorial integrity in a peace deal to end the war. India participated in the summit in Switzerland in which 90 countries took part.
Gov. Eric Holcomb speaks to reporters at the Indiana Global Economic Summit in downtown Indianapolis on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Amid in-party turmoil over the selection of conservative pastor Micah Beckwith as the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb said he remains confident that Republicans will prevail in the executive office race in November.

I anticipate Sen. Braun becoming Gov. Braun, Holcomb told the Indiana Capital Chronicle on Friday. Its the conventions choice. And we had a process thats been in place that I have always respected, and the convention spoke. And so, it is what it is, and now were onto the general election.

Indianas GOP delegates narrowly named Beckwith as the Republican nominee for the position in a shocking vote at the partys convention earlier this month, rebuffing first-term Rep. Julie McGuire  Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Brauns handpicked choice for the role  who had received a last-minute endorsement from former President Donald Trump.

Beckwith ran an unorthodox solo campaign for the number two spot, publicly pitching himself as both the prospective governors cheerleader and a check on his power.

The pastor has referred to himself as a Christian nationalist and was instrumental in a push to relocate or ban allegedly inappropriate books in Hamilton County but later resigned from the library board.

The GOP delegates pick has since prompted concerns among some within the Indiana Republican Party. In a confidential memo, prominent conservative attorney Jim Bopp predicted that Beckwith could be catastrophic for Brauns campaign and open the door for a Democratic victory.

Holcomb, however, expects Brauns campaign to weather any doubts.

There will be a campaign that will play out, and the folks that are responsible for conducting that campaign will have to make calls along the way, the governor said. And Im going to have to conduct the affairs of my office that arent campaign related. Im going to remain focused on being the best governor I can over the next 208 days. Its 4,900 hours, and Ive got a lot to do every single day.

We have so many good things in the pipeline right now that Im looking to land, announce, set up for the next administration, he continued. But my job is to make sure that I leave (the office) in a great position, and so Ill continue to be serving in my official capacity as the governor  not getting involved in all the campaigns.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jennifer McCormick announced former Indiana lawmaker and social conservative Terry Goodin as her running mate last week, despite pushback from some within her party over Goodins voting record on abortion and gay marriage.

Already, campaigning by McCormick and Goodin has criticized Beckwith. The Indiana Democratic Party has additionally excoriated Beckwiths positions as extreme, and in a statement, Democratic Party Chairman Mike Schmuhl told the Capital Chronicle that Beckwiths absurd views have Republicans scrambling, and rightfully so.

Likewise, Republicans are focusing on Goodins change of heart on key issues as flip-flopping.

Indiana Democratic Party State Convention delegates will officially choose a candidate for lieutenant governor on July 13.

The Libertarian ticket is Donald Rainwater and Tonya Hudson.

The post Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb confident GOP nominee Mike Braun will prevail as governor this fall appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
India's Modi urges consensus as he relies on allies in new parliament

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to the media on the first Day of the 18th Parliament session. Ravi Batra/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

India's freshly re-elected prime minister, Narendra Modi, has called on the members of the new parliament to fulfil people's wishes for "substance, not slogans," as the body met for the first time.

Modi told reporters that the parties in parliament should focus on finding consensus, as lawmakers sat for the first session since national elections in April and May.

Modi's Hindu nationalist BJP, which has been in power since 2014, lost its absolute majority in the election. Although the BJP remains the strongest force, Modi is now dependent on coalition partners to push through government policy in his third five-year term.

Modi said his coalition with mostly small, regional parties will focus on economic development and supporting poorer sections of the population.

During the election campaign, the BJP had focussed on a personality cult around Modi as an almost god-like leader. It propagated a Hindu nationalist agenda, according to which India should become a state only for the Hindu majority, which makes up 80% of the population.

Modi's secular coalition partners, however, do not share this agenda. Observers therefore believe that Modi will be less able to push ahead with many of his policy plans.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks to the media on the first Day of the 18th Parliament session. Ravi Batra/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Bangladesh's deadliest executioner died Monday a year after he was released from prison where he hanged some of the country's notorious serial killers, opposition politicians convicted of war crimes, and coup plotters, police said.

Since he was released from prison last June, Shahjahan Bouya, 70, wrote a top-selling book narrating his experiences as a hangman, briefly married a young girl 50 years younger than him, and in recent weeks took TikTok by storm with short clips with teenage girls.

He felt chest pain on Monday morning at his home in Hemayetpur, an industrial town outside the capital Dhaka, and was rushed to Dhaka's Suhrawardy Hospital, police said.

"He was brought in dead -- doctors haven't ascertained the actual cause of his death," Sajib Dey, a police station chief in Dhaka, told AFP.

"He had breathing difficulties," Abul Kashem, Bouya's landlord, told AFP. "He rented one of our rooms only 15 days ago. He lived alone."

Bouya had been serving a 42-year-old jail term over a murder. But the dozens of hangings he did in the jails helped reduce his sentence leading to his release from Dhaka's top jail last year.

In this photo taken on October 19, 2023, hangman Shahjahan Bouya shows a snip of manila rope used for hanging condemned prisoners, during an interview with AFP at his house in Keraniganj, a Dhaka suburb. / Credit: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Bangladesh ranks third in the world for death sentences passed, according to rights group Amnesty International, and assigns convicts to carry out the hangings.

Between 2018 and 2022, Amnesty International reported that 912 death sentences were imposed by trial courts in Bangladesh. As of December 2022, at least 2,000 people were condemned to die in the country, Amnesty said.

"A hangman has so much power"

A well-read Marxist revolutionary, Bouya in the 1970s joined the outlawed Sarbahara rebels trying to topple a government they saw as puppets of neighboring India. He was convicted for the 1979 death of a truck driver in crossfire with police.

In custody during his trial -- a glacial 12-year process -- he noticed the "first class" treatment afforded to executioners, watching one being massaged by four other inmates.

"A hangman has so much power," he said to himself and volunteered his services.

Prison authorities put Bouya's total at 26 executions, but he said he participated in 60.

Those to die at his hands included military officers found guilty of plotting a 1975 coup and killing the country's founding leader, the father of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Activists say that Bangladesh's criminal justice system is deeply flawed, but Bouya shrugged off their criticisms, even though he believes at least three of those he executed were innocent.

"Even if you feel bad for him, can you keep him alive, or can you save him?" he told AFP last year. "If I didn't hang them, someone else would have done the job."

In February, his book on his years as a hangman was published and became a best-seller at Bangladesh's largest book annual book fair.

His 96-page book narrates the procedures of hanging by ropes the country inherited from the British colonial rulers.

He described the process nonchalantly, never wading into the debates over the abolition of executions.

He also dwelled on the final moments of some of the country's controversial figures and serial killers.

After his release from prison, he proudly showed visitors a small piece of the rope -- one cord can last up to a decade -- on which many inmates died.

"People believe it has extraordinary power," he said, adding some used fiber from it as talismanic charms in amulets or tied around their wrists.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Rescuers carried an injured hiker more than 2 miles up the Saddle Mountain Trail Saturday after weather prevented a US Coast Guard helicopter from landing.

The rescue effort began around 1:45 p.m. when crews from Cannon Beach, Hamlet, Gearhart and Medix were sent to help the hiker. The rescue crews found and stabilized the hiker, then called for the helicopter, officials with Cannon Beach RFPD said on their Facebook page.

Woman dies after being hit by passing boat on Willamette River

But the mountain was covered by a thick layer of fog that blew in, so crews had to carry the hiker 2.2 miles in a basket. The hike took 5 hours, and officials said the hiker was then taken to a hospital for treatment.

Crews from Cannon Beach, Hamlet, Gearhart and Medix carried an injured hiker more than 2 miles on the Saddle Mountain Trail, June 22, 2024 (Cannon Beach RFPD Facebook page)

Crews from Cannon Beach, Hamlet, Gearhart and Medix carried an injured hiker more than 2 miles on the Saddle Mountain Trail, June 22, 2024 (Cannon Beach RFPD Facebook page)

Crews from Cannon Beach, Hamlet, Gearhart and Medix carried an injured hiker more than 2 miles on the Saddle Mountain Trail, June 22, 2024 (Cannon Beach RFPD Facebook page)

Crews from Cannon Beach, Hamlet, Gearhart and Medix carried an injured hiker more than 2 miles on the Saddle Mountain Trail, June 22, 2024 (Cannon Beach RFPD Facebook page)

No information about the hiker is available  name, age, condition or how the injury happened.

KOIN 6 News will have more information as it becomes known.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Amidst Texas Department of Transportation and city roadworks delays, the Taylor County Jail has taken a proactive approach to fixing roads in the county  one pothole at a time.

You could see evidence of the roadcrew miles before catching a glimpse of them. They had already fixed numerous potholes Tuesday on the small county road in the community of View.

The sun was shining, puffy clouds were plentiful and the bright orange jumpsuits were eye-catching. Each of the men wearing them had massive smiles on their faces as they fixed potholes like the ticking hands on a clock.

An inmate smooths the surface of a newly fixed pothole on a Taylor County road on June 18.

One man would use the blower to free the hole of debris, the next two men would each load one shovelful of filler and the last man would rake it smooth.

Instead of only getting three hours of sunlight per week in the Taylor County Jail, these lucky few work outside in the fresh air and sunshine four days a week, and they appear to take enormous pride in their work.

Showing a work ethic

The inmate work program had previously been on hiatus while the Taylor County Jail had staffing issues.

But Sheriff Ricky Bishop said it was able to start back up again in early May of this year.

Only eight men qualify for the program out of over 600 inmates in the jail at any given time.

These men must all be nonviolent offenders who are deemed low risk, according to the managing corrections officer Rene Ybarra.

The inmates must apply for the program, attend an interview and hope that the waitlist is short.

The four members of the work crew made it clear they were extremely grateful for the sunshine and breeze that day in View.

One man, Anthony Trevino, had yet to be indicted, but he was proactively working off an anticipated jail sentence.

Inmates from the Taylor County Jail fix potholes in county roads as part of the roadworks team on June 18.

"I want to show Abilene a bit of my work ethic and to show that I'm not a bad person," Trevino said.

Another inmate, Jeremy Fowler, said, "It's all about the scenery and the fresh air."

The four inmates all echoed that same sentiment: Completing work for the city simply makes them feel good about themselves.

Trevino also said that compliments from nearby neighbors and women who stop to pray with the crew mean the most.

"For us, it's really special," he said.

'Protect our boss man'

The level of trust between Ybarra and the four-man crew was palpable. Ybarra was the only member of staff from the jail present with the four men in orange suits.

Inmates work to fix potholes on Taylor County roads June 18 to lessen their jail sentence

They would "protect our boss man with our lives," Trevino said. He said if one man were to try to run away, the other three would catch him.

Being a member of the work crew is worth its weight in gold to enjoy the fresh air, and the work crew took that very seriously.

If the inmates complete roadworks for the city of Abilene for free, their jail sentences are reduced three to one, Bishop said.

In short, none of the men on the crew would want to jeopardize their spot on the team because it means that they are that much closer to freedom.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Inmates fixing Taylor County, one pothole at a time
Intense phase of war with Hamas about to end, focus to shift to Lebanon border, Netanyahu says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the intense phase of the war with Hamas (in Gaza) is about to end, and that the militarys focus could then shift to Israels northern border with Lebanon, where fighting with the Iran-backed group Hezbollah has intensified in recent weeks.

Netanyahu, however, vowed that Israel would continue operating in Gaza until the militant group Hamas was eliminated.

It doesnt mean that the war is going to end, but the war in its current stage is going to end in Rafah. This is true. We will continue mowing the grass later, Netanyahu told Channel 14 Television in his first one-on-one interview with local Israeli media since October 7.

More than a million Palestinians were taking shelter in Rafah before Israel started its air and ground operation in the southern Gazan city, defying calls from the international community not to proceed. Around 800,000 people have since been displaced from Rafah, where conditions have been described by the United Nations food agency as apocalyptic.

The citys border crossing with Egypt  a vital entry point for humanitarian aid  has remained closed since the Israeli military seized it early last month.

And international pressure on Israels actions in Gaza have mounted since it started its operation in Rafah. Last month, the UNs top court ordered Israel to immediately halt its controversial military operation there, calling the humanitarian situation disastrous.

Netanyahu also weighed in on the ongoing negotiations to end the war, saying he was ready to make a partial deal with Hamas to return some hostages still being held captive in Gaza, but reiterating his position that the war will still continue after a ceasefire to achieve the goal of eliminating Hamas.

Im not ready to give that up, Netanyahu said.

Netanyahus comments were at odds with the aims of a broader proposal outlined by US President Joe Biden last month. That plan, which the US has said is an Israeli one, sets out conditions intended to lead to the eventual release of all remaining hostages, in return for a permanent ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Israeli opposition politician Gadi Eisenkot said Netanyahus remarks about a partial deal contradicted the wishes of the countrys recently-disbanded war cabinet, of which Eisenkot was a member.

A deal in one step, the so-called all for all, or a complete deal in three steps. The cabinet voted unanimously on this. Thats why the Prime Ministers statement about a partial deal is against the war cabinets decision, Eisenkot told the Knesset Foreign Affairs Committee on Monday. I think this requires clarification in light of the turmoil it causes to the families of the hostages.

Eisenkot, who  along with centrist opposition figure Benny Gantz  resigned from the war cabinet the week before Netanyahu dissolved it, said the remarks had damaged Israels war objectives.

The damage is of course the failure to realize the goals of the war, and it is a fatal damage to the national strength of the State of Israel, he said. There are soldiers who are fighting now because they have war goals to return the hostages and therefore I think that an immediate clarification by the Prime Minister is required as to what he meant.

In a short statement issued after his interview Sunday, Netanyahus office sought to clarify his comments, saying Hamas opposes a deal, not Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu has made it clear that we will not leave Gaza until we return all 120 of our hostages, living and deceased, it said.

Seeking to row back his explosive comments even further, Netanyahu on Monday told the Knesset: We are committed to the Israeli proposal that President Biden welcomed. Our position has not changed.

The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters condemned any suggestion of a withdrawal without securing the return of all hostages. The end of the fighting in the Gaza Strip, without the release of the hostages, is an unprecedented national failure and a failure to meet the goals of the war, the Forum said in a statement on Monday.

The prime minister has faced nationwide protests in Israel calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of all hostages. On Saturday, families of the hostages took part in the ongoing anti-government protests, including in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Herzliya, Caesarea, Raanana, Beer Sheva, Kiryat Gat and the town of Pardes Hanna-Karkur. Many protesters demanded the government accept the hostage release deal.

Cracks also appear to be deepening between the Israeli government and its military. Netanyahu has come under increasing pressure from members of his government and Israels allies, including the United States, to devise a strategy for the post-war governance of Gaza after Israels devastating bombardment of the isolated enclave.

In response to the prime ministers comments, Hamas said the words used by Netanyahu show that he is only looking for a partial agreement and not an end to the war in Gaza.

Netanyahus positions are a clear confirmation of his rejection of the recent Security Council resolution, and the proposals of US President Joe Biden, Hamas said in a statement.

Hamas continues to insist that any agreement include, a clear affirmation of a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Shifting north

Netanyahu also told Channel 14 Television that after the end of the intense phase, we will have the possibility to shift some of the power north, and we will do it.

First of all, for protection purposes, and secondly, to bring our residents home as well. If we can do it politically, that would be great. If not, we will do it in another way, but we will bring everyone back home  all the residents of the north and the south, he added.

Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Islamist movement with one of the most powerful paramilitary forces in the Middle East, has been carrying out deadly attacks from southern Lebanon targeting areas in northern Israel since October 8, the day after the Hamas attacks on Israel.

Israel has responded to Hezbollahs attacks with strikes that have killed Hezbollah militants, among them senior commanders.

Tens of thousands of Israelis have been evacuated from their homes in northern Israel due to ongoing conflict. Villages across southern Lebanon have also emptied.

The increase in cross-border attacks in recent weeks has intensified concerns about the possible outbreak of another full-fledged conflict in the Middle East.

Israeli officials have told the US they were planning to shift resources from southern Gaza to northern Israel in preparation for a possible offensive against the group, US officials told CNN on Wednesday. The implications of a wider war between Israel and Hezbollah could be devastating, a senior US official previously told CNN.

US officials have serious concerns that in the event of a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah, as the Iran-backed militant group could overwhelm Israels air defenses in the north  including the much-vaunted Iron Dome air defense system.

Netanyahu was also asked in the interview if his solution to ending the conflict with Hezbollah was via agreement or war.

The prime minister responded, Look, if there is an agreement, it will be an agreement according to our terms. Our terms are not ending the war, leaving Gaza, and leaving Hamas intact. I refuse to leave Hamas intact. We need to eliminate them.

Israel launched its war in Gaza following the Hamas attacks of October 7, when militants killed about 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages. Since then, the Israeli campaign has killed more than 37,000 people, according to the ministry of health in Gaza.

This breaking news story has been updated.

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Much heartened by the onslaught of criticism Ive been receiving from Telegraph readers, I am returning to the subject of one of Clactons parliamentary candidates. Two weeks ago I got myself into a vat of boiling oil for saying we should turn our heads to the wall from Mr Farages sort of bitter and divisive populism. My column was greeted with such outrage and affront that I knew I was onto something.

Ive learned how to spot the emergence of a herd opinion, by how its members begin copying and repeating each others words and memes. Thus I was accused repeatedly of elitism, sneering, condescension, drivel, having an affair with a married man and not being in tune with readers views.

Elitist? If that means admiring excellence, yes. Having an affair with a married man? Im a journalist, not a sodding nun. Moreover, I dont have to be in tune with the opinion of every reader. They may be wrong. A good test of a politician is whether they bring out the best in people. This is generally true of One Nation Tories like Benjamin Disraeli and Winston Churchill, who comprehended that the party had a left, centrist and right-wing, all of whom had to be placated.

Mr Farage brings out the worst. Perhaps this is because much of his creed plays on fear. As Shakespeare said, of all base passions, fear is most accursed. As my recent experiences indicate, many of his supporters run scared of free speech. Mr Farages success, therefore, would be a victory of sorts for those whose idea of freedom of expression is that there are two kinds; the right kind and the wrong, and they are the arbiters of both.

Attacking him has become as perilous as the asp at Cleopatras breast. I have always guarded my amour propre by assuming my opponents were decent and vaguely attached to the truth. I had not realised that it is now unacceptable to a certain constituency to say that Mr Farage is wrong.

Take his recent remarks about Putin. The Reform leader said in an interview on Friday that he admires the way he has taken control of running Russia. Putin is no better than the worst of the Tsars, Lenin, Castro and Ceausescu. According to Mr Farage, this maniac is to be admired for seizing the governments of his country, even if that involved the murder of his opponents and the suppression of the press. As for the West provoking Russia, a historically expansionist country, into invading Ukraine by enlarging NATO contrary to an agreement, no such undertaking was ever made. No treaty signed by NATO allies and Russia has ever included provisions on NATO membership. Any Russian concern about NATO enlargement beyond a united Germany was not on the agenda in 1989, as Mikhail Gorbachev later confirmed. But judging by the fractious conversations I have had with Farage supporters, the herd disagrees, employing exactly the same memes.

Im not talking to you. Youre part of the f- - - ing elite, said a Reform-supporting cabbie who picked me up yesterday. In the Faragists desert of intolerance, grown-up debate has become a farce. Our justice system was founded on the premise that laws should protect us all, irrespective of our views or position. If freedom of thought is not similarly protected, democracy is a self-limiting disease with suicidal tendencies.

Mr Farage himself has the persuasive skills of an Odysseus reborn. It is a pity then that many of his supporters would disgrace a race of alley cats. Doubtless, due to a defect in myself, I have an incapacity for resentment or intolerance. In the face of another mans good fortune, or in the fact that I live in an area where there are as many immigrants as British natives, I am inert. A sceptic of all politicians and ideas, especially my own, I have never suffered a pang when the ideas of an opponent have prevailed. Thus I am never envious and it is impossible for me to empathise with those who are.

Faragism is immovably grounded on humanitys baser instincts. This is not to say I have no sympathy with the view that the Tories have made a bit of a Horlicks of things. Avoidable blunders on immigration, transport, the delay of Brexit, net zero and the unforgivable sin of remaining in power too long and not defending our culture.

When statues of historical figures with alleged links to the slave trade were being torn down during lockdown (which I opposed, unlike Mr Farage), the Tories, under Boris Johnson, failed to distinguish themselves. But support for the Conservative Party is like that for the monarchy. The Tories, in their long history, have thrown up some bad apples, but this does not mean we should turn to acrimony and populism, becoming a nation of far-right Priti Patel nationalists who seek to leave the European Court of Human Rights (which would make us a pariah state like Russia and Belarus). This is Dignitas politics. I increasingly feel we expect too much from our governments and believe they have a panacea for our ills that does not exist.

Mr Farage, on the other hand, over-promises and has shown himself to be a man with a weakness for control. He would earn my respect far more if he would deter his herd from disposing with our great tradition of civil discourse.

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Iran and Bahrain agree to talk about how they might resume diplomatic relations severed since 2016

This is a locator map for Iran with its capital, Tehran. (AP Photo)

TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  Iran and Bahrain have agreed to talk about how they might resume bilateral relations after nearly eight years, Iranian media reported Monday.

The report by state-run IRNA news agency said Irans acting foreign minister Ali Bagheri Kani and his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani spoke on the sidelines of the ongoing Asian Cooperation Dialogue in Tehran.

The report said both sides agreed on creating the framework to start talks on the requirements for resuming diplomatic relations.

This is al-Zayani's second visit to Tehran in a month. The first came during the memorial for President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash in May.

Bahrain cut its diplomatic relations with Iran after Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Tehran following Riyadhs execution of an opposition Shiite cleric and attacks on Saudi diplomatic posts in Iran in 2016. Iran and Saudi Arabia resumed their diplomatic relations in 2023.
FILE PHOTO: Protest over the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who died after being arrested by the Islamic republic's "morality police", in Tehran

FILE PHOTO: Protest over the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who died after being arrested by the Islamic republic's "morality police", in Tehran

By Parisa Hafezi

DUBAI (Reuters) - Atousa joined angry protests against Iran's rulers in 2022 that loyalists like Reza helped crush. Two years on, the two young Iranians' political views remain at odds, reflecting a rift that will shape the outcome of presidential elections this week.

Now 22, Atousa says she will abstain from voting in Friday's ballot to choose a successor to Ebrahim Raisi after his death in a helicopter crash, regarding the exercise with derision.

But Reza, 26, a religiously devout member of the hardline Basij militia, intends to vote, a contrasting view of the worth of the election that underscores the division in Iran between supporters and opponents of the 45-year-old Islamic Republic.

All six candidates - five hardliners and a low-key moderate approved by a hardline watchdog body - have been wooing youthful voters in speeches and campaign messages, using social media to reach the 60% of the 85 million population aged under 30.

"This election, like all elections in Iran, is a circus. Why should I vote when I want the regime to be toppled?," Atousa told Reuters. She declined to be identified by her full name for security reasons.

"Even if it was a free and fair election and if all candidates could enter the race, the president in Iran has no power," she said.

The hashtag #ElectionCircus has been widely posted on social media platform X by Iranians in the past few weeks, while some Iranians at home and abroad have called for an election boycott.

Under Iran's clerical system, the elected president runs the government day-to-day but his powers are circumscribed by those of the hardline supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the last word on top issues such as nuclear and foreign policy.

'RELIGIOUS DUTY TO VOTE'

Like many women and young Iranians, Atousa joined protests in 2022 sparked by the death of a young Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, in police custody, following her arrest for allegedly violating Iran's mandatory Islamic dress code.

The unrest spiralled into the biggest show of opposition to Iran's clerical rulers in years.

Atousa, then a student, was arrested during the protests and her dream of becoming an architect was shattered when she was expelled from university as a punishment for participating in the demonstrations.

The Basij, a plain-clothes arm of the elite Revolutionary Guards, deployed alongside uniformed security during the 2022 unrest and helped suppress demonstrations with deadly force.

Over 500 people including 71 minors were killed in the protests, hundreds injured and thousands arrested in unrest that was eventually crushed by security forces, rights groups said.

Iran carried out seven executions linked to the unrest. Authorities have not given any official estimated death toll, but said dozens of security forces were killed in "riots".

"I will sacrifice my life for the leader and the Islamic Republic. It is my religious duty to vote. My participation will strengthen the Nezam (system)," said Reza, from the low-income Nazi Abad district in south Tehran.

Reza said he will support a hardline candidate who champions Khamenei's "resistance economy", a phrase meaning economic self-sufficiency, strengthening trade ties with regional neighbours and improving economic interaction with China and Russia.

The economy is beset by mismanagement, state corruption and sanctions reimposed since 2018 after the U.S. ditched Tehran's 2015 nuclear pact with six world powers.

Reza and Atousa, both born after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, have regrets about the 2022 demonstrations, albeit for different reasons.

Reza blames the protests for bringing mounting pressure on Iran from Western countries, which imposed sanctions on Iranian security forces and officials for alleged human rights abuses. Iran accused Western powers of fomenting the unrest.

"I wish the protests had not taken place ... our enemies used it as a pretext to mount pressure on our country," he said.

Atousa looks back on that period with sadness.

"I was hopeful," she said. "I thought finally the change will come and I will be able to live a life with no suppression in a free country ... I paid a heavy price, but the regime is still here."

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi, Editing by William Maclean)
Irate CLT passengers keep griping about TSA lines. Whats behind all the delays?

Waiting in long security lines at Charlottes airport is becoming an increasingly frustrating experience for passengers as the summer travel season grinds on in the midst of what airport officials expect will be record crowds.

Passengers took to social media recently to gripe about going through long lines at checkpoints for the Transportation Security Administration at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) took a picture showing crowded lines of people at the airport waiting to drop off their tagged bags before the TSA line. Holy Cow, the check-in process at CLT is so bad, he wrote. You have to get here like three hours early I guess.

Just a disaster this morning, another user said on X recently. Not enough daily parking shuttles. One TSA checkpoint shut down. Two lanes handling all TSA (40 minute wait). Nobody directing people, nobody checking PreCheck before they get in line. Charlotte could be so much better.

But officials from the TSA and CLT said longer than usual security lines is something passengers should expect this summer travel season, which is expected to be the busiest yet for Charlottes airport. And with the Fourth of July holiday coming up, traffic is not going to slowdown anytime soon.

Lines form at ticket counters at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Transportation Security Administration officials are expecting a busy summer at the airport.

Why the long wait at CLT?

Before Memorial Day weekend, CLT leaders said they were expecting to break summer travel records. They also warned passengers to be prepared for long lines.

Charlotte Douglas is the seventh-busiest airport in the world, according to the Airport Council Internationals preliminary rankings for 2022.

American Airlines accounts for about 90% of all flights at the airport. CLT is the second-largest hub for the Fort Worth, Texas-based company.

The airline is expecting to serve more than 8 million passengers in Charlotte between May 17 and Sept. 3 with 75,000 flights. Compared with last summer, this is a 12% increase and will surpass pre-pandemic levels of flying, according to American.

American Airlines added new kiosks at CLT to speed up the ticketing process. A second bag drop to help with foot traffic during peak periods was also added.

At CLT anything over 35,000 passengers is a busy day, while anything over 40,000 is very busy and 45,000 is extremely busy, according to Daniel Velez, TSA spokesman for North Carolina.

TSAs standard is to get people through a line in about 30 minutes or less, according to Velez. Although complaints were made about people waiting for hours, the longest wait times in the past week has been less than 50 minutes, he added.

Velez said upset passengers are probably adding the time it takes to check in with airlines and drop off luggage. I think theyre kind of putting all that together and coming up with times, he said.

The actual times that people spent in lines did not exceed 46 minutes around mid-June.

Now thats still above our standard of 30 minutes. So, you know I can understand peoples frustrations. But to say that theyve been (in line) for hours, thats not true.

Charlottes TSA had a couple of days exceeding 45 minutes this month because of flight delays, according to Velez.

TSA screened 37,418 people on June 11, with wait times ranging from 38 to 46 minutes. There were four delayed flights from the previous day.

June 13 was TSAs fourth busiest day at CLT this year, with 44,374 people screened. The standard wait time around 9 a.m. was 45 minutes because of flight delays.

You have all those people who are supposed to fly the day before trying to check in and go through security screening along with people who are regularly scheduled for that specific day, Velez said. So that can cause some of the problems.

Equipment malfunctions can close lanes and cause delays too, Velez said. Our equipment is just like any other equipment in the world, he said. It can easily break and its going to need some maintenance.

Construction work at the airport with restricted spaces is probably confusing passengers, Velez added.

Sometimes people get in the wrong line, he said. And theyre waiting in line for a while and then they realize theyre in the wrong line.

A spokesman for Charlotte Douglas International Airport declined to comment about the latest airport security delays, and referred questions to the TSA.

Travelers walk through the main terminal at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in 2022. Record crowds are expected this summer.

Other delays at Charlotte Douglas

CLT is no stranger to delay issues.

Last year, the Thanksgiving and Christmas weekends werent too kind to travelers at Charlotte Douglas because of vehicle traffic delays near the terminal.

Traffic improvements were made between the holidays at the airport. Some of the changes included communicating with the public on social media; partnering with the North Carolina and Charlotte Transportation Departments for real-time traffic updates; putting airport staff members and police in places to better facilitate vehicle traffic and foot traffic; changing traffic signals; and rerouting shuttle buses.

Prepare to deal with the lines at CLT

Airport officials are encouraging passengers to add extra time to their schedules to avoid traffic, while looking at road conditions.

Passengers should arrive at the terminal at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight, officials said.

A lot of times people get to the airport, like really late  maybe like 30 to 40 minutes before the plane takes off, Velez said. Not a good idea.

CLT is also asking customers to book parking in advance online at parkCLT.com. Estimated wait times for security checkpoints are available on the airports website and through the app. On Friday, June 21, two of the four standard checkpoints were closed. A CLT spokesperson said one was closed for construction. Wait times were between 10 to 44 minutes that day, according to the website.

All that time adds up so I can understand peoples frustrations, Velez said.

If airports in the country are having more passengers than expected, TSA will shift officers over into security screening lanes that actually need more help, Velez said.

TSA is also encouraging passengers to sign up for TSA PreCheck, a program that allows U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to have an expedited screening. There is no need to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets through this process, according to the website.

The standard PreCheck is about 10 minutes or less. And we did that all last week, Velez said, referring to the week of June 10.

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Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters condemned on Monday the gun violence in Tampa over the weekend that killed local rapper Julio Foolio, whose real name is Charles Jones.

Waters said his office will now be on alert for possible retaliatory shootings locally.

Jones attorney told Action News Jax he was shot in an ambush-style shooting.

It happened in a Tampa hotel parking lot. Waters said his detectives will assist Tampa police with the investigation.

Jones longtime attorney said he was celebrating his 26th birthday in Tampa.

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Jones posted to social media that he was kicked out of an Airbnb because there were too many people.

Julio Foolio is known for popular rap videos with controversial lyrics about murders involving rival gangs in Jacksonville.

Waters spoke out against the violence after announcing the unrelated arrest of a Jacksonville police officer for DUI.

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Because it isnt cool now. Its over now. Its over from him. Its permanent and now we have to deal with the mess. Cleaning it up. Hopefully we can stop it from happening in the future, Waters said.

So far, no arrests have been made, but theres been speculation about who could be behind it.

What the sheriff had to say about a video dropped by a rival gang just hours after the deadly shooting.

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An Israeli commission of inquiry has sent out warning letters, including one to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following an investigation that lasted more than two years.

The commission examined the procedures for the procurement of German submarines and corvettes, which are small warships, for the Israeli Navy between 2009 and 2016.

The commission said on Monday that Netanyahu could be "harmed" by the investigation. Netanyahu was prime minister during the period in question.

According to the 11-page memo, Netanyahu could be adversely affected if the commission concludes that he made decisions with a significant impact on the country's security without an organized decision-making process and that he concluded agreements with Germany on security and economic issues, bypassing his government.

The investigation had already concluded that Netanyahu's behaviour had resulted in far-reaching and systematic disruption to work processes and to endangering Israel's security and its foreign relations, the statement said.

Four other people are said to have received warning letters, including former defence minister Moshe Ya'alon and former Mossad head Yossi Cohen.

Some of those involved are under suspicion of corruption. While Netanyahu had been questioned in this regard, he was not under suspicion, the statement said.

Germany has delivered five submarines to Israel with a sixth still to be delivered.

In 2022, Israel and Germany concluded a subsequent deal on the purchase of three submarines of the new Dakar class, the first of which is scheduled for delivery within nine years.

Responding to the announcement, Netanyahu said the submarines were "a central pillar of Israel's national security and in ensuring its existence against Iran, which is trying to destroy us."

History would show that he had been right and had made the right decisions for the country's security, Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu scrambles to contain backlash to comments on ceasefire deal as hostage families release new video

Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said he was still committed to an Israeli ceasefire and hostage release proposal backed by the United States as he faced blowback from families of Israeli hostages for appearing to walk back his support of the proposal the day before.

The proposal, outlined by US President Joe Biden last month, sets out conditions intended to lead to the eventual release of all remaining hostages, in return for a permanent ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

But on Sunday, Netanyahu told Israels Channel 14 he was ready to make a partial deal with Hamas to return only some hostages from Gaza, in comments that were at odds with the proposal, which was approved by his own war cabinet.

He added that Israel will continue fighting in the enclave after the ceasefire. It doesnt mean that the war is going to end, but the war in its current stage is going to end in Rafah. This is true. We will continue mowing the grass later, Netanyahu told the right-wing broadcaster in what was his first one-to-one interview with local Israeli media since October 7.

His apparent dismissal of the ceasefire and hostage release proposal faced an angry backlash from Israeli politicians and a group representing Israels hostages and their families, which has become a potent political force in the country.

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum called Netanyahus comments to Channel 14 an unprecedented national failure and a failure to meet the goals of the war.

Opposition figure Gadi Eisenkot  who resigned from Israels war cabinet a week before Netanyahu disbanded it  also slammed Netanyahu, saying there are soldiers who are fighting now because they have war goals to return the hostages.

On Monday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the US opposes continued military operations in Gaza. Thats just a recipe for continued conflict, continued instability and continued insecurity for Israel, he told a press briefing.

The Hostage and Missing Families Forum later released a video showing the kidnapping of three Israelis by Hamas on October 7. The video shows Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Or Levy and Eliya Cohen in the back of a pickup truck, being driven along a tree-lined road in southern Israel by militants wielding assault weapons. Here are the dogs, here they are, one of the gunmen can be heard saying.

Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli citizen then age 23, can be seen with his face bloodied and what appears to be bone protruding from his left arm  blown off after a grenade was tossed into the bunker in which he and several others had been hiding from Hamas gunmen.

Goldberg-Polins family told CNNs Anderson Cooper that they agreed to releasing the video of their son because world leaders maybe need a wake-up call.

Its horrific. Its gut-wrenching. Its a video that no parent wants to see of their kid, Jon Polin said. Its important that people in the world see the videos, understand whats happening, understand what happened on October 7, and most particularly, that leaders of the world see it.

Hamas released a video of Goldberg-Polin in April, the first proof that he survived the blast. In the video, he criticized Netanyahus government, as other Israeli hostages in Hamas propaganda videos have done. Held in Gaza for six months at the time, he was almost certainly speaking under duress.

Every day that passes puts the hostages at greater risk and diminishes our chances of bringing them back safely, the Forum said in a statement, calling for a deal that brings all of the hostages home.

An important correction

Netanyahu scrambled to walk back his comments to Channel 14. On Monday, an Israeli source familiar with the matter told CNN that Israel has stressed to Hamas through mediators Qatar and Egypt that its committed to the Israeli ceasefire and hostage release proposal.

Netanyahus words at the Knesset were an important correction. To this day he has not said publicly that he supports the Israeli proposal. Netanyahus words move the ball to Hamas court. If Hamas says yes, there will be a deal. We now need to push for a deal with everything we got, the Israeli source said.

In a short statement issued after his interview Sunday, Netanyahus office sought to clarify what he said, saying the prime minister had made it clear that we will not leave Gaza until we return all 120 of our hostages, living and deceased.

Seeking to row back his explosive comments even further, Netanyahu on Monday told the Knesset: We are committed to the Israeli proposal that President Biden welcomed. Our position has not changed.

Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages demand their release at a protest in Tel Aviv in April. - Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images

The release of the video may be intended to refocus minds in Israels security cabinet, reminding Netanyahu and other senior officials of the wars initial aim to return the hostages, many of whom remain in Gaza nearly nine months after their abduction.

It came as the number of hostages believed to be dead rose to 42 with the announcement by the Israeli military that one of its soldiers, Sergeant Major Mhamad El Atrash, 39, was killed on October 7 and that his body is being held by Hamas. Previously, on June 8, the Israeli Prime Ministers Office said it believes that at least 41 hostages from the October 7 attack are dead, with their bodies being held in the Gaza Strip.

At least five American hostages are believed to be held alive and four others believed to be dead.

More than a million Palestinians were taking shelter in Rafah before Israel started its air and ground operation in the southern Gazan city, defying calls from the international community not to proceed. Around 800,000 people have since been displaced from Rafah, where conditions have been described by the United Nations food agency as apocalyptic.

The citys border crossing with Egypt  a vital entry point for humanitarian aid  has remained closed since the Israeli military seized it early last month.

And international pressure on Israels actions in Gaza have mounted since it started its operation in Rafah. Last month, the UNs top court ordered Israel to immediately halt its controversial military operation there, calling the humanitarian situation disastrous.

CNNs Jeremy Diamond, Kylie Atwood and Michael Conte contributed reporting.

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ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM)  An Ithaca man has been arrested on drug charges after members of the Tompkins County Sheriffs Office Specialized Response Team executed a search warrant on him last week.

According to the Ithaca Police Department, Omar J. Punter, 41, was arrested on the charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree, a class D felony, on June 20 following the search, which was requested by IPD for weapons and narcotics trafficking.

Homeless man arrested, allegedly stole motorcycle in Elmira

A home on Cypress Court, as well as another on the 400 block of North Geneva Street, were also searched in connection with the warrant.

Police say that Punter was found on Cypress Court in Ithaca when the search occurred. At the time of the search, police say that Punter was found to have suspected crack cocaine.

As a result, Punter was charged and arraigned at the Tompkins County CAP Court and then returned to the Tompkins County Jail, where he was held without bail.

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Think Big America, a nonprofit organization affiliated with Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, on Monday starts running its first paid advertising campaign of the 2024 election cycle across three reproductive rights battleground states where the group is supporting ongoing abortion access ballot initiative campaigns.

The 60-second digital ad, released on the second anniversary of the Dobbs decision, is meant to depict "the stark reality pregnant women face in a post-Dobbs America," according to a spokesperson for the nonprofit group, which shared details of the ad buy first with ABC News.

The spot, part of the group's six-figure spending targeting and aimed at independent voters, will run on YouTube and connected television platforms in Arizona and Nevada, two states where measures related to protecting abortion will likely be on their November ballots, and in Florida, where an abortion-related ballot initiative is confirmed to appear in front of voters.

Two years ago, Donald Trumps Supreme Court not only ripped away abortion access for tens of millions of women, they turned the clock back 50 years on reproductive healthcare, said Pritzker in a statement.

Because of Donald Trump and his MAGA extremists, women are now being denied life-saving care and doctors face jail for doing their job. Unless we act, these cruel attacks on our rights and freedoms will only continue to escalate. This November, we must defeat MAGA extremists and their anti-woman agenda once and for all," he added.

PHOTO: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks to auto workers before the arrival of President Joe Biden at the Community Complex Building in Belvedere, IL, November 09, 2023. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

MORE: Democrats go on offense as the GOP opens the door to birth control restrictions

The ad features a young woman looking at her cell phone as she waits for the results of her pregnancy test, digesting news headlines about some of the negative impacts of abortion restrictions following the Dobbs decision.

"MAGA extremists want to enforce a national abortion ban putting millions of lives at risk," reads the ad's text. "Only we can stop them."

Former President Donald Trump has declined to endorse a national abortion ban, saying as recently as Saturday that the issue should be left to individual states.

"The people will decide, and thats the way it should be. The people are now deciding, Trump said Saturday at Faith & Freedom Coalition's annual Road to Majority conference in Washington D.C.

Launched in October 2023, Think Big America is focused on protecting and expanding abortion rights around the country, with a particular focus on supporting abortion rights ballot measures.

Abortion or reproductive rights-related ballot initiatives are confirmed on the general election ballots in four states: Florida, Maryland, South Dakota and Colorado. Overall, they could be on the November 2024 ballot in at least 11 states (including those four).

In Arizona, the Arizona for Abortion Access campaign is working to get a constitutional amendment on the states ballot enshrining abortion access through a petition drive/citizen-initiated measure. The campaign has said that they have gathered over 500,000 signatures  surpassing the 383,923-signature threshold to get a ballot initiative on the Arizona general election ballot.

The proposed amendment would amend Arizonas state constitution to prohibit the state from legislating against abortion up until fetal viability and enshrines other abortion protections into law.

In Nevada, organizers for an abortion rights ballot initiative announced in late May that they had turned in over 200,000 signatures to the Nevada Secretary of States office, far surpassing the 102,362 signature requirement.

The signatures submitted will need to be verified by the Nevada Secretary of States office and the initiative is not yet confirmed on Nevada's ballot.

Under the proposed section, according to the petition's text, abortion access would be enshrined in the state constitution up to fetal viability; the state would be allowed to legislate about abortion after fetal viability unless a health care provider says abortion is necessary. Abortion is currently legal until 24 weeks in Nevada, and a 1990 referendum in the state reaffirmed the law (making it impossible to amend or repeal the abortion law without another referendum). If the initiative is certified for the ballot and passes in 2024, it would still need to pass another vote in 2026 to amend the state's constitution.

MORE: Arizona Republicans block another Democratic effort to repeal 1864 abortion ban

The only state among the three targeted by Think Big where an abortion-access ballot initiative is confirmed to be on the ballot is Florida. In April, the state Supreme Court decided to allow the ballot initiative that would enshrine abortion rights in the state's Constitution to be on their November ballot.

If the referendum prevails in November, it will undo Florida's abortion ban. The amendment is sponsored by Floridians Protecting Freedom. In January, the group surpassed the required number of signatures to put a referendum in front of voters.

Pritzker is a rising star Democrat who has tapped into his vast personal wealth to boost Think Big. Thus far, the nonprofit group has given $1 million to Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom, $250,000 to Arizona for Abortion Access with a commitment of $1 million, and $500,000 to Floridians Protecting Freedom.

Theyve also contributed to Montanas abortion initiative, to pro-abortion-rights groups in Ohio, where voters last November overwhelmingly decided to enshrine abortion protections into their state constitution, and gave $250,000 to Virginia Democrats ahead of their state legislative elections.

ABCs Oren Oppenheim and Hannah Demissie contributed to this report.

J.B. Pritzker-backed abortion-focused group launches first paid ad campaign on 2024 cycle originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
JACKSONVILLE, Ark.  Police in Jacksonville say the suspect in a shooting last week that injured a teenager turned himself in to police over the weekend.

Officials with the Jacksonville Police Department said 28-year-old Malike Roy was identified in the June 20 late-night shooting in the 100 block of Cherry Street that left an 18-year-old hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds.

Jacksonville police searching for suspect car in connection with Cherry Street shooting

Authorities said investigators developed Roy as a suspect and that he turned himself in to police on Saturday.

Roy is currently being held in the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility without bond and faces charges of attempt to commit capital murder, multiple counts of committing a terroristic act, first-degree battery and multiple counts of criminal mischief.

Malike Roy booking photo  Image courtesy of Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility

Court records show that Roy had a preliminary video hearing Monday but no plea information was available.

Little Rock police investigating Sunday afternoon homicide

Police are continuing to investigate this shooting. Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to contact the Jacksonville PD Criminal Investigation Division at 501-985-2802.

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Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio was shot and killed at a Holiday Inn in Tampa early Sunday morning, according to his attorney.

Charles Andrew Jones II, who performs under the stage name Julio Foolio, was celebrating his 26th birthday at a party he advertised on Instagram.

According to his attorney, Lewis Fusco, Jones had too many people at the Airbnb where the party was hosted and had to leave. He got a room at a Holiday Inn across from the University of South Florida, where he was basically ambushed in the parking lot, Fusco told News4Jax.

Tampa police tentatively identified the victim in the shooting as Jones and said three others were shot and are being treated at a local hospital. Their condition was listed as stable.

The mass shooting was one of 11 around the country over the weekend and the 19th to happen in Florida this year, according to data from the Gun Violence Archive.

Who is Julio Foolio?

This is a promotion posted on X for rapper Julio Foolio's birthday June 22, 2024.

Jones, who labeled himself as an independent artist, was a Jacksonville rapper who grew up in Moncrief. He started getting noticed with his Soulja K collab Dirty Sticks, and was ranked 13th on the Top 20 Florida Rappers Fall List by Say Cheese TV. In July 2018, he created his breakout mixtape collaboration "6Toven" with legendary producer Zaytoven.

He often rapped about friends who were murdered  15 before he was 20, according to his Spotify bio  and talked about music as therapy. I love music because I can hear a beat sometimes," he told Eric Wells for Complex, "and I feel like its talking to me."

But it was the feud between him and Yungeen Ace and his songs mocking fallen rivals that brought him national attention, 1.1 million followers on Instagram and over one million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Foolio has released 10 albums, including his latest in April, "Resurrrection."

"I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Foolio," Fusco posted to an Instagram story. "While most people knew him as the controversial rapper and entertainer, I was fortunate enough to know Charles Jones, the man beyond the public persona. He was a kid who grew up in challenging circumstances, determined to defy the odds by any means possible and succeed in all that he did. His journey was marked by resilience and a deep-seated desire to strive for greatness."

Was Julio Foolio in a gang war?

Jones belonged to the Jacksonville gang KTA, which has been feuding for years with the gang ATK. Jacksonville rapper Yungeen Ace, real name Kenyatta Bullard, is the star of ATK.

Jacksonville police say that ATK stands for "Ace's Top Killers," firstcoastnews.com said, although other sources said it was "Ace to Kill." KTA stands for "Kill Them All." The two groups grew out of the rap subculture drill rap, which focuses on drug culture, guns and gang violence.

The feud went from violent to deadly in 2017 when Jones' cousin, Zion Malik Brown, 18 was shot and killed. Two girls, ages 9 and 15, suffered multiple gunshot wounds, according to police. Deontrae Jaquez Thomas, an associate of Bullard, was arrested and charged. The next June, Bullard and three other teens were shot at while celebrating the rapper's brother's birthday at a restaurant. Bullard was shot eight times, but the other three  including his brother, Tre'von Bullard, 18  died.

Jones made several posts on social media glorifying the killings and showing off a mocking t-shirt with a photo of one of the slain teens, saying, "I'm getting a new T-shirt made for my show."

In 2019, Willie Addison, who rapped as Boss Goon, was shot and killed outside the Paradise Gentlemen's Club where he had just performed, firstcoastnews.com reported. Several of his family members and family members of ATK rapper Hakeem Robinson, known as Ksoo, were injured. Soon after that, Robinson was charged in separate incidents for the deaths of Charles Quentin McCormick Jr., a KTA rapper who performed as Lilbuck, and Jones' close friend, Adrian Dennard Gainer Jr, 16, also known as Bibby.

In 2021, Jones was shot at and injured while getting out of his vehicle. "Yall miss a whole 100 shots literally," he said on Instagram hours later. He was also shot in Houston, Texas in July 2020, an event that rival Jacksonville rapper FastMoney Goon talked about in a viral music video, "Who I Smoke."

Last October Jones was shot in the foot when the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said, "it appears that the suspect or suspects were waiting for the victim and ambushed him." The car he was driving was riddled with bullet holes, firstcoastnews.com reported.

"Over 5 plus attempts on my life & im still here real Demi god," he posted in January, "along with a new song depicting himself singing from a wheelchair about people trying to kill a superstar.

"These last couple months/years of my life have been tragic," Jones posted on Instagram in April. "God been tryna send me a message multiple attempts on my life I keep surviving. I keep losing my bruddas to jail and graveyards but I know the most high doing everything for a reason he let me walk again for a reason."

What happened to Julio Foolio?

"Mr. Jones had been in Tampa to celebrate his birthday over the weekend," Fusco said in a news release. "Law enforcement reports indicate that he initially stayed at an Airbnb but was asked to leave due to exceeding occupancy limits. He subsequently relocated to the Holiday Inn, where he was involved in an incident in the hotel parking lot and reportedly ambushed."

Instagram posts by Jones showed a pool party at an Airbnb and a birthday party at Teaser's, a gentleman's club in Tampa.

Multiple bullet holes can be seen that pierced this car in the early morning shooting June 23, 2024, that left Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio, real name Charles Jones II, dead at a Holiday Inn in Tampa across from the University of South Florida.

The Tampa Police Department said it received a 911 call regarding a shooting at the 11606 McKinley Drive hotel at approximately 4:40 a.m. and officers observed two vehicles that had been shot at in the parking lot. Four people were injured in the shooting, police said, with one person pronounced dead. Three other victims were treated at a local hospital.

Police are investigating what led up to the shooting. The agency has not released a description of the shooter or shooters.

"God thank you for allowing me to see another Year & To celebrate another birthday," Jones posted in one of his last X posts. "appreciate all the birthday wishes so far"

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Julio Foolio: Who is Jacksonville rapper killed in Florida shooting?
Jeffrey Epsteins Ex Says He Boasted About Being a Mossad Agent

A former girlfriend and victim of Jeffrey Epstein is suing the late sex traffickers estate, claiming he boasted of being a Mossad agent before raping her at his New York mansion.

The California woman, referred to as Jane Doe 200 in a new lawsuit, says she met Epstein through a friend in Los Angeles in 2000. What began as a platonic relationship turned romanticbefore Epstein sexually assaulted her a year later.

During their time together, Doe says, Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell hinted he was an agent for Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agencyjust like Maxwells father, Robert. For her part, Ghislaine allegedly warned Doe that it was not good to be Epsteins enemy.

It became obvious that Epstein was not only extremely wealthy but also suspiciously well-connected, more so than all the other powerful men with whom he associated, adds the suit filed in Manhattan federal court on Monday.

Despite being in a committed relationship often spending nearly around-the-clock time together, what Epstein did for work was not clear.

Epstein, who bragged of being on the Trilateral Commission and Council on Foreign Relations, would later invite Doe to a networking event attended by Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the suit says.

Ghislaine Maxwell Sentenced to 20 Years For Sex Trafficking Girls to Jeffrey Epstein

He also name-dropped world political figures, billionaire businessmen, and notorious international criminals, the complaint states.

While he was gentle and kind to Doe most of the time, Doe did observe Epsteins explosive, uncontrollable anger toward others, the lawsuit says.

Does complaint provides another window into Epsteins world and is one of several pending lawsuits related to the traffickers crimes after his 2019 death. Earlier this month, one victim sued renowned psychiatrist Henry Jarecki for allegedly exploiting her and other young women Epstein had also sexually abused.

Brad Edwards, an attorney for Doe, told The Daily Beast, In addition to Epsteins rotation of victims, there was typically one person who he made believe was his girlfriend, usually completely in the dark about his criminal abuse.

Jane Doe 200 was that girlfriend during this period of time, which means she learned more information than most other victims, Edwards added. In the end, Epstein violently raped her in a manner far worse than his usual modus operandi. This victim has lived in a particular fear for a long time and she deserves justice.

Does lawsuit names Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn, the co-executors of Epsteins estate, as defendants and alleges battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The Daily Beast has contacted a lawyer for Epsteins estate for comment.

While the accuser believed she was in a committed, monogamous relationship with Epsteinuntil he forcibly raped her at his Manhattan mansionhe was also abusing underage girls in Florida and elsewhere.

As part of his long-running trafficking scheme, Epstein and his associates lured girls and young women to his luxurious homes with promises of career or financial help, then forced them into sexualized massages.

When Doe met Epstein, he inquired about her passions and made it clear that he was a well-connected person and offered to introduce her to world-renowned scientists and other professionals in fields in which [she] was interested.

Epstein even introduced Doe to his brother, mother, and friends. Their dates included visits to auction houses and antique shops and one helicopter trip to Princeton University to attend a lecture by Epsteins friend, Professor Martin Nowak.

Back then, Epstein claimed he had only had sex with five women in his entire life, including British socialite Maxwell, his former girlfriend and now convicted accomplice who was around frequently as Epsteins friend.

While Epsteins strategy with Doe was different, the complaint says, he infiltrated her life in a unique and arguably more disturbing way.

Epstein over the course of months, caused Doe to believe they were in a committed relationship, that she was one of the only real girlfriends he had ever had, and that he cared for her, the legal filing states. Once he knew Doe felt the same way, he forcibly raped her.

The incident occurred in fall of 2001, when Epstein was getting a traditional massage at his Upper East Side mansion. The masseuse began kissing Epstein, and Doe became upset. But before Doe could leave, the complaint says, physically forced her face down on the massage table and violently vaginally penetrated her.

Given the violence behind the rape, the lawsuit says, Doe knew in that moment that she had to escape. She feared Epstein would retaliate if she reported him to police, so she fled to California and broke up with him.

Doe genuinely believed that any reporting of the rape by what she believed to be a Mossad agent with some of the most unique connections in the world, would result in significant bodily harm or death to her, the filing says.

Still Epstein tried to contact Doe frequently. In 2003, Epstein offered her a once in a lifetime opportunity to network with influential people, and she accepted the invitation because she was facing immigration issues.

Doe, while hesitant to be in Epsteins orbit again, attended the networking event purely for work purposes, the complaint says.

She met Googles Page and Brin, and Epstein told her several of the people at the event would spend time at his New Mexico ranch afterward. She joined them there but avoided Epstein so that he couldnt assault her again.

Doe frequently continued to be contacted by Epstein, the suit says, and despite her belief that Epstein could harm or kill her if he did not get his way, given the immense harm he inflicted on her, she refused to ever see him again.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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A New Jersey man faces an attempted murder charge after allegedly flying to Florida and attacking a fellow gamer with a hammer over an online dispute, authorities said.

The two had never met in-person before the suspect showed up at the victim's home in Fernandina Beach over the weekend "apparently to confront the victim," Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said during a press briefing on Monday announcing charges in the case.

The incident is believed to have originated from an "online altercation," Leeper said, calling the case "a weird one."

PHOTO: Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper holds a photo during a press briefing of a hammer he says was used in an assault, June 24, 2024. (WJXX)

The suspect, Edward Kang, 20, allegedly gained entry into the victim's home through an unlocked door and -- wearing all-black clothes, gloves and a mask -- attacked him with a hammer when the victim got up from gaming to use the bathroom late Saturday or early Sunday, according to Leeper.

The victim, who is believed to be around the same age as Kang, was able to wrestle his assailant to the ground, Leeper said. He and his stepfather, who was woken up by screams for help, were able to disarm the suspect and restrain him until deputies arrived, Leeper said.

MORE: David DePape found guilty in state trial over Paul Pelosi attack

"Upon arrival, they discovered a significant amount of blood in the entryway of the home and the victim's bedroom," Leeper said.

The victim sustained "severe" head wounds during the assault, the sheriff said. The victim has since been released from a hospital, he said.

Kang was booked into the Nassau County Jail on Sunday and charged with attempted second-degree murder and armed burglary. It is unclear if he has an attorney.

PHOTO: The booking photo for Edward Kang. (Nassau County Sheriff's Office)

Leeper said the investigation is ongoing and charges may be upgraded.

When asked about a motive in the assault, Kang allegedly told deputies that the victim is a "bad person online," Leeper said. He also allegedly asked how much jail time you receive for breaking and entering and assault, according to Leeper.

"I would say, Mr. Kang, it will be a long time before you play video games," Leeper said.

MORE: Family of black belts saves woman from alleged sexual assault

The victim and suspect allegedly knew each other from the online video game ArcheAge, according to Leeper. The Korean massively multiplayer online role-playing game will no longer be accessible in the United States as of Thursday, its publisher announced in April, citing the "declining number of active players."

Kang reportedly told family he was going to meet a friend he met years ago through an online video game, Leeper said. He flew from Newark, New Jersey, to Jacksonville, Florida, and arrived at a hotel near the victim's home early Friday morning, according to Leeper. He allegedly purchased a hammer and flashlight at a hardware store upon landing in Florida, with receipts found in his hotel room, Leeper said.

"This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential real-world consequences of online interaction," Leeper said. "We urge the public to exercise caution, report any suspicious online behavior to the authorities and always ensure that their homes are securely locked."

New Jersey man allegedly flew to Florida to attack fellow gamer: Sheriff originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
MSNBCs Morning Joe co-hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski on Monday openly laughed at Fox News cutting away from former President Donald Trumps latest campaign rally ramble.

Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, blathered on about low water pressure in homes and washing machines, among numerous other off-the-wall issues, during his address at Temple University in Philadelphia on Saturday.

Fox News cut into its live feed of Trumps address for analysis.

Scarborough and Brzezinski were tickled by the pro-Trump networks move.

They had to cut away from the washing machine bit, noted a chuckling Scarborough.

What do you talk about with that? Whats the analysis of drip, drip, drip? Brzezinski asked. Imagine if Joe Biden did this, by the way. It would be 24-hour coverage of Joe Biden losing it. But this, they just go to break.

Scarborough later noted how the Trump campaign has belatedly figured out that lying about Joe Bidens incoherence ahead of the Trump-Biden debate in Atlanta on Thursday was a bad idea.

Donald Trump, when you look at any of his speeches front-to-back, looks like he is off his rocker, he pointed out. Its crazy the things he says, its crazy what people stand there and applaud for. Here, they just look thoroughly confused and Fox News had to cut away because they are like, I got nothing here, I got nothing.

Related...
Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned Sunday that an Israeli invasion of Lebanon against Hezbollah could spark opposition from Iran, potentially putting U.S. troops in the region at risk.

The comments underline Biden administration pressure on the Israeli government not to move against Hezbollah, as tensions rise in the region amid the Israel-Hamas war.

Brown said that Iran would be more inclined to support Hezbollah, adding that Iran would likely give more support to the militants in Lebanon than Hamas particularly if they felt that Hezbollah was being significantly threatened.

The chair spoke to reporters as he traveled to Botswana for a meeting of African defense ministers, according to The Associated Press.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the Israeli offensive in Gaza is winding down, but warned that a war against Hezbollah in Lebanon could be on the horizon, as border tensions rise.

The prime minister said he hoped a diplomatic solution to the crisis could be found but vowed to solve the problem in a different way if needed. We can fight on several fronts, and we are prepared to do that, he said.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was in Washington on Sunday to meet with senior Pentagon officials about the tensions.

In recent weeks, Israeli officials have increasingly warned that a wider conflict is inevitable with Hezbollah. 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.

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.

U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein and the Biden administration have proposed a diplomatic plan to solve the growing crisis. But it is likely only to be possible 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.

Brad Dress contributed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Duggar was sentenced to nearly 13 years in prison in 2022

Washington county arkansas Josh Duggar

The Supreme Court has denied Josh Duggar's appeal in his child pornography case.

Duggar, 36, was arrested in 2021 for receiving and possessing child pornography. He was sentenced to nearly 13 years after being found guilty on two charges and filed an appeal, which has now been rejected, according to the Associated Press.

"A child predator has been brought to justice," said Homeland Security's resident agent-in-charge, Billy Riggins at the time of Duggars conviction.

PEOPLE has reached out to Duggar's attorneys and family representative for comment.

His prior appeal had already been rejected before going to the Supreme Court. In October 2023, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed the 19 Kids and Counting alum's previous judgment.

Related: Amy Duggar King Hopes Cousin Josh Duggar Endures 'Torture' in Prison: 'He Deserves Every Second' (Exclusive)

Kris Connor/Getty Josh Duggar

The investigation began in 2019 when Homeland Security agents found child pornography downloaded onto a computer linked to Duggar at his business, Wholesale Motorcars. The investigation found that he had developed a hidden system on his work computer to view content of children  some under the age of 10  being sexually abused.

Several days of testimony included an emotional appearance from family friend Bobye Holt, who said Duggar had admitted to her in 2003 and 2005 that he had molested four Jane Does (one was 5 years old) from when he was 12 to 15.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Duggars defense argued that there was a probability the former reality star was hacked or exploited, adding that the prosecutions case lacked evidence that it was actually Duggar downloading the images.

Related: Josh Duggar Once Boycotted Gas Station For Distributing Pornography Before Becoming Convicted Sex Offender 20 Years Later

"If you like a good mystery, then this is the case for you," defense attorney Justin Gelfand said in his opening statement. The actual forensic trail presents more questions than answers."

In the end, a jury found Duggar guilty, and he has been serving his sentence in a Texas prison.

Duggar's parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar gave a statement immediately after their son was charged, saying, "The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious. It is our prayer that the truth, no matter what it is, will come to light, and that this will all be resolved in a timely manner. We love Josh and [his wife] Anna and continue to pray for their family."

Patsy Lynch/Shutterstock

Related: Why Amy Duggar King Doesn't Think Cousin Josh Duggar 'Can Change' Despite His Imprisonment (Exclusive)

His sister Jill Duggar Dillard  who was one of his multiple alleged molestation victims, alongside sibling Jessa Duggar Seewald  revealed in her memoir that this issue was known to their parents. She claimed Jim Bob, 58, and Michelle, 57, had sent Josh away when he was a child due to his impure thoughts and actions, all before the family began filming their first documentary special.

"By the time 14 Children and Pregnant Again! was complete, Josh had returned to live with us," she wrote. "His head had been shaved, I guess in an attempt to punish him or instill some humility. I wasnt worried about him, though. I was a kid, and I trusted that things would get better now that Josh had been 'fixed.'"

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

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Wade admitted to killing two women and three men between 1994 and 2007

Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, Indiana

Serial killer Joshua Wade, who admitted to killing five people in Alaska between 1994 and 2007, has died in prison. He was 44.

According to a statement from the Indiana Department of Correction shared with PEOPLE on Sunday, June 23, Wade died on June 14 at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City.

Department of Correction spokesperson Brandi Pahl told PEOPLE that Wade was "found unresponsive in his cell."

"Despite life-saving measures being performed, he was pronounced dead," Pahl continued. He added that an autopsy will be conducted.

A cause of death was not released. The LaPorte County coroner was not immediately available for comment.

Alaska Public Media reported earlier this week that although Wade was convicted of state and federal charges in Alaska, he was transferred to an Indiana prison in 2014 after accepting a deal with both state and federal prosecutors.



Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP Joshua Wade in court on Feb. 17, 2010, in Anchorage, Alaska

Per a June 2014 press release from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Wade admitted to murdering Anchorage-area woman Della Brown in 2000 when he was 20 years old, and her body was found in a shed. That year, Wade was charged with killing Brown by hitting her over the head with a large rock, but a jury convicted him only of witness tampering and acquitted him on murder and sexual assault charges, the Associated Press reported.

According to Alaska Public Media, soon after Wade finished his probation for the witness tampering case in 2007, he kidnapped and murdered Mindy Schloss, a nurse practitioner and his neighbor in the Sand Lake neighborhood of Anchorage. Investigators in that case said that he tortured Schloss and shot her to death, and her body was found more than one month later about 40 miles outside of the city after she was reported missing, the outlet added.

Wade pleaded guilty to carjacking and killing Schloss in 2009, and as a part of the conviction, he admitted to killing Brown almost 10 years prior.



According to the FBI, Wade later told Anchorage police and FBI agents that he also killed two other men in 1994 and 1999, as well as another man on the same night he murdered Brown in 2000. Investigators believe the men he murdered in the 1990s were 38-year-old John Michael Martin  when Wade was 14 years old  and 30-year-old Henry Ongtowasruk, according to the FBI's press release.

Wade was sentenced to 99 years in prison by an Alaska state court, and a federal court sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the AP reported. At each sentencing, Wade apologized. At the state sentencing, he told the families of the two women: "I deserve much worse. Im sorry."



In federal court, Wade also had a tense exchange with U.S. District court Judge Ralph Beistline when he tried to apologize again.

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"What an evil thing youve done," Beistline said at the time, according to AP. "What kind of person could take pleasure in the random destruction of another life?"

In response to Beistline calling him selfish and a coward Wade told the judge, "Dont push it, man," according to AP.

Wade was born in Great Falls, Montana, and moved to Alaska as a child, according to Alaska Public Media. He lived with his father in Anchorage and spent time in juvenile jail facilities as a teenager. Many experts have highlighted his killings as an example of the high number of violent crimes against Alaska Natives, the outlet added.



In its 2014 press release, the FBI asked the public to report any information about Wade's murders, including the unidentified man he admitted to killing in 2000.

"If anyone has information they have not previously provided to law enforcement concerning these crimes, they are asked to call Anchorage Police Detective Sgt. Markiewicz at (907) 786-8582 or the FBI at (907) 276-4441," the FBI wrote at the time. "Tips can be submitted anonymously via telephone by calling Crime Stoppers at 561-STOP or online at www.anchoragecrimestoppers.com."

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.



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There was tension in U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannons courtroom on Monday afternoon as the controversial juristalready facing criticism that she is in the tank for Donald Trump, who appointed her to the bench during his single term in the White Housesnapped at one of the government attorneys prosecuting Trump for unlawfully hoarding classified documents after leaving office.

The exchange occurred during a hearing at the federal courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida, with prosecutors arguing for Trump to be barred from launching inflammatory public attacks on the FBI and its agents involved in the case. Trump has gone off on unhinged rants against the FBI, which seized hundreds of highly sensitive documents taken by Trump at the end of his term, and stored haphazardly throughout Mar-a-Lago, Trumps private club in Palm Beach that now also serves as his residence.

Trumps attorneys have argued that any limit on what he may or may not say about the case would be an unacceptable violation of his First Amendment rights.

The flare-up between Cannon and prosecutor David Harbach followed a question from Cannon about whether or not Trumps admittedly inflammatory statements about law enforcement could be directly connected to threats to law enforcement from Trump fans. Harbach read out loud a social media post by Trump which claimed, falsely, that the FBI was locked & loaded and prepared to assassinate him, with the blessing of President Joe Biden, when agents showed up to retrieve the restricted documents Trump had pilfered. The former president floated a similar lie in a fundraising email, as well.

Where do you see a call for violence? Cannon asked about the posts.

Federal Judge Postpones Trumps Classified Docs Case Indefinitely

In fact, Trumps deceptive and inflammatory assertions irresponsibly put a target on the backs of the FBI agents involved in this case, prosecutors wrote in a recent motion, highlighting the case of a Trump supporter who showed up at an Ohio FBI office with an assault rifle, having said he viewed the bureaus search of Mar-a-Lago as a call to arms. The gunman, 42-year-old Ricky Shiffer, died in a shootout with agents as he tried to force his way inside.

Responding to Cannon on Monday, Harbach said that Trumps pot-stirring would eventually result in further terrible things, and that gagging Trump was the best way to ensure the safety of law enforcement and others in the community.

I dont appreciate your tone, Cannon shot back, chastising Harbach for his supposed lack of decorum.

Lets reset, she said.

Harbach apologized to Cannon before ceding the floor to defense attorney Todd Blanche, telling the judge that he didnt mean to be unprofessional.

Blanchefresh off a loss for Trump in New York State Court, where the presumptive GOP presidential nominee was convicted by a jury of 34 felony counts of falsification of business recordsclaimed his client had not intended to threaten FBI agents, but rather, had been aiming his rage at Biden.

The attacks, very clearly, [were] against President Biden, Blanche said.

Trumps Favorite Judge Puts Mar-a-Lago Prosecutor on Trial

Earlier in the day, attorneys for Trump continued pushing the mendacious claim that the appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the prosecution, was invalid.

Defense co-counsel Emil Bove argued to Cannon that the Department of Justices funding of Smiths office is a violation of the Constitutions appropriations clause.

In a court filing furthering its attempts to get the case thrown out entirely, Trumps team said that Smiths budget as special counsel comes not from the DOJ budget, but from indefinite appropriations reserved for independent counsels.

Smith was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, not Biden, so as not to give the appearance of any improper meddling by the incumbent president (which Trump has dishonestly alleged, regardless). But in their arguments to Cannon, Trumps lawyers subsequently said that Smith should have been personally named to his position by Biden, followed by a Senate confirmation, and that Garland did not have the authority to do so.

Similar attempts to remove special prosecutors or invalidate their findings have been roundly rejected by the courts, dating back to the Nixon administration. Cannon, a relatively inexperienced judge appointed to the bench by Trump himself, who was reportedly pushed, unsuccessfully, by her fellow justices to recuse herself from the case, has signaled an unusual willingness to entertain fantastical legal theories from the defense, slowing the proceedings down to the point that conducting a trial before the November elections is likely a pipe dream.

On Monday, Assistant Special Counsel James Pearce told Cannon that the DOJ has enough money in its budget to itself fund Smiths office, and is willing to underwrite the costs of the prosecution, if need be. This, according to Bove, raises a separation of powers issue, echoing a prior court filing that opposed the idea of funding Trumps prosecution off the books.

However, the prosecution blasted the defenses arguments as nonsense, citing the AGs exclusive authority to direct federal litigation as they see fit. The lawfulness of this practice is confirmed by statutory text, history, and longstanding practice (including funding for a special counsel appointed during Trumps administration), prosecutors wrote in March.

For his part, Trump has pleaded not guilty, and, in a familiar refrain, has attempted to portray the prosecution as a witch hunt.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Judge Aileen Cannon was poised Monday to do Donald Trump yet another massive favor in his classified documents case, aiming to slow down proceedings and muddy the waters by raising concerns about special counsel Jack Smiths spending.

Attorneys for the former president have continued to push the claim that Smiths appointment was constitutionally invalid, and in a hearing Monday, they took aim at the budget for Smiths investigation. Cannon, who has readily slowed Trumps trial to a complete standstill, was happy to entertain the defenses grievances.

Fresh off of his loss in Manhattan criminal court, Trumps lawyer Emil Bove argued that the Department of Justice had violated the U.S. Consitutions appropriations clause by improperly funding Smiths office.

Trumps defense lawyers had argued in a court filing Friday that Smith was not paid through the Justice Department but through an off the books fund reserved for independent counsels, which lack the necessary oversight. They alleged that Smith has access to a permanent indefinite appropriation, which is otherwise not available to a special counsel.

During Mondays hearing, assistant special counsel James Pearce responded to the defenses claims, arguing that the Justice Department could just as easily pay Smiths bills out of their own pot.

But Cannon didnt seem convinced. The Trump-appointed judge said that the seemingly limitless funding suggested a separation of powers issue, per Boves claim.

Cannon called the cost of Smiths appointment a significant amount of money, according to The Washington Post, although it is likely only a small fraction of the Department of Justices whopping $40 billion annual budget.

Resolving whether Smiths appointment is constitutional will only drag out Trumps classified documents case, making it less likely with every passing day that he will face trial before the November election.

Cannon held a second hearing Monday afternoon over prosecutors request that a gag order be placed on the former president, preventing him from making unfounded claims against the FBI. Trump has insisted that federal agents intended to maim or even assassinate him while searching Mar-a-Lago, while in reality, they purposefully timed their search to occur when he was absent.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel on Monday denied Mukhtar Shariff's request to be released from jail about two weeks after a jury convicted him and four others of federal child nutrition program fraud.

Shariff's attorneys argued in court documents that the 33-year-old Burnsville married father of two young children isn't a flight risk because he surrendered his passport and has been a U.S. citizen almost his whole life after immigrating from Somalia at age 5.

All seven defendants connected to a Shakopee restaurant who were on trial recently were placed in custody before the jury reached its verdict because of an attempted bribe of a juror. A woman gave a juror $120,000 in cash and told her she would receive more money if she voted to acquit. The juror immediately reported the incident to police and was excused from jury duty.

The FBI is investigating how jurors' names were leaked and who tried to bribe the juror. FBI agents searched Shariff's home and other defendants' homes earlier this month.

Shariff's attorneys argued that there was no evidence that he leaked jurors' names. In her order, Brasel said she wasn't considering whether he was involved with the bribery attempt, but he still had a motive to flee given his conviction, possible lengthy sentence and connections abroad.

His attorney, Frederick Goetz, argued during the trial that Shariff only oversaw food logistics  not any financial paperwork  and said he will appeal the verdict, believing "strongly what he did wasn't a crime."
Reality star Julie Chrisley, known for "Chrisley Knows Best," was sentenced two years ago to serve seven years in federal prison. (USA Network / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Things are looking up for "Chrisley Knows Best" mom Julie Chrisley.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta on Friday said it will vacate the former USA Network reality star's current prison sentence for tax evasion. According to court documents obtained by local outlet WSBTV, the district court said it "did not identify the evidence it relied on to hold Julie accountable" for multiple years of fraud also involving her husband Todd Chrisley and their accountant Peter Tarantino starting in 2007.

"We cannot independently find it in the record," the court document says.

Read more: How did Julie and Todd Chrisley end up in prison? Here's a timeline of the reality TV stars' fraud case

The appeals court said it will hand her case back to the district court "to make the factual findings and calculations necessary to determine loss, restitution, and forfeiture" relating to her new sentence. Julie, 51, is carrying out her prison sentence in a facility in Lexington, Ky.

In June 2022, Todd and Julie Chrisley were convicted of tax evasion and bank fraud. Todd, 56, was initially sentenced to 12 years in Floridas Federal Prison Camp Pensacola. Julie was initially ordered to serve seven years. Last year, both received reductions in their sentences: Todd is set to be released nearly two years earlier than originally scheduled, and Julie 14 months earlier.

The appeal court's decision Friday marks a victory for the Chrisley family, whose lawyers have been working to appeal the stars' verdict and prison sentences since late last year.

Read more: Todd Chrisley is ordered to pay Georgia investigator $755,000 in defamation lawsuit loss

Attorney Jay Surgent, one of Julie and Todd's legal representatives, told The Times in an email statement Monday that his team is "pleased" with the decision and noted that Julie may be eligible for an earlier release. While disappointed that the appeals court did not remand Todd, Surgent said he is hopeful for further appeal efforts.

"We also have other legal maneuvers that will be implemented on Todd's behalf," Surgent said.

Savannah Chrisley, the couple's eldest daughter, broke the news of her mother's appeal on Saturday. "Didn't necessarily go as we had hoped but we do have a little win," the 26-year-old "Unlocked" podcast host said on Instagram.

"For that I am grateful and I hope and pray that the judge can send her home," Savannah said, before adding she is confident her mother "will be coming sooner rather than later."

Later in her video, she added: "I have some other ideas up my sleeve to get dad home."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Chrisleys score another win in their fight to get the family's heads, Todd and Julie Chrisley, home.

The matriarch, who received a combined 19-year sentence with her husband for fraud and tax evasion, had her prison sentence thrown out. Thanks to a recently discovered legal error, the 51-year-old will be resentenced.

Todd and Julie Chrisley were convicted in 2022 and reported to their respective prisons in January 2023, leaving their oldest daughter responsible for the younger Chrisleys.

Julie Chrisley's Case Returns To Court For Resentencing Over Legal Error

MEGA

According to new reports, federal appeal judges ordered the court to throw out Julie's former sentence. This move came after a legal error was found in how the trial judge calculated the inmate's sentencing.

Julie's first sentence held her accountable for the entire bank fraud scheme instead of a part of it. The fraud and federal tax evasion case involved her, Todd, and their accountant, Peter Tarantino, hence the appellate panel's decision to reschedule the matriarch's case.

The "Chrisley Knows Best" alum's case has reportedly been sent her case back to the lower court for a resentencing while Todd and Tarantino's prison sentences remain unchanged, per ET.

Todd Chrisley's Appeal Was Rejected

MEGA

Legal documents about the resentencing revealed the district court must address "what the proper loss amount attributable to Julie is for purposes of the base offense level, restitution, and forfeiture."

"The district court should make factual findings about when Julie's involvement in the conspiracy began, and if it concludes Julie's involvement started in 2006, it should identify the evidence on which it bases its finding," the argument continued.

Alex Little, Todd, and Julie's attorney shed more light on the resentencing in a statement, saying: "We're pleased that the Court agreed that Julie's sentence was improper, but we're obviously disappointed that it rejected Todd's appeal."

Savannah Chrisley Celebrated Her Mother's Big Win

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Savannah Faith Chrisley (@savannahchrisley)

Over the weekend, Todd and Julie's oldest daughter, Savannah Chrisley, addressed her mother's resentencing on her Instagram page. She shared a video of herself reading the court's decision, which partly read:

"So we vacate Julie's sentence and remand solely for the district court to make the factual findings and calculations necessary to determine loss, restitution, and forfeiture as to Julie and to resentence her accordingly."

Savannah told her followers that while Julie's appeal case didn't go as the family had hoped, it was a "little win." She added: "I hope and pray that the judge can send her home. I am a firm believer that she will be coming home sooner rather than later."

Inside Todd And Julie Chrisley's Legal Drama

MEGA

Julie's resentencing is not the family's first achievement in the fight to free the Chrisley heads. Their prison drama began in August 2019 when a federal grand jury indicted the couple on several fraud and tax evasion charges.

Their crimes included one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, five counts of bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, and one count of tax fraud. Julie was also charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of obstruction of justice.

The pair were ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution and were each found guilty on all counts in June 2022.

They received a combined 19-year sentence and were serving their time when the Court granted Todd a reduced 10-year sentence and Julie a reduced five-year sentence.

The Chrisleys Received A Massive Payout

MEGA

Earlier in January, The Blast reported that Todd and Julie had bagged a massive victory in their fraud and tax evasion case. Their attorney, Alex Little, confirmed they received a $1 million settlement from the state of Georgia.

The ruling resolved the couple's 2019 federal lawsuit against Joshua Waites, the former Director of Special Investigations of the state's Department of Revenue. Little also noted the Court's decision was a ray of hope in Todd and Julie's case.

"We have been saying for months that the criminal case against the Chrisleys was highly unusual and had real problems. This settlement is an encouraging sign," the attorney raved in a statement.

Additionally, Little touched on how unique the Chrisleys' situation was, stressing that it was "nearly unprecedented for one arm of the government to pay money to defendants when another arm is fighting to keep them in jail."
On Truth Social, Donald Trump is adamant that the conspiracy goes all the way to the top  that special counsel Jack Smith was appointed to be President Joe Bidens attack dog, aiming to damage his candidacy with more criminal convictions ahead of the November election. In court, though, Trumps legal team argued last week that Smith is actually a prosecutor gone rogue, so stridently asserting his independence that, per attorney Emil Bove, he and his team effectively constitute a shadow government.

Even U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, the Trump appointee overseeing his classified documents case, appeared to think that the claim was a stretch, commenting: That sounds very ominous. But even if Cannon is not prepared to declare Smiths entire existence invalid, affirming the defense argument that the appointment of any special counsel is unconstitutional, last Fridays hearing raised an all-important question in the minds of legal experts observing the case: What are we even doing here?

Its just baffling, MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin said of Fridays hearing. What was odd was not just the legal arguments but that Cannon  who last month indefinitely postponed a trial, citing all the work she still has to do  agreed to hold the hearing at all, scheduling almost two days worth of time in court to debate an issue (whether an attorney general can appoint a special counsel) thats already been settled by numerous other courts. And not just that: at the hearing, she allowed lawyers who arent even part of the case to come in and argue on the defendants behalf.

The contrast with how she treats prosecutors could not be more obvious.

Cannon gave almost two full days to the question of whether Jack Smith was lawfully appointed, Rubin noted. But when Jack Smith went to her and said we need to modify Trumps bail conditions because his speech is threatening the safety of people involved in the investigation, Judge Cannon said, literally, you can have two hours this coming Tuesday.

Rubin was referring to Trumps claim that Smith and the deep state henchmen who raided Mar-a-Lago were authorized to kill him, a lie so egregious that the FBI, still led by a Trump appointee, issued a rare statement rebutting a former president.

Smith asked for Cannon to modify Trumps bail conditions on May 24, arguing that his dishonest allegations were endangering members of law enforcement. Over a month will have passed before Smiths team is allowed to present their arguments in court; in that time, members of the MAGA base, never ones to believe a fact check, have turned Trumps dangerous rhetoric into deadly threats: one supporter was arrested earlier this month for threatening to slaughter an FBI agent and their family over grievances ranging from Hunter Biden to the 2020 election.

In their own filing, prosecutors cite that incident and others spurred by the former presidents incitement, going back to the 2022 raid of Trumps Florida home, when scores of national secrets were found stashed on the property.

Shortly after the execution of the search warrant at Mar-a-Lago, one of Trumps supporters carried out an armed attack on an FBI office in the wake of Trumps Truth Social statements regarding the search, the filing notes. No court would tolerate another defendant deliberately creating such immediate risks to the safety of law enforcement, and this Court should not wait for a tragic event before taking action in this case.

And yet, as former federal prosecutor Kristy Greenberg noted, instead of speedily addressing that threat, Cannon has dallied, focusing her courts attention on a completely frivolous argument that the Department of Justice is not allowed to have special prosecutors. The gift to Trumps defense is not just that hearing, but more importantly: the delay it and other frivolous motions have caused by virtue of Cannon agreeing to treat them as serious legal arguments.

All of that, in sum, Greenberg told MSNBC, almost makes the judge an accomplice.

He is inflaming his base, that is the purpose, Greenberg, and by not taking immediate action to make sure that he cant do that, shes allowed this kind of inflammation of his base to continue.
Juvenile male in custody after fleeing officers, crashing head-on into police cruiser

A juvenile male is in custody after fleeing police and crashing head-on into a police cruiser in Huber Heights early Saturday morning.

>>Officers investigating after shooting in Dayton

A Huber Heights Police cruiser noticed a white Chevrolet Cruze driving around 1:43 a.m. without any lights on, according to a police spokesperson.

The Cruze also failed to maintain lanes and hit a median near Old Troy Pike and Bufort Boulevard.

The officers initiated a stop suspecting the driver of OVI, but the driver fled from the officers.

The vehicle traveled around Old Troy Pike at speeds of 35 m.p.h.

An officer conducted PIT maneuvers to stop the vehicle, the spokesperson said.

>>Large police pursuit ends in crash on busy Montgomery County roadway

As they began to box in the vehicle in a post-PIT, the driver sped up and hit a marked Huber Heights cruiser head-on.

The driver fled and drove onto a lawn at an apartment complex at Bufort Boulevard and Fisher Drive.

Officers found the suspect and discovered he was a juvenile male.

He was taken into custody and booked at the Montgomery County Juvenile Justice Center on felony Fleeing, Obstructing, and Assault (with a motor vehicle).

The driver is also facing several traffic charges.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Kansas City police detectives are investigating after a child, under the age of 5, was found shot Sunday afternoon.

The incident was reported just before 4 p.m. in the area of E. Meyer Boulevard and Bellefontaine Avenue.

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When officers arrived on scene they found a child suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

The child was taken to an area hospital for medical treatment and is reported to have non-life threatening injuries.

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The investigation is ongoing at this time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
The 10th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's decision to toss a Kansas lawsuit challenging constitutionality of a law allowing warrantless searches of facilities that house and train hunting dogs. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

The 10th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's decision to toss a Kansas lawsuit challenging constitutionality of a law allowing warrantless searches of facilities that house and train hunting dogs. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Covey Find Kennel owners Scott Johnson and Harlene Hoyt refused to take sitting down a federal judges decision that Kansas regulators had the right to conduct warrantless inspections of a dog training facility attached to their homestead in Cowley County.

A U.S. District Court judge had decided a conservative legal advocacy group in Overland Park working on behalf of Covey Find Kennel failed to demonstrate the Kansas Department of Agricultures enforcement of state law on inspections of pet animal facilities violated Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches. Judge Kathryn Vratil last year dismissed the dog trainers lawsuit against the Kansas animal health commissioner.

On appeal to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, however, appellate judges restored life to the legal challenge by reversing, in part, the district courts decision.

The three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals held June 10 that warrantless searches of a Kansas dog training or handling facility likely violated the U.S. Constitution. The case was remanded to district court in Kansas to fully examine the warrantless search issue.

The record before us does not establish a need for warrantless inspection, the appellate judges said. This conclusion also requires reversal of the dismissal of the plaintiffs claim that the Kansas Pet Animal Act unconstitutionally conditions issuance of a license on waiving Fourth Amendment rights.

Covey Find Kennel, which trains hunting dogs owned by customers near Winfield, also claimed in the 2022 lawsuit a state mandate they make their property available for inspection within 30 minutes of an examiners arrival infringed on their right to travel for lawful purposes.

The Court of Appeals said the plaintiffs right-to-travel argument was properly rejected by the district court. State regulations didnt impose burdens beyond those commonly borne by owners who traveled away from location of their business, the appeals court said.

The lawsuit was predicated on a 2020 inspection of Covey Find Kennel that occurred while Johnson was not at the dog facility. Hoyt, as Johnsons designated representative for state inspections, was present.

The panel that considered the case was comprised of Judge Harris Hartz, appointed by President George W. Bush; Judge Gregory Phillips, appointed by President Barack Obama; and Judge Joel Carson, appointed by President Donald Trump.

These judges concluded warrantless inspections of certain businesses or industries are constitutionally permissible when the regulatory regime authorizing the inspections passes a two-part test. First, the business or industry to be inspected must be closely regulated.'

For those searches to satisify the Fourth Amendment, the appellate opinion said, there also must be a substantial government interest underlying the regulatory structure, warrantless inspections must be necessary to conduct oversight and the states inspection program must be structured to provide a substitute for a warrant.

In terms of establishing the necessity of a warrantless inspection, the Court of Appeals said the state had to do more than suggest violations could be concealed in the time it took to obtain a warrant after a business blocked an inspection. The state must have evidence that regulations guarding welfare of dogs could be enforced only through surprise warrantless inspections, the opinion said.

Perhaps the kennel operator could dispose of a sick or injured dog, the decision said. But that would be much harder for an operator to do when the dogs are owned by customers than if the business was that of a dog breeder or pet shop.

The Kansas pet animal law was enacted in 1972. Originally, it covered animal dealers, pet-shop operators, pounds or animal shelters and research facilities. The state statute was amended to include kennel operators due to apprehension about operation of puppy mills.

The act for many years permitted the state Department of Agriculture to give owners prior notice of inspections, but changes signed into law six years ago forbid advance warnings. In Kansas, refusing an inspection has been grounds for suspension or revocation of a state license. Denial of access to an inspector could prompt the agriculture department to obtain a search warrant authorizing access. A $200 fine can be assessed if no representative of a pet animal facility can be at the site within 30 minutes for an inspection.

The pending legal challenge centered on a refor bill passed by the 2018 Kansas Legislature on votes of 116-4 in the House and 34-6 in the Senate. The measure was signed into law by Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer.

The post Kansas dog trainer back in hunt with federal lawsuit challenging warrantless inspections appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Leavenworth, Kansas man was sentenced to prison Friday after his DNA was found on a beer bottle at the scene of a 2023 dine-and-dash assault.

Joshua M. Mortiz, 33, was sentenced to 44 months in prison on two counts of Aggravated Assault against two restaurant employees. On May 10, 2024, he pleaded no contest to the charges.

Toddler, teen ejected in overnight serious injury crash in Kansas City

According to court documents, Moritz was eating dinner at a Leavenworth Mexican food restaurant on May 19, 2024, when he, his wife and another family member attempted to leave without paying for their meals.

While leaving, the restaurant owner tried to stop Mortiz, leading him to assault the owner with a knife.

After the assault, a restaurant employee saved a beer bottle Moritz had drank from and gave it to police as evidence. Leavenworth police then swabbed the beer for DNA and sent it to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI). When the results came back, it successfully matched Moritzs profile.

Drug investigation leads to four-person arrest, one baby deer saved

This case was aided by an employees quick thinking and great work by the Leavenworth Police Department and the KBI, said Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson. My thanks to everyone who worked together to solve this case.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Next year, the entire U.S. House and one-third of the Senate will be up for reelection, with possibly acrimonious congressional primaries on both sides of the aisle and the battle over selection of a Republican presidential nominee. (Getty Images)

TOPEKA  The Kansas secretary of state said Monday the presidential preference primary in March cost nearly $2 million less than anticipated by the Kansas Legislature due to lack of competitive races in the major political parties and disinterest among the states voters.

Only 9% of registered Kansans took part in the presidential primary election that cost taxpayers $2.78 million, Secretary of State Scott Schwab said. He said the 2023 Kansas Legislature budgeted $4.7 million to host the states third presidential primary.

At the time the estimate was made, it was anticipated that there would be a larger pool of candidates still participating in the primary by the time Kansans went to the polls, Schwab said.

Campaigns for the Democratic and Republican party nominations for president had been resolved by the time Kansas conducted its post-Super Tuesday preference primary. While there were four GOP and four Democratic candidates on ballots in Kansas, the only active campaigners were former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. Trump and Biden had already secured enough delegates to win nominations.

Biden received 83.6% of the vote among registered Kansas Democrats against Dean Phillips of Minnesota, Jason Palmer of Maryland and Marianne Williamson of California. None of the other candidates received more than 3.4%. More than 4,400 participants, or 10.3% of participants, wrote in other names.

Trump prevailed in the Republican primary in Kansas with 75% of the vote. Former United Nations Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley secured 16%, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had 2.6% and Ryan Binkley of Texas received 0.5%. In addition, candidates not on the ballot pulled down 5.2%.

It was the third time since 1980 that Kansas conducted a presidential primary. In the past, Kansas allowed the two major parties to conduct caucuses to determine partisan preferences in presidential contests. The state would return to the caucus format in 2028 unless lawmakers approved an alternative.

The legislative path to the 2024 Kansas presidential primary was rocky. The Kansas Senate voted 28-12 to conduct and finance presidential preference primaries. The Kansas House rejected the bill 56-64, in part, due to the price tag of $4 million to $5 million. On the next day in April, the GOP-controlled House reversed course and adopted the bill 86-32. Gov. Laura Kelly signed the measure two weeks later.

Motivation among Republican legislators endorsing creation of a presidential primary was Trumps 2016 loss in Kansas caucus voting to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.

Rather than caucuses organized and financed by the states two largest political parties, all Kansas taxpayers shared in cost of the 2024 presidential primary whether they voted or not.

This is taking the taxpayers money and giving it to the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, said Fort Scott Republican Rep. Trevor Jacobs, who voted against the primary twice.

Schwab said the Legislatures appropriation enabled counties to be reimbursed for direct expenses associated with the presidential primary. He said the event was an opportunity for county officials to prepare for the Aug. 6 primary election and the Nov. 5 general election.

The final cost of the primary shows that our trained county election professionals were able to conduct this election efficiently, on time and under budget, he said.

The post Kansas poorly attended presidential preference primary cost state taxpayers $2.78 million appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Kansas unemployment rate climbs for second consecutive month to 2.9% in May

The Kansas unemployment rate ticked up to 2.9% in May, which amounted to the second consecutive month of a 0.1% rise in the jobless figure. The 2024 climb began in February when the rate increased to 2.7%. The state's unemployment rate has remained below 3% since October 2021. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

The Kansas unemployment rate ticked up to 2.9% in May, which amounted to the second consecutive month of a 0.1% rise in the jobless figure. The 2024 climb began in February when the rate increased to 2.7%. The state's unemployment rate has remained below 3% since October 2021. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  The unemployment rate in Kansas increased to 2.9% in May to continue escalation in the percentage of out-of-work state residents that began taking shape in February, state and federal labor officials said.

The Kansas Department of Labor and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics say preliminary estimates show the May jobless rate in the state was 0.3% higher than at the outset of 2024. The rate was 2.6% in January, 2.7% in February and March and 2.8% in April before landing at 2.9% in May.

The states unemployment rate has remained under 3% since October 2021. It reached double-digits in early months of 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic undermined the economy.

While government employment in Kansas expanded by 400 jobs during May, the state surrendered 300 private-sector jobs in the month. Those numbers were combined to produce a figure for total nonfarm employment, which stood at 1.46 million in May.

Preliminary estimates for May indicate little change over the month, said Emilie Doerksen, an economist with the state Department of Labor. Total nonfarm job estimates increased by 100, the unemployment rate edged up to 2.9%, and

the labor force participation rate held steady at 66.1%.

The Kansas labor force in May consisted of 1.5 million people, with 1.46 million employed and 43,800 out of work.

In the past 12 months, Kansas total nonfarm jobs climbed by 24,000. The Department of Labor says that was due to a surge of 18,700 private sector positions and the addition of 5,300 government jobs.

The average nominal hourly earnings in Kansas for private sector workers increased 3.4% over the past 12 months to $30.09.

The post Kansas unemployment rate climbs for second consecutive month to 2.9% in May appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
By Suban Abdulla and Ben Makori

LONDON (Reuters) - Sabia Akram has spent most of her life campaigning for Britain's opposition Labour Party but she will not celebrate if it wins the July 4 election, having quit over leader Keir Starmer's handling of issues around the war in Gaza and race.

The Labour Party holds a commanding lead in opinion polls after Starmer steered it back to the centre ground following a trouncing at the 2019 election under his predecessor, veteran socialist Jeremy Corbyn.

But he has lost the support of some Black and Asian voters who traditionally vote Labour over his support for Israel and for only gradually shifting the party's position towards supporting a ceasefire in Gaza.

Labour's treatment of Diane Abbott, Britain's first Black woman lawmaker, and the blocking of a Muslim candidate have also alienated some voters, according to interviews with voters, a pollster, political activists and academics.

Starmer sought to move the party back to the centre ground, promoting candidates for the election who would vote as a disciplined bloc if they win, and that shift has alienated some ethnic minorities who backed Corbyn and his left-wing vision.

Sofia Collignon, associate professor at Queen Mary university, said while the party revamp was working nationally, it had caused strains among members and voters and Starmer's challenge was to hold all the different strands together.

Critics like Akram say he has sold Labour's "soul in order to seek the keys to No 10", the residence of British prime ministers.

"It's no longer defined by its values and its core principles," she said, adding that the party had become a home for whoever wanted to join, citing a right-wing lawmaker who defected from the ruling Conservatives.

A long-running Ipsos poll of ethnic minority voting intentions found that Starmer, in the second half of 2023, had the lowest net satisfaction rating of any Labour opposition leader since the series began in 1996.

With its 20-point lead in opinion polls, concerns among ethnic minorities may not affect the election result, Keiran Pedley at Ipsos said, but added: "If these trends are lasting - and we don't know if they will - then it's possible it could become more politically significant."

Akram, 43, resigned as a Labour councillor in Slough, west of London, in early June along with six others, citing what she saw as censorship around Gaza which meant she could not criticise Israel. She also cited the treatment of Faiza Shaheen, who was blocked from standing as a Labour candidate in a northeast London seat.

Shaheen said she had been told it was over historic tweets she liked which criticised Israeli supporters. She apologised but told the BBC she also thought it was because she was left-wing. She is standing as an independent.

The Labour Party did not respond to a Reuters request for comment about the allegations.

Last month Starmer, speaking after his party won a parliament seat in northern England and control of several councils across England, acknowledged Gaza had had an impact on Labour support in some areas.

BALANCING ACT

Akram also criticised the treatment of Abbott, a close Corbyn ally, who was suspended from Labour for over a year after she said Jewish, Irish and Traveller people did not face racism all their lives.

Media reports initially said she would be blocked from running in the election, sparking anger from some voters, before the party said she was welcome to stand as its candidate again.

Ngozi Fulani, founder and CEO of domestic abuse charity Sistah Space which is based in Abbott's neighbourhood of Hackney, said many Black people had wanted her to run as an independent.

"Most Black people have always voted Labour, that's my experience," she told Reuters. "(But) the Labour Party have been in decline ... we don't feel an association," she said, adding that Starmer's Labour didn't "take too much interest in matters that affect us specifically".

Hackney, a northeast London neighbourhood where 21% of the population is Black, is among the capital's most deprived areas, with more than one in three households living below the poverty line after housing costs are accounted for.

Of the 18 people Reuters interviewed there who have supported Abbott for nearly four decades, 14 said they thought she had been treated badly and that they would vote for her in the upcoming election following her reinstatement.

Starmer, the country's former chief prosecutor, became Labour leader in April 2020, vowing reform after the equalities watchdog said the party had discriminated against Jews.

A 2022 independent investigation also found structural racism, sexism and factionalism in the party, and a "hierarchy of racism" where tackling antisemitism was the priority.

Labour has long been the political home of many ethnic minority voters and according to British Future, a think tank, one in five of its election candidates are from an ethnic minority background. The last census in 2021 said 18% of the population in England and Wales were ethnic minorities.

However, other parties - including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservatives - have more visible representation in government and party structures than Labour, which might incline voters towards them more in future.

(Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
The news was happier for supporters of reproductive rights in Kentucky as they celebrated the defeat of an anti-abortion constitutional amendment in November 2022. Less than five months earlier the Dobbs decision has allowed a near-total ban on the procedure to take effect in Kentucky. (Photo for Kentucky Lantern by Arden Barnes)

LOUISVILLE  Two years to the day after the United States Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion, advocates and physicians in Louisville and Lexington slammed the fallout from Kentuckys almost total ban on the procedure.

U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, left, with state Sen. Karen Berg celebrated defeat of an anti-abortion constitutional amendment in Kentucky in November 2022. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

Kentuckys U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey was in Louisville Monday morning alongside Planned Parenthood and others to say the law in Kentucky is extreme; it is cruel, and it is harming women and families.

In Lexington, abortion access advocates with the Kentucky Reproductive Freedom Fund (KRFF) announced a campaign that will include billboards, trucks and digital ads to call attention to the harmful effects these bans have on the medical community and all Kentuckians, said Ona Marshall, who founded KRFF and co-owned Louisvilles EMW Surgical Center, which provided abortions but closed after the ban took effect.

The billboards will go up early next month, she said.

The campaign will also urge Kentuckians to sign a pledge calling for an end to the states restrictive abortion laws. Republicans have a supermajority in the states legislature, and havent appeared willing as a caucus to loosen the abortion restrictions.

Several physicians who spoke out Monday against the abortion ban said Kentuckys law is forcing them to delay care and to make decisions that are not the best for patients. Also, they said, the ban is disproportionately burdening lower-income Kentuckians who cant afford to travel to other states where abortion is legal.

Dr. Alecia Fields, an OB-GYN and fellow with Physicians for Reproductive Health, said in Lexington that the aftermath of the 2022 SCOTUS decision has been terrifying to witness.

Dr. Caitlin Thomas (Screenshot)

As a doctor, I have been faced with decisions that I never thought possible, Fields said. Decisions that are not based on good medicine, but are driven by state law.

Dr. Caitlin Thomas, another OB-GYN, said unplanned and unwanted pregnancies can put Kentuckians in difficult situations.

Individuals who are not in physical, financial or emotional states to continue pregnancies are left with a difficult decision on whether they need to travel out of state for abortion or to continue pregnancy and suboptimal conditions, Thomas said. Furthermore, this creates a dichotomy where only those with means are able to have full control of their reproductive decisions, leaving those most vulnerable without appropriate options.

Dr. Callyn Samuel (screeshot)

Dr. Callyn Samuel, an OB-GYN who spoke in Louisville, said shes seeing high risk women forced to carry a complicated pregnancies to her. Providers, she said, greatly fear legal ramifications for treating complicated conditions.

We as providers now also have to fill out quite lengthy paperwork for patients who come in with simple things (like) ectopic pregnancies  that are emergencies at times  and even to the point where were having to fill this paperwork out before were able to provide care to them, which has halted their care and definitely caused harmby not allowing their care to be performed as soon as possible, Samuel said.

Fear and intimidation

Rebecca Gibron, the CEO of the Planned Parenthood chapter that includes Kentucky, said the ban is forcing survivors of rape into difficult decisions.

These survivors are forced to stay pregnant here if they cant afford to find care outside of Kentucky, Gibron said in Louisville.

After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, which had guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion, in 2022, a trigger law went into effect in Kentucky that banned abortions. Another law bans abortions after six weeks. Doctors have previously said many people dont know theyre pregnant at the six-week mark.

That same year, Kentucky voters rejected an anti-abortion amendment that would have stated definitely that there is no right to an abortion in Kentuckys Constitution.

Kentucky does not have exceptions for rape or incest, though both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have filed unsuccessful bills to change that in recent years. There is an exception in cases where the life of the pregnant person is at risk.

Lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and others have argued to no avail that the restrictions Kentucky has in place are unconstitutional.

Amber Duke, the executive director of Kentuckys ACLU chapter, said her goal is to keep fighting until our right to access the full range of care is restored. The ACLU represented an anonymous plaintiff in December who said she was pregnant but didnt want to be.

Jane Doe and the ACLU sued then-Attorney General Daniel Cameron in an effort to access abortion in the state. Her case was dismissed a week before Christmas after her fetus lost cardiac activity and the pregnancy became nonviable.

Marshall with KRFF said the abortion law in Kentucky is incredibly vague related to when an abortion can be provided to save a patients life.

Why should politicians decide how far her health must deteriorate before physicians can act? The laws create an environment of fear for doctors and hospitals alike, Marshall said. How do you practice medicine in an atmosphere of intentional fear and intimidation?

The post Kentuckians decry terrifying choices, two years after Dobbs ended abortion access in the state appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
Hadley Duvall, left, a Kentucky woman who has emerged as an abortions rights advocate, and Vice President Kamala Harris discuss abortion access on MSNBCs Morning Joe. (Screenshot via MSNBC)

An Owensboro woman who appeared in a pivotal campaign ad for Gov. Andy Beshears reelection appeared on national television with Vice President Kamala Harris Monday morning.

Hadley Duvall, who has emerged as an abortions rights advocate, sat next to the vice president to discuss abortion access in an exclusive interview that aired on MSNBCs Morning Joe.

Women today, if theyre walking in the shoes that I was in, which was pregnancy from rape, then they dont have any option in a lot of states, and theyre at risk for having no options after the election, Duvall said. And thats very terrifying.

Duvall and Harris spoke on the second anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to abortion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, a decision that ushered in near-total abortion bans in 14 states, including Kentucky.

After her campaign ad for Beshear aired last fall, Duvall told the Kentucky Lantern she initially wanted to share her story to help other survivors of abuse. At the age of 12, she was raped by her stepfather and became pregnant, but latered miscarried. She said at the time that she immediately began thinking about your options after looking at a positive pregnancy test.

Think about what these extremists are saying to a survivor of a crime of violence to their body, a survivor of a crime that is a violation of their body, and to say to that survivor, And you have no right or authority to make a decision about what happens to your body next, Harris said. Thats immoral.

Harris said Duvall is doing such important work to be a voice on this topic.

The interview aired ahead of the first 2024 presidential debate scheduled for this Thursday on CNN. Democratic President Joe Biden will face former Republican President Donald Trump, who recently said states should make decisions on abortion policies.

Beshear, who is increasingly stepping onto a national stage, appeared with Duvall at a reproductive rights event in Nashville over the weekend and decried extremism in state abortion bans.

Duvall then appeared with First Lady Jill Biden at a campaign event in Pennsylvania on Sunday.

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Kentuckys trigger law immediately went into effect and banned most abortions in the state. While there are no exceptions in the law for cases of rape or incest, there are very narrow exceptions to save the life of the mother. Kentucky voters later rejected a proposed constitutional amendment to specify the state constitution does not include the right to an abortion.

Senate Democratic Whip David Yates, of Louisville, filed a bill to add exceptions in cases of rape and incest to Kentuckys abortion law earlier this year, but the measure did not pass. He called it Hadleys Law in honor of Duvall.

The post Kentucky abortion rights advocate speaks on national television with Vice President Harris appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
The News

NAIROBI  Kenyas President William Ruto on Monday, saw off 400 police officers set to deploy to Haiti as part of a UN-backed security mission. They will leave for Haiti on Tuesday, June 25. Kenya is expected to send a total of 1,000 officers to the island nation in a phased approach.

Ruto handed the officers the Kenyan flag in a low-key event at State House, the presidential residence in Nairobi. The media was not invited to the event, in which Kenyan clergy members also prayed for the forces. Godfrey Otunge, senior assistant inspector general of Kenyas police force, was named commander of the officers deployed to Haiti.The initial batch of officers is composed of elite officers from various specialized response units.

The deployment, however, continues to face opposition from a section of Kenyans, including several activist groups. The deployment was declared unconstitutional by a court in January, a decision the government has challenged. Following the Monday event, lawyer and politician Dr. Ekuru Aukot who led the case questioned Rutos move to deploy the officers. On X, he described the Kenyan president as toiling for the globalists to oppress and plunder our black brothers and sisters in Haiti.

The deployment also comes amid nationwide youth-led protests demanding the scrapping of an unpopular finance bill, which proposes several tax hikes. The protests have been characterized by arrests of protesters and use of teargas, water cannons and, in some instances, live bullets. Two protesters have been confirmed killed so far. Several key mobilizers have also been abducted, with protesters continuing to demand for their release.

Know More

Some Haitian human rights groups have already raised concerns on the Kenyan deployment to Haiti citing the police brutality witnessed in the Kenyan protests. The Movement Unforgettable Dessalines Jean Jacques (MUDJJ), last week wrote to the United Nations expressing concern that the conduct of the police in handling domestic protests might foreshadow the use of similar tactics in Haiti.

The deployment of a multinational security force was initially approved by the UN Security Council in October, but has been beset by delays following the High Court ruling in January. A number of countries have so far expressed willingness to support the mission, including Benin, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, and Chad. The United States is providing $200 million to support the mission.
The Democratic contenders defeated by Gloria Witt for the partys 5th Congressional District nomination declared their support for her during an event in Danville on Wednesday.

Weve had a good run over the last seven or eight months, Danville resident and one of Witts two opponents Gary Terry told the Danville Register & Bee during an interview at the event held at Culture Restaurant and Grill downtown. The voters have spoken.

The gathering was held during the restaurants Juneteenth celebration Wednesday evening.

Paul Riley, a Crozet resident and Witts other opponent in the fight for the Democratic nomination, praised her performance in securing the nomination in the 5th District.

Shes going to make an excellent candidate, and were here to lend our support 100% behind her, Riley said. She can call me or make me part of her battle plan going forward so that we can take back this district in November.

Witt, an Amherst County resident who won the Democratic nomination during the June 18 primaries, will face either incumbent Rep. Bob Good or state Sen. John McGuire in November. The Republican primary results from the battle between the two are still too close to call.

Though Virginias 5th District leans heavily Republican, Witt believes she can win in November.

We believe together we can take this district and make it blue again, and thats what its all about. So the fight continues, she told the Register & Bee.

Witt said its a matter of turnout: The districts population isnt completely Republican, but its Republicans who vote en masse.

There are too many Democrats who are registered and sitting on the sidelines, she said.

Our whole focus from this point forward is to reach out to the guys on the sidelines and the women on the sidelines, reach out to them and get them back voting, Witt said. And if we can get every registered Democrat voting, we can win it.

Virginias 5th District includes the cities of Danville, Charlottesville and Lynchburg, and the counties of Pittsylvania, Campbell, Louisa, Halifax, Powhatan, Mecklenburg, Amherst, Goochland, Fluvanna, Prince Edward, Appomattox, Nelson, Buckingham, Amelia, Nottoway, Charlotte, Lunenburg and Cumberland.

It also includes parts of Bedford, Albemarle and Hanover counties.

If elected, Witt said she would focus on education, working to expand funding for career technical training, getting better pay for teachers and making sure high school students have a career technical skill, particularly if they dont go off to a college or the military.

She would also tackle gun violence.

We need to ban assault weapons, Witt said, adding that bump stocks need to be outlawed again.

On June 14, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks, which allow semi-automatic firearms to fire at the rate of a machine gun.

She also supports action to address climate change  including renewable energy, electrification and improving home weatherization  as well as recodifying Roe vs. Wade and voting rights through the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Also, medications need to be made affordable and health care should be accessible to everyone, she told a handful of supporters during a speech Wednesday.

Democracy is on the ballot. Our freedom is on the ballot, she said.

She expressed gratitude for everyone who played a role in her winning the nomination.

I am just so grateful for all the family, friends and the voters who have entrusted their vote to me to be the voice to represent them, Witt said.
A small advance team from Kenya was in Port-au-Prince on Monday to prepare for the long-awaited arrival of the first contingent of elite police officers from the East African nation to help Haiti combat criminal armed gangs as part of an armed international force.

The Kenyans departed Nairobi Monday evening and could arrive in Port-au-Prince as soon as Tuesday, multiple sources told the Miami Herald. But they warned that the timing could change given security concerns in the troubled country.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that the first contingent of the Multinational Security Support mission is expected to arrive sometime this week.

This is just the first of several milestones in the process to restore security and prosperity in Haiti, Miller said during a daily press briefing in Washington on Monday. With the arrival of MSS mission personnel, we hope to see further measurable improvements in security, particularly with respect to access to humanitarian aid and core economic activity. This will help create the security conditions conducive for future, free and fair elections.





Haiti hasnt had general elections since 2016, and nearly half of the country is facing hunger as a result of the ongoing gang violence which has uprooted nearly 580,000 Haitians over the last three years, according to the United Nations.

In a post on X, showing the Kenyans on the aircraft, Raymond Omollo, a senior interior ministry official, wished the first contingent to Haiti safety and success. He then provided photos of the police in camouflage and white helmets, and him later greeting them as they sat on an aircraft.

Earlier in the day, Kenyan President William Ruto was assured by police brass that the officers are ready and properly prepared.

These officers will make a difference in the Haitian police and in the life of the Haitian communities, and they will make difference and make us proud once they are deployed in those areas, Deputy Police Inspector General Noor Gabow told Ruto during his visit with the officers at a police training college.

Gabow, in a video released by the presidency, noted that the officers, who will be bringing their own weapons to Port-au-Prince, have been properly outfitted for the mission. They have, Gabow said, been provided with individual first aid kits, armor and are wearing one of the best shoes and can cover long distances.

The close-door event was a pre-deployment exercise with 400 of the 1,000 police officers who have been vetted by the United States to field the Multinational Security Support mission. During the event, Ruto handed out Kenyan flags. He later took to the social media site X to tout his countrys peacekeeping track record and commitment to Haiti.

Kenya has solid credentials in peace-making and conflict resolution globally, Ruto said, sharing photos from the closed-door event. Our police officers presence in Haiti will give relief to the men, women and children whose lives have been broken by gang violence. We will work with the international community to bring lasting stability in Haiti.

The U.S., which is the largest contributor of the United Nations-backed security mission after providing more than $300 million for equipment, training and a base for operation near the international airport in Port-au-Prince, and Kenya have both kept a veil of secrecy around the mission. They have refrained from discussing how it will operate as well as its exact deployment timeline or the size of the first contingent, which has ranged from between 200 and 400 individuals.

Two media outlets reported over the weekend about the pending arrival of the Kenyan force, raising concerns of a potential retaliation before the international force has a chance to get a foothold in the capital.

The Kenyan contingent consists of specialized police officers from several elite units including those involved in the fight against the extremist group al-Shabab, which has been carrying out terrorist attacks on Kenyan soil since 2011. Other personnel fielding the first-of-its kind mission, which Kenya volunteered in July 2022 to lead, , will come from six other countries including Jamaica, which is leading the Caribbean contingent, Benin and Bangladesh.

At full strength, the mission is expected to have 2,500 security personnel although that number could be more or less due to the missions ongoing funding constraints. A trust fund supported by the United Nations has so far amassed only $21 million.

Delays in deployment

A lack of funding has been among several factors that have contributed to the missions repeated delays ever since it was first approved by the U.N. Security Council nearly nine months ago. The mission has also been hobbled by a series of legal challenges in Nairobi where it is strongly criticized, a Republican block in Washington and the change in leadership in Haiti. After Prime Minister Ariel Henry was forced to resign after gangs led an insurgency against his government following his signing of a security agreement in late February with Kenya for the mission to deploy, Ruto announced a pause in the deployment.

He has decided to go ahead with the deployment despite another court challenge by an opposition group seeking to stop the government from sending cops to Haiti, and street protests by his nations youth over a slew of new taxes.

During a three-day State visit to the United States last month, Ruto said he believes in the deployment because the women and children in Haiti deserve peace like all other women and children and people around the world. Ahead of Rutos state dinner with President Biden, the White House announced that he would designate Kenya as a major non-NATO ally, making it the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to hold the designation. On Monday, the White House released a statement, announcing the official designation.

A United States serviceman stands guard on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, as supplies are unloaded from a U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo plane on the tarmac at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The plane was carrying supplies for the camp being built for Kenyan police officers who will lead a Multinational Security Support mission into Haiti.

During closed door discussions at the United Nations Security Council on Friday, U.S. and Kenyan officials would only say that deployment was imminent. The meeting was requested by the U.S. and Ecuador, which co-wrote resolution 2699 authorizing the mission after the Kenya government said it needed clearance from the council to assist Haiti.

While backed by the Security Council, the mission is not a traditional U.N. peacekeeping force, which has left the Biden administration to seek voluntary contributions from countries. Last week after months of a Republican hold on its State Department funding, Secretary of State Antony Blinken went ahead and authorized $109 million to fund the mission, overriding the block.

Congressional critics

U.S. Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, who is among two senior Republicans who blocked the funds after expressing skepticism over the mission, criticized the override in a statement. Risch, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called the mission ill-conceived.

I have very clearly expressed my serious and specific concerns about this mission since last September, said Risch, who was joined in the block by Texas Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. My concerns exist in part because of the long history of failed international interventions in Haiti which have wasted billions of dollars and left the Haitian people worse off, he said in a statement in response to the override.

Risch said he tried to engage in a real dialogue with the administration to improve the missions planning process and lay out clear rules of engagement and metrics for success.

Unfortunately, the administration made it very clear it could not provide any substantive metrics or goals. Despite this fact, it has decided to move forward with funding a mission where the length, objectives, and cost remain unclear. Right now, the U.S. taxpayer will shoulder the overwhelming majority of this burden, he said.

State Department officials say they are still interested in working with Congress and note that they have given more than 50 congressional briefings to staff.

The Security Council first approved the mission back in October 2023, exactly a year after Henry requested help from the international community for Haitis national police. At the time of Henrys request, armed gangs blocked access in and out of the countrys main fuel terminal, Varreux, in Port-au-Prince and triggered a humanitarian crisis that has only worsened.

Gangs rise in power

In the more than 20 months since the request, gangs have become even more powerful, and plunged Haiti into an even deeper crisis. After Haiti and Kenya signed the security agreement, gangs in Port-au-Prince united and launched an armed insurgency against the government. They killed police officers, burned hospitals and schools and released more than 4,000 inmates from the countrys two largest prisons while demanding Henrys resignation.

After the U.S. forced Henry to resign, the Biden administration along with the Caribbean Community help Haitis political and civic leaders to broker a new political transition with a nine member presidential council. The council was tasked with finding a replacement for Henry, who with his new cabinet and the council would ready the country for the arrival of the mission.

In recent days, newly selected prime minister, Garry Conille, has ousted the head of the Haiti National Police and tapped a previously fired chief, Rameau Normil, to head the agency. Over the weekend, Conille and council members spent two days in a retreat to prioritize the governments program.

In another development, Haiti and the Organization of American States on Friday also signed a Status of Force Agreement. The document is one of several documents the Security Council has requested ahead of deployment. As part of the Status of Force Agreement, obtained by the Herald, members of the mission will enjoy immunity from prosecution in Haiti and if the Haitian government deems they have committed a criminal offense, they will be subjected to the jurisdiction of their respective country.

McClatchy Senior White House Correspondent Michael Wilner contributed to this report.
A new ketamine pill may help hard-to-treat depression with fewer side effects than other forms of the treatment, early research suggests.

Technically, no form of ketamine has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat any psychiatric disorder, including depression. A derivative of ketamine, called esketamine, was approved in 2019 to treat depression. Its a nasal spray called Spravato. Theres also FDA-approved injected ketamine, brand-named Ketalar, which can be prescribed off-label.

Both can be a fast-acting lifeline for people living with depression that hasnt been relieved by other types of treatments. Getting the drug, or a derivative of it, through a vein or as a squirt up the nose requires close medical supervision in a clinic, however, making these options hard for some people to access or even to do.

Its very logistically involved. You have to come in and be observed for a couple hours, said Dr. Brian Barnett, clinical director of the Psychiatric Treatment Resistance Program at the Cleveland Clinic, who was not involved in the study. The field has really been looking for a way to take advantage of ketamine for depression but let patients take this at home in the form of a pill.

To confuse matters even further, compounded ketamine lozenges and pills are available through online pharmacies and can be obtained with a prescription, but the FDA warned patients and providers about using compounded ketamine last fall because these products have not been evaluated for safety and effectiveness. Some doctors who prescribe ketamine for depression say they are wary of the oral forms because its not clear how much of the drug actually makes it to a patients bloodstream.

Patients need to be monitored closely because ketamine, which was originally used to dull pain in surgery, can cause feelings of disconnection or disassociation from their bodies and the world around them. It also distorts thinking and decision-making. Some find this hallucinogenic experience beneficial and even pleasant, but others have described it as terrifying. These forms of the drug can also cause a persons blood pressure to go up, which may make them off-limits for those with heart conditions.

The clinic setting limits who can get the treatment as well, Barnett said. Not all areas have clinics that can do this kind of intensive monitoring, and patients arent allowed to drive until the morning after an infusion, so treatments may be out-of-reach if they cant get a ride or afford a hotel stay.

From a public health standpoint, Barnett said, you can serve more people with a pill than with clinic-based treatments. A 2021 study estimated that in any given year, 2.8 million American adults have treatment-resistant depression.

It would be very beneficial for many people to have this available as a medication that they could take at home. But obviously, we want a medication like that to have very minimal dissociative side effects, Barnett said.

Thats where slow-release ketamine pills come in.

Studying drug withdrawal to see if it works

For the study, which was published Monday in the journal Nature Medicine, researchers in New Zealand enrolled 231 adults who had been diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, meaning they had tried at least two different antidepressants to lift their mood without success.

The study participants scored an average of 30 points on a clinical scale that measures depressive symptoms, a score thats considered moderate depression, and on average, theyd tried nearly five different treatments without relief.

For the first five days of the study, all of the participants took a daily dose of 120 milligrams of ketamine in the form of a slow-release pill. On day eight, the researchers assessed who had responded to the drug. Slightly more than half the group  132  had remission of their symptoms, meaning they scored under 10 on the clinical scale. Overall, 168 had some degree of benefit and were considered responders to the pill. People who had not responded to the drug were not eligible to continue with the research.

Those 168 adults were randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups; 37 people got a placebo, or dummy pill, while roughly equal-size groups took one of four daily doses of ketamine that ranged from 30 milligrams to 180 milligrams.

By 14 weeks, everyone taking ketamine still continued to see some relief from their depression, but for most groups, the differences compared with placebo were not statistically significant, meaning they could have been observed due to chance alone.

Researchers did see whats called a dose response, however, meaning the higher the dose of the drug, the more relief participants had in their depressive symptoms, which is usually a sign that the drug is having a real effect.

People who took the highest dose, 180 milligrams a day, did see a statistically significant benefit, a reduction in their depression score of about six points compared with the placebo group.

The results here, they look encouraging, Barnett said, noting that a two-point drop in the clinical rating scale the researchers used is considered meaningful to patients.

A six-point drop is similar to what weve seen in recent clinical trials of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, Barnett said, referring to a chemical in certain mushrooms thats currently being studied.

During the first five days of the study, when everyone was taking the drug, the most common side effects reported were dizziness, headache, dissociation, fatigue, feeling abnormal and nausea.

About 11% of people taking the 120 milligram ketamine pill at the beginning of the study said they experienced dissociation or feeling disconnected. But this appeared to be much milder than the dissociation reported by people who get ketamine infusions. On a commonly used rating scale, people taking the ketamine pill ranked below a score of 3 in the first phase of the study, but another study found that people getting IV ketamine rated their dissociation around a 7.

Effects on blood pressure were also minimal with the slow-release pill.

Weighing study biases

Experts agree that the study was an important first step.

The report is important since it is the first large placebo-controlled study to be published attempting to explore the benefits of oral ketamine, Dr. Gerard Sanacora, director of the Yale Depression Research Program, who was not involved in the study, wrote in an email.

But Sanacora said the design of the study, which is known as a randomized withdrawal trial, probably biased the results in favor of making the drug look more effective than it might be in the real world, something the study authors acknowledge, too.

By studying only people who responded to the drug, the study authors noted that they hoped to avoid the high failure rates of many antidepressants tested in a general population, where as many as 50% of trials fail to show an effect compared with a placebo.

Sanacora said its very likely that the study participants could have known they were getting ketamine, rather than the placebo, and therefore expected it to work.

It is usually easier to guess correctly once you have been exposed to the active treatment and then receive the inactive treatment, he wrote.

Therefore, he said, it would be really important for the pills to be retested in a larger population to get an idea of how well they might work in the real world.

He noted that theres a tremendous tension between wanting the important benefits of a drug like ketamine to be more available to people and making sure the treatment can be given safely and responsibly.

This is a step in the right direction, but we clearly need more high-quality data before we can say much more about the overall efficacy and safety of the new form of treatment and especially the safety of doing this at home, Sanacora wrote.

Challenges of oral dosing

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the study, which led to withdrawal and depression relapse for many, had a high drop-out rate. Of the 168 people who initially saw benefit from the pills, 100 didnt complete the trial. Ninety-four left because they stopped being helped by their treatment. One person left because of an adverse event. Four others left for unspecified reasons. A 65-year-old man died as a result of suicide.

The researchers say the studys independent review committee judged that the death was a result of the patients depression rather than the treatment.

Attempted and completed suicide is a sad reality of treatment trials in patients with depression, noted study author Dr. Paul Glue, a professor in the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, in an email.

Both Barnett and Sanacora agreed that it was difficult to know whether the drug played any role in a study this size and said that larger studies were needed to tease out any serious safety signals.

Among the participants, women and younger adults tended to have stronger treatment effects than men and older adults.

That may have something to do with the way the pills are metabolized, Barnett said.

One of the challenges with oral ketamine, one of the reasons that we havent used as much for depression as IV, is that it can be sort of unpredictable, and how much is getting into the bloodstream? he said. However, he thought the slow-release form of the pill probably helped with maintaining a steadier dose.

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The self-described king of one of Haitis more notorious gangs has been sentenced to nearly four decades behind bars in federal prison in the United States for his role in a gunrunning conspiracy and laundering ransom payments of kidnapped American hostages to fuel his gangs crime spree.

Germine Yonyon Joly and his lawyers had argued that he should get at the most, 17.5 years behind bars for his guilty plea earlier this year to a 48-count indictment related to weapons-smuggling and money laundering after he changed his plea midway through his trial in Washington, D.C.. Federal prosecutors, who laid out his criminal activities including purchases of two dozen firearms and WhatsApp exchanges with one of his three Florida-based accomplices, argued for life.

In the end, U.S. District Judge John D. Bates sentenced Joly, 32, to 420 months or 35 years. It is the harshest sentence of the four defendants in the case who were indicted by a grand jury on charges of violating U.S. export laws and money laundering, among other crimes.

Prosecutors hope the tough sentence will send a clear message to Haitis criminal gangs, which have been responsible for not just an unprecedented deadly surge in violence in the volatile country but the kidnapping of U.S. citizens to fund their rampage.

The leaders of violent gangs in Haiti that terrorize Americans citizens in order to fuel their criminal activity will be met with the full force of the Justice Department, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said after the sentencing.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia further elaborated the message the sentence sends.

All too often, Americans in Haiti have been targets of gang violence, he said. These two defendants not only helped lead a prominent violent gang in Haiti, but they were also intimately involved in arming the gang and laundering ransom proceeds the gang obtained from kidnapping Americans. These sentences send a message that those who engage in such violence against Americans, and who arm and launder money on behalf of these violent gangs, will pay a heavy price.

Directed kidnapping of missionaries

The leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, Joly was transferred to the U.S. aboard a special Federal Bureau of Investigation flight on May 3, 2022 following a request from the Department of Justice request. That April 22 request was initially tied to the 2021 kidnapping of 17 missionaries with Ohio-based Christian Aid Missionaries, which 400 Mawozo took responsibility for. The gang demanded $1 million per hostage. The group was eventually released after an undisclosed ransom amount was paid and the gang made the release look like an escape, according to sources in Haiti familiar with the hostages ordeal and the rift it later caused within the gangs leadership structure.

Joly operated the criminal armed group while imprisoned inside Haitis National Penitentiary. He directed orders about kidnapping victims and decided how the money should be divided, prosecutors argued. Those familiar with the gangs operations in Haiti, say Joly was able to maintain control because he surrounded gang leader Lanmou Sanjou with his relatives to keep his No. 2 in check.

In Jolys absence, Sanjou has emerged as a powerful leader of the gang, along with Vitelhomme Innocent, 400 Mawozos sometime nemesis, sometimes ally in the eastern part of the capital that includes the road to the Dominican Republic border and the city of Tabarre where the U.S. embassy is located.

Both Sanjou and Innocent are wanted by the FBI, which has offered a $2 million reward for Innocent.

Joly was indicted on four dozen charges related to weapons smuggling for his role in facilitating the purchase and smuggling of high-powered weapons from Florida to Haiti but federal prosecutors also argued that the guns and ammunition were bought with the ransom proceeds from kidnapped Americans. Both he and his gang 400 Mawozo got into the cross-hairs of U.S. authorities when the FBI was called into investigate the missionaries kidnappings. They were grabbed at gunpoint after returning from visiting an orphanage.

Joly still has a tentative jury trial scheduled for February 18, 2025 on the charges related to the missionaries kidnapping.

Ahead of Mondays sentencing, Jolys three Florida accomplices were also sentenced. All three opted to avoid trial including the leader of the South Florida pact, Eliande Tunis, who fashioned herself as the queen of the gang and leader of its South Floridas offshoot.

A mother of three, the Pompano Beach resident played the role of interlocutor between Joly and co-defendants Walder St. Louis, 35, a cousin of Jolys, and Jocelyn Dor, 31, another accomplice. St. Louis and Dor operated as straw buyers for 400 Mawozo. While purchasing handguns, rifles and semiautomatic high-powered rifles at Florida gun shops in Orlando and South Florida, they falsely stated they were the owners of the weapons, which they then had smuggled to Haiti disguised as shipments of used clothing and Gatorade.

St. Louis, who testified at trial, was given 36 months in federal prison while Dor was sentenced to 60 months.

FBI effort to disrupt gangs

Joly and Tunis sentencing underscore the FBIs dedication to disrupting and dismantling gangs who undertake hostage-taking of U.S. Citizens anywhere, FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Veltri of the FBI Miami Field Office said. This includes taking away their ability to wreak violence on the innocent using smuggled firearms.

According to testimony from 24 witnesses and other evidence presented at trial, the four co-defendants conspired with each other and with other gang members in Haiti at least from March through November 2021 to acquire and supply guns and ammunition to the 400 Mawozo gang, which operates east of Port-au-Prince.

From his prison cell while using a cell phone, Joly directing gang members in Haiti to transfer money to Tunis and others in Florida to purchase the weapons, which he provided specifications on over the phone and while they shopped. At least 24 guns, some with the ability to penetrate walls, were purchased during the time period.

In his argument for a lighter sentence, Joly placed blame for his incarceration in Haiti and criminal activities on a former Haitian government prosecutor and senator, Jean Renel Senatus.

In a nine-page letter to Bates ahead of the sentencing, Senatus rejected what he described as Jolys imaginary, fanciful and false allegations. Joly, he said, was the most sadistic, savage and brutal of a group of armed gang leaders who occupied an area of Port-au-Prince.

With the then head of the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police, Rameau Normil, Senatus said, they set up a sting operation to arrest Joly.

From his cell in the countrys largest prison, Joly corrupted more than 23 police officers assigned to the police station in Gantheir, putting them on a monthly payroll of roughly $200 a month, Senatus said,.

Telling the judge that he believes in American justice, Senatus asked for Bates to give this dangerous criminal what he deserves, because if it wasnt for his extradition to the United States of America, he would have been free today thanks to the recent escape recorded at the civil prison of Port-au-Prince.
What you need to know before firing off Fourth of July fireworks

Before setting off fireworks in the Delaware Valley this extended July Fourth holiday weekend, you really should know whether youre allowed to or not.

Massachusetts is the only state that outright bans fireworks, but many states have partial bans in place.

The Fourth of July holiday weekend begins on a Thursday this year, and here's the latest info on fireworks ordinances where you live.

Are fireworks legal in Delaware?

The short answer is no.

"The use of consumer fireworks such as firecrackers, bottle rockets, aerial mortars, and anythingthat leaves the ground is and has always been prohibited to possess or use in the State of Delaware," read a fireworks alert from the Delaware State Fire Marshall.

First State residents can have and use things like sparklers and so-called fountains, but they can only be used in Delaware on July 4, December 31 and January 1.

Despite ads targeting Delaware residents, advertised consumer aerial fireworks are prohibited to possess or discharge."

Delaware's fire marshal also noted that handheld sparklers and allowed ground-based displays can only be purchased by anyone 18 over.

Consumer fireworks such as firecrackers, bottle rockets, aerial mortars, and anything that leaves the ground are prohibited in Delaware, but handheld sparklers and some ground-bases displays are okay to use this Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Are fireworks legal in New Jersey?

According to the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs, It is unlawful to sell, offer for sale, possess, or use fireworks in New Jersey, but anyone older than 16 can purchase and use sparklers and other handheld novelties.

"New Jersey modified its fireworks law in 2017 to legally allow the sale and use of ground-based fireworks such as hand-held sparklers, smoke devices, and party popper novelties," according to a separate fireworks guide by issued NJ consumer affairs. "However, New Jersey law continues to strictly prohibit the sale and use of aerial fireworks, which include any fireworks that explode in the air such as bottle rockets, firecrackers, and Roman candles."

New Jersey's government has released a graphic identifying which fireworks are legal and illegal in New Jersey.

Can I set off fireworks in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania allows anyone over the age of 18 to buy and use consumer fireworks, which does not include ground and hand-held sparkling devices, novelties and toy caps.

In fact, Pennsylvania residents should prepare for extended fireworks this four-day Fourth of July holiday weekend.

"Municipalities may restrict use of consumer fireworks between 10 p.m. and 10 a.m. except, July 2, 3, 4 and Dec. 31 when they may be used until 1 a.m.," read a fireworks alert from the Pennsylvania State Police. "If July 4 falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday they may be used until 1 a.m. on the immediately preceding and following Friday and Saturday."

Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Can I shoot off fireworks this July 4? Laws you need to know
What to know about the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision to hear lawsuit over Evers' veto power

MADISON - The Wisconsin Supreme Court has announced it will take up a case filed by a conservative business lobbying group against Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' use of his partial veto power to increase funding for public schools for the next four centuries.

The case could further protect or chip away at the governor's partial veto authority depending on how the justices rule. This power in Wisconsin dates back to the 1930s. Heres what you need to know about its history and the current lawsuit at hand.

Why is the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Litigation Center suing Evers?

Attorneys with the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Litigation Center, Wisconsin's largest business lobby, are representing two Wisconsin taxpayers  Jeffery LeMieux and David DeValk  and timed the April filing to coincide with Tax Day.

They argued Evers unilaterally allowed property taxes to increase, violating a 1990 amendment to the state constitution that curtailed the governors veto power.

The lawsuit was filed as an original action petition, which means attorneys wanted the state's highest court to bypass lower courts and take it up directly.

"The law is clear," WMC Litigation Center deputy director Nathan Kane said in a statement at the time. "Voters and their elected legislators are the ones empowered to increase taxes, no one else."

How and why did Evers issue the veto?

Last July, Evers in the budget used a partial veto to increase state-imposed limits on the revenue public schools can raise per student by $325 annually, through 2425.

He struck a hyphen and a "20" from a reference to the 2024-25 school year to create the extension, resulting in the highest single-year increase in revenue limits in state history.

Gov. Tony Evers vetoed the words and numbers in red, creating a $325-per-student increase in school funding each year until 2425.

Evers, a former public school educator who served as the state superintendent before becoming governor in 2018, told reporters at a press conference his action would "provide school districts with predictable long-term increases for the foreseeable future."

In his veto message, he wrote: "I object to the failure of the Legislature to address the long-term financial needs of school districts. This veto makes no changes to the per pupil revenue limit adjustment provided in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years and provides school districts with predictable long-term spending authority increases."

The veto generated massive attention on social media, including getting on the radar of "Jeopardy!" host Ken Jennings, who joked he wanted to run for Wisconsin governor after seeing how Evers used his veto power.

The Republican-led state Senate voted in September to override the veto, which requires a two-thirds majority vote, but the Assembly  where the GOP majority falls short of two-thirds  did not take it up. Earlier this year, Republican lawmakers reintroduced a proposed constitutional amendment that would bar governors from using a partial veto to increase any tax or fee.

Whats the history of the partial veto in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin gives its governors some of the most sweeping executive powers in the country, although partial veto authority has been scaled back over time.

In 1930, an amendment to the Wisconsin constitution first gave the governor power to veto appropriations bills in whole or in part, which some governors used to veto individual letters to create new words.

State lawmakers, pushing for the amendment following concerns about omnibus bills, believed it would help provide a check on the legislature, according to a study by the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau.

Governors used the power to liberally veto individual words to create new ones, called a Vanna White veto in reference to the famous Wheel of Fortune host who revealed letters and numbers on a gameshow board. It has also been called a pick-a-letter veto. The digit veto similarly allowed the striking of single numerals. Frankenstein vetoes referred to striking words from two or more sentences to patch together new sentences.

Voters eliminated governors' ability to make such changes in 1990 and 2008, respectively, when they amended the constitution to provide that the governor may not create a new word by rejecting individual letters in the words of the enrolled bill or create a new sentence by combining parts of 2 or more sentences of the enrolled bill.

Evers used his partial veto authority to increase funding for public schools in the 2019-21 state budget as well, which prompted Republican lawmakers to amend the state constitution to put limits on his veto pen. A 2020 state Supreme Court ruling threw out three changes Evers had made to the 2019-21 state budget but upheld a fourth.

The decision was fractured, with different groups of justices reaching different conclusions about when to throw out vetoes. There was no majority agreement defining how future vetoes should be reviewed.

How have governors used vetoes to increase spending in the past?

Until Evers' budget action in July, governors had used vetoes to increase state spending above levels set by lawmakers 31 times since 1991 and increased bonding levels seven times during that time, according to a 2020 analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau.

In 1973, Democratic Gov. Patrick Lucey removed a digit, making it so the state could borrow up to $5 million for highway projects, instead of $25 million. In the 1975-77 budget, Lucey removed the word not from a provision related to tourism promotion, making a 50% minimum on cooperative advertising a 50% maximum.

In the 2003-05 budget, Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle used his partial veto authority to increase the states borrowing authority for highway projects from $140 million to $1 billion.

In the following budget, Doyle transferred $427 million from the states transportation fund to its general fund, directing most of that money to public schools.

Former Republican Gov. Scott Walker also used his office's veto authority to extend one measure in the 2017-19 state budget to last indefinitely, known as the "thousand-year veto." That year, Walker used partial vetoes to turn the deadline to end a program allowing school districts to raise revenue limits for energy efficient projects from 2018 to 3018. In another veto in the same budget, Walker delayed the start date of another program to 2078 from 2018.

The vetoes were challenged in court but the state Supreme Court sided with Walker, saying the lawsuit was filed too late.

How could a liberal court majority impact the ruling?

This is the courts 10th time hearing a challenge to a partial veto, but the first since Janet Protasiewiczs 2023 election secured a liberal majority on the court for the first time in 15 years.

The last time the partial veto power came before the court in 2020, justices voted on partisan lines, issuing Evers a blow when they determined three of his vetoes went too far. The ruling was a change of course for the high court, which has repeatedly ruled in favor of governors in decisions going back to 1935.

The courts liberals dissented from the ruling. Now, their majority could play into Evers favor.

"In an important case like this, where the people of Wisconsin need clarity, we instead sow confusion," Justice Ann Walsh Bradley wrote in a 2020 dissent joined by Justice Rebecca Dallet.

"Evidence of the lack of clarity is highlighted by the very fact that this case has generated four separate writings with various rationales. And not one of them has garnered a majority vote of this court. Thus, we are left with no clear controlling rationale or test for the future."

The court has not yet set a date to hear the case.

Rachel Hale can be reached at rhale@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Supreme Court challenge to Tony Evers' partial veto
Russia promises retaliation against US for Ukraine strike on Crimea

By Dmitry Antonov and Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin on Monday squarely blamed the United States for an attack on Crimea with U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles that killed at least four people and injured 151, and Moscow formally warned the U.S. ambassador that retaliation would follow.

The war in Ukraine has deepened a crisis in relations between Russia and the West, and Russian officials have said the conflict is entering the most dangerous escalation to date.

But directly blaming the United States for an attack on Crimea - which Russia unilaterally annexed in 2014 although most of the world considers it part of Ukraine - is a step further.

"You should ask my colleagues in Europe, and above all in Washington, the press secretaries, why their governments are killing Russian children," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

At least two children were killed in the attack on Sevastopol on Sunday, according to Russian officials. People were shown running from a beach near Sevastopol and some of the injured being carried off on sun loungers. Kyiv did not comment on the attack but denies targeting civilians.

Russia said the United States had supplied the weapons, while the U.S. military had aimed them and provided data.

Russia's Foreign Ministry summoned U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy and told her Washington was "waging a hybrid war against Russia and has actually become a party to the conflict".

"Retaliatory measures will definitely follow," it said.

Tracy said Washington regretted any loss to civilian life, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters, adding that Washington provided weapons to Ukraine so it could defend its sovereign territory, including Crimea.

Pentagon spokesperson Major Charlie Dietz said that "Ukraine makes its own targeting decisions and conducts its own military operations."

A U.S. official later said that Ukraine was not targeting civilians. It seemed that the Russians were able to intercept an ATACMS missile that was targeting a missile launcher, and the ATACMS exploded with shrapnel raining down on the beach, the American official added.

President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned of the risk of a much broader war involving the world's biggest nuclear powers, though he has said Russia does not want a conflict with the U.S.-led NATO alliance.

RUSSIAN RETALIATORY MEASURES

U.S. President Joe Biden has ruled out sending U.S. troops to fight in Ukraine and said shortly after the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion that a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia would mean World War Three.

Putin presents the Ukraine war as part of a wider struggle with the U.S., which he says ignored Moscow's interests after the Soviet Union's 1991 break-up, then plotted to split Russia apart and seize its natural resources.

Leaders of the West and Ukraine have cast the war as an imperial-style land-grab. The West denies wanting to destroy Russia, which in turn denies intending to invade any NATO member state.

After the United States allowed Ukraine to direct some U.S. weapons into Russia, the Kremlin sent signals that it viewed this as a serious escalation.

Putin has ordered drills to practise deployment of tactical nuclear weapons, suggested Russia could station conventional missiles within striking distance of the United States and its allies, and sealed a mutual defence pact with North Korea.

Washington still prohibits Kyiv from striking recognised Russian territory with ATACMS, which have a range of up to 186 miles (300 km), and other long-range U.S. weapons.

Putin said on Thursday that Russia might supply weapons to North Korea in what he suggested would be a like-for-like response to the Western arming of Ukraine.

Asked what the Russian answer would be to the attack in Crimea, Peskov recalled Putin's words on June 6 about wider placement of conventional weapons.

"Of course, the involvement of the United States in the fighting, as a result of which peaceful Russians are dying, cannot but have consequences," Peskov said.

"Which ones exactly - time will tell."

(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; writing by Olzhas Auyezov; Additional reporting by Simon Lewis, Idrees Ali, Daphne Psaledakis, Steve Holland and Kanishka Singh in Washington; editing by Guy Faulconbridge, Mark Heinrich, Kevin Liffey and Stephen Coates)
Kyrgyz man sentenced to 5 years in prison for fighting for Russia in Ukraine

A court in the Kyrgyz city of Osh sentenced an unnamed man to five years in prison for fighting for Russia in Ukraine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Kyrgyz service reported on June 24, citing court representatives.

Under Kyrgyz law, participating in conflicts on foreign territory is forbidden. Another Kyrgyz man was sentenced to a suspended seven-year sentence in January 2024 for fighting with Russian troops in Ukraine. Following the sentence, the man fled to Russia and reportedly reenlisted to fight in Ukraine.

RFE/RL did not report on the specifics of the new case but added that the convicted man has appealed his case.

While estimates vary, hundreds of thousands of Kyrgyz nationals likely work in Russia, often doing construction or other manual labor jobs.

Russia has reportedly been actively recruiting Kyrgyz citizens and other Central Asian migrant workers to join the army and fight in Ukraine.

The true figure of Central Asians who have signed up to fight in Ukraine is unknown, as are the associated casualties.

Officials said in August 2023 that at least 10 Kyrgyz nationals had been killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine.

Read also: Several Kyrgyz banks partially suspended operations with Russia, media report

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
There was a brief moment recently in which it seemed the Labour Party might have seen a little sense on gender ideology. With Shadow Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, conceding he had gone too far in the past by repeating Stonewalls trans women are women mantra, and Sir Keir Starmer admitting (while stopping short of an apology) that Rosie Duffield MP was correct in saying only women have a cervix, a correction appeared to be underway.

But, as is becoming tradition with Labour, women have yet again been de-prioritised. In the last few days, the party has reinstated a number of trans policies many had hoped had been shelved.

It looks as though Starmer and his henchmen have chosen to bend the knee to trans activists rather than listen to the likes of JK Rowling, who has become a proud spokeswoman for right-minded citizens across the UK.

Yet it is painfully shortsighted for Labour to fail to recognise that capitulation to these bullies will leave them facing further demands, if elected. A Starmer administration could be railroaded into introducing full legal self-identification; allowing schools to teach gender ideology to five-year-olds; threatening therapists with legal sanctions for declining to affirm so-called trans children and introducing legislation to render mis-gendering a hate crime.

Trans activists will stop at nothing. Having smelt blood, they will go on to rip the throat out of womens rights, while Labour pretends it is only supporting a marginalised minority.

Rowlings words should be heeded. Not just because she is a former donor, member and staunch supporter of the party  but because she  with her huge platform and status as a national treasure, speaks for millions of women.

I will vote Labour in this general election. But it is troubling that, no sooner has Wes Streeting spoken a bit of common sense and Starmer seemed to understand the damaging nature of his cervix remarks, than they double down again.

Rowling has been on a roll this weekend, highlighting several recent disastrous policies, including self-identification (allowing any man to claim to be a woman and be legally sanctioned on the say-so of a single doctor after just one appointment); removing the spousal veto (meaning women married to men who later decide they are women would effectively become lesbians without their consent), and a review of the teaching of gender ideology in schools. Starmer, a man with hidden shallows, has been pitted against Rowling, a feminist role model whose influence (and charm) far outstrips his. Labour seems to think it can, at one and the same time, capitulate to trans extremists and pretend to prioritise the rights of women and girls.

But we should not forget that it was the Conservative minister Maria Miller who ignited this battle by proposing the introduction of self-identification and even said, in 2017, that the only hostility to her proposals came from women purporting to be feminists.

The Tories track record on resourcing rape crisis centres and domestic violence refuges is woeful. As Rowling has made clear, challenging this gender nonsense  which affects every woman and girl  is key. But it is nonsensical to think that the Conservatives, simply because they are able to define a woman, will respect what she is.

When Rowling added her voice to those speaking out against gender extremism in 2019, she revolutionised the movement. In choosing to listen to a bunch of misogynistic ideologues rather than one of the finest feminist icons of the modern age, Labour is sowing the seeds of its own destruction.

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If proof were needed of how out of touch Labour is with public opinion, it is the partys vacillating policies on the issue of gender and trans rights. It has the temerity to accuse the Tories of launching a culture war by raising these matters, yet if Sir Keir Starmer becomes prime minister next week, the supposed rights of a tiny group of people could trump those of the great majority, especially women and children.

At the weekend, the author JK Rowling, once a generous Labour donor, said she would struggle to support the party so long as it remains dismissive and often offensive towards women fighting to retain [their] rights.

But such criticism is often shrugged off by Labour Party leaders with denials and false claims to be full-throated supporters of womens rights, even when it is evident that they are not. Sir Keir has not even robustly defended one of his own candidates, Rosie Duffield, who has been threatened by activists for arguing in favour of women-only spaces.

Ms Rowling has acted with great courage and can use her celebrity to stand up to the zealots. But Labours pusillanimity on this subject is encouraging the activists. There is confusion over what Labour would do about Government guidance banning schools from promoting gender ideology. Bridget Phillipson, Labours shadow education secretary, declined to say at the weekend if it would be withdrawn. There are trans people within society and their existence should be recognised, she said.

But no-one is suggesting it should not be. What is at issue here is clarity. Sir Keir was asked the same question on Monday and replied: Im not in favour of ideology being taught in our schools on gender ... We need to complete the consultation process and make sure that there is guidance that is age appropriate.

Labour also plans to outlaw so-called conversion therapy to prevent young people from being coerced away from gender reassignment. At the same time, the party says it will implement the recommendations of the Cass review into the influence of transgender treatments like puberty blockers and the need to ensure children who want to socially transition get appropriate help.

There is too much in this approach that is confusing or half-formed. Every parent and woman who shares Ms Rowlings anxieties should follow her lead, and think long and hard before installing Labour in power.

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As the Tory party teeters on the brink, so, too, does Britain. Like much of its middle class, our nation is bougie broke. The parties might insist that there is still money for their various projects, but under the surface the country is a smoking ruin. Its finances are in such a mess that the state now spends four times more on debt interest than social care. Fifteen years into wage stagnation, Texan gas station managers can make more than London professionals.

The danger is that, under Labour, Britain will be tipped over the edge. Indeed, amid widespread voter apathy, there is one group that will be delighted at the prospect of Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister: the Blob in all its facets. The anti-Brexit establishment in Whitehall  which has done so much to mire the country in its mess  will be gleeful at the prospect of a government led by one of its own.

The captains of Blob capitalism and the neo-Brownite intellectuals that have proliferated on the centre-Left, will think they can eat Starmer for breakfast. The woke industrial complex  which feeds off the temptation of all declining nations to retreat into the trivial  will come into its own. All as the real crises facing the nation are ignored.

It is difficult to predict precisely what combination of bad ideas could finish off the UK under Labour. What is certain, though, is that Blobonomics will play a starring role.

Crucially, this refuses to acknowledge that Britain is slouching towards bankruptcy. At some point soon, the government of the day will be unable to meet rising welfare costs by increasing the tax burden, or pushing through unpopular spending cuts. To avoid this, we are going to have to swallow our pride and start thinking like a developing nation, establishing growth as an overriding goal even at the risk of short-term pain, and resolving to catch up with the United States on key metrics, much like East Asia did in the 1970s and 1980s.

And yet Treasury mandarins cling to the view that it is Britains post-imperial destiny to spend its twilight years suspended in a humbling yet dignified state of stable stagnation, sustained through prudent financial management. Starmer, meanwhile, might talk about growth, but his plans lack any credibility. He has played into the Treasurys hands by savagely attacking Liz Trusss dash for growth, he has earnestly dismantled his own green proposals, and presented himself not as a radical fixer but a steady pair of hands. The thinkers who are likely to be influential over Labour in government are already flirting with growth-crushing wealth taxes and pension raids.

Yes, there are some in the Blob who grasp the need to put rocket-boosters under the economy. Sadly, with a Labour landslide imminent, they have proved unable to resist the attitude that the only way to reboot Britain is to go back into the EU. Such an idea is pure insanity. With the hard-Right on the cusp of power across Western Europe, the prospect of the EU collapsing by 2030 has gone from a wild-card scenario to a real possibility.

Look at Germany. Amid rising energy costs and economic decoupling from China, the primary reason for the EUs continued existence for many Germans  their export-oriented growth model bolstered by a relatively weak euro currency  has imploded. Many believe that EU regulation imperils the Mittelstand, and that the country must restore the Deutschmark to protect itself from further financial risk. The AfD is determined to dissolve the EU.

Brexit Britain should be holding its nerve, capitalising on any new reputation as a safe haven, and dismantling EU regulations. But the Blob brains of Britain are so blinded with ideological hatred of Brexit that they refuse to see this. Their blockheaded thinking is only encouraged by big business, which welcomes any diversion from the real source of stagnation: the slowdown in corporate innovation as British firms become colonised by managerialism, addicted to state subsidies and drunk on dividends from rentier capitalism.

There are few promising signs in other areas. Labours Blob-pleasing obsession with net zero  decarbonising the grid by 2030 and banning new North Sea oil and gas  could yet prove to be the single greatest act of national self-harm this century. After all, history suggests that sustained economic growth is always underpinned by access to cheap and abundant energy.

Labour and Whitehall have come to share in the Brownite epiphany that devolution can both somehow unleash growth and rival nationalism. But further decentralising power now would end any hope of a pro-growth national rescue plan at a later date. Britain is in such an advanced state of decay that this would necessarily entail policies that are unpopular. But as the grandstanding of leaders like Sadiq Khan suggests, more devolution will be merely a recipe for gridlock.

With no answers to the big crises of our time, the woke industrial complex will come into its own. We are already seeing evidence of this in Labours plans. With its school trans policy mired in confusion, all hope has been dashed that education policy might shift onto infinitely more vital matters  such as how schools can tap the AI revolution without merely automating bad teaching.

At a time when it should be leading a national probe into wage stagnation, Labour has instead resolved to push through so-called equal pay rights in law for ethnic minority workers. Such escalations of the culture wars spell lucrative opportunities for HR executives, diversity professionals, human rights lawyers, equality think tanks, and experts in transphobia and structural racism. It is not so good news for those of us who find diversity is a diversion from the monumental question of how Britain beats decline.

As conservatives mull over how hard to punish the Tories on July 4, it is hard to overlook the fact that our situation is so dire because Conservatives did nothing over 14 years to confront Blob thinking. They not only ducked every opportunity to challenge Treasury orthodoxy but also tacitly endorsed the Blobs view that Brexit could only ever be a damage limitation exercise. They unleashed the green Blob by enshrining net zero into law. Far from killing off devolution, they indulged it, promoting regional mayors.

It is hard to know what to feel more intensely  dread at a new chapter of Blob rule under Labour, or anger at the scale of Tory failure.

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The News

Taiwans president has hit back at Beijing after China passed a new law designed to curb support for Taiwanese independence.

On Friday China issued new legal guidance for punishing people who support Taiwanese independence and made them eligible for the death penalty, although China does not have legal jurisdiction in Taiwan.

In response, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said: Democracy is not a crime; its autocracy that is the real evil, adding that China had no right to sanction Taiwans people across borders for their political beliefs.

Beijing sees Lai as a separatist, and staged threatening war games off the islands coast after his inauguration last month. Taiwan said there had been a sharp increase in Chinese military activity in the region, with some aircraft reaching just 31 miles from the islands southern tip.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Las Cruces Police Department has identified all of the victims in two separate double homicides that happened this past Sunday, June 23.

Las Cruces Police investigate two separate double homicides

Police say they are continuing to investigate the double homicide on the Citys East Mesa while an arrest has been made on the double homicide at the 1100 block of Wofford Drive.

Luis G. Noyola, 46. Photo: Las Cruces Police Department

Police say Luis G. Noyola, 46, was arrested Sunday and is charged with two felony counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his father, Francisco Javier Noyola, 88, and his brother, Lucio Noyola, 51. Luis Noyola is also charged with two counts of tampering with evidence.

Police say Luis Noyola used a hammer to kill his father and brother and then tried to clean up the crime scene. His sister called the police at around 11 a.m. that Sunday and asked for a welfare check. Police arrived to find Francisco and Lucio Noyola dead inside the home.



Luis Noyola was detained by police at the scene at Wofford Drive. Police say he subsequently acknowledged his involvement in the deaths of his father and brother.

Police say they are also continuing to investigate the double homicide that happened at around 12:30 a.m. that same Sunday on the East Mesa at the intersection of Avenida del Sol and Cortez Drive.

Police say they arrived to find Jonathan Pena, 26, and his sister, Jacinya Pena, 23, shot while inside a vehicle.

Police say Jonathan Pena was pronounced dead at the scene and Jacinya Pena was transported to a local hospital where she later died as a result of her injuries.

Police say add that a 15-year-old girl, seated in the backseat of the vehicle, was struck by shrapnel and received minor injuries.



The Police Department is asking anyone with information on who may be responsible for the deaths of Jonathan Pena and Jacinya Pena to call Las Cruces Police at (575) 526-0795.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) is investigating two separate double homicides that happened Sunday morning, June 23 within a span of less than 11 hours, according to a news release sent by LCPD.

The first incident happened about 12:30 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of Avenida del Sol and Cortez Drive on the citys East Mesa.

LCPD said preliminary information indicated that a 26-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were shot while inside a vehicle.

The man died at the scene and the woman was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead, according to LCPD.

LCPD said a 15-year-old girl, who was seated in the backseat of the vehicle, was struck by shrapnel and received relatively minor injuries.

The second incident happened at about 11 a.m. on Sunday. Police were dispatched to a home on the 1100 block of Wofford Drive where two dead men were located.

LCPD said that in this incident, police believe a 45-year-old man killed his 88-year-old father and his 51-year-old brother.

Police have the 45-year-old man in custody and are conducting multiple interviews, according to LCPD.

Names of any of the deceased will not be released at this time to allow families the time to share news with their relatives and close friends, read the news release.

LCPD said both incidents are actively under investigation. Police plan on providing more information Monday.

Anyone with information on either incident is asked to immediately call police at (575) 526-0795.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
One of the most notorious Republicans in Congress faces a crowded primary election on Tuesday.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) is running against five other Republicans in Colorados 4th District.

Its not her district  Boebert currently represents Colorados 3rd  but shes making the switch rather than face a rematch against Adam Frisch, the Democratic challenger who came surprisingly close to beating her in 2022. Boebert said shed run in the 4th District, which leans more Republican than her own, after former Rep. Ken Buck (R) announced his retirement.

In her first term in Congress, Boebert drew attention with a streak of inflammatory antics, such as vowing to tote a handgun around Washington, calling a Muslim colleague a terrorist and heckling President Joe Biden with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) during the 2022 State of the Union address. Frisch labeled Boebert a purveyor of angertainment.

Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) scream "Build the wall" as President Joe Biden delivers the State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress on March 1, 2022. Evelyn Hockstein-Pool/Getty Images

In her second term, Boebert clashed with Greene after the two introduced rival impeachment resolutions against Biden in June 2023. Greene told reporters Boebert basically copied my articles, which Boebert denied.

Im not in middle school, Boebert told HuffPost at the time.

That evening, Greene called Boebert a little bitch during a confrontation on the House floor, a breach of decorum that contributed to Greenes ouster from the right-wing House Freedom Caucus the following month.

Boebert committed her own breach of decorum months later when she was escorted out of a Denver theater in September after vaping and carrying on with a date during a performance of the Beetlejuice musical.

This year, Boebert has seemingly tried to distinguish herself from Greene. During a House Oversight Committee hearing that fell into chaos after Greene insulted a Democratic colleagues fake eyelashes, Boebert tried to strike a more statesmanlike tone, apologizing to the American people on Greenes behalf.

It was embarrassing what was going on, Boebert said the next day. My apology was sincere because I felt shame that that was happening.

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Boebert over her five Republican opponents earlier this year.

Boebert may have an advantage due to her name recognition and Trump endorsement, but political handicappers have said the bad attention she draws to herself, such as by getting kicked out of a touring Broadway performance, hurts her chances.

If Boebert wins, shell face the winner of Tuesdays Democratic primary. One of the candidates, Ike McCorkle, recently released an internal poll suggesting hed beat Boebert in a hypothetical general election matchup.
Colorado Republican congresswoman Lauren Boebert returns to the public eye again this week for the Colorado GOP primary election.

The firebrand politician previously announced that she would be switching districts for her re-election campaign in 2024, moving from Colorados 3rd congressional district to its 4th and blaming an influx of Hollywood money from high-profile Democratic donors like Barbara Streisand and Ryan Reynolds for driving her away.

As the former owner of the Shooters Grill gun-themed restaurant in the inevitably named town of Rifle, who is known for controversial takes and comments, including enthusiastic remarks about the QAnon conspiracy theory, some may be unused to seeing her name in headlines for the right reasons.

Heres a look at some of her other less-than-flattering brushes with the spotlight.

GOP congresswoman Lauren Boebert, pictured on the Capitol steps in Washington DC, is known for often making headlines for the wrong reasons (AFP via Getty Images)

Police investigation over claims she punched her ex-husband

Boebert was investigated by police earlier this year following claims of a physical altercation between the politician and her ex-husband at a Colorado restaurant.

Jayson Boebert accused his ex-wife of punching him in the face but later recanted his claim. According to police, the restaurant did not have any surveillance video recording at the time and no witnesses came forward to provide a statement about what happened.

Due to a lack of any evidence, the allegations of domestic violence against Rep Lauren Boebert are unfounded and the investigation into Rep Lauren Boebert is closed, Silt police said in a statement at the time. Ms Boebert had previously denied the allegations.

Jayson Boebert was later arrested for third-degree criminal trespass, obstruction and disorderly conduct in connection with the restaurant incident, Kite said, along with other charges pursued by county authorities. He was released the same day, according to jail records.

Days after the incident he also allegedly got into the physical fight with his son, leading his being charged with reckless endangerment.

Support for Donald Trump during criminal trial

Boebert was among the few devotees of the former president to actually turn up in-person to support him during his criminal trial last month, after which he was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

Boebert arrived to court with fellow GOP lawmaker Matt Gaetz to protest Trumps innocence.

Lauren Boebert appears outside of a Manhattan criminal courthouse in May where she and other Republicans attended the felony hush money trial of Donald Trump (Getty Images)

Following claims that the former president had often fallen asleep during proceedings, Boebert made went out of her way to explain them away.

Trump wasnt sleeping, he was praying, the Colorado representative claimed during a House hearing in May adding, somewhat bizarrely, that if he was indeed sleeping as has been widely reported, at least he looked pretty.

I know when I fall asleep on airplanes my mouth kinda drops open, she said. And his mouth is kinda tightlipped, so maybe its just a somber moment of thought.

Getting thrown out of a theatre over Beetlejuice-gate

In perhaps her most headline-grabbing incident, Boebert apologized after she was forced to make an undignified exit from a live-action musical stage version of Tim Burtons gothic comedy Beetlejuice in Denver, last September.

Fellow audience members had complained about her vaping near a pregnant woman, talking too loudly, taking flash photographs, and inappropriately groping her date, Aspen bar owner Quinn Gallagher. The pair was asked to leave by the management.

After initially denying having behaved obnoxiously at the show, she was subsequently forced to apologise when video footage emerged revealing her doing precisely as alleged.

On social media, users were quick to contrast Ms Boeberts own public conduct with her homophobic advice to: Take your children to CHURCH, not drag bars.

The incident has followed Boebert around since, and she has faced multiple questions over it as recently as this month during a live televised debate with other GOP candidates.

She was heckled with chants of Beetlejuice by student protesters at George Washington University, during a visit in May.

Tweeting about Pelosis movements during the Capitol riot

Boebert faced calls for her resignation just days into her career as a congresswoman in the aftermath of the riot at the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 when it emerged that she had tweeted out sensitive information concerning the whereabouts of House speaker Nancy Pelosi in the midst of the attack.

Fact, this buffoon looks down when she sees me at the Capitol, this whole story is made up. Sad she thinks bigotry gets her clout.



Anti-Muslim bigotry isnt funny & shouldnt be normalized. Congress cant be a place where hateful and dangerous Muslims tropes get no condemnation. https://t.co/S1APT7RbqW  Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 26, 2021

Speaker has been removed from the chambers, she posted, which, although it did not provide any specific details, led to allegations that she was attempting to guide the rioters who were coming for the Democrat with malicious intent.

Protesters from Rural Colorado United, a state activist group, duly organised demonstrations outside her offices, calling Boebert unfit to serve.

Lauren Boebert has betrayed the American people and is a conspirator in the insurrection that occurred at Capitol Hill on January 6th, the group wrote in a press release.

As the citizens she represents in Congress, we cannot recall her and we cannot impeach her, but we do not accept that she is fit to represent the people of Colorado District 3 in Congress. We can only hope that her colleagues in Congress expel her.

Boebert had made clear her intention to oppose the formal certification of the 2020 election result in Arizona just before the insurrection effort erupted outside.

Islamophobic jokes about fellow representatives

Boebert also has a history of making off-colour jokes about her political enemies, notably suggesting that Democratic representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a Muslim, is a terrorist, leading to Omar receiving multiple death threats.

Having already accused her rival of being a full-time propagandist for Hamas on social media in May 2021, Boebert was seen on video the following September joking at a Staten Island Conservative Party dinner that she had encountered Omar in a DC elevator and called her a member of the Jihad Squad to her face, embellishing the anecdote for her audience by saying she had told a congressional aide: She doesnt have a backpack, she wasnt dropping it and running, so were good.

At the same event, she was reported as describing Omar and Rashida Tlaib, another Muslim Democrat, as black-hearted evil women.

They declined to accept her reluctant apologies, with Omar calling her a buffoon who thinks bigotry gets her clout.

Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene scream Build the Wall as Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address in March 2022 (Getty)

Heckling Joe Biden at the State of the Union

Boebert also made a spectacle of herself at the presidents State of the Union address in March 2022 when Biden reflected on the recent deaths of American servicemen in Afghanistan, and she shouted out: You put them in there, 13 of them!

She was referring to the killing of US soldiers in a suicide bombing at Kabuls Hamid Karzai International Airport the previous August, the insensitivity of her remark drawing boos from the chamber.

Later, she and Georgia counterpart Marjorie Taylor Greene  who had already pointedly turned their backs on Bidens cabinet  chanted Build the wall! when he discussed the problems of illegal immigration at the US-Mexico border, taking the opportunity to revive the spectre of Donald Trumps famous white elephant infrastructure project, which remains unfinished to this day.

Falling out with MTG

Often thought of as something of a double act, as the above embarrassment illustrated, Boebert and Taylor Greene had a very public confrontation on the floor of the House of Representatives in June 2023, with the former accusing the latter of calling her a little b**** and spitting at her.

Saw this conversation not sure if it was a friendly one pic.twitter.com/tpz3z2Phtv  Acyn (@Acyn) June 21, 2023

The cause of their feud? A dispute over which of them would get to file the latest round of spurious articles of impeachment against President Biden.

Ive donated to you, Ive defended you. But youve been nothing but a little b**** to me, Taylor Greene reportedly said. And you copied my articles of impeachment after I asked you to co-sponsor them.

OK, Marjorie, were through, Boebert allegedly responded, to which her Georgia counterpart is understood to have retorted: We were never together.

Asked about it later, the Colorado representative seethed to CNN: Im not in middle school.
Vaping has gained quick popularity among Nevada teens, but there are also inequities regarding which high school students are most at risk. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Policy, politics and progressive commentary

As the state executive of the Nevada Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, I represent businesses in  and serving  convenience stores. Our members seek to provide a positive impact not only on the states economy, but also on the well-being of the communities we serve. Today, we face a significant and persistent problem: The marketplace is saturated with illegal vape products, and there is an alarming lack of clarity and action from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to address this issue.

Making matters worse, it seems like the FDA cant even acknowledge this problem exists. At a May 15 National Association of Tobacco Outlets meeting, I and others were stunned to hear FDAs Center for Tobacco Products Director Brian King claim that illicit markets arent real. This assertion is completely disconnected from the reality retailers face in Nevada and across the country. The presence of illegal vapes is not a matter of opinion; it is a well-documented fact. Id invite Director King to walk into any vape shop in Nevada (or anywhere else in the country) and tell us that the hundreds of products he sees for sale there have been reviewed and authorized by his agency. He cant.

This disconnect between regulatory bodies and on-the-ground realities exacerbates the challenges our members encounter daily because the illusion that the illicit market is not a significant threat only serves to delay necessary action.

To understand the scope of the illicit market, one has to look no further than a 2020 Federal Trade Commission report, which identified significant increases in the sale of unauthorized vaping products. By one estimate, the amount of vaping devices has tripled in the U.S. since 2020, driven by illicit disposable vapes. And despite this rapid increase, to date, FDAs response has been minimal  a few warning letters and occasionally seized quantities of illicit vapes  actions that wont make a significant dent in this issue.

Its time for the Center for Tobacco Products director to stop pretending this isnt an issue and to ramp up enforcement efforts instead of taking small, inconsequential steps that fail to address the problem meaningfully. Ignoring the problem does not make it go away. Instead, we need the FDA to take several immediate actions to combat this crisis effectively.

Authorize more products: One of the primary reasons we find ourselves in this situation is the FDAs failure to authorize vaping products adults want. The FDA has failed to review all of the submitted premarket tobacco product applications filed nearly four years ago. And of the millions of product applications submitted, only 23 have been authorized by the agency.

This slow-moving process to approve products, which, according to an independent investigation, has been marred by political considerations instead of following the science, has created an environment where legitimate options are scarce, and consumers have turned to illicit alternatives. The FDA must expedite the review and approval process for products that meet safety and quality standards, thus providing consumers with legal choices and reducing the demand for illegal items.

Step up enforcement: The FDA must collaborate closely with the Department of Justice and Customs and Border Protection to shut down the operations responsible for producing and distributing illegal products. This means not only targeting small-time sellers but also going after the more extensive networks that manufacture and supply these goods. Strong, coordinated enforcement actions will deter illegal activity and help to protect the legitimate market.

Work with trade associations: Our association and others like it have repeatedly extended our hands to offer assistance and insight into the markets realities. Unfortunately, our efforts have been met with minimal response. The FDA must engage with industry stakeholders who are eager to contribute to the solution. By fostering a collaborative relationship, we can develop practical and effective strategies to combat the illicit market.

In Nevada and other states, the evidence is clear: Illegal products are rampant and regulatory measures have been insufficient. The FDA can continue to bury its head in the sand and pretend the problem does not exist, but that approach only leads us further into crisis. The illicit market is a massive problem that demands immediate and decisive action. Its time for the FDA to acknowledge this reality and to work diligently alongside industry partners to create a compliant, more regulated vapor market.

The post Law-abiding retailers demand action on illegal vape market appeared first on Nevada Current.
Lawrence County man arrested after drugs were delivered by mail

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  A man was arrested Thursday after authorities received information about drugs being delivered by mail, the Lawrence County Sheriffs Office said.

The sheriffs office and United States Postal Service inspectors were alerted to illicit drugs that were delivered to an address in the Langtown community.

Third person arrested in connection with 2023 Lawrence County murder-kidnapping

LCSO said that on June 20, agents executed a search warrant for a home connected to Robert Scott Dobbins.

Agents reportedly found more than 177 grams of methamphetamines, 0.8 grams of fentanyl, MDMA, LSD, shrooms, and sildenafil citrate, along with packing materials.

Dobbins was arrested and charged with drug trafficking, three counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held at the Lawrence County Jail on a $24,500 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 WHNT.com.
FILE - A copy of the Ten Commandments is posted along with other historical documents in a hallway of the Georgia Capitol, Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Atlanta. Civil liberties groups filed a lawsuit Monday, June 24, challenging Louisianas new law that requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Civil liberties groups filed a lawsuit Monday to block Louisianas new law that requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom, a measure they contend is unconstitutional.

Plaintiffs in the suit include parents of Louisiana public school children with various religious backgrounds, who are represented by attorneys with the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the New York City law firm Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett.

This display sends a message to my children and other students that people of some religious dominations are superior to others, said the Rev. Jeff Simms, a Presbyterian pastor who is a plaintiff in the suit and father of three children in Louisiana public schools. This is religious favoritism.

Under the legislation signed into law by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry last week, all public K-12 classrooms and state-funded universities will be required to display a poster-sized version of the Ten Commandments in large, easily readable font next year.

Opponents argue that the law is a violation of separation of church and state and that the display will isolate students, especially those who are not Christian. Proponents say the measure is not solely religious, but that it has historical significance. In the language of the law, the Ten Commandments are foundational documents of our state and national government.

Plaintiff Joshua Herlands has two young children in New Orleans public schools who, like their father, are Jewish. There are multiple versions of the Ten Commandments, and Herlands said the specific version mandated for classroom walls does not align with the version from his faith. He worries the display will send a troubling message to his kids and others that they may be lesser in the eyes of the government.

Politicians have absolutely no business forcing their religious beliefs on my kids or any kids, or attempting to indoctrinate them with what they think is the right version of a particular piece of religious text, Herlands said.

The lawsuit filed Monday seeks a court declaration that the new law, referred to in the lawsuit as HB 71, violates First Amendment clauses forbidding government establishment of religion and guaranteeing religious liberty. It also seeks an order prohibiting the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.

The states main interest in passing H.B. 71 was to impose religious beliefs on public-school children, regardless of the harm to students and families, the lawsuit says. "The laws primary sponsor and author, Representative Dodie Horton, proclaimed during debate over the bill that it 'seeks to have a display of Gods law in the classroom for children to see what He says is right and what He says is wrong.'"

Defendants include state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley, members of the state education board and some local school boards.

Landry and Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill support the new law, and Murrill has said she is looking forward to defending it. She issued a statement saying she couldnt comment directly on the lawsuit because she had not yet seen it.

It seems the ACLU only selectively cares about the First Amendment  it doesnt care when the Biden administration censors speech or arrests pro-life protesters, but apparently it will fight to prevent posters that discuss our own legal history, Murrill said in the emailed statement.

The Ten Commandments have long been at the center of lawsuits across the nation.

In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a similar Kentucky law violated the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution, which says Congress can make no law respecting an establishment of religion. The high court found that the law had no secular purpose but rather served a plainly religious purpose.

In a more recent ruling, the Supreme Court held in 2005 that such displays in a pair of Kentucky courthouses violated the Constitution. At the same time, the court upheld a Ten Commandments marker on the grounds of the Texas state Capitol in Austin. Those were 5-4 decisions, but the courts makeup has changed, with a 6-3 conservative majority now.

Although some people think this case may rise to the level of the U.S. Supreme Court and test the conservative members, lawyers for the plaintiffs say that they think this is a clear-cut case

We think this is already covered by clear Supreme Court precedent, said Patrick Elliott, the legal director for the Freedom From Religion Foundation. We think under current law that we will prevail and it would not be necessary for the Supreme Court to review it.

Other states, including Texas, Oklahoma and Utah, have attempted to pass requirements that the schools display the Ten Commandments. However, with threats of legal battles, none has the mandate in place except for Louisiana.

The posters in Louisiana, which will be paired with a four-paragraph context statement describing how the Ten Commandments were a prominent part of public education for almost three centuries, must be in place in classrooms by the start of 2025.

The controversial law comes during a new era of conservative leadership in Louisiana under Landry, who replaced two-term Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards in January. The GOP holds a supermajority in the Legislature, and Republicans hold every statewide elected position, paving the way for lawmakers to push through a conservative agenda.

The case was allotted to U.S. District Judge John deGravelles, nominated to the federal bench by former President Barack Obama.

___

McGill reported from New Orleans.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the plaintiffs are represented by lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Freedom From Religion Foundation. It has also been corrected to show that the New York City law firm is Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett, not Simpson, Thatcher & Bartlett.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Las Cruces Police Departments next Bridging the Badge livestream will discuss what local businesses are doing to improve safety at their properties and for their customers on Tuesday, June 25.

The Police Department says Officer Austin Kane will lead a discussion with Luke Gonzales, manager of the Save Mart grocery store on Valley Drive; Vanessa Smith, owner of Nessas Cafe on West Picacho Avenue; and Vic Villalobos, owner of the Las Cruces Doc Diving and K-9 Center on Valley Drive.

Part of the discussion will center on the partnerships that local business proprietors have made to improve the quality of life for their businesses and customers, the Police Department said.

The program starts at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, and will be livestreamed on the Las Cruces Police Departments Facebook page and the City of Las Cruces YouTube channel. Viewers can ask questions through Facebook live.

LCPDs Bridging the Badge programs, held monthly, are intended to promote understanding, collaboration, and informed dialogue on important topics with Las Cruces residents, the Police Department 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 KTSM 9 News.
(Bloomberg) -- National Rally leader Jordan Bardella sought to assure French voters that he can be trusted overseeing the European Unions second-largest economy as his party made further gains in the polls ahead of Sundays election.

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The far-right group of Marine Le Pen increased its lead by 0.3 point to 34.2%, according to Bloombergs poll of polls, while a leftist alliance called the New Popular Front, bringing together Socialists, Communists, Greens and the far-left France Unbowed, is second with 28.2%, up 0.1 point. President Emmanuel Macrons Renaissance party and its allies are in third at 20.6%.

Bardella told a press conference on Monday that he would pay for a proposed reduction in sales tax on energy and fuel  which would cost 7 billion ($7.5 billion) a year  by cutting Frances contribution to the EU budget, closing tax advantages for shipping firms and boosting levies on the profits of energy companies.

The National Rally is the only movement to implement immediately and reasonably the expectations of French people. In three words: we are ready, he said. We aim to bring the country back to budgetary reason.

Macron dissolved the lower house of parliament earlier this month and called a snap legislative vote after his group was trounced in European Parliament elections. His surprise decision triggered turmoil in markets, with investors now demanding the highest risk premium on its bonds since 2012 amid concerns any winner might swell Frances borrowings.

The disarray also spread to the equities market, with Frances CAC 40 Index falling the most in over two years in the week following Macrons decision, wiping out $258 billion in market capitalization.

Speaking on the sidelines of the presentation, the partys top finance adviser and former member of the National Assemblys finance committee, Jean-Philippe Tanguy, said that in government the National Rally would respect the cost savings targets of the current government and European rules on deficits. Part of the reason for the market rout since Macron called the snap vote was concerns over the next governments approach to public finances.

We wont let the deficit run away in the summer of 2024, we will respect the trajectory of deficit reduction to keep France in the criteria of the stability pact, not to please Brussels, but because its in the interest of French people, Tanguy said.

Bardella painted the alliance of the left, which is second in the polls, as his main rival and one that will open Frances doors to uncontrolled immigration and propel the country into the arms of the International Monetary Fund with its spending.

Most pollsters predict that the National Rally will form the largest group in the National Assembly but fall short of the 289 seats needed for an absolute majority. The latest survey by Odoxa predicts the party will get between 250 to 300 seats. Frances two-round voting system makes forecasting tricky, however, given the possibility of runoffs involving more than two candidates.

This scenario  where National Rally wins the most seats in the legislature but falls short of an absolute majority  would likely inflict gridlock on the lower house, meaning any ambitious legislation or reform would have to be sidelined.

Both Bardella and Le Pen have stated they would not assume power with only a relative majority, as it would leave them vulnerable to no-confidence votes in the lower house.

Macrons team has said that both the left and National Rallys project would be harmful for the economy by winding back pro-business measures and raising taxes.

Despite leading in the polls, both Le Pens party and the left-wing alliance have faced a hostile reception from entrepreneurs over their plans on how to fix public finances. The National Rallys program is dangerous for the French economy, growth and jobs; that of the New Popular Front is just as dangerous, if not more, Patrick Martin, the head of Frances Medef business lobby, said in an interview in Le Figaro last week.

Bardella repeated on Monday that he will launch an audit of Frances finances before laying out the fine details of his economic plans. He said the National Rally will organize a broad consultation in the fall to simplify business and continue cutting production taxes, extending something Macron has done.

We want to make France an attractive place for production, he said.

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(Bloomberg) -- Stop comparing a National Rally government in France to Liz Trusss short-lived administration in the UK, Marine Le Pens partys top finance official said.

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Jean-Philippe Tanguy dismissed claims by President Emmanuel Macrons team that a far-right National Rally government would spark a financial crisis on the same scale as that which forced former UK Prime Minister Truss to resign after just 49 days in office.

Truss had policies that came out of nowhere after a political crisis, Tanguy, a former member of the National Assemblys finance committee, said on the sidelines of a presentation of Le Pens partys key election promises. Truss represented a rupture that nobody had spoken about before  she dug her own grave.

According to Tanguy, French markets are less exposed to volatility because France doesnt have pension funds to the same extent as the UK. He also said the Bank of England doesnt have the same flexibility to act as a backstop as the European Central Bank does, and Truss policies were too radical.

Investors dumped French assets in the days after Macrons surprise call for a vote to renew the National Assembly two weeks ago, fretting over how a new government could further stretch the countrys budget deficit. The turmoil pushed the risk premium on French bonds versus German ones to the highest since 2012 last week, though that spread narrowed slightly on Monday.

Le Pens National Rally would win the first round of the French legislative election with 36%, according to latest Ifop-Fiducial poll of voting intentions published Monday. An alliance of left-wing parties would get 29.5%, while Macrons group would get 20.5%.

In the early days of the campaign, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire warned that if the far right came to power a debt crisis and a Liz Truss scenario would be possible. Since then, Le Pens party has sought to reassure markets, presenting a program that tacks away from the more radical policies she presented in a 2022 manifesto for the presidential elections.

There is no reason to worry, Tanguy said. Im worried about the behavior of Le Maire who spends his time on TV reinforcing worries on markets and provoking extremely grave speculative and depreciative moves.

Despite leading in the polls, both Le Pens party and the left-wing alliance have faced a hostile reception from entrepreneurs over their plans on how to fix public finances.

The National Rallys program is dangerous for the French economy, growth and jobs; that of the New Popular Front is just as dangerous, if not more, Patrick Martin, the head of Frances Medef business lobby, said in an interview in Le Figaro last week.

On Monday, the National Rally reiterated that its first steps if elected would be limited to cutting the sales tax on energy and fuel  at a cost of 7 billion ($7.5 billion) in 2024, according to its own estimates. Tanguy said the measures would be financed by cutting support for immigration policies, paring back Frances contribution to the European Union and closing tax exemptions for some companies.

Further measures to support households will be conditional on a review of public finances, according to the party. It also intends to honor the overall fiscal plans of Macrons current government.

We will respect Frances commitments, we wont have a runaway deficit, and we will put France on the trajectory foreseen by European treaties  not to please Brussels, but because its in Frances interest to control public finances, Tanguy said.

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Leah Levin, who has died aged 98, was a leading figure for many decades in the international human rights movement, serving and leading human rights organisations; she was director of Justice (1982-92), which seeks to right miscarriages of justice, and co-founder in 1992 of Redress, established to obtain justice and reparation for victims of torture around the world.

She was also the author of Unescos handy guide Human Rights: Questions and Answers, first published in 1981, which is now in its fifth edition, has been translated into more than 30 languages and is one of the worlds most widely disseminated books on human rights.

The eldest of four children, she was born Sarah Leah Kacev on April 1 1926 to Jewish parents in Lithuania, but grew up as Leah Katzeff in Piketberg, a small town in South Africas Western Cape, where her family fled soon after her birth to escape poverty and anti-Semitism, her father becoming a cattle and mule trader.

After the Second World War they discovered that family members who had remained in Lithuania had been murdered by local Lithuanians in cahoots with the Nazis in the first days of the German advance in 1941.

Leah was the first member of her family to go to university, graduating from Cape Town University in 1945. In 1947 she married Archie Levin, also from a Lithuanian-Jewish background, and they set up in business writing travel guides to Central and Southern Africa.

In 1960, however, disgusted by apartheid, they moved to the then British colony of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where Leah took another degree, in international relations, at the University of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Her husband, meanwhile, became active in politics, but in 1965, shortly before Ian Smith issued Rhodesias unilateral declaration of independence, he was tipped off that he was likely to be arrested and fled to Britain, where he was soon joined by the rest of the family.

In London, Leah worked as a volunteer as Secretary of the newly founded United Nations Association (UNA), through which she met leading figures in the human rights movement.

After her husbands death in 1977 she took a job as secretary of the Anti-Slavery Society, then in 1982 she moved to Justice, which she led for the next 10 years with charisma and determination, persuading lawyers from all parts of the political spectrum to work together.

Leah Levin

She played a key role in persuading the Conservative Government to introduce reforms such as the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and statutory compensation for wrongful imprisonment. She also pushed for Britain to enshrine the European Convention on Human Rights in British law, though she had to wait for the Human Rights Act 1998.

By her own account the watershed year for Justice was 1991 when 20 people were freed from British jails after new evidence led to their convictions being quashed by the appeal court. These included, most famously, the Birmingham Six, who had been wrongly convicted and jailed for the murders of 21 people in two IRA bombings in 1974.

It was, however, Redress, an NGO that pursues legal claims on behalf of survivors of torture in the UK and around the world, which, as she put it, captured her heart. She co-founded the organisation in 1992 and remained a board member for the next 25 years as it grew from a fledgling idea sparked by one torture survivors search for justice to an organisation leading the global campaign for victims.

In 1993 she co-founded the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders, named after her great friend who had led Amnesty from 1968 to 1980. She stepped down from the board of the Martin Ennals Foundation in 1993.

Leah Levin was appointed OBE in 2001 and is survived by three sons.

Leah Levin, born April 1 1926, died May 25 2024

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At least 29 people have been shot, eight fatally, in Chicago since Friday evening, according to police. Reports of weekend violence also include a deadly beating on the West Side and a stabbing on a CTA platform in the Loop.

The weekends violence follows a particularly deadly stretch on the previous weekend when 45 people were shot, at least seven fatally, according to preliminary statistics from the Chicago Police Department and information from the Cook County medical examiners office.

Five of the people shot this weekend were between 16 and 17 years old, according to police reports. Two of those died from their wounds. The shootings come days after a gunman fired a semi-automatic rifle toward a Near West Side housing complex, killing 7-year-old JaiMani Amir Rivera on Tuesday. In that case, Raysean Comer, 16, was charged as an adult with first-degree murder.

A ride-share driver and a food delivery driver were also wounded by gunfire. In recent years, service drivers in the Chicago area have joined a national movement through protests and strikes to demand safety measures alongside better wages and working conditions from their employers. In April, Uber rolled out a verification feature for riders in a dozen cities, including Chicago, to ensure the safety of their drivers.

On Friday evening, a student from Amundsen High School was killed in a drive-by shooting in Lincoln Square. Two other 16-year-old boys were injured, one in the shoulder and another in the knee. They were targeted from a dark SUV, according to a witness, as they were getting into a car on the 5600 block of North Rockwell Street just before 7 p.m.

The medical examiners office identified the high schooler who was fatally shot as 16-year-old Benicio Gomez and ruled his death a homicide. Police said Saturday that no one was in custody and that area detectives were investigating the attack.

Another 16-year-old boy was fatally shot multiple times in his chest and legs Saturday evening after a verbal altercation with an unknown person at Ogden Park in Englewood, according to police. He was taken to Comer Childrens Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The medical examiners office identified the boy as Marvel J. White and ruled his death a homicide Sunday. There were no suspects in custody Saturday as detectives began their investigation.

On Sunday morning, police found two adult men unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds in a Jeep Cherokee on the 12300 block of South Halsted Street in the West Pullman neighborhood. They were pronounced dead on the scene at approximately 8:37 a.m. Detectives are investigating.

At approximately 2:30 a.m. Saturday, police found a 34-year-old man who had several gunshot wounds in the 400 block of West Division Street near an Old Town grocery store. The man was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and was pronounced dead. The medical examiners office ruled his death a homicide. His identity hadnt been released as of Sunday afternoon.

On Saturday at 10:40 a.m., a 44-year-old man was fatally shot multiple times in the 2900 block of South State Street near the Chicago Housing Authoritys Dearborn Homes public housing project on the South Side. He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at noon. The medical examiners office ruled his death a homicide but had not released his identity as of Sunday afternoon. Police said detectives are investigating and no one was in custody Sunday.

In the afternoon Saturday, officers responded to a gunshot detection technology alert and found a 49-year-old man in the 4300 block of West 25th Street in Little Village who had been shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital at 3:59 p.m. and identified by the medical examiners office as Juan L. Rodriguez.

According to preliminary information from police, at approximately 5 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to a gunshot detection alert in the 2800 block of South Kedzie Avenue, where they found a 19-year-old man unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

After being involved in a fight Friday night, a 46-year-old man died of his injuries at 11:47 p.m. The medical examiners office ruled his cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head from an assault and ruled it a homicide. His identity hadnt been released as of Sunday afternoon. A 39-year-old woman who was with him suffered bruising to her face but was in good condition. Police say two unidentified men had approached the man and woman, who were fighting in the 5400 block of West Congress Parkway in the Austin neighborhood, and beat the man before fleeing the scene. Detectives hadnt made any arrests as of Sunday.

These are some of the other acts of violence that occurred this weekend:

In an attempted armed robbery, a food delivery man was shot in the ankle Friday night when he refused to hand over any money. He drove himself from the Austin neighborhood to West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park and was last listed in fair condition. Detectives are still investigating.

On a CTA platform in the 100 block of North Wabash Avenue, a man suffered numerous lacerations when another man cut him during a fight around 1:30 a.m. Saturday. The wounded man was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition. No arrests have been made.

Shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday, police found a 17-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to his leg in the 1100 block of North Keeler Avenue. He told the responding officers he had been shot while in the courtyard of a Humboldt Park apartment complex. The teenager was transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition. No arrests had been made as of Sunday afternoon as detectives continued investigating.

A 30-year-old ride-share driver was shot in the back of the neck by a passenger in the Burnside neighborhood early Sunday, according to police. His vehicle then crashed into another unoccupied parked vehicle in the 900 block of East 91st Street. The driver was transported to University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition. Police are investigating and no arrests have been made.

adperez@chicagotribune.com
At least 5 civilians killed and 41 injured in Russian missile strike on Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast  photos, video

The aftermath of the Russian attack on Pokrovsk. Photo: Vadym Filashkin on Telegram

The Russians fired two Iskander-M missiles on Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, on 24 June. They hit a civilian infrastructure facility and a residential area. The attack killed 5 people and injured 41 others.

Source: Vadym Filashkin, the Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration; Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office

Quote: "At least four people have been killed and 34 injured, according to early reports [on the aftermath] of the strike on Pokrovsk as of 14:15.

Two children aged 12 and 13 are among the injured. They are in moderate and serious conditions [respectively]."

Details: Filashkin added that the police, emergency workers, and representatives of local authorities are working at the scene.

Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, on 24 June.

Photo: Vadym Filashkin, the Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration

The civilians injured in the attack are being provided with medical care.

The Russians launched two Iskander-M missiles on the city, destroying one house and damaging 16.

The Prosecutor's Office said that the Russians fired a missile on Pokrovsk on 24 June 2024 at 12:00. Half an hour later, they struck the frontline town again.

The munitions hit a residential area and civilian infrastructure. In particular, the attack damaged houses, cars and a gas pipeline.

Filashkin added that this is one of the largest Russian attacks on civilians lately: "The information on [the attack's] final aftermath is being gathered".

A pre-trial investigation into this violation of the laws and customs of war was initiated as part of criminal proceedings (Article 438.2 of the Criminal Code).

Civilians injured after Russian missile strike on Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, on 24 June

Photo: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office

Updated: Later, the Prosecutor's Office reported that as of 16:00, the number of casualties in the missile attack on Pokrovsk had increased to 40.

Updated at 18:07: The head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration wrote that 5 people had been killed and 41 injured.

Quote from Filashkin: "A total of 46 civilians were injured in the attack: 5 were killed and 41 wounded. Among the wounded are four children: a boy aged 12 and girls aged 9, 11 and 13. Houses and six cars were damaged, and one house was destroyed.

Details: Filashkin said that the injured were taken to an intensive care hospital in Pokrovsk. Currently, Pokrovsk municipal services are awaiting permission from the emergency services to inspect the damage and bring in materials to deal with the consequences of the attack.

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At least 5 dead, 41 wounded after Russian missile attack on Pokrovsk

At least five people have been killed and 41 wounded after a Russian ballistic missile attack on the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, local authorities said on June 24.

In a post on Telegram, Governor Vadym Filashkin said Russian forces fired two Iskander missiles at the city, destroying a house and damaging 16 others.

"This is one of the largest enemy attacks on civilians in recent times," Filashkin added.

The number of the injured has risen from 34 to 40 as of around 4:45 p.m. local time, the regional prosecutor's office reported.

Filashkin reported at around 6 p.m. local time that 5 people were killed, while 41 wounded in the attack.

Three girls, aged 9, 11, and 13, as well as a 12-year-old boy, are reportedly among the wounded.

The injured were taken to Pokrovsk Intensive Care Hospital, the governor said.

Earlier on June 24, Filashkin reported that a 63-year-old woman was killed and a 64-year-old man injured in a Russian attack on the town of Toretsk, also located in Donetsk Oblast.

Ukraine's Armed Forces last week reported an increase in Russian attacks near the town of Toretsk after a "long lull" in fighting in the area.

In his latest post, Filashkin said "not a single safe place has been left in Donetsk (Oblast)" and urged people to evacuate away from the frontlines.

Read also: 63-year-old woman killed in Russian attack on Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Embryologist Ric Ross holds a dish with human embryos at the La Jolla IVF Clinic February 28, 2007 in La Jolla, California. (Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)

A recent episode of Dan Carlins Hardcore History podcast offered an appropriate metaphor for Alabama politics.

Carlin discussed Alexander the Great, the ancient Greeks and their methods of fighting. When those kingdoms and city states came to blows, they put on their armor, grabbed their shields and formed tight units called phalanxes. Each man in the phalanx  which could run dozens of rows deep  carried a tall spear in his right hand and a shield in his left.

Being reasonable people, the ancient Greeks wanted to minimize their risk of getting stabbed by long sticks. So when that possibility loomed, a soldier would raise his shield with his left hand, and huddle as much as he could behind the shield of the person on his right.

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As a result, phalanxes tended to drift to the right during combat. That was the safest part of the battlefield.

These hoplites would feel at home in the Alabama Legislature. The politicians in our mostly Republican government fear that if they dont appease the extremes, theyll leave themselves open to attack.

So they drift to the right. Where they feel safe.

And this means they debate issues that arent a matter of debate.

Did Alabamians as a whole want to keep up statues of long-dead white supremacists?

Are programs that encourage people to get along dehumanizing?

Do medical professionals helping teenagers navigate gender dysphoria deserve prison time?

Should Alabama force the victim of a sexual assault to carry a resulting pregnancy to term?

Dont second-guess yourself. Reasonable people had come to a consensus on these matters.

But in Alabamas one-party system of government, unreasonable people drive the conversations.

This is how you get a government that makes it hard for Black communities to remove statues of slaveholders; that makes life hell for transgender youth, and that forces victims of rape and incest to repeatedly live out their traumas.

It doesnt serve the people of the state. But our government wasnt designed for the people here. Its aimed at ensuring that the powerful stay that way.

With one party perpetually in charge, primaries are more important than general elections. Primaries draw the most extreme GOP partisans.

And so our leaders step to the right to ensure they survive those battles.

In general, this need to appease the extremes falls hardest on marginalized groups  like transgender people, who make up less than 1% of Alabamas population. The states leaders have an ugly tradition of targeting people with limited ability to fight back. But in general, theyve left popular ideas or services alone.

But now in vitro fertilization has the attention of extremists.

Its another issue that wasnt broadly controversial until February. Who would object to loving couples having children? Well, the Alabama Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Tom Parker, who wants to impose a reactionary version of Christianity on the state.

Justices ruled in February that a frozen embryo was a child. Destruction of frozen embryos could mean a parent could collect damages. Which made it very hard for IVF clinics in the state to operate.

Amid a national outcry, the Republican-controlled Legislature swiftly passed a law to protect IVF providers from criminal and civil liability.

But will they stick with it?

Republican leaders decided not to consider proposals from Democrats that would have addressed the heart of the Alabama Supreme Courts finding on fetal personhood. The immunity bill was sold to lawmakers as a stopgap proposition that would allow legislators to explore the issue in depth, through a commission.

Of course, IVF wasnt an issue until the state courts made it so. But now were seeing the outlines of a more sustained attack on the service.

Already, litigation in Mobile County is challenging the Legislatures fix. The Southern Baptists, who count many Alabama lawmakers as congregants, now oppose helping infertile couples with this treatment.

Can we count on lawmakers to resist this new offensive?

The early signs arent good. Legislators keep punting on that IVF commission. If the Mobile County lawsuit gets to the Alabama Supreme Court, the law could be a goner. Parker all but invited challenges to legislative fixes in his concurrence to the courts ruling in February.

And people already teetering over the right edge of public discourse now want restrictions on a procedure they showed little interest in before the Alabama Supreme Courts ruling. Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, R-Trinity, even compared current IVF procedures in the state to the Holocaust.

Id like to think that making it hard to have babies would be too much for our self-professed pro-life politicians. They could stiffen against this assault  if not for families pursuing IVF, then for keeping the support of suburban GOP voters.

But I also thought no one would ever force sexual assault victims to carry their attackers children. The Alabama Legislature did. And faced no consequences.

It doesnt matter that IVF is popular. If extremists shout down support for the procedure, our leaders will start seeking protection.

They will take yet another step to the right. And as they do, theyll leave infertile couples open to attack.

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The post Leaving Alabamas IVF programs open to attack appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Lebanon gives tour of Beirut airport to refute arms claims, amid fears of war with Israel

Fighters from the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah carry out a training exercise in Aaramta village in the Jezzine District, southern Lebanon in May 2023. Thousands of fighters from Iran-backed groups in the Middle East are offering to come to Lebanon to join the militant Hezbollah group in its fight with Israel. (Hassan Ammar / Associated Press)

Lebanese government officials took more than 100 foreign diplomats and journalists on a tour Monday of the country's only international airport in a bid to refute a British newspaper report alleging that the facility was being used to store Hezbollah weapons.

The unusual tour followed Sunday's article in the Telegraph that quoted anonymous airport workers claiming the existence of a Hezbollah weapons cache in the airport, including artillery, ballistic and antitank missiles and explosives.

According to the un-bylined Telegraph story, one Beirut airport staffer reported seeing "unusually big boxes" arriving on a flight from Iran in November and that a high-ranking Hezbollah member oversaw customs shipments.

Coming amid escalating tensions between the paramilitary group and Israel, the report set off a frenzy of denials from Lebanese officials and raised fears it would be used by Israel to justify a strike on the airport.

It comes at a delicate time for the country: Since October, when Hezbollah launched a "support front" aimed at reducing pressure on Hamas, the Iran-backed group and Israel have traded daily strikes across the Lebanese-Israeli border.

Read more: With temperatures and tensions soaring, forests are burning in Israel and Lebanon

So far, at least 481people have been killed in Lebanon, mostly Hezbollah operatives but also 94 civilians, according to tallies by monitoring groups and news outlets. In Israel, 17 soldiers have been killed, Israeli authorities say.

Though hostilities between the two sides have been mostly around the border, fighting escalated in recent weeks, with many fearing a wider assault is only one miscalculation away.

The caretaker Lebanese Transportation Minister Ali Hamieh, a Hezbollah ally, dismissed the Telegraph's report as "ridiculous," saying that the airport's cargo operations adhered to international standards. He said that consultations had already begun with other parts of the Lebanese government to launch legal proceedings against the Telegraph.

Attending the tour were representatives of diplomatic missions from the European Union, Germany, Spain, Egypt, China, India and Pakistan, among others.

As part of the tour, diplomats and journalists visited two cargo areas in the airport that Hamieh said accounted for all traffic there  including the Iranian shipments mentioned in the Telegraph's report.

"With this article, we've gone from [Israeli] airspace violations to a psychological war through written articles," he said during a news conference after the tour. He referred to the Israeli military's frequent flying of its warplanes into Lebanese airspace.

"And now we've shown the falsehood of those articles," he told the group. "They are silly articles."

Read more: A halfway war pulses on Israel's border with Lebanon. Will it escalate?

Ihab Hamada, a member of Hezbollah's political bloc in the Lebanese parliament, told the state-run National News Agency that the group did not need the airport for its weapons.

The Israeli foreign ministry's official account on the social media platform X retweeted the Telegraph article, commenting that "in normal countries, airports are used for travel."

Israel has targeted Beirut's airport before. In 1968, Israeli special forces destroyed 12 passenger planes and two cargo planes on the airport's tarmac in retaliation for a Palestinian attack on an Israeli airliner.

In 2006, the same day that Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers, Israel bombed the airport and cut off all sea access to the country.

During the tour, journalists and diplomats were taken through a large warehouse, with airport workers looking nonplussed as the group walked between shambolic piles of boxes and floor-to-ceiling shelving units.

Responding to questions about the report, an airport security officer  who did not give his name because he was not authorized to speak to the media  insisted that everything at the airport was aboveboard.

"Of course we haven't seen anything of what these reports are saying," the officer said.

Richard Mujais, the head of the state-run Middle East Airlines Ground Handling (MEAG), the company that handles all cargo at the airport, said that the cargo center was certified by several world bodies, including the European Commission and the International Air Transport Assn., and that multiple security agencies were involved in checking any incoming shipments before they entered the country.

Read more: In northern Israel, fears grow of a war that engulfs 'all the Middle East'

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces would reduce operations in Gaza and would shift their attention to Israel's north, with the intention of securing the area, and allow the return of some 60,000 Israelis displaced from the border areas. In Lebanon, roughly 100,000 people have had to leave their homes due to Israeli bombardment.

"If we can do it politically, that would be great," Netanyahu said. "If not, we will do it in another way, but we will bring everyone back home  all the residents of the north and the south."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Protesters hold a banner that reads "Against the far-right: Popular Front" in Toulouse, France, on June 15, 2024. Credit - Alain PittonNurPhoto/Getty Images

When French voters delivered Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally party an overwhelming victory in this months European Parliament elections, President Emmanuel Macron took a risky and unexpected gamble. He called a snap election, set to begin this Sunday, in which the French people would be given a choice: replicate the decision made in the European elections and hand the far right the keys to national governance, or help thwart them by backing his centrist Renaissance party, which since 2022 has served in a minority government, instead.

But Macron failed to anticipate that voters would have a third option. Just days after the contest was announced, the countrys main left-wing partiesamong them the center-left Socialists, the Greens, the Communists, and Jean-Luc Melenchons hard-left France Unbowedannounced a new electoral pact. Dubbed the New Popular Frontwhich borrows its name from a short-lived political coalition between Socialists and Communists that emerged in response to the threat of fascism in the 1930sthe four-party alliance has committed to campaign on a common platform with a joint list of candidates. The arrival of the National Rally in power is no longer inevitable, the parties said in a joint statement, adding: Hope is here!

While Macrons apparent inability to foresee the formation of this left-wing alliance could prove calamitous for his partys prospects, it wasnt without reason. Until recently, the French left was widely regarded as a spent force, fractured between an array of parties with vehement disagreements over issues such as support for Ukraine, the ongoing war in Gaza, and their attitudes toward the E.U. Previous attempts at unitingmost recently for the 2022 parliamentary electionshave largely floundered.

Its a ragtag coalition, Mujtaba Rahman, the managing director for Europe at the Eurasia Group, says of the alliance, whose platform includes a pledge to reverse the unpopular pension reforms pushed through by Macron last year, as well as returning the French retirement age to 60 (down from 64). But there's strength in numbers. By forming this alliance, the left-wing parties are ensuring that the left-wing share of the voteswhich, in total, has been more or less the same in each election since 2017is no longer divided between different parties. They're being very opportunistic, Rahman says. It's very tactical.

But whether this coalition will be able to overcome its divisions long enough to survive until July 7, let alone to see these pledges through in government, is anyones guess. As they come into contact with reality, its entirely conceivable they will disintegrate because theyre incredibly incoherent, Rahman adds. But for now, the creation of this bloc has created an alternative for moderate, centrist, left-leaning voters who otherwise would have felt compelled to support Macron to put a brake on Le Pen.

Read More: How Europes Far-Right Parties Are Winning Over Young Voters

Individually, these left-wing parties had little to show for the European elections. But together, they are projected to secure as much as 29.5% of the national vote, according to a recent poll, putting them six points behind Le Pens National Rally but, crucially, 10 points ahead of Macrons centrist alliance, which is currently polling at just 19.5%. This bodes poorly for Macrons candidates, who will need to be among the top two candidates in the first round of voting on June 30 in order to advance to the decisive runoff on July 7.

In many constituencies, its quite likely that Macronist candidates will not be selected to go to the second round, says Mathieu Gallard, the research director at the French polling firm Ipsos. He notes, however, that a third-place candidate could scrape through if they are able to secure the support of at least 12.5% of the constituencys registered voters. The higher the turnout will be in the first round, he adds, the higher the number of three-way contests the second round will have.

Turnout in legislative elections historically hasnt been great. During the last one, in 2022, just 47.5% of the French electorate cast a vote for the National Assembly, compared to the 73.6% that did so during the presidential election. Still, Gallard says theres an expectation that turnout will be higher than previous National Assembly votes, which have historically been eclipsed by the presidential contests preceding them. (Macron, whose term ends in 2027, will not be on the ballot.)

Should Macrons candidates be squeezed out of the second round, his centrist backers could become the deciding factorthat is, if they choose to vote at all. In such a scenario, I dont expect very much that  the Macronist candidate will massively back the left, Gallard says. I expect them to divide their vote more or less in half between the two candidates, with many abstaining.

Jordan Bardella, president of National Rally, left, and Marine Le Pen, leader of National Rally, at a news conference in Paris, France, on Monday, June 24, 2024. Nathan LaineBloomberg/Getty Images

The stakes of this electionwhich will decide the next prime minister and, consequently, who will determine domestic policy going forwardcouldnt be higher for everyone involved. National Rally voters think that for the first time, they have a chance to win power, Gallard says. Left-wing voters are very afraid of this possibility and they also think that maybe they can win power. And Macronist voters are very afraid of both possibilities.

While Macron's centrist alliance has sought to convince voters that its far-right and left-wing rivals are not to be trusted on key issues such as the economy, recent polls suggest that this argument isn't cutting through. Indeed, a recent Ipsos poll showed that more voters trust Le Pen's party on the economy (25%) than the left-wing alliance (22%) or Macron's centrist alliance (20%)despite its lack of governing experience or warnings that a far-right government could usher in a Liz Truss-style economic meltdown of the kind seen when the short-lived British prime minister introduced billions of pounds in unfunded tax cuts before ultimately resigning in disgrace.

While Macron has called for rival parties on both sides of the political spectrum to join his own electoral alliance to defeat Le Pen, the prospects of anyone heeding that call is unlikely. Macron, who was already deeply unpopular before the election was called, has annoyed everyone by calling the snap election, Rahman says. I find it hard to believe that the left or the right will want to do Macron a favor and enable him to govern.

Should this election end in defeat for Renaissance, and in victory for either the New Popular Front or the National Rally, Macron will be forced to serve the remainder of his presidential term in a power-sharing arrangementan outcome that would almost certainly relegate him to the status of canard boiteux, or lame duck.

As some observers see it, he may already be one. Having secured just 15% of the vote in the European elections, Macron wouldnt have conceivably been able to continue governing without extreme resistance from rival partiesa reality that would invariably come to bear when the government attempts to pass its next budget in the fall. Should the left or the right emerge victorious after July 7, the next Assembly could be even more dysfunctional, even more fragmented, even more paralyzed, and even less capable of doing anything than the last, Rahman predicts. I think theres a risk that he is even more of a lame duck than he already was.

Write to Yasmeen Serhan at yasmeen.serhan@time.com.
A wave of shock and sadness has swept over Hawaii and the surf world at large, as news that Tamayo Perry, Pipeline specialist, was killed by a shark on June 23rd. Perry was surfing Goat Island off Oahu's east side at the time of the attack; he was 49 years old.

Perry, a freesurfing standout in the North Shore scene around the new millennium, was beloved for his ever-present smile and casual poise under heaving, terrifying Pipeline barrels. The hard-charging goofy-footer was a frequent sight in surf magazines, surf flicks, and even making an appearance in the 2002 Hollywood hit, Blue Crush.

In the years following, he became a lifeguard and started a surf school.

Related: Surf World Reacts to Tamayo Perrys Tragic Death

Per a report from Hawaii News Now:

Honolulu EMS officials say they responded to an incident involving a body just before 1 p.m. in the Kahuku area.



EMS officials say dispatchers said the mans body appeared to have suffered more than one possible shark bite.



Officials say lifeguards brought the mans body to shore via jet ski, while onshore, EMS paramedics assisted with the death pronouncement.

In a press conference, per the Associated Press, Honolulu Ocean Safety Acting Chief Kurt Lager called Perry a lifeguard loved by all. Lager continued:

Hes well known on the North Shore. Hes a professional surfer known worldwide. Tamayos personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more.

For more on Perry, and his impact on the surf world, heres Matt Warshaw from the Encyclopedia of Surfing:

Hard-charging, God-fearing Pipeline specialist from Oahu's North Shore; named by Surfing magazine in 2002 as "most likely to get the barrel of the year." Perry was born (1975) and raised on the East Side of Oahu, began surfing at age 12, and soon became best friends with future pop crooner Jack Johnson, who lived in a beachfront house at Pipeline.

Perry was known in his late teenage years as the quiet up-and-coming local boy who had to borrow surfboards because he had no sponsors. By 1997, the wiry goofyfooter had gone a long way to developing a tuberiding style combining traits from Gerry Lopez and Tom Carroll, his two favorite old-school Pipeline surfers. He'd meanwhile become a devout born-again Christian: Asked by a surf magazine to name the last two books he'd read, Perry listed the Bible and The End: 50 Reasons Why Jesus Christ Could Return Before the Year 2000.

Perry has competed selectively, and with modest success, finishing fourth in the 2000 Pipeline Masters Trials and fifth in the Billabong Pro Trials at Teahupoo. Nonetheless, by 2005 he was generally regarded as Pipeline's single most dominate surfer.

Perry has appeared in more than a dozen surf videos, including The Bomb (1998), Revelation (2000), All Aboard (2002), and Loaded Pipe (2004). Emila Perry, Tamayo's Australian-born wife, is a professional bodyboarder.

This is a developing story. More to come on Tamayo's legacy. In the meantime, rest in peace to this absolute legend.

***

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A group at the center of conservative judicial activist Leonard Leos network funneled $750,000 to an influential new lobbying operation that pushes anti-LGBTQ+ legislation around the country, new tax records show.

Do No Harm presents itself as a grassroots association of doctors against gender-affirming care and diversity efforts in the medical profession. The group, which was founded in 2022, does not disclose its donors. But newly disclosed tax filings provided to HuffPost by Accountable.US, a progressive watchdog, show that the Concord Fund, the funding arm of Leos network, donated $750,000 in 2022 to Do No Harm Action, the groups official lobbying effort.

Do No Harm also received more than $1.4 million from a nonprofit, the Project on Fair Representation, run by conservative activist Edward Blum, new records show. Blum, a conservative activist who helped engineer two Supreme Court cases that struck down affirmative action and major sections of the Voting Rights Act, is now a Do No Harm board member.

HuffPost previously revealed that Do No Harm received $1 million in seed funding from Joseph Edelman, a billionaire hedge fund CEO, and his wife, Suzy Edelman, who has said she considers transgenderism a fiction designed to destroy.

Leo is best known as the kingpin of a decades-long effort to pack the federal judiciary with conservative judges. As the leader of the Federalist Society, Leo assembled a vast and secretive network of wealthy donors and nonprofits to amplify the power of the conservative legal movement, culminating in Leo handpicking the list of former President Donald Trumps potential nominees to the Supreme Court. While some of his efforts are highly public, others, like the funding of Do No Harm, occur with little fanfare.

The medley of conservative groups channeling money to Do No Harm underscores the growing belief on the right that attacking trans rights is a political winner.

The scale of the contributions also helps illuminate how Do No Harm became a successful influence operation so soon after its launch. Last year, the group deployed lobbyists to more than a half-dozen states to advocate for restrictions on gender-affirming care, and at least two states passed laws using its model legislative language. In Montana, Do No Harm provided the blueprint for a ban on gender-affirming care for minors, which sparked furious local protests.

Transgender rights activists march through the University of Montana campus on May 3 in Missoula, Montana. Dozens were protesting the censure of transgender Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D), who was blocked from speaking after she said state legislators would have "blood on your hands" if a transgender youth care ban was passed. Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

It just made the worst of the worst people here more bold in their bigotry, and that trickles down to our kids, Darcy Saffer, the parent of two transgender nonbinary children in Bozeman, Montana, told HuffPost last year. The law is blocked while the Montana Supreme Court weighs whether it is unconstitutional.

Do No Harm has also filed a host of lawsuits to block programs aimed at diversifying the medical profession.

In addition to receiving $750,000 from Leos network, Do No Harm paid Leos consulting firm $231,185 for public affairs services. The consulting firm, CRC Advisors, and other for-profit firms in which Leo has a financial stake have been paid millions of dollars over the years by various nonprofits in Leos orbit, resulting in a liberal watchdog calling on the IRS to investigate whether the payments violate rules on charitable giving.

Last year, Brian Schwalb, the attorney general of the District of Columbia, opened an investigation into Leo and his nonprofit network. The scope has not been made public.

Neither Do No Harm, Blum, nor Carrie Severino, the president of the Judicial Crisis Network, a legal alias of the Concord Fund, responded to requests for comment.

A spokesperson at CRC Advisors sent HuffPost the following statement: CRC Advisors employs nearly 100 best-in-class professionals that put its clients money to work more effectively than any other enterprise of its sort, and the repeated baseless attacks by groups linked to Arabella Advisors show the left agrees. CRCs results speak for themselves, and we are blessed to be able to have this kind of impact in our country. (A fund run by Arabella Advisors, a left-leaning nonprofit, initially helped launch Accountable.US.)

After Trump left office, Leo vastly expanded his efforts to target a wide spectrum of conservative policy goals and hobby horses. Powered in part by the largest known political donation in U.S. history  a $1.6 billion gift from a reclusive electronics mogul named Barre Seid  Leos network is now fueling political attacks on issues including abortion access,voting rights and critical race theory.

Since 2022, the Concord Fund has received at least $55 million from the nonprofit that houses Seids gift, the Marble Trust.

Right-wing activist Leonard Leo attends the 2023 Antonin Scalia Memorial Dinner that is part of the Federalist Society's 2023 National Lawyers Convention at the Washington Hilton Hotel on Nov. 9, 2023, in Washington. The Washington Post via Getty Images

Do No Harms goals dovetail neatly with Leos expanded mission. The group has helped pay for activists and expert witnesses to travel the country, testifying in favor of bans on gender-affirming care for minors.

On top of fighting to restrict transgender care, Do No Harm is suing Louisiana and Montana over modest efforts to diversify their state medical boards and trying to dismantle a Pfizer fellowship designed to put more Black, Latino and Native American medical professionals in leadership positions.

The lawsuits represent a continuation of Blums efforts to unravel racial equality efforts using the courts. In 2023, a group Blum led brought the pair of Supreme Court cases that effectively banned race-based affirmative action in college admissions. A Blum group also brought Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court case that eliminated federal oversight of racially discriminatory voting laws.

Its no surprise that Leonard Leo is using his vast dark money network to bankroll far-right groups working to roll back LGBTQ Americans rights, Caroline Ciccone, president of Accountable.US, told HuffPost. This is how Leonard Leo works. He leverages his web of nonprofits  bolstered by a massive $1.6 billion windfall  to carry out his radical, unpopular agenda because he knows it will never win at the ballot box.

This story has been updated to clarify Carrie Severinos title.

Related...
Letters to the Editor: What is Kevin de Leon's motivation for renaming Pershing Square after Biddy Mason?

The Spanish-American War Memorial is seen in Pershing Square on June 19. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

To the editor: What is the true objective of City Councilman Kevin de Leon's effort to rename Pershing Square after Biddy Mason? Could it be to launder his name and reputation after the scandal from a couple of years ago?

Pershing Square was named in honor of John J. Pershing, commander of all U.S. forces in Europe during World War I. He led the men who were credited with tipping the balance of that war to the Allies.

The name of the downtown L.A. park isn't the only World War I remembrance there. Sculptor Humberto Pedretti's "The Doughboy" will mark its centennial this July 4; it pays tribute to the tens of thousands of Angelenos who served in that war, including 400 who perished in the conflict and its aftermath.

Indeed, the park became not only a place for historical reflection, but a gathering place to honor the city's World War I fallen. Later, Pershing Square also served as an important gathering place for rallies, military recruitment efforts and Liberty Bond drives during World War II.

On Thanksgiving Day in 1970, Pershing Square was the site of a rally to draw attention to prisoners of war in Vietnam. Thousands gathered around a bamboo cage in the center of the park. Inside, a man sat with his ankles shackled to the floor. This incident, like many others regarding the martial history of the Pershing Square, has been largely forgotten.

And now De Leon wants to forget again. He wants to recognize Biddy Mason, who has already been venerated with a park downtown less than half a mile away from Pershing Square.

Pershing Square has been part of Los Angeles history for more than 100 years. Our city has a reputation for disregarding the past, but without it we cannot know truly who we are. We should not allow De Leon's self-serving interests to rule the day.

Courtland Jindra, Hawthorne

The writer is a volunteer with the World War I Centennial Commission.

..

To the editor: Mason's life story should serve as an inspiration to the American public, starting with the students in the Los Angeles Unified School District, then branching out to all students throughout California, and finally making it to the other 49 states.

There are several excellent biographies about Mason, freely available at the Los Angeles Public Library. Deep and thorough knowledge of Mason's life story should be a graduation requirement for all California students.

Additionally, I look forward to her getting a major biographical film detailing the incredible ups and downs of her life.

Merely renaming Pershing Square? Mason deserves so much more.

Ellen Switkes, Sherman Oaks

..

To the editor: Mason already has a place  and a park  in downtown L.A. Its so powerful that it serves as the cover picture on an acclaimed 1997 book by historian Dolores Hayden appropriately called The Power of Place.

Biddy Mason Memorial Park is located next to landmarks like the Bradbury Building and Grand Central Market. Its where Biddy Mason bought land and built her home. Through monumental artworks by Sheila Levrant de Bretteville and Betye Saar, the park tells Mason's story from enslaved woman to wealthy philanthropist.

Pershing Square should be renamed. But let's do so after the person who created it back in 1866: Cristobal Aguilar, L.A.'s first Latino mayor, and the only until Antonio Villaraigosa's election in 2005. Aguilar also saved L.A.'s municipal water system from privatization.

Add geographic and historical amnesia to Councilmember De Leon's missteps. It is our existing Biddy Mason Park that is the real unsung hero of this story. It needs to be celebrated and preserved.

Bob Wolfe, Hermosa Beach

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Number Two Canyon Fire evacuations at Level 1 in Chelan County

On Sunday, the Chelan County Emergency Management Agency issued a Level 3 evacuation alert for residents near the Number Two Canyon Fire located approximately four miles west of Wenatchee.

TIMELINE:

5:57 p.m. - The Red Cross is opening a shelter at Sage Hills Church by 7 p.m.

No. 2 Canyon Fire: The Red Cross is opening a shelter for evacuees at Sage Hills Church, 1601 5th St. It will be open by 7 pm. Posted by Chelan County Emergency Management on Sunday, June 23, 2024

5:56 p.m. - The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WADNR) reported that the fire had grown to 100 acres.

DNR is responding to the #NumberTwoFire located approx. 4 miles west of Wenatchee. Fire is estimated at 100 acres. Ground and air resources are responding. Please refer to this link for updates on evacuations: https://t.co/GvCrHOjXE6  Washington State DNR Wildfire (@waDNR_fire) June 24, 2024

5:29 p.m. - Chelan County Emergency Management issued a Level 3 for No. 2 Canyon Road from milepost 1.5 to Castle Heights Road and all of Kings Court. Those who do not live on No. 2 Canyon Road are asked to stay clear.

UPDATED 7:40 PM: All levels have been lowered to a Level 1 fire advisory. ORIGINAL POST: Level 3 Evacuation Level --... Posted by Chelan County Emergency Management on Sunday, June 23, 2024

7:35 p.m. - Chelan County Emergency Management lowers evacuation levels to Level 1. Air and ground crews worked together to battle the fire.

This is a developing story and will be updated.
Right to Life of Michigan celebrates the anniversary of the SCOTUS decision overturning Roe v. Wade

At the Michigan Hall of Justice in Lansing, a few dozen people gathered on June 24, 2022 to celebrate the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. | Photo by Andrew Roth

While abortion rights advocates prepare on Monday to protest the two-year anniversary of the ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, one group is celebrating the milestone as having reignited a national debate on life.

On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which overturned Roe and ended a 49-year precedent providing a federal right to obtain an abortion.

But for Right to Life of Michigan, the Dobbs ruling was a long time in coming.

We celebrate the long-awaited overturn of Roe v. Wade that reignited a national debate on life. This extraordinary opportunity has been overshadowed by the desperate attempts of big money donors and abortion-only special interests to politicize the issue for Democratic electoral gains, said Amber Roseboom, president of Right to Life of Michigan (RLM). Reproduction and abortion are not issues of any political party. They are and have always been decisions of the woman. Today, a woman in Michigan can choose to have an abortion for any reason. But for choice to truly exist, women must have every opportunity to make a choice for life.

In November 2022, Michigan voters passed Proposal 3 with 57% of the vote, enshrining abortion rights in the Michigan constitution. Called the Reproductive Freedom for All (RFFA) amendment by organizers, it originated in anticipation of Roes demise and was then pushed to victory in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision.

Roseboom said RLM would use the Dobbs anniversary to spur its supporters to continued action.

Two years after Dobbs, abortion clinics in Michigan are less safe than they were even a year ago, as a result of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her allies removing long-standing health and safety standards for abortion clinics, she said. It is time we refocus our collective efforts on serving women by championing expanded access to prenatal and postnatal care. We must also commit to offering robust support to the more than 100 Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) across our state that provide women free medical care, confidential counseling and material support.

The safety standards Roseboom are a reference to the Reproductive Health Act (RHA), which Whitmer, a Democrat, signed into law in November. The legislation repealed several restrictions to reproductive health care, including the removal of some Targeted Regulations of Abortion Providers, commonly known as TRAP laws, which place requirements of abortion providing facilities. Rural communities, specifically, dont always meet that threshold.

These are politically motivated, medically unnecessary restrictions on hallway width, ceiling height, HVAC system and janitors closets, said Whitmer at the time she signed the bill into law. These have nothing to do with providing the necessary health care.

RLM said it is expanding its educational efforts across the state. The organization, which has rebranded with the slogan Life. The Other Choice, has expanded its staff team and youth outreach program, launched a new multi-media advertising campaign and begun what it calls an aggressive campaign to elect candidates who stand for common-sense protections for women and children, like parental consent for abortion, in our state.

The post Right to Life of Michigan celebrates the anniversary of the SCOTUS decision overturning Roe v. Wade appeared first on Michigan Advance.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Democrats were trying to destroy conservative members of the Supreme Court after some lawmakers recently tried to pass a bill meant to address ongoing ethics concerns surrounding several justices.

Senate Republicans, Graham included, blocked legislation earlier this month that could have required Supreme Court justices to adopt a binding code of conduct and establish a means to file ethics complaints against them. The effort came amid a series of reports into Justice Clarence Thomas and his acceptance of lavish gifts from a billionaire friend, as well as recent accounts of flags affiliated with Jan. 6, 2021, protesters that were hung outside homes owned by Justice Samuel Alito.

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have pointed to the twin controversies as evidence that stricter rules should be applied to the court. But Graham attacked those efforts in an interview with Fox News on Sunday and alluded that Democrats were worried about several major rulings set to come down from the court, including one on former President Donald Trumps claims of absolute presidential immunity.

WATCH: @LindseyGrahamSC on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming speech to Congress and the crisis on the border. pic.twitter.com/LrX86ESxfN  Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) June 23, 2024

The worst thing that could happen is for the United States Senate and the House to determine what cases the Supreme Court hears, Graham said on Fox News Sunday. He went on to say Democrats were attempting to micromanage the Roberts court.

Theyre trying to destroy Alito and Thomas because they dont like the fact theyre conservative judges, the senator added.

Graham had previously assailed the bill as an attempt to undermine the court, calling the effort an unconstitutional overreach.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) rejected those calls on the chamber floor earlier this month, saying it was in the countrys best interest for the court to adhere to ethics rules.

Our faith in the character and impartiality of our judges is essential to the functioning of our legal system and our constitutional form of government, Durbin said in a speech. But that faith requires judges, especially Supreme Court justices, to conduct themselves in a way that inspires public confidence.

On Sunday, Graham said Democrats were livid with the court and claimed Trump had changed the body for the better during his tenure in the White House. The court now holds six conservative and three liberal members.

Theyre squealing like stuck pigs because the Supreme Court no longer is a political body, Graham said. It is actually looking at the Constitution and making constitutionally sound decisions versus political decisions. Thats the problem liberals have with the court.

Chief Justice John Roberts said the court would adopt a code of conduct last November, but critics lambasted the policy as it is not binding, and the justices are responsible for enforcing it themselves.

The chief justice recently rejected calls, however, to discuss the Alito flag scandal with lawmakers, citing separation of powers concerns and the importance of preserving judicial independence counsel against such appearances.

Related...
(NewsNation)  The Rapidan Dam in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, is in imminent failure condition according to authorities, who have warned residents to be prepared to evacuate.

No evacuations have been ordered yet as the state has faced serious flooding with the possibility of more rain in the forecast.

Water appeared to have formed a path around the dam, but according to the Blue Earth County Sheriffs Office, the dam was still intact. The office warned it was not clear if the dam would continue to hold.

Surfer, Pirates of the Caribbean actor killed in apparent shark attack

Water was flowing at a rate of more than 30,000 cubic feet per minute, the equivalent of 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The city of Mankato, Minnesota, reported the river was currently at 28 feet, with the dam built to hold 39.5 feet. Should the dam fail, there could be a surge of river water up to 2 feet.

An Xcel Energy substation at the dam has already been washed away, affecting power for around 600 residents.

The dam was built in 1910 and has been weakened by repeated flooding over the decades. A 2021 report recommended repair or removal, but Blue Earth County said on its website there was no danger to the public.

Residents in the area were told to be prepared for possible evacuation if the dam fails.

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NEW YORK CITY (PIX11)  A Texas man was caught trying to bring a loaded gun in his carry-on at JFK airport Friday, according to a TSA spokesperson.

The guns owner was arrested Friday and now faces civil penalties up to $15,000, officials said.

Off-duty NYC employee arrested in the Bronx: NYPD

The 9mm gun was spotted via X-ray at the security checkpoint with nine bullets loaded, TSA officials said. Port Authority Police then confiscated the gun and arrested the man on a weapons charge, officials said.

Responsible gun owners know where their firearms are at all times and they know not to bring them to a security checkpoint, said John Essig, TSAs Federal Security Director for the airport.

TSA stopped a man from Texas from bringing a loaded gun on a plane at JFK. (TSA)

The TSA intercepted 1,503 guns at airport checkpoints in just the first quarter of 2024, the vast majority of which were loaded. Six were stopped at JFK checkpoints, officials said.

Passengers are permitted to travel with firearms only in checked baggage if they are unloaded and packed in a hard-sided locked case. Then the locked case should be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared, Essig said.

Beyond guns, TSA has found some outrageous items in luggage, including snakes inside a mans pants in Miami.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered New York City since 2023. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
Local people raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for children with congenital heart defects

People gathered on Pittsburghs North Shore to raise money for people impacted by congenital heart defects.

The Pittsburgh Congenital Heart Walk was held on North Shore Drive at 10 a.m. on Sunday.

The American Heart Association said congenital heart defects occur when a childs heart or blood vessels do not develop normally before birth.

Dr. Lauren Quigley from UPMC Childrens Hospital spoke about the illness before the walk began.

Kids could meet with Pittsburgh mascots, superheroes and princesses or have their faces painted.

Participants also released doves in honor of children who have died from the defects.

Childrens Hospital, Make A Wish and the Childrens Heart Foundation gave out information to people who wanted to learn more.

Organizers say it is the most common birth defect.

The event was hosted by U.S. Steel.

Over 1,000 people attended the walk and $154,000 were raised.

Donations are still being accepted. Click here to donate to the Childrens Heart Foundation.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

Man killed, 3 people hurt in Greene County motorcycle crash Pittsburgh police searching for missing teen girl last seen in Brighton Heights Bystander hurt when multiple people open fire in a Pittsburgh neighborhood overnight, police say VIDEO: Local community raising money for police in honor of business owner killed in Lower Burrell DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
An armed man accused of domestic violence was found dead following a lengthy standoff with Los Angeles Police on Thursday, the department confirmed.

Officers responded to a reported battery domestic violence situation around 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the 5700 block of Etiwanda Avenue, authorities say. The victim told arriving officers that her husband, 45-year-old Marlon Jimenez, had a history of domestic violence and that he was responsible for visible injuries on her body.

Jimenez was located in a bedroom inside the apartment. Officers directed him to step out of the room and into the hallway. When he complied, an officer firmly grabbed his arm and escorted him into the hallway, police said.

Child dies after incident at Orange County water park

In the hallway police told Jimenez that he was going to be detained as the alleged domestic violence incident was investigated. That agitated Jimenez, authorities said, and he eventually retreated back to the bedroom and reached for the waistband of his pants, claiming he had a knife.

Jimenez then barricaded himself in the bedroom, police said. SWAT and Crisis Negotiation teams were then called to the scene.

After several hours, SWAT officers eventually entered the bedroom and found Jimenez faced down on the floor underneath a mattress. He had a ligature tied around his neck, according to authorities.

Police found a loaded 9mm handgun next to him on the ground. The registered firearm had previously been reported as stolen, police said.

No officers were injured during the incident.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
 Welcome to 5 Things PM! Simple everyday gestures such as pointing out something you find interesting or asking for advice can be key to successful relationships. Experts call them bids for connection, and these interactions apply to couples as well as parents, children and friends  even co-workers.

Heres what else you might have missed during your busy day:

5 things

Lukas McClish got lost in California's Santa Cruz Mountains. - SVL Steve

1 Dramatic rescue: Lukas McClish spent 10 days stranded in the California wilderness after he became disoriented while hiking. Heres how he managed to survive.  Video: I had a mountain lion that was following me

2 AI lawsuit: Several major record labels are suing two artificial intelligence startups and accusing them of using copyrighted music without their consent. One of the companies is behind BBL Drizzy, a viral song that emerged from the spat between Kendrick Lamar and Drake.

3 Textbook aid: The United States will pay for the printing of more than 3 million books for Ukrainian elementary school students to use this coming year. Russia has been targeting printing facilities during the war in Ukraine.

4 Top dog: An 8-year-old Pekingese, a frizz-ball with a long tongue named Wild Thang, claimed the title in this years Worlds Ugliest Dog contest. Take a look at the winner and some of the other contenders.

5 Best airline: Theyre known as the Oscars of commercial aviation, and this airline came out on top for the eighth time.

Watch this

 Fight or flight: A Chicago homeowner wielding a frying pan chased an intruder around his yard after receiving an alert from his security system. Police arrived moments later and took the suspect into custody.

Top headlines

 Judge Aileen Cannon dresses down prosecutor during Trump gag order hearing

 Supreme Court to decide whether states can restrict gender-affirming care for minors

 Netanyahu scrambles to contain backlash to comments on ceasefire deal as hostage families release new video

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 Mysterious trees: Scientists have long been perplexed by the mighty and iconic baobab trees  some up to 1,000 years old  and questions about where they originated. Now they finally have an answer.

Getty Images

Quotable

Extreme weather: More than 20 rivers in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota have reached major flood stage as authorities rescue stranded drivers and others trapped by rising water. In other parts of the country, dangerous heat is shifting this week. Heres where it will go next.

Quiz time

Ed Ruttledge/U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory

 Which US volcano in the Pacific Northwest has scientists worried because of its potential volatility and proximity to large cities?

A. Mount Hood

B. Mount Rainier

C. Three Sisters

D. Mount Shasta

 Scroll down for the answer.

Looking ahead

 Tomorrow: Four states have primaries: New York, South Carolina, Utah and Colorado, where there will be a special election to fill the seat of GOP Rep. Ken Buck after he resigned from Congress.

Good vibes

 We like to wrap things up on a positive note:

Tennessee middle school student Aubrey Sauvie was born with no hands, which posed a challenge for the aspiring drummer. A group of engineering students created a life-changing gift for the young musician.

Thanks for reading

 Well see you tomorrow.

 What did you like about todays 5 Things PM? Did we miss anything? Email us: 5ThingsPM@cnn.com

 Quiz answer: B. Scientists are concerned about Mount Rainier in Washington erupting and causing a lahar, a fast-moving flow of melting ice and debris that could affect Tacoma and Seattle.

 Check out all of CNNs newsletters.

5 Things PM is produced by CNNs Evan Berbette, Tricia Escobedo, Meghan Pryce and Kimberly Richardson.

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Nine Louisiana families of different faiths sued the states education department and local school boards on Monday over a new state law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in every public classroom.

Indeed, for nearly half a century, it has been well settled that the First Amendment forbids public schools from posting the Ten Commandments in this manner, the filing, which was shared by NBC News, states. The bill, the families argue, violates this binding precedent and the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.

The families  who are Jewish, Christian, Unitarian Universalist, and nonreligious, per the outlet  further argued that the law substantially interferes with and burdens the right of parents to direct their childrens religious education and upbringing.

It also sends the harmful and religiously divisive message that students who do not subscribe to the Ten Commandments  do not belong in their own school community and should refrain from expressing any faith practices or beliefs that are not aligned with the states religious preferences, the suit states.

Republican Governor Jeff Landry, who has sought to usher in a slew of conservative legislation, signed the bill last week; he previously boasted about welcoming the legal fight. Im going home to sign a bill that places the Ten Commandments in public classrooms, he said during his keynote address at a GOP fundraiser dinner in Nashville. And I cant wait to be sued.

Rev. Jeff Simms, a Presbyterian and one of the plaintiffs, told NBC News that By favoring one version of the Ten Commandments and mandating that it be posted in public schools, the government is intruding on deeply personal matters of religion, adding, This is religious favoritism that runs counter to my religion and faith.

The American Civil Liberties Union, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation have backed the families; the Simpson Thacher & Bartlett law firm has also taken on the case pro bono.

Last Friday, former president Donald Trump endorsed the Louisiana law on Truth Social, while Texas Republican Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick lamented on X that his state WOULD have been and SHOULD have been the first state in the nation to put the 10 Commandments back in our schools, and vowed to pass the 10 Commandments Bill again out of the Senate next session.

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Last week, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed into law a controversial bill requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. Shortly before, he told donors at a GOP event in Tennessee, Im going home to sign a bill that places the Ten Commandments in public classrooms. And I cant wait to be sued. Sure enough, Louisiana parents and a coalition of civil liberties organizations are granting him his wish.

The ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, along with the parents of children enrolled in Louisiana public schools, filed a lawsuit against the state for violating the religious freedom of students on Monday. The move was widely expected, not just by Landry and religious conservative pugilists, but also by a consensus of legal experts, who claim the law is unconstitutional. Supreme Court legal precedent is on their side; two previous attempts to mandate similar displays were struck down.

But Landrys giddiness for the upcoming legal fight echoes the attitude of the bills co-author, Louisiana State Representative Lauren Ventrella, who, in the midst of a flailing attempt to defend the law on national television, revealed the Christian conservative strategy on which she and Landry will rely.

Now it is a different bench on the Supreme Court, Ventrella told CNNs Abby Philip. With a 63 conservative majorityincluding religious fundamentalist Christians Amy Coney Barrett and Samuel Alito, and multiple justices who have shown a willingness to depart from precedent capriciouslyadvocates of the law are hoping to move the lawsuit through the courts until it finds a friendly reception at the Supreme Court.



In the meantime, though, theyll continue to run roughshod over the First Amendment.
Mexicos president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum said on June 17 that up to three out of four Mexicans polled by her party, the National Regeneration Movement (Movimiento de Regeneracion Popular, Morena), support electing judges by popular vote, as proposed in the judicial reform championed by outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

According to Morena, 68% to 75% of respondents agreed that judges and justices should be elected by the people of Mexico, as the reform proposes, compared to 24% to 19% who said they should be elected by the judiciary itself.

If it had been 59%, it would have been as many people who voted for us, but even more people than those who voted for us recognize the importance of this reform for the judiciary, Sheinbaum stressed, referring to the June 2 elections that she won.

The reform

The controversial judicial reform, which has caused uncertainty in the markets and a drop in the value of the Mexican peso, calls for the popular election of judges, electoral councilors, justices and ministers of the Supreme Court of Justice.

In all, more than 1,600 judicial positions would be up for election.

Detractors fear that the reforms would radically alter the balance of power in Mexico, removing important checks and balances, and making it easier to politicize the judiciary.

Just a week ago, Sheinbaum tried to soothe markets by announcing that she had agreed with Lopez Obrador to hold a very broad discussion on the reform before it is presented to the new Congress that takes office on Sep. 1, in which Morena will have a supermajority that will allow it to pass constitutional reforms without having to negotiate with other parties.
America Movil (AMX), a provider of telecommunications services across Latin America, and Liberty Latin America (LLA) ], a communications company with operations in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and other parts of Latin America, have announced that America Movil will be consolidating the Chilean joint venture ClaroVTR into its ongoing operations.

It was in October 2022 that VTR Communications and Claro Chile, the alliance between Mexico's America Movil and Liberty Latin America, was given the green light to launch a joint venture that was to offer fixed and mobile services such as internet, pay television, and text messages.

This latest deal is subject to obtaining the required approval from the National Economic Prosecutors Office of the Republic of Chile, though this development may not be a major surprise to many observers.

As the release announcing the deal points out: As previously disclosed, AMX has been providing funding to ClaroVTR through convertible notes to support the execution of its business plan and for the refinancing of certain bank debt existing at the formation of the JV, and Liberty Latin America had the right to catch-up its respective portion of such funding commitments by the middle of this year for ClaroVTR to continue as a 50:50 joint venture.

On 23 June, Liberty Latin America informed AMX it would not be exercising such a right. As a result, AMX will convert its outstanding notes held in ClaroVTR into equity, resulting (subject to adjustments at closing) in a controlling interest of approximately 91%.

LLA will continue to own approximately 9% of the equity of ClaroVTR. Closing of the conversion is expected during the third quarter of this year.

Where this leaves recent announcements about 5G provision in the country is unclear, though the official reaction has been predictably upbeat.

Both Daniel Hajj, CEO of America Movil (We look forward to the prospects of this business), and Balan Nair, CEO of Liberty Latin America (America Movil is a great partner and ClaroVTR has a strong management team in place to lead the business the long-term outlook is bright), have been very positive in their formal responses to the news.
(Bloomberg) -- Emmanuel Macron again sought to explain his decision to dissolve parliament, saying he aimed to take into account the defeat his party suffered in European elections and to avoid an even greater risk of turmoil to come.

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In an editorial published in regional newspapers, Macron contended that he had made his decision in the interest of the country above all else, including personal considerations.

This dissolution was the only possible choice both to recognize your vote in the European elections, to respond to the disarray already here and the greater disarray to come, Macron wrote.

In European parliamentary elections this month, Macrons party and its allies got just 14.6% of the vote, compared with 31.4% for Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally. He announced that he was dissolving parliament that evening and set elections for June 30 and July 7. Polls over the past few days have shown the National Rally ahead in first-round voting intentions, followed by an alliance of leftist parties, with Macrons group trailing in third.

Macrons Election Gamble Triggers Chaos and Anger in His Party

Just changing the prime minister or government would have been easy for me. But it wouldnt have fixed any problem, Macron wrote.

In the letter, Macron said he opted to hold elections now because opposition parties were planning on forcing out his government later in the year, which would have plunged our country into crisis at the very moment it needs to pass the annual budget.

Elisabeth Borne, who was prime minister until January, said in Le Monde last week that her government had been able to pass some legislation with votes from other parties. On other bills, such as the budget or retirement reform, it used a constitutional provision known as 49.3 that allows the government to bypass parliament.

Some members of his movement, including the former head of the National Assembly, Yael Braun-Pivet, are now campaigning without Macrons face on their leaflets. Former prime minister Edouard Philippe, who heads an allied party, said Macron killed the presidential majority.

Voter Message

Macron said he had gotten the message from voters.

Im not blind: Im conscious of the democratic malaise, he wrote. This rift between the people and those who run the country, which we have not managed to bridge.

Still, he claimed his movement was the best rampart against the far right and left, referring to the National Rally and the New Popular Front. The latter group brings together the Socialists, Communists, Greens and the far-left France Unbowed.

Macron repeated that he was not planning on resigning before the end of his mandate in May 2027.

I know that, for many of you, this has come as a surprise, giving rise to concern, rejection and sometimes even anger directed at me. I understand it and I hear it, he wrote. Yes, the way we govern has to change profoundly, he said, echoing past pledges to change his top-down governance style.

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(Bloomberg) -- Marine Le Pen said French President Emmanuel Macrons accusations that the agendas of the far right National Rally and leftist alliance could lead to civil war indicate that he knows hes going to lose the upcoming legislative vote that begins on Sunday.

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He always campaigned saying its me or chaos, Le Pen said on RTL radio Tuesday morning. Its a very weak argument that shows that he thinks hes lost this election.

Macron on Monday said that the way the far-right and far-left blocs pit people against each other could lead to a dangerous domestic situation.

The far-right National Rallys plan to deal with crime and insecurity refers to people of a religion or an origin  it divides and it leads to civil war, Macron said in an interview with a Generation Do It Yourself podcast. The far-left France Unbowed thats part of a hastily cobbled alliance is also peddling sectarian politics that would provoke similar hostilities, he said.

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The increasingly strident comments from Macrons camp reflect a last-ditch attempt to woo voters as his centrist party trails behind the National Rally and the leftist New Popular Front in the polls with less than a week before the first round of voting. One pollster even suggested the far-right party could clinch an absolute majority in the National Assembly, though Frances two-round voting system makes forecasting tricky.

In the days after Macrons surprise call for an election to renew the National Assembly two weeks ago, his allies have taken to the air waves to speak of the dangers of the far right or the far left coming into power. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has said a government by Le Pens National Rally would harm civil peace, without providing any evidence to support his claim. He has also warned that both the far-right and the left would be disastrous for the economy.

Opposition parties have accused Macron and his allies of fear mongering to spook voters. The head of the French Unbowed party, Jean-Luc Melenchon, on Monday rejected Macrons civil war comment, saying its the president who tends to divide the French.

Hes always around when it comes to setting fires, he said, alluding to recent political tensions in Frances overseas territory of New Caledonia.

Comments from Macrons party have done little to halt the rise of the National Rally and the alliance of the left in the polls. Le Pens party is forecast to win the first round of the French legislative election with 35.4%, according to Bloombergs poll of polls on Tuesday, up 0.7 point. The New Popular Front would be second with 28.1%, with Macrons Renaissance party and its allies still lagging in third place with 20.6%.

Investors dumped French assets in the days after Macrons call for the vote, fretting over how a new government could further stretch the countrys budget deficit. The turmoil pushed the risk premium on French bonds versus German ones to the highest since 2012 last week, though that spread narrowed slightly on Monday.

The first round of the election is set for June 30, with the second round slated for July 7. Macron, who called for the vote after his party was crushed in the European Parliament election, seemed to acknowledge in the podcast that his group may face a loss in the ballot.

National Rally leader Jordan Bardella has been working to assuage voters that he can be trusted overseeing the countrys economy.

On Monday, he outlined the partys plan to pay for a reduction in sales tax on energy and fuel   which would cost 7 billion ($7.5 billion) in 2024  by cutting Frances contribution to the EU budget, closing tax advantages for shipping firms and boosting levies on the profits of energy companies.

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The National Rally is the only movement to implement immediately and reasonably the expectations of French people. In three words: we are ready, he said. We aim to bring the country back to budgetary reason.

Most pollsters predict that the National Rally will form the largest group in the National Assembly but fall short of the 289 seats needed for an absolute majority. The latest survey by Odoxa predicts the party will get between 250 to 300 seats.

This scenario  where National Rally wins the most seats in the legislature but falls short of an absolute majority  would likely inflict gridlock on the lower house, meaning any ambitious legislation or reform would be difficult to pass.

Le Pen said on Tuesday that such an outcome would mean the only option open to Macron would be to resign as he cannot call fresh elections for another year and a government reshuffle wouldnt resolve the impasse.

If there is no absolute majority in the National Assembly and therefore a blockage of the fundamental institution that votes laws, the constitution doesnt allow for other possibilities than resignation, Le Pen said. I dont think it will happen because I think well have an absolute majority.

Macron justified his call for a vote, saying there was a lot of seething anger in France and that he wanted the countrys people to have a voice.

It will be nobodys fault the evening of the second round; it will be the responsibility of the French people, he said. For me, its not a bet, its confidence in the voters, he added.

--With assistance from James Regan.

(Updates with Bloombergs poll of polls in the ninth paragraph. An earlier version corrected the time frame for the National Rallys projected cost estimate.)

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The drought has sparked national emergencies in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia - ZINYANGE AUNTONY/AFP via Getty Images

On a clear sunny afternoon, two oxes tied to a cart trot past a maize field with a group of boys manning it. Eyes ahead and with sticks controlling the animals, the teenagers seem almost oblivious to the empty fields around them. The month is June and normally the cart would have been full of ripe maize, but this year there is virtually nothing.

George Makaniso has a one-acre farm in Phikani, a small village in the Chikwawa district of southern Malawi. Dead and wilted plants cover the small plot, testimony to the failed season.

We planted our maize in January but by February, the rains had stopped, explains Mr Makaniso. We waited and hoped that by the grace of God, the rains would eventually fall. But as the maize grew and reached the flowering stage, the sun got hotter. All the maize plants withered down after it had already had cobs and we didnt harvest anything.

The father of two now wonders how he and his family will survive. From this field we could harvest ten bags or more, but this time we did not manage to get even a single bag. As a breadwinner, I am in a desperate situation.

His first daughter, who is in Standard Seven at the nearby primary school, is finding it hard to focus in class as often the family goes to sleep without a proper meal.

I sometimes miss classes because I cant manage while hungry ... it makes me weak and depressed, she says.

Hungry cattle feed on shrubs in a barren field - ZINYANGE AUNTONY/AFP via Getty Images

Almost nine million people in Malawi are now classed as food insecure.

The warm currents of El Nino have brought both extreme weather and drought to large parts of southern Africa, destroying millions of acres of crops.

In April, Malawi declared a state of disaster in 23 of its 28 districts and called for humanitarian assistance.

Food aid agencies and health workers predict the shortages will lead to a spike in malnutrition across the country. Already hunger is taking its toll in several areas, especially among children.

At the Tiyanjane Care Group in Machinga district in eastern Malawi, workers spend their days checking childrens weight and preparing porridge for them.

Weve seen a rise in the number of children who are underweight and malnourished. We prepare six food groups to make sure they are not malnourished. When were weighing them and [their weight] is very low we refer them to hospitals, said Jacqueline Chitenjere, a health surveillance assistant.

With support from organisations like World Vision, the communities prepare porridge for the malnourished children in a unique way including adding groundnuts and other nutrients. The aim is to encourage the parents to adopt the practice in their homes.

A man fetches water from a pond for his cattle herd - ZINYANGE AUNTONY/AFP via Getty Images

Elsewhere, breastfeeding mothers say they cannot produce enough milk for their babies due to lack of food, with some eating just once a day.

Medics report an increase of malnutrition cases and report that patients who were treated and recovered are now once again relapsing.

The childrens charity UNICEF is working to combat malnutrition in Malawi through capacity building of health workers, toolkits for nutrition screening, RUTF and therapeutic milk, as well as promoting positive child feeding practices and behaviours.

World Vision is one of the organisations responding to the disaster. Apart from exploring the options of reaching out to the victims with aid, it banks on its already existing projects aimed at reforestation and water conservation to minimise the impact of future disasters.

Experts say maize production  which is a major food crop  is at approximately 2.8 million metric tonnes from an annual requirement of around 3.7 million metric tonnes leaving a deficit of around 830,000 metric tonnes .

This means that challenges of malnutrition are likely going to increase mainly amongst children under the age of 5 years which may further contribute to increased fatality rates amongst the stated age group according to Sobhuza Sibande World Vision Malawi Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Manager.

Much as there are preparations being done to respond to the crisis, there is a big gap in required resources versus what is available. As World, the organisation always has a fund that is used to start up with response activities once a disaster hits which is called the National Emergency Preparedness Fund (NEPRF). Mostly it is not adequate to be used to support all those that are affected but it allows the organisation to get started as other resource mobilisation efforts begin, Sibande told the Telegraph in an interview.

In some areas the organisation has started procuring farm inputs to provide to some farmers who have the potential to do winter cropping while others are procuring food (like maize flour) to support those that are at the verge of starvation, he added.

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Daniel Callihan has been charged with murder in connection with the killings of Callie Brunett, 35, and her 4-year-old daughter Erin

GoFundMe; WDSU/YouTube Callie Brunett and Erin Brunett (left), and Daniel Callihan

Callie Brunett, 35, was found dead in Loranger, La., and at the time, her daughters, 4 and 6, were missing

Authorities subsequently issued an Amber Alert for the girls

Her 4-year-old daughter Erin was found dead in the woods in Mississippi, where Daniel Callihan was arrested on murder and sexual battery charges, authorities say

A man arrested in connection with the deaths of a 4-year-old girl and her mother appeared to tell reporters that he killed the child and he was sober when he allegedly did so.

Callie Brunett, 35, and her daughter Erin were found dead in Louisiana and Mississippi, respectively, earlier this month, state authorities said at the time.

Daniel Callihan, 36, was arrested on June 13, in Mississippi in connection with the alleged brutal and heinous acts of violence, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said following the arrest.

As he was being escorted by officers in handcuffs, Callihan was seen in a video telling reporters that he killed the girl.

Related: 'Animal Cages' Found Near Slain Girl, 4, and Sister, as Chief Says Case May Be Human Trafficking

Callie Brunett/Facebook Erin Brunett (left), and Callie Brunett

When asked if he murdered Erin, he says he unfortunately did, with no drugs in [his] system, a news clip by Louisiana local outlet WDSU News shows.



When asked about his alleged motive, he slightly drops his head, closes his eyes, and says, I have no reason for what I did. All I wanna say is I was sober.

I am on suicide watch, but Im not suicidal, he says shortly afterwards.

When asked if he killed Erins mom, he appears confused and repeats, Mom?

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office Daniel Callihan was arrested in connection with the killings of Callie Brunett and her daughter Erin

Related: Abducted Girl, 4, Found Dead in Woods Alongside Injured Sister, 6, After Man Is Arrested over Death of Their Mom

Callihan's arrest followed the issuance of an Amber Alert for Erin and her sister earlier on June 13, Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said at the time.

The alert was sent out after police found Callie dead in her Loranger, La., home with the two girls missing, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office Chief Jimmy Travis said, according to CNN.

Callihan was located in Jackson, Miss., about two hours from Tangipahoa Parish, and taken into custody, Wade said.

Authorities searching the area found Erin's remains in what Wade described as a very traumatic tragic crime scene.

Erin's 6-year-old sister was also located and taken to the hospital.

Wade said on June 17 that police did not find any evidence of a shooting at the location and that he "assumes" that Erin was likely strangulated.

There were indications of human trafficking  including "small wiring enclosures"  where the children were found, Wade said.

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Victoria Cox was arrested alongside Callihan on charges of capital murder and sexual battery in the childrens cases, WDSU and FOX 8 Live reported, citing authorities.

On June 20, a grand jury indicted Callihan and Cox on charges of capital murder and kidnapping, WDSU, FOX 8 Live and 4 WWL reported. Cox has been indicted on an additional count of accessory after the murder.

Plea and attorney information were not available for either Callihan or Cox as of Monday.

In a GoFundMe set up by her family, Erin is being remembered as a "little fireball" who was full of life. Callie and her daughters were "a couple of peas in a pod," says the fundraiser.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

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Man who allegedly stabbed 3 people in East Village charged with murder: police

Man who allegedly stabbed 3 people in East Village charged with murder: police

EAST VILLAGE, Manhattan (PIX11)  A man who allegedly stabbed three people, including one fatally, in the East Village in Manhattan Sunday has been charged with murder, police said.

Alejandro Piedra, 30, of Brooklyn, is charged with one count of second-degree murder  depraved indifference and two counts of second-degree attempted murder  depraved indifference, according to the NYPD.

More Local News

Piedra allegedly stabbed three people near Avenue A and East 14th Street around 5:45 p.m., police said.

A 38-year-old man was fatally stabbed in his neck, police said.

A 51-year-old woman was stabbed in her leg and a 32-year-old man was stabbed in his back, according to police. Both victims were hospitalized.

Piedra was taken into custody at the scene, police said. A weapon that police described as a cutting instrument was recovered at the scene.

Its unclear what led up to the incident.

Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The Memphis Police Department is searching for the suspect responsible for hopping the counter at a Berclair Walgreens and stealing cigarettes and Plan B pills.

On Monday, around 2:30 a.m., MPD responded to the Walgreens located at 4625 Summer Avenue. They were advised that a man entered the store, jumped over the counter, and began filling up a backpack with cigarettes, cigars and Plan B pills.

Police say the man fled the scene and was last seen running across the street.

Woman charged with shooting at victim out on $25K bond

No arrests have been made at this time. This is an ongoing investigation.

If you have any information regarding this incident, call Memphis CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

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Indian telco Vodafone Idea has reportedly completed the minimum rollout requirements outlined in its spectrum licences for its 5G network, although the timeline for a proper service launch remains fuzzy.

According to ETTelecom, Vodafone Idea issued a statement on Friday saying that it has completed its minimum rollout obligation for the two 5G frequency bands that it bought in the governments spectrum auction in August 2022  3300 MHz in 17 priority circles and 26 GHz in 16 circles.

The licences for both bands require the owner to commercially launch service anywhere in each of Indias three metros  and at least one city in each of the telecom circles covered under the licence  by the end of the first year or phase 1, the report said.

However, Vodafone Ideas target for a full-fledged commercial launch of 5G has been shifting. The company said in January that it planned to launch 5G services in July or August this year. But just prior to its US$2.2 billion follow-on public offer (FPO) in April, the telco said it intended to launch 5G six to nine months after the FPO, suggesting a year-end launch is more likely.

Vodafone Idea, which has been beset by financial problems, has been on a fundraising blitz this year. Apart from the FPO, it has also offered around US$645.5 million in shares to anchor investors, and proposed a preferential issue of up to US$293.2 million in equity shares to the local units of telecoms equipment suppliers Nokia and Ericsson.

Most of the new money raised is expected to fund the capex for the telcos 4G expansion and 5G rollout, but Vodafone Idea is also saddled with Rs250 billion (almost US$3 billion) in debt, and also needs enough cash to pay its spectrum and AGR payments when they become due in the 2026 financial year and beyond, the report said.

Meanwhile, Indias next 5G spectrum auction  which has been postponed twice from its original date of May 20  is slated for tomorrow. Vodafone Idea has submitted its application to participate, but earlier media reports suggested the telco may focus on bands whose licences it needs to renew rather than fork out for new spectrum.
(KRON)  A suspect was arrested Sunday on murder charges from the homicide that occurred on Friday evening, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

At 7:13 p.m. on Friday, San Francisco police officers responded to the 1200 block of Mission Street for the report of a shooting. Police located a victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced dead.

Chaos erupts in Vallejo overnight: shooting, fire and sideshow

San Francisco PD said officers located a subject matching the description provided at Civic Center BART station. Officers found a firearm on the suspect while detaining him. According to police, officers were informed the suspect chased the victim while firing multiple rounds at him.

The suspect was identified as 35-year-old Adam Masaed.

Masaed was booked into San Francisco County Jail on suspicion of unlawful killing of a human being with malice aforethought and willful discharge of a firearm in a grossly negligent manner.

Despite the arrest, the investigation is ongoing, according to San Francisco PD. Anyone with information is asked to contact SFPD at (415) 575-4444.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
GAITHERSBURG, Md. (DC News Now)  The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) said a man was arrested in connection to an attempted burglary and carjacking at an apartment complex on Sunday.

On June 9, just before 4:30 a.m., officers responded to the 14100 block of Castle Boulevard for an attempted burglary.

DC man charged for deadly 2023 Metrobus shooting in Maryland

During the investigation, detectives learned that 30-year-old Samuel Robert Bajard and other people allegedly tried to break into an apartment.

Police said Bajard and the group kicked the front door and threw a rock at the window.

According to police, the resident confronted the group and reportedly sprayed them with bear spray. The group then left and drove away in a vehicle.

Police said as Bajard and the other suspect were leaving the complex they allegedly assaulted the driver of a Toyota Camry. They then stole the car and left the area.

Police: 15-year-old charged after alleged co-conspirator fatally shot during attempted burglary

On June 13, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Bajard for attempted burglary and carjacking related charges.

Bajard was arrested in Silver Spring on June 20. He was taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing unit, and is being held without bond.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  A Jamestown man is facing a host of charges following a motorcycle chase over the weekend, according to the Jamestown Police Department.

Police said that just after 2:15 a.m. Saturday, they observed a motorcycle with no license plates, being operated by 26-year-old Darius L. Franklin. Police said they were also aware that Franklins driving privileges had been revoked by the state.

Police attempted to stop Franklin and he fled, which resulted in a chase through the north side of the city. The pursuit ended after he allegedly tried to vacate the bike at his residence and he was taken into custody.

He is charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and several traffic violations.

He was held pending arraignment at Jamestown City Court.

Latest Local News

Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Tampa police arrested a man accused of murdering a man behind a Wendys on Hillsborough Avenue earlier this month.

Eddy Caron, 57, stabbed a 52-year-old man to death on June 12 near the intersection of North 15th Street and Hillsborough Avenue, according to a release from the Tampa Police Department.

Sarasota deputies arrest 15 in undercover anti-drug operation

A witness in the Wendys parking lot told police they saw the victim and suspect shortly before the incident. Detectives said security footage showed Caron entering a nearby convenience store, buying a beer and walking to a fenced-in area behind the Wendys.

The victim was found dead behind the restaurant, according to TPD. Another witness reportedly told police that Caron left the area on a distinctive bicycle with deer antlers attached to the handlebars.

Eddy Caron, 57. (Tampa Police Department)

Police said a beer can with Carons DNA linked him with a previous incident and his backpack and bicycle matched what was captured on security cameras and described by witnesses.

We hope that this arrest will provide some closure for the family of the victim, Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement. This successful investigation is a testament to the outstanding work of our detectives who pieced together the evidence, identified the suspect, and quickly took him into custody.

Caron was arrested Saturday and charged with first degree murder.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Man found dead at bottom of ravine in Cascade Park: Elyria police

ELYRIA, Ohio (WJW)  Elyria police are investigating after an elderly man was found dead in Cascade Park on Sunday.

Officers were called to the 500 block of Washington Avenue around 4:30 p.m. to search for a missing man in the area, according to the Elyria Police Department.

During the investigation, officers found the body of the 71-year-old man at the bottom of a steep ravine, near the riverbank in the park.

Elyria firefighters helped with the recovery due to the treacherous landscape in that area. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

California boy, 4, who disappeared from campground found after 22 hours alone in wilderness

Through a preliminary investigation, Elyria police officials believe the man died from falling off the cliff.

Investigators say it appears accidental, but the official cause of death is pending results from the Lorain County Coroners Office.

His identity isnt being released at this time, according to Elyria police.

The case remains under investigation at this time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
The man charged with the murder of a University of Arizona professor in Tucson was on Monday sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Murad Dervish, 48, was found guilty of first-degree murder after he shot Thomas Meixner, the head of the university's Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, on Oct. 5, 2022. The sentence he received Monday will put him behind bars for the rest of his natural life, plus 14 years, with no parole.

On May 21, a jury also found him guilty of a slew of other charges, including one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of burglary and three counts of endangerment.

Dervish was a graduate student who was eventually expelled and prohibited from being on campus. He was accused of threatening Meixner and other faculty and university staff for more than a year.

Dervish's attorney wanted his client to be found guilty except insane, telling the jury Dervish did not know right from wrong and was psychotic, paranoid and delusional.

The prosecutor from the Pima County Attorneys Office argued the murder was premeditated and showed threatening emails and evidence that Dervish planned to kill Meixner in the weeks and months before the shooting.

Family, university request life sentence without parole

During the sentencing, Meixners sisters, son, and wife spoke about their experience, and all requested Dervish be sentenced to life in prison without a chance of parole. They spoke about how kind and intelligent Meixner was and how he was generous with his community.

One of his sons, Sean Meixner, spoke before the sentencing was announced about his grief, sadness and hatred of Dervish, stating his life will never be the same without his father. He spoke about feeling as though he is waiting to die so he can hold his father again and be free of the agony living in his absence.

How could a man who devoted his life to God and others be taken from this life in the worst way possible, in pain and fear? Where was God in that? he said.

Celina Ramirez, representing the university, said Meixner was a passionate, world-renowned scholar, and kind mentor whose leadership resulted in the hydrology departments high ranking.

She said the shooting has impacted the mental health of students and university staff, noting the challenge it is for many students and employees to return to campus.

No legal punishment could ever be enough to fully atone for the intense grief and pain the defendant has inflicted upon Dr. Meixner's family, friends, colleagues, students and the university community, Ramirez said.

But Meixners sisters specifically criticized the university, as well as UA police and the person who sold Dervish the gun he used to kill Meixner.

The University of Arizona failed my brother, said Margaret Meixner, one of his sisters. "He loved and trusted the U of A, but that trust was misplaced."

She called the universitys police department incompetent and said the police and the university had her brothers blood on their hands.

University police, according to a letter by university President Robbert Robbins, went to the county attorneys office twice to net charges against Dervish. The county attorney declined to press charges because of a lack of evidence.

In the months following the shooting, a faculty report found the university knew about the threats and failed to implement an effective risk management system to keep people on campus safe.

Another report, compiled by a consultant hired by the university, offered 33 recommendations for improving security. Since then, the university has implemented numerous safety changes and updated safety communications.

Dervish apologizes to Meixner's family, but says trial was unfair

After Meixners family members made their victims statements, Dervish addressed the judge over the objection of his attorney.

Dervish said he was pushed to speak because of the repeated mentions of him being a monster.

He spoke about how he had been enamored by the weather ever since he was a child and was so happy when he got into the University of Arizona.

I felt I was in this new and magical place, I was going to study what I always wanted to truly study, he said, adding that he fought addiction, being homeless, and rejected by the people in his life.

He said his heart broke for what happened.

For them to lose him is just horrible, to his wife I dont even know what to say, Dervish said. Just saying the word sorry sounds dumb and ugly. It doesnt fit  with what happened.

He also said significant errors were made during the trial process, primarily by his own attorneys. He noted the trial was not granted a change of venue, and claimed the trial was not fair.

I have yet to have a fair and impartial trial, he said.

Pima County Superior Court Judge Howard Fell told him that he would have the opportunity for others to review whether the trial was done fairly and impartially.

Right now, you are going to prison for the rest of your life, Fell said.

Dervish threatened, harassed staff before the shooting

The prosecutor said on the day of the shooting, Dervish entered the Harshbarger Building at UA shortly before 2 p.m. He chased Meixner down a hallway in the building and into a classroom. Dervish emptied his magazine, in total shooting Meixner 11 times.

After the shooting, Dervish fled the building, police said. According to the complaint, police found Dervish driving on Highway 85 toward Mexico 30 miles south of Gila Bend three hours later.

Documents say Dervish refused to stop, leading police on a chase for two to three miles until his car was successfully stopped.

Murad Dervish is accused in the on October 2022 killing of University of Arizona professor Thomas Meixner, who was the head of the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences. Closing arguments in the case are set for Monday afternoon.

Dervish's threatening behavior was well-known among members of the department and law enforcement before the shooting occurred.

In the year before the shooting, Dervish reportedly harassed and made threats to staff members working at Harshbarger Building. Some of the threats were antisemitic in which Dervish wished death to all Jews and accused Meixner of orchestrating a Jewish-led conspiracy against him, despite Meixner being raised Roman Catholic.

Dervish's attorney said his anger towards Meixner stemmed from receiving a bad grade on a test.

Before his expulsion from the university, Dervish had been prohibited from stepping foot on university property. Pictures of Dervish were distributed throughout the department with instructions on how and when to call police. Additionally, entry passwords for rooms Dervish previously had access were changed.

In January, Meixner's family settled a lawsuit against the university for $2.5 million for failing to protect Meixner.

After the judge handed down the sentence, the Pima County Attorney's Office released a statement, saying County Attorney Laura Conover will bring red-flag legislation back to the Legislature this year, following the wishes of Meixner's family.

In honor of the familys expressed wishes, and under her desire for a safer community, County Attorney Conover will bring her red flag legislation back to the legislature again next year, and for as long as it takes, to bring home common-sense gun safety reforms for a safer and healthier community," said her office in a statement.

Those laws, which have the backing of Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes, allow courts to order the seizure of firearms from people who might be a threat to themselves or others.

Former Gov. Doug Ducey proposed a similar law, under a different name, in 2018 after 17 students and staff were killed in a shooting at a Parkland, Fla., high school. But the Republican's bill was rejected by the GOP-majority Legislature.

Reach the reporter at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com. The Republics coverage of southern Arizona is funded, in part, with a grant from Report for America. Support Arizona news coverage with a tax-deductible donation at supportjournalism.azcentral.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Murad Dervish: Sentenced to life in prison after murdering UA professor
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Police are investigating a homicide Monday after a body was found with apparent gunshot wounds in a Kansas City, Missouri parking lot.

According to the Kansas City Police Department, at about 9:30 a.m. Monday, officers were dispatched to the area of Bannister and Raytown Road on reports of a dead body.

3 hospitalized after carbon monoxide poisoning near 104th & Wornall

Upon arrival, they were taken to a nearby parking lot where officers found an unresponsive man suffering from gunshot wounds. The man was later pronounced dead at the scene when emergency responders arrived.

KCPD said the case is being investigated as a homicide, and detectives are currently searching for potential witnesses of the deadly shooting.

If anyone has any information, KCPD asks that you contact homicide detectives directly at (816) 234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.

Drug investigation leads to four-person arrest, one baby deer saved

This is a developing story. Stay tuned at FOX4 News for the latest updates and information.

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Man shot in arm while trying to steal beer from gas station

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A man was shot in the arm Saturday night while trying to steal two cases of beer from a gas station convenience store.

Metro police said officers with the Hermitage Precinct responded to reports of a shooting at a Shell gas station located in the 1500 block of Lebanon Pike at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 22. When officers arrived, they found a 26-year-old man  who had been shot in the forearm  walking down the street.

Nashville pastor shot at during what he believes was an attempted carjacking

The officers tried to talk to him, but he tried to get away. He was eventually stopped and taken to a hospital for treatment of his gunshot wound, according to investigators.

Police said a gas station employee told detectives that the man who was shot was trying to steal two cases of beer along with another man, prompting the employee to follow the two men to the parking lot to try and get the beer back. Thats when the men allegedly assaulted the employee, causing a customer to try and intervene.

The customer reportedly had a gun and tired to hit the 26-year-old man with it. The gun then went off and hit the 26-year-old man in the arm, according to police. The customer with the gun then left the store.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

Police found the other man, 33, walking down the street. He had two outstanding warrants for criminal trespassing and was arrested on those warrants.

No other information was released.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Man turns himself in connected to mass shooting in Ohio

A man turned himself in to police connected to a mass shooting in Ohio on Sunday.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 10 injured, 1 in critical condition after shooting in Ohio, police say

Columbus Police confirmed on social media Sunday night that a man turned himself in shortly after 6:30 p.m. Sunday night.

The man identified himself as the driver of a white Honda Civic that police were looking after 10 people were shot early Sunday morning in the Short North Arts District, according to our news partner WBNS in Columbus.

Police have not identified the man but charged him with obstructing official business.

>>RELATED: 10 people injured, 1 critically, after shooting in Ohio; driver of vehicle surrenders

As News Center 7 previously reported, ten people, all males, were shot in the Short Arts District in the 1100 block of North High Street in Columbus shortly before 2:30 a.m. on Sunday.

One victim was listed in critical condition while the nine other victims were in stable condition, WCMH-TV reported.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found six people shot. Police were told the four other victims were driven to hospitals on their own, WBNS reported.

The shooting remains under investigation.

Shortly before 6:30pm this evening, an adult male turned himself in at Columbus Police HQ and identified himself as the driver of the pictured Honda Civic. The Honda Civic was also recovered. The male was ultimately arrested and charged with Obstructing Official Business. pic.twitter.com/0BofjcTKJf  Columbus Division of Police (@ColumbusPolice) June 24, 2024
Orange reportedly deemed its 40% stake in Mauritius Telecom as not core to its business and is weighing up options to sell its shares.

Bloomberg reported, the French operator group discussed with advisors about a potential exit, but hasnt presented a share buyback deal with the board of Mauritius Telecom yet. A decision could potentially be made in November, said a source speaking to Bloomberg.

Orange declined to comment when Developing Telecoms contacted for a statement.

Sources noted the Orange brand was dropped and renamed MyT, and shares in Mauritius Telecom has become less strategic for the group and its influence has waned.

Oranges predecessor France Telecom acquired the shares in Mauritius Telecom in 2000 for US$261 million through Rimcom Ltd.

Other owners of Mauritius Telecom include the Mauritian government and the National Pensions Fund, which hold 40%, and state-owned SBM Holdings with 19%.
The power outage at Manchester Airport says so much about the state of this country's critical infrastructure - Phil Noble/Reuters

We live in a world of depressing unaccountability.

Elected officials are either too quick to blame someone else  anyone else, if they have to  or refuse to acknowledge that a problem exists, even when presented with the facts.

Fake news has gone mainstream.

Meanwhile, too many senior business figures choose to hide behind an army of ludicrously well-paid spinners, who deflect and obstruct at every turn.

So there was something extremely refreshing about the decision of Chris Woodroofe, Manchester Airport boss, to face the music over the weekend as bedlam quickly descended on Britains third biggest airport following a major power outage.

Standing outside the main terminal offering his sincere apologies to every single passenger impacted by what has gone on, Mr Woodroofes actions were a lesson in real leadership that many of our public figures would do well to learn from.

His words will have helped to quell the anger of hundreds of holidaymakers left stranded, which is probably about the best that can be hoped for in a situation like this.

What they wont do is dampen concerns about the crumbling fabric of Britain.

Sunday's travel woes in the North West shine an unflattering light on the power grid - Chris Shaw/Reuters

Power cuts are usually associated with developing nations that either cant pay their bills or have failed to invest sufficiently in basic infrastructure because the corrupt ruling elites have spent everyones taxes on marble palaces and Rolls-Royce cars.

Perhaps the incident at Manchester Airport was nothing more than an aberration  a genuine one-off electrical fault quickly repaired and unlikely to be repeated any time soon.

Yet it says so much about the state of this countrys critical infrastructure that questions will inevitably be asked about whether the meltdown at Manchester is representative of a wider malaise sweeping the UK.

Its as though nothing works anymore.

So much of the fundamental physical structures and essential facilities that underpin any civilised society are outdated and neglected, and there doesnt seem to be any plan to improve things.

The speed with which Manchester Airport was gripped by chaos is a reminder of how fragile our transport system has become.

It is genuinely alarming.

Too many roads are either gridlocked or in a state of shocking disrepair. Rail remains a bad joke.

Held to ransom by politically-driven union barons, commuters have endured years of constant delays and cancellations, while travelling on overcrowded trains is now the norm rather than the exception.

We used to boast first-class airports but many now lack the capacity or staff to cope with demand, and are hopelessly over-reliant on outdated technology and systems.

Heathrow has been crying out for a third runway for decades, yet seems no closer to the sort of expansion that would enable it to keep up with more plucky overseas rivals.

Britains infrastructure deficit seems particularly pronounced in the north, a predicament not helped by Rishi Sunaks decision to cancel the Manchester leg of HS2.

The move prompted Manchester Airport to tear up its long-term growth forecasts from 60 million passengers a year to 50 million by 2040.

Sundays travel woes in the North West also shine an unflattering light on the power grid.

Airports are like small cities in terms of the power they consume and the number of people that pass through them.

In this day and age, their operations should be bullet-proof, not susceptible to devastating supply failures.

Manchester Airport says the outage lasted just a few minutes, yet that was all it took for every vital component to malfunction with catastrophic consequences from the processing of boarding cards to baggage screening.

More than 60 departures  equivalent to a quarter of all flights taking off from the airport  were cancelled, along with 50 inbound flights. Scores of others were rerouted.

Mr Woodroofe has likened the loss of its power supply to ripping the plug out of your computer without shutting it down properly. But why did it happen? Was there back-up power? And if so, was it not working properly?

Even after power was restored the baggage system remained inoperable leaving hundreds of suitcases piled in front of check-in desks.

An afternoon of inexcusable calamity, was capped by a blackout that plunged the airport into darkness.

Once again, questions about the reliability of a creaking and outdated grid are unavoidable, particularly with demand poised to rocket.

Is it fit for a world in which electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and renewables are set to proliferate, or is it likely to be quickly overwhelmed?

Greg Jackson, the Octopus Energy founder, has said the National Grid is not fit for purpose.

Octopus Energy founder Greg Jackson argues that the National Grid is 'not fit for purpose' - Jeff Gilbert

Disgruntled holidaymakers are also entitled to ask whether they are merely the latest casualties of the hot financial model adopted across so many vital British assets whereby absentee shareholders prioritise self-interest over the interests of customers.

With more benign ownership, Thames Water would probably not be facing nationalisation.

Manchester Airport is owned by a club of Greater Manchesters 10 councils, together with Australian investment fund IFM Investors. They also own Stansted and East Midlands.

The consortium hasnt paid a dividend since before Covid.

But before the pandemic grounded air travel, payments had been generous and several council leaders have spoken of a reliance on the payouts.

In 2019, shareholders shared a 110m windfall. In 2015, the total was 93m.

Could that money have been better spent ensuring Manchester was more resilient?

There is a lot for an incoming government to fix but a top priority must be rebooting our overloaded infrastructure.

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Luggage piled up in terminals one and two of Manchester Airport following the power cut - PAUL COUSANS/ZENPIX

Holidaymakers have been separated from their medication and luggage after a power cut at Manchester Airport caused a day of chaos.

About 140 flights, including long-haul journeys to Singapore, New York and Dubai, were cancelled at Britains third-busiest airport.

Some 90,000 travellers are thought to have been impacted by the power cut at 1.30am on Sunday, which shut down the passport and baggage systems. This led to hours-long queues and piles of luggage in terminals one and two of the airport.

Passengers faced hours-long queues at the airport - PHIL NOBLE/REUTERS

When flights resumed later in the day, some took off without luggage in an effort to clear runways.

By Monday morning, most of the airport was operating as normal, although there were delays on some flights as airlines scrambled to resume their planned schedule.

Some airlines, including Tui and Jet2, ran extra flights to get customers to their destinations.

But many holidaymakers had not been reunited with their luggage by Monday afternoon, leaving them without the essentials, including personal medication.

One traveller, Beth Denton, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that she had been left in Split, Croatia, without her medication, which she said she urgently needed.

She wrote: We are island-hopping so it needs sorting ASAP.

Jo Slater, a holidaymaker in Ibiza, wrote on social media that she was praying that her luggage would arrive from Manchester on Monday morning. My husband has medication in the case. This is spoiling our well-deserved break away, she said.

Another holidaymaker who landed in Oludeniz in Turkey for a family holiday without their luggage told The Telegraph that they had been wearing the same clothes since Saturday evening.

They said that they have been told that their baggage will not arrive for another three days.

The airline Jet2 said that it has sent an extra team from its UK head office to Manchester to help clear the backlog of luggage.

A spokesman said: We will be directly contacting all customers as soon as we have updates about when they can expect to be reunited with their baggage.

Jet2 said it was sending an extra team from its head office to help clear the backlog of luggage - BRADLEY CASLIN/ISTOCK

Travellers left without luggage should keep their receipts and claim the money back, but airlines will only pay out for reasonable expenses.

Manchester Airport said that airlines would be in touch with passengers to make sure their belongings are returned to them as soon as possible.

Passengers will not be entitled to compensation from their airlines because the delays and cancellations were outside their control.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, said: Passengers will be deeply frustrated by the chaos at Manchester Airport, which has resulted in disrupted travel plans for thousands.

As the cause of the disruption was outside of airlines control, compensation will not be payable. However, airlines still have a legal duty of care to their passengers.

This means carriers should have been providing assistance during the delay itself, such as food and overnight accommodation, if required, as well as offering prompt rerouting to get people to their final destination, including with other airlines, if necessary.

The consumer campaigner Helen Dewdney, of The Complaining Cow, said: Its out of the airlines control and therefore comes under extraordinary circumstances, so they do not have to pay compensation.

Gary Rycroft, a consumer lawyer and expert, said that while the airport does have a duty of care to passengers, travellers would need to prove financial loss before they could make a claim directly.

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How many abortions happened in Kansas last year? In change, state wont say until later

Reality Check is a Star series holding those with power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at RealityCheck@kcstar.com.

Kansas officials wont release annual abortion statistics this summer, breaking with decades of precedent amid the states role as a critical access point in the region for women seeking to end their pregnancies.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued a preliminary report about abortions that took place the previous calendar year for at least 25 years. The report, typically coming in spring or more recently in early summer, provides detailed statistics, including on methods used, gestational age and patients county and state of residence.

The report provides a wealth of information to researchers and often becomes part of the public debate over abortion. Last years report, the first to include data since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in June 2022, documented a surge in abortions driven by out-of-state patients.

But the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, which compiles the report, told The Star on Monday it wont release 2023 statistics until much later this year  a decision that effectively means the state will release year-old data.

All abortion data will be included in the KDHE Vital Statistics Annual Report, which is released in late fall, Jill Bronaugh, a KDHE spokesperson, said in a statement.

Bronaugh gave no reason for the change.

The acknowledgment of the decision comes as KDHE prepares to implement a new state law that will mandate two abortion reports every year. The measure, passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature over Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys veto, marks another attempt by anti-abortion lawmakers to test the outer bounds of a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court decision that interpreted the state constitution to protect access to abortion.

Voters in August 2022 strongly rejected an amendment to the state constitution that would have overturned the high courts decision, paving the way for an abortion ban. While the Legislature hasnt advanced severe restrictions on abortion since the vote, lawmakers have made new efforts to regulate what women are told and asked before the procedure.

The law, HB 2749, mandates abortion providers to survey women, asking them to choose the most important reason for getting an abortion. Those reasons include financial stress, rape, fetal disabilities, or the health of the mother as options. The survey does not include an other option, a point of contention for opponents. KDHE will compile the data into a report publicly released twice a year.

As Kansas has become a key destination for out-of-state residents seeking abortion, especially from Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas, official statistical data has become a valuable resource for abortion opponents. Data on why women sought an abortion would help abortion opponents tailor their arguments against the procedure  and provide information to help justify future restrictions, either in Kansas or other states.

Even though Kansas wont release 2023 data until this fall, some non-official estimates are available. Guttmacher estimates that 23,700 clinician-provided abortions took place in Kansas in 2023. If accurate, the count would nearly double the 2022 total.

Bronaugh didnt say whether the decision to not release a preliminary report was related to HB 2749, only that it was made before the legislation was codified into law.

KDHE made the determination to release all abortion data in the annual report prior to HB2749 being codified, Bronaugh said. KDHE is evaluating the reporting requirements and internal methods to determine when the bi-annual reports will be released, no dates have been set at this time.

Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, the organizations advocacy arm, welcomed the decision to not release a preliminary report.

It is nice to see abortion treated like other types of statistics in the state, Wales told reporters at a news conference marking the 2nd anniversary of the end of Roe.

Instead of being a political report that comes out all on its own and gets lots of attention, it makes sense that public health officials would use data like they do with every other type of medical care, Wales said. So Im happy to hear that there is maybe a depoliticization of abortion in that way.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, called KDHEs negligence in regard to this report a prime example of why the new survey and reporting law is needed. He said lawmakers would watch closely to ensure KDHE isnt suppressing statistics.

Im curious why now, after reporting this data since 1998, KDHE would be less transparent and choose not to release this report even under current law? Hawkins said in a statement. This is especially concerning in light of the passage of HB 2749 which requires biannual reporting of anonymous abortion data.

Hawkins said better and more accurate data will to better inform public debate as was previously stated by the Guttmacher Institute, the abortion industrys research arm  a reference to a 2005 paper that included authors from Guttmacher Institute, a research organization supportive of abortion rights.

Kansas House Speaker Rep. Dan Hawkins, center, speaks as Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, left, looks on.

New abortion reporting law challenged

The new survey and reporting law will take effect July 1 unless blocked by a court. Abortion providers are seeking to challenge it in Johnson County District Court, but for now, the law remains on track.

The providers are asking permission from Johnson County District Court Judge K. Christopher Jayaram to amend an existing lawsuit to include claims against the new law. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, a Republican, is defending the law in court and has urged the judge to not allow the new claims.

A hearing is set for July 1.

Attorneys for the abortion providers in court papers have called HB 2749s requirements another legislative attempt to co-opt abortion providers to serve as the States conduitthis time to pry into patients personal medical decisionmaking via intrusive, government-scripted inquiries.

Wales said Planned Parenthoods clinics were preparing to follow the new requirements but that it will be challenging the rules. Wales said the law absolutely violates patients rights to conversations with their providers.

We are looking at how to comply, at least as the beginning, and how to do it in a way that causes the least trauma to our patients, Wales said.

Emily Wales, CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, on Monday.
The next time you stand at the corner of Oklahoma City Boulevard and S Robinson Avenue in downtown Oklahoma City, take a moment to reflect on how far OKC has come.

Fifteen years ago, the MAPS 3 Convention Center, the OKC Streetcar and the 70-acre Scissortail Park were only ideas on a ballot. Since then, Oklahoma City has undergone an incredible transformation. As the chairman of the MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the development of this remarkable program. This month, our duties conclude, and our team is celebrating the results.

The completion of MAPS 3, a $777 million capital improvement initiative, marks a significant milestone in our city's history. This achievement was made possible through the steadfast dedication of hardworking city staff, consultants, project operators, the Citizens Advisory Board, subcommittee volunteers and the collective investment of our community.

More: MAPS 3 officially completed Wednesday with the south OKC senior center launch. See inside.

MAPS 3 has redefined our urban landscape through the successful completion of eight major projects, each designed to improve the quality of life for all residents of Oklahoma City. From the development of parks and recreational facilities to the expansion of our connectivity infrastructure and health and wellness amenities, the program was carefully planned and delivered within our budget and with excess funds to enhance some MAPS projects.

One of the most notable aspects of MAPS 3 is the spirit of volunteerism that fueled its success. A group of diverse volunteers gave of their time, expertise and passion for more than 14 years, ensuring the integrity and quality of each project. Their dedication helped achieve these extraordinary results.

The Citizens Advisory Board had the privilege of guiding and overseeing the successful completion of these projects. This program brought us some of the most iconic structures in our skyline, as well as spectacular facilities for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. The MAPS 3 projects included Scissortail Park, the Oklahoma City Streetcar, Riversport Rapids, the Oklahoma City Convention Center, the Bennett Event Center, 55 miles of new sidewalks, three new trails, and four new senior health and wellness centers.

What makes these accomplishments even more remarkable is they were achieved without incurring debt. This success story demonstrates the power of the people of Oklahoma City who decided to continue investing in their own future. Through your support and participation, we have proven once again that a community united by a common vision can accomplish great things.

More: City honors the work of MAPS3 and Tom McDaniel

As we look back on the successes of MAPS 3, it is important to recognize and celebrate the collective effort that has brought us to this point. The transformation of our city is a shared achievement, and it is my sincere belief that the benefits will be felt for generations to come.

I extend my deepest gratitude to Mayor Mick Cornett, Mayor David Holt, the city council, the oversight volunteers and to all the residents of Oklahoma City for your trust and commitment. Together, we have built a brighter, stronger and more vibrant city. As we move forward, let us continue to build on this foundation of community spirit and civic engagement, knowing that the future of our city is in our hands. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey and for believing in the power of community investment.

Tom McDaniel

Tom McDaniel is president of the American Fidelity Foundation and chairman of the MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: MAPS 3 has improved OKC urban landscape, quality of life
Margaritaville at Sea passenger files lawsuit saying she was raped in Bahamas hotel

A Margaritaville at Sea passenger is suing the cruise lines parent company Classica Cruise Operator claiming she was sexually assaulted by an employee of the hotel booked by the company, according to the lawsuit filed last week.

The hotel has a history of sexual assault allegations, and the cruise line was liable to warn about and protect passengers from the hotels dangerous conditions, said the lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

We want to make people aware, Alex Perez, the passengers attorney from the maritime and admiralty law firm Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., told USA TODAY. These things happen in foreign ports. I know youre on vacation but you have to be careful. This can help people make informed decisions.

The passenger, named Jane Doe in the case, is a Missouri resident who went on a two-day cruise from West Palm Beach, Florida, to the Bahamas and back in August 2023.

According to the complaint, Classica had arranged for the passenger to stay at the Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham, located in Freeport in the Bahamas because the ship did not have cabins available for her.

The woman was a passenger for the Margaritaville at Sea cruise line, and put up in a hotel in the Bahamas.

Resources and laws: What to know if you're sexually assaulted on a cruise

The lawsuit states that the passenger left her room at night to get water when an employee forced her into the control room of the resorts theatre, locked the door and raped her.

This isnt the first allegation of rape at the Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham. In 2016, a TripAdvisor user who went to the resort to get married wrote a review saying she was gang raped by staff when a security officer opened her door while her husband was out. The general manager had responded to the review by saying the resort takes allegations of violence very seriously. The investigation hit a dead-end when no evidence was found.

Resort employees have a practice of encouraging alcohol to the guests with a motive to sexually assault and/or rape them if they became vulnerable, according to the complaint.

Prior to the subject incident, (Classica and Wyndham) knew or should have known that the resort was not reasonably safe and/or employees at the Resort had a proclivity for sexual misconduct, the lawsuit said. However, Classica neglected to warn the passenger or provide her with security during her stay there.

Margaritaville at Sea and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts did not respond to USA TODAYs request for comment.

Jane Doe is suing the resort for damages for the physical injuries and pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life and medical expenses among other things she experienced from the assault.

The lawsuit will help prevent any of this happening to anyone else, Perez said. Thats step No. 1. Im not here to make the cruise lines look like the bad guy. I have a sister, a mother, theres women in my life, and I dont want anything like this to happen to someone.

This is the latest in a string of sexual assault incidents involving Margaritaville at Sea Cruises. Last year, two women aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise cruise ship said they were raped by a bartender who snuck into their room at night, ultimately impregnating one.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at kwong@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Second Margaritaville at Sea passenger sues cruise, hotel for rape
Maryland couple among hundreds who died in pilgrimage to Mecca

(The Hill)  A couple from Maryland were among the more than 1,300 people who died during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, Democratic Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks announced Sunday.

Alhaji Alieu Dausy and Haja Isatu Wurie died while on the Hajj pilgrimage due to extreme heat, Alsobrooks said. Haja Isatu Wurie was a volunteer for her Senate campaign.

Haja Isatu Wurie was an incredibly active member of our community. She was involved in several community organizations, making transformational impacts that were felt both locally and globally, Alsobrooks said in a statement. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with their families during this difficult time. Their loss is profound, and they will be deeply missed.

The Saudi health minister announced Sunday that more than 1,300 people died during the Hajj. Temperatures hit a high of 125 degrees during the peak of the five-day pilgrimage, which began June 14 and centered on the holy city of Mecca.

Saudi officials said 1.86 million people performed the Hajj this year. The pilgrimage, considered one of the pillars of Islam, is a required rite at least once during a Muslims lifetime.

About half of the deaths, at least 630 people, were Egyptians, an Egyptian Cabinet official told The Associated Press.

The fatalities also included 165 pilgrims from Indonesia, 98 from India and dozens more from Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Malaysia, according to an AP tally.

Causes of death were not made public, but most are believed to have died of complications related to the heat. AP reported that its journalists witnessed many pilgrims passing out and collapsing during the Hajj.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) estimated that more than half of the deaths were unregistered pilgrims, citing a Saudi official. Unregistered pilgrims do not have access to cooling infrastructure and other amenities to survive the extreme temperatures.

Saudi officials expelled tens of thousands of unregistered pilgrims from Mecca, though AFP reported that about 400,000 unregistered pilgrims performed the Hajj this year.

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Maryland couple on a lifelong dream trip are among the 1,300 pilgrims who died in Saudi Arabia heat

Maryland couple on a lifelong dream trip are among the 1,300 pilgrims who died in Saudi Arabia heat

A Maryland couple on their lifelong dream trip is amongst the more than 1,300 pilgrims who died after extreme heat hit the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

Alhaji Alieu Dausy, 71, and Haja Isatu Wurie, 65, died while on the pilgrimage to Mecca, according to Maryland Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks. She added that Wurie, a campaign volunteer, was a very active member of her local community.

She was involved in several community organizations, making transformational impacts that were felt both locally and globally, Alsobrooks wrote.

Alsobrooks said it was with heavy hearts that the campaign team learned of the news of the deaths of the Bowie, Maryland, couple.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with their families during this difficult time. Their loss is profound, and they will be deeply missed, Alsobrooks added.

This year, roughly 1.8 million pilgrims arrived in the holy city of Mecca and walked long distances amid a deadly heatwave with temperatures exceeding 125F (51C).

It is with heavy hearts that my team and I received some devastating news today. Two beloved members of #TeamAlsobrooks, Alhaji Alieu Dausy and Haja Isatu Wurie, passed away during a pilgrimage to Mecca due to the severe heat.



Haja Isatu Wurie was an incredibly active member of pic.twitter.com/oyVMLhPo2l  Angela Alsobrooks (@AlsobrooksForMD) June 22, 2024

The couples daughter also spoke to CNN after learning of her parents deaths in Saudi Arabia during Hajj. The Hajj is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca. It is mandatory for those who practice Islam to do it once in their lives.

All we know is that it was natural causes, and someone from the U.S. Embassy advised the natural causes could have been due to heat stroke, which, based on the temperature, people were saying it was over 110 degrees," their daughter Saida Wurie told CNN.

"There are millions of people and they have to walk long hours. It was more than likely it was heat stroke for both of my parents."

Saida told the outlet the trip was a lifelong dream for her parents, who had saved their whole lives for the experience. She estimated they spent $23,000 on a travel package for the event.

Saida Wurie told CNN she believed her parents were not given proper transportation for their trip, saying she last heard from her parents on June 15 when they had been waiting for hours for transport to take them to Mount Arafat.

The couple had decided to walk instead to join fellow pilgrims and others in their tour group, but the pair appeared to go missing on Mount Arafat after her father needed to take a break along the journey.

Muslim pilgrims use umbrellas to shade themselves from the sun as they arrive at the base of Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, during the annual hajj pilgrimage. Officials say more 1,3000 people have died including an American couple (AFP via Getty Images)

The US Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, confirmed the couples deaths as natural causes. Officials also told the family the couple had been buried.

Saida told CNN she and her siblings are doing everything they can to find her parents burial place.

They are among the 1,300 who have died during June 14 to June 19 event. Saudi health minister Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel said 83 percent of the total fatalities were unauthorized pilgrims who arrived in the city without a permit, as the Islamic desert kingdom faced criticism over poor management.

Speaking with the state-owned Al Ekhbariya TV, the minister said 95 pilgrims were being treated in hospitals, some of whom were airlifted for treatment in the capital, Riyadh. He said the identification process was delayed because there were no identification documents with many of the dead pilgrims.

He said the dead were buried in Mecca, without giving a breakdown.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Maryland man arrested for shooting on Richmond Highway in Arlington

ARLINGTON, Va. (DC News Now)  Arlington County police arrested a Maryland man for his involvement in the shooting on Richmond Highway on June 19.

The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) said on Wednesday, officers were called to the 2600 block of Richmond Highway for a shooting.

Throughout the investigation, detectives learned the victim and 23-year-old Javon Brown, of Capitol Heights, Md., were involved in a crash near Ronald Reagon Washington National Airport.

As the two were driving south on Richmond Highway, Brown allegedly drove next to the victims car, pulled out a gun and started shooting.

ACPD said he then drove north on Richmond Highway to get away from the scene.

As a result of the shooting, there was some minor property damage but there were no injuries.

Police identify man killed in broad-daylight Southeast DC shooting

On June 22, the police departments homicide and robbery unit arrested and charged Brown for shooting missiles at an occupied vehicle and hit and run.

He was being held in the Arlington County Detention Facility.

ACPD was still investigating the shooting. Anyone with information was asked to call the ACPDs tip line at 703-228-4180.

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Commuters wait for the subway in New York on June 14. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says she is considering a ban on face masks in the New York City subway system, following what she described as concerns over people shielding their identities while committing antisemitic acts. (Seth Wenig/AP)

State legislators and law enforcement are reinstating dormant laws that criminalize mask-wearing to penalize pro-Palestinian protesters who conceal their faces, raising concerns among covid-cautious Americans.

Republican lawmakers in North Carolina are poised to overturn the recent veto of legislation to criminalize masking by Gov. Roy Cooper (D). New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said earlier this month she supports legislative efforts to ban masks on the subway, citing an incident where masked protesters on a train shouted, Raise your hands if youre a Zionist. This is your chance to get out. Student protesters in Ohio, Texas and Florida have been threatened with arrest for covering their faces.

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Decades-old laws against masking - often crafted in response to the hooded terror of the Ku Klux Klan - are on the books in at least 18 states and D.C., according to the International Center for Not-For-Profit Law. Lawmakers in some areas passed legislation to create health exemptions during the coronavirus pandemic while other authorities vowed not to enforce the statutes.

Immunocompromised Americans and civil libertarians who have long criticized mask bans as a cudgel against protesters of police shootings, economic inequality and environmental injustice say the bans are being revived because covid is no longer treated as a public health emergency. Coronavirus levels in wastewater are reaching high levels across much of the Sun Belt and Florida, early indications of a summer covid wave, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Lawmakers eager to reinstate pre-pandemic mask restrictions say legislation would not target medically vulnerable people and others trying to avoid respiratory viruses. But critics say such an approach would be impractical and sets mask wearers up for further ostracization and harassment by police and fellow citizens.

The day after the North Carolina House passed its anti-masking bill in June in response to pro-Palestinian protests at the University of North Carolina, Shari Stuart said a man confronted her for wearing a surgical mask when she walked into an auto service center in the Raleigh area to get an oil change. After she tried to explain that she has Stage 4 breast cancer and a weakened immune system, Stuart said the man called her a f---ing liberal and insisted masks were now illegal. He later coughed on her and said he hoped the cancer would kill her.

Stuart, who first shared her experience with a local television station, said she worries this kind of harassment would worsen if mask restrictions became law despite language in the bill permitting the wearing of a medical or surgical grade mask for the purpose of preventing the spread of contagious disease.

People are still going to think you are breaking the law if youre wearing a mask. They dont care whats wrong with you, Stuart told The Washington Post. Ive thought I should wear masks with something printed on it like immune deficient or cancer patient. But we should not have to do that.

Others fear people of color will face the brunt of enforcement.

Any time you see these kind of laws where we are mandating a certain thing someone can do with their body, who is going to be most affected by that? Black and Brown people, said Diana Cejas, a Black pediatric neurologist in Chapel Hill, who masks in part because she faces elevated risk from respiratory illness because of scar tissue around her airways from cancer treatment. At the same time, Im not going to let it deter me from trying to keep myself safe and my patients safe.

In a statement accompanying his veto, Cooper said the legislation removes protections and threatens criminal charges for people who want to protect their health by wearing a mask.

GOP lawmakers have called such concerns overblown because of the bills health exception. Republicans have enough votes in their majority to overturn Coopers veto.

Bad actors have been using masks to conceal their identity when they commit crimes and intimidate the innocent, state Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr. (R), one of the bills sponsors, said in a statement. Instead of helping put an end to this threatening behavior, the governor wants to continue encouraging these thugs by giving them more time to hide from the consequences of their actions. I look forward to casting a vote to override this veto and allowing those with actual health concerns to protect themselves and others.

Opponents of mask restrictions question how a health exception could work if protesters wearing medical grade masks say theyre trying to stay healthy in a crowd.

I dont understand when theres a political protest exactly how the authorities plan to sort out those who are wearing masks for health purposes versus those who are wearing masks to protect their identity, said Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst at the American Civil Liberties Union who has written about the issue. It really sets up a situation where we are likely to see selective enforcement against protesters that the authorities dont like.

Sylvie Tuder, one of the protest organizers for the University of North Carolina chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, said attendees are encouraged to wear masks specifically to limit the spread of communicable disease and called the GOP bill an effort to suppress protest.

As defenders of Palestinian life, its our duty to honor the real danger that infectious disease poses to all people, whether in Chapel Hill or in Palestine, said Tuder, a doctoral student in sociology.

But Adam Goldstein, a medical professor at the University of North Carolina who supports the legislative efforts to restrict masking, said widespread masking creates an unsettling climate for Jewish faculty, staff and students harassed by people they cannot identify. Goldstein said a protester covering their face with a kaffiyeh, a scarf commonly worn at pro-Palestinian protests, approached him and shouted intifada while he held up a sign calling for the release of Israelis held hostage by Hamas.

He said people who face elevated risk from covid should be able to wear medical grade masks but does not believe masked demonstrators are motivated by public health because many use ineffective cloth coverings and masking was far less common on campus before the protests.

You cannot just say you are selectively worried about it only when you are out there protesting, Goldstein said. If you are at high risk, you probably shouldnt do high-risk activities like congregating in large public groups.

In New York, Democratic leaders say the relaxation of mask rules early in the pandemic has now hampered police response to crime and antisemitism.

We will not tolerate individuals using masks to evade responsibility for criminal or threatening behavior, Hochul said at a news conference this month, adding that she wants to protect legitimate reasons to wear masks, including to avoid covid or the flu.

New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) has also signaled support for restrictions.

Yaacov Behrman, a rabbi who favors masking restrictions with exceptions for public health, said he was recently harassed by a group of pro-Palestinian protesters, including some in masks who shouted Zionists are not welcome here, while he walked by the Brooklyn Museum wearing a kippah, a head covering worn by some Jewish men.

They are using masks to harass and intimidate, said Behrman, founder of the Jewish Future Alliance, a community advocacy group.

New York Mayor Eric Adams (D) has encouraged retail businesses to make customers pull down their masks when they enter to dissuade robberies. I think now is the time to go back to the way it was pre-covid, Adams said in a radio interview this month.

But some New Yorkers have embraced masking as a healthy habit in a crowded city of millions to avoid any airborne pathogen that can disrupt life.

Logan Grendel, a 46-year-old Harlem resident, credits regular masking on the subway for avoiding any respiratory illness since the pandemic started. The fact I ever didnt wear a mask on the subway is wild to me, Grendel said.

Meredith Cann, a telehealth psychotherapist in Manhattan who largely serves immunocompromised and disabled people, said she has prospective clients seeking mental health care because they are terrified after hearing Hochuls and Adamss calls to limit masking.

Average everyday people are going to hear what our governor and mayor are saying: People who wear masks are criminal, said Cann, who receives weekly injections of an immunosuppressive drug for a chronic condition. We are afraid for our quality of life and our ability to just exist in public.

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Plans to build a fibre-optic submarine cable connecting six members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have reportedly been moving forward this month after key meetings in Guinea-Bissau and Guinea.

The ECOWAS Commissions Amilcar Cabral submarine telecoms cable project aims to deploy a subsea cable connecting Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The goal is to boost international bandwidth capacity and redundancy for each country, as well as supplement existing landing stations.

According to News Ghana, ECOWAS member states held their fourth meeting for Ministers of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)/Digital Economy and Finance/Planning last week in Bissau to discuss how to move forward with implementation of the cable.

The meeting was attended by Jose Carlos Esteves, Guinea Bissaus Minister of Transport, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, ECOWAS Commissioner Sediko Douka, experts from member states, the ECOWAS Commission, and technical and financial partners, including the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development and World Bank, the report said.

Key outcomes of the meeting include approval of a phased approach to the Amilcar Cabral cable under which the project will kick off in countries that have secured the financial resources for the project, with mechanisms for reimbursement by other participating nations under an ECOWAS-prepared agreement, according to the report.

The Gambia and Guinea have mobilized financing for the project from the World Bank via the West Africa Regional Digital Integration Program (WARDIP), the report added.

Participants also set deadlines for establishing Special Purpose Companies (SPCs) in each country to execute the project, as well as completing detailed implementation studies led by Guinea and The Gambia.

Last weeks meeting followed an experts meeting held on June 12 and 13, which focused on financial mobilization for the project and the establishment of SPCs, the report noted.

Details on the deadlines or any other info related to a timeline were not revealed. However, the next ministerial review is scheduled for October 2024 in Liberia, suggesting the Amilcar Cabral cable still has some way to go before it gets built.

The project has been in the works since 2018, at which point it was only meant to connect Guinea and Cape Verde. The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and Sierra Leone signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to join the Amilcar Cabral project last year.

Earlier this month, Douka led an ECOWAS delegation to Guinea to meet with the countrys Ministers of Post, Telecommunications and Digital Economy, and Planning and International Cooperation, to discuss Guineas preparedness for project implementation. According to a statement from the ECOWAS Commission, topics on the table included phased implementation, establishment of an SPC, financing, expediting necessary permits, and establishment of a seed fund to facilitate preparation for the project.
Mass shootings often put a spotlight on mental illness, but figuring out which conditions should keep someone from having a gun is no easy task

Every time the country is shaken by a tragic mass shooting and the loss of innocent lives, mental illness and its role in the actions of the mass shooter come under scrutiny.

Mental illness again became a central theme after the mass shooting in Maine on Oct. 25, 2023, in which records suggest that the shooter had a history of serious mental health issues. Months before the tragedy, the family of gunman Robert Card, as well as Army Reserve staffers, had contacted law enforcement expressing high levels of concern about his mental health and noting his access to guns.

Since 1999, 19 states along with the District of Columbia have passed legislation, commonly known as red flag laws, that allow law enforcement and other people in a persons life to petition for removal of firearms when there are imminent safety concerns about a gun owner. However, reports suggest that this law is rarely used.

Maine, though, has whats known as a yellow flag law. It requires reporting to local law enforcement that a person poses an imminent threat, but it then relies on the police to take the person into custody, order a mental health evaluation and request a court order to have that persons guns removed. The yellow flag law was not used in Cards case.

The relationship between mental illness and guns, and risk mitigation, is complicated. Specifically, there is no clear and uniform consensus on who should determine when to restrict access to firearms  should it be a psychiatrist, an independent forensic psychiatrist, a committee of psychiatrists or a judge? The majority of people with mental illness do not seek treatment.

In that light, it might make sense to mandate a psychiatric examination into the background check process for purchasing a gun. As severe mental illness can start at any point in life, will gun owners need periodic psychiatric assessment, akin to a vision exam for renewing a drivers license? If so, who will pay for the visits?

I am a trauma psychiatrist who regularly deals with the outcome of gun violence, whether in victims or first responders. In my book Afraid: Understanding the Purpose of Fear and Harnessing the Power of Anxiety, I have examined mental health issues related to gun violence and the social consequences of mass shootings.

The complexity of defining mental illness

The term mental illness covers a wide range of conditions, and there are more than 200 diagnoses listed in the most recent version of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is the gold standard for psychiatric diagnosis in the U.S. Mental illness includes diverse conditions like phobias, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, hair-picking disorder, gambling disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, various forms of depression and personality disorders, such as antisocial personality disorder.

Mental illnesses are also very common: Nearly 1 in 5 people experience clinical depression during their lives; 1 in 5 people experience an anxiety disorder; 1 in 100 experience schizophrenia; and nearly 8 in 100 of the general population experiences PTSD. People with higher exposure to trauma, such as veterans and first responders, have higher rates of PTSD, up to about 30%.

So when suggesting that gun access should be restricted for people with mental illness, does that mean all of these conditions? Or just some, or some in defined circumstances? For example, should all veterans with PTSD or those with social anxiety disorder have their guns removed? Neither of these conditions is known to commonly impair judgment.

Defining the specific conditions that can impair judgment or significantly increase risk of harm to self or others is an important step in this process, which needs serious involvement of mental health professionals, stakeholders, law enforcement and policymakers.

Knowing when a person could be a risk of harm

The majority of mental illnesses do not pose a risk to others. When there is a risk, in the majority of cases when someone is involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit, it is not because the person poses a risk to others. Rather, it is more often the case that the person is at risk of self-harm, as in the case of a depressed, suicidal patient. Sadly, people with severe mental illness are often the victims of violence and abuse.

In psychiatric disorders, concerns typically arise in acutely psychotic patients with paranoid delusions that convince them to harm others. This may happen in  but is not limited to  schizophrenia, dementia, severe psychotic depression or psychotic bipolar illness.

These conditions are rather strongly associated with increased risk of suicide, not homicide. Therefore, more realistic gun laws in regards to mental illness could also save many lives from suicide.

Substance use is a major contributor to violence in mental illness, and it needs to be included in the calculations when it comes to gun restriction. Other situations with increased risk of harm to others are personality disorders with a high level of impulsivity or lack of remorse, such as antisocial personality disorder.

But the reality is that most people with personality disorders do not seek treatment and are not known to mental health providers.

It is also worth noting that most countries have a similar prevalence of severe mental illness compared with the U.S., yet they have much lower rates of mass murder than the U.S.

The harms of using mental illness so vaguely

Every time mental illness is linked by the media or politicians to acts of violence, the highly charged emotions of the moment can affect those with mental illness and their families, and that can perpetuate stigma.

When mental illness is vaguely addressed in gun debates, those with a psychiatric condition such as anxiety or phobia but without an increased risk of violence or impairment in judgment may avoid seeking treatment.

Mental illness gun laws that can have real preventive impact

In my view, to turn the focus on the role of mental illness in gun violence into meaningful actions, the following steps are needed:

 Clear, uniform criteria need to be established on when mental illness justifies restriction of access to firearms. Would this be specific mental disorders or specific mental disorders in crises? This requires defining signs of imminent threat to self or others, and also defining how and when a person is relieved of that status. A great deal of discussion and coordination will be needed between mental health, legal and law enforcement experts.

 As it was noted before, the majority of patients with mental illness do not seek care. A comprehensive preventive plan would necessitate screening everybody who applies to purchase a firearm. This step ensures meaningful screening, as well as avoiding discrimination. Other countries such as Japan, Canada, New Zealand and Austria have such requirements.

 Since potentially dangerous psychiatric conditions can begin at any age in an otherwise healthy person, regular mental health screening for gun owners would be justified, similar to eye exams for drivers.

 There should be clear mechanisms for determining lack of mental fitness for access to firearms when concerns are raised by those who know the person or by law enforcement. Red flag gun laws are a good beginning for this path.

The bottom line is that determining who may or may not have access to firearms based on mental illness, as outlined, is indeed very challenging and requires more serious work. And the common denominator in all these tragedies still is the access to assault rifles.

This is an updated version of an article that was originally published on Feb. 26, 2018.

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: Arash Javanbakht, Wayne State University

Read more:



Arash Javanbakht 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.
Mayor Adams backs Dem who called to defund cops, breaks with unions in tight primary for NY Assembly seat

Mayor Eric Adams is backing a Dem state pol who called for defunding cops, while two suburban police unions made a rare endorsement outside their counties to fight the candidates dangerous leftist tactics.

The Suffolk and Nassau Police Benevolent Associations on Long Island have formally thrown their support behind Yi Andy Chen in the tight Democratic primary race for the states 40th Assembly District seat in Queens, joining the Big Apples largest police union in a campaign to oust longtime lawmaker Ron Kim.

Its long past due that we have a smart candidate that isnt swayed by the harmful, leftist tactics to destroy public safety and portray police as subhumans, Nassau police-union head Tommy Shevlin told The Post.

Kim, who has served in Albany for more than a decade, was one of the many lawmakers who called for the defunding of the police in 2020 in the wake of George Floyds death.

Kim, who has served in Albany for more than a decade, was one of the many lawmakers who called for the defunding of the police in 2020 in the wake of George Floyds death.

But the progressive Flushing Dem has changed his tune as of late, pushing for a new Queens police precinct, stricter hate-crimes laws and stiffer protection against squatters.

His U-turn even won over the Big Apples pro-cop-mayor, a retired NYPD officer who joined a rally for the incumbent June 15 outside the Queens Library, where he told supporters the state needs lawmakers like Kim.

This is why Mayor Adams, a former NYPD Captain whose top priority is public safety, has endorsed Assembly Member Kim, said a spokesman for the Kim campaign, highlighting the candidates recent pro-policing agenda.

But Adams apparent endorsement of Kim last weekend raised eyebrows among some Queens pols, who questioned why hed back someone who had repeatedly called for defunding the police.

Adams has typically stood shoulder-to-shoulder with law-enforcement unions and pro-police groups and slammed any anti-cop politician  but in this primary, he stands opposite New York Citys Police Benevolent Association.

This is why Mayor Adams, a former NYPD Captain whose top priority is public safety, has endorsed Assembly Member Kim, said a spokesman for the Kim campaign, highlighting the candidates recent pro-policing agenda. Getty Images

We dont know why the mayor endorsed Ron Kim, but from our perspective, Andy Chen is the best choice for public safety in this city, PBA President Patrick Hendry told The Post.

The Long Island unions entry into the Queens race is expected to be the first of many by them as they vowed to become more vocal in state politics.

Id also like to send a message to our elected officials that going forward, our police force will be laser-focused on supporting candidates who stand up to the rhetoric of Defund the Police, regardless of party affiliation, said Suffolk County Police PBA President Louis Civello.

Chen called it an honor of a lifetime to have the backing of the police unions.

I am sick and tired of the political agendas that extract common sense, law and order, public safety and safe neighborhoods from our communities, Chen told The Post.

New Yorkers deserve steadfast loyalty and commitment in results, values and leadership, which I am prepared to deliver in Albany for our communities across the City, the Island and greater New York.

The Democratic pick for the 40th Assembly seat will be decided in Tuesdays primary.
Starting this fall, undergraduates at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University will get to ride the T for free.

The new pilot program between the MBTA and Tufts is the first of its kind offering a fare transit benefit for students.

During the two-year pilot, undergraduates at School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts will have unlimited access to subway and local bus services, with their trips fully funded by Tufts.

Participating students will be automatically enrolled and will receive their University Passes on a CharlieCard.

We are pleased to collaborate with Tufts University on the University Pass, and are grateful for their support in fully funding subway and local bus trips for hundreds of SMFA undergraduates this fall, MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng said in a statement.

Increasing easy access to public transit means better access to classes, internships, and recreational opportunities; it is freedom to opportunity and we hope SMFA at Tufts students take full advantage of the T, making it part of their daily routine, Eng said.

Our students need flexibility when choosing how and when to travel between our Medford/Somerville campus and SMFA at Tufts in Boston, Barb Stein, Tufts Universitys vice president for operations, said in a statement. The MBTAs Green Line is uniquely positioned to provide direct service between Medford and SMFA at Tufts at a frequency that private shuttle service just cant match. With the University Pass, students can feel confident in the knowledge that both the MBTA and our Tufts shuttle service are at their disposal when choosing how to travel.

Similar to the MBTAs Pay Per Use program for employers, the University Pass pilot with Tufts is a usage-based fare program designed specifically as a travel benefit that universities can offer their students each semester, officials said. The University Pass is divided into two one-year terms with the first years fare prices based on estimated student ridership data and the second years fare prices determined through ridership data that the MBTA will collect during the first year.

With usage-based pricing through the University Pass, Tufts will pay a flat monthly rate to provide students with flexible access to the MBTA, officials said. After the two-year pilot term, the MBTA will evaluate options to potentially expand the pilot further.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Medical marijuana could be on Nebraska's ballot - if advocates get 30,000 more signatures

Nebraskans might find medical marijuana legalization on the ballot in November as a petition effort to put the issue in front of voters is nearing completion, but it still faces some hurdles to overcome.

While medical cannabis is legal in 38 states, the Cornhusker State is making its third attempt to legalize it. With less than a month left, the Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana group is sounding alarm bells as they need 30,000 more signatures to qualify for Novembers ballot.

Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana collects signatures at a campaign drive event. Nebraska is one of three states that haven't legalized marijuana or cannabis products for medical purposes or recreational use. The initiative has until July 3. to collect at least 87,000 signatures to get on the November ballot.

Campaign manager Crista Eggers says despite the distance they have to go, there is broad support for the effort across the state. She also has a personal connection as her 9-year-old son has epilepsy and severe seizures, which medical cannabis could help treat.

I think voters are very frustrated and fed up, she said. This isnt a political campaign. This is literally a group of advocates and patients, caregivers, people with very sick children and sick family members, they are the ones running this.

The group is currently gathering signatures for two initiatives that aim to decriminalize and regulate the distribution of cannabis. One initiative would protect doctors who recommend cannabis for medical treatment. In contrast, the second one aims to establish a system for regulating the production and distribution of cannabis in the state.

Marijuana buds, including their cost and degree of potency, are shown in a medical marijuana dispensary in Oakland, California on June 30, 2010.

Nebraska is one of three states, including Idaho and Kansas, that dont legalize any form of marijuana or cannabis for medical purposes or recreational use. Like in other states, Nebraska citizens took the reigns of marijuana legalization into their own hands while the state Legislature has made it clear that it wont.

Forty-seven other states in the nation have successfully implemented medical cannabis programs so that sick patients are able to have access with a doctors guidance and recommendation, and Nebraska has failed to do this, Eggers said. The state elected officials have failed to do this. The people of the state support this, and so its well past time to do this.

More: Biden administration plans to drastically change federal rules on marijuana

Many lawmakers in the Cornhusker state are staunch opponents of any form of marijuana legalization, including former governor and current U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts. In 2021, he told reporters, If you legalize marijuana, youre gonna kill your kids, as the Nebraska Legislature was considering a bill that would legalize medical cannabis if recommended by a healthcare provider.

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) during a press conference talking about the Equal Representation Act in Washington, D,C, on Jan. 25, 2024.

The group came close to the signature requirement during their first petition effort in 2020, but the state Supreme Court struck it down because it violated a state rule requiring ballot referendums to be single questions when it included two.

A second push by the group in 2022 fell flat after they failed to gather enough signatures.

But a third time could be the charm if advocates can muster up the rest of the required signatures. Eggers says the petition is closer to getting on the ballot than last time but admits that they urgently need signatures. Part of the difficulty is funding signature collection, especially in rural parts of the state, where it takes a lot of time and effort to reach signers, with 20 miles between houses in some counties.

Marijuana plants are displayed for sale at Canna Pi medical marijuana dispensary in Seattle, Washington on November 27, 2012.

Prep for the polls Marijuana legalization may be on the ballot in these four states in 2024

This time around, the group focused on checking off county requirements, and they are now in their bulk signature collection phase. Though they are paying petition circulators, volunteers make up a large part of the campaign, according to Eggers.

Were using volunteers, and that definitely, I think it makes our campaign unique, Eggers said. It shows the drive and motivation, and support for the issue that we do have so many able to collect for nothing, but its just not enough unfortunately. Thats why we dont have all of our signatures yet, were diligently trying to raise money at this time.

The petition needs to collect 87,000 signatures from registered voters, including 5% of Nebraskans in 38 of the states 93 counties.

More: Is pot legal now? Despite big marijuana news, it's still in legal limbo.

Cannabis legalization on the 2024 ballot

Recreational marijuana is already legal in 24 states and the District of Columbia, but voters in multiple states will still decide on it this election, including in South Dakota and Florida, where forms of medical cannabis are already legalized.

A man stands in front of a medical marijuana dispensary in Los Angeles, California on July 24, 2012.

Jay Wexler, a marijuana law and policy expert and professor at Boston University, said the national consensus around medical marijuana has come a long way in the last decade, especially if it has a chance of appearing on the ballot in a state like Nebraska.

It shows that even the most reluctant states are coming around to the idea that cannabis is not only not a very dangerous drug, but it also has significant benefits for a whole range of medical conditions, both regarding physical health and mental health, Wexler said.

I think its been a slow process, but the fact that one of the last holdouts is, perhaps, on the threshold of legalizing is a really hopeful sign, he added.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Medical marijuana could be on Nebraska's ballot come elections
Michael Jacksons accusers, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, fired back after being attacked in court over their lawyers claim the late pop star possessed sexually provocative photos of children, In Touch can exclusively report.

According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Robson and Safechucks lawyer, John Carpenter, opposed the recent request made by late pop stars companies asking a judge to stop him from trashing Jackson in the press.

Robson and Safechuck are headed to trial with the late pop stars companies. Both men filed shocking lawsuits in 2013 over alleged abuse by Jackson.

In Robsons suit, he claimed Jackson started to abuse him when he was 7 and it continued for years. Safechuck claimed he met Jackson when he was 10. He said Jackson started asking him to hang out more and the alleged abuse started during the singers 1988 Bad Tour.

Michael Jacksons Accuser Wade Robson Reveals Bombshell Evidence

Safechuck claimed it went on for years. Jacksons companies denied all allegations of wrongdoing. His estate denied Jackson abused the men. The lawsuit has dragged on for years. It was dismissed at one point but revived at the higher court. In May, Jacksons companies, who are the defendant, asked the court to stop the accusers lawyer from speaking negatively about Jackson in the media.

"Plaintiffs new counsel, John Carpenter, has been on a press tour, making numerous statements about this case to multiple media outlets. Mr. Carpenters statements are not simple reports on the progress of the case or a factual recitation of events in court. Rather, he is making incendiary claims and accusations that have a substantial likelihood of materially prejudicing the jury pool in this case in favor of his clients and against Defendants, the motion read.

A lawyer for MJs companies continued, "Mr. Carpenters attempts to try his case in the press, and not in Court, are antithetical to the fair administration of justice, in violation of Rule 8.4. The parties are effectively at the beginning of this case; Mr. Carpenter cannot be allowed to disregard his ethical obligations under the Rules of Professional Conduct by continuing his tactic of running to the press at every opportunity between now and trial to make whatever inflammatory and provocative statements he can to advance Plaintiffs case and attempt to poison the jury pool against Defendants."

During an interview, Carpenter attacked the filmmakers behind the upcoming Jackson biopic. He claimed the producers and estate were trying to rewrite history and portray the late pop star in a positive light  and ignore all the allegations against him. Carpenter said Jackson was worse than you know.

He said, Lets not forget that in America, corporations -legally-considered people. The only reason for them to live is to make money. Thats their sole goal. Im not surprised this corporation is trying to rewrite the history of what Michael Jackson did to maximize profits. Its shameful theyre trying to do that but thats what they are doing.

"[The estates] sole existence to live and exist is to make money, he added, And so the movie is just one piece in their efforts to rehabilitate and rewrite the history of Michael Jackson and what he did to James, Wade, and other children. MJs companies demanded the court step in and prohibit Carpenter from continuing to make statements about Jackson.

Michael Jacksons Accuser Wade Robson Reveals Bombshell Evidence

Now, in a newly filed motion, Robson and Safechucks lawyer fired back. Carpenter said that Jacksons companies filed astunt motion in which they do not seek any specific relief, but instead hope to attract attention and prejudice the Court and the public against Plaintiffs. In other words, the defense is engaged in the very misconduct they are trying to assign to Plaintiffs counsel.

He added, Plaintiffs counsel must respond as Defendants and their allies have initiated a wide- reaching and expensive publicity campaign to discredit Michael Jacksons accusers, including Plaintiffs. These efforts include a nationwide music theater production and a high-profile documentary. Indeed, Jackson estates website boasts of the ways in which it seeks to shape public opinion against Plaintiffs proclaiming that it is taking actions including a public arbitration... to expose those involved [in an HBO documentary about Plaintiffs and other abuse victims] for the liars that they are.

The website then ominously warns: [T]he fans cant  and wont ever  know what the Estate has done behind the scenes....

Carpenter said, At its heart, though, Defendants motion fears the public knowing that police found Jackson to be in possession of child pornography. This is not reasonably in dispute. Plaintiffs counsel has lodged with the Court the deposition transcript of Frederico Sicard, a retired LAPD detective. One of the transcripts exhibits, identified as MES031710, is a photograph of a naked prepubescent boy with his genitals exposed in a sexually furtive pose that was seized by the police from Jackson.

Robson and Safechucks lawyer said he did not violate the California Rules of Professional Conduct despite the accusation. He demanded their motion be denied. A judge has yet to rule.

Jackson was accused of child sexual abuse in a 1993 civil lawsuit. He denied all allegations of wrongdoing. He settled the case and no criminal charges were brought. In 2005, he was found not guilty on all 14 counts related to allegations he sexually abused a 13-year-old at his Neverland Ranch.
Michigan group offers counseling to trans clients in states where they otherwise might go without

Stand with Trans tent at the Motor City Pride even in Detroit. June 9, 2024. (Jon King/Michigan Advance)

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 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.

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?

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The post Michigan group offers counseling to trans clients in states where they otherwise might go without appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
With historic flooding already across much of the state and more rain on the way, emergency management leaders and Gov. Tim Walz told Minnesotans the state is prepared to respond, but residents need to be alert and cautious.

"The professionals are here. They know what they're doing," Walz said from the state's emergency management operations center in downtown St. Paul. "The state is well-resourced."

Flooded areas span the state from the Iron Range to the Rapidan Dam on the Blue River near Mankato that is being monitored for potential failure. Fields of crops throughout the state are under water and on the verge of destruction as Twin Cities communities close roads in preparation for the coming crests of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers.

The governor held a morning news conference with several cabinet members including Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Transportation Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger, Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson, National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen and Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen. National Weather Service meteorologist Dan Hawblitzel and Emergency Management Director Kristi Rollwagen also spoke.

"The response to this emergency is no small feat, but we are ready," Jacobson said. The state has a strong network of short- and long-term resources, he said.

Manke said 46 soldiers had been deployed to Waterville to staff and monitor pump stations around the clock. The guard can also provide high-water vehicles, helicopter support and engineering assets in flooded communities, he said.

Hawblitzel said some areas have received 8-9 above normal rainfall in June. Parts of southern Minnesota have received a foot of rain in the past week. "So the resulting impacts on rivers and streams around the area has been quite severe. We have several rivers that are in major flood stage, at many points meeting or exceeding record flood levels," he said.

The rivers most affected include the Minnesota, Crow, Cottonwood, Des Moines, Cannon and Mississippi. All are at major flood stage in points and some still rising rising, he said. "We can't emphasize enough the importance of staying alert," he said.

There's a break in the rain at midweek, but more rain is predicted at the end of the week and potentially in the weeks and months ahead. "It's a tough situation to predict," he said, noting that any more water will add to the flood. "The ground's saturated. It has nowhere to go," Hawblitzel said of the rain.

Rollwagen issued a plea for Minnesotans to abide by caution signs placed by community first responders and stay out of the water. Not only is the water contaminated, but even a few inches can of swift water can sweep away an adult and a foot can sweep away a vehicle.

"The water is moving fast. It is dangerous," Rollwagen said. "We want you to turn around. We don't want you to drown. We don't want you to become part of an unfortunate event."

Rescuing those who fail to abide by the signs also pulls resources away from where they're needed, she and the others said.

Daubenberger repeatedly urged motorists to check out the 511mn.org website before they head out for reports of road closures.

On Friday, Walz and Jacobson were in Biwabik and Cook, but said the rising waters are now a concern in the southern part of the state. The governor said 40 counties have been hit so far, with seven having applied for emergency assistance.

The governor called the flooding unprecedented, but said the state's disaster assistance fund is robust with $26.4 million right now and another $50 million going into the account in September. The fund helps counties that don't qualify for federal assistance.

His office also is monitoring the damage to request federal disaster declarations, Walz said, adding that the need for help will be great.

Petersen said problems will continue for weeks after the floods recede because farmers can't get fertilizers on the crops and will have to cope with an influx of pests brought by the high waters. He urged them to report their problems to their local U.S.D.A. offices.
A key dam in Minnesota partially failed on Monday afternoon after severe flooding hit the region.

The Rapidan Dam in Blue Earth County, Minnesota is breaking down as rushing waters sweep debris into the 114-year-old structure. Debris began accumulating at the dam on Sunday, the Blue Earth County Sheriffs Office said. The swollen Blue Earth River is also cutting through the west side of the dam, officials said.

On Monday morning, the dam was in imminent failure condition. By the afternoon, it had suffered a partial failure, the sheriffs office said. Nearby roads have been closed to protect residents.

The dam is still intact and there are no current plans for a mass evacuation, the sheriffs office said following the partial failure on Monday afternoon. A portion of the river flow has diverted around the west side of the dam and water continues to flow.

Nearby residents who are in immediate danger have been notified, officials said. The dam is near the city of Mankato, about 90 minutes from Minneapolis, and home to some 45,000 people. Blue Earth County has nearly 70,000 residents in total.

The Rapidan Dam, pictured, partially failed on Monday due to rushing waters and debris build up (KARE11)

On social media, residents were reacting to the news.

My sisters home is across the street from Sanger pit and needs a boat to get out of her house, one user commented. Sanger Pit is a nearby park, located just northeast of the dam. Another user said they hoped emergency crews would rescue animals from nearby Sibley Park.

Several residents have lost power, which crews are working to restore while some bridges across the river have also been closed.

Governor Tim Walz said the dams structural integrity has been a question for a long time.

The removal of the dam has been a question thats been up there, Walz told reporters on Monday, according to Fox9.

Authorities say the Rapidan Dam, pictured, is still intact as of Monday afternoon. (KARE11)

Heavy rain leading to severe flooding across southern Minnesota left entire communities under feet of water Walz said on Saturday.

Across the state, intense rain has had catastrophic effects. Flooding has left entire communities under feet of water, causing severe damage to property and numerous road closures, Walz said.

The governor mobilized the states National Guard on Sunday as flooding continued.

In Madelia, a southern Minnesota town, sewage-filled flood waters swept through several neighborhoods over the weekend. Residents said they had to band together to save each other and their homes.

This is a wonderful community, community of work and friends and family and everything, so people of lots of different areas, Mankato, everywhere have been coming, resident Terri Baumgartener told local outlet KEYC.

We noticed a little bit on the back of the yard yesterday morning, Baumgartener continued. We had family watching the house for us during the day, and then between 7 and 9, it just shot up.

The water Im told went up three-quarters of an inch in the last hour, and were hoping and praying it starts to go down at some point.

Much of the midwest is underwater on Monday. One person is dead in South Dakota, though Governor Kristi Noem has yet to release any details, citing the familys privacy. Meanwhile, flooding has also destroyed businesses, healthcare facilities and homes in Iowa, said Governor Kim Reynolds, who declared a state of emergency in 21 counties.

Businesses are shuttered. Main streets have been impacted, Reynolds said. Hospitals, nursing homes and other care facilities were evacuated. Cities are without power, and some are without drinkable water.
This story originally appeared in our Daytripping special section May 19, 2023.

The man who gave the public McCroskey State Park in Idaho did so in honor of his beloved mother, and he cared for it until his final days.

The 5,300-acre park sits on a mountain north of Potlatch just off U.S. Highway 95. There is one access road, Skyline Drive, that snakes its way through the park and gives adventurers access to trails, camping spots, cedar forests and spectacular views of the Palouse.

The land was once owned by Virgil Talmage McCroskey, who lived on a family farm outside Oakesdale, Wash., close to the Idaho border where McCroskey State Park sits.

According to Idaho Parks and Recreation, he fell in love with the forested mountain and envisioned it becoming a recreation destination.

He obtained much of the land with the goal to preserve it for future generations. He donated the land to Idaho in 1955 in honor of his mother, Mary Minerva McCroskey. In the late 1800s, Mary McCroskey traveled with her 10 children from Tennessee to Washington to take advantage of the fertile Palouse soil.

Virgil McCroskey felt called to dedicate the land to honor her and the other pioneer women of her time.
Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, chair of the House Education Administration Committee, confers with Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, sponsor of a bill to offer private school vouchers across the state. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Rep. Mark White, R-Memphis, chair of the House Education Administration Committee, confers with Rep. Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka, sponsor of a bill to offer private school vouchers across the state. (Photo: John Partipilo)

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Tennessee schools are increasingly punishing and excluding special education students with behavioral issues instead of providing them with evidence-based interventions to support their academic and behavioral growth, a new report says.

And its not the fault of teachers, school staff, or the students themselves, the author says.

In its report, released Friday, the Tennessee Disability Coalition blamed state policymakers for setting priorities and adopting policies that are ineffective at best, and likely harming thousands of the states most vulnerable students.

As a result, the coalition says, educators are using ineffective, dangerous, counter-productive, and rights-violating practices in the classroom.

The criticisms come after Tennessee enacted a string of increasingly stringent laws aimed at tightening discipline in the classroom  from the 2021 Teachers Discipline Act empowering teachers to remove chronically unruly students to a 2024 law requiring a one-year suspension for students who assault teachers at school.

Such policies, the report says, disproportionately affect students with disabilities, particularly those with behavioral issues, thereby restricting their educational opportunities.

These policies not only sweep students with behavior needs into more restrictive settings, alternative school placements, and the juvenile justice system, they cast a net over other marginalized communities, including students of color and students in poverty, the report says.

Jeff Strand, the coalitions public policy director, said recent Tennessee laws also show a lack of understanding about special-needs students with behavioral challenges, leading to policies that are poorly suited to address the root causes of disciplinary issues.

Good teachers know behavior issues are a childs cry for help, said Strand, a former special educator who authored the report. What were doing in Tennessee is only making the problem worse.

Specifically, the report calls out a shortage and high turnover of special education teachers; systemic gaps in training and support for special and general education teachers and administrators on the needs of students with behavior issues; a trend toward punitive and exclusionary practices; and a lack of student access to effective school-based supports and therapies, including enough school psychologists, counselors, speech-language pathologists, and board-certified behavior analysts.

Families say educators are under-trained and overwhelmed

Chris and Angela Powells family has experienced gaps in school services firsthand as parents of a child with autism and ADHD.

They describe their son Charlie as intelligent, caring, and kind. But his behaviors  whether shouting out answers, failing to complete worksheets, or fighting  often resulted in lost recess, hours in the principals office, or even being physically restrained or placed in a padded room during his first few years of elementary school in Williamson County, south of Nashville.

These are invisible disabilities, and his behavior was his form of communicating. But he was being excluded and punished based on his disability, said Angela Powell, now a special-needs advocate. His general education teachers didnt seem to understand how to work with children who have needs like ADHD or autism.

The Powells say Williamson Countys two school districts lacked qualified therapists and other specialized support staff, leaving teachers with few tools to tackle classroom misbehavior. Charlie eventually was placed on homebound instruction, receiving his lessons in a home setting and missing out on the opportunity to attend school with his non-disabled peers. Now 12, he is being homeschooled.

If the richest district in Tennessee cant help my son learn, said Chris Powell, I shudder to think what families deal with in the other 94 counties.

Meanwhile, the report identified only three of the states 10 largest teacher training programs  at the University of Memphis, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and University of Tennessee-Chattanooga  as offering more than two courses on teaching students with disabilities.

Also, while the state recently switched to a new K-12 education funding formula to provide more resources for students with higher needs, such as students with disabilities, the change did not require that districts designate such extra funds for special education services.

And while the state promised to inject an extra $1 billion annually in the K-12 funding pool, Tennessee remains in the bottom fifth of states in per-pupil funding.

Exclusion policies gave way to inclusion movement

Tennessee was once one of the many states that had laws formally excluding children with disabilities from public schools, on the premise that those kids would not benefit from a public school education. Before the passage of a 1975 federal law establishing the right to a public education for kids with disabilities, only 1 in 5 of those children were educated in public schools.

The expanded Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 marked the advent of the inclusion movement and the belief that children with disabilities, with some individualized support, can thrive in educational settings with their non-disabled peers.

But despite clear research on the benefits of inclusion for students with disabilities, surveys show general education teachers feel ill-prepared to work with them and struggle especially with special needs students with behavioral issues.

In Tennessee, about a tenth of the states public school students use an individualized education plan, or IEP, intended to ensure that the student receives specialized instruction and related services for their disability.

But according to data from the state education department, those same students receive a disproportionate share of formal disciplinary actions that include in-school and out-of-school suspension, expulsion, and transfer to alternative settings. In 2021-22, the most recent school year for which data are available, 12.5% of students with disabilities were removed from their classrooms, even though federal law limits excessive exclusionary discipline.

In addition, informal exclusionary disciplinary practices  which are difficult to quantify  are almost exclusively directed toward students with disabilities, the coalition says. They can include directing parents or guardians to take the student home for the day, inappropriate homebound placement, excessive use of threat assessments, inappropriate use of in-school suspension, and exclusion from school transportation.

Pending review of the report, a spokesperson for the state education department declined to comment on its assertions.

The leader of Professional Educators of Tennessee, which lobbied for the Teachers Discipline Act, acknowledged the challenges and nuances of disciplining students, especially those with special needs.

We have seen since the pandemic an increase in mental health issues. That is why we at Professional Educators of Tennessee have worked hard to get additional funding for mental health in Tennessee, said Executive Director JC Bowman.

He added that hes open to new ideas that ensure classrooms are safe and orderly, and every child has an opportunity to learn.

The state comptroller is looking into the informal removal issue, also called off-book suspensions. Its Office of Research and Education Accountability has commissioned a report, which is expected to be released later this year, to better understand the use of informal removal, which often violates the rights of students with an IEP.

Strand says both pathways  formal and informal  can allow schools to avoid developing effective plans to correct bad behavior so they can stay in class and learn.

He recommends that Tennessee parents learn as much as they can about the rights of children with disabilities, including those with behavioral issues.

The coalition is hosting a free webinar at 5:30 p.m. Central time on Tuesday, June 25, on Facebook.

Marta Aldrich is a senior correspondent and covers the statehouse for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Contact her at maldrich@chalkbeat.org. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.

The post Misguided Tennessee policies, not students, are root of classroom discipline problems, report says appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
A young boy in Westford who went missing Sunday night was found dead after an hours-long search.

On Sunday, June 23, around 9:12 p.m. Westford Police responded to a residence on Chestnut Road for reports of a missing six-year-old.

The boy was identified as Zayan Mayanja, a non-verbal Autistic child, who had escaped his home through a window.

Westford police officers along with neighboring K-9 Units quickly responded to the area to assist in the search. Law enforcement utilized various search techniques including drones, deploying a boat in Nabnasset Lake, distributing a RAVE (reverse 911 alert) to the area residents, and the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing to locate Zayan.

Around 12:08 a.m., on Monday, Zayan was located in the water of Nabnasset Lake behind a residence on Lake Shore Drive South.

Crews began performing life-saving measures, including CPR, and Zayan was transported to Lowell General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The investigation into this incident remains ongoing.

The Westford Police Department extends its deepest condolences to Zayans family and friends and ask that members of the public and media respect the familys privacy during this tragic time, police wrote in a release.

Zayan was a member of the Westford Public Schools, family and grief counselors will be made available to any friends or family members who need assistance during this time.

Westford Police Department would like to thank all the officers and telecommunicators from the Westford Police Department who helped in the search effort with the various agencies across the area.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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FILE PHOTO: French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius, President-designate of COP21, and Christiana Figueres react at the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) at Le Bourget

By Simon Jessop and Alison Withers

LONDON (Reuters) - Some of the world's biggest companies, finance houses, cities and regions have joined forces to urge governments to increase their climate ambition ahead of a February 2025 deadline to deliver their emission-cutting plans to the United Nations.

The group has signed up to a coalition named Mission 2025. It is convened by Groundswell - a collaboration between non-profits Global Optimism, Systems Change Lab, and the Bezos Earth Fund.

Corporate backers include consumer goods company Unilever, the world's biggest furniture retailer IKEA and British sustainable energy company Octopus EV. Others are represented through groups such as the We Mean Business Coalition.

While some fossil fuel companies have drawn criticism from environmental campaigners, others in business are frustrated by what they see as short-sighted governments reluctant to regulate to bring about necessary change when the evidence climate change is becoming more extreme is mounting.

Mission 2025 aims to reassure political leaders they have powerful support for bold action.

It is spearheaded by Global Optimism's Christiana Figueres, who oversaw the Paris Agreement in 2015 that produced the first truly global agreement that countries would cut climate-damaging emissions.

Ten years on from the Paris deal, the nearly 200 countries who agreed to it have a deadline to put forward updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that lay out a country's policies towards meeting the global goal of reducing emissions.

More than two-thirds of annual revenues across the world's biggest companies, totalling $31 trillion, was now aligned with the quest to reach net-zero emissions, the coalition said in a statement, citing data from the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, an independent climate thinktank.

A U.N.-backed survey this month of the public's views on climate change across 77 countries, meanwhile, showed 80% of respondents want their governments to take stronger action even though some governments, concerned about re-election and economics, have retreated from previous pledges.

Figueres told Reuters a "lack of leadership" and political noise were to blame for insufficient policy to drive the cleaner technologies that have shown themselves to be cheaper, better-performing, faster to construct and a safer investment than their incumbent rivals.

"The political economy is very clear that the future is one of decarbonisation," she said.

More clarity from governments over the direction of public policy was needed to give confidence to companies and others in the real economy to invest more in the transition to a low-carbon economy over the period to 2035.

"We think that governments are still very timid about what they're going to be including in their NDCs," she said, citing opposition from companies and others tied to the fossil fuel economy, which she said smacked of desperation.

UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell told delegates at a climate conference in Bonn this month that the NDCs needed to cover "every sector and all greenhouse gases".

To help empower governments to go further, the Mission 2025 coalition would provide the data needed to justify the policy changes, with a focus on the 20 largest economies, responsible for the bulk of emissions, Figueres said.

"Those will be the ones that we will be focusing more on. Not only because they have the capacity to shift more, but also because they have the means to do it."

(Editing by Barbara Lewis)
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

TANGIPAHOA PARISH, La. (WGNO)  The Mississippi Department of Public Safety held a news conference on Monday, June 24 to discuss the latest updates in the deaths of Callie and Erin Brunett.

Commissioner Sean Tindell discussed Mississippis role in the case. Tindell was joined by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, Mississippi Attorney Generals Office, Jackson Police Department, Hinds County Sheriffs Office, District Attorneys Office and U.S. Marshal.

My office is proud to work with all of these men and women as weve continued to unearth the details of the horrific act that has taken place in two different states, and together were going to bring justice for this family, said Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch.

6-year-old Jalie and 3-year-old Erin Brunett (Courtesy: Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office)

Daniel Wayne Callihan (Courtesy: Rankin County Sheriffs Office)

Daniel Callahan arrested in Mississippi on Thursday, June 13, 2024. (Courtesy: Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office)

Daniel Callihans camper (WGNO/Ashley Hamilton)

(WGNO/Jordan Lippincott)

Daniel Callihan and alleged accomplice 32-year-old Victoria Cox are being charged by both states in connection with the murder of Loranger mother Callie Brunette and the abduction and murder of her daughter Erin.

One dead, one wounded in Central City double shooting

In Mississippi, the two suspects are now charged with capital murder and sexual battery.

These individuals were a threat to those kids, which means they were a threat to all of our children, said Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade.

Callihan recently agreed to be extradited back to Tangipahoa Parish. However, hes still being held in Mississippi and officials say federal charges could be coming.

I expect there will be federal charges, particularly as it becomes multi-state issue, and I imagine the feds are going to pursue their case heavily from what I understand in the state of Louisiana, said Tindell.

Another heat advisory to start the week

Mississippi authorities say that as of now, their case is as strong as ever.

The progress in this investigation is a direct result of our combined resources, expertise and dedication. This case exemplifies the importance of inter-agency cooperation, said Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Lt. Col. James Herzog.

Watch the full conference:

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DALE COUNTY, Ala (WDHN)  An Ariton woman accused of beating and burning her children with a blowtorch will spend the next five years in an Alabama prison.

In June, Ashleigh Ableman pled guilty to charges of aggravated child abuse and chemical endangerment of a child and was sentenced to five years in prison, followed by five years of supervised probation.

Ableman was arrested in October 2023 after Dale County Sheriffs Investigators accused her of burning three of her children with a blowtorch several times.

At the time of her arrest, Lt. Caroline Jackson with the DCSO told WDHN the burns were severe, and the children had signs of other kinds of abuse.

Court indictments claim that over approximately four years, Ableman also hit her children in the face with a leather belt, beat one of her children in Geneva County, and exposed her 4-year-old to methamphetamine and marijuana.

Ableman was taken into custody alongside her boyfriend, 53-year-old Howard Anderson.

Anderson has a tentative trial date of September 9.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com.
Suspended State Attorney Monique Worrell holds news conference Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Source: YouTube, WPTV News- Florida Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Monique Worrell is crowing over a judicial ruling made last week against Orange and Osceola County State Attorney Andrew Bain, the man Gov. Ron DeSantis chose to replace her last year and against whom she will likely run against this fall as she attempts to win back that job.

Orange/Osceola Circuit Judge Vincent Chiu ruled on Friday that Bains office had not provided enough evidence challenging the honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness of Worrells handling of the case of an Orange County sheriffs deputy who shot a man during a traffic stop in December 2020.

He therefore denied Bains request to disclose secret grand jury testimony in that case that Bain hoped would make Worrell look bad.

DeSantis appointed Bain to succeed Worrell last August after he suspended her for alleged neglect of duty and incompetence. Her legal challenge to be reinstated was rejected by the Florida Supreme Court earlier this month, but she is running for re-election to the seat this fall.

Bain is running for the seat as an NPA (non-party-affiliated) candidate. There are two other Republicans running in the August primary election, with the winner likely facing Worrell and Bain in November.

When Worrell was still in office, a grand jury indicted Orange County Sheriff Deputy Bruce Stolk in 2022 for aggravated battery in the shooting of 18-year-old Edenilson Urbina, whom hed initially pulled over because of a suspected bad license plate.

Bain announced in March that he was dropping the indictment. In his statement at the time, he slammed Worrell, saying the case had brought to light deeply troubling ethical concerns with the previous administrations handling of the case.

Question of motive

In his ruling on Friday, Judge Chiu wrote that the State of Florida is the technical entity seeking to disclose the materials, and the Defendant [Stolk] does not oppose the disclosure. Given the circumstances, however, the Court would be remiss to ignore the fact that the Motion is brought by the current State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, who is in the midst of a contested election campaign against the previous State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, whose office oversaw the purported misconduct before the Grand Jury.

Chiu went on to write that Bain cited two reasons for disclosure. One was that Bain was under an ethical duty to report the grand jury to the Florida Bar for engaging in what the Current ASA [assistant state attorney] believes to be bad faith prosecution and misconduct before the grand jury.

The Court does not find, upon review of the record evidence in this case, that there is sufficient question regarding the honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness of the Grand Jury ASA [Worrell] to require disclosure of the testimony at issue for this purpose, Chiu wrote.

The judge went on to write that in addition to wanting to expose the purported misconduct to the public by Worrells office, Bain wanted to rebut criticisms from Worrells campaign that he had acted improperly in dismissing the charges in the case.

Policy differences

But the judge wrote that the bad faith conduct alleged by Bain in fact reflected policy differences between the current administration of the State Attorneys Office and the previous administration.

The judges ruling confirms once again that the appointed State Attorney prioritizes partisan politics over upholding the law and acting in the best interest of the people, Worrell said in a written statement. These tactics are straight from the Republican Partys playbook, where politicians seek to deceive the public when facts and policy and not on their side.

A spokesman for the Ninth Judicial Circuit sent a statement to the Phoenix regarding the judges ruling.

The State Attorney agrees public trust is important and believes transparency is the best way to ensure that trust, said public information officer Jason Gunn.

If Ms. Worrell is so confident her prosecutors did not withhold evidence that opposed her theory of the case, she should join us in our request that the testimony be made public so the people in our community can make that determination for themselves. Her failure to seek public disclosure of the testimony speaks volumes, Gunn continued.

She delayed this case for nearly three years because she never could prove the charge at trial. This delay caused the statute of limitation to run on charges Bruce Stolk could have faced. Public trust is eroded every time there is a lack of transparency. 

The post Monique Worrell speaks out on judges ruling on her likely fall opponent appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
Posters for Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights, the group behind CI-128 in 2024. (Blair Miller/Daily Montanan)

The group behind a proposed constitutional amendment to protect abortion access in Montana said Friday it had submitted 117,000 signatures  nearly double the number needed for the measure to make the ballot in November.

Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights organizers said that is the most signatures gathered for any ballot initiative in state history, and they are confident they will meet the threshold required of just more than 60,000 when counties finish counting and verifying the signatures by July 19. The group gathered signatures from every county in the state.

Here in Montana, our rights are being targeted by extreme anti-abortion politicians who are trying every single trick in the book to rip away our freedom to make private medical decisions, said Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana CEO Martha Fuller. With just over two months to gather the signatures, a fierce group of supporters and volunteers have shown us all that Montanans are ready to defend our reproductive rights.

The group said in addition to gathering signatures in every county, signatures also came from all 100 House districts. State law requires constitutional amendment petitions to have signatures from 10% of voters in 40 different House districts.

Once the counties verify the signatures for Constitutional Initiative 128 by July 19, the Secretary of State will have until Aug. 22 to certify statewide ballots for the election and tell the group it has qualified for the ballot in November if that is the case.

Abortion is legal in Montana after the Montana Supreme Court found Montanans right to privacy includes a right to abortion access. The measure would amend the constitution to expressly provide a right to make and carry out decisions about ones own pregnancy, including the right to abortion and prohibit the government from interfering in an abortion before a fetus is viable.

The path to get abortion proposal on the ballot

Akilah Deernose, the executive director of the ACLU of Montana, said the group had more than 500 volunteers who helped gather signatures and that the number of signatures the group gathered showed how invigorated Montanans are to vote on the proposal in November.

Montanans have made it clear that they are sick and tired of anti-abortion extremists interfering with their private medical decisions, and so today, we could not be more excited for where we are, Deernose said.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana and the ACLU of Montana, along with Forward Montana, were the three original organizations that started Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights last November to try to get the proposal onto this years ballot.

On Friday, the group noted the challenges it had faced in getting to this point. After having to fight Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen on the proposed language and then the process to get to the signature gathering phase for months, signature gatherers for the group faced what the group said was intimidation and threats from a small and vocal group of anti-abortion advocates.

The group started hosting park-and-sign and drop-in signing events in recent weeks to avoid those opponents and to make it easier for people to sign the petition, group officials said Friday.

Martha Fuller, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana, addresses supporters at Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights kick-off event

Campaign finance reports show Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights has raised more than $3 million so far for its campaign. Fuller said that money would all go toward trying to convince as many Montanans as possible between now and November to support the issue as the group can. It also plans to launch field and media campaigns for CI-128, Fuller said.

[Were] making sure were talking to as many Montanans as possible between now and November in as many channels as we can across the state, Fuller said. Well be really eager to get our message out there and get our message across in a very busy season.

Anti-abortion groups in Montana will continue to fight initiative

Taryn Van Steeland, the reproductive rights organizer for Forward Montana, said the group knows that anti-abortion groups will continue to fight against the initiative by challenging signatures and interfering with the groups messaging campaign. Fuller called their efforts so far an embarrassment to the kind and neighborly and accepting nature of Montana.

Were not unfamiliar with this. Those of us who work in this space deal with anti-choice activity fairly often, and we have a lot of experience in keeping volunteers safe and making sure that people are following best practices, Fuller said. But in the end, folks want to talk about this; they want to learn about this. Volunteers are excited to get out and talk to their friends and family about this, and were really excited to move into that phase.

The political efforts to restrict abortion in Montana in recent years have come from Republicans in the Legislature and the Gianforte administration, but those efforts have been largely struck down by the courts.

Nationwide, groups largely aligned with Democrats are hoping to get similar constitutional amendment proposals on ballots in states, which are now in charge of setting their own laws surrounding abortion after the U.S. Supreme Courts 2022 decision in the Dobbs case.

A separate group called Montanans for Choice announced last week it was launching a series of billboards and digital ads highlighting reproductive freedom as a Montana value to help bring abortion into this years election conversation.

But Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights said CI-128 will remain a nonpartisan issue.

This is about protecting rights and freedoms, and thats not a partisan issue, Deernose said.

The Daily Montanan, like the Idaho Capital Sun, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Follow Daily Montanan on Facebook and X.
BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL)  A Sullivan County retired judge who oversaw the landmark Baby Doe case against opioid manufacturers that yielded a $35 million settlement has died.

E.G. Moody, 79, died at his home in Bristol earlier this month, less than two years after retiring following 16 years as chancellor of the 2nd Judicial District Chancery Court in Sullivan County.

RELATED: Default judgment awarded in Sullivan County Baby Doe opioid case

It was in that role that Moody oversaw the case against Endo Pharmaceuticals, which had been brought collectively by district attorneys from three Northeast Tennessee judicial districts. The case was initially filed in Sullivan County in 2017 by 2nd District Attorney General Barry Staubus and was the first case featuring a child born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) as a plaintiff.

I am saddened by the death of Chancellor Moody, Staubus told News Channel 11 in a statement.

He was a great judge  learned, conscientious and fair. He had a great heart  especially for children that needed an adoptive home. He will be missed by all that knew him.

Tricia Herzfeld, who was among the plaintiffs attorneys in the Baby Doe case, called Moody a judge of amazing intellect and patience in her statement to News Channel 11.

He understood the tragic circumstances that caused so many babies to be born drug dependent, said Herzfeld, who continues to represent Baby Doe in follow-up cases, including drug company bankruptcies, that continue to this day.

He persevered through health issues and the COVID pandemic to ensure that the Baby Doe case could be heard. He was a dedicated judge and a great man. We will miss him.

An obituary states that Moody is survived by his wife, Mary Frances Moody, three brothers and two sisters.

A 1971 graduate of the University of Tennessee School of Law, Moody practiced law in Kingsport for 35 years prior to his election to the bench. He retired at the end of September 2022.

The Baby Doe case lasted for several years, concluding in 2021. The obituary says Moody, who had a deep admiration for Morgan horses and carriages, also hosted an annual Farm Fest at his family farm that was open to all adopted children in Sullivan County.

A celebration of life will occur at a date that has not yet been scheduled.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
More police expected after shooting at Edgewater Park

More police expected after shooting at Edgewater Park

CLEVELAND (WJW)  Cleveland Metroparks announced Monday that it has arrested a suspect in connection with a shooting at a popular park over the weekend.

Around 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 22nd, officers responded to a shots fired call at Edgewater Park.

Is your store on the list? New Rite Aid closures

Police found one person who had been shot. Early reports were that an 18-year-old was hospitalized.

Cleveland Metroparks police say the victim has been released from the hospital.

The suspect is 17 and has not been identified.

Police arrested the teen on-site.

They face multiple charges including felony assault, discharging a firearm in a prohibited place and carrying a concealed weapon.

Cleveland Metroparks police say theyre still investigating.

Man struck by Kings Island roller coaster last week has died

They also say you can expect to see more police at the park.

Heres what they said in a statement:



The safety of Cleveland Metroparks guests and staff is a top priority. Guests will see a heightened presence by Cleveland Metroparks Police at Edgewater Park. Additionally, the Cuyahoga County Sherriffs Department and City of Cleveland Police Department will provide law enforcement support as 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
More than a vehicle: Firefighter searching for stolen truck, handed down by late father

More than a vehicle: Firefighter searching for stolen truck, handed down by late father

Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect the correct model of the truck.

DENVER (KDVR)  The Douglas County Sheriffs Office is asking for help finding a truck that was stolen from a local firefighter. The truck, however, is more than just a mode of transportation.

Colton Smith got his passion for firefighting from his dad, Steve.

Arvada firefighter car broken into, items stolen while battling New Mexico blaze

Instilled into me from seeing him go out of his way to help others, said Smith, a firefighter with West Douglas County Fire Protection District.

He practically grew up in the halls of the fire station, watching his dad respond to hundreds of calls in his Ford F-350 truck. But those calls stopped two years ago when Steve died suddenly of a heart attack.

Just from right there to gone, Smith said.

Just like his dads love for helping others, the truck was handed down to Smith.

I also took pride responding to calls in it just like dad did, he said.

On June 20, he drove the truck to the AMC theater in Highlands Ranch to catch a movie around 5 p.m. When he came back outside, Smith couldnt find the truck.

Im trying to desperately click on the key fob, hoping that I parked somewhere and forgot about it, and then went, no, my trucks gone, Smith recalled.

Emotions quickly flooded through his mind.

Im so mad and Im also really, really sad, Smith said.

A memory of his father, stolen away from him.

Its not just a place to go A to B in. It was a place where I enjoyed myself the most, Smith said.

As the Douglas County Sheriffs Office now searches for whoever took the truck, Smith said hes willing to forgive and forget as long as the truck is returned to him.

Its money to you, but its a whole lot more to me, he said.

He hopes to get back to doing what his father taught him best.

Helping other people with the truck that dad always prided himself on using that for, Smith said.

The Douglas County Sheriffs Office describes the truck as a black 2006 Ford F-150 with a Colorado firefighters license plate OJO-901.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The Idaho Democratic Party concluded its state convention by approving the party platform and nine resolutions Sunday.

Around 150 delegates were present during the vote, unanimously accepting all items.

The 2024 Idaho Democratic State Convention attracted hundreds of Democrats from across Idaho. The two-day biennial gathering at the University of Idaho featured numerous workshops, community hearings and other events by many state organizations.

But most importantly, the weekend conference affirmed the partys values and priorities.

Ada County Democrat Terri Pickens, vice chairperson of the party platform committee, said the party envisions an America where everyone has the freedom and opportunity to succeed by prioritizing equality and justice.

II believes tax dollars should be invested wisely, she said, and is committed to providing access to affordable healthcare, addressing climate change and fostering an economy that works for everyone, including a living wage and workers rights.

She added the party is dedicated to protecting and expanding civil rights and social justice, like LGBTQIA2S+ (the party's wording) rights, reproductive freedoms and criminal justice reform.

It also advocates for sensible gun control measures and comprehensive immigration reform, Pickens said, while providing Idaho students with a quality education, the protection of natural resources and strengthening the nations democracy.

The Democratic Party will work toward a number of reforms over the next two years. These address fields like public education, librarians and media restricted by policy makers, immigration, domestic violence survivors, womens and reproductive rights, veterans health and welfare, Idahos democratic process and climate justice.

Bonneville County Democrat Janice Brown, chairperson of the resolution committee, said Idaho has consistently ranked 51st in the nation in statewide education access and per-student education funding.

The party calls upon the state Legislature to increase school funding, upgrade facilities and expand student support services, Brown said.

Earlier this year, Brown said Gov. Brad Little signed a bill that allows people to sue libraries over content they feel is inappropriate, specifically for Idahos youth. She said the party stands against this legislation, and believes it is the parents and guardians responsibility to determine what is appropriate for their children.

Since the Idaho abortion law was introduced, Brown said OB/GYN practices and hospitals have closed maternity wards. She added pregnant people have been subjected to harm as it requires out-of-state transfers to receive proper medical care.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov arrives in front of the guesthouse of the Federal Government. Ralf Hirschberger/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa

The Russian government said the United States bears responsibility for a Ukrainian attack on the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula that left four people dead and more than 150 people injured and promised there would be "repercussions."

"We've seen an absolutely barbaric missile attack in Crimea," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the TASS news agency. "We understand perfectly well who is behind it, who targets these technically sophisticated missiles. It is not the Ukrainians who provide for these launches."

"Naturally, the US direct involvement in combat which resulted in Russian civilians dying cannot go without any repercussions. Time will tell which ones precisely."

The Russian Foreign Ministry also summoned the US ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, following the attack on the Crimean city of Sevastopol on Sunday.

The Kremlin says Washington not only supplies arms to Kiev, but that US specialists also help oversee the flight path of the advanced missiles.

The Russian Defence Ministry said Ukraine fired five US-supplied ATACMS missiles, four of which were intercepted.

On Monday, authorities in Sevastopol declared a state of emergency.

Russian news agencies published a decree issued by Governor Mikhail Razvoshayev that read: "I decree ... to declare a state of emergency on the territory of the city of Sevastopol until further order."

The state of emergency may restrict certain constitutional rights, such as freedom of movement, to ensure public safety.

Most of the victims were sunbathing on a city beach when rocket debris fell and exploded, with no air raid warning preceding the incident.

A Ukrainian government official said on Monday that the victims of the Crimean missile strike were "civilian occupiers."

Mykhailo Podolyak, a political advisor in the president's office, wrote on Telegram: "There are no 'beaches', 'tourist zones' and other fictitious signs of 'peaceful life' in Crimea and cannot be."

Russia currently occupies around a fifth of Ukraine's territory, including the southern Crimean peninsula, which it illegally annexed in 2014.

It is also a popular beach destination. In response to the incident, the affected beach area located near the Sevastopol naval base has been closed for swimming.

The main harbour of Russia's Black Sea fleet and the Belbek military airfield are both located near Sevastopol.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion began two years ago, Moscow has been using Crimea as a supply and attack base against Ukraine. The area has also become a target of attacks by the Ukrainian military.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov arrives in front of the guesthouse of the Federal Government. Ralf Hirschberger/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa

The Russian government said the United States bears responsibility for a Ukrainian attack on the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula that left four people dead and more than 150 people injured and promised there would be "repercussions."

"We've seen an absolutely barbaric missile attack in Crimea," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the TASS news agency. "We understand perfectly well who is behind it, who targets these technically sophisticated missiles. It is not the Ukrainians who provide for these launches."

"Naturally, the US direct involvement in combat which resulted in Russian civilians dying cannot go without any repercussions. Time will tell which ones precisely."

The Russian Foreign Ministry also summoned the US ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, following the attack on the Crimean city of Sevastopol on Sunday.

The Kremlin says Washington not only supplies arms to Kiev, but that US specialists also help oversee the flight path of the advanced missiles.

The Russian Defence Ministry said Ukraine fired five US-supplied ATACMS missiles, four of which were intercepted.

On Monday, authorities in Sevastopol declared a state of emergency. This may restrict certain constitutional rights, such as freedom of movement, to ensure public safety.

Most of the victims were sunbathing on a city beach when rocket debris fell and exploded, with no air raid warning preceding the incident.

A Ukrainian government official said on Monday that the victims of the Crimean missile strike were "civilian occupiers."

Russia currently occupies around a fifth of Ukraine's territory, including the southern Crimean peninsula, which it illegally annexed in 2014.

The main harbour of Russia's Black Sea fleet and the Belbek military airfield are both located near Sevastopol.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion began two years ago, Moscow has been using Crimea as a supply and attack base against Ukraine. The area has also become a target of attacks by the Ukrainian military.

Meanwhile in Kiev President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Lieutenant General Yuri Sodol from his post, following reports of high casualties in the Ukrainian armed forces,

Sodol will be replaced by Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov, Zelensky said in his nightly video address. He did not give any reasons for the dismissal.

The presidential office in Kiev published a decree by Zelensky on the change of personnel in the United Forces.

However, the chief of staff of the controversial Azov Brigade, Bohdan Krotevych, had previously filed a complaint against Sodol, according to the media. He accused the commander of negligent orders that had led to major casualties.

"He has killed more Ukrainian soldiers than any Russian general," wrote Krotevych on Facebook, without naming Sodol. At the same time, he demanded that the lieutenant-general be investigated for possible collaboration with Russia.

According to the media, there were accusations against Sodol, not least in the Supreme Rada, the parliament in Kiev, that he had poorly prepared Ukrainian soldiers for missions - for example in the embattled Kharkiv region.

In his video message, Zelensky condemned a Russian missile attack on the city of Pokrovsk in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. Four people were killed and dozens more were injured, the Ukrainian leader said.

He announced a retaliatory strike following the Russian attack. "Our response will be completely fair," Zelensky said.
Moscow says new EU sanctions against it will hurt EU more than Russia

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, attends a European Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. -/European Council/dpa

Moscow has dismissed the new punitive measures in the EU's 14th sanctions package against Russia,saying the sanctions are ineffective and will actually hurt the European Union.

The West is not looking at the consequences for its own economy or for the prosperity of people in the EU, said Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko in Moscow. Russia expects economic growth of over 3% this year, more than 10 times that of Germany, for example.

"The purpose of the sanctions was to strangle the Russian economy and destroy the cohesion of society. The EU has achieved the opposite," said Grushko. Russia also warned of a renewed rise in EU energy prices.

The foreign ministers of the 27 member states approved the sanctions in Luxembourg along with other new punitive measures due Russia's war against Ukraine.

On Monday evening, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that, in return, additional representatives from politics, business and institutions from the EU would be banned from entering Russia. No details were given.

The Russian armaments holding Vysokotochnye Kompleksy (High Precision Systems) announced that the sanctions against its companies, including a tank factory, were a sign of recognition that the military complex was working successfully. The sanctions would have no impact on weapons production in the future, it said.

As for the EU's liquefied natural gas (LNG) sanctions against Russian's multi-billion dollar LNG sector - the first time the sector has been hit with such measures - Russian analysts spoke of a blow to LNG producers.
The most controversial Congressional primary in history is about Israel  and so much more

On Saturday, Representative Jamaal Bowman held a rally at St Marys Park in the birthplace of hip-hop, where he quoted lines from Boogie Down Productions South Bronx.

Bowman brought out the big guns  and not just his biceps, that he says he has earned from bench-pressing 405 pounds  including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders.

Bowman, a member of the Squad who once pulled off a shocker primary challenge, now faces an unprecedented onslaught from a primary challenger backed by pro-Israel Democrats  including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee  in what has become the most expensive congressional primary in American history.

We are going to show f**king AIPAC the power of the motherf**king South Bronx, Bowman said at his rally, in reference to the money provided by the advocacy group to his opponent in an effort to unseat him.

But Bowmans district does not include the South Bronx. Rather, Representative Ritchie Torres, an ardently pro-Israel Democrat who quit the Congressional Progressive Caucus, can call the South Bronx part of his district.

The contest between Bowman and his opponent, George Latimer, has focused heavily on the subject of Israel. Thats because the United Democracy Project, AIPACs political action committee, has spent $14.03 million in the race already. Latimers campaign had also received more than $1.2 million from AIPACs PAC as of June 5.

U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) attend a rally at St. Marys Park on June 22, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Supporters gathered three days before New Yorks primary elections as incumbent Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) attempts to retain his seat in a heated primary race. ((Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images))

But the race has become about so much more, including race, Donald Trump and what it means to adequately support President Joe Biden.

Bowman claims that his public support for a ceasefire in Gaza made him a target for AIPAC and led to them supporting his opponent.

In his speech about the primary, he used strong language. My opponent supports genocide, he said.

The campaign group has gained both national and local attention ever since the October 7th attack by Hamas, during which the terrorist group killed 1,200 people and took at least 251 people hostages. Israel subsequently declared war in Hamas and attacked Gaza, leading to the deaths of over 35,000 people.

Bowmans criticism of the Israeli government before October 7  he boycotted a joint address to Congress by Israeli President Isaac Herzog last year  had made him unpopular among pro-Israel groups like AIPAC already. But his support for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas made him particularly vulnerable. It is a vast change from his position in 2020, when he voted to give Israel aid for the Iron Dome defense, or 2021, when he visited Israel with J Street (J Street used to support him as a candidate, but pulled their support in January after saying that their differences had become clear over the past few months.) At that time, he also had little to say about the Boycott, Divest and Sanction movement.

His changing position on Israel has led to his unpopularity among some  but his critics say his problems also run deeper.

Bowman has gotten in a lot of trouble over a lot of time for a lot of stupid things, one senior pro-Israel Democratic strategist told The Independent, who requested anonymity in order to speak freely. Specifically, they cited his pulling a fire alarm during a House vote, for which Bowman was censured and charged with a misdemeanor. They also claimed he has been a thorn in the side of the Biden administration.

One anti-Bowman ad even cited a profile of Bowman from 2021 written by The Independent, where he called out Bidens lies, specifically about police reform and a lack of action on student loans. Its clear he hasnt ever been shy to talk about the ways in which, in his estimation, the president comes up short.

By contrast, progressives expressed their concern that they couldnt simultaneously hold Biden accountable while speaking out about what they believe in.

Democratic candidate for New York's 16th District George Latimer speaks during a press conference at the Mount Vernon Democratic headquarters on June 24, 2024 in Mount Vernon, New York. Latimer charges that Bowman has been an absent congressman who focuses more on national issues. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

We should be clear-eyed about the very real fascist threat of Donald Trump, of what that can look like for our democracy, for abortion rights, for everything, while also being a party that holds our own leaders accountable when it needs to, Usamah Andrabi, a spokesperson for the Justice Democrats, told The Independent. That's the point of a democracy.

Andrabi also noted how AIPAC had previously contributed funds to Republicans who voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Since then, Politico reported that AIPAC is the largest source for Republican donor cash to Democratic primaries.

I think the whole of the Democratic Party should be opposed to allowing mega-donors from intervening in Democratic primaries, especially through a Super PAC that is no friend to our democracy or democratic values, Andrabi added.

In 2020, Bowman pulled off a surprising victory when he defeated House Foreign Affairs Committe Chairman Eliot Engel after Engel was caught on a hot mic at a Black Lives Matter demonstration saying, of the movement that sprang up following the death of George Floyd: If I didn't have a primary, I wouldn't care.

Four years later, race remains a large factor. Not only does the 16th district include the heavily Black and Latino Bronx, it also includes heavily white Westchester County.

In one debate between the candidates, Latimer hit Bowman for supposedly only focusing on Black and Latino voters.

You dont mention Asian, you dont mention people who are not Black or brown, Latimer said. Theres a whole district, Jamaal, that youve ignored, and the district knows youve ignored it.

Ocasio-Cortez accused Bowmans opponents of engaging in race-baiting.

I think we see it a lot  less overt but still condemnable tactics like darkening the shade of his skin in campaign ads, up to some of the more overt and suggestive rhetoric thats being talked about in terms of demographics, she told The Independent, when asked about the primary.

Specifically, she was referring to something else Latimer said to Bowman about taking campaign money from Dearborn, Michigan, a city with a large Arab-American population. Your constituency is Dearborn, Michigan. Your constituency is San Francisco, California, Latimer said on Good Morning New York, in an aside that was meant to signal that Bowman had formed a joint fundraising committee with Representative Rashida Tlaib, who is Palestinian-American and represents Dearborn.

But the joint fundraising committee received no money from Dearborn, according to its filing with the Federal Election Committee. All told, Bowmans own campaign  separate from the joint fundraising committee  received only four contributions from Dearborn totaling $1,850.

And while Bowmans campaign finance filing showed he had raised some money from San Francisco, so had Latimer. In fact, Latimer raised more.

Bowmans campaign modeled itself after Ocasio-Cortezs victory against Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley in 2018. Ocasio-Cortez, in turn, had been inspired by Bernie Sanderss insurgent 2016 campaign challenge against Hillary Clinton.

Since then, this race has since become a proxy for that 2016 showdown; not only did Sanders campaign with Bowman, but Clinton, who resides in Westchester County in the 16th district, endorsed Latimer. On the eve of the primary, Clintons Onward Together PAC contributed $2,500 to his campaign.

When Sanders lost the Democratic primary to Biden, Bowman and Ocasio-Cortez largely fell in line and supported Biden publicly while attempting to pressure him to the left behind the scenes. That push-pull culminated in November 2021, when Bowman  along with Tlaib, Ocasio-Cortez, Representatives Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Cori Bush of Missouri  was one of only six Democrats to vote against the bipartisan infrastructure bill.

Bowman and the Squad did so because they wanted a guarantee that Build Back Better  Bidens proposed, much more progressive legislation that would include everything from an expanded child tax credit to provisions to combat climate change to elder care  would pass alongside the bill. Senator Joe Manchin, then a conservative Democrat from West Virginia who later became an independent, later killed Build Back Better after it passed the House.

But voting against the bipartisan bill gave Bowmans opponents enough ammunition to attack him. One ad from the Latimer campaign claimed Bowman voted against the bill just to stick it to President Biden.

Aware of such attempts to position him against Biden, Bowman has made efforts to push the opposite view during public appearances. At one rally, he noted how he brought Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to the district last year. He also ran an ad describing how he worked with Biden on combating gun violence and protecting abortion rights.

Ocasio-Cortez said that the race will prove critical to determine if big money can have a role in Democratic primaries. In her opinion, that is the biggest issue in play.

I think that this race is about the corrupting role of money in politics, and I think there's a certain extent where it's honestly not about issues at all, Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent.

There are signs that AIPAC will copy the strategy elsewhere. Over the weekend, the groups PAC ran an ad hitting Bush in Missouris first district for her vote against the infrastructure bill, where it has already spent $2 million in the primary. The group never used to involve itself in primaries; instead, it tended to focus on campaigning through lobbying. This year, its clear that a lot of things are very different.
Most Philly public school students have college ambitions  but their level of preparation depends on which high school they attend

When Nadia was in high school, her teachers and administrators portrayed college as the only realistic pathway to a respectable career.

College, they make it seem like the end-all, be-all, she said. If its not college, Ill visit you at the drive-thru once a week, that type of thing. Theres kind of like this dark hole. Anything outside of it, youre not a part of moving up in society in a way.

Faculty at Aprils school across town, meanwhile, presented college as one of several possible routes to economic opportunity.

The teachers let us know that they want us to do better with our lives, she said. Go to college, even start your own business. Mostly everybody has a career and technical education class and can get a license for (an industry). So even if you dont go to college, you can start your own thing.

The reason why Nadia and April had such different experiences is directly related to the type of schools they attended.

Nadia, like 41% of Philly public high school students, went to a school where students need to meet certain GPA, attendance and test score requirements in order to be admitted. These are known as criteria-based schools.

But April attended what I call an open-access school  an umbrella term for the different types of schools that dont have competitive admission standards. These schools serve students who are from the surrounding neighborhood or interested in a particular vocational program  such as culinary arts, digital media or health-related technology  and 59% of Philly students attend those kinds of schools.

Between February 2022 and May 2023, I conducted 73 in-depth interviews with 12th graders, counselors and principals at two criteria-based and two open-access high schools in Philadelphia. The names Nadia and April are pseudonyms, as are all the names used in this article, to protect the research participants identities.

In my peer-reviewed study published in the journal Social Problems in June 2024, I find that criteria-based and open-access schools have very different structures in place  specifically around curricula and counseling  designed to position their students for success after graduation.

Different routes to social mobility

The admission processes that determine which side of the divide students end up on has been the subject of heated controversy because the stakes can be momentous. The high school a student attends is strongly related to their longer-term outcomes, including whether they go to college.

For example, in criteria-based schools, just over 75% of the class of 2023 went to college in the fall after graduation, according to my calculations using district data. At open-access schools, only 38% did.

When it comes to classroom instruction, Phillys public high schools face a trade-off between emphasizing academic and technical skills.

Criteria-based schools focus almost exclusively on academics and, in the process, send students strong messages about the necessity of four-year college. Students at these schools often doubt the viability of other routes to economic stability and prosperity.

When I was a freshman, they did an assembly for all the ninth graders, recalled Laurence. And the principal said on the microphone that if you dont want to go to college, you should transfer.

Open-access schools, by contrast, often integrate career and technical education, or CTE programs, into the curriculum. Students learn specialized skills and earn credentials that translate directly to the labor market.

This approach expands opportunities for students for whom college is not a realistic option, whether for financial, academic or personal reasons, such as caregiving responsibilities. Still, school leaders acknowledge that vocational training can come at the expense of academic rigor.

How do I transition someone whos been working for the past 10 years on diesel trucks in a shop and get them to teach and manage three classrooms full of kids for 100 minutes, 160 minutes and 100 minutes a day? asked Mr. Clark, the principal of an open-access school. Then you want me to pile on top of that, Oh, yeah, and I need you to get them to analyze an authors purpose in a text and be able to solve quadratic equations. I would love to be there. But just being honest with you, thats pie in the sky.

Counselors stretched thin

In my interviews, I also found that open-access schools have far less energy and resources to expend on college advising than their criteria-based counterparts.

Guidance counselors have historically been vulnerable to budget cuts, particularly at open-access schools. Between 2010 and 2014, fiscal crises caused the district to slash the number of counselors working in neighborhood high schools  a category of open-access schools  from 91 to 35.

The levels of economic disadvantage that characterize open-access schools compounds the issue of high student-to-counselor ratios. Social-emotional issues stemming from students trauma and material hardship can crowd out the individual attention that counselors would otherwise grant college-bound seniors.

I have to address these needs, said Ms. Allen, principal of the other open-access high school in my study. I have two social workers in here. I have a behavioral health counselor. I have (a nonprofit partner) in here that helps with homelessness. Thats basically what Im worried about right now. Most of my money goes to special education, behavioral health needs. So thats what (open-access) schools are turning into. Thats what we became  a super high-needs school.

Selective-admission high schools often dedicate counselors and instruction time to assisting students with college applications. Courtney Hale/E+ Collection via Getty Images

A mismatch with students ambitions

Poverty and its related challenges are an important reason why open-access high schools are oriented to students immediate needs. They often accommodate students work schedules with early release policies that allow seniors to take as few as two academic classes per day.

We have different scenarios that can help (students) in the short term, explained Mr. West, a guidance counselor at an open-access school. We try to provide them opportunities to get money now because I know its important to a lot of these kids.

In spite of their financial constraints, students at open-access schools still commonly aspire to college. Fully two-thirds of the students I interviewed in these schools intended to enroll in either a four-year or a community college directly after graduation.

Their schools short-term outlook, then, creates a mismatch between students college ambitions and the limited institutional support available to them. As a result, many students from first-generation families that I interviewed were left to wade through complex financial aid forms and juggle application deadlines largely on their own.

Meanwhile, criteria-based schools are able to prioritize college counseling because their student bodies are more socioeconomically diverse. The ones I observed during the study used discretionary funds to hire more counselors than are allotted to them by the district and devoted instructional time to guide students through the college process.

The districts criteria-based and open-access schools are united by a shared mission to help their students achieve economic and career stability. At criteria-based schools, getting ahead in life is synonymous with college. While open-access schools also encourage college attendance, they spread themselves thin to support students with a wide range of short-term challenges and long-term goals.

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: Joseph Sageman, Princeton University

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Joseph Sageman 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.
Motorcyclist dies in crash police say had no witnesses in northwest Las Vegas valley

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A 29-year-old Las Vegas man was killed early Monday in a motorcycle crash in the northwest valley, Metro police said.

No witnesses to the crash have been found, but Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigators said the motorcycle caught fire after the crash.

A passerby notified police, and investigators said the crash happened sometime between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. on West Centennial Parkway at the intersection with North Torrey Pines Drive.

Roads were closed while investigators worked on the scene, but reopened just before 9 a.m.

According to police, evidence at the scene indicated a 2005 Harley-Davidson Road King motorcycle was eastbound on Centennial Parkway and failed to negotiate a curve. The motorcyclist slid into the east curb of Torrey Pines and hit a reflective warning sign. The motorcycle caught fire.

The motorcyclist, who was not identified by police, died at the scene, police said.

The motorcyclists death is the 79th traffic-related fatality in the Metros jurisdiction so far this year.

Anyone with information should call Metros Collision Investigation Section, (702) 828-3595.

The crash remains under investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A motorcyclist died in a Sunday afternoon crash in Chula Vista, authorities say.

Officers with the Chula Vista Police Department responded to calls for a motorcycle into a light pole in the 800 block of East H Street in Chula Vista at 3:34 p.m. Sunday.

San Diego man dies after being ejected in I-5 rollover crash

When officers arrived on the scene they began life-saving measures on the injured motorcyclist and transported him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, Chula Vista Police report.

During a preliminary investigation at the scene, officers say they were able to determine the motorcyclist was traveling east on East H Street in the #1 lane when the man veered to the left and struck the center median, ultimately colliding with a light pole.

Driver killed, passenger seriously injured in rollover crash on I-5 near Camp Pendleton

Police say speed appears to be a factor in the crash. It is unknown at this time whether or not the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The identity of the motorcyclist is being withheld at this time, pending family notification.

East H Street was closed to traffic for several hours following the fatal crash.

The Chula Vista Police Traffic Division is investigating. Anyone with more information is asked to call the Chula Vista Police Department at 619-691-5151.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MSNBC is continuing to expand its live programming offerings with the introduction of a daylong event MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024, featuring over a dozen network hosts, TheWrap can exclusively reveal.

The event will be held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Sept. 7, providing attendees with an interactive experience and connection with the networks top talent including Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes, and many more. Hosts will lead in-depth discussions on the state of democracy ahead of the 2024 presidential election in November.

With this two-session, one-day event, MSNBC is signaling a continued commitment to live events, meeting the audiences desire for in-person offerings, after bringing Luke Russert on as the host and creative director of the series in December.

MSNBC has the most dedicated and loyal fanbase. Its an honor to bring the best of the MSNBC portfolio to the most important part of our family  the viewers  in-person, Russert said in a statement. We hope to continue to foster unique connections and inspire our audience.

The events first session will feature MSNBC talent like Jen Psaki, Chris Hayes, Joy Reid, Alex Wagner, Andrea Mitchell, Katy Tur, and more, leading conversations on the state of the 2024 election. Attendees will also have an opportunity to watch Steve Kornacki break down the latest polls. The second session will feature Rachel Maddow, Lawrence ODonnell, Ari Melber, Stephanie Ruhle, Michael Steele, Alicia Menendez, and Simone SandersTownsend.

Steve Kornacki and Luke Russert (MSNBC)

Alongside the sessions, the event will include a seated dinner and reception where attendees can hear directly from MSNBC hosts. There will also be an exclusive premiere of an upcoming MSNBC film ahead of a theatrical debut to be revealed at a later date.

As print and digital media publications like The New York Times, Axios, Politico, and networks like Fox News, with The Patriot Awards, have bolstered their live event offerings over the last few years, MSNBC is diving in head first, in an attempt to connect with already loyal viewers.

If you look at where the industry is going, there is definitely an appetite for live events, Russert told TheWrap in an interview.

Were very fortunate at MSNBC to have a very engaged and loyal audience. You have a personal connection with a lot of the people who are on air. Theres certainly a marketplace for that, he added. In this case, were having everybody under one roof.

After seeing success from Chris Hayes live podcast tapings, as well as Rachel Maddow and Joy Reid in conversation at the Apollo Theater, MSNBC is using the election season as a test case to gauge interest in the events space with high-profile talent.

Chris Hayes and Rachel Maddow (MSNBC)

Russert pointed out that while MSNBC is still in the beginning stages of building out its events offerings, it is already at an advantage compared to print media because of the high production value, already present within the network.

We have the full faith and power of a television network behind us, which is a wonderful asset to have, Russert said.

Ultimately, the furthered investment in the live events space speaks to how are we positioning ourselves for the future, Russert added. Something thats very important in the future is this concept of being where your audience is, engaging with your audience.

MSNBC President Rashida Jones announced the event Monday, in an internal memo to staff obtained by TheWrap, noting that she is planning to be present at the event, connecting with our viewers in-person.

We continue to meet our audiences where they are in innovative ways and MSNBC Live is a natural extension of that effort, Jones wrote. Its the result of the brand loyalty built by trusted journalism and fostered by the most engaged weekday audience in all of television.

In the midst of a critical and unprecedented election year, theres never been a better time to further deepen that connection with the MSNBC audience, Jones added.

At this time, the event is exclusively in-person and will not be livestreamed. Ticket prices begin at $119.

The event announcement comes on the heels of MSNBCs launch, earlier this month, of an exclusive podcast subscription through Apple as a continued expansion of the networks audio products. MSNBC Premium provides ad-free listening to podcasts and early access to the networks content.

Read the full memo from Jones below:

Team,

Today we announced the next installment of our growing events series, MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024, and I could not be more excited about this first-of-its-kind opportunity for MSNBC viewers.

On Saturday, Sept. 7, more than a dozen MSNBC hosts and analysts will come together at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) for an interactive, in-person experience, leading thought-provoking and in-depth conversations. The one-day event will give attendees a front-row seat to the thoughtful analysis and discussion that has defined MSNBC for more than 28 years.

This announcement follows the creation of the MSNBC Live event series in December and the successful and newsmaking inaugural event, The March Forth, earlier this year, with more to come in the coming months.

We continue to meet our audiences where they are in innovative ways and MSNBC Live is a natural extension of that effort. Its the result of the brand loyalty built by trusted journalism and fostered by the most engaged weekday audience in all of television.

In the midst of a critical and unprecedented election year, theres never been a better time to further deepen that connection with the MSNBC audience to help them understand more of what is happening here in the U.S. and across the globe. We continue to build that audience across all platforms with the recent launch of MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts, the newly redesigned MSNBC mobile app, award-winning podcasts, including Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra Season 2 and more.

As we near 100 days from the 2024 presidential election, we are in a strong position to showcase the editorial strength of MSNBC. Our work as journalists is more important than ever and Democracy 2024 comes at a critical time in our country.

Im excited to continue to build on MSNBCs momentum and I look forward to connecting with our viewers in-person on Sept. 7.

Rashida Jones

President, MSNBC

The post MSNBC Continues Expansion of Live Series With Daylong Democracy Event | Exclusive appeared first on TheWrap.
MSNBC panel erupts after Heritage prez blasts crime committed by illegal migrants: We dont use the term

MSNBC hosts chafed at how to refer to migrants who enter the country illegally and commit crimes during a testy exchange with Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts Saturday.

The liberal networks hosts were eager to grill Roberts about Heritages Project 2025, an initiative intended to outline an agenda for former President Donald Trump should he win a second term. It has become something of a boogeyman enterprise among progressives.

Im specifically interested, as it relates, Dr. Roberts, to the deportation of immigrants in this country  just understanding sort of how it is going to work, MSNBC anchor Alicia Menendez  the daughter of Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)  began.

MSNBC hosts scolded Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts after he used the term illegal immigrants during a segment. MSNBC

When you talk about folks on the interior, how you see, a future administration utilizing the National Guard, ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], police forces to deport something like 11 million people.

Roberts said that the first objective is to close the border, followed by the biggest mass deportation system ever in the history of America.

It is unjust and illegal and evil that more than 10 million illegal aliens have come to this country. Its imperative that we send those people back, invite them back to come through the legal system, he argued.

Menendez was flanked by former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele and Symone Sanders-Townsend during the panel discussion.

How do you plan to carry that out? Sanders-Townsend pressed Roberts. Are you talking about going door-to-door?

Roberts said it is imperative for illegal immigrants to be deported from the country. MSNBC

Theres going to be a lot of self-deportation, Roberts said.

Secondly, there are great plans using the Department of Homeland Security to return these people back to south of the border.

A lot of them are committing crimes, like murdering the 12-year-old girl in Houston, Roberts later added  a reference to Jocelyn Nungaray, who was allegedly strangled to death by two Venezuelan migrants.

Sanders-Townsend, who previously worked for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Vice President Kamala Harris, then cited a 2019 study in Texas that illegal immigrants were 37.1% less likely to be convicted of a crime than legal residents. .

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele was interrupted by a host after using the term illegal immigrant. MSNBC

Symone Sanders-Townsend said the network uses the term undocumented individual. MSNBC

That figure ostensibly comes from the libertarian-leaning CATO Institute.

What do you tell the parents of these people  those young girls that was killed [sic], Roberts shot back. Its absurd.

What is the difference between an illegal immigrant who unfortunately engages in that activity Steele started to ask, before Sanders-Townsend interjected.

I want to be clear. We dont use the term illegal. Undocumented individuals, she said.

Thats sweet, Roberts quipped.

Theyre illegal aliens.

Our analysis in Texas, Georgia, and New York, shows that a preponderance of the illegals who have come in are unattached males  and the disproportionate number of them are people who are not even making any attempt to be legal, Roberts later added.
MSNBC is planning a first-of-its-kind live event this fall in New York that will allow fans of the left-leaning network to watch some of its top hosts talk about politics in person.

MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024, slated for Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, will feature two sessions: A seated dinner with MSNBC hosts, selected guests, and a screening of an upcoming MSNBC film.

During the first session, top hosts like Jen Psaki, Chris Hayes, Joy Reid, Alex Wagner, Andrea Mitchell, Katy Tur and more will lead deep-dive discussions on the issues that matter most to voters: the state of the 2024 presidential race, the changing electorate and the critical stretch of the campaign, the network said.

Numbers and polling guru Steve Kornacki will also break down the latest presidential and public opinion polls  at that point exactly two months from Election Day.

During the second session, hosts Rachel Maddow, Lawrence ODonnell, Ari Melber, Stephanie Ruhle, Michael Steele, Alicia Menendez, Symone Sanders Townsend and more will take the stage for what the channel called important discussions on where things stand as we approach Election Day.

MSNBC has the most dedicated and loyal fanbase. Its an honor to bring the best of the MSNBC portfolio to the most important part of our family  the viewers  in-person, said Luke Russert, creative director of the networks new MSNBC Live venture. We hope to continue to foster unique connections and inspire our audience.

The network recently hired Russert, the son of the late longtime Meet the Press moderator Tim Russert, to host a series of live events focused on viewer engagement and retention.

Other cable news channels have dipped their toes in the live events game in recent years, with Fox News staging its Patriot Awards and CNN hosting Citizen Events with lawmakers and public figures.

Tickets to MSNBC Live: Democracy 2024 will begin at $119 and the venue has a capacity of around 200.

In a note to staff on Monday obtained by The Hill, MSNBC President Rashida Jones said the network is planning more live events as part of a push into non-linear programming.

We continue to meet our audiences where they are in innovative ways and MSNBC Live is a natural extension of that effort, Jones wrote.

Updated: 5:28 p.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has halted construction projects at two Queens rail stations to put pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul after she knocked down the unpopular congestion pricing plan, sources said.

The MTA sent a letter ordering a contractor to immediately suspend work on making its Long Island Railroad stations in Forest Hills and Hollis more accessible to riders with disabilities  a move that some view as a push for Hochul to restore congrestion pricing or find another revenue source for its capital spending program.

You are hereby directed to stop all work associated with the Forest Hills and Hollis Stations, MTA capital construction CEO Steven Leidner said in a June 17 letter to the head of Forte Construction, obtained by The Post.

The MTA halted two construction projects at Queens stations to put pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul after she paused the congestion pricing plan, according to sources. Matthew McDermott

The MTA sent a letter ordering a contractor to suspend work on making LIRR stations in Forest Hills and Hollis more accessible for people with disabilities. Obtained by The New York Post, O

The MTA anticipated generating $1 billion in revenues a year from the congestion toll to help finance $15 billion capital repairs, maintenance upkeep and system expansion.

The controversial $15 congestion imposed on drivers to enter Midtown south of 60th Street was scheduled to go into effect June 30  but Hochul shelved the program before it ever went into effect, expressing concerns about the economic impact in post-COVID New York.

Forte, the construction firm, was not happy about having to stop work on the LIRR projects to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

It is understood that the stop work order is a result of lack of funding due to the pause in congestion pricing, said Forte spokesman Tom Butler.

The decision not only delays the necessary station improvements but jeopardizes the many construction jobs depending on this project.

Hochul put congestion pricing on hold just weeks before it was set to begin on June 30. John Nacion/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

But opponents said the MTA putting the brakes on the projects shows the congrestion toll was a money grab and was never about reducing congestion.

The MTA is an entity that answers to no one. The transit officials think they run their own fiefdom, said Kathryn Freed, a retired judge and councilwoman from the Lower East Side, and co-founder of Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free.

Freed, a plaintiff in one of several lawsuits contesting congestion pricing, said the MTAs problem is rampant spending and that transit officials should stop blaming others for its money woes.

The authority has faced ongoing scrutiny for billions of dollars in cost overruns to build new subway tracks  and for losing $700 million a year from fare beating.

Why do so many transit systems in the world work better? Why isnt the MTA more efficient?

Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, a congestion toll opponent, said, This is a time for reflection. Are there ways to reduce costs for capital projects instead of thinking youre going to get a blank check?

Councilman Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island) said the MTA should stop the gamesmanship.

Noting that Hochul appointed MTA CEO Janno Lieber, Borelli said, The governor should tell them to do what theyre fking told.

MTA officials are expected to outline cuts to the capital program during meetings this week, saying they cant move forward on projects without additional funds.

Jamie Torres-Springer, the MTAs construction and development president, said last week that we have stopped work on the Second Avenue subway [expansion].

A Hochul spokesman claimed that the governor is working to keep the MTA funded while congestion pricing is paused. Matthew McDermott

The $7.7 billion phase two leg of the Second Avenue subway would add three new stations  extending the Q line into East Harlem and connecting to Metro-North and the No. 4, 5 and 6 trains.

There are a lot of projects we will not be able to build, said Torres-Springer, emphasizing the agency will focus on the basics of keeping the current system in good repair rather than on expansion.

We have in a couple of cases issued stop work orders for projects that do not strictly meet the good state of repair requirements.

There will be implications all across the capital program, he said.

Jamie Torres-Springer, the MTAs construction and development president, said that the MTA has stopped working on the Second Avenue subway expansion. MTA

Transit sources said the MTAs decision to spell out cuts  before Hochul and the legislature have a chance to reach an agreement on alternative financing for the agency or identifying savings in the agency  amounted to a mutiny.

Governor Hochul has stated repeatedly that she is committed to funding the MTA and is working with partners in government on funding mechanisms while congestion pricing is paused, said Hochul spokesman Anthony Hogrebe.

Another Albany insider suggested the MTA should stop the hysterics.

The MTA knows that theres no way the governor and legislature dont deliver funding for their capital plan. And most of these projects are years away from being started, let alone completed, the source said.

The MTA anticipated generating $1 billion per year from the $15 tolls. Christopher Sadowski

Theyre just playing games and trying to scare New Yorkers to put pressure behind congestion pricing rather than coming up with alternative ideas and finding ways to save money.

Transit advocates sided with the MTA, saying it was Hochul who has created the mess by pausing the congestion toll.

This is a manufactured crisis we didnt need to have, said Lisa Daglian, head of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Council to the MTA.

She said the safety of the riding public has to be job No. 1 with a pared-down construction program.
Multi-story building catches fire in Moscow Oblast, at least 8 people dead

A nine-story building caught fire in the town of Fryazino in Moscow Oblast, at least eight people died, Russian state-controlled news agency RIA Novosti reported on June 24.

Fryazino is located 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) northeast of Moscow.

Moscow Oblast Governor Andrey Vorobyov said that the administrative building of the Platan Research Institute, where electronic devices are manufactured, was on fire at around 3:30 p.m. local time.

Ruselectronics, a Russian state-owned holding company that produces electronic components, later claimed that the building was privatized in the 1990s and is not connected to the defense industry.

The fire covered an area of 5,000 square meters and was extinguished at around 10 p.m. local time. Parts of the building's structure collapsed due to the fire.

The fire could have been caused by a malfunction in electrical equipment, emergency services told RIA Novosti.

The search and rescue operations are continuing.

Local authorities have not yet disclosed the final number of victims in the fire.

Read also: Update: At least 15 police officers, 4 civilians reportedly killed in terrorist attack in Russias Dagestan Republic

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
KEREM SHALOM, IsraelJust miles from the point where Israel meets Gaza and Egypt, the Arab descendants of nomadic tribes are defending their country. At the Kerem Shalom military basethe headquarters of the Israeli armys desert trackers unit, also known as the Bedouin Battalionthese soldiers, most of them Muslims, feel a strong sense of national pride and purpose in the wake of Hamas October 7 attack.

I saw a woman shot in the head on October 7. Normally its army against army, but heres a terrorist organization killing an innocent civilian, said Lt. Col. Nader Idat, the battalions Bedouin commander. Im a Muslim myself and theres no religion, including Islam, that says that its OK to kill. Thats what differentiates Hamas. Their purpose is to kill.

And on that day, Hamas killing squads didnt distinguish between combatants and civilians, Israelis and foreigners, Jews and non-Jews. The invaders murdered dozens of Bedouinsfellow Muslims and Arabsand are believed to have abducted six others into the Gaza Strip, where three remain. Ever since, there has been a surge in voluntary army enlistment from within Israels Bedouin community, some 400,000 peopleroughly 4 percent of the countrys total populationwhose ancestors traversed the desert for trade and livestock rearing.

The Bedouin community was traditionally a tribal community that engaged in trade by finding trade routes through the desert, Iftah Burman, an Israeli geopolitical analyst and founder of the Middle East Learning Academy, told The Dispatch. Over time, they passed down these techniques from father to sonhow to travel in the desert, how to track the animals, how to make use out of vegetation. Those trades made them excellent trackers. Since the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, he added, Bedouins have worked with Israeli forces to patrol the borders, identify smugglers, and identify terrorists coming in through the borders.

Many Bedouin soldiers have also fought and at least six have died alongside Jewish soldiers in this war. On October 7, as terrorists attacked the kibbutzim and military bases of the Western Negev, Bedouin troops were among the first on the scene. In one instance, a soldier took off part of his Israeli military uniform and spoke in Arabic to lure the attackers out of hiding before others shot them at close range. Theyve also deployed to the Gaza Strip, where they help locate terrorists, weapons, and tunnels.

At Kerem Shalomthe frequent site of Hamas rocket attacksthe Bedouin Battalion is one of Israels first lines of defense. On the day of my visit, an interview was abruptly moved to a shelter amid concerns of oncoming fire. On October 7, [the soldiers] came here to take their weapons and started fighting right away with no question, Idat said. Theyve been here since.

Bedouins currently enlist in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on a voluntary basis, unlike Jewish men and women and Druze mena non-Muslim, Arabic-speaking minorityfor whom military service is compulsory. Prior to Hamas attack, voluntary military service among Bedouins was fairly uncommon, even stigmatized, in the often insular communities across Israel.

Now, Bedouin soldiers say they proudly wear their uniforms home. For many, joining the IDF also offers a pathway to integration into broader Israeli society. Bedouin troops can either pursue a military career after their nearly three-year enlistment period or enter the civilian workforce; both endeavors are aided by the Hebrew lessons taught on the military bases.

As one of the most poverty-stricken communities in the country, Israeli Bedouins are increasingly looking to military service to carve out a better life for themselves. But others have turned to crime, particularly the cross-border smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people from the West Bank and Sinai Peninsula. There have also been sporadic instances of Bedouin terrorist attacks, though Hamas efforts to recruit Bedouins to its cause have largely failed.

But ongoing land disputes between the Negev Bedouins and the Israeli government risks opening the door to extremism. The Bedouins have many recognized townships, but their claims over larger swaths of land and efforts to build unrecognized villages have put them at odds with Jerusalem, which sometimes orders the demolition of illegal construction. Establishing new neighborhoods requires the approval of Israels interior ministry, which has often rejected Bedouins right to build on state-owned land.

The unrecognised Bedouin village of Ras Jrabah is seen east of Dimona city in southern Israel, on May 29, 2024. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)

These communities also lack basic services like water and electricity, and the warning sirens and shelters that offer protection from weapons attacks in other Israeli municipalities. Irans attack on Israel in April underscored this unmet need, when shrapnel from an intercepted missile seriously injured a 7-year-old Bedouin girl at her home in the unrecognized Negev village of al-Furah.

Despite what some have described as state neglect, many Bedouins identify proudly with their Israeli identity. That allegiance has only grown in the face of new threats to the country.

Were here in Israel, and we know exactly who Hamas is and what were up against, Idat said from Kerem Shalom. Asked whether Bedouins are conflicted about which side to support in the ongoing war, the commander pulled his national identity card from his wallet and held it up: Im Israeli. I was born here and Im going to fight for my country.

Read more at The Dispatch

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Many in the Las Vegas valley reported seeing a mysterious object in the skies and a smoke trail Sunday evening. It was a mystery that was quickly solved.

The streaking light and smoke trail caught the attention of many in the Las Vegas valley Sunday evening, with many emailing the 8newsnow.com studio asking what the object was.

I have a video I took tonight of an unknown object flying across the sky with what appears to be smoke of some sort trailing behind it, said one reader, adding that the incident occurred around 9 p.m.

My son was out swimming in our Green Valley neighborhood and saw this strange light in the sky, said another.

Photo from National Weather Service Las Vegas on X

On X, the National Weather Service in Las Vegas weighed in, revealing that the mysterious object was a rocket that had been launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California.

Did anyone else see the rocket launch at Vandenberg Space Force Base, NWS Las Vegas said in an X post, along with a video of the rocket sailing through the sunset skies of southern Nevada.

According to 8 News Now sister station Fox 5 San Diego, SpaceX launched 20 Starlink satellites Sunday, part of a Falcon 9 rocket launch. The liftoff took place at 8:47 p.m. and was streamed live on the companys social media platforms and website.

Fox 5 San Diego reports that the launch represents the 11th flight for the first stage booster supporting this Starlink mission.

In addition to being visible in the Las Vegas valley, the rocket launch was also reportedly seen across Southern California, as far south as Ensenada, Mexico.

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NAACP asked hard questions of the West End TIF board. They told us it was 'disruptive.'

This year the Louisville Branch is celebrating its 110th Anniversary of being an affiliate of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The mission and vision of the NAACP is to work to ensure the political, social and economic equality of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. The Louisville Branch NAACP is the oldest civil rights organization in the city of Louisville and Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The West End Opportunity Partnership is a public corporation established by the 2021 Kentucky General Assembly to operate with 21 voting members who manage financial resources for a newly created West Louisville Tax Incremental Financing district.

The legislation that created WEOP stated the Governor shall appoint one member of the Louisville NAACP to the WEOP Board. The NAACP gladly complied and gave the Governor the name of the organizations representative who earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the University of Louisville, a Master of Science in Economics from the University of Kentucky and a masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Kentucky. In addition, the representative serves as a Faculty Affiliate at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University.

Asking hard questions

Two times in 2022, the Interim CEO of WEOP asked the president of the NAACP not to reappoint its chosen representative to the WEOP board. When asked why, the NAACP was told she was disruptive. The NAACP then spoke with other board members and reviewed minutes to determine their representative was not disruptive but did ask hard and challenging questions.

'Reprehensible' treatment: NAACP withdraws from West End TIF board

Once the second request was made, the president of the NAACP proposed that the leadership of both organizations meet to discuss and make every effort to resolve any problems. WEOP never responded.

In September 2023, WEOP adopted amendments to its bylaws requiring the NAACP and six other organizations to submit two names instead of one to be appointed to the WEOP Board. WEOP would review both names and make the final decision on which one would serve. The NAACP objected to this change and voted to send one name.

The neighborhoods supported by the West End Opportunity Partnership, which will ensure local tax dollars are funneled into West End neighborhoods for development opportunities.

The Interim CEO of WEOP at some point went to a State Senator, without the approval or knowledge of her board of directors; and requested that the statue creating WEOP be amended to codify the changes in WEOPs revised by-laws. The legislation, Senate Bill 259, not only included the changes in the bylaws but added that if an organization did not comply, it would be expelled from the board.

After both houses passed SB 259 and then overrode the governors veto, the legislation becomes law effective July 15.

Faced with expulsion from the WEOP Board, the NAACP had three options:

Comply and submit two names

Submit one name and be expelled

Voluntarily withdraw from the WEOP Board rather than be expelled

Why the NAACP did not submit two names to WEOP

First, under the national Constitution and Bylaws for Units of the NAACP, one of the duties of the local branch President is, To appoint the Chair and members of all Committees If the Louisville NAACP had submitted two names to WEOP, it would have been in conflict with our Constitution and Bylaws.

Second, the NAACP is a unique advocacy and social justice organization. The commitment to our independence and ability to speak and advocate for the communities we represent is as strong today as it was when the Louisville Branch NAACP was chartered in 1914. We initiate our policies and determine our representatives who are reflective of those policies.

Therefore, we withdrew from the WEOP Board of Directors.

Raoul Cunningham, NAACP, met with the Courier Journal's Editorial Board talking about the new police chief. Aug. 10, 2023

Although the NAACP will no longer sit on the WEOP Board of Directors, we will continue to be true to our mission and advocate for our communities by asking of the WEOP Board and leadership the hard and challenging questions including the following:

How can an Interim CEO negate a resolution passed by the WEOP Board to form a search committee to seek a permanent CEO?

With WEOP having received ten million dollars from the state, ten million from the city and ten million from private sector investors, when will a budget be introduced and approved?

Without a budget, how did WEOP expend over $738,977, including some $446,833 in salaries and $60,316 in legal fees?

Why has WEOP yet to adopt a procurement policy consistent with Kentuckys Model Procurement Code?

Has WEOP provided its required biennial reports to the Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue?

In the three years of the Partnerships existence, what tangible benefits have accrued for the nine statutory neighbor hoods WEOP was created to serve?

Raoul Cunningham is president of the Louisville Branch of the NAACP.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: NAACP will keep speaking up despite West End TIF board withdrawal
Naples family seeking damages from NASA for space debris that crashed into home

A Naples family is seeking damages from NASA after space debris crashed into their home earlier this year.

Mica Nguyen Worthy, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based attorney representing Alejandro Otero and his family, said in a June 21 news release that her firm has submitted a claim to NASA to recover money "resulting from a space debris incident" March 8.

The release did not specify an amount. However, the Washington Post reported Sunday that the attorney told the newspaper in an email that the Oteros were seeking more than $80,000.

NASA confirmed in April that a nearly two-pound cylindrical object was part of a jettisoned pallet of used batteries from the International Space Station.

A photo taken from the International Space Station and moved on social media by astronaut Ricky Arnold shows Hurricane Lane in the early morning hours near Hawaii on August 22, 2018.

Why are Oteros seeking damages

Alejandro Otero wasn't home March 8 but his son Daniel was when the space debris left a sizable hole from the roof through the sub-flooring, said the news release from Cranfill Sumner, a law firm.

The Oteros live in a 4,100-square-foot home on Aspen Chase Drive, north of Immokalee Road and east of Interstate 75, according to Collier County property records.

"The Oteros retained Worthy to navigate the insurance and legal process and to make a formal claim against NASA," the news release said.

Space debris is a real and serious issue because of the increase in space traffic in recent years, added Worthy, a partner with Cranfill Sumner, in the news release.

Worthy said in the release that NASA has six months to respond to the claim under the Federal Torts Claim Act. The claim includes noninsured property damage loss, business interruption damages, emotional and mental anguish damages and costs for assistance from third parties, the release said.

Watch the skies: A house in Florida, a trail in North Carolina: What to do if you find SpaceX debris

Setting precedent in seeking damages for space debris

"This space debris claim is historical in that it involves a 'real life example' of the consequences of space debris surviving to the Earths surface," the release continued.

"How NASA responds to her claim will form the foundation upon which the legal landscape in this field will be built."

Worthy added: My clients are seeking adequate compensation to account for the stress and impact that this event had on their lives. They are grateful that no one sustained physical injuries from this incident, but a near miss situation such as this could have been catastrophic. If the debris had hit a few feet in another direction, there could have been serious injury or a fatality.

More on the space debris

In confirming the debris was from the International Space Station, NASA said that in 2021 ground controllers used the Space Station's robotic arm to release a cargo pallet containing aging nickel hydride batteries.

The total hardware released was about 5,800 pounds and was supposed to burn up during entry into the Earth's atmosphere.

SpaceX rocket launch: Best views in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, Titusville

Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and News-Press. Follow him on Instagram and Threads @lacrossewriter and on X (formerly Twitter) @NDN_dosborn.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Why Florida family is seeking damages from NASA for space debris
NASA calls off spacewalk at last minute as astronaut suit malfunctions

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Two US astronauts abandoned plans to exit the International Space Station to conduct maintenance on Monday due to a spacesuit malfunction.

NASA officials called off the spacewalk because of a water leak in the cooling unit of one of the astronauts spacesuits.

The leak, which affected the suit donned by NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson, sprang up just after the suits were transferred to battery power just before they exited the space station.

The cooling unit on the spacesuits are designed to keep the wearers at a comfortable temperature while carrying out their work. Dyson and her crewmate Mike Barratt were set to remove a faulty electronics box from a communications antenna on the space stations exterior.

Right now, Im comfortable, but I do feel a little warm, Dyson was heard saying on a live stream of the event after the spacewalk was called off around 9 a.m. ET.

Dyson later expressed concern that the water leak may have affected electrical connectors.

Theres still water shooting out, Dyson said at one point. We can assume that water got into that connector, electrical connector.

NASA then worked to get Dyson back inside the space station from the airlock, the gateway to the space stations exterior, while her suit remained on battery power.

The crew was not in danger at any point during the incident, according to NASA.

The spacewalk was set to kick off Monday morning and last about 6.5 hours, according to NASA.

The delayed spacewalk is only the latest in a string of setbacks around operations on the International Space Station in recent weeks.

This marks the second spacewalk in recent days that has been abruptly called off due to spacesuit issues.

Officials called off a spacewalk slated for June 13, which included Dyson and Matthew Dominick, because of a spacesuit discomfort issue with Dominicks spacesuit. NASA declined to provide more details about the issue to protect the astronauts privacy.

In addition to the aborted Monday spacewalk, the federal agency has been aiming to carry out another on July 2  before giving Boeings Starliner capsule the green light to undock from the orbiting laboratory and make its return home.

The Starliner spacecraft has been on its first crewed test flight to the space station. But the vehicle encountered several key issues during the first leg of its trip, including springing helium leaks and experiencing thruster outages, that have delayed its return.

Its not yet clear whether the decision to call off Mondays spacewalk will further delay Starliners return.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Ever since the first televised presidential debate in 1960, face-offs between candidates have been more about their political performances and less about a platform for policy discussions. And few things make any performance, political or not, as impactful as memorable one-liners.

With 2024's first on-stage showdown between President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump days away, here are some of the most unforgettable wisecracks, comical sound bites and searing retorts from more than 50 years of televised debates.

'There you go again': Carter v. Reagan, 1980

Some quotes have gone from post-debate fodder to permanent additions to the American political lexicon.

LIVE UPDATES: Presidential debate: How to watch Donald Trump, Joe Biden battle in Atlanta

Chief among them is Republican Ronald Reagan's quip to his Democratic opponent, President Jimmy Carter, during their 1980 debate. In response to Carters criticisms that the former California governor campaigned against Medicare, Reagan remarked, "There you go again," a linguistic equivalent of an eye-roll.

U.S. President Jimmy Carter and California Governor Ronald Reagan during a presidential election debate in Cleveland, Ohio on October 28, 1980.

More: Will Trump's VP pick be at the CNN debate on Thursday? What to know

It was one of two quotable moments from the would-be Republican victor, along with his question to voters, "Are you better off than you were four years ago?

'My opponent's youth and inexperience': Reagan v. Mondale, 1984

Reagan continued to deliver memorable one-liners during his 1984 campaign against Democratic opponent Walter Mondale.

By the second presidential debate, Reagan was 73 years old  already the oldest president in U.S. history at the time. When asked if he was too old to be president, he responded, I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponents youth and inexperience.

U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale are pictured during the first 1984 U.S. presidential election debate in Louisville, Kentucky on October 7, 1984.

By turning the question on its head, Reagan poked fun at his opponent and deflected attention from his advanced age.

'Job-sucking sound': Perot v. Bush v. Clinton, 1992

Ross Perot remains the first and only third-party candidate to qualify for the presidential debate stage. During a first-of-its-kind televised town hall format against Democratic nominee Bill Clinton and Republican President George H. W. Bush, Perot said Americans should expect a "job-sucking sound going south" as companies moved to Mexico to cut costs if Congress approved NAFTA.

(L to R) Independent candidate Ross Perot, Democratic candidate Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton, and Republican candidate President George Bush following the debate in East Lansing, Michigan on October. 19, 1992.

The phrase morphed into a giant sucking sound, according to policy expert James M. Lindsay, and entered became a "pithy way" to summarize the case against free trade.

More: Mock debates? Briefing books? How Trump and Biden are preparing for their first debate in Cleveland

'An ironclad lockbox': Gore v. Bush, 2000

Though Vice President Al Gore was considered the more battle-tested candidate against Republican Governor George W. Bush, Gore's debate snafus did not instill the most confidence.

Texas Governor and Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush (R) and Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Al Gore speak during their presidential debate at the University of Massachusetts in Boston on October 3, 2000.

He was caught several times throughout the pair's three televised debates audibly sighing, rolling his eyes, or looking visibly exasperated. And during the first debate, Gore caught attention in other ways, repeating the words "lockbox" or "locked box" seven times when referring to Medicare and Social Security. "I think we need to put Medicare and Social Security in a lockbox," Gore said during the debate. "The governor will not put Medicare in a lockbox."

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Saturday Night Live had a field day with "lockbox" shortly afterward.

'Youre likable enough': Obama v. Clinton, 2008

A moderator's question about likeability resulted in one of the most withering responses from Obama during a 2008 debate against Sen. Hillary Clinton.

"What can you say to the voters of New Hampshire on this stage tonight who see your resume and like it but are hesitating on the likability issue, where they seem to like Barack Obama more?" the moderator asked Clinton.

U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) listens as U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) during the Democratic presidential debate at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina on April 26, 2007.

"Hes very likable. I agree with that," Clinton responded. "I dont think Im that bad."

Obama's response: "Youre likable enough, Hillary."

'Binders full of women': Romney v. Obama, 2012

Republican nominee Mitt Romneys most viral moment during the 2012 debates against President Barack Obama veered closer to comedy than critiques.

President Barack Obama (L) and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney share a laugh at the end of the first presidential debate in Denver, Colorado on October 3, 2012.

In response to a question about equal pay for women in the workforce, Romney said he was disappointed with the lack of women applying for jobs to join his cabinet as Massachusetts governor. He said he tried to recruit qualified women for the roles. I went to a number of women's groups and said, 'Can you help us find folks?' and they brought us whole binders full of women." The "binders full of women" sound bite exploded on social media platforms.

'The 1980s are calling': Obama v. Romney, 2012

In a different debate, Obama poked fun at Mitt Romney after the GOP challenger said Russia was the biggest geopolitical foe facing the U.S. Obama went on the attack, claiming Romney said Russia, not al-Qaida, was the country's biggest threat.

U.S. President Barack Obama (R) listens as Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney speaks during the second U.S. presidential debate in Hempstead, New York on October 16, 2012.

Fact-checks at the time differentiated between foe and threat, which the two briefly sparred over, but still led to the President's headline-grabbing zinger: The 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because the Cold Wars been over for 20 years," Obama said.

Such a Nasty Woman: Trump v. Clinton, 2016

The third presidential debate between Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump was memorable, with critics accusing Trump of stalking Clinton around the stage.

Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump during the presidential debate with Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri on October 9, 2016.

But one of the most significant lines came from the soon-to-be-president when he referred to Clinton as such a nasty woman in response to her talking points on how to improve the Social Security program. It was widely seen as a sexist insult. However, the phrase took on new meaning and helped launch a feminist movement of self-proclaimed nasty women rallying against Trump in the 2016 race.

'Bad hombres': Trump v. Clinton, 2016

Trump didn't stop with "nasty woman." In answering a question about how he would handle border security, Trump said his first priority in the White House would be to get "drug lords" and other undocumented immigrants out of the country.

"Once the border is secured, at a later date, well make a determination as to the rest. But we have some bad hombres here, and were going to get them out, he said, using the Spanish word for men.

Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump at the 2016 presidential campaign debate at UNLV in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 19, 2016.

The term was panned as racist in alluding to Latino men as dangerous or criminal. It was a continuation of language used by Trump throughout his candidacy, after kicking off his campaign by calling Mexicans entering the country "rapists" and drug dealers.

'Will you shut up, man?': Biden v. Trump, 2020

As far as debate chaos goes, Biden's debate against then-President Trump tops the list. As they discussed the open seat on the Supreme Court and the prospect of ending the filibuster, Trump repeatedly interrupted his opponent, leading to a jumble of the two talking over the other and the moderator attempting to take control of the conversation. The back-and-forth ended with Biden finally saying: Will you shut up, man?

U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden participate in their first 2020 presidential campaign debate held at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio on September 29, 2020.

Contributing: USA TODAY's Ledyard King, Rebecca Morin and Melissa Cruz

Kathryn Palmer is an elections fellow for USA TODAY. Reach her at kapalmer@gannett.com and follow her on X @KathrynPlmr.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Presidential debate moments that went viral: 'Bad hombres' and more
Australian businesses are innovating less, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) covering the two years to June 30, 2023. The report reveals a six percentage point drop in innovation activity compared to the previous measurement period.

Economic challenges are a key culprit. Nearly a fifth (19%) of businesses cited a lack of funding as a major hurdle.Additionally, talent shortages pose a significant barrier, with 16% of businesses struggling to find skilled workers in the market and another 14% facing skill gaps within their own teams.

Despite the decline, nearly half (46%) of businesses reported some innovation activity. However, a shift in focus is evident. Businesses are prioritizing innovation in goods and services over streamlining internal processes. ABS head of business statistics, Robert Ewing, attributes this to current economic conditions and rising cost-of-living pressures.

Financial constraints also impact spending. A significant portion (30%) of businesses reported no innovation expenditure.Furthermore, a majority (75%) of businesses with innovation activity invested less than $25,000. This is particularly true for micro-businesses (companies with four or fewer employees), where over 80% spent less than $25,000, and a third invested nothing in innovation.

Ewing highlights the datas positive implication: businesses are finding cost-effective ways to innovate. This is crucial for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Examples include leveraging social media for marketing and adapting internal practices to navigate economic challenges.

The importance of innovation for SME income is evident. Micro-businesses with new or improved goods saw the highest proportion (8%) of their income coming from these sources. Conversely, less than 1% of large businesses reported similar income dependence on innovation.

Innovation activity varied geographically. Businesses in the Northern Territory (NT) reported the highest innovation rate (48%), followed by Queensland and Victoria (both at 47%).

The ABS survey also explored innovation spending categories. Machinery, equipment, and technology received the most investment intentions (41%), followed by marketing and training (both at 37%).

Environmental benefits were another first-time survey focus. Notably, 33% of businesses implementing new or improved goods and services cited environmental advantages. This benefit was experienced across all business sizes, with rates ranging from 45% for large businesses to 29% for micro-businesses.

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Melissa Wyaco supervises about two dozen public health nurses who search for patients across the Navajo Nation who have tested positive for or have been exposed to syphilis. (Photo/Navajo Area Indian Health Services)

Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren and Vice President Richelle Montoya on Friday proclaimed June 27th as Navajo Nation Syphilis Aware: Protect Yourself, Protect Navajo Day to address the alarming rise in syphilis cases across the Navajo Nation.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium treponema pallidum. It progresses through multiple stages; primary, secondary, latent and tertiary.

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Each stage of syphilis poses severe health risks. Congenital syphilis, transmitted from pregnant women to their babies, has seen a sharp increase, leading to birth defects, miscarriages and infant deaths.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in New Mexico and Arizona between 2015 and 2022, the Navajo Nation saw a 2,114% increase in syphilis cases.

It can be tough to talk about these things, President Nygren said. Sometimes, the most uncomfortable things are the most important. We need to spread awareness about this issue because this impacts our Nation.

The Navajo Nations campaign, Syphilis Aware: Protect Yourself, Protect Navajo, is designed to raise awareness and promote proactive measures across the Navajo Nation, the largest Indian reservation in the United States.

Take care of yourself mentally, physically and emotionally, said Vice President Montoya. It breaks my heart to know that syphilis can affect our unborn babies.

Coupled with traditional Navajo values such as adilidli, or self-respect, and adahodilzin, or respectand reverence, the campaign encourages education, regular testing and open communication to prevent the spread of syphilis.

The proclamation states that Navajo teachings emphasize improving ones health through education, taking care of oneself, or adaa ahaya, and knowing ones limits, adaa haah hasin, to live a harmonious way of life including hozho.

The effort by the Navajo Health Education Program, with support from the Navajo Department of Health, hopes to reduce syphilis cases and protect community health through increased awareness and preventive actions.

Its starting to happen across Indian country, said Kim Russell, Navajo Nation Dept. of Health executive director. Its been very present in Sioux country. Theyre trying to have (Admiral Rachel Levine, assistant secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) declare a syphilis state of emergency.

Director Russell said since the COVID-19 pandemic, data shows a rise in syphilis infections nationwide and on the Navajo Nation.

For us, were starting to see more. Its starting to uptick, she said. As bad as it is for the mom, what were really concerned about with congenital syphilis is what happen to the baby.

According to the Navajo Dept. of Health, babies born to women with untreated syphilis may be stillborn or die from the infection as a newborn.

A newborn can contract syphilis, called congenital syphilis, as its being born or while in utero. That can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight or infant mortality.

Babies born with congenital syphilis may have deformed bones, severe low blood count (anemia), enlarged liver and spleen, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes), brain and nerve problems like blindness or deafness, skin rashes and meningitis.

Meningitis is a serious illness of the brain in infants and children marked by intense headache and fever, sensitivity to light, muscular rigidity, convulsions, delirium and death.

Director Russell said the Syphilis Aware: Protect Me, Protect Navajo initiative is needed to protect Navajo womens unborn children, parents and the Nation. She said if either men or women suspect theyre infected, its critical to get treatment early and to receive regular annual checkups.

Syphilis is treatable and can be prevented, she said.

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NBC's Peter Alexander Presses Kristi Noem Over Book: 'Why Was That Line Ever' There?

NBCs Peter Alexander grilled South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Sunday about her evidence-free claim of having met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, an anecdote included in her book released earlier this year.

So how did it make it into your book, Governor? asked Alexander, who filled in for Kristen Welker on Sundays edition of Meet the Press.

Im not gonna talk about that, replied Noem, whose No Going Back book also includes a controversial story about shooting and killing her dog.

Youre not gonna talk about , Alexander said.

I took that, I took that, I took that line out of my book and Im not gonna talk about it, she said.

I guess my question is you wrote the book, though, so why was that line ever in your book? Alexander asked.

Noem  in the first release of No Going Back  wrote about meeting the North Korean leader while she was a member of the House Armed Services Committee, claiming shes sure that Kim underestimated her at the time.

Congressional staffers would later tell The Dakota Scout that they werent aware of such an event.

Ian Fury, a spokesperson for Noem, told HuffPost that two small errors would be corrected in future editions ahead of the books release last month and Kim shouldnt have been included in a list of world leaders.

Noem has previously refusedto answer whether she met Kim when pressed about the anecdote and kept her answers to Alexander short on Sunday.

Just to put it to bed once and for all, did you or did you not meet with Kim Jong Un? Alexander asked.

I am not going to talk about this, she said.

Why is that such a difficult one to say publicly? Alexander asked.

Because Ive taken that line out of the book and Im not going to discuss it, she replied.

Related...
The head of the North Carolina Republican Party is encouraging people to plan to vote.

NCGOP Chairman Michael Whatley visited SouthPark last week as part of his Protect the Vote tour.

LINK: The Political Beat with Ch. 9's Joe Bruno

He says North Carolinas election security is a lot better than many other states.

He encouraged Republicans to talk to people who are on the fence about who to support.

Everybody in North Carolina has heard me say it, Whatley said. My former staff at NCGOP hates me when I do it, so I am going to do it again. The most important thing you can do in an election cycle is have a five-minute conversation with an undecided voter.

The Mecklenburg County GOP chair also addressed the crowd.

She said her goal is to get 200,000 Republicans from Mecklenburg County to vote.

VIDEO: PART 1 -- The Political Beat with Ch. 9s Joe Bruno (June 16, 2024)








Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday appeared to walk back comments he made the day before that seemed to reject a cease-fire deal President Biden backed in the Israel-Hamas war.

Netanyahu on Monday told the Knesset he was committed to the plan, in remarks that drew praise from the White House.

We will not end the war until we return all of our hostages  120 hostages, the living and the deceased. We are committed to the Israeli proposal, which President Biden has welcomed, he said. Our position has not changed.

A day before, Netanyahu said he supported a partial deal, in comments that cast doubt about his support for Bidens three-phased cease-fire proposal announced last month.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller welcomed Netanyahus message.

I think all of us that speak publicly, at times, make mistakes and misspeak, he told Al-Monitor. And when we do so, we have an obligation to come clarify, and were glad he did.

Hamas leaders have also shown reluctance over accepting the deal. Hamas has insisted it will not release the remaining hostages unless theres a permanent cease-fire and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, which Netanyahu has resisted.

Tensions between the Biden administration and Netanyahu have risen throughout the war.

Early this month, Biden said theres every reason to think Netanyahu is prolonging the Israel-Hamas war for his political gain, one of his sharpest attacks against the Israeli leader.

Netanyahu also said Sunday that the Israeli offensive in Gaza is winding down, but warned a war against Hezbollah in Lebanon could be on the horizon as border tensions rise. The Biden administration has strongly pressured Netanyahu and the Israeli government not to invade Lebanon, fearful of a wider regional war.

Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown warned Sunday that Iran would likely back Hezbollah if Israel were to launch an offensive, effectively turning fighting into a proxy war and potentially putting American service members at risk.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Maayan Lubell

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -It was vintage Benjamin Netanyahu: a friendly interviewer, raucous applause from a supportive audience, and an overt appeal to his right wing supporters against the return of the Israeli left.

During an interview on Israel's Channel 14 television on Sunday, the prime minister made headlines by announcing that the most intense fighting in Gaza would come to an end soon, but that Israeli forces would still fight on until they eradicate Hamas.

He repeated a longstanding position that he was willing to agree only to temporary pauses in fighting to release some hostages, not the full end to the war that Hamas has demanded before agreeing to any truce.

That drew denunciations from families of hostages who have long accused him of delaying their release by prolonging the war, and from Hamas which says he has not upheld a ceasefire proposal touted by Washington and backed by the U.N.

On Monday, in a speech in parliament, Netanyahu said that Israel remained committed to its ceasefire and hostage deal proposal as presented by U.S. President Joe Biden last month, but that it would not end the war until Hamas was eliminated.

But as remarkable as anything Netanyahu said Sunday night was the venue he chose to say it: before a friendly studio audience that cheered him on, in his first interview on live Israeli TV since the attack by Hamas-led fighters that precipitated the Gaza war.

This was Netanyahu back in his natural element, a TV format he is known to relish from the 10 national election campaigns he has fought as leader of the rightwing Likud Party over the past three decades, winning power or keeping it in eight of them.

'SPEAKING TO HIS BASE'

"This is a right-wing government and if it falls it won't take long before there will be a left-wing government that will do one thing immediately - establish a Palestinian terrorist state," Netanyahu said.

While it is too early to suggest Netanyahu may be gearing up for a snap election - which would be the sixth in just over five years - his return to his familiar campaigning style shows his need to shore up his coalition, said political scientist Gideon Rahat, of the bi-partisan Israel Democracy Institute.

"He was speaking to his base," Rahat said. "He is sustaining his government ... that's the main goal. And he is succeeding, he is buying time."

Over the past eight months, Netanyahu has given interviews to U.S. television but avoided them at home. Instead of his familiar partisan pugilism, he has tried to portray himself as a consensus figure at the helm of a national unity emergency government that included his centrist rival Benny Gantz, who joined after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

Two weeks ago, Gantz quit, accusing Netanyahu's government of lacking a long-term plan for Gaza after the war. Since then Netanyahu has focused more openly on shoring up the rightwing coalition that brought him back to power a year and a half ago.

He has pushed back against pressure from far-right and ultra-Orthodox religious partners over a raft of contentious laws related to rabbinical appointments and military conscription. Last week Netanyahu said such initiatives risked dividing the coalition, and must be set aside during war time.

Still, there has been little sign of an organised effort by his political opponents to force a new election soon. For now, his most vocal opposition comes from family members of the hostages, who pounced on his comments on Sunday that he would consider only a "partial" truce to release "some" of the hostages before fighting on to defeat Hamas.

"I don't understand the prime minister's strategy," Ruby Chen, father of soldier Itay Chen whose body is being held by Hamas, told Army Radio. "How does this chatter help?"

The main hostage family group said in a statement: "The families of the hostages will not allow the government and its leader to back away from their fundamental commitments to our loved ones' fate. The responsibility and duty to return all hostages lies with the prime minister."

Netanyahu issued a late-night clarification that said Israel will "not leave Gaza until we return all 120 of our hostages, living and deceased".

(Additional reporting by Steven Scheer; Writing by Maayan Lubell and Peter Graff; Editing by Edmund Blair and Peter Graff)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that he is committed to a proposal crafted by members of his own government for a hostage and ceasefire deal in Gaza, after previously disavowing it as not favorable enough for Israel.

Earlier in June, President Joe Biden announced a three-phase proposal, later endorsed by the United Nations Security Council, that he said was outlined by Israeli negotiators and passed to Hamas via Qatari intermediaries. According to the stated proposal, Israel would withdraw all military forces from Gaza while Hamas returned women and children hostages as a six-week ceasefire took effect. A full ceasefire would follow, resulting in the release of all Hamas-held hostages and Israeli-held Palestinian political prisoners taken before and after the October 7 attacks.

While Netanyahu acknowledged that the outline was authorized by his war cabinet, he also distanced himself from it, insisting that a ceasefire was not possible without first effecting the "complete destruction" of Hamas. Senior Israeli officials characterized Biden's statements of Israel's position as "inaccurate," while Israeli forces continued to assault and bombard Rafah, where many Palestinian civilians had sought refuge.

Hamas signaled guarded openness to the deal, but proposed numerous changes and stressed that they would only countenance an agreement that guaranteed a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Israeli officials have said that Hamas' counter-offers are unacceptable and unreasonable, arguing it is effectively a rejection of the ceasefire proposal.

Netanyahu's refusal to endorse the deal pleased his right-wing coalition partners, who had threatened to leave the government if it was accepted, while frustrating US officials and further inflaming opposition at home and abroad. Israeli protesters, including family members of hostages, have accused Netanyahu and the Israeli government he leads of slaughtering Palestinian civilians and endangering the lives of the remaining hostages by further delaying a ceasefire.

As late as Sunday, Netanyahu was hardening his stance, expressing interest only in a "partial deal" that would free some hostages but allow Israel to keep fighting and "mowing the grass" in Gaza. Hamas responded that this was proof of US and Israeli insincerity and Netanyahu's intention to continue the war.

US and Israeli officials have told news outlets that Netanyahu's remarks on Sunday were a mistake, and that the prime minister himself agreed that a clarification was in order. By Monday, Netanyahu appeared to have softened his opposition, while insisting that his position had always been consistent.

"I promise you ... we will not end the war until we return all of our hostages  120 hostages, the living and the deceased," he said before the Israeli Knesset. "We are committed to the Israeli proposal, which President Biden has welcomed. Our position has not changed." In the same speech, however, Netanyahu maintained that Israel would not end the war until Hamas was destroyed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated Sunday his claim that President Biden held back arm shipments to his country, amid a spat between the world leaders over the Israel-Hamas war.

Netanyahu said that Israel saw a dramatic drop in U.S. arms shipments, a characterization the Biden administration has strongly denied.

When the prime minster first made the claim last week, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters, We genuinely do not know what hes talking about. We just dont.

The Biden administration delayed a shipment of heavy bombs in May over concerns about their use against civilians, though Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that everything else is moving as it normally would.

The clash comes as Netanyahu appears reluctant to embrace a cease-fire deal that Biden has championed, which would lead to a halt in fighting and the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Hamas leaders have also not agreed to the framework in its entirety.

Early this month, Biden said theres every reason to think Netanyahu is prolonging the Israel-Hamas war for his own political gain.

Netanyahu said Sunday that the Israeli offensive in Gaza is winding down, but warned that a war against Hezbollah in Lebanon could be on the horizon, as border tensions rise. The Biden administration has strongly pressured Netanyahu and the Israeli government not to invade Lebanon, fearful of a wider regional war.

Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown warned Sunday that Iran would likely back Hezbollah if Israel were to launch an offensive, effectively turning fighting into a proxy war and potentially putting American service members at risk.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was in Washington on Sunday to meet with senior Pentagon officials about the rising tensions.

In recent weeks, Israeli officials have increasingly warned that a wider conflict is inevitable with Hezbollah. 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.

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.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday in an interview that his war against Hamas in Gaza was entering a new, less intense phase. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI

June 23 (UPI) -- The latest battle in the war between Israel and Hamas is about to wind down, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday.

The most "intense phase of the war with Hamas is about to end," Netanyahu said.

The prime minister cautioned that this action does not mean the overall war in Gaza will end, but that the Israeli military will shift its focus to Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

"It doesn't mean that the war is going to end, but the war in its current stage is going to end in Rafah. This is true. We will continue mowing the grass later," Netanyahu told Channel 14 Television in his first one-on-one interview with local Israeli media since Oct. 7, CNN reported.

Netanyahu said in the interview that he is ready to make "a partial deal" with Hamas and that he will make concessions about returning some hostages, but will persist in his stated mission "to achieve the goal of eliminating Hamas."

"I'm not ready to give that up," Netanyahu said of his mission to eliminate Hamas.

Netanyahu added that "after the end of the intense phase, we will have the possibility to shift some of the power north, and we will do it."

"First of all, for protection purposes, and secondly, to bring our residents home as well. If we can do it politically, that would be great. If not, we will do it in another way, but we will bring everyone back home -- all the residents of the north and the south," he added.

Netanyahu has come under increasing pressure from the United States and other ally nations, including those that have been supporters of Israel, as the death toll in Gaza approaches 40,000. Israel launched the war against Iran-backed Hamas in retaliation for the militia's rogue terror attack on Oct. 7 that killed more than 1,200 Israelis and saw another roughly 250 kidnapped.

U.S. President Joe Biden has called on Netanyahu to moderate the Israel Defense Force's attacks on Gaza, which have included the shelling of a food aid operation which killed seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen in April.

Gazans have been forced to evacuate and move south as the IDF attacks have continued, including to Rafah. Despite international condemnation, Israeli forces invaded that town, too, displacing hundreds of thousands of Gazans, many who had already been displaced, some more than once.
JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel remained committed to its proposed Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, and his military chief said the remaining Hamas forces in the southern Gaza city of Rafah were nearly dismantled.

"We are committed to the Israeli proposal that President Biden welcomed. Our position has not changed. The second thing, which does not contradict the first, we will not end the war until we eliminate Hamas," Netanyahu said in a speech to parliament.

Israel's military issued a statement from a situational assessment by its chief of staff in the area of Rafah, where Israeli forces have been fighting Hamas' remaining battalions.

"We are clearly approaching the point where we can say we have dismantled the Rafah Brigade, that it is defeated not in the sense that there are no more terrorists, but in the sense that it can no longer function as a fighting unit," said Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi.

Hamas's deputy chief in Gaza, Khalil Al-Hayya, said: "We are a people on its land and a resistance (group) defending its land. If the occupation (Israel) announces it is achieving its goals, let it do so and let it say what it wants and the field can validate and falsify."

He added: "If Israel wants to convince itself that it is done, it should exit the strip," in response to a question about the Israeli army's remarks on dismantling Hamas during an interview with the Qatar-based Al Jazeera TV on Monday.

(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; additional reporting by Jaidaa Taha; Editing by Susan Fenton and Alistair Bell)
Israel won't end war in Gaza until 'Iran's intentions to destroy us' are thwarted

Israel will not end the war in Gaza until all hostages held by Hamas-led militants are returned, Hamas is eliminated and "Iran's intentions to destroy us" have been thwarted, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israeli lawmakers Monday.

Yet Netanyahu also said Israel is committed to the peace plan President Joe Biden unveiled last month.

The comments came a day after the prime minister drew criticism for appearing to reject the cease-fire plan, designed to roll into permanent peace if both sides follow steps laid out in the proposal. Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel was willing to pause fighting in Gaza in exchange for the return of some of hostages but said Israel was "obligated" to resume fighting until Hamas was destroyed.

Hamas said in a statement that Netanyahu's plan to continue fighting was "clear confirmation of his rejection" of the cease-fire plan. The statement called on the international community to pressure Israel to end the war. It also called on the Biden administration to stop supporting Israel and "lift its cover over the occupation and its crimes, which make Washington a key partner in their perpetuation."

Hamas-led militants killed almost 1,200 people and kidnapped more than 250 in a brazen, bloody Oct. 7 raid on Israel communities bordering Gaza. More than 100 hostages remain in Gaza, though dozens are believed dead. The attack prompted Israel's assault on Gaza, which authorities there say has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians.

Displaced men walk with a donkey-drawn cart carrying their belongings as they flee the northwest of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on June 24, 2024.

Developments:

 The U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA was sued on Monday by dozens of Israelis who accused it of aiding and abetting the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. The complaint, filed in federal court in Manhattan, says the agency spent more than a decade helping Hamas build a "terror infrastructure" and recruit personnel needed for the attack.

 Pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israel protesters clashed in the predominantly Jewish Los Angeles neighborhood of Pico-Robertson on Sunday. The United Jewish Coalition issued a statement saying the incident "brought to life the darkest nightmare many of us hoped we would never witness on American soil" and that Jews in the city were no longer safe.

 Netanyahu reiterated his rejection of a Biden-backed plan to have some version of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority run Gaza when the war is over.

Pressure on Netanyahu builds: Biden questions his motives, Hamas sticks to demands

Israel ready to expand Lebanon military operation

When Gaza fighting has eased, Netanyahu said Israel will deploy more forces along the northern border with Lebanon, where clashes with Hezbollah have escalated and forced tens of thousands of Israelis from their homes for months. Netanyahu said the primary goal will be to establish defensive positions in the north.

"If we can, we will do this diplomatically. If not, we will do it another way," Netanyahu said. "But we will bring them home."

European foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned Monday that the Middle East was close to seeing the conflict expanding into Lebanon and possibly beyond. Borrell noted that Iran-backed Hezbollah threatened EU member Cyprus just last week.

"The risk of this war effecting the south of Lebanon and spilling over is every day bigger," Borrell told reporters ahead of a foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg. "We are on the eve of the war expanding."

US general says Israeli plans to strike Lebanon could endanger US troops

An Israeli offensive into Lebanon targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants based there could draw Iran deeper into the Middle East conflict and endanger U.S. forces in the region, the top U.S. military officer says.

Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Iranian response to defend Hezbollah could trigger a broader war, according to an Associated Press report. Brown, speaking Sunday with reporters while en route to Botswana for meetings, said Tehran would likely provide more support for Hezbollah than it did Hamas if Iranian leaders felt that Hezbollah was being "significantly threatened.

Brown said the U.S. might be able to provide only limited support for Israel in a broader Hezbollah war, noting the difficulty in stopping shorter-range rockets Hezbollah routinely into Israel, he said.

Leader of embattled UN aid agency for Palestinians urges global support

The U.N. Palestinian aid agency created 75 years ago to provide aid to Palestinians is "staggering under the weight of relentless attacks" and years of severe underfunding, UNRWA's leader said Monday.

Philippe Lazzarini said UNRWA is targeted by Israel because of its role in safeguarding the rights of Palestinian refugees and because it of its commitment to a political solution supported by an overwhelming majority of the world. He urged global support for the agency, which he said will be crucial for postwar Gaza, including providing education to 300,000 children who have gone virtually without schooling since the war began.

"Israel has long been critical of the agency's mandate," he said. "But it now seeks to end UNRWA's operations, dismissing the agency's status as a United Nations entity supported by an overwhelming majority of member states."

Palestinians accuse Israel of attacking aid distribution center

Eight Palestinians were killed on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike on a training college near Gaza City being used to distribute aid, witnesses said. The strike hit part of a vocational college run by the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA that provides aid to displaced families.

"Some people ... were filling up water, others were receiving coupons, and suddenly we heard something falling," Mohammed Tafesh, who witnessed the carnage, told Reuters. "We ran away, those who were carrying water let it spill."

The Israeli military, which has repeatedly accused the agency of supporting Hamas, said in a statement that "precise armament" and thorough intelligence were used to protect civilians not involved with Hamas.

"This is another example of the Hamas terrorist organization's systematic use of infrastructure and the civilian population as a human shield for terrorist activity," the military said in a statement.

Hamas dismissed Israel's claim that the site was being used for military purposes as "an exposed lie that conceals the true intentions of this fascist government towards the UNRWA."

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israeli news: Netanyahu reaffirms war won't end until Hamas is crushed
As a non-European Union (EU) company looking to tap into the lucrative B2B market within the economic bloc, navigating the complex web of VAT (Value Added Tax) regulations can be a daunting task.

With each member state having its own set of rules and reporting requirements, staying compliant can quickly become an administrative nightmare. This is where having an EU Fiscal Representative can be an invaluable asset, streamlining your operations and ensuring you remain on the right side of the law. In this article, well explore the key benefits of appointing a Fiscal Representative and why its a wise investment for your business.

1. Simplified VAT Registration and Compliance

One of the primary advantages of having an EU Fiscal Representative is the simplified VAT registration process. Instead of navigating the intricacies of registering for VAT in multiple member states, your Fiscal Representative can handle the entire process on your behalf. This not only saves you time and resources but also ensures that your registration is completed accurately and in compliance with local regulations.

Furthermore, your Fiscal Representative will be responsible for maintaining your VAT compliance across all relevant EU countries. This includes filing periodic VAT returns, managing VAT payments, and keeping meticulous records of your transactions. By outsourcing this critical task to a knowledgeable and experienced partner, you can focus on your core business operations without worrying about the complexities of VAT compliance.

2. Local Expertise and Language Proficiency

Navigating the EUs VAT landscape can be particularly challenging for non-EU businesses, as each member state has its own unique set of rules and regulations. An EU Fiscal Representative brings invaluable local expertise to the table, ensuring that your business remains compliant with the specific VAT requirements of the countries you operate in.

Moreover, your Fiscal Representative will be well-versed in the local language and cultural nuances, facilitating seamless communication with tax authorities and other stakeholders. This can be particularly beneficial when dealing with audits, inquiries, or other VAT-related matters, where a thorough understanding of the local context is crucial.

3. Reduced Risk and Penalties

Failure to comply with VAT regulations can result in severe penalties, including fines, interest charges, and potential legal consequences. By appointing an EU Fiscal Representative, you significantly reduce the risk of non-compliance and the associated financial and reputational repercussions.

Your Fiscal Representative will act as your legal representative within the EU, taking on the responsibility for ensuring that your VAT obligations are met promptly and accurately. This added layer of accountability and expertise can provide peace of mind, knowing that your VAT matters are in capable hands.

4. Access to Valuable Advisory Services

In addition to handling your VAT registration and compliance, many Fiscal Representatives also offer valuable advisory services tailored to non-EU businesses operating in the economic bloc. These services can range from guidance on pricing strategies and supply chain optimisation to insights into the latest VAT developments and their potential impact on your business.

By leveraging the expertise of your Fiscal Representative, you can stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions that minimise your VAT liabilities while maximizing your operational efficiency within the EU market.

5. Improved Cash Flow Management

VAT can have a significant impact on your businesss cash flow, particularly when dealing with cross-border transactions. Having an EU Fiscal Representative can help you better manage your cash flow by ensuring that VAT is correctly calculated and reported, minimising the risk of overpayments or underpayments.

Additionally, your Fiscal Representative can assist you in navigating the complexities of VAT recovery processes, ensuring that you reclaim any eligible VAT paid on expenses or purchases made within the EU. This can positively impact your bottom line and improve your overall cash flow management.

Conclusion

As a non-EU company seeking to establish a strong foothold in the B2B market within the economic bloc, having an EU Fiscal Representative is no longer just an option  its a necessity. By partnering with a reputable and experienced Fiscal Representative, you gain access to a wealth of local expertise, streamlined VAT compliance processes, and valuable advisory services tailored to your business needs.

In todays increasingly globalised and competitive landscape, ensuring VAT compliance should be a top priority for any organisation operating cross-border. By leveraging the benefits of an EU Fiscal Representative, you can focus on driving growth and maximising opportunities within the EU market, secure in the knowledge that your VAT obligations are being handled efficiently and compliantly.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the most intense phase of the war with Palestinian militant group Hamas is drawing to a close and another stage would see lower-intensity fighting, along with the potential repositioning of troops to the northern border with Lebanon.

We need to eliminate all the Hamas battalions, and now we are in Rafah, and we are about to finish this stage, Netanyahu told Israeli Channel 14 on Sunday, though he pledged the war would not end.

Israel is fighting what it says are the last Hamas battalions hiding out in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza that Israeli troops entered last month and have slowly expanded across. The city had been a refuge for more than 1 million Palestinian civilians, but was evacuated when Israeli forces moved in.

Netanyahu said in the interview Sunday that operations would continue in Gaza to complete the goal of the elimination of Hamas even after the more intense phase ends. He also cast doubt on a cease-fire and hostage release deal. President Biden has proposed a three-phase plan to release hostages, withdraw Israeli troops from populated areas of Gaza and maintain a cease-fire as long as negotiations continue.

I am not ready to stop the war and leave Hamas intact, Netanyahu said. We will make a deal and complete the goal of destroying Hamas.

I dont see any factor that will eliminate terrorism, only the IDF, he added, referring to the Israeli military.

Hamas killed more than 1,100 people and took roughly 250 hostages on Oct. 7, initiating the war. Some 120 hostages still remain in Gaza, with an unclear number still alive.

Netanyahu on Sunday added that some troops would move north to Lebanon, where the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group continues to trade deadly fire with Israel over the border as the conflict approaches a potential all-out war.

In the north, the agreement will not be an agreement on paper. It will include the physical removal of Hezbollah, Netanyahu said. He appeared to dismiss the diplomatic efforts of a special U.S. envoy in the region to de-escalate tensions at the Israel-Lebanon border.

Netanyahu has faced pressure in Israel to come up with a clear post-war plan, with some of his detractors accusing him of prolonging the war in Gaza for his political survival. The Israeli leader faces questions about the failure of security on Oct. 7, along with prewar scandals, including a controversial judicial overhaul plan and charges of fraud.

The families of the hostages have demanded the release of their loved ones and protesters have taken to the streets to demonstrate against Netanyahu, whose war Cabinet collapsed earlier this month when centrist opposition leader Benny Gantz left the group and accused the Israeli prime minister of failing to tackle the wars most vexing problems, including a more concrete post-war plan.

Netanyahu told Israeli Channel 14 that protesters should come to your senses and called for unity. He also reiterated his plans for a post-war Gaza that includes indefinite Israeli security control and local non-Hamas Palestinian governance.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Netanyahu says war in Gaza is winding down but warns of conflict with Hezbollah

Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel can and will fight on several fronts - Jack Guez/Avalon

Israel is winding down its operations against Hamas in Gaza and will be able to re-deploy troops to the northern border with Lebanon soon, Benjamin Netanyahu has said.

In a rare interview on Israeli television, Mr Netanyahu said the phase of intense fighting in the Gaza Strip would be over very soon.

We will have the possibility of transferring some of our forces north, and we will do that, he told Israels Channel 14, a Right-wing broadcaster.

First and foremost, for defensive purposes, he added, but also to allow tens of thousands of displaced Israelis to return home.

Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire on an almost daily basis since the Hamas attack on Oct 7 that triggered the war in Gaza, but the fighting has intensified in recent weeks, raising fears of a full-blown conflict.

Hezbollah has launched over 3,300 projectiles towards Israel since October, causing the worst conflict since the 2006 war ended.

But Hezbollah is much stronger than Hamas, and opening a new front would raise the risk of a larger, region-wide war involving other Iranian proxies and perhaps Iran itself.

Mr Netanyahu said he hoped a diplomatic solution to the crisis could be found but vowed to solve the problem in a different way if needed. We can fight on several fronts and we are prepared to do that, he said.

He said any deal would not just be an agreement on paper. He said it would require Hezbollah to be far from the border, an enforcement mechanism and the return of Israelis back to their homes.

Hezbollah has said it will continue battling Israel until a ceasefire is reached in Gaza.

However, Mr Netanyahu reiterated that the war would not end until the terror group had been totally eliminated.

I am not willing to end the war and leave Hamas as it is, he said.

Mr Netanyahu has always said the two war aims were to dismantle Hamas and to bring back the remaining 120 hostages.

On Oct 7, more than 1,200 people  most of them civilians  were killed after Hamas terrorists stormed across the border into Israel, taking over 250 people hostage.

Im ready to make a partial deal to return some of the people to us but we are forced to continue this war after the truce to reach our goal which is removing Hamas.

Im not ready to compromise, Mr Netanyahu said, while talks for a ceasefire remain gridlocked.

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.
Netanyahu says he won't agree to a deal that ends the war in Gaza, testing the latest truce proposal

Palestinians mourn their relatives killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip at a hospital morgue in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, June 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)  The viability of a U.S.-backed proposal to wind down the 8-month-long war in Gaza has been cast into doubt after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would only be willing to agree to a partial cease-fire deal that would not end the war, comments that sparked an uproar from families of hostages held by Hamas.

In an interview broadcast late Sunday on Israeli Channel 14, a conservative, pro-Netanyahu station, the Israeli leader said he was prepared to make a partial deal  this is no secret  that will return to us some of the people, referring to the roughly 120 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip. But we are committed to continuing the war after a pause, in order to complete the goal of eliminating Hamas. Im not willing to give up on that.

Netanyahus comments did not deviate dramatically from what he has said previously about his terms for a deal. But they come at a sensitive time, as Israel and Hamas appear to be moving further apart over the latest cease-fire proposal, and they could represent another setback for mediators trying to end the war.

Netanyahu's comments stood in sharp contrast to the outlines of the deal detailed late last month by U.S. President Joe Biden, who framed the plan as an Israeli one and which some in Israel refer to as Netanyahus deal. His remarks could further strain Israel's ties to the U.S., its top ally, which launched a major diplomatic push for the latest cease-fire proposal.

The three-phased plan would bring about the release of the remaining hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. But disputes and mistrust persist between Israel and Hamas over how the deal plays out.

Hamas has insisted it will not release the remaining hostages unless theres a permanent cease-fire and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. When Biden announced the latest proposal, he said it included both.

But Netanyahu says Israel is still committed to destroying Hamas military and governing capabilities, and ensuring it can never again carry out an Oct. 7-style assault. A full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, where Hamas top leadership and much of its forces are still intact, would almost certainly leave the group in control of the territory and able to rearm.

In the interview, Netanyahu said the current phase of fighting is ending, setting the stage for Israel to send more troops to its northern border to confront the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, in what could open up a new war front. But he said that didn't mean the war in Gaza was over.

On Monday, Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant discussed tensions on the border with Lebanon during his trip to Washington with Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to Biden. He echoed Netanyahu's comments that the war in Gaza is transitioning to a new phase, which could impact other conflicts, including with Hezbollah.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Gallant that it was critical to avoid escalating the conflict in the Middle East and find a resolution that allows both Israeli and Lebanese families to return to their homes.

Israel is close to dismantling the Hamas military brigades in the southern city of Rafah, and maintains "full control over the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic buffer zone along Gaza's border with Egypt, Israels military chief Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said. Israel says the corridor is awash with tunnels that Hamas uses to smuggle weapons and other goods. Halevi said Israel's control over the buffer zone will bring an end to that.

During the initial six-week phase of the proposed cease-fire, the sides are supposed to negotiate an agreement on the second phase, which Biden said would include the release of all remaining living hostages including male soldiers and Israels full withdrawal from Gaza. The temporary cease-fire would become permanent.

Hamas appears concerned that Israel will resume the war once its most vulnerable hostages are returned. And even if it doesnt, Israel could make demands in that stage of negotiations that were not part of the initial deal and are unacceptable to Hamas  and then resume the war when Hamas refuses them.

Netanyahus remarks reinforced that concern. After they were aired, Hamas said they represented unmistakable confirmation of his rejection of the U.S.-supported deal, which also received the backing of the United Nations Security Council.

In a statement late Sunday after Netanyahus lengthy TV interview, the Palestinian militant group said his position was in contrast to what the U.S. administration said Israel had approved. The group said its insistence that any deal should include a permanent cease-fire and the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip was an inevitable necessity to block Netanyahus attempts of evasion, deception, and perpetuation of aggression and the war of extermination against our people.

Netanyahu shot back and in a statement from his office said Hamas opposed a deal. He said Israel would not withdraw from Gaza until all 120 hostages are returned.

Hamas welcomed the broad outline of the U.S. plan but proposed what it said were amendments. During a visit to the region earlier this month, Blinken said some of Hamas' demands were workable and some were not, without elaborating.

Netanyahu and Hamas both have incentives to keep the devastating war going despite the catastrophic toll it has had on civilians in Gaza and the mounting anger in Israel that the hostages have not been returned and Hamas is not defeated.

The families of hostages have grown increasingly impatient with Netanyahu, seeing his apparent reluctance to move ahead on a deal as tainted by political considerations. A group representing the families condemned Netanyahu's remarks, which it viewed as an Israeli rejection of the latest cease-fire proposal.

This is an abandonment of the 120 hostages and a violation of the states moral duty toward its citizens, it said, noting that it held Netanyahu responsible for returning all the captives.

Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu repeated his claim that a dramatic drop in arms shipments from the U.S. was hindering the war effort. U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Monday that he doesnt understand Netanyahu's comments and that Biden has delayed only one shipment of heavy bombs over concerns about heavy civilian casualties.

There are other weapons that we continue to provide Israel as we have done going back years and years, because we are committed to Israels security," Miller told reporters in Washington. "There has been no change in that.

In its Oct. 7 cross-border assault, Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took 250 people captive, including women, children and older people. Dozens were freed in a temporary cease-fire deal in late November and of the 120 remaining hostages, Israel says about a third are dead.

Israel's retaliatory war has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. It has sparked a humanitarian crisis and displaced most of the territory's 2.3 million population.

___

Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press reporter Matthew Lee contributed from Washington, D.C.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Gaza at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
CARSON CITY, NV - OCTOBER 18: President Donald Trump gestures during a campaign rally on October 18, 2020 in Carson City, Nevada. With 16 days to go before the November election, President Trump is back on the campaign trail with multiple daily events as he continues to campaign against Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. (Photo by Stephen Lam/Getty Images)

A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version.

Nevada Fake Electors Case Dismissed

The criminal prosecution of the 2020 fake electors scheme in Nevada was undertaken in the wrong county, a state judge ruled Friday. The criminal case was filed in Clark County (Las Vegas) but the proper venue was Douglas County (Carson City, the state capital).

Normally this is not that big of a deal: The prosecutor, in this case the state attorney general, merely refiles the case in the right county.

The problem here: The statute of limitations has already run out, meaning it cant simply be refiled in a different county.

Attorney General Aaron Ford plans to appeal the venue decision.

Do Yourself A Favor

Ignore all the expectations-setting journalism ahead of Thursdays presidential debate. Its pablum.

2024 Ephemera

Democrats, including the Biden campaign, are rolling out a day full of abortion-related messaging pegged to todays two-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.

North Carolina: Biden Is Pouring Millions Into a State Democrats Havent Won Since 2008

The Trump campaign is keeping a tight leash on things in the run up to the GOP convention in Milwaukee, via NBC News:

Donald Trumps presidential campaign moved [last] week to quash a potential disturbance at next months GOP convention in Milwaukee by seeking to replace six delegates to the convention who they thought were potentially going to initiate unnecessary distractions on the floor.  Days later, however, the Trump campaign abandoned efforts to replace the delegates, saying it cleared the air with the delegates who sparked the concerns after days of deliberation.

Playing The Long Game

Politicos Alice Ollstein reports on a new 10-year $100 million national campaign by a coalition of abortion rights groups to restore federal protections for the procedure.

Tell Me More 

New reporting from ABC News this morning about an unusual trip that Donald Trump took to Mar-a-Lago in the summer of 2022 that raised the suspicions of investigators in the classified documents case:

The previously unreported visit, which allegedly took place July 10-12 in the summer of 2022, was raised in several interviews with witnesses, sources familiar with the matter said, as investigators sought to determine whether it was part of Trumps broader alleged effort to withhold the documents after receiving a subpoena demanding their return. At least one witness who worked closely with the former president recalled being told at the time of the trip that Trump was there checking on the boxes, according to sources familiar with what the witness told investigators.

Mar-a-Lago Miscellany

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon spent much of Friday hearing arguments on whether Jack Smiths appointment as special counsel was constitutionally valid.

The hearing resumes today with separate arguments over whether the funding of Smiths office has been proper.

Your occasional reminder that neither of these arguments are particularly novel nor have judges in other cases found them persuasive. But here we are on Day 2 of pretending otherwise.

Over the weekend, Special Counsel Jack Smith submitted a new filing in connection with his effort to persuade Cannon to modify the conditions of Trumps release so he will stop his rhetorical attacks on law enforcement. He cited the attack on the FBI field office in Cincinnati in 2022 and the recent charges against a man who allegedly threatened an FBI agent in the Hunter Biden case.

Gag Order Update

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is asking the judge in Trumps hush money case to leave the gag order against him mostly intact for the time being.

Good Read

NYT: Michael Flynn Has Turned His Trump-World Celebrity Into a Family Business

This Is Not Normal

An eloquent reaction to being targeted by MAGA from former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe:

Pelosis Husbands Attacker Convicted On State Charges

Already facing a 30-year federal prison sentence for the attack on Paul Pelosi in his San Francisco home, David DePape was convicted Friday in state court of first-degree burglary, false imprisonment of an elder, threatening the family of a public official, kidnapping for ransom that resulted in bodily harm, and dissuading a witness by force or threat.

For Your Radar

Graham Allison and Michael J. Morell: The Terrorism Warning Lights Are Blinking Red Again

Historic Court-Martial Struggles To Find Jurors

Air Force Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart is being court-martialed for alleged sexual assault, conduct unbecoming an officer, and controlling an aircraft within 12 hours of consuming alcohol, but the military is struggling to find a sufficient number of jurors holding either a higher rank or the same rank for longer than the accused. Stewart is only the second Air Force general to ever face a court-martial.

Life Imitating Art

Historian Kevin Kruse recounts how the precedent Louisiana is citing for requiring the 10 Commandments to be displayed in every classroom is at least partly rooted in Hollywoods promotional campaign for Cecil B. DeMilles 1956 epic of the same name starring Charlton Heston.

Messiah Complex Much?

Trump: If I took this shirt off, you would see a beautiful beautiful person. But you would see wounds all over. Ive taken a lot of wounds I can tell you. More than I suspect any president ever pic.twitter.com/ETzIt9jJI0  Acyn (@Acyn) June 22, 2024

Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know!
A guide to the key races, including a bitter Democratic primary battle, the fight for Mitt Romney's seat and Lauren Boebert's district-hopping gambit.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman is joined by fellow Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders at a rally in New York on June 22. (Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images)

Voters in New York, Utah and Colorado will head to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots in statewide primaries with national implications.

Here is a brief guide to several of Tuesdays key matchups as well as a primer on whats at stake in the fall.

A bitter Democratic primary in New York

Bowman speaks at the rally in New York. (Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images)

In New York, all eyes are on the acrimonious Democratic primary battle between incumbent Rep. Jamaal Bowman and George Latimer, his centrist challenger, to represent the states 16th Congressional District.

At a rally over the weekend, Bowman was joined by two of the countrys most prominent progressives: Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who represents New Yorks 14th Congressional District and is not facing a primary challenge. Latimer, a Westchester County executive, has been endorsed by Hillary Clinton.

One of the key issues roiling the race has been the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Bowman was among the first prominent Democrats to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, angering pro-Israel groups that have poured millions of dollars into Latimers campaign.

The race to replace Romney in Utah

Sen. Mitt Romney at a hearing on Capitol Hill in April. (Alex Brandon/AP)

In Utah, there are four key races to watch, including one that will likely decide the successor to retiring GOP Sen. Mitt Romney:

Gubernatorial: Republican Gov. Spencer Cox is an outspoken critic of former President Donald Trump who is being challenged by Phil Lyman, a right-wing election denier. Trump has not formally endorsed Lyman, and Cox is widely expected to easily win Tuesdays primary.

Senate: Since Democrats havent won a Senate seat in Utah since 1970, Tuesdays Republican primary will likely decide who will replace Romney. The leading candidates include Rep. John Curtis, an environmentalist who, like Romney, is a moderate conservative; former state House Speaker Brad Wilson, a Trump backer; and Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs, who was endorsed by the former president.

Trent Staggs at a rally in Orem, Utah, on June 14. (Rick Bowmer/AP)

House: In Utahs Second Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Celeste Maloy, who has been endorsed by Trump, is facing a challenge from combat veteran Colby Jenkins, who is being backed by several prominent Trump supporters, including Vivek Ramaswamy and Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. In the open race to represent Utahs Third Congressional District, state Sen. Mike Kennedy, a Trump supporter who is skeptical of U.S. financial support for Ukraine, is being challenged by Case Lawrence, a self-described trampoline park entrepreneur.

Boeberts district switcheroo

Rep. Lauren Boebert on the steps of the Capitol on June 14. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images)

In Colorado, there are two House races to watch after Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert decided to switch congressional districts following her near-loss to Democrat Adam Frisch in 2022.

In the states Third Congressional District  the one Boebert abandoned  former state Rep. Ron Hanks, a Trump supporter who was at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is taking on Jeff Hurd, who was described by Politico as a business-friendly attorney. The winner will likely face Frisch, the presumptive Democratic nominee, in the fall. In recent weeks, Colorado Democrats have aired campaign ads in the hopes of elevating Hanks, who they view as the weaker candidate.

In the states Fourth Congressional District, Boebert  who was endorsed by Trump  is favored to win the open primary for the seat that was vacated by Rep. Ken Buck, who retired in March.

But there is also a special election Tuesday to replace Buck for the remainder of his term. Boebert is not running in that race. Greg Lopez, a former mayor of Parker, Colo., and an outspoken election denier, is. Lopez is expected to win against Trisha Calvarese, his Democratic challenger. But Lopez has already said he is not running in the fall, clearing Boeberts path for another term in Congress.

Read more from The Hill: Colorado Democrats elevate divisive GOP candidate in race for Boebert seat

Cover thumbnail photos: Ted Shaffrey/AP
*The video in this story is from a previous report.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Nicholas Bollea, son of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, pleaded guilty to charges related to a November DUI arrest, according to court records.

The records showed that on Friday, Bollea pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and a Move Over Act violation.

Florida rapper Julio Foolio believed dead, 3 injured in shooting at Tampa Holiday Inn

In November, authorities said Bollea was arrested after speeding past a traffic stop while not moving over.

After pulling Bollea over, the officer who conducted the traffic stop said the Clearwater, Florida, resident had a strong scent of alcohol on his breath and bloodshot eyes. He also swayed and was unsteady but refused to do a breath test.

On Friday, Bollea was sentenced to a year of probation but can apply for early termination after six months, court records show. He has to attend DUI classes and perform 100 hours of community service as well.

The judge also suspended Bolleas license for 12 months, fined him over $1,000, and ordered that he be continuously screened for drug and alcohol for 120 days.

Hulk Hogan launching Real American Beer brand this summer

Bollea was previously at the center of a lawsuit for years over a 2007 crash that paralyzed his friend John Graziano. He also pleaded no contest to a reckless driving charge in the 2007 incident.

Bolleas father, Hulk Hogan, whose real name is Terry Eugene Bollea, is a retired pro wrestler and TV personality considered the most recognized wrestling star worldwide and the most popular wrestler of the 1980s, according to IMDb.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Nigel Farage under fire for cuddling up to the Kremlin as IFS accuses Reform of poisoning election debate

Nigel Farage has come under fire for cuddling up to the Kremlin as a leading think tank accused his Reform party of poisoning the election debate.

On another torrid day for the ex-Ukip leader, military experts queued up to criticise his claim that the West provoked Russias war on Ukraine.

It follows days of condemnation both nationally and internationally over Mr Farages comments, which he made in a BBC interview on Friday night.

In an apparent attempt to change the conversation, Mr Farage made another incendiary claim  that there had been an invasion of people arriving in the UK on small boats.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said he would never, ever defend Vladimir Putin, as he ramped up his row with Boris Johnson (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Mr Farages words echo comments by the former home secretary Suella Braverman, who was roundly condemned while in office for warning of an invasion on the south coast.

But he was also attacked on a different front, as the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) accused Reform UK of making unattainable tax claims that the think tank said had helped to poison the entire political debate.

The IFS accused parties of a conspiracy of silence over the painful economic decisions that would have to be made after the election, and said it would be a surprise if there are no further tax rises in the next five years.

As he fought back after days of criticism, Mr Farage hit out at former prime minister Boris Johnson for labelling his views on Ukraine morally repugnant.

At an event in Kent, the Reform leader unveiled a large poster of a 2016 newspaper front page with the headline Boris blames EU for war in Ukraine.

Mr Farage said: Well, perhaps its Boris Johnson thats morally repugnant and not me, I dont know. But can you see the sheer level of hypocrisy?

He added that he would never, ever defend Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze at the site of a Russian missile strike in Odesa, Ukraine (AFP via Getty)

On Friday, Mr Farage told a BBC Panorama special that we provoked this war. He said the European Unions expansion, as well as Nato, had provided Mr Putin with an excuse for his invasion.

George Robertson, the former head of Nato, accused Mr Farage of cuddling up to the Kremlin. He told LBC it was total nonsense that the West had provoked Russia into invading Ukraine.

Lord Robertson said: Nigel Farage today has shown his real colours by this sort of, you know, appeasement, adding: One of my successors at Nato ... crisply summed it up  if Russia stops fighting, there will be peace. If Ukraine stops fighting, there will be no Ukraine. That sums it up, and I think Nigel Farage should listen to that.

A former head of the army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, said Mr Farage did not have a point worth listening to about anything.

Former Nato head George Robertson has criticised Farage for his comments on Russia (PA Archive)

Earlier, Rishi Sunak again hit out at Mr Farages comments, saying: You all heard what Nigel Farage said about Ukraine. That plays into Putins hands. That kind of appeasement is dangerous for Britains security, the security of our allies that rely on us, and will only embolden Putin.

In a bid to change tack, Mr Farage tried to switch the conversation to small boat crossings in the Channel.

He said: Remember I went out four years ago, again and again, into the Channel to highlight what was going on, to say you might as well put a sign on the white cliffs of Dover saying Everyone welcome.

He added: I warned that huge numbers would come, I even said there might be an invasion, which is of course the rudest word you could possibly use in BBC land, but now 4,000 boats and 128,000 people later, it does look like its been an invasion to me  and its mostly young men.
Gov. Jim Pillen addresses attendees at a property tax town hall in Plattsmouth on Thursday, May 30, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Gov. Jim Pillen will close out the month of June with nine more town halls focused on his property tax reform ideas in western and central Nebraska.

The latest slate of town halls indicates that Pillen will complete June with a full slate of such events in the western and central parts of the state, including his hometown of Columbus. At weeks end, this will equate to 26 town halls.

The governors quest has been to shift or eliminate a total of about 40%, or $2 billion, of locally collected property taxes by the end of his first two years in office, adding on to efforts in 2023. Pillen has previewed that hes open to the state taking on more or all of the tab for Nebraskas 244 public school districts.

The Nebraska Department of Revenue reports that for the 2022-2023 school year, the property tax portion for school funding was $2.8 billion, excluding bond taxes.

Ideas for funding Pillens ideas include eliminating some sales tax exemptions and possibly creating a two-tiered sales and use tax rate per dollar on purchases of certain goods or services. The rate is currently 5.5 cents. Sins taxes could also increase, such as on alcohol, cigarettes or vaping.

Pillen has not yet disclosed a specific plan of action; neither have any of the more than a dozen state senators he has been working with in Lincoln.

Last week, the governor offered a save-the-date for senators to clear their calendars between July 26 and Aug. 15. It is the clearest indication yet for when he might call a special session, though no official call has been made.

This weeks town hall schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, June 25

10:30 a.m. at Phelps Memorial Health Center, 1215 Tibbals St., Holdrege.

2 p.m. at Younes Conference Center  North, 707 Talmadge St., Kearney.

Wednesday, June 26

1:30 p.m. at Columbus Chamber of Commerce, 753 33rd Ave., Columbus.

Thursday, June 27

10 a.m. at Mid-Plains Community College, 715 East Highway 20, Valentine.

1 p.m. at Chadron State College, Student Center  Lakota Room, 1000 Main St., Chadron.

4:30 p.m. at Westside Events Center, 2472 County Road 62, Alliance.

Friday, June 28

8:30 a.m. at Petrified Wood Gallery, 418 East 1st St., Ogallala.

1 p.m. at Coppermill Steakhouse, 202 Coppermill St., McCook.

4 p.m. at Central Community College  The Opportunity Center, 1501 Plum Creek Parkway, Lexington.

The post Nine more Gov. Pillen-led property tax town halls in central, western Nebraska this week appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
NM State Police: Man arrested after fleeing, being shot at by deputy in Lincoln County

NM State Police: Man arrested after fleeing, being shot at by deputy in Lincoln County

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A man was arrested after he allegedly shoplifted items from a discount store in Capitan, New Mexico, tried to flee from law enforcement and ended up being shot at by a Lincoln County Sheriffs deputy on Saturday, June 22, New Mexico State Police said.

Lincoln County Sheriffs deputies were called out just before 1 p.m. Saturday to the Family Dollar store in Capitan, according to State Police.

Victor Herrera, 22, and Maggie Mondragon, 25, were driving in stolen pickup truck when they shoplifted items from the store, according to State Police investigators.

Lincoln County Sheriffs deputies found the vehicle and tried to do a traffic stop, but the pair tried to flee until pulling over on Highway 380, State Police said.

Both Herrera and Mondragon got out of the vehicle and tried to flee on foot, State Police said.

Deputies were able to apprehend Mondragon, the driver of the vehicle.

Herrera fled on foot into the mountains and was not apprehended at this time, State Police said.

Later that day, a BOLO (be on the lookout) alert was issued for Herrera. State Police say that after fleeing on foot, he stole another truck and was then located by Lincoln County Sheriffs deputies, who tried to conduct a traffic stop. Herrera continued to flee in the truck onto Salazar Canyon Road.

A deputy then used spike strips on Salazar Canyon Road, but Herrera allegedly drove around the spikes.

At this point, the deputy fired at least one round from his duty weapon, State Police said.

After the officer-involved shooting, NM State Police officers responded to assist with the stolen vehicle pursuit. NMSP units located the truck and conducted a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) maneuver to stop the vehicle.

Herrera was then taken into custody. He was transported to an area hospital to be treated for minor injuries during the pursuit. New Mexico State Police did not say if Herrera had been shot or not.

No officers were injured during this incident.

Herrera is being charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and fleeing from a law enforcement officer. They did not say what charges Mondragon would be facing.

The LCSO deputy who fired his duty weapon was not identified.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Bayer and Vietnams National Agricultural Extension Center (NAEC) were recently honored with prestigious Public-Private Partnership of the Year at GovMedia Conference & Awards 2024 for their joint initiative, ForwardFarming.

This recognition also highlights the significant impact of their collaborative efforts, fostering collaboration throughout the rice value chain, promoting sustainable farming practices, and ultimately creating a prosperous future for farmers and the community.

Launched in September 2023, the three-year project is a collaborative initiative between Bayer Vietnam and NAEC, with the participation of various partners in the rice production value chain, including provincial agricultural service centers, Mekong Delta Rice Institute, Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, Saigon Kim Trading Service Company Limited Hong, Vietnam Rice Company Limited (Vinarice), and others.

Launched in September 2023, the three-year project is a collaborative initiative between Bayer Vietnam and NAEC, with the participation of various partners in the rice production value chain. Photo by Minh Phu

Its overarching goal is to help Vietnamese farmers strengthen rice yields while mitigating environmental impacts. This is achieved through three key pillars.

First, the project works to establish demonstration sites showcasing high-quality rice production techniques that optimize inputs and reduce emissions. This includes on-farm showcasing of integrated practices like optimized seed rate and fertilizer application, water management techniques, and integrated crop protection approaches with Bayers Much More Rice Solution.

Second, the major focus of the project is enhancing farmers capabilities through extensive training. To date, up to 4,500 rice growers in Can Tho, An Giang, and Kien Giang have participated in workshops covering topics such as good agricultural practices, safe, responsible, and effective use of crop protection solutions, and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies suited to local conditions.

Third, ForwardFarming brings together public and private partners to foster collaboration across the rice value chain. This includes local agricultural extension centers, input suppliers, research bodies, assisting with knowledge transfer, market linkages, and scaling of sustainable models.

During the summer-fall rice crop, the farming process faced various challenges, including heightened pest pressure and the negative impact of excessive rain on rice growth.

However, these challenges were effectively addressed through the implementation of innovative solutions and advanced technologies.

The seminar "Potential for expanding ForwardFarming model implementation, contributing to the vision of developing a one-million-hectare rice project focused on high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation in the Mekong Delta". Photo by Minh Phu

Noteworthy measures applied to ForwardFarm included the use of quality seeds from Vinarice, effective pest and disease management with Bayer's Much More Rice solutions, reduction of seed and labor requirements through cluster sowing technology combined with fertilizer application from Saigon Kim Hong Company, optimal fertilizer formulas from Binh Dien Company to reduce fertilizer usage and improve soil quality, and efficient water management using the alternate wetting and drying method of irrigation.

The results of the on-farm demonstrations have been highly positive, showcasing increased yields by 13.5%, while simultaneously reducing environmental impacts.

Do Tri Hung, a farmer who has actively participated in the project for multiple seasons, reported that the ForwardFarming model reduced input costs by VND1.54.0 million/ha and increased profit by 13%55% compared to traditional farming practices.

Evaluations conducted by the Mekong Delta Rice Institute also demonstrated that this model significantly improved plant growth, early indications around soil quality improvements, and water savings up to 50% compared to conventional rice farming methods.

Importantly, greenhouse gas emissions were also reduced by about 25%. These outcomes contribute perfectly to the Vietnam government's goal of developing 1 million hectares of sustainable, high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation.

The ForwardFarming model reduced input costs by VND1.5-4 million/ha and increased profit by 13-55% compared to traditional farming practices. Photo by Minh Phu

Kg Krishnamurthy, Country Head of Crop Science Division, Bayer Vietnam, said that they were proud of the progress made through ForwardFarming to demonstrate more sustainable rice cultivation techniques.

This project exemplifies the impact they can achieve through partnerships with farmers, other service providers, and government agencies.

"With the joint effort to expand this model across the Mekong Delta, we are paving the way for sustainable, high-quality rice cultivation while driving green growth in the region, contributing to a more resilient and prosperous agricultural future," he added.

Kg Krishnamurthy, Country Head of Crop Science Division, Bayer Vietnam. Photo by Minh Phu

Looking ahead, Bayer Vietnam and NAEC have outlined several development plans, including ongoing research and assessments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving rice quality, expanding the network of partners, and increasing outreach to farmers in An Giang, Kien Giang, and other Mekong Delta provinces.

This is to coordinate efforts supporting the sustainable development of the Vietnam agriculture industry and enhancing the livelihood of local farmers.
Crisis pregnancy centers that oppose abortion collect sensitive information on patients without the same obligation for privacy that medical facilities have, senators wrote (Photo by Oscar Wong/Getty Images).

The idea that pregnant women in Missouri cant get divorced and therefore cant leave abusive husbands has gone viral.

This is a dangerous misunderstanding of law that is likely to make a pregnant Missourian think there is no use in filing for divorce when she may need to start the process and get a separation agreement, an order of protection, or child support while the divorce is underway.

One news story after another has portrayed Missouri law as uniquely awful. A number have featured the stories of women who sought to file for divorce but were turned away by lawyers who told them to come back when theyre not pregnant.

If a lawyer tells you something to that effect, you have reached a bad lawyer and must find a better one.

What Missouris statute requires is that a petition for divorce state whether a party is pregnant. This is bad for reasons I will explain below. However, it does not mean women are not allowed to file for divorce and it is not unique to Missouri.

For example, the blue and purple states of Illinois, Delaware, Colorado, and Michigan have statutes that say the same. The littlest bit of research reveals that the oft-repeated and weirdly specific claim that only three other states (Arkansas, Texas and Arizona) have similar laws is wrong. I found at least ten states with similar statutes, and without doing a comprehensive survey, I cant tell you if that number is closer to fifty.

It is true that judges in Missouri and elsewhere dont typically finalize divorces when a party is pregnant. The reason is that, ideally, a divorcing couple with kids will have child support and custody agreements in place when they finalize the divorce. That isnt done before the court has jurisdiction over the baby once it has been born and things are known like paternity and whether the baby has special needs impacting how much child support is necessary.

Missouri is backwards on womens rights in so many ways, but this isnt one of them.

Another reason to wait to finalize is that a divorce decree will disqualify a pregnant person from being on her former partners health insurance plan.

But should a party nevertheless wish to finalize a divorce during pregnancy, there isnt actually anything in Missouri law barring a judge from doing so.

Divorces, especially with kids, can indeed take a long time, but this is not a Missouri thing. Some states even have mandatory waiting periods. In California, for example, where the petition form asks if there is a child who is not born, no divorce can be finalized until six months after filing, and lawyers warn it will likely take twice that long.

It is not necessarily bad that a judge will wait to finalize a divorce until a baby is born. And it is definitely not something that should stop a pregnant woman from starting the divorce process, especially if she needs other legal protections. In many jurisdictions, just the filing of the petition triggers automatic orders that are particularly important in situations of financial abuse, prohibiting things like disposing of assets or dropping a spouse from insurance policies.

It is a problem that Missouri and so many other states require a person to disclose her pregnancy status in order to file for divorce (or, alternatively, to perjure herself). The intent was to make sure that fathers financially support future children of the marriage, but mandatory disclosure is an invasion of privacy. Worse, it is a potential threat to ones safetypregnancy increases a womans risk of being a victim of homicide significantly.

And mandatory disclosure is particularly dangerous in Missouri given our abortion ban. An abuser can scare a partner or ex with threats of law enforcement involvement should she seek to terminate the pregnancy or if she miscarries, whether those threats are legally realistic or not.

So Missouri legislators should amend our divorce statute to eliminate required disclosure of pregnancy status. As should the blue states that have the same requirement.

A petition for divorce should give one the option to seek support for an anticipated child. If someone really does prefer to come back to court after the divorce is final to seek child support, she should be able to do that. She should not be required to tell her husband and the court that she is pregnant at filing.

But I am not going to hold my breath for our dysfunctional Missouri legislature to fix the statute quickly. I want women to understand now that they are absolutely not legally prevented from leaving their husbands while pregnant, and they may be best served by starting what could be a long and painful process as early as possible.

State Rep. Ashley Aune introduced a bill in the past two legislative sessions that would make it explicit in Missouri law that pregnancy status shall not prevent the court from entering a judgment of dissolution of marriage or legal separation. I asked her if she shares my understanding that nothing in current Missouri law bars a judge from finalizing a divorce when a party is pregnant, which she does. The problem that she is trying to address is what is happening in practice.

To the extent the practice is a problem, it can only get worse if news stories and tweets overstate the issue and lead pregnant women, lawyers and judges to think there is a hard and fast rule when there is not.

Missouri is backwards on womens rights in so many ways, but this isnt one of them.

That is not to say that any of this is easy or straightforward. It is difficult to find a lawyer or represent yourself, and exponentially harder if you are low income, trying to take care of kids, or in an abusive marriage. But waiting until a child is born doesnt necessarily make anything simpler and has the potential to make things much worse.

Misinformation can be extremely disempowering. Lets stop telling women there is nothing to be done while pregnant and instead support them in the difficult steps of leaving  both physically and legally.

The post No, Missouri law does not require a pregnant woman to stay with her husband appeared first on Missouri Independent.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  A Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) employee was found dead in the shipyards parking lot Saturday morning.

The employee was identified as Paul Britton by a spokesperson for NNSY on Monday. Britton worked in the temporary services department.

He was found unresponsive in his vehicle around 6:30 a.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene.

NCIS is investing Brittons death, but no foul play is suspected.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  The executive director of a North Alabama nonprofit and former UAH associate professor is facing charges for possessing and distributing child pornography, according to the Madison County Sheriffs Office (MCSO).

John Franklin Kvach, 53, was booked into the Madison County Jail on Monday morning for five counts of child pornography possession and one county of disseminating/displaying child pornography.

On Monday morning, MCSO posted that a search warrant was executed at a home at Cove Creek in the Brownsboro community. Officials said the warrant was obtained as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of child crimes.

As a result of the investigation, MCSO said Kvach was arrested at his home on Cove Creek Drive and charged.

Kvach is listed on the Singing River Trail website as the nonprofits executive director. His bio on the website also states that he was formerly an Associate Professor of Southern History at the University of Alabama in Huntsville for 10 years and served as Vice President of the Liberty Learning Foundation.

Singing River Trails Board of Directors released the following statement on Monday afternoon:

Earlier today, the Board of Directors for the Singing River Trail learned of the arrest of its Executive Director, Dr. John Kvach. The alleged behavior is unacceptable and reprehensible. At this time, the Board of Directors does not believe that any of the alleged conduct involved Singing River Trail resources, offices, or sites, but should that change, the Board will direct its remaining team members to fully investigate any such allegation. Moreover, the Singing River Trail Team will cooperate with law enforcement in any way necessary. As of today, the Board is beginning the process of Dr. Kvachs separation from the Singing River Trail. As the Board navigates that process, we will begin the hard work of finding a new Executive Director that meets the Boards high expectations and represents the values of the Singing River Trail. The important work of the Singing River Trail will continue. Singing River Trail Board of Directors

The Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, comprising members from the MCSO, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Huntsville Police Department (HPD), and Homeland Security took part in executing the warrant at Kvachs home.

According to Jail records, Kvach was released from the Madison County Jail as of 4:17 p.m. Monday on a $100,000 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 WHNT.com.
Five men approached the family in their garage, forced them into their home and "put a knife and fork on top of the stove and heated it up," local authorities said

Harnett County Sheriff/Facebook Harnett County Sheriff vehicle

A North Carolina family of five was robbed and attacked last weekend in what a local sheriff is calling an act of "pure torture."

Around 2 a.m. local time on Saturday, June 15, a family in western Harnett County was sitting in their garage with the door open when a group of five men reportedly forced them into their home. The men assaulted the family before stealing some of their belongings, according to CBS affiliate WNCN and NBC affiliate WRAL, which both cited the Harnett County Sheriff's Office.

Speaking with WRAL, Sheriff Wayne Coats said the five men tied up the family with duct tape and began to torture them  putting a "knife and fork on top of [their] stove" to heat up the metal and "stick it to the bodies" of the family members. "They were trying to get them to tell them where their money and guns were," Coats said, adding that there were no guns at the home.

The suspects then stole multiple personal items, ransacked the home, assaulted the children and took off with two stolen vehicles, per WRAL, which said that the men drove away in their own silver or gray Dodge Challenger.

The family is still missing a gray four-door Honda Accord, per WNCN.

The Harnett County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for more information on Sunday, June 23.

Getty A stock image of a police car

A GoFundMe for the family, shared by WRAL and reportedly organized by the sister of one of the victims, Mayra Morales-Scott, has since raised more than $13,000 of a $15,000 goal. In the fundraising page's description, Morales-Scott wrote that "words cannot describe the pain and devastation that our family is experiencing right now."

She wrote that "masked intruders" assaulted her sister, brother-in-law and the "young children," adding that their "entire house was ransacked" and the family is now "suffering physically, emotionally and mentally."

"Our extended family and close friends are devastated," she added. "Their home was vandalized and their peace of mind and safety will never feel the same."

The GoFundMe campaign aims to raise money to cover health care costs, replace stolen items and provide additional support for her sister's family, per Morales-Scott. "We are asking for your prayers, words of encouragement, your empathy and to please respect our family's privacy during this difficult time," she wrote.

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Jeffrey Miller, who lives two doors down from the family and has lived in the neighborhood for 16 years, told WRAL that he "thought nothing like that would ever happen."

"I'm so sorry for the family," Miller said, adding that he installed security measures at his own home.

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Burleigh County elections coordinator Lisa Hart, left, and Burleigh County Commissioner Wayne Munson present absentee ballots to the Burleigh County Canvassing Board on June 24, 2024. (Amy Dalrymple/North Dakota Monitor)

At least five North Dakota counties received absentee ballots through the mail that were missing postmarks, a situation Secretary of State Michael Howe calls completely unacceptable.

The Burleigh County Canvassing Board voted 5-4 on Monday morning to accept 58 ballots that were received by the deadline but were not postmarked.

Lisa Hart, Burleigh County elections coordinator, said the vast majority of the ballots that were missing postmarks were received between June 12-14. Ballots had to be postmarked by June 10 and received within 13 days of the election for the votes to count.

Howe said Monday hes also heard from officials in Billings, McKenzie, Cass and Griggs counties with similar complaints about missing postmarks.

Secretary of State Michael Howe (Provided)

That geography is pretty widespread, Howe said. That is completely unacceptable for the United States Postal Service. Theyre a valuable partner to get our elections conducted here in North Dakota.

Howe said he plans to reach out to the Postal Service to ensure that absentee ballots receive postmarks in November.

A request for comment directed to the U.S. Postal Service was not immediately returned Monday.

In North Dakota, any qualified voter who fills out an application can vote by absentee ballot. Some counties have vote-by-mail, which means the county mails absentee ballot applications to residents who are old enough to vote. All counties have polling places open on Election Day.

For the June 11 primary ballots that were received on time but missing postmarks, Howe said the states guidance to counties is that the benefit of the doubt should go to the voter.

Burleigh County Commissioner Wayne Munson cast the tie-breaking vote to allow those ballots from Burleigh County to count, citing that he wanted to err on the side of the voter.

Burleigh County Auditor Mark Splonskowski was among the four members of the canvassing board to vote no to accepting the ballots without postmarks. When asked why, Splonskowski pointed to the North Dakota Century Code, which states that the envelope must be postmarked or otherwise marked by the U.S. Postal Service or other mail delivery system before Election Day.

Also Monday, the Burleigh County Canvassing Board discussed three absentee ballots that had a postmark of March 21, which was weeks before absentee ballots were available to voters. Board members concluded that the ballots, which were received on June 12, were likely postmarked using an at-home or business-based postage machine that had an incorrect date. The board voted 8-1 to accept those ballots, with Splonskowski voting no.

In total on Monday, the Burleigh County Canvassing Board accepted 96 absentee or set-aside ballots and rejected 68 ballots.

Burleigh County Auditor Mark Splonskowski, left, and Burleigh County Canvassing Board member Warren Larson review absentee ballots June 24, 2024, during a board meeting in Bismarck. (Amy Dalrymple/North Dakota Monitor)

Splonskowski was a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit filed against North Dakota last year that challenged how the state handles mail-in ballots. The lawsuit objected to absentee ballots received after Election Day. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit in February.

On Monday, Splonskowski did vote to accept some absentee ballots that were received by the county after Election Day.

When asked if his position had changed, Splonskowski said his job is to administer the law as its written.

The State Canvassing Board meets at 10 a.m. Wednesday to certify the results of the election.

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(Bloomberg) -- North Macedonias parliament backed a nationalist-led government that may worsen relations with the European Union and further hinder the Balkan countrys stalled talks to join the bloc.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Lawmakers voted 77-22 in the 120-member assembly late Sunday to approve the cabinet of Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski. Hes the leader of the nationalist VMRO-DPMNE party and he plans to rule in a coalition with two other smaller groups.

Mickoskis party is returning to power after a seven-year pause, following the failure of the Social Democrat-led government to achieve a breakthrough in EU negotiations and to advance efforts to enforce the rule of law. VMRO-DPMNE has nurtured close ties with Viktor Orban, Hungarys nationalist prime minister.

An EU candidate for nearly two decades, North Macedonia has become entangled in quarrels with neighboring nations. The new government will likely have a hard time advancing its EU integration, with VMRO-DPMNE  named after a revolutionary movement that fought for independence more than a century ago  signaling it may look to revise previous political deals.

Mickoski has said hell use the name Macedonia when referring to his country as prime minister, which has already sparked criticism from authorities in neighboring Greece.

In order to join NATO and start EU negotiations, the Balkan country changed its name  previously Macedonia  to resolve a conflict with Greece, whose northern region beares the same name.

A separate dispute with Bulgaria over the two countries common history and culture is now hindering EU talks, with the bloc requiring Skopje to include Bulgarians among other national groups mentioned in its constitution to protect their rights. While never officially opposing North Macedonias EU path, VMRO-DPMNE has repeatedly rejected to back the change.

As long as Im prime minister, this wont pass and there wont be constitutional changes, Mickoski told lawmakers in the assembly, calling the EU requirement a Bulgarian dictate.

--With assistance from Mark Sweetman.

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South Dakota endured a weekend of significant flooding, and the state is not out of the woods yet.

Gov. Kristi Noem and regional officials addressed the public Monday morning about the flooding situation that has inundated eastern South Dakota since Thursday and sent a large slug of historic rainfall into the Sioux City area Sunday night.

North Sioux City received the brunt of the flooding, Noem relayed to reporters and community members during a press conference. An undetermined number of homes along North Shore Drive were hit by rushing waters, Noem said, with some residences considered lost.

An image shows people looking at the Missouri River's high water levels on Sunday, June 23, 2024 near Sioux City proper.

Union County Emergency Manager Jason Westcott said the rapid influx of floodwaters hit the area in the span of about 30 minutes.

This forced officials to evacuate residents on North Shore Drive from Exit 4 to the Dakota Valley High School. Swift water rescue teams performed several rescues and evacuations, Westcott said.

"What occurred yesterday was the result of mitigation efforts. If we did not take mitigation efforts, much of North Sioux City would be underwater," Westcott said. "We are here for you. We feel the impact along with you."

One of the most significant developments occurred Sunday night, when record-breaking river levels caused a BNSF railroad bridge to collapse into the Big Sioux River.

Record-breaking water levels in the Big Sioux River caused the collapse of a BNSF railroad bridge between North Sioux City in South Dakota and the Riverside neighborhood of Sioux City late Sunday, June 24, 2024.

"That is the main bridge going into Iowa that a lot of commodities and different materials move on throughout the state," Noem said. "That'll impact us for many, many months to come."

South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson, present at the governor's press conference, said he is in contact with U.S. House members and federal transportation officials and working to assess the ripple effects of the damage to the bridge.

"I don't yet know what does that mean for biofuels, what does that mean for bases on grain, what does that mean for aggregates, but as we get that assessment, obviously, we'll be providing that information to the governor and to the communities," Johnson said.

Visitors line up to get a glimpse of the waterfalls at Falls Park on Friday, June 21, 2024, in downtown Sioux Falls after torrential rain overnight.

As far as individual assistance to impacted South Dakotans, Johnson said, "I would be surprised if there will not be a robust federal assistance."

Noem also reiterated her plans to receive financial support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. On Saturday, the governor signed an executive order to issue an emergency declaration, a step toward that support.

Damage estimates must hit FEMA's threshold of $1.6 million for the state to be eligible for the emergency funds, which Noem said would occur "for sure."

Caution tape ropes off part of Falls Park on Friday, June 21, 2024, through downtown Sioux Falls after torrential rain overnight.

However, Noem told an Argus Leader reporter during Sunday's press conference about the situation she does not anticipate activating the National Guard to respond to the flood event. As for mandating evacuations for the area, that would occur if it becomes dangerous, she said.

"At this point in time, that has not been requested," Noem said. "We have private contractors in the community that is better prepared, and we believe they can do the work quickly, so they stand ready."

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.

One person has died so far as a result of the regional flooding, Noem said. She did not elaborate further on the incident, citing privacy concerns for the victim's family. She declined to answer another reporter's question about where the fatal event took place.

On Saturday, a elderly man died following a UTV crash near Lake Alvin, 5 miles east of Harrisburg, according to a press release from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety press release Sunday.

It is not clear if the two events are related.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: North Sioux City flooded, railroad bridge collapsed after rainfall
A Singapore Airlines Airbus A330-300 plane takes off behind a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner at Changi Airport in Singapore, March 28, 2018. Photo by Reuters/Edgar Su

A Chinese man has been sentenced to two years and six months in jail for stealing cash worth S$120,000 (US$88,700) from a jeweler on a flight from Hong Kong to Singapore.

Peng Hui, 54, pleaded guilty at a court last Friday to four charges including theft, carrying cash exceeding S$20,000 into Singapore without declaring it, converting some of the stolen cash into casino chips and attempting to remit money to China, Channel News Asia reported.

According to the indictment, he boarded Singapore Airlines flight SQ899 on March 5 and found the victim carrying a large sum of cash and leaving his bag in the overhead compartment that had not been locked.

While the victim was sleeping onboard, Peng took the money out of the victim's backpack.When the victim landed at Changi Airport, he passed through the immigration checkpoint and made a declaration for the cash amounts he was carrying, The Straits Times reported.

However, he found the cash in his bag missing and reported the incident to local police. After stealing the victim's money, Peng checked into a hotel and decided to change the currency into Singapore dollars, police said.

Peng was arrested the next day after police tracked down flight records and security camera footage.

At the court, Peng also pleaded for leniency, saying he had tarnished tourism reputation of Singapore.

He said he was over 50 years old, had diabetes and only one kidney.
Norwegian police detain suspect charged with the murder of a Ukrainian refugee

Last weekend, Norwegian authorities arrested a man accused of murdering a 20-year-old Ukrainian refugee in Karmoy, southwestern Norway.



The Ukrainian refugee, who was partially disabled and used a wheelchair, was stabbed to death on June 14.



The suspect, a Norwegian man and neighbor of the victim, is in custody but has not explained his actions.



Prosecutor Siri Ann Flindall noted both lived in municipal housing for those needing extra care or addiction treatment.



After the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a number of murders and attacks against Ukrainians abroad have been recorded.



Among the most recent cases include a 15-year-old Ukrainian boy being hospitalized with serious injuries after being stabbed in the German city of Dortmund on May 19, the tabloid Bild reported on May 20.



Another recent case was a knife attack on a 41-year-old Ukrainian woman by a 19-year-old in the German city of Frankfurt am Main on June 10, Bild wrote on June 11. The woman was reportedly hospitalized, and the attacker was detained.

Read also: Mass shooting in Russias Dagestan region, 6 police officers killed, 12 injured

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NEW YORK CITY (PIX11)  Police are still searching for the suspects involved in a fatal stabbing inside a bodega in Jamaica, Queens over the weekend.

And the latest deadly encounter is prompting bodega owners to declare a state of emergency. Theyre demanding action from Albany. Head of the United Bodegas of America Fernando Mateo joined PIX11 to discuss what it will take to make bodegas safer for workers and customers.

Watch the video player for the full interview.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NY man sentenced to 25 years in prison traveling to Lynchburg to have sex with minor

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WFXR) The United States Attorneys Office reports a 27-year-old man from New York was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after attempting to have sex with a minor.

According to court documents, 27-year-old Derrick Loi of Lakeville, NY, met a 14-year-old girl from Lynchburg on the social media platform known as X in Feb. 2023 and began chatting with her on Discord. Loi told her he wanted to buy sexually explicit images and videos of her, and that he wanted to meet her in person for sex.

Later in the month, Loi and the victim began discussing plans for him to travel to meet the victim. He traveled eight hours to Lynchburg and reserved a hotel room for the two. A Lynchburg Police officer confronted Loi as he arrived, and says he initially gave a fake name and lied about why he was in town.

Wanted man arrested in abduction and strangulation investigation

After a search of his vehicle, officers found sex toys, a box containing morning after contraception pills, and a bottle of pink vodka, which Loi previously told the victim he was bringing for her.

Loi pleded guilty earlier this year to one count of coercion and enticement.

The FBI and Lynchburg Police both assisted the U.S. Attorneys office with this investigation.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
New York City public schools will launch a division to better serve the citys growing populations of English learners and students with disabilities and impose standardization on how math is taught in junior high and high school, education officials announced Monday.

The Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning will repurpose $750 million in existing funds from the Education Department budget, including 1,300 staffers under a new deputy chancellor, Christina Foti  who has overseen special education since the start of the Adams administration.

The reshuffle is the latest in a broader reorganization under Chancellor David Banks, who this spring dissolved the 2,000-person teaching and learning division that oversaw both the multilingual and special education offices and set curriculum policy.

This leadership is not going to allow another Eric Adams to sit in the classroom and pray to be overlooked, Mayor Adams, who struggled with dyslexia in high school, said at a press conference at Samara Community School in the South Bronx.

The Education Department has not had a deputy chancellor of students with disabilities and English language learners for several years.

Alongside the division, the city will launch a new multilingual learners advisory council of researchers, advocates, union leaders, teachers and parents to guide them on issues related to immigrant families, including an estimated 38,000 asylum-seeking students. An existing special education advisory council will continue to meet.

The former division of teaching and learning, under former Deputy Chancellor Carolyne Quintana, also led Banks signature literacy initiative in preschool and elementary schools. By this fall, each of the citys 32 community school districts has to offer one of three curricula focused on letter sounds and combinations. The program, known as NYC Reads, was moved under the school leadership division.

Building off the literacy initiative, Adams and Banks also announced a math push Monday called NYC Solves, including a $32 million investment over five years to standardize curriculum and offer teacher coaching.

This fall, 93 middle schools in eight school districts and 420 high schools citywide will use the Illustrative Math curriculum, which emphasizes solving problems in both math and real-world contexts.

Over the next few years, all high schools will have to adopt Illustrative Math. Six schools have received waivers, education officials said.

For middle schools, district superintendents will choose from a list of preapproved math curricula, which currently includes three options: Illustrative Math, i-Ready and Amplify. At least 63 of the middle schools that will participate in NYC Solves this fall were already using Illustrative Math, a figure that may be higher if principals were using a free version thats harder to track, according to the Education Department.

The eight districts whose middle schools will participate in the first phase this school year are: District 2 in Manhattan; 7, 11 and 12 in the Bronx; 14, 15 and 32 in Brooklyn; and 26 in Queens.

Students must learn the fundamentals and understand the concepts behind them, Banks said. And importantly, they need a clear grasp of how math operates beyond the classroom  in the supermarket, at the bank, in careers.
A ritzy Greenwich Village restaurant was forced to close its doors after a $45,000 payroll cyberscam  and now its co-owner is warning other businesses to be on the lookout.

Gotham Restaurant co-owner Bret Csencsitz said they made the difficult choice to shutter temporarily after he was duped into sending the money to a nefarious actor.

We just couldnt keep our payroll going, we didnt have enough money so were pausing, he told The Post in a recent interview.

Gotham Restaurant co-owner Bret Csencsitz told The Post that he has decided to close the restaurant after falling victim to a payroll cyberscam. LP Media

The saga started for the upscale eatery on May 10, a Friday, when a thief pretending to work for a company Gotham uses to administer payroll emailed Csencsitz and his human resource staffer to tell them the firm was changing banking information because of internal issues.

The HR staffer contacted Csencsitz to take a look at the request. He combed through past emails and it appeared to be from the employee they typically talk with from the payroll company.

And I then wired the money to this new account with the company name and their address, he said. Its not until several hours later we realize something seems a little weird.

The scammer had copied the email format that usually comes from the email provider, but after closer inspection  that came too late  the email address had an additional K in the URL, he said.

We fell victim to someone who was able to inject themselves into an ongoing dialogue between ourselves and a payroll company, Csencsitz said.

Csencsitz said a nefarious actor contacted the restaurant pretending to work for the company that Gotham uses to administer payroll. Lorenzo Ciniglio/Freelance

When you look at it you wouldnt notice it normally, he added. But eventually when were really digging down into why is this happening we found the difference.

He contacted his bank, but so far, the financial institute hasnt recovered the money. Hes surprised banks dont do more to safeguard their clients money. he said.

Gotham, which offers a New American cuisine, doesnt have cyber insurance policy, which would have cost a hefty $5,000 annually.

He has filed a report with the FBI and is in contact with the agency.

The restaurant lost $45,000 in the scam. Elliot Fine & Christopher Lovi

With the loss of money and a notable drop in customers expected between June and August when people are away, Csencsitz made the challenging choice earlier this month to close for a few months.

He sent a message to employees informing them of the temporary closure earlier this month, according to Eater NY, which first reported the conundrum.

Please know that this was a difficult decision and it was not made lightly. Business levels and a recent cyber-deception incident that resulted in a large loss, made it necessary for us to pause operations to consider our options, Csencsitz told workers.

Please know that I am deeply appreciative to every employee, and I am sorry for any distress this may cause. I do hope that all will consider rejoining Gotham at the end of the summer.

Csencsitz has reported the scammer to the FBI. LP Media

The restaurant, which is celebrating its 40th year in business and was previously referred to as Gotham Bar and Grill, has faced uphill battles before.

It was closed for nearly two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and when it reopened, with Csencsitz as the new owner after he was the general manager, the eatery struggled to attract enough staff.

But Csencsitz is undeterred by the latest hurdle.

We fully plan to reopen. We have capital committed, we havent received it yet but we will. We have very strong commitments and were gonna modify some things and be back with a new venue and a slightly modified dining room, he said.

His warning to other restaurants is to take out cyber insurance and you cant verify enough.

Mistrust any change in banking information, he advised. I would initially be very skeptical of that and verify by multiple means.
BROWNSVILLE, N.Y. (PIX11)  The NYPD rolled out a new initiative to help fight gun violence, this is in addition to the many tolls the department is already employing.

You can now expect to see more Community Affairs officers in areas where there is a spike in gun violence and they are starting in a park in Brownsville.

More Local News

The new approach comes after recent gun violence silenced music in Livonia Park last week, when two people were shot.

Deputy Commissioner of Community Affairs Mark Stewart said, Ive been doing this for 40-years and it disheartens me to see older people cant come out and enjoy the park and walk the streets feeling safe.

Commissioner Stewart said its a small percentage of people trying to make this the wild wild west and it will not be tolerated.

PIX11 News cameras were the only cameras there when officers made their presence known in Livonia Park.

The Community Affairs officers already have a connection to the community, something they plan on using to help generate tips and leads on violent crime. Commissioner Stewart also said kids are getting younger and younger and they are carrying guns and our kids should be in school, we are setting up a new program in community policing to make sure the community sees us.

NYPD and MTA crack down on fake license plates to tackle toll evasion

So far this year alone in the confines of the 73rd Precinct, police responded to 32 shootings compared to 17 for the same time period last year.

This initiative also keeps the community and police working together, a beneficial relationship so far.

Assistant Commissioner Alden Foster said an example of that relationship is what happened in Queens with the community helping police apprehend a rape suspect.

Residents in the area welcome the extra police presence, a visiting nurse who grew up in Brownsville said I feel safe seeing them here, we need help so this is a good thing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
An object from space crashed into a Florida home. The family wants accountability

A family is seeking damages from NASA after space debris crashed into their Florida home earlier this year.

Alejandro Otero and his family submitted a claim to NASA to recover money after a piece of space debris tore through their home, according to a news release on Friday from Mica Nguyen Worthy, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based attorney representing the family.

The release did not specify an amount. However, the Washington Post reported Sunday that the attorney told the newspaper in an email that the Oteros were seeking more than $80,000.

NASA confirmed in April that a nearly two-pound cylindrical object was part of a jettisoned pallet of used batteries from the International Space Station, according to the Naples Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Network.

A family is suing NASA over a chunk of the International Space Station that crashed into their house.

Space debris a 'real and serious issue'

Alejandro Otero's son Daniel was home on March 8 when the chunk of space debris left a sizable hole from the roof through the sub-flooring, according to the news release from Cranfill Sumner, a law firm.

The Oteros live in Naples, around 30 miles south of Fort Myers, on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

"The Oteros retained Worthy to navigate the insurance and legal process and to make a formal claim against NASA," the news release said.

Space debris is a real and serious issue because of the increase in space traffic in recent years, added Worthy, a partner with Cranfill Sumner, in the news release.

Watch the skies: A house in Florida, a trail in North Carolina: What to do if you find SpaceX debris

Space debris claim is 'historical,' lawsuit says

Worthy said in the release that NASA has six months to respond to the claim under the Federal Torts Claim Act. The claim includes noninsured property damage loss, business interruption damages, emotional and mental anguish damages and costs for assistance from third parties, the release said.

"This space debris claim is historical in that it involves a 'real life example' of the consequences of space debris surviving to the Earths surface," the release continued.

"How NASA responds to her claim will form the foundation upon which the legal landscape in this field will be built."

SpaceX rocket launch: Best views in Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, Titusville

Worthy added: My clients are seeking adequate compensation to account for the stress and impact that this event had on their lives. They are grateful that no one sustained physical injuries from this incident, but a near miss situation such as this could have been catastrophic. If the debris had hit a few feet in another direction, there could have been serious injury or a fatality.

More on the space debris

NASA said ground controllers used the Space Station's robotic arm to release a cargo pallet containing aging nickel hydride batteries in 2021.

The total hardware released, weighing around 5,800 pounds, was supposed to burn up during entry into the Earth's atmosphere. But part of it that failed to incinerate crashed into the Oteros' home.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: After space debris crashed into their home, a Florida family sues
Off the TV screen and into real life: An MSNBC event illustrates the rise of 'event journalism'

FILE - MSNBC television anchor Rachel Maddow, host of the Rachel Maddow Show, moderates the "Perspectives on National Security" panel on Oct. 16, 2017, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  MSNBC is inviting its fans to a one-day Democracy 2024 event this September with live panels and a dinner with stars like Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes and Ari Melber, part of the company's entrance into the burgeoning field of events journalism.

Live events are a growing business for many news outlets, forced to think of different ways to make money with readership, viewership and advertising revenue declining. MSNBC has ramped up its effort this year with the help of creative director Luke Russert.

The journalism-centered events business has grown in fits and starts before accelerating in recent years. It is particularly robust in Washington, with the Post, Politico, Semafor, Punchbowl News and Puck all active.

The fact that we've seen others in the industry host similar events, that's been a bit of a precedent, MSNBC President Rashida Jones said. One of the benefits of our brand and our content is that there are a lot ways to engage with it.

Growth of an industry adjacent to journalism

When Semafor started two years ago, co-founder and CEO Justin B. Smith made it a central part of the business; the company held eight events before publishing its first article. He calls it live journalism, and it was quickly profitable through the sale of sponsorships.

Semafor will hold about 70 or 80 events this year, with the centerpiece being the World Economy Summit in April, an annual meeting Smith has positioned as Davos on the Potomac River.

It's a great place to make news and a great place to make money, he said.

Before Semafor, Smith built up the live events business at Bloomberg and the Atlantic, the latter instrumental in the popular Aspen Ideas Festival. The New Yorker magazine has also built an influential festival that mixes news and culture.

Overall, events journalism didn't catch fire quickly, in part because organizing them was a skill in short supply at news outlets, Smith said. There were also some notable missteps: A reporter for The New York Times quit under pressure in 2019 after using a racial slur in a Times-sponsored student trip to Peru; the newspaper doesn't host such trips anymore.

And The Washington Post was embarrassed in 2009 when it was revealed it had planned to charge lobbyists as much as $250,000 to attend an off-the-record salon, hosted by its publisher, with newsmakers and journalists.

That's a clear ethical transgression for selling access. But Thomas Rosenstiel, a journalism professor at the University of Maryland, said he didn't see a problem with an event like MSNBC's.

If the product is civic knowledge and debate, that's what news organizations do, Rosenstiel said. That's the business that they're in. It's just the delivery system is different.

MSNBC dips its toe in

MSNBC's Democracy 2024 has faint echoes of the annual BravoCon run by its corporate cousin, although in this case news personalities are replacing real housewives and Andy Cohen. Last year's 3-day BravoCon in Las Vegas cost fans $550 for entry, with a special VIP package of $1,200 that included the right to move to the front of the line at the bar.

We do not have that feature, MSNBC's Jones said.

Ticket prices for the Sept. 7 MSNBC day at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, which also includes a film screening and reception, start at $119 per person, the network said on Monday.

Hayes, Jen Psaki, Joy Reid, Alex Wagner, Andrea Mitchell and Katy Tur will lead one panel discission on campaign issues, and stat man Steve Kornacki will break down the latest poll results. Maddow, Melber, Lawrence O'Donnell, Stephanie Ruhle, Michael Steele, Alicia Menendez and Symone Sanders Townsend will run a second panel.

Dipping its toe in the business, MSNBC held an invite-only event in Washington before the State of the Union address. Hayes went on a multi-city tour surrounding his Why is this Happening? podcast, and was joined by Maddow for a discussion at New York's Town Hall.

Any opportunity I can have in front of a live crowd I love, Hayes told The Associated Press. I'm a theater kid at heart. I probably feel more comfortable in a room with actual people in the audience that I do on live TV.

Hayes said it offered an unparalleled feedback mechanism.

You can tell when people are with you, when you've lost people," he said. "You can tell when people are laughing, when they're sighing in exasperation about something you've told them. You can navigate that. One of the hardest things when I started doing TV was not having that.

___

This story has been updated to correct the title of an event held by Semafor. It is the World Economy Summit, not the World Economic Forum.

___

David Bauder writes about media for The Associated Press. Follow him at http://twitter.com/dbauder.
Multiple police agencies are at a metro Atlanta gas station, investigating a deputy-involved shooting early Monday morning.

A Channel 2 Action News photographer saw evidence markers, caution tape and a car with bullet holes all at a BP Gas Station along Fulton Industrial Boulevard near Interstate 20.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed that it had been requested to respond to the scene by the Douglas County Sheriffs Office.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The Georgia State Patrol, South Fulton police and Douglasville police are also all on scene investigating this shooting.

At this time it is unclear exactly what led to this shooting.

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Civil society in China received another blow in June when two activists were sentenced to harsh prison terms after being found guilty of subversion against the state.

Independent journalist and womens rights defender Huang Xueqin, who was a prominent voice in the #MeToo movement in China, and who also reported on protests in Hong Kong, was sentenced to five years in prison. Labor rights activist Wang Jianbing, who advocated for workers with occupational diseases and physical disabilities, was sentenced to three years and six months. The two were tried together in secret after being held in pre-trial detention for almost 1,000 days.

In a written statement, State Department Spokesperson Mattew Miller said the United States condemns the unjust sentencing of Huang and Wang. He noted their lengthy pre-trial detention and their trial closed to journalists and to the public. These sentences demonstrate the PRCs continued efforts to intimidate and silence civil society, he declared. We urge the PRC to immediately release Huang and Wang, as well as other individuals unjustly detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms, said Spokesperson Miller.

The number of such individuals remains unknown, but the PRC is recognized, as the non-governmental organization Freedom House has said, to be a global leader in such detentions. The first paragraph in the State Departments most recent human rights report on China under the category of Arbitrary Arrest is both telling and grim: Authorities detained or arrested persons on poorly defined allegations of revealing state secrets, subversion, and other crimes to suppress political dissent and public advocacy. Any piece of information could be retroactively designated a state secret, such as information on criminal trials, commercial activity, and any government activity. Authorities also used vaguely worded charges of picking quarrels and provoking trouble broadly against many civil rights advocates. A counterespionage law granted authorities the power to require individuals and organizations to cease any activities deemed a threat to national security.

State Department Spokesperson Miller said, We continue to call on the PRC to live up to its international commitments and to respect the human rights of all persons, including freedom of expression and fair trial guarantees. We also urge the PRC to accept the many recommendations made this year during the PRCs Universal Periodic Review of its human rights record.
CRAIG, Colo. (KREX)  A Craig Police Department Officer and a Moffat County Sheriffs Deputy shot one man Friday night.

According to the Denver Post, authorities were dispatched to Cedar Mountain Mobile Home Community at 9:40 p.m. in Craig after getting a call about a man with a gun.

Information on what occurred before the shooting remains unclear.

The victim was taken to the hospital and later died from his injuries.

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Officers arrest man accused of trying to drown kids at Connecticut beach

***Video above: Is violent crime going up in the U.S.?***

(WJW)  A man was taken into police custody after investigators say he was caught trying to drown his children on a beach in Connecticut early Saturday morning.

A police officer was patrolling near Ocean Avenue and Dawson Avenue when he noticed an SUV on the beach just after 2:30 a.m. in West Haven, according to the police department.

As he walked closer, the officer reported hearing screams nearby. Investigators say the officer then noticed a man and two young children in the water.

According to West Haven police, as the officer stepped into the water, the man continued to drift further away with the children all while screaming at the responding officer to stay back.'

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Officers believed the man, later identified as 41-year-old Romney Desronvil of Queens, New York, was intentionally trying to drown the kids.

Other officers and firefighters with the West Shore Fire Department also got into the water to help. Investigators say the first officer on the scene was able to reach the children and Desronvil was arrested.

First responders performed life-saving measures on the children, who were taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. In a social media post Saturday morning, West Haven police said both kids were still in the ICU.

During a press conference Saturday afternoon, according to reports from the New Haven Register, the children, both under 3 years old, were improving but still in critical condition.

Local police chase ends in crash: I-TEAM

Investigators say Desronvil remains in police custody at this time. As reported by the New Haven Register, officials say he is expected to face two counts of attempted murder and two counts of risk of injury.

It is without a doubt the swift response by our patrol officers saved the lives of these children, West Haven police said on Facebook. 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 case remains under investigation at this time.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is set to meet with other elected officials, law enforcement and faith leaders after a protest outside a local synagogue turned violent on Sunday.

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, authorities were first dispatched to the 9000 block of Pico Boulevard in L.A.s Pico-Robertson neighborhood just before 11 a.m. on reports of protesters allegedly blocking the entrance to the Adas Torah synagogue.

There were several physical altercations between the two groups protesting which resulted in two reports of battery, LAPD said in a press release issued early Monday morning, adding that investigations into both reports had been launched.

Responding officers in riot gear immediately set up skirmish lines and blocked access to nearby streets as counter-protesters arrived and confrontations turned physical.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom to deliver State of the State address Tuesday

Video from the protests taken by X user @LosAngeles_Scan shows multiple groups of demonstrators pushing and shoving each other as the altercations spilled into the street, at times blocking traffic.

Others were seen throwing wild punches, kicking people on the ground and using flags they were carrying to defend themselves.

Video from the protests taken by X user @LosAngeles_Scan show multiple groups of demonstrators pushing and shoving each other as the altercations spilled into the street, at times blocking traffic.

Video from the protests taken by X user @LosAngeles_Scan show multiple groups of demonstrators pushing and shoving each other as the altercations spilled into the street, at times blocking traffic.

Video from the protests taken by X user @LosAngeles_Scan show multiple groups of demonstrators pushing and shoving each other as the altercations spilled into the street, at times blocking traffic.

Video from the protests taken by X user @LosAngeles_Scan show multiple groups of demonstrators pushing and shoving each other as the altercations spilled into the street, at times blocking traffic.

Video from the protests taken by X user @LosAngeles_Scan show multiple groups of demonstrators pushing and shoving each other as the altercations spilled into the street, at times blocking traffic.

Video from the protests taken by X user @LosAngeles_Scan show multiple groups of demonstrators pushing and shoving each other as the altercations spilled into the street, at times blocking traffic.

Video from the protests taken by X user @LosAngeles_Scan show multiple groups of demonstrators pushing and shoving each other as the altercations spilled into the street, at times blocking traffic.

Video from the protests taken by X user @LosAngeles_Scan show multiple groups of demonstrators pushing and shoving each other as the altercations spilled into the street, at times blocking traffic.

One person was arrested for possession of a prohibited item at a protest; according to LAPD Officer Tony Im, the item was described as a spiked flag.

The individual was cited at the West Los Angeles station and released, police said.

Several elected officials were quick to condemn the violence, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The violent clashes outside the Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles are appalling, the governor said on X. There is no excuse for targeting a house of worship. Such antisemitic hatred has no place in California.

Passenger-packed Southern California thrill ride gets stuck mid-air

In separate statements, Mayor Bass and L.A. Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky both called the demonstration unacceptable and confirmed that they would be meeting with each other, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles, LAPD interim Chief Dominic Choi and other city officials this week to discuss the safety of Angelenos.

The LAPD says they will be increasing patrols to the area surrounding Adas Torah synagogue as well as other places of worship and reminded Angelenos that while lawful protesting is allowed, violence and crime are not tolerated.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Ohio bill would make it easier to seal non-violent criminal records, but advocates want it expanded

(File photo by Caspar Benson/Getty Images)

A pair of Ohio Republican lawmakers are trying to make it easier to get non-violent criminal records sealed to help formerly incarcerated Ohioans get hired, but advocates say thats not enough.

Reps. Brett Hillyer, R-Uhrichsville, and Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati, introduced the Getting Rehabilitated Ohioans Working (GROW) Act earlier this year. House Bill 460 would set up a process for courts to allow certain criminal records to be automatically sealed. There are about 1,071,000 Ohioans whose records could be sealed if the bill passed.

This piece of legislation is about reforming and redeeming individuals to be a part of society by removing barriers to employment for individuals with certain criminal records, while also providing crucial protections for employers, Hillyer said in his testimony.

Under the bill, a criminal record that has been sealed or expunged can not be considered as evidence against an employer in a negligent hiring or negligent supervision case.

By providing immunity to employers, we incentivize the hiring of individuals in need of a second chance, ultimately benefiting both employers and our communities, Hillyer said.

An estimated one in 11 Ohio adults is living with a felony conviction and one in three has a criminal record of some kind, according to a 2018 Policy Matters Ohio study.

HB 460 does not expand the type of criminal records that are eligible for sealing, but would simplify the record sealing process.

Fred Ward, the statewide director for Building Freedom Ohio, said the GROW Act is a step in the right direction, but wants to see the bill expanded to seal records of violent crimes. He was incarcerated from 1989-2000 on a felony assault conviction and he said he is still dealing with collateral sanctions  even though he has no incidents since being released from prison.

We need more people like me to be set free from the burden of a criminal record that keeps them from having a full life, Ward said in a statement. That includes people like me who have been convicted of violent crime.

How would the bill work?

Under the bill, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation would identify criminal records that would be eligible for automatic sealing and send them to the corresponding county prosecutor who has 45 days to object. If neither the prosecuting attorney or BCII has any opposition, then a criminal record would be sealed.

This process would start three years after the bill was signed into law and take place every month.

This balanced approach ensures that public safety concerns are addressed while still prioritizing the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals into the workforce, Hillyer said.

This bill would benefit Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohios clients.

I have seen first-hand how many of my clients are denied jobs and housing because of the volume of their criminal history, regardless of the types of offenses or how long ago they occurred, Sierra Cooper, one of their attorneys, said in her testimony.

She said the bill could be stronger if it alerted people their records have been sealed.

It is essential that the person whose records have been sealed receive actual notice of the seal, preferably in the form of an entry from the court, in order to fully benefit from the process, she said.

The Ohio Chamber of Commerce supports the bill  saying it would help address Ohios workforce challenges.

The adoption of second chance hiring provisions is a part of building a more vibrant economy in Ohio because it helps all Ohioans, even those who have a criminal history, participate in the workforce and contribute to the states economic growth, Kevin Shimp, testifying on behalf of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, said in his testimony.

How does sealing criminal records currently work in Ohio?

Ohio does have procedures in place for sealing criminal records for most misdemeanors and non-violent felonies. Someone must apply to the sentencing court to have their record sealed and a then hearing with a judge takes place who ultimately determines what happens with the record.

This process is time intensive and often requires hiring a lawyer to assist with the record sealing application and court hearing, Shimp said in his testimony. Due to these barriers, countless Ohioans who are eligible to have a sealed record do not pursue it.

JBM Packaging

JBM Packaging, a manufacturing company in Lebanon, created a second chance program for formerly incarcerated folks in 2016. Since then, they have hired more than 116 fair chance employees for six months or more, said Amanda Hall, a fair chance employee at JBM, during a recent webinar about reentry in the Ohio workforce.

We treat everybody on a case by case basis, she said. We want to hear you out, we dont judge you for your past, we judge you for who you are today, and what youve done on your reentry journey or transformation.

Hall remembers wondering who was going to hire her due to her previous felonies, but then JBM came into Ohio Reformatory for Women and shared how they hire people who have felonies.

It just blew me away, she said.

JBM hired Hall in 2019 and she has been internally promoted.

It makes everything that Ive been through worth it, because now I get to use it for the greater good, Hall said.

Of their 142 current employees, 41 of them are through the fair chance program, Hall said.

If you dont have a job, its going to be a lot harder for you to live a successful life that is free of crime, she said. People dont have a job, theyll just go back to what theyre used to doing, which will most likely lead them back to prison.

Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on X.

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The post Ohio bill would make it easier to seal non-violent criminal records, but advocates want it expanded appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Ohio murder suspect on the run for nearly a year caught in metro Atlanta

A man who was on the run for a 2023 murder in Ohio was arrested in Gwinnett County.

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In September 2023, Kenyatta Glass allegedly shot and killed Shawn Grooms on Channing Way Boulevard in Columbus, Ohio.

The U.S. Marshals Southern Ohio Fugitive learned that Glass left the Columbus, Ohio area.

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On Monday, the US Marshals along with Gwinnett County deputies and Georgia State Patrol found Glass at a home on Braxford Trace in Lawrenceville.

He was arrested and booked into the Gwinnett County Jail. Glass currently awaits an extradition court hearing in Georgia.

Anyone with information on any fugitive may submit an anonymous tip via the USMS Tips App.

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Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov is sitting in a brightly lit apartment in Kyiv, wife Veronika by his side, hand cupping his right ear. What? What? What? he says, asking Variety to repeat the question. More than two years on the frontline of Ukraines war with Russia have provided Sentsov with few chances for levity, but he allows himself a mischievous grin. After suffering, by his count, six contusions and two perforations to his right ear drum, the director has lost a significant portion of his hearing. It may or may not return. Sentsov shrugs. Many of his Ukrainian comrades, he knows, have suffered far worse fates.

Its a point driven home by the directors latest film, Real, a documentary snapshot of the Ukraine war that world premieres with a special screening at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. Described as an accidental film, the 88-minute feature is entirely comprised of footage Sentsov shot in a trench in Ukraines Donbas region after a nearby unit was ambushed by Russian forces.

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It is a chilling glimpse of a fleeting moment in a war that has claimed tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians since it began. Reliving that day is still a struggle for the 47-year-old Sentsov, a father of four who expects to return to the front soon. Its hard to watch at the beginning, but this is an immersive experience, he says. There is nothing fake in this. Its raw material.

The director is speaking to Variety on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the battle shown in Real. Two days later, hell visit the widows of several soldiers who were killed that day by Russian troops. His close-cropped military cut, arching in a high widows peak, has gone gray; so has the goatee framing his square jaw. Asked how it feels to be home in Kyiv, surrounded by his wife and children, his reply is terse, soldierly. Its better than other places, he says. Usually, Im in a bad place, so here is good.

Real was filmed on the tenth day of a Ukrainian counteroffensive last June in the Zaporizhzhia region, in the countrys southeast. Sentsovs unit had been struggling to break through the Russian defense line, but that morning, theyd received orders to penetrate deeper into Russian-occupied territory. As the commanding officer, Sentsov rushed back to shore up his units defenses with more troops and supplies, but a small detachment of Ukrainian soldiers was cut off at a position code-named Real. They were surrounded by Russians on every side, he says.

Separated by more than a mile of no-mans land and under a constant barrage of Russian artillery, Sentsov was the only person who could communicate with the stranded unit, their appeals for help growing more plaintive as the day wore on. The siege lasted from roughly 4 a.m. until 8 oclock that evening; Sentsov began recording sometime around 8 a.m., his camera sweeping back and forth across the trench where he and his unit were dug in, as a soldier on the other end of the radio called for reinforcements. It was a stroke of pure luck that the scene was captured when Sentsov reached up to adjust his helmet, accidentally turning on his GoPro, which recorded until the battery died. It would be six months before he realized he had produced an eyewitness account of the war that began with Russias unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

His initial impulse was to delete the footage. After watching it, however, he sent it to his longtime producer, Denis Ivanov  his collaborator on Rhino, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2021  as well as other civilians who hadnt experienced the war firsthand. He was unsure if the footage had any cinematic value, but they impressed upon him that what he had captured was fair and honest reporting and a real document of the war. Ivanov would go on to produce Real through his Arthouse Traffic banner, in co-production with Boris T. Matic and Lana Matic of Croatias Propeler Film and U.K. veteran Mike Downey of Downey Ink. Sentsov, who shares a production credit, also assisted with the coloring and sound, holed up in a post-production studio in Kyiv during his rare breaks from the front.

Sentsov shot the footage for Real after accidentally turning on his GoPro in the heat of battle.

Most of Real takes place over a few square yards in the trench where Sentsov and his comrades were holed up, radioing the besieged unit while gun shots and artillery blasts sound off-camera. It is a strange and off-putting viewing experience, one that the director says mirrors, in whatever small way, the experience of fighting itself. When youre in a war, youre basically blind. Ninety percent of information, you gather from sounds, he says. There is a helicopter, there are artillery shots, there is fighting, there is screaming. All that information, your brain is gathering not by seeing the objects, but by observing the sounds around you. It was very important to show this.

Despite having no military experience before the Russian invasion, Sentsov has become battle-hardened after more than two years on the frontline. On the day Russian forces swept across the border he joined Ukraines volunteer Territorial Defense, but within a few months hed left to join the special forces, telling a reporter for Le Monde that the volunteer unit was too boring for [his] taste.

He posts regularly about the war on social media, recounting his countless scrapes with death, offering tributes to fallen comrades and cataloging both the wars physical and emotional toll. It was hard to write about all this yesterday, after a heated battle, he wrote after a narrow escape last fall. Its hard to write today, already being safe. Its going to be hard to write tomorrow when its all going to be memories and nightmares. In another post, he wrote: You only really feel life when death passes you by.

Since making his debut as a filmmaker with the 2011 drama Gamer, Sentsovs life and career have been frequently sidetracked by geopolitical events in his restive region. In 2014, after Russia annexed Crimea and invaded the Donbas region, Sentsov  a Crimea native  was arrested by Russian authorities on trumped-up terrorism charges and sentenced to 20 years in a penal colony close to the Arctic Circle. The director vigorously denied the accusations, at one point launching a hunger strike that lasted 145 days, while an international campaign for his release drew a coalition of governments, rights groups, industry bodies, literary luminaries and Hollywood stars.

Sentsov was freed in 2019 after more than five years in a Russian penal colony.

In Sept. 2019, he was released as part of a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine, and just months later Sentsov walked the red carpet at the Berlin Film Festival with his dystopian drama Numbers  a film that he improbably wrote and co-directed while behind bars. He then filmed Rhino, a crime drama set in the Ukrainian underworld in the 1990s, hoping to close one turbulent chapter in his life and get a fresh start. When he appeared on the Lido for the films Venice premiere, he told Variety he was ready to pursue a civilian life and leave the events of a tumultuous decade behind.

Once again, however, history has intervened. While Sentsov hopes to be in Karlovy Vary when Real premieres, theres no telling what the war has in store; in Ukraine, he says, its impossible to plan more than a week in advance. Its too early, too, to speculate on when he will return to filmmaking, though he has at least two features  including his English-language debut, Shining World  currently in the pipeline. Right now, Im a soldier. Im in combat and I do what I have to do, he says. But Im confident that in the future, I will make movies.

Until then, he remains focused on the day-to-day struggle of defending his homeland, protecting his soldiers and living to again see his family in Kyiv, including a toddler born after the Russian invasion. As he posted recently on Facebook: Having a home where your family is waiting for you gives a whole different level of motivation here on the front lines. You know exactly who youre risking your life for, you know exactly who you have to survive for.

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One arrested after fatal assault at Oklahoma City motel

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A man has been arrested following a fatal assault at an Oklahoma City motel.

According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, officers responded to a motel parking lot around 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 22, regarding an assault.

LOCAL NEWS: Saturday night shooting in Southeast Oklahoma City

Richard Lewis.

Upon arrival, authorities learned that 59-year-old Hemant Mistry had asked 41-year-old Richard Lewis to leave the property when Lewis punched Mistry, knocking him unconscious. Mistry was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Lewis was later found and arrested at a hotel in the 1900 block of S. Meridian Ave.

OKCPD says the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the homicide tip line at 405-297-1200.

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One hospitalized, another in custody after pedestrian hit by car in shopping center

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  One person is hospitalized and another in police custody after a pedestrian was hit by a car in a Walmart shopping center in southwest Columbus Sunday.

According to a Columbus police dispatcher, the incident was reported on the 1300 block of Georgesville Road at approximately 5:57 p.m. in the parking lot near the centers Dominos Pizza.

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The victim was taken to the hospital in serious condition but later downgraded to critical condition.

One person, who police said left the scene of the crash, was taken into custody and could face charges.

There is no further information available at this time.

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Digital advances are at once a tremendous boon for people and societies everywhere, and one of the greatest security challenges of our time. According to a joint statement by over 60 UN Member States and the European Union, the malicious use of cyberspace poses significant challenge in todays interconnected world, as states rely heavily on digital infrastructure for communication, commerce, and governance.

Cybersecurity enables our most basic systems to function: our economies and democratic institutions, said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN. And yet, far too many state actors and non-state actors have taken an opposite tack.

Across the world, they have exploited digital connectivity to extort victims for profit, steal money and ideas from governments and private entities, they target journalists and human rights defenders, pre-position for future conflict, and threaten our critical infrastructure, including here at the United Nations, she said.

The Framework for Responsible State Behavior in Cyberspace  adopted repeatedly and by consensus  makes clear that international law applies in cyberspace, and that states are expected to uphold voluntary norms of state behavior during peacetime, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. And yet, some who have endorsed that Framework nevertheless choose to ignore, or worse, empower bad actors.

That includes malicious DPRK cyber operations, which are used to fund its Weapons of Mass Destruction and ballistic missile programs, she said. And it includes Russias cyber activity in Ukraine, Germany, Czechia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden  where, among other activities, Russias General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate has targeted political parties and democratic institutions.

Not only that, the Russian government has served as a safe-haven for ransomware actors  who, in recent years, have caused billions of dollars of losses and significant damages to hospitals and other critical infrastructure.

We call on every state to do their part to implement the Framework and promote peace and stability in cyberspace, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.

Whether its considering how peacekeeping operations can promote good cyber hygiene to limit risks, or better understanding how cybersecurity could enhance non-proliferation efforts, this Council must continue to view challenges through the lens of cybersecurity.

Let us affirm, reaffirm, the applicability of international law to state-on-state behavior, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. Let us promote adherence to voluntary norms of responsible state behavior in peacetime and help reduce the risk of conflict stemming from cyber incidents. And let us uphold the rules-based international order and ensure that the digital world impacts the physical world for better.
'One of the most transformative events of my life:' Freedom Summer 60 years later

INDIANOLA  The morning after Charles McLaurin was dropped off in Sunflower County by Bob Moses in August of 1962, the white mayor of Ruleville, Mississippi approached him and told him "to get out of town or something bad's going to happen."

"Right then, I understood where I was," McLaurin said.

A Jackson native and graduate of Lanier High School, McLaurin came to Ruleville to register Black voters. He, like Moses, worked with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, or SNCC, one of the leading civil rights organizations of the 1960s. By 1964, both would be leaders of the Freedom Summer Project, which aimed to achieve mass voter registration for Blacks in Mississippi. More than 1,000 out-of-state volunteers, mostly white, college students, joined thousands of Black Mississippians to participate in the project that summer.

"My responsibility then was to try and help African-Americans get from Ruleville here to the Sunflower County Courthouse to make an application to register to vote," McLaurin said. "You had to be 21 years of age to register, had to pass a literacy test, had to have poll tax receipts."

If you met those requirements, he said, "They ran your name in the newspaper so that the white folks you were working for or the plantation owner could harass you or fire you."

Sixty years later, McLaurin recounted his time as director of the Freedom Summer Project in Sunflower County. He joined more than 200 attendees, and more than 1,000 virtually attending online, for two days of the Freedom Summer 60 conference, a celebration of that important summer in 1964.

Charles McLaurin listens to a speaker during the Freedom Summer 60 conference at Club Ebony in Indianola on Friday. The event celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Summer in 1964.

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McLaurin spoke outside of Club Ebony, a quick walk from his home as he now lives in Indianola, a historic African American nightclub where the conference was held. Blues legend and Mississippi native B.B. King once owned the club that stands on Hanna Street, just down the road from the Sunflower County Courthouse where McLaurin registered Black voters.

"I used to come here and party. This place was part of the movement. My movement was everywhere people were," McLaurin said about the club.

Civil rights activists and volunteers from the Freedom Summer Project were back in Sunflower County to discuss the importance of the voter registration drive and its impact on today's voting rights. For two days, on June 21 and 22, speakers and panelists revisited what they learned from the obstacles they faced.

The Freedom Summer Project was spearheaded by the Council of Federated Organizations, a coalition of the four major civil rights organizations: The Congress of Racial Equality, CORE; National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP; Southern Christian Leadership Conference, SCLC; and SNCC.

While the conference recalled the accomplishments of that summer, many speakers paid tribute to activists such as Moses, Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer, Hollis Watkins and Medgar Evers, who were organizing and protesting in Mississippi years before 1964.

Dr. Leslie Burl McLemore speaks to the Clarion Ledger during the Freedom Summer 60 conference at Club Ebony in Indianola on Friday, The event celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Summer in 1964.

"Freedom Summer, for me, didn't just start in 1964," said Leslie-Burl McLemore. "Just think about all the sacrifices that people made before '64  We have to look at the total picture, the totality of it, because just trying to register to vote meant that you could lose your life and we know that so many people lost their lives because of that. Quite frankly, I think we have to celebrate everyday the people who made it possible."

BB King: Tank of Gas Getaway: Indianola home of BB King Museum and more

McLemore, a former Jackson city councilman, who served as interim mayor in 2009, was in his early 20s when he helped organize and plan the project with SNCC, McLaurin, Moses and others.

"Freedom summer was an initiative. It was an initiative to awaken Black folk in Mississippi," McLemore said. "It was an initiative to deal with the short-term and long-term affects of deprivation politically, socially and economically in the state of Mississippi."

According to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, only 6.7% of African Americans were registered to vote in the state in 1964  the lowest in the nation and a major reason the state was picked for the project  due to the Jim Crow-era measures that limited access to voting. There was also the threat of violence from racist white Mississippians who were against integration and equal rights for African-Americans.

Though the main goal of the summer was to register voters, election officials only accepted 1,600 of approximately 17,000 applications from African-Americans, according to a report from Stanford University's Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute. Nonetheless, the Freedom Summer contributed to the efforts of passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits racial discrimination at the ballot box.

Maisha Moses laughs with Charles Neblett during the Freedom Summer 60 conference at Club Ebony in Indianola on Friday. Neblett was part of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) with Bob Moses, Maisha's late father.

By the end of the 10-week project, there had been six known murders, 35 known shootings, four people critically wounded, at least 80 volunteers beaten and more than 1,000 people arrested. It was also the summer of the infamous murders of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, three Freedom Summer activists who were abducted and killed in Philadelphia, Mississippi.

"I witnessed a courage that has sustained me through the rest of my life," said Linda Davis, a white volunteer who traveled to Mississippi as a student from Oberlin College in 1964 to help with the project.

She called the Freedom Summer "one of the most transformative events of my life." Davis later went on to become an attorney for the civil rights division of the U.S. Department of Justice. She recently retired as a superior court judge in Washington D.C.

"It was almost impossible to imagine what finally led Fannie Lou Hamer and other Mississippi activists, given all that was against them, to finally make the decision that they were sick and tired of being sick and tired and they were going to go down and try to register to vote," Davis said.

Got story ideas? Contact Charlie Drape via email at cdrape@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: 60 years later, celebrating the impact of the Freedom Summer Project
One person dead, several trapped in factory fire in South Korea

A fire breaks out at a battery factory in Hwaseong. The fire reportedly left a worker in cardiac arrest and six others injured. -/YNA/dpa

A major fire at a battery factory in South Korea has resulted in the death of at least one worker, local media reported on Monday.

The fire brigade suspected that at least 19 people were trapped by the fire in the multi-storey factory building in the city of Hwaseong, south of the capital Seoul, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.

The condition of the individuals remains unclear and the rescue services are working to reach them.

Several people were injured, according to the reports.

South Korean television showed flames and thick clouds of smoke billowing out of the building after a fire broke out in the morning for reasons that are not yet known.

Yonhap reported that the factory manufactures lithium batteries.

Firefighters conduct rescue operations at a battery factory fire. The fire reportedly left a worker in cardiac arrest and six others injured. -/YNA/dpa

Firefighters try to put out a fire at a battery factory. The fire reportedly left a worker in cardiac arrest and six others injured. -/YNA/dpa
How one Sacramento native slid into homelessness  and how she found a pathway out of it

In times of crisis, Shakela Wades godmother, Virginia Avila, had always swooped in and provided the stability and words of wisdom she needed to tackle lifes latest challenges.

So, in late 2022 when Wade learned that Avila was becoming forgetful and suffering falls, she quit her job doing shelter intake in San Francisco and returned to her native Sacramento to assist her.

That decision brought Wade, an African American woman in her 40s, to the lowest point of her life last summer, desperately scrabbling to earn enough money to cover the rent on her godmothers Greenhaven apartment after Avila was admitted into a skilled-care facility in spring 2023.

All Wades efforts proved fruitless. Sheriffs deputies showed up at her godmothers door and gave her 10 minutes to collect her things and get out.

Despite her intimate knowledge of homelessness, Wade ended up living out of her car, struggling to silence her self-doubt.

I was feeling weak, she said. I had low self-esteem, low self-worth. I was just feeling good-for-nothing.

In 10 minutes on one day in July 2023, Wades life took the most unexpected of detours: She went from housed to homeless, from feeling secure to fearing for her safety, from confidently caring for someone else to questioning her own stability.

A striking number of California caregivers go through this upheaval, according to University of California research. Wade suddenly had to figure out how to shower, how she could get prepared food, how to edit her resume, how to apply for jobs without a computer, and where she would sleep.

She became skilled in making a sleeping pallet in the back seat. She found food and some creature comforts in a corridor of Sacramento between North 12th and North 16th streets, just north of the Alkali Flat and Mansion Flats neighborhoods.

Shakela Wade stands on her balcony in March with her dog Scooter.

Finding out where to shower, eat, hop on PC

There, the Loaves and Fishes charity, a decades-old advocate for unhoused people, offered a free breakfast at Maryhouse on North C Street and free lunches in the main dining room. Wade partook of both meals. She also used a library reading room there to update her resume and search for jobs.

She discovered that several organizations, including the Sacramento Pipeworks gym, had set up a system of free showers around the city and county.

She tried to remain upbeat but ended up using marijuana and alcohol to cope with depression that sometimes left her unable to leave the back seat of her car.

On one particularly tough day, she decided to call 211: I spoke with a great person who gave me all the resources I could ever ask for, Wade said. I got connected with Sacramento County Mental Health Services and was wait-listed for shelter placement.

In the last 12 months, 211 requests for help with housing or shelter far exceeded any other category, making up 30.4% of the 171,056 total requests received. Calls for help with mental health or addiction made up 4.8% of queries.

Three needs dominated the housing calls, requests for low-cost housing, 20,176; shelter, 18,408; or rent assistance, 9,308.

Last year, only 34% of demand for shelter beds was met, according to the annual report on the coordinated access system from Sacramento Steps Forward.

A few weeks after Wades call, a counselor met her at Loaves & Fishes to do an assessment. Sacramento Countys Homeless Engagement and Response Team often sees signs of post-traumatic stress and depression in unhoused residents, said HEART Supervisor Cait Fournier, and therapists continue to work with clients until they get word that a provider has opened a case for them.

Although Wade called 211 in August, it wasnt until November that she finished assessments and enrollment. She then began working with clinicians at the behavioral health provider Telecare.

I got a therapist and I got a psychiatrist, she said.

Around the same time, she moved into a shelter: the Salvation Armys Center of Hope on North B Street. It was catty-corner to her behavioral health providers office.

Wiping tears with her support dog Scooter nearby Shakela Wade, 43, said Ive never had a group of female friends, a large group of female friends in my life  theyre my sisters now, after graduating from a nine-week Womens Empowerment program in March.

Shelter staff see trauma of homelessness in new arrivals

Major Rio Roy, the Sacramento County coordinator for the Salvation Army, said that he has witness incredible changes in clients who arrive looking shell-shocked and showing signs of mistrust.

Most of the homeless people have gone through a lot of trauma, so we do lots of support and therapy around that, Telecares regional director of operations, Kristine Suchan, said.

Telecare doesnt require that clients give up drugs, Suchan said. Rather, they work to get clients to a point where they can make that choice. Roy said the Salvation Army Center of Hope takes a similar approach, but it does not allow clients to use drugs or alcohol on its premises.

Our ultimate goal is to give people a slot to get off the street where they have hot showers, clean clothes, breakfast, lunch and dinner and a safe place to be, he said.

There were temptations just steps away from the Center of Hope campus, however, Wade said.

I didnt want to be one of the people hanging out outside, kicking it and drinking, she said. We have business to take care of.

A tear runs down the face of Shakela Wade, 43, as she talks in March about the support she got during her nine week course at Womens Empowerment. I feel like the day that I went to the orientation I feel like that was the first day of real change, Wade said.

Then Wade noticed that one of her bunkmates was coming home every day, feeling excited, feeling wonderful, and Wade had to know why. She learned that the woman had been going to a job training and empowerment program at Womens Empowerment.

Eventually, she and four bunkmates at the Center of Hope went to orientation for the nonprofits next session.

Lisa Culp, the founding executive director of Womens Empowerment, said that, during orientation, as newcomers talk about how they learned of the program, most will say that they couldnt believe the transformation they saw in someone who had gone through it.

While theyre experiencing homelessness, these women feel very isolated, Culp said. They feel extremely judged, especially if theyre mothers, by people who dont know their story.

Over the course of the program, classes will cover letter writing, resume writing, mock interviews, job applications, Culp said, but the deeper work is showing them why they should believe in themselves.

Each class listens to folklore and other types of stories, Culp said. They write collective poems. They share events from their own lives. Each person arrives as a victim of past traumas, she said, but leaves as a woman who can climb any mountain and ford any stream and do whatever it takes to reclaim her life and to reclaim whats hers.

She finds inspiration at Womens Empowerment

From the first day of the nine-week program to the last, Wade said, she was excited to wake up and make her way to the job training program each morning. There, she said, a group of facilitators, all strangers to her, showed more faith in her resilience and ability to succeed in life than she had in herself.

While in the Womens Empowerment training, Wade learned she had been placed in a one-bedroom apartment in a new affordable housing community developed by Sacramento-based Mutual Housing California. Located on Stockton Boulevard, Wades unit features a balcony, gleaming new appliances and interior space that would match spaces inside tony midtown buildings.

Shakela Wade, 43, praises the groups that helped her get out of homelessness into programs for mental health and housing. A lot of us women had the same struggles, a lot of women were abused, drug addiction, incarceration, searching for validation, searching for a purpose, a meaning, searching for something other than the old toxic, said Wade in March.

She pays 30% of any income she makes toward rent, and the Mutual Housing staff will assist her with transitioning to new housing as her life circumstances change.

Such affordable housing is in extremely high demand, though. Winter Chaslow, the vice president of property operations for Mutual Housing, said the nonprofit received 2,000 applications for the 167 units in the new Stockton Boulevard community. Sixty-seven of the units there were reserved for residents who had experienced homelessness.

Mutual Housing set a goal of adding 1,000 new affordable housing units by 2026, essentially doubling the size of the portfolio they had a couple years ago, said communications manager Steven Root, and the agency will open half those new units this year.

Mutual Housing also offers classes on financial literacy at many of its communities but will also have staff work one-on-one with residents who want to set and achieve financial goals. In the last four years, 41 Mutual Housing households have purchased single-family homes.

Her one dependable lifeline is cut

As Wade had struggled to find shelter last fall, her one dependable lifeline was cut: Avila died Sept. 12 at age 83.

A beloved educator at Del Paso elementary and junior high schools and at Grant High School, Avila was California Teacher of the Year in 2003. She spent much of her life extending her hand to people who had lost everything. She also worked for a time as an associate director at the Stanford Home for Children, and that was where she had met Wades mother and father.

When Wades parents split up, Wade, her mom and her brother briefly landed in a homeless shelter but then moved in with Avila until her mother got on her feet.

Looking around Avilas apartment as she left, Wade took in all the keepsakes  photos, newspaper clippings and legislative commendations  that had meant everything to her Nani.

Caregivers are particularly susceptible to finding themselves homeless after the friend or relative they have supported goes into a nursing home or dies, UC researchers found as they did extensive field study for two reports on the causes and consequences of homelessness.

The findings made such an impression on Dr. Margot Kushel, a UC San Francisco physician who led the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness, that she began asking her indigent, elderly patients whether they feared that, if they died or went into skilled care, their in-home caregivers would have no place to live. Kushel regularly refers patients to social workers to see if they can find ways to head off displacement.

When you look at reasons for leaving housing, its often that somebody else became sick, disabled or died, Kushel said.
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Only two vendors submit bids to tear down the western Washington Bridge

Traffic flows both ways on the eastern side of the Washington Bridge at 3:56 p.m. on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Rhode Island Department of Transportation Traffic Camera)

Only two companies are vying to demolish the western Washington Bridge  and one of them is among the contractors that worked on the now shuttered span.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportations (RIDOT) public bid portal Monday revealed bidders responding to the states request for proposals to tear down the bridge by March 2025 are Aetna Bridge Co. of Warwick and Manafort Brothers Inc., headquartered in Plainville, Connecticut, but with an office in Cumberland.

The estimated cost to demolish the bridge is $40.5 million.

A tentative contract is expected to be awarded Friday, June 28. Meanwhile, RIDOT is still soliciting bids for the roughly $368 million contract to rebuild a new bridge by August 2026.

Aetna had previously worked on the now-canceled $78 million rehabilitation of the Washington Bridge as part of a design-build team led by Barletta Heavy Division. The project was halted last December after engineers discovered broken anchor rods that put the westbound lanes of I-195 at risk of collapse.

Aetna was among a dozen companies that received a letter from lawyers for Gov. Dan McKees administration notifying them that they may be sued over Washington Bridge work.

The company did not respond to a request for comment Monday. Aetna has also worked on the Route 6/10 interchange in Providence, along with repairing the substructure on the Mount Hope Bridge and preservation work on Route 24 and I-295.

Manafort Brothers Inc. boasts itself as the oldest demolition company in the Northeast. The companys portfolio includes the reconstruction of Pier No. 2 at the Port of Davisville and replacing the northbound section of the Providence Viaduct Bridge on I-95.

Manafort Brothers Human Resources Manager Kenneth Sedlak did not respond to immediate request for comment.

RIDOT sought to attract as many vendors as possible by offering $100,000 each to the two runner-up bidders that didnt get the contract. The money that would have gone to a third-place vendor is still part of the project budget and final budgets will be determined once the proposals are evaluated, RIDOT Communications Director Liz Pettengil said.

The state does not make any money from the lack of a third bidder, Pettengil said.

Some potential bidders have questioned the feasibility of the states timeline to build a new bridge by August 2026. In addition to asking for contractors to design five lanes of travel over the new bridge, the project entails a new on-ramp from Gano Street, and a new off-ramp to Waterfront Drive.

One vendor in a post to the RIDOT online portal on May 23 commented that the multiple designs involved could take up to 240 days for a review, based on the state and third-party agency average of 30 to 60 days per design. The vendor asked the state to lower the range to 14 days per design.

If this time is not reduced, the design phase could extend to a year or more, which would greatly compress the construction phase and would result in late completion, the post read.

The department responded that it would reduce that timeframe to 21 days for its internal review. The review time by external agencies assisting the state will not be reduced, RIDOT added.

RIDOT plans to impose a $30,000 daily disincentive for missing the completion date, according to the RFP.

Final bids to rebuild the bridge are due July 3.

The post Only two vendors submit bids to tear down the western Washington Bridge appeared first on Rhode Island Current.
The Supreme Courts mifepristone decision on June 13 put a stop to one challenge to the drug used in more than half of all abortions in the United States. But antiabortion groups are already preparing their next line of attack.

New groups of plaintiffs might try to establish that they have standing where the doctors in the Food and Drug Administration vs. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine failed. But if Donald Trump wins the 2024 election, such lawsuits might be far less important to abortion foes: Conservatives already have detailed plans in place to use the executive branch to impose national limits on abortion.

The plaintiffs in FDA vs. Alliance made two sets of claims. First, they challenged the overall authority of the agency to approve and subsequently lift restrictions on mifepristone. The plaintiffs also argued that the FDA didnt have the power to allow patients to receive the pills in the mail because the federal Comstock Act, a 19th century obscenity law, includes a ban on mailing and receiving abortion-related items.

Read more: Opinion: What a relief. The Supreme Court did the right thing on mifepristone

In holding that the Alliance plaintiffs didnt have standing to sue, the Supreme Court didnt say a word about the merits of either of those claims. So its no surprise that other plaintiffs might try to bring them again before the justices. The leading contenders are the states of Kansas, Missouri and Idaho, which had sought to intervene in the case, a request turned away by the Supreme Court .

The states attorneys general have suggested that they will continue the litigation, with a new argument on standing . A preview of that claim came in the states petition to intervene: They argued that because their citizens could get mifepristone from doctors out of state, the states own interests were affected. Medicaid recipients who suffered mifepristone complications were imposing costs on state medical systems, they added, and the availability of mifepristone was making it difficult to make and enforce abortion bans .

There may be problems with the states case for standing too. Patients might experience complications if they take mifepristone, which might impose costs on the states. That doesnt sound so different from the weak hypotheticals on which the Alliance plaintiffs relied. And what about Missouri and Idahos supposed sovereign interest in enforcing their abortion bans when other states allow it? The answer the court gave the Alliance doctors would seem to apply: A plaintiff's desire to make a drug less available for others does not establish standing to sue."

Read more: Q&A: The FDA says the abortion pill mifepristone is safe. Here's the evidence

Kansas case for standing is even more puzzling. Abortion is legal in Kansas until 22 weeks, albeit with restrictions. Barely more than a month after Roe was overturned, Kansans expressly voted against amending their state constitution to say there was no right to abortion. How will the state make the case that it is harmed by the approval of mifepristone when its own voters chose to preserve abortion access?

Whatever the fate of the case the Alliance doctors started, abortion foes and conservatives understand that the war against mifepristone and medication abortion cant just depend on litigation. For example, Louisiana recently passed a law categorizing mifepristone and misoprostol, another drug used in medication abortion, as controlled substances, making it easier for the state to surveil patients, doctors and pharmacies and to punish anyone in possession of the drugs without a prescription . Idaho passed a so-called trafficking law that criminalizes those who help minors travel out of state or obtain abortion pills without parental consent .

Read more: Column: The abortion pill is safe. Is your uterus?

But even these kinds of strategies may be far less important if Donald Trump wins a second term. The Heritage Foundation and a coalition of more than 100 conservative groups have laid out a detailed plan  known as Project 2025  for a second Trump administration. The plan begins with a call for the FDA to reverse its approval of chemical abortion drugs, including mifepristone, or at a minimum, to eliminate the telehealth option for the drug .

Thousands of abortions can take place each month in states that ban the procedure because the telehealth option allows patients to get a prescription and get the pills by mail . With a Trump appointee as secretary of Health and Human Services, and one heading the FDA , the government might approach mifepristone differently without the pressure of a lawsuit. Some legal scholars argue that structural features of the federal Food and Drug Act could even allow the HHS secretary alone to override scientists at the FDA.

Read more: Abortion pill usage surged post-Roe. These numbers show the dramatic rise

Then there is the ancient Comstock Act  moribund but still on the books. Gene Hamilton, a prominent figure in the first Trump administration , argues in the Project 2025 plan that the Department of Justice could simply dust off the 151-year-old law and start criminally prosecuting the mailing or receipt of mifepristone. If the Supreme Court buys this interpretation of the Comstock Act, despite its flaws, such an executive action would get around the thorny questions about standing raised in Alliance.

The Supreme Court deflected the Alliance case against mifepristone. We may well see it reappear in some form on the courts docket next year. But whatever shape Alliance 2.0 takes, in the fight over a national abortion ban, its unlikely to be the main event.

Mary Ziegler is a law professor at UC Davis and the author of "Roe: The History of a National Obsession."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The European Unions foreign policy will soon be under new management. While Ursula von der Leyen seems well positioned to carry on as European Commission president, there will be a new president of the European Council and a new foreign policy chief. They will inherit an unenviable agenda that includes dealing with Russias invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. But when it comes to determining Europes place in the world, how they respond to an increasingly aggressive China will be the most important question.

Although Europe once hoped for a future in which China would gradually adopt our values as a trusted member of the rules-based international order, todays reality could not be further from that vision. China is leveraging its massive manufacturing capacity to undercut European businesses with cheap goods; it routinely uses its economic weight to punish smaller countries that run afoul of Chinese President Xi Jinpings wishes; and it is providing Russian President Vladimir Putin with the economic and political support that he needs to continue his war in Ukraine.

But most worrying is the prospect of a crisis in the Taiwan Strait. Last month, Taiwans new president, William Lai, delivered an inaugural address welcoming a new era that is full of challenges, yet also brimming with limitless hope. Within days, China responded by holding massive military exercises around the island. Bombers with live ammunition skirted Taiwanese airspace, and mock ship inspections served as a warning that China is prepared to starve import-dependent Taiwan. After adopting a misguided hope-for-the-best strategy ahead of Putins invasion of Ukraine, Europe must not make the same mistake with Xi.

Read also: The Counteroffensive: Crossing the gray zone from Russia into Ukraine

To her credit, von der Leyen has taken a notably stronger stance than her predecessors toward China. She has spoken of the need to derisk (though not decouple), as well as introducing an anti-coercion instrument to resist Chinese economic blackmail. She has also responded more forcefully to Chinas attempts to undercut European manufacturers by lavishing enormous subsidies on its own. Following a months-long investigation, the European Commission recently announced significant tariffs on electric vehicles from China.

Yet despite this stronger approach to the Chinese economic threat, Europe remains divided and weak with respect to provocations against Taiwan. On official trips to Beijing, European leaders have put short-term commercial calculations ahead of European values and long-term interests.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) are welcomed in Beijing, China, on May 16, 2024. (Kremlin Press Office / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Referring to the cross-strait tensions last year, French President Emmanuel Macron remarked, alarmingly, that Europe, must not get caught up in crises that are not ours. But the Rhodium Group estimates that a conflict in the Taiwan Strait would threaten more than $2 trillion in economic activity. A crisis in the South China Sea would be a crisis for Europe, too.

On the other side of the Atlantic, U.S. President Joe Biden has said repeatedly that America would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. Even if Europe cannot respond militarily, its new leadership can at least make clear that any attempt by China to change the status quo in Taiwan by force would be met with a strong and united response. Among other things, that should include preparing sanctions that would go beyond the already unprecedented measures imposed on Russia.

Read also: Opinion: Having a child during wartime is terrifying, but its still worth it

To date, Europe has been sending mixed signals about how it would react to Chinese aggression, which has only fueled the risk of miscalculation. Since China relies on global markets far more than Russia does to support its growth, spelling out the economic consequences of an overstep would have a powerful deterrent effect.

If Xi were allowed to annex Taiwan at the barrel of a gun, the rules-based international order would be in ruins. A world where might makes right is dangerous for every democratic country.

The kind of instability that Russia is stoking would spread rapidly to Asia and beyond.

The worlds autocrats see weakness as an opportunity. Like Putin, Xi understands only strength and resolve. Putin took the Wests collective complacency as an invitation to launch a brutal war against Ukraine. The next time Chinese warships gather around Taiwan and its fighter jets run simulations of attacks on the island, Europe must not make the same mistake by standing idly by.

When it comes to countering an autocratic and aggressive China, Europes interests are fundamentally the same as those of the United States and the rest of the democratic world. The EUs new top leadership team must understand that and speak clearly with one voice to Xi. If they do, Taiwans dream of limitless hope will remain possible. If they dont, their successors will confront an even more dangerous situation.

Editors Note: Copyright, Project Syndicate. This article was published by Project Syndicate on June 21, 2024, and has been republished by the Kyiv Independent with permission.The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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June has been a busy month for Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a speech at Russias Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he outlined his terms for peace negotiations with Ukraine and proposed establishing an alternative international security system in collaboration with China.

A week later, during a two-day visit to Pyongyang, he signed a strategic defense pact with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Russia and North Korea pledged to provide each other with immediate military assistance in the event of war, leaving no doubt about the Kremlins determination to undermine the U.S.-led international order by forming alliances with authoritarians around the world.

In his hour-long address on June 14, just before a Ukraine-led peace summit in Switzerland, Putin covered a wide range of topics. He began with the so-called special military operation in Ukraine, discussed the inevitable emergence of a new multipolar world order, and addressed Western efforts to restrain the development of the Global South, noting Russias presidency of the BRICS+ group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, as well as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates).

Read also: Opinion: The new EU leadership must unite on China

In addition to his usual grievances, Putin outlined Russias conditions for peace in Ukraine, demanding that Ukrainian forces withdraw from the four regions annexed by Russia in 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky quickly rejected these terms, which bear a striking resemblance to the ultimatum issued by Putin at the outset of the invasion. Zelenskys rejection was echoed by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who emphasized that it is Russia that must withdraw from Ukrainian territory. Even prominent Russian commentators recognized Putins demands as unrealistic, viewing them as an attempt to pressure the West rather than a genuine attempt to achieve peace.

Putin also confirmed once again that Russia is at war not only with Ukraine  which it considers a proxy  but with the West, especially the United States. Predicting the imminent collapse of the entire system of Euro-Atlantic security and denouncing Western strategies for ensuring Europes defense, Putin outlined a five-step plan for establishing a Eurasian system of bilateral and multilateral collective-security guarantees.

This framework, Putin argued, would complement Chinese global security initiatives, marking another stage in Russias no limits partnership with China. Stressing that the new security alliance would be open to NATO members, Putin urged European countries to reconsider the military presence of external powers in the Eurasian region  a clear departure from NATO principles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (R) attend a welcoming ceremony in Pyongyang, North Korea, on June 19, 2024. (Contributor/Getty Images)

While these arguments were not new, the emphasis on the so-called Global South, particularly Africa and Latin America, stood out. Like other demagogues and authoritarians, Putin highlighted the significance of BRICS+ as a geopolitical counterweight to Western power and expressed support for efforts to develop an independent payment system for member countries, free from Western control. This is part of Russias broader strategy to undermine the existing global financial architecture, thereby mitigating the impact of U.S.-led economic sanctions.

The timing of Putins speech was not coincidental. It reflected the Kremlins ongoing effort to shape critical policy debates in the West and influence election campaigns in countries like France, where Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally could undermine European efforts to devise a coherent Russia strategy.

A significant portion of Putins speech was dedicated to the European Union, which he has long considered subordinate to the U.S.. In a clear attempt to revive old divisions, he addressed politicians of truly European and global scale who are patriots of their countries and nations and who, like the late French President Charles de Gaulle, understand that Europes well-being depends on maintaining friendly relations with Russia.

Putin, of course, neglected to mention his own efforts to undermine the existing global order. Together with China, Russia has long acted as a spoiler in the United Nations Security Council. But Russias recent actions  such as using its veto to end a humanitarian mission to rebel-controlled areas in Syria and to shut down an expert panel monitoring compliance with economic sanctions on North Korea  have alarmed international diplomats.

Read also: The Counteroffensive: Crossing the gray zone from Russia into Ukraine

The terms of the security pact with Kim mirror the 1961 treaty between the Soviet Union and North Korea and represent a significant escalation, even by Putins standards. In addition to North Korean support for Putins war of aggression in Ukraine, the agreement signals increased Russian support for Kims nuclear ambitions, to the detriment of North Koreas neighbors, including China.

In response, South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador and announced that it will consider sending weapons to Ukraine. China, North Koreas largest trading partner, has sought to distance itself from this rogue alliance. But Russias advances could ultimately erode Chinas influence over North Korea and escalate tensions with the West, thus jeopardizing Chinese President Xi Jinpings long-term geopolitical ambitions.

Given that Putin is unlikely to abandon his efforts to erode Western unity and undermine the current international order, the West should focus on exploiting any potential rifts, even minor ones, between Russia and China. In this regard, Putins alliance with Kim offers an ideal opportunity to weaken the Sino-Russian partnership.

Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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For more than two decades, the term college and career readiness has defined success in K-12 education. As it became clear that a high school diploma was no longer enough to secure a well-paying career with advancement potential, education advocates recognized that simply getting students across the graduation stage couldnt prove that school had served them well. Rather, measures of readiness for college  including advanced coursework and scores on entrance exams like the SAT and ACT  were better indicators.

Today, as student debt bogs down millions of Americans and debates about the value of postsecondary education gain steam, college and career readiness is still important  but it no longer works as the primary measure of K-12 success. Preparation for college isnt the goal; successfully completing a postsecondary program and landing a good-paying job is. Those who seek to improve education systems need to think longer term in their efforts to measure and enhance the effectiveness of K-12 schools.

While there has been progress in public reporting of college and career readiness metrics, very few states weight those measures heavily within their accountability systems or put longer-term outcomes at the center of their efforts to improve education. A new report from Education Strategy Group and American Student Assistance digs into how all 50 states are measuring and prioritizing long-term outcomes  namely, postsecondary and workforce success  by including them in their funding and accountability systems.

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At the K-12 level, the report divides the range of potential long-term success measures that states could use into two main categories.

The first is the now-familiar set of college and career readiness metrics, including the rates at which students participate and succeed in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual credit and industry-recognized credential programs. These are known to influence and be predictive of success in higher education, and states, districts and schools should unequivocally continue tracking and using them.

But if the ultimate goal of education is to set students on a path to economic opportunity and mobility, more states need to place greater emphasis on the second major category of K-12 metrics examined in this report: postsecondary outcomes.

These capture students progress and success in higher education and the workforce. Specific measures in this category include enrollment in two- and four-year colleges, as well as short-term certificate or training programs; attainment of an associate or bachelors degree or a credential; military enlistment; employment and earnings.

A look at all 50 states reveals that far more are focused on college and career readiness than on postsecondary outcomes. Although nearly all collect and publicly report on metrics in both categories, there is a dramatic divergence when it comes to using them for formal accountability. Forty-one states and the District of Columbia include college and career readiness metrics in their accountability systems; just eight use postsecondary outcomes.

Ideally, more states would not only feature college and career readiness data as hefty, non-negotiable components of K-12 accountability formulas, but postsecondary and workforce metrics, too. Connecticut, for instance, holds schools and districts accountable for students enrollment in a two- or four-year college within one year of high school graduation. The state has set a 75% target and prorates the number of points awarded to districts for accountability scoring based on the percentage of that target they achieve. Taken together, college and career readiness and postsecondary enrollment measures account for 16% of a high schools rating in the state.

If accountability is the stick, funding is the carrot  and few states attach funding incentives to metrics in either category. Seven states provide K-12 funding based on performance on college and career readiness metrics, and only two link funding to postsecondary outcomes.

Texas is a leader in connecting financial incentives to longer-term outcomes. The states College, Career and Military Readiness Outcomes Bonus enables districts to earn extra funding for every student who meets certain thresholds on key measures of post-graduation success. Districts across the state can receive bonuses that range from $2,000 to $5,000 for each student who meets certain readiness criteria and enrolls in college, earns an associate degree or gains an industry-recognized credential within a year of graduation. Bonuses are higher for the success of economically disadvantaged students, encouraging districts to prioritize extra support to meet their needs. The program has already resulted in hundreds of millions of additional dollars flowing to districts across Texas.

Long-term data on student success is also useful for consumers. Massachusetts has extensive reporting on workforce outcomes for high school graduates. The states Education-to-Career Hub publishes reports that show employment rates and average earnings for graduates of every public district and school. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education matches student records with wage data from other government agencies, giving Massachusetts residents a glimpse into how well their districts set graduates up for long-term economic success.

The examples above are encouraging, but insufficient. The majority of the country still does not put long-term economic outcomes at the center of efforts to reshape and improve education systems. Current federal accountability requirements do not necessarily encourage prioritizing of these important measures, so its up to states to act. If education leaders are truly committed to helping all young people find economic mobility and prosperity, its time to expand the vision for measuring success in K-12 education.
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The State of Colorado co-hosted the "Our Climate Future: Colorado-Iceland Clean Energy Summit'' at the McNichols Civic Center Building in Denv. . .
The move will bring Spring Hill facility 186 new jobs and expand the current Tennessee workforce by more than 30%.

OPmobility officials announced Monday that the company will undergo a $3 million expansion at its Spring Hill plant.

The sustainable mobility company's expansion will create 186 new jobs, up from just 18 currently in Maury County and 568 across the state, contributing to the automotive industry, according to the announcement.

OPmobility, headquartered in France, is a global family-led group with 152 plants across 28 countries. The company has operated in Tennessee since 2015 with locations in Chattanooga, Smyrna, Spring Hill and Hendersonville.

Officials say the project is a new opportunity for OPmobility to expand its product offerings for customers and further support electric vehicle production lines, according to the announcement.

Gov. Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter praised the expansion Monday.

Tennessee has earned a worldwide reputation for being one of the best places to do business, not just in the U.S. but across the globe. Im grateful that OPmobility has chosen to expand its operations and welcome more jobs and greater opportunity for Tennesseans.," Lee said.

Since 2020, TNECD has supported approximately 15 economic development projects in Maury County, resulting in more than 3,500 job commitments and nearly $5 billion in capital investments.

McWhorter said the expansion is further evidence of the automotive boom in Tennessee. Maury County alone is home to the largest General Motors plant in North America located in Spring Hill, which is also the location of the multi-billion Ultium Cells battery plant, which supplies batteries for the Cadillac SUV Lyriq manufactured at GM Spring Hill.

"Its clear that the automotive industry is booming in Tennessee, and todays announcement is the latest example. We always appreciate foreign investment in this state, and brands like OPmobility help strengthen our reputation for being a state friendly to those businesses outside our borders," McWhorter said.

Xavier Maury, OPmobility Operations Director U.S.A. said the plant will continue its efforts to be a top vehicle electrification company.

OPmobility is excited by the new challenges given by the overall mobility transformation in the automotive industry. We are proud to pursue our engagement and industrial excellence in Tennessee with one of the top OEM in vehicle electrification, Maury said.

Sen. Joey Hensley, R-Hohenwald, and Rep. Kip Capley, R-Summertown, both celebrated the creation of almost 200 jobs the expansion will bring to the county and Middle Tennessee.

OPmobility (formerly known as Plastic Omnium) is a world leader in sustainable mobility and a worldwide technology partner to actors from every mobility sector.

Since its foundation in 1946, OPmobility has five complementary business groups offering its customers a wide range of solutions: intelligent exterior systems, customized complex modules, lighting systems, energy storage systems, and battery and hydrogen electrification solutions.

The company is also home to OPnSoft, its inhouse software development specialist.

With 11.4 billion economic revenue in 2023 and an international footprint of 152 plants and 40 R&D centers, OPmobility relies on its 40,300 employees to meet the challenges of making mobility more sustainable.

Kerri Bartlett is editor of The Daily Herald.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: OPmobility brings 186 news jobs in $3 million expansion in Spring Hill
A Pride flag, Oregon flag and U.S. flag rest on a desk in the Oregon Capitol. (Ron Cooper/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

On the second anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning the national right to abortion, Oregon advocates launched an effort to enshrine abortion rights and protections against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in the states constitution.

Organizers with LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Basic Rights Oregon, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon and Planned Parenthood Advocates, announced their plans for a 2026 ballot measure in an email to supporters Monday afternoon.

The measure, a proposed amendment to the state constitution, is just 143 words and is nearly identical to a proposal floated by Democratic lawmakers in 2023. Lawmakers abandoned that attempt to add abortion rights and same-sex marriage to the state constitution during their negotiations to bring back Republican senators who had walked out in protest and blocked the Senate from passing any bills for six weeks.

The Oregon Constitution already prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, while state law and court decisions protect LGBTQ+ Oregonians from discrimination and ensure access to reproductive health care, including abortion and contraception.

But the state constitution still contains a clause specifying that only marriages between one man and one woman can be valid or legally recognized by the state, though that clause has been unenforceable since a federal court ruling in 2014. A 2015 Supreme Court ruling guaranteed the right to same-sex marriage across the nation, but advocates have worried that the more conservative current court might reverse that ruling.

The proposed constitutional amendment would also clarify that prohibitions from discrimination on the basis of sex extend to discrimination based on pregnancy or its outcomes and related health decisions, gender identity and related health decisions or sexual orientation. In short, it would aim to ensure equal rights for women, transgender people and gay, lesbian and bisexual people.

Advocates will need to gather 1,000 initial signatures to get the state to draft a ballot title, then collect more than 150,000 additional signatures by summer 2026 to put the amendment on the November 2026 ballot.

Proposed amendment

Additions are in bold.

Section 46, Article I of the Constitution of the State of Oregon, is amended to read:

(1) Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the State of Oregon or by any political subdivision in this state on account of sex.

(2) On account of sex includes laws, policies, and actions that discriminate, in intent or effect, based on:

(a) pregnancy/pregnancy outcomes and related health decisions;

(b) gender identity and related health decisions;

(c) sexual orientation, including the right to marry; or

(d) sex.

(3) Article XV, section 5a is hereby repealed.

(4) The Legislative Assembly shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this section.

(5) Nothing in this section shall diminish a right otherwise available to persons under section 20 of this Article or any other provision of this Constitution.

High hopes

Organizers are bullish about their chances, citing internal poll data that they said showed that 70% of Oregon voters believed abortion should be legal in most or all cases, 80% wanted no government interference in private health care decisions and 80% supported same-sex marriage. They declined to share the results of that poll or more information about who was surveyed.

Publicly available data shows strong support for abortion rights and same-sex marriage  the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center found in 2022 that 72% of respondents in a demographically representative survey believed abortion should be legal in most or all cases and reported this month that 76% of respondents believed same-sex relationships should be respected.

The center in 2022 also identified mixed opinions among Oregonians when it came to some transgender rights issues, with just 50% of respondents saying transgender students should use bathrooms or locker rooms that match their current identity and a nearly even split on whether transgender athletes should play on teams that matched their gender identity or their sex at birth.

In a frequently-asked-questions page, supporters of the proposed constitutional amendment said attacks on women, trans people and people in gay relationships come from a history of discrimination rooted in sex and gender stereotypes.

These politicians know that they can destroy all of our rights and freedoms by targeting one group after another, it said. By uniting and fighting for our rights together, were ensuring a future Oregon where no one is left behind.

Beyond time

Organizers declined interview requests but shared two written statements from two chief petitioners. Evelyn Kocher, who described herself as an immigrant transgender woman and a sixth-generation Oregonian, wrote that the vast majority of Oregonians believe everyone should have the freedom to love who they love and make private medical decisions without interference from politicians.

This ballot measure will embed those strong Oregon values into our state constitution, Kocher said in the statement. At a time when extremist politicians are rolling back the clock on LGBTQ+ rights nationally, its beyond time to cement Oregons place as the safest place in the US to be queer.

Lane County Commissioner Laurie Trieger said in a statement that it was her responsibility as a mother, grandmother, openly queer woman and local elected leader to serve as a chief petitioner.

Ive been standing up for abortion access and LGBTQ+ rights my entire adult life  and make no mistake, this fight affects us all and its far from over, she said. I strongly believe that now is the time to make it crystal clear where we stand on marriage equality, abortion, contraception, health care for transgender patients, and the freedom to live our lives without government overreach.

The post Oregon advocates launch campaign to protect abortion, gay marriage, trans care in constitution appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Farmworkers harvest strawberries. (Oregon Department of Agriculture)

U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas of Oregon wants farmworkers to be eligible for disaster relief money when they lose wages during disasters and public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic or 2021 heat wave that killed more than 100 Oregonians.

Salinas, a Democrat who represents the 6th Congressional District, has introduced a bill, called the Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act, that would compensate farmworkers for lost earnings due to events beyond their control that are tied to extreme weather and public health. The bills intent is to help a vulnerable but critical segment of Oregons population that works for low wages, often housed in tight quarters with no financial safety net to rely upon when disasters strike.

Oregon has more than 100,000 farmworkers, many of them living in the Willamette Valley. They are the engine that drives the states $5 billion agricultural industry, harvesting fruit, tilling the soil and tending to livestock. A state study found the average income for individual farmworkers, including all sources of income, ranged from $17,500 to nearly $20,000 annually for workers in Oregon and Washington. Farmworker households in their entirety earn an average income of less than $25,000 a year.

An estimated 2.4 million farmworkers labor across the U.S.

It would provide that safety net for farm workers who, as we know, live sometimes in really tight quarters or in really cramped conditions, said Salinas, whose district includes Willamette Valley farmland.

The bill would make grants available to organizations to provide emergency relief to farmworkers affected by disasters. Those organizations would dole out money to individual farmworkers and their households, with amounts based upon what the federal government provided. Dozens of farmworker groups and advocacy organizations support the bill.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Equity Commission recommended the bills concept. The idea came about because low-income farmworkers typically are not eligible for existing federal disaster relief programs, such as those that benefit property owners who lose their houses after a natural disaster.

Farmworkers dont get paid when theyre not actually working in the field, and there is no kind of unemployment insurance or any kind of safety net when theyre out of work for no fault of their own, Salinas said in an interview on Thursday with the Capital Chronicle.

The cost of the bill, which could be launched with $50 million based on an early estimate, would be determined by the House Appropriations Committee.

Democratic co-sponsors

The bill has co-sponsors in the Senate  U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet of Colorado and Alex Padilla of California, both Democrats. U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-California, is also a sponsor.

California, like Oregon, is a state with a strong reliance on migrant labor in agriculture.

After he immigrated from Mexico in 1950, Salinas father toiled as a young child in Californias cotton and tomato fields before he became a San Francisco police officer. Migrant workers, often here on temporary visas, are the backbone of many agricultural operations in Oregon and across the U.S. But when disasters strike, they may leave because they cannot work.

When times are even tighter and they dont have any income, theyre at risk of potentially being rendered homeless, or they cant put food on the table, Salinas said. I know our growers actually want to keep them here. So a lot of times, they feel like maybe they cant stay here at all.

The bill would allow states to retain farmworkers in difficult times, Salinas said.

United Farm Workers, a California-based union that represents thousands of workers in dairies, vegetable farms and berry-growing operations in Oregon, California and Washington, is among more than 30 groups that represent workers and immigrants that support the bill.

The same way the federal government provides support to farm owners who lose crops, the federal government should provide support to farmworkers who lose work, UFW President Teresa Romero said in a statement. The Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act will ensure that farm workers and their families can put food on the table when they are unable to work due to conditions beyond their control.

The post Oregon Congresswoman introduces bill to provide disaster relief to farmworkers appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Every year, tens of thousands of Oregonians seek emergency care for brain injuries. (GSO Images/Getty Images)

Scores of Oregonians suffer traumatic brain injuries every year, and now the state is working on doing something about it.

The Oregon Health Authority recently published a dashboard that shows that every year hundreds of state residents die from traumatic brain injuries and tens of thousands seek emergency care. At the same time, the Oregon Department of Human Services is creating a center to help people find the range of services they often require.

For far too long, brain injury survivors have not been recognized in Oregon, said Dave Kracke, brain injury policy coordinator at the Center on Brain Injury Research and Training at the Oregon State University. As a result, services and supports for this huge population have not been provided.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines a traumatic brain injury as a bump, blow, jolt or penetrating injury to the head. Some people die. Others can suffer debilitating injuries, including difficulty speaking and problems with memory and attention. Brain injuries also can affect movement and balance, cause depression and anxiety and provoke aggression, anger and lack of impulse control.

When you look at all the ways that a brain injury can affect you  cognitive, physical, behavioral and emotional  things that people without a brain injury take for granted  it really is a one, two three, four punch, Kracke said.

He knows  firsthand. At 12, his younger brother fell off his skateboard when no one was looking. He came home, skateboard in hand and lied down.

He didnt look injured but he was not himself.

He had this horrible amnesia, Kracke said. He didnt know me, and he didnt know my mom.

His brother recovered, but some people are injured for life and some land in jail.

The lack of impulse control has been shown to be a real significant cause of criminal behavior, Kracke said. That aspect of it is just devastating.

Thousands affected

The dashboard shows that about 4,000 people were hospitalized every year between 2018 and 2022 with a traumatic brain injury, and about 30,000 sought medical care in an emergency room.

Those numbers have been relatively steady, but others have not. Between 2010 and 2022, fatalities from traumatic brain injuries rose from about 750 cases in 2010 to nearly 1,250 in 2022.

Likely many more people have been injured or died because the dashboard only counts traumatic brain injuries listed on death certificates or by hospitals. That means that those whove sought primary or urgent care, or seen a chiropractor or physical therapist, are not necessarily counted, nor are those whove suffered a stroke or another cause of a brain injury, such as strangulation, a problem in domestic violence, Kracke said.

Kracke is reluctant to estimate the actual number of people with brain injuries, but he said its certain to be much higher than those on the dashboard, which Oregon Health Authority officials plan to expand to include causes and other information.

The purpose of the TBI data is to help us better understand the significant frequency impacting individuals and our community as well as higher burdens to different groups of Oregonians, said Dagan Wright, a senior OHA injury expert.

The current data shows that men older than 65 and rural residents suffer the highest share of fatalities, which are most often associated with firearms. Older men also account for the highest share of hospitalizations, and seniors are most likely to seek emergency care, with rates for women slighting outpacing those of men.

Oregon Health Authority officials also say communities of color and tribal communities are among the most likely to be affected by a brain injury, along with veterans, people who are homeless, rural populations, survivors of partner violence and people in correctional institutions.

Falls are the No. 1 cause of brain injuries, which accounts for the high share of older people affected, experts say. And men are more likely to engage in risky behavior, which likely explains those high numbers, said state Sen. Deb Patterson, D-Salem.

She recently championed legislation to ensure brain injury survivors get needed help.

Im thrilled that the dashboard is up and running and that theyre collecting this data, Patterson said. The fact that the numbers are up, particularly among younger men, is a good sign that people are starting to realize how easily this can happen.

Navigation resource center

His brothers injury did not shape Krackes future. But one client he represented as a personal injury lawyer did. During a carjacking, she was dragged across a parking lot by her car and suffered a traumatic brain injury. Kracke tried to get her car insurer to pay damages through her uninsured motorist coverage.

The company refused  because she was injured by her own car.

That angered Kracke and spurred him into legislative action.

I didnt let it go, Kracke said.

By 2005, he succeeded with the passage of a bill that extended uninsured motorist coverage to injuries caused by carjackings. His involvement grabbed the attention of the Brain Injury Association of Oregon, which asked him to join their board.

That launched his career as a brain injury advocate.

Over the past 15 years, Kracke has championed several bills on brain injuries through the Legislature: Maxs Law, which took effect in 2010, requires schools to implement concussion management guidelines for athletes. Jennas Law, which established concussion management guidelines for non-school affiliated athletes in Oregon, took effect in 2014. Six years later, Kracke co-wrote a bill to provide academic, behavioral and social support for concussed students returning to school. House Bill 4140 took effect in 2021.

His most recent endeavor, with the help of Patterson in the Senate, was passing Senate Bill 420 in the 2023 session. It directs the Department of Human Services to establish a brain injury resource center to help brain injury survivors access services.

DHS is still working on the project. Jake Sunderland, a DHS spokesman, said the agency is hiring a manager and seven other staff, including six case managers. He had no information about when the center will be operational or what exactly it will do.

The law says it will provide service coordination, resource navigation, advocacy and options counseling. Kracke said that means case managers will ensure that survivors are connected with the therapeutic and other resources they need.

A survey by the brain injury research center shows that, on average, brain injury survivors need 12 kinds of services, Kracke said, from diagnostic testing to mental health counseling and occupational therapy to help with things like transportation and social support.

Kracke said the center wont merely give survivors lists of services or even numbers to call, which he said would be useless. Rather, case managers will ensure connections are made through three-way chats with the patient, case manager and provider, he said.

They will make sure that that connection is made, Kracke said. And ideally, there will be follow ups at whatever intervals they decide.

Thats the kind of help patients need to recover, experts say.

Healing does happen with proper support  health care, social support, behavioral support, said Jonathan Modie, a spokesman for the Oregon Health Authority. Most people recover, living healthy and full lives.

The post Oregon officials study brain injuries, plan center to help survivors appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Editor's Note: Joe Moss responded to The Sentinel's request for comment Tuesday evening. His response has been added below.

OTTAWA COUNTY  Ottawa County Commissioner Chris Kleinjans has filed a lawsuit against the MSU Extension for firing him shortly after his election.

Kleinjans won the seat May 7, defeating Ottawa Impact's Lucy Ebel in a recall election. He took office to represent District 2 on May 28. One week later, on June 4, he was fired from his role with the local MSU Extension.

On Friday, June 21, attorney Sarah Riley Howard filed a federal lawsuit on his behalf, seeking damages and restoration to his position.

Because the county pays the MSU Extension for services  $272,720 in the current fiscal year  and provides office, meeting and programming space, a conflict of interest exists between the roles. Kleinjans said the extension cited the Incompatible Public Offices Act 556 of 1978.

More: Kleinjans claims 'political pressure' from Ottawa Impact left him unemployed

They advised me they did not believe I could continue working effectively with their partners while also fulfilling the office of (commissioner), to which I was recently elected, Kleinjans, who worked as a community nutrition instructor, wrote in a statement.

This was the sole reason for my termination. There was no job performance issue, no personal or professional impropriety, nor any other cause for (the) MSU Extensions decision.

The lawsuit claims political pressure is the real reason for his termination.

The lawsuit names MSU Extension employees M. Scott Korpak, Matthew Shane and Erin Moore as defendants. It alleges many of the same points Howard made in a letter to the extension earlier this month.

It claims the defendants violated Kleinjans first amendment rights by unlawfully discriminating against him for running in the election as a Democrat against a member of Ottawa Impact.

Chris Kleinjans takes his oath of office Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

OI is a Republican PAC formed in 2021 by now-Board Chair Joe Moss and Vice Chair Sylvia Rhodea. Candidates affiliated with the PAC won a majority on the board in 2022 and quickly instituted sweeping changes.

Defendants actual reason for the decision to place (Kleinjans) on unpaid leave and ultimately to fire him from his job is that they have bowed, and are bowing, to political pressure from the OI majority, the lawsuit reads.

The OI majority placed political pressure on defendants to retaliate against (Kleinjans) for running against and winning a recall election to unseat their political ally, Lucy Ebel. Defendants do not have a non-discriminatory reason to fire (Kleinjans) and have merely capitulated to the OI majority.

The lawsuit lays out a timeline of alleged retaliation, dating back to November.

Ottawa County Commissioner Chris Kleinjans has filed a lawsuit against the MSU Extension for firing him shortly after his election.

On Nov. 14, the advisory board for Ottawa Food, of which Kleinjans was a member, voted to suspend operations after the county slashed health department funding. Kleinjans was listed as a media contact on a press release.

More: Officials said 'no one' wanted Ottawa Food to be impacted. It was anyway.

Meanwhile, a contract with the extension had been approved by a county committee and was slated for final approval Nov. 21. On Nov. 17, the lawsuit claims, then-County Administrator John Gibbs informed leadership the contract would be removed from the agenda.

Kleinjans and Moore met in late November, the lawsuit states, and Moore speculated Kleinjans involvement with Ottawa Food may have been the reason for the delayed approval.

Kleinjans publicly announced his candidacy in the recall election Dec. 6. The next day, according to the lawsuit, defendants Kelly and Korpak met with Moss and Commissioner Allison Miedema.

Moss wrote in an email to The Sentinel on Tuesday evening that the matter is "between Mr. Kleinjans and MSU."

"Ottawa County has worked with MSU for over 100 years and we are excited to continue working with MSU in the years to come," Moss added.

Miedema did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The commissioners allegedly expressed displeasure with Kleinjans involvement with both the MSU Extension and the election and said the contract approval would be put on hold until Kleinjans was removed from the organizations work in Ottawa County.

Shane allegedly shared this information with Kleinjans on Dec. 14, but assured him his job was not at risk. No further conversations were had about Kleinjans employment until after the recall election, per the lawsuit.

Commissioners eventually approved the contract on Jan. 16. Kleinjans won the May 7 recall election by 20 percentage points, earning 60% of the vote. He will need to win again in November to keep the seat for a full term.

On May 23, Shane and Kleinjans met, and Shane allegedly told Kleinjans he couldn't continue his work while serving as commissioner.

The extension, according to the lawsuit, gave Kleinjans the option of taking an unpaid leave through the end of the year and being terminated if he won in November, or being fired immediately.

Kleinjans refused the unpaid leave and was terminated June 4.

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In her letter sent earlier this month, Howard requested Kleinjans be rehired. He was not seeking economic damages at that time.

Relief sought through the lawsuit does, however, include damages. It seeks for the defendants to:

Adopt and abide by a policy of non-discrimination for outside political activities by employees

Allow the plaintiff to return to work immediately

Award economic damages in the form of back wages, non-economic damages and attorney fees

 Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Chris Kleinjans sues over firing from MSU Extension
Overturned tractor-trailer on I-285 ramp causes major delays in Cobb County

An overturned tractor-trailer is causing major delays in Cobb County.

Triple Team Traffic issued a Travel Advisory on Monday afternoon that the tractor-trailer is on the Interstate 285 Eastbound ramp to Interstate 75 northbound.

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According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the crash caused all lanes to close on I-75 north.

The lanes are now back open, according to Triple Team Traffic, but there are still delays.

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There are no details on injuries at this time.

Channel 2 Action News reached out to Cobb County police for details surrounding the crash and we are waiting to hear back.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
(Getty Images)

A bipartisan pair of representatives announced plans to introduced a bill to legalize marijuana in Pennsylvania. The bill is largely similar to a bipartisan Senate bill that has been stalled since its introduction almost a year ago.

Smoking marijuana should not be a crime, said the bills co-sponsor, Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne). We need to prioritize law enforcement resources and redefine a narrative that is not working in todays society.

The over-200 page bill, according to Kaufer (R-Luzerne) and co-sponsor Emily Kinkead (D-Allegheny), addresses many concerns raised by both advocates and opponents of marijuana legalization. Those include public safety; consumer protection; social equity and criminal justice reform; job creation; tax revenue growth and eradication of the illicit marijuana market.

At a press conference announcing the bill, Kaufer estimated that legal marijuana sales could generate $420 million in tax revenue by the 2028-29 fiscal year. (Yes, he made the obligatory joke). That number appears to come from a report published by the states Independent Fiscal Office in March.

Kaufer further estimated legalization could create around 33,000 jobs  from farming the plant to marketing and selling it.

Any legalization bill would have to have the support of legislative leadership in the House and Senate if it were to pass. Currently, its unclear whether those party leaders have an appetite for such a bill. Still, legalization advocates see the current moment as their ripest opportunity yet.

Gov. Josh Shapiro has repeatedly expressed support for legalizing marijuana; the federal justice department has recommended officially reclassifying the substance to indicate its less dangerous than current law would suppose; and now, bipartisan bills have been introduced in both chambers of the general assembly.

Today marks an important milestone, Meredith Buettner, executive director of the Pennsylvania Cannabis coalition, said at a press conference announcing the bills introduction. The momentum has been building and the calls for bipartisan action now have reached a crescendo.

The Pennsylvania Cannabis Coalition is one of the states leading lobbying groups focused on legalization, representing a majority of existing medical dispensaries.

Speaking to the press, Kinkead highlighted the bills focus on ensuring social equity in the emergent marijuana market. A stated goal of the legislation is to help Pennsylvanians from communities most affected by the war on drugs get a foothold in the emergent cannabis industry.

A 2013 study frequently cited by legalization advocates found Black Americans are roughly four times more likely to be arrested for cannabis use than whites, despite similar use of the substance in both groups.

But despite best efforts, its unclear how successful that aim will be. Over the last year, a house subcommittee has heard from numerous experts and business leaders in states that have already legalized cannabis. Advocates, policy makers and business owners have detailed the difficulties states like New York and California have faced in their efforts to ensure equity in their respective legal marijuana marketplaces through legislation

In many cases, would-be minority business owners have struggled to get a foot in the door to find funding for startup businesses dealing in a substance with a disputed legal status, especially as they compete with growing national firms. This has been true in states where lawmakers made conscious efforts to address inequities in their legalization legislation.

We should be learning from all the other states about the way to do this best, and the way to best capitalize it, Kinkead said about legalization.

Kinkead said the bill would include a concept known as equity status for Pennsylvanians looking to open a cannabis business who have been disproportionately affected by existing cannabis laws. Applicants for business licenses who qualify for equity status would get both priority status and access to certain financial benefits, like the waiver of certain application fees.

With Kinkeads bill, equity status would be granted to applicants with previous cannabis-related charges, applicants with low income, and applicants who have lived for at least five of the last 10 years in Pennsylvania neighborhoods with disproportionately high marijuana arrests.

The bill would also allow marijuana businesses that agree to provide financial and technical support, mentorship or training to people who would qualify for equity status, even if that businesss ownership doesnt

The bill would create an automatic expungement process for Pennsylvanians with non-violent cannabis-related charges. It also contains a unique clause allowing Pennsylvanians serving time for any sort of conviction to apply for resentencing if they have prior marijuana-related charges. Thats because sentencing guidelines often take prior convictions into account.

If you want to talk about a gateway drug, that, fundamentally, is how marijuana is a gateway drug, Kinkead said. It is a gateway to criminalization.

The bill would also send 5% of all tax revenue collected from taxes on marijuana sales to funding public defenders. As it stands, the state provided its first ever funding for indigent defense just this year  $7.5 million.

Northumberland County District Attorney Michael ODonnell also expressed his support for legalizing cannabis at the press conference.

The continued illegalization of marijuana sends the wrong message, ODonnell said. You can not have something so commonly accepted by the public be illegal under the law. The result of this has become that its acceptable to break the law.

Kaufer couldnt say whether such a bill could pass, or when, but he was optimistic.

Our goal is to get this done as soon as possible, Kaufer said when asked about the legislations timeline. Weve been working diligently to try to get something done that could pass today.

Still, he acknowledged that there are challenges.

Weve got a Democrat-led House, a Republican-led Senate and Democrat governor, Kaufer said. Trying to thread that needle and work together to find an area of compromise  that has been the effort to try to get something done.

The post Pa. House introduces marijuana legalization bill as momentum for recreational cannabis builds appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
Pa. State Police develop card to be used by people with autism during law enforcement encounters

Pennsylvania State Police have created a card that can be carried by people with autism and presented during encounters with law enforcement.

The free resource is intended to enhance interactions with officers and ensure safety.

Behaviors associated with autism can cause barriers to effective communication. This card can be presented to reduce those barriers, said Col. Christopher Paris, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. When an officer is made aware a person has autism, they can respond accordingly, resulting in a safer interaction for everyone involved.

The cards alert law enforcement officers that the individual has autism and therefore may be nonverbal, bothered by loud noises, hyper-sensitive to touch and unresponsive to commands or questions. The officers are directed to be patient, use a calm and direct voice and keep their questions and commands simple.

Paris and Gov. Josh Shapiro met with advocates to talk about how law enforcement can better serve individuals with autism. PSPs Office of Community Engagement developed the informational card, which is available on the Safety Resources page of PSPs website. The card can be printed from the website and carried in a wallet or it can be saved on a phone. Troopers will distribute the cards at public community events.

State police encourage individuals with autism to present the card during interactions with any police officer. The officer does not need to be a Pennsylvania state trooper.

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Police and Public Safety celebrates the remarkable service milestone of its beloved security officer whose tenure at the University began in 1964 and includes 30-plus years as a police officer.

Photo: William Groh works at UMB Police and Public Safetys Pine Street Annex.

When William Groh got a job as a University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) security officer in 1964, he was told it might be on a temporary basis. But one month turned into two months, two months turned into six months, and six months turned into  60 years.

During that time, Groh has seen UMBs security personnel grow from 15 officers who patrolled the parking lots into UMB Police and Public Safety, a professionally run department of about 190 employees. He has watched building upon building constructed as the University expanded. And he has helped countless colleagues along the way by training them, bringing them snacks, or cheering them up on a trying day.

I love the University, and to watch the department grow to what it is today, its wonderful, said Groh, who will turn 79 in July. Since I lost my wife [Bonnie] 10 years ago, UMB has really become home for me. Going back to my house, it just isnt the same. But being here with the people that I know and trust, Im happy.

On June 6, two days before the 60th anniversary of his first day at UMB, Groh was recognized for his service by his Police and Public Safety colleagues. More than 30 people attended the celebration in the Pine Street Annexs Roll Call Room, which was decorated with balloons, streamers, and a Cheers to 60 Years banner.

(See a video about the celebration below or on YouTube.)

Thomas Leone, MSL, assistant vice president for public safety and chief of police; Vanessa Harrington, MS, SHRM-CP, executive director of security and compliance; and three assistant chiefs  Chad Ellis, MSL; Tonya Bell, MS; and William Folden  took turns talking about Groh before other employees praised their long-serving colleague.

Harrington began with a PowerPoint presentation highlighting facts from 1964: a gallon of gas cost 25 cents, the average cost of a home was $20,000, Gilligans Island debuted on TV  I was in love with Mary Ann, Groh said with a smile  and the Ford Mustang was introduced at the price of $2,300. Harrington then cued up a video from Dawn M. Rhodes, DBA, chief business and finance officer and senior vice president, who was unable to attend in person.

I want you to know that Im thankful that you represent Administration and Finance and the public safety department in the manner in which you do, Rhodes said of Groh. You are an example of what we want our UMB employees to be in terms of your dedication, your service, and your commitment to customer service.

He Is Just a Great Person



Leone thanked Groh for being a valuable part of the Police and Public Safety team and for welcoming him with open arms when he arrived at UMB nine years ago.

I would always see Mr. Groh helping out the younger security officers. He would give people rides home. He would bring them to work. He would bring them snacks, Leone said. He just tries to make everything a little better for everybody. And when we talk about service excellence and customer service, Mr. Groh embodies that every day with what he does in our community.

Ellis and Bell echoed Leones sentiments.

Something that Ive learned from you day to day in our interactions  when you often make me smile when I dont feel like it, or when you uplift me when I need it  is your sense of duty and the pridefulness and how you present yourself every single day, Ellis told Groh. For that, I am grateful, and we are all grateful.

Said Bell: He was my first field trainer, and he was always so professional. He is just a great person, very friendly, and willing to put in time for anybody who needs any kind of help. Ive learned a lot from him. He has absolutely been a model for how you act as a man, as a police officer, and as a security officer.

Groh, who was born and raised in Baltimore, received a certificate of appreciation from UMB, and Folden presented him with a copy of a Maryland Senate resolution recognizing his 60 years of service to the state that was signed by Senate President Bill Ferguson, JD 10.

Its not very often that you see somebody who has literally a lifetime of service to one community, Folden said. And that speaks volumes about Mr. Groh, about who he is, and about the life hes lived. Its really, really impressive.

Pride and Purpose

Groh said hes a history buff in general and of UMB police in particular. He wrote about the police departments history for UMBs CATALYST magazine in 2021, detailing its growth, the major changes it has seen, and the chiefs who have led the department.

He said hes proud of UMBs record of having low crime compared to the rest of Baltimore, attributing it to the dedication of his Police and Public Safety colleagues.

Crime in the city has always been up and down, up and down, up and down, he said. But if you look at a map of the city that shows the crime statistics, youll see yellow, orange, red, and then there is a little green spot  thats UMB, because we keep the crime down.

Groh spent more than 30 years as a police officer before moving back into a security officer role. He currently mans the front desk at the Pine Street Annex after spending many years as a security officer at Pharmacy Hall. He said he has no plans to retire.

Just being here gives me a purpose, Groh said. When I get up in the morning, I put my feet on the floor, thank God that Im alive, and then come to work. It was difficult after my wife passed away, but this place kept me going. The people here kept me going.

I always wanted to serve and protect. That was a life ambition, he added. When I was a child, I wanted to be a police officer, and UMB gave me that opportunity. I cant just close that door and say, Hey, enough is enough. I still think I owe the University some more.
PACs connected to Missouri lobbyist take in $530K from pair of companies

Under the debt limit law, domestic spending actually would get a boost compared to what its supposed to be if Congress cant do its job and pass its spending bills by next spring (Getty Images).

A constellation of political action committees tied to a Jefferson City lobbyist raked in $530,000 in contributions this month from a pair of companies.

The six PACs  MO Majority PAC, Missouri Growth PAC, Missouri C PAC, Missouri Senior PAC, Missouri AG PAC and Conservative Leaders of Missouri  are connected to Steve Tilley, a lobbyist and former Republican speaker of the Missouri House.

And both of the donors  Torch Electronics and New Day Healthcare  are Tilley clients.

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Its a familiar pattern. Tilleys clients for years have spread donations among the six PACs, drawing criticism from those who see it as a way to skirt limits on how much a candidate can accept from an individual or PAC, as well as a ban on direct corporate contribution to candidates.

A spokeswoman for Tilleys firm declined to comment on the donations.

Torch, which owns games that operate like slot machines that state gambling regulars argue are illegal, cut checks last week for $55,000 to each of the six PACs. Since 2022, the company has given the PACs $750,000.

New Day owns Missouri-based Phoenix Home Care and Hospice. It gave $40,000 checks to each PAC, adding to the $400,000 Phoenix has directly donated to the PACs since 2022.

The haul comes a little over a month before voters head to the polls for the statewide primary on Aug. 6.

None of the PACs made any donations this year until Monday, when all six dropped $20,000 each into the campaign committee supporting state Sen. Lincoln Houghs campaign for lieutenant governor, for a one-day total of $120,000.

Before Hough, the largest beneficiary of the PACs largesse was House Speaker Dean Plocher. The committee supporting his candidacy for secretary of state has received $50,000 in combined donations since 2021 from Conservative Leaders of Missouri, Missouri Senior PAC and MO Majority PAC.

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In addition to its donations to Tilleys PACs, Torch also gave $15,000 this month to Uniting Missouri, a committee set up in 2018 by supporters of Republican Gov. Mike Parson.

Tilley is a longtime friend and advisor to the governor. And though Parson has made it clear that he has no intention of ever running for office again, Uniting Missouri keeps raising and spending money.

On the same day as the Torch donation, Uniting Missouri received $50,000 from the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, which is also a Tilley client.

Tom Burcham, an attorney who serves as spokesman for Uniting Missouri, did not respond to a request for comment on the future of the PAC or its ongoing purpose with Parsons political career nearly over.

Andrew Mullins, executive director of the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, said in an emailed statement that second-term governors always raise funds to support causes and to promote the great State of Missouri. We are happy to help this effort.

Parson took over as governor in June 2018 when his predecessor  Eric Greitens  resigned to avoid impeachment and settle a felony charge in St. Louis.

He won a full term in 2020. But because Greitens had more than two years left on his term when he resigned, Parson is prohibited from running again because of term limits.

After his 2020 victory, Uniting Missouri spent much of its money on campaign advisers and advertising  $69,000 on consultants in 2022, along with, $150,000 on ads.

Spending patterns changed the last two years, focused mostly on Parsons travel.

Uniting Missouri spent $58,000 in 2023 and $65,000 for Parsons trip to watch the Super Bowl. The PAC also spent $52,000 in 2023 in payments to an aviation company owned by Tilley.

This story was updated to reflect donations made to the PAC supporting Lincoln Hough for lieutenant governor.

The post PACs connected to Missouri lobbyist take in $530K from pair of companies appeared first on Missouri Independent.
In the space of two months, May followed by June, Gordonstoun, a boarding school set in 150 acres of stately grandeur in the far north of Scotland on the Moray Firth to the east of Inverness, found itself managing two seismic pieces of news: the first bringing profound pride, the second deep shame and regret. The first was news of a high royal honour from the King, a much-needed patronage as it would turn out.

The second, which came last week, was borne of the confirmation of catastrophic historical failings in safeguarding dating back to the 1960s which left children over a 25-year period with the scars of sexual, physical and emotional abuse. Many have never recovered. Some staff members were paedophiles. There was so little safeguarding until at least 1990 that, in turn, older pupils became abusers too, grooming girls and boys in the years below them. The timing for the Palace is little short of disastrous.

Towards the end of May, to mark the first anniversary of his coronation, King Charles, Gordonstouns most famous and prestigious living old boy (1962-67), announced that he was to become the schools patron. He was following in the footsteps of his father, the late Prince Philip, who had thrived at the eccentric and spartan school  cold showers, morning runs, a medical regime so broad brush that children in King Charless era joked they were given dog worming tablets for anything internal.

The Duke of Edinburgh had joined in 1934 (then Prince Philip of Greece), among the first wave of pupils under the eccentric German founder Kurt Hahn, who had fled the Nazis, and who believed in the collective good of society rather than the needs of the individual. Hahn later remarked on Prince Philips undefeatable spirit (He left in 1939, just eight years before his engagement to HRH Princess Elizabeth). His royal portrait in the dining hall has watched over generations of boys eating their porridge, including his three sons.

The Duke of Edinburgh reportedly thrived at Gordonstoun - PA

Gordonstoun naturally sought to capitalise on this most recent honour, rightly thrilled. It is common knowledge that, unlike his hardy father, the young and sensitive Prince of Wales had, in his junior years, found its regime amid spartan conditions both emotionally and physically challenging. He was a more delicate child. He had a happy final two years there, perhaps proof he had adapted to its motto Plus est en Vous  there is more in you. And so it proved for him at school, eventually, and in his life. What better motto can there be for a King forced to forgo the needs of the individual?

Gordonstoun was, King Charles has famously said with black humour, Colditz in a kilt. Those there at the same time attest to the fact that he was badly bullied, had his ears cruelly pulled, his royal rank mocked. When he was small, jeered for wearing the wrong overcoat, his only friend was his Land Rover-driving bodyguard. This was until he left for Australia for a two-year breather. He returned to a happier time. These difficulties were dramatised in Netflixs The Crown.

King Charles famously called the school 'Colditz in a kilt' - Gamma-Keystone

When I knew him there it was bloody awful, remembers Johnny Stonborough, his class contemporary. As pupils, it was instilled in us never to complain, never to explain and with the [now] King, he was in an even worse position. When he was beaten up by boys, or teased  and I should say it was also very difficult to be his friend because youd get teased too  he would stay completely silent and suffer without a word, because he knew that complaining would make it a bigger drama. I remember thinking at the time that it was formidable that he was able to do that.

Its wonderful now that he feels he can be useful to Gordonstoun as a patron. But isnt it interesting that neither he nor I chose to send our sons there? Both men were to choose Eton instead for the next generation.

The current school principal Lisa Kerr expressed pride on the school website after the May announcement: His Majesty exemplifies so many qualities we seek to instil in our students, notably a lifelong commitment to serviceWe look forward to His Majestys engagement and support with the association and its members in the years to come.

The school is located in the far north of Scotland on the Moray Firth - Chris Watt

And then came the second devastating announcement on June 19. It came not from the school but from Lady Smith, chairman of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, whose twelth case study report related to the provision of residential care at Gordonstoun and its associated junior school, Aberlour House.

I have no difficulty in finding that children were abused at Gordonstoun and Aberlour in a variety of ways over a long period of time, she said. Children who had boarded at both establishments, largely in a time frame between 1968 [a year after the King left] and 1990 were exposed to risks of sexual, physical and emotional abuse and for many, those risks materialised.

There were failures to prioritise child protection; staff without appropriate skills and training; poor recruitment policies; insufficient oversight of pupils and teachers; failures in governance. Older children in turn became sexual abusers, flourishing in the schools lack of pastoral care: It was only after 1990 and the appointment of a headmaster who understood the importance of pastoral care that abuse eventually began to be addressed and a measure of trust was restored. A dreadfully abusive and, in some houses, extremely violent culture was allowed to take root.

Former pupil Johnny Stonborough remembers: 'It was instilled in us never to complain' - Alamy Stock Photo

A code of silence was normalised and many abuse victims, such as Sarah, an Aberlour pupil who was raped aged 13 on a camping trip, were then tormented and bullied by other children.

Lady Smith found that a high proportion of staff sexually abused children at Aberlour: seven confirmed staff members, who often took advantage of the most vulnerable and shyest children.

One paedophile was Andrew Keir, a physics teacher from 1983 to 1994 and a housemaster at Duffus [boarding] House between 1983 and 1991. He was a predatory paedophile, finally jailed in 2018 (although only for 12 months because of the way the case was prosecuted), who, under the guise of being friendly and caring, groomed boys with a view to satisfying his sexual desires. His behaviour was known about by the boys and the school also knew, but failed to act. References for known abusers were sent out to new schools to help the men get jobs. Gordonstoun, in turning a blind eye, helped place these men on new paths to abuse yet more children.

Lady Smith concluded: Had Gordonstoun acted when it should have done, children would not have been abused by Keir in 1990 or 1991. Giving evidence to the enquiry, Keir admitted that, as well as being convicted of abusing three boys, he had also been found guilty of possessing, making and distributing indecent images of children between 2001 and 2017, for which he received a 28-month sentence. On his computer, police found five fictional stories about sexual acts involving boys, one titled Speedos, another School Showers. The Gordonstoun swimming pool and showers were common locations for his abuse, though it also happened elsewhere, said Lady Smith.

Seven teachers in total were found to be guilty of abuse at the prestigious school - Shutterstock

Six other teachers sexually abused children between the 1960s and 1990s. The school became co-ed in 1972 and what had been the sexual abuse of teenage boys now became the abuse of teenage girls as well. Such acts included: the repeated rape of a boy by an exchange teacher; the indecent assault of boys by two teachers; an indecent assault on girls by a male teacher (who was subsequently jailed in England for similar abuse); indecent touching of girls by the school chaplain; and voyeuristic practices by a housemaster involving male pupils. The voyeurism was reported, but, Lady Smith concluded, the schools response went no further than removing the housemaster from his house. Repeated complaints from a parent finally resulted in his resignation but he was not dismissed.

Abuse, sexual and physical, was rife too in Aberlour where the children were even younger. The words of Sally, one of the many ex-pupils who gave evidence, summed up the dreadful neglect.

Reaching out for support felt like a failing, she said. We were meant to get on and deal with things. It was only later that I realised how mucked-up it was to have such a lack of support.

The inquiry also heard an account of the rape of a 13-year-old girl Sarah on a camping trip  bullied afterwards by her peers. Five years later at Gordonstoun she then had to endure a male teacher trying to put his tongue down her throat at the leavers ball. At Aberlour, boys were drugged and sexually assaulted by Derek Jones, now dead, appointed to teach English in September 1990.

He lasted at the school until the December, when he was dismissed after it was discovered that he had given a pupil what was believed by the school to be a sleeping tablet. That boy, John Findlay, was one of the earliest victims to go public (helping others to follow in his footsteps) and waived his anonymity. He gave devastating evidence to the inquiry, revealing he had been drugged and abused by Jones, rendered paralysed [by two pills] but perfectly conscious and, as a result of the ensuing sexual abuse, diagnosed with PTSD in 2013: I dont trust anybody [anymore], he told Lady Smith.

Jones had put his head under Findlays duvet cover. I remember furiously fighting to move so I could knee him in the faceI just couldnt move, he told the inquiry. A light came on from under the duvet. He had a torch.I then heard the click wind click wind click wind of his camera. He had a torch in his mouth and he was taking pictures of me with his head under my duvet.

Beds in the school's dormitory, pictured the year the-then Prince Charles started (1962) - Popperfoto

Today, Findlay tells me that he continues to suffer from severe PTSD, anxiety and depression and says of the joint Arbelour/Gordonstoun institution: It was a paedophiles playground. It enabled paedophiles. Findlay won damages against the school, accepting a six-figure sum from its insurers, but at least two civil cases are outstanding, despite Gordonstouns current principal, Lisa Kerr, promising Findlay she would do all in her power to bring about closure for victims.

Principal Kerr has said it is subject to the insurance process.

I am disgusted, says Findlay of the delay, I was given a promise. These people have been severely traumatised.

Kerrs statement following the inquirys findings must have been painful to write. Todays report is upsetting and it is shocking to read of the abuse that children in the past experienced and the enduring impact on their lives 30, 40 or even 50 years later, she wrote. We respect and thank those who have spoken up about their experiences and those who gave evidence to the inquiry. Since reports of historic abuse came to our attention in 2013, we have taken a proactive approach, addressing matters openly and offering whatever support possible.

Lady Smith acknowledges Gordonstouns recognition of the need to avoid putting its head in the sand, and to acknowledge the reality of the past abuse and to respond.

Of the announcement of the Kings patronage, clearly intended to mark a new chapter for the school, John Findlay says: I think it is an unusual post. That is perhaps my best reaction, as I didnt believe there was a love and affinity for the school. Findlay was close friends with Princess Annes son, Peter Phillips, who was in his year.

In fact, the King has said in the past that talk that he detested the school was exaggerated. It was only tough in the sense that it demanded more of you as an individual than most other schools  mentally or physically, he said in a 1975 speech to the House of Lords. I am lucky in that I believe it taught me a great deal about myself and my own abilities and disabilities. It taught me to accept challenges and take the initiative.

The school had its own fire service, coastguard service and mountain rescue service, all fully trained and accredited. There was also community service. It was, in many ways, a revolutionary approach which famously served the late Duke of Edinburgh so well.

Lady Smith acknowledged that not all voices heard at the inquiry were negative. One man, known as Harry, a retired London lawyer in private practice for 41 years, was at Gordonstoun between 1964 and 1968 and so a contemporary of the King. Perhaps he spoke for a generation of men, unaffected by abuse, shaped by hardship. He told Lady Smith: Although it might be outside the main focus of your inquiry, I would add that there was negligible bullying by staff or boys while I was there. His testimony is telling. Perhaps the rot, as Lady Smith identified, was just about to set in (1968), but had not then.

Harry also recalled his enjoyment of outdoor expeditions that he believed would not be allowed in todays safeguarding culture. I spent a day climbing a potentially very dangerous mountain all without parental knowledge, he said. In my point of view, this kind of experience for a child is exactly the reverse, diametrically opposed to child abuse.

Did my Gordonstoun experience help me in life? It is hard for me to say, but I do feel that if Gordonstoun had consisted merely of classroom education and trips (in the usual sense) it would have been very dull.

Gordonstoun is extremely lucky to have King Charles III. He is the perfect patron: thoughtful; clever; environmentally aware; a lover of the arts. He will no doubt move it into a new, prosperous chapter, marked by excellence, touched by his royalty, a school no longer marred by the failings and traumas of the past.

Gordonstoun was, King Charles has famously said with black humour, 'Colditz in a kilt' - Chris Watt

Gordonstoun is immensely proud to be the first senior school to educate a king, says the school website, and prouder still to note how the years King Charles spent here nurtured his love of, and commitment to, service, the outdoors and the arts.

But the cautionary words of Lady Smith must never be forgotten, nor, too, the cases of the very many children forced to grow up in the shadow of their sexual abuse, some yet to receive compensation and closure. In the words of Lady Smith: There have been periods in Gordonstouns history where the vision and ethos that formed the basis of Kurt Hahns founding of the school was allowed to wither...It seems clear, however, that for the last 30 years or so, some good leaders have sought to recover the position.

The risk of children being abused will, however, always be present. I recognise that Gordonstoun has now made real efforts to be aware of the risk of abuse, to protect against it, and, if abuse occurs, to respond appropriately, but the school must never become complacent.

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A group of Louisiana families with children in public school are suing the state in federal court to block a new state law requiring every public school classroom to display the Ten Commandments.

The plaintiffs include parents from multi-faith backgrounds  including rabbis and pastors  represented by a coalition of civil rights groups arguing that the law violates long-standing Supreme Court precedent and First Amendment protections against the government from injecting religion into schools.

Permanently posting the Ten Commandments in every Louisiana public-school classroom  rendering them unavoidable  unconstitutionally pressures students into religious observance, veneration, and adoption of the states favored religious scripture, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Baton Rouge on Monday.

Republican Governor Jeff Landry signed the legislation from a Catholic school auditorium last week after announcing that he cant wait to be sued by turning Louisiana into the first state to mandate the Ten Commandments in schools.

Landrys law appears to be designed to invite a federal court battle that will work its way to the Supreme Court. Conservative Christian legal groups have been angling for another shot at reversing Supreme Court rulings protecting the separation of church and state for decades.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit  which takes aim at state school officials  have argued that the law not only flies in the face of First Amendment protections but also sends the harmful and religiously divisive message that students who do not subscribe to the Ten Commandments  or, more precisely, to the specific version of the Ten Commandments [the law] requires schools to display  do not belong in their own school community and should refrain from expressing any faith practices or beliefs that are not aligned with the states religious preferences.

Louisianas Republican Governor Jeff Landry approved legislation requiring that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom on June 19. Five days later, civil rights groups and parents of public school students sued to block the law. (AP)

Plaintiffs include a Unitarian Universalist minister, her husband and their two children; a Presbyterian minister and his three children; a Jewish father and his two elementary-age children; and other Unitarian and nonreligious families.

This law is a disturbing abuse of power by state officials, according to Heather L Weaver, senior staff attorney for the ACLUs Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. Louisiana law requires children to attend school so they can be educated, not evangelized.

Louisianas law requires all schools to display the text exactly as written in the bill, and in a poster or framed document that is at least eleven inches by fourteen inches  at minimum  and in a large, easily readable font.

It also requires a 200-word context statement arguing that the Ten Commandments were a prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries up until 50 years ago.

The plaintiffs are represented by the ACLU, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, the Freedom from Religion Foundation, with pro bono counsel from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.

Reverend Jeff Sims, a Presbyterian minister with three children in St. Tammany Parish public schools, said it is critical for my children to receive and understand scripture in the context of our faith which honors Gods diversity and teaches that all people are equal.

The states Ten Commandments law not only interferes with that principle, it tramples on it, he told reporters on Monday.

Louisiana officials have produced legislation to usurp Gods authority for themselves and trample our religious freedom rights, he said.

FILEA copy of the Ten Commandments is posted along with other historical documents in a hallway of the Georgia Capitol on June 20. Civil liberties groups filed a lawsuit on June 24 challenging Louisianas mandate that public school classrooms display the Ten Commandments. (AP)

Josh Herlands, who has two children in New Orleans public elementary schools, said Louisianas specific state-approved version of the Ten Commandments are not the commandments as I and many Jews know them.

The display spells out the name of God, for example.

Louisiana law threatens to distort the Jewish significance of the Ten Commandments and sends a troubling message that his children are considered less than for not subscribing to what is written, he said.

Rachel Laser, whose group Americans United for the Separation of Church and State argued at the Supreme Court in another major First Amendment test in 2022, said Louisianas law is a prime example of the Christian nationalism that is on the march across this country, from mandating religious displays in schools to supporting book bans and installing chaplains in classrooms.

The political ideology is a fundamental threat to our democracy, she said.
VIRGINIA (DC News Now)  Some parts of Northern Virginia were under a drought warning advisory, according to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force.

A drought warning advisory was issued for 12 counties, while 95 counties and cities were under a drought watch advisory.

Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, Arlington, and Fairfax counties were among the regions under a drought warning advisory.

Im too cool to be hot: Workers in the DMV battle the heat

When a drought warning advisory is issued, it means that a significant drought is imminent, whereas a drought watch advisory means that residents should prepare for the possibility of a drought, according to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

To see a map of up-to-date drought statuses, click here. For more information, click here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
More than a dozen passengers had to be rescued when a carnival ride got stuck in Thousand Oaks over the weekend.

911 calls began flooding the Ventura County Fire Department when the Zipper ride at Conejo Creek Park South got stuck around 8 p.m. Sunday.

Firefighters responded to a technical rescue at the Conejo Creek Park as approximately 18 people were trapped on an amusement park ride, the Fire Department said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Firefighters rescue trapped amusement park riders

The Fire Department posted an image of the ride, which places passengers inside a spinning enclosed compartment.

According to the fire department, all of the riders were rescued within 30 minutes of the first 911 calls. No injuries were reported.

Conejo Creek Park South hosts the Conejo Valley Days festival, which runs June 20 through June 30.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PATERSON  David Gilmore, the citys community improvements director and outspoken critic of the mayor, claims he was harassed when he returned to work last year after being fired and then reinstated for what state officials said were false accusations.

In a revised lawsuit filed in federal court last week, Gilmore alleged that he was taunted by Economic Development department clerk Sandra Pavon, whose sexual harassment complaint caused his 18-month termination.

The firing ended when an administrative law judge and the New Jersey Civil Service Commission determined the allegations against Gilmore were unfounded.

David Gilmore, the citys community improvements director and outspoken critic of the mayor, claims he was harassed when he returned to work last year after being fired and then reinstated for what state officials said were false accusations.

After Gilmores return, Pavon allegedly wore a body camera during her working hours in the economic development office, the lawsuit said. Gilmore asserted Pavon was targeting him by wearing the camera. Moreover, he said Pavon was rewarded for her accusations against him by being given a private office.

Gilmore also claimed in his lawsuit that he was berated after his reinstatement by Patersons construction official, Jerry Lobozzo, the man who an administrative law judge wrote almost orchestrated Pavons accusations against Gilmore that resulted in trumped-up disciplinary charges.

Gilmore filed a hostile workplace complaint with the city within 10 days of his reinstatement, the lawsuit said. But the city took no action on his complaint, and allowed his mistreatment to continue, the lawsuit said.

Pavon and Lobozzo could not be reached for comment. Mayor Andre Sayeghs administration has a common practice of not commenting on pending lawsuits.

Gilmores June 14 amended complaint against the city marked the third time in the past 30 months that he has added new allegations to a lawsuit filed in 2020. Gilmore initially accused the Sayegh administration of retaliating against him for issuing violations against the Art Factory commercial complex owned by one of the mayors political supporters.

Gilmores first amendment to the suit, filed in 2021, contained new allegations of mistreatment after Sayegh appointed a new deputy economic development director, Osner Charles. In that complaint, Gilmore said he contacted federal and county prosecutors about alleged corruption in the Sayegh administration.

No sexual harassment 'except in the mind of Pavon'

Gilmore submitted his second amended complaint in December of 2022 after the Sayegh administration fired him over Pavons accusations. An administrative law judge and New Jerseys civil service commission both concluded there was no basis for Gilmores termination.

The civil service ruling said ...there was no intimidation, hostile work environment or sexual harassment except in the mind of Pavon, and apparently our missing witness Lobozzo, a reference to the fact that the citys lawyers never called Lobozzo to testify even though he was a central figure in the allegations.

Prior to Gilmores third amendment to the suit, court records said there had been settlement discussions among the federal judge, Gilmore, and the city. But the two sides could not reach an agreement about how much Gilmore should be paid in return for the dismissal of the lawsuit.

In his latest court filing, Gilmore said the citys personnel policy requires that employees who file a fabricated complaint should be disciplined. He said in the lawsuit that Pavon and Lobozzo should have been punished for their false report of sexual harassment.

Gilmore said in a recent interview that he plans to continue to expand his legal claims against the city. He said his case eventually would involve the massive amount of sewer connection fees Patersons economic development department has failed to collect from developers aligned with Sayegh.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson official claims harassment by clerk who wore body cam
Former Vice President Mike Pence revived his call for a nationwide abortion ban on Monday  the two-year anniversary of the landmark Dobbs decision  taking an implicit shot at former President Donald Trump in the process.

In an op-ed in the conservative magazine National Review, Pence wrote that leaving abortion up to the states, which is Trumps stated policy, is to tolerate the height of injustice.

We must work to advance the sanctity of life at every level, state and federal, though some in my party may disagree, Pence wrote. There is no reason for conservatives to abandon the fight for life at the federal level and focus exclusively on the states. We can and should do both.

It is the former vice presidents latest public rebuke of his one-time boss, who he does not mention by name in the piece. The divide between the two illustrates the difficulty the Republican Party has had talking about abortion rights since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, which Pence called a historic victory 50 years in the making.



Pence pushed for a nationwide ban on the medical procedure at 15 weeks of gestation when he was making a bid for the White House. Trump, however, said abortion should be left to the states in a bid to avoid alienating swing voters.

Pence declined to endorse the former president earlier this year, and a month later called Trumps abortion stance a slap in the face. Two days later, Trump responded on Truth Social that Pence never felt I would be able to kill Roe v Wade and that his former vice president has been getting very bad advice, mocking his presidential polling numbers.

We have also achieved what the pro-life movement fought to get for 49 years, and weve gotten abortion out of the federal government and back to the states, the way everybody and all legal scholars always said it should be, Trump told a crowd of conservative Christians on Saturday.

Trump also said he supports access to in vitro fertilization after the Alabama Supreme Court imperiled access to the procedure in the state earlier this year. Pence said in the past that he supports fertility treatments, citing his and his wifes struggles with infertility. But when the Alabama decision came down, Pence, along with John Mize, CEO of Americans United for Life, said the Alabama Supreme Court made the morally right decision.



Pence has long been against abortion. When he was a representative in the House, Pence introduced legislation for three legislative sessions in a row that would have prevented any entity that provides abortion from receiving funds through Title X.

We took one crucial step closer to being a more compassionate nation the day Roe was wiped away, Pence wrote in the National Review op-ed. Now the question facing the conservative movement, and our nation as a whole, is where we go from here.
An aerial drone photo taken on June 17, 2024 shows Xinghai square in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 17, 2024 shows the Fujiazhuang beach in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

The Dalian International Conference Center, venue of the 2024 Summer Davos, is seen in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 16, 2024. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Zhang Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 16, 2024 shows a shipyard of Hengli Heavy Industry in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 15, 2024 shows the Jinshitan beach in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

People feed the seagulls on a tourist boat in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 16, 2024. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

The Dalian International Conference Center, venue of the 2024 Summer Davos, is seen in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 16, 2024. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Zhang Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 18, 2024 shows a scenery of Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Long Lei)

A scene at the Dalian International Conference Center, venue of the 2024 Summer Davos, is seen in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 22, 2024. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Zhang Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 17, 2024 shows the Laohutan scenic area in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 15, 2024 shows the Dalian International Conference Center, venue of the 2024 Summer Davos, in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 18, 2024 shows a scenery of Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Long Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 18, 2024 shows the Xinghaiwan Bridge in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Long Lei)

Editor: WXL
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY)  The Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts hosted an Open House and Dedication Ceremony on Thursday to commemorate the official relocation of the Peninsula Health Center (PHC).

The PHC has moved to its new home at the former Stratford University Building, located at 836-A J Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, Virginia 23601. The new location is more central and stationed near I-64.

The event included speeches from several state and local officials.

Today, we are not just opening doors to a new building but celebrating the Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts future in public health innovation, remarked Tes La Dieu, Population Health Manager and Public Information Officer for the Hampton & Peninsula Health Districts.

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.
LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced nighttime closures at a Lebanon County exit off I-81 this week.

According to PennDOT, starting tonight, the northbound I-81 off ramp at Exit 90 (Fisher Avenue) in Lebanon County will be closed for road work during nighttime hours only.

Paving, rumble strip installation, and other work will be performed on the ramp from 9:00 p.m. until 6 a.m. starting tonight and continuing through Thursday, June 27. A signed detour will be in place for this project.

PennDOT says that this work is part of a project that also consists of ramp work, base repair, milling and overlay, guide rail replacement, minor drainage, and other miscellaneous construction on Fisher Avenue from Marsanna Lane to Route 72, as well as on portions of Route 72 and Lickdale Road (Route 1020).

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New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co., Inc, is the contractor for this $2,294,134 project. All work is expected to be completed by September 16, 2024.

abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
DALLAS, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Verbal communication can be challenging for people with autism. Its why Pennsylvania State Police are promoting a new safety resource designed to enhance their interactions with law enforcement officers.

Its a card that can be carried by people with autism and presented to police during any encounter to ensure the interactions are safe and productive.

PSP informational cards for people with autism.

Jacob Williams is busy serving up lemonade and sweet treats at parenting autism united headquarters on Main Street in Dallas.

The organization offers programming for people of all abilities to learn life skills and become integrated members of society.

We try to do this for people with autism like me, as I am actually one of the volunteers here, so its a very wonderful place, states Williams.

Jacob is excited to get one of the new informational cards from the state police.

Their purpose is to let officers know that an individual has autism and may be nonverbal, bothered by loud noises, or hyper-sensitive to touch.

Waverly Community Center hosts Cars and Coffee event

Its actually quite beneficial, as it opens up a wide variety of new possibilities, said Williams.

State police say the officers are directed to be patient, use a calm and direct voice, and keep their questions and commands simple.

Parenting Autism Uniteds founder Lindsay Dragon has a child with autism.

As a parent, thats our number one fear as far as having children on the spectrum and somebody not understanding theyre not able to accept no, or follow directions, or even say their name.

Individuals with autism are encouraged to present the card during interactions with any police officers, they dont need to only be state troopers.

Some individuals are nonverbal completely, and if they were in a stressful situation, they could elope, they dont understand how to stop, and so receiving medical attention is extremely difficult, and if our state police and first responders are trained or have that id card, it could save many lives, explained Lindsay Dragon, founder of Parenting Autism United.

You can print the card from the safety resources page of the state police website. Individuals can carry it in a wallet or save it on their phone.

To learn more about the car head over to the Pennsylvania State Police website.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
A 26-year-old woman visiting Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana died after being swept over St. Mary Falls in Montana. Photo by Ellen Port for UPI

June 24 (UPI) -- A 26-year-old woman visiting Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana died after being swept over the waterfall, the federal park said Monday.

On Sunday, rangers say the 26-year-old unidentified woman from Pennsylvania fell into the water above St. Mary Falls, according to a news release from the park. The falls, which are on the park's east side, are 35 feet high and popular for day hikers.

Witnesses told rangers the woman was swept over the falls at about 5:20 p.m. and then trapped under the water for several minutes.

Bystanders were able to pull the woman from the stream and were able to administer CPR until emergency crews and an ALERT helicopter team could get to the scene. But she never regained consciousness.

The death is under investigation and additional details are still being gathered.

"Park staff would like to thank Glacier County, ALERT, Babb Ambulance and U.S. Border Patrol for their support, along with numerous bystanders for their immediate assistance," according to the release. "The park extends their deepest condolences to family and friends of the woman and asks that the public respect their privacy."

Glacier National Park Conservancy said water is the main cause of fatalities in Glacier National Park.

"Please use extreme caution near water. Swift, cold glacial streams and rivers, moss-covered rocks, and slippery logs all present dangers, the conservancy said. "Children, photographers, boaters, rafters, swimmers, and fishermen have fallen victim to these rapid, frigid streams and deep glacial lakes. Avoid wading in or fording swift streams. Never walk, play, or climb on slippery rocks and logs, especially around waterfalls. When boating, don't stand up or lean over the side, and always wear a lifejacket.

The park gets its name from the many glaciers and glacial forces that shaped its rugged topography over two million years.

Glacier National Park, which was established in 1910, covers about one million acres of land, and contains 25 "active" glaciers that move due to thawing and melting. It was joined together with Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta in 1932 as the world's first international peace park.

A website describes the park as "a showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness steeped in human history. Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road."
St. Mary Falls in Glacier National Park. (Photo by NPS / Tim Rains)

A 26-year-old Pennsylvania woman died Sunday afternoon in Glacier National Park after she fell into Virginia Creek, was swept over a series of waterfalls and drowned in the water below, park officials said Monday.

Park officials on Tuesday morning identified the woman as Gillian Tones of North Apollo, Pennsylvania.

The incident happened around 5:20 p.m. at the falls, which is on the east side of the national park in northwestern Montana. The woman was originally reported to have fallen into the water above St. Mary Falls and was swept over.

But on Tuesday, park officials said Tones slipped on slick rocks, fell into the creek between St. Mary and Virginia Falls about 200 yards above the bridge there, and was swept over a series of waterfalls. She was trapped underwater by a log for several minutes until bystanders pulled her out of the river.

The bystanders administered CPR until park rangers arrived around 5:45 p.m., according to park officials.

An ALERT medical rescue helicopter arrived on scene around 6:20 p.m. and the crew continued trying to resuscitate the woman, but she never regained consciousness. The woman, who has not been publicly identified pending notification of her next of kin, was pronounced deceased around 7 p.m.

The helicopter flew the womans body to a ranger station in St. Mary to meet the Glacier County coroner, who took the womans body to Missoula for an autopsy, according to officials.

Glacier National Park spokesperson Gina Icenoggle said Monday afternoon the investigation into the incident is ongoing and rangers are still gathering details.

Park officials thanked the helicopter ambulance service, Glacier County, Babb Ambulance, the U.S. Border Patrol and numerous bystanders for assisting in the rescue and response.

The park extends their deepest condolences to family and friends of the woman and asks that the public respect their privacy, park officials said in a statement.

Drowning is one of the top three causes of death of visitors to the park, along with natural causes and falls, park officials said in 2022, which was tied for the deadliest year in the park. As of 2017, there were 56 visitors who had drowned to death in the park, the Great Falls Tribune reported.

Editors note: This story has been updated to identify Tones as the victim and clarify the series of events on Sunday after the Daily Montanan received more information from Glacier National Park.

The post UPDATED: Pennsylvania woman who drowned in Glacier National Park identified appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Mother-puppy quarters at one of Petland's breeders in Ohio.

For the second time in less than six months, Petland Inc. faces lawsuits accusing the Chillicothe-based firm of selling sick puppies and of using questionable sales tactics at two of its franchise stores.

The lawsuits, filed by two separate families in Ross and Fairfield counties, accuse Petland of using deceit and high-pressure sales tactics to sell sick puppies to two Ohio families in 2021.

"Until Petland and the puppy mills that supply the chain are exposed and made to pay for their heinous and insulting indifference toward the well-being of animals, stories like (the ones in the lawsuits) will keep unfolding," said Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Washington-based Humane Society of the United States.

Although Petland had not been served with the court papers as of Thursday afternoon, Petland CEO Joe Watson denied the Humane Society's allegations that Petland utilizes puppy mills or that it intentionally sells sick animals.

While the puppies in the two latest lawsuits did become ill, Watson said Petland's health warranties for each puppy were activated and the company reimbursed both families for veterinary costs in 2021. The company had not heard from the families since, until it became aware of the lawsuits, he said in a prepared statement.

Clearly, HSUS is burdening Ohios busy legal system to generate publicity for its unwarranted, long-time attacks on Petland, and to draw the attention of state lawmakers to consider legislation proposed by the radical animal rights group," Watson said.

"We saw this same PR tactic play out at the beginning of Ohios legislative session in January 2024 when HSUS generated three lawsuits that focused on Ohio pet owners and their alleged pet experiences," Watson said.

An interior building shot showing the exterior of each of the mother-puppy quarters at one of Petland's breeders in Ohio with their health charts on door.

Petland had been sued by three Ohio families in January for similar accusations, The Dispatch previously reported, but Watson noted  and court records confirm  that Petland was dropped as a defendant in two of those lawsuits.

Kirsten Peek, media relations manager for the Humane Society, said the plaintiffs in those two cases chose to drop the lawsuits due to a clause in their purchase contracts that, if enforced, could cause "substantial financial risk" to them.

Petland accused of fraud, deception and high-pressure sales tactics

The first of the two most recent lawsuits state that Katie and Jeremy Wheeling bought River, an Ultimate Mastiff, on Feb. 28, 2021, for $5,000 from a Petland store in Lancaster. Store employees told the Wheeling family that River had a herniated navel but otherwise was considered healthy and ready for a new home, according to court documents.

Not long after bringing River home, she started experiencing recurring health problems, including having to undergo multiple surgeries, most of them relating to her developing a condition known as "cherry eye" in both eyes, the lawsuit alleges. River underwent two surgeries to address them; the first one was successful, but the second was not, the lawsuit states. As a result, the lawsuit contends, River now has a skin bubble that fluctuates in size throughout the year, at times covering almost half her eye, according to the lawsuit.

In addition to her eye problems, River also began limping in early 2023. A veterinarian diagnosed her with a torn cranial cruciate and recommended she once again undergo surgery. River went through with the surgery but was still limping, the lawsuit states. During surgical follow-ups, veterinarians from MedVet told the Wheeling family that River had "weak ligaments" and would need another surgery to address her limp.

The Wheeling family is demanding at least $25,000 to pay for vet costs and attorney fees.

In the second case, Danielle and Henry Segura say that they bought Sky, a Yorkie-Poodle mix, from a Petland in Chillicothe on Oct. 29, 2021. Petland staff told the family that Sky had recently been treated for a condition known as kennel cough but that besides that, she was healthy and ready to be rehomed, the lawsuit states. The Seguras bought Sky for $3,906, paying $700 cash and then financing the rest through American First Finance.

The lawsuit states that within days of Sky's purchase, she became ill. A veterinarian diagnosed her with pneumonia and prescribed her antibiotics, but her health continued to deteriorate, the lawsuit states. After what the lawsuit contends were repeated calls to Petland about Sky's health, the company only reimbursed the family part of the vet costs for Sky's treatment. Sky eventually recovered but soon began suffering from recurring seizures and was defecating blood, the lawsuit states. In fall of 2023, she was diagnosed with a congenital condition known as liver shunt.

A veterinarian recommended to the Seguras that Sky only engage in limited activities and shouldn't be left alone for long periods of time in case she suffers a seizure. In April, she was again hospitalized after refusing to eat or drink and defecating blood more than usual, and she was later diagnosed with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, the lawsuit states.

Petland says that families were reimbursed for vet costs

Petland officials said that as of Thursday afternoon the company still had not been officially served with the lawsuit and was unable to respond to the specific allegations raised in those cases. However, based on information published by the Humane Society, Watson said Petland records show the claims each of the two recent plaintiffs made were "satisfactorily resolved" in 2021.

In each case, the health warranties provided with the new puppies were activated, and each pet owner was reimbursed in full for the costs associated with the pets care and treatment," Watson said. "Neither of the parties named (as plaintiffs) in these alleged lawsuits has reached out to Petland with further concerns about the health of their pets in the three years since.

Petland said in a release that the Wheelings contacted Petland on March 9, 2021, to report the puppy had developed cherry eye, which the company called "a very common and correctable eye condition for the Mastiff breed." The dog was approved for surgery coverage up to $5,000, the price of the puppy. The eye was corrected, and it was then discovered the puppys other eye had developed the condition. It, too, was corrected, Petland said.

The Wheelings were instructed to submit invoices for the surgery cost and took several months before submitting the claim to Petland, the company stated. On Sept. 30, 2021, the customer was reiumbursed $1,848.21 for the first surgery, Petland said, and a direct payment to their veterinarian of $2,060.68 for the second eye surgery was made.

In the case of the Seguras' Yorkie Poo puppy, Petland said it was discovered during a veterinary visit on Nov. 4, 2021, that the puppy had an upper respiratory infection that progressed to pneumonia. The pet was successfully treated in the veterinary clinic, Petland said, incurring a charge of $754.46. The Seguras provided Petland with the necessary invoices, and on Dec. 3, 2021, Petland said they were reimbursed for the full amount charged by the veterinarian. Petland said its records show the Seguras have had no further warranty-related claims or recorded concerns.

Petland cites extremely low percentage of complaints

When asked about claims in all five recent lawsuits and by the Humane Society about a pattern of Petland selling sick dogs, Petland spokesperson Maria Smith pointed to numbers compiled by the Ohio Attorney General's Office and said that of the 125,000 consumer complaints filed since 2019, 36 were filed against Petland.

Of the 36 complaints, 12 of them were related to health issues regarding a puppy, Smith said. Petland estimates that within that same timeframe, Petland has rehomed 51,000 puppies and that the 36 complaints represent 0.07% of all puppies sold within those five years, she said.

When looking at the 12 health-related complaints filed with the attorney general's office, Smith noted the claims represent 0.0096% of consumer complaints filed against Petland.

The first paragraph of Petlands New Puppy Warranty states, Puppies are living things, and like people, they can become ill. Petland policies prohibit puppies with known illnesses from being sent home. If a puppy is diagnosed as ill, Petland will not send a puppy home until a licensed veterinarianhas released the puppy to join its new forever home.

Petland said the health warranty is available to eliminate unexpected veterinary costs in case a pet becomes sick and/or needs medical intervention. To learn more about where Petland puppies come from, including its breeder requirements, Petland suggests consumers or others concerned visit petland.com/cares.

"Any time an animal or person is ill, it creates stress for our loved ones," Smith said in an email to The Dispatch. "These are emotions that make us human. Petland is grateful for its customers, and we do whatever we can to ensure a pleasant experience with their new pet."

smeighan@dispatch.com

@ShahidMeighan

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Petland refutes lawsuits, says it paid for sick puppies' health bills
Nicole Virzi is charged with criminal homicide

Allegheny County Jail; Isabella Kahhale and Sam Plate/GoFundMe Nicle Virzi, left, and the Katz twins

A Ph.D. student is accused of murdering an infant boy and abusing his twin brother while babysitting for a family friend in Pittsburgh.

Nicole Virzi, 29, is pursuing a doctorate in San Diego. She was staying in Pittsburgh at the time of the babys death, according to reports from The San Diego Union-Tribune, WTAE and WPXI.

Virzi was arrested on June 16 and has been charged with criminal homicide, three counts of aggravated assault and one count of endangering the welfare of a child, according to court records. She has been denied bail and is due for a preliminary hearing on June 28.

Citing the criminal complaint, WTAE reported that Virzi was babysitting newborn Leon Katz while his parents brought his twin brother to the hospital after she had informed them about injuries to the babys genital area.

The Union-Tribune, citing the same complaint, reported that before the baby was taken to the hospital, Virzi had allegedly been alone with the child.

After Leon was left in Virzis care so his parents could take their other son to the hospital, Leon suffered an ultimately fatal skull fracture, according to the reported complaint.

WTAE reported that a doctor who examined the twins told police that the injuries they suffered were consistent with child abuse and not accidental, according to the complaint.

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.

Virzis defense attorney David Schrager told the Union-Tribune that his client did not commit a crime and said the baby fell out of a bouncing chair while she was out of the room.

We are at the beginning of our investigation, but its important to note that my client has no criminal history whatsoever, Shrager said, according to the paper. She is a Ph.D. student and was a longtime friend of the family.

According to her bio page on the schools website, Virzi is pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at San Diego State University and UC San Diego.

A GoFundMe started to benefit Leons family referred to Virzi as a trusted family friend. So far it has raised over $60,000.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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Read the original article on People.
Philippine court clears fierce Duterte critic of drugs charges after long legal battle and six years of police custody

A Philippine court has dropped drugs charges against one of the most vocal critics of former President Rodrigo Dutertes bloody war on drugs, ending a long legal battle that had seen the former senator held for more than six years in police custody.

Opposition figure Leila De Lima, who was released on bail last November after she was acquitted of two counts, was cleared of a third and final charge on Monday, her lawyer told state broadcaster PTV.

The charges stemmed from allegations by Duterte that De Lima had received payoffs from convicted drug gangs to fund her 2016 senatorial bid.

More than 6,000 people were killed in anti-drug operations during Dutertes tenure as president from 2016 to 2022, according to police data. Many of the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug offenders took place in the poorest areas of the country  and independent monitors believe the number of those killed could be much higher.

Human rights activists had long criticized De Limas prosecution and lengthy detention, pointing out that she was held in a police cell despite not having been convicted of any charges.

They say her treatment is emblematic of a deteriorating rights situation in a country where political activists and the media often face threats, harassment and even death for attempting to keep those in power in check.

On Monday, supporters who gathered outside the courthouse in Muntinlupa city shouted, Leila is free, according to a livestreamed video posted on her official Facebook page.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, De Lima said Duterte would be held responsible for sins committed against Filipinos.

Im only one of the victims. Thousands of Filipinos were murdered during the bloody and fake drug war. Many families lost loved ones, she said.

For those who werent killed, they were left languishing in jail because of the incorrect and twisted enforcement of the law. Im one of those who have experienced unjust imprisonment.

Former Philippine senator and human rights campaigner Leila de Lima with supporters after all remaining criminal charges against her were dropped on June 24, 2024. - Jam Sta Rosa/AFP/Getty Images

During his tenure as president, Duterte repeatedly said the killings of drug suspects are lawful if police are acting in self defense. He had previously admitted to killing drug suspects during his time as mayor of Davao City.

In July last year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) rejected an appeal by the Philippine government to block an investigation by prosecutors into Dutertes drug war.

An ICC judge said the dismissal by the Hague-based court meant the Philippines has exhausted its options to appeal.

Dutertes administration and its successor under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have pushed back against the ICCs probe, denouncing the investigations as unjust.

The Philippines was formerly a signatory to the ICC but Duterte canceled the countrys membership after the court began probing his drug war.

But under the ICCs withdrawal mechanism, the court keeps jurisdiction over crimes committed during the membership period of a state  in this case, between 2016 and 2019, when the Philippines pullout became official.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
FILE PHOTO: A Philippine flutters on BRP Sierra Madre, a dilapidated Philippine Navy ship that has been aground since 1999, on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands, in the South China Sea

MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines' defence chief said China used "aggressive and illegal force" to disrupt a resupply mission in the South China Sea and said last week's maritime incident, which injured a sailor, was neither a misunderstanding nor an accident.

"We are not downplaying the incident," Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told a media briefing after the chairman of the Philippine maritime council said on Friday that last week's maritime clash was probably a misunderstanding or an accident.

A Philippine sailor suffered serious injury after what its military described as "intentional-high speed ramming" by the Chinese Coast Guard, aiming to disrupt a resupply mission for troops stationed on the Second Thomas Shoal on June 17.

Chinese Coast Guard personnel carrying knives and spears looted firearms and "deliberately punctured" Philippine boats involved in the mission, the Philippine military said.

China's foreign ministry has disputed the Philippines' account, with a spokesperson saying last Thursday that the necessary measures taken by the coast guard were lawful and professional.

"We see the latest incident in Ayungin not as a misunderstanding or an accident. It is a deliberate act of the Chinese officialdom to prevent us from completing our mission," Teodoro said, using the local name for the Second Thomas Shoal.

"It was an aggressive and illegal use of force. We, however, continue to find peaceful solutions to this issue," Teodoro said.

Teodoro said the Philippines will continue to resupply its troops stationed on a rusting warship grounded on Second Thomas Shoal, but it will not publicise schedules of missions, which he said do not require permission or consent from anyone.

In response to Teodoro's remarks, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday that the Philippines "should stop its infringement and provocation" and "work with China to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea".

It also urged Manila to stop "violations" and "misleading the international community."

President Ferdinand Marcos said on Sunday that the Philippines was not in the business of instigating wars and would always aim to settle disputes peacefully.

The Second Thomas Shoal is inside the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea with its so-called nine-dash line, which overlaps the exclusive economic zones of rival claimants Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

A 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling, which Beijing does not recognise, invalidated China's claim in the strategic waters.

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales and Karen Lema; Additional reporting by Beijing NewsroomEditing by Ed Davies and John Mair)
Visitors interact with a robot at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 22, 2024. From coffee robots to humanoid robots, the four-day expo highlighted the diverse application scenarios of robots.

The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

A humanoid robot is pictured at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 21, 2024. From coffee robots to humanoid robots, the four-day expo highlighted the diverse application scenarios of robots.

The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

A visitor interacts with a humanoid robot at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 21, 2024. From coffee robots to humanoid robots, the four-day expo highlighted the diverse application scenarios of robots.

The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

A staff member interacts with a humanoid robot at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 21, 2024. From coffee robots to humanoid robots, the four-day expo highlighted the diverse application scenarios of robots.

The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

Visitors interact with a humanoid robot at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 21, 2024. From coffee robots to humanoid robots, the four-day expo highlighted the diverse application scenarios of robots.

The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

Visitors watch as a robot writes Chinese calligraphy at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 22, 2024. From coffee robots to humanoid robots, the four-day expo highlighted the diverse application scenarios of robots.

The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

A visitor plays Chinese chess with a robot at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 21, 2024. From coffee robots to humanoid robots, the four-day expo highlighted the diverse application scenarios of robots.

The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

A visitor touches the fingers of a robot at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 22, 2024. From coffee robots to humanoid robots, the four-day expo highlighted the diverse application scenarios of robots.

The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Visitors take photos of a robot at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 21, 2024. From coffee robots to humanoid robots, the four-day expo highlighted the diverse application scenarios of robots.

The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

Visitors watch the performance of a robot at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 21, 2024. From coffee robots to humanoid robots, the four-day expo highlighted the diverse application scenarios of robots.

The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo)

A robot makes coffee at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 21, 2024. From coffee robots to humanoid robots, the four-day expo highlighted the diverse application scenarios of robots.

The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

A visitor learns about a guide robot for medical service at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 21, 2024. From coffee robots to humanoid robots, the four-day expo highlighted the diverse application scenarios of robots.

The World Intelligence Expo 2024, with the theme of "Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver," opened on Thursday in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

People look at a humanoid robot at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 22, 2024. The expo's public open day was held on Saturday in Tianjin. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

People look at robot exhibits at the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 22, 2024. The expo's public open day was held on Saturday in Tianjin. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

People visit the booth of Tesla during the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 22, 2024. The expo's public open day was held on Saturday in Tianjin. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

People visit the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 22, 2024. The expo's public open day was held on Saturday in Tianjin. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

People visit the World Intelligence Expo 2024 in north China's Tianjin, June 22, 2024. The expo's public open day was held on Saturday in Tianjin. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Editor: JYZ
Pirates of the Caribbean actor killed by shark while surfing

Tamayo Perry appeared in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - Peter Mountain/Alamy/Disney

An actor who appeared in one of the Pirates of The Caribbean films has died after being attacked by a shark off the coast of Hawaii.

Tamayo Perry, 49, who was also a lifeguard and champion surfer, was mauled while surfing off Oahus North Shore on Sunday afternoon, officials said.

Perry was paddling out from Malaekahana Beach with others during a break from his lifeguarding shift when he was reportedly bitten multiple times.

Emergency services rushed to the popular surf spot at 1pm local time after reports of a person fatally injured by a shark. Perrys body was pulled back to the shore by jet ski, where he was pronounced dead.

The Oahu native was found with an arm and leg missing, according to surfing outlet Stab  but the authorities have not yet confirmed his injuries. Shark warnings have now been posted in the area.

Tamayo Perry in action, surfing off Oahu in 2019 - Brian Bielmann/AFP

Perry played a buccaneer alongside Johnny Depps Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the fourth film in the franchise.

He also made a name for himself as a pipeline surfer, conquering 20ft waves at some of the worlds most prestigious events.

Kurt Lager, the acting head of Honolulu Ocean Safety, announced the loss of one of our own, calling Mr Perry a lifeguard loved by all.

Hes well known on the North Shore. Hes a professional surfer known worldwide, Mr Lager told a packed news conference. Tamayos personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more.

A legendary waterman

Rick Blangiardi, the mayor of Honolulu, also paid tribute to Mr Perry, calling his death a tragic loss. Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected, he said

Jason Bitzer, a close friend of Mr Perry, wrote on Facebook: The things we have seen. My brother in Christ, I love you, brah I wont get over this till I see you in heaven.

Tamayo Perry you werent my friend, you were my brother. The pain were collectively feeling is immense.

Mr Perry began surfing at the age of 12 and went on to tackle what became known as the worlds most dangerous wave at the legendary Pipeline Masters, winning the competition in Oahu in 1999.

Chasing the biggest waves

By the mid-2000s he was one of the worlds most prominent pipeline surfers, renowned for his bravado in chasing the biggest waves.

On his website, Mr Perry wrote that he was proud to prove that this small time island boy can bang it out with the worlds best.

Mr Perry appeared in several Hollywood blockbusters, including Blue Crush and the Charlies Angels sequel Full Throttle. He also played minor roles in hit TV shows Lost and Hawaii Five-0.

In Hawaii, there are an average of 5.8 shark attacks annually. Last year, local surfer Jason Carter was killed by one of the animals off the coast of Maui.

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Tamayo Perry, a legendary Hawaiian surfer, actor, and stunt performer, has died after a fatal shark attack, Stab Magazine and The Guardian reported.

Perry was surfing around 1 P.M. local time on Sunday afternoon near Honolulus Goat Island when he was viciously attacked by a shark, which left him with a severed arm and leg. He was found on the island some time later by fellow surfers who called emergency services. Rescue personnel ventured to the island on jet skis to recover Perrys body.

Honolulu Ocean Safety acting chief Kurt Lager said during a press conference that Perry was a lifeguard and professional surfer who was loved by all and known both on Oahus North Shore and throughout the world. Tamayos personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more," Lager said. "Our condolences go out to Tamayos family.

Born in 1975, Perry began surfing at the age of 12 and quickly became known in the area for his tenacity and skill. By the early 2000s, he had become regarded as one of Hawaiis most skilled surfers.

But he was perhaps best known for a handful of screen roles in several prominent Hollywood projects, most of which were shot in Hawaii.

In addition to an uncredited role a buccaneer in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Perry played a fictionalized version of himself in the 2002 surfing classic Blue Crush, and likewise appeared in several small television roles on shows such as Lost and Hawaii Five-0.

Perry was also a stunt performer, executing tricky surfing sequences for A-list stars, appearing as Owen Wilsons stunt double in the 2004 caper comedy The Big Bounce. He sometimes also worked behind-the-scenes, such as providing surfing expertise for Cameron Diaz and Demi Moore in 2003's Charlies Angels: Full Throttle.

Honolulus mayor, Rick Blangiardi, said that Perrys death a "tragic loss." "Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected, [he] grew up right over here, and just a great member of our ocean safety team," Blangiardi said.

Perry is survived by his wife of 22 years, Emilia.
Pirates of the Caribbean Actor Tamayo Perry Killed by Shark While Surfing in Hawaii

"A lifeguard loved by all," Honolulu Ocean Safety Acting Chief Kurt Lager said while paying tribute to Perry, who died at age 49

Alamy Tamayo Perry in the fourth 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movie.

Lifeguard and actor Tamayo Perry has died in a shark attack at age 49.

On Sunday, June 23, Perry  who worked as a City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguard  was fatally injured in an incident that took place while he was surfing off the island of Oahu in Hawaii, per the Associated Press.

Shayne Enright of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department confirmed in a press conference that authorities had responded to calls of a surfer being attacked around Malaekahana Beach on Oahus North Shore just before 1 p.m. local time.

"As you can imagine, this is [an] extremely difficult time for all of us. I ask for your kindness and your patience as we all just try to get through this next hour into these next weeks and months," Enright said, confirming that Honolulu Ocean Safety had responded to the attack via jet ski, before bringing the victim to shore.

Alamy

Related: Girl, 16, Dies in Australia Shark Attack After Jumping into Water to Swim with Dolphins: 'We Are Devastated'

Honolulu EMS personnel then "assisted with his death pronouncement," Enright said in the conference.

Perry starred in hit movies including 2011's Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. He also had a role in 2002's Blue Crush, among other projects.

BRIAN BIELMANN/AFP via Getty Tamayo Perry.

Enright didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment.

During the conference, Honolulu Ocean Safety Acting Chief Kurt Lager said Perry was a lifeguard loved by all.

Related: Boston Woman Killed in Shark Attack While Paddle Boarding Near Bahamas Resort

Getty A stock image of Malaekahana Beach.

Hes well known on the North Shore. Hes a professional surfer known worldwide, Lager added.

Tamayos personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more, Lager continued, before asking for privacy for the family.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

"It's just a tragic loss," Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said, adding, Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected.

Per the AP, Enright confirmed Perry started his career with the Ocean Safety department in July 2016. Enright added that Ocean Safety personnel had posted shark warnings in the area following the incident, the outlet added.

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Read the original article on People.
'Pirates Of The Caribbean' Actor Tamayo Perry Killed By Shark While Surfing

A professional surfer and lifeguard who appeared in the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise and Blue Crush was killed in a shark attack while surfing, authorities said.

City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguard Tamayo Perry, 49, died in the attack near Goat Island off Oahu on Sunday, Shayne Enright of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department said in a statement.

Honolulu Ocean Safety and the citys fire, police and emergency medical services departments responded to Malaekahana Beach on Oahus North Shore just before 1 p.m. after a caller reported seeing a man who appeared to have suffered shark bites, Enright said.

Lifeguards brought Perry to shore by jet ski and paramedics assisted with the death pronouncement, Enright said.

Perry, who worked as a lifeguard on the North Shore, began his career with the Ocean Safety department in July 2016, Enright said.

Ocean Safety personnel posted shark warnings in the area following the attack, Enright said.

Tamayo Perry competes in the Billabong Pro trials in 2003 off Teahupoo, Tahiti. Pierre Tostee via Getty Images

Honolulu Ocean Safety Acting Chief Kurt Lager said Perry was a lifeguard loved by all.

Hes well known on the North Shore. Hes a professional surfer known worldwide, Lager said at a news conference. Tamayos personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more.

Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said, calling Perrys death a tragic loss.

According to IMDB, Perry had a part as a Buccaneer in 2011s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and also appeared in the 2002 surf romance Blue Crush. He also had a role in a 2011 episode of Hawaii Five-O.

Tamayo Perry surfs practices for the Da Hui Backdoor shootout at the Pipeline Masters on Oahu's North Shore in 2019. BRIAN BIELMANN via Getty Images

IMDB contributed to this Associated Press report.
Koda, a 6-year-old white German shepherd mix, is held by owner Kim Petak at a 2021 CaniCross event at Alpine Valley. Koda was attacked by an unaccompanied pit bull on May 26, 2024, in Greenfield Park in West Allis.

For Kim Petak, it's hard to separate what was worse: the shock of seeing her dog attacked by a roaming pit bull or the aftermath, with all her frustrations stemming from the lack of critical information she subsequently needed.

Like, would her son require rabies shots? And who had set the aggressive dog free to roam the park?

The attack happened in a wooded area at the south end of Greenfield Park in West Allis on May 26, a quiet Sunday afternoon during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Petak, 67, and her son, David, 25, were walking their two dogs, Koda and Milo, when the pit bull made a beeline directly at Koda, clamping down on his left ear.

Koda  a 6-year-old, 70-pound male white German shepherd  never saw it coming, said Petak, a Muskego resident accustomed to taking her dogs to the Milwaukee County park, among other places. She can't help reliving that moment, when the pit bull bit through Koda's ear, prompting a struggle during which David wrestled with the dog to free Koda from its grasp.

But it wasn't just the attack that upset her. It was what happened afterward, as she and David tried to find out if the pit bull had been vaccinated for rabies. Lacking an immediate response from animal care officials, David, who was bitten during the struggle, was forced to begin a series of rabies shots, despite the fact that records later revealed that the dog had been vaccinated.

"It's probably because I'm thinking about it that it gets my stress level up again," she said.

Koda's ear was sutured at the Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center in Waukesha on May 26 following a surprise attack by a pit bull in Greenfield Park in West Allis that day. The vet bill is just one expense resulting from the attack, which raised several concerns, according to owner Kim Petak of Muskego.

Pit bull attack in Greenfield Park came without warning

Petak said the attacking dog, which West Allis police described as a black terrier mix, came up from behind them as they were walking through the wooded area in the park north of Lincoln Avenue.

But, she noted, the pit bull seemed focused on the dogs. Koda, who Petak said might have reacted more aggressively in response had the attack not come as a surprise from the rear. That, she acknowledged, may have only made matters worse given the pit bull's sheer strength and the possibility that it was trained to fight.

"They have a really strong bite and they're very tolerant in their resistance to pain," she said. "So in my mind, we had the worst combination of factors  a loose pit bull who's aggressive, with no owner to help you subdue that dog."

Once the Petaks realized what was happening, David jumped into the fray. Kim Petak said he placed his hand inside the pit bull's mouth to press down on its tongue, a strategy intended to prompt it to release its vise-like grip on Koda's left ear. It worked, but the pit bull tried to attack again by getting around the Petaks to where Koda was standing.

That's when David decided the best bet was to remove Koda the only way he could. He picked him up and moved away quickly.

But that only prompted the pit bull to turn its attention to Milo, a smaller white German shepherd mix. Fortunately, Petak said, Milo rolled over submissively, fending off a physical attack. Meanwhile, another man hiking in the park helped restrain the pit bull, with Petak using an extra leash she had in the car, until police arrived to remove the animal.

Microchip leads to pit bull owner's identification

After bringing the crated pit bull to the West Allis Police Department, police were able to glean a vital piece of information through the use of a microchip reader: the name of the dog's owner. The reader provided a code that police were able to call into a pet database agency, which in turn provided police with the owner's name and last-known address and phone number.

Neither piece of contact information proved helpful, however.

The man, who was identified in the police report, claimed he had been forced to let a friend take care of his dog as he sought new housing recently. That friend then brought the dog to another friend, who lives near Greenfield Park. Authorities did not discover or report any additional information about the role the chain of dog handlers played in the incident.

But records showed that the dog had been microchipped at the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission in West Milwaukee, so, after unsuccessfully making contact with its owner, that's where the dog was brought for a mandatory 10-day quarantine period.

At MADACC, police shared the owner information, which helped officials there to subsequently determine that the dog had been at the agency recently. That led to a successful search for the owner, who talked to police.

MADACC was slow to respond to rabies vaccination request, Petak and police say

But the police involvement opened another issue that Petak stressed in her summary of events: whether MADACC withheld information on the pit bull's vaccination status when it was requested.

According to the police report filed by Officer Mitchell Schroeder, MADACC refused to release vaccination records, even after authorities provided the owner information obtained from microchip records, on that first day after the attack. The report said that information would be released to the health department.

That, unfortunately, put her son on a tight timeline, Petak said. Without proof of vaccination, victims of dog bites are encouraged to begin a series of painful, costly shots  two immunoglobins and two rabies vaccines  within 24 to 48 hours to fend off an often fatal case of rabies. A second series of shots are required on the third day, followed by additional shots on the seventh and 10th days.

Because the attack happened a Sunday afternoon, and Monday was Memorial Day, Petak realized that when MADACC reopened on Tuesday after the holiday, the 48-hour window would soon close for David. "So I convinced him to get the rabies shots (on Sunday) because we were not going to know if this dog has had the vaccine until Tuesday," she said.

Still, David would be able to avoid the second series of shots on Wednesday if the Petaks could confirm whether the pit bull had been vaccinated. So Kim Petak called MADACC on Tuesday morning. However, like in the police officer's claim, she said was unable to obtain that information, forcing David to schedule an urgent care appointment for the next day, she said.

"They would not tell me! Crazy, I know," she said. "I couldn't believe it."

Fortunately, when told of the circumstances, a nurse on duty during David's Wednesday appointment took matters into her own hands to retrieve the dog's vaccination status.

"The nurse said 'I'm going to call (MADACC) and find out,' and, by God, she did," Petak said.

While David was able to avoid the second round of shots, his mother remained frustrated nonetheless, especially when she learned that the dog had been microchipped and vaccinated at MADACC.

"I believe it was (also) adopted out from MADACC so these records would have been easily retrieved by them," Petak said. "Instead they make my son's life difficult in not knowing the rabies status of the dog. ... It could have avoided any vaccines for my son."

MADACC says records are freely offered on request

However, MADACC officials, in response to reporter questions on both the police report and Petak's own recollections, claim it's highly unlikely the agency declined to provide the requested vaccination information.

Karen Sparapani, MADACC's executive director, said such information is routinely provided to police officers on request and to anyone else on an open records request, including, in the case of a bite victim, a verbal request over the phone.

"I don't think we would have refused to provide it," Sparapani said.

She recalled talking with Petak by phone on Tuesday, May 28, but didn't recall any request for vaccination information. Sparapani said that if Petak had requested it, she would have provided it immediately, given the circumstances.

"I actually find it one of the most freeing parts of my job, that I don't have to not tell people stuff," she said, noting that MADACC strives to be a transparent governmental agency.

Sparapani said she also talked with the employee who was on duty May 26 when the officer was on site. The employee told Sparapani the police officer never asked for vaccination information and said she is confident in the employee's assertion.

"This is a person who has worked here for many years," Sparapani said. "Even if she didn't want to print out anything for him, we would have just looked (at the digital record), clicked, and then seen it says 'current' for rabies (vaccination)."

She confirmed that MADACC was able to contact the owner and confirm that the pit bull was up to date on his vaccination records, which show the shot was administered in February.

Koda, shown in a photo taken before he was recently attacked, rests in Kim Petak's yard in Muskego. Petak said Koda is recovering and resuming his training.

Petak wonders about similar dog attacks in Milwaukee area

Despite her frustrations, Petak is glad the situation wasn't wose.

She felt fortunate that the pit bill was not aggressive toward people. In fact, in his statement to police, David noted that the dog acted in a friendly manner toward him once the other dogs were removed and the struggle had ended. The officer had a similar notation.

But that also left Petak wondering: Had the dog been trained to fight other dogs?

Her suspicions were heightened by three factors: information on the owner, the unexplained presence of a waiting car with obscured license plates in the parking lot shortly after the attack, and reports of another dog attack hours earlier nearby.

She shared her concerns on the neighborhood social media app NextDoor, including a reference to a report from her insurance agent about similar incidents in the Milwaukee area. She also learned of a dog attack on May 26, reported by WTMJ, just hours earlier. (The dog in that incident was aggressive toward people, however, unlike the pit bull identified in the Greenfield Park incident.)

While other specific incidents weren't cited, NextDoor members had reportedly posted unconfirmed incidents about a vehicle deliberately setting a pit bull loose, resulting in an attack before the dog immediately returned to the car, which then drove off, Petak said.

Petak acknowledged she couldn't be sure Koda's injuries were the result of the same alleged pattern, admitting she didn't want authorities to think she was a "nutso job." She nonetheless looked into the dog owner's background out of curiosity.

Petak has contacted Milwaukee County Parks officials to ask if they can review surveillance video to see if anything warranted further investigation. As of mid-June, she had not received any further information.

Sparapani noted that dog incidents are increasingly problematic in the Milwaukee area and nationally.

"If you look at the statistics, bites are going up, fatal attacks are going up," she said.

And she said some dog owners act irresponsibly, in some cases to the extent of running puppy mills to fill a demand for certain breeds, including pit bulls, which get a bad reputation as the result of being improperly trained or cared for. "Humans beings are the problem, not pit bulls," Sparapani said.

Koda and his owner remain on path to recovery after the attack

Petak said Koda's injuries were treatable, but the longer term impact on him, or Petak, is not yet certain.

The dog's left ear was sutured for the puncture wounds at the Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center's emergency care facility in Waukesha, and he was given antibiotics. Petak has also restarted Koda's dog obedience training, which includes tracker training similar to what police dogs can do. So far, he has responded well.

"So I think he is over it more than I am," she said.

In addition from what she expects to be in excess of $3,000 in people and pet medical care bills, Petak admitted she's still shaken by the incident. "I don't plan on taking my dogs back (to Greenfield Park)," she said.

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pit bull attack injures Muskego woman's dog in Greenfield Park
The Pittsburgh community came together on Sunday to go down the path toward healing and transformation after the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting.

People packed into a tent on the grounds of the Tree of Life Synagogue. Members of the congregation, politicians, faith leaders, survivors and their families gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony.

My hope is that this new chapter will be an opportunity to welcome more people in just as my brothers Cecil and David once welcomed everyone who came here to the Tree of Life, said Diane Rosenthal.

The site will now become a new building and stand as a memorial.

We carry with us in our hearts the 11 who were taken from us. Honoring them in everything we do, said Carole Zawatsky, CEO of the Tree of Life.

The new building will house a sanctuary for the Tree of Life congregation, an education center dedicated to combating bigotry and a museum dedicated exclusively to chronicling the long history of antisemitism in America, which will be the first of its kind in the country.

I feel it was important to come and send a message to the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and to the country and to the entire world that we must never forget. We must never forget what poison, what antisemitism can do, said Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.

Victims families, survivors and leaders joined the stage to break glass -- a tradition at Jewish wedding ceremonies to remember the pain of the past and the broken world amid great joy.

We will dance once again, said Jeffrey Soloman, Vice Chair of the Tree of Life because -- while theres joy in *this moment -- theres been heartache in the journey to get here.

Governor Josh Shapiro also visited Pittsburgh to attend the event. He called for Pittsburgh to carry on the memory of the people killed in the tragedy.

Each of us has a responsibility to continue to share the stories of that day of the people we lost and of the resilience that followed, Gov. Shapiro said.

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"I stand with Planned Parenthood" stickers put out at an In Vitro fertilization rally in St. Paul, Minnesota. Credit - Michael SilukUCG/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

Planned Parenthood, the nonprofit that provides sexual and reproductive healthcare services across the U.S., announced that it will be spending $40 million ahead of the 2024 election in an attempt to influence key races in several swing states, according to the Associated Press.

The political and advocacy arms of Planned Parenthood are hoping that anger over the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling that created a constitutional right to have an abortion, will help President Joe Biden and key Congressional Democrats.

Abortion will be the message of this election, and it will be how we energize voters, Jenny Lawson, executive director of Planned Parenthood Votes, was quoted saying in the Associated Press. It will be what enables us to win.

Most Republican-controlled states have imposed new abortion restrictions since the repeal of Roe v. Wade, including some bans at every stage of pregnancy.

Read More: She Wasnt Able to Get an Abortion. Now Shes a Mom. Soon Shell Start 7th Grade.

Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, and Ohio, all states which usually vote Republican, sided with abortion-rights supporters on ballot measures in the aftermath of the 2022 Supreme Court decision. Voters in other swing states like Arizona, Nevada, and Florida will also have abortion referendums on their ballots in November.

The advocacy efforts are expected to initially include targeting eight battleground states: Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Montana, New Hampshire, and New York. They will attempt to reach voters using canvassing, phone calls, TV, and mail advertisements.

The $40 million figure is below the $45 million spent supporting Bidens campaign in 2020 and the $50 million on the midterm congressional elections in 2022.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
In February, during a tense House hearing over funding for the upcoming Farm Bill  one in which Agriculture Committee chair Glenn Thompson classified the current administration as being one that demonizes farmers if they do not subscribe to a far-left climate agenda  USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack already seemed a little weary when he issued the seemingly simple directive: The bottom line is, we need to get it done.

Vilsacks charge to lawmakers came nearly five months after the 2018 Farm Bill had already expired in September, and as tensions between House Republicans and Democrats over budget priorities had really started to simmer; the Republicans want to allocate more funding to large-scale corporate farms, while Democrats want to prioritize federal nutrition assistance programs and conservation efforts.

However, as evidenced by the fact that the package still isnt funded, its a legislative challenge thats more easily given than accomplished.

Now, Vilsack has a different message for Republican lawmakers: Be realistic.

I don't think we're close to getting a farm bill done until the folks who are negotiating the farm bill are realistic about what's doable within a constrained resource environment, Vilsack said in an interview on the radio program AgriTalk on Thursday.

The Farm Bill, which is typically renewed every five years, governs a wide range of agricultural and food programs. It supports farmers by offering crop insurance to mitigate financial risks from natural disasters or market dips, as well as commodity programs that stabilize prices for staple crops, like corn, soybeans and wheat. It also funds the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

In speaking at a House Agriculture Committee meeting in late May, Rep. Tracey Mann, a Republican from Kansas, summarized the enormity of the legislation: A lot of people forget why we need a five-year farm bill, why its so necessary to balance fiscal responsibility reform with anticipatory policy and why the legislation we pass today ought to reflect the needs of agriculture producers and consumers. Its because farm bills are felt in every corner of America, in every field and pasture, in every grocery story and agribusiness. The legislation we pass today will have ripple effects for years to come.

According to Vilsack, the Republican proposals require a significant amount of additional funding in order to pay for all of the various promises that have been made from reference prices to crop insurance premium assistance to all the other proposals that are contained in those bills.

He continued: The reality is they just don't have [the funding]. First of all, they're taking resources from nutrition assistance which is a red line for Democrats. Secondly, Vilsack said, Republicans are essentially playing fast and loose with the future agriculture secretarys ability to use the Commodity Credit Corporation, a government agency that supports farmers through loans, subsidies and buying surplus crops to stabilize market prices.

Vilsacks appearance on AgriTalk largely centered around whether the disputes between the two parties could be resolved in such a way that would lead to actually passing the Farm Bill before the one-year extension of the 2018 law runs up. However, lawmakers on both sides have already indicated they would rather issue another temporary extension of the current law  pushing a vote for a longer-term measure until after the November election  than rush (or compromise, depending on how one interprets their statements) on the $1.5 billion package.

In speaking with the Washington Post, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said, Im not going to support a bad bill.

The committees top Republican, Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas, agreed: If we dont make meaningful improvements, if we dont put more farm in the farm bill, were better off not having a new farm bill.

However, Vilsack maintained in speaking with AgriTalk that legislators (and specifically Republican legislators) need to come to the table prepared to make progress. People have to lower the expectations, Vilsack said. They have to really look at what's going on in the countryside, and tailor a farm bill in a way that responds to the challenges of more farmers, many farmers, not just a few.
WEST PALM BEACH  A Jupiter mother accused of confining her adopted teenage child for hours at a time in a box-like structure in the garage of the family's home will avoid going to trial  and likely to state prison  after she entered guilty pleas on multiple charges Monday.

Tracy Ferriter pleaded guilty to one count each of aggravated child abuse, false imprisonment and child neglect during a hearing before Circuit Judge Howard Coates at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in West Palm Beach. Her pleas brought to an end a case that drew international attention when Jupiter police arrested Ferriter and her husband, Timothy, in February 2022.

Coates placed Ferriter on 10 years of probation for the child-abuse charge and ordered that she serve concurrent five-year probation sentences on the other two charges. He also ordered that she undergo a mental-health evaluation and that she complete 300 hours of community service, among other terms.

Coates granted permission for Ferriter, 48, to petition to have her probation transferred to Cook County, Illinois, in the Chicago area, indicating she may soon move away from South Florida.

He prohibited contact with the child at the center of the abuse allegations. Ferriter, accompanied by her attorneys Marc Shiner and Heidi Perlet, answered questions from Coates regarding her acceptance of the plea but did not further address the court.

'It's dehumanizing': 'It's dehumanizing': Jupiter teen forced to live in garage room tells jurors about experience

Child abuse took place at Ferriter family's home in Jupiter's Egret Landing community

Tracy Ferriter sits with supporters in court at her husband Timothy Ferriter's, Jupiter, sentencing hearing at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach on November 16, 2023.

Tracy Ferriter faced the same charges as her husband, Timothy, who a jury found guilty on Oct. 12. A month later, Coates sentenced him to five years in state prison, followed by five years of probation. He earlier had agreed to try them separately, and Tracy Ferriter's case was briefly delayed while she found an attorney to handle it.

The abuse took place at the Ferriters' home in Jupiter's Egret Landing neighborhood, a circle of middle-class homes off Central Boulevard south of Indiantown Road.

Jupiter police began their investigation when the child, whom The Palm Beach Post has not identified, was reported as a runaway in January 2022. They found an 8-foot-by-8-foot room in the garage where the child was kept for long stretches each day. It had a lock that could be opened only from the outside. The teenage child was provided a bucket to use as a toilet, prosecutors said.

The child told jurors that the pattern of abusive actions lasted for about six weeks following the Ferriter family's move to Jupiter from Arizona in late December 2021. They previously had lived at another house in Egret Landing before moving west.

The revelations fueled attention far beyond South Florida, with the Court TV cable channel even dedicating hourlong segments to the case.

'They were in such a rush': After arrests, Florida couple demolished garage room where teen lived

Timothy and Tracy Ferriter told police prior to their arrests in February 2022 that the teen had lied, stolen, attacked family members, and threatened classmates. The room was a means to discipline the teen and protect other people in the household from harm, they said.

An older sibling, who was also adopted, testified at Timothy Ferriter's trial that the teen received harsher punishments from their parents than other children in the home.

The teen had a history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and a condition known as reactive attachment disorder, Tracy Ferriter told investigators prior to her arrest.

Reactive attachment disorder can keep children from forming healthy bonds with their family members, and it can lead to the children acting out or making it difficult for them to accept love.

Tracy Ferriter's plea deal brings quiet end to story that drew international attention

Monday's plea conference lacked the drama of Timothy Ferriter's sentencing hearing on Nov. 15. The plea hearing lasted for about 16 minutes and largely consisted of Coates reviewing the terms of the agreement with Tracy Ferriter.

At Timothy Ferriter's sentencing, the 49-year-old spoke for about 10 minutes, addressing his wife and each of the couple's four children individually and apologizing for what they have had to endure during the past couple of years.

He pleaded with Coates to "lean into mercy" in determining his sentence.

"Everything I did was out of love," he told the court.

Egret Landing in Jupiter, where a couple was arrested on aggravated child abuse charges on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, is a neighborhood off Central Boulevard filled with large homes and tree-lined streets.

In his final remarks before sentencing Timothy Ferriter, Coates said he found that the father of four engaged in conduct that was "calculating, methodical and planned" in confining the child as a means of punishment.

"There were plenty of opportunities that the defendant had to reflect on whether what he was doing was wrong," Coates said. "It appears that he never took the time to reflect, and he never concluded that what he was doing was wrong."

The teen at the center of the abuse also spoke during Timothy Ferriter's sentencing, requesting that the court show leniency.

"My father was a good person who just made a really serious mistake," the teen said. "He was not a bad parent."

Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tracy Ferriter update: No prison for mom in Jupiter child-abuse case
WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD)  One person was injured in an off-road vehicle crash in Wyoming Saturday evening.

It happened around 8 p.m. on Longstreet Avenue SW near Alger Street, in the area of 28th Street and Clyde Park Avenue.

Wyoming police say the driver of the ORV sustained injuries that are not considered life-threatening.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Police did not provide information about what led up to the crash.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  Police in Prince William County said they arrested and charged a 15-year-old boy on Sunday in connection to a fatal shooting that happened in Woodbridge on Tuesday.

The Prince William County Police Department (PWCPD) responded to investigate a shooting at the Mistry Ridge Apartments  which is in the 15000 block of Lost Canyon Court  at about 12:45 a.m. on June 18.

There, they found a 17-year-old boy in the outdoor stairwell suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital where he later died.

Teen shot, killed in Woodbridge

Detectives identified the shooter as an 18-year-old man who lived at the apartment complex.

Investigators said the 17-year-old and a 15-year-old were visiting Woodbridge from South Carolina and had conspired to rob the 18-year-old resident of marijuana and money.

They showed up at his front door and, after not getting an answer, tried forcing their way into the apartment. The 17-year-old boy broke a window into the room where the 18-year-old resident was sleeping, according to PWCPD.

As the 17-year-old was entering his apartment, the man shot him several times.

The 15-year-old fled the scene and, at one point, fired back toward the apartment complex. No other injuries were reported.

The teen was later found in Fredericksburg where he was arrested on Sunday. Police said they recovered two firearms.

Following the investigation, the 15-year-old was charged in connection to the death of his associate  the 17-year-old boy  during the commission of a felony.

He was charged with felony murder, burglary with intent to commit a felony and shooting into an occupied dwelling. He is being held at the Juvenile Detention Center.

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Henry Corral was arrested at 6:47 p.m. Sunday in connection to a shooting at an Alamosa hotel earlier that day. Photo courtesy of City of Alamosa/Facebook

June 24 (UPI) -- Authorities in Colorado announced Sunday night that a man accused of killing one person and wounding two others in a early morning shooting at an Alamosa hotel was in police custody.

The city of Alamosa, located about 230 miles southeast of Denver, announced the arrest of Henry Corral on Facebook, stating he was apprehended at 6:47 p.m. MDT.

Authorities in Alamosa had been hunting for Corral since early Sunday when he was identified as a person of interest in a shooting at the Sunset Inn Hotel.

The city said Alamosa police officers responded to the hotel to calls of shots fired at 2:04 a.m., finding three people had been shot.

Corral had fled the scene and was involved in a crash on County Road 106 and 12 South, the city said, adding that he then attempted to carjack a vehicle before fleeing on foot.

Some 40 officers were deployed in the search, going door to door throughout the area while the Colorado Bureau of Investigation processed the crime scene at the hotel.

Circumstances surrounding Corral's arrest and the shooting were not immediately made available.

A warrant was issued for Corral's arrest on charges of two counts of first-degree criminal attempted murder and one count of first-degree murder as well as tampering with physical evidence, possession of weapon by previous offender and criminal attempt of aggravated robbery.

The identities of the victims were not released to the public.
This booking photo provided by the Euless, Texas, Police Department shows Elizabeth Wolf. Wolf, who is charged with trying to drown a 3-year-old girl at a Euless apartment complex pool in May 2024, is believed to have been acting out of prejudice after questioning the girl's mother about where she was from, police said Monday, June 24, 2024. (Euless Police Department via AP)

DALLAS (AP)  A Texas woman allegedly tried to drown a 3-year-old at an apartment complex pool in suburban Dallas after making racist remarks toward the child's mother in a case investigators are asking to be treated as a hate crime, a police spokeswoman said Monday.

Elizabeth Wolf, 42, has been charged with attempted capital murder and injury to a child. The child's mother told officers that Wolf told the mother she wasn't American, along with other racial statements, police said.

The mother of the children, who wears a hijab, said in a news release from the Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations that they are Palestinians who became American citizens. Neither police nor CAIR have released the mother's name.

Euless police Capt. Brenda Alvarado told The Associated Press that the department has requested that prosecutors in Tarrant County treat the case as a hate crime. A spokeswoman for the district attorneys office said Monday that they have received the case and are currently reviewing it.

Police said in a statement that when officers arrived to a call about a disturbance between two women on May 19 in Euless, witnesses told officers that a very intoxicated Wolf had tried to drown a child and had argued with the childs mother.

The child's mother told officers that Wolf had been asking her where she was from and if the two children playing in the pool were hers, police said. The mother told officers that after she answered, Wolf tried to grab the woman's 6-year-old son but he pulled away from her grasp, causing a scratch on his finger.

Police said that as the mother helped her son, Wolf grabbed the woman's 3-year-old daughter and forced her underwater. The mother pulled her daughter, who was yelling for help and coughing up water, out of the pool, police said.

Medics evaluated both children, who were cleared.

Wolf has been released on bond. A call to her attorney was not immediately returned Monday.

On Saturday, community leaders came together to denounce the attack on the child and how the woman treated the family.

The trauma and pain this has caused for the immigrant community broadly and Muslim community more specifically cannot be understated, said state Rep. Salman Bhojani, whose district includes part of Euless.
Police department in Wisconsin conducts operation in response to racing-related event, results in 80+ citations

MADISON, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in southern Wisconsin handed out over 80 citations after an enforcement operation that was in response to a racing-related event.

The Madison Police Department said it conducted an enforcement operation in the area of the East Town Mall. This operation was reportedly in response to an unsanctioned racing-related event that was scheduled to take place near the area.

Authorities say the event was referred to as Madison Takeover 2024. It was reportedly slated to happen after the mall closed, with invitations making the rounds on social media.

Multiple injured after boat crash on Lake Michigan, Wisconsin DNR leading investigation

The police said that street racing and the resulting reckless driving behavior is a top concern for the department.

East Town Mall management said it has reported hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage over the last few months. This is mainly to paved surfaces as a result of car racing and burnouts on the premises, according to the release.

On June 23 when the police did the operation, over 80 citations were issued in the East Towne Mall and East Washinton Avenue corridor. Officials say that most of the citations were for trespassing.

However, there were some citations reportedly given for speeding and reckless driving.

Oshkosh Police: 23-year-old man hit by a train, pronounced dead at the scene

No additional information was provided.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
Above: A Nexstar video about what to do if you witness a crime.

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  San Diego police are investigating what it described as a suspicious death of a man whose body was discovered in an alley in Serra Mesa on Saturday.

The man was found in the west alleyway of 2800 Greyling Drive around 2:42 p.m., according to SDPD Lt. Steve Shebloski. Eastern Division officers and San Diego Fire-Rescue personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene. Homicide Detectives were also called to investigate.

Upon arrival, authorities located the mans body, who had appeared to have been dead for some time. His identity and cause of death have not been determined. According to SDPD, he is described as a man in his 30s or 40s.

Over 20 incarcerated students in San Diego earn degrees from first-of-its-kind partnership

Details about how the man died remain under investigation, but Shebloski said initial investigative findings indicate he may have died at a different location and was placed in the alley.

Investigators are currently canvassing the area to look for witnesses, physical evidence and surveillance footage that may be able to provide more insight into the mans death or why his body was left in the alley, according to SDPD.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the San Diego Police Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Police investigating shooting that sent 1 to hospital, 1 in custody

DENVER (KDVR)  One person is in custody and another was taken to a hospital after a shooting Sunday evening.

The Denver Police Department posted on X at 8:18 p.m. saying the shooting happened in the 8000 block of East 11th Avenue.

One person was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to DPD, and one person was in police custody.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
(KRON)  A missing 13-year-old teenager has been safely located, according to the Berkeley Police Department. The missing teen was described as a Black female teenager with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5-foot-5 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds.

Man arrested on suspicion of murder following SoMa shooting

She was last seen wearing a gray shirt and black pants in the 700 block of Harrison Street around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday.

As of Monday afternoon, officials said she had been safely located.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
How police use the mail to spy on you: 60,000 cases in last decade with little pushback

How police use the mail to spy on you: 60,000 cases in last decade with little pushback

In the last decade, the US Postal Surface has received more than 60,000 requests from law enforcement for information based on inspecting peoples mail, a congressional probe found, with the agency granting virtually all of them.

Since 2015 alone, the USPS has granted 97 percent of requests from agencies like the IRS, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security, sharing information gleaned from the outside of mail like names and addresses in a practice known as mail cover.

Though the practice is legal, it has come in for criticism from a group of US senators, whose questions to the USPS in 2023 prompted the disclosure of the recent mail cover data, which was first reported by The Washington Post.

These new statistics show that thousands of Americans are subjected to warrantless surveillance each year and that the Postal Inspection Service rubber stamps practically all of the requests they receive, Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon told the paper, arguing the USPS was refusing to raise its standards and require law enforcement agencies monitoring the outside of Americans mail to get a court order, which is already required to monitor emails and texts.

In response to a May 2023 letter from Wyden and a group seven other senators, USPS chief postal inspector Gary Barksdale cited jurisprudence dating back to the 1870s, when the US Supreme Court found, as part of a case about lotteries operating via mail, that Americans were entitled to an expectation of privacy for whats inside their letters, information that requires a warrant to access.

Whats on the outside, on the other hand, is fair game, Barksdale said.

There is no reasonable expectation of privacy with respect to information contained on the outside of mail matter, he wrote.

The mail inspection efforts arent as controversial as another aspect of US law enforcement information gathering that was extended this year.

In April, Joe Biden reauthorized Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows law enforcement to gather information without a warrant from foreigners who are overseas, including their communications with Americans stationed in the US.

The 2008 law has been criticized from both the right and left as a means of warrantless surveillance of Americans.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a man has been arrested in connection to a shooting that took place on Friday in Northwest D.C.

Police said that on June 21 at about 1:12 a.m., they responded to the 1300 block of 13th Street, for the report of a shooting.

More people lose their cool (air) during record-breaking heat wave

Officers said the victim was outside his car when one of the suspects tried to steal his vehicle.

Police said this led to an altercation and a second suspect then shot the victim.

The suspects left the scene in a car.

The victim was transported the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

On Saturday, MPD arrested and charged 19-year-old Elijah Hernandez, of Northwest, with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun).

Anyone with information is encouraged to call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Departments TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  After a claim circulated on social media regarding an alleged incident inside a Walden Galleria bathroom, Cheektowaga Police told WIVB News 4 there has been no complaint made that even slightly resembles the situation as of Monday.

Police said that neither the department nor staff at the Walden Galleria had received any complaint that corroborated the details of the social media post, which they added has an unknown origin.

Out of caution, police said a detective has been assigned to follow up on the claim, with the intent of verifying its validity.

Latest Local News

Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Polish media report on Zelenskyy's visit to Brussels for EU summit

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will arrive in Brussels on Thursday, June 27, for the European Union Summit.

Source: This became known to the Brussels correspondent of the Polish radio station RMF FM, as reported by European Pravda.

Details: In Brussels, it is unofficially said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will arrive on the first day of the European Union summit. "Such information is circulating," a senior EU diplomat told RMF FM.

For security reasons, this information has not been officially confirmed.

Ukraine and the European Union are expected to sign a security agreement, which has been negotiated for months. "Volodymyr Zelenskyy and EU leaders will attend the ceremony," the diplomat said.

The document is to be signed "at the level of heads of diplomacy," a RMF FM correspondent reported.

Background:

Earlier it became known that the Council of the European Union will approve the text of the security agreement between Ukraine and the EU on Tuesday, 25 June.

The Ukrainian President's Office announced last week that Ukraine and the European Union had held the final round of negotiations on the bilateral security agreement and that it would be signed shortly.

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Polish president says he hopes China can help bring peace in Ukraine

WARSAW (Reuters) - Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Monday during a visit to Beijing that he hoped China would help find a solution for peace in Ukraine that respects international law.

China did not attend a Ukraine peace summit organised in Switzerland this month, saying it did not meet its expectations that included both Russia and Ukraine taking part. Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, was not invited and denounced the gathering as a sham.

Diplomats told Reuters this month that China had been lobbying governments with an alternative peace plan for Ukraine.

"I presented our point of view on the security situation in Europe and the world, above all in our part of Europe," Duda told reporters after a meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

"I hope that China will... support efforts to strive for a peaceful end to the war waged by Russia in Ukraine," he said, adding that any such peace must respect international law and Ukraine's internationally recognised borders.

China and Russia proclaimed a "no limits" partnership just days before President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Russia's smaller neighbour. Beijing says it is neutral in the conflict and has not supplied Moscow with weapons or ammunition.

Xi told Duda that China supported all efforts to bring the war in Ukraine to a peaceful end and that China would continue to play a role in finding a political solution to the crisis, Chinese state television reported.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk in Warsaw, Ella Cao in Beijing; editing by Mark Heinrich)
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Polk County deputy was arrested Saturday morning after he showed up for a shift while intoxicated, the sheriffs office said in a news release Monday.

Joseph Everett, 27, resigned his position after two years with the sheriffs office following his DUI arrest.

Pasco family murders: Witness said he saw bodies before they were burned in pit, document says

Everett admitted to drinking three coffee mugs of whiskey the previous night after his supervisor noticed the small of alcohol on his breath, according to PCSO. He was accused of exhibiting signs of impairment while completing a field sobriety test.

Joseph Everett, 27. (Polk County Sheriffs Office)

Anytime someone chooses to drive under the influence of alcohol, it shows a lack of good judgement, Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. If you lack the proper judgement when it comes to drinking and driving, you have no business working in law enforcement. We hold our deputies to a higher standard than the community, and he failed to meet that standard.

The deputy resigned from the sheriffs office when he was arrested.

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A group marches for equal rights. (Getty Images.)

A new committee is trying to get an equal rights amendment enshrined in the Ohio Constitution.

Ohio Equal Rights is in the early stages of trying to create a citizen-led ballot initiative that would constitutionally protect Ohioans from discrimination based on race, color, creed or religion, pregnancy status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, genetic information, recovery status, familial status, military status, ancestry, national origin or disability.

Ohio currently lacks nondiscrimination policies in its Constitution, relying instead on legislation from an often unreliable legislature, Ohio Equal Rights said on their website. Recently, the LGBTQ+ community has faced significant discriminatory legislation with no statewide laws for their protection.

The proposed amendment Equality of Rights Under the Law would also extend equal rights protections to marriage.

Ohios constitution includes a ban on same-sex marriage after 61.7% of Ohio voters approved an amendment in 2004 that says marriage is only between one man and one woman. The United States Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in 2015.

The Supreme Courts Dobbs decision which revoked the protections of Roe v. Wade has led many to wonder if our federal protections for same-sex/same-gender and interracial marriages will be overturned going forward, Ohio Equal Rights said on their website. This amendment is a necessary defensive step to ensure our rights as Ohioans are not revoked because of decisions made at the federal level.

Ohio Equal Rights argues this amendment would make the state more attractive for businesses, too.

There has been an increase in discriminatory legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community, attempting to control pregnancies, and infringing on privacy and equality in general. Its time to move from defense to offense, Ohio Equal Rights said on their website.

Twenty-eight states already have equal rights amendments, but none are as extensive as the proposed Equality of Rights Under the Law.

Nevadas Equality of Rights Amendment, which passed in 2022 with 58.63% of the vote, is the closest to Ohios proposed amendment. Nevadas amendment does not mention religion, pregnancy status, genetic information, recovery status, familial status, or military status.

A 2023 Public Religion Research Institute study showed 76% of Ohioans are in favor of non-discrimination LGBTQ+ laws.

Anti-LGBTQ bills

There are various anti-LGBTQ bills in various spots along the path to becoming law. Ohios gender-affirming care ban for trans youth (House Bill 68) is the closest to becoming law, but is currently tied up in court. A Franklin County judge placed a temporary restraining order on the bill that will be in effect until the conclusion of a July hearing.

House Bill 8 would force educators to out a students sexuality to their parents, require public schools to inform parents about sexuality content materials ahead of time, and give them the option to request alternative instructions. The bill passed in the House over the summer and has had a few hearings in the Senate Education Committee.

House Bill 183 would ban transgender students from using the bathroom and locker room that matches up with their gender identity. The bill was recently voted out of committee but hasnt made its way to the House floor yet and doesnt seem like it will anytime soon.

When would this potentially be on the ballot?

Its too late to try to get this ballot initiative on the ballot for the upcoming November election.

Ohio Equal Rights has to go through the process to get their issue on the ballot, which means getting their petition certified and collecting enough signatures.

There are two possible amendments to the constitution Ohioans could vote on this year  one would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour and the other would reform Ohios redistricting to remove politicians from the process and replace them with a citizens commission. The deadline to collect enough signatures for those measures is July 3.

This comes after both the reproductive rights amendment and the citizen-initiative to legalize marijuana won in last years November election.

Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on X.

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The post Potential ballot-initiative wants to put equal rights amendment in Ohio Constitution appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
A power plant once split this East Austin neighborhood. Now the community is reclaiming it

When Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon first moved to East Austins Holly neighborhood in 1994, his home sat just a half-dozen blocks from the power plant. It was industrial. Loud.

As a runner, Sanhueza-Lyon took advantage of the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, the multiuse path that traces a ring around Lady Bird Lake. But instead of running on the portion of trail near his Holly home, hed drive west of Interstate 35.

I tended to stay away from the power plant because it wasn't a pleasant area to be around on the trail, he said.

Built beginning in 1958, the Holly Power Plant drew decades of fierce protest from the predominantly Mexican American community in which it was wedged. In 2007, the city finally decommissioned it. Since then, Austins Trail Conservancy, the nonprofit that oversees the Butler trail, has been transforming the site back into parkland. This fall, the conservancy will break ground on two long-awaited projects in the area.

Junior Jimenez fishes near the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail on the north side of Lady Bird Lake on Saturday. Since the Holly Power Plant was shut down, the area has been more peaceful.

Complete in a way it never was before

Before the Holly plant was demolished, trailgoers like Sanhueza-Lyon had to navigate streets around the industrial site to connect to the eastern portion of the Butler trail.

Now thats changing. A waterfront path completed in 2022 blazes through the old plant, connecting the east end of Butler with the beginning of the west.

More: Holly Shores segment of Butler Hike and Bike Trail on Lady Bird Lake now open

The reclaimed parkland is a blank slate that conservancy CEO Hanna Cofer is audibly excited about.

The trails complete in a way it never was before, she said.

Sanhueza-Lyon, in addition to being a longtime Holly resident, is a photojournalist who once worked at the American-Statesman. Now, as a member of the Holly Shores design team, hes working on a project to preserve Hollys history by interviewing and taking photos of people from the community.

More: Trail Conservancy takes over full-time management of Austin hike-and-bike trail

Once the site of a controversial power plant, the Holly Shores section of the Butler trail is reshaping East Austin.

These days, Sanhueza-Lyon said hes seeing more neighbors walking to the Butler trail from their houses. On his own jaunts, he marvels at the trees growing on the palimpsest of the old power plant.

Now the conservancy is moving forward on further improvements.

Breaking ground on a $25M pedestrian bridge

Longhorn Dam, which formed Lady Bird Lake as a cooling reservoir for the Holly Power Plant, is the last stretch of the Butler trail where users still have to navigate a major road. A $25 million project set to begin this fall is meant to be a remedy.

The new bridge will bypass the traffic by running parallel to Longhorn Dam over the lake. A third leg of the bridge will spring to the west, forming a wishbone shape.

Water from the Colorado River flows past Longhorn Dam at the east end of Lady Bird Lake on Saturday. A pedestrian bridge will be built in this area to keep runners, walkers and bicyclists safe from the traffic on Pleasant Valley Road.

More: Backed by federal funds, Austin OKs deal to build pedestrian bridge over Lady Bird Lake

Planning for the wishbone bridge began in 2018. Two years later, voters approved a bond proposal allocating $20 million for the project. Another $4 million from a federal grant arrived in April, filling budget shortfalls.

The Austin Trail Conservancy expects to break ground in August or September, Cofer said. Construction is estimated to last for two years.

A new pier for fishing on Lady Bird Lake

Construction of a new fishing pier near Holly is also projected to begin in August, Cofer said. The $2 million project will probably go up fast. Much of the structure will be built off-site and then floated into place on the lake.

All of the conservancys large projects are informed by extensive community engagement, Cofer said; this project arose from feedback that trailgoers wanted more spaces for fishing.

Close to a dozen species swim in Lady Bird Lake  from catfish to alligator gar  each of which has a special set of restrictions on what size is a keeper and how many can be taken home a day. Those regulations are set by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Junior Jimenez fishes near the Butler trail on Saturday. Trailgoers have said they want more spaces for fishing.

The conservancys new pier will be accessible to people with disabilities, and construction will patch holes in Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility on the surrounding trail, Cofer added.

Funding for the pier will come from a mixture of parkland dedication, a pool of money from fees paid by local developers, corporate sponsors and individual donors.

For future Holly projects, Cofer said parkland dedication funds probably wouldnt be available. Instead, the conservancy will look for community-level grants and single donations.

The city gave the land that once sat beneath the power plant back to the Holly neighborhood. Now, Cofer said, individual contributions and family foundations will need to fuel most of the improvements.

Cyclists and runners traverse the Interstate 35 bridge over Lady Bird Lake earlier this month. More plans for safety from traffic near the Butler trail are in the works.

More like the trail on the other side of 35

When he bought his home in Holly nearly 30 years ago, Sanhueza-Lyon said he was just a kid. The neighborhood raised him, he said, and as he grew up and changed, so did Holly.

Coffee shops grew more expensive. The bars did, too. Mariachi music used to play in the streets  those sounds have faded.

More: Hispanic flight from Austin tied to affordability, gentrification, experts say

A rower rests beneath the I-35 bridge over Lady Bird Lake, part of the beautiful view from the Butler Trail, earlier this month.

There was a stark difference from one side of Interstate 35 to the other, Sanhueza-Lyon remembered.

They used to call it the tortilla curtain, he said. It applied to the trail. It applied to city services. It applied to so many things back then.

The Holly Power Plant became emblematic of that inequality: a physical barrier along the Butler trail.

It had spills and explosions, Cofer said. And so it's kind of a blight on Austin.

Today, instead of driving to the other side of town, Sanhueza-Lyon runs right through the decommissioned plant on the east side of the Butler trail. He mused that the parks recent improvements feel like a wonderful, weird kind of semi-equity.

On Friday, Sanhueza-Lyon noticed the trees growing at the new park, home to a new path and new life.

It looks a lot more like the trail on the other side of 35 now, he said.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: A power plant once divided parkland in East Austin. Today it connects.
On Thursday, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will meet on stage in Atlanta for the first of two presidential debates ahead of the November 2024 election. While their performance in the televised debates could influence the outcome, it wouldnt be the first time in history that a presidential debate moved the needle in a close race.

Presidential debates have been a staple of campaigns for decades, and history has shown that they can have the power to sway undecided voters and solidify public perception of the candidates. During debates, candidates stand beside their opponents and present their policies, personality, and vision to millions of viewersoften the biggest audiences of their campaigns. For instance, some 73 million people viewed the first Biden-Trump presidential debate in the lead-up to the 2020 election.

Patrick Stewart, a political science professor at the University of Arkansas, says that while there have been advancements in technology and changes in media consumption over time, the presidential debates still offer candidates an unparalleled opportunity to present their stances on issues and pitch themselves and their vision for the country. As we have seen with our politics these days, flipping the margins a little bit influences elections, he says. And we have seen that in many of the elections.

TIME spoke to several historians about the most important presidential debates and their impacts on the course of American history.

John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon (1960)

The first debate between Kennedy and Nixon is considered one of the most significant because it entrenched the idea that appearances are an important part of presidential campaigns, says Alan Schroeder, a professor of journalism at Northeastern University. The debate is considered the first nationally televised presidential debate in history.

The best-known narrative about the debate is that Nixon, then Vice President, ultimately lost the election because he looked old and tired during the debate, while Kennedy, then a Senator from Massachusetts, wore makeup and appeared young and vibrant. People who watched the debate on television generally believed that Kennedy had won the debate, but those who listened to their speeches on the radio believed that Nixon had performed better, according to the oft-repeated analysis of the 1960 election.

Presidential candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon shake hands after their televised debate of October 7, 1960. The two opponents continued their debate after the cameras had stopped. Bettmann Archive

However, some historians argue this explanation doesnt hold up due to differing demographics between TV viewers and radio listeners. "It likely was the case that the debate helped Kennedy look younger and more presidential, but we have very little empirical research to suggest thats why he won the election, says Mitchell McKinney, a political communication scholar and dean at the University of Akron.

The debates biggest effect on public opinion was that it allowed Americans to seeor hearthe two candidates together. That first debate probably made a big difference in Kennedy's favor because it legitimized him, Schroeder says. He was the underdog. Nixon was the sitting Vice President, and the more experienced and better known candidate nationally. But Kennedy had a very good series of performances in those debates that undoubtedly helped him.

Jimmy Carter vs. Gerald Ford (1976)

After the Nixon-Kennedy election, a long period passed without any general election debates until President Gerald Ford fell behind during the 1976 campaign and decided he needed to debate then-Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter. McKinney says that Ford was "relatively unknown" to the public despite being the incumbent President, and not many people were familiar with Carter either. "They needed the exposure from the debates to help voters really get to know them, he says of the matchup.

The debates are best remembered for a single moment during the pairs second debate when Ford declared, There is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, and there never will be under a Ford administration. The moderator, Max Frankel of the New York Times, was unable to hold back his surprise: Im sorry, what? Did I understand you to say, sir, that the Russians are not using Eastern Europe as their own sphere of influence in occupying most of the countries there and making sure with their troops that its a communist zone?

Its not clear whether the gaffe ultimately shifted the outcome of the election, which Carter won. But historians argue that the moment was particularly damaging for Ford because of the media reporting after the debate, which contributed to the narrative that he was clumsy and not up for the presidency. You have to show that you can respond to the questions effectively, Stewart says. Someone who is able to be circumspect and has a good memory so we can get an idea as far as what they actually would do under pressure.

Other scholars have suggested that there isnt polling evidence that the debate hurt Fords campaign. I wouldn't say that Ford lost the election because of that, Schroeder says. It certainly didn't help him but it does show you certainly the power of a mistake that gets then magnified and the need to very quickly correct it.

Jimmy Carter vs. Ronald Reagan (1980)

For most of the 1980 campaign cycle, Carter had been unwilling to debate Ronald Reagan, the former California Governor, who was considered a master of visuals and humor. But Carter changed his mind about 10 days before the election, realizing that he was trailing in the polls and needed a last minute pitch to undecided voters, McKinney says.

While Carter peppered his rhetoric with facts and policy, Reagan countered with one-line catchphrases, including Are you better off than you were four years ago? and There you go again. Reagan went on to win the election one week later, in part, because he understood a fundamental of the debates, experts argue. Reagan came across as very confident and amiable in that debate, McKinney says, whereas Carter seemed to be under siege coming out of a hostage crisis, and he wasnt able to reassure the public.

George H.W. Bush vs. Bill Clinton vs. Ross Perot (1992)

Unlike most other presidential debates, where candidates stand at lecterns and respond to moderator questions, the second debate in 1992 was conducted in a more relaxed "town hall" format suggested by Bill Clintons campaign. The format was seen as benefiting Clinton, then-Governor of Arkansas, who voters thought seemed more likable than his opponents over the course of three debates.

President Bush and Ross Perot listen to presidential candidate Bill Clinton speak during a presidential debate, 1992. Wally McNameeCorbis via Getty Images

In one famous moment during the second debate, President Bush was caught on camera looking at his watch as a voter in Richmond, Va. asked a question about the national debt, giving viewers the sense he was being passive or bored. Every little gesture or word is subject to a lot of scrutiny, Schroeder says, adding that it fed into the narrative that Bush was out of touch with the lives of voters.

The debates also introduced the public to third-party candidate Ross Perot, who garnered 18.9% of the vote, one of the most successful third party runs in American history. Exit polls suggested that Perot took votes from Clinton and Bush about equally, although some experts still disagree about Perots effect on the race. Mary Matalin, Bushs former campaign director, later said that she was absolutely convinced that Perot cost Bush the election. He got us off message. Every event that we found ourselves inparticularly the debates with himcaused President Bush to underperform, Matalin said.

George W. Bush vs. Al Gore (2000)

In the tight 2000 election, which was ultimately decided by the Supreme Court, the debates were particularly important. Vice President Al Gore had been in high-profile debates before, whereas Texas Governor Bush was a relative newcomer known to stumble over his words.

"Going into the debates, Gore was in a better position," McKinney says, "but he was seen as more aggressive and people didnt find his style or demeanor that comfortable."

During the first debate, microphones caught Gore loudly sighing in response to Bushs answers, and he was seen on the screen rolling his eyes and shaking his head in frustration at other points. At the third debate, Gore walked up to Bush as he was speaking, perhaps to intimidate him. Bush smirked and continued on, prompting the audience to laugh.

As TIME wrote in 2000, Last week, George W. Bush and Al Gore stood at podiums, and Gore, as befitting the furniture, gave what came across as a lecture: correcting his opponent, holding forth, sighing in exasperation at Bushs answers. The pundits and the polls agreed: Gore had won the debate. Then he lost: within a week, Bush had opened up a lead in several polls, as voters apparently decided they were tired of Professor Know-It-All.

U.S. President Donald Trump, right, and Joe Biden, 2020 Democratic presidential nominee, speak during the U.S. presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. Jim BourgReuters/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump (2024)?

Historians say that presidential debates matter the most when theres no clear frontrunner in the polls and undecided voters still make up a large chunk of the electorate. Both of those conditions could be true this year.

Polling data from FiveThirtyEight shows that Trump leads Biden by about one point nationally, and other polls show that roughly 10% of voters are still undecided. These debates are so important because this election will likely be decided by just a percent or two, McKinney says, comparing the current cycle to the Bush-Gore 2000 race that was so close that only several hundred votes in Florida determined the winner. If you go back and look at the polling that year, its exactly the same case today.

But thats not the only reason the Biden-Trump debates have the potential to be significant. The debates are set to feature the two oldest major-party presidential candidates in history, and particular attention will be given to their age, stamina, and mental fitness. Trump, 78, has repeatedly called Biden, 81, too frail to handle a second term. Television is a visual medium and people are going to be looking very closely at both of them, Schroeder says. One of the biggest tests is their stamina. When youre in a debate for that long, you have to be at the top of your game. You have to be aware that the camera is on you.

Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com.
The Princess Royal, Anne, is in hospital with minor injuries and a concussion following an incident at her country home Sunday evening, Buckingham Palace has said.

The Palace released a statement Monday explaining that Princess Anne, the daughter of the late Elizabeth II, remains in Bristols Southmead Hospital as a precautionary measure and is expected to make a full and swift recovery.

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The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery, the statement ends. No further details were given on how Anne injured herself at her country estate, Gatcombe Park, or when she will leave the hospital.

It adds to public woes over the Royal Familys health after the cancer diagnoses of both King Charles and the Princess of Wales earlier this year.

But Kate Middleton attended the 2024 Trooping the Colour, celebrating Charles birthday, last Saturday.

She stood on the balcony with her husband, Prince William, and their three children  George, Charlotte and Louis. I have been blown away by all the kind messages of support and encouragement over the last couple of months, she wrote on social media before the event. It really has made the world of difference to William and me and has helped us both through some of the harder times. I am making good progress, but as anyone going through chemotherapy will know, there are good days and bad days. On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting. But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well.

Meanwhile, the King has resumed royal duties through his ongoing cancer treatment. The firm has not specified, in his or Kates case, the type of cancer or a timeline for their recovery.

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The Princess Royal was taken to hospital on June 23 with minor head wounds following an incident at her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire. Buckingham Palace announced her hospitalization in a statement on June 24 and said that the Kings sister was expected to make a full and swift recovery.

The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening, Buckingham Palace said in a statement today.

Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery. The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery.

A royal source said that while the exact cause of the injuries was unconfirmed, there were horses in the vicinity and the Princesss medical team said her injuries were consistent with potential impact from a horses head or legs.

After emergency services were called, Anne was accompanied to the hospital by her husband Sir Tim Laurence. She is expected to be able to return home later this week. A royal source said that her siblings and Prince William were informed last night.

The incident means that Princess Anne, 73, has been forced to pull out of upcoming engagements. She will no longer fly to Canada at the end of this week and will be unable to attend engagements in the UK this week including the State Banquet with the Emperor of Japan tomorrow evening. Her Royal Highness sends her apologies to any who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result, Buckingham Palace said about postponed engagements.

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Princess Anne Hospitalized with Concussion Following an 'Incident' at Her Country Home

Buckingham Palace said in a statement, "The King has been kept closely informed"

Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images Princess Anne on Feb. 3, 2023

Princess Anne is hospitalized after an "incident" at her country home in England.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement released on June 24, "The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening. Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery."

The statement continued that her brother King Charles has been "kept closely informed and joins the whole royal family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to the Princess for a speedy recovery."

Princess Anne, 73, sustained minor wounds to the head during a walk at Gatbombe Park. Emergency services arrived at the scene, where she was treated and transferred to the hospital. Her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, and her children, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, were on the estate when the incident occurred, and her husband accompanied her to the hospital.

Although the exact cause of her injuries was not disclosed, her injuries are consistent with a potential impact from a horse's head or legs.

Princess Anne is a skilled horsewoman, having competed in the equestrian three-day event at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.

She also rode horseback during Trooping the Colour on June 15 to celebrate King Charles' official birthday, expertly navigating when her horse got rambunctious during the parade through London.

John Phillips/Getty Princess Anne rides horseback at Trooping the Colour on June 15, 2024

Related: Princess Anne Expertly Handles Rambunctious Horse During Trooping the Colour Parade

The hospitalization means Princess Anne will miss planned royal engagements this week, including the state visit of Japan's emperor and empress to the U.K., which is slated to officially kick off on June 25.

"On doctors advice, Her Royal Highnesss engagements for the week ahead will be postponed. Her Royal Highness sends her apologies to any who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

"The Japanese state visit will go ahead as planned, though sadly Her Royal Highness will be unable to attend the state banquet tomorrow," the spokesperson added.

Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images Princess Anne on Feb. 3, 2023

In addition to the state visit, Princess Anne planned to visit Canada this week but will not be able to fly, per medical advice.

The palace spokesperson added that Queen Elizabeth's only daughter "is recovering well, is in a comfortable condition and is being kept in hospital as a precautionary measure for further observation." It's expected that Princess Anne will be able to return home this week.

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Following the announcement on June 24, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shared his well wishes to Princess Anne on X.

"Everyone in the country is immensely fond of Her Royal Highness," he wrote. "We're all sending her our best wishes for a swift recovery."

Chris Jackson/Getty Princess Anne (left) and Lady Sarah Chatto attend Royal Ascot on June 20, 2024

Related: Princess Anne's Bodyguard Recalls Harrowing Royal Kidnapping Attempt on 50th Anniversary

Princess Anne, who often earns the title of hardest-working royal thanks to per packed schedule of engagements and outings on behalf of the monarchy, has made many recent outings with the royal family, including multiple appearances at the Royal Ascot horse races last week.

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Read the original article on People.
King Charles IIIs sister Princess Anne has been hospitalized after sustaining minor injuries and concussion over the weekend.

Buckingham Palace confirmed the news about Anne, whose official title is the Princess Royal, on Monday. Royal reporters have suggested online that the accident, which took place at the princess country home, was horse-related.

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The 73-year-old royal, who is the younger sister of King Charles, is an avid horse-rider. Earlier this month, she took part in the ceremonial Trooping the Colour parade outside of Buckingham Palace on horseback. Her love of horses was documented in the Netflix series The Crown, in which Anne was played by Erin Doherty and Claudia Harrison.

The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said in a statement. Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery. The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his finest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery.

Princess Annes injuries are the latest in a run of ill-health plaguing senior members of the British Royal Family. Both King Charles and his daughter-in-law Princess Catherine are currently undergoing cancer treatment. Charles returned to his public duties in late April, while Kate made her first public appearance since revealing her cancer diagnosis at the Trooping the Colour event on June 15.

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A pro-Israeli counterprotester leans in as she speaks to pro-Palestinian protesters near Adas Torah synagogue in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood in Los Angeles on Sunday. (Zoe Cranfill / Los Angeles Times)

A violent protest outside a Los Angeles synagogue sparked condemnation from President Biden and others Monday and prompted new debate over what some consider escalating behavior during demonstrations over the war in Gaza.

The protest began Sunday afternoon at the Adas Torah synagogue in the heavily Jewish Pico-Robertson neighborhood but eventually spilled into nearby areas over several hours. Fights broke out between pro-Palestinian demonstrators  who said they were protesting an event at the synagogue promoting the sale of stolen Palestinian land  and supporters of Israel.

Law enforcement sources said more than 150 people converged on the temple on West Pico Boulevard, and it took time for the Los Angeles Police Department to get enough personnel to the scene. The LAPD eventually deployed 60 officers and got the protesters and counterprotesters to clear the area, according to the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

A pro-Israeli demonstrator who was carrying a sharp pole was arrested, according to the sources. LAPD officials said they were also investigating two reports of battery.

Bass ordered the LAPD to beef up patrols in the area and at some religious venues.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the protest had "cast a shadow of fear," not just in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood  "the heart of one of our Jewish communities"  but also "regionally and nationally."

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass speaks at a Monday afternoon news conference at the Museum of Tolerance. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

The mayor, at a Monday afternoon news conference at the Museum of Tolerance, vowed to take quick action, including seeking city and state funding for additional security measures at places of worship in the city, as well as examining the rules governing demonstrations, including "the idea of people wearing masks at protests." A number of pro-Palestinian protesters had their faces covered Sunday.

"Yesterday was abhorrent, and blocking access to a place of worship is absolutely unacceptable," Bass said at the news conference. "This violence was designed to stoke fear. It was designed to divide. But hear me loud and clear: It will fail."

The demonstration was also criticized by Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American," the president said in a statement. "Americans have a right to peaceful protest. But blocking access to a house of worship  and engaging in violence  is never acceptable."

Hussam Ayloush, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations office in Los Angeles, said the site of the demonstration was chosen not because it was in front of a Jewish temple but because of the event it was hosting.

The protest "was in response to the blatant violations of both international law and human rights from agencies that seek to make a profit selling brutally stolen Palestinian land as the Israeli government continues its eight-month-long genocidal campaign and ethnic cleansing in Gaza," he said in a statement.

The law enforcement sources said the event was advertised in Friday's issue of the Jewish Journal promising to provide information on "housing projects in all the best Anglo neighborhoods in Israel." "Anglo" is a direct translation from Hebrew meaning "English-speaking." The ad does not specify where in Israel the real estate is.

Protest fliers posted on social media said, "Our Land Is Not For Sale," and condemned "land theft," according to an Instagram post from the Southern California chapter of the Palestinian Youth Movement, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday.

Elected officials and the mainstream media have politicized this incident as religious discrimination as opposed to a human rights issue," Ayloush said. "We call on political leaders to condemn the organizations involved in the potentially illegal sale of Palestinian land and the counter-protesters who commit violence against anti-genocide protesters with the same fervor used for rightfully condemning antisemitism.

Rabbi Yossi Eilfort was at the synagogue with his security group Magen Am after Jewish community members notified them about the planned protest, Eilfort said. Sunday's protest was only the second time Eilfort could recall a protest taking place outside a synagogue since Oct. 7, when a group gathered outside the Shaarey Zedek synagogue and Hebrew school in Valley Village.

The protesters arrived in waves that overwhelmed LAPD officers on the scene, Eilfort said. At one point, Eilfort said he saw a masked protester use some type of irritant spray on Jewish counterprotesters.

"They came with weapons in order to escalate and create violence," he said. "They have the right to protest. We have the right to hold an event that was in our community."

It was not clear how many people were injured.

Videographer Sean Beckner-Carmitchel said he was hit in the back of the head by pro-Israeli protesters while he covered the event. Several men followed him on Pico Boulevard shortly before 4:30 p.m. In his video, someone off camera can be heard telling the men that Beckner-Carmitchel is a member of the media.

"It was nothing other than egging on violence," he said. "There were no political statements being made."

Interim LAPD Chief Dominic Choi said authorities knew about the protest in advance and based their deployment strategy on the size of the groups they'd seen at similar gatherings.

A demonstration at a synagogue in Valley Village on Thursday brought only 25 protesters. A handful of officers was enough to handle that crowd, according to law enforcement sources.

Based on that assessment, Choi said, the department initially deployed two squads of officers to the synagogue.

But Sunday's gathering was much bigger.

Choi declined to say how many officers were eventually called to provide backup, saying only that it was "over a mobile force."

Eden Cohen said a handful of LAPD officers were standing at the entrance of the synagogue, apparently trying to keep protesters from going inside. Her throat and eyes burned from the bear spray that saturated the air, she said, adding that she saw Jewish people on the ground after being sprayed with the irritant as others tried to help them.

There were fistfights among protesters, some who fashioned signs into sticks and others hurling obscenities and wrestling one another to the ground in the street. Cohen said she heard anti-Jewish slurs and calls for violence against Israeli soldiers.

"Police were really not stopping the fights that were breaking out. They weren't stopping the anti-Jewish protesters from spraying Jews in the face with bear spray. It was a chaotic, violent, terrifying scene that seemed to be completely out of control," Cohen said.

Pro-Palestinian protesters chant Sunday near Adas Torah synagogue on West Pico Boulevard. (Zoe Cranfill / Los Angeles Times)

Rabbi Hertzel Illulian, founder of the JEM Community Center in Beverly Hills, arrived at Adas Torah on Sunday to worship during afternoon prayer and was confronted by a group yelling into megaphones. Some temple visitors were blocked from going inside, he said.

"We could not pray well because these people outside were screaming," he said.

Jessica Hyam who owns the Little Tichel Lady clothing shop a few doors down from the synagogue, heard about the protest and hired a security guard to stand outside her store. The protest started small and just in front of Adas Torah, but eventually the sidewalk in front of her store was full.

Her security guard ran inside after he was pepper sprayed.

"Its our home, so for them to come into a densely populated Jewish area and to protest here, it doesnt feel like its part of their cause. It just feels like theyre coming and telling us, 'Were against you,'" Hyam said.

Phillip Kim, a member of the group People's City Council, said he was kicked and spit on by pro-Israeli protesters outside the synagogue. The claim that protesters were blocking the entrance to the synagogue with antisemitic intent is false, he said.

"It's a horrible mischaracterization of what happened," Kim said. "None of the protest was based on this being a Jewish place of worship. It was solely based on the real estate event, which is morally reprehensible."

Read more: Netanyahu again claims the U.S. is withholding arms shipments, days after Washington denies it

The ongoing war in Gaza, which was sparked by Hamas Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people, has spurred numerous protests across the U.S., pitting pro-Palestinian demonstrators against Israel supporters.

Although the U.S. has staunchly supported Israels aims of freeing hostages taken into Gaza and defeating the militant group Hamas, it has grown increasingly concerned over the rising Palestinian death toll and the humanitarian crisis created by the war.

More than 37,000 Palestinians are dead after nearly nine months of Israeli bombings and a ground invasion of Gaza, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said more than 625,000 children are "living in rubble" without access to resources, according to a news release.

Sam Yebri, who watched the situation outside the temple on Sunday, said protesters targeting places of worship appeared to him to be a new level of escalation. Yebri's family prays, eats and shops in the Pico-Robertson community and his children attend school there, he said.

He arrived outside Adas Torah around 1 p.m. and saw protesters wearing masks and green headbands chanting "Intifada," the Arabic word for a rebellion. He said he witnessed protesters making the Nazi salute at Jewish people wearing yarmulkes and holding Israeli flags. But The Times could not confirm that based on videos reviewed from the scene.

"There's a reason why these protesters chose Pico-Robertson for their actions: They knew they would be striking at the heart of Jewish America," Yebri said.

Bass said in her statement late Sunday that she would be meeting with Choi to discuss security measures and other issues related to the violence. Choi told The Times he would review the department's response to the protest.

Times staff writer Paul Pringle and editor Carlos Lozano contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Pro-Palestinian protest outside LA synagogue turns violent, as Biden and others condemn it

Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian protesters argue opposing views near Adas Torah synagogue, Sunday, June 23, 2024, in Los Angeles. President Joe Biden has denounced violence that flared when opponents of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza staged a protest at a Los Angeles synagogue during the weekend. | Zoe Cranfill

The Los Angeles police department said there were several physical altercations and one person arrested after a pro-Palestinian demonstration occurred outside a synagogue on Sunday.

President Joe Biden and other elected officials have condemned the violence.

Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American, said Biden in a social media post. Americans have a right to peaceful protest. But blocking access to a house of worship  and engaging in violence  is never acceptable.

Police responded to the area outside the Adas Torah synagogue where pro-Palestinian protesters reportedly tried to block the entrance. CBS News reported that a counterdemonstration ensued. Chaos stretched on for hours as police wearing riot gear responded to violent altercations.

One arrest was made for a person having a spiked post, the department said in a press release, but after the individual was cited, they were released. The police are currently investigating two reports of battery.

The New York Times reported, Video images posted on social media showed scuffles breaking out, punches being thrown and people chasing others down the street.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she would be meeting with Rabbi Noah Farkas and other faith leaders during the week to discuss how to move forward.

Todays violence in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood today was abhorrent, and blocking access to a place of worship is unacceptable, said Bass. Ive called on LAPD to provide additional patrols in the Pico-Robertson community as well as outside of houses of worship throughout the city.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom also issued a statement about the protest.

The violent clashes outside the Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles are appalling, said Newsom. There is no excuse for targeting a house of worship. Such antisemitic hatred has no place in California.
(Getty Images)

In my time as an advocate and working as staff in the Colorado Senate, I have been impressed to see the diligent work done by our Legislature and governor to give every family access to the tools they need to succeed. All Coloradans should have access to quality health care, good education for themselves and their children, and the opportunity to secure well-paying jobs. While weve made significant strides in these areas, taking full advantage of these opportunities requires affordable high-speed internet for telehealth, online learning, remote work, and more.

In 2024, reliable internet access is as essential to our economy as our road infrastructure. Fortunately, the expansion of broadband access has been a cornerstone of Colorados and the Biden administrations commitment to building a more equitable society. Programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program and the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program have made significant strides in bridging the digital divide by providing essential internet access to underserved communities. The Colorado Legislature passed, and Gov. Jared Polis signed, four bills last year to cut red tape that was impeding broadband expansion. Thanks to all-hands-on-deck cooperation, we are well on our way to the governors goal of connecting 99% of Colorado homes by 2027.

However, there is cause for concern that the Federal Communications Commissions recent proposal to ban bulk billing agreements could curtail access for many Coloradans and impede the expansion of internet deployment. These agreements are a crucial mechanism that enables residents in multi-tenant communities to benefit from significantly reduced internet rates.

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Bulk billing agreements enable homeowners associations, condominium owners associations, and other multi-tenant communities, including public housing authorities, to negotiate lower prices with internet providers. These agreements can save residents hundreds of dollars annually. In fact, during the Obama administration, the FCC affirmed the consumer benefits of bulk billing agreements, recognizing that they reduce rates and improve broadband deployment.

In Colorado, many residents of all backgrounds, races, political ideologies, and ZIP codes rely on bulk billing agreements to maintain affordable internet costs. Eliminating these agreements would significantly increase costs for millions, particularly impacting seniors and low-income families who depend on affordable broadband. EducationSuperHighway, a national nonprofit working to close the broadband affordability gap, says that the elimination of bulk billing agreements for internet service in multi-tenant housing raises concerns about the future of digital access for vulnerable populations.

I know what a lifeline affordable broadband is when you live on a limited budget.

An opt-out mandate, another proposal under consideration, would be similarly detrimental. Without the assurance of bulk billing customers, multi-tenant communities and housing authorities cannot leverage their full bargaining power, resulting in higher monthly broadband costs for everyone.

It is essential to consider the broader implications of such regulatory changes. Affordable internet access is crucial for participating in todays digital economy. Without it, our rural and disadvantaged communities will fall further behind. Implementing this policy change simultaneously with the likely expiration of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which over 250,000 Coloradan households are enrolled in, would deliver an additional major blow to Colorado families, as many will lose a $30 a month discount that has helped millions afford reliable internet.

As someone personally impacted by the end of the ACP, I know what a lifeline affordable broadband is when you live on a limited budget.

I call on the FCC to rethink this proposal and find a solution that preserves the affordability and accessibility of broadband services for all. We must continue to support policies that close the digital divide and ensure that everyone can benefit from the opportunities provided by the internet.

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FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Trump holds a campaign event, in Racine

By Andrew Goudsward

FORT PIERCE, Florida (Reuters) -The judge overseeing Donald Trump's classified-documents case reacted skeptically on Monday to a request from prosecutors to bar the former president from making statements that could endanger law enforcement agents who have worked on the case.

At a hearing in federal court in Florida, U.S. Judge Aileen Cannon pressed prosecutors for evidence that Trump's false claims that the FBI had been authorized to assassinate him has led to violent threats against agents working on the case.

"There still needs to be a connection between alleged dangerous statements" and the risk of physical harm by Trump's supporters, she said.

On social media and in fundraising messages, Trump has falsely claimed that a routine FBI use-of-force policy authorized agents to attempt an assassination when they raided his Mar-a-Lago estate in 2022 and seized boxes of documents he had taken from the White House.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to charges he illegally held onto sensitive national security papers after leaving office in 2021 as well as obstructing government efforts to retrieve them.

The criminal case is one of four Trump faces as he seeks to unseat Democratic President Joe Biden in the Nov. 5 election.

Judges overseeing two of these cases have imposed partial gag orders on Trump to try to rein in his verbal attacks on prosecutors, witnesses and other participants.

Prosecutors from Special Counsel Jack Smith's office say he should face limits in this case as well. "These types of statements are nowhere close to the line," prosecutor David Harbach told Cannon.

Cannon did not seem inclined to agree, reprimanding Harbach when he objected to her frequent interruptions. She has previously denied the request on procedural grounds.

Trump's criticism over the FBI search of his Mar-a-Lago social club intensified last month after the FBI's use-of-force policy was made public along with other records related to the operation.

The policy stipulated that the FBI could not use lethal force unless an agent or other person was at serious risk of death or serious injury. Trump was not present at the club at the time of the search.

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche said Trump was criticizing the administration of President Joe Biden, not individual agents who carried out the search.

"President Trump is extremely frustrated that the Biden administration raided his Mar-a-Lago home, and he has a right to be," he said.

A FLURRY OF LEGAL MOTIONS

Cannon has ruled in favor of the Republican presidential candidate on previous requests and has allowed a flurry of motions by his legal team to slow the case to a crawl. It is unlikely the case will reach a jury before Trump and Biden face voters in the Nov. 5 election.

Earlier in the day, another Trump lawyer, Emil Bove, argued that the case should be dismissed because Smith's office is unlawfully funded through a 1970s-era law set up for politically sensitive prosecutions.

U.S. prosecutor James Pearce told Cannon that the funding had been upheld in previous court cases that challenged other special prosecutors -- including David Weiss, who recently won a criminal conviction of Biden's son, Hunter Biden.

On Friday, Trump's legal team argued that it should be dismissed because Smith has too much independence -- even though Trump has repeatedly blasted him as a puppet of Biden.

It is not clear when Cannon will rule on those arguments, which have been rejected in other courts.

Special counsels have been appointed in Democratic- and Republican-led administrations alike to ensure an attorney can independently investigate and, if warranted, prosecute a case without any appearance of political influence.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone, Cynthia Osterman and Rosalba O'Brien)
Canvassers for a proposed abortion-rights amendment to the Arkansas Constitution report ramped-up harassment from anti-abortion groups and individuals. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)

Originally published by The 19th

One woman said she has been called a murderer at public events. Another said she was followed by a protester from location to location. A third stopped posting publicly about her real-time whereabouts.

These are the realities of gathering signatures to put abortion rights on the ballot in deep-red Arkansas, one of the most anti-abortion states in the country.

Organizers and volunteer signature-gatherers regularly deal with harassment and intimidation in the field. In Arkansas, the risks of this work were underscored this month after a conservative group posted online the names of nearly 80 paid signature gatherers that it obtained through a public records request. Advocates leading the petition drive described the incident as a form of doxxing, the release of a persons personal information with malicious intent.

The reactions have become more heated, from just a polite decline to, Im going to find you and kill you, said Gennie Diaz, communications director for Arkansans for Limited Government, the group heading the effort to add an abortion rights ballot initiative this November. Its escalated in probably the last four to six weeks.

Arkansas, where abortion is banned in almost all cases, is one of 11 states where voters could weigh in directly on abortion in the general election. Arkansans for Limited Government has until July 5 to gather just over 90,000 signatures to get the measure, the Arkansas Right to Abortion Initiative, on the November ballot. The group believes its on track to meet the deadline.

Abortion ballot measures are undefeated since the Supreme Courts 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade ended the federal right to abortion, including in red states  though not as red as Arkansas.

Destiny Sinclair is one of the canvassers in Arkansas whose name was made public last week by the Family Council, a conservative group that opposes the amendment. Sinclair said she had not completely processed the implications until Arkansans for Limited Government put out a statement condemning the action. People then started checking in on her out of concern.

One of the first things I did was I went and I Googled myself, because it kind of lets you see what anyone else will be able to find out about me, she said. It really is daunting  you can find out a lot about a person on the internet.

The Family Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Sinclair had already stopped sharing public posts about her canvassing whereabouts. In the days since her name and city of residence were made public, she has tried to work in pairs with other canvassers. It was already a best practice suggestion among the group, but it now has more significance for Sinclair, who finds herself on high alert.

Its really just looking at someone and wondering if they know who I am, she said.

Supporters of a proposed Arkansas constitutional amendment that would create a limited right to abortion seek signatures at the intersection of 9th and State streets in Little Rock on Thursday, May 30, 2024. Little Rock police arrived during the collection efforts and parked outside the event venue The Hall. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate)

The proposed measure would guarantee a right to abortion up to 18 weeks of pregnancy and after that, in cases of rape, incest and threat to the life of the pregnant person. Fewer than half of Arkansans, 46 percent, believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases while 13 percent believe it should be illegal in all cases, according to polling from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute.

In some red states, Republican officials have waged legal challenges to keep abortion rights measures off the ballot and mounted broader attacks on the citizen-led initiative process. Anti-abortion activists have also led grassroots campaigns to discourage voters from signing initiative petitions and in some cases, advocates say, harass canvassers and misinform voters about the initiative process.

In South Dakota, the secretary of states office said an anti-abortion group impersonated state employees in scam phone calls to voters who had previously signed a petition for an abortion rights measure, urging them to withdraw their support.

In Montana, where anti-abortion activists have filmed volunteers in public places to disrupt canvassing, the coalition working to put abortion rights on the ballot has opted against holding large public events or openly sharing the location of its campaign offices, the Montana Free Press reported.

The release of signature gatherers names in Arkansas is an outgrowth of the increasingly aggressive tactics by anti-abortion groups, said Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, the executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC), a clearinghouse of resources and support for progressive ballot measures.

The purpose and the intent is to intimidate and dissuade people from participating in the democratic process, she said. And while this is alarming, this should actually reenergize and reinvigorate people to continue participating.

Law enforcement officers arrive at a pro-choice rally on Jan. 28, 2024 in Fayetteville after a group of counterprotesters showed up. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)

The names of paid canvassers in Arkansas were obtained through a legitimate public records request and their release was not illegal, though the coalition says it was intended to intimidate. The information of unpaid volunteers was not made public, but several said they have faced friction while working in public. Laws about in-person canvassing vary from state to state, often putting confrontation of canvassers into a legal gray area between free speech and harassment.

Debbie Tucker, an unpaid canvasser in her 60s, said she was outside a library in central Arkansas last week with another canvasser in her 20s when a group of about six protesters  men and women  set up a table a few feet from them. One man wore a body camera and harassed anyone who approached the canvassers table, according to Tucker.

Tucker wonders how many people may have wanted to sign their petition but didnt out of fear for their safety.

I wasnt scared as much as I was mad, Tucker said about the incident. Maybe in a good way. It was a good thing that happened, because now Im mad, and Im doubled down, and more likely to get out there.

Eventually, Tucker called her husband for reinforcement. His presence immediately de-escalated tensions with the man with the body camera.

That makes me mad, Tucker said. I hate to call on him  but these people, this man, were just relentless. But they back off when theres a man. Thats sad. But we as women, we know how that is.

Petitioners gather signatures for a ballot initiative to expand abortion access in Arkansas during the Voices and Votes rally on Jan. 28, 2024 in Fayetteville. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)

That sentiment was shared by Sinclair, who also noticed a level of vitriol by men that was aimed at her and other women canvassers. Most of the people organizing in support of the ballot measure in Arkansas are women.

The protesters like to target the women.  They like to target the women when theyre alone, she added. They want us to be scared. And the main thing for me is that it doesnt scare me.

Mary Lowe, a 73-year-old unpaid canvasser based in northwest Arkansas, said shes contending with a lack of awareness about the ballot measure and finding public spaces to gather signatures in a conservative area. Harassment is posing an additional challenge.

On two separate occasions, she said, a young man disrupted her tabling and signature collecting at the University of Arkansas and wouldnt leave until campus security was called. A third time, a different young man did the same.

It sort of annoys me because I think, are these kids not taught manners? she said. Im their grandmothers age. Why are they trying to tell me what the worlds like?

In another instance, Lowe said she was gathering signatures in a downtown area when an anti-abortion man started engaging with her in a hostile manner. Lowe tried to de-escalate the situation by packing up her materials and leaving for the day, but the man followed her to two separate restaurants.

Lowe, not wanting to return to her car, said the man followed her another 30 minutes, still accosting her, until she got to a city administration building where she was able to flag down a firefighter, who gave her the phone number for the police department.

I wasnt frightened, I was more pissed off, Lowe recalled. But you never know with these people.  I think theyre on this vigilante justice thing and I dont think they like women, either.

Mary Lowe says she attends the Voices and Votes rally on Jan. 28, 2024 in Fayetteville because its important for Arkansans to have access to quality physicians who can provide reproductive care. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)

Jenni, another unpaid canvasser who requested that her last name not be used out of fear for the safety of her family, said she hid recently behind a trailer parked near a town square farmers market to lose track of a group of protesters. She has gone so far as to bring an umbrella to events so she can protect the faces of people who sign their names to the petition.

Ive been called a murderer. I have had men with children come up to me and say, This lady likes to murder babies. Do you want to murder babies? And the looks on these childrens faces, its heartbreaking, because they dont understand what were doing, she said.

While Lowe strongly supports the ballot measure and citizen-led initiatives, shes looking forward to the signature drives conclusion in the next few weeks.

If you talk to most volunteers, its probably taken over a lot of their mental capacity and waking lives over the last few months, she said.

Diaz with Arkansans for Limited Government said the group has between 250 and 300 volunteers who are rotating shifts to collect signatures for the petition over the next few weeks. She said some have a private group chat where they check in and share experiences in real time.

Lowe said it is highly gratifying to work with the other volunteers. Out in the field, many people thank Lowe for her work and share their abortion stories.

Thats the best thing about it, that camaraderie. And you really do get a high feeling when you go out and get 120 signatures in an afternoon, she said. I mean, that is such a high.

Tucker, who had been worried for some time that she would face protesters, said the experience at the library pushed her to face her fears.

They got me out of my being afraid, so I guess that was a good thing, she said.
A Providence man has been sentenced to state prison for sexually assaulting two girls under the age of 14 and one girl under the age of 18 in 2023.

Brian Watson, 34, was sentenced by Providence County Superior Court Magistrate John F. McBurney III to 40 years with 12 years to serve at the Adult Correctional Institutions, and a 28-year suspended sentence with 40 years of probation, Attorney General Peter Neronha said Monday.

Watson is also required to register as a sex offender for life and attend sex offender counseling. McBurney issued a no contact order between Watson and his victims.

Watson waived indictment in two cases, and entered a plea of nolo contendere to two counts of first-degree child molestation and one count of sexual assault.

I commend the incredible bravery of these victims in fighting through their pain and coming forward to hold this defendant accountable, Neronha said in a statement. While no punishment can reverse the pain this defendant has caused, I hope this disposition provides a measure of comfort to the victims and their families. Additionally, I want to thank the Providence Police Department for their commitment to delivering justice in this case and many others.

Had the case proceeded to trial, the state was prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that between Aug. 1, 2023, and Nov. 27, 2023, Watson molested two female victims under the age of 14, who were known to him, at a residence in Providence, Neronha said.

Additionally, on or around March 3, 2023, Watson had sexual contact with the third victim, who was under the age of 18 and known to him, at a hotel in Cranston, Neronha said.

Providence and Cranston Police began investigating Watson after the youngest of the three victims disclosed the assault to a mandatory reporter at her school.

I would like to thank the Attorney Generals Office and our hard-working detectives for the successful investigation and prosecution of this offender, and I am thankful for the victims for their bravery in making that possible, Providence Police Colonel Oscar L. Perez Jr. said in a statement. These cases are never easy on the victims families and it is the Providence Police Departments hope that this sentencing will help in the healing process.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  Commuters and visitors are discovering some new sights around Penn Station in Manhattan.

Plaza33 officially opened on Monday outside Penn Station along Seventh Avenue at 33rd Street. Trees, benches and new businesses welcome people to the area.

It caught my eye. Theres always something happening in New York, said Gloria and Brenda, who were walking and saw the yellow chairs.

The plaza was created as a public-private partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation and Vornado, the real estate developer creating the Penn District at its properties in the area.

More Local News

Its part of many ongoing projects between Sixth and Tenth avenues around the 34th Street corridor.

Plaza33 is the beating heart of the new Penn District, a destination where office workers can sit for lunch, where commuters can take a moment to pause, and where neighbors can come to connect, said Steven Roth, the chairman and CEO of Vornado Realty Trust.

Vornado calls the plaza the central outdoor feature of its $2.7 billion investment in the district, which includes over $100 million in public realm improvements.

Open space created for pedestrians and New Yorkers is always an exciting development. These types of investments are good for quality of life and good for making commercial corridors vibrant and active, said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.

Some New Yorkers eligible for free groceries this summer: How it works

The companys office buildings, Penn 1 and Penn 2, border the plaza and have been renovated along with other improvements from 31st to 33rd streets.

Elected officials, commuters and neighbors are also watching for transit and housing improvements.

The area around Penn Station has needed open public space for years, said New York State Assemblymember Tony Simone.

The MTA has opened new entrances and added access points to Penn Station. Work inside the terminal has also been a priority for the agency.

This new public plaza is a great complement to the MTAs recent accessibility and passenger circulation improvements at Penn Station, said MTA Construction and Development President Jamie Torres-Springer.

Plans have been previously proposed by the state and MTA that include open space, affordable housing and large-scale transit projects. Funding for the ideas is being reviewed.

The 34th Street Partnership is providing programming for the plaza. Events include community activities, performances and architectural tours.

Some groups have been organized to keep focus on housing, transit and open space improvements.

Its time for the governor to reverse course, honor her promise to build housing wherever possible, and embrace a more sustainable, housing-first vision for the Penn neighborhood immediately, said Michael Kink, executive director of Strong Economies for All.

Justin Henry is a deputy communications director for Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Governor Hochul remains committed to her vision for a new and improved Penn Station, anchored by thousands of new homes, seamless access to transit, and major improvements to the surrounding streets and sidewalks. The governor will continue to work with all of the stakeholders to deliver a station worthy of New York, Henry said.

Developers and elected officials said theres more to come and future projects are being planned.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Putnam County woman arrested in connection to the death of a 16-day-old baby

PUTNAM COUNTY, WV (WVNS)  A Putnam County woman was arrested regarding the death of a 16-day-old baby.

33-year-old Brooke Kessler, of Hurricane, was arrested for Child Abuse Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Strangulation, Malicious Assault, and Death of a Child by Parent or Guardian.

Two men found shot to death after truck crashes into Raleigh County church

Around 9:40 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2024, a trooper with the West Virginia State Police went to C.A.M.C. Womens & Childrens Hospital for reports of an unresponsive 16-day-old baby that was brought to the hospital from Charles Court in the Hurricane area of Putnam County.

The trooper discovered that the baby had multiple, serious injuries, and was told by medical staff at C.A.M.C. that the injuries seemed to be suspicious and intentional. After a follow up investigation and an interview, the trooper found that the infant was injured while in Kesslers care.

The baby was declared dead around 3:41 p.m. by medical staff after being taken off of life support at C.A.M.C Womens and Childrens Hospital on Sunday, June 23, 2024.

Parents charged after two-year-old girl drowns in Lincoln County

Kessler, who was arrested at around 4:00 a.m. on Friday, June 21, 2024 for Child Abuse Causing Serious Bodily Injury, Strangulation, and Malicious Assault, was later charged with Death of a Child by Parent or Guardian on June 24, 2024 after the trooper refiled criminal charges with the Putnam County Prosecuting Attorney.

The investigation is still ongoing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A student who was attacked in a videotaped assault at Glacier View Junior High School has sued the Puyallup School District, saying the district failed to protect her from a history of racial targeting and bullying.

The lawsuit, which also names the students parents as plaintiffs, contends the districts alleged negligence unlawfully endangered the student, court records show. The suit was filed in Pierce County Superior Court on Tuesday.

Attorney Thad Martin, who is representing the plaintiffs, told The News Tribune that the student, who is of southeast Asian descent, had often been harassed, teased and accused of misappropriating a culture because she liked to braid her hair.

It all came to a head with the assault, he said in a brief interview.

A 50-second clip viewed by The News Tribune, reportedly from February 2023, showed the student inside a bathroom stall. As someone filmed, a student hanging over a stall border threw roughly six punches down toward the plaintiffs head. There appeared to be a handful of girls in the bathroom spectating. As the first punch was thrown, someone can be heard yelling, Get her!

Martin said that while his client didnt sustain any longstanding injuries, she was hurt and traumatized. The lawsuit alleges that the district didnt request medical attention or inform the students parents about the incident. It also claims the students parents previously alerted the district that their daughter was being subjected to racial comments and threats.

We deny these allegations of negligence and will thoroughly defend these allegations through the process, Puyallup School District spokesperson Sarah Gillispie said in a statement. We have no further comment on this pending litigation.

On the districts website, its noted that the district is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, parents/legal guardians, volunteers, and community members that is free from harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

The video from the attack was shown to other students, and the plaintiff continued to be discriminated against, harassed and teased by those involved, according to the lawsuit.

I think the takeaway is the district needs to do a better job of protecting students, Martin said.

The suit seeks unspecified damages to be proven at trial and legal fees.
Q&A with Jay Obernolte: See where the incumbent candidate stands on issues before November

U.S. Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-23) speaks with Victorville Daily Press Reporter McKenna Mobley during an interview on Thursday, June 20, 2024 in Victorville.

High Desert district representative, Jay Obernolte, will be on the ballot this November seeking reelection.

Obernolte represents California's 23rd district, which includes the High Desert, Big Bear, Lake Arrowhead, Yucca Valley, Yucaipa, Loma Linda, southern Redlands, and portions of San Bernardino and Highland.

A Republican representative in the U.S. Congress since 2021, Obernolte sits on multiple House committees, many of which are technology- and energy-geared. Core issues powering his vote and bill propositions are access to affordable yet quality healthcare, securing the southern border, growing the economy, and veteran homelessness.

The Daily Press sat down with the House of Representatives incumbent to get to the bottom of these and more pressing issues that drive his campaign for High Desert readers to stay up-to-date before election day.

His answers have been edited for length.

You believe in access to affordable and quality health care. How would you make that attainable in District 23 when the median annual salary of High Desert residents is $44,000 a year, according to a 2019 survey?

That's one of the most pressing issues facing residents of the High Desert. We're in what I call a "medical desert" where access to high-quality, affordable health care is very problematic.

One of the main problems is that the medical and Medicare reimbursement rates are so low that, in reality, only large practices are able to stay in business servicing mainly Medicare patients.

I've been a champion in my time in the state legislature and now in Congress to raise those reimbursement rates, particularly in rural areas, to reflect economic realities and provide medical care in places like the High Desert.

But in general, our healthcare system is woefully inefficient.

Some of the bills that I've recently championed focus on attracting more doctors to rural areas and attaining more flexibility to Telehealth or virtual health, which is an incredibly powerful diagnostic tool.

Where do you stand on women's health care? I read that you favored overturning Roe v Wade in 2022. Can you explain why?

We're talking about abortion? Well, Roe v. Wade, obviously, that's a Supreme Court issue. I do not sit on the Supreme Court.

I said I agreed with the decision of the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. The reason I agree with it actually has nothing to do with abortion.

In this country, the role of our judiciary is to interpret written law. When the courts issued Roe v. Wade, they did not rely on any written law. They created that based on this fallacious idea of privacy. I didn't see any way that the court could have reached that conclusion.

So, I think that this is a state issue because we exist in a system of federalism, it's not an issue that the federal government is preempted. I think it's very appropriate that this issue is decided on a state-by-state basis, which is what the Supreme Court has said.

Another issue for you is a market-based multimodal approach to energy production. I read that you oppose California's ability to ban traditional gas-powered cars. What are some of your plans to enact the multimodal approach to energy in the High Desert?

One of the most pressing problems for the people that I represent is the cost of energy. We pay $1.50 more per gallon than the U.S. average for gasoline.

I represent more than 100,000 people who commute into and out of Los Angeles every day. Every extra dollar that we impose on them is a dollar that they're unable to use for providing necessities to their families.

I've been one of the leaders in opposing the mandate that everyone drives an electric vehicle. Its not that I don't support electric vehicles, I think they're fine. I just support people's ability to choose for themselves the car that works best for them and their families.

District 23 pays, on average, over twice as much for residential electricity as neighboring states like Arizona and Nevada. This is a real problem. The cost of energy is driving the cost of living, which is driving people down a slippery slope into poverty.

The solution is to unleash the power of American energy production in all of its different facets like solar and wind, but without allowing the cost of green energy to fall on the backs of working-class people.

Securing the southern border and maintaining the Adelanto ICE Processing Center is high on your agenda. Why would you say that it's important to keep the center open?

We are having a problem with illegal immigration, particularly across the southern border. The Immigration and Customs authorities have told us that they are completely overwhelmed and don't have nearly enough bed space to be able to house detainees.

They don't have the court facilities to process their cases expeditiously, so they're having to release those immigrants into local communities, completely overwhelming the residents of those communities.

They just don't have the resources to deal with that kind of influx, and they're not getting those resources from the federal government.

Our Adelanto facility has a 2,000-bed capacity which only has four detainees in there right now because the Department of Justice agreed to shut the facility down to new intake during the COVID-19 era.

That restriction has been lifted in every single other processing center, except for Adelanto.

I've been pushing the Department of Justice to get that ordinance lifted. We just got some good news this past week that theyre going to engage in the lifting of the mandate in July.

Its also a deplorable waste of taxpayer resources when you have a facility that costs $85 million a year to run and you're only using it to house four detainees.

How would you reassure High Desert residents, if at all, who are either illegal themselves or have illegal relatives already in the area?

It's important to note that we are a nation based on immigration and that we should be doing everything that we can to encourage legal immigration.

But we're also a nation based on the rule of law, which means that the people who come here need to come here with the understanding that they're agreeing to follow our laws.

It is disrespectful to the people who have followed the laws and come here legally to allow people to come to the U.S. in such large quantities illegally.

I believe that our system needs comprehensive immigration reform and we should be very encouraging of legal immigration, but we have an obligation to enforce our border security and to prevent people from coming here who break the law.

Growing the economy and bringing jobs to California's 23rd District is also one of the main concerns for High Desert residents. Do you have any plans to bring some more jobs to District 23?

First and foremost, we need to make sure that this is an affordable place to live. California has the largest number of migrations out of the state in the country.

We already have the highest poverty rate in the country because of our high cost of living. We also have the highest rate of homelessness and one of the lowest affordability of housing of any state in the country.

That's why people are fleeing California. We need to make sure that the trend is reversed.

The way we do that is by controlling the cost of living, creating more economic opportunities for the people that live here. I would like to see more jobs in all different sectors, including warehousing and more high-tech jobs. We also need a four-year university in the High Desert.

One other issue that I'd like to address that's crucial to the High Desert is homelessness. There are roughly 3,300 homeless individuals in San Bernardino County alone. Is there anything on the 2024-25 agenda that addresses that issue?

Just last week, we passed the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act out of the House. That is the annual defense bill that addresses all of the different operations of the Department of Defense.

One of the things that I have been very concerned about is the continued rise in veteran homelessness.

It's completely unacceptable for any veteran to be unhoused and it's something that I'm very dedicated to stopping.

We were able to secure an increase in funding for veteran homelessness of over $100 million this year. I'm hopeful that will get us much closer to solving the problem.

How would you persuade an on the political fence, Democrat, or independent voter to vote for you, if at all?

Persuade is an interesting word. If you focus on getting reelected every two years and you think that part of your job is campaigning, then I don't believe this is the right job for you.

I don't approach my job that way. I do the best job that I can at representing my constituents, which includes going out into their communities, talking to them, learning about their problems, and then going back to Washington and helping them solve those problems.

If I do those things successfully, then I view that as already campaigning. If I fail to do those things successfully, I think I don't deserve to be reelected.

I'm not in the persuasion business to answer your question.

However, if you're asking about why an independent voter might feel incentivized to vote for me, I would say it's because I have been ranked consistently as one of the most bipartisan members of Congress.

That's important to contrast that with my opponent.

My opponent has a very different political agenda. He's a Progressive whose policies would only align with a narrow majority of the people who live in this congressional district.

I spoke with your running mate Derek Marshall and asked what he brought to the table that you did not. One of his main concerns was your vote in the Build Back Better Infrastructure Bill that would give $3 billion of funding to the High Desert, $12 million of which was set aside for the Brightline West Bullet Train project. Can you elaborate on why you voted in opposition?

I think he's getting a little confused.

He's conflating two different bills. Build Back Better was a separate bill from the infrastructure bill. However, I voted against both of them.

The funding that you're referring to was in the infrastructure bill, and I voted against it because most of the spending in that bill, more than half of the proposed objects, was not for what I consider infrastructure.

With our extreme federal deficit, I didn't think it was responsible to spend money on things that weren't infrastructure, which is why I voted against it.

On the other hand, I've been a vocal supporter of Brightline for years but opposed the High-Speed Rail Authority in California since its inception. If you look at the economic component, the High-Speed Rail will never be able to run without an ongoing operational subsidy from taxpayers.

Taxpayers will be on the hook for paying for the operation of the system forever, as opposed to what Brightline is doing with the high-speed rail line from Rancho to Las Vegas, where they will not require an operational subsidy from taxpayers.

What is your team projecting that your odds are for the 2024 campaign?

We just had a primary in March. I think the results of that speak for themselves.

This will be the fourth time that I've run against Mr. Marshall, and I've increased my margin of victory every single time. So, we expect a similar result this year.

Lastly, what kind of community outreach are you doing from now until November? How can people volunteer for your campaign, and what does volunteering look like?

I would encourage them to go to my website and email us if interested. You can find information on how to become a campaign volunteer from there.

We're interested in people who would like to have yard signs in their yards, people who would like to phone bank for us, and walk neighborhoods for us. This is all very helpful.

McKenna Mobley is a Daily Press reporter and can be reached at mmobley@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Here's where Obernolte stands on issues important to you
Douglas County, Ga., elections officials Milton Kidd, left, and Tesha Green fear being followed home by angry voters. Nationwide, many election officials are concerned for their safety. Matt Vasilogambros/Stateline

Editors note: This story contains profanities and racist slurs.

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga.  When Milton Kidd leaves work at the end of the day, he slips out the back door of the domed Douglas County Courthouse, avoiding the public entrance where people might berate him or demand his home address.

He never takes the same route home two days in a row, and he makes random turns to avoid being followed.

Kidd, a Black man, has a very dangerous job: He is the elections and voter registration director for Douglas County.

Milton Kidd is a nasty n***** living on tax money like the scum he is, one voter wrote in an email Kidd shared with Stateline. Living on tax money, like a piece of low IQ n***** shit.

Another resident from Kidds county of 149,000 west of Atlanta left him a voicemail.

I dont know if youre aware, Milton, but the American people have set a precedent for what they do to f***ing tyrants and oppressors who occupy government office, the caller said. Yep, back in the 1700s, they were called the British and the f***ing American people got so fed up with the f***ing British being dicks, kind of like you, and then they just f***ing killed all the f***ing British.

Kidd smiled incredulously as he shared his security routine and the hate-filled messages that inspired it. He is dumbfounded that hes the target of such vitriol for administering elections in 2024  but he knows where it originated.

The lies told by former President Donald Trump, who faces state felony charges for trying to pressure Georgia officials to change the 2020 results, have resonated with many Douglas County voters, Kidd said. Now this nonpartisan official, like many others across the country, is forced to face their ire.

Its an idea that has become insidious in the mindsets of Americans, that because a single individual did not win an election, that now I can behave like this, said Kidd, who has a thick beard and wears a thumb-size crystal on a black string around his neck.

As he prepares for the next presidential election, Kidd said he will continue to press his states elected officials for more leadership and money to protect him, his staff and the democratic process.

If this office fails, then our democracy has failed, he said. I will never let a detractor who calls with vile language deter me from the work that I do.

Like standing in a puddle of gasoline

Kidd is far from the only election official who has faced threats inspired by the lies of Trump and his allies, who continue to claim without evidence that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.

Nationally, 38% of local election officials have experienced threats, harassment or abuse since 2020 just for doing their jobs, according to a survey released in May by the Brennan Center for Justice, a voting rights nonprofit housed at the New York University School of Law. More than half of the over 900 respondents said they are concerned about the safety of their colleagues and staff.

If this office fails, then our democracy has failed. I will never let a detractor who calls with vile language deter me from the work that I do.

 Milton Kidd, elections and voter registration director for Douglas County, Ga.

Kidds colleagues in neighboring counties also have felt the hostility.

In the green hills of Bartow County, a rural community in northwest Georgia, Election Supervisor Joseph Kirk has taken steps to protect himself, though he wont disclose specifics. While harassment has not reached the level it has in other counties, he said he has lost staff members who left their positions because of the changed atmosphere.

Theres a lot more animosity now, he said in his Cartersville office, a red-brick building 4 miles from Main Street.

Cobb County Director of Elections Tate Fall is also fortifying her suburban Atlanta elections office. In the coming weeks, her office will install a shatterproof safety film on the glass that shields the front desk. More access points will require key cards for entry, and there will be additional panic buttons.

Its very surreal, she said. In the office, people have become so desensitized to people yelling at them that they dont consider a lot a threat anymore.

At least a dozen states have enacted new protections for local election officials in recent years, including boosting criminal penalties for those who threaten or harass them.

This month, Georgia officials announced a first-in-the-nation requirement that all new police officers undergo a course on election security, partly focusing on protecting election officials from threats.

This is part of a broader mission to build more coordination between sheriffs offices and elections offices, said Chris Harvey, deputy executive director of the Georgia Police Officer Training and Standards Council, which will lead the effort.

Harvey, a former detective, also served as Georgias state elections director for six years, including through the 2020 presidential election.

After the January 2021 U.S. Senate runoff, he was doxed  his home address and a picture of his house were posted online. He also received an emailed death threat that included a photo of him with crosshairs over his face.

While he says he wasnt worried about his safety, he did worry about his wife and four children at home. He called the local police, who posted a car in front of his house for two weeks.

In this supercharged environment, its like standing in a puddle of gasoline, he told Stateline. Anything can set it off. It didnt used to be like that.

The democratic path

Democracys fragile promise has always been part of Kidds life.

Kidd, 39, grew up in East St. Louis, Illinois, a former manufacturing hub of 18,000 people along the Mississippi River.

His family was part of the Great Migration, moving north from Southern states such as Arkansas and Mississippi looking for work and safety. But shortly after his ancestors arrival, white mobs killed hundreds of Black newcomers during several months of 1917, displacing 6,000 Black people in the southern Illinois city.

His grandmother was a sharecropper in Luxor, Arkansas, and instilled in his mother the importance of voting. Growing up, he heard stories about civil rights activists Fannie Lou Hamer, who was beaten for registering voters, and Medgar Evers, who was assassinated. It made Kidd a student of history, able to recite the Declaration of Independence and parts of the Constitution.

The importance of the ballot box has always been something that has been stressed to me, he said. I know in my own family individuals have tried to register to vote and had dogs sicced on them. These are not words in a book. Its not that far off.

Inspired by his father, who left school in the ninth grade to work, and his mother, who received a college education later in her life, Kidd earned his masters degree in public administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2010.

He then did what he called a reverse migration back to the South to begin working elections in various counties in the Atlanta area, including Douglas County. He started there in 2015 and was promoted to lead the office three years later.

In that time, Kidd has seen the election environment turn nasty.

Weve reshaped this nation into an uglier, vile, vitriolic spirit that were just allowing to continue to manifest, he said last month.

The elections staff for Douglas County, Ga., work behind locked doors in the basement of the domed courthouse in Douglasville, Ga. Matt Vasilogambros/Stateline

He and his eight full-time staff members have attempted to bolster their public standing by going to local churches, fairs and political party meetings of both parties to share details about how they run elections and tabulate the vote securely.

But he needs more resources from the state. The same lawmakers who wink and nod at the lie that massive fraud is stealing elections do not support additional funding for local election administration, he said, especially for the safety of election administrators.

Every one of the security enhancements he made to his office  including a series of magnetic locks on the doors  came through outside grant funding, a practice the state later outlawed in 2021.

Some of Kidds staff members have quit, and hes finding it hard to fill the temporary positions that allow elections to run smoothly. Constant turnover can lead to errors, which leads to more distrust. The workers who have stayed are still fearful.

On election night, my husband definitely waits for me to get home, said Tesha Green, the countys deputy elections director. You have to always make sure that no ones there when were leaving out the door.

Kidd was encouraged by Georgias announcement that it would require all new police officers to undergo a course on election security. Does Kidd feel supported by his local sheriffs office? He chuckled and said theres a lot more that could be done.

Cpt. Trent Wilson of the Douglas County Sheriffs Office said the office took Kidds complaints seriously. Though they were concerning, he said, there was nothing criminal in the voicemails and emails Kidd received.

It was very distasteful, Wilson said. But just because theyre distasteful dont mean theyre criminal.

Pressed about what constitutes a threat, he added: Look, Im a Black man. So, we dont like to be called a n*****. But calling someone a n***** is not a crime.

When election season comes, he said the sheriffs office boosts security, adding more deputies to the courthouse. Visitors already must pass through metal detectors, he noted.

As head of the election office, Kidd knows hes a target, and hes accepted that. But he worries about his staff, many of whom are older women who dont feel safe walking to their cars at night. And, closer to home, he worries that if something happens to him, no one will be able to take care of his beloved dogs, Kleo and Knight.

In 2024, I work a job that I have to allow myself to be called a n*****, he said. But I do it because I want to make sure people have access to the ballot box.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
William is a self taught chef who uses TikTok to post food recipes ranging from quesadillas to Japanese sponge cakes. The 12-year-old chef has almost 1 million followers on his TikTok page Cooking With William and even received praise from celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.

But because they cant let us have anything, trolls have infected Williams page, leaving racist comments under his videos just because. Fortunately, other Black TikTok users arent having it, coming to the preteens defense and calling out TikTok itself for being racist by allowing racism.

In a now viral TikTok video, Snap Wexler (@snapwexler) said the app is not doing enough to protect Black creators like @cooking_withwilliam on the platform, even though Black folks contribute significantly to the app.

tiktok-7380540783172013358

According to Wexler, people are so immature and so ignorant that they were taking the time to write out an anagram of the N-word under at least three separate videos.



Wexler reported three racist comments on the chefs page, but TikTok determined there was no violation of their guidelines. So you can call a 12-year-old boy the N-word and its fine? Its not fine, Wexler said.

Even though TikTok community guidelines dont explicitly denounce discrimination or racism, the apps community guidelines state: TikTok is enriched by the diversity of our community. Our differences should be embraced, rather than a cause for division. We do not allow any hate speech, hateful behavior, or promotion of hateful ideologies.

It is unclear if the original racist replies have been removed by the user or by TikTok  but if no one else got us, we got us: Wexlers video propelled users to support Williams page. His comments are flooded with Black users who are running security to make sure William is protected.

tiktok-7383029804607556895

The fact we all came as this young mans army! We standing behind and in front of u baby @Memphis_Mek replied to Williams recent video.

As were all scrolling and on patrol...make sure yall are liking and commenting [on] each of his videos as well! said user @boymom.x4

@1_bellarose wrote Auntie & Niece from Indiana doing comment security check! Also followed!

Screenshot: @cooking_withwilliam on TikTok

Wexler posted another TikTok also thanking the public for showing love to the young man. Young people do need some sort of encouragement to be everything they can be, he said.

William continues to post on TikTok unfazed by the hate, and now, he has Black TikTok to rally behind him anytime he needs. Although Wexler insisted the app is racist, he said if enough people complain about something, [TikTok] seems to react to it.

For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Biden administration has tightened disclosure rules for trains carrying hazardous cargo, with railroads now required to inform local first responders about hazardous material immediately after a derailment.

The new federal requirement, announced Monday, caps significant scrutiny of the railway industry after a Norfolk Southern train released toxic chemicals into the town of East Palestine, Ohio, last year, after derailing.

Firefighters who responded to the East Palestine incident have said they had a difficult time identifying the chemicals the train was carrying because of a lack of communication from the railroad company.

Train operators will now be required to issue an emergency notification to local public safety officials following accidents with trains carrying hazardous material.

In a hazmat incident, firefighters and first responders arriving on scene need to know what kind of hazardous materials are present so they can protect themselves and their communities, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement.

This final rule will require railroads to maintain detailed, real-time information about trains carrying hazardous materials  and share this information with local emergency responders when they need it, he added.

The rule will take effect in 30 days.

In addition to the emergency notification provision, it will also require all railroads to put together real-time information about what their trains are carrying, including what hazardous materials they are shipping and where on the train those items are located. Theyre also required to include emergency response information and an emergency contact.

Last years train crash spilled a material known as vinyl chloride, which is used to make plastic, into the surrounding community. Short-term exposure to this substance can cause headaches, dizziness and breathing problems, while long-term exposure has been linked to cancer.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Raleigh restaurant and its sister bar close after being open only 6 months

A promising Raleigh bar and restaurant closed this month after a short-lived run in one of the citys most unique spaces.

The culinary pair of Prospects Craft Kitchen and Devereaux Lounge closed earlier this month, with the final service held June 9.

Chef Alex Ricci and owner Justin Tatnell opened Prospects in late 2023 as one of the Triangles most intriguing new restaurants.

Ricci said the decision to close was announced to the dining room on the final service night.

We looked at the books, what we expected to come in that week and the fiscally responsible decision was to say, This is it, Ricci said. I said to my business partner, I think we announce tonight to who is in the restaurant.

Propsects and Devereaux Lounge took over the former Rainbow Luncheonette (and its rainbow floor) and Pink Boot spaces on West Street in Raleigh.

Ricci grew up in North Carolina, but has cooked in major dining scenes like Miami and Las Vegas, but returned to the Triangle to cook at restaurants like Young Hearts Distilling, Cucciolo Terrazza and in the Giorgios Hospitality Group.

Ricci hoped to expand the restaurants seating with an outdoor Streetery, but said construction by the city was slow to begin. The restaurant filed its Streetery permit in March but withdrew it this month as the restaurant decided to close.

With Prospects, Ricci seemed to be bursting with creativity, running often-changing menus  frequently highlighting North Carolina ingredients  putting out playful dishes like amberjack crudo with tomato jelly and strawberry vinegar, smoked meatballs and Filipino-style duck adobo.

This was Riccis first restaurant with an ownership stake and full control of the menu. He said he took some hard lessons, but is proud of the food that left the kitchen.

Im really proud of the food we did, it was a special place, Ricci said. It can be very daunting at times, its a humbling experience....But it opened me up to the idea of what real hospitality means. I got to speak and interact with my guests every day.

Ricci said the timing of the bar and restaurant may have been a bit early, with nearby development of the neighboring Smoky Hollow Park Project planned in the next couple years, adding 14-acres of public space and a $13.5 million investment.

In the next couple years, its going to be a great location, Ricci said. I think right now its very hard fro people to find us. Its a hard location. Its a situation where you can do everything right and it never really took off.

Durham coffee shop and music venue plans to close after 14 years downtown

One of Chapel Hills best new restaurants is launching a summer sandwich pop-up
The Indiana GOP logo on display during the party's convention on Saturday, June 15, 2024. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

The Indiana Republican State Committee unanimously elected former lawmaker and lobbyist Randy Head to be the next chair of the state GOP on Monday, naming a successor for former chair Anne Hathaway.

Hathaway resigned after a 10-month stint chairing the party.

Randy Head (Courtesy of Krieg DeVault)

I would first like to express my gratitude to the State Committee for their unanimous support. Having served on the State Committee, I have good relationships with its members and am ready to hit the ground running, Head said in a statement.

Luckily, Chairwoman Hathaway has put the party in a great position and I look forward to working with her and the rest of the State Committee to continue the Republican Partys streak of success in Indiana. I would finally like to thank Senator Braun for his recommendation. We are ready to come together and make sure Republicans are sprinting across the finish line this Fall!

Head has a bachelors degree from Wabash College and a law degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law. The former deputy prosecuting attorney has 28 years of legal experience. Head also served as Logansports senator for 11 years.

In a release from the state GOP, U.S. Sen. Mike Braun praised Hathaway. Braun is the Republican candidate for governor and will run with self-identified Christian nationalist Micah Beckwith as his lieutenant governor after a surprise vote earlier this month.

Congratulations to Randy Head on his unanimous election to serve as our partys next chair! Last week, I met with the State Committee to put my full support behind Randy, Braun said. He has served the Republican Party in many different facets over the years, and I look forward to working with him to ensure Republican victories across the state come November!

The post Randy Head elected to lead state GOP appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Are we ready to face an asteroid that could hit Earth in 14 years? NASA sees work to do.

Is humanity prepared to face down an asteroid with a 72% chance of hitting Earth in 14 years?

Scientists and experts say there's work to be done.

When NASA posed the hypothetical scenario, devised by the Planetary Defense Coordination Office, to a group of nearly 100 government representatives, they found their plan to combat an asteroid hurtling towards Earth had several "high-level gaps," according to a NASA slide presentation. Space officials have "limited readiness to quickly implement needed space missions," and methods to keep the public informed about a looming disaster are not fully developed.

Of the participants, from federal agencies like the State Department and international bodies like the U.N.'s Office for Outer Space Affairs, 33% said humanity was not prepared to launch a space mission to prevent an asteroid from impacting the planet, and 19% said "reconnaissance missions" were not ready.

Kelly Fast, NASA's acting planetary defense officer, said the exercise helped government agencies to plan out how they would work together to prepare for a future asteroid strike.

"In the unlikely event we ever face a scenario like this, it won't be the first time that anybody's talked about how to treat this," she said.

In the scenario posed by NASA, humanity has 14 years to face an asteroid with a 72% chance of hitting Earth.

More: Scientists probe a space mystery: Why do people age faster during space travel?

NASA runs fifth test to gauge asteroid preparedness

The exercise, designed to test government readiness for an asteroid headed towards Earth, was organized by NASA and the Federal Emergency Management Agency at an April meeting at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, according to a news release. It marked the fifth test to gauge whether authorities are prepared to defend Earth from space. This year's exercise was the first to include "international collaborators on planetary defense."

In the hypothetical scenario, an asteroid collides with the Earth in 2038. The collision would have a 47% chance of affecting more than 1,000 people, and an 8% chance of affecting more than a million. It could strike a swath of cities across the U.S., Europe, and Africa, including Washington, Dallas, Madrid, and Algiers.

In the scenario, participants weren't told "the asteroids size, composition, and long-term trajectory," according to the news release. Further observations about the asteroid would also hypothetically have to be delayed by at least seven months as the asteroid passed behind the Sun  "a critical loss of time."

Even with years to prepare, agencies would still have to work efficiently to respond to an approaching asteroid, Fast said. "When you talk about planning a mission, any kind of spacecraft mission, it doesn't happen on a dime," she said.

"Even though 14 years sounds like a long time, it actually might not be when you think of developing missions," Fast added.

Space officials have only one tested method of heading off an asteroid on its way toward Earth  "kinetic impact," or crashing a spacecraft into the asteroid to change its trajectory. In 2022, NASA crashed a spacecraft into Dimorphos, a small "moonlet" orbiting the asteroid Didymos around 6.8 million miles from Earth, successfully shortening the moonlet's orbit by 32 minutes, according to NASA.

Fast said scientists would need to tailor a space mission to respond to a particular asteroid collision scenario.

"It all depends on the asteroid," she said. "A single kinetic impactor might work for a smaller asteroid but not for something much larger."

Some participants were also skeptical that enough federal funding would be available to deal with the threat, according to the presentation. The decision-making process was "unclear," it said.

Authorities would also have a limited ability to gather more information about the incoming asteroid by flying a spacecraft close to it, evaluators concluded.

The presentation also warned that coordinating the release of information to the public about an asteroid flying towards the planet would pose problems. "Misinformation and disinformation would have to be dealt with," they wrote.

"Maintaining trust at the start of this event is critical and that means talking early  probably earlier than the scientists and lawyers are comfortable with," another unnamed participant said.

Fast said it would be important to "turn information into something that is understandable to the public, and not to be overly technical and jargon-y."

The latest exercise, which used data from the test, recommended more tests on the new technology

Fast said people should be reassured that scientists and agencies are coming together to map out strategies in the unlikely event of an asteroid collision.

The scenario was "just a chance to continue to explore these possibilities and our own readiness, and to identify how we can do better in the future."

"This is actually a good thing, to be talking through this," she said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are we ready for an asteroid to hit Earth? NASA sees work to do.
Article VI, Section 1 of the North Carolina Constitution reads: Who May Vote. Every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized, 18 years of age...shall be entitled to vote at any election by the people of the State...

North Carolina House and Senate Republicans apparently are proposing a constitutional amendment that would change that to read only a citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age can vote. Say what?

Gene Nichol

The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, of course, overruled the Dred Scott decision and declared: All persons born or naturalized in the United States...are citizens of the United States and the State wherein they reside.

So its hard to see what this new proposed state constitutional amendment would do.

House Speaker Tim Moore explains: I think as long as we get that and get that to the people to be able to vote on it, is very important. I think the Constitution needs to be very clear that only citizens vote in our elections.

Maybe we could just require that the present provision, Article VI, Section 1, be put in all caps and underlined?

One of the proposed amendments supporters, Sen. Brad Overcash, a Gaston County Republican, said the citizen-only redundancy is necessary because in some cities, outside North Carolina, folks have pressed to allow noncitizens to vote. Of course that would be illegal, already, in the Tar Heel state. And if any N.C. city was crazy enough to try it, the General Assembly would override the measure in less time than it would take to down a couple of hush puppies at Wilbers.

In fact, I can scarcely think of any potential provision causing as much glee and anticipated retribution in the General Assembly as a local ordinance purporting to grant noncitizens a right to vote. Im guessing if Carrboro, the Orange County mecca, gave it a try, our Republican lawmakers would not only void the provision, but also decertify the municipality. Theyd likely take a good swipe at Chapel Hill and Hillsborough as well, just for good measure. You know, necessary deterrent.

If its essential to amend the constitution to ward off things that are already unconstitutional and have literally no chance of happening, I was thinking maybe we could repeat Article 1, Section 31. It reads: No soldier shall in time of peace be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner... You never know. Better to double up, just in case.

Sponsors of these new Republican amendments said they might be necessary to conform the constitution to existing law. Of course, if thats true, were in for quite a ride.

Article 1, Section 6 presently provides: The legislative, executive, and supreme judicial powers of State government shall be forever separate and distinct from each other. This provision is violated by the General Assembly almost every day it is in session. It would need to be altered to read, All governmental power in North Carolina resides in the General Assembly, when it is led by Republicans.

Beyond that, Article 1, Section 10 says: All elections shall be free. After N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newbys opinion in Harper v, Hall, Section 10 should be changed to include an asterisk, saying, but its fine for elections to be rigged, free elections do not mean fair elections in North Carolina.

But maybe none of these steps are necessary to get across the essential electoral point: We hate undocumented immigrants, and if you do, too, turn out and vote Republican.

Contributing columnist Gene Nichol is a professor of law at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Julie Chrisley in 2016 - Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Julie Chrisley, the former star of the reality series Chrisley Knows Best, will be resentenced in her bank fraud and tax evasion case after an appeals court threw out her original seven-year sentence.

As The Associated Press reports, a three-judge panel on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that a trial judge had incorrectly calculated Chrisleys sentence by holding her accountable her the whole bank fraud scheme she was convicted of carrying out alongside her husband, Todd. The appeals court described this as a narrow issue, and the case has been sent back to the lower courts so her sentencing can be re-done.

More from Rolling Stone

The Chrisleys were convicted of conspiracy to defraud banks out of more than $30 million in 2022. Before they became reality stars, prosecutors alleged, the couple used falsified documents to obtain fraudulent loans, then took out more fraudulent loans to pay off their old ones. The couple was also convicted of tax evasion, with prosecutors alleging they defaulted on over $20 million in debt when Todd declared bankruptcy in 2012.

Following the convictions, Todd was sentenced to 12 years in prison, Julie to seven, and the couples accountant, Peter Tarantino, also received three years for his role in the scheme. The Chrisleys were also ordered to pay $17.8 million in restitution.

The Chrisleys had tried to appeal the entire case, with their lawyers arguing several points: That an IRS officer had lied about the couple still owing taxes and that prosecutors had knowing failed to correct this false testimony; and that prosecutors failed to show enough evidence to prove the tax evasion and conspiracy charges, and that Chrisley had taken part in the bank fraud scheme.

The appeals court pretty much rebuffed all of these arguments and upheld the Chrisleys convictions. However, the panel did rule that the prosecution and judges failed to provide any evidence that Chrisley was involved in the bank fraud scheme as early as 2006. There was still plenty of evidence, they said, to tie her to the plot multiple years later, 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, the ruling said. Its unclear when Chrisley will be resentenced.

Alex Little, an attorney for the Chrisleys, said, Were pleased that the Court agreed that Julies sentence was improper, but were obviously disappointed that it rejected Todds appeal. He said the family was hopeful for more good news in the future.

Best of Rolling Stone
On Tuesday, Rep. Lauren Boebert, who switched districts following her inappropriate behavior at Beetlejuice The Musical and cratering support, will find out if her political career survives the scandal.

She goes into the race as the favorite. Theres been little public polling of the primary, but a Kaplan Strategies survey conducted in late May found the congresswoman at 40 percent, with all of her GOP opponents stuck in the single digits. Her name recognition blows away that of the other Republicans; plus, she has the Complete and Total Endorsement of former President Donald Trump. That makes it look like Boebert might just come out on top.

It wouldnt be the first time the congresswoman has outplayed the GOP establishment. In 2020, she was the underdog owner of an open carry restaurant called Shooters Grill in the aptly-named Rifle, Colorado, and she was known for confronting then-presidential hopeful Beto ORourke over his proposal to confiscate firearms. She further cemented her reputation as an ultra-right agitator for defying the states pandemic restrictions and making positive comments about QAnon.

Thats part of why political commentators were shocked when she ousted incumbent Rep. Scott Tipton in the CO-03 primary that June. Trumpwho had backed Tiptonimmediately congratulated Boebert on her win. She soon became a MAGA darling, floating putting Trumps face on Mount Rushmore and heckling President Joe Biden when he talked about cancer-stricken veterans during the State of the Union. Back in Colorado, Boebert told a church crowd, Im tired of this separation of church and state junk.

Some die-hard conservatives loved it, but voters in her district were lukewarm. In another surprise, she won reelection by only 546 votes over Democrat Adam Frisch, who was thought to have had virtually no shot in the GOP-leaning Western Slope.

Boebert Melts Down as Debate Moderator Grills Her on Beetlejuice Incident

As Frisch started piling up cash for a rematch, Boebert began curbing her far-right image, turning her focus to water and agriculture issues in the district. She was in the headlines again when she announced she was about to become a 36-year-old grandmother and again when she filed for divorce. But many Republicans in the district were happy to see that she appeared more focused on the issues.

Then came the Beetlejuice incident.

In September, surveillance video showed her vaping and groping her date while sitting in the audience at Beetlejuice The Musical. Soon, she didnt have to worry only about the prospect of an embarrassing loss to a Democrat; Republican elected officials began endorsing her primary opponent, making it unclear if shed even make it to November. Her race was poised to become one of the most dramatic contests of 2024.

But Boebert had an answer. In late December, while other Americans were lolling around in a holiday slump, Boebert announced she wouldnt be running for reelection in her district after all. Instead, she decided to run in the much more Republican CO-04 on the other side of the state.

With her entry into the race, Boebert trampled all over an already crowded field. Republican former Rep. Ken Buck, who previously represented the district, had announced the previous month he wouldnt run for reelection. He waited until March to announce he would retire, even before his term was up, leaving the seat to be temporarily represented by a lawmaker who will run in a separate special election on Tuesday.

Lately, Boebert has ridden the waves of more controversy. Her ex-husband pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment after the two had an altercation in January, while her son was arrested in connection with a series of car break-ins. But shes had plenty of wins too. After the Trump endorsement, she launched a charm campaign, making personal phone calls to assembly delegates and showing up just days after emergency surgery for a blood clot to compete for the top line on the primary ballot. She secured that spot and, since then, has raised almost double her five opponents combined.

House polling is notoriously finicky, so theres always room for a surprise. But the Kaplan poll has given the Boebert camp additional reason for optimism; besides the topline numbers, her favorability, as well as ratings of her character and judgment, have both risen.

If she does win on Tuesday, shes likely to sail through her general election match-up and right back into Congress. The district where shes now running is like one of her preferred lip colorsColorados reddest.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The number of arrivals so far this year is 17 per cent higher than at this time in 2023 - Dan Kitwood/Getty

A record number of migrants have crossed the Channel in the first six months of this year in a new blow to Rishi Sunak.

Some 257 people were detected reaching the UK on Sunday, taking the cumulative number of arrivals so far this year to 12,901.

This is a new record for the first six months of a calendar year, according to provisional figures from the Home Office, up from the previous highest number of 12,747 in the six months from January to June in 2022.

The cumulative number of arrivals so far this year is 17 per cent higher than the total at this point last year, which was 11,058, and eight per cent higher than the total at this stage in 2022, which was 11,975.

There were 29,437 arrivals across the whole of 2023, down 36 per cent on a record 45,774 arrivals in 2022.

Upon entering Downing Street, Mr Sunak promised to stop small boat arrivals. But the latest arrivals takes the total number of migrants who have crossed the Channel during his premiership close to 50,000.

It now stands at 49,966 crossings since he entered Number 10 in October 2022. The average number of arrivals on his watch stands at almost 575 a week, according to a Labour Party analysis. The weekly average for the whole of Boris Johnsons premiership was 404.

Jonathan Ashworth, Labours shadow paymaster general, said: Whatever else happens in this election campaign, Rishi Sunak will always be known as the Prime Minister who broke his promises to Britain.

He pledged to stop the boats, but has seen 50,000 people make the crossing on his watch, is currently presiding over the worst year ever for small boat arrivals, and has the Home Secretarys closest parliamentary aide now dismissing his Rwanda policy as crap.

Sunak also promised to get our national debt falling, but this week we hit the worst debt levels since 1961. He promised to get NHS waiting lists down, but they have risen by more than 350,000 since he gave that pledge. He promised to restore growth to the economy, but took Britain into recession.

He promised to cut taxes, but gave our country the highest tax burden for 70 years. He promised to bring integrity and professionalism back to Downing Street, but instead gave us the disgraceful spectacle of top Tories using their inside knowledge of the election date to make a killing at the bookmakers.

Last week Mr Sunak said the fact that young children were crossing the Channel was desperately sad and demonstrated why his Rwanda policy needed to be implemented.

He told broadcasters: If re-elected as prime minister, the flights will go to Rwanda, we will build that deterrent, removing the incentive for people to come here in the first place.

Thats the only way to solve this problem, and in contrast Keir Starmer would release everyone that we have detained, illegal migrants would be on our streets, they wouldnt be on the planes, which would be cancelled. There would be no deterrent.

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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan State Representative Neil Friske (R-107th Dist.) released a statement on Monday indicating he will return to the office this week after being released from jail last week.

Friske was arrested last Thursday after the Lansing Police Department responded to a shots fired call at the 2100 block of Forest Rd near Aurelius Rd. On Friday, police requested the Ingham County prosecutor to file three felony charges against Friske: Sexual Assault, Assault Excluding Sexual, and Weapons Offense.

Friske was released from custody last Friday and has not been charged by the Ingham County Prosecutor at this time.

Find a full copy of Friskes statement below:



The statement, obtained from Friskes campaign page on Facebook

Rep. Neil Friske was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in November 2022. He represents the 107th House District in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. The district includes all of Charlevoix and Emmet counties and portions of Cheboygan, Chippewa, and Mackinac counties.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
NEW YORK  Rep. Jamaal Bowman and challenger George Latimer on Monday raced to the finish line of their contentious Democratic primary for the Westchester County-based NY-16 congressional seat.

The embattled incumbent shook hands at a Mount Vernon church and knocked on doors with fellow progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the eve of the election Tuesday that could see him become the first sitting Democratic congressman to lose a primary this year.

Latimer, who has led in opinion polls of the district, countered with a get-out-the-vote rally of his own with clergy in Mount Vernon.

Early vote totals suggest turnout will be heavy, which is not surprising given the extraordinarily heavy spending on the race, with a combined total of $26 million spent by both sides.

About 10,000 Democratic votes had already been cast in Westchester County as of late last week, with several more days of early in-person votes still to be tallied, official figures showed. Another 4,000-plus mail in ballots had been received with many more likely on the way.

The New York City Board of Elections said 6,445 people voted in Democratic primaries across the borough but did not break down the number of ballots cast in the NY-16 race.

A key issue in the race has been Bowmans fierce criticism of Israels war in Gaza, which has divided the Democratic Party base nationwide and sparked some criticism of President Biden.

Latimer made a solidarity trip to the Jewish state before jumping into the race and has enjoyed massive support from pro-Israel donors and the right-wing American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

AIPAC has poured a record $14.5 million into the race, mostly taking aim in television ads at what it claims are Bowmans far-left stances on economic issues and his vote against Bidens infrastructure plan.

Jewish groups say they have seen extraordinary interest in the race sparked by Bowmans criticism of Israel. But Bowmans campaign says he has strong support from progressive Jews who also object to the conduct of the war in Gaza.

The two candidates have staked their ground on dramatically different demographic portions of the district, which includes all of southern Westchester County and a couple of slices of the Bronx.

Bowman, who first won the seat in a 2020 primary when it included a bigger slice of the Bronx, has leaned heavily on his support among people of color in the Bronx, along with majority minority Westchester cities of Yonkers and Mount Vernon.

Weve had huge turnout for phone banks, canvasses, and rallies over the final stretch of the campaign, said Ravi Mangla, a spokesman for the Working Families Party, which is backing Bowman.

Latimer, a familiar figure to Westchester voters, is relying on the estimated 90% of the districts voters who will be in the suburban county, including affluent towns like Scarsdale and Rye.

Bowman has leaned heavily in the closing days on lefty star power, appearing at rallies with AOC and Sen. Bernie Sanders.

The self-proclaimed hip-hop congressman even dropped a few f-bombs Saturday in his effort to rev up young supporters, warning that Latimer would find out the power of the m-----f---ing Bronx on primary day.

That rubbed fellow Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres the wrong way.

Unbecoming of a member of Congress, tweeted Torres, who has been critical of Bowman but has not endorsed either candidate.

Whoever wins is likely to punch a ticket to Washington, D.C., from the deep blue district.

In other contested N.Y. primaries Tuesday, former CNN anchor John Avlon is vying against second-time candidate Nancy Goroff for the Democratic nomination to take on GOP Rep. Nick LaLota in a swing district on the East End of Long Island.

Lauren Gillen is favored in a race with several Democrats for the nomination in NY-04 on the South Shore. The winner will try to topple first-term Rep. Anthony DEsposito, who is considered one of the most endangered incumbents in the nation because the district leans Democratic.

_____
A heavily redacted case report obtained by the Free Press on Monday indicates police considered the investigation into state Rep. Neil Friske, R-Charlevoix, an investigation into potential first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Friske, who has not been charged with a crime as an investigation into an early-morning Thursday incident in Lansing continues, said on a Michigan radio program Monday that he is "being framed," without explaining how he believed that was happening.

"Just the way events unfolded, it was very clear to me that something wasn't right and I was being framed, and trying to be framed, and being set up," Friske said on the "Your Defending Fathers" conservative radio program, hosted by Randy "Trucker Randy" Bishop, who is a former county GOP official in Antrim County.

More: Friske addresses arrest at event in Petoskey: 'Thrilled' not to be in jail

Friske said he couldn't discuss details of what happened, but he said he has done nothing wrong and does not plan to resign his seat. He said he planned to return to Lansing on Monday to participate, starting Tuesday, in what is scheduled to be the last week of the legislative session before the summer break. In a letter his campaign sent to supporters Monday, Friske said he was arrested due to "false allegations" and he expects to be exonerated.

The case report, filed Thursday morning hours after Lansing Police arrested Friske, is almost completely redacted. The portion that is not redacted indicates police were treating the case as an investigation into first-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony defined in part as involving sexual penetration by coercion or force.

Michigan State Rep. Neil Friske, R-Charlevoix

Friske was released from Lansing police lockup Friday morning and has not been charged with any crime. It is not clear what, if any, criminal charges the first-term lawmaker will face.

Scott Hughes, a spokesman for Ingham County Prosecutor John Dewane, had no update on the investigation when asked Monday for an estimate of how long it might take for officials to decide whether to file charges.

Records the Free Press obtained last week show Lansing police requested felony charges of sexual assault, assault, and a weapons-related offense against Friske, but did not specify the degree. The report reveals that at least in the investigative stage, police were treating it as first-degree criminal sexual conduct, the most serious of the sexual assault charges.

Edwar Zeineh, Friske's Lansing attorney, had no immediate response to the news that Lansing police had investigated for first-degree criminal sexual conduct. But Zeineh said Friday his office is conducting its own investigation aimed at convincing prosecutors that Friske should not be charged. He said he hopes to show his client is innocent of any wrongdoing.

Lansing police said a request from the Free Press under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act was mostly denied, due to the ongoing investigation. "The requested records are inextricably entwined with sensitive information, the disclosure would interfere with ongoing law enforcement investigative proceeding," a department official wrote.

Friske was arrested about 2:45 a.m. Thursday in the 2000 block of Windbreak Lane in Lansing, Lansing Police Department Director of Public Information Jordan Gulkis previously told the Free Press. Gulkis said officers were dispatched initially to the nearby 2100 block of Forest Road to respond to reports of a male with a gun, "as well as possible shots that were fired," she said in an email.

Friske is a first-term Republican lawmaker representing Michigan's 107th House District, which covers all of Charlevoix and Emmet counties and portions of Cheboygan, Chippewa and Mackinac counties, spanning both peninsulas. He has filed for reelection and is seeking a second term in the House this fall. He is the owner of Friske and Sons Property Management, according to his website.

In the Monday radio interview, Friske appeared to suggest his political opponents were somehow behind the Thursday incident.

"That's how these people work," Friske said.

"I just don't even understand how someone that wants to claim to be an upright, Christian person can run this kind of campaign and then live with themselves."

He added: "People see right through this. It's a century-old game. It's not even new."

Parker Fairbairn, a Harbor Springs small business owner, has filed to challenge Friske in the August GOP primary election.

Fairbairn said in a Monday email the idea that he had anything to do with Friske's arrest is "preposterous."

"My campaign has been nothing but issue- and legislation-focused with zero personal attacks," Fairbairn said.

Along with Friske and Fairbairn, Jodi Decker, of Sault Ste. Marie, has filed to run as a Democrat for the 107th District. Decker ran against Friske as the Democratic candidate in the 2022 election, losing by about 6,000 votes, or 13 percentage points.

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on X, @paulegan4.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Police report: Friske arrested on potential criminal sexual conduct
Report: At least 20 dead in fire at South Korean battery factory

Firefighters try to put out a fire at a primary lithium battery factory in Hwaseong. -/YNA/dpa

At least 20 people have died in a fire at a South Korean lithium battery factory near Seoul, public broadcaster KBS reported on Monday, citing rescue workers.

Their bodies were retrieved from the multi-storey building in the city of Hwaseong, south of Seoul.

It is feared that the number of victims could rise further.

The number of missing was initially put at 23, with most of them foreign workers.

South Korean Interior Minister Lee Sang-min (3rd L) visits the site of a fire at a primary lithium battery factory in Hwaseong. -/YNA/dpa
The polling was jarring, and the political narrative too juicy to resist. Stoked by surveys showing him getting as much as 23 percent of the Black vote, Donald Trump, with characteristic hubris, claimed he was capturing the Democrats most reliable base voters, trotting out supporters in Blacks for Trump T-shirts and holding what is typically an exclusively Democratic eventa rally in a Black Detroit church. The headline of one Wall Street Journal column gleefully touted it as Bidens Worst Nightmare. A gobsmacked CNN political data reporter concluded that Black voters were leaving the Democratic Party in droves, with the country headed toward a historic political shift. Other polling showed a dramatic shift among Hispanic voters from Biden to Trump, with the sitting president losing ground amongor outright losingLatinos to the man who separated immigrant families at the border, called Mexicans rapists, and promises mass deportations.

The polling bomb set off a moral panic on the left that lingers, fueling fears that shifting minority votes could send back to the White House the man who called for the death penalty for the later-exonerated Central Park Fiveand never apologized for itwho demonizes cities run by Black leaders, who cozies up to white supremacists, and has castigated immigrants as bad hombres who are poisoning the blood of American lineage.

A closer examination of the polling indicates Biden is not in as much trouble with minority voters as the Trump campaign believes (or at least would have the public believe). The president indeed suffers from a dearth of enthusiasm from a cranky electorate, but thats an across-the-board problem. Its not particular to Black and Hispanic voters. And if historical trends hold, Biden has a solid chance of bringing those traditional Democratic voters back home come November.

First, its fair to question whether the polling itselfwhile usefulis dispositive. Democrats have weathered similar scares in recent cycles. In 2022, a preelection poll by the nonpartisan National Association of Latino Elected Officials found that 57 percent of Latinos favored Democratic candidates for Congress. Exit polls determined that 64 percent voted for a Democratic House candidate. A projected drop in female Hispanic support never materialized: While 56 percent said before the election theyd vote for the Democrat in the midterms, 68 percent actually did so. Thats largely because the undecideds in that poll went for the Democrats, coming home in November as the party counted on them doing. And its in tune with elections from 2022 on, where Democrats have consistently overperformed in contests ranging from mayor to congressman.

Surveys of Black voters too seem inconsistent with the sky-is-falling reporting from the horse-race polling data. A Pew Research poll of Black voters in May found them consistently identifying with the Democratic Party in high numbers (83 percent to 88 percent since 1994). Theres very little party crossover in presidential races, making it unlikely that Trump picks up a significant part of that vote.

And as with Latinos in the midterms, there is historical evidence that disaffected Democratic base voters may withhold support for the party in interviews with pollsters but pull the Democratic lever in November. Fox News, reporting this week that Biden is ahead of Trump for the first time since October 2023, noted that the Democrat had 79 percent Black support in one of its 2020 surveysbut then went on to win 91 percent of the Black vote in Foxs own exit poll that year.

This isnt to suggest that Biden hasnt lost some ground among these voters. A recent Suffolk University poll of Black voters in Michigan and Pennsylvaniamore credible than broader surveys because the sample was limited to African Americansshowed committed Black support for Biden slipping (54 percent in Michigan and 58 percent in Pennsylvania, in a six-candidate field, after Biden took 92 percent of the Black vote in 2020) and a not-insignificant uptick for Trump (15 percent in Michigan and 16 percent in Pennsylvania, up from 7 percent in those states four years ago). If those numbers holdand polls like the 2020 Fox survey suggest they wontBiden would indeed have to make up a lot of votes in states where he needs it.

But theres little reason to believe that Bidens deterioration leads to increased Trump support. Black voters in the Pew survey had a dismal view of the Former Guys character, mental acuity, and physical fitness for the job. A YouGov national poll shows similar trends. In fact, 51 percent of Michigan Blacksand 61 percent of African American voters in Pennsylvaniabelieve Trump should be jailed when he is sentenced on his hush-money convictions, the Suffolk poll found. Hardly an indication Black voters are moving in droves to Trump. His much-touted new group, Black Americans for Trump, includes several paid Trump family staffersnot exactly a grassroots movement.

Democratic activists dont see it on the ground either and are skeptical of what Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock calls the data pollercoaster. The New Georgia Project Action Fund has knocked on 150,000 doors, talking to 120,000 people this cycle, and is not picking up any shift toward Trump.

I have not talked to a single voter who has said, Trump is the man, Keron Blair, the projects chief field and organizing officer, told me. That does not mean Black voters do not have serious and sustained concerns about a wide range of issues. But the choice is Biden versus the couchnot Biden versus Trump, he said.

There was also little evidence of a Trump groundswell among Blacks in the presidential primary season. In Georgia, 95 percent of Black voters requested a Democratic ballotdespite the fact that the Democratic presidential primary was not competitiveand 200,000 Blacks voted. Nor was there a surge in Black participation in GOP primaries elsewhere: Exit polls show that Black voters made up just 3 percent of Republican primary voters in South Carolina and 4 percent in Virginia. Both are open primaries, meaning Black voters could choose to vote in the GOP primary even if they had voted Democratic for years.

What diminishment in Black support does exist appears to be coming from younger voters and Black men, reframing the campaigns challenge. Is Biden in trouble with Black voters, or young voterssome of whom happen to be Black? Or is the yawning gender gap between Biden and Trump (Foxs new poll had Trump ahead by 15 percentage points among men and Biden ahead by 17 among women) merely being reflected across the racial and ethnic spectrum?

There is a tendency, among those reading polls (while wringing hands) to cast white, middle-aged men as the control group, segmenting others as identity politics voters. That makes the narrative of Blacks and Hispanics fleeing Biden particularly tantalizing. But Biden is leading among suburban votersa group he narrowly lost in 2020in current polls, a troubling sign for Trump. The same is true for senior voters, whom Trump won by five percentage points in 2020 but who now favor Biden by a stunning 15 percentage points, according to this weeks Fox poll. Parsing by race and ethnicity alone, then, does not show the complete picture.

Among Hispanics, the picture is more complicated and riper for misinterpretation. Latinos are not a homogenous group; Cuban Americans, concentrated in Florida, tend to be more Republican, of course, but differences exist among and within other segments of the Hispanic population as well.



True, national polling has shown Biden losing Latino support and Trump gaining it. (A Voto Latino poll last month found Biden with 59 percent support, compared to 39 percent for Trumpa slight narrowing from the 2020 exit poll results.) But when Hispanics are viewed state by state, the picture is more varied. In populous Florida and Texas, Hispanicsbeing Floridians and Texanstend to be more conservative, distorting the national numbers.

Democrats have fared better among Hispanics in the Southwest, taking Colorado and New Mexico out of contention and making Arizona a genuine battleground for the first time in decades. Both Nevada and Arizona are expected to be close this fall.

Even a minor erosion of Latino support can be pivotal in close elections, Fernand Amandi, a longtime pollster of Hispanics, warned me. But with Hispanics making up greater shares of the electorates there, the percentage losses can be made up in actual votes, as strategist Simon Rosenberg, one of the few to accurately dismiss the red wave predictions for 2022, observes. So even if Democrats have a smaller share of the Hispanic slice of the electoral pie, the actual slice is biggermeaning Democrats end up with more raw votes.

Its a mistake for either partisans or analysts to assume that the darker the skin, the bluer the vote. No voter group wants to be taken for granted, and both Black and Hispanic voters clearly want Biden to know he needs to pay attention to them. One day, the right Republican is going to come up with the messaging and policy equation to shake Democrats hold over minority voters. But will Donald Trump of all people really be that GOPer?

Im skeptical that the Republican who is going to have the breakthrough with Hispanic and Black voters will be the guy who is the most virulent racist and xenophobe we have seen in politics in several generations, Rosenberg told me. Trumps Black church rally in Detroitan event populated mainly by white peoplesuggests the polling is just like his Blacks-for-Trump event: a mirage.
House Republicans will again try to slash Defense Secretary Lloyd Austins annual salary from $221,000 to just $1 in retaliation for a host of conservative complaints against current military policies.

An amendment to the chambers annual defense appropriations bill offered by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., over the weekend would mandate the salary change. Its the second consecutive year she has offered the idea, which was adopted by House Republicans last fall but ultimately stripped out of the final legislation in negotiations with the Senate.

The pay reduction for the secretary of defense will be considered by the House Rules Committee on Tuesday and, if ruled in order, voted on by the full chamber later this week. It is one of more than 400 amendments to the $833.1 billion spending measure, many dealing with partisan fights and priorities.

GOP green lights FY25 defense bill, but more social fights ahead

Austin, 70, has been repeatedly attacked by Republicans in committee testimony and on the House floor over the last few years for the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, the militarys diversity and equity policies, recruiting shortfalls in the ranks and COVID-19 vaccine policies.

In addition, several lawmakers demanded his resignation earlier this year after he hid his prostate cancer diagnosis from senior military officials and the White House, a move for which he has publicly apologized.

Democratic lawmakers have blasted the salary reductions as unrealistic and petty. If the proposal were to be adopted by the Republican-majority House again this year, it would likely again be blocked by the Democratic-majority Senate before becoming law. The White House could also veto any measure including the salary cut.

House leaders are hoping to finalize their draft of the annual military appropriations bill by the end of the week. Senate leaders have not announced a timeline for when they plan to advance their draft of the spending plan.
(Bloomberg) -- The US Supreme Court turned away two vaccine-related appeals from Childrens Health Defense, the group founded by immunization skeptic and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

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The justices left intact a federal appeals court decision that said the group and five parents lacked legal standing to challenge the Food and Drug Administrations emergency approval of Covid-19 vaccines for children.

The high court also turned away contentions, pressed by Childrens Health Defense and 13 students, that Rutgers University violated the Constitution by making vaccination against Covid a condition of attending classes in the fall of 2021.

Kennedy, who is on leave as the chairman and chief legal officer of Childrens Health Defense, was listed as one of the lawyers pressing the appeal in the Rutgers case.

The justices didnt request a response from either the FDA or Rutgers, signaling they werent seriously considering accepting either appeal. Both rejections came without comment or public dissent.

The cases are Childrens Health Defense v. FDA, 23-1161, and Childrens Health Defense v. Rutgers, 23-1222.

The court separately refused to hear a challenge to Connecticuts 2021 elimination of its religious exemption for school vaccinations. The move, which Connecticut says was a needed response to declining vaccination rates, made it one of six states without a religious opt-out.

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Rioters set fire to buildings in French Pacific territory of New Caledonia

Rioters in New Caledonia set fire to a town hall and a police station overnight as the French Pacific territory was hit by a fresh surge of unrest.

The night was... marked by unrest throughout the mainland and on the island of Pins and Mare, requiring the intervention of numerous reinforcements: with attacks on the police, arson and roadblocks, said the High Commission, which represents the French state in the archipelago.

Rioting and looting erupted in New Caledonia in mid-May over an electoral reform plan that Indigenous Kanak people feared would leave them in a permanent minority, putting independence hopes definitively out of reach.

The unrest left nine dead and damage estimated at more than 1.5 billion (1.3 billion). The French government responded by sending more than 3,000 troops and police to the territory almost 10,600 miles from Paris.

In Dumbea, north of the capital Noumea, the municipal police station and a garage were set alight. Four armoured vehicles intervened, AFP reported. Several fires broke out in the Ducos and Magenta districts of Noumea, while police and separatists clashed in Bourail, resulting in one injury.

On Saturday, seven independence activists linked to a group accused of orchestrating the the riots in May were indicted and sent to mainland France for pre-trial detention.

On Monday morning, many schools were closed due to the renewed unrest.

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Deputy Alexander Vanny, 33, has been arrested for allegedly committing a sexual assault of a female volunteer at the Riverside Sheriff's Department. (Riverside Sheriff Department)

A Riverside County Sheriff's Department deputy was arrested Saturday and booked on suspicion of sexually assaulting a volunteer in the department, authorities said.

Alexander Vanny, 33, was arrested after the female volunteer reported a sexual assault to a deputy on Friday, according to the Sheriff's Department.

The deputy reported the allegation to a supervisor, prompting an investigation, according to the department.

The department said it found evidence of a sexual assault, which led to Vanny's arrest.

"The Riverside County Sheriffs Office condemns any form of misconduct involving its personnel on or off duty and remains resolute in its commitment to deterring and preventing such behavior," the department said in a press release.

Vanny is an eight-year veteran of the sheriff's department who most recently served in the Hemet Sheriff's Station.

He was being held on $1-million bail and was booked on suspicion of kidnapping to commit rape, rape by force and forced oral copulation. Records show Vanny was released Sunday.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
From Roe to Dobbs and Beyond: Diane Derzis lifetime in abortion care

Diane Derzis sits in her home on Friday, May 10, 2024 in Birmingham, Alabama. Derzis has worked for decades as an abortion clinic provider. She owned the clinic in Jackson, Mississippi at the center of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the 2022 decision where the U.S. Supreme Court overturned federal abortion rights protections. (Stew Milne for Alabama Reflector)

From Roe to Dobbs and Beyond

Diane Derzis Lifetime in Abortion Care

Monday is the 2nd anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which ended federal abortion rights protections in the United States. Today the Alabama Reflector begins a four-part profile of Diane Derzis, the owner of the clinic at the center of the decision, and her lifetime in abortion care.

Part 1: Diane Derzis went from working at an abortion clinic in Birmingham in the 1970s to running Summit Medical Center in the 1980s and 90s. She quickly became acquainted with the need  and the threats.

Part 2: Diane Derzis bought an abortion clinic in Birmingham and came face-to-face with violence.

Part 3: She had an opportunity to buy an abortion clinic in Mississippi, and took it. And that clinic, Jackson Womens Health Organization, was at the center of a lawsuit that ended abortion rights protections in the United States.

Part 4: How Derzis navigated the post-Dobbs landscape, and found a new home for the Jackson clinic.

Eight oclock had rolled in. It was the morning of Dec. 1, 2021. Dressed casually in jeans and a top, Diane Derzis was hanging out in a bedroom at her guesthouse on the property she owned in Pecos, New Mexico, about 30 minutes southeast of Santa Fe.

The bedrooms decor was Southwestern. Native American art and abstract works  all local, all found by Derzis  hung on the walls.

She was on her phone but not to make a call. Instead, she was listening to oral arguments in United States Supreme Court case 19-1392: Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

Three years earlier, Jackson Womens Health Organization, the only abortion clinic in the state of Mississippi, filed a lawsuit challenging a near-total 15-week abortion ban in the state. Derzis was one of the clinics co-owners. The clinic racked up victory after victory in the lower courts. But with each win came a new appeal from the state.

Mr. chief justice, and may it please the court, Mississippi Solicitor General Scott Stewart said, beginning his opening remarks. Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey haunt our country.

The Santa Fe area had always been a place where Derzis, then 67, found serenity. But that was before that morning.

They have no basis in the Constitution, Stewart continued. They have no home in our history or traditions. Theyve damaged the democratic process. Theyve poisoned the law. Theyve choked off compromise.

Derzis held her phone up to hear as she listened. She didnt have headphones. And even if she did, she wouldnt have known how to use them. Technology wasnt her thing.

For 50 years, theyve kept this court at the center of a political battle that it can never resolve, Stewart told the justices. And 50 years on, they stand alone. Nowhere else does this court recognize a right to end a human life.

After a while, Derzis took off. She had to get out of the house and blow off some energy. Greeted by the chill in the air, she walked around her sprawling property. She kept listening, though.

Hearing oral arguments play out that morning was hell. The case was lost, Derzis felt. She was depressed. And angry. Angry that the U.S. elected Donald Trump president.

Derziss mind is a whirlwind, routinely multitasking. But as she listened to the oral arguments, her brain found another gear. It whizzed a mile a second, going in a handful of different directions as that mornings proceeding played out at the nations high court. She thought about the excitement within the anti-abortion community. As well as the horror of those supporting abortion rights.

Another thought: Did she have the energy to do what needed to be done? She was in uncharted waters and didnt know what that was.

Yet another: How far back would overturning Roe put women? And how long until birth control would get taken away?

There was stuff regarding her clinic in Mississippi that she needed to take care of.

Eventually, Derzis bailed on the livestream. She just couldnt take it anymore.

  

Derzis lives in Birmingham with 10 dogs and two parrots. Theres a Southern twang to her voice. Her laughs are hearty. She is 70 years old and stands 5 feet, 4 inches tall, with very short, curly hair  light brown with highlights  to go along with brown eyes. You might catch her in jeans with a big top and a big diamond ring. She describes her look as eccentric. And she has fun with it.

Derzis is a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of person. Not pretentious. A thinker and multitasker. Always on the move.

When it comes to politics, Derzis is a Yellow Dog Democrat. Shes fiscally conservative, but socially progressive.

It wasnt always this way. Derzis used to be a Republican. Richard Nixon got her vote. At least in part, she flipped because she hated Ronald Reagan, his Hollywood background and his opposition to abortion.

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The oldest of three, Derzis was born on Feb. 24, 1954. She grew up in McGaheysville, Virginia, a small town a little more than an hour or so northwest of Charlottesville. She estimates that maybe 500 or 600 people lived there. It had a post office, a gas station and a country store.

She calls her life there simple, happy and middle-class. Her father worked as an insurance agent. Her mother, Derziss role model, worked a variety of jobs. She was very strong. She encouraged Derzis to develop skills that would ensure Derzis could always find work. She required her daughter to take a typing class in high school.

The message was you can do anything, Derzis said. But as she got older, her mother told her not only what she was capable of but what wasnt needed.

It was, You dont need a man. You dont need a man. You can do anything yourself, she remembered. And that was, in retrospect, exceedingly important.

After graduating high school, Derzis enrolled at Madison College  now James Madison University  in the fall of 1972. A little over a year later at age 19, she was married. By then, Derzis had dropped out of college.

Derzis and her then-husband moved to Alabama in 1974. That year, she got pregnant. The pregnancy horrified her.

There were so many things I wanted to do, she said. I wanted to finish school, and I knew that I had a life and it did not consist of being poor and having a child and a husband.

In January 1975, Derzis visited an OB-GYN who had a doctors office in Homewood, outside Birmingham. The Supreme Courts ruling in Roe v. Wade had legalized abortion nationwide two years earlier. However, Alabama didnt have any dedicated abortion clinics at the time. In the waiting room at the doctors office, a thought struck her.

Jesus, God, look at all these people here.

They were all there for the same reason she was. There were young people. Middle-aged. Old. One couple waiting was from Tennessee, the woman in a long dress and old shoes, the man in overalls.

Her abortion cost $125. She paid in cash. It was the only method of payment allowed.

A day later, Derzis saw a political advertisement on TV. A woman running for office was discussing her anti-abortion views. The ad had fetuses.

The anger started then of, How dare you try to tell me that I just killed a baby? Derzis said. Thats how it started.

  

Derzis returned to college later that year, enrolling at the University of Montevallo, where she studied psychology and sociology. She graduated in 1978.

After starting her studies, an abortion clinic opened up in Birmingham. For months, Derzis hounded the clinic for a job. She wasnt picky. She just wanted to work there.

Finally, a job offer came. It was early 1976, and she made $5 an hour as a counselor.

As a counselor, Derzis explained the procedure to potential patients and how theyd feel during the operation as well as after it. And it was her job to create a rapport and establish trust with the potential patients, so that theyd feel comfortable asking questions. Derzis also wanted to make sure potential patients wanted to go forward with their abortion.

She eventually left the clinic and spent some time selling cars. One day, a golden ticket showed up in the form of a guy from Boca Raton, Florida. He owned multiple abortion clinics and was opening a new one in Birmingham. And he wanted Derzis to run it.

The clinic became Summit Medical Center. Running that clinic was when Derzis grew into a businesswoman. She ran the new clinic as if it was her own.

She also started lobbying the state Legislature on behalf of Summit Medical Center. According to the Birmingham Post-Herald, legislators nicknamed her the Abortion Queen. She wore the nickname as a badge of honor.

The Summit years were also when Derzis got her first real taste of anti-abortion protesters. Protesting is a right she backs. She draws the line, though, when protesting infringes upon someone elses rights. That line, she said, was crossed during her years running Summit Medical Center. Repeatedly.

Patients coming and going would get harassed. The clinics front entrance would get glued shut with an adhesive. The first time the entrance got glued shut, it temporarily shut the clinic down for a couple hours. From then on, Summit Medical Center didnt miss a beat when its glass front doors were sealed.

The clinic adapted. The staff figured out new ways to get people in and out. As a result of protests outside the clinic occasionally escalating, Derzis hired an off-duty police officer to work as a guard.

Summit Medical Center got a fax at least every other week from an organization called the Feminist Majority, which routinely sent abortion clinics information about dangerous protesters. Photos. Where they had been. Their police records.

Sometimes, during bigger protests, protesters would surround Summit and chain themselves to the clinics metal fence. Derzis remembers one time when staff and patients at the clinic were trapped.

It was scary. I mean, you could see the hatred, you could feel the tension and the hatred and vitriol, Derzis said. To this day, I was so surprised there were not patients killed, or their persons that brought them.

There were multiple bomb threats, too. It got to the point that the staff just ignored them. People at the clinic were told how to open mail and when to not open it at all.

There was nothing that was not a problem or a potential problem, Derzis said. It was crisis, crisis, crisis mode. And, to be honest with you, we thrived.

There was nothing that was not a problem or a potential problem. It was crisis, crisis, crisis mode. And, to be honest with you, we thrived.

 Diane Derzis

Early on at Summit, Derzis hired a doctor. Right around the time he was about to start working at the clinic, though, he backed out. The reason: Someone had broken into his garage and left a note on the windshield of the car inside. It said the doctor had two children to lose.

The message was, We can get to you anytime we want to, Derzis explained.

One day, Derzis noticed someone had removed four Yucca plants at her house. Each was 5- or 6-feet tall. Removing the poisonous plants opened up a direct shot for a sniper, she realized. Thats just how her brain was wired.

Derzis believes the target was a doctor from out of the area who occasionally worked at Summit Medical Center. That doctor stayed at Derziss house.

Threats to her life were always in the back of Derziss mind. She looked in her rearview mirror when she would go home. She carried pepper spray, a taser and a Smith & Wesson gun. But that worry never reached the tipping point that would have made her want to quit working at the clinic.

Still, she was burned out.

I didnt know who Diane was anymore outside of the abortion-clinic woman because that was all-consuming  and that was no ones fault but my own, she said.

Derzis started going to a therapist. One day, the therapist told her that she knew the answers and had known them since the day she walked into the therapists office. The question the therapist posed was: What was she going to do about it?

She had to change her life. The Abortion Queen had to hang up her crown.

It was terrifying, she said.

Next: Derzis gets back into abortion clinic management and comes face-to-face with violence.

The post From Roe to Dobbs and Beyond: Diane Derzis lifetime in abortion care appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
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.
Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) said Sunday that he will send a letter requesting President Biden take drug tests before and after Thursdays debate against former President Trump.

Jackson, who served as Trumps White House physician and medical adviser, also claimed in a Fox News Sunday Morning Futures interview with Maria Bartiromo, without evidence, that Biden has been taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Im going to be demanding on behalf of many millions of concerned Americans right now that [Biden] submit to a drug test before and after this debate, specifically looking for performance-enhancing drugs, Jackson said. Because we see  we have seen recently in his State of the Union address  that there was a Joe Biden that came out that was not similar at all to what we see on a day-to-day basis for the last 3.5 years.

And theres just really no way to explain that, other than he was on something, that theyd given him medications, he continued.

Bidens State of the Union performance was lauded by Democrats, with supporters saying the president appeared lively and energetic as he continues to fight concerns over his age.

Jackson noted he had sent five previous letters to the White House requesting that Biden take a cognitive test similar to the one he gave to Trump while he was president. The test, which Trump has repeatedly bragged that he aced, is intended to discover signs of Alzheimers and other cognitive diseases.

The congressman also speculated, again without evidence, that the president is being given drugs while at Camp David this week. Biden will spend the week before the debate at the presidential retreat as part of preparations.

I feel like this is probably whats going on over this week at Camp David, Jackson said. Part of that is probably experimenting with just getting the doses just right, because they have to treat his cognition.

They have to give him something to help him think straighter. They have to give him something to wake him up to  for his alertness, he continued. And then hes been agitated. We see that all the time. And thats a common  thats a common symptom or sign of this cognitive disorder that he seems to be suffering from.

Jackson was criticized while serving his in his role as Trumps physician for allegedly exaggerating Trumps health for political reasons. Trump was a major backer of Jacksons congressional campaign in 2020.

The congressman was also retroactively demoted from his rank of rear admiral in the Navy to captain in 2022 after an Inspector Generals report found that he became drunk and mistreated subordinates while he served as physician to the president.

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates brushed off Jacksons claims, pointing to a previous comment to Politico last month.

Its telling that Republican officials are unable to stop announcing how intimidated they remain by [the] Presidents State of the Union performance, Bates said.

Updated at 8:11 p.m.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies:

These goods were recovered in a recent operation to stop retail thefts.

This firearm was seized during a recent law enforcement operation to stop retail thefts.

19 arrested in retail thefts

Nineteen people were arrested recently in a "blitz operation" conducted by a local task force formed to combat organized retail thefts in Ventura County.

An estimated $5,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered along with a loaded firearm, a false government identification card, burglary tools, methamphetamine, fentanyl and prescription pills, officials said.

Local police agencies along with retailers and security personnel at the Camarillo Premium Outlets joined up to conduct the blitz from May 31 through June 2, officials said.

They described the blitz as a saturation of resources and law enforcement personnel concentrated on stores to combat retail theft.

The 17 adults and two juveniles who were arrested reside in the Los Angeles area except three who live in Oxnard, according to a news release issued in mid-June by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

Called the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force, the group seeks to identify, locate and arrest individuals who commit the crimes.

The task force involves all law enforcement agencies in the county, according to a news release issued by sheriff's officials. The organization aims to prevent and combat an estimated $10 million yearly loss from organized retail heists and thefts of vehicles, vehicle parts and ocean-going cargo.

Persons with information on the thefts are encouraged to call a recorded line at 805-383-8703 or the Crime Stoppers Tip Line 800-222-TIPS (8477). Individuals may remain anonymous when calling either number, according to authorities.

Newbury Park family targeted in real estate fraud scheme

A Georgia man pleaded not guilty late last week to several felonies in connection with what prosecutors say was a scheme to defraud a Newbury Park family.

The 30-year-old man from the Atlanta metropolitan area has been charged with one count of receiving stolen property and two counts of money laundering following an investigation by the real estate fraud unit of the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.

The family was targeted during its attempt to buy a local home, the DA's office said in a news release issued Thursday. The family inadvertently followed bogus instructions to wire more than $200,000 to an account allegedly under the control of the defendant, officials said.

The defendant formed multiple false limited liability corporations to receive and then launder large amounts of cash stolen from the property transaction, the DA's office said. Then he separated the proceeds into smaller amounts and transferred the money to bank accounts under the control of a 39-year-old female codefendant, officials allege.

The codefendant is also accused of using false corporations to open multiple accounts at separate banks in Georgia to receive and launder stolen cash from real estate transactions.

The male defendant was arrested June 4 by federal customs authorities at an Atlanta airport and extradited to Ventura County two weeks later. He was booked into county jail in Ventura and remained there Sunday with bail set at $300,000. A bail review hearing is scheduled Tuesday.

The female codefendant is wanted on a $200,000 warrant for her arrest, according to the DA's office. She did not appear to be in county jail as of Sunday.

These items may be updated.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Fraud scheme alleged, 19 arrested in retail theft blitz
Russia appears to be placing military facilities near civilian areas in Crimea to deter Ukrainian strikes, experts say

Russia appears to be placing military facilities near civilian areas in Crimea to deter Ukrainian strikes, experts say

Russia accused Ukraine of injuring civilians in an ATACMS attack on Crimea on Sunday.

Russia is likely placing military facilities near civilians to deter Ukrainian strikes, experts say.

Sevastopol's governor said four people were killed and 82 hospitalized as a result of the attack.

Russia is likely placing military facilities near civilian areas in Crimea to try to deter further Ukrainian strikes, military analysts said.

The influential Institute for the Study of War reached the conclusion in an assessment on Sunday, citing a reported strike against Sevastopol, where Russia has its Black Sea Fleet headquarters.

On Sunday, Russia's Ministry of Defence accused Ukraine of launching five American-made MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems, also known as ATACMS, with cluster warheads on civilian infrastructure in Sevastopol.

Four ATACMS were shot down, it said, but the impact from a Russian air-defense interceptor caused one to deviate from its trajectory and its warhead to explode midair over the city.

Fragments of cluster munitions injured more than 20 civilians, including children, it said, adding that the US was partly to blame.

In a Telegram post on Sunday, Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russia-installed governor of Sevastopol, said four people were killed, 151 sought medical help, and 82 were hospitalized as of 9 p.m. local time.

Russian and Ukrainian sources appeared to confirm the missile strike, with some claiming cluster munitions landed near civilians.

Ukrainian state broadcaster Suspilne said its sources heard explosions in the city of Yevpatoria.

Crimean Wind, a pro-Ukrainian group that monitors information in Crimea, posted footage that it said showed explosions in Yevpatoria and near Vytine.

Meanwhile, one Russian source claimed the attack hit the village of Lyubimovka, only kilometers away from beaches popular with vacationers and locals.

Placing potential military targets near civilian infrastructure is a strategy Russia has leveraged in the past, with the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and schools in occupied Ukraine used to shield Russian military equipment, the ISW reported.

However, in doing so, Russia is likely breaking its own International Humanitarian Law, which says that military command must refrain from placing military targets close to or in highly populated areas.

Neither the ISW nor Business Insider could independently verify if Ukrainian forces used missiles armed with cluster munitions.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Earlier this month, the ISW said that Ukraine's sustained attacks against Russian air defenses in Crimea could make the peninsula untenable as a military staging ground.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed Ukraine used American-provided weapons in a strike on occupied Crimea on June 23 that allegedly killed four people and injured 151.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed five U.S.-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles were used in the attack, four of which were intercepted with a fifth exploding in mid-air leading to "numerous casualties among civilians in Sevastopol."

Russian Telegram channels posted photos and videos of the alleged attack, reporting that many people were injured on the beach of Uchkuevka, a village in the northern part of Sevastopol.

"All flight missions for the American ATACMS operational-tactical missiles are entered by American specialists based on their own U.S. satellite intelligence data," the Russian Defense Ministry claimed in a post on Telegram.

"Therefore, responsibility for the deliberate missile attack on civilians in Sevastopol lies primarily with Washington, which supplied these weapons to Ukraine, as well as the Kyiv regime, from whose territory this attack was launched."

"Such actions will not go unanswered."

The reports could not be independently verified, and Ukraine has not commented on the news at this time.

Russian forces regularly attack Ukrainian towns and cities with cruise and ballistic missiles, and drones, killing and injuring civilians as well as destroying critical infrastructure.

Ukraine's military reported on a number of attacks against the Crimean peninsula in recent weeks, allegedly scoring successful hits against Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems.

Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed two radars of S-300 and S-400 air defense systems near the Belbek military airfield and Sevastopol overnight on June 12.

On June 10, Kyiv also claimed a successful hit against S-400 and S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems in several areas in occupied Crimea.

Federico Borsari, a Leonardo Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), told the Kyiv Independent on June 12, that the recent string of Ukrainian strikes against occupied Crimea may help degrade Russian air defenses in the area and decrease the threat to Ukrainian tactical aviation.

"The goal is to dismantle (the) Russian A2/AD (anti-access/area denial) bubble in Crimea before the arrival of Western fighter jets, especially F-16," Borsari said, adding the strikes also impose "serious capability losses and costs that are difficult to replenish and absorb."

Read also: Mass shooting in Russias Dagestan region, 15 police officers killed, 25 injured

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has noted that Russia's attempts to coerce South Korea into abandoning military assistance to Ukraine have failed.

Source: ISW

Quote: "South Korea has adopted a firm approach against Russia in the wake of recently intensified Russo-North Korean cooperation, suggesting that Russian efforts to threaten Seoul into withholding aid from Ukraine have failed."

Previously: 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.

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.

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Russia places military facilities near civilian areas in Crimea to deter Ukrainian strikes  ISW

Following Russian claims of an attack on Sevastopol, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has pointed out that Russia is deliberately placing military facilities near civilian areas in temporarily occupied Crimea, trying to deter Ukrainian strikes.

Source: ISW

Details: The Russian Defence Ministry claimed on 23 June that Ukrainian forces launched five ATACMS missiles armed with cluster munitions on Sevastopol, with Russian forces intercepting four of them.

They said one missile deviated and detonated due to the impact of a Russian air defence interceptor.

The Russian Defence Ministry blamed the US for civilian casualties in Sevastopol because they provided Ukraine with missiles, despite acknowledging that the Russian interceptor caused the deviation and detonation.

A Crimea-focused Russian blogger posted footage on 23 June showing explosions near Yevpatoriia and Vityne, also mentioning explosions near Chornomorske and Mizhvodne.

Ukrainian outlet Suspilne Krym reported explosions in Yevpatoriia as well.

Footage from that day showed civilians on a beach in Sevastopol during and after the missile strike.

Russian sources said cluster munitions landed on civilians near a beach in Uchkuivka Park, northern Sevastopol, with Mikhail Razvozhayev, the so-called governor of Sevastopol, claiming four deaths and 151 injuries.

Ukrainian military officials neither confirmed nor denied the strike.

ISW could not independently verify if Ukrainian forces used ATACMS missiles with cluster munitions, but the Russian Defence Ministry's blame on the US appears to be aimed at discouraging further US security aid to Ukraine.

Russian military bloggers criticised the Russian Defence Ministry and Crimeas occupation authorities for failing to prevent the strike and protect civilians. They specifically noted the lack of reinforced shelters near the beach, comparing this to shelters built in Russias Belgorod Oblast near the Ukraine border.

Footage shows Russian forces have been placing military equipment in civilian areas in Crimea since the full-scale invasion began.

Russian authorities have promoted tourism to Crimea during the war while using the peninsula for military staging.

The military likely positions targets near civilian areas to deter Ukrainian strikes.

Russian forces have used the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and schools in the occupied parts of Ukraine to shield military equipment, likely violating regulations on International Humanitarian Law that prohibit placing military targets near densely populated areas.

To quote the ISW's Key Takeaways on 23 June:

The Islamic State (IS) Northern Caucasus branch Wilayat Kavkaz likely conducted a complex and coordinated attack against churches, synagogues, and law enforcement structures in the Republic of Dagestan on 23 June.

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) accused Ukrainian forces of conducting a short-range ATACMS strike against occupied Sevastopol on 23 June. Russian milbloggers widely criticised the Russian MoD and Russias occupation authorities in Crimea for failing to prevent the strike and sufficiently protect Russian civilians.

Ukrainian forces struck a Russian motorised rifle regiment command post in Nekhoteevka, Belgorod Oblast.

Recent drone footage showing a Russian soldier executing a wounded fellow servicemember exemplifies the brutal culture that is pervasive within the Russian Armed Forces.

South Korea has adopted a firm approach against Russia in the wake of recently intensified Russo-North Korean cooperation, suggesting that Russian efforts to threaten Seoul into withholding aid from Ukraine have failed.

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) detained two former senior employees of the Wagner Group-affiliated Patriot media holding on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the Wagner mutiny.

Russian forces recently seized Shumy and advanced near Donetsk City and Robotyne.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin signed a law on 22 June officially transferring the Cossack Cadet Corps and the Russian Naval Cadet Corps to the jurisdiction of the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD).

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The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has extended the list of individuals banned from entering Russia in response to the 14th sanctions package of the European Union against Moscow.

Source: statement on the website of Russias Foreign Affairs Ministry, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Russias Foreign Affairs Ministry claimed that it had extended "the list of the representatives of European institutions and EU member states", banned from entering the territory of Russia, in response to "unfriendly steps".

The Russian Foreign Ministry has not provided the full list but revealed that it included the representatives of the EU countries and the employees of the EU institutions who facilitate the supply of military aid to Ukraine and "persecute Russian officials" for violating international law.

"The representatives of the Council of Europe, members of legislative assemblies of EU countries and national delegations in PACE, who systematically spread aggressive claims towards the Russian Federation were added to the corresponding Russian stop-list," the Russian ministry noted.

Background: On Monday, 24 June, the Council of the European Union adopted the 14th package of economic and individual sanctions against Russia. For the first time since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine these restrictions include sanctions against Russian gas.

Reportedly, the Hungarian government approved the 14th EU sanctions package which provides for a restricted supply of Russian liquefied gas in exchange for the guarantee that no current or future measures would threaten the implementation of the Paks II nuclear power plant project.

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The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday claimed U.S.-made missiles were used in a deadly weekend attack on Russia-annexed Crimea.

The ministry, in a statement Monday, said Washington has effectively become a party to Ukraines fight against Russia, warning that Retaliatory measures will certainly follow, The Associated Press reported. The statement did not elaborate.

The ministry summoned U.S. Ambassador Lynne Tracy to protest the alleged use of U.S.-supplied weapons, according to AP. Russia illegally occupied Crimea starting in 2014.

Russias Defense Ministry echoed this sentiment, stating both Ukraine and the U.S. bore responsibility for a deliberate missile strike on civilians, AP reported. It added U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles were used in the attack, which reportedly killed four people and injured more than 150 others.

The Hill reached out to the U.S. State Department and Pentagon for comment. Russias claims could not be independently verified.

Western-supplied weaponry has been used by Ukrainian forces throughout Kyivs war with Russia, which began more than three years ago. However, the U.S. has placed restrictions on their use in Russian territory.

Some Western officials worry the use of Western weapons and ammunition in Russian-claimed areas could provoke the Kremlin and expand the war beyond Ukraine. However, Ukraine and its backers argue it must be able to attack Russias military in the places where it is staging attacks and offensives on Ukraine.

The attack on Crimea comes days after the Pentagon announced it was permitting Ukraines military to use longer-range missiles provided by the U.S. to strike targets deeper inside Russia, expanding upon President Bidens initial loosening of restrictions last month.

The Biden administration initially partially lifted a ban on Ukraine forces using U.S. arms to strike within Russian territory. The move followed increased pressure on U.S. officials to change their position.

Western allies have previously declared Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, is a fair target for Ukraine, the AP noted.

Those killed in Sundays attack included two children who were hit by falling debris from Ukrainian missiles shot down near Sevastopol, a port city in Crimea, the AP reported, citing Russian officials.

The Associated Press contributed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Russian occupation authorities of Crimea have introduced a state of emergency in the temporarily occupied city of Sevastopol.

Source: Mikhail Razvozhayev, Russian-appointed governor of Sevastopol

Details: The relevant "decree" was published by Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-appointed governor of Sevastopol.

It is reported that the state of emergency of regional significance is introduced until a special order is issued.

Razvozhayev claimed that as of the evening of 23 June, four people, including two children, were killed in the strike on Sevastopol, 151 people sought medical assistance, and 82 were taken to hospital.

On the morning of 24 June, Razvozhayev said that they were "resolving the issue" of transporting 15-20 people who were injured to Moscow.

Background:

The Russian Ministry of Defence reported an attack supposedly "on the civilian infrastructure of the city of Sevastopol with US-supplied ATACMS tactical missiles".

The Russian Ministry of Defence also acknowledged that civilian casualties were caused by the Russian air defence operation. Thus, one of the missiles "deviated from the flight path with the explosion of the warhead in the air above the city." Missile pieces fell in several areas of Sevastopol, including the beach.

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A 62-year-old man was killed and another person injured after a Russian guided bomb attack on the town of Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin said on June 24.

"The Russians do not stop their crimes on our land," Filashkin said in a post on Telegram.

Elsewhere in Donetsk Oblast on June 24, at least four people were killed and 34 injured in a Russian ballistic missile attack on the city of Pokrovsk.

In a post on Telegram, Filashkin said Russian forces fired two Iskander missiles at the city, destroying a house and damaging 16 others.

Two children, aged 12 and 13, are reportedly among the wounded.

"This is one of the largest enemy attacks on civilians in recent times," Filashkin added.

Earlier on June 24, Filashkin reported a 63-year-old woman was killed and a 64-year-old man injured in a Russian attack on the town of Toretsk, also located in Donetsk Oblast.

Read also: At least 4 dead, 34 wounded after Russian missile attack on Pokrovsk

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In this photo released by The Telegram Channel of the administration of the head of Dagestan Republic of Russia on Monday, June 24, 2024, the head of Dagestan Republic Sergei Melikov, center, embraces and comforts a priest as he visits the Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Derbent after a counter-terrorist operation in republic of Dagestan, Russia. Multiple police officers and several civilians, including an Orthodox priest, were killed by armed militants in Russia's southern republic of Dagestan on Sunday, its governor Sergei Melikov said in a video statement early Monday. (The Telegram Channel of the administration of the head of Dagestan Republic of Russia via AP)

MOSCOW (AP)  Russias southern region of Dagestan held the first of three days of mourning Monday following an attack by Islamic militants who authorities say killed 20 people, mostly police, and attacked Christian and Jewish houses of worship in assaults in two cities.

Sunday's violence in Dagestan's regional capital of Makhachkala and nearby Derbent was the latest that officials blamed on Islamic extremists in the predominantly Muslim region in the North Caucasus. It was also the deadliest in Russia since March, when gunmen opened fire at a concert in suburban Moscow, killing 145 people.

An affiliate of the Islamic State group in Afghanistan had claimed responsibility for March's raid and quickly praised the attack in Dagestan, saying it was conducted by brothers in the Caucasus who showed that they are still strong."

The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War argued that the Islamic State group's North Caucasus branch, Vilayat Kavkaz, likely was behind the attack, describing it as complex and coordinated.

Dagestan Gov. Sergei Melikov blamed members of Islamic sleeper cells directed from abroad, but didn't give any other details. He said in a video statement that the assailants aimed at sowing panic and fear, and attempted to link the attack to Moscows military action in Ukraine  but also provided no evidence.

President Vladimir Putin had sought to blame the March attack on Ukraine, again without evidence and despite the claim of responsibility by the Islamic State affiliate. Kyiv has vehemently denied any involvement.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin has received reports on Sunday's attacks and efforts to help the victims.

The Investigative Committee, the countrys top state criminal investigation agency, said all five attackers were killed. Of the 20 people killed, at least 15 were police.

Medical authorities in Dagestan said at least 46 people were injured. Of those, at least 13 were police, with four officers hospitalized in grave condition.

Among the dead was the Rev. Nikolai Kotelnikov, a 66-year-old Russian Orthodox priest at a church in Derbent. The attackers slit his throat before setting fire to the church, according to Shamil Khadulayev, deputy head of a local public oversight body. The attack came as the Orthodox faithful celebrated Pentecost, also known as Trinity Sunday.

Melikov, the Dagestan governor, said Sunday that also among the dead were a Russian Orthodox believer and 18 Muslims.

The Kele-Numaz synagogue in Derbent also was set ablaze.

Shortly after the attacks in Derbent, militants fired at a police post in Makhachkala and attacked a Russian Orthodox Church and a synagogue there before being killed by special forces.

Russian news reports said the attackers included the two sons and a nephew of Magomed Omarov, the head of the Dagestan regional branch of the pro-Kremlin United Russia party. Omarov was detained by police for interrogation, and United Russia quickly dismissed him from its ranks. Melikov later said Omarov had been removed from his post, Russian state news agencies reported.

In the early 2000s, Dagestan saw near-daily attacks on police and other authorities that was blamed on militant extremists. After the emergence of the Islamic State group, many residents of the region joined it in Syria and Iraq.

The violence in Dagestan has abated in recent years, but in a sign that extremist sentiments still run high in the region, mobs rioted at an airport there in October, targeting a flight from Israel. More than 20 people were hurt  none of them Israelis  when hundreds of men, some carrying banners with antisemitic slogans, rushed onto the tarmac, chased passengers and threw stones at police.

The airport rampage challenged the Kremlin's narrative that ethnic and religious groups coexist in harmony in Russia.

After March's Moscow concert hall attack, Russias top security agency reported that it had broken up what it called a terrorist cell in southern Russia and arrested four of its members who had provided weapons and cash to suspected attackers in Moscow.

Harold Chambers, political and security analyst specializing in the North Caucasus, noted the authorities' response to Sunday's attack was significantly more than we have seen in the past, but still lacking, particularly with response time.

They were definitely caught off guard by this attack, he said. "What were seeing here is still this disconnect between Russian counterterrorism capability and what the terrorists capability is inside of Russia.
Russian saboteurs burned down a Berlin factory to hit weapons supplies to Ukraine. Just one problem  the facility made car parts.

A massive fire at a factory in Berlin last month was set by Russian saboteurs, per WSJ.

They were targeting the flow of arms to Ukraine, the outlet reports.

But the factory, owned by Diehl Metal, makes parts for cars and electrical systems, not weapons.

In early May, scores of German firefighters massed at a metal technology plant in southwest Berlin as it burned. Some 200 firemen were deployed to battle the blaze that Friday morning amid concerns that the flames could interact with chemicals in the factory.

It was a major event for the neighborhood in Lichterfelde, with residents told to shut their windows and stay home as the rooftop belched a steady column of black smoke. At least four floors of the facility were eventually burned through.

A month later, The Wall Street Journal reports that the fire at the Diehl Metal factory was an arson attempt carried out under Russia's auspices.

Citing unnamed security officials, the outlet reported on Sunday that a NATO intelligence agency had intercepted communications showing Russia's involvement and passed it to German authorities.

German outlet Bild also reported on the intercepted messages.

The Journal reported that Russia intended to hit arms supplies to Ukraine. Diehl Metal's parent company also manufactures the IRIS-T anti-air systems given to Kyiv.

But Diehl Group's arms manufacturer, Diehl Defence, only lists a representative's office in Berlin, and its factories and major facilities are spread across southern Germany.

Meanwhile, the Diehl Metal factory that burned down instead makes parts "primarily for the automotive and electrical industries," according to its website.

The Journal reported, citing the unnamed security officials, that Germany hasn't blamed Russia for the fire because the intercepted messages aren't admissible in German courts.

Still, the fire at the Diehl Metal factory has added fuel to concerns of Russian sabotage attempts on civilian infrastructure and military installations among Ukraine's European allies.

Suspected targets in recent months include a warehouse in the UK that was set on fire and US military bases in Germany.

The Financial Times reported Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics saying the spate of incidents and attempts was "testing our response" and that NATO was still determining how best to act.

US State Secretary Antony Blinken said on May 31 that the alliance has been tracking sabotage attempts closely.

"I can tell you that in the meeting of foreign ministers today virtually every ally was seized with this intensification of Russia's hybrid attacks," he said at a press conference in Prague. "We know what they're up to, and we will respond both individually and collectively as necessary."

Diehl and the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A fire at the Diehl Metal Applications gutted the building and destroyed cctv - Sean Gallup/Getty

A large fire at an arms factory in Berlin was likely caused by Russian saboteurs trying to disrupt weapons deliveries to Ukraine, Western intelligence officials believe.

German investigators initially declared that the blaze, which sent huge clouds of smoke rising over the factory in the German capital on May 3, was just an accident.

But intelligence officials now suspect that the fire was deliberately started by Russian operatives and have shared supporting evidence with the German government, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The factory in Berlins Lichterfelde neighbourhood belongs to Diehl Metal Applications, part of the Diehl group, a German defence firm supporting the Ukrainian war effort.

Russia has stepped up efforts to sabotage Nato infrastructure as part of a so-called Hybrid War strategy against the alliance, which is giving military support to Ukraine.

There have already been similar sabotage incidents in Britain and Poland, such as a suspected arson attack in east London targeting a Ukraine-linked property and a large fire near Warsaw.

Investigators initially thought the fire was caused by a technical fault - Sean Gallup/Getty

Security officials told the Wall Street Journal that they believed the sabotage was the work of seasoned professionals, but not necessarily Russian state agents.

They pointed out that Russia has previously relied on civilians and particularly criminal networks who are often paid in cryptocurrency.

Officials close to the investigation told the newspaper that the fire started in an area where only a few people would have had access. All cctv footage of that location has been lost to the fire, they added.

This is like the gig economy for sabotage and terror, perpetrators get recruited like Uber drivers, but the effect is often the same as with using professionals, a senior Western security official told the newspaper.

A spokesman for Diehl told the Wall Street Journal that a report by its insurers found a technical fault to be the cause of the fire, adding that in theory sabotage could have been the root cause.

German police have launched a fresh investigation into the fire and authorities are not ruling out any possibilities, including sabotage by a foreign power.

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Russian saboteurs likely behind arson attack on German factory, security officials tell WSJ

Russian saboteurs were allegedly behind an arson attack on a Berlin factory owned by German metal manufacturer Diehl, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on June 24, citing unnamed security officials.

The factory, which belongs to Diehl Metal Applications, a subsidiary of the Diehl group that manufactures IRIS-T air defense systems used by Ukraine, caught on fire in May, resulting in the destruction of much of the building.

At the time, widely circulated social media posts alleged that Russian operatives had attacked a factory producing defense material, and Russian news claimed that the factory that manufactures IRIS-T systems had burned down. The factory in question was actually separate from Diehl's defense production subsidiary, and there was no evidence that it was involved in creating military equipment.

The factory has since resumed operations.

German investigators initially said that the fire was likely accidental, and Diehl's insurers issued a report on June 21 saying that it was the result of technical problems. At the same time, a company spokesperson acknowledged that the fire may have been caused by "sabotage."

Unnamed security officials told the WSJ that a number of details revealed in the subsequent investigation point to Russian involvement and the direct work of "experienced professionals."

Two German officials said that "electronic-communications intercepts that provided evidence of Russia's involvement werent admissible in German courts, preventing authorities from clearly attributing the attack and pursuing criminal charges."

Western intelligence officials have warned about increasing Russian sabotage operations across Europe.

Several suspects have been arrested in recent months in Germany, Austria, Estonia, and other countries for allegedly spying for Russia or other forms of collaboration with Russian intelligence.

Read also: FT: Russia plotting violent sabotage across Europe, intelligence agencies warn

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Russian ships are being taken out by mines covertly laid by Ukrainian sea drones: report

Ukrainian sea drones are laying mines to damage Russian ships in the Black Sea, the WSJ reported.

Four ships, including missile corvette Samum and patrol ship Pavel Derzhavin, have been hit.

Laying mines by naval drone is part of Ukraine's unconventional warfare program.

Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels are laying undersea mines that have already damaged several Russian warships in the Black Sea, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Brig Gen Ivan Lukashevych, of Ukraine's SBU security service, described to the Journal the development of a specialized Sea Baby drone capable of laying Western-supplied bottom mines  small, 400-pound mines that sit under the sea bed.

According to Lukashevych, once in place the mines can detect a ship's sounds and electromagnetic signals and explode when one is nearby.

The paper reported that the mines have damaged four Russian warships to date, including the missile corvette Samum and the patrol ship Pavel Derzhavin.

While successful attacks on Russian ships using sea drones packed with explosives have been well documented, the use of drones to lay mines has not received the same attention.

But after Russia boosted its defenses at the Crimean port of Sevastopol, making explosive naval drone attacks much more difficult, mines came into play, the Journal reported.

After carefully mapping routes used by both civilian and military vessels last summer, Lukashevych's team sent drones out to lay mines, according to the outlet.

The Samum triggered one of the mines in September, the paper reported. At the time, intelligence sources briefed Reuters and Ukrainan media that it had been struck by a Sea Baby drone.

A month later, the Pavel Derzhavin was damaged by an explosion, attributed to a Sea Baby by unnamed SBU sources.

Two days later, the vessel headed out of Sevastopol for repairs  only to be struck again, this time by one of Lukashevych's mines, the Journal reported.

The tugboat that was sent to rescue it also hit a mine, according to the outlet.

Lukashevych also told the Journal that Ukraine's naval drone operators are now being trained to work in small squads of 10-20 drones, which collectively could replicate the role of a warship.

Despite having no conventional navy, Ukraine continues to punch above its weight in the Black Sea.

Ukraine claims to have damaged or destroyed at least a third of Russia's Black Sea Fleet since the start of the full-scale invasion, a feat that has seen Russia relocate much of its naval operations from its headquarters at Sevastopol to Novorossiysk.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Recent drone footage shows a Russian soldier killing a wounded comrade in combat.

Experts say the incident highlights violence and disregard among Russian forces.

Similar past incidents suggest a deep-rooted issue with discipline and internal violence.

Drone footage showing a Russian soldier shooting a comrade hurt in combat highlights the "brutal culture" of "callous" behavior in the Russian armed forces, war experts say.

"The attempted or deliberate killing of a fellow soldier is unprofessional," experts at the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War reported in a June 23 assessment.

ISW analysts noted there have been many instances showing "a callous disregard for the lives of Russia's own soldiers throughout the war thus far, both within Russia and amongst Russian troops on the battlefield."

From high-casualty human wave frontal assaults that have been characterized as "meat assaults" to war crimes to videos of a defector being beaten to death with a sledgehammer, there have been numerous incidents.

Last October, the US condemned Russia's treatment of its own forces as "reprehensible" and "barbaric," with National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby saying Russia continues to have "no regard for the lives of its soldiers."

In this photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on April 15, 2024, Russian soldiers participate in a military exercise somewhere in Russian-controlled Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine. Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP

Another apparent example of such brutality was posted to Telegram on Saturday and depicts a Russian soldier shooting and killing a fellow Russian service member at point-blank range who was injured in a first-person view drone strike.

The Russian soldier who pulls the trigger, ending his comrade's life, noticeably does not attempt to evaluate the wounded servicemember, treat the injuries, medically evacuate them, or even collect their identification. They simply move on afterwards.

Business Insider was unable to independently verify the details of the video, including the extent of the wounded soldier's injuries.

ISW experts said there have been other instances of fragging, or the deliberate killing of fellow soldiers, often a superior officer, among Russian forces. In 2022, for instance, Russian soldiers ran over a commander with a tank following a streak of losses against Ukraine.

"Fragging is generally indicative of extremely poor discipline amongst troops, a disconnect between tactical level commanders and their subordinates, as well as a blatant disregard for human life," the experts noted. The situation goes deeper, though.

Russia has faced criticism for its mistreatment of wounded soldiers in the past, and there continue to be concerns. Russian military bloggers recently reported that injured troops with the 1st DNR Slavic Brigade are being held in "prison-like conditions" in Donetsk City without proper treatment.

"The fragging incident and the milblogger claims against the DNR command are indicative of a very poor culture within the Russian military, particularly the command's disregard for their subordinates and a generally low level of discipline," ISW experts concluded.

Read the original article on Business Insider
DeepState analysts have updated the map, noting that Russians have advanced in Novooleksandrivka, Sokil and other settlements in Donetsk Oblast.

Source: DeepState

Quote: "The enemy has advanced in Novooleksandrivka and Sokil, and near Novopokrovske and Volodymyrivka."

More on this topic: Ukrainian Armed Forces deny information about full occupation of Novooleksandrivka

Background:

Earlier, the DeepState analytical project reported that Russian troops had occupied the village of Novooleksandrivka in Donetsk Oblast, near Ocheretyne, and approached the Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka highway.

Later, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that fighting for the village of Novooleksandrivka in Donetsk Oblast was ongoing, and on Sunday, the Russian occupiers focused their efforts on the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove fronts.

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A woman has been injured and houses damaged as a result of the Russian attack on the village of Verkhnia Tersa in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Source: Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "The enemy attacked the village of Verkhnia Tersa in the Polohy district of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, damaging the peaceful residents homes."

Details: Fedorov reported that a resident of the village, who was working in her yard, came under Russian fire.

The woman was taken to hospital with shrapnel wounds to her legs.

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The aftermath of Russian attack on Odessa on 24 June. Photo: Patrol police in Odesa Oblast

The Russians attacked Odesa Oblast with two cruise missiles, likely Iskander-K missiles, on the morning of June 24, with one being downed by air defence.

Source: Air Command Pivden (South)

Details: On Monday morning, the Russians attacked Odesa Oblast with two cruise missiles, likely Iskander-K. One of the missiles did not reach its target, thanks to air defence in the south of Ukraine.

Additionally, at dawn, the Russians launched airstrikes using guided bombs in Kherson Oblast.

Background:

On 23 June, a Russian ZALA reconnaissance drone was downed in Mykolaiv Oblast.

The Russians struck Odesa, hitting civilian infrastructure and causing casualties, on the morning of 24 June. The number of people who were injured is being clarified.

As of 10:00, local authorities reported that three people were injured: a 19-year-old young man and two men, aged 50 and 58. The wounded have been taken to hospital, and doctors are providing all necessary assistance. The recovery efforts after the Russian attack continue.

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(FOX40.COM)  The Sacramento Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that happened on Arden Way.

At around 2:40 p.m. on Sunday, SPD said it was at the scene of a shooting in the 400 block of Arden Way and found a victim with at least one gunshot wound who later died.

The circumstances of the shooting are not clear, however, SPD advised the public to avoid the area.

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WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  The Salvation Army distributing fans Evergy donated to those in need on Tuesday in Wichita. It happened at 9 a.m. at the Downtown Koch Center, 350 N. Market.

The distribution was for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and those who may otherwise have difficulty purchasing a fan for themselves. One fan was provided per household. Those in need of a fan had to have an ID, current utility bill and proof of income. (See below)

Income qualifications to receive a fan:

Household Size Monthly Household Income Annual Household Income 1 $1,580.00 $18,954.00 2 $2,137.00 $25,636.00 3 $2,694.00 $32,318.00 4 $3,250.00 $39,000.00 5 $3,807.00 $45,682.00 6 $4,364.00 $52,364.00 7 $4,921.00 $59,046.00 8 $5,478.00 $65,728.00 For each adult family member add: $577.00 Each $6,682.00 Each

KSN News talked to the coordinators and one person who received a fan,

Circulating the air is very important. It is already 100 degrees out already, and we havent even hit July. It is going to get hot. Whatever we can do with the help of our partners, we want to do it, Jami Scott, director of social services for the Salvation Army, said.

It keeps the air circulating in my apartment. It has got a window unit, so I need to circulate between the windows, Wesley Wilson, fan recipient, said.

Evergy says they will provide about 3,000 fans to their service areas in Topeka, Wichita, and Kansas City.

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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  Change arrived at the Johnson City Salvation Army as new officers took the lead.

Majors R.C. Duskin and Maureen Diffley are now assigned to Johnson City after serving in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their family was surprised by this move.

Its a big move, said Duskin. And with our kids and everything as well, [it] was probably a bit more of a shock for them and just how far we are moving.

The two have served with the Salvation Army for around 19 years, so both knew this move would eventually come.

League of Women Voters of Northeast TN hosts annual meeting in Johnson City

As part of everything with the Salvation Army, said Duskin. As we have served around the world, pretty much anywhere is a possibility.

On Sunday morning, the couple was installed as officers and introduced themselves to their new community at the Salvation Army worship service.

We felt very welcome from both our team and our congregation, said Diffley. So we just feel like its a very friendly town, and I really hope that we continue to feel that way.

The Salvation Army is best known for its thrift store, the Angel Tree Program and its bell ringers but the Majors said that their work goes far beyond those things.

We do provide shelter to veterans as well as other individuals also needing assistance, said Diffley. In addition, we provide case management to families that want to exit poverty.

During their time in Johnson City, they hope to hone in on what is needed in the area.

Were really keen to see what the needs and strengths are in Johnson City, Diffley said. And where the Salvation Army can join alongside community partners.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  A San Angelo man died overnight on June 23 after being stabbed at a home that was falsely believed to be broken into, according to the Tom Green County Sheriffs Office.

TGSO is currently investigating the death of 23-year-old Layne Lubke, who died during a stabbing incident that occurred in the 1200 block of Vines Road in Tom Green County.

The sheriffs office stated that deputies responded to a residence in the area at approximately 11:53 p.m. in reference to a stabbing victim. Upon arriving at the scene, deputies located Lubke in the backyard of the property.

Lubke had suffered a stab wound to the upper-left chest area as well as the left-side abdominal area. A second individual, identified as 24-year-old Shae Shepherd, was found attempting to apply direct pressure to Lubkes wounds.

Lubke was transported to Shannon Medical Center via ambulance. He would later be pronounced deceased.

Carlsbad man arrested for sexual assault of 6-year-old

A preliminary investigation into the incident has indicated that Lubke and Shepherd spent the afternoon of Sunday, June 23, drinking at bars in San Angelo. Shepherds girlfriend called the pair back to the property, claiming that she heard gunshots in the area and afterward heard the sound of someone breaking into her residence.

Arriving at the residence, Shepherd armed himself with a pocket knife and traveled to the rear of the property, where he would encounter Lubke coming from the other direction. Confused in the moment and under the apparent influence of alcohol, Shepherd stabbed Lubke, resulting in his death.

Investigators found no evidence of an intruder at the residence.

Shepherd was arrested on one charge of manslaughter and booked into the Tom Green County Detention Center at 6:55 a.m. on Monday, June 24. He has no posted bond as of the time of publication.

TGSOs investigation into the incident is ongoing. Anyone with information pertaining to the investigation is asked to contact its Criminal Investigation Division at (325)-655-8111.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
Sarah McBride is poised to be the first transgender member of Congress. Here's how she feels about it

As American society navigates an era marked by deep divisions and heightened cultural conflicts, specifically targeting trans people, Delaware State Sen. Sarah McBride stands at the forefront of a historic transformation. She's positioned to become the first out transgender person elected to the U.S. Congress, and McBrides candidacy for Delawares at-large House seat is a powerful symbol of progress and a stark reminder of the ongoing battles for LGBTQ + rights.

The Democrat captured the essence of this pivotal moment in a recent conversation with The Advocate.

While my candidacy reflects our progress, the urgency of this moment underscores the challenges we face, she said.

The momentum behind McBrides campaign is substantial, buoyed by endorsements from influential figures such as House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, who holds the seat now and is running for the U.S. Senate, and an impressive fundraising total nearing $1.9 million.

Numerous groundbreaking milestones punctuate McBrides political journey. McBride is the first transgender state senator in U.S. history. She also made history as the first out trans person to serve in the White House, during the Obama administration, and the first to speak at a major partys national convention, in 2016. Her 2018 memoir, Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality, with a foreword by President Joe Biden, reflects her close ties with the current administration.

As a state lawmaker, McBrides legislative accomplishments are noteworthy. She was pivotal in passing paid family and medical leave, advancing gun safety measures, and safeguarding reproductive rights.

Last October, McBride championed Delawares legislation to ban the gay and trans panic defense, making it the 17th state to enact such a law. This legislation prevents defendants from justifying violent actions based on the discovery of a victims LGBTQ+ identity. McBride convinced all her colleagues  Democrats and Republicans  to cosponsor and support the bill.

In many cases, simply being present and collaborating on a range of issues helps to open some of the most closed hearts and minds, McBride reflected. Her ability to cultivate bipartisanship in Delawares state legislature is a model she hopes to replicate in Congress. There are so many issues where we can find common ground. They might not always make headlines, but there are a lot of day-to-day quality of life issues that Democrats and Republicans can work together on.

She recalled an incident in 2016 when she took a selfie in a North Carolina bathroom, defying the states controversial bathroom bill that restricted transgender people from using government buildings' restrooms aligning with their gender identity. The photo went viral, exposing her to a torrent of online vitriol. Yet McBride remains undeterred, drawing strength from her community, family, and friends.

The negativity and hatred we see toward the trans community writ large bothers me, but the hatred and the insults that are directed specifically toward me dont bother me any more than the broader hatred, she noted.

Related: Sarah McBride nearly assured of Congress win after primary opponent drops out

Her platform addresses the pressing issues facing Delawareans, advocating for universal health care, affordable child care, and comprehensive gun control measures. We need people in federal office who have a proven record of rolling up their sleeves, diving into the details, and bringing people together to deliver lasting change, she emphasized.

The path to this historic moment became more apparent last week when McBrides primary opponent, Eugene Young, dropped out of the race . Young, the former director of Delawares Housing Authority, suspended his campaign without specifying a reason, leaving McBride unopposed in the Democratic primary. This development, coupled with Delawares strong Democratic lean, virtually assures McBrides victory in the general election.

Annise Parker, president and CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, remarked on the significance of this. With trans rights under assault in states across the country, Sarah McBrides ability to clear the primary field to represent Delaware in Congress proves that voters want their leaders focused on solving the issues that matter to their daily lives  not singling out their trans neighbors, Parker said in a statement .

Moreover, Delaware Gov. John Carney, a Democrat, endorsed McBrides campaign Friday, underscoring her effectiveness and dedication. Sarah McBride has been a strong advocate for all Delawareans. She is a hardworking public servant who cares about the details and the impact that legislation can have on folks up and down the state, Carney said.

Since launching her campaign a year ago, McBride has built an impressive coalition of supporters, earning endorsements from over 20 Delaware unions, eight statewide elected officials, and numerous colleagues in the General Assembly. Her endorsers include prominent figures such as House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, and House Democratic Chair Pete Aguilar.

McBrides popularity was displayed prominently at the recent Equality PAC Gala , where she received a standing ovation. The event, held at Washington, D.C.s Union Station, celebrated a decade of advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and urged support for queer candidates in the upcoming election. Several speakers highlighted that if McBride wins, she would represent President Joe Biden in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Reflecting on this prospect, McBride expressed gratitude for Bidens support, noting his legacy as the most pro-LGBTQ+ president in U.S. history.

Joe Biden is a giant here in Delaware, she said. Knowing [Bidens late son] Beau was a personal and professional privilege, and having the opportunity to get to know and work with his dad has been an incredible blessing. Representing Delaware and the Bidens would be an honor.
Ukraine's State Security Service (SBU) said on June 24 that it had detained a "mole" spying for Russia who passed on information about Ukrainian troop positions and defenses on the border with Belarus.

"At the instruction of the occupiers (Russian military), the 'mole' established the locations of fortified areas and the approximate number of Ukrainian troops defending the border with Belarus," the SBU said in a post on Telegram.

"He also tried to transmit the coordinates of warehouses with weapons and ammunition of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the region."

The SBU said the man had been promised to be "evacuated" to Russian-occupied territory in return for carrying out his assignment.

The agency also said he had been recruited online by the Russian Federal Security Service's (FSB) Oleksiy Dobrytskyi who is stationed in a Russian-occupied part of Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast.

The alleged Russian agent is currently in custody charged with treason committed under martial law and faces life in prison if convicted.

The SBU has detained a number of Ukrainians accused of collaborating with Russian forces.

Most recently, on June 19 a Russian collaborator who spied on Ukrainian positions near Bakhmut in the spring of 2023 was sentenced to 15-years in prison.

According to the SBU, the unnamed man provided geolocations of Ukrainian positions to Russian agents, who then used the intelligence to plan operations involving aerial bombs, artillery, and assault attacks.

The Ukrainian man, a resident of Kostyantynivka in Donetsk Oblast, was detained in May 2023 as he was actively conducting reconnaissance near a military facility.

The man was originally recruited by a staff member of Russia's intelligence service and promised payment.

He regularly communicated with Russian agents using an anonymous account through a messenger app. Text conversations were regularly deleted by the man to avoid detection, according to the SBU.

Read also: SBU charges two bloggers suspected of sharing military positions on social media

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster, center, sits with Scott Keogh, left, the CEO of Volkswagen subsidiary Scout Motors, and state Commerce Secretary Harry Lightsey, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, at a groundbreaking ceremony for the company's electric vehicle assembly plant near Columbia. (File/Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)

BERLIN  South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster spoke about the possibility of a second Trump presidency and U.S.-Chinese tensions while speaking Monday in Germany. He made the remarks as part of a panel discussion held during a German industry conference, where he was pitching the Palmetto State to German companies.

The governor was invited to speak this week at the TDI conference in Berlin, also known as the Day of German Industry.

German companies make up the largest portion of foreign manufacturers with locations in South Carolina  262 facilities employing 44,000 people or about 2% of the states total workforce, the Associated Press reported ahead of the trip.

McMaster made the journey in hopes of strengthening business ties with the country that spurred South Carolinas manufacturing-driven economic resurgence, starting in the mid-90s with BMW.

He touted the states technical college system as a training ground for workers and the South Carolinas recent designation as a federal Tech Hub, studying batteries, alternative forms of energy and advancements to the power grid at several state universities and colleges.

I believe it is wonderful to be a German. It is wonderful to be a German in business. And it will be wonderful to be a German doing business in South Carolina, McMaster said.

McMaster asked about Trump, China

After his formal remarks, McMaster sat on a panel with CEOs of German companies operating in South Carolina: Klaus Rosenfeld, head of auto parts maker Schaeffler that has facilities in Cheraw and Fort Mill; Karen Radstrom of Mercedes-Benz, which makes Sprinter vans in North Charleston; and Tobias Meyer, CEO of the logistics company DHL.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump joins South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on the field during halftime in the Palmetto Bowl between Clemson and South Carolina at Williams Brice Stadium on Nov. 25, 2023, in Columbia, South Carolina. (File/Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

It was there that the moderator drew McMaster into questions about how the potential re-election of Donald Trump and U.S. relations with China could impact global trade.

While the governor could only speak from a state  rather than national  perspective, he has long been a supporter of the former president.

In early 2016 when he was lieutenant governor under Nikki Haley, he was the first statewide-elected official in the country to back Trumps presidential bid. He also was one of two speakers to formally nominate Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention. McMaster ascended to governor in 2017 when Trump made Haley his first United Nations ambassador, and hes remaind a steadfast supporter ever since.

The Trump administration  most Americans think the results were very good, McMaster answered.

The governor went on to say he does not think the former presidents trademark bombastic, and at times combative, style of speech is representative of his actions.

Theres a difference between the the persona of President Trump and what he actually does. And in my own experience, weve had a very reasonable relationship, McMaster said.

McMaster also spoke on China.

The country is the worlds largest producer of minerals used in batteries, as well as other components, used in electric vehicles. As South Carolina seeks to become a powerhouse in the electric vehicle industry, national efforts to reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese goods is imperative.

I know in my state, people are very worried about connections with China. China is not viewed with very friendly eyes in South Carolina, McMaster said.

The moderator asked CEOs on the panel whether theyre concerned the U.S. may eventually bar imports of products containing Chinese parts.

Meyer remarked on companies shifting operations to Southeast Asia in response but went on to say it would be too costly for most to completely eliminate Chinese-made goods from supply chains.

The CEOs also acknowledged U.S.-China tensions would likely continue whether Trump or Biden is re-elected.

For example, while Trump drastically raised tariffs on numerous Chinese goods while in office, Biden has doubled-down and extended those for certain industries. Bidens hallmark clean energy and electric vehicle legislation also invoked limits on Chinese-made parts and materials used in order for vehicles and batteries to qualify for important tax breaks.

I think what we fear as companies is maybe that a Trump administration could be more erratic. But I think in both parties, there is a certain level of protectionism that has taken root, Meyer said.

McMaster made no remark on President Joe Biden but addressed what he sees as public sentiment surrounding Trump.

There are many of us that are concerned with the situation in the world right now and we would like a change. And I think thats why you see these huge crowds  that are coming to see President Trump and pulling for his re-election, McMaster said. There may be some actions that the rest of the world may not like but I think most Americans will.

Mondays industry conference marked only one of five days McMaster spent in Germany.

The trip, which started Sunday and will last through Thursday, involved visits the headquarters of two major automakers with big stakes in South Carolina  BMW and Volkswagen.

In Munich, McMaster was scheduled to meet with executives of BMW, which employs more than 11,000 workers at its plant in Greer.

The German automaker was the first major manufacturer to open a U.S. location in South Carolina, ushering in a manufacturing boom that lifted the Palmetto State out of economic hardship following the loss of textile mills to overseas operations.

In Wolfsburg, McMaster toured Volkswagen headquarters.

Scout Motors, a VW subsidiary, is building a $2 billion plant near Columbia to make electric SUVs and trucks. Scout will employ up to 4,000 people. The governor also plans to meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the countrys finance minister.

In all, McMasters trip is costing the state an estimated $22,000.

Taxpayer dollars went to flights, trains and hotels for the governor, Commerce Secretary Harry Lightsey and a staff member, as well as a South Carolina-hosted dinner, according to Commerce Department spokeswoman Kelly Coakley.

Thats substantially less than economic development trips taken by his predecessor, Nikki Haley.

A 10-day trip she led to India following her 2014 re-election win cost $51,500. In 2012, Commerce spent more than $97,000 to send Haley and 10 other state employees to an air show in London and about $37,000 on a trade meeting she attended in Japan. But it was her trip in 2011 that brought the most criticism. Commerce spent $160,000 for her to lead a delegation to the Paris Air Show and tour BMWs headquarters in Munich, Germany.

The post SC Gov. Henry McMaster talks Trump, China at German industry conference appeared first on SC Daily Gazette.
(File/Getty Images Plus)

Imagine state lawmakers turning away $17.6 billion of our own taxpayer dollars intended to help struggling South Carolinians obtain health insurance.

You dont have to imagine. Weve actually done that since 2014, and for no good reason other than, seemingly, to punish our own low-income friends and neighbors in South Carolina.

South Carolina remains one of only 10 states in the nation that still refuses to expand Medicaid eligibility, which could draw down billions in federal funds to provide health care coverage for an additional 345,000 low-income South Carolinians.

The good news is that some state lawmakers want a committee studying health care in South Carolina to at least consider the advantages of expanding Medicaid, according to recent reporting by the SC Daily Gazettes Skylar Laird.

This would be the first serious effort among S.C. lawmakers in at least 10 years to think about the money lost and lives blighted by their misguided refusal to follow the lead of the 40 other states that have expanded Medicaid.

The 10 states that still reject Medicaid expansion are some of the poorest in the nation.

Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and the others could certainly use an infusion of several billion of our own taxpayer dollars to boost our economies.

South Carolina, cutting off its nose to spite its face, has rejected about $1.6 billion annually in federal dollars for Medicaid expansion since 2014, according to calculations by the Appleseed Legal Justice Center.

That adds up to a total of $17.6 billion over 10 years, more than next fiscal years entire proposed budget for state taxes. Think of all the good that could do in our state.

A great deal

Medicaid expansion would be a great deal for South Carolina. Federal dollars would pay for 90% of the costs of the expansion. The state would only need to kick in 10%.

Medicaid expansion would create 31,000 jobs and add $7.6 billion in personal income growth in the state over three years, according to Cover SC, a coalition supporting Medicaid expansion.

All adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level would qualify for the program.

Right now, however, our federal tax dollars are being used to pay for Medicaid expansion in other states while none of the Medicaid expansion funds are coming back to South Carolina, according to health policy expert Louise Norris, writing in healthinsurance.org.

Norris writes that between 2013 and 2022, $152 billion in federal taxes have been collected from residents in states not expanding Medicaid, like South Carolina, to be used to fund Medicaid expansion in other states.

Popular support

A 2021 survey by AARP of adults age 50-plus found 80% of respondents  including 69% of Republicans  say they support expanding Medicaid in South Carolina and 73% say that expanding Medicaid in South Carolina is either extremely or very important.

South Carolinians, like others in the non-expansion states, seem reasonable, pragmatic and compassionate.

So, whats the holdup?

Gov. Henry McMaster and some lawmakers blame struggling people themselves for their health-insurance challenges rather than recognizing that health-care costs have risen exponentially for decades in this low-income state, making insurance unaffordable for many workers.

Antiquated attitudes

State Sen. Wes Climer, quoted by Laird, recently reflected the callous attitude of many lawmakers: It is unconscionable to me that we would consider expanding that to more  to put more South Carolinians into dependency on the government instead of encouraging them to seek employment and private health insurance elsewhere.

Some people no doubt agree with that bootstraps mindset. But struggling South Carolina workers cant simply wave a magic wand and get a better job that offers top-notch health insurance.

If Climers strategy worked, South Carolina would have one of the lowest uninsured rates in the nation. Instead, we have one of the highest uninsured rates in the nation, according to KFF.

We still have 521,660 South Carolinians under age 65 who lack health insurance, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. And we have the nations second-highest rate of medical debt in collection, according to the Urban Institute.

Medicaid expansion, it should be pointed out, is not a partisan issue.

The overwhelming majority of so-called red states have expanded Medicaid in addition to all blue states.

North Carolina was the most recent state to embrace expansion. A longtime conservative opponent of Medicaid expansion, Republican state Sen. Phil Berger, president pro tempore of the North Carolina state Senate, explained in a 2023 commentary that arguments against expansion were no longer persuasive to fiscal conservatives.

It makes no sense to reject our fair share of federal taxpayer dollars when theyre needed in this state to help vulnerable South Carolinians.

Its past time to expand Medicaid in South Carolina.

Let us know what you think...

The post SC lawmakers may finally consider expanding Medicaid after rejecting $17.6B appeared first on SC Daily Gazette.
Dr. Edward Simmer, interim agency director for the Department of Public Health, speaks at a press conference on the launch of the new department on Monday, June 24, 2024 (Provided by the Department of Health and Environmental Control)

COLUMBIA  South Carolinas newly organized public health agency is ready to launch in a week.

On July 1, the 50-year-old Department of Health and Environmental Control will split into two: the Department of Public Health and the Department of Environmental Services.

The new logo for the South Carolina Department of Public Health, which launches July 1, 2024 (Provided by the Department of Health and Environmental Control)

Those we serve will not see any disruptions to the services that they depend on for good health and peace of mind thanks to our dedicated staff, said Dr. Edward Simmer, DHECs director since 2021 and interim director of the new public health agency, in a statement Monday.

Our employees have gone above and beyond to ready us for this transition and ensure that absolutely no one  not those we serve or our employees  falls through the cracks before, during and after this agency transition, he continued.

The public health agency will have 2,900 employees across the state, according to a press release. The new environmental agency will share more information once it actually launches, according to a spokesperson.

Public health employees will be moving to new offices outside downtown Columbia, but not before January. Rent for the new offices still has to be paid through the budget, which has not yet been finalized. Only then can work begin on renovating the new offices.

A few of the current duties of the Department of Health and Environmental Control will be transferred to other agencies.

Food inspection, including of restaurants and dairy, will move to the state Department of Agriculture.

Oversight of veterans homes will also move to the Department of Veterans Affairs from the Department of Mental Health.

A bill that would have further combined agencies in the state into one Executive Office of Health and Policy died this year in the last minutes of the legislative session.

The bill would have created a new Executive Office of Health and Policy, which would become South Carolinas largest state agency with more than 6,300 employees.

It would combine separate agencies overseeing services for the elderly, mental health issues, disabilities, patients covered by Medicaid, and those addicted to drugs and alcohol, plus an unknown number of workers brought over after the health and environmental agency breakup.

But on May 9, the last day of the legislative session, members of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus blocked a vote on the bill.

Some lawmakers, including Gov. Henry McMaster, hoped legislators would add the bill to its agenda for a special session, a move that would require supermajority agreement. But legislators have taken no action to do that.

The post SCs public health agency ready to launch appeared first on SC Daily Gazette.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has suggested that one of the reasons for the declining popularity of the ruling coalition in Germanys east is the government's policy towards Ukraine. However, he has emphasised that there is no alternative to this policy.

Source: European Pravda with reference to the German television news service Tagesschau

Quote: "That's true that there are many citizens who do not agree with our support for Ukraine and who also disagree with the sanctions we have imposed against Russia. This has also been reflected in the election results, but I believe there is currently no alternative to changing this [support for Ukraine  ed. ]."

Details: Scholz noted this fact, particularly in the context of the disappointing election results for his Social Democratic Party in the European Parliament elections in Germanys east.

He reiterated that it was Russia that attacked Ukraine and that its aggressive war "is an attempt to redraw the map".

Scholz summarised that Russia had cancelled the decades-old agreement not to change borders by force.

Background:

German Finance Minister Christian Lindner urged the government to be more open about its policy towards Ukraine in Germanys east.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned of serious consequences for Europe if Ukraine does not receive sufficient support to defend itself against Russia.

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Scholz says his party's support for Ukraine is connected to its declining popularity

The decreasing popularity of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD), headed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, is connected to some voters' opposition to the party's support for Ukraine, Scholz said in an interview with Tagesschau published on June 24.

The effect is most directly felt in some states in Germany's east, where SPD is only polling at 7% ahead of upcoming local elections scheduled for September.

SPD suffered a bruising loss in the elections for the European Parliament earlier in June, coming in third place, behind the center-right Conservative Christian Union-Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Many voters do not agree with the government's support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, which is "also reflected by the election results," Scholz said.

At the same time, the electoral impact notwithstanding, Scholz said he believes there is currently "no alternative to changing (the government's policy toward Ukraine)."

Scholz said he is hopeful that the upcoming elections would not result in an AfD prime minister being elected, which he said would be "very depressing." Nonetheless, he acknowledged that AfD would likely play a role in the forthcoming governing coalition.

Recent polls have also indicated signs of nationwide skepticism toward Germany's support for Ukraine, with 58% of respondents saying in March that they opposed the provision of long-range Taurus missiles. Another 31% said they were not in favor of delivering any German-made weapons to Ukraine.

Read also: Rise of Germanys AfD signals growing support for pro-Russian policies

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the Day of German Industry 2024 organized by the Federation of German Industries (BDI). The BDI's two-day future conference with representatives from business, politics, science and society is being held this year under the motto "Cohesion in polarized worlds". Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for movement from China in the dispute over potential European Union tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Scholz welcomed the European Commission's offer of negotiations with China, but warned there is little time left before the threatened punitive tariffs could begin taking effect on July 4.

"It is clear that we also need serious movement and progress from the Chinese side at this point," Scholz said.

The European Commission has accused Beijing of unfairly subsidizing battery-powered vehicles, and published plans for punitive tariffs on electric vehicle imports from China in mid June.

Germany's large and influential automotive industry has expressed serious concerns about the tariffs, in part because of fears that China could retaliate with tariffs on German auto exports to the lucrative Chinese market.

The tariffs, which could be as high as 38.1%, could be imposed retroactively from July 4 if a deal is not reached, although a final determination is not due until early November.

Both sides announced on Saturday that they are interested in negotiations.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the Day of German Industry 2024 organized by the Federation of German Industries (BDI). The BDI's two-day future conference with representatives from business, politics, science and society is being held this year under the motto "Cohesion in polarized worlds". Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
Scientists Discover Gene That Causes You to Gain More Weight From the Same Food

You generally hear one of two contradictory narratives about weight loss. The first is that your weight is simply the result of how much you eat and how much you exercise, but the second is that some people's bodies pack on weight much more easily than others, making weight loss a much more difficult goal.

Now, new research appears to strongly support that second hypothesis. An international team of researchers has come out with a new study, published in the journal Med, that details how a mutation of a gene called SMIM1 has a significant link to extra weight gain due to its impact on the function of the thyroid.

The scientists examined data from the UK Biobank, representing half a million British residents and various lifestyle and biological information, and compared subjects with the functional SMIM1 and those with the faulty, mutated version.

They found through statistical and biological analysis that people with the genetic mutation of SMIM1 exhibited features such as extra weight gain, high cholesterol, high amount of liver enzymes, and other signs associated with being overweight.

Faulty SMIM1 also reduced the thyroid's ability to regulate metabolism and hence impeded their capability to burn energy.

Basically, even if these people eat the same food as other people with normal SMIM1, they burn fewer calories and are more susceptible to carrying more weight.

"Obesitys causes are very complex and in the majority of cases, the combination of many factors," University of Exeter associate professor in cellular biology and study lead author Mattia Frontini told CNN. "In this study, however, we found a clear genetic trigger for obesity."

Also, unfortunately for women who have the faulty gene, they carry on average an extra 10.14 pounds, compared to men who carry only an extra 5.29 pounds on average.

Frontini told CNN that this genetic variation is rare  one out of 5,000 people is estimated to have it  and that obesity's "root cause is an energy expenditure imbalance, owing to an interplay of lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors," reads the study.

But there are still a lot of unknowns lurking in the DNA soup of humanity. How many other genes that can be linked to obesity are out there?

Still, it's an intriguing area of research  and just might lead to potential new weight loss treatments at a moment when enthusiasm for semaglutide is reaching a fever pitch.

More on obesity: Half of America May Be Obese by 2030. Here's Why That Matters for Society
On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated federal constitutional protection for abortion with the Dobbs v. Jackson decision and said that it was sending abortion back to state legislatures. But two years later, it is actually the state and local prosecutors who are on the frontlines of the fight for reproductive rights.



Prosecutors are playing a significantly outsized role in the protection of abortion access. Large swaths of the nations reproductive landscape rely on the singular views of individual state and local prosecutors. Especially in states where the legal landscape is unclear or changing, elected prosecutors effectively determine when and where abortion is accessible. In some jurisdictions, zealous enforcement of restrictive laws by local prosecutors means that there is little to no available abortion care even in the most dire of circumstances.



Take Texas, where Attorney General Ken Paxton has made clear his view that there should be virtually no exceptions to state abortion bans. In a widely watched case brought by a group of women who had been denied urgently needed abortions, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the doctors lawfully could have provided abortions, but failed to acknowledge the crucial reason they didnt: The doctors credible fear that Paxton, as well as local district attorneys, would prosecute them for exercising their medical judgment and performing an abortion.

Read more: Americas Second Year Post-Roe Will Be Even More Contentious



By contrast, prosecutors who are committed to affirming abortion rights, such as in Arizona, show that access can be maintained, even in the face of restrictive laws. There, the states supreme court ruled that a 19th-century criminal ban should go back into effect, but the state attorney general and other local prosecutors blunted the rulings impact. The courts ruling has been delayed and the legislature has intervened, enabling abortion providers to continue their practice. A similar set of circumstances arose in the immediate aftermath of Dobbs in Michigan, where the quick action of state and local prosecutors prevented the reactivation of a criminal abortion ban.



Since Dobbs, nearly 100 prosecutors nationwide have publicly stated they will not use their offices resources to prosecute those who seek, provide, or support abortions. They believe their obligation to the health and safety of their communities demands protection of these fundamental rights.



By taking a stand, prosecutors defending the right to abortion are repeatedly targeted by anti-abortion state governors and legislators. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Hillsborough County prosecutor Andrew Warren after he shortly after joined a public statement expressing his commitment to protecting reproductive access. Across the country, there have been dozens of actions and new laws aimed at pro-choice prosecutors. In a report Public Rights Project co-authored with the Local Solutions Support Center, we identified 53 attempts to restrict prosecutorial authority in 26 states, with 15 new measures enacted since the start of 2023 alone. Georgia created a new commission to oversee prosecutors and to remove them from office for their failure to prosecute particular crimes. Texas created a new process for individual residents to petition a court to unseat an elected prosecutor. And we know this is far from over; looking forward, these anti-democratic attacks against pro-choice prosecutors will increase in states where state leaders are hostile to abortion rights because they understand the crucial role prosecutors play in a post-Roe America.



Simultaneously, anti-abortion prosecutors are attempting to expand their authority and influence across state lines. Not satisfied with eliminating abortion care in their own states, these prosecutors seek to penalize individuals who travel out of state for care, organizations that fund or support such efforts, and providers who offer care to these patients. These efforts are likely to accelerate as tens of thousands of pregnant people travel out of state to receive abortion care.



Moreover, prosecutors have seen how the mere threat of enforcement can deter the provision of care. Given their significant influence, and the growing scrutiny to doggedly enforce abortion laws or face consequences, it is a near certainty that anti-abortion prosecutors will continue to find weaknesses in the system and exploit them, particularly when court intervention is unlikely.



Regardless of the outcome of the presidential electionwhich will have a profound impact on abortion because of, among other things, the importance of control of the FDAanti-abortion forces are looking past state legislatures and toward local prosecutors to influence access nationwide, including in haven states, where abortion is protected. Creating confusion and fear that delays or eliminates care altogether is all part of their strategy.



The escalation of these trends in the abortion landscape indicates that prosecutors will remain an outsized force post-Dobbs for years to come. That is why we need to start treating prosecutors like the bellwether force they are for abortion rights.



For voters, look closely at your candidates for district attorney and attorney general, and question them about their positions on abortion. Ask your candidates for state legislature whether they will interfere with prosecutors who choose not to criminalize abortion patients and providers. For donors, invest in protecting pro-choice prosecutors both on the ballot and in the courtroom. And for advocates, sound the alarm about the dangers of prosecutors playing doctor when lives are on the line, and stand with those prosecutors who use their power to protect abortion.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Sean Spicer Had A Debate Idea For Donald Trump. It Did Not Go Well.

Sean Spicer suggested on Sunday how former President Donald Trump should kick off the first 2024 presidential debate against President Joe Biden, which CNN is hosting in Atlanta on Thursday.

The presumptive GOP presidential nominee should start by yielding his time to Biden with a simple question, Trumps first White House press secretary-turned-Dancing With the Stars contestant wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

And that question?

Can you name every member of your cabinet, wrote Spicer, parroting the right-wing narrative that Biden is in cognitive decline and therefore unfit to return to the White House.

Trump should start Thursdays debate by yielding his time to Biden with a simple question:



Can you name every member of your cabinet  Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) June 23, 2024

Critics reminded Spicer, who has regularly defended Trumps lies (including that whopper about the inauguration crowd size), of the criticism Trump has received from former members of his own Cabinet, including his own vice president, Mike Pence.

Every member in Biden's cabinet endorses him. Can't say the same for Trump.  Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) June 23, 2024

Im not sure Donald could name every member of his immediate family https://t.co/zLwcWZGdmi  Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) June 23, 2024

You were fired and they all made fun of you. Think insulting Biden will win you back? I don't.  Brown Eyed Susan (@smc429) June 23, 2024

Biden should respond by asking Trump to name all of the Trump cabinet officers who have declined to support his return to the White House. https://t.co/suIPxMM9TY  David Corn (@DavidCornDC) June 23, 2024

Thats hilarious. Can Trump name the 44 of his Cabinet members that now say they wont support him for President again? I mean he fired you and youre still kissing his ass. What does that say about you, Sean?



I know what it says.  Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) June 23, 2024

Maybe the guy who lied about Trumps inauguration crowd, was ridiculed by SNL, and supports the first former POTUS to sit for an interview with a probation officer should just STFU. https://t.co/a3gtjDIEWq  Bob (@bobtheretired) June 24, 2024

President Biden should start Thursday's debate by yielding his time to Donald Trump with a simple question:



Can you name 5 out of the Ten Commandments that you say you love so much? https://t.co/oXiXsO3qXr  Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) June 23, 2024

@JoeBiden should ask @realDonaldTrump how many of his 44 former Cabinet and senior staffers are supporting him in 2024. https://t.co/CNENKHZ0E9  Reed Galen (@reedgalen) June 23, 2024

Can you remember every lie you told for Trump? Because there are vids we can check.  Elon's apartheid Pig (AKA Ancillary Humanist) (@JimEP1160) June 23, 2024

Can Trump name all the members of his cabinet whove called him a dangerously unfit idiot? Well give him time on that. Its a long list. https://t.co/dljNMi05ow  Jim Snowden (@SnowdenJim) June 24, 2024

An ignorant tweet from a human laughingstock.  Without truth, there is NO hope. (@without_are) June 23, 2024

Whats wrong with you, Sean? Seriously. Youre like a frat boy gone to seed.

You could be doing so much better if you actually decided to grow.  MelissaJPeltier (@MelissaJPeltier) June 24, 2024

Biden should ask Trump, Who is Ronny Johnson?  Dianne Callahan (@DianneCallaha16) June 23, 2024

Biden should start Thursdays debate by yielding his time to Trump with a simple question:



Where is your wife  JustVent (@JustVent6) June 23, 2024

40 out of 44 of Trumps previous staff will not endorse him for POTUS. If it were me, Id ask Trump how many of his advisors are felons and to name them. Its no small number.  Metalmark   (@MarkMantis) June 23, 2024

Guaranteed he wouldn't say one of them is "Tim Apple". Project much?  Grant McCagg (@grantmccagg) June 23, 2024

40 of 44 of Trumps former cabinet say they wont vote for him. This includes Trump VP Mike Pence. What does it say when your own VP wont vote for you?  mrbigg (@mrbigg450) June 23, 2024

Ha Ha Ha, Trump can't even name all his family members.  Badd Company (@BaddCompani) June 23, 2024

And then Biden should ask Trump: "Can you name any of your grandchildren?"  Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) June 23, 2024

I 100% assure you he can.



I also 100% assure you Trump can't.  Machine Pun Kelly  (@KellyScaletta) June 23, 2024

Related...
Authorities on the Spanish island of Tenerife continue to search for British teenager Jay Slater, who has been missing for a week after attending a music festival.

Slater, 19, went missing after attending the NRG festival in the south of the island, and was last heard from between 8 and 9 a.m. local time (3-4 a.m. ET) on June 17, according to a GoFundMe fundraising campaign set up to help find him.

The campaign was organized by a friend of Slaters named Lucy Mae, who said she had left the festival before Slater on Sunday.

A search-and-rescue team looks for Slater near where he was last seen in Tenerife. - James Manning/PA

Slater called her around 8.30 a.m. local time the next day and said he was lost in the mountains and his phone only had 1% battery, according to the fundraiser.

The page includes a map showing Slaters last known location, in the Teno Rural Park in northwestern Tenerife, around 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the festival site.

According to the fundraiser, Slater told Lucy Mae he left the festival with two men he met there and traveled with them to a remote location.

Spains Guardia Civil, which is leading the search for the teenager, posted a video on X showing officers searching dry, mountainous terrain and flying over rocky ravines in a helicopter.

CNN has contacted the Guardia Civil for comment on the search.

Police from Slaters home region of Lancashire, northern England, said they had been in contact with the Guardia Civil.

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 Lancashire Police Force said in a statement published Friday.

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.

In a statement Monday, the United Kingdoms Foreign Office confirmed to CNN that it is aware of Slaters case.

We are supporting the family of a British man who is missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities, said a spokesperson.

On Saturday, NRG festival released a statement on Slaters disappearance.

That such a devastating situation has arisen has deeply affected us all, the festival said in a post on Instagram.

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.

Tenerife is part of the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago that sits in the Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Africa. It has long been a popular holiday destination for its temperate year-round climate.

Slaters disappearance comes after a spate of tourists going missing in sweltering temperatures in Greece.

According to CNN meteorologist Monica Garrett, the closest monitoring station to where Slater went missing, which is located at an airport in the south of the island, has seen high temperatures of mid-20s Celsius (upper-70s Fahrenheit), with lows in the upper teens Celsius (mid-60s Fahrenheit).

Conditions have been sunny with some occasional clouds, said Garrett, with no reports of rain.

CNNs Carroll Alvarado contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Search underway for 20-year-old swimmer who went missing near Newport, R.I.

A search is underway for a 20-year-old swimmer who went missing near Newport, Rhode Island, the Coast Guard said Monday.

The swimmer went missing around 6 p.m. Sunday, Coast Guard officials said in a social media post Monday.

Coast Guard units at Point Judith, Castle Hill, Maurice Jester and Air Station Cape Cod are involved in the search.

Newport Police are assisting in the search.

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
Secretary vs. chief advisor: Why OK Gov. Kevin Stitt is renaming appointed positions

Former Transportation Secretary Tim Gatz participates in an Oklahoma Turnpike Authority meeting in January 2023.

After losing a public battle over cabinet secretaries, Gov. Kevin Stitt quietly renamed them chief advisors.

Hes since reinstated his former transportation cabinet secretary as one of his advisors.

It wasnt clear Friday though if the name change is enough to circumvent a May court ruling that found that cabinet secretaries cant serve in other state leadership roles.

The Governor began to consider making this change when it became clear that a certain public official was increasingly interested in targeting public servants for political purposes, said Meyer Siegfried, Stitts spokesperson.

Siegfried did not specify which public official he was referring.

More: Judge allows lawsuit filed by private school against Ryan Walters, state board to move forward

Republican Attorney General Gentner Drummond and Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, have both questioned Stitts appointments of state officials who work in other capacities.

The name change was first reported by QuorumCall, a subscription-based, online news and bill tracking service.

AG opinion, a lawsuit and resignations over cabinet appointments

After Drummond on Feb. 28 issued an opinion saying members of Stitts cabinet couldnt hold dual offices, Tim Gatz and Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell resigned from their cabinet posts.

Gatz had been transportation secretary. He retained his role as head of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, but quit as head of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

Pinnell had been workforce development secretary.

On March 7, Stitt and three of his cabinet secretaries sued Drummond. Secretary of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage Shelley Zumwalt later removed her name as cabinet secretary and from the suit, leaving Blayne Arthur and Dr. Deborah Shropshire as plaintiffs.

Zumwalt is executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation.

Arthur was serving as agriculture secretary and remains head of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Shropshire is head of the Department of Human Services, but did not get confirmed as human services secretary.

In a May 31 order, Oklahoma County District Judge Richard C. Ogden wrote Cabinet Secretaries are office holders or officers of the state of Oklahoma and are not excepted from the dual office holding prohibition under law.

Stitt vowed to appeal and renamed his cabinet secretaries chief advisors.

Gatz returned as chief transportation advisor.

Siegfried said Stitts decision to change the name was further solidified when the Senate chose to abdicate its duties to provide advice and consent to the Governors nominations and not even hold hearings on two of his cabinet nominations this session.

Siegfried said he did not know if the advisors were paid or how much.

Drummonds office on Friday did not respond to a question concerning whether the title change satisfied his dual office-holding concerns.

The response from our office is that we are pleased with the judges ruling and we look forward to defending it on appeal, said Leslie Berger, a spokesperson.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Gov. Stitt renames cabinet secretaries after legal scuffle
It may soon become unbearable to teach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I fear that day has already arrived, though desperately hope I am wrong.

The latest disturbing news is that the university secretly records professors while they teach. A university media relations official confirmed it to Inside Higher Ed.

Issac Bailey

Using a camera, UNC secretly recorded classroom sessions of Larry Chavis, a long-time professor who taught economics at the Kenan-Flagler Business School. His teaching contract was not renewed after the recordings and a performance review, prompted by reports concerning class content and conduct  over the past few months.

Notice is not required to record classes, and we do record classes without notice in response to concerns raised by students, associate dean Christian Lundblad wrote to Chavis.

Apparently, some students complained either about his approach or content. In response to those complaints, UNC-CH officials decided it was a good idea to secretly record Chavis, rather than get in touch with him. Before they explained what was supposedly so disturbing about his teaching, they decided not to renew his contract.

Chavis has been an advocate for Indigenous and LGBTQ+ rights. Though UNC-CH didnt confirm that is the reason they fired him, its hard to imagine that it had nothing to do with the decision. Top UNC System officials have been on a tear the past few years trying to stifle speech with which they disagree.

The university missed out on Nikole Hannah-Jones, one of the most decorated journalists of our era, after UNC officials and a major donor raised questions about the 1619 Project, which she produced as an employee of the New York Times. Hannah-Jones eventually took a job with Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she has raised millions of dollars for a journalism program that has been making waves nationally  things she could have been doing for UNC-CH.

Just recently, the UNC System began curtailing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, even though top officials seem to know little about DEI.

Its hard to ascertain if Chavis contract should have been renewed, given that UNC-CH hasnt provided a public explanation. No matter what they found, the way they found it is the real problem. They targeted Chavis. Dont be surprised if most professors trust UNC just a little less now.

The secret recordings are a particularly cheap, underhanded way to handle student complaints. Student complaints are common even in the best-run classrooms. They must have avenues to express them. But doing it this way will no doubt have a chilling effect on how professors at UNC-CH conduct themselves. Its the surest way to create paranoia, to convince professors they arent trusted and wont be backed by the university when times get tough.

And times are getting tougher as more professors are being labeled woke and singled out for alleged indoctrination by well-coordinated efforts across the country. No one can be their best under such circumstances.

Some will be tempted to take up the old canard  that if you arent doing anything wrong, you shouldnt care about being secretly recorded. Thats a simpletons way of thinking. Knowing you may be secretly recorded, or that a students complaint can lead to your firing even before you are made aware of what youve supposedly done wrong, will affect your behavior. It will no doubt affect your teaching. If it affects your teaching, it will negatively affect the university overall, meaning students will not get UNCs best.

Its yet another shameful chapter at UNC-CH.

Its maddening. And sad. A heartbreaking development.

I grew up a Tar Heels fan, was a kid in awe when Michael Jordan hit that shot against Georgetown, and even more impressed when I learned how Dean Smith had used his enormous platform to advance civil rights in North Carolina. Thats why I empathize with Chavis, who called it his dream job.

No matter your ideology, no matter your politics, what happened to Chavis should concern you. And it should concern us all that the well-earned reputation of the states flagship university is being dismantled brick by brick.

Issac Bailey is a McClatchy Opinion writer in North and South Carolina.
Senate Democrats on Monday released a series of ads targeting GOP Senate candidates records on reproductive rights in the wake of the second anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.

Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC)s new ad blitz is slated to reach voters in 10 states on lifestyle, beauty and fashion and recipe websites, including cosmopolitan.com, thepioneerwoman.com, wellplated.com and harpersbazaar.com.

The ads direct voters to the DSCCs website dedicated to targeting GOP Senate candidates and their stance on abortion and reproductive treatments.

One of the ads states, URGENT NOTICE Your:  Rights  Freedoms  Health Are at RISK. Visit GOPonAbortion.com.

A Senate candidate in YOUR state threatens your rights. Visit GOPonAbortion.com, another ad stated.

Monday marked the second anniversary of the Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade, which eliminated the 1973 precedent granting the constitutional right to abortion.

The nations high court granted states authority to limit or ban abortion procedures, and in the months that followed, several Republican-led states moved to pass legislation restricting or prohibiting residents access to the procedure.

A total of 14 states have stopped nearly all abortion services, while three states have six-week bans, according to a tally from ABC News.

Senate Republicans have spent years using every tool they have to take away womens right to make our own health care decisions, DSCC spokesperson Annie Lentz said in a statement.

The anniversary of the Republican Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade underscores the stakes of this years Senate elections and the importance of protecting Democrats Senate majority with the power to confirm or deny Supreme Court justices, Lentz added.

Democrats have made abortion a key election issue ahead of November.

DSCC Chair Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), said in a statement Monday that every Republican Senate candidate poses a threat to womens freedoms, rights and 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 The Hill.
Opinion. Politics has gotten quite nasty this election season.

Recently, numerous stories have emerged in the media about videos being manipulated to make President Joe Biden appear to be confused and disconnected. These misleading videos are being shown on FOX News and circulating social media.

One video depicted Biden supposedly looking for a chair that wasnt there while honoring those who served and died at Normandy on the 80th anniversary of D-Day during World War II.

Upon further examination and put into full context, Biden found his chair and sat down with the others he walked onto the stage with and they all sat down together. Of course, the intent is to portray Biden as unworthy to be reelected president in November.

These deceptive practices are nasty politics.

Some of these nasty politics hit Indian Country last month when Montana U.S. Senator Steve Daines, a Republican, put a procedure block on Bidens federal district judge nominee for eastern Montana, Danna Jackson. Jackson is a Kootenai descendant who grew up in Montana on the Flathead Reservation. Biden nominated Jackson to be a federal judge in late April 2024.

A spokesperson for Daines said in a statement that the senator reviewed 15 applications to fill the vacancy for the federal court in Montana. Daines complained that the White House never sought out his advice in choosing their nominee.

The White House fired back almost immediately. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement that Daines team interviewed Jackson more than six months ago, but Daines refused to meet with her.

Jackson, a tribal attorney for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, was lauded by three national Native American organizations: the National Congress of Americans Indians (NCAI), the Native American Rights Fund (NARF), and the National Native American Bar Association (NNABA).

"Danna Jackson has a long track record of public service, extensive federal legal experience, and is well qualified to be a federal judge," NARF Executive Director John Echohawk said. "We commend the Biden Administrations selection of this historic nominee and exhort her confirmation. She will be a strong addition to the federal judiciary in Montana."

Not according to Daines, whose block will cost a qualified Native American woman from serving on the federal bench.

Native American judges remain severely underrepresented in our nations federal courts. Before the Biden administration, less than 10 Native Americans, Alaska Natives, or Native Hawaiians total  out of thousands  had ever served as lifetime judges, according to the Native American Rights Fund. This historical exclusion has long been unacceptable.

It is worth noting that Biden has nominated over half of Native Americans to ever serve as federal judges. All have been women. Biden nominated Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby (Black and Native American) to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland; Judge Lauren King (Muscogee Creek Nation) to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington; Judge Sunshine Sykes (Navajo) to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Sara Hill (Cherokee), and Danna Jackson (Kootenai) to the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.

Unfortunately, Daines block has derailed Jacksons nomination.

Daines is highly partisan. When he was a member of the House of Representatives, he voted against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act that contained a tribal provision. During Deb Haalands (Laguna Pueblo) confirmation to become the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Daines was one of the most fierce opponents of her nomination. The senator, who receives campaign contributions from big oil, called Haaland a radical.

So, Daines has proven himself to be an opponent of Native American women nominated for federal positions.

Sadly, Daines serves on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. One has to wonder why is he there if he cannot support American Indians or their positions on important issues? By virtue of its name, the committee's members should be dedicated to promoting American Indians and Indian Country's progress.

It is shameful that Daines chooses to play partisan politics by blocking Jackson's nomination. It matters little that his pride was hurt by the Biden White House's perceived snub. He should have made himself available to be more involved in the selection process rather than relying on his staff.

MAGA-style nasty politics should not be involved with Native Americans. We have been underrepresented for far too long.

Given Daines track record with Native American nominees, he does not belong on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

Thayek gde nwendemen - We are all related.

About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net."

Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
FILE - In this March 27, 2008, file photo, the Pentagon is seen in this aerial view in Washington. The top Republican on a Senate committee that oversees the U.S. military is making an argument for aggressively increasing defense spending over negotiated spending caps. Sen. Roger Wicker, a Mississippi Republican, is releasing a plan for a generational investment that seeks to deter coordinated threats from U.S. adversaries like Russia, Iran and China. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Monday that one of his most senior aides is leaving for a top job with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and will be replaced by a brother of President Joe Bidens national security adviser.

State Department counselor Derek Chollet, a veteran of national security positions in Democratic presidential administrations, will become Austins chief of staff. Chollet will be replaced in his State Department role by Tom Sullivan, brother of Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan. Tom Sullivan had been Blinken's deputy chief of staff for policy.

Chollet had been nominated to be undersecretary of defense for policy, but his Senate confirmation was stalled, and administration officials had become increasingly frustrated by the repeated delays.

The musical chairs in national security hierarchy comes amid increasing concern over developments in the Middle East, Ukraine and China.

I am delighted that Derek Chollet will start in July as my chief of staff. He is one of the most distinguished, far-sighted and skillful national-security practitioners of his generation, and I am grateful to him for taking on this key assignment at such an important moment, Austin said in a statement.

Blinken said in his own statement: During his time at the State Department, he has taken on some of the toughest diplomatic assignments, from the Balkans and Burma to Pakistan and Northern Ireland, and for the past nine months has been key to shaping our response to the crisis in the Middle East."

Blinken also praised Tom Sullivan, who had been a senior official under former Secretary of State John Kerry, as having an unmatched depth of knowledge about how national security policy is formulated and implemented, one that he brings to bear every day on behalf of the American people.
This column is part of a weekly round-up of notable grand jury indictments and court decisions, following through on cases reported by Savannah Morning News public safety reporter Drew Favakeh. If there are cases you're curious about, email Drew at AFavakeh@Gannett.com.

The Judge's Bench for State Court Judge Gregory Sapp inside the Chatham County Courthouse.

Man pleads guilty to armed robbery charge, prosecutors drop murder charges

On June 10, Chatham County prosecutors and Jamonta Jones reached a guilty plea for criminal attempt to commit armed robbery. Prosecutors chose not to prosecute malice murder, two counts of felony murder and aggravated assault in the case. Jones could be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years to serve, according to a copy of the plea.

According to a Savannah Police Department (SPD) press release, SPD Homicide Unit detectives arrested two suspects in the March 29, 2022, fatal shooting of Anterro Jenks on East 57th Street. On April 20, 2022, detectives arrested Jamonta Sha Ron Jones, 23, on charges of murder and criminal attempt to commit a felony. On May 3, 2022, detectives arrested a second suspect, 20-year-old Marquis Quashaw Porter, on charges of murder and criminal attempt to commit armed robbery.

According to a motion to not prosecute filed by Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Brian DeBlasiis, Jones agreed to cooperate with the State against his co-defendant and other culpable parties. The defendants role in this crime was limited to that of a driver, further the State has taken into account his possible defense of mere presence.

On June 2, 2023, Jones sent a letter from the Chatham County Detention Center to the Chatham County Superior Court in which he confessed to the murder of Jenks.

Solomon Amusan of the Amusan Law Firm filed a motion to continue the jury trial in the case against his client, Porter. In the motion, Amusan said that he wasnt prepared for this trial because he had recently concluded a separate murder trial.

Jury trial continued due to lack of availability of firearms and medical examiners

On June 18, Chatham County Superior Court Judge Michael Karpf granted the states motion for a continuance of a jury trial in the State of Georgia v. Desimond Butler, Keroney King and Jahaune Butler. Jury trial in the case was originally scheduled for the week of June 17.

On Oct. 26, 2022, a Chatham County grand jury indicted four suspects  Desimond Butler, 19; Michael Stevens, 18; Keroney King, 18; Jahaune Butler, 18  in the murder of Dion Farmer, 24, during the early hours of Aug. 13, 2022. The murder allegedly occurred in the parking lot of the Rice Creek subdivisions clubhouse on Miller Park Circle.

In late May and early June, Chatham County prosecutors filed motions for continuance due to the unavailability of medical and firearms examiners. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) medical examiner informed the State that she would be unavailable on the week of June 17 due to personal reasons. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) firearms examiner was unavailable due to being assigned to an international operation.

Jury trial is not rescheduled yet in the case.

Kasey Sanderson sentenced for vehicular homicide

On June 17, Chatham County Superior Court Judge John E. Morse sentenced Kasey Sanderson to a total of 25 years, with the first 10 years to be served in prison. A Chatham County Jury found Sanderson guilty of homicide by vehicle in the first degree, serious injury by vehicle, and driving under the influence.

Prosecutors chose not to prosecute Sanderson for multiple other charges, including reckless driving, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, serious injury by vehicle, homicide by vehicle in the first degree and felony murder.

According to a Savannah Police report, during the early morning hours of July 5, 2022, Sanderson, 28, drove away from an SPD officer after he ran a red light at the intersection of Abercorn Street and DeRenne Avenue. Sanderson crashed into another car. His passenger, Angela Sanderson, 28, died on impact from her injuries. His truck caught fire. Savannah Fire crews were able to rescue him.

Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@Gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: chatham county georgia court updates for week of June 23 2024
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  A 14-year-old boy survived a shark bite along the Carolina coast on Monday.

Chief William Younginer with the North Topsail Beach Police Department reported the call came in at 12:32 p.m.

We had a shark bite at Beach Access number 4, which is located at 484 New River Inlet Rd. This is an Onslow County access. North Topsail Beach Police Department had officers already on scene as well as Medical units from Onslow County EMS. They were there for an earlier medical call which required no action or transport, Younginer said.

1 hurt after shark bite report at NC beach, police say

The department said officers were notified about the bite and responded with EMS where bystanders were already applying towels and pressure to the wound.

Officers applied a tourniquet and EMS transported the boy to Camp Lejune Naval Hospital where he was treated and released.

Once EMS transported beach activities resumed normal. There are no reports related to seeing the shark.

This is the second reported shark bite in recent weeks.

On June 18, a man was sent to an area hospital after a reported shark bite at an island beach in Brunswick County, near the South Carolina border. Sunset Beach Police were later unable to confirm what bit the man and said it appeared the injury was caused by some sort of sea life.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
Shark kills 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' actor Tamayo Perry in Hawaii

Swimming may be prohibited in certain parts of the sea because of sharks. The surfer, lifeguard and actor Tamayo Perry was attacked and killed by a shark off the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Perry, 49, died while surfing near Oahu's North Shore on 23 June, said Kurt Lager of the city of Honolulu's Ocean Safety Division. Maurizio Gambarini/dpa/dpa-tmn

The surfer, lifeguard and actor Tamayo Perry was attacked and killed by a shark off the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

Perry, 49, died while surfing near Oahu's North Shore on Sunday, said Kurt Lager of the city of Honolulu's Ocean Safety Division.

Perry appeared in the 2002 surf film "Blue Crush" with Kate Bosworth. He also had a small role in the fourth installment of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series.

First responders brought him by jet ski to Malaekahana Beach, where he was pronounced dead.

The mayor of Honolulu, Rick Blangiardi, described Perry as a beloved figure on Oahu's North Shore and called his death a "tragic loss."
She thought she found the perfect Milwaukee apartment. It was part of a nationwide scam.

Last December, former Knoxville, Tennessee, resident Lisa Jones decided she wanted a fresh start. She set her sights on moving to Milwaukee, where she lived during college before graduating in 1998.

Jones started browsing apartments for rent "just for the heck it" when she came across the ideal listing.

A Craigslist post showed the bottom floor of a house available for rent in Riverwest  furnished, affordable and owned by a real person, rather than a company. Best of all, the landlord was offering a month-to-month lease.

"I didn't want to get locked into a year lease if I didn't like the place," said Jones. "Let's just keep this between two people  old school, you know what I mean?"

Former Knoxville, Tenn., resident Lisa Jones thought Milwaukee would be her fresh start before she realized her new apartment didn't exist.

The listing included the address of the property and multiple photos of the interior. Jones said the person leasing the apartment, someone named Paul Schwartz, even sent her a photo of his ID to verify his identity.

At first, Jones wondered why he didn't have a Wisconsin license, but he assured her the address on his ID was just where he lived part time. Although she felt skeptical, she talked herself out of it, chalking it up to being paranoid.

Jones now wishes she trusted her gut feeling. It wasn't until after she sent over a $600 security deposit and made the 10-hour drive to Milwaukee that she realized the person she was speaking to never owned the property at all.

Jones isn't the only one to fall victim to this scam, Public Investigator found. According to police reports and messages on the online forum Reddit, at least six other people in Florida, Nevada and the District of Columbia have reported being duped by someone posing as a landlord named "Paul Schwartz."

Fort Lauderdale's single report was filed in 2020. In Reno, four were filed between late 2020 and mid 2021. In D.C., one was recorded in 2019. In each case, victims said they were under the impression they'd found an apartment listing on Craigslist, only to find out they were scammed after sending over hundreds of dollars for security deposits or first month's rent.

Police in both Fort Lauderdale and Reno said the real Paul Schwartz, the person on the license, is not behind the scam and that the culprit is using his ID to shield his or her own identity. Schwartz declined to comment.

However, police said they have been unable to locate a suspect due to how difficult it is to trace fake phone numbers, email accounts and activity on money transfer apps.

For example, according to Reno Police Department records, the detective investigating the scam hit a roadblock because the money sent to the scammer's Zelle account was immediately used to purchase cryptocurrency, which is "difficult to trace."

As a result of the scam, Jones has been living out of her car for over a month. Financially and emotionally, she's been unable to bounce back.

"I just can't let it go," Jones said. "I just can't, and I don't know why. It's just made me so weary."

Red flags began with pushy texts, then became requests for more money

Jones said the person advertising the apartment seemed legitimate at first. They sent her photos of the space, assured her her cat was allowed, and informed her of the 60 days' notice policy when it came to ending her stay.

However, Jones said she started receiving "pushy" messages around Christmas, repeatedly asking if she was still interested.

"I should have just stopped (talking to them) then," Jones said.

Still, Jones said she was desperate to make sure she had a place to stay when she came to Milwaukee, so she told them she would rent the space. The next few days consisted of packing and solidifying her plans to make the drive from Knoxville to Milwaukee.

Three days before her planned move-in date, and one day before she planned to leave, the person posing as the landlord requested a $600 security deposit to be sent to their fiancee over Zelle, to which she agreed.

"I was really kind of obsessed with finding something so I could just drive into town and know where I was staying," Jones said. "I really needed that."

But later that same day, they sent her a message asking for more money.

"Can you complete the payment of the first month's rent so I can balance my books?" they texted her.

Texts sent from someone posing as the owner of a house in Riverwest requested Lisa Jones pay the first month's rent before ever seeing her rental in person.

Jones said the text made her heart sink.

"I just started to cry," she said.

The request prompted Jones to ask for her security deposit back, telling them she no longer felt comfortable with the deal. But they continued to ask for the money, insisting it was necessary for her to move in.

Instead, Jones offered to meet the day after she arrived, so she could see the space. After that, she would make the requested payment.

"I was moving across the country and needed to lock in something," Jones said. "I guess he could smell the desperation."

She left the next day, driving for two days with her cat in tow. She got to the hotel she'd booked for her first night there and texted her prospective landlord that she'd arrived.

But there was no reply to her multiple texts.

Jones said she "scared herself" with how much rage she felt after realizing she was out $600 with nowhere to go.

Shortly after Lisa Jones sent the person posing as a property owner her $600 security deposit, they asked her to send $1,100 for first month's rent. While the fake lessor's texts say they agreed upon this payment, Jones said this agreement never happened.

Real estate and rental fraud scams affect thousands each year

According to the FBI's 2022 internet crime report, 11,727 people in the U.S. reported falling victim to a real estate investment or rental fraud scam in 2022, losing a total of almost $400 million.

Scammers' tactics are constantly evolving, but the Federal Trade Commission provides advice on how to avoid and report them.

"The key is to weed out the bad (listings) from the good, and they can be hard to spot, so it's important to do research," said Anna Burns, director of the Federal Trade Commission's southeast region.

No matter which website you find the listing on, Burns said, the key is for buyers to always do their research  and give it a gut check.

"If you see a property that looks like it's a great deal and at a much lower price than you might otherwise be paying in that location for a property of that sort, that should raise a red flag to do additional research," Burns said.

Burns suggests verifying if the person advertising the home is the actual property owner by looking up the address in the city's property assessment data. For example, if Jones had looked up the apartment she thought she was renting in Milwaukee's property records, she would have found out that the listed owner was not Schwartz.

Burns also recommends seeing the property and meeting the agent in person before making a payment. If you can't go in person, Burns recommends asking someone you trust in the area to go make sure it's really for rent, or requesting a virtual tour.

Burns also warns against ever paying security deposits or rent through wire transfers or apps like Zelle, Venmo or Cash App. Not only is this a sign of a potential scam, but this also strips people of usual protections that come with traditional payment methods, like credit cards, she said.

"It's extremely difficult to get that money back," Burns said. "It's just like sending cash."

Zelle, Wells Fargo decline to reimburse Jones for the scam

Jones learned that the hard way.

Although you can report a scam to Zelle, the company said Jones' situation doesn't qualify for reimbursement.

A spokesperson for the company Early Warning Services, which owns and operates Zelle, told Public Investigator that, as of June 2023, Zelle's bank and credit union participants only reimburse consumers for "certain qualifying imposter scams."

"Fraudulent transaction claims  those where a bad actor initiates a Zelle transaction from a consumers account without authorization  have always been reimbursed and that has not changed," the spokesperson said.

However, in this case, Jones authorized the transaction. That's also why her bank, Wells Fargo, declined her fraud claim.

Former Knoxville, Tenn., resident Lisa Jones thought Milwaukee would be her fresh start before she realized her new apartment didn't exist.

"Based on the information available to us, we have determined that this payment was processed as requested, and that no error occurred," Wells Fargo said in response to her claim.

Wells Fargo spokesperson Mike Slusark said the bank gives multiple warning notifications before a customer can complete a Zelle transaction through the Wells Fargo app or online banking. Warnings include a confirmation prompt with the legally registered first name of the account owner so customers can check it against the recipient name they entered.

Jones said the name "Paul" didn't come up during her transaction. Instead, the name shown was "Wendy Felts," whom the scammer claimed was his fiancee.

"This prompt also reminds our customer to only send money to people they know and trust," said Slusark.

Milwaukee Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Efrain Cornejo said victims of rental scams should always report what happened to them to police.

"If they do not report them, then we would not be aware of them and be able to determine any trends," said Cornejo. "Officers will be able to advise the individual properly depending on the circumstances of the incident."

Jones said she didn't report her experience to police because she didn't know she could.

People can also report scams at reportfraud.ftc.gov. When they do so, their complaint goes to a database that is not only used by the FTC, but also by law enforcement across the country.

Generally, the FTC can investigate and prosecute rental scams, said spokesperson Jay Mayfield.

"That said, its worth noting that this would also be under the authority of state attorneys general and local consumer protection authorities," Mayfield added.

These local consumer protection authorities include the state's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

Scam leaves Lisa Jones struggling to find stable housing

Today, Jones is still struggling to find a place she can call home. She splits her time sleeping at a friend's house, in a hotel, or in her car.

As of June, she remains on an affordable housing waitlist that she joined after calling the social services hotline Impact 2-1-1 in May.

Krystina Kohler, financial stability portfolio manager for United Way, has stayed in touch with Jones throughout her search for affordable housing. Kohler said the most vulnerable people are prioritized for the next available spot, making it difficult to estimate how long it will take Jones to get off the waitlist.

Lisa Jones said her best friend put this red bird on her dashboard to help her "not get too frazzled with traffic" on her road trip from Tennessee to Wisconsin.

While Kohler knows this isn't the advice people always want to hear, she said people in need of affordable housing should keep calling 2-1-1, especially if their situation is changing.

"If a person's situation is changing, like getting kicked out of a couch-surfing situation or losing their source of income, that could place them higher up on the prioritization of vulnerabilities, and they might be more likely to get into a program more quickly," said Kohler.

Jones said Kohler has been "awesome and compassionate." But when it comes to somewhere to live, Jones still doesn't have a concrete plan.

For now, she said it's comforting to know she isn't the only victim of the rental scam.

"It does help knowing," Jones told Public Investigator. "I appreciate you so much. Thanks for following up and caring."

Quinn Clark is a Public Investigator reporter. She can be emailed at QClark@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Quinn_A_Clark.

No tip is too big or too small. Contact the Public Investigator team.

Public Investigator

Government corruption. Corporate wrongdoing. Consumer complaints. Medical scams. Public Investigator is a new initiative of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and its sister newsrooms across Wisconsin. Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth. We'll investigate anywhere in Wisconsin. Send your tips to watchdog@journalsentinel.com or call 414-319-9061. You can also submit tips at jsonline.com/tips.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee apartment listing is part of nationwide rental scam
AUSTIN (KXAN)  A body matching the description of a swimmer who went missing Saturday afternoon was found Sunday evening after a search by multiple agencies, according to a press release from the Travis County Sheriffs Office.

TCSO described the swimmer in its release as a 70-year-old man using a handheld propulsion device and who was not wearing a life vest at the time. A 911 caller told authorities around 2:40 p.m. Saturday that the man hadnt resurfaced after going underwater in a cove near Arkansas Bend County Park.

Saturdays search included elements from the TCSO Lake Patrol, Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD), Lake Travis Fire Rescue, STAR Flight and the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA). By a social media post from Austin-Travis County EMS at 3:20 p.m., TCSO had transitioned the search into a recovery, which continued until around 9 p.m. Saturday.

On Sunday, TCSO continued searching the area, using camera-equipped remotely operated vehicles and sonar, with help from TPWD and LCRA. The body was recovered at 5:51 p.m. from a depth of 29 feet, per TCSO.

The agency said that currently there is no indication that a crime occurred. It declined to identify the body in the press release.

Scooter safety

The sheriffs office said TCSO Lake Patrol had not seen a similar incident involving handheld propulsion devices, or scooters.

Our Lake Patrol Sergeant recommends familiarizing yourself with the operation and safety instructions of the device and trying it out in a pool before using it at the lake, a TCSO statement said.

A spokesperson said the scooters have been around for a while, but Lake Patrol teams do not encounter them often. However, there is no way to know how frequently they are used on Lake Travis.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  The cargo ship that caused the March 26 collapse of the Francis Scott Key bridge in Baltimore is officially in Hampton Roads after a 20 hour journey down the Chesapeake Bay.

Cargo ship that caused Baltimore bridge collapse expected to head to Norfolk

The Dali, which had remained at the Port of Baltimore since the collapse, was overseen by the Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish, an 87-foot Marine Protector-class patrol boat, during the journey.

Watchstanders in the Fifth Coast Guard District, including Portsmouth, closely monitored the Dalis movement while the Cutter Sailfish provided a 500-yard safety zone around the vessel.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic, the Dali sailed under its own power under their full crew of 22 and six salvage exerts from Resolve Marine.

Four members of the original crew were onboard the ship during the journey to ensure there were people onboard familiar with the ship. Once the Dali officially docks, these four members will leave, and the new crew will stay on board during repairs.

Four commercial tugboats also joined the Dali on the journey, and the salvage vessel Interceptor from Resolve Marine followed closely behind.

Tugboats escort ship that caused deadly Baltimore bridge collapse back to port

Around 17,000 cargo containers are scheduled to be offloaded at the Virginia International Gateway in Portsmouth to reduce draft, leaving behind roughly 27,000 containers on board as they transfer to the Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) North.

Once at the NIT North, the Dali will undergo repairs from damage caused by the bridge collapse.

Captain Jennifer Stockwell with the US Coast Guard told 10 On Your Side they are not aware of any underwater damage, meaning there might not be a need for a dry dock.

Dockside, they can definitely conduct a lot of the maintenance right there, Stockwell said. I dont know if it will be fully repaired by the time its ready to depart the Hampton Roads region, but were optimistic that it will definitely be sea worthy.

Stockwell added the US Coast Guard will occasionally do transports like these for large vessels in need of repair, but states it is still a rare moment.

We do receive vessels that are damaged from time to time, and help facilitate resolution, Stockwell explained. This one obviously is very different because of the level of destruction. Those transits overseas are much more extreme. We want to make sure that vessel and crew are protected.

In order to keep the maritime community informed during the Dalis journey, the Coast Guard will be issuing Safety Marine Information Broadcasts via VHF radio channel 16.

For more information on the response regarding the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse, click the link here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
An artist's rendering of Heirloom Carbon Technology's proposed direct air capture facility. (Image credit: Heirloom Carbon Technology)

A decarbonization company plans to build North Americas second direct air capture facility in Louisiana as part of an effort to sequester industrial air pollution.

Heirloom Carbon Technologies announced Monday it is moving forward with the first phase of a decarbonization project that combines public and private investment to build two direct air capture facilities at the Port of Caddo-Bossier, according to a Louisiana Economic Development (LED) press release.

Louisiana taxpayers are giving the company a $3 million grant. The company will also be able to claim up to $7.8 million in tax incentives over 10 years if payroll and employment targets are met, LED said.

Direct air capture is a chemical process that extracts carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the ambient air, and then stores the CO2 or converts it into another material. The technology relies on the availability of clean or renewable energy sources and carbon storage sites. Heirlooms technology extracts CO2 from limestone using a renewable energy-powered kiln.

The company plans to partner with CapturePoint, a carbon management company, to store the CO2 captured from these facilities in underground wells at locations to be determined.

The first facility is expected to begin construction by the end of the year. The company estimates it will remove around 17,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere annually beginning in 2026.

For the first phase, the company plans to invest $475 million and create 81 new permanent jobs, each with an average annual salary of more than $56,000.

The anticipated second facility would be built as part of Project Cypress, which would use up to $550 million of U.S Department of Energy funding to create one of the worlds largest direct air capture hubs in Louisiana.

Louisiana is well positioned to become Americas leader in safely storing carbon dioxide, Gov. Jeff Landry said in a statement. Heirlooms expansion into the Port of Caddo-Bossier means even more growth and more jobs for our State and is another example of how we are leading the race to drive the nations energy future. The expansion of Project Cypress Direct Air Capture Hub across the State represents the best of Louisiana  cutting-edge technology at the forefront of the energy economy, powered by innovation and a broad base of highly skilled workers.

Heirloom opened the continents first direct air capture facility in California last year under decarbonization agreements with Microsoft and other large corporations.

The post Shreveport picked for North Americas second direct air capture facility appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
Insights from Girls Not Brides, The Economist, Al Jazeera, and The Atlantic

The News

Sierra Leones Parliament passed a historic bill criminalizing child marriage, a major victory for campaigners in a region that has the highest prevalence of the practice in the world.

The bill, which includes jail terms of up to 15 years or a hefty fine for perpetrators, still needs to be signed into law by President Julius Maada Bio.

The West African country is home to 800,000 child brides, half of whom were married before the age of 15, according to a 2019 UNICEF report.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Human rights-inflected messaging may fall short

Sources: UNICEF, Girls Not Brides

West and Central Africa have the highest prevalence of child marriage in the world  and despite a steady global decline, it will take another 300 years to end the practice at the current rate of progress, which has so far largely benefited the wealthiest, a 2023 UNICEF report found. It may be dangerous to generalize the reasons for child marriage, so interventions should be carefully tailored to the community in question: Some regard child marriage as a way to protect girls, and are therefore more receptive to education and health-based messaging than the human rights discourse of harmful traditional practices, the nonprofit Girls Not Brides said.

Not just a foreign problem

Sources: Unchained At Last, The Economist , Al Jazeera, The Atlantic

Four US states  California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Mississippi  have no minimum marriage age, according to the nonprofit Unchained At Last, and although lawmakers failure to press for reforms may be because the number of minors marrying has fallen dramatically, official statistics are almost certainly an undercount, a campaigner told The Economist in 2022. Inaction is fielded by the mistaken belief that child marriage is a foreign problem, a columnist argued in Al Jazeera. The politics of child marriage cuts across the political spectrum: Planned Parenthood, for example, may fear that if minors cant consent to marriage, the argument could be made that they shouldnt be able to consent to an abortion either, an international affairs professor wrote in The Atlantic.
Simpson College President Jay Byers announces new scholarship programs for incoming students on Sept. 7, 2023 at the college. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Simpson College President Jay Byers is recovering at home after a car accident last week.

Byers wrote in a Facebook post that he was released from the hospital Thursday with a few injuries to still take care of, but he feels fortunate overall as he takes time to rest and recover.

Though its been a rough week, my wife, Katie, and I are very grateful for the outpouring of support weve received from so many of you, Byers said in his post.

The college president was involved in a serious one-car accident on the morning of June 19 where he sustained several non-life-threatening injuries, according to a statement from Simpson Board of Trustees Chair Terry Handley.

A later message to campus stated that information on Byers return to on-campus duties will be shared as he continues to recover and a clear timeline is established.

Jay is much more than a great leader for Simpson  he is a treasured friend to so many in our community, our region and all of Iowa, Handley said in his statement. I trust everyone will join our Simpson community in rallying around Jay and his family as he goes through this difficult ordeal with the positive spirit and determination that has always defined him.

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(FOX40.COM)  A new solar energy-generating facility expected to produce enough clean energy to power over 10,000 homes will hold a groundbreaking ceremony in Sacramento County this upcoming week.

The Sloughhouse Solar Project, which officials anticipate will displace roughly 90,000 metric tons of carbon emissions annually, the equivalent of taking nearly 20,000 cars off the road, is expected to hold its groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, will reach commercial operation in spring 2025, according to MMSStrategies, a Sacramento-based consulting firm.

California regulators approve change to how some power bills are calculated

D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), a leading developer, owner, and operator of renewable energy projects in the United States, said, the Sloughhouse Solar Project will provide long-term economic benefits and enhance grid reliability in the region, helping California meet ambitious renewable energy goals.

The ceremony will be held at 7794 Dillard Road, Sloughhouse, CA on Tuesday at 10 a.m. Speakers include Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume, SMUD Director Nancy Bui-Thompson, SMUD Board Chair Rosanna Herber, and DESRI Chief Development Officer Hy Martin.

Northern California environmental groups suing Caltrans over Interstate 80 widening project

According to DESRI, here are some benefits the project will have on the environment, economy, and overall community:

Spanning 400 acres at Wanlass Ranch in east Sacramento County, the Sloughhouse Solar Project will generate over 130,000,000 kilowatt-hours per year of renewable energy.

The project will create up to 200 construction jobs and several operations jobs, and increase county tax revenue significantly over its lifespan.

The project will enhance local farmland soils with long-term cover crops such as cool-season grasses, which sequester atmospheric carbon. The land will be fully restored at the end of the solar farms useful life.

By improving SMUDs local energy distribution infrastructure at no cost to ratepayers, the project ensures that SMUD can invest in the community rather than procuring energy elsewhere.

The strategic location of the projects site avoids impacts on sensitive natural resources and is adjacent to an existing solar facility, ensuring efficient integration with current infrastructure.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A four-foot long snake was discovered in a box of donated books by an employee of a Goodwill store in Stafford, Virginia, the Stafford County Sheriffs Office said.

A "Slytherin suspect" was discovered in a donation box at a Goodwill store in Virginia.

The Stafford County Sheriffs Office, in a post on Instagram, said that an employee found the four-foot long snake last Tuesday in a box of books donated to a Goodwill store in Stafford, Virginia.

"With the rise in temperatures recently everyone is trying to beat the heat, even the local wildlife," the sheriff's office said. "Luckily, the Captain of Animal Control, Captain J.A. Bice, was nearby and responded quicker than any Seeker could."

'A bit of Parseltongue' and snake removed

The sheriff's office wrote that the officer was able to safely remove the snake "using his powers of persuasion, and a bit of Parseltongue."

No one was injured in the incident and the snake was safely removed back into the wild, said the sheriff's office.

It is not immediately clear as to how the snake, identified as a black racer, ended up in the donation box. However, the species is native to Virginia, according to the Virginia Herpetological Society.

Goodwill did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for a comment on the incident.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Snake found among donated items in Goodwill box in Virginia
(Bloomberg) -- South Africas newly formed government must accelerate the pace of reform to help improve the business environment and attract investment, President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

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Ten political parties signed up to join a broad alliance that will govern the country, after elections last month failed to produce an outright winner. The members of the so-called government of national unity have agreed to prioritize rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth to create jobs.

It will be critical that the government of national unity stays the course on the structural reform that is underway to improve the business operating environment and establish South Africa as an investment destination of choice, Ramaphosa said in his weekly statement. We will need to build on the progress that has already been made, while accelerating the pace of reform.

Talks are under way between the members of the government on the creation of a new cabinet. An announcement on the formation of the executive is expected in the coming days, Ramaphosas African National Congress said at the weekend.

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(Bloomberg) -- Ten South African political parties agreed to form a ruling alliance, completing the first phase of creating a so-called government of national unity.

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The Al Jama-ah party on Saturday joined nine others to create an administration that will run the country for the next five years. The government excludes the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters and former President Jacob Zumas uMkhonto weSizwe party, which together garnered almost a quarter of the vote in last months elections.

The addition of any further parties to the government will be subject to the agreement of the founding members, the African National Congress said in a statement on Saturday.

The ANC remains in open communication with the parties that have not joined the GNU, exploring various ways in which there can be collaboration, it said.

The ANC has been forced to form a coalition with rival parties after losing its parliamentary majority in the May 29 vote for the first time since it came to power three decades. With 40.2% of the vote, its the biggest party in the new government, followed by the centrist Democratic Alliance, which obtained 21.8%.

Combined, the coalition parties hold 287 of the 400 seats in parliament. The other members are the Inkatha Freedom Party, the Patriotic Alliance, the Freedom Front Plus, the United Democratic Movement, Rise Mzansi, the GOOD party, and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania.

Political parties began talks on Thursday about forming the next cabinet and an announcement on its structure will be made in the coming days, the ANC said on Saturday.

The make-up of the executive is being closely watched by investors anticipating an acceleration of economic reforms under a more centrist-leaning government. The rand has strengthened 4.6% so far this month as bonds and stocks have rallied on optimism about pro-growth policy continuity.

South Africas National Treasury on Friday signaled its committed to maintaining the stance set out in the 2024 budget that seeks to stabilize public finances, reduce fiscal and economic risks, promote growth and support vulnerable citizens.

While it is anticipated that the incoming administration will bring its own perspectives and policies, in the interim, it is crucial to maintain the current fiscal strategy, the Treasury said in a statement on Friday. Resources will be available only within the parameters required to meet the objectives of the medium-term fiscal strategy as outlined in the 2024 Budget Review.

South Africas budget next year is expected to yield a debt-stabilizing primary surplus in the 2025-26 fiscal year, a reduction in the budget deficit to pre-Covid levels, and a stabilization of debt-service costs as a percentage of revenue, the Treasury said.

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Firefighters retrieve the bodies of workers at the site of a fire at a primary lithium battery factory. The fire reportedly left at least 22 workers dead. -/YNA POOL/dpa

At least 22 people died and eight others were injured in a major fire at a South Korean lithium battery factory near Seoul, the fire brigade said on Monday.

One person is still registered as missing. Among the victims, 20 were of foreign origin, including 18 Chinese nationals and one person from Laos, the fire brigade said. The identity of another foreign worker remains unknown.

Most of the victims died when they were trapped by the fire. The bodies of the victims were retrieved from the multi-storey building in the city of Hwaseong, some 45 kilometres south of Seoul.

South Korean television footage showed a series of small explosions, with flames and thick clouds of smoke billowing out of the burning building before the fire was brought under control after several hours.

Authorities suggested that the fire might have been caused by the explosion of a battery cell. The initial call came from a worker who had managed to escape in time, police said.

Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing, police said.

It is believed that there were approximately 102 people in the building at the time of the incident. Most of the victims were found on the factory's second floor.

According to reports from the national news agency Yonhap, this incident is one of the most serious accidents at a chemical plant in South Korea.

In 1989, 16 people were killed by explosions at a chemical plant in the southern city of Yeosu.

Eight people died in Cheongju in 2012 when a chemical solvent exploded in a plant owned by LG Chem.

President Yoon Suk Yeol (2-L) inspects the site of a fire at a primary lithium battery factory. The fire has left 22 workers dead. -/YNA/dpa
A flood-affected segment of Interstate 29 on June 21, 2024. (Courtesy of South Dakota Department of Transportation)

Federal, state and local officials are focusing their efforts on a voluntary evacuation of Dakota Dunes and a levee construction project across Interstate 29 near McCook Lake as they continue responding to historic rainfall and flooding in southeast South Dakota that has claimed at least one life.

Gov. Kristi Noem led a press conference Sunday in North Sioux City. She shared news of the death but declined to provide any information about the person, circumstances or location, other than saying the death was related to flooding.

Because of respect for the family, Im not going to share any details around that, Noem said. All Im going to say is that I want to remind everybody to remember the power of water and the flow of water, and to stay away from flooded areas.

Sunday morning, prior to Noems press conference, the state Department of Public Safety issued a news release saying that an 87-year-old man died Saturday afternoon in a single vehicle crash 5 miles northeast of Harrisburg.

The man was driving a utility terrain vehicle on a road that was closed because one of the shoulders had washed away. The department said the driver attempted to turn around and went backward over the washout, was ejected from the UTV and was pronounced dead at the scene. The mans name has not been released, pending notification of family members.

Asked after the Sunday press conference whether the 87-year-old mans death was the one Noem was referencing, her spokesman Ian Fury said, Ill let Highway Patrol report that situation as they normally do. Department of Public Safety spokesman Brad Reiners said, We are not releasing additional information at this time.

Ten to 15 inches of rain fell from Thursday to Saturday in the hardest-hit area of southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota, with totals exceeding 17 inches in some locations. During the rain and the immediate aftermath, many basements and roads flooded, and local emergency responders conducted numerous rescues.

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)

Sioux Falls temporarily asked residents to limit showers, clothes washing, dishwasher use and other contributions to the citys overstressed wastewater system. The city rescinded that request Sunday, saying the system was trending in the right direction.

Attention has since shifted to rising rivers and creeks. The Big Sioux River at Sioux City surpassed 43 feet Sunday on its way to an expected crest Sunday night, surpassing the former record of 37.7 feet for that segment.

The Big Sioux and other swollen rivers and streams flow into the Missouri River in the southeast corner of the state, as do other rivers such as the Niobrara in Nebraska, placing North Sioux City and Dakota Dunes in the crosshairs of the collected floodwaters.

John Remus is the chief of the Army Corps of Engineers Missouri River Basin Water Management Division. He said the corps lowered releases from Fort Randall and Gavins Point dams  upstream of North Sioux City and Dakota Dunes  to ease downstream flooding. There is plenty of capacity behind Fort Randall, he said, but the water behind Gavins Point was near the top of the floodgates Sunday afternoon and still rising.

Thats why we have not been able to cut outflows as much as we originally wanted to, Remus said. Were going to continue to monitor that. It appears that the inflows are starting to peak and turn over. As soon as we can, well start decreasing the flows.

The high flows headed for Dakota Dunes led authorities to issue a voluntary evacuation order.

Jason Westcott, emergency management director for Union County, said local crews are working to strengthen dikes in the area and have opened a self-serve sandbag station for local residents at the county highway shop in Elk Point.

But he stressed that people should evacuate if theyre in harms way.

The county currently is about maxed out on being able to do water rescues at this point, Westcott said. As we move further into this incident and it becomes more serious in this area, we may not have the ability to rescue people from their homes if they continue to stay there.

The county currently is about maxed out on being able to do water rescues at this point. As we move further into this incident and it becomes more serious in this area, we may not have the ability to rescue people from their homes if they continue to stay there.

 Jason Westcott, Union County emergency management director

Craig Smith, director of operations for the state Department of Transportation, said Interstate 29 would close at 6 p.m. Sunday between exits 2 and 9.

The closure will allow work crews to build a levee across Interstate 90 at Exit 4, just north of North Sioux City and Dakota Dunes, and tie it in with other protective structures. That section of interstate is sandwiched between the Big Sioux River to the east and McCook Lake to the west.

Smith said 1 to 2 feet of water could flow over the interstate there as floodwaters crest, and the closure will remain in effect as long as the levee is needed.

A lengthy detour will route drivers west through Vermillion, via Highway 50 in South Dakota and I-29 Exit 144 in Iowa.

Interstate 29 closed between exits 2 and 9 at 6 p.m. June 23, 2024, and authorities released this detour map. (Courtesy of state of South Dakota)

Some other roads in the southeast region of the state remain closed due to flooding. Drivers are encouraged to visit sd511.org or download the SD511 mobile app to view all current road closures, no-travel advisories and highway obstructions.

Noem signed an emergency declaration Saturday, which allows the state to begin paperwork for potential help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. She urged everyone affected by the flood to document their damages and contact their insurance agent and local emergency manager, so that the information can be used in the states application to FEMA.

Sundays weather was dry and hot in southeast South Dakota. The National Weather Service forecast includes chances for isolated storms Monday and Tuesday, and sunny weather on Wednesday.

Were hoping that by Thursday morning were in a very different situation and water starts to recede, Noem said.

EDITORS NOTE: This story has been updated since its initial publication with additional flooding information and reaction from state officials.

No-boating declaration issued

To protect public health, safety and private property during ongoing flooding, Gov. Kristi Noem on Saturday enacted a no-boating declaration for the following waters:

Lake Alvin in Lincoln County.

Lake Henry in Bon Homme County.

Marindahl Lake in Yankton County.

Menno Lake in Hutchinson County.

Swan Lake in Turner County.

Wall Lake in Minnehaha County.

Lake Vermillion in McCook County.

Noems declaration states, This restriction shall be in full force and effect from this date forward until modified or removed by a subsequent declaration by the Office of the Governor, or by Kevin Robling, Secretary of the Department of Game, Fish and Parks, who I am hereby appointing as my designee in order to enable him to add to, delete or modify boating restrictions for any bodies of water similarly affected in South Dakota.

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The post Southeast SD flooding claims at least one life as focus shifts to Dakota Dunes appeared first on South Dakota Searchlight.
Can SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launch from Cape Canaveral be seen in Tallahassee?

When SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launches from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, can capital city residents see it?

Possibly, people in Tallahassee have reported seeing a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket liftoff (see video below).

The mammoth SpaceX rocket Falcon Heavy  more powerful than the space agency's Falcon 9  will potentially lift off this week. Depending on weather, Falcon Heavy should be visible from nearly anywhere on the Space Coast and in areas outside of the county, possibly hundreds of miles away.

Here's more information about the rocket launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. If there are changes to the launch, this story will be updated.

Florida rocket launch calendar: Is there a launch today? SpaceX, NASA, ULA missions from Cape Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center

Is there a rocket launch from Florida? The next is Tuesday, June 25: SpaceX Falcon Heavy GOES-U

Two weeks from today the new #GOESU satellite launches to space. It'll launch from @NASAKennedy on a @SpaceX Falcon Heavy Rocket. GOES-U will be positioned in the GOES East Position as GOES 19.



The current GOES East satellite, GOES 16, will become a on-orbit backup. #FLwx https://t.co/X96zSm0l07  NWS Tallahassee (@NWSTallahassee) June 11, 2024

What is SpaceX Falcon Heavy?

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 feet tall with the second stage and has a diameter of 12 feet.

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 feet, which is comparable to almost three cars parked bumper to bumper.

How big is Falcon Heavy? What does SpaceX Falcon Heavy look like compared to Falcon 9 rockets?

Photo galleries attached to this story show scenes of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launch (morning, afternoon or night) from the Space Coast of Florida. From Titusville to Tallahassee, it's about 300 miles.

Falcon Heavy, which is made up of three Falcon 9 rocket first stages, can potentially be seen outside of the Space Coast, weather permitting and depending on cloud cover.

Will it rain in Cape Canaveral, Florida, today? Will weather cancel SpaceX rocket launch?

Shown is the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar, which shows conditions in real-time for the Space Coast and other parts of Florida.

Can you see a rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral, Florida, in Tallahassee?

In the Jan. 26, 2023, YouTube video above from user Wright, "Starlink 5-2 launched from Cape Canaveral early in the morning at 4:32 am ET from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The launch was visible from Tallahassee. About 1.5 to 2 hours after launch, the light from the sun began to illuminate the exhaust and clouds produced from the first stage ascent of the SpaceX Falcon 9."

In addition, millions around the world watched Feb. 6, 2018, as 27 Merlin engines roared to life at Kennedy Space Center, lifting SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket into the evening sky. More than 100,000 visitors to Florida's Space Coast had witnessed the historic demo flight of the most powerful rocket in the world. Interestingly, that bright orange-yellow dot in the sky could be seen from parts of the capital city.

If the clouds cooperate, its conceivable that the June 25, 2024, SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launch could be visible as far away as Tallahassee. When the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Southern California in October 2018, it was viewed by skywatchers from hundreds of miles away.

In a June 24, 2019, Tallahassee Democrat story, Ken Kopczynski, president of the Tallahassee Astronomical Society who wrote columns for the Tallahassee Democrat as the Sky Guy, said for best viewing find a spot with a clear view to the east/southeast with no clouds. In the story, Kopczynski suggested the "Alford Greenway or the Cypress Landing Boat Launch overlooking Lake Miccosukee. The Costco parking lot on Mahan Drive may also offer a decent view of the horizon."

Videos, tweets of SpaceX rocket launch near Cape Canaveral spotted in Tallahassee, Florida

I waited months for this shot and I was not disappointed! Great view of the launch this morning from Tallahassee, FL. 300+ miles away from the rocket.

Godspeed #CrewDragon2 ,#Endeavour, and thanks for one hell of a show this morning! #SpaceX #NASA pic.twitter.com/l354sAlmyG  Wright Dobbs (@WrightDobbs) April 23, 2021

Photos, tweets of rocket launch seen in Tallahassee, Florida

Clear skies across the state tonight for @SpaceX s @Starlink Group 6-45 launch out of @NASAKennedy . This was as viewed from just outside Tallahassee, 250 miles as the crow flies. pic.twitter.com/gZPd4YlWv2  Mat-MadeOnEarthFoundInSpace (@MadeOnEarthFou1) March 31, 2024

It's probably been almost 10 years since I've seen a rocket launch and it was the first time seeing one from Tallahassee. Tonight, I got to witness the #SpaceX launch of #Crew1! Really amazing sight, even from 250+ miles away. 6 image composite here. #LaunchAmerica #NASA pic.twitter.com/k8u8ndMWfG  Wright Dobbs (@WrightDobbs) November 16, 2020

Boostback burn of the @SpaceX/@NASA #Crew8 as viewed from #Tallahassee this evening. Great weather up here for viewing and finally got to see the "nebula" from Tallahassee. Definitely not as cool as from the Space Coast but still neat! #FLwx #Tally pic.twitter.com/6no12SDjNu  Wright Dobbs (@WrightDobbs) March 4, 2024

Contributing: William Hatfield, Tallahassee Democrat, and Emre Kelly, FLORIDA TODAY

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: NASA-SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch Florida: Can I see it in Leon County
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  A man is facing a sexual misconduct charge for committing a lewd act on a MetroLink train, less than 10 days after pleading guilty to sexual misconduct with a child in another case.

According to the St. Louis County Police Departments probable cause statement, the incident took place on June 7 at the Lambert Airport Terminal 1 Station.

The MetroLink operator parked the train at the station and stepped off for a few minutes. Police claim that when the operator returned, Deangelo Covington was aboard the train and having sex with one of the seats. Covingtons genitals were exposed at the time.

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The operator continued on their route and Covington continued his activity until he exited the train at Hanley Station.

Police claim Covingtons actions were caught on surveillance video.

On May 30, Covington pleaded guilty to one count of sexual misconduct involving a child under 15  first offense, two counts of first-degree sexual misconduct  first offense, and second-degree sexual abuse. The four charges are tied to three separate incidents.

Covington was sentenced to 12 months in the St. Louis County Justice Center. However, the circuit court judge gave Covington credit for time served and ordered his release.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
A trip to Mar-a-Lago taken by former President Donald Trump that aides allegedly "kept quiet" just weeks before FBI agents searched the property for classified materials in his possession raised suspicions among special counsel Jack Smith's team as a potential additional effort to obstruct the government's classified documents investigation, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

The previously unreported visit, which allegedly took place July 10-12 in the summer of 2022, was raised in several interviews with witnesses, sources familiar with the matter said, as investigators sought to determine whether it was part of Trump's broader alleged effort to withhold the documents after receiving a subpoena demanding their return.

MORE: Special counsel questioned witnesses about 2 rooms FBI didn't search inside Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence: Sources

At least one witness who worked closely with the former president recalled being told at the time of the trip that Trump was there "checking on the boxes," according to sources familiar with what the witness told investigators.

Trump pleaded not guilty last year to 40 criminal counts related to his handling of classified materials after leaving the White House, after prosecutors said he repeatedly refused to return hundreds of documents containing classified information and took steps to thwart the government's efforts to get them back. His longtime aide, Walt Nauta, and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira pleaded not guilty to related charges.

Trump has denied all charges and denounced the probe as a political witch hunt.

Gathering evidence

Several witnesses who spoke to investigators described the trip as highly unusual, given that Trump typically spends the summer months at his Bedminster club in New Jersey, and because Trump's living quarters at his Mar-a-Lago property were under construction at the time of the visit, sources said.

Other witnesses who were questioned by Smith's team said they were led to believe that Trump returned to check on the status of the renovations, said sources.

PHOTO: In this June 9, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump is shown at the White House in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, FILE)

Just weeks before the trip, as ABC News has previously reported, Trump allegedly had the lock on a closet in his residence changed while his attorney was in Mar-a-Lago's basement searching for classified documents in a storage room that he was told contained all such documents. The FBI failed to check the locked closet in Trump's residence when they searched the estate in August 2022, which some investigators later came to believe should have been done.

The trip came as investigators were gathering evidence that Trump continued to possess classified documents, and followed a separate subpoena in late June 2022 seeking surveillance footage from Mar-a-Lago that showed aides to Trump moving boxes between a storage room in the resort and his residence.

The trip also followed a similar instance of unplanned travel to Mar-a-Lago by Nauta, where, according to a superseding indictment, he is alleged to have conspired with Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira to attempt to delete security camera footage.

Contacted by ABC News, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung, without providing evidence, accused prosecutors of lying and illegally leaking material.

"The entire documents case was a political sham from the very beginning and it should be thrown out entirely," Cheung said in comments to ABC News.

A spokesperson for the special counsel's office declined to comment to ABC News.

'Keeping this one quiet'

At the time of Trump's trip in July 2022, some staff expressed confusion as to where Trump would even stay on the property, sources said, given the renovations that his living quarters were undergoing.

"They were keeping this one quiet ... nobody knew about this trip," one witness with direct knowledge of the trip told investigators, according to sources familiar with the witness' statements.

Trump left New Jersey on July 9, 2022, for a campaign rally in Anchorage, Alaska, and was scheduled to return to New Jersey following that event, according to aircraft manifests described by sources to ABC News. But the plans changed in the days immediately leading up to the trip and he decided to fly to Florida instead, updated aircraft manifests of the trip show.

According to sources, investigators involved in the case identified what they believe to be a series of unusual steps taken by Trump and members of his inner circle to ensure the trip stayed under the radar.

Nauta, who traveled with Trump on the trip, sent a number of text messages to close staff members indicating that the Florida visit was to be kept quiet, according to sources familiar with the contents of the messages.

"I'm pretty sure [Trump] wants minimal people around on Monday," Nauta texted one longtime Trump employee just one day before Trump arrived in Florida, according to a message sources detailed to ABC News.

And on July 8, when one Trump Organization employee reached out to Nauta wanting to confirm rumors of a Trump visit so proper preparations could be made, Nauta made clear he wanted the trip to remain "discreet," sources familiar with the communications said. The sources said Nauta sent a text message to the employee that included emojis with zippers over the mouth, which is often used to convey a secret.

MORE: Trump's attorneys seek to invalidate appointment of special prosecutor Jack Smith

Nauta also wrote a message to De Oliveira on July 7 that said "Coming down to FL soon" with shushing emojis to indicate the visit be kept quiet, according to another text message described by sources.

De Oliveira initially told investigators that he had no knowledge of Trump's trip to Florida -- but the special counsel has evidence that supports the allegation De Oliveira was well aware of Trump's travel plans, corroborated in part by security camera footage that shows Trump and De Oliveira together, according to sources familiar with De Oliveira's meetings with investigators.

De Oliveira later told investigators he recalled seeing the former president very briefly during that trip, sources said.

Smith's interest in the trip adds to the list of instances in which investigators appeared to suspect Trump was seeking to obstruct their probe.

Last month, a court filing from Smith's team revealed additional steps prosecutors believed Trump and his associates had taken to obstruct their probe, alleging that after Trump was informed by his attorney of a government subpoena for video footage from Mar-a-Lago, Trump instructed aides to return several boxes they had previously removed from the storage room in the club's basement -- without being caught on camera.

Special counsel probed Trump Mar-a-Lago trip that aides 'kept quiet' weeks before FBI search: Sources originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Sunday found embattled Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) at a thunderous rally in the Bronx along with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Bernie Sanders.

The hoarse, sweating Bowman looked to be feeling the heat, not just from the seething crowd and feverish June afternoon, but from a recent poll showing him 17 points behind his Democratic primary rival. And he scarcely shied away from what has become the defining issue of the race, the brutal Israeli military campaign in Gaza, and the independent organization spending big to unseat him.

We are going to show fucking AIPAC the motherfucking power of the South Bronx, the former high school principal cried, using the common acronym for the American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee. We are not going to stand silent while U.S. tax dollars kills babies and women and children. My opponent supports genocide. My opponent and AIPAC are the ones destroying our democracy.

The fiery rhetoric, and the decision to hold the rally outside of Bowmans actual districtwhich does not include the South Bronx, but the northernmost fringes of New York City and much of suburban Westchester Countydrew swift criticism on Twitter.

The level of profanity here is so shocking as to be unbecoming of a Member of Congress.



There is nothing in Jamaal Bowmans unhinged tirade that remotely resembles the decency of the people I know and represent in the South Bronx. pic.twitter.com/IZZtgyffTv  Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) June 23, 2024

Its also become typical in a race where the candidates indiscretions have provoked bitter character attacks. In January, The Daily Beast discovered Bowman had promoted 9/11 conspiracy theories during his pre-congressional careerthen, in May, found that while in Congress he had followed an array of unhinged YouTube accounts that promoted everything from flat-earth content to claims about aliens and time travel to Chinese and Russian disinformation.

Meanwhile, his fierce criticism of Israel and AIPAC, culminating in a recent endorsement of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movementas well as remarks about several communities in his district where the Jews live and concentratehave provoked allegations of anti-Semitism. The most visible and voluble of these have come from a political action committee AIPAC established, which has dumped more $14 million into the contest, making it the most expensive intra-party fight in U.S. history, with total spending topping $22 million across both camps and their supporters.

Bowmans opponent, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, has hardly distinguished himself as an emblem of eloquence when discussing the awkward optics of being an older, white male challenger attempting to unseat a Black incumbent in a majority-minority district.

Does he have an obvious ethnic benefit? Yes, Latimer told Punchbowl News about Bowman in a recent interview.

When discussing his own support from some Black leaders in the area, Latimer asserted I have major African Americans in positions of great importanceand he inflamed some prominent Muslim-Americans when he attacked Bowmans out-of-district fundraising and public appearances by asserting your constituency is Dearborn, Michigan, your constituency is San Francisco, California. The first community is home to a large Arab-American population.

Latimer has rejected Bowmans characterization of Israels hugely destructive counter-attack on Hamas as a genocide, but also sought to steer the discussion away from foreign policy toward more mundane matters. But one of his key assertions, that Bowmans rhetoric and left-wing stancesparticularly his vote against President Joe Bidens signature infrastructure bill for being insufficiently expansivehas provided an opening for Bowman to again accuse him of racism.

The angry Black man! The angry Black man! Bowman declared in a May forum. Its the Southern strategy in the North.

The Latimer-Bowman contest, and the Israeli-Palestinian contest, are just the latest clash in the battle between the Democratic Partys moderate and progressive elements that dates back to at least 2016. Fellow Squad Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) crushed her primary opponent in April, while Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) faces an AIPAC-supported challenge from prosecutor Wesley Bell in August.

With Trump on the ballot, we need strong, principled Democrats in Congress more than ever.



In Congress, @LatimerforNY will protect abortion rights, stand up to the NRA, and fight for President Bidens agendajust like hes always done.



Make a plan to vote by June 25th!  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 12, 2024

As if to pull the roots of the long-running tensions to the surface, Hillary Clinton endorsed Latimer just a few weeks after Sanders formally backed Bowman.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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In the Belgian town of Lier youll find the worlds slowest clock, where one full revolution of a dial takes about 25,800 years. Just the thing we need to measure how quickly we build infrastructure in Britain. If the Victorians could do it, and others can, why cant we?

One factor is rarely acknowledged. Were a very densely populated island, with most of the population boxed into a four-sided shape roughly bordered by Liverpool, York, Dover and Bristol. Here, some 44 million of us, or around 80pc of the English population, live and work, making it five times denser than Spain or France.

So with land and precious natural beauty at a premium, people will fight hard to preserve what they have. Density has already made property more expensive, and consent more difficult than in other countries. Add in more people, and even grudging consent starts to fray. This reality should be the starting point for policy.

Certainly, theres more red tape and obstacles than ever. In 2011, the Localism Act of 2011 was passed, promising to return power to the people. As the then Department for Communities and Local Government put it: Trying to improve peoples lives by imposing decisions, setting targets and demanding inspections from Whitehall simply doesnt work. It creates bureaucracy. How did that go?

We just got more bureaucracy. Whitehall may have ceded power, but The Blob has taken its place. The real power now lies with an amateur police force of activists, quangos and NGOs, with lawyers at their side. The threat of litigation hovers over any official or agency who dares approve development. Before Blair, a judicial review was fairly rare. There were 160 applications in 1975. By 2011 there were 11,200. Blocking things is a standard part of the NGO toolkit.

Government tried and failed to release housing from Europes nutrient neutrality requirements, which the Home Builders Federation claimed blocked 145,000 new homes. But mindful of the appalling state of our rivers, the House of Lords rejected the proposal. And why are the rivers dying? Because of another failure, of course. The population has exploded, but the water companies failed to build the infrastructure needed to keep up.

And heres one you may not know. Last week I learned that London has lost around 7pc of its mobile network sites over a year, according to industry group Mobile UK. Existing mast locations are being removed under Notices to Quit (NTQs), but not being replaced.

That doesnt mean 7pc of London has turned into so-called not-spots, but your signal is worse than it should be. Planning officers dont want to ruin your day, but they are overworked: a quarter left between 2013 and 2023, according to the Royal Town Planning Institute.

But supply-siders who could be doing useful work have retreated into impotent rage. The word Nimby (not in my back yard) has become a blanket condemnation, much like Trotskyists blaming capitalism for everything. But on such a crowded island, thats like complaining that water is wet.

Voters know that high rents and house prices are a consequence of demand, not constrained supply, and view supply-side wheezes as gas-lighting. Writing in The Telegraph, Daniel Johnson introduced the brilliant term human quantitative easing to describe the policy of mass immigration to fill low-wage jobs, without regard to the long-term cost.

Migration Watch estimates that between 15 and 18 cities the size of Birmingham need to be built by 2046. We know that isnt going to happen. And in any case, why should communities accept degraded amenities and services when the state itself negligently lost control of its borders? The implosion of Liz Trusss government further dented trust in supply-side reforms.

Clever wonks who want to make a difference should leave the housing to more effective campaigners, and focus on how to get national infrastructure and commercial development going instead. Might Labour help?

The Labour manifesto promises 300 new planning officers, a risible commitment. Labour may not be as squeamish as protecting the green belt and on paper, new towns are politically easier to stomach than endless sprawl.

Much of the infrastructure it wants is a downgrade, not an upgrade: it is being advanced to support the subsidy-sucking renewable lobby. The infrastructure tsar, Sir John Armitt, chairman of the Infrastructure Commission, has gone fully native in Whitehall. He advocates the subtractive logic of net zero, demanding that the gas network be shut down, while building lots of new pylons to connect to idle wind turbines.

This is really not his job. In reality, the new government will be just as constrained as the old one.

And ultimately, it all comes down to energy, which is already blocking more development than an army of Nimbys could. The Greater London Authority told developers that no new housing could be built west of London until 2035, because the electricity grid was already at full capacity. Data centres along the M4 corridor had nabbed all the power.

Remember that Starmer is the patron saint of lawfare, an expert at using the law to create loopholes and traps that NGOs can exploit.

His heart may say build, but his head says judicial review. He may want to get things built, but his career has been devoted to devising ways to stop it.

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(Bloomberg) -- Keir Starmer wont have long to wait for a chance to reset Britains ties with the European Union. If his Labour Party wins the UK election as expected on July 4, hell be welcoming dozens of fellow leaders including Frances Emmanuel Macron, Germanys Olaf Scholz and Italys Giorgia Meloni for talks at Winston Churchills former home just two weeks later.

Most Read from Bloomberg

People close to Starmer, who polls suggest is a shoo-in to replace Rishi Sunak as prime minister, expect him to use the European Political Community summit to begin establishing a new geopolitical partnership with the UKs closest and biggest trading partner. Labour wants to ease post-Brexit trade friction, boost cooperation and make it easier for Britons to work in the EU  so long as theres no hint of reversing the 2016 vote to leave the bloc.

We do think theres a better deal to be had. That will have to be negotiated, Starmer said last week.

The mood music at Blenheim Palace, where Churchill hosted a young John F. Kennedy months before World War II broke out in 1939, may be conducive to the first stage of Starmers plan: a new security pact. The EU offered one to Boris Johnson in the Brexit deal but was rebuffed, and Brussels remains open to it given the focus on defense as Russias war on Ukraine continues.

But UK officials, EU diplomats and even senior Labour figures believe Starmer will struggle to deliver a significantly different trading relationship unless he U-turns on his pledge to keep the UK out of the EUs customs union and single market. That may disappoint voters, as well as economists and traders, who hope that a staunch Remainer as premier can in some way wind back the clock.

Those warnings underscore the paradox in Labours position on Europe. Along with Starmer, almost all of his top team strongly opposed leaving the bloc in 2016. David Lammy, an internationalist, friend of Barack Obama and would-be UK foreign secretary, has called Brexit a national tragedy. Rachel Reeves, who will be Britains first female Chancellor of the Exchequer if Labour wins the election, often says leaving the bloc has hurt the economy.

It would be ridiculous to suggest that Brexit hasnt had a detrimental impact on the economy, Labours shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said Monday during Bloombergs televised election debate. I dont think talking about customs unions or single markets would get us the kind of stability the UK needs, he said, adding that Labours approach is deliverable.

Yet as Starmer tries to keep his poll-leading party on track for power, Labour aides have been instructed not to discuss Europe policy, to avoid disrupting a campaign built around the economy and Labours pitch for change after what it calls 14 years of Tory chaos, people familiar with the matter said.

Labours position is rooted in its historic election defeat under Jeremy Corbyn in 2019, when swathes of the partys traditional heartlands swung in behind Johnsons promise to Get Brexit Done. When Starmer took over in 2020, he calculated Labours route to power lay in taking the seats back.

@EllenAMilligan explains why Starmer's red lines on the EU could threaten his pledge to grow the economy https://t.co/eCVpT53Kuv pic.twitter.com/BodIUSGocN

 Bloomberg (@business) June 24, 2024

That explains his hard line on the blocs customs union and single market, even as Labour strategists privately concede that rejoining those  even without being an EU member  would be the most impactful way to boost the economy.

Labours argument is that people dont want to relive the Brexit debates, even as polling by Redfield & Wilton for the UK in a Changing Europe think tank last month showed 74% of people who said they would vote Labour on July 4 would also vote to rejoin the EU.

We do think that there are practical improvements that we can make to the deal that the Tories got, Reeves told Bloomberg last week.

Labours wish list also includes a veterinary agreement to ease trade friction for fresh food, a touring visa for artists, and mutual recognition of professional qualifications so auditors, medics, architects and lawyers can practice in both the UK and EU.

Starmer is also eyeing smaller agreements, including on cellphone data roaming charges, and despite dismissing the idea when it was floated by the EU this year, is also open to a deal on youth mobility, people familiar with the matter said. Senior EU diplomats say these are achievable through negotiation.

Rejoining the Erasmus student exchange program is a priority, though the party is reluctant to allow EU students cheaper access to universities.

Any deals would have to fit with a pledge to reduce net migration and Labours promise not to return to EU rules on freedom of movement, the people said. Labour hopes to tie some of the changes to a scheduled five-year review of the UK-EU trade deal due by 2026.

On the EUs side, a veterinary deal looks doable but would need the UK to adopt the blocs regulatory standards and be overseen by its European Court of Justice, EU diplomats said. Though Labour has publicly rejected so-called dynamic alignment, the commission believes theres room for Labour to propose a bespoke formula as long as theres a role for the ECJ.

Reynolds didnt rule out the courts oversight on Monday, saying he didnt want to give away Labours negotiating hand. He also acknowledged the limits of such a deal: There will still be costs because were not going to talk about going back into a customs union, so we accept that.

But the EU is wary of tying any changes to the formal review of the trade deal, which has only been tinkered with once in relation to electric vehicles. EU diplomats say that was an exception and was also in the blocs interests.

The review itself wont be a big reset moment, said UK in a Changing Europe researcher Jannike Wachowiak. The things they can do are really just tinkering around the edges of the deal.

That is likely to fall far short of repairing the market damage caused by Brexit. Purchasing euros still costs 20% than before the referendum eight years ago, while the extra compensation investors demand to hold UK assets  referred to as the Brexit Premium  stands at around 15%, according to analysts at Barclays Plc.

In the City, there is hope that a Labour government will become more ambitious as the UK moves toward rebuilding ties with the EU and eventually forges tighter trade links with the bloc, bolstering productivity and growth.

But this is not something that is delivered on day one of a Starmer administration, said BlueBay Asset Managements Marc Dowding. This is something you work toward over the course of the government.

Wachowiak predicts that if Labour struggles to grow the economy in its first term, Starmer will face internal pressure to rethink Brexit red lines to secure another five-year stint in power. European officials also expect Labour to focus initially on security, defense and agri-food checks, leaving more complex issues like customs arrangements for a potential second term.

Labour officials deny the partys red lines will change. No, weve been really clear were not going to enter the single market, the customs union or bring back free movement of labor, Reeves told Bloomberg.

The potential for unrest is clear. Senior Labour figures like London Mayor Sadiq Khan are further along than Starmer in demanding deeper ties with the EU, while Labours leader in Scotland, Anas Sarwar, has to grapple with an electorate which voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU in 2016.

Starmer and Lammy have been working on their relationships with some of Europes most influential politicians. Lammy, a self-described Francophile, gave an interview to one of Macrons favorite intellectual magazines, Le Grand Continent. There is a great deal we can do to strengthen our cooperation as neighbors, as partners, as Europeans, he said.

He and shadow Europe minister Stephen Doughty have built ties with the Social Democrats in Europe including Scholz and his team, and also see Polands Donald Tusk as a key ally.

However, Starmer hasnt yet established a relationship with Italys influential leader Meloni. His team are increasingly concerned about Frances lurch to the political right, but hasnt yet met with Marine Le Pens team. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is unlikely to come to the EPC summit next month because it clashes with a vote on her re-appointment.

Lammy would like to create a forum similar to the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, which allows ministers to discuss how to cooperate and deepen trade and economic relations twice a year and wants the UK to attend the EUs Foreign Affairs Council when appropriate. The EU also sees this as beneficial.

Yet while the EU is eager to deepen security cooperation, some diplomats are wary of how wide-ranging Labour expects any pact to be. Starmers team want it to cover economic and climate security, which the bloc worries may spill into trading arrangements that alter the Brexit agreement. The EPC summits agenda will be focused on Ukraine and security issues, migration and energy, people familiar with the matter said.

Other tricky issues include joint efforts to reduce growing numbers of asylum-seekers. Starmer raised the prospect of an EU returns agreement last year but is now aiming for bilateral deals with France and other countries. The EU would prefer a bloc-wide agreement, but any deal is unlikely to be reached in the first year or so of a Starmer government, people familiar with the matter said.

In the meantime, Labour will seek a UK agreement with the EUs policing body, Europol, to boost access to shared intelligence on people-trafficking.

The EUs new biometric data sharing system, which is expected to trigger border delays when it is rolled out in October, will be an early test of how well the UK-EU relationship is going under Labour, one senior EU diplomat said.

People have a lot of hope when it comes to the relationship under Labour, Wachowiak said. But most areas are unfortunately going to be quite tricky  its very difficult to negotiate with the EU.

--With assistance from Alberto Nardelli, Alex Wickham, Andrew Atkinson, Alice Atkins, Naomi Tajitsu and Thomas Hall.

(Updates with comments from Labours Reynolds from seventh paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Secretary of State Antony Blinken focused on human trafficking using digital tools in a yearly report the department released on Monday.

Digital tools have amplified the reach, scale, and speed of trafficking, Blinken wrote in the 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report. They use online platforms to sell illicit sexual content. They leverage encrypted messaging and digital currencies to evade detection.

Blinken said the use of online tools has made it possible for traffickers to expand their reach.

Trafficking is the very definition of a problem that no one nation can solve alone, Blinken said.

The International Labour Organization estimated in 2021 27.6 million people were in forced labor, an increase of 2.7 million from 2016. Of those 27.6 million, the ILO estimated 6.3 million were in forced commercial sexual exploitation and 3.9 million in forced labor imposed by a state.

Unfortunately, some governments are part of the problem, said Ambassador at-Large Cindy Dyer.

The State Department identified 13 countries as Tier 3 countries, meaning the governments had a documented policy or pattern of human trafficking. That included trafficking in government-funded programs, forced labor in government-affiliated medical services, sexual slavery in government camps, or the employment or recruitment of child soldiers, the report said.

In 2024, the 13 countries identified as Tier 3 were Afghanistan, Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Russia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Turkmenistan.

As the migrant crisis intensifies across the world, Dyer said countries are more likely to see an increase in human trafficking.

We encourage governments to prevent trafficking and prioritize screening among migrants, who often assume debts to pay migrant smugglers and are then vulnerable to trafficking when they are unable to repay the money, Dyer said.

Dyer said the United States follows the 3P paradigm  prosecution, protection and prevention, to combat human trafficking.

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State keeps benefits intended for foster kids. A push is on to end the practice.

Dawson Hayes, 16, of Concord, learned when he was adopted out of foster care that the state was keeping the $16,000 he'd received in federal Social Security benefits. He urged lawmakers to pass a bill ending that practice. (Annmarie Timmins | New Hampshire Bulletin)

Dawson Hayes spent about three years in foster care before he was adopted in February at age 16. As he was moved from foster home to foster home, Hayes thought about something his state case worker had told him.

Once he was adopted or aged out of foster care, the state would hand over the nearly $16,000 in Social Security payments it had collected on his behalf. Hayes planned to invest it and maybe put the earnings into a duplex that would pay its own returns.

Hayes, of Concord, told lawmakers this year that he never saw the $16,000.

New Hampshire, like many states, keeps Social Security and veterans benefits awarded to children while they are in foster care to help cover the cost of that care. That makes them the only foster care children in New Hampshire who pick up part of that expense.

Last year, the state collected about $521,000 in benefits from about 90 kids, who are eligible for benefits due to their own disability or based on a parents death or disability. The practice is legal but struck Rep. Mary Jane Wallner, a Concord Democrat, as wrong.

It also surprised her  even after working on state budgets for nearly 30 years. After hearing about this practice in other states from an NPR story, Wallner discovered New Hampshire was doing the same. She introduced House Bill 1598 in January with hopes of redirecting the Social Security benefits from state coffers to children like Hayes.

Obviously, half a million dollars is significant, Wallner said, referring to the associated loss in state revenue. But its not in comparison to what it would mean to those children as they aged out of foster care.

In May, Hayes joined Wallner in testifying in support of the bill before the Senate Health and Human Service Committee, the first time he had spoken to lawmakers.

Foster kids need every advantage they can get, he said. And this obviously includes the Social Security or veterans benefits that are intended for them.

Hayes then gave lawmakers some statistics backed up by the National Foster Youth Institute: Fewer than half of foster kids graduate high school and only 3 percent get a college degree. Far more, about 22 percent, experience homelessness their first year out of foster care.

In an interview last week, Hayes put his decision to testify this way: I cant get that money back, so what can I do to help?

In 2021, nearly every state held onto Social Security benefits for children in foster care. To do so, states had to use the money to reimburse themselves for the cost of foster care. Far fewer states do so today.

The Childrens Advocacy Institute reported in April that approximately half of the states had reformed that practice, had tried to, or were considering it.

Massachusetts ended its diversion of federal benefits this year. Missouri lawmakers appeared on track to stop the practice this year but failed to reach an agreement before the end of the legislative session. Similar efforts have failed in Maine and Washington.

Wallners bill put New Hampshire among those states that tried to return benefits to foster children and fell short. While no one spoke against the bill and the Department of Health and Human Services legislative liaison said the department supported it, the department asked for more time to consider its implications.

Lawmakers obliged and sent Gov. Chris Sununu an amended version of the bill that would leave the current practice in place and instead require DHHS to file a report by November detailing how Wallners proposal would impact the state budget.

Hayes sent Sununu a letter urging him to sign the bill, ending it with a presumption he would. I hope you will take my story into account when you sign HB 1598, he wrote.

Wallner remains optimistic enough that if shes reelected to the House, she plans to bring a new bill forward that incorporates the reports findings. If she does, Hayes intends to again urge lawmakers to pass it.

He will tell them again that receiving those federal benefits could be a first step toward self-sufficiency, whether its to pay rent, go to college, or buy a car.

Hayes knows he has been fortunate to succeed without that money, in part because he has a stability other foster kids do not.

He will graduate from Concord High School next year as a junior and begin pursuing electrician classes. He has a summer job. With help from his adoptive father and financial advisers hes met, hes learned to invest wisely.

His adoptive mother, Carolyn Mallon of Concord, thinks about the children who dont have that kind of stability and support.

She and her husband fostered Hayes older sister, now 19, and bought her a car when she moved out. That car has allowed her to get a job, Mallon said. When she ages out of foster care in the next couple of years, shell lose her housing assistance.

If she didnt have a car right now, she would be living on food stamps, Mallon said. These are real kids who can really end up homeless and the state is keeping that money. This money comes straight out of the pockets of the children who need it most right now and thats absurd.
State lawmakers pass controversial bill to block lawsuits against farms for spreading poultry excrement onto land: 'The bill threatens to undo decades of progress improving water quality'

Oklahoma is blocking residents' abilities to sue poultry farms for spreading excrement on fields, so long as they follow state regulations, The Oklahoman reported. Meanwhile, critics are raising concerns about this litter polluting waterways.

What's happening?

Supporters of the law said it is necessary to save small farms from people downstream who want to shut them down.

However, environmentalists and tribal groups said that poultry litter, which is often used as fertilizer, can enter local waterways and contaminate rivers, aquifers, and drinking water sources.

Meanwhile, the bill also allows the state to slap a $10,000 per day fine on companies that violate state rules.

According to The Oklahoman, the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee, and Seminole nations released a joint statement saying the increased fines were "a mere fee for the right to pollute" and that "the bill threatens to undo decades of progress improving water quality in Oklahoma."

Why is the bill concerning?

Large poultry operations like Tyson Foods and Cargill have already created environmental concerns in Oklahoma. In 2005, the state sued a handful of these companies, accusing them of polluting the Illinois River watershed. The suit has dragged on for decades and remains unsettled, according to The Oklahoman.

Studies have found a number of concerning contaminants in chicken litter, including Escherichia coli containing genes resistant to over seven antibiotics, heavy metals, and a number of antibiotics. If overapplied to fields, chicken litter and its associated contaminants can leach into soil and enter rivers, streams, and other waterways. This threatens access to safe, clean drinking water for nearby communities. Polluted waters also threaten people who depend on rivers and other water sources for activities like fishing and tourism.

Oklahoma isn't the only state grappling with poultry litter pollution. For instance, activists in North Carolina are complaining about massive piles of feces, urine, and sawdust bedding at large-scale poultry operations in the state, citing lax regulations on the industry.

What's being done about poultry litter?

Applying poultry litter as a fertilizer is not necessarily bad. One group of researchers said it's "the cheapest and most environmentally safe method of disposing of the volume generated from the rapidly expanding poultry industry worldwide." That said, they also asserted that more rigorous studies are needed to determine the level of contamination in chicken litter and that standards need to be set for contaminants.

According to Oklahoma State University, it's important for farmers to only apply enough of this fertilizer to meet their growing crop's nutrient needs. This, the university said, will minimize nutrient leaching and runoff.

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Colorado, Texas and New Mexico state officials voiced unanimous discontent after the Supreme Court on Friday upended a deal aimed at resolving long-term water disputes on the Rio Grande.

Siding with the federal government, the court  in a 5-4 decision  denied a motion made by the states to enter a consent decree for the shared management of the 1,896-mile river.

I am disappointed that a narrow majority of the Supreme Court has unfortunately and incorrectly granted the federal government even more power over the States, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) said in a statement.

The consent decree had detailed how New Mexico and Texas would solve past quarrels over how the former delivers water to the latter. But the U.S. argued that the proposal would both require the government to adhere to plans that it hadnt approved and violate historic compact conditions.

Paxton countered that assertion, emphasizing that the proposed decree could put an end to more than a decade of litigation and ensure Texas farmers have access to vital water supplies.

However, the Biden Administration objected, claiming that they can unilaterally block the states resolution of a dispute between the states themselves, he added.

Since the signing of the 1938 Rio Grande Compact, the three states have managed river use through a debt-credit system that accounts for shifts in hydrological conditions. New Mexico typically receives 57 percent of the domestic flow, while 43 percent goes to Texas. Two decades prior to the 1938 deal, the U.S. had also signed a separate water-sharing agreement with Mexico.

The Supreme Court on Friday found that the 1938 deal is inextricably intertwined with contracts that both predate the compact and require the U.S. to facilitate water deliveries from New Mexico to Texas. Any hypothetical interference, the opinion argued, could render the government unable to meet its duties.

As for U.S. obligations to Mexico, the opinion noted that these international water transfers hinge upon New Mexicos adherence to its compact duties. Any breach of those duties, the document added, could undercut the ability of the U.S to fulfill its commitment to its southern neighbor.

Echoing the sentiments of the Texas attorney general, Paxtons counterparts in both New Mexico and Colorado expressed their frustrations following the Friday ruling.

We are profoundly disappointed by the Supreme Courts decision to reject a comprehensive settlement that would have safeguarded the rights of water users throughout southern New Mexico, the states attorney general, Raul Torrez (D), said in a statement.

We are even more disappointed that the federal government would stand in the way of an equitable resolution of a decades-long case that neither Texas nor New Mexico wish to continue, he added.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser (D) offered a similar perspective, recognizing how the states had found a way to resolve their dispute within the confines of the compact.

Conveying slightly more optimism than his colleagues, he stressed that the ruling cannot change the fact that three states have already resolved their dispute under the Compact and are interested in ending this litigation.

I remain committed to working with Texas and New Mexico to develop a path forward that ends this dispute as expeditiously as possible, Weiser added.

Torrez, however, noted that Fridays ruling could result in millions of dollars spent on legal fees, while increasing uncertainty among his states water users. He also accused the federal government of trying to dictate how New Mexico meets its obligations to the State of Texas.

Its a sad day when two western states are able to resolve a generational dispute over water only to have that deal undermined by lawyers and bureaucrats in Washington D.C., Torrez added.

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Warning Sign "Danger Strong Current" at the beach. Credit - Getty Images

At least six people swimming along Floridas coast died over the weekend after getting caught in a series of rip currents, bringing attention to one of the many dangers of the sea.

Experts say that there are many precautions people can take to stay safe from rip currentswhich can move as fast as eight feet per second and faster than any Olympic swimmer.

Rip currents are narrow channels of water that move people away from the shoreline and cause some 100 drowning fatalities every year. At the beach, you have waves and water crushing up onto the sand, and that water needs to go somewhere, right? And so rip currents are locations along the beach where that water will flow back out to sea, National Weather Service Community Engagement Lead Douglas Hilderbrand tells TIME.

Rip currents are experienced along the East, Gulf, and West coasts of the U.S., as well as the Great Lakes. Even in the Gulf of Mexico, where people think the waves are smaller than the Atlantic, you can still get very dangerous rip currents, says Hilderbrand. This year rip currents have been particularly deadly in Puerto Rico, though the Outer Banks or Florida Panhandle can also see a high number of drownings, he says.

These types of currents vary in strength, but can pose a risk to even the most experienced swimmers. More than 80% of all beach rescues are due to rip currents, according to the United States Lifesaving Association).

There have been at least 16 reported deaths already in 2024. Heres how to stay safe during a rip current.

How to spot a rip current

Spotting a rip current may even be difficult for trained lifeguards, making it even harder for the average beach-goer. It might be easiest to spot a rip current by first looking at where waves are crashing to then find the gaps in the water. The best description that we can give is that it's an area where you don't see a lot of breaking waves, and don't see the white foamy water of a crashing wave. You actually see a lack of waves, Hilderbrand says. Surf Life Saving of New South Wales notes that rip currents may also be seen as a gap of seemingly calmer and darker water. Debris or seaweed moving towards the sea may also be indicative of one.

Hilderbrand says that people swimming at a beach with a lifeguard should feel at ease as they often designate safe swimming areas with flags in the sand.

How to stay safe

Basic water safety advises people to always swim near lifeguards and know their limits within the water. Your children [may be] comfortable swimming at the neighborhood pool or the backyard pool, [but] the ocean is a completely different environment, Hilderbrand says.

But if you do find yourself caught in rip current, the most important thing is to remain calm. Trying to swim against a rip current will cause great fatigue, which will only increase the possibility of drowning. There's no downward force from rip currents. It's going the opposite direction of the shoreline, says Hilderbrand. If you were able to stay calm and float, that rip current eventually ends.

To break the grip of the rip current, people should look for waves (which will indicate that they are out of the rip current area) and ride those waves to shore. Swimming parallel to the shore until you can get out of the current is the best bet.

If there are lifeguards on duty, or others nearby, you should try to ask for help by raising your hand, or calling out.

If a loved one is caught in a current, the best thing to do is reach out for additional support to avoid being subject to what experts refer to as a secondary drowning.

Stay calm. Activate that emergency process, whether it's calling 911, shouting to somebody to call 911, or get[ting] the attention of a lifeguard. Try to find something that could be used as a flotation device, like a kid's boogie board, or floaty [to help], says Hilderbrand. Take an emotional pause before taking the action to go into the water.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Steve Bannon pointed out why the right wing is whining about CNN dismissing Donald Trumps press secretary Karoline Leavitt from an interview on Monday, and its because of Trumps upcoming debate with Biden.



On his War Room show on Real Americas Voice, Bannon said in an interview with Leavitt that she was owed an apology.



[CNNs] Kasie Hunt owes you an apology, CNN owes you an apology today, and if we dont get that apology to Karoline Leavitt and to the Trump campaign, to MAGA today, President Trump should cancel this, Bannon said, referring to the June 27 presidential debate that CNN is hosting.

Steve Bannon says if CNN doesn't apologize today to Trump's spokesperson after she tried to use her time on the network to attack Jake Tapper, Trump should cancel the debate. pic.twitter.com/3DVEkCi8wV  MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) June 24, 2024

Trump and his allies have already made plenty of excuses to try and either weasel out of the two scheduled debates with Biden or make excuses for his possible poor showing. The former president and convicted felon has tried to push a third debate on his own to give himself an out when it wouldnt be accepted by the Biden campaign.



Trumps friend Sean Hannity has floated that Trump shouldnt take part in any debates until he formally secures the Republican nomination. Trump himself has pushed the idea that Biden will be drugged up to perform well during the debates multiple times, with Hannity and Representative Ronny Jackson echoing this conspiracy theory. Now Bannon is insinuating that CNN wont be fair to Trump because they have criticized him in the past, and is giving Trump an out, even though Biden and Trump both agreed to the terms of the debate last month.



Bannon should maybe be more worried about his impending four-month prison sentence, which he has bitterly fought and is now trying to weasel out of with a desperate appeal to the Supreme Court. If it goes the way MAGA fellow traveler Peter Navarros Supreme Court appeal went, Bannon will end up trying to figure out if he can record his show from a prison like Rikers Island.
Every June, the Boise Pride Festival hangs colorful LGBTQ+ flags on Harrison Boulevard in the North End neighborhood to celebrate Pride Month. The flags, hung in coordination with the North End Neighborhood Association, aim to send a message of peace and love in one of the most progressive neighborhoods in Idaho, said Donald Williamson, the festivals executive director.

But for the fourth year in a row, the symbols of peace and love have been torn down, stolen and even destroyed.

We know at the end of the day, it doesnt speak for the overwhelming feeling of the Boise community, Williamson told the Idaho Statesman in an interview. You know, its a true testament to that sense of community, is the fact that the community bands together every time this happens and gets them right back up again.

The thefts have become more frequent each year, and this summer Boise police are making it a priority to find and punish those responsible.

The Boise Police Department began investigating reports of stolen Pride flags on Harrison Boulevard on June 11, spokesperson Haley Williams told the Statesman in a text message. Since then, Boise police opened investigations on three separate theft incidents of flags on the poles that line Harrison Boulevard. Police said loss estimates from the most recent theft incident are over $1,000, which could make this particular crime a felony.

This is never OK! What a miserable way to express yourself and your views, destroying and stealing the property of another, Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar wrote in a news release Sunday. If you disagree with someone or something, you can find a productive way to express your feelings and opinions.

No one has been arrested in relation with the thefts and vandalism, but police are asking anyone with video evidence of the crimes to come forward. After four years of thefts, local authorities are committed to making sure those responsible face legal action, the Boise police news release read.

This is your warning: Do not engage in this type of criminal activity or you will be caught and prosecuted, Winegar wrote in the release. It is not right, and it is never acceptable to act in this manner.

In 2021, an 18-year-old was arrested and sentenced to 10 days in jail for stealing flags, the Statesman previously reported. The following year, 35 flags went missing less than two weeks into Pride Month, Boise police said in a news release at the time.

The thefts also escalated to vandalism. Last year, two flags were torn up and left on the ground, and 23 flags were stolen across two separate incidents, the Statesman previously reported.

Boise police will never tolerate stealing or damaging something that doesnt belong to you, Winegar wrote in a statement to the Statesman. We treat these types of reports as a priority because, in addition to this crime being against the law, we also want to help restore that feeling of safety to anyone who may be impacted.

North End neighbors help support Boise Pride

Boise has long been a largely Democratic city supportive of LGBTQ+ rights in a red state. But even in Boise, the reminder that LGBTQ+ pride continues to be a target of theft and vandalism is worrisome to people like Erik Hagen, board president and planning and zoning chair of the North End Neighborhood Association.

Hagen has had a personal run-in with protesters. Earlier this summer, the Pride flag displayed on Hagens front porch was stolen. A porch camera captured the incident, and he was able to file a police report right away, Hagen said. The investigation is still ongoing.

It keeps happening because theres ignorant and bigoted people in this state that cant handle someone living life differently than them, Hagen told the Statesman in an interview. Unfortunately, thats a part of America we cant get rid of, its always going to be there.

Boise police have spoken with neighbors in the area who have cameras and strategized on other potential prevention options to deter similar incidents from happening again, Winegar said in his statement.

The Boise Pride Festival has no plans to stop putting up more flags along Harrison Boulevard.

In the meantime, residents of the neighborhood continue to replace the Pride flags on their own. When the flags are ripped down, the poles holding them up are also destroyed and left unusable. So a group of North End residents bought new metal to create brand-new flag poles on Harrison Boulevard. Jill Giese. alongside other neighbors, cut, drilled and deburred poles to replace the damaged ones, Giese wrote in a Facebook post.

No matter how many they pull down, we will put them back up, Giese wrote in the Facebook post.

The LGBTQ+ community in Boise is no stranger to threats, thefts and other attacks, Williamson said.

Last year, an Oregon man was sentenced to three years in prison for federal hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people in Boise. He pleaded guilty to crimes that involved threatening to stab a transgender library employee, trying to hit two women who he believed were lesbians with his car, and punching a man after calling him a slur.

The Pride flags are a means for the LGBTQ+ community to get together to recognize the fact that they do have support, Williamson said. So putting them in touch with whatever resources that particular member needs at the time, that is what we do.
Streetsboro residents are taking on city hall over their water meters, and hope the city won't retaliate by shutting off their water service.

Laura and Sam Lewis say they and about 10 other homeowners have expressed concern about the "smart meters" currently being installed across the city. Lewises have hired a lawyer, who has pledged to file an injunction should the city's law director fail to provide a response for the city.

The water to the Lewis household was to be shut off at 9 a.m. Monday since they didn't comply with a request for the meter to be changed. However, an hour before the water was shut off, their attorney, Warner Mendenhall of Akron, obtained a temporary restraining order from Judge Becky Doherty in Portage County Common Pleas Court.

And Mayor Glenn Broska is adamant that the new system won't allow an opt-out option, because doing so would require using two different systems and having staff read the meters on the old system, and "would negate any cost savings or advantage we would have."

What is a smart meter?

Broska said the meters are replacing a system last installed in the 1990s, which have moving parts that are "subject to breakdown and false reads." The old software affiliated with the system is no longer supported, which means the city would be unable to make repairs if something went wrong.

Under that system, meter readers were required to drive along each street to read the meters, not knowing if they were successful until they got back to city hall to download the information. Often, the meter readers would have to go back the next day if a reading was missed.

"With the new meters the information is sent to the gathering point and it is no longer necessary to drive around the city to read the meters," he said. "This is a very substantial cost savings. The new meters are also considerably more accurate and contain no moving parts that are subject to breakdown. They new meters are essentially just bringing us up to speed for 2024 instead of 1994."

The cost of the meter replacement is $3.1 million. Half of that money came from the American Rescue Plan Act, and the other half from the city's water capitol fund, Broska said. Of the city's 4,800 water customers, about 4,000 have had their meters switched over.

What are the concerns?

Mendenhall said the complaint he filed alleges three violations of the Ohio constitution. The first is that the meters present a violation of safety and health, because of potential health concerns from the radio waves of the meters. The second alleges that the Lewis family had "no due process" to object to the meters. The third objects to the acoustic ability of the meters.

Another hearing is set in Doherty's court on July 9.

"They can identify what appliances are on, and where people are in the house," he said.

Laura Lewis said she and her neighbors have "several legitimate concerns" about the meters, particularly the real time data they collect. The meters, she said, collect data several times a day, which could give someone with bad intentions information about when a family is home using water, and when they're not.

"They don't need all that real time data to send us a bill," she said. "With all the hacking that's going on, it's not that we think the city of Streetsboro would misuse it. But they're vulnerable to attacks."

Some others have expressed concerns about potential health risks associated with the meters, or an acoustic component that might be added in the future. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio lists a process on its website where customers can opt out of smart meters for electricity, Lewis noted, and residents are requesting the same regarding the water meters.

'Falling on deaf ears'

Lewis said she and her husband have met with Broska and their city council representative but "they're not willing to entertain the idea."

"We've had a business in Streetsboro for 25 years," she said. "We feel like we're falling on deaf ears."

Broska said when he met with Laura and Sam Lewis "they were not accepting of the information that we gave them." After the couple retained an attorney, the city's law director advised Broska not to speak with them further.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Streetsboro residents fight high tech water meters
Some student-loan borrowers have one week left to benefit from a temporary measure that'll bring them closer to debt cancellation

Some student-loan borrowers have until June 30 to benefit from Biden's one-time account adjustments.

Those who do not have qualifying federal loans need to consolidate by the deadline.

The Education Department plans to complete the adjustments in September.

Some student-loan borrowers are approaching the deadline to take advantage of a measure that could bring them closer to debt relief.

In May, President Joe Biden's Education Department announced that it was extending the deadline for borrowers on income-driven repayment plans and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to benefit from the one-time account adjustments.

The adjustments, expected to be fully implemented in September, are intended to evaluate borrowers' accounts and ensure their payments are up to date. They would bring them closer to the loan forgiveness promised through their repayment programs or push them over the threshold and automatically grant them debt relief.

To qualify for the adjustments, though, borrowers are only eligible if they have federal direct loans or federally held loans in the Federal Family Education Loan program. Borrowers who do not have qualifying loans have to consolidate into one of those programs by June 30 because the consolidation process could take at least 60 days.

Borrowers can apply for consolidation here, and according to Federal Student Aid, it typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete.

"The Department is working swiftly to ensure borrowers get credit for every month they've rightfully earned toward forgiveness," Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal previously said in a statement. "FFEL borrowers should consolidate as soon as possible in order to receive this benefit that has already provided forgiveness to nearly 1 million borrowers."

Most recently, the Education Department canceled $7.7 billion in student debt for 160,500 borrowers, some of which were a result of the one-time account adjustments. As of that May announcement, one of every 10 federal borrowers has now been approved for debt relief.

Beyond the adjustments, the Education Department is also enacting relief for borrowers on the new SAVE income-driven repayment plan  borrowers with original balances of $12,000 or less are getting relief with as few as 10 years of qualifying payments.

The department is also working on enacting its broader student-loan forgiveness plan, which is intended to benefit over 30 million borrowers. The plan concluded its public comment period, and the department is now working on finalizing the rules with a goal of implementation this fall.

While there are ongoing legal challenges to block the SAVE plan  and legal threats brewing to block the broader debt relief plan  the Education Department has maintained that its efforts are in accordance with the law and the Supreme Court decision to strike down Biden's first plan for relief last summer.

Read the original article on Business Insider
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A group of church volunteers kicked off summer with some family fun.

The Topeka North Outreach (TNO) hosted its Summer Kickoff Event at the Garfield Community Center in North Topeka. People got to enjoy a variety of indoor and outdoor games, free food, music and crafts.

TNO President, Laura Smith, told 27 why it was important to them to host this event today.

We want to get to know the community, Smith said. We want them to get to know us and all of the different ministries that we have.

TNO is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers from 20 different churches in the area. They cater to a lot of different ministries in the area including Operation Backpack.

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.
(Bloomberg) -- Rishi Sunaks chances of avoiding a landslide defeat in the UK election dwindled further as his Conservative Party battled revelations that several of the prime ministers close aides placed bets on the date of the vote.

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A Sunday Times report that a senior Conservative official made dozens of bets with bookmakers that Sunak would call a July election makes it four prominent Tories who have now been accused of trying to profit by gambling on its timing.

There are serious concerns at the top of Sunaks party that other leading figures may be drawn into the affair with just 10 days to go until the election, people with knowledge of the matter said.

The scandal  dubbed Gamblegate in the British media  is threatening to dominate the remainder of the campaign at a time when Sunaks Tories badly need to make up ground. Polls show Keir Starmers Labour Party is on course for an historic victory in the July 4 vote, while internal Tory analysis suggests the opposition party could win a parliamentary majority as high as 200 seats.

Craig Williams, a Tory candidate who acted as Sunaks parliamentary aide, has admitted to betting on the election date shortly before the premier announced it. Since then, another candidate and two staff members at Conservative headquarters have been named in the media as having bet on the date. A police officer who worked in Sunaks close protection team was also arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office after allegedly betting on the timing.

Sunak said last week he was incredibly angry, but hes facing intense criticism  including from within his Tory party  because he hasnt suspended any of the accused Conservatives from their positions. The premier and his Cabinet are likely to face questions from reporters over the coming days about who else may have wagered on the election date, and whether any laws governing the use of inside information in gambling might have been broken.

The Gambling Commission said in a statement late Sunday it was investigating the possibility of offenses concerning the date of the election. It said its probe was ongoing and declined to name how many people it is looking into, or disclose their identities. The Conservative Party also declined to provide details, citing what it called the advice of the Gambling Commission.

The risk for the Tories is that at a moment in the political cycle when voters are already casting postal ballots and thinking more intensely about who to vote for on July 4, its the betting scandal that is dominating the headlines.

Speaking on Bloomberg TV on Monday, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond drew a parallel between the betting row and the so-called Partygate scandal involving former premier Boris Johnson and his aides breaking lockdown rules during the Covid pandemic. He said many voters made up their minds then they wanted a change of government, but that the betting scandal was a symptom of a failure of leadership at the top of the party.

Thats when the rot set in, Hammond said. Weve been gone through a period when the top leadership of the party has not sent strong enough signals about the requirement to comply with basic codes of ethics.

Labours Pat McFadden wrote to the Gambling Commission on Sunday, calling on the regulator to name those its investigating. The public will be rightly appalled that anyone close to the decision to call the election would use inside information to bet on an outcome they knew in advance, he wrote.

Conservative Cabinet minister Chris Heaton-Harris, who is stepping down at the election, told LBC radio that the Tory candidates and officials named in media reports were innocent until proven guilty but conceded the timing was not great for his party with the election next week.

The story, which polling by YouGov suggests is cutting through to voters, comes as Sunaks campaign team is ramping up its field operation to try to shore up the core Conservative vote in rural and southern England, a defensive move that appears aimed at reducing the scale of defeat to Labour.

On Monday, the Tories are expected to campaign against the clean-air policies of London Mayor Sadiq Khan in a bid to win votes from drivers. Labour, for its part, is reiterating its commitment to improve the provision of dentistry by the National Health Service.

Also on Monday, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch and her would-be replacement, Labours Jonathan Reynolds, are taking part in a debate hosted by Bloomberg in London.

The Tory campaign will also hope to capitalize on a row over comments made by Nigel Farage, the Brexit campaigner whose right-wing Reform UK partys surge in the polls is a key factor in predictions of a dire Tory election result.

In a BBC interview last week, Farage said the West provoked Russias war in Ukraine due to the expansion of NATO. In remarks to be aired on ITV on Monday, the he repeated the claim and called for negotiations to end the war.

Both major parties condemned Farages comments. Sunak said they were completely wrong and warned they played into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Starmer said Farages words were disgraceful.

--With assistance from Joe Mayes.

(Updates with Hammond comment in ninth paragraph.)

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"Given the intersection of recent advancements in generative artificial intelligence (GAI) and widening learning gaps for students, a Superman may have finally arrived for education." (Getty Images)

In 2010, the controversial documentary Waiting for Superman examined the American public education system to understand why K-12 students were underachieving in nearly every discernible metric. The praise and criticism of the documentary largely fell along partisan lines. Teachers unions criticized the placing of blame on them for student failure, while proponents of the documentary cheered charter schools as a potential Superman that was going to fix the shortcomings of public schools.

Regardless of these reactions and the merits of the documentarys central argument, Waiting for Superman did in fact touch upon a perennial concern within education: How do schools meet the needs of all learners?

This may seem like a banal platitude to be rattled off at parent teacher nights or at school board meetings, but it is the foremost concern that schools need to morally and legally address. Given the intersection of recent advancements in generative artificial intelligence (GAI) and widening learning gaps for students, a Superman may have finally arrived for education.

A Superman for education

The landmark Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that all classrooms present students with the least restrictive learning environment. Essentially, that means a classroom that meets every students unique learning needs without causing them undo impediments to achievement. In direct response to this mandate, the guiding pedagogy within nearly every American classroom is differentiation. This pedagogy utilizes a series of teaching techniques to meet each student at his or her learning level. Admittedly, doing this is significantly harder than it sounds. Even the most experienced teachers struggle to meet the unique needs of every student within a classroom.

Many students have been on the other side of this fundamental struggle for teachers. Invariably some students feel as though they are not being challenged enough by what is being taught in class, while others feel overwhelmed and miss key concepts. This leads to students leaving class thinking, I still do not understand what is being taught.

Unlike EdTech tools to date, GAI can be leveraged by school districts to meaningfully eliminate this struggle for teachers and students. Tools such as MagicSchool and SchoolAI can act as real-time classroom aides to differentiate and reinforce instruction at the exact learning level of each student. Apple Intelligence will soon act as a tutor for every iPhone-wielding student.

Beyond differentiation, GAI can maximize a teachers limited time by instantly generating quizzes, assessments, lesson plans, curriculum maps, and classroom management strategies.

The availability of these near superhuman teaching assistant[s] marks the most significant paradigm shift in education since the invention of the pencil. A new generation of students will emerge from the use of GAI. These students will never have to say I still do not get it when approaching an assignment.

Time for districts to train

When polled, over 50 percent of students nationally admit to using GAI to complete assignments, while only 18 percent of teachers claim to use GAI as a teaching tool. Unfortunately, only 60 percent of schools will be conducting GAI training for staff or developing responsible use policies by the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

The 40 percent of school districts not offering training will be over a year behind closing the yawning gap between teacher and student GAI usage. This gap must be closed if school districts are serious about meeting the unique generational needs of their students.

This percentage of districts choosing not to upskill on GAI is to be expected. A quarter of teachers fear GAI will cause more harm than good within the classroom. Some of this reticence is predicated on students using GAI to cheat. Students have indeed taken to ChatGPT to write whole essays, and that has reinforced a negative view of GAI among teachers. However, this view is faulty because it fails to understand that the assignment side of school needs to significantly evolve within the presence of GAI.

Rather than assigning a traditional five paragraph essay, teachers can meet students where they are with digital video natives. Assigning the production of short films or documentaries meshes well with the way Generations Z and Alpha consume information and produce media. Teachers can have students use GAIs to research a topic and even write a script for a short documentary. Students can then use another GAI tool to film and produce said documentary.

This process will activate student curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking at the same level essays do. Perhaps even more, this type of assignment will draw greater student engagement because it utilizes modalities that they are comfortable with.

Caution against GAI overuse

Framing GAI as similar to the invention of the calculator is a limited corollary. However, the comparison allows us to examine what students gain and lose when new technologies enter the classroom. In the presence of ubiquitous calculator use, students struggle with their basic math facts and memorizing multiplication tables. However, calculators reduce the need for memorization and allow students to dive deeper into more complex math topics.

With every great technological advancement comes the outmoding of a seemingly fundamental societal tenet. The same holds true for education. Much like with the introduction of the calculator, GAI will cause students to lose something that is currently considered an indispensable part of learning.

Will students lose the ability to focus for extended periods of time? Will students no longer understand how to take notes during a lecture? Will students be unable to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources when conducting research? These are all possibilities given the unprecedented changes coming for the traditional classroom.

Technologies are only as safe and effective as the intentions behind them. This is why GAI training needs to happen for every school district sooner rather than later. Teachers, administrators, and parents cannot wait around to see what students may or may not lose and gain. If teachers upskill now, they can utilize a revolutionary tool that can help millions of students who struggle year in and year out to meet proficiency standards and maximize their full potential.

The 2024-2025 school year could be the moment when Superman arrives for education.
Crew members of a superyacht have been accused of starting a devastating forest fire on the Greek island of Hydra after allegedly launching fireworks from their vessel last week to entertain their guests, according to reports.

The blaze erupted on Friday night and raged into the following day, with a Greek official saying scenic woodlands were destroyed in the inferno. The 13 crew and passengers of the vessel appeared in the criminal court in Piraeus on Sunday on charges related to the fire in the islands only pine forest.

Energy Company Admits It Had Role in Largest Wildfire in Texas History

The Persefoni I, a lavish 176-foot vessel which charters for around $320,000 a week in the summer months, was chartered by 17 people from Kazakhstan, according to local reports. The nationalities of the crew members are not clear. If convicted, they could face large fines and prison sentences of up to 20 years, according to Greeces Kathimerini newspaper.

Vasilis Kikilias, Greeces minister for climate crisis and civil protection, said a prosecutor had requested that the vessel in question be seized and provided details of the scale of the fires destruction, according to The Guardian. Six airplanes and two teams of firefighters, who had to be absent from dealing with other fires and services, were required to put it out, he said.

Hydra, one of Greeces Saronic Islands located southwest of Athens, is a popular vacation destination for tourists. Earlier this month, Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos and his fiancee, Lauren Sanchez, were spotted on the island along with Bezos son Preston during their Greek vacation, according to MailOnline.

Giorgos Koukoudakis, Hydras mayor, said the town hall would seek compensation depending on the outcome of the prosecution.

What was destroyed was absolutely beautiful pine forest and on the night in question, because of the winds, fireworks were banned, he said, The Guardian reports. To use them was utterly irresponsible.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, gives a farewell speech on the House floor to recognize his final days in the state Legislature on May 22, 2024, at the state Capitol. McCall is term-limited after 12 years in office. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

Dear Readers:

Can you believe Oklahoma Voice just finished covering its first legislative session?

Over the past four months, our reporters sat through countless hours of budget negotiations. We covered the demise of a University of Oklahoma program that served as a womens entry point into politics. We wrote about the implementation of the private school tax credit program. We sued so that you can get answers about why a state board mysteriously paid a former employee over $169,000 to leave. Weve continued to write about the ongoing strained relations between our governor and tribes.

Tom Cole at his watch party on Tuesday. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice)

And, just last week, we wrote about legislative race upsets and some shakeups coming to our Legislature following primary elections.

We couldnt have done it without your support.

Your donations allowed us to pay for a freelance photographer to attend primary night watch parties for U.S. Rep. Tom Cole and wealthy challenger Paul Bondar (Cole won) and to shoot pictures of Gov. Kevin Stitts State of the State address in February.

But our job isnt done when that final gavel falls. Well be spending the interim keeping an eye on our lawmakers, the upcoming elections and our state boards and commissions. Well be exploring how the new laws  and there are many  are implemented.

So, if youve liked our coverage of Oklahomas Legislature and state government, then please consider making a tax-deductible donation so that we can continue to grow the quality journalism that youve come to expect. Every little bit helps.

As always, thank you for your continued support and for being a reader.

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Activists for transgender rights gather in front of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on April 1, 2023. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

For the first time, the Supreme Court will issue a ruling in the divisive debate over transgender rights for teens. On Monday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal from the Biden administration that seeks to block state bans on gender-affirming health care.

The case challenges a law in Tennessee that restricts puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgery for minors. Violators of the law can face up to $25,000, professional consequences and potential civil liability.

Plaintiffs in the case- three transgender teens, their families and a doctor who works with transgender patients- said the law violates the Constitutions 14th amendment, which requires that the law apply equally to all. President Joe Bidens administration joined the case.

Without this Courts prompt intervention, transgender youth and their families will remain in limbo, uncertain of whether and where they can access needed medical care, lawyers for the teens told justices, the AP reported.

The case comes as dozens of Republican-led states have enacted a variety of bans restricting trans rights, leading to courtroom battles across the country. In May, South Carolina became the 25th state to adopt a law restricting gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors. Six of these state bans have made it a felony crime to provide certain types of best medical practices for transgender youth, according to the Movement Advancement Project (MAP), a LGBTQ rights organization.

Amidst controversy, many medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, have stated their support for gender-affirming care for youth, which they say rarely includes surgery.

Arguments will be heard in the fall, with a decision likely to be made in June of next year, according to SCOTUSBlog, an independent news outlet.
People attend a rally as part of a Transgender Day of Visibility by the Capitol in Washington in 2023. (Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press)

The Supreme Court said Monday that it will hear a major case on transgender rights and decide whether states may prohibit the use of puberty blockers and other hormones for teens who suffer from gender distress.

The justices have not ruled on whether discrimination based on gender identity is unconstitutional.

In the last three years, however, many Republican-led states have enacted laws that forbid medical treatments intended to help youths under 18 transition to what the measures describe as a "purported identity inconsistent with the minor's sex."

Read more: Supreme Court rules against Los Angeles couple denied visa in part over husband's tattoos

The Biden administration, the ACLU and Lambda Legal urged the court to hear cases from Tennessee and Kentucky and to rule discrimination against transgender youth violates the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection of the laws.

They argued that a law targeting transgender individuals for disfavored treatment is a form of sex discrimination and should be struck down as unconstitutional.

The court said it would hear arguments in the fall in the Tennessee case.

"We are grateful that transgender youth and their families will have their day in the highest court," said Tara Borelli, senior counsel at Lambda Legal. Without action from the court, "these punitive, categorical bans on the provision of gender-affirming care will continue to wreak havoc on the lives of transgender youth and their families."

Parents played a lead role in the legal challenges. Samantha Williams and her husband, Brian, had sued in Nashville on behalf of their transgender daughter, who was identified as L.W.

Read more: Supreme Court rejects gun rights for people accused of domestic violence

Its hard to overstate the difference that our daughters medical treatment has made in her life and our familys life, Samantha Williams said when the appeal went to the Supreme Court.

Before coming out and starting to receive this medical care she struggled to make friends, keep her grades up, or even accept hugs from her family. Now, we have a confident, happy daughter who is free to be herself. I want the Justices to see and understand my daughter and recognize her rights under the Constitution like any other person, and to see that if parents like me dont have the right to determine whats best for our children, then no parent does, she said.

U.S. Solicitor Gen. Elizabeth Prelogar had urged the court to take up the issue. She said the state laws impose a categorical ban on evidence-based treatments supported by the overwhelming consensus of the medical community.

The American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda also said the state laws should be struck down because they violate the fundamental right of parents to make decisions concerning the medical care of their children."

But justices voted to hear the Justice Department's appeal in U.S. vs. Skrmetti, which raises only the question of unconstitutional discrimination, not parents' rights.

In defense of his states law, Tennessees Atty. Gen. Jonathan Skrmetti described it as a measure to protect children from unproven medical interventions.

He said the number of minors diagnosed with gender dysphoria has exploded in recent years, and states have seen a corresponding surge in unproven and risky medical interventions for these underage patients.

He also said state lawmakers had reasonably concluded that the well-documented risks of cross-sex hormones outweigh any purported benefits."

But the American Academy of Pediatrics, joined by 21 other medical and mental health organizations, filed a friend-of-court brief at the Supreme Court to dispute Tennessees contention that the hormone treatments are experimental or ineffective.

They said about 1.4 million people in the United States are transgender, and about 10% of them are children ages 13 to 17. They said research shows that adolescents with gender dysphoria who receive puberty blockers or hormone therapy experience less depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. ... Banning such care can put patients lives at risk.

In April, the Williams Institute at the UCLA Law School said 24 states have adopted laws restricting treatment for transgender youth, potentially affecting about 114,000 minors or more than a third of the transgender youth in the United States. But many of those state laws have been temporarily blocked by judges.

If the court rules next year in favor of Tennessee, the decision would probably allow all of these laws to take effect. But the decision should have no effect in California and other states that have not restricted medical care for transgender youth.

The Supreme Court ruled four years ago that discrimination against transgender employees violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its ban against sex discrimination in the workplace. But the justices have not ruled on whether the Constitution or federal education laws prohibit discrimination against transgender youth or adults.

However, in April, the justices by a 6-3 vote issued an order that set aside a judge's decision and allowed Idaho to enforce its law prohibiting medical treatments for transgender teens.

A federal judge also had initially blocked the Tennessee law from taking effect last year. But in July, the Ohio-based 6th Circuit Court in a 2-1 decision became the first appeals court to rule such a law may go into effect.

The states lawmakers had questioned the safety and effectiveness of hormone treatments for teens, and they "may reasonably exercise caution in these circumstances," wrote Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton for the 6th Circuit Court. He said there is genuine disagreement over hormone treatments for young people and "life-tenured federal judges should be wary of removing a vexing and novel topic of medical debate from the ebbs and flows of democracy."

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The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case challenging the legality of state-level bans on access to gender-affirming care for minors. The case, which will not be argued before the court until the fall, will have wide-reaching ramifications for the civil and medical freedoms of transgender individuals in the United States.

United States v. Skrmetti challenges a Tennessee law that bans access to gender-affirming care, including hormone treatments and puberty blockers, for minors. In April of last year, the Justice Department sued Tennessee, arguing that the legislation violates the 14th Amendments equal protection clause.

The right to consider your health and medically-approved treatment options with your family and doctors is a right that everyone should have, including transgender children, who are especially vulnerable to serious risks of depression, anxiety and suicide, Assistant U.S. Attorney General Kristen Clarke said at the time. The Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department will continue to aggressively challenge all forms of discrimination and unlawful barriers faced by the LGBTQI+ community.

The law was allowed to go into effect in July despite multiple legal challenges. According to the Human Rights Council (HRC), 25 states have passed bans on gender-affirming care, with 39 percent of the United States transgender youth population now living under laws restricting their access to medical care.

As previously reported by Rolling Stone, the restrictions  which are heavily concentrated in southern states like Tennessee  are forcing families to travel out of state to seek medically guided care for trans youth and adolescents, or leave the state outright.

Its not just that wed have to drive across state lines, one Tennessee parent previously told Rolling Stone. Its that we are choosing care for our child  with the guidance of medical professionals  but when we come back, we know were coming back to a state that has legislated that our child shouldnt exist.

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The nation is bracing for a high-stakes Supreme Court decision that could come as soon as this week on former President Trumps arguments that he is immune from prosecution as a former commander in chief.

The case could have significant impact on how former presidents may be held to account for any criminal actions they take while in office, and it is among 14 cases the court must still decide this term.

While its possible the decision could be delayed until early July, a decision this week would fall as the first presidential debate is scheduled for Thursday and just weeks before the GOPs convention in Milwaukee.

What is the Supreme Court weighing?

The case leaves the high court considering the extent presidential immunity can shield a former executive from conduct during their time in office.

Trump during the April arguments asked the court to embrace a sweeping immunity argument, asserting that a president has absolute immunity for official acts while in office, and that this immunity applies after leaving office. He and his counsel argue the protections cover his efforts to prevent the transfer of power after he lost the 2020 election.

Special counsel Jack Smith has argued that only sitting presidents enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution and that the broad scope Trump proposes would give a free pass for criminal conduct.

What are the stakes of the case?

It seems unlikely the court will take the case to the logical extreme that ordering the assassination of a political rival could be covered by presidential immunity  something Trumps team asserted in court would likely be protected.

Its clear the justices considered the far-reaching implications of the broad immunity pushed by Trump because during oral arguments, they posited hypotheticals about instances in which a president takes a bribe to appoint an ambassador or even sells nuclear secrets.

Im trying to understand what the disincentive is from turning the Oval Office into, you know, the seat of criminal activity in this country, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said at the time.

Trumps team has argued the only way a president could be prosecuted for crimes is if they are first tried and convicted through impeachment proceedings. Its a reverse of the stance Trumps attorneys took when he was facing impeachment over Jan. 6, arguing then that the matter should be left to the justice system.

Its more likely the court may seek to tease out a more nuanced approach  one in which former presidents can be prosecuted for private conduct while enjoying immunity on actions considered core to their responsibilities in office.

The question becomes  as weve been exploring here today, a little bit  about how to segregate private from official conduct that may or may not enjoy some immunity, Justice Neil Gorsuch, one of the courts six conservatives, said in April.

What did prior judges determine?

Lower courts were dismissive of Trumps arguments, with the former president losing two challenges related to the matter.

Whatever immunities a sitting President may enjoy, the United States has only one Chief Executive at a time, and that position does not confer a lifelong get-out-of-jail-free pass. Former Presidents enjoy no special conditions on their federal criminal liability, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the case, wrote in a December decision.

Defendants four-year service as Commander in Chief did not bestow on him the divine right of kings to evade the criminal accountability that governs his fellow citizens, she added in her decision.

The District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals similarly rejected Trumps challenge.

For the purpose of this criminal case, former President Trump has become citizen Trump, with all of the defenses of any other criminal defendant, the court determined through a three-judge panel.

But any executive immunity that may have protected him while he served as President no longer protects him against this prosecution.

How will it impact Trumps Jan. 6 prosecution?

It seems unlikely the justices would sideline any prosecution of Trump, like the former president has asked.

But depending on how the court parses the bounds of official actions, the decision could eat up considerably more court time.

Its possible the Supreme Court could carve out some immunity for former presidents while determining none of Trumps actions to stay in power could be considered an official act.

But the court could also decide to remand the issue back to a lower court, providing guidance to Chutkan and asking her to reconsider whether any of Trumps behavior fits their test of what constitutes presidential actions deserving of immunity.

If the court goes that route, Trump could appeal Chutkans decision, which could have the potential to put the issue before the Supreme Court again.

How will it affect Trumps other cases?

Trump has made similar arguments in the other trials hes facing.

Siding with Trump, even in a narrow ruling, could force courts to spend more time weighing the issue. That could benefit Trump, who has sought to delay his trials. If he wins the presidency, he could order the Department of Justice to drop the federal cases against him.

And if the court did agree with Trumps broad take on immunity, it could unwind his hush money conviction in Manhattan  which hes pledged to appeal  as well as his ongoing prosecution for election interference in Georgia.

In his Mar-a-Lago documents case, however, prosecutors have argued presidential immunity has little bearing on the case.

Prosecutors there argued that Trump took the documents after leaving office, suggesting presidential immunity wouldnt apply.

But even beyond retaining the records, prosecutors note other matters in the case happened well after Trump was out of the Oval Office, including concealing the records from his attorney as well as law enforcement  something he was able to do by directing his co-defendants to move the boxes around his estate.

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The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to review whether state laws banning access to gender-affirming health care for transgender youth are constitutional, making it the first time the nations highest court will weigh in on such matters.

Kentucky banned trans minors from legally accessing gender-affirming medical services last year, with the largely Republican-backed Senate Bill 150. Around the same time, Tennessee codified a similar ban. Underage plaintiffs in both cases sued and their respective requests for the bans to be temporarily blocked were granted. Republican attorneys generals in both states then appealed, bringing both cases before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel on that appellate court then consolidated the cases before undoing lower court decisions in both cases, once again allowing the laws to be enforced.

In November, Kentucky and Tennessee plaintiffs respectively appealed to the nations highest court for relief.

Separately, last April, President Joe Bidens administration appealed the Sixth Circuits decision in the Tennessee case, and asked the Supreme Court to reverse it. That specific appeal is the one justices agreed on Monday to hear in their fall term, which begins in October.

Though the high court did not agree to formally review Kentuckys case specifically, the outcome of the U.S. Department of Justices challenge to the Sixth Circuits decision will determine how our case moves forward, the ACLU and National Center for Lesbian Rights, who represent the Kentucky plaintiffs, said Monday.

A favorable decision would restore care for transgender youth in Kentucky and Tennessee, they said.

Lawsuits challenging bans in KY and TN

The ACLU sued Kentucky last May on behalf of seven unnamed trans minors and their families, in Jane Doe v. Thornbury. They argue that a portion of a 2023 Republican-backed Senate Bill 150 prohibiting Kentucky doctors from providing gender transition health care, such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy, to youth with gender dysphoria is unconstitutional.

Specifically, their lawyers say, the law infringes on trans adolescents Equal Protection rights because the law expressly discriminates on the basis of sex and their gender non-conforming status as trans people. It also violates their parents Due Process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment to direct medical treatment of their children, they argue.

The seven unnamed trans plaintiffs who filed with their families were, at the time, between the ages of 9 and 16. Three live in Jefferson County, one lives in the Western District of Kentucky and three live in the Eastern District.

Each plaintiff was receiving or will need gender-affirming medical care that is now illegal to access in Kentucky, care that their parents and doctors agree is medically necessary for their gender dysphoria, the lawsuit states.

Gender dysphoria refers to the psychological distress that results from an incongruence between ones sex assigned at birth and ones gender identity, according to the American Psychiatric Association. Gender-affirming care to treat this type of dysphoria is any care administered by a provider to reduce an individuals clinically significant distress by permitting them to live in alignment with their gender identity, the lawsuit explains.

Previously in Kentucky, this type of health care was given to youth under 18 only with a parents or guardians permission. Gender-affirming care, even for youth, is considered the standard of care by major medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association.

Though Kentuckys statute outlaws all forms of gender-affirming health care, plaintiffs are only suing to block the portion of the law that bans hormone therapy and puberty blockers, not gender transition surgery.

Last May, a federal judge in Western Kentucky granted their request for injunctive relief and temporarily blocked the medical portion of the ban hours before it was set to take effect.

Based on the evidence submitted, the court finds that the treatments barred by SB150 are medically appropriate and necessary for some transgender children under the evidence-based standard of care accepted by all major medical organizations in the United States, U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Kentucky David Hale wrote at the time.

But Then-Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a Republican, challenged that decision to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, asking for the ban to be reinstated.

Simultaneously to the south, a similar lawsuit in Tennessee, L.W. v. Skrmetti, whose plaintiffs had also been granted temporary relief, made its way before the Sixth Circuit appellate court. A panel of appellate judges stayed that lower courts order, reinstating the Volunteer States gender-affirming medical care ban.

In doing so, a three-judge panel also consolidated Kentuckys and Tennessees similar cases into the same appeals process. That panel decided 2-1 in late September to reverse lower court rulings, reinstating both states bans.

No one in these consolidated cases debates the existence of gender dysphoria or the distress caused by it. And no one doubts the value of providing psychological and related care to children facing it, Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton and Judge Amul Thapar wrote in the majority opinion.

The question is whether certain additional treatments  puberty blockers, hormone treatments and surgeries  should be added to the mix of treatments available to those age 17 and under, they said, adding that it was a matter for state legislatures to decide, not life-tenured judges construing a difficult-to-amend Constitution.

In November, plaintiffs in both Tennessees and Kentuckys cases petitioned the highest court in the land and asked its justices to block both bans from being enforced.

Our legal team is pleased that the Supreme Court has agreed to consider reversing the Sixth Circuits decision upholding these cruel and unconstitutional laws, ACLU Legal Director Corey Shapiro said Monday.

Our clients and their doctors simply want to provide the best medical care that is necessary for these amazing youth, Shapiro said. We remain optimistic that the Supreme Court will agree and ultimately strike down these bans.

This is a developing story and may be updated.
The Supreme Court agreed Monday to enter the national debate surrounding gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

The justices will review the constitutionality of a Tennessee law, enacted last year, that bans hormone therapy and puberty blockers for transgender minors. The courts decision will affect a wave of other state laws passed in recent years that restrict gender-affirming care for minors.

The justices will likely hear the case in the fall, close to the November presidential election.

Families and a doctor, with the support of the Biden administration, challenged the Tennessee law. They argued that the law violates the 14th Amendment by discriminating on the basis of sex. After a federal appeals court upheld the law, the challengers and the Biden administration asked the Supreme Court to weigh in.

Laws like Tennessees inflict profound harms on transgender adolescents and their families, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar wrote in her petition to the high court last November. The laws deny medical treatment that families and doctors have determined are appropriate and necessary to treat a serious medical condition, Prelogar wrote.

The Tennessee law, known as SB1, bans hormone treatments or surgeries that are intended to allow a minor to identify with, or live as, a purported identity inconsistent with the minors sex or to treat purported discomfort or distress from a discordance between the minors sex and asserted identity.

Twenty-five states have passed bans or restrictions on such care, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Other states such as Illinois, Colorado and Minnesota have passed bills protecting health care for transgender youth.

Medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics have come out in support of gender transition care and say that gender-affirming care for children rarely, if ever, includes surgery.

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has signaled support for state efforts to ban transgender treatment for children and has vowed to use the power of the federal government to block such care if he wins.

The left-wing gender insanity being pushed at our children is an act of child abuse, Trump said in a video released in January.

In April, the Supreme Court granted an emergency application to allow Idaho to begin broadly enforcing a new state law barring many forms of gender-affirming care for minors. However, the opinions the justices issued in the case explained that they were not resolving whether such laws are constitutional.

Now the court will weigh in directly on the constitutional question. It will be the first time the court hears arguments in a case on transgender rights since Bostock v. Clayton County, the landmark 2020 ruling in which the court found that LGBTQ+ people are protected by a federal law that bars workplace discrimination on the basis of sex.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The Supreme Court announced it is taking up yet another consequential case.

Next year the court could decide if states can legally ban transgender minors from accessing hormone blockers.

This court decision will have a huge impact on countless families living in states with similar gender care restrictions and set the tone for future debates surrounding transgender rights in America.

The decisions about the health of our kids, the decision about the welfare of our kids that should be up to parents or a doctor, said Kelley Robinson, Human Rights Campaign president.

The countrys leading LGBTQ organization is rallying behind efforts to protect access to gender affirming care.

The court says it will now take up a Biden administration challenge to a Tennessee law which bans treatments like hormone blockers for transgender minors.

Care that every major medical organization supports, said Robinson.

Right now, 25 states restrict or ban gender affirming care for teens.

Robinson calls the bans discrimination.

We need to see this for what it is, this is a politically motivated attack meant to divide us, said Robinson.

Conservative groups argue the bans are lawful.

The Heritage Foundation says the courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade increases their confidence that justices will agree this is also a state matter.

Listen the states have spoken, these laws pass constitutional muster, said Sarah Parshall Perry of the Heritage Foundation.

Sarah Parshall Perry, a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation, argues the bans are no different than laws barring minors from drinking alcohol.

And the Supreme Court for decades have recognized that minors lack the capacity and the judgment and the maturity to make lifelong decisions, said Parshall Perry.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments this fall.

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Supreme Court will take up Hungary's bid to end lawsuit from Holocaust survivors

The Supreme Court is seen on Thursday, June 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to intervene for the second time in a dispute between Hungary and Holocaust survivors who want to be compensated for the property confiscated from them during World War II.

The justices will hear arguments in the fall in Hungary's latest bid to end the lawsuit filed 14 years ago by survivors, all of whom are now over 90, and heirs of survivors. Some survived being sent to the Auschwitz death camp in what was German-occupied Poland.

The issue in the case concerns whether an American court is the proper forum for the lawsuit.

Under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, sovereign nations like Hungary are shielded from lawsuits in U.S. courts. But the law makes an exception for lawsuits involving property taken in violation of international law.

Lower courts have been wrestling with how the exception works in this case.

In 2021, the justices sided with Germany in a multimillion-dollar dispute over a collection of religious artworks known as the Guelph Treasure. That decision made it harder for some lawsuits to be tried in U.S. courts over claims that property was taken from Jews during the Nazi era.

The justices heard the Hungary case at the same time, and returned it to the appeals court in Washington in light of the decision involving Germany.

The appeals court, hearing the case for a third time, refused to dismiss all the claims.

The survivors filed the lawsuit in 2010 with the goal of pursuing a class-action case against Hungary and its railway on behalf of all Hungarian Holocaust survivors and family members of Holocaust victims. The railroad played a key role in the genocide, transporting more than 400,000 Hungarian Jews to the Auschwitz death camp in German-occupied Poland over a period of two months in 1944.
The Supreme Court has picked up another LGBTQ rights caseand despite the courts recent hard-rightward swing, it could go either way.

The case, United States v. Skrmetti, will argue whether a law out of Tennessee barring gender-affirming medical procedures for minors violates the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The challengers to the draconian law are three teenagers, aged between 13 and 16 years old, who have received puberty blockers and hormone therapy.

The teensand several major U.S. medical groupsargue that gender-affirming care is lifesaving care, drastically reducing the rates of depression, anxiety, and reported suicide attempts among transgender and nonbinary kids.

The future of countless transgender youth in this and future generations rests on this Court adhering to the facts, the Constitution, and its own modern precedent, said Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice at the ACLUs LGBTQ & HIV Project, in a press release, decrying the bill as an openly political effort to wage war on individual freedoms.

Although Republicans have latched onto the transgender community as a focus of their cruel attacks in recent years, it is unclear if the conservative majority on the nations highest court will rule against access. In 2020, in a major win for the LGBTQ community, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Neil Gorsuch joined the then-four liberal justices in determining that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects gay, lesbian, and transgender people from workplace discrimination based on their sexual or gender orientation.

Writing the majority opinion, Gorsuch commented that the answer is clear.

Lawyers for plaintiffs could similarly argue that refusing to provide gender-affirming care is discrimination based on someones gender. But if they are unsuccessful, then children nationwide will be left without medical careand it will likely open the door to ban gender-affirming care for adults next.

The justices will hear arguments in United States v. Skrmetti in the fall, with an opinion expected by late June 2025.
The Supreme Courts decision Friday to uphold a 30-year-old law barring domestic abusers from possessing guns came as no surprise. Conservative and liberal justices alike seemed pointedly skeptical and at times openly derisive of Zackey Rahimis defense at oral arguments last year.

Its easy to see why. Texas prosecutors accuse Rahimi of shooting guns in public at least six times while under a protective order he received for allegedly assaulting and shooting at his former partner, the mother of his child. He allegedly fired at another woman in a parking lot, at two different people in separate road rage incidents, and into someones home over comments made on social media. The government could hardly ask for a better symbol for the need to restrict access to firearms in the name of public safety.

But the Rahimi decision has implications that go beyond a single defendant or a single law.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts penned the majority decision for U.S. v. Rahimi. Bill Clark via Getty Images

The ruling marked the first time the Supreme Court has offered its take on gun rights since Justice Clarence Thomas penned a sweeping reinterpretation of the Second Amendment two years ago, in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen.

That case established a standard directing courts to disregard the need for public safety when assessing gun regulations. Going forward, the constitutionality of firearm restrictions would depend only on whether similar laws existed at some point between 1791, when the Bill of Rights was ratified, and the end of the Civil War.

Since Bruen, some judges have cited the new Second Amendment standard to overturn an age limit for handgun purchases, a ban on ghost guns, and a law barring people under felony indictment from possessing firearms.Public defenders have overturned convictions for felons found with guns. Several state-level assault weapons bans have faced constitutional challenges. Some legislators have held off on passing gun control measures, worried that the courts would just strike them down.

After two years of lower-court chaos spurred by confusion over Bruen, observers were looking to the Rahimi ruling for clarification. The lopsided 8-1 ruling gave them some.

The Supreme Court almost unanimously agreed that the Second Amendment is not an unlimited right, and that a gun safety law without an exact historical analog could remain constitutional. Chief Justice John Roberts, who authored Fridays ruling in Rahimi, called the courts decision common sense.

The nationwide deep dive into obscure colonial-era laws and long-ignored historical monographs had gone overboard, Roberts seemed to imply. Historical gun regulations and modern ones simply need to share the same guiding principle, he wrote.

The fact that the early Republic had laws to curb threatening other people with weapons, and a civil system of imposing sureties that set bonds on specific people deemed dangerous in order to dissuade them from threatening others, was enough to tease out a working principle. When an individual poses a clear threat of physical violence to another, the threatening individual may be disarmed, Roberts wrote.

New laws dont need to have precise historical antecedents  a demand that would make it difficult for Congress to pass any new gun laws after the Civil War.

That clarification leaves many of the dozens of other post-Bruen constitutional challenges to gun safety laws standing on shakier ground, especially considering that Roberts opinion comes across as frustrated that this wasnt obvious.

Roberts appeared impatient with the nitpicking over the degree of similarity between historical firearm regulations and modern ones, emphasizing that Bruen didnt ask for a historical twin. He criticized the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for ignoring the obvious applications in which the law temporarily disarming domestic abusers would be constitutional and instead focusing on a few hypothetical scenarios where it might present concerns.

And he made clear that the problem extended beyond the 5th Circuit, writing that some courts have misunderstood the methodology of our recent Second Amendment cases.

All of this comes as welcome news to reformers, who now see Bruen as less of a death sentence for gun safety than they did two years ago.

This decision moves the needle very much in favor of gun violence prevention laws, said Janet Carter, a lawyer with Everytown for Gun Safety. The same mistake is being made by several other lower courts. Im optimistic that this decision will point lower courts in the right direction.

But beneath the consensus, the conservative justices who greenlighted the new Second Amendment standard appeared uncertain of how to apply it to other questions. Three of them wrote concurring opinions defending the originalist notion of trying to interpret gun rights in the context of the framers understanding. They all emphasized that the Rahimi decision applied narrowly to his long-shot case, and that judging the constitutionality of gun laws by historical tradition would still provide a legal basis for future challenges.

Justice Neil Gorsuch raised the possibility that the law they upheld might be unconstitutional if someone subject to a protective order for domestic violence attempted to secure a firearm for self-defense. Justice Brett Kavanaugh highlighted that the court still endorsed limitations like keeping firearms away from felons, forbidding firearms in sensitive places, and regulating gun sales. Justice Amy Coney Barrett foreshadowed that harder gun constitutionality questions are still yet to be resolved.

If theres a broad takeaway to pair those concurring opinions with Roberts, its that the Supreme Courts Second Amendment standard is still evolving.

What is telling is that this is an easy case, but it took 100 pages of opinions to explain why, said Eric Ruben, a law professor at Southern Methodist University anda fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice.

Justice Thomas, who authored the Bruen standard, nevertheless dissented from the otherwise unanimous opinion.

Guiding principles werent enough for Thomas. His opinion makes clear that he was looking for precisely the kind of historical twin that Roberts castigated the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals for demanding. Surety laws werent similar enough to barring someone under a protective order from possessing a gun because surety laws didnt bar firearm possession, Thomas wrote.

The only legitimate way to deprive someone of their Second Amendment rights, in Thomas view, is to convict them of a serious crime.

Assuming C.M. allegations could be proved, Texas could have convicted and imprisoned Rahimi for every one of his alleged acts, Thomas wrote, referring to Rahimis former partner.

He was echoing the National Rifle Associations brief in the case, which argued that protective orders issued by civil courts didnt afford enough due process to strip someone of their constitutional right to bear arms.

Rahimi should not only lose his Second Amendment liberties, but he should also lose all of his liberties  if the allegations against him are ultimately proven true with sufficient due process, the NRAs filing read. But constitutional safeguards cannot be set aside to obtain those ends.

In fact, Texas did prosecute Rahimi for his alleged misdeeds. Police released him repeatedly on bail until his arrest in connection with a spate of shootings, highlighting the issue that drove the passage of the 1994 law in the first place: Criminal proceedings move slowly because due process and the presumption of innocence demand it. But sometimes people in danger need to be protected immediately.

While the conservative-dominated Supreme Court may endorse a more expansive view of gun rights than it has in the past, the Rahimi decision made clear that Thomas is the high courts only Second Amendment absolutist.

But its far from settled how the Supreme Court will rule when it takes the next of the dozens of challenges percolating up from the lower courts. Fridays outcome indicates that the new approach based on historical analysis may yet yield novel and inconsistent rulings.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

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FILE - This undated photo provided by Washington County, Ark., Detention Center shows Josh Duggar. The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from Josh Duggar, a former reality television star convicted of downloading child sexual abuse images. Duggar was on the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting with his large family before his 2021 conviction. (Washington County Detention Center via AP, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from Josh Duggar, a former reality television star convicted of downloading child sexual abuse images.

Duggar was on the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting" with his large family before his 2021 conviction.

The court did not elaborate on the denial, as is typical.

Federal authorities investigated after police in Little Rock, Arkansas, found child sexual abuse material was being shared by a computer traced to him. Investigators testified that images depicting the sexual abuse of children, including toddlers, were downloaded in 2019 onto a computer at a car dealership Duggar owned. He was sentenced to 12 and one-half years in prison.

Lower courts have upheld his conviction, rejecting Duggars argument that his attorneys should have been able to ask about the prior sex-offense conviction of a former employee of the dealership who had used the same computer. Duggars attorneys did not ask the former employee to testify after the judge ruled they could not mention the prior conviction.

TLC canceled 19 Kids and Counting in 2015 following allegations that Duggar had molested four of his sisters and a babysitter years earlier. Authorities began investigating after receiving a tip from a family friend but concluded that the statute of limitations on any possible charges had expired.

Duggars parents said after the allegations resurfaced in 2015 that he had confessed to the fondling and apologized privately. Duggar then apologized publicly for unspecified behavior and resigned as a lobbyist for the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian group.
The U.S Supreme Court is seen, Thursday, June 20, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court on Monday rejected two appeals related to COVID-19 vaccines from Childrens Health Defense, the anti-vaccine nonprofit founded by independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The justices did not comment in letting stand rulings against the group from the federal appeals courts in New Orleans and Philadelphia.

In a case from Texas, the group joined parents in objecting to the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations authorization to administer coronavirus vaccines to children. In a case from New Jersey, Children's Health Defense challenged a Rutgers University requirement, imposed in 2021, for most students to be vaccinated to attend courses on campus, though the school did not force faculty or staff to be vaccinated.

Children's Health Defense has a lawsuit pending against a number of news organizations, among them The Associated Press, accusing them of violating antitrust laws by taking action to identify misinformation, including about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. Kennedy took leave from the group when he announced his run for president but is listed as one of its attorneys in the lawsuit.

___

Follow the AP's coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court.
The Supreme Court announced Monday that it will take up a constitutional challenge to state bans on gender-affirming care for minors in its next term.

The case from Tennessee involves the 15-year-old transgender daughter of Samantha and Brian Williams of Nashville.

The family alleges that Senate Bill 1, which prohibits certain types of medical treatments for minors with diagnosed gender dysphoria, violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

The law restricts access to puberty blockers, hormone therapies and surgeries for the purpose of gender transitioning.

MORE: Researchers dive into common gender-affirming care youth misconceptions, questions

By denying only transgender youth access to these forms of medically necessary care while allowing non-transgender minors access to the same or similar procedures, SB 1 discriminates against transgender youth, they argue.

"It was incredibly painful watching my child struggle before we were able to get her the life-saving health care she needed. We have a confident, happy daughter now, who is free to be herself and she is thriving," plaintiff Samantha Williams said in a statement.

PHOTO: An exterior view of the Supreme Court on June 20, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

"I am so afraid of what this law will mean for her. We don't want to leave Tennessee, but this legislation would force us to either routinely leave our state to get our daughter the medical care she desperately needs or to uproot our entire lives and leave Tennessee altogether," she said. "No family should have to make this kind of choice."

Tennessee is home to more than 3,000 transgender adolescents, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing the Williams family in the case.

MORE: 20 years of marriage rights for same-sex couples. Research disputes apocalyptic fears

Republican lawmakers in Tennessee and other states with similar laws contend that each state is free to regulate medical standards and procedures as it sees fit.

Gov. Bill Lee has defended the law in the past, saying, "Tennessee is committed to protecting children from permanent, life-altering decisions," in an April 2023 post on X after the Justice Department also argued the law violates the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

Twenty-five states have passed bans on gender-affirming youth care, including Florida, Ohio and Montana, where the laws are currently on hold under court order during litigation.

Research has found that hormone therapy can improve the mental health of transgender adolescents and teenagers, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Major national medical associations -- including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and more than 20 others -- agree that gender-affirming care is safe, effective, beneficial and medically necessary.

LGBTQ advocates on Monday called on the Supreme Court to restore access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth across the country.

"Everyone deserves access to the medical care that they need, and transgender and non-binary young people are no exception. No politician should be able to interfere in decisions that are best made between families and doctors, particularly when that care is necessary and best practice," Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said Monday in a statement. "These dangerous bans have forced families to make heartbreaking decisions to support their children."

Milo Inglehart, staff attorney at Transgender Law Center, told ABC News: "For years, hostile politicians have been using fear and misinformation to push medical bans, like SB1 in Tennessee, and cause unnecessary harm to our communities. Young people need to know that we will not stop fighting dangerous legislation that targets their ability to grow, thrive and live authentically."

State Sen. Jack Johnson, who sponsored the bill, said he looks forward to the case being tried in the Supreme Court.

"I am extremely proud of the work we have done to protect children from medical procedures that have long-term, irreversible and damaging effects," Johnson told ABC News. "Our laws place limits on what potentially dangerous decisions minor children can make on a regular basis, whether it be driving a motor vehicle or consuming alcohol. It's just common sense."

Supreme Court to review ban on gender-affirming care for minors originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The Supreme Court on Monday announced it will wade into a major dispute implicating transgender rights next term by agreeing to review the constitutionality of Tennessees law banning gender-affirming care for minors.

The high court previously avoided many opportunities to get involved in cases involving transgender protections, but after being urged by the Biden administration to take up the latest dispute, the justices agreed to do so in a brief order.

The battle over whether Tennessees law unconstitutionally discriminates on the basis of sex is slated to take place during the courts next annual term. Oral arguments are likely to be scheduled close to the end of this calendar year.

The justices eventual decision is set to impact the laws passed in the Tennessee and other Republican-led legislatures. Nearly half the country has banned gender-affirming health care for transgender minors, affecting an estimated 100,000 trans adolescents and teenagers.

Some laws also limit care for transgender adults, and bills introduced this year in a handful of conservative states aim to outlaw gender-affirming medical care completely.

Legal challenges mounted by transgender youths and their families have been met with mixed results, and federal appeals courts have split on whether laws that ban gender-affirming care are constitutional.

The Biden administration said the Supreme Courts intervention was urgently needed, arguing that those conflicting court rulings have created profound uncertainty for transgender people.

Absent this Courts review, families in Tennessee and other States where laws like SB1 have taken effect will face the loss of essential medical care, the Justice Department wrote in their petition to the high court.

Those with the resources to do so may abandon their homes, jobs, schools, and communities to move to a State where the needed treatment remains available, the petition continued. Others will not have even that option. And families in much of the rest of the Nation will be left in limbo, waiting to see whether their States ban will be upheld or enjoined.

A group of anonymous transgender minors and parents in both states challenged the law, and the Justice Department later intervened in the dispute. A doctor is also a plaintiff.

A federal district judge agreed to issue an injunction blocking Tennessees law. On appeal, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals consolidated it with a similar case arising from Kentucky cases and reversed, handing a win to the two Republican-led states.

The Supreme Courts order now grants the Justice Departments request to review Tennessees law, but only on the question of whether they violate the 14th Amendments Equal Protection Clause. The other plaintiffs also wanted the justices to consider whether it violated due process protections.

Tennessee urged the Supreme Court to stay out of the dispute, which would keep the law intact, arguing the justices should allow the issue to further percolate in the appeals courts.

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A separate ACLU official said ongoing bans represent a dangerous and discriminatory affront to the well-being of transgender youth across the country and their Constitutional right to equal protection under the law. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

June 24 (UPI) -- The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear arguments on Tennessee's 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

Oral arguments in which the court will weigh the constitutionality of the ban, which was most recently upheld by a lower court, are likely to be scheduled in the court's next term which begins in October and ends June 2025.

The Tennessee law restricts puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgery for minors. This will be the first time the Supreme Court will hear arguments on the issue of medical care for transgender youth.

The plaintiffs, which include transgender teens and their families, claim the Tennessee ban violates their 14th Amendment rights mandating that the law shall apply equally to everyone, including the right to medical treatment. It also contends it violates the right of a parent to make health care decisions for their child.

"As politicians continue to fuel divisions for their own political gain, it's crucial to recognize that for trans youth and their families, this isn't about politics," Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, an attorney for Tennessee's American Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement. "It's about the fundamental freedom to access vital, life-saving healthcare."

"As politicians continue to fuel divisions for their own political gain, it's crucial to recognize that for trans youth and their families, this isn't about politics, Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, an attorney for Tennessees American Civil Liberties Union, said Monday. It's about the fundamental freedom to access vital, life-saving healthcare. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

A separate ACLU official said ongoing bans represent a "dangerous and discriminatory affront to the well-being of transgender youth across the country and their Constitutional right to equal protection under the law."

"The future of countless transgender youth in this and future generations rests on this Court adhering to the facts, the Constitution, and its own modern precedent," said Chase Strangio, Deputy Director for Transgender Justice at the ACLU's LGBTQ & HIV Project. "They are the result of an openly political effort to wage war on a marginalized group and our most fundamental freedoms."

Previously, two federal judges last June blocked Tennessee and Kentuckys ban on gender-affirming care for youth. Their last-minute rulings blocked parts of the two states controversial bans on minors receiving hormones and puberty blockers that are part of gender-affirming care therapies for gender-related issues. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

Previously, two federal judge's last June blocked Tennessee and Kentucky's ban on gender-affirming care for youth.

Their last-minute rulings blocked parts of the two states' controversial bans on minors receiving hormones and puberty blockers that are part of gender-affirming care therapies for gender-related issues.

The Human Rights Campaign took to social media Monday morning to call for the Supreme Court to protect trans youth." File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

The Human Rights Campaign took to social media Monday morning to call for the Supreme Court to "protect trans youth."

"The Supreme Court will decide on a gender-affirming care ban for trans youth out of the Sixth Circuit," the HRC posted on X just after 11 a.m. EDT. "Their decision may allow for a restoration of care."

Meanwhile, Federal Judge Robert Hinkle earlier this month struck down Florida's ban on gender-affirming care for adults, saying it was discriminatory, had no legitimate state interest and violated the equal protection rights of transgender people.

But the Supreme Court has so far been selective of the cases they take related to transgender rights which will have national implications either way.

Notably, the country's high court declined to hear a past case that would have blocked transgender students from using school bathrooms and locker rooms that matched their gender identity. And it likewise said no in January to hearing a similar case.

The Supreme Court in April allowed the state of Idaho to enforce its ban on gender-affirming care for teens in a 6-3 decision falling along conservative-liberal lines.

More than 20 states have enacted similar bans, according to the LGBTQ rights organization Movement Advancement Project.

In a related matter, West Virginia's attorney general, also a candidate this year for governor, said in April the state plans to appeal to the Supreme Court a recent ruling against West Virginia's 2021 transgender athlete ban.

That came around the time Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat and former school superintendent, vetoed a similar ban for transgender athletes in the coveted swing-state.
The Supreme Court wont take up a case challenging Georgias system for electing its public utility board in a defeat for Black voters who argued the so-called at-large electoral system diluted their votes.

The justices refusal to get involved will potentially make it much harder for challenges to such at-large systems of voting  that challengers call a relic of Jim Crow  to move forward in three states in the South.

The five members of Georgias Public Service Commission are each elected in staggered, statewide votes  a system that a federal judge said violated the Voting Rights Act. That ruling was then reversed by the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals, prompting the Black voters appeal to the Supreme Court.

In declining to take up the case Monday, the Supreme Court did not say anything on the merits of the arguments. However, the move leaves standing an 11th Circuit precedent that could affect other Voting Rights Act lawsuits brought in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, the three states the circuit covers.

The 11th Circuit concluded that the Black voters challenge failed because they did not put forward a remedy to cure the alleged vote dilution that would maintain the at-large system the state had chosen for the commission.

In their request, the voters noted that, if allowed to stand, the 11th Circuit precedent would make it more difficult, if not impossible, for other Voting Rights Act challenges to be brought against at-large election schemes, including challenges to local entities  like school boards  that use that method of election.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said in court briefs that the Supreme Court should not take up the case and stressed the unique nature of the commission, which is Georgias regulator for investor-owned utilities like power plants and telecommunications. His brief suggested that the appeals court did not foreclose challenges to other government entities that use at-large methods of election.

In other cases, with other government bodies, the outcome may be different, and there is no reason to intervene here, specifically, the Georgia brief said.

In an earlier phase of the case, the Supreme Court sided with the Black voters by restoring a trial court order that delayed the 2022 elections of two of the commission seats so that the legislature could create a new system of electing the commissioners.

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(The Hill)  The Supreme Court on Monday declined disgraced reality TV star Josh Duggars request to consider whether his conviction for downloading images of child sexual abuse should be tossed out.

Duggar, who rose to fame alongside his sizeable family on TLCs 19 Kids and Counting, was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison after a federal jury in Arkansas found him guilty on one count of receiving child pornography in 2021. He downloaded the images onto a computer at a car dealership he owned.

In his petition to the high court, Duggar attorney Justin Gelfand suggested that the trial judge excluded relevant evidence of an alternative perpetrator after barring the defense from telling jurors about a prior sex offense of a former employee of Duggars dealership. Because of the ruling, Duggars attorneys did not call the former employee to testify.

Supreme Court takes up challenge to gender-affirming care ban

Mr. Duggar proffered to the district court concrete facts making clear that the potential that the crime had been committed by someone else was far from speculative, Gelfand contended. Courts should trust juries to decide what is, and is not, pure speculation. But in this case, it was the judge  not the jury  that made the ultimate decision.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the trial judge when declining to throw out Duggars conviction, writing that it struck a balance by allowing the former employee to testify so long as the past conviction was not mentioned to jurors.

The TLC show 19 Kids and Counting was canceled in 2015 after revelations that Duggar, as a teen, had molested four of his sisters and another girl. In statements at the time, parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar said their son had made very bad mistakes, while Duggar said he acted inexcusably and sought forgiveness.

Authorities investigated the abuse but determined the statute of limitations on any possible charges had expired.

The Associated Press contributed.

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Suspected debris from a Chinese rocket was seen plummeting to the ground over a village in southwest China on Saturday, leaving a trail of bright yellow smoke and sending villagers running, according to videos on Chinese social media and sent to CNN by a local witness.

The dramatic footage surfaced online shortly after a Long March 2C carrier rocket blasted off at 3p.m. local time Saturday (3 a.m. Eastern Time) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern province of Sichuan.

The rocket sent into orbit the Space Variable Objects Monitor, a powerful satellite developed by China and France to study the farthest explosion of stars known as gamma-ray bursts.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has vowed to establish the country as a dominant space power, ramping up missions to compete with other major world powers, including the United States.

Saturdays launch was declared a complete success by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), a state-owned contractor that developed the Long March 2C rocket.

CNN has reached out to the CASC and the State Council Information Office, which handles press inquiries for the Chinese government, including its space agency, for comment.

A video posted on Kuaishou, a Chinese short-video site, appeared to show a long, cylindrical shaped piece of debris falling over a rural village and crashed next to a hill, with yellow smoke billowing from one end.

CNN geolocated the video to be filmed from Xianqiao village in Guizhou province, neighboring the launch site province of Sichuan to the southeast. The video was posted on Kuaishou from an IP address in Guizhou.

Other videos circulating on Chinese social media platforms analyzed by CNN showed multiple angles of the falling debris. In one of them, villagers, including children, were seen running away while looking back at the orange trail in the sky, with some covering their ears for the crash.

Some videos had been taken down by Monday afternoon.

Witnesses on social media said they heard a loud explosion after the debris crashed into the ground. An eyewitness told CNN they saw the rocket fall with their own eyes. There was a pungent smell and the sound of an explosion, they added.

In a now-deleted government notice reposted by a local villager shortly after the launch, authorities said that Xinba Town, near Xianqiao village, was going to carry out a rocket debris recovery mission from 2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. local time on Saturday.

Residents were asked to leave their homes and other buildings an hour before the launch and scatter out in more open areas to observe the sky. They were warned to keep away from the debris to prevent harm from toxic gas and explosion, according to the notice.

Residents were also strictly forbidden to take photos of the debris or spread relevant videos online, the notice said.

There were no reports of immediate injuries from local authorities.

Extremely toxic

Markus Schiller, a rocket expert and associate senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, said the debris appeared to be the first-stage booster of the Long March 2C rocket, which uses a liquid propellant consisting of nitrogen tetroxide and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH).

This combination always creates these orange smoke trails. Its extremely toxic and carcinogenic, Schiller said. Every living being that inhales that stuff will have a hard time in the near future, he added.

Such incidents happen frequently in China due to the location of its launch site, he said.

If you want to launch something to low Earth orbit, you usually launch it in the easternly direction to get some extra boost from the rotation of the Earth. But if you launch to the east, there are definitely always some villages in the pathway of the boosters of the first stage.

Most rockets in China are blasted from the countrys three inland launch sites  Xichang in the southwest, Jiuquan in the Gobi Desert in the northwest, and Taiyuan in the north. Built during the Cold War, these bases were deliberately located far from the coast out of security concerns.

In 2016, a fourth launch site, Wenchang, opened in Hainan Island, the countrys southernmost province.

In comparison, NASA and the European Space Agency usually launch their rockets from coastal locations toward the ocean, said Schiller, whos also a director of ST Analytics in Munich, Germany.

Western space agencies have also largely phased out the kind of highly toxic liquid propellants for their civilian space programs, which China  and Russia  still use, he added.

Multi-staged rockets shed debris shortly after blast-off, along trajectories that can be predicted before the launch.

Before each launch, Chinas civil aviation authority typically issues a notice to pilots, known as NOTAM, to warn them against the temporary danger areas where rocket debris are likely to be falling.

Debris from Chinese rockets have hit villages before. In December 2023, the debris of a rocket landed in southern Hunan Province, damaging two houses, state media reported. In 2002, a boy in northern China was injured when fragments from a satellite launch fell on his village in Shaanxi province.

I expect that well see something like that for quite a while, for many years to come, Schiller said.

China has previously faced criticism from the international space community for its handling of debris from its out-of-control rocket boosters when they reenter Earth.

In 2021, NASA lambasted China for its failure to meet responsible standards after debris from its out-of-control Long March 5B rocket plunged into the Indian Ocean just west of the Maldives after reentering the atmosphere.

CNNs Joyce Jiang, Edward Szekeres and Steven Jiang contributed reporting.

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Suspected drug dealer arrested with guns, fentanyl in Downtown Seattle

A man was arrested Friday, suspected of being a drug dealer, in Downtown Seattle, according to the Seattle Police Department.

At about 2:44 p.m. on June 21, officers saw a suspected drug dealer near 3rd Avenue and Pike Street.

After additional officers were called, the 26-year-old man was arrested.

Officers seized from the man two semi-automatic handguns, ammunition, magazines, and fentanyl.

The man was booked into the King County Jail on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and intent to sell drugs.

Additional charges may be coming as detectives work on their investigation.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  A possible attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Monday targeted a ship farther away from nearly all of the previous assaults they've launched in the Gulf of Aden, officials said, potentially part of a widening escalation by the group.

The attack comes as the U.S. has sent the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower back home after an eight-month deployment in which it led the American response to the Houthi assaults. Those attacks have reduced shipping drastically through the route crucial to Asian, Middle East and European markets in a campaign the Houthis say will continue as long as the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip rages on.

The attack happened Monday morning in the Gulf of Aden some 450 kilometers (280 miles) southeast of Nishtun, a town in the far reaches of Yemen that's close to the border with Oman, according to the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center. That region for long has been held by forces allied to Yemen's exiled government, which has battled the Houthis since the rebels took the capital, Sanaa, back in 2014.

The attack was just off to the northeast of Yemen's Socotra Island, also held by allies of the exiled government.

The master of a merchant vessel reports an explosion in close proximity to the vessel, the UKMTO said. The crew are reported safe and the vessel is proceeding to its next port of call.

The Joint Maritime Information Center, which is overseen by the U.S. Navy, identified the vessel attacked as the Liberian-flagged, Greek-managed container ship MSC Sarah V, which is bound for Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

The vessel was not hit and all crew on board are safe, it said. JMIC assesses that the vessel was likely attacked due to perceived Israeli association.

Another MSC-associated vessel, the MSC Orion, was targeted in May in a deep-sea attack claimed by the Houthis.

Suspicion immediately fell on the Houthis, who did not immediately claim the assault. It can take the rebels hours or even days to acknowledge their attacks. Al-Masirah, a satellite news channel run by the Houthis, highlighted the attack on the MSC Sarah V early Tuesday, without claiming the assault.

However, the attack happened near the outer reaches of the Gulf of Aden where it becomes the Arabian Sea and then ultimately the Indian Ocean. Of the more than 60 attacks launched by the Houthis since November that specifically targeted vessels, this would be one of the farthest.

In the MSC Orion attack in May, the distance at which it was struck led experts to question whether Iran, the Houthis' main benefactor, could have launched the attack. The Houthis have claimed attacks later assessed to have been conducted by Iran, including the 2019 attack on Saudi Arabias oil fields that temporarily halved the kingdoms energy production.

The Houthis have made a series of claims without evidence they've targeted vessels at even greater distances, even though there's been no independent confirmation of any of those attacks actually taking place.

The rebels have 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 on May 30 killing at least 16 people and wounding 42 others, the rebels say.

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  including those bound for Iran.
Suspects Charged with Murder of 12-Year-Old Texas Girl Were Detained, Released by ICE Before Killing

The men are accused of strangling Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl whose body was found in a Houston creek on June 17

GoFundMe Jocelyn Nungaray

The two suspects charged with capital murder in connection with the death of a 12-year-old Texas girl were detained and released by U.S. Border Patrol in the months before the killing.

Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, and Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 22, "both illegally entered the U.S. without inspection, parole or admission by a U.S. immigration officer on an unknown date and at an unknown location," a spokesperson for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a statement to PEOPLE.

Ramos had been detained by border patrol agents near El Paso on May 28 and Martinez had been detained near the same city on March 14, the spokesperson said. The Venezuelan nationals were then released on an orders of recognizance with notices to appear in court at a later date.

Both men are now being held in Harris County Jail on capital murder charges, the agency spokesperson confirmed.

Authorities allege they killed Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl who was found dead in a Houston creek on the morning of June 17, PEOPLE previously reported. Its unclear how the men ended up in Houston.

houston police department Franklin Jose Pena Ramos and Johan Jose Rangel Martinez.

According to KHOU, Ramos bond was set at $10 million during a court appearance on June 24 while Martinez is scheduled to appear in court later this week. Its unclear if they have entered pleas or retained attorneys to speak on their behalf.

At a press conference last week, Houston police Lt. Stephen Hope said the suspects were spotted on surveillance cameras talking to Jocelyn after visiting a local restaurant on Sunday, June 16. Soon after, all three walked together to a convenience store and then went to a bridge, where investigators believe Jocelyn was murdered.

The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences confirmed in an email to PEOPLE that Jocleyn's cause of death was strangulation and her manner of death was homicide.

Related: 2 Men Accused of Murdering Texas Girl, 12, Found in Creek, as Police Detail Her Final Moments

Houston police previously said they believe Jocelyn snuck out of her house around 10 p.m. that night. She was found dead in a shallow area of the creek the next morning.

While investigators have yet to reveal the relationship between the suspects and Jocelyn, the girls mother, Alexis Nungaray, told KPRC 2 that she has never seen the men before.

No idea who they are, she told the outlet. I think [it] is very cowardly of one of them to, you know, try to alter his appearance to think that that would make a difference. But the city of Houston is way stronger than these individuals. And were going to give them what they deserve.

Alexis also spoke at a news conference on Monday, June 24, where she thanked the community for their support and remembered her daughter as someone who definitely made people laugh, according to KHOU.

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.

She had such a bright future ahead of her and I knew she was going to go very far, she said. And, you know, these, these monsters took that opportunity from her, from our family."

A GoFundMe for Jocelyn's family has raised over $63,000 as of June 24.

District Attorney Kim Ogg said at the press conference that both suspects could face the death penalty if evidence leads investigators to believe they sexually assaulted or kidnapped Jocelyn, per Fox 26 Houston.



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Russian President Vladimir Putins recent announcement of military rehearsals for the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in response to NATOs support of Ukraine is only the latest in a series of hints, statements, and threats from the Russian government intimating a willingness to go nuclear.

But the characterization of these weapons as tactical as opposed to strategic is a holdover from Cold War terminology that has little applicability to todays interconnected world, where the use of any nuclear weapon would have immediate and profound strategic consequences.

What is a tactical nuclear weapon?

Nuclear weapons are often categorized based on range, yield, and delivery method. Tactical nuclear weapons are generally described as relatively low-yield, short-range weapons delivered by battlefield systems such as artillery or tactical aircraft. Although exact definitions vary, yields can be less than 1 kiloton (kt) to upward of 100kt (for comparison, the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs were 15kt to 23kt), with ranges in the dozens to low hundreds of miles. This compares to theater or strategic systems, which are delivered by missiles or long-range bombers and have megaton (mt) yields with ranges measuring thousands of miles.

During the Cold War, these limited-yield weapons served to address military challenges for which NATO and the Soviet Union had no conventional response. Leaving weapons in storage, deploying them to battlefields and air bases, or mating them to delivery systems (loaded on aircraft or placed on artillery shells, for example) sent a strong message about how seriously a crisis or conflict was being taken by either side. This is the psychology of escalation that Putin is employing now, but is more applicable to a Cold War world with two distinct blocs and controlled information than todays multipolar and interconnected world.

While the thought of using a nuclear weapon to destroy a tank formation seems nearly inconceivable today, the doctrine behind these weapons was developed by tacticians with living memories of two world wars and millions of casualties inflicted by both conventional and non-conventional arms. For someone who learned to duck and cover near the missile fields of Montana, Wyoming, or North Dakota, nuclear war was anything but unthinkable. Enormous intellectual capital went into formulating plans and doctrine for not just surviving but ultimately prevailing in a Cold War nuclear conflict.

Who possesses tactical nuclear weapons, and why?

First, a caveat: All of these numbers are open to debate and even questionable at the unclassified level because nations closely guard such information. But they do provide orders of magnitude for useful comparisons. The Center for Strategic and International Studies has compiled data consistent with numbers and capabilities presented below along with important caveats here.

The question of who has what perfectly illustrates why the term tactical nuclear weapon has outlived its usefulness. There are estimated to be more than 12,000 nuclear weapons in the nine declared and undeclared nuclear states. The United States is currently reducing its stockpile. French and Israeli stockpiles are relatively stable. And China, India, North Korea, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom, as well as possibly Russia, are thought to be increasing their stockpiles.

Of the more than 12,000 weapons, a little less than 20 percent can be categorized as non-strategic or tactical based on their sizes, ranges, and/or delivery mechanisms. Russia has by far the most tactical nuclear weapons with more than 1,500. The U.S. has 100 stored in Europe, and likely more stored on the U.S. mainland. India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel are estimated to have a little fewer than 500 among them. But Israel, India, North Korea, and Pakistan certainly dont consider their tactical weapons as means to achieving tactical ends. The weapons exist to advance the strategic goals of regime survival or the threat of inflicting unacceptable punishment on potential adversaries.

So depending on where one sits, weapons with similar characteristics can be either tactical or strategic. The defining characteristic is in the objective, not the weapon. A nuclear states doctrine will define how it intends to translate means into ends, but its the ends that determine whether any military action is tactical, operational, or strategic.

Unfortunately, nuclear doctrine is not always clear. All nuclear states intentionally maintain some level of ambiguity in their statements about when and how they would use their nuclear arsenals to inject doubt into a potential adversarys cost/benefit calculations and provide maneuvering room during a crisis. China and India, for example, have articulated so-called no first-use doctrines. In truth, its anybodys guess whether they would adhere to their no first use rhetoric in an existential crisis. Russia explicitly states that it will use nuclear weapons to achieve its war objectives or to protect its sovereignty if its threatened. Israel doesnt acknowledge its weapons, much less any doctrine.

U.S. nuclear doctrine is outlined by the Defense Department in periodic Nuclear Posture Reviews, the latest of which was published in 2022. It describes the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. policy as deterring strategic attacks, assuring allies and partners, and achieving U.S. objectives if deterrence fails. The underlying theme is a strategy of deterrence: having a strong and survivable enough arsenal to deter any potential adversary from using nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction against the United States or its allies. As simple as that sounds, its a policy that evolved over decades, just as technologies and adversaries have evolved.

Lower-yield nuclear weapons used for limited objectives are not necessarily considered as part of an escalation ladder leading to all-out nuclear war between major powers. If the useor even threatened useof such weapons either enables a decisive win or deters a decisive defeat, they could even be considered de-escalatory. This is certainly part of Russias strategy of provocation. It has an explicit escalate to de-escalate strategy that seeks to end fighting on its terms by threatening to take measuresincluding nuclearthe consequences of which are unpredictable.

But nobody really knows how or how quickly things might escalate once the taboo of using a nuclear weapon is broken. Command and control breakdowns could result in unauthorized use. Misinterpreted intentions could lead to further escalation. Other regional nuclear powers could see a superpowers use of nuclear weapons as a green light to solve their own local conflicts using the same means. In todays connected world, it is difficult to envision a scenario where nuclear weapons of any size could be used for any limited purpose and not have consequential strategic effects on all involved, and even many who are not.

Is any nuke really tactical?

Would a tactical nuclear weapon even be effective if used to achieve tactical, i.e. battlefield ends? That depends on the battlefield. Will friendly troops be required to travel through a contaminated zone? How would civilians and civilian infrastructure be affected? There are certainly cases where a small nuclear blast could destroy a target more quickly and efficiently than masses of conventional weapons and personnel. But despite any temporary tactical gains, its use would send a strategic message to the adversary and to the world. But such a message will almost certainly result in a strategic response, whether by military or other elements of national power. Not necessarily a like response, but one designed to have strategic impacts. So yes, nuclear weapons can have tactical effects. But these effects will be overshadowed by a much larger strategic fallout.

War, its been said, is politics by other means. With nuclear or any other kind of weapons, whether those means are tactical or strategic depends on the objectives a nation is trying to achieve, not the damage its trying to do. Any nuclear detonation in a wartime environment would likely be for the furtherance of strategic objectives and almost certainly would result in strategic consequences. The term tactical nuke will almost certainly continue in use but should be thought of only as a reference to size and range, not desired outcomes.

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(Bloomberg) -- Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said companies and foreign chambers of commerce had expressed concern at controversial legal changes giving lawmakers more powers to probe, summon and question corporate and government officials.

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Lai has signed the legislation and is referring it to the islands Constitutional Court for review, his office said in a statement Monday. Lawmakers passed the bills in late May and on Friday June 21 rejected his request for them to reconsider them.

Lais ruling Democratic Progressive Party won its third successive presidential election this year but lost its majority in parliament, where the opposition Kuomintang and its Taiwan Peoples Party allies used their narrow majority to push through the legal changes. The KMT say they want to improve scrutiny of the presidency, but critics say the laws represent a power grab and raise questions about the handling of sensitive information.

The new investigative power has been extended to the military, private entities, and relevant members of society, and weve received a lot of international concerns from companies and foreign chambers of commerce, Lai told reporters. Were worried that the implementation of the law will not protect commercial secrets of enterprises, and will affect Taiwans international competitiveness.

Lai said thats one reason that the Presidential Office has proposed that the Constitutional Court review the legislation.

The KMT has downplayed suggestions that any hearings could be a threat. Its caucus has said only companies colluding with the government would be summoned by the lawmakers.

Because the changes allow lawmakers to summon executives, DPP legislator Puma Shen has said that may lead to companies being probed to disclose trade secrets. The most sensitive company is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., which makes the bulk of the worlds most advanced chips.

Before the May passage of the legislation, the islands new science and technology minister, Wu Cheng-wen, directly addressed the importance of safeguarding the islands proprietary advanced technology.

When TSMC promises advanced manufacturing technology overseas, it is still building that first in Taiwan, Wu said at his first press conference.

--With assistance from Yian Lee.

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During a long day of hearings in Fort Pierce, Florida, Judge Aileen Cannon challenged prosecutors from special counsel Jack Smiths team to show how former President Donald Trumps repeated comments about the FBI translated into a threat against law enforcement officers.

The special counsels office says that a gag order is needed because Trump has repeatedly, and misleadingly, alleged that the agents who searched his Mar-a-Lago estate in 2022 were authorized to murder him.

Cannon did not seem inclined to approve the limitations on Trumps speech but did not immediately issue a ruling.

The judge also heard arguments on Trumps long-shot motion alleging that the special counsels office is being improperly funded. She did not rule on that motion either.

Heres what to know from Mondays hearings:

Cannon is skeptical of a gag order

Cannon showed some skepticism toward prosecutors arguments, asking where they saw a call to violence in Trumps comments and saying that they had needed to show some connecting facts between what the former president has said and the threats they are warning about.

Cannon said that the statute prosecutors are citing for the gag order still requires a finding related to the potential risks to others, noting that prosecutors dont need a direct cause.

There still needs to be a factual connection between A and B, Cannon said of the bridge between Trumps comments and potential threats.

Prosecutor David Harbach responded that other posts and comments by Trump ultimately result in all types of terrible things, including threats or harassment of law enforcement.

He said that while Trump is welcome to campaign, there should be certain limits when it comes to the safety of FBI agents on the case.

Judge dresses down prosecutor

Cannon repeatedly sparred with Harbach, who she said was being snippy during his arguments.

First, Cannon dressed down the prosecutor for his lack of decorum while addressing her.

Harbach had seemingly become irritated at Cannons detailed questions.

Cannon quickly stopped Harbach, telling him, I dont appreciate your tone. She added that she would appreciate decorum at all times and said, If you arent able to do that, Im sure one of your colleagues can take up arguing this motion.

Yes, your honor, Harbach replied.

The judge also slammed Harbach for not providing evidence of other court rulings on gag orders against Trump, despite referring to those orders in their arguments.

Harbach later apologized to Cannon, saying, I didnt mean to be unprofessional. Im sorry about that.

Trump accuses Smith of trying to punish him for others actions

Trumps defense attorney Todd Blanche said Monday that there were no threats to FBI agents in Trumps email or social media posts cited by the government, and argued the Justice Department was trying to punish Trump for other peoples comments.

The attacks, very clearly, are against President Biden, Blanche said of Trumps communications at issue.

Blanche acknowledged that the DOJs deadly force policy in place for the Mar-a-Lago search was standard for the execution of such search warrants but said that It doesnt mean that it was right for agents to have been armed during the search (as they normally are).

The defense attorney also said that prosecutors were trying to set a dangerous precedent by changing the former presidents conditions of release. He said that prosecutors are too vaguely defining what a threat is, making any potential new rules difficult to follow and potentially making him liable for other peoples comments.

Steve Bannon making a comment is potentially the kind of thing that could send President Trump to jail, Blanche said.

Cannon has tough questions on how special counsels office is funded

In the morning session, though the judge was careful to say her questions shouldnt imply she was leaning one way, Cannon pushed Justice Department attorney James Pearce to explain how much money the department has used for its work in the Trump criminal cases.

The judge noted that even if the office discloses its spending publicly every six months, a financial disclosure that would encompass last fall through this March was overdue.

She also sought from prosecutors guidance on explaining the laws and regulations that governed past special prosecutors, at one point bringing up Watergate and the era of Janet Reno as attorney general.

Cannons questions were so pointed toward Pearce that at one point the prosecutor mentioned how other courts have been overturned if they invalidated a government function in the way Cannon was probing, and said he hoped the Justice Department could provide additional written argument to the court if invalidating Smith was a serious possibility.

Should Congress be more involved?

Trump is also aiming to bring Congress into the conversation. Trump attorney Emil Bove advocated at Mondays hearing that Cannon should insist on more congressional oversight of the special counsels offices work, or decide that the way the office is funded is unlawful because, he says, the money is being used in a way Congress hadnt authorized.

The argument is in line with other arguments the Trump team has made to the judge in recent days alleging Smith is too independent from Justice Department leadership. Bove also told the judge more congressional oversight would curb what he called extraordinary things that were happening in the documents case.

Justice Department attorneys have responded in court that the special counsel operates in line with established policies, in place over several decades and administrations, and that the DOJ is committed to continuing to fund this prosecution of Trump under the attorney generals authorization. Republicans on Capitol Hill have also tried to buckle down on the DOJs use of the special counsels office and its funding.

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Tamayo Perry, former pro surfer, Pirates of the Caribbean actor, dies in apparent shark attack

(KHON/NEXSTAR)  Well-known surfer and occasional actor Tamayo Perry, who appeared in such films as Blue Crush and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, was killed in an apparent shark attack on Sunday, officials in Hawaii believe.

The incident was reported just before 1 p.m. after Perry and a group of surfers were paddling out to Malaekahana, an island off Oahus North Shore, also known as Goat Island. The 911 caller said Perrys body appeared to have suffered more than one possible shark bite.

Perry, 49, was employed as a professional lifeguard with Honolulu Ocean Safety. He was on his lunch break when the incident occurred.

Watch: Large group of bull sharks spotted circling in Tampa Bay

Tamayo Perry was a lifeguard loved by all, said Kurt Lager, acting Ocean Safety Chief in a news conference on Sunday. He was well-known on the North Shore. Hes a professional surfer known worldwide. Tamayos personality was infectious, and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more.

Our condolences go out to Tamayos family and to the entire lifeguard ohana.

Tamayo Perry surfs while practicing for Da Hui Backdoor shootout at the Pipeline Masters on Oahus North Shore, Hawaii on January 2, 2019. (Brian Bielmann/AFP via Getty Images)

Officials said Perry was initially brought to Malaekehana by a fellow surfer after the attack. Honolulu Ocean Safety transported him back to the North Shore, where Honolulu EMS personnel assisted with his death pronouncement, according to Shayne Enright of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, speaking at Sundays news conference, called Perry a legendary waterman.

This is just a tragic loss.  You get a call like this on a Sunday afternoon, and its just, just really hard to imagine, Blangiardi said.

Shark warning signs have been posted on the beach following Sundays incident, Nexstars KHON reported.

Tamayo Perry of Hawaii is photographed during round three of the Billabong Pro trials May 4, 2003 at Teahupoo, Tahiti, French Polynesia. (Steve Robertson/ Getty Images)

Perry, a former professional surfer, competed in such competitions as the Pipeline Masters in Hawaii and the Billabong Pro Teahupoo in Tahiti.

Aside from surfing, Perry appeared as a stunt performer and actor in a handful of films between 2002 and 2015, including The Big Bounce, in which hes listed under stunts; Blue Crush, playing a character named Tamayo, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, win which hes credited as Buccaneer, according to IMDb. He also appeared in a 2011 episode of Hawaii 5-0.

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A legendary Honolulu surfer, lifeguard and actor who appeared in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise died this weekend after a shark attack, the citys Emergency Services Department announced at a press conference, where the mournful tone was punctuated with praise for the famous and beloved local.

Tamayo Perry died Sunday in the attack near Goat Island, according to Shayne Enright of the Honolulu ESD. Perry was 49 years old.

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Moments before 1 p.m. local time on Sunday, Honolulu Ocean Safety responded to emergency calls regarding a surfer being attacked around Malaekahana Beach on Oahus North Shore. Enright said at a press conference following the tragedy that Honolulu Ocean Safety responders on jet skis rode out to the scene of the attack; they were unable to assist Perry when they arrived and returned to the shore with Perrys body. Once brought onto the beach, Perry was pronounced dead by Honolulu emergency medical technicians.

Perrys body had signs of having been bitten more than once by the shark that ultimately killed him. He had a leg and an arm missing, according to Surfer Today.

This is [an] extremely difficult time for all of us. I ask for your kindness and your patience as we all just try to get through this next hour into these next weeks and months, Enright said.

Local officials had kind words to say about Perry, considered a local legend. Honolulu Ocean Safety Acting Chief Kurt Lager said Perry was a lifeguard loved by all who was well known on the North Shore. Hes a professional surfer known worldwide.

Tamayos personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more, Lager added. He then echoed the request for privacy for Perrys family.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi also spoke about Perrys life and death at the press conference.

Its just a tragic loss. Tamayo was a legendary water man and highly respected. He grew up right over here, and was just a great member of our Ocean Safety Team. So you get a call like this on a Sunday afternoon, its just really hard to imagine, the mayor added.



Surfer Today reports that Perry was born in 1975 and raised on Oahus East Side, where he first hopped on a surfboard at the age of 12. One of his close pals in his teen years was musician Jack Johnson, according to the publication. Perry became famous as the master of Pipeline, or surfing through the large hollow curls of water that can form on reefs. Over the years he competed in events like the Billabong Pro Trials and Pipe Masters Trials, where he took the victory prize, as the magazine reports.

Perrys role in the massively popular Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was a notable moment in his career onscreen, which also includes appearances in the 2002 female-led surfing movie Blue Crush and on the CBS series Hawaii Five-0 as well as stunts in the comedy The Big Bounce.

A bio on the website for the Oahu Surfing Experience indicated that Perry and his wife, Emilia, were its owners and instructors.

Being from the Hawaiian Islands and being former professional athletes makes us well-known and well-liked here on Oahu and especially in the North Shore community, the website reads, letting potential students know that their ties to the community and surf scene will help ease them into the world of catching waves on the North Shore.

Following his death, Ocean Safety personnel placed warnings along the beach about potential sharks in the water.

Perrys Instagram account shows that in life, he had a deep appreciation for the ocean and beach.

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Tamayo Perry, shown at a surf competition in Tahiti in 2003, died Sunday after an apparent shark attack off Oahu's North Shore. (Pierre Tostee / Getty Images)

Tamayo Perry, a surfer, lifeguard and actor with a resume that included roles in "Blue Crush" and "Hawaii Five-0," has died after an apparent shark attack off Oahu's North Shore.

The 49-year-old was surfing at Malaekahana Beach lake, also known as Goat Island, on the northeast coast of the island, and died Sunday afternoon in the attack, Shayne Enright of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department said Monday in a statement to the Los Angeles Times.

Read more: It's not just 'hang loose.' Lawmakers look to make the friendly 'shaka' Hawaii's official gesture

Honolulu Ocean Safety and the citys fire, police and emergency medical services departments responded to the beach just before 1 p.m. after a caller reported seeing a man who appeared to have suffered "more than one shark bite," Enright said. Lifeguards brought Perry to shore by jet ski and paramedics assisted with the death pronouncement.

After the incident, Ocean Safety personnel posted shark warnings in the area, Enright said.

According to news station KHON 2, Honolulu Ocean Safety acting chief Kurt Lager said that Perry, whom he described as "one of our own," was a lifeguard and professional surfer loved by all." Perry worked as a lifeguard on the North Shore and began his career with the Ocean Safety department in July 2016.

A surfer grabbed Perry after the incident and brought him to the island, Lager said at a news conference.

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"Tamayo Perry was a lifeguard loved by all. He was well-known on the North Shore. Hes a professional surfer known worldwide," Lager said. "Tamayos personality was infectious, and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more. Our condolences go out to Tamayos family and to the entire lifeguard ohana."

Lager also said that Perry was "an extremely talented waterman" and that he is survived by his wife and "hundreds of friends."

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, who also spoke at the news conference, said Perry's death was a "tragic loss" and commemorated the lifeguard as "a legendary waterman and highly respected ... great member of our Ocean Safety team," according to Hawaii News Now.

"Tamayo Perry, an eight-year veteran of Ocean Safety and well-known North Shore waterman, exemplified bravery, commitment and a deep sense of duty, serving our community with unwavering dedication. His heroic actions and tireless efforts to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors will never be forgotten," the mayor added in a statement to The Times.

"As we grieve this unimaginable loss, we are reminded of the inherent risks faced by our lifeguards daily, and we extend our deepest gratitude for their service," Blangiardi said. "The city and county of Honolulu stands with our Ocean Safety community and will provide all necessary support during this period of mourning. We ask the community to join us in honoring his memory and to keep his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

Read more: 'Fresh out of aloha.' As tourists return to West Maui, some Hawaiians rethink the aloha spirit

Perry and his wife, Emilia, both professional athletes from the Hawaiian Islands, co-founded the Oahu Surfing Experience. The company offers surf lessons on the North Shore.

"The Ocean Aspect of Mother Nature is very unpredictable and it is important to have expert instructors to guide you," the couple's website says.

In a statement to The Times, the company shared its tribute to the late surfer.

"We all want to be the hero of our own story. One of the redeeming characteristics of humanity is our desire to follow our convictions always and without fear. Few of us are able to truly be that hero Tamayo Perry was, is and will be forever," the company said.

"He was everyone's big brother, stern and uncompromising with an infectious and kolohe smile. He was your rescuer in time of need, your safety when all things fell apart. He was a knight forged in the fires of the North Shore in the '90s, his faith in Christ the rock upon which he stood. Few are those who truly follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Tamayo never took his eyes off the path.

"Tragic though his passing may be, he left this world doing what he loved where he loved to do it. We find strength in knowing he is in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ, trading barrels at Pipeline with his friends that have gone before him."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Tammy Baldwin, Eric Hovde agree to first televised debate in Wisconsin U.S. Senate race

MADISON  Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Republican businessman Eric Hovde will square off in the first scheduled debate of Wisconsin's Senate race at 7 p.m. Oct. 18.

The debate, hosted by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation, will take place in Madison and will be televised and broadcast on radio throughout the state.

The candidates will field questions from panelists who have yet to be announced in an hour-long format moderated by veteran journalist Jill Geisler, who previously moderated WBA debates in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2022.

The WBA Foundation is honored to provide this important debate to Wisconsins voters as part of our long history of using our debates to promote the civic and political process. said WBA Foundation president and CEO Michelle Vetterkind in a statement.

Wisconsin's U.S Senate election could help determine which party controls the body after November's election. Baldwin, who is seeking a third term, is locked in a nationally watched reelection battle with Hovde.

In a statement, Baldwin said she's looking forward to the debate "so voters across the state can learn more about the work were doing together and the choice they have in this race."

Hovde thanked the WBA Foundation for "providing every Wisconsinite across the state the opportunity to hear my solutions to restore the American Dream."

The debate will be available for Wisconsin radio and television stations to broadcast live or on delay.

Jessie Opoien can be reached at jessie.opoien@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tammy Baldwin, Eric Hovde to debate in Wisconsin U.S. Senate race
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Catholic Charities broke ground on the $1.5 million Matthew 25 Community Center that will serve hundreds of people living in the Tampa Hope Cottages.

The center will offer a kitchen, restrooms, salon, laundry room, and showers.

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Organizers said they want to serve the homeless community with dignity, saying that bringing in this center is a considerate way to help address homelessness in the area.

Shelton Lane has lived there for five months after living on the streets following an eviction.

My future looks like Im hoping to get an apartment very soon. When that comes up, well, one that is in my means. One I can afford so I dont fall back down again, Lane said.

High rent is a concern for him.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said Tampa Hope has seen the success stories.

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1,100 individuals have come through Tampa Hope to date. Over 30% in permanent housing, and then close to that number are gainfully employed, Mayor Castor said. Theyre providing the wraparound services that can allow someone to get back up on their feet and become the productive members of their community that they have always struggled to achieve.

Staying at the cottages is less than $30 a night with three meals, clothes, counseling, and more.

Now a new community center, expected to open next year, will speak to the care put forth for the residents.

Maria Rivera-Hernandez was at Tampa Hope for 10 months.

This is our last week because well be moving into our apartment next Monday, Rivera-Hernandez said.

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Before Tampa Hope, she said she was disabled, depressed, on drugs and about to lose everything. Then one day, she and her husband, Al, were stopped by an officer, who gave them a choice.

You either go this way, Tampa Hope, or this way to Orient Road Jail. And I told Al, Im going to Tampa Hope, Rivera-Hernandez said.

With the help of the organization, she said shes become responsible and accountable for her own life. Her only ask is that people dont give up on the homeless, as there are people like Lane, waiting for their chance.

Im just going to keep faith and keep praying so I can come up and do better in the near future, Lane said.

If you would like to donate towards Tampa Hope, you can call (727)-893-1314 ext. 5504, text tampahope to 243725, or go online to www.ccdosp.org/tampa-hope.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Tarrant sheriffs deputies find man covered in dried blood. Theyre trying to find out whose

An 18-year-old was found covered in dried blood when Tarrant County sheriffs deputies responded to an accident near Markum Ranch and Interstate 20 early Monday, but investigators say the blood appears to be unrelated to that crash.

The Sheriffs Office said in a news release Monday that deputies were sent to the area just before 2 a.m. to find Aaron Richard, the driver of a white pickup truck, with a large amount of dried blood on him and on his truck. They do not believe the blood was Richards and dont believe it resulted from the accident to which deputies were responding.

Investigators are asking for the publics help to find out what happened and where the blood came from.

The single-cab 1997 Chevrolet pickup had damage to the drivers side front quarter panel, door and the tailgate, according to the release. The Texas license plate is DFH2650.

A Sheriffs Office spokesperson told the Star-Telegram that the crash deputies responded to involved only Richards vehicle, but was not able to release any other detail on what happened or led up to the crash.

Investigators also found dried blood on the interior of the truck, on the drivers side, and the outside of the truck bed, according to the release. The Sheriffs Office did not say in the release if investigators believe anybody is in danger or has been killed.

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Tarrant County court records indicate the Sheriffs Office is working to file at least one charge against Richard on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He was already serving a six-month probation sentence for a charge of disorderly conduct in Haltom City.

Tarrant County Jail records indicated Richard posted $500 bond on the driving while intoxicated charge but had not yet been released from the jail as of Monday around 5:30 p.m.

His probation began in February, according to court records. A charge of driving while intoxicated could also have impacts on his probation as a violation.

Robbie Hoy, the spokesperson for the Sheriffs Office, said he was unable to provide additional details including Richards behavior or apparent state of mind when he was arrested, whether he required medical attention following the crash or if he had any other criminal history.

He also could not comment on whether investigators have any leads on a possible victim.

Anybody who has information that may be connected to Richard is asked to contact the Tarrant County Sheriffs Office at 817-884-1305.
TATUM, Texas (KETK)  Tatum High School students will be entering the coming school year with a new principal, the district announced on Monday.

UT Tyler College of Pharmacy awarded for mens mental health training

Sheri Hopkins, courtesy of Tatum High School

According to a release, Sheri Hopkins, who has been the middle school principal and assistant principal at the high school, will take on her new role in the fall.

Hopkins said she brings with her 18 years of education experience that began as a substitute teacher at Hallsville High School. She received a bachelors from Texas A&M University  Texarkana and a Masters in Educational Leadership, a release said.

I am truly excited to embark on this journey with all of you and look forward to continuing the long-standing tradition of excellence that the Tatum community expects, Hopkins said. I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing summer and I look forward to seeing everyone in the fall.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
A long time ago, a debate was just a debate. The media analyzed and dissected it, of coursebut for a day or two in the print press, and a few hours on the television networks, after which the world moved on to the next thing. But that was back when we had three television networks giving America 30 minutes of news a night, no nonstop cable news, two big national newspapers, no websites, no social media, and a small handful of prominent columnists like David Broder of The Washington Post; theyd render their verdict, and that was that.



Today, a presidential debate is a much larger phenomenon. It lasts, really, several days now. Cable news started with debate previews last Thursday, a week before Joe Biden and Donald Trump will square off in CNNs Atlanta studios. The postmortems will surely last through the weekend, making for a debate-a-palooza that will clock in at 11 days.

And in those 11 days, the conventional wisdom may shift several times. Hence, my debate prognostication: On the night itself, the conventional wisdom and the flash polls will probably show Biden winning. But by the time Fox News and the rest of them are finished spinning it, they may well have convinced your average swing voter that Trump dominated Biden.

A little history will help explain this. Ive looked up Who won the debate? results for the full twenty-first century. Interestingly, the Democrat won almost every debate, according to the snap polls I could find. Even John Kerrythe only Democrat in this century to lose the popular vote, by about three million votes in 2004prevailed. He won the first and third debates handily, while George W. Bush tied him in the second. As for these two contestants, Biden swept Trump in 2020. He won the first debate 5439, according to one insta-poll. Another had it Biden 6028. On the second and final debate, Biden won 5339, according to one poll.

The only clear Democratic debate loss in this century was the first 2012 debate, when Mitt Romney aggressively repositioned himself to the center, defenestrating conservative positions hed been espousing for months, while Barack Obama looked like his mind was on something else. (CNNs flash poll gave that one to Romney by a whopping 67 to 25 percent.) Otherwise, Democrats tend to win, and often, win big.

I submit theres a simple reason for that: Democratic positions on things are a lot more popular. When pundits and political insiders watch a debate, we tend to watch for style. The substance is old hat to us. Weve heard it a thousand times, so pundits need something new to focus on. Its shallow, but there it is.

Voters, however, havent heard the candidates espouse their positions a thousand times. Theyve probably heard them a few times. Maybe they havent heard them at all. So theyre listening closely to the substanceto what the candidates have to say about taxes, investment, public education, abortion rights, climate, and so on, and majorities support Democratic positions on most major policy issues.

So Democrats tend to win. Republicans get this, so they know the task they have at handto spin things postdebate to try to change the result. The first time I remember seeing this in action was the very first debate of this century, between George W. Bush and Al Gore. Gore seemed to win on substance, but he used the word lockbox seven times, and he sighed too much. That did it. Here was Gore adviser Bob Shrum, speaking later: I didnt think Gores sighs were a really big deal until I got to the spin room. Reporters kept asking about sighs, reactions, exaggerations. That weekend, Saturday Night Lives cold open mocked Gore mercilessly on these points. Soon enough, the conventional wisdom was that Bush won, and it gave him some momentum.

What does this mean for Thursday? Lets stipulate that Biden doesnt do something egregious like fall down, fall asleep, forget the name of the guy who runs China, that sort of thing. If he clears those relatively low hurdles, hell probably do well enough to win. He knows a lot more about substance and policy and the world than Trump does, and his positions are a lot more mainstream. I hope also that hes been prepped to get under Trumps skin. Call him a convicted felon, mention Stormy Danielss name, mock some of his weird Hannibal Lecterstyle commentsjust rattle him.

Biden has certainly lost a step or three since 2020, but if he does some version of all the above, hell probably be judged the winner by most of those who watched. But then Fox News and MAGA TikTok and all the rest will throttle into gear and grab selected 12-second clips that show Biden stuttering a little or losing his train of thought. Also, Trump will undoubtedly get the better of him on an exchange or two. Finally, Trump, as Greg Sargent wrote last week, will go hard at Biden on immigration, and especially the Migrant Killers Trump proclaims to be an epidemic blighting the nation. Thats the moment MAGA world is going to be focused on. If Biden is caught flat-footed there, not only will postdebate MAGA spin work, but Biden might indeed just lose the debate outright.

That is Team Bidens job this week: to have him be ready not only for the event itself but for a broad and multiplatform postdebate spin assault that will keep Fox and Trumpworld from dominating the news cycles. Their job will be made more difficult by the familiarity of both candidateswhich means that the media will be even more focused on optics and less focused on policy than usual.

I hope that Team Biden will have hundreds or even thousands of people ready to get to work from 10:31 p.m. Thursday through about the following 96 hours, blasting out their own 12-second clips that make Biden look like Abraham Lincoln and Trump look foolish and/or dangerous. Sad to say, the fate of the country may depend on who wins the TikTok debate battle, but thats where we are.
As plans for a second, better (read: more competent in its authoritarianism) Trump administration take shape six months out from the 2024 election, a frightening new initiative appears to be part of it: the creation of a blacklist of federal workers whom conservatives worry might attempt to block the implementation of Trump policies.

Project Sovereignty 2025, a McCarthyite plan to identify and make public names of governmental employees serving as bulwarks against unconstitutional border and deportation policies, is the creation of former Republican congressional aide Tom Jones and his American Accountability Foundation, an AP report revealed. Jones won a $100,000 grant from the Heritage Foundation to create the blacklist. According to the AP, Joness work is based largely on gut check[s] and instinct, running roughshod over the lives of federal workers to ensure the easy implementation of conservative policies should Trump win in November.

The dystopian measure appears to be the newest scheme of the Heritage Foundations Project 2025 agenda. The blacklist is an outgrowth of the agenda, outlined in a 900-page document, to stock the federal government with ideologically sympathetic civil servants willing to shirk their duties to expedite ultraconservative orders. Key to Project 2025 is the proposed revival of Trumps Schedule F executive order, a provision that reclassifies civil servants as political appointees, making them easier to fire. Joness list of enemies would be used to target workers for removal from the government under Schedule F, which the Biden administration repealed.



The conservative attempt to weaponize the civil service is alarming, if predictable. It follows from a first Trump term that saw constant turnover in leadership, often over perceived disloyalty to the president, and efforts to gum up the works of the administration by resisting civil servants. That the conservative movement is building an infrastructure to circumvent those civil servants who stood up in the face of the Trump administrations most egregious overreaches should concern those who, resisting invocations of the fascist label, insist that despite his fascistic rhetoric, Trump essentially governed as a standard conservative during his time in office. With the weight of legacy conservative institutions like the Heritage Foundation and their open witch-hunting cadres like the American Accountability Foundation, a second Trump administration would be even more disastrous for the rule of law than the first.


Teen injured after falling down cliff at Pennybacker Bridge Overlook

Editors note: The above video shows KXAN News Todays morning headlines for Monday, June 24, 2024.

AUSTIN (KXAN)  A teenager was injured after falling down a cliff at the Pennybacker Bridge Overlook Sunday night.

Austin-Travis County EMS said a high angle rescue started shortly after 9 p.m. after someone fell from the overlook area down a cliff.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

ATCEMS said in an update that a team with the Austin Fire Department had made verbal contact with the patient, who was standing and talking.

The teenager was transported to St. Davids South with potentially serious injuries after sliding about 20 feet down the cliffs face, according to ATCEMS.

Number of high angle rescues

Captain Darren Noak, a spokesperson for ATCEMS, said medics have responded to six high angle rescue calls in 2024 so far.

For context, there were nine calls labeled high angle rescue in 2023.

Noak said StarFlight was not used for this rescue. These crews are dispatched depending on the distance from a trauma facility, extraction information, patient condition and other factors.

RELATED COVERAGE: Adult rescued by STAR Flight near Austins Pennybacker Bridge

The need for StarFlight can also change as call details come in.

This February, one person had to be hoisted by StarFlight after they fell 40 feet over the edge of a cliff at the overlook trail.

This is a very frequented location for our high angle rescues. The danger certainly exists. Captain Darren Noak, Austin-Travis County EMS

A couple of months after that, first responders recreated that incident to train.

What better training environment to practice in as well and be familiar with the terrain, and all of the obstacles and issues that we might encounter when we do have to come here? Noak 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.
Teen pleads guilty to killing 16-year-old girl whose body was found behind dumpster

DENVER (KDVR)  A teen pleaded guilty to murdering a 16-year-old girl whose body was discovered behind a dumpster in Green Valley Ranch.

According to the Denver District Attorneys Office, Deontre Hollie, now 18, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder for shooting and killing Tayanna Manuel and one count of first-degree assault for also shooting and injuring another victim in northeast Denver.

More than a vehicle: Firefighter searching for stolen truck, handed down by late father

Manuels body was found on Dec. 26, 2022, behind a dumpster at 4927 North Sedalia St.

Hollie is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 20. According to the Denver DAs Office, Hollie faces up to 80 years in prison for the charges.

Deontre Hollie, 17, being tried as adult in 16-year-old girl's murder

Initially investigated as an outdoor death

The Denver Police Department began their investigation into Manuels death on Sedalia Street as an outdoor death investigation but later said it was a homicide. The coroners office determined a gunshot caused her death.

Hollie was initially facing charges of first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault causing serious bodily injury with a weapon, tampering with physical evidence and second-degree murder. He agreed to a plea deal on June 21, according to court documents.

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In 2022, FOX31 spoke to Manuels mother and two sisters, who said they were frustrated about the initial stages of the investigation. They also said they believed the case was connected to another shooting that occurred a few days earlier involving someone Manuel knew.

At the time, the Dock Ellis Foundation, which investigates missing Black girls, also said Manuels death was possibly connected to a shooting that occurred in the 4600 block of Kittredge 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 FOX31 Denver.
Thieves posed as ICE agents to rob Hispanics in Anaheim, police say

Two men have been arrested for allegedly pretending to be federal law enforcement agents while targeting and robbing Hispanic people in Orange County and elsewhere in the Western United States.

Laurentiu Baceanu and Vasile Alexandru, both 19, were arrested Thursday night about five hours after a pair of robberies in Anaheim were reported, the Anaheim Police Department said in a news release.

Investigators discovered that in both robberies, the suspects approached the victims, identified themselves as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agents, demanded cash from the victims, and then fled in a blue SUV, the release said.

Officers found the suspects blue Audi Q7 SUV in Fullerton and took Baceanu and Alexandru into custody.

They were booked into APDs jail on multiple charges, including several robbery counts, and they are being held without bail, police said. Jail records show Baceanu is being held at the Theo Lacy Facility, while Alexandru did not appear in a search.

Investigators believe Alexandru and Baceanu have committed similar robberies in Anaheim, Orange County, and the Western United States targeting Hispanic people using a badge to pretend to be law enforcement before demanding the victims property.

In addition to the Audi SUV, they also used a silver or gray Volkswagen Atlas SUV, police said.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact Robbery Detective John Carey at 714-765-1973 or JCarey@anaheim.net, the Robbery-Major Assaults Detail at 714-765-1947 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS or occrimestoppers.org.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A Tennessee state representative and an abortion rights advocate filed a lawsuit Monday that challenges a new "abortion trafficking" law set to go into effect on July 1.

Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, and attorney Rachel Welty filed the suit in U.S. District Court on Monday, asking a judge to block local district attorneys from enforcing the law once it goes into effect and alleging the recruitment language in the law violates their right to free speech.

The new law criminalizes adults who, without parental consent, tranport a minor for an abortion considered illegal under Tennessee law, even if the abortion is performed in a location where the procedure is legal.

The law also includes vague language against anyone who "recruits" a minor for an abortion, a term not defined in state code that opponents of the bill flagged as a potential slippery slope of protected speech issues.

More: Concerns over free speech grow as abortion travel ban heads to Tennessee governor's desk

Rep. Aftyn Behn, D- Nashville, looks to Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, while he defends SB 1971 during a House session at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

Behn has been a vocal supporter of reproductive rights during her first term in the House, protesting the law when it was proposed legislation. Behn said on social media she would take a younger person out of state for an abortion even if "it lands me in jail," a statement that led to a heated argument on the House floor during an April debate over the bill. Welty, an attorney, is a member of an abortion fund that facilitates access to and advocates for legal abortion care.

The First Amendment safeguards the right to advocate for access to legal abortion care, and the State of Tennessee lacks authority to criminalize such advocacy, Daniel Horwitz, the pair's lead attorney, said in a statement.

Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk is named in the lawsuit alongside other Middle Tennessee DAs. The Tennessean has reached out to Funk's office for comment.

Free speech concerns from opponents of the bill are heavily centered on the word recruit, which is not defined in Tennessee state law and which opponents say could potentially criminalize speaking to a pregnant minor about health care options.

Bryan Davidson, policy director at the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, previously told The Tennessean the "free expression implications" of an undefined term are "troubling."

"It's easy to imagine that there could be a reproductive health clinic or a clinician, non-medical counselor or a social worker, anybody who provides information or options around abortion care and counseling to pregnant minors in Tennessee, who could potentially have their free speech rights infringed upon," Davidson said.

In Idaho in late 2023, lawmakers passed a nearly identical law to Tennessees version. A federal judge temporarily blocked the law after a lawyer and two medical advocacy groups sued over concerns it violated their First Amendment right to discuss abortion with minors and their Fourth Amendment right to travel between states where the procedure is legal.

Both the Tennessee law and the Idaho law are based on model legislation written by the National Right to Life Committee  the nations largest anti-abortion organization that lobbies legislatures to end abortion access.

More: Biden administration seeks new privacy rule as Tennessee pushes 'abortion-trafficking law'

James Bopp Jr., the general counsel for the National Right to Life Committee, called the First Amendment concerns a complete lie and bulls***.

There's no confusion about that, he said in an interview with The Tennessean, adding that nobody thinks that the word recruit could include just posting information or speaking about abortion.

There are all sorts of words that are used in statutes that are not defined," he said. "If their argument is there's not a definition in state law, then you look to the common dictionary definition.  The Supreme Court, most of the time, is looking at dictionaries to determine the meaning of words that are in statutes and have never struck down a statute based on vagueness, because a word was not defined in a statute.

However, the U.S. Supreme Court and lower courts regularly rule on the "vagueness doctrine," such as a 2023 ruling in which a federal judge blocked Tennessee's drag ban for being "unconstitutionally vague and overbroad."

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee lawmaker, lawyer sue over 'abortion trafficking' law
FILE - An abortion-rights demonstrator holds a sign during a rally, May 14, 2022, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Rep. Aftyn Behn and Nashville attorney Rachel Welty filed a lawsuit Monday, June 24, 2024, challenging a state statute banning adults from helping minors get an abortion without parental permission. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  As Tennessee prepares to become the second U.S. state to enact a ban against adults helping minors get an abortion without parental permission, a state Democratic lawmaker and reproductive rights activist on Monday filed a legal challenge alleging the statute is unconstitutional.

The complaint filed in federal court came on the second anniversary of the Supreme Courts decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had guaranteed a constitutional right to abortion. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Democratic Rep. Aftyn Behn and Nashville attorney Rachel Welty.

Two years ago today, I vowed to aid and abet abortion always, to not give up despite the overturn of Roe v. Wade, and to fight," Welty, a longtime abortion access advocate, said in a statement. I need to stand up for other advocates around the state who should not have to live in fear of civil or criminal penalties for disseminating information about routine healthcare.

Earlier this year, Tennessee's GOP-controlled Statehouse signed off on a proposal making it illegal for an adult who intentionally recruits, harbors, or transports a pregnant minor within the state to get an abortion without consent from the minors parents or guardians. Those convicted of breaking the law would be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which requires a nearly one-year jail sentence.

The law, which goes into effect July 1, does not contain exemptions for minors who may have been raped by their parents or guardians. Instead, the statute says a biological father who raped the minor and caused the pregnancy can't pursue a civil action.

The Tennessee law mimics the so-called  abortion trafficking  law enacted in Idaho last year, but a federal judge has since temporarily blocked that state's statute after reproductive rights groups sued to challenge it.

The lawsuit filed Monday names 11 district attorneys who work in middle Tennessee as the defendants, alleging that they all ignored Weltys previous requests to define what behavior would be deemed illegal under the new law.

A spokesperson for the attorney general's office, which represents the state in constitutional lawsuits, did not immediately return an emailed request for comment.

According to the lawsuit, Welty and Behn argue that the law is unconstitutionally vague, pointing out that the word recruits" is undefined. They also argue that the statute criminalizes certain speech in violation of the First Amendment.

The law was intended to scare Tennesseans from helping each other when they need it the most," Behn and Welty said in a joint statement. Its not working. Well still be here supporting each other, loving folks whove had abortions, and providing people with key information about their options.

Notably, while Tennessee lawmakers were debating the legislation on the House floor, the Republican bill sponsor specifically referred to Behns previous public promise to help any young person travel out of state if they needed an abortion.

Unfortunately, theres even a member of this body that recently tweeted out, I welcome the opportunity to take a young person out of state who wants to have an abortion, even if it lands me in jail,' Rep. Jason Zachary said in April, adding that is what recruitment looks like.

Zachary and others have defended the law as needed to protect parental rights, pointing to a lawsuit filed earlier this year by Missouris attorney general, Andrew Bailey.

Bailey, a Republican, has accused Planned Parenthood of illegally taking minors from Missouri into Kansas to obtain abortions without parental consent. The lawsuit, based on a video from a conservative group that has promoted false claims on other issues, asks a state district court to stop Planned Parenthood from engaging in the conduct alleged in the complaint.

Tennessee bans abortions at all stages of pregnancy, but there are exemptions in cases of molar pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies, and to remove a miscarriage or to save the life of the mother. Notably, doctors must use their reasonable medical judgment  a term that some say is too vague and can be challenged by fellow medical officials  in deciding whether providing the procedure can save the life of the pregnant patient or prevent major injury.

A group of women is currently suing to clarify the states abortion ban. A court decision is expected soon on whether the lawsuit can continue or if the law can be placed on hold as the legal battle continues.
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

TERREBONNE PARISH, La. (WGNO)  The woman accused of torturing her teenage daughter in Terrebonne Parish pled not guilty to the charges against her in court on Monday, June 24.

The Terrebonne Parish Clerk of Courts Office confirmed that 40-year-old Latonya Harris pled not guilty to second-degree cruelty to a juvenile, domestic abuse battery and child endangerment following a crash in Baytown, Texas that led to the discovery of the alleged abuse of her 15-year-old daughter.

According to previous reports, on April 20, Baytown police were made aware of a vehicle that had been driving recklessly on Interstate 10 East and crashed onto a service road.

Infant severely injured in life-threatening Bridge City dog attack

During the crash investigation, the Terrebonne Parish Sheriffs Office received a report from the Department of Child Family Services that the teen involved was badly burned and shot multiple times.

While hospitalized, detectives with the Baytown Police Department determined that the teens other injuries were done at the hands of her mother and Washington.

The two were arrested after the crash. During an interview, Harris boyfriend, 41-year-old Terrence Washington, allegedly confessed to the sexual abuse of the teen that lasted for months and shooting her before leaving for Texas.

Being a dad thats a protective dad to get that phone call, Im not okay because I feel like I didnt do what I needed to do to protect my child, said Timothy Johnson, the victims father.

During a news conference, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Tim Soignet described Harris and Washington as pure evil as he held back his emotions.

We are making sure she has emotional support, our detectives were there. If she needs us, we are there. We are going to be there every step of the way, said Soignet.

One dead, one wounded in Central City double shooting

Washington is facing two counts of attempted first-degree murder, second-degree cruelty to a juvenile, obstruction of justice, molestation of a juvenile, three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile, and five counts of second-degree rape.

Harris is expected to appear in court again in September.

According to the clerk of courts office, Washington remains jailed in Texas. At this time, an extradition request hasnt been filed to have him return to Louisiana.

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Retired forensic pathologist Dr. Frank Sheridan (not shown) is questioned by defense attorney Elizabeth Little during the murder trial for Karen Read at Norfolk Superior Court, in Dedham, Mass., Monday, June 24, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

DEDHAM, Mass. (AP)  The defense rested its case Monday in the murder trial of a woman accused of striking her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV, clearing the way for closing arguments and jury deliberations after nearly two months of testimony.

Karen Read did not take the stand after three final witnesses testified in the high-profile case that's created a media storm in part by accusations of police misconduct that have been fueled by true crime bloggers. Closing arguments will take place Tuesday, with one hour for each side, before jurors begin their deliberations, the judge said.

Prosecutors contend Read struck John OKeefe with her SUV and then left the scene in January 2022, leaving him unconscious in the snow after a night of bar hopping. He was found unresponsive hours later outside the Canton home of another Boston police officer who was hosting a party. An autopsy found he died of hypothermia and blunt force trauma.

The three defense witnesses on Monday cast doubt on prosecutors' version of events.

Dr. Frank Sheridan, a retired forensic pathologist who worked previously as chief medical examiner for San Bernardino County in California, testified he would have expected more bruising if OKeefe had been hit by a heavy vehicle. He also suggested that scratch marks on OKeefes arm could have come from a dog and that other injuries were consistent with an altercation.

Two witnesses from an independent consulting firm that conducts forensic engineering also said the damage to the broken taillight was not consistent with injuries suffered by O'Keefe on his head and arm. One of the witnesses also suggested his injuries should have been more severe if Read backed into him at more than 20 mph (32 kph) as the prosecution contends and questioned how O'Keefe's body ended up where it did.

We dont know what happened in this case, said Andrew Rentschler from ARCCA, which was hired by the U.S. Department of Justice as part of a federal investigation into state law enforcements handling of the Read case.

Certainly its not consistent with getting hit by the car and ending up where he did, even if the ground is somehow hard enough to cause that type of an injury, he said of O'Keefe head injuries. We dont really have enough evidence in this case to determine what one specific event actually caused that injury.

Reads lawyers argue that she was framed. They contend OKeefe was dragged outside after he was beaten in Brian Alberts home in Canton and bitten by Alberts dog. They used Sheridans testimony to reinforce those theories, even despite a lack of canine DNA evidence.

The defense argued that investigators focused on Read because she was a convenient outsider who saved them from having to consider other suspects, including Albert and other law enforcement officers who were at the party.

Testimony in the trial began on April 29 after jury selection. Prosecutors spent most of the trial methodically presenting evidence from the scene. The defense called only a handful of witnesses but used its time in cross-examining prosecution witnesses to raise questions about the investigation, including what it called conflicts of interest and sloppy police work. Complaints from a chorus of supporters that often camp outside the courthouse echoed those same questions.

Rita Lombardi, a Canton resident who said shes part of the sidewalk jury and has never missed a day of the trial, said the experience at Norfolk County court has demonstrated failures in the system that she believes need to be addressed.
"We all cried."

Vicky Stanton

A group of Texas dance dads spent their Fathers Day working to replace stolen props from their childrens dance studio.

Security video captured footage of a truck pulling into the Dance & Arts Connection studio in Royse City, Texas, and later leaving with a trailer full of dance props and equipment from the studio.

Studio owner Vicky Stanton said she couldnt believe it when she discovered the props were gone. With a national dance competition just a week away, Stanton said despair came over her and her dancers.

And, hurt for the kids; its all about the kids, Stanton told NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth.

Stanton took to Facebook to ask for help, posting pictures of the stolen props she needed to replace, "NEED SOMETHING LIKE THIS. KNOW IT'S A LONG SHOT."

Knowing the show must go on, the studios prop dads didn't waste any time. They came together on Fathers Day to rebuild the props their dancers needed to compete.

Everybody just kind of came together, and it was really humbling, Staton told Southern Living.

Support came from beyond her own studio family as well. In the highly competitive Texas dance environment, she took calls from other studios offering their own props.

I was overwhelmed, Stanton said. We cried. We all cried.

The trailer has been recovered after it was found on Interstate 20 about two hours from the studio. Both the trailer and some of the props inside were damaged in the theft.

A suspect has been taken into custody, according to a post on the Rockwell County Sheriffs Office Facebook page.

Stanton and her dancers head to Rock Springs, Arkansas, for their competition with their faith in humanity restored.



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Read the original article on Southern Living.
Elizabeth Wolf is charged with attempted capital murder

Euless Police Department Elizabeth Wolf

A Texas woman is charged with attempted murder after police allege she attempted to drown a 3-year-old Muslim girl in a swimming pool while making racist statements. Police have recommended that the incident be considered a hate crime by prosecutors.

The incident occurred on May 19 at an apartment complex in Euless, Texas. Police responded to the complex after a report of a disturbance between two women. Witnesses told police that a woman who appeared to be intoxicated woman had tried to drown a young child, the department said in a release. The suspect, Elizabeth Wolf, 42, was arrested by police at the scene.

The mother of the child told police that Wolf had asked her where she was from and questioned her about her two children, who were playing at the pool, according to the release. The mother then said Wolf grabbed at her 6-year-old son, though he was able to pull away, police alleged.

As the unidentified mother attempted to help her son, Wolf allegedly grabbed the mothers 3-year-old daughter and forced her underwater, police said.

The mother of the two children stated that Wolf made statements about her not being an American and other racial statements, police said in the release.

Wolf was charged with attempted capital murder and injury to a child. A spokesperson for the Euless Police Department tells PEOPLE that the charges have been accepted by the Tarrant County District Attorney, and that the department recommended that the charges be considered a hate crime due to the alleged use of racist language.

It is not immediately clear if Wolf has retained an attorney or entered a plea. She has since bonded out of jail and is not currently in police custody.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations-Texas said in a press release that the mother, identified in the release only as Mrs. H, was wearing a hijab at the time of the incident.

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 published by CAIR. My country is facing a war, and we are facing that hate here.

My daughter is 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, the statement continued. Also, my husbands employment is jeopardized, due to having to leave work to accompany me and our four kids whenever we have appointments and errands to run.

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.

A GoFundMe started to benefit the family raised over $16,000.

Shaimaa Zayan, operations manager for CAIR-Austin, called on authorities to investigate the May 19 incident as a hate crime.

I was devastated to know that the attacker got a bail bond out of jail the next day after the arrest, Zayan said. We ask for hate crime probe, a higher bail bond, and an open conversation with officials to address this alarming increase in Islamophobia, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian sentiment.



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Read the original article on People.
Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted. (Photo and graphic by WEWS.)

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted allegedly led the charge with now-indicted FirstEnergy executives to pass legislation that was the result of the largest corruption scheme in state history, according to newly released text messages. Husted denies knowing House Bill 6 was the result of bribery.

FirstEnergy spent $61 million dollars in exchange for H.B. 6, legislation giving their failing utility company a $1 billion bailout.

We kept DeWine in the hot seat last week.

On Sunday, new texts revealed that he asked Jones for money, which he then received via a dark money PAC.

On Monday, we questioned why anyone should believe him that he didnt know about the corruption scheme.

RELATED: Gov. DeWine deflects questions about texts between him and indicted FirstEnergy executives.

DeWine deflected questions about his relationship with the former FirstEnergy executives.

On Tuesday, we discovered and reported on more texts alleging that he helped push forward H.B. 6 and got a playbook from FirstEnergy on how to convince others, according to FirstEnergy executives.

RELATED: New texts show FirstEnergy allegedly working with Gov. DeWine to pass House Bill 6

While DeWine is dealing with the ongoing discovery of text messages linking him to indicted FirstEnergy executives, Republican lawmakers are drafting legislation requiring greater campaign finance disclosure.

On Wednesday, the bill sponsor gave us the first look.

RELATED: Ohio Republicans draft bill to require campaign fund disclosure amid DeWine text message debacle

My one takeaway from your story is  we need to get rid of all of it, House Finance Chair Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) said about dark money.

On Thursday, we reported that an indicted FirstEnergy executive plans to call Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted to testify as witnesses in his criminal trial.

RELATED: FirstEnergy VP Dowling plans to call DeWine and Husted to the stand in corruption trial

After four days focused on the governor, we are shifting the spotlight to the second-in-command.

Are you worried about Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted? we asked DeWine during a one-on-one interview in Dec., 2023.

No, the governor responded. Im not worried about what I did; Im not worried about what the lieutenant governor did.

At the end of last year, we asked DeWine about Husted and H.B. 6  and the ensuing scandal that landed former House Speaker Larry Householder in prison for 20 years.

Both DeWine and Husted have continuously denied any involvement, and law enforcement has not accused either of wrongdoing.

DeWine echoed his 2023 thoughts this week.

We followed the law, DeWine said on Monday.

But a public records request reveals Husteds ties to former FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones and VP Michael Dowling  the ones who helped fund his campaign.

Campaigning

The pair held lavish fundraisers before DeWine and Husted were elected, with Jones giving speeches about how the team would be great for his company and shareholders, a speech we received said.

Jon has always been very accessible and great to work with, and I can say without question, he is a good friend of FirstEnergy, Jones continued in his speech.

Plus, Jones provided the now-Statehouse leaders with money when they asked  all in a secret dark money fund.

Chuck. Can you call me? DeWine wrote on October 13, 2018  less than a month before he faced off against Democrat Rich Cordray in the governors race. OEA put in million yesterday for Cordray.

Three days later, Dowling texts Jones and said, Chuck  go ahead and call Mike DeWine on the $500k. Its going to RGAs C(4) called state solutions. All set.

Jones responds, OK. Ill call him around 5.

Both Jones and Dowling were hit with state bribery charges. They pleaded not guilty during their joint arraignment in mid-February. They are accused of masterminding the corruption scheme.

More than just being a friend of FirstEnergy, Husted was seemingly very close with Dowling. Originally, it seemed the company was going to support Husted, but switched to DeWine when seeing polling numbers and when Husted joined the team.

On the day he announced he was pulling out of the race to join DeWines administration, Dowling sent an uplifting message, saying he was proud of Husted.

Your support means a lot to me. I admire you and value your friendship. I hope I didnt disappoint you, but it is the right decision for all concerned, Husted texted Dowling.

And the energy conversations allegedly started early.

While campaigning in 2018, Husted texted Dowling, saying, I just wanted you to know I have a call into Chuck. I wanted to connect with him to give him an update.

Dowling said not to do it that day because they would be getting bad news from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission about one of their plants.

In a group chat on election night, Jones messaged both Husted and DeWine.

Good luck today, Jones said. We will be pulling for and praying for you.

Thanks for all youve done to help, Husted responded.

Chuck, we are very grateful for all your help! DeWine chimed in.

We all gave a great effort and lets hope well be rewarded with a victory, Husted added.

PUCO appointment

Getting someone approved by FirstEnergy appointed as the chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) was a challenge, according to texts between the executives. Once they chose Sam Randazzo, they still ran into problems. One that Husted and DeWine allegedly helped solve.

That bullet grazed the temple, Dowling said.

Forced DeWine/Husted to perform battlefield triage, Jones said back.

FirstEnergy, as a company, already admitted that it bribed Randazzo with $4.3 million to do its bidding as chair. He was essential to the scheme, according to federal and state prosecutors.

Randazzo died of suicide in April after he was indicted in both state and federal court. He is the second man, out of eight, to take his own life due to being connected to the scandal. Neil Clark, a lobbyist accused of bribery, died after pleading not guilty in 2021.

H.B. 6

Once in office, records show that it was Husted, not DeWine, who allegedly helped lead the charge for the bailout bill.

Dowling emailed Jones before H.B. 6 passed in 2019, saying the governor left the details of H.B. 6 to others  John [sic] Husted and Danny. Dan McCarthy was DeWines legislative director after having been a lobbyist for FirstEnergy.

Along with McCarthy appearing continuously in the documents, so does John Kiani. Kiani was the executive chairman of FirstEnergys subsidiary, FirstEnergy Solutions.

Husted, Sam, Evans and Danny McCarthy are fighting to the end and weve been talking to them all day, Jones texted Kiani. Everything that can be done is being done.

The other men Jones mentions are Randazzo and Matt Evans, a Householder ally and coal company executive basically working as a lobbyist.

Then came the Senate tax debacle. In short, FirstEnergy wanted subsidies for 10 years for their nuclear plants, while the Senate leaned towards six.

Just had long convo with JHusted just now. Senate President called John twice during our two calls and he called me back twice. All is well. JH is working on the 10 years, Dowling texted Jones in early July 2019. Hes afraid its going to end up being 8. Talk later.

Matt needs to close the 10 with Larry and you or him with JH, Jones responded.

When the Senate was holding up H.B. 6s passage, Jones texted Householder.

Husted called me 2 nights ago and was supposed to get it in the Senate version, Jones said.

Hes not a legislator, Householder responded.

I know, but he said Senate leaders would listen, Jones replied. He didnt deliver.

While all of these policy discussion conversations are going on, Husted and FirstEnergy-affiliated people are texting, having meetings and talking on the phone dozens of times, according to call logs.

The above texts are just a sliver of the myriad of other messages about Husted helping FirstEnergy.

DeWine was seemingly purposely left somewhat in the dark about the bribe, according to notes from Randazzos federal indictment.

Explain things like he doesnt know anything about it  and be surprised when he does, Dowling wrote about DeWine in a note for Jones. Sometimes he knows what youre talking about. Sometimes he doesnt. Sometimes he does and pretends he doesnt.

On the flip side of that note, Dowling wrote that Jon is getting some negative feedback, illustrating that he allegedly was a part of the conversation.

Reaction

Husted wouldnt do an interview, and we were unable to catch him at a public event this week  unlike with DeWine.

Click here to read and watch the full back-and-forth.

These are people talking about him; not with him. So, we cant comment on their conversations, you would have to ask them, Husteds spokesperson Hayley Carducci responded when I asked for a statement or comments about the texts. But the Lt. Governor has long been publicly on the record that saving the power plants was a priority as they provide the vast majority of the states zero-carbon energy. Today, we would be in an energy deficit without them being operational.

We tried to get more in-depth comments, but Carducci said she had already given her statement and would not be adding more.

Husted has been subpoenaed and is set to give a sworn deposition in a civil case related to the scandal. He has not had it yet, DeWine spokesperson Dan Tierney said on Monday. DeWine was only subpoenaed for documents.

Both the governor and the LG continue to defend themselves, using the politics as usual argument. This is a legitimate argument, Case Western Reserve University law professor Benza said, although it doesnt look great to use.

At least in the public documents  nothing shows that same type of quid pro quo going to Jon Husted or Governor DeWine, the professor said. It certainly has the appearance of it, but theres no smoking gun in this type of a case yet but I think they have to be worried.

Still, this could put a damper on political ambitions, Benza said.

Husted is expected to run for governor in 2026 against Attorney General Dave Yost  the man who indicted Jones, Dowling and Randazzo.

Back when Randazzo died in April, we talked with Yost about what happens now to the deceaseds case. He said that he isnt dismissing any charges or defendants.

We asked if we should expect this death to impact any future defendants, such as anyone in state leadership.

I have declined to take future questions, Im going to continue to do that, Yost responded. If there are any further results of the investigation, we will bring those, like the other things, to court and make our case there.

We reached out to the AGs office to ask if they were aware of all of these texts prior to the publication, if they could raise to a level of campaign coordination and if the office is investigating the politicians.

The office declined to comment.

Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook.

This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland.

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The post New texts allegedly show Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted leading FirstEnergys push for House Bill 6 appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Martin Jaager, an Estonian citizen who served in Ukraine's defense forces, was killed in combat in the Luhansk region, Estonian news outlet Postimees reported on June 23.

Jaager was killed on June 22 near the village of Raigorodka, close to the border of the Kharkiv and Luhansk Oblasts.

He was the third Estonian to die defending Ukraine, and was a member of the Third Assault Division.

A 42-year-old professional soldier, Jaager had been in an elite unit of the Estonian army for over a decade. He joined the defense forces in Ukraine over a year ago, and had served in various units before joining the Third Assault Division a month prior to his death.

In March 2023, Ivo Juurak was the first Estonian volunteer who was killed in action in Ukraine, followed by Tanel Kriggul in September. They were members of the International Legion, which Ukraine established in February 2022.

Read also: Russian attack on Kharkiv kills 3, injures 54, including children

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A third of Russian assault actions are carried out on Pokrovsk front  Ukraine's General Staff

Since the beginning of the day the number of Russian attacks in the combat zone has reached 128, and a third of them are taking place on the Pokrovsk front.

Source: report by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 19:00 on 24 June

Quote: "The Kupiansk front. The occupiers are attacking near the settlement of Novoselivka. This is the fifth attempt [of the Russians  ed.] to improve their positions on this front; the previous four were repelled.

On the Lyman front 7 out of 23 combat clashes, which have started since the beginning of the day, are ongoing. The enemy tries to advance near the settlements of Hrekivka, Kopanky, Makiivka, Nevske, Torske, Serebrianka Forest and Synkivka.

Early reports say the occupiers have lost 92 personnel, an infantry combat vehicle and a self-propelled artillery system on this front today."

Details: On the Kramatorsk front, the Russians are trying to advance near the settlements of Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske and Kalynivka. In total, the Russians carried out nine assault actions on this front.

There have been eight combat clashes on the Toretsk front, two of them are still ongoing. The attacks are underway near the settlement of Pivdenne and New-York.

On the Pokrovsk front, combat clashes of varying intensity have occurred 38 times today. At the moment 11 of them are still ongoing, specifically near the settlements of Sokil, Novooleksandrivka, Yevhenivka and Vozdvyzhenka. The Russians also launched a missile attack near the city of Pokrovsk.

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Four civilians injured in Russian attacks on Nikopol  photo

On Monday 24 June, four civilians suffered injuries during a Russian attack on Nikopol.

Source: Serhii Lysak, the Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "Today, three people have been injured in Nikopol as a result of enemy strikes.

A 62-year-old man was hospitalised after receiving shrapnel wounds. [Hes in] Moderate condition. Women aged 68 and 72 will be treated as outpatients."

Updated: Later, Lysak reported that the number of casualties had risen to four.

Aftermath of Russian attack on Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk oblast.

Photo: Serhii Lysak, the Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration

Civilian infrastructure and an agricultural company were damaged as a result of the attack. Moreover, the attack damaged four apartment buildings, four houses and five outbuildings. Power lines, a gas pipeline, a greenhouse, and a car were damaged as well.

Background:

Lysak stated in the morning that on Sunday 23 June, the Russians continued to attack Nikopol with artillery and kamikaze drones. A 66-year-old woman was hurt and hospitalised in a moderate condition.

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SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  The International Womens Forum of New Mexico, along with the city of Santa Fe, dedicated a set of historic markers honoring trailblazing women in New Mexicos history.

Los Padillas Aquatic Center opens for summer of 2024

Established in 2006, the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program highlights contributions of more than 100 women in the states history. The new markers honor Dorothy McKibbin, Myra Ellen Jenkins and Dona Teresa de Aguilera y Roche. All three women helped shape history in the state. The new markers are located along the Santa Fe River. For more information on the women honored by the program, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
The Scoop

CANNES, France  At the advertising conference in Cannes last week, TikTok occupied its customary, lavish space in the back of the Carlton  a space that felt infinitely distant from the heated Washington conversation over the future of the Chinese-owned social app.

Here, TikTok is the beating heart of youth culture. Its also a messy but powerful ad platform that has more cultural relevance with young consumers, if less-precise marketing tools, than its main rivals, Metas Reels and YouTubes Shorts.

Like everyone else here, TikTok wanted to show off its new AI products. At a press conference, a top executive from its parent company, ByteDance, rolled out a fascinating and unsettling new feature that allows users to create realistic AI avatars that can say and do pretty much anything in any language.

Blake Chandlee, the president of global business solutions at ByteDance, spoke about TikTok for nearly 45 minutes without mentioning the fact that President Joe Biden had signed a law in April threatening to ban it. It came up only when Max asked him about it point blank: Were the advertisers that TikTok hoped would continue to invest and build strategies around the platform spooked that it could all go away next year?

Its the obvious question, and something Ive been asked while Ive been here the last couple of days, he said. The advertising community has been really supportive of us. Weve spent the last five years building really strong controls, building trust, building privacy-first capabilities for them.

This week, the conversations are more around what are we doing for the future, what are the next product innovations that were doing, he added. The ban is not a subject weve been talking about a lot.

His press team concluded the event after the question.

Know More

Just a month ago, at the annual advertising NewFronts conference in New York in spring, TikTok was in battle mode.

Two weeks after Biden signed a bill requiring ByteDance to sell TikTok to an American owner or face a ban, Chandlee blasted the decision in remarks to advertisers, saying the demand is unconstitutional and promising the company will not back down.

Since then, however, GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump, once a TikTok critic himself, has derided the anti-TikTok push and joined the app  two factors that appear to give marketers confidence that theres nothing to worry about.

Bens view

The complacency over TikTok at Cannes was a shocking contrast with the seriousness in Washington about killing or forcing the sale of the app. The congressional vote earlier this year was a rare display of bipartisanship, aided by a remarkably ham-handed public pressure campaign by the company that blew up in its face. TikTok now has few friends in the US capital.

The idea that all will be well seems to rest on a pair of shaky assumptions. First, that Trump will win in November. And second, that when he does, hell then intervene to save the app.

But betting your business on a US election is a fools game.

And staking it on your expectations of Trumps actions is, if anything, riskier. Trump may have criticized the US law  he said he would never ban TikTok  but as president, nobody would be asking him to ban it. The ban-or-forced-sale ultimatum is already in place. Rather, he would have to intervene actively to protect the company, if it doesnt sell to a US government-friendly buyer first.

And Trumps economic confrontation with China would be expected to go much further than it did in his first term, our colleague Morgan Chalfant recently reported.

In fact, former Trump national security adviser Robert OBrien told Morgan that the legislation would go forward in a Trump presidency. Trump, he said, has been very clear on Chinese espionage against the US and Chinese propaganda and influence operations against the US.

The best hope for TikTok is that, ultimately, Trump is truly hard to predict. Matt Pottinger, another former top Trump aide who played a central role in China policy, said he is uncertain on the future of TikTok.

The law is the law. I think the law will survive the court rulings. But Im not sure where Trump will be on this if he wins, he said.

Thats pretty cold comfort, but nobody wanted to hear it in Cannes.

Room for Disagreement

Some of TikToks most vocal defenders are among US free speech advocates.

Restricting citizens access to media from abroad is a practice that has long been associated with repressive regimes, so its sad and alarming to see our own government going down this road, said Jameel Jaffer, the executive director of the Knight First Amendment Center at Columbia University.

Notable

TikToks Washington lobbyists didnt see the legislation coming  and then infuriated legislators with a pressure campaign, The Wall Street Journal reported.

A set of Chinese companies that sought to become American brands are learning that may be impossible, Zeyi Yang wrote in the MIT Technology Review: Concealing their Chinese associations doesnt work  and it may make them look even worse if it leaves users and regulators feeling deceived.

Banning TikTok may not do much to protect Americans data in the absence of broader privacy laws, Lauren Leffer argued in Scientific American: The legislation is a form of security theater, said Calli Schroeder of the Electronic Privacy Information Center. You could get rid of TikTok today, and China would not lose any significant [amount] of personal information on Americans.
TIMELINE: What has happened since the deadly Round Rock Juneteenth festival shooting

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN)  Two people are in custody and charged in connection to the deadly shooting at Round Rocks Juneteenth celebration.

The shooting happened June 15 during the Round Rock Juneteenth Celebration at Old Settlers Park. Two people died and 14 others, including children, were injured, police said.

RELATED: How to help the victims of the Juneteenth Round Rock shooting

Heres updates on what has happened in the shooting investigation:

June 15

Round Rock police responded to a shooting around 10:50 p.m. at Old Settlers Park. Police said a fight broke out between two groups at the Round Rock Juneteenth celebration.

A shooting at a Round Rock Juneteenth celebration left two dead and multiple injured. (KXAN Photo: Frank Martinez)

Police respond to shooting at Juneteenth Celebration in Round Rock on June 15, 2024. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)

June 16

Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks gave an update early Sunday morning and said two people were dead and 14 others were injured.

Later in the day, police released a suspect description and updates on the victims, who were innocent bystanders.

Checking for a pulse: Attendees helped victims of Round Rock Juneteenth festival shooting

Were very disappointed and angry with these events. This is the 16th year of this Juneteenth event, and for someone to destroy the peace and celebration within an instant, it angers me, Banks said.

June 17

Police named Ara Duke, 54, and Lyndsey Vicknair, 33, as the two victims of the shooting. Police said the women were innocent bystanders.

Round Rock police identify victims killed in Old Settlers Park shooting

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, Banks said in a statement.

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.

June 18

Gov. Greg Abbott said the governors public safety office is offering up to $10,000 leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect or suspects, increasing the total rewards available to $20,000.

Juneteenth celebration honors victims of Round Rock shooting

June 19

The family of Ara Duke, who died in the shooting, shared memories with KXAN of the Pflugerville mom.

Family promises not to wither away after woman killed at Round Rock concert

I would not want for her to wither away if the roles were reversed, her husband Christopher Duke said.

June 20

Law enforcement arrested 17-year-old Ricky Thompson III in connection to the shooting. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and Round Rock police said additional charges were possible.

According to an arrest affidavit, Thompson admitted to firing three rounds.

Community members hold candlelight vigil for victim of Round Rock shooting Thursday

A vigil was held in Round Rock in the evening to celebrate the life of Vicknair, one of two women who died in the shooting.

June 21

One shooting victim, LaTonya Ray, described the shooting to KXAN. She was looking for her husband when she heard gunfire.

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, Ray said to KXAN.

Horrific: Woman shot, injured at Round Rock Juneteenth celebration speaks

Later in the day, police announced the arrest of a second suspect, a male juvenile. The unnamed suspect was taken to the Williamson County Detention Center.

In the last update, Round Rock police said the investigation is ongoing, and police are investigating other suspects.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
The times are a changin, again, maybe for the worse

Former President Donald Trump speaks at Dream City Church in Phoenix on June 6, 2024, in his first campaign event since being convicted in New York of 34 felony counts related to paying hush money to a porn star before the 2016 election to keep her from telling people about their sexual relationship. Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror

I dont own a gun.

Ive never wanted to.

There are about 49,000 reasons I dont. Thats the number of people who were killed by guns in the U.S. in 2021, the most recent year that complete data is available.

Research shows just having a gun in the house dramatically increases the odds of someone getting killed or committing suicide. In fact, more children than ever are being killed by firearms, often unintentionally, and The Trace reports people who buy guns to protect themselves would be much safer if they just called the police or ran away.

But this isnt an article about gun control. Its about why the idea of even owning a gun keeps crossing my mind these days.

Im anxious about our countrys future and the safety of my family, neither of which is mutually exclusive.

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One of the things that has me concerned is that 70% of Republicans (or about one-third of the American electorate) still insist that their presumptive nominee for president, Donald J. Trump, was cheated out of the 2020 election.

He wasnt. Theres absolutely no evidence he was. Its a pernicious lie that Trump continues to spread almost daily.

Yet national polls show Trump and Biden running neck and neck in the race for the White House.

Intellectually, Ive concluded that Biden will win in November, our democracy will survive and Trump will eventually end up going to jail  where he belongs.

Yet, I cant help but wonder: What if Im wrong? I was wrong in 2016. It could happen again.

If Biden wins, given the 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol, will Trumps MAGA-minions accept the results or revolt? If Trump wins, will he make good on his promise to exact revenge? And will his supporters turn to violence again to keep him in power, this time for good?

Like a lot of people, all of this has me thinking: If Trump wins, should my family and I stay in the U.S. or flee abroad?

Im hardly alone in my thinking. People who make a living helping Americans transplant their lives overseas say business is booming.

Patricia Casaburi, CEO of London-based Global Citizen Solutions, an upmarket migration consultancy firm, told David A. Andelman, a commentator for CNN, Beginning in 2020, we went from Americans being 5% of our clients to becoming today 70%.

And according to Gallup polling results over the years, at the end of George W. Bushs eight years in office, 11% of respondents wanted to leave the U.S. for good. When Barack Obama was president, that figure dipped slightly to 10%. But by 2019, halfway through Trumps presidency (even before the pandemic crushed our economy and killed 1.2 million people in the U.S.), 16% said they were mulling permanently leaving the country.

Obviously, most people dont go through with it, but if Trump wins the election, the ranks of our deeply disenchanted fellow Americans are bound to swell.

Id been thinking about this for a while when the topic came up in a recent conversation with my brother, Ruben, a proud Vietnam vet whose blood boils whenever Trumps name is mentioned. My brother, half joking, insists hell become a hermit if the former president returns to the White House.

Ill stay and fight, I told him, even though people like me would be among Trumps likely targets.

A vocal Trump critic, Im one of those people the ex-president refers to as the enemy of the people.

On the contrary, I think my views mirror those of most Americans, who understand that a second Trump presidency could destroy or at least deeply wound our democracy and lead to the persecution of most anyone who openly disagrees with him.

Not to mention, as a playwright, my work often explores themes steeped in social justice from a distinctly liberal point of view. I once wrote a satire that included the word Trumpifornication in the title. Get the picture?

Im not a Democrat, but I voted for Biden in 2020 and I plan to vote for him again. I figure if the choice is between a rational, experienced, politically centrist octogenarian and a self-described wannabe dictator and freshly minted felon whos also been found guilty of sexual assault and massive business fraud, all while standing accused of stealing top secret documents and trying to overthrow our government, then call me crazy, but Im going to pick the geezer from Scranton every time.

Speaking of being a target, did I mention Im brown, Latino, the son of an immigrant from Mexico, and someone whos not afraid to say the truth: that the vast and overwhelming majority of immigrants who come to the United States just want a better life and mean absolutely no harm?

I could go on, but basically everything about me suggests that, if Trump gets back in the White House, I, like millions of us, could become a target of his wrath or that of his increasingly radical and violent base of supporters.

Which brings us back to the gun thing. Should I buy one to protect me and my family from the MAGA cult?

I really dont want to, because I believe this country would be far better off if far fewer people owned far fewer guns.

For now, my weapon of choice will be my keyboard, my voice and my ideas, which I never intend to let fall silent.

Still, I cant help but think of how, in the Civil War, fellow Americans, neighbors and even siblings took up arms and slaughtered each other by the thousands over whether whites had a states right to own Black people.

Im not suggesting that civil war or widespread political violence are imminent  at least not yet  but I think these times, theyre a changin again, and this time things could get a lot worse before they get better.

In the meantime, Im still leaning against buying a gun.

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MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  In May, the Federal District Court threw out Tina Peters motion to dismiss the criminal investigation against her, declining to intervene. On Friday, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals denied Tina Peters appeal of that decision.

In November 2023, Tina Peters asked the Federal District Court to prevent Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein from prosecuting her in state court, alleging he retaliated against her for exercising her First Amendment rights after publicly criticizing the countys voting system.

In January, the Federal District Court decided to abstain under Younger v. Harris  a precedent that determined federal courts are not allowed to intervene in state court proceedings to enforce federal constitutional rights  Peters appealed the decision stating that the court could not abstain because she is immune from state prosecution and the court improperly applied the case.

The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the federal courts decision and denied Peters motion, stating that the Younger abstention was appropriate and Ms. Peters has not met her heavy burden to show the bad faith exception applies.

District Attorney Dan Rubinstein made the following statement about the 10th Circuits decision:

I am pleased that the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and the Federal District Court reached the same conclusion, that there is no evidence to support Ms. Peters allegations that her prosecution is driven by any improper motive. On behalf of the citizens of this community, who I was elected to represent, we look forward to bringing her case to trial next month.

Tina Peters trial is set to start July 31 and WesternSlopeNow will be livestreaming on our site.

The full court filing can be found below.

24.06.21OrderDownload

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, attends a European Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. -/European Council/dpa

The Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is at risk of "spilling over" into Lebanon, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned on Monday.

Borrell said the situation on the Israel-Lebanon border - where Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia have been trading fire on a daily basis - is getting worse.

Israel is putting military and diplomatic pressure on Hezbollah with the aim of having members retreat behind the Litani River, 30 kilometres from the border - as stipulated in a UN resolution on the 2006 conflict.

However, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has warned that a larger military operation may be pursued if necessary.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said a "further escalation would be a catastrophe for all people" in the Middle East.

Baerbock spoke at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg. She repeated her calls for a ceasefire in Gaza in line with proposals set out by US President Joe Biden.

Borell said that both Hamas and Israel are not showing the political will to back the Biden ceasefire plan. He also said that more vital aid needed to get into the strip.

Recent threats by Hezbollah movement to the EU island of Cyprus over cooperation with Israel are also being discussed.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock makes a statement at the Federal Foreign Office uin Berlin. Fabian Sommer/dpa
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Topeka police say a local man is under arrest after allegedly hitting a vehicle containing children over the weekend.

The Topeka Police Department (TPD) was called around 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 to an area near the intersection of SW Sixth Street and Fairlawn Road. Officers arriving at the scene found a 20-year-old Topeka man was allegedly hitting a vehicle belonging to someone he knows which also contained children.

Rosie Nichols with the TPD said officers located the vehicle involved in the incident near SW First Street and I-70 and tried to pull it over. The driver refused to pull over and a chase began.

Police recorded multiple traffic violations during the pursuit before the vehicle crashed in the 200 block of SE Golden Avenue. The driver tried to flee on foot but was found near the Shunga Creek. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of his injuries before being arrested on the following charges:

Aggravated battery.

Aggravated endangering a child.

Criminal damage to property.

Interference with law enforcement officer.

Flee or attempt to elude.

Driving while suspended.

Reckless driving.

Fail to stop at a stop sign.

Driving without lights when needed.

Failure to give signal when changing lanes or turning.

Driving on the left side of roadway.

Fail to stop at accident.

Vehicle registration renewal.

Topeka man sentenced for Christmas Day crash that left friend dead

For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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Various pages of the US IRS tax return forms. Photo by Phillip Rubino/Getty Images

Welcome to The Topline, a weekly roundup of the big numbers driving the Minnesota news cycle, as well as the smaller ones that you might have missed. This week: state tax revenues come in well above expectations; excessive heat at work; the United States in hundreds of charts; this years pet parasite forecast; and an uncommonly moist start to summer.

General fund revenues keep coming in higher than estimates

The latest update on tax receipts from Minnesota Management and Budget shows that, once again, revenue is coming in well above expectations. Mays haul was a whopping 16.7% higher than forecast, carrying fiscal year-to-date receipts 2.1% above official projections.

Back in February, lobbyist Brian Rice explained why this keeps happening. It has to do, in part, with an overly negative view of the U.S. economy in the national forecasts Minnesota uses to create its own budget outlook. Rice argued then that DFL legislators were being too meek about new spending in the 2024 session. So far, the numbers keep proving him right.

How global warming affects workers compensation claims

A new report from the Workers Compensation Research Institute, a non-profit that studies employment policy, finds that on-the-job injuries increase as the temperature rises.

At 90 degrees, workers are about 5% more likely to injure themselves than they are when its between 65 and 70. The effect is strongest for construction workers, those in the South, and for traumatic injuries like broken bones.

Construction workers, for instance, are 20% more likely to get hurt on the job when its 95 degrees. Clerical workers, who mostly work in climate-controlled offices, are actually slightly less likely to suffer injuries at that temperature.

As global warming ratchets temperatures up higher, those heat-driven injuries are likely to become more common, unless businesses take steps to keep their employees safe. Unfortunately, in many southern states the opposite seems to be happening.

Florida, for instance, recently banned counties from mandating heat and water breaks for outdoor workers. Texas is trying to do something similar, although the effort has so far been thwarted by the courts.

110 pages of charts about America

USAFacts, a nonprofit that makes government data more accessible and easier to use, recently delivered a massive report to Congress charting a bunch of basic facts and figures about the country we all live in.

Its a laudable effort, given how much of the national political discourse is unmoored from reality. A few highlights:

And finally one so good that Im including it here: long-term crime trends, showing that despite what so many conservative politicians would have you believe, most crime remains near historic lows.

The pet parasite forecast

Its going to be a great summer for tick-borne illness, according to the latest parasite forecasts from the Companion Animal Parasite Council, a veterinary industry group.

Minnesota is a hotspot for Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, two tick-driven infections. The group expects more than 10% of dogs tested for the ailments will be positive in the northern two-thirds of the state. Theres also some risk for ehrlichiosis, yet another tick-borne disease, in parts of the north woods.

On the other hand, heartworm is relatively rare up here, so at least weve got that going for us.

Extremely wet and incredibly moist

Youve probably heard by now that Minnesota is drought-free for the first time in several years, but whats gotten less attention is just how waterlogged we are.

The map above, from the National Integrated Drought Information System, shows that in most of the state the soil moisture content is at or near record levels for the period of modern record keeping.

Theres so much water in the soil that new rain has no place to go, and as a result we get the catastrophic flooding thats happening in parts of the state.

The post The Topline: State revenues continue to defy expectations appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
(Bloomberg) -- Rishi Sunaks governing Conservatives hit a fresh low in Bloombergs UK poll of polls amid revelations that several of the prime ministers close aides are under investigation after they placed bets on the date of the general election before it was announced.

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The Tories are on 20.5% in the Bloomberg composite, a rolling 14-day average using data from 11 polling companies, with 10 days to go until voters head to the voting booths. Thats their lowest in a series dating back to January 2021. Labour are on 41.3%, their lowest of the campaign so far  while still maintaining a healthy 20.8-point lead over the governing party that puts leader Keir Starmer on course to become prime minister next week.

With the two major parties on their lowest combined rating in the data series, the minor parties continue to gain ground. Nigel Farages insurgent Reform UK Party logged a record 15.5%, while Ed Daveys Liberal Democrats remained at a campaign high of 11.1%.

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Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) went after Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) after he led an energetic, profanity-laced rally on Saturday, saying Bowmans unhinged tirade doesnt represent what a member of Congress should be.

The level of profanity here is so shocking as to be unbecoming of a Member of Congress, Torres said on X. There is nothing in Jamaal Bowmans unhinged tirade that remotely resembles the decency of the people I know and represent in the South Bronx.

Bowmans reelection rally, alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), represented the progressives standing up for Bowman as he faces a challenging primary.

The primary race has focused on the U.S. relationship with Israel, with Bowman critical of the Israeli government and his opponent, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a supporter. Latimer has received significant funding from AIPAC, an Israeli political advocacy group.

We are going to show fking AIPAC, the power of the motherfking South Bronx! Bowman said at the rally. People ask me why I got a foul mouth, what am I supposed to do? Youre coming after me! Youre coming after my family! Youre coming after my children! Im not supposed to fight back?

Were going to show them who the fk we are! he added, jumping around the stage.

Bowmans primary has split the Democratic Party and progressives, with former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) among those who have endorsed Latimer in what other progressives saw as backstabbing an incumbent. Hillary Clinton is also among the high-profile Latimer backers.

Torres criticism also represents his falling out with House progressives. He left the Congressional Progressive Caucus earlier this year over a difference in Israel policy. He has not made an endorsement in the race, though has previously threatened to back Latimer publicly.

The congressman told Axios last week that he has a general rule of not weighing in against a Congressional Democrat who has not weighed in against me.

But Bowmans gratuitous attack on my character might cause me to rethink that rule. Stay tuned, he said.

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TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP)  An autopsy report is shedding light after a child died earlier this year at a troubled teen camp in western North Carolina.

An autopsy report states that a 12-year-old boy, who died less than 24 hours after arriving at the Lake Toxaway-based camp, died of smothering and ruled it a homicide.

No significant natural disease was present to have caused or contributed to death. Non-specific findings included swelling of the brain. Mild bruising was present on the left thigh and leg without significant internal injuries, the report states.

His medications were sequestered and reviewed independently by law enforcement, and the medical examiner. The only irregularity noted was the absence of 3 clonidine tablets. No medical administration records were identified for the decedent at the camp and it is unclear if he took any of the missing medication.

Restraint methods allegedly used at Trails Carolina point to link between troubled teen industry, discredited attachment therapy

Clonidine is an antihypertensive drug that lowers blood pressure and heart rate by relaxing the arteries and increasing the blood supply to the heart, according to the National Institute of Health.

The boy had arrived at Trails Carolina in early February, taken from his home in New York by two gentlemen with an escort company. The report said that he refused to speak to anyone at camp during processing until he spoke to his parents in New York, who had paid to have him taken to North Carolina due to reported behavioral issues.

As with all first-night campers, his mattress and bedding were placed on the floor with a counselor beside him, the investigative report from the OCME states. The set up was to place thick mil plastic on the mat, on top of which a mummy sleeping bag was placed, decedent lays in the sleeping bag, which has a zipper alarm, then placed in a bivy, or one-man tent, so the counselors can hear movement.

He states that at [10 p.m.], the decedent was restless and mumbling in his sleep. He states the decedent was talking and restless in his sleep around [11 p.m.] as well, so they took him out of [his] sleeping bag. He falls asleep and is awakened to go back into [the] sleeping arrangement. The counselor states that at midnight, the decedent was restless and mumbling in his sleep, which was accompanied by thrashing about according to his counselor, however, there is no known Seizure history. He states that subsided and that was the last event.

The next morning, the decedent was found on his right side, his head was at the foot of the tent, which tapers on the end. They state that he was cold to touch and unresponsive.

Just after 8 a.m. on Feb. 3, a call to emergency services reported that the boy was not breathing.

After emergency medical personnel arrived, it was determined that he was already beyond life-saving measures due to rigor mortis being present, indicating he had likely been dead for several hours, the report said.

The report notes that commercially available bivy products include a common warning indicating that opening should not be fully secured as it may lead to condensation and breathing restriction. In this case, however, the report states that the outer, waterproof opening was fully secured and closed with an audible alarm which could not be opened by the decedent and the entire bivy was also partially surrounded by a thick plastic sheet canoe under and on the sides of the bivy.

These support restriction of breathing due to these external factors, the autopsy said. It is unclear if elevated temperature (hyperthermia) may have also played a role in death since he was partially undressed and the way the sleeping area was constructed could have resulted in increased environmental temperature. He was placed into this compromised sleeping area by other(s) and did not have the ability to reasonably remove himself from the situation with the alarm securing the opening. The standard protocol was deviated from due to using a damaged bivy and securing the outer weather-resistant door instead of the inner mesh panel. Lastly, the counselors could not check on him as they should due to the opaque nature of the outer panel, preventing them from potentially noting the problem and delivering aid before he died.

With this combination of factors, the death is best certified as homicide.

Background

Trails Carolina was a wilderness camp located in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, that worked with children ages 10 to 17. It described itself as dedicated to helping teens work through behavioral or emotional difficulties, build trusting relationships with their family and peers, and achieve academic success. The camp charged up to $715 a day in tuition and a $4,900 fee for children to enroll.

Trails Carolina denies allegations of neglect in campers sexual assault lawsuit

NCDHHS ordered the camp to stop admitting children, in a document obtained by WLOS, accusing the camp of denying the Department of Social Services access to the children for days and ordering them to discontinue use of bivy bags for any purpose for all children or adults at the camp through the conclusion of all investigations in this matter.

Trails Carolina denied law enforcement access to the other children who had been sleeping in the same bunk.

The camp subsequently had its operating license revoked by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in the months following the boys death.

This was not the first death in Trails Carolina history.

A child, Alec Lansing, died in 2014. According to his autopsy report, Lansing broke his hip and succumbed to hypothermia. A report made at the time by Blue Ridge Now stated that he had left the trail around 2:30 p.m. and had been reported missing later that evening.

NCDHHS has a history of disciplinary measures against the camp with five Statements of Deficiencies issued between 2019 and 2023, the most recent issued in June, stating that multiple children at the camp were physically restrained.

The camp noted in its paperwork, Seclusion, physical restraint and isolation time-out may be employed only by staff who have been trained and have demonstrated competence in the proper use of and alternatives to these procedures. Facilities shall ensure that staff authorized to employ and terminate these procedures are retrained and have demonstrated competence at least annually.

Trails Carolinas license revoked by NCDHHS after 12-year-olds death

In the missive sent to Trail Carolina after the childs death, NCDHHS wrote, Further, we want to remind you that the use of restrictive interventions must be reported as outlined in the IRIS manual for which Trails Carolina is subject and must adhere to.

Trails Carolina is also facing a lawsuit from a woman who alleges that when she was 12 years old, she was raped by another camper while staying at Trails Carolina and that authority figures within the camp dismissed concerns about the camper and did not remove her from the victims bunk despite multiple complaints of being sexually assaulted.

Troubled Teen Industry

Trails Carolina appeared to follow the model of wilderness therapy camps that are part of the larger troubled teen industry. This industry has long been at the center of controversy due to questions about efficacy, methodology and the loose regulations around them in some states.

In a report written for the University of New Hampshire in 2021, the researcher writes, Adolescents are sent to these facilities for a myriad of reasons, ranging from severe mental health symptoms to more mundane forms of misbehavior (e.g., truancy). Parents are often manipulated through fear tactics into believing their children desperately need this type of facility, and are then manipulated to not believe their children if they say anything bad about the facility.

Survivors report physical abuse, exploitation (human trafficking), and several types of psychological torment, including harsh discrimination and LGBTQ+ conversion therapy.

People who have attended these camps in the past also spoke to The Guardian about the experience, with one young woman describing how she was painfully restrained for self-harming behaviors and covering her sleeping bag with a tarp that was pinned to the floor with heavy jugs to prevent her from running away in the night.

The misuse of restraints, according to The Guardian, is prevalent in these kinds of facilities and was one of the things that Trails Carolina was cited for by NCDHHS.

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(Bloomberg) -- The US Supreme Court agreed to decide whether states can outlaw gender-affirming care for minors, taking up what has become a politically polarizing issue across the country.

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The justices will review a federal appeals court decision that upheld Tennessee and Kentucky laws in the face of constitutional challenges by the Biden administration and transgender youths. The court will hear the case in the nine-month term that starts in October, focusing on the Tennessee law.

About two dozen states now have laws restricting access to therapies, all enacted since 2021. Tennessee bans puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgery for those under 18.

Opponents say the laws fly in the face of the widely accepted clinical guidelines for treating youths with gender dysphoria, the condition characterized by distress over the incongruence between ones gender identity and birth-assigned sex. Supporters say the measures protect vulnerable children from risky and dangerous medical procedures.

The decision to take up the case follows the Supreme Courts April 15 decision to let Idaho broadly enforce its ban while a case there goes forward.

In arguing against the Tennessee law, the Biden administration said the measure violates the Constitutions equal protection clause by making treatments illegal when used for gender transition but not when used for other purposes.

By their terms, operation, and design, those laws classify based on sex and transgender status, US Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar argued in court papers. And they inflict profound harms on transgender adolescents and their families by denying medical treatments that the affected adolescents, their parents, and their doctors have all concluded are appropriate and necessary to treat a serious medical condition.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti says the states General Assembly enacted the law last year amid a sharp rise in the number of diagnoses of gender dysphoria among minors. Skrmetti, who urged the Supreme Court not to intervene, says states can make distinctions on the basis of age and medical condition without running afoul of the equal protection clause.

Tennessee, like many other states, acted to ensure that minors do not receive these treatments until they can fully understand the lifelong consequences or until the science is developed to the point that Tennessee might take a different view of their efficacy, Skrmetti argued.

Although the court agreed to hear the Biden administrations appeal, it declined to take up broader arguments being pressed against the Tennessee law by three transgender youths and their families.

The group includes Samantha and Brian Williams, whose 15-year-old daughter said in a court statement that she had felt like she was trapped and drowning in her body before beginning treatments. The girl, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, is known in court papers only as L.W.

We have a confident, happy daughter now, who is free to be herself and she is thriving, Samantha Williams said in a statement on the ACLUs website.

The high court also declined to act Monday on a challenge to the Kentucky law pressed by seven transgender minors and their families.

The Cincinnati-based 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the two laws in a single 2-1 decision. Writing for that court, Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton said the case involved a relatively new diagnosis with rapidly changing approaches to care and uncertain long-term consequences.

That is precisely the kind of situation in which life-tenured judges construing a difficult-to-amend Constitution should be humble and careful about announcing new substantive due process or equal protection rights that limit accountable elected officials from sorting out these medical, social, and policy challenges, Sutton wrote.

Lower courts around the country are divided on the constitutionality of the laws.

The cases are United States v. Skrmetti, 23-477.

(Updates with details on case starting in third paragraph.)

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A crew of Florida treasure hunters came upon a startling discovery in a 300-year-old shipwreck last month. And there may be more where it came from.

Captain Grant Gitschlag and his mate, Corinne Lea, told Fox 35 Orlando that they've been investigating sunken shipwrecks for forgotten treasure for several years. But nothing prepared them for the find they made late in May while plundering a Spanish vessel in what is now Brevard County.

Over two days, Gitschlag and Lea unearthed roughly 214 silver coins that have been undisturbed for 300 years. The ship they were searching for is part of the 1715 Treasure Fleet, a duo of Spanish vessels which sank in a fierce hurricane while bringing treasures back to Spain from the New World.

"I wasnt expecting it. I wasnt expecting it at all which is how the greatest finds come about," Lea recalled.

"It was kind of numbing in a way, Gitschlag agreed. You dont expect that. You always hope for it, but you never expect it, he marveled. "To get this kind of quantity in a period of a couple of days, is a very exciting start.

The coins are currently in the possession of Sal Guttuso, who operates the 1715 Fleet Queens Jewels LLC, the U.S. District Courts exclusive salvager and custodian of treasure from the 1715 Fleet. Guttuso is overseeing the cleaning of the coins, which had accrued three centuries worth of encrusted sand and shells.

The discovery, especially in such quantities, is remarkably rare. "Those ships, a lot of them, were just broken to bits and that treasure went everywhere," Guttuso explained of the 1715 Fleet.

The crew is planning to return to the wreck in the hopes of finding even more treasure. For them, the search is the most exciting part of the mission.

"Its the find. Its all about the find," Lea said. "I love the history, being the first person in 309 years to find what was once lost in a tragedy."
Tropics Update: Disturbance in the Gulf will move ashore

The last of the disturbances weve been tracking over the past couple of weeks will move ashore into Mexico soon.

With the disturbance making its way ashore, this will prevent it from forming into a tropical depression or storm.

There is still a flood threat that will continue with the disturbance for parts of Mexico.

Read: Brevard County assistant school principal accused of soliciting photos to an underage student

For now, no other tropical systems look to develop in the Tropical Atlantic.

Stay with channel 9 for the latest on the tropics.

Read: Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio fatally shot in Tampa while celebrating birthday, attorney confirms

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The highly anticipated showdown Thursday will mark the first time the two candidates have faced off in a debate since 2020

All eyes are on President Biden and former President Donald Trump this week as they prepare for their first 2024 presidential debate tonight. Its the first time in U.S. history a sitting and former commander in chief will face off on the debate stage.

Both Biden, 81, and Trump, 78, have agreed to a new set of rules for the June 27 debate. Not only will the debate have no audience, but the candidates will also have their microphones muted when theyre not speaking, among other changes.

For voters, its an opportunity to watch two presidents confront a divided nation in a uniquely vulnerable way without the added effects of applause or boos.

For the candidates, political and debate strategists tell Yahoo News its an opportunity to earn the trust of the American people and to win over the 10% of registered voters who are either undecided (6%) or don't plan on voting at all (4%)  according to a recent Yahoo/YouGov poll  in Nov. 5's general election.

Here's a look at what each candidate needs to do on Thursday to have a successful debate.

A need to 'frame the race'

Brett ODonnell, a Republican strategist who assisted former presidential candidate Mitt Romney during the GOP primary debates in 2012 against President Barack Obama, says Biden and Trump need to make their strongest pitch yet for why they deserve to return to the White House.

The stakes of this debate are extremely high, ODonnell told Yahoo News. To this point in the campaign, voters have not seen either candidate frame the race, and answer the question of why they should be the next president of the United States.

Biden and Trump, the oldest candidates ever to compete in a presidential race, have opposing views on critical issues such as immigration, abortion, the war in Gaza and more.

To that end, Biden will reportedly highlight his teams achievements while attempting to display a stark contrast between himself, who is fighting for the American people, and Trump, who will walk on stage as a convicted felon, campaign spokesman Michael Tyler described in a memo obtained by NBC News.

Trump, on the other hand, is reportedly focused less on policy and more on rhetoric, per CNN.

Still, the former president recruited a group of policy experts and allies to sharpen his messaging around the economy and immigration, as well as the Jan. 6 attacks and his promise to pardon the rioters, according to the New York Times.

What Biden needs to do

President Biden speaks at an event marking the 12th anniversary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) at the White House in June. (Drew Angerer/AFP via Getty Images)

According to Jennifer Talbert, head of the debate program at Ohio University, President Biden needs to display a strong mental acuity  reminiscent of his fiery State of the Union address in March  to undermine Trumps claim that he is mentally unfit to lead.

Viewers will have the opportunity to watch President Biden answer hard-hitting questions and determine for themselves if he has the mental fortitude to continue as president, Talbert said.

The president will seek to highlight whats at stake if Trump is elected, Tyler said in a memo to the press. Specifically, Biden will try to emphasize issues where the former president poses the most extreme threat in Biden's eyes, such as the appointment of Supreme Court justices who helped reverse Roe v. Wade in 2022. Biden will aim to contrast Trump's record by praising his own accomplishments  from job growth to relief for COVID-related losses and student loans, per CNN.

The president also needs to avoid conflict and keep his focus on substance, ODonnell stressed.

There is no love lost between these two candidates and so there will be great interest in how much they go after each other, he said. [But] both need to keep this debate about the voters and not about each other. The person that best connects with the audience at home and convinces them that they have a plan to solve the major challenges facing the voters will ultimately be the winner.

What Trump needs to do

Trump speaks to a crowd during a campaign rally in Sept. 2023. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

The advice to avoid combativeness extends to Trump as well, noted Talbert, who said that Thursdays debate is a chance for Trump to make his argument that America has gotten more expensive under Biden and that things were better during his time in office.

That message could resonate deeper with viewers if Trump is able to control his outbursts, she explained. In their first presidential debate in 2020, Trump repeatedly interrupted Biden while he was speaking, which the former president has since acknowledged was a mistake.

To that end, Talbert said Trump needs to convince viewers that hes well-versed on the issues and that he answers questions accurately.

Sometimes Trump runs loose and fast with some of his facts, she said. Viewers should watch the commentary after the debate to determine if Trump has the truth on his side.

Thats especially true when it comes to the economy, which both parties are accused of misrepresenting.

Much of the American public is financially impacted by the current economy regarding increased grocery prices, energy, and fuel costs, Talbert said. The candidates should be focused on their constituents rather than those zinger lines.

Despite Trumps 34 convictions last month in a hush money trial, sources told the New York Times that the former president is focused more on how to respond to debate questions about the Jan. 6 riots. Trump has promised to pardon the rioters, whom he often dubs as hostages. He reportedly told associates hed do so on a case by case basis.

Ahead of Thursday, Trump and his surrogates have also been uncharacteristically complimentary about their opponents abilities, a sign they may be attempting to set expectations high for Bidens performance.

I was never a fan of his, but I will say he beat Paul Ryan  still years ago, but he beat Paul Ryan badly, Trump said last Thursday on the All-In podcast, referring to the 2012 vice presidential debate between Biden and the former Republican House speaker.

I assume hes going to be somebody that will be a worthy debater, I would say, I think. I dont want to underestimate him, Trump added.

How much impact do debates really have?

Not as much as you might think. Separate studies from 2019 and 2012 showed no significant changes in how a voter views candidates before and after watching a debate, as reported by Scientific American.

What voters see in the media or from political activists and other citizens, the 2019 studys authors suggest, affects their decision more than what they see on the debate stage.

The 2024 presidential election is shaping up to be a tight race. A Yahoo/YouGov poll taken between June 3 and June 6 showed Biden (46%) barely leading Trump (44%) among registered voters. Biden's campaign pushed for an early debate, in part, with the hopes that it could give the president new momentum.

In an election this close, one thing is abundantly clear: Every vote matters.

Cover thumbnail photo: Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Donald Trump reportedly took a highly unusual trip to Mar-a-Lago, just weeks before the FBI raided the Florida estate, to repossess thousands of sensitive documents.

But the discreet, previously unreported tripwhich occurred between July 10 and 12 in the summer of 2022has caught the interest of investigators, who believe it may have been another attempt to conceal the documents after being served a subpoena for their swift return, ABC News reported Monday.

Several witnesses who spoke with federal investigators explained that Trumps visit to Mar-a-Lago was unexpected for a couple reasons: first, because Trump typically spends the entirety of his summers at his New Jersey residence in Bedminster; and second, because his private living quarters in Mar-a-Lago were under construction at the time of his visit. Staff were reportedly confused as to where the former president would even stay.

But behind the scenes, former Trump aide Walt Nauta was working to keep the Florida drop-in as covert as possible.

Im pretty sure [Trump] wants minimal people around on Monday, Nauta texted one Trump employee the day before the former president arrived, reported ABC.

In another message, sent on July 8, Nauta told a Trump Organization employee to remain discreet, adding an emoji with a zipper over its mouth.

They were keeping this one quiet  nobody knew about this trip, one witness with direct knowledge of the trip told investigators, according to ABC News.

But some witnesses who spoke with special counsel Jack Smiths team did have details on the purpose of the conveniently timed trip. At least one witness who worked closely with Trump told investigators that they believed Trump was checking on the boxes.

Trump faces 42 felony charges in the case related to willful retention of national security information, corruptly concealing documents, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Smiths case hinges on proving that Trump knew he was not allowed to keep the classified material. The revelation of his secret trip adds more fuel to Smiths allegationif the case ever makes it to trial.

The Trump-appointed judge overseeing the case has slow-walked the trial so aggressively that she has been accused by legal experts of attempting to postpone it indefinitely. Last week, Judge Aileen Cannon began hearing arguments not related to Trumps actionsbut instead on whether Smiths appointment to the case was constitutional.


Trump has spent months painting Biden as incompetent. Now he's changing his tone before the debate

FILE - Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally, June 22, 2024, in Philadelphia. After months of casting President Joe Biden as a senile shell of a man incapable of putting two sentences together, Trump has changed his tune. As he prepares to face Biden in their first debate of the general election on Thursday, June 27, in Atlanta, Trump and his campaign are trying to adjust expectations amid concerns that the bar has been set so low for Biden that he is sure to exceed it. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  After months of casting President Joe Biden as a shell of a man incapable of putting two sentences together, Donald Trump has changed his tune days before their first debate.

I assume hes going to be somebody that will be a worthy debater, the former president and presumptive Republican nominee said in an appearance on The All-In podcast last week.

I dont want to underestimate him," he added.

The changed rhetoric marks a dramatic shift from how Trump typically describes the man he will face in a rematch this November. At his rallies and in speeches, Trump typically casts the Democratic incumbent as a low-IQ individual who is the worst, most incompetent, and most corrupt president in the nations history, and often imitates Biden appearing lost on stage.

The effort to adjust expectations ahead of Thursday's matchup in Atlanta comes amid concerns from some in his party that Trump has set the bar so low for Biden that he is sure to exceed it. And it underscores the stakes for both men in a race that has appeared largely static for months.

Millions are expected to tune in Thursday, offering a rare opportunity for both sides to try to gain momentum in a contest that will likely be decided by a small fraction of voters in a handful of battleground states.

Trump  who has never admitted he lost fairly to Biden in 2020 and continues to spread false and unproven theories about election fraud  may also be setting up a series of excuses in case he is outperformed by Biden.

Maybe Im better off losing the debate," Trump quipped in an interview with Real Americas Voice earlier this month. Ill make sure he stays. Ill lose the debate on purpose, maybe Ill do something like that.

Its not just Trump who has been talking up Biden. On Sunday, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, one of Trumps chief surrogates and a top vice presidential contender, pointed to the presidents experience on the debate stage.

This guy has got the ability, he said on CNNs State of the Union. We have seen him in the State of the Union this year, that, when he needs to, he can step up.

At the same time, Trump and his campaign have ramped up their attacks on the debates moderators, insisting the former president wont be given a fair shake by CNN, which will be hosting the debate. Both campaigns accepted CNN's invitation after deciding to sidestep the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, which had hosted debates for decades.

Ill be debating three people instead of one half of a person, Trump said at a rally in Racine, Wisconsin, last week.

On Monday, one of the networks hosts, Kasie Hunt, cut off Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt and ended their segment after Leavitt attacked Jake Tapper, the anchor who will moderate along with Dana Bash, accusing him of being biased against Trump.

The episode shows that exactly what were saying is true, that CNN is not a friendly Trump network, and it wont be friendly to him on Thursday night, Leavitt said after the incident on FOX Radios FOX Across America.

CNN, in a statement, called Tapper and Bash well-respected veteran journalists with extensive experience moderating major political debates.

"There are no two people better equipped to co-moderate a substantial and fact-based discussion and we look forward to the debate on June 27 in Atlanta, the network said in a statement.

During The All-In podcast interview, Trump repeatedly pointed to Bidens vice presidential debate against Paul Ryan in 2012, then-GOP nominee Mitt Romneys running mate.

Well, all I can say is this: I watched him with Paul Ryan, and he destroyed Paul Ryan, said Trump. So Im not underestimating him. Im not underestimating him. It is what it is. Well see what happens.

Complimenting Biden at Ryan's expense also allows Trump to insult the former House speaker, who was an often uneasy ally when Trump was in the White House and has since spoken out repeatedly against the former president.

Trump has not completely abandoned his insults of Biden.

At a Saturday gathering of evangelical Christians in Washington, he again went after Biden in deeply personal terms, questioning his intellect. Hes even suggested that Biden would be drugged at the debate, an outlandish attack he also made without evidence during this years State of the Union address.

I say hell come out all jacked up, right? All jacked up," Trump told a rally crowd Saturday in Philadelphia.

Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung, meanwhile, accused the media of helping to lower Bidens expectations so low he gets a participation trophy simply for standing upright for 90 minutes" and questioned if Biden can speak for himself without the overt participation and interference of two CNN moderators.

Biden's campaign responded by accusing Trump of trying to "distract us from the reality of Thursday night  before a general election audience for the first time, Trump will have to answer for ripping away Americans freedoms, promising his billionaire donors tax cuts at the expense of the middle class, and threatening our very democracy with promises to rule as a dictator if he wins and violence if he loses," said spokesperson Ammar Moussa.
Trump spiritual adviser says he asked her what God thought about presidential run

Trump spiritual adviser says he asked her what God thought about presidential run

Televangelist Paula White-Cain has claimed Donald Trump asked her for God's opinion over his run for the presidency.

White-Cain, who previously served as Trumps spiritual adviser and helped lead the Evangelical advisory board during his presidency in 2016, made the remarks during the Faith and Freedom Coalitions Road to Majority conference at the Washington Hilton, telling the audience that her first conversation with the former president was long before he even started thinking about politics.

Trump began to repeat to me almost verbatim the three sermons Value of Vision, she recalled.

At the end of it, he said, You have the it factor. And I said, Oh sir, we call that the anointing, White-Cain added.

At that point, I really felt that the Lord said, show him who I am. So for 24 years, Ive been in his life and have had the great privilege of really being his pastor.

White-Cain went on to reveal that Trump first began considering a career in politics in 2011 when he reached out to her and told her he didnt like the way this country is going and that he was thinking of running for president.

I told him what I thought, she said. And then he turned around, and he said, Well, what does God say?

White-Cain then prayed with dozens of her friends before delivering an answer to Trump.

I said, Sir  youre going to be president one day.

But that wouldnt come without its costs, she said she warned Trump. I hate the price that youre going to pay, she allegedly told him.

She concluded that her prediction was correct, reflecting on the price this man, his family and  many of us have paid.

Pastor Paula White, left, and other faith leaders pray with President Donald Trump, center, during a rally for evangelical supporters at the King Jesus International Ministry church, Friday, Jan. 3, 2020 (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Trump is currently involved in a number of legal cases. He denies all charges against him.

White-Cain was among those who decried Trumps recent conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, repeating the baseless claim made by the former president that charges were brought against him for political reasons.

In May, she tweeted that the day Trump was convicted was a sad day for all Americans as we watched firsthand the judicial system weaponized to go after President Trump for political gain.

May God bless you, my long time friend, President Trump, and may God bless all of us who stand for righteousness! she added.

As well as using her Road to Majority summit speech to discuss her relationship with Trump, White-Cain also used it to slam President Biden - whom she has been critical of in the past.

During her speech, she lamented the current state of affairs in the United States, claiming religious freedom is under attack as never before ever in our lifetime, pointing to 18 pro-life policies enacted by the Trump administration as well as over 12 religious liberty and freedom policies during his first year in office that were overturned by Biden.

White-Cain concluded her address by describing the ideology of the Biden administration as against God, against our faith and vowing to the audience that we will put a stop to it come November.
Tuesday is Primary Election Day. Heres how you can still vote

Tuesday marks the last day registered voters can vote in Utahs primary elections.

If you plan on voting by mail, Monday is the last day ballots can be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service. Ballots mailed without postage will still be delivered to the county clerks office, though some counties in Utah do not have prepaid postage.

There are other options for voting on Election Day, which is Tuesday. You can drop off your ballot in a drop box location before 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

You can also visit Utahs election website to find out where to vote in person.

You must be in line by 8 p.m. to vote. Check the identification requirements to see what kinds of identification to bring with you to the polls. The Utah Republican Party has closed primaries, which means only registered Republicans can vote in the primary election  the deadline to switch party affiliation to Republican has already passed.

When can we expect primary election results?

Results will start rolling in on Tuesday night after the polls close. Its possible some races may be called as early as Tuesday while tighter races may not be called until closer to the end of the week.

What candidates will be on the ballot?

It depends on where you live, but there are also a few statewide races thatll be on the ballot.

On the Republican ballot, Utah voters will choose who will advance to face Democratic challenger Caroline Gleich in the Senate race: Rep. John Curtis, businessman Jason Walton, former Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson and Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs are all on the ballot.

Incumbent Gov. Spencer Cox, with Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, is squaring off against Rep. Phil Lyman, R-Blanding, with running mate Natalie Clawson. Rep. Brian King, D-Salt Lake City, along with running mate Rebekah Cummings, has secured the Democratic spot on the general election ballot.

Attorney general is an open seat as current Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes is not seeking reelection. Former Utah GOP chairman Derek Brown, constitutional litigation attorney Frank Mylar and director of Utah Division of State Risk Management Rachel Terry are on the ballot. Whoever wins will face Rudy J. Bautista (Democrat), Andrew McCullough (Libertarian), Austin Hepworth (unaffiliated) and Michelle Quist (United Utah) in the general election.

Tina Cannon and Ricky Hatch are running as Republicans for state auditor.

As for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Democratic Party already have selected their nominees for all four seats at convention.

For the 1st District, Republicans will choose from incumbent Rep. Blake Moore and Paul Miller. In the 2nd District, Colby Jenkins is challenging incumbent Rep. Celeste Maloy. The 3rd District  Curtis current seat  is open as he is running for Senate, and J.R. Bird, Mike Kennedy, Case Lawrence, Stewart Peay and John Frugal Dougall are on the ballot.

Rep. Burgess Owens, of the 4th District, does not have a Republican challenger for his seat.
Keefe D, the prime suspect in the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur, is making bail. Born Duane Davis, Keefe D has informed the Clark County District Court in Nevada that he can now post his $750,000 bail, according to the bail bond document filed Thursday (June 20) obtained by Billboard.

According to local ABC affiliate KTNV in Las Vegas, Davis will appear in court Tuesday, June 25, at 9 a.m. to hear Judge Carli Kiernys stipulations for his release, and to verify to the prosecution where the money came from. Davis, who pleaded not guilty to one count of murder with a deadly weapon, has been sitting in the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas since he was arrested in September as he awaits trial set to start Nov. 4. Clark County District Judge Jerry Wiese originally denied Davis bail when he was first taken into custody.

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Billboard has reached out to Keefe Ds lawyers for comment.

Keefe D published his memoir, Compton Street Legend, in 2019. In it, he went into detail about the night of Tupacs murder. One of my guys from the back seat grabbed the Glock and started bustin back, Keefe D wrote in his book. As the rounds continued flying, I ducked down so that I wouldnt get hit.

He also appeared in multiple interviews over the years in which he discussed the night of the murder.

These instances may have violated his 2009 proffer agreement with Los Angeles investigators, in which Davis gave them information about the Tupacs murder in exchange for immunity. However, Keefe D violated the terms when he began to speak on the details of the murder publically. Law enforcement had kept tabs on the times Davis has talked about the murder publicly, and used his own admissions as evidence, which eventually led to his arrest.

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Modesto has become a battleground for the biggest turf war between anesthesiologists and certified registered nurse anesthetists since California, in a hotly contested decision in 2009, opted out of the federal Medicare rules for administering anesthesia.

The California Department of Public Health surveys at Stanislaus Surgical Hospital and Doctors Medical Center have caught the attention of physician anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists across the country.

Hundreds of surgeries were canceled or rescheduled locally, as dozens of CRNAs, who are advanced practice nurses were laid off at Stanislaus Surgical as a result of stricter requirements and were sent home from Doctors Medical Center over credentialing issues. Doctors Medical Center has scrambled to hire more anesthesiologists to cover surgeries and other procedures.

CRNAs are concerned the CDPH surveys, done on behalf of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, may change perceptions about their scope of practice.

We are very concerned the way this may be construed could negatively impact patient care at the statewide level, said Kaitlin Perry, a communications consultant working for the California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.

CANA has maintained that media coverage and anesthesiologist lobbying organizations have unfairly cast aspersions on nurse anesthetists. The policies recommended by the survey team favor physician supervision of CRNAs, similar to federal Medicare guidelines, but CANA representatives dont see how that can be since California opted out of the federal rules almost 15 years ago.

If hospitals, especially those in rural areas, believe nurse anesthetists cant practice independently, surgeries will be deferred and patients wont have access to needed care, Perry said.

The California Society of Anesthesiologists countered there are legitimate concerns about patient safety. The group published an alert June 11 with excerpts of Modesto Bee coverage of the surveys at the two hospitals. A lobbyist sent the alert to legislative offices, urging them to touch base with hospitals, health systems and surgery centers in their districts to ensure that patients can access physician-led anesthesia care.

The CDPH survey at Stanislaus Surgical Hospital in August, January and February, which CANA is disputing, was critical of the practices of CRNAs at the short-stay hospital, including questionable decisions in prescribing drugs, sloppy paperwork and not communicating what drugs were given to patients.

The survey found that CRNAs were given full prescriptive and diagnostic authority at the hospital. The lack of supervision from anesthesiologists resulted in possible avoidable situations where 10 patients experienced negative health outcomes following care provided by CRNAs and required transfer to a higher level of care, the survey concluded.

No harm to patients has been established by the ongoing survey at Doctors Medical Center. Inspectors identified flaws in the credentialing process for about 19 nurse anesthetists. According to internal memos, the CRNAs wont return to Doctors until the CDPH accepts a correction plan, which will include proctoring.

In the past week, Valley representatives including assemblymen Heath Flora, R-Ripon, and Juan Alanis, R-Modesto, and state Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, D-Jackson, came to the defense of CRNAs and hospitals that use their services. Their letter Tuesday to Mark Ghaly, secretary of the state Health and Human Services Agency, said a single survey team has targeted hospitals and surgery centers that utilized nurse anesthetists, including Stanislaus Surgical, Doctors and Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock.

According to the letter, the inspectors start by reviewing records of patients who received anesthesia from a CRNA. The nurse anesthetists are interviewed in an intimidating manner and the survey team insists on changing hospital protocols to require physician supervision of CRNAs at a ratio of 1 to 4, the lawmakers claimed.

We request an investigation into whether this effort was designed in coordination with physician anesthesiologist advocacy organizations and individuals whose stated purpose is to restrict CRNAs ability to practice independently, their letter to Ghaly said.

CDPH did not comment Friday on the physician supervision requirement, the allegation of bias and alleged methods of the survey team.

CANA has expressed concerns that, since the end of the pandemic, theres been a larger campaign by groups representing physician anesthesiologists to discredit CRNAs and take a larger portion of business back from them.

Perry said during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2023 there were CRNAs practicing independently in every state. We have not seen a drastic increase in patient harm since then, Perry said. CRNAs are highly qualified and practice safely.

CANA has gone so far as to claim the chief surveyor for CDPH is an anesthesiologist whos biased against CRNAs.

Alison McLeod, a spokeswoman for the California Society of Anesthesiologists, said Friday the physicians group is raising legitimate concerns. We strongly believe all patients in all settings deserve access to physician-led anesthesia care and we should not be lowering our standards to save money or cut corners, McLeod said.

The group wants to clarify the difference in skills and education between physician anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists, she said. The CSA feels it is critically important to educate hospital administrators, policymakers and healthcare leaders about why physician-led anesthesia care matters.

Becoming an anesthesiologist requires undergraduate studies, medical school and four years of residency training. California now requires a three-year doctor of nurse anesthesia program for CRNAs. Schools require a bachelors nursing degree and critical care experience, while some schools accept the nursing experience and a bachelors degree in a related physical science.

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs decided in 2009 to require a transition to nurse anesthesia doctoral programs by Jan. 1, 2022.

Hospital entered contract for CRNAs

Last year, Doctors Medical Center dropped a contract with an anesthesiologist group and entered an agreement with Valley Regional Anesthesia Associates to provide CRNAs and anesthesiologists. According to one account, the hospital didnt think it could recruit seven more anesthesiologists to meet needs, so it chose to rely more on CRNAs to put patients under for surgery.

Dr. Bruce Chou, an anesthesiologist, said he proctored about a dozen of the CRNAs last September at Doctors. When I worked with the CRNAs, I noticed that a lot of them were very recent graduates (of nurse anesthetist programs.) It was not a problem to me, you have to start somewhere, but it probably was relevant if you are a patient there.

By recent, Chou said, he meant they graduated within the past year. A list of the CRNAs assigned to Doctors, obtained by The Modesto Bee, reveals that five received a state nurse anesthetist license between March and June 2023; seven were issued licenses in the 12 months before September 2023. The 12 other CRNAs had experience averaging 3.7 years.

Joseph Martin, the chief executive officer of Valley Regional, has not returned calls from The Bee seeking comment on the contract with Doctors. A Valley Regional employee said Friday that Martin wasnt available.

CANA has kept tabs on the ongoing survey at Doctors Medical Center and its attorneys have expressed concerns to top CDPH officials. According to CANA, the survey team told hospital administrators that nurse anesthetists cant lawfully order pre- and post-anesthesia tests or medications for patients without a signature from a physician or provide anesthesia services without physician supervision.

CANA disputed that position and stressed that a 2011 court decision established that CRNAs are independent practitioners under California law.

For consumers who wonder what the structure might be at Doctors after the survey, the regulatory team has recommended a ratio of one physician anesthesiologist overseeing four CRNAs at the hospital. Doctors Medical Center hasnt commented on the survey since a statement last month that said it was collaborating with CDPH on an action plan to address issues identified by the investigation.

Sam Singh, who operates a CRNA group in Fresno, said the regulatory surveys in Modesto are aimed at fulfilling an obligation to protect the public. However, he is concerned that media coverage has led people to wrongly assume that CRNAs are unable to practice and are causing harm to patients.

In a state with 3,200 CRNAs and 6,300 anesthesiologists for 39 million residents, Singh noted that hospitals employ various models for anesthesia services. These include anesthesiologists only, blended teams of anesthesiologists and CRNAs, and CRNAs working independently.

You have to adapt to the needs of the area, Singh said. In some locations, such as remote hospitals where recruiting anesthesiologists is challenging, independent CRNA or team models are feasible.

Kaiser Permanente, which operates one of the six nurse anesthetist schools in California, utilizes CRNAs at its hospitals who earn an average of $132 an hour. They are under the supervision of physician anesthesiologists, spokesman Jordan Scott said.
Two civilians killed in Kharkiv Oblast by Russian mine

The scene where a car drove over a Russian mine. Photo: Syniehubov

A car has driven over a Russian mine in the village of Slobozhanske, Lyptsi hromada of Kharkiv Oblast, killing two civilians (a hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories  ed.).

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "In the morning, at 05:30, a car drove over a Russian anti-tank mine in the village of Slobozhanske, Lyptsi hromada. The car was carrying two people.

The man died on the spot from his injuries, and the woman died during the evacuation to hospital."

Background: On the night of 23-24 June, a series of explosions were heard in Kharkiv.

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Two companies operating out of the Wilmington port ordered to control their dust emissions

Aerial photo of the Enviva wood pellet storage domes at the Port of Wilmington.

State regulators have ordered two companies that operate out of the Port of Wilmington to implement new measures to better control dust emissions from their facilities.

The N.C. Division of Air Quality (DAQ) on Monday said Enviva and Basaga International would have to adopt new "fugitive dust control measures" to limit impacts to neighboring properties.

The move comes after several residents of Wilmington's Sunset Park neighborhood complained to state regulators about dust escaping the port and soiling their homes, vehicles and yards.

According to regulators, companies are required to develop additional dust-control measures after officials observe excess dust leaving a property's boundary or they receive two complaints within a 12-month period.

Enviva, which operates a wood storage and shipping facility at the port, ran into trouble with the state after regulators identified the company as the source of "two substantiated fugitive dust complaints."

"The plan must identify the sources of fugitive dust at the facility and methods to control the dust," according to the state's announcement. "DAQ must review and approve the plan before it will be implemented."

In a statement, Enviva said it is investigating the concerns raised and monitoring the situation daily.

"We will continue to work in partnership with local officials," the company said. "Enviva remains committed to the health and safety of our people and local communities.

Enviva is the world's biggest wood-to-energy company and has a significant economic footprint in Eastern North Carolina. The company, which made some bad long-term bets that didn't pay off when wood pellet prices collapsed, filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and is in the process of reorganizing its business.

CHOPPED DOWN: What does wood-to-energy giant Enviva's bankruptcy mean for North Carolina?

Enviva operates four wood pellet plants in Eastern North Carolina  in Northampton, Richmond, Hertford and Sampson counties  and a deepwater shipping facility in Wilmington. According to the company, Enviva supports nearly 1,800 jobs in mostly rural North Carolina and has invested more than $675 million in the state.

Earlier this year, DAQ also required Basaga International, a wood-chipping facility at the port, to develop a fugitive dust control plan after identifying it as the source of multiple dust complaints from nearby residences. Regulators expect to finalize the details of Basagas fugitive dust control plan in the coming days.

"DAQ may require updates or changes to a fugitive dust control plan after it is implemented if the control measures fail to adequately prevent off-site dust impacts," the release stated.

Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@Gannett.com or @GarethMcGrathSN on X/Twitter. This story was produced with financial support from the Green South Foundation and the Prentice Foundation. The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Enviva, Basaga International at Wilmington port ordered to control dust
Two people hurt after boat catches fire at a Key Biscayne marina: Miami-Dade fire rescue

A boat fire at a Key Biscayne marina left two people injured Sunday afternoon, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.

Firefighters, paramedics, police officers and state law enforcement responded to the well-known Crandon Park Marina at 4000 Crandon Boulevard, near Virginia Key.

We are still unsure about the cause of the fire, says Alarm Office Chief Sergio Llorella.

The Miami-Dade governments public record of MDFRs active calls revealed nearly a dozen units responded to a fire boat shortly before 12:15 p.m. The call, which remained active until about 1:05 p.m., included an aircraft unit.

Both victims were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Their condition is unknown.

This story will be updated.
Two years ago, SCOTUS overturned the right to an abortion. Here is how each state changed

Monday marks two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal right to an abortion.

The Dobbs decision issued June 24, 2022 upheld Mississippi's ban on abortion after 15 weeks. Since then, states have enacted a range of laws from near-total abortion bans to shield laws protecting patients from other states who travel to get the procedure. The decision has even bled into questions on the FDA's independence and access to in vitro fertilization.

Many active state laws are still in flux, and all eyes are on November when several states will put the abortion issue directly in the hands of voters.

Here is a state-by-state guide to abortion laws today and how they have changed in the last two years:

Impacts of Dobbs: More than 171K patients traveled out-of-state for abortions in 2023, new data shows

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

Alabama

Abortion is banned outright with few exceptions.

Exceptions: When the pregnant person's life is in danger.

Changes since Dobbs: None, enforcement kicked in after decision.

Other reproductive news in the state: Alabama shook the reproductive rights community in February when the state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created through in vitro fertilization should be treated legally as children. It temporarily halted IVF treatments at clinics in the state, but the state legislature passed protections for the procedure in the weeks that followed.

Alaska

Abortion is legal.

Exceptions: Abortions must be performed by a licensed physician.

Changes since Dobbs: None. The right to "reproductive choice," is protected under the state constitution, so it is likely to stay legal, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Other reproductive news in the state: Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy is anti-abortion, despite the state's protections.

Arizona

Abortion is banned after 15 weeks.

Exceptions: Abortions are allowed for medical emergencies at any point in the pregnancy. Patients must also make two trips at least 24 hours apart and receive an ultrasound, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Changes since Dobbs: The undoing of Roe v. Wade in 2022 led to a petition to remove an injunction on a 160-year-old law to ban abortions. On April 9, the Arizona Supreme court ruled in favor of upholding the law which made the procedure illegal in nearly all instances. The state legislature moved quickly to pass a bill to block the ban. When that repeal goes into effect could be a moving target as it is tied to the end of the legislative session, but State Attorney General Kris Mayes had already indicated she wouldn't enforce an anti-abortion law.

The earliest the near-total ban could go into effect is September 27.

Other reproductive news in the state: Organizers in Arizona are closing in on gathering enough signatures to put a constitutional amendment to protect abortion on the ballot in November.

Map: Tracking abortion-related ballot measures in the upcoming election

Arkansas

Abortion is banned outright with few exceptions.

Exceptions: If the abortion is required to save a pregnant person's life.

Changes since Dobbs: The state had a trigger ban in place, effective immediately after the decision. In 2023, the Attorney General declined an effort to get an abortion amendment on the ballot before they started collecting signatures.

Other reproductive news in the state: Arkansas could have the measure on the ballot this year.

More: Florida, New York have abortion on the 2024 ballot. What's happening in other states?

California

Abortion is legal until 24-26 weeks, the time of fetal viability.

Exceptions: Abortion legal after viability to protect the patient's life or health.

Changes since Dobbs: The state has pushed through laws to help protect access for providers and patients in other states through shield laws.

Other reproductive news in the state: Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation in 2024 to temporarily allow abortion providers from Arizona to practice in California.

Colorado

Abortion is legal in all cases, no deadline.

Exceptions: Minors must have parental consent.

Changes since Dobbs: In 2023, Colorado enacted an interstate shield law to protect providers and patients from criminal consequences across state lines, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Other reproductive news in the state: In November, Coloradans will be able to vote on a constitutional amendment to protect the right to an abortion.

Connecticut

Abortion is banned after viability (24-36 weeks).

Exceptions: Abortions allowed after viability to save a pregnant person's health.

Changes since Dobbs: In the wake of the decision, the state passed a series of laws aimed at further protecting the right to an abortion. Those included protecting providers from actions taken in another state, allowing pharmacists to prescribe birth control and protecting patient health data.

Delaware

Abortion is legal until viability.

Exceptions: Parental notice is required for minors. After viability, abortions allowed only to save a pregnant person's life or if the fetus is not expected to survive.

Changes since Dobbs: The state enacted protections for abortion providers to shield against other states in June 2022, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Florida

Abortion is banned after 6 weeks.

Exceptions: Exceptions are in place for pregnancies resulting from rape, incest or human trafficking up until 15 weeks, but they must show proof it has been reported to officials. Abortions may also be performed to save the pregnant woman's life, avoid serious health risk or if the fetus has a fatal fetal abnormality.

Changes since Dobbs: The six-week ban went into effect in May 2024. Before the six-week ban, the house had passed a 15-week ban that went through legal challenges up to the state supreme court.

Other reproductive news in the state: Florida will vote on abortion access through viability in November.

Georgia

Abortion is banned after 6 weeks.

Exceptions: Up until 20 weeks, Georgia has exceptions to the ban for medical emergencies and cases of rape and incest.

Changes since Dobbs: Georgia passed the six-week ban in November 2022, and it was upheld by the state supreme court in 2023, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Other reproductive news in the state: Abortion access was a central point in the Georgia Supreme Court race, according to The Hill, but the Democratic opponent lost to the conservative justice in May.

Hawaii

Abortion is legal until viability.

Exceptions: After viability, abortions are allowed to save a pregnant person's life.

Changes since Dobbs: The state has enacted shield laws to protect patients and providers from other state agency investigations, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Idaho

Abortion is banned outright.

Exceptions: If proven in court by a medical provider, abortions can be allowed to save a pregnant person's life or in the case of incest or rape if it has been reported to law enforcement.

Changes since Dobbs: The current ban went into effect August 2022. The exceptions were narrowed in 2023, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Other reproductive news in the state: In April, 2024, The U.S. Supreme Court heard a Biden administration challenge to the near-total abortion ban which argued it violated federal law by not providing emergency care to mothers.

More: Supreme Court updates: Does Idaho abortion ban conflict with federal law?

Abortion rights supporters stage a "die-in" protest in support of reproductive rights and emergency abortion care, on the day the Supreme Court justices hear oral arguments over the legality of Idaho's Republican-backed, near-total abortion ban in medical-emergency situations, in Washington, U.S., April 24, 2024.

Illinois

Abortion is legal until viability.

Exceptions: Abortions are allowed after viability if necessary to save a pregnant person's life.

Changes since Dobbs: In January 2023, the state enacted interstate shield law, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights and in July 2023, the state passed a law prohibiting anti-abortion centers from using deceptive practices to try to interfere with an abortion.

Other reproductive news in the state: Illinois is a hub for those traveling for abortion, according to a New York Times analysis.

Indiana

Abortion is illegal in Indiana.

Exceptions: Allowed in instances when it is necessary to protect the life of the parent.

Changes since Dobbs: In 2022, the state enacted the total ban, but it was initially blocked in court. In 2023, the state Supreme Court rejected a challenge and the ban went into effect.

Iowa

Abortion is legal until 22 weeks, but patients must make two trips, get an ultrasound even if not medically necessary and parenteral notice is required for minors.

Exceptions: After 22 weeks, abortion is legal to save the life of the pregnant person.

Changes since Dobbs: In 2023, the state enacted a 6-week abortion ban that is on hold by the courts. The state Supreme Court is expected to issue a final ruling in the coming months.

More: I've seen the horrors women endure when denied health care. Iowa's abortion law scares me.

Kansas

Abortion is legal until 22 weeks.

Exceptions: After 22 weeks, exceptions can be made to save the pregnant person's life. Parent consent is required for minors.

Changes since Dobbs: In 2022, voters rejected an effort to amend the state constitution to declare there would be no right to an abortion in the state.

Kentucky

Abortion is illegal in Kentucky.

Exceptions: Abortion allowed in the case of a medical emergency.

Changes since Dobbs: In 2022, voters opted for the right to choose by rejecting a proposed constitutional amendment that would have further cemented the state's lack of abortion protection.

Other reproductive news in the state: Pro-choice advocates tried again to expand exceptions earlier this year, according to AP.

2023 Election lessons: Abortion delivers for Democrats from Ohio to Virginia to Kentucky

Louisiana

Abortion is illegal in Louisiana.

Exceptions: Abortion allowed in the case of a medical emergency.

Changes since Dobbs: A trigger ban went into effect with the Dobbs decision. In 2023, the state enacted a tax-credit for people who donate to crisis pregnancy centers, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Other reproductive news in the state: In spring of 2024, Louisiana became the first state to classify mifepristone, a drug commonly used for abortion mifepristone, as a controlled substance, but it is still allowed for pregnant women.

More: Which 14 states have abortion bans?

Maine

Abortion is legal until viability.

Exceptions: After viability, abortions are still allowed to save a pregnant person's life.

Changes since Dobbs: The state has passed several protections for providers and out of state patients.

Other reproductive news in the state: The state failed to pass a state constitutional amendment protecting the right to an abortion, according to the Associated Press.

Maryland

Abortion is legal.

Exceptions: Minors must give notice to parents or guardians.

Changes since Dobbs: The state has enacted shield laws to protect against other state bans.

Other reproductive rights news in the state: In November, Maryland voters will be voting on a constitutional amendment to guarantee the right to reproductive freedom, according to Ballotpedia.

Massachusetts

Abortion is legal up until 24 weeks.

Exceptions: Abortion allowed after 24 weeks if the pregnant woman's life is in danger.

Changes since Dobbs: Massachusetts has passed shield laws for providers and patients.

Other reproductive rights news in the state: The Governor's office recently launched a campaign to warn against the dangers of anti-abortion centers known as "crisis pregnancy centers."

Michigan

Abortion is legal.

Exceptions: Abortion may be restricted after viability, unless it is necessary to save a pregnant person's life, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights. A 24-hour waiting period between counseling and the procedure and parental consent for minors is required, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Changes after Dobbs: Voters approved a constitutional amendment protecting the right to an abortion.

Other reproductive news in the states: Earlier this year, the "Reproductive Health Act" went into effect to try to lower more barriers to access to abortion.

Abortions in Michigan: What we know about the women who get them

Minnesota

Abortion is legal.

Exceptions: According to the Attorney Generals Office, Minnesota prohibits the government from imposing restrictions.

Changes since Dobbs: The state passed several pieces of key legislation in 2023, including bills that repealed a required 24-hour waiting period. Parental consent is also no longer required for minors.

Other reproductive news in the state: A recent push to amend the state constitution to further solidify protections for abortion failed, according to the Associated Press.

Mississippi

Abortion is illegal.

Exceptions: To save the live of the pregnant person or in reported cases of rape or incest. Patients must also go to two appointments and minors are required to notify parents.

Changes since Dobbs: The current trigger ban went into place days after the Dobbs decision.

Other abortion news in the state: Mississippi and others sought and received an injunction from a federal judge that decided it does not have to comply with a federal rule that gives people time off for an abortion, according to the AP.

Missouri

Abortion is illegal.

Exceptions: Abortions allowed when necessary to save the pregnant person's life. The patient must take on the burden of proof to show that is necessary.

Changes since Dobbs: The state began enforcing a trigger ban after the June 24, 2022 decision.

Other reproductive rights news in the state: A judge recently ruled against several religious groups in favor of abortion that argued the ban violated their religious rights, the Washington Examiner reported.

Montana

Abortion is legal until viability.

Exceptions: Abortions are legal after viability if it is necessary to save the pregnant person's life. Minors seeking an abortion also require parental consent.

Changes since Dobbs: A judge struck down several laws restricting access to the procedure earlier this year, the AP reported.

Other reproductive news in the state: In 2022, a ballot measure known as the "Born-Alive Infant Protection Act" failed.

More: Florida, New York have abortion on the 2024 ballot. What's happening in other states?

Nebraska

Abortion is banned after 12 weeks.

Exceptions: Abortion is allowed after 12 weeks to save the life of a pregnant person or if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest.

Changes since Dobbs: 12-week ban was enacted in May 2023. Challenges in court failed, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Other reproductive news in the state: Three ballot initiatives on abortion are being considered for the election in November: a total ban, and enacting abortion-access windows in the constitution set at 12 and 24 weeks.

Nevada

Abortion is legal until 24 weeks.

Exceptions: A parent or guardian must be notified about a minor's abortion.

Changes since Dobbs: In June 2022, the governor signed an executive order protecting providers from out of state investigations, and the protections were codified the following year.

Other reproductive news in the state: Activist groups are seeking to put an abortion constitutional amendment measure on the ballot in November.

New Hampshire

Abortion is legal until 24 weeks.

Exceptions: Parental notice is required for patients who are minors. Abortions are allowed after 24 weeks to save the life of the parent or in cases of fatal fetal anomalies.

Since Dobbs: The state House proposed a 15-day abortion ban, a de facto total ban, and a constitutional protection, but both measures failed according to New Hampshire Public Radio.

New Jersey

Abortion is legal.

Exceptions: New Jersey encourages the patient to discuss limitations to getting an abortion with their healthcare provider.

Since Dobbs: The governor has called on banning of out-of-pocket costs for an abortion, according to AP.

New Mexico

Abortion is legal.

Exceptions: According to New Mexico Health, the procedure is private and protected.

Changes since Dobbs: In 2023, the state codified previous executive orders to prohibit state agencies from cooperating with out of state investigations and shielding providers and patients, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Other reproductive news in the state: New Mexico has become a hub for people from Texas traveling for an abortion, according to a NYT analysis.

New York

Abortion is legal until viability.

Exceptions: After 24 weeks, abortion is still allowed if the parent's health or pregnancy is at risk.

Changes since Dobbs: New York has passed several shield laws to protect providers and patients from out of state investigations.

Other reproductive rights in the state: An abortion protection measure may appear on the ballot this year, according to Ballotpedia.

More: In states with abortion restrictions, 8,000 people each month get abortion pills elsewhere

North Carolina

Abortion is banned after 12 weeks.

Exceptions: Abortion is allowed through the 20 weeks if the pregnancy is a result of incest or rape, and through the first 24 weeks if the fetus has a life-limiting anomaly. It is allowed at any point when there is a medical emergency.

Changes since Dobbs: The current ban was enacted by the state and went into effect July 1, 2023.

Other reproductive news in the state: Some of North Carolina's restrictions on abortion pills were struck down by a federal judge on the grounds they circumvent federal regulation of the drug, according to AP.

North Dakota

Abortion is illegal.

Exceptions: Saving the pregnant person's life and personal health. The state also has an exception for rape and incest, but only through six weeks of pregnancy, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Changes since Dobbs: The state had a trigger ban in place that was put under an injunction, until the state replaced it with the ban that has been enforceable since April 2023, according to CRR.

Ohio

Abortion is legal up until 22 weeks.

Exceptions: Parental consent is required for minors. Patients must wait 24 hours after their first visit to have the procedure.

Changes since Dobbs: Immediately after Dobbs, the state began enforcing its six-week ban but it later was placed under injunction and is not in effect. In November 2023, voters approved a constitutional amendment to protect reproductive decision making.

Other reproductive news in the state: There have been several efforts to restrict and expand access to abortions, but little has changed.

Oklahoma

Abortion is illegal.

Exceptions: To save the parent's life.

Changes since Dobbs: The decision put into effect a trigger law, but the state supreme court struck down a law criminalizing abortion.

Other reproductive news in the state: An Oklahoma woman was told to wait in the car with a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication until she was sick enough to receive an abortion, the Washington Post reported. She filed a complaint with the Biden administration but they rejected it, according to the Post.

Oregon

Abortion is legal.

Exceptions: Those under the age of 15 need consent for treatment, but is up to the discretion of the health care providers.

Changes since Dobbs: In 2023, the state passed shield laws to protect patients and providers from investigations in other states, and paved the way for those under the age of 15 to be able to consent to an abortion without a guardian.

Pennsylvania

Abortion is legal until 24 weeks, with some barriers to accessing care.

Exceptions: Abortion legal after 24 weeks if necessary due to health risks. Abortions for minors require parental consent.

Changes since Dobbs: In July 2022, the governor issued an executive order protecting those who come to the state for services from legal pushback.

Other reproductive news in the state: Pennsylvania currently does not have legal protections for abortion, even though the current governor is supportive, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Rhode Island

Abortion is legal until viability.

Exceptions: After viability, abortion is legal in order to save someone's life. Parental consent is required for minors to receive abortion care.

Changes since Dobbs: In 2023, the state expanded Medicaid and state employee insurance to cover abortion.

South Carolina

Abortion is banned after six weeks.

Exceptions: Medical emergencies, if the pregnancy is a result of incest or rape, and some fetal diagnoses.

Changes since Dobbs: The current ban went into effect in May 2023.

More: Abortions in SC plummeted after six-week ban enacted; mifepristone limit could be next

South Dakota

Abortion is illegal.

Exceptions: Abortion may be a allowed if necessary to save someone's life.

Changes since Dobbs: The decision put into place a trigger ban. In 2023, the state carved out an exception to prevent women who receive an "unlawful abortion" from being held criminally liable, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Other reproductive news in the state: A ballot measure for abortion protections has been certified for November's election. However, an anti-abortion group challenged it in court, according to local station KFGO.

Tennessee

Abortion is illegal.

Exceptions: Abortion allowed if "necessary to prevent the death of pregnant woman or prevent serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of major bodily function."

Changes since Dobbs: The current ban was a trigger law in place that went into effect 30 days after the right to an abortion was overturned.

Other reproductive news in the state: Doctors and patients brought forward a lawsuit earlier this year arguing the vague language led to people with pregnancy complications being turned away from the doctor, according to Reuters.

Texas

Abortion is illegal.

Exceptions: The patient has a life-threatening condition that or one that could leave significant bodily impairment.

Changes since Dobbs: The state's trigger ban took effect August 2022. The law criminalized abortion, but some legal liabilities have since been rolled back, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Other reproductive news in the state: A federal judge in Texas decided to restrict access to a popular abortion drug mifepristone, which would have undermined the authority of the FDA, but a Supreme Court ruling struck down that ruling. The Texas Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit from women who said the abortion ban in the state prevented them from receiving emergency care for pregnancy complications, according to the Texas Tribune.

More: Supreme Court preserves access to widely used abortion medication mifepristone

Utah

Abortion is banned after 18 weeks of pregnancy.

Exceptions: Allowed when abortion is necessary to save a pregnant person's life, if the fetus is not expected to survive or if the pregnancy is a result of incest or rape.

Changes since Dobbs: After the decision, a trigger law banning abortion at all times in the pregnancy with limited exceptions went into effect but it was held up in court, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Vermont

Abortion is legal.

Exceptions: According to state law, interference with reproductive choice is prohibited.

Changes since Dobbs: The state has enshrined the right to an abortion in the state constitution and enacted interstate shield laws, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

More: From health care to safety: Survey ranks Vermont fourth Best State for Women to Live

Virginia

Abortion is legal until 27 weeks into the pregnancy.

Exceptions: After 27 weeks, abortions can be permitted to save a pregnant person's life.

Other reproductive news in the state: Democrats took control of the state House in November, and successfully blocked a bill that would have put in place a near-total ban, the AP reported.

Washington

Abortion is legal until viability.

Exceptions: Abortions after viability may be permitted if necessary to safe the parent's life or health.

Changes since Dobbs: The state has enacted shield laws to protect providers and patients from out of state action and issued public funding towards abortion, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Other reproductive news in the state: The governor is seeking to codify in state law that hospitals must provide abortions if needed in emergency situations, according to the Associated Press, though there is no apparent evidence emergency abortion parents are being turned away in the state.

Washington D.C.

Abortion is legal.

Exceptions: According to the Attorney General, a medical provider and patient decide if it is appropriate.

Changes since Dobbs: D.C. has laws protecting patients who receive an abortion from other states.

West Virginia

Abortion is illegal.

Exceptions: A medical emergency, ectopic pregnancy, or if the fetus is "nonmedically viable," according to the Center for Reproductive Rights. If the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, survivors must report it to law enforcement and have eight weeks to receive care. Parental consent is required for minors.

Changes since Dobbs: The current ban went into effect in September 2022, after a judge blocked the pre Roe v. Wade abortion ban which made obtaining an abortion a felony.

Wisconsin

Abortion is legal until 22 weeks.

Exceptions: Some barriers are in place for those accessing abortion within the first 22 weeks, such as a 24 hour waiting period and medically unnecessary ultra-sounds, according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Changes since Dobbs: After Dobbs, abortions were halted in the state due to an 1849 law that banned all abortions. A lower court found that law did not apply to consensual abortions, and the procedure became available again in September of 2023.

Other reproductive news in the state: The decision is being appealed, but the Wisconsin Supreme Court has a liberal majority and is likely to uphold the decision.

Wyoming

Abortion is legal until viability.

Exceptions: Minors must receive parental consent.

Changes since Dobbs: The state has tried to enact stricter bans, but both are held up in court, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Other reproductive news in the state: Wyoming passed the nation's first explicit ban on medication abortions, which is still being considered in courts, according to AP.

Contributing: Kate Perez, Sara Chernikoff, Maya Marchel Hoff, C. A. Bridges, Savannah Kuchar, Shari Rudavsky, Michaela Ramm, Greg Hilburn, Jessie Balmert, Hope Karnopp

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: State abortion law changes, challenges since Dobbs ruling: A patchwork
Missouri Republicans continued their assault on womens access to sexual and reproductive health care during the 2024 legislative session. This practice is becoming all too disturbing. This time, on a straight party-line vote, Republicans passed House Bill 2634. The new law, signed by Gov. Mike Parson, marks the culmination of a yearslong effort to defund Planned Parenthood clinics in Missouri. Defunding is shorthand here for blocking Medicaid patients access to birth control, cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and annual exams from their trusted providers at Planned Parenthood.

This is not about abortion. Two years after the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision, Missouri has an abortion ban, and Missouri Planned Parenthood clinics do not provide abortion. Republicans chose to cut off Missouri women  and men  with low incomes from basic sexual and reproductive health care.

The Missouri Supreme Court in recent years has twice struck down Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood through the state budget, because the state constitution does not allow legislating through appropriations. So this year, Republicans put the defunding into a regular policy bill. Even though I am in the minority, as a woman and a legislator, I refuse to sit back and do nothing. During this session, I introduced House Resolution 4693, which protects pregnant women from inaccurate, predatory so-called medical advice at antiabortion centers. These facilities, also called crisis pregnancy centers, often trick pregnant women into thinking they received health care when they really received biased information as counseling. These centers are on record providing false and misleading information about sex, pregnancy, birth control and abortion. In many cases, non-medical workers even pass themselves off as medical providers, wearing white coats and medical props and machinery they are not trained or qualified to operate.

Many of these centers collect sensitive health information from patients but are not bound by state and federal medical privacy laws restricting the release of private personal data. My resolution particularly named Choose Life Marketing, a digital marketing company whose purpose is to steer pregnant women to these antiabortion centers. The Missouri Department of Social Services funnels $275,000 in taxpayer dollars to Choose Life Marketing to pressure more pregnant women to visit these non-medical operations, using geofencing  which delivers ads to peoples smartphones based on GPS information  and other technology. It even goes as far as using these methods to send targeted advertisements to people when they are near Planned Parenthood clinics. If this use of taxpayer money isnt fraudulent, it is unethical.

While H.R. 4693 did not progress during this legislative session, there is something to turn our attention to in Missouri. This November, voters in the state will have the opportunity to pass a constitutional amendment to restore their reproductive rights. More than 380,000 signatures were collected throughout Missouri to get the initiative on the ballot  more than twice the required number. I have seen firsthand, though, how Republicans try to circumvent the will of the people with legislative actions meant to suppress their voices and votes. This year, we narrowly defeated a bill that would have ended majority rule by gutting our citizen initiative petition powers  the process that empowers the people to put measures directly on the ballot. Misleadingly called initiative petition reform, this was an attempt by Republicans to strip away the last piece of democracy that is in the hands of voters.

Republicans have proven they have an agenda, and it isnt looking after the best interests of Missourians. Its about advancing special interest groups goals and climbing to higher offices. And at what cost? To them, it doesnt matter how many Missourians they hurt in the process or what rights they strip from the people.

It is imperative that voters pass the reproductive freedom amendment on the ballot this November  but thats not enough. We must continue to show up to restore and protect the right of each Missourian to control their own bodies, lives and futures.

Emily Weber represents the 24th District in the Missouri House of Representatives..
Two years ago Monday, the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade, setting off a seismic shift in the American legal and political landscape.

As the country approaches this grim anniversary, the repercussions of that decision are starkly evident. Jennifer Klein, the director of the White House Gender Policy Council, spoke to The Advocate about the ongoing fallout and the Biden administrations efforts to safeguard reproductive health care .



The impact of Dobbs has been devastating, Klein said. More than 27 million women of reproductive age in the United States now live in one of 21 states with an abortion ban in effect. Thats one in three women of reproductive age. Doctors in these states face felony charges for providing essential medical care.

Kleins comments underscore the harsh reality facing many Americans. The Dobbs decision did not merely overturn a legal precedent; it unleashed a torrent of restrictive laws that have left millions without access to safe and legal abortions. Weve seen horrifying stories of women being denied essential medical care, forced to delay treatment, and traveling hundreds of miles for services, Klein said.

Related: The Right Is Using the Anti-Abortion Supreme Court Ruling to Attack Trans Care. Will It Work?

The Biden administration has been vocal about the need to counteract these restrictions. Republican officials are fighting to enforce archaic abortion bans and continue to pass extreme measures at both state and federal levels, Klein noted. Theyve even voted against contraception and in vitro fertilization, and theyre eyeing the Comstock Act to prosecute providers of medication abortions by mail.

President Joe Biden delivers remarks DNC event protecting the right to choose Howard Theatre Washington DC

Nathan Posner/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The Comstock Act, an 1873 law originally intended to suppress the distribution of obscene literature and articles of immoral use, is now being leveraged to restrict the mailing of abortion-related materials. This assault on reproductive rights intersects with broader attacks on gender-affirming care. Klein highlighted the intertwined nature of these issues: The right to privacy, which Roe v. Wade protected, also safeguards same-sex marriage and healthcare access. The risk to these rights has surged since Roes overturning.

According to the Williams Institute at UCLAs Law School, lesbian , bisexual , and queer cisgender women and transgender people assigned female at birth face unique challenges in reproductive health care. Lesbian, bisexual, and queer cisgender women are statistically as likely to have had abortions as straight, cisgender women. They also have higher rates of unwanted pregnancies and are less likely to receive cancer screenings, such as pap smears or mammograms.

LGBTQ + organizations such as GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, COLAGE, Family Equality, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights have emphasized that the Dobbs decision directly harms LGBTQ+ families. They argue that LGBTQ+ people require abortion care for the same broad range of reasons that non-LGBTQ+ people do and, in some instances, are more likely to need such care. The National Partnership for Women & Families further highlights that bans on abortion and gender-affirming care disproportionately harm LGBTQ+ people . Those who identify as LGBTQ+ are at greater risk for unintended pregnancy, partially because they are less likely to use contraceptives. Additionally, LGBTQ+ people who have previously been pregnant are more likely to have unwanted pregnancies or pregnancies resulting from violence and, thus, are more likely to need abortion services.

Since the Dobbs decision, 14 states have enacted total abortion bans, predominantly in the South, according to the health policy research firm KFF. Another six states have implemented early gestational limits between six and 15 weeks. To access abortion services, individuals in these states often must travel out of state, incurring significant costs, or obtain medication abortion drugs via mail from states with protective laws.

While all 20 states with bans or early gestational limits allow exceptions when the pregnant persons life is at risk, six states do not include health exceptions, and ten states lack rape or incest exceptions. These restrictions often prevent physicians from practicing evidence-based medicine, as highlighted by ongoing legal challenges, including the federal lawsuit currently awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court against Idahos abortion ban under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. In Idaho, abortion is illegal unless the mothers life is imminently threatened.

prochoice abortion activists Planned Parenthood Texas signs SCOTUS building

Rena Schild/Shutterstock

As the end of the Supreme Courts session draws close, Americans are bracing for further potentially regressive rulings. The contrast between the Biden administration and Republican lawmakers is stark, Klein emphasized. While Republicans seek to strip away rights, we are fighting to protect and expand access to reproductive care.

Klein urged Americans to stay informed and proactive. Visit reproductiverights.gov to learn what is legal and available in your state. There are also non-profits that provide crucial information and support, she advised. Engage in conversations with friends and neighbors. Although opinions on abortion vary, the consensus is that individuals should have the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions.

The stakes are high for women and all Americans who value privacy and autonomy in their healthcare choices.

Multiple states, including Alabama , Arkansas , Florida , Tennessee , and Texas , have enacted laws to limit or ban gender-affirming care. These laws, many of which have been enjoined or struck down by courts, range from prohibiting healthcare providers from offering gender-affirming care to minors to restricting the availability of such care for adults. The intersectionality of these legislative efforts highlights a broader agenda to curtail the rights and healthcare access of marginalized communities.

As the country reflects on the second anniversary of the Dobbs decision, Klein said the administration will draw a stark contrast between Democrats and Republicans.

Well be talking about what were doing versus what theyre doing, lifting up the stories and experiences of patients and doctors, Klein said.
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When we first heard the news that the Supreme Court had overturned Roe v. Wade, we each had the same thought: This is going to be bad for women in Louisiana. Now, this year, weve spent the months leading up to the anniversary of this disastrous decision talking to those women in Louisianatalking to them about the impact of the loss of abortion rights on their health, their education, their careers, and their lives. In having these discussions, what stands out is not only the chaos and cruelty overturning Roe unleashed on millions of Americans, but the growing determination of people everywhere to right this wrong.

Theres a lot to love about Louisiana. Kaitlyn was born and raised in Baton Rouge, where shes now raising a family of her own. Cecile began her career as a labor organizer in New Orleans, a city that has felt like home ever since. But the vibrant culture and diverse communities the state is known for stand in stark contrast to the cruelty of far-right politicians who control the levers of power.

Stephen Maturen - Getty Images

Long before Roe was overturned, reproductive rights in Louisiana were precarious, especially for women of color. As of December 2020, Guttmacher, an organization that researches reproductive health and rights, considered Louisiana to be one of six states  very hostile  to abortion. Beyond the state laws designed to shame and scare abortion seekers and shutter clinics, people in Louisiana have known for generations that having a right on paper doesnt mean much if the closest doctor is hundreds of miles away, or you cant afford an appointment.

Ending the national right to abortion after 50 years set off a domino effect across the country, with Louisiana and more than a dozen other states passing total abortion bans. In a particularly hateful twist, Louisianas ban has no exceptions for survivors of rape and incest, and Republicans in the state legislature have blocked every effort to change this.

Over the last several months, weve listened as Louisiana doctors recounted stories of patients who were forced to undergo unnecessary cesareans or wait until they were so critically ill to receive care that they were at risk of organ failure. Earlier this year, hundreds of Louisiana doctors signed a letter imploring the state legislature not to criminalize possession of mifepristone and misoprostol, two medications used in abortion and miscarriage treatment. The bill was signed into law anyway.

Abortion bans like Louisianas are not only driving doctors out of hostile statestheyre having a chilling effect on a generation of medical providers. Weve met with medical students whose dream was to practice in Louisiana, but who cant imagine building a career in a state that prosecutes doctors for providing basic health care. I came here to learn how to be an OB-GYN, one student recounted earlier this spring. Now Im spending all this money for an education in a state where I cant get the training I need.

Some of the stories weve heard are heartbreaking and infuriating. Weve heard stories of pregnant people forced to travel thousands of miles to another state to end a pregnancy that was incompatible with life. Weve heard stories of people who were pregnant and didnt want to be, but knew leaving the state for care was too expensive, too difficult, or otherwise out of reach.

Other stories are galvanizing, like the two Baptist preachers who shared that their faith calls them to advocate for reproductive freedom or the survivor of childhood sexual assault who becomes more determined to speak out after every effort to silence her. Go ahead, come after me, she tells trolls online. Ive already survived a lot worse. Weve heard grateful odes to abortion pills by mail, practical support from abortion funds, and advocacy organizations willing to fight for women in even the toughest circumstances. Weve been energized by brainstorms with leaders on college campuses about how to spread the word about resources like Charley, a chatbot Cecile co-founded to provide confidential, trustworthy information online about abortion options in all 50 states. Weve befriended leaders like Nancy Davis, who has turned a tragic personal experience into a rallying cry that is now echoing across the country. As she told us one day over beignets and coffee: Some people find their calling, but my calling found me.

Along the way, weve heard from people who have spoken out on behalf of abortion rights about how easy it is to feel alone in a state like Louisiana. But supporters of abortion rights are not the minoritytheyre the majority. Record numbers of people across the country want abortion to be legal and oppose the overturning of Roe v. Wade. In fact, a poll conducted a year after Roe was overturned found that one in four Americans said state efforts to ban abortion had made them more supportive of abortion access.

Whats driving the increase in support? According to another recent poll, personal stories are breaking through, increasing understanding of the impact of abortion bans on peoples lives and changing minds. We hope that by lifting up the voices of people living in states with abortion bans, we can continue to build on that momentumand that as brave people share their stories, others will come forward to add their voices to the chorus.

After all, weve seen it happen. A few months after Roe was overturned, Kaitlyn had a miscarriage. Scared, in pain, and bleeding through her jeans, she was turned away from not one, but two Baton Rouge emergency rooms. Doctors explained that while a procedure or abortion pills could help, because of the states abortion ban, they couldnt treat her. She was left to manage a medical crisis on her own at home, while her husband cared for their toddler in the next room. It took weeks to pass the pregnancy.

That might have been the end of her storyexcept that, at the encouragement of her twin sister, a medical student, Kaitlyn shared her experience at a public meeting. Rosemary Westwood, a New Orleans-based reporter, was there and wrote about what happened. Soon, Kaitlyns story was national newsand her Instagram DMs were full of messages from other women across Louisiana, all variations on a theme: Youre not alone. What happened to you happened to me.

Two years since Roe was overturned, whats true in Louisiana is true across the country: Supporters of reproductive freedom are anything but defeated. Theyre passionate, committed, and growing in number every day. That sound you hear is a sleeping giant, and its beginning to roar.

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Its been two years since Roe v Wade was overturned. Heres how far weve gone back

Demonstrators gather outside the Supreme Court in June 2022 to protest the Dobbs v Jackson decision, which overturned Roe v Wade, and ended nationwide guaranteed abortion access in the US (Getty Images)

Two years ago today, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, the nearly 50-year-old case that granted the right to an abortion nationwide.

Abortion access changed overnight in some places. Several Republican-controlled states immediately enacted trigger laws, placing restrictions on abortion and limiting access.

While the average number of abortions has not changed since the courts 2022 ruling, pregnant people now face significant barriers to abortion access which can have life-altering, if not life-threatening, consequences.

Heres what weve lost in the two years since Roe v Wade was overturned.

Abortion banned or heavily restricted in 21 states

Abortion is banned outright, with few exceptions, in 14 states, all of which are Republican-controlled.

In Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, abortion is banned after six weeks. Most people dont know they are pregnant until their first missed period, meaning many dont find out until after that six-week cut-off.

Nebraska and North Carolina have a 12-week ban, while Arizona bans abortion at 15 weeks and Utah bans the procedure at 18 weeks.

Three states  Iowa, Montana and Wyoming  introduced abortion bans that have been blocked by judges as they undergo legal challenges.

Pregnant people face threats to their health under restrictive abortion bans

In states where there are little to no exceptions to abortion bans, people are being forced to continue with life-threatening pregnancies.

Breanna Cecil, 34, previously told The Independent that she was denied an abortion in Tennessee for a pregnancy that ultimately destroyed her ability to have children in the future.

The state of Tennessee took my fertility from me, Cecil told The Independent last month. [State lawmakers] took away my opportunity to have a family like my own biological family because of these horrible laws that they put in place.

Kate Cox, from Texas, grabbed national attention after she was denied an abortion despite severe medical complications.

Kate Cox, pictured, unsuccessfully sued the state of Texas to get an abortion for a pregnancy with severe complications (AP)

During her third pregnancy, Cox discovered she was carrying a child diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a life-threatening chromosomal disorder that often results in a miscarriage or stillbirth. Doctors also told her the condition could leave her infertile.

But Texas did not allow her to have an abortion 20 weeks into her pregnancy. Cox unsuccessfully sued the state and ultimately had to travel to get the procedure.

Last week, Cox appeared on CNN to announce she is pregnant again.

Its such a hard feeling because so much happiness, but also being so scared at the same time, Cox said. I live in a state where emergencies in pregnancy can happen in a moment, and if I have an emergency, my first call would be my lawyer and my second call would be my doctor. How upside down is that?

Pregnant people forced to travel hundreds of miles to access abortions

People living in more than 700 US counties must travel more than 200 miles to access their nearest abortion clinic, according to the Myers Abortion Facility Database by Middlebury College.

Residents of some southern US counties would have to travel more than 700 miles, Axios reports. In June 2021, a year before Roe v Wade was overturned, residents of just 216 counties had to travel the same distance.

Demonstrators and counter-demonstrators gather in Orlando, Florida to protest the states six-week abortion ban that went into effect on May 1, 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)

Take Florida, for example. Last month, a ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy went into effect. With neighboring states of Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina enforcing similar bans, Floridians who are past the six-week mark of pregnancy must travel for abortion access.

The nearest state with looser restrictions is North Carolina, which bans abortion after 12 weeks. If a person in Florida is more than 12 weeks pregnant and needs an abortion, their closest option is Virginia. A car ride from Miami to Richmond takes more than 13 hours.

This disparity is why many advocates were particularly concerned about FDA v Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a case before the Supreme Court earlier this year that challenged access to the abortion drug mifepristone. The medication can be delivered by mail, making it a key resource to those who face barriers to abortion access.

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled to maintain FDA approval of mifepristone earlier this year. As a result, mifepristone remains fully approved and available through telehealth prescription and mail delivery to patients.

However, the challenge is expected to appear before the nations highest court in the future, meaning there may be future threats to mifepristone access.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office has issued a mandatory evacuation for Middle Creek Canyon residents after the Oak Ridge Fire grew to 170 acres. Agencies are setting up an evacuation center at the Pueblo County Parks and Recreation Building, located at 1543 Cooper Place.

Residents on Vine Mesa, Cascade Avenue, Pine Avenue and Beulah Highlands Road have been placed on pre-evacuation notice.

The Beulah Fire Protection District and Ambulance District posted on Facebook at 3:25 p.m. on Monday that the fire grew to 170 acres. A 7:30 p.m. Monday update listed the size at 275 acres after a Colorado Multi-Mission Aircraft mapping flight.

A hotshot crew was dispatched Monday to respond to a wildfire northwest of Beulah in Pueblo County.

Map showing the location of the wildfire which started near Beulah in Pueblo County.

The Pikes Peak Hotshots and other agencies were working Monday to gain access to the fires edge. They disengaged after doing so to evaluate the best tactics to combat the fire, according to an update from the United States Forest Service.

Theyre just working on getting a fire line around it, Vidalia Vigil, public information officer for the USFS, told the Chieftain on Monday afternoon. They had ordered a Type 1 and Type 3 helicopter. Theyre working to gain access and get up there to be able to suppress the fire.

In an update early Monday afternoon, the USFS noted that the fires activity increased but that there was no threat to any structures. It reported zero containment of the fire and did not know the cause of its ignition.

Middle Creek Canyon residents were placed on pre-evacuation notice as a result of the fire activity on June 24 around 2 p.m.

In a subsequent update, the agency stated that the fire grew to 30 acres and that additional air resources had been ordered.

Smoke shows an increase in activity of the Oak Ridge Fire located three miles northwest of Beulah in Pueblo County.

The fire, which is being referred to as the Oak Ridge Fire, was first reported by the USFS Saturday morning around 9 a.m. It is located three miles northwest of Beulah and grew to 1.5 acres more than a day later.

As of 1:30 p.m. on Monday, the fire had grown to approximately 5 acres. A Type 1 helicopter was ordered to assist with the fire.

Helicopters began fighting the fire Saturday with suppressants. Both Type 1 and Type 3 helicopters were used to fight the fire on Sunday, as were air tankers, which dropped fire retardant.

Chieftain reporter Josue Perez can be reached at JHPerez@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @josuepwrites. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Hotshot crew dispatched to tackle fire near Beulah in Pueblo County
Marvin Ruckle, who has worked for two decades as a neonatal intensive care unit nurse at an Ascension hospital in Kansas, said confusing paperwork nearly led him to administer the wrong dose of a narcotic to a baby after the health system suffered a cyberattack on May 8. (Travis Heying for KFF Health News)

In the wake of a debilitating cyberattack against one of the nations largest health care systems, Marvin Ruckle, a nurse at an Ascension hospital in Wichita, Kansas, said he had a frightening experience: He nearly gave a baby the wrong dose of narcotic because of confusing paperwork.

Ruckle, who has worked in the neonatal intensive care unit at Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph for two decades, said it was hard to decipher which was the correct dose on the medication record. Hed never seen that happen, he said, when we were on the computer system before the cyberattack.

A May 8 ransomware attack against Ascension, a Catholic health system with 140 hospitals in at least 10 states, locked providers out of systems that track and coordinate nearly every aspect of patient care. They include its systems for electronic health records, some phones, and ones utilized to order certain tests, procedures and medications, the company said in a May 9 statement.

More than a dozen doctors and nurses who work for the sprawling health system told Michigan Public and KFF Health News that patient care at its hospitals across the nation was compromised in the fallout of the cyberattack over the past several weeks. Clinicians working for hospitals in three states described harrowing lapses, including delayed or lost lab results, medication errors, and an absence of routine safety checks via technology to prevent potentially fatal mistakes.

Despite a precipitous rise in cyberattacks against the health sector in recent years, a weeks-long disruption of this magnitude is beyond what most health systems are prepared for, said John Clark, an associate chief pharmacy officer at the University of Michigan health system.

I dont believe that anyone is fully prepared, he said. Most emergency management plans are designed around long-term downtimes that are into one, two, or three days.

Ascension in a public statement May 9 said its care teams were trained for these kinds of disruptions, but did not respond to questions in early June about whether it had prepared for longer periods of downtime. Ascension said June 14 it had restored access to electronic health records across its network, but that patient medical records and other information collected between May 8 and when the service was restored may be temporarily inaccessible as we work to update the portal with information collected during the system downtime.

Ruckle said he had no training for the cyberattack.

Back to Paper

Lisa Watson, an intensive care unit nurse at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis hospital in Wichita, described her own close call. She said she nearly administered the wrong medication to a critically ill patient because she couldnt scan it as she normally would. My patient probably would have passed away had I not caught it, she said.

Watson is no stranger to using paper for patients medical charts, saying she did so for probably half of my career, before electronic health records became ubiquitous in hospitals. What happened after the cyberattack was by no means the same.

When we paper-charted, we had systems in place to get those orders to other departments in a timely manner, she said, and those have all gone away.

Melissa LaRue, an ICU nurse at Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, described a close call with administering the wrong dosage of a patients blood pressure medication. Luckily, she said, it was triple-checked and remedied before that could happen. But I think the potential for harm is there when you have so much information and paperwork that you have to go through.

Clinicians say their hospitals have relied on slapdash workarounds, using handwritten notes, faxes, sticky notes, and basic computer spreadsheets  many devised on the fly by doctors and nurses  to care for patients.

More than a dozen other nurses and doctors, some of them without union protections, at Ascension hospitals in Michigan recounted situations in which they say patient care was compromised. Those clinicians spoke on the condition that they not be named for fear of retaliation by their employer.

An Ascension hospital emergency room doctor in Detroit said a man on the citys east side was given a dangerous narcotic intended for another patient because of a paperwork mix-up. As a result, the patients breathing slowed to the point that he had to be put on a ventilator. We intubated him and we sent him to the ICU because he got the wrong medication.

A nurse in a Michigan Ascension hospital ER said a woman with low blood sugar and altered mental status went into cardiac arrest and died after staff said they waited four hours for lab results they needed to determine how to treat her, but never received. If I started having crushing chest pain in the middle of work and thought I was having a big one, I would grab someone to drive me down the street to another hospital, the same ER nurse said.

Similar concerns reportedly led a travel nurse at an Ascension hospital in Indiana to quit. I just want to warn those patients that are coming to any of the Ascension facilities that there will be delays in care. There is potential for error and for harm, Justin Neisser told CBS4 in Indianapolis in May.

Several nurses and doctors at Ascension hospitals said they feared the errors theyve witnessed since the cyberattack began could threaten their professional licenses. This is how a RaDonda Vaught happens, one nurse said, referring to the Tennessee nurse who was convicted of criminally negligent homicide in 2022 for a fatal drug error.

Reporters were not able to review records to verify clinicians claims because of privacy laws surrounding patients medical information that apply to health care professionals.

Ascension declined to answer questions about claims that care has been affected by the ransomware attack. As we have made clear throughout this cyber attack which has impacted our system and our dedicated clinical providers, caring for our patients is our highest priority, Sean Fitzpatrick, Ascensions vice president of external communications, said via email on June 3. We are confident that our care providers in our hospitals and facilities continue to provide quality medical care.

The federal government requires hospitals to protect patients sensitive health data, according to cybersecurity experts. However, there are no federal requirements for hospitals to prevent or prepare for cyberattacks that could compromise their electronic systems.

Hospitals: The No.1 Target of Ransomware

Weve started to think about these as public health issues and disasters on the scale of earthquakes or hurricanes, said Jeff Tully, a co-director of the Center for Healthcare Cybersecurity at the University of California-San Diego. These types of cybersecurity incidents should be thought of as a matter of when, and not if.

Josh Corman, a cybersecurity expert and advocate, said ransom crews regard hospitals as the perfect prey: They have terrible security and theyll pay. So almost immediately, hospitals went to the No. 1 target of ransomware.

In 2023, the health sector experienced the largest share of ransomware attacks of 16 infrastructure sectors considered vital to national security or safety, according to an FBI report on internet crimes. In March, the federal Department of Health and Human Services said reported large breaches involving ransomware had jumped by 264% over the past five years.

A cyberattack this year on Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth Groups Optum division that processes billions of health care transactions every year, crippled the business of providers, pharmacies, and hospitals.

In May, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty told lawmakers the company paid a $22 million ransom as a result of the Change Healthcare attack  which occurred after hackers accessed a company portal that didnt have multifactor authentication, a basic cybersecurity tool.

The Biden administration in recent months has pushed to bolster health care cybersecurity standards, but its not clear which new measures will be required.

In January, HHS nudged companies to improve email security, add multifactor authentication, and institute cybersecurity training and testing, among other voluntary measures. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is expected to release new requirements for hospitals, but the scope and timing are unclear. The same is true of an update HHS is expected to make to patient privacy regulations.

HHS said the voluntary measures will inform the creation of new enforceable cybersecurity standards, department spokesperson Jeff Nesbit said in a statement.

The recent cyberattack at Ascension only underscores the need for everyone in the health care ecosystem to do their part to secure their systems and protect patients, Nesbit said.

Meanwhile, lobbyists for the hospital industry contend cybersecurity mandates or penalties are misplaced and would curtail hospitals resources to fend off attacks.

Hospitals and health systems are not the primary source of cyber risk exposure facing the health care sector, the American Hospital Association, the largest lobbying group for U.S. hospitals, said in an April statement prepared for U.S. House lawmakers. Most large data breaches that hit hospitals in 2023 originated with third-party business associates or other health entities, including CMS itself, the AHA statement said.

Hospitals consolidating into large multistate health systems face increased risk of data breaches and ransomware attacks, according to one study. Ascension in 2022 was the third-largest hospital chain in the U.S. by number of beds, according to the most recent data from the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

And while cybersecurity regulations can quickly become outdated, they can at least make it clear that if health systems fail to implement basic protections there should be consequences for that, Jim Bagian, a former director of the National Center for Patient Safety at the Veterans Health Administration, told Michigan Publics Stateside.

Patients can pay the price when lapses occur. Those in hospital care face a greater likelihood of death during a cyberattack, according to researchers at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.

Workers concerned about patient safety at Ascension hospitals in Michigan have called for the company to make changes.

We implore Ascension to recognize the internal problems that continue to plague its hospitals, both publicly and transparently, said Dina Carlisle, a nurse and the president of the OPEIU Local 40 union, which represents nurses at Ascension Providence Rochester. At least 125 staff members at that Ascension hospital have signed a petition asking administrators to temporarily reduce elective surgeries and nonemergency patient admissions, like under the protocols many hospitals adopted early in the covid-19 pandemic.

Watson, the Kansas ICU nurse, said in late May that nurses had urged management to bring in more nurses to help manage the workflow. Everything that we say has fallen on deaf ears, she said.

It is very hard to be a nurse at Ascension right now, Watson said in late May. It is very hard to be a patient at Ascension right now.

If youre a patient or worker at an Ascension hospital and would like to tell KFF Health News about your experiences, click here to share your story with us.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

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The post Hospitals prone to highly disruptive cyberattacks, experts warn appeared first on Washington State Standard.
A worker selects avocados at a packing plant in Uruapan, Mexico. Mexico has acknowledged that the U.S. government has suspended all imports of Mexican avocados after a U.S. plant safety inspector in Mexico received a threat. (Armando Solis / Associated Press)

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Monday criticized the U.S. government's withdrawal of inspectors from avocado packing houses, even as both sides in the dispute said that exports to the United States would resume.

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture halted inspections in the violence-plagued state of Michoacan on June 15 after two of its employees were attacked and detained, according to Ken Salazar, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico.

The move effectively blocked shipments to the United States of both avocados and mangoes from Michoacan, paralyzing a crucial industry. Mexican officials and producers put the damage at $75 million in lost exports and thousands of lost jobs.

In his regular morning news conference, the Mexican president accused Washington of setting a "bad precedent" in failing to reach out to Mexican authorities before abruptly canceling inspections.

Read more:This mega-city is running out of water. What will 22 million people do when the taps run dry?

We first ask that the government of the United States not act in a unilateral manner, Lopez Obrador told reporters. We have very good relations. We are working in a cooperative manner, and this is not the way.

Lopez Obrador, whose term ends on Oct. 1, has collaborated closely with Washington on issues including trade, immigration and crime. But the populist president has also often been a frequent critic of what he terms U.S. arrogance, especially in dealings on cross-border drug-trafficking.

There was no immediate reaction to Lopez Obradors comments from U.S. officials  even as the U.S. ambassador traveled to Morelia, the capital of Michoacan, and declared the avocado standoff settled.

At a press conference with the Michoacan governor and other officials, Salazar said that the two sides had agreed to improve cooperation and set up a very comprehensive emergency plan to avoid future inspection snafus. Mexican authorities have vowed to bolster security for U.S. inspectors if needed.

The ambassador did not specify if inspections and imports of avocados and mangoes had resumed. On Friday, Salazar said that the inspectors  tasked with certifying that fruit are free of disease and pests before being exported  would gradually be returning to fruit pack-houses.

U.S. and Mexican officials have provided conflicting accounts of the June 14 incident that led to the shutdown of inspections.

Read more:Its the first taqueria in the world to get a Michelin star. Here come the two-hour lines

While Salazar said the two inspectors were attacked and detained, Mexican authorities said the pair  both Mexican nationals employed by the embassy  were never targeted or held.

Their vehicle was one of dozens stopped in an unrelated protest about unpaid police wages in the Michoacan municipality of Paracho, according to Mexican officials. Demonstrators in Michoacan and elsewhere in Mexico routinely block roads to draw attention to their grievances.

Mexico exports more than $3.5 annually billion in avocados to the United States. Michoacan is the country's primary producer of avocados, but organized crime gangs there regularly shake down growers, field hands, truckers and others involved in the lucrative commerce for green gold, as the fruits are known.

Special correspondent Cecilia Sanchez Vidal contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber

GENEVA (Reuters) -The head of the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) on Monday called on partners to fight back against efforts by Israel to have the organisation disbanded as it provides humanitarian assistance to Gaza and across the region.

"Israel has long been critical of the agency's mandate. But it now seeks to end UNRWA's operations, dismissing the agency's status as a United Nations entity supported by an overwhelming majority of member states," UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said at a meeting of the agency's advisory commission in Geneva.

"If we do not push back, other U.N. entities and international organisations will be next, further undermining our multilateral system."

Lazzarini said the agency was being subjected to a "concerted effort" to dismantle it, including through legislative initiatives threatening to evict the agency from its compound and labelling UNRWA as a terrorist organisation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has for years called for UNRWA to be dismantled, accusing it of anti-Israeli incitement. Last month, Israel's parliament, the Knesset, passed the preliminary reading of a bill aimed at designating UNRWA as a terrorist organisation.

The Israeli diplomatic mission in Geneva dismissed Lazzarini's statement on Monday.

"Letting other U.N. entities and international organisations be used or controlled by terrorist organisations to the extent Hamas embedded itself in UNRWA will further undermine our multilateral system," it said in a statement. "This is the real threat to our ruled-based international order."

Lazzarini also said the agency, which has provided essential aid to Gazans throughout Israel's eight-month offensive, was "staggering under the weight of relentless attacks".

"In Gaza, the agency has paid a terrible price: 193 UNRWA personnel have been killed," he said.

"More than 180 installations have been damaged or destroyed, killing at least 500 people seeking United Nations protection...Our premises have been used for military purposes by Israel, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups."

Several countries halted their funding to UNRWA following accusations by Israel that some of the agency's staff were involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war. Most donors have since resumed their funding.

Lazzarini said that UNRWA still lacked the necessary resources to fulfil its mandate.

"The agency's ability to operate beyond August will depend on member states disbursing planned funds and providing new contributions to the core budget," he said.

Established in 1949 following the first Arab-Israeli war, UNRWA provides services including schooling, primary healthcare and humanitarian aid in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Friederike Heine and Sharon Singleton)
U.S. Senate Hearing Says Extremely Low Pay Is Main Reason for Teacher Shortage

This article was originally published in North Dakota Monitor.

WASHINGTON  The only reason John Arthur is able to be a public school teacher is because his wife makes much more money than he does.

Arthur  the 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year  testified on Thursday at a hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on the challenges facing public school teachers.

Arthur, who is also a member of the National Education Association and holds National Board Certification, pointed to pay as the main reason for both teachers leaving the profession and parents not wanting their children to become teachers.

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The No. 1 solution to addressing the issues we face must be increasing teachers salaries, said Arthur, who teaches at Meadowlark Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Gemayel Keyes, a teacher at Gilbert Spruance Elementary School in Philadelphia, told the committee that even as an educator, he still has an additional part-time job.

The special education teacher spent most of his career in education as a paraprofessional. At the time he moved into that role, the starting annual salary was $16,000 and the maximum was $30,000.

Its still pretty much the same, he said.

Minimum teacher salary

Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, introduced a bill in March 2023 that would set an annual base salary of $60,000 for public elementary and secondary school teachers.

We understand that the children, young people of this country, are our future and there is, in fact  nothing more important that we can do to provide a quality education to all of our young people, and yet, for decades, public school teachers have been overworked, underpaid, understaffed, and maybe most importantly, underappreciated, Sanders said in his opening remarks.

Compared to many other occupations, our public school teachers are more likely to experience high levels of anxiety, stress and burnout, which was only exacerbated by the pandemic, he said.

Sanders said 44% of public school teachers are quitting their profession within five years, citing the extremely low pay teachers receive as one of the primary reasons for a massive U.S. teacher shortage.

For the 2023-24 school year, a whopping 86% of K-12 public schools in the country documented challenges in hiring teachers, according to an October report from the National Center for Education Statistics.

Maryland sets $60,000 minimum

But a minimum annual teacher salary of $60,000 is not far off for every state.

In Maryland, the Blueprint for Marylands Future raises the starting salary for teachers to $60,000 a year by July 2026.

William E. Kirwan, vice chair of Marylands Accountability and Implementation Board, said the multi-year comprehensive plan, passed in 2021 in the Maryland General Assembly, addresses all aspects of childrens education from birth to high school completion, including most especially, the recruitment, retention and compensation of high quality teachers.

Kirwan said the Blueprints principle for teacher compensation is that, as professionals, teachers should be compensated at the same level as other professionals requiring similar levels of education, such as architects and CPAs.

An allocation issue

Sen. Bill Cassidy, ranking member of the committee, dubbed Democrats solution of creating a federal minimum salary for teachers as a laudable goal.

But he noted that the federal government dictating how states spend their money does not address the root cause of why teachers are struggling to teach in the classroom.

More mandates and funding cannot be the only answer we come up with. We must examine broken policies that got us here and find solutions to improve, the Louisiana Republican said.

Nicole Neily, president and founder of Parents Defending Education, a parents rights group, argued that schools dont have a resource issue but rather an allocation issue.

Theres a saying: Dont tell me where your priorities are, show me where you spend your money, and Ill tell you what they are. Education leaders routinely choose to spend money on programs and personnel that dont directly benefit students, said Neily.

Neily pointed to a 2021 report from the Heritage Foundation, which found that standardized test results show that achievement gaps are growing wider over time in districts with (chief diversity officers). Such staff members commonly encourage efforts at diversity, equity and inclusion in schools.

Robert Pondiscio, a senior fellow at the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute, said higher pay does not ease the burden we place on teachers or add hours to their day.

By all means, raise teacher pay, but do not assume that it will solve teacher shortages or keep good teachers in the classroom. Poor training, deteriorating classroom conditions, shoddy curriculum and spiraling demands have made an already challenging job nearly impossible to do well and sustainably, he added.

North Dakota Monitor is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. North Dakota Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Amy Dalrymple for questions: info@northdakotamonitor.com. Follow North Dakota Monitor on Facebook and X.
Tanker truck drives on U.S. 191 near Martin and Helper on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday it will consider an aspect of an appellate court decision involving the reject of a permit for the proposed 88-mile Uinta Basin Railway that would connect the basin to the national railway system. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday it will consider an aspect of an appellate court decision involving the rejection of a permit for the proposed 85-mile Uinta Basin Railway that would connect the basin to the national railway system.

While the court said it will not review all components of the District of Columbias U.S. Court of Appeals decision in August 2023, it will consider the legality of the ruling which said the Surface Transportation Board erred in failing to analyze the resulting upstream drilling impacts to the environment and downstream refining impacts on Gulf Coast communities.

Its disappointing the Supreme Court took up this case, but the appellate courts decision on this destructive project is legally sound and should ultimately stand, said Wendy Park, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. The proposal for the Uinta Basin Railway cut corners from the start but federal laws are now catching up with this climate and environmental catastrophe. That will prevent this disastrous railway from being built.

The project by the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition is seeking an alternative to trucking the regions signature waxy crude oil to market. It cannot be piped because of it viscous nature and has to remain heated to stay in liquid form. As of now, the primary way to get it to refineries is by truck  which the coalition asserts is costly, causes road damage, air pollution and inevitable crashes of tanker trucks.

Transport by railway would provide an ideal alternative and facilitate a larger market for the waxy crude, they say.

We are optimistic that the Supreme Court will recognize the importance of this project for our community and the broader state economy, said Keith Heaton, director of the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition. The railway is not just about moving goods; its about securing a prosperous, sustainable future for our communities.

Project backers say a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court could ultimately shape the destiny of large-scale infrastructure projects across the the country  not just in Utah  related to how they are evaluated and permitted.

From the start, the proposal has been met with stiff controversy and scrutiny.

As reported in The Colorado Sun, Colorados elected officials have been in an uproar given the amount of crude that would pass through their state  as much as five billion gallons a year along a route that in part traces the Colorado River corridor. Eagle County, Colorado, in fact, teamed up with environmental groups in litigation to derail the project.

Both Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, crafted amendments to federal spending bills that would bypass U.S. Supreme Court approval and instead congressionally elevate the Uinta Basin Railway project as necessary in the arena of national interest.

The Curtis amendment, HR4820, mandated the timely construction and completion of the railway by congressional ratification and approval of all 10 authorizations, permits, verifications, extensions, biological opinions, incidental take statements and any 12 other approvals or orders issued pursuant to federal law to get the railway running at full capacity. It was ruled out of order.

On Monday, Curtis reacted to the news about the Uinta Basin Railway project.

Utahns are deeply frustrated with the unnecessary barriers that energy projects face for approval. Litigious groups have weaponized NEPA to endlessly delay energy projects like oil, gas, wind, solar, nuclear, etc., Curtis said. I look forward to the Supreme Court considering the intended scope of this law, and I will continue to advocate in Congress for permitting reform to unlock our affordable, reliable, and clean resources.

Lees amendment, also citing national interest, requires that after the acts implementation, a 21-day deadline will be established requiring that all necessary permits and verifications be issued to facilitate the construction of the railway.

This critical piece of infrastructure is an important economic development project that will create jobs and provide a higher quality of life to the local communities, including the Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, the language reads.

On Monday, Lee said the case the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear  the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition vs. Eagle County  presents a rare opportunity to clarify the scope of environmental reviews.

Striking a balance between environmental protections and timely infrastructure development is essential, he said. I am hopeful the court will set a precedent that ensures reasonable environmental review, supporting both the environment and economic growth.

Environmental groups cite potential irreparable harm to wildlife, front line communities along the proposed route and the risk of oil spills in a critical water way  all at the expense of facilitating the use of fossil fuels.

The Uinta Basin Railway threatens public health, as well as treasured landscapes and waterways. A derailment would carry immeasurable harm. said Sierra Club Utah Chapter director Luis Miranda.

But project proponents are hopeful that the U.S. Supreme Court will act prudently and make what they say is the right decision.
U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Tennessees ban on care for transgender minors

Kristen Chapman moved from Tennessee to Virginia so her 15 year-old transgender daughter can continue receiving gender-affirming care. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will hear a case challenging Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care to minors. (Photo by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Kristen Chapman moved from Tennessee to Virginia so her 15 year-old transgender daughter can continue receiving gender-affirming care. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will hear a case challenging Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care to minors. (Photo by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

(This story has been updated.)

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday morning it will take up a challenge to Tennessees 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Lambda Legal asked the court to review a ruling by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the law.

Tennessees law prohibits doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care to minors that includes puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries.

Tennesseans deserve the freedom to live their lives as their authentic selves without government interference, yet every day this law remains in place, it inflicts further pain and injustice on trans youth and their families, said Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, staff attorney for the ACLU of Tennessee. The Court has the power to protect trans youths right to access the healthcare they need by striking down this discriminatory law.

Legal advocates initially sued Tennessee on behalf of Samantha and Brian Williams of Nashville and their 15-year-old transgender daughter, two other plaintiff families filing anonymously, and Memphis-based doctor Dr. Susan Lacy.

In a statement, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said, We fought hard to defend Tennessees law protecting kids from irreversible gender treatments and secured a thoughtful and well-reasoned opinion from the Sixth Circuit. I look forward to finishing the fight in the United States Supreme Court. This case will bring much-needed clarity to whether the Constitution contains special protections for gender identity.

As the Supreme Court takes up United States vs. Skrmetti et al, we trust that the Court will recognize the ways Tennessee, in banning (gender-affirming) care, has sought to undermine trust and communication (between doctor and patient), blocking access to lifesaving health services for our states gender-diverse children, said Dahron Johnson with the Tennessee Equality Project.

The Biden administration also asked the Court to review the case under federal law allowing the government to intervene in private cases alleging violations of the right to equal protection under the law.

Justices will hear United States vs. Skrmetti in the fall and a decision is expected by June or July 2025.

The post U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Tennessees ban on care for transgender minors appeared first on Tennessee Lookout.
U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to state bans on care for transgender minors

New Orleans for Transgender Day of Visibility (Greg LaRose)

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday morning it will take up a challenge to Tennessees 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Lambda Legal asked the court to review a ruling by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the law.

Tennessees law prohibits doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care to minors that includes puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries.

Tennesseans deserve the freedom to live their lives as their authentic selves without government interference, yet every day this law remains in place, it inflicts further pain and injustice on trans youth and their families, said Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, staff attorney for the ACLU of Tennessee. The Court has the power to protect trans youths right to access the healthcare they need by striking down this discriminatory law.

Legal advocates initially sued Tennessee on behalf of Samantha and Brian Williams of Nashville and their 15-year-old transgender daughter, two other plaintiff families filing anonymously, and Memphis-based doctor Dr. Susan Lacy.

The Biden administration also asked the Court to review the case under federal law allowing the government to intervene in private cases alleging violations of the right to equal protection under the law.

Justices will hear United States vs. Skrmetti in the fall and a decision is expected by June or July 2025.

Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com. Follow Tennessee Lookout on Facebook and X.

The post U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to state bans on care for transgender minors appeared first on New Jersey Monitor.
U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Tennessees ban on care for transgender minors

Kristen Chapman moved from Tennessee to Virginia so her 15-year-old transgender daughter can continue receiving gender-affirming care. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will hear a case challenging Tennessees ban on gender-affirming care to minors. (John Partipilo | Tennessee Lookout)

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday morning it will take up a challenge to Tennessees 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

The American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal asked the court to review a ruling by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the law.

Tennessees law prohibits doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care to minors that includes puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries.

Tennesseans deserve the freedom to live their lives as their authentic selves without government interference, yet every day this law remains in place, it inflicts further pain and injustice on trans youth and their families, said Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, staff attorney for the ACLU of Tennessee. The court has the power to protect trans youths right to access the health care they need by striking down this discriminatory law.

Legal advocates initially sued Tennessee on behalf of Samantha and Brian Williams of Nashville and their 15-year-old transgender daughter, two other plaintiff families filing anonymously, and Memphis-based doctor Dr. Susan Lacy.

The Biden administration also asked the court to review the case under federal law allowing the government to intervene in private cases alleging violations of the right to equal protection under the law.

Justices will hear United States vs. Skrmetti in the fall and a decision is expected by June or July 2025.

This story was originally published by Tennessee Lookout, which like the New Hampshire Bulletin is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Tennessees ban on care for transgender minors

A woman sits with her chin resting on her hands. A figure can be seen in silhouette against a screen door in the background.

Kristen Chapman moved from Tennessee to Virginia in July so her 15 year-old transgender daughter can continue receiving gender-affirming care. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

This story originally appeared on Tennessee Lookout.

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday morning it will take up a challenge to Tennessees 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Lambda Legal asked the court to review a ruling by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the law.

Tennessees law prohibits doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care to minors that includes puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries. Alabama passed a similar law in 2022.

Tennesseans deserve the freedom to live their lives as their authentic selves without government interference, yet every day this law remains in place, it inflicts further pain and injustice on trans youth and their families, said Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, staff attorney for the ACLU of Tennessee. The Court has the power to protect trans youths right to access the health care they need by striking down this discriminatory law.

Legal advocates initially sued Tennessee on behalf of Samantha and Brian Williams of Nashville and their 15-year-old transgender daughter, two other plaintiff families filing anonymously, and Memphis-based doctor Dr. Susan Lacy.

The Biden administration also asked the Court to review the case under federal law allowing the government to intervene in private cases alleging violations of the right to equal protection under the law.

Justices will hear United States vs. Skrmetti in the fall and a decision is expected by June or July 2025.

U.S. District Judge Liles C. Burke blocked Alabamas ban on hormones and puberty blockers in 2022, ruling that the law interfered with parents rights to make decisions for their children and that the state had failed to show that the medications used caused harm. A three-judge panel of the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals overruled Burke last year. The plaintiffs in the case  Alabama transgender youth and their families  want the full circuit to review the case.

Editor Brian Lyman contributed to this report.

Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com. Follow Tennessee Lookout on Facebook and X.

The post U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Tennessees ban on care for transgender minors appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Tennessees ban on care for transgender minors

Kristen Chapman is moving from Tennessee to Virginia so her 15 year-old transgender daughter can continue receiving gender-affirming care. (Photo by John Partipilo / Tennessee Lookout)

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday morning it will take up a challenge to Tennessees 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Lambda Legal asked the court to review a ruling by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the law.

Tennessees law prohibits doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care to minors that includes puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries.

Tennesseans deserve the freedom to live their lives as their authentic selves without government interference, yet every day this law remains in place, it inflicts further pain and injustice on trans youth and their families, said Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, staff attorney for the ACLU of Tennessee. The Court has the power to protect trans youths right to access the healthcare they need by striking down this discriminatory law.

Legal advocates initially sued Tennessee on behalf of Samantha and Brian Williams of Nashville and their 15-year-old transgender daughter, two other plaintiff families filing anonymously, and Memphis-based doctor Dr. Susan Lacy.

The Biden administration also asked the Court to review the case under federal law allowing the government to intervene in private cases alleging violations of the right to equal protection under the law.

Justices will hear United States vs. Skrmetti in the fall and a decision is expected by June or July 2025.

The post U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Tennessees ban on care for transgender minors appeared first on Source New Mexico.
U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Tennessees ban on care for transgender minors

Kristen Chapman moved from Tennessee to Virginia so her 15 year-old transgender daughter can continue receiving gender-affirming care. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will hear a case challenging Tennessees ban on gender-affirming care to minors. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday it will take up a challenge to Tennessees 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youths.

The American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal asked the court to review a ruling by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the law.

Tennessees law prohibits doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care to minors that includes puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries.

Tennesseans deserve the freedom to live their lives as their authentic selves without government interference, yet every day this law remains in place, it inflicts further pain and injustice on trans youth and their families, said Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, staff attorney for the ACLU of Tennessee. The Court has the power to protect trans youths right to access the healthcare they need by striking down this discriminatory law.

Legal advocates initially sued Tennessee on behalf of Samantha and Brian Williams of Nashville and their 15-year-old transgender daughter, two other plaintiff families filing anonymously, and Memphis-based doctor Dr. Susan Lacy.

The Biden administration also asked the court to review the case under federal law allowing the government to intervene in private cases, alleging violations of the right to equal protection under the law.

Justices will hear United States vs. Skrmetti in the fall and a decision is expected by June or July 2025.

This article first appeared in the Tennesee Lookout, a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network.

Nebraska gender care restrictions

Nebraska lawmakers approved the Let Them Grow Act by a 33-15 vote in May 2023. It prohibited gender-reassignment surgery for Nebraskans younger than 19 and required regulations to be drafted to regulate minors access to puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.

The state chief medical officer had to draft the regulations on the medications, which Gov. Jim Pillen approved in March. Those rules require youths to receive at least 40 hours of gender-identity-focused contact hours of therapy before the meds can be prescribed. Youths must also live primarily as their preferred gender for at least six months.

An initial assessment may be up to four consecutive hours; otherwise, no more than two hours of therapy can be completed in a single week toward the 40-hour goal. An additional hour of related therapy required at least every 90 days after treatments begin

The regulations also stipulate how medical providers are to go about acquiring informed patient consent, set a seven-day waiting period between consent and prescription and mandate that all injectable treatments be performed in a doctors office.

 By Nebraska Examiner reporter Zach Wendling

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U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Tennessees ban on care for transgender minors

Kristen Chapman moved from Tennessee to Virginia so her 15 year-old transgender daughter can continue receiving gender-affirming care. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will hear a case challenging Tennessees ban on gender-affirming care to minors. (John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday morning it will take up a challenge to Tennessees 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Lambda Legal asked the court to review a ruling by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the law.

Tennessees law prohibits doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care to minors that includes puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries.

Tennesseans deserve the freedom to live their lives as their authentic selves without government interference, yet every day this law remains in place, it inflicts further pain and injustice on trans youth and their families, said Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, staff attorney for the ACLU of Tennessee. The Court has the power to protect trans youths right to access the healthcare they need by striking down this discriminatory law.

Legal advocates initially sued Tennessee on behalf of Samantha and Brian Williams of Nashville and their 15-year-old transgender daughter, two other plaintiff families filing anonymously, and Memphis-based doctor Dr. Susan Lacy.

The Biden administration also asked the Court to review the case under federal law allowing the government to intervene in private cases alleging violations of the right to equal protection under the law.

Justices will hear United States vs. Skrmetti in the fall and a decision is expected by June or July 2025.

A similar lawsuit against Arkansas ban on care for transgender youth is pending before the 8th Circuit Court of Appeal in St. Louis. A federal judge in Little Rock struck down the law in June 2023, and the full appeals court agreed to hear Attorney General Tim Griffins appeal of the ruling in October.

Arkansas Advocate Editor Sonny Albarado contributed to this story.

Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com. Follow Tennessee Lookout on Facebook and X.
U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Tennessees ban on care for transgender minors

The U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. (Jim Small/Arizona Mirror)

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday morning it will take up a challenge to Tennessees 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Lambda Legal asked the court to review a ruling by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the law.

Tennessees law prohibits doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care to minors that includes puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries.

Tennesseans deserve the freedom to live their lives as their authentic selves without government interference, yet every day this law remains in place, it inflicts further pain and injustice on trans youth and their families, said Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, staff attorney for the ACLU of Tennessee. The Court has the power to protect trans youths right to access the healthcare they need by striking down this discriminatory law.

Legal advocates initially sued Tennessee on behalf of Samantha and Brian Williams of Nashville and their 15-year-old transgender daughter, two other plaintiff families filing anonymously, and Memphis-based doctor Dr. Susan Lacy.

As the Supreme Court takes up United States vs. Skrmetti et al, we trust that the Court will recognize the ways Tennessee, in banning (gender-affirming) care, has sought to undermine trust and communication (between doctor and patient), blocking access to lifesaving health services for our states gender-diverse children, said Dahron Johnson with the Tennessee Equality Project.

The Biden administration also asked the Court to review the case under federal law allowing the government to intervene in private cases alleging violations of the right to equal protection under the law.

Justices will hear United States vs. Skrmetti in the fall and a decision is expected by June or July 2025.

This article was first published by Tennessee Lookout, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com. Follow Tennessee Lookout on Facebook and X.

The post U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Tennessees ban on care for transgender minors appeared first on Washington State Standard.
U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Tennessees ban on care for transgender minors

Kristen Chapman moved from Tennessee to Virginia so her 15 year-old transgender daughter can continue receiving gender-affirming care. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will hear a case challenging Tennessees ban on gender-affirming care to minors. (Photo by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

The U.S. Supreme Court announced Monday morning it will take up a challenge to Tennessees 2023 ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Lambda Legal asked the court to review a ruling by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals that upheld the law.

Tennessees law prohibits doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care to minors that includes puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries.

Tennesseans deserve the freedom to live their lives as their authentic selves without government interference, yet every day this law remains in place, it inflicts further pain and injustice on trans youth and their families, said Lucas Cameron-Vaughn, staff attorney for the ACLU of Tennessee. The Court has the power to protect trans youths right to access the healthcare they need by striking down this discriminatory law.

Legal advocates initially sued Tennessee on behalf of Samantha and Brian Williams of Nashville and their 15-year-old transgender daughter, two other plaintiff families filing anonymously, and Memphis-based doctor Dr. Susan Lacy.

In a statement, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said, We fought hard to defend Tennessees law protecting kids from irreversible gender treatments and secured a thoughtful and well-reasoned opinion from the Sixth Circuit. I look forward to finishing the fight in the United States Supreme Court. This case will bring much-needed clarity to whether the Constitution contains special protections for gender identity.

As the Supreme Court takes up United States vs. Skrmetti et al, we trust that the Court will recognize the ways Tennessee, in banning (gender-affirming) care, has sought to undermine trust and communication (between doctor and patient), blocking access to lifesaving health services for our states gender-diverse children, said Dahron Johnson with the Tennessee Equality Project.

The Biden administration also asked the Court to review the case under federal law allowing the government to intervene in private cases alleging violations of the right to equal protection under the law.

Justices will hear United States vs. Skrmetti in the fall and a decision is expected by June or July 2025.

A federal court challenge to a similar North Carolina law passed in 2023 remains pending.

This report was first published by the Tennessee Lookout, which like NC Newsline, is part of the national States Newsroom network.

The post U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Tennessees ban on care for transgender minors appeared first on NC Newsline.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. Energy cooperation plays a special role in the economic partnership with Italy, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said, Trend reports.

He made the remark during the celebration of Italy's Republic Day.

"Italy takes the cake among European countries when it comes to oil and gas imports from Azerbaijan. Thus, last year more than 11 million tons of oil were exported to Italy, and gas supplies to the country amounted to 9.4 bcm," he said.

The minister also emphasized that Italy is one of the main trade partners of Azerbaijan.

"The trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $15.6 billion last year. The historical friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries have reached the highest level in all spheres.

Mutual visits play a key role in this sense, thanks to which interstate relations have reached a new stage. The relations between our countries represent not only the interests of the two countries but also the interests of a large geography. The presidency of our countries in the G7 and COP29 opens new opportunities for cooperation," Shahbazov noted.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Customer at a gun store. (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.

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 [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.

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U.S. tourist vanishes on Barcelona vacation after attending Pride festival, family says

Ryan Anthony vanished from Barcelona two weeks ago, according to a family member (Kayli Anthony Willis via Facebook)

Fears are mounting for a U.S. tourist who vanished two weeks ago while on vacation in Barcelona.

In a post on Facebook, Kayli Anthony Willis said her 31-year-old brother Ryan hasnt been heard from after attending a Pride festival in Sitges two weeks ago.

Since then, he has not contacted his family, and calls and texts sent to Ryans phone are not being delivered, according to Willis.

She added that it was not like him to go more than 24 hours without contacting her.

My brother Ryan has been missing for 2 weeks now. We have filed a report with the US embassy in Barcelona and also here in the United States, she wrote.

The last message he sent me he was in Sitges for Pride festival with some friends. It is not like him to not check in with any of his family, and all our calls and texts are not delivering.

He is about 6 foot tall and the nicest person. If anyone has come in contact recently or knows where he is, PLEASE message me or notify the US embassy.

Ryan Anthony (center) pictured on holiday in Spain (Kayli Anthony Willis via Facebook)

We would like to know hes safe and alive. Thank you.

She added that a missing persons report for her brother has been filed with local police and the Mossos dEsquadra but no leads have been generated.

Willis said she has also reached out to local bars and multiple hospitals and clinics in the area, but no records have been found on him.

It is believed that Ryan travelled to Barcelona with a group of friends before he disappeared.

Willis said she has reached out to two of his friends, but has not received a response. She added that one of the men posted on social media in the last week.

My brother has never gone more than 24 hours without a call or text and with us being in the states it is very difficult to navigate this process, she wrote.

Ryan is described as six foot tall, weighing 185lbs. He has brown hair and brown eyes, as well as a large black-and-red bird tattoo on his left arm.

Willis, who lives in Texas, according to her Facebook profile, has urged anyone with information about her brothers disappearance to come forward.

The Independent has contacted the Mossos dEsquadra for comment.
ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM)  A Syracuse man was arrested in Ithaca last week after police said he forcibly touched a person after picking them up while working as an Uber driver.

According to the Ithaca Police Department, 33-year-old Salah-Eddeen M. Mikki of Syracuse was arrested Monday, June 17, on the charge of sexual assault in the first degree, a class D felony.

Police said that on May 24, Mikki was driving an Uber-affiliated vehicle when he picked up the victim in the city. The report states that Mikki took the victim to a nearby location and parked the car.

Ithaca man arrested on drug charges after search

The report continues by saying Mikki got into the backseat of the vehicle with the victim, pinned them down, and began forcibly touching them. Police said the victim managed to escape from the vehicle and call for help.

Mikki was arrested and arraigned before an Ithaca City Court Judge and ordered to appear in court at a later date.

If anyone has more information on the incident or similar experiences, police encourage you to contact IPD or your local agency.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.
For the last month, Uber has been locking New York City drivers out of its apps during low-demand periods, and Lyft has threatened to do so, too. Bloomberg reports that the ride-hailing companies blame a New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) rule for their behavior. At least one drivers union says it may consider striking if the lockouts continue.

The mid-shift lockouts stem from a six-year-old NYC pay rule that requires ride-sharing companies to pay drivers for idle time between fares. Capping how long drivers without passengers can be paid means Uber pays less, but it also means drivers are taking home much less money for the same amount of time on the clock. And they cant predict when theyll lose access to the app.

Drivers are understandably angry. I used to work 10 hours and make $300 to $350, Nikoloz Tsulukidze, a full-time Uber driver, told Bloomberg. Now, I just worked 10 hours and barely made $170. I was so disappointed. Im paying for my gas and cannot make money.

Uber and Lyft are deploying the Look what you made me do! strategy, pointing fingers at the TLCs pay rule (and each other) while trying to turn drivers into lobbyists against the regulation. An Uber email to its drivers from last month, viewed by Bloomberg, encouraged drivers to let the TLC know the effect their rules have had on their wages.

The way the rule affects the companies differently is also a factor in their blame games. Ubers drivers have been busier this year, meaning its numbers have more weight on the citys averages, which determine the minimum-pay limits. The citys rule bizarrely holds Uber responsible for Lyfts failures, Uber spokesperson Freddi Goldstein told Bloomberg. With Lyft struggling to keep drivers busy, we dont have other options.

Meanwhile, Lyft (naturally) views the situation in reverse. Uber wants to change the rules so that Lyft is penalized, the company wrote in a June email to drivers. The current NYC pay formula is broken, Lyft spokesperson CJ Macklin told Bloomberg. It forces rideshare companies to limit when drivers can earn, and therefore how much they can earn.

A drivers union says Ubers over-hiring is the root cause of the ordeal. Bhairavi Desai, president of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, told Bloomberg that the company mismanaged hiring by allowing too many drivers to join its ranks  and the workers are now left to foot the bill. She accused Uber of gaming the system by using the TLCs rule to withhold time that should be paid under the law and making it unpaid. Desai says the union will consider striking if necessary.

Although Lyft hasnt yet begun locking out drivers, it might. A June email to the companys drivers warned that it would soon have to adopt a similar practice.

The current mess in NYC follows a long trail of ugly fights across the country between ride-sharing companies and city regulations. Uber and Lyft staged similar lockouts in 2019 in response to a flat minimum wage requirement for drivers that continued until the following spring. Earlier this year, the two companies threatened to pull out of Minneapolis after the city tried to force a driver pay raise that would push their rates up to the equivalent of minimum wage.
UK trailblazer for desegregation and one of its first Black graduates has died

Doris Y. Wilkinson, a trailblazer for racial desegregation at the University of Kentucky, has died.

Dr. Doris Wilkinson was powerful, influential and, at times, larger than life, President Eli Capilouto said in a Monday statement.

It is with deep sadness that I learn of her passing, but I am comforted in knowing that her legacy continues to run deep across the foundation of our community. Throughout her life, she faced adversity with the kind of fierce determination and unwavering grace that pushed open doors and ensured they never closed.

Wilkinson, 88, died Saturday night in Lexington.

Born in 1936 in Lexington, Wilkinson attended Dunbar High School, the high school for Black students at the time.

She was the among the first Black undergraduate students to attend and graduate from UK, earning her bachelors in sociology in 1958. She went on to become the first Black woman given a full-time faculty position at UK, and served as the director for the African American Heritage in the Department of Sociology, according to university archives.

Lynda Brown-Wright, a former UK colleague of Wilkinsons, remembered her for her involvement in the community and for working to help other Black faculty members advance their careers. Brown-Wright recalled how Wilkinson would host luncheons in the library for Black faculty members at UK, offering mentorship and support.

She was a person who didnt back down, Brown-Wright said. She was very motivated to impact change, and she saw it as a part of her duty and her responsibility to do so.

Sign for one of the entries to University of Kentucky campus is on Rose Street at Maxwell Street.

She also recalled how Wilkinson would create exhibits highlighting different parts of Black culture, taking them to universities in central Kentucky and offering her expertise.

As important as she was in the academy, she loved this community, Brown-Wright said. She always wanted to contribute knowledge and to have people involved.

Wilkinson was honored nationally for her research on race and ethnicity, organizational sociology and medical sociology, according to Herald-Leader stories. A sociologist, Wilkinsons research looked at critical race theory and the sociology of health and illness.

Her influence extends far beyond UK and the sociology community. She leaves behind a legacy of intellectual depth, unwavering determination, mentorship and a steadfast commitment to equity, Brown-Wright said.

We are grateful to be beneficiaries of her goodness and intellect, her perseverance and drive, her passion for education and devotion to progress, Capilouto said. Dr. Wilkinsons influence continues to stretch far beyond our campus and our Commonwealth, and we are proud to count her as an indelible part of the UK family.

In a 2004 Herald-Leader article, Wilkinson recalled first attending UK, saying it was the most friendly campus that one could imagine. I smiled so much my face hurt.

However, as one of only a handful of Black students on campus, there were barriers.

Wilkinson recalled how Black students were not permitted to live in dorms, and those who were Lexington natives lived at home. Black students were also not permitted to join sororities, so Wilkinson started the UKettes, which allowed a small group of Black students to hold talent and fashion shows.

In addition to her degree from UK, Wilkinson had a masters degree and doctorate from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and a masters of public health degree from Johns Hopkins University.

Wilkinson was among the first group of Black students to attend UK after Lyman T. Johnson successfully sued the university, which desegregated enrollment. Lyman was permitted to enroll as a graduate student in 1949, though he did not finish his degree at UK.

The lawsuit opened up graduate programs to Black students, and in 1954, Black students were allowed to enroll in undergraduate programs.

Wilkinson was one of about 20 students who enrolled at UK, and among the first of that group to graduate.
Ukraine aims to deploy squads of up to 20 sea drones to do the job of a warship, commander says

Without a conventional navy, Ukraine has looked to innovative ways to counter Russia's sea power.

Ukraine's sea drones will soon work as squads to mimic a warship's capabilities, a commander said.

Sea drones have taken out a chunk of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, and damaged the Kerch Bridge.

Ukraine's sea drones are being marshaled into squads that can replicate the abilities of a single warship, a Ukrainian commander said.

Brig Gen Ivan Lukashevych, the mastermind behind Ukraine's fleet of naval drones, described the move in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

He said the squads, each with about 10-20 drones, will work in concert to combine multiple separate functions.

"We do have a fleet, but it's divided into smaller elements," Lukashevych told the outlet.

Lukashevych, who was appointed to lead a special unit for Ukraine's security service, said that previously naval drones were used primarily for surveillance or logistics.

"We are doing many things that no one in the world has done" with the technology, he said.

Ukraine was left without a conventional navy in 2014, after Russia's annexation of Crimea.

The move stripped Ukraine of the bulk of its ships and any control of the port of Sevastopol, the headquarters of Russia's much-feared Black Sea Fleet.

In response, and under Lukashevych's direction, Ukraine has developed several types of naval drones.

These include the Sea Baby, credited with damaging the crucial Kerch Bridge last fall, and the Magura V5, six of which hunted down the corvette Ivanovets in February.

Ukraine has also mounted a Grad multiple-launch rocket system on the back of a home-developed Sea Baby drone to hit land targets, as the Financial Times' Christopher Miller reported in May, citing an unnamed official.

Shared by a Ukrainian intelligence official: the Security Service of Ukraines Sea Baby naval drones are now equipped with Grad MLRS and have been used in combat. On Monday, they struck Russian positions on the Kinburn Spit in occupied Mykolaiv region, the official said. pic.twitter.com/aheRPASzhy  Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) May 22, 2024

The idea of a drone squad replicating the tasks of a full warship is just the latest iteration in Ukraine's rapid development of sea drone capabilities.

Under Lukashevych's direction, Ukraine has notched up a series of successful attacks using naval drones, and along with long-range anti-ship missiles they've destroyed or damaged a large portion of Russia's Black Sea Fleet.

In February, the UK said that 25% of Russia's vessels in the Black Sea had been sunk, damaged, or destroyed. Ukraine puts that number even higher.

As a result of the regular strikes, Russia's fleet has been forced to limit operations out of Sevastopol and moved many of its warships to more distant ports, such as Novorossiysk last fall.

Novorossiysk has notably poorer facilities than Sevastapol, and though the ships are still within cruise-missile striking distance of Ukraine, the time lag allows Ukraine's air defenses crucial time to react, as the Journal reported.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukraine destroyed columns of waiting Russian troops as soon as it was allowed to strike across the border, commander says

Ukraine destroyed columns of waiting Russian soldiers with HIMARS, a Ukrainian commander said.

He said Ukraine targeted them as soon as it got permission to use allied weapons across the border.

Military experts say Ukraine's ability to use Western-supplied weapons in Russia is aiding its fightback.

Ukraine has been able to destroy columns of Russian soldiers after it got permission from its allies to use their weapons to strike military targets across the border into Russia, a Ukrainian commander has said.

The artillery commander, with the call sign Hefastus, told the Associated Press that Ukrainian HIMARS started firing in the northern Kharkiv region as soon as Ukraine got permission.

"The HIMARS were not silent for the whole day," he said, referring to the US-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.

Ukraine got permission from its allies last month to strike military targets in Russia with weapons they'd supplied, reversing a long-held restriction.

"From the first days, Ukrainian forces managed to destroy whole columns of troops along the border waiting for the order to enter Ukraine," Hefastus said, according to the AP.

He said Ukraine couldn't have achieved this without its new permissions, as regular ammunition couldn't reach that far.

Hefastus added that Ukraine was now able to destroy Russian command centers.

His claims have not been independently verified.

Even so, Ukraine appears to have used HIMARS to strike targets in Russia since the restrictions were lifted.

Russia has also been stationing troops close to the border with Ukraine, ready to be called in to fight.

Ukraine's deputy defense minister, Ivan Havryliuk, told the AP that at least 90,000 Russian troops deep in Russian territory were readying for a new assault when the restrictions were lifted.

It's not clear whether any of these were the troops said to be hit by the HIMARS attacks.

In the past, analysts described Ukraine as being forced to fight with one hand behind its back, with Russia using its own territory to resupply its forces and launch drone, missile, and aircraft attacks.

This changed in May when many of Ukraine's allies said it could now use weapons they'd supplied to go after military targets on Russian soil.

The US, which announced its policy change on May 30, didn't go as far as some but still said Ukraine could use weapons it provided to hit into regions across the border from Kharkiv.

This has allowed Ukraine to fight back more forcefully against a new Russian offensive that started in Kharkiv on May 10.

On Tuesday, Ukraine's national guard posted images of what it said were two destroyed Russian Pantsir-S air defense systems, just south of the city of Belgorod. Russian outlets also reported the attack, which was well within range of HIMARS.

While it's unclear exactly which weapons were used, Defense Express reported that the Pantsirs' locations had been compromised to OSINT researchers some six months ago, and went on to suggest the attack had been enabled by the switch in US posture.

Experts say this new reality has had a big impact in Kharkiv, particularly given the Russian border is so close to the fighting. In the past, Russia was able to resupply its forces with troops, ammunition, and equipment and Ukraine could do little to interfere.

George Barros, a Russian-military expert at the US' Institute for the Study of War, told BI that within the first days, there was a "positive difference."

"They've actually helped blunt the Russian offensive at the heart," he said, with Ukraine able to launch "small tactical counterattacks."

Two Ukrainian officials told The Washington Post that some Russian attacks had been reduced, but they added that air bases where it was launching attacks from were out of range of what the US permission allowed Ukraine to hit.

The AP reported that Ukraine's new strike abilities had "greatly slowed Russia's momentum," with local reports saying Ukrainian troops had been able to push forward and reclaim some territory  though the country's military is still under great pressure.

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EU to disburse first instalment of 2.5bn from frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine next week

Corrected: The original version of the news story stated that "next week Ukraine will receive 2.5 billion" from the proceeds of Russia's frozen assets. The headline and the first and fourth paragraphs of the news were corrected to clarify the quote from the EU foreign policy chief provided by the EU External Action Service. We apologise to our readers for this error.



Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has said that Ukraine will receive the first instalment of 2.5 billion from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets next week.

Source: Borrell before a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Borrell said that the EU should look for a way to use the frozen Russian assets, avoiding any blocking by member states.

"We have these revenues coming from the frozen assets, and we have to look for a way in order to use them, avoiding any kind of blockage. We have a process in order to make this work. The first tranche of money will come next week, in July, yes. The next will come somewhere later," Borrell said, clarifying that Ukraine will receive the first instalment of 2.5 billion next week.

Borrell said that the recent Peace Summit in Switzerland "where a diplomatic track has been opened" towards ending the war, but Putin responded by "travelling to North Korea, travelling everywhere where he can get arms."

"We have to increase our support to Ukraine," he summed up.

Background: Earlier, Borrell said that the EU had developed a legal route to bypass Hungary's veto on arms purchases for Ukraine using the proceeds of frozen Russian assets this year, which could also clear the way for the G7 to disburse US$50 billion to Kyiv.

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Ukraine to receive profits from Russia's frozen assets in 2 tranches starting next week, Borrell says

The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, announced on June 24 that Ukraine will receive the revenue payments from Russian frozen assets in two tranches starting from July.

"We have these revenues coming from the frozen assets, and we have to look for a way in order to use them, avoiding any kind of blockage," Borrell said during the press briefing in Luxembourg.

"We have a process in order to make this work quickly. The first tranche of money will come next week, in July. The second will come some months later."

EU ambassadors agreed on May 8 to use the windfall profits from the frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's reconstruction and defense needs. Kyiv is expected to receive roughly 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) every year, according to earlier discussions.

Borrell said Ukraine needs more help, particularly now.

"I hope that the ministers will support the proposal that we have tabled in order to make this support increase using the Russian revenues," he added.

Ukraine's Western partners and other allies froze around $300 billion in Russian assets at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Roughly two-thirds are held in the Belgium-based financial services company Euroclear.

While some G7 members, like the U.S., proposed seizing Russian assets outright, the EU has been more hesitant, fearing the legal and fiscal pitfalls of confiscation. Instead, Brussels seeks to use windfall profits generated by the frozen assets and funnel them to Kyiv.

Read also: Opinion: Why arguments against using Russian assets for Ukraine dont hold water

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine recorded 715 cases of Russian chemical weapons use on the battlefield in May, 271 more than in the previous month, the Ukrainian military's Support Forces said on June 24.

In a post on Facebook, the Support Forces said most cases were of CS gas, also referred to as tear gas and typically used as a crowd-control agent by law enforcement agencies around the world.

Although less lethal than other chemical weapons, it was used extensively in World War I before the 1925 Geneva Protocol prohibited the use of chemical and biological weapons in war.

The Support Forces said that, from Feb. 15, 2023 to May 24, 2024, a total of 2,698 cases had been recorded which had led to 1,385 incidents of Ukrainian soldiers needing medical attention.

Ukrainian military officials have previously accused Russia of using chloropicrin and other chemical weapons.

Chloropicrin is often used as an herbicide. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), exposure to its vapors can cause severe irritation to the skin, eyes, and, if inhaled, internal organs.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said on May 7 that accusations from both Ukraine and Russia that the other has used chemical weapons during the full-scale invasion remain "insufficiently substantiated."

"Both the Russian Federation and Ukraine have accused one another and reported allegations of use of chemical weapons to the Organization," the OPCW said in a statement.

"The information provided to the Organization so far by both sides, together with the information available to the Secretariat, is insufficiently substantiated."

The OPCW said the situation "remains volatile and extremely concerning" and reiterated that it was against international law to use "riot control agents at war on the battlefield."

The organization also noted it had not received official requests to investigate the use of chemical weapons from either Ukraine or Russia.

Read also: US says Russia used chemical weapons in Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has expressed condolences to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin over terror attacks in Dagestan, Trend reports.

"Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,

I am deeply shocked by the news of the deaths of civilians and law enforcement officers as a result of terrorist acts committed in Dagestan.

We strongly condemn these bloody crimes and support the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism.

On behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and myself, I extend my sincere condolences to you, the families, and loved ones of the victims, and wish a speedy recovery to all those injured," the letter reads.
Ukraine returned only 800 out of about 20,000 children abducted by Russia, minister says

Ukraine brought back around 800 children abducted by Russia out of the nearly 20,000, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said in an interview with Channel 24 published on June 23.

"We do not know the exact number of children who were taken away. We have managed to establish that it is about 20,000 children, of whom 800 have already been returned," Vereshchuk said.

"There are also cases when children and their guardians return (from Russia) to third countries. This is an ongoing process."

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova and Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 17, 2023, over the deportation of Ukrainian children.

Putin previously praised Lvova-Belova for her work overseeing the deportation of Ukrainian children, portraying it as a so-called "humanitarian effort" to "protect Russian citizens."

Read also: Russia abducted 46 children from foster home in then-occupied Kherson in 2022, NYT reports

Ukrainian authorities are searching for data on Ukrainian children through Europol, European, and global institutions, according to the minister. If children are abroad, outside of Russia, they are removed from the list of those who are being searched, she added.

Vereshchuk said the sanctions from the international community must be strict so that Russia realizes that punishment for its actions is real.

"If it (Russia) continues this policy, the genocide of the Ukrainian people, it must receive sanctions, real prison terms."

"Then the process of returning our children will go much faster," she said.

Some children who were abducted and deported to Russia were possibly put up for adoption on a government-linked adoption site, according to an investigation released by the Financial Times (FT) on June 12.

The FT's investigation identified four Ukrainian children aged eight to 15 on the Russian government-linked adoption website usynovite.ru. The children were reportedly abducted from Ukrainian state-care homes.

Ukrainian children who have been forcibly deported to Russia are subject to systemic re-education efforts by Russian authorities, according to a report published by the Guardian on Feb. 4.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraine's deputy prime minister, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 23, 2024. Ukraines top official for Europe, Stefanishyna, says the war-torn country is on an irreversible course of Western integration after the European Union agreed to formally start entry negotiations this week. (AP Photo/Alex Babenko)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukraines top official for Europe says the war-torn country is on an irreversible course of Western integration after the European Union agreed to formally start entry negotiations this week.

The decision to launch accession talks this week is a big day for her country, Olga Stefanishyna, the deputy prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, said.

This is the utmost will of the Ukrainian people. And this is the irreversibility. And youve seen Ukrainians stand up for their choice, Stefanishyna said, speaking in Kyiv Sunday.

It was her first interview since being appointed chief negotiator for EU accession.

EU member countries agreed Friday to start entry talks with Ukraine and Moldova  overcoming vocal opposition from Hungary which takes over the EUs rotating presidency on July 1. The process of joining varies for each country but could take years. Turkey started its accession talks almost two decades ago and is still waiting for full membership.

Stefanishyna will head the opening of the accession talks in Luxembourg Tuesday, joined by several top government officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to give a speech at the launch ceremony, but Stefanishyna did not elaborate whether he would do so in person or online.

Zelenskyy described Fridays decision as a historic step, adding in an online post: Generations of our people are realizing their European dream. Ukraine is returning to Europe.

A survey of opinion polling by the European Parliament earlier this year suggested that EU citizens broadly back Ukraines membership bid but are less supportive of fast-tracking the process.

Ukraine, Stefanishyna said, was not seeking special treatment.

Ukraine is moving fast, she said, without skipping any elements of the process (and) without asking (for) any discount.

Russia has used economic pressure and ultimately military force to try and reverse the aspirations of its former Soviet neighbor to join Western alliances it regards as hostile.

Deadly protests a decade ago to demand that the government stick to a pledge to forge closer ties with the EU put the country on a collision course with Russia.

Its a big day for everybody, said Stefanishyna, who frequently showed emotion while describing the integration process. It has been around two years since Ukraine applied for membership. The war is still raging on, but the accession is starting right now.

Stefanishyna, a 38-year-old lawyer who has worked in civil service and government positions since her early twenties, will lead Ukraines 35-member delegation for negotiations with the EU.

In 2019, Ukraine changed its constitution to include those aspirations and formally applied to join the EU on Feb. 28, 2022  five days after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Bordering EU members Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, Ukraine would overtake France to become the largest member of the bloc if it joined, shifting its center of gravity further eastward.

Together with Moldova, its in a long line with other candidates  Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey  some with membership aspirations spanning decades.

Ukraine is hoping to join by 2030.

While praised for making progress since its application, Ukraine must carry out dozens of institutional and legal reforms required for membership. The daunting list is led by steps to combat corruption, and includes broad reforms to public administration, the judiciary, and market rules.

More than 1000 people in Ukraine are already involved in the accession process which will proceed without a summer break.

The next half a year will be crucial for our key negotiators, she said, adding that Ukraine needs to come up with a clear reform roadmap.

The accession process and Ukraines membership is the top priority of our president, she said. Ukraine is a bit crazy and obsessed with the EU accession process. ___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Ukraine war latest: Russia increases use of chemical weapons on battlefield, Kyiv says

Key developments on June 24:

Ukraine reports increase in Russian chemical weapons attacks on battlefield

Zelensky dismisses Lieutenant General accused by soldiers of heavy losses

Russian saboteurs likely behind arson attack on German factory, security officials tell WSJ

EU Council announces 14th round of sanctions against Russia

At least 5 dead, 41 wounded after Russian missile attack on Pokrovsk

Ukraine recorded 715 cases of Russian chemical weapons use on the battlefield in May, 271 more than in the previous month, the Ukrainian military's Support Forces said on June 24.

In a post on Facebook, the Support Forces said most cases were of CS gas, also referred to as tear gas and typically used as a crowd-control agent by law enforcement agencies around the world.

Although less lethal than other chemical weapons, it was used extensively in World War I before the 1925 Geneva Protocol prohibited the use of chemical and biological weapons in war.

The Support Forces said that, from Feb. 15, 2023 to May 24, 2024, a total of 2,698 cases had been recorded which had led to 1,385 incidents of Ukrainian soldiers needing medical attention.

Ukrainian military officials have previously accused Russia of using chloropicrin and other chemical weapons.

Chloropicrin is often used as an herbicide. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), exposure to its vapors can cause severe irritation to the skin, eyes, and, if inhaled, internal organs.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said on May 7 that accusations from both Ukraine and Russia that the other has used chemical weapons during the full-scale invasion remain "insufficiently substantiated."

"Both the Russian Federation and Ukraine have accused one another and reported allegations of use of chemical weapons to the organization," the OPCW said in a statement.

"The information provided to the organization so far by both sides, together with the information available to the secretariat, is insufficiently substantiated."

The OPCW said the situation "remains volatile and extremely concerning" and reiterated that it was against international law to use "riot control agents at war on the battlefield."

The organization also noted it had not received official requests to investigate the use of chemical weapons from either Ukraine or Russia.

Read also: No point in peace talks, General Budanov says

Zelensky dismisses Lieutenant General accused by soldiers of heavy losses

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 24 that he had replaced the Commander of the Joint Forces, Lieutenant General Yurii Sodol, with Brigadier General Andrii Hnatov.

Lieutenant Colonel Bohdan Krotevych, one of Azov Brigade's commanders, said on June 23 that he filed an official complaint to the State Bureau of Investigation calling for an investigation of one of the generals.

"I wrote to the SBI calling for an investigation into one military general, who, in my opinion, has killed more Ukrainian soldiers than any Russian general," he wrote.

Krotevych did not specify the general's name, but according to Ukrainska Pravda's undisclosed sources, the general in question was Sodol.

Read also: Zelensky dismisses Lieutenant General accused by soldiers of heavy losses

Russian saboteurs likely behind arson attack on German factory, security officials tell WSJ

Russian saboteurs were allegedly behind an arson attack on a Berlin factory owned by German metal manufacturer Diehl, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on June 24, citing unnamed security officials.

The factory, which belongs to Diehl Metal Applications, a subsidiary of the Diehl group that manufactures IRIS-T air defense systems used by Ukraine, caught fire in May, resulting in the destruction of much of the building.

At the time, widely circulated social media posts alleged that Russian operatives had attacked a factory producing defense material, and Russian news claimed that the factory that manufactures IRIS-T systems had burned down.

The factory in question was actually separate from Diehl's defense production subsidiary, and there was no evidence that it was involved in creating military equipment.

The factory has since resumed operations.

German investigators initially said that the fire was likely accidental, and Diehl's insurers issued a report on June 21 saying that it was the result of technical problems. At the same time, a company spokesperson acknowledged that the fire may have been caused by "sabotage."

Unnamed security officials told the WSJ that details revealed in the subsequent investigation point to Russian involvement and the direct work of "experienced professionals."

Two German officials said that "electronic-communications intercepts that provided evidence of Russia's involvement werent admissible in German courts, preventing authorities from clearly attributing the attack and pursuing criminal charges."

Western intelligence officials have warned about increasing Russian sabotage operations across Europe.

Several suspects have been arrested in recent months in Germany, Austria, Estonia, and other countries for allegedly spying for Russia or other forms of collaboration with Russian intelligence.

EU Council announces 14th round of sanctions against Russia

The EU Council announced on June 24 that it had adopted the 14th round of sanctions against Russia, aimed at tackling the circumvention of existing measures and to further restrict profits from Russia's energy industry.

Despite 13 previous rounds of sanctions from the EU and additional measures from the U.S. and other allies, Russia's economy has remained unexpectedly resilient.

A survey conducted by the independent Russian polling firm the Levada Center earlier in June found that only 11% of respondents said that sanctions had personally affected them or their families.

The new package adds 116 individuals and entities to the sanctions list and adds a number of additional measures, including the prohibition of any EU facilities from being involved in the transshipment of Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) to any third-party countries.

It also forbids any new investments or provision of goods toward Russian LNG projects, such as the Arctic LNG 2 and Murmansk LNG.

The new package bans the usage of the "System for Transfer of Financial Messages" (SPFS), a tool employed by Russia's Central Bank to help counter existing sanctions.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said that the work on the 15th sanctions package will "start immediately."

Read also: EU Council announces 14th round of sanctions against Russia

At least 5 dead, 41 wounded after Russian missile attack on Pokrovsk

Russian ballistic missile attack on the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast killed five people and wounded 41 others, local authorities said on June 24.

In a post on Telegram, Governor Vadym Filashkin said Russian forces fired two Iskander missiles at the city, which is located around 25 kilometers (16 miles) from the front line, destroying a house and damaging 16 other homes.

"This is one of the largest enemy attacks on civilians in recent times," Filashkin added.

Three girls, aged 9, 11, and 13, as well as a 12-year-old boy, are among the wounded, Filashkin said.

The injured were taken to Pokrovsk Intensive Care Hospital, the governor said.

Earlier on June 24, Filashkin reported that a 63-year-old woman was killed and a 64-year-old man injured in a Russian attack on the town of Toretsk, also located in Donetsk Oblast.

Ukraine's Armed Forces last week reported an increase in Russian attacks near the town of Toretsk after a "long lull" in fighting in the area.

In his latest post, Filashkin said "not a single safe place has been left in Donetsk (Oblast)" and urged people to evacuate away from the frontlines.

Read also: At least 5 dead, 41 wounded after Russian missile attack on Pokrovsk

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces, believes that high-quality training, competent medical treatment, and technological superiority will help cut combat losses.

Source: Syrskyi on Facebook

Details: The Commander-in-Chief met with commanders responsible for training the soldiers, officials from training centres, military conscription centres, the Medical Forces command, combat medics, volunteers, and public personalities. The discussion reviewed the elements influencing the survival of Ukrainian soldiers.

Quote: "The aim is to provide high-quality soldier training. There is work to be done in this area. I am sure that military personnel's training must be constantly upgraded in order to tackle the present demands of combat.

[We] also talked about the technological aspects that influence the survival of our warriors. One of the goals is to provide the Ukrainian Defence Forces with the most advanced unmanned systems in various variations, as well as to build robotic platforms...

Another critical feature is the provision of medical care to the wounded immediately on the battlefield, as well as quick and safe evacuation, particularly using ground-based robotic systems. Of course, it is extremely important to provide each soldier with high-quality individual medical kits."

Background:

On Friday, Syrskyi visited a training centre where the mobilised are trained.

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Ukraine's Foreign Minister stresses need to accelerate military assistance at EU Council meeting

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has spoken at a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the invitation of EU top diplomat Josep Borrell.

Source: Kuleba on Twitter (X), European Pravda reports

Details: Kuleba reported that he stressed the need to accelerate the supply of military assistance to Ukraine, especially in the field of air defence, and to expand defence production.

Quote: "We can and must defeat Russian aggression on Ukrainian soil to ensure long-term peace and stability throughout Europe," Kuleba said.

The foreign minister said he thanked the 27 EU member states for approving the negotiation framework for Ukraine and Moldova.

Quote: "Our EU accession talks will kick off tomorrow," he added.

Kuleba also stressed the importance of the EU's 14th sanctions package to further strangle Russian leader Putin's war economy and welcomed the EU's recent steps to use frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine.

Background:

Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat, said that next week the EU would allocate the first part of 2.5 billion in proceeds from frozen Russian assets for military support to Ukraine.

Earlier, he said that the European Union has developed a legal workaround to bypass Hungary's veto on the purchase of weapons for Ukraine using profits obtained from frozen Russian assets this year.

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Sea Baby maritime drones of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) planted more than 15 underwater mines near the waters of the Russian-occupied Crimea, as a result of which at least four Russian ships were damaged.

Source: The Wall Street Journal (WSJ)

Details: The WSJ reads that after the initial use of maritime drones, the Russians built larger barriers at the entrance to the port of temporarily occupied Sevastopol, which almost made drone strikes impossible. So, the team of SSU officers came up with an alternative: planting sea mines. The so-called bottom mines are made of plastic and weigh about 400 pounds (180 kg), and they are hard to detect as they are submerged in the silt under shallow waters.

Over the course of a month and a half, the specialised SSU team tracked the routes of naval vessels and civilian transport before deploying a Sea Baby drone to plant two mines.

On 14 September, the Samum, a Russian guided-missile corvette, was hit by one of the mines, which blew a hole in its stern. Reports indicate that the boat is still undergoing repairs in a dry dock.

Brigadier General Ivan "Hunter" Lukashevych told journalists that over the following weeks, Sea Baby drones criss-crossed the area, covering more than 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometres) and planting approximately 15 additional mines. During one of the missions, detected by three patrol boats of the Raptor class, the drone opened fire from a grenade launcher, hitting a Russian vessel.

On 11 October 2023, the Pavel Derzhavin, a patrol vessel of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, breached its hull while entering Sevastopol Bay. It was heading to port for maintenance. Mine clearers and divers combed the area searching for mines, apparently unsuccessfully.

On 13 October, the Pavel Derzhavin was redirected to another port for repairs, but while exiting Sevastopol Bay, it hit a mine. A large tugboat sent to rescue it also hit a mine, requiring it to be towed back to port itself.

Several days later, an explosion also damaged a modern mine countermeasures ship, one of two in service in Russia.

The Wall Street Journal asserts that the remote mining carried out by the SSU's Sea Baby drones is the world's first successful example of remote mining.

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Ukrainian defenders have said that the information about the full occupation of the village of Novooleksandrivka on the Pokrovsk front is not true. The Russians are currently occupying a large part of the settlement, but not all of it.

Source: 110th Separate Mechanised Brigade named after Marko Bezruchko

Quote: "The DeepState resource published information about the alleged complete occupation of Novooleksandrivka on the Pokrovsk front by the enemy...

This information about the full occupation of Novooleksandrivka by the enemy is not true."

Details: The brigade reported that a significant part of Novooleksandrivka was occupied by the Russians, but not all of it: "The enemy does not fully control the settlement".

Heavy fighting is currently taking place on the streets of Novooleksandrivka.

The Russians, with many more troops, are furiously attempting to advance, but the soldiers of the 110th Brigade, together with neighbouring units, are making extraordinary efforts to restrain the offensive.

The part of the settlement into which the Russians broke through is under the fire control of the defenders.

All measures are being taken to drive the Russians out of there.

Fighting continues, and the situation is under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Background: Earlier, the DeepState analytical project reported that Russian troops had occupied the village of Novooleksandrivka in Donetsk Oblast, near Ocheretyne, and approached the Pokrovsk-Kostiantynivka highway.

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Start your week in North Carolina politics with our latest Under the Dome podcast, for the week of June 24, 2024. Dawn Vaughan here, your podcast host and The News & Observers Capitol bureau chief. On this episode, Im joined by my politics team colleague Kyle Ingram and N&O environment and climate change reporter Adam Wagner.

The biggest news this week is the continuation of this summers budget stalemate. In what has become tradition, there is a standoff either between the executive and legislative branches, or within the General Assembly itself. This summer, with Republicans holding supermajorities in the House and Senate, there is again another summer of disagreement between the chambers.

In 2023, for the two-year budget deal, it was over casinos. This year, to hear Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore tell it, it is about the total amount of money they want to save versus spend. We break down what the main differences are, how the process of them haggling publicly is actually more transparent, and what else is at play, including the Senates medical marijuana bill.

The Senate has debate and passage of its budget calendared for Monday night.

Wagner has taken a closer look at budget policy over several years that has changed environmental regulations, and talks about what he has seen change, as part of The N&Os Power and Secrecy series.

The ongoing investigative series is reporting on practices by General Assembly members that aid legislators and their political allies, frequently out of public view.

Headliner of the Week

After the break, we talk more about a House bill that addresses a Native American archaeological site on the coast threatened by development, and whats in the works to prevent that from happening again.

Plus, find out what you need to know about proposed constitutional amendments.

Stay tuned to the end for our picks for Headliner of the Week, which range from Judicial Standards coverage to the late, great Willie Mays, to the beach.

Listen to our latest episode below and catch up on previous episodes. You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Audible, iHeart, Pandora, Amazon Music and Stitcher.
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency was sued on Monday by dozens of Israelis who accused it of aiding and abetting the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

In a complaint filed with the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, the plaintiffs said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) spent more than a decade helping Hamas build what they called the "terror infrastructure" and personnel needed for the attack.

The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages for what they allege was UNRWA's "aiding and abetting Hamas' genocide, crimes against humanity, and torture," which they said violated international law and the federal Torture Victim Protection Act.

UNRWA declined to comment, saying it had yet to be served with the lawsuit.

The agency has said it takes accusations of staff misconduct seriously, and terminated 10 staff members accused by Israel of involvement in the attack. Two others died, it has said.

UNRWA's commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, and several current and former agency officials are also defendants.

The plaintiffs include 101 people who survived the attack or had relatives who were killed.

While many of their accusations have been made by Israel's government, the plaintiffs want UNRWA held liable for allegedly funneling more than $1 billion from a Manhattan bank account to benefit Hamas, including for weapons, explosives and ammunition.

The plaintiffs accuse UNRWA of providing "safe harbor" to Hamas in its facilities, and letting its schools use Hamas-approved textbooks to indoctrinate Palestinian children to support violence toward and hatred of Jews and Israel.

They also said the attack was "foreseeable" to the defendants, regardless of whether they knew the specifics.

"We are talking about people who have been killed, lost family members and lost homes," Avery Samet, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said in an interview. "We expect damages will be substantial."

WARNING FROM UNRWA CHIEF

The Oct. 7 attack by Hamas militants killed 1,200 people, while about 250 other people were abducted, according to Israeli tallies.

More than 37,000 Palestinians have since been killed in Israels assault on the Gaza Strip, health officials in the Hamas-ruled enclave have said.

Several countries including the United States halted funding to UNRWA after Israel alleged that staff members were involved in Hamas' attack.

In April, Norway called on international donors to resume funding UNRWA, after a UN-authorized independent review found that Israel had not provided evidence supporting its accusations that hundreds of UNRWA staff were members of terrorist groups.

On Monday, Lazzarini urged resistance to Israeli efforts to disband UNRWA.

"If we do not push back, other U.N. entities and international organizations will be next, further undermining our multilateral system," Lazzarini said at a meeting of the agency's advisory commission in Geneva.

Established in 1949 after the first Arab-Israeli war, UNRWA provides schooling, healthcare and humanitarian aid in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. It is funded almost entirely by U.N. member states.

The case is Estate of Kedem et al v United Nations Relief and Works Agency et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 24-04765.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Additional reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Geneva and Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Howard Goller)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. The administrative building of the prosecutor's office in Azerbaijan's Khankendi has been commissioned today, Trend reports.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan, Kamran Aliyev.

Along with the leadership of the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office, employees of other government and law enforcement agencies also attended the event.

First, the ceremony participants laid bouquets of flowers at the bust of the great leader Heydar Aliyev in the foyer of the administrative building, expressing deep respect and reverence for the unforgettable memory of this brilliant personality.

Opening the event with an introductory speech, Kamran Aliyev said that today the Azerbaijani people are experiencing feelings that cannot be expressed in words: boundless joy and pride from the victory.

"The constant attention and care of the national leader Heydar Aliyev, as well as the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev towards the prosecution bodies, have always been felt.

An indicator of this is the establishment of the Khankendi city prosecutor's office by the order of the head of state on May 24 of this year and the prompt resolution of issues related to the provision of buildings, equipment, communication, and transportation, as well as other material and technical supplies," emphasized the prosecutor general.

He pointed out that the commissioning of the administrative building of the city prosecutor's office coincides with a significant period  the 106th anniversary of the creation of the valiant Azerbaijani army.

Speaking about the historical merits of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev in the formation of the prosecution bodies, the prosecutor general briefed on the glorious path and current activities of the Azerbaijani prosecutor's office.

Besides, Kamran Aliyev informed about the comprehensive reforms being carried out in the prosecutor's office and the targeted measures aimed at creating a healthy working environment.

Evaluating the commissioning of the administrative building as a high appreciation of the work of the prosecution staff, the prosecutor general wished the team success, stating that they will continue to work hard for the development of the Azerbaijani state.

Getting acquainted with the conditions created in the administrative building, the participants of the event were informed that the building has a room for receiving citizens, offices for the prosecutor, assistant prosecutors, investigators, and inspectors, as well as a chancery and archive.

Information was also provided to the event participants that the building is equipped with all the necessary equipment, including a computer system, communications and engineering structures, furniture, and other inventory.

The event was concluded with a commemorative photograph.

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US assumes that Russia will help North Korea with nuclear and long-range weapons

Kurt Campbell, US Deputy Secretary of State, believes that North Korea may request from Russia the technologies for improvement of long-range missiles and nuclear weapons in exchange for the military aid it provides it with.

Source: European Pravda with reference to the statement by the US Deputy Secretary of State

Details: Campbell noted that Putins recent visit to North Korea was his first visit in over 20 years and highlighted the partnership between Moscow and Pyongyang within the context of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

"There are limits to these partnerships, but they cannot be ignored," he believes.

Campbell noted that the level of relations between Russia and North Korea had a "dramatic step-up" over the last few months, as a result of which Moscow received "an enormous amount" of North Korean artillery ammunition and long-range missiles.

"We believe that there are discussions about what North Korea gets in exchange. This could be associated with its nuclear or long-range missiles development plans," Campbell added.

At the same time, he thinks that China is "somewhat anxious" about the strengthening ties between Russia and North Korea.

"They have indicated so in some of our interactions. And we can see some tension associated with those things," Campbell concluded.

Last week, Russian leader Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un signed an agreement which obliged each side to provide urgent military aid to the other in case armed aggression is unleashed against one of them.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, stated that the agreement between Russia and North Korea demonstrated an increased alignment between authoritarian states and stressed the importance of the unity between democracies of the world.

The administration of the US President stated that the meeting between Putin and Kim Jong Un was a sign of Moscows intention to form a coalition with North Korea, Iran, Syria and, to some extent, China.

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FILE PHOTO: Haiti's capital almost completely cut off by blockades as gang violence intensifies, in Port-au-Prinxe

FILE PHOTO: Haiti's capital almost completely cut off by blockades as gang violence intensifies, in Port-au-Prinxe

(Reuters) -A Miami court on Monday sentenced Germine "Yonyon" Joly, a former leader of the notorious Haitian gang 400 Mawozo, to 35 years in prison for his role in laundering kidnapping ransoms and illegally trafficking U.S. firearms to Haiti, the Justice Department said in a statement.

Joly admitted in a plea document early this year to being part of a plot to smuggle U.S. firearms to Haiti and helping transfer funds, some of which were proceeds from ransoms obtained by kidnapping U.S. citizens.

The 400 Mawozo gang gained notoriety in April 2021 when they kidnapped five Catholic priests and two nuns, including two French citizens. Six months later, they kidnapped 17 U.S. and Canadian missionaries, including five children.

The gang's current leader, Joseph Wilson, known as Lanmo Sanjou, is on the FBI's most wanted list for his involvement in the 2021 kidnappings with a reward of up to $1 million.

U.S. prosecutors said Joly's gunrunning scheme had resulted in the purchase of at least 24 firearms, including AK-47s, AR-15s, an M4 Carbine rifle, an M1A rifle, and a military-grade .50 caliber rifle.

"The leaders of violent gangs in Haiti that terrorize Americans citizens in order to fuel their criminal activity will be met with the full force of the Justice Department," U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement, while other U.S. agencies affirmed plans to better control gunrunning.

U.N. reports have shown that most firearms seized from gangs are smuggled from the United States. Mexico and countries across the Caribbean have pushed for the U.S. to do more to stem the flow of illegal firearms to criminal groups across the region.

In Haiti, more than half a million people have become internally displaced and hundreds of thousands of have been deported back to Haiti, which is facing a humanitarian crisis due to the gangs that now control most of its capital.

The U.N. estimates that nearly 2,500 people were kidnapped in Haiti last year, up from 1,359 in 2022.

Kenya has pledged to lead an international security mission to help out-gunned police fight the gangs, but the mission - first requested in 2022 - has yet to deploy, though the U.S. government said a first contingent could land this week.

(Reporting by Sarah Morland; Editing by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez and Sandra Maler)
EL PASO, Texas (Border Report)  American troops crossed into Juarez, Mexico, on Monday morning to take part in a joint disaster response exercise with the Mexican army.

The American GIs made their way in at least three buses over the Bridge of the Americas around 10:30 a.m. and were met by a caravan of Mexican army trucks and Juarez police on motorcycles. They were escorted to the Mexican Armys 20th Motorized Cavalry Regiment headquarters in South Juarez.

Video taken by a Border Report camera crew shows military helicopters cross into Mexican airspace around 9:30 a.m. Witnesses said they included a large Chinook-type cargo helicopter and two Blackhawks.

Approximately 220 American soldiers under the command of Joint Task Force Civil Support of the U.S. Armys Northern Command based in Fort Eustis, Virginia, will be taking part in Fuerzas Amigas 2024 in Juarez over the next five days.

Border Patrol trains Juarez officers in drug-overdose response

The purpose of this exercise is to improve readiness and strengthen the two nations cooperative relationship, the Department of Defense said on one of its web pages. JTF-CS will serve as the command-and-control element, directing U.S. troops conducting natural disaster response exercises alongside Mexican military forces.

A similar exercise, Fuerzas Amigas 2022, took place in October 2022 in Reynosa, Mexico.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 526th Engineer Company, 92nd Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, from Fort Stewart, Ga., and Mexican army soldiers assigned to the 19th Motorized Cavalry Regiment decontaminate a simulated casualty after pulling them from an area with chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear contamination during exercise Fuerzas Amigas 2022 at Campo Militar Reynosa, Mexico, Oct. 19, 2022. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Michael H. Lehman)

The Mexican Ministry of Defense (SEDENA) said the June 24-28 exercises will take place at Benito Juarez Olympic Stadium, which is a few hundred yards south of the U.S. border wall.

A total of 500 soldiers from both countries will be responding to earthquake-related disasters. They include the collapse of the stadium, a chemical spill at a wastewater plant, a train derailment involving tank cars carrying hazardous materials, and the collapse of an airport terminal. The troops also will be setting up a mobile field hospital for a mass-casualty scenario, the Mexican army said in a statement.

Border Patrol training Tijuana law enforcement and firefighters

This training represents an opportunity so that both armies interact in binational-type scenarios. They will share experiences, procedures and operational tactics when it comes to assisting the civil population. This will allow us to improve our immediate response capacity, SEDENA said.

Troops from Mexicos 5th Military Region based in Coahuila and the 5th Military Region based in Jalisco will be training with the Americans in Juarez, SEDENA said.

Joint Task Force Civil Support commanding general, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Van presents a gift to Mexican army General De Brigada (Maj. Gen.) Roberto Claudio del Rosal Ibarra, the 8th Military Zone commander, during exercise Fuerzas Amigas 2022 at Campo Militar Reynosa, Mexico, Oct. 19, 2022.

The Mexican Army is committed to this exchange of experiences and knowledge that allow us to reach high standards of performance and strengthen bonds of friendship and cooperation with the Northern Command of the United States for the benefit of the people of both nations, SEDENA said.

The Mexican Army said 220 American troops would be participating.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

This is the second time in two weeks that U.S. government personnel cross into Juarez to train wit Mexican public servants. Last week, the Border Patrols BORSTAR search, trauma and rescue team was at the Juarez Police Academy to demonstrate how to administer Narcan, deal with drug overdoses and respond to armed ambushes.

In each case, the Mexican Senate approved in advance the crossing of U.S. federal or military employees on official business. They are supposed to cross the border unarmed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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US soldiers just put the Army's new Precision Strike Missile to the test against a moving sea target in the Pacific

US soldiers just put the Army's new Precision Strike Missile to the test against a moving sea target in the Pacific

The US Army tested its Precision Strike Missile against a moving sea target in the Pacific recently.

The next-generation missile will soon replace ATACMS, as well as fill other capability gaps.

This month's test is a significant step in the PrSM program's progress, the Army said.

The US Army tested its new strike missile against a moving sea target in the Pacific earlier this month.

The recent strike marked a "significant milestone" in the development of the new Precision Strike Missile, the Army said. The PrSM, a next-generation long-range precision strike weapon, will eventually replace the older MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS.

The US Army announced the exercise last Friday, saying soldiers conducted it in Palau on June 16. The exercise involved the US Army's prototype Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher and two Precision Strike Missiles, which were "able to engage a moving maritime target in conjunction with other Joint assets."

The test occurred during a sinking exercise, or SINKEX, as part of Valiant Shield 2024. The joint force sunk the decommissioned hulk of the ex-USS Cleveland, an Austin-class amphibious transport dock. The Army, however, did not specify the target in its release.

The use of the PrSM in this exercise is the first known use of the missile against a moving sea target, as well as the first employment of the Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher and the new missiles outside of the US.

The PrSM is the Army's next-generation Long Range Precision Fires weapon. Launched from M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems, it is capable of neutralizing targets at standoffs greater than 400 kilometers. The PrSM features an open-systems architecture design to accommodate future growth. US Army photo

The PrSM, developed by Lockheed Martin, has been in the works for years and is intended to provide the Army extended long-range support and deep-strike capabilities. Lockheed says the missile can be used to strike targets between roughly 40 miles away and over 300 miles away, giving it a far greater reach than the older ATACMS.

The Army has said that the new PrSMs will "significantly" extend the "range and lethality" of the US military's long-range precision munitions.

The ballistic missile is capable of performing in all weather conditions, and it is expected to replace both the unitary and cluster variants of the ATACMS. Additionally, because the PrSM is smaller, a launch pod can carry two missiles instead of one.

Future variants of the PrSM "will concentrate on increasing the range and engagement of time-sensitive, moving, hardened, and fleeting targets," according to a Pentagon test and evaluation office document on the program.

An Army Tactical Missile System during live-fire testing at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on December 14, 2021. White Sands Missile Range/John Hamilton

Previous tests of the PrSM program have been promising. Back in November 2023, the Army successfully fired a baseline variant of the missile, called Increment 1, from a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in a successful demonstration of target engagement.

Following that demonstration test, the Army received its initial delivery of the missiles in December 2023.

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Doug Bush said in a statement at the time that "the rapid development and delivery of this capability is a prime example of the Army's aggressive use of new acquisition authorities from Congress that allow us to move at much greater speed to get improved equipment to soldiers."

Then, in January 2024, the Army said it flight tested the seeker that'll allow the PrSM to strike warships and moving targets.

In an early January reflection statement outlining its 2023 accomplishments, the Army said that it "successfully" flight tested Land-Based Anti-Ship Missile (LBASM) multi-mode seeker technology that can be integrated into the PrSM." The Increment II PrSM is intended to provide anti-ship options.

Given recent events involving the Houthis and concerns about great power competition in the Indo-Pacific region, anti-ship capabilities have become especially important. China in particular has built up a variety of anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles. And the US is increasingly realized it needs to develop its own arsenal of anti-ship capabilities.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The United States, South Korea and Japan have condemned the deepening military cooperation between North Korea (DPRK) and Russia, including the continued supply of weapons from North Korea to Russia.

Source: a joint statement by three countries published on the US Department of State's website

Quote: The United States, ROK, and Japan condemn in the strongest possible terms deepening military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including continued arms transfers from the DPRK to Russia that prolong the suffering of the Ukrainian people, violate multiple United Nations Security Council Resolutions, and threaten stability in both Northeast Asia and Europe."

Details: The statement emphasised that the development of a "partnership" between North Korea and Russia, as evidenced by the signing of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the visit of Russian leader Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang on 19 June, "should be of grave concern to anyone with an interest in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, upholding the global non-proliferation regime, and supporting the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence against Russias brutal aggression".

The three countries also reaffirmed their intent to continue strengthening diplomatic and security cooperation to counter the threats posed by North Korea to regional and global security and to prevent the escalation of the situation.

"The US commitments to the defence of the ROK and Japan remain ironclad. The United States, ROK, and Japan also reaffirm that the path to dialogue remains open and urge the DPRK to cease further provocations and return to negotiations," the statement said.

Background:

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the agreement between Russia and the DPRK demonstrated the growing coherence between authoritarian states and underlined the importance of democracies speaking with one voice.

The Biden administration said that Putin's meeting with Kim Jong Un demonstrated Moscow's desire to build a coalition with North Korea, Iran, Syria and, to some extent, China.

The agreement signed by Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday obliges each side to provide immediate military assistance to the other in the event of armed aggression against one of them.

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There are laws against masking, many of which were made in response to the Ku Klux Klan, in at least 18 states and Washington DC

Wearing masks could be criminalised in certain US states in response to concerns over pro-Palestinian protesters concealing their faces.

Republican lawmakers in North Carolina are set to reinstate laws that criminalise mask wearing, while New Yorks Democratic governor said she supported an effort to ban face coverings on the subway.

Student protesters in Ohio, Texas and Florida have also been threatened with arrest for wearing masks.

Although bans would include exceptions for medical reasons, the move has caused concern among immunocompromised Americans who fear catching coronavirus.

Critics argue that even with medical exemptions, bans would mean mask wearers could be harassed by police officers and other citizens.

There are laws against masking, many of which were created in response to the Ku Klux Klan, in at least 18 states and Washington DC, according to the International Center for Not-For-Profit Law.

Some authorities vowed not to enforce the statutes amid the pandemic, while others passed legislation to create health exemptions.

Kathy Hochul, the New York governor, has discussed a mask crackdown with Eric Adams, the city's mayor - Hans Pennink/AP Photo

Earlier this month Kathy Hochul, the New York governor, said she had begun discussions with Eric Adams, the citys mayor, and state lawmakers about what a mask crackdown would look like.

It came after what Ms Hochul described as a vile and disgusting anti-Semitic incident, where a group of mask-wearing pro-Palestinian protesters told commuters: Raise your hands if youre a Zionist. This is your chance to get out.

We will not tolerate individuals using masks to evade responsibility for criminal or threatening behaviour, Ms Hochul said.

Roy Cooper, the North Carolina governor, warned against 'criminal charges for people who want to protect their health' - MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

The North Carolina House of Representatives passed an anti-masking bill earlier this month in response to the use of face coverings during the pro-Palestinian protests at the University of North Carolina.

Roy Cooper, the Democratic governor, vetoed the legislation for what he claims was a campaign finance provision tacked on to the end.

Mr Cooper said the legislation removes protections and threatens criminal charges for people who want to protect their health by wearing a mask.

The bill will now return to the state legislature which has a Republican majority and can overturn Mr Coopers veto.

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FILE PHOTO: The sun rises over the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington

By Mike Scarcella

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court gave a boost on Monday to a challenge by 21 pharmaceutical and medical equipment companies led by AstraZeneca to a lawsuit accusing them of illegally helping to fund terrorism that killed or injured hundreds of American troops and civilians in Iraq.

The justices threw out a lower court's ruling that revived a lawsuit brought by the military personnel and civilians who said they were harmed between 2005 and 2011 in the Iraq war. The justices asked the lower court to reconsider the case.

Hundreds of American service members and civilians, and their families, sued the defendant companies, part of five corporate families: AstraZeneca, Pfizer, GE Healthcare USA, Johnson & Johnson and F. Hoffmann-La Roche.

The plaintiffs accused major U.S. and European pharmaceutical and device makers of providing corrupt payments to the Hezbollah-sponsored militia group Jaysh al-Mahdi in order to obtain medical supply contracts from Iraq's health ministry. The plaintiffs alleged the militia group controlled the health ministry.

The lawsuit, brought in 2017 in federal court in Washington, seeks unspecified damages under the Anti-Terrorism Act, a federal law that lets Americans pursue claims related to "an act of international terrorism."

A federal trial judge in 2020 dismissed the lawsuit, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 2022 overturned that decision and let the case move ahead.

The companies have denied wrongdoing and said they "are not responsible in any way for the tragic events that were caused and carried out by Iraqi militia groups."

In a joint statement, the pharmaceutical and device companies on Monday said they welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling. They said the lawsuit should now be dismissed based on a Supreme Court ruling last year in a case involving the social media platform Twitter, now called X.

"The companies continue to vigorously dispute the plaintiffs' allegations in this case and are not responsible in any way for the tragic events that were caused and carried out by Iraqi militia groups," the statement added.

The companies had said in a filing to the justices that the Supreme Court ruling shielding Twitter from liability under the federal Anti-Terrorism Act should bar the claims in this case. In the Twitter case, the Supreme Court determined that aiding-and-abetting claims under the Anti-Terrorism Act require showing that a defendant "consciously and culpably" participated in a terror act to help it succeed.

The plaintiffs countered in a filing that those who sued Twitter had sought to hold that company liable for "mere inaction" - the alleged failure to exclude a terrorism group from the platform.

The pharmaceutical and device makers' "knowing bribes to terrorists were far more culpable," the plaintiffs said.

An attorney for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

(Reporting by Mike Scarcella; Editing by Will Dunham)
US Supreme Court to hear challenge to ban on transgender care for minors

By Andrew Chung

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to decide the legality of a Republican-backed ban in Tennessee on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, as the justices waded into another contentious issue implicating LGBT rights.

They took up an appeal by Democratic President Joe Biden's administration of a lower court's decision upholding Tennessee's ban on medical treatments including hormones and surgeries for minors experiencing gender dysphoria. The court will hear the case in its next term, which begins in October.

The challengers contend that banning care for transgender youth violates the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment's equal protection and due process guarantees by discriminating against these adolescents based on sex and transgender status.

Republican-led states have passed numerous similar measures in recent years targeting medications or surgical interventions for adolescents with gender dysphoria - the clinical diagnosis for significant distress that can result from an incongruence between a person's gender identity and the sex they were assigned at birth.

Lawmakers supporting the restrictions have cast doubt on the treatments, calling them experimental and potentially harmful. Medical associations, noting that gender dysphoria is associated with higher rates of suicide, have said gender-affirming care can be life-saving and that long-term studies show its effectiveness.

Several plaintiffs - including two transgender boys, a transgender girl and their parents - sued in Tennessee to defend the treatments they have said improved their happiness and wellbeing. The U.S. Justice Department intervened in the lawsuit to also challenge the law.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said the law is "protecting kids from irreversible gender treatments" and that he was looking forward to "finishing the fight in the United States Supreme Court."

The law bans healthcare workers from administering puberty blockers and hormones for purposes "inconsistent with the minor's sex," but allows treatments for congenital conditions or early puberty. Providers can be sued and face fines and professional discipline for violations.

'WREAK HAVOC'

Lawyers representing the plaintiffs said they were grateful these youths and their families will have their day in the highest U.S. court. The Supreme Court has "historically rejected efforts to uphold discriminatory laws, and without similar action here, these punitive, categorical bans on the provision of gender-affirming care will continue to wreak havoc on the lives of transgender youth and their families," said Tara Borelli of Lambda Legal, an LGBT legal group.

American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Chase Strangio said bans like the one in Tennessee represent a "dangerous and discriminatory affront to the wellbeing of transgender youth across the country" and are "the result of an openly political effort to wage war on a marginalized group and our most fundamental freedoms."

The Justice Department declined to comment on Monday.

A federal judge blocked the law in Tennessee in 2023, finding that it likely violates the 14th Amendment.

In a 2-1 decision in September 2023, the Cincinnati, Ohio-based 6th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the judge's preliminary injunction.

"Prohibiting citizens and legislatures from offering their perspectives on high-stakes medical policies, in which compassion for the child points in both directions, is not something life-tenured federal judges should do," the 6th Circuit's ruling stated.

Biden's administration urged the Supreme Court to take up the matter, saying state bans "inflict profound harms on transgender adolescents and their families by denying medical treatments that the affected adolescents, their parents and their doctors have all concluded are appropriate and necessary to treat a serious medical condition."

The Supreme Court on Monday did not act on a separate appeal of the 6th Circuit's decision also upholding a similar law in Kentucky.

The law was among numerous measures pursued by Republicans at the state level to restrict LGBT rights. Such measures also have included bans on discussion of gender identity in schools, clampdowns on drag shows and blocking transgender participation in sports.

The Supreme Court has confronted several cases in the past decade implicating LGBT rights. In 2015, it legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. In 2020, it ruled that a landmark federal law forbidding workplace discrimination protects gay and transgender employees.

But in 2018, the justices ruled in favor of a Denver-area baker who refused based on his Christian views to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. In 2023, they ruled in a case from Washington state that the constitutional right to free speech allows certain businesses to refuse to provide services for same-sex weddings.

(Reporting by Andrew Chung; Editing by Will Dunham)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. On June 23, France 2 TV channel aired a segment on the program "Christians of the East" about the destroyed religious monuments in Karabakh. As expected, the report was entirely anti-Azerbaijani. The authors of this "documentary" accused Azerbaijan of so-called "vandalism" and labeled the country as an "occupier," while referring to Azerbaijani lands as the "cradle of Armenian civilization".

Jean-Michel Brun, editor-in-chief of the Paris-based online newspaper La Gazette du Caucase, refutes these absurd claims with concrete facts in his article. He writes that it is actually the Azerbaijanis who have been victims of historical rewriting by Armenians over the last 30 years.

"It was the Armenian army that invaded the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan in 1993 and held Karabakh and the surrounding regions under occupation for nearly 30 years, despite four UN resolutions affirming that these territories belong to Azerbaijan. The legend of a thousand-year Armenian presence was created post-factum to justify the 1993 invasion and mobilize Armenians in the diaspora during the second Karabakh war. The Caucasus, a crossroads of nomadic cultures, is one of the most cosmopolitan and multicultural places in the world. In the 18th century, Armenians migrated en masse to the South Caucasus, attracted by the promises of Tsar Peter the Great, who wanted a Christian population to settle in there to balance the majority Muslim population. Great travelers like Vereshchagin and the Frenchman Alexandre Dumas also widely described this event," the article reads.

Brun also emphasizes that Azerbaijanis have never threatened or damaged the remaining Christian churches and monuments in Karabakh. "This claim is simply outrageous. No element of Armenian heritage has ever been destroyed by Azerbaijanis. On the contrary, Azerbaijan takes pride in preserving and restoring religious heritage. The Armenian church in Baku and its library have been carefully protected all these years and still are today. This is in stark contrast to the Armenian occupiers' treatment of Azerbaijani heritage, which the France 2 report fails to mention," he writes.

The author also reminded readers that in the early 20th century, over 300 mosques in Armenia were intentionally destroyed, appropriated, or repurposed. "More than 500 Azerbaijani cemeteries were also destroyed in Armenia, and the grave of the great Azerbaijani poet Ashig Alasgar was desecrated. In Karabakh, Armenian militants carried out a true raid during the 30-year occupation. Of the 67 Muslim mosques and religious sanctuaries, 64 were destroyed or significantly damaged and desecrated. Mosques in the Aghdam, Gubadli, and Zangilan regions were partially or completely demolished, while others were covered in Armenian graffiti or used as livestock facilities. Over 900 cemeteries were destroyed and desecrated in these territories".

"However, Muslim heritage was not the only target of Karabakh's Armenian separatists: churches, cemeteries, and Christian mausoleums were either turned into Armenian cult structures or vandalized and destroyed," the author notes.

In conclusion, the author again addresses French media with a question: Why is it impossible to broadcast the truth on French channels or in French newspapers today? "It's time to stop taking myths for reality. Why do Armenian versions of history appear at the top of Google searches to the detriment of Azerbaijani historians? Unfortunately, the wealthy Armenian diaspora in France, funded by billionaires, is still very influential. 'The bigger the lie, the more likely it is to be believed,' said Goebbels. Some have learned this lesson well..." writes Jean-Michel Brun.
Insights from The Associated Press, The New York Times, and Vox

The News

The US Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear the Biden administrations challenge to state laws banning gender-affirming care for children, jumping into the fraught political fight over transgender rights. Arguments will take place in the fall.

The case will be the first time the justices publicly consider the constitutionality of such restrictions, which 23 states have passed since 2021.

At the heart of this case is a Tennessee law that restricts access to puberty blockers, hormone therapy, and gender-affirming surgery for minors  treatments that the leading US medical organizations have deemed effective and safe. The law also penalizes doctors who violate the ban.

SIGNALS

Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories.

Gender-affirming care bans part of broader fight over trans rights

Sources: The Associated Press, Vox

The Tennessee law at issue here is a major part of a broader set of laws and policies that has emerged in Republican-controlled states that rein in rights of transgender people, The Associated Press reported, including barring transgender athletes in sports and bathrooms. Attacking trans rights has become a top issue in state GOP politics, where the idea that such attacks protect the children have proven salient with some voters. It could become increasingly unignorable in federal politics, too: Donald Trump said earlier this year that if reelected, he would stop all gender-affirming care for minors.

Religious right focused on transgender rights after losing marriage equality fight

Sources: The New York Times, Axios

When the Supreme Court decided the constitutional right to same-sex marriage in 2015, social conservatives needed to find another issue to galvanize their base. They landed on transgender rights, The New York Times previously reported. The anti-trans agenda caught on at a speed that stunned even veteran political leaders, but its biggest advocates say that makes sense: Its a clear response to what many on the right see as to the lefts push to impose over-liberal beliefs on children. And after the constitutional right to abortion was overturned in 2022, that freed up even more conservative funds to put toward curtailing trans rights.

Wave of bills fosters fear in US trans community

Sources: Vox, USA Today, The Courier Journal, Pew Research Center

The US has seen a wave of anti-trans legislation that began around 2016 and has only ramped up every year. That escalation has created a culture of fear in the trans community, advocates told Vox. A lot of the bills are aimed at creating not only fear in the community, but also making anti-trans sentiment part of the general conversation, one said. Some community members told USA Today they fear the rhetoric is designed to erase transgender people from public life; anti-trans bills rarely use the word transgender, which activists see as an effort to deny the existence of trans people. Some have called for left-leaning lawmakers to push back more strongly, but many Democrats have complicated views on trans issues themselves.
Protesters rallied in the Kentucky Capitol against anti-trans legislation, March 2023. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

The U.S. Supreme Courts decision to review a challenge to Tennessees ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth could have implications for a similar law in Kentucky.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Lambda Legal asked the court to review the Tennessee law after a ruling by the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. That same appellate court overturned a district judges decisions and also allowed Kentuckys law to take effect last year.

Like Kentuckys law, the Tennessee law prohibits doctors from providing gender-affirming medical care to minors that includes puberty blockers, hormones and surgeries. The Supreme Court will consider if Tennessees law violates the Equal Protection clause in the 14th Amendment.

Kentuckys Republican-controlled General Assembly easily passed its law in the 2023 legislative session, overturning a veto from Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear. In addition to the ban on gender-affirming care for minors, the law included directing local school districts to make policies keeping people from using bathrooms, locker rooms or showers that are reserved for students of a different biological sex and placing restrictions on sex education in public schools.

The Biden administration also requested the Supreme Court review the Tennessee case.

In a statement, the ACLU of Kentucky said that while the courts review does not formally include the Kentucky law, the outcome could impact Kentucky. ACLU-KY and the National Center for Lesbian Rights represent parents who are challenging Kentuckys law.

Our legal team is pleased that the Supreme Court has agreed to consider reversing the Sixth Circuits decision upholding these cruel and unconstitutional laws, said ACLU-KY Legal Director Corey Shapiro. Our clients and their doctors simply want to provide the best medical care that is necessary for these amazing youth. We remain optimistic that the Supreme Court will agree and ultimately strike down these bans.

According to SCOTUSblog, a decision could come from the Supreme Court in the summer of 2025 after arguments are heard in the fall.

The post US Supreme Court review of gender-affirming care for youth could impact Kentucky law appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
By Blake Brittain

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to decide a $43 million dispute between two real estate developers - one in Virginia and one in Georgia - over the rights to the "Dewberry" name in a case exploring when courts can award a company's profits as a remedy for trademark infringement.

The justices took up an appeal by Atlanta-based Dewberry Group of rulings by lower courts in favor of Fairfax, Virginia-based Dewberry Engineers. The court will hear the case in its next term, which begins in October.

Virginia-based U.S. District Judge Liam O'Grady ruled in favor of Dewberry Engineers in 2021 and later awarded it $43 million of Dewberry Group's profits that he decided stemmed from intentional trademark infringement. The Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2023 upheld O'Grady's decisions.

Engineering firm Dewberry Engineers began operating in the 1950s, later expanding its business to add real-estate development services in the southeastern United States. Real estate developer John Dewberry in 1989 founded Dewberry Group, which provides similar services through several affiliates.

Dewberry Engineers first sued Dewberry Group, then known as Dewberry Capital, for trademark infringement in 2006. The companies settled the case in 2007.

Dewberry Capital changed its name to Dewberry Group in 2017 and began offering services under sub-brands including Dewberry Living, Dewberry Office and Studio Dewberry. Dewberry Engineers sent cease-and-desist letters after Dewberry Group applied for federal trademarks covering the brand names.

Dewberry Engineers sued Dewberry Group again in 2020 for allegedly infringing its trademarks and breaking their settlement agreement.

Dewberry Group told the Supreme Court in February that the lower courts had wrongly held it liable for the actions of affiliates that had not been named in the case.

"Allowing plaintiffs to bulldoze corporate distinctions in this manner threatens broad, harmful consequences," Dewberry Group told the justices in a filing.

(Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham)
US to vacate first air base within weeks as it withdraws from Niger

The U.S. will have fully cleared out of one air base in Niger as it continues to move personnel and equipment from the African country ahead of a September deadline to complete its withdrawal, according to the head of U.S. Africa Command.

Niger and the U.S. announced their decision in a joint statement last month and set a deadline of Sept. 15 for the U.S. to move its forces out of the West African country. Ties between the two nations began to deteriorate last summer after a coup staged by a military junta known as the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, or CNSP.

By March, a spokesman for the council said U.S. forces would no longer operate in the country.

We are on pace and on plan, moving heavy equipment out of Air Base 101, and then we will conclude with Air Base 201, U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley told reporters in a June 24 press briefing.

Within a few weeks, well be done with 101. Ill put it that way, he added. Heavy equipment, rolling stock, is always the biggest thing that we are getting out of there.  Were right on pace if not ahead of the pace.

America has relied on Niger as a counterterrorism hub for more than a decade. Until recently, more than 1,000 U.S. personnel have operated there, with most concentrated on an air base located in the center of the country, which cost more than $100 million.

The plan for relocating equipment is not yet finalized, but Langley said he has made tours across coastal West Africa and the rest of the region to best understand what those countries need for addressing the counterterrorism fight they face.

I look at our overall strategy. Were doubling down on the strategy of going through our partners, by, with and through, on deterring threats and also crisis response. I dont measure that in the amount of equipment, relocating equipment; I measure it by capabilities, he said.

The commander stressed that these countries are not asking for U.S. troops on the ground in any scope or magnitude. They say its their fight. Theyre looking for capabilities, whether it be exquisite capabilities of intel sharing [or] being able to achieve the capability to identify indications and warnings for themselves.

Acknowledging the presence of Russian advisers and trainers in Niger at Air Base 101 where Americans are still withdrawing, Langley said: What intentions they have beyond that, I dont know. ... But right now I know that were doing a responsible and graduated withdrawal.

Russian military presence exists as far north as Libya and as far south as the Central African Republic, according to Langley. Russian activity is likely to be a topic that comes up during the African Chiefs of Defense Conference, an annual forum set to kick off for the first time on the African continent in Botswana on June 25.

The Russian military in Africa is attempting, through active disinformation campaigns, to drive a wedge between the West and its African partners, according to Langley.

Do [the Russians] really want to have helped these African countries to beat terrorism or try to build their governance into being more responsive to their public or civil society? Im not seeing that. Im seeing theyre trying to put a narrative out there that will sow a discord between our African partners and the West writ large, he added.
Using obscure procedure, Florida Republican seeks to have attorney general taken into custody

Under inherent contempt, the individual is brought before the bar of the House by the sergeant at arms, tried by the body, and can then be detained, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (at microphones in New York in May, defending former President Donald Trump during his hush-money trial) explained in her letter. File Photo by Louis Lanzano/UPI

June 24 (UPI) -- A Republican lawmaker announced Monday that she will force a vote in the next few days to direct the House sergeant-at-arms to take the attorney general into custody by using a hardly used or discussed House procedural tool.

"I will call up the vote to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in inherent contempt of Congress, and I am encouraging all my colleagues to vote for it," Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., put out on social media early Monday afternoon with a copy of a letter to her House colleagues.

The Justice Department reportedly declined to comment on the matter.

Under inherent contempt, the individual is brought before the bar of the House by the sergeant at arms, tried by the body, and can then be detained, Luna, 35, explained in the letter.

"The only option to ensure compliance with our subpoena is to use our constitutional authority of inherent contempt. In the next few days, I will call up my resolution holding Attorney General Merrick Garland in inherent contempt of Congress, and I look forward to each of you voting in favor of it," she wrote.

Rep. Matt Gaetz (L), R-Fla., speaks to Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R), R-Fla., as voting ensued in 2023 for the 15th time for House speaker at the U.S. Capitol. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI

It arrives after House Speaker Mike Johnson recently sought a court order to get the desired audiotapes wanted by House Republicans from the attorney general after the Justice Department declined to prosecute Garland.

The House -- after the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees voted in May to push the resolution -- this month voted 216-207 largely along party lines told hold Garland in contempt of Congress for his refusal to provide audio recordings of President Joe Biden's interview with special counsel Robert Hur despite a written transcript.

Attorney General Merrick Garland (C) called the contempt resolution against him a partisan weapon at the time. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

The attorney general called the resolution a "partisan weapon" at the time.

"The DOJ is NOT above the law," Luna, an ally of former President Donald Trump, said Monday.

However, the effort is unlikely to go far with Democrats and even some Republicans likely to object to Luna's plan.

Luna, first elected in 2022 to the House, first filed the inherent contempt resolution in May. But inherent contempt has not been used since 1935, and doing so would present itself with several open-ended questions and challenges in what has been called a "cumbersome, inefficient" tool.

But this is not her first time taking similar steps.

Last summer she also was in front of a GOP-lead vote to censure Rep. Adam Schiff, now the 2024 Democratic nominee for California's Senate seat, over Schiff's role in the first impeachment of then-President Donald Trump.

"The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. Our ability to legislate effectively and fulfill our constitutional duties is at stake," Luna, a House Freedom Caucus member, wrote in her letter. "We must act now to protect the integrity and independence of the legislative branch."
Utah Couple with 6 Children Found Dead by Relative in Apparent Murder-Suicide: 'Many Are Devastated'

Police believe Olin Johnson, 57, fatally shot wife Kerilyn Johnson, 52, before turning the gun on himself

Facebook Olin Johnson, Kerilyn Lowe Johnson

A Utah couple has been found dead in an apparent murder-suicide.

The pair, identified as Olin Johnson, 57, and Kerilyn Johnson, 52, were found dead in their home on June 20, police said, according to Fox 13, ABC 4 and CBS-affiliate KUTV.

NBC-affiliate KSL reports that police responded to a call from a relative who had discovered the bodies.

The American Fork Police Department say the deaths were the result of an apparent murder-suicide, though investigators are waiting for testing from the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner before making a final disposition, per ABC 4.

Police believe Olin shot Kerilyn twice before turning the gun on himself. There were no signs of a struggle at the scene.

Olin allegedly shot his wife twice and there was no signs of struggle at the scene, police said, KSL reported.

"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," police wrote in a statement obtained by ABC 4.

The American Fork Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for more information.

A GoFundMe page was created by a friend who had known the couple for over 30 years to support their six children in the aftermath of the tragedy.

"With the sudden passing of Olin and Kerilyn Lowe Johnson many are devastated and desire to show love and support to their six children as they navigate this tragedy," the description reads. "It is hoped that [the children] would not need to shoulder the financial burden of paying for funeral expenses and other unexpected costs over the coming weeks and months."

At the time of reporting, the fundraiser had raised $72,864 of its $100,000 goal.

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According to Kerilyns Facebook page, she studied at Brigham Young University, where she worked at the time of her death.

According to the page, she had been married to Olin since April 24, 1992.

A community vigil was held for the couple on Sunday, June 23, in support of their children.

"Tonight, we just want them to feel how many people love them and are rooting for their success and are grieving with them. They are not alone, an attendee told Fox 13.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



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The race for Utahs governorship is exposing strains within the GOP, as the party looks to pick its candidate for Novembers ballot.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is heading into Tuesdays primary without his partys nomination, after the state convention snubbed the popular incumbent and backed primary challenger Phil Lyman, a staunch supporter of former President Trump.

Cox, a more moderate Republican, still looks set to retake his seat in November. But the grassroots opposition points to a deepening divide between candidates tied to the establishment and voters who have embraced Trumps MAGA movement.

Theres a sentiment in Utah thats very moderate conservative, and a nice streak of libertarianism here. But I do think Trump has given rise to a different, far-right sector of the party, said Utah-based Republican strategist Mike Deaver, adding the state convention  with some 4,000 delegates  represents a far-right Republican showcase.

Are the numbers enough to change the Republican primaries here?  Well see that on Tuesday, Deaver said.

Cox, a former lieutenant governor who won the gubernatorial seat in 2020, enjoys strong approval in Utah, and recent polling suggests hes the overwhelming favorite to emerge from Tuesdays Republican primary.

But Cox angered the state GOP delegates, experts say, by opting to gather the 28,000 signatures required to secure his place on the ballot, rather than relying solely on the controversial convention process to get him there  making him eligible to compete Tuesday even without a convention win.

The incumbent has also been subject to intense criticism from the right wing of his party over his vetoes of some conservative bills and his noncommittal stance on Trump  while Lyman has said hes supported the former president unapologetically since 2016.

There were two key litmus tests among Republican Party state delegates at the convention, said Taylor Morgan, a strategist based in Salt Lake City. Did you go convention path only to try to get on the ballot? And then, are you a Donald Trump supporter, and did you vote for Trump? If the answer to that was no, then the vast majority of delegates would not even consider that candidate.

In 2016, the convention also denied the nomination to Coxs former boss, then-Gov. Gary Herbert, though Herbert went on to easily win the primary and the general.

This year, Derek Brown  a former Utah GOP chair whos now running for attorney general won just 16 percent support from the convention he once helmed, as reported by Deseret News. Brown, who is endorsed by Cox, notably gathered signatures and will appear on the primary ballot despite the delegates decision.

It tends to be a fairly anti-incumbent group  especially for candidates who take more of a center-right stance than those who take a hard-right stance, Damon Cann, head of Utah State Universitys department of political science, said of the party delegates.

They tend to be more activist, they tend to be farther to the right politically  this is a group that booed Mitt Romney famously several years ago, Cann said.

Lyman won roughly 66 percent of the convention vote back in April, while Cox brought in 35 percent, according to the Utah News Dispatch.

By contrast, a poll conducted earlier this month by HarrisX for Deseret News and the University of Utahs Hinckley Institute of Politics found a flipped result  putting Cox at 62 percent support among registered Republicans across the state, while Lyman brought in 25 percent. Another 12 percent were unsure.

The numbers show a not insignificant share of voters jumping behind Lyman, who was pardoned by Trump in 2020 after being convicted of a misdemeanor in connection with protesting in connection with protesting federal closure of Utahs Recapture Canyon to all-terrain vehicle riders. He has called the pardon one of the defining moments of my life.

But Cox  who told NewsNation earlier this year that the country is ready for something else, shrugging off both Trump and Biden  is the clear front-runner.

Deaver noted that Trump, whose presence at the top of the ticket looms large on ballots in Utah and beyond, scored a win in the states Super Tuesday presidential primary by a narrower margin than some expected. Trump won with 56 percent of the vote, while then-candidate Nikki Haley scored 43 percent.

Im not sure anyone was totally surprised that Cox lost at the state convention, but it would be really quite shocking to see a governor with [his] approval ratings and polling numbers at this point not be successful in winning the election next week, Cann said.

A Cox campaign spokesperson told The Hill that the governor is confident Utahns will side with his message of an optimistic and conservative Utah on Tuesday.

Along with Cox, Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy, who is trying for a full term in the seat she filled through special election last year, and Rep. John Curtis, the favorite for retiring Sen. Mitt Romneys open seat, also failed to win the state party nominating convention for their respective races  underscoring the disconnect between delegates and other Republican voters in the Beehive State.

Its developed into quite a pattern  where you see these insurgent candidates staging challenges from the right to fairly popular incumbents  who run and even beat these candidates at state convention, but when it comes down to the primary election, and you actually get a representative group of Utahans, then the incumbents tend to do fine, Cann said.

Utah-based Republican strategist Brian Chapman, who said he has served as a delegate to most state conventions for the last 20 years, said the party has increasingly become insular from the rest of the Republican electorate.

Theres a lot of people in the party that have decided that this is the way it goes, and if you dont agree with us, you shouldnt be a Republican, Chapman said. Were in a bad situation right now within the party, and the internal turmoil is very damaging.

In addition to ideological differences, party officials and delegates see the relatively new signature-gathering path to ballot access as a strain on the conventions political power, preferring instead to elevate convention-only candidates.

This election cycle could be very interesting, because looking ahead, I think theres a very strong possibility, if not highly likely, that every single primary election will be won by a candidate that did not receive the [partys] official nomination, predicted Morgan, who worked with the organization who helped implement Utahs signature path back in 2014.

Cox confronted the convention crowd about the criticisms earlier this spring.

Im a little worried about our caucus-convention system. There are a whole bunch of people out there who want to get rid of this. Theyre telling us that the caucus convention system has been hijacked by extremists who dont represent the real Republicans in our state. And I hope that were not giving them more ammunition today, Cox told the audience, prompting audible boos.

He pointed to his predecessor, Herbert, and other Republicans who got booed here but went on to win.

Do you remember why you booed those people? And why are we booing today? he asked the crowd, rattling off conservative wins on his record, including signing anti-abortion legislation and sending National Guard members to the U.S.-Mexico border. Maybe you just hate that I dont hate enough.

Coxs race comes as Republicans scramble to replace retiring moderate Romney, an outspoken Trump critic. The former president has backed long-shot conservative candidate Trent Staggs against the more moderate Curtis for the open Senate seat.

The Utah contests are set to be further tests of Trumps influence as he campaigns to get back into the White House. Regardless of who wins Tuesdays GOP gubernatorial primary, though, Republicans are favored to win the seat in the state thats consistently voted red in its presidential, Senate and gubernatorial races for decades. The victor will face Democrat Brian King, a state lawmaker, in the fall.

Updated at 4:01 p.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kevin Scene Lewis was busy Monday restoring the mural he created of an iconic civil rights activist, the late Georgia Congressman John Lewis.

The Warner Robins Police Department said Monday that it had arrested a suspect and added Tuesday that it was an emotionally charged and intentional act.

Police Chief Wayne Fisher said since both Lewis and the suspect were Black, the department confirmed it was not a hate crime.

The offender is a Black male, so in regards to that, we were able to identify that it was not a hate crime in that relation point to another race, Fisher said.

The suspect made a mission statement to police when he was arrested Monday as to why he defaced the mural, Fisher said. The chief could not disclose the reason as the case was under investigation.

There was a component to it that is of concern in the nature of it was focused as to why he did what he did, Fisher said at a press conference Tuesday morning. You have the undertone into what is the root cause of why theyre trying to cause an emotional reaction to disrupt relations within the community itself, or if you have another motive behind that.

The mural at 114 S. Commercial Circle in Warner Robins was defaced Friday, June 21 by a man who was seen leaving the nearby Ace Hardware. He purchased white spray paint, then within 10 minutes defaced the symbolic artwork across the street, Fisher said.

The offender... attempted to purchase the paint initially off of one debit card, and then had utilized another debit card to make that transaction, which identified the name for the investigation, Fisher said.

The man was arrested and charged Monday with second-degree criminal damage to property  a felony. He was also charged with criminal trespass entry upon land  a misdemeanor.

The police department was informed about the incident about two hours after it happened, Fisher said. He called on residents to report incidents that seem suspicious in order for police to respond quicker.

Im sure there was probably somebody that drove by the scene of him spray painting and chose not to call, Fisher said. Had a call come in earlier, we may have had this resolved a lot quicker.

A mural of civil rights icon John Lewis shown after it was defaced with spray paint Friday afternoon, and the restored version shown Monday morning.

Kevin Scene Lewis, who lives in Warner Robins, said he was saddened when he received the news of the defacement while at an art show at a Juneteenth festival in Durham, North Carolina.

I was expecting it to be a lot more but now that Im here looking at it, its not that serious, the artist and muralist said Monday. Its going to be an easy fix.

He had most of the restoration completed before noon Monday, and then worked on some finishing touches. It was fully complete later that day.

Unveiled in March 2022, the mural was commissioned by Black Voters Matter in honor of the 57th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when the then 25-year-old activist John Lewis led 600 marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, in protest of voter legislation.

Its the power of the vote, Kevin Lewis said of the murals message. Go out there and be good trouble. John Lewis was an icon and very important for that, so thats why I did it.

Kevin Scene Lewis touches up his mural of civil rights leader John Lewis on Monday, June 24, 2024, off of South Commercial Circle in Warner Robbins, Georgia. Lewis repainted parts of the mural after it was defaced on Friday.

The vacant building is expected to be torn down by the end of the year.

I know that the building is supposed to be demolished but as long as its still standing, the message of the mural needs to be out here for the people, Lewis said.

Fenika Miller, national field co-director for the Black Voters Matter Fund, commissioned Lewis to restore the mural on behalf of the national organization. Miller is a lifelong resident of Houston County.

This is the 60th Anniversary of Freedom Summer where folks did the Freedom Rides and came to the South to try to make sure that folks had voting rights and voting access and so its extremely symbolic and significant this year, Miller said.

And so yes, it was deep sadness about somebody defacing that mural, she said.

Miller noted that two nearby murals  one honoring military personnel and another that celebrates people from Warner Robins and Houston  were not defaced.

I think everyone probably remembers the image of the marchers, Congressman Lewis, who wasnt a Congress person at that time, marching over the bridge in Selma, Miller said. Folks remember the images of Freedom Riders coming to the South  And so here we are again in 2024 on the precipice of another historic election, Miller said.

I think its just always an important reminder, and its not about left or right. Its about up or down and we want folks to always remember to be reaching for the North Star of an inclusive Democracy, a Democracy that is just and using your voting power in order to make those things happen, she said.

Lewis served Georgias 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death July 17, 2020.
The Vatican appoints Pope Benedict's longtime secretary as its envoy to the Baltic states

FILE - Secretary of former Pope Benedict XVI, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, holds a mass to mark a one year anniversary of the death of Pope Benedict, in St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. Pope Francis has appointed the longtime secretary of the late Pope Benedict XVI, who was sent back to his native Germany last year after a falling-out with the current pontiff, as the Vatican's diplomatic representative to the Baltic states. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

BERLIN (AP)  Pope Francis has appointed the longtime secretary of the late Pope Benedict XVI, who was sent back to his native Germany without a new assignment last year after he fell out with the current pontiff, as the Vatican's diplomatic representative to the Baltic states.

The Vatican announced in its daily bulletin Monday that Archbishop Georg Ganswein was named as the papal nuncio to Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.

Francis removed Ganswein from his Vatican job last year and ordered him to return to his diocese of origin, Freiburg in southwestern Germany. The Freiburg archdiocese said last summer that he wouldn't be given a permanent job there, but would lead regular services at the city's cathedral and could take on individual assignments such as confirmations.

His removal from the Vatican followed a very public falling-out that culminated with Ganswein's tell-all memoir, which was highly critical of Francis.

Speculation about Gansweins future swirled following Benedicts death at the end of 2022, and deepened a week later with the publication of the archbishops memoir, Nothing But the Truth: My Life Beside Pope Benedict XVI.

In the book, Ganswein recounted his life serving Benedict but also acting as prefect of the papal household under Francis. He revealed palace intrigues, settled old scores and cast Francis in a deeply unfavorable light, puncturing the carefully curated notion that the cohabitation of two popes, one active and one retired, had been a happy one.

Ganswein stopped actively working as prefect of the papal household in 2020 following the publication of a previous book that got him in trouble with Francis, though he officially remained in the job until last year.

Ganswein, 67, now becomes the Vatican's envoy to three countries that Francis visited in 2018.
VDOT: Portion of 646 to close in IOW during repairs

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, Va. (WAVY)  Beginning as early as Tuesday, June 25 the Virginia Department of Transportation, or VDOT, plan to close a portion of Route 646, or Garrison Drive, to replace the bridge over Burnt Mills Swamp, near Windsor in Isle of Wight County.

As a result, Garrison Drive will be closed between Tar Road and Cut Thru Road with signed detours in place.

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.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on awarding civil servants, Trend reports.

According to the decree, a group of civil servants was awarded for effective activity in public service.

The full text of the decree can be found at the link.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Weve always existed: Celebrate Pride by looking back on Kentuckys LGBTQ+ history

In our Uniquely Kentucky stories, Herald-Leader journalists bring you the quirky and cool, historic and infamous, beloved and unforgettable, and everything-in-between stories of what makes our commonwealth remarkable. Read more. Story idea? hlcityregion@herald-leader.com.

Kentucky is rich in LGBTQ+ history, but its not always easy to find.

Jon Coleman, the executive director of the Faulkner-Morgan Archive, an organization dedicated to preserving Kentuckys gay history, has spent the past decade saving stories from Kentuckys LGBTQ+ community.

We are a bright thread in the rich tapestry of the history of the commonwealth, he said.

Historian Jonathan Coleman displays a photograph of James Herndon, better known as the Lexington crossdresser Sweet Evening Breeze, an important figure in Colemans upcoming book, Anywhere Together: A Queer History of Kentucky.

There is a queer history of Kentucky. Its a history that we can know; its a history that we can learn more about. Its a history that deserves to be integrated and celebrated just like any other community in Kentucky.

This year marks the 25th anniversary since Louisville passed the first Fairness Ordinance in Kentucky, making discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation illegal.

Jeffery Jones, who wrote the first anthology of gay Kentucky back in 2001, said its nearly impossible to write a linear narrative of LGBTQ+ Kentucky history. Still, he said, the stories we have are worth being told.

Kentuckys LGBTQ+ history is sprawling and deserves to be heard, he said.

If you contribute to history, but no one remembers who you are, did you really contribute? Jones said.

For every well known moment in Kentuckys LGBTQ+ history, there is a story lurking in the shadows. As Jones put it, queer people see through the mist, but straight Kentuckians likely dont know the real LGBTQ+ history of the commonwealth.

Thousands of attendees pass by pride balloons during Lexington Pride Festival 2018 Saturday at courthouse plaza in Lexington.

Here are some of Kentuckys documented queer moments.

Kentuckys first LGBTQ+ love story

The first documented gay love in Kentucky dates back to the Revolutionary War.

Soldiers Robert Craddock and Peter Tardiveau met during the war and became inseparable.

After fighting for independence, the pair spent the rest of their days living together on a farm near Bowling Green. Neither man ever married, and they were buried next to each other.

Craddock and Tardiveau are described in an article by Western Kentucky University founder T.C. Cherry as having a relationship that persist from the day of meeting till the day of death.

He calls them queer, Coleman said. He very much romanticizes their relationship in many odd ways. Theyre still buried together in Bowling Green Cemetery.

The two soldiers story is the oldest documented example of LGBTQ+ love in Kentucky, but it is just the first of many.

One of the most prominent LGBTQ+ figures in Kentucky is Sweet Evening Breeze, or Sweets, a Black woman born in the late 1800s. There is still debate among historians about if Sweets would have called herself transgender or a drag queen.

Sweets was known to host womanless weddings, which were advertised in the local newspapers in the 1930s. A safe haven for cross dressing men, womanless weddings or rainbow weddings were theatrical wedding acts performed by all-male casts often used to raise money for local churches.

Fast forward a few decades to the 1970s, and the Lexington police were raiding gay bars, arresting cross dressers and entrapping people in well-known gay spaces.

You see this pendulum swinging back and forth, Coleman said. Theres notoriously this crackdown on queer expression. Things that had been tolerated in the past are longer being accepted.

Notable court battles

Two men in Caldwell County, C. H. Poindexter and Frank Moore, were charged with sodomy in 1909. They pleaded guilty and were sentenced to two years in prison, but their attorney fought back.

Their lawyer makes the argument that they were not actually in fact committing sodomy  the assumption being that theyre having oral sex, Coleman said.

They appealed the charges, and the defense held. Both men were acquitted on the charges. Coleman said there are few cases so early in Kentuckys history that so clearly have a homosexual bend to them.

In 1962, the Kentucky law was updated to include oral sex in the definition of sodomy.

That same year, Illinois became the first state to decriminalize homosexuality. Other states followed, and gay liberation seemed to be on the come up.

We were marching in the streets against the Vietnam war. We were smoking marijuana and listening to rock and roll music. We wanted to change the whole world, not just the gay world, LGBTQ+ activist Bob Morgan said.

Then AIDS hit.

As the community endured heartbreaking losses, hate poured in and many families were torn apart, but LGBTQ+ advocates were determined to live their lives out loud.

It reinvigorated the political scene of gay culture. People were determined to fight for gay rights, fight for gay marriage, without any reservation, Morgan said. It brought together all the initials  LGBTQ. Before that, the gay movement was horribly fragmented.

In 1992, Kentucky became the first state to decriminalize homosexuality after the AIDS crisis.

With the decision in commonwealth v. Wasson, Kentucky declared its consensual sodomy laws unconstitutional.

Defense lawyers argued that states sodomy laws violated peoples right to privacy and infringed on equal protection guarantees. Eleven years later, the U.S. Supreme Court followed in suit.

Using the very same two-pronged argument thats used in the Wasson case, developed by Kentucky lawyers Kentucky queer activists, the U.S. Supreme Court will find consensual sodomy laws to be unconstitutional across the nation, Coleman said.

The Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage across the country, on June 26, 2015, with the decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. In that case, same-sex couples from Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee sued their relative state agencies to challenge same sex marriage bans.

Kentucky made national headlines after that decision when Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples because of her religious beliefs.

Though homosexuality is no longer illegal and gay marriage is recognized in all 50 states, there is still no statewide law protecting Kentuckys LGBTQ+ community from discrimination.

Louisville passes KYs first Fairness Ordinance

It took eight years of grassroots organizing to pass the first local ordinance protecting the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination in Kentucky in 1999. Twenty-five years later, 24 cities in the commonwealth have comprehensive protections for the LGBTQ+ community.

Discrimination was happening to people and there was no legal recourse, Jones said. It was basically to say, as a city we will treat you equally and everyone is welcome here.

Comprehensive ordinances protect from discrimination in all three areas of civil rights law - housing, employment and public accommodations.

Louisville passed a partial fairness ordinance in January 1999 protecting against housing discrimination. Lexington followed shortly after, passing the states first comprehensive fairness ordinance in July of that year.

Louisville later expanded protections and is now considered to have a comprehensive ordinance. In fact, Louisville passed legal protections for trans people three years before New York City.

Along with the 24 comprehensive ordinances, there are two partial ordinances in Kentucky, hailing protections in one or two of the civil rights areas.

Chris Hartman, director of the Louisville Fairness Campaign, spoke during a rally June 26 in Louisville in support of the U.S. Supreme Court decision on the Defense of Marriage Act.

Most of those ordinances were created with the help of the Fairness Campaign, a Kentucky organization aimed to broaden equality across the state.

To have protections for trans gender folks at that time was against the national trend, Fairness Campaign executive director Chris Hartman said. Every fairness ordinance across the Commonwealth has included gender identity and are transgender inclusive. That is of the utmost importance.

Todays LGBTQ+ community

While there have been steps towards acceptance for LGBTQ+ Kentuckians, the work is not done. Hartman said the Fairness Campaign looks forward to the day Kentucky passes a statewide law protecting its queer citizens.

By documenting the past gay lives of Kentucky, todays LGBTQ+ activists are keeping the door open for the future gay community to celebrate their roots and remember those who came before them.

Rural parts of the state lack LGBTQ+ visibility, Faulkner-Morgan Archive assistant executive director Josh Porter said, with most preserved stories hailing from Louisville or Lexington.

Minority communities also come up short with LGBTQ+ representation.

Lexington artist Bob Morgan has been working on a series of sculptural portraits in his signature style  assembled with found materials such as halogen lights, car parts and computer motherboards, all of it splashed with bright paint and encrusted with unexpected finery  depicting the absent friends and personal heroes he can no longer see, for the time being or for eternity.

Morgan, 74, has lived through the swinging pendulum of LGBTQ+ acceptance in Kentucky. He has spent the better part of his life fighting for equality.

Through the ups and downs of Kentuckys deeply rooted LGBTQ+ history, one thing remains clear: The community has always been here.

Its such a historic fact that weve always existed, he said.

The idea that all of this, especially the trans stuff, is something new that weve come up to try and destroy civilization is just (BS.) Theres documented evidence of all this going all the way back in recorded history.
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) proudly wears an Army badge on his suit lapel. Its a decoration reserved for soldiers who came under fire while engaged in combat. Problem is, the only fire hes faced lately is from veterans accusing him of stolen valor.

Those complaints took on added heft Friday, when the Army confirmed to the publication NOTUS that Nehls was never deployed as a combat infantryman during his 20 years with the armed services.

The statement confirms extensive prior reporting by Guardian of Valor, a veterans watchdog group, which in May began sounding the alarm about Nehls wearing a Combat Infantryman Badge he didnt earn.

The group reviewed the Texas Republicans 53-page military personnel file, and found that while a badge had been awarded in 2008 for his deployment to Afghanistan, the Army revoked it in 2023 after realizing hed served as a civil affairs officer  not in the infantry or Special Forces.

Nehls responded by sharing a Defense Department letter on social media that appears to confirm the award. The letter, from 2008, bears the signature of Army Maj. Tim Botset.

But Botset, now retired, told KHOU earlier this month that someone else seems to have signed on his behalf, because he knows with absolute certainty that he didnt sign it himself.

Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) is seen on the House steps of the U.S. Capitol, June 16, 2022. A military badge affixed to his suit lapel implies he served as a combat infantryman, though his service record shows no such deployment. Tom Williams via Getty Images

I was shown the memorandum containing my signature block over a year ago, Botset told KHOU in a statement. I informed the investigator that it is my signature block but not my signature. It reads for, which means someone else signed in my place. I know with absolute certainty that I did not sign it. I was on EML (Environment and Morale Leave) in Tennessee on the date indicated on the memorandum.

Is this an honest mistake? Perhaps, but finding a copy of the 4187 and/or sworn statements that generated the memorandum will provide you the specifics behind the award, he continued. I do not know anyone in my unit that would have intentionally approved an award for someone that was not entitled. No one, for any reason, should knowingly wear unearned awards or badges  period.

In a letter of his own addressed to U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Nehls accused the veterans group of attempting to discredit him.

I disagree with the Awards and Decorations Branch revocation of my CIB, which was awarded by the 101st Airborne Division, Nehls wrote. 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.

But Anthony Anderson, an Army veteran who runs Guardian of Valor, says its quite the opposite.

The veteran community is starting to get to the point now where theres no room for forgiveness at this point because now they see, Hey, this wasnt an error. Hes doubling down now, Anderson told Military.com. He knows he didnt earn this award.

Related...
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Its been two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to an abortion and allowing states to decide whether to restrict access to the procedure or not.

While speaking at the Faith and Freedom Conference in Washington D.C., on Saturday former president Donald Trump took a victory lap for helping overturn Roe v. Wade.

With these justices, we have also achieved what the pro-life movement has fought to get for 49 years, said Trump.

Christian conservatives make up a key part of the former presidents support. They want him to go further on abortion restrictions, but Trump has declined to support a nationwide ban on abortion, saying the issue should be left to the states.

Its not up to the will of the people in each state. Some states will be more conservative, and some states will be more liberal, said Trump.

Abortion access is likely to be a major issue going into Novembers general election.

Donald Trump and his allies, they are working from a playbook to attack freedoms, said Vice President Kamala Harris.

Massachusetts Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren says Democrats in the Senate are working to protect abortion rights.

If Donald Trump is elected to the presidency he and the extremist Republicans are coming after abortion contraception and IVF in every single state in this country, said Warren.

On the two-year abortion ruling anniversary Vice President Harris will be traveling to Arizona and Maryland for campaign events aimed at reproductive 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Vice President Kamala Harris slammed former President Donald Trump on the second anniversary of the Supreme Courts decision that overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

Harris pronounced Trump guilty of rolling back womens freedoms by appointing the three top court judges who voted to strike down a womans right to choose.

It was premeditated, the veep told a crowd of supporters Monday in Maryland, in a throwback to her days as a prosecutor. In the case of the stealing of reproductive freedom from the women of America, Donald Trump is guilty,

President Biden, who was at Camp David preparing for his debate with Trump, issued a statement marking what he framed as a grim anniversary.

Donald Trumps Supreme Court majority ripped away the fundamental freedom for women to access the health care they need and deserve, Biden said.

Taking away the long-held right to an abortion represents an assault on freedom, the Constitution and the values shared by a majority of Americans, said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Brooklyn Democrat.

Democrats hope abortion rights will be a galvanizing issue for their supporters heading into the November presidential election, especially in several states where referendums backing reproductive rights will be on the ballot.

Harris jetted, for a second reproductive rights event Monday, to swing-state Arizona, where Democrats recently forced Republicans to repeal a near-total abortion ban enacted in 1864.

Trump has tried to dodge questions about abortion, saying the issue should be left to the states, while bragging about appointing the conservative Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe.

The Florida resident has refused to say if he will vote for a referendum in his home state that would scrap a draconian ban on nearly all abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, before most women even know they are expecting.

The Supreme Courts ruling in the so-called Dobbs case that was issued on June 24, 2022, opened the door for Republican states to enact ever stricter bans on abortion. About half of the states, including virtually all of the Deep South and Great Plains, now have bans on the procedure.

The ruling also unleashed a fierce political backlash that has badly burned Republicans.

Democrats credit the issue with helping them stave off an expected GOP red wave in the 2022 midterms, and they believe it can help them win over a small but crucial slice of swing voters in the presidential race between Biden and Trump.

More than 60% of Americans believe abortion should be mostly legal, polls say.

Democrats say conservative Republicans are not just a threat to surgical abortion. They say right-wing lawmakers are plotting to ban abortion medication and even contraception and in vitro fertilization.

The right-wing Alabama Supreme Court recently ruled that IVF, which involves destroying unused frozen embryos, violates a state constitutional amendment proclaiming that life begins at conception.

_____
New video shows bloodied Israeli hostages taken in pickup to Gaza

FILE PHOTO: A view of a banner depicting Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American seized during the October 7 attack, in Tel Aviv

FILE PHOTO: A view of a banner depicting Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American seized during the October 7 attack, in Tel Aviv

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Crammed in the back of a pickup truck, smeared with blood, three Israeli hostages are being filmed by their jubilant Palestinian captors.

That is how Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, and Eliya Cohen, 26, and Or Levy, 33, all abducted on Oct. 7, were taken into the Gaza Strip, a video made public on Monday shows.

The families of the young men, desperate for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a hostage deal with Islamist group Hamas, approved its publication in the media.

All three had attended the Nova music festival in southern Israel that became a killing field during the Hamas-led assault. Levy was with his wife who was killed that morning. Cohen's girlfriend, who was buried under a pile of bodies, survived.

In the video, Goldberg-Polin sits in the back of the pickup truck, covered in blood, having lost part of his left arm earlier.

The footage jumps between the wounded hostages and the cheering captors as the truck speeds along a narrow road under a clear blue sky.

The Oct. 7 attack sparked the war in Gaza, which has raged for almost nine months. Efforts to reach a ceasefire and secure the release of some 120 hostages still in captivity have faltered.

Hamas in April released a video of Goldberg-Polin speaking from captivity.

His father, Jon Polin, said they first saw this latest video of his abduction a week ago and its publication was aimed at reminding the world about the people in captivity whose lives are in the balance.

"The inclination after 262 days, and when you see your wounded child in a truck being jostled with his hair pulled and others suffering, is to grab leaders of the world by the collar and say - get these people out," Polin told Reuters.

"We're going to continue to channel our strength productively and positively, but get these people out."

In response to the video, Netanyahu said that it "breaks all of our hearts and re-emphasizes the brutality of the enemy whom we have sworn to eliminate."

"We will not end the war until we return all 120 of our loved ones home," Netanyahu said in a statement.

(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch and Dedi Hayoun; Editing by Ros Russell)
Soldiers recently gathered at the headquarters of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado, for a ceremony to rename the building after a Medal of Honor recipient who earned the decoration for his heroism during the Vietnam War, including for running through enemy fire, while wounded, to stop a machine-gunner firing on his unit.

1st Sgt. David McNerney, the namesake of the newly dubbed McNerney Hall, risked his life to lead his fellow soldiers while serving in a 4th ID unit that was attacked by a North Vietnamese battalion near Polei Doc, Vietnam.

The June 20 renaming ceremony paid tribute to a soldier who exemplified courage and offered the divisions current Ivy soldiers an example of selfless service to aspire to.

A plaque honoring retired 1st Sgt. David McNerney is displayed at McNerney Hall, June 20, 2024 at Fort Carson, Colorado. (Spc. Mark Bowman/Army)

I hope that every day when we walk through these doors, we can live up to the legacy of 1st Sgt. McNerney, said 4th Infantry Division Command Sgt. Maj. Alex Kupratty, according to a press release.

On March 22, 1967, McNerney assumed command as the first sergeant of Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division after his commander and field artillery forward observer died during an attack on their unit by enemy forces.

McNerney remained with his troops until the following day when a new commander arrived, despite his injuries, the press release noted. He adjusted artillery fire to within a short distance of the units position to repel the enemy attack and repeatedly braved enemy fire, exposing himself to danger to fight the enemy and get the wounded evacuated.

Maj. Gen. David Doyle, the commanding general of 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, Colorado, and Kory Kress, a family member of 1st Sgt. David McNerney, unveil a plaque honoring McNerney, June 20, 2024, at the base. (Spc. Mark Bowman/Army)

McNerney received the Medal of Honor in 1968 and retired from military service the year after. He died from lung cancer in 2010.

The renaming ceremony is such an honor, said McNerneys niece Ellen Ebert, according to the release. We know that David would be more than moved. He would be so full of gratitude, and the whole family is.

1st Sgt. David McNerneys Medal of Honor citation can be read in its entirety below:

1st Sgt. McNerney distinguished himself when his unit was attacked by a North Vietnamese battalion near Polei Doc. Running through the hail of enemy fire to the area of heaviest contact, he was assisting in the development of a defensive perimeter when he encountered several enemy at close range. He killed the enemy but was painfully injured when blown from his feet by a grenade. In spite of this injury, he assaulted and destroyed an enemy machine-gun position that had pinned down five of his comrades beyond the defensive line. Upon learning his commander and artillery forward observer had been killed, he assumed command of the company. He adjusted artillery fire to within 20 meters of the position in a daring measure to repulse enemy assaults. When the smoke grenades used to mark the position were gone, he moved into a nearby clearing to designate the location to friendly aircraft. In spite of enemy fire he remained exposed until he was certain the position was spotted and then climbed into a tree and tied the identification panel to its highest branches. Then he moved among his men readjusting their position, encouraging the defenders and checking the wounded. As the hostile assaults slackened, he began clearing a helicopter landing site to evacuate the wounded. When explosives were needed to remove large trees, he crawled outside the relative safety of his perimeter to collect demolition material from abandoned rucksacks. Moving through a fusillade of fire he returned with the explosives that were vital to the clearing of the landing zone. Disregarding the pain of his injury and refusing medical evacuation, 1st Sgt. McNerney remained with his unit until the next day when the new commander arrived. 1st Sgt. McNerneys outstanding heroism and leadership were inspirational to his comrades. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
A heavily Jewish Los Angeles neighborhood became a flashpoint of outrage over the Israel-Gaza conflict when a violent demonstration outside a synagogue over the weekend between pro-Palestine demonstrations and counterprotesters supportive of Israel ended with the deployment of dozens of police officers, one arrest and the condemnation of the citys mayor and President Joe Biden.

Im appalled by the scenes outside of Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles, Biden wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday. Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American. Americans have a right to peaceful protest. But blocking access to a house of worship  and engaging in violence  is never acceptable.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Im appalled by the scenes outside of Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles. Intimidating Jewish congregants is dangerous, unconscionable, antisemitic, and un-American.



Americans have a right to peaceful protest. But blocking access to a house of worship  and engaging in violence  President Biden (@POTUS) June 24, 2024

Punches were thrown, protesters were seen being wrestled to the ground, and what appears to be bear spray doused multiple people in footage of the conflict, which came to a head after the roughly 150 demonstrators arrived Sunday morning around 11 a.m. at Adas Torah synagogue in the Pico-Robertson area.

The gathering of demonstrators began with a group of Palestine supporters arriving to protest a real estate event from the company My Home in Israel pitching housing projects in all the best Anglo neighborhoods in Israel.

Print issue  page 6 https://t.co/qZ940cUHuJ pic.twitter.com/pAaD9e23c5  People's City Council  Los Angeles (@PplsCityCouncil) June 24, 2024

Word of the ad, which appeared in the June 21 issue of the Jewish Journal, spread online and soon flyers appeared online announcing the event at Adas Torah synagogue.

Israeli real estate agent Avi Nefoussi told newspaper Israel Hayom that protestors targeted our event because they think were showing Palestinian land for sale, adding that his company had to quickly call for extra security. Even a helicopter showed up.

Reports indicate that the group of protesters arrived to disrupt the real estate event and had at one point attempted to block the entrance to the synagogue. The Hollywood Reporter reached out to the Southern California chapter of the Palestinian Youth Movement to clarify the goal of their demonstration but did not hear back Monday.

Roughly 60 police officers arrived at the scene at Adas Torah, the Los Angeles Police Department told the LA Times, adding that a recent, similar protest at a North Hollywood synagogue brought 25 protesters  a fraction of the number at Sundays violent kerfuffle in Pico-Robertson.

The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a protest in the Pico-Robertson area yesterday afternoon. There were several physical altercations between the two groups protesting, which resulted in two reports of battery, the LAPD wrote in an official statement Monday that was obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. Also, one arrest was made for having [sic] spiked post at a protest. This individual was cited at West Los Angeles station and released.

The LAPD added that it will be investigating the two reported batteries further and that additional patrols will be conducted around sensitive religious sites to ensure the safety of all.

We will always protect the First Amendment rights of those wanting to protest. Violence and crime, however, will not be tolerated, the statement from the LAPD reads.

A message sent Monday to the LAPDs public information officer by The Hollywood Reporter seeking further details on the incident and arrests at Adas Torah synagogue was not immediately returned.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom wrote in a post that the violent clashes outside the Adas Torah synagogue in Los Angeles are appalling. There is no excuse for targeting a house of worship. Such antisemitic hatred has no place in California.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass released a damning statement Sunday night following the incident, saying that she will not allow the city to become a place of antisemitism.

Todays violence in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood was abhorrent, and blocking access to a place of worship is unacceptable, Bass said. Ive called on LAPD to provide additional patrols in the Pico-Robertson community as well as outside of houses of worship throughout the city. Ill be meeting with [interim] Chief [Dominic] Choi tomorrow to further discuss the safety of Angelenos.

I want to be clear that Los Angeles will not be a harbor for antisemitism and violence. Those responsible for either will be found and held accountable. I will be joining Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, the chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation Los Angeles Rabbi Noah Farkas and other law enforcement and faith leaders in a community meeting as we talk about steps forward, together.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter
Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un are getting closer  and China has reason to be worried

Russia entered into a new security pact with the rogue state North Korea.

It's an alliance probably being viewed with caution in Beijing, analysts say.

China is eager to avoid a flare-up on the Korean peninsula, they say.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, recently signed a defense pact to protect against what they characterized as the malign forces of US imperialism.

But it's not just the US's allies in East Asia that appear alarmed by the new alliance between the authoritarian leaders.

Anxiety appears to be growing in a state that's emerged as both Russia and North Korea's most important international ally: China.

A muted response

China's response to the pact, which saw Putin and Kim pledge to defend each other's countries if attacked, was revealingly muted.

"The cooperation between Russia and the DPRK is a matter between two sovereign states. We do not have information on the relevant matter," a spokesman for China's foreign ministry said.

Analysts say the alliance is probably being viewed warily by China's leader, Xi Jinping, who fears his power will be eroded in the Korean peninsula.

"China likely regards deepening ties between Russia and North Korea with some wariness," Ali Wyne, an analyst with the Crisis Group, told Business Insider. "It worries about the possibility of Russia's providing military assistance that could advance North Korea's nuclear and missile programs."

Danny Russel, the top US diplomat for Asia in the Obama administration, told the Associated Press that China could emerge as the "biggest loser" from the security pact.

"Apart from irritation over Putin's intrusion into what most Chinese consider their sphere of influence, the real cost to China is that Russia's embrace gives North Korea greater impunity and room to maneuver without consideration to Beijing's interests," he said.

An important ally

China has long been North Korea's most important international ally, providing trade, diplomatic support, and military aid to Kim.

It's the only country in the world with which China has a joint defense pact.

But in recent years, the relationship has become strained. North Korea has defied attempts by the international community to compel it to dismantle the nuclear weapons it menaced its neighbors with.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has meanwhile destabilized relations between Beijing and Pyongyang further.

Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un at the May Day Stadium in Pyongyang in June 2019. Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images

Russia is leaning on North Korea for supplies of badly needed artillery for its forces in Ukraine, and in exchange, Russia appears to have shared with North Korea the satellite technology Kim has long coveted.

It's a dynamic that's upset the delicate balance of power in the Korean peninsula.

An emboldened Kim Jong Un

Russia's extra military power could embolden Kim to act more erratically and aggressively. While China is willing to prop up North Korea, it's also keen to restrain Kim.

With China's economy experiencing a rare downturn, Xi is eager to avoid a flare-up in the Korean Peninsula, and the Kremlin's new partnership with North Korea has reduced China's leverage.

"The dilution of Chinese leverage means Kim Jong Un can disregard Beijing's calls for restraint," Russell told the AP, "and that is much more likely to create chaos at a time when Xi Jinping desperately wants stability."

But it's not just the impoverished North Korea that's reliant on its partnership with China. Russia has grown increasingly dependent on its own relationship with China since it invaded Ukraine.

Amid sanctions and international isolation, China has continued to provide Russia with vital diplomatic support and, the US says, dual-use goods for Russia's armaments industry.

Like Russia and North Korea, China wants to damage US global power, and though it's stopped short of providing Russia with weapons, its support remains crucial.

This means China has enough influence over both Russia and North Korea to exert control over their new alliance.

"China likely loomed large in Vladimir Putin's conversations with Kim Jong-un, as it is the most important economic and diplomatic partner for both Russia and North Korea," said Wyne. "Neither leader can afford to alienate Xi Jinping."

Yun Sun, the director of the China program at Washington's Stimson Center think tank, told CNN that Beijing appeared unable to control the pace of Russia's new alliance with North Korea.

She added, however, that "they do know that China plays an irreplaceable role for both Russia and North Korea."

China has considerable influence over both countries. It may have to use that influence sooner rather than later.

Read the original article on Business Insider
It has been two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that established a federal right to abortion, in its Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision, now returning the issue of abortion to individual states.

Since then 14 states have completely banned abortion with limited exceptions, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. New state bans forced more than 171,000 abortion patients to travel out of state for care in 2023 alone, more than double the number who traveled out of state for abortions in 2019, before Roe was overturned.

"Traveling for abortion care requires individuals to overcome huge financial and logistical barriers, and our findings show just how far people will travel to obtain the care they want and deserve," Isaac Maddow-Zimet, Guttmacher data scientist and project lead, said in a June 13 statement.

Meanwhile, recent data from Guttmacher shows that the new restrictions have not resulted in fewer abortions nationwide. In fact, in 2023, the first full year after Roe was overturned, more than 1 million clinician-provided abortions were provided in states that did not have a total ban, the highest number and rate measured since 2011 in the United States.

Abortion has emerged as a key issue in the 2024 election. Former President Donald Trump has boasted on the campaign trail that he was able to kill Roe v. Wade by appointing the justices that gave the court its current 6-3 conservative majority. President Biden, meanwhile, has sought to harness the backlash against the Supreme Court ruling, releasing a campaign ad Monday attacking Trump and warned in a statement that Trump will pursue a nationwide abortion ban if elected.

Over the past two years, abortion rights advocates have fiercely fought to reestablish reproductive freedom at the state level, either through legislation or citizen-led initiatives. So far every one of those initiatives has delivered a victory for abortion rights advocates. Recent polling shows that public support for a federal law legalizing and ensuring access to abortions nationwide has reached its highest level since Roe was overturned.

Come November, abortion rights advocates are hoping to channel that momentum into support for more ballot initiatives, which have proved to be a powerful guardrail against abortion bans.

Heres where abortion will definitely be on the ballot in November, and which states could still take up the issue this fall.

Abortion-related measures on the ballot in November:

Colorado: A citizen-led initiative will ask voters to consider an amendment to the state constitution that enshrines the right to an abortion. The initiative needs a supermajority vote of 55% in order to be approved. Abortion is currently legal in all cases in Colorado, and minors must have parental consent.

Florida: Voters in the Sunshine State will be asked to consider a citizen-led ballot measure that says, No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider. The amendment will need a supermajority of 60% of the vote to pass. Abortion is currently illegal in Florida after six weeks of pregnancy, with some exceptions for rape, incest, human trafficking, health of the mother or fetal abnormality.

Maryland: The Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment put forth by state legislators would change Marylands constitution to say that every person has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including but not limited to the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end ones own pregnancy. Maryland state law currently protects abortion until viability, and minors must obtain parental consent.

New York: The Equal Protection of Law Amendment would enshrine abortion rights in New Yorks state constitution by banning any kind of discrimination based on "ethnicity, national origin, age, and disability," as well as "sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy." New York state law currently permits abortion until viability. The ballot initiative led by Democratic state lawmakers was restored to the November ballot on June 18 after it was challenged by Republican state Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes.

South Dakota: The South Dakota Right to Abortion Amendment is a citizen-led initiative that would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution by making abortion legal while allowing certain restrictions after the first and second trimesters. Abortion is currently banned with no exceptions for rape or incest in South Dakota.

Abortion-related initiatives that could appear on November ballots:

The following states have citizen-led initiatives underway to preserve the right to an abortion in their constitutions, but they still need either the required number of petition signatures or need those signatures certified: Arizona (abortion currently banned after 15 weeks), Arkansas (total abortion ban with few exceptions), Missouri (total abortion ban with few exceptions), Montana (abortion legal until viability), Nebraska (abortion banned after 12 weeks) and Nevada (abortion legal until 24 weeks).

Abortion rights advocates arent the only ones looking to ballot initiatives to further their agenda on the state level. In Nebraska, for example, two citizen-led initiatives are aiming to reduce the window of time in which abortions can legally be obtained in the state. And in Pennsylvania, state lawmakers have proposed the No State Constitutional Right to Abortion Amendment, which would change a section of the state constitution to read: This constitution does not grant the right to taxpayer-funded abortion or any other right relating to abortion. Abortion is currently legal in Pennsylvania until the 24th week of pregnancy.

Yahoo News will continue to provide updates as abortion-related initiatives are officially approved for various November ballots.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. Plenum of the Constitutional Court to review the President's request regarding the constitutionality of dissolving the Azerbaijani parliament, the press service of the Constitutional Court told Trend.

The regular session of the Chamber of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan was held on June 24.

At the meeting, it was decided to approve the President of Azerbaijan's request to dissolve the Milli Majlis (Parliament) and to schedule an extraordinary election. This decision was based on the Parliament's resolution #1174-VIQR dated June 21, 2024, titled "On Appeal to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Appointment of Extraordinary Election to the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan," in accordance with paragraph 1, part III, article 130 of the Constitution of Azerbaijan, and article 7.1 of the law "On the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan."

The request will be considered at the Plenum of the Constitutional Court, starting on June 27 at 10:00 (GMT+4).
Voting matters, so vote for the GOP if you want these specific things | Opinion

Some moderates think the presidential candidates are too extreme. And some people dont want to vote for either elderly candidate. Some dont think it matters who they vote for.

It matters greatly.

Vote Republican if you want:Authoritarian government instead of a democracy.To get out of the Paris Climate agreement.Tax subsidies for fossil fuel companies.Tax cuts for the rich and for corporations, and for the deficit to go up.Scientists replaced by Republicans at the EPA.Russia to defeat Ukraine.To get out of NATO and WHO.To not allow abortion for incest, rape, or the mothers health.To defund the CDC.Your tax dollars to fund private schools.To end Obamacare.Chaos.

Also, vote for the Conspiracy Party (Republican) if you believe:Climate change is a hoax.The 2020 presidential election was stolen.Obama was born in Kenya.The Sandy Hook shootings were staged.

Otherwise, vote Democrat.

Don Hammond, Austin

A statue of the "Ten Commandments" is displayed on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol in this March 2, 2005 photo. (Credit: Matt Rourke/AMERICAN-STATESMAN/File)

Displaying Ten Commandments in

classrooms is 'only hope' for sanity

Noting the moral decay that has run rampant in our country ever since God was taken out of our classrooms over 60 years ago, even if I werent a believer, Id still want the Ten Commandments prominently displayed in every one of our nations classrooms. Its our only hope for restoring sanity in our lost United States.

If we dont act quickly/decisively, we wont have a republic left worth saving.

Let us teach our children the morals on which the Greatest Nation in the History of the World was founded.

Kudos to Louisiana for making it state law to display the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom.

Newt Hasson, Austin

Giving tax money to private schools

is taxation without representation

Gov. Greg Abbott's proposed educational savings accounts are an expansion of state government. The accounts will require administrative oversight and fraud prevention and enforcement for families and private sector schools.

Giving public dollars to private educational entities, led by unelected officials and free from the exact constraints imposed on public schools, is taxation without representation. The choice to attend a private school is a private sector transaction, already granted by state law. Texas legislators need to honor their constitutional oath to maintain and improve our current public education system.

Tricia Kim, Austin

Let Austin light rail move forward

so it improves our quality of life

Re: June 16 commentary, 'Austins light rail opponents are trying to undermine taxpayers vote'

Austin voters want to increase options for transportation instead of driving personal vehicles all the time. Why are the opponents working to take away the rights of voters? Drivers on IH-35 have noticed it looks like a slow-moving parking lot. Tail pipe pollution from all those vehicles degrades air quality.

Light rail will help reduce traffic jams and provide bike and pedestrian pathways, make connections with Capital Metro bus routes and improve its service. It has a potential to spur affordable housing developments close to transit, creating walkable communities.

According to the EPA, the transportation sector is the largest source of polluting greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions also contribute to global warming. We want this lawsuit to stop; allow the light rail project to proceed and improve quality of life for Austinites.

Kalpana Sutaria, Citizens Climate Lobby, Austin Chapter

In striking down bump stocks ban,

justices show they're the worst ever

Re: June 14 article, 'Supreme Court strikes down Trump-era ban on gun accessory'

Beyond any doubt, the current Supreme Court, with the exception of three sane justices, is the worst in the history of the United States.

The reversal of Roe v. Wade was most tragic enough. Now bump stocks! What else?

Without life appointments and left to the vote of the people for each and every one of them now on the Court, I am certain there would be a more compassionate group of justices seated who also conform to the rule of law. Thurgood Marshall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Antonin Scalia, Earl Warren, and other distinguished late justices are, I am certain, tired of turning over in their graves.

Bess Mitchell, Austin

Speak up to protect fundamental

freedoms and reproductive rights

Re: June 13 article: Supreme Court preserves access to widely used abortion medication mifepristone

The Supreme Court's decision to preserve access to the abortion medication mifepristone is a win, but anti-abortion groups like the Alliance Defending Freedom may continue to challenge the FDAs approval. These groups seek to impose their narrow religious beliefs on all of us. For example, they aim to revive the Comstock Act, an outdated law restricting the mailing of obscene or immoral materials, threatening not only abortion access but also LGBTQIA+ rights and other civil liberties across Texas and the nation.

Supporting organizations that fight these arguments is crucial. We must speak up to protect reproductive rights and our fundamental freedom to make decisions about our own bodies based on our own beliefs.

Leland Murphy, Austin

Republican Party's 'eat your own'

strategy defies any explanation

For Republicans glued to their information silo, here is some information you might not know. Republican officeholders are engaged in an "eat your own" strategy to pursue policies not supported by a majority of Texans.

Gov. Abbott provided resources and campaigned against Republican State legislators who did not support his foolish school voucher policy while refusing to adequately fund public schools. Rural school districts are suffering the most. Attorney General Paxton supported Republican opponents against those Republican legislators who voted to impeach him.

On the national level, Kevin McCarthy, the former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, has supported Republican opponents to those Republican incumbents who voted to remove him from the Speakership.

Not to be missed, there's convicted felon Donald Trump endorsing candidates who display the most loyalty to him. Can anyone explain this Republican strategy?

Craig Hackler, Austin

How to submit a letter to the editor

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(COLORADO CITY, Colo.)  The Pueblo County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) helped capture a wanted fugitive out of Kansas on Monday morning, June 24, at a Colorado City hotel.

According to PCSO, a tip was received stating that 40-year-old Ryan Antalek of Wichita, Kansas was possibly staying at the Days Inn in Colorado City. PCSO said Kansas officials had been seeking Antalek, who was considered dangerous, on a felony warrant. The search for Antalek had recently intensified due to homicidal statements Antalek had allegedly made.

PCSO said Antalek was also known to carry guns and had a criminal history involving weapons.

PCSO detectives responded around 12:30 a.m. to the Days Inn off Highway 165 and found a 2019 black Chevrolet Colorado truck that Antalek had reportedly been driving. After confirming that Antalek was inside the hotel, detectives and U.S. Marshals managed to get Antalek to leave his hotel room, at which point he was taken into custody without incident.

PCSO said Antalek was arrested on a no-bond Fugitive of Justice warrant from Kansas that includes Felony Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Criminal Discharge of a Firearm into a Dwelling, Felony Stalking, Felony Fleeing and Eluding, and two charges of Criminal Threats and Criminal Damage to Property.

Courtesy: Pueblo County Sheriffs Office

Antalek has been booked into the Pueblo County Jail where he awaits extradition to Kansas.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Passersby observe the floodwaters at Veterans Memorial Park on the banks of the Androscoggin River in Lewiston on Dec. 20, 2023. (Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star)

Warmer temperatures and more extreme weather.

That is the forecast outlined in a recently-released assessment of climate change and its impacts on Maine.

In the study, the Maine Climate Councils Scientific and Technical Subcommittee found that the states climate is getting warmer. According to the subcommittee, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 have all ranked among the ten warmest years on record in Maine. That comes as 2023 was the hottest year globally since record-keeping began in 1850.

The report projects that temperatures could increase in Maine 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit by 2050 and up to 10 degrees by 2100.

The impacts extend beyond warming temperatures. The states climate is also getting wetter, the report authors found, with the state now receiving an additional 1-2 days a year with two or more inches of precipitation and 2-3 more days with an inch of precipitation. Maine saw an example of that this winter when an intense and rare atmospheric river struck the state, causing millions of dollars in damage.

The study also reported that sea level in Maine is 7.5 inches higher than it was in the early 20th century and that the rate of sea level rise has almost doubled in the last three decades. At the same time, the Gulf of Maine is heating up faster than 97% of ocean surfaces and is experiencing near-permanent heat waves, putting marine species like lobster at risk.

Maines annual mean temperature 18952023 based on data from the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI, 2024a). The dashed linear trendlines show temperature of 3.5F (1.9C) across the record period. Bold black lines represent five-year averages. (via Scientific Assessment of Climate Change and its impact on Maine, by Maine Climate Council Scientific and Technical Subcommittee)

Overall, the report found that Maine will experience more extreme weather, with both wet and dry periods becoming more intense. The states warm season is increasing, while the length of winter and the amount of snow and ice is declining. Still, when they do occur, winter storms are likely to be more intense, although the frequency of such events going forward is uncertain.

The science of a changing climate in Maine tells us that indicators of change are continuing and accelerating, and so too must our science-informed, equitable, and comprehensive response, Ivan Fernandez, co-chair of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, said in a statement.

Maine is a leader on climate change, and yet there is much more to do, Fernandez added. Business as usual is not an option and time is not on our side. Yet hope springs from having a plan like Maine Wont Wait to focus our limited resources on solutions.

The Maine Wont Wait plan is intended as a roadmap for how to reduce emissions 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050, as required by a 2019 law. The Maine Climate Council is working to update the climate action plan by December.

However, the state is currently being sued by the Conservation Law Foundation, Maine Youth Action and Sierra Club, which are arguing that officials have failed to take the necessary steps to cut emissions as mandated by the 2019 law. Attorneys for the state filed a motion to dismiss that lawsuit last week.

Additional climate impacts

Maines changing climate will come with a series of other impacts, the scientific subcommittee report found. Examples include the state becoming more vulnerable to increased illnesses and death from extreme heat, cold and flooding; high rates of lyme disease from growing deer tick populations; various other pest-related ailments; diminished air quality from western wildfire smoke and increased amounts of pollen; and threats to food security.

On that last point, the report stated that variability in the weather is curbing crop yields, creating increased burdens on farmers. While the authors acknowledged that Maine will experience a longer growing season due to warmer temperatures, they noted that the benefits of that could be curtailed or even eliminated if the increase in growing degree days is not synchronized with a matching shift in the dates of spring and fall frosts, or if heat waves, droughts, or other extreme weather events degrade productivity.

The study also noted that climate change can impact peoples mental health. In Maine and around the world, populations that may be at particular risk for the mental health impacts of climate change are children and adolescents, women, and Indigenous peoples, the authors wrote. Like other regions, Maine has a significant gap in available mental health services for those in need.

Climate change is bringing about economic impacts as well. For example, the report found that Mainers will see the second highest rise in the country in home insurance rates in 2024.

Furthermore, the study identified that certain populations  including those living in rural areas, older people, low-income Mainers, and people in places with climate-reliant resources  are likely to be especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Other concerns surfaced in the report include threats posed to biodiversity, issues for freshwater areas due to flooding and other ecosystem shifts, and changes to Maines forest landscape connected to warming temperatures.

Along with the need to reduce emissions, the report also discusses climate resilience. The authors argued that resilience to climate change depends on relationships: this includes a strong sense of community among residents, solid connections between the economy and healthy natural systems, and maintaining ties to heritage.

Finally, the authors of the report noted that its crucial for people to maintain hope. Having a plan, such as the Maine Wont Wait roadmap, is important for that, they argued.

Hope helps people cast a vision of what future success will look like, the authors stated. Every success is an opportunity to show that the future we want is possible.

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The post Warmer temps, more extreme weather forecasted in latest assessment of Maine climate appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
How To Watch The First Presidential Debate Of 2024: Is It Streaming?

The first of two scheduled presidential debates ahead of the 2024 election will become the earliest debate in the history of a campaign as Democratic incumbent Joe Biden and third-time Republican candidate Donald Trump face off once again.

Simulcasts and extra coverage will be available to watch on CBS and C-SPAN. CNN will host this first debate from its Atlanta headquarters. There will be no audience present so that the candidates can maximize their allotted time, and the debaters microphones will be muted when they arent speaking.

More from Deadline

Jon Stewart will host live episodes of The Daily Show after the two confirmed debates so far on Comedy Central.

Read on for all the details about how to watch the first presidential debate:

When is the first 2024 presidential debate?

The first debate leading up to the presidential election is set for 9 p.m. ET Thursday, June 27.

Where can I watch the first 2024 presidential debate?

The debate will air live on CNN, CNN International and CNN en Espanol. CBS News and C-SPAN will simulcast the debate as well as provide coverage leading up to the event. NewsNation will broadcast Debate Night with Chris Cuomo starting at 8 p.m. Eastern and 7 p.m. Central time in addition to a simulcast of the event at 9 p.m. Eastern time. NBC News and MSNBC will simulcast the event as well. NBC News NOW and NBCNews.com will also carry coverage.

ABC News, OAN, Newsmax, Newsmax 2, Noticias Telemundo, PBS and Scripps News round out the networks that will also air the debate. Spectrum News will simulcast the CNN presidential debate on June 27 beginning at 9 p.m. ET and host special post-debate coverage at approximately 10:37 p.m. ET.

RELATED: CNN Says It Will Make Presidential Debate Available For Simulcast On Other Networks

CBS Norah ODonnell will anchor coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time on the CBS Television Network. Gayle King, Margaret Brennan, John Dickerson, Major Garrett, Ed OKeefe and more will join her in the studio in New York City. Robert Costa, Nancy Cordes and Caitlin Huey-Burns will contribute coverage from the site in Atlanta. Weija Jiang, Joel Payne and Terry Sullivan will also offer analysis and reactions.

C-SPANs simulcast will be available on C-SPAN2 and C-SPAN Radio. Special programming will be available across all of FOX News Medias key platforms, including FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio and FOX Nation.

On NewsNation, Chris Cuomo will be joined by anchors Dan Abrams, Elizabeth Vargas and Leland Vittert to debrief the event. Chris Stirewalt, Geraldo Rivera, Bill OReilly, Adam Carolla, Anthony Scaramucci, Governor Chris Sununu, Mehdi Hasan and Nina Turner will also join the post-debate telecast.

Will the first 2024 presidential debate be streaming?

Streaming options for the event include CNN Max and CNN.com as well as CBS News News 24/7. C-SPAN.org and the C-SPAN Now app offer more options. The debate also will be shown on Noticias Telemundo, MSNBC on Peacock and MSNBC.com. CNBC will livestream the debate on CNBC.com with a live blog starting at 4 p.m. Eastern time.

Who is moderating the first 2024 presidential debate?

Jake Tapper and Dana Bash will moderate this first debate.

When is the next 2024 presidential debate?

Another debate will be hosted by ABC on Sept. 10, 2024. David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate.

RELATED: NBC News And MSNBC Will Simulcast CNN Debate, NewsNation And C-SPAN Also Announce Plans  Update

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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Largo man who fled officials on I-75, leading them on a multi-county pursuit on Sunday afternoon has been arrested.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Travis Lee Craig, 28, led troopers and Tampa police through five counties before he hopped out of his car and tried fleeing into a wooded area on the side of the highway.

2 charged in connection with 3-month-old infants death in Highlands: deputies

An arrest report revealed Craig was fleeing from a traffic stop and was a murder suspect. Troopers began pursuing his Dodge Challenger on northbound I-75, beginning at mile marker 274.

Craig eventually lost control of his vehicle and drove off the side of the road near a tree line.. Thats when he got out of the car and ran into the wooded area.

Troopers said as Craig was running, he tried to take his shirt off before saying he was drunk and thats why he ran. He was then arrested.

Pasco family murders: Witness said he saw bodies before they were burned in pit, document says

During a search of his vehicle, officials found a red handgun in the passenger side floorboard, containing 13 9mm rounds.

The teamwork displayed is a small sample size of the ongoing collaboration between The Florida Highway Patrol, Tampa Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies, FHP said. It exemplifies a strong and effective partnership, showcasing the benefits of our joint efforts keeping Florida safe and secure.

Craig was taken to the Sumter County jail on charges including reckless driving, fleeing with disregard for safety to others, DUI, and possession of ammo by a convicted Florida felon.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 few days ago, The Root reported on Christina J. Peterson, an Atlanta-area judge who was arrested and charged for allegedly assaulting an officer while at a nightclub.



Body cam footage of the incident was released to the public over the weekend. In the video, Peterson can be seen repeatedly pushing an officer, which eventually led to her detainment. Multiple witnesses were present during the incident, several of whom attempted to intervene.

Play with your momma, play with somebody else, she tells the officer. Shes also heard saying the officer could Google her and find out who she is.

According to the original police report obtained by Fox 5, the officer allegedly was hit in the head by Peterson. The report claimed the judge appeared to be under the influence and refused to identify herself to officials.



Peterson was released from jail shortly after her arrest, and then took to social media to express her innocence. She called her arrest a setup and said she was simply trying to help a woman who was being attacked by men on Instagram.



Over the weekend, Peterson held a press conference with her lawyer and demanded she be exonerated of all charges. Two witnesses, including Alexandria Love  the woman Peterson allegedly tried to help  also spoke on behalf of the judge.

Love said the justice system failed horribly. She became emotional while retelling the alleged story of how a stranger viciously attacked her and repeatedly punched her in the face that night. She was the only one that helped me, Love said while pointing to Peterson.

Photo: Instagram: Christina Peterson

The idea that a good Samaritan, who was helping a woman that was being viciously attacked, could be arrested and the man, who was viciously attacking the woman, did not get arrested speaks to other issues that will be addressed at a later time, Marvin Arrington Jr., the lawyer representing Peterson, said.

According to Arrington, Peterson and Love are both victims and should have been treated a such. He called out the Atlanta Police Department (APD) saying there are inconsistencies in the officers statements.

In addition to demanding the arrest of the alleged attacker, Arrington also called for Fani Willis, the Atlanta District Attorney currently prosecuting Donald Trump to personally review Petersons case.

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A man, believed to be Jonathan Kaye, was seen punching a woman in the face in video footage. He has resigned from his job at an investment bank, his company announced in a statement (Twitter)

The New York banker who police say punched a woman in the face after a heated discussion about the Israel-Hamas War at a Brooklyn Pride event has resigned from his job.

Jonathan Kaye, 52, previously worked as a managing director at Moelis & Company, a publicly traded investment bank. He had overseen the Global Business Services franchise at the firm since 2013. Previously, he worked as the managing director of Citi Banks Global Mergers & Acquisitions Group.

Melissa Chiles, a spokesperson for Moelis & Company, confirmed the information in an email to The Independent.

Jonathan Kaye has resigned and is no longer with the firm, she said on Monday.

The man was caught on camera earlier this month apparently hitting the woman in the face following a tense argument. In the video, the man claimed that the woman, who has not been identified, threw s*** all over me.

According to the New York Post, it wasnt clear how the exchange escalated. The victim, who is reportedly in her 30s, suffered a broken nose, lacerations and a black eye. Officials with the New York City Police Department are still investigating the incident. The Independent has reached out to Kaye and NYPD for comment.

Sources close to the man told the Daily Mail that a group of women with Queers for Palestine, an advocacy organization, taunted him because of his Jewish ancestry after a parade.

The banker then accused them of being on the wrong side. The women then targeted the man, one of his friends said, and threw liquids on him. Kaye apparently didnt know what the liquid was and the woman shouted slurs at him.

He fell or he was chest bumped, and cant remember that bit. But he ended up on the pavement with them four over him. He got up and swung at one as he was trying to escape and then he ran, the source told the outlet.

In a statement to The Daily Beast, the man said Kaye feared for his physical safety when he was surrounded by an angry mob of agitators who encircled him, physically assaulted him, and threw liquids on him.

It continued: He could not identify any of these individuals and was left bloodied from the attack. Kaye had a bloodied ankle after he fell during the incident.

He reportedly lives in a $4m home in the boroughs Park Slope neighborhood, holds a bachelors degree from Tufts University, and graduated cum laude from Duke University School of Law.
Here we go. This week, Joe Biden and Donald Trump will travel down to Georgia for the first presidential debate. Everything else has up until this point been childs play.

Trump is already suggesting that the 81-year-old Biden, whom he dubs, Sleepy Joe, will be jacked up after being shot in the a**. And Trumps spokeswoman  and failed congressional candidate  Karoline Leavitt engaged in an aggressive interview with Kasie Hunt of CNN, the network that will host the debate, during which she claimed that her boss is knowingly going into a hostile environment on this very network  on CNN  with debate moderators who have made their opinions about him very well-known over the past eight years in their biased coverage of him. Republicans are also warning Trump not to fall into traps lest he attack Biden as aggressively as he did in 2020.

Anyone who has followed politics long enough knows that this is classic setting of expectations. Trump saying that Biden will be hopped on on stimulants or that CNN will be unnecessarily antagonistic toward him is a way to lower the bar, should he underperform. Trump elected not to participate in any of the Republican primary debates, despite still winning the Republican primary. That says a lot.

Similarly, Biden did not engage in any debates  essentially putting the two men on the same playing field.

Historically, incumbent presidents flop in their first debate. This goes back to Ronald Reagan stumbling over his words in 1984  a moment that has led some to wonder if he already began to suffer the effects of the Alzheimers that would ultimately take his life  and includes George W Bushs poor performance against John Kerry in 2004, as well as Barack Obamas weak and anodyne performance against Mitt Romney. All three men bounced back in the second debate, however, and ultimately won re-election.

Ever since he announced his intention to seek re-election last year, Biden has consistently trailed Trump. Indeed, Bidens campaign made the decision to move up the debates, which typically happen in the fall, to before the conventions in an apparent effort to give him a boost. Voters have consistently viewed Biden as too old to do the job and this is a chance to challenge that assumption.

All of this will set the tone during the next few weeks leading up to the Republican and Democratic conventions. If Trump comes off too aggressively, or Biden gets the better of him, it will give Biden a sign of life. But if Trump outperforms expectations, it will cement Bidens decline.

But the presidential election wont be the only benchmark of Trump or Bidens power this week. On Tuesday, New York and Colorado will hold their primaries. In New York, all eyes will be on the 16th district, where Representative Jamaal Bowman, a member of the Squad, faces off against Westchester County Executive George Latimer.

Bowman, who supports a ceasefire in Gaza, faces an onslaught of outside money, particularly from the pro-Israel group AIPAC. Latimer has also sought to paint Bowman as insufficiently supportive of Biden, pointing to his vote against the bipartisan infrastructure bill in 2021. The primary has gotten pretty nasty, with accusations of racism and antisemitism made from both sides.

The race is the most expensive primary contest in US history. Its conclusion will show how much power progressives really have in the Democratic Party these days.

Meanwhile, in Colorado, controversial Representative Lauren Boebert is facing an even tougher primary. After she nearly lost her first re-election campaign in 2022, she jumped districts to the more conservative 4th district. Boebert faces a split field, which might be enough to keep her alive, along with an endorsement from Trump, which came this weekend.

Trumps endorsement of a primary challenge against Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good in Virginias 5th district led to a contest that remains too close to call at the moment  an embarrassment for Trump, even if his chosen candidate does squeak out on top. A win by Boebert might show that the strength of his endorsement can beat any baggage a candidate has. But a failure to decisively oust Good has also shown that Trumps influence has its limits.
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. President Ilham Aliyev has signed a law approving the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty-Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, Trend reports.

According to the document signed on November 24, 2016, in Paris, Azerbaijan approved the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, with specific reservations and notifications.
Who Were the 4 People Killed in Friday's Mass Shooting at an Arkansas Grocery Store?

The four victims included a nurse who had just become a mother, a father, a caregiver and a woman with a faith so strong her children believe she would even have loved her killer

GoFundMe; Facebook (3) Clockwise: Callie Weems, 23, Shirley Taylor, 62, Roy Sturgis, 50, and Ellen Shrum, 81.

Fifteen people were injured before police apprehended the man suspected of a mass shooting at a small town grocery store in Fordyce, Ark. Friday, June 21.

Travis Eugene Posey walked into Mad Butcher around 11:38 a.m., according to Arkansas State Police.

He allegedly carried with him a 12-gauge shotgun, pistol and bandolier with dozens of spare shotgun rounds, the Associated Press reported, citing authorities, who said that he emptied his shotgun and spent most  if not all  of the extra rounds, starting in the parking lot and wreaking havoc as he pushed his way inside.

The 44-year-old man had no personal connection to the customers and employees he allegedly fired indiscriminately at, Colonel Mike Hagar of the state police said at a weekend press conference.

Police are investigating the motive behind the attack.

Police say five people remained hospitalized as of Sunday, June 23.

Callie Weems, 23, Roy Sturgis, 50, Shirley Taylor, 62, and Ellen Shrum, 81, died from their gunshot wounds  among at least 256 people across the country to die in a mass shooting so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which tracks mass shootings, which the organization defines as any shooting in which four or more people are injured.

Callie Weems, 23

Callie Weems/Facebook Callie Weems, 23, dressed in her nursing scrubs with her infant daughter, Ivy.

Related: 'Hero' Nurse Was Killed While Aiding Gunshot Victim During Arkansas Grocery Store Mass Shooting

Callie Weems, a 23-year-old nurse and the mother of an infant, has been hailed as a hero after sacrificing her own safety to help another gunshot victim.

Instead of fleeing from the obvious danger, Callie Weems began using her training as a nurse to render aid to a gunshot victim and unfortunately became a victim herself as a result of her selfless actions, Hagar said at the press conference.

Weems descended from generations of nurses, her father, Tommy Weems, told The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

She died doing what she always does: helping, he told the newspaper.

A new mother, Weems had been texting about her 10-month-old daughter, Ivy, just an hour before the shooting, her mother, Helen Browning, told the AP.

She will know that her mother loved her, Browning, 53, said of the granddaughter she now plans to raise. And that she was the sunshine of mommas eyes.



Roy Burton Sturgis, 50

Facebook Roy Burton Sturgis, 50.

A father and stepfather who worked as a logger, Roy Burton Sturgis was as country as cornbread, Browning told the AP of her other deceased relative. He lived a simple life. He was a simple man.

The 50-year-old is described in his online obituary as first and foremost a father. His daughter, Hanna Sturgis was his pride and joy, who he loved with all his heart and his stepson, Braydon Pennington, was someone he always thought of as his own. He had also become a step-grandfather to Penningtons own daughter.

Sturgis succumbed to his injuries at the Dallas County Medical Center in Fordyce, Ark. on Friday, June 21, per his obituary.

On a virtual tribute wall, Sturgis was remembered as always courteous and brave enough to speak out to any playground bully that crossed his or your path.

That character doesnt change, Marsha Helberg Waddill continued on the page, adding that Sturgis was the type of person she could not remember meeting because it seems like he was always there.

His funeral is set for 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 28 at the Benton Funeral Home Chapel.



Shirley Taylor, 62

Facebook Shirley Taylor, 62.

Related: 3 Dead, Multiple Others Shot at Arkansas Grocery Store, Police Say

Shirley Taylor is remembered by her daughter, Angela Atchley, and grandchildren as a loving, sarcastic Memaw.

In an interview with KTHV, Atchley described her mother as the hardest working woman I ever knew."

At 62, Taylor was the primary caregiver to her severely diabetic husband.

She also enjoyed crocheting and loved working with her hands, her daughter told the outlet.

Hearing the news of the mass shooting at the local grocery store, Taylors grandson tried to contact her to be sure she was okay.

He couldn't get her to answer the phone, Atchley told KTHV. I kind of knew then that my mama was gone.



Ellen Shrum, 81

Facebook Ellen Shrum, 81.

Ellen Shrum went to Mad Butcher Friday morning to prepare a meal for a neighbor with cancer.

She was like an angel on earth, her son, Tait Shrum said at a family press conference reported on by NBC. She loved everyone  even, she didn't know him  the man who took her life. She'd have loved him and helped him.

At 81, the mother of three grown children still walked her kids to their cars when they left her home, her daughter, Teresa Crutchfield, said.

The retired flower shop owner, long known for her lavish arrangements and generous ear, had taken an unofficial role as a life counselor at her Baptist church.

She had also briefly worked at Mad Butcher and for several years at a bank  all after her first so-called retirement in 1999, the family said.

Survived by her husband, Kenneth Shrum, theirs was a partnership in which we tried to overlook the bad parts and maximize the good parts, he said, adding that their marriage was successful because they had long worked together.



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Read the original article on People.
West Virginia officials have permanently barred a failed microschool that one parent described as a glorified babysitter from participating in the states Hope Scholarship private school choice program.

In a decision last week, the Hope Scholarship Board also directed state Treasurer Riley Moores office, which runs the program, to turn their findings over to the state auditor for possible criminal charges.

The Hope Scholarship board has directed West Virginia state Treasurer Riley Moores staff to turn its investigation into Hive Learning Academy over to a state auditor. (West Virginia State Treasury)

The 74 first reported in March that Hive Learning Academy, an education startup operating out of a rented house, was part of a state investigation into scholarship violations. One parent said the school abruptly stopped serving his sons age group after only three days, made no mention of a refund and didnt answer questions. Another said there were no set meal times and students just grabbed their lunches from the refrigerator.

Parents alerted officials to the problems, but Kaela Zimmerman, the homeschool parent who opened the program, said the state bears some responsibility.

Related

Failed West Virginia Microschool Fuels State Probe  and Some Soul Searching

I feel like they are trying to make an example out of us to set a precedent even though the system truly failed us last year, she told The 74. She added that she had no plans to reopen anyway. It was a learning process for everyone. I wish they were willing to admit that and understand that we all did the best we could with the resources we had at the time.

While the Martinsburg-based school ultimately served just eight students, the controversy raised larger questions nationwide about the expertise of those who start schools with public funds. Critics of such programs, known as education savings accounts, say there is a lack of sufficient oversight and that students suffer when programs abruptly close. But school choice supporters used the schools failure to argue that market-based approaches like those in West Virginia work.

This is the flashpoint for the conversation about what is accountability with education savings accounts, said Michael Horn, co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation, a nonprofit think tank. He led a session on the topic at a conference in April and said drawing attention to problems and solutions will make programs better.

Don Soifer, who leads the National Microschooling Center, an advocacy group, noted that West Virginia lawmakers voted last year to allow families to spend ESA funds at microschools, but didnt follow up with clear guidance on how the unconventional programs could participate.

West Virginia simply had not anticipated a microschooling movement, and government was slow to respond, he said. While the requirements on school founders are minimal  they must subject staff to criminal background checks and notify districts when students enroll  Soifer said the level of awareness in the state about the small programs has grown. Things seem a whole lot better now. But the start was tricky.

Everything was returned

Launching the Hive was a greater risk than Zimmerman anticipated. She and a business partner opened the program last August and, lacking sufficient startup funds, dipped into their own money for furniture and supplies. Parents quickly spotted signs of trouble. The schools schedule was inconsistent as operators worked other jobs to pay bills. Parents who visited the schools saw little evidence of academic work.

Related

Exclusive: Microschools Fill Niche for Students with Disabilities, Survey Shows

Ultimately, Zimmerman repaid the state over $15,000 and said she doesnt understand why officials say she could face criminal charges.

Everything was returned that needed to be returned, she said. No one from the Hope board has reached out to me a single time since they received our refunds.

Jared Hunt, spokesman for the treasurers office, said the board sent Zimmerman notice of the official action and information on how to appeal. But he declined to answer additional questions due to the ongoing investigation.

To observers like Horn, the episode prompts additional questions for both parents and entrepreneurs seeking to open microschools.

Related

Inside Maines Microschooling Movement

Were in an environment where youre seeing so many different microschools pop up with so many educators of different stripes starting them, he said. Whats the role of the state? Whats the role of parents? Whats the role of marketplaces in which students and families are making choices?
Callahan County Commissioners enacted a burn ban, effective June 10. But the 90-day order will not affect Fourth of July celebrations, and individuals will be allowed to responsibly use fireworks bought retail.

Shackleford County has continued a similar burn ban as well.

Other counties such as Taylor and Jones have no burn ban, or none planned in the near future. Regardless of the absence of a burn ban, however, Taylor County residents won't be enjoying a zoo fireworks show this year.

The Abilene Zoo's annual fireworks show had taken place each year near the youth soccer fields, which are now under construction.

The annual WesTex Connect Fireworks Spectacular show is reflected in the water of Nelson Parks Tittle Lake in this slow-shutter exposure Tuesday July 4, 2023.

"2023 was our last year for fireworks," Denae Duesler, development manager at the zoo, said.

There will, however, be a fireworks show at Wylie High School stadium July 3 hosted by WT Connect. Tickets cost $13.24 each and include a hot dog buffet and a live band.

Stands began selling retail fireworks to consumers beginning Monday, but the law dictates where they can be set off. The retail season ends midnight July 4.

No restrictions on fireworks

Taylor County officials decided against a burn ban at the June 4 County Commissioners meeting in a unanimous vote to take no action on the matter.

"People still have got to be very careful with their burning," Commissioner Randy Williams said after the vote.

County Judge Phil Crowley said the lack of action only applies to unincorporated areas of Taylor County.

The city of Abilene, on the other hand, prohibits all fireworks within city limits by ordinance.

Taylor County Commissioner Chuck Statler said the reason for the lack of a burn ban is due to the recent rains in the county, as well as the relatively low risk for wildfire.

Statler said the Keetch-Byram Drought Index is 192 on average for Taylor County. A KDBI of 575 would indicate an imminent danger of a wildfire.

In a map from the Texas Weather Connection, Abilene is located in the blue region with the lowest risk for wildfires as of Wednesday.

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index as of June 12, with Abilene in the blue after recent rains coated the Big Country.

Taylor County officials will therefore not restrict the sale of fireworks, according to a recent announcement. They do, however, "want to encourage citizens to use caution this 4th of July season when igniting fireworks."

They asked citizens to be aware, however, that it is a class C misdemeanor and a $500 fine for the use of fireworks on a Taylor County Road" despite the lack of a burn ban.

Similarly, in Jones County, there are no restrictions on fireworks, and there is no current burn ban, according to the office of Jones County Judge Dale Spurgin.

'Public safety hazard'

Dry conditions in the unincorporated areas of Callahan County have prompted county commissioners to respond with a burn ban, which went into effect June 10.

Statler said the rainfall has not been evenly distributed across Callahan County, and as more grass turns brown, it creates more potential fuel for a fire.

According to a Callahan County proclamation, these dry conditions could "create a public safety hazard" exacerbated by outdoor burns, so the county has banned all outdoor burning, to include grilling over an open flame.

The county plans to enforce this ban by fining violators with a penalty up to $1,000. Violators could even see jail time of up to 180 days behind bars.

Residents are also required to notify the Callahan County Sheriff's Office and the appropriate volunteer fire department of any upcoming prescribed or agricultural burns, and to avoid burning under windy or low humidity conditions.

Notable exceptions to this policy include farmers harvesting crops, mining operations or firefighters in training.

When asked about the ban June 12, Callahan County Judge Nicki Harle initially said that "fireworks are included in the burn ban" although they were not mentioned specifically.

Harle followed up with The Reporter-News on Tuesday because on Monday, Callahan County Commissioners reviewed the burn ban and discussed what it covers.

Harle said in that discussion, commissioners noted the ban did not include fireworks because "they did not think it was necessary."

"I stand corrected," Harle said.

She emphasized the burn ban should not affect Clyde's Festival by the Lake on June 28 and 29, but that she hoped that no fires would begin as a result of any fireworks' sparks or flames.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Updated: What's up with Big Country fireworks this year?
AUSTIN (KXAN)  The majority of Texans seeking abortions traveled to New Mexico for access during 2023, according to new data from the Guttmacher Institute.

The report evaluates the number of out-of-state abortions Texans received in 2023, the first full year after the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Monday marks the second anniversary of the legislations overruling by the Supreme Court, which paved the way for Texas current ban on abortion care save for very limited exceptions.

New Mexico received the highest number of Texas patients, with 14,200 abortions performed for Texans in 2023. Kansas came in second with 6,720 abortions performed and Colorado in third with 4,400 abortion services for Texans.

The complete outflow map is broken down as follows:

Texans to New Mexico: 14,200 abortions performed

Texans to Kansas: 6,720 abortions performed

Texans to Colorado: 4,400 abortions performed

Texans to California: 3,580 abortions performed

Texans to Illinois: 1,570 abortions performed

Texans to Florida: 1,150 abortions performed

Texans to Nevada: 880 abortions performed

Texans to New York: 570 abortions performed

Texans to Washington: 260 abortions performed

Texans to Arizona: 230 abortions performed

Texans to New Jersey: 200 abortions performed

Texans to Virginia: 190 abortions performed

Texans to North Carolina: 170 abortions performed

Texans to Maryland: 170 abortions performed

Texans to Georgia: 150 abortions performed

Texans to Michigan: 120 abortions performed

Texans to Massachusetts: 120 abortions performed

Texans to Pennsylvania: 120 abortions performed

Whats the methodology behind the dataset?

The Guttmacher Institute is a research and policy nongovernmental organization tracking and advocating for sexual health and reproductive-related issues. Researchers gathered the estimated number of clinician-provided abortions in each state that doesnt have a total ban during 2023.

RELATED: New abortion exception guidelines face criticism from attorneys

Those figures include both procedural and medication-based abortions that are provided at in-person health facilities like clinics or doctors offices, as well as through telehealth and virtual provider services. Self-managed abortions  or those completed by using abortion pills from a community support network or other resources  are not included in the dataset.

Abortions are counted as having been provided in the state in which a patient had a procedure or where pills were dispensed, the study explained.

Which states have similar abortion restrictions to Texas?

The report found Texas is among the most restrictive states in the country when it comes to abortion care access. Other states categorized under the same ranking (but that may have different abortion laws on the books) as Texas include:

Louisiana

Mississippi

Alabama

Florida

South Carolina

West Virginia

Kentucky

Tennessee

Arkansas

Missouri

Indiana

Oklahoma

North Dakota

South Dakota

Idaho

Nationally, more than one million abortions were provided in U.S. states without total abortion bans in 2023, the report found. That marked an 11.5% increase in clinician-provided abortions in states that dont have a total ban since 2020, the report added.

Here in the Lone Star State, the Texas Medical Board unanimously approved Friday new rules that offer extra guidance for circumstances where doctors can legally perform emergency abortions within the state.

Under the new requirements, physicians are mandated to complete documentation that explains and when they decide to perform an abortion, Nexstars Monica Madden reported. That documentation must be completed within seven days of providing a patient with an emergency abortion.

If a womans life is in danger there is no uncertainty there, said Texas Medical Board President Sherif Zaafran, M.D. That is where action should happen quickly.

More details on the report are available online.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
A staffer on the White House communications team has responded to criticism from conservatives over his past social media posts, stating those from when he was younger are not a reflection of his current views.

Tyler Cherry, who was recently promoted to the role of an associate communications director at the White House, came under scrutiny last week for circulating screenshots of his posts from 2014-2017, in which he allegedly criticized police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Past social media posts from when I was younger do not reflect my current views. Period. I support this Administrations agenda  and will continue my communications work focused on our climate and environmental policies, Cherry wrote Sunday on the social platform X.

Responses to his Sunday post included several screenshots of years-old posts.

Any of Cherrys posts on X before April 2022 appear to be deleted, and the screenshots could not be independently verified as a result. The handle @TylerACherry seen in the screenshots is the same as Cherrys current X account name.

In a pair of screenshots from January 2015, Cherry allegedly wrote, Police = slave patrols. Voter ID = poll taxes. #NAACPBombing = KKK bombings. Neither slavery nor Jim Crow WERE THAT LONG AGO. We just evolved.

Apt time to recall that the modern day police system is a direct evolution of slave patrols and lynch mobs #McKinney, Cherry added, days after footage of a white officer in McKinney, Texas, circulated showing him cursing, pointing his weapon at two Black teenagers and wrestling a 14-year-old girl to the ground after being called to a pool party.

In another screenshot of an apparent post from August 2014, Cherry weighed in on the American weapons sales to Israel when responding to Samantha Power, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, who said the U.S. strongly support[ed] the U.N.s humanitarian work during the 2014 Gaza war.

@AmbassadorPower @shebenatalie @UNRWA and yet continues to let Israeli forces restock their arsenals with US ammunition and weapons, Cherry wrote.

The Hill reached out to the White House for comment.

Cherry, who is openly gay, previously served as principal deputy communications director for the Interior Department and faced separate online attacks last year.

In October, the right-wing social media account LibsofTikTok criticized Cherrys appearance on X by sharing photographs and old posts from Cherry. The posts sparked a debate over Cherrys style and prompted criticism from conservative voices over what it means to appear professional.

The White House at the time condemned the attacks, defending Cherry as an invaluable member of the team.

No one should be targeted simply for being themselves. It is cruel and unacceptable, the White House previously said. This is an administration that believes to our core in the principle that out of many, we are one  and we are proud that the people who serve in it reflect those values as well. Tyler is an invaluable member of our team who continues to deliver for the Department of the Interior and the American people.

Cherry is also an activist for LGBTQ rights and is part of a queer DJ collective in D.C., per The Washington Post, and began working for the Interior Department at the start of the Biden administration.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Deputy chief of staff of the Southern Theater Commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Gao Xiucheng salutes in front of an honor guard during the Cambodian-China "Golden Dragon" drill at a military police base in Kampong Chhnang province on May 16, 2024. Credit - Tang Chhin SothyAFP/Getty Images

Little could be more symbolic of the power struggle playing out in Southeast Asia than what is happening on the outskirts of Ream National Park, in southern Cambodia. China is building a naval base on the site of a former U.S.-built military facility, and appears to be settling in for the long haul. Vessels of the Peoples Liberation Army have been docked in the area for months, and the two countries have conducted a series of substantial Golden Dragon joint military exercises from the nearby Sihanoukville Autonomous Port. China used the opportunity to showcase their army of robodogsfour-legged robots with rifles mounted on their backsto the worlds media. These drills first began in 2016, shortly after Cambodia canceled joint exercises with the United States.

Relations between China and Cambodia have moved apace in recent years. Details of the Ream naval base built with Chinese aid were first reported in 2019. And, this year, in a further deepening of ties, Chinese-owned companies are due to start work on the Funan Techo canal, a 112-mile, $1.7 billion project that will connect the capital to the Gulf of Thailand. Upon completion, the canal could divert traffic from the Mekong River and establish a trade route for China, through Laos and Cambodia, that cuts out the need for passage through an increasingly pro-Western Vietnam. China and Cambodia have a build-operate-transfer financing agreement, which will see it remain in Chinas hands for at least 50 years.

For China, this control serves a greater strategic purpose. In Cambodia, and in the regime of Hun Manet, it now has an ironclad ally beholden on its investment. Around 40% of Cambodias $10 billion foreign debt is owed to China. And this gives President Xi Jinping, and his ruling-CCP, enormous clout.

A Chinese army man tests a machine gun equipped on a robot dog before participating in the "Golden Dragon" on May 16. Heng SinithAP

The U.S. and Vietnam recently upgraded their relationship in an effort to counter this threat of Chinese creep in Southeast Asia. Just last month, a U.S. warship was driven away from the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea by the Chinese military, after it allegedly crossed into its territory. While another U.S. ally, the Philippines, is currently engaged in a fierce diplomatic battle over disputed territory in this region, which has resulted in the ramming and water-cannoning of Philippine ships. Although an international tribunal has rejected Chinas expansive claims to areas of the South China Sea, it has persisted in occupying and building out several new islands, as well as maintaining a military presence across the region.

The role of Cambodia in Chinas power-play within the Indo-Pacific cannot be understated. The autocratic Manet regime is a critical ally for China. The Chinese Foreign Minister was the first foreign official to congratulate, and then meet with, him following his inauguration as Prime Minister in 2023. And there is an increasing crossover in the tacticsand adoption of certain technologies, such as mass surveillance tools including CCTV, facial recognition software, and internet firewall technologiesthat are being used to monitor and suppress regime critics, trade unionists, and activists. Independent news outlets have been shuttered, and female journalists, in particular, have become targets of harassment and many forced into exile.

Read More: Why I'm Alarmed By What's Happening in Cambodia

Unfortunately, the U.S. response has so far been muted. On a visit to Cambodia this month, U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said that his ambitions with Manet were to sit down and talk about how [we] might have a more positive and optimistic path in the future. The visit was not about securing significant deliverables and achievements. This suggests a fundamental misread of what is happening in Southeast Asia. While the Biden Administration seems to perceive Cambodia as an amenable partner, Manet is double-dealing Beijing and Washington.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin listens as Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet speaks during a meeting at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh on June 4, 2024. STR/AFP/Getty Images

Evidence for this includes Cambodias repeated attempts to engage with U.S. officials to join the Washington-backed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). At the same time, the Manet government continues to court investment from China, which remains its top direct investor.

For those in Washington, who are increasingly concerned by the rise of China and the looming threats to Western democracy not just in Southeast Asia but around the world, a reset is required with countries like Cambodia. The current all carrot, no stick approach risks further democratic decline in Cambodia and the growth of Chinese influence.

Last year, Democrat and Republican lawmakers sought to bring the Manet regime to greater heel, with the threat of targeted sanctions against key figures suppressing democratic institutions, political freedoms, and human rights in the country. Their draft congressional bill also called for a more defined set of U.S. policies toward Cambodia. While this congressional effort ultimately failed to get sufficient traction, it is the kind of approach that is essential to give teeth to U.S. ambitions to counter Chinas influence in the region.

This is a critical moment, both for the U.S. and Southeast Asia. Treading lightly with repressive leaders such as Manet risks normalizing their continued assault on the freedoms and liberties of citizens of this region. It also begs the question of U.S. lawmakers, who are speaking out on the need to push back at Chinese creep in this region, but not doing enough to safeguard the values of democracy that they, and the citizens of Southeast Asia, so care for.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Why COVID patients who could most benefit from Paxlovid still arent getting it

Paxlovid, an anti-viral approved for emergency use in the treatment of COVID, has been increased by the federal government. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons | CC-BY-SA 4.0)

Evangelical minister Eddie Hyatt believes in the healing power of prayer but also the medical approach. So on a February evening a week before scheduled prostate surgery, he had his sore throat checked out at an emergency room near his home in Grapevine, Texas.

A doctor confirmed that Hyatt had COVID-19 and sent him to CVS with a prescription for the antiviral drug Paxlovid, the generally recommended medicine to fight covid. Hyatt handed the pharmacist the script, but then, he said, She kept avoiding me.

She finally looked up from her computer and said, Its $1,600.

The generally healthy 76-year-old went out to the car to consult his wife about their credit card limits. I dont think Ive ever spent more than $20 on a prescription, the astonished Hyatt recalled.

That kind of sticker shock has stunned thousands of sick Americans since late December, as Pfizer shifted to commercial sales of Paxlovid. Before then, the federal government covered the cost of the drug.

The price is one reason Paxlovid is not reaching those who need it most. And patients who qualify for free doses, which Pfizer offers under an agreement with the federal government, often dont realize it or know how to get them.

If you want to create a barrier to people getting a treatment, making it cost a lot is the way to do it, said William Schaffner, a professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and spokesperson for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Public and medical awareness of Paxlovids benefits is low, and putting people through an application process to get the drug when theyre sick is a non-starter, Schaffner said. Pfizer says it takes only five minutes online.

Its not an easy drug to use. Doctors are wary about prescribing it because of dangerous interactions with common drugs that treat cholesterol, blood clots, and other conditions. It must be taken within five days of the first symptoms. It leaves a foul taste in the mouth. In one study, 1 in 5 patients reported rebound covid symptoms a few days after finishing the medicine  though rebound can also occur without Paxlovid.

A recent JAMA Network study found that sick people 85 and older were less likely than younger Medicare patients to get COVID therapies like Paxlovid. The drug might have prevented as many as 27,000 deaths in 2022 if it had been allocated based on which patients were at highest risk from covid. Nursing home patients, who account for around 1 in 6 U.S. covid deaths, were about two-thirds as likely as other older adults to get the drug.

Shrunken confidence in government health programs is one reason the drug isnt reaching those who need it. In senior living facilities, a lack of clear information and misinformation are causing residents and their families to be reluctant to take the necessary steps to reduce COVID risks, said David Gifford, chief medical officer for an association representing 14,000 health care providers, many in senior care.

The anti-vaxxers spreading falsehoods about vaccines have targeted Paxlovid as well. Some call themselves anti-paxxers.

Proactive and health-literate people get the drug. Those who are receiving information more passively have no idea whether its important or harmful, said Michael Barnett, a primary care physician at Brigham and Womens Hospital and an associate professor at Harvard, who led the JAMA Network study.

In fact, the drug is still free for those who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal health programs, including those for veterans.

Thats what rescued Hyatt, whose Department of Veterans Affairs health plan doesnt normally cover outpatient drugs. While he searched on his phone for a solution, the pharmacists assistant suddenly appeared from the store.

It wont cost you anything! she said.

As Hyatts case suggests, it helps to know to ask for free Paxlovid, although federal officials say theyve educated clinicians and pharmacists  like the one who helped Hyatt  about the program.

There is still a heaven! Hyatt replied.

After he had been on Paxlovid for a few days his symptoms were gone and his surgery was rescheduled.

About That $1,390 List Price

Pfizer sold the U.S. government 23.7 million five-day courses of Paxlovid, produced under an FDA emergency authorization, in 2021 and 2022, at a price of around $530 each.

Under the new agreement, Pfizer commits to provide the drug for the beneficiaries of the government insurance programs. Meanwhile, Pfizer bills insurers for some portion of the $1,390 list price. Some patients say pharmacies have quoted them prices of $1,600 or more.

How exactly Pfizer arrived at that price isnt clear. Pfizer wont say. A Harvard study last year estimated the cost of producing generic Paxlovid at about $15 per treatment course, including manufacturing expenses, a 10% profit markup, and 27% in taxes.

Pfizer reported $12.5 billion in Paxlovid and COVID vaccine sales in 2023, after a $57 billion peak in 2022. The companys 2024 Super Bowl ad, which cost an estimated $14 million to place, focused on Pfizers cancer drug pipeline, newly reinforced with its $43 billion purchase of biotech company Seagen. Unlike some other recent oft-aired Pfizer ads (If its covid, Paxlovid), it didnt mention covid products.

Connecting With Patients

The other problem is getting the drug where it is needed.

We negotiated really hard with Pfizer to make sure that Paxlovid would be available to Americans the way they were accustomed to, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra told reporters in February. If you have private insurance, it should not cost you much money, certainly not more than $100.

Yet in nursing homes, getting Paxlovid is particularly cumbersome, said Chad Worz, CEO of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, specialists who provide medicines to care homes.

If someone in long-term care tests positive for covid, the nurse tells the physician, who orders the drug from a pharmacist, who may report back that the patient is on several drugs that interact with Paxlovid, Worz said. Figuring out which drugs to stop temporarily requires further consultations while the time for efficacious use of Paxlovid dwindles, he said.

His group tried to get the FDA to approve a shortcut similar to the standing orders that enable pharmacists to deliver anti-influenza medications when there are flu outbreaks in nursing homes, Worz said.

We were close, he said, but it just never came to fruition.

The FDA is unable to comment, spokesperson Chanapa Tantibanchachai said.

Los Angeles County requires nursing homes to offer any COVID-positive patient an antiviral, but the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which oversees nursing homes nationwide, has not issued similar guidance.

And this is a mistake, said Karl Steinberg, chief medical officer for two nursing home chains with facilities in San Diego County, which also has no such mandate. A requirement would ensure the patient isnt going to fall through the cracks, he said.

While it hasnt ordered doctors to prescribe Paxlovid, CMS on Jan. 4 issued detailed instructions to health insurers urging swift approval of Paxlovid prescriptions, given the five-day window for the drugs efficacy. It also encourages plans to make sure pharmacists know about the free Paxlovid arrangement.

Current covid strains appear less virulent than those that circulated earlier in the pandemic, and years of vaccination and covid infection have left fewer people at risk of grave outcomes. But risk remains, particularly among older seniors, who account for most COVID deaths, which number more than 13,500 so far this year in the U.S.

Steinberg, who sees patients in 15 residences, said he orders Paxlovid even for COVID-positive patients without symptoms. None of the 30 to 40 patients whom he prescribed the drug in the past year needed hospitalization, he said; two stopped taking it because of nausea or the foul taste, a pertinent concern in older people whose appetites already have ebbed.

Steinberg said he knew of two patients who died of covid in his companies facilities this year. Neither was on Paxlovid. He cant be sure the drug would have made a difference, but hes not taking any chances. The benefits, he said, outweigh the risks.

Reporter Colleen DeGuzman contributed to this report.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

The post Why COVID patients who could most benefit from Paxlovid still arent getting it appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Why do some planets have moons? A physics expert explains why Earth has only one moon while other planets have hundreds

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question youd like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com.

Why do some planets have moons and some dont?  Siddharth, age 6, Texas

On Earth, you can look up at night and see the Moon shining bright from hundreds of thousands of miles away. But if you went to Venus, that wouldnt be the case. Not every planet has a moon  so why do some planets have several moons, while others have none?

Im a physics instructor who has followed the current theories that describe why some planets have moons and some dont.

First, a moon is called a natural satellite. Astronomers refer to satellites as objects in space that orbit larger bodies. Since a moon isnt human-made, its a natural satellite.

Currently, there are two main theories for why some planets have moons. Moons are either gravitationally captured if they are within whats called a planets Hill sphere radius, or theyre formed along with a solar system.

The Hill sphere radius

Objects exert a gravitational force of attraction on other nearby objects. The larger the object is, the greater the force of attraction.

This gravitational force is the reason we all stay grounded to Earth instead of floating away.

The solar system is dominated by the Suns large gravitational force, which keeps all of the planets in orbit. The Sun is the most massive object in our solar system, which means it has the most gravitational influence on objects such as planets.

In order for a satellite to orbit a planet, it has to be close enough for the planet to exert enough force to keep it in orbit. The minimum distance for a planet to keep a satellite in orbit is called the Hill sphere radius.

The Hill sphere radius is based on the mass of both the larger object and the smaller object. The Moon orbiting Earth is a good example of how the Hill sphere radius works. The Earth orbits around the Sun, but the Moon is close enough to Earth that Earths gravitational pull captures it. The moon orbits around the Earth, rather than the Sun, because it is within Earths Hill sphere radius.

Earth has a larger Hill sphere radius than Mercury. Nicole Granucci

Smaller planets like Mercury have a tiny Hill sphere radius, since they cant exert a large gravitational pull. Any potential moons would likely get pulled in by the Sun instead.

Many scientists are still looking to see whether these planets may have had small moons in the past. Back during the formation of the solar system, they may have had moons that got knocked away by collisions with other space objects.

Mars has two moons, Phobos and Deimos. Scientists still debate whether these came from asteroids that passed close into Mars Hill sphere radius and got captured by the planet, or if they were formed at the same time as the solar system. More evidence supports the first theory, because Mars is close to the asteroid belt.

Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune have larger Hill sphere radii, because they are much larger than Earth, Mars, Mercury and Venus and theyre farther from the Sun. Their gravitational pulls can attract and keep more natural satellites such as moons in orbit. For example, Jupiter has 95 moons, while Saturn has 146.

Moons forming with a solar system

Another theory suggests that some moons formed at the same time as their solar system.

Solar systems start out with a big disk of gas rotating around a sun. As the gas rotates around the sun, it condenses into planets and moons that rotate around them. The planets and moons then all rotate in the same direction.

But only a few moons in our solar system were likely created this way. Scientists predict that Jupiters and Saturns inner moons formed during the emergence of our solar system because theyre so old. The rest of the moons in our solar system, including Jupiters and Saturns outer moons, were probably gravitationally captured by their planets.

Earths Moon is special because it likely formed in a different way. Scientists believe that long ago, a large, Mars-sized object collided with the Earth. During that collision, a big chunk flew off the Earth and into its orbit and became the Moon.

Scientists guess that the Moon formed this way because theyve found a type of rock called basalt in soil on the Moons surface. The Moons basalt looks the same as basalt found inside the Earth.

Ultimately, the question of why some planets have moons is still widely debated, but factors such as a planets size, gravitational pull, Hill sphere radius and how its solar system formed may play a role.

Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question youd like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live.

And since curiosity has no age limit  adults, let us know what youre wondering, too. We wont be able to answer every question, but we will do our best.

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: Nicole Granucci, Quinnipiac University

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Nicole Granucci 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. France is drawing Armenia into a new gamble by supplying weapons and ammunition, the dean of UNEC's Faculty of Turkic World Economy and professor at Uludag University, Mehmet Yuce told Trend.

"Following Azerbaijan's victory in the II Karabakh War in 2020, a new situation has emerged in the region. Azerbaijan, which has restored its territorial integrity, is, on the one hand, trying to establish a sustainable peace with Armenia, and on the other hand, making great efforts for regional stability. In this context, Azerbaijan is pursuing a diversified foreign policy, which has led to several important results in the country.

However, Armenia has not taken the same steps. Instead of fulfilling its commitments, it has chosen to follow new adventures, make new claims, and support the West, especially France. In determining the relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, not only the will of both sides is important, but also the influence of external forces on Armenia. Here, France, in particular, is pursuing a policy of destabilization in the region, using its influence on Armenia to penetrate the South Caucasus. France, by supplying arms and ammunition, is dragging Armenia into a new adventure. France, with the support of the Armenian diaspora, using its feeble political influence in the country, is dragging Armenia into a war against Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan, as always, pursues a policy aimed at a peaceful solution to the problem. However, the policy pursued by Armenia is becoming unbearable. As in the case of the 44-day II Karabakh War, Azerbaijan's solution to the problem itself is seen as an important option. The new reality in the region demonstrates that Azerbaijan has this power. Turkiye, in this case, under the provisions of the alliance contained in the Shusha Declaration, will support the brotherly country in every possible way, as it has always done. If this option emerges as a result, Armenia will suffer the most," he noted.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Fire crews make their way up a slope near Fort Good Hope, N.W.T. on the weekend. (N.W.T. Fire - image credit)

A fire burning outside Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., "blew up" on Sunday, according to officials, and is now more than 5,000 hectares in size.

Wildfire information officer Frank McKay also told CBC News on Monday morning that hot, dry weather made the fire visible closer to the community on Sunday, but that it was still blowing away from the community.

"There was lots of smoke," he said.

As of Monday morning, the fire was an estimated 5,459 hectares in size, and burning to the northeast of Fort Good Hope. No structures had been lost to the fire.

McKay said the focus now is still to hold the fire back from the community. Crews are building fire barriers with a "blackline" on the perimeter. They're using hand torches to burn vegetation, dead trees and dead grass to contain the fire.

McKay said that work is almost done.

"We're close to about 80 per cent containment of the blacklining," he said.

"Today we're just going to do more of the same and it could be done by tomorrow."

McKay said the goal right now isn't to declare the fire under control.

Once the blacklining is done, the side of the fire burning near the community could be declared under control but the other half of the fire burning away from the community will be left to burn toward a 2017 burn area.

The community has been under an evacuation order for more than a week now. As for when the order could be lifted, it will be up to the leadership in Fort Good Hope and the Emergency Management Organization to decide.
SPARTA, Wis. (WFRV)  A 54-year-old Wisconsin man was sentenced to decades behind bars on Monday for sex crimes against children.

According to a release, Mark Brooner, 54, from Tomah, was sentenced to 35 years in prison on his convictions for child sex crimes. The decades-long sentence will keep Brooner behind bars until he is 89 years old. Following his release, he will be supervised by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for 20 years and will have to register as a sex offender.

Two young adults dead & two others injured after severe crash on State Highway 172 in Brown County

A jury convicted Brooner of 23 child sex crimes after a four-day trial in April. He committed the offenses against two victims over 11 years between 2008 and 2019.

The release states that Brooner began victimizing each child when she was around eight years old and continued into eachs teenage years. At the sentencing, one victim provided insight into the childhood innocence snatched from her by noting she still had baby teeth when Brooner first began sexually assaulting her.

Brooners convictions mandated a minimum prison sentence of 25 years but allowed for a maximum sentence of over 435 years. The prosecution recommended a 135-year sentence, arguing, Brooners perverted and heinous actions, combined with his previous conviction for sexually assaulting a teenager in 1988, justified confinement exceeding Brooners life expectancy.

Brooner used and abused people for his own perverse sexual gratification for the entirety of his adult life without regard for the trauma he left in his wake, said Assistant District Attorney Sarah Skiles, who handled the case. Sexual predators belong in prison to prevent them from inflicting future harm. Monroe County will be a safer place for many decades with Brooner in prison.

Estimated 40 ducks and chickens die after barn fire in Sheboygan County, cause unknown

Brooner continued to say that the outcome in the case would not have been possible if it hadnt been for the dedicated professionals who poured their hearts into seeking justice, including Detective John Brose of the Monroe County Sheriffs Office.

No additional details were provided.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
FILE PHOTO: U.N. Security Council meets to address the situation in the Middle East at a ministerial level, in New York

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres accused Israel on Monday of spreading misinformation about him during the more than eight-month-long war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

"I've heard the same source many times saying that I never attacked Hamas, that I never condemned Hamas, that I am a supporters of Hamas," Guterres told a news conference on information integrity, without naming Israel.

"I have condemned Hamas 102 times, 51 of them in formal speeches, the others in different social platforms," he said. "The truth, in the end, always wins."

Israel's U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan said the condemnations by Guterres were "empty words when compared to his actions."

"His sole aim has been to help Hamas survive this war. We find it despicable that the secretary-general refuses to abide by the U.N.'s standards and paints a distorted picture of events on the ground," Erdan said. "Antonio Guterres is an accomplice to terror and should resign today."

Relations between the U.N. and Israel have long been fraught and have only worsened during the Israel-Hamas war.

Israel accused the U.N. of being biased against it and has accused U.N. staff of working with Hamas and other militants. The U.N. is investigating some of the allegations, but has said in many cases it is yet to received evidence from Israel.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Josie Kao)
A 42-year-old Davenport man faces a serious misdemeanor charge after witnesses say he hanged his dog by a leash, punched the animal more than seven times, then slammed his bicycle on the dog, according to court records.

Robert Lee Hylton III faces a serious-misdemeanor charge of animal abuse, court records show.

Robert Hylton III (Scott County Jail)

Shortly after 9:35 p.m. Friday, Davenport Police responded to the Golden Mart on the 1000 block of West River Drive for a disturbance.

Five witnesses described the dogs abuse, according to arrest affidavits, which say When confronted, (Hylton) threatened to fight the witnesses. (He) intentionally inflicted pain on his dog.

Afterward, The dog appeared lethargic, squinting from the eyes with her tail between her legs, affidavits show. Due to the dogs abnormal behavior, she was separated from the defendant and taken to the Humane Society by officers.

Hylton, who was released on his own recognizance, is set for a preliminary hearing July 12 in Scott County Court. We did not know the condition or the whereabouts of the dog on Sunday; we will remain in contact to provide details when they become available.

A serious misdemeanor in Iowa is punishable by up to a year of incarceration and a fine.

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Witnesses heard screams for help coming from a camper at Lake Lanier. What deputies discovered later

Screams from inside a camper led to the arrest of a 54-year-old woman.

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On June 13, just before 3:30 p.m., Hall County deputies were called to the Shoal Creek Campground.

Authorities conducted a welfare check after campers told deputies they heard someone screaming for help. When deputies arrived, first responders were helping the 80-year-old victim, who was bedbound and lying in urine.

HCSO deputies contacted the victims caregiver, Gretchen P. Manley-Philyaw, 54, who told deputies she left the victim in the camper overnight.

Manley-Philyaw specified she would take the 80-year-old woman to her home in Buford.

Both Manley-Philyaw and the victim were allowed to leave the campground.

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Days later, on June 18, Adult Protective Services investigators learned that Manley-Philyaw had not taken the victim to her Buford home but instead, was at a camper at the Shady Grove Campground in Forsyth County.

Hall County deputies shared Manley-Philyaws information with the Forsyth County deputies where she was arrested and taken to the Hall County Jail.

Manley-Philyaw was charged with neglect of an elderly person and exploitation of an elderly person. She was booked into the Hall County Jail on June 18.

She later posted a $20,000 bond.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Police and prosecutors were investigating how a 37-year-old woman came to be attacked and seriously injured by three wolves in a zoo outside Paris Sunday. The woman was bitten "on the neck, the calf and the back" at the Thoiry zoo around 25 miles west of the French capital, a source close to the case told AFP.

The woman was rescued after park attendants heard her screams as she was being attacked, the BBC reported.

Maryvonne Caillibotte, chief prosecutor in Versailles, had said the woman's life was in danger, but later Sunday a source told AFP her injuries were no longer life-threatening.

The woman, went out early Sunday morning for a jog after spending the night with her family in the safari-style lodge at the zoo, according to initial findings of the investigation.

CEO of Wow Safari Thoiry, Christelle Bercheny, told AFP that the woman had "crossed the American reserve on foot," a place normally "only accessible by car."

An Arctic wolf. / Credit: Wow Safari Thoiry

Bercheny said that there were signs reminding people of the "rules of survival" to be followed in the park.

"The behavior of the animals in the reserves is that of animals in freedom or semi-liberty," she added, referring to their reaction to the intrusion of a human.

Lodges in the wolf zone, advertised on its website at between 220 and 760 euros ($235-810) per night, promise "silence, rest and disconnection."

They offer "a one-of-a-kind, very intimate experience with the Arctic wolves you'll be able to see from the living room."

According to the zoo's website, the Arctic wolf is strictly carnivorous. "His sight, smell and hearing make him an outstanding hunter," says the zoo, which add that it houses a dominant female, a dominant male and their four cubs.

Arctic wolves, which are also called white wolves or polar wolves, are a subspecies of grey wolves that are found in the frozen landscape of the Arctic, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare. "Unlike other wolves who have to deal with human encroachment every day, Arctic wolves have no intrinsic distrust of humans," the IFAC says.

The woman "ended up in the safari zone, which is supposed to be restricted to cars. That's where she was attacked by three wolves," Caillibotte said.

It was not clear "whether she made a mistake or the trail wasn't clearly marked", she added.

First responders got to the scene "very quickly", the wolves were "moved away, then returned to their area", Caillibotte said.

The source familiar with the case said earlier the woman must have got through "security systems, a trench and an electric fence supposed to keep the animals in."

Police are investigating the incident.

Thoiry zoo was founded in 1968 by Paul de la Panouse, owner of a local chateau that has been in his family since the 16th century.

He recalled to the regional newspaper L'Independant in April how he initially stocked the zoo with a ship loaded with 120 animals brought from Kenya.

De la Panouse sold the zoo to a group of investors in 2018.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Las Vegas woman is accused of possessing child porn and performing and recording sexual acts between herself and her dog multiple times.

Las Vegas Metro police arrested Brennah Montgomery, 30, on May 21, according to police records. She faces three felony charges of preparing, advertising, or distributing material depicting pornography involving a minor, two felony counts of possessing visual pornography of a person under the age of 16, first offense, and a gross misdemeanor of bestiality.

This article contains disturbing content.

Discretion is advised.

Police said they found approximately 153 bestiality videos that appeared to be between Montgomery and her dog, according to an arrest report. Five of the videos showed Montgomerys face or her partial face, some videos showed Montgomery using peanut butter, and some videos were duplicates, police noted.

Montgomery admitted during her interview with a detective that she did engage in sexual activities, but she claimed she did not lock or force the dog to do such activity, according to an arrest report.

During a search warrant at a home in August 2022, police said they found the dog.

Montgomery claimed that she came across child pornography in a group on Telegram, an encrypted chat application, but denied saving or downloading any child pornography, police said.

Brennah stated she accessed Telegram with her iPhone 12, and when she first started to use Telegram and WhatsApp, the programs automatically downloaded the media she viewed on the apps and saved to her phone, the arrest report stated.

Montgomery admitted to then transmitting three videos of child sexual abuse material on Snapchat during a roleplay conversation.

Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Harmony Letizia set Montgomerys bail at $15,000 with high-level electronic monitoring on May 21. Letizia ordered Montgomery to have no contact with minors, no internet access, and no contact with animals.

Montgomery had not posted bail and was still in custody at the Clark County Detention Center as of June 18, according to jail records.

Police said the investigation began after they received a CyberTip Report from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children regarding a Snapchat user who was transmitting three files of child sexual abuse material in 2021.

On a Facebook page under the name Brennah Montgomery, several photos of a dog were posted on Feb. 24 with the caption, Although it saddens me, I realize now is the best chance for both of us; new beginnings will bring immense joy & success  especially for dearest Piper! I am no longer able to provide her with the care and attention she deserves. Home is where the heart is. Lets help Piper find her sanctuary! If you have any leads or recommendations for trustworthy adoption centers, please let me know!

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Woman charged with shooting at victim out on $25K bond

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A woman accused of physically assaulting a woman and then shooting at her last week in North Memphis was released from jail Sunday on a $25,000 bond.

Barbara Barcus, 53, is charged with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.

On June 16, Memphis police say they responded to an aggravated assault call on Leon Place. The victim stated that she was shot at by a woman, later identified as Barbara Barcus.

According to reports, Barcus and the victim are familiar with one another due to ongoing issues involving a man with whom they are both intimately involved.

Before the assault, the victim says she was outside on the phone when Barcus came to her house unannounced driving a gold Ford sedan.

Shooting in North Memphis leaves 1 injured

That is when Barcus reportedly got out of the car and began to confront the victim at gunpoint about the man.

MPD says Barcus hit the victim at close range in the left temple of her head with the handgun, knocking her to the ground.

While still on the ground, the victim says she saw Barcus get back into the Ford and fire a single shot from within the vehicle in her direction.

Investigators were able to speak with a neighbor who says she went out to check on the victim after hearing a single gunshot.

Man accused of shooting woman in front of her kids appears in court

The neighbor says she saw a gold sedan speeding off in the reverse position and called out to the victim but did not see or hear her outside.

According to the victim, she was still on the ground and disoriented after being assaulted.

After the Violent Crime Unit investigators conducted an interview with the victim, she was able to positively identify Barcus in a six-person photo lineup. The victim also stated that Barcus continues to confront her and her family members.

Barbara Barcus is scheduled to appear in court Monday at 9 a.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree "On additional measures in the field of regulating the export of scrap and waste of ferrous and non-ferrous metals" and the repeal of the decree "On the temporary suspension of the export of scrap and waste of ferrous and non-ferrous metals," Trend reports.

The decree mandated the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan to ensure the increase and/or establishment of customs duties applied to the export of scrap and waste (non-precious metals) of ferrous and non-ferrous metals (including metal products that are no longer fit for use due to breakage, cuts, wear, or other reasons) within three months and inform the President of Azerbaijan.

To prevent deviation from the payment of export customs duties provided for by this decree, the Cabinet of Ministers, within four months, must ensure the establishment of export customs duties on products obtained obtained as a result of the processing of metalworking and waste, and (or) optimization of existing export customs duties and inform the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Besides, the Cabinet of Ministers was mandated to address other issues arising from this decree.

The Ministry of Economy should submit its proposals to the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan in case of need to take measures in accordance with the law of the Azerbaijani Republic "On the Customs Tariff" in connection with meeting the needs of enterprises of the metallurgical industry in the crushing of black and non-ferrous metals, as well as waste of raw materials.

Meanwhile, the State Customs Committee was tasked with addressing issues arising from this decree.

The Presidential Decree of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 457 dated April 17, 2001, "On the temporary suspension of the export of scrap and waste of ferrous and non-ferrous metals" (Legislative Collection of Azerbaijan, 2001, No. 4, Article 227, Volume I) was repealed.

The 4th Section of this decree shall come into effect 60 days after the enactment of the normative legal act on the increase and/or establishment of customs duties on the export of scrap and waste (non-precious metals) of ferrous and non-ferrous metals as stipulated in this decree.
Woman 'Seriously Injured' After Being Mauled by Wolves at Zoo in France

A Paris woman was attacked by Arctic wolves while out for a run at the Thoiry ZooSafari in France and sustained bites to her neck, leg and back

Vasyl Helevachuk/Getty Arctic wolves

A woman visiting a French safari park and zoo was injured after wolves attacked her while she was out for a run.

On Sunday, June 23, a 37-year-old Paris woman visiting the Thoiry ZooSafari in Thoiry, France  about 40 minutes outside Paris  left her lodge in the park where she, her mother and her 22-month-old child had spent the night at about 9:30 a.m. local time, local French outlets TF1 and Le Parisien reported.

According to the outlets, the woman accidentally entered an area of the park meant to be accessed by car. The park runs car safaris in the over 17-acre (7 hectares) area, according to the zoo's website, where Arctic wolves as well as bears, zebras, giraffes, rhinoceroses and other animals are allowed to roam free. Visitors are meant to view them from their cars or zoo-owned trucks.

Related: Moose Narrowly Avoids Grizzly Bear Attack in Thrilling Viral Video from Montana Campground

LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty A watusi cattle stands on the side of a road as a car drives past at the safari park of the Thoiry Zoo in 2018.

TF1 reported that wolves "pounced" on the woman when she was about 900 feet outside of her lodge, and she was "seriously injured" after sustaining bites on her neck, calf and back. Zoo staff heard her cry out, the outlet added, and intervened. She was taken to a nearby hospital and a prosecutor told the TF1 that her condition had "stabilized" later in the day.

Luckily, the medical staff intervened very quickly and we were able to save this person, the zoos CEO Christelle Bercheny said during a press conference, according to CNN.

Bercheny added that signs are posted around the zoo that remind visitors of the park's "rules of survival," CBS News reported.

"The behavior of the animals in the reserves is that of animals in freedom or semi-liberty," the CEO said, according to CBS, noting that the zoo's animals may not be used to seeing humans.

Related: Dog Survives Mountain Lion Attack in California Backyard  Watch!

JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty A giraffe, zebras and elephants feed at the Thoiry Zoo and Safari Park on May 29, 2020.

According to the World Wildlife Foundation, Arctic wolves are "carnivorous hunters" native to North America that "rarely [come] into contact with humans."

Authorities are investigating the incident, per TF1, and looking into how the woman ended up in the area.

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Maryvonne Caillibotte, chief prosecutor in Versailles told AFP that it's not yet clear "whether she made a mistake or the trail wasn't clearly marked," CBS reported.

First responders arrived on the scene "very quickly," she said, and added that the animals were "moved away, then returned to their area."

The Thoiry ZooSafari overnight accommodations range in price from 220 to 760 (about $236 to $815) per night, according to the zoo's website, and its lodges offer "the opportunity to relax and live a unique experience in complete privacy with the Arctic wolves."

Neither the zoo nor French prosecutors immediately responded to PEOPLE's request for comment.



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Read the original article on People.
At the corner of Myrtle Street and Capitol Boulevard in downtown Boise, six women in red costumes stood quietly behind a cart covered in a black cloth. A wreath and a sign stating Death of womens rights set the stage for a funeral.

The womens costumes alluded to Margaret Atwoods dystopian novel The Handmaids Tale, in which women were coerced into reproductive slavery. The demonstrators Monday morning stood alongside a dozen other women who wore black clothes and held up signs  one read, Womens lives matter. Members of the Southwest Idaho Chapter of the National Organization for Women were in mourning over Idahos abortion ban and the second anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Courts reversal of Roe v. Wade, which provided federal protections for the procedure.

Kate Brock, right, and Audrey Numbers wave signs supporting womens reproductive rights at oncoming commuter traffic on the corner of Myrtle Street and Capitol Boulevard in Boise on Monday.

About 30 people, mostly women, participated in the protest and held signs that advocated for womens health and safe abortions as a human right. The group received significant support from people driving and walking by, who repeatedly honked and thanked the protesters. One driver screamed, Abortion matters, as he drove past the traffic light.

Cindy Thorngren, president of the organization, said that NOW showed up to make women in Boise feel like theyre not alone.

Idaho preaches a lot of freedom, but women are not free, Thorngren told the Idaho Statesman.

Holding signs decrying the state of womens reproductive rights in Idaho, members of the Southwest Idaho Chapter of the National Organization for Women protest at the corner of Myrtle Street and Capitol Boulevard in downtown Boise.

Today, Idaho has some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country. The states trigger law that became effective in August 2022 turned performing an abortion into a crime, with few exceptions. The law prompted many doctors to leave Idaho for fear the ban, which has no exception for emergency medical situations unless the patients life is at risk, would force them to either compromise their pregnant patients safety or risk loss of their medical license or prison. Some women have had to transfer to hospitals in other states, such as Oregon, to receive medical care.

In Idaho, a woman must literally be at deaths door before she can get a legal abortion to save her life if she has a medical emergency during pregnancy, NOW said in a press release. The SW Idaho Chapter of the National Organization for Women deplores the Legislatures lack of knowledge concerning womens reproduction and lack of concern for womens lives and health.

The U.S. Supreme Court is deliberating on whether to allow emergency abortions after the Department of Justice sued Idaho in August 2022 over its ban, arguing that it conflicts with the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act by prohibiting abortions that are necessary to preserve a pregnant patients health. The 1986 federal law makes it mandatory for any hospital with an emergency room that gets Medicare funds to offer stabilizing treatment to anyone with an emergency medical condition that comes to the hospital.

Justices heard oral arguments for the lawsuit in April, and the decision is expected to come soon.

Idaho Republican Attorney General Raul Labrador said that Idahos law harmonizes seamlessly with federal law in working to preserve every womans life in a guest op-ed, and that the federal government has been wrong from day one when the Supreme Court temporarily allowed the state to carry out its ban in January, the Statesman previously reported. Labrador, whose office defended the states law against the Justice Department, called this move a big step in stopping the administrations lawless overreach.

Members of the SW Idaho Chapter of the National Organization for Women protest the state of womens reproductive rights in Idaho.

Thorngren said the organization would like the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision to be overturned, but they know that wont happen in the next year. Theyll probably have to protest this for many years to come, Thorngren told the Statesman.

In Idaho, its so tough to make a difference, Thorngren said.
NEW CITY  A construction worker who suffered a debilitating brain injury has received a $44 million settlement from his family's legal action against several companies.

Arian Hila was doing demolition work inside a large dumpster at the German Masonic Home on Western Highway in Tappan in February 2018 when the debris chute broke off from the 3-story-high building and crushed him, his attorneys said in a statement. Hila had been trying to clear a blockage in the chute.

The collapse caused Hila, then 48, of Dumont, New Jersey, to suffer serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, his attorneys at the New Jersey-based Brandon Broderick Law Firm said. He cannot speak or care for himself.

Arian Hila, right, settled a lawsuit for $44 million after Hila suffered brain and other debilitating injuries when a debris chute collapsed on him at the German Masonic Home construction site on Western Highway in Tappan in 2018.

This settlement is a testament to the resilience and courage of Mr. Hila and his family, trial attorney Christopher Karounos said. It also highlights the importance of holding responsible parties accountable for their actions."

The chute collapse left Hila unable to breathe for nearly 20 minutes, according to the attorneys. Orangetown police, Tappan firefighters, Rockland paramedics, and South Orangetown ambulance workers entered the dumpster and freed Hila, who was taken to Nyack Hospital.

The law firm reported Hila's last words before he passed out that day.

"In the moments after the collapse, he called his brother, telling him, 'Im trapped. Tell Mom I love her. Im dying'," their statement said.

More: Tappan: Worker in critical condition after being crushed by debris chute

Lawsuit settled during trial testimony

More than six years after the 2018 chute collapse, Hila requires constant care and monitoring. He underwent a tracheostomy and cannot eat, drink, speak, move effectively, or conduct any life-sustaining functions on his own, according to his lawyers.

At the time of the incident, Hila lived with his brother, sister-in-law, two nephews, and his mother. Since then, Hila has lived in a hospital or an extended-care facility.

Our clients life was irreparably changed due to the severe brain injury he sustained," Karounos said in his opening statement to the Rockland County jury, according to his statement. "The defendants refused any reasonable settlement discussions for over six years, and only began discussions after they faced days of jury selection."

The settlement came seven days into a jury trial before New York State Supreme Court Justice Sherri Eisenpress at the Rockland County Courthouse in New City. Eisenpress signed off on the settlement, according to court documents.

The debris chute in which Arian Hila was pinned and suffered brain and other debilitating injuries during a 2018 collapse at the construction site at the German Masonic Home on Western Highway in Tappan.

Filed in October 2018, the lawsuit by Hila and his guardian Ledi Hila names several defendants, including, Superchute LTD, The Noble Ninth, Inc. Hector Lizana, dba Lizana Contracting, Demolition Doctor, Inc., and Brown Builders Supply Corp.

The Broderick Law Firm attorneys explained to the jury that the Canada-based Superchutes owner and experts admitted that chute blockages are the most common failures that occur in their chutes, according to the firm's release.

The law firm said company officials also admitted that instructions regarding procedures to unclog blockages were not printed on the chute itself. Rather, their defense was that workers and others could simply go online and review a manual or call an 800 number if they had questions when a blockage occurred.

Hila's lawyers also argued that Superchute had a history of being more interested in profits over peoples safety, having previously added a fire warning to its chutes while intentionally leaving out warnings on how to clear a blockage. The company added the fire warning nearly 20 years ago after learning about another manufacturers chute catching fire and causing $22 million in property damage.

Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com Twitter: @lohudlegal

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This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Worker who suffered brain injuries gets $44M from 2018 Tappan collapse
The Avtorska Shkola Boyko school in Kharkiv suffered an airstrike with a Russian UMPK KAB 250 guided bomb.

Two people jumped to their deaths from the top floors of a burning building linked to the production of Russian weaponry, and at least six others have died in the fire, state-owned Tass news agency reported.

The blaze broke out on Monday at the nine-storey Platan research institute building in the town of Fryazino, a scientific hub in the suburbs of Moscow that falls under US sanctions for producing parts for fighter jets and nuclear launches.

It follows a string of sabotage attempts inside Russia and in Europe targeting firms linked to the war effort on both sides of the conflict.

Footage showed a high-rise block ravaged by flames, with smoke billowing out. Close-up images showed workers who appeared to be trapped as the flames grew higher.

Andrei Vorobyov, Moscows regional governor, said one person had been rescued from the inferno. He later added: It is known for sure that while trying to escape, two men jumped out of the window  unfortunately, they died.

Footage showed people smashing windows as they tried to escape the flames rising from the first floor.

People were seen smashing windows as they tried to escape

The Caution News Telegram channel published footage of a man waving to rescuers from a window of the burning building.

One of the victims, a 34-year-old man, is in serious condition in intensive care he was connected to a ventilator, Mr Vorobyov said. Two firefighters sought medical attention due to combustion poisoning.

The official later added: The fate of the two women who were on the eighth floor is being clarified. There is one person in the hospital  a 34-year-old man, now on a ventilator.

Platan, a producer of electronic components for Russias ministry of defence, has been under US sanctions since June 2022 for producing what Washington described as pigments and dyestuff used by the armed forces.

An archived version of its website suggests the institute has produced parts for Russian fighter jets, nuclear launch munitions, its advanced S-400 air-defence system and various guided munitions.

But Roselectronica, part of the Rostec defence conglomerate, sought to distance themselves from the building, saying its Platan research institute had not been based there since the 1990s, according to Tass news agency.

Currently, a significant part of Platans premises is leased, an anonymous source told the outlet.

In particular, theres a recording studio, shops, communication companies, a bank, construction companies and others. The fire could have started in one of the rented premises.

Its report, citing an employee of Express Tech Service, which rents an office on the sixth floor of the building, said the fire had started there.

Mr Vorobyov said the blaze had been triggered by oxygen tanks belonging to one of the 30 companies that is based in the building.

More than 130 people and 50 pieces were involved in the effort to extinguish the blaze that had spread to 5,000 square metres by 7.30pm Moscow time, he added.

The nine-storey Platan research institute building near Moscow was ravaged by flames - AFP

The blaze was the latest in a string of unexplained fires at facilities linked to Russias armed forces since Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Recently, a fire broke out at the Moscow-based Sukhoi Design Bureau, which is responsible for the production of many of the countrys most advanced military jets.

In April, a blaze was reported at the Avangard military plant, the only known producer of S-300 surface-to-air missiles.

Ukraine has never claimed credit for these incidents, although Kyivs spy chief, Major-General Kyrylo Budanov, has admitted to sanctioning covert operations inside Russia.

Last year, he said acts of sabotage were almost 100 per cent by citizens of the Russian Federation.

Russia has also taken to carrying out overseas raids on Nato countries that have supported Ukraine.

Mysterious fires at a warehouse in east London, an Ikea in Lithuania and a shopping centre in Poland triggered warnings from Western officials of state-backed sabotage.

A large fire at an arms factory in Berlin last month was likely caused by Russians trying to disrupt weapon deliveries to Kyiv, intelligence officials believe.

06:50 PM BST

Thats all for now

Thanks for following our coverage today. This live blog is now closed.

06:49 PM BST

Unconfirmed reports: Seven dead in fire

Baza, a Telegram channel with links to the Russian security services, reports that at least seven people were killed in the research building fire outside Moscow. The claim has not been independently verified.

06:34 PM BST

Criminal investigations begin into fire

Andrey Vorobyov said that an investigative team is on the scene in Fryazino and working to establish the cause of the fire.

A criminal case has been opened. The prosecutors office is establishing the circumstances of the fire, he said.

06:16 PM BST

Moscow Governor: Two women were on floor where fire broke out

The fate of two women who were on the eighth floor of the research building when it burst into flames is currently unknown, Moscows governor has said.

Andrey Vorobyov said that a 34-year-old man had been taken to hospital and was on a ventilator.

The fire has spread to 5,000 square metres and could engulf the entire building, Mr Vorobyov wrote on Telegram, adding that oxygen tanks had triggered explosions and caused ceilings to collapse.

There is an elevator shaft in the central part of the building, he said. The ducts were positioned in such a way that they accelerated the fire.

06:05 PM BST

Fire is now localised, according to reports

The fire at the research centre near Moscow is being contained, according to Russian media. Local news wires, citing the Ministry of Emergency Situations, say that it has been localised.

However, this appeared to be contradicted by Andrey Vorobyov, the governor of Moscow, who recently said there was a threat of the fire spreading to the entire building.

06:02 PM BST

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the live blog if youre just joining us. Benedict Smith here. Well continue to bring you all the latest updates from the fire at the research centre near Moscow.

05:42 PM BST

Burning building linked to Western-sanctioned research institute

The eight-storey building that is currently burning near Moscow is linked to a Western-sanctioned scientific research institute in the Moscow region, according to local authorities.

Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, said the fire had engulfed a building belonging to the Platan research institute.

Platan, a producer of defence electronics, has been under US sanctions since June 2022 for producing and distributing pigments and dyestuff used by the military, according to the Moscow Times.

Roselectronica, the electronics components producer that is part of the defence conglomerate Rostec, told the state-run Tass news agency that its Platan research institute has not been based in the burning building since it became private property in the 1990s.

05:31 PM BST

Watch: People seen trapped inside floors engulfed by flames and smoke

05:25 PM BST

Blaze started by gas cylinder explosion, Tass reports

Tass, the state-run Russian news agency, has reported that the blaze at a research centre near Moscow was caused by the explosion of a gas cylinder.

The agency said that an emergency management service reported an explosion inside the building, and said it was caused by a gas cylinder.

At least eight people have died in the fire, which is raging across an estimated 4,500 square meters of the building between the fifth and seventh floors.

03:56 PM BST

Pictured: Emergency services at the Moscow defence building fire

Fire and smoke billow from a burning research building in Fryazino near Moscow, June 24 - GOVERNOR OF MOSCOW REGION/REUTERS

03:41 PM BST

Hungary looking to challenge EU over frozen Russian assets

Hungarys foreign minister has said a legal team in Brussels is looking for ways of challenging an EU decision to use funds from frozen Russian assets to buy weapons for Ukraine.

The statement came after Josep Borrell, the EUs foreign policy chief, said the bloc would use a legal loophole to overturn Hungarys veto on the plan.

This money cannot get stuck, it has to be used and we have a legal procedure to avoid any kind of blockage, Mr Borrell said at a press briefing in Luxembourg.

On Monday, EU member states approved a 1.4 billion (1.2 billion) lethal aid package for Kyiv, using the assets. Mr Borrell said it would be released as early as next week and added that a second tranche of 1.1 billion (930 million) was being readied.

03:07 PM BST

Zelensky orders SBU purge after assassination plots

Volymyr Zelensky has ordered the new head of Ukraines security service (SBU) to clear out those not committed to Ukraine and who discredit the agency.

The Ukrainian president made the comments while introducing Colonel Oleksiy Morozov to staff on Monday. Mr Morozov had been named as the new head of the service on Friday.

The move comes after the SBU said in May that it had caught two of its serving officers cooperating with Russia and plotting the assassination of Mr Zelensky and other leading officials.

01:51 PM BST

MoD marks 1 year since Prigozhins march on Moscow

The Ministry of Defence has marked one year since Yevgeny Prigozhin, the now deceased former leader of the Wagner Group, led his private army in a march on Moscow against the Russian military leadership.

Prigozhin initially promised that he would go to the end and that his soldiers would destroy everything that gets in the way. However, the march was stood down down after Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, brokered a truce between the Kremlin and the then Wagner leader.

Prigozhin died in a mysterious plane crash two months after his attempted coup.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine  24 June 2024.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/rdsFLqcOYi #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/HpAAGY69My  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) June 24, 2024

01:13 PM BST

63-year-old woman killed in Russian strike on key Donetsk town

A Russian strike on the town of Toretsk killed a 63-year-old woman and injured a 64-year-old man, local officials said.

The city came under attack around 10am today, Vadym Filashkin, the regional governor said, adding that a house was hit and the wounded man had been taken to hospital.

Toretsk is a strategically important town in the Bakhmut region of Donetsk and only around six miles from Shumy, which was reportedly captured by Russian forces on Friday.

Mr Filashkin has urged remaining residents to flee, writing do not risk your life and health! Evacuate! on his Telegram channel.

12:36 PM BST

Russian missile strike kills 4 in Pokrovsk

A Russian missile strike on the eastern Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk killed four people and injured over 30 others, the regions governor said.

Local media reports that two children age 12 and 13 were severely injured.

According to regional officials, Russia attacked the town with two Iskander missiles, destroying one house and damaging a a further 16.

Pokrovsk is around 40 miles from the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk and around 19 miles from the villages of Novooleksandrivka and Yevhenivka, where fierce fighting is ongoing.

12:08 PM BST

Russia summons US ambassador over Sevastopol missile strike

Russia has summoned the US ambassador to its foreign ministry over what it said was Washingtons responsibility for a Ukrainian missile strike that hit a Sevastopol beach on Sunday and killed at least four people, including two children.

The incident occurred after Russian air defence intercepted the missiles, spraying shrapnel over sunbathers on a beach close to a Russian air base.

The Russian foreign ministry said it told Lynne Tracy, the US envoy, that Washington bears equal responsibility with the Kyiv regime for this atrocity and that the strike would not go unpunished.

Moscow claimed on Saturday that Western personnel are responsible for the intelligence, guidance and target setting for Atacms missiles.

The US has previously said that Ukraine can only use US-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets deeper inside Russia if it is acting in self-defence.

11:55 AM BST

Explainer: The Crimean space communications centre

The NIP-16 space communications complex, which Ukraine is thought to have hit with an Atacms missile strike, is a Soviet-era facility that can extend communications 186 million miles into deep space.

It was abandoned by Russia in 1992 after the collapse of the USSR, however Moscow regained control of the centre after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and placed it under the command of its Aerospace Defence Forces.

It is said to be particularly important for military satellite communications, as Crimeas location and clear weather expands the range of transmissions.

11:41 AM BST

Pictured: Fires at site of suspected Ukrainian Atacms strike on Russian space control centre

Ukrainian is said to have struck the Russian NIP-16 space tracking and communication center in Vitino, Crimea with Atacms missiles - X

10:42 AM BST

Pictured: Smoke billows from buildings after Russian strike on Odesa

Local residents stand at the site of a Russian missile strike on Odesa, June 24 - Serhii Smolientsev/REUTERS

Firefighters work at the site of the Odesa strike, June 24 - REUTERS

10:15 AM BST

EU cracks down on Russias shadow fleet

We reported earlier that the EU had agreed a new round of sanctions against Russia (see our post at 9:01am).

Further details of the package have now emerged, including a crack down on Russias shadow fleet of oil tankers sneaking Moscows oil and ammunition to ports across the world.

The Kremlin has used its shadow fleet of aging ships, which lack proper insurance and have opaque ownership, to circumvent the sanctions regime.

Now, however, the EU said it intends to make identifying and designating the ships easier, adding that 27 vessels have already been listed.

The move comes after the UK issued the first sanctions on the shadow fleet, also known as the dark fleet, in early June.

09:44 AM BST

Pictured: The aftermath of a Russian strike on a Kharkiv school

The Avtorska Shkola Boyko school in Kharkiv, which was hit by a Russian UMPK KAB 250 guided bomb on June 23 - Jose Hernandez/Shutterstock/Shutterstock

09:35 AM BST

Ukrainian security service arrests Russian mole

Ukraine has arrested a mole in its armed forces who passed on information to Russia, Kyivs state security service (SBU) has said.

The SBU alleges that the man provided details of Ukraines border fortifications with Belarus, as well as coordinates for military storage facilities, to his Russian handlers.

Kremlin agents promised the man safe passage to Russian-controlled regions of Ukraine, the SBU said.

A photo released by the security service shows the accused in Ukrainian military uniform being led by the arm by two masked SBU officers.

The man is currently in custody charged with treason and faces life in prison if convicted, the SBU said.

09:01 AM BST

EU agrees new sanctions against Russia

The EU on Monday agreed a new package of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.

The blocs 14th round of sanctions against Moscow includes a ban on reloading Russian liquefied natural gas in the EU for further shipment to third countries.

It also offers the EU more tools to crack down on circumvention of sanctions, as well as targeting an additional 116 Russian individuals and entities.

Josep Borrell, the EUs top diplomat, said: The 14th package of sanctions demonstrates our unity in supporting Ukraine and seeking to limit Russias criminal activities against Ukrainians, including efforts to circumvent EU measures.

08:52 AM BST

Ukraine denies that Russia has taken contested village

The Ukrainian 110th Separate Mechanised Brigade has denied reports that Russian forces have captured the village of Novooleksandrivka.

In a statement issued early on Monday, the Brigade said that claims of the settlements capture do not correspond with reality.

The military acknowledged that a significant part of Novooleksandrivka had been occupied, but that Russian forces do not fully control the village.

The comments came after information published by Deep State UA, a Ukrainian open-source intelligence network, indicated that the settlement had fallen to Moscows troops.

Novooleksandrivka is on the Pokrovsk front, which has seen intense fighting in recent days. On Sunday morning, Ukraines general staff said that the area had accounted for over half of all combat actions recorded over the previous 24 hours.

08:32 AM BST

Russian strike injures 3 in Odesa

A Russian strike on Ukraines southern city of Odesa hit civilian infrastructure and injured at least three people on Monday morning, Oleh Kiper, the regions governor, said.

A 19-year-old boy and two middle-aged men were taken to hospital, Mr Kiper added

Ukraines interior ministry published pictures of a massive cloud of smoke rising from the site, where emergency services were working to put out a fire.

The air force had warned the citys residents of the threat of incoming missiles before the explosions sounded.

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Human beings werent designed to fly through the sky at 40,000 feet in a pressurized metal tube  with our aching limbs, burbling gastric systems and willful propensity to annoy other airborne human beings.

If, however, we absolutely must, the way to make that experience the best it can possibly be is to fly with Qatar Airways.

At least thats the verdict from this years Skytrax Awards, which were announced Monday.

For the eighth time in the 25-year history of the prestigious awards  known as the Oscars of commercial aviation  Qatar was named the Worlds Best Airline, in recognition of the quality of service it offers passengers on its modern fleet.

This is a remarkable achievement for Qatar Airways to win this Worlds Best Airline title for 2024, the eighth time they have triumphed, Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted said in a statement to mark the award ceremony, which gathered airline execs and cabin crew in a manor house near Londons Heathrow Airport.

We congratulate Qatar Airways on this success which should be a source of great pride and satisfaction for the airline management and staff.

The Middle Eastern carrier has built a strong reputation over the past decade, helping Qatars award-winning Hamad International Airport establish itself as a global aviation hub to challenge regional rivals Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Qatars fleet of 230 airplanes ranges from its 10 much-loved A380 superjumbos, to Boeing 777-300ERs, Boeing 787-8s and 787-9s, Airbus A350-900s and A350-1000s, plus a range of smaller capacity jets.

This is a proud Qatar Airways moment and it is my honor to share this award with my hard working colleagues, the airlines CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said in a statement released by Skytrax.

This award is testimony to our relentless dedication to providing unparalleled service and innovation. We look forward to more wins in the future.

Close-run contest

Saudia was named by Skytrax as winner of the World's Most Improved Airline award. - Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Qatars victory meant second place for last years winner, Singapore Airlines, but only just.

UK-based Skytrax said the votes, gathered from surveys of more than 21 million customers from 100 countries about 350 airlines, were the closest run since the awards began in 1999, requiring a recount.

The rest of the top 10 was, once again, devoid of North American airlines, with Dubais Emirates airline in third, Japans ANA All Nippon Airways in fourth, Hong Kongs Cathay Pacific in fifth, Japan Airlines in sixth, Turkish Airlines is seventh, Taiwans EVA Air in eighth, Air France in ninth and Swiss International Airlines in 10th.

There were plenty of consolation prizes.

Five-time winner Singapore picked up the prize for Worlds Best Cabin Staff  an achievement senior VP, Tan Pee Teck, put down to the unwavering dedication and professionalism of its in-air teams. Singapore also won for Best First Class service and Best Airline in Asia.

ANA, meanwhile, picked up the accolade for Worlds Best Airport Services, as well as Best Airline Staff Service in Asia. Saudia was named Worlds Most Improved Airline, beating Taiwans Starlux and Icelands Play into second and third places.

At the budget end of flying, AirAsia was once again crowned the Worlds Best Low-Cost Airline  repeating an achievement it has made every year since 2010. Singapores Scoot was named the Worlds Best Long Haul-Low Cost Airline.

AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes said his airlines unwavering success was thanks to the work of its Allstars cabin crew coupled with strong brand loyalty.

No other companies come to my mind in achieving such a winning streak, and we are very proud of it, he said in a statement. We dedicate this award to all of our Allstars who work tirelessly to make today happen, and also to everyone who has remained loyal to us through the ups and downs AirAsia has experienced.

An Airasia passenger plane prepares for take-off at the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar on Indonesia's resort island of Bali on May 13, 2023. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP) (Photo by BAY ISMOYO/AFP via Getty Images) - Bay Ismoyo/AFP/Getty Images

Still in Asia, Bangkok Airways picked up the Worlds Best Regional Airline prize for the eighth consecutive year, while Vistara was named best India/South Asian carrier and Fiji Airways was Best Airline in the Australia/Pacific region.

Ethiopian Airlines was named Africas best, for the sixth year in a row. Turkish Airlines was Europes best, airBaltic was Eastern Europes winner and Hainan Airlines was best in China.

Delta Air Lines was declared the Best Airline in North America, also picking up the award for Best Airline Staff Service for the region.

The post-Covid world of heightened germ awareness, the top 10 of the Worlds Cleanest Airlines were mostly based in Asia. Cathay Pacific took the top spot, with ANA, EVA, Qatar and Singapore lining up next.

The Worlds Top 20 Airlines of 2024

1. Qatar Airways

2. Singapore Airlines

3. Emirates

4. ANA All Nippon Airways

5. Cathay Pacific

6. Japan Airlines

7. Turkish Airlines

8. EVA Air

9. Air France

10. Swiss International Air Lines

11. Korean Air

12. Hainan Airlines

13. British Airways

14. Fiji Airways

15. Iberia

16. Vistara

17. Virgin Atlantic

18. Lufthansa

19. Etihad Airways

20. Saudi Arabian Airlines

The Worlds Best Cabin Crew 2024

1. Singapore Airlines

2. ANA All Nippon Airways

3. Garuda Indonesia

4. EVA Air

5. Cathay Pacific Airways

6. Hainan Airlines

7. Japan Airlines

8. Thai Airways

9. Qatar Airways

10. Malaysia Airlines

Worlds Best Low-Cost Airlines 2024

1. AirAsia

2. Volotea

3. Flynas

4. Transavia France

5. Indigo

6. Vueling Airlines

7. airBaltic

8. Iberia Express

9. Ryanair

10. easyJet

11. flyDubai

12. Jet2.com

13. Eurowings

14. SKY Airline

15. JetSMART Airlines

The Worlds Best Regional Airlines 2024

1. Bangkok Airways

2. Aegean Airlines

3. Azerbaijan Airlines

4. Rex Airlines

5. Azul Brazilian Airlines

6. Virgin Australia

7. Royal Air Maroc

8. Porter Airlines

9. Alaska Airlines

10. Hong Kong Airlines

The Worlds Cleanest Airlines 2024

1 Cathay Pacific Airways

2 ANA All Nippon Airways

3 EVA Air

4 Qatar Airways

5 Singapore Airlines

6 Asiana Airlines

7 Hainan Airlines

8 Japan Airlines

9 China Airlines

10 Korean Air

The full list of winners can be found on the Skytrax website

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(FOX40.COM)  The City of Roseville is getting ready to roll out the red carpet for railroad royalty as Big Boy No. 4014 prepares its Summer 2024 tour.

Video Above: I-5 Northern California undergoes emergency conditions

In April, FOX40 reported that Big Boy No. 4014, the worlds largest operating steam locomotive will be making a day-long stop in Roseville as part of the Big Boy Westward Bound tour.

As one of the premier railroad cities on the West Coast and hosting the largest rail yard in the West, Roseville is dipping into its rail heritage with special events and exhibits.

Big Boy is scheduled to arrive in Roseville on July 12 and the city will be kicking off its events at 9 a.m. on July 13.

Rotary plows, spreaders and flangers: The tools used to clear snow from railroad tracks

At the Vernon Street Town Square, in the heart of downtown Roseville, there will be live music, food trucks, a splash pad, a farmers market and a kids zone.

Special old west performances will also be carried out by the Black Flag Gang, who has also performed during Gold Rush Days in Old Sacramento, Colfax Railroad Days and the Folsom Railfest.

In Rosevilles historic old town district, the Carnegie Museum will be hosting a special exhibit on the Big Boy.

The Roseville Historical Society, housed in the Carnegie Museum, has several items related to Rosevilles decades-long rail history, including shrapnel from the 1973 railyard explosion.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
By the time he turned 18 in 1942, Lawrence Szydlowski had already tried multiple times to enlist in a war that few Americans alive today can remember.

I wanted to just get in there and help, the World War II veteran said during his 100th birthday party Friday, thrown for him by the Oak Lawn Veteran Affairs clinic.

Szydlowski got what he asked for, spending two and a half years in Papua New Guinea and the Philippines as an Army quartermaster, providing clothes, food and other supplies to those in combat.

Oak Lawn VA Clinic doctors, nurses and other staff expressed their gratitude for the longtime Burbank residents service with a special 100th birthday part. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports Szydlowski is one of about 4,300 surviving World War II veterans in Illinois.

Despite his hearing and memory not quite being what they used to, Szydlowski jovially chatted with and accepted handshakes from strangers and family as he enjoyed his celebratory miniature bundt cake.

When asked about his secret to living so long, he said simply the man upstairs. Szydlowski still lives in the house hes owned for 68 years and spends time with his three children, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Along with potential divine intervention, the veteran said he believes his consistent positive attitude and spirited nature support his health.

In the service, they used to call me Smiley, Szydlowski said after posing in front of the bulletin board for Oak Lawn VA clinic patients who had reached the 100-year mark. (Theyd say) How come youre always smiling? I said, Well, whats the sense in getting grouchy?'

Not that I dont get grouchy, he acknowledged, but I like to laugh and have fun.

Having grown up poor in Cicero in the midst of the Great Depression, that sentiment hasnt always been the easy way for Szydlowski. Enlisting in the Army seemed an easy decision once war broke out, as his father served in the previous world war.

In 1946, with Japan having surrendered and the fighting ended, Szydlowski returned to a country that was vastly diffeferent.

He worked as a toolmaker for many years, but once the company closed its doors, he began search of a more fulfilling job. Szydlowski said that opportunity came one day when an alderman for the newly incorporated city of Burbank walked by his house.

He said What you doing Larry? I said, nothing, Id like to be doing something.'

The alderman offered Szydlowski one of the first paid city positions, tasked with building and sign designs and repairs. He didnt get paid much at first and was not right away supportive of the younger fellows wanting to unionize.

They talked me into it, and Im glad they did because we got the union and we all went up with a raise, Szydlowski said.

He also helped fight for pensions for himself and other public works staff.

Szydlowski said he faces changes by holding on to small pleasures and happy memories, such as post-retirement traveling with his late wife.

Thats what I always say is exercise and proper eating, and just keep busy, he said.

ostevens@chicagotribune.com
Noted public figures like David Attenborough have previously claimed that human evolution is over, but many researchers studying human evolution firmly disagree. We know that humans have altered our environment in innumerable wayschanging the very air, water, and soil that we rely on as the most successful ecosystem engineers on Earth. It can be easy, amid all that change, to assume that weve conquered biology and eliminated the effects of evolution and natural selection on our species. But thats not what the science says.Of course humans are still evolving, says Jason Hodgson, an anthropologist and evolutionary geneticist at Anglia Ruskin University in England. All living organisms that are in a population are evolving all the time. Evolution is a process, not an outcome, and it doesnt always happen linearly. Humans are definitely still evolving, agrees John Hawks, a paleoanthropologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Humans are still evolving, as are virtually all other populations of organisms, says Stephen Stearns, an emeritus professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Yale University. Yet the way that evolution acts on our species may not be what you imagine. In biological terms, evolution is a change in gene variant (a.k.a. allele) frequency in a population over time. It is not a force directing a species trajectory towards a certain goal. However, biologists can still observe human evolution in action and identify recent examples of it. How does evolution happen? Before we get into the research, its important to understand how evolution works. There are a handful of ways organisms can evolve. Every person is born with about 70 new genetic mutations on average, which arent derived from their parents. Once emerged, mutations can be passed onto subsequent generations, thereby changing population-level allele frequency. Theres drift, where randomness influences what gene variants are passed on in what proportionsthis unfolds the quickest in small populations. Theres gene flow, where individuals and populations migrate, bringing their genetic material to new places. Sexual selection happens when people mate non-randomly (which accounts for most of human mating). Then theres natural selectionoften conflated with evolution itselfwhere environmental conditions that impact survival and reproduction dictate what alleles are most likely to persist through future generations. Counter to drift, natural selection happens faster in larger populations, says Hodgson, as beneficial alleles are more likely to emerge when there are more people around. This is the largest the human population size has ever been, so this is probably to some extent the greatest change for natural selection to act in humans, he adds. Humans are still evolving, as are virtually all other populations of organisms. Through all of these above mechanisms, humans evolved from our last common ancestor with our two closest living relativeschimpanzees and bonobos. We did not evolve from these great apes, but rather from a lineage of now extinct primates which diverged from the predecessor of chimpanzees and bonobos from a shared point. Long before Homo sapiens were a branch on the tree of life, previous divergences led to primates and mammals and vertebrates. Slowly, over billions of years, evolution has diversified all organisms from the last universal common ancestor. Our bodies still carry the evidence of our species evolutionary past. For instance, in our now useless (or vestigial) tail bones and appendixes. And all of the above mechanisms are still at play in humans today, though our societal organization and sheer numbers may have altered which ones are acting the quickest, in what populations, and in what ways. Big evolutionary changes impacting conspicuous traits, like the loss of tails, happen very slowly, but there is still less apparent change being wrought all the time. The oft-stated belief that modern medicine has eliminated natural selection is not a serious view, says Hodgson, because it relies on many untrue assumptions. For instance that weve resolved all health issues with science or that access to healthcare and contraception is equal. In reality, its not even close to being equal, he emphasizes. Therefore, there is also unequal reproduction and unequal survival and people everywhere remain exposed to all manner of selective mechanisms. Concurrently, theres also other drivers of human evolution that are likely unique to our species, at least in their intensity. In many instances, our cultures influence with whom, how, and if people reproduce, note both Hodgson and Hawks. Those things also go on to affect the frequency of gene variants across time. We are maybe somewhat tweaking the course of evolution, but it doesnt at all mean were stopping it from happening, says Hakhamanesh Mostafavi, an associate professor of genetics and genomics at New York University How do we know evolution is still happening? Many studies of humans genetic past provide illustrative examples of evolution in action. Theres the rise of malarial resistance in Madagascar, linked to the proliferation of a specific gene variant in the population, as described in 2014 research from Hodgson. That example of evolution, he says, occurred within the past 2,000 yearsvery recent on the order of evolutionary time. Theres the emergence and spread of alleles that enable adult lactose digestion in some Middle Eastern, European, and African populations, following the spread of herding. Even within the past 1,000 years, lactase persistence as an allele is increasing, Hawks says. And even more recently than thatin the last centuryStearns and his research colleagues attributed height decreases and other population-level changes to natural selection in a classic 2010 study of people in Framingham, Massachusetts, based on a data collection endeavor begun in 1948. Studies of large genomic datasets also reveal changes that wouldnt otherwise be observable on a trait-level. A 2022 paper identified two small changes in the human genome, responsible for creating functional proteins, which emerged since our species split from other primate lineages. We are maybe somewhat tweaking the course of evolution, but it doesnt at all mean were stopping it from happening. In a 2017 study led by Mostafavi, he and his colleagues examined gene differences between age groups in the UK Biobank, a repository of about half a million British peoples genetic and health data. They were looking for widespread alleles that were less common among older people, and therefore likely linked with longevity and survival. Across the whole dataset, they only found two such gene variantsone related to heavy smoking in men and one related to Alzheimers risk. Despite the fact that many differences in health are genetic, there were relatively few identifiable, harmful single gene variants circulating in the study population. Which means evolution likely already filtered out those genes. The absence [or more deleterious alleles] is a strong suggestion for selection, says Mostafavi. The two genes that were identified in the study are liable to be filtered out with additional time as well, he says. The fact that theyre currently common might mean that theyve only recently become harmful. The type of evolution demonstrated in Mostafavis research is purifying selection: The removal of harmful mutations from a population over time. Its less flashy than selection in favor of beneficial traits, but its much more common. Another common form of not-so-flashy selection is stabilizing selection, where extremes remain rare, in favor of a tendency towards the middle ground. Birth weight and human height are standard examples of where stabilizing selection acts, he says. Maybe we dont always see stabilizing [and] purifying selection, maybe theyre not obvious but we know for a fact that many human [traits] are somehow kept at some optimum, indicating that both forms of natural selection remain ongoing. So what are we evolving into? Most people want to know, are we directionally changing as a species into something else? That is: Is there a destination at the end of this? says Hawks. The answer, at least on the timescale scientists can study it, is unclear. Evolution is a process, not an outcome, and it doesnt always happen linearly. Todays environments are changing really fast in various ways. We dont know for sure which changes will be sustained over time, so we dont know what changes might add up to anything. [Many] changes might reverse and go the opposite direction just as quickly as they evolved in the last generation or two, Hawk adds. I personally think that our genetics are going to continue to change, probably at an accelerated rate, he says, but I do not have a good basis for predicting how.

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YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  Senators Bob Casey and John Fetterman recently announced $15 million to support the Codorus Greenway Project in York County.

According to Senator Caseys office, the Codorus Greenway Project will be a waterfront trail that runs along the creek and will be developed for York residents and visitors to enjoy.

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This new project will construct about one mile of waterfront trail and will include upgrades to flood control infrastructure along Codorus Creek. The project will also provide a designated pedestrian and bike path that connects to the regions mass transit through the York Transfer Center.

The project will also connect to the 27-mile-long York County Heritage Rail Trail.

When we passed the infrastructure law, I fought to ensure we were making our communities better places to live for Pennsylvanians, Senator Casey said. With the creation of the Codorus Greenway, York residents and visitors will be able to walk and bike along Codorus Creek in the heart of the city. This is a transformational project for the City of York that Pennsylvanians will be able to enjoy for generations to come.

Planned Pa. tower would be tallest outside Philly, Pittsburgh

Funding for the project comes from a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) Grant, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

Any day that we can announce more federal dollars heading to Pennsylvania is a good day, Senator Fetterman said. President Bidens infrastructure law, and the RAISE program in particular, was designed to invest in cities and towns with big ideas for how to make their community more livable. By developing pedestrian and bike paths along the Codorus Creek, the Codorus Greenway Project will transform the area, improve public access to the creek, and bring more economic opportunities to the people of York. Im proud to have fought alongside Senator Casey for this funding.

This award is a transformative investment in the Codorus Greenway, the largest green infrastructure project in York Countys history. Through this award, we will return the waterfront to its natural park-like environs, providing public access through beautification of the citys primary natural resource, Kevin Schreiber, CEO of the York County Economic Alliance said. These funds will also provide stormwater and sediment reduction supporting water quality goals for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and ultimately propel environmental and economic justice, multiple modes of pedestrian transportation, recreation, and an historic waterfront transformation that will have an exponential return on investment for our community and region.

abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received the newly appointed ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Republic of Azerbaijan Maksat Mamytkanov, Trend reports.

According to the information, during the meeting, the ambassador presented copies of his credentials to Minister Bayramov. The minister congratulated the ambassador on his appointment and wished him success in his activities.

"The sides exchanged views on various aspects of the bilateral cooperation agenda during the meeting, including strengthening cooperation in political, economic, transport, humanitarian, and cultural spheres and the implementation of joint projects.

Referring to the friendly relations between the two countries based on centuries-old ethnic, cultural, and religious ties, Bayramov emphasized the prospects for the development of these ties.

Also, it was observed that Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan are currently on the same page at every level. It was emphasized that contacts between the leaders of the two countries and mutual visits mark the rise of relations between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan to the level of strategic partnership. Satisfaction was expressed with the development of cooperation between the two countries in multilateral platforms, especially in the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), SPECA, Islamic Cooperation Organization, and other regional organizations. In particular, it emphasized the importance of the existence of broad prospects of cooperation within the OTG, as well as intensive contacts between the OTS member states in the direction of utilizing the available potential. Confidence was expressed that the extraordinary summit of the OTS, which will be held in July this year in the city of Shusha, and the official summit, which will be held in October in Bishkek, will be two of the events that will serve the development of the Organization.

The meeting noted that there are ample opportunities for cooperation within the framework of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

Meanwhile, it was emphasized that Kyrgyzstan's support for the peace and construction process is commendable and that the secondary school, the foundation of which was laid in Khidirli village of Aghdam district on the initiative of the Kyrgyz Republic, is a vivid example of this support.

Ambassador Mamytkanov noted that he would make efforts to further strengthen ties between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.

The meeting also included the exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest," the information noted.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The foie-gras war in New York City may finally be coming to an end.

On Friday, the New York Supreme Court ruled against the citys ban on foie gras, meaning that restaurants throughout N.Y.C. can continue serving the delicacy. Local Law 202, which sought to ban the sale of foie gras in New York City, was deemed to violate state laws that protect farming practices and promote agricultural commerce.

More from Robb Report

This ruling is a victory for farmers across New York State, said Sergio Saravia, the president of La Belle Farms, one of just three farms in the United States that produces foie gras. Its about more than just foie gras; its about preserving our right to farm and support our families.

Its been a long road to this outcome: All the way back in 2019, New York voted to enact the foie-gras ban. In part, supporters of the law argued that foie gras was produced by force-feeding ducks to increase the size of their livers, and that a ban would result in better animal-welfare practices. However, farms that produce and sell foie grassuch as La Belle and Hudson Valley Foie Gras, both based in Ferndale, New Yorkpushed back against the law, saying that it would have adverse effects on their businesses.

The ban has since been winding its way through the courts, and it was initially set to go into effect in November 2022. Both the state Department of Agriculture and Markets and judges have in the past sided with the farmers, and the ban was stuck in limbo for years. In early 2023, New York City even sued the state in an attempt to finally bring the law to fruition. But now the city has been dealt a blow in the foie-gras fight once again.

The Courts thorough and insightful decision sets an important precedent that protects the farming community in Sullivan County and the broader agricultural economy of New York State, Edward J. Phillips, a lawyer who represented the farmers, said in a statement.

While a state supreme court ruling sounds like it should be the final word in the matter, animal-rights activists have been fighting for some five years to get foie gras banned in New York City. Its possible, then, that the courts opinion is just the latest installment in the long-running saga.

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A New Yorker took her first solo trip to Greece at 38. She loved the slower pace of life so much that she moved there.

Rodriguez started her workday at 3 p.m. while traveling around the Greek islands. Courtesy of Marissa Rodriguez

Marissa Rodriguez visited Greece on holiday and decided to stay in Athens to work on her business.

She told Business Insider it took her time to adjust to a more relaxed lifestyle.

She spent her first months working with clients in the US from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. while traveling.

When Marissa Rodriguez left her home in Puerto Rico to attend New York University in 2001, she didn't know she'd stay in Manhattan for two decades.

Rodriguez started working in fashion at 24 in 2007. She began her career building wholesale brands for different fashion houses.

Rodriguez told Business Insider she'd wake up at 6 a.m., go to the gym, and hustle to start work at 9 a.m. By the time she got into the office, she would already have many messages from colleagues.

"I was always rushing and always behind schedule and feeling like it was never enough," she said. Still, she had a dream apartment and thought she'd live in Manhattan for the rest of her life.

She lost her job

Rodriguez started working for C.Wonder, a company run by Chris Burch, an investor and entrepreneur, in 2013.

She told Business Insider she worked 16 hours a day some days and often worked weekends. Rodriguez said that lifestyle was the norm in New York, and she didn't question it.

When she was on holiday in January 2015, the CEO called her to tell her the company was shutting down. She lost her job immediately. Later that year, C. Wonder was acquired and started running under new management.

Rodriguez told BI they'd been working hard on a new project just before being let go. "We left feeling so good right before Christmas," she said. "It really came out of nowhere."

Rodriguez had worked since college, and her newly unemployed status was stressful, "I was on my own, so it was terrifying," she said. "But it was also an incredible moment because I had to take a pause for the first time."

She re-evaluated her career

For a few months, Rodriguez applied for jobs in fashion but left every interview feeling like she didn't want to do the role. She wanted greater autonomy and flexibility than her previous work and decided to move into consultancy.

She told BI she'd been interested in e-commerce for several years. In 2016, she launched Inspired Brands, a consultancy business that worked with e-commerce brands.

"I worked for some really weird businesses and weird clients while I was finding my footing," she said. A year into running the business, she started landing larger clients, such as Sofia Vergara and Renata Black's lingerie brand, EBY.

With her new business, Rodriguez thought she needed to stay in New York to meet clients in person. But her perspective shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She took a solo trip to Greece

Rodriguez decided to attend a friend's birthday party in Greece in June 2021. She'd never visited the country before and decided to take a 10-day solo vacation to Greece around the party.

"I had had three really awful relationships back to back," she said. "I thought: 'I need to go face a fear of being alone, so I'm going to go travel by myself to Greece.'"

But her 10-day vacation turned into four months of traveling around the Greek islands while working on her business.

"It was an expensive four months," she said.

She changed her lifestyle

Rodriguez said she felt like a different person in Greece. As a self-proclaimed "type-A" personality, she always had to have a plan for the day and struggled to go with the flow in New York.

While traveling, she would wake up at 9 a.m.  a welcome break from her 6 a.m. alarm in New York  and spend the day exploring. "I loved waking up in the morning when America is asleep and getting eight hours of the day to myself to do that I wanted," she said. Rodriguez would then work remotely from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m.

"All of a sudden, my entire lifestyle changed, and I found that I loved it."

Though she was traveling alone, Rodriguez said she never felt lonely. "I made so many friends," she added, "Greek people are so warm and welcoming."

Athens felt like an unexpected homecoming

Two months into her vacation, she returned to Athens, which she had passed through at the start of her trip.

"I landed in Athens and had this sense of being home," she said. "Almost like I could have been here in another life."

For Rodriguez, Athens felt like a combination of what she liked about New York  a cosmopolitan city with distinct neighborhoods that are different from each other, and Puerto Rico  everyone knowing everyone and being near the water. She wanted to stay but didn't know how.

By October, she was due to leave Greece and couldn't stay in the country any longer without a visa. She heard that the government had launched a digital nomad visa, which allows nomads who earn a minimum of $3,769 a month to live in Greece for up to three years.

Rodriguez moved back to New York and applied for a visa. Her visa was approved, and she moved to Athens in December 2021.

She told BI that finding an apartment in Athens was easy compared with New York, one of the most expensive cities in the US, where the median monthly rent is $1,574.

"From 20 years in New York, I now understand that my entire understanding of 'normal' was totally skewed," she said, adding that food is much cheaper in Athens and there's a better food delivery service.

She's getting used to lifestyle changes

At first, Rodriguez was surprised by some differences between the US and Greece. She found that apartments didn't necessarily have air conditioning or hot water, but she's relaxed into her new lifestyle.

A Greek friend became her boyfriend in August 2022. "All of the caricature differences between us exist," she said. "I'm super American and very into personal development and growth. He'll say: 'Oh my God, take a nap, relax, watch the sunset. Stop being so American.'"

Rodriguez launched an e-learning platform called "Through Experience" this year. She works on her course in the morning and with her US clients in the afternoon.

"I don't miss the hustle and bustle of New York City," she said. "The energy is just too much."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Fernando Hermida drives to Orlando, Fla., to attend a medical appointment for HIV care on May 27, 2024. He never imagined getting medication would be so difficult, he said during the 500-mile drive from North Carolina to Florida. (AP Photo/Laura Bargfeld)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)  Four months after seeking asylum in the U.S., Fernando Hermida began coughing and feeling tired. He thought it was a cold. Then sores appeared in his groin and he would soak his bed with sweat. He took a test.

On New Years Day 2022, at age 31, Hermida learned he had HIV.

"I thought I was going to die, he said. He struggled to navigate a new, convoluted health care system. Hermida, who speaks only Spanish, didnt know where to turn.

At that time, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was about three years into a federal initiative to end the nations HIV epidemic by pumping hundreds of millions of dollars annually into certain states, counties and U.S. territories with the highest infection rates. The goal was to reach the estimated 1.2 million people living with HIV, including some who dont know they have the disease.

Overall, estimated new HIV infection rates declined 23%from 2012 to 2022. But a KFF Health News-Associated Press analysis found the rate has not fallen for Latinos as much as it has for other racial and ethnic groups.

While African Americans continue to have the highest HIV rates in the United States overall, Latinos made up the largest share of new HIV diagnoses and infections among gay and bisexual men in 2022, compared with other racial and ethnic groups. Latinos, who make up about 19% of the U.S. population, accounted for about 33% of new HIV infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The analysis found Latinos are experiencing a disproportionate number of new infections and diagnoses across the U.S., with diagnosis rates highest in the Southeast.

HIV disparities are not inevitable, Dr. Robyn Neblett Fanfair, director of the CDCs Division of HIV Prevention, said in a statement. But Latino health policy advocates want the federal government to declare a public health emergency in hopes of directing more money to Latino communities, saying current efforts arent enough.

Our invisibility is no longer tolerable, said Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, co-chair of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.

Hermida, who was born in Venezuela, suspects he contracted the virus while he was in an open relationship with a male partner before he came to the U.S. He eventually moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, to be closer to family and with hopes of receiving more consistent health care.

He enrolled in a clinic that receives funding from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, a federal safety-net plan that serves over half of those in the country diagnosed with HIV, regardless of their citizenship status. But over time, communication with the clinic grew less frequent, he said, and he didnt get regular interpretation help during visits with his English-speaking doctor. An Amity Medical Group representative confirmed Hermida was a client but didnt answer questions about his experience.

His eligibility in the Ryan White program expired in September 2023, and he enrolled in a health plan through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, but didnt realize the insurer required him to pay for a share of his HIV treatment.

In January, the Lyft driver received a $1,275 bill for his antiretroviral. He paid the bill with a coupon he found online. In April, he got a second bill he couldnt afford. For two weeks, he stopped taking the medication that keeps the virus undetectable and intransmissible.

Estoy que colapso, he said. Im falling apart. Tengo que vivir para pagar la medicacion. I have to live to pay for my medication.

One way to prevent HIV is preexposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, which is regularly taken to reduce the risk of getting HIV through sex or intravenous drug use. Approved by the federal government in 2012, the uptake has not been even across racial and ethnic groups.

Epidemiologists say high PrEP use and consistent access to treatment are necessary to build community-level resistance but CDC data show much lower rates of PrEP coverage among Latinos than among white Americans.

Latino health policy advocates want the federal government to redistribute funding for HIV prevention, including testing and access to PrEP. Of the nearly $30 billion in federal money that went toward HIV health care services, treatment and prevention in 2022, only 4% went to prevention, according to a KFF analysis.

Also, Congress has appropriated $2.3 billion over five years to the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, which gives money to cities, counties and states, but the initiative lacks requirements to target any particular group  including Latinos. Yet in 34 of the 57 areas getting the money, cases are going the wrong way: Diagnosis rates among Latinos increased from 2019 to 2022 while declining for other racial and ethnic groups, the KFF Health News-AP analysis found.

Hermidas fiance, who is taking PrEP, suggested seeking care in Orlando, Florida, where they have family and friends. Hermida registered with a nonprofit primary care clinic dedicated to supporting Latinos living with HIV.

At the core of it, if the organization is not led by and for people of color, then were just an afterthought, said Andres Acosta Ardila, the community outreach director at Pineapple Healthcare who was diagnosed with HIV in 2013.

Hermida now gets his HIV medication at no cost because Pineapple Healthcare is part of a federal drug discount program. Its also, in many ways, an oasis. The new diagnosis rate for Latinos in Orange County, Florida, which includes Orlando, rose by about a third from 2012 through 2022, while dropping by a third for others.

Hermida, whose asylum case is pending, is hopeful his search for consistent HIV treatment  which has defined his life the past two years  can finally come to an end.

Soy un nomada a la fuerza, pero bueno, como me comenta mi prometido y mis familiares, yo tengo que estar donde me den buenos servicios medicos, he said. Im forced to be a nomad, but like my family and my fiance say, I have to be where I can get good medical services.

Thats the priority, he said. Esa es la prioridad ahora.

___

Bose reported from Orlando, Florida. Reese reported from Sacramento, California. AP videojournalist Laura Bargfeld contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is responsible for all content. This article also was produced by KFF Health News, a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF  the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. KFF Health News is the publisher of California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced on Friday over $690,000 in Virginia Main Street (VMS) and Community Business Launch (CBL) grants for 16 projects across the Commonwealth.

The projects help revitalize historic commercial districts and improve small businesses, a release states.

Downtowns and small businesses are the heart and soul of so many communities across the Commonwealth, and my administration recognizes the importance of supporting strong entrepreneurial ecosystems in our downtown districts, said Youngkin. By investing in our small business communities and historic downtowns, we are growing local economies and ensuring that Virginia is open for business.

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers all three programs.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 24 that he had replaced the Commander of the Joint Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Yurii Sodol, with Brigadier General Andrii Hnatov.

Lieutenant Colonel Bohdan Krotevych, one of the Azov Brigade's commanders, said on June 23 that he filed an official complaint to the State Bureau of Investigation calling for an investigation of one of the generals.

"I wrote to the SBI calling for an investigation into one military general, who, in my opinion, has killed more Ukrainian soldiers than any Russian general," he wrote.

He did not specify the general's name.

According to Ukrainska Pravda's undisclosed sources, the general in question was Sodol.

In his evening address, Zelensky did not mention the reasons for Sodol's dismissal.

Sodol has been the Commander of the Joint Forces since Feb. 11, 2024. He also headed the "Donetsk" operational command in 2023.

Hnatov, who replaced Sodol, had previously served as the Deputy Commander of the Southern Operational Command since 2022.

Following the announcement, Krotevych wrote, "Hnatov is a very good officer. I hope the news at the front will get better."

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.
Zelensky due in Brussels to sign defence pact, talk about EU entry

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech at the German Parliament. Zelensky is expected midweek in Brussels, EU officials told dpa on 24 June, as several initiatives involving the European Union's relationship with the war-torn country get underway. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected midweek in Brussels, EU officials told dpa on Monday, as several initiatives involving the European Union's relationship with the war-torn country get underway.

Zelensky is expected to visit as a security agreement between the EU and Ukraine is concluded after months of talks to hammer out the pact.

Ukraine has already agreed similar bilateral arrangements with EU countries like Germany and France.

The United States and Ukraine signed their long-term security agreement at a G7 summit in Italy.

Accord stems from earlier NATO talks

The security agreement goes back to a decision by NATO heads of state and government at a summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius in July.

It was agreed there that the individual NATO allies would conclude bilateral agreements to ensure Ukraine's long-term security.

The agreements ensure that Ukraine will receive arms supplies and financial aid to help bridge the gap until the country's intended accession to NATO.

EU set to name new leaders

The Ukrainian president's visit also comes as EU leaders gather in Brussels for a summit on Thursday and Friday to select the new leadership of the bloc's institutions.

The expected timing of Zelensky's visit alongside the summit would allow him to attend as a guest, however no official confirmation was available.

The visit would also come after the first session of official entry negotiations took place between Ukraine and the EU.

Zelensky welcomed the first negotiation session as a "truly historic" moment for his country. "Ukraine is and will always be part of a united Europe," he said in a post on X before the membership talks.

For security reasons given the Russian invasion, Zelensky's travel plans are rarely announced in advance.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers a speech at the German Parliament. Zelensky is expected midweek in Brussels, EU officials told dpa on 24 June, as several initiatives involving the European Union's relationship with the war-torn country get underway. Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

Following reports of high casualties in the Ukrainian armed forces, President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed Lieutenant General Yuri Sodol from his post.

Sodol will be replaced by Brigadier General Andriy Hnatov, Zelensky said in his video message broadcast in Kiev on Monday evening. He did not give any reasons for the dismissal.

The presidential office in Kiev published a decree by Zelensky on the change of personnel in the United Forces.

However, the chief of staff of the controversial Azov Brigade, Bohdan Krotevych, had previously filed a complaint against Sodol, according to the media. He accused the commander of negligent orders that had led to major casualties.

"He has killed more Ukrainian soldiers than any Russian general," wrote Krotevych on Facebook, without naming Sodol. At the same time, he demanded that the lieutenant-general be investigated for possible collaboration with Russia.

According to the media, there were accusations against Sodol, not least in the Supreme Rada, the parliament in Kiev, that he had poorly prepared Ukrainian soldiers for missions - for example in the embattled Kharkiv region.

In his video message, Zelensky condemned a Russian missile attack on the city of Pokrovsk in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. Four people were killed and dozens more were injured, the Ukrainian leader said.

He announced a retaliatory strike following the Russian attack. "Our response will be completely fair," Zelensky said.
Residents clean debris next to heavily damaged houses following shelling in Pokrovsk, eastern Donetsk region (AFP via Getty Images)

Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered the new chief of Ukraines state guard service to purge its ranks after two of its officers were accused of plans to assassinate senior officials.

The state security service (SBU) said last month that it had caught two guard service colonels accused of cooperating with Russia to plot the assassination of the Ukrainian president, military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov and other officials.

Mr Zelensky introduced staff to the new head of Ukraines state guard, Colonel Oleksiy Morozov, on Monday and said his main task was to ensure that only those who see their future tied with Ukraine could join the agency.

He said on Telegram: And, of course, the agency must be cleared of anyone who chooses not Ukraine for themselves or discredits the state guard service. The guard service provides security for various governement officials.

Mr Zelensky fired Mr Morozovs predecessor Serhiy Rud in May, two days after the SBU detained agency employees who it said worked for Russias Federal Security Service and leaked classified information. There has been no comment from Moscow on the allegations.

Volodymyr Zelensky (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

In other developments, Russian missiles killed at least four people and wounded 34 others, including two children, in the eastern Ukrainian town of Pokrovsk on Monday, the regional governor, Vadym Filashkin, said.

This is one of the largest enemy attacks on civilians recently, Vadym Filashkin said on Telegram.

Pictures shared alongside his post showed single-storey buildings with shattered windows, damaged rooftops and debris scattered around.

Mr Filashkin said Russian troops launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles at the town which is about 24 kilometres (15 miles) from the front line. The attack destroyed one private house and damaged 16 more, he added.

One missile struck before, half an hour later, a second, the Ukrainian prosecutor generals office said in a statement. The attacks also damaged a gas pipeline and cars, it added

Meanwhile, the Kremlin directly blamed the United States for an attack on Crimea with U.S-supplied ATACMS missiles that killed at least four people and injured 151.

Smoke billows from a burning administrative building in Fryazino in the Moscow region (via REUTERS)

Moscow formally warned the US ambassador that retaliation would follow.

Blaming the United States for a deadly attack on Crimea  which Russia annexed in 2014 and now considers to be part of its territory, although most of the world considers it to be part of Ukraine  is a step further than the Kremlin has gone before.

You should ask my colleagues in Europe, and above all in Washington, the press secretaries, why their governments are killing Russian children. Just ask them this question, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters of the attack.

At least two children were killed in the attack on Sevastopol on Sunday, according to Russian officials. People were shown running from a beach near Sevastopol and some of the injured being carried off on sun loungers.

Russia said that the United States had supplied the weapons, while US military specialists had aimed the weapons and provided data for them.

In Moscow, two people jumped to their death from the top floors of a burning eight-storey former Russian electronics research institute on Monday.

At least six others died in the fire, state-run TASS news agency reported. Black smoke billowed from the building outside Moscow and flames roared up its walls. Some people were trapped on the top floors but were unable to escape.

One man was shown jumping from the upper floor of the building by the Baza Telegram channel. Another, with serious burns, fell from the upper floors, footage published by Shot Telegram channel showed.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire.

The EU has agreed to use 1.4bn (1.2bn) in profits from Russian frozen assets for arms and other aid to Ukraine.

EU governments had already decided in May to use profits from the assets frozen in the EU to help Ukraine, with 90 per cent of funds earmarked for military aid.

But Hungary, which maintains warmer relations with Moscow, has been holding up approval of the necessary legal measures, diplomats say.

Hungary does not give arms to Ukraine and Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban has criticised other EU and Nato members for doing so, saying they are fuelling the war.

At a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg on Monday, chief diplomat Josep Borrell said the usual unanimity for foreign policy decisions was not needed as Hungary had opted out of previous decisions underpinning the scheme.

Since Hungary didnt participate in the decision, it is not necessary that they ... participate in the implementation, Mr Borrell told reporters as he arrived for the meeting.

Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto said little as Mr Borrell laid out the plan, they said.

Additional reporting by agencies
Zelensky to sign EU-Ukraine security agreement in Brussels this week

President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the European Union summit in Brussels on June 27 and sign a security agreement with the EU, Polish media RMF reported on June 24, citing an unnamed senior EU diplomat.

The President's Office announced on June 19 that Ukraine and the EU have finalized the text of a security deal and agreed to sign it "in the near future."

According to RMF, the document on security guarantees is ready but will be formalized on June 25 by the EU.

The EU is expected to join 17 countries, including the U.S., Japan, U.K., Germany, and France, that have signed similar bilateral treaties to help Kyiv repel Russia's aggression.

Ukraine and the EU are "expected to sign a security agreement" that has been negotiated for months, the outlet said.

"Volodymyr Zelensky and EU leaders will attend the ceremony," said the EU diplomat, cited by the RM adding that the document will be signed "at the level of the heads of diplomacy."

The future security agreement between Ukraine and the EU consists of two parts, RMF said.

The first is related to security and defense, including "nine specific commitments:" modern equipment supply for Ukraine, Ukrainian personnel training, demining, support of Ukraine for nuclear and cyber security, among others.

The second part deals with civilian aspects, primarily Ukraine's prospect of EU membership.

"This is the best security guarantee the EU can offer Ukraine," the source told RMF.

The document also includes a pledge to protect Ukrainian refugees, prosecute those responsible for war crimes, continue to impose sanctions on Russia, use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, in particular, its reconstruction and economy.

Zelensky's office declined to comment on the president's upcoming trip.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
"Xzr Xbr" (Khazar News) plays a pivotal role in the success of Khazar Television, which commenced broadcasting in 2007. Within a short span, "Xzr Xbr" has garnered widespread popularity, consistently ranking on the top among the nation's news programs for many years. Focusing on topics of concern to the general populace, the program distinguishes itself through its unique presentation style, incorporating abundant graphics, animation, and music. Unlike its counterparts, "Xzr Xbr" opts for daily newscasts, eschewing the traditional Sunday wrap-up. It delivers comprehensive coverage of the most significant social, political, and economic developments both domestically and globally, often featuring expert commentary. Moreover, the program places special emphasis on producing exclusive news content. Pioneering 3G connectivity in Azerbaijan, "Xzr Xbr" ensures efficient dissemination of information to viewers. Our team members are dispatched to countries witnessing pivotal events, generating numerous reports and programs from locales such as Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Brazil, Vietnam, India, and China. Additionally, the staff of "Xzr Xbr" excels in documentary filmmaking, producing titles such as "Revenge Unfinished," "Code Name: Live," "The Final Stand," "Ambush," "Debt of Loyalty: Batumi Operation," "The Teacher Who Enlightens," "Radiance of Victory," "The 10-Minute Countdown to Counterattack," and several others, including "Voices from Khojaly." The newscasts of "Xzr Xbr" are aired at 14:00, 18:00, and the main evening bulletin at 21:00.

"Xzr Xbr" social media accounts:

instagram:https://www.instagram.com/xezerxeberofficial/

facebook:https://www.facebook.com/xezerxeberler/?locale=az_AZ

telegram:https://t.me/s/xezerxeberresmi

youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEcP7mf0ZEBdY6rD-YVs4Qw

website:https://www.xezerxeber.az/
SEBRING, Fla. (WFLA)  On Monday, prosecutors used Zephen Xavers own words against him as they tried to show Xaver had behavioral issues, not a mental health disorder that caused him to hear voices.

Its explicit. He is not psychotic, testified Dr. Greg Prichard, while reading from Xavers medical records dating back to his teenage years when he was in and out of mental health facilities.

Dr. Greg Prichard testifies during Zephen Xaver sentencing trial

Xavers sentencing trial has been underway since June 10th.

Xaver previously pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree murder for the Jan. 2019 shooting at a SunTrust Bank in Sebring.

He now faces the death penalty.

Last week, his defense team presented evidence Xaver has a small brain tumor that plays a role in him hearing voices, something he said he was experiencing the day of the shooting.

Records show he told clinicians when he was a teenager voices were calling his name.

Its going to be an immediate red flag. Thats not what auditory hallucinations usually do, somebody calling my name. We see that a lot with people who are not being honest, said Dr. Prichard on Monday, the states second day of rebuttal.

At the states direction, Dr. Prichard went through medical records showing clinician after clinician did not believe Xaver was experiencing auditory hallucinations or hearing voices when he was a teenager.

Records show Xaver was calculated when he attacked a weaker patient while at a behavioral health center, according to testimony.

Dr. Prichard testified Xaver told him going to the behavioral health centers was like a vacation and he did not mind going at all.

Dr. Prichard then read messages Xaver sent to a friend he met at basic training camp.

Its all I can think of, its all I hear every day and its all I see every day. Its all I smell and taste every day: blood, death and murder. Its all I have happening 24/7, Dr. Prichard read from a message.

Xaver wrote he was attracted to darkness and he liked his girlfriend to call him a demonic king.

Under questioning, Dr. Prichard noted Xaver always used the word I, never hinting about the existence of voices.

None of it sounds like voices. It sounds like Zephen Xaver is expressing his own interests, however peculiar to most people they may be.

The state directed Dr. Prichard to take the jury through the weeks leading up to the bank shooting when Xaver had a job and frequently spent money at fast food restaurants and Walmart.

Dr. Prichard said it appeared from bank records Xaver was living a pretty normal life.

The psychologist also read another note from Xaver, written less than two weeks before the murders.

My heart races as I crave the taste of blood and mayhem. I thrive on chaos and it makes me feel whole, Xaver wrote, according to state evidence.

In the weeks before the shooting, Xaver bought a gun and a steelplated vest and asked questions on a murder-focused forum online.

So do you know what happens to the family of a killer if the killer is killed while the police are trying to capture him or her? Xaver reportedly asked online. Like are they fined, punished or just like meh, MEH.

Dr. Prichard testified Xaver texted his deceased friend, Chandler Kain, the day before the shooting, telling him he would be joining him in hell the next day.

Dr. Prichard also focused on texts Xaver sent to his former girlfriend, Imani Davis, on the morning of the shooting.

He tells Davis early in the morning it is the best day of his life.

At 9 am, he tells her he will tell her why in three hours.

Obviously he has something in mind and hes gonna tell her a little later but hes excited about it because its the best day of his life, said Dr. Prichard.

He texted Davis from the bank parking lot minutes before entering the Sebring bank.

Im not going out alone, the text read. Im taking a few people out with me because I always wanted to kill people so Im gonna try it and see how it goes. Watch out for me on the news. Sebring, Florida.

Defense attorneys presented evidence last week that Xaver suffered from severe mental illness and heard voices.

In my view based on all the things I said and observed and talked about it, he wasnt psychotic. He knew exactly what he was doing, said Dr. Prichard.

Another forensic psychologist testified late Monday. Her testimony will continue on Tuesday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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One of the most prominent narratives about AGI, or artificial general intelligence, in the popular media these days is the AI doomer narrative. This claims that were in the midst of an arms race to build AGI, propelled by a relatively small number of extremely powerful AI companies like DeepMind, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Elon Musks xAI (which aims to design an AGI that uncovers truths about the universe by eschewing political correctness). All are backed by billions of dollars: DeepMind says that Microsoft will invest over $100 billion in AI, while OpenAI has thus far received $13 billion from Microsoft, Anthropic has $4 billion in investments from Amazon, and Musk just raised $6 billion for xAI.

Many doomers argue that the AGI race is catapulting humanity toward the precipice of annihilation: if we create an AGI in the near future, without knowing how to properly align the AGIs value system, then the default outcome will be total human extinction. That is, literally everyone on Earth will die. And since it appears that were on the verge of creating AGI  or so they say  this means that you and I and everyone we care about could be murdered by a misaligned AGI within the next few years.

These doomers thus contend, with apocalyptic urgency, that we must pause or completely ban all research aiming to create AGI. By pausing or banning this research, it would give others more time to solve the problem of aligning AGI to our human values, which is necessary to ensure that the AGI is sufficiently safe. Failing to do this means that the AGI will be unsafe, and the most likely consequence of an unsafe AGI will be the untimely death of everyone on our planet.

The doomers contrast with the AI accelerationists, who hold a much more optimistic view. They claim that the default outcome of AGI will be a bustling utopia: well be able to cure diseases, solve the climate crisis, figure out how to become immortal, and even colonize the universe. Consequently, these accelerationists  some of whom use the acronym e/acc (pronounced ee-ack) to describe their movement  argue that we should accelerate rather than pause or ban AGI research. There isnt enough money being funneled into the leading AI companies, and calls for government regulation are deeply misguided because theyre only going to delay the arrival of utopia.

Some even contend that any deceleration of AI will cost lives. Deaths that were preventable by the AI that was prevented from existing is a form of murder. So, if you advocate for slowing down research on advanced AI, you are no better than a murderer.

But theres a great irony to this whole bizarre predicament: historically speaking, no group has done more to accelerate the race to build AGI than the AI doomers. The very people screaming that the AGI race is a runaway train barreling toward the cliff of extinction have played an integral role in starting these AI companies. Some have helped found these companies, while others provided crucial early funding that enabled such companies to get going. They wrote papers, books and blog posts that popularized the idea of AGI and organized conferences that inspired interest in the topic. Many of those worried that AGI will kill everyone on Earth have gone on to work for the leading AI companies, and indeed the two techno-cultural movements that initially developed and promoted the doomer narrative  namely, Rationalism and Effective Altruism  have been at the very heart of the AGI race since its inception.

In a phrase, the loudest voices within the AI doomer camp have been disproportionately responsible for launching and sustaining the very technological race that they now claim could doom humanity in the coming years. Despite their apocalyptic warnings of near-term annihilation, the doomers have in practice been more effective at accelerating AGI than the accelerationists themselves.

Consider a few examples, beginning with the Skype cofounder and almost-billionaire Jaan Tallinn, who also happens to be one of the biggest financial backers of the Rationalist and Effective Altruist (EA) movements. Tallinn has repeatedly claimed that AGI poses an enormous threat to the survival of humanity. Or, in his words, it is by far the biggest risk facing us this century  bigger than nuclear war, global pandemics or climate change.

In 2014, Tallinn co-founded a Boston-based organization called the Future of Life Institute (FLI), which has helped raise public awareness of the supposedly grave dangers of AGI. Last year, FLI released an open letter calling on all AI labs to immediately pause for at least 6 months the training of AI systems more powerful than GPT-4, where GPT4 was the most advanced system that OpenAI had released at the time. The letter warns that AI labs have become locked in an out-of-control race to develop and deploy ever more powerful digital minds that no one  not even their creators  can understand, predict, or reliably control, resulting in a dangerous race. Tallinn was one of the first signatories.

Tallinn is thus deeply concerned about the race to build AGI. Hes worried that this race might lead to our extinction in the near future. Yet, through his wallet, he has played a crucial role in sparking and fueling the AGI race. He was an early investor in DeepMind, which Demis Hassabis, Shane Legg and Mustafa Suleyman cofounded 2010 with the explicit goal of creating AGI. After OpenAI started in 2015, he had a close connection to some people at the company, meeting regularly with individuals like Dario Amodei, a member of the EA movement and a key figure in the direction of OpenAI. (Tallinn himself is closely aligned with the EA movement.)

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In 2021, Amodei and six other former employees of OpenAI founded Anthropic, a competitor of both DeepMind and OpenAI. Where did Anthropic get its money? In part from Tallinn, who donated $25 million and led a $124 million series A fundraising round to help the company get started.

Here we have one of the leading voices in the doomer camp claiming that the AGI race could result in everyone on Earth dying, while simultaneously funding the biggest culprits in this reckless race toward AGI. Im reminded of something that Noam Chomsky once said in 2002, during the early years of George Bushs misguided War on Terror. Chomsky declared: We certainly want to reduce the level of terror, he said, referring to the U.S. There is one easy way to do that  stop participating in it. The same idea applies to the AGI race: if AI doomers are really so worried that the race to build AGI will lead to an existential catastrophe, then why are they participating in it? Why have they funded and, in some cases, founded the very companies responsible for supposedly pushing humanity toward the precipice of total destruction?

In fact, Amodei, Shane Legg, Sam Altman and Elon Musk  all of whom founded or cofounded some of the leading AI companies  have expressed doomer concerns that AGI could annihilate our species in the near term. In an interview with the EA organization 80,000 Hours, Amodei referenced the possibility that an AGI could destroy humanity, saying I cant see any reason in principle why that couldnt happen. He adds that this is a possible outcome and at the very least as a tail risk we should take it seriously.

Similarly, DeepMind cofounder Shane Legg wrote on the website LessWrong in 2011 that AGI is his number 1 risk for this century. That was one year after DeepMind was created. In 2015, the year he co-founded OpenAI with Elon Musk and others, Altman declared that I think AI will  most likely sort of lead to the end of the world, adding on his personal blog that the development of superhuman machine intelligence is probably the greatest threat to the continued existence of humanity.

Then theres Musk, who has consistently identified AGI as the biggest existential threat, and far more dangerous than nukes. In early 2023, Musk signed the open letter from FLI calling for a six month pause on advanced AI research. Just four months later, he announced that he was starting yet another AI company: xAI.

Over and over again, the very same people saying that AGI could kill us all have done more than anyone else to launch and accelerate the race toward AGI. This is even true of the most famous doomer in the world today, a self-described genius named Eliezer Yudkowsky. In a Time magazine article from last year, Yudkowsky argued that our only hope of survival is to immediately shut down all of the large computer farms where the most powerful AIs are refined. Countries should sign an international treaty to halt AGI research and be willing to engage in military airstrikes against rogue datacenters to enforce this treaty.

Yudkowsky is so worried about the AGI apocalypse that he claims we should be willing to risk an all-out thermonuclear war that kills nearly everyone on Earth to prevent AGI from being built in the near future. He then gave a TED talk in which he reiterated his warnings: if we build AGI without knowing how to make it safe  and we have no idea how to make it safe right now, he claims  then literally everyone on Earth will die.

Yet I doubt that any single individual has promoted the idea of AGI more than Yudkowsky himself. In a very significant way, he put AGI on the map, inspired many people involved in the current AGI race to become interested in the topic, and organized conferences that brought together early AGI researchers to cross-pollinate ideas.

Consider the Singularity Summit, which Yudkowsky co-founded with the Google engineer Ray Kurzweil and tech billionaire Peter Thiel in 2006. This summit, held annually until 2012, focused on the promises and perils of AGI, and included the likes of Tallinn, Hassabis, and Legg on its list of speakers. In fact, both Hassabis and Legg gave talks about AGI-related issues in 2010, shortly before co-founding DeepMind. At the time, DeepMind needed money to get started, so after the Singularity Summit, Hassabis followed Thiel back to his mansion, where Hassabis asked Thiel for financial support to start DeepMind. Thiel obliged, offering Hassabis $1.85 million, and thats how DeepMind was born. (The following year, in 2011, is when Tallinn made his early investment in the company.)

If not for Yudkowskys Singularity Summit, DeepMind might not have gotten off the ground  or at least not when it did. Similar points could be made about various websites and mailing lists that Yudkowsky created to promote the idea of AGI. For example, AGI has been a major focus of the community blogging website LessWrong, created by Yudkowsky around 2009. This website quickly became the online epicenter for discussions about how to build AGI, the utopian future that a safe or aligned AGI could bring about, and the supposed existential risks associated with AGIs that are unsafe or misaligned. As noted above, it was on the LessWrong website that Legg identified AGI to be the number one threat facing humanity, and records show that Legg was active on the website very early on, sometimes commenting directly under articles by Yudkowsky about AGI and related issues.

Or consider the SL4 mailing list that Yudkowsky created in 2001, which described itself as dedicated to advanced topics in transhumanism and the Singularity, including  strategies to accelerate the Singularity. The Singularity is a hypothetical future event in which advanced AI begins to redesign itself, leading to a superintelligent AGI system over the course of weeks, days, or perhaps even minutes. Once again, Legg also contributed to the list, which indicates that the connections between Yudkowsky, the worlds leading doomer, and Legg, cofounder of one of the biggest AI companies involved in the AGI race, goes back more than two decades.

These are just a few reasons that Altman himself wrote on Twitter (now X) last year that Yudkowsky  the worlds leading AI doomer  has probably contributed more than anyone to the AGI race. In Altmans words, Yudkowsky got many of us interested in AGI, helped DeepMind get funding at a time when AGI was extremely outside the Overton window, was critical in the decision to start OpenAI, etc. He then joked that Yudkowsky may deserve the Nobel Peace Prize for this. (These quotes have been lightly edited to improve readability.)

Though Altman was partly trolling Yudkowsky for complaining about a situation  the AGI race  that Yudkowsky was instrumental in creating, Altman isnt wrong. As a New York Times article from 2023 notes, Mr. Yudkowsky and his writings played key roles in the creation of both OpenAI and DeepMind. One could say something similar about Anthropic, as it was Yudkowskys blog posts that convinced Tallinn that AGI could be existentially risky, and Tallinn later played a crucial role in helping Anthropic get started  which further accelerated the race to build AGI. The connections and overlaps between the doomer movement and the race to build AGI are extensive and deep  the more one scratches the surface, the clearer these links appear.

Indeed, I mentioned the Rationalist and EA movements earlier. Rationalism was founded by Yudkowsky via the LessWrong website, while EA emerged around the same time, in 2009, and could be seen as the sibling of Rationalism. These communities overlap considerably, and both have heavily promoted the idea that AGI poses a profound threat to our continued existence this century.

Yet Rationalists and EAs are also some of the main participants and contributors to the very race they believe could precipitate our doom. As noted above, Dario Amodei (co-founder of Anthropic) is an EA, and Tallinn has given talks at major EA conferences and donated tens of millions of dollars to both movements. Similarly, an Intelligencer article about Altman reports that Altman once embraced EA, and a New York Times profile describes him as the product of a strange, sprawling online community that began to worry, around the same time Mr. Altman came to the Valley, that artificial intelligence would one day destroy the world. Called rationalists or effective altruists, members of this movement were instrumental in the creation of OpenAI.

Yet another New York Times article notes that the EA movement beat the drum so loudly about the dangers of AGI that many young people became inspired to work on the topic. Consequently, all of the major AI labs and safety research organizations contain some trace of effective altruisms influence, and many count believers among their staff members. The article then observes that no major AI lab embodies the EA ethos as fully as Anthropic, given that many of the companys early hires were effective altruists, and much of its start-up funding came from wealthy EA-affiliated tech executives  not just Tallinn, but the co-founder of Facebook Dustin Moskovitz, who, like Tallinn, has donated considerably to EA projects.

There is a great deal to say about this topic, but the key point for our purposes is that the doomer narrative largely emerged out of the Rationalist and EA movements  the very movements that have been pivotal in founding, funding and inspiring all the major AI companies now driving the race to build AGI.

Again, one wants to echo Chomsky in saying: if these communities are so worried about the AGI apocalypse, why have they done so much to create the very conditions that enabled the AGI race to get going? The doomers have probably done more to accelerate AGI research than the AI accelerationists that they characterize as recklessly dangerous.

How has this happened? And why? One reason is that many doomers believe that AGI will be built by someone, somewhere, eventually. So it might as well be them who builds the first AGI. After all, many Rationalists and EAs pride themselves on having exceptionally high IQs while claiming to be more rational than ordinary people, or normies. Hence, they are the best group to build AGI while ensuring that it is maximally safe and beneficial. The unfortunate consequence is that these Rationalists and EAs have inadvertently initiated a race to build AGI that, at this point, has gained so much momentum that it appears impossible to stop.

Even worse, some of the doomers most responsible for the AGI race are now using this situation to gain even more power by arguing that policymakers should look to them for the solutions. Tallinn, for example, recently joined the United Nations Artificial Intelligence Advisory Body, which focuses on the risks and opportunities of advanced AI, while Yudkowsky has defended an international policy that leaves the door open to military strikes that might trigger a thermonuclear war. These people helped create a huge, complicated mess, then turned around, pointed at that mess, and shouted: Oh, my! Were in such a dire situation! If only governments and politicians would listen to us, though, we just might be able to dodge the bullet of annihilation.

This looks like a farce. Its like someone drilling a hole in a boat and then declaring: The only way to avoid drowning is to make me captain.

The lesson is that governments and politicians should not be listening to the very people  or the Rationalist and EA movements to which they belong  that are disproportionately responsible for this mess in the first place. One could even argue  plausibly, in my view  that if not for the doomers, there probably wouldnt be an AGI race right now at all.

Though the race to build AGI does pose many dangers, the greatest underlying danger is the Rationalist and EA movements that spawned this unfortunate situation over the past decade and a half. If we really want to bring the madness of the AGI race to a stop, its time to let someone else have the mic.
(Reuters) -Facebook parent Meta Platforms has discussed integrating its generative AI model into Apple's recently announced AI system for iPhones, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday.

The move comes as Apple plans to add technology from other AI companies on its devices amid reports that it was discussing a potential tie-up with long-time search partner Alphabet's Google.

The iPhone maker is also expected to discuss partnerships with other AI companies in different regions like China, where Microsoft-backed OpenAI chatbot ChatGPT is banned.

AI startup Anthropic has been in discussions with Apple to bring its generative AI to Apple Intelligence, the Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

Meta and Anthropic declined to comment, while Apple did not respond immediately to request for comment outside business hours.

The discussions have not been finalized and could fall through, the Journal reported, adding that deals with Apple would help AI companies to obtain a wider distribution of their products.

The size of potential financial windfall is unclear, but the talks involved AI companies selling premium subscriptions to their services through Apple Intelligence, the report said.

AI search startup Perplexity has also been in discussions with Apple about bringing its generative AI technology to Apple Intelligence, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Apple announced long-awaited AI strategy this month, saying it would integrate new Apple Intelligence technology across its suite of apps, including Siri, and bring ChatGPT to its devices, while signaling that it plans to differentiate itself from rivals Microsoft and Google by placing privacy "at the core" of its features.

(Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in BengaluruEditing by Louise Heavens, David Goodman and Marguerita Choy)
Linda Yaccarino fired her right-hand man at X and replaced him with a senior staffer from the pre-Elon era: report

Joe Benarroch was the head of business operations and communications at X.

He was fired in June in part for botching the rollout of X's new NSFW policy, sources told FT.

Nick Pickles, who was a senior Twitter employee, is taking over Benarroch's role, per the FT report.

X CEO Linda Yaccarino fired her right-hand man, Joe Benarroch, and replaced him with a longtime senior Twitter employee, sources told The Financial Times.

Benarroch led comms at the social media company for about a year as the head of global business operations as Twitter transitioned to X after Elon Musk's takeover.

According to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on Benarroch's departure, he also acted as a close advisor to Yaccarino, named X's chief executive in May 2023.

The pair previously worked together at NBCUniversal, where Yaccarino was the chief of advertising, and Benarroch was her direct report as executive vice president of global advertising.

But that longtime professional relationship has ended.

Two anonymous X employees told The Financial Times that Yaccarino held Benarroch responsible for botching the rollout of X's new policy on adult content earlier this month. The employees told the FT that Benarroch failed to tell X's clients about the rule before debuting it to the public.

Adult content has long existed on the site, but X is now making it explicitly clear that pornography, including AI-generated porn, is allowed as long as it's consensual.

Notifying X's clients could be crucial since the platform is struggling to attract more advertisers.

Benarroch's LinkedIn profile currently indicates he is "open to work."

He did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent during the weekend.

Sources familiar with the matter told The Financial Times that Nick Pickles will take over Benarroch's comms responsibilities.

Pickles  a one-time conservative candidate for the UK's parliament  was among the few senior Twitter staffers who remained at the social media company after Musk's massive layoffs. He worked at the company since 2014 when Dick Costolo was still the CEO of Twitter.

Pickles' current role at X is the head of global government affairs, but he'll also temporarily be leading global communications, the sources told the Financial Times.

Pickles did not respond to a request for comment from BI sent during the weekend.

The staff change-up comes as Yaccarino faces mounting pressure to reduce costs and raise revenue for the social media company, according to the Financial Times.

The Verge reported that in April, Musk brought in Steve Davis, a chief executive at Musk's tunnel project, Boring Company, to review X's financial health.

According to The FT, Davis led layoffs and cost reductions at X in 2022 and 2023.

One X employee speaking to The Verge described Davis as "the grim reaper who only shows up for bad things."

Before Twitter became X, employees last year speculated that he could be the next chief executive under Musk's ownership.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Nvidia's chips are very popular. Its brand, less so.

Nvidia's chips are very popular. Its brand, less so.

Nvidia recently joined Microsoft and Apple in the multi-trillion dollar valuation club.

But Nvidia's brand doesn't have the household familiarity of the iconic Apple logo or Nike swoosh.

Consulting firm Interbrand's list of top 100 global brands doesn't even include the chipmaker.

Some of the world's most iconic brands can be recognized by simply describing their logos.

The apple. The golden arches. The swoosh.

But what company comes to a consumer's mind when referencing a green spiral? Is it an eye? A portal to another dimension?

That's a question best aimed at Nvidia, which recently turned into a multi-trillion dollar company thanks to its valuable chips that are crucial in the artificial intelligence race.

While its current valuation has led CEO Jensen Huang's company to join the ranks of Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon, the chipmaker may have some ways to go before it becomes a household name.

According to Interbrand, a New York consulting firm, some of the 100 most valuable global brands in 2023 include storied companies like Apple, Google, Coca-Cola, Nike, and McDonald's  brands whose logos and products instantly recall a familiar memory in people's minds.

Nvidia, however, is nowhere on the list.

"As a product company recently moving onto a global stage, Nvidia has not had time, nor has it dedicated resources, to change its role of brand and strengthen its brand to protect future revenue," Greg Silverman, the global director of brand economics at Interbrand, told CNBC.

An Nvidia spokesperson declined to comment.

A tale of two chipmakers

Part of Nvidia's brand issue could be that the company hasn't been focused on consumer-facing products since its inception in 1993. Nvidia's chips were originally designed for video games and became a computer hobbyist's favorite company.

Intel, a once-dominant chips manufacturer that has lost its lead in recent years, faced a similar branding issue before it launched the "Intel Inside" campaign in the '90s.

"Before the "Intel Inside" campaign, Intel had been largely unknown to consumers," the company states on its website. Intel currently ranks 24th on Interbrand's list of the most valuable brands despite its current market cap of about $132 billion compared to Nvidia's $3.1 trillion valuation as of June 23.

In the past few months, Nvidia's stock and recognition have soared because the company's chips are required to power the technology behind AI.

Companies like Meta, Tesla, and Microsoft need, and sometimes fight, for what is a limited supply of Nvidia's GPUs.

Those chips positioned the 31-year-old company for its recent trillion-dollar success story, and now Nvidia dominates the AI-computing market. But that position is not guaranteed.

A growing list of companies and start-ups are trying to carve their own space in the chips market. Some of them, including Meta and Microsoft, rely on Nvidia's chips.

If Nvidia's dominance in chips falls, getting people to recognize the swirling green eye will be the least of the company's problems.

Do you work at Nvidia or have a tip? Reach Lloyd Lee at (646) 768-1630 or send an email to lloydlee@businessinsider.com for his Signal number.

Read the original article on Business Insider
When Qualcomm formally introduced its Snapdragon X Elite platforms at Computex earlier this month, the company almost solely focused on the AI capabilities of these system-on-chips and only briefly touched upon CPU and GPU. But to take advantage of Qualcomm's Hexagon neural processing unit (NPU), one needs AI software that can use it.

Today, Qualcomm developed, optimized, and validated its AI models for its 45 TOPS Hexagon NPU. The models are available at the company's AI Hub to registered software developers who can use already trained models to build their artificial intelligence-enabled applications.

"Qualcomm has made compute models on Qualcomm AI Hub available to everyone," a statement by Qualcomm reads. "Sign up today to immediately run, download, and deploy optimized #AI models on Snapdragon X Elite devices."

The Qualcomm AI Hub contains various AI models optimized for deployment on edge devices powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processors, including image classification, object detection, semantic segmentation, and generative AI. Also, the hub provides tools and documentation for deploying AI models in applications such as vision, audio, and speech easily to make development as smooth as possible.

To further simplify things, developers can filter models by tags such as 'backbone, 'foundation,' 'quantized,' and 'real-time.' The site also includes detailed examples and code snippets for deploying and running AI models on devices based on the Snapdragon X Elite processor family.

By making its trained AI models optimized for 45 TOPS Hexagon NPU, Qualcomm ensures that over time, hopefully within a year, there will be a host of AI-enabled applications that can take advantage of its Snapdragon X Elite, which will catalyze demand for PCs based on Qualcomm's SoCs.

In fact, part of the reason Qualcomm focused its Snapdragon X Elite announcement on AI and not on its premium CPU and GPU is that it wanted to attract software developers' attention to what it thinks is the killer feature of 2024 PCs.

In addition, by making its models optimized for particular hardware available, Qualcomm also ensures that AI programs will run best on its Snapdragon X Elite platforms, which will give it a competitive edge against AMD and Intel, who are also about to roll out their new CPUs with high-performance NPUs for AI PCs.
The Scene

The scramble to supply power for the AI boom is usually focused on flashy new infrastructure, like Microsofts quest for advanced nuclear or Googles pursuit of geothermal. But the best solutions may be the ones that require little or no building at all.

If you ask executives at National Grid Partners, the venture capital arm of the UKs National Grid, what technology most excites them, they all point to a seemingly unremarkable company they have invested in.

LineVision installs remote sensors at the base of electricity transmissions towers to more precisely assess the status of the cables that transfer power across vast distances, helping National Grid ramp up the electricity load at precise intervals when conditions allow and tweak its maintenance schedule, all without having to upgrade or replace actual infrastructure.

The system is simple and cheap, one of a suite of technologies NGP are investing in or partnering with that focus on making the grid more efficient, rather than upgrading it wholesale  all with an eye on reducing how much National Grid will have to expand its network in future: National Grid worries that to accommodate all of the renewables, electric vehicles, and other electricity-hungry technologies that will power the energy transition, Britains grid will have to expand fourfold, an almost impossible task given every country worldwide is attempting to do the same thing at the same time.

It hopes that by making smaller tweaks to improve the efficiency of existing structures and banking on smarter technologies, it will only need to double the grids capacity  still a Herculean task, but one that is at least within the bounds of possible. Thats why about two-thirds of its investments are tilted towards startups that it categorizes as efficiency through innovation or future electric networks.

Im not worried because all the technologies required to solve that problem exist today, Pradeep Tagare, head of investments at NGP, said in an interview. But Im worried because of the pace required.

Tims view

The looming surge in power demand for EVs and data centers makes utilities nervous not just because of the cost, copper, and labor required to supply it, but because meeting the challenge will require a deep cultural shift in the stodgy, lumbering power sector toward Silicon Valley-style speed and innovation.

For a century, the basic rule for utilities has been when you need more power, you build more generators and wires. In the energy transition era, when the grid needs to be both much cleaner and much greater in capacity, that approach cant work fast enough or at the necessary scale. So while utilities race to build substations and transmission lines, many are also increasing their investments in tech-forward solutions, often utilizing AI, that dont require new large-scale infrastructure to expand the grids efficiency and carrying capacity.

Although most people are fixated on the problem of an built grid, an even more serious risk, some in the power business say, is the built grid, one where financial, natural, and bureaucratic resources are wasted, and backyards and landscapes are needlessly encroached on, to achieve the same carbon footprint outcome that could have been achieved faster through less expensive and invasive means.

Theres a lot of additional headroom sitting around most of the time on the grid, Alexina Jackson, vice president of strategic development at the Virginia-based multinational power company AES, told Semafor. We need to move from the mindset of the world will always be this way and never change to realizing that we need to be increasingly dynamic in the way we consume and transmit energy.

Dynamic line rating systems like LineVisions are one approach. Startups like AutoGrid, which took early investment from NGP and SE Ventures before it was acquired by the grid software company Uplight in December, use machine learning to predict power production and demand curves in a local area. That information can be used to smooth down the peaks  perhaps incentivize a power-hungry factory to ramp down for a few hours on a hot afternoon with a lot of air conditioners running  and lower the utilities peak capacity requirements. Another NGP-backed startup, AiDash, uses satellite imagery and AI to apply a risk-based approach to utility vegetation management, such as informing decisions about where and when to trim trees, which are the top cause of damage to power lines.

Most utilities really struggle to answer the question of whats happening on their grid right now, said Astrid Atkinson, co-founder of the startup Camus Energy, which uses AI to analyze real-time demand and supply data from smart meters and other sources. That makes it really difficult for utilities to make changes. What exactly would happen if they connect a solar farm? They dont know. That data deficit is a really big reason for the interconnection backlogs.

There are also some relatively low-tech and low-cost upgrades to existing grid hardware that can make a big difference. Reconductoring, or replacing old wires in transmission lines with more advanced ones, can unlock huge capacity additions at a far lower cost than building new lines, and shave years off the process by avoiding the minefield of new-build permitting bureaucracy. Siemens Energy is removing greenhouse gasses directly from grid infrastructure itself, by upgrading substation equipment to remove sulfur hexafluoride, which is commonly used as an insulator but leaks at high rates and is extremely potent at trapping heat in the atmosphere.

Theres more work to do, Atkinson said, to get utilities comfortable with the idea that they can proactively manage the grid in a way that has been impossible before, rather than just overbuild for the worst-case scenario and hope for the best.

Theres a process of trust-building, she said. But utilities are really starting to understand where they have gaps.

Room for Disagreement

The reason for the relatively slow adoption of cutting-edge grid tech isnt because utilities are averse to well-reasoned risk, said Lucy Yu, CEO of the Centre for Net Zero, a research group on AI-driven grid strategies, founded by London-based Octopus Energy. Its because government targets are misaligned, with too much focus on  and therefore policy and financial support for  renewable energy adoption (hitting a certain share by a certain date), and no clear mandate for grid flexibility and performance: Thats something were not recognizing the full potential of at the moment.

Notable

Meanwhile, the quest to build Americas longest transmission line lumbers on. The 20-year saga of SunZia has almost made all transmission projects uninvestable, s Robinson Meyer reports, but a happy ending seems to be in sight.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. Azerbaijan's national air carrier, AZAL, has once more secured the title of Best Regional Airline in Central Asia and CIS at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2024.

The Skytrax award ceremony, a prestigious event held in London, took place today, June 24.

This notable accomplishment underscores the exceptional service provided by Azerbaijan Airlines, positioning it among the leading names in the global aviation industry.

This recognition is a testament to the dedication of the entire Azerbaijan Airlines team, who continually strive to deliver world-class service to our passengers. We are honored that our efforts have been acknowledged with such a prestigious award, reflecting the high trust our customers place in our airline, stated Samir Rzayev, President of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC.

He further emphasized that receiving this award affirms AZAL's commitment to maintaining high standards of quality and customer service, reinforcing the airline's leadership both regionally and internationally.

The World Airline Awards are conferred by Skytrax, a British consulting agency renowned for its global assessment of airline and airport service quality. The rankings are based on the world's largest passenger satisfaction survey.

It is also worth mentioning that Azerbaijan Airlines holds a 4-star rating from Skytrax. This rating is based on an independent audit that evaluates the quality of services provided by the airline both in the air and on the ground.
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. Masdar is committed to participating alongside the UAE delegation at COP29 and looks forward to supporting Azerbaijan's government for a successful COP this year, Maryam Al Mazrouei, Head of Development and Investment (CIS) at Masdar, told Trend in an exclusive interview.

"Every initiative undertaken by Masdar in Azerbaijan contributes to the national target of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, which aligns with the country's goal of achieving 30 percent capacity of renewable energy by the same year. As part of the UAE delegation, we will be certainly participating eagerly," she said.

Speaking of the possibility of inking more deals between Azerbaijan and Masdar as part of the COP event, Al Mazrouei noted that she will be "personally enthusiastic about pushing forward and signing additional agreements" between the sides.

"Azerbaijan is a key strategic market for Masdar. We began discussions with the Ministry of Energy in 2018-2019, and as we speak, we already have one operational project. The 230 MW Garadagh solar PV project was inaugurated and has been a great success. With the strategic collaboration between Masdar, the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan, and Azerenergy, we aim to expand and build on this success," the company rep added.

According to Al Mazrouei, Masdar is currently looking to implement a battery storage project in Azerbaijan.

"In the field of energy storage here in Azerbaijan, we are currently in discussions with the Ministry of Energy. We are very eager to implement the country's first battery storage project, which will undoubtedly aid in grid stabilization efforts. However, it is still in its nascent stages," she said.

Al Mazrouei pointed out that Masdar is one of the leading developers of green energy and remains technology-agnostic. "Our focus lies on several core developments, including solar PV, hydropower, onshore and offshore wind. Additionally, we consider secondary technologies such as waste-to-energy and geothermal solutions".

"Therefore, battery storage aligns well with Masdar's overall technological landscape. We maintain an open stance towards regions and technologies, without any constraints. Wherever we perceive a feasible project that also aligns with the country's objectives, we are eager to initiate and propel it forward," she elaborated.

Further speaking, the company representative highlighted Masdar's interest in the feasibility studies to expedite offshore wind potential in the Caspian. "The development of offshore wind in the Caspian Sea is part of the first phase of an agreement on renewable energy development in Azerbaijan, and the technical feasibility studies are ongoing. Once we have clarity, we will agree with the government on the next steps for the implementation of offshore wind and green hydrogen".

Al Mazrouei noted that there is significant interest from various developers and investors in tapping into the vast potential for offshore wind in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian, estimated at 157 GW.

"However, offshore wind is more complex, compared to solar and onshore wind. Logistics, supply chain, and technical assessments are more demanding, and it is also more expensive. Thus, the development lifecycle for offshore wind is considerably longer, meaning it will take some time to implement such a project," she explained.

Maryam Al Mazrouei further reminded that, in 2022, Masdar signed two implementation agreements with Azerbaijan in the city of Shusha, covering a program of 10 GW. "This starts with the first phase of 4 GW and potentially expands to a second phase of 6 GW".

"The first phase includes 1 GW of onshore wind, 1 GW of solar, and 2 GW of offshore wind and green hydrogen potential. This phase already covers two solar PV projects and one onshore wind project: the 445 MW Bilasuvar Solar PV Project, the 315 MW Neftchala Solar PV Project, and the 240 MW Absheron-Garadagh Onshore Wind Project. In this phase, we signed the main project agreements, including the PPA, CCA, land use agreement, and investment agreement. We plan to expedite the development and complete the construction of these projects to meet the expectations of the country's leadership. We are advancing the development of the next gigawatt of the onshore project and studying the technical feasibility of green hydrogen and offshore potential. It's ongoing. I would say it will be completed very soon. Regarding the implementation of particular projects, it will depend on the outcome of the study. So once we have a clear outcome, then we will have a clear plan for the implementation," she added.

Maryam Al Mazrouei went on to add that Masdar has a very broad portfolio in Central Asia as well. "Particularly in Uzbekistan, where we have Masdar's largest portfolio in the region. Azerbaijan comes second, with projects amounting to 1.2 GW, including a 230 MW project. We are also active in Kazakhstan, where we have signed agreements for 1 GW and have started with 500 MW onshore. Additionally, we are developing a 100 MW solar project in Georgia".

Namely, Masdar is currently in talks with Uzbekistan regarding a pumped storage hydro project, while technical assessment is underway. "Regarding pumped storage hydro, it helps stabilize the grid more effectively than battery storage, which has lower capacity and coverage time. Pumped storage allows for building larger capacities and offers better control over grid stability. We are in direct discussions with Uzbek Hydro Energy and are currently conducting a technical assessment. Once we have clarity, we will proceed with the implementation of the project".

According to Al Mazrouei, Masdar's current portfolio in Uzbekistan includes 2 GW of operational and under-construction projects. "Additionally, we have a committed pipeline of 2 GW of onshore wind under development and a 1.5 gigawatt-hour battery storage system. Aside from the 2 GW nearing completion and operational status, we are also expanding our footprint and developing more projects in Uzbekistan".

Furthermore, discussions between the Ministry of Energy of Kyrgyzstan and Masdar on further renewables exploration are ongoing as well.

"In Kyrgyzstan, we are very active in hydropower and are also working on solar projects. We have a program with them for 1 GW, starting with the first phase of a solar PV project. Discussions with the Kyrgyz Ministry of Energy are ongoing," she said.

Maryam Al Mazrouei reminded that last year, Masdar signed an agreement with the Kyrgyz government alongside EDF for the development of hydropower in Kyrgyzstan. "Discussions with the government are ongoing. As you might know, developing hydropower takes longer than solar and wind projects. However, we are conducting the necessary studies, and hopefully, it will come to fruition. The timeline will depend on the progress of our discussions with the Kyrgyz government".
A forward-deployed air defense system for NATO

This observation lends itself to crucial questions about the organization of the defense of the Polish airspace, as well as the airspace of our allies, exposed to potential threats in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Russias massive air strikes against Ukraine, including attacks on targets right on our border, are systematically forcing the costly deployment of Polish and allied air defense systems, including the deployment of on-call fighter jets to patrol our skies. We all remember the recent missile incidents in the Polish airspace. More of them can surely be expected, and they could lead to much more serious consequences than the previous ones. Not to mention the fact that both the attacks on Ukraine and the provocations in our own airspace serve as a way for the Russians to test the Polish and allied air defense system, as well as to fuel the anxiety of our public opinion and fill it with doubt in the effectiveness of this system.

Forward-deployed defense against both potential and real aerial threats (aircraft, missiles, and drones) is the quintessential model for the organization of so-called regions, areas, and anti-access zones, which have been the topic of much discussion in recent years regarding conditions and methods of modern warfare in a missile and drone-saturated combat environment. They are planned and organized for wartime and launched in the face of a threat on approaches to one's own territory (theater of war, operational region) to prevent, or at least significantly impede, the enemy's access to forces deployed there, important facilities, strategic resources, large agglomerations, etc. I have no doubt that plans for this type of forward-deployed, anti-access air defense are also considered in NATO, and thus the Polish armed forces.

However, real threats related to the ongoing war in Ukraine raise the question of whether we, as NATO allies, should not deploy this type of forward area, anti-access air defense in front of the Ukrainian border as part of an allied crisis-defense response against the threat of Russian missiles and drones operating near NATO's borders. This is particularly justified in relation to dual-purpose missiles capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads. Indeed, the consequences of an accidental or intentional use of such missiles over our territory would be enormous. Especially since we have already practically dealt with such incidents. It is better not to wait for another one and pre-emptively eliminate them in the forward-deployed anti-access zone. This is the proposal I have been making since the beginning of the war.

Of course, the launch of such a zone would have to be done in consultation with Ukraine. It should also be pre-emptively announced to Russia as an announcement of the decision that will be made if Russia does not stop directing its long-range missiles, which are dangerous to NATO, toward our borders.

NATO has the necessary military capabilities to establish such a zone: both detection, tracking, and fire capabilities, in the form of air and ground-based anti-missile assets, with the range to organize an advanced zone with forces operating from its own territory, without deploying them on the territory of Ukraine.

Lets not be intimidated by Putins threats

The establishment of such a zone would undoubtedly strengthen the protection of NATO territory against threats from Russian missiles operating near allied borders. However, the operational and strategic expediency of such a decision clashes with the political barrier expressed in statements such as: "Let's not irritate Russia, let's not provoke Putin, let's not give him an excuse".

I think that Russias ever-escalating attacks against Ukraine show that such arguments should have been put aside a long time ago. Putin does not need any objective reasons, provocations, pretexts, or anything else on our part. If need be, he can make them up himself... and lie to the entire world without even blinking an eye.

Therefore, in all decisions regarding our security, I believe that we should be guided by our own strategic rationale, needs and operational capabilities, not Putin's.

***

Stanisaw Koziej is a Polish brigadier general and professor of military science. He served as the Head of Polands National Security Bureau (2010  2015) and Deputy Minister of National Defense (2005-2006).

***

Translated by Jakub Kibitlewski
Agnes Kunhalmi and Imre Komjathi resigned as co-leaders of the opposition Socialist Party at a meeting of the partys national board on Saturday over the result of the June 9 European Parliament and local elections.

Komjathi said on Facebook that the partys leadership had concluded that they had to take responsibility for and draw the necessary conclusions from the result.



He added that the party would now regroup and start building itself up again. Kunhalmi said that because her appointment as the partys co-leader had come from the national board, it was at the board meeting that she had to announce her resignation.



In a Facebook post, she said she remained convinced that there is no good society without a left wing, adding that there was a great need for leftist progressivism in Hungary.



Rebeka Szabo and Richard Barabas have been re-elected co-leaders of Dialogue-Greens for another two years, the opposition party said in a statement after its congress on Sunday.



The party said it intended to work on becoming a renewed left-wing progressive force, promoting cooperation and understanding with potential partners and building on their work in local councils.



Dialogue-Greens said it remained committed to representing green values in its progressive community. The other members of the partys board are Adrienn Jakal, Timea Szabo, Andras Beres, Marton Kovacs and Attila Varga.



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The Budapest Pride March was held in the capital on Saturday. Waving rainbow flags, the LGBTQ community and their supporters marched down Andrassy Boulevard, past Heroes Square to a stage erected in the City Park, where they heard musical performances and speeches by activists.

The poet and translator Orsolya Karafiath told the crowd it was tiring to always have to speak about struggle, hurt and exclusion. She criticised the government for making every effort to make homophobic voices heard.



Under the motto Take Back Your Future, participants danced to music from parade trucks. The Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party came with its own truck.







A rainbow-coloured banner of the Democratic Coalition also appeared in the crowd.



Staff of diplomatic missions in Hungary marched behind a Diplomats for pride banner. David Pressman, the United States ambassador to Hungary, as well as Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony were among the demonstrators. The parade route was not cordoned off.







A few counter-demonstrators appeared near Heroes Square, carrying signs that read Sin cannot be a matter of pride, Stop LGBTQ paedophilia and In Hungary, marriage is a union between 1 man and 1 woman, get used to it.



CitizenGo, a conservative international lobbying group based in Madrid, also held a counter-demonstration near the parade route, holding up signs and banners reading The silent majority is proud of their country and Protect our children from LGBTQ sensitization, brainwashing.







Bela Teleki, who was in charge of the CitizenGo counter-demonstration, told MTI that the silent majority in Hungary were proud of their country and their families.



CitizenGo wants to prevent LGBTQ ideology from infiltrating families and corrupting society, he added.







MTI photos: Robert Hegedus

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. In early 2024, AzerEnergy, the largest state-owned electrical power producer in Azerbaijan, in cooperation with SOCAR Trading, applied to the Global Carbon Council (Qatar) and Gold Standard (Switzerland) for carbon certificates for several small hydropower plants, aiming to participate in the voluntary carbon credit market, AzerEnergy told Trend.

The plants for which applications have been submitted include Chirag-1, Chirag-2, Soyugbulag, Gamyshly, and Meydan in the Kalbajar district, as well as Mirik and Garigishlak in the Lachin district.

The certification and validation of carbon management project structures included an initial review of documents for seven small hydroelectric power plants, followed by a field audit as part of the registration process.

"An auditing company was engaged to conduct the field audit.

The audit took place within three days, starting on June 10, 2024, with an expert visiting Azerbaijan.

The ongoing registration process for these seven small hydroelectric power plants aims to prevent the emission of 40,00050,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually," the statement reads.

To note, the project, to be implemented in recently liberated territories, represents one of Azerbaijan's initial submissions for participation in the voluntary carbon credit market.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Regarding the war in Ukraine, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the Western world, led by the United States, was trying to defeat Russia without getting directly involved in the conflict by leaving it to the Ukrainians to fight the war, once the Russian president, violating all principles of international law, had tried to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO.

The West regarded this as an opportunity to weaken and then defeat Russia, instead of striving to isolate the conflict and curb the fallout of the war, which is the position represented by Hungary, Orban said, noting that the West wanted to defeat Russia by using Ukrainian soldiers, but this was at the cost of many casualties.



Orban said the question remained whether Ukraine would become a NATO member, that is whether there will be a NATO flag or a Russian flag flying in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, he said, noting that the Russians did not want to live next door to a country such as Ukraine armed with state-of-the-art NATO weaponry.



Orban said it was hopeless for Ukraine to win the war as this was exacting a terrible price, which was simply not worth it. He added that hundreds of thousands of Russian and Ukrainian soldiers have died so far, and one million children will soon grow up in the eastern corner of Europe without a father or whose father had been disabled due to war injuries.



There will be a generation in a desperate straits, with a standard of living lagging behind that of Europeans for many years in spite of the promised reconstruction, he added.



Orban recalled that referendums had been held earlier in Hungary on big political issues such as migration and the issue of gender, providing support for the government.



There was no referendum on the war, but European elections were held, he said.



Throughout the campaign, I said this was about war and peace, Orban said, adding that the people had made clear that they did not want Hungary to take part in the war.



I said the minimum goal that we can achieve is to stop the European train headed for the war, but if we have enough support, I can pull the emergency brake, this train will stop, and we Hungarians will get off. If the lucky stars are in alignment, we can also convince the driver not only to let the Hungarians get off but also to stop the train, he said.



Orban said the minimum goal had been achieved, an agreement had been reached with the NATO general secretary that Hungary would not participate in NATOs Ukraine mission with either money, weapons or soldiers.



We also talked to the train driver, but could not convince him  he is a strong driver and can only be stopped by Donald Trump, he said, referring to the upcoming US elections.



Meanwhile, the prime minister called Hungary an island of peace in terms of public security, social security and the war, Orban said, adding that he agreed on this not only with the outgoing NATO general secretary but his successor as well.



At the moment pressure on Hungary to join the war, he said, came not from NATO but from Europe.



This battle must be fought in Brussels. Orban said Manfred Weber, the head of the European Peoples party, had only one goal close to his heart: to do harm to Hungary.



In 2019 we prevented him from becoming president of the European Commission, he said, adding that there were also problems with Ursula von Leyen, who was elected EC president with Hungarys support, but she was an apprentice relative to Mr Webers hungarophobia.



As long as he is there, we can be certain that the European Peoples Party is headed by an anti-Hungarian leader, Orban said.



He recalled that when Fidesz won the election in 2018, a few days later the Article 7 procedure was launched against Hungary with Manfred Webers effective support.



The same thing happened this time, he said: the pro-peace party won in Hungary and the pro-war forces in Brussels immediately hit us with an unprecedented fine, Orban said, emphasising the close connection between the migration fine and the issue of war and peace.



He indicated, however, that working groups have been set up to fend this off and find solutions to make those who earn the most from migration and war pay this fine.



Orban also touched on the issue of migration, citing Germanys example.



This is a diverse, changed, multicultural world, he said, where the migrants arriving here are no longer guests, but, by obtaining citizenship in an expedited procedure, are present in the country by their own right, gradually taking it over.



He recalled that he had taken a decision in 2015: unless Hungarians demanded that migrants should be allowed in, we would not let them in, otherwise Hungary would no longer be a Hungarian country.



Migration is one of those areas where an error cannot be corrected, Orban said. I have always advised Hungarians to say no to migration, let us resist the pressure, let us preserve our country as an island of peace, Orban said.



Orban: Hungary Struck Important, Favourable Deal with NATO

We have struck a very important and very favourable agreement with NATO, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in an interview with public radio, citing a deal under which Hungary would not participate in the Ukraine mission.



He said there was a basic difference in opinion within NATO, with 31 of the 32 member countries wanting to defeat the Russians.



Since Ukraine alone is unable to achieve this, they support Ukraine, believing that there was a solution in the battlefield, Orban said.



Hungarys position is that this was a mistake and instead of supporting either side, they should be forced to sign an immediate ceasefire, he added.



Hungary belongs among the accepted, appreciated, loyal, and cooperative, very cooperative countries in NATO, with 1,300 Hungarian soldiers serving in foreign missions, defence spending being above 2% of GDP, air police activities being carried out by Hungarian aircraft above neighbouring countries and the Baltic countries, and Hungary fulfilling NATO liaison roles in central Asian and African states, he said. NATO is our home, Orban added.



At the same time, NATO is supporting the war, and we are on the side of peace. NATOs Ukrainian mission will be set up, with three bases coordinating weapon deliveries. Hungary has rejected to take part, because weapon transfers could make the countries a target of the enemy, he said.



I dont want to risk Hungarys security and Hungarians peace by turning even a square centimetre of the country into a Russian military target. Besides coordinating weapon deliveries, NATO member states are putting money together and taking direct role in the training of troops, he said.



Hungary is under huge pressure: 31 countries are pushing us to defect from the side of peace to that of war, or rather  the side that thinks peace can be won by war and by winning the war.



Orban said Hungary had set clear requests to NATO, including the statement that we wouldnt give a farthing for the mission or allow Hungarian soil to be used to prepare military action; nor will Hungary deliver weapons or take part in action outside NATO territory, he said.



Regarding the stance of Ukraines other neighbours, Orban said Romania and Poland saw themselves in a position where they could be of the most help to Ukraine, as they are the closest to the front lines.



The Slovaks are cautious, the Hungarians unequivocal, he said. Regarding the Peace March held on the eve of the elections in Budapest, Orban said the protest had been the greatest expression of public will in recent period and had demonstrated that Hungary must remain an island of peace.



Peace should not come under threat from outside or inside, he said, adding that European experience had shown that there is no peaceful life if there are migrants. Orban said the other threat was war.



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YORK  York Police Department Capt. Russ Coffey said Monday, June 24 that an investigation continues into the death of an infant in York.

On June 6, the York Police Department and York Fire Department responded to a fire at a house in the 600 block of West Fifth Street in York with possible injuries. While the fire was successfully put out, an infant in the house died from injuries.

On Monday, Coffey said an autopsy was performed but the police department, Nebraska Attorney Generals Office and Nebraska Fire Marshalls Office are stilling working to determine what caused the childs death.

Gathering information and processing evidence will take time, so we ask for your continued patience, Coffey said in the Monday announcement.

Property records indicate the house is a rental.
Monday marks the start of the 18th Lok Sabha's first session, during which freshly elected members of parliament, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will take the oath of office. The opposition is likely to corner the BJP-led NDA government on the June 26 Speaker election, debates about alleged paper leaks in NEET-UG and UGC-NET, and a dispute over the pro-tem Speaker's appointment, therefore the first session is expected to be turbulent.



Bhartruhari Mahtab, a legislator from the Bharatiya Janata Party, will take the oath of office as the acting Speaker of the Lok Sabha from President Droupadi Murmu. Mahtab will next ask Leader of the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to swear in as a member of the House.

The Lok Sabha Speaker will be chosen on June 26. The address of President Droupadi Murmu to the joint session of both houses of Parliament is set for June 27.



The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 293 seats, the INDIA bloc won 234 seats, and the Congress held 99 seats. This is the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha following the general elections.

In the meantime, a meeting of the newly elected Congress MPs has been arranged for today at 10 a.m. at the CPP office in Parliament.

NEET Row To Shadow The Proceedings

After the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance examination National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate 2024 (NEET-UG), Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi targeted the BJP and said that they stand with the students.

The row over the appointment of BJP leader Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker is expected to shadow the proceedings as opposition claimed that Congress Member K Suresh, who is the senior most member was disregarded by the government.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, who has been appointed as the pro-tem Speaker, will administer the oath to newly elected members and oversee the proceedings of the House.

The Congress has reacted sharply to the central government's decision to appoint seven-term BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as Pro-tem Speaker of Lok Sabha over senior-most Dalit MP Kodikkunnil Suresh of Congress, saying that the appointment by the BJP deviates from the traditional practice of appointing the senior member.

Congress leader K Suresh said that there is an eighth-term MP in the House, but a seventh-term MP has been appointed as pro-tem Speaker.


BJP councillor Uma Anandan, in a dramatic turn of events, stormed out of a Chennai Corporation council meeting after strongly objecting to a report by Justice K Chandru. Anandan, who is known for her vocal support for Hindus publicly, tore apart the report, which was labeled by former Tamil Nadu BJP president H Raja as anti-Hindu.

The incident occurred on June 24, 2024, during the first council meeting held after the recent Indian general elections. Anandan, the lone BJP representative on the 200-member Chennai Corporation, took issue with the contents of the report presented by Justice Chandru, stood up and began tearing pages from the report.

She then walked out of the meeting, making a bold statement against what she perceived as an unfair and biased assessment. Why do we need to talk about this at this time? At this time, why are you singing praises to Udhayanidhi Stalin? Chief Minister is ok, but why should you sing praises to Udhayanidhi?

She added, "Justice Chandru should have spoken about this. A biased statement, a biased judge has issued a statement. The Chennai City Council should condemn Justice Chandrus statement. They did not condemn. Thus I tore up the judges report.

This confrontation is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Anandan, who has a history of making remarks on sensitive issues. In the past, she has faced criticism for endorsing Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi and for supporting the caste system.



The report came in the wake of a caste-based attack on Dalit students and Justice K Chandru submitted it to Chief Minister MK Stalin while presenting a comprehensive set of recommendations to address the persistent issue of caste-based discrimination and violence in Tamil Nadu's schools.
Chinese-made communication devices pose a new challenge to security forces. The 'Ultra Set' handsets, which combine cell phone capabilities with specialized radio equipment that does not rely on traditional mobile technologies like Global System for Mobile (GSM) or Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA), have been found in Jammu and Kashmir. According to sources, these devices were recovered during a recent arms and ammunition recovery operation in Jammu's Pir Panjal range, raising alarm bells among security agencies.

These devices, initially intended for the Pakistan Army, are now being found in the hands of terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir. Security sources have indicated that these groups are pushing the devices into the hands of terrorists who cross into the region.

Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed a spike in terror attacks in recent weeks. During these operations, security forces have recovered arms, ammunition, and communication devices from various parts of the Union Territory.

In recent recoveries, highly encrypted Chinese telecom gear known as "Ultra Set," mostly used by the Pakistan Army, was found among the terrorists. The Director General of Police in Jammu and Kashmir recently stated that there are around 70-80 foreign terrorists active in the Union Territory, most of whom have recently infiltrated. This clearly indicates a connection between these terror groups and the Pakistan Army.

The Chinese equipment is often recovered by security forces in the Kashmir Valley from terrorists active in the region. In a recent hideout bust in North Kashmir, sources in the security forces reported recovering 'Ultra Set' handsets. Similar recoveries were made following recent attacks in Jammu.

These Chinese-made 'Ultra Set' handsets combine cell phone capabilities with specialized radio equipment that does not rely on traditional mobile technologies like GSM or CDMA. 'Ultra Set' handsets operate on radio waves for message transmission and reception, with each device linked to a control station located across the border. Sources say that Chinese satellites are used to carry these compressed messages from the handset to a master server in Pakistan for onward transmission.

The recovery of this equipment from terror groups also indicates the support that the Chinese government is providing to Pakistan, which ultimately ends up in the hands of these terror groups. This comes in the backdrop of the recent China-Pakistan meeting regarding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The 3rd round of the Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) of Political Parties on CPEC and the Pakistan-China Political Parties Forum was held in Islamabad. During the meeting, both China and Pakistan reaffirmed the importance of CPEC and pledged to make joint efforts for its upgradation and to further strengthen the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
On the inaugural day of the 18th Lok Sabha's first session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with his Council of Ministers including Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, swore in as Members of Parliament. Having secured his third consecutive term earlier in the month, Modi, who was re-elected from the Varanasi constituencya seat he has held since 2014was the first to take the oath as the leader of the House.

Amidst chants of "Jai Shri Ram" from the treasury benches, Modi took the oath in Hindi. Following him, Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari also took their oaths, all in Hindi. Singh has successfully retained his seat in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, while Shah and Gadkari have returned from their respective constituencies of Gandhinagar, Gujarat, and Nagpur, Maharashtra.

Prior to their oaths, BJP senior members Radha Mohan Singh and Faggan Singh Kulaste, who are to assist the pro-tem speaker in the oath-taking process of the newly elected MPs, were sworn in. They, along with pro-tem speaker B Mahtab, will oversee the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. However, Congress member K Suresh, T R Baalu of the DMK, and Sudip Bandyopadhyay of the TMC, despite being appointed to the panel of chairpersons alongside Singh and Kulaste, were absent for the oath-taking.

The Congress had taken objection to Mahtab's appointment, contending that the claim of eight-term member Suresh, a Dalit leader, was overlooked. The INDIA bloc has said opposition leaders Suresh, Baalu and Bandopadhyay would not join the panel of chairpersons as a mark of protest.

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi and Minister for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh also took the oath as members of the new Lok Sabha.

Manjhi and Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh belong to NDA partners Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and JD-U respectively.

Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy took the oath in Kannada, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Odia, Ports and Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Assamese, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu and Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy in Telugu and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi in Kannada.

Kumaraswamy is from the JD-S and Naidu is from the Telugu Desam Party. Union Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shripad Y Naik took the oath in Sanskrit.

Earlier in the day, B Mahtab took the oath as a member of the new House as well as that of pro-tem speaker at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Before the proceedings started, all members stood in silence for a few seconds to mark the solemn occasion of the first sitting of the new House.
Social media is like a giant shop window for new stuff and experiences. We see all these posts from friends and influencers showing off the latest must-have phone, the amazing holiday they just went on, or even that fancy new restaurant everyone's been talking about. Suddenly, you've got a shopping basket full of online buys and a travel list that would make you jealous of explorist. Social media can be a great way to find cool new things, but remember these posts are often just the best bits of someone's life. Don't fall victim to FOMO (fear of missing out) and end up broke.

Keeping Up with the Online Trends

Social media can feel like everyone's living their best life all the time. It seems like everyone's on amazing adventures or at fancy parties. Scrolling through these perfect updates can make us feel a bit rubbish about our own lives. But remember, nobody posts about the boring chores or the arguments they have with their housemates! It's easy to compare our everyday reality to someone else's online highlight reel. Social media can be a great way to connect with others, but if you find yourself constantly comparing your life to theirs, it might be time to take a break.

How Social Media Affects Us :The Like Trap

The constant stream and the never-ending need for likes and followers can be a real drag. It can leave us feeling like we're staying at one place with our phones, worried about how many likes our latest post got, and struggling to focus on anything else. This constant need for approval can mess with our self-esteem and mental health.

Social Media is not All Bad. Don't get us wrong, social media isn't all bad. It can be a fantastic tool for staying in touch with loved ones, especially those far away. It lets us connect with communities that share our interests, find support groups, and even be exposed to new ideas.

Taking Control: Scrolling Smarter and Not being overly obsessed

The key to a healthy relationship with social media is being aware of it:

Set time limits: Challenge yourself to put your phone down and be present in the real world.

Clean up your feed: Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about yourself or that are always negative.

Be sceptical of what you see: Remember, most social media posts are just a tiny bit of someone's life, not the whole story.

Focus on real connections: Social media can be a great way to connect, but don't let it replace face-to-face interaction.

Social media is a powerful tool, but it's up to us to use it wisely. By being aware of how it affects our habits and taking steps to manage our online behaviour, we can make sure that social media makes our lives better, not worse.
New Delhi: Bipasha Basu is madly and deeply in love with her husband and Bollywood actor Karan Singh Grover. The actress, who is on a sabbatical ever since the birth of her daughter Devi Bash Grover took to her Instagram and shared the cosy picture with her hubby as she dropped an appreciation post for him. Bipasha Basu flaunted her happiness as she gave an adorable peck on her hubby's cheeks and calls him her home. In the post about Bipasha and Karan are looking smoking hot and they indeed are the most fittest pair in the industry.

Check out the Instagram post of Bipasha Basu shared for hubby Karan Singh Grover

Bipasha and Karan have been married for seven years now and they are blasted with adorable daughter Devi who is the heart of their lives. Karan and Bipasha have gone through a lots of ups and down and in the lives and they have been rock solid with each other.

Karan Singh Grover on his failed marriages

Before getting married to Bipasha, Karan was married not once but twice and his separation with actress Jennifer Winget became the talk of the town. Recently the Fighter actor got candid about his past relationships where he mentioned," Theres nothing good about a breakup or a divorce. Yeah, later when people move on, they realize that it happened for the best. Thats a good thing". The actor told this to Times of India.

The actor further revealed why he never spoke about using divorce in public as he deserves privacy," But I never felt the need to speak to anyone about the crap thats happening in my life because I dont expect people to come and talk to me about the crap thats happening in their life. That is not my main motive. I would like to spread some love and joy. Everyone has their own sh*t to deal with and I think everyone deserves that kind of privacy to handle their own sh*t." Jennifer has often spoken about her separation with Karan ,but the actor chose to keep his mum.

Karan Singh Grover was last seen in Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone starrer Fighter as Capt. Taj and left his fans might impressed.
Lenovo Legion Tablet India Launch: Lenovo has confirmed the India launch of the Lenovo Legion Tablet, with pre-orders starting in July. The tablet was introduced to the global markets back in March this year. The Android gaming tablet is currently retailing in select markets in the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) region. It is India's first-ever gaming tablet, as the company claims. It is expected to be offered in grey colour options.

Lenovo Legion Tablet Pre-Order Date, Availability:

Consumers can pre-order the Lenovo Legion Tablet in India starting July 20. The pre-order information has been confirmed by a promotional banner on Flipkart's mobile application. Hence, the Lenovo Legion Tablet will be available for purchase from Flipkart.

The price of the Lenovo Legion Tablet is set at EUR 599 (roughly Rs. 53,500) for the lone 12GB + 256GB option in the global market. However, the official India price is yet to be disclosed by the company. It is important to note that the Flipkart microsite, the Lenovo Legion Tablet will pack the same specifications as the global variant.

Lenovo Legion Tablet Specifications (Expected):

The Indian variant of the Lenovo Legion Tablet is expected to come with an 8.8-inch QHD+ 2.5K display with a 144Hz refresh rate. The tablet is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC and will be backed by a 6,550mAh battery.

On the optics front, the tablet could be packed with a 13MP main camera and a secondary 2MP macro shooter. For selfies and video chats, there is an 8MP shooter on the front. The tablet might have come with three performance modes: Beast Mode, Balanced Mode, and Energy Saving Mode tailored to different usage scenarios.

For connectivity, the tablet may support Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 6E and DisplayPort 1.4 for connecting to external displays.
OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite India Launch: OnePlus has expanded its Nord smartphone lineup with the launch of the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G smartphone in the Indian market. The phone comes as a successor to the OnePlus Nord CE3 Lite launched in India last year in April. The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G comes with Super Silver, Mega Blue, and Ultra Orange colour options.

The handset runs Android 14 out of the box, with OxygenOS 14 on top. It is offered in 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB storage variant.

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G Price And Availability:

For the 8GB + 128GB storage variant, the smartphone is priced at Rs 19,999. The 8GB + 256GB storage model carries a price tag of Rs 22,999. Consumers can purchase the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite on June 27 at 12pm from Amazon, OnePlus India website, OnePlus Experience Stores and authorized stores.

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G Bank Offers:

The company is offering a Rs 1,000 instant discount with ICICI and OneCard credit cards.

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G Specifications:

The handset features a 6.67-inch 1080p resolution display with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset paired with Adreno 619 GPU. The newly launched smartphone is loaded with a 5500mAh battery and it supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging.

Notably, the handset is also included with the fast charger in the box. On the optics front, the handset comes with a dual rear camera setup of 50MP with OIS and a 2MP depth sensor. For selfies and video chats, there is a 16MP shooter on the front.

The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite smartphone also comes with camera features like Portrait mode, dedicated Night mode, Dual-view, Text scanner, and more. For connectivity, the handset supports 5G, Wi-Fi 5, GPS, Bluetooth 5.1, and USB Type-C for charging or data transfer. The IP54-rated handset has an in-display fingerprint scanner and a 3.5mm audio jack.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. Today, the European Union has allocated 2.967 billion euros through the Modernization Fund to enhance energy infrastructure across 10 EU member states, Trend reports.

This substantial investment will fund 39 projects aimed at modernizing energy systems, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in sectors such as energy, industry, and transport, and enhancing overall energy efficiency.

This disbursement marks the largest to date via the Modernisation Fund, bringing total expenditures to 12.65 billion euros since January 2021. These initiatives are pivotal in helping Member States achieve their climate and energy goals, furthering the EU's ambition of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

The funding will benefit Bulgaria (65.2 million euros), Croatia (52 million euros), Czechia (835.2 million euros), Estonia (24.1 million euros), Hungary (76.8 million euros), Latvia (26.8 million euros), Lithuania (59 million euros), Poland (697.5 million euros), Romania (1.095 billion euros), and Slovakia (35 million euros).

Projects supported include advancements in renewable electricity generation, utilization of renewable energy sources, modernization of energy networks, and improvements in energy efficiency.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. The development of the non-oil sector in Azerbaijan will accelerate and exceed 5.5 percent of GDP in 2024, the Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament Committee on Economic Policy, Industry, and Entrepreneurship Tahir Mirkishili said during the opening ceremony of the "5th Exhibition for the Promotion of Local Companies" in Baku today, Trend reports.

"At the same time, overall spending growth exceeded 3.8 percent, while the level of inclusiveness - 2.7 percent. The population and the private sector have a favorable environment for development. It's necessary to ensure legislative support for the private sector in Azerbaijan to avoid mistakes and to have thorough knowledge of the competition code. This will allow effective operation in the modern competitive environment.

Regardless of the hazards, the president's economic policy is focused on making things easier for businesses to operate. Having a sufficient legislative framework and support is just as important as luck and the external environment when it comes to success," he added.

To note, Azerbaijan's GDP from January through May 2024 grew by 4.2 percent compared to the same period in 2023, to 48 billion manat ($28 billion).

Additionally, this figure increased by 1.1 percent last year compared to 2022, to 123 billion manat ($72 billion).

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, June 24. Turkmenistan has become a leader in the supply of natural pipeline gas to China from January through May this year, Trend reports.

According to official data, Turkmenistan exported about $4 billion worth of natural pipeline gas to China during the specified period.

At the same time, Russia is in second place in terms of natural pipeline gas supplies to China in the first five months of this year ($3.2 billion), and Myanmar is in third place ($562 million).

Turkmenistan exported $10.25 billion worth of natural gas to China through pipelines in 2022, which is 51 percent more than in 2021.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistan supplies its gas to China through three gas pipelines, passing through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan before reaching China. The total capacity of these pipelines is 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. The Confidence Information Services international company will organize the "Batumi Executive Retreat" event in Georgia on July 45 for representatives of the oil and transportation industries in the Caspian and Black Sea regions, Trend reports via the company's statement.

"For the third year running, Batumi is hosting this event, which is a great platform for networking. Over 200 representatives from the oil and logistics sectors of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan are expected to attend. The goal of the meeting is to acquaint market participants with the specifics and trends in the cargo transportation market, especially oil transportation," the statement said.

The event participants will visit the Batumi terminal and, on July 5, the Kulevi terminal (owned by SOCAR), as the management of the Kulevi oil terminal supports the "Batumi Executive Retreat".

"The panel sessions will focus on the processing capabilities of Azerbaijan, as well as the infrastructure in Georgia for receiving, transferring, and transshipping goods from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan. Additional subjects encompass the Caspian maritime industry, and also the capacities of the Turkmenbashi, Aktau, Azerbaijani, and Georgian ports," the statement added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. The independent transmission operator ICGB will hold annual auctions for the available capacity of the gas interconnector between Greece and Bulgaria on July 1, the ICGB told Trend.

Quantities will be offered for five consecutive gas years, with the capacity varying for the different interconnection points - with the networks of Bulgarian operator Bulgartransgaz, Greece's DEFSA and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) respectively.

For the upcoming gas year 2024/2025 ICGB will offer on competitive auctions the available capacity of the two interconnection points in Greece amounting to 1,161,784,139 Nm3/year or 37,333,058 Kwh/d/y. The available capacity in the amount of 1,027,334,020 Nm3/year or 33,012,605 Kwh/d/y will be offered for the interconnection point in Bulgaria.

Traders will be able to book capacity in advance to transport volumes that will flow from the LNG terminal at the Greek city of Alexandroupolis upon its commercial launch.

The auctions will take place on two independent capacity booking platforms, RBP and PRISMA.

Less than two years after the start of commercial operation, the IGB interconnector already has more than 40 registered users who can participate in the upcoming auctions.

IGB has a total capacity of 3 bcm/year, with nearly 1 bcm booked on a long-term basis under a 25-year contracts for gas coming from Azerbaijan. The pipeline contributes to supplying over 50% of Bulgaria's domestic gas consumption in the winter months and up to 80% in the summer season.

The operator company ICGB is currently conducting an incremental capacity process, assessing the markets interest in increasing the total capacity to 5 bcm/year. This will allow the transmission of larger quantities of natural gas, further securing the country's domestic consumption. It also strengthens Bulgarias and Greeces transit role to third countries. The binding phase of the process will take place after the annual auctions, and the deadline for submitting registration documents is at the end of the day today June 24.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. A parliamentary session will be held in Azerbaijan within the framework of COP29, the local MP Kamal Jafarov said during a scientific-practical conference themed "The role of educational and law enforcement activities in strengthening the environment" held in Khankendi city today, Trend reports.

According to him, attention to climate change is one of the most important and urgent challenges at the moment.

"This challenge necessitates national and global efforts. Azerbaijan, as a reliable and responsible member of the international community, contributes to the fight against the effects of climate change.

In the context of measures being implemented in this area, holding COP29 is a vivid example of the national and global recognition of Azerbaijan's efforts in combating climate change," he emphasized.

The MP pointed out that the Azerbaijani parliament also has important tasks within the framework of the COP29 International Conference.

"Undoubtedly, the participation of all members of the international community in this process is crucial to achieving our goals.

The Azerbaijani parliament, in cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, plans to organize a Parliamentary session within the framework of COP29. This event will give parliamentarians the opportunity to engage in a broad exchange of views and determine the steps they can take in the fight against climate change. Thus, the meeting will provide a parliamentary contribution to multilateral actions to combat climate change," Jafarov added.

To note, this November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. The relevance of using green energy is growing around the world, Trend reports.

Azerbaijan is one of the countries with high potential in the field of renewable energy sources, which has identified specific goals related to the development of this industry and is implementing a rapid transition to green energy.

The holding of such a prestigious event as COP29 in Azerbaijan and Azerbaijans fulfillment of its climate commitments indicate a high level of political and economic stability.

The expansion of green energy production in the country takes an important place in the "Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development" program approved by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.

Azerbaijan's goal in terms of overall energy production is to increase the share of renewable energy sources to 24 percent by 2025 and to 30 percent by 2030.

According to statistical data, the technical potential of the country's renewable energy sources is 135 gigawatts on land and 157 gigawatts in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.

The economic potential of renewable energy sources is 27 gigawatts, including 3,000 MW from wind energy, 23,000 MW from solar energy, and 380 MW from bioenergy.

The potential of mountain rivers is estimated at 520 MW.

The liberated Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur regions, as well as Nakhchivan, have been declared green energy zones in Azerbaijan.

The transition to green energy in the liberated territories is a significant strategic goal for Azerbaijan.

To accomplish the task of creating a green energy zone in the liberated territories, a contract has been signed with the Japanese TEPSCO company.

A corresponding concept and General Plan have been developed for the energy supply of the region in connection with the creation of the green energy zone.

The green energy potential of the liberated lands of Azerbaijan is enormous.

For instance, in terms of the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface, the Zangilan, Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Fuzuli districts rank second after Nakhchivan.

According to the latest estimates, the territories of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur have a solar and wind energy potential of 10 gigawatts.

The Gubadli, Zangilan, Jabrayil, Khojavand, and Fuzuli districts have favorable conditions for using solar energy with a technical potential of over 7,200 MW.

Additionally, the preliminary forecast for the technical potential of wind energy in the mountainous regions of Lachin and Kalbajar districts is estimated at 2,000 MW.

Increasing attention is paid to the potential use of geothermal energy sources as green energy in the Kalbajar, Aghdara, and Shusha districts.

According to preliminary analysis, the Kalbajar district is assumed to have thermal water reserves of 3,093 cubic meters per day, and Shusha has 412 cubic meters per day.

The use of geothermal energy sources in energy production and consumption generally does not require significant financial resources.

Wind power plants will be constructed in Lachin and Kalbajar.

Next year, BP will lay the foundation for the Shafag (Sunrise) solar power plant with a capacity of 240 MW in Jabrayil.

Additionally, sites for the construction of solar power plants are being coordinated with Nobel Energy in Jabrayil and a Chinese company in Fuzuli.

The prospect of transmitting electricity to Nakhchivan, and from there to Turkiye and then to Europe through the Jabrayil energy hub, embodies the great strategic vision of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the focused efforts to implement it.

In 2022, the foundation for the Jabrayil energy hub with a capacity of 330 kV was laid as part of the Azerbaijan-Turkiye-Europe International Energy Project.

Last month, the "Khudafarin" and Giz Galasi hydroelectric complexes were launched on the Araz river at the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran.

The hydroelectric power plants of the same name, with a total installed capacity of 140 MW for each side, will serve the interests of both countries on a parity basis.

This project will enable Azerbaijan to produce 358 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually and save 80 million cubic meters of gas.

"Khudafarin" and "Gyz Galasi" will become crucial elements in the development of Eastern Zangezur as a green energy zone.

The Jabrayil energy hub, to which the plants will be connected, will serve as a new energy link between Eastern Zangezur and Nakhchivan.

Large rivers such as Tartar, Bazarchay, Hakarichay, and other smaller rivers in the liberated territories have significant hydroelectric potential.

To create the green energy zone being implemented in Karabakh and the Eastern Zangezur regions, 72 small hydropower plants with a total capacity of 467 MW will be built by 2030.

In less than three years, 28 hydropower plants with a total capacity of 226 MW have been reconstructed or built in the region.

Installation and commissioning work is underway at four hydropower plants with a total capacity of 44 MW.

As a result, a sustainable power supply scheme has been created throughout the region, and in the first half of 2024, declared the "Year of Solidarity for a Green World," 32 hydropower plants with a total capacity of 270 MW will be commissioned.

These plants will produce more than 600 million kilowatt-hours of green energy annually, saving over 160 million cubic meters of natural gas and reducing CO2 emissions by more than 330,000 tons.

Additionally, tender procedures have begun for the implementation of a project involving six small hydropower plants with a total capacity of 37.5 MW.

The plants from these projects are expected to be commissioned next year, indicating the accelerated transition to green energy, reducing CO2 emissions, saving natural gas, and producing environmentally friendly energy.

The use of green energy is planned for all cities and villages in the liberated territories.

All cities and villages in the liberated territories are designated for the use of green energy. According to the developed concept for creating solar and wind power plants in the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur economic regions, the electricity consumed in these territories will come exclusively from renewable energy sources, already yielding positive results.

Thus, for the first time in the country's energy system history, the electricity needs of the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur regions are being met by 100 percent green energy, with any surplus being transferred to the national power system.

Considering future projects, the total capacity of green energy projects being implemented in the Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur economic regions is 1,100 MW, which is 1215 times the current energy needs of the region.

The total energy demand for the region by 2040 is projected to be 1,000 MW, meaning that in 20 years, the region will be fully supplied with green energy, given the volume of ongoing green energy projects.

Following the liberation of Azerbaijani lands, the infrastructure destroyed by Armenians began to be restored.

The concept of a green economy has started to be implemented in these regions, with specific steps already being taken in this direction.

These processes began with the construction of Aghali village in the Zangilan district based on the concepts of 'smart city' and 'smart village'.

All residential houses, social facilities, administrative buildings, and catering buildings, as well as the processing and production of agricultural products, are powered by alternative energy sources.

Today, modern urban planning standards have been applied in Aghali village, such as 'smart' street lighting, the construction of eco-friendly houses that are resistant to heat and cold, and the installation of solar panels.

Besides, to provide the village with constant energy, a hydroelectric power plant was built on the Hakari river.

In addition, Bash Garvand village in the Aghdam district is also being built under the 'smart village' project.

In order to save on energy resources, the village will use alternative energy.

Dovlatyarli village in Fizuli district is also being built according to the concept of a 'smart village'.

Due to the large number of sunny days in Fuzuli, the villages energy needs will be met by solar panels that will be installed on an area of 50 hectares.

The capacity of the investment project will be 50 MW.

In addition, Lachin city itself, Zabukh, and Sus villages are using green technologies.

Solar panels with a capacity of three kW have been installed on 223 private houses in Zabukh and 59 in Sus.

Green energy is also used in restored schools, kindergartens, and government institutions.

For example, solar panels with a capacity of 40 kW have been installed on the roof of a renovated school in the Fuzuli district.

The Innovative Electric Grid Technologies Center in Shusha city has applied green energy technologies.

The center has facilities for charging electric vehicles and solar panels.

A Smartflower solar power installation has been set up in Khojaly.

This installation has a capacity of 2.5 kW and generates 6,500 kWh of green energy annually.

In addition to energy production, this device will also serve as a charging station for electric vehicles, bicycles, and scooters.

Connecting Khankendi to the national power system and providing electricity to the republic's territories through the Shusha substation are proud milestones in the history of the country's electricity sector.

One of the factors affecting climate change is carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

Therefore, various efforts are underway in the liberated territories to increase the transition to electric vehicles.

As a result, Shusha will become the first city in Karabakh to operate electric buses.

Additionally, 20 electric vehicle charging stations are planned to be opened in Karabakh by the end of the year.

All necessary measures are taken to prevent damage to the environment during the construction of railways. On the 85th km of the Horadiz-Aghband line, near the Minjivan station, in agreement with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, trees were carefully replanted in order not to damage the forest.

Every effort is made to ensure that no damage to the environment is caused during the construction of railways.

Every project of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY) pays special attention to planting trees along the railway line.

As part of the Barda-Aghdam project, pine trees and other types of trees have already been planted.

Azerbaijan is a leader in the region in the use of innovative approaches aimed at the transition to green energy and is making a significant contribution to combating the effects of climate change.

Green energy projects are among the most important for preserving the natural climate of the Earth.

Azerbaijan also strives to protect the country's nature through green energy projects and contributes to the conservation and protection of the Earth.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. The University Impact Forum will be held in Baku with the support of the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry (ASOIU), focusing on the actions of universities in combating climate change on September 1112. Trend reports via the event organizer, the influential UK-based magazine on higher education "Times Higher Education" (THE).

According to the journal's website, as Azerbaijan gears up to host COP29, THE, with the support of the Azerbaijani government and leading universities in the country, is delighted to be holding the University Impact Forum in Baku.

It will convene an international array of university leaders, policymakers, and industry trailblazers to assess how climate change impacts people's lives, the website said.

The forum will feature several diverse thematic panel sessions, primarily focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The website highlighted that the forum participants will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and engage in discussions with colleagues who share a commitment to accelerated climate action, and the forum program will also focus on the role universities must play in addressing climate issues.

According to the event organizer, the success of the UN SDGs depends on SDG 13, directly related to climate action.

Besides, the website pointed out that universities can use their research results to place the fight against climate change at the center of their strategies and leverage their student bodies to support the greening of industry and jobs.

They can also bring together stakeholders to address climate change-related challenges, according to the website.

To note, this November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. The COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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Chinese companies' brand strength sets new high: report

Xinhua) 08:22, June 24, 2024

BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The overall brand strength of Chinese companies has increased by 17 percent from 18,035 to 21,150 year-on-year from 2023 to the first half of this year, reaching a new high in history, according to the Kantar BrandZ 2024 Chinese Global Brand Builders report.

Jointly compiled by the international market research firm Kantar and Google, the report, released on Thursday, surveyed global consumers from 11 international markets on their opinions about Chinese global brands. The brand strength scores were calculated, taking into account three major factors: meaningful, difference, and salient.

Grades of "meaningful" and "difference" for each brand are calculated based on the feedback of surveyed consumers. The "salient" is calculated by combining consumer behavior data, including traffic to a brand's official website, the number of active users of a brand's App, and the brand's search index on Google and YouTube.

The significant increase in the overall brand strength of Chinese companies highlighted the vitality of Chinese brands in the global market, said Doreen Wang, CEO of Kantar Greater China and global chair of Kantar BrandZ.

Wang also noted that the combination of China's industrial chain ecosystem and innovative technology has become a new competitive strength for Chinese global brands.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, June 24. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of Russia Vladimir Putin have held a phone talk, Trend reports via Akorda.

During the call, Tokayev expressed his condolences to Putin and the entire Russian people in connection with the loss of life as a result of terrorist attacks in Dagestan.

He emphasized that Kazakhstan strongly condemns any manifestations of cruelty and violence against peaceful citizens, viewing them as a serious threat to regional and international security.

The sides highlighted the importance of continued close cooperation in combating terrorism and extremism and the need for consolidated efforts within the framework of reputable international organizations.

The presidents also exchanged views on further developing the strategic partnership and alliance between Kazakhstan and Russia and discussed the agenda for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Kazakhstan's Astana.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, June 24. Kyrgyzstan exported 3.932 million liters of gasoline from January through April 2024, which is a 16.3 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023 (3.381 million liters), Trend reports.

Data from Kyrgyzstans State Statistical Committee indicates that the total value of these exports reached $1.787 million, which is a 29 percent rise over JanuaryApril 2023 ($1.376 million).

Specifically, Kyrgyzstan exported 2.749 million liters of gasoline valued at $1.219 million to Uzbekistan and 1.183 million liters valued at $568,400 to Kazakhstan.

In total, Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover reached $5.171 billion from January through April 2024, which is a 27.7 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023 ($4.051 billion).

Exports amounted to $760.6 million, which is an increase of 19.7 percent compared to the $635.678 million recorded 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.
Photo: State Committee on Investment and State Property Management of the Republic of Tajikistan

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, June 24. Tajikistan and the US discussed the country's investment opportunities across sectors such as energy, finance, industry, and the adoption of modern digital technologies, Trend reports.

According to Tajikistan's State Committee on Investments and State Property Management, these matters were addressed during a meeting between Chairman of the Committee Sulton Rahimzoda and members of the Tajikistan-US Trade Council.

Rahimzoda expressed interest in attracting investments and technologies from the US to key sectors of the economy. He emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation between the private sectors of both countries, particularly in establishing joint ventures.

During the discussion, it was noted that US expertise and capabilities can significantly contribute to achieving Tajikistan's goals outlined in its National Development Strategy for 2030. Tajikistan has created favorable conditions for trade and investment, regularly updating regulations to streamline economic processes. The country's legislation ensures equal rights for both foreign and domestic investors.

In conclusion, the US delegation expressed readiness for continued collaboration and the implementation of mutually beneficial joint investment projects.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, June 24. Turkmenistan and the Czech Republic discussed the intensification of cooperation in various areas, Trend reports.

According to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry, these issues were discussed in Prague during political consultations between the foreign ministries of Turkmenistan and the Czech Republic.

The Turkmen side was headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov, and the Czech side was headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Jiri Kozak.

The parties discussed a number of issues of bilateral cooperation, exchanged views on topical issues on the international agenda, and also reviewed the existing Turkmen-Czech agreements, considering issues of a joint contractual and legal framework.

During the meeting, priority was paid to the topic of increasing trade and economic ties, including increasing and diversifying trade turnover and continuing cooperation in such areas as energy, transport infrastructure, agriculture, food, and textile industries.

At the same time, in order to activate cultural ties, they proposed to consider the possibility of holding Cultural Days, exhibitions, and other cultural events.

Meanwhile, economic cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Czech Republic continues to show significant growth, covering key areas such as energy, infrastructure, and mechanical engineering.

Both countries are actively developing mutually beneficial investment projects and trade relations, contributing to strengthening economic stability and expanding access to new markets.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 24. Uzbekistan produced 146,640 units of passenger cars (except for specialized ones) from January through May 2024, Trend reports.

According to the data from Uzbekistans Statistics Agency, the number of passenger cars produced in the automotive industry has increased by 21.5 percent year-on-year (120,631 units in January-May 2023).

In particular, the country manufactured 57,542 units of Cobalt, 31,239 units of Damas, 19,279 units of Tracker, 14,905 units of Onix, 11,913 units of Lacetti-Gentra, 7,433 units of KIA, 4,000 units of Chery, 230 units of Haval, 93 units of Exeed, and 10,198 units of special passenger cars.

Meanwhile, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide a $1.1 million loan to Uzbekistans Avtobus Rent, a leading private car and bus rental company.

The loan will fund the purchase of new passenger vehicles, helping to meet the growing demand for comfortable transport for tourists in Uzbekistan.

In addition, a $90,500 grant will be provided by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs through the EBRDs Small Business Impact Fund.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 24. Uzbekistan and Mongolia plan to create a production cluster to manufacture meat products meeting Halal standards for export to the countries of the region, Trend reports.

The news followed a meeting between the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the President of Mongolia, Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, with the participation of official delegations of the two countries.

During the meeting, the sides considered issues of further expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries.

In particular, both parties will establish comprehensive cooperation in agriculture and related sectors. In this direction, there are already plans to organize large livestock complexes in Uzbekistans Karakalpakstan, Namangan, and other regions.

The participants proposed to import meat and processed products from Mongolia, as well as reverse deliveries of poultry meat, fruits and vegetables, and other agricultural products from Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, President of Mongolia Ukhnaa Khurelsukh is on a state visit to Uzbekistan on June 2326 at the invitation of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The sides plan to hold high-level talks in Tashkent, during which issues of further expansion and strengthening of Uzbek-Mongolian relations of friendship and multifaceted cooperation will be discussed.

Moreover, the sides will sign a package of intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents following the results of the summit.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 24. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed to adopt a medium-term Industrial Cooperation Program with Mongolia, Trend reports.

The news followed a meeting between the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the President of Mongolia, Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, with the participation of official delegations of the two countries, where both sides discussed a number of specific areas of cooperation.

In particular, the parties noted the partnership in the field of geological exploration, development, and processing of raw materials, with the organization of training in this area.

The officials proposed projects on the deep processing of wool and leather, the production of finished products, and the and the harvesting of fruit and vegetable products. The sides emphasized that in these areas, it is necessary to develop partnerships between research institutes, including in the field of animal husbandry.

At the same time, the participants also agreed to facilitate the implementation of private sector projects and the promotion of business initiatives.

Meanwhile, President of Mongolia Ukhnaa Khurelsukh is on a state visit to Uzbekistan on June 2326 at the invitation of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The sides plan to hold high-level talks in Tashkent, during which issues of further expansion and strengthening of Uzbek-Mongolian relations of friendship and multifaceted cooperation will be discussed.

Moreover, the sides will sign a package of intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents following the results of the summit.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 24. Uzbekistan and Mongolia proposed to conduct a joint analysis of the most effective and shortest transport corridors, including those passing through Kyrgyzstan and China, Trend reports.

The matter was reviewed at a meeting between the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the President of Mongolia, Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, with the participation of official delegations of the two countries.

In order to strengthen transport interconnectivity, the sides will adopt important agreements on air and road transportation.

During the meeting, both parties reviewed the issue of establishing direct air service between the two capitals of Uzbekistan and Mongolia.

Furthermore, the presidents paid special attention to deepening trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

In particular, the sides noted the potential for increasing mutual trade by 510 times in the coming years, primarily by expanding the range and volume of supplies of demanded products.

Meanwhile, President of Mongolia Ukhnaa Khurelsukh is on a state visit to Uzbekistan on June 2326 at the invitation of President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The sides plan to hold high-level talks in Tashkent, during which issues of further expansion and strengthening of Uzbek-Mongolian relations of friendship and multifaceted cooperation will be discussed.

Moreover, the sides will sign a package of intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents following the results of the summit.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 24. Uzbekistan and Mongolia have signed 14 documents on cooperation, Trend reports.

According to the information, the signing took place following talks between Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh.

The heads of Uzbekistan and Mongolia signed a joint statement on interstate relations and cooperation.

The following documents were signed in particular:

- Intergovernmental program on trade, economic, and investment cooperation for 2024-2026;

- Intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the field of tourism;

- Intergovernmental agreement on air communication;

- Intergovernmental Agreement on International Road Transport;

- Program of Cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs for 2024-2025;

- Protocol on Cooperation between the Secretariats of the Security Councils;

- Cooperation Agreement between the Ministries of Agriculture;

- Agreement on cooperation in the field of veterinary medicine and animal husbandry;

- Agreement on scientific cooperation between the Academies of Sciences;

- Protocol on cooperation between national news agencies;

- Protocol on cooperation between Chambers of Commerce and Industry;

- Protocol on the establishment of a joint Business Council;

- Agreement on cooperation between the administrations of the cities of Tashkent and Ulaanbaatar.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 24. Uzbekistan and Mongolia are planning to establish trade houses in their respective countries soon, Trend reports.

This was announced at a joint meeting between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Mongolia Ukhnaa Khurelsukh with representatives of the business circles of the two countries.

During the meeting, the sides also discussed exports to Mongolia of food, fertilizers, medicines, household appliances, plastics and rubber, construction materials, finished textiles, and footwear, as well as increasing supplies of meat and meat products, leather, wool, and other finished products in the opposite direction.

Both parties shook hands on organizing industrial exhibitions in the capitals of Uzbekistan and Mongolia in the coming days.

In addition, the participants decided on the preparation of an agreement on preferential trade in certain types of goods and proposals to facilitate market access.

Uzbekistan and Mongolia have already inked fourteen cooperation documents.

The heads of Uzbekistan and Mongolia signed a joint statement on interstate relations and cooperation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. Sanctions imposed from 2011 through 2023 have caused $1.2 trillion in damage to Iran's economy, the former head of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Hossein Selahvarzi said, Trend reports.

According to experts, the new president of the country will face difficult negotiations with the West on the lifting of sanctions.

To note, presidential elections will be held in Iran on June 28.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. Iran and Bahrain have agreed to commence negotiations aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries, Trend reports.

According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, an agreement to commence negotiations aimed at normalizing relations was reached during a meeting between Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani and Iran's Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani, which took place in Tehran on June 23, 2024.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to establish the necessary mechanisms to start talks between the two countries to examine the resumption of political ties.

The meeting took place during the visit of Bahrains minister of foreign affairs to the Islamic Republic of Iran at the invitation of the Iranian acting foreign minister to participate in the Asian Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) meeting.

Meanwhile, the Bahraini government severed diplomatic relations with Iran in January 2016 following the same decision made by Saudi Arabia.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. The European Union and Ukraine intend to sign an agreement on security guarantees for Kyiv by the end of June, EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell said at a press conference following a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Trend reports.

"We are finalizing the text on security guarantees for Ukraine. I hope that the work will be completed very soon in order to sign the agreement. Perhaps this month, maybe on the sidelines of the next EU summit," Borrell said.

He stressed that this document will send a signal to Moscow about the support of Kyiv by the European Union.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 24. Protests in New Caledonia erupted once again following the extradition of Christian Tein, a prominent pro-independence figure, to France, Trend reports.

As it is reported, on June 24, right after Tein was extradited to France, the independence supporters went all out and set police cars ablaze, causing a major roadblock.

To note, French President Emmanuel Macron met with Tein during his visit to Noumea last month.

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Press Release

June 24, 2024 Tolentino distributes aid for indigent residents in Zamboanga City

Tol: More than a gut issue, WPS is a core issue that should unify all Filipinos Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Peninsula - Senate Majority Leader Francis 'Tol' Tolentino led the distribution of financial aid to indigent residents of this city, while also reiterating his call for unity in the face of the West Philippine Sea (WPS) conflict. Mayor John Dalipe joined Tolentino in handing out cash assistance in simple ceremonies held in Barangay Tetuan on Monday morning, June 24. The senator arrived in this city over the weekend to spearhead the launch of the Mindanao qualifying leg of the Philippine ROTC (Reserved Officers Training Corps) Games 2024, which runs from June 23-28. He also visited neighboring Basilan on Sunday, where he pledged to help the local government promote the island-province's budding tourism program. "Some say that the WPS is not a gut issue, and the conflict is happening too far away from Mindanao to be part of your daily concerns. That is not true," the senator stressed in his speech. "The WPS involves our very core as Filipinos and it should unite all of us, whether we are from Luzon, Visayas, or Mindanao,' he added. Tolentino is the principal author and sponsor of Senate Bill No. 2492, or the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act. SBN 2492 seeks to affirm the country's rights and entitlements over all its maritime zones for the benefit of Filipinos, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the historic 2016 Hague arbitral ruling that favored the Philippines. The senator then highlighted his call for unity and appealed to Zamboangenos to take a stand and pray for Filipino soldiers and fishers, who he said put their safety and lives at risk daily to assert the country's sovereign and economic rights in the WPS. "The WPS is an issue that should bind our archipelago. It concerns all of us and the youth, and even future generations of Filipinos," he concluded.
Ukrainian TV host Anatolii Anatolich told us how many hundreds of hryvnias he has to spend per month to live in Kyiv and feed his three children. According to him, his family needs about a thousand dollars per person per month or about 40,500 UAH.

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As showman noted in a short interview with Anhelina Pychyk published on Instagram, most of the expenses are incurred by children, daughters Alisa, Lolita, and son Neil, who study in private educational institutions. The family spends about 110 thousand UAH per month on kindergarten and schools.

He decided to avoid all the details of his expenses and calculated their total amount. In total, a family of 5 people spends about 5 thousand dollars (203 thousand UAH). That is, $1 thousand for each person.

"My main expenses are for my children because they attend a private school and a private kindergarten. And it's about 110 thousand UAH per month  kindergarten and school. Plus logistics, plus they eat a lot, plus I have to dress them. I have a family of five, and it comes to about $5,000," he explained.

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According to the host, he is not very satisfied with the prices of living in Kyiv, "but it could be worse." According to Anatolich, money always needs expenses and income, so saving for a rainy day seems to be out of the question for him.

Interestingly, Pychyk asked the showman about the cost of his clothes, and he explained that almost everything was a gift, although he knew the exact price of the clothes.

"I don't spend money on clothes at all. This is a Mecci T-shirt. An expensive one, by the way, branded. It was a gift. It cost 240 dollars [9,744 UAH], but I got it for my birthday. I would not have bought it. The sneakers, because I am a New Balance ambassador, were a gift. They cost about 250 euros [10.9 UAH]. I bought the shorts for 10 euros [440 UAH] at a second-hand store in France. There were times when I still traveled to France. The Garmin watch was a gift from Garmin Ukraine. I bought Polaroid glasses on OLX for UAH 600," the showman said.

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In Kyiv, at the Zvirynetske Cemetery, there is a very unusual grave of a local resident who died in 1918. The World War I-era grave features a cross in the form of connected rails, the sides of which are decorated with German grenade casings.

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The photo and the story were posted on his Facebook page by Kyrylo Stepanets, a Kyiv guide. This ammunition was put into service in 1913.

"A very unusual burial has been preserved at Zvirynok. It is a grave from the First World War, probably arranged during the Hetmanate of Skoropadsky, when there was a German outpost in the capital of Ukraine," Stepanets said.

According to the guide, the grave has two crossed rails that are connected to each other and imitate an Orthodox cross. Each of its side parts is decorated with Kugelhandgranate 13 grenade casings, which were in service in Kaiser's Germany.

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"Nowhere else in the cemeteries of the city (let alone the country) have I seen such an unusual design! A whole family pantheon is buried here, but the oldest grave is from 1918 when such grenades were used. An ordinary Ukrainian was buried, possibly killed in an explosion at Zvirynets in the summer of that year," Stepanets said.

It should be added that the Kugelhandgranate 13 hand-held fragmentation grenade is designed to destroy enemy manpower in both offensive and defensive combat. It was adopted by Germany on the eve of the First World War in 1913.

At the time, grenades were not considered as an element of infantry armament in this country, but as a tool for serf warfare. This was the reason why the grenades of the 1913 model were not suitable as infantry weapons, primarily because of their spherical shape, which made them inconvenient for the soldier.

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Russian residents who were going to illegally go on vacation to Crimea, temporarily occupied by Russian troops, have begun canceling their trips. The Russians were frightened after the explosions in Sevastopol on June 23, when Russian air defense shot down a missile right over the beach.

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Online, Russians threw a tantrum over the strike. Some began to realize that Sevastopol is not part of Russia and never has been.

"We are going to Russia today, we have had enough! I already doubt that Sevastopol is part of Russia after what I've been through," wrote a Russian with the nickname Ivan Novikov in one of the propaganda channels on Telegram.

The Association of Tour Operators of the Russian Federation also admitted that tourists have begun to cancel trips to Crimea, which was seized by Russian troops, but said that such cases were allegedly isolated.

"We have decided to fully refund tourists in case they cancel their trips to Crimea," said Sergey Romashkin, CEO of Dolphin tour operator.

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As a reminder, on the afternoon of June 23, explosions occurred in Sevastopol. The occupiers complained of an "attack with ATACMS missiles" and reported the operation of Russian air defense. According to the Russian Federation, more than 100 vacationers on the beaches in Uchkuyivka and Lyubymivka were injured, and there were allegedly some deaths.

The network also wrote about the alleged arrival of a secret Black Sea Fleet facility and the deaths of the occupiers.

Military analysts have studied photos of the missile wreckage that was shot down over Sevastopol. They came to the conclusion that it was not an ATACMS missile that fell in the village of Uchkuivka. It was the wreckage of a Russian Tor anti-aircraft missile.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the network drew attention to the fact that in Sevastopol, 1-2 km from the Belbek military airfield, there are public beaches. The occupiers take off from there to bomb Ukraine and at the same time hide behind local residents.

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The authorities of Barcelona, one of the most popular tourist cities in Spain, are planning to ban the use of AirBnb, a service designed to rent apartments and houses by travelers. This decision is due to the rapid growth of rents for indigenous residents.

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When the relevant bill is approved by the Generalitat of Catalonia, the government will not grant new licenses to the company or extend existing ones, the Daily Mail reports. Mayor Jaume Collboni promises to remove all tourist apartments by 2029.

According to a government official, this step will help make Barcelona more accessible to Spaniards, especially young people. After all, over the past ten years, rents have increased by 70%, while the cost of buying an apartment has increased by only 39%.

"We need to increase the diversity of housing so that people don't leave the city and housing prices don't rise and start falling," Jaume Collboni said.

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Despite the positive intentions of the Barcelona mayor, not all government officials support his idea. A council member from the separatist party Together for Catalonia, Damia Calvet, believes that his plans are too "ideological" and "not based on legality or rent regulation."

The war on tourists was first started by the former mayor of Ada Kolau. She banned apartment owners from renting single rooms to travelers. Also, the official introduced a "tourist tax", according to which travelers must pay extra money for each night of stay in Barcelona.

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The Council of the European Union (EU) has introduced a new, 14th sanctions package against Russia over its aggression against Ukraine. The new restrictions will in particular apply to the re-export of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the circumvention of existing sanctions.

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This was reported by the EU Council. "These measures are aimed at valuable sectors of the Russian economy such as energy, finance and trade, and to make it even more difficult to circumvent EU sanctions," the statement said.

"Our sanctions have already significantly weakened the Russian economy and prevented Putin from carrying out his plans to destroy Ukraine, while he continues his illegal aggression against civilians and civilian infrastructure. The 14th package of sanctions demonstrates our unity in support of Ukraine and our commitment to curb Russia's criminal activities against Ukrainians, including efforts to circumvent EU measures," said Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Among other things, EU companies have been banned from using the Bank of Russia's financial messaging system and from conducting transactions with companies that use it. The EU media, political parties, and analytical organizations are prohibited from accepting funds from Russian sources.

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Restrictions have been imposed on the use of the Union's infrastructure for re-exporting LNG from Russia. Investments, provision of goods, technologies and services for the completion of LNG projects, such as Arctic LNG-2 and Murmansk LNG, are also prohibited.

The EU included 61 firms from Russia, China, the UAE, and Turkey in the 14th package of sanctions, which imposed restrictions on the export of dual-use technologies. Sanctions were imposed on 27 vessels belonging to the Russian "shadow fleet".

The EU has banned its airlines from operating charters and private flights around the world at the request of individuals and legal entities from Russia. Trade restrictions, including:

ban on imports of helium from Russia ;

; a ban on exports of manganese ores, a number of types of plastic, rare earth elements, and electronic components.

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Earlier, OBOZ.UA reported that the EU had extended the "Crimean" sanctions imposed on Russia over the illegal occupation of the Ukrainian peninsula. The sanctions include a ban on imports of goods from Crimea, restrictions on investments and exports of certain goods and technologies for Crimean companies.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The occupying country may shorten the decision-making time for the use of nuclear weapons, as stipulated by the official doctrine of the Russian Federation. This may happen if Moscow thinks that "threats are growing".

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Reuters reports this, citing the words of the chairman of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee, Andrei Kartapolov. It is worth noting that the dictator and Kremlin officials have been actively spreading nuclear threats lately.

"If we see that the challenges and threats are growing, it means that we can fix something about the timing of the use of nuclear weapons and the decision to use them," Kartapolov said.

Journalists remind that Russian aggression against Ukraine has provoked the biggest confrontation between Russia and the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. In May, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin said that Russia could change its official nuclear doctrine and the conditions under which such weapons could be used.

Russia's 2020 nuclear doctrine states that the Kremlin dictator may declare the use of nuclear weapons in response to an attack using weapons of mass destruction or conventional weapons "when the very existence of the state is threatened." Currently, the Russian Federation is the largest nuclear power in the world, and together with the United States, they hold 88% of the world's nuclear weapons stockpile.

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To recap, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Lytvynenko said that if the Russian occupation army fails in the war against Ukraine, dictator Vladimir Putin may order the use of nuclear weapons. In this case, it may be tactical nuclear weapons directed against Ukraine.

Earlier it was reported that at a meeting with propagandists on June 5, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin once again threatened to use nuclear weapons and called on the West "not to take the nuclear doctrine of the aggressor country lightly."

As reported by OBOZ.UA, in late May, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin hinted at the possibility of a nuclear strike in response to the possible granting of Ukraine the right to strike at Russian territory with Western weapons. Moreover, Russia threatens "small NATO countries" with such a strike.

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The European Union (EU) may soon provide Ukraine with 1.5 billion in macro-financial assistance. The money will be allocated from the proceeds that the Kremlin regime could receive from its frozen assets in the EU. This may happen before the end of July.

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According to the European Commission, this was stated by EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis. "We estimate that up to EUR 3 billion will be allocated this year through our measures, and we expect to make the first payment of EUR 1.5 billion before the summer vacation," the European Commissioner explained.

The "summer vacation" in the EU institutions usually lasts from late July to early September. Dombrovskis also noted that Europe's immediate attention will be focused on using these funds for military support to Ukraine. The EU is making efforts to ensure that the first purchases can be made in the near future.

He also reminded that at the G7 summit, an agreement was signed to provide Ukraine with loans worth about $50 billion at the expense of proceeds from frozen Russian sovereign assets. Most of these assets (over 200 billion euros) are blocked in the EU. Under this agreement, Ukraine will receive additional macro-financial support by the end of the year.

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"Thus, instead of the EU taxpayers, Russia itself will pay for the damage caused by Russia," Dombrovskis summarized.

As OBOZ.UA reported earlier, the Council of the European Union (EU) extended sanctions against Russia until June 23, 2025 due to the illegal occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol, supplemented in 2022 with new restrictions. The sanctions include a ban on imports of goods from Crimea, restrictions on investments and exports of certain goods and technologies for Crimean companies.

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Ukrzaliznytsia has launched a new train from Lviv to Odesa. However, it will be temporary - the flight is scheduled for June 30 only.

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This was reported by the company itself. They noted that the train

will be a daytime train;

received the number 168/167.

How much do tickets cost?

Tickets for the flight from Lviv to Odesa are sold in 1st class seats. They cost 932.71 UAH.

Same-day tickets for the Odesa to Lviv train are sold in 1st class seating cars. The price is the same UAH 932.71.

Where to buy tickets

You can buy tickets in the Ukrzaliznytsia app. And in addition:

on the website

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in the chatbot;

at railway station ticket offices.

Train schedule from Lviv to Odesa

The train will depart from Lviv at 07:23. Arrival in Odesa is at 18:19.

The train will depart from Odesa on the same date at 08:03. Arrival in Lviv is at 18.40.

New train from Lviv to Rakhiv

In addition,Ukrzaliznytsia has appointed a new train #816/815 Lviv - Rakhiv. It will:

depart from Lviv on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 15:22;

arrive in Rakhiv at 21:19.

The train will depart from Rakhiv on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:48 on June 22. It will arrive in Lviv at 10:07.

"Train No. 816/815 will run in both directions through the stations of Yasinya, Lazeshchyna, Vorokhta, Tatariv-Bukovel, Yaremche, Nadvirna, Ivano-Frankivsk and other tourist cities," Ukrzaliznytsia said.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, a number of trains heading to the Polish city of Chem will temporarily go only to Dorohusk. The reason is repairs on the Polish railroad, which are scheduled for the period from June 23 to August 30.

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The Russian Ministry of Defense accused Ukrainian forces of allegedly firing short-range ATACMS missiles at temporarily occupied Sevastopol on June 23. But in the aggressor country itself, instead of the usual attacks on Ukraine, they began to criticize their own people.

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Russian bloggers directed hate at the defense ministry and the "authorities" of the occupied peninsula for failing to prevent the attack and "protect Russian civilians." This was pointed out by analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

They emphasized how the propagandists criticized the occupiers for not using air raid sirens to warn the Crimean population to seek shelter.

Several "military experts" criticized Russian troops for failing to detect and destroy all missiles before they approached Sevastopol and for failing to build fortified shelters within walking distance of the beach. They compared the lack of shelters on the peninsula's coast to Moscow's efforts to build "bunkers" in the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation near the international border with Ukraine.

It is known that the invaders have been deploying military equipment in civilian areas of Crimea since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin irresponsibly encouraged Russian tourism on the occupied peninsula during the war, and used it as a rear foothold for the Russian army.

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Therefore, the ISW suggested that the Russian military may have deliberately placed legitimate military targets near civilian areas of Crimea in an attempt to deter Ukrainian strikes.

Similarly, the Russians are using the seized Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and schools in the temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine to protect their military equipment.

"Russia is violating its own provisions on the application of international humanitarian law, which states that "military commanders should avoid placing military objectives in or near densely populated areas," the analysts said.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, Russian residents who were going to illegally go on vacation to the temporarily occupied Crimea began canceling their trips. The Russians got scared after the explosions in Sevastopol on June 23, when the occupiers' air defense shot down a missile right over the beach.

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The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kirill Budanov, is confident that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will not use tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine. In his opinion, this will not happen even if Russian troops lose control of the temporarily seized Crimea.

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The head of the GUR said this in an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer. He emphasized that Ukraine needs to do everything necessary to cut off Crimea from the supply of weapons from the aggressor country Russia.

In this way, the Russian troops will be forced to move to defense.

Budanov ridiculed the possibility of Putin's use of nuclear weapons and noted that he knew their real characteristics. Also, according to the intelligence chief, it makes no sense for Russia to use tactical nuclear weapons on the battlefield.

"First, I know what is really happening there. Secondly, I know the real characteristics of Russian nuclear weapons. What good can it do? We do not have large concentrations of troops for which such nuclear weapons would be appropriate. We can punch holes in our defense lines with conventional means of warfare," he said.

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In addition, the use of nuclear weapons would lead to great political risks for Russian dictator Putin, Budanov said.

Earlier, the head of the GUR said that the Crimean bridge, illegally built by Russians, could be destroyed by American long-range ATACMS missiles. As you know, Ukraine has already received these weapons from the United States.

As a reminder, at a meeting with heads of news agencies on June 5, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin once again threatened to use nuclear weapons and called on the West "not to take the aggressor country's nuclear doctrine lightly." The war criminal said that Russia "may use all available means if its sovereignty or territorial integrity is threatened."

As reported by OBOZ.UA, GUR representative Andriy Yusov said that Russia's nuclear threats are now just blackmail. It has been used by Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin and his propagandists for many years.

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Beijing Daily: China announced Peruvian President Boluartes visit to China. How does China view the current China-Peru relations? Could you share with us the program and Chinas expectation of the visit?

Mao Ning: Peru is an important country in Latin America. Our two countries have a comprehensive strategic partnership. Since establishing diplomatic ties over half a century ago, bilateral relations have grown steadily with fruitful cooperation in various fields, delivering tangible benefits to the two peoples.

The visit will be President Boluartes first state visit to China. President Xi Jinping will have talks with her, and Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji will have separate meetings with her. China stands ready to work with Peru through this visit to further consolidate political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and advance the China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership toward more good outcomes and greater benefits to the two peoples.

AFP: My question is about the South China Sea. Several incidents have happened recently between the vessels of China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Philippine President Marcos said yesterday that the Philippines will never be intimidated or oppressed by anyone. He also pledged to continue to exercise our freedoms and rights in support of our national interest, in accordance with international law. Do you think these comments target China? What is Chinas response?

Mao Ning: The merits of the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines are very clear. We have spoken on what actually happened and what our position is many times. The Philippinesif it would truly act in accordance with international lawshould first and foremost observe the treaties that define its territory, including the 1898 Treaty of Peace between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain, and abide by the DOC. Our message to the Philippines is very clear: stop the infringement activities and provocations, and stop misleading the world.

Bloomberg: The Philippines has said that the encounter on June 17 in the South China Sea was a deliberate act by China and its Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro called the incident an aggressive and illegal use of force. How does the Ministry respond to that?

Mao Ning: China has stated what actually happened and made clear its position on the illegal intrusion by Philippine vessels into the adjacent waters of Renai Jiao. Renai Jiao is part of Chinas Nansha Qundao. It is Chinese territory. The Philippines should stop the infringement activities and provocations, return to the right track of properly settling maritime differences through negotiation and consultation as soon as possible, and work with China to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.

TASS: According to Germanys Die Welt, last Saturday, China didnt arrange a meeting between the visiting German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck and Chinese leader. Does the Foreign Ministry know the reason? How does China comment on Vice Chancellor Habecks visit and outcomes?

Mao Ning: We are not aware of the meeting mentioned by the German media outlet. Relevant ministry has released information about German Vice Chancellor Robert Habecks visit to China, which you may refer to. What I can tell you is that this year marks the 10th anniversary of China-Germany all-round strategic partnership. Since this year, China and Germany have had frequent dialogues and exchanges at various levels and in a wide range of areas, which sends a positive message of China and Germany engaging in mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly opposing trade protectionism. We stand ready to work with Germany to continue to uphold the principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and seeking common ground while shelving differences, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation by showing more confidence and openness, and provide more positive energy for the sound and steady growth of China-Germany relations and China-EU relations.

Al Jazeera: According to what was announced after the first round of talks between Fatah and Hamas in Beijing at the end of April, the second round of talks are expected to be held in mid-June in Beijing. Can you confirm that and whats the expected outcome?

Mao Ning: I have no information to share on that.

CRI: We noted that the first Plenary Session of the Intergovernmental Committee between China and Nigeria was held last Friday in Beijing. Whats the special significance of the meeting? Whats the influence on China-Nigeria and China-Africa cooperation?

Mao Ning: The China-Nigeria Intergovernmental Committee is the first intergovernmental committee mechanism established between China and an African country. The mechanism speaks to the political consensus between China and Nigeria on deepening strategic partnership as two important emerging markets and major developing countries. It is also yet another vital step to advance strategic cooperation across the spectrum.

Over the past five decades and more since our two countries established diplomatic ties, our relationship has made solid progress and our practical cooperation has been a pacesetter for China-Africa cooperation. Our two countries are strategically important to each other, for we respect, trust and support each other politically. Economically, our two countries have pioneered in cooperation, playing a demonstrative role and achieving coordinated progress in various fields. In the past three years and more since the committee was established, competent authorities of the two sides have fully worked together and achieved extensive cooperation outcomes. Foreign Minister Wang Yi and visiting Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar co-chaired the first Plenary Session of the Intergovernmental Committee, where they reached important common understandings on delivering on the outcomes of the leaders meetings, enhancing political mutual trust, deepening cooperation across the board, and making full use of the committee mechanism. The meeting is yet another first in China-Nigeria and China-Africa cooperation. It helps strengthen China-Nigeria exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and sets a new example for and injects new impetus into China-Nigeria and China-Africa relations.

The next meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing this autumn. China stands ready to work with Nigeria and other African countries to hold a successful FOCAC and make new contribution to building an even closer China-Africa community with a shared future.

CCTV: It was reported that the foreign affairs office of the Taiwan region released a statement on June 20, criticizing the recent Joint Statement Between the Peoples Republic of China and Malaysia on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership towards China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future, which reiterates Malaysias commitment to the One China Policy, and says that Taiwan is an inalienable territory of the Peoples Republic of China, and Malaysia will not support any call for the independence of Taiwan. Taiwans statement claims that this undermines the sovereignty of Taiwan. The Taiwan side also trumpeted once again that Taiwan is a sovereign and independent country. Neither it nor the PRC is subordinate to the other. What is the Foreign Ministrys comment on this?

Mao Ning: The one-China principle is a basic norm in international relations and a prevailing international consensus. It is the political foundation for China to establish and grow diplomatic relations with all countries in the world, including Malaysia. In the 1974 joint communique between China and Malaysia on establishing diplomatic relations, the government of Malaysia unequivocally acknowledged the position of the Chinese government that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the Peoples Republic of China. The Malaysian side reiterated this position in the recent high-level exchanges with China. This fully shows that the one-China principle is where global opinion trends and the right thing to do. The Taiwan authorities statement advocating Taiwans so-called country status further exposes their Taiwan independence agenda. That, however, will only be rejected and disdained and will not shake the abiding commitment of the international community to the one-China principle.

Hubei Media Group: It was reported that on June 23, two Orthodox churches, a synagogue and a police post in the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent in Russias Republic of Dagestan were attacked. At least 15 people and at least six gunmen were killed. The Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Republic of Dagestan has launched a terror investigation into the attacks. What is Chinas comment?

Mao Ning: We noted relevant reports. China opposes all forms of terrorism and condemns violence and attacks against civilians and law enforcement personnel. We deeply mourn for the lives lost and extend heartfelt sympathies to the injured and the bereaved families.

CCTV: On June 21, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a decision on its website on countermeasures against Lockheed Martins entities and senior executives. Do you have any further comment?

Mao Ning: The US arms sales to Chinas Taiwan region seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, interfere in Chinas internal affairs, and undermine Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity. In accordance with the law, China took countermeasures against relevant companys entities and senior executives that are engaged in arms sales to Taiwan.

Let me stress that the Taiwan question is at the core of Chinas core interests, and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations. No country, organization or individual shall underestimate the strong determination, will and ability of the Chinese government and people to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity, or be under the illusion that they could tread or even cross the line on the Taiwan question without any consequence.

AP: A report released today from the cybersecurity firm Recorded Futures has claimed that Chinese hackers have stepped up cyberattacks and attempted hacking of dozens of Taiwanese organizations, including government and critical technology companies. These attacks were observed between November 2023 and April 2024. The report also states that these hacks are likely state-sponsored. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on the report?

Mao Ning: I am not aware of the specifics you mentioned. What I can tell you is that this is not the first time that the company you mentioned has fabricated disinformation on so-called Chinese hacking operations. There is absolutely no professionalism or credibility to speak of in what the company does.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to destroy the facilities of the Russian occupation forces on the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories as well as on the territory of the aggressor state. Over the past two weeks, at least 13 bases and command posts have been taken away from the enemy.

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In addition, two ammunition depots, six fuel and lubricant depots and four oil refineries in Russia were hit. The map of "cotton" was published on the Telegram channel "Armed Forces of Ukraine. War against the occupiers".

Most of the explosions took place in Crimea, temporarily occupied by Russian troops. There were also hits in Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. At least eight regions of Russia were also noisy:

- Rostov region of the Russian Federation  two hits on oil depots, a fuel and lubricants warehouse, and a hit on a base (airfield);

 Donetsk  a hit to the base;

 Lipetsk region of the Russian Federation  hits to a metallurgical and tractor plant;

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 Yeysk (Russia)  hits to the base, minus the BC;

 Krasnodar region of the Russian Federation  hits to two oil depots and a refinery;

 Tambov region of Russia  hit an oil depot;

 Shebekino, Belgorod region of the Russian Federation  hit the command post;

 Yevpatoriya, Crimea  hit to the base;

 Saki, Crimea  hit to the base;

 Dzhankoy, Crimea  hit the base;

 Makiivka, Donetsk region  hit the base;

 Sevastopol, Crimea  two hits to the base;

 Bryansk region of the Russian Federation  hit the base;

 Vasylivskyi district, Zaporizhzhia region  two hits to the base;

 Kherson region  minus BC;

 Astrakhan, Krasnodar, Volgograd regions of Russia  hits to refineries.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, in the evening of June 23, the temporarily occupied Crimea was attacked by dozens of drones. A military unit of the occupiers was hit between the villages of Uyutne and Molochne near Yevpatoria.

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Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Since the beginning of the day, 114 direct combat engagements between Russian occupants and Ukrainian defenders have already taken place at the front. The situation is particularly tense in the Pokrovsk and Lyman sectors.

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Our defenders are stopping the enemy, holding the line, and destroying the plans of the Russian aggressor. This is stated in the report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In the Kupyansk sector, four attempts of the occupants' advance were registered, and fighting is taking place near Pishchane and Stelmakhivka.

In the Lyman sector, the number of attacks almost doubled to 18, and 6 of them are taking place in the areas of Hrekivka, Kopanky, Nevske, Serebryansk Forestry, Terny, and Synkivka.

In the Kramatorsk sector, a total of 6 occupants' attempts to advance were recorded, with the main fighting taking place near Ivanivske.

In the Toretsk sector, enemy attacks are concentrated in the vicinity of Pivdenne. This is the seventh attack in the sector today.

In the Pokrovsk sector, 13 combat engagements continue in the areas of Sokol, Novoselivka Persha, Novooleksandrivka, Yevhenivka, Oleksandropol, and Vozdvyzhenka. To date, 35 hostile attacks have been registered in this sector.

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In the Vremivsk sector, the enemy tried three times to attack the positions of our defenders, but all attempts were repelled. The enemy also bombarded with anti-aircraft guns in the area of Solodke and Velyka Novoselivka.

In the Orikhivsk sector, fighting is ongoing in the area of Mala Tokmachka.

In the Prydniprovskyi sector, the aggressor attacked in the vicinity of Krynky for the fourth time in 24 hours.

The situation in other sectors remains stable.

Our troops are controlling the situation and depleting enemy forces along the entire front line.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Russian occupation army continues to attack in various parts of the frontline to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops. The enemy made over 3,500 attacks yesterday, including 91 from multiple launch rocket systems and over 500 strikes by kamikaze drones.

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Putin's terrorists also carried out 58 air strikes, including 91 bombings. This is stated in the report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of the morning of June 24.

As a result of Russian terrorist attacks, there are dead and wounded among the civilian population. Destruction and damage to multi-storey and private houses, as well as other infrastructure facilities, were also recorded.

On June 23, Ukrainian air forces, missile forces and artillery struck 12 areas of personnel concentration, three enemy air defense facilities, one radar and one electronic warfare station. As a result, the total losses of the Russian invaders over the past day amounted to 1300 people, 12 tanks, 15 armored combat vehicles, 51 artillery systems, 27 UAVs, two missiles, 56 vehicles and 20 pieces of special equipment.

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Since the beginning of the day on June 24, 62 combat engagements have already taken place. The occupants carried out 11 air strikes, dropping 19 bombs, and fired 579 times at the positions of our troops. The enemy also used 33 kamikaze drones for attacks.

The invaders continue their attempts to attack Vovchansk in the Kharkiv sector. Since the beginning of the day, there have been two combat engagements in the area of the city, the situation is under control. Over the previous day, enemy losses in the Kharkiv sector amounted to 145 people. One armored combat vehicle, an artillery system and six vehicles were destroyed. Four artillery systems and three vehicles were damaged. In addition, 36 dugouts were destroyed.

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One firefight continues in the Kupyansk sector near Stelmakhivka. The situation is under control.

In the Lyman sector, fighting continues in the vicinity of Kopanky, Hrekivka, Makiivka, Torske and in the Sribliansky forest. Six attacks were repelled without success for the enemy, two combat engagements continue.

17 attacks took place in the Siversky sector. The enemy is trying to push the Defense Forces from their positions in the areas of Bilohorivka, Verkhnekamianske, Rozdolivka and Vyymka. Seven attacks have been repelled and fighting is ongoing.

In the Kramatorsk sector, the Russian invaders' assault near Ivanove was unsuccessful. One combat engagement is ongoing near Klishchiyivka.

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In the Toretsk sector, two attacks were repelled in the vicinity of Pivdenne, and one battle is ongoing.

In the Pokrovsk sector, 18 attacks have taken place since the beginning of the day, nine of which were successfully repelled. Fighting continues for Novooleksandrivka, near Yevhenivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Sokol and Novoselivka Persha. According to the updated information, the enemy lost over 220 people in the Pokrovsk sector yesterday. Three tanks, two armored personnel carriers, one cannon and three vehicles were destroyed. Three tanks, two armored combat vehicles, three cannons and two vehicles were also damaged.

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The aggressor continues to put pressure on our positions in the Kurakhove sector in the areas of Karlivka, Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka and Kostiantynivka. The situation is under control, six attacks were repelled and one firefight is ongoing.

In the Shakhtarsk sector, the occupants' attempt to approach Urozhayne was unsuccessful.

In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy failed three times in its attempts to dislodge Ukrainian defenders from their positions near Mala Tokmachka.

In other areas, the occupants did not conduct any active operations since the beginning of the day.

As a reminder, in the morning of June 24, Russian occupation forces attacked Odesa with cruise missiles. Air defense forces were engaged, but there was also a hit, which resulted in a severe fire and injured three people.

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Earlier it was reported that during the day on June 23, the Russian occupation army terrorized the residents of Nikopol district with shelling. The enemy attacked the infrastructure with artillery and kamikaze drones.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Kyrylo Budanov, is confident that the illegally built Crimean bridge by Russians can be destroyed by American long-range ATACMS missiles. Ukraine has already received these weapons from the United States.

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According to Budanov, the question of the number of ATACMS that can destroy a logistics facility important to the Russian occupiers in the occupied Crimea remains important. He said this in an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer.

According to him, those who claim that ATACMS are not powerful enough to cope with this task are mistaken.

"They should read the technical manuals. The only question is their number, but in principle, these missiles will allow us to accomplish this task," he said.

According to Budanov, Crimea, which the occupiers have turned into a huge military base, must be cut off from Russian supplies.

The DIU chief agreed with the opinion of former U.S. Army Europe Commander Ben Hodges that this will be the key to forcing the aggressor state's troops to move to defense.

"I absolutely share the opinion of General Hodges. So we need to do everything we can to implement it," Budanov said.

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The article says that Ukrainian Magura drones have already been used to destroy several Russian ships, forcing Russia to move its other ships out of Crimea.

"They are already trapped near the port of Novorossiysk. We just need to ensure that all the remnants of the fleet are pushed back to the territory of the Russian Federation. There have been no warships in the Black Sea for a long time," Budanov said.

At the end of April 2024, the United States announced that it had handed over long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine in March. However, Washington did not disclose the number of units of this weaponry transferred to Kyiv.

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At the same time, The New York Times wrote that it was about a hundred ATACMS missiles.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, The Economist said that the receipt of American ATACMS ballistic missiles with a range of 300 km means that Ukraine can now fatally hit any target in the Russian-occupied Crimea. Russians have nowhere to hide on the peninsula.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The terrorist country Russia has complained that Ukrainian military personnel used HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems for the first time to attack the Kursk region. The FSB building came under attack.

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The shelling resulted in injuries to the occupants. This was reported by Russian Telegram channels.

According to preliminary data, the strike using HIMARS was carried out on June 22. The Russian Federation claims that the Armed Forces of Ukraine fired two missiles at the village of Myrnyi in the Suzhansky district and the village of Dovhi Bumi in the Bilivsky district.

The Russians claim that both missiles were allegedly shot down. At the same time, there is information that the building of the FSB border guard department in Suzha was partially destroyed by the debris. It is also known that one employee of the agency was injured. In addition, two cars were damaged.

It is worth noting that the governor of the Kursk region, Alexei Smirnov, said on June 22 that "air defense was successfully operating in the region." The official also said that the consequences of the attack had allegedly been eliminated.

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However, local residents provided different information after the official's statement. Russians complained that after the explosions, they lost electricity.

As a reminder, on the night of June 21, explosions were heard in the village of Vorontsovka near Yeysk, followed by detonations. According to sources, the training ground of the 167th training center was hit.

As OBOZ.UA reported, on the evening of June 23, dozens of drones attacked the temporarily occupied Crimea. Between the villages of Zatyshne and Molochne near Yevpatoria, the occupiers' military unit was hit.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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On Thursday morning, Matthew Watson Croulet got into a cab in Medellin. He was disoriented, remembering nothing but the name of his hotel, according to the police report. The driver took him to the tourist neighborhood of El Poblado and dropped him off. When the 25-year-old American entered his hotel, the staff noted that he looked drugged. It was clear he was not well. Concerned, they called an ambulance. Watson, meanwhile, went up to his room where he was found dead at 9.25 am.

Watson is the latest tourist corpse to be discovered in Medellin in what is becoming a cumulative problem. Last year, there were 37 violent tourist deaths in Colombias second-largest city. That is an average of one every 10 days. So far in 2024, 359,000 tourists have visited the city, and there have already been 29 violent tourist deaths, which is more than one per week. If the pace continues, the year would close with 61.

However, a pattern is emerging. On May 31, another U.S. citizen was found dead in a hotel in the tourist district of Laureles. Jaime Eduardo Cisneros, 54, was lying on a bed half-naked, rolled up in a sheet, with no signs of violence. The authorities have not yet determined the cause of death. They indicate that the man entered his room with a woman during the early hours of the morning. After a short time, she came out. He did not.

Tourists, drugs and prostitution

Carlos Calle heads up the Medellin District Attorneys Office Tourism Observatory. His job is to generate reports on tourism activity in the city. He explains to EL PAIS that the city closed 2023 with the highest rate of foreign visitors in its history: almost 1.5 million. It was also the year in which the most foreigners met violent deaths, he says. According to Calle, Medellin is safe for tourists. However, he says there is an increasingly frequent negative tourist profile. The situations in which these foreign tourists are negatively affected are almost always related to drugs or prostitution, he says.

The birthplace of Pablo Escobar, Medellin was once one of the most dangerous cities in the world. However, in recent years it has become a desirable tourist destination. Within Colombia, it has a reputation as the city of innovation, beauty, partying, and narcoculture. This has had both positive and negative consequences. In recent years, more and more foreigners have come to the capital with the aim of paying for sex, which is not a crime in Colombia, provided no minors are involved.

Tourists at the Pablo Escobar museum in Medellin, Colombia Fredy Builes (Getty Images)

Although the Escobar era is over, Calle points out that the city is home to a large number of criminal gangs, which offer exactly what negative-profile tourists are looking for: drugs and prostitutes. According to Calle, many such travelers end up in dangerous situations, consuming high doses of narcotics in environments that can be unsafe. Some local criminals give them scopolamine. Also known as burundanga, this drug disorients and uncapacitates users. It can be slipped into drinks, snorted, or simply blown into the victims face. The victim is unlikely to have any recollection of the event and there could be fatal consequences.

Calle points out that, given the numbers of tourists who travel to Medellin every year, those who come seeking sex and drugs are relatively few, but they are a growing demographic. He adds that it is important they are aware of the law and keep their wits about them. Number one, in Colombia the exploitation of minors is a crime. We will not tolerate that, he says. Number two, dont accept drinks from a stranger in a bar. Dont get into a strangers car. If you want to go with a girl, share the location or at least try to stay in contact with someone you know.

Yiri Milena Amado, a former director of the Attorney Generals Office in Valle de Aburra, the region in which Medellin is located, agrees. In March, she gave an interview to Semana, explaining that there was a common thread to the spate of tourist deaths in the city, namely deadly cocktails. The Prosecutors Office frequently found the deceased traveler had consumed a combination of drugs: Cocaine, tusi and marijuana. Also, sexual enhancers, such as Viagra, and bottles of alcohol, she said.

In plain sight

Last April, EL PAIS traveled to Medellin to report on tourists and sexual exploitation. The testimonies of several sex workers and multiple visitors made it clear that drugs are ever-present in this context. Sitting in Lleras Park, where dozens of tourists come every night for sex, a prostitute introducing herself as Alexa Gomez explained that she needed drugs to sleep with clients. It makes you happy, and everyone likes a smile, she said. Another sex worker, who preferred to remain anonymous, said that her clients would consume a lot of drugs, and that she often encouraged the men to consume more as a way of avoiding having to have sex with them.

Sex workers in Parque Lleras, on March 6. Camilo Moreno (Getty Images)

At a bar in Parque Lleras, a 78-year-old American who introduced himself as Bob, shared a table with three sex workers. He said he had been visiting Medellin for years for paid sex. There is an unusual freedom here. You can do whatever you want, he said. During the interview, Bob gave 50,000 pesos ($12) to a prostitute and asked her to get him cocaine. The woman accepted the money and left but was slow to return.

Over the next half hour, Bob repeatedly asked the other two women about the whereabouts of their colleague and the drugs. Sex worker Yuliet, 24, explained that the American liked to get high: He does too much cocaine and wants us to do it too. I dont like it, it scares me. I prefer the tusi. But I still do cocaine when he asks me to do it.

Sexual exploitation of minors

There are also foreigners who go to Medellin with the specific aim of sexually exploiting minors. On March 28, a 36-year-old U.S. citizen, Timothy Alan Livingston, was discovered by police in a hotel in El Poblado with two girls ages 12 and 13. According to Colombian law, sexual consent for minors under the age of 16 only exists if the person seeking sex is no more than three years older than the minor. Despite Timothy Alan Livingstons age, the man was released shortly after his arrest and returned two days later to Florida. A Colombian judge, however, issued a warrant for his arrest in April, yet he remains at large in the U.S.

Less than a month later, U.S. police arrested an American pedophile, Stefan Andres Correa. The man had traveled 45 times in just two years to Colombia to abuse minors. During the investigation, the authorities found nine cell phones on which there was extensive evidence of his sexual abuse, including conversations with a Colombian pimp who allegedly hooked him up to underage girls in Medellin.

These two cases have shocked Medellin and prompted Mayor Federico Gutierrez to launch an extensive prevention campaign. Over the past three months, the city has been filled with posters attempting to prevent the sexual exploitation of minors. Dont even try, its a crime, they say.

These posters cover the walls of the citys two airports. They are also seen in many hotels and restaurants. There are no official figures on how many minors have been sexually exploited in Medellin in 2024, but, last year, more than 320 victims of this crime were reported in the city, according to the NGO Valientes Colombia.

A protest against the sexual exploitation of minors outside a club in Medellin on April 9. Juan J. Eraso (Getty Images)

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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF)  the army that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims is the most moral in the world  is part of the United Nations so-called blacklist for the first time. This document lists the entities  state or non-state  that have committed serious violations against children, and also includes Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The coordinator of this document  which analyzes the situation of children in 20 countries, and was presented in a June 13 annual report  is Virginia Gamba, the U.N. Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflicts. According to Gamba, Israels inclusion in the list is one of the strongest wake-up calls because the parties to the conflict [in Gaza] are doing irreparable harm to children.

The situation in Gaza is dire. If 40% of the population is under 15 years old, obviously children are the most impacted by the war, says Gamba, 70, in a video conference from her office in New York. Among the serious violations against children recognized by the U.N., murder, maiming and kidnapping stand out, as well as sexual violence, forced recruitment and attacks on schools. Over the past year, especially since the start of the Israeli offensive on Gaza after the Hamas attack on October 7, her office has documented that the Israeli army has killed and maimed children, and also attacked schools and hospitals, where children were located. The attacks on these facilities, the representative clarifies, do not result in being included on the blacklist, although it is a serious violation.

The United Nations has verified the deaths of nearly 2,300 Palestinian children, mostly in Gaza but also in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, over the past year. Most incidents were caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas by Israeli armed and security forces, the document maintains. Other agencies such as UNICEF put the figure even higher, arguing 14,000 children have been killed just in Gaza since the start of the war in October. The maiming of Palestinian children  another reason for which U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres included the IDF on the blacklist  is estimated at almost 2,000, although more than 10,700 complaints are still to be verified.

Gamba says that she has been in contact with the Netanyahu government for almost two years. Before the offensive in Gaza, both sides had negotiated a plan to prevent violations against children. Already since then, we had noticed a pattern [of violence] that was emerging. The last time she was in contact was at the end of May, when the Israeli executive offered to collaborate to develop a roadmap, according to the report. However, after Guterres announced that Israel would be included on this list, the talks are frozen, Gamboa laments. We hope that Israel will take the bull by the horns and sign an action plan to protect children. We dont know how they are going to act yet.

Two injured children with bandages on their heads after being taken to Al Aqsa Hospital following an Israeli attack in the Maghazi camp area of Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on May 11, 2024. Ali Jadallah (Anadolu/Getty Images)

The United Nations announcement was met with anger by the Netanyahu government. Today, the U.N. added itself to the blacklist of history when it joined those who support the Hamas murderers, the Israeli prime minister posted on X (formerly Twitter). However, the report also documents violations against Israeli children, mostly attributed to the armed wing of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, for killing, maiming and abducting Israeli children. How does Gamba respond to these types of statements from Israel? Let it never be forgotten that we put Russia on this list because of the violations in Ukraine, and there was a worse reaction. But we are still alive, she says. The final decision rests with the secretary general, Gamba specifies. It has a very important political weight to be included on this list, so [Guterres] is the one who takes this responsibility.

Paradoxically, the only option Israel has to remove its army from this list  which includes other state actors from Myanmar, Somalia and Yemen, as well as armed groups such as ISIS, Colombias ELN and Hamas  is by cooperating with Gambas office. The only way to change the call for action is to collaborate with the United Nations to implement measures that reduce and subsequently end violations against children. However, it is very difficult to convince the parties in conflict to establish a joint action plan, she says.

What are the consequences of being included in the list? Gamba does not rule out the possibility of Israeli officials being sanctioned (since states are not punished), although she does warn that very specific conditions must be met, and this situation does not meet them. We do not decide if someone is sanctioned, but rather there has to be a specific committee that does so, in addition to what we already found in the report. It has only happened on two occasions, says Gamba, when 14 individuals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo were sanctioned, as well as two others from the Ivory Coast. Each country, however, can decide on how to interpret this list and restrict the sale of weapons to these countries or, if necessary, issue sanctions, as the United States and the EU have done against violent Israeli settlers.

The U.N. representative, who refuses to classify Israels actions as war crimes until an international court does so, denounces the difficulties in verifying violations against children in Gaza. We know these violations are occurring from medical records or through interviews with Palestinian refugees. It is a hot war situation, so our personnel are very vulnerable, she says. Despite these obstacles, Gamba remains optimistic that the deaths of so many Palestinian children will not only be verified, but that the culprits will also be identified.

To give us an idea, we are still verifying violations that ISIS committed against children in Iraq five years ago. I know that everything that happens in Gaza will eventually be known, she says.

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Opinion articles written in the style of their author." These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. shall feature, along with the author's name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed

From afar, the inauguration of Juan Manuel Corchado as the rector of the University of Salamanca earlier this year probably seemed a natural and well-deserved career capstone for the prominent academic. After all, Corchado, a highly prolific computer scientist, is among the most-cited researchers in Spain  a mark of the high regard in which his peers hold his work.

But as EL PAIS has been reporting for months, Corchados impressive reputation as a scholar may be undeserved. Many of his citations are to his own work, and flimsy work at that: brief conference presentations Corchado uploaded to his website and then referenced, as we were first to note in 2022. The case has now attracted the attention of the Spanish Research Ethics Committee, which has urged the University of Salamanca to exercise its powers of inspection and sanction in the face of the alleged bad practices by Corchado.

Why would such bad practices help Corchado and the university? Because so much of the various ranking systems rubrics  factors that help determine funding from government agencies as well as competition for student enrollment  are based on citations, which are particularly easy to manipulate. In other words, the better individual scientists look on paper, the better their institutions appear.

The Corchado case is just a high-profile example of what the obsession with metrics has wrought. In Vietnam, researchers are abuzz about a recently released ranking system, but media reports find the scheme chaotic and full of errors. Last week, The Economist published a fawning piece about science in China. China has become a scientific superpower, the magazine declared, and tops the Nature Index, created by the publisher of the same name, which counts the contributions to articles that appear in a set of prestigious journals.

What The Economist left out  but has noted before, however  is that China is responsible for well over half of the worlds more than 50,000 retractions, a dubious distinction that can be traced directly to the countrys laser focus on metrics. Until the practice was officially banned in 2020, researchers in China were paid rich cash bonuses for publishing in journals that count in the Nature Index, and clinical faculty at medical schools  whose jobs do not involve research, and who do not train for such work  were required to publish papers to earn their jobs and be promoted.

Those incentives were essentially direct invitations to commit fraud, as a recent survey of researchers in China demonstrated. How else were academics supposed to maintain their careers except increase their output, create citation rings, or even turn to a thriving paper mill industry?

While it is easy to blame the Chinese government for the citations arms race, universities have done nothing to push back, and in many cases have even encouraged the system to work exactly the way it does. In India, for example, a dental college came up with what one critic called a nasty scheme involving self-citation to boost itself to the top of the rankings in its field. In Saudi Arabia, some universities apparently hired prominent mathematicians as honorary faculty just so their citations would count toward their institutions rankings.

Which brings us back to Corchado. Why he cited himself so heavily is not clear, because he never responded to our requests for comment two years ago except to say hed broken his arm and would be slow to reply. But at the time Alberto Martin-Martin, an information scientist and bibliometrician at the University of Granada, noted Spain still focuses heavily on the Journal Impact Factor to evaluate the production of its researchers, even more so than in some other countries.

In a way, the public should thank Corchado for raising alarm bells at EL PAIS and the Spanish Research Ethics Committee. Whether he remains as rector of the University of Salamanca is less important than whether the episode prompts real change in Spain  and elsewhere. Movements afoot, including the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) and the Leiden Manifesto, to encourage a move away from citations and other metrics and toward strategies that reward the kind of research culture we want and need.

Universities and governments have a chance to reform their evaluation strategies before things get even worse. They can replace them with the good old-fashioned way of assessing researchers work: Reading it.

Adam Marcus and Ivan Oransky are the founders of Retraction Watch, an American organization specialized in scientific fraud.

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By Hitomi Takeo, KYODO NEWS - Jun 24, 2024 - 10:15 | Feature, All, Japan

The use of donor human milk banks is increasing in Japan to help prevent disease in premature babies with underdeveloped organs.

But those organizing the human milk banks are facing challenges in meeting the growing demand due to insufficient funding and staffing, while raising awareness is required to increase the number of donors, experts said.

"With (my baby) in a life-or-death situation, I wanted whatever could be done", said a 33-year-old woman, whose daughter was born four months premature in 2019 weighing 400 grams.

She was told by the hospital that her baby had "a 50 percent chance of survival" and as she was unable to provide breast milk she should consider donated milk, which would decrease the risk of death. The baby girl received donor milk for five days.

With her daughter, who will turn 5 years old this summer, now healthy and attending kindergarten, the woman said she is thankful to the donors.

"An acquaintance who also gave birth prematurely around the same time had no information about human milk banks and lost her child due to necrotizing enterocolitis," she said, referring to a disease that causes intestinal tissue to die.

"I hope for a society in which (human milk banks) are available at all hospitals," she added.

There are currently three banks in Tokyo and Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, that sterilize and freeze donor breast milk, and ship it to hospitals upon request.

The milk is prepared for babies with birth weights of less than 1,500 grams whose mothers are sick due to premature birth or unable to produce sufficient breast milk.

The number of recipients has increased since 2018, with 103 medical institutions in 40 of Japan's 47 prefectures having accessed the service.

In fiscal 2023 ended March, the donor breast milk was provided to 1,118 babies, up from 813 in the previous year, while an estimated 5,000 babies require it each year, according to the Nippon Foundation that operates two of the donor milk banks.

Katsumi Mizuno, professor of pediatrics at Showa University, who is promoting the bank project, says donated human milk is more effective in lowering the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis than infant formula.

Donor human milk can also reduce the risk of retinopathy of prematurity, when abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina, and chronic lung disease, according to Mizuno.

One of the donor human milk banks, set up at baby goods maker Pigeon Corp.'s office in Tokyo, relies on fees from hospitals and donations from businesses and individuals but is incurring losses, according to operator the Japan Human Milk Bank Association.

The association is also facing difficulty to increase the fees it charges due to hospitals' financial constraints.

The health ministry is considering expanding support for human milk banks, but the process could take time as whether to categorize donor breast milk as food or medicine has not been decided, experts said.

In May, the donor milk bank at Pigeon's office introduced a new sterilizer after raising 25 million yen ($159,000) through crowdfunding.

Although the milk bank is now able to respond to demand, there is only one full-time staff member due to limited funds, it said, expressing concern that the provision of donor milk could come to a halt.

Meanwhile, there is also a need to increase the number of donors, with 607 registered in fiscal 2023, the association said.

"We should create guidelines in the future to provide all infants with birth weights of less than 1,500 grams access to (donated milk). I want to make sure (those in need) across Japan feel safe using it," Mizuno said.

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KYODO NEWS - Jun 24, 2024 - 16:45 | All, Japan

Japan's Financial Services Agency ordered a bank and two brokerages under Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc. on Monday to improve their operations after they were found to have shared undisclosed information about customer businesses among themselves without permission.

Based on the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, the agency urges MUFG Bank, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. and Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities Co. to prevent a recurrence by strengthening their business and client information management.

The agency also ordered the parent company, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, to check its supervision and submit reports based on the Banking Act.

Earlier this month, the Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission recommended the Financial Services Agency to take punitive action against the firms after finding MUFG Bank illegally shared information about several customer companies from 2021 to 2023.

The watchdog said it has confirmed a case in which an executive of the bank shared client information with two affiliated brokerages despite being refused permission.

The Financial Instruments and Exchange Act prohibits nonpublic client information be shared among related banks and brokerages without the consent of clients, requiring a "firewall" to be put in place to prevent such acts.

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FOCUS:BOJ's rate hike may help exit of unprofitable "zombie" firms in Japan
From Joseph Konys Terror to Triumph: CfaN Spreads Hope and Redemption in Uganda

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Christ for All Nations (CfaN)

June 24, 2024

ORLANDO, Fla., June 24, 2024 /Standard Newswire/ -- Christ for All Nations (CfaN), led by Evangelist Daniel Kolenda, is spearheading a spiritual revival in Uganda, a nation that has endured the terror of Joseph Kony and the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) for many years. Through a series of 15 mass gospel crusades, gospel invasions, youth crusades, and more, CfaN is delivering a message of hope, healing, and redemption to millions across the country.

The first two weeks of crusades in Lira, Busia, Hoima, Iganga, Gulu, Mbale, and Kampala, saw an overwhelming response, signaling a profound transformation in the lives of millions of Ugandans despite significant challenges.

Joseph Konys Impact on Uganda

Joseph Kony, the notorious leader of the LRA, wreaked havoc across northern Uganda for decades. His campaign of terror included abductions, forced child soldiers, and unimaginable violence, leaving deep scars on the affected communities. Cities like Gulu, where CfaN is holding crusades, were particularly impacted by Kony's brutal tactics. Gulu was a major center of LRA activity, and many residents still bear the emotional and physical scars of his reign of terror.

Yet, the presence of CfaN is marking a significant change for the people of Uganda. As the Gospel of Jesus is shared, there is a palpable sense of relief and renewed hope. You can see it in their eyes--there is such love and gratitude for what God is doing in their nation.

Intense Spiritual Warfare

CfaN's crusades in Uganda have encountered spiritual opposition. "The spiritual warfare is real here in Uganda," said Evangelist Daniel Kolenda. "Earlier today, some of our Bootcamp students were trapped and detained by radical religious fanatics. Simultaneously, we received reports of witch doctors pronouncing curses on our team at the crusade field. But the Lord was gracious; our students got out safely, and on the very field where the witch doctors were doing their nonsense, the power of God showed up tonight."

Kolenda's report from Kampala highlights the strategic importance of the crusade location. "We have set up our crusade grounds in the northern region of Kampala where a large majority of the residents are Islamic. Jesus loves Muslims, Jesus died for Muslims, and tonight, the first night of our crusade in Kampala, we watched the love of Jesus sweep through this place and change many lives," Kolenda shared.

A Nation Transformed

Local leaders and community members have expressed deep gratitude for CfaN's efforts. Bishop John, a prominent religious leader in Lira, remarked, "This crusade has brought a new dawn to our people. The message of hope and redemption is exactly what we needed to heal from our past and move forward with faith and unity."

As CfaN moves forward with the remaining crusades across Uganda--the anticipation and excitement continue to build. The ministry's efforts are part of a broader vision to spread the Gospel from Cape Town to Cario, continuing the legacy of its founder, Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke.

For more information about the Crusades and Christ for All Nations, please visit www.cfan.org.

About: Christ for All Nations (CfaN) is a global evangelistic ministry founded by Reinhard Bonnke in 1974 and led by Daniel Kolenda. Renowned for conducting large-scale evangelistic campaigns, particularly in Africa, CfaN's mission is to spread the message of salvation and lead people to Christ. Since 1987, CfaN has seen over 91 million documented decisions for Christ. The ministry is also a global leader in raising up evangelists with its premier training programs, equipping them to spread the Gospel worldwide. CfaNs commitment to evangelism and discipleship continues to inspire and empower leaders around the globe, ensuring the ongoing work of evangelism and discipleship within their communities.

SOURCE Christ for All Nations (CfaN)

CONTACT: Mary-Kathryn, CfaN USA Director, 407-854-4400, mkmanuel@cfan.org


KYODO NEWS - Jun 24, 2024 - 09:40 | All, Japan

The headless body of a cat was found Sunday in the western Japan city of Kobe, with local police searching for possible links to a similar incident last year.

The dead cat appeared to have had its head severed from its body by a sharp object. Police are investigating the case as a suspected violation of animal protection law and checking security camera footage of the vicinity.

The cat's body was found on a sidewalk in a suburban area of the city's Kita Ward at around 7:55 a.m. by a passerby in his 70s, who alerted authorities.

The body is of a mature male, measuring around 40 centimeters in length from neck to tail. It is believed the cat had been dead for less than a day upon being discovered. Its head has not been found, police said.

Police did not find any bloodstains in the area following recent rainfall, and are investigating whether it is possible the cat was killed in a different location before its body was left at the scene.

Police are searching for possible links to a similar incident that occurred around 1 kilometer from the scene, when the bodies of four cats were found in a cemetery with their heads crushed on June 13 last year.

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KYODO NEWS - Jun 24, 2024 - 13:03 | All, World

The head of a South Korean foreign ministry think tank who is an expert in Seoul-Tokyo relations has been appointed the next ambassador to Japan, government sources said Monday.

If Japan agrees, Park Cheol Hee, chancellor of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, will become the second ambassador to the country under President Yoon Suk Yeol's government, replacing the current ambassador Yun Duk Min.

Park, 61, has worked as a professor at Seoul National University, a specially appointed professor at the University of Tokyo, and a visiting professor at Keio University and Kobe University. He is fluent in Japanese.

Park has served among Yoon's diplomatic brain trust since before he took the leadership and was a part of a delegation Yoon sent to Japan in April 2022, soon after his win in the presidential election. Park has served as chief of the think tank since March last year.

After a period of heightened tensions, relations between the neighboring countries improved when the Yoon administration announced last year that South Korean plaintiffs who won cases brought against Japanese companies over wartime forced labor would be compensated through a South Korean government-backed foundation.

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Japan, North Korea held secret meeting in mid-May: S. Korea newspaper
Victoria Mutweleli, an excavator operator for China Gezhouba Group Company, works at Thwake Dam in Makueni, Kenya, June 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Jing)

by Naftali Mwaura

NAIROBI, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Braving the sweltering afternoon heat, Victoria Mutweleli skillfully engaged the gears of the giant excavator atop the embankment of Thwake Dam, which is located on the edges of Kenya's southeastern county of Makueni.

The middle-aged mother of two grinned as the excavator scooped mid-sized rocks and placed them at the top of the embankment for compacting, heralding the completion of phase one of the Thwake multipurpose dam, whose construction by China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC) commenced in March 2018.

A graduate of heavy machinery operations at a mid-level college, Mutweleli initially worked at the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) during its construction, where she operated excavators, crushers and rollers.

In 2019, Mutweleli received a job offer from CGGC as an excavator operator, giving her the chance to develop her skills in civil works, a traditionally male-dominated industry.

"Since I started working on the Thwake Dam project, I can say that I have gained some skills and experience in operating heavy machinery," said Mutweleli during a recent interview with Xinhua.

She is among female employees who have defied stereotypes to lend their expertise during the phased construction of a dam that is expected to boost water supply, irrigation and power generation in Kenya's arid southeastern counties.

Co-financed by the Kenyan government and African Development Bank (AfDB), the Thwake multipurpose dam is a flagship project of the country's Vision 2030. It is being implemented in four phases, covering the installation of the nearly complete embankment, water supply infrastructure, hydropower generation and irrigation.

Zachariah Njeru, Kenya's cabinet secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, said during a recent inspection tour of the dam that it would provide nearly 150,000 cubic meters of treated water daily to 1.3 million people in the lower eastern region.

Njeru said the dam will generate 20 megawatts of hydroelectric power besides irrigating 100,000 acres (40,468 hectares) to boost food security in a region that has grappled with recurrent droughts for many decades.

The ongoing civil works at the dam have already created 1,200 direct and indirect jobs for locals, including Lillian Gituma Mukami, a heavy machine operator and mother of one.

Mukami's dexterity of operating more than 20 tonnes of heavy compacting rollers atop the dam's embankment on a humid afternoon won her admiration from onlookers. She was among the heavy machine operators who took part in the completion of Thwake Dam's embankment filling, which will pave the way for other civil works meant to support water supply, irrigation and power generation.

"I operate more than one machine, I do lifting and earthmovers," said Mukami, who joined the dam project early this year but has since 2009 operated heavy machinery in Kenya and overseas.

Mukami said it took courage and determination to work in a male-dominated field, noting that working for the Chinese contractor of Thwake Dam has improved her technical and interpersonal skills. She added that despite hurdles placed by culture, Kenyan women are willing to venture into civil engineering and contribute to the implementation of major infrastructure projects like dams, roads and bridges.

Faith Nzimbi, an environmental impact assessment (EIA) expert at the Thwake Dam project since May 2019, said it has fostered talent and skill development among local female employees.

The 31-year-old environmental science major said that it has been a rewarding experience to oversee the ecologically sound construction of one of Kenya's largest dams.

"For me, it has been quite an adventure to work in a field that has few women, and working for a Chinese firm on such a huge project has taught me many skills. I have also improved my interaction with community members," Nzimbi said.

Nzimbi said for the last five years, she had gained knowledge in civil engineering, including structures, materials, machine operations, and blasting rocks, even as she mentors young women to take up construction jobs. 

An aerial drone photo taken on June 18, 2024 shows the construction site at Thwake Dam in Makueni, Kenya. (China Gezhouba Group Company/Handout via Xinhua)
YANGON, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities have seized 500,000 stimulant tablets in eastern Myanmar's Shan state, according to the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) on Monday.

Acting on a tip-off, anti-narcotics police intercepted a vehicle in Nawnghkio township on Friday, with two suspects arrested and the drugs seized.

Further investigation resulted in the arrest of another suspect who had ordered the transport of the drugs in Kyaikmaraw township, Mon state, on Saturday.

The seized drugs are valued at 250 million kyats (about 119,047 U.S. dollars). All suspects connected to the case have been charged under Myanmar's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, and further investigations are ongoing, according to the CCDAC. 
JAKARTA, June 24 (Xinhua) -- A 6.0-magnitude earthquake jolted off Indonesia's Maluku province on Monday without generating huge waves, the country's meteorology, climatology and geophysics agency said.

The earthquake occurred at 16:55 Jakarta time (0955 GMT) with the epicenter located 170 km northwest of Kepulauan Tanimbar (Tanimbar Islands) regency and a depth of 153 km beneath the sea floor, the agency reported.

No tsunami alert was issued as the tremors were not expected to trigger large waves.

According to the Maluku provincial disaster management agency, no preliminary reports about damages or casualties have been received, Ismail Usemanu, head of the Operational Unit of the agency, told Xinhua.

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes as the archipelagic nation sits on a vulnerable quake-stricken zone called "the Pacific Ring of Fire." 
* Scientific and technological innovation is the core of the new quality productive forces, according to speakers in the latest episode of the China Economic Roundtable.

* Institutional reforms in the field of science and technology essentially involve forming new relations of production that are in line with the new quality productive forces, and ought to facilitate the smooth flow of high-quality factors toward high-quality productive forces.

* China's development of new quality productive forces will generate opportunities for tapping into its expanding market, and global investors can work with China in pushing for the explosion of the new technological revolution and participate in the latest wave of globalization.

BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- In China's pursuit of high-quality development, the term "new quality productive forces" is grabbing the spotlight, highlighting the direction for the transformation and upgrading of the world's second-largest economy.

What are the core elements of "new quality productive forces"? How should they be developed, and what are the implications for the rest of the world? In the sixth episode of the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk platform hosted by Xinhua News Agency, government officials and industry insiders shared their insights on some of the most frequently asked questions about the buzzphrase.

This photo shows a view of the China Economic Roundtable. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

INNOVATION AT CORE

First introduced in 2023, new quality productive forces refer to advanced productivity freed from the traditional economic growth mode and productivity development paths. It features high-tech, high efficiency and high quality, and comes in line with the new development philosophy.

The new strategy comes amid China's push for high-quality development and the surging tide of new scientific revolution and industrial transformation, according to Liu Dongmei, Party chief of the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development.

"Scientific and technological innovation is the core of the new quality productive forces," she said, noting that through sci-tech innovation, especially in breakthrough and disruptive technologies, new growth impetus can be provided for economic development.

China's overall strength in science and technology innovation has steadily improved in recent years, with the country's research and development (R&D) expenditure exceeding 3.3 trillion yuan (about 463.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2023, an increase of 8.1 percent year on year.

Huang Hanquan, head of the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research affiliated to the National Development and Reform Commission, said the development of the new quality productive forces covers both emerging industries and traditional industries, and that innovation involves technologies as well as institutions and management.

"Sci-tech and institutional innovations are like two wheels propelling the growth of China's total factor productivity," Huang said at the roundtable.

Huang Hanquan, head of the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research affiliated to the National Development and Reform Commission, speaks at the China Economic Roundtable. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

Qianhai in China's southern tech hub Shenzhen, a modern service industry demonstration zone, has set an example in developing new quality productive forces through technological and institutional innovations.

Wang Jinxia, deputy director of the Qianhai Authority, said local authorities focused on fostering an industrial cluster for artificial intelligence, intellectual property protection, strengthening financing support and building large platforms for industrial development.

Today, there are around 55,000 tech firms in Qianhai, of which 2,239 are national high-tech enterprises, and 14 are unicorn companies or startups valued at more than 1 billion U.S. dollars, according to Wang.

GUIDING FUTURE REFORMS

The new strategy has charted a clear path for high-quality development and relevant reforms as China strives to eliminate the bottlenecks that strain the development of new quality productive forces, according to the panelists.

Institutional reforms in the field of science and technology essentially involve forming new relations of production that are in line with the new quality productive forces, Liu said.

Liu Dongmei, Party chief of the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development, speaks at the China Economic Roundtable. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

Liu added that one crucial aspect of these reforms lies in interdepartmental coordination in terms of formulating strategy, allocating resources, and distributing major facilities to maximize the efficiency of resource utilization.

Echoing Liu's views, Huang said institutional reforms ought to be multifaceted and comprehensive, thereby facilitating the smooth flow of high-quality factors like capital, data and talent toward high-quality productive forces.

Huang also underscored the need to reform the sci-tech system to encourage inputs into basic research for more original and disruptive achievements, and to reform services to expedite the application of technological advancements, transforming them into tangible productivity.

In particular, both Huang and Liu highlighted the role of talent management in driving technological innovation.

Efforts need to be made to create a more enabling environment for innovation to attract more talents to work and live in China, reform the education system to nurture more future scientists, craftsmen and engineers, and improve evaluation systems to encourage long-term basic research, Liu said.

GLOBAL BENEFITS

China's ongoing efforts to foster new quality productive forces will inject fresh momentum into global economic growth and provide massive opportunities for investors, according to the panelists and other industry insiders present at the roundtable.

"Alongside Chinese companies, global investors are seizing a new round of opportunities arising from the development of new quality productive forces," said Wang with Qianhai Authority.

Wang Jinxia, deputy director of the Qianhai Authority, speaks at the China Economic Roundtable. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

China's development of new quality productive forces would generate opportunities for tapping into the country's expanding market, according to Wang.

Global investors will also be able to work with China in pushing for the explosion of the new technological revolution, and participate in the latest wave of globalization, he said, adding that foreign companies have already invested over 40 billion U.S. dollars in Qianhai.

The development of China's new quality productive forces may have significant impacts on the global economy, influencing innovation and competitiveness across various sectors and industries, said Ronnie Lins, director of the China-Brazil Center for Research and Business.

Driven by China's unwavering focus on innovation, foreign direct investment in the country's hi-tech manufacturing sectors reached 37.76 billion yuan (about 5.3 billion U.S. dollars) during the first quarter of this year, official data showed.

As China continues to cultivate new quality productive forces, the country is also sharing its intelligent, eco-friendly and inclusive technologies with other countries, said Liu with the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development.

The world is grappling with several pressing global challenges, encompassing food security, natural disasters and climate change. With its rich experience, China has much to offer in addressing these issues, she said.

"I am very optimistic that this new, high quality, high-tech, productive forces would be a huge step forward for humans, can make much better and lower-cost products. And we can do it in a much more environment-friendly way," said Erik Solheim, co-chair of the Europe-Asia Center and former under-secretary-general of the United Nations.

(Video reporters: Yin Xiaosheng, Jasmin Brutus, Yu Fuqing, Yang Yiran, Yao Bing, Ahmed Shafiq, Adel Ahmed, Hua Hongli, Nurdin Pallangyo, Xie Zhao; Video editors: Zheng Xin, Hui Peipei, Roger Lott, Liu Ruoshi) 
Li Deren (1st R), an academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) from Wuhan University, and his wife (2nd R), pose for a group photo with Xue Qikun (1st L), an academician of the CAS from Tsinghua University, and his wife at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) was held here on Monday. Li Deren and Xue Qikun won the national top sci-tech award for the year 2023. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Photogrammetry and remote sensing expert Li Deren and condensed matter physicist Xue Qikun were presented with China's top sci-tech award for the year 2023 on Monday.

They were awarded at a meeting combining the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), which was held in Beijing to honor the distinguished scientists and research achievements.

Li, born in 1939, is an academician at both the CAS and the CAE. He has dedicated his career to advancing China's capabilities in surveying and remote sensing for Earth observation.

Li, also a professor at Wuhan University, is celebrated for his expertise in core technologies of high-precision global positioning and mapping via satellite remote sensing.

He solved the high-precision processing problems of remote sensing satellite images, and has led his team to develop a fully automatic high-precision airborne and ground measurement system, making outstanding contributions to the building of China's high-precision and high-resolution Earth observation system.

Li noted that the award represents the country's recognition of both him and his peers working in the field of remote sensing.

"My fellow colleagues engaged in this field are all very happy. For the younger generation of scientists, I hope they will continue to advance China's capabilities in sky, land and sea remote sensing, Earth observation, and deep space exploration, thereby making greater contributions to the world," Li said.

"I will learn throughout my life and contribute to my country and my people," the veteran scientist added.

Born in 1963, Xue, a CAS academician and a professor at Tsinghua University, is a distinguished scientist of condensed matter physics, who has achieved multiple scientific breakthroughs.

His team conducted the first experimental observation of the quantum anomalous Hall effect in 2012 and later published their findings in the journal Science, which was called by Nobel laureate Yang Chen-ning "the first physics paper of Nobel Prize level published by a Chinese lab."

They also discovered interface-enhanced high-temperature superconductivity in the heterostructure system, which opened up a new direction of research in the field of high-temperature superconductivity.

"We are in the golden age of scientific research. As the country has created such good conditions for us to carry out our work, we should cherish it and strive to achieve more breakthroughs," Xue said.

At the Monday meeting, research on the computational prediction of topological electronic materials and 48 other achievements were honored with the State Natural Science Award.

Dozens of projects received the State Technological Invention Award. More than 100 projects, including the Fuxing high-speed train project, received the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award.

A total of 10 foreign experts won the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award. 

Li Deren, an academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) from Wuhan University, who won the national top sci-tech award for the year 2023, speaks on behalf of all the national science and technology award recipients at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) was held here on Monday. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

Xue Qikun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) from Tsinghua University, who won the national top sci-tech award for the year 2023, speaks on behalf of all the national science and technology award recipients at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) was held here on Monday. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

Li Deren (L), an academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) from Wuhan University, and Xue Qikun, an academician of the CAS from Tsinghua University, communicate at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) was held here on Monday. Li Deren and Xue Qikun won the national top sci-tech award for the year 2023. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
Xue Qikun (front L) discusses with students at a laboratory in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2017. Xue won China's top sci-tech award for the year 2023 Monday. (Photo by Shi Jiadong/Xinhua)

BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Xue Qikun, a top-tier physicist in China, has earned the moniker "7-11 Professor" from his colleagues due to his rigorous work schedule, starting his day in the lab at 7 a.m. and not leaving until 11 p.m.

His groundbreaking work in uncovering the quantum anomalous Hall effect, a pivotal discovery with the promise to revolutionize the development of next-generation electronic devices, has earned him the prestigious 2024 Oliver E. Buckley Prize, and China's top sci-tech award for year 2023.

Xue's team and a counterpart from Stanford University published their landmark finding in 2013, which Yang Chen-ning, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics, called "the first physics paper of Nobel Prize level published by a Chinese lab."

Xue is part of the over six million full-time equivalent researchers and developers in China, which constitutes the largest R&D workforce globally, according to a survey published last December.

China is firmly on the fast track to take a leading role in basic science researches, and it is embracing more global collaborations as well.

The country gained its scientific prowess almost in one generation. The Nature Index, an esteemed indicator for national sci-tech strength, showed that seven out of the ten leading institutions in 2024 are based in China. In 2015, the first year the rankings were published, the Chinese Academy of Sciences was the only Chinese institution in the top ten.

The progress indicates "how the capacity of Chinese research institutions to produce high-quality science is moving from strength to strength," wrote the journal Nature's editorial.

It comes as a result of the country's strategic endeavors to bolster a forward-looking, strategic, and systematic framework for the advancement of fundamental research. Particularly, large-scale scientific installations and grand scientific projects are the pivotal drivers that China employs to advance the frontiers of science.

On the western outskirts of Beijing, a marvel of modern science unfolds: A sophisticated accelerator complex, spanning an impressive 57,500 square meters, is operating at its full capacity to probe the depths of the cosmos at a microscopic level.

Utilizing this experimental facility, Beijing Electron Positron Collider (BEPC), an international consortium hailing from 16 countries in 80 institutions has identified a glueball-like particle, a remarkable finding that could deepen our understanding on the enigmatic frontier of fundamental physics and shed new light on the very fabric of the universe.

Located in the northern suburbs of Beijing, the High Energy Photon Source (HEPS) is poised to emit its first beam of light, a trillion times brighter than the sun, by the end of the year, becoming one of the brightest fourth-generation synchrotron radiation facilities worldwide.

The new facility, a successor to the BEPC and another one in Shanghai, is designed to unleash X-rays that can pierce through the molecular and atomic lattices to illuminate the most minute and complex structures within a diverse array of samples.

HEPS is set to emerge as "a pivotal platform for fostering international scientific collaboration and advancing fundamental scientific research," according its developer, the CAS.

In the southern Chinese city of Jiangmen, an underground neutrino observatory (JUNO) is being constructed with the aim of becoming operational this year. It is dedicated to unraveling one of the most profound mysteries in physics: identifying which type of neutrino, an elementary particle of the universe, possesses the greatest mass.

At JUNO's 23rd international collaboration meeting in February, attendees included an assembly of scientists from Germany, France, Italy, Russia and Belgium. The symposium was also followed by a three-day training workshop, tailored for users of distributed computing systems.

China's impressive array of major scientific infrastructure also includes FAST, the world's largest single-dish radio telescope; LHAASO, a cosmic ray observatory; LAMOST, a versatile sky survey telescope; EAST, an experiment known as the "Chinese artificial sun;" EarthLab, a simulator of our planet; and SECUF, a lab that specializes in creating experimental environments ranging from extreme coldness to intense magnetic fields and high pressures.

All these state-of-the-art facilities are open to international scientists, reflecting the nation's pledge to enhance the accessibility of its sci-tech initiatives to the global community.

China ranked the second-largest nation, following the United States, in taking part in international cooperation, according to the Nature Index.

On Saturday, China 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.

"We are living in the golden era of scientific research," said Xue. "We are committed to achieving more groundbreaking 'zero to one' innovations." 
Nine people, including seven law enforcement officers, were killed and 25 others injured in shootings in southern Russia's Republic of Dagestan on Sunday, RIA Novosti reported, citing the muftiate of the republic.
BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday underscored the importance of sci-tech modernization and innovation in pursuing Chinese modernization and high-quality development.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presented China's top sci-tech award and made the remarks at a meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE).

Xi presented medals and certificates for the country's top sci-tech award to Li Deren, an academician of CAS and CAE from Wuhan University, and Xue Qikun, an academician of CAS from Tsinghua University. He then shook hands with the two scientists and extended his congratulations.

Xi and other Party and state leaders, together with the two winners of the top sci-tech award, presented certificates to other award recipients. 
Laman Ismayilova

Russian House in Baku has hosted a concert dedicated to the 83rd anniversary of the start of the Great Patriotic War, Azernews reports.

The event was co-organised by the Baku Music Academy and the Russian House in Baku.

At the opening, Bishop Alexy of Baku and Azerbaijan addressed the assembled public with a welcoming speech.

The presenter and curator of the event, Doctor of Philosophy in Art History, senior lecturer at Baku Music Academy Alena Inyakina, shared with the audience information about the most important battles of the Great Patriotic War, about the contribution of the Azerbaijani people to the common victory over fascism.

In the Great Patriotic War, every fifth resident of Azerbaijan fought with weapons in their hands: with a population of 3.4 million people (1941), about 700 thousand people went to the front, and about half did not return.

The 77th, 223rd, 271st, 402nd, and 416th national Azerbaijani divisions, 87 fighter battalions, and 1124 self-defence units were formed on the territory of Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan was the main supplier of oil and petroleum products to the front - more than 80 percent of gasoline and 90 percent of motor oilsso it was necessary for the front.

There were many military hospitals in Azerbaijan, refugees from other cities of the USSR. More than 130 types of weapons and ammunition were produced on the territory of the republic, including the legendary Katyushas and Yak-3 fighters.

For military services to the Motherland, over 400 thousand soldiers from Azerbaijan were awarded orders and medals, of which about 130 were awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

The author of the project idea, composer Farhad Alakbarov, presented a new song dedicated to the feat of the 77th division, performed by Anna Inyakina on the piano. Ayten Karadag provided information about the history of the heroic 77th Division.

Choir of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, under the direction of the Honoured Worker of the United Choir Movement Kristina Afandiyeva, soloists of the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre Nariman Aliyev and Ruslan Persan, soloist of the State Academic Musical Theater Yulia Heydarova, artist of the State Choir Chapel Farhad Alakbarov, as well as Alena Inyakina, Aminat Ahmadova, Inara Azimova, Nadezhda Sementina, Tofiq Zeynalov and Siruz Asgarov, and young talent Varvara Sementina, performed patriotic songs and poems about the war.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az.
JOHANNESBURG, June 24 (Xinhua) -- At least ten people died while 24 were left seriously injured in a collision involving a truck and a minibus taxi early Monday morning in Mpumalanga, a province in eastern South Africa.

Mpumalanga Community Safety Department Spokesperson Moeti Mmusi said eight people who died were occupants of the minibus taxi, while two who perished were from the truck. Those who sustained injuries were admitted to nearby hospitals.

The accident occurred on the R42 road near Delmas in Mpumalanga as the minibus taxi was traveling toward Emalahleni in the province, while the truck was heading to Bronkhorstspruit in Gauteng Province.

"It is not known at this stage what caused the crash. The investigation is underway," said the spokesperson.

According to him, there is no indication that the death toll will rise. 
Foreign journalists visit the Xinjiang Islamic Institute in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 21, 2024. Journalists from 16 countries on Sunday concluded a trip to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where they gained first-hand knowledge about the region's development and cultural protection.

The trip, which started on June 15, took the journalists to Xinjiang's regional capital city Urumqi, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture and Aksu Prefecture. (Xinhua/Gu Yu)

URUMQI, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Journalists from 16 countries on Sunday concluded a trip to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where they gained first-hand knowledge about the region's development and cultural protection.

The trip, which started on June 15, took the journalists to Xinjiang's regional capital city Urumqi, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture and Aksu Prefecture.

The journalists said they were impressed by Xinjiang's social stability, robust economic growth and well-protected culture, which defy the negative portrayal of Xinjiang by some Western media.

"The high-rise buildings, bustling streets and busy traffic in Xinjiang cities impressed me very much," said Mustafina Almira, editor-in-chief of the Angren Truth newspaper from Uzbekistan.

"The development here is very rapid ... and everyone is working hard to create a better life," said Almira, who spotted goods from her hometown in a shopping mall in the city of Horgos on the China-Kazakhstan border.

"In recent years, trade between us has become closer through the China-Europe freight trains and other ways, and I think Xinjiang's economy has a good future," said Levaz Didberashvili from Georgia, who works for the Rustavi 2 TV channel.

Xinjiang cotton is one focus of many international media outlets. In Aksu, the journalists visited the homes of cotton farmers and production lines of textile enterprises.

"In the West, what we have been reading about is the alleged forced labor and suppression of Uygur culture. What we see here is completely different," said Nathalie Benelli from Switzerland, the founder of the independent media "neue presse."

"In Xinjiang, I have seen people of different cultures, ethnic groups and religions living together in harmony," said Adirek Pipatpatama from Thailand, chief senior reporter of the journal Bangkok Wealth&Biz.

Pipatpatama noted their visit to the Qapqal News, a newspaper published in the Xibe language, while praising the support given to this newspaper. "This is a true reflection of the importance Xinjiang attaches to protecting the traditional culture of local ethnic groups," he said.

The nine-day trip also brought the journalists to religious sites including the Xinjiang Islamic Institute in Urumqi, the Shaanxi Mosque in the city of Yining, and the Kizil Caves in Aksu, where they conversed with religious figures and believers.

Their visit to the Shaanxi Mosque coincided with the Corban Festival. Faisal Said Mohammed Masood Saadi, journalist with the View newspaper in Oman, joined more than 1,300 local Muslims for a holiday prayer.

"I can feel the Chinese government's support for the Muslims and ethnic minority people, and the local mosques are well-preserved and well-equipped, which is completely different from some misleading reports I've read," he said.

At the end of their Xinjiang trip, many of the journalists agreed that it is important to look beyond the media stereotypes to see the real Xinjiang.

"Mainstream Western media often report Chinese news with some bias, so I used to imagine that Xinjiang was poor and backward, but only after I came here did I realize that the actual situation was quite different," said Torbjorn Sassersson, editor-in-chief of Sweden-based media outlet News Voice.

"I first met Xinjiang in some negative reports in the Western media. But through this trip, the allegations and lies in many reports are self-defeating," said Aidan Jonah, editor-in-chief of The Canada Files. "I've always believed that seeing is believing." 

Foreign journalists visit the Qapqal News, a newspaper published in the Xibe language, in Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County of Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 17, 2024. Journalists from 16 countries on Sunday concluded a trip to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where they gained first-hand knowledge about the region's development and cultural protection.

The trip, which started on June 15, took the journalists to Xinjiang's regional capital city Urumqi, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture and Aksu Prefecture. (Xinhua/Gu Yu)

Foreign journalists visit the China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center in Horgos, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 16, 2024. Journalists from 16 countries on Sunday concluded a trip to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where they gained first-hand knowledge about the region's development and cultural protection.

The trip, which started on June 15, took the journalists to Xinjiang's regional capital city Urumqi, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture and Aksu Prefecture. (Xinhua/Gu Yu)

Foreign journalists visit the Shaanxi Mosque in the city of Yining, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 17, 2024. Journalists from 16 countries on Sunday concluded a trip to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where they gained first-hand knowledge about the region's development and cultural protection.

The trip, which started on June 15, took the journalists to Xinjiang's regional capital city Urumqi, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture and Aksu Prefecture. (Xinhua/Gu Yu)
VLADIVOSTOK, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Warships of Russia's Pacific Fleet have carried out artillery firing targeting aerial and maritime targets as part of bilateral tactical drills involving fleet force groupings in the Sea of Japan and Okhotsk, local media reported on Monday.

"The warships of the Pacific Fleet, after deployment in designated areas of the Sea of Japan and Okhotsk, began performing combat exercises as part of a bilateral exercise of Pacific Fleet groupings," TASS News Agency quoted the fleet's press office as saying.

The press office added that the ship groups engaged in a naval battle with a mock enemy, conducting artillery fire against surface and aerial targets. Anti-aircraft missile systems were also employed to neutralize airborne threats.

Prior to the combat exercises, Ka-27PS deck helicopters from the tactical groups of the Primorsk flotilla carried out reconnaissance and enemy search operations at sea. Sailors practiced camouflage techniques using smoke screens to defend against simulated unmanned enemy boats.

The bilateral tactical drills of the Pacific Fleet force groupings run from June 18 to June 28 across the waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan, and the Sea of Okhotsk under the overall command of Admiral Viktor Liina, commander of the Pacific Fleet. 
TEHRAN, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Bahrain have agreed to start talks on the resumption of bilateral political relations following an eight-year diplomatic freeze, the two countries announced in a joint statement.

Iran's Caretaker Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani met in the Iranian capital Tehran on Sunday within the framework of the two countries' historical and brotherly relations, religious and neighborly bonds, shared history and mutual interests, according to the joint statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website early Monday.

"In this meeting, the two sides agreed on the creation of the necessary mechanisms for starting bilateral talks on how to resume relations between their countries," the statement said.

The meeting was held as the Bahraini minister is on a visit to Tehran at the invitation of the Iranian caretaker foreign minister to attend the 19th Meeting of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Ministerial Meeting on Monday, according to the joint statement.

In 2016, Bahrain severed diplomatic relations with Iran following Saudi Arabia's decision to cut ties with Tehran. The move came in response to attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran, which occurred after the execution of a Shiite cleric by Saudi Arabia.

In March 2023, Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a groundbreaking agreement in China to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies and missions. The two countries formally declared in April of last year the resumption of diplomatic relations with immediate effect. 
A group of 17 journalists from 16 countries concluded a trip to northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Sunday. They gained first-hand knowledge about Xinjiang via the trip. #GLOBALink
Journalists report and take photos at the cargo building of Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, on June 24, 2024. Lebanese officials on Monday organized a tour for diplomats and media outlets to inspect the Beirut airport, a day after a British newspaper claimed that Hezbollah was storing weapons at the facility, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.(Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

BEIRUT, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese officials on Monday organized a tour for diplomats and media outlets to inspect the Beirut airport, a day after a British newspaper claimed that Hezbollah was storing weapons at the facility, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.

An article released on Sunday by the British Telegraph newspaper quoted "whistleblowers" as saying that "Hezbollah is storing huge quantities of Iranian weapons, missiles, and explosives in Beirut's main civilian airport."

Officials, including Lebanese Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamieh, Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, and Information Minister Ziad Makary, toured the cargo and customs buildings at the airport along with ambassadors and journalists.

"The airport is a public facility that concerns all Lebanese, and it is the image of Lebanon," Makary said, adding the departure and arrival activities at the airport were not affected by the Telegraph's article.

At a press conference held after the tour, Hamieh said the ambassadors checked all the security measures taken there, and "the Telegraph newspaper's report is a distortion of the reputation of the Beirut Airport, and we will file a legal lawsuit against it."

Israel has previously accused Hezbollah of storing weapons at different sites near the airport. Hezbollah denied these accusations.

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. 
BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson stated on Monday that no country, organization, or individual should think they can cross the red line on the Taiwan question without facing consequences.

On June 21, the Chinese foreign ministry announced its decision to take countermeasures against U.S. arms dealer Lockheed Martin Corp. and its executives.

In response to a related query during a daily press briefing, spokesperson Mao Ning said the U.S. arms sales to Taiwan have seriously violated the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, meddled in China's internal affairs, and undermined China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. She added that China has taken countermeasures against the relevant company and its executives involved in the arms sales in accordance with the law.

Mao emphasized that the Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests and the first red line that cannot be crossed.

"No country, organization or individual should underestimate the strong determination, firm will and strong ability of the Chinese government and the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and should not dream of crossing the red line on the Taiwan question without paying a price," Mao said. 
JOHANNESBURG, June 24 (Xinhua) -- The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on Monday urged African countries to abandon colonial education systems and adopt curricula that promote economic growth.

Fortune Charumbira, president of the PAP, the legislative body of the African Union (AU), made the remarks in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the third ordinary session of the PAP's Sixth Parliament. About 250 members of parliament from African countries will discuss African issues from June 24 to July 5.

"Africa is indeed politically 'independent,' but I believe we still need to decolonize our education systems and focus on heritage-based education that supports the economic development of Africa," said Charumbira.

"Africa must take concrete steps in decolonizing education, making sure that heritage-based education is accessible to every child and developing academic curricula which are relevant and spur economic growth, sustainable development, and prosperity in Africa," he said.

Marie-Antoinette Rose Quatre, chief executive of AU's African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) continental secretariat, said that by 2050, Africa's population would exceed 2.3 billion, comprising mostly youth who need quality education.

"There are necessary efforts we need to carry out to make sure that they get educated, trained, and acquire skills to not only create decent living conditions and foster economic growth but to shape the future of our continent in a brand-new way. It is our common responsibility," she said.

Some of the issues to be discussed during the session include the state of education in Africa, the African Continental Free Trade Area, peace and security. 
BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- The Supreme People's Court (SPC) on Monday issued an updated judicial explanation on anti-monopoly civil litigation to maintain fair competition and order in the market and uphold judicial justice and efficiency.

The judicial interpretation consists of 51 articles, making provisions for matters such as anti-monopoly civil litigation procedures, monopoly agreements, abuse of market dominance and civil liabilities for monopolistic behaviors.

The judicial interpretation adapts to new forms of business and new challenges of international competition and makes updates based on experience and theoretical research, said Tao Kaiyuan, vice president of the SPC.

On the same day, the SPC released five typical anti-monopoly cases that have been concluded by courts recently. The cases will serve as reference for understanding and applying the Anti-monopoly Law and the judicial interpretation.

Official data shows that Chinese courts nationwide concluded 977 anti-monopoly civil cases of first instance between 2013 and 2023.

The judicial explanation will take effect on July 1. 
BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- In the eyes of U.S. politicians, garlic, batteries, cranes, electric vehicles (EVs), or social media apps -- irrelevant stuff in ordinary people's eyes -- all share one conspicuous and suspicious trait if they come from China: they pose potential threats to U.S. national security.

In recent years, Washington deliberately stretched the concept of "national security" when dealing with China, conjuring up absurd threats and hyping them up. Scholars have named this kind of mindset "anything but China," meaning opposing everything about China.

The U.S. government is given to exaggerating external threats to safeguard the interests of special groups at home, the military-industrial complex, for example, and to seek American hegemony. This approach not only undermines the interests of the American people but also endangers global peace and development.

U.S. PARANOIA ABOUT CHINA

The United States has stepped up its rhetoric of the so-called "Chinese security threat" in recent years, with its fabrications including "the spy balloons," "China's rapid nuclear force expansion," and "China's overseas port investments."

During the 21st Shangri-la Dialogue held in Singapore in early June, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin again tried to shift focus to the "China threat," alleging China's "coercive behavior" towards the Philippines and its growing nuclear power, and space and cyber capabilities. His true intention was to incite confrontation in China's neighborhood and create an excuse for the United States to intervene in Asia-Pacific affairs.

Over the years, the United States has been clamoring "China's military threat" to intimidate and win over allies, and win budgets for the U.S. military and the interest groups behind it, with the fundamental purpose of containing China's development and maintaining its hegemony, analysts have said.

In March this year, the Biden administration announced the defense budget for fiscal year 2025, which totaled 849.8 billion U.S. dollars, another record high. The Air Force's budget reached 188.1 billion, surpassing that of the Army for the first time in decades. But Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall was still not satisfied, complaining at a Senate hearing in April that the appropriations were "insufficient," citing the so-called "threat of China."

U.S. politicians have also been picking on China's renewable energy and infrastructure sectors, accusing operating systems in Chinese EVs of transmitting sensitive information to the Chinese government and taking this as a justification to ban them. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo claimed in March that China could access data about location or personal messages transmitted through Chinese-made cars, saying the United States would only allow Chinese electric cars to drive on U.S. roads if "there were enough government controls on software and sensors."

Meanwhile, although the American Association of Port Authorities stated in March 2023 that there is no evidence of Chinese-manufactured cranes being used as espionage tools and that modern cranes "can't track the origin, destination, or nature" of cargo shipped in U.S. ports, the U.S. government still decided to replace Chinese-manufactured cranes at ports nationwide.

With similar paranoia and without any evidence, the U.S. government has also accused TikTok, a social media platform owned by Chinese internet company ByteDance, of undermining national security and democratic values. However, in a humorous twist, both U.S. presidential candidates are now wooing voters on the app they had pushed to ban.

Even garlic imported from China was turned into ingredients for concocting "China threat." In December last year, U.S. Senator Rick Scott claimed that the garlic from China uses human waste as fertilizer, and poses security risks to the United State.

"America's collective national body is suffering from a chronic case of China anxiety," Rory Truex, an associate professor of politics and international affairs at Princeton University, wrote in a New York Times op-ed. "Nearly anything with the word 'Chinese' in front of it now triggers a fear response in our political system, muddling our ability to properly gauge and contextualize threats."

Max Boot, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, also pointed out the U.S. Congress' "hysteria and alarmism" on China. "When the two parties agree on an issue, that doesn't necessarily mean they are right. It could mean they are falling prey to a collective delusion," he said.

"SCARE THE HELL OUT OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE"

Fabricating threats has been a significant component of U.S. foreign strategies since World War II and China is not the only target. The U.S. government has frequently employed the tactic of concocting threats as a means to justify its decisions and mobilize public support for military intervention.

This approach involves the deliberate exaggeration and manipulation of perceived dangers posed by foreign entities or ideologies.

In February 1947, Britain, when facing economic difficulties, informed the United States that it could no longer aid Greece and Turkiye economically. To counter what was termed the "spread of communism," the U.S. government decided to seek congressional approval for a support bill for the two countries.

Arthur Vandenberg, then chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, advised Former U.S. President Harry S. Truman that the best way to ensure the bill's passage was through a public speech designed to "scare the hell out of the American people."

This speech is often seen as a precursor to Cold War rhetoric, successfully galvanizing public support for the aid bill.

In April 1950, the White House National Security Council formulated a seminal document outlining strategic guidance towards the Soviet Union known as NSC-68. The report propagated the notion of a Soviet threat to the "free world," advocating for significant increases in military spending and recommending a military response to "Soviet aggression."

Today, many American scholars argue that this report deliberately exaggerated the threat. "Qualification must give way to simplicity of statement, nicety and nuance to bluntness, almost brutality, in carrying home a point," then U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson said.

WHO BENEFITS

"One of the biggest challenges I've ever faced was when the Cold War ended ... We lost our best enemy at that time," Colin Powell, U.S. secretary of state from 2001 to 2005, recalled in 2012. "Our whole structure depended on there being a Soviet Union that might attack us, and it was gone."

Today's "pacing threat," as the Pentagon calls it, is China, a country with a far larger population, a far more robust economy, and a far more developed technical sector than the Soviet Union ever had, said William Hartung, a senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.

"For Pentagon contractors, Washington's ever-more intense focus on the prospect of war with China has one overriding benefit: it's fabulous for business. The threat of China's military, real or imagined, continues to be used to justify significant increases in military spending," said Hartung.

Fabricating external threats has enriched a small number of groups in the United States, but the ultimate victims are not only countries like Iraq that suffer from U.S. aggression and interference but also the American people.

"One of the main dangers to U.S. security is our tendency to greatly exaggerate the threats we face," said Stephen Walt, professor of international affairs at Harvard Kennedy School, in an interview with Yale Journal of International Affairs.

"We seem to live in a remarkable state of paranoia. At a minimum, exaggerating threats in this fashion leads us to waste resources; at a maximum, it leads to great follies like the 2003 invasion of Iraq," he said. 
Laman Ismayilova

Leading soloist of the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, Honoured Artist Inara Babayeva, has delivered a fantastic solo concert at the National Art Museum, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the event, Inara Babayeva noted that the works of English composers included in the program will be performed in Azerbaijan for the first time.

In the concert program entitled "Time to listen to music", Inara Babayeva performed heart-touching music pieces.

Her performance was accompanied by Honoured Artists Zulfia Sadigova (piano), Ayyub Aliyev (cello), and Nurlan Ganjili (oboe).

Many public and cultural figures attended the concert. They greeted the musical numbers with great interest.

In conclusion, Inara Babayeva expressed her gratitude to the National Art Museum for organising the concert, adding that similar concert programs will be presented in the new season.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az.
MOSCOW, June 24 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from Sunday's attacks in southern Russia's Republic of Dagestan has risen to 20, the region's health minister said on Monday.

"As a result of the terrorist attack in the cities of Makhachkala and Derbent on June 23, 46 people were injured," Tatyana Belyaeva said on social media, adding that 20 people had been killed, including law enforcement officers and civilians.

The shootings occurred on Sunday at two orthodox churches, a synagogue and a traffic police post in the coastal city of Derbent and Dagestan's capital city of Makhachkala, with previous reports indicating that 15 people had been killed and dozens injured.

Monday to Wednesday were declared as days of mourning for the victims of the attacks. 
JAKARTA, June 24 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian government has allocated 71 trillion rupiah (approximately 4.33 billion U.S. dollars) for the free school lunch program in the 2025 state budget, as announced by Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati at a press conference on Monday.

This figure is below the initial estimate of up to 120 trillion rupiah (around 7.32 billion dollars).

The program, championed by president-elect Prabowo Subianto during his campaign before the February 2024 presidential election, will be available to students.

"The president-elect has agreed to implement this program in stages, and the allocation for the first year is approximately 71 trillion rupiah," Indrawati stated.

Thomas Djiwandono, a member of Prabowo's Synchronization Task Force, which is designed to coordinate the transition between the incoming and outgoing governments, has assured that this initiative will not strain the state's finances, given that the authorities have established a fiscal deficit goal of 2.29 to 2.82 percent of the gross domestic product.

Prabowo Subianto is set to take office in October 2024, succeeding President Joko Widodo, who has served the archipelago for two terms, totaling 10 years. 
AMMAN, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Monday warned against the dangers of Israel's "unilateral and illegal" actions in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

Jordan's Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Majed Qatarneh made the remarks in a meeting in Amman with the chairman and members of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories.

The official stressed the necessity for Israel to comply with international law, stop the offensive on the Gaza Strip, and ensure the entry of sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid to the territory, whose people have been experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe since last October, according to a statement by the ministry.

Chairman of the committee Mohan Peiris as well as the committee members expressed their appreciation for Jordan's efforts to stop the conflict and ensure the protection of civilians.

They highlighted Jordan's role in delivering humanitarian aid to the strip, confirming that these efforts reflect Jordan's commitment to defending the rights of the Palestinian people and supporting their just cause. 
KIGALI, June 24 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and 37 others injured in a stampede at a political rally Sunday in western Rwanda, the government has said.

The stampede occurred when people tried to exit from a venue where President Paul Kagame, the candidate for the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front, addressed supporters in Gisa, Rubavu District, Western Province, said the Ministry of Local Government in a statement Sunday.

"A team of health workers at the site did their best to care for the injured but unfortunately one person died and 37 were injured," the statement said.

Many of the injured were taken to nearby Gisenyi Hospital, but four critically injured ones were transferred to the main hospital in the capital, Kigali.

The ministry urged candidates' supporters to always abide by stipulated guidelines to ensure safety for all.

Campaigning started Saturday in Rwanda ahead of the July 15 presidential and legislative elections, with about 9.5 million Rwandans eligible to vote.

Kagame is in the race with two others: Frank Habineza of the opposition Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and Philippe Mpayimana, an independent candidate. 
Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Beijing on Monday, expressing China's readiness to enhance the alignment of development strategies with Poland.

Li said that since the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Poland in 2016, exchanges and cooperation in various fields have achieved leapfrog development, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples.

China is willing to work with Poland to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, further carry forward traditional friendship, enhance political mutual trust, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and push for greater development of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, Li said.

He said China stands ready to strengthen the docking of development strategies with Poland, take high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as the guide to promote the upgrading of economic and trade cooperation, foster optimized and balanced development of bilateral trade, achieve more efficient and smooth connectivity, expand cooperation in emerging fields like new energy, digital economy and artificial intelligence, and achieve mutual benefits and win-win results.

China welcomes more quality Polish products to enter the Chinese market and hopes that Poland will provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises, Li said, adding that the two sides should strengthen people-to-people exchanges and cooperation on youth and education and continue to enhance mutual understanding and friendship.

It is hoped that the European Union will view China's development in an objective and rational way, honor its commitment to support free trade, create a fair and non-discriminatory market environment for China-EU economic and trade cooperation, and promote the steady and healthy development of China-EU relations, he added.

Duda said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 75 years ago, Poland and China have always adhered to mutual respect, and bilateral relations have withstood the test of changing international situation and maintained a strong momentum of development.

Poland attaches great importance to relations with China, firmly abides by the one-China principle and supports the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative, Duda said, adding that Poland is willing to provide an equal and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises and work with China to strengthen exchanges and cooperation on economy, trade and culture to push bilateral relations to a new level.

He said Poland supports the development of EU-China relations and is willing to play a positive role in strengthening EU-China cooperation. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)
BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce on Monday expressed strong opposition to a rule proposed by the U.S. Treasury Department last Friday, which aims to restrict U.S. investment in China.

The United States should respect the laws of the market economy and the principle of fair competition, and stop politicizing and weaponizing economic and trade issues, the ministry's spokesperson said.

While repeatedly emphasizing that it has no intention of "decoupling" from China or obstructing the country's economic development, the U.S. side has insisted on issuing the proposed rule that restricts U.S. companies from investing in China and suppresses the normal development of Chinese industries, the spokesperson said.

Describing the move as typical generalization of the national security concept, the spokesperson said it contradicts the important consensus reached by the two heads of state in San Francisco, affects normal economic and trade cooperation between Chinese and U.S. enterprises, disrupts the international economic and trade order, and disturbs the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.

The spokesperson noted that China reserves the right to take corresponding measures.

The U.S. side should lift restrictions affecting investment in China to create a favorable environment for China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, the spokesperson said. 
MANILA, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Three suspected rebels have been killed in clashes in Batangas province, south of Manila, the Philippine military said Monday.

In a report, the military said the fighting broke out between government forces and the members of the New People's Army (NPA) on Sunday in Tuy town.

The clashes resulted in the killing of the three rebels and the recovery of firearms and explosives.

NPA rebels have been fighting against the government troops since 1969. Despite the decreasing fighters, NPA rebels concentrate their attacks on rural areas and have skirmishes with the military. 
BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- China urges the Philippines to stop infringing on China's rights and making provocations, and stop misleading the world on maritime disputes, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks when asked to comment on the recent incidents that happened between the vessels of China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, as well as on remarks made by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Noting the merits of the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines are very clear, Mao said that the Chinese side has spoken on what actually happened and what its position is many times.

"The Philippines, if it would truly act in accordance with international law, should first and foremost observe the treaties that define its territory, including the 1898 Treaty of Peace between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain, and abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," said the spokesperson.

"Our message to the Philippines is very clear: stop infringing on China's rights and making provocations, and stop misleading the world," Mao said. 
BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Monday raised emergency responses to flooding to Level III in the eastern provinces of Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi, following the decision by the national observatory to issue a red alert for rainstorms earlier in the day.

China has a four-tier flood-control emergency response system, with Level I being the most urgent response, and a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.

One more work team will be sent to Zhejiang to assist in local flood prevention efforts, the headquarters said.

Work teams dispatched to Anhui and Jiangxi will continue their work there, according to the headquarters.

China's National Meteorological Center on Monday morning renewed a red alert for rainstorms as heavy rainfall is expected in several regions of the country.

From Monday to Sunday, continuous heavy rainfall is expected to lash parts of the regions south of the Yangtze River, the Jianghan Plain, and regions along the Yangtze River and Huaihe River. Notably, the main stream of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River will experience a significant rise in water level, according to the national observatory. 
SUVA, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of the Pacific and security community gathered in Suva on Monday for the inaugural Pacific Regional National Security Conference (PRNSC) to address the region's pressing security challenges.

Held at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFs), the conference seeks to map out the current and future regional security threats, and support the implementation of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.

At the opening ceremony, Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka highlighted the Ocean of Peace concept, saying that as custodians of the ocean, it is befitting that the Pacific welcomes the proposal to adopt a number of high-level principles to guide efforts to realize this ambition and embed peace as a cornerstone of future policies and strategies.

During the three-day conference, representatives will discuss important security issues such as transnational crime, geopolitics, human security, and climate change, which top the meeting agenda.

The conference is facilitated by the Pacific Security College in partnership with ten regional organizations. 
Laman Ismayilova

Landmark Baku has hosted a presentation of Nini Karseladze's cultural and educational project "Our Caucasus" as part of the Baku International Piano Festival, Azernews reports.

The anthems of Azerbaijan and Georgia were played at the opening of the evening.

The project author, Nini Karseladze, for whom Baku became her second hometown after Tbilisi, said that the goal of the "Our Caucasus" project is to build a cultural bridge between the countries of the South Caucasus and promote Caucasian traditions throughout the world.

Azerbaijan's cultural figures have already become guests of the project, including the well-known sculptor, People's Artist Omar Eldarov, Secretary of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union, People's Writer Chingiz Abdullayev, pianist and composer, rector of the Azerbaijan National Conservatory, People's Artist Siyavush Karimi, TV presenter, historian, and tour guide Fuad Akhundov.

Among the guests were Advisor to the Georgian Ambassador to Azerbaijan David Chikvaidze, writer Chingiz Abdullayev, director of the Maksud Ibrahimbayov Creativity Centre Anna Ibrahimbayova, founder and director of the Baku International Piano Festival, laureate of international competitions, jazzman and pianist, Honoured Artist Shahin Novrasli, Vice-President of the National Olympic Committee, champion freestyle wrestling world champion Khazar Isaev, laureate of international competitions, violinist Lala Mukhtarova, writer Natella Osmanli, poetess Ulviyya Akhundova, Ph.D. in Art History Narmina Aghasi, representatives of culture and the public, diplomatic missions.

The speakers stressed the importance of implementing the "Our Caucasus" project and holding the Baku Piano Festival to promote high human values, cultures, and traditions among people.

In the evening, Azerbaijani and Georgian compositions were performed by Zaza Tsereteli and Shahin Ismayilov, solo and in duet with Nini Karseladze.

The highlight of the evening was the performance of Georgian pianist and composer Iya Maisuradze, a participant in the Baku Piano Festival. The musician performed Georgian compositions and even accompanied Nini Karseladze.

The Baku International Piano Festival is not only about the magical performances of virtuosos on the piano and keyboard instruments, it is, first of all, a luxurious atmosphere that will inspire and enchant the most discerning music lovers and give vivid emotions.

The founder and director of the Baku Piano Festival is a laureate of international competitions, a jazzman and pianist, and the Honoured Artist of Azerbaijan, Shahin Novrasli.

Festival motto: May piano inspire you!

Hashtags: #bakupianofest #bakupianofestival

Detailed festival program on the website available at: https://bakupianofestival.com/

Tickets are available at: https://iticket.az/ru/events/3rd-baku-international-piano-festival

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az.
UNITED NATIONS, June 24 (Xinhua) -- A staggering 113 countries worldwide have never had a woman serve as head of state or government, and only 26 countries are led by women as of today, according to UN Women's global data on Women Political Leaders 2024 published on Monday.

Despite progress, women are still "largely excluded" from positions of power and diplomacy, with the highest levels of influence and decision-making predominantly occupied by men, UN Women said in a press release about the data.

Globally, women's underrepresentation in decision-making remains "a stark reality," according to the release. UN Women's new data on gender parity across leadership positions is published as the world commemorates the International Day for Women in Diplomacy on June 24, created to recognize and celebrate how women are breaking barriers and making a difference in diplomacy.

As of Jan. 1, 2024, only 23 percent of ministerial positions are held by women and in 141 countries women make up less than a third of cabinet ministers. Seven countries have no women represented in their cabinets at all.

Male dominance in diplomacy and foreign affairs extends to the permanent missions to the UN, where women remain underrepresented as permanent representatives. As of May 2024, women held 25 percent of permanent representative posts in New York, 35 percent in Geneva, and 33.5 percent in Vienna.

"Our work is guided by the belief that when women lead, the world is better for all people and the planet. As many countries head to the polls this year, we all must put women first, at the pinnacle of power, where and when it matters the most. Women's equal participation in governance and leadership is key to improving lives for all," said UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous.

Electing and appointing women in leadership positions "signals strong political will for gender equality" and demonstrates a collective commitment to tackling the challenges the world faces today, said the release.

"As we prepare to mark 30 years since the passage of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the world's most progressive blueprint for advancing women's rights, UN Women continues to work to ensure women lead and thrive in shaping and driving positive change, including through occupying the most senior positions of power," it added.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. 
"We see that the technology is very good, reliability is good, the battery capacity of the cars is good." Dutch auto dealer Gomes, who introduced Voyah, a Chinese luxury electric auto brand, into the Netherlands, has been optimistic about the market prospect of Voyah in the European market. #GLOBALink
HONG KONG, June 24 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Investment Cooperation (HKIC) signed here Monday a strategic cooperation agreement with BioMap, a company that offers AI models for the life sciences industry.

The agreement was signed at the inaugural International Bio-Computing Innovation Summit which was held on the same day in Hong Kong.

Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Paul Chan said at the signing ceremony that Hong Kong has solid foundation in artificial intelligence and life science, and he believed that Hong Kong should endeavor to accelerate the development of bio-computing to seize the "first mover advantage."

Chief Executive Officer of the HKIC Clara Chan said that she looked forward to the cooperation between BioMap and the HKIC in different areas to explore expanding the scope of application of BioMap's platform technology from medicine and health to green technology, industrial innovation and other fields.

The International Bio-Computing Innovation Summit brought together speakers from around the world to discuss bio-computing and future applications, including accelerating new drug discovery, improving human health, and promoting green technology innovation for global sustainable development.

The establishment of the HKIC was proposed by the HKSAR's chief executive John Lee in his policy address in 2022, with the aim to further optimize the use of fiscal reserves for promoting the development of industries and the economy. 
Rain-triggered flash floods have inundated some communities of Huangshan City in east China's Anhui Province. Local authorities have launched an emergency plan to evacuate residents. #China #floods












Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

DALIAN, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday afternoon met with Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh, who is in northeast China's city of Dalian for the upcoming 2024 Summer Davos.

Li conveyed cordial greetings from General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping to Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, and Vietnamese President To Lam.

Li noted that last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong jointly announced the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, drawing a blueprint for China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperation in the new era.

China is willing to work with Vietnam to further implement the important consensus reached between the top leaders of the two parties, and promote the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future in order to benefit the two peoples and contribute to regional peace, stability and development, Li said.

He called on the two countries to make full use of their economic complementarity, facilitate synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy, expand the scale of trade and investment, strengthen connectivity, and continue to foster new growth points for cooperation on new energy and digital economy.

China is willing to deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Vietnam in fields such as tourism, medical education and youth to consolidate public support of the China-Vietnam friendship, the premier said.

Chinh said that strengthening long-term friendly cooperation with China is a strategic choice and top priority of Vietnam's foreign policy.

The Vietnamese side firmly adheres to the one-China policy, supports China's development, and supports China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, Chinh said.

He added that Vietnam is willing to work with China to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future to achieve more fruitful results. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 17, 2024 shows Xinghai square in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 17, 2024 shows the Fujiazhuang beach in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

The Dalian International Conference Center, venue of the 2024 Summer Davos, is seen in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 16, 2024. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Zhang Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 16, 2024 shows a shipyard of Hengli Heavy Industry in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 15, 2024 shows the Jinshitan beach in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

People feed the seagulls on a tourist boat in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 16, 2024. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

The Dalian International Conference Center, venue of the 2024 Summer Davos, is seen in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 16, 2024. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Zhang Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 18, 2024 shows a scenery of Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Long Lei)

A scene at the Dalian International Conference Center, venue of the 2024 Summer Davos, is seen in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, June 22, 2024. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Zhang Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 17, 2024 shows the Laohutan scenic area in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 15, 2024 shows the Dalian International Conference Center, venue of the 2024 Summer Davos, in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 18, 2024 shows a scenery of Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Long Lei)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 18, 2024 shows the Xinghaiwan Bridge in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province. The 2024 Summer Davos meeting will be held from June 25 to 27 in northeast China's coastal city of Dalian, according to the city's coordination office for Summer Davos.

Also known as the 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, this year's forum will feature the theme "Next Frontiers for Growth." (Xinhua/Long Lei)
Xue Qikun (front L) discusses with students at a laboratory in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2017. Xue Qikun won China's top sci-tech award for the year 2023 Monday. Xue is a distinguished scientist of condensed matter physics, who has achieved multiple scientific breakthroughs. His team made the first experimental observation of the quantum anomalous Hall effect. They also discovered interface-enhanced high-temperature superconductivity in the heterostructure system, which opened up a new direction of research in the field of high-temperature superconductivity. (Photo by Shi Jiadong/Xinhua)

BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese physicist Xue Qikun, winner of the country's top sci-tech award for the year 2023 unveiled on Monday, has dedicated his entire career to fundamental research in materials physics.

Born in 1963, Xue grew up in a mountainous area in east China's Shandong Province. After studying and working in Japan and the United States for eight years, he returned to China in 1999.

While working at Tsinghua University in Beijing, Xue started to focus on the quantum anomalous Hall effect, which would contribute to the development of low-power consumption electronics if verified. However, at that point, no one had yet observed it in a laboratory setting.

Xue and his team were uncertain about the outcomes when they started the experiments. He likened it to racing on an unmarked course without any clear guidance.

His team worked tirelessly over four years. They prepared and measured over 1,000 samples, and overcame a series of scientific challenges. "Whoever makes a breakthrough first will gain an advantage in subsequent research and applications," Xue said.

One night in October 2012, Xue received a text message from his team that they had successfully observed the trace of the quantum anomalous Hall effect in the lab.

They published their findings in the journal Science in 2013. Nobel laureate Yang Chen-ning called it "the first physics paper of Nobel Prize level published by a Chinese lab." The observation achievement won him the 2024 Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Physics Prize.

"When major scientific opportunities emerge, we must seize them to strive for pioneering original achievements, thereby propelling the continuous advancement of our country's sci-tech level," Xue said.

He also seized another significant scientific opportunity in the field of high-temperature superconductivity.

After years of dedicated research, in 2012, Xue and his team made the groundbreaking discovery of interface-enhanced high-temperature superconductivity.

It reached the highest transition temperature under normal pressure since the discovery of cuprate high-temperature superconductors in 1986. This breakthrough opened up a new direction of research in the field of high-temperature superconductivity, and prompted extensive follow-up research both domestically and abroad.

"We have caught up with the golden age of scientific research. Now that the country has provided us with such excellent research conditions, we should cherish them and strive to achieve more 'zero-to-one' breakthroughs," Xue said.

Xue spends most of his time in his office or the laboratory. To learn as many advanced experimental techniques as possible, he would arrive at the laboratory almost every day at 7 a.m. and leave at 11 p.m. This routine has continued ever since he returned to China.

His unwavering perseverance profoundly influences the younger generation. He often encourages young researchers that achieving success in scientific research relies on one percent talent and 99 percent hard work.

When encountering bottlenecks in experiments, he enthusiastically cheers on his team and works together with them to find solutions. He also points out valuable research directions for them and encourages them to explore bravely.

Today, Xue continues to be at the forefront of scientific research, leading his team in tackling cutting-edge scientific challenges such as the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity, the application of high-temperature quantum anomalous Hall effect and the topological quantum states, and the realization of topological quantum computing.

Looking ahead, Xue is brimming with confidence. "China will undoubtedly make significant contributions to the next wave of the global sci-tech revolution," he said. 

Xue Qikun walks in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2017. (Photo by Yuan Jie/Xinhua)

This photo taken on June 17, 2024 shows a portrait of Xue Qikun in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Xue Qikun operates experimental device at a laboratory in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2024. (Photo by Li Zhou/Xinhua)

Xue Qikun speaks during a collective interview at Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, June 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Xue Qikun sits inside his office at Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, June 13, 2024. (Photo by Li Pai/Xinhua)

Xue Qikun stands on stairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, June 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Xue Qikun (C) communicates with students while attending a salon in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 28, 2020. (Photo by Jiang Zhiyu/Xinhua)

This is a file photo of Xue Qikun. (Xinhua)

This photo taken on June 17, 2024 shows a portrait of Xue Qikun in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

Xue Qikun (2nd L) speaks during a collective interview at Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, June 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
SEOUL, June 24 (Xinhua) -- A dozen of Chinese nationals were confirmed dead in South Korea's battery plant fire on Monday, according to the Chinese embassy in South Korea.

The embassy said in a statement that the South Korean side preliminarily confirmed that a dozen of Chinese people unfortunately died from the fire accident and it had yet to confirm the detailed death toll.

After recognizing the accident, the embassy contacted the South Korean police and the fire authorities to confirm the possible death of Chinese people while immediately launching an emergency operation system.

Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming contacted the governor of Gyeonggi province, in which the fire accident occurred, to call for the rescue and treatment of the Chinese people as much as possible.

According to the Chinese embassy, Xing will visit the site of the fire personally.

A total of 22 people were confirmed dead and eight others injured after the fire broke out at a primary battery plant in Hwaseong, some 45 km south of the capital Seoul, at about 10:31 a.m. local time (0131 GMT).

Kim Jin-young, a local fire station official, said in a televised briefing that rescue workers retrieved the bodies of the 21 missing factory workers who had failed to be reached after the fire outbreak.

The victims were believed to have failed to escape through stairs to the ground.

Ahead of the search operation inside the ill-fated plant, one worker died after having been found in cardiac arrest.

Of the total dead were 20 foreigners, the fire official said at the briefing.

Two others were seriously wounded, while six suffered minor injuries such as smoke inhalation.

One worker remained unaccounted for, but it was not clear whether the worker had been trapped inside the factory or simply not reached, according to the fire official.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the fire accident site later in the day, offering his condolences to the victims and the bereaved families, the presidential office said.

Yoon instructed the chief of the fire authorities to thoroughly determine the cause of the fire, ordering government officials to come up with comprehensive measures to early extinguish the fires, which are sparked by chemicals and hard to put out with the existing fire extinguishers or hydrants.

The president ordered the interior minister to check the safety of chemical plants and draw up measures to prevent the recurrence of similar accidents.

Firefighters struggled to extinguish the fire because of the difficulty in putting out the flame of lithium batteries.

They went inside the factory and searched the bodies after extinguishing a large blaze at about 3:10 p.m. local time (0610 GMT).

Some 35,000 lithium batteries were estimated to be stored on the second floor of the three-story reinforced concrete factory with a total floor area of 2,300 square meters or so. 
BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- China has pledged intensified efforts to protect the flyways of migratory birds, the country's National Development and Reform Commission said Monday.

China aims to place 90 percent of important habitats along bird migration routes in the country under effective protection by 2030, according to an action plan made by the commission along with other departments.

The country is home to more than 1,500 bird species, or 13 percent of the world's total, and over 800 of them are migratory. Four out of nine main flyways of bird migration on the planet pass through China.

To improve the protection of 821 important habitats along the four routes, efforts will be ratcheted up to rein in pollution, curb invasive alien species, optimize data collection, and promote harmony between humans and birds. 
CAIRO, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has suffered successive heatwaves for 10-14 days, longer than a typical duration of 4-5 days. Moreover, the southern Aswan Governorate recently recorded temperatures of over 50 degrees Celsius and reported dozens of heat-related deaths.

Egyptian experts said the recent rise in temperatures underscores the urgent need for heightened measures to combat climate change.

The surge in temperatures is also attributed to the existence of a high-pressure system, known as a "thermal dome," Mahmoud Shaheen, director general of the Forecasts and Early Warning Center at the Egyptian Meteorological Authority, told Xinhua.

Shaheen expected continued higher-than-usual temperatures throughout this summer and the upcoming seasons.

Amr Abdel-Aziz, director of the Climate Change Department at the Egyptian Ministry of Environment, linked the temperature increase in Egypt to the mounting thermal emissions and resulting global climate change.

"Egypt is making great efforts to contribute to reducing the volume of thermal emissions. However, this requires solidarity and broad international participation," he said.

Abdel-Aziz highlighted Egypt's endeavors in three steps to confront climate change and alleviate its negative impacts.

"The first is monitoring and predicting factors concerning climate change, especially temperatures, humidity, and rainfall, which affect activities in Egypt in one way or another," said the official.

The second is conducting a continuous risk assessment of climate change, focusing on the effects of increasing temperatures on sectors such as human health, agriculture, water resources, and livestock, he added, noting that the third is taking adaptive measures such as developing agricultural and animal breeds that can withstand high temperatures or changing agricultural cycles.

Abdel-Aziz also noted that an interactive map has been completed, in collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and relevant authorities, to project climate variables up to the year 2100.

Mustafa Sherbiny, an expert in sustainability and climate risk assessment, said the impacts of climate change are already evident, such as intense heatwaves, heavy rainfall, droughts, diminishing ice sheets, sea ice, and glaciers, as well as rapidly rising sea levels and ocean warming.

The expert said high temperatures are one of the primary adverse effects of climate change for Egypt, as they may lead to heat exhaustion, sunstroke, occupational injuries like burns and fainting, and worsening pre-existing conditions such as asthma, kidney disease, or heart disease in individuals.

These health impacts also carry economic ramifications, such as lower worker productivity, heightened healthcare expenses, and jeopardized financial stability for workers due to potential job loss, according to Sherbiny.

"The negative effects of extreme heat on health can be predicted and largely prevented through following policies and implementing specific and multiple interventions, which Egypt is already working on," the expert said. 
Fatime Letifova

The administrative building of the prosecutor's office in Azerbaijan's liberated Khankendi is being commissioned today, Azernews reports.

The ceremonial event is being held in this regard. The Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan, Kamran Aliyev, heads of the General Prosecutor's Office, MPs, chairmen of NGOs, and other public representatives attended the event.

Khankendi is an ancient Azerbaijani land founded by Panahali Khan. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the 1920s, an autonomous region was created here without any legal, political or demographic grounds. After that, the problems of the Azerbaijani people began. As a result, in the late 1980s, Armenia declared war on Azerbaijan, supported the separatists, committed genocide and other heinous crimes against Azerbaijani people, and regrettably achieved their sordid aspirations. They believed that they would be able to keep these lands under occupation forever.

As a result of the Second Garabagh War in 2020, Azerbaijani sovereignty was established over the city of Khankendi, and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan was restored.

As part of the Great Return program, today, Azerbaijanis live in the liberated Garabagh, holding their heads high. This year, the former IDPs return to Khankendi and other cities, including Khojaly, Shusha, Jabrayil, and Kalbadjar.
BAKU, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Three police officers and one civilian were killed in Azerbaijan's village of Shuvelyan while attempting to apprehend a wanted armed suspect, authorities said on Monday.

The incident occurred when police tried to detain 38-year-old Rovshan Oktay oglu Allahverdiyev, who had multiple prior convictions and was on the run, said the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Prosecutor General's Office in a joint statement.

Allahverdiyev resisted arrest by using his family members as shields and firing at officers with a hunting rifle, the statement said.

The confrontation resulted in the deaths of three police officers and one civilian. Officials confirmed that Allahverdiyev was neutralized by the police.

A criminal investigation has been initiated and authorities are investigating the details of the incident, the statement added. 
JAKARTA, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia, the fourth most populous country in the world, is confronting threats associated with pregnancy and childbirth complications due to the physical impacts of climate change, according to authorities on Monday.

The country's National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN) revealed that in Indonesia, global warming can cause premature birth and increase the rate of low birth weight.

"This is because the situation caused by global warming, such as flooding, for example, can cause stress to pregnant women and therefore can automatically trigger pregnancy complications," said Hasto Wardoyo, head of the BKKBN in Jakarta.

He said that the report of preeclampsia had also increased along with the amount of environmental pollution. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy problem in which the blood pressures of pregnant women, which are usually normal, rise very high and cause dangerous threats to their health. It usually happens during 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Wardoyo referenced national statistics indicating that Indonesia's maternal mortality rate stands at 189 per 100,000 live births, a figure significantly higher than the target rate of 70 per 100,000 live births.

Data from Indonesia's Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection demonstrates that over 50 percent of infants whose mothers die in childbirth do not survive past their first year. Consequently, maternal mortality is a significant risk factor for infant mortality.

Wardoyo noted that climate change not only exacerbated pregnancy-related issues but also heightened the risk of heat-induced fatalities and the contamination of water and air in Indonesia. It further diminished air quality, potentially leading to respiratory complications and food scarcity, he added. 
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 and presents medals to foreign experts who won the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award for the year 2023 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang met with and presented medals to foreign experts who won the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award for the year 2023 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday.

On behalf of the Chinese government, Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, extended congratulations to the award recipients and thanked foreign experts for their long-term contributions to the country's sci-tech development and modernization.

Ding voiced the hope that they will continue to devote themselves to sci-tech exchanges and cooperation with China, promote innovation and tackle challenges jointly in an effort to benefit people of all countries more.

Ten foreign experts won the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award for the year 2023. A total of 146 foreign experts, three international organizations and one foreign organization have so far won the award since 1995. 
BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- The Hutchinsons, a British couple who decided to sell their house and embark on a global journey with their daughters for over 10 months, were taken aback upon arriving in China on March 18 this year. Wandering the streets of Guangzhou in the early morning, they marveled at the peaceful and pristine environment.

The couple shared messages to inform fellow Britons about their experiences: "You're going to love China. It is the most amazing country I've ever had the pleasure to travel to. It is safe! It is cheap! It is AMAZING! "

This British family is just one of the many foreigners who have traveled to China and been amazed by its development, which surpassed their previous expectations.

Before their arrival in China, they experienced anxiety and unease. However, once they arrived, they were pleasantly "surprised" to find that the country is incredibly safe, convenient, and hospitable.

Currently, foreign nationals from 54 countries are eligible for the 72/144-hour transit visa-free policies effective at 31 ports in 23 cities across 18 Chinese provinces. During the visa-free stay, they are permitted to engage in short-term activities such as travel and business visits.

With the support of favorable policies, a growing number of foreign tourists are choosing to visit China, immersing themselves in its rich history, splendid civilization, and awe-inspiring landscapes.

China has experienced a significant surge in foreign tourists, resulting in a remarkable increase in visitors. Official data show that the number of foreigners visiting China in the first quarter of this year increased more than threefold compared to the same period last year. A total of 466,000 visas were issued to foreigners, up 118.8 percent year-on-year. Additionally, nearly 1.99 million foreigners entered China visa-free, a year-on-year increase of 266.1 percent.

Scenic spots in China are often crowded with international tourists, and travel videos tagged with "ChinaTravel" are becoming extremely popular on social media platforms.

In the past year, there has been an upsurge in videos showcasing foreign vloggers exploring China. These videos portray China as a country that defies preconceived notions, predominantly conveying a positive tone. When discussing their motivations for documenting their journeys in China, these vloggers often mention the negative portrayals of China in Western media as a driving factor.

These foreign tourists who visit China have become enthusiastic advocates of Chinese culture, effectively serving as ambassadors for the globally recognized "Charming China" brand.

The everyday aspects of life that Chinese people often take for granted have become a source of fascination for foreigners.

Safety is a fundamental aspect consistently emphasized by foreign vloggers in their videos about China. Whether in bustling metropolises or serene rural landscapes, they express their deep appreciation for the safe and secure environment the country provides.

Poppy is a travel vlogger with around 155,000 subscribers on YouTube. In a video posted on her channel "Where's Poppy," she enthusiastically described the safety of traveling in China. "Is China safe and more specifically is it safe to travel alone in China as a woman? The safety level here in China is really good. "

American travel vlogger Drew Binsky has remarked, "China is one of the safest countries I've ever traveled to. I felt comfortable walking around even late at night in cities like Beijing and Shanghai. The police presence is noticeable, and it adds to the overall feeling of security."

Cleanliness is a virtue that foreign travel vloggers eagerly emphasize when documenting their experiences in China. "China's commitment to cleanliness is evident everywhere you go. The public restrooms are clean and well-stocked, and there's a culture of keeping public spaces tidy. We were pleasantly surprised by how well-maintained everything is," commended one vlogger.

Many travel vloggers are greatly impressed by China's modernization. The young duo from the TriFate Lifestyle channel were astounded by the level of modernization they witnessed upon their arrival in Guangzhou, China. As they spent a few days exploring the city, they were particularly impressed by the state-of-the-art infrastructure. Their journey continued as they boarded a high-speed train to Shenzhen, which they hailed as the epitome of a futuristic city in China.

These vloggers also found themselves consistently fascinated by the allure of Chinese culture, amazed by the country's remarkable modern development and enthralled by its culinary delights, which left a lasting impression on them.

In one of her videos, Poppy told audiences about her journey from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, China. "Upon arriving, I quickly learned that my expectations of China were completely wrong. This city and this country are truly something else," she said.

In the era of social media, these foreign vloggers have emerged as influential storytellers, adept at capturing the essence of the countries they visit and sharing their experiences with a global audience. In the case of China, these intrepid vloggers have been swift to highlight the country's noteworthy safety, cleanliness, and modernity, effectively dispelling stereotypes and providing a renewed and authentic perspective on a real China.

The genuine encounters and interactions captured in these travel videos are breaking down barriers, fostering cultural exchanges, and promoting mutual understanding between China and the rest of the world.

With an increasing number of foreigners embarking on their journeys of exploration in China, the enchantment and charisma of the country are becoming ever more apparent, igniting a sense of pride among both Chinese and foreign audiences alike.

Undoubtedly, there will be a notable surge of travel vlogs on social media soon, as visitors from diverse nations enthusiastically proclaim into their cameras, "China, here we come!" 
GAZA, June 24 (Xinhua) -- At least seven Palestinians were killed and 22 others wounded in an Israeli airstrike in Bani Suhaila town in the east of Khan Younis city in southern Gaza, the Hamas-run health authorities said Monday.

In a press statement sent to Xinhua, the authorities said the casualties were transferred to the European Hospital in Khan Younis.

Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes attacked a group of people, mostly "volunteers with Hamas," who were securing the trucks loaded with humanitarian aid.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on this incident.

On Monday, the health authorities said that about 28 Palestinians were killed and 66 others injured by the Israeli strikes in various areas of Gaza during the past 24 hours.

Since the outbreak of the Hamas-Israel conflict eight months ago, the death toll of Palestinians has risen to 37,626 and the injuries hit 86,098. 
UNITED NATIONS, June 24 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday launched a set of United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity that calls for "an information environment that champions human rights and a sustainable future."

In remarks at a press conference to launch the Global Principles for Information Integrity, Guterres said the five principles -- societal trust and resilience; independent, free, and pluralistic media; healthy incentives; transparency and research; and public empowerment -- are based on an overriding vision of a more humane information ecosystem.

"They provide a solid foundation for sustainable, inclusive development, climate action, democracy, and peace," he emphasized.

The UN chief explained that the Global Principles for Information Integrity are the result of broad consultations with member states, youth leaders, academia, civil society, the private sector including tech companies, and the media.

The principles lay out a clear path forward, firmly rooted in human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and opinion, he stressed.

Misinformation, disinformation and hate speech are fueling prejudice and violence; exacerbating divisions and conflicts; demonizing minorities; and compromising the integrity of elections, Guterres said.

False narratives, distortions and lies breed cynicism, disbelief and disengagement, he stated, adding that "they undermine social cohesion, putting the Sustainable Development Goals further out of reach."

"And when information integrity is targeted, so is democracy -- which depends on a shared, fact-based perception of reality," Guterres noted.

According to the UN chief, opaque algorithms push people into information bubbles and reinforce prejudices including racism, misogyny and discrimination of all kinds, and the damage goes far beyond the digital realm, affecting billions of people who are not connected to the internet.

Threats to information integrity are not new, but they are proliferating and expanding with unprecedented speed on digital platforms, supercharged by AI technologies, he pointed out.

Guterres urged governments, the tech sector, and other stakeholders to "listen to your people and your customers and respond."

To stakeholders carrying an outsized responsibility, the UN chief said he has a clear message, "we demand action."

To big tech companies, he urged them to take responsibility. "Acknowledge the damage your products are inflicting on people and communities. You have the power to mitigate harm to people and societies around the world. You have the power to change business models that profit from disinformation and hate."

To advertisers and the PR industry, Guterres urged them to "stop monetizing harmful contents; strengthen information integrity; protect your brand; boost your bottom line."

He told creatives not to use their talents to "greenwash," asked PR agencies to look for clients "who aren't misleading people and destroying our planet," and urged the media to raise and enforce editorial standards; safeguard the future by providing quality journalism based on facts and reality; and "find advertisers who are part of the solution, not the problem."

In his message to governments, the UN chief urged them to "commit to creating and maintaining a free, viable, independent, and plural media landscape; guarantee strong protections for journalists; ensure regulations uphold human rights; refrain from drastic measures, including blanket internet shutdowns; respect the right to freedom of opinion and expression."

The United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity stem from a proposal in Our Common Agenda, the secretary-general's 2021 report that outlines a vision for future global cooperation and multilateral action. 
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attends a meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. Xi delivered an important speech at the meeting here on Monday. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday underscored the importance of sci-tech modernization and innovation in pursuing Chinese modernization and high-quality development.

Noting the strategically leading and fundamental supporting role of science and technology, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, urged efforts to strengthen top-level design and overall planning, and expedite high-level sci-tech self-reliance to realize the strategic goal of building a strong country in science and technology by 2035.

Xi presented China's top sci-tech award and made the remarks at a meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE).

Li Qiang presided over the meeting. Ding Xuexiang announced the award decision. Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Li Xi attended the meeting.

Xi presented medals and certificates for the country's top sci-tech award to Li Deren, an academician of CAS and CAE from Wuhan University, and Xue Qikun, an academician of CAS from Tsinghua University. He then shook hands with the two scientists and extended his congratulations.

Xi and other Party and state leaders, together with the two winners of the top sci-tech award, presented certificates to other award recipients.

China has made new breakthroughs in basic frontier research, taken new strides in strategic high-tech fields, achieved new results in high-quality development driven by innovation, opened up new prospects in the reform of the sci-tech system, and made new progress in sci-tech opening-up and cooperation with the rest of the world, Xi said.

Xi pointed out that experience accumulated from the sci-tech development in the new era must be adhered to and continuously enriched in practice.

The experience includes adhering to the overall leadership of the Party, the path of independent innovation with Chinese characteristics, innovation-driven development, deepening reform to stimulate innovation vitality, the virtuous cycle of education, sci-tech development and talent, the cultivation of innovation culture, as well as sci-tech opening-up and cooperation for the benefit of mankind.

Xi pointed out there are still some weak spots in the development of the country's sci-tech undertakings. The country must further enhance its sense of urgency and intensify its efforts in sci-tech innovation, so as to secure a leading position in sci-tech competition and future development, he said.

Xi urged giving full play to the advantages of the new national system for mobilizing nationwide resources, improving the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee over sci-tech work, and building a coordinated and efficient decision-making and command system, as well as organization and implementation system.

China must fully leverage the decisive role of the market in allocating sci-tech resources, and better utilize the role of the government, he said.

Xi urged the promotion of the deep integration of sci-tech innovation with industrial innovation to facilitate the development of new quality productive forces.

He called for an increase in high-quality sci-tech support for major sectors and vulnerable links in the construction of modern industrial system, fostering and developing emerging industries and future industries, and actively using new technologies to transform and upgrade traditional industries.

Xi called for deepening the comprehensive reform of sci-tech systems and mechanisms, and emphasized the importance of an integrated reform in educational, scientific and talent institutions to cultivate a large, well-structured and high-caliber team of innovative talent.

Xi also called for achieving sci-tech self-reliance and strength through openness and cooperation.

He called for the further implementation of international sci-tech cooperation initiatives, broadening channels for exchanges and collaborations at both governmental and non-governmental levels, and leveraging platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative to support collaborative research by scientists worldwide.

Xi urged efforts to engage in the global innovation network, participate in global technology governance, and work together to tackle global challenges.

Xi expressed the hope that academicians of the CAS and the CAE will serve as pioneers at the forefront of science and technology, undertake important tasks, guide the growth of young talent, and exemplify the spirit of scientists.

He called on all sci-tech workers to actively align their academic pursuits with the great cause of building a nation that is strong in science and technology.

Presiding over the conference, Li Qiang pointed out that Xi's remarks summarized the important experience of sci-tech development, elaborated the role of sci-tech innovation in promoting Chinese modernization and building a great modern socialist country in all respects, and clarified the basic connotation and main tasks of building a strong country in science and technology under the new circumstances.

Monday's meeting was attended by about 3,000 people and honored 250 projects and 12 sci-tech experts, with two scientists winning the top award, 49 projects the State Natural Science Award, 62 projects the State Technological Invention Award, 139 projects the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award, and 10 foreign experts the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award. 

A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi attended the meeting here on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents medals and certificates of China's top sci-tech award for the year 2023 to Li Deren (R), an academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) from Wuhan University, and Xue Qikun, an academician of CAS from Tsinghua University, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the CAS and the CAE was held here on Monday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents China's top sci-tech award for the year 2023 to Li Deren, an academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) from Wuhan University, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the CAS and the CAE was held here on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents China's top sci-tech award for the year 2023 to Li Deren, an academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) from Wuhan University, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the CAS and the CAE was held here on Monday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents China's top sci-tech award for the year 2023 to Xue Qikun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) from Tsinghua University, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) was held here on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, presents China's top sci-tech award for the year 2023 to Xue Qikun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) from Tsinghua University, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) was held here on Monday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state, together with the two winners of the national top sci-tech award, present certificates to representatives of winners of the State Natural Science Award, the State Technological Invention Award, the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award and the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering was held here on Monday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state, together with the two winners of the national top sci-tech award, present certificates to representatives of winners of the State Natural Science Award, the State Technological Invention Award, the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award and the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering was held here on Monday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state meet with representatives of the national sci-tech award winners prior to a meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Xi Jinping communicates with Li Deren, an academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) from Wuhan University, who won the national top sci-tech award for the year 2023, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) was held here on Monday. Prior to the meeting, Xi and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state met with representatives of the national sci-tech award winners. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Xi Jinping communicates with Xue Qikun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) from Tsinghua University, who won the national top sci-tech award for the year 2023, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. A meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) was held here on Monday. Prior to the meeting, Xi and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state met with representatives of the national sci-tech award winners. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state meet with representatives of the national sci-tech award winners prior to a meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state meet and pose for a group photo with representatives of the national sci-tech award winners prior to a meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Li Qiang presides over a meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

Ding Xuexiang announces the award decision at a meeting conflating the national sci-tech conference, the national science and technology award conference, and the general assemblies of the members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu)




A passenger plane of Hainan Airlines receives a ceremonial water salute on its arrival at the Prague Airport in Prague, the Czech Republic, on June 24, 2024. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua)

Direct flights between Beijing and Prague resumed on Monday. Hainan Airlines now offers three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

PRAGUE, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Direct flights between the capital cities of China and the Czech Republic officially resumed on Monday, with the arrival of a Hainan Airlines aircraft at the Prague Airport in the early morning after a 10-hour flight.

Noting at a ceremony held at the airport that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Chinese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Feng Biao expressed the hope that the renewed flight service will promote exchanges and interactions between the peoples of the two countries, as well as revitalizing bilateral tourism cooperation.

Jiri Pos, chief executive officer of the Prague Airport, said, "We have trust in the potential of the market in both directions. Together with Hainan Airlines, we are building a bridge." The Czech tourism sector is "very much looking forward to getting a new wave of Chinese tourists coming to the Czech Republic," he added.

Passengers from a Hainan Airlines plane are welcomed upon their arrival at the Prague Airport in Prague, the Czech Republic, on June 24, 2024. (Photo by Dana Kesnerova/Xinhua)

Wen Rui'an, a Chinese student who was preparing to board the return flight to Beijing in the afternoon, said she had long been looking forward to the resumption of direct flights. "The return flight is faster, taking just over nine hours to reach Beijing," she said.

"I also know some Czechs who are starting businesses or engaging in trade in China. The resumption of direct flights will bring convenience to their future travels as well," she added.

Hainan Airlines is now offering three flights a week between Beijing and Prague, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

According to an official from HNA Aviation Group, with the successful resumption of this route, Hainan Airlines now has 11 destinations in Europe, with routes spanning Western Europe, Southern Europe, and Central and Eastern Europe. 
ANKARA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- A malfunction in an electrical pole has been identified as the cause of the recent deadly agricultural fire that swept through southeastern Turkiye, the country's Daily Sabah reported on Monday, citing an expert report submitted to local prosecutors' office.

The report pointed to the absence of an automatic circuit breaker on the electrical pole as a critical flaw, which is supported by testimonies from villagers, eyewitnesses, and gathered evidence.

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. During the three-day fire, 15 individuals were killed, and 78 others impacted. Turkish authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the cause.

The electricity distribution administration in Diyarbakir refuted earlier the claims that the fire was caused by power lines, and filed a criminal complaint against a villager who claimed that electricity transmission lines caused the fire.

Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said the wildfire affected 7,900 decares of agricultural land in Diyarbakir and 7,000 decares in Mardin province, resulting in the loss of 924 sheep and goats. 
Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. Xi held talks with Duda at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents in economy, trade, agriculture and more. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday pledged China's willingness to work with Poland to push bilateral relations to a higher level and inject more stability and certainty into a turbulent world.

Xi made the remarks while holding talks in Beijing with Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is on a state visit to China.

Noting Poland was one of the first countries to recognize the People's Republic of China, Xi said bilateral relations have maintained steady progress since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 75 years ago.

Since China and Poland decided to upgrade their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership eight years ago, exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields have expanded and deepened in an all-round way, benefiting the two peoples, he added.

Noting that great changes are unfolding globally in an unprecedented way, Xi said China is ready to work with Poland to adhere to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, uphold the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic ties, continue the traditional friendship, push bilateral relations to a higher level, and inject more stability and certainty into the turbulent world.

The key to the enduring relationship lies in that the two nations can draw wisdom and strength from their respective national history and cultural traditions, and independently develop their bilateral friendship, Xi said.

The two sides should continue to adhere to the China-Poland friendship featuring mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and mutual learning, understand and support each other's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, jointly oppose the Cold War mentality and camp confrontation, safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core, and promote an equal and orderly global multipolarization and an economic globalization that benefits all, Xi said.

Xi urged the two sides to make good use of such mechanisms as the China-Poland Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee to strengthen strategic coordination and planning of cooperation in various fields, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, advance cooperation in major projects such as the China-Europe Railway Express, and strengthen cooperation in trade, agriculture, digital economy, green industry and clean energy.

China welcomes more high-quality agricultural and food products from Poland into the Chinese market, supports the expansion of two-way investment, and hopes Poland will provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises, Xi said.

China has decided to adopt a 15-day unilateral visa-free policy for Polish citizens, Xi said, adding that both sides should vigorously promote exchanges in culture, youth, academia and media.

China is willing to work with Poland and other countries to promote the sustainable development of the China-Central and Eastern European Countries cooperation mechanism, and advance the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations, he added.

Duda said President Xi's state visit to Poland in 2016 was an important milestone in the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi represents huge development opportunities for Poland, and the Belt and Road cooperation has strongly propelled Poland's infrastructure construction and economic development, he said.

Poland greatly appreciates the principles China adheres to in international affairs and its contributions to world peace and development, Duda said, stressing that Poland firmly adheres to the one-China principle.

Poland is willing to advance the Belt and Road cooperation with China, deepen exchanges and cooperation in economy and trade, agriculture, infrastructure, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges, and expand cooperation in new areas such as innovation, digital economy and new energy vehicles, he added.

Duda said Poland is willing to maintain close multilateral communication and coordination with China to further develop their comprehensive strategic partnership and contribute to world peace and stability.

Noting that Poland will assume the rotating presidency of the EU in the first half of next year, Duda said Poland is willing to play a constructive role in promoting EU-China relations and advancing cooperation between Central and Eastern European countries and China.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis.

Xi stressed that China's position on the Ukraine crisis is to promote peace talks and political settlement. At present, efforts should be made to avoid further escalation of the conflict, cool the situation down and create conditions for peace talks. "This is in the interests of the international community, including Europe."

China opposes some individuals using the normal trade between China and Russia as an excuse to divert focus and smear China, Xi said, adding that China encourages and supports all efforts that contribute to a peaceful resolution of the crisis, and promotes the building of a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security architecture. China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis in its own way.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents in economy, trade, agriculture and more.

The two sides also issued the Action Plan on Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Poland (2024-2027).

Prior to the talks, Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan held a welcome ceremony for Duda and his wife. A welcome banquet was also held for the guests in the evening. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is on a state visit to China, at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People prior to the talks between Xi and Duda, in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. Xi held talks with Duda at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is on a state visit to China, at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People prior to the talks between Xi and Duda, in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. Xi held talks with Duda at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is on a state visit to China, at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People prior to the talks between Xi and Duda, in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. Xi held talks with Duda at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pose for a group photo with Polish President Andrzej Duda and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda prior to the talks between Xi and Duda in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. Xi held talks with Duda, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. Xi held talks with Duda at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is on a state visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev expressed his condolences to Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation and Sergey Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan over the deaths of civilians and law enforcement officers as a result of terrorist acts committed in Dagestan, Azernews reports.

It is with profound sorrow that I received the news of the terrorist attacks in Derbent and Makhachkala, which resulted in numerous casualties. We strongly condemn these bloody crimes and support the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism, the Azerbaijani head of state noted.

The head of state extended his sincere condolences on his own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan to President of Russia Vladimir Putin, Head of Dagestan Sergey Melikov as well as to the families, and loved ones of the killed, wishing speedy recovery to all of those injured.
BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) -- China's flood control efforts have entered a critical phase, with 33 rivers nationwide exceeding warning levels by Monday, according to the Ministry of Water Resources.

Triggered by persistent heavy downpours, 22 rivers in Jiangxi, Hubei, Anhui, Zhejiang and Guizhou have reported floods exceeding alert marks. Meanwhile, 11 rivers in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province saw above warning-line floods.

China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters on Monday raised the emergency responses to flooding to Level III in the provinces of Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi and Hunan, following the decision by the national observatory to issue red alerts for rainstorms in these areas.

China has a four-tier flood-control emergency response system, with Level I being the most urgent response, and a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.

The flood prevention situation of the Yangtze River basin becomes rather stern, as water levels in the tributaries of the Poyang Lake basin have exceeded warning levels, and the water level in the main stream of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River continued to rise, according to the Changjiang Water Resources Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources.

Over the following 10 days, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River will experience extreme heavy rainfall, potentially causing flooding in both tributaries and the main stream, according to the commission's forecast.

China is sparing no efforts in combating the flooding. The local governments have decided to increase the outflow of the Three Gorges Reservoir, starting from Tuesday, in preparation for subsequent floods.

One more work team will be sent to Zhejiang to assist in local flood prevention efforts, said the State's Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters, adding that work teams dispatched to Anhui, Jiangxi and Hunan will continue their work there.

China's National Meteorological Center on Monday morning renewed a red alert for rainstorms as heavy rainfall is expected in several regions of the country.

From Monday to Sunday, continuous torrential rain is expected to lash parts of the regions south of the Yangtze River, the Jianghan Plain, and regions along the Yangtze River and Huaihe River. 
JERUSALEM, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that Israel is "committed" to the deal proposal outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden for a ceasefire in Gaza in return for the release of hostages.

"We are committed to the Israeli proposal that President Biden endorsed," Netanyahu said during a special plenum session of the Knesset (parliament) summoned by the opposition, noting "Our position has not changed."

Biden first presented the deal proposal to end the ongoing conflict in late May, referring to it as "the Israeli proposal." Netanyahu's remarks marked the first time the Israeli side has confirmed that Israel has approved and supports the proposal.

Netanyahu told the Knesset that Israel will not end the conflict "until we bring back all the hostages, all 120 of them -- both the living and the fallen" and until Hamas is "eliminated" and the residents in southern and northern can safely return to their homes.

Israel has been carrying out a massive offensive in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a Hamas rampage on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 were taken hostage.

The Israeli assault caused a severe humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave and killed more than 37,600 people, according to the health authorities in Gaza. 
This photo taken by a mobile phone on June 24, 2024 shows Sudanese volunteer women cooking Kisra, a sorghum bread, for displaced families in Omdurman city, Sudan.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Monday said Sudan continues to spiral into chaos, with the humanitarian crisis worsening.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 15, 2023. The conflicts have so far claimed more than 15,550 lives and displaced over 8.8 million people nationwide, according to recent estimates by the OCHA. (Photo by Mohamed Khidir/Xinhua)

KHARTOUM, June 24 (Xinhua) -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Monday said Sudan continues to spiral into chaos, with the humanitarian crisis worsening.

"The lives of 800,000 people -- of women, children, men, the elderly and people with disabilities -- are hanging in the balance as bombing and shelling continue in densely populated areas, causing widespread and long-term harm to civilians and severely disrupting the essential services they very much depend on," the OCHA said in its latest update on Monday.

Over the past three months, it noted, up to 143,000 people may have been displaced from Al Fasher, the capital city of Sudan's North Darfur State due to clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The intensifying fighting in and around Al Fasher has claimed over 300 lives, according to Ibrahim Abdullah Khatir, director-general of North Darfur State's Health Ministry.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly clashes between the SAF and the RSF since April 15, 2023. The conflicts have so far claimed more than 15,550 lives and displaced over 8.8 million people nationwide, according to recent estimates by the OCHA. 
NEW DELHI, June 24 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in the consumption of tainted bootleg liquor in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has risen to 58, officials said Monday.

Over 150 people are still undergoing treatment at different hospitals.

According to officials, bootleg liquor spiked with methanol consumed by the residents last week resulted in their deaths and hospitalization in Kallakurichi town, about 244 km southwest of Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu.

"The death toll in the hooch tragedy in the Kallakurichi has reached 58, with two more people succumbing on Sunday night," a district administration official said.

"So far, 32 people have died at the Government Kallakurichi Medical College and Hospital, 19 at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital in Salem, four at the Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital and three at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry."

The victims following the consumption of liquor had complained of blurred vision, intense abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

A total of 155 people, including five women, are undergoing treatment in different hospitals. Over 100 of these patients are undergoing treatment at the Kallakurichi Government Medical College and Hospital.

"Seven people, including two women, have been discharged so far," the official said.

A probe into the matter is underway and police so far have arrested seven people in connection with the incident.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has directed police to probe the source of methanol, a toxic chemical normally used for industrial purposes.

Local government has already constituted a one-man commission headed by a former high court judge to conduct a thorough inquiry into the tragedy.

The opposition parties in the state have intensified their protests against the government over the deaths and demanded a probe by India's Central Bureau of Investigation into the hooch tragedy.

Spurious alcohol deaths are often reported in India, where people often drink cheap country-made bootleg liquor. 
ULAN BATOR, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia and Uzbekistan signed several cooperation documents on Monday to enhance bilateral ties, according to the Mongolian presidential office's website.

The documents, which include a 2024-2026 program for developing trade, economic, and investment cooperation, as well as agreements in the fields of tourism, agriculture, air transport, and science, were signed in the Uzbek capital Tashkent, in the presence of Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Khurelsukh arrived in Tashkent on Sunday for a four-day state visit at the invitation of Mirziyoyev, accompanied by a high-ranking political and economic delegation.

This state visit marks the first by a Mongolian president to Uzbekistan since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992. 
PHNOM PENH, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Monday handed over equipment and materials towards the scaling up of school health rooms in 10 schools across northeast Mondulkiri province, said a joint news release.

The school health room initiative was aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of adolescents and youth at those schools, the news release said, adding that five secondary and five primary schools received new health rooms equipped with patient beds and mattresses, basic first aid items, and dignity kits for adolescent girls.

"This ensures that students in remote areas have access to essential reproductive and health care services and information, health education, and first aid within their schools," the news release said.

Mondulkiri is the first province in the country to implement this model of sub-national partnership between the departments of health and education.

"By establishing these school health rooms, we are investing in the future of our next generations and empowering them to take charge of their health and well-being," Bun Sou, director of the Provincial Health Department of Mondulkiri Province, said.

Ly Samik, director of the Mondulkiri Provincial Department of Education, Youth and Sport, said the initiative has supported the government's vision of building human capital by prioritizing student health, including sexual and reproductive health.

Sandra Bernklau, representative of UNFPA Cambodia, said ensuring that all adolescents and youth have access to sexual and reproductive health information, support and services will ensure that young people are able to make informed decisions about their health, wellbeing and futures. 
PHNOM PENH, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has urged traders and investors to attend the 30th China Lanzhou Investment and Trade Fair, to be held on July 6-10 in Lanzhou, capital of northwest China's Gansu Province, according to a Ministry of Commerce's announcement on Monday.

The five-day fair will feature forums, business promotions, and trade exchange activities.

"This annual event will provide opportunities to participants to gain knowledge and expand their business connectivity," the announcement said.

First held in 1993, the fair serves as a window for the opening of northwestern China and has become a major event for Belt and Road economic and trade cooperation. 
KIEV, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine is expecting to sign a security agreement with the European Union (EU) in the near future, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Monday.

"Ensuring a just and lasting peace for Ukraine will guarantee Europe's long-term security and adherence to international law," Kuleba was quoted as saying by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's press service.

Speaking about Ukraine's military needs, the minister said that the country is requiring more air defense systems, including Patriot and SAMP/T.

Besides, Ukraine needs constant supplies of air defense missiles, artillery systems and shells, long-range missiles, drones, and electronic warfare systems, Kuleba added.

In mid-June, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kiev had signed 17 security agreements and was preparing to sign another ten. 
SARAJEVO, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese tourists to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) nearly tripled in the first four months of this year, according to the latest data from the BiH Statistics Agency.

More than 11,000 Chinese tourists visited BiH from January to April, almost a three-fold increase from about 3,800 reported during the same period last year, the agency reported.

In April alone, over 4,800 Chinese tourists visited BiH, marking a rise of 166 percent compared to April 2023. China became the fifth-largest source of tourists to BiH in April, following Turkiye, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia.

Faruk Boric, president of the association of friendship between China and BiH, described the figures as "optimistic," indicating that more tourists from China are coming to BiH after the pandemic.

BiH received more than 270,000 foreign tourists in the first four months of this year, an increase of 5.4 percent year-on-year. 
Hristijan Mickoski (C, front) and new cabinet members pose for a group photo in Skopje, North Macedonia, June 23, 2024. North Macedonia's parliament on late Sunday approved the new government led by Hristijan Mickoski, leader of the VMRO-DPMNE party. (Photo by Tomislav Georgiev/Xinhua)

SKOPJE, June 24 (Xinhua) -- North Macedonia's parliament on late Sunday approved the new government led by Hristijan Mickoski, leader of the VMRO-DPMNE party.

Aside from Mickoski, the prime minister, the new cabinet is formed by 23 ministers, among which VMRO-DPMNE has 15 posts, compared with six for its governing partner VLEN coalition, two for ZNAM Movement.

As the 13th prime minister since the independence of North Macedonia, Mickoski pledged to take actions to lower tax, increase pensions, attract foreign direct investment, boost economic growth, and fight corruption.

Mickoski and his VMRO-DPMNE party won a landslide victory in the parliamentary election in May, gaining 58 seats in the parliament. The new government was formed after VMRO-DPMNE reached agreements with VLEN and ZNAM. 

Hristijan Mickoski addresses to the parliament in Skopje, North Macedonia, June 23, 2024. North Macedonia's parliament on late Sunday approved the new government led by Hristijan Mickoski, leader of the VMRO-DPMNE party. (Photo by Tomislav Georgiev/Xinhua)
Heavy rainfall impacts parts of China with 8 killed in landslide

Xinhua) 08:24, June 24, 2024

An aerial drone photo taken on June 23, 2024 shows Wuqiangxi Township of Yuanling County in central China's Hunan Province. (Photo by Wang Sheng/Xinhua)

BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rainfall has impacted several provinces in China, including Hunan, Anhui and Guizhou, affecting tens of thousands of people.

In central China's Hunan Province, a landslide in Douxi Village, Xinhuang Dong Autonomous County, claimed eight lives on Sunday morning.

On Sunday, Hunan provincial meteorological bureau raised the emergency response level of meteorological disaster from level III to level II. Meteorological departments at all levels are required to closely monitor local weather conditions as well as the water levels of rivers and reservoirs across the province.

The local meteorological authority said that northern and central Hunan will continue to experience persistent heavy rain and torrential downpours in the coming week, with risks of floods, geological hazards and urban waterlogging.

From 8:00 a.m. Saturday to 8:00 a.m. Sunday, widespread rainfall swept areas south of Hefei, the capital city of Anhui Province. Some regions also experienced heavy rain and torrential downpours, according to the provincial emergency management department.

To date, more than 30,000 residents from dangerous areas have been evacuated in advance, and more than 4,000 people trapped by the floods have been rescued.

As of 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, five rivers in Anhui had exceeded warning levels. More than 200 tourist attractions have been temporarily closed.

In southwest China's Guizhou Province, heavy rainfall since Friday has affected 213,300 people across 41 counties, the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters said on Sunday.

So far, nearly 7,000 residents have been evacuated to safety and almost 1,000 people have been relocated.

Local meteorological departments forecast that Guizhou will continue to experience heavy rainfall until the end of June.

Currently, various regions in Guizhou, including the severely impacted Zhijin County in Bijie City, are actively engaged in emergency rescue and disaster relief efforts.

Meanwhile, China's meteorological and water resources authorities on Sunday evening warned of impending mountain torrents in some regions.

From 8 p.m. Sunday to 8 p.m. Monday, mountain torrents are likely to occur in parts of Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Hunan, according to an orange alert issued by the Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration.

The two departments also issued a red alert for mountain torrents in the western part of Zhejiang and the northeastern part of Jiangxi.

Mountain torrents could also be triggered by temporary heavy downpours in other areas, the alerts said.

China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
By Farman Aydin, AZERNEWS

Countless articles have been published about the adventures of the pro-Armenian Baroness Cox, and her undying love for Armenians still continues to rage even further.

She participated in the massacres committed by Armenians in Garabagh in the 1990s, especially in the Khojaly genocide, which went down in history with blood. During the First Garabagh War, during her work as a nurse, she healed several Armenian vandals' wounds with her not-healing hands. However, old Cox, who always held a grudge against Azerbaijan, was unable to properly serve in the profession of medicine she had mastered.

She is such a hypocritical and prejudiced person that she can invent excuses and lies to justify such a crime. Cox says the Armenians notified the Azerbaijanis about the attack on Khojaly and asked to evacuate the population, trying to convict the Azerbaijani side of the atrocities committed by Armenians.

The information about the accusation of Baroness Caroline Cox over bribery, corruption and racism, in the political circle of Great Britain is widespread. At the same time, another peculiar aspect of Cox was her great passion for human murder. Just like she did in the First Garabagh War and in Khojaly with her priceless service.

Even today, Baroness Caroline Cox continues her empty tales about Garabagh, which has been cleansed of separatists. The views he shares on the social network also indicate her Islamophobic character. So, such characters exist not only in France, but also among the members of the House of Lords. Cox says that there are no more Armenians in Garabakh. Yes, Mrs. Cox, we cleaned Garabagh of all pests, taking into account your request, and Garabagh, which is freed today, is even more clean than the hygienic rules set by the medical world.

As regards her pro-Armenianism, her behind-the-curtain anti-Azerbaijani and anti-Islamic activities are shed light on, which in return for big money. The revelation of some secret documents about funding from an American organisation, run by evangelical philanthropists linked to orthodox Christian groups and anti-gay marriage campaigns, spilled the beans about the old propagandist, forcing her to admit that she had received financial support from America and served both anti-Islamic and Armenian friends wholeheartedly.
LOS ANGELES, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Tamayo Perry, a well-known Hawaii professional surfer and lifeguard, died after a shark attack off the island of Oahu in Hawaii on Sunday, according to authorities and local media.

Honolulu Emergency Services Department officials said they responded to Malaekahana Beach near Kahuku about 1 p.m. local time Sunday for a report of a surfer who had sustained fatal injuries, reported Hawaii News Now, adding that a caller told dispatchers the victim appeared to suffer more than one shark bite.

The victim was later identified as 49-year-old Perry.

Lifeguards used a Jet Ski to bring Perry's body to shore, where he was pronounced dead, the report added.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi described Perry as "a legendary waterman" and called his death a "tragic loss" at a news conference, according to the report.

Perry made appearances in some Hollywood films and TV series, including 2002's "Blue Crush" and 2011's "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides."

According to the shark incidents list on Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources' website, the tragic incident is the ninth fatal shark attack in the state's waters since 1995. 
Key Insights

Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, Kingsway Financial Services' stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions

53% of the business is held by the top 5 shareholders

Insiders have been buying lately

Every investor in Kingsway Financial Services Inc. (NYSE:KFS) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. We can see that hedge funds own the lion's share in the company with 27% ownership. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

Since hedge funds have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or 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 Kingsway Financial Services.

View our latest analysis for Kingsway Financial Services

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Kingsway Financial Services?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

Kingsway Financial Services already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Kingsway Financial Services' historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Our data indicates that hedge funds own 27% of Kingsway Financial Services. That worth noting, since hedge funds are often quite active investors, who may try to influence management. Many want to see value creation (and a higher share price) in the short term or medium term. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Stilwell Value LLC with 27% of shares outstanding. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 8.9% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 6.6% by the third-largest shareholder. Charles Frischer, who is the third-largest shareholder, also happens to hold the title of Member of the Board of Directors. Furthermore, CEO John Fitzgerald is the owner of 5.8% of the company's shares.

To make our study more interesting, we found that the top 5 shareholders control more than half of the company which implies that this group has considerable sway over the company's decision-making.

Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. As far as we can tell there isn't analyst coverage of the company, so it is probably flying under the radar.

Insider Ownership Of Kingsway Financial Services

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

It seems insiders own a significant proportion of Kingsway Financial Services Inc.. It has a market capitalization of just US$228m, and insiders have US$43m worth of shares in their own names. We would say this shows alignment with shareholders, but it is worth noting that the company is still quite small; some insiders may have founded the business. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 25% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Private Company Ownership

We can see that Private Companies own 8.9%, of the shares on issue. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Kingsway Financial Services better, we need to consider many other factors. Take risks for example - Kingsway Financial Services has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

Of course this may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free free list of interesting companies.

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
The tech sector is known for generating millionaire-making gains for patient investors. However, the world's top tech stocks -- like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple -- are already worth trillions of dollars and probably have less upside potential than the sector's smaller and lesser-known stocks.

So today, I'll focus on three underappreciated small- and mid-cap stocks that could potentially deliver millionaire-making gains over the next few decades: Reddit (NYSE: RDDT), Fiverr International (NYSE: FVRR), and DigitalOcean (NYSE: DOCN).

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Reddit

Reddit's stock price has risen nearly 70% since its public debut in March. The social media company impressed investors with its robust growth rates and new data-sharing artificial intelligence (AI) deals with OpenAI and Alphabet's Google. In 2023, Reddit's revenue rose 21% as it narrowed its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) loss. In 2024, analysts expect its revenue to grow another 36% as its adjusted EBITDA turns positive.

Reddit's growth is accelerating as it gains more users and the macro headwinds for the advertising market dissipate. In the first quarter of 2024, its revenue rose 48% year over year, its daily active unique users grew 37% to 82.7 million, and it generated a positive adjusted EBITDA. Reddit carved out a defensible niche in the crowded social media market with its user-directed discussion forums, and certain major events -- including the COVID-19 pandemic, the WallStreetBets meme stock phenomenon, the Russo-Ukrainian War, the Israel-Hamas War, and various U.S. elections -- drove more users to its platform.

Analysts expect Reddit's revenue and adjusted EBITDA to rise 22% and 91%, respectively, in 2025. Based on those estimates, Reddit's stock still looks reasonably valued at 4 times next year's sales and 22 times its adjusted EBITDA. If it successfully scales up its business and widens its moat over the next few years, it could generate millionaire-making gains.

2. Fiverr International

Fiverr went public at $21 a share five years ago, and its stock hit an all-time high of $323.10 in February 2021 before dropping all the way back to about $22. The gig economy marketplace initially grew rapidly throughout the pandemic, but it lost its momentum as the macro headwinds drove companies to hire fewer freelancers. Some investors were also concerned that new generative AI apps could displace a lot of its freelance positions.

Fiverr's revenue only rose 7% in 2023, compared to its 13% growth in 2022 and 57% growth in 2023. But on the bright side, its adjusted EBITDA more than doubled to $59 million as its take rates increased throughout the entire year. Those improvements suggest it's merely experiencing a cyclical slowdown in a challenging macroeconomic environment instead of facing existential threats from new AI algorithms. It insists the growth of the AI market will actually generate long-term tailwinds for its business as more companies roll out freelance positions for AI-related fields.

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In 2024, analysts expect Fiverr's revenue and adjusted EBITDA to rise 6% and 20%, respectively. But in 2025, they expect its revenue and adjusted EBITDA to grow 11% and 24%, respectively, as the macro environment stabilizes. Those are solid growth rates for a stock that trades at just 2 times this year's sales. If the gig economy warms up, Fiverr's growth could reaccelerate as its stock is revalued as a growth play again. It could eventually generate multibagger gains as that happens.

3. DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean is a cloud infrastructure company that carves out smaller "droplets" of servers for smaller customers at lower prices. It also added GPU-powered AI processing capabilities to its servers by acquiring the start-up Paperspace last year. Those services make it an attractive alternative to bigger cloud platforms, which mainly serve large enterprise customers.

DigitalOcean went public in March 2021 at $47 per share, and its stock nearly tripled to an all-time high of $130.26 in November 2021 before pulling back to $34. Like many other cloud companies, its growth decelerated as the macro headwinds drove many companies to rein in their spending. Its revenue only rose 20% in 2023, compared to its 34% growth in 2022 and 35% growth in 2021. Analysts expect its revenue and adjusted EBITDA to only grow 11% and 5%, respectively, in 2024.

That deceleration was disappointing, but it's still gaining new customers and its adjusted EBITDA margin is expanding. Therefore, its growth could quickly stabilize again as the macro environment improves. For 2025, analysts expect its revenue and adjusted EBITDA to rise 13% and 14%, respectively, as the near-term headwinds dissipate.

Those are solid growth rates for a stock that trades at 4 times this year's sales at 14 times its adjusted EBITDA. If its growth accelerates again and its valuations rise, it might generate millionaire-making gains over the next few decades.

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Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Leo Sun has positions in Apple. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Apple, DigitalOcean, Fiverr International, Microsoft, and Nvidia. 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.

3 Top Tech Stocks That Could Make You a Millionaire was originally published by The Motley Fool
courtneyk / Getty Images

No matter how much money you have, the idea of a property or entire market being overvalued can make you cringe if youre buying real estate. No one wants to pay more for a place than its really worth.

For You: Barbara Corcoran  3 Cities To Invest In Real Estate Now Before Prices Skyrocket

Learn More: Become a Real Estate Investor for Just $1K Using This Bezos-Backed Startup

According to Fitch Ratings, home prices in 90% of metro areas in the United States are overvalued. More than half of those are overvalued by more than 10%.

Several factors are playing into the inflated prices, but one big consideration is that demand is high and supplies are limited.

Heres a look at five overvalued and overhyped luxury housing markets that even the rich might want to avoid for now.

Juergen_Wallstabe / Shutterstock.com

Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, Hawaii

You probably expect overvalued housing markets in Hawaii. The state is popular and expensive. According to U.S. News & World Report, Kahului is among the countrys most overvalued compared with local per capita incomes.

This market, which includes the inhabited islands of Maui, Lanai and most of Molokai, has been hit by a chronic housing shortage fueled by an influx of wealthy retirees and vacation-home buyers. The problem here has become so bad that the governor has been working to create more affordable options for native and local-born residents, U.S. News reported.

Be Aware: Im a Home Staging Expert: Watch Out for These 5 Staging Red Flags When Youre Buying a Home

Read Next: Dont Buy a House in These 3 Cities Facing a Climate Change Real Estate Bubble

Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them.

DianeBentleyRaymond / Getty Images/iStockphoto

San Francisco-Oakland, California

If youre considering moving to the San Francisco area, one of the most expensive in the country, you should also know its among the most overvalued as well.

This market has seen prices significantly increase due to higher demand and lower supply. In April, 17 homes sold for over $5 million, according to the San Francisco Real Estate June 2024 Report by Compass. That was the highest number since May 2022. The Cow Hollow neighborhood had the highest median sale price  $6.65 million.

Check Out: 8 States To Move to If You Dont Want To Pay Taxes on Social Security

Ultima_Gaina / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Indianapolis, Indiana

The home of the big race and Hoosier hospitality is also one of the most overvalued luxury housing markets in the country. It comes as Indiana has seen growth with more families, young adults and entrepreneurs looking at the Hoosier State.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Indianapolis market includes such high-price areas as Carmel, where the typical home price is over $556,000, according to Zillow. If you want luxury housing thats maybe less overhyped, try nearby markets such as Greater Lafayette or Fort Wayne.

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Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Seattle, Washington

If youre looking at a market with overvalued homes, check out Seattle. According to U.S. News & World Report, its one of the most overvalued in the U.S. Thats thanks to higher-than-average payment-to-income ratios.

The most overvalued markets to purchase a home tend to be located in California, but also include popular vacation home markets in Hawaii, tech-centered Seattle, Washington and pandemic-era Zoomtowns including Greeley, Colorado, and Boise, Idaho, according to U.S. News.

Keep Reading: 7 Locations Where Housing Prices Are Plummeting Post-Pandemic

Jennifer_Sharp / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Boise, Idaho

This is one of those pandemic-era Zoomtowns where the luxury housing market is now overvalued and overhyped. In addition, its the only market in Idaho to make the list from U.S. News.

If youre looking at Idaho for your next move, there are lots of great reasons it has become popular, but low cost of living isnt among them. Youll pay 5% above the national average and 12% more than the state average on living expenses, according to RentCafe.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Overhyped Luxury Housing Markets the Rich Should Avoid in 2024
US hedge fund Engine Capital has written to C&C Groups board to urge for a strategic review at the Magners cider maker.

New York-based Engine Capital owns just under 5% of the Ireland-listed drinks company and wants a review of the business aimed at a sale.

The fund, which said it invested in C&C Group four years ago, said structural and self-inflicted issues had led to the companys under-performance and valuation discount.

C&C has been a perennial underperformer and has failed to create shareholder value over any relevant measurable period, Engine Capital managing member Arnaud Ajdler said in the letter.

In our view, a sale could deliver returns far superior to the standalone value of the company, especially considering the time value of money and the execution risks of attempting to reverse self-inflicted issues.

Approached by Just Drinks, a C&C Group spokesperson said: We have no comment on Engine Capital or the media reports.

Earlier this month, C&C Group announced CEO Patrick McMahon had resigned with immediate effect as it reported financial mistakes made during his time as CFO.

The Tennents brewer said it had reviewed its inventory and balance-sheet reconciliations after its board was notified of discrepancies earlier this year.

The news came alongside the publication of C&C Groups unaudited financial results for its 2023/2024 financial year, which included lower revenue and pre-tax profits.

The Dublin-headquartered companys performance in its 2022/2023 fiscal year was impacted by a botched software upgrade at its Matthew Clark and Bibendum businesses.

The problems stemmed from the roll-out of new ERP software, with C&C Group admitting it had seen significant challenges with the implementation of the systems. Alongside the disclosure of the problems, made in May 2023, C&C Group also announced the departure of CEO David Forde after three years at the helm. He was succeeded by McMahon.

In his letter, Ajdler wrote said: The structural issues relate to C&Cs small size and the complexity of its portfolio. The company is subscale with a small market capitalization and limited daily trading liquidity. At the same time, the business is complex with disparate assets with different financial characteristics across different geographies.

He added: The company has also suffered from a host of self-inflicted issues over the last few years, including succession missteps, strategic mistakes, execution blunders, and an inability to return to its higher historical earnings profile.

Engine Capital wants C&C Group to strengthen the board with necessary financial and M&A expertise, Ajdler said.

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C&C Group is, he argued, an attractive acquisition target given the quality of its assets, pointing to strong local brands, including Tennents and Bulmers cider, as well as the companys distribution business in the UK.

Ajdler said: We suspect the optimal strategic acquiror of C&Cs assets is a scaled company with a global, established brand that could optimise marketing expenses, benefit from UK manufacturing capabilities, reduce general and administrative expenses, benefit from procurement savings, and leverage C&Cs leading distribution businesses to accelerate the growth of its own branded and higher margin products. Regardless of whether C&Cs assets are sold together or transacted separately, a combination with one or multiple strategic acquirors will create significant synergies.

Additionally, due to its strong free cash flow generation, C&C is a suitable candidate for private equity buyers, who would be comfortable using more leverage, and therefore would reduce the companys cost of capital.

Shares in C&C Group were up 1.32% at 161.1p at 13:27 BST.

"Activist fund Engine Capital calls for C&C Group strategy review" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
(Reuters) -South Africa's Naspers said on Monday its full-year earnings more than doubled, buoyed by improved performance of its e-commerce businesses and contribution from China's Tencent, which accounts for the bulk of earnings and revenues.

The technology investor said its core headline earnings per share, a key indicator of operating performance in South Africa, from continuing operations rose to 1,148 U.S. cents for the year ended March 31, from a restated 546 cents a year ago.

Naspers, with global investments housed in Amsterdam-listed Prosus, said its consolidated e-commerce business has achieved profitability in the second half of the year, ahead of its expectation for first half of 2025.

The firm posted an annual consolidated e-commerce trading profit of $24 million, compared with a loss of $435 million.

Consolidated revenue from continuing operations grew 8% to $6.4 billion, with Classifieds and Food Delivery businesses being the biggest contributors, it said.

Naspers controls Amsterdam-listed Prosus and holds its international investments there.

It has investments in food delivery companies iFood of Brazil, Delivery Hero and India's Swiggy, educational software firms such as SkillSoft and Stack Overflow, and payments companies such as India-focused PayU.

Prosus also holds a stake in Chinese software and gaming giant Tencent, which it sold down to 25% from 26.2% last year, to fund a rolling share buyback program.

Naspers and Prosus say the buybacks benefit shareholders because Prosus is worth 30% less than the value of the Tencent stake, or $98 billion at current prices.

(Reporting by Nqobile Dludla and Prerna Bedi; Editing by Rashmi Aich)
The Indian stock market has experienced a robust growth of 46% over the past year, with earnings expected to increase by 16% annually. In such a thriving market, identifying stocks like Apollo Micro Systems that are potentially undervalued can be particularly compelling for investors looking for value in a rising market environment.

Top 10 Undervalued Stocks Based On Cash Flows In India

Name Current Price Fair Value (Est) Discount (Est) Updater Services (NSEI:UDS) 297.85 477.16 37.6% Allied Digital Services (NSEI:ADSL) 155.17 228.94 32.2% IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals (BSE:524164) 415.80 574.52 27.6% Mahindra Logistics (NSEI:MAHLOG) 476.15 801.12 40.6% Strides Pharma Science (NSEI:STAR) 945.40 1520.38 37.8% TV18 Broadcast (NSEI:TV18BRDCST) 43.68 70.66 38.2% PVR INOX (NSEI:PVRINOX) 1436.85 2222.35 35.3% Delhivery (NSEI:DELHIVERY) 399.15 611.60 34.7% Camlin Fine Sciences (BSE:532834) 108.40 156.85 30.9% Godrej Properties (NSEI:GODREJPROP) 3007.30 4553.23 34%

Click here to see the full list of 17 stocks from our Undervalued Indian Stocks Based On Cash Flows screener.

Let's explore several standout options from the results in the screener

Overview: Apollo Micro Systems Limited specializes in designing, developing, assembling, and testing electronic and electro-mechanical solutions in India, with a market capitalization of approximately 34.38 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue primarily from electromechanical components and systems, as well as allied components and services, totaling approximately 3.72 billion.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 10.3%

Apollo Micro Systems, with a current trading price of INR 112.18, appears undervalued based on cash flow analysis, showing a potential fair value of INR 125.05. The company's earnings have grown by 66% over the past year and are projected to increase by approximately 50.75% annually. Despite recent revenue growth outpacing the market at 37.4% yearly, Apollo's Return on Equity is expected to remain low at around 14.2% in three years' time, indicating some concerns about future profitability and efficiency in generating shareholder value from equity investments.

NSEI:APOLLO Discounted Cash Flow as at Jun 2024

Overview: PVR INOX Limited operates as a theatrical exhibition company, involved in the exhibition, distribution, and production of movies across India and Sri Lanka, with a market capitalization of approximately 140.99 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue primarily through movie exhibition, which brought in 60.71 billion, and other activities including movie production and distribution, contributing 3.17 billion.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 35.3%

PVR INOX, priced at 1436.85, is trading significantly below its estimated fair value of 2222.35, indicating strong undervaluation based on discounted cash flow analysis. The company's revenue growth forecast at 11.3% annually outpaces the broader Indian market's 9.6%, with profitability expected within three yearsa positive turnaround from recent losses. However, its projected Return on Equity of 9.8% suggests moderate efficiency in generating shareholder value in the future. Recent expansions into new markets and enhanced cinematic technologies could support growth but also warrant cautious optimism given the financial transitions and competitive industry landscape.

NSEI:PVRINOX Discounted Cash Flow as at Jun 2024

Overview: Vedanta Limited is a diversified natural resources company involved in exploring, extracting, and processing minerals and oil and gas across India, Europe, China, the United States, Mexico, and internationally, with a market cap of approximately 1.74 trillion.

Operations: Vedanta's revenue is primarily generated from Aluminium (483.71 billion), Zinc - India (279.25 billion), Copper (197.30 billion), Oil and Gas (178.37 billion), Power (61.53 billion), Iron Ore (90.69 billion), and Zinc - International (35.56 billion).

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 26.5%

Vedanta Limited, with a current trading price of 470.25, appears undervalued by over 20% compared to its fair value estimate of 640.14 based on discounted cash flow analysis. Despite revenue growth projections trailing the broader Indian market at 6.6% annually versus 9.6%, Vedanta's earnings are expected to surge by 42.8% per year, outpacing the market forecast of 15.9%. However, the firm grapples with a high debt level and declining profit marginsdown from last year's 7.2% to this year's 3%. Recent strategic moves include plans to monetize its steel business and reduce debt, enhancing financial flexibility despite operational challenges like regulatory penalties and temporary suspensions in mining operations.

NSEI:VEDL Discounted Cash Flow as at Jun 2024

Summing It All Up

Reveal the 17 hidden gems among our Undervalued Indian Stocks Based On Cash Flows screener with a single click here.

Have a stake in these businesses? Integrate your holdings into Simply Wall St's portfolio for notifications and detailed stock reports.

Elevate your portfolio with Simply Wall St, the ultimate app for investors seeking global market coverage.

Contemplating Other Strategies?

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include NSEI:APOLLO NSEI:PVRINOX and NSEI:VEDL.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
(Bloomberg)  Apple Inc. rejected overtures by Meta Platforms Inc. to integrate the social networking companys AI chatbot into the iPhone months ago, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The two companies arent in discussions about using Metas Llama chatbot in an AI partnership and only held brief talks in March, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the situation is private. The dialogue about a partnership didnt reach any formal stage, and Apple has no active plans to integrate Llama.

The preliminary talks occurred around the time Apple started hashing out deals to use OpenAIs ChatGPT and Alphabet Inc.s Gemini in its products. The iPhone maker announced the ChatGPT agreement earlier this month and said it was expecting to offer Gemini in the future.

Apple decided not to move forward with formal Meta discussions in part because it doesnt see that companys privacy practices as stringent enough, according to the people. Apple has spent years criticizing Metas technology, and integrating Llama into the iPhone would have been a stark about-face.

Apple also sees ChatGPT as a superior offering. Google, meanwhile, is already a partner for search in Apples Safari web browser, so a future Gemini deal would build on that relationship.

Spokespeople for Apple and Meta declined to comment. The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that the two companies were in talks about an AI partnership.

Apple unveiled a suite of artificial intelligence features at its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10. The new technology  called Apple Intelligence  includes homegrown tools for summarizing notifications, transcribing voice memos and generating custom emoji.

But Apples chatbot technology isnt as advanced as that of rivals, prompting it to seek out partners. The company also believes that customers will want the ability to switch between different chatbots depending on their needs, similar to how they might hop between Google and Microsoft Corp.s Bing for searches.

Apple continues to talk to AI startup Anthropic about eventually adding that companys chatbot as an option, the people said. Apple Intelligence will begin rolling out later this year as part of operating systems for the iPhone, iPad and Mac.

Story continues

Apple has no active plans to integrate Metas Llama chatbot into its iPhones. (Bloomberg)

The current deal with OpenAI doesnt involve money swapping hands, but Apple will allow paying ChatGPT customers to access their subscriptions within the iOS operating system. That could generate revenue for OpenAI, a percentage of which could be headed to Apple in the form of App Store commissions.

Meta and Apple were on friendlier terms a decade ago, when the iPhone maker was integrating Facebook into iOS. But the companies have become fierce rivals in recent years, competing over AI, home devices and mixed-reality headsets.

With assistance from Kurt Wagner.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Argyle Resources has announced the acquisition of three silica projects in Quebec, Canada.

The company has secured a 100% interest in the Matapedia, Lac Comporte and Pilgrim Island Quartzite Silica projects from Charlevoix Silica, with the transaction comprising C$150,000 ($109,786) and the issuance of 750,000 common shares of Argyle.

The Matapedia silica property spans 912.8 hectares (ha) and is situated 36km from Grand-Metis, offering easy access via municipal roads. The site's proximity to silica, limestone and aluminous claystones presents a unique opportunity for industrial applications.

Additionally, the local port and railway infrastructure enhance the property's potential for exporting minerals to the Great Lakes and eastern US markets.

Lac Comporte Project, covering 1,945ha, is located in the Charlevoix-Est region, while the Pilgrim Islands Project covers 810ha in the regional county municipality of Kamouraska.

To fully assess the mineral potential of these properties, Argyle will partner with the National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS) to conduct an exploration campaign.

The planned activities include geophysical surveys, geological mapping, and various sampling and analytical studies such as X-ray fluorescence.

INRS, renowned for its research and training capabilities, will be led by Marc Richer-Lafleche, who brings expertise in geological and geophysical analysis, particularly for industrial-grade silica projects.

The INRS team is well-equipped with portable gas analysers, sampling tools and the necessary logistics to carry out comprehensive fieldwork both on land and in aquatic environments.

Argyle Resources CEO Jeff Stevens said: Argyle Resources was purpose built to explore and identify prospective assets in the critical metals space.

Acquiring the Matapedia, Lac Comporte and Pilgrim Island Quartzite Silica projects in Quebec to complement our graphite exploration property, Frenchvale Graphite in Nova Scotia, provides our shareholders with exposure to two strategic critical metals.

"Argyle acquires three silica projects in Quebec, Canada" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yesterday's terrorist attack in Dagestan caused unrest in the Caucasus region. The sudden incident not only worried the public, but also drew the attention of many political think tanks to the region. According to experts, Armenia, whose relations with Russia have been tarnished since the Second Garabagh War, and Washington, which has strained relations with Moscow due to the Kremlin's increased nuclear threat, are cited as references among the suspects behind the terrorist attack.

In order to deeply investigate the issue, we learned the opinion of political expert Tofig Abbasov. In his statement to Azernews, he said that the world's superpowers are trying to create new problems for each other.

"Essentially, all these processes stem from one thing: the intensifying struggle between superpowers on the international stage. As a result, each side is trying to create new problems for the other," the expert said.

Abbasov explained the West's approach to Russia.

"It is no secret that there are two approaches to Russia globally, especially in the West. One group of states aims to bring Russia to its knees and dismantle it. The other group seeks to weaken Russia so that a more compliant government emerges, aligned with Western interests," he said.

Regarding Russia's vulnerabilities, Abbasov pointed to the North Caucasus.

"Those aiming to destabilise Russia view the North Caucasus as its Achilles' heel. The West seeks to turn this region into a hub of revolution and military sensitivity," the political analyst said.

He noted that President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to North Korea is linked to these developments.

"Putin's visit to North Korea serves as a unique response to the US. It underscores that if Western countries escalate weapon supplies to Ukraine, Russia will respond in the Far East and Pacific regions," Abbasov said.

Abbasov also discussed Russia-North Korea relations.

"It's significant that Moscow and Pyongyang are forging a strategic military partnership. North Korea supports Russia in rocket technology, while Russia shares nuclear expertise with North Korea," he emphasised.

The analyst highlighted Russia's strained ties with Armenia.

"In Russia-Armenia relations, both Washington and Brussels aim to undermine Russia, particularly in the Caucasus. However, even if Armenia engages in this role, it lacks the capacity to handle it," the expert said.

He assessed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's efforts to stabilise Armenia.

"Armenia currently lacks effective leadership. Pashinyan confronts the church on one front and challenges diaspora organisations on the other. He asserts that Armenia's future should be determined by the official Yerevan, yet his ability to exert influence remains limited," the political analyst emphasised.

Abbasov explained how Washington utilises Armenia.

"The US and the West covet Armenia's territory more than its people. These dynamics may shift post-November, pending US elections, clarifying their stance on the Caucasus," he underlined.

The analyst stressed terrorism's utility in destabilising sensitive regions like the South Caucasus.

"The South Caucasus is highly volatile, making large-scale global plans unnecessary. Terrorism serves as a tool to spread widespread fear in the region. The recent events in Dagestan, particularly targeting religious sites, threaten stability," Abbasov stressed.

He also acknowledged Russia's authority in the Caucasus.

"Nevertheless, Russia maintains a robust military presence in the south, notably in the North Caucasus and Dagestan. During the recent events in Dagestan, Federal Security Service units effectively countered the attackers and restored order. Consequently, these events will draw the central government's attention to the Caucasus, intensifying local military operations," Abbasov concluded.
Usually, when one insider buys stock, it might not be a monumental event. But when multiple insiders are buying like they did in the case of ASX Limited (ASX:ASX), that sends out a positive message to the company's shareholders.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

View our latest analysis for ASX

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At ASX

Over the last year, we can see that the biggest insider purchase was by Independent Non-Executive Chairman Damian Roche for AU$644k worth of shares, at about AU$64.36 per share. That means that even when the share price was higher than AU$58.49 (the recent price), an insider wanted to purchase shares. Their view may have changed since then, but at least it shows they felt optimistic at the time. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. Generally speaking, it catches our eye when insiders have purchased shares at above current prices, as it suggests they believed the shares were worth buying, even at a higher price.

In the last twelve months ASX insiders were buying shares, but not selling. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

ASX is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of under-the-radar companies with insider buying.

Insider Ownership

Another way to test the alignment between the leaders of a company and other shareholders is to look at how many shares they own. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. From our data, it seems that ASX insiders own 0.1% of the company, worth about AU$14m. Whilst better than nothing, we're not overly impressed by these holdings.

What Might The Insider Transactions At ASX Tell Us?

The fact that there have been no ASX insider transactions recently certainly doesn't bother us. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. Overall we don't see anything to make us think ASX insiders are doubting the company, and they do own shares. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. In terms of investment risks, we've identified 1 warning sign with ASX and understanding it should be part of your investment process.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
The National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA) has appointed Liam Quegan as its new chairman.

The confirmation of this appointment took place at the annual general meeting of NAMA.

Liam Quegan is currently the managing director of Cox Automotive UK's Wholesale Group.

He will succeed Andrew Walker, the CEO of The Fleet Auction Group.

NAMA spokesperson Paul Hill said: "We are thrilled to welcome Liam Quegan as our new chairman. Liam brings a wealth of experience in the automotive and financial services industries to his new role.

His extensive experience and leadership skills will undoubtedly be invaluable as we continue to support and advance the motor auction industry. Our industry has much to be optimistic about as we navigate the ever-changing world of automotive, and NAMA is a key part of the future."

Commenting on his appointment, Quegan said: Im delighted to be taking over the position of Chair of the National Association of Motor Auctions and would like to thank Andrew Walker for the great work he has done over the last three years.

Ive been in the automotive industry for almost a decade and have been leading Manheim Auction Services for almost half of that time. Im excited to use my industry knowledge and experience, alongside my absolute passion for the sector, to continue being the voice of UK motor auctions nationwide.

This industry is dynamic and ever evolving, and NAMA seeks to represent motor auction companies, of all sizes. Thats why, as an organisation, we never sit still  wanting to continuously improve, proactively engaging in key issues, and setting clear best practice standards. I look forward to pushing the organisation forward and working closely with my peers to set the standards of motor auctions across the UK.

NAMA, founded in 1969, is a key component of the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) and plays a significant role in the UK's motor auction sector. Its members, who handle approximately 95% of vehicles wholesaled in the UK, not only auction motor vehicles both physically and online but also provide a range of remarketing services.

"Auction group NAMA appoints new chairman" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Avatr Technology, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) manufacturer controlled by Chinese state owned automaker Chongqing Changan Automobile, signed an exclusive distribution agreement for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with Smart Mobility International.

The UAE is first Middle East market to be targeted by Avatr as the BEV startup continued to get its export strategy under way. The company began targeting overseas markets earlier this year, initially prioritising southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe, as competition in its domestic market continued to intensify.

Avatr was originally a joint venture between Changan Automobile and Nio before the two companies parted ways. The company, also backed by EV battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), raised US$410m in late 2023 in a series B funding round. It began selling BEVs in 2022 and had sold so far.

Smart Mobility International, a unit of the local United Al Saqer Group, is a new energy vehicle (NEV) distributor based in Abu Dhabi also handling Chinese BEV brand Neta.

United Al Saqer also distributes BMW-Mini, Rolls-Royce and McLaren.

"Avatr inks UAE distribution agreement" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Ron Black, the former Imagination chief, claims he was told he would make 'a lot of money' if he transferred company from the UK to China - David Rose

The former boss of the British microchip company Imagination Technologies has claimed Chinese investors seemingly offered him what felt like a bribe to move the company to China.

Ron Black told an employment tribunal case that he was told he would make a lot of money if he transferred Imaginations technology and its employees out of the UK to China.

Mr Black resigned from Imagination in 2020 amid an attempt by China Reform, the state-owned investment company that is Imaginations key financial backer, to take over the companys board.

He is suing the company for $257m (203m) for unfair dismissal, alleging he was forced out for blowing the whistle.

The company claims Mr Black was removed for orchestrating an executive coup over a disagreement about strategy.

Imagination, which designs processors for smartphones, cars and smart devices, was bought by Canyon Bridge, a private equity firm backed by state-owned China Reform, in 2018.

Mr Black said that after being hired in late 2018 he was called to meet China Reform representatives at a late-night meeting at a Beijing tea house in March 2019.

Mr Black said he was pulled aside by Lining Wang, an executive at the investment firm, and encouraged to move the companys operations to China as well as liaising directly with the state-owned investors.

I would make a lot of money if I agreed

He told me privately that I (meaning Imagination) should stop working through Canyon Bridge and report directly to China Reform, and begin to transfer Imaginations technology to China, using the companys British engineers to train new Chinese engineers, and then to lay off the British engineers to reduce cost, Mr Black wrote in a witness statement.

He added that I would make a lot of money if I agreed to do these things, Mr Black added.

He was asking me to facilitate a wholesale transfer of Imaginations IP and ultimately its business to Chinese entities.

Mr Black said he had reported the conversation to Ray Bingham, Canyon Bridges lead partner and Imaginations chairman.

I said that Mr Lining Wangs suggestion that I could make a lot of money felt like a bribe, he wrote.

If the Chinese state could control Imaginations business strategy and agenda it would enable them to make technology transfers.

That in turn would mean all the sensitive technologies  would be in the hands of the Chinese government, Mr Black wrote.

Imagination designs processors for smartphones, cars and smart devices - Hannah McKay/Reuters

Mr Bingham and Imagination Technologies dispute Mr Blacks version of events and say he in fact sought deeper relations with China.

Mr Bingham wrote in his witness statement about Mr Wangs purported comments: I suspect these were personal and unreliable comments.

Story continues

Ron would have known that this did not represent any view of the senior players in China Reform.

He also said Mr Wang was relatively junior.

Imagination said that Mr Black had pursued an investment that would have seen the companys base moved to China.

Documents in the case suggest that Imagination came close to a $300m investment from THG, a private equity company backed by the Tianjin municipal government.

The full investment would have seen Imagination domicile in China as a condition of the deal and potentially float its shares in Shanghai.

His plans focused on growth in China

His plans as CEO focused on growth in China and even a possible business move to China, Imagination said.

Mr Black said he would have resisted moving the company.

Imagination, founded in 1985, is one of Britains most high-profile semiconductor companies. Its customers include Apple.

It was bought by Canyon Bridge for 550m in 2017 after falling into financial difficulties.

The buyers Chinese connections meant US authorities forced the company to sell off its American business, but the deal was not blocked in Britain.

The Government has since brought in strict national security legislation that has resulted in a string of Chinese takeovers of UK companies being blocked. During the first full year of the new laws, which came into force in January 2022, 15 deals were blocked, eight of them involving Chinese buyers.

Beijing has been investing billions in growing its domestic semiconductor industry amid a US trade war and as microchips become central to advanced weapons and artificial intelligence technology.

China Reform attempted to install four new directors in 2020 in a move that prompted Mr Black and several Imagination executives to resign.

The company backtracked on the appointments after Oliver Dowden, then the culture secretary, intervened.

Mr Dowden demanded a meeting with Mr Bingham amid fury from Conservative MPs, leading Imagination to cancel the appointments at late notice.

Mr Black says he then withdrew his resignation, which was accepted by the company but subsequently not honoured, and that he was sacked for whistleblowing.

The Claimants blinkered approach and inability to co-operate meant that he was not doing his job as CEO, Imagination said.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
(Bloomberg) -- ByteDance Ltd. and Broadcom Inc. have discussed a potential collaboration on an AI processor to help bolster the TikTok parents development of that technology.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The US chip designer and Beijing-based ByteDance have talked about a 5-nanometer purpose-built chip, according to a person familiar with the discussions. No deal has yet been reached between the two companies, and Broadcom already supplies an older-generation 7nm AI processor for use in ByteDances data centers, the person said, asking not to be named as the information is private.

The proposed chip would comply with US trade restrictions on China, Reuters said in an earlier report citing anonymous sources. The two companies existing business relationship largely revolves around server and networking gear, and Broadcom has cited ByteDance as a customer in its press releases.

In March, Broadcom told investors that it added a new customer for its consumer AI accelerator business and it will be shipping products to that company in the next few months, without providing a name.

Should the pair reach a deal, the customized chip would be made by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Reuters reported. The tie-up between the owner of TikTok and two global semiconductor firms is unusual given Washington is actively trying to curtail Chinese chipmaking ambitions through a series of broad production and export curbs.

The arrangement is intended to ensure a steady supply of chips to ByteDance, which operates the worlds biggest short video platform as well as Chinese services Douyin and Toutiao. ByteDances Doubao became Chinas most popular AI chatbot this year.

ByteDances global competitors, from Meta Platforms Inc. and Microsoft Corp. to Alphabet Inc.s Google, are all developing or already using their own bespoke chips for AI tasks. The TikTok parent will be trying to keep pace with those US rivals, having made AI a priority this year.

Representatives for ByteDance, Broadcom and TSMC did not respond to requests for comment.

--With assistance from Vlad Savov and Jessica Sui.

(Updates with information from a person familiar with the matter)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Key Insights

The projected fair value for GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad is RM0.92 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad's RM0.78 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

The average premium for GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad's competitorsis currently 391%

Does the June share price for GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad (KLSE:GUOCO) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward.

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad

Is GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad Fairly Valued?

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. 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.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM101.6m RM84.3m RM75.1m RM70.2m RM67.7m RM66.8m RM66.8m RM67.6m RM68.8m RM70.5m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -25.89% Est @ -17.06% Est @ -10.88% Est @ -6.55% Est @ -3.52% Est @ -1.40% Est @ 0.09% Est @ 1.13% Est @ 1.85% Est @ 2.36% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 14% RM89.5 RM65.4 RM51.3 RM42.2 RM35.9 RM31.1 RM27.4 RM24.4 RM21.9 RM19.8

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM409m

Story continues

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 14%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM70m (1 + 3.6%)  (14% 3.6%) = RM729m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM729m ( 1 + 14%)10= RM204m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM613m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM0.8, the company appears about fair value at a 15% 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

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at GuocoLand (Malaysia) 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 14%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.576. 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 GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad

Strength

Debt is well covered by cash flow.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

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 Real Estate market.

Opportunity

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Lack of analyst coverage makes it difficult to determine GUOCO's earnings prospects.

Threat

No apparent threats visible for GUOCO.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation 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. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad, we've put together three pertinent elements you should further examine:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing! Other Top Analyst Picks: Interested to see what the analysts are thinking? Take a look at our interactive list of analysts' top stock picks to find out what they feel might have an attractive future outlook!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the KLSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Key Insights

The projected fair value for DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad is RM4.86 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

With RM5.29 share price, DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

Analyst price target for DKSH is RM5.54, which is 14% above our fair value estimate

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad (KLSE:DKSH) by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. 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 DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad

What's The Estimated Valuation?

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. 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, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM77.4m RM76.4m RM76.5m RM77.3m RM78.8m RM80.7m RM82.9m RM85.3m RM88.0m RM90.9m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -3.45% Est @ -1.35% Est @ 0.12% Est @ 1.15% Est @ 1.87% Est @ 2.37% Est @ 2.73% Est @ 2.97% Est @ 3.15% Est @ 3.27% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 13% RM68.8 RM60.3 RM53.7 RM48.3 RM43.7 RM39.8 RM36.3 RM33.3 RM30.5 RM28.0

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM443m

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 13%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM91m (1 + 3.6%)  (13% 3.6%) = RM1.1b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM1.1b ( 1 + 13%)10= RM324m

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM766m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM5.3, the company appears around fair value 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

The Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) 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 13%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.410. 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 DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Trade Distributors industry.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Trade Distributors market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years.

Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Malaysian market.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad, we've put together three further aspects you should further research:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad (at least 1 which can't be ignored) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does DKSH'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 High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

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
NEW YORK (AP)  Car dealerships in North America are still wrestling with major disruptions that started last week with cyberattacks on a company whose software is used widely in the auto retail sales sector.

CDK Global, a company that provides software for thousands of auto dealers in the U.S. and Canada, was hit by back-to-back cyberattacks Wednesday. That led to an outage that has continued to impact operations.

For prospective car buyers, that's meant delays at dealerships or vehicle orders written up by hand. There's no immediate end in sight, but CDK says it expects the restoration process to take several days to complete.

On Monday, Group 1 Automotive Inc., a $4 billion automotive retailer, said it is using alternative processes to sell cars to its customers. Lithia Motors and AutoNation, two other dealership chains, also disclosed that they implemented workarounds to keep their operations going.

Here is what you need to know.

What is CDK Global?

CDK Global is a major player in the auto sales industry. The company, based just outside of Chicago in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, provides software technology to dealers that helps with day-to-day operations  like facilitating vehicle sales, financing, insurance and repairs.

CDK serves more than 15,000 retail locations across North America, according to the company.

What happened last week?

CDK experienced back-to-back cyberattacks on Wednesday. The company shut down all of its systems after the first attack out of an abundance of caution, according to spokesperson Lisa Finney, and then shut down most systems again following the second.

We have begun the restoration process," Finney said in an update over the weekend  noting that the company had launched an investigation into the cyber incident with third-party experts and notified law enforcement.

Based on the information we have at this time, we anticipate that the process will take several days to complete, and in the interim we are continuing to actively engage with our customers and provide them with alternate ways to conduct business, she added.

In messages to its customers, the company has also warned of bad actors posing as members or affiliates of CDK to try to obtain system access by contacting customers. It urged them to be cautious of any attempted phishing.

The incident bore all the hallmarks of a ransomware attack, in which targets are asked to pay a ransom to access encrypted files. But CDK declined to comment directly  neither confirming or denying if it had received a ransom demand.

Story continues

When you see an attack of this kind, it almost always ends up being a ransomware attack, Cliff Steinhauer, director of information security and engagement at the National Cybersecurity Alliance. We see it time and time again unfortunately, (particularly in) the last couple of years. No industry and no organization or software company is immune.

Are impacted dealerships still selling cars?

Several major auto companies  including Stellantis, Ford and BMW  confirmed to The Associated Press last week that the CDK outage had impacted some of their dealers, but that sales operations continue.

In light of the ongoing situation, a spokesperson for Stellantis said Friday that many dealerships had switched to manual processes to serve customers. That includes writing up orders by hand.

A Ford spokesperson added that the outage may cause some delays and inconveniences at some dealers and for some customers. However, many Ford and Lincoln customers are still getting sales and service support through alternative routes being used at dealerships.

The people who've been around longer  you know, guys who have maybe a little salt in their hair like me  we remember how to do it before the computers, said John Crane of Hawk Auto Group, a Westmont, Illinois-based dealership operator that uses CDK. Its just a few more steps and a little bit more time.

Although impacted Hawk Auto dealerships are still able to serve customers by going back to the basics," Crane added that those working in administration are still pulling out our hair." He notes that there are now stacks of paper awaiting processing  in place of orders that went through automatically on a computer overnight.

Group 1 Automotive Inc. said Monday that the incident has disrupted its business applications and processes in its U.S. operations that rely on CDKs dealers systems. The company said that it took measures to protect and isolate its systems from CDKs platform.

In regulatory filings, Lithia Motors and AutoNation disclosed that last week's incident at CDK had disrupted their operations as well.

Lithia said it activated cyber incident response procedures, which included severing business service connections between the companys systems and CDKs." AutoNation said it also took steps to protect its systems and data, adding that all of its locations remain open albeit with lower productivity," as many are served manually or through alternative processes.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF?

With many details of the cyberattacks still unclear, customer privacy is also at top of mind  especially with little known about what information may have been compromised this week.

If you've bought a car from a dealership that's used CDK software, cybersecurity security experts stress that it's important to assume your data may have been breached. That could potentially include pretty sensitive information, Steinhauer noted, like your social security number, employment history, income and current or former addresses.

Those impacted should monitor their credit  or even freeze their credit as an added layer of defense  and consider signing up for identify theft monitor insurance. You'll also want to be wary of any phishing attempts. It's best to make sure you have reliable contact information for a company by visiting their official website, for example, as scammers sometimes try to take advantage of news about data breaches to gain your trust through look-alike emails or phone calls.

Those are some best practices to keep in mind whether you're a victim of CDK's data breach or not, Steinhauer said. "Unfortunately, in this day and age, our data is a valuable target  and you have to make sure that youre taking steps to protect it, he said.

___

Associated Press writer Mike Householder in Detroit contributed to this report.
Having trouble recently buying a car at a dealer or getting them to service your car?

The likely culprit is a cyberattack on CDK Global, a software provider that thousands of dealers and service centers use for critical pieces of their business. The attack on June 19 has brought dealerships to their knees as they struggle to complete basic tasks with nonfunctioning computer systems, though the company says its on the path towards restoring service.

Heres what we know so far.

What is CDK Global?

CDK Global, based in Hoffman Estates, Ill., claims to operate in over 15,000 retail locations across North America, offering software  in particular a dealer management system, or DMS  that dealers use to process transactions, arrange financing, track parts and suppliers, and perform customer relations management, among other activities.

CDK Global is owned by Brookfield Business Partners (BPU), a Canadian private equity firm that bought it for nearly $6.5 billion in 2023.

What happened to CDK Global, and who cares?

A cyberattack on CDK Global, a software provider, has crippled the workflow at approximately 15,000 dealerships across the United States and Canada. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) (Scott Olson via Getty Images)

After numerous dealerships across Canada and the US reported system outages, CDK Global revealed it had been the victim of a cyberattack.

CDK experienced a cyber incident," the company said in a statement to Yahoo Finance. Based on the information we have at this time, we anticipate that the [recovery] process will take several days to complete, the company said, adding that it was working with clients on workaround solutions  essentially going back to the pre-data entry days.

Having to move everything to paper has resulted in both an accounting nightmare and bad buying experiences for consumers  and all during the start of their peak season, said Stuart McCallum, partner at automotive accounting firm Withum, to Yahoo Finance.

CDK subsequently admitted that the perpetrators were demanding a ransom to restore services; Bloomberg separately reported that the group behind the attack, BlackSuit, is based in Eastern Europe and was demanding tens of millions.

Shares of CDK Globals parent Brookfield slid 5.7% in Canada following reports that the company was hacked for a second time after it tried to restore services.

On Wednesday night of this week, CDK Global issued a statement with the first positive news from the company since the cyberattack began on June 19, claiming that a small group of dealers had been brought back online with CDK's DMS.

CDK said there was more movement on that front on Friday.

We are continuing our phased approach to the restoration process," the company said in a statement to Yahoo Finance. "We have successfully brought two small groups of dealers and one large publicly traded dealer group live on the Dealer Management System (DMS). We are also actively working to bring live additional applicationsincluding our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Service solutionsand our Customer Care channels."

Story continues

Why dealers  and customers  are feeling the pain

At the retail level, dealers and their customers have been negatively affected in several ways.

At one end are customers with new car purchases that cant get processed or ones who have seen purchases delayed. On the other end, and more troublesome, are customers with cars stuck in service departments.

We're not allowed to let a car go until the repair order gets closed because that's just the way the law works, a dealer based in Southern California said to Yahoo Finance. Repair orders can't get closed until we know who's going to pay for it.

Yahoo Finance also spoke to two separate customers getting service work done at Porsche and Lexus dealerships, one with a car return delayed from a service center and the other with a car stuck in service due to parts orders being affected.

Larger dealerships have been trying to work around the issue. AutoNation, the biggest US dealership group by revenue, said in a filing on Monday that it is resorting to manual processes.

While the outages of CDKs systems and our DMS have been disruptive and adversely impacted our business, all of our locations remain open, and we are continuing to sell, service, and buy vehicles, and otherwise serve our customers, through manual and alternative means and processes, albeit with lower productivity, the company said.

Unsold 2024 pickup trucks sit on the lot of a GMC/Buick dealership Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Loveland, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Lithia Motors, which operates nearly 300 dealership locations in the US, admitted the dealership group is under strain, with limited visibility into the overall effect of the outage.

While this incident has had, and is likely to continue to have, a negative impact on the Companys business operations until the relevant systems are fully restored, the Company has not yet determined whether the incident is reasonably likely to materially impact the Companys financial condition or results of operations, Lithia said in a filing on Monday.

Group 1 Automotive, which has over 200 dealerships in the US and UK, said in a statement Monday that it was using "alternative processes" to conduct business and that the company's ability to determine any material impact from the service outage would depend on a "number of factors."

One thing seems certain: The longer the outage lasts, the more pain the dealerships will have to endure.

If they get this thing fixed this week, I think it'll just be an annoyance. It'll probably cost some money, but I don't think it's the end of the world, the Southern California-based dealer told Yahoo Finance regarding outages on the sales side, but added if the disruption went on for a month, it's going be a problem.

Whats next for CDK Global?

Picture of a sign with the logo of CDK Global taken in front of their main office for Prague, Czech Republic. Formerly called ADP Dealer Services, CDK Global provides integrated technology services and solutions to over 27,000 automotive dealerships internationally, as well as vehicle manufacturers. (BalkansCat via Getty Images)

Dealership groups that are stuck with CDK Globals inoperable DMS are not happy and may be looking at other software providers, such as SAP, Reynolds and Reynolds, and Dominion Enterprises.

The Southern California-based dealer told Yahoo Finance that CDK has a trust issue based on how the company has handled the situation. Communication hasnt been helpful, the dealer said, adding to what others have said about vague and generic mass emails sent to clients.

They've been largely ineffectual at fixing this, and that's the bigger trust issue, the dealer added, claiming dealers would definitely consider looking at alternatives.

Thats because consumers remember poor car-buying experiences and will be more likely to take their business to a dealership that wasnt impacted by the hack, said McCallum of Withum.

McCallum said he has heard directly from impacted dealerships, claiming that due to the difficulty of calculating leases by hand, for example, they have halted offering them completely.

One service center in Illinois is suing CDK Global over lost business due to the cyberattack, and other DMS operators like Dominion have said automakers want to audit their software as well to test for cybersecurity effectiveness.

With systems impacted for over a week, automotive research firms are projecting lost sales for the month of June and second quarter.

Because of the disruption to dealer software systems, June sales will not be reflective of actual consumer demand for new vehicles. Instead, a significant number of sales that would have occurred in June are now likely to occur in July, said Thomas King, J.D. Powers president of data and analytics, in a statement.

King and J.D. Power project overall June sales will dip from an initial 1.41 million unit projection to between 1.27 to 1.33 million unit sales for the month, or a 2.6% to 7.2% decrease in sales compared to a year ago.

A positive: Those lost sales could reappear in July. But even a lost week, or slow week of sales, in June could affect overall second quarter sales for the dealer groups and automakers too, due to the historically strong end-of-June period.

The CDK cyberattacks have thrown a monkey wrench into sales during the second half of June, affecting what is arguably one of the most lucrative and busiest times of the month and quarter for dealerships, said Jessica Caldwell, Edmundss head of insights. Although the impact of these attacks will be different from dealer to dealer, this event is another speed bump on the automotive industrys long road to recovery.

Caldwell noted that despite high interest rates and other headwinds, new vehicle sales were poised to be strong in Q2 due to healthier inventory levels and return of summertime incentives. However, like JD Power, Edmunds now expects sales to be pushed to Q3, meaning sales losses could be recovered.

With Q2 earnings season coming up next month, investors will get a clearer picture of the cyberattacks impact on dealership group-level sales and overall quarterly deliveries for volume automakers like Ford, GM, and Toyota.

Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance covering the auto industry. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.

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Laman Ismayilova

Kharibulbul Azerbaijani language weekend school has started operating at the Azerbaijan Culture Centre in Berlin, Azernews reports.

The project was launched with the organisational support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, the Azerbaijan State Committee on Work with Diaspora, and the Azerbaijani Embassy in Germany.

Azerbaijan Deputy Culture Minister Farid Jafarov also participated in the ceremony.

In his speech, Farid Jafarov emphasised the importance of the Azerbaijani language at the at the weekend school. It was noted that the school will contribute to the promotion of the Azerbaijani language.

The establishment of Azerbaijani language schools at the initiative of the First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva is of great importance in preserving ties with the historical motherland and learning the mother tongue of the young generation.

The Azerbaijani Diaspora in Germany is also successfully operating in this field.

After the opening ceremony, the guests participated in the opening of newly organised drum courses at the Azerbaijan Culture Centre.

Gifts were presented to the students of the Mother Language School on behalf of the Culture Ministry and the Azerbaijan State Committee on Work with Diaspora.
Chevron and Compania Nacional de Petroleos de Guinea Ecuatorial (GEPetrol) have signed PSCs for two blocks offshore Equatorial Guinea.

The PSCs have been signed with Equatorial Guinea's Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons for blocks EG-06 and EG-11, which are considered "highly-prospective".

The two offshore blocks are expected to be integral to the resurgence of offshore E&P in Equatorial Guinea, according to the African Energy Chamber (AEC).

The PSCs enable Chevron and the national oil company of Equatorial Guinea, GEPetrol, to initiate a fresh E&P campaign in these blocks, which were previously under ExxonMobil's tenure.

The contracts provide a framework for the development of the assets, detailing minimum investment requirements, exploration plans, commitments to sustainable development and benefits for the state.

AEC executive chairman NJ Ayuk said: The African Energy Chamber fully supports these efforts, which are expected to reverse the decline in production and pave the way for a new era of exploration, growth and prosperity in the region.

AEC expects the two blocks to counter the decline in national oil production.

Equatorial Guinea has experienced a downturn in oil output due to the maturation of existing fields and insufficient investment in undeveloped assets.

The government is actively encouraging offshore exploration investments.

Equatorial Guinea Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons Antonio Uburu Ondo said: The signing of these production sharing contracts between Chevron, GEPetrol and the ministry marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to revitalise the upstream sector.

We are confident that the development of Blocks EG-06 and EG-11 will not only enhance oil production but also support our energy security efforts.

In April 2024, GEPetrol selected UK-based Petrofac to support the operation of an asset in Equatorial Guinea.

The contract encompasses a range of technical services for onshore support bases, a floating production storage and offloading unit and a platform on behalf of GEPetrol.

"Chevron and GEPetrol sign PSCs for Equatorial Guinea offshore blocks" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
By Joe Cash and Ryan Woo

BEIJING (Reuters) -Beijing wants the EU to scrap plans to impose preliminary tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports by July 4, China's state-controlled Global Times reported, after both sides agreed to negotiate a possible compromise.

Provisional European Union duties of up to 38.1% on imported Chinese-made EVs are set to kick in by July 4 while the bloc investigates what it says are excessive and unfair subsidies.

The European Commission said it would host technical talks with Chinese officials in Brussels this week.

"The EU side has emphasised that any negotiated outcome of the investigation must be effective in addressing the injurious subsidisation," a Commission spokesperson said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said there needed to be "serious movement and progress" from China too.

China has repeatedly called on the EU to cancel its tariffs, expressing a willingness to negotiate. Beijing does not want to be embroiled in another tariff war, still stung by U.S. tariffs on its goods imposed by the Trump administration, but says it would take all steps to protect Chinese firms should one happen.

China's Global Times, citing observers, said the best outcome would be for the EU to scrap its tariff plans before July 4.

Analysts and European trade lobby groups stressed that China would need to come to negotiations willing to make major concessions.

Alicia Garcia Herrero, senior fellow at Bruegel, an influential EU affairs think tank, doubted the planned curbs could be dropped before elections in France on June 30 and July 7.

"The Commission can't change a decision it has been pondering for months on months on months," she added. "Yes, China is putting pressure on the member states, but they would need to vote with a qualified majority against the Commission."

The European Commission is set to make a final decision on tariffs by Nov. 2 at the end of the anti-subsidy investigation.

The Chinese commerce ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

TALKS ARE A 'GOOD SIGN'

Siegfried Russwurm, head of Germany's biggest industry association BDI, said it was a "good sign" both sides would hold talks.

"You know the old saying: as long as there are talks you're not shooting at each other," he told German public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.

Russwurm, who also serves as chairman for German conglomerate and car supplier Thyssenkrupp, said tariffs were the last thing Germany needed as a major exporting nation.

At the same time, Brussels' move to apply tariffs of varying degrees suggested a thorough analysis had taken place and that this was not an effort that targeted the entire Chinese car sector in equal measure.

Meantime, Maximilian Butek, executive director at the German Chamber of Commerce in China, said there was "zero chance" the preliminary tariffs would be removed by July 4 unless China eliminated all the issues flagged by the European Commission.

EU trade policy has turned increasingly protective over concerns that China's production-focused development model could see it flooded with cheap goods as Chinese firms look to step up exports amid weak domestic demand.

China has rejected accusations of unfair subsidies or that it has an overcapacity problem, saying the development of its EV industry has been the result of advantages in technology, market and industry supply chains.

"When European Commission President Von der Leyen announced she would investigate China's new energy vehicles ... I had an intuitive feeling it was not only an economic issue but also a geopolitical issue," said Zhang Yansheng, chief research fellow at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.

ARMED AND READY

Although calling for talks, Beijing has also indicated it has retaliatory measures ready if the EU does not back down, and that it considers Brussels wholly responsible for the escalating tensions.

China has opened an anti-dumping investigation into EU pork imports. The Global Times said China was also teeing up an anti-subsidy investigation into European dairy goods and tariffs on large-engined petrol cars.

Chinese authorities have dropped hints about possible retaliatory measures through state media commentaries and interviews with industry figures.

"It seems probable that Beijing will raise tariffs up to 25% for Europe-made cars with 2.5 or above litre engines," said Jacob Gunter, lead analyst at Berlin-based China studies institute MERICS.

"Pork and dairy are already on the table for Beijing, and likely more agricultural products will be threatened," he added.

"On the EU side, there are a variety of ongoing investigations ... so we should expect some sort of measures targeting distortions on (Chinese) products ranging from medical devices to airport security scanners to steel pipes."

(Reporting by Joe Cash and Ryan Woo; Additional reporting by Laurie Chen and Christoph Steitz, Miranda Murray and Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Gerry Doyle, Alexander Smith, Louise Heavens and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Hines, in partnership with AFL-CIO Building Investment Trust and Marquee Development, has announced the completion of a mixed-use development, North Loop Green, in Minneapolis, US.

The project includes 350,000ft of office space, 350 luxury market-rate and 100 short-term rental residences, and 10,000ft of food and beverage offerings.

It is said to have leased 70% of its office space to a diverse group of tenants such as Piper Sandler, ESG Architecture & Design, KPMG, and Varde Partners.

It has also recently added food and beverage outlets such as Bassett Hound, Salt & Flour Kitchen, and Hope Breakfast Bar to the on-site offerings.

Hines managing director Bob Pfefferle said: This project leverages our expertise in creating placemaking destinations and provides the Minneapolis community with new ways to live, work and enjoy all that the city has to offer, acting as a hub of engagement, inspiration and enjoyment.

This announcement also comprises the completion of North Loop Green 360 (NLG360), a part of the broader North Loop Green project.

NLG360 offers a range of studio and three-bedroom units, alongside amenities such as outdoor terraces, a Sky Lounge, and a fitness centre.

The company notes that residents began moving in February this year and the residential tower has achieved a 60% leasing rate.

North Loop Green also includes a one-acre public green space, known as the Green, which opened earlier this month.

Marquee Development managing principal Eric Nordness said: Our vision for the Green is for it to become a year-round destination and gathering place for neighbours and visitors alike.

Were thrilled to officially introduce the community to North Loop Green and to provide a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy, in collaboration with our partners at Hines.

Located in the North Loop neighbourhood adjacent to Target Field, North Loop Green development has been partially funded through Hines US Direct Investments.

Last month, Hines and real estate investment company Trez Capital marked the ground-breaking of Northspur, a 700-acre master-planned community in Terrell, Texas, US.

"Work completes on North Loop Green development in Minneapolis" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
In contrast, consumers in European countries Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK were the least willing in the world to pay for more sustainable and inclusive brands.

The researchers further revealed that consumers from countries including China, South Africa and Thailand had the highest willingness to pay for exclusive, on-trend brands.

The research examined consumer willingness to pay across various demographics, analysing responses from 24,798 individuals across 20 countries and Hong Kong. The study focused on two types of brands: those that aim for sustainability and inclusivity, and those positioned as exclusive and on-trend.

Is sustainability just a buzzword in fashion?

According to GlobalData's Global Apparel Market to 2028 report, while sustainability and ethics are trending in the fashion industry, only 45.4% and 43.5% of consumers within key markets stated that product sustainability and retailer ethics, respectively, always or often impact their apparel purchases. These factors rank far behind value for money, price and quality for consumers.

However, concern around sustainability and ethics rises to almost half among consumers under 35, suggesting these themes will become more important over time.

Investors and legislators are increasingly demanding that fashion brands improve transparency regarding their supply chain impact and increase their sustainability efforts.

GlobalData's apparel data reveals that the resale market for apparel has grown "tremendously" in recent years, driven primarily by financial and sustainable motivations.

Between 2023 and 2027, the resale market is expected to grow by 56.1% as sustainability concerns rise and more players enter the market, making secondhand apparel more desirable to consumers.

Apparel shoppers concerned about sustainability, ethic but deprioritise to save money

A GlobalData survey conducted in December 2023 across Germany, France, Spain, Italy, China and the US found apparel shoppers prioritise sustainability and ethics far less than factors such as price, quality and value for money, especially during the ongoing economic crisis.

GlobalData apparel analyst Pippa Stephens noted that despite this 60.2% of consumers still worry about the industrys environmental impact, and 62.8% are avoiding fast fashion as a result.

This highlights the need for apparel brands to focus on the environmental and ethical impact of their practices to maintain strong consumer perceptions.

When asked about sustainable actions taken in the past year, donating items to charity or thrift shops was the most common task, with 41.3% of respondents doing this. It was most popular in the US, with 55.7% participation, due to the large number of thrift shops in the country.

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This was followed by selling and buying secondhand items, done by 27.1% and 26.2% of respondents, respectively.

Buying secondhand apparel was most popular among shoppers in the US and France, with 34.1% of respondents in both countries, driven more by financial considerations than sustainability.

"In data: South Korea, Singapore most willing to pay for sustainable fashion" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it currently lacks a track record of revenue and profit. But as Peter Lynch said in One Up On Wall Street, 'Long shots almost never pay off.' While a well funded company may sustain losses for years, it will need to generate a profit eventually, or else investors will move on and the company will wither away.

So if this idea of high risk and high reward doesn't suit, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL). While this doesn't necessarily speak to whether it's undervalued, the profitability of the business is enough to warrant some appreciation - especially if its growing.

Check out our latest analysis for Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines' Improving Profits

Delta Air Lines has undergone a massive growth in earnings per share over the last three years. So much so that this three year growth rate wouldn't be a fair assessment of the company's future. Thus, it makes sense to focus on more recent growth rates, instead. Impressively, Delta Air Lines' EPS catapulted from US$2.97 to US$7.76, over the last year. Year on year growth of 162% is certainly a sight to behold.

Top-line growth is a great indicator that growth is sustainable, and combined with a high earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margin, it's a great way for a company to maintain a competitive advantage in the market. Not all of Delta Air Lines' revenue this year is revenue from operations, so keep in mind the revenue and margin numbers used in this article might not be the best representation of the underlying business. Delta Air Lines maintained stable EBIT margins over the last year, all while growing revenue 9.3% to US$59b. That's a real positive.

The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart.

Fortunately, we've got access to analyst forecasts of Delta Air Lines' future profits. You can do your own forecasts without looking, or you can take a peek at what the professionals are predicting.

Are Delta Air Lines Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Since Delta Air Lines has a market capitalisation of US$32b, we wouldn't expect insiders to hold a large percentage of shares. But we do take comfort from the fact that they are investors in the company. We note that their impressive stake in the company is worth US$121m. This comes in at 0.4% of shares in the company, which is a fair amount of a business of this size. So despite their percentage holding being low, company management still have plenty of reasons to deliver the best outcomes for investors.

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Should You Add Delta Air Lines To Your Watchlist?

Delta Air Lines' earnings per share have been soaring, with growth rates sky high. That sort of growth is nothing short of eye-catching, and the large investment held by insiders should certainly brighten the view of the company. At times fast EPS growth is a sign the business has reached an inflection point, so there's a potential opportunity to be had here. So based on this quick analysis, we do think it's worth considering Delta Air Lines for a spot on your watchlist. However, before you get too excited we've discovered 2 warning signs for Delta Air Lines that you should be aware of.

While opting for stocks without growing earnings and absent insider buying can yield results, for investors valuing these key metrics, here is a carefully selected list of companies in the US with promising growth potential and insider confidence.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

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
The South Korean stock market has shown resilience over the past year, with a notable increase of 6.5% and expectations for annual earnings growth set at 29%. In this stable yet growing environment, dividend stocks like Hy-Lok offer potential for investors looking for reliable income combined with the opportunity for capital appreciation.

Top 10 Dividend Stocks In South Korea

Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Kia (KOSE:A000270) 4.36%  NH Investment & Securities (KOSE:A005940) 6.38%  Industrial Bank of Korea (KOSE:A024110) 7.19%  KT (KOSE:A030200) 5.40%  Shinhan Financial Group (KOSE:A055550) 4.40%  LOTTE Fine Chemical (KOSE:A004000) 4.46%  KB Financial Group (KOSE:A105560) 3.83%  Kyung Nong (KOSE:A002100) 4.81%  Tong Yang Life Insurance (KOSE:A082640) 6.26%  Samyang (KOSE:A145990) 3.28% 

Click here to see the full list of 69 stocks from our Top KRX Dividend Stocks screener.

Underneath we present a selection of stocks filtered out by our screen.

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Hy-Lok Corporation, with a market capitalization of approximately 342.48 billion, operates globally in the fluid and control system industry.

Operations: Hy-Lok Corporation's revenue streams are not detailed in the provided text.

Dividend Yield: 3.8%

Hy-Lok, despite a short dividend history of five years, has shown promising signs with increasing dividend payments and a stable 3.76% yield, placing it in the top 25% of Korean dividend payers. The dividends are well-supported by both earnings and cash flows, with payout ratios at 26.8% and 34.7%, respectively. Additionally, the stock is trading at a significant discount to its estimated fair value and has recently completed an aggressive share buyback program totaling KRW 14.99 billion, enhancing shareholder value through reduced share count and potential earnings per share increase.

KOSDAQ:A013030 Dividend History as at Jun 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Industrial Bank of Korea is a bank focused on financing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) both in Korea and internationally, with a market capitalization of approximately 10.77 billion.

Operations: Industrial Bank of Korea primarily generates its revenue by financing small and medium-sized enterprises in Korea and abroad.

Dividend Yield: 7.2%

Industrial Bank of Korea's dividend performance presents a mixed scenario. While the bank offers a high yield at 7.19%, among the top 25% in South Korea, its history of dividend payments has been volatile over the past decade. Recent financials show strength, with net interest income rising to KRW 1.98 billion and net income up to KRW 780.8 million in Q1 2024, supporting current dividends with a payout ratio of 32.3%. However, concerns remain due to its reliance on higher-risk funding sources constituting 63% of liabilities.

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KOSE:A024110 Dividend History as at Jun 2024

Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: 

Overview: Woori Financial Group Inc. operates as a commercial bank in Korea, offering diverse financial services to individuals, businesses, and institutions, with a market capitalization of approximately 10.57 trillion.

Operations: Woori Financial Group Inc. generates its revenue primarily through banking services, which brought in 7.04 billion, followed by credit card operations at 0.42 billion, and capital-related activities contributing 0.26 billion.

Dividend Yield: 5%

Woori Financial Group's dividend profile shows variability, with a history of unstable payments over the last 9 years. Despite this, dividends are currently well-covered by earnings at a 38.3% payout ratio and projected to remain sustainable with a forecasted payout ratio of 28.5%. Recent financial results indicate a slight decrease in net income from KRW 913.69 billion to KRW 824.49 billion in Q1 2024, but the firm continues to support its dividends, affirming a quarterly payment of KRW 180 per share as of April 2024.

KOSE:A316140 Dividend History as at Jun 2024

Turning Ideas Into Actions

Take a closer look at our Top KRX Dividend Stocks list of 69 companies by clicking here.

Hold shares in these firms? Setup your portfolio in Simply Wall St to seamlessly track your investments and receive personalized updates on your portfolio's performance.

Invest smarter with the free Simply Wall St app providing detailed insights into every stock market around the globe.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include KOSDAQ:A013030KOSE:A024110 and KOSE:A316140.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
A new legal battle is underway to determine whether Elon Musk actually gets his money after Tesla (TSLA) convinced shareholders to back the CEO's $56 billion pay plan.

Tesla filed court documents last week before the same Delaware Chancery Court judge who previously voided Musks compensation, arguing the June 13 shareholder vote offered a principled resolution" to end the dispute in Musks favor.

An attorney for the shareholder who successfully sued to block the pay package argued in a separate court filing Friday that Teslas shareholder resolution should have no legal effect on the judges original decision and that Tesla is not empowered to use an extrajudicial vote to overrule the Delaware court.

This attorney, Greg Varallo, said Tesla must appeal the judges decision to the Delaware Supreme Court if it wants to reverse it.

For Tesla, there is a lot riding on the uncertain path that Musks disputed pay plan must now take through the US court system.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk waves as he leaves the Tesla Gigafactory near Berlin, Germany on March 13. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

If the courts give Tesla what it wants, it can keep Musks plan in place along with a $2.5 billion accounting charge it took back in 2018 when shareholders first agreed to the all-stock-option, performance-based deal.

If not, the electric vehicle maker could instead be forced to hold a third vote on Musks pay, plus book a charge of at least $25 billion that could threaten future earnings.

Everything here is unprecedented, said Kevin Murphy, an executive compensation expert and finance professor for the University of Southern Californias Marshall School of Business who testified for Tesla in a trial over the plan.

The unprecedented nature of Teslas dispute means its resolution may be equally uncharted.

The new legal battle swings the spotlight back to Delaware judge Kathaleen McCormick, who ruled in January that Teslas board didnt act "in the best interests" of Tesla shareholders in approving the $56 billion Musk pay pact.

Delaware judge Kathaleen McCormick, right, voided Elon Musk's pay package in January. REUTERS/Kathleen Flynn (REUTERS / Reuters)

McCormick must now rule on whether the new shareholder vote does in fact restore Musks pay, according to Ann Lipton, a corporate law professor at Tulane School of Law.

McCormick could choose to rule on the dispute by considering written and oral arguments from both sides, Lipton said.

Alternatively, the judge could ask the parties to submit more information, as well as engage in additional discovery to bring to light other facts and evidence. The judge could also hold hearings akin to a new trial, Lipton added.

Tesla has asked the judge to set an expedited schedule during which the parties will submit court documents containing additional rationale for their positions. Tesla said each party should be allowed to make those arguments before McCormick enters a final judgment in the matter.

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On Friday, Teslas lawyers described the recent shareholder vote backing Musk's pay as "one of the most well-informed stockholder votes in recent memory" and noted that two of the worlds most sophisticated investors, BlackRock (BLK) and Vanguard, said yes to the proposal.

Tesla has said 72% of votes cast by shareholders, excluding Musk and his brother Kimbal, were in favor of the compensation package.

A hearing before McCormick is set for July 8, during which she is also scheduled to take up additional unresolved matters in the case.

One is a request from the shareholders' lawyer for $6 billion in legal fees, which Tesla disputes.

And in the event McCormick validates Musk's compensation, she could weigh in on whether the shareholder vote turns back the clock to reactivate the agreement as of 2018. Tesla has reported that retroactively accounting for the compensation plan would save the company at least $25 billion.

"She could say [to Tesla], 'You did the right thing. You took it back to shareholders  I might not like it, but it's not my role to get involved in the contracting between consenting adults,'" Murphy said.

But "I doubt she'll do that, which means we'll go through an appeal," Murphy added.

Lipton said this judge is unlikely to have the final say.

"Whichever side loses, that side will appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court," Lipton added.

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Emeritus, the World's No 1 Edtech in 2024 as ranked by TIME, is partnering with NTW, offering 10,000 learning licenses worth USD 100 each and contributing to life-long learning of Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Emeritus , the global leader in making high-quality education accessible and affordable to individuals, companies, and governments around the world, is proud to announce its participation as a partner at the National Training Week (NTW) 2024 . The National Training Week 2024 is organised by the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRD Corp), an agency under the purview of the Ministry of Human Resources Malaysia, from June 24-30, 2024, to empower the nation by promoting a culture of lifelong learning.

Malaysians demonstrate a strong desire to continuously learn and upskill, with every 1 in 2 Malaysians driven to upskill for job security and increased confidence, as per the 'Workmonitor 2024' report by Randstad Malaysia. In line with this growing demand across citizens, National Training Week has rapidly become a cornerstone of Malaysia's efforts to imbibe continued learning among its citizens, offering a vast array of free training programs. The inaugural NTW exceeded expectations by delivering over 21,000 free training courses to more than 129,000 Malaysians, totaling over 503,000 training hours. Building on this success, NTW 2024 aims to enroll 150,000 participants across the country  from students to working professionals to senior citizens  focusing on life skills, future skills, creativity and innovation, financial literacy, and sustainable development.

Emeritus, which claimed the top spot in TIME magazine's 'World's Top Edtech Companies of 2024' ranking, has committed to providing free access to Emeritus Insights, a comprehensive learning platform, during the NTW 2024 for up to 10,000 Malaysians. Emeritus Insights is a learn-on-the-go platform to learn and upskill anytime, anywhere with 5000+ bite-sized video lessons from award winning best-selling books, world's top universities, subject matter experts & global thought leaders. Participants can access the Emeritus Insights platform by visiting the NTW page here .

Participants will be able to exponentially develop themselves in incremental doses to shape their own success with access to Emeritus Insights' over 50 key skills from leadership, strategy, communication, productivity, data science, marketing to negotiation, and many others. Learners can gain insights from world-renowned transformational thinkers, top universities, and best-selling authors such as Adam Grant, Liz Wiseman, Peter F. Drucker, Angela Duckworth, Seth Godin, Simon Sinek, Sheryl Sandberg, etc.

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Through its participation in NTW 2024, Emeritus aims to bolster Malaysia's initiatives to strengthen the economy, aligning with the national goals of Madani Economy Framework  a set of values set to embody Malaysia's economic growth for the next decade, and the 12th Malaysia Plan (RMK12). Introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Madani Economy Framework includes initiatives to enhance Malaysia's economic growth, promote investments, globalise local businesses and attract international investors. As the nation pursues new areas of growth in high-tech sectors, Artificial Intelligence (AI), energy transition and the green economy, Emeritus is closely working with the government, government-linked agencies, Fortune 1000 companies and public-listed companies in Malaysia to ensure that the nation has enough skilled workforce for the areas in focus.

Speaking on the Emeritus's participation in National Training Week, Ts. Roslinda Abu Bakar, Regional Director, Emeritus Malaysia, said, "We are delighted to debut as a participant at the National Training Week 2024 with HRD Corp. Our participation in NTW 2024 underscores this commitment to developing Malaysia's current and future workforce. This collaboration presents a remarkable opportunity to equip Malaysians with the skills they need to thrive in the ever-evolving job market, harnessing talents to drive the nation's high-income transformational agenda. It also aligns perfectly with our mission to develop the future talent of Malaysia and contribute to the Malaysia Shared Prosperity Vision 2030. We are confident that Emeritus Insights will empower Malaysians to pursue their career aspirations and contribute to Malaysia's economic growth."

In association with HRD Corp, Emeritus aims to foster continuous development and lifelong learning among Malaysia's learners recognising the critical role continuous learning plays in building a future-ready workforce.

For more information on the courses, visit https://nationaltrainingweek.gov.my/courseDetails?courseId=6218

About Emeritus

Emeritus offers customised and open programs in APAC including Malaysia, Singapore and ASEAN region, Middle East and Africa including Dubai, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, Saudi and other global locations in North and South America and Europe in collaboration with Harvard Business School (HBS), MIT Sloan School of Management, Cambridge Judge Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Columbia Business School, Wharton Executive Education, Imperial College Business School, Kellogg Executive Education, Berkeley Executive Education, NUS Business School and John Hopkins Carey Business School, amongst other leading Institutions. Our world-class executive education programs, facilitated by eminent program experts, provide an immersive learning experience integrated with actionable insights and practical business applications and are delivered in a range of formats; in-class, online, as well as blended programs. The Emeritus Group has more than 2,300 employees globally and offices in Mumbai, New Delhi, Shanghai, Singapore, Palo Alto, Mexico City, New York, Boston, London, and Dubai. The company is backed by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Leeds Illuminate, Prosus Ventures, GSV Ventures, Peak XV, Bertelsmann, CPPIB, Accel and SoftBank Vision Fund 2.

For more information, please visit https://emeritus.org/

Emeritus to Debut in National Training Week 2024

Cision

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SOURCE Emeritus
US-based digital infrastructure provider Equinix has opened a new hyperscale xScale data centre in Osaka, Japan.

Covering 4,926sqm, OS4x is the companys fourth data centre in the city and is aimed at expanding its capacity in the region to meet the growing needs of cloud service providers.

The facility has a total power capacity of 14.4MW, with chillers and pipes in each data hall to support liquid cooling.

Kuniko Ogawa, president and CEO of Equinix Japan, said: "We are pleased to be able to provide environments and services tailored to the needs of hyperscale companies and support the creation of innovations in the Osaka area. We are also confident that by providing timely support for the expansion of businesses in Japan in response to AI demand, we will underpin society's digital vision and indirectly accelerate the digital business of companies. We will continue to accelerate the expansion of xScale data centres to support the strategies of hyperscale companies."

Equinix has 17 xScale data centers globally with more such facilities planned to open in 2024. The TY15 data centre in Tokyo will open in September 2024.

Headquartered in the US state of California, Equinix operates around 260 data centres in over 30 countries. It has around 13,000 employees globally.

"Equinix opens fourth data centre in Osaka" was originally created and published by Investment Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
As of June 2024, the European stock markets are showing signs of resilience with indices like the STOXX Europe 600 and Germany's DAX making notable gains amidst easing political uncertainties and a brighter outlook for monetary policy. In this context, exploring growth companies with high insider ownership on Euronext Amsterdam could offer interesting insights, as these firms often benefit from aligned interests between management and shareholders, potentially enhancing stability and long-term value in fluctuating market conditions.

Top 5 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In The Netherlands

Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth BenevolentAI (ENXTAM:BAI) 27.8% 62.8% Envipco Holding (ENXTAM:ENVI) 15.1% 68.9% Ebusco Holding (ENXTAM:EBUS) 34% 115.2% MotorK (ENXTAM:MTRK) 35.8% 105.8% Basic-Fit (ENXTAM:BFIT) 12% 66.1% PostNL (ENXTAM:PNL) 30.8% 24.2%

Click here to see the full list of 6 stocks from our Fast Growing Euronext Amsterdam Companies With High Insider Ownership screener.

Let's uncover some gems from our specialized screener.

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: Envipco Holding N.V. specializes in designing, developing, manufacturing, and selling or leasing reverse vending machines for recycling used beverage containers, primarily operating in the Netherlands, North America, and Europe with a market capitalization of approximately 357.68 million.

Operations: The company generates revenue by designing, developing, manufacturing, and either selling or leasing reverse vending machines for recycling used beverage containers across the Netherlands, North America, and Europe.

Insider Ownership: 15.1%

Envipco Holding N.V. has transitioned to profitability this year, with first-quarter sales jumping to 27.44 million from 10.41 million in the previous year, and net income reaching 0.147 million after a loss of 2.57 million a year ago. The company is poised for significant growth with revenue and earnings forecasted to increase by 33.6% and 68.9% per year respectively, outpacing the Dutch market averages significantlyindicative of strong growth potential despite its highly volatile share price recently.

ENXTAM:ENVI Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jun 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: MotorK plc operates as a provider of software-as-a-service solutions tailored for the automotive retail sector across Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and the Benelux Union, with a market capitalization of approximately 265.73 million.

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Operations: The company generates revenue primarily through its software and programming services, totaling 42.94 million.

Insider Ownership: 35.8%

MotorK, a growth-oriented company in the Netherlands, reported a slight decrease in quarterly revenue to 11.25 million from 11.43 million year-over-year. Despite recent executive changes, including the appointment of Helen Protopapas and the resignation of Mauro Pretolani, MotorK is expected to see substantial growth. Revenue is forecasted to grow at 24% annually, outpacing the Dutch market's 9.5%. Additionally, earnings are projected to surge by approximately 105.85% per year as the company approaches profitability within three years.

ENXTAM:MTRK Ownership Breakdown as at Jun 2024

Simply Wall St Growth Rating: 

Overview: PostNL N.V. operates as a postal and logistics service provider, catering to businesses and consumers across the Netherlands, other parts of Europe, and internationally, with a market capitalization of approximately 0.67 billion.

Operations: PostNL's revenue is derived from two primary segments: Packages generating 2.25 billion and Mail in The Netherlands contributing 1.35 billion.

Insider Ownership: 30.8%

PostNL, a Netherlands-based company, recently completed a 298.67 million sustainability-linked bond offering. Despite becoming profitable this year, PostNL faces challenges with a high level of debt and shareholder dilution over the past year. The company's revenue growth at 3.4% per year is slower than the Dutch market average of 9.5%. However, earnings are expected to grow significantly by 24.23% annually over the next three years, outperforming the market forecast of 16.3%.

ENXTAM:PNL Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jun 2024

Summing It All Up

Access the full spectrum of 6 Fast Growing Euronext Amsterdam Companies With High Insider Ownership by clicking on this link.

Are these companies part of your investment strategy? Use Simply Wall St to consolidate your holdings into a portfolio and gain insights with our comprehensive analysis tools.

Take control of your financial future using Simply Wall St, offering free, in-depth knowledge of international markets to every investor.

Curious About Other Options?

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.The analysis only considers stock directly held by insiders. It does not include indirectly owned stock through other vehicles such as corporate and/or trust entities. All forecast revenue and earnings growth rates quoted are in terms of annualised (per annum) growth rates over 1-3 years.

Companies discussed in this article include ENXTAM:ENVI ENXTAM:MTRK and ENXTAM:PNL.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
One simple way to benefit from the stock market is to buy an index fund. But if you pick the right individual stocks, you could make more than that. Just take a look at Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), which is up 76%, over three years, soundly beating the market return of 14% (not including dividends). However, more recent returns haven't been as impressive as that, with the stock returning just 9.9% in the last year, including dividends.

So let's assess the underlying fundamentals over the last 3 years and see if they've moved in lock-step with shareholder returns.

Check out our latest analysis for Exxon Mobil

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect 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 three years of share price growth, Exxon Mobil moved from a loss to profitability. So we would expect a higher share price over the period.

The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

It's probably worth noting we've seen significant insider buying in the last quarter, which we consider a positive. That said, we think earnings and revenue growth trends are even more important factors to consider. Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here..

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). Whereas the share price return only reflects the change in the share price, the TSR includes the value of dividends (assuming they were reinvested) and the benefit of any discounted capital raising or spin-off. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. We note that for Exxon Mobil the TSR over the last 3 years was 98%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

A Different Perspective

Exxon Mobil shareholders are up 9.9% for the year (even including dividends). Unfortunately this falls short of the market return. It's probably a good sign that the company has an even better long term track record, having provided shareholders with an annual TSR of 13% over five years. Maybe the share price is just taking a breather while the business executes on its growth strategy. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Exxon Mobil better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Exxon Mobil .

Exxon Mobil is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of small cap companies at attractive valuations which insiders have been buying.

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
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  A fire likely sparked by exploding lithium batteries swept through a manufacturing factory near South Koreas capital on Monday, killing 22 mostly Chinese migrant workers and injuring eight, officials said.

The fire began after batteries exploded while workers were examining and packaging them on the second floor of the factory in Hwaseong city, just south of Seoul, at around 10:30 a.m., fire officials said, citing a witness. They said they would investigate the cause of the blaze.

The dead included 18 Chinese, two South Koreans and one Laotian, local fire official Kim Jin-young told a televised briefing. He said the nationality of one of the dead couldnt be immediately verified.

In the past few decades, many people from China, including ethnic Koreans, have migrated to South Korea to seek jobs. Like other foreign migrants from Southeast Asian nations, they often end up in factories or in physically demanding and low-paying jobs shunned by more affluent South Koreans.

Kim said that one factory worker remained out of contact and rescuers continued to search the site. He said that two of the eight injured were in serious condition.

The fire started at one of the factory buildings owned by a battery manufacturer, Aricell. He said that authorities would investigate whether fire extinguishing systems were at the site and if they worked.

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous in consumer goods from laptops to cellphones. They can overheat if damaged, defective or packaged improperly, leading to fires and explosions and making them a hazard for shipment aboard aircraft.

The video of the incident showed the factory's second floor being engulfed with blaze, about 15 seconds after a small amount of white smoke was seen billowing from a battery, senior fire official Jo Seon-ho told a briefing later Monday.

Jo, citing the footage, said workers at the site mobilized fire extinguishers but failed to put out the blaze. They later rushed to an area where there was no exit before they likely inhaled toxic smoke and lost their consciousness, he said. The dead foreign workers were daily laborers so they were not likely familiar with the building's internal structure, he added.

Fire officials said a total of 102 people were working at the factory at the time of the fire.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, wearing a safety helmet and a mask, visited the site with other officials. He expressed condolences to the dead people and ordered officials to put in place measures to effectively deal with battery-related fires, according to Yoon's office.

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Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the countrys No. 2 official, and Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min also came to the site. Han asked officials to provide government assistance for funeral services and support programs for victims relatives, according to his office.

Mondays blaze is one of the deadliest in South Korea in recent years.

In 2020, a fire at a warehouse being built in Icheon City, south of Seoul, killed 38 construction workers. In 2018, 46 people died after a fire ripped through a small hospital with no sprinkler systems in the southern city of Miryang. In 2008, 40 workers, 12 of them ethnic Koreans with Chinese nationality, died after a fire and accompanying explosions tore through a refrigerated warehouse in Icheon city.

South Korea has struggled for decades to improve safety standards and change widespread attitudes that regard safety as subservient to economic progress and convenience.
Stock pickers are generally looking for stocks that will outperform the broader market. Buying under-rated businesses is one path to excess returns. To wit, the Formosa Prosonic Industries Berhad share price has climbed 74% in five years, easily topping the market return of 4.9% (ignoring dividends). However, more recent returns haven't been as impressive as that, with the stock returning just 35% in the last year, including dividends.

So let's assess the underlying fundamentals over the last 5 years and see if they've moved in lock-step with shareholder returns.

Check out our latest analysis for Formosa Prosonic Industries Berhad

In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

During five years of share price growth, Formosa Prosonic Industries Berhad achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 28% per year. This EPS growth is higher than the 12% average annual increase in the share price. Therefore, it seems the market has become relatively pessimistic about the company. This cautious sentiment is reflected in its (fairly low) P/E ratio of 5.70.

You can see below how EPS has changed over time (discover the exact values by clicking on the image).

Dive deeper into Formosa Prosonic Industries Berhad's key metrics by checking this interactive graph of Formosa Prosonic Industries Berhad's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. As it happens, Formosa Prosonic Industries Berhad's TSR for the last 5 years was 143%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

A Different Perspective

It's good to see that Formosa Prosonic Industries Berhad has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 35% in the last twelve months. That's including the dividend. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 19%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. Someone with an optimistic perspective could view the recent improvement in TSR as indicating that the business itself is getting better with time. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Formosa Prosonic Industries Berhad better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Formosa Prosonic Industries Berhad .

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Of course Formosa Prosonic Industries Berhad may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Green Shift Commodities Ltd.

TORONTO, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Shift Commodities Ltd. (TSXV: GCOM), (Green Shift or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has closed the second and final tranche (the Second Tranche") of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing of units of the Company (the Units) at a price of C$0.05 per Unit (the Issue Price), for total aggregate gross proceeds of C$2,096,870 (the Offering).



Under the Second Tranche of the Offering, the Company issued 18,587,400 Units, with each Unit consisting of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a Common Share) and one Common Share purchase warrant (each, a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of C$0.075 per share until June 21, 2027.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for general working capital purposes and to advance the Companys property interests. The Company paid finder fees to Stephen Avenue Securities Inc., Canaccord Genuity Corp. and Ventum Financial Corp. in connection with the first and second tranche of the Offering in the total aggregate amount of C$28,350 in cash and 567,000 non-transferable finder warrants. Each finder warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of C$0.075 for 36 months following the date of issuance.

All securities issued in connection with the Second Tranche of the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period expiring October 22, 2024. The Offering, including payment of the finder fees, is subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV).

Sale of Argentina Lithium Assets

The Company is also pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive agreement (the Agreement) dated June 21, 2024 with Lion Critical Elements Corp. (Lion), pursuant to which Lion has agreed to acquire (the Transaction) all of the outstanding shares of LFP Resources Corp. (Subco), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company which owns, among other things, 10,000 hectares of prospective lithium ground in Rio Negro, Chubut, and Neuquen Provinces in Argentina and 25% of Pampa Litio S.A. Lion is an arms length, privately-held company that has a portfolio of lithium projects in Southern Zambia and uranium assets in Niger.

Pursuant to the Agreement, Lion has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Subco in exchange for 1,460,000 common shares of Lion (Lion Shares) to be issued at a price of US$0.75 per share and 500,000 warrants, each exercisable to acquire one Lion Share at an exercise price of US$1.00 per share for a period of three years following closing of the Transaction.

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Closing of the Transaction is conditional upon, among other things, receipt of any regulatory approvals in connection with the Transaction and no material adverse change having occurred affecting either Subco or Lion.

Trumbull Fisher, CEO and Director of Green Shift commented, We are very pleased to put these assets in the hands of Lion and have them move the assets forward. We believe strongly in the ability of the Lion team and the other hard rock lithium and uranium assets in Lions portfolio and we are excited to become a shareholder of the company. The completion of this Transaction will also contribute to our expanding portfolio of equity interests in the uranium and lithium space.

Insider Participation

Insiders of the Company, including Peter Mullens, a Director of the Company, and Mega Uranium Ltd., acquired an aggregate of 5,687,400 Units under the Second Tranche of the Offering on the same terms as other investors for gross proceeds to the Company of C$284,370 (the Insider Participation). The Insider Participation constitutes a related party transaction pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The Company is exempt from the requirement to obtain a formal valuation or minority shareholder approval in connection with the Insider Participation under MI 61-101 in reliance on Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 due to the fair market value of the Insider Participation being below 25% of the Companys market capitalization for purposes of MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report 21 days prior to the expected closing date of the Second Tranche as the details of the Insider Participation had not been finalized at that time. The Offering has been approved by the board of directors of the Company, with Mr. Mullens having disclosed his interest in the Offering and abstaining from voting thereon. The Company has not received nor has it requested a valuation of its securities or the subject matter of the Insider Participation in the 24 months prior to the date hereof.

The securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Green Shift Commodities Ltd.

Green Shift Commodities Ltd. is focused on the exploration and development of commodities needed to help decarbonize and meet net-zero goals. The Company is advancing a portfolio of lithium prospects across the Americas. This includes the Rio Negro Project, a district-scale project in an area known to contain hard rock lithium pegmatite occurrences that were first discovered in the 1960s, yet largely underexplored since and the Santiago Luis Lithium Project, both located in Argentina. The Company is also exploring the Armstrong Project, located in the Seymour-Crescent-Falcon lithium belt in northern Ontario, known to host spodumene-bearing lithium pegmatites and significant discoveries.

For further information, please contact:

Trumbull Fisher

Director and CEO

Email: tfisher@greenshiftcommodities.com

Tel: (416) 917-5847

Website: www.greenshiftcommodities.com

Twitter: @greenshiftcom

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greenshiftcommodities/

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intensions for the future, and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering; the approval of the TSXV for the Offering; completion of the Transaction; the outcome of permitting activities, the completion of future exploration work and the potential metallurgical recoveries and results of such test work; the future direction of the Companys strategy; and other activities, events or developments that are expected, anticipated or may occur in the future. These statements are based on assumptions, including: (i) receipt of final TSXV approval for the Offering; (ii) satisfaction of the conditions to closing of the Transaction; (iii) the ability to achieve positive outcomes from test work; (iv) actual results of our exploration, resource goals, metallurgical testing, economic studies and development activities will continue to be positive and proceed as planned; (v) requisite regulatory and governmental approvals will be received on a timely basis on terms acceptable to Green Shift; (vi) economic, political and industry market conditions will be favourable; and (vii) financial markets and the market for uranium, battery commodities and rare earth elements will continue to strengthen. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in such statements, including, but not limited to: (1) failure to obtain final TSXV approval for the Offering, (2) failure to satisfy the conditions to completion of the Transaction, (3) changes in general economic and financial market conditions, (4) changes in demand and prices for minerals, (5) the Companys ability to source commercially viable reactivation transactions and / or establish appropriate joint venture partnerships, (6) litigation, regulatory, and legislative developments, dependence on regulatory approvals, and changes in environmental compliance requirements, community support and the political and economic climate, (7) the inherent uncertainties and speculative nature associated with exploration results, resource estimates, potential resource growth, future metallurgical test results, changes in project parameters as plans evolve, (8) competitive developments, (9) availability of future financing, (10) exploration risks, and other factors beyond the control of Green Shift including those factors set out in the Risk Factors in our Management Discussion and Analysis dated May 28, 2024 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Green Shift assumes no obligation to update such information, except as may be required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.




Hyundai Motor Group signed a long term agreement with Chilean mining group Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM) for the supply of lithium hydroxide for its electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

The deal is the automakers third direct long term lithium hydroxide supply contract this year after it also signed agreements with Chinese suppliers Ganfeng Lithium and Chengxin Lithium to secure long term access to low cost lithium.

Global lithium hydroxide prices are currently at a three year low with new capacity coming on stream as growth in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales has slowed since last year.

HMG plans to ramp up EV production in the US later this year when it completes construction of the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America assembly plant in Savannah, Georgia.

SQM said in a statement Hyundai and Kia have decided to secure a portion of their future lithium hydroxide supply from SQM after considering the companys many qualities as a leading lithium supplier with a growth plan, proven operational capabilities, extensive commercial and technical expertise, high quality standards and environmentally sustainable production."

"Hyundai signs long-term lithium deal with SQM" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Real estate developer Arkan Palm has bolstered its partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts with the introduction of the first Holiday Inn Express in Egypt, as part of the 205 West Cairo project.

The 205 project, developed by Arkan Palm for Real Estate Investment, encompasses a mix of residential, commercial, and medical units, reported Zawya.

This development features apartments on Canal Walk Island, office spaces and upscale retail in 205 Downtown and The Angle, alongside Safa Med Park.

In May last year, Arkan Palm and IHG Hotels & Resorts announced their plans to construct two hotels within the same development.

These include the InterContinental West Cairo 205, which is expected to open in January 2028, and the voco West Cairo 205 Suites, with an anticipated opening in June 2026.

The addition of the Holiday Inn Express will increase the total number of rooms across all three IHG hotels in the 205 development to 700.

Arkan Palm for Real Estate Investment CEO Amr Badreldine said; We believe in delivering exceptional experiences, and the introduction of Holiday Inn Express is in line with our vision to provide high-quality accommodation.

We are confident that this new addition will set new standards in the industry and cater to the diverse needs of modern travellers, whether they are here for business or leisure.

Scheduled to open in 2027, Holiday Inn Express West Cairo will offer 200 rooms.

It will offer high-speed Wi-Fi, meeting spaces, food and beverage options, retail outlets, and a fitness centre.

The property will be located near the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum.

IHG India, Middle East and Africa managing director Haitham Mattar said: Expanding our presence in Egypt with our trusted partners at Arkan Palm aligns perfectly with our commitment to Cairos vibrant hospitality sector and supports Egypts National Tourism Strategy.

Holiday Inn Express is the ideal brand to meet the growing demand for high-quality accommodation to meet the needs of modern, smart and savvy travellers visiting the country.

"IHG partners Arkan Palm for first Holiday Inn Express hotel in Egypt " was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
If you want to compound wealth in the stock market, you can do so by buying an index fund. But investors can boost returns by picking market-beating companies to own shares in. To wit, the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited (ASX:BEN) share price is 36% higher than it was a year ago, much better than the market return of around 10% (not including dividends) in the same period. If it can keep that out-performance up over the long term, investors will do very well! Having said that, the longer term returns aren't so impressive, with stock gaining just 9.4% in three years.

So let's investigate and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

View our latest analysis for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank was able to grow EPS by 27% in the last twelve months. This EPS growth is significantly lower than the 36% increase in the share price. So it's fair to assume the market has a higher opinion of the business than it a year ago.

The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

We know that Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? Check if analysts think Bendigo and Adelaide Bank will grow revenue in the future.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for Bendigo and Adelaide Bank the TSR over the last 1 year was 46%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

We're pleased to report that Bendigo and Adelaide Bank shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 46% over one year. Of course, that includes the dividend. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 5%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with Bendigo and Adelaide Bank , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

If you like to buy stocks alongside management, then you might just love this free list of companies. (Hint: many of them are unnoticed AND have attractive valuation).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Australian 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
What trends should we look for it we want to identify stocks that can multiply in value over the long term? Amongst other things, we'll want to see two things; firstly, a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an expansion in the company's amount of capital employed. If you see this, it typically means it's a company with a great business model and plenty of profitable reinvestment opportunities. However, after investigating ADM Hamburg (FRA:OEL), we don't think it's current trends fit the mold of a multi-bagger.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for ADM Hamburg:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.077 = 13m  (178m - 15m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2023).

Therefore, ADM Hamburg has an ROCE of 7.7%. Ultimately, that's a low return and it under-performs the Food industry average of 13%.

View our latest analysis for ADM Hamburg

roce

Historical performance is a great place to start when researching a stock so above you can see the gauge for ADM Hamburg's ROCE against it's prior returns. If you want to delve into the historical earnings , check out these free graphs detailing revenue and cash flow performance of ADM Hamburg.

What The Trend Of ROCE Can Tell Us

In terms of ADM Hamburg's historical ROCE movements, the trend isn't fantastic. Over the last five years, returns on capital have decreased to 7.7% from 27% five years ago. Although, given both revenue and the amount of assets employed in the business have increased, it could suggest the company is investing in growth, and the extra capital has led to a short-term reduction in ROCE. If these investments prove successful, this can bode very well for long term stock performance.

On a related note, ADM Hamburg has decreased its current liabilities to 8.4% of total assets. So we could link some of this to the decrease in ROCE. What's more, this can reduce some aspects of risk to the business because now the company's suppliers or short-term creditors are funding less of its operations. Since the business is basically funding more of its operations with it's own money, you could argue this has made the business less efficient at generating ROCE.

The Bottom Line On ADM Hamburg's ROCE

In summary, despite lower returns in the short term, we're encouraged to see that ADM Hamburg is reinvesting for growth and has higher sales as a result. These trends are starting to be recognized by investors since the stock has delivered a 0.4% gain to shareholders who've held over the last five years. So this stock may still be an appealing investment opportunity, if other fundamentals prove to be sound.

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One final note, you should learn about the 3 warning signs we've spotted with ADM Hamburg (including 1 which is concerning) .

If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive 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
The Kingsway Exchange Tunnels are thought to be the inspiration for 'Q Branch' in Ian Fleming's James Bond novels - Alamy

A developer seeking to turn Londons James Bond tunnels into a tourist attraction has announced plans to list on the Amsterdam stock market, in a blow to the City.

The London Tunnels, which owns the historic Kingsway Exchange Tunnels under Chancery Lane Tube station in the City, said it hopes to float on the Euronext exchange with a value of 130m.

The move will be seen as a snub to the London Stock Exchange (LSE) at a time when confidence in the City is wavering.

It follows multiple companies moving their listings overseas or opting to float elsewhere.

Xavier Rolet, a former chief executive of the LSE, this month called for a major overhaul of the struggling equities market, urging the next government to provide additional support.

The London Tunnels tourist attraction aims to cater to 3m visitors per year

The Kingsway Exchange Tunnels were built as a deep air-raid shelter during the Second World War but ended up being used as accommodation for troops and later as an operations centre for parts of MI6 and GCHQ, thought to be the inspiration for Q Branch in Ian Flemings James Bond novels.

After the war, the tunnels were repurposed as a major Post Office telephone exchange and were the terminus point for the first transatlantic phone line. They also acted as a conduit for the red phone hotline used by the leaders of the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

London Tunnels wants to transform the site  which has not been accessible to the public for 70 years  into a top tourist attraction that will cater to 3m visitors per year.

The company has said the renovated tunnels will offer a combination of historical heritage experiences and a cultural, beautifully designed, multi-sensory, digital experience.

Concept photos show modern museum spaces with model planes hanging from the ceiling and mocked-up wartime operation centres, as well as scenes of punters enjoying a drink in what would be Londons deepest underground bar.

Bosses have set out plans to open the site in 2027 and aim to raise 30m to fund preparatory work, including detailed feasibility and engineering studies, via a share sale in Amsterdam.

The project requires planning permission from both the City of London Corporation and Camden council, with the latter yet to make a decision.

Concept photos of the attraction show modern museum spaces with model planes hanging from the ceiling

On Monday, the company hailed Amsterdam as the leading pan-European market and said listing there was in the best long-term interests of the company.

Peter Curtin, the chairman of the London Tunnels, said: The listing of the London Tunnels on the leading pan-European market will give investors the opportunity to acquire shares in what is likely to be the last major historical and heritage attraction that can be reopened in central London.

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The London Tunnels could be set to become one of Londons major tourist attractions, providing visitors with an exciting educational, cultural and heritage experience.

Angus Murray, the chief executive of the London Tunnels, added: We are delighted to announce the upcoming listing of our shares on Euronext Amsterdam.

We believe a public listing of the London Tunnels is the logical next step, improving our ability to raise further capital over the coming years to support the companys growth strategy and create long-term value.

London is undoubtedly one of the worlds leading tourist destinations. It is one of the most visited cities in the world, with millions of visitors each year, all of whom we hope will be interested in visiting the tunnels.

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.
We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Healthcare Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) stands against the other healthcare stocks. You can also check out the 20 Most Valuable Healthcare Companies in the World here.

Healthcare stocks are often considered a defensive investment during times of economic uncertainty. This is because people typically do not cut back on essential healthcare services or prescription drug purchases, even during economic downturns. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), expenditure on healthcare within the United States reached an estimated $4.8 trillion in 2023 while projections for 2027-32 suggest that national care spending will grow at an average rate of 5.6%.

A report by McKinsey also predicts that the healthcare industry is expected to see significant profit growth, with the overall profit pool reaching $819 billion by 2027, up from $583 billion in 2022. As we progress through 2024, there is a growing sense of optimism surrounding the healthcare sector. BlackRock's 2024 outlook for healthcare suggests that investors can anticipate a "favorable risk-reward environment" in the sector this year. The healthcare sector's underperformance in the previous year has created an appealing entry point for investors seeking to invest in the sector in 2024. There are several key trends behind this favorable climate in 2024 and beyond.

Firstly, the healthcare market is undergoing a patient-centered revolution fueled by technology. Telehealth or telemedicine, a solution driven by the pandemic, is now entering the mainstream due to its convenience and accessibility. The global telemedicine market, valued at $60.15 billion in 2023, is expected to keep growing at a steady pace for the next few years. This trend aligns with a broader shift towards personalized care. Advancements in genomics are paving the way for precision medicine, which is expected to be a $50.2 billion market by 2028. Precision medicine personalizes treatments based on the patients genetic makeup, leading to potentially more effective interventions.

The AI revolution is also impacting the healthcare sector. According to a report by Deloitte, in 2019 and 2022, investor confidence in AI for healthcare was high, with around $31.5 billion poured into equity funding. In the US alone, wider adoption could generate annual savings of up to $360 billion, roughly 10% of the country's healthcare spending, within the next five years.

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Another key trend is the rise of remote patient monitoring (RPM). This technology allows healthcare providers to collect patients' health data remotely and intervene early if there are any concerning changes. The global RPM market, valued at $71.9 billion in 2023, is expected to observe further growth. Wearable devices and other technologies enabling RPM are likely to see continued adoption through 2028.

Our Methodology

To shortlist the 10 best healthcare stocks to buy according to hedge funds, we conducted an analysis of our database of 919 hedge funds as of Q1 2024. From this dataset, we selected the best healthcare stocks based on the hedge fund sentiment. The top healthcare stocks have been ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge funds holding a stake in them as of the first quarter of the year. 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 smiling baby with an array of baby care products in the foreground.

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 80

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is a global healthcare giant that develops, manufactures, and sells a wide range of medical products. Through its Innovative Medicine segment, the company offers prescription drugs across various therapeutic areas.

In Q1 2024, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) reported positive growth, achieving sales of $21.4 billion, marking a 2.3% increase year-over-year. The company also saw net earnings rise significantly to $5.3 billion, compared to a loss in the corresponding period of 2023. Meanwhile, the EPS was recorded at $2.71, higher than the estimate of $2.65. The company has surpassed EPS estimates in the last 4 quarters.

Due to its strong operational performance, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) has a positive analyst outlook with a "Moderate Buy" rating and an average 12-month price target of $175.8, suggesting a potential upside of over 19%.

At the end of Q1 2024, 80 hedge funds reported owning a stake in Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ). Fisher Asset Management was the leading hedge fund investor in the company, with a stake worth over $1 billion.

Overall JNJ ranks 7th on our list of the best healthcare stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Healthcare Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds to see the other healthcare stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of JNJ 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 JNJ 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.
From what we can see, insiders were net buyers in Landore Resources Limited's (LON:LND ) during the past 12 months. That is, insiders acquired the stock in greater numbers than they sold it.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, we do think it is perfectly logical to keep tabs on what insiders are doing.

View our latest analysis for Landore Resources

Landore Resources Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Finance Director & Executive Director Glenn Featherby bought UK42k worth of shares at a price of UK0.084 per share. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being UK0.041). While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. It is encouraging to see an insider paid above the current price for shares, as it suggests they saw value, even at higher levels. The only individual insider to buy over the last year was Glenn Featherby.

Glenn Featherby bought 725.00k shares over the last 12 months at an average price of UK0.086. You can see the insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year depicted in the chart below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of undervalued small cap companies that insiders are buying.

Insider Ownership

Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. Our data indicates that Landore Resources insiders own about UK848k worth of shares (which is 14% of the company). We do note, however, it is possible insiders have an indirect interest through a private company or other corporate structure. Overall, this level of ownership isn't that impressive, but it's certainly better than nothing!

So What Do The Landore Resources Insider Transactions Indicate?

The fact that there have been no Landore Resources insider transactions recently certainly doesn't bother us. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. The transactions are fine but it'd be more encouraging if Landore Resources insiders bought more shares in the company. While it's good to be aware of what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for Landore Resources (of which 3 are significant!) you should know about.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Eli Lilly has revealed results from the SURMOUNT-OSA Phase III clinical trials where tirzepatide demonstrated to lower the severity of moderate-to-severe OSA in obese adults irrespective of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy status.

The multicentre, randomised, parallel, double-blind, placebo-master protocol assessed tirzepatides efficacy and safety against placebo.

Study 1 enrolled adults with OSA and obesity who were not able or willing to use PAP therapy while those who were and planned to stay on PAP therapy during the trial were part of Study 2.

These patients were randomised into a 1:1 ratio to receive tirzepatide maximum tolerated dose (MTD) 10mg or 15mg or placebo.

The primary goal was to show tirzepatide's superiority over placebo in reducing the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) after 52 weeks.

The studies demonstrated that tirzepatide met all primary and key secondary endpoints.

It showed a mean AHI reduction of up to 62.8%, translating to around 30 fewer events per hour of sleep.

Furthermore, 43% (Study 1) and 51.5% (Study 2) of subjects receiving the tirzepatide treatment at the highest dose achieved disease resolution.

Tirzepatides safety profile in the SURMOUNT-OSA studies aligned with previous SURMOUNT and SURPASS trials.

The most common adverse events reported in the studies were related to gastrointestinal complaints, with diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting being the most frequently reported symptoms.

Tirzepatide, known as Zepbound in the US and Mounjaro in other markets, is approved for chronic weight management.

The company filed applications with the US FDA for tirzepatide to treat OSA and obesity, with a decision expected by the end of the year.

Lilly product development senior vice-president Jeff Emmick said: There are currently no pharmaceutical treatment options to address the underlying cause of OSA, a complex disease that disrupts the daily lives of 80 million people in the US alone and is linked to serious health complications.

The SURMOUNT-OSA results showed a significant proportion of patients with moderate-to-severe OSA and obesity treated with tirzepatide achieved disease resolution based on predetermined AHI and ESS measures, at which point PAP therapy may not be recommended.

Recently, the company released data from the Phase II SYNERGY-NASH study of tirzepatide in adults with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and stage 2 or 3 fibrosis.

"Lillys tirzepatide reduces OSA severity in Phase III clinical trials" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand.

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The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
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Mutual funds can be a great investment. On the one hand, they already contain multiple assets within them, meaning youre diversifying your portfolio simply by having them. This helps mitigate the risks involved with investing.

But that doesnt mean you should overly rely on them. Like any investment vehicle, they have their downsides, including tax liabilities and fees.

Be Aware: 3 Types of Investments Predicted To Plummet in Value in Summer 2024

For You: 4 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money

GOBankingRates spoke with Ed Mahaffy  president and senior portfolio manager at ClientFirst Wealth Management  and Michael Collins  CFA, founder and CEO of WinCap Financial  about why you should and should not rely on mutual funds. Heres what they said.

Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them.

You Can Diversify in Other Ways

Mutual funds may help balance your portfolio, but theyre not the only option, nor are they necessarily always the best.

Many mutual funds are simply closet indexers, slightly over-weighting or under-weighting here and there, said Mahaffy. You can obtain very similar exposure to a diversified equity portfolio through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) featuring much lower operating expenses, such as SPY, MDY, IWM, VEA.

You Dont Have as Much Control Over Your Investments

If youre looking for a more passive investment option, mutual funds could be a good option. But if you want to have a little more control over how your moneys invested, you might want to diversify with other investment vehicles as well  not just mutual funds.

Find Out: Heres How Much a $1,000 Investment in Ford Stock 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

Mutual funds pool together the money of various investors and are managed by professional fund managers, which means that investors have limited control over the selection of specific assets in the fund, as it is determined by the fund manager, said Collins. This lack of control can be a disadvantage for those who prefer to have more say in their investments.

Theyre Not Always the Most Tax-Efficient

Part of choosing the right investment vehicle means picking one  or ones  that reduce your tax liability and maximize your returns. Mutual funds can be a tax-efficient way to invest, but over-relying on anything could have a negative effect on your overall portfolio if youre not careful.

Open-end 40 ACT mutual funds typically experience much higher turnover than their ETF counterparts, which can create unnecessary tax liability associated with annual capital gain distributions  gains that you may not have even experienced, depending upon when you purchased the fund, said Mahaffy.

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Fees Can Add Up

While a relatively low-cost way to invest, mutual funds do still come with their share of fees. If you overly rely on them, you could end up paying more than you planned for.

Fees are the number one reason why mutual funds are at a disadvantage compared to other investment vehicles, said Collins. Mutual funds charge fees for managing the portfolio, which can often eat into the returns earned by investors, especially for actively managed funds where the fees can be higher.

They Trade Less Often Than ETFs

Like exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, mutual funds are pooled investments that let you diversify your portfolio at a relatively low cost. That said, mutual funds trade less frequently than ETFs, something thats worth noting if you plan to take a more active role in investing. Theyre also subject to shareholder demands, which could be more changeable depending on the market.

Mutual funds only trade once a day versus ETFs, which trade throughout the day, said Mahaffy. Also, portfolio managers must meet shareholder distribution demands, which means they may be forced to liquidate shares even though they see value in the market. Conversely, they need to make purchases with inflows  money that may be chasing recent performance.

Of course, trading less often isnt necessarily a bad thing. It depends on how the funds are managed and, of course, the returns.

Theres Always the Risk of Underperformance

On a similar note, mutual funds still carry the risk of underperforming, something that could have serious repercussions for your investment if youve invested solely in them.

Despite being managed by professionals, mutual funds are not immune to market volatility and changes in economic conditions, said Collins. So, there is always a risk that a mutual funds performance may not meet your expectations or perform worse than expected, resulting in lower returns or even losses.

Who Should Invest in Mutual Funds?

Its important to choose the right types of investments for your risk tolerance, goals, and experience. On that note, mutual funds could be a good option for newer investors or those with moderate risk tolerance.

Mutual funds are best suited for long-term investors with a moderate risk tolerance who do not want to spend too much time managing their investments and are comfortable with giving up some control over their portfolio, said Collins. However, ETFs can often offer similar results at a lower fee.

Should You Avoid Mutual Funds?

Not relying solely on mutual funds is one thing, but should you avoid them altogether?

I would not advise against mutual funds altogether as they can offer certain advantages such as access to professional management and diversification benefits, said Collins.

Certain actively managed mutual funds have consistently outperformed the market on a risk-adjusted basis as they successfully use their ability to select securities outside the confines of the published indices or corresponding ETF roster, added Mahaffy. Moreover, sometimes it may be worth the higher expenses if the fund is consistently delivering alpha.

Diversifying Further With Other Investment Vehicles

Rather than overly rely on mutual funds, you can always invest in other things  depending on your own goals and risk tolerance. This could include stocks or bonds, index funds, or ETFs. Just do your due diligence beforehand.

As always, it depends upon the individual situation, but generally, be sure that you know what you own  what holdings your mutual fund has and whether there exists overlap with other funds you may own, said Mahaffy. Attempting to diversify without first understanding what you already own is futile. Only then can you implement an asset allocation that properly reflects your goals and risk tolerance.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im a Financial Advisor: Why You Shouldnt Rely Too Much on Mutual Funds
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Did you know that there are 24.5 million millionaires in the United States? That means every 7 out of 100 people have millions in wealth at their disposal. How can you become one of them?

You might think that to amass a million dollars, you have to go to the right schools, take the right internships and get in on the ground floor somewhere right after college. Thats one path, but its not one that everyone takes. Some millionaires never take one business course at a university and still end up with a fortune.

Discover More: Heres How Much a $1,000 Investment in Ford Stock 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

Try This: 6 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work)

Im a self-made millionaire who received no financial training, Stan Dzhishkaryani said. Despite no financial training, Dzhishkaryani is the founder and CEO of DZ Moving, a moving and logistics management company. My financial acumen was based a lot on making lifestyle adjustments such as living a minimalist lifestyle and prioritizing health, which made a big difference.

Here are the ways Dzhishkaryani and others made millions without formal financial training:

Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them.

1. Read Financial Texts

If youre looking to grow your net worth, you dont necessarily need to enroll at a business school. Your path to wealth can be as simple as going to the library.

Arvind Rongala didnt have any financial education in a formal setting, but he is now the CEO of Edstellar, a company that provides corporate training solutions. Rongala said that he expanded his business knowledge by reading financial texts.

When I first started, I lacked official financial knowledge, but I used several tools to learn. Personal financial, investment and entrepreneurial books were gems. For instance, reading books like Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham taught me a lot.

Other popular books for financial literacy include The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason, Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez, and The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins.

Though Rongala didnt knock formal schooling, he says teaching yourself offers the freedom you might not have in a school setting. Self-teaching gives flexibility and [you can] be just as successful if one is dedicated and creative.

You can focus on growing your business while absorbing the essential information to improve.

2. Check Out Online Courses

Even if you dont have the money to enroll in college courses, you can still get so much from taking an online class. Kevin McLaughlin started his own contracting business Heritage Exteriors LLC. To do that, he looked for resources online that catered to his line of work to learn everything he could.

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Online resources and industry publications became critical as my business grew. For instance, to stay updated on best practices and new products, I frequently visited websites like the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). I also spent many hours reading trade magazines such as Roofing Contractor and Qualified Remodeler, which provided actionable insights and real-world case studies.

Rongala agreed with McLaughlin, saying there are plenty of websites now that offer courses in pretty much any field youre looking to learn more about. Websites like Coursera provide excellent free courses on company management and financial literacy.

Other websites that offer training programs like Coursera include Khan Academy, Udemy and Lynda. Khan Academy courses are always free, which is great news for someone wanting to learn more in their field.

Even at their most expensive, online courses are much cheaper than going to school full-time to get a business or finance degree. Lynda is subscription-based. For $25 a month, you get access to all the courses on the website, and for $37.50 a month, you get supplemental material for those courses. Coursera courses range from $9.99 to $300, but as Rongala pointed out, they also have free courses.

3. Learn On the Job

I never had any formal financial education; instead, I learned everything on the job, McLaughlin said. Starting with hands-on training from my father fresh out of high school, I gradually built my own company, Heritage Exteriors LLC. My initial learning resources were primarily trial and error, learning directly from the field and experienced craftsmen around me. Practical experience has been invaluable for me.

Trending Now: Im a Self-Made Millionaire: 5 Stocks You Shouldnt Sell

If youre passionate about something, you can start at the bottom of that company and soak up everything you can. If you work hard enough, you can make waves in that field, as McLaughlin did.

4. Obtain Certifications

Formal education isnt the only way to prove youre good at something. McLaughlin said a certification can go a very long way.

In my role now, I always recommend new hires to balance field training with industry certifications, such as those from the NRCA, to instill both practical skills and theoretical knowledge.

Look into what certifications are available in your field and work toward receiving those. Some might be available on learning platforms like Coursera, but others might involve in-person training.

Certification programs offer training in specialized skills that can be easily applied to what you want to do. When youre looking for employment, those hiring you will see youre serious and informed about what youre doing and most likely consider you more qualified for a job than someone who does not have that certification.

5. Embrace a Minimalist Lifestyle

Dzhishkaryani said hes saved a lot of money by reducing personal life costs.

By embracing a minimalist lifestyle, I could focus on aspects I need, eliminating useless expenditures. This allowed me to maximize savings and improve my financial cushion.

Dzhishkaryani said this also helped keep his eye on the prize when it came to his business.

Another major benefit of minimalism is that it keeps you laser-focused on your goals because youre not handling too many things. This, in turn, helps a lot with maintaining financial discipline, he said.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Im a Self-Made Millionaire but Received No Formal Financial Education  5 Resources I Used To Teach Myself
We recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Healthcare Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. In this article, we are going to take a look at where United Health Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) stands against the other healthcare stocks. You can also check out the 20 Most Valuable Healthcare Companies in the World here.

Healthcare stocks are often considered a defensive investment during times of economic uncertainty. This is because people typically do not cut back on essential healthcare services or prescription drug purchases, even during economic downturns. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), expenditure on healthcare within the United States reached an estimated $4.8 trillion in 2023 while projections for 2027-32 suggest that national care spending will grow at an average rate of 5.6%.

A report by McKinsey also predicts that the healthcare industry is expected to see significant profit growth, with the overall profit pool reaching $819 billion by 2027, up from $583 billion in 2022. As we progress through 2024, there is a growing sense of optimism surrounding the healthcare sector. BlackRock's 2024 outlook for healthcare suggests that investors can anticipate a "favorable risk-reward environment" in the sector this year. The healthcare sector's underperformance in the previous year has created an appealing entry point for investors seeking to invest in the sector in 2024. There are several key trends behind this favorable climate in 2024 and beyond.

Firstly, the healthcare market is undergoing a patient-centered revolution fueled by technology. Telehealth or telemedicine, a solution driven by the pandemic, is now entering the mainstream due to its convenience and accessibility. The global telemedicine market, valued at $60.15 billion in 2023, is expected to keep growing at a steady pace for the next few years. This trend aligns with a broader shift towards personalized care. Advancements in genomics are paving the way for precision medicine, which is expected to be a $50.2 billion market by 2028. Precision medicine personalizes treatments based on the patients genetic makeup, leading to potentially more effective interventions.

The AI revolution is also impacting the healthcare sector. According to a report by Deloitte, in 2019 and 2022, investor confidence in AI for healthcare was high, with around $31.5 billion poured into equity funding. In the US alone, wider adoption could generate annual savings of up to $360 billion, roughly 10% of the country's healthcare spending, within the next five years.

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Another key trend is the rise of remote patient monitoring (RPM). This technology allows healthcare providers to collect patients' health data remotely and intervene early if there are any concerning changes. The global RPM market, valued at $71.9 billion in 2023, is expected to observe further growth. Wearable devices and other technologies enabling RPM are likely to see continued adoption through 2028.

Our Methodology

To shortlist the 10 best healthcare stocks to buy according to hedge funds, we conducted an analysis of our database of 919 hedge funds as of Q1 2024. From this dataset, we selected the best healthcare stocks based on the hedge fund sentiment. The top healthcare stocks have been ranked in ascending order of the number of hedge funds holding a stake in them as of the first quarter of the year. 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 senior healthcare professional giving advice to a patient in a clinic.

United Health Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 104

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH), a diversified healthcare company founded in 1974, offers a wide range of health insurance plans, health services, and pharmacy care programs through its various segments.

The companys Q1 2024 results showed a decent increase in revenue, rising nearly $8 billion year-over-year to $99.8 billion. Meanwhile, earnings per share of $6.91, exceeded the expectations of $6.62. UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) also provided over $6 billion in aid to care providers.

The UnitedHealth Group Incorporateds (NYSE:UNH) strong cash flow supports potential acquisitions, and its focus on customer growth and AI positions it well for future success. This bullish sentiment is reflected in the "Strong Buy" analyst rating of the stock and a price target suggesting a potential 17.6% upside.

Heres what Baron Funds said about UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) in its Q1 2024 investor letter:

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) is a leading health insurance company that operates across four segments: United Healthcare, Optum Health, OptumInsight, and OptumRX. Shares fell alongside other managed care organizations (MCOs) due to patient utilization of Medicare Advantage (MA) that was higher than consensus forecasts, raising concerns that MCOs had mispriced 2024 bids and could suffer margin compression as a result. In addition, the industry is facing headwinds from MA reimbursement cuts and Star Rating changes. While management said higher cost trends are mostly transitory and reflected in its bidding, and 2024 guidance was roughly in line with consensus, investors took a more cautious wait-and-see approach. We believe UnitedHealth should remain a core portfolio holding, as it is a way to play positive demographic, population health, and value-based reimbursement trends. Despite its size, we think the company should be able to grow earnings consistent with its 13% to 16% long-term EPS annual target, the fastest among major MCOs.

Overall UNH ranks 3rd on our list of the best healthcare stocks to buy. You can visit 10 Best Healthcare Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds to see the other healthcare stocks that are on hedge funds radar. While we acknowledge the potential of UNH 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 UNH 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.
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) could utilise its comparative advantage in the production of wind energy, according to the World Wind Energy Council.

With sufficient investment, up to 1.4TW of offshore wind can be made available in the region, the council said in its latest report.

The significant potential of offshore wind energy indicates that there can, and should, be development in the Middle East, the report said. However, this largely depends on the investment environment, national regulations and permitting procedures, as well as the availability of a qualified workforce with experience in this industry.

The offshore wind market in the region is still in its nascency due to the large investments required and the prioritisation of onshore wind, which is easier to develop.

However, trends are shifting in the Middle East: Efforts to diversify energy sources, potential development of subsea interconnectors to Europe, and the potential of green energy/green product exports may encourage MENA countries to reconsider their original stance on offshore wind, the report added.

According to GlobalData, Power Technologys parent company, thermal power made up 89% of power generation capacity in the Middle East in 2023. However, this share will fall to 74% of capacity by 2035, representing a negative compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.65% a year for that period.

Conversely, the share of renewables such as offshore wind is set to increase at a CAGR of 11.3% a year between 2023 and 2035. This forecast represents the regions potential to shift to green energy with the right investments and regulatory frameworks.

The report specified that Egypt, Morocco, Oman and Saudi Arabia, in particular, could lead the world in the field of wind energy if they are willing to move away from reliance on oil and gas.

The Moroccan Government has been taking serious steps to expand offshore wind in the region, said the report. The European Investment Bank recently awarded the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy a $2bn (1.86bn) grant to conduct a feasibility study for offshore wind in Morocco.

Saudi Arabia is also looking to develop 106GW of offshore wind capacity along its eastern and western coasts. The country currently has only one onshore wind farm in operation at Dumat al Jandal but aims to generate half of its energy supply from renewable sources by 2040.

The clean energy provision is at the heart of the Saudis futuristic NEOM project. The project is defined by the Saudi Government as a place that prioritises people and nature, creating a new model for sustainable living, working and prospering.

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However, there are doubts about the achievability of the Saudis plans. For instance, the Line city (part of the NEOM project), which was supposed to be 170km long, is only expected to reach a mile and a half by 2030 due to financial constraints.

"Middle East and Africa has 1.4TW of offshore wind potential  report" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterised by recurring seizures, involuntary movements affecting the body. Idiopathic generalised epilepsy is the most common form, constituting 25% of cases. The cause remains unknown in 50% of cases, with structural abnormalities, genetics, viral infections, metabolic disorders, and immunological factors playing roles. With effective antiepileptic drugs, up to 70% can achieve seizure freedom. Epilepsy affects approximately 46 million people globally, with the highest prevalence in Asia-Pacific, posing a significant global burden.

Cutting-edge progress

In its latest report, Novotech, a global clinical Contract Research Organisation (CRO), offers insights into novel therapeutic approaches, clinical trials, and future innovations shaping the future of epilepsy care.

In the treatment landscape, antiepileptic drugs (anticonvulsants) are the primary drug choice to prevent seizures in people with epilepsy, with a success rate of over 60%. Monotherapy is recommended over polytherapy to reduce side effects and costs. However, many people with epilepsy also experience psychiatric and cognitive issues, requiring comprehensive management. The increase in drug-resistant epilepsy cases has triggered the need for innovative treatments. Ongoing research efforts offer opportunities through the development of precision medicine, genetic therapies, and neurostimulation devices targeting specific epilepsy subtypes.

The report goes on to discuss clinical trials, highlighting since 2019, the biotech and biopharma industry initiated over 4,000 epilepsy trials. Asia-Pacific leads in the number of trials conducted, followed by Europe, North America, and the rest of the world. Mainland China leads in Asia Pacific, while Germany is prominent in Europe. The United States plays a major role in epilepsy trials in North America while Israel contributes moderately to the rest of the world's trials. With respect to patient recruitment trends, Asia-Pacific showed shorter recruitment durations and faster patient recruitment rates in comparison to the US and Europe.

In marketed and pipeline drugs, there are various marketed drugs from companies like Advicenne S.A., and Pfizer Inc., along with other options in late-stage development. Likozam and Fycompa, which target the AMPA glutamate receptor, are already approved and marketed for the treatment of epilepsy. Additionally, the Phase III pipeline includes drugs such as Ztalmy and Ganaxolone. These target the GABA a receptor, suggesting advancements in epilepsy treatment options and focusing on exploring novel mechanisms of action to address the challenges of this disease.

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Promising opportunities

Epilepsy is a pressing global health issue, with ongoing advancements in research and treatment driven by a deepening understanding of its complexity. Emerging non-pharmacological interventions and innovative therapies offer promising avenues to improve epilepsy management. Collaboration among researchers, healthcare providers, and pharmaceutical companies is crucial for advancing epilepsy care.

Novotech partners with biotech firms to accelerate advanced therapeutics development across all phases. It has experience with over 5,000 clinical projects, partnerships with 1,500 plus sites and offers a wide range of services including laboratories, Phase 1 facilities, and regulatory expertise. With 34 office locations and a team of 3,000+ professionals, Novotech is a trusted strategic partner for end-to-end solutions.

Discover more about epilepsy research by downloading the comprehensive disease report below.

"Navigating the global epilepsy clinical trial landscape in 2024 " was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
NewPeak Metals has signed a binding term sheet for the divestiture of its Swedish mineral permits, held by its subsidiary NewPeak Sweden (NSO), to 1459992 BC, a Canadian company led by entrepreneur Emma Fairhurst.

The agreement includes the transfer of permits for several strategic mineral sites in Sweden.

Under the agreed terms, NewPeak will receive C$250,000 ($182,807) in shares of the Canadian company upon the execution of the transaction documents.

Additionally, a milestone payment of C$750,000, either in cash or shares, is set to be made upon the reporting of a JORC Inferred Resource of at least three million tonnes at 0.3% WO3Eq.

NSO holds the Baggetorp, Gansen, Gubbo, Hogfors, Horken, Sandudden, Yxsjoberg and Yxsjoberg nr 200 permits.

This transaction follows the recent sale of Finland Gold permits and is part of NewPeaks broader strategy for corporate rejuvenation.

The sale is designed to provide NewPeak with immediate and staged liquid assets, bolstering the company's financial position to support ongoing business plans.

Completion of the deal is due to close by 31 August 2024, with the Canadian company expected to assign its rights into a publicly listed entity by the time of closing.

The closure of the transaction is contingent upon standard transaction conditions, including the Canadian company's satisfaction with the results of its due diligence investigations.

NewPeak chairman Brian Moller said: The board is most pleased with this outcome, particularly because the Sweden mineral assets came as a no cost addition to the original acquisition of the Finland Gold projects.

The company outlaid minimal funds on field exploration and resource evaluation, though was pleasantly surprised the results indicated such good potential. We are divesting the Sweden properties as a part of the companys rejuvenation plans; however, NewPeak shareholders benefit from both the sale process and the exposure to any future project upside via our shareholding in the buyer.

This completes the exit from Scandinavia, with only the Argentinian Gold assets remaining for divestment. Discussions are under way, though we maintain our position that the Argentine Gold assets have good potential, and we may progress them ourselves.

"NewPeak announces sale of Swedish mineral permits" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
(Bloomberg) -- Oracle Corp. warned investors that a new law potentially banning TikTok in the US threatens to hurt its financial results.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The law signed by President Joe Biden in April will make it unlawful to provide internet hosting services to TikTok unless certain steps are taken by its China-based owners, Oracle wrote Thursday in a regulatory filing. If we are unable to provide those services to TikTok, and if we cannot redeploy that capacity in a timely manner, our revenues and profits would be adversely impacted. Compliance with the new law may also increase expenses, the company added.

TikTok uses Oracles cloud infrastructure to store and process US user data, and is considered by many Wall Street analysts to be one of the Austin-based companys largest customers for that closely watched business. Oracle could lose a sizable portion of revenue associated with hosting the bulk of TikToks US business, Derrick Wood, an analyst at TD Cowen, wrote in April.

Oracles annual revenue from the popular video app may be in the range of $480 million to $800 million, estimated Kirk Materne, an analyst at Evercore ISI. The companys unit that rents computing power and storage generated about $6.9 billion in sales in the year ended May 31. The growing cloud infrastructure business, fueled by demand for artificial intelligence work, has helped propel Oracles shares to a 34% gain this year through Fridays close.

Oracle didnt respond to a request for comment.

US lawmakers have long been concerned that TikTok poses a security threat to US users because China requires its companies, upon request, to share any national security-related data with the government. The law signed in April gives TikTok 270 days to find a buyer or be banned in the US, with some possibility of an extension.

TikTok has pushed back on these concerns, suing to overturn the law. As part of its defense in recent years, TikTok has invoked its work with Oracle to cordon off US data from its Chinese parent, ByteDance Ltd. The initiative, dubbed Project Texas, was named after the state of Oracles headquarters.

Still, Oracle has traditionally been mute on its relationship with TikTok  it doesnt list the company among its flagship cloud customer successes. In 2020, when the US first pressed ByteDance to sell the app to a US buyer, Oracle was among those considering a deal. The company at that time declined to answer any questions about its relationship with TikTok.

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If TikTok is sold, replacing Oracle as a cloud vendor would likely be a very low priority, Materne wrote.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Coordinator to Pakistan's prime minister on climate change Romina Khurshid Alam has called on all provincial governments to adopt Punjab provinces plastic ban policy.

This initiative aims to steer the country towards becoming plastic-free.

Khurshid Alam's appeal comes after Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz recently implemented a ban on the production and sale of plastic bags across the province starting from World Environment Day (5 June).

The policy is set to be rigorously enforced, particularly targeting hotels, restaurants, and eateries.

In a statement, Khurshid Alam emphasised that while the goal of a plastic-free Pakistan is ambitious, it is only achievable through a unified approach.

The prime minister's aide stressed the need for a complete prohibition on the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of plastic products at all levels.

Khurshid Alam underscored the necessity of persistent efforts to ensure adherence to the plastic ban and to overcome the challenges associated with it.

She also highlighted the severe environmental and health risks posed by polythene bags, including their role in exacerbating respiratory diseases and other serious health conditions.

Furthermore, Khurshid Alam called for the promotion of eco-friendly substitutes such as cotton bags and encouraged citizens to adopt cloth and paper bags as alternatives to plastic.

She also pointed out the critical role of public engagement and awareness campaigns in reducing the environmental footprint of plastic waste and in fostering the adoption of sustainable alternatives.

"Pakistans prime ministerial aide calls for nationwide adoption of plastic ban" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
With the ability to process 22,000 lbs. of hemp fibre per hour, the Panda Hemp Gin is the largest industrial hemp processing facility in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the world.

Panda Biotech president Dixie Carter opened the ceremony noting chairman and CEO Robert W. Carters "astounding vision to build a large-scale, top-tier processing facility here in the United States" for domestic industrial hemp decortication.

Bob Carters signature no excuses leadership style inspired the Panda Biotech team to persevere through a number of challenges including a global pandemic to "arrive at this momentous day," she added.

Texas agriculture commissioner Sid Miller, who attended the event said: We will lead the nation in industrial hemp! with fellow attendee, Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce CEO Ron Kitchens adding: Today, we celebrate the courage of entrepreneurs who said over and over again, we believe in you, Wichita Falls.

In April 2023 Panda Biotech announced a partnership with the Southern Ute Growth Fund, a Native American-owned investment company, to advance sustainable hemp production in the United States.

The partnership aimed to increase the production of sustainable hemp fibre for use in a variety of industries, including textiles, construction materials, and bioplastics. The strategic alliance was inked with Aka-Ag, LLC, a Growth Fund subsidiary.

Scientifically proven to sequester substantial amounts of carbon dioxide, industrial hemp requires significantly less water, herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides to grow than most crops used in textile manufacturing.

Kontoor Brands, owner of the Wrangler and Lee brands, announced some time ago it was expanding its collaboration with Panda Biotech to bring traceability and scale to the textile-grade cottonised hemp grown and processed in the United States.

Earlier, Panda Biotech revealed it would be working with the BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association), to introduce US-grown sustainable hemp fibre to Bangladesh's apparel exporters.

"Panda Hemp Gin facility in Wichita Falls officially opened" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
In order to justify the effort of selecting individual stocks, it's worth striving to beat the returns from a market index fund. But if you try your hand at stock picking, you risk returning less than the market. We regret to report that long term Hong Leong Asia Ltd. (SGX:H22) shareholders have had that experience, with the share price dropping 38% in three years, versus a market decline of about 8.5%.

So let's have a look and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

See our latest analysis for Hong Leong Asia

While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

During the unfortunate three years of share price decline, Hong Leong Asia actually saw its earnings per share (EPS) improve by 13% per year. Given the share price reaction, one might suspect that EPS is not a good guide to the business performance during the period (perhaps due to a one-off loss or gain). Or else the company was over-hyped in the past, and so its growth has disappointed.

Since the change in EPS doesn't seem to correlate with the change in share price, it's worth taking a look at other metrics.

We think that the revenue decline over three years, at a rate of 9.2% per year, probably had some shareholders looking to sell. And that's not surprising, since it seems unlikely that EPS growth can continue for long in the absence of revenue growth.

The graphic below depicts how earnings and revenue have changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

We know that Hong Leong Asia has improved its bottom line lately, but what does the future have in store? This free report showing analyst forecasts should help you form a view on Hong Leong Asia

What About Dividends?

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. As it happens, Hong Leong Asia's TSR for the last 3 years was -33%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

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A Different Perspective

Hong Leong Asia shareholders are down 1.6% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 4.8%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. On the bright side, long term shareholders have made money, with a gain of 5% per year over half a decade. It could be that the recent sell-off is an opportunity, so it may be worth checking the fundamental data for signs of a long term growth trend. While it is well worth considering the different impacts that market conditions can have on the share price, there are other factors that are even more important. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Hong Leong Asia , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

Of course Hong Leong Asia may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Singaporean exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
Carlsberg (CARL.VI) said on Monday that PepsiCo (PEP)has agreed to waive a clause in its bottling deal with Britvic, (B6S.F) making the British firm a more attractive acquisition after a $3.9 billion bid by the Danish brewer was rejected.

The move could pave the way for Carlsberg to raise its bid for soft drinks maker Britvic, which has rejected two approaches from the Danish firm.

Britvic's shares soared as much as 10% to an all-time high of 1,207 pence in early trade, while Carlsberg's stock was down 0.26%.

"This (change of control clause) waiver will come into effect should an acquisition of Britvic by Carlsberg, which has the recommendation of Britvic's board, proceed to completion," said Carlsberg, which bottles Pepsi drinks in markets such as Norway and Sweden.

A change in control clause is a contractual provision that gives a party to an agreement enhanced protection if the controlling shareholding of the other party is transferred.

Britvic in 2020 signed a 20-year franchise bottling agreement for PepsiCo drinks, such as Pepsi, 7UP and Mountain Dew, in Britain.

Carlsberg said it is still evaluating its position and there can be no certainty that any offer will be made.

Carlsberg's potential acquisition of Britvic would imply a significant extension of the partnership with Pepsi, analysts at Jefferies said in a note last week, adding that it "may bring the current Coca-Cola bottling agreements in Denmark and Finland under scrutiny."

Britvic also makes other non-alcoholic beverages and cocktail mixers. In the UK, it is famous for brands such as Robinsons fruit cordial and R. White's lemonade.

Carlsberg has until July 19 to make a formal offer for Britvic or walk away.

(Reporting by Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee and Sonia Cheema)
Bing Guan / UPI / Shutterstock.com

The 2024 election is quickly approaching. After four years of President Joe Biden, Nov. 5 will decide whether he serves another term or whether former President Donald Trump returns to the White House.

Check Out: Trump Wants To Eliminate Income Taxes: Heres What That Would Mean for the Economy and Your Wallet

Find Out: 6 Money Moves You Must Make if You Want to Be Like the Wealthy

Each choice could massively impact the cost of living, particularly for the middle class. Wondering whether youre in Americas middle class? Per Pew Research Center, the middle class has a household income between $39,693 and $119,080.

If you fall in that range, here is what economists and political experts say you can expect if Trump wins the election.

Earning passive income doesn't need to be difficult. You can start this week.

Potentially Lower Taxes

When Trump was president, he passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). If Trump is reelected, Republicans will work to extend the TCJA tax cuts, some of which expire in 2025.

Chuck Warren, host of The Breaking Battlegrounds Politics Podcast, said this could impact what the middle class pays come tax season. [This extension might] also include further personal and corporate tax rate reductions.

Be Aware: Trump Wants To Eliminate Income Taxes: 4 Reasons You Might Want To Change Your Retirement Plans

Warren said time will tell whether the middle class actually experiences the advantages of the tax cuts. Although these cuts may increase disposable income for some working-class families, there is controversy over whether all the benefits would be shared equally across the entire middle class.

Higher Healthcare Costs

During Trumps term as president, he worked hard to try to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). At the end of 2023, Trump was still passionate about this issue, posting on social media, I dont want to terminate Obamacare, I want to replace it with much better healthcare.

If hes reelected and successfully repeals the ACA, Warren said, This could result in different healthcare policies affecting middle-class households, thereby leading to higher out-of-pocket healthcare expenses if pre-existing condition protections and subsidies are rolled back.

Change in Medicare and Social Security

The future of retirement programs is a major issue in this election.

Economists point out that Trump may pursue changes affecting benefits received by middle-class retirees, concerning future funding needs, Warren said.

During his presidency, Trump proposed cuts to Social Security and reductions to provider payments on costs covered by Medicare.

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Conversely, on his 2024 campaign trail, Trump and his campaign have said he wont cut those programs. In a campaign video, he said, Under no circumstances should Republicans vote to cut a single penny from Medicare or Social Security.

Higher Costs of Goods

Trump levied large tariffs against China during his presidency and has said he would double down if elected again. He has suggested imposing a 10% tariff on imports and a 60% tax on Chinese goods.

Landon Pyle, the VP of sales and marketing at R&S Logistics Inc., said this would hit middle-class consumers hard.

Everything from furniture and household appliances to cars and computer parts relies on imports, and U.S. manufacturing is not positioned to meet the consumer demand, Pyle said. Instead, importers will likely raise prices to offset the tariffs, ultimately impacting middle-class consumers.

More Jobs

When Trump was campaigning to be president in 2016, he discussed a $1 trillion infrastructure plan that would work to fix highways, bridges, tunnels, airports, schools and hospitals in the United States. While there were some successes, the promised plan was criticized by some states and largely seen as a disappointment.

If Trump wins and follows through on infrastructure promises, it could mean big job growth, Warren said.

Economists argue that if these projects were given priority then they would create many jobs, he said, especially benefiting those involved in construction and related areas  with the majority being from middle-class families.

Increased Workforce Training

In 2018, Trumps administration rolled out a five-year strategic plan for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The goal was to teach necessary technical skills to folks in high-tech workplaces.

If we have another Trump presidency, Warren said he could continue to focus on these types of training programs, potentially giving more earning power to Americans.

These endeavors might equip the middle class with additional skills and more good-paying jobs, especially in scientific and mechanical areas, Warren said.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The Possible Economic Ups and Downs for the Middle Class If Trump Is Elected
China fortified its partnerships from trade to academic collaborations in the Asia-Pacific region during Premier Li Qiang's recent visits to New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia, with attention centring around exchanges between Beijing and Canberra.

Unlike New Zealand and Malaysia that employ a relatively mild approach towards China, Australia - as a more vocal member of the "Five Eyes" intelligence alliance with Canada, New Zealand, Britain and the US - is seeking to strike a balance between addressing security concerns and economic development with the world's second-largest economy.

"The visit ... by Chinese Premier Li Qiang is a reminder of an old dilemma at the heart of Australia's engagement with China: how to maintain trade and economic relationships with a country that is not a security partner," said Angela Lehman, head of research at the Lygon Group consulting firm and chair of the non-profit Foundation for Australian Studies in China.

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.

Australian businessmen welcomed the warming relationship with China, highlighted by the first visit by a Chinese premier in seven years as well as a series of on-the-ground collaborations.

Trade also remained high on the agenda, particularly imports of live Australian lobsters to China, which have been under an unofficial ban for more than three years.

"The feeling is positive after the visit by the Chinese premier," said Andrew Ferguson, managing director at seafood provider Ferguson Australia.

"It's believed that the ban will be lifted shortly, so we are told."

Ferguson added that "a number of interested potential Chinese customers" had made contact.

Amid improving relations, China had already lifted its punitive import tariffs on Australian wine at the end of March.

During Li's trip, the Melbourne-based Australia China Agribusiness Association also received a delegation from Chengdu, and both sides signed several export and import agreements.

"[We] help Chengdu to export oranges, kiwi fruits, apples and other fruits to Southeast Asian countries," said Wilton Yao, president of the non-profit organisation, noting that the association would also host delegations from Guangzhou, Shanghai and Hebei later this year.

He added that Australia would export dried garlic, fruit drinks, dried mushrooms, Sichuan cuisine seasonings, grapefruits and dragon fruit to China.

Story continues

The move to grant 15-day visa-free travel to Australian citizens, which was announced during Li's trip, was also regarded as "a strong, welcoming, and unmistakable signal in its unilateral opening-up", said Wang Zichen, a research fellow at the Beijing-based Centre for China and Globalisation think tank.

"[The] membership in Western pacts such as the 'Five Eyes' or Aukus that Beijing strongly dislikes are not necessarily an obstacle," he said.

"The discussion now naturally moves to China granting visa-free travel for other members of the pacts, especially Britons and Canadians, and ultimately Americans."

As a highlight of people-to-people exchanges, Peking University president Gong Qihuang was the only representative from a Chinese university to join the seventh China-Australia CEO round table in Perth last week.

Gong Qihuang with Sharon Pickering, president of Monash University. Photo: Peking University alt=Gong Qihuang with Sharon Pickering, president of Monash University. Photo: Peking University>

During the conference, Gong signed a memorandum of understanding with Sharon Pickering, president of Monash University in Melbourne, which pledged the institutions would strengthen cooperation on life science and carbon neutrality, according to a post on Peking University's LinkedIn account.

Li was also the first Chinese premier to visit Malaysia since 2015, where he signed a deal to import durians and cemented links on important sectors such as high-level manufacturing and the digital economy.

Malaysia can grab a sizeable share of China's durian market within two to three years with "no problem", said Lim Chin Khee, an adviser with the Durian Academy that trains Malaysian growers.

For New Zealand, agreements on the commencement of the trade in services negotiations based on a negative list approach under the China-New Zealand free-trade deal were discussed.

Additional reporting by Ralph Jennings

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.
The study, titled "Just For Show: Worker representation in Asia's garment sector and the role of fashion brands and employers" alleged that brands and their suppliers are relying on ineffective representation structures as alternatives to genuine trade union engagement, effectively undermining workers' rights in South Asia to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

The report argued that this is a form of "union busting" and not only undermines workers' rights but also represents a missed opportunity for brands to develop meaningful stakeholder engagement and social dialogue with workers.

The research was based on interviews, focus group discussions, and a survey, conducted with trade unions and other labour advocates across South and Southeast Asia including Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Key findings from the report

International fashion brands, despite their policy commitments to freedom of association and collective bargaining, are reportedly failing to intervene proactively to support workers in their supply chains, with only 9% of respondents trusting them to intervene when management undermines or threatens unions.

50% of surveyed workers believe that international brands' respect for freedom of association is "just for show," with rare interventions when issues arise. The use of alternative structures by brands and suppliers is depleting trade unions' capacity to effectively represent workers. Among survey respondents, 82% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement: Employers prefer to engage and bargain with other bodies, such as yellow unions and worker committees, instead of the independent trade union, 73% said denial of factory access for trade union activities occurred at their factories, 64% said independent trade unions are not allowed to recruit during work hours, Despite past successes, such as the establishment of the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety and the Pakistan Accord following the 2013 Rana Plaza disaster, union-driven initiatives are being sidelined.

The BHRRC contacted all of the supplier factories and fashion brands named in the report for their comment on the allegations to which they were linked.

Fashion brand, supplier responses to trade union allegations

Of the 28 brands and suppliers contacted, 10 did not respond to the BHRRC. Hung Wah, Meng Da Footwear, JS Leather Collection and Jaw Garment couldnt be reached for comment by Just Style at the time of going to press.

Childrens Place, Guess, Asos, MAS Holdings, PT Sai Apparel Industries and Mountain Khakis did not respond to Just Style's request for comment at the time of publishing.

Story continues

BHRRC has surveyed trade unions in Cambodia, including the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union (C-CAWDAU), which represents around 3% of the workforce at the Meng Da factory, which produces German sportswear company, Adidas' footwear.

Adidas has asked Meng Da to seek consensus and endorsement from each union for major workplace changes. The sportswear company said it has a social compliance team in Cambodia, and if a registered union perceives the factory is interfering with their trade union activities, they can raise complaints directly with the factory.

US manufacturer and retailer Fanatics, a licensee of global sportswear company Nike said it was "deeply concerned" by the issues reported by the Dabindu Collective Union.

As part of the Nike licensing arrangement, Fanatics also maintains a relationship with a Sri Lankan vendor (MAS Holdings). The US company stated that Nike manages compliance engagement with these facilities and confirmed that its footprint with the referenced facilities in Sri Lanka is "small."

In response to allegations made by the Dabindu Collective Union in Sri Lanka which reported that MAS used multiple tactics to make clear the development of a workplace trade union was unwelcome, Nike said it expects its supplier MAS Holdings to adhere to its supplier Code of Conduct which includes recognising and respecting freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Nike stated that based on conversations with MAS it understands that the supplier supports freedom of association and worker's organisation, ensuring employee participation in mutual concerns.

MAS is also committed to supporting the establishment of trade unions as per the legal framework and requirements, confirmed Nike.

Another brand MAS supplies to is PVH Corp who said it is in contact with the supplier regarding allegations, and if verified, will work with the supplier to remediate any violations in line with their A Shared Commitment and Corporate Responsibility Supply Chain Guidelines.

H&M confirmed that Hing Wah (Cambodia), Dekko Design (Bangladesh) and PT Sai Apparel (Indonesia) are active suppliers to the Swedish retailer.

H&M stated that in 2023, it updated its Labour Rights Survey claiming that more than 205,000 workers completed the worker survey, which was combined with a selection of third-party factory data collected through HIGG FSLM.

As a result, the company said it now has visibility of how effective factory grievance mechanisms are according to the UNGP criteria. We are now working with our strategic suppliers to create tailored roadmaps designed to strengthen social dialogue and grievance mechanisms in the factories, to improve access to remedy for workers, H&M explained.

Dekko Design also supplies to the Spanish retail giant, Inditex which in November 2022 received a communication from the Action, Collaboration, Transformation (ACT) Bangladesh Interim Dispute Resolution Mechanism (DRM) on workers' rights to Freedom of Association due to payment of wages and benefits regarding allegations raised by the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation (BGIWF) against Dekko Designs.

To resolve this Inditex and other ACT Brands conducted meetings with the supplier, leading to a partial resolution for 14 workers in June 2023 and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed for the remaining five union committee members, including worker reinstatement and compensation payment.

Eastcrown factory workers in Cambodia were dismissed in 2023 for trying to establish a union in the factory and were reinstated and compensated after intervention from the factorys sole buyer, Puma.

Puma explained how it facilitated mediation meetings between factory management and the union, resulting in the reinstatement of 13 union leaders. All 13 workers received compensation and nine returned to work.

The retailer responded by partnering with Better Factory Cambodia for customised workshops on employer rights, union obligations, and workplace relations.

Garment Labour Union (GLU), a women-led union, initiated their years-long efforts to organise workers at Unit 1 of the SAPL factory in Bangalore (supplying Bestseller, Primark and The Childrens Place).

SAPL denied that there was neither any complaint nor incident of suppressive actions by the supplier on collective bargaining efforts by any trade union much less GLU.

UK-based value fashion retailer Primark said it immediately began an investigation when the allegations about SAPL Unit 1 were brought to its attention and the team in India collected feedback from factory management and workers, and senior Ethical Trade team members met with SAPL management to discuss alleged issues.

Bestseller established that Dekko remains its supplier following the resolution of the case, as per the ACT Dispute Resolution Mechanism and to the mutual agreement of all parties in December 2023.

German clothing label Tchibo reported that it was "thouroughly involved" during the solution of the case and "immediately" engaged with Dekko Design to address the issues and to encourage the factory to have a social dialogue with BGIWF to resolve the violations.

Moving ahaead Tchibo will continue to closely monitor the situation at the factory to ensure that workers' rights are respected and upheld.

The factory in J.Crew Group's facility in Chiefway Katunayake, Indonesia, was accused of violating workers' rights to paid overtime and leave.

Chiefway Katunayake (Pvt) Ltd, a garment manufacurer based in Sri Lanka strongly denined "such baseless allegations" of "two hours taken off their pay slips", from the Free Trade Zone and General Service Employee branch union, as factory management had no knowledge of this and there were no reports of physical assault made by the union.

J. Crew added: "We will encourage factory management to work with the FTZ branch union and the employee council to better manage these types of issues, and we will continue to monitor the factory to ensure they are upholding the right to legal wages as well as freedom of association and collective bargaining."

Another manufacturing company based in Sri Lanka, Brandix Apparel Limited clarified that the compnay has not expressed a preference for workplace committees over trade unions, and Employee Councils are currently active at all facilities.

Brandix said its facilities have over 70% female representation, collaborate with IFC for trade union engagement, and undergo regular audits to ensure compliance with Freedom of Association, ensuring a diverse workforce.

American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) told BHRRC that it would investigate the allegations made "if deemed appropriate" but as per its Supplier Code of Conduct, workers have the right to join or not join any organisation of their choice and to bargain collectively and must not be discriminated against based on their affiliations. They also have the right of freedom of association.

In response to allegations of threats, silencing worker voices and grievance issues raised by Unions in Karnataka, India, between October 2023 and May 2024, apparel manufaturer Shahi Exports PVT said it keeps the well-being and rights of workers at the "centre of our business."

The company explained how it has a strict zero-tolerance policies on any form of harassment, multiple channels of communication open to workers and does not have or maintain any data about Unions and affiliations to uphold the spirit of the worker's voices.

Natalie Swan, Labour Rights Programme Manager at BHRRC, emphasised the crucial role of trade unions in protecting and empowering workers, especially as the garment sector faces multiple crises including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and global conflicts.

Swan stated, "The most effective way to protect and empower workers is still achieved through democratic trade unions and collective bargaining, especially where union leaders represent the diversity of the workforce."

As part of its online Purchasing Practices: Who Pays For The Crisis, tracker the Business & Human Rights Resources Centre (BHRRC) updated its monitoring of the purchasing practice brand allegations at factories across apparel-producing countries in May and found that nearly half of fashion brands distance themselves from direct responsibility for labour issues outside their facilities or after ceasing operations with the factories involved.

"Report slams worker representation by major fashion firms as just for show" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Sberbank, a major Russian lender, is attempting to recoup loans from its former British affiliate worth about $138.6m, and a Moscow court has backed with the bank in this endeavour.

Reported by Reuters, following sanctions imposed by the West in reaction to Moscow's involvement in the Ukrainian crisis, Sberbank announced in April 2022 that it was closing down operations at its investment arm in London, Sberbank CIB (UK) Limited.

The Financial Conduct Authority, the British regulator, stated that sanctions had rendered Sberbank CIB unable to make payments despite having adequate assets to fulfil its creditors, and that it had been deemed insolvent and placed under special administration.

The Moscow Arbitration Court granted Sberbank's claim in full.

Sberbank sought repayment of loans in four different currencies: 28.3m ($30.36m), 3.2m ($4.05m), CAD3.4m ($2.49m), and RUB8.8bn ($101.73m), totalling approximately $138.6m.

Sberbank CIB's UK administrators stated in an April report on progress that about $105m in cash is held in multiple accounts with Sberbank or as security at Russia's National Settlement Depository (NSD).

The actions in Russia's commercial courts address the repayment of specific loans owed by Teneo, the administrators.

Moreover, within the European Parliament, the overarching threat to the Ukrainian war effort lies in the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group.

Founded by French politician Marine Le Pen in 2019, ID is made up of nationalist, populist and Eurosceptic parties with sympathetic views towards Russia.

In Strasbourg, ID is led by Italian politician Marco Zanni  a representative of the openly pro-Russian, right-wing Lega Nord party. Right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany (AfD), allegedly funded by Moscow, was also part of ID until it was rejected last month after lead candidate Maximilian Krah said Nazi SS officers were not all automatically criminals.

"Sberbank receives court backing with debt recovery" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the Day of German Industry 2024 organized by the Federation of German Industries (BDI). The BDI's two-day future conference with representatives from business, politics, science and society is being held this year under the motto "Cohesion in polarized worlds". Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised relief for the country's economy and measures to promote business investment in remarks on Monday at an industry conference in Berlin, as a key business lobbyist demanded action.

Scholz said that his three-party coalition is planning a "dynamization package" to spur growth, including reforms to boost the country's labour force by making longer working hours much more attractive.

He also said measures to make it easier for parents of young children to work should be increased, including through tax incentives.

"I could imagine that we could go one better in terms of depreciation and research funding than what we have achieved with the Growth Opportunities Act," Scholz said, referring to a previous set of pro-business measures passed by his coalition.

But doing so would require support from the leaders of Germany's 16 states, who previously insisted on reducing some of the tax breaks and other measures in the Growth Opportunities Act.

Boost for business in tight 2025 budget?

Scholz's coalition has been locked in tough negotiations over the draft 2025 budget for weeks. Several departments do not want to comply with Finance Minister Christian Lindner's savings targets.

Ministers from Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens have urged loosening Germany's tight restrictions on government borrowing and deficit spending, something that Lindner, a leader of the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP), has ruled out.

Scholz said at the Day of German Industry conference on Monday that "investing in the future" would be a high priority for Germany next year.

He acknowledged that volatile energy prices as well as plans to increase renewable electricity sources had posed challenges for German industry, particularly because of lower energy costs elsewhere in the world.

He said the government is in discussions about how to make permanent several energy cost relief measures that are currently set to expire, such as a reduced electricity tax for manufacturers.

Industry leader says economy held back

The president of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), Siegfried Russwurm, urged Scholz's government to take decisive action to boost growth.

Russwurm said companies want to invest in Germany and grow their operations in the country but are being hindered by issues including excessive bureaucracy and open questions about future energy policy.

Russwurm said that the "dynamization package" touted by Scholz to boost weak economic growth in Germany would need to live up to its name.

Story continues

He called for rules around depreciation to be made more favourable to business, a reduction in bureaucracy and clarity regarding future energy policy. His wish list also includes more skilled workers and lower corporate taxes.

Businesses want to grow, "but this is not possible with the handbrake on," he said.

Fees charged to fund a planned expansion of Germany's electricity grid cannot be allowed to drive up energy costs in the country, which are already relatively high, Russwurm said.

Scholz: China must talk on tariffs

Scholz also called for movement from China in the dispute over potential European Union tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

The chancellor welcomed the European Commission's offer of negotiations with China, but warned there is little time left before the threatened punitive tariffs could begin taking effect on July 4.

"It is clear that we also need serious movement and progress from the Chinese side at this point," Scholz said.

The European Commission has accused Beijing of unfairly subsidizing battery-powered vehicles, and published plans for punitive tariffs on electric vehicle imports from China in mid June.

Germany's large and influential automotive industry has expressed serious concerns about the tariffs, in part because of fears that China could retaliate with tariffs on German auto exports to the lucrative Chinese market.

The tariffs, which could be as high as 38.1%, could be imposed retroactively from July 4 if a deal is not reached, although a final determination is not due until early November.

Both sides announced on Saturday that they are interested in negotiations.

Habeck calls for more agile EU

Also speaking at the conference, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck argued in favour of fundamental reforms in the European Union to make the bloc more agile and less bureaucratic.

He also named seven specific points he would like to see implemented by the next European Commission.

Those measures include assessing potential business mergers in the EU according to the global market and not solely from the perspective of the EU internal market.

The EU's defence industry must be strengthened, said Habeck, a Green party politician who also serves as Germany's vice chancellor.

Free trade agreements should be agreed to only at the EU level, instead of going through the parliaments of the many countries in the bloc, Habeck contended.

Scholz also spoke in favour of such an policy on Monday, warning that otherwise trade deals risked years of delays during the ratification process in various EU countries.

Russwurm for his part pointed to the failure of a trade agreement with Australia and long negotiations on a trade agreement between the EU and the South American MERCOSUR trade group, which is made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Siegfried Russwurm, President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), speaks at the Day of German Industry 2024 organized by the Federation of German Industries (BDI). The BDI's two-day future conference with representatives from business, politics, science and society is taking place this year under the motto "Cohesion in polarized worlds". Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (C) is welcomed by Siegfried Russwurm (R), President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), and Tanja Gonner, Managing Director of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), at the Day of German Industry 2024 of the Federation of German Industries (BDI). The BDI's two-day future conference with representatives from business, politics, science and society is taking place this year under the motto "Cohesion in polarized worlds". Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Springfield Properties is UK1.42 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Springfield Properties' UK0.94 share price signals that it might be 33% undervalued

The UK1.24 analyst price target for SPR is 12% less than our estimate of fair value

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Springfield Properties PLC (LON:SPR) as an investment opportunity 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. 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 Springfield Properties

The Method

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To begin with, we have to get estimates of 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 need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK26.3m UK7.14m UK10.6m UK13.3m UK15.8m UK17.9m UK19.7m UK21.2m UK22.4m UK23.4m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Est @ 25.70% Est @ 18.52% Est @ 13.50% Est @ 9.98% Est @ 7.52% Est @ 5.79% Est @ 4.59% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 12% UK23.4 UK5.7 UK7.5 UK8.4 UK8.9 UK9.0 UK8.8 UK8.4 UK8.0 UK7.4

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK96m

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.8%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 12%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK23m (1 + 1.8%)  (12% 1.8%) = UK229m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK229m ( 1 + 12%)10= UK73m

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 UK168m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK0.9, the company appears quite good value at a 33% 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

The Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. 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 Springfield Properties 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 12%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.901. 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 Springfield Properties

Strength

Debt is well covered by .

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Interest payments on debt are not well covered.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the British market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Annual revenue is expected to decline over the next 3 years.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation 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. 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 Springfield Properties, we've put together three fundamental items you should assess:

Risks: Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 3 warning signs with Springfield Properties (at least 1 which is concerning) , and understanding these should be part of your investment process. Future Earnings: How does SPR'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 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
It's smart to find out how much of your Social Security benefits are likely to be taxed by the state you live in and by the federal government, as that information can help in your retirement planning. Here's a look at which states do -- and don't -- tax Social Security.

Image source: Getty Images.

These states (and one district) don't tax Social Security benefits

Here are the many non-taxers:

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Mississippi

Missouri

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin

Washington, D.C.

Wyoming

10 states do tax Social Security

Here are the states that do tax Social Security benefits:

Colorado

Connecticut

Kansas

Minnesota

Montana

Nebraska

New Mexico

Rhode Island

Utah

Vermont

West Virginia

Note, though, that this list changes from year to year. West Virginia, for example, has passed legislation that will eliminate Social Security taxation within a few years.

Meanwhile, many states that do tax Social Security do so with a very light hand. Colorado, for example, does not tax Social Security benefits of those who are 65 or older. And in Minnesota, those meeting certain income requirements can subtract up to $5,840 on their tax return.

Don't forget Uncle Sam

Unfortunately, while your state may not tax your Social Security benefits much or at all, that's not necessarily true for the federal government. It actually may tax up to 85% of your benefits.

So rest assured that you probably won't face significant Social Security state taxes in retirement -- at least at the state level. And Uncle Sam may not tax your benefits, either. But take some time to think through the decision of when to claim your benefits, as there may be tax ramifications to consider.

The $ 22,924 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook

If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $22,924 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies.

View the "Social Security secrets" 

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

These States Don't Tax Social Security Benefits was originally published by The Motley Fool
Texas-based U.S. Logistics Solutions, formerly Forward Air Solutions, abruptly closed Thursday. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

About 2,000 truck drivers, warehouse and dock workers, and office personnel of Humble, Texas-based U.S. Logistics Solutions (USLS), formerly Forward Air Solutions, say they were blindsided late Thursday when they were notified via conference calls or by text messages that the company was ceasing operations and that they would not receive paychecks Friday.

Eric Culberson, former president of USLS, confirmed the closure in a LinkedIn post on Saturday, stating that thousands of workers were without jobs after the companys owner, private equity firm Ten Oaks Group, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, shuttered operations.

Due to the abrupt decision by our private ownership group to close our doors at the same time business was surging, I am completely devastated and heartbroken for the 2000+professionals Ive had the pleasure of working with, Culberson wrote. The timing of this closure did not give me the chance to thank my team for their commitment and support to our customers and to each other.





(Screenshot: Eric Culberson/LinkedIn

Ten Oaks Group has not issued a statement about the closure. Curtis Griner, managing partner and general counsel for Ten Oaks Group, did not respond to FreightWaves request seeking comment about when the former USLS workers should expect to receive their final paychecks and paid time off.

At the time of its closure, the company had undergone several rounds of layoffs in the past few months, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.

USLS, a logistics company that provided last-mile handling and distribution of time-sensitive products, had 500 drivers and 732 power units, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations SAFER website. The FMCSA database shows the companys insurance coverage remains active and its safety scores are far below the national averages for both drivers and vehicle inspections. The trucking company had one fatal crash, five injuries and 12 tow-aways over the past 24-month period.

In February 2021, FreightWaves reported that Forward Air was selling its Pool Distribution unit to Ten Oaks Group for $20 million. The unit consisted of $8 million in cash and up to a $12 million earn-out dependent upon financial performance.





According to its website, USLS was Ten Oaks Groups first transportation acquisition. After acquiring Forward Air Solutions of Greeneville, Tennessee, the firm renamed it USLS and moved its headquarters to Humble.

Some former USLS employees, who spoke to FreightWaves on the condition of anonymity, said they were notified by payroll company ADP about the closure. They also said Ten Oaks Group was struggling to obtain further financing with its lenders, which forced the private equity firm to abruptly close USLS.

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According to the Texas Workforce Commission website, USLS had not filed a notice of its impending closure prior to closing on Thursday. The companys website is no longer working.

Employers with more than 100 employees are required to notify workers as part of the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. WARN requires employers to provide their employees with a 60-day notice of a massive layoff.

USLS operated 19 terminals, mainly on the Eastern side of the country, prior to shuttering operations.

This is a developing story.



Do you have a news tip or story to share? Send me an email or message @cage_writer on X, formerly known as Twitter. Your name will not be used without your permission.





The post Texas logistics company with 500 truck drivers abruptly ceases operations appeared first on FreightWaves.
Texas computer maker Dell Inc., which was Dell Computer Corp. when it arrived in the Midstate, has been here for five years. It has operations in Davidson County near the Nashville International Airport, here on May 6, 2004, and in Wilson County.

As Austin continues to rise to prominence on the national stage, so too does its presence on lists like Forbes Fortune 500.

The last decade has seen the citys tech environment continue to flourish, garnering the nickname Silicon Valley of the South. As a result, Austin now is home to three tech companies in the Fortune 500.

Here are the three Austin-Area companies that featured on the list of revenue giants, plus a look at how other Texas metros performed on the 2024 edition of the Fortune 500.

Austin-Area features three tech titans in Fortune 500

Austin icon Dell Technologies, now headquartered in Round Rock, slotted in at 48 on the Fortune 500. In the last year, Dell posted a revenue of $88 billion.

Perhaps the most notable Austin HQd company, Tesla, was also the highest-ranked company on the Fortune 500. The most valuable car company in the world produced a revenue of $96.7 billion in 2023, this is an 18.8% increase from the prior year.

Lastly, computer software company, Oracle, placed 89th on the list after generating a revenue of $49.9 billion in 2023  $7 more than the company earned in 2022. The Austin transplant, which moved to the city in 2020, has posted record number in almost every year since moving to Texas capital.

While Oracle is currently located in Austin, it announced in April that it plans to move its headquarters to Nashville.

Texas metros boast a strong showing in Fortune 500

This year Texas was dethroned as the top state on the list. The Lone Star state's West Coast rival, California, was featured 57 times in the 2024 edition of the Fortune 500. This is the first time since 2014 that the Golden State has topped the list, according to Fortune. Texas and New York tie for second, both with 52 companies.

Houston was a stand-out city for Texas as it featured the third most Fortune 500 companies on the list, with 21 entries, led by oil giants like Phillips 66 and ConocoPhillips. San Antonio was featured just twice on the list, but it contributed one of Texas highest-ranked companies  Valero Energy.

The Dallas-Fort Worth area was a big winner on the list. Despite multiple years of rocky headlines related to mass flight cancelations, Southwest Airlines found itself in the top 200. In Fort Worth, another airline featured as American Airlines, one of the highest-rated airlines in the country, came in at 86.

The DFW as a whole featured 10 total companies, nine of which Dallas contributed.

Fortune 500: Top 20 Texas companies

Below are the top Texas companies that made the Fortune 500 list and their rank:

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7: Exxon Mobil

9: McKesson

26: Phillips 66

29: Valero Energy

32: AT&T

40: Tesla

48: Dell Technologies

51: Energy Transfer

54: Sysco

59: Caterpillar

68: ConocoPhillips

86: American Airlines Group

89: Oracle

90: Enterprise Products Partners

92: Plains GP Holdings

103: USAA

120: D.R. Hortom

137: HF Sinclair

138: CBRE Group

147: Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Beck Andrew Salgado covers trending topics in the Austin business ecosystem for the American-Statesman. To share additional tips or insights with Salgado, email Bsalgado@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: These 3 Austin area companies featured in this years Fortune 500
As global markets exhibit varied performance with the S&P 500 reaching new heights and sectors like manufacturing showing robust growth, investors may find opportunities in stocks that seem undervalued relative to their potential. In this context, understanding the fundamentals of a company and its market position becomes crucial in identifying stocks that may be trading below their estimated value.

Top 10 Undervalued Stocks Based On Cash Flows

Name Current Price Fair Value (Est) Discount (Est) Calian Group (TSX:CGY) CA$55.44 CA$110.53 49.8% Kuo Toong International (TPEX:8936) NT$75.90 NT$151.30 49.8% OSAKA Titanium technologiesLtd (TSE:5726) 2779.00 5531.93 49.8% Componenta (HLSE:CTH1V) 3.05 6.08 49.8% USCB Financial Holdings (NasdaqGM:USCB) US$11.88 US$23.66 49.8% Interojo (KOSDAQ:A119610) 24900.00 49600.74 49.8% Musti Group Oyj (HLSE:MUSTI) 25.40 50.68 49.9% Nexxen International (AIM:NEXN) 2.47 4.92 49.8% Galderma Group (SWX:GALD) CHF74.86 CHF149.55 49.9% eEnergy Group (AIM:EAAS) 0.055 0.11 49.8%

Click here to see the full list of 954 stocks from our Undervalued Stocks Based On Cash Flows screener.

Let's take a closer look at a couple of our picks from the screened companies

Overview: Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi A.S., along with its subsidiaries, offers a range of banking products and services both in Turkey and internationally, with a market capitalization of approximately TRY 287.71 billion.

Operations: The company generates revenue through several segments, with TRY 69.08 billion from Retail Banking (including Private Banking and Wealth Management), TRY 48.89 billion from Commercial and SME Banking, TRY 20.86 billion from Treasury, Asset Liability Management and Other, TRY 13.39 billion from Corporate Banking, TRY 10.41 billion from Other Domestic Operations, and TRY 3.95 billion from Other Foreign Operations.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 20.9%

Yapi ve Kredi Bankasi (YKBNK) is currently trading below its fair value by over 20%, with a significant discount on cash flow valuation. Despite a high level of bad loans at 2.6%, YKBNK's revenue growth is robust, forecasted at 32.3% annually, outpacing the Turkish market average. However, its earnings growth lags slightly behind the market forecast. Recent M&A discussions have highlighted valuation challenges, impacting its stock performance and investor perceptions around its pricing strategy.

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IBSE:YKBNK Discounted Cash Flow as at Jun 2024

Overview: Saudi Electricity Company operates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where it generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to a diverse range of consumers including governmental and residential sectors; it has a market capitalization of approximately SAR 68.42 billion.

Operations: The company's revenue is primarily derived from two segments: the National Grid Company, which contributes SAR 26.10 billion, and its main operations, contributing SAR 71.69 billion.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 11%

Saudi Electricity's recent earnings show a rise in sales to SAR 15.86 billion and net income to SAR 897 million, reflecting improved performance. Trading at SAR 16.84, below the estimated fair value of SAR 18.91, it appears modestly undervalued based on cash flows. However, its dividend sustainability is questionable as dividends are not well-covered by earnings or cash flow. While revenue growth projections are modest at 3.9% annually, earnings are expected to surge by approximately 44.8% per year.

SASE:5110 Discounted Cash Flow as at Jun 2024

Overview: Constellation Software Inc. operates globally, focusing on acquiring, building, and managing vertical market software businesses primarily in Canada, the United States, and Europe, with a market capitalization of approximately CA$80.74 billion.

Operations: The company's revenue from its software and programming segment is approximately CA$8.84 billion.

Estimated Discount To Fair Value: 29.2%

Constellation Software, priced at CA$3810.09, is considered undervalued with a fair value estimate of CA$5380.52, reflecting a 29.2% discount. The company's earnings are poised for robust growth at 24.43% annually over the next three years, outpacing the Canadian market's 14.7%. Despite high debt levels and significant insider selling recently, revenue growth also exceeds market expectations at 16.1% annually compared to the markets 7.2%. Recent executive changes within its Harris operating group could influence future strategic directions and performance.

TSX:CSU Discounted Cash Flow as at Jun 2024

Where To Now?

Investigate our full lineup of 954 Undervalued Stocks Based On Cash Flows right here.

Invested in any of these stocks? Simplify your portfolio management with Simply Wall St and stay ahead with our alerts for any critical updates on your stocks.

Elevate your portfolio with Simply Wall St, the ultimate app for investors seeking global market coverage.

Ready To Venture Into Other Investment Styles?

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include IBSE:YKBNKSASE:5110TSX:CSU

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
It's already up a hefty 69% just since October 2023's low, so the idea of stepping into a new position in Dutch Bros (NYSE: BROS) stock right now is more than a little intimidating. That's a big gain in a relatively short period of time, after all, establishing plenty of profit-taking potential.

If you're on the fence about buying this stock, though, err on the side of aggressive optimism. Dutch Bros shares certainly aren't immune to sizable pullbacks. But the company's growth story is panning out exactly as hoped.

Dutch Bros' distinct difference is paying off

If you're not familiar with it, Dutch Bros is a chain of 876 drive-thru coffee stands. It's often compared to Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX), but only to highlight how much it contrasts with the bigger, better-known brand of coffee houses. Whereas Starbucks is known for delivering a formal, polished experience, Dutch Bros is hyper-casual ... no dress code, and lots of localized character reflecting the personalities of the people working at a particular stand.

It's not just competing with Starbucks, of course. McDonald's (NYSE: MCD) and Dunkin' are surprisingly serious rivals too. Like Dutch Bros, all of these competitors offer premium beverages in addition to basic coffee.

Whatever it is, it works. Although Dutch Bros' informal feel may not have been a hit several years ago, younger customers appreciate -- and pay for -- authenticity. That's how the company's first-quarter revenue improved 39%, with same-store sales growing 10%.

Data source: StockAnalysis.com. Chart by author.https://stockanalysis.com/stocks/bros/forecast/

Now Dutch Bros is looking to expand on this growth by expanding its footprint ... a lot. The coffee chain's current long-term plans are to eventually build 4,000 drive-thrus, with between 150 and 165 new builds anticipated for 2024 alone. For perspective, Starbucks operates about 16,600 locales in the United States, while McDonald's operates roughly 13,600 domestic restaurants. There are also on the order of 9,000 Dunkin' locations peppered across the U.S.

The thing is, Dutch Bros' big growth plans are still completely achievable despite its staunch competition.

Dutch Bros has one huge thing working in its favor

As was already noted, Dutch Bros offers a distinctly different kind of prepared-coffee experience. The company encourages a particular stand's employees to make things personal for their customers. Participation in neighborhood fundraisers isn't unusual for any given location, for example.

It matters for one simple reason -- customers love this authenticity, and increasingly so. Content-marketing outfit Stackla reports that nearly 90% of consumers consider authenticity when making a purchasing decision, while numbers from market research house Salsify suggest 46% of consumers will pay more to buy from a brand they trust. Indeed, Salsify's data suggests "trust" is the most important factor for people who are willing to pay a premium for goods and services.

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And the younger a customer is, the more likely it is that this authenticity will matter. For instance, around three-fourths of the Gen Z crowd (digitally native consumers currently between the ages of 12 and 27 who've been forced to sift through mountains of misleading marketing messages for the majority of their lives) say they prefer to buy from authentic brands, while roughly one-fourth of these young people say authenticity is the single most important factor when purchasing anything beyond the most basic of consumer goods.

Most of these convenience-minded consumers are just now entering the disposable income phase of their lives. Many of them are just now starting to drive on a regular basis, too. A handful of them are starting to have children as well, and are likely to pass their habits and preferences down to the next generation. The key driver of Dutch Bros' current and projected expansion will likely remain in place for years.

Then there's the company's not-entirely-secret weapon ... its relatively new CEO Christine Barone, who took the helm at the beginning of this year. Barone has a great deal of experience in consumer-facing enterprises, including several years in leadership positions with Dutch Bros rival Starbucks. There's little doubt she's got her finger directly on the pulse of the prepared coffee business, including how it's changing as customer preferences evolve.

The reward is worth the risk, and the volatility

If you're looking for a bargain, look elsewhere. Dutch Bros is anything but a value stock. Indeed, priced at over 100 times this year's expected per-share earnings and more than 80 times next year's projected profits, Dutch Bros stock is expensive even by growth stock standards. This steep valuation is a big reason shares are apt to remain volatile, even though they're likely to continue rising.

They are apt to continue rising well into the future, though, for investors who can stomach the volatility.

The coffee drive-thru chain is at a pivotal moment in its existence. It's spending heavily now to ensure it can capture all the potential profits that are in the cards down the road. The concept is clearly being embraced by consumers. Wider profit margins should start taking shape in the foreseeable future. Dutch Bros shares are simply starting to reflect that future success now.

Should you invest $1,000 in Dutch Bros right now?

Before you buy stock in Dutch Bros, 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 Dutch Bros 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

James Brumley has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Starbucks. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Is It Too Late to Buy Dutch Bros Stock? was originally published by The Motley Fool
Whether Joe Biden or Donald Trump wins the White House in November, the next presidential term is likely to see the national debt reach a record size relative to the U.S. economy. A new analysis by the non-partisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a group that advocates for deficit and debt reduction, finds that policies adopted under both presidents have contributed trillions to the debt, though Trump approved nearly double the new borrowing as Biden has.



Trump, according to the analysis, approved $8.4 trillion of new borrowing over 10 years during his four years in office. Biden, over three years and five months, has approved $4.3 trillion in new borrowing. If you exclude Covid-response bills, Trumps total is $4.8 trillion and Bidens is $2.2 trillion.



Trumps ledger includes $5.9 trillion of spending increases ($2.8 trillion excluding Covid) and $2.5 trillion in tax cuts ($2 trillion without Covid). Biden has signed off on $4.3 trillion in additional spending ($2.3 trillion excluding Covid) and has kept tax revenues about flat (or a $60 billion increase without Covid measures).



Why it matters: As the national debt has grown, interest costs have surged and are poised to climb higher. Congress and the next president will be faced with decisions about the expiring 2017 tax cuts. The CBO has estimated that extending the cuts, as Trump and some Republicans want to do, would add $4.6 trillion to deficits over the next decade. Lawmakers will also have to raise the debt limit even as demographic trends continue to add to the cost of programs including Social Security and Medicare.



The next presidential term will present significant fiscal challenges, the CRFB analysis says. While past performance is not necessarily indicative of future actions, it is helpful to examine the fiscal performance from each Presidents time in office for clues as to how they plan to confront these challenges or how high of a priority fiscal responsibility will be on their agendas.



Biden proposes to reverse the Trump tax cuts on the rich and corporations as part of a plan the White House says would reduce the projected debt by $3 trillion. Trump has promised additional tax cuts and reportedly would seek to have the country grow its way out of debt, raising enough new revenue to stabilize deficits  though experts say the needed growth rates would be unrealistic. There is no credible argument that we will be able to grow our way out of the problems that we are facing, CRFB President Maya MacGuineas told The Washington Post.



Jason Fichtner, chief economist at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a centrist think tank, suggested to the Post that neither president has distinguished himself on the debt. Can I give them both C-minuses on debt policy? he said.

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It's always nice when management at a major company such as Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) can flip a weakness into a strength. Ford has done exactly that with its commercial business. It was once a black eye for the company as it sold fleets of vehicles to rental companies at razor-thin margins and, sometimes, losses.

Right now, Ford Pro, the company's commercial division, is thriving and even outproducing Ford's traditional business on the bottom line. Here's a look at how strong Ford Pro has become.

Zero to hero

What Ford Pro has accomplished is extremely impressive, especially when compared to Ford's other business divisions. These include Ford Blue, its traditional vehicle business, and Ford Model e, the company's electric-vehicle (EV) division.

While Ford Pro sold fewer wholesale units than Ford Blue, the difference in margins, growth, and bottom-line results are staggering. Ford Blue's sales declined 13% during the first quarter on 11% less wholesale revenue. Meanwhile, Ford Pro's wholesale revenue boomed 21% and its sales jumped 36% compared to the prior year.

But the impressive figures don't stop there. Ford Pro's earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) jumped $1.64 billion to over $3 billion during the first quarter, while Ford Blue generated only $905 million in EBIT. Those results were boosted largely by Ford Pro's better-than-expected margins, which checked in at nearly 17%, well ahead of the mid-teens that were expected and far ahead of Ford Blue's 4.2% EBIT margin.

Ford Pro's success couldn't come at a better time as the company's model e unit continues to bleed cash. In fact, the Ford model e lost over $1.3 billion in the first quarter alone on revenue that declined 84%, compared to the prior year.

What's driving Ford Pro?

Ford Pro achieved its results thanks to higher production of Super Duty trucks and Transit vans. More and more companies are looking to electrify their fleets, including the United States Postal Service, which anticipates buying roughly 9,250 E-Transit vans through the end of 2024.

What's more interesting is that over the past 12 months through the first quarter, roughly 13% of Ford Pro's EBIT came from software and physical services, including parts and accessories. It's well on its way to achieving 20% within a few years -- software subscriptions with commercial customers grew 43% year over year with more than 560,000 subscriptions during the first quarter.

Ford isn't resting on its laurels, either. It's growing its business in Europe and recently introduced a new extended range option for the E-Transit, which is expected to widen its potential customer base. Already, Ford owns the top-selling large EV van in Europe and outsold its nearest competitor by more than 5 to 1.

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As Ford Pro and its services continue to add value and vehicle fleet insights for its customers, it's also adding awards to its cupboard. In the 19th annual Vincentric Best Fleet Value in America Awards, Ford Pro won eight awards, double the amount of any other brand.

What it all means

Ford Pro is booming and doing so with margins at levels its traditional automotive business can't reach. It's also hugely important that software service subscriptions continue to generate more and more revenue.

The company's commercial business is no longer a black eye for the company to fill production capacity but is a core strength, especially at a time when Ford anticipates losing $5.5 billion from its EV business in 2024. In other words, investors should be thrilled with its commercial business going from zero to hero and that expectations for the business are only moving higher.

Should you invest $1,000 in Ford Motor Company right now?

Before you buy stock in Ford Motor Company, 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 Ford Motor Company 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

Daniel Miller has positions in Ford Motor Company. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

This Used to Be a Major Weakness for Ford -- Now It's a Massive Strength was originally published by The Motley Fool
Since becoming CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B) in 1965, Warren Buffett has run circles around all three of Wall Street's major stock indexes. Whereas the broad-based S&P 500 has enjoyed an aggregate total return, including dividends paid, of nearly 36,000% since the affably dubbed "Oracle of Omaha" became Berkshire's head honcho, Buffett has overseen just shy of a 5,000,000% aggregate gain in his company's Class A shares (BRK.A).

When you outperform the broader market by this magnitude, you're going to draw quite the audience. It's why roughly 40,000 people flock to Omaha, Nebraska, each year to listen to Warren Buffett speak about his company, the U.S. economy, and his investing philosophy.

It's also why Berkshire Hathaway's Form 13F filing is the most-anticipated on Wall Street. A 13F provides an easy-to-understand snapshot of what Wall Street's smartest investors have been buying and selling in the most recent quarter.

Although Buffett and his top investment aides, Ted Weschler and Todd Combs, and have been net-sellers of equities in each of the last six quarters, there is one stock that's been purchased with regularity since the start of 2022. I'm talking about energy titan Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY).

Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett. Image source: The Motley Fool.

The Oracle of Omaha is piling into shares of oil and gas giant Occidental Petroleum

The Oracle of Omaha and his team have purchased 255,281,524 shares of Occidental Petroleum, based on the latest Form 4 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as of this writing. For context, this represents almost 29% of Occidental's outstanding shares and brings Berkshire's position in the company to nearly $16 billion in market value.

All told, Buffett has over $36 billion of the $388 billion investment portfolio overseen at Berkshire Hathaway invested in two oil and gas stocks: Occidental and Chevron (NYSE: CVX).

There are quite a few widely recognized reasons for Buffett and his team to be optimistic about Occidental and Chevron.

For one, the International Energy Agency's World Energy Outlook 2023 suggests fossil fuel demand will peak in 2030 as clean-energy solutions begin to take hold. While this might seem like a downer for oil and gas stocks, it implies continued expansion of oil and gas demand throughout the current decade. Further, it's not as if demand for oil and natural gas is going to fall of a cliff anytime soon. Even if this demand tapers a bit in the 2030s, most large-scale energy companies have also been making investments in cleaner solutions.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has served as another catalyst for Occidental and Chevron.

For roughly three years during the height of the pandemic, global energy majors were forced to significantly reduce their capital expenditures (capex) due to unprecedented demand uncertainty. Even with the worst of the pandemic in the rearview mirror and capex returning to normal, ramping up supply to meet demand has proved challenging. When the supply of an in-demand good or service is constrained, it's common for the price of that good or service to go up. Not surprisingly, the spot price of crude has remained elevated.

This is a particularly important catalyst for Occidental Petroleum. Even though it's an integrated operator, it generates the lion's share of its revenue from its upstream drilling segment. When the spot price of crude oil rises, Occidental's operating cash flow benefits more than just about another major oil and gas company.

Warren Buffett and his team are probably also liking what they see from a balance sheet standpoint. Following Occidental's $55 billion acquisition of Anadarko in 2019, which bolstered its presence in the Permian Basin and in the Gulf of Mexico, Occidental was swimming in debt. Thanks to mindful spending and a higher spot price for oil, the company has been able to more-than-halve its net long-term debt from over $38 billon at the end of 2019 to $18.5 billion, as of March 31, 2024.

Image source: Getty Images.

Here's the (probable) under-the-radar reason why Buffett can't stop buying shares of Occidental

While these are all logical reasons to purchase shares of Occidental Petroleum stock, I'd argue there's a subtler catalyst behind Buffett's regular mashing of the buy button. It all has to do with the aforementioned acquisition of Anadarko in the summer of 2019.

At the time, Occidental and (coincidentally) Chevron were in something of a bidding war to acquire Anadarko. Buffett's company handed over $10 billion to assist Occidental with its ultimate winning bid. In exchange, Berkshire Hathaway received $10 billion of preferred stock in Occidental Petroleum, which yields 8% annually, as well as warrants to purchase up to 80 million shares of Occidental common stock, with an exercise price of $62.50 per share.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the historic oil and gas demand cliff coerced Occidental to slash its dividend and pay a portion of its preferred 8% annual dividend to Berkshire Hathaway in common stock. Having to issue shares to cover its preferred stock dividend led to anti-dilution adjustments to the warrants Buffett's company had received in 2019. As June 17, 2024, Berkshire Hathaway holds warrants to 83,858,848.81 common shares of Occidental Petroleum at an exercise price of $59.624 per share.

OXY PE Ratio (Forward) Chart

Although it's possible Buffett's regular purchases of Occidental stock in the mid-to-high $50s is an indication that he and his team see value -- Occidental trades roughly 16.5 times forecast earnings for 2024 and 13 times forward-year earnings -- it makes far more sense that Berkshire's brightest minds are trying to hold the invisible line and ensure that its nearly 83.9 million common stock warrants remain in the black.

If Occidental's stock stays above $59.624 per share, Berkshire will be able to execute these warrants at a future date and potentially claim an instant profit.

This isn't the first time Buffett and his team have done this, either. When Berkshire Hathaway acquired $5 billion in preferred stock of Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) following the financial crisis in August 2011, Buffett's company received more than just a 6% annual dividend yield in return. This investment came with warrants to purchase up to 700 million shares of Bank of America stock at $7.14 each. With shares of BofA trading around $24 In the summer of 2017, Berkshire Hathaway's investment savants exercised these warrants and instantly landed a massive profit.

If macro factors cooperate, Warren Buffett's willingness to hold the proverbial line in the sand with Occidental Petroleum could lead to a hefty payday if and when these warrants are exercised.

Should you invest $1,000 in Occidental Petroleum right now?

Before you buy stock in Occidental Petroleum, 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 Occidental Petroleum 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

Bank of America is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Sean Williams has positions in Bank of America. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bank of America, Berkshire Hathaway, and Chevron. The Motley Fool recommends Occidental Petroleum. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Warren Buffett Can't Stop Buying Shares of Occidental Petroleum -- and It's Probably Not for the Reason You Think was originally published by The Motley Fool
If we want to find a stock that could multiply over the long term, what are the underlying trends we should look for? One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. If you see this, it typically means it's a company with a great business model and plenty of profitable reinvestment opportunities. However, after investigating TELUS (TSE:T), we don't think it's current trends fit the mold of a multi-bagger.

Understanding Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)

For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for TELUS:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.066 = CA$3.2b  (CA$58b - CA$10b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2024).

So, TELUS has an ROCE of 6.6%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Telecom industry average of 8.9%.

See our latest analysis for TELUS

roce

In the above chart we have measured TELUS' prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free analyst report for TELUS .

What Does the ROCE Trend For TELUS Tell Us?

On the surface, the trend of ROCE at TELUS doesn't inspire confidence. Over the last five years, returns on capital have decreased to 6.6% from 10% five years ago. Meanwhile, the business is utilizing more capital but this hasn't moved the needle much in terms of sales in the past 12 months, so this could reflect longer term investments. It's worth keeping an eye on the company's earnings from here on to see if these investments do end up contributing to the bottom line.

Our Take On TELUS' ROCE

Bringing it all together, while we're somewhat encouraged by TELUS' reinvestment in its own business, we're aware that returns are shrinking. And investors may be recognizing these trends since the stock has only returned a total of 15% to shareholders over the last five years. As a result, if you're hunting for a multi-bagger, we think you'd have more luck elsewhere.

One final note, you should learn about the 6 warning signs we've spotted with TELUS (including 2 which are potentially serious) .

While TELUS may not currently earn the highest returns, we've compiled a list of companies that currently earn more than 25% return on equity. Check out this free list here.

Story continues

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
More than 10,500 Tennessee women traveled out of state in 2023 for abortions, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice research group.

The new data sheds light on where women are traveling to get the procedure, and how many are seeking it out in other parts of the country since regulation has tightened in many states. Tennessee lawmakers instituted a near-total ban on abortion after the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision returned abortion regulation to state authority.

The most popular destination for Tennessee women seeking an abortion was Illinois, followed by North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia. The Guttmacher Institute collected the data directly from hospitals and clinics that provide abortions.

In 2023, more than 171,000 women in the United States traveled out of state for abortions  roughly twice the number of women who left their states for abortion care prior to the Dobbs decision.

Overall, the number of abortions in the United States has risen since the Dobbs decision, Guttmacher found. Last year, 1,037,190 abortions were performed in the states without near-total bans. Abortion medications were used in 63% of the procedures, up from 53% in 2020.

Tennessee is one of 15 states with near-total or six-week abortion bans. The state only allows the procedure if it will save the life of the mother, prevent serious harm to her or in cases of ectopic and molar pregnancies. No exceptions are allowed in Tennessee if the mother was the victim of rape or incest.

While the Tennessee Department of Health tracks the number of abortions performed in the state, the most recently published data is from 2020, two years before the Dobbs decision.

Where Tennessee women receive abortions

Last year, 7,120 Tennessee women traveled to Illinois for abortions, accounting for more than two-thirds of the Tennessee residents who left the state for abortions.

Illinois received more out-of-state patients seeking abortions than any other state. More than 37,000 women from 16 states traveled to Illinois last year for abortions. The out-of-state patients accounted for 41% of abortions performed in Illinois in 2023, up from 21% in 2020.

Work continues at the Hope Clinic for Women, Tuesday, July 19, 2022 in Granite City, Ill.Abortion Project Illinois

The state's central location makes Illinois a convenient destination for women in the South and Midwest. Illinois also has enough medical facilities to handle the influx of patients.

"Illinois has many providers of abortion care and can take on patients who need extra support from abortion clinics and abortions funds," said Isaac Maddow-Zimet, who led the Guttmacher Institute's research on travel for abortions.

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Financial support for abortions are available and help women with the cost of travel, lodging and childcare, since the majority of women who seek abortions already have children.

The second most popular destination for Tennesseans to get abortions in 2023 was North Carolina, where at least 1,280 women from the state received the procedure. North Carolina, which allows abortion without restrictions up to 12 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, requires that women first attend a counseling session and then wait 72 hours before the procedure. That wait time can add to the costs of women traveling from out of state.

Despite Georgia's six-week limit on abortions, 950 Tennessee women last received abortions in that state. Even before Dobbs, women in Tennessee often traveled to Georgia for abortions. In 2019, 1,500 Tennessee women received abortions in Georgia.

Last year, 880 Tennessee women traveled to Virginia for abortions, 120 went to South Carolina and 220 traveled to California.

Some women in Tennessee have been able to access abortion medications through telehealth visits with providers in other states. Community networks have also been established to provide abortion medications to women in states with near-total bans. The current data from the Guttmacher Institute does not include these cases.

"It is really challenging to measure because people are getting abortions from all kinds of sources," Maddow-Zimet said.

Future of abortion travel and the changing laws

Abortion laws are changing rapidly. Republican lawmakers continue to impose restrictions on the procedure while some ballot initiatives  even in conservative states like Ohio  have restored access. Across the country, 10 ballot measures have been proposed for the November election to restore or increase access to abortion.

In the South, the biggest change to abortion laws this year was Florida's ban on the procedure after 6 weeks of pregnancy. Before the new law went into effect in May, Florida was a main destination for women in the southeastern U.S. seeking abortions. That change will likely cause more women, both from Florida and surrounding states, to travel farther for abortions.

While financial assistance for aboritions has helped many women with the costs of out-of-state abortions since Dobbs, the future of those funds is uncertain.

"Abortion funds saw really big increases in donations immediately post-Dobbs, but then they saw a flattening out or a decline even as the need continues to increase," Maddow-Zimet said. "We have this infrastructure that's been built up to support people traveling, but it's potentially very fragile."

Todd A. Price is a regional reporter in the South for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at taprice@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee abortion ban leads to travel to Illinois, NC, GA for care
WOKE HR

Behind office doors, HR departments at some of Britains biggest businesses have recently been feeling defensive and on the backfoot.

Increasingly laid at their doors is the blame for allowing toxic identity politics to enter the workplace, and wasting millions of pounds on pointless diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) schemes.

Pointing the finger are belt-tightening senior leaders scrutinising their returns amid soaring wage bills, with some even feeling betrayed for being shepherded by HR into the vicious culture wars.

Christoffer Ellehuus, the chief executive of workplace training company MindGym, says: A lot of them are blaming HR for not having reined it in and having had a much clearer business focus about what they were doing.

Fuelling this blame game are recent findings that Britains diversity drive is counterproductive despite businesses spending millions of pounds on ultimately ineffective workplace initiatives.

It was the conclusion of an independent report commissioned by Kemi Badenoch, the Business Secretary, which discovered popular so-called ESG (environmental, social and governance) practices had little to no tangible impact on boosting diversity or reducing prejudice.

Ms Badenoch in March warned British companies against outsourcing or delegating to workplace training consultants with potentially conflicting incentives which are ultimately selling snake oil.

She told The Times: There are lots of people who just cook up stuff and say, Oh, Ive got a course. Why dont you buy my course? ... Theyve been making money out of selling stuff that is not evidence-based.

Badenochs report is damning for HR departments who now face questions from their superiors about why they fell prey to so-called snake oil sellers in the first place.

This includes decisions to roll out divisive training programmes in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, designed to spread awareness around unconscious bias, white privilege and gender pronouns.

However, what were sold as quick fixes to create a fairer workplace  in online training sessions as short as 30 minutes  many have discovered to be little more than fashionable fads with damaging consequences.

Lloyds Bank found out the hard way. Earlier this year, the lender was ordered to pay almost 500,000 in compensation after an employment tribunal found a former dyslexic bank manager was wrongly sacked for using the N-word during a discussion about racist language in a training session. The tribunal ruled that Carl Borg-Neal was unfairly dismissed and discriminated against on account of his dyslexia.

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A Lloyds spokesman said at the time that it accepted the findings.

Carl Borg-Neal was awarded 500,000 after a tribunal found he was unfairly dismissed by Lloyds Bank - Paul Grover

Verity Creedy, vice-president for product at leadership consultancy DDI, says: A lot of organisations have learned their lesson. Its brutal, but even those tick-box exercises cost money.

The challenge for HR departments has been spotting the DEI snake oil sellers in an increasingly crowded market of management consultants all vying for shrinking budgets.

However, critics argue that HR departments have also forgotten what fuelled the corporate diversity drive in the first place: money. Companies once believed that championing diversity, equity and inclusion was the magic key to unlock higher profits and productivity. Being seen as an inclusive employer would allow them to access broader pools of talent, recruiting employees who reflected the customers they were trying to sell to.

Even this starting point has become increasingly difficult to stand-up.

Researchers have cast doubts on studies by consultancy giant McKinsey which claimed more diverse companies earn higher profits, often cited by consultants to justify increased DEI spending. However, a study in Econ Journal Watch in April found that McKinseys lauded studies were based on data that cannot be replicated.

Tanya de Grunwald, who advises companies on HR issues, says: Employers did a really good job of convincing young people that they genuinely care about them as employees more than they care about the business. That was never true, obviously.

Experts claim the diversity project quickly suffered from mission creep, hijacked by a new generation of progressive workers pressuring companies to take positions in political debates and complex geopolitical issues, including the Gaza war.

De Grunwald says: The HR directors have not been quick enough to realise that their head of DEI is actually practising what looks more like their own political activism from within the organisation.

Some argue this is the consequence of a chilling effect within businesses where employees have been afraid to scrutinise DEI for fear of causing offence or being cancelled. It has seen business leaders, who would demand rigour and scrutiny from any other parts of the business, for years remain silent to avoid being seen as an out-of-touch dinosaur or worse, a bigot.

De Grunwald says: The sensible people who have reasonable questions have all been silenced, or theyve just silenced themselves. Theyre self-censoring.

The HR commentator also notes that DEI teams themselves are often not diverse.

De Grunwald argues this results in group-think which feeds through to bad business decisions that alienate customers and the diverse workforce they set out to attract.

Wickes finance chief alienated its core customer when he said that trans-critical shoppers were not welcome

DIY giant Wickes, for example, was accused of quickly alienating its core white van man customer base who boycotted the company after its finance chief said that trans-critical shoppers are not welcome.

John Lewis was also accused of pushing a dangerous ideology onto religious and gender critical employees after launching a magazine for staff which advised parents on how to find breast binders for trans children.

What theyre doing is sending messages that you can be your whole self as long as yourself looks like this and thinks like this, says De Grunwald.

Businesses, once eager to spend thousands of pounds on winning DEI accolades and awards, are now quietly backtracking.

MindGym, which uses behavioural science to help FTSE 100 companies improve how they operate, last week noted that bosses are tightening their grip on HR budgets and pulling the handbrake on DEI projects.

Octavius Black, chairman and founder of MindGym, said this triggered a revenue slump as US political upheaval perturbed clients.

Harvard University students gather to show their support for Palestinians in Gaza - Joseph Prezioso/AFP

He pointed to the US Supreme Courts ending of affirmative action in college recruitment, Ron DeSantiss so-called war on woke and the backlash that Harvard University and other Ivy League universities faced over their handling of antisemitism on campuses following Hamass Oct 7 attacks on Israel.

Black, who attended Eton with former prime minister Lord Cameron, says the HR refocus is happening globally. Zoom, Meta, Tesla, Lyft and X are among the organisations that have responded to the backlash by slashing diversity teams amid efforts by HR departments to reframe DEI around everyday leadership responsibilities.

The result is that external HR consultants will be under pressure to prove to business leaders that their DEI schemes will actually boost sales, performance, employee retention and productivity.

Syano Musyimi, chief executive of HR consultancy firm Ipsus Human Capital, says that unless schemes can be measured then business leaders will quickly lose interest.

He says: Remember, these are not politicians. These are not heads of our churches or mosques. Theyre not here to drive moral values. Theyre there to make money and to make their businesses grow.

Musyimi warns this could see more HR consultants pretend to be more data-driven and simply repackage their old offerings with the latest corporate catchphrases and buzzwords. However, DDIs Creedy believes that Badenochs snake oil remarks will force consultants to show more integrity and separate themselves from their negligent peers peddling unproven remedies.

MindGyms Black also believes HR consultants who dont have the evidence to back up their claims will be sifted from the market. The data will differentiate the real thing from the fake, from proven versus puff, he says.

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When Walmart made a push into credit cards in 2018, it turned to one of the largest banks in America, Capital One. The two giants signed an exclusive long-term deal that promised to help Walmart offer its clients the latest in digital credit card products, while Capital One was basically given the keys to Walmarts kingdom: access to a retail market larger than some nations' GDPs without any of that pesky competition.

It didn't work out. Things started to fall apart in 2023 when Capital One violated terms in its contract that dictated certain customer service requirements, including how long it would take to post charges to a minimum percentage of cards. Last month, Walmart ended the exclusive deal with Capital One, citing in court documents multiple issues with the banks customer servicebut not before Capital One accumulated $8.5 billion worth of credit card balances, which it will retain. Capital One charges customers between 19.48% and 29.99% for past-due Walmart Rewards purchases.

Walmart, No. 1 on this years Fortune 500 list, is now likely courting potential replacements, with top candidates including Stamford, Conn.based Synchrony Bank, London-based Barclays, and Washington Statebased Coastal Community Bank (CCB), according to fintech bank researcher Tim Switzer of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. They could choose any one of those, and it'd be exclusive, says Switzer. Or they could choose all three.

Sizing up the competition

Synchrony Bank is a subsidiary of Synchrony Financial. In March, Synchrony bought Ally Lending for an undisclosed amount, onboarding $2.2 billion in loan receivables, though in its latest investor call for the first quarter of 2024, executives said nonprime borrower spending slowed. A spinoff of the lending arm of the shuttered GE Capital Retail Bank, Synchrony already offers a credit card for Walgreens and Walmart sister company Sams Club, and specializes in retail credit cards, including J.C. Penney and Lowe's.

As for Barclays, the bank approved a plan to prioritize consumer lending in February 2023. As part of that plan, the bank with over a $1 trillion in assets sold $1 billion in higher-risk credit card receivables to Blackstone. It has since then made available to U.S. consumers its Xbox Mastercard and is reportedly in talks with GM to receive $2 billion of card balances currently held by Goldman Sachs. According to Switzer, Barclays would likely shy away from subprime credit cards, or those designed for people with poor or limited credit.

CCB was founded in 1997 as a community bank serving Washington State. An early mover providing banking as a service, the company quickly onboarded more than 40 clients, helping them build products that require a banking license and regulatory compliance. Since March 2020, CCB stock has grown 366%, to $44.35, peaking at $53.23 in January 2022 when Walmart announced its stealth fintech startup Hazel had bought two fintech companies, One and Earn, banked by CCB. Though the company reportedly lost 10 clients over an 18-month period, Switzer says, It's reasonable that One, at least, has a chance to become a sole provider of Walmart's credit card businessor to be one of several.

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The dark horse

Walmart also could choose option D: none of the above.

Multiple analysts covering Walmarts banking partners told Fortune that Capital Ones new competitor could be one already familiar with the world's largest retailer.

According to Cristopher Kennedy of William Blair, a fourth, dark horse candidate already among Walmart's existing stable of banks is Austin-based Green Dot Corp., a holding company that owns Green Dot Bank, which has a network of thousands of retailers, including Walmart, Apple, and Uber. Subprime account holders and others can buy prepaid cards purchased at Walmart and other network locations, and similar to when visiting a bank branch, top them up and make withdrawals directly with the Walmart cashier.

As shopping continues to move online that's increasingly less attractive. Making matters worse, it had to set aside $20 million as a precaution against "estimated liablity" of a proposed consent order. Despite the struggles that have seen the bank's shares fall from a high of $88.82 in September 2018 to $9.12 today, Kennedy says a recent change in leadership at Green Dot and a new a direct-to-consumer product that's less reliant on retail purchases could make it a contender to pick off some of Capital Ones market share. They work with very large companies, adds Kennedy. They have a proven model of doing that, and so they do have the assets to be a big player. But, unfortunately, you haven't really seen that opportunity been captured yet.

Half-a-billion dollars

Walmart made its first play into the financial sector in 2005, when it applied to become a bank, ostensibly to move the interchange fees it pays to process cards to its own balance sheet. Last year, Visa and Mastercard collected $72 billion in fees globally, and Brett Rabatin, head of capital markets advisory firm Hovde Groups equity research department, estimates Walmart pays as much as $500 million in such fees.

Though Walmart didnt comment on this story, it responded to our request with the statement on Capital Ones site, which says that additional information will be provided in the coming months to Walmart credit card holders. CCB CFO Joel Edwards cited nondisclosure agreements with its partners, and a Green Dot spokesperson said the company didnt want to speculate on the implications of the end of Capital Ones exclusive deal. Synchrony Bank did not respond to requests for comment, and Barclays declined to comment.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Wise (LON:WISE) Full Year 2024 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: UK1.41b (up 46% from FY 2023).

Net income: UK354.6m (up 211% from FY 2023).

Profit margin: 25% (up from 12% in FY 2023). The increase in margin was driven by higher revenue.

EPS: UK0.34 (up from UK0.11 in FY 2023).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Wise EPS Beats Expectations

Revenue was in line with analyst estimates. Earnings per share (EPS) surpassed analyst estimates by 14%.

The primary driver behind last 12 months revenue was the Europe (Excluding UK) segment contributing a total revenue of UK323.9m (23% of total revenue). The largest operating expense was General & Administrative costs, amounting to UK615.9m (82% of total expenses). Explore how WISE's revenue and expenses shape its earnings.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 12% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 14% decline forecast for the Diversified Financial industry in the United Kingdom.

Performance of the British Diversified Financial industry.

The company's shares are down 1.3% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Wise that you should be aware of.

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
President Xi Jinping defended China's trade ties with Russia during a meeting with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda in Beijing on Monday.

Xi also said China's position on the war in Ukraine was unchanged - to push for peace talks and seek a political settlement to the crisis, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

"China opposes the attempt by some people using the normal trade between China and Russia as an excuse to smear China and divert conflicts," Xi said.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

He said efforts should be made to avoid any expansion or worsening of the conflict, to cool down the situation, and to create the conditions needed for peace talks.

"China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in our own way towards a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," Xi said.

Xi Jinping and Andrzej Duda review a military honour guard in Beijing. Photo: EPA-EFE alt=Xi Jinping and Andrzej Duda review a military honour guard in Beijing. Photo: EPA-EFE>

Duda, who is in the last year of his final term as Poland's president, has appeared to take a pragmatic approach to China. But the war in Ukraine, which borders Poland, has affected relations - Warsaw is one of the most vocal supporters of Kyiv and the Nato member has raised concerns about Beijing's close ties with Moscow.

During their talks on Monday, Xi also called for more bilateral coordination with Poland under the Belt and Road Initiative, including on the China-Europe Railway Express (CRE) - a key logistical cog in the strategy.

In addition, Xi called for more cooperation on trade, agriculture, the digital economy, green industry and clean energy, according to CCTV.

Xi pledged to open the Chinese market to more agricultural and food products from Poland, and announced that Polish nationals would be granted 15-day visa-free entry to China.

Duda was quoted as saying that Poland, as the rotating chair of the European Union in the first half of 2025, would like to play a constructive role in promoting the development of EU-China relations and to continue to push for cooperation between Central and Eastern European countries and China.

Duda said bilateral diplomatic, political and interpersonal relations between the two nations were "good" and "based on mutual respect".

"I hope they will always be like this in the future," he said, while inviting Xi to visit Poland in the first half of next year.

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The two leaders also witnessed the signing of several bilateral agreements, including on trade and agriculture, after the talks.

Xi Jinping called for more cooperation on trade, agriculture and clean energy. Photo: EPA-EFE alt=Xi Jinping called for more cooperation on trade, agriculture and clean energy. Photo: EPA-EFE>

Duda's five-day visit, which began on Saturday, is his first trip to China in more than two years. He will attend the World Economic Forum meeting in the northeastern city of Dalian in Liaoning province on Tuesday, followed by a stop in financial hub Shanghai.

It comes as Beijing has stepped up efforts to cement a network of friends in Europe, including Xi's tour of France, Serbia and Hungary last month.

Trade frictions between Beijing and Brussels are rising, while geopolitical rivalry with the US-led transatlantic alliance Nato has intensified, and there are wider suspicions across European capitals over China's stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, China's original 17+1 cooperation framework with Central and Eastern European nations has stalled since the Baltic states quit the group.

Duda also met Premier Li Qiang on Monday, discussing economic issues and Ukraine.

Before he left for China, Duda signalled that he would lobby the Chinese leadership to play a bigger role in ending the conflict in Ukraine.

"It is no secret that China's influence - including China's influence on Russia - is certainly enormous," he told reporters on Saturday. "Presenting our view on this issue to the chairman, President Xi Jinping, in my opinion is crucial."

He said geopolitical turmoil was jeopardising China's belt and road scheme and economic cooperation with Europe, noting that one railway link in the strategy that runs through Ukraine was "obviously affected by the ongoing war".

Duda said another railway through Belarus was also under threat as Minsk was pushing a growing number of migrants to the border with Poland. "I would like to present this situation to ... President Xi Jinping and tell him what the realities are and what we are facing," he added.

Poland was one of the first in Europe to sign an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding with Beijing to develop the belt and road strategy. Some 90 per cent of trains on the CRE pass through or have Poland as a destination.

China is Poland's second-largest trading partner, after neighbouring Germany. It is China's top trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe.

China's imports from Poland fell by 0.7 per cent in US dollar terms in the first five months of the year from the same time in 2023, according to Chinese customs data. But China's exports to Poland grew by 2 per cent.

Warsaw's trade deficit with the world's No 2 economy widened by 0.7 per cent from a year ago to US$13.6 billion in the January-May period.

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.
The Commerce Commission, New Zealands antitrust regulator, has postponed its decision on the proposed merger of Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island.

The commission is set to issue a statement of unresolved issues for the merger clearance application.

The statement will seek additional input from both parties and other stakeholders, though it does not indicate a final decision or the commission's inclination towards clearance or denial.

Originally set for a resolution by 21 June 2024, the decision date will now be 1 October 2025.

The delay is agreed upon by all the parties, and will allow for further investigation into potential competition issues.

In January 2024, the New Zealand regulator issued a statement of preliminary issues concerning the merger.

Foodstuffs North Island and Foodstuffs South Island, currently operating as separate cooperatives, aim to consolidate into a single national grocery entity.

They have a significant presence in New Zealands retail sector, with each operating under the New World, PAKnSAVE and Four Square brands.

The commission's mandate is to ensure that such mergers do not significantly reduce market competition.

The commission clarified its position in a statement: "We will give clearance to a proposed merger if we are satisfied that the merger would not be likely to have the effect of substantially lessening competition in a market."

This development follows recent legal actions by the commission against Foodstuffs North Island for allegedly engaging in anti-competitive land covenants, highlighting the regulator's active role in maintaining fair competition within the industry.

"New Zealand regulator delays decision on Foodstuffs merger" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand.







The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
There was no dispute that Justin Brendan Martinez shot and killed his friend, Ismael Huerta, inside Martinez's house. Martinez and another witness described the shooting as a freak accident, one in which Martinez fired his gun at the floor but happened to fatally wound Huerta.
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Biden is strong for some, weak for others
A tanker stalls on the side of the highway. A driver runs into tanker's back end. The tank explodes. The incident shuts down the highway. Emergency personnel, firefighters, and law enforcers scramble.

If that sounds familiar, it should. A similar situation happened on I-70 on May 16, when an SUV rear-ended a stalled tanker. The black smoke from the fire could be seen all the way to downtown Denver.

As the first responders scrambled that day, Ben Miller, director of the Colorado Department of Public Safetys Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting, watched them in real time using a technology the military first created and used by special forces.

The technology  whose use is widespread among federal government agencies  has never been deployed at the state or local level.

And now Colorado is poised to be the first state in the nation to use it.

Situational awareness

Created under legislation in 2014, the Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting works on developing technologies to come up with science and data-focused research to help firefighters. But its tasks have grown exponentially in 10 years, with Miller and Brad Schmidt, the wildland fire projects manager, now working to launch what's called the Colorado Team Awareness Kit or COTAK.

COTAK is an app that relays responders' location to managers and team leaders in an emergency situation, whether its a highway accident or a wildfire. The app effectively shows first responders' location in a map in real time.

The center's website points to just why first responders should explore this technology.

Key to that, the center said, is maintaining "situational awareness," which requires an understanding of the locations of the initial set of first responders and succeeding responders, as well as other incident information, such as the locations of 911 calls.

Currently, the center noted, when responders are on foot and away from their vehicles, the standard method for communicating that information is to relay it over a two-way radio.

That, the center said, "leaves substantial room for error and misunderstanding, especially while under stress.

The center hopes to remedy that handicap by beta-testing the COTAK system and then launch it full speed in August.

So far, about 1,500 first-responders are part of the test, and Miller and Schmidt estimate that number could grow tenfold when it becomes fully operational.

Here's the kicker: The technology, owned by the federal government, is free to fire, police, EMS and other first responder agencies, including search and rescue, and even park rangers out on trails.

This week, COTAK is keeping a watchful eye on the Twin Lakes fire in Lake County, 12 miles south of Leadville and which has scorched more than 700 acres.

The Center

The Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting arose of worries that Colorado needs better wildland resources and that it needs to rely less on the federal government during bad wildfire days.

The 2014 legislation that created the center followed one of the worst years for wildfires that included nearly a dozen, with more than 500 homes destroyed and two deaths in the Black Forest area in El Paso County, the second most destructive fire in state history.

That led to the creation of the Colorado Firefighting Air Corps.

It wasnt just an investment in hardware, Miller said.

It was a new way of doing business in wildland firefighting," he said.

Notably, that meant a multi-mission aircraft program, which Miller called a new and brave step, and a change in the approach to wildland firefighting.

The state made two aircraft purchases that included the same cameras found in predator drones used by the U.S. Air Force. So, instead of waiting for a column of smoke that could indicate a fire was about to take off into a severe one, the planes would use those infrared cameras to find lightning strikes and ignitions, allowing firefighters to tackle those fires at their smallest points.

The goal is to reduce what would have been a one-month fire into a weeklong fire.

And with the multi-mission aircraft based at Centennial Airport, a pilot can be anywhere in the state in 45 minutes to an hour, Miller explained. The aircrafts have also been deployed for search and rescue, as well as law enforcement operations.

Along with the planes, the center began looking at modern technologies, as its tasks expanded beyond aviation and wildland firefighting.

A free, open source app

Schmidt's job was to look at technologies that could help firefighters be more efficient. But there was a bigger problem  preventing fatalities.

That problem came into the nation's full view in the Yarnell Hill fire in Arizona in 2013, in which 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots died. It was the deadliest wildfire for firefighters in 20 years.

In that fire, an extreme and sudden shift in weather patterns caused the fire to intensify and cut off the firefighters escape route. They died from intense heat and flames. Other factors included problems with radio communications.

Schmidt, who came on board in 2015, started researching the different technologies that could locate firefighters. In Colorado, thats complicated by poor cellphone service in the mountains or other wilderness areas, as well as a lack of a street grid.

Consider this: How does a first responder tell someone where they are, when they're on a remote mountain fighting a fire, or somewhere else where streets aren't part of the geography?

Schmidt likened it to playing 20 questions to figure out where people are. The goal, in its simplest terms, is the ability to put a dot on the map and see exactly where someone is.

Schmidt learned about an Android app known as the Team Awareness Kit (TAK). Created by the military and the Department of Homeland Security about 15 years ago, Special Forces deployed the technology to locate the bad guys and the good guys and map out a battlefield.

From its first days, TAK proved so successful that its use spread to other military forces and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Eventually, Schmidt explained, it's now deployed throughout the federal government.

A 2019 white paper from Homeland Security said one of its early first responder applications occurred during Hurricane Harvey in Houston in 2017.

The apps users could be law enforcement, fire, emergency medical service, personnel from other agencies, or even military, the white paper said.

Instead of hearing intermittent radio transmissions from unknown operators at unknown locations while simultaneously engaging in an action themselves, these operators can now see who and where those elements are on a mobile screen, and even communicate with team members from different agencies, and do it in a multitude of ways, the paper said.

Many greeted the app with some skepticism, the white paper noted.

But the app won them over quickly  multiple organizations used it to coordinate rescues, respond to criminal activity, identify infrastructure breeches, and establish perimeters in danger zones, in addition to multiple other collaborative activities, the white paper said.

The Air Force had come up with the idea of making the app available to first responders.

Lets open source it and make it free, Schmidt said.

Schmidt seized on it.

This thing is free, we can test it and field it at no cost, and that was intriguing, he said.

In 2022, with funding from the General Assembly, the state made the leap from research and development to building the operating system.

Today, 1,512 users across 103 different local agencies are in the beta testing program. They include first responders at any level of government  from forest rangers to police officers, Schmidt said.

Eliminating the guesswork

While the app has a wide variety of uses, how its used primarily is for first responders to locate themselves or other personnel in their agencies, along with where the emergency is taking place.

Its all about real time location services, Schmidt said.

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People use the app to see where the first responders are within their agency. The Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting sets up the app for the agency and trains the personnel, including supervisors who will use it to locate their people.

The app can do much more than just locate people. It can also locate vehicles and aircraft involved in emergency situations, from Med-evacs to firefighting or law enforcement vehicles.

For a first-responder agency, its about getting real-time intelligence.

Take an emergency situation that involves an injured party in a remote location that requires transport to a hospital. The app has been used to allow search and rescue teams to watch in real time when that medevac helicopter is getting closer. They can then plan out for that landing, Schmidt said.

You can never keep up with that information over a voice radio, Schmidt said.

First responders have died because they couldnt communicate their location in real-time. So, how does someone in a remote area describe exactly where they are, especially in a 3,000-acre wildfire?

Saying Im on the southside of the ridge could mean almost anywhere.

COTAK eliminates that guesswork.

Consider another scenario. Wildland firefighters are out digging fire lines. Their job is not to make the next tactical decision, Miller said. The boss will do that. So, using COTAK will give that supervisor the ability to know exactly where everyone is, and more importantly, move to safety when its necessary. It eliminates the need to guess where people are, Schmidt said.

It wont replace some of the older technologies, like walkie-talkies, Schmidt noted.

In the fire line example, those boots-on-the-ground firefighters would still need those radios, he said.

But the real beauty of COTAK is in a large-scale emergency, when multiple agencies must respond, going back to that accident on I-70.

Everyone is on the same system. They just hit a button on the app and theyre able to see the locations of people from other agencies, Schmidt said.

An agency that adopts COTAK will learn how to interact, using the technology, with other neighboring agencies.

We create the capabilities and the tools to build it, and once theyve got it set up, we make sure it keeps running. Thats our role in this, Schmidt said. We build the structure, but the management is local or even regional, if youre looking at a lot of different agencies working together.

Miller joked that its like a big, white truck, and the local agencies get to decide about the paint and the tires and where theyre driving. Local agencies customize it to their needs. And we provide that truck for free, Miller said.

Miller, Schmidt and others hope adoption will be driven by the ease of access.

We teach you how to use it, we make it easy, Miller said.

Colorado wont be the only state setting up its own TAK. Texas is working on rolling it out for law enforcement. Other states are watching how Colorado is setting up its system.

Schmidt has also been contacted by foreign governments, starting with Australia.

Miller likens COTAK to personal protective equipment used by first responders, such as a bulletproof vest or Nomex, a specialty pair of pants for firefighters.

The 2024-25 state budget included a boost of $1.2 million and five more full-time equivalent employees for COTAK.

Those funds will be used to provide outreach, user training and technical support to the first responders who sign up for the technology.

For example, 911 calls will be integrated into the system, Schmidt said.

We want people to be engaged on a daily basis with this technology, he said.

This is purely carrots, Schmidt said.

So far, its availability is spreading via word of mouth. But with the permanent funding, the center will start outreach at conferences and through marketing efforts, such as a video that will help instruct first responders on how to use it. Available via YouTube, the video drew some 20,000 views, including 4,000 in one week alone.

The technology is not available to the public. Its not on Apple or Android app stores. Even if people could download the app, all theyll see is where theyre located. The rest of the system wont be accessible.

The center also hopes to eventually offer in-person training to agencies and to assist them in developing policies on how the app would be used.

Time will tell what the best practices will be, Miller said, but the centers role is to collect those best practices and make them available to the agencies.

Infatuated with the possibilities

The system has a few kinks that need to be worked out.

One is privacy. Users are a bit skittish about being tracked versus being located. The data for most users is retained no more than seven days, Schmidt said.

If people are truly using this every day throughout the course of their shift, that establishes their pattern of life. That becomes an officer safety issue for law enforcement, he said.

The center certainly doesnt want COTAK to create a juicy target for, say, a hacker to go after.

If people do need more time with the data, such as for evidentiary purposes, theres a mechanism to contact the center to assist with that. But its really up to each agency to decide how long they want to retain the data.

In addition to privacy issues, can it be deployed in extremely remote areas in Colorado, where cell phone service isnt available?

COTAK has the ability to tap into satellite systems and can then pass the data onto the command posts. It can also tap into whats known as wireless mesh radios, which create their own networks that can work with COTAK, no more complicated than strapping an antennae onto the radio in a firefighters backpack.

In the near future, technologies are being developed that will connect cell phones to space without ever having to use a cell tower.

And that might be COTAKs future, too.

Schmidt and Miller said they are excited about COTAKs future. Theyre looking at biometrics, which could tell a supervisor that a first responder is in distress, based on heart rates or other vital signs, connected to a smart watch. Theyre already looking at how to integrate apps, such as Apple Health, into the system.

Miller added hes infatuated with the possibilities.

Schmidt described the idea to a colleague recently, and one of the staff had tears in his eyes.

When he was asked why, he said, he worked with a friend on a wildland fire in Southern California.

You work as hard as you can in those situations, the man said, based partly on the culture of not letting your buddy down. The friend went home, ended up later in the emergency room and died that night, attributed to exhaustion.

You dont want to tell someone you dont feel good ... but with specific scientific data, that firefighter could have gotten himself or herself to an emergency room or even just come off the line long enough to get some shade and water, Miller said.

Another use of those biometrics, Miller said, is that a chief could choose which crew to send based on the teams biometrics.

Ive got two teams available and we have this really hard task. My opportunity for success is improved if I pick the healthier team, the one that hasnt worked 12 shifts in a row, he said.

That could also apply to law enforcement, which is Millers background, in which, during a crisis situation, supervisors can look at the physical health of an officer and possibly choose someone else to staff a call.

Miller said he feels like the CEO of a startup tech company.

I didnt do any of this stuff in the first 15 years of my career," he said.

Ultimately, he said, he feels compelled to preach the technology's viability  because, given the risk first responders face, he is sure it would save lives.

He cited his boss, Mike Morgan, the head of the Fire Prevention and Control Division, on the value of the COTAK system.

In the future, if you dont use this, it creates negligence, Morgan told him.
The Colorado Supreme Court on Monday confirmed a proposed ballot initiative to ban gender-affirming care for children will not appear on the November ballot, while another measure that would revamp the state's primary elections and implement ranked-choice voting remains eligible.

The justices reached their conclusions on narrow procedural grounds, revolving around the deadline for seeking Supreme Court review and the limited types of challenges the court may hear under existing law.

Both initiatives arrived at the Supreme Court after consideration by the Title Board, the three-member body that screens citizen-initiated ballot measures. The board's responsibility is to determine whether a proposed initiative contains a single subject, as the state constitution requires. If so, it sets a ballot title that appears before voters to describe the measure. Proponents are then eligible to collect signatures and place their measure on the ballot.

In the case of Initiative #175, which would outlaw the provision of gender-affirming surgery and medicine for minors, and Initiative #188, which would create an all-candidates primary with ranked-choice voting for the general election, the proponents did something unconventional while at the Title Board.

Initially, the Title Board determined each measure satisfied the single-subject requirement and set a title. Challengers disputed that determination, leading the Title Board to reverse itself at a rehearing and conclude the proposals contained multiple subjects after all.

Instead of restarting the process with a new measure, the proponents exercised an option available in the state constitution: striking the language that allegedly created a second subject and resubmitting the same measure to the Title Board.

The tactic generated substantial discussion for different reasons. Board Chair Theresa Conley, the representative of Secretary of State Jena Griswold, noted the proponents of Initiative #175 did not simply delete language, but they added and modified the provisions of their ban on gender-affirming care.

"The one thing I believe it's very clear on," Conley said, "is that only language can be struck and only language to meet single subject."

"With all due respect, it would be nice if the very first time an initiative goes through your hands, if you're able to look at it and make a reasonable determination and not bring people back a second time," responded Darcy Schoening, one of the listed proponents, "because some donors to Jena Griswold and every left-wing hack out there doesn't like the initiative."

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The proponents of Initiative #188, backed by former DaVita executive Kent Thiry, similarly deleted language from their original proposal after Conley and another board member concluded the measure combined voting reforms in primary and general elections with changes to ballot access for candidates, constituting two subjects.

Although the proponents indicated they struck the problematic language to address Conley's concerns, she then voiced doubts that the Title Board could consider an initiative that had already been given an initial hearing and a rehearing. The board voted 2-1 to proceed with the title setting, with Conley wondering if the Supreme Court could even review the Title Board's move.

In a pair of decisions, both authored by Justice Melissa Hart, the Supreme Court provided clarity on what it can and cannot do. With Initiative #175, Hart wrote that the proponents had challenged the board's denial of a title too late. They needed to seek review within seven days of the Title Board's vote, and not three weeks later when the secretary of state's office provided the certified record of the proceedings.

For Initiative #188, the court did not answer whether the Title Board correctly acted on a resubmitted, edited-down measure that already had one hearing and one rehearing. Instead, Hart observed state law only gave the Supreme Court the power to review certain components of a ballot title challenge, including the single subject, the accuracy of the language and the fiscal summary.

"The General Assembly may choose to amend (the law) to permit us to review a Title Board action concerning acceptable edits," she wrote. "As the statute is currently written, however, this review is unavailable."

Initiative #188, which is now eligible for signature-gathering, is similar to another, already approved initiative, #310. On May 30, the Supreme Court upheld the measure's title in a one-sentence, unsigned order.

Unusually, Justice Monica M. Marquez noted her dissent from that decision, although she did not author a dissenting opinion. Those familiar with the Title Board process could not recall another recent example of a dissent under similar circumstances.

"Its hard to say what the significance is of the dissent  its impossible to know whether Justice Marquez dissented on single-subject grounds or would simply have clarified the language that may go to the voters," said Frederick R. Yarger, a former solicitor general and Title Board member.

"I am not surprised that if there was a dissent, it was Justice Marquez," added Martha M. Tierney, a lawyer who represents clients before the Title Board, "because she, of all the justices, understands election law the best, having practiced election law for many years."
The University of Colorado Board of Regents recently approved the school systems $6.28 billion budget for the upcoming school year.

The budget, which represent a 3.5% increase, covers all of the system's four campuses.

The system serves a total 66,000 students and 7,300 full-time instructional faculty members.

Of the total, $2.2 billion will go toward teachers and education services, $1.5 billion to clinical health care and over $1.1 billion to research activities, university officials said in a news release.

Officials said the budget accounts for salaries, increased benefits for staff and faculty, student financial aid and deferred facility maintenance and campus budget initiatives.

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In a statement, CU President Todd Saliman said the budget "allows us to keep tuition in check for students and their families while also investing in our faculty and staff.

Approved by the board in April, CU tuition is increasing 3% at CU Denver and CU Colorado Springs. Boulder undergraduate students wont see a tuition increase this year, while resident undergraduate nursing students at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus will see a 1.9% tuition hike, according to university officials.

University officials noted that the state government increased its allocation for higher education by $107 million, of which CU will get $30.1 million. The state also increased financial aid for students by $23.1 million, of which $5.8 million would go to CU.

Were grateful to state leaders for their increase in funding for higher education this year, which allows us to deliver on our mission of excellence in education, research and health care, Saliman said.
While voter turnout as of late last week hovered around a low 11% for the June 25 primary election in El Paso County, the county Clerk and Recorders Office remains optimistic that the last-minute voting surge seen in recent elections will carry over.

This weekend is going to be a very busy weekend for us, said El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker on Thursday.

Others are less optimistic, as candidates in 21 races battle voter fatigue and apathy as they try to appeal to the unaffiliated voters that now maintain a majority in the county.

Schleiker said that election officials were prepared for a voting pattern seen in the March presidential primary, in which around 70,000 voters turned out on election day. While that election was influenced by a last-minute Supreme Court decision to allow in former President Donald Trump, Schleiker said his office has seen a pattern of late voting in recent elections.

We saw a significant number of ballots cast on the day prior to the election and on the election, he said.

Schleiker attributed that trend partly to contradicting messages from candidates telling voters to turn out on election day. He said his office encouraged early voting so votes could be tabulated before election night.

He said he hoped for a 40% turnout, higher than the past 2022 primary that only rose to 32%, according to the Colorado Secretary of States Office.

In 2022, several state elections were on the ballot, including governor. This year, most of the contested races are on the Republican ballot, where former radio host Jeff Crank and Colorado Republican Party chair Dave Williams are battling over the nomination for the 5th Congressional District, roughly encompassing El Paso County.

Several local races are also contested on the Republican primary ballot for termed-out county commissioners. Schleiker said he hoped a 2023 redistricting would bring in fresh voters. His office has said previously that District 3 is now the most competitive, with a deviation from zero  or even competitiveness  of just under 1% in favor of Republicans.

Todd Watkins, the vice chairman of the El Paso County Republican Party, took a dimmer view of the primary election turnout so far. He pointed to voter fatigue and apathy.

I think a lot of the Republicans were motivated to vote for Trump, and now theyre done, he said.

Candi Boyer, president of the El Paso County Republican Women, is working as an election clerk this primary. She said that turnout has been very slow.

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On the campaigning front, a schism in the Republican Party split efforts for certain races, with the El Paso County Republican Party largely endorsing and producing material for candidates who were nominated at Republican assemblies over those who are on the ballot via petition.

Candidates can qualify for the ballot by designation at a party assembly of delegates or by gaining enough signatures on a petition, and both methods have been used by prominent candidates. The pre-primary endorsements by the Republican Party upset traditional convention in the party to save endorsing candidates until after the primary.

Watkins said he disagreed with the partys decision.

I dont think the party should be splitting the difference among Republican candidates in the primary, he said.

Boyer also said that the party conflict might be affecting the primary voter turnout.

Im thinking that voters are a little confused about that, she said.

Most Democratic candidates are running in uncontested primaries, though for the first time in several years the party is represented in all elections on the ballot.

Democratic 5th Congressional District candidates Joe Reagan, a former Army officer, and University of Colorado Colorado Springs researcher River Gassen are both hoping to present a challenge to the Republican primary winner in November.

Both parties are courting a majority-unaffiliated voting pool. According to the El Paso County Clerk and Recorders Office, unaffiliated voters represent the second-largest voter demographic after Republicans so far in the primary at 33%. The Gazette has previously reported that unaffiliated voters make up just over 50% of total voters in El Paso County.

Schleiker would not comment on how unaffiliated voters were voting in the current primary. His office said that in the 2022 primary, the unaffiliated votes breakdown was about 35% Democrat and 65% Republican.

Schleiker urged unaffiliated voters to remember to only fill out one ballot. While both primary ballots are sent, an unaffiliated voter may only choose one to return, or else their vote will be discounted.

He also urged voters to participate regardless of their thoughts about the efficacy of the primary, pointing out that candidates tended to campaign more in areas with greater voter participation ahead of the general election.

They are going to spend a lot of time in that area talking to those voters, he said.
Beijing book fair promotes cross-cultural exchanges through literature

Xinhua) 08:35, June 24, 2024

A staff member of a publisher communicates with a Russian business guest at the 30th Beijing International Book Fair in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Xiaoguang)

BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The 30th Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) concluded on Sunday after a five-day run, attracting 1,600 exhibitors from 71 countries and regions to showcase 220,000 Chinese and international titles.

Over 1,000 cultural events were held, with more than 2,100 copyright trade agreements or statements of intent reached.

Billed as the world's second-largest book fair, the BIBF will broaden the channel for Chinese culture to go global and serve as a bridge for exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

Chinese publishing houses spotlighted major titles illustrating the nation's development path, achievements and cultural heritage for international audiences.

"We hope these books can present a multi-dimensional and vibrant image of China to global readers," said Zhao Jianying, president of the China Social Sciences Press.

The fair created platforms for dialogue between Chinese and foreign publishers, writers and translators alike, with forums discussing themes like how to use the medium of written language to promote dialogue and exchanges between different civilizations.

Over 20 countries hosted national exhibition booths.

Saudi Arabia, this year's Guest of Honor, seized the opportunity to promote its ancient yet flourishing culture through colorful exhibits.

A series of activities including book tours, writers' meets and translators' cafes offered diverse avenues for global participants to appreciate the interactions of civilizations.

With an attendance of nearly 300,000 visitors, the book fair forged closer bonds between China's publishing industry and international counterparts, exemplifying a mutual embrace of cultural openness and shared prosperity through literary exchanges.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Pikes Peak Open division driver Raphael Astier checks out the Unlimited division 2016 Axel Riley Ave LMP3 driven by Don Wickstrum after Wickstrums run on the first day of practice at the upper section of the highway for the 101st running of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, on the summit of Pikes Peak in El Paso County, Colo. (Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette)
(Photo courtesy of Guam Visitors Bureau)

Here are some great spots on the island to sit and chill out with your friends or maybe even by yourself if you want some reflection time.

In Agana, the Plaza de Espana is a great spot for a picnic. Sit in the gazebo, on the benches, or under the trees. If you go on a Thursday, you can catch the Food Truck Frenzy just a little further down the road on the other side of the museum. You can also explore the different areas in the Plaza and learn a little bit about the history behind it.

The San Antonio Bridge is a less visited area so its a good place for sitting and chatting. The bridge was originally built over a river, but now there is no water since the river was diverted. Its located in Agana across the boat basin and can be seen from Marine Drive.

The Talaifak Bridge in Agat has an amazing view. Its such a peaceful place to sit at and can be seen from the road as you drive down south. Make sure to stop by to learn the history behind it!

Asan Beach Park is so fun to explore with your friends. Fly kites in the huge field or exercise around it whether you walk, run, or bike. You can even take a walk through nature trails up the mountain and see a small cave. The nature trails are pretty easy to walk and great for a quick adventure.

These are just a few spots on Guam to check out, especially if you havent already. If relaxing is what you need, Guam nature spots are the best places to do it. Grab your friends and family and see a little more of our island this weekend!
(Guam Visitors Bureau)

With the southern and northern ends being robust and the central being as narrow as it is, the geography of our island is unique, to say the least. But how did Guam come to be that way? Long ago the taotaomona, ancient ancestors of the CHamoru people, flourished on Guam. They possessed wisdom, strength, and magical abilities. They thrived on the islands natural resources. One day, a group of peskadores (fishermen) began to notice that their island was shrinking in the middle. The Hagatna Bay and Pago Bay were missing huge chunks of land, as if the center of Guam had been eaten away by a mighty creature. This strange occurrence continued to worsen until the taotaomona grew fearful that the island would soon be split into two lands. A meeting was called to discuss the growing problem but no one had any idea what was causing the central part of the island to grow smaller and smaller each day.

Defeated, the taotaomona returned back to their homes. But not long after, a peskadot in Pago caught sight of a giant fish eating away at the land. This large creature was the reason for the shrinking island! When he arrived back on land, he spread his account all throughout the villages. Angered, the men were determined to catch this giant fish and ensure it never ate another piece. Unfortunately, no matter how long they searched or how many canoes and men scoured the waters, the fish continued to evade them time and time again.

While the men continued their hunt, the young women of the island would gather together and talk about this elusive and mighty creature that was tearing away at their home. They would meet at the Hagatna Springs to wash their hair in lemon water. Because of this, lemons peels would be scattered all over the springs. One day, a young maiden from Pago noticed the same lemon peels floating in the bay. Confused by how they had gotten there from the springs in Hagatna, she soon came to realize that the giant fish must have eaten so much land that there was now a gaping hole connecting the springs to Pago Bay. She spread news of this to the women of the island.

Being the resourceful maidens they were, the ladies formulated a clever plan to trap the fish at the springs. Taking magical strands of their hair, they wove a great fish net that grew stronger and larger as they sang. Entranced by the beautiful voices of the young women, the fish swam up to the surface to enjoy the melody. When it became visible, the women threw their woven net over the large creature and trapped it. Soon after the men came to retrieve the fish and ensure it never ate another chunk of Guam again and the young ladies were celebrated for saving their island from destruction.

Legends serve many purposes. They entertain audiences, provide explanations for odd occurrences, and educate generations on timeless and universal themes. Most of all, they serve as mirrors of a culture  reflecting the values and beliefs of a group of people. This legend not only shows the resourcefulness and creativity of the ancient CHamoru people, but it also highlights the deep love and respect our island has for its women and land.
Even with a new tool to create some elbow room in Montana's prisons, state officials are shuffling through options to keep the system from buckling.

A revived program to get state inmates more quickly out of prison and into pre-release centers is now underway. It's a welcome relief valve to Montanas prison system thats grappling with capacity problems, but the strategy won't come close to offsetting the prison's ballooning population and state officials in recent weeks have been more focused on new designs to expand the prisons' bed capacity.

The intake-and-outflow adjustments underscore the strain on Montanas prison system, which recently rebounded from a deep workforce deficit but continues to deal with infrastructure limitations, from bed space to overtaxed sewer lines.

Recent projections from the Department of Corrections found Montana will need nearly 550 additional prison beds in five years; that's on top of the 117 new beds being added through upcoming construction projects at the state prison near Deer Lodge. The women's prison system, which bears 240 beds, will need to double its bed count in five years, according to the department.

Checking out

The Legislature last year approved House Bill 426, which gave the Department of Corrections authority to screen inmates and place eligible candidates in community pre-release centers 14 months ahead of their parole eligibility date. In theory, the placement would allow them to access community-based mental health and rehabilitation services that are either full up or nonexistent in prison.

The program is currently in the administrative rulemaking process, but the corrections department says it moved forward with implementation anyway to keep the reentry process in motion. According to the department, 19 inmates were identified in the first round of screenings in April, and two were approved for placement. The scope of inmates eligible for the program is expected to grow.

To call it a "new" program is something of a misnomer. The department had a longstanding practice of these placements before a persons parole hearing until about 10 years ago, when a new lawyer reviewing procedures raised the question of whether the agency had the authority to do so.

Freshman Rep. Mike Yakawich, R-Billings, carried HB 426 last year to restart the pre-parole program and allow more inmates into pre-release centers, which typically result in a 25% reduction in recidivism among participants.

"Were taking prisoners who are 14 months or less (from their parole hearing), who are qualified to be released, and giving them the chance to get on their feet," Yakawich said in his pitch to a legislative committee last year.

The inmates will be screened by a new committee made up of representatives from the Department of Corrections, an association of pre-release centers and the parole board. Yakawichs bill gave the department broad authority to set the terms of the new program. Under those provisions, released by the department in late May, inmates must:

Be within 14 months of parole eligibility,

Not have any active detainers or warrants,

Have 120 days of clear conduct prior to review,

Have not refused placement within the last 180 prior to review,

Have not refused recommended treatment or other programming within the last 180 days, and

Have not been removed from recommended treatment or other recommended programming for disciplinary reasons within 180 days prior to review.

The screening committee can also consider a host of factors laid out in the administrative rules, including victim input, the inmates risk assessment and the type of crime for which the sentence is being served.

Case managers work with inmates who are approaching the eligibility timeline to make sure they are aware of the program.

John Miller, who's been incarcerated at Montana State Prison for 30 years, has been keen to get into the new pre-release program.

Miller was sentenced to life in prison but was eligible for parole in 2015. He was rejected and given another three years until he could revisit the parole board, whats known as being "flopped." In 2018 he was flopped again, this time for six years, setting him on track for a parole hearing this year.

Miller, however, said prison staff have told him hes ineligible for the new program because he has already seen the parole board.

Department of Corrections spokesperson Alex Klapmeier said this week that limitation is a result of the Legislature's language in the bill.

"The Legislature limited DOC's screening or placement of inmates to those who 'are within 14 months of parole eligibility,'" Klapmeier said in an email. "This means that once an inmate is parole-eligible, the DOC is no longer has the legal authority to place them in prerelease or treatment without action by the parole board."

Miller said that interpretation effectively boxes out most inmates at MSP.

"I am in the majority, a large majority, of inmates who are parole eligible like that," he told the Montana State News Bureau in early June. "So theyre restricting this to a minority of inmates by doing that."

The department has cast a smaller net than the bill intended, at least for its startup. Yakawich's bill set the program for inmates within 14 months of their parole eligibility, the department is so far only considering inmates within nine months of parole eligibility, a smaller portion of inmates.

"The department anticipates in the next few months expanding to look at those inmates who are up to 14 months," Klapmeier said.

Pre-release use should also be increasing with some legislative spending last year meant to add more than 50 beds to the roster available to the department for inmate placement. The department is also looking to open its own pre-release center in Kalispell once a site is located. Additionally, a new sex offender housing unit is under development in Anaconda and expected to open next year.

No vacancies

The more contentious relief valve Montana used last year to ease prison crowding was an $8 million deal to send 120 inmates to a private prison facility in Arizona. Even after that transfer late last year, prison officials reported the prison population is still beyond the system's capacity, as a rise in violent crimes send more people to prisons for longer sentences.

Opponents last year raised issue with the Arizona inmate transfer, citing studies that show recidivism rates can be lowered by better access to friends and family members.

As of this month, Montana State Prison is at 105% of capacity; Montana Women's Prison is at 103%; Crossroads Correctional Center is holding 101% of its capacity and the Dawson County Correctional Facility is at 102%.

The Legislature last year established a new committee focused on prison capacity, which has been examining the issue over the last year and will make recommendations to the 2025 Legislature. Some of those options, while still early in the process, began to take shape at the end of the committee's June 17 meeting.

The committee appears likely to recommend, for example, that Montana extend its contract with the Arizona prison operated by CoreCivic, as well as expanding it to 240, 360 or 480 inmates. The facility houses inmates from Hawaii, Idaho and, now, Montana. Rep. John Fitzpatrick, R-Anaconda, recently visited the facility and learned Hawaii may be withdrawing its inmate population.

"There's an opportunity here we shouldn't pass by," he told the committee last week.

Lawmakers also asked staff to prepare materials for a recommendation that the Legislature create two additional housing units at Montana State Prison to meet the 550 additional people the department anticipates will be incarcerated in 2029.

Those options only apply to the men's prisons. Montana has just one women's prison, located in Billings, and prison officials say that 240-bed facility is likewise far above its capacity. The department said in five years, the women's prison system will likely need an additional 170 beds, a 70% increase.

Here, lawmakers have begun contemplating a new facility entirely that would hold 450 beds. The existing women's prison, then, could be used for other components of the prison system, such as a treatment or programming facility.

Lawmakers last year approved $200 million in infrastructure improvements for Montana State Prison; work on those projects has revealed another $41 million required for completion.

Last week the DOC laid out for the committee another $176 million in increased bed capacity and in repairs on the horizon.

"These are necessities, or options, for you to take forward," department Director Brian Gootkin told the committee last week.

The committee will meet again in August to finalize its recommendations for a standing legislative committee to later present to the Legislature at large.
DECATUR  An accused Decatur gunman who managed to escape police in a high-speed pursuit as he fled from the scene of a shooting has now been parked in prison for 10 years.

Deyondre L. Weavers initially successful attempt to outrun justice had eventually ended up being overtaken by his own words: he was heard confessing to being involved in the shooting on an intercepted phone call picked up by prison officers.

A sworn affidavit filed by the Decatur Police Department said the shooting dates to around 1 a.m. Oct. 9 in the 3700 block of Northhaven Court. A vehicle had fled from the scene and hit speeds of more than 100 mph as it blew through multiple traffic lights and pursuing officers terminated the chase for public safety reasons.

And then, on Oct. 17, Detective Timothy Wisniewski got an email from something called the Illinois Department of Corrections Intelligence Center alerting him to the intercepted phone call.

Weaver, 20, had received the 11-minute call on Oct. 11 from a relative, Deamontae L. Weaver, 21, who was serving six years at the Jacksonville Correctional Center after being convicted of the aggravated discharge of a gun at an occupied vehicle.

Wisniewski said a transcript of the call showed Deyondre Weaver chatting away about his own shooting involvement, describing how he had shot at a man he did not know in a parking lot. He then described jumping into a car and fleeing as a police officer, responding to numerous shots-fired calls, had approached the vehicle.

Deyondre said the car immediately fled from police at high speeds before losing the police near the Decatur Corrections Center, 2310 East Mound Road, Wisniewski said in the affidavit. Deyondre mentioned he was with two other people nicknamed Hottie and K.O.

Police had tapes of Weaver's voice to use for speech comparison after he had been previously incarcerated in the Macon County Jail where he made recorded phone calls.

Weaver was sentenced June 20 when he appeared in Macon County Circuit Court and took a plea deal that saw admit a charge of being a felon in possession of a weapon. Three further charges alleging the aggravated discharge of a gun at occupied buildings and an occupied vehicle were then dismissed as part of the deal.

In February of 2023 the defendant had been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. The day-for-day eligible sentence was further reduced with a credit of eight months for time previously spent in custody.

Interactive: Find out more about mass killings in the U.S. Interactive: Number of mass killings by year Interactive: Mass killings by location scaled by number of victims Interactive: Search mass killing incidents Interactive: Timeline of mass killings scaled by number of victims killed Interactive: Number of mass killings and victims killed this year compared with previous years
Aquilla Independent School District (ISD) Superintendent Dr. David Edison has announced that the district received Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) funds from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

"This was a three-year process, and we were excited to issue teachers checks this week," Dr. Edison said. "It's an incredible program, and I am so thankful we are able to be a part of it."

For the complete story, see the June 20 edition of The Reporter Newspaper.
The Hill County Emergency Services District (ESD) 1 Board of Commissioners will meet in regular session Thursday, June 20, to discuss the relocation of equipment from the former Malone Volunteer Fire Department to other departments in the county.

The board will also consider the purchase of a brush truck for the Mount Calm department.

Board members are expected to review departments that are out of compliance and hear reports from department chiefs.

The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Abbott Community Center, located at 110 Willie Nelson Road.
(Photos by Yoshihito Morita)

Misawa American Day, one of the largest and most popular cross-cultural events in Misawa, was held June 23 and drew over 60,000 visitors.

The annual event included live performances, a parade featuring 150 Harley Davidson motorcycles and 15 classic cars, static displays and countless food and game booths.

On the eve of the event, the PACAF Asia-Pacific Band Pacific Trends performed popular American and Japanese standard numbers, raising expectations for American Day.

Since 1989, Misawa City and Misawa Air Base host American Day event in the center of city and on the U.S. air base to celebrate American culture and promote friendship between local Japanese people and military community.
CASEY  Road signs in memory of Army Spc. Charles Lamb are set to be unveiled at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, at Casey VFW Post 5762, 300 S. Central Ave.

Lamb, 23, was killed in a mortar attack near Baghdad on Sept. 5, 2004 while serving with the Paris-based 1544th Illinois Army National Guard Transportation Unit. He was born in Paris, graduated from Casey-Westfield High School, and worked as an auto mechanic.

Sections of U.S. 40 in Casey have been designated as the "Army Spc. Charles Lamb Memorial Highway" through Illinois House Joint Resolution 50, sponsored by state Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, in the Senate.

Community members are invited to attend the signage unveiling at the Casey VFW, where the doors will open at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Photos: Service for Pearl Harbor sailor Charles Brown
Moist Monday. It is the heat. And the humidity.

Professor Tiffany Zhang was a little reluctant to talk a whole lot about her new research project.

Part of the reason, were certain, is that shes still gathering information, and its way too soon to draw conclusions.

I am encouraged that the data we have received warrants further investigation, but I need to run a logistic regression on what we have to isolate (as far as) other causal variables, she wrote in email.

I dont have any conclusions to report yet, but if I have anything worth writing about I will notify you.

Wait-and-see seems like a reasonable approach.

Still, even without sound scientific results, the idea for the project does bear mentioning: whether seasonal allergies  pollen  can cause the murder rate to spike.

You read that right.

It doesnt take Sherlock Holmes (or a basic law enforcement training certificate) to understand that atmospherics  hot, muggy weather, say  can play a role in the decision to kill.

(That and dope, intimate relationships gone wrong and streets awash in readily available firearms.)

Heat puts more people outdoors later in the night. Tempers fray, arguments break out and somebody winds up under a sheet.

And with murder rates being what they are  Winston-Salem and Forsyth County recorded a record 55 homicides in 2023, 47 in the city  itd be near malpractice for scientists, criminologists and veteran crime fighters not to at least consider any and every possible reason for someone to go to the gun.

No matter how small or unorthodox.

I am looking into homicide patterns and their relationship to pollen, wrote Zhang, a professor of sociology and criminology at Salem College, from overseas. Im specifically investigating homicide numbers in the spring and fall. As you said, an expected violent crime rate spike is expected in the summertime due to the heat.

Shes working with a researcher who created something called the OPALS allergen scale, which is used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the American Lung Association to rate the likelihood that a plant will cause allergic reactions, to see whether thats enough aggravation to push an agitated person over the edge.

Dont laugh.

City cops, the brass at least, were intrigued enough to hear Zhang out when she sought access to basic data.

And why wouldnt they?

The frustration felt by local investigators over increases in the number of killings in recent years is palpable.

A record 44 was recorded in Winston-Salem in 2021 and topped again with the 47 last year  48 when an officer-involved shooting is counted. (Greensboro recorded 74 in 2023.)

Just last week, five men were shot to death in Winston city limits. Angelo Delacruz Calleja, 18, is the most recent; he died early Sunday morning in a shooting on Starlight Drive that left three others wounded.

Callejas death brought the year-to-date homicide tally to 18. Thats 10 fewer than at the same point in 2023, but 18 more than anybody ought to accept.

We are saddened by this act of violence in our community and the violence that weve seen this past week, Chief William Penn Jr. said in a prepared statement that accompanied an official account of a killing early Sunday morning. We are asking our community to say something if they see something. We can work together to combat and proactively prevent violence.

The man is not wrong.

And if that requires some serious out-of-the-box thinking  seasonal sneezing fits can be maddening  so be it.

The business of health care

GREENSBORO  Whether it's a merger, an acquisition or something else  theres no telling when enormous not-for-profit health-care conglomerates are involved  word that Cone Health hopes to become part of Risant Health is worth noting.

If for no other reason than another venerable Triad medical institution appears to be getting swallowed whole.

For the second time in four years, Cone officials are trying to be acquired. This time by Risant, a nonprofit charitable group affiliated with California-based Kaiser Permanente aiming to go national.

(The previous toe-in-the-acquisition water involved a dalliance in 2021 with Sentara Healthcare in Virginia that went belly-up after 10 months of negotiations.)

Cone Health, if youre keeping score or wondering, serves some 500,000 patients in the Triad, employs more than 13,000 people including 700 physicians and 1,800 partner-physicians.

Executives are taking a nothing-to-see-here approach. Naturally.

Cone CEO Dr. Mary Jo Cagle said patients will see the same doctors, the same nurses and the same staff in the same locations they do today. We do not anticipate changes in the types of care we provide as a result of becoming part of Risant Health.

Anticipate being the key word. Only time will tell.
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
Five-year-old Bo Bakke is a happy kid who likes riding his bike, participating in tee-ball and playing school with his two older sisters, Amelia and Isabel, at their home in Holmen. Bo is also legally blind, and was diagnosed with optic nerve hypoplasia at 2 months old.

Mom and Dad Nick and Katie Bakke noticed early on that Bo wasnt visually tracking things like his sisters, so they went to see their primary care physician in Holmen. Within a day, they found themselves staying overnight at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester while Bo underwent multiple tests, including an MRI, to determine his diagnosis.

It hit us like a bag of bricks, immediately feeling a loss of control, not knowing how we were going to navigate this new life without having any personal experience with anybody who has visual impairments, Nick said.

A social worker at Mayo told Nick and Katie about La Crosse Countys Birth to 3 program. When a child is enrolled in Birth to 3, the family can access a team of specialists to support their child and family.

The team, which includes a service coordinator and early intervention specialist, visits the family, often in their home. The county contracts with the Parenting Place to staff the program. The team includes a teacher and infant mental health specialist if needed. In Bos case, his team also included a teacher of the visually impaired, an orientation and mobility specialist, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist and a speech therapist.

This network that we didnt even know existed within this community was there waiting to take us on; it was a beautiful feeling, Nick said.

When a family receives a diagnosis like this, it comes with many questions and unknowns. Families need to learn how to navigate medical providers, financial hurdles, and much more. The Birth to 3 team walks alongside families through the maze.

Last year, 292 children were served through the program, which recognizes the first three years of a childs life as crucial building blocks for the future. Most costs associated with the Birth to 3 program are covered through federal and state funding, although there is a parental cost-share system based on family income. The total budget for Birth to 3 in La Crosse County in 2023 was $725,000, which includes county and state funds, parental cost share, and private insurance.

We got immediate access to resources to support Bos growth and development and people trained to step in and help, Nick says. But what was just as important was having somebody else you could cry with, talk to, ask questions, come into your home, and be vulnerable with on your journey.

Birth to 3 complements another program called the Childrens Long-Term Support Waiver, also administered by the county. About 650 children are enrolled in CLTS, including Bo, who has now aged out of the Birth to 3. CLTS helps parents of children with disabilities cover costs such as respite, personal supports, daily living skills, home modifications, and many other services. It also keeps families like the Bakkes connected to service coordinators throughout their journey.

Kids can be in both programs simultaneously, there are no long-term wait lists like years past, and we are getting referrals much earlier than we used to, which is great, said La Crosse Countys Shelly Tollefson, who coordinates the programs.

Birth to 3 is designed for children with disabilities or language, physical, cognitive, or motor development delays. While the program helps children access needed health care, it also focuses on social and emotional development. The county receives many referrals from health care providers, which is how the Bakke family became connected after Bos diagnosis at Mayo.

Parenting Bo was a very different experience compared to his two older sisters. However, within a few weeks of his diagnosis, the Birth to 3 team visited his home and set Bo up with a vision teacher and an orientation and mobility teacher to help him and his parents navigate a new world.

You really have to rethink when you have a child with a visual impairment, Nick said. How do you motivate a child who cant see anything to crawl on all fours? We needed help to do things we hadnt before, and the support we received was life-changing for Bo.

Bo is doing exceptionally well, thanks to his own energy for life and the dedication of his parents. Nick and Katie say the continued support they receive through CLTS is pivotal.

Bo is just blowing milestones out of the water, Nick said. He just finished 4K, and he can braille every letter of the alphabet, read and spell his name and short sentences.

Nick and Katie both have good jobs, but the complexity and costs associated with Bos diagnosis meant they needed the help offered through Birth to 3 and CLTS. Many other families from different backgrounds and income levels are united by similar needs.

We are just one story out of hundreds that are all experiencing this in different ways, Nick said. The support we have gotten from La Crosse County and others in our community has been phenomenal, and its truly appreciated.

The Bakkes, who shared their story at a recent Health and Human Services Committee meeting, left that meeting with a challenge to the broader community.

Bo is going to be ready for the world, Im sure of that, said Nick. But the world might not be ready for Bo and so many other kids, so continue to work to make the world a place where all our kids can be successful.

Learn more about Birth to 3 at dhs.wisconsin.gov/birthto3.
A bench warrant has been issued for a 68-year-old Decorah, Iowa, man after he failed to show for a court appearance stemming from an alleged April 18 assault to a nurse.

Wayne A. Sorenson was charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with a felony count of bodily harm to a health care provider and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. His court appearance was scheduled for June 18.

According to the criminal complaint, Sorenson was a patient at Gundersen Health when he assaulted a nurse as she was making her routine rounds. The nurse said an agitated Sorenson grabbed her by the hair and swung her to the floor. He then stepped over her body, grabbed the back of her neck and slammed her head against the floor 6 to 10 times.

The victim told police the assault resulted in severe headaches and a nose bleed. She was required to take a CT exam to rule out internal bleeding.

The complaint says Sorenson has a history of mental health issues.
You are here: Arts

A staff member of a publisher communicates with a Russian business guest at the 30th Beijing International Book Fair in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Luo Xiaoguang)



The 30th Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) concluded on Sunday after a five-day run, attracting 1,600 exhibitors from 71 countries and regions to showcase 220,000 Chinese and international titles.

Over 1,000 cultural events were held, with more than 2,100 copyright trade agreements or statements of intent reached.

Billed as the world's second-largest book fair, the BIBF will broaden the channel for Chinese culture to go global and serve as a bridge for exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

Chinese publishing houses spotlighted major titles illustrating the nation's development path, achievements and cultural heritage for international audiences.

"We hope these books can present a multi-dimensional and vibrant image of China to global readers," said Zhao Jianying, president of the China Social Sciences Press.

The fair created platforms for dialogue between Chinese and foreign publishers, writers and translators alike, with forums discussing themes like how to use the medium of written language to promote dialogue and exchanges between different civilizations.

Over 20 countries hosted national exhibition booths.

Saudi Arabia, this year's Guest of Honor, seized the opportunity to promote its ancient yet flourishing culture through colorful exhibits.

A series of activities including book tours, writers' meets and translators' cafes offered diverse avenues for global participants to appreciate the interactions of civilizations.

With an attendance of nearly 300,000 visitors, the book fair forged closer bonds between China's publishing industry and international counterparts, exemplifying a mutual embrace of cultural openness and shared prosperity through literary exchanges.
The American space agency NASA says a huge star explosion is expected to light up the night sky later this year. NASA describes it as a once-in-a-lifetime event.

The event is known as a nova. It happens when changes to a star cause it to release a large amount of energy and it becomes very bright. This activity is only temporary and such stars usually return to their normal state after experiencing a nova event.

Astronomers have predicted the nova is likely to happen by September 2024. The expected event will involve a two-star system  called a binary system  in the constellation Corona Borealis, also known as the Northern Crown. This constellation is about 3,000 light years from Earth. A light year is the distance light travels in a year  about 9.5 trillion kilometers.

The binary system is called T Coronae Borealis. It contains two gravitationally linked stars  a white dwarf and a red giant.

NASA describes a white dwarf as the remains of an Earth-sized star that died. A white dwarf is formed when the star burns off all its central nuclear fuel and loses its outer layers.

A red giant forms when a star releases large amounts of hydrogen at its center. This loss of energy causes the star to begin to collapse. But the process also increases the red giants temperature and pressure, leading to new releases of energy that can affect nearby objects.

Astronomers say a red giants release of hydrogen in a binary system causes a heavy buildup of pressure and heat on the white dwarf. Over time, such buildup can cause a thermonuclear explosion large enough to blast away the material the white dwarf had collected.

This process differs from a supernova. NASA describes a supernova as an extremely bright, super-powerful explosion of a star. The main difference is that a supernova is the final destruction that happens at the end of a particular stars life. In a nova, the white dwarf remains active after the event.

Scientists believe novas appear to repeat, on average, about every 80 years. NASA notes that nova events can keep happening for tens of hundreds or thousands of years. That is why the space agency called the upcoming nova a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Scientists say the nova explosion will be so bright, people should be able to see the resulting light without telescopes or other special equipment. The bright light can make it appear as though a new star has formed in the sky.

It will be at least the third time humans have witnessed a nova, the French news agency AFP reports. The event was first discovered by Irish astronomer John Birmingham in 1866 and then reappeared in 1946.

Sumner Starrfield is a professor of astrophysics at Arizona State University. He told AFP he was very excited to see the nova event. He has studied the T Coronae Borealis star system at different times since the 1960s.

Starrfield is currently working on a scientific paper to predict what astronomers will learn about the repeating nova, whenever it shows up. "It could be today... but I hope it's not," he joked.

Rebekah Hounsell is a research scientist specializing in nova events at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. She said that interest in the event may create a lot of ... astronomers out there. She hopes this can give young people a cosmic event they can observe for themselves, ask their own questions, and collect their own data.

She added that the nova event might even be helpful to fuel the next generation of scientists.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from

Quiz - NASA Says Nova Explosion to Be Once-in-Lifetime Event in Night Sky Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

_____________________________________________

Words in This Story

astronomer  n. a person who studies stars and planets

constellation  n. a group of stars that forms a particular shape in the sky and has been given a name

excited  n. feeling very happy and enthusiastic

cosmic  adj. relating to the whole universe
A common subject for British mystery stories is a death at a seaside community.

But in the northeastern state of Maine, mysterious, real deaths happened  although the victims were trees that blocked the view from a wealthy familys summer home.

The story begins with a home kept by Amelia Bond, former chief of the St. Louis Foundation, and Arthur Bond III, an architect. Their summer home is on a hill that looks out onto Camden Harbor, part of Penobscot Bay, Maine.

Amelia Bond brought a powerful chemical that kills plants, an herbicide, from Missouri in 2021. She placed it near tall trees on the waterfront property of Lisa Gorman. Gormans home is downhill from the Bonds home.

To make matters worse, the chemical began to spread into a neighboring park and the town's only public seaside beach. The highest level of law enforcement for the state is now investigating.

Paul Hodgson is a resident of Camden who, like his neighbors, feels angry about the event. "Anybody dumb enough to poison trees right next to the ocean should be prosecuted, as far as I'm concerned," he said.

'Helpful neighbor'

When the trees and other plant life began dying, Amelia Bond told Gorman in June 2022 that the trees did not look good and offered to share the cost of removing them, Gorman's lawyer wrote in a document.

Instead, Gorman had the trees tested. Soon, she called on lawyers to take action.

The Bonds have paid more than $1.7 million in fines and payments to the town and neighbors. The trees are now gone and the harbor view from the Bonds home is improved.

Lasting damage

Bond used a chemical named Tebuthiuron. It stays in the soil for a long time where it continues to kill plants.

Scott McElroy is an Auburn University professor specializing in weed science and herbicide chemistry. He said it could take six months to two years for rain to dilute the chemical, so it no longer endangers plants.

Tom Hedstrom is a local government leader in Maine.

"Wealth and power don't always go hand in hand with intelligence, education and morals," he said. "This was atrocious and gross and any other word you want to use to describe abhorrent behavior."

Paying a price

The Bonds have paid a price for their actions, which they admitted in legal agreements.

The money they paid included fees for testing damage to the environment and for using an herbicide illegally. They also paid more than $1.5 million to Gorman in a legal settlement.

Hodgson said it is not just wealthy summer visitors who break the rules. He said some residents in the community have been known to cut down trees, knowing that it is illegal.

"They just pay the fine because they have plenty of money," Hodgson said. "That's the town we live in."

Im Jill Robbins.

David Sharp wrote this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English.

______________________________________________

Words in This Story

view  n. the things that can be seen from a particular place

architect n. a person whose job it is to design buildings

prosecute v. when a public official brings charges against a defendant in a court of law

herbicide  n. a chemical used to kill plants or stop plant growth

dilute  v. to make (a liquid) thinner or less strong by adding water or another liquid

morals n. (pl.) ideas about the right way to live life

atrocious adj. horrible

abhorrent adj. causing disgust and outrage

What do you think of this story? Write to us in the Comments Section.
The ancient city of Bosra in southern Syria, a testament to civilizations spanning millennia, is locked in a new battle -- preserving the precious heritage from the ravage of yearslong war.

Enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Bosra's history dates back to 1500 BC, with Nabateans, Romans, Byzantines, and Islamic Caliphates all leaving their mark. Today, the city boasts a well-preserved Roman theater, a panoramic citadel, and a unique mosque, alongside temples, baths, and ancient city walls.

During Roman rule in the second century AD, Bosra rose to prominence as the regional capital. Alaa Al-Salah, director of the Bosra Archaeological Site, described a meticulously planned city mirroring Rome itself, complete with a grid layout, roads, theaters, a hippodrome, and baths.

But Syria's brutal war, which ravaged countless cultural treasures, left its mark on Bosra. Situated in the heart of the southern province of Daraa, the birthplace of the conflict, Bosra became a battleground. In 2012, UNESCO, recognizing the ongoing risk, placed Bosra on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

This designation stipulates the Syrian government to put in more effort to preserve the precious archaeological site and prolonged endangerment can lead to removal from the World Heritage Sites.

Since 2019, with the area secured, restoration efforts have begun. Al-Salah, who has overseen the site for 25 years, emphasized the urgency. "Being on the endangered list for too long can lead to delisting," he said, lamenting the potential loss of such a valuable treasure.

Syria's antique authorities, hamstrung by limited resources and expertise, have prioritized the theater and the castle for restoration. While progress has been made, vast swathes of Bosra remain in ruin, a stark reminder of the conflict's brutality.

"Restoring the city requires greater effort and more assistance, which we have not received," said Al-Salah, adding their efforts can only take the restoration project so far.

He also pleaded for greater international cooperation, particularly for tasks requiring heavy machinery and advanced techniques.

Aside from the lack of financial resources, one of the main challenges was restrictions on international cooperation due to sanctions imposed by the United States and its Western allies, according to Al-Salah.

The sanctions have crippled the cultural sector and restoration efforts, Al-Salah said, adding that "restrictions on foreign missions and organizations further hinder progress."
The Judiciary Police (PJ) has launched its annual Anti-Narcotics Week campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of drug consumption among the local community, particularly targeting the youth.

The week-long initiative, which runs until June 26, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, will feature a series of events and activities aimed at educating the public about the harmful effects of drugs.

In May and early June this year, we prepared several events for secondary school students, many of whom are going to study abroad, Sit Chong Meng director of PJ said.

Through these events, we wanted to make the students aware of the harmful effects of marijuana and other drugs. A total of 2,800 students attended the events.

The campaign will include the setup of anti-drug promotion booths at the Nova Mall, where visitors can engage with information boards, participate in game booths, and learn more about the ongoing efforts to combat drug-related crimes in Macau.

The director said drug-related crimes in Macau have decreased significantly in recent years, with a more than 50% reduction over the past five years and an even more substantial 80% decrease compared to a decade ago. VC
China said Friday it has banned a number of business units of American aviation manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp. and three of its executives over arms deals the company has signed with Taiwan, the self-ruling island it claims as its own territory.

The statement from Chinas Foreign Ministry said the companys cooperation with Taiwan had violated the countrys sovereignty, standard terminology in its discussions of any outside dealings that support the islands government.

The effects of the sanctions appeared largely symbolic since military cooperation between the U.S. and China has been suspended since the Peoples Liberation Armys crackdown on student-led pro-democracy protests in Beijing and other cities in 1989.

Named under the sanctions were Lockheed Martin Missile System Integration Lab, Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories and Lockheed Martin Ventures. Top executives James Donald Taiclet, Frank Andrew St. John and Jesus Malave were listed as banned from traveling to China.

China has been steadily growing its domestic aircraft industry, producing parts, planes and services for Airbus and producing its own commercial jets. Foreign technology has played a large part in that process, but Chinese companies have increasingly developed the means to replace their overseas suppliers.

Taiwan relies heavily on U.S. suppliers for arms, even as it works to boost its own defense industries and increase mandatory military service for men from four months to one year. MDT/AP
The first batch of seniors is expected to move into their flats in October, with the remaining 700 units to be opened to tenants next year.

The senior housing project in Areia Preta consists of around 1,400 studio-style flats set in towers, along with community facilities.

Units will be allocated on a points-based system, and residents will be able to lease the flats for a three-year term, which is renewable,

However, concerns have been raised about the affordability of the housing.

One resident in his sixties expressed worries, stating, Elderly people of that age dont have any income. Even if they do have income, its miniscule, according to a TDM report.

The government has acknowledged the affordability issue, with Hon Wai, director of the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS), stating the housing was aiming at providing a higher standard of accommodation to residents who were older aged but financially independent.

The IAS has received over 1,500 applications, and qualified applicants will be invited in order of point ranking to select their apartments.

Just last month, Macaus government has significantly increased the number of units available in the first phase of a new housing project for seniors, nearly doubling the original quota in an effort to better accommodate the territorys growing elderly population.

The expansion adds over 1,500 units to the initial phase, increased from the original 759 units. Nadia Shaw
Residents of Taipas Iat Fai building, part of the governments affordable housing projects, are urging the government to provide financial aid to address the buildings deteriorating condition, specifically concerning loose floor and wall tiles.

The Housing Bureau (IH) has reiterated its call to the buildings maintenance company to promptly propose a repair solution. However, homeowners are concerned about the inadequate responses from the relevant government departments.

The Iat Fai buildings homeowners association has reported a potential hazard of loose tiles in the outer walls and floors over the past six months.

With the buildings warranty period expired, residents have contacted the government seeking assistance. However, they feel the response they have received falls short of their expectations. It has left them uncertain about how to tackle the issue.

Lao, the president of the Homeowners Association of the Iat Fai Building, expressed frustration at the governments stance, highlighting the financial constraints the association faces.

The government responded that our estate has passed the warranty period, so we would have to hold a meeting and handle the situation ourselves, he said.

But our reserve fund can only be so much. How are we supposed to solve the issue? If we have to ask everyone to pitch in, it might not be a small amount. Not many people will be willing to contribute.

The IH responded to the residents concerns in a statement on the weekend affirming it is monitoring the situation.

At the beginning of the year, the Bureau alerted the buildings maintenance company to swiftly propose a repair plan. Following recent complaints from homeowners, the Bureau reissued the notice and conducted an on-site inspection. The maintenance company has since removed the loose tiles.

In its statement, the IH not only emphasized the importance of property owners attending to the maintenance of common areas but also urged them to fulfill their legal responsibilities and obligations.

Furthermore, the authority stressed the need for property owners to conduct regular inspections, repairs and maintenance to ensure the overall safety and well-being of the buildings occupants.

As the residents of Taipas Iat Fai building continue to grapple with the deteriorating state of their homes, they hope the government will address their plea for financial assistance.

With loose tiles posing potential risks, the urgency to find a viable solution remains paramount, the association argued.

The residents are appreciative of the bureaus involvement and commitment to monitoring the situation, but are eager for the government to take further action to rectify the buildings infrastructure issues.

In the face of limited resources, homeowners are left with uncertainty about how to proceed and fear the burden of funding repairs may fall on their shoulders. Victoria Chan
Macaus taxi system has long been criticized for its outdated technology and unreliable services.

Unlike neighboring Hong Kong and mainland China, Macau has yet to embrace ride-hailing platforms like Uber, Didi and Grab.

Macaus traditional taxi fleet has been dwindling, with only 1,501 taxis as of March 31, a decrease of 345 vehicles from the second quarter of 2021 during the pandemic.

To TDM, lawmaker Ron Lam has highlighted taxi shortages, particularly during peak hours, as a key issue that could be alleviated by the introduction of licensed ride-hailing services.

Lam has noted the situation is expected to worsen as hundreds of taxi licenses are set to expire, and the government has only authorized 500 new licenses to begin operations next year (January).

The lack of modern transportation options has drawn criticism from both locals and visitors.

The inability of foreign tourists to effectively use the local radio taxi app due to its limited registration options and poor location services has been raised many times.

The MassPlus app, which is the primary platform for booking taxis, only allows registration using cell phone numbers from Macau, Hong Kong or mainland China.

This restriction significantly hinders international visitors in booking a ride in Macau, making it difficult for them to navigate the city efficiently.

Lawmaker Lam has emphasized that addressing these transportation challenges through the legalization and integration of ride-hailing services could significantly enhance Macaus mobility infrastructure, providing a more efficient and reliable service for all.

However, the government has been hesitant to introduce such services, citing concerns about the impact on the traditional taxi industry.

Earlier this year, the lawmaker has also expressed doubts about the local radio taxis ability to cater to foreign visitors, due to its unreliable location platform and outdated means of communication.

To the Times, Lam commented on reports of the latest radio taxi app allegedly excluding non-mainland and non-Hong Kong visitors.

Despite being named MassPlus, the app cannot be found when searching with that name on the Apple App Store. However, a search using the Chinese name yielded better results. Additionally, using Macau taxi as the keywords led to the radio taxi app. Nadia Shaw
A 17-year-old vocational school student from rural China became a celebrity on social media after reaching the final round of a math competition, beating many others from top universities and raising questions about the education system.

Jiang Ping, who is studying fashion design, finished 12th in the Alibaba Global Math Competition, one of 802 who made it to the final round  an eight-hour test that takes place Saturday.

A video that included an interview with Jiang got more than 800,000 likes and 90,000 comments after it was posted on social media by Damo Academy, the organizer of the contest. Most expressed their amazement, while some questioned if it was real.

Jiang says in the video interview that she didnt think she deserved to join the competition, even though she enjoys working on advanced math as it brings out my desire to explore.

Congratulations poured in. People visited her parents home in a village in Jiangsu province on Chinas east coast with alcohol and money to show support. Her pictures were shown on the walls of shopping malls in her hometown, Lianshui. Zhejiang University and Jiangsu University praised her on their Weibo accounts.

While it was unclear how Jiang ended up in vocational school, her story still reminded some in China of the inequality between rural and urban areas and how that can make it harder for even talented students to climb the economic ladder.

While Jiang Ping is openly celebrated, many Chinese feel deep down inside that her story highlights the hopelessness of Chinese education, said Jiang Xueqin, a China-based education researcher. The odds are fundamentally stacked against ordinary Chinese, without power, wealth, or guanxi, the Chinese term for connections.

Inequality in education appears to have worsened in recent years. Spending on education in rural areas was 17% less than in cities in 2019 for the nine years of compulsory education in China, which does not include high school. It was only 2% lower in 2013, based on calculations from data in a Peking University report on the urban-rural gap in per capita expenditure.

Ministry of Education data show that 70% of students in Chinas vocational schools are from rural areas. The high percentage suggests that the education system works like a caste system, Jiang, the researcher said.

Jiang, the math whiz, is the only vocational school student among all the finalists. The others, who are mostly Chinese, mainly come from top-tier universities such as Cambridge, MIT and Caltech, as well as Chinas top two, Tsinghua and Peking University. Winners will be awarded $2,000 to $30,000 in prize money.

The competition was started six years ago by Alibaba, a Chinese e-commerce giant. Jack Ma, then-executive chair of Alibaba Group, said the goal was to find students who enjoy math and encourage and support them.

Jiang did well enough on the entrance exam to go to high school, the Communist Party secretary of her vocational school told state broadcaster CCTV.

The secretary said she applied to the vocational school instead of a high school because her older sister and good friends were students there. Other Chinese media said it was because she came from a poor family, and vocational school gave her a scholarship.

Attempts to reach Jiang were unsuccessful. A call to her school was unanswered and Damo Academy, an affiliate of Alibaba, didnt respond to an email.

Jiang says in the video interview that her plan is to get into a good university. Its not impossible, though vocational school students only have access to certain institutions. FU TING, MDT/AP
Behind the smiles, the balloons and the red-carpet pageantry of President Vladimir Putins visit to North Korea last week, a strong signal came through: In the spiraling confrontation with the U.S. and its allies over Ukraine, the Russian leader is willing to challenge Western interests like never before.

The pact that he signed with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un envisions mutual military assistance between Moscow and Pyongyang if either is attacked. Putin also announced for the first time that Russia could provide weapons to the isolated country, a move that could destabilize the Korean Peninsula and reverberate far beyond.

He described the potential arms shipments as a response to NATO allies providing Ukraine with longer-range weapons to attack Russia. He bluntly declared that Moscow has nothing to lose and is prepared to go to the end to achieve its goals in Ukraine.

Putins moves added to concerns in Washington and Seoul about what they see as an alliance in which North Korea provides Moscow with badly needed munitions for its war in Ukraine in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers that would enhance the threat posed by Kims nuclear weapons and missile program.

A LANDMARK PACT

The new agreement with Pyongyang marked the strongest link between Moscow and Pyongyang since the end of the Cold War.

Kim said it raised bilateral relations to the level of an alliance, while Putin was more cautious, noting the pledge of mutual military assistance mirrored a 1961 treaty between the Soviet Union and North Korea. That agreement was discarded after the Soviet collapse and replaced with a weaker onel in 2000 when Putin first visited Pyongyang.

Stephen Sestanovich, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations noted that when Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev signed the deal with Pyongyang in 1961, he also tested the worlds biggest nuclear bomb, built the Berlin Wall and probably started thinking about moves that led to the Cuban missile crisis in 1962.

The question for Western policymakers now is whether Putin is becoming comparably reckless, Sestanovich said in a commentary. His language in North Korea  where he denounced the United States as a worldwide neocolonialist dictatorship  might make you think so.

South Korea responded by declaring it would consider sending arms to Ukraine in a major policy change for Seoul, which so far only has sent humanitarian assistance to Kyiv under a longstanding policy of not supplying weapons to countries engaged in conflict.

Putin insisted Seoul has nothing to worry about, since the new pact only envisions military assistance in case of aggression and should act as a deterrent to prevent a conflict. He strongly warned South Korea against providing lethal weapons to Ukraine, saying it would be a very big mistake.

If that happens, then we will also make corresponding decisions that will hardly please the current leadership of South Korea, he said.

Asked whether North Korean troops could fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine under the pact, Putin said there was no need for that.

POTENTIAL WEAPONS

FOR PYONGYANG

Last month, Putin warned that Russia could provide long-range weapons to others to hit Western targets in response to NATO allies allowing Ukraine to use its allies arms to make limited attacks inside Russian territory.

He followed up on that warning Thursday with an explicit threat to provide weapons to North Korea.

I wouldnt exclude that in view of our agreements with the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Putin said, adding that Moscow could mirror the arguments by NATO allies that its up to Ukraine to decide how to use Western weapons.

We can similarly say that we supply something to somebody but have no control over what happens afterward, Putin said. Let them think about it.

Sue Mi Terry, senior fellow for Korea studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, warned that Moscow could share weapons technologies with Pyongyang to help improve its ballistic missile capabilities, noting there is evidence of this happening already, with Russia possibly providing help to North Korea with its successful satellite launch in November, two months after Kim last met Putin.

This is deeply concerning because of the substantial overlap between the technologies used for space launches and intercontinental ballistic missiles, Terry said in a commentary. Russia can also provide North Korea with critical help in areas where its capabilities are still nascent, such as submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

While raising the prospect of arms supplies to Pyongyang that would violate U.N. sanctions, Putin also said Russia would take efforts at the world body to ease the restrictions  an apparent signal that Moscow may try to keep arms supplies to Pyongyang under the radar and maintain a degree of deniability to avoid accusations of breaching the sanctions.

Russia and North Korea have rejected assertions by the U.S. and its allies that Pyongyang has given Moscow ballistic missiles and millions of artillery shells for use in Ukraine.

GOING TO THE END IN A CONFRONTATION WITH THE WEST

By explicitly linking prospective arms shipments to Pyongyang to Western moves on Ukraine, Putin warned Kyivs allies to back off as he pushes his goals in the war  or face a new round of confrontation.

They are escalating the situation, apparently expecting that we will get scared at some point, and at the same time, they say that they want to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield, Putin said. For Russia, it will mean an end to its statehood, an end to the millennium-long history of the Russian state. And a question arises: Why should we be afraid? Isnt it better, then, to go to the end?

Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin, said Putins statement reflected an attempt to discourage the U.S. and its allies from ramping up support for Kyiv as Russia pushes new offensives in several sectors of the front line.

The situation is becoming increasingly dangerous, and Russia believes that it should quickly rap the West over its knuckles to show that its deeper engagement in the war will have a price, he said in remarks carried by Dozhd, an independent Russian broadcaster.

He noted that Putins statement that Moscow wouldnt know where its arms end up if sent to Pyongyang could have been a hint at North Koreas role as an arms exporter.

TREADING CAUTIOUSLY

WITH CHINA

Putins visits to North Korea handed a new challenge to Pyongyangs top ally, China, potentially allowing Kim to hedge his bets and reduce his excessive reliance on Beijing.

China so far has avoided comment on the new pact, but many experts argue that Beijing wont like losing sway over its neighbor.

Ever since Putin invaded Ukraine, Russia has come to increasingly depend on China as the main market for its energy exports and the source of high-tech technologies in the face of Western sanctions. While forging a revamped relationship with Pyongyang, the Kremlin will likely tread cautiously to avoid angering Beijing.

Whether this upgraded RussiaNorth Korea relationship will be without limits depends upon China, which will watch events closely, said Edward Howell of Chatham House in a commentary. Beijing will have taken stern note of Kim Jong Uns claim that Russia is North Koreas most honest friend. Despite the likely increase in cooperation in advanced military technology between Moscow and Pyongyang, China remains North Koreas largest economic partner. MDT/AP
The Madison School District will ask voters for $607 million in November through two referendum questions unanimously approved by the School Board Monday.

If approved by voters this fall, most of that money, about $507 million, would be spent building eight new schools and renovating two others. Additionally, a $100 million operating referendum would help pay for ongoing expenses such as staff salaries and educational programming. Taxes would increase by more than $1,000 on the average Madison home.

How much would taxes go up? If both of the proposed referendums the Madison School Board is considering for this fall were to pass, the estimated increase in the school portion of a homeowner's tax bill would be: Operational referendum 2024-25: $316.72 2025-26: $315.49 2026-27: $209.1 2027-28: $208.28 Each year thereafter: $1,049.58 Facilities referendum 2025-26: $327.47 2026-27: $326.83 2027-28: $326.20 These figures are based on the tax bill of an "average" Madison home, which in 2024, was valued at $457,300.

Analysis of the districts proposed budget from the Wisconsin Policy Forum described the two referendums as unprecedented in size and scope in district history.

Since 2000, the district has placed 10 referendum questions on the ballot, and eight have passed. In 2020, voters passed a $33 million operating referendum, which pays the bills to keep the district running, and a $317 million capital referendum to fund renovations to five high schools and to build the new Southside Elementary School.

Why go to referendum?

The district is facing an estimated $39 million shortfall for 2025  the result of past spending decisions, pandemic-era funding winding down and money from the districts 2020 operating referendum ending.

In Wisconsin, referendums are the only way districts can exceed state-imposed revenue limits that control school spending. Its up to local voters to decide whether to approve the measures. Passing a referendum means additional tax increases for residents beyond what they already pay to school districts.

School leaders cite plateauing state support as the main cause of the districts financial woes. Superintendent Joe Gothard told the Wisconsin State Journal last week he is looking to find the right balance between making cuts and investing in new programming.

I dont think its so much (making cuts) because I think we have to look at staffing every year, Gothard said last week. Everything costs more, staff are receiving increases each year as well, so it costs more each year to do business.

A successful operating referendum in November would increase the districts revenue limit to more than $19,000 per student by 2028, according to the Policy Forum. If no referendum is passed, the districts revenue limit would fall to $15,217 per student in 2025.

How would the money be spent?

On the facilities side, leaders say aging schools require substantial aesthetic, electrical and mechanical changes the district cant afford without a referendum. The money would also go toward making schools more energy efficient and accessible.

Administrators are recommending Sennett Middle School and Cherokee Heights Middle School be replaced with new buildings. The same goes for several combined schools that share the same location: Shabazz City High and Sherman Middle; Black Hawk Middle and Gompers Elementary; Toki Middle and Orchard Ridge Elementary.

The district would also renovate Anana and Crestwood elementary schools, bringing the total cost of construction to $507 million.

Its not clear exactly where the new schools would be located. New schools could be built on empty fields next door to some of the existing buildings, according to board materials.

Meanwhile, money from the operating referendum could be spent on things like staff salaries and educational programming. The district has not provided details on exactly what the $100 million will buy.

What does it mean for taxpayers?

If both measures pass, residents would see a $1,376 increase in their tax bills by 2028.

The owner of a typical Madison home valued at $457,300 would pay $4,273 in school district taxes in 2024. Thats up $116 from the $4,157 the same homeowner paid when the home was worth $424,400. As the full impact of the measures would be incremental, the increase would be $1,376 by 2028.

What does the public think so far?

Voters in Dane County have been split on recent school referendums. Measures put to voters in April failed in the McFarland, Evansville, River Valley and Marshall school districts.

Referendum approval rates have decreased all across the state, according to research by the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Of the 103 school referendums put to voters this spring, about 60% passed. Thats up from the 55% that passed in the spring of 2023, but its the lowest in a midterm or presidential election year since 2010.

Whats next?

With the two questions now approved by the School Board, the district will likely begin a formal campaign to get voter support before the Nov. 5 election.

The board also will now consider two separate budgets until the outcome of the referendum is decided: One calls for increased spending and hinges on a successful referendum campaign. The other assumes the district will get no additional money from voters in the fall.

The School Board approved a preliminary version of the latter option Monday night. That will serve as a guide until October as state aid amounts and enrollment numbers are finalized.

In the preliminary budget, spending would total $581 million, about $10 million less than last school year. With COVID-19 pandemic relief aid winding down, the district is getting significantly less money from federal sources.

The district plans to add more than 100 full-time equivalent positions in 2025. Most of the additions will be at the classroom level, with more teachers and education assistant positions added back to schools.

If the operating referendum were to fail, the district would pull $39 million from its reserves to cover expenses in the short term, according to the Policy Forum report.

However, this one-year benefit would come at some longer-term cost to the district, since it risks driving the balance below the minimum of 10% of annual spending that the district aims to maintain, the report says.

The city of Madison also is considering its own operating referendum to fill a $22 million budget gap, which could put three different referendum questions on the same ballot.
Chinese martial arts enthusiasts practice at a Wushu club in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, June 12, 2024.(Xinhua/Duan Minfu)



In a Wushu club located in the city of Sulaymaniyah in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, over 100 local Chinese martial arts enthusiasts clad in traditional training attire are diligently practicing Wushu routines, with each strike executed with power, precision, and a thunderous short yell "he-ha."

Despite the midsummer heat of Sulaymaniyah, where the temperature has soared to above 40 degrees Celsius, their passion for Wushu burns even hotter.

Amidst the intense training, Burhan, the founder of this Wushu club, weaves through the lines of students, correcting and guiding their techniques.

Like many foreign enthusiasts of Chinese Kung Fu, Burhan's fascination was sparked by Bruce Lee's movies. He devoured books, bought DVDs, and sought local masters, starting his martial arts journey at the age of eight.

As he delved deeper, his interest in Chinese culture grew stronger. "To master Chinese martial arts, one must understand the culture and philosophy behind it," Burhan explained.

"Just like an Arab proverb says, 'Seek knowledge even if you have to go as far as China.' the same applies to Wushu," he added.

In 2011, Burhan embarked on a journey to China's Henan Province to pursue his Chinese Kung Fu dream. This dream-fulfilling journey provided Burhan with comprehensive Wushu training and a deeper understanding of the cultural logic and traditional spirit behind various Chinese martial arts styles.

"Shaolin Kung Fu emphasizes both internal and external cultivation, Tai Chi embodies the wisdom of conquering the unyielding with the yielding, and Wing Chun balances both hardness and softness. Every move in Chinese Wushu embodies the essence of ancient Chinese philosophy," Burhan said.

Over the following years, Burhan returned to China multiple times for advanced training. In 2017, he established the Shaolin Wushu club in Sulaymaniyah, where he not only teaches Chinese Wushu but also introduces Chinese culture to numerous Iraqis.

The school has since enrolled over 3,000 Iraqi Wushu enthusiasts, ranging from children to elderly adults.

Soran, a 59-year-old Wushu lover, said that his 15-year Wushu journey made him realize that the essence of Chinese Kung Fu is not about fighting but about challenging one's inner fears.

"Learning Wushu has deepened my understanding of Chinese culture. The purpose of Wushu is not to dominate or intimidate others but to cultivate confidence, independence, and a strong character with a large heart and tolerance," Soran said, adding that this aligns with China's image in the international arena.

Seventeen-year-old Daniel, who was born in China's Shenzhen and lived in China for five years before returning to Iraq with his parents, often reminisces about his childhood in China.

"I always sought ways to reconnect with my memories of China, and then I found this Wushu club. It has reconnected me with China. Although learning Wushu is challenging, it has taught me discipline and the perseverance to never give up," Daniel said.

Burhan is pleased to see that so many Iraqis have developed a strong interest in China's development and culture through Wushu. In his view, Chinese Kung Fu is not only a bridge connecting China and Iraq but also a window for Iraqis to understand Chinese culture.

"The Chinese often say 'making friends through martial arts,' which reflects the broad-mindedness of Chinese civilization towards cultural exchange," Burhan said.

"Wushu not only strengthens the body but also brings people's hearts closer. Despite the great distance, Iraq and China have become closer with the help of Wushu," Burhan said.
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said it generated major foreign direct investment (FDI) leads from at least five Japanese companies conducting due diligence for potential projects in the country.

PEZA director-general Tereso Panga said the agencys third trade mission to Tokyo spurred a new set of investors engaged in manufacturing and assembly of jet bridge, smart parking structures, submersible pumps for wastewater treatment, digital health back office support, solar energy development and agro-processing and food export cargo.

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This investment mission to Japan for the year was organized by the Science Park of the Philippines Inc. [SPPI], a pioneer and leading ecozone developer in the country through its cutting-edge brand of industrial estates under PEZA such as Light Industry Science Parks I  IV, Hermosa Ecozone Industrial Park and Cebu Light Industrial Park, he said.

PEZA said it leveraged its private investment promotion partners including Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG), Fair Consulting Group and Tokyo Kiraboshi Financial Group. These partners connected PEZA with their respective clients, including potential investors and existing locators.

SPPI teamed up with the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry to bring about more than 100 participants at the Osaka and Tokyo investment seminars.

PEZA and SPPI met with SMBC executives in Tokyo overseeing the Asia-Pacific region. Discussions focused on attracting more Japanese companies to the Philippine ecozones. The collaboration leverages Japans position as the Philippines second-largest trading partner and third-biggest source of approved investments in 2023.

The recent trilateral agreement among the US, Japan and the Philippines supporting the Luzon Economic Corridor, coupled with the US CHIPS and Science Act, also presented exciting opportunities for Japanese companies semiconductor/electronics manufacturing, agribusiness, clean energy, digitalization and infrastructure development, PEZA said.

The PEZA trade mission was held alongside the Philippine Economic Briefing in Tokyo conducted by economic managers on June 21, 2024.

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it secured P7.4 billion in additional investments from two leading Japanese companies.

During our recent trip to Japan, we met with eight Japanese firms. All of them expressed a strong commitment to expanding their presence in the Philippines, said Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual.

Yokohama Rubber Company Ltd. plans to expand its tire manufacturing output by 5 percent, reaching a total production of 3.5 million metric tons (MT) annually. The expansion is supported by a P3.5-billion investment.

Minebea Mitsui, a prominent electronics component manufacturer, also pledged to expand its Cebu semiconductor factory with an investment of up to P3 billion. The expansion may also include an on-site solar farm.

Sojitz Corp. already invested P2.6 billion towards its P3.6-billion commitment. They plan to collaborate with the Yuchengco Group on a sustainable office building project.

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. remains committed to delivering on its P47-billion investment across various sectors. These include a new P4.5-billion manufacturing facility in Batangas focused on multi-layer ceramic capacitors. They also aim to establish a robust supply chain in the Philippines and explore investments in renewable energy solutions.
United States Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink has said over the weekend that Chinas recent actions in the Second Thomas Shoal (known as Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines) were deeply destabilizing.

Kritenbrink expressed deep concern over Chinas illegal and irresponsible behavior during his recent visit to Hanoi, amid escalating tensions between China and the Philippines in regional waters, where Vietnam is also a claimant.

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I wanna underscore the depth of our concern by many of the actions that we have seen that Peoples Republic of China did in the South China Sea. We think that Chinas action, particularly in its recent actions around Second Thomas Shoal in the Philippines, have been irresponsible, aggressive, dangerous, and deeply destabilizing, Kritenbrink said on Saturday.

Many of Chinas actions that we have seen are also illegal. It is a great concern for the entire region, he added.

Kritenbrinks visit to Hanoi aimed to reinforce the US commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

He emphasized that every country in the region, including China, needs to respect international law and behave responsibly in the maritime domain rather than taking steps that undermine peace and stability across the South China Sea.
The Australian ambassadors to Vietnam and the Philippines have expressed their support to both countries engaging in diplomatic efforts to settle their maritime boundaries in the extended continental shelf (ECS) of the disputed South China Sea (known in Manila as West Philippine Sea).

Australia welcomes Vietnam and the Philippines efforts to settle maritime boundaries peacefully and consistent with international law, said Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter).

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Goledzinowski tagged the United Nations (UN) Charter and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the legally binding documents that obligates us all. Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu echoed his position.

This commitment is a cornerstone of regional peace, security and prosperity, said Yu.

In a press briefing last Thursday, Vietnam responded to the Philippines submission of an ECS claim in the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) on June 14.

Vietnam asserts its full rights and interests under international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS, and stays ready to discuss with the Philippines to seek and achieve a solution that is mutually beneficial for both countries, Vietnam foreign ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said.
TAIPEI  Taiwans President Lai Ching-te signed into law on Monday a controversial reform expanding parliaments powers, but vowed to seek a ruling from the islands top court to try to overturn it.

Proponents of the expansion say it is needed to curb corruption, but critics fear the laws could weaken self-ruled Taiwans democracy against the influence of China  which claims the island as part of its territory.

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Taiwans president is part of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which advocates for the islands sovereignty. But it lost the parliamentary majority in January elections, spelling trouble for his administration.

The reform bills passed last month had sparked massive protests on the island.

The parliament should reform, but it should not arbitrarily expand its powers. The way to reform should be legal and constitutional, Lai said Monday.

Today, I have made the decision to petition for a constitutional interpretation This is to be responsible to the country and to history, and to live up to the trust of the people, he told journalists.

Lais announcement came after lawmakers last week rejected the cabinets request to reconsider the bills, leaving petitioning for a constitutional ruling the last resort the stop the new laws from being enforced.

The opposition Kuomintang party and Taiwan Peoples Party have argued that the expanded parliamentary powers are needed to curb corruption.

The KMT, regarded as pro-Beijing, called on Lai Monday to bravely face the parliament and face the people rather than seek to block the legislation.

The most controversial part of the reform is criminalizing contempt of parliament by government officials, who could face jail term and fine for lying during legislative hearings.

The new legislation also allows parliament to exercise its power of investigation, requiring government agencies, military units, private companies and relevant individuals to provide information.

Lai warned Monday both local and international business leaders have expressed concerns that their trade secrets could be jeopardized under the new laws.

The president said the laws will have a significant impact on Taiwans future international competitiveness as they will deter foreign investors.

I will not allow changes in the business environment to impact Taiwans long-term economic development.
Former senator Leila de Lima was acquitted in the last remaining criminal charges against her, ending years of legal battles for one of the most vocal critics of former president Rodrigo Duterte and his deadly drug war.

Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Branch 206 Judge Gener Gito on Friday granted De Limas demurrer in her last remaining drug case.

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The former justice secretary had spent a decade investigating death squad killings allegedly orchestrated by Duterte until she was arrested in 2017 and spent more than six years in prison.

I am now completely free and vindicated. Its very liberating, an emotional De Lima told reporters as she emerged from the courtroom.

Despite the pain and injustice of it all, I went through it and endured the whole process.

The 64-year-old De Lima vowed that Duterte will not go scot-free for the drug war killings as well as her imprisonment.

This is my message to the former president, Mr Duterte: Now its your turn to answer for your sins against the people, she said.

Im only one of the victims. Thousands of Filipinos were murdered during the bloody and fake drug war. Many families lost loved ones. For those who werent killed, they were left languishing in jail because of the incorrect and twisted enforcement of the law. Im one of those who have experienced unjust imprisonment, De Lima added.

De Lima had been freed on bail in November last year, having earlier been cleared of the two other drugs charges.

De Limas counsel, Filibon Tacardon, said the prosecution failed to prove her guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

In her petition filed in March, De Lima asked the court to dismiss the last drug case against her.

The third and final case alleged that she accepted bribe money from convicted drug lords at the New Bilibid Prison during her term as justice secretary to finance her senatorial campaign.

She has consistently denied any involvement in the illegal drug trade, asserting that she was a victim of political persecution due to her opposition to human rights abuses and killings associated with the drug war.

She had maintained that the charges, which carried a maximum penalty of life in prison, were fabricated to silence her from criticizing Dutertes narcotics crackdown that left thousands dead.

Multiple witnesses, including prison gang bosses, died or recanted their testimonies during the lengthy trials.

Also on Monday, the court dismissed another charge alleging De Lima had persuaded a former employee to ignore a 2016 summons issued by the House of Representatives for a hearing on the alleged trade of illegal drugs in Philippine prisons.

That case, the only other criminal proceeding against her, had carried a penalty of anywhere between a fine and six months in prison.

Senator Risa Hontiverso said the dismissal of De Limas third and last case proves that justice is based on truth and evidence, not on baseless charges and political motivations.

We need to focus our attention on those who have wrongly accused her. False charges compromise not only the accuseds reputation but also the integrity of our legal system. We call upon the authorities to pursue and hold accountable those who have perpetuated these unfounded allegations, Hontiveros said.

The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights said the dismissal of the case Indicates that, despite the apparent flaws in the Philippine justice system, its judiciary remains independent.

While we welcome this news, we also recognize that justice still needs to be served to not only Senator de Lima, but also to the countless other victims of the Philippines so-called war on drugs. Therefore, we reiterate our call for Philippine authorities to open a thorough investigation into Senator de Limas arbitrary detention and hold all those responsible for this gross miscarriage of justice responsible, APHR said in a statement. With AFP

Editors Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline De Lima cleared of all drug cases
In a troubling development, Malis political landscape faces renewed turmoil as the ruling military junta tightens its grip on power. An alliance of political parties and civil society groups reports that several of their leaders were detained during a private gathering at a former ministers residence.

The arrests, occurring amid Eid celebrations, have sparked outrage and calls for immediate release. While the exact number of detainees remains unclear, sources suggest up to 11 individuals, primarily political figures, were taken into custody.

This crackdown follows Aprils decree restricting political activities under the guise of maintaining public order. The move has effectively silenced opposition voices, with all political party activities suspended. Critics argue this push towards authoritarianism aims to extend the juntas rule indefinitely.

The opposition alliance has appealed to Malis Supreme Court, challenging the legality of these restrictions. However, uncertainty looms over when the court will address their plea.

Despite the climate of fear, some activists remain defiant. Speaking anonymously, they vow to continue political discussions by any means necessary, even if forced to meet in fields or orchards. This resolve underscores the deep-seated desire for democratic dialogue in Mali, even as the space for open political discourse rapidly shrinks.

As tensions escalate, the international community watches closely, concerned about the trajectory of Malis governance and its implications for regional stability.
Students, families and teachers from across New Zealand celebrated their love for the Chinese language and culture at a prize-giving ceremony on Saturday.

The "Chinese Bridge" ICBC Cup Auckland Regional Speech Competition 2024 Prize Giving Ceremony was attended by several hundred students, their families and teachers to celebrate the achievements the students have had along their learning journey.

The students' lion dance and Kong Fu performances won applause, and prize medals and certificates came with joy and acknowledgment for hard work.

Over 100 students from 31 schools in the wider Auckland region participated in the Speech Competition 2024 in May, hosted by the Confucius Institute in Auckland. Winners were selected from Primary, Secondary Junior, Secondary Senior and Tertiary Categories. First Prize winners from each category will have the chance to represent Auckland, along with winners from other parts of New Zealand, in the final competition in China.

Confucius Institute in Auckland Advisory Board Member Danny Chan said in his speech that the competition aimed to provide students a platform to demonstrate their Chinese language proficiency, to lay a solid foundation for them to maintain their passion and enthusiasm in learning a secondary language, and to encourage students' interest and enthusiasm in learning Chinese which would enhance their understanding of Chinese language and culture.

First Prize winner from the Secondary Senior Category, Oliver Garion Blaom from ACG Parnell College, delivered his winning speech with very articulate pronunciation and vocalizing. "The path through the mountain of books is paved with diligence; the sea of learning is endless, and hard work is the boat. I work hard in learning the Chinese language because I know it is important for the future," said Bloam.

After the pandemic, Confucius Institute in Auckland has reinstated its program for overseas teachers and volunteers. An increasing number of Kiwi students are now studying Chinese in Auckland.

Vanessa Jansz, deputy principal from the Arahoe School, was pleased to host a Mandarin Language Assistant (MLA) at home, which brought culture exchange opportunities and an experienced Chinese language learning program for her students at the school.

"I applied for an MLA to come to our school, and it turned out so well. The MLA is experienced in supporting students in learning the Chinese language and facilitating cultural understanding and exchanges. I definitely encourage other schools to go for it," said Jansz.

According to the Chinese Consul General in Auckland Chen Shijie, in the next five years, China will provide New Zealand with 100 scholarships for international Chinese language teachers, 1,000 places for "Chinese Bridge" summer camps and 5,000 copies of Chinese language books to New Zealand.

"We welcome more young people from New Zealand to learn the Chinese language and culture, and support more Chinese youth to study in and visit New Zealand to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries' young generations. The baton of China-New Zealand friendship has been passed on to the young generation, and you are in the right position to contribute to the development of bilateral relations," said Chen.
king Mohammed VI, Chairman of Al Quds Committee, ordered the delivery of 40 tons of medical aid to Gaza, in solidarity with Palestinians in the war-torn strip, Moroccos foreign ministry said in a statement.

The shipment will follow the same unprecedented land route as the aid sent in March.

In March, Morocco was the first nation to use the Kerem Shalom border crossing to send aid to Gazans.

The aid consists of 40 tons of medical products, in particular, equipment for treating burns and surgical and traumatological emergencies, as well as essential medicines, the Ministry said adding that these medical products are destined to adults and children.

The King paid for a large portion of the aid, the statement said.

The large-scale humanitarian operations benefiting the Palestinian populations confirm the effective commitment, personal involvement, and constant concern of King Mohammed VI in favor of the Palestinian Cause, and is part of a long tradition of active solidarity with Palestine.

It also evidences the effectiveness of the Al-Quds Committee and Bayt Mal Al Quds, propelled by a vision of peace and focused on effective and concrete support for the Palestinians.

Besides, the Shipment of the aid via land shows that the resumption of relations with Israel serves peace and the interests of the Palestinian people and demonstrates, if need be, that Morocco has always used its leverage and networks to promote the interests of the Palestinians and peace for all the peoples of the region, contrary to Algeria which voices verbal indignation without undertaking any tangible solidarity act. Algerians loudly proclaim their hollow slogans, words overbidding but take no practical action to genuinely back the Palestinians.
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A health worker administers a cervical cancer vaccine HPV Gardasil to a girl on the street in Ibadan, Nigeria, on May 27, 2024. African countries have some of the world's highest rates of cervical cancer. Growing efforts to vaccinate more young girls for the human papillomavirus are challenged by the kind of vaccine hesitancy seen for some other diseases. Misinformation can include mistaken rumors that girls won't be able to have children in the future. Some religious communities must be told that the vaccine is "not ungodly." More than half of Africa's 54 nations  28  have introduced the vaccine in their immunization programs, but only five have reached the 90% coverage that the continent hopes to achieve by 2030. Credit: AP Photo/Sunday Alamba

Yunusa Bawa spends a lot of time talking about the vaccine for the human papillomavirus that is responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer. But on most days, only two or three people allow their daughters to be vaccinated in the rural part of Nigeria where he works.

The challenge in Sabo community, on the outskirts of the capital of Abuja, is the unfounded rumor that the HPV vaccine will later keep young girls from giving birth.

"The rumor is too much," said Bawa, 42.

As more African countries strive to administer more HPV vaccines, Bawa and other health workers tackle challenges that slow progress, particularly misinformation about the vaccine. The World Health Organization's Africa office estimates that about 25% of the population still has doubts about itreflecting concerns seen in some other parts of the world in early campaigns for the vaccine.

A common sexually transmitted virus, HPV can cause cervical cancer, certain other cancers and genital warts. In most cases, the virus doesn't cause any problems, but some infections persist and eventually lead to cancer.

Across Africa, an average of 190 women died daily from cervical cancer in 2020, accounting for 23% of the deaths globally and making it the leading cancer killer among women in the WHO Africa region of 47 countries. Eighteen of the 20 countries with the highest rate of cervical cancer cases in the world are in Africa. Yet the region's HPV vaccination rate has been low.

Young girls wait to be administered with a cervical cancer vaccine HPV Gardasil, on the street in Ibadan, Nigeria, on May 27, 2024. African countries have some of the world's highest rates of cervical cancer. Growing efforts to vaccinate more young girls for the human papillomavirus are challenged by the kind of vaccine hesitancy seen for some other diseases. Misinformation can include mistaken rumors that girls won't be able to have children in the future. Some religious communities must be told that the vaccine is "not ungodly." More than half of Africa's 54 nations  28  have introduced the vaccine in their immunization programs, but only five have reached the 90% coverage that the continent hopes to achieve by 2030. Credit: AP Photo/Sunday Alamba

More than half of Africa's 54 nations28have introduced the vaccine in their immunization programs, but only five have reached the 90% coverage that the continent hopes to achieve by 2030. Across the region, 33% of young girls have been vaccinated with HPV.

It's a stark contrast to most European countries, where both girls and boys have been receiving HPV shots.

Part of why Africa has a high burden of cervical cancer is because of limited access to screening for women, said Emily Kobayashi, head of the HPV Program at the vaccines alliance Gavi.

"The elimination strategy is a long game ... but we know that vaccination is the strongest pillar and one of the easiest to implement," Kobayashi said.

But "it is one thing to introduce the vaccine, but if the vaccine remains in the fridge, it doesn't prevent cervical cancer," said Charles Shey Wiysonge, head of the vaccine-preventable diseases program in the WHO's Africa region. He said information must be provided by people "who are trusted, people who are close to the communities."

A health worker administers a cervical cancer vaccine HPV Gardasil to a girl on the street in Ibadan, Nigeria, on May 27, 2024. African countries have some of the world's highest rates of cervical cancer. Growing efforts to vaccinate more young girls for the human papillomavirus are challenged by the kind of vaccine hesitancy seen for some other diseases. Misinformation can include mistaken rumors that girls won't be able to have children in the future. Some religious communities must be told that the vaccine is "not ungodly." More than half of Africa's 54 nations  28  have introduced the vaccine in their immunization programs, but only five have reached the 90% coverage that the continent hopes to achieve by 2030. Credit: AP Photo/Sunday Alamba

There is a long history of vaccine hesitancy in many African countries that is sometimes linked to a lack of trust in government, as one study published in the Nature science journal in May found, giving room for conspiracy theories and misinformation from social media influencers and religious leaders.

In Zimbabwe, where cervical cancer is the most frequent cancer among women, a group of mostly women known as Village Health Workers have been trained to raise awareness about cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine in rural areas. But they fight a high level of hesitancy among religious sects that discourage followers from modern medicines, asking them to rely instead on prayers and "anointed" water and stones.

The women who eventually agree to be screened for cervical cancer do so in secret, said Zanele Ndlovu, one of the health workers on the outskirts of Bulawayo city.

For a deeply religious country like Zimbabwe, "the spiritual leaders have so much influence that a lot of our time is taken trying to educate people about the safety of vaccines, or that they are not ungodly," Ndlovu said.

There are also success stories in Africa where authorities have achieved up to a 90% vaccination rate. One example is Ethiopia, which relies heavily on religious leaders, teachers and hotline workers.

A health worker administers a cervical cancer vaccine HPV Gardasil to a girl on the street in Ibadan, Nigeria, on May 27, 2024. African countries have some of the world's highest rates of cervical cancer. Growing efforts to vaccinate more young girls for the human papillomavirus are challenged by the kind of vaccine hesitancy seen for some other diseases. Misinformation can include mistaken rumors that girls won't be able to have children in the future. Some religious communities must be told that the vaccine is "not ungodly." More than half of Africa's 54 nations  28  have introduced the vaccine in their immunization programs, but only five have reached the 90% coverage that the continent hopes to achieve by 2030. Credit: AP Photo/Sunday Alamba

In Rwanda, the first African country to implement a national HPV vaccination program in 2011, the coverage rate has reached 90%. Hesitancy is less of an issue due to vigorous awareness work that has relied on school-based campaigns and community outreach programs, said Dr. Theoneste Maniragaba, director of the cancer program at Rwanda Biomedical Center.

Mozambique has deployed school-based programs, a door-to-door approach and mobile outreach for girls in hard-to-reach areas that has helped it reach 80% coverage rate with the first of two doses. In Tanzania, where the HPV vaccine has been in use since at least 2018, authorities in April launched a campaign to target over 5 million girls and further raise coverage, which has reached 79% of girls with the first dose.

One of Africa's largest HPV vaccination drives targeting girls recently kicked off in Nigeria, which has procured nearly 15 million doses with the help of the U.N. children's agency. It will target girls aged 914 with single doses that the WHO's African immunization advisory group has said is as effective as the regular two doses.

One challenge is explaining the HPV vaccination to girls ahead of the onset of sexual activity, especially in conservative societies, said Dr. Aisha Mustapha, a gynecologist in northern Kaduna state.

Mustapha has been successfully treated for cervical cancer. She said the experience helps in her meetings with religious leaders and in community outreach programs in Kaduna, where she leads the Medical Women Association of Nigeria.

Health workers arrive to administer cervical cancer vaccine HPV Gardasil to young girls on the street in Ibadan, Nigeria, on May 27, 2024. African countries have some of the world's highest rates of cervical cancer. Growing efforts to vaccinate more young girls for the human papillomavirus are challenged by the kind of vaccine hesitancy seen for some other diseases. Misinformation can include mistaken rumors that girls won't be able to have children in the future. Some religious communities must be told that the vaccine is "not ungodly." More than half of Africa's 54 nations  28  have introduced the vaccine in their immunization programs, but only five have reached the 90% coverage that the continent hopes to achieve by 2030. Credit: AP Photo/Sunday Alamba

They try to make the girls feel comfortable and understand why the vaccine is important, she said. That sometimes requires comic books and lots of singing.

"The (cervical) cancer  is no respecter of any identity," she said. "The vaccine is available, it is free, it is safe and effective."

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Primary composite outcome of referable diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy, or treatment thereof, with intravitreal injection of medication, retinal laser therapy, or vitrectomy. The inset graph shows the same data on an expanded y axis. Credit: NEJM Evidence (2024). DOI: 10.1056/EVIDoa2400179

The LENS trial has demonstrated that fenofibrate, a drug usually used to lower cholesterol, reduces the risk of progression of diabetic retinopathy by 27%. The results were announced at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions and published in a paper titled, "Effect of Fenofibrate on Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy," published in NEJM Evidence.

Diabetes can cause damage to the small blood vessels at the back of the eye, a condition called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is among the top five causes of visual loss worldwide and the only major cause to increase in recent decades.

Fenofibrate is a tablet that has been used to lower cholesterol for more than 30 years. Previous results from sub-studies of trials looking into treatments for heart disease had suggested that fenofibrate might be able to slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy but more conclusive results were needed.

Coordinated by Oxford Population Health, the LENS (Lowering Events in Non-proliferative retinopathy in Scotland) trial compared the effects of fenofibrate with a placebo (dummy tablet) on the progression of retinopathy in 1,151 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in Scotland as part of the national routine diabetic eye screening program. All of the participants had early to moderate diabetic retinopathy when they joined the trial.

The results showed that people who received fenofibrate had a 27% lower risk of needing to be referred for specialist care or treatment for diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy (a progressive eye disease that can lead to vision loss) over four years compared with people who were assigned to receive a placebo.

Treatment with fenofibrate was also associated with a lower risk of developing macular edema (swelling at the back of the eye) and a lower risk of requiring treatment for retinopathy compared to placebo, and the benefits of fenofibrate were similar in people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and in people with both normal and impaired kidney function.

Credit: University of Oxford

Dr. David Preiss, Associate Professor at Oxford Population Health and lead author of the study, said, "Diabetic retinopathy remains a leading cause of visual loss. Good control of blood glucose is important but this is very difficult to achieve for many people, and there are few other treatments available.

"We need simple strategies that can be widely used to reduce the progression of diabetic eye disease. Fenofibrate may therefore provide a valuable addition to treat people with early to moderate diabetic retinopathy."

Melville Henry, a LENS trial participant from Leven, said, "Taking part in the trial was very easy; there was nothing to it really. I just had to follow the instructions and take the study tablets. I attended my local research clinic appointments at first and then I had regular telephone calls to ask about my progress."

Linda Gillespie, a LENS trial participant from Kirkcaldy, said, "I attended the clinic for diabetic eye screening anyway so taking part in the trial was extremely easy, I never had to think about it. If I had any questions, someone was always at the end of the phone. It was really important to me to take part in research because without trials like LENS we can't move forward. The results of the trial might not help me but it might help someone else in the future."

Dr. Lucy Chambers, Head of Research Communications at Diabetes UK, said, "Eye problems are a frightening and too frequent complication of diabetes. But acting early can stop the first signs of damage progressing into devastating sight loss. We're excited by the positive results from this major trial of a new treatment to slow progression of eye damage, which has the potential to benefit many people with diabetes in the U.K."

More information: David Preiss et al, Effect of Fenofibrate on Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy, NEJM Evidence (2024). DOI: 10.1056/EVIDoa2400179 Journal information: NEJM Evidence
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Credit: Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.051

An unexpectedly versatile and regenerative stem cell in early embryos may be key to creating new effective fertility treatments, suggests a new study in mice from the University of Copenhagen.

The paper, titled "The primitive endoderm supports linage plasticity to enable regulative development," was published in Cell.

It probably will not surprise anyone that pregnancy is a very complicated process. First, a sperm cell must find its way and fertilize an egg in the fallopian tube, after which the egg begins to divide. After about five days, the egg becomes a blastocyst, which eventually develops into a fetus.

But for more and more people, fertility is becoming increasingly harder to achieve, due to various factors affecting either sperm or egg quality, in addition to issues surrounding implantation of the embryo into the womb. In Denmark, more people are seeking help to have children through fertility treatments, accounting for 1 out of 8 pregnancies.

But the success rate for treatment remains low, around 2030%, depending on the woman's age and fertility. Now, researchers from the University of Copenhagen have discovered a breakthrough that could lead to more successful fertility treatments in the future.

"We are looking at cells in the mouse embryo called the primitive endoderm, also known as the hypoblast. We found these cells were unique and could generate an embryo on their own. This is particularly interesting as a recent study suggests that the primitive endoderm is the only cell type in the embryo associated with high implantation success in clinical studies," says Ph.D. student and first author of the study Madeleine Linneberg-Agerholm.

She adds, "These cells would normally only provide nutrition and support for a normal embryo, but when we isolate them, they can remake an embryo on their own, which is a very surprising find."

The researchers also found that stem cells from the primitive endoderm grown in the laboratory develop in a dish to form "stem cell-based embryo models," called blastoids, at very high efficiency. These embryo models have the potential to be very important tools that can be used to discover new drugs for improving IVF outcomes.

"This could be particularly important for improving current treatments for infertility, as plasticity and robustness may be the secret to enabling embryos to survive the abnormal environmental conditions found in the laboratory and in the process of transfer to the mother," says Professor Joshua Brickman, who is the senior author of the study.

The study has been done in mice, but the researchers behind the study are already looking into doing similar research on human stem cells.

The cell creates a bookmark

When an embryo starts to develop, it is a single cell that then becomes a cluster of cells, where the outer cells will become the future placenta and the inner cells will make either the primitive endoderm, the future yolk sac, or the epiblast, which makes the embryo itself.

"The final step of blastocyst development is the primitive endoderm. And if you take all the things around the primitive endoderm away, the primitive endoderm somehow 'remembers' how to create an embryo, and it can do it on its own," Brickman explains.

"We also show that these cells in the primitive endoderm remember how to make the other cell types as they have transcription factors that sit on DNA at important regulatory sequences (enhancers), like bookmarks. At these sites, these factors don't normally do anything, but can remember what to do in the event there is a problem. Think of the genome as a book. These bookmarks are a reminder of what page contains the instructions to make other cell types."

The missing link?

The researchers hope that their results can shed some light on how to enhance the chance of successful IVF treatments, and also, to give us more knowledge on why some people have trouble getting pregnant in the first place.

"In cases where women are having trouble getting pregnant, it could also be a defect in the primitive endoderm that causes the problem, as not only does it provide nutrients, but it also could have an important role in repairing damage. For now, this is speculation, but it is curious that this cell type is such a clear predictor of successful implantation," says Brickman.

For now, the researchers will focus on gaining more knowledge of the functions of the primitive endoderm and focusing on how to improve their existing human primitive endoderm stem cells.

"We believe that this suggests that the early primitive endoderm is a structure that can regenerate the missing lineages in case of damage. As we have produced primitive endoderm stem cells, the study of these cells, and the signals that guide them could lead to enhanced IVF treatments," says Brickman.

More information: Madeleine Linneberg-Agerholm et al, The primitive endoderm supports lineage plasticity to enable regulative development, Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.051 Journal information: Cell
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

For Diana Perez, a medical resident at the Family Health Center of Harlem, the handwritten thank-you note she received from a patient is all the evidence she needs that she has chosen the right training path.

Perez helped the patient, a homeless, West African immigrant who has HIV and other chronic conditions, get the medications and care he needed. She also did the paperwork that documented his medical needs for the nonprofit that helped him apply for asylum and secure housing.

"I really like whole-person care," said Perez, 31, who has been based at this New York City health center for most of the past three years. "I wanted to learn and train, dealing with the everyday things I will be seeing as a primary care physician and really immersing myself in the community," she said.

Few primary care residents get such extensive community-based outpatient training. The vast majority spend most of their residencies in hospitals. But Perez, who is being trained through the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, is among those treating patients in federally qualified health centers and community clinics in medically underserved rural and urban areas around the country.

After graduating, these residents are more likely than hospital-trained graduates to stay on and practice locally where they are often desperately needed, research has found.

Amid the long-term shift from inpatient to outpatient medical care, training primary care doctors in outpatient clinics rather than hospitals is a no-brainer, according to Robert Schiller, chief academic officer at the Institute for Family Health, which runs the Harlem THC program and operates dozens of other health center sites in New York.

"Care is moving out into the community," he said, and the THC program is "creating a community-based training environment, and the community is the classroom."

Yet because the program, established under the 2010 Affordable Care Act, relies on congressional appropriations for funding, it routinely faces financial uncertainty. Despite bipartisan support, it will run out of funds at the end of December unless lawmakers vote to replenish its coffersno easy task in the current divided Congress in which gaining passage for any type of legislation has proved difficult.

Faced with the prospect of not being able to cover three years of residency training, several of the 82 THC programs nationwide recently put their residency training programs on hold or are phasing them out.

That's what the DePaul Family and Social Medicine Residency Program in New Orleans East, an area that has been slow to recover after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, has done. With a startup grant from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, the community health center hired staff for the residency program and became accredited last fall.

They interviewed more than 50 medical students for residency slots and hoped to enroll their first class of four first-year residents in July. But with funding uncertain, they put the new program on hold this spring, a few weeks before "Match Day," when residency programs and students are paired.

"It was incredibly disappointing for many reasons," said Coleman Pratt, the residency program's director, who was hired two years ago to launch the initiative.

Until we know we've got funding, we're "treading water," Pratt said.

"In order to have eligible applications in-hand should Congress appropriate new multi-year funds, HRSA will issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity in late summer for both new and expanded programs to apply to be funded in FY 2025, subject to the availability of appropriations," said Martin Kramer, an HRSA spokesperson, in an email.

For now, the Teaching Health Center program has $215 million to spend through 2024.

By contrast, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services paid hospitals $18 billion to provide residency training for doctors in primary care and other specialties. Unlike THC funding, which must be appropriated by Congress, Medicare graduate medical education funding is guaranteed as a federal entitlement program.

Trying to keep THC's three-year residency programs afloat when congressional funding comes through in fits and starts weighs heavily on the facilities trying to participate. These pressures are now coming to a head.

"Precariousness of funding is a theme," said Schiller, noting that the Institute for Family Health put its own plans for a new THC in Brooklyn on hold this year.

The misalignment between the health care needs of the American population and the hospital-based medical training most doctors receive is a long-recognized problem. A 2014 report by the National Academies Press noted that "although the GME system has been producing more physicians, it has not produced an increasing proportion of physicians who choose to practice primary care, to provide care to underserved populations, or to locate in rural or other underserved areas."

The Teaching Health Center program has demonstrated success in these areas, with program graduates more likely to practice in medically underserved areas after graduation.

According to a study that analyzed the practice patterns of family medicine graduates from traditional GME training programs vs. those who participated in the THC program, nearly twice as many THC graduates were practicing in underserved areas three years after graduating, 35.2% vs. 18.6%.

In addition, THC graduates were significantly more likely to practice in rural areas, 17.9% vs. 11.8%. They were also more likely to provide substance use treatment, behavioral health care, and outpatient gynecological care than graduates from regular GME programs.

But the lack of reliable, long-term funding is a hurdle to the THC training model's potential, proponents say. For 2024, the Biden administration had proposed three years of mandatory funding, totaling $841 million, to support more than 2,000 residents.

"HRSA is eager to fund new programs and more residents, which is why the President's Budget has proposed multi-year increased funding for the Teaching Health Center program," Kramer said in an email.

The American Hospital Association supports expanding the THC program "to help address general workforce challenges," said spokesperson Sharon Cohen in an email.

The program appeals to residents interested in pursuing primary and community care in underserved areas.

"There's definitely a selection bias in who chooses these [THC] programs," said Candice Chen, an associate professor of health policy and management at George Washington University.

Hospital primary care programs, for instance, typically fail to fill their primary care residency slots on Match Day. But in the THC program, "every single year, all of the slots match," said Cristine Serrano, executive director of the American Association of Teaching Health Centers. On Match Day in March, more than 19,000 primary care positions were available; roughly 300 of those were THC positions.

Amanda Fernandez, 30, always wanted to work with medically underserved patients. She did her family medicine residency training at a THC in Hendersonville, North Carolina. She liked it so much that, after graduating last year, the Miami native took a job in Sylva, about 60 miles away.

Her mostly rural patients are accustomed to feeling like a way station for physicians, who often decamp to bigger metro areas after a few years. But she and her husband, a physician who works at the nearby Cherokee Indian Hospital, bought a house and plan to stay.

"That's why I loved the THC model," Fernandez said. "You end up practicing in a community similar to the one that you trained in."

2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Mindfulnessfocusing on the present momentcan improve sleep, reduce stress and improve overall health. A new University of South Florida-led study helps explain why.

Researchers studied 144 nurses over two weeks to see how well they could stay focused on the present and how often they fixated on negative thoughts. The nurses completed surveys three times a day and reported their sleep quality the following morning.

The findings shed light on how mindfulness relates to emotion regulation, the way people handle stressful situations, such as a setback at work. They also provide a clearer picture of how employees and employers can reduce work-related stress, said Claire Smith, the study's lead author and an assistant professor of psychology in the USF College of Arts and Sciences.

The paper is published in the journal Health Psychology.

"Mindfulness is often seen as a magical cure-all for employee stress," Smith said. "The way it's often spoken about makes it seem as if staying grounded in and accepting of the present moment means you will never be stressed. To me, it's crucial to add more nuance."

That's where the study comes in by providing insight into how the connection between mindfulness and emotion regulation affects sleep quality.

"We know that good sleep restores us physically and psychologically, and it keeps us happier, safer and even more ethical at work," Smith said. "We wanted to explore which aspects of sleep are influenced by mindfulness and why."

Smith's team included three USF colleagues and two Penn State researchers. The researchers focused on nurses due to their long, irregular hours and high-stress work environment, which often leads to sleep problems that can affect not only their health, but patient safety.

The study found that mindfulness helped the nurses experience fewer negative emotions and less ruminationrepetitive negative thinking.

"For instance, if you got a negative performance review at work, you might choose to shift your focus from negative thoughts of how you have failed and are incompetent to positive thoughts of what you did right and how you can grow," Smith said.

Smith and her co-authors believe the findings could help employers make better decisions about implementing strategies to boost their workers' health. Popular employer interventions include mindfulness-based stress reduction programs, along with yoga, meditation, tai chi and therapy. These programs have been shown to help employees manage stress and improve their overall well-being.

"Mindfulness is a hot topic, but we need to understand why it works," Smith said. "Our research is about going back to the drawing board to understand the reasons behind the benefits of mindfulness at work."

The authors acknowledge the need for further studies to explore the best methods for reducing work-related stress and how they apply across different occupations, including more traditional office settings outside of health care.

"We hope future research on mindfulness looks at not just big-picture results like better sleep or productivity but also how it affects things like handling emotions," Smith said. "When an intervention doesn't work, it helps us understand where the problem is stemming from. When it does work, it tells us why."

More information: Claire E. Smith et al, Be present now, sleep well later: Mindfulness promotes sleep health via emotion regulation., Health Psychology (2024). DOI: 10.1037/hea0001373 Journal information: Health Psychology
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This Nov. 2005 file photo shows future parents awaiting the arrival of their first child in Carlsbad, Calif. When you're expecting a baby, you hope nothing goes wrong. But at least one in 20 pregnant patients develops a scary complication called preeclampsia, a high blood pressure disorder that kills 70,000 women and 500,000 babies worldwide every year. New blood tests promise to help doctors predict and manage the condition. Credit: AP Photo/Julie Busch, file

When you're expecting a baby, you hope nothing goes wrong. But at least one in 20 people who are pregnant develop a scary complication called preeclampsia, a high blood pressure disorder that kills 70,000 women and 500,000 babies worldwide every year.

There was no way to know when it might strikeuntil now. New blood tests may help doctors predict and manage this dangerous condition.

"When something bad happens in pregnancy, you want to catch it early so you can avoid adverse outcomes for the mom and the baby," said Dr. S. Ananth Karumanchi with Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles.

What is preeclampsia?

The condition affects both the mother and baby and can occur in the second half of pregnancy or the postpartum period. The exact causes aren't known.

Besides high blood pressure, other signs of preeclampsia include protein in the urine, severe headaches, changes in vision, nausea and sudden swelling in your face and hands. It's generally diagnosed by checking for protein in the urine, measuring blood pressure and following up with other tests if warranted.

Once you have preeclampsia, it can progress rapidly and cause organ damage, stroke, preterm birth, slow growth in the baby and other problems.

To prevent the condition, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends pregnant patients get low-dose aspirin if they have one or more particular risk factors, such as chronic high blood pressure, Type 1 or 2 diabetes before pregnancy or kidney disease.

The primary treatment for preeclampsia is to deliver the baby or manage the condition until the baby can be delivered. People with severe preeclampsia are usually hospitalized and may be given medicines to lower blood pressure, prevent seizures and help the fetus' lungs develop.

How do the new tests work?

The tests measure "biomarkers" for preeclampsia in the blood, objective measures that show what's happening in an organism at any given moment.

At this point, there are only a few tests on the market.

One, by Labcorp, is designed to be performed between 11 and 14 weeks gestation on any pregnant patient. It measures four early pregnancy biomarkers that, combined with other factors, help determine the risk of developing preeclampsia before 34 weeks of pregnancy.

Two other testsanother by Labcorp and one from Thermo Fisher Scientificare used in the second and third trimesters on hospitalized patients to assess whether they are at risk of progressing to severe preeclampsia within a couple of weeks. More tests by other companies are in the pipeline.

"They absolutely represent an exciting advancement, especially when you look at the field of preeclampsia and the fact that there's been very little new introduced to the field in decades," said Eleni Tsigas, CEO of the nonprofit Preeclampsia Foundation. She lost one baby and also nearly died because of undiagnosed preeclampsia about two decades ago, and developed it again in her second pregnancy and gave birth to a son who spent time in neonatal intensive care.

The new blood tests augment but don't replace a doctor's judgment, she added, "basically giving them insight that they haven't had before. And that's particularly useful in cases where things are in the gray zone," such as when you have preexisting health problems such as chronic high blood pressure or obesity.

Should you ask for a test?

"If I were pregnant today then I absolutely would," Tsigas said.

Though "there's no therapy right at the moment," Karumanchi said, doctors can closely watch those at higher risk and do more follow-ups with them. For patients shown to be at low risk, the tests offer reassurance.

The tests could also help speed up the development of new treatments, he said, because researchers can identify patients at risk who might be willing to join studies.

Still, some OB-GYNs may not offer the tests immediately because they are so new, Tsigas said. But she figures: Why wait?

"You just have to look at the mortality and morbidity rates related to preeclampsia to know that clearly we have work to do," she said. "So I don't think there's a downside to adding tools to a nearly empty toolbox."

 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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A researcher at the University of Missouri has developed a program that improves the quality of care and reduces avoidable hospitalizations in nursing homessaving Missouri nursing homes and Medicare millions of dollars and allowing Missouri nursing homes to invest more in retaining their most skilled staff members. The program is so successful that it's being recommended for use in all 50 states.

The Quality Improvement Program for Missouri (QIPMO) was created by Marilyn Rantz in 1999 as a partnership between Mizzou's Sinclair School of Nursing and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

For the past 25 years, the program has allowed Rantz and her team of experts to meet with the staff and administrators of hundreds of nursing homes throughout Missouri, providing them with strategies to detect illnesses earlier, control the spread of infections and improve all parts of the quality of care they provide.

A new study confirms what Rantz has long known: The QIPMO program works.

The study, which was recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, evaluated all 510 Missouri nursing homes that received free services through the QIPMO program from 2020 to 2022. It tracked the number of issues related to various quality measures such as urinary tract infections, high-risk pressure ulcers, antipsychotic use, emergency room visits and hospitalizations, among others.

"The data gets deep into the nitty-gritty details, but the key takeaway is that every single nursing home that received our QIPMO services saw overall improvement," said Rantz, a Curators' Distinguished Professor Emerita who has worked in and with the nursing industry for nearly 55 years. "Whether it's infection control practices, disinfecting procedures in common spaces, education regarding hand-washing or noticing if something seems off with a resident's behavior, ensuring these evidence-based best practices are being followed around the clock is key. The program has helped improve hundredsif not thousandsof lives."

From mid-MO to nationwide

The coronavirus pandemic exposed many issues that U.S. nursing homes have been dealing with for decades, including staffing shortages, underpaid staff and a lack of personalized care. In response, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine selected Rantz to join a committee of nursing home experts nationwide, recognizing her expertise in improving the quality of care in nursing homes.

In 2022, the committee released a national report providing recommendations to the U.S. Congress and nursing home associations for improving the quality of care in nursing homes throughout the country. Among the recommendations is for quality improvement programs that have a proven track record of successsuch as QIPMOto be emulated in all 50 states nationwide.

"Our work at Mizzou and with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has set the standard in terms of raising the bar for nursing home care statewide," Rantz said. "Now, it is time to get these best practices implemented across the country."

More information: Marilyn Rantz et al, Longitudinal Evaluation of a Statewide Quality Improvement Program for Nursing Homes, Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.12.010
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Underreporting can skew observed relative prevalences and conceal health disparities. PURPLE is designed to estimate the relative prevalence while correcting for underreporting. A Underreporting leads to inaccurate observed relative prevalences. Understanding the relative prevalence of a health condition between groups gfor example, men and womenis important to effective medical care. However, these estimates are often based on diagnoses s (i.e., positive diagnosis vs. no diagnosis) instead of the true patient state y (sick vs. not sick). Underreporting, which is known to vary by demographic groups, leads to inaccurate relative prevalence estimates that can hide the groups most affected by a condition. B PURPLE uses data on patient diagnoses s, symptoms x, and group membership g to accurately estimate the relative prevalence of a condition. PURPLE first estimates the group-specific diagnosis probability, p(s = 1y = 1, g), and disease likelihood, p(y = 1x), up to constant multiplicative factors and then combines these estimates to compute the relative prevalence. We show this is possible under three widely-made assumptions: no false positives, random diagnosis within groups, and constant p(y = 1x) between groups. Credit: npj Women's Health (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44294-024-00011-5

Intimate partner violence is notoriously underreported and correctly diagnosed at hospitals only around a quarter of the time, but a new method provides a more realistic picture of which groups of women are most affected, even when their cases go unrecorded.

PURPLE, an algorithm developed by researchers at Cornell and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, estimates how often underreported health conditions occur in different demographic groups. Using hospital data, the researchers showed that PURPLE can better quantify which groups of women are most likely to experience intimate partner violence compared with methods that do not correct for underreporting.

The new method was developed by Divya Shanmugam, formerly a doctoral student at MIT who will join Cornell Tech as a postdoctoral researcher this fall, and Emma Pierson, the Andrew H. and Ann R. Tisch Assistant Professor of computer science at the Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute at Cornell Tech and in the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science.

The researchers describe their approach in "Quantifying Disparities in Intimate Partner Violence: a Machine Learning Method to Correct for Underreporting," published in npj Women's Health.

"Often we care about how commonly a disease occurs in one population versus another, because it can help us target resources to the groups who need it most," Pierson said. "The challenge is, many diseases are underdiagnosed. Underreporting is intimately bound up with societal inequality, because often it tends to affect groups more if they have worse access to health services."

Shanmugam became interested in intimate partner violence after Pierson recommended the book "No Visible Bruises: What We Don't Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us" by Rachel Louise Snyder. She realized that the pervasive issue of underreporting was something statistical methods could help address. The result was PURPLE (Positive Unlabeled Relative PrevaLence Estimator), a machine learning technique that estimates the relative prevalence of a condition when the true numbers of affected people in different groups are unknown.

The researchers applied PURPLE to two real-life datasets, one that included 293,297 emergency department visits to a hospital in the Boston area, and a second with 33.1 million emergency department visits to hospitals nationwide. PURPLE used demographic data along with actual diagnoses of intimate partner violence and associated symptoms, like a broken wrist or bruising, which could indicate the condition even when the patient was not actually diagnosed.

"These broad datasets, describing millions of emergency department visits, can produce relative prevalences that are misleading using only the observed diagnoses," Shanmugam said. "PURPLE's adjustments can bring us closer to the truth."

PURPLE indicated that patients who are nonwhite, not legally married, on Medicaid, or who live in lower-income or metropolitan areas are all more likely to experience intimate partner violence. These results match up with previous findings in the literature, demonstrating the plausibility of PURPLE's results.

The results also show that correcting for underreporting is important to produce accurate estimates. Without this correction, the hospital datasets do not show a straightforward relationship between income level and rates of victimization. But PURPLE clearly shows that rates of violence are higher for women in lower income brackets, a finding that agrees with the literature.

Next, the researchers hope to see PURPLE applied to other often-underreported women's health issues, such as endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome.

"There's still a lot more work to be done to measure the extent to which these outcomes are underdiagnosed, and I think PURPLE could be one tool to help answer that question," Shanmugam said.

The new technique also has potential applications beyond health conditions. PURPLE could be used to reveal the relative prevalence of underreported police misconduct across precincts or the amounts of hate speech directed at different demographic groups.

Kaihua Hou, a doctoral student at the University of California, Berkeley, contributed to the study. Pierson also has an appointment with Weill Cornell Medicine.

More information: Divya Shanmugam et al, Quantifying disparities in intimate partner violence: a machine learning method to correct for underreporting, npj Women's Health (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44294-024-00011-5
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Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the active ingredients in cannabis, is thought to be safe as it does not cause a "high." Increasing numbers of pregnant women take CBD, believing that it can help alleviate symptoms such as morning sickness, insomnia, anxiety and pain.

However, research presented today (Tuesday) at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum 2024, suggests that it may affect offspring. Two studies in mice have shown that gestational exposure to CBD alters the behavior of offspring and also affects the nerve cells (neurons) in the insular cortex (IC) of the brain that is involved in processing emotions and signals from the senses.

Dr. Daniela Iezzi and Alba Caceres Rodriguez, a Ph.D. student, work in the team "Sex differences in developmental vulnerability to neuropsychiatric diseases" at INSERM Universite Aix-Marseille, France, directed by Pascale Chavis. Caceres Rodriguez says that the last International Cannabis Policy Study reported that one in five pregnant women reported using CBD.

"Scientific evidence has proven that CBD crosses the placenta, can reach the brain of rodents and human embryos and is also present in breast milk; therefore, it's a public health priority to understand the impact of CBD on the developing nervous system as we don't yet know the consequences of CBD exposure to the brain during development," she says.

"An important part of the research that we are conducting in mice is a longitudinal follow-up of the behavioral consequences of gestational exposure to CBD, and we are also investigating what is happening to the neurons in the brain that may be the basis of such changes in behavioral traits."

Dr. Iezzi and Caceres Rodriguez injected pregnant female mice subcutaneously with a low dose of CBD (3mg/kg) from day 5 to day 18almost the entire gestational period of a mouse. Injections meant they could be sure the mice received the same concentrations of CBD each day. Another group of pregnant mice were not treated with CBD and acted as the control group.

After the pups were delivered, the researchers waited for them to become adults and then tested their behaviors with a technology that uses infra-red, depth-sensing cameras and machine learning (or artificial intelligence, AI) called "Live Mouse Tracker." This allowed them to detect a large range of behaviors when the mice were placed in a new environment for several days.

"We found a number of behavioral changes among the mice exposed to CBD," says Caceres Rodriguez. "CBD-exposed females tended to move around their new environment more compared to females that didn't receive CBD during gestation. Furthermore, compared to control mice, both male and female mice treated with CBD established more physical contacts with each other.

"These findings indicate that prenatal exposure to CBD alters specific behaviors of groups of mice and that this depends on their sex. A strength of our study is that we are able to reproduce a more naturalistic environment, which permits us to study group dynamics that would be impossible to unmask with other conventional tasked-based tests. In addition, a follow-up of several days enables us to analyze the development and progression of such dynamics. This study serves as a good starting point to dive deeper to understand the actual consequences of these changes in overall social interactions in the long term."

Video shows mice that have been exposed to cannabidiol during gestation tracked with technology that uses infra-red, depth-sensing cameras and machine learning (or artificial intelligence, AI) called 'Live Mouse Tracker'. Credit: Alba Caceres Rodriguez

This research is carried out in mice so caution is necessary when considering any implications for humans. However, in addition to what is known about CBD crossing the placenta and being present in breast milk in both mice and humans, it is also known that cannabis intake can affect brain development in mice and humans.

A limitation of the study is that mice had a controlled amount of CBD administered for more than two-thirds of their pregnancy, whereas humans might be more likely to take CBD intermittently to help with symptoms that might vary over the course of the pregnancy, and might take considerably larger doses.

Dr. Iezzi investigated how CBD affected two parts of the insular cortex in the brain: the anterior IC (aIC), which is responsible for processing emotional and social signals, and the posterior IC (pIC), which processes perceptions of pain and the physical and emotional state of the body.

"In 2022, we used artificial intelligence to demonstrate for the first time that prenatal exposure to a low dose of CBD can modify the early communication and cognition during the early stages of development in mice. So, we wanted to go deeper into the impact of this substance in the brain and, specifically, the insular cortex, which is known to be a region in the brain responsible for emotions and sensory perception," she says.

Dr. Iezzi studied the brains from adult mice that had been exposed to CBD during gestation in the same way as in Caceres Rodriguez's research. She compared them with the brains from the control group of mice that had not been exposed to CBD.

"We examined specific brain cells called pyramidal neurons in both aIC and pIC and discovered noteworthy distinctions between these neurons in adult male and female mice exposed or not to CBD," she says.

"Our results reveal that prenatal exposure to CBD profoundly changes the functionality of neurons in the insular cortex. We saw differences according to sex and also according to the IC sub-regions. In particular, pyramidal neurons in the pIC lose their cellular identity following prenatal exposure to CBD and no longer behave like typical pIC neurons.

"This could have negative consequences on specific functions of the pIC. These neurons specialize in integrating sensory information from the environment and the internal state of the body in order to generate an appropriate behavioral response. Therefore, a loss of pIC differentiation following prenatal exposure to CBD can have a considerable impact on the ability to understand and react properly to the environment.

"These findings have significant implications for understanding the effects of CBD on fetal life, changing the general idea that CBD is a universally safe compound, and revealing the need for additional studies on the effect of prenatal CBD exposure. Furthermore, several studies have shown that IC dysfunction increases the risk of developing psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, addiction, depression and schizophrenia."

Dr. Iezzi and Caceres Rodriguez are now joining forces to find the possible molecular and cellular mechanisms that would explain their results.

Professor Richard Roche, Deputy Head of the Department of Psychology at Maynooth University, Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland, is chair of the FENS communication committee and was not involved in the research. He said, "Just because cannabidiol is legal and available in most countries does not mean that it is safe for women to consume during pregnancy. The consequences of exposing developing brains of fetuses to CBD has not been thoroughly researched so far.

"These two studies carried out in mice show that exposure to CBD during gestation does affect offspring. More research is required to be sure about the possible effects in humans, but these findings are an early indication that women should not take CBD during pregnancy until more is known. In addition, more information and better data are needed to understand the prevalence of CBD use during pregnancy, particularly in Europe."

More information: PS03-27AM-619."The influence of prenatal CBD exposure on group dynamics and social behaviours in adult offspring", Ms Alba Caceres Rodriguez, Poster session 03  Late-breaking abstracts, Thursday 27 June, 09:30-13:00 hrs, Poster area: fens2024.abstractserver.com/pr  s/presentations/4793

Provided by Federation of European Neuroscience Societies
Economy to stay on upward trajectory amid headwinds

08:42, June 24, 2024 By Wu Yong, Cheng Yu and Li Jiaying ( China Daily

China's economy will maintain its upward growth trajectory this year amid rising trade protectionism and economic uncertainties, with huge potential in rural consumption, manufacturing, and opening-up to be further tapped, according to the World Economic Forum.

Chen Liming, chair of Greater China at the WEF, a Switzerland-based international organization, said that China's positive economic outlook remains unchanged in the long term, given the country's massive market advantage, rich talent pool, and complete and stable industrial chain.

"China remains a massive consumer market where regional and rural development represents huge opportunities. The country's production and manufacturing systems are still upgrading, which also represents further significant growth," Chen told China Daily in an exclusive interview.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that China's retail sales  a key gauge of consumer spending  rose 3.7 percent year-on-year in May, while industrial output grew 5.6 percent during the period.

Chen made the remarks ahead of the upcoming 15th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos Forum, which will be held in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning province, from Tuesday to Thursday.

Chen said that more efforts should be made to ensure policies are continuously "stable, transparent and predictable", in order to further stabilize the nation's growth momentum.

"Such sustainable policies are expected to greatly boost the confidence of entrepreneurs so that growth momentum of vertical industries can be further consolidated," he added.

Chen said he believes that a longer-term path lies in adhering to the country's reform and opening-up agenda, as it improves its socialist market economy. "The market is expected to continue to play a decisive role in resource allocation in the country, which will continue to offer a level playing field and a fair policy environment for all businesses."

For instance, Dalian, where the Summer Davos has been held seven times, has striven to build a new frontier for foreign investment in China's northeastern region, Chen said.

"The city and the province have attracted an increasing number of foreign enterprises by improving the business environment and making it more international, convenient, and law-abiding," he said.

In addition, the Summer Davos has provided Liaoning with opportunities for deeper exchanges with the international community and a window for learning new technologies and expertise, according to Chen.

"Dalian city and Liaoning province are also able to showcase their economic development achievements, which will promote the internationalization of their economy," he said.

China has taken steps to expand opening-up, including rolling out national and pilot free trade zone versions of the negative list for cross-border trade in services and simplifying visa applications.

However, the world's second-largest economy has recently faced protectionist measures taken by its major trade partners.

The European Commission has said it will apply additional duties on imported Chinese-made electric vehicles starting next month. The United States has also tried to suppress China's "new three" industries  new energy vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products  by raising taxes and hyping so-called "overcapacity".

"Using a 'big stick' of sanctions to deal with trade disputes will not yield good results. Trade disputes arise from trade imbalances and should be resolved through dialogue and negotiations," Chen said.

He added that it is obviously due to differences in resource endowment, technological levels, and worker skills that some countries have gained more competitive advantages than others, not because of the so-called production or capacity problem.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
The Beijing Youth Orchestra, a new ensemble featuring student musicians, is expected to perform at Carnegie Hall, a prestigious concert venue in the United States, in August.

The orchestra, jointly curated by China's National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) and the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, comprises 131 musicians from the Central Conservatory of Music and two middle schools in Beijing.

At the invitation of Carnegie Hall, the ensemble, along with six other youth orchestras from across the world, will participate in World Orchestra Week, presenting New York audiences with both Western and Chinese orchestral works, according to an NCPA statement.

The young musicians will also engage in a series of exchange activities during their stay in the United States, the statement noted.

The year 2024 marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations. The trip by the young musicians represents an effort by the NCPA to promote cultural exchanges between the two countries.
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A fingerprint may soon be all a doctor needs to check whether tuberculosis patients are taking their antibiotics, thanks to a new study led by the University of Surrey. The study is published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents.

Scientists successfully detected the drugs in finger sweatand with almost the same accuracy as a blood test.

Professor Melanie Bailey, an analytical chemist and co-author of the study from the University of Surrey, explained, "Up until now, blood tests have been the gold standard for detecting drugs in somebody's system. Now we can get results that are almost as accurate through the sweat in somebody's fingerprint. That means we can monitor treatment for diseases like tuberculosis in a much less invasive way."

Curable tuberculosis (TB) is treated with antibiotics. If patients don't stick to their full course, the treatment might not work, leading to drug-resistant TB instead. Scientists wanted to know when was best to test, and whether they could tell how much medication the patient had taken.

To do so, they tested ten TB patients at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), in the Netherlands.

Dr. Onno Akkerman from the UMCG, a pulmonary physician with a focus on tuberculosis, noted, "It was very simple to collect our samples. We asked patients to wash their hands, put on a nitrile glove to induce sweating, and then press their fingertips onto a paper square. Finger sweat can be collected without any specialist training. Unlike blood, it isn't a biohazard, so can be transported and stored much more easily. We're looking forward to working with Surrey to detect other TB drugs using this promising technique."

The samples were shipped to Surrey's Ion Beam Centre and they were analyzed using mass spectrometry, which breaks the sample down to see what it is made of.

Scientists detected antibiotics in finger sweat with 96% accuracy. The metabolite, produced by actually ingesting the drug, showed up with 77% accuracy. The drug itself was present between one and four hours after ingestion, while a metabolized version appeared best after six hours.

Dr. Katie Longman, co-author of the study from the University of Surrey, explained, "Doctors need to check whether tuberculosis patients are taking their antibiotics. It's much quicker and more convenient to do that using fingerprints rather than taking blood. This could ease the time pressure on a busy health service and offer patients a more comfortable solution. For some patients, like babies, blood tests are not feasible or desirableso techniques like this one could be really useful."

More information: Measurement of isoniazid in tuberculosis patients using finger sweat with creatinine normalisation  a controlled administration study, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2024.107231
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One of the first studies to examine patient acceptability of teleneurology and determine factors influencing acceptability across neurological conditions, has found teleneurology was highly acceptable across the full range of patients with different neurological diagnoses, including headache, movement disorders and other neurological symptoms and diagnoses.

The study also determined that the more medical complexityhaving additional diseaseswas associated with increased patient satisfaction with teleneurology.

"Patient acceptance of teleneurology across neurologic conditions" is published in the Journal of Neurology.

Older patients were as accepting of teleneurology as younger patients, individuals often viewed as more comfortable with technology. Living in a rural area, typically with inconvenient access to in-person appointments, was also not associated with acceptability of teleneurology.

"There are always going to be certain clinical conditions or patient preferences where in- person visits are essential," said study senior author Linda S. Williams, M.D., a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Regenstrief Institute research scientist, whose clinical neurology practice focuses on stroke patients.

"But for most patients a large portion of what we're trying to dounderstanding the patients' symptoms, when they started, what helps them and what makes their symptoms worseall those basics that we learn in medical school that we know are at least 75% of getting the right diagnosis can be done via video; we can then adapt most parts of our physical exam to be done via video too. This is true, no matter the health care system.

"Telehealth is more efficient. It may help us make better use of scarce resources when we have physician shortages and, most importantly, it may help us meet patients where they are at home, when they're having trouble or can't drive from perhaps conditions like epilepsy, which are very important in neurology."

Patients in the study were surveyed two weeks after accessing clinicians via teleneurology. Visits were conducted via video to home or an outpatient primary care clinic with telehealth capabilities.

"Older patients and those with more medical complexity often make up a large portion of the patients requiring care by a neurologist. These findings will help health care providers realize they should not exclude consideration of teleneurology for patients that fall into these groups," said first author Courtney R. Seigel, an Indiana University School of Medicine student.

"There is a tremendous shortage of neurologists in the United States and neurologists, like many specialists, tend to be at a higher density in urban areas and lower density in rural areas," said Dr. Williams.

"Teleneurology is one way that care can be more efficient. We can see many more patients in a given day via telehealth compared to driving to a single remote clinic and so can spread a scarce resource."

More information: Courtney R. Seigel et al, Patient acceptance of teleneurology across neurologic conditions, Journal of Neurology (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12200-y Journal information: Journal of Neurology
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In coordinated raids last September, multiple California agencies stormed a network of illegal cannabis-growing warehouses across Oakland while state cannabis regulators singled out a salmon-colored warehouse complex surrounded by 7,000-volt security fencing.

The warehouse buildinghome to two licensed cannabis operationswas "highly-likely" the conduit that illegal growers used to ship their product into the legal market, a state agent told a judge. Inside the rooms, inspectors found 43,000 plants growing beneath high-intensity lights. None had the tracking tags required to be placed on legal plants.

But the surprise was what was found in the men's room.

Beside Hot Shot insect foggers and jugs of familiar chemicals were mylar bags labeled in Chinese. Inside each were cellophane packets of wood shavings soaked in unknown pesticides.

The same kinds of packets had been found earlier that year on illegal farms in Siskiyou County, where lab tests had revealed a cocktail of dangerous insecticides and fungicides that when burned would emit a cloud of pest- and mold-killing smoke. Among the unusual substances was isoprocarb, which is not permitted in the United States; profenofos, an organophosphate so harmful its use here was discontinued in 2016; and fenpropathrin, an acutely toxic insecticide that is fatal if inhaled.

Additional tests would show the warehouse plants were tainted with some of the same pesticides.

Contraband Chinese pesticides present a new challenge for California cannabis regulators as they struggle to keep harmful chemicals out of licensed products. Some of the poisons are so unfamiliar that few chemical analysis labs in the state would be equipped to test for them if California required it.

A Los Angeles Times investigation based on confidential state records, public files, online sales and social networks found that in the last three years, the use of contraband Chinese pesticides on cannabis farms has spread across California.

Yet officials have not issued warnings to alert those working on cannabis farms about the dangers of these chemicals, or mandated cannabis products sold to the public be tested for them.

But their presence has prompted multiple warnings to law enforcement personnel, including by the state Department of Pesticide Regulation, the California National Guard and the state Environmental Protection Agency.

Internal state warnings caution that short-term exposure to the contaminants can cause headaches, irritated eyes, nosebleeds and sore throats. Hazardous-materials statements and scientific literature show the greatest harm is likely from long-term exposure to low doses, carrying the risk of cancer, memory loss, psychosis, developmental problems in children and death.

"I think the scariest thing with this stuff is what's going to happen down the road," said Sheriff's Det. Sgt. Cory Persing of Siskiyou County, where in 2022 a county environmental health officer, armed with Google Translate on her cellphone, first deciphered the labels on similar packages.

Environmental citations issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board show the Chinese-labeled fumigants predominantly appear on Asian-owned farms, in keeping with agricultural practices.

Smoke fumigation is not common practice in the United States, but is used frequently in China in place of pressure sprayers to aerosolize chemical treatments.

Some of the products appearing on cannabis farms are registered pesticides in China and sold online by vendors in Asia. Others are unbranded, bearing only links to WeChat accounts with California phone numbers and monikers that translate to "whatever bro," "Spider 1" and "Spider 2."

An online marketplace aimed at Chinese immigrants in California also carried the unbranded fumigants for sale, as did a Chinese-language site devoted to cannabis cultivation. Both turned out to be associated with a San Joaquin County businessman, Adam Yang, whose social media account included a video demonstration of burning the pesticides inside a cannabis greenhouse and whose Pinterest site offered photos of customer text messages for door-to-door delivery of the contraband pesticides in Los Angeles and nationwide shipping.

The ads even told buyers they could fumigate on buds to be trimmed and sold for smoking. "Rest assured that it can be used normally during the flowering period," the ads stated.

Yang acknowledged his sites promoted the pesticides, but said they were part of a "collaboration" with a partner he declined to identify. "My role was limited to platform management, and I was not involved in the direct sales or endorsements," Yang said by email.

The Chinese-labeled pesticides have shown up now in at least six California counties, at both illegal and licensed growing operations. The poisons were present on half of 25 illegal farms in Siskiyou County raided by a state task force during a July 2023 sting operation that saw three officers require medical treatment after suffering exposure.

They were also present on five farms raided by Siskiyou County sheriff's deputies in late April, accompanied by a county health officer who wore protective gear and a respirator to safely bag the pesticides.

On one farm, deputies retrieved a large box holding dozens of the Chinese-labeled pesticides from the food pantry, where it had been stashed next to a large sack of rice. More of the fumigants were in a hutch, and inside two greenhouses half-cut beer cans sat by the walls, their interiors filled with the black char of burned pesticide.

One of the farm's cultivatorswho gave only her first name, Fengsaid she did not believe the fumigants were dangerous. She pointed to a surgical mask on her face, indicating that she wore protection when burning them.

Reports from a California National Guard lab and a Humboldt County ecology company show most of the packages found initially in Siskiyou County contained blends of insecticides and fungicides. Those tests identified 21 hazardous chemicals. California screens legal weed products for only six of those substances, meaning the bulk of the hazardous pesticides would be undetected in the legal market.

"These sites are highly contaminated with a diversity of chemicals and concentrations," the report from the Integral Ecology Research Center cautioned, noting each bag contained at least one chemical fatal if inhaled and telling law enforcement personnel to use "extreme caution during all operations."

The chemicals included five pesticides never permitted for use in the United States, among them chlorthiophos and the nerve agents fenobucarb and isoprocarb.

Also common was profenofos, with early symptoms of exposure that include headache, nausea and dizziness, tremors, vomiting, confusion and unconsciousness. It is fatal if inhaled.

Siskiyou County has begun requiring cannabis enforcement officers to undergo periodic testing for blood poisoning. "Nobody actually tells us what they mean. What is normal? What is high?" said Persing, who said he and his staff frequently have nosebleeds after cannabis farm raids.

California pesticide regulators and the National Guard last year issued their own law enforcement advisories, then broadened them as the Chinese pesticides appeared in Trinity County to the north, Alameda and Contra Costa counties on the coast, and San Diego and San Bernardino counties to the south. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife in March reminded agents to undergo blood poisoning checks.

"We're concerned not only for first responders, but also users," said Sheriff's Det. Chris Bassett in San Bernardino County, whose team found the Chinese pesticides last year on five farms, including two in Los Angeles County. "Hopefully someone requires this stuff to be tested for" on legal weed, Bassett said.

Only six of the 25 pesticides found in the Oakland raid are on the state Department of Cannabis Control's testing list for products sold in licensed stores. The agency has not moved to add the rest of the chemicals to the list, though police reports and state records show it has encountered the pesticides on weed entering the market.

Last October, Siskiyou County deputies stopped a box truck leased by a Los Angeles cannabis distributor and vape manufacturer, VBX Labs LLC. Police reports show the truck carried 4,500 pounds of illegal cannabis trimtypically used to make concentrated oils for vape productsstuffed into 204 black garbage bags.

Previous such illegal loads to licensed distributors had been intercepted, but this time the Department of Cannabis Control sent samples of the confiscated weed to a state agriculture lab for testing. The ensuing order revoking VBX's cannabis distribution license cited the discovery of a single prohibited chemicalpaclobutrazolcommonly used by growers to increase the size and density of flower buds.

The state lab test results reviewed by The Times show the weed in VBX's box truck also was tainted with 16 other pesticides, including ones unique to the Chinese fumigants: isoprocarb, fenobucarb, fenpropathrin and profenofos. None of those are screened in cannabis products by the state, though other regulations prohibit their use as unregistered pesticides.

The presence of Chinese-labeled pesticides was also omitted from the Department of Cannabis Control order revoking the licenses at the Oakland warehouse raided in September. The agency cited only the presence of two prohibited chemicals routinely tested for in licensed cannabis. It left out lab findings, viewed by The Times, documenting isoprocarb, clothianidin, profenofos and fenpropathrin.

Nor did Cannabis Control agents immediately destroy the Oakland weed upon seeing contraband chemicals in use. Instead, agents quarantined the 43,000 plants and 1 ton of drying weed, telling operators who already had failed to report the fate of 88 prior crops to leave the contaminated plants standing while Cannabis Control decided what to do.

A state agent returned a month later to find some of the plants gone, new ones growing, and more Chinese pesticides on site.

The month after that, yet more quarantined cannabis, including harvested plants, had vanished, according to a state report.

Regulators did not revoke the warehouse licenses until three months after the raid. There was no indication where the tainted weeda threat to anyone who consumed ithad gone.

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
LOS ANGELES  Lily Gladstone knows the gravity stories about what she calls the "epidemic" of missing and murdered Indigenous people have. But she also values humor in telling those stories.

In "Fancy Dance," set for a limited theatrical release Friday and streaming release on Apple TV+ June 28, Gladstone plays Jax, who has cared for her niece, Roki, since her sister's disappearance on the Seneca-Cayuga reservation in Oklahoma. As the pair searches for their loved one and prepares for Roki's upcoming powwow, they share moments of unexpected levity baked into the emotional story.

"You would be very hard pressed to find any Indigenous person in North America today that is not touched by an element of the story very personally," Gladstone said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. "We all know an MMIP (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person). It's something that we all collectively kind of grieve and work to fix.  We stick together and we survive through it by being funny, by finding humor in it."

Newcomer Isabel Deroy-Olson, who stars alongside Gladstone as Roki, said the film's humor helps the audience get through the heavier moments of the story  which was also true for the actors.

"With all of us having a pretty similar sense of humor, we brought that behind the scenes, too, as a way to kind of lift each other up, and that's so true in all of our communities," she said. "We just we like to laugh with each other. Showing that both on and off screen was really important to us."

"You have to keep joy, you have to keep laughter, and you have to keep our optimism in order to survive an ongoing genocide," said director and co-writer Erica Tremblay.

Named after Jacqueline "Jax" Agtuca, who works for the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center, Gladstone's character grows frustrated with the lack of attention or care authorities put toward her sister's case and turns to her community for help in the search. Gladstone said amplifying this kind of story on screen without it being "shoved down anybody's throat" can inspire change.

"By being and embodying a character, a person who's going through the steps of doing that work, you're inviting the audience into that perspective, into that world where they get to learn about the jurisdictional loopholes and the inequities in society that are creating the obstacles for the characters they're rooting for," she said.

"You learn about that obstacle in a way that you have a desire to change it, instead of just hearing about it in a PowerPoint presentation or as a talking point on a news segment that you're going to fast forward through because you're more interested in what the score was for your team," Gladstone continued.

While movies and shows have broached the subject of missing Indigenous people before, they've often been criticized for coming up short in accurately and respectfully depicting the issue or don't reach a wide audience. Taylor Sheridan, co-creator of Paramount hit "Yellowstone," wrote and directed one of the very few widely distributed films about the topic with 2017's "Wind River."

ABC's 2022 drama "Alaska Daily" also explored violence against Native women and the lack of attention paid to their cases, but was canceled after one season. ABC had previously put out "Big Sky," a Montana-set drama that premiered in 2020 and caught flak for centering on white victims instead of Indigenous women, who make up the majority of the state's missing and murdered population.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs estimates there are approximately 4,200 missing and murdered cases nationally that have gone unsolved.

"Fancy Dance" focuses on the lack of institutional support and jurisdictional issues that make solving cases of missing Indigenous people difficult. In another shift from its predecessors, "Fancy Dance" does not show any violence against women on screen, a move that is often viewed as exploitative.

The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2023, and despite critical acclaim, it had not been picked up by a distributor until over a year later. Tremblay said the filmmaking team didn't see the offers they were expecting based on how they were "hitting the checklist of what it takes to make a successful indie film," but noted that the film landing on Apple's streaming service is their "dream ending."

"The lynchpin to the whole plan to get this film out into the world was Lily's continued advocacy of the film and the beautiful moment that that she and all of the Indigenous cast and crew of "Killers of the Flower Moon" had last year," Tremblay said. "Lily using some of that shine to aim at 'Fancy Dance,' I think was critical for us and we're so grateful to be where we're at."
In the 17 years Jeanna Miller has worked at Missoula Public Health, shes done a little bit of everything. She has reviewed septic systems and subdivisions, written permits and performed field inspections and even worked on a communicable disease outbreak investigation.

Soon shell be bringing those experiences to a new role. Starting June 24, Miller will serve as the health officer for the city-county health department, with her priorities set on building and maintaining relationships with the public and health department staff.

I love this health department, and I love this community, and Im just really excited, Miller said.

Missoula County commissioners appointed Miller to the role at an administrative public meeting on June 6 after she was recommended to them by the Board of Health, according to an MPH press release. Prior to taking on the role, Miller served as the environmental health manager for the health departments Environmental Health division.

As manager, Miller worked on cross-divisional programs, dealt with the health department budget process, handled detailed projects and communicated with the public. All together, she said the role has done a lot to prepare her for the position of health officer.

I think the other thing it has taught me is a whole lot of hard work. I mean, this is a public agency and we never lack for work, Miller said. So Im just excited to take that work ethic and some of the skill sets that Ive learned and apply it in a different way.

For Miller, part of that hard work will be focused on working with the community to grow trust and relationships.

Because public health is about prevention, Miller said many people dont think about public health unless they are in the middle of a public health emergency, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. But she said the departments success relies on the communitys willingness to participate.

We can have excellent programs, excellent services, but it all starts with relationships, Miller said. We gotta get people in the door and get some community buy-in. Were always stronger together, and if we can create public health advocates, even outside of the health department, were just furthering our mission.

The health department has already built a relationship with the community, which has served it well in the past. Miller was part of the incident command team during the COVID-19 pandemic, and she said their success was due to the pre-established trust between the community and the health department.

I think that one of the reasons that we were able to successfully help our community through that emergency was because we had already been working in our community, Miller said. They knew who we were and they knew what we were all about and what we were trying to accomplish even before the pandemic.

Miller is a sixth-generation Montanan with a bachelors degree in water quality, technology and environmental health from Montana State University-Northern, and a masters degree in public health from the University of Montana. She also received a certificate in public health management from the University of Washington in 2018.

She said her background and her enthusiastic, optimistic personality make it easy for her to connect with people. She plans to put that personality toward reaching out to community members that have different opinions and diverse backgrounds, because their perspectives will help her make well-informed decisions.

My job here at the health department isnt necessarily to do what I think is best, Miller said. I think its really to determine whats best for the community. And the way you make great decisions is to have a very wide perspective. Being out in the community and talking to folks is very important.

Millers attitude toward building relationships also applies within the health department. As health officer, Miller will oversee all divisions of the health department.

I think its important that staff understand that I have a really genuine interest in their programs and the services that we provide here and that I really want to know whats working well for folks and what we might be able to improve upon, Miller said.

Miller described public health as her favorite subject. She said her first goal and the thing she is most excited about is learning more about the department programs she hasnt been directly involved in.

Just working here 17 years, I have a pretty good idea about the array of programs and services, but I dont know a lot of the details and those really excite me, Miller said. I love to see what were doing here translate into actual positive change in our community. Thats so exciting, and I just want to bring a fresh set of eyes to it and see what we can do better to further that positive impact.
2024 marks the third consecutive year that Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, heiress to the LOreal fortune, has landed in the top spot among female billionaires. Meyers inherited these riches from her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, who passed away in 2017 after years of drama.

Much of the scandal of this wealth transfer revolved around Liliane's relationship with a French photographer named Francois-Marie Banier. The two met during a photoshoot for Egoiste magazine in 1987. The two became close friends, and Bettencourt became Banier's primary benefactor.

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In the following years, Liliane Bettencourt presented Banier with lavish gifts, including famous paintings, multimillion-dollar life insurance policies, and large sums of cash  all estimated at a value nearing $1.3 billion. This relationship fell under scrutiny as Bettencourt's physical and mental condition wavered.

Francoise accused Banier of manipulating her mother and filed a criminal complaint. In 2015, Banier was convicted of "abuse of weakness," and Meyers was awarded custody over her mother and the LOreal fortune.

Although Francoise Bettencourt Meyers is currently the queen of cash, here is a short list of other women on the Forbes World's Billionaires list who are close on her heels.
The overall brand strength of Chinese companies has increased by 17 percent from 18,035 to 21,150 year-on-year from 2023 to the first half of this year, reaching a new high in history, according to the Kantar BrandZ 2024 Chinese Global Brand Builders report.

Jointly compiled by the international market research firm Kantar and Google, the report, released on Thursday, surveyed global consumers from 11 international markets on their opinions about Chinese global brands. The brand strength scores were calculated, taking into account three major factors: meaningful, difference, and salient.

Grades of "meaningful" and "difference" for each brand are calculated based on the feedback of surveyed consumers. The "salient" is calculated by combining consumer behavior data, including traffic to a brand's official website, the number of active users of a brand's App, and the brand's search index on Google and YouTube.

The significant increase in the overall brand strength of Chinese companies highlighted the vitality of Chinese brands in the global market, said Doreen Wang, CEO of Kantar Greater China and global chair of Kantar BrandZ.

Wang also noted that the combination of China's industrial chain ecosystem and innovative technology has become a new competitive strength for Chinese global brands.
Employees load cargo into an aircraft bound for Chicago at Taoxian Airport in Shenyang, Liaoning province. [Photo/Xinhua]

The rise of cross-border e-commerce is lifting the global air cargo market like never before, with China leading the way, boosted by Air Silk Road or air routes that connect the country with the economies participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, industry experts said.

From flowers and fruits to consumer electronics containing lithium-ion batteries, all are par for the air cargo course now, they said.

Besides generating cargo business for airlines, this trend has boosted trade in certain niche sectors like smart wearable and electronic products produced by Chinese enterprises. They are now welcomed by overseas consumers, fueled by a boom in cross-border e-commerce that has sent demand for air cargo transportation soaring.

With innovation enhancing consumer products and consumers pursuing lifestyles characterized by increasing use of "intelligent" products, competition in the global consumer electronics market has intensified, giving superior Chinese products, marked by intelligent and personalized designs, a clear edge, industry observers said.

This, in turn, is spurring the air cargo market. Guangzhou-based State-owned carrier China Southern Airlines said that in the past few years, the international air cargo market has experienced significant changes. A large part of traditional bulk trade cargo transportation has been replaced by cross-border e-commerce cargo transportation.

"The air cargo transportation market has been undergoing constant changes, and cross-border e-commerce business has driven the fast growth of demand for air cargo transportation," said Peter Gao, Boeing's vice-president for China commercial sales and marketing.

In 2023, China's imports and exports of cross-border e-commerce products were worth 2.38 trillion yuan ($328.3 billion), up 15.6 percent year-on-year. Products exported for cross-border e-commerce alone reached 1.83 trillion yuan, up nearly 20 percent year-on-year, according to the General Administration of Customs.

As e-commerce involves products that were not part of traditional trade, new trade models and transportation methods have arisen, spawning new requirements for China's international air cargo services and boosting the nation's capabilities.

For instance, products that contain lithium-ion batteries were hitherto classified as dangerous goods for air transportation. But now, cross-border e-commerce entails transportation of a large volume of such products.

In early June, China Southern operated its first cross-border chartered cargo flight that transported goods containing lithium-ion batteries from Guangzhou, Guangdong province, to London. Those products included electric fans and Bluetooth earphones, marking a breakthrough in China's air cargo transport.

The robust growth of China's cross-border e-commerce has necessitated new international air cargo routes. In late March, Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport launched a dedicated cross-border international freight route connecting Shenzhen, Guangdong province, with Budapest in Hungary. It is the first such route launched this year.

In early April, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport launched its first international air freight route connecting Chengdu, Sichuan province, with Oslo in Norway. The route focuses on transporting cross-border e-commerce products in small packages.
When a family sheltering in place from record-breaking flooding in northwest Iowa this weekend ran out of lifesaving seizure medication and insulin, state government officials and local agencies broke into action to deliver the medication.

Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia said in a news conference Sunday the agency was notified of the need through local emergency management. The agency worked with the Iowa State Patrol to find a pharmacist who could dispense the medications, who was busy sandbagging in town to block rising flood waters.

The trooper drove those medical items directly to the home in the middle of the night, Garcia said on Sunday. That family is safe and secure now, because of that coordination and because of the spirit of Iowans.

It was one of many examples of first responders, state agencies and officials in other states coordinating evacuations and responses this weekend to flooding in northwest Iowa that has left hundreds displaced from their homes and without power or access to running water.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Sunday submitted a request for a presidential disaster declaration to open up federal funding for 22 counties affected by the flooding. More flooding is expected this week, as the water recedes into the Missouri River and more rain is expected to pummel the state, officials said.

More than 1,900 homes were affected, damaged or destroyed across at least 22 counties, Reynolds said Sunday. More than 1,000 residents had to shelter overnight in churches and other areas set up by nonprofits and state agencies, officials said.

I can tell you the devastation is severe, and its widespread, Reynolds said. In almost every community impacted, the rivers crested several feet above record levels from the floods of 1993.

Ten water systems and 21 wastewater systems were damaged by the floods, Reynolds said.

Reynolds requests federal disaster declaration

Reynolds has requested an expedited presidential disaster declaration, which would make available federal assistance for individuals and for governments and nonprofits. It is the third federal emergency declaration Reynolds has requested in less than two months, following damaging tornadoes in southwest and central Iowa in May.

Reynolds is requesting public assistance  which allows governments and some nonprofits to access federal grants  for 22 counties, and for individual assistance in nine of those counties. Individual assistance allows residents who lost property or income because of the disaster to receive federal aid.

Reynolds has issued a state disaster proclamation for the same 22 counties, which opens up the state individual assistance program for residents of those counties. She said Sunday she expects that number to expand as the floodwaters move south.

According to Reynolds disaster request, the cost of debris removal and emergency protective measures is estimated to be more than $8 million. The cost of damage to roads and bridges, buildings, utilities and other sources has not been estimated.

The state will also request disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding, said Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia. The program will allow families who arent usually covered by SNAP to receive those benefits, and allow residents to purchase hot, prepared meals with SNAP funds in affected counties.

More flooding on the way

The flooding likely isnt done: as the floodwaters run into the Missouri River, waters will rise along the western Iowa border, officials said. And more rain is forecast across the state this week, increasing the chances of severe flooding.

Iowa Department of Homeland Security Director John Benson said officials are also monitoring water levels and rain forecasts in eastern Iowa, where water has already been rising in the Mississippi River. Benson is holding a meeting with emergency responders in both areas on Monday, he said.

This is a very serious flood right now that were in, and its not going to cease. Its going to blossom across the state," Benson said.

The rain the region received over the last week was about eight times the average, said Donna Dubberke, the meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service in Des Moines. Rainfall later in the week is expected to stay over the state for longer than usual, increasing the chances of flooding in other parts of the state, she said.

The full impact of the upcoming rain isnt certain, Dubberke said.

Theres a lot of moving pieces here, a lot of things going on, and unfortunately just have to wait and see how the rain plays out and so we can know exactly how its going to impact the river system," she said.

How can I help with recovery from northwest Iowa floods?

State officials are working to set up ways for Iowans to donate money or supplies to the damaged region, Benson said. They will also set up pathways for people to volunteer.

In the coming days we will be putting out information  in terms of what's the correct place, if I want to donate up into Sioux County, who can I talk to, who can I donate money to, he said.

Benson said donating money, or volunteering time, is the most helpful way to assist the region, rather than donating goods.
The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) turned to the Bible while joining members of the public in opposing the Finance Bill 2024.

In a statement, the NCCK noted that the bill has drawn significant public attention and debate, with the youth actively leading the resistance against its harsh taxation provisions.

The council stated that it has been vocal in demanding changes to the problematic sections of the bill, but their message has not been heeded.

Kenyans across the board feel that the church could do more and not be silent when injustice is being enacted by Parliament, the statement read.

Having presented memoranda to Members of Parliament, it is now prudent that we take the message of peace and justice to the church platforms, primarily the pulpit.

The Council issued five sermon guides based on 10 Bible verses that oppose the Finance Bill 2024

By sharing these sermons, the NCCK and its member churches said they aim to contribute to justice, peace, resilience, and the sustainability of the nation, ensuring peoples voices are heard.

The first theme, Enhancing Productivity, references Isaiah 35:3-4 and Proverbs 24:27. The NCCK emphasized that the primary purpose of government and social structures is to provide hope and opportunities for people to build their lives and be productive. They questioned whether the Bill promotes productivity when it increases taxes through the Eco Levy, Excise Duties, and taxes on creative arts and other hustles.

The second message focused on Being Fair in Taxation, citing 1 Timothy 6:10, Luke 16:13, and Nehemiah 6:3-4. The NCCK noted that the Bible warns against the love of money, which can negatively impact individuals, societies, and governments. They questioned if the Kenyan government is exhibiting an uncontrolled love of money by proposing a Finance Bill that primarily focuses on increasing taxes to generate more revenue.

The third theme was Being Just When Making Laws and Policies, with references to Isaiah 10:1-3 and Matthew 23:23. The NCCK asserted that God expects leaders to practice justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

They raised concerns about whether the Finance Bill 2024 meets these standards, citing proposals that deny Kenyans their right to privacy, entrench the Affordable Housing Levy, and introduce taxes on sugarcane transportation. They also questioned the justice of imposing new taxes on motor vehicle owners and raising the prices of basic commodities like bread, diapers, sanitary pads, and packaging materials.

The fourth message, Making Life Easier, Not Harder, cited Ezekiel 34:18 and Matthew 23:4. The churches criticized the increase in taxes on money transfer services, stating it places a heavy burden on people trying to manage their limited resources. They also highlighted that higher data costs would hinder young people seeking jobs online.

The final theme, titled Listen, Else You Destroy the Nation, referenced 1 Kings 12:1-16. The NCCK emphasized the need for the government, especially His Excellency the President, to listen to the people. They highlighted that people are enduring difficult times and voicing their concerns, warning that ignoring these voices can lead to the destruction of nations.

The NCCK urged Parliament to reject the current Finance Bill 2024 and instruct the Treasury to draft a new bill focused on improving the welfare and livelihoods of the Kenyan people.
Striking clinical officers have denounced the killing of Rex Kanyike by police and pledged to provide medical services during planned countrywide anti-finance bill protests.

The Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO), updating on the ongoing 84-day medic strike, expressed regret over the death of the 29-year-old, stating that timely and expert intervention could have saved his life.

George Gibore announced that their officers would be on the ground to assist injured protestors.

Kenyas Gen Zs have declared a seven-day protest to demand justice for Rex and to urge the government to reject the Bill, which has already passed its second reading.

REXs life would have been if there had been timely and expert intervention. In this regard, we shall provide and coordinate medical emergency response teams in all affected counties during demonstrations to ensure timely medical intervention and prevent loss of life, Gibore affirmed.

He criticized the police for alleged brutality against peaceful protestors.

Also, while Article 37 of the Constitution provides every Kenyan with the right to assemble, picket, demonstrate and present petitions to public authorities, we have observed clear harassment and battering of protesters by the very police who are expected to secure them as they exercise their rights, he said.

We condemn this excessive use of force and demand the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators, he added.

The clinicians also voiced concerns about the controversial bill and proposed budget cuts, criticizing government priorities as misguided.

We are also displeased by the intended reduction of budgets targeting essential sectors such as health, education, defence among others following proposed amendments. It is a clear indication of lopsided priorities by the current regime, he emphasized.
A Kenyan force will leave for Haiti on Tuesday, June 25 to lead a UN-backed mission to tackle gang violence, despite court challenges against it, government and police sources said Sunday.

Kenya offered to send about 1,000 police officers to stabilize Haiti alongside personnel from several other countries, but the deployment has faced legal challenges.

President William Ruto has been an enthusiastic supporter of the mission and stated this month that the deployment would begin within weeks.

The departure is this week on Tuesday, an interior ministry official said on condition of anonymity.

Preparations are set for the team to depart for Haiti on Tuesday. We already have two advance teams that left  one last week and another one yesterday, a senior police official added.

A UN Security Council resolution in October approved the mission, but a Kenyan court in January delayed the deployment. The court ruled that the Kenyan government had no authority to send police officers abroad without a prior agreement.

The government secured that agreement on March 1, but a small opposition party in Kenya filed a fresh lawsuit to try to block it.

Last week, President Ruto held pivotal talks with the Haiti Transitional Presidential Council, chaired by Engineer Edgard Leblanc Fils.

The discussions aimed to establish robust communication channels to support Haiti in its ongoing quest for peace and stability.

Kenya is a firm believer in the shared global values of multilateralism as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, Ruto stated.

He added, We will safeguard shared principles of humanity that enable us to advance peace, security, and stability.

President Rutos discussions followed a meeting between Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and Haiti Police official Joachim Prohete at the National Police Service (NPS) headquarters in Nairobi on Tuesday, June 18.

Other countries that have expressed willingness to join the mission include Benin, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, and Chad.

The United States is providing funding and logistical support.
Juja MP George Koimburi claimed on Sunday that legislators were offered Kes.2 million to vote yes on the Finance Bill, which advanced to the second reading on Thursday.

Koimburi, one of the 114 members of parliament who voted against the Bill, asserted that MPs were offered money to pass the legislation, which sparked #OccupyParliament protests last week.

Speaking at the AIPCA Ndururumo Church in Juja constituency, the lawmaker claimed that he declined the bribe and voted against the bill.

We were offered money you saw how they carried money in sacks. We were told that for every yes vote, we would receive Kes. 2 million, he said.

Koimburi statied that he could not in good conscience support a bill he believes will harm the public.

The MP also condemned police brutality during the anti-Finance Bill protests in Nairobi. He accused law enforcement of heavy-handed tactics, which have resulted in injuries and two reported deaths.

Furthermore, Koimburi issued a stark warning about the possible consequences of the Finance Bill being passed and signed into law by the president.

He cautioned that as youth become increasingly disenfranchised and frustrated by the economic hardships imposed by such legislation, they might resort to drastic measures, including widespread unrest.

If this bill passes, the youth may burn the country, he warned.
The government has assured parents that their school-going children will receive full insurance coverage under the new Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which is set to replace NHIF.

Muthoni Muriuki, the PS for Public Health and Professional Standards, stated that the Primary Healthcare Fund under the new scheme will extend coverage to learners and their households.

Since 2018, learners have been covered under EduAfya, introduced following a directive from former President Uhuru Kenyatta to provide insurance for learners in public secondary schools nationwide, facilitated by the Ministry of Education.

Speaking at St. Bakhita Kiburia Girls in Kianyaga, Kirinyaga County, during a prize-giving day ceremony, the PS urged parents to ensure timely registration of their households once the program launches, emphasizing that it will ensure no adult or child is denied healthcare services due to lack of funds.

Regarding education, Muriuki underscored the crucial role parents play as close confidants to their children, aside from paying school fees. She encouraged parents to communicate and guide their children effectively in a language they understand best.

To the parents and guardians, your role in this success cannot be overstated. Your encouragement, support and involvement in your childrens education have been vital. You have created an environment that fosters learning and growth ensuring that your children have every opportunity to succeed, she said

The PS affirmed the government commitment in providing quality education, calling on all stakeholders and partners including the church and banking sector to provide all the support they can.

To members of the community, your support for these students is invaluable. Whether through partnerships, resources or simply showing up to events like this, your involvement helps create a thriving educational ecosystem. Together we are building a brighter future for our young generation and consequently our country Kenya, noted Muriuki.

We must remain committed to providing our students with the best possible educational experiences. This means investing in our schools, supporting our teachers and creating an environment, where every student can thrive. It means embracing innovation, fostering inclusivity and ensuring that no student is left behind, she added.
President William Ruto spoke out about the ongoing protests by Kenyan youths over the Finance Bill 2024, praising Kenyan youth for taking a stand in matters of the country.

Speaking in Nyahururu on Sunday, Ruto expressed pride in the young people for stepping forward tribeless and peacefully to be counted.

He acknowledged that their actions are part of their democratic duty and stated that his administration will engage them on their concerns.

The President emphasized that, together with the youth, his government will work to build a better country.

Our young people have stepped forward to engage on the affairs of their country. They have done a democratic duty to stand and be recognized and I want to tell you that we are going to have a conversation with you so that we can identify your issues and we can work together as a nation and streamline your issues.

I am very proud of our young people. They have stepped forward tribeless, they have stepped forward peacefully and I want to tell them we are going to engage so that together we can build a better nation. What I want to assure them is that we are concerned about their issues, Ruto said.

He added that in the coming financial year, they have set aside funds to create employment opportunities for the youth and to provide access to TVET and university education.

The President and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, attended the church service at the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Diocese of Nyahururu for the Consecration and Enthronement of Rev. Maj. Samson Mburu Gachathi as the 3rd Bishop of the Diocese.

During the event, youth demonstrators gathered outside the church and began chanting protest songs. Watch below;
A nurse works at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in a hospital in Suqian City, east China's Jiangsu Province, May 12, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

As part of its efforts to deepen reform of medical and healthcare systems, China will act to deliver better and easier access to public medical and healthcare services, especially at the primary level, and reduce patients' financial burdens this year.

At a national conference on China's health development and deepening healthcare reform that ended Sunday, policymakers and practitioners discussed topics including public hospital reforms, drug supply, and medical insurance.

China has released a list of healthcare reform tasks for 2024, proposing measures concerning public healthcare services, the development of public hospitals, and drug reform.

The country will continue enhancing its public healthcare service capacity at the primary level, deepen reform of the payment system at public hospitals, and improve its healthcare insurance systems to better meet people's needs and reduce their medical costs, according to the document.

This year's reform will also give more weight to matters such as medical technological progress, multi-tiered diagnosis and treatment, and digitalized services, said Zhu Hongbiao, an official with the National Health Commission, at the conference.

Addressing the problem of high medical expenditures has been an important part of China's medical and healthcare reform. To that end, China has launched nine rounds of bulk drug procurement programs since 2018 and gradually expanded the price reform of medical services.

It is expected that the bulk purchase program will cover 500 medications this year, and pilot price reforms of medical services will be carried out in three provincial-level regions, according to health authorities.
Able Flight student Natallia Mirashnichenka at the controls of the Vashon Ranger Light Sport airplane, with SIU Aviations David Nelson, is part of a program to train people with physical disabilities to become licensed pilots. Below: The first SIU Aviation-Able Flight class is, in front, student Natallia Mirashnichenka, and back row, from left, SIU Aviations Victoria Mathieu, Miguel Marroquin and David Nelson, students Jordan Sprague, Andrew Daigneau and Ian Azeredo, and SIU Aviations Zachary Martine. Not pictured is Able Flight student Jake Simmons. (Photos by Russell Bailey)

Able Flight, SIU Aviation help student pilots with disabilities find their wings

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Ian Azeredo smiled while discussing a recent day that he successfully soloed and landed a specially adapted Vashon Ranger Light Sport airplane at Southern Illinois Airport as part of the Able Flight program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Nearly five years earlier on July 4, 2019, Azeredo was involved in a quickly intensifying and ultimately catastrophic skydiving accident  impacting the ground at 70 mph and bouncing 67 feet  and resulting with him spending two months in a coma and nine months in the hospital. In the recovery and rehabilitation that followed, Azeredos determination and meeting challenges in incremental steps led him to SIUs School of Aviation and another success.

In recalling his landings in the Vashon Ranger, Azeredo, who is from Ringwood, New Jersey, said, You are looking at that landing, and its that situation of, Here I am again. Heres that situation that nearly killed me. Can I do this effectively? And I did it! Its been like eight times so far that Ive been able to come back and safely succeed at a practice that almost put me in my grave years ago.

Azeredo is one of five students at SIU Carbondale since late May enrolled in Able Flight, a national nonprofit program for people with disabilities to become licensed pilots certified to operate light sport aircraft. The students received scholarships through Able Flight and have been staying in university housing. The training for Azeredo, Natallia Mirashnichenka, Jake Simmons, Andrew Daigneau and Jordan Sprague is expected to conclude this week.

Media availability

Reporters, photographers and camera crews interested in interviewing SIU Aviation training staff and Able Flight students should contact Victoria Mathieu, associate instructor, SIU Aviation, at 618-453-9238 or victoria.mathieu@siu.edu or Charles Stites, Able Flight executive director, at 919-942-4699 or cstites@ableflight.org to make arrangements.

Mirashnichenka, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Belarus now living in New York City, competed in the 50m butterfly both as a Paralympian and for her Baruch College womens swimming team. Mirashnichenka, who works in finance, learned of Able Flight after being told by a private flight instructor during a lesson that there was most likely no way she would be able to pilot a plane.

Everybody who is involved in the program making it possible for us to safely pilot an airplane is quite impressive, she said. After starting the training, I realized the great amount of effort it took to create this opportunity so that we can learn to pilot a plane safely. The fact that this program is happening is a miracle.

Ive always liked heights, so I tried skydiving before, Mirashnichenka said, adding that piloting a plane was a bit scary when you are not used to all the unusual attitudes. She is looking into the possibilities of continuing to fly once the program is over.

Its very exciting when you start learning to operate an airplane, and you see that you can actually do it.

Jordan Sprague, who is from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a 2023 high school graduate and has a family history of pilots. He started working on a private pilot course and learning the fundamentals of flying when he learned about the program.

This is an amazing program, especially for people with disabilities who may not receive their medical FAA clearance or not have the opportunity to pursue their dream, he said.

This is a very exhilarating course. It has allowed me to do things that I never thought I would do, he said. There is a feeling when you are up there that is simply unimaginable. I just love it.

For Andrew Daigneau, who is from South Bend, Indiana, aviation is also in his family, with his father, uncle and a grandfather all pilots. Daigneau graduated in finance from the University of Notre Dame on May 19 and immediately came to the program.

I had always wanted to fly, he said. I always thought that it would be more of a hobby of mine rather than a career since I was interested in business. After my accident, I wasnt so sure that was going to happen.

Daigneau said the experience has been a good perspective shift for me to see some of the people with similar conditions and who are getting after it in life and who are trying to continue to further themselves and chasing their goals.

Its also been encouraging for me. Part of what happens after an injury like this is finding the balance between pushing for more and accepting the world now.

Daigneau added that the pace and progression from learning to fly and being the first student to fly solo and feeling comfortable doing so was in just about three weeks, and he credits the instructors.

I know this is new for the instructors, too, dealing with adaptive airplanes and adaptive students, he said. Its been wonderful. They have been great. I have really enjoyed going through this process with them.

Model students

SIU instructors Victoria Mathieu and Zachary Martine are two of the teachers who trained in the adaptive planes. Mathieu praised the students for their work, noting several of them had flown solo already. Some had a little bit of aviation experience while it was an introduction for others, she said.

Everybody is on a good pace to finish up on time, Mathieu said.

The adaptive controls in the planes are different than in a regularly fitted private plane but largely have the same handling characteristics and top out at about 100 mph, Martine said. The key is to go low and slow and enjoy flying for the purpose of flying.

The students want to be here, he said. They have been putting the leg work in, and they are model students.

Able Flight-SIU relationship

Adding an Able Flight program to SIU is part of the universitys long history of serving students with disabilities.

Able Flight considered several factors when evaluating the possibility of a long-term relationship with SIU Aviation, said Charles Stites, who founded the incorporated nonprofit in 2006. Able Flight provided SIU with two planes in late March that the university can use when it is not instructing Able Flight students.

In addition to the quality of training the students received, how disabled students would be welcomed to campus and the airport training facility also played a role, he said.

This program is intensive and demanding not just on our pilots but on the staff providing the training, he said. And everything we have seen to this point indicates that SIU is not only providing professional level training; it is also providing a welcoming and supportive environment.

It speaks well of SIU that when flexibility was needed in developing training schedules that aren't typical of a university semester-based program, and when the students needed a different housing option, the aviation training staff and university administration stepped forward and came up with good, workable solutions. That was a positive indication of their investment in bringing people with a physical disability into aviation.

Azeredo also credited the instructors for keeping them engaged and trying to be better, not just adequate.

Its about becoming a master of our craft, he said. In the six weeks we have been here, they have really turned us into that, and we are becoming effectively craftsmen of flying, not just doing it safely, not just doing it adequately. Its been about doing this surgically and intentionally.

That kind of progress can only happen when a university like SIU opens its doors to people who just want an equal opportunity to prove they belong in aviation, Stites said.

Community support

The students mentioned the support they have received while at the aviation facilities and in the community. Mirashnichenka met members of the SIU swim team while working out at the Student Recreation Center.

The instructors and the aviation program really put a lot of dedication into this, beyond what was asked, Azeredo said. They invested a lot of their own personal time and energy into this and that speaks to the organization that is behind this. Everyone we have met all along has been really supportive. I came into this not knowing anything about Southern Illinois; Im straight up pleased with what weve seen.

(Editors note: Mirashnichenka is pronounced Meera-shnee-chenka, Daigneau is pronounced Dag-no and Azeredo is pronounced As-Err-Aye-Doe.)
SIU debate/political experts: Presidential debate likely to vex voters

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  While the format for the nations first 2024 presidential debate Thursday night between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will be different, Southern Illinois University Carbondale experts in debate and politics anticipate the same rhetoric between the two candidates.

I do not expect an edifying or uplifting debate, said John Shaw, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute director. It is likely to expand and deepen the frustration that many Americans have about their choices for president in November. There is very little chance that Americans will leave this debate and feel more confident or hopeful about the nations short-term future.

Todd Graham, professor of debate in the School of Communication Studies and a regular contributor and debate expert for CNN and CNN Opinion, said he also anticipates a terrible debate; lots of flaws, noting neither candidate has had debate practice in four years.

But I think the new rules will amplify any poor policy answers and lack of knowledge better than the old way, he said.

Kenneth Mulligan, an associate professor of political science in the School of Anthropology, Political Science and Sociology, said academic research on presidential debates tends to show that debates do not usually affect the outcome of presidential elections, although they can, and have, when the election is close.

Media availability

Todd Graham is professor of debate in SIUs School of Communication Studies, where his debate teams have won five national titles. He has been analyzing presidential debates for more than 20 years and is a regular contributor and regular debate expert for CNN and CNN Opinion. He can be reached at 314-495-7278 or at tgraham@siu.edu or toddgraham101@gmail.com.

Kenneth Mulligan is an associate professor of political science in SIUs School of Anthropology, Political Science and Sociology. His research and teaching involve American political behavior, media and politics, and public opinion. He can be reached at 618-201-9634 and kmulliga@siu.edu.

John Shaw, director, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, spent 26 years in Washington, D.C., covering Congress and economic issues for Market News International before his arrival at SIU Carbondale in 2018. He has been a guest on the PBS NewsHour and C-SPAN. He can be reached at 618-453-4009 or

The 90-minute June 27 debate in CNN studios in Atlanta will feature new details that most viewers and candidates are not accustomed to since the 1976 televised debate between then-President Gerald Ford and candidate Jimmy Carter.

Among the debate rules:

No opening statements.

Candidates microphones are muted until it is their turn to speak, and each has two minutes to respond to a question.

There is no studio audience, and the respective campaign staffs cannot speak or interact with their candidate until the end of the debate, including during two commercial breaks.

No pre-written notes are allowed, although candidates will be given a pen, paper and water.

Biden needs to hit the mark

Graham said the guidelines were set up in an effort to avoid the crosstalk and interruptions by the two men in the first 2020 debate.

I think it will work somewhat, but anytime you try something out the first time, you should expect stuff to go wrong, he said, adding that a lack of audience will hurt Trump more than people understand. He needs that.

Graham said that recent articles show that Biden is taking debate preparation more seriously and that Biden had a chance to answer all of the critics with a good, robust energetic informative debate. He needs to hit the mark.

Mulligan said research also suggests that candidates win debates by exceeding voters expectations.

Campaigns know this, Mulligan said. In this debate, if these candidates are rational, then one might expect Trump would make an effort to appear statesmanlike and Biden would strive for lucidity.

Candidates sniping at one another

Shaw, meanwhile, said he expects Biden to prepare carefully both in terms of policy and in seeking ways to get under Donald Trumps skin.

I suspect that he will use the term, convicted felon to describe Trump at every opportunity. Biden wants to project calm maturity, but he also must show energy and forcefulness, Shaw added. The single greatest obstacle to his re-election is the view of many that Biden is too old and lacks the mental acuity and physical stamina for four more years in the White House.

As for Trump, Shaw said he doesnt expect Trump to prepare for the debate in any substantive way, but he may practice some of his lines of attack.

I suspect that he will try to mitigate his status as a convicted felon by pouncing on Hunter Bidens recent conviction, Shaw said. He will certainly blame his multiple criminal indictments and his recent conviction on the Deep State and Biden justice department. I expect Trump to focus more on his problems than on the nations challenges or its future.

A second presidential general election debate is set for Sept. 10 and will be hosted by ABC.
NewsVoir Nagpur (Maharashtra)/ New Delhi [India], June 24: As the nation celebrated the 10th International Yoga Day, Nagpur-based startup, Habuild, celebrated and created a new World Record on Friday, 21st June, 2024. The habit-building wellness platform that focuses on consistency, set a World Record by making 5,99,162 people perform yoga asanas with them. To generate excitement and encourage maximum number of people to be a part of this eventful celebration, the brand conducted a 21-Day Free Yoga Challenge ahead of the International Yoga Day to add to the spirit of the day. The aim of the habit building and holistic wellness brand, Habuild, is to inspire people from different walks of life to come together in maximum numbers and make yoga a habit. The free yoga option is to encourage people to be motivated to work out and decide to go in for a subscription only once they are sure about being regular. Not just this, the brand intends to plant 25,000 trees owing to the number of referrals received. The team promised to plant 1 tree for every 5 referrals received prior to the day of creating the Yoga Day World Record. Voicing his happiness, Saurabh Bothra, CEO & Certified Yoga Instructor, Habuild said, "This time, my expectations were surpassed. Nearly six lakh people joined the challenge, with around two lakh participants showing up for the morning batch alone at 6:30 am! I am immensely grateful to everyone who participated in the challenge shared the challenge details with their loved ones, and continue to trust us. It is because of you that we could make this world record possible. Yoga is creating a significant global impact, and now is the time to make it a habit. Our ultimate goal is to make yoga a household staple in the world of exercise. The theme for Habuild's 21-day free yoga challenge is #HarGharYoga, a reflection of our mission to make yoga accessible to everyone. This is just the beginning!" The ongoing 21-Day Free Yoga Challenge is getting a lot of traction from across the world with Yoga enthusiasts enrolling from diverse realms of life. Additionally, the wellness brand has grown exponentially in the last 1 year with an increased interest from regions such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Delhi along with many Tier 2 and 3 cities. The participants in the historic event came from 92 different countries across the globe, especially North America, Singapore, Middle East to name a few. This ongoing yoga challenge commenced on June 10, 2024 and it remains open to all participants, free of cost, until June 30, 2024. The official team of World Records Union invigilated the prestigious event. The officials declared that 5,99,162 participants were part of the event and celebrated the importance of Yoga and well-being on a global scale. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
According to a press release, this facility, designed to produce multiple drug substances, will now commence the production of biosimilar Bevacizumab, enhancing the company's capacity to meet the growing demand for biologics across European markets.

This EMA approval is a significant milestone for Biocon Biologics, as it underscores the company's commitment to delivering high-quality biologics on a global scale.

The newly approved facility in Bengaluru had previously received EMA clearance in September 2022 to manufacture biosimilar Trastuzumab, further establishing its role as a key player in the biosimilars market.

In addition to the new facility approval, Biocon Biologics also announced that the EMA has renewed its Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certificates of Compliance for its biosimilars manufacturing site in Bengaluru and its insulin manufacturing facility in Malaysia.

These certificates, issued by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) of Ireland on behalf of the EMA, affirm the company's adherence to the highest standards of manufacturing quality and regulatory compliance.

"These GMP certifications across our manufacturing sites in India and Malaysia reflect Biocon Biologics' continued compliance with the highest standards of quality and our unwavering commitment to addressing patient needs globally," said a company spokesperson.

The EMA approval of the Bengaluru facility for biosimilar Bevacizumab comes at a crucial time when the demand for affordable and effective biologics is on the rise.

Bevacizumab, commonly used in the treatment of various cancers, including colorectal, lung, and kidney cancer, is a critical therapeutic option for many patients.

The addition of this manufacturing capability will enable Biocon Biologics to significantly increase its production capacity, thereby improving access to essential medicines across Europe and beyond. (ANI)
PRNewswire Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 24: INSILLION, a leading Insurtech SaaS platform, has announced a significant partnership that will transform the way travel insurance is delivered. Royal Sundaram General Insurance (RSGI), a prominent Property & Casualty insurer based in India, has integrated with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) to enable embedded Group Personal Accident (GPA) policies to be offered alongside e-ticket purchases through INSILLION's API platform. IRCTC is a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railways in India and operates one of the largest travel websites in the Asia-Pacific region. It has over 12 million unique visitors per month, making it one of India's most visited websites. In a notable achievement, during a high-traffic day, RSGI has issued 6,40,000 policies covering over 1.4 million passengers, with a peak hourly rate of 30 policies per second during the Tatkal rush period. To meet the stringent requirements of a highly scalable solution, RSGI partnered with INSILLION to rapidly launch an embedded insurance offering leveraging their API platform and cloud architecture. Sai Lakshmidar, Chief Product Officer at INSILLION, highlighted the technical complexity, stating, "To deliver a seamless user experience, the underlying technology architecture must be robust. Scaling to meet extreme demand was the crucial challenge that required rethinking our entire approach. Enabling this integration with RSGI was an invaluable learning experience in optimising for high-availability through Amazon Web Services Cloud to embed fixed-benefit products." Dheepak Rajoo, Chief Information Officer at RSGI, summed it up perfectly. He said, "Our collaboration with INSILLION allowed us to successfully implement a highly scalable solution with minimal investment, empowering us to capitalise on the embedded insurance opportunity through the IRCTC portal." About INSILLION INSILLION is a market-leading provider of insurance sales and underwriting technology solutions across India, the MENA region and APAC, and is now expanding into North America. With over two decades of industry experience, more than 40 global insurance carriers have chosen INSILLION to modernise, transform and scale their operations. INSILLION empowers carriers and MGAs with a cloud-based, low-code/no-code platform driven by APIs, enabling the rapid creation and distribution of insurance products. For more information, please visit: https://us.insillion.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2340201/4775203/Insillion_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)
ATK New Delhi [India], June 24: In a remarkable display of talent and storytelling, 5 students from a design college in Mumbai, hosted a captivating film screening event at Apshinge (Military) village in Maharashtra's Satara district, that left audiences spellbound. The feature-length documentary 'Chhava', produced by Worldwide Photoworks, received a thunderous applause at its debut showing. The film, a labour of love by second-year design students Arman Shaikh, Anurag Srijit, Deep Kadam, Kshitij Jagdale, and Azzam Khan, was created under the adept mentorship of Prof. Sudeep Mehta, who also serves as the executive producer. 'Chhava' takes audiences on a moving journey to Apshinge (Military), a place where the spirit of service and sacrifice fills every household. For over 400 years, from the days of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to the modern Indian Armed Forces, the villagers have been illustrious participants in key historical and modern conflicts, including the two World Wars, the Indo-China and Indo-Pak Wars, and the operations of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's Azad Hind Sena. The screening was an undeniable success, drawing a diverse crowd of over 400 villagers that ranged from cinephiles and historians to veterans and active military personnel. The documentary was praised for its intimate portrayal of the military families, highlighting the personal and communal resilience of those who live in the shadow of war yet shine as beacons of bravery. Audience members were visibly moved by the film. "It's a heart-touching narrative that not only educates but also connects you deeply with the unsung heroes of Apshinge. Many have visited and filmed our village, including National Geographic, some colleges and media houses but none have captured the emotion as these students did," said Tushar Nikam, Sarpanch of Apshinge (Military), a sentiment echoed by many others. Anand Suryavanshi, a Kargil War hero said, "This documentary brings out stories that are seldom heard but immensely powerful. It's an emotional tribute to the bravery and unyielding spirit of us soldiers." Vikram Ghadge, an Ex-Army instructor, who now runs an academy, training future candidates for the Indian Armed Forces, said, "This film has not only garnered honours for our village in Maharashtra and India but also all over the world and we are extremely thankful to the filmmakers for this." Prof. Sudeep Mehta shared his thoughts during the post-screening discussion, saying, "This project was about bringing to light the untold stories of valour and sacrifice, of the battle that is fought off field. We usually see cinemas talking about the bravery of our soldiers guarding our nation but there is an equal part played by their families. We strived to showcase this other side of their resilience. Our students have done a magnificent job in capturing the essence of Apshinge's legacy, and the response tonight is overwhelming." The filmmakers were stunned by the response from the villagers. Anurag Srijit, one of the directors said, "This film completely changed our perspective. We learned storytelling in various forms as getting a regional Marathi cinema and its true emotions to be understood and appreciated by the audiences globally is quite challenging." With its successful local debut, 'Chhava' is now poised to make its mark on the global stage, beginning with its nomination at New York Film Awards. The film has already won numerous awards and nominations in 7 countries globally. This milestone marks the start of a promising film festival circuit journey that hopes to bring the tales of Apshinge's warriors to a worldwide audience. The film not only showcases the capabilities of these young filmmakers but also serves as a reminder of the personal costs of war and the undying spirit of the families of the armed forces. As 'Chhava' prepares to step onto international screens, it carries with it the hopes and stories of countless unsung heroes, waiting to be heard and honoured. This documentary stands as a testament to the power of youth-driven cinema and the enduring relevance of historical storytelling in understanding our present and inspiring our future. (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)
New Delhi [India], June 24: MRO services provider Haveus Aerotech India Ltd plans to open new facilities in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai in the coming months as part of its expansion plans, a top company official said. The company also looks to hire 350 persons to increase its headcount to around 500 employees from around 150 workers at present in the coming years.

The New Delhi-based MRO player recently announced the appointment of veteran aviation expert and former Air India Engineering Services CEO HR Jagannath on its board as director.

Haveus Aerotech plans a major expansion of its capabilities and facilities in different parts of India, Haveus Aerotech MD and CEO Anshul Bhargava told PTI.

"Some of the new upcoming facilities to be established are in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai in a few months," Bhargava said.

"We will increase our workforce to around 500 employees in coming years with the expansion of our facilities," he added.

The New Delhi-based company has recorded a nearly three-fold jump in net profit to Rs 15.69 crore in 2023-24 compared to Rs 5.68 crore in the year-ago period.

Revenue increased to Rs 45.22 crore in FY2023-24. ROI of the Company for the financial year also increased to 61 per cent.

The company's customer book is increasing day by day and discussions with various new customers are at the final stage, Bhargava said.

Haveus Aerotech CFO Rajendra Kumar Singh said, "The company has shown remarkable growth during last couple of years and we are committed to follow the trend in future also."

HaveUS Aerotech India is DGCA & EASA approved MRO. It offers comprehensive MRO services component rating C14: Landing gear (Wheels and Brakes), Specialised Services (D1): Non-Destructive Testing, Component Rating (C3): Radio, Component Rating (C15): Oxygen and Life saving equipment, Component Rating (C6): Avionics equipment, Component Rating (C5): Electrical power and lights to airline customers worldwide through its facility in Delhi, Gurgaon, Bengaluru and is planning major expansion drive across all major cities.

(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)
SMPL New Delhi [India], June 24: Ever since its inception in 2013, with its extraordinary academic supremacy, the esteemed K.R. Mangalam University (KRMU) has become a leader in higher education. With its academic excellence over the years, KRMU has carved a niche for itself, which is evident by a series of remarkable accolades and achievements it has received. At the heart of KRMU's success story lies its relentless dedication to providing exceptional academic programmes and instilling a culture of excellence in its students. It is this commitment that has earned the university widespread recognition and acclaim. Due to its commitment to shaping future business leaders and professionals, the university has been ranked as the No. 1 B-School in Haryana, according to the prestigious Times B-School Survey 2024 conducted by Optical Media Solutions, The Times of India. Furthermore, KRMU's exceptional placement records have been acknowledged by the same survey, in which it was ranked No. 1 for placements amongst all B-Schools in Haryana. Other than its achievements in the field of management, KRMU is well-known for its engineering and law education as well. According to the Business World Ranking 2022, the university was ranked No. 1 among all of Haryana's private engineering colleges and universities. Similarly, its law programme was recognised as No. 2 among all private law colleges and universities in the state. It's a matter of great pride for K.R. Mangalam University that, owing to his exemplary leadership, Abhishek Gupta, the chairman of K.R. Mangalam Group, has been acknowledged with two prestigious awards. Gupta was honoured with the Outstanding Leadership Award by Collegedunia for his visionary leadership and transformative contributions to the field of education. Additionally, he was also bestowed with the Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Education award by Optimal Media Solutions, The Times of India, recognising his relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation in education. Let's explore some of the other notable reasons that make K.R. Mangalam University the first choice among students seeking world-class higher education. Scholarships KRMU is offering up to a 100% scholarship worth 21 crore to deserving students taking admission in Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) programmes. This scholarship is given to help deserving and meritorious students get the best available education without any financial constraints. Study tour to Europe Every year, the university sends selected students on a study tour to a European university. 100% sponsored by the university, this tour aims to help its students learn about foreign cultures and get international exposure. Additionally, this tour provides students with practical insights and networking opportunities that can enrich their academic and professional pursuits in the long run. Placements The university has an outstanding placement record. With a team of more than 500 dedicated campus recruiters, it gives 100% placement assistance in all its 11 schools of education. Following are KRMU's Placement Highlights: * Highest package of Rs 36 LPA. * Over 500 dedicated campus recruiters. * 100% placement assistance. * More than 15,000 students have been placed till date. * Its alumni are placed and working all across the globe. * The top companies that paid their visit for placements include IBM, Google, Microsoft, Cipla, Paytm, ICICI Bank, IndiaBulls, KPMG, Wipro, Sun Pharma, Amazon, Dell, Siemens, Genpact, Kotak Mahindra Bank, JK Cement, The Oberoi Group, Marriott, Radisson Blu, The Leela, etc. Record-Breaking Registrations Proving its academic prowess, the K.R. Mangalam University has emerged as the most preferred university among students, as it received more than 6 lakh registrations for its UG and PG programmes as per CUET 2023 & 2024. Academic Partnerships and MOUs K.R. Mangalam University has academic partnerships and MOUs with top MNCs and Universities across the globe. Some of them are IBM, ACCA, Xebia, Imaginxp, Samatrix.io, Siemens, EC-Council, Safexpress, Middlesex University, University of Houston, Hubei University, University of Plymouth, German Varsity, University of Ferrara, etc. World-Class Facilities K.R. Mangalam University offers world-class facilities to its students. A few of them are: separate AC hostels for boys and girls, transport facilities to every part of Delhi-NCR, campus-wide Wi-Fi accessibility, smart classrooms, 24*7 CCTV surveillance, ICT-enabled classrooms, learning management systems, drone training, library management systems, enterprise resource planning tools, moot courts, a central instrumentation centre, a fully equipped gym, and more. With a legacy built on hard work, integrity, and academic rigour, K.R. Mangalam University is all set to scale even greater heights in the years to come. Be a part of this world of education, which not only nurtures the future of tomorrow but also makes them go-getters. Admissions are going on. Register Now! (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by SMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
OP Jindal University Tokyo [Japan], June 24: O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) released its Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2024 in Tokyo, Japan, during the India-Japan Higher Education Forum on 21st June 2024. The event was marked by the presence of His Excellency Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan, who officially released the report as a Chief Guest at the forum. This pivotal moment underscores the deepening relationship between India and Japan, particularly in the realms of education and sustainability. The release coincides with JGU's ongoing commitment to sustainability and international collaboration, especially through its engagement with leading Japanese universities. The SDR 2024 showcases JGU's significant strides in incorporating sustainable practices across its campus and curricula, emphasizing the university's role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Professor (Dr) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor of JGU, stated that, "We are delighted to have the global launch of JGU Sustainable Development Report 2024 in Japan to underscore the importance of India-Japan relations and to recognise the outstanding contributions of Japan in advancing SDGs and its national and international efforts to fulfil these goals. Our commitment to sustainability is integral to our educational philosophy. The SDR 2024 not only reflects our past accomplishments but also sets a dynamic pathway for future initiatives. It aligns closely with global sustainability trends and our aspirations to contribute positively to the global community. The international collaborations that we have built with 10 leading Japanese universities will also have a strong focus on issues relating to sustainability." Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Japan, highlighted universities' pivotal role in fostering strong India-Japan relations, emphasizing collaboration and academic exchange. He mentioned the important role being played by JGU though its proactive leadership in forging substantive academic collaborations with Japanese universities, setting a commendable example for universities and institutions of both the countries. The Ambassador underscored the importance of such initiatives in deepening cultural understanding and promoting bilateral cooperation between India and Japan. He also mentioned that we need to further increase and expand the higher education footprint in both the countries as the potential is immense and yet to be fully tapped. Over the past few months, JGU has formalized substantive partnerships with several leading Japanese universities, including the University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi Gakuin University, Hiroshima University, Ritsumeikan University, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Kansai Gakuin University, Kansai Gadai University and Ryukoku University. During the India-Japan Higher Education Forum held in Tokyo, JGU also entered into a formal partnership with the International Christian University (ICU), Japan in the distinguished presence of its President, Professor (Dr) Shoichiro Iwakiri by signing a Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration in the areas of higher education and research. Further, other notable partnerships for JGU in Japan includes the revered universities such as the University of Tokyo which are also being finalized. These collaborations aim to enhance academic exchanges, joint research projects, and dual degree programs, enriching the educational experience for students and faculty members from both the countries. The India-Japan Higher Education Forum also featured a panel discussion on the theme "Role of Universities in Fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals", bringing together senior academics and bureaucrats from across Japan. The forum highlighted the critical role educational institutions play in addressing and achieving SDGs, with discussions led by distinguished panellists and chaired by Professor (Dr) C. Raj Kumar. The other speakers in the forum were, Dr Sukehiro Hasegawa, Chair, Japan Commission on Global Governance; Professor (Dr) Kaori Hayashi, Executive Vice President, University of Tokyo; Professor (Dr) Nobuo Haruna, Vice President for International Affairs, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies; Professor Tetsuo Morishita, Vice President, Global Academic Affairs, Sophia University; Professor (Dr) Robin Sakamoto, Dean, Faculty of Foreign Studies, Kyorin University. This session was moderated by Professor Vesselin Popovski. "India and Japan share a profound connection through history and civilizational heritage that is rooted in mutual respect and aligned interests, particularly in education and sustainable development," Vice Chancellor, Professor (Dr) C. Raj Kumar remarked during the forum. He further mentioned that "our engagement with Japanese universities not only strengthens bilateral ties but also fosters a deeper understanding of sustainable practices and innovations in higher education and collaborative research." JGU's commitment to sustainability is evident in its curriculum, campus initiatives, and international partnerships. The university has introduced several sustainability-centric courses and workshops designed in collaboration with its Japanese academic partners. These initiatives support the university's green policies and encourage students to engage with global sustainability challenges. Professor Padmanabha Ramanujam, Dean of Academic Governance, JGU, commented, "The release of the JGU's SDR 2024 and the organization of the India-Japan Higher Education Forum underscores JGU's commitment to being at the forefront of global educational leadership and sustainability. As JGU continues to build on these foundations, it remains dedicated to fostering a sustainable future and enriching the academic landscape both in India and globally." "JGU's work on the SDGs has earned the university global recognition. In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024, JGU was ranked for 10 SDGs. JGU stood second among all the Indian universities for SDG 16 which is about peace, justice and strong institutions. Globally, JGU was ranked among the world's top 200 universities for SDG 12 and SDG 16 and among the top 400 for SDG 2, 5 and 6," Professor Ramanujam added. Professor (Dr) Akhil Bhardwaj, Associate Dean and Director, Office of International Affairs & Global Initiatives at JGU, commented, "Our collaboration with Japanese universities and institutions embodies our dedication towards creating a sustainable and interconnected academic world. Through these partnerships, we would offer our students and faculty a set of unique opportunities to engage with cutting-edge research and educational practices with leading Japanese universities and institutions." (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by OP Jindal University. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN New Delhi [India], June 24: Lawyered, India's leading legal tech startup, recently participated in the 3rd edition of the FADA Finance & Insurance Summit 2024 on June 14, held in Mumbai. The event was organized by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) where most of the leading figures of the automobile industry participated in a disseminating session where new prospects and challenging aspects of the automobile industry of India were deliberated mainly related to financing and insurance sectors. Lawyered, known for its Lawyer On The Spot (LOTS) services, was represented by Gautam Saraf, Chief Growth Officer and Samik Chaudhary business head of the company, presented their advanced legal solutions aimed at solving the relevant issues of auto dealers and their clients. "The FADA Finance & Insurance Summit was a great opportunity for us to interact with the right people in the automotive space. Taking a company perspective, financial and insurance solutions are core to the success of auto dealerships, and our legal technology tools and solutions targeting the industry aspire to make legal issues more manageable and create positive experiences for consumers," said Gautam Saraf. During the event, Lawyered unveiled their LOTS service, which provides instant on-road legal assistance with a network of over 70,000 lawyers available 24/7. LOTS addresses a wide range of issues, including traffic challans, accidents, theft, GST problems, and more. Unique features of LOTS are on-call resolution, local expertise, and end-to-end challan resolution Samik Chaudhary said, "The LOTS service has benefited vehicle owners substantially because they can seek legal assistance when circumstances warrant. Rather, through altering the relations connecting our solutions with the finance and insurance environment, we would like to make the interaction between auto dealers and their customers as beneficial and problem-free as possible." The FADA Finance & Insurance Summit 2024 featured prominent industry leaders, including Dr Venkatraman Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India, and Ramesh Iyer, Director of the Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC). The event also featured panel discussions sections such as: Dealership and Financial Strategies, New & Improved Insurance Solutions and Technical Revolutions. The Summit as an event, becomes a testimony of Lawyered's contribution which aims to be at the forefront of supporting and Promoting the automotive Industry of the Indian Market. In this way, where Lawyered is an expert in legal technology, it will help auto dealers and their clients have all the necessary legal documents quickly and efficiently. About Lawyered: Lawyered is a pioneering legal-tech startup dedicated to streamlining and addressing the complexities of on-road legal challenges for India's extensive vehicle population. With a vision to productize legal services as accessible Consumer Products through technology, Lawyered offers comprehensive support across the mobility spectrum, including cabs, bike taxis, and personal vehicles. Through its flagship offering, LOTS, Lawyered provides instant on-road legal assistance with a network of over 70,000 lawyers available 24/7. (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)
PNN Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 24: US-based watchmaker Timex Group commemorates their strong partnership with their Hyderabad based partner Kamal watches (Aparna Mall) through a special edition watches collection from Timex and Guess. At a grand celebration, popular Actor Sriya Reddy was invited to grace the occasion and unveil the special collection. Established in 1969 with its inaugural retail outlet in Abids, Hyderabad, Kamal Watch Company has expanded its presence to over 50 stores across 8 cities. With over 55 years of unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, the company has cemented its reputation as the "Best Watch Dealer" among customers. The opening of the new store at Aparna Mall reaffirms Kamal Watch Company's dedication to providing its valued customers with the finest selection of timepieces. Customers visiting the Kamal Watches store can explore the newly launched exclusive collection from Timex and Guess (Limited qty) and a variety of other watch brands. Kamal group also houses other brand collections of Timex group ie... Gc, Daniel wellington, Ferragamo & Versace featuring a range of designs that cater to diverse tastes. Deepak Chhabra, Managing Director, Timex India expressed, "Partnerships like these are reflective of Timex Group's values where people are at the core of our very foundation. We are delighted to have reached this milestone year with Kamal Watches and we look forward to closing on a century. Hyderabad is a very important market for us and the fashion forward consumer mindset enables us to bring more innovation and styles. With the special edition watches collection, our consumers are in for a complete treat." Timex Group India Ltd (TGIL) designs, manufactures, and markets innovative timepieces, and is part of Timex Group which is a privately held company headquartered in Middlebury, Connecticut with multiple operating units and over 3,000 employees worldwide. Apart from Timex, one of the leading watch brands in India, TGIL has a vast range of licensed brands like Versace, Guess, Guess Collection, Philip Plein, Plein Sport, Ferragamo, Nautica, Ted Baker, Adidas Original and UCB watches. It retails via over 5000 offline trade stores and key online marketplaces. TGIL also operates over 40 exclusive franchise stores under the umbrella of Just Watches and Timex World. (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)
Capital goods companies are projected to achieve a revenue increase of 9-11 per cent in fiscal 2025, building on the anticipated 13 per cent growth in fiscal 2024, according to a recent analysis by CRISIL Ratings. In an outlook for India's capital goods sector, leading manufacturers are poised for sustained double-digit revenue growth amidst robust government and private sector spending. Key drivers of this growth include substantial investments across critical sectors such as railways (including metros), defence, and both conventional and renewable energy segments. Government spending on railways surged by 28 per cent year-on-year in fiscal 2024, while defence saw a commendable 10 per cent increase. Concurrently, conventional sectors expanded their capital expenditure by 6-8 per cent, with renewable energy investments spiking by an impressive 18 per cent. The robust capital expenditure is underscored by the capital goods industry's order books, which have grown by over 15 per cent in fiscal 2024, amounting to 2.5-3.0 times their revenue. This surge in orders reflects a buoyant market demand and underscores the sector's pivotal role in India's infrastructure development. Aditya Jhaver, Director at CRISIL Ratings, highlighted the sector's resilience, stating, "Private sectors' continued capital outlays in conventional sectors (6-8 per cent on-year rise) supported by a ramp-up in the commissioning of renewable capacities (25-30 per cent on-year rise) augur well for the prospects of capital goods companies." He added, "Although investment towards railways and defence has moderated to ~5 per cent on-year4 from the highs of ~20 per cent seen last fiscal, development of metro infrastructure in multiple cities should see good traction. Net-net, we expect 9-11 per cent overall revenue growth for capital goods companies this fiscal." Moreover, the implementation of Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and emerging sectors like electric vehicles and data centers are expected to further drive growth. These sectors, which constituted approximately 10 per cent of investments in fiscal 2024, are projected to rise to 25 per cent by fiscal 2028. Joanne Gonsalves, Associate Director at CRISIL Ratings, emphasised the implications for capital goods manufacturers, noting, "Such increased business intensity would necessitate larger working capital requirements. Yet, the credit profile of capital goods manufacturers is likely to remain 'stable', as healthy accruals and moderate capital spends would support debt metrics." He added, "The debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation and interest coverage ratios of CRISIL Rated capital goods companies are expected to average 0.90-1 time and 9-10 times, respectively, over the near to medium term." While the outlook remains positive, potential delays in capital expenditures by end-user industries and the industry's ability to meet evolving technological demands in emerging sectors pose monitorable risks. (ANI)
NewsVoir Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 24: Experian India, a leading data analytics and decisioning company, has been recognised as one of the "India's Great Mid-size Workplaces 2024: Top 50" by Great Place to Work. This accolade highlights the company's dedication to fostering a dynamic, collaborative, and progressive work environment. Experian's commitment to an inclusive culture is built on the pillars of talent development and employee well-being. The "People First" approach prioritises the physical and mental wellness of employees. Flexible work arrangements help balance personal and professional growth, while family-friendly policies ensure the freedom to attend to family needs. Our work environment encourages employees to bring their whole selves to work, fostering a sense of belonging and support. Experian is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, focusing on empowering women in technology and leadership roles. Manish Jain, Country Managing Director, Experian India said, "At Experian, our people are our greatest asset, and this recognition is an honour to their dedication and hard work." "We are committed to providing a supportive and empowering environment where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Our success is driven by a culture that values continuous learning, innovation, and equity. By prioritising these values, we ensure that every employee has the opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute to the company's success. We will continue to invest in our people and their development, ensuring that Experian remains a place where everyone feels valued and inspired," said Manish. Great Place to Work's proprietary methodology and platform enable leaders to capture, analyse, and understand every employee's experience. Organisations are studied through two lenses: the 'Trust Index Survey', which measures the quality of employee experience and carries 75 percent weightage, and the 'Culture Audit' which measures the strength of leadership, values, and programs shaping employee journeys, contributing 25 per cent of the evaluation. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, chaired the sixth Pre-Budget Consultation with trade unions and labour organisations. During the session, labour unions voiced several pressing concerns and proposed reforms aimed at protecting employee rights, enhancing social welfare, and ensuring equitable economic growth. One of the primary issues raised was the recent reduction of penalties on defaulting employers without consulting the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). Union representatives argued that lenient penalties undermine worker protections and called for stricter enforcement measures. The unions also raised concerns on the impact of heavy haircuts by banks under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). They argued that the current system disproportionately affects workers, who often bear the brunt of financial restructuring at the expense of their job security and financial stability. The unions urged the government to consider alternative solutions that protect employee interests during corporate insolvencies. Another big concern of the unions was the alleged syphoning of funds from the Reserve Bank of India in the form of dividends to the union government. Recently, the RBI gave a record dividend of Rs 2.11 lakh crore to the central government. The unions highlighted the need for a more transparent and equitable distribution of funds, stressing that excessive government withdrawals could undermine the central bank's financial independence and stability. In addition to these issues, the unions called for the inclusion of fossil fuels under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework. They argued that the exclusion of fossil fuels from GST is an unjust anomaly that distorts market dynamics and hinders the development of a fair and comprehensive tax system. One of the key fiscal proposals put forward by the labour representatives was an increase in the corporate tax rate to mobilise resources for public spending. They criticised the recent cuts in corporate taxes as unjust and called for a reversal to ensure that businesses contribute their fair share to national development. The unions also advocated for the imposition of an inheritance tax on the super-rich; even a 1 percent tax ceiling on the super-rich will give substantial revenue to the government. They suggested that the revenue generated from this tax could be earmarked for critical social sectors such as education and healthcare, providing much-needed funding for public services that benefit the wider population. On personal taxation, the unions called for an income tax rebate for salaried individuals, arguing that such a measure would provide much-needed relief to the middle class amidst rising living costs. They also urged the government to significantly increase the gratuity amount, providing greater financial security to retiring workers. It also asked for the implementation of a statutory minimum pension of Rs 9,000 per month under the EPFO pension scheme. Union representatives argued that the current pension levels are inadequate to meet even the basic needs of retirees and called for a substantial increase to ensure a dignified life for pensioners. The unions also argued for ensuring a statutory Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farm produce, as recommended by the Dr MS Swaminathan Commission. They said that a guaranteed MSP is essential for protecting farmers' incomes and ensuring the sustainability of the agricultural sector. (ANI)
India PR Distribution New Delhi [India], June 24: Searching for the right fertility doctor is a crucial exercise for many hopeful parents. Are you curious to find out what sets the best fertility doctor in Hyderabad apart from the rest? This blog will walk you through the important factors that define a top-notch fertility specialist, and ultimately make your search a little easier. 1. Knowledge and Competence When searching for the best fertility doctor in Hyderabad, expertise and experience are crucial points to consider. A doctor with a strong educational background and a record of positive results in reproductive medicine practice will no doubt provide better and more scientific treatment methods. Experienced doctors are capable of dealing with complications better and are thus able to offer solutions which are more personalized. With the considerable experience, be it different fertility problems or methods of treatment, they can identify the most difficult cases and solve them efficiently. 2. In-Depth Knowledge and Skills The best fertility doctor in Hyderabad must be knowledgeable about the most recent developments in the medical field, particularly in reproductive medicine. Such a doctor should be able to perform procedures such as IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), and other assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) to a great degree. 3. Empathy and Compassion Fertility treatments can be emotionally taxing. However, it is essential that the fertility doctor showcases compassion and sympathy towards the patients. 4. Good Communication Skills Effective communication remains an essential part of every medical procedure. Fertility doctors are supposed to use simple language in explaining the treatments, because they know that medical jargon can confuse the patients in the process. The best fertility doctor in Hyderabad is the one who ensures that the queries of his or her patients are addressed in a simple manner. 5. Personalized Approach Every patient's fertility journey is unique. As a result, the treatment must be personalized as well. The best fertility doctor in Hyderabad will invest his time and effort into understanding the situation, medical history, and personal preferences of each patient. They will formulate a treatment plan that is specific to the patient's needs and goals. 6. Strong Support Team The best fertility doctor in Hyderabad will work closely with an expert team that supports him. It frequently happens that this team includes nurses, embryologists, and counsellors. A competent team will be able to furnish comprehensive care to the patient from the moment of diagnosis to the treatment delivery. 7. Transparency and Honesty From a fertility doctor, two of the key qualities to keep in mind are transparency and honesty. The best fertility doctor in Hyderabad will share with their patients clear information about the success rates, potential risks, and treatment costs. They will also be very clear and honest in the situation and will set realistic expectations for their patients. 8. Accreditation and Affiliations Accreditation and professional affiliations are indicators of a doctor's credibility. The best fertility doctor in Hyderabad should be a member of distinguished medical organizations and must adhere to the guidelines and best practices prescribed in the course of reproductive medicine. 9. Patient Reviews and Testimonials Reading the reviews and testimonials shared by the previous patients will shed light on the quality of the fertility treatment provided by the specific doctor and the clinic. While no doctor can guarantee success, consistent positive feedback may be a good indication of a doctor's expertise. 10. Accessibility and Availability Accessibility and availability are practical considerations when choosing the best fertility doctor in Hyderabad. Patients must keep in mind the clinic's location, the ease of scheduling appointments, and the doctor's availability for consultations and follow-ups. Final Thoughts Selecting the top fertility doctor in Hyderabad can be an overwhelming task. However, it is important to find a doctor who will support you in your fertility journey. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN New Delhi [India], June 24: OCEEDEE, a bridge-to-luxury, modern Indian footwear brand, is thrilled to announce its expansion into the Southeast Asia market. Renowned for its impeccable craftsmanship, contemporary designs, and commitment to comfort, OCEEDEE aims to bring its unique blend of Indian craftsmanship and modern aesthetics to discerning consumers across Southeast Asia. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in the brand's journey towards global recognition and consumer accessibility. Since its inception, OCEEDEE has established a significant position in the Indian fashion landscape, offering footwear that seamlessly merges luxury with everyday wearability. The brand's expansion into Southeast Asia represents a strategic step towards enhancing accessibility and catering to the diverse preferences of fashion-forward consumers in the region. Leading this expansion strategy, OCEEDEE is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Akhil Kumar Srivastava as the Director of Strategy, South East Asia. As the chairman of SBM Bharti Services, a strategic partner of OCEEDEE, Akhil brings over 15 years of experience devising and executing global strategies for direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands with a focus in fashion and lifestyle businesses. "We are delighted to introduce OCEEDEE to Southeast Asia, a region known for its rich cultural tapestry and vibrant fashion scene," said Neha Kumthekar, Co-Founder and Brand Custodian of OCEEDEE. "Our footwear is crafted with a deep-rooted passion for quality and design excellence, reflecting the ethos of modern Indian luxury. We are eager to connect with our new audience and bring them the unique experience of OCEEDEE's distinctive style. We are further delighted to have Akhil Kumar Srivastava be a part of this new journey of the brand and leading this expansion with the right strategic tie ups." Akhil Kumar Srivastava commented, "I feel privileged to join OCEEDEE as a Strategic Director for its international expansion. I have been following OCEEDEE since its inception and impressed how it has rapidly established itself as a love brand in the industry, and has all the ingredients for success : passionate founders and talented team, exceptional product in its segment, market acceptability and validation, and exponential growth potential. I am looking forward to supporting the founders with their global strategy." OCEEDEE's expansion strategy focuses on key cities known for their fashion forward sensibilities and burgeoning consumer demand for high-quality footwear. The brand will establish its presence through strategic partnerships with local retailers and distributors, ensuring a seamless shopping experience both online and in-store. "As we expand into Southeast Asia, we look forward to forging meaningful partnerships and engaging with our customers in an insightful manner," added Anshul Sood, Co-founder and CEO of OCEEDEE. "At OCEEDEE, we are committed to setting new benchmarks in bridge - to - luxury footwear, offering not just products but an experience that celebrates craftsmanship and individuality." OCEEDEE, as a digital first brand has created a strong aspiration in the Indian market as the only homegrown, contemporary footwear brand in the bridge-to-luxury space and is expanding its footprints with an aggressive offline strategy Pan-India. With strategic partnerships across 50 Multi-brand retail stores, OCEEDEE is now ready to launch its first store in DLF Avenue Saket, Delhi with three more stores to be launched in Delhi -NCR region by Q3. OCEEDEE has walked several international and Indian runways such as Haute Couture Week- Paris, New York Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, and India Couture Week while also creating exclusive collaborations with brands like Rahul Mishra, Swarovski India etc. Its had the opportunity to grace the feet of many A-lister celebrities such as Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor, Aditi Rao Hydari, Tabu, etc and has had a milestone moment being the official footwear partner for Miss Universe 2021, Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu while she was crowned. About OCEEDEE: It is a modern Indian shoe brand delivering exquisite and contemporary silhouettes with a strong design DNA, craftsmanship, and a unique ability to 'customise for comfort'. Rooted in the realms of handicraft, we take pride in bringing designs befitting the feet of the modern Indian woman offering her Fashion without Compromise. Passion, Innovation and Luxury are at the heart of the brand's philosophy. Our shoes are made by hand, using age-old techniques handed down through generations of artisan shoemakers. Each shoe is meticulously crafted using eco-friendly, cruelty free leathers sourced from India combining the beautiful sole, which is hand cut to attain perfection. At OCEEDEE, we believe in backing up our brand's philosophy by competencies, ethical and fair trade practices, sustainable working environment, and accountability for all our actions. For more information about OCEEDEE and its expansion into Southeast Asia, please visit www.oceedee.com (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)
Mediawire New Delhi [India], June 24: NEDO, in collaboration with IIT-Delhi, held an interactive event where five Japanese startups made presentations for Indian students. In a bid to further deepen technological collaboration between India and Japan, the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO) and the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-Delhi) held a day-long event called 'NEDO IIT-Delhi Japanese Deep-Tech Collaboration' in IIT-Delhi on June 11. As part of this growing bilateral ties between the two Asian nations, NEDO has been playing a key role in taking this collaboration to greater heights. Japan is home to startups and these companies are scouting for talents in premier Indian technological institute. Inaugurating the event, Takashi Ariyoshi, minister and deputy chief of mission, the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi, said, "I would like to congratulate NEDO for organising the NEDO-IITD Japanese Deep Tech Collaboration event. To deepen collaboration between Japan and India, promotion of people-to-people contact is one of the most important agendas in the whole spectrum of bilateral relations. During the March 2023 summit meeting between Prime Minister Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the importance of human-to-human connect was reaffirmed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attaches lot of importance in creating more opportunities for the younger generations." Ariyoshi added that Japanese Government is seriously working on creating more job opportunities for Indian talented students in Japan. "However, some Indian students may not have a clear image of how the working environment in Japan actually is. This conference will clear such doubts of the students who are keen to study and work in Japan," the minister added. The deeproot collaboration gave an excellent opportunity to prospective job seekers who are planning to move to Japan. He said that the top five Japanese startups will extend an excellent opportunity to the talented IIT students to work in and join the glorious journey towards excellence. Welcoming the dignitaries from Japan, Prof James Gomes, dean International Programmes, IIT-Delhi said, "The friendship between India and Japan is quite long." Taking a cue from the long standing India Japan strategic partnership, Gomes said, "IIT-Delhi is also looking Japan as a strategic partner for technical collaboration." Various top officials from IIT-Delhi have visited Japan in the last couple of years." He referred to SHIRU CAFE in IIT-Delhi which is a free coffee outlet where students need to interact with employees from Japan and learn about Japanese language. IIT Delhi also has two Japanese Faculties. "We are very privileged that NEDO has considered IIT-Delhi as a partner for Japanese deep tech collaboration," Prof Gomes added. NEDO Support for new ventures In his address Takeshi Yoshida, director general, NEDO HQ, talked about the journey of NEDO and its various engagements in India. NEDO has also been supporting the R&D works of various Japanese startups. "We are very glad to bring 5 NEDO-supported Japanese startups to IIT-Delhi for deep tech collaboration. This collaboration is a part of expansion programme of Japanese startups. NEDO has created a platform where Japanese startups and students of IIT-Delhi could meet. Japan has maintained a high level of technology especially in manufacturing segment. I am confident that the enthusiasm of IIT-Delhi students will make the relationship brighter and more prosperous in near future," Yoshida added. Visiting professor at IIT-Delhi Yoshiro Azuma in his concluding remarks, praised the dedication and intense nature of Indian IIT students. "The presentations made by the Japanese startups reflected a human character orientation in them. They revealed a zeal to work for the welfare of human beings and promoted work culture." Startups showcase Shozo Kamiya, CEO I'mbesideyou, talked about how his personal tragedy prompted Kamiya start this venture that aims at fostering a world where digital communication champions empathy above all else. Jagjeet Singh, MD India, Digireha Inc, highlighted his company's mission is to revolutionise healthcare by offering a digital rehabilitation solution for special kids and elder care, creating more inclusive and accessible solutions. Kaoru Tsuda, CEO, Nano Frontier Technology Co Ltd presented the company's ground-breaking work on solar heat absorption films. These films are engineered to improve the efficiency of solar panels, contributing significantly to renewable energy advancements. Closer Inc CEO Shota Higuchi talked about advanced robotic solutions to automate and optimise various industrial processes. The company's robots are designed to increase productivity and efficiency in manufacturing sectors. Kei Kamada, president, C&A (Crystals and Applications) Corporation talked about his startups that deals with consulting of crystalline business, scintillator crystals, arrays and scintillation detectors and single crystal growth service. MiraiKikai Inc founder & CEO Tohru Miyake highlighted how robots offered automated solar cleaning systems for utility-scale plants that use artificial intelligence. Kanav Rikhi, innovation manager, Maruti Suzuki India Limited and Pradeep Kumar Yadav, regional business manager, sales, Air Water India Pvt Limited, also talked about their respective startups' journey. No doubt the students of the IIT were immensely benefited from the deep-tech collaboration. Thus Mitashi, a second-year student of IIT-Delhi said, "It was a great opportunity as we could interact with top Japanese companies. I learnt many things about Japanese work culture and about cutting-edge technologies. It was immensely helpful for the students." Another key attraction of the event was the extensive interaction of students with Japanese startup companies. It evoked very impressive response from the students. Curtains came down to the proceedings of the day with the screening of the Japanese film 'My Broken Mariko' in association with the Japan Foundation. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by Mediawire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
India PR Distribution New Delhi [India], June 24: Appy Pie, a leading app builder, announces the launch of its innovative website-to-app converter to convert website to app. This platform enables users to convert their websites into fully functional mobile apps for Android and iOS devices without any coding skills. The website to app converter has a simple drag-and-drop interface. Users can customize the app's design, layout, and features to fit their brand and needs. The platform caters to both Android and iOS, so the app can reach a wider audience. Any updates made to the app show up right away for a smooth user experience. It also provides app analytics, so businesses can track performance and user engagement. There are multiple options to make money from the app, including ads and in-app purchases. "Appy Pie's website-to-app converter is a game-changer for businesses looking to embrace mobile technology without the complexity of coding," said Abhinav Girdhar, Founder and CEO of Appy Pie. "Our mission has always been to democratize app development by making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical skills. This latest offering empowers users to seamlessly transition their web presence into a functional and engaging mobile app, ensuring they can meet their customers where they are - on their phones. We are excited to see how our users will leverage this tool to enhance their business operations and connect more effectively with their audience," he added. Appy Pie offers affordable plans for businesses of any size. The user-friendly platform makes app creation simple for all, with round the clock assistance from the customer service team. As a leading no-code development platform, Appy Pie allows users to create mobile apps, websites, chatbots, and more without coding knowledge. Appy Pie aims to make technology accessible to all, providing innovative solutions for businesses to succeed in the digital age. For more information, please visit - https://www.appypie.com/ Contact: Appy Pie Phone: +1 888 322 7617 Email: sales@appypie.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Pune (Maharashtra) [India], June 24: Bajaj Markets makes it convenient for individuals to monitor their credit health with free CIBIL score check. This provides users the ability to review their credit standing and make informed financial decisions. CIBIL score check keeps individuals updated about changes in their credit profile. These insights can be utilised for better financial management. Here are some key advantages of checking CIBIL Score on Bajaj Markets: * User-friendly Process: Bajaj Markets offers a smooth and intuitive interface, ensuring a convenient experience for individuals* Insightful Analysis: Checking one's credit profile often provides valuable insights for improving financial literacy and making better financial choices* Zero Impact on the Score: The CIBIL score check on Bajaj Markets does not have any effect on the score In addition to the website, the Bajaj Markets app enhances the user's experience by offering a comprehensive credit health report. This report includes information on active credit cards and loan accounts. The widgets 'IMPROVE YOUR SCORE' and 'DID YOU KNOW' available on the app provide essential insights and tips to help users boost their CIBIL score. Furthermore, the report highlights personalised offers available on the platform, enabling users to explore suitable financial products. Beyond CIBIL score check, Bajaj Markets provides access to an array of financial products, including insurance policies, investment opportunities, credit cards, and loans. This comprehensive approach empowers users to unlock their potential and achieve their financial goals. For more information, check out the official Bajaj Markets website or simply download the app. Bajaj Finserv Direct, a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv, is one of the fastest-growing fintech companies in India. It has two primary arms, Bajaj Markets, a financial marketplace, and Bajaj Technology Services, a techfin service provider. Bajaj Markets is a marketplace that offers multiple financial products across all categories - Loans, Cards, Insurance, Investments, Payments, Pocket Insurance, and VAS. Bajaj Markets has partnered with trusted financial brands to offer "India ka Financial Supermarket". A one-stop destination where its customers can explore a host of products that can help them achieve their financial life goals. Having started its journey as a fintech, Bajaj Finserv Direct has also built a very strong business as a techfin. Through Bajaj Technology Services it offers a wide gamut of digital technology services which span Custom Applications, Enterprise Applications, Data & Analytics, Gen AI, Cloud Services and Digital Agency. Visit the Bajaj Markets website or download the Bajaj Markets' app from the Play Store or App Store to experience "India ka Financial Supermarket". (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
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Yemen's Houthi group on Sunday claimed responsibility for attacking two cargo ships in the Red Sea and the western Indian Ocean.

"The naval forces of our armed forces carried out a second targeting operation for the ship TRANSWORLD NAVIGATOR in the Red Sea with an unmanned boat, which resulted in a direct hit on the ship," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a statement aired by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

"The missile force of our armed forces carried out an operation targeting the ship STOLT SEQUOIA in the Indian Ocean with several cruise missiles, and the operation achieved its objectives successfully," he said.

The attacks come in response to what Houthi claimed their owner companies' violation of the group's entry ban into Israeli ports, according to the spokesman.

Speaking of the U.S. aircraft carrier Eisenhower, which had just left the region, Yahya claimed that a series of Houthi attacks drove the vessel away.

He reiterated that his group's attacks would continue until Israel stops its war in the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip.

Earlier in the day, a Yemeni government official told Xinhua that the merchant vessel TRANSWORLD NAVIGATOR, flying the Liberian flag, was struck twice by the Houthi group successively on Saturday in the Gulf of Aden, and on early Sunday, in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen's port city of Hodeidah.

The official said the ship was damaged but was still proceeding to its destination with no injuries reported from the crew.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed receiving a report of an incident approximately 65 nautical miles west of Hodeidah.

The UKMTO's statement indicated that the master of a merchant vessel reported an impact from an uncrewed aerial system, which resulted in ship damage. All crew members were reported safe, and the ship was said to be proceeding to its next port of call.

These attacks are part of a broader campaign by the Houthis, which began in November 2023, targeting ships in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The group claims to be targeting vessels associated with Israel or en route to Israeli ports, citing the ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip as justification.

The ongoing conflict along the vital shipping lanes of the Red Sea and surrounding waters continues to raise concerns about maritime security and global trade implications.
PNN New Delhi [India], June 24: Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE) and MasterG and Daughters Pvt. Ltd. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce c in the field of Fashion Studies, in alignment with the National Credit Framework (NCRF). The MoU aims to enhance the employability skills of students and provide them with comprehensive knowledge about career opportunities in the fashion industry.The primary objective of this collaboration is to implement Applied Learning Education in the field of Fashion Studies across twelve schools affiliated with the Delhi Board of School Education. Starting from the academic session of 2023-24, students from class 9 onwards will have the opportunity to benefit from this unique educational initiative. Under this partnership, MasterG and Daughters Pvt. Ltd. (MDPL), a socially conscious organization, funded by Acumen Fund, New York, will serve as the implementing and on-field support partner. They have an impressive track record of empowering marginalized communities by offering multilingual and contextually relevant curricula and setting up skill training centers to create sustainable livelihood opportunities. Key Highlights of MasterG and Daughters Pvt. Ltd.: 1. Enrolled over 3500 students in their training programs. 2. Established 29 production integrated skill training centers across 13 states in India with corporate partners namely Tata Power, Sleepwell Foundation, Fena Foundation, Delhi Transco Limited, LNJ Bhilwara Group, NABARD, Nayara Energy, Laudes Foundation, Paramount Wires and Cables and many more. 3. Collaboration with more than 150 fashion brands for ethical and sustainable production orders. We are now in talks with DBSE to develop the Fashion Curriculum for Class XII of SoSE (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar School of Specialized Excellence) Schools across Delhi. Founder and CEO, Gayatri Jolly, has received several accolades, including the "Empowering Women Entrepreneurs" Award by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Govt. of India, and selection for the 2022 Meaningful Business 100 (MB100) program, recognizing leaders driving positive impact aligned with the UN Global Goals. Jolly has a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design, New York, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, from Babson College, Massachusetts. The collaboration will focus on providing a curriculum aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) levels of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The students opting for Skill Education from 9th standard onwards will receive a 'Skill Certificate' (Micro-credentials) upon successful completion of the training, enhancing their employability prospects. Gayatri Jolly, Director of MasterG and Daughters Pvt. Ltd., expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Delhi Board of School Education to promote applied learning in Fashion Studies. Our mission is to provide students with practical skills and foster an entrepreneurial mindset to enable sustainable livelihoods." Delhi Board of School Education Chairperson, EB, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, "Our aim is to equip students with real-world skills that prepare them for the competitive job market and offer valuable career opportunities. Through this partnership, we are confident in enriching the learning experience of our students." The MoU signifies a strong commitment from both parties to empower students and bridge the gap between education and employability in the fashion industry. The collaboration is set to begin in the upcoming academic session, bringing innovative and experiential learning opportunities to students in Delhi. About Delhi Board of School Education (DBSE): DBSE is a leading educational board in Delhi, committed to providing quality education and fostering holistic development among students. About Lend a Hand India works in partnership with state governments to integrate skill education with existing school curricula in grades 9 to 12. This education is then supplemented with internship opportunities in local businesses during grades 11 and 12, thereby facilitating the school-to-work transition. Currently working in 24 States/UTs across India, it covers 10,000+ schools, 1 million+ students in partnership with the state governments. About MasterG and Daughters Pvt. Ltd.: MasterG and Daughters is a socially responsible organization with a vision to create sustainable livelihood opportunities through skill training and innovative curricula. Website- https://masterg.in/ (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 Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday directed telecom companies to enhance their Mobile Apps and Web portals to make them more user-friendly for registration of complaints against the Unsolicited Commercial Communication (UCC) or spam calls and settings of preference. The TRAI in an official statement said "In its ongoing effort to mitigate the issue of UCC, commonly referred to as spam, TRAI has mandated Access Providers to enhance their Mobile Apps and Web portals to make them more user-friendliness for registration of UCC complaint and settings of preference". The authority has mandated Access Providers or telecom companies to ensure that options for UCC complaint registration and preference management are easily accessible on Access Providers' mobile applications and websites. Also, essential details for the registration of complaints should be automatically populated, if users grant permission to access their call logs and other relevant data. The TRAI has also implemented amendments to the Performance Monitoring Report (PMR) formats. In order to have more granular monitoring, all Access Providers will be required to submit PMRs on a monthly basis, as opposed to the previous quarterly reporting cycle. Earlier, the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, had sought public comments on Draft Guidelines for the Prevention and Regulation of Unsolicited and Unwarranted Business Communication. The Draft Guidelines are placed on the website of the Department of Consumer Affairs for public comments, suggestions and feedback. The inputs may be provided to the Department latest by 21st July 2024. The draft guidelines have been drafted after detailed deliberations with various stakeholders including telecom operators, telecom regulators and telecom organizations. The department has finalised the draft guidelines after in depth consultations with telecom regulator TRAI. It was pointed out that despite TRAI regulations in place, such misleading and deceptive calls and messages have become a sore point for mobile users. (ANI)
Highlighting the state's development as a manufacturing hub in pharmaceuticals, textiles, light engineering goods, health, power, telecom, and IT, the Chief Minister noted a significant rise in exports from Rs. 9,822.08 crore in 2019-20 to Rs. 17,543.49 crore in 2022-23 which is a 62 per cent increase.

The pharmaceuticals and textiles alone accounted for 80 per cent of the total exports of the state.

The efforts by the government to create an investor-friendly environment have earned Himachal Pradesh several awards from the Government of India. The state ranks 15th overall and second among Himalayan states in export preparedness.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister Sukhu also announced the development of a medical device park in Nalagarh, Solan district, and a bulk drug park in Una district.

The Chief minister said that the incentives will be offered to entrepreneurs establishing industrial units in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial hub.

The Chief Minister also expressed gratitude to the Exim Bank team for their valuable suggestions aimed at boosting exports and addressing gaps in the state. Harsha Bangani, Managing Director of Exim Bank, assured the state government of financial support for various sectors.

The presentation was attended by Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani, Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Secretary Education Rakesh Kanwar, and other senior officials. (ANI)
The Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission of India, Arvind Panagariya, said that the share of a state cannot be looked at in isolation by the Commission. The Chairman was addressing the media in Shimla on Monday. Answering media questions about a green bonus for Himachal Pradesh under the special category, he said that Himachal's share cannot be seen in isolation. "Himachal Pradesh's share can't be seen in isolation. There are 28 states in the country. It is definitely within the purview of the Commission," said Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission of India. He further added, "It is too early in the tenure of the 16th Finance Commission to say anything as this is a very big task which is for five years to make recommendations on first of all the total tax revenues of the central government will be divided between the central government and the states and then how the shares of states taken together will be divided among the states." The Green bonus is compensation from the central government for the 'environmental services' provided by the state. The Chairman also mentioned that the state government had given a detailed presentation of 90 slides, which lasted for three hours. He said meetings with the state government were cordial. The team of the 16th Finance Commission is in Shimla on its three-day visit, and Himachal Pradesh is the first state that the Commission has started its consultation visit. During the meeting, the state government also raised its concerns and took up issues with the hope of getting Himachal Pradesh under a special category state. The Chief Minister of the state, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, demanded the state be included in the special category. He said, "The hill states should be kept under special consideration in 41 per cent taxes share. We have a higher cost of construction; the parameters of the plain will not be applicable in the hills. We have kept our view seriously, we hope the finance commission during the next one and a half years on its recommendations will consider our demands. We have also said that in disaster the NDRF and SDRF parameters can't be like in plain areas, we have different disaster situations." (ANI)
Actor Pom Klementieff, known for her role as Mantis in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has hinted at a potential leap to the DC Universe (DCU) under the direction of filmmaker James Gunn. During an appearance at San Antonio's Superhero Comic Con, Klementieff disclosed ongoing discussions with James Gunn, who she first collaborated with on MCU's 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' (2017), about joining the DCU, reported Deadline. While keeping details under wraps, the French actress expressed her excitement about continuing to work with Gunn. She shared, "Yes, we've been talking about one specific character, but I can't talk about that right now." Klementieff's portrayal of Mantis in the MCU, spanning films like 'Avengers: Infinity War' (2018), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), and 'Thor: Love and Thunder' (2022), has garnered her a significant fan following. Reflecting on her journey into superhero films, she revealed, "It was always my dream to be an X-Men or part of a Marvel movie. Then, I saw the first Guardians of the Galaxy, and it became my first Marvel movie ever. Then, I got cast in the second one. I feel so lucky," according to Deadline. While open to reprising her role as Mantis, Klementieff affirmed her interest in exploring new opportunities, including a potential venture into the DCU. She emphasized her fondness for the character and expressed willingness to consider future projects depending on their creative direction. James Gunn, who now heads DC Studios alongside Peter Safran, has been vocal about his approach to casting and his vision for expanding the DC multiverse. Acknowledging the possibility of MCU-DCU crossovers in the future, Gunn highlighted the early stages of discussions but emphasized the need to establish DC's direction first. (ANI)
Taking to her Instagram account, Sonam shared glimpses from the event.

The 'Ranjhaana' actress wore Dior's Spectadior Pump. Complementing the pumps, Sonam donned a rich brown leather jacket featuring an American flag motif.

To complete her look, Sonam chose a grey wool skirt, and a navy polka dot tie, which added a playful yet sophisticated touch.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8moUl6qWX4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The show that took place on Monday featured the latest couture collections from Dior, drawing top fashion names from around the world.

The 'Neerja' actress has become a regular fixture at international fashion events, including Paris Fashion Week, King Charles' Coronation, and the Cannes Film Festival, where she was the first Indian actress to attend.

A recent report listed Sonam among the most influential celebrities for luxury fashion brands in 2023, placing her alongside names like Zendaya and Kylie Jenner. Her presence at Dior's show continues this trend, showcasing her impact on the fashion industry.

Apart from her fashion credentials, Sonam has also become the sole Indian actor to be on the South Asia Acquisition Committee of the Tate Modern Museum.

Sonam Kapoor recently starred in the crime thriller 'Blind,' which premiered on July 7, 2023. The actress is also preparing for two upcoming projects, with details to be announced soon. (ANI)
Actor Jon Heder, who played the title character in the 2004 cult-classic film 'Napoleon Dynamite,' recently revealed that his kids are enthusiastic fans of the quirky comedy. In an interview with E! News, Heder, 46, shared, "They're very aware of the craze. My daughter actually enjoys it. She's 7. She's like, 'Oh, can we watch clips from the movie?'" Heder also mentioned that his 10-year-old son "loves the reaction it gets" from fans. "He understands it for the fame aspect," Heder explained. "I don't know if he cares that much about the movie. But he loves to tell people who I am." Even after two decades, fans still quote their favorite lines to Heder. "The tots line is actually the one that gets yelled to me the most," he said. "Which I will accept." Heder recently celebrated a mini-reunion for the movie to reflect on its lasting success. He even recreated an iconic scene for a commercial that he felt perfectly represented one of his character's favorite products. In a short film produced by Ore-Ida and Searchlight Pictures, Heder dons Napoleon's trademark curly hair and aviator glasses to promote the brand's tater tots and a limited-edition pair of "tot-protecting pants" resembling his iconic clothing from the film. "What? Go get your own," Heder says in the short film, responding to the famous "Gimme some of your tots!" line. "It just seemed kind of obvious," Heder told E! News about the commercial. "If Napoleon is ever going to sell anything, it's either tots or Chapstick." For the film's 20th-anniversary reunion in February, Heder and his former co-stars Efren Ramirez and John Gries celebrated with a screening and an audience Q&A session in Orlando, Florida. During the event, someone asked Heder where he thought the characters would be today. "I think it's not looking very good for most of them," he joked. "Napoleon is probably paying child support to two different moms, with two different kids ... maybe Trisha was a fling." (ANI)
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will begin on Monday, which will witness the oath-taking ceremony of newly-elected Members of Parliament, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The first session is expected to be stormy as the opposition is likely to corner the BJP-led NDA government on the election of the Speaker on June 26, discussions regarding allegations of paper leaks in NEET-UG and UGC-NET, and row over the appointment of the pro-tem Speaker. President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath to Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Mahtab will then call upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Leader of the Lok Sabha, to take oath as member of the House. On June 26, the Lok Sabha Speaker will be elected. On June 27, President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to address the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament. This is the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha post the general elections, which saw the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) securing 293 seats and the INDIA bloc wining 234 with the Congress holding 99 of them. Meanwhile, the Newly Elected Congress MPs meeting is called at 10 am at the CPP office in Parliament today. After the alleged irregularities in the medical entrance examination National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate 2024 (NEET-UG), Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi targeted the BJP and said that they stand with the students. The row over the appointment of BJP leader Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker is expected to shadow the proceedings as opposition claimed that Congress Member K Suresh, who is the senior most member was disregarded by the government. Meanwhile, BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, who has been appointed as the pro-tem Speaker, will administer the oath to newly elected members and oversee the proceedings of the House. The Congress has reacted sharply to the central government''s decision to appoint seven-term BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as Pro-tem Speaker of Lok Sabha over senior-most Dalit MP Kodikkunnil Suresh of Congress, saying that the appointment by the BJP deviates from the traditional practice of appointing the senior member. Congress leader K Suresh said that there is an eighth-term MP in the House, but a seventh-term MP has been appointed as pro-tem Speaker. "We are claiming that an eighth-term MP should be the pro-tem Speaker...They have done wrong and now the whole country is criticising the decision of the BJP government," K Suresh said. Congress MP Hibi Eden said that NDA government have violated all the traditions and customs. "There are certain customs related to the Parliament of India, and it is always the senior-most member irrespective of the party, who is given the opportunity to become the pro-tem speaker. It is merely a matter of two days but it is the respect given to the member whichever party he/she is from. Unfortunately, a Dalit member, who is an 8-time MP from Kerala has been denied the right to become the pro-tem speaker. This shows the attitude of the NDA government towards the Dalit and the oppressed community of this country. They have violated all the traditions and customs... Even though this session is hardly for 8 days, it should have been in consensus with the opposition because we are representing almost 45 per cent of the country," he said. President Murmu also appointed Suresh Kodikunnil, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu, Radha Mohan Singh, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Sudip Bandyopadhyay to assist the Speaker Protem in oath taking of the newly-elected members. The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will be held from June 24 and conclude on July 3 for oath/affirmation of newly elected Members. The 264th Session of Rajya Sabha will also commence on June 27 and conclude on July 3. Moreover, the Samajwadi Party Parliamentary meeting is to be held on Monday in Delhi. The meeting will be chaired by party National President Akhilesh Yadav. The last session of the 17th Lok Sabha (Budget session) was held between January 31 and February 10, 2024. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party leaders on Sunday slammed Congress leader Shashi Tharoor over his post on Uttar Pradesh and said the post of the Thiruvananthapuram MP demonstrates "shameless crass politics of shaming fellow Indians". This comes after Congress leader Shashi Tharoor shared an image on X that had a question and an answer. The question in Hindi was, "What is called Uttar Pradesh?" The answer was: "Weh pradesh jahan pariksha se pehle uttar ka pata chal jaaye, usse Uttar Pradesh kehte hai (The state where the answer is known before the exam is called Uttar Pradesh)." Tharoor described the post as "shandaar" and added the hashtag "Pariksha pe charcha" a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to interact with students. Former Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar also reacted to Tharoor's tweet and said, "Shameless crass politics of shaming other fellow Indians - that the Congress way, ably demonstrated by this self-titled Global citizen." "It was just a few months ago, that another member of Congress "global citizens" Pitroda described Indians as Africans, Chinese, Middle Eastern etc Runs deep in the Cong DNA, this type of superiority complex," Chandrasekhar posted on X. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that he is surprised that Tharoor chose to stereotype, trivialise and caricature an entire state like this. "Seriously, Shashi Tharoor is this the level to which you wish to take this discourse? Uttar Pradesh is not only known for its contribution to our civilisation but has also produced innumerable literary luminaries, political stalwarts and achievers. Ironically, it is also home to the first family, to which all Congress leaders pay obeisance. Despite the privilege of having been educated at the best of institutions, I am surprised that you chose to stereotype, trivialise and caricature an entire state like this. Need for serious introspection, my friend," Puri posted on X. Responding to Shashi Tharoor's post, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, the Congress leader has succumbed to the "beguiling whispers of lunacy, his mind adrift in the ethereal mists of derangement." "This gentleman frequently indulges in satirizing various cultures (first Northeast and now UP) with remarkably caustic words. He has succumbed to the beguiling whispers of lunacy, his mind adrift in the ethereal mists of derangement," Sarma said. (ANI)
Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party President K Surendran on Sunday reacted to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's letter to Wayanad voters and said that this is merely a "political gimmick", adding that Rahul Gandhi has betrayed the people of Wayanad. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday wrote a heartfelt letter to the people of Wayanad, the constituency that he is giving up to represent Rae Bareli in the Lok Sabha. "This is nothing but a mere political gimmick. Rahul Gandhi has betrayed the Wayanad people already. He was always saying that Wayanad is my second home, my family. Now the intention behind that statement is clear. He brought his sister there, so he said all of this for his family members. This is also a gimmick, people won't believe him because he made many statements but is never true with that," said K Surendran told ANI. He further said that the Bharatiya Janata Party will give a tough fight to Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the by-polls. "If Priyanka Gandhi was a crowd-puller or a big name then why did she not contest in Uttar Pradesh?. What happened in this Lok Sabha elections? Why Priyanka Gandhi was not considered in Raebareli or Amethi?... So this is a safe bastion. What Rahul Gandhi has done in Wayanad, the same thing is going to happen... So people will rethink this," he said. The BJP leader said that the fight is between NDA and UPA in the Wayanad by-elections. "We will fight with all strength and we will give a tough fight to Priyanka Gandhi (Vadra)... The left parties are saying that they don't want to contest, but they are contesting only because of the BJP... The real fight is between NDA and UPA, we will fight with our full strength in this election," he said. Earlier, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote a heartfelt letter to the people of Wayanad and expressed deep gratitude for their steadfast support throughout his tenure as their Member of Parliament. "I was a stranger to you and yet you believed in me. You embraced me with unbridled love and affection. It didn't matter which political formation you supported, it didn't matter which community you were from or which religion you believed in or which language you spoke," Gandhi wrote in the letter. "When I faced abuse day after day, your unconditional love protected me. You were my refuge, my home and my family. I never felt for even a moment that you doubted me," he added. "I will remember, the countless flowers and hugs you gave me. Each one given with such genuine love and tenderness. How can I ever forget, the bravery, beauty and confidence with which young girls would translate my speeches in front of thousands of people," he wrote. Rahul Gandhi said that he is consoled by the fact that his sister Priyanka, will be there to represent Wayanad. "I am confident that she will do an excellent job of being their MP if given an opportunity," he said. "I am also consoled because I have a loving family in the people of Rae Bareli and a bond that I cherish deeply. My central commitment to both you and the people of Rae Bareli is that we will fight and defeat the hatred and violence being spread in the country," the Congress leader wrote. "I do not know how to thank you for what you have done for me. For the love and protection you gave me when I needed it most. You are part of my family and I will always be there for each and every one of you," he added. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will make her electoral debut from the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. Priyanka Gandhi will make her debut in a Lok Sabha bypoll with her brother Rahul Gandhi deciding to retain the Rae Bareli seat in Uttar Pradesh of the two he contested and won. Rahul Gandhi, who contested from two seats -- Rae Bareli and Wayanad, won from both the constituencies. For long years, Priyanka had preferred to stay away from the limelight while taking care of the family strongholds of Amethi and Raebareli, represented by Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi respectively. (ANI)
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A participant poses for photos with Russian performers during the 8th China-Russia Expo in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, May 18, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

At the invitation of the Russian State Duma, Peng Qinghua, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, led a Chinese delegation to visit Russia from Wednesday to Sunday.

During the visit, Peng met with Chairman of the Russian State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin and Federation Council Deputy Speaker Konstantin Kosachev, and co-chaired the second meeting of the joint working group of the China-Russia committee for parliamentary cooperation with Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma Alexander Babakov.

Peng noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia. Under the strategic guidance of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, China-Russia relations continued to develop at a high level.

Cooperation between legislative bodies of the two countries constitutes an important part of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era, said Peng, stressing that China is ready to work with Russia to fully utilize the joint working group and other mechanisms and platforms to give full play to the unique advantages and significant roles of the legislative bodies of both countries, constantly consolidate political mutual trust, tap the potential for cooperation, and promote the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations.

The Russian side said that it is willing to take the implementation of the consensus reached by the two heads of state as a guiding principle, further expand the areas of cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries, and contribute to deepening Russia-China comprehensive strategic coordination and to enhancing the friendship between the two peoples.

Members of the joint working group from both sides exchanged views on law-making in key areas of mutual concern.
Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain on Sunday sternly said that the people who are found supporting terrorists will be dealt under the Enemy Agents Ordinance, which is much harsher than the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. "In J-K we have a special law called Enemy Agents Act/Ordinance, which was made when foreign invaders/raiders, especially Pakistanis, enter India and try to destabilise the system, as they call it, 'to disturb and destabilise the government established by law'. Those who support such terrorists will be termed enemy agents, and the minimum punishment for enemy agents is life term and death. This is a harsher law than UAPA," Swain told reporters. The law was made to tackle foreign fighters and invaders, especially from Pakistan, who come here and try to disturb and destabilise the government, he said. On being asked whether trained Pakistani commandos are also part of terrorist activities taking part in Jammu and Kashmir, Swain said that it doesn't make a difference as far as we are concerned, it's actually a matter of tactics. "Well our understanding is because they are usually not caught alive, we suppose they are caught once we will know the full truth but till that time given the way they are fighting or they are sort of terrorizing, they do not hesitate to kill even a man while walking, so it doesn't make a difference as far as we are concerned, it's actually a matter of tactics. For us he is an enemy, whether he has come from a uniform background, or jail or a terror factory," he added. "We will try to minimise such losses with the help of training, determination and tactics. We will defeat the enemy and if they think we are shying away just from the fear of losses, they are mistaken," he added. His statement came in the wake of a series of terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in the last two weeks. DGP Swain expressed concern over the internet becoming the medium for sustaining terrorism in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. "The internet is becoming the medium of sustaining terrorism and separatism in Jammu and Kashmir. If I give such a statement, I am not too far from the truth... Cybercrime is broad in its context. It can be involved in all the other conventional crimes," he said. (ANI)
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, beginning on Monday, will witness "Observance of silence," marking the solemn occasion of the first sitting of the Eighteenth Lok Sabha. After this, parliament will hold the oath-taking ceremony of newly-elected Members of Parliament, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. An official letter marking list of business for the day in parliament mentioned, "Observance of silence for a short while to mark the solemn occasion of the first sitting of the Eighteenth Lok Sabha," "Secretary-General to lay on the Table a list (Hindi and English versions), containing the names of Members elected to the Eighteenth Lok Sabha at the General Elections of 2024, submitted by the Election Commission of India," added the list of business. Further, the list mentioned "members to take the oath or make the affirmation, sign the Roll of Members and take their seats in the House." The first session is expected to be stormy as the opposition is likely to corner the BJP-led NDA government on the election of the Speaker on June 26, discussions regarding allegations of paper leaks in NEET-UG and UGC-NET, and row over the appointment of the pro-tem Speaker. President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath to Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Mahtab will then call upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Leader of the Lok Sabha, to take oath as a member of the House. On June 26, the Lok Sabha Speaker will be elected. On June 27, President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to address the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament. This is the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha after the general elections, which saw the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secure 293 seats and the INDIA bloc win 234, with the Congress holding 100 of them. Meanwhile, the Newly Elected Congress MPs meeting is called at 10 am at the CPP office in Parliament today. (ANI)
As per the official statement, the operation resulted in the recovery of one 12 bore single barrel gun, one 12 bore Bolt action rifle, one 9 mm CMG, ammunition, and grenades.

The operation was launched following a specific intelligence regarding the presence of arms and ammunition in general area Waithou Ridge.

"Acting on specific intelligence of presence of arms and ammunition in general area Waithou Ridge area of Thoubal district in Manipur, Assam Rifles and Manipur Police launched a joint operation and recovered one 12 bore single barrel gun, one12 bore Bolt action rifle, one 9 mm CMG, ammunition, grenades and warlike stores," said the official statement from Assam Rifles.

"The recovered items have been handed over to Manipur Police," added the statement.

Earlier, Manipur Police on Friday said that security forces arrested three insurgents from Shantong near Lamlong Village, Tengnoupal District.

The arrested individuals are Thiyam Lukhoi Luwang (21) of the KYKL Group, Keisham Premchand Singh (24) of the KYKL Group, and Inaobi Khundrakpam (20) of the KCP Noyon Group. (ANI)
In a show of strength and unity, all MPs from the Opposition INDIA bloc are expected to enter the Lok Sabha together on the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, which will begin on Monday, sources said. According to sources, the opposition leaders will assemble where the statue of Mahatma Gandhi was placed earlier. They are also likely to carry a copy of the Constitution with them. The Congress MPs will also gather at the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) office in Parliament House this morning. The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, which will begin today, will witness the oath-taking ceremony of newly-elected Members of Parliament, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A "Swagatam" cutout has also been placed at the Parliament Makar Dwar to welcome the newly elected MPs. The first session is expected to be stormy with the opposition likely to corner the BJP-led NDA government on the election of the Speaker, discussions regarding allegations of paper leaks in NEET-UG and UGC-NET, and row over the appointment of the pro-tem Speaker. President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath to Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Mahtab will then call upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Leader of the Lok Sabha, to take oath as member of the House. On June 26, the Lok Sabha Speaker will be elected. On June 27, President Murmu is scheduled to address the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament. This is the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha post the general elections, which saw the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) securing 293 seats and the INDIA bloc wining 234 with the Congress holding 99 of them. BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, who has been appointed as the pro-tem Speaker, will administer the oath to newly elected members and oversee the proceedings of the House. The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will be held from June 24 and conclude on July 3 for oath/affirmation of newly elected Members. The 264th Session of Rajya Sabha will also commence on June 27 and conclude on July 3. Meanwhile, the newly elected Congress MPs meeting is called at 10 am at the CPP office in Parliament today. Moreover, the Samajwadi Party Parliamentary meeting chaired by party 's national president Akhilesh Yadav will also be held today in the national capital. The last session of the 17th Lok Sabha (Budget session) was held between January 31 and February 10, this year. (ANI)
Congress MP Manickam Tagore raised questions about the NDA government for appointing a BJP MP as a pro-tem speaker and alleged them of neglecting an 8-term Dalit MP K Suresh. Speaking to ANI Tagore said, "The attitude of the government is still that of an arrogant government. They superseded a Dalit MP who was an 8-term MP. K Suresh should have been the pro-tem speaker. Unfortunately, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister has taken such a decision without any consultation with the opposition parties..." TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee also raised the issue of the appointment of the Pro Tem speaker saying that the ruling party had defied convention. "We are protesting because the provisions of the Constitution have been violated. The Constitution has been violated by the Narendra Modi government. The way the pro-tem speaker has been appointed is a clear violation of the Constitutional provision and clear violation of the earlier precedences..." he said. Congress MP from Jorhat Gaurav Gogoi accused the BJP of neglecting the sentiments of the Dalits by not chosing 8 term MP K Suresh as the Pro Tem Speaker " The ruling party hasn't forgotten their haughtiness...we can see that they are ignoring the key subjects of the country...the whole Dalit community in India could witness a historic seen if K Suresh were appointed as Pro-tem Speaker...today, BJP has not just neglected Congress, INDIA alliance and K Suresh but the whole Dalit community..." he said. Meanwhile, seven-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab was on Monday sworn in as the pro-tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. The oath was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Congress Rajya Sabha MP Dr Syed Naseer Hussain who reached parliament, hoped for a positive beginning and said, "There will be a positive beginning. Many new MPs have come. We have called all our MPs to the CPP office so that we can instruct them about parliamentary work. There will be a constructive opposition. We will raise people's issues and when it comes to the country, we will cooperate in that too..." Newly elected Samajwadi Party Lok Sabha MP Priya Saroj from Machhlishahr Lok Sabha seat said, "I am very happy that the youth are coming forward. I think the more the youth come forward, the faster the country will develop." The 18th Lok Sabha session got underway today with the oath taking of newly elected MPs. (ANI)
Coming down heavily on the leaders of the INDIA bloc over the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, which claimed 57 lives, BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said on Monday that instead of demonstrating, they should apologise for this 'Anyay' in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue at the Parliament. Alleging that the hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi is a state-sponsored murder, Poonawalla criticised the state government of Tamil Nadu for neither initiating a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the incident nor removing the concerned minister. "The saying 'Sau Chuhe Khakar Billi Haj Ko Chali' is being proven when a few leaders of the opposition and the INDI Alliance are going for a demonstration in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue. Do it, but also tell us what the biggest principle of Mahatma Gandhi was. He wanted a liquor ban and freedom from the drug menace," he said. "57 people have been murdered in Kallakurichi due to liquor. This is a state-sponsored murder...Neither was a CBI probe done, nor was the minister removed," the BJP leader added. Hitting out at Congress leaders over their silence on the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, Poonawalla said, "Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi who were speaking about north-south and rights of Dalits are silent. Where is Nyay? They should apologise for this 'Anyay' at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi." As the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha begins on Monday, the opposition leaders are expected to assemble where the statue of Mahatma Gandhi was placed earlier. They are also likely to carry a copy of the Constitution with them. The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha, will witness the oath-taking ceremony of newly-elected Members of Parliament, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, the number of people who died in Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor has risen to 57, according to updated information released by the district administration on Monday. A total of 156 people are undergoing treatment at various Government hospitals in the state after consuming illicit liquor. A total of 110 persons are undergoing treatment at the Kallakurichi Government Medical College hospital. Twelve persons are admitted at Puducherry 20 persons are undergoing treatment at Salem and four in Viluppuram government hospitals. A total of seven people including five men and two women who were undergoing treatment at hospitals in Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor have been discharged, according to Kallakurichi District Magistrate. So far, 32 persons have died at the Government Kallakurichi Medical College and Hospital, 18 at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital in Salem. Four persons have died at the Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital and three at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday 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 Kallakuruchi hooch tragedy. The government will provide Rs 5000 monthly assistance until the age of 18 for children who have lost both their parents and Rs 5 lakh will be deposited immediately as a fixed deposit in the names of children who have lost both parents, Stalin said. After the minors turn 18, the amount can be withdrawn with interest, the chief minister said. Similarly, Rs 3 lakh will be deposited as a fixed deposit for children who have lost one parent. Priority will be given to them in all government welfare schemes, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said. On the other hand, the CB-CID of Tamil Nadu police, which was handed over charge of investigating the tragedy, commenced a probe under SP Shantharam. As per the Kallakurichi Collector, seven people have been arrested in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. (ANI)
As Delhi Water Minister Atishi's indefinite hunger strike entered its fourth day, she said it would continue until 28 lakh Delhiites got water. Delhi Water Minister Atishi said, "The Haryana government has been giving 100 MGD less water to Delhi for the last 3 weeks. And until 28 lakh Delhiites get water, my indefinite fast will continue." She stated that for the last three weeks, Haryana has reduced the supply of water to Delhi. She said, "Today is the fourth day of my indefinite fast. I am on a fast because there is a huge shortage of water in Delhi. Delhi does not have its own water. All the water comes from neighbouring states. For the last 3 weeks, Haryana has reduced the supply of water to Delhiites." She said that 100 MGD water means 46 crore litres of water and these 46 crore litres of water are used by 28 lakh Delhiites every day. She added that she would continue with her fast no matter how bad her health was till the time the Haryana government provided water for 28 lakh Delhiites. "Yesterday, the doctor came and examined me. He said that my BP is getting low, my sugar is getting low, I am losing weight. He also said that the ketone level has increased a lot. The doctor advised that it is not good for the ketone level to increase so much. It can damage the body, it can harm health. But no matter how bad my health is, no matter how much pain my body is in, my resolve to do this fast is strong," she added. (ANI)
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader TKS Elangovan has accused the BJP of politicizing the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, claiming they are using the incident to gain an advantage in the upcoming July 10 Vikravandi by-election. Elangovan also criticized the BJP's demand for a CBI probe in the deaths connected to the alleged consumption of illicit liqour, suggesting it was a tactic by the opposition party to coerce individuals into joining them. The DMK leader was responding to BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla who dubbed the the deaths of 57 people due to illicit liquor in Tamil Nadu as "state-sponsored murder" and demanded a CBI investigation, questioning the silence of Congress leaders on the issue. Elangovan countered by accusing the BJP of politicizing the tragedy to gain an advantage in the Vikravandi by-election. "CM had made a statement in the assembly. He has given a statement about what steps the government has taken in this regard and how many people were suspended and transferred." Elangovan added. He further accused the BJP of demanding a CBI probe to pin the blame on someone and later use the threat of the case to force them into joining the BJP in exchange for withdrawing the charges. He referred to this tactic as their "washing machine technique." The death toll from the tragedy has risen to 57, with 156 people receiving treatment in various government hospitals across Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister MK Stalin announced financial support for the education and welfare of children who lost parents due to the tragedy. The CB-CID of Tamil Nadu Police, led by SP Shantharam, is investigating the incident, and seven people have been arrested so far. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the tragedy and hold those responsible accountable. Meanwhile, BJP's Poonawalla accused opposition leaders of hypocrisy. He criticized them for staging a demonstration in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Parliament premises while ignoring Gandhi's principle of a liquor ban. "The saying 'Sau Chuhe Khakar Billi Haj Ko Chali' is being proven when a few leaders of the Opposition and INDI Alliance are going for a demonstration in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue. Do it, but also tell us what was the biggest principle of Mahatma Gandhi. He wanted a liquor ban and freedom from the drug menace", the BJP leader said. The 18th Session of Lok Sabha began in the national capital today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi took oath as the member of the House. Meanwhile, seven-term MP Bhartruhari Mahtab who was appointed as pro-tem Speaker was administered oath by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapathi Bhavan. (ANI)
The leaders of the AIADMK party held a protest in Kallakurichi district on Monday against the DMK-led state government regarding the hooch tragedy, which claimed 57 lives. The protest was headed by Tamil Nadu Opposition Party leader and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami. The protest was held opposite the VAS Marriage Hall, Salem Main Road, Kallakurichi District, in Tamil Nadu. Hitting out at the state government, Palaniswami said that the medicine they asked for from the health minister is different from what the health minister said. "Am not like the puppet CM Stalin. The DMK Health Minister, Subramanian, claimed they have stock of the required medicine for treatment; however, the medicine we asked for is different from what the health minister said. We asked whether they have stock of Fomepizole and minister spoke about Omeprazole, which is used for the treatment of ulcer," he said. "861 cases have been filed, various people have been arrested for selling illicit liquor, and 4657 litres of illicit liquor have been seized. If this incident had not taken place, a large number of victims would have died by drinking this," Palaniswami added. The LoP further demanded the resignation of CM Stalin and said that the reason behind the sale of illicit liquor is DMK persons. "The reason behind the sale of illicit liquor is DMK persons. DMK have won 40/40 in parliament so they are doing too much. Stalin has to resign from his post. Tomorrow I and all the AIADMK MlAs are going to meet Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi to give petition on hooch tragedy," he said. The number of people who died in Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor has risen to 57, according to updated information released by the district administration on Monday. A total of 156 people are undergoing treatment at various Government hospitals in the state after consuming illicit liquor. A total of 110 people are undergoing treatment at the Kallakurichi Government Medical College hospital. Twelve people are admitted at Puducherry 20 people are undergoing treatment at Salem and four in Viluppuram government hospitals. A total of seven people, including five men and two women, who were undergoing treatment at hospitals in Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor have been discharged, according to Kallakurichi District Magistrate. So far, 32 people have died at the Government Kallakurichi Medical College and Hospital, 18 at the Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital in Salem. Four people have died at the Government Villupuram Medical College and Hospital and three at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) in Puducherry. Earlier on Friday, Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin 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 Kallakuruchi hooch tragedy. The government will provide Rs 5,000 in monthly assistance until the age of 18 for children who have lost both their parents and Rs 5 lakh will be deposited immediately as a fixed deposit in the names of children who have lost both parents, Stalin said. After the minors turn 18, the amount can be withdrawn with interest, the chief minister said. Similarly, Rs 3 lakh will be deposited as a fixed deposit for children who have lost one parent. Priority will be given to them in all government welfare schemes, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said. On the other hand, the CB-CID of Tamil Nadu police, which was handed over charge of investigating the tragedy, commenced a probe under SP Shantharam. As per the Kallakurichi Collector, seven people have been arrested in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned for June 26 the plea of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal challenging the order of the Delhi High Court granting interim stay on bail to him in the Delhi excise policy case probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). A vacation bench of Justices Manoj Misra and SVN Bhatti observed that the decision of the High Court to grant an interim stay on Kejriwal's bail without passing a final order in the matter was "unusual." "In stay matters, judgements are not reserved but passed on the spot. What has happened here is unusual. We will have it (the case before it) the day after," the bench said. On June 21, the High Court ordered an interim stay on bail while reserving its order. The order of the High Court had come on a plea of the Enforcement Directorate seeking stay on the release of Kejriwal. Kejriwal then filed an appeal in the top court against the High Court order. During the hearing today, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju told the bench that the High Court would shortly pronounce the order on the stay application and requested adjournment of the case. The apex court then said that it would be appropriate to wait for the final order, which is to be pronounced by the High Court in a day or two. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kejriwal, questions the High Court order granting stay on bail on the first day of hearing. He submitted that the procedure of staying on bail on the first day is unprecedented. "Suppose the High Court dismisses ED's appeal, how does the judge compensate for the time he (Kejriwal) lost?," Singhvi asked. Singhvi argued that at 10:30 am on June 21, the order of the High Court was passed without any reason, and arguments were heard after it stayed the order of bail. The senior counsel further said that there are several Supreme Court judgements that hold that bail, once granted, cannot be stayed without special reasons. As Singhvi requested the bench pass an order on the plea, the apex court said, "If it passes an order now, it will be pre-judging the issue. It is not a subordinate court; it is a high court.". Senior advocate Vikram Chaudhary, also appearing for Kejriwal, told the top court that Kejriwal does not have any criminal antecedents and is not a flight risk. On June 20, the trial judge granted bail to Kejriwal in the money laundering case. The next day, the ED moved an urgent petition before the High Court challenging the bail order. The High Court heard both sides extensively reserve orders on the ED's application to stay the bail order, and it halted the release of Kejriwal until the pronouncement of its order. (ANI)
Congress MP from Sivaganga, Karti P Chidambaram, termed the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination 2024 as a complete mess and demanded that the right to conduct examinations for medical college admissions be reverted back to the states. Karti Chidambaram said, "NEET issue is a complete mess. The government has completely mishandled the whole thing. The entire agency should be dismantled. The right to conduct examinations for medical college admissions must be reverted back to the states. The centre has no business running an entrance exam for admissions into colleges, which are funded and run by the states. This is anti-federal and now it is corrupt. It has inherent CBSE bias." JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha) Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji held the education department responsible for the irregularities in the NEET and the cancellation of the UGC NET exam. Mahua Maji said, "The issue of NEET is a crucial issue of the nation. Middle-class people are not able to afford expensive private medical colleges. So, they prepare for the government colleges. Then, there are such big scams in the government exams. They (the central government) have cancelled the UGC NET exam too. The state government is not responsible for it. The central government is responsible for the irregularities. It is a failure of the education department." Congress Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury hit out at the centre and alleged that neither they can provide jobs nor allow the youth to get jobs on their own. Renuka Chowdhury said, " It is our responsibility to raise the NEET issue. Lakhs of children's hard work and their parents' money were wasted. They can neither move forward nor step back. We were elected to raise people's issues. They (central govt) can't give jobs and now they are not letting them (youth) get jobs either." 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 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), the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts to 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," the ministry said. (ANI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were "attacking" the Constitution and said that such attacks are not acceptable by the Opposition INDIA bloc. Opposition leaders, including Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, staged a protest in Parliament premises holding copies of the Constitution in their hands. "The attack that the PM and Amit Shah are launching on the Constitution is not acceptable to us, we will not let this happen. So, we held the Constitution while taking the oath...Our message is going across, no power can touch the Constitution of India," the Raebareli MP told reporters ahead of the beginning of the 18th Lok Sabha session today. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing mediapersons ahead of the commencement of the Parliament Session took an indirect jab at the Congress over the Emergency imposed in 1975, calling it a "blot" on democracy "when the Constitution was discarded". "Tomorrow is 25th June. 25th June marks 50 years of the blot that was put on the democracy of India. The new generation of India will never forget that the Constitution of India was completely rejected, every part of the Constitution was torn to pieces, the country was turned into a prison, and democracy was completely suppressed," he said. "While protecting our Constitution, while protecting the democracy of India and the democratic traditions, the countrymen will take a resolution that no one will dare to do such a thing in India again, which was done 50 years ago. We will take a resolution of a vibrant democracy. We will take a resolution to fulfil the dreams of the common people as per the directions of the Constitution of India," PM Modi said Amid the row over the appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro-tem speaker, INDIA bloc leaders on Monday carried out a protest holding copies of the Constitution inside the Parliament premises in the national capital. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, " The ruling party hasn't forgotten their haughtiness...we can see that they are ignoring the key subjects of the country...the whole Dalit community in India could witness a historic seen if K Suresh were appointed as Pro-tem Speaker...today, BJP has not just neglected Congress, INDIA alliance and K Suresh but the whole Dalit community..." Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav, and all other MPs of Samajwadi Party arrived at the Parliament this morning, carrying a copy of the Constitution of India. Trinamool Congress leaders Sudip Bandhopadhyay, Kalyan Banerjee, and Sougata Roy stated that the Modi government has violated the Constitution. "We demand to protect the constitution of the country...Agreements happen between India and Bangladesh but they do not call the West Bengal government, and do everything one-sidedly...We have to protect it from the first day of this 18th Lok Sabha..." said TMC MP Sudip Bandhopadhyay. "We are protesting because the provisions of the Constitution have been violated. The Constitution has been violated by the Narendra Modi government. The way the pro-tem speaker has been appointed is a clear violation of the Constitutional provision and clear violation of the earlier precedences..." said TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee. (ANI)
Union Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda wrote a letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in connection with the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy which claimed 57 lives in Tamil Nadu and said that he is "shocked" with the stoic silence maintained by the Congress party over this incident. The BJP President said in his letter that he is not merely writing the letter in the capacity of the National President of the BJP but, more importantly, as a 'Bharatiya'. He also invited Kharge to join their leaders for a black band protest against this "state sponsored disaster" in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi inside the Prerna Sthal within Parliament precincts. "Hope this letter finds you in good health. It is with a very heavy heart. I write this letter to you, not merely in the capacity of the National President of BJP but, more importantly, as a Bharatiya. The ghastly images of burning funeral pyres, from Karunapuram village in Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu, in the aftermath of Tamil Nadu's worst ever spurious liquor consumption tragedy, that has left 56 dead until now and almost 159 persons hospitalised, have shaken the conscience of the entire nation," he said. Nadda said that the BJP, has not only extended full condolences and sympathies to the people of Tamil Nadu but has been providing utmost support to every distraught family. "Visuals of crying women and children who have lost their husbands, sons and fathers have left everyone speechless. This is a human tragedy of enormous proportions, which words alone can never truly encapsulate. The BJP, being a sensitive party, has not only extended full condolences and sympathies to the people of Tamil Nadu during this period of mourning but has also been providing utmost support to every distraught family," he said. "But even as we collectively mourn this great loss, I am constrained to acquaint you with a few shocking facts and circumstances, which perhaps could have helped in averting this mindless loss of innocent lives. And if, even at this stage, I dither from my moral obligation to present these facts before you for your cognizance and action, I would be failing in my responsibilities towards humanity as a whole," the BJP leader added. Expressing concern over the hooch tragedy, Nadda called the incident a man-made disaster and said that the lives of the deceased would have saved if the nexus between DMK and INDIA bloc dispensation and illicit liquor mafia did not exist. "Kharge ji the tragedy in Kallakurichi is entirely a man-made disaster and perhaps if the deep nexus between the ruling DMK-INDI Allaince dispensation and illicit liquor mafia did not exist, today 56 lives could have been saved. In May 2023, around 23 people had once again succumbed by consuming illicit liquor in Villupuram and Chengalpattu. At that time too, the BJP had cautioned the ruling DMK-INDI Alliance government of complicity and nexus between their functionaries and the illicit liquor mafia. But no attention was paid to our sincere exhortations," he said. "May I remind you that in 2021, the Congress manifesto had detailed a plan for liquor prohibition in the state. Such lofty promises have been made by DMK-INDI Alliance too in the past. Ironically, your DMK-INDI Allaince government is now the biggest patroniser of illicit spurious liquor trade that has claimed hundreds of lives whenever you are in power," the BJP President added. Hitting out at the DMK-led state government, Nadda said that when the disaster struck, instead of taking accountability and saving lives, the state administration was busy in trying to cover up. "In the present case too, media and investigative reports so far have made it clear as to how this business of Illicit liquor was functioning with impunity, right in the open and during broad daylight, obviously with patronage from the state and police. When the disaster struck, instead of immediately taking accountability and saving lives, the state administration was busy in trying to cover up," he said. Nadda targeted CM MK Stalin and said that his government continues to block a free and fair independent probe by opposing a CBI investigation. "That cover up itself proved fatal and led to loss of more lives. There are documented accounts about how one of the main accused was let off by the police just a few days ago, perhaps because of his political patronage and corruption in the law and order system, of which there is proof too. In light of these incontrovertible facts coming to the public domain, can this be termed as anything other than a "state sponsored murder"? he said. "I am sure you too with your vast experience in public life and administration, would reach the same conclusion as me. But what has been most disappointing is the brazen response of the DMK-INDI alliance government led by Thiru M K Stalin, who continues to be in complete denial. His government continues to block a free and fair independent probe by opposing a CBI investigation," the BJP leader added. Nadda questioned the role of police or CB-CID alleging that when there is clear political patronage and nexus involved- will the true perpetrators ever be brought to justice by such a probe? "Kharge ji when the police role itself is suspect can the Tamil Nadu police or CB-CID be trusted to investigate this fairly? When there is clear political patronage and nexus involved- will the true perpetrators ever be brought to justice by such a probe? Thiru Stalin instead of immediately asking his Minister for Excise and Prohibition Muthuswamy to step down has been stifling the opposition from raising its voice inside the Tamil Nadu Assembly and outside, which is our constitutional, democratic right," he said. "Many BJP Tamil Nadu leaders have been prevented from raising their voice for justice and Nyay for these victims. Indeed, the muzzling of right of the opposition parties to raise this issue of public importance is a big assault not only on free speech but also on the Constitutional and democratic ethos of Bharat," Nadda wrote in his letter. He further added, "Kharge ji, as you know Karunapuram is largely populated by the Scheduled Castes, who face several challenges due to poverty and discrimination in Tamil Nadu. In light of this, I was shocked that when such a huge disaster has taken place, the Congress party led by you, has maintained a stoic silence on this. Certain issues require us to rise above and beyond party lines and the welfare and safety of the SC, ST community is one such issue. Kharge ji today it is time to truly walk the talk on "Nyay" and not reduce it to a catchy campaign slogan, deployed for the launch of a failed political dynast. Today, the people of Tamil Nadu and the entire SC community are witnessing the double speak of the Congress party and particularly of Rahul Gandhi and leaders of the I.N.D.I. Alliance." "Suddenly, all the sanctimonious preachings of Rahul Gandhi about Constitution and ensuring the welfare and rights of SC community have stopped. instead of taking action, DMK-INDI Alliance-Congress' ally Kamal Haasan, went and rubbed salt into the wounds of the victim's families by blaming them rather than the corrupt nexus of illicit liquor mafia and DMK-INDI alliance functionaries," he said. "He even alluded to giving people in the area "psychiatric counselling.". Instead of providing succour and relief, SC victims are being shamed by your allies. It is time to act Kharge ji. Empty words, peddling fake narratives, and hollow promises will not undo the Anyay heaped upon the SC victims and their families by the DMK-INDI Alliance government," Nadda added. The BJP President in his letter to Kharge said that the nation wants him to press upon the Tamil Nadu government to go for a CBI probe and ensure the immediate removal of the Muthuswamy as minister. "At this juncture, the BJP and the entire nation indeed demand that you press upon the DMK-INDI Alliance Tamil Nadu government to go for a CBI probe and ensure the immediate removal of the Thiru Muthuswamy as minister. We also demand on behalf of the victim's families that you enhance the compensation to a reasonable level that can ensure these families have adequate support. We seek that Thiru MK Stalin, who is Home Minister of Tamil Nadu as well, should visit the families and the area and ensure strict crackdown on corrupt officials rather than patronise and defend them brazenly," he said. "We also urge you to pursue Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra, to either pay a visit to the victim's families or at least muster the courage to raise their voice on this issue rather than maintaining a defeaning selective, hypocritical silence," Nadda added. "Finally, there seems to be a penchant for illegal liquor business and Sharab Ghotala amongst many constituents of your I.N.D.I. Alliance. Such proclivities damage the nation and society. You ought to purge your alliance of such elements, who go against the basic philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi ji who was strictly against alcohol consumption, and indulge in patronising illicit liquor trade or liquor scams," he said. "Finally, I invite you to join our leaders for a black band protest against this "state sponsored disaster" in front of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi inside the Prerna Sthal within Parliament precincts," Nadda added in his letter. (ANI)
BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar hit out at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi over the hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi (Tamil Nadu) and asked Rahul Gandhi to clarify what steps they are demanding from the DMK government, including seeking the resignation of the Excise Minister of Tamil Nadu. Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, "One of the biggest tragedies of the hooch is the hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu. It is absolutely shocking that Rahul's Congress, who otherwise goes around waving the Constitution and talking about protecting people's rights, have not uttered a word about their INDI Alliance partner's government in Tamil Nadu." He asked Rahul Gandhi if the Congress would demand the resignation of the Excise Minister of Tamil Nadu . He further said, "It is not just shameful and crass on their part to otherwise make use of every tragedy that impacts a poor person and make it political but when this type of havoc is created in Tamil Nadu, Rahul Gandhi maintains a studious silence. It is for the Rahul Gandhi, Congress to clarify what steps they are demanding from the DMK Government, including seeking the resignation of the Excise Minister of Tamil Nadu at the earliest." He said that Rahul Gandhi should clarify how they will mitigate the losses of the family members of the victims. "This belief that somehow for every life, by giving some money, you can compensate the families who have lost their loved ones forever is a shame in itself. It is important for Rahul Gandhi to speak about this tragedy in Tamil Nadu and say how he will make good the lives of the family members of 56 deceased that have been lost as a consequence of the negligence of the INDIA bloc government in Tamil Nadu," he added. Earlier, a delegation of Tamil Nadu BJP leaders led by state party president K Annamalai called on Governor R N Ravi at Raj Bhavan in connection with the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, which has claimed 57 lives so far. Meanwhile, leaders of the AIADMK party held a protest in the Kallakurichi district against the DMK-led state government over the same. The protest was led by Tamil Nadu Opposition Party leader and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami. The protest was held opposite the VAS Marriage Hall, Salem Main Road, Kallakurichi District, in Tamil Nadu. The number of people who died in Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor has risen to 57, according to updated information released by the district administration on Monday.A total of 156 people are undergoing treatment at various government hospitals in the state after consuming illicit liquor. (ANI)
Amid the row over the appointment of the pro-tem speaker, Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday slammed the INDIA bloc for holding a protest by carrying copies of the Constitution to the Parliament in the national capital. "These are all just gimmicks..." said HD Kumaraswamy. Speaking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remark on the Emergency, the Union Minister called him "right", adding to that he said, "He remembered what happened at that time." Meanwhile, Congress MP Manickam Tagore launched a scathing attack against the PM Modi-led centre and said, "Everyday democracy is facing threat in India. For the past 10 years, every activity of Mr Modi has been against democratic forces. Even the statues of Gandhi ji and Babasaheb Ambedkar in Parliament have been removed and kept somewhere else...This is the way they want to run this country and they are lecturing us about democracy. This is very ridiculous for the Prime Minister, Mr Modi. " Tagore further stated that PM Modi has lost the confidence of the people. "His party is reduced from 303 to 240. So, he will repeat these kinds of things again and again," he added further. Speaking on the protest carried out by the INDIA bloc leaders he said that it was an attempt to remind the government that Constitution is everything for this country. "We wanted to show that we stand for the Constitution and we wanted to remind the Government that the Constitution is everything for this country and any step to disturb or change the Constitution won't be tolerated," he added. Earlier in the day, PM Modi lashed out at the opposition over the emergency while addressing media persons outside the new Parliament building before taking oath as a Member of Parliament. Recalling the 21-month period of emergency that was implemented in the country on June 25, 1975, PM Modi said the new generation of India will never forget that time when the country was turned into a prison, adding that they will take a resolution of a vibrant democracy so that no one will dare to do such a thing in India again. "Tomorrow is 25th June. 25th June marks 50 years since the blot that was put on the democracy of India. The new generation of India will never forget that the Constitution of India was completely rejected, every part of the Constitution was torn to pieces, the country was turned into a prison, and democracy was completely suppressed," he said. "While protecting our Constitution, while protecting the democracy of India and the democratic traditions, the countrymen will take a resolution that no one will dare to do such a thing in India again, which was done 50 years ago. We will take a resolution of a vibrant democracy. We will take a resolution to fulfil the dreams of the common people as per the directions of the Constitution of India," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister concluded his address by stating that the country hopes and expects the opposition to maintain the dignity of democracy, adding that the people want substance, not slogans. (ANI)
The Gujarat government commenced a statewide campaign to eradicate Sickle cell disease. Around 65,000 people are to be examined under the initiative undertaken by the state government. The campaign began in Mandvi Tehsil of Gujarat, and is primarily focused on rural areas. The government began its campaign on World Sickle Cell Day (June 19) and it will end on July 3rd. Teams of doctors have been deployed in parts of the state, and over 50 hospitals have been involved in the campaign. Notably, sickle cell disease is a series of genetic red blood cell abnormalities that adversely affect haemoglobin levels in the body. Due to genetic mutations, RCBs become sickle-shaped. Currently, there is no cure for this disease. Chief District Health Officer, Dr. Anil Patel, said, "Like every year we are spreading sickle cell disease awareness." Symptomatic individuals will be sent to the district hospital for further treatment. Some of the symptoms of this disease are anaemia, joint pain, breathing problems, and jaundice. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a nationwide campaign to curb sickle cell disease. Around 10 per cent of Gujarat's population, which is around 8.5 million, have been affected by the disease. Earlier in the month of April, microbiologist Dr Yazdi Maneksha Italia, who pioneered the development of India's first sickle cell anaemia control programme of the Gujarat government, was conferred with the Padma Shri award. Italia is among the 21 contributors to the counselling modules on sickle cell disease by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which aims to eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia by 2047. On winning the award, Italia said, "We are working in a tribal area, and sickle cell anaemia is a tribal health issue. It is a hereditary disease that is passed on from parents to children, and the treatment given for it is also different. We have been doing it for 40 years. Now the government has implemented it for the nation, and by 2047 we will reduce the number of patients with sickle cell anaemia to zero, so this is a very good thing. (ANI)
DMK MP Kanimozhi reiterated the party's demand to exempt Tamil Nadu from NEET and said that the examination process is not fair. Kanimozhi said, "Tamil Nadu has always been saying that we don't want NEET and wanted to be exempted from it. Today it is very clear that this exam is not really fair. Tamil Nadu has always said that we don't want it and now the whole country is saying this." NSUI (National Students' Union of India) held a protest in Delhi over the NEET issue on Monday. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi said, "PM Modi has reminded us of the time of emergency but, what about the education emergency of today? The youth are asking about the cancellation of exams, paper leaks and CBI inquiries in the exams and there is no accountability of the PM or Education Minister. The youth are on the verge of losing their job and one precious year. The Prime Minister should talk about the crucial issues facing the nation." Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant said that the NTA had lost its credibility. Arvind Sawant said, "This is a very serious issue. The paper leak matter should be taken very seriously. They have taken little action. But first, the minister denied it and said that nothing had happened. NTA has lost its credibility. When there is no credibility, why will you conduct examinations?" National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah said that conducting NEET-UG retest if required would be an improbable proposition. Dr Farooq Abdullah said, "This is a crime committed on students. They qualified for the exams by studying not buying papers. Now they are put through trouble again. Wherever they feel something wrong has happened, there they can conduct the retest but retest all over the country is not an easy job and repeating it is an unfortunate thing." 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 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. (ANI)
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament House on Monday. CM Golay presented the Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) report, estimating Rs. 3,673.25 crore for recovery and reconstruction, and emphasised the need for continued support. He thanked the PM for his prompt relief after the Sikkim Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in October 2023. The Chief Minister, in his social media, wrote for a permanent solution for National Highway 10, the only lifeline for Sikkim, damaged in the wake of GLOF and Monsoon 2024. He shared, "Given the strategic importance of NH-10, I requested a permanent solution to its frequent disruptions and proposed entrusting its maintenance to a Central Agency like NHAI/NHIDCL. I also sought urgent intervention to restore NH-310A, which connects Gangtok to the Indo-China border, following recent cloudbursts in North Sikkim". During the meeting with the PM, Golay also proposed connectivity through the Himalayan Railway Line. He informed, "A proposal to develop a Himalayan Railway Line between Bakrakote in West Bengal and Rorathang in Sikkim, along with historical correspondence from 1917, was also presented". The PM was also presented with Sikkim's initiative to build a multimodal corridor with an integrated checkpost between Sikkim and eastern Nepal at Chewa Bhanjyang. Sikkim CM also presented the long standing demands for tribal status for 12 indigenous communities, the Limboo-Tamang seat reservation in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, and the visit of 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorji to Sikkim. He extended invitation to the PM for celebration of 50th Statehood Day on May 16, 2025, to grace the occasion as the chief guest, which the PM is said to have accepted. Golay also applauded the PM's initiative, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,' which raises awareness about environmental conservation by planting a sapling in honour of mothers. He added that Sikkim will observe this initiative on July 7, 2024. He congratulated PM Modi on his third consecutive electoral victory and expressed confidence in his leadership. The Sikkim CM was accompanied by MPs Indra Hang Subba from Lok Sabha and Dorjee Tshering Lepcha from Rajya Sabha. (ANI)
Amidst the alleged irregularities in the NEET examination 2024 conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), Congress' student organisation, West Bengal State Chhatra Parishad, demonstrated against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and demanded his resignation over the issue. While speaking with ANI, one of the protesters said, "Our demand is that the NEET exam should be conducted again as it is a question of the future of 24 lakh students. Not only the students but their parents are also involved. The current situation is having a negative impact on those students who are preparing for the exam..." Meanwhile, NSUI (National Students' Union of India) also held a protest in Delhi over the NEET issue on Monday. Taking to its official X handle, the NSUI posted, "Until the NEET candidates get justice, NSUI will continue to struggle from the streets to the corridors of the House. We demand that NEET students should be given justice by conducting a re-examination, and corrupt institutions like NTA should be banned." It added further, "NSUI National President Varun Choudhary, along with NEET students and their families has given this message to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from Jantar Mantar that NSUI's struggle will continue until the students get justice." The 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 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), the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts to 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," the ministry said. (ANI)
Congress leader and Jharkhand Cabinet Minister Banna Gupta on Monday slammed Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his statement on the infiltration issue, calling him a "corrupt leader." Speaking to ANI, Banna Gupta said, "It is their (central government's) failure. We are not in BSF (Border Security Force) or the central government. The security is in their hands. The defence system is in their hands. Whose duty is to stop Rohingya Muslims? Their narrative is only to do Hindu-Muslim politics and violence." Hitting out at Assam CM, Gupta further said, "He is the most corrupted leader, what else can he say? They are ruling the centre, BSF and army is in their hands. If somebody is trying to infiltrate then the central government is answerable. They should resign from the government on a moral basis." Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Minister also talked about his Delhi visit and said that the party has called a meeting to discuss the party's preparations for upcoming assembly elections and the reasons behind the party's loss in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. "We have a meeting in Delhi. President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi will discuss the reasons for the loss in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. We will also discuss the party's preparations for the upcoming assembly elections in the state." Earlier on Sunday, after attending the Bharatiya Janata Party organizational meeting on the upcoming assembly elections at Ranchi, Jharkhand Assembly election co-incharge Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the biggest issue of Jharkhand is infiltration in tribal areas. Speaking on the issue of CAAA and NRC, Sarma said, "Today if there is any biggest issue in front of Adivasis, that is 'infiltration'. Recently, our party leader Amar Bawri Ji went to Pakur, the situation has worsened there so much that even the police and security personnel have to address it." He alleged that Bangladeshi Rohingyas marry Adivasi women just to grab their land and questioned the Jharkhand Government about measures they are taking against these infiltrators. He further stated, "The whole Hindu and Adivasi community is infiltrated. The Bangladeshi Rohingyas marry Adivasis women just to grab their land. There is a need to initiate debate on this topic with JMM and it should be asked from them what measures they are taking against these infiltrators. But they lack an answer." On the infiltration issue, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "The Central Home Ministry can do everything but who gives them (infiltrators) shelter in the state? The Home Ministry's work is limited to the borders. The state government gives power to the BSF to work within 50 km of the border, as we have done in Assam, the JMM government should also give full rights to the BSF... The central government does not have power inside the state." "If there are 10 Rohingyas in Ranchi, then the central government cannot identify them and send them back. If they want to give the power to the central government, we will welcome it... We will take that challenge," said Sarma. Jharkhand will go for the assembly polls at the end of the year 2024. Along with Jharkhand, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Jammu and Kashmir will also undergo Assembly polls. The terms of the existing Jharkhand Legislative Assembly will end in January 2025 and the Election Commission (EC) has kicked off preparations for holding Assembly elections. (ANI)
BJP MP Ravi Kishan on Monday rejected the Opposition's charge and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always respected the Constitution. "PM Modi has always respected the Constitution. They won one time by lying but this lie (of changing the Constitution) will not work again. They will reach their original figure again," Ravi Kishan told ANI. He asked the Opposition MPs to be responsible in the parliament and avoid doing "mischief" like tearing bills, hooting or throwing papers. "This time there is a strong Opposition. When bills come in the favour of the country, I hope they will not create obstacles in passing them. Their voters will also know that their chosen MP is doing concrete work and not destructive work," he said. "PM Modi will complete the 5-year tenure excellently. Opposition should not do mischief like tearing bills, hooting or throwing papers and respect the Parliament with discipline. They should present their points and have a debate, but they should let the House run and not become an obstacle," he added. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were "attacking" the Constitution and said that such attacks are not acceptable by the Opposition INDIA bloc. Opposition leaders, including Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, staged a protest in Parliament premises holding copies of the Constitution in their hands. "The attack that the PM and Amit Shah are launching on the Constitution is not acceptable to us, we will not let this happen. So, we held the Constitution while taking the oath...Our message is going across, no power can touch the Constitution of India," the Raebareli MP told reporters ahead of the beginning of the 18th Lok Sabha session today. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing mediapersons ahead of the commencement of the Parliament Session took an indirect jab at the Congress over the Emergency imposed in 1975, calling it a "blot" on democracy "when the Constitution was discarded"."Tomorrow is 25th June. 25th June marks 50 years of the blot that was put on the democracy of India. The new generation of India will never forget that the Constitution of India was completely rejected, every part of the Constitution was torn to pieces, the country was turned into a prison, and democracy was completely suppressed," he said. "While protecting our Constitution, while protecting the democracy of India and the democratic traditions, the countrymen will take a resolution that no one will dare to do such a thing in India again, which was done 50 years ago. We will take a resolution of a vibrant democracy. We will take a resolution to fulfil the dreams of the common people as per the directions of the Constitution of India," PM Modi said. Amid the row over the appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as pro-tem speaker, INDIA bloc leaders on Monday carried out a protest holding copies of the Constitution inside the Parliament premises in the national capital. (ANI)
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader D Jayakumar hit out at DMK-led Tamil Nadu government over the hooch tragedy in the Kallakurichi district that claimed 58 lives. The AIADMK leader alleged that many top leaders were involved in the case which was the reason the state government did not transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "Why is the case not being transferred to CBI? They are scared that if the CBI investigates, many top leaders of the ruling government will be caught. They formed a one-man commission. What is the use of that? That is just for the sake of it. Such a commission will dilute the real issue," Jayakumar said. He further alleged that the DMK government failed to maintain law and order in the state. "Illicit liquor and drugs are very open in the state. This raises the question of whether the CM, who holds the Home Department, is there or not. The CM said that he wouldn't allow such tragedies when a similar tragedy happened last year in Villupuram and Chengalpattu. But what happened now?" he asked. He said that there is no proper medicine to treat patients who are affected by illicit liquor consumption. "If we had enough medicines, many lives could have been saved. This was raised by our leader Palaniswami and then Statet Medical Department urgently procured medicines," he claimed. AIADMK held a protest in Chennai over the issue and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister MK Stalin. The death toll in the hooch tragedy in Tamil Nadu's Kallakurichi district rose to 58 on Monday, according to the District Collectorate. A total of 156 people are undergoing treatment at various government hospitals in the state after consuming illicit liquor. A total of 110 persons are undergoing treatment at the Kallakurichi Government Medical College hospital. Twelve persons are admitted at Puducherry, 20 persons are undergoing treatment at Salem and four are in Viluppuram government hospital. According to the Kallakurichi District Magistrate, a total of seven people including five men and two women who were undergoing treatment at hospitals in Tamil Nadu after consuming illicit liquor have been discharged. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday 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 Kallakuruchi hooch tragedy. "The government will provide Rs 5000 monthly assistance until the age of 18 for children who have lost both their parents and Rs 5 lakh will be deposited immediately as a fixed deposit in the names of children who have lost both parents," Stalin said while speaking in the Assembly session earlier in the day. (ANI)
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda launched the 'Stop Diarrhoea Campaign 2024' at an event in Delhi on Monday. While addressing the event, the Union Minister said that the duration of the campaign will be two months. "This is the first program that we are launching after coming to power. In 2014 we started 'Mission Indradhanush' and in 2024 we are scaling up the duration of the campaign from a fortnight to two months," Nadda said. "In 2014, the mortality rate was 45 per 1000 live births which has been reduced to 32 per 1000 live births," he added. According to a Health Ministry release, this year Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has renamed Diarrhoea Campaign as 'STOP Diarrhoea Campaign', in continuation of the efforts of Diarrhoea Management till 2023. STOP Diarrhoea Campaign consists of a set of activities to be implemented in an intensified manner during campaign period for prevention and control of deaths due to dehydration from diarrhoea across all States/UTs. These activities mainly include - intensification of advocacy & awareness generation activities for diarrhoea management utilising inter-convergence of various departments, strengthening service provision for diarrhoea case management, establishment of ORS-Zinc corners, prepositioning of ORS and Zinc by ASHA in households with under-five children, awareness generation activities for hygiene and sanitation, the release mentioned. The release also stated that reduction of childhood mortality to 23 per 1,000 live births by 2025 is one of the prime goals of National Health Policy as childhood diarrhoeal diseases continue to be a major killer among under-five children in many states, contributing to 5.8 per cent of under five deaths in the country (Cause of Death Statistics 2017-19, Sample Registration System of Registrar General of India). Around 50,000 children die due to diarrhoea annually in the country. Diarrhoeal deaths are usually clustered in summer and monsoon months and the worst affected are children from poor socio-economic situations, it added. (ANI)
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini offered prayers at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya on Monday with his cabinet ministers. In a post on X, CM Nayab Singh Saini said, "Met the most respected Mahant Nritya Gopal Das Ji, the prominent and representative face of the Ram Mandir movement, and received his blessings." Saini added, "It is because of the hard work of hardworking saints like you that the dream of Sanatanis to build Ram Mandir has come true today. I thank you from the bottom of my heart." BJP Haryana also took to X and said, "Today, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Saini, our political leadership of Haryana state saw the unmatched beauty of Ram Lala and the vastness of his personality by reaching Shri Ayodhya Ji Dham, Ram Janmabhoomi." Earlier in the day, highlighting the state government's efforts to facilitate people in visiting Ayodhya and other pilgrimages, Saini had said, "Under the 'Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana', buses are being sent to every district, and we have made arrangements for people to visit Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya...We have made adequate arrangements to ensure that senior citizens can visit and have darshan at Ayodhya and other pilgrimages." He emphasised that the steps taken by the government have brought satisfaction to the people. "We have now asked the officials of the Labour Department to also make arrangements for those workers who want to visit the pilgrimage sites. People are very satisfied that the government has allowed visiting the pilgrimage sites of Lord Shri Ram through such schemes..." said the CM. CM Saini further added that the government has been facilitating the economically backward sections to visit pilgrimages and have darshan. "The poor people who earn below 1 lakh 80 thousand annually cannot afford to visit and have darshan on their own but the government schemes can cater to such people and help them," he said. Earlier, the Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh announced plans to construct guest houses in the holy cities of Ayodhya and Prayagraj as the establishment of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple has increased the number of distinguished visitors to the city, making secure and comfortable lodging a priority. The Chief Minister reviewed the presentation regarding the construction site, layouts, facilities, and decorations of these guest houses on Friday. During a meeting with officials from the estate Department, the Chief Minister emphasised the need for guest houses with excellent standards of security and convenience in Ayodhya to accommodate dignitaries such as the President, Prime Minister, and Governor, as well as other important visitors from around the world. (ANI)
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha began today with several prominent leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, taking oaths as Members of Parliament. Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy, Chirag Paswan, Kiren Rijiju, Nitin Gadkari, and Mansukh Mandaviya also took oaths as members of the Lok Sabha. Union Ministers Bhupender Yadav, Giriraj Singh, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, JD(U) MP Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh, BJP MP Piyush Goyal, and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also took oaths as members. Before the beginning of the first session of Lok Sabha, BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab was sworn in as the pro-tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. The oath was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Lok Sabha Speaker will be elected on June 26. On June 27, President Murmu is scheduled to address a joint sitting of both houses of Parliament. The opposition MPs of the INDIA bloc, meanwhile, reacted sharply to the appointment of the seven-time MP as the pro-tem speaker saying that the appointment deviates from the traditional practice of appointing the seniormost member. Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders staged a protest in front of the Gandhi statue in Parliament holding copies of the Constitution as a sign of their protest against the appointment of Mahtab as the pro-tem speaker. Speaking to ANI, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, "The ruling party hasn't forgotten their haughtiness. We can see that they are ignoring the key issues of the country. The whole Dalit community in India could witness a historic scene if K Suresh were appointed as Pro-tem Speaker. Today, BJP has not just neglected Congress, INDIA bloc and K Suresh but the entire Dalit community." Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee who also joined the protest said, "We are protesting because the provisions of the Constitution have been violated. The Constitution has been violated by the Narendra Modi government. The way the pro-tem speaker has been appointed is a violation of the Constitutional provision and clear violation of the earlier precedence." Along with this, the ongoing issue of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance (NEET)-UG exams dominated the first day of the Parliament session. As Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was taking oath as a member of the Parliament, the opposition MPs demonstrated their anger over the alleged irregularities in the NEET exams. The House witnessed the slogans of 'NEET' being raised on the first day. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav attacked the ruling BJP over the NEET-UG row. He claimed that the BJP "gets exam papers leaked" to "please" its people. Speaking to reporters here in the national capital, Yadav said, "This is nothing new. This is an old way of the BJP. If you see history, the BJP gets exam papers leaked to please its people. This was a huge issue in UP and now it has reached Delhi. They have cheated crores of people". Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also targeted the central government and listed 10 issues that took place during the first 15 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. The issues listed by Rahul Gandhi included alleged NEET irregularities, UGC NET paper leak, a train accident, water crisis, and more. Rahul Gandhi in a post on X, alleged that PM Modi is busy in saving his government and said, "First 15 days of NDA! 1. Horrific train accident; 2. Terrorist attacks in Kashmir 3. The plight of passengers in trains 4. NEET scam; 5. NEET PG cancelled 6. UGC NET paper leak 7. Milk, pulses, gas, tolls and expensive 8. Forests blazing with fire; 9. Water crisis; 10. Deaths due to lack of arrangements during the heat wave." "Psychologically on the backfoot, Narendra Modi is busy saving his government," the Raebareli MP added. He further said that "INDIA's strong opposition" will continue to raise the voice of the people, and not allow the Prime Minister to escape without accountability. Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge also came down heavily upon the centre amid the ongoing row. He took to social media platform X to target the PM for not mentioning issues like the alleged irregularities in the NEET exam, Manipur violence and West Bengal train accident while addressing reporters outside the new Parliament building before taking oath as a Lok Sabha MP. The Congress national president Kharge said PM had used "customary words" more than necessary, while country was expecting his words on relevant issues. Kharge said the "arrogance" remains despite a defeat. Listing the issues in detail in a post on X Kharge wrote, "He will show some sympathy towards youth regarding paper leak in NEET and other entrance exams, but he will not take any responsibility for the rigging and corruption of his government. "Modi ji also remained silent about the recent train accident in West Bengal. Manipur has been in the grip of violence for the last 13 months, but Modiji neither went there nor did he express any concern about the recent violence in his speech today," said Kharge. The nation is witnessing widespread protests over the alleged irregularities in the conduct of National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance-Test (NEET) (UG) Examination 2024 by the NTA. The opposition is demanding to scrap the testing agency. An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720, which added to the concerns. Meanwhile, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) Chief Chirag Paswan backed the government over the NEET row stating that the latter has "nothing to hide". The Union Minister further said that the culprits will not be spared. "The government has nothing to hide. The government has taken this issue very seriously. Investigation agencies are conducting investigations. For the welfare of students, the decision will be taken shortly. The culprits will not be spared," Paswan told ANI. The Prime Minister, before the commencement of the session, addressed the media. He congratulated all the newly elected members and said that the new government will always strive to take everyone along and build consensus to serve the country. "Today is a proud day in parliamentary democracy; it is a day of glory. For the first time since independence, this oath ceremony is taking place in our new Parliament. Till now, this process used to take place in the old house. On this important day, I heartily welcome all the newly elected MPs, congratulate them all, and wish them all the best," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister thanked the people of the country for their support and for giving him a mandate to lead the country for a third consecutive time." This formation of Parliament is to fulfil the resolutions of the common man of India. This is an opportunity to achieve new speed and new heights with new zeal and enthusiasm. The 18th Lok Sabha is starting today with the goal of building a developed India by 2047," he said. "It is a matter of pride for every Indian that the world's biggest election was conducted in such a grand and glorious manner. More than 65 crore voters took part in the voting. If the citizens of our country have trusted a government for the third consecutive time, it means they have given their stamp of approval to the policies and intent of the government. I am grateful to each of you for your support and trust," PM Modi added. He also took an indirect dig at the Congress party ahead of the 50th anniversary of "Emergency" that was imposed in the country under Indira Gandhi's rule in 1975. Terming it a "blot on democracy", he said, "Tomorrow is 25th June. 25 June marks 50 years of the blot that was put on the democracy of India. The new generation of India will never forget that the Constitution of India was completely rejected, every part of the Constitution was torn to pieces, the country was turned into a prison, and democracy was completely suppressed," he said. "While protecting our Constitution, while protecting the democracy of India and the democratic traditions, the countrymen will take a resolution that no one will dare to do such a thing in India again, which was done 50 years ago. We will take a resolution of a vibrant democracy. We will take a resolution to fulfil the dreams of the common people as per the directions of the Constitution of India," PM Modi said. This is followed by fierce reactions from the Congress leaders. Congress national president Kharge singled out the centre, questioning how long they want to rule by talking about the Emergency. "He will say this 100 times. Without declaring an emergency, you are doing this. How long do you want to rule by talking about this?" said Kharge. "Modi Ji tried to break the Constitution, that's why today leaders of all parties have come together and are protesting. There was a Gandhi statue here. They are breaking all democratic norms, That's why today we want to show that Modi Ji, you should move ahead according to the Constitution," he added. Criticising PM Modi over the 'emergency' remark, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took to social media platform X and wrote, "The non-biological PM is telling the opposition: substance, not slogans. INDIA is telling him: consensus, not confrontation. The non-biological PM is telling the opposition: discussion, not disruption. INDIA is telling him: Attendance, not absence." (ANI)
In a major crackdown, the Pune Police on Monday raided and sealed a popular bar in the city for allegedly serving drugs to minors, sparking outrage and leading to the suspension of four police officials for dereliction of duty. The police have suspended one Assistant Police Inspector, one Police Inspector and two constable attached to Shivaji Nagar Police station. The police have also arrested 8 people in the case. The operation was carried out at the Liquid Leisure Lounge (L3) located in the posh Fergusson College Road area after a video surfaced on social media showing underage boys consuming drugs in the bar's washroom during a late-night party. Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar ordered an immediate probe into the matter, leading to a late-night raid on the establishment. Police teams conducted a thorough search of the premises and sealed the bar early the next day. The owner of L3, Santosh Kamthe, franchisee Ravi Maheshwari, manager Manas Malik, two staffers and three others were arrested in connection with the case and produced before a Pune Magistrate court later sent to police custody till June 29 by the court. Furthermore, four police officials, including a police inspector and an assistant police inspector and two constable were also suspended for allegedly turning a blind eye to the illegal activities taking place at the bar, which fell within their jurisdiction. According to Police DCP Sandeep Singh Gill, "the bar would surreptitiously allow entry to patrons through the backdoor after officially closing at 1.30 am and continue hosting parties until dawn. The authorities have vowed to take strict action against those responsible for the illicit activities, particularly targeting minors. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 1) Sandeep Singh Gill said, "A total of 8 people have been arrested in the case, Prima facie, an event organiser named Akshay Kamthe took 40 to 50 youths to the hotel named L3 located at FC Road in Pune city for a late night party. He managed to close the main door of the bar and allowed the youths to enter from the backdoor." "The party was operated till late night flouting the rules. We are probing the matter whether any narcotic substance was consumed in the party. More investigations under way," he added. The incident has sparked outrage among residents in Pune, with many demanding stricter enforcement of laws and regulations to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The police have assured that they will continue to crack down on establishments engaging in illegal activities and uphold the safety and well-being of minors in the city. A local right wing group Patit Paawan also vandalised the exterior of the bar. (ANI)
Taking to 'X', Sharma wrote, "Today, with former state Chief Minister @ashokgehlot51 being unwell, I went to his residence and enquired about his well-being. I pray to God for his speedy recovery."

Gehlot has been advised a complete bedrest by his doctors as he is going through the issue of a slipped disc.

Meanwhile, the Congress leader also took to his 'X' handle stating, "Today, Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma came to my residence to enquire about my well-being".

Ashok Gehlot was earlier seen in a wheelchair during the Lok Sabha polls.

Due to the issue of a slipped disc, he had to cancel a few of his election rallies.

Earlier, Congress leader and former Rajasthan Deputy CM Sachin Pilot also wished Gehlot a quick recovery.

"I have received news of the ill health of former Chief Minister of Rajasthan Shri Ashok Gehlot ji. I pray to God for your speedy recovery", Pilot had said. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Jharkhand chief Babulal Marandi on Monday trained guns at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi stating that the latter should apologize for the "misdeeds" of his grandmother, Indira Gandhi. Earlier today, amid the row over the appointment of Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem speaker, the Congress leader criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah claiming that they were "attacking" the Constitution. "The way the opposition leaders held the copies of the Constitution in their hands, I want to say that it is the Congress and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who destroyed the Constitution by imposing an emergency", Marandi told ANI. He added that Rahul Gandhi should apologize for the "misdeeds" of his grandmother. "Rahul Gandhi keeps talking about Modiji and the Constitution. He should first apologize for the misdeeds of his grandmother", said the BJP leader. The opposition MPs of the INDIA bloc have reacted sharply to the appointment of the seven-time MP as the pro-tem speaker saying that the appointment by the BJP deviates from the traditional practice of appointing the senior member. Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with INDIA bloc leaders staged a protest in front of the Gandhi statue in Parliament holding copies of the Constitution as a sign of their protest against the appointment of Mahtab as the pro-tem speaker. Meanwhile, before the commencement of the Lok Sabha session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took an indirect dig at the Congress over the "emergency" that was imposed in 1975 during Indira Gandhi's rule. Terming it a "blot on democracy", he said, "Tomorrow is 25th June. 25th June marks 50 years of the blot that was put on the democracy of India. The new generation of India will never forget that the Constitution of India was completely rejected, every part of the Constitution was torn to pieces, the country was turned into a prison, and democracy was completely suppressed," he said. "While protecting our Constitution, while protecting the democracy of India and the democratic traditions, the countrymen will take a resolution that no one will dare to do such a thing in India again, which was done 50 years ago. We will take a resolution of a vibrant democracy. We will take a resolution to fulfill the dreams of the common people as per the directions of the Constitution of India," PM Modi said. This is followed by fierce reactions from the Congress leaders. Congress national president Kharge singled out the center, questioning how long they want to rule by talking about the emergency. "He will say this 100 times. Without declaring an emergency, you are doing this. How long do you want to rule by talking about this?" said Kharge. (ANI)
Delhi's Tis Hazari Court recently granted bail to a student of the School of Open Learning (SOL) of Delhi University in a rape case, noting that the victim has not opposed the bail. The court also noted that the FIR was lodged after a delay of 176 days. The victim used to study with the accused at SOL and had a love affair with the accused. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Manoj Kumar granted bail to accused after noting that he is a young man of 20 years old and charge sheet has been filed. While granting bail to the accused on June 22, the court said, "Whether the accused physically assaulted the prosecutrix or not is a matter of trial." The court also noted that, as per MLC, there are no external injuries, and the prosecutrix had refused her internal medical examination. She also did not produce her mobile phone. Their friends were also interrogated and they did not support the allegations of the prosecutrix. Advocate Deepak Sharma, counsel for accused, argued that accused has been in custody since April 12, 2024. There was a delay of 176 days in lodging the FIR. During investigation, friends of victim did not support allegations she levelled. Delhi police have filed a charge sheet after an investigation, the counsel argued. Therefore, she should be granted bail. During the hearing, the prosecutrix did not oppose the bail application. On the other hand, the prosecution said that the accused committed sexual assault/rape upon the victim. The mobile phone of the accused was checked, and obscene photos/videos were found, which corroborated the statement of the victim. He may flee from justice and influence the witnesses; therefore, he should not be granted bail. On March 28, 2024, an FIR was lodged at police station Sabzi Mandi on the basis of a complaint filed by the prosecutrix. The bail application stated that the accused and victim have been classmates since 12th grade and study in SOL. They have had a love affair for the last two years. As per the counselling report, the victim herself admitted that the accused is her boyfriend, as the plea stated. As per the report, the alleged incident took place on October 4, 2023, at her house. Two friends were also present at her house, but their statements were not recorded. The family of the victim was not happy with their love affair. Finally, an FIR was lodged on March 28, 2024, after a delay of 176 days. Though the victim had told her mother everything on March 25, the FIR was lodged on March 28. (ANI)
Delhi Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj on Monday said that Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena got "exposed" in the Supreme Court for ordering the illegal cutting of 1,100 trees in protected Ridge area in the national capital. "Trees are very significant. In Delhi, kids are made to swear to plant and save trees. Despite planting a lakh trees, merely a thousand of them could survive. In such a case, if there's some greenery left in Delhi, this is because of our courts, especially the Supreme Court. Now, we have come across a case that has shocked the people of Delhi", Bharadwaj said while addressing the media here in the national capital. "LG 'Saab' got exposed in the honourable Supreme Court for ordering the illegal cutting of trees in the protected Ridge area near Chhattarpur's Satbari. A conspiracy took place, on February 3, the Delhi Lieutenant Governor, who is also the Chairman of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), visited the Satbari area in Delhi's Chhattarpur, which comes under the ridge area and after that, 1,100 full-grown trees were cut without any permission. If such a large number of trees were cut, everyone would know about it. But everyone remained silent, an NGO raised questions about it", he added. The Delhi minister further said that trees had been cut down even before permission was sought. "Later, the DDA went to court for permission in this matter and the Supreme Court rejected the permission on March 4. However, the NGO that went to the Supreme Court in May said that 1,100 trees had been cut even before permission was sought. This was contempt of court. In May, the court reprimanded DDA and imposed a criminal charge on the VC of DDA", Saurabh Bharadwaj said. "Today the court asked the DDA who permitted to cut 1,100 trees. The court quoted the paper as saying that Delhi's Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena secretly got 1,100 trees belonging to the people of Delhi cut down, without any written order. It is only said on the file that the Lieutenant Governor's order has come, to cut 1100 trees", he added. Taking a fierce jibe at LG Saxena, Bharadwaj said, "Chori, Sinajori aur Shadyantra, woh bhi court ke saath. (Theft and conspiracy, that too, before the court)". Bharadwaj also demanded the LG's resignation on "moral grounds"."I think he should resign on moral grounds. He has no moral right to hold the post of LG for a single day", he said. This comes at a time when the national capital is juggling with water shortage in several areas due to the scorching heat waves and soaring temperatures. Senior Aam Admi Party leader (AAP) and Water Minister of Delhi, Atishi, has been on an indefinite hunger strike since June 21 and is protesting against the center over water issues. According to AAP leader Atishi, her strike will persist until Haryana provides Delhi's water rights and opens the Hathnikund Barrage gates. (ANI)